longestnight | [audio] The traps will continue until (his) morale improves

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[audio] The traps will continue until (his) morale improves

[After a while, there's no need for anyone to keep too much of a close eye on Branch, despite the fact he was possibly one of the closest to death by the time they got to the Pole. By the time everyone else is feeling well enough to leave the Infirmary (albeit maybe with a limp in the case of some of them) he's still out but at least finally firmly stable. Breathing easily and far less pale. It's just that the sleep caused by the myth healing has him firmly knocked out for far longer than everyone else as all that extensive poison damage heals up.]

[Jack at least keeps occasionally checking in on him. He'd placed him in a little doll bed and placed that in a little dollhouse. The house is meant to make it so the troll won't just sleepily stumble out and fall right off the table or something before he's fully awake.]

[The problem is he hasn't noticed that one of the Elves noticed him initially tucking Branch away. And said Elf also keeps watching him go in and open up a little doll house. Bingle knows better, he knows he's not allowed in the Infirmary unless he wants to be helpful and has been given specific Infirmary-related instructions....but he also thinks that toy looks so adorable. And!!! Jack keeps playing with it and Jack liking the toy makes it seem even cooler!!! So after one of the times Jack closes up the little dollhouse again, and leaves the Infirmary Bingle jingles his way happily into the Infirmary after he's out of sight to go play with the toy...]

[A short time later, there is a whole lot of screaming. Terrified, Bingle drops what was in his hand, and runs out. Then what Bingle thought was a toy also runs out of the Infirmary and the rest...]

[The rest is the kind of mess that happens when a bunch of upsetting events running consecutively are filtered through a filter of high octane paranoia. Branch doesn't waste time after escaping his would-be murderer. Limping out of the room, he makes his way onto a hustling bustling floor filled with furry artisans. Looking around in awe at the strangeness of his surroundings is how he gets run over by some kind of toy car. Great. Wonderful. The injury jangles his leg even worse and causes it to break open the partially-healed snake bite gouge. But that's not about to slow him down.]

[Some stolen ribbon is tied over the bandage to put more pressure on the injury. (They must have bandaged it because they wanted him to live long enough to clear the poison.) His hair is quietly washed in the as-of-yet unused paintbrush water of a yeti setting up a table to paint toys. Then he smears green and red paint on his body and more bits and bobbles, pieces of ribbon and tinsel and pine are used as camouflage all over his body. The place is littered with garlands and scraps of ribbon and tinsel. It genuinely lets him blend. All he has to do is stop moving and then he looks like all the rest of the detritus and garland on the tables and floors.]

[He blends enough that he manages to limp to one of the windows and see what's waiting for him outside without being seen. The view is devastating and makes him realize he has to change his tack.]

[He figures out the comm devices the hairy guys are making are important by silently watching a yeti test one out, including by using some kind of... listening devices with it? Ones that go in the ears? When the yeti's back is turned, both the larger watch device and the two ear-things are stolen, as is the box and instructions for the ear things. And Branch spends the better part of an hour figuring out what it's all for, how to sync the devices, how to use the mic on the one ear bud, and how the menus are navigated - including how to navigate them by tapping the earbud certain ways without touching the comm watch.]

[Then he looks out on what is to become a battlefield, a place to lay waste to his enemies, and starts to get to work. It takes him the better part of a few hours to prepare, the large space of time between anyone possibly thinking to check on him in the Infirmary. He has to use his hair to do most of the traveling because of the shape his leg is in but he pushes his way through it.]

[Then the first casualties start rolling in. The Elves and the yetis, the most numerous of the Pole's residents and most prone to roaming around, are disproportionately affected. The first trap is tripped by an Elf. Somehow the Elf is successfully netted to the ground in a weighted net made of volleyball netting. A yeti trips a trap that causes a cascade of marbles that causes a whole group of yetis to slip and fall. A snare trap somehow whips someone upside down. Super soakers full of lemon juice are activated by a tripwire to squirt the juice in someone's face as they walk by.]

[The traps are all harmful but not permanently damaging. There are no traps that might make people fall over railings or down stairs. Nothing will permanently scald anyone and even if things cause pain and irritation they don't cause permanent damage. And it's possible to avoid tripping traps, certainly. After all, most of the traps are in the busiest areas of the Pole, and not quieter ones prone to relaxation. There's no point in hunting the hunters if you do it in places where they don't heavily congregate.]

[But for those in the more heavily trap-set areas: visible chaos erupts. The Elves and the yetis are clearly panicking. Then, in explanation, a voice comes over the new comms, in audio only, spoken over the mic of a single Samsung earbud. A few of them might recognize said voice from their time in the Multi-plex or before.]

