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polymorphic 2009-10-18 02:49 am UTC (link)

Tonks woke up feeling the air on her skin rather than the normal air from inside the gymnasium. "Fuck me," Muttered as soon as she felt it, because being outside when one went to sleep inside somewhere was never a good thing. It was a doubly not-good thing here in Vas Captio. Bleary-eyed, she sat up quickly and looked about. There were others with her, and they were in one of the cages. "Yeah, 'cause we could see this comin'.." That was directed to the Management, who were oh so glib about being able to figure this shit out. Yes, quite normally she thought about letters and symbols and acquainted them with being in a sodding cage. Buggering-- Never mind that. They had to get out of here. "Wake up." This said louder to everyone in the cage with her. "Wake up, you lot." She was looking around again, and breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Jack Harkness. "Oh, thank Merlin." He'd help them out, surely. (Reply to this) (Thread)

ballerinadreams 2009-10-18 03:03 am UTC (link)

Shannon woke up alone and that was weird enough as it was, but for the first time in days, she finally had a real appetite. Not for SlimFast bars, let it be known, but since she knew where they were - or where they usually were - and she could actually hear her stomach growling, she decided it was time to make a trek to the gas station. "Ianto, Jack, I'm heading out for food, want anything?" she called through their door after knocking when listening resulted in silence. Shannon waited for a moment and then sighed, rolling her eyes slightly and shaking her head. Fine, fuck 'em then. It was so unfair that they could still be sleeping when she had been awake for nearly half an hour before she decided get moving. The walk wasn't that long, but when Shannon drew nearer, she paused in the street where it forked and looked over into the carnival where she could see a small cluster of people enclosed in a cage. Jack - Shannon could easily tell by the coat - was standing outside it. ...just standing there. Brow furrowed, Shannon sighed again and, sidetracked now, made her way over. When she was close enough to recognize one of the captives in the cage as Ianto, her eyes widened and she moved faster, backhanding Jack when she came up beside him. "Why are you just standing there?" she asked. The lock was totally visible; what was making him hesitate. "Come on," she muttered. Then, she looked back at the others in the cage, particularly Ianto, and furrowed her brow. "We'll get you out guys, just hang in," she said confidently, assuming that maybe now that she'd smacked Jack into action again, he'd snap out of whatever his weirdo hesitation was and help her get them out of the cage. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

changethefuture 2009-10-18 03:22 am UTC (link)

Being out and about the previous day had apparently done Chris some good because when he laid down late that night in the gym, long after everyone else had seemingly gone to sleep, he managed to drift into a deep sleep himself. Part of it was likely stress too. It was exhausting, sliding between two extremes of his personality; the side that demanded he look after others without consequence to himself, and the side that recognized how similar this place was to the evil world he knew and wanted him to focus solely on his own survival. So exhausting that his sleep was dreamless, and he was blinking away such darkness as a voice stirred him awake. When his eyes cracked open and he found himself squinting against sunlight marginally obstructed by the wire patchwork normally associated with a fence Chris snapped wide awake, sitting up abruptly. Was he... on a bunk bed? "What the hell..." Chris took a quick look around, then leaned over the side and saw a somewhat familiar face sitting on the bed beneath him. The other witch, he remembered seeing her hanging out with Rose in the gym the night before. "Hey... you okay?" He was hopping down to the ground before he received an answer, glancing at the other two people in the cage with them and then turning his attention outward to try and size up the situation. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

capt_harkness 2009-10-18 03:30 am UTC (link)

He stood there, arms crossed in front of his chest, rolling his shoulders. He didn't notice the warmth and that it was probably far too warm for him to be wearing it under the current circumstances but Jack wasn't programmed to notice the weather. Hell, he wasn't programmed to notice much of anything -- only that the people in the cage stayed there and to stop all attempts to free them. Tonks spoke. Whatever. He wasn't here to talk. Ah... another he knew outside the cage. Jack growled when Shannon backhanded him, clenching his fist from retaliation. Not yet. She didn't know better, apparently -- the next time she wouldn't be so lucky. Jack shifted his stance, feet spread almost shoulder-width apart as he stared out into space. "Get away from the cage," Jack snapped at Shannon, head flicking to look at her. "Back. Off." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

ballerinadreams 2009-10-18 04:15 am UTC (link)

