The Containment of Erectus

Characters in this scene: LockBreaker, Inkstainer, OctaneDoctor

BrokenLock — 03/06/2021

LockBreaker is leaning against a tree, catching his breath. He's mostly unremarkable, except for the black bandanna around his mouth and nose. In one hand is a phone in a beat up case, in the other is an antique iron key, some faded words in polish scratched into it.

Sage (Inkstainer) — 03/06/2021

LockBreaker might recognize Ink and Octane from the potentially ill-advised victory selfie posted earlier - Ink is a well-built Asian man in a collared shirt and slacks, carrying two guardian lion statues, and currently with his Sight on to track who is paying attention to him and Octane. DM to BrokenLock:

We're here. Are you wearing the black bandanna?

BrokenLock — 03/06/2021

DM: That's me. LockBreaker looks up, and waves at the two new arrivals.

OctaneDoctor — 03/06/2021

Ink and Octane are pretty covered in mud and general Warrens-grime from their trip here

Sage (Inkstainer) — 03/06/2021

Ink waves back, heading over to LockBreaker and trying not to look too disgusted by the mud. "Anything change recently? Or same status as before?"

BrokenLock — 03/06/2021

LockBreaker is also somewhat muddy, and there's a tear in his jeans near the ankle. "Not that I know about, but I haven't exactly been watching. It's been quiet up here."

Sage (Inkstainer) — 03/06/2021

"Fair enough. I think I might have a way to bind some of the children, at least temporarily. Do you know if there's danger to them not having Glamour, or if we could just... take them away?"

BrokenLock — 03/06/2021

"That's a question for Silver, not me. From what I remember we should just be able to take them away. They won't make that easy though, they attacked me when they saw me hurt the tree."

OctaneDoctor — 03/06/2021

"Attacked? Did they have any unusual abilities?"

BrokenLock — 03/06/2021

"Glamour. I didn't stay long enough to see anything else, if they have it."

OctaneDoctor — 03/06/2021

"Damn. All I really know about dealing with Glamour is that you're supposed to hit it hard and not believe in it."

Sage (Inkstainer) — 03/06/2021

Ink pulls out his phone and shows Octane and BrokenLock a document he's put together with children's faces and names. "I managed to find these from missing persons cases. I think I can use that to hold some of them. The downside is that I need to set up in a single area, and preferably stay there."

BrokenLock — 03/06/2021

"Well, the tree's pretty stationary, except those roots. They're not likely to go far from it unless you force them."

Sage (Inkstainer) — 03/06/2021

"And they left you alone before you hurt the tree, correct?"

BrokenLock — 03/06/2021

"One of them asked who I was, but they weren't aggressive. I dunno if they'll remember me, but I have a trick that should make that not matter."

Sage (Inkstainer) — 03/06/2021

He nods. "All right. So, tentative plan - we go down, I set up, then we draw them towards us and I can hopefully bind some, get them out of your way. If we can't bind enough... I'll end my ritual and we run away?"

BrokenLock — 03/06/2021

"Sounds good to me. If we want to keep it alive, I'll have to burn through the roots before I can bind it. I can get us the time to set up."

OctaneDoctor — 03/06/2021

"That works. I think I can keep the addicted goblins out of our hair."

Sage (Inkstainer) — 03/06/2021

Ink looks to BrokenLock and Octane for the route back to the Warrens.

BrokenLock — 03/06/2021

BrokenLock holds out the key at chest height, and turns it in the air. The warrens open up before them, like a yawning hole down into the earth.

OctaneDoctor — 03/06/2021

"Wh- wow, that's a lot cleaner than the way way we came."

BrokenLock — 03/06/2021

"It's my special trick. I can't open new doors to realms, but if there's an old one I can re-open it."

Sage (Inkstainer) — 03/06/2021

"That's a nice one. It makes sense with your username." Ink reluctantly heads down into the Warrens.

BrokenLock — 03/06/2021

BrokenLock follows behind, stowing away the key and phone, and pulling out a flashlight.

