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Post by posy-punch on Dec 30, 2018 17:58:33 GMT -6
Hello Starborn and Welcome to Talori 701: Hasty Decisions Team Leader: Naasir Participants: Thalassa (NPC), Eve (NPC), Gideon (NPC), Nebula, Manual, Rycaron, Kraken, Moyra, Rhodesna, Taishen Please keep the following in mind!- Posts must be a minimum of 175 words. There is no maximum!- No strict order is enforced, but there must be at least two posts between your own character's.- No god-moding or reading characters' minds (unless your pony is a literal telepath, anyway)
- Always get consent before harming another character!- Your team is precious. Try to interact with everyone. <3- Have fun! Even if your pony isn't. 8'DPrompt: The rogue captains had been paid to deliver the princess safely to her assignment in Sedo. Instead, she was thrown overboard and lost to the sea. It was wishful thinking to hope that there would be no repercussions, but they did not expect the government to bypass the Keeper entirely and haul them in for questioning at the Palace. Yet, here they stand in front of several notable figures from the Talori government. They are being put on trial, and they best beg for leniency. Location: The courtroom Time of Day: Late afternoon Current Weather: You're indoors, but the storm outside casts a gloomy image onto the court. You do not have to wait for your leader to post!
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Post by posy-punch on Jan 3, 2019 22:55:00 GMT -6
thalassa Empress of Talori This trial is private. Thalassa does not need to bring this before the eyes of her people. The grand council chamber is cast in a gloomy grey light, courtesy of the storm clouds outside. It puts her on edge rather than alleviating any of her nerves.
Thalassa had not wanted to bring in the three captains most loyal to the Crown. In fact, she had hoped to turn a blind eye to many of their activities. What she didn’t see, she didn’t know, and what she didn’t know she could not feel guilty for. However, such was before one, or all, of the captains had thrown the princess overboard. She stepped forward, the embodiment of the balance between the three pillars of Cascade. She would introduce their purpose here today. Enlighten the councillors and other judges.
“A few months ago, for a hefty amount of gold, the Emissary to Sedo was promised safe voyage to her assignment,” Thalassa’s eyes fluttered shut, guilt seeping into her heart. She had not been able to spare the ships on short command, not with the hurricane over the ocean… she had had to rely on the rogues. Never would she again. “A guardian, Taishen, was tasked with protecting her aboard the ship ferrying here there.” The Empress nods down to where the guardian waits, acting as a witness to the events that had befallen the ship. Of all they will speak to today, Thalassa trusts Taishen’s words the most. She took a quick glance around, her eyes roving over the Councillors present, meeting the eyes of the Trinity, and moving on to stare neutrally at the captains waiting in below the court’s gallery. She wondered distractedly if the courtroom had been built to make the accused feel so small.
“Instead, what we know is that she was thrown overboard amidst the storm. We do not know the reason for such an action, but I am inclined…” She let out a breath, searching the accused’s faces, “to believe that there was… reason for such an action to have been taken. Simply given that the guardian tasked to the princess’s side was returned unscathed,” Thalassa noted, nodding minutely at Taishen.
“That being said, I would like to have the full story before we even think about a punishment, if one is to be dealt. I relinquish the floor to the accused or to any Councillors that would like to begin questioning,” She glanced at Rycaron as well, then just behind him at the Guard Commander, Naasir. She dipped her head, and stepped back into her place. The floor was theirs.
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Post by Blubber-Bun on Jan 4, 2019 6:11:33 GMT -6
Manual didn’t consider himself unsympathetic. It was on a groundwork of carefully staged altruism and generous patronage that he’d built his platform. Everyone loves a benefactor, after all, and he had made sure to lay that trademark on thick.
But as these pirates were brought before the marble podium, leaving the last of their good-will outside the door, not the slightest sliver of sympathy could be found within the Councilor. Hard green below furrowed brow. Age-pruned mouth pressed into a thin line. Tragic as it was, the death of a daughter of a bygone Emperor mattered little to the Palace’s already tumultuous climate. When one royal dropped, there’d be a ready supply of successors to fill in the gaps. The denizens of Inaria would grieve today and forget tomorrow.
What could not be forgotten was the responsibility of those accused. As the Empress - solemn as the storm graying the chamber’s windows - closed her opening remarks, he breathed a scoff at the mention of if. As if there was any innocence to be found here.
He cleared his throat. It was a small gesture, but one with bulldog assertion as he heaved his claim onto the open floor.
“An Emissary has died on your ship.”
No flowered formality. No room for debate. It was fact, indisputable - a baritone statement that echoed off the anemic walls.
“Allegedly, dead at the hands of one of your own.”
He slid his eyes across the three sea-leathered faces of the prosecutes. It was for the captain with a hide dark as sin that he reserved most of his vitriol - his expression ticked in a grimace. But before a snarl could settle, he had turned to survey the witness guardian - a young face not spared from Manual’s scrutiny for a survivor was liable as any.
He turned now to address the court; the Empress and her Trinity, a unit like the cogs of a well-oiled machine, and the fellow Councilor by his side. “I’d like to remind my colleagues that this is not some… solitary mistake. We’ve often turned a blind eye to crimes committed on the Isles - allowed convicted captains to walk free. Today, we have the option to end that trend.”
For a man who’d made it habit of keeping his riskier cards close to his chest, his opinion on rogues was laughably transparent, from the bile in his voice when the subject was brought up. It was a hatred that extended beyond personal gripe and into his very political pillars. The Rogue Alliance was a tumorous system; one that took more than it gave.
“An Emissary has been killed on your ship.” With the hitch of his prosthetic, he leaned forward.
“Why?”
Manual - Talori - Council Member P #1 | WC 455 |
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Post by hydrus101 on Jan 4, 2019 21:54:28 GMT -6
 N E B U L A• Talori | Council Member •
“There’s so much I could have said. But instead, I stood silent. I couldn’t give myself away.”
Justice was vital to society. It was necessary, Nebula knew, for society to have justice. Not everyone would always be kind. Not everyone would always be honest. Not everyone would always be civil, and Nebula knew this. Though she knew all these things, the Councilor never found the trials any easier.
Her sympathy, her generosity, and her compassion worked against her in the courtroom, battling against her desire to do things by the book. Her sentences may have been lenient at times, but Nebula would always make sure her duty was fulfilled and the wrongs of the accused could be righted and would be washed away like the tide. The Councilor believed in rebirth.
Perhaps that was the reason she had refused to sit this trial out. The other officials had assured her they could handle this by themselves, but the mother-to-be was determined. Foal or no foal, she would join the council just as she had before, but now as she looked down upon the accused, she felt sick. The room was cool, and the thick swath of fabric draped around her haunches did little to keep her from shivering. It had never felt so empty here before.
As the beloved Empress finished her introduction, Nebula’s gaze wandered back to the rogue captains in the gallery below. The Empress was right, there must have been a reason. Eyebrows knit together, the unicorn turned her worried gaze towards Councilor Manual as he began his piece. Nebula had never particularly agreed with the stallion or his policies regarding the rogues, but he was wise and she respected him nonetheless. As Manual finished his speech and leered down at the accused, Nebula‘s ear twitched. She would not speak just yet. Let the rogues make their case.
WC: 298
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Post by mariahwhy on Jan 4, 2019 22:55:47 GMT -6
Kraken | Rogue Captain
The courtroom was grandiose and majestic, lined from floor to ceiling in gold and mosaic. The podium at which the Empress and her council sat was larger than life, and the gallery in which the captains stood absolutely belittling. But Kraken paid it no mind. Not even the slightest glance at his surroundings. Instead, his eyes were locked on that of his accusers from the moment that his hoof stepped over the threshold. Nothing else mattered in this moment, and perhaps in all the moments left in his life, then what they believed of him. Not that he particularly cared what they thought of him, so long as they thought he was innocent. He strode confidently across a floor he had never touched before this day, and came to a relaxed stop in front of their judges. The captain's unkempt hair, salty hide, and cracked hooves were a stark contrast to the room, but his posture, confidence, and false familiarity could easily place him as one of the council members to an unsuspecting onlooker. His life was on the line, he had known so from the moment that he had received his summons, and lay in the decisions of those before him, but he would not approach them as less than an equal. And the fact that he and the other captain were not shackled or bridled, chained or bound, told him there was some chance yet that they might walk free. There was some level of respect being granted to them. That, or they had severely underestimated the rogues. Either way he felt confident in his ability to sway their opinions, and looked each in the eye. Some he knew by their looks, some by their names, and others, quite personally.
