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The chimera turned, the red light of her amulet highlighting her profile as she grabbed Thian's arm and began to run. The infected Nightmares drew close enough at one point for her to swipe at with her dagger, but thankfully none of them touched her.

Things just got real! In a matter of moments the whole bunker was in chaos. Ava closed off the hidden room in enough time to give the children a caretaker and then it was a free for all to get out of the bunker and away form those that had woken up from their fevers and started attacking them.

Foras slipped the amulet into his pocket, it wasn't an offensive one so he would just pulled it off if he needed to heal someone. He held the knife in one hand, maybe a bit too delicately. With everyone running around him he didn't want to accidentally have someone run into it. He took Gany's hand firmly, "Stay close to me, okay?" Foras guided them through the crowd, trying to avoid those that had turned. Would they be able to spread their infection as well? He couldn't say for sure.

For now he decided to do what Ava instructed them all to do. He felt like they'd be safer with her around, she was a powerful magic wielder. He didn't know if she could protect them all, but she stood the best chance of doing it than anyone else. He was more concerned about those monsters that were loose in the school now. Shouldn't they have just tried containing those that had turned? The whole world was turning upside down.

[ Disobeying Ava ; Staying where he is / eventually following Raa to either the courtyard or the cafeteria ]
Joseth could feel the change in the room when the bitten individuals rose, the air static with adrenaline and something feral. Joseth rose from where he was kneeling, a moment away from tearing across the floor to the door when he caught sight of one of the infected's faces. He froze, his stomach dropping as a sliver of ice split through his spine.

Their eyes . . . they looked like his.

Granted, their pupils were smaller and they were glowing more intensely than his, but the litch was still left with the feeling that whatever was possessing these people, whatever had made them change, was evil and somehow connected to him.

Joseth completely shut down from the outside as he watched the rabid infected launch themselves at anyone in their path, some taking blows from them while others made it away unscathed.

The sight of blood pulled him deep inside himself, yanking him back until he was a freshling again, his vision stained crimson and his ears ringing deafeningly. Spiraling deeper into the depths of despair and self-loathing Joseth fell, flashes of red on blue skin and pale scars marring brown flesh striking him from the inside.

He was dangerous. He had hurt people before. Had hurt people he loved. He was a monster no different than these, damaging everything they touched.

Joseth remained frozen where he stood, paralyzed by the painful memories that were flooding over him, Ava's plea to run to the auditorium dead in his ears.

Kiera came to from her dream with one thing held crystal clear in her mind, that the one who would make her heart stop hurting was near by, as her eyes came into focus they landed on Celedrin, who she had helped earlier- she registered none of that all that she registered was someone was touching her and she didn't like it one bit. Kiera twisted in Celedrin's arms writhing so that her hooves touched the ground and then she kicked off hard, not noticing or caring that she knocked Ceredrin back towards the group of fleeing students as she did so, using the anti-gravity spell to her advantage as she launched herself towards her nearest family.

Landing with a lithe drop she turned towards the direction her family was moving, and saw food realizing that she was hungry she attacked, lashing out to hurt those who had hurt her, trying to take a bite out of anyone she caught- and all the while feeling the pull towards her PERSON.

[ Disobeying Ava: Heading to a Classroom ]

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Quote:
Ruby kind of goes, "Why would we do that? Where else would you want to go?"
Magisey - Today at 10:42 AM
Chunli: I'm... I'm not sure. -eyes dart around, looking for somewhere to hide- Anywhere, really. Ruby, we... WE could turn into them . If we do, and we hide with the others, won't we... -throat tightens, incapable of saying the rest-
smolderingskies - Today at 11:01 AM
Ruby: -stares, contemplating the weight of the situation.- You're right... I don't want to hurt anyone. We were already attacked by someone I met earlier today and... I don't think I'll think of them the same again. Okay, so where to?"
Magisey - Today at 11:37 AM
Chunli: -swallows and tries to contemplate- somewhere small and defensible. Maybe.. Maybe a classroom?
smolderingskies - Today at 1:14 PM
Ruby: -nods- Okay, that sounds good. Let's go there. Lead the way, princess


"Gotcha." It hurt to move, and to focus was like having nails driven into her head. Chunli still managed to tangle her way through the fleeing bodies and cacophony of sound to a quiter hallway. Immediately she darted into a small room - an electives classroom. Desks were lined up pristinely in neat rows, with a white board and teachers desk to the side. It was surprisingly tidy, given the way the night had been, and Chunli felt as if she was stepping into a world that was untarnished. As if being there she was corrupting one last pure essence of the academy life.

Willing herself stronger, the chimera grabbed a few of the desks and baricaded the door. This wasn't just to keep them safe... It was to keep the others safe as well. She hoped that if... when... she and ruby awoke as monsters, they would not be able to break out.


smolderingskies
there we go!

