fifth bolt ⚡ "cid the menace" bounty open log

[ramuhs]

Who: Cid and and those who are after his bounty
Status: Open
Where: Everywhere
What: A bounty to capture "Cid the Menace" was posted on the MANTA Board, and Cid is highly amused by it. At least they want him alive, so he's decided to try and "cash in" on this because the man is too smart.
Warnings: Some violence, but otherwise nothing too graphic.

a » evading capture

[Early on, Cid is going to be fairly confused until he figures out about this whole bounty business. Which means that at first he will be making a hasty escape when some individuals try to corner him.]

Lads, I'm not sure what's going on, but I'm sure we can come to an amicable resolution?

[Of course, that's a no and there will be the clash of steel and explosion of lightning that strikes through the alleyway before Cid rushes out.]

Bloody hell is going on!?

[Anyway, either get out of the way, help Cid, or help the bounty hunters capture him! Those who actually want to try and capture Cid for the bounty as is will want this prompt!]

b » caught?

[Once Cid has figured out this whole bounty business, he'll make arrangements either ahead of time or with anyone he's encountered willing to take advantage and cash in on the bounty themselves and split the reward. When you're a Dominant and have five others plus a whole crew ready to save their captain, it's a fairly safe bet. It helps that he's wanted alive, too.

1) Make it convincing. While some may just want to go in unhurt and play the "He surrendered peacefully" card, Cid will make proposals or accept the idea that he should be slightly injured or scuffed up to make it a bit more convincing. After all, if his escape is going to happen a lot, it might be more suspicious if he's always coming in unharmed. So if anyone's wanted a spar give Cid a nice, little punch, here's your chance!

2) Grand escape. Once turned in and the reward has been obtained, Cid will be just lounging in the cell or whatever he's being held in. While initially he would be in official bounty jail cells, over time after repeated escapes and break outs, these won't cut it so he may be moved to different locations to be held. Could be on a ship to go to the ones who want him, could be some random building or shack. Could even be out in the middle of the forest as the handlers wait for him to be transferred over again.

Whatever and wherever it is, it's now time to put the plan into action. Or perhaps someone just happened to find him before a plan is hatched. Here are two general ways it can go:

a) Sneaky sneaky. Classic stealth breakout mission. Don't alert the guards somehow! Or knock them out or something. Could also do the ol' classic "dig a tunnel out."
b) Chaos. Loud distractions, engage in fighting, blow the place up. The more dramatic of the options, but no less fun.

And of course always open to other ideas and plans! They can get as creative as they want. (They an also try to take some extra cash or goods if there is anything around—)

Note: We don't necessarily have to thread out both part 1) and 2). It can always be arranged that if we only do part 1) some NPCs or someone else will be involved to break Cid out. Likewise can handwave part 1) happening somehow and focus on the break out.]

c » recovery

[Note: (late april/early may)

Unfortunately, the constant breakouts and loss of money will have made the ones after Cid very frustrated. At some point the bounty changes to "Dead or Alive," something Cid won't realize until too late. After one bad ambush with Benedikta, Cid will have suffered severe injuries to his chest and left arm that will leave him bedridden. And because of the change in the bounty, everyone will force Cid to stay on the crew's island, the Roost where he will be under strict watch because he will rest and recover, dammit!!

Which means, he's going to be...bored. Fiddling on his shellphone, drawing and writing things on a lapdesk he manages to acquire, reading. But he's soooo boooreeeed.

So anyone who wishes to visit him will either be part of the crew or will need to hitch a ride with a Hideaway crew member to visit. Alternatively, communicating via shellphone.]

...I need to come up with some better entertainment.

[A low mutter as he crumples up a piece of paper with a rejected schematic design he tried to make and just throws it to the small wastebasket, frowning when it bounces off the rim and lands among the few others that didn't make it. It's been about 50/50.