As some of the others in the cage started to awaken and realize what was going on, Shannon took a few steps toward the cage, trying to figure out how in the hell she was going to pick that lock. It wasn't like they had anything on them - at least, she didn't - that would help... She was looking around the general vicinity to try and find something to aid in the effort when Jack snapped at her and she stopped, turning to look at him, eyebrows raised. "...are you kidding?" she asked, genuinely confused. Ianto was in there, after all. Shaking her head and rolling her eyes at him, Shannon turned back toward the cage. "Whatever, Jack, you can be the hero if you want. I probably won't be able to get this lock on my own, anyway," she replied flippantly. Her attention shifted to the two who seemed most with it. "Hey, I'm Shannon. I...don't think I've met you guys," she said. She felt badly for them; Shannon couldn't even begin to imagine what it felt like to be literally caged. Being in a big glass cage was bad enough, but a cell? She shuddered slightly at the thought. She and Jack were going to have to make quick work of this. Taking a deep breath and sighing, Shannon moved forward and held the lock in her hand, trying to figure out the best way to go about getting it open. It was in good shape, so it wasn't like there was any rust to make it easier. Dammit... (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

bulletsandblood 2009-10-18 07:27 am UTC (link)

Selene had been near, somewhat out of sight. With no sunrise she didn't know how long she had been in the carnival, presence never far from the cage and its occupants. Time was of no consequence so there was no impulse to glance at the watch that she remained burdened with. All the vampire knew was that little had changed since she began watching over the cage. Inwardly, however, was a slightly different story. It hadn't taken long at all for the sounds of four hearts beating and the underlying scents, particularly of their blood, to fill her senses. Instinct should have had the vampire sizing them up in an instant, determining who was healthiest or who might pose a threat. But there was nothing. As if the information reaching her senses only use was to tell her that the captives were there, where they needed to be. That absence of something so integral put the first small crack in the control; allowed a corner of her mind to begin thinking that something was wrong. Her contemplation and growing inner concern went uninterrupted at the first arrival, something in her knowing that he was supposed to be there, that the two of them shared this task of making sure those in the cage remained there. Whatever that 'something' was, it refused to let her act on the curiosity and suspicion that she would otherwise feel at the situation. In that back, conscious corner of her mind, Selene wondered if this was akin to what it was like for the Elders when they searched another's memory, if it played like something they both were and weren't a part of. Except a memory was simply information, it didn't make decisions or force movements. She had little chance to examine such thoughts more as her attention was sharply drawn to the newest presence. Brown eyes watched the young woman much like an animal observed someone new, waiting to see if action needed to be taken. As soon as fingers touched the lock on the cage door Selene was moving without a thought. At full strength the vampire could easily move faster than the eye could follow and she crossed the distance in less than the time it took to blink, seemingly appearing next to the girl. 'Shannon' her mind amended, having caught the words directed to those inside the cage; threats were easier to identify when names of any sort could be given to them. Cool fingers wrapped around her wrist and Selene jerked her hand away, using only as much force as was absolutely necessary, letting go just as swiftly. "Move away." Her voice was sharp and her eyes never left Shannon, body fully prepared for further action even as in the back of her mind Selene couldn't understand why she should even care about what was going on. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

madeinwales 2009-10-18 01:52 pm UTC (link)

When Tonks called, Ianto startled and sat up, banging his head on the underside of one of the bunk beds. It took him a moment to register what was going on, but once it did, it didn't really add up. Ianto rubbed at his head and glanced around, more than a bit confused. "All right, then?" he called groggily back to Tonks. It was then that he noticed the goings on outside of the cage and furrowed his brow, watching. The hell was going on..? "Shannon? Jack?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

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polymorphic 2009-10-18 05:17 pm UTC (link)

