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Post by Queerly on Jul 15, 2017 10:34:45 GMT -6
 Hello Starborn, and welcome to Plot 409: Confess
Team Leader: Maude (NPC)
Participants: Illidis, Chimera, Sahkmet, JJ, Verona, Athelstan, Brutus, Bastet
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: Rumors always explode in the wake of tragedy, and Valore is a terribly good rumor mill. Some say that it was a slave who killed the king; others say that it was a ne'er-do-well. As the Chevaliers desperately try to discern fact from fiction, those that were spotted near the palace or simply described by 'eye witnesses' are gathered at the Sol District's Chevalier Station, where they are thrown behind bars and told to wait.
You have been shoved into a dark, cramped cell with an assortment of slaves and escorts. You were not told why you were detained.
For some of you, it's personal - for others, you're an unfortunate victim of mistaken identity. It will all be over soon.
Location:: The prison block of the Sol District's Chevalier station.
Time of Day: Mid-Morning
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Post by Moose-On-Ice on Jul 15, 2017 13:34:01 GMT -6
⋄ ╪ Illidis ╪ ⋄
"In the end what separates a man from a slave? Money? Power? No, a man chooses, and a slave obeys."
-Andrew Ryan, Bioshock
Panic weighed heavily in his chest. Murdered. Amadeus, the king, murdered in his sleep. Illidis stood stiff still in one of the cell corners, sides already growing slick with fearful sweat. He felt sick and like his legs would give out under him. In his mind, he told himself he would be killed. He KNEW he would be killed. Not because he had done anything, no. But because he was there when it was planned. Or so he thought.
'Maybe it was someone else', he told himself, trying to stay positive. 'This is a misunderstanding and they'll let me go home.', he reassured.
The sickness in his stomach did not let up, however. His mind replayed flashbacks to the 'meeting' at Isador's. Where he asked them if they wanted to betray their king. Where to Illidis, a coupe was planned. He'd spoken out, tried to protest. Angered quite a few, and shamed himself for speaking out. But it happened. It happened.
And he was in jail. With this knowledge. He wanted to plead to the Chevaliers, point a hoof at Isador, tell them what happened that day. But what if they didn't believe him? What if they cursed at him and killed him for daring to accuse Isador?
His gaze blank and glossy, locked on the floor in front of him while he stood stiff legged, like a foal just trying to keep up for the first time, Illidis's fears consumed him entirely. He was doomed. He'd be killed. Sold. Condemned. What could he do except stand sweating rivers, leaning against the wall to keep himself up.
His hip slid down the wall, slickened by sweat from the bodies in the cell and panic, and Illidis bolted blindly forward for a few steps, stumbling heavily. His head shot up, taking in the situation in a frightened, wide eyed gaze. He had a brief moment of clarity, only long enough for him to back up the few steps to his corner again and rest his hips against the wall for support before his fears consumed his mind yet again.
Word Count: 348 words; Post 1
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Post by purrsain on Jul 15, 2017 19:09:47 GMT -6
Athelstan
The overwhelming feeling of nausea took over Athelstan’s body, sweat dripped down his face as he processed the events that lead to him being in this crowded cell with the other slaves. He had been running an errand for his master, Rania, which involved going through the Sol District. He was minding his own business, when he saw some chevaliers whispering to each other and looking in his direction. He put his head down and kept walking towards his destination, when two large bodies stopped him, He looked up and it was the chevaliers. “ Umm..c-can I help you with something?" He questioned nervously stuttering. The chevaliers looked at each other and nodded to each other,” You’re gonna have to come with us slave” one of them stated. They walked on either side of him to the Chevalier station, where they put him in a cell with numerous other slaves.
Athelstan looked around the crowded cell to see who he recognized, Immediately he noticed the huge frame of Brutus, JJ, and Illidis, all of whom he recognized from his time as a pit slave. He nervously bit his lip and shifted in place, He was in a tight corner of the cell, and his chest was hurting due to the amount of anxiety he was currently having from being forced in to this tight cell without being told why. He just hoped the situation would be explained soon, and he would be released from this infernal cell.