OctaneDoctor — 03/06/2021

Octane stops inspecting the edges of the newly-opened hole and hurries down as well

BrokenLock — 03/06/2021

The door closes behind them. "Don't worry about that, you can use any normal exit or I can get us out with the key from just about anywhere down here. So, for now-" he clears his throat. "**Where there are no borders, there is no trespass**."

"If anyone sees us they'll assume we just belong, unless they're way more powerful than my patron and give us a long hard look."

OctaneDoctor — 03/06/2021

"Wow, useful. Where's the best place for you to set up, Ink?"

Sage (Inkstainer) — 03/06/2021

Ink nods appreciatively, then looks around the area. "Somewhere near the base, an open area. Probably can't do anything larger than 10x10 here, so it doesn't have to be too big."

OctaneDoctor — 03/06/2021

"Welp, let's head on over then."

BrokenLock — 03/06/2021

"Lets. Just a note, if you talk to the tree the scrutiny blocker will start to slip, so try and ignore it until you're ready."

OctaneDoctor — 03/06/2021

"Noted. What if I talk to goblins? I was gonna call a few helpers."

BrokenLock — 03/06/2021

"That should be fine, it's only effective against the 'ruler' of an area and their subordinates."

OctaneDoctor — 03/06/2021

"Gotcha. In that case, go on ahead, I'll catch up." Octane jogs down a tunnel; you can hear them yelling "Yo! Hooptie! Fartcan! Six-Banger! More scrap and fireworks for you if you help out here!"

BrokenLock — 03/06/2021

As the tunnels start getting darker, LockBreaker turns on his flashlight. It's somewhat dim, but it's enough to illuminate the ground infront of them.

Sage (Inkstainer) — 03/06/2021

Ink presses on, following closely behind LockBreaker. "Is there light there at all without us bringing it?"

BrokenLock — 03/06/2021

"Yeah, I think it's glamour light though. Looked sorta like the moon was shining down from through the branches."

Sage (Inkstainer) — 03/06/2021

Ink nods, but doesn't say anything else immediately. He's thinking hard about something.

BrokenLock — 03/06/2021

LockBreaker doesn't press, trudging along through the tunnels. Occasionally he'll rummage around in his bag, pulling out either a pack of cigarettes or what looks like a bottle of something strong.

He doesn't partake from either.

Sage (Inkstainer) — 03/06/2021

Ink glances over curiously, and he does press. "What are those for?"

BrokenLock — 03/06/2021

"The cigarettes let me measure good will. Basically they're telling me how long I can stay in the city before someone important gets angry. The other one is a Molotov, and before you tell me it's a bad idea I can control how it lands. I'm thinking I'll need to use fire as a negative binding circle."

Sage (Inkstainer) — 03/06/2021

"Oh, interesting. Seems fitting for this tree. Octane might have something goblin-y that could help, too. Unfortunately I don't think I have much to contribute there, unless you need help just drawing the circle."

BrokenLock — 03/06/2021

"This stuff likes to spread. I started practicing shamanism just to make sure I didn't burn stuff on accident. I'll be able to make a large enough circle, I just can't start until the kids are out of the way."

OctaneDoctor — 03/06/2021

Octane is huffing slightly as they catch up from behind. "Oh good, I - whew - I can help with that too, I'm a - diesel shaman, after all. Combustion spirits and all that."

BrokenLock — 03/06/2021

"That'll be good. Only problem left is the roots. I can't re-use the poison since that's an Oni trick, and it's slow. Any ideas?"

OctaneDoctor — 03/06/2021

"Couldn't convince - the goblins to come help, I think they're too scared, but I - did manage to trade for this." As they step into the light, you can see that they're carrying a large chainsaw, with bits of jagged metal around the saw part. It very much looks like goblin work.

"It seemed... appropriate."

BrokenLock — 03/06/2021

LockBreaker whistles. "That's one hell of a chainsaw. Think that can clear the roots?"

OctaneDoctor — 03/06/2021

"Sure is. Shame I gotta return it after. But yes, I'm sure it can do some damage."

Octane looks around, then back at Lock. "Just, uh, tell me where and when to start, I guess."

BrokenLock — 03/06/2021

"We're almost there. One more corner and then you'll see it."

OctaneDoctor — 03/06/2021

Octane nods, catching their breath.