Yeah, hi, all those traps going off around you? Those are mine and I work fast. I guaran-flipping-tee you there are a whole lot more of them than you think. Pick a random number, then quadruple it, because that's what I did when deciding how many to set. And I'll keep setting more the longer my demands go unmet.

Now I'm sure some of you are thinking "well, I can avoid all the traps." Maybe true for you, but your ugly, pointy-headed little children and the big hairy guys sure seem to be running into them. And wow, they are really freaking out right now.

So we're going to do this my way. If you want it to stop anytime soon, you'll do exactly what I say, when I say it. If you don't do what I say, I will make it worse.

[Branch is about to limp around and be a problem.]

[Yippee-Ki-Yay.]

[ooc: Threadhopping is encouraged. The main negotiations will happen with Miguel playing hostage negotiator, but anyone can talk to Branch. He can't see anything because it's all audio but he'll definitely gloat if he hears someone get trapped while on the comms with him, completely endearing himself to them instantly, I'm sure. All the traps will be inconvenient, annoying, and maybe slightly painful but not cause any genuine risk to life and limb - yet.]

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[Yeah, he definitely did not help with that. Even if Miguel hadn't actually hurt him, he'd been very scared and Miguel had made it worse, made him feel like the big people here weren't above causing harm.]

We got here somehow. I want safe transport out. And some supplies so I don't have to worry about collecting any right away when I get out there.

A pack and a water container that works for my size. Food, preferably with a lot of dried fruit. [Since fruit's the main thing his people eat.] Some basic first aid supplies like bandages and a sliver of soap.

[ hm. Annoying as he was, being a Spiderguy made it difficult to ignore this whole stunt for what it was - a desperation move. A cry for help, of sorts. ]

Transportation in and out is magical. That will take more time to figure out.

But the food and water shouldn’t be a problem. We’ll need to agree to a drop off point.

[ give a morsel to mollify him, a bit. It’s a good thing Branch can’t see the piles of snow globe notes. ]

Okay, we have a problem here. People are free to go anytime if they don't want a part of this. Obviously. But we can't let him leave yet.

I wasn't going to cast magic over people without explaining what I was doing first and getting permission, so I only did the anti-tracking charms after you all were awake.

He was out cold so I didn't do one on him yet. If we let him go now, without the charm, Kuk's people will find him. The little guy won't stand a chance. They'll capture or kill him.

I figured as much.

[ one way or another, letting the guy go after knowing the inner workings of the place seemed like a bad idea. ]

We should give the other things to him. It will buy us all some time to figure out where he is.

[It takes a while for Jack to respond again. The reason why is evident when he's on video again. He is clearly struggling to herd Elves away from the workshop area but they're squirming out of his arms in attempts to scatter in all directions.]

Dingle, Bingle, guys, come on!

Just give him whatever. We only need to earn his trust enough to lure him in close-ish. I can do the charm from a few feet away and then we can give him a snowglobe.

[ now thoroughly annoyed by the imp's tempestuous little attitude, Miguel is throwing his hand up. ]

Are you sure you want to keep going through all the trouble? I can just look for him and root him out.

[ he has spiderman senses, Jack! He also... has talons that are as long as Branch's entire body. maybe don't let him. ]

Even if he goes out there with the charm, he's still at risk. Little guy, big world. Kuk and his people aren't the only dangerous myths.

So it'll still be a lot better if we can earn his trust and convince him he's safe here, and luring him in with the charm and the offer of a snowglobe might at least let us get him face to face for a talk.

Grabbing him will do the opposite.

[Jack is pretty set on trying to help all of the people that have been drawn in.]

We could also use all the help we can get. If this ruckus is proof of anything it's that he can be a handful even despite his size. It wouldn't be a bad thing to have on our side if was directed in the right direction.

[Stealthy and crafty little guy.]

[An Elf tries to make another dive to escape and Jack grabs him. He absolutely has his hands full. A whole gaggle of Elves he's trying to get off the workroom floor.]

Just think of this as practice. I mean, what do you think we do? Kids are usually small and vulnerable and scared. And we have to protect them. And comfort them. Even when they're a handful, even when they're sarcastic, rebellious teenagers.

At the end of the day, no matter how they act, when we're protecting a kid, a lot of times we're meeting them on one of the worst days of their lives.

This guy's small and scared and vulnerable, and it's probably one of the worst days of his life. If we can't handle him, we really are in trouble.

[ tired head rub. He must have a burgeoning headache. ]

Yeah, I know…

[ Miguel releases a big ‘ol sigh of resignation. Once the initial frustration burns through, he doesn’t need much convincing.