Guests will also likely be met with a little baby owl or—]

...Don't look at me like that, was just stretching my legs.

[Cid breaking doctor's orders and trying to escape the bed to walk around a bit. Which is still a very bad idea so get him back in there!]

d » wildcard

[Cid's bounty log!! But I am open to doing other quests that could be set before things go crazy. I have my plotting comment here or you can hit me up on through PM, Discord, or laenavesse.]

Comments

B. Caught

[catsgothistongue]

[When Ranma was looking at the bounties and gearing up to go after some monsters, the wanted poster was the last thing he expected. Double for just who was on it to begin with. Cid, the hell did you do to earn someone's ire? And what's with the goofy citrus orange top hat?

Questions for later. The martial artist sleight of handed one of the wanted posters of 'Cid the Menace' and left off to find the man in question. Before someone else did and actually roughed up the guy. Luckily for him, he found his target and decided to just sneak up right behind him and tap him on the shoulder to grab his attention.]

'Cid the Menace', huh? [Asked with a cocked brow and an incredulous tone, though judging by his laid-back demeanor, Ranma wasn't here to collect on the bounty.]

(OOC: I'm cool with threading out both part 1 and 2, Ranma's most definitely going to come back for Cid anyway!)

[ramuhs]

[Ever since first learning about this bounty of his, Cid doesn't hide necessarily, but he does try to keep a low profile. It's still early enough that it's not quite so widespread yet...but the tap of the shoulder does surprise him a little, one hand instinctively going to his sword before he recognizes the voice.

Letting out a low breath and slight shake of the head, he turns around to face him.]

Not quite the title I hoped to earn, but I suppose it's one all the same.

[Works for me!!]

C. HE'S TELLING MOM

[empyrean_mirror]

Did the healers say you could stretch your legs?

[You know, Kaveh hasn't been dealing with this super well. It was one thing when people were bringing Cid in alive. But Kaveh hadn't forgotten the corrupted paladin, and he knows that corruption doesn't happen on singular individuals. He knew (feared) things would escalate to this point.

Gods, but he hates being right.

So Kaveh has made a point to stay near the roost, because he's too much like Cid, and he knows how he behaves on bedrest. Which is why Kaveh is here. Arms crossed. Bags under his eyes. Somewhat disheveled. Peeved.]

NO DON'T

[ramuhs]

[He stiffens upon hearing the voice, but he just gives Kaveh his usual laidback grins—that is much less convincing when he winces as he straightens a little.]

Well a man has to relieve himself somehow.

[Okay, that's not what he was doing.



But that's also true.]

C

[midifications]

[Have you ever wondered what a feisty daughter telling you to get your ass back on bedrest would be like?

WONDER NO MORE, because on one of the occasions that Cid is just "stretching his legs" and doing what he isn't supposed to, he'll have a Mid. Staring. Hands on hips. Angery.]

Greagor's tits, dad, get your ass back in bed or so help me I'll tie you there meself.

[Wonder where she learned to talk like that, huh?]

[ramuhs]

[Oh fuck—

He actually jumps a bit when he hears her voice, one of the two he would really not want to hear catching him like this right now, and he just barely bites back the grimace from the sharp pain the sudden movement causes. Instead he just gives Mid a wary grin.]

Aw, no need for that, Mid. I was just heading back.

[Was not, but her threats are not something to test. And he would question more about her language—but between Charon, Blackthorn, Gav, and even himself, it's pretty obvious where and how—]

A. Evading Capture

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[Darin was enjoying a small lunch on the go when a sudden explosion of lightning has him jumping nearly out of his skin. When Cid rushes out of the alley, Darin leaps back, forfeiting his lunch to drop a hand on the hilt of his dao at his back.]

Holy what the hell?! What's going on?? I should be asking you that!

[Honestly, Darin doesn't seem like a Paladin but he's got the reflexes and build of someone who's done merc work. It's a toss-up whether Darin would be interested in the bounty or not.]