{Word count: 249 Post: 1} |
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Post by brindletail on Jul 16, 2017 8:17:05 GMT -6
B R U T U S "I am the character you are not supposed to like."- Alan Rickman
Now this was some real bullshit, Brutus thought as yet another waste of oxygen was crammed in with them, his massive hulk already pressed flush against the cool stone walls of the far corner, his height and weight becoming quite the inconvenience. At first he thought his incarceration was for Simeon's leg, but as more bodies were packed in without a word, he realized it was something completely unrelated, and that pissed him off on a new level.
As someone who preferred to be alone, he was thoroughly enjoying trying not to touch or look at any of his cell mates, which was becoming more and more of a challenge as the cell filled, squeezing his eyes shut and keeping his head low. He hadn't been this claustrophobic since his boat trip from Onea when he was first sold into slavery. He took a disgruntled breath and tried to think of something soothing. Instead all he came up with was how dare they treat him like this, SURELY these chevaliers knew of his reputation Someone better remedy the situation soon before he f------ lost it. WC: 185 |
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Post by striaga on Jul 16, 2017 11:06:21 GMT -6
JJ
When the Chevaliers had come for her, JJ had been in a heated argument with another pit slave. Her teeth were even showing at him as the front of her lip curled up. The recently-blessed daughter of Cascade had been planning on getting some honor of her Goddess upon her flesh, but, unfortunately, things changed. The Chevaliers had bodily taken her away, and all JJ had caught was a gruff voice saying-- "That's the one, the one who fights wild. Not as wild as Brutus (who JJ nearly laughed when she saw--what a big bastard), but wild enough where nobody would be surprised if she pulled something similar, once.
JJ shook her head.
It was cramped; the cell crammed of large horses, big, angry horses. Or not so big. Scared. Some of them seemed scared. JJ, however, didn't want to jump to conclusions about anything. Why were they here? Not her place to guess or say, but irritation began to build regardless. She'd done nothing wrong. Did they know about the off-the-record fights? Likely not. Horses so rarely got in the business of slaves...
The draft cross did feel some nerves. But mostly she felt aggression, the more her body heated up in the small space. Cascade, JJ thought, remembering the rain and the blood washing off her coat, Give me strength.
It was then that JJ spotted Illidis, spotted the panic in him, the way he backed into the corner before a moment of clarity took him. She bodily shoved her way towards him and positioned herself in front of him, trying her best to keep from boxing Illidis in. He didn't need that. No. Instead, JJ tried to make clear without speaking that she was keeping him from other things; her head lowered, and she glowered towards the front of the cell. A meat shield, as it were.
Word of Amadeus' death, it seemed, had not reached her. Or perhaps she was not letting herself think of the monsters who would slay the boy-king.
(336, post 1) |
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Post by Baastion on Jul 16, 2017 15:45:12 GMT -6
Fear sent ripples down her spine, cascading adrenaline through her slender body in short, exhausting bursts that failed to slow as time ticked by. Why was she here? She didn't do anything? This was a case of being in a bad place at a bad time, but surely the rumors were false. Was HE really gone? Dead?
Verona' teeth bit into her bottom lip as another shiver wracked her cold body, a chill that refuses to go away despite the brutes alongside her - though, perhaps titans were the better term for those intimidating behemoths. For a moment, she tried to take solace in their presence, surely they'd keep her safe until Cyn could explain this was a big misunderstanding - Verona might have hated being a slave at times but she wasn't stupid.
Gazing across the faces of those she was harbored with, she didn't understand the strange grouping - surely they were looking for a prime suspect right? But this group looked more like a ragtag band never meant to come together. No one fit the puzzle, it was as if they each painted a picture all their own and the Chevaliers were determined to smash those pieces together regardless. This wasn't going to help find the killer but then again... could she blame them? If she were them she might've been spooked as well. After all, it wasn't just some random passerby, this had been their king.
Her internal brooding was interrupted by another addition to the group and she frowned, another wrong piece being forced into a too small cell.
Once more, the mares body shivered, <b>"hope they figure this out soon,"</b> she whispered to none in particular.
Words: 280
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Post by arlybarlywartek on Jul 16, 2017 18:31:09 GMT -6
 Sahkmet hadn't ever dreamed of being swept up into jail. It was an insult really. She was just a high class mare- Clean and did no such illegal activities. Why on earth was she dragged here and thrown into a cell with other brutes? Especially ones that were either fighters or servile slaves. She hissed beneath her breath the more the cell filled up with other horses. It was becoming smaller and more uncomfortable.