He has guided who-knows-how-many Spiders through some of the worst days of their lives, among other things. The capability to be gentle and comforting was in there… lost somewhere.]

Don’t think talking is gonna help much, but I’ll give it a shot.

[A shot is given and then things escalate to chili powder bombs and kidnapping.]

[When Jack comes on the comm again, it's obvious why he's been radio silent. His red powder smeared eyes are streaming with tears. He's a casualty thanks to herding the Elves to safer areas. A yeti is handing him a series of water bottles to try to wash it out of his eyes. It's not an easy prospect actually because the water turns to ice before long upon contact with his face and he has to wipe it off. Slush isn't quite as good at getting powder off your face and out of your eyes compared to free-flowing water.]

Okay, so maybe my initial stance on the [hacking because there is chili powdered tear-snot running down his throat] ...situation was slightly ill-advised.

We either need to do some kind of non-grabby catch and release with a net or something to get him talking, or just let him go after he's properly charmed.

...You think?

[ Miguel isn't going to let go of the 'ill-advised' part just because he has pepper blight!!

But here is where they can discuss their more mediated plan!! ]

That big workshop room. Have the furry guys and the pointy hat kids clear out.

[Lots of tables to hide under, lots of little flying toys fitting around to hitch rides on.]

I'll send down one of those little flying toys near the table with the green death lizards. [Dinosaurs.] You'll load it up with supplies.

That can be arranged. Just stay on the line, yeah?

[ Now is the time for their offscreen huddle up on who is on delivery duty.

If he has a say in it, he’d suggest some extra treats in there too. ]

Just make it quick. No scheming.

Alright, it’s been quiet for enough time already. Did you get the supplies?

[ it wasn’t too difficult to be generous with a three inch troll creature. He only hopes the candy is working it’s effects and that they’d gleamed enough to isolate his location some. ]

They’re working on getting bandaging in your size.

[Branch is very careful with the flying toy. He uses the remote control to have it sweep into the air, mingling with the other flying toys until it's looped around enough times to be confused with other identical toys.]

[Like a shell game.]

I did. The candy was a nice touch. Bribery won't help you, but solid effort.

For bandages, just cut some cloth, it's not that hard.

And how's that the transportation coming?

Sure, whatever. Enjoy the Andes chocolate.

[ a stubborn little shit like that would be admirable if he didn’t have to try and meet him halfway! ]

There’s a problem with your transport. You were out of it when they gave us the anti-tracking charms for the guys hunting you in the theater.

You need it if you don’t want to die after you step out.

Oh sure, and I bet that means I have to conveniently be within arm's reach of one of you, right?

Buddy, I don't make the rules for magic.

_{este huevón enojante del-.}

[ the spanish muttering becomes inaudible. it is not nice sounding. ]

Do you want to get eaten by a snake that badly?

Edited 2023-08-24 06:06 (UTC)

Better than the alternative. At least in the wilderness I can try to hide. I'm not penned in.

Because I don't believe you about the tracking thing. Something that'd make me have to surrender is way too convenient.

What hiding? They'll know where you are the instant you step out of here.

You'll be running. Constantly. With no chance of escape or reprieve. You really think that's better? Use your shocking brain for a second.

[ THINK BRANCH, THINK!!! ]

Edited 2023-08-24 16:02 (UTC)

They'll know where I'm hiding if the tracking thing is real and not just a ruse to draw me out. Something you're making up. They didn't need tracking to find us. We got brought here and walked in on them.

[The logic is pretty sound. All they have to go on is Jack's word for it and Branch hasn't even gotten to listen to Jack's welcome spiel yet. The fact they were just plunked into already existing chaos means the bad guys didn't need to track them to find them.]

You want me to trust you? You already made it pretty clear I don't even register as a person to you. I was just a stuffed toy you thought you could squeeze answers out of. Ones I don't even have.

[The logic is pretty sound there, too.]

Plus there was that cat guy that was stalking me before I started throwing stuff at him, even if he changed his tune later and said he didn't eat things that could talk. And that guy that wanted to put me in his pocket to meet his "friends" [you can hear the air quotes, implying that they're murder accomplices] before we even exchanged names.

[Lots of reasons for him to wonder about people's motives. While Miguel wouldn't have hurt him, who's to say it was off limits to one of the others?]

Why should I believe you?

What are you doing accepting food, then? Take your chances with the cold outside. See how it goes for you.

[ Legitimate hurt or not, Miguel is starting to run out of patience for the twerp. ]

OR - recognize that I'm trying to prevent you from doing something really stupid, with all your little limbs intact and head screwed on straight.