Thalassa, the empress. He had not seen her in person yet. She set a stunning countenance. The divine trio - Eve, Rycaron, and the new Defender, Gideon. His reputation proceeded him, but he had yet to make an impression on Kraken. The guard commander, Naasir. A council member whom the stallion was unfamiliar with, and another that he was all too familiar with. The slightest tug at the corners of his mouth, and the barest nod of his head was all the recognition that Kraken afforded to Manual. The expansive podium blocked much of his view of the other pegasus, but he knew there was a prosthetic back there, and just that thought of a past victory set his confidence slightly higher in coming out on top of this predicament. And the last, a face he was entirely surprised to see, Taishen. The guardian that had been aboard the ship with them. Well, well. So it would be his word, today, more than any other that would set the precedent. As Kraken's eyes slid back to the empress, who now spoke, he racked his brain for every minute detail of his interactions with and around Taishen. He listened to her summary of the events. Or, what she knew of the events anyway. Had she been there, she would have realized that she had left out much of that voyage. And that was why they were there. To inform them of their naivety. The stallion waited briefly after Thalassa spoke her piece, waiting to see if anyone else would pick up the slack, and of course it would be Manual that would break the silence. Kraken looked to him once more, an almost condescending look crossing his features as he listened patiently for him to finish. "We do not stand before you today on trial for any other crimes. I have my trade papers, that carry no less than the emperor's seal, and I believe the other captains are equally, legally licensed. We have done no wrong in that respect, and to call us before you under the guise of a bigger crime to accuse us of petty discrepancies of our pasts would be a waste of everyone's time. You have called us here to inquire about the death of Princess Cassandra." He said the name now simply because he wanted to see the council's reaction to the use of a personal name - drawing a face to the murder instead of simplifying her to some unknown victim. He did not know who might be close to her and who wasn't, and that information could prove helpful in understanding how best to defend themselves. "I would also like to correct the idea that it was "our" ship," he motioned to the captains alongside him, for the first time making any move to note that they were present. "At the time of the incident we were all aboard the Stormchaser, a ship belonging solely to Captain Rhodesna. I was aboard simply because I did not trust her alone with the princess." He did not outright accuse her yet, but he passed her a sidelong glance. She could go down, if it meant his hide was saved. He could care less. But to play all of his cards immediately could be a detriment, so he had to wait and see what Rhodesna had to say for herself first. And which side of this Moyra decided to take. "My ship sailed behind the Stormchaser for the length of the voyage.""Before the other captains or I detail the events that unfolded, however, I believe it important to ask the council, your highness... what do you know of the high seas? Of the monsters that your goddess hides there? Of the Scagrywr?" His yellow eyes glanced very briefly at Taishen. The monster was hardly believed among even rogues, much less to mainlanders. Kraken wondered if the pampered high class before him had ever even heard of the mythical beast. But perhaps the guardian had told his stories of the sea by now. How could he not? It was not a monster that you wanted lingering alone even in your mind. But little that the captains said would make sense to the council if they did not understand the fear behind the reasoning.
(Post 1: 1007 words)
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Post by Chipo-H0P3 on Jan 5, 2019 3:37:45 GMT -6
-------------- Captain Rhodesna -------------- Rhodesna stood between the two Captains uncharacteristically solemn in the presence of the grand and mighty Talorian Council. Her eyes were shut and body swaying slightly as she shifted her weight right and left. She didn't appear to be listening to any of them. And why should she? Why should any of these mainlanders be allowed to pass judgement on her. They couldn't possibly understand what had taken place on that journey and no amount of explanation would change that. It was a courtesy to their customs she even showed up to this hearing at all. They deserved to be told why they had lost their princess even if they didn't believe it. At least, that's what Rhodesna told herself.
The marble floors were stiff and lifeless beneath her hooves. It made her joints ache and stomach churn. She longed to be back on her ship, back to the ocean. If she kept her eyes closed and listened to the brewing storm outside the court walls she could almost trick herself into thinking she was. But then another person would talk and she'd be pulled back to reality.
Kraken was navigating the room like some sort of politician. Rhodesna had to scoff when he sparred no time in clarifying that it had all happened her ship and that it was her who couldn't be trusted and that he was only on board her ship to protect the princess from her. Rhodesna wasn't surprised nor could she really blame him. The rogue mindset was nothing if not self-preserving.
She chuckled at him, humor being her best coping mechanism. "Careful Captain, I could very well say it was all your idea and there'd be no proof to refute it."
She'd keep quiet for now, save her explanation for later. She too wanted to know just how much they knew of the fearsome Scagrywr and just how much everyone knew about what she had done.
P2 | WC 327 |
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Post by PaganStars on Jan 5, 2019 13:48:21 GMT -6
Moyra
Captain of the Coalescence But I know it'll have to drown me
Before it can breathe easy
  
x | x Her leg ached. Right down to the bone, all the way to the ragged flesh that was padded with cloth and joined with her prosthetic. Moyra would blame the weather, the quiet storm that rumbled above and through the open windows, she would always blame the weather. Even when she limped in beside the other captains, golden hoof audibly different than the soft clicking of the others, wings tense and drawn comfortingly close to her body.
The old captain was a mix of feelings; apprehension at meeting the court, anger and melancholy that they were here in the first place. Regret hung somewhere but most pointedly she was worried. She was a pegasus rogue captain and though her body held no feathers, it still worried her greatly. There was a reason Manon had always been the one to handle going to the mainland, talking with merchants and making sure their papers were in order. Moyra was captain, knew how to sail her ship and control her crew but Manon was the one with the business finesse. Her heart ached deeply for her twin to be here, a reassuring comfort watching from a distance. But Moyra had ordered the Coalescence to port in the isle of the dead when the summoning had come, riding with another ship to the mainland. Manon would be fine if anything were to happen.
With her usually bursting wings tucked to her side, Moyra felt like her age, the ache in her leg only increasing. Her long ears twitched, glancing around at the council members. The presence of the divine did not make her feel any better about her wings, but she ignored it, mirrored Kraken and kept her head held high, her face steely.
She listened to his words, casting a glance at Rhodes to gauge her reaction. The captain seemed… off to say the least. Mentions of the beast of the deep forced a chill up her spine and Moyra cleared her throat before speaking. “Aye, Captain Kraken speaks the truth, was not our ship we stood upon. But I was not there to question Captain Rhodesna or her capability to handle such a job. I was merely curious about those aboard her vessel,” she glanced at Rhodes “and as the storm that threatened our lives brewed and turned the winds sour, I was unable to return to mine own. The sea is a fickle and cruel being, as I’m sure you all known.”
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Post by Dream-Lark on Jan 5, 2019 15:20:02 GMT -6
Rycaron;Talori|Sage
Rycaron could feel a headache coming on. That wasn’t unusual, he had them most days now, but he could feel the tension in his shoulders and neck, and simply knew it was going to be a good one; the perfect addition to this overcast, stormy day where he must deal with the trial of three rogue captains. Hopefully Corrine could soothe the pain later, but for now…
Aqua gaze was sharp and cold as he stared down at the equines below him, two of them showing no signs of remorse. That, he was not surprised of. His heart clenched at the thought of why they were here this day, of the fact that Cassie was no longer with them, and these rogues were the reason why.
It was Cascade’s mercy, surely, that Nagisa had retired to become an Oracle when she did, so she didn’t have to stand here and stare at the faces of the ones who had murdered her niece. She had lost too much already, dealt with too much already.
Ears swiveled gently, listening as Thalassa began to speak, an introduction for their purpose and a calling for the full tale to be told. Indeed, there were many facts or reasons that had not yet come to light, which was why they were all present and a judgement had not yet been metted out.
The Sage remained silent as Councillor Manual spoke up. The Trinity were not typically involved in trials, and so he was complacent to listen and allow the Councillors to do the job they had been nominated for.
However, it was as Manual turned to address his collegues and make a statement about the blind eyes that had been turned toward the rogues, allowing them often to walk free, that Rycaron resisted the urge to frown and sigh deeply. That was exactly the reason, however, why Manual was a councillor and not the political pillar of the herd. He sounded so short sighted, unaware of everything that was going on.
Of course the rogue captains often were allowed to walk, allowed to keep dabbling in shady dealings and earn purses from the crown. They took care of the dirty work that the officials couldn’t (and frankly didn’t want) to touch, while keeping their name clean. Talori citizens, after all, knew nothing of the slave trade that kept the serious criminals from being reincarnated too quickly, that helped keep them fed, and provided medical care.
For the moment, Rycaron remained silent, only casting a stern glance toward Manual, before shifting that gaze down to a known captain, Kraken. Brows lifted faintly in an expression of surprise at the eloquence of the rogue he’d never actually met, thinking he could actually make a better official than the old pegasus beside him. Clever captain, but there was a haughtiness to his words that displeased the Sage.
The hippocampus didn’t react to the naming of the Princess, one who had been as a niece to him, his heart nearly numb from all the blows it kept taking, his diplomats mask firmly pulled into place on his face.