She had nodded to Chris (well, she assumed he was Chris. She saw him with Connor that one time) and Ianto, affirming that -- other than being in a cage-- she was alright, but didn't say anything. That was because she was too busy watching Jack do absolutely nothing while Shannon tried to pick at the lock. "Tonks here. Thanks for the hand." Though it was still off that Jack was just..watching. Her mouth opened, to give some help, when Selene came along. Doubly thank Merlin. "Oy, Selene--" Pause. Stare. What the hell? Why was she trying to get the blonde girl not to open up the cage? New guy was taken in thoughtfully, "Better when we're out, lambie." Simply the truth. As it was, at that time, Tonks had noticed something else about the cage and stepped over to one of the corners. Was that..razor barbed wire? (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

changethefuture 2009-10-18 11:13 pm UTC (link)

Chris observed those outside the cage, not recognizing anyone -- no, wait. The woman in black was vaguely familiar, but the memory was hazy. Maybe he'd met her while he was feverish and delusional? He didn't bother trying to figure it out as he was busy dealing with a feeling of dread that had instantly sparked from the way she seemed to simply appear. Not human. Demon? He wasn't sure. He looked to Tonks as she seemed to address the woman and took in the way her expression changed before he looked back to those on the outside. Then he was stepping closer to the wall of the cage, eyes narrowing slightly. "Something's not right." Other than the obvious. "Is this normal behavior for either of them?" he asked, directed at pretty much anyone present since he'd picked up that everyone seemed to know at least one other. The itch to attempt to orb and see if he could get out of the cage was there, but Chris held back for the moment. Strange as it might sound, there was always the chance they were safer inside the cage than out. And besides, he wanted to know what he had to deal with if he was able to get out. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

madeinwales 2009-10-19 11:32 am UTC (link)

An eyebrow ticked up briefly at the comment of things not being right, but then he was the sort of sod to be amused by things like that. "Ianto Jones," he said, introducing himself to the others (well, other) from his position on the bed. Where he was still rubbing his head and watching Jack and Shannon and the woman. Growling Jack and the woman was ordering Shannon to back away... Growling Jack who hadn't looked at him once. Well, that happened when Jack was in Captain Mode. "Shannon, be very careful," he called, unfolding himself and easing towards the door and the people outside the cage. "This'll end in tears, I'm sure," he murmured, tossing a concerned look over at Tonks and Chris. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

capt_harkness 2009-10-20 01:00 am UTC (link)

There was a part of Jack, a very small part, that knew something was very wrong. The larger part, however, was under control and was figuring that this was how it should be. What bothered him was Shannon and that she was touching the lock. No one was supposed to be touching the locks. It seemed like the other guarding with him was going to take care of her for now. "Do what we say and everything will be fine," Jack barked, looking at Shannon. "And if I were you, I'd get the fuck away from the cage right. now." The accent, however, drew Jack's attention. First female, then male -- but the second, Jack knew the lilt to that voice. Jack frowned, turning around to look at the cage and suddenly things began to make sense. That iron-clad hold the Management had on his head began to fracture. Not enough to break, but enough to let more of Jack through... enough to tell him that what he was doing was wrong but there wasn't a damn thing he could do about it. Swallowing, Jack attempted to meet Ianto's eyes. He drew in a breath, trying to speak and finding that the words wouldn't come. The Management didn't want him talking, didn't want him doing anything that would jeopardise their purpose. Instead, Jack had to hope one of their silent conversations would work now. He had to hope the expression in his eyes could be conveyed. I can't, he tried to say. I'm sorry. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

ballerinadreams 2009-10-20 01:23 am UTC (link)