The golden mare could only rely on her charms- Hoping that some Chevalier would take to it.
With a flick of her tail, the silken mare stood as close to the bars as she possibly could- Daring not to touch the probably filth riddled metal as she fluttered her lashes, peering from beneath with her vibrant eyes.
Her conversation was smooth at first, innocent questions, a bit of flirting- She was shot down when she asked why she was here. Someone else was to be addressing that situation.
Sahkmet snorted loudly, her teeth bare as her jaw slacked bemused.
"Eugh!"
She groaned as she twisted away from the bars, returning to a small space away from the other horses. Filth. All of them. She groaned as she twisted away from the bars, returning to a small space away from the other horses. Filth. All of them.
Stay away from me.
This shit was ridiculous.
(229)
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Post by Moose-On-Ice on Jul 17, 2017 10:25:43 GMT -6
⋄ ╪ Illidis ╪ ⋄
"In the end what separates a man from a slave? Money? Power? No, a man chooses, and a slave obeys."
-Andrew Ryan, Bioshock
"I d-didn't do it, I-I didn't do it, I-I d-didn't d-do it," Illidis stammered and whispered breathlessly, starting to shake where he stood. Or did he? He had a part in that... Meeting, after all. He might be more involved here then anyone else. Oh gods, oh Ignacio...
The soft words from the other cell members made him twitch, as if he'd not realized they were there. Through the haze of panic, he was dimly aware of someone in front of him. Closing in on him. Why, why, why were they here, how long would they be here. Would Luciano be upset? He was in jail, he had every reason to be. He wouldn't get thrown in jail if he was good.
His mind still whirling with horrible thoughts, he didn't notice his legs begin to fold under him. The impact on the floor caused a startled cry to leave his throat, and he started scrambling to get up. Oh no, oh god, did he fall? Did someone push him down? Was a chevalier trying to hold him down? Everything imagined felt far too real.
He couldn't breathe, it was just too enclosed, too small. Too cramped for him to stand, due to his long legs and size, he was stuck where he fell, still shaking and pawing at the ground with his front legs in futile attempts to stand. "I-I'm sorry, I'm sorry," Illidis babbled, breaths desperate and shaky, tears welling up in his eyes. Some pit slave he was... Terrified out of his mind, practically crying and fumbling like a newborn foal. Luciano had every right to get rid of him after this.
Word Count: 281 words; Post 2
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Post by striaga on Jul 17, 2017 14:46:56 GMT -6
JJ
Now that she had time to settle in, the realization that someone very likely had deliberately murdered a child sent JJ's insides twisting. There were few things she respected, but one of them was the sanctity of a young life. Even though her childhood had been full of bloody fights with other youngsters, so as to train her properly...none of them had tried to kill her. Amadeus had been a fool who could not stomach even the sight of the pits--she'd seen the way his head turned. But he was a child.
The mare inhaled shakily. She too was nervous. Cascade, JJ thought again, focusing in on the one thing in her entire life that had been rewarded; her faith. Her belief. Cascade had come to her.
She did not expect the Goddess to do the same now, but instead sent up her prayer, and turned her head to face Illidis, but not before glancing slightly derisively at Athelstan. He was different. He'd been like her, a pit slave. Now he softened. Illidis, JJ would comfort because he deserved it, because he needed it. JJ was not a good comforter. She felt awkward when she wasn't in the pit. When she wasn't screaming and roaring and slashing through blood...
But she could manage it.
First, though, JJ spoke to Sahkmet, who she gave a smirk towards: "In here like the fuckin' rest of us. Shut up. Gods, you're no better than any of us right now, you know that?" Then she turned her attention to Illidis. "Hey." She swallowed. Her hooves shifted. Her voice lowered. "You didn't do it, neither did I, hey-"
What was she supposed to do? "Look, look, hey. I remember--you didn't even wanna try for freedom back in the fuckin' day, heh...so...they won't think you did a damn thing, prob'ly. Shit." She didn't know. "I didn't do it either. Who the fuck would kill a child?"
Her teeth clenched.
Someone did, obviously.