Some kind of trouble going down??

[ramuhs]

[At first Cid tenses upon seeing Darin, wondering if he's part of the group that tried to attack him earlier, but seeing as he isn't, he decides to take the opportunity of the confusion to work to his advantage.]

No idea, was just minding my own business before some blokes tried to attack me.

[And then a wary glance back as he can hear their shouts as those who weren't rendered unconscious try to get up and follow.]

But I'd rather not stick around to try and find out. Think you can help a man out?

c

[phoenixdominant]

[Joshua is not one to talk- he dodges recovery and medical care of any sort. But when it comes to other people he only cares to help.

He opens the door to Cid's room after a gentle warning knock. And he enters without much permission after that.]

I see you're well enough to be on your feet.

[Joshua might look just a ... tad amused. Only a tad.]

[ramuhs]

[He is going to need to install some kind of sensor to alert him whenever someone is by the door— Totally going to try and design one while he's in bed later.

But while he stiffens in front of the small bookshelf he had been standing by, he does relax a little when he sees it's Joshua. Not one of the ones he fears the most at least.]

Just getting a book, and a bit of stretching is better than not.

[Says him.]

a. sneaky sneaky

[fatalism]

[ one of fyodor's favourite pastimes involves a (questionable) interest in prisons. not because he aims for escape if he gets caught (and truthfully, in the past he has willingly allowed himself to get caught by the enemy in order to further his plans). so while there is no particular plan here, he's inside the building.

it's not difficult for a shadow, unassuming man like himself to find it easy to slip from corner to corner and avoid detection. if anything, the guards seem to be preoccupied with a particular prison who has a bounty on his head.

he's not expecting much, if anything when he stands on the other side of the metal bars looking at cid. ]

So, you're the one who everyone is after lately.

[ramuhs]

[A bit sore from the rough handling from those who brought him, Cid just lies back on the small cot, arms crossed behind his head and feet crossed over at the ankles and idly swaying. He certainly looks quite relaxed for someone who was just arrested and put in a cell, though he does wish they could have let him keep one of his cigars...

But hearing a voice, he shifts his head slightly to take a look. Well he's certainly no guard...]

Seems my popularity has finally arrived.

[He now sits up, legs criss-crossed beneath him.]

Here for a visitation?

B, time for some friendly sparring

[indispensable]

[Alhtiahm has to admit, there's something about all of this which is... far more amusing than it has any right to be. Though its clear that the locals have long since acclimated to the presence of riftfarers, its not too much of a surprise that some of them are not as welcoming. Not that such an issue is really part of what's going on here, but Alhaitham wouldn't be surprised if it did play a part in the animosity.

But for better or worse, Cid at least seems to have taken it pretty well, and even turned it to his advantage, and its not as if Alhaitham has ever been above bending a rule or two to his whims where needed. One reason to know about rules after all is to know how to use it to their own advantage, something that Cid is clearly adept with doing.

With the arrangements made, Alhaitham springs into action once the signal that they'd agreed upon comes. He ducks out from the alleyway he'd been waiting it and starts giving chase to Cid as the elder flees from his latest batch of pursuers, looking to everyone else as if he's one of the Paladins doing his job to help when things couldn't be further from the truth.]

[ramuhs]

[The group that's latched onto him are quite persistent, but he knows he's near the location where he and Alhaitham agreed to meet. And once he passes and he sees the younger man fly out as planned, he grins to himself before he then quickly ducks down the side street they had plotted out.

From here he will being their "merry little chase," giving them enough time and space to separate them from that other group before he is "cornered" by reaching the dead end of an alley. Of course, arrangements had been made in case they had to abort and he needed to escape to try again another day, but by the time they head down this path the sound from the other group had dimmed.

Still, never know if someone else might show up, so as Cid turns, hand on the hilt of his sword, he smirks.]

