towerofanimus | Endgame: This Broken Jaw of Our Lost Kingdoms; Part One

[England had been trying to help with the injured once Riki had been lured away from the hidden floor, but that didn't last very long.

When he finally comes around, he doesn't have a coherent thought in his mind, at first trying to determine where he is with bleary eyes. It's dreadfully small, and, of course, contained. Without thinking, he mumbles to himself.] Guess it worked. [It has to have worked, for Ruana to be angry enough to lock them up like this.

He sits up, wiping at his face with his palms. It's not particularly encouraging for the first thing he sees properly to be the clock in the middle of the room, blinking the five hours they have left. Something in his chest clenches. So little time, and they're all stuck here in these tiny boxes. He reaches out to touch the forcefields that hold them in. When nothing happens, he can't help but eye up the container in consideration. If Ruana made these cells, he doubts there's any escaping them. But he won't give in to that "learned helplessness" routine.

So he takes a step back and then throws himself bodily against one of the walls with all of his might. It quickly becomes evident that his suspicions were correct; for his efforts, the forcefield gives him a violent electrical shock, and thank god he'd had a worse one from the elevator because it would be terribly embarrassing to cry out from it.

After a few moments spent crumpled on the ground, recovering from the current, England sighs and calls out, shakily.] ...America. Zelda, Sealand. And— anyone else. [That he'd be worried about, anyway.] Are we all in here?

[There was a sudden sound of something colliding with a surface. But she wasn't sure what happened. It was the tone in England's voice that made her wonder if he had anything to do with that.]

Vietnam is here, England. But are you alright?

Vietnam. [His tone is respectful, with just a hint of relief, misplaced though it might be, given the circumstances.

He sighs again, more a huff this time, and then pushes himself up off the ground in one quick motion, as if to prove that the shock didn't bother him at all.] I'm all right. Most of this is fairly old hat. [The electrical shocks, the cells, the disturbing lack of glamour while England tries something dumb. The only new thing is the clock, but even that shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone who has been here long enough to observe Ruana's patterns.]

[She properly looks over at him now, nodding in response when he calls her name, before returning her attention to his current state. Alright, so he seemed to be fine. At least through having to deal with that.

She couldn't do more than lightly clap to show her relief when he pushes himself up.]

That is a little bit disturbing to know that this is a regular occurrence that happens to you. Do you always get yourself into trouble?

[It was a dark joke, but she thought it might at least help disguise whatever dread they felt, especially with their predicament right now, time slowly trickling away and no way of escape.]

[It's hardly the appropriate time or place, but in true British fashion, England can't help but let out a little snort of a laugh at Vietnam's joke. He appreciates her efforts, evidently.]

It's impossible to learn anything around here without getting into a bit of trouble now and then. [Or a lot of trouble. Definitely a lot of trouble, in England's case.] And they're not exactly the kind of people I'm inclined to listen to.

[A joke for a joke, as anyone who knows England at all knows that his genuine compliance is a privilege reserved only for people he holds in the highest esteem (so, not many people at all).]

[Though she was happy that he was taking it in good humour, she didn't expect the answer he returned. Which was why she almost choked trying to clear her throat in order to not laugh (a lot).]

Ah, what a rebel. But you are right, one fights trouble with trouble, no? [But in moderation! (She says this now.)] I have a feeling that many, if not all of us here share your inclinations towards these adminstrators.

[She was definitely one of those who knew about England's compliance, if not from his meetings, then at least from France and China's constant whining.] But as we are all here now, it seems like you have a few partners in crime. [Few, meaning all of them.]

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keepscalm - 2014-07-20 12:37 (UTC) - Expand

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hoasen - 2014-07-20 12:52 (UTC) - Expand

[Much like the others, it takes Ion a long moment to figure out where he is and what's happening. The last thing he can remember is helping Zelda protect those on the hidden floor by creating a barrier. First he thinks that the effort had caused him to black out...but seeing the others and the change in scenery, Ion realizes his initial conclusion is mistaken.

His brow furrows as he looks around.]

Where...?

[He cuts off the thought when a hollow thump followed by the sound of electricity sounds not too far off. Ion turns toward the sound to see England recoil from the blast. Concerned, Ion puts his hands against the force field, reaching out to him as best as he's able under the circumstances.]

Are you alright?

[Even though England didn't cry out...it still didn't look particularly comfortable. If only they weren't trapped in these cells, he could probably do something to help.]

[In retrospect, England should have considered the fact that other people would be able to see his bid for freedom, but he wasn't exactly paying due attention to his surroundings outside of his own cell once he realised there were only a few hours left.

He doesn't recognise the voice that calls out, and at first he doesn't think they're even speaking to him. It's only once he straightens up and notices there's a very concerned violent wireframe reaching in his direction that he realises, with a shade of bashfulness. Thankfully these godawful bodies aren't exactly paragons of emotional expression.]

I'm fine. I've had far worse. [Life mottos, honestly.]

England... um... sorry... is that you? [Taiki is looking through the cells from where he is curled up. He has tried summoning Sanshi and Gohran but it didn't work. He's tired from all the healing he had been doing in the battle but the fact there is no glamour means he doesn't feel sick. Just scared.]

[England casts a glance in the direction that he hears Taiki's voice coming from, and searches until he finds the wireframe that most resembles him.] Yeah, it's me.

[He squints in a discerning manner, noting the relative emptiness of Taiki's cell.] You can't summon your companions? [England's abilities have always been weirdly stunted by the Tower, so it's hard for him to tell sometimes when it's all been cut off.]

[He's pretty distinct seeing as his wireframe is a kirin beast form. He never did work out why, he guesses that it's because that's his natural form even if he were always a bit backwards about it.] No... I tried... I don't think I'll be able to walk through the glass either...