(331, post 2) |
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Post by purrsain on Jul 19, 2017 19:00:33 GMT -6
Athelstan
Athelstan froze when he heard the words that came out of JJ’s mouth. Some one murdered a child?! He thought to himself. Who would be so cruel as to murder a child for gods sake. Is that why they were all in this cramped cell, because someone was killed? His heart sped up even faster as he continued to go deeper into thought. He was innocent, why was he here? He may have been a pit fighter previously but he hadn’t ever killed anyone.
The stallion bit his lip, and immediately tasted blood, which caused him to come out of thought. He shifted in his corner, He lifted his head up and looked in JJ’s direction” W-who was m-murdered?” He Stuttered nervously. “I-Is that why we are here, because they think one of us did it?” He asked. His breathing increased as he attempted to get more air into his lungs. He looked to the floor, attempting to focus on one thing to control his breathing. He shook his head “I-I had nothing to do with this, I shouldn’t be here” He mumbled to himself. The tall stallion attempted to move his body into a smaller position but he couldn't due to the limited amount of space between the large body next to him and the corner behind him. He prayed to the gods that the chevaliers would realize he wasn't involved and let him leave this horrid cell.
{Word count: 243 Post:2} |
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Post by brindletail on Jul 19, 2017 19:28:32 GMT -6
B R U T U S
"I am the character you are not supposed to like."- Alan Rickman
...
No one knew how to just be silent anymore. Brutus was beginning to realize it truly was a gift to know how to keep your mouth shut. He had almost blocked out the pathetic whimpering of the one pit slave he recognized but could not recall, and the mare's fruitless attempts at swaying the guards to her favor. Clearly a whore. He shouldn't be surprised. Poor thing. He smirked to himself. Better hope they didn't rub off too much on her fragility.
God it was pitiful to listen to the fighter crumble to the ground, unraveling before them. Brutus pondered if such a weak personality was capable of a crime. He was about ready to tell the biggun' that maybe she should be the one to shut the hell up, but his massive head jerked up suddenly at her last comment, his beady eyes dialing into focus.
"Killing a child?" The bass in his voice reverberated against the stone. "What has happened?" Clearly his inmates knew more than he. Ice shot down his spine like lightning. This wasn't just ordinary detainment. Something was very very wrong.
... Word Count: 186 |
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Post by striaga on Jul 20, 2017 10:48:54 GMT -6
JJ
Things were unraveling. Or perhaps they were all meshing together? JJ wasn't quite certain. Illidis was convinced of something, behind her, cowering, sliding to the floor; typically JJ would have found it pathetic, true. But here, in the cell, surrounded, thought a suspect...there was something vaguely resembling comfort to be done. And she would do her best to do it. JJ remembered Brutus from the Crucible's attack. But what had he wanted to do? Maybe he'd been like her. Wanted freedom, but only afterwards.
Athelstan. She remembered him too.
...and he didn't know.
JJ didn't necessarily want to tell him, but Athelstan, the ex-fighter, he looked at her, and he stuttered, and Brutus even looked at her. There was something to be communicated here. JJ gritted her teeth, then raised her head a bit, so as to look at both of them at once, as best she could.
"Someone killed the King. I heard the bells. He's fucking dead." A little twitch of an ear. "And we're all locked up." There was probably a dark joke in there somewhere. But JJ couldn't tell it. "So, you know--I'm willin' to bet they think we did it. One of us." Her typically raucous, jovial tone was dark and quiet. Somber, almost.
Not so much because she mourned the king. No, JJ did mourn him in a strange way--"A kid, he was a kid. A child." JJ said it again. Wasn't sure if that mattered more to her than the King's death. The brutish woman had no chance of understanding political machinations, but something about this set her wrong, made her feel tense and uneasy. "But that's it. That's the kid. The King. King Amadeus." Maybe it would have been better to say nothing. JJ wasn't sure. But she had to say something, right?
Her news delivered, the mare lowered her head a bit and glared to the side. Because, see, she'd been the one to deliver the news, but she was in the cell too, with the rest of them.