Sage (Inkstainer) — 03/06/2021

Ink pulls a small stack of sticky notes out of his pocket and flips through them, nodding as he double-checks each diagram.

BrokenLock — 03/06/2021

The three emerge into a large cavern, the tree in the center. As LockBreaker said, it seems like moonlight is filtering through the leaves, casting an ethereal light across the scene. The tree is large, its branches heavy with blemishless, unnaturally perfect red apples. The children lounge around the roots, some asleep, others staring up at the apples. One shoots a glance towards the new arrivals, but doesn't seem to care.

Sage (Inkstainer) — 03/06/2021

Ink looks up, taking the scene in quickly before tearing his eyes away. He steps forward, walking as close to the tree as he dares before setting down his two statues 10 feet apart and carefully placing the sticky notes between and around them.

The whole process takes a few minutes, and he casts occasional glances back at Octane and BrokenLock.

BrokenLock — 03/06/2021

BrokenLock is pacing a circle around the tree.

OctaneDoctor — 03/06/2021

Octane is clearly antsy, standing there with the goblin chainsaw and trying to look non-threatening

Sage (Inkstainer) — 03/06/2021

Ink finishes placing the notes, looks around them a final time, then takes a deep breath and begins muttering an incantation. He pulls a very small knife out of another pocket and makes a small incision on his palm, dripping the blood into the center of the circle. As the blood falls, it becomes darker and darker until it resembles ink as it splatters. His mouth shuts, he takes a step back, and with a flicker, the area in a ten-foot diameter around him transposes. Some of the muddy soil of the Warrens disappears, replaced with fresh green grass, and where the blood had dripped shifts in a tall stone pillar, ancient, trailing tarnished chains and slowly dripping black ink. Above each of the smaller statues you notice movement - ink drips down tall, invisible figures like water, making their shapes clear. They look at Inkstainer. He smiles, face a bit drawn, then turns to BrokenLock and Octane. "You should be safe inside the circle."

BrokenLock — 03/06/2021

LockBreaker nods. "Alright. So, how do we want to do this from here?"

Sage (Inkstainer) — 03/06/2021

"I was thinking to call out names and see if they respond and come over to me - if so, then I can try binding them one by one. Otherwise... if we hurt it and stand in here, they should come towards us, right?"

BrokenLock — 03/06/2021

"Probably. Not sure about the sleeping ones, though."

Sage (Inkstainer) — 03/06/2021

The two figures dripping ink walk over to where Inkstainer stands and flank him, each easily two heads taller than him.(edited)

OctaneDoctor — 03/06/2021

"I can do the hurting," Octane says, "but... I'll have to do some of it outside the circle, right?" They look at Lock for an answer.

BrokenLock — 03/06/2021

"If you're going to start cutting roots, you'll want to be outside the circle. I need it's cont- contiguous body to be smaller than my fire circle." He stumbles a bit over the word.

Sage (Inkstainer) — 03/06/2021

Ink turns, giving instructions to the figures - "Protect the three of us, and any children who are bound. Do not hurt any of the children. 像保护我一样保护那个人."

OctaneDoctor — 03/06/2021

Octane gulps, looking over the calm scene and imagining what it might erupt into. "Thanks, Ink. Let me know when, Lock."

BrokenLock — 03/06/2021

"Whenever you want. Things tend to go bad when I give orders, so just do your thing."

Sage (Inkstainer) — 03/06/2021

"I'll call out names first?" He lifts up his phone to the document he prepared.

OctaneDoctor — 03/06/2021

Octane nods.

BrokenLock — 03/06/2021

As does LockBreaker.

Sage (Inkstainer) — 03/06/2021

Ink clears this throat, then projects his voice. "Timothy Brewer, who is eight years old! Are you here?"

BrokenLock — 03/06/2021

The child who watched them enter stirs, looking over. "Y-yes?"

Sage (Inkstainer) — 03/06/2021

"Timothy, could you come here for a moment?"

BrokenLock — 03/06/2021

He looks unsure. "But I don't wanna leave the tree."

Sage (Inkstainer) — 03/06/2021

"Don't worry. This shouldn't take very long."

BrokenLock — 03/06/2021

"I'm not supposed to talk to strangers."