However, at the mention of the Scagrywr, the Sage blinked, a genuine reaction of surprise visible to those below him, if they had been looking. So far all that had been offered was that the events had unfolded upon Captain Rhodesna’s ship, the Stormchaser, and this name that he had heard before…
The report that had contained that name had been from when the Sage and Emporer were in Sedo, after having escaped the Flight’s attack and subsequent taking of Inaria. Rycaron had spent months gathering intel and sifting through it, to get his hoof back on the goings and comings within his herd. Some rogues had reported that ships had been destroyed during a voyage wherein a group of rogues had attempted to take a pair of kirins to Valore to sell them.
Ry had dismissed the entire thing as simply a story. Really, kirins and the Scagrywr? There had also been some mention of the War Forged in there. It was too much to actually believe, and he’d had more important things to turn his attention toward, let alone offer more coin for such drivel to take up his time. But now...these captains were claiming it had had something to do with the death of Cassie?
“You are insinuating that the death of the Emissary involves the Scagrywr?” The Sage inquired, tone reflecting skepticism, surprise, but also that the name was not unkown to him.
“It is a mythical creature, said to be a gigantic ship wrecker, though none have ever actually seen it. There was a story nearly a year ago about it appearing and decimating several ships. They mentioned a gigantic beast, black water, but then...nothing.” One brow was raised slightly, as the Sage informed his collegues of what he knew, in the case none of them had heard of the mythical creature before.
WC: 829 | Post #1 |
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Post by ebbarie on Jan 6, 2019 11:30:37 GMT -6
 Naasir;Vagabonds | Harbinger
But hidden in his coat is a red right hand
This was not the first trial he attended as a judge, yet it was nothing that would usually fall under his mandate. But not only he was a little out of place. Usually trials were held and judged by the Council, today the Trinity, even the Empress, herself were present. This case was serious, not only because of the crime itself, but because of the consequences the sentence will have, no matter the outcome.
Naasir used the time while Thalassa opened the procedure to take a closer look on the defendants. None of the Rogues was a stranger to him, at least not by name. All of them were loyal to the crown, until now. Until they made this mistake, whatever lead them to do it. At least all of them looked appropriately serious, they knew what was at stake at this trial.
When the Empress mentioned the Guardian’s name that was tasked with the Princess safety, Naasir turned his cold blue eyes towards him. Taishen was excellent at his job, he had been the perfect choice for such a mission. Yet not even he had been able to prevent the tragedy from happening. It was his version of the story Naasir was most interested to hear, for it probably would be the most, if not the only, truthful one.
The silence that followed the speech of the Empress was interrupted quickly by one of the Council members. His ears pinned back and he didn’t even tried to conceal his reaction to the words and more so the person which spoke them. At the moment no one was looking at him anyways.
He wasn’t too fond of the wingless Pegasus, and he knew that Manual fostered the same antipathy towards him.
Today not only his presence but his words as well where a thorn in his side.There was a good reason why the government had always turned a rather blind eye on the actions of the Rogues…
The Commander refrained from shaking his head and simply kept listened sternly. At least until the Scagrywr was mentioned. He waited for Rycaron to finish his explanations, before he took a step forward and first looked at the Sage, then at the other judges. “First and foremost it’s a tale that mares tell their foals to prevent them from playing alone by the waters.” he said, the scepticism clearly noticeable in his voice. Bringing a gigantic, deadly beast into play as their defense didn’t seemed smart, but he was somewhat curious to hear the captains explanation.
WC: 423 | Post 1 |
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Post by Jennycallie on Jan 6, 2019 20:22:16 GMT -6
 Taishen
Guardian
It was almost everything Taishen had dreamed of.
Almost.
Mahogany eyes stared forward resolute, unflinching, the very picture of a textbook Guardian doing his duty. Because what young Talorian hadn’t dreamed of standing proud within the Palace, upholding the noble standards and traditions of their beloved nation under the earned mantle of Guardian and the watchful eyes of the Trinity?
Well, Taishen had achieved all that, and so much more. It had only cost him his leg, the late Emperor, the late Princess, and his ability to sleep at night.
The Guardian felt rather than saw Thalassa gather herself, his eyes still forward, stoic. She spoke, and he stood a statue. He had failed, time and time again, but he could do this, he could still maintain the appearance, could still support the Crown-
“A guardian, Taishen, was tasked with protecting her aboard the ship ferrying here there.”
He could not help it; he flinched. The Empress’ words were measured, but the words slammed into Taishen, a weight settling further around his neck with each condemnation. The weight of Thalassa’s brief gaze was worse (so much worse) and Tai actually felt his knees shudder, his bones turned to stone.
But he did not fall. He did not look away. He owed her -he owed Talori- that much, at least.
I am inclined… to believe that there was… reason for such an action to have been taken. Simply given that the guardian tasked to the princess’s side was returned unscathed.”
Taishen did not look away, he did not. But his leg, the prosthetic one, jerked hard enough that he had to catch his balance. A disgrace.
As the Empress stepped back and the conversation began, Taishen felt the multitude of glances that shivered across him, glancing blows that took his measure, predicted his actions. But he could weather those. What were they, in comparison? Nothing. Rain, rolling off his back while all around, the storm raged.
The storm struck another hit, when Captain Rhodesna laughed. When she laughed, dared to stand there and meet the gaze of the Empress. Taishen’s lips twitched, the merest flash of teeth visible before the Guardian contained himself, barely. He might have twitched, a shiver running down his taut frame. But he stood his place, he did not further disgrace his nation.
Taishen stood, he witnessed, he listened.
Only when there was a lull in the conversation did the Guardian finally step forward, compelled to verify the testimony of the Captains. He took in a slow breath, swept a gaze so neutral it might have been made of stone across the gathered company. He knew he would find no friends in the crowd; nor would they find one in him.
“The Scagrywr is no myth,” Taishen said. “I saw it. It is-” he hesitated, swallowed, “very real. We escaped it only through the grace of the Wave Mother, when the beast was lured into a whirlpool.” The Guardian swept his gaze around the room again, settling briefly on Thalassa. “That much is true.” He stepped back respectfully, waiting to be prompted further or for others to speak.
Post 1 | 528 words
Badge by queerly
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Post by hydrus101 on Jan 8, 2019 10:26:07 GMT -6
N E B U L A• Talori | Council Member •
“There’s so much I could have said. But instead, I stood silent. I couldn’t give myself away.”
Nebula watched the discussion flowing around her with weary eyes. The Rogue Captain that spoke first was not wrong, but something about the way he used his words that set her on edge. What he said was not wrong, of course, but Nebula’s ability to read people hadn’t failed her yet. As the Captain continued his speech, Nebula’s eyes widened. The Scagrywr.
The Councilor had traveled all over Aquore in her prime, and the beast was a common folktale that she had heard many times before. She had met horses who had sworn to have seen it and though they were few and far in between, each of them had sworn on their very souls that the beast was real and and Nebula tended to believe them.
As the various horses shared their accounts, Nebula listened to each one carefully. The Pirates, The Sage, The Guard Commander. The unicorns eyes settled on the Guardian witness last. He looked so small down there in the gallery, and so tired, yet he stood at his post dutifully, body rigid. The protective side of the councilor was pulled to the surface briefly and she turned towards the guardian with a soft expression.
“I have heard tales of the Scag since I was a child, and I do not doubt it’s existence.” Her head swiveled towards Naasir. “And many old mare’s tales are rooted in truth, but that does not explain why Princess Cassandra was lost to the waves.” The unicorn paused, and turned her worried gaze on the Rogues. “Scagrywr or not, we must know what happened on that ship.” Her words slowed, voice quiet and reverent. “A life was lost, a life you three had promised to protect. The least you all can do is give us a straight answer.”
WC: 303
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Post by mariahwhy on Jan 8, 2019 13:45:34 GMT -6
Kraken | Rogue Captain
The dark stallion paid no mind to Rhodesna’s words. He wanted to respond, absolutely, but it would do no good for the captains to begin bickering among themselves. They could condemn each other in testimony, but to argue directly to one another would prove them incompetent and untrustworthy of such a serious trial.
Kraken was genuinely surprised, attention being drawn quickly away from the other captains’ words, when the Sage spoke up. He had thought the Trinity there more as a formality and testimony to the gravity of their actions. Perhaps they would be the ones to dole out a punishment, but he had not assumed they would have much say in the matter of rogues. Still, Kraken dipped his head in affirmation to his question, remaining silent as Rycaron spoke. He looked up at mention of the Scagrywr’s first appearance, his face currently hiding any recognition of the story.
Before he could speak up, however, Naasir dismissed the idea. Well, he couldn’t have expected them all to believe. That was why he had posed the question after all.