(338, post 3) |
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Post by Baastion on Jul 21, 2017 8:55:30 GMT -6
She wanted to keep silent, she wanted to close her eyes and wake up in the real world where the Aodh king wasn't dead and this was all just a bad dream of mistaken identity. She was as innocent as snow, the only blemish being her faint desire to run free to her hearts content, but that was no reason for murder. She didn't have a cruel bone in her body, not for something like this... after all, who would kill a child? Apparently, her thoughts were echoed by the larger equines, the sound of it so much harsher than what her mind had imagined and she visually cringed every time they used that word... dead... Verona felt haunted and terrified all at once, despair rolling in the pit of her gut, surely a demon sucking away at her terror and clapping his claws together like a gleeful child. Yet, she couldn't break the cycle, couldn't focus her thoughts to maintain coherency. They bounded between words such as, guilty, innocent, dead, death, killer, free... oh freedom, how she wished for you. The copper woman, despite the circumstances, appeared glorious beside the others around her and her attitude gave Verona some mild form of hope that seemed to quell her frightened spirit. If someone could be so opinionated and... well.. like her, perhaps there was hope. Perhaps the guards would all come down soon and tell them they'd found the true killer and would apologize for all this. <p> <b>"None of us did it..."</b> she assumed, quietly. <b>"We'd be acting very different if we had, right? We're all worried and scared,"</b> she looked to Illdis in particular, <b>"but we will be fine. I'm sure they'll realize their mistake soon."</b> It was the best she could offer, given the circumstances, but at least she tried, right? Post: 2 |
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Post by brandvandet on Jul 21, 2017 19:48:18 GMT -6
I'm waiting for the call, the hand on the chest
I'm ready for the fight, and fate
A bustle echoed down the corridor as spines straightened into ramrods and pikes and helmets went vertical. The wave of awareness rippled down through the cells as every Chevalier was suddenly all too conscious of every stray hair and dull piece of armor. It had been a hectic morning and there was no way for them to know she had been pulling the hours with the rest of them. She recognized the same weariness in their eyes that she dragged along with every outwardly confident step. The worst had happened this morning. The sun had come up in Aodh to light a tragedy, no less for the extreme youth of the corpse. Their king had fallen, but kings had fallen before. Aodh marched onward. She made damn sure of that. Chevaliers didn't get the luxury of mourning. While the city cried, they continued. They searched and they gathered and they burned with Ignacio's holy fire any hope the murderer had of fading into hiding. They were ruthless and they would have results. They'd buried too many monarchs. Maude marched onward. She pivoted in front of the cage, a move so precise it bordered on graceful despite her imposing size. “Well,” she said, the sentence resounding as if she'd banged on the bars of the cell. Her lip curled as she surveyed the group of them. She left it as silence for a moment to allow her presence to speak for itself. It was certainly not a common sight to see the Commander of the Chevaliers down among the common cells. Maude - Aodh - Chevalier Commander
w | three hundred and sixty - p | one |
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Post by arlybarlywartek on Jul 23, 2017 6:28:09 GMT -6
Sahkmet pinned her ears, glaring at JJ who had decided to speak up and direct her words at her own good self. She stared at her, her eyes were fierce and bright.
Oh no she didn't...
"I could laugh at how childish you sound right now. Rambling like a lost filly filled with remorse. You must have done something, hm?" Sahkmet's brow raised with a small tilt of her head, she was biting her lip in a crooked grin. She turned her back to JJ and the blubbering mess that was Illidis.
With a heavy sigh, Sahkmet watched things play out around her. The murder of a child didn't...Quite phase her. Regardless of whether it was their king or not, she'd seen children suffer a fate worse than death itself. Life. Abuse. She scrunched up her face, her sister came to mind. Of course...
Pah.
Drawn from her loathing thoughts, Sahkmet's head snapped up at the sight of a Chevalier...Commander? She chewed the inside of her cheek, her own delicate appearance trying to match up to the hard, gracefulness of Maude's.
"Well,"
Well? What was that supposed to mean. She rolled her shoulders back and looked to the other horses, she had no doubt JJ would be the one to speak up and probably cause trouble for them all....
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Post by striaga on Jul 23, 2017 10:46:09 GMT -6
JJ
The bustling definitely attracted JJ's attention. Her head swung slightly, away from Brutus and Athelstan, to the door of the cell. Though the burly chimera didn't step away from Illidis (she deemed his protection too important), she did take a moment to direct her gaze to Sahkmet again. There was a chuckle in her throat. "Yeah, you're eager as hell to toss that on others, huh." JJ's eyes narrowed. "Maybe you did something. But you know what? I don't give a shit. You know why? Because every one of us, we're allllll in here together, lady. And as far as I am fuckin' concerned, it's gonna be worth it to keep from fightin' and all that shit, now that I think about it." The thought that this...uppity prick even thought JJ had anything to do with killing a child, for Cascade's sake did, admittedly rankle JJ. But she wasn't going to think on it.