Abrus had been busy. His hooves needed shining, his hair could use a comb through, i mean all this chaos and confusion was making it very hard to keep up his immaculate appearance. But it was something he had to do. I mean, there was a beautiful Kirin around, how could he not look his best for her, and everyone else. So when they were told to leave the university and then come to the academy, Abrus had snuck off to prep and primp and make himself look all the more radiant for when he swept the beautiful Kirin off her hooves. When Abrus finally caought up to everyone else, he was doubly relieved he had spent time on his appearance; everyone else looked like some sort of horrific disaster had struck, thus making him look even better next to them all.

Now to find his lady love. Abrus already had thought up the perfect love letter and first date he would go on with her. It would be perfect, just as he and her were. The chaos was infuriating. Abrus could not see anyone with all the running around and whatnot. Finally his eyes met a familiar, yet terribly plane and boring, face. It was that darn, daft imp. Abrus sighed, preformed and elegant hair flip over his shoulder, and approached the imp. "HEY!" Abrus shouted as he neared the imp. The daft thing was brandishing a knife of all things! Talk about rude! Abrus quickly approached the poor soon-to-be victim of the imp, and put a hand on their shoulder. Holding another hand out to the imp in some sort of peaceful sign. Abrus struck a pose as he came to save the day. "Don't worry sir!" Abrus said to the poor victim. "I know this imp. He just needs a cool drink of water, and all will be well." Abrus moved to putting both hands in the air in front of himself as surrender. "Calm down! I need to talk to you. Its important." Abrus stressed the word, the imp knew where his darling kirin was, the imp was his only lead.

As the group began to flee from their attacks and most headed for the auditorium they would see a large gather of people blocking off the other side of the hall. Glowing red dots illuminated the darkness, and one small person stood at the front of the group. Those who stopped for a second to take in what they saw would witness that sole person raise a pale hand in a beckoning fashion toward the fleeing group and its attackers.

A woman stared at the fleeing students and visitors, her free hand raising to keep those behind her from moving. As the infected finally made their way out of the hall she gave a simple and sweet whistle, catching the attention of the infected.

It was her.

She was the home they had been looking for.

The infected abandoned their chase, instantly drawn to the woman. This gave the escapees enough time to flood into the auditorium and the door to be slammed shut. While a few disobeyed the order, most hadn't.

"Welcome home." The woman cooed faintly as the infected approached her, hands reaching up to gently touch each and every joining infected. Her touch relieved the anger building within their heads, but not the hunger. At her touch a single name ran through their brain; The Queen.

"It's time we fed you, isn't it?"

- - - - -





Within the auditorium the staff began to instantly check over wounds. Those previously hurt during the expedition to find the lost child have been sectioned away from everyone within a corner as the head nurse attempts various spells on their wounds. While it has become apparent that their wounds have started to grow dark, just as the now infected groups had, the nurse is still trying to find a way to stop the spreading of the infection.

There was an eerie silence as bandages and magic were exchanged here and there, especially as eyes kept drawing to the doors. The monsters were out there, and those who had seen the woman knew the sheer amount of hostiles waiting in the halls. Luckily, the freshlings were hidden away, but it didn't stop family and siblings from panicking.

Mink had by now shifted into warg form, lurking by the doors quietly. The giant beast that was once a tiny grimm did not acknowledge anyone who talked to her, focused solely on the doors. Ava had begun soothing those in midst of panic attacks, as well as shakily washing out wounds.

It looked like, despite how hard the staff had tried, they'd need to fight to escape. The academy was enchanted not to allow damage to the walls, so blowing an escape was not possible without Ava taking time to lower the guards. They didn't have that time. Not only that, but the windows had been enchanted not to open, which left a question on the tip of many tongues; how did the attackers get in? Had someone let them in? There were exits all over the first floor, and hopefully they could reach them.

That meant running out into the hall. Something Ava wasn't keen on. Something none of them was keen on. Taking the time to lower the guards seemed a much better option frankly, and hopefully they had the time to do so. Before that, though, they needed to group and plan.

"We need to prepare." Mink growled from her spot from the door, finally. The warg shifted back into her normal form as Mink began approaching the stage.

"I will be working to lower the defenses of the academy enough so we can escape from here." Ava stated. Mink's eyes snapped towards Ava's hands, which had begun to tremble faintly. Ava instantly slipped her hands together, stopping their tremble.

"What if you can't?" Mink countered. "You've used high level spells throughout this entire evening, as well as strengthened the entire academy earlier. Your magic is going to tap out soon. You're going to injure yourself."

"I'll worry about that."
"And what is plan B?"
"We fight back."

A nervous sigh escaped Mink as she shifted to sit on the stage, claws running over her face. Ava turned away, hands raising to begin working on the barrier of the academy.

"We gave out amulets." Mink began, receiving a faint nod from Ava. "If we need to fight back, we'll need everyone to use them. Avoid using the knives if possible, we don't need to get close to them."

