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Post by Queerly on Jan 3, 2019 14:38:26 GMT -6
Hello Starborn, and Welcome to Aodh Plot 708: Rats' Nest Team Leaders: Nikolas Participants: Pax, Caron, Joanne, Misha, Ramiro 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'D Prompt: As night falls on Valore, smugglers arrive for a meeting deep below her gilded streets. They gather in the ‘Den’, an enormous but largely forgotten chamber that has housed countless slaves on their way to freedom and served as a home for smugglers who cannot go above ground. The Den is the one place a smuggler can feel safe, but getting comfortable is never wise in your line of work. Location: Sewer Den (Smugglers) - Commons District (Chevaliers) Time of Day: Nightfall You do not have to wait for your leader to post!
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Post by ThatDenver on Jan 3, 2019 22:57:16 GMT -6
NIKOLAS
It was a beautiful summer’s night.
It was about to become a lot better.
Nikolas breathed in the city air, closed his eyes briefly, and then looked around at his fellow soldiers. Some were still trickling in, and he felt quiet disapproval at their tardiness. This was such an important mission, such an opportunity for all of them.
They were all, of course, decked out in some armor, and with weapons suitable for battle, and the apprehension of criminals. For the most part lighter armors had been requested, nothing too clumsy or heavy.
There was a wave of restlessness within the group. This was a momentous duty. A good number of chevaliers had been chosen for the task, especially considering the difficult times. For this, the Crown found soldiers to dispense.
Nikolas did not blame the Crown. In such times, all criminal activity was even more deplorable than at any other time, and the governing wisdom seemed to be that Smugglers were responsible for at least some of it. Nikolas did not know how much of those rumors were true, nor did he really care. He was just here to do his job.
“I think this is everyone”, he said, stepping out from the group of Chevaliers.
“The entrance our informant gave us is just around the corner”, he continued. The details of the raid had been kept under wraps, even from most Chevaliers. The times were too difficult for any mistakes, for any leaks.
With confident step, he began the walk towards their target, falling in stride with a black and gold chevalier he recognized from the Barracks, but could not recall the name of.
Word count: 276
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Post by PaganStars on Jan 4, 2019 1:03:06 GMT -6
Joanne
Smuggler
Got no way to prove it
So maybe I'm blind
But I'm only human after all
x | x Joanne yawned widely as she finally made her way into the chambers of the Den, blinking her eyes to clear the water gathered there before grinning as she spotted the others. The pink haired mare had spent more than the better half of her day working with the other citizens of Valore to clean the streets and rubble that had cluttered their golden city. Her own bakery had been affected, in need of repairs to the glass windows and a few of the exterior walls; she was lucky, to say the least. Wayne had always damned her for her luck.
Shrugging off the ache that had settled just between her shoulder blades, glancing around the chamber. It was pleasant enough for a dusty old chamber that resided deep underground and was only accessed by various sewer points, filled with bedrolls and candles, a table or two here and there. Comfortable enough for one to scrape by, just was the way of the smugglers.
Joanne grinned as she stepped forward to greet the few others that had gathered so late; their line of work may be dangerous but there was no need to be a sourpuss about it.
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Post by misttheelf on Jan 4, 2019 9:35:21 GMT -6
Caron "Now the Fire and Wind guide me to Freedom."
Post 1 | WC 182 Caron let out a sigh as they stood in a corner of the room, their dark coat nearly blending into the shadows. They still weren't quite used to this new life, beneath the city... But to get Shiya out, one had to put up with anything that came their way. Four months so far without seeing the sun... Caron was starting to feel the drain that hidden smuggler life entailed. Caron gave a small nod towards the mare who stepped forward with a grin, stepping forward themself. "... Greetings." They said, looking around at the others gathered. "May I inquire about what our next move will be?" They were... Nervous. A sense of unease that had settled over Caron as soon as they had decided to become a smuggler, instead of escaping Valore altogether with the others they had been captured with, four months ago... But those months haven't been idle ones. Caron has spent most of the time truly learning the lay of the tunnels, and helping those slaves that find their way down there, to the freedom they had searched for. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 5, 2019 11:22:22 GMT -6
PaxI'VE GOT A HAND, SO I'VE GOT A FIST,
SO I'VE GOT A PLAN. IT'S THE BEST I CAN DO All told, it was somewhat astonishing how thoroughly Pax had adjusted from the royal palace to the sewers. The independent life suited him, the solitude, the resourcefulness it required. He never found himself without a task in his new life; even when he had no escapees to usher to freedom, there was always a shard to steal, a meal to find, a trap to set. His subterranean world was full of distractions. It was only when he laid to sleep that the past could creep in.