Just you, is it?

a evading capture

[vermilloci]

[ You know, she had just been thinking that that maybe she should check in on him. Having a bounty on one's head can't be easy or pleasant, and she can only imagine--

The sudden roar of thunder causes her to immediately cover her head on instinct, and she barely manages to see him dash out of the alleyway right in front of her. Rem stand, lowering her hands from her head, as she watches a plume of black smoke trail after him. ] What even...

[ That's all she manages before the two bounty hunters trailing him tumble out of the very same alleyway, crashing into her. Immediately they demand to know if she's seen a man run out of the alleyway, and she promptly lies to them, pointing them in the opposite direction.

IT'S TOO BAD SHE'S A BAD LIAR. One of the men starts shouting. Are you working with him?? Who are you? and Tell us where he went, or else!-- the usual threats. Rem takes a few paces back, lifting her hands in peace while retaining her smile. She really, really doesn't want to risk fighting right now. ] H-honestly, he went... Oh look, there he is!

[ She's doing the old distract-and-dash! And she's going to run in the same direction Cid went. ]

[ramuhs]

[She may have been a bad liar, but she did buy him time. Time for him to slip down into side street that looks to have a hidden grate down into the sewers. Just as he's pulling it out to jump down, he hears that familiar voice shouting. And when he takes a careful glance out and sees her running, he quickly waves her over before they can see him.]

Here, quick!

[A low hiss before he has to duck back or risk getting spotted. And when she does come around he'll be at the grate, motioning for her to jump down it.]

Caught

[telepathicignorance]

(Sidestep isn't interested in collecting bounties: let the heroes and vigilantes of this world do their own damned dirty work. That said, being a telepath has its advantages sometimes, and when they pick up on someone's thoughts about the racket Cid has going... well that is something they want in on.

The figure that will approach him is mysterious, with their face covered and a longcoat that's buttoned to hide what's underneath and their "don't notice me" telepathic effect making it hard to focus on them even for people they're talking to directly. Unless Cid is immune to telepathy, in which case they're just a weirdo in a coat with a covered face.)

Hear you've been really good at giving the authorities the slip.

[ramuhs]

[And Cid will have no such immunity since telepathy wasn't even a thing to even consider back in his world. So when he notices someone approaching, he looks out from the bars and...furrows his brows a bit. What a mysterious figure indeed.

But he does give a wry chuckle.]

Not exactly the first time I've had to. Also good exercise—keeps both parties on their toes.

A

[emet_sulk]

[ Emet-Selch observes Cid's flight from above, hovering high enough that most wouldn't spot him unless they deliberately looked up. He isn't sure what the man's done to warrant a bounty and, it seems, neither does Cid.

He's not so desperate for money that he wants the reward so he follows the fight for a little while until it seems like the bounty hunters have finally managed to corner the man into a situation he can't escape from alone. Then the Ascian raises a hand and snaps his fingers. A series of dark, inky shards slam down in front of the hunters, narrowly missing them. An ilm closer and they would have had their noses shaved off.

If that doesn't spook them enough, Emet-Selch finally descends like some dramatic god until his feet lightly touch the ground. ]

He's mine, [ he says softly. There's a tinge of something other in the word. Something discordant. Just a bit of theatre to scare them all away. ]

[ramuhs]

[Finding himself in a corner, Cid is forced to do something he had hoped to avoid—fight. Facing the group of bounty hunters, he bears a grim expression as his hand goes to the hilt of his sword. Of course, a snap of lightning would make this a quicker getaway, but he'd rather reserve his aether and energy in case there's more to this. Really, what is up with these people...!

But before he can do much more than get into a stance, he senses something above and looks up just in time to see those dark shards shoot down and narrowly miss the men, one screaming and falling backwards in surprise. Of course Cid is even more surprised when he recognized the person...floating...down?

...