And then Taishen finally spoke. His voice was measured. Controlled. Possibly weary. Kraken watched him carefully, but the guardian gave nothing away. He seemed cold and distant, both to the rogues and to the mainlanders. The captain cocked one eyebrow, allowing just a small touch of emotion to show through. Lured in. With live bait.
He did not miss the inflection of the guardian’s closing words. Taishen did not expect the pirates to tell the truth. Or, perhaps, he was unsure of the truth. Kraken, if he was being honest, didn’t even know all the details of what had happened that damned morning. So, for now, he would stick to what he knew to build his case.
Kraken lifted his head to speak, but another voiced chimed in. He looked at Councilor Nebula, noting her body language. It was always good to see his opponents arguing among each other. The more of them that stood with the guardian, perhaps, the better his chances stood. Depending on Taishen’s sincerity.
“You are right,” he looked at the guard commander. “It is a tale used to scare small foals. I, myself, believed it to be no more than that until a year ago.” He glanced now to Rycaron. “What the Sage speaks of is a true account. My own ship was one of those destroyed by the scagrywr on the way to Valore. You may consult the ship registration records if you do not believe me.” The Sage did not mention the kirins, and neither did Kraken. He had no doubt that the hippocampus was aware of them, if he had heard the tale. But the captain did not feel that it would be of any use to either of them in this particular court, and therefore did not worry about naming himself as one of the members of the devastation.
“It is understandable that you would not believe it, but it is very real. As of this last voyage, I have now seen it twice. Your own guardian has seen it, and if you do not believe him then there is little that we can say to explain to you the events that unfolded out there.” He turned now to Nebula, giving a nod. “Respectfully, it has everything to do with the death of the princess.” He paused, eyes settling on the floor just momentarily as scenes of the struggle replayed themselves in his mind.
“For the scagrywr did appear to us, as we sailed the Princess to Serora. As Taishen mentioned, we were cursed enough to not only be met by the beast, but two large whirlpools as well. It should be understandable to the court, then, that many lives were lost, not just the princess’s. It was only by the gods’ grace that any of us are still here.” His glance included not only the captains, but the guardian as well. “Many things happened in the time that we were under attack, and it is not plausible that we all should be held responsible for every single occurrence. Last I saw of the princess I had left her under the eye of Rhodesna’s cook, a unicorn named Mohinder. I was busy trying to keep the ship upright.”
(Post 2: 724 words)
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Post by Dream-Lark on Jan 10, 2019 14:24:26 GMT -6
 Rycaron;Talori|Sage
Aqua gaze tracked from Naasir about the room, to settle finally upon Guardian Taishen as the next to speak. Finally, he thought, they might get some true answers. Except...the common horse only confirmed what the rogue captain had hinted at, and the hippocampus’ eyebrows rose again. Taishen seemed very sincere in his words, his belief in the Scagrywr.
He was telling the truth.
Rycaron drew in a deep, slow breath, as the guardian stepped back into his original place. The stallion was growing more troubled about the situation, though it didn’t show on his features. Things were not as simple as he hoped that they would be, but it wasn’t unexpected. How they had gotten complicated, well that was indeed from the realm of myth.
But Taishen hadn’t given them any further answers to the question of why they were all present that day, he’d only confirmed Kraken’s story. It was a thought that was echoed by his colleagues, as Councillor Nebula spoke out about it.
The chattiest rogue captain once more stepped forward to speak, and Rycaron felt surprised once more. So Kraken had been involved in that previous attack?
The Sage remained quiet as Kraken spoke, glancing to the Councillors to see who would speak next. When none of them seemed immediately inclined, he lifted his head, fixing his gaze upon Kraken before transferring it to Rhodesna. They had a record of all who were supposed to be on the ship, and those who had died. Kraken was eloquent, words having the feel of misdirection, or at least deflection. But from what?
Either way, the Sage had heard enough from this captain. There were other stories to be told.
And since Kraken had so nicely pointed things toward Rhodesna, that was who Rycaron preyed upon next.
“Captain Rhodesna, explanations are now due from you. You are here in the stead of your cook, as his superior, what do you have to say for his and your actions, during this attack of whirlpools and the Scagrywr? Speak now.”
WC:340 | Post #2 |
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Post by Chipo-H0P3 on Jan 11, 2019 16:45:56 GMT -6
-------------- Captain Rhodesna -------------- Rhodesna did well on biting her tongue, even though she so wanted to lash out on numerous occasions. 'Calculate', she told herself, 'bide your time', but then the Sage called to her directly. She supposed her time had run out.
The captain stepped unsteadily forward, 'curse these hard floors', and into the space Captain Kraken had been commanding.
"My cook?" Rhodesna questioned the Sage's peculiar mention, eyes squinting in confusion and a bit of surprise. Her mind strayed briefly to the blue unicorn. He was the first to see her after it had happened, after she had saved their lives. She was sure he hated her for it, and yet, he was among the loyal few who had stayed when she had disbanded her crew back on isles. Peculiar indeed. "My cook had no part in this." She stated plainly before turning her sharp and judgmental gaze to the guardian standing among them. "and no whirlpool saved us, either." She then returned her eyes to the stone-faced council. "Other than that, the accounts that have been told are true... More or less."
The Captain took a deep breath, contemplating what she could say, what she could possibly say to make these stuffy, righteous, equine understand. She wondered if it were even possible. These people who claim to be Cascade's children and yet hardly ever venture past the shallow waters of their front yards, how could they possibly understand the dangers they had faced, the horrors. Perhaps it was right for them to live on land, they didn't have the stomach for it.
Rhodesna's finned tail swung behind her, a visible sign of her agitation. She closed her eyes and concentrated on the rain outside to calm her down. She could hear the storm picking up and she took comfort in it. No matter what happened here she was at peace with the sisters and that's all that truly mattered.
"I need you all to imagine the worst hurricane you've been in, the kind where the wind could lift you clear off your footing and the rain is so heavy it beats into your skin, and makes any matter of seeing impossible. Now I want you to place that storm over the ocean where there is no shelter to hide from it and the waves can grow as tall as mountains. Then I need you imagine whirlpools big and violent enough to swallow the pretty palaces you proudly build whole. And now the Scagrywr, a monster so terrifying and deadly, the whole world believes it to be a myth. But the Myth is real and every story about it's size and awe-inspiring power are true. THAT was the situation we were dealt with. THAT was the situation we were given. We were at the complete mercy of the gods." Rhodesna's voice reverberated through the hall and she grew louder. Emotion dripped from her words where there had been none before. "A Hundred and seven men on my ship, alone-including the Emissary, her guardian, and our Seroran guests. Even more including the ones onboard the Coalescence and the Trespasser, but the only ones you seem to give a remote damn about are the two talorians?" Rhodes scoffed. "You all may not value life outside your own. You may not care if a rogue or two dies on a job you sent them on, but these were good men, good men with people waiting for them back home who did give a damn." She looked briefly at the pregnant unicorn on the panel, "My own daughter was among us." Rhodesna swallowed hard, pushing back the emotions that were being brought up recalling the event.
"Cassandra saved us." The Captain stated gently, almost tenderly. "Her sacrifice is why any of us who took your cursed mission are alive."
P2 | WC 639 |
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Post by Blubber-Bun on Jan 12, 2019 15:49:28 GMT -6
Manual didn’t usually warrant the descriptor of quiet but for a while, he was content to listen, tapping idly as this discussion inched increasingly near the line from ‘open’ to ‘derailed’.
He didn’t think it necessary to clarify his condemnation of leniency in rogue trails - turning the blind eye was a needed evil, the sort of greasy scrape-by that only the Alliance could truly benefit from - but to continue that habit into this case would be bad practice. Plain and simple. He also didn’t think it necessary to remind Kraken that he hadn’t claimed him guilty of any petty discrepancy, not yet.
(Though he certainly wanted to).
And most certainly he did not think it necessary for the conversation to grind to a halt for a children’s monster tale.
“Trust a rogue to divert,” he remarked dryly to the pregnant Nebula, releasing a breath through his nose.
“Truthfully, captains, it doesn’t matter who’s ship the Emissary had boarded. When you signed onto the voyage, the three of you took equal responsibility to deliver her to her destination and - in failing to do so - take equal blame.”
He clicked his tongue.
“Unless, of course, you can give us the name of the one directly responsible? A sea monster cannot be given a trail, as it so happens.”
But then the smallest captain, the woman with conviction, began to speak. Her voice was a growing tremor, shivered in emotion as she recounted the storm. Manual was no sailor - he doubted he had the sea legs for it - but nor was he a stranger to these tales, stories that grew more exaggerated with each retelling. Still, this one had the mark of truth.
“Sacrifice,” he finally echoed once she'd finished, expression lathered in skepticism.
“The reason we give a damn is because of those one hundred and seven men, the only fatality was one of two Talorians. An unfortunate coincidence, isn’t it?”