Here's a bonus tip: don't drop dinosaurs on people, and I wont hunt you down and squeeze you like last time.

[Accepting food isn't at all a tacit sign of trust. It's a sign of negotiations going the way he wants. Leverage properly leveraged, forcing them to do what he wants in exchange for a ramping down of chaos. (Or, well, at least not a ramping up.)]

[As for the tough love, that would work for some but Branch, whose idea of kindness is heavily entwined with the empathy his people show even their enemies, is less than swayed by it. He himself has been harsh before, but his mental image of what someone looks like when they're trying to help overwhelmingly involves actual gentleness.]

[More to the point, a lack of empathy has been a hallmark of the big people that regularly murdered the trolls. A total inability to empathize. A total inability, despite recognizing they could talk, think, feel, to actually consider their point of view. Completely ignoring the hurt and horror and terrible fear caused to them, that had to be drowned out by them sticking their fingers in their ears and singing at the top of their lungs.]

[That he can't understand why he'd run from someone in a scary costume, nearly thirty times his size, and then try to fight back to slow him down to have a better chance at escaping, means he's not trying to understand the fear he feels right now.]

[An apology would have de-escalated. Even avoiding an apology itself, saying "I didn't want to scare you, I was disoriented too and was worried about being away from home when something terrible was about to happen" would've de-escalated. An thin excuse, but at least one that wouldn't be hard to understand.]

[The little "bonus tip" just has him seething. The 'Don't this and I won't hunt you down and squeeze you like last time" implies there's a condition where he would. And this is the problem in both of them having tempers.]

[Bonus tip, you suck at negotiating.]

[But Branch doesn't say that out loud. Instead he's quiet for a little while, considering. Even counting it out in his head. One second, two seconds, three seconds - until it feels long enough to match how long it would really take to make a decision.]

[He finally lets out a long and tremulous sigh. And when he talks again, it's hesitant, sounding more anxious than as angry as he feels.]

[It's excellent acting. He thinks he's doing this for survival and of all the trolls in Troll Village, he's probably one of the best at lying, able to mentally and morally tangle with it more easily.]

Okay, fine. Let's say I entertain the idea you're not lying about the tracking thing. What does the anti-tracking thing entail? How many big people would I need to let near me to let it happen? And is there anyone smaller that can do it?

[It's going to be 0 that he lets near him because he's absolutely not going to go but this is a stalling tactic. Knowing that seeming amenable to what Miguel is saying will buy him some time, he starts quietly making his way towards a place he's wanted to go, looking around cautiously as he moves. He's silent as he swings along from object to object with his hair.]

Edited 2023-08-25 09:13 (UTC)

[ when Miguel gets back on the line, he sounds… notably less combative. It appears he has cooled off some, but as a consequence, missed some of the clues that Branch would be scurrying about escalating things. ]

Listen. I talked to Jack. The spell can be done from some distance. So, no one’ll have to touch you or get too close.

They’ll just need to meet you in the same room, somewhere. Like last time.

The rest of the supplies can be packed in there too. You’ll have a way out through a portal.

[ he is expecting another rant of paranoid troll delusion to meet him back. But, it was worth giving it a try. That’s the ideal Spiderperson thing to do. ]

[This is the first that he's actually almost swayed. Branch is trying to be infuriating to force what he wants. It makes sense someone trying to negotiate might, in fact, be infuriated by his actions. And it makes sense that maybe said infuriated guy had a talk with someone and tried to calm down. If this had come just a comment or two ago, he might have at least agreed to a meeting.]

[At a distance. But it feels too late now. He literally just kidnapped a dude and there's a bit of sunk cost going on.]

[And he still can't push himself over the edge into a zone of being willing to even attempt to trust.]

[20 odd years of extreme trauma-based survival instinct are just too strong. He's too on edge. The troll equivalent of adrenaline is lighting up all the worst parts of his brain and none of the people he feels genuinely safe around are here.]

[If Poppy were here, this situation would've been de-escalated five minutes after he woke up.]

[He funnels the uncertainty he's feeling into his tone, knowing it'll help sell it.]

The...the middle of the big work room. That's the only place I'll meet. Because there are hiding places if I need to run.

And they'll has to stay at least out of arm's reach. And I want all the stuff you promised visible and easy to grab. All of it.

Edited 2023-08-26 08:32 (UTC)

[audio] The traps will continue until (his) morale improves

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audio, locked to Miguel

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perma privated from branch i assume

yep

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one food delivery later

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cw: cannibalism

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