headandhand: (Default)
the head | the hand ([personal profile] headandhand) wrote in [community profile] dualislogs2019-06-17 11:40 am

ya gotta wanna be a battering ram

WHO: The entire dang city.
WHAT: Dualis Days, a week-long summer celebration.
WHERE: Central Square Park and the rest of the city.
WHEN: June 17-23.
WARNINGS: Terrorist violence, likely some blood and injuries. Please warn in individual threads!

June 17; Central Square Park.

Every year for as far back as anyone can remember, the start of summer is heralded by the week-long festival known as Dualis Days. This celebration officially kicks off at midday in the middle of Central Square Park with a commencement speech by the current mayor. This year marks Marcelina Dubanowski's third term as mayor of Dualis; she is an average-sized, middle-aged human-presenting woman with blonde hair styled in a short bob and a plastic, toothy smile that never seems to turn entirely off.

"Welcome, one and all!" she begins, with the practiced cadence of someone who is quite comfortable with public speaking. She invites all citizens, new and old, to spend the next week indulging in festivities in all districts of the city and getting to know their neighbors a little better. This is a joyous time of celebration, and the crowd responds with enthusiastic applause as the mayor finishes her speech and introduces this year's parade marshall, Peshtigo Tengfei.

Tengfei blows a whistle six times to signal the start of the parade - and this is where the celebration goes sideways.

A loud explosion tears through the air, and it's followed by panicked screams and the sharp screech of microphone feedback. A bomb has gone off at the platform where the mayor was standing, collapsing the wood and tearing it to splinters and dust. Chaos erupts in the gathered crowd, and as the people shift in all directions to get clear of any possible additional bombs, a loud siren cuts through the cacophony, calling attention to the sudden crackle of video feed present on all television screens throughout the city, including those set up in the park to broadcast the mayor's speech for those standing far from the stage. The picture is plain, a black background and bold white block letters filling the screen:

WAKE UP
WAKE UP
DON'T BELIEVE THE LIES


The final image is an anatomical graphic of a human heart, displayed for about three seconds, and then the feed goes black again.

Confused murmurs sweep through the crowd as citizens resume tending to the injured and evacuating the area until official first responders arrive.

June 17-23; aftermath around the city.

Dualis Days continues as scheduled, though Mayor Dubanowski is unable to enjoy the festival, as she is spending the week in the hospital recovering from her injuries. A team of Iterations guard her door - no visitors allowed - but the news media frequently report updates on her condition. Nothing to worry about, folks! Return to your celebrations, and don't mind the increased visible presence of the Hand as Iterations are stationed every few blocks throughout the city. It's only for your protection, after all.
skyward_eyes: Harry Shum Jr as Magnus Bane (All Sunshine And Roses (Happy))

[personal profile] skyward_eyes 2019-07-08 02:28 pm (UTC)(link)
“He’s just nice like that,” Nida agrees, and the fond smile only warms more. “You’re lucky he didn’t force you to the hospital himself. He’s a worried helper. He makes you want to be better than you are.”

Which is a lot when you’re a spy and sometimes killer for hire. Nida moves just enough to wrap an arm around Squall’s shoulder for support. Better not to let the younger SeeD stumble into traffic.
silentnarration: unknown artist (glum)

[personal profile] silentnarration 2019-07-09 02:35 am (UTC)(link)
Another light frown. "I wasn't very nice to him." He was kind of grumpy at the time though. And it was still tame compared to the old Squall.

"Tell him I'm fine when you see him?"
skyward_eyes: Harry Shum Jr as Magnus Bane (Now Just Wait There A Moment (Stop))

[personal profile] skyward_eyes 2019-07-09 02:38 am (UTC)(link)
Nida clearly bites back a sharp remark with some effort when Squall tells him that. Billy is... not okay to go after. But Squall being an idiot is expected. He'll let it go.

"I will. And you'll apologize."
silentnarration: unknown artist (rest)

[personal profile] silentnarration 2019-07-09 04:10 pm (UTC)(link)
Mrgh. Apologize for being a jerk? So many hours after the fact?

...

"Fine..." A simple word to ease tension isn't such a bad thing. Probably. He leans against Nida a little more, falling quiet again. He'll basically be compliant for getting food, eating, returning to the dorm, and passing right out. His appetite won't get any better but he'll manage a small meal. Better than nothing right?
skyward_eyes: Harry Shum Jr as Magnus Bane (Need An Esuna Dear? (Shoulder))

[personal profile] skyward_eyes 2019-07-09 04:54 pm (UTC)(link)
Yes, it is something, and Nida appreciates it. He does manage to get food into Squall, which is something. Even eats for himself. Then he gets Squall back up to their room, gentle the whole way. The task from there is just getting Squall into bed. Guy even fusses for the purposes of getting Squall to lay down and get tucked in.

What? He can’t help but worry.

“Next time, medical care first.”
silentnarration: (curled up)

[personal profile] silentnarration 2019-07-11 12:07 am (UTC)(link)
Getting tucked in is novel, actually. Nice and pleasant and tugs at something in the depths of a lost childhood memory.

He looks kind of wide-eyed and awed and touched as Nida finishes tucking him in. A stare he holds for a little too long in his unfocused state before he shuffles onto his side a little to look away.

"I always do. This was different," he mutters, eyes closing.
skyward_eyes: Harry Shum Jr as Magnus Bane (Memories of Lost Loved-Ones (Sad))

[personal profile] skyward_eyes 2019-07-11 12:16 am (UTC)(link)
“Isn’t it always?”

Face it, Nida may not realize it, but he makes a great older brother or even an eventual father. He looks softly down at Squall and shakes his head. At least the guy is settled in. After a moment he the does head back to his own bed. Settles there, sitting up, to watch. All he can do tonight is watch.
silentnarration: (out cold)

[personal profile] silentnarration 2019-07-12 03:22 am (UTC)(link)
Squall huffs in response. Nida's not wrong. Their life is just full of different and new and weird. Regardless of how the day started, at least he's sharing the room with someone he can trust.

It won't be long until he falls asleep. He'll even be good for the next couple of days, mostly staying indoors until he fully heals. After that, well, Squall will be up and about again.