I wouldn't test that if I were you. [The cells seem to react badly when people are trying to escape, and the last thing England wants is Taiki getting electrocuted, as well.]

Are you all right?

I won't... Sorry...

[He nods slowly] Just scared... are you okay... are you hurt?

[France lets out a tiny huff of a chuckle. ]

Forgetting to mention someone, are we?

[It's a weak attempt to instigate their rivalry, and it shows. His heart's not in it. His smile fades, and he doesn't give England a chance to respond to that before he keeps talking.]

How nice of them to at least let us speak to each other, don't you think? [His voice is weak, but his sarcasm is strong.] At least we will not be dying alone...

[England won't ever admit to himself that he's glad to hear France's voice. Though the other nation doesn't give any indication that he really wants an answer to his little jab, England gives one anyway, carried on a resigned scoff.] Please. You won't die as long as I'm still around to derive satisfaction from it.

[The essence of their relationship in one sentence. But England doesn't bother to dwell on the thematic appropriateness of it.] And I don't know about you, but I have no plans to die here. So you can shove all that nonsense up your arse, unless you want me to laugh all the way to your funeral.

[England, at least, is as England as ever, even if the sincerity of the interaction is compromised by the overwhelming bleakness of the situation. As big a game as England talks, he obviously doesn't know how to go about surviving this. He's just decided not to spend the last of his hours wallowing in sad acceptance of his own probable death.]

[If they get out of here alive, England really should pursue a career as a motivational speaker for spiteful people. That jab is just what France needs to hear. He sits up, shoulders tense, with a smirk playing on his lips.]

Well then, I have no choice but to stay alive, do I? [However unlikely that may be.] I am sure you would have them dress me in something terribly unfashionable for my funeral. I cannot let your awful sense of taste sully my final curtain call, no?

Damn right, you don't. [The events surrounding all this are discouraging enough without certain people getting all sad-like about it. France is going to die with some fight in him or he's not going to die at all. Those are the only options England plans to allow him.

He clicks his tongue against his teeth in distaste. His fashion sense is perfectly fine, thank you, but he does know what will offend France's delicate sensibilities.] Yellow polka dots and costume satin as far as the eye can see. Don't even think of planning your funeral right now.

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silencetoreason - 2014-07-25 11:57 (UTC) - Expand

[The horrid crackling of electricity snaps her out of her own thoughts of escape - thoughts that are momentarily discarded in their entirety when her eyes fall upon the source.]

Arthur!

[She cries out where England does not, pressing herself against the translucent forcefield containing her. Each moment he doesn't move is one filled with silent dread, and she's about three seconds away from trying to somehow claw her way through the wall through sheer force of will when he finally, finally speaks up again.

She relaxes, though it's more despairing than relieved.]

I... I am here, Arthur.

[She's here, but she has no idea what to do.]

[If there's one thing he didn't intend to do with that little escape attempt, it was worry the people he was trying to find. Bit of poor foresight, that. England shifts around until he's kneeling at the wall nearest to where Zelda's cell is, and after a moment of brief hesitation, lays his hands back on the forcefield. It's benign again, now that he's not trying to break it down.]

...sorry. [He's somewhat quiet, still reluctant to admit when he's hurt someone.] Couldn't just not try. [Given Zelda's determination in leading the Tower residents against complacency, England hopes she'll understand the effort, futile though it may have been.]

[And if there's one thing England has proven himself extraordinarily adept at, it's worrying Zelda. Still, even with the furrow of her brow, she nods, her focus shifting to her own cell's wall.]

I tried breaking through with my magic, but... she has taken it away again.

[Again, despite everything she's done to turn it into something real, something beyond her influence. She shakes those thoughts from her head before she begins dwelling too much on them, looking back up to England.]

Are you all right?

Brilliant. [Weary and sarcastic. A summary of England in two parts.

It doesn't surprise him that Ruana has taken away their abilities, though it is worrying that she was able to do so when the vast majority of the people in these cells had access to their true powers, not the glamoured ones. It doesn't bode well for any kind of confrontation that may be imminent.]

I'm as well as I can be. [Still a little sore from the shock, but that's really low on his priority list right now.] What about you? It didn't— you're not hurt? [She doesn't look hurt, but then, it's a little hard to tell with the glamour systems as they are.]

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sageprincess - 2014-07-21 02:55 (UTC) - Expand

I'm - I'm here. [Sealand is both very pleased to hear England and a bit worried he's throwing himself and the walls and hurting himself in the process, although it may not become obvious as Sealand scowls at his brother's direction.] Jerk, you need to quit being stupid.

[Really, did you think throwing yourself against these walls would work??]

Do you think trying to escape is stupider than sitting around waiting for that timer to hit zero? [England is clearly aiming to cut off Sealand's brattiness at the pass, though his response isn't as angry as it would be under normal circumstances. In fact, it sounds almost deceptively patient.

He's been in the position of waiting to die before, and it's not exactly the best way to make the most of your remaining time in the mortal world. It would just be insulting to all the people who would want to see him live on if he couldn't even say that he tried.]

Well, trying to escape by body slamming the bars won't work and is stupid. You're not that strong! [And a sure way to get electrocuted, it seems like. Not that he was worried...

He huffs, folding his arms across his chest. Sealand is not patient, but arguing with England sort of helps his panic in a weird way.]

Didn't exactly think to bring any explosives along with me. [Not that explosives would work, either, and his sarcasm makes that obvious. But what else was he supposed to do when their abilities were apparently disabled? Futile as it may be, he's not going along quietly.

He doesn't really know how to explain the principle of the thing to Sealand, though. It's a bit complex for a kid, especially one as stubborn at this one.]

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bydefacto - 2014-07-20 23:33 (UTC) - Expand