Faster than Shannon could process, as she was turning the lock over in her hands trying to figure out if there was a way to pick or break it, she felt cold fingers on her wrist, jerking her hand away. Her delayed reaction of tugging her arm away from reach only left her looking a bit like an idiot and she whirled to face the woman. "Don't fucking touch me," she snapped. Shannon tried to ignore the surprise she felt when Jack didn't step in to help her. In the background, she could hear the people in the cage checking with one another that everyone was all right - and Ianto, questioning what was going on with only so much as her name and Jack's. But mainly, the cold look on Jack's face when he ordered her to do what they said and that everything would be fine; the force in his voice as he told her to get away from the cage... Shannon's brow furrowed. "Jack, cut it out, come on, you're freaking me out. We can't just leave them in there," she insisted, gesturing behind herself at the cage. Shannon's eyes went back to the woman who'd pulled her hand away. "I mean it, don't you fucking touch me," she said in a low voice between gritted teeth. Her eyes moved to Jack again. "And you're unbelievable. I'll do it my fucking self. I don't your help anyway," she seethed, turning back to the cage. At first, she made no move toward the lock, just looked back and forth between the people locked inside it, finally resting on Ianto's face. What do I do? How do I open it? the look asked. She took another step forward and took hold of a place on the bars between the razor wire and leaned in. "Ianto...what...the fuck?" she whispered. "What do I do...?" The look, she supposed, wasn't enough. She had to ask him out loud, even if it was under her breath and meant just for him. Then, she pulled back and looked around the others' faces again. "Any ideas?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

polymorphic 2009-10-20 01:30 am UTC (link)

Things were happening quick, what with Ianto declaring quietly that this wasn't going to go well. Tonks hoped that she didn't have to agree. Catching the reaction between the women outside of the cage, she maneuvered quickly toward that side. "Shannon, no--" She shook her head fast, glancing between the blonde girl and Selene and hoping that the warning was heeded. If Selene was under the same Imperio as Jack seemed to be well..well, it was just very dangerous to have a vampire under that Forbidden Curse. She glanced at the bigger guy then, hoping that he saw her headshake. Do not engage these folks until they could figure out what was going on. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

changethefuture 2009-10-20 01:58 am UTC (link)

"Mind control." Chris commented almost absently after listening to everyone and watching those on the outside. He was more familiar with the concept than he liked to admit. And it rarely ended well for any involved. Sighing, he stepped back from where he'd been standing up near the bars, running a hand through his hair as he tried to think. "Depending on how it's being done it might be impossible to break. And, depending on what those two are supposed to do it might actually be safer for us in here. For now." Though he didn't like the idea of sticking around to wait and see whatever those in charge had planned for them. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

madeinwales 2009-10-20 11:36 am UTC (link)

Looked like they had no choice but to stick around and see what was in store. Ianto didn't like it, but he also knew just how determined a fighter Jack could be. Getting past him was hard. He knew this from experience, even if thinking about it made him cringe. He watched Jack's face, watched his eyes widen and watched them find his own eyes, though no other words came. Jack was in there, but this, on the outside? Wasn't Jack. Ianto nodded slightly and found a brave smile somewhere for Jack, then moved to stick his hand through the bars and slap it over the lock, to keep Shannon from fiddling with it too much. He figured he was in the cage already. Kinda hard to thrash someone when they were locked up. "You don't touch this, not yet," he said quietly. "That's not Jack. He's in there, but that's not him." Ianto took a breath and held it for a moment, trying to keep calm. "If you can pick the lock, we can distract Jack and the woman. Getting away might be difficult, though." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

capt_harkness 2009-10-21 05:05 am UTC (link)