With the lessons of the palace (the training, the schooling, the crown they would rest between his ears that made him feel like a clown) far away, Pax was living a wilder life. His intermittent brushes with the people he freed and the smugglers he aided were his only social contact, outside of the pygmy dragons that colonized the tunnels. Pax grew more feral by the day.
As the Smugglers gathered to meet, the young pegasus was already present in the chamber, his dirt-streaked back pressed to the corner securely. He watched the others enter with a brightness in his suspicious eyes. He pulled a brownish apple to his lips from the floor between his knees, biting into its softened side and chewing slowly as he took stock of those present. Joanne... Caron... Newish but familiar faces, just not who he wanted to see. Where was Reija? Anytime he didn't hear from the old smuggler, Pax feared the worst.
His small dragons were patrolling the tunnels in silent, swift circuits, and Pax whistled to Tulip, calling the little brass lizard to him. "Any sign of her?" he muttered, and the dragon shook her head in the negative. He sent her away again, to continue her watch, and had an uneasy feeling about her absence. The chevaliers had been absolutely bloodthirsty for Smugglers since he had helped the Vindicators do their work on the Labor slave barracks. Pax felt like his allies were vanishing left and right. Why was it that every time they made progress, it seemed to make things worse?
"Is this everyone?" He asked hoarsely, voice sandy from disuse. "It can't be." post 1 | 359 words |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 5, 2019 15:48:47 GMT -6
Ramiro Everything was still new. He was still reeling from it all, and trying his very best to keep his head above water. It felt like yesterday – could have practically been yesterday, that he was still a slave in a mansion. He had been surprised to have been called on duty so shortly after having signed up, an important task by the sounds of it too. He was honored, and he was also so worried he was nauseous. Outwards, he was cool and collected as always. Sometimes he wondered if he did himself the most disservice by that.
With the evacuation efforts the forces were stretched thin enough to need all able bodies, and Ramiro couldn’t deny that he certainly was able. He had slipped into the form of an older, more experienced Chevalier using his blessing, and had catalogued the knowledge he needed to do the job. Personal things he left alone, not really wanting to touch memories he absolutely didn’t need to. This body felt more familiar than his new scaled one, in a sense, and he had little difficulty getting used to moving in it.
It was almost an unreal feeling, standing side by side with Chevaliers in armor decorated with Aodhian sigils. He was really doing this. He listened intently as Nikolas spoke, full well knowing his ward wasn’t exactly pleased to have him on this mission. When they started moving he matched his step to the Chevaliers walking alongside with him, reveling in the fact that he could blend in.
Word count: 254 | Post: 1
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Post by marinedoq on Jan 6, 2019 7:36:32 GMT -6
M I S H A
aodh
... ...
Summer was usually a time of joy for aodhians, a time to party long into the morning and do what they wanted. But the city was tattered by the riots that had broken out and half of the chevaliers were in Sedo, trying to find those damn desert-dwellers. Misha had been in New Valore instead, trying to stop riots and calming down frustrated citizens. It hadn't been easy, but it had been done.
Now another mission was underway, one he didn't know much of. It seemed as though most of the gathered chevaliers had been left in the dark, only knowing when and where to show up. They were restless, but they weren't going to get any information, that was clear. Misha has opted for his armour, golden plates guarding his neck, shoulder and chest, with a helmet and a small purple cape. He'd lend a small shield from the barracks, not usually carrying them. He knew little of the mission, he knew they were going to the tunnels. So a small shield seemed the most appropriate, light and easy to carry.
Another chevalier, Nikolas if Misha remembered correctly, seemed to be the leader of the mission and stepped out of the group, signaling they were ready to move. Misha was quick to walk, stepping up beside the unicorn. "Most, if any, have been left in the dark for this mission. But nonetheless, we're ready to do what we must. Will we get some information, before we get too far? How do we proceed, where are we going? I'm Misha, by the way." Greeting Nikolas, he didn't expect many answers, if he even were to get any. But any answer, however little it may be, would be better than none. Looking away from the brown unicorn, Misha greeted the other chevaliers beside him, before he turned his attention forward, to the supposed entrance.
... ... Word Count: 313 Post # 1 |
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Post by ThatDenver on Jan 8, 2019 12:11:30 GMT -6
NIKOLAS
Nikolas discreetly looked over his shoulder at Ramiro. The disguise his apprentice had picked made him blend in perfectly, and hopefully the memories and experience of the older Chevalier they had chosen would lend them skills and confidence on this mission. Nikolas had personally thought it was too early for Ramiro to see real action, but the numbers were thin.
At least with his disguise and Nikolas there to watch over him, it was unlikely the squire would get hurt on this mission.