His eyes said he doubted it.
“I have reason to believe Empress Thalassa, to believe that Emissary Cassandra was thrown overboard. You speak of the value of a life, yet her life was treated as a pawn with which to trade. Who made the call for this sacrifice?"
beep beep big bitch alert Manual - Talori - Council Member P #2 | WC 374 |
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Post by ebbarie on Jan 15, 2019 13:57:05 GMT -6
Naasir;Vagabonds | Harbinger
But hidden in his coat is a red right hand He listened and with each word from the Guardian the fold between his brows became deeper. For one thing, he was unwilling to believe that a creature like the Scagrywr could exist, then again he trusted Taishen’s words completely. It was easy to dismiss the captain’s stories as lies, but not his.
His head turned towards the unicorn mare as she spoke, her words almost a reprimand. Deep in his eyes smoldered something cold, only for the blink of an eye. He kept his thoughts to himself.
Bad enough that a mare mimed a Councilor, but she didn’t even had the decency to stay home, like a pregnant mare was supposed to do. This moral decline was one reason for the herds current situation.
After Kraken finished his explanation he cleared his throat and looked at all the gathered judges and then directly to the Defender. “If these stories about the Scagrywr are true, we need to take action to prevent such incidents in the future.”
Naasir didn’t expected many reactions to his proposal, since it had not much to do with the outcome of this trial, yet he wanted to at least mention it. They couldn’t risk to loose the remainder of their trades due to stories about a ship destroying sea monster.
“I need to agree with Councilor Manual” , as unpleasant as it was to admit that, “Just because it wasn’t your ship on which the tragedy took place, doesn’t means that you are free from your responsibility. All of you have been paid, well paid, to assure the Emissaries safety. And you have failed miserably. According to your explanations both of you were present on Captain Rhodesna’s ship when it happened. You should give up the idea that you will go unscathed for your incapacity to execute the contract.”
His gaze now rested on the hippocampus mare, Rhodesna. She appeared astoundingly calm, maybe to calm for someone in her position.
“It honors you that you protect your crew members” he started, his voice now almost kindly.
"My own daughter was among us."
He thought about his own son. He’d do everything to keep him safe, no matter the cost. He understood her reasons, but not what made her think that sacrificing the Emissary had saved them. Manuel’s question for the who was legitimate, yet he was more interested in the why.
“However we’d all like to hear if the sacrifice you speak of was made of Cassandras own free will? What makes you think that her death saved you and the lives of your comrades? ”
WC: 429 | Post 2 |
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Post by Jennycallie on Jan 15, 2019 19:59:37 GMT -6
Taishen
Guardian
Something loosened slightly in Taishen’s chest, as the conversation continued. They believed him. It was a small victory, a small relief, but he would take it. Why he still felt the need for such petty, mundane validation in the face of, of everything, was beyond him, but he clung to it nonetheless. Still so vain, Taishen?
The Guardian’s gaze moved to Rhodesna as she began to speak, prompted by the Sage. Despite himself, despite his distrust in the Captain and his suspicions (tinged of course with guilt, and self-loathing) Taishen could not help but be drawn back into the memory painted by Rhodesna’s words. He remembered the plunging, creaking ship, the way that the bellows of the Scag shuddered up through the ocean and wood and into his hooves, and the panicked voices of his companions, snatched away by the raging wind and the freezing spray of the sea-
Yes, Taishen had to agree with Rhodesna on that point; they had been at the mercy of the gods, utterly and completely. It had been a humbling, horrifying experience, and not one Tai was eager to repeat.
It was almost another relief, when Rhodesna switched tracts and reverted to her rude, almost hostile approach. Taishen felt the memories recede in the face of the Rogue’s flippancy, and he lifted his head, lips tightening over teeth he longed to bare. That she had the audacity to stand there and address the Council so, to equate the lives of breaklaws with upstanding citizens, fresh off the heels of Cassandra’s death-
"Cassandra saved us. Her sacrifice is why any of us who took your cursed mission are alive."
There was a loud clunk as Taishen’s prosthetic leg slipped and he caught it clumsily against the floor, staring at the Captain. The Guardian’s eyes were flat with shock, but growing ever wider as horrible, vindicating comprehension dawned in them, until white showed all the way around. Manual and Naasir were speaking, their mild, measured words running on top of each other as Tai continued to stare at Rhodesna.
His own blood was pounding in his ears, a rising, raging tide which howled its tragic vindication and allowed for nothing else, nothing but recompense, for violence, for blood-
Taishen staggered forwards a step, unware of his wild eyes, his trembling legs, his flared nostrils. Unaware of the water that had begun to condense in the air at his side, answering to his primal, grief-born rage.
“Sacrifice?” Taishen grated, the word itself a weapon’s thrust, ugly and violent. “You- you told us she fell, she was, was lost in the violence of the storm-” Taishen’s head lowered, lips peeling back from clenched teeth. “You murdered her!” The last words had risen in volume, a direct mirroring of the tide that surged in Taishen’s chest, until it broke, until he broke.
The Guardian lurched forwards, violence in his heart, his blood. Later even he wasn’t sure what stopped him, mere strides from Rhodes. Grief, a sense of justice, shame, cowardice? All that and more raged through Taishen as he stopped himself, sides heaving.
“How could you?” he whispered. “How- could you-”
Post 2 | 531 words
Badge by queerly
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Post by PaganStars on Jan 16, 2019 15:45:36 GMT -6
Moyra
Captain of the Coalescence But I know it'll have to drown me
Before it can breathe easy
x | x Stock still and her first remarks said, Moyra stood still and twitched her wings restlessly, the bone appendages popping and they were adjusted. The words from those above them, those that stood surrounding and judging them made her back itch, irritation scratch at the back of her mind. Her eyes snapped to the sage and his doubtful tone, her eyebrows furrowing and nostrils flaring. What did they know, what did they think they knew? They lived half sheltered lives, only sailed when the time suited them and the oceans were calm and blessed. The three of them, the three captains… this was their life, their soul. They knew the seas like the front of their snouts. It was insulting, but what could three rogues say against the empress and her dogs.
Too lost in thought did Moyra not realize that Kraken had stepped forward and spoken their tale of the beast, eyes flicking to the guardian and the rest of the council. She suppressed a shiver, reimagining the horror of the beast and its deep call, how she had lost ten good men on her own ship. Her numbers did not dwarf Rhodes, but it hurt now to stand in front of these people and be called liars.
Manuel’s biting remarks had that pot finally boiling over.
Naasir spoke again, and then Taishen’s own words were fighting the silence. Moyra ground her teeth. “Those a hundred and seven men were as much a Talori as you and I are, do not dissuade their sacrifices! Just because we live away from the mainland and revoke your ideas of politics and ‘normalcy’ does not make us less so, councillor.” Moyra snapped her teeth, wings itching the flare “The sea and sky were fighting for our souls that day, we did not magically escape the two whirlpools that threatened our ships as the guardian says, we escaped because of what ever occurred with Cassandra.” Her eyes flicked to Naasir “I did not see it, not with my own eyes but it was when Princess Cassandra disappeared from the deck that we managed to divert the waves, disinterest the beast that stops for nothing to get its meal.”
Moyra swallowed thickly, looking at Rhodes, at how she held herself “I did not see what happened to Cassandra, but…. I trust Rhodes and what she says.” She looked to the Empress “She has been loyal to you, to the Talori people. She did not murder our Princess.”
They could her, for all she cared
Post 2 | 443
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Post by mariahwhy on Jan 17, 2019 21:41:59 GMT -6
Kraken | Rogue Captain
Kraken graciously allowed Rhodesna to take the floor at Naasir's request, stepping back into line with Moyra. He eyed the court once more, eyes scanning them carefully, but as she began to paint a perfect picture of the maelstrom he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He let the images roll through his mind, violent as the tides they depicted. His head was dipped, chin almost touching his chest in a sturdy, but admittedly tired, stance. His legs were beginning to ache, but imagining being on the rocking sea allowed him some relief... His eyes peeked lazily open, side-eyeing the hippocampus captain as her voice began to gather strength and purpose. She was right, and a small grimace touched his mouth. Seeing her put the mainlanders in their place was more than he could have asked for here. He wanted to give affirmation to her words, but knew better than to do so. While his respect for the captain was growing with every word she spoke there was still a chance she would go down, and if that was the case he would need to separate himself from her. "Her sacrifice..."Kraken's head raised, interest sparking along with every other ear in that room. Sacrifice. Huh. So the wildest of the rumors that passed from the sailors' lips after the mission was true. It made sense. He had heard the cook freaking out when Rhodesna had reappeared on the deck of the ship. Kraken had not particularly paid attention to him then, but that, with all of the other whispered bits and pieces here and there, he had wondered if something along the lines of murder had happened. But to do so as a sacrifice to the gods? It was a smart move on Rhodesna's part. Probably the only one they had left. He liked to think that he could have sailed them between the whirlpools, losing the scagrywr in the process, but a small piece of his mind knew that was little more than a dream. Their lives were completely at the mercy of the gods that morning, and Rhodesna had simply given them the payment they were looking for. He blinked, and gave only the slightest inclination of his head; a surreptitious nod of respect. The words sparked commotion in the room, however, and Kraken watched as sudden accusations were spit down upon them - mostly on Rhodes. This had taken a much different turn than he had thought it would, and for a moment he was going to let it happen. Even as the paint approached, water gathered dangerously at his side, he stood still. Watching. Even as Moyra took up for Rhodesna. He watched. His silence and once more drawn up posture was probably an admission in and of itself. They'd already made it clear that whatever punishment was being doled out would be for all three of them. So did it matter if he stayed silent now? Did it matter if he tried to play the room? All the cards were on the table, and everyone could see them. It was now simply down to seeing who would fold first. And it would not be him. Brows set, yellow eyes looking old, but passionate, he stepped forward again, once more coming shoulder to shoulder with the other captains.