Sage (Inkstainer) — 03/06/2021

"Timothy Brewer, on behalf of your parents who love and miss you, would you come into the circle?"

BrokenLock — 03/06/2021

The child blinks, then stumbles forward into the circle. Immediately, the tree shifts, and all the other children look up at it, the sleeping ones waking from their nap.

"I think the blocker just went down," LockBreaker says, stepping into the circle.

OctaneDoctor — 03/06/2021

Octane's hand is on the chainsaw ripcord. "Now?"

BrokenLock — 03/06/2021

"As good a time as any."

OctaneDoctor — 03/06/2021

They steel themselves, and pull the ripcord. Oily black smoke pours from the chainsaw as it revs up with an earsplitting roar. Octane dashes over to one of the roots that Lock indicated and begins sawing into it. The chainsaw blade makes frustratingly slow progress through the thick root.

BrokenLock — 03/06/2021

LockBreaker pulls out the molotov, the trailing cloth igniting on it's own. "Hey, Erectus! You ready for this?" Immediately one of the children rushes at him, stepping into the circle as well.

OctaneDoctor — 03/06/2021

Another is rushing towards Octane, who says something indecipherable over the roar of the chainsaw, then fumbles a flask from their bag. They pour a bit of liquid into an uncapped hole in the still-running chainsaw. The machine roars louder than before, almost animalistic, and begins giving off sparks. The first root has been cut through, and Octane starts the next one, making much faster progress now.

Sage (Inkstainer) — 03/06/2021

"Bring Timothy here!" Ink shouts, picking up one of the trailing chains. One of his Guardians physically blocks the child rushing at Lock then protects Octane, while the other brings Timothy to Ink, who wraps the chain around his wrist where it becomes a shackle.(edited)

BrokenLock — 03/06/2021

One of the children gathers a handful of glamour and changes his form to that of a large dog, and tries to outrun the guardians while trying to bite at LockBreaker, who clumsily swipes out with the key, shattering the glamour and sending the kid harmlessly tumbling.

There's a low rumbling sound as the tree's branches shift slightly, like it's turning to face Octane.

OctaneDoctor — 03/06/2021

A semicircular swathe of roots have been cut, in preparation for the binding circle. Octane has put their motorcycle goggles on to protect them from the flying splinters of bark, but their hands and face are still covered in a multitude of tiny cuts.

BrokenLock — 03/06/2021

An apple falls towards Octane's head.

OctaneDoctor — 03/06/2021

They definitely wouldn't notice - it would hit them if one of the ink guardians doesn't intervene

Sage (Inkstainer) — 03/06/2021

One of the Guardians has been trying to focus on protecting Octane, and he makes a grab for it, catching it in one of his empty hands.

BrokenLock — 03/06/2021

The glamour-apple bursts, and the guardian shrinks down to the size of a mouse.

Sage (Inkstainer) — 03/06/2021

Ink yells, "Musashi! What did you do to him?" He runs over to Octane and where his Guardian shrunk, but it's clear that he's exhausted.

OctaneDoctor — 03/06/2021

Octane definitely takes a few seconds to realize what happened, but then they stop cutting for a second and kick the Guardian, attempting to break the glamour and hoping they don't just straight up destroy the Guardian

BrokenLock — 03/06/2021

"It's glamour! Break it somehow!" LockBreaker yells, fending off another child, this one transformed into a crocodile.

OctaneDoctor — 03/06/2021

Octane's kick sends the Guardian flying and slams them against one of the Warren's walls. The impact breaks the glamour and the Guardian is full-size once more as they hit the ground. But the pause means that Octane was defenseless for a bit, and they're now backed up against the tree itself, leveling the running saw at a group of transformed children knowing full well that they can't use it.

BrokenLock — 03/06/2021

The children, seeing the brandished goblin weapon, pause, unwilling to get too close.

Sage (Inkstainer) — 03/06/2021

From near Octane, Ink scrambles for a seal, grabs one at random, and throws it down. Salt sprays out at the transformed children.

BrokenLock — 03/06/2021

The salt breaks the transformations on impact, leaving the children dazed. It's obvious that they aren't the most skilled with glamour, having only been using it for a short time.