At least he hoped so. Nikolas really did not want to explain to anyone how he had gotten a kirin injured.
The black and gold chevalier next to him – Misha, it turned out – spoke, and Nikolas turned his attention to them.
“We’re going underground”, Nikolas stated fairly simply: “The mission has kept under wraps for security reasons. The Crown cannot afford for information to spill to the wrong ears. We shall talk more once we are at our destination.”
There could still be people listening, and more importantly, there might be other, quicker paths to where they were heading.
“I am Nikolas”, he introduced himself with no flourish.
Soon enough they were at a large sewer gate, which two of the Chevaliers pried open, and the entire squadron then entered as an orderly two by two line. Lanterns were lit, and although there were grumbles of distaste at the smell, they moved on along a stone pathway that lined the walls of the great sewers.
“An informant has led us here. We have reason to suspect that Smugglers are using a nearby chamber, one oft left of the maps, for their operations. Our mission is to apprehend them, or, failing that, destroy this meeting place”, Nikolas spoke, loudly enough for the other Chevaliers to hear, but it was no commanding bellow. He kept his eyes and ears open – the directions to this chamber had been good, but chevaliers were hardly veterans of traversing these places.
Word count: 328
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Post by PaganStars on Jan 9, 2019 1:05:03 GMT -6
Joanne
Got no way to prove it
So maybe I'm blind
But I'm only human after all
x | x Striding towards the others, Joanne regarded them with cool eyes. Honestly, she knew little about most of the other smugglers, other than names and a few tidbits. Meetings were few and far, and trips to the underground had become less frequent with heightened patrols, more chevaliers, less slaves,Oodles of chaos. Everyone was on high alert, as they should be. Their words bounced easily around the dusty chamber, Joanne’s ears flinching at shrill noise of the Miniature dragon that rode upon Pax’s back, claws tangled in his hair.
Stopping a few paces away from the others, Joanne met each of their eyes, regarding their questions for a moment. It was true, it seemed like less and less of them were coming to each meeting. It couldn’t just be the handful of them, right? Pax’s voice made her grimace and she glanced back at where she had come from “Didn’t pass by anyone on my way here, tunnels were quiet too…” the sound of her own voice echoing sent a shiver up her spine, shaking out her pink hair. "Gettin pretty dangerous out there,"
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Post by Deleted on Jan 13, 2019 18:07:10 GMT -6
Ramiro A part of him still expected someone to stare, but no one did. He was just like everyone else, marching on with even step. He could feel his other blessing gently sparkle in his chest, the promise of the strength of a lightning storm, should he need it.
Ramiro listened as the other Chevalier, Misha, spoke, and his ears perked even more when Nikolas replied. It wasn’t a surprise that Nikolas was being tight lipped, and Ramiro was already getting used to the more experienced Chevalier’s curt attitude. Sure had spooked him at first.
Soon enough he was eyeing the sewer gate along with the rest of them before marching in. His nose wrinkled slightly – he wasn’t used to smells this caliber, but he didn’t complain. He hadn’t ever been the kind of a slave to contemplate escape, but it was still settling to his head that he was now going against the people who did something to help others in the position he had just been in. He shut out the nervous flutter he felt in his stomach, and focused on the obedient determination he knew much better. He had a mission, a job, and that he knew how to do.
Word count: 201 | Post: 2
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Post by Deleted on Jan 16, 2019 19:50:53 GMT -6
PaxI'VE GOT A HAND, SO I'VE GOT A FIST,
SO I'VE GOT A PLAN. IT'S THE BEST I CAN DO "No one?" Pax's feral stare jumped to Joanne. "I don't like this." His paranoia always kicked in before the Smugglers met, but this time he felt a particularly strong flutter in his chest. Familiar faces were missing. The tunnels had been quiet. Pax would have liked to attribute the abandonment of the smuggler hideaways to a victory --so many slaves had been freed, it would have been easy to try and convince oneself the smugglers just weren't as occupied -- but Pax knew the truth.
The labor slave liberation had been a shock to Valore's system. In the days following, the city had nearly torn itself apart, and now it was harder than ever to do their work. The enslaved were under violent and vigilant surveillance. Smugglers were being hunted with new fervor. Pax was sure there had been bodies burned. He suddenly yearned to know whose.
He rose clumsily to his feet, hooves scuffing on his own feathers, as if his wings were in his way. His voice was leaning towards shrill urgency: "Have you heard from anyone?" Where was Reija? The image of her on a pyre invaded his mind. He pushed it away with a shuddering breath. "Maybe they're waiting for the new moon," the explanation was naive, but comforting. "They just need time, and darker streets."