"Funny," his voice carried over the room, oddly calm, "how the word sacrifice creates such a negative reaction among you now. Funny how quickly you forget the sacrifices you stopped only months before. And how many? How many sacrifices lie at your hooves? Two. Every year." Each punctuation grew stronger, his voice becoming as heated as the others vying to be heard. "Why were those so different? Why is the death of hundreds - thousands - of pegasi to appease one god so different than the death of one hippocampus to appease two gods? Your sacrifices were for future health and harvests and luck. Cassandra's was to save our lives in that very moment. The lives of a few hundred Talorians - whether you consider them as such or not. The lives of the two Serorans on board. The life of one of your own guardians. All were all spared thanks to your princess. So whether it was of her own free will or not matters so much, does it? Her sacrifice makes us more murderers than those of you that took any part in the solstice sacrifices?"
(Post 3: 739 words)
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Post by Chipo-H0P3 on Jan 18, 2019 20:39:00 GMT -6
-------------- Captain Rhodesna -------------- It took everything in the shark finned captain to keep herself from shaking from all the adrenaline coursing through her veins. She was scared and angry, but she showed restraint in face of the council's reactions and insistent prodding for more information. Even the guardian's primal anger targeted at her back wasn't enough to stir her.
Rhodesna faced Taishen as he accused her, her eyes defensive and heated. 'You murdered her.' His words played around in her head, stirring up thoughts she refused to acknowledge. 'Murdered. You murdered her Rhodesna. You threw her into the storm. You killed the princess.' She shook her head involuntary. 'I had to.' She reasoned with herself. 'I had no choice. It was the only way to save us.'
With stomp of her hoof, Rhodesna ignored her instincts to attack the man who challenged her and tore her line of sight away from the guardian. He would not understand and fighting him would do her no good here.
Her ear's flicked to the sound of Moyra's voice. The older mare had been quiet and she supposed it were natural. Last time winged equine had stood trial here, they were sentenced to drown.
'Drown me.' Rhodesna thought staring into the council. 'I dare you.'
To her surprise, Moyra's voice brought words of support- trust even. Rhodesna looked to the other captain, contemplative and a bit bewildered. She was even more surprised when Kraken backed her reasons as well, attacking the Council on their morality as she had. A swell of vindication filled her. Support willingly given between Captains was a rare occurrence nowadays, especially for Rhodesna who had dedicated much of her life to policing the rogues, keeping them honor bound to the code, and turning them in when they didn't. This was a taste of what the Alliance used to be and what it still could be.
Their loyalty should not go unrewarded. It was her turn to speak again. "I SAVED US." Rhodesna blurted out, casting away any doubts that had been laid into her. "I did what had to be done to save us from the turmoil that you all created." Reason called to her. They would not like being accused, but they had to hear it. If they truly wanted to understand what had happened and why, they had to.
She looked briefly to Eve, their divine dressed and tortured in feathers, before settling on the mural of Cascade behind them. "Cassandra should never have been on my ship and had I known who she was- who she truly was, I would have never allowed it. Your sacrifices, whatever the reasons for them, anger the sisters of sea and sky. It's why no rogue with any damned sense ever sails on a solstice. You may think Cascade to be your protective mother and Alya to be a wicked demon here on the mainland, but out on the seas, Cascade is as ever wicked and violent as her sister. They fight for that soul you throw away and us mortals get caught in the devastation. I do not claim to speak for the gods or to interpret their wishes but given what we were up against and discovering Cassandra as one of those lost souls cast away brought back again, I did what I had to and gave her back to them."
Rhodesna bowed her head, in full confession. She stood in front of the captains shielding them from any more blame. "It was my decision to do this, there was no vote. Had I thought there was another way, I would have acted on it, but there wasn't. It's been done, and hundreds still live because of it. Do with that what you will."
P3 | WC 627 |
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Post by Dream-Lark on Jan 22, 2019 14:16:51 GMT -6
Rycaron;Talori|Sage
Ears shifted subtly as the conversation flowed, a turbulent back and forth between those on trial and those presiding over them. Gaze tracked along with auditory senses, though both fixed on the guardian standing near the captains as the stallion’s agitation grew, bursting over into rage and he moved forward. Rycaron watched him, though said nothing, knowing that it was up to Naasir or Gideon to correct their subordinate for his behavior. The hippocampus could understand the reasons behind it though.
Just as he could actually understand the motives behind Rhodesna’s actions, as the three captains tossed their pleas at the assembled officials. As they cast stones against their characters, their ideals, their histories, and past practices. The fact that they had been corrected by their Goddess for their past actions.
Deceptively tranquil, aqua gaze hardened into flecks of ice, though Rycaron kept the impulse to curl his lip from entering his features. So they wanted to play that game?
The Sage pushed down the cold anger, the depression from loss of family and friends, the guilt and shame of being told he’d done poorly by his Goddess. Instead, he drew a deep breath and laid verbally into those beneath him with calm, carefully chosen words.
“The matter of free will matters entirely, Captain Kraken. All those sacrifices you throw against us, all were of their own free will. They went with honor, courage, and happiness for the chance to be reborn anew, with fins for ease of movement within our Mother’s seas.
We do see Her as protective, for Cascade is, and we are not ignorant. We know She can be angered, upset, and turn the seas against us as surely as Her sister can,” Rycaron intoned, gaze narrowing upon Rhodesna now, as he spoke.
“Princess Cassandra was given back to us as a chance to do better, be better. She was on her way to a nation of pegasi as our emissary, to help us broker the alliance between our nations and the war we have entered. To help us better integrate and help the pegassi we have wronged in the past within our own borders.”
Rycaron knew these were the right words, the actions that he now knew the Wave Mother wanted from them. But it still hurt his heart and mind, for it seemed a rebellion for all he was raised to believe. Nonetheless, he used them as a weapon against the ones before him.
“But you, you decided it would be better to murder her to save your own hide, instead? I assume you did not ask her nicely, did not even have the frame of mind to ask any of your crew if they would have taken her place. Of those hundred and seven men, Captain Rhodesna, was there not one, or several, who could have taken her place to appease this monster? One who did not have family, responsibilities greater than swabbing a deck?
If this is a situation of one life against many, then you have wrongly calculated. It was her life against the members of two countries, and your life against one hundred and seven. There were indeed other options open to you, but it seems you possessed neither the clarity of mind nor the intelligence to act upon them. That is indeed a shame, due to your previous contracts with the crown.”
The Sage’s lips closed, firm and immovable, for to him there was nothing left but the sentencing now. He wasn’t quite sure what his suggestion would be, and he would hear the Councillors out first. After all, this was typically their job and he would let them take the lead, then give his opinion on it all.
WC:619 | Post #3 |
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Post by Blubber-Bun on Jan 28, 2019 12:42:36 GMT -6
“I believe we’ve heard enough.”
The words betrayed a note of tiresome exasperation. They’d been going in circles now, pointing blame and scrambling for old wounds to reopen. Loopholes to snag. Reasons to rationalize. Manual shifted his weight, felt a familiar ache where flesh met metal. Eyes marked by crow’s feet traversed the faces of his fellow judges, gauging their reactions.
There was Naasir, the grating Commander who’s iron will was often a source of contention. Today, he was surprised to hear sympathy from the guard. A sentiment of honor. Honor which the Commander’s charge sorely lacked, Manual noted at the Guardian’s outburst.
There was the Sage, a pillar of wisdom whom he naturally held respect for. But the mention of the pegasus plight furrowed his brow. Rycaron spoke of it like a charity case. Like a true patron, this hippocampus propitiate. Still - no reason to let it ruffle his feathers. Not now, not here.
