Tonight, Maria joins the Hunt

[whomthebelltolls]

Name: Lady Maria
Date: Auguril 15th - Evening
Format: Video

-

[The view opens up to Maria's face, the face of the giant clocktower in the back drop. She's sitting on a ledge on the outside of the building, one leg dangling off the edge, the other foot planted on the worn stone back of a screaming panther-eagle gargoyle. The sky, and the tower are awash with the the deep pinks and purples of the nearly-set sun. Maria herself is wearing her full hunter's outfit, her hat pulled low to shield her eyes against the sunset, but in truth it just makes her eyes seem that much brighter blue. The only oddity in her attire is that she seems to have several sunflowers tucked into her belt, around the holsters for her gun and sword sheath.

The mechanisms in the tower grind and move, and the big minute hand tocks heavily, thunking into place in the next minute slot before Maria speaks. It's almost the top of the hour.]

It has been several months, since the first of us arrived here. Life... is not made easy within this place. Not for anyone, even those of us who might be in better straits than at home. This may be the worst night yet, and we still have many more moons to come, I fear, before any of us are allowed from this place. [This, however, may very well be Maria's own last. She feels the way the headache swells and throbs behind her eyes, the pressure fit to make her burst at the seams. It ebbs and flows, depending on what she does with the Monsters, how she uses her magic, the potions and the herbs and the other stalling tactics, but she's not sure how much longer she can keep on like this. Tonight, blissfully, the pain is at its least - the full moon being the weakest pull of the mirrorbound Witches is keeping things to a dull roar at the back of her skull. For several seconds, she looks back out over the city, scanning the shapes and the shadows, watching people shutter their windows and close their doors.]

On this night, the instincts for the Monsters will be at their worst. If the pull is too strong, and you feel your mind slipping into the madness and chaos of beasthood, seek the scent of... [Lumenflowers... no,] sunflowers. They will lead you to me. I will make it as swift as you will allow me; but it may be most silent if I must seek you out. [This is exactly the threat that it seems to be.]

If the beasts loom large, and threaten to devour you, or crush you, seek me out, as well. Monster, witch, human or not, it matters not to me; it is the threat of the feral I am in search of. [Pause.] As for the rest of you... I hope you do not see me.

[Her foot shifts, and she stands, precarious though the ledge is. The terrifying drop seems to not bother her at all. The shadows deepen on her face as the sky turns a richer purple-blue, the sun setting rapidly now, though it's barely been a minute. Soon, the video cuts to black, but there's still audio in the background; a rustle of wind and cloth. Finally, there's a whirring as the clock begins to turn over again.]

The night, and the hunt are always so very long. I pray we all live to see the morning sun, and put this night behind us.

[Tock. The video cuts out as the first peal of the hourly bells sounds. Over the city, the clocktower chimes eight, and the sun slips fully below the horizon.]

Comments

text

[beariot]

Was this strictly necessary? I feel like all you're going to do is stir up an already anxious group of people.

I know you're just trying to help, but I worry. [ She always worries. ]

[whomthebelltolls]

Perhaps not. I could have begun this night without a warning. Slipping in under cover of night and dispatching the beasts without raising alarm was our method before.

I won't do it again, in the future. [She'll just kill them - though this assumes there is such a thing as "the future" for her, and honestly, she's not so sure, but that's irrelevant.]

Video

[hippocarnival]

[Yuya is, funnily enough, contending with another monster's impulses right now. Not that he's the one he considers to be in danger after getting this message.

Anyway, he's alone in the video with his back against the wall, looking uneasy.]

What are you going to do? [He can take a guess, and his makes his stomach twist, but he's looking for confirmation first.]

Audio

[whomthebelltolls]

[The fluttering of a cloak, the whisper of the wind, it's hard to tell where she's at anymore, though her boots thud down heavily onto stone before she responds.] I am going to protect everyone from feral Monsters. Including themselves.

Video;

[selfishwish]

[Well, that made for...unsettling viewing, particularly for a young puca just starting to feel the pull of his first full moon. Probably he should ignore it? But for some reason impulse wins out, and he mashes the command to respond on his watch before good sense can prevail.]