OctaneDoctor — 03/06/2021

Octane resumes their root-butchery at a frantic pace, breathing heavily.

BrokenLock — 03/06/2021

LockBreaker is standing at the edge of the circle, trying to bait the children to attack again. They aren't going near him, staying back near the tree.

Sage (Inkstainer) — 03/06/2021

Ink retreats back to near the pillar, where Timothy is sleeping. His Guardians resume their vigils next to each of his companions.

OctaneDoctor — 03/06/2021

Octane approaches the pillar from the other side of the tree. The sawed circle is nearly complete.(edited)

BrokenLock — 03/06/2021

"What are we going to do about the rest of the children?" LockBreaker calls out.

Sage (Inkstainer) — 03/06/2021

"There are enough chains for all of them!" Ink says, picking one up and approaching the group of dazed children. He calls out to one by name the same way he did with Timothy, but his voice is shaky.

BrokenLock — 03/06/2021

It still works, the child walking forward into the circle.

Sage (Inkstainer) — 03/06/2021

He connects the chain, the child falling into a daze upon being bound. Ink grabs another. Calls another name.

BrokenLock — 03/06/2021

It once again works. With the roots cut, the hold the tree has on the children is lesser than what it was, although they're still addicted to the glamour.

OctaneDoctor — 03/06/2021

Octane cuts through the last root, and the entire tree shivers. They stop the chainsaw, and it is only then that they realize that their destruction has left them covered with not only sawdust but with small splatters of sap. They try to wipe off the fluid, but it just *smears*.

As they're trying to deal with the strange sap, they yell "Done! Bind it!"

Sage (Inkstainer) — 03/06/2021

Ink continues to call names until there are no children left and he's kneeling, staring at the ground. One of his guardians is kneeling next to him and pats him on the back.

BrokenLock — 03/06/2021

LockBreaker checks that all the children are clear, then throws the Molotov. It shatters against the cavern floor, and spreads like flowing water, a perfect circle matching the cut along the roots. "Erectus! You have bound innocnets to yourself, and for that I bind you! You have usurped this place, so I bind you! I name you tyrant, and bind you!"

OctaneDoctor — 03/06/2021

As the flames spread, Octane continues to try to wipe off the sap, but their skin just starts sprouting feathers beneath it. Their frantic attempts to clean themself just spread the stuff around more. Their neck becomes wrinkled, their lips sharper. A critical mass is reached. In a flurry of wingbeats, a panicked Andean condor flaps up from where Octane was standing.

BrokenLock — 03/06/2021

The tree shudders, then falls still. The glamour-light fades. It is bound. The moment this is done, LockBreaker rushes over, trying to tag Octane-bird with the key.

OctaneDoctor — 03/06/2021

It hits true. The bird isn't exactly trying to evade.

BrokenLock — 03/06/2021

The glamour breaks, and as Octane falls LockBreaker throws an rolled up bit of cloth, which expands into an overlarge flag that hovers in the air, breaking his fall.

Sage (Inkstainer) — 03/06/2021

"Octane, are you okay?" Ink calls out.

BrokenLock — 03/06/2021

LockBreaker hurries to retrieve his key.

OctaneDoctor — 03/06/2021

"Y- yes, I think. Ow."

Sage (Inkstainer) — 03/06/2021

"I'm going to end the ritual now if we're safe?"

OctaneDoctor — 03/06/2021

A nod and a shaky thumbs up from Octane.

BrokenLock — 03/06/2021

"I think we are. Now, how the hell are we going to get this to Silver?"

Sage (Inkstainer) — 03/06/2021

"If you're willing to carry me out of here, you could..." he sighs deeply, "chain it to the pillar..."

BrokenLock — 03/06/2021

"How bad would that be for you?"

Sage (Inkstainer) — 03/06/2021

"I'm... not sure. I've never actually used it for so many people before, let alone something like -" he gestures at Erectus. "When my uncle overextended with it, he was on bed rest for a week or so. But he was fine after."

OctaneDoctor — 03/06/2021

Octane looks at Lock, then back at Ink. "I don't have a better idea," they say, "but well... your call."