Thankfully, JJ finished her little speech before Maude even got there. The pit slave squinted at the Chevalier commander, and when Maude just pivoted and sneered a well at them, JJ puffed up a bit and offered one right back.
"Well?" Sure. JJ figured it was putting a target on her bulky back, but it wasn't like she particularly cared right now. She was afraid, but that was so deep down that JJ could ignore it (or so she told herself). Maybe Maude expected them all to tremble like foals before her might. But that wouldn't happen, not with JJ. Not with others, the mare was willing to bet. If Maude thought they were all gonna be alright with this she had another thing coming, didn't she.For once, she managed to hold her tongue, though. It would do no good to express her fury right now. No good at all...
(304, post 4) |
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Post by brindletail on Jul 24, 2017 10:30:57 GMT -6
B R U T U S
"I am the character you are not supposed to like."- Alan Rickman
...
Someone killed the king.
"Shit. Fuck. Shit fuck." Brutus grunted, his ice cold spine pulsing sub zero blood through his veins. Did he have something to do with it? Of course not, did things like that matter when you were a slave? No. Did he mourn the boy king? He didn't think he was capable, but still a tinge of remorse clawed at his heart at the idea of something so innocent and weak as Amadeus, horrifically slain. The rest of the chatter became a low hum compared to the blood pressure roaring in his ears. He wasn't afraid of death, but he sure as hell hadn't planned to die like this. Despite feeling like his extremities had frozen, sweat broke out behind his ears.
As if the situation couldn't become even more tense, he could feel Maude's presence before she arrived in front of them. Well now they were definitely screwed. She demanded respect whether he wanted to give it or not, and he felt his weight shifting uncomfortably of its own accord. He felt like asking "Well what." But he much preferred to remain indignantly silent and let the others do the talking.
... Word Count: 186 |
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Post by brandvandet on Jul 25, 2017 21:31:10 GMT -6
I'm waiting for the call, the hand on the chest
I'm ready for the fight, and fate
The woman glared down her nose at the rabble that congregated in the cell. From pit fighters to serviles to courtesans, it was hardly a who's who of Aodhian society. She could see her presence made an impression, from revilement and seemingly bitten back remarks that she quickly noted to quiet aversion that she marked as well. Body language did not lend itself as easily to lies as words did. Her Blessing spread throughout the cage—force fields inserting themselves and trying to readjust the groupings they'd assembled themselves in. Comfort was her enemy here. She needed them off kilter. Even a healthy annoyance could start them talking. They might look like a random bunch but she trusted her Chevaliers implicitly. Every single body in the cage had a reason for being here. Some of the reasons might be pure happenstance but that would all come out in the wash. “You,” she said, pinning down an unfortunate under a gaze that seemed just a mite bit heated. “This morning. Where were you?” Her tone didn't seem to leave room for argument on her chosen topic. Maude - Aodh - Chevalier Commander
w | one hundred eighty five - p | two |
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Post by Moose-On-Ice on Jul 25, 2017 21:44:57 GMT -6
⋄ ╪ Illidis ╪ ⋄
"In the end what separates a man from a slave? Money? Power? No, a man chooses, and a slave obeys."
-Andrew Ryan, Bioshock
Illidis' ears twitched at the voices around him, still shaking in his corner. He didn't do it personally... He had no part of this... He just wanted to go home... Hyperventilating some, he was jolted back to awareness by the equines being shoved and forced about by... something.
He tried to scramble up again, almost falling flat on his face. Managing to get himself into a sitting position, he fearfully looked about the cell with glassy eyes. What was- Who- His gaze landed on someone outside of the bars. Oh gods. Oh Ignacio, chevalier. Important Chevalier. He balked at her gaze boring into him, sharp words barked with a commanding tone.
Letting out a light squeak he babbled nonsense for a few moments, finally managing to utter out, "G-Gilded B-Bridge..." He whispered shakily, practically melting into a puddle of nerves and terror. H-He'd just been out, looking for maybe a new climbing branch for his python familiar, Athos, with his small coins he gained over the years. Just-Just not doing anything bad!