"Seek the scent of sunflowers," so you can...help them calm down?

[Says the boy half-pouting, half-glaring at the camera. He'd look human enough, if it weren't for those unnaturally golden eyes.]

Audio

[whomthebelltolls]

The most feral of monsters? Unlikely; I doubt it is possible to pull them back from that brink. Those that are suffering minor inconvenience from the moon? There are other Witches more likely to aid with their issues. I am here for the greatest threats.

[This one she isn't going to bet is much of a threat considering he's still mostly human, Maria figures. A month or two maybe he'll be more likely to be on that level, but for now... she'll be cordial. Even with the threat looming.]

un: harmonia

[digiorno]

[...............]

Thanks, I think.

[His voice sounds a little thick, like he's congested, but otherwise he's not that bad off just yet. Funny how not resisting every step of the way helps.]

[whomthebelltolls]

[Hi roommate.]

You are holding on to your mind well, are you not? It will be alright, for you. [But she's always close at hand if that ever stops being true.]

text | un: reddeer

[rightfoot]

I'm pretty sure I've had nightmares like this. Thanks, though.

txt

[whomthebelltolls]

Nightmares about what?

text

[niespodzianka]

WHAT THE FUCK

[ He's not screaming, he doesn't know how to use the watch. ]

[whomthebelltolls]

Yes? [Being a college student might have its perks.]

Just a reaction;

[alienwear]

[ Peridot watches the message in it's entirety with unblinking eyes, widened to the size of saucers. She hasn't been simultaneously horrified, intimidated and utterly transfixed by a telecommunication of any sort since the first time she spoke to Yellow Diamond one-on-one.

When the message ends, she quietly sets the watch down with trembling hands. She then makes the executive decision to stay home tonight and focus on tending to her hoard of houseplants, rather than going out and risk running into that. ]

voice

[weirdnecro]

Looks hot, very extra, still murder.

[SLURP. Don't mind her, she's enjoying her tea.]

voice

[whomthebelltolls]

[She is. Not from the right time period for this. Ergo, wat.] Were those words supposed to mean something?

video.

[usurpers]

[ he’s a dragon, with two witch bonds to station him and honestly— this makes him more tired than pissed off. ]

The only one you’re fooling with your sugarcoating is you.

Audio

[whomthebelltolls]

I am not sugarcoating anything. Those that go feral and threaten the populace will be put down, as swiftly as I can. I take no joy in their suffering and their shame, but nor will I suffer a threat. Those that do not will be left alone - and I will happily ignore them, if they want to ignore me.

text;

[foursakes]

Must there be bloodshed, Lady?

[whomthebelltolls]

No, not at all. But I will react to shed blood in kind.

[voice]

[horkbajir]

[Toby was a little less uneasy after looking this over long enough to know Maria's not out slaughtering wholesale.]

It's unfortunate, but I suppose there are times when this is necessary. I appreciate your willingness to take this upon yourself. Please also remember your own restraint. The moons will pass, and most Monsters aren't so overtaken to cause more than mischief.

[voice]

[whomthebelltolls]

[You know, hearing a non-completely-dissenting voice in all of this is a nice relief. It's been tiring trying to explain she isn't actually just out to kill things. She's more being a security guard. A stabby one.] Mm. I am not so young and impetuous to jump at shadows. I was a hunter for most of my adult life... I will remain diligent of myself to ensure that only true threats are acknowledged.

Still, I thank you for your understanding. It is nothing I take pride or joy in, but I have seen the unchecked effects of a rampaging beast, driven only by its hunger and instincts. I don't wish that on any one here. Even the Monsters, no matter how ill they think of me.

Text

[psychotronics]

Hold on. How in the hell did you manage to do a cut to black/audio only shot using your damn watch? Or, an even better question, how the fuck did you even get up on that tower in the first place?

[ Morgan doesn't usually allow herself to be so visibly agitated but? NANI??!??? ]

Text

[whomthebelltolls]

[This Super Serial threat to the wellbeing of a population has been interrupted by... shitposting.] I just switched it from video to audio. Maybe my cape fluttered over it?