Despite his anxiety, Pax had no idea what was coming. He didn't anticipate the chevaliers, not down here. The sewers had been his safe haven for so long, his fortress; all of his worries for the smugglers above ground were wasted, and he knew it the moment he heard his pygmy dragon's raspy cry.
As the chevaliers opened the grate to descend into the sewer, Tulip began to shriek, taking flight down the tunnel away from Pax and the smugglers as she'd been trained. Pax's body was hit with a wave of hot fear, then went cold. It was the first time he'd heard his dragon's alarm sounded.
He tried to move his feet, but he was glued to the spot. He barely heard his whisper over his own heartbeat: "Run." post 2 | 350 words |
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Post by misttheelf on Jan 17, 2019 11:28:06 GMT -6
Caron "Now the Fire and Wind guide me to Freedom."
WC:210 | Post 2 'I do hope the others above ground are alright....' Caron thought, as Pax inquired about the whereabouts of their compatriots. "...I'm sure they are fine, Pax." They spoke softly, trying to be a calm voice in the tense room. "Likely they've been quite to avoid suspicion." They offered a possibility to explain the lack of others present. Caron did not believe that those who had been doing this for so much longer than themself, would be careless enough to be caught now. "As she said," Caron hummed, nodding towards Joanne, "It's dangerous for them up there."
That's when Tulip screeched and starting flying down the sewers.
Caron froze for a moment, glancing at the other two smugglers. "Chevaliers? Tonight?" They questioned, as Pax whispered to them to run. "...You two go first. You're easier to spot than I." Caron said, looking at them, "We can't afford to get caught now." They had to move quickly though. But, going last... Caron knew that if the Chevaliers caught up to them, at least they could give a few of them a shock with their blessing. And buy the other two more time. ...Ah, but Shiya would be devasted if Caron was caught and burned... So they wouldn't be caught. Simple as that... Right? |
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Post by PaganStars on Jan 17, 2019 13:30:50 GMT -6
Joanne
Got no way to prove it
So maybe I'm blind
But I'm only human after all
x | x Stepping deeper into the chamber, Pax’s panicked voice had sent shivers down Joanne’s spine. His questions were just, and Joanne herself wondered just what had caught up everyone else tonight. Too many lit torches, not enough darkness to cover the steps of those who were now hunted and burned. Joanne’s own thoughts drifted to her brother John, of her niece and his husband, of the life he had built out of their own misfortunes. If Joanne got caught, or wind of her involvement with the Smugglers was found true, the chevaliers would turn to them next, fire lapping at her family’s feet.
Shaking her head, Joanne schooled her grin and settled on a more serious expression, eyes dancing between Pax and Caron. Her head snapped to the entrance behind her when one of the scaled creatures in the hall partially screamed, dashing down the tunnel on the other side. Pax’s words were soft but she knew them too well.
Hooves scraping against the stone, Joanne had dashed forward as Caron spoke quickly, their words hushed. She barreled into the immobile Pax, shoving her head against his own and turning him clumsily down the tunnel “Let’s go, now!” Joanne could feel the panic trying snap into her brain but she wouldn't let it, not now.
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Post by marinedoq on Jan 17, 2019 16:30:19 GMT -6
M I S H A
aodh
......
Suddenly they had entered the tunnels and the stench probably hit him first. It was foul and unexpected, making his eyes go watery for a moment. For a moment, he longed to be back up there, back in the normal air. However, he knew he was also overreacting. This wasn't the sewers, and it was just different from the usual smells of summer in the city. As he looked around, he heard a shrill shriek, unmistakably that of a small dragon - or a very weird horse. Adrenaline kicked into his veins, and he forgot about the stench and the dark, as he barrelled through the tunnels. At first, he followed the sound of the shriek and the hooves thundering further ahead. Soon, the tunnels got darker and he relied more on feeling than seeing.
The smugglers had had a headstart, thanks to that damned dragon. "We need to be fast or we might lose them! We need someone with a light manip up here, to light the way!" They weren't far into the tunnels yet, but better have light now than later. If everyone ended up crashing into a wall, what use was this whole mission? Shortly after he had called for someone with a light manip, he saw the shadows forming on the walls of the tunnel, as the chevalier got up front, to lead the way alongside Misha and Nikolas. They neared what could only be the smugglers meeting place, but it seemed empty when they got there.
How far could they have gotten? They'd lost the moment of surprise and knew the tunnels better. But they get them somehow. Misha looked back at the rest of the chevaliers, charging forward to catch up and find the smugglers. "If anyone has advice or a makeshift plan, speak up now! We need all the advantages we can get." He called out, hoping they'd be able to talk while running.