Since when could he fly—

While some of the hunter are wary, others are stubborn. It's not like they don't have magic of their own—they'd be sorry hunters if they couldn't handle this much. So now there are all sorts of elements gathering around...and all in this small space.]

Well I've never felt more "wanted" before.

[Also Emet better hope Benedikta never learns of this—]

a to start!

[netherese]

Wait, wait, you've got the wrong idea! It's me!

[Gale puts both hands up when it's his turn to be the one who's made an effort to corner Cid, having managed to cut off some other bounty hunters by following Cid in into an alleyway with a well-timed Dimension Door spell.

He thrusts a hand out behind him and gives it a flourish, and a wave of shimmering light expands, touching both of the walls enclosing the alley before fading, and Gale sighs heavily before setting his jaw and looking squarely at his friend.]

I'm glad I got to you first— that illusion will hide us from view for a short while, but depending on what tricks they've got up their sleeves, they might be able to see past it before too long. I'm here to help! What in the nine hells did you do to get a bounty on your head?!

[ramuhs]

[Just as Cid is about to unsheathe his sword, he stands there baffled as he recognizes—]

Gale?

[He lets out a exhale as his sword falls back in its sheathe, body relaxing but not by much as he eyes where the light walls had once been.]

It's a bit of a story, but it'll take longer than the time we have here. We need to move somewhere else.

c!

[verboaten]

[unfortunately (or fortunately for cid) eizen hadn't caught wind of that bounty till after the guy ended up bedridden. no reaper's curse to make things worse. worse here might've just meant dead. leave it to cid to have luck that rivals eizen's own somedays. or maybe the reaper's curse is spreading to everyone at the hideaway. totally possible cause, seriously, how the hell did this kinda bounty even happen???

pondering that gets caught short as he enters the room only to see cid up. cue the most unimpressed look at that explanation as eizen folds his arms.]

And now you have.

[there's a very loud, unspoken 'get back to that bed'. don't make him carry you, cid.]

[ramuhs]

[He hears it. He just pretends it's not anything to really heed right away—]

Going to push me back to bed, are you?

Caught? no. CHAOS

[yuezun]

[Daqiang appears inside Cid's current cell - the third or fourth ship that has attempted to retain the man and the 20th or more cell since the inane bounty got going in earnest. He appeared in a burst of smoke and scattered sparks, the kind that banked fires and still hot coals shot up when disturbed. Bright and hot and too fast to burn to do any real damage. He appeared with arms crossed and a very judgemental look on his face as he began the slow walk from where he arrived to the other side of the cell while giving the whole thing a long look over.]

Are you playing some sort of game? This cell would not hold you if you called your lightning to you from within it.

[It would tear a hole in the ship, too. But regardless, Cid could definitely get out on his own.]

Is it a wager you seek to win? Proving yourself to someone?

[ramuhs]

[Here Cid is, just kind of resting and waiting for his eventual escape when suddenly there's that burst of flame that it takes everything he has to not shout out loud to alert the guards. And when he finally sees who it is—]

Dammit, Dongfang!

[STOP. DOING. THE SUDDEN APPEARING THING!! One day he'll get used to it, maybe, but should he really be getting used to this?? Maybe if he gets a better sense of the man's aura or energy or whatever...

...

In any case, he'll be staring at him wide-eyed before his expression hardens and his voice lowers into a stern hiss.]

How did you even know I was here?

recovery

[vermilloci]

[ HI HELLO She is here, because she'd heard he was bedridden?! WHAT--

knocknocknock! ]

May I enter?

[ramuhs]

[There will be some slight shuffling noises followed by a hiss and a mild curse before some more thumping and rustling and—]

Come on in.

[And when Rem opens the door, she totally won't see a loose piece of paper sliding off his desk with fresh ink on it. Paper that is just another one of his little idle schematic "doodles" that he's been stuck doing. Of course why is it on the desk and not by the bed where he should have been the whole time is a mystery...................

he was totally at his desk when he's not supposed to be.]