He nearly let out the information about Isador right then and there under her gaze. "I-I swear..." He added, breathing still erratic. P-Please look anywhere else. Don't look at him. Please. A few more seconds and he would break, letting everything he knew out. He bit his tongue, terrified of what would happen if he did... What would happen if he didn't...
Word Count: 234 words; Post 3
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Post by purrsain on Jul 26, 2017 16:03:58 GMT -6
Athelstan
Athelstan lost himself thinking about what would happen to them, he was pulled out of his trance when JJ said something to Sahkmet, he believed her name was. He didn’t listen to their words but it sounded hostile. He attempted to keep his breathing calmed so he wouldn’t pass out due to his crippling anxiety issues. The grey stallion kept his head down in his corner of the cell, and stayed quiet so he wouldn’t draw attention to himself.
Athelstans head shot up when he heard the heavy hoofsteps of a chevalier echoing down the hallway and coming to a stop in front of their cell. His eyes widened when he saw the large form of Maude at the cell bars, “Well” was all she had said. His eyebrows furrowed and he bit his lip nervously, what did she mean well? Did she know who did it? If she did why was he in here still. Many more thoughts passed through his mind.
The intimidating Commander trapped Illidis under her harsh glare, “This morning. Where were you?” she questioned the quivering stallion harshly. Athelstan’s body shook with nervousness as Illidus answered her. What if she asked him next, He hasn’t done anything this morning aside from run errands for his master Rania, and that didn’t take him anywhere near the king. He was still confused as to what he was doing here. Hopefully he would find out what he had to do with this soon.
{Word count: 251 Post: 3}
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Post by brandvandet on Jul 28, 2017 11:26:39 GMT -6
I'm waiting for the call, the hand on the chest
I'm ready for the fight, and fate
The sniveling and cowering going on in front of her presented her with several questions. Some serviles were just like that. Primped and pampered, they practically shit themselves when anyone looked at them wrong and were so ready to beg for treats it almost made her queasy. A more jaded Aodhian would swear the traders beat it out of them but Maude was pretty certain it was bred in. She knew the look of lash marks and many of the most neurotic serviles were kept as polished as fine china. Practically pets instead of honest slaves doing work. Of course, it could also be an act. Sniveling made many people discount you—an action Maude was not in the habit of doing. Just because someone was crying in the cell didn't mean they weren't capable of heinous things the night...or morning prior. “Names,” she demanded with a hoof clicking on the stone floor for punctuation. It was a demand if they'd ever heard on. “It's a crowded place. Surely someone can say they saw you there.” She swept the cell with a hard look. The rest of the congregation could be just as guilty. Silence was just as much of a trick as sniveling. “You too,” she barked at Athelstan. “Location and people who better be able to corroborate.” Maude - Aodh - Chevalier Commander
w | two hundred nineteen - p | three |
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Post by striaga on Jul 28, 2017 11:33:37 GMT -6
JJ
So she did think they'd done it.
JJ came to the conclusion fairly quickly once the Chevalier Commander talked about corroboration. JJ shifted her weight slightly, gritted her teeth--the shields had forced her from Illidis, who she had been trying to protect. There was a thought, then. Soft. Dangerous. JJ turned her thoughts to Cascade for a moment, and then spoke up, in order, primarily, to disrupt Maude's interrogation. It seemed like Illidis and Athelstan were both very nervous, and regardless of everything else, JJ didn't want to see a slave horse put to death for being too nervous.
The king was dead, here was Maude, and she was asking about all this shit, so that meant, what, was she looking? JJ grunted. "I was engaging in a trainin' fight. My Master, Andalo, he can corroborate that." JJ turned a bit, and thrust her shoulder forward, the branded shoulder. "And here's this." Around JJ's hooves, a faint dew began to gather. It hung from her mane. Cascade's blessing.
Water manipulation.
JJ tossed her head a bit. "She doesn't have a brand. Rest of us, we've probably got masters, but not--" JJ twisted her head towards Sahkmet. She was sticking out her neck.
But, honestly, as far as JJ was concerned, the non-slave Aodhians could rot. The dew hanging on her coat shifted.
(222, post 5)[/div]
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Post by brindletail on Jul 28, 2017 14:57:57 GMT -6
B R U T U S
"I am the character you are not supposed to like."- Alan Rickman
...