... ... Word Count: 322 Post #2 |
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Post by ThatDenver on Jan 17, 2019 17:28:10 GMT -6
NIKOLAS
Nikolas had barely finished talking when a shriek broke the air. It was well known that pygmy dragons nested here, but it soon became obvious that this was an alert of some kind, as he could hear hooves further ahead, in the direction they were supposed to be going.
He didn’t really have time to think about a next step before Misha barreled off, forcing Nikolas to nod to the others to keep pace with the dark chevalier.
Soon enough they reached the chamber. Misha kept charging ahead, and Nikolas shouted after him: “Stop!”
“We are not rushing headlong into what might be an ambush. We don’t know how many there are. We don’t know the tunnels beyond this point. They have every advantage now. For all we know they might be hiding nearby and are just waiting for us to get ourselves trapped so they can fight us on even ground”, Nikolas said, then turned back to Ramiro and the rest of the company.
Nikolas looked to his cougar, and Ramiro’s wolf. The tunnels went every which way, and it wasn’t as if they could just run straight ahead and hope for the best.
His eyes scanned the room as the animals kept looking for a trail, and then he saw it – etched to a wall was a map of the tunnels. It wasn’t labeled, and there were no notes, but he figured it might prove valuable regardless.
Behind him, Redd grunted and began to follow a trail out of the chamber into a dark tunnel.
Right then.
“You there. Stay behind, guard this room. Make a sketch of that. Keep the lights burning bright. If they circle back, engage them, but make sure to keep the map safe”, he indicated to most of the company. Chasing after the smugglers might be a complete fool’s errand, so he wanted something to show for this at least.
“Let’s go then. Redd, lead the way”, he commanded the cougar, who bounded ahead, leading the troop. Nikolas took after him, unbothered by the lead the Smugglers now had – getting their intel on the tunnels was a victory in its own right.
Word count: 359
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Post by Deleted on Jan 25, 2019 17:32:13 GMT -6
PaxI'VE GOT A HAND, SO I'VE GOT A FIST,
SO I'VE GOT A PLAN. IT'S THE BEST I CAN DO "Wait," Pax whispered to Joanne as she headbutted him, ducking slightly under her gesture as she moved to turn him. He put his teke up blindly, not shoving her so much as herding her body away. Over the sound of their clumsy scuffle, he kept his ears pricked towards the tunnel. "Wait, just one second." He strained to hear the intruders, and the echoing of Tulip's fading voice. It seemed as if at least one of the Chevaliers was pursuing the dragon in the wrong direction; their hoof-falls were growing quieter.
Nikolas's shouted command into the darkness put a stop to any relief Pax almost felt. That old trick wouldn't hold them off for long. "Okay," he said to Joanne, suddenly no longer rooted to the spot. At Caron's thoughtful plan, Pax nodded, pulling his threadbare hood up over his neck. His voice quaked when he spoke: "Follow me. I know where to go."
The surface -- and escape -- was not an option. If the Chevaliers were underground, they were certainly poised to catch them above ground too. "We can't go back up," he said, voice so soft that his shallow breath was almost louder: "We'll have to go down." Pax did couldn't help but think about the invaders in his makeshift home. He imagined them overturning his furniture, seizing his things, destroying his map. He had been careful not to keep any possessions that were too useful to his enemies, but Pax sadly thought about the locket that had been a gift from Amadeus, wrapped in his moth-eaten bedroll. He could never see any of it again.
He counted his paces as he scurried near-soundlessly down a tunnel. The running water at their feet slowly grew from a barely-noticeable trickle down the tunnel's middle to a steady, shin-deep stream, ushering them into the darkness. He guided them around corners, deeper into the sewers, further underground, where the stink of the water was almost as thick as the pitch blackness. post 3 | 334 words |
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Post by PaganStars on Jan 28, 2019 12:10:53 GMT -6
Joanne
Smuggler
Got no way to prove it
So maybe I'm blind
But I'm only human after all
x | x Keen on getting the fuck out of there, Joanne was very much confused when Pax has muttered ‘wait’ and sharply turned her body around without her even noticing. Blinking, she had looked back at the pale stallion with a look of disbelief “Wait?!” she hissed, looking up at the tunnel behind them as Pax listened for whatever he needed to listen to “What are we waitin’ for-” Joanne snapped her mouth shut when she heard the sharp call of the captain, eyes flicking back to Pax’s face as he facial expression fell. Oh, maybe he had thought it was one of them, but even so his dragon would have-
But then he was brushing past her and Joanne quickly followed after with Caron. She had thought to bring her cloak with her, so Joanne had done the next best thing and dragged her teke along the dust and muck covered walls. Of course the one time she had brought her cloak or masking fluid they’d get raided. Without giving it much thought, she quickly ran the dust and muck through her pink locks, quickly diluting and hiding the vibrant pink colour.