As for the tower... I climbed? Short-range teleportation spells make it very easy.

voice

[atouts]

[ What even... ]

You're hunting them? [ Childermass doesn't have time for poetic descriptions of murder, thanks, but it's all still a little bit alarming. ] Are you mad?

voice

[whomthebelltolls]

No one really gets out of Yharnam with their sanity fully intact, I do not believe. [A pause. There's some kind of rustling in the background, and then the sound of footsteps stopped. Here comes another one. Let's see what shot this guy has to take and if it's any different than any of the others.] But that's not the point. I am monitoring for issues. If it need become a hunt, it will. If there are no issues, then nothing will happen. Anything else?

audio;

[lonewanderer]

Could you try and restrain them, knock them out, before killing them? I know that's not really in either of our natures, but... there may be a chance to pull them back.

audio

[whomthebelltolls]

[You know hwhat. Everyone else that has suggested this, Maria has sort of disregarded with the same cold disinterest as she's shown their overall disdain. None of the other Monsters that Maria has spent more than a token amount of time with have bothered to reply like this, either, so it takes her by surprise when she spends more than a brief moment reading it.

It's the same thing, it should get the same response. So then, why can't she think of something to shoot it down.] It's... by far not part of my skill kit, Lex. Restraining a beast at home is not well possible. They are much stronger than men. Here... I am even weaker, and my magic is not suited for it - I have not studied any kinds of those spells, if they even exist.

[When there is a threat, you eliminate it. This is a truth that Maria thought tacit between herself and Lex. And yet... she is considering this now.] To bring them back from the madness without a Bond with them... that would take a considerable amount of time and effort to hold them still and maintain contact, ropes or shackles, and the ability to put them on the heat of the hunt. Then to chase down again if necessary... and... try to defend yourself against their attacks while doing all of that? It seems more something to do with a group than as an individual.

text

[bloodwit]

[ first thought: wow was that actually quite the video. seriously, talk about lovely cinematography, from the scenery to the lighting to the timing of the chime. really leaves quite the resounding impression. ]

[ second...: ]

Congratulations on the panic you've managed to incite.

[whomthebelltolls]

[Maria's sense of aesthetic cannot be denied. Other things are questionable.]

There has been no panic I've seen. Merely a lot of disdain.

text

[fieryimpulse]

Congratulations on being more theatrical that any theatre troupe I've ever seen.

[whomthebelltolls]

I like the clocktower. It's almost night time. Are you expecting me to say I set something up on purpose?

audio;

[faithlikeaseed]

[Except for the excellent sound design, the video is, alas, lost entirely on Myr.

His imagination fills her in, fittingly, as looking rather like Ser Clarimond did the night of his Harrowing. same energy]

Is there no one native to this place who might be trusted with that task, serah? [An earnest question.

That sometimes you might have to kill the second-class citizens because they're a danger to others depresses but does not surprise him; he'll save his outrage for once he's figured out whether this is a necessary evil or something worse garbed in necessity's robes.]

audio;

[whomthebelltolls]

The Coven may. I hope they are out, as well. [She's not entirely sure, and she's not entirely sure they're anything but feckless, but if there are other trained individuals out running detainment, then all the easier for her.]

text - un: CoolSkeleton95

[spaghettimonster]

[First he has to acknowledge - that's some impressive video quality. It really encourages him that Mettaton will be able to get into productions soon, with little effort - even if it's only for the small audience of those with these watches. Something to look forward to!

The rest of it is terrible. There's something vaguely familiar about golden flowers and death, but he can't place it in the swiftly rising fog of fear and alarm. Bad enough he's wrecked some things and stolen some food, the last month. Now he needs to worry about someone who might see him doing doggish things and kill him for it?]

I THINK...
THE COVEN HAS PEOPLE WHO DO THIS.
STOPPING FERAL MONSTERS, I MEAN, NOT PUBLICLY ANNOUNCING THEIR MURDERY INTENTIONS.