There was that smile -- he had understood. There didn't need to be any further discussion between them -- Ianto knew and that was all that mattered. Jack knew he would have a lot of atoning to do for his sins of this day -- but at least Ianto understood. Shannon, however, could be a very different matter. Now that the control had been fractured, Jack could feel more of his old self entering into the equation. It didn't, however, mean that he could do anything to change the situation in the slightest. While he would have been more gentle with Shannon, Jack still growled, eyes narrowed and wanted nothing more than to throw her far away from the cage. Didn't matter if she was injured or not, just so long as she was away from the cage and everyone inside. "Yes, we can just leave them in there," Jack replied. "They are in there and that is where they will stay. I've told you once to get the hell away from the cage. I asked nicely, from here on in, I won't be the nice Captain." She hadn't touched it yet. Jack wasn't concerned with those in the cage, just so long as they didn't try to assist the woman in any way. Four in the cage, two guards... and Shannon. Jack liked those odds quite a bit. "Listen to those in the cage, Shannon," Jack crooned, sliding up next to her. "They know it's pointless and they know they're in the cages for a damn good reason. If you know what's good for you, you'll get the fuck away from the cage before I physically remove you from the area." Again, Jack's ears picked up the Welsh accent. "Drop the lock, Jones," Jack barked. "You might be in the cage, but I'm not opposed to punishing you for attempting to help, understand?" Jack could taste bile in the back of his throat, quickly swallowing it away. Jack turned, arms crossed in front of his chest and looked at each member of the cage in turn. "Any of you attempt to help Shannon and you will not like to see the consequences. On that, I can assure you one hundred percent." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

polymorphic 2009-10-21 07:34 pm UTC (link)

Tonks hadn't caught the smile shared between Ianto and Jack. She was too busy staring at Chris. For two worlds with different witchcraft, they had things definitely in common. "One day, without cages an' crazy shit, I wanna talk with you." Motioned toward the wizard (well, other witch). Then she was turning her attention back fully to what was going on. "Shannon, you know him well?" She came over to the other edge of the cage and slid her hand just outside the cage to point to Jack. "Talk to him. You an' Ianto." She heard that sometimes the Imperio could be worked around, depending on who cast the spell. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

heartache 2009-10-22 11:49 am UTC (link)

Merope hadn't really woken up yet, the heat that was rising made her wake up from sleep. She was sitting there with her hands tucked beneath her body as she continued to hear noises. When she finally woke up to the soft argument and swearing, her eyes widened. She slipped off the bed and went to one of the bars on the cage, her hands gripped the bars and looked over towards Jack. Her eyes were fixated on him but she didn't bother to call out due to how intimidated she was at the moment. "....Zex?" Merope hissed lowly, calling for her snake to see if he would come to her. (Reply to this) (Parent)

madeinwales 2009-10-23 04:09 pm UTC (link)

"You think talking to them might snap them out of .. whatever it is?" Ianto asked, turning a bit to look over at Tonks and lifting his hands away from the lock. He'd rather not put Jack through the horror of thrashing him. Jack, for one, would never forgive himself. Instead, he stuck a hand through the bars and waggled his fingers invitingly. It could be for Jack or for Shannon, whomever needed something to hold on to more. "Ah, Merope, wasn't it? Are you alright?" She was hissing and gargling. Now, he knew people made fun of Welsh for being gargles and burps, but what Merope was saying seemed far more ... harsh. (Reply to this) (Thread)

changethefuture 2009-10-23 08:45 pm UTC (link)

Despite the situation -- or perhaps because of it -- Chris couldn't help but smile a bit at Tonks. "Deal." Magic was magic, even if they might have different means for achieving the same ends. He remembered her saying something about needing a wand for most of her magic. If it was anything like lore, he assumed it needed to be made out of some sort of wood. Well, there were plenty of trees around; perhaps between the two of them they could figure something out? But that was a thought for a different day. Chris let the others talk as he moved to pace a little, examining the other sides of the cage. He didn't see any peculiar markings or runes, but that didn't mean the cage itself wasn't infused with some sort of magical force-field to keep them contained. If the people in charge were all-seeing, then surely they would prepare for that when containing magical entities. Only one way to find out. He stared at a point outside the cage and tried to orb, only managing as far as dissolving his being into the trademark white-blue lights and then appearing whole again. "Damn it." But it didn't quite feel like he was hitting a wall, like when he tried to leave on the first day. It felt more like... like he didn't have the power to break past the cage. His brow furrowed and he raised a hand near the cage as he focused his gaze on a decent sized rock a few yards away. Fingers curling as he focused his energy, after a few moments he succeeded in only rolling the rock a few inches, his hand shaking and temples pounding with the effort it took to do just that. "Son of a..." They stripped his powers. It was the only possibility. Left him just enough to make him think he could do something. "I am really starting to hate the bastards in charge of this place." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

ballerinadreams 2009-10-24 01:38 pm UTC (link)