Silently following behind the others, Joanne was cautious to throw quick glances over her shoulder incase she needed to warn the others. Her ears flicked towards Pax “ Down? Didn’t know the tunnels went further down than this,” she mused aloud, turning her head to glance behind once more.
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Post by marinedoq on Feb 3, 2019 7:45:24 GMT -6
M I S H A
aodh
......
Nikolas' cougar seemed to have gotten the scent of the smugglers. Misha noticed his own cougar, Octavian, quickly following along, as well as the wolf from another Chevalier. Impatiently, he almost started pacing back and forth, until Nikolas let his cougar, Redd, follow the scent. The stench seemed to have gotten into his hair, he'd need a shower when they were done with this mission. The dimly lit halls in the sewer made Misha feel small. Despite being blessed with fire, he felt as though the shadows grew taller on the walls. Like the shadows knew the Chevalier's had intruded the smuggler's place, like the didn't approve of this action. Shaking his head, Misha looked back at the rest of the chevaliers for a moment, before charging ahead with the familiars leading the way.
At first he almost doubted the animals, they made so many turns, met a few dead ends. He felt unsure whether they knew where to go or no, but he felt like he could hear hooves in the distance, as if they were closing in on the smugglers. Suddenly the sounds stopped, and the familiars seemed just as confused. It was if the trails weren't there anymore. They couldn't have gone up, that'd be too risky. What others ways where there to go?
He turned to Nikolas. who'd seen the map. "Is there any way they could have gone down?" He asked out loud, perhaps some other chevalier would know too. Looking around, he didn't notice anything out of place yet. Perhaps, they simply hadn't gotten to the way down yet, perhaps it was a set of stairs? Wherever it was, the smugglers had a headstart and would be at an advantage, unless some of the other chevaliers knew anything about what was under the sewers.
... ... Word Count: 301 Post #3 |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 5, 2019 17:30:04 GMT -6
Ramiro Ramiro startled at the sound of the dragon, then looked at Nikolas when Misha charged forward, but kept his place obediently with just a single nervous swish of his tail. He knew how to take orders, at least. He let himself sink deeper into the persona of the Chevalier he had turned himself into. It steadied his nerves a little, if nothing else. It felt like his body knew what they were doing, almost as if on auto-pilot.
He swallowed harshly, thinking about a smuggler ambush in the sewers. He shortly wondered if Aleksei would found out about it if something like that happened, then angrily pushed away the thought. No. He was independent now. He was allowed to be in the damn sewers on a mission if he pleased. He wasn’t actually very pleased, but that was besides the point.
Ramiro eyed the map, and stepped a bit closer to Nikolas. Buddy was sniffing the tunnel floor with the cougars, trying to find a reliable scent in the nasty stench. The familiars picked up the lead, and Ramiro then followed after Nikolas and Misha. Many turns, deeper into the smelling pits.
When they came to a stop, he shifted uncomfortably at the thought of going down any more. He tried to cue his wolf to pick up the trail once more, feeling a droplet of sweat roll from behind his ears at the stress. He opened his mouth to say they shouldn’t go down, but then closed it. It really wasn’t his place to object.
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Post by ThatDenver on Feb 5, 2019 19:52:29 GMT -6
NIKOLAS
He followed the animals at a good pace but remained vigilant. Careful.
He knew they could easily be ambushed still, and although Nikolas had nothing but admiration and trust for the Aodhian military he belonged to, being on someone else’s home turf was never ideal.
Especially not when said home turf absolutely reeked.
Then, the sounds seemed to end suddenly.
He looked around, ears pinned and eyes trying to make out any clues in the dark.
The familiars picked up the trail again, but the sounds did not return. It was only the hoof steps of the chevaliers now, eerily loud in the quiet of the sewer.
“I suppose so”, he replied. Nikolas hoped not – this level was already disgusting enough, and he had no interest in delving even deeper into this place. Duty was a duty, of course, but still.
At least they would have the meeting place to search and destroy. That was a small victory.
They came to where the trail ended. The animals seemed confused.
He listened.
Only the sound of water.
“I feel that following them deeper is our only option unless we wish to give up chase”, Nikolas said, sounding sullen: “If they had gone any other way, the animals could pick their scent up again. I doubt they all have wings, after all.”
I mean they could but that was unlikely.
With a distinct expression of displeasure, he waded into the deeper water, cursing under his breath.