And then there were the accused. These few rogues, still allegedly useful to the mainland’s trade. After hearing the caustic sentiments of the captains, he doubted they had any meaningful loyalty to the crown.
”... Enough to assuredly say that Emissary Cassandra has been murdered.”
His gaze hardened upon Rhodesna.
“By a rogue…”
Now, to her accomplices.
“ - and her accessories. You were given the task of keeping the Emissary safe on her voyage and in this regard, the three of you failed to keep your word.”
“You’ve proven yourselves untrustworthy and - if today is any indicator - ill fit to do any further business as an ‘ally’ of the mainland or as a captain at all. At the very least, a prison sentence seems due.”
He had to grit the statement. Had to bite back his bile as he awaited more input. He wanted more, wanted to see them stripped of everything, but the presence of the Empress and her Trinity weighed heavily on his conscious. These decisions would have to be handled delicately, if not with the conviction he wished for.
Another time, he reminded himself.
Manual - Talori - Council Member P #3 | WC 356 |
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Post by Jennycallie on Feb 3, 2019 2:05:13 GMT -6
Taishen
Guardian
Though he had halted, clinging to the last bobbing shreds of his decorum and honor that had been so thoroughly smashed into so much flotsam, Taishen’s eyes grew no calmer, his breathing no less ragged. The other Captains spoke, and the Guardian listened to their words (and his eyes might have twitched, slightly, as they spoke) but his gaze remained locked with Rhodesna’s. Even when the mare so contemptuously broke the contact, dismissed him from her attention, Taishen did not immediately look away.
He was imagining what Cassandra’s body might have looked like, tossed about in the maelstrom, and then considering how to replicate those injuries on Rhodes, you see.
Generously, one might have been able to label his bared teeth as a smile.
“It seems the Captains cannot make up their minds on whether they are Talorians like us, held to the same standards and laws and moralities, or if they they are pious outsiders who would never support a sanctioned Sacrifice,” Taishen said, and though his voice was low, it had all of the vicious, surging lure of an undertow lurking just beneath the surface, ready to drag the unwary down and away. His eyes were still locked on Rhodesna, and something of his time in the Wilds lurked within their depths. Smash her, rip the air from her lungs and batter her against the rocks, show her the tragic nobility of an unwilling sacrifice.
‘Was there no one else, who could have taken her place?’ asked the Sage, and Taishen felt the words as a blow. I would have, he thought. For the late Emperor, for Talori, for Cascade, for all my mistakes and failures-
“I would have,” he repeated, but aloud, and his voice was suddenly so devoid of inflection that it seemed to suck the heat from the room as it fell into the air. I would have is what he said, but I should have is what he meant.
The Guardian stood very still after that, and only an intermittent tremor running through his bad shoulder displayed his tension as Manual spoke. Taishen waited. He would dispense any justice (he would accept any judgement, if cast its shadow on him, he who had failed the crown twice over now) but it was not his place to give it.
Post 3 | 382 words
Badge by queerly
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Post by hydrus101 on Feb 7, 2019 21:53:40 GMT -6
N E B U L A• Talori | Council Member •
“There’s so much I could have said. But instead, I stood silent. I couldn’t give myself away.”
Nebula had listened quietly to the back and forth, the only indication of her attention the slow swivel of her ears as they took their turns to speak. Kraken was first, with a soft nod in her direction. Then the Sage, and the other captain.
Rhodesna spoke next, her speech emotional and powerful. The hippocampus and the unicorn locked eyes for a split second as she spoke.
“My own daughter was among us.”
Nebula’s stomach churned and for a moment, she dared to put herself in their horseshoes.
What would she have done?
Manual’s snort pulled her attention.
“Trust a rogue to divert,”
Her brow creased again. At this rate she’d have worry lines by the days end, but the other councilor began again and Nebula gazed down at the rogues.
“I want to believe you.” She thought, eyeing each of them slowly. “Please...do not let Manual be right.”
The conversation continued, and Nebula floated above it all, feeling numb. This wasn’t her place. She was out of her depth and the storm outside had begun to worm its way into her head.
Each person who spoke had a point, and Nebula hopelessly found herself agreeing with them all.
Someone had died. Princess Cassandra had died. The Rogues had been tasked with seeing her to Sedo safely. They had failed. Cassandra was dead. But...what if she hadn’t died? Would all three of the Captains standing before her have gone down with her? What about their men? One hundred and seven men. Rhodensa’s daughter....her child.
Movement from within her body made Nebula flinch. No. No, she would not weigh lives. She could not. But...one life was a small price to pay, was it not?
Lifting her head, reigns clicking ever so softly around her muzzle.
Rebirth.
Renewal.
Forgiveness.
The Sage.
His words pulled Nebula’s attention, refuting all the conclusions she had reached with a few eloquent sentences. He had always been better with words and the councilor found herself in the sea once again. Adrift.
Manual again, his commanding voice echoing across the empty courtroom.
Heard enough? Was this- her gaze swept across the gallery- enough? They were debating lost lives, removed, detached from the true tragedy of the event. They had not been there.
Nebula had had family die in the sea. They said drowning was peaceful, and yet Nebula had known it was not.
“Cassandra hadn’t deserved to die,” she reasoned within her own mind, fighting a current, “but these rogues do not deserve her fate either.”
She was speaking before she had even realized it.
“We must stop the cycle here.” She shifted her gaze to the court. “No more violence. No more death.”
She turned to the gallery. “I do not claim to know what transpired on that ship. I do not claim to know what was going through your heads, any of your minds, but what was done is done. We cannot bring Cassandra back. We cannot bring your men back. We cannot bring the sacrifices back. They are gone.”
Another breath. “Admittedly, I have not had many dealings with rogues in the past, however, I know of you three and your deeds for the crown before this. A grievous error was made on that ship, and as I said, I do not claim to know what you were thinking, nor do I judge you harshly for it. Desperate times sometimes require desperate measures.
“I do not mean to skim over the lives you lost on the sea, Captains, for any child of Cascade is precious in my eyes. I grieve for every loss felt here today as if it were my own.”
She swallowed, mouth dry.
“I have never been one for punishment. I believe in rebirth, as the gods will it. Something precious has been taken, and as such, I believe it should be up to you to give back.
“Serve the community as best you can. Help where you are needed and even where you are not. Do so in memory of all the lives drifting in the sea, wether they chose to be there or not. Perhaps this way you can make it up to the crown.”
Eyes heavy, the unicorn lofted her chin and spoke a final time, exhaustion evident in her weary eyes.
“I cannot speak for my colleagues, but I believe that this is the best solution.”
WC: 732
Post: 3
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Post by posy-punch on Feb 8, 2019 3:08:18 GMT -6
thalassa Empress of Talori She listens to the conversation that floats around her. She feels no certain way about the punishments suggested, merely takes each word, each proposal, and stacks it within her heart. She weighs the outcomes, the possibilities and she thinks that she ought to finally lend her voice back into the conversation. "Simply allowing them back to their community to find their own reconciliation as they see fit... is understandable... but I think it lacks weight." Thalassa fell silent, collected her thoughts again, and cocked her head before speaking again. "A prison sentence... is weighty, but it takes away many of our importing and exporting capabilities as a nation. We... whether we like it or not, rely on these captains at least somewhat." She chewed her lip, glancing momentarily at Manual and then at Nebula. Her gaze flickered up to the Trinity then back down to the captains... to Taishen.
"I suggest that they are charged doubly what we paid each of them to bring Cassandra to the desert." She continued to gaze down at the captains. She understood their trial. She understood that they had done what they could to protect their own crews. Cassandra's assignment to the ship was a mistake. A mistake Thalassa had made. "I suggest that Captain Rhodesna leave her daughter to the care of an attendant on the mainland. That the child remain here until its mother's debt has been paid." Her gaze narrowed on the captain.
"That is my suggestion. I would rather not imprison a mother nor two captains innocent of the actual deed."
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Post by mariahwhy on Feb 8, 2019 20:41:48 GMT -6
Kraken | Rogue Captain
Kraken bristled at the Sage's suggestion that the pesagi sacrifices had willingly submitted to their fate. It was always amazing to hear the lie that the mainlanders told themselves to ease their guilt. It was infuriating. The scar tissue over his shoulder stretched uncomfortably as he drew himself up higher. He would have dared to refute Rycaron's words, but the stream of words from the other never took enough pause. The old captains eyes narrowed, but he barked out a clipped laugh, devoid of any actual geniality, at the mention of the alliance "with the pegasi." The Sage could not understand how patronizing he sounded. How incredibly condescending to the Serorans and the pegasi of both herds. Nor could he understand, it seemed, the reasoning behind Rhodesna's actions. His question of a replacement made that extremely clear. And if he could understand neither of these things, then there was nothing Kraken, or in this situation either of the other captains, could say to get through to him. No matter how much they intended to change for their Goddess, they could not quell the bias and traditions that ruled their hearts and minds.