BrokenLock — 03/06/2021

"Up to you. I won't force you to."

Sage (Inkstainer) — 03/06/2021

"Technically, Silver said we only needed to Bind it, right? Do we need to get it to her, too?"

BrokenLock — 03/06/2021

"I'm not one to leave it at the letter of the deal, so I'd like to get it to her."

Sage (Inkstainer) — 03/06/2021

Ink sighs deeply. "Silver's been... very supportive of me. I suppose it's only fair." He very slowly stands up, stiffly walks over to the pillar, and picks up another chain. "Again, as long as you can carry me out. You can end the ritual by moving a statue. Once the ritual ends, it should take the children and the tree with it. Of course, to get back at them, I'll need to do the ritual again. So delivery and return of the children might take some time."

BrokenLock — 03/06/2021

"That's better than leaving them here, but you might have to explain it to the local powers."

Sage (Inkstainer) — 03/06/2021

Ink groans. "Of course... maybe I could just drop them all off in Central Park in a few days..."

Holding the chain and leaning on one of his Guardians for support, head resting on one of Musashi's prodigious biceps, he walks over to the edge of the circle and looks at Erectus.

BrokenLock — 03/06/2021

(The fire died out when the tree acknowledged the binding)

Sage (Inkstainer) — 03/06/2021

Beyond the edge of the circle, Ink leaves Musashi and walks alone up to Erectus. With shaking hands he touches the end of the chain to its trunk and takes a deep breath as it forms into a chain wrapping around the trunk. Slowly, like the children were, Erectus is pulled toward the pillar in the middle of the circle. Inkstainer staggers and collapses onto the ground.(edited)

OctaneDoctor — 03/06/2021

"Ink!" Octane runs forward a bit, then stops, remembering that this is supposed to happen.

BrokenLock — 03/06/2021

"So we move a statue, right?" LockBreaker says, after a moment.

OctaneDoctor — 03/06/2021

"Yep. Not that I've done this before."

Octane walks forward and pushes a statue experimentally.

Sage (Inkstainer) — 03/06/2021

The statue is very heavy - much heavier than you would expect. It feels as though it's resisting the push, but eventually budges.

As it shifts, the circle flickers and abruptly disappears, taking with it the children, Erectus, the grass and the pillar.

BrokenLock — 03/06/2021

LockBreaker walks over to Ink, looking over at Octane. "Get close, I'll take us out."

OctaneDoctor — 03/06/2021

"Wait, one sec." And then, yelling into a side tunnel, "Thanks for the trade, Hooptie! Leaving it here for you! The creepy tree is gone now!"

"Ready."

BrokenLock — 03/06/2021

LockBreaker turns the key, and the three are returned to the place where they entered.

OctaneDoctor — 03/06/2021

Octane eyes the statues and the unconscious form of Inkstainer. "Well... huh. Silver's asking for up to three days. Do we... should we wait that long? I'm not sure Ink expected to be out that long."

BrokenLock — 03/06/2021

LockBreaker pulls out the pack of cigarettes. "I have... five hours until someone gets pissed that I'm here. I don't want to stick you with this, but I don't know how much choice I have."

OctaneDoctor — 03/06/2021

Octane sighs deeply. "I have *got* to learn how to negotiate better. Can you at least get me back into the Warrens?"

BrokenLock — 03/06/2021

LockBreaker twists the key again, opening up the Warrens. "Thanks for helping out. Sorry again to stick you with this."

"If you need any help in the future, feel free to ask me on the forum or the group chat."

OctaneDoctor — 03/06/2021

Octane sighs again, suddenly seeming very very tired. "Yep. Thanks for your help as well." Their goodbye is terse as they return to the Warrens.

OctaneDoctor — 03/07/2021

Epilogue: Octane carries Inkstainer into their home and lays him down gently on his bed. Roadkill follows, the guardian statues lashed on either side of their torso in makeshift saddlebags. Octane cleans off the statues and sets them at the foot of the futon-bed, then sits on the floor and stays there a while, staring at nothing in particular, covered in Warrens-grime and sawdust and hundreds of tiny scrapes and cuts. They look at Inkstainer, breathing slow shallow breaths. Their jaw clenches.