Word count: 244
Post #4
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Post by misttheelf on Feb 5, 2019 22:48:43 GMT -6
Caron "Now the Fire and Wind guide me to Freedom."
Wc:246 | Post: 3 Caron nodded as Pax told them had to go back down. "Let's hurry then - the deeper we go, the harder it will be for them to follow us, regardless of whether or not they have familiars with them."
They watched as Joanne attempted to hide her hot pink hair and her scent - She was the one Caron was most worried about in the situation, given that Joanne was one of their above ground contacts.
And Caron followed the two, keeping an ear swiveled behind them. If... If the chevaliers managed to catch up to them, they kept their blessing readied. They couldn't do much damage but... They wouldn't be caught without a fight. That, they swore to Ignacio and Alya. Because if they were caught... That would be it for them... And Shiya... They had to get Shiya out. Which is why they wouldn't get caught.
After a few minutes of travel, as the water continued to grow deeper around them. "...I did not think they went as deep as this either, Joanne." Caron mused, their coat practically making them disappear in the darkness that surrounded them. "Pax, how much farther can we go?" They asked, knowing that without the pale stallion, they'd be completely lost in this part of the sewers. "Where does this path lead?" They asked with genuine curiosity, half tempted to create some sparks for some light - Nut not daring, for who knew if that bit of light would give away their position...
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Post by Queerly on Feb 6, 2019 17:46:11 GMT -6
As you flee through the water and filth, you realize there are more strangers ahead of you. You don't recognize them as fellow smugglers. Shit, have you run into an ambush?
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Post by 0mooncry0 on Feb 7, 2019 12:23:56 GMT -6
JENKO | PIT FIGHTER
Jenko had listened to all of them. He should’ve known that it wasn’t going to be that easy, but he had to try. “This isn’t an obligation whatsoever. I simply made a suggestion. I felt I had to, given the circumstances… but I respect your decisions.” He said truthfully, dipping his head apologetically. He hadn’t expected an outburst from the pit fighter, but he didn’t blame him either. He couldn’t.
Jenko looked up and wondered how long they had been walking. They hadn’t encountered a way back up yet. Nor an exit for that matter. Were they lost already? He sighed. Ignacio, please lend us a hoof…he prayed silently, squeezing his eyes shut as he did.
He could’ve sworn he had heard splashing right there and then. Was Ignacio present or was he hearing things? Maybe Savara was right, he had lost a lot of blood already. The splashing grew louder. Jenko perked his ears and craned his neck to have a better view. Horses. A handful of them approaching at a fast pace. "Guys...Looks like we have company."
Jenko quickly weighed out his options. Chevaliers? It couldn’t be. They wouldn’t come down here for a bunch of slaves. Vindicators? Well, that would be convenient to say the least. Smugglers? Maybe so, but he couldn’t tell. Besides, why would they be running?
The pit fighter swallowed hard. Should he say something? He couldn’t make a run for it. He refused to leave the others behind. If these horses proved to be Chevaliers it would only make him suspicious. “Please, help us! We fell down here. Some of us are injured!” he pleaded loud enough for them to hear, unsure if that was the best thing to do.
POST: 6WC: 287
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Post by LaBelleAnni on Feb 12, 2019 8:03:18 GMT -6
E V A R I S Aodh | Servile Slave Evaris listened to their chatter and banter, and as much as she hated to agree with the hippocampus, he was right. There weren't many places to go other than the Dark Districts for trying to make a run for it. Her outer appearance merely mocked the ideas given by them, her eyes glancing up with a haughtiness to it. Whatever way they went, they would have to go back to their masters at the end of the day anyway. As much as she wanted to indulge in the thought of escape, tasting the sweetness of freedom and flight, now was regrettably not the time nor the place for that matter. "Listen this is cute and all, but we just need to-" She paused, feeling the ground beneath her rumble, while the sounds of splashing and shouting in the distance alerted her. It reminded her of the times she was chased down, of how they shouted in anger and thrashed to catch her. Most of the time they didn't, but when they did her life took a turn for a worse every single time. She couldn't go back to being a Labor Slave, not now. A single thought crossed her mind that maybe if she stayed put and pretended to be passive that it would all be over and she could return to Jack and her master in a safer, yet commanding environment. But if she ran... maybe she could find her own way out. But when did that ever work?