"But you didn't," he said to Taishen. The words were quiet, so that the council might not hear, and almost indifferent. But in their indifference was a very particular, pointed dismissal. He didn't even look at the stallion, instead, his eyes locked on the council. Kraken swallowed the myriad of other words that rose in his throat, each one tasting exceedingly bitter. There was nothing for it now but to wait for their sentencing. Everyone had had enough. The day was growing long, and each soul was growing weary of trying (unsuccessfully) to understand each other. At Manual's prison suggestion he simply scowled back. The old dog was all bark and no bite. There was no doubt that his words carried some weight among the court, or else he wouldn't be here today, but both wingless pegasi had shown their backsides today. Kraken did not think the others would take much stock in his idea on the sentencing. And even if they did, imprisonment meant little to him. There was always a way out. There was always a right price. Surprising, though, was Nebula's suggestion. He could not help but narrow his eyes curiously. A truly merciful Talorian. Interesting. Typically he might mistake it for weakness, but he felt there was a certain strength in her daring to offer a punishment that would be so obviously different from what the others must be considering. A councilor that could think for themselves, huh? Excellent. Though he had to hold back a snide laugh at the thought of him, Rhodesna, and Moyra doing community service. Finally, the voice of the empress cut through the conversation once more. He turned slowly to her, allowing each word to sink in. What she said would surely be what would come to pass. It might not be what the others preferred, but he couldn't not imagine them debating with her about it. He raised his eyes to rest on the mare's face, patient as she ran through the options voiced so far. Suddenly he had all the time in the world. It wasn't that he was afraid of what she might suggest, but this was a turning point. Her sentence would create a precedence for all of the future interactions between the mainlanders and the "legally" trading members of the Alliance. Ever since the throne had been passed to her, they had had little to do with the empress between the flight and the war (and the scagrywrs). This would be her first official dealings with them, that would set the standards, and he had to admit he was surprised. She knew that their wallets, as rogues, was one of their most precious commodities. To pay back such an amount would surely wound each of their prides. But it was not such a mortal wound that it would take them out of the business. They could still operate their respective businesses, for their own and the herd's sake. A frustrating sentence, but not one that would turn them from working under the mainland eye completely. Impressive. The dark stallion first lowered his eyes, and then his head. "A fair sentence, Empress."
It seemed he would get out this with his life, his title, and his ship after all. Things had turned out much better than he had anticipated.
(Post 4: 744 words)
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Post by PaganStars on Feb 12, 2019 20:53:31 GMT -6
Moyra
Captain of the Coalescence But I know it'll have to drown me
Before it can breathe easy
x | x Jaw tense, Moyra’s eyes flicked to Kraken as the captain began to speak once more. Sacrifices, all the captains had made sacrifices at least once in their life whether they wanted to or not. Hardships were common and the call of a calm life was lost to them, but along with it came the thrill of the sea. Dancing with the sisters and sneering in the face of the mainlanders. Moyra’s ties were heavy with them, yes, but as she stood beside her fellow captains and was leered at by those above them, she was all to mindful of what life was for those like them on the mainland. Her wings twitched at the mention of those relinquished of their wings and tossed to the sea. Moyra wondered what her life would have been like if her mother had been more open about her birth, if she had never run away with Manon.
Rhodesna’s voice called from beside her and Moyra wondered if the other captain would charge at the council, seemingly lost in her own mind. Moyra did not envy her. But still she stood beside her, offering as much compassion as any of them could in this situation.
The sage’s words were all pomp and grandeur and Moyra watched as Kraken bristled under them. Her own hide bristled, at the implied stupidity he regarded them with. He knew not how to steer a ship, to return to shore when a storm was brewing. Surely, if he had been on that damned boat with them he had been just as flabbergasted and rooted to the spot in fear. Mainlanders thought they knew everything, especially those regarding in the council. She glared at Manual and Nebula.
The Empresses voice cut clear and authoritative through the grumbles of the council, and Moyra’s gaze snapped to the Hippocampus. The sentence made her grind her teeth ever harder, mind already going into overhaul of thinking just what trades would need to be done, what would need to be sold or laundered. Manon was going to kill her. But that was better than prison time, or worse, losing her ship altogether. “Aye,” she glanced at Kraken and finally Rhodesna.
Post 3 | 391
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Post by Chipo-H0P3 on Feb 12, 2019 23:12:20 GMT -6
-------------- Captain Rhodesna -------------- Rhodesna stood defiantly, grinding her molars, while the council continued to belittle the necessity of her actions, continued to question her decision making, and continued to miss the entire fucking point. When the guardian stepped forward to share with the group that he would have taken Cassandras place, had he been given the chance, Rhodesna jerked her head up in complete aggravation. 'Was I speaking in tongues? THERE. WAS. NO. OTHER. WAY.'
But leave it to a mainlander to take truth and pick at it until the only bits left are the ones that fit with the the story they want to tell. Gods help her, she began to wonder if all her efforts would be futile until Councilor Nebula made gave her opinion. Rhodesna found her to be... unexpectedly humble. Especially in comparison to her arrogant, "all knowing" countrymen beside her. Though, she supposed she shouldn't be too surprised. The mares here were breed to be docile, peace-loving maidens. Though, however seemingly mild mannered she was, and however lenient, the councilwoman still failed to understand the choices Rhodesna had faced that wretched day.
Glass and shell clinked together as Rhodesna shifted and neklace followed. Perhaps she could try again to explain.
But then the Empress raised her voice.
The room fell silent.
She had given her sentence.
And Rhodesna felt as if all the blood had been drained from her body.
The Captain had fully intended to lay down on her own sword and play the hero that could inspire the rogues, but the Empress had demanded tangible payment instead. They were to gather gold to pay for the life she used to buy their safety, and the Empress wanted to use the life of her own child as insurance that the dept be paid. It killed her to think of her own as anything but free and close to the ocean. Her child, a complete innocent, shouldn't have to suffer.
"A fair sentence, Empress." Kraken replied. "Aye." Moyra added.
Rhodesna shot them both a look. She was fuming. Sure, they were easy terms for them to agree to when the child wasn't their own!
She flicked her finned tail from left to right and through her fury she calculated, just as she had calculated through the terror of the storm. She weighed the outcomes. What would happen if she disobeyed the crown? would she run? Would she fight? Could she find work? What about the Alliance? Would Moyra and Kraken abandon her if refuted? Would she be respected if she didn't? What about the men who followed her? Would her child be safe running from the Talori? Would her child be safe among the Talori? A thousand scenarios went through her head until -SLAM- Rhodesna slapped her tail on the tile floor announcing she had come to a decision.
"Aye. I'll comply." The finned Captain said through barred teeth.
As much as she detested the Talori, and as much as she loved her daughter, this was the best option for the majority of those that would be effected. Rhodesna would appease them in hopes of reestablishing stability. After all, calmer waters made for smoother sailing.
P4 | WC 532 |
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Post by ebbarie on Feb 17, 2019 1:12:03 GMT -6
Naasir;Vagabonds | Harbinger
But hidden in his coat is a red right hand
The headache started out as a dull but annoying pulsation in his temple but Naasir knew that it would far too soon turn into a stabbing pain. He could just hope that this farce would now come to it’s end shortly.
He fixated Taishen with stern and calculating eyes during his emotional outburst. His failed mission already called for consequences, something he yet had to discuss with Gideon, but attacking an defendant during a trial was unacceptable and would only cause him unnecessary trouble.
However Naasir could understand his motivation, and was relieved as the Guardian got himself under control again.
A relief also was the speech of Rycaron. The Sage was, befitting his rank, again the voice of reason. Naasir watched his friend while he spoke about the mistakes the herd had made, at least mistakes in the wave mother’s eyes, without showing the littlest sign of his real feelings. Impressive.
Other’s voiced their opinions next and when the pregnant councillor raised their voice he found it hard to retain his calm expression. Another proof that mares, especially in her...situation, where out of place in the rank of a Councillor. Too soft, too lenient.
As if the rouges would lift a finger unless it was for their own profit.
Then Thalassa spoke. Another mare raised into a rank she should never hold. Yet he had to admit that her words were well chosen. It was a good sentence, just enough punishment to be warning to the rouges, to not push the limits too far, as well as to provide a little reassurance for the enraged people. But not too gravely so that it would turn the captains away from working with the mainland. It was a difficult balancing act between justice and the dependency on their trades.
Not a fair, but necessary sentence.
WC: 304 | Post 3 |
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Post by posy-punch on Feb 19, 2019 10:29:50 GMT -6
20 AP and 20 CS to all participants! |
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