[whomthebelltolls]

[Man this capslock is sure a thing. Why is it a thing. She doesn't even know the term for it, but it's still making everyone seem like they're yelling.] Then I pray for their success this night, and that none have to be harmed.

audio;

[chosenside]

[While Theseus is certain that he's not the first person to chime in this sort of manner, he's going to do so anyway. He doesn't know her at all, and he thinks she has the right intentions, but.]

I understand where you're coming from, and I'm certain those that have lost any sense of self would want to be stopped as well, but killing them should always be a last resort. There's other ways to stop uncontrollable beasts. Have you made such attempts before?

audio;

[whomthebelltolls]

[Yep, this question again, as well.] It's not generally a part of my skillset, as back home it was not a possibility. Here... I haven't had to even try either method, and I truly hope I never do. It's not as though the state of the Monsters I am speaking of will lend well to them merely... sitting still and allowing one to shackle or tie them. It may yet create a greater risk, if they slip the bonds or attack you while you're doing it, and then there's another victim. The potential danger to everyone involved goes up, if the threat is not removed swiftly, and binds take precious time.

Perhaps if it is feasible, I will take the time to do it. [She says this like she doesn't think anyone should count on it. Eventually, she will try it, and it will probably work, but for now... she doesn't have the experience to say one way or the other.]

video;

[bloodyuseless]

[Mary starts the video thinking he knows what he's going to say, but several seconds of tense silence later prove otherwise. He opens his mouth, closes it, opens it again. His brows furrow, and then he closes his eyes.

He remembers a very vivid dream in which he tore a poor stranger to shreds in a dark, damp maze. He remembers the very real moment when he ripped his fangs away from the neck of the one person on Earth he'd promised to protect.

He gulps.]

Sunflowers. Got it.

audio

[whomthebelltolls]

[All of these protests, these quiet calls for something other than to kill the Monsters - mostly by the Monsters themselves, which she supposes is fair - and then the few that understand what a mercy killing is.

This is... a bit different than all of those. She's been approached by other Monsters before: At least one of her roommates, and a few other acquaintances - direct or tacit understanding that if worse comes to worse, and they become the most dangerous of monsters, she will find them, and she will save the town and them from themselves. She's not expecting it from a voice or a face she's never seen, though. The responses thus far have conditioned her toward hostility from others, so there's a tiny note of surprise when she responds...]

Yes. But do not misunderstand, and do not waste my time - I have no interest in those that are merely afraid of themselves and what they might do, but still hold ability to prevent it. In those cases, I tell you to simply leave the city or find other outlets for your instincts. [This one sounds like he still has his mind for the moment, so... she'll make sure to drive that one home.] However, if there is nothing left but the hunger and the bloodlust, then yes; think of sunflowers, and follow their scent.

text

[actuallyadork]

If you fall from there, I'm just going to laugh.

text

[whomthebelltolls]

What an ignoble death. I'd rather not sully myself that way. I can see the ground from here - I should just be able to teleport. [You know, she'll take the glib reaction, as long as it doesn't turn into another session of heckling by people who think they understand morality.]

video;

[chainveil]

[ Is Liliana feeling restless with the growing moon? Yes. Is she still a sassy bitch who has the time to drink wine and troll the magical network? Also yes. It keeps her mind off of things. ]

How noble of you willing to pull the trigger where others are conflicted with the fact there are people behind the claws and teeth. Inspirational, really.

[ She raises a toast. ]

audio

[whomthebelltolls]

[Maybe she's just getting Too Tired from all the rest of the would-be heroes pointing out that killing people makes them die, like it's some kind of reality she didn't already know of. She sighs.] I don't have time for sarcasm, if that's what you're getting at.

voice; Archer

[boneofsword]

Thank you for the reminder. Have a good hunt and return safely.

[Archer sounds somber and a bit tired.]

If you ever need the favor returned just let me know. Same goes for the Bond.

Voice

[whomthebelltolls]

A Bond? No, but I will think upon that other offer. The only issue is that Witches are more difficult to predict than Monsters. However...

[She squeezes her eyes shut.]

... It will not be too terribly long. I had planned to find myself in the Wilde before then - I will spare the town the destruction, they have other things to worry about. However... that may yet be easier.