Her mind raced with so many options, yet her body only came up with two. Stay put or flee. At that moment she lost the cool facade she usually had, her face feeling deathly drained, while her heart pumped fast, thumping so loudly against her chest that she swore that others could have heard it. They heard it, right? It always seemed like equines like these could. Her wings tucked in tightly against her sides, fighting every impulse of spreading them to fly away. She knew she couldn't do that. Without another thought, the notice of the angry, stampeding crowd of horses forced her body into flight mode. Whatever happened, she could plead and beg and submit if she needed to, as long as she would get what she wanted. And she surely did not wish to be caught again. And so, as much as she hated it, she used her small teal glow of teke to place her bit back into her mouth loosely. The next thing she knew she was turning on her heel, slightly rearing to run in the opposite direction of the strangers. Who cares who they were, she didn't want to be caught up with them when they went to prison, and she hopefully went back to the comfort of her master's estate.
WC:468 | Post #5
TL;DR
-Starts to try and move the group already
-hears the angry crowd and freezes up
-has a paranoia moment, decides to run away |
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Post by PaganStars on Feb 12, 2019 18:13:13 GMT -6
Joanne
Smuggler
Got no way to prove it
So maybe I'm blind
But I'm only human after all
x | x Adrenaline pumping through her veins as they ran, Joanne didn't’ have much time to ponder about ust what they were trudging through right now (though she was sure that she would need several baths at some point, that is if they survived) Caron’s words piqued her interest and Joanne felt her wondering the same. She’d explored most of the higher level tunnels throughout the years but had never really felt the need (or the courage) to traverse deeper on her own. Her eyes glanced at the pale stallion in front of her before moving back to look deeper into the tunnel “Yeah, are we going to end up in the ocean- wait” her sentence had been light at first, before breaking off into a hiss.
They could hear talking ahead, the sound of footsteps. But they were going to fast to stop now, chevaliers still on their heels. Turning the corner and greeted by more shocked faces, Joanne cursed “shit” Her eyes bounced to Caron and Pax, her adrenaline-addled brain going to fast to think properly.
Post 5 | 200
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Post by ThatDenver on Feb 13, 2019 17:32:08 GMT -6
NIKOLAS
Nikolas was becoming increasingly unsure of their chosen direction – not only was it terribly smelly, but it wasn’t terribly easy to be sure that it was even the right trail – when more voices joined in ahead of them.
Loud voices. Ones that were certainly not doing their best to hide from the Chevaliers. He couldn’t see them yet, but he surmised that they had to be ahead, and that they probably saw the Smugglers.
A fortunate coincidence, or at least so he hoped. If they were allies with the criminals, this could turn quite ugly, but he hoped that, for once, the luck would be on their side in this pursuit.
He could make out a few words. Someone shouting for help.
Well, ambush or not, he had a duty.
Nikolas increased his speed, wading through the muck until he saw them. It was a group of slaves, easily distinguished by their bridles and brands, looking thoroughly displeased to be here. Something Nikolas completely and fully understood.
The slaves were not hiding, and as such, obvious. Any darker corners might hide many other bodies, but he decided to stay calm, and approach the slaves as a friend.
“Hail!” he called to them: “Has there been another cave in? Some citizens fell into these very same tunnels some months ago.”
It was a rare sign of tact from Nikolas. If anything, he wanted to keep the slaves feeling like they had nothing to fear. Scared slaves were dangerous. The bits blocked magic, but not kicks.
Besides, he was fairly sure that they had done nothing wrong.
“It is not safe here – come with us back to the surface”, Nikolas went on.
Word count: 280
Post #5
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Post by marinedoq on Feb 16, 2019 6:48:19 GMT -6
M I S H A
aodh
......
It felt like they had walked through the sewers for ages Even worse, they had been walking through murky waters, filled with who knows what. It was disgusting to say the least, and he could see that Octavian was eager to get out too. Despite being experienced, not having raised him from cubhood himself, no one would want to go through these sewers willingly. That is also why Misha was so surprised, when he heard voices ahead. The smugglers would not be talking with calm voices, like the ones he heard ahead. These sounded more confused than scared. Confused, he stood still, looking for Nikolas' reactions to the intruders - or whatever they were.
A problem arose right there and then. In between these injured horses were the smugglers. Should they let the smugglers go and help the hurt citizens or slaves that had fallen into the sewers? Or split up and some try to catch a smuggler or two? The dark horse went up to the Captain, looking from the injured horses and back to Nikolas. "Nikolas... Do we stop our search and help them? Or do we split up, hoping to catch at least one? Is it too risky, if I go ahead and try?" He did not want to sound like he was being better - or wanted to be better. But a mission like this, one that seemingly was very important... They could not just let the smugglers go after all of this, could they? Would the injured citizens really need that much help, so that all the chevaliers would be caught up?
... ... Word Count: 266 Post #4 |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Feb 18, 2019 19:48:33 GMT -6
20 AP and 20 CS to everyone from 708 and 710 |
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