"Avoid being a hero." Ava added faintly from her spot. "The goal is to escape, not to save the day and eliminate them." She paused, eyes narrowing slightly.

"Avoid hurting those who were with us." Yuki suddenly called from her spot attending to the sick.

"I don't know if that's an option." Ava softly answered, voice fainter than before.

"If you are pure Grimm or Kirin and we need to fight back, you should shift. Of course, only seniors can do this." Mink murmured from her hands, lowering them. "We will need as much strength and healing as we can get."

"Until then, please tend to those who were hurt." Ava called. "We have a few people who were hurt during the escape, those with healing amulets or can use healing magic should help."

What to Do:
Those who were hurt during the escape should use the form below. This is NOT for those hurt finding the child, this is for everyone who was injured in the last stage of the META. Place the code at the TOP of your post, and each time you are healed add to the tally. When you get to 5 your character is fully healed. Not reaching 5 will effect the next part of the META.



[size=14][color=red]I'm Injured![/color][/size]
[b]Username:[/b]
[b]NM/DD:[/b]
[b]Current HP:[/b] [You start with 0! - link each +1 you receive from a healing amulet]




Those who have healing amulets must quote the person they are healing, and RP it. You only can add 1 point to their tally per post. You can only heal someone once every four hours.

Senior PURE kirin can also try and heal others when in unicorn form. Those who shift must quote the person they are healing, and RP it. You only can add 2 points to their tally per post. You can only heal someone once every four hours.

Pure grimm who wish to shift into warg from (a sort of monstrous and powerful looking canine beast) should they need to must use this code below:



[size=14][color=darkred]I'm Transforming![/color][/size]
[b]Grimm:[/b] [Only Pure Grimm may transform]




Pure Kirin who wish to shift into unicorn form should, they need to, must use this code below:



[size=14][color=mediumpurple]I'm Transforming![/color][/size]
[b]Kirin:[/b] [Only Pure Kirin may transform]




The infected may RP greeting the Queen, but not anything past that, as they are moving behind scenes to the next section of the META. The guide to the infection has also been updated to include the Queen and their feelings towards her.

Those who disobeyed Ava can RP hiding inside a classroom. They can NOT receive healing, even if they have a healing amulet. This effects a later part of the META.

Those who were injured in Find the Child are beginning to feel nauseous, it is clear they will soon suffer the same fate as the injured survivors.

The next stage will be posted on February 12th.

I'm Injured!
Username: Alamoraine
NM/DD: Chervil
Current HP: 0

Normally Chervil might have noticed that they were sans a few people as the entrance to the auditorium was sealed against the tide of freshly-turned foes, but the weight of their position, not to mention the angry throbbing of the gashes on his back, distracted him and caused him to do little more than stand there and clench his fists. He looked around for Adalyn, and noticed with some distress that the previously injured were all being moved to one corner of the auditorium, away from everyone else. He started to walk in that direction, but was told firmly by the head nurse that the area was restricted. He had a fleeting thought of uncharacteristic meanness regarding turning and showing her his back and asking if that qualified him, but he knew that it would only make things worse. That and he noticed that there was less concern about those who were freshly injured turning hostile like the others had. That certainly struck him as odd.

He removed himself and settled on a spot to sulk beside the wall, not far from the forbidden corner. He had looked several times to see if he could see Adalyn, but he was unable to spot her from that distance. He leaned against the wall once in exasperation, then drew back quickly with a hiss; he could feel bits of peeled bark scraping against the wall, as painful as loosened fingernails. He felt a small pressure on his leg and smiled a small smile as Fio sat there, placidly washing a paw and looking for all the world as though this entire ordeal was nothing more than a temporary annoyance.

He listened more intently at first to the proclamations, but almost immediately his mind began to wander, and only bits and pieces came through. Avoid using the knives.....well no problem there; it hadn't done HIM any good. Avoid hurting those who were with us...... He looked over again at the corner and felt a true stab of worry that seemed to cut right to his center. If Adalyn should turn, would he know her at all? Would she know HIM? How could they possibly avoid hurting them if they were not in their right mind and forced the rest to defend themselves? Would it be morally sound to sacrifice one's own safety for the sake of those who no longer cared for their friends?

The rest became a buzz, and Chervil soon found himself bringing his knees up to his chest; without complaint for once, Fio jumped off of the dryad's leg and settled for sitting beside him, occasionally bumping him with his furry head. Still racked with concealed worry that beat against his insides and threatened to turn to panic, Chervil turned once to look at the vespercat, surprised that he was little more than a blur; he hadn't even known that his worry was causing him to tear up slightly. "I don't suppose you would want to walk over there and check on Adalyn for me, would you?" For an answer, Fio looked over to where the head nurse was, flattened his ears just a bit, and returned his gaze, as though to say 'She wouldn't let you in, and you're a teacher; what chance do I have?'