Tonks' warning was heard and ignored. Shannon didn't have any intention of starting anything unless the woman gave her another reason to. They were about the same size; fair fight. Shannon could take her, she thought. If she had to. The man who wasn't Ianto said something about mind control and Shannon's brow knit again as she thought about it. It would explain why Jack was being such a douchebag, but...it certainly didn't help her figure out how to spring the ones in the cell... "Know what, Jack?" Shannon asked, her eyebrows arched. "Fuck you. How about that? Fuck. YOu. First of all, you never asked nicely, and second of all, I'm not hurting anything so if you're gonna be an asshole, then mind your own business about it, k? Thanks," she snapped. She finally looked away from the apparent guards when the other man went on again and her eyebrows raised. Safer for them in the cage? So then what the hell did he think that meant for her outside it? "What? Are you kidding me?" she hissed at him. "Uh hi, outside the cage right now, thanks...way to be a team player," she added sarcastically. Here she was trying to help them and he was saying he was better off where he was. The silent "too bad for you," in the statement - whether intentional or not - was perceived and Shannon frowned. But then the sound of the lock being moved caught Shannon's attention and she saw Ianto's hand covering it. Looking back at him, Shannon swallowed thickly. Ianto was the one person, Shannon though, who really and truly would be able to tell and he was saying that that wasn't Jack. Nodding, Shannon started to look around at the others in the cage. She wasn't sure what she was looking for, but something, maybe on their clothes; anything she could try to quickly pick the lock with. "Okay, okay. Yeah, okay. We'll cross that bridge when we get to it. If I do it just right, they won't even notice it's picked right away," she whispered back. When Jack slid up beside her, Shannon gasped and startled, her head whipping around so that she could keep an eye on him. "Really?" she asked, sounding far less confident in her attempt at sarcasm than she had the first time. "What reason's that? You know, right? I presume with you guarding it, you must know why," she pointed out. "Why do I have to move? I'm not doing anything," she challenged gently. Because, well, she wasn't. Yet. Shannon could hear the other woman talking and she nodded without looking away from Jack. She knew who the other woman was referring to and the answer was... Well, she'd thought she had. "Jack, please," she said, looking him in the eye. "Don't do this. Please don't do this okay? Do you remember when you said you'd never let anything happen to me? Huh? During the earthquake, right? Please don't do this, because...you'll only be hurting yourself. Whenever whatever is in there lets you out again...if you do this, I won't be around. I'll never trust you again; I won't be able to," she said seriously, chewing her bottom lip and hoping like hell that the other woman's idea wasn't going to get her into more trouble. Ianto's wiggling fingers in her periphery gave Shannon a reason to reach up finally and take his hand, giving it a small squeeze. Even if the two of them could shake Jack from it...what about the other woman? The one outside the cage with her. While the last woman awakened and began to hiss at something, Ianto addressed her and the other man in the cage was...doing whatever was making things light up just out of the corner of her eye, Shannon's attention was focused on Jack. He was either going to react positively...or he was going to hurt her, because she wasn't moving away from the cage and he'd have to break her hand to get her to let go of Ianto's; for the first time ever, Shannon was afraid of Jack, even if she was going to give every ounce of her effort to keep him from seeing it. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

madeinwales 2009-10-26 11:44 am UTC (link)

"Don't," he murmured to her when she grasped his hand. He squeezed hers in return and didn't let go. "Don't blame him. It's not him that's doing it. You've got to realize that. It's not Jack. He's fighting just as hard as we are to break him free." Still, he understood why Shannon wouldn't be able to trust Jack if something did happen. It was hard seeing a loved face twist and distort and sneer at you while they cheerfully hurt you. "Jack, Shannon's harmless. She's keeping me calm. That's something, right? Nothing worth bothering the guard in you over." Hopefully this would work. He really didn't want to know why he was in a cage, after all. (Reply to this) (Parent)