Force fields had to be his least favorite blessing, had he to choose. The wall of energy pressed him even more into the corner, which made him all the more pleasant to deal with.
"Isn't it your job to know who it is you lock in your cells, Commander." Brutus volunteered in place of his name. He had been a slave a long while and he was not ignorant to her status or her face, Guinevere was big on trotting him out in public. Paying attention to those seated in power was something he calculated silently on those particular outings.
The truth was, Brutus was also training that morning, away from Gwen and with a partner he didn't know the name of because he barely cared to learn any of the other slaves' names. But he'd be able to point him out in a crowd, and it wasn't like Brutus was unnoticeable. Frankly he was curious if the killer WAS in this very cell with them, if so, Brutus felt that justice could be delivered himself, however knowing Aodh politics it was probably an emissary or outsider but the lowly slave would play the scapegoat yet again. It was an overplayed trope in his opinion.
... Word Count: 205 |
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Post by Moose-On-Ice on Jul 31, 2017 13:27:43 GMT -6
⋄ ╪ Illidis ╪ ⋄
"In the end what separates a man from a slave? Money? Power? No, a man chooses, and a slave obeys."
-Andrew Ryan, Bioshock
Illidis jumped at the hoof click, staring at her blankly. H-He didn't... He didn't know anyone's names who might have seen him. Oh no... Oh no, oh no, if he couldn't say, was he more of a suspect now?! W-Was he going to be killed or imprisoned? Shaking, stuttering, Illidis stared at the stones beneath him.
He couldn't be imprisoned. H-He couldn't. He didn't do it, he didn't do any of it. He was just... There. For that one thing. Biting his tongue, he tossed the thought of spitting out Isador's name back and forth, back and forth. Should he? Should he not? Would he get in more trouble for doing so?
The barked command at another member in the cell caused him to jolt, scrambling up again while nearly sobbing "Isador." He took a deep breath, tears welling up. "Isador. H-He... He called... He had me and my master, Lord Luciano, come to his place... T-There was... A meeting... Some time ago..." He couldn't stop now, if he did, he might be punished worse... "T-The equines there were... Varied... Pit slaves like me, serviles too... Chevaliers, Nobles...." He kept his gaze firmly on his hooves.
"...I-Isador came... wanting to talk about the future of Aodh..." He squeezed his eyes shut, "he said ""We must make Aodh strong again, and we can't be strong if we're led by a child. We must do what is right for our nation. We need a new king."" He took a deep breath. "I-I thought he wanted to kill the king... I still don't know if he meant it or not... He tried saying that he wanted to petition for the King's peaceful leave... I-I still don't know if h-he... Just s-said that..." Illidis was terrified. He didn't know if that was the right choice or not. He could get in severe trouble, or it could get him released... "I tried to oppose him, I wasn't with him when he asked me too. I-I would never want the king to be killed, I tried saying that to him!" He added quickly, growing more desperate and fearful by the second.
Word Count: 355 words; Post 4
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Post by Baastion on Aug 1, 2017 8:31:20 GMT -6
She wasn't worth anyone's time... even her cell mates barely paid her any mind - if any at all. She was the wallflower no one cared for, the one others didn't noticed for one reason or another. Sure, when she played the role of an escort she was a bit more lively, less timid... but this was something else. There was true fear in her gut, a fear of the unknown - what was going to happen to them? To her?
The heavy stride of a brutish female made Verona watch with wary eyes... her spine shivering at sound of that single syllable... how was something so simple suddenly so terrifying? Then again, when uttered from a creature that commanded beauty and ferocity with her stride alone, one had their answer. Then, words... oh, so many words coming and going to the point that the woman could no longer keep track of what was happening.
That is... until the beast turned her eyes upon her and demanded names. Her voice felt lost, as if refusing to be pulled forth as it, too, hid away. Nevertheless, the woman eventually manages to squeak out, "Ver-Verona... I wasn't doing anything, I swear. I was walking by the palace for my morning routine." That and daydreaming about how wonderful it might be to live in a castle but after today, that dream had been shot down and burned to a blackened crisp. "I am innocent, this is all a big misunderstanding. I'm sure my mistress can vouch for my whereabouts and..." she cut herself off realizing the jittery sound of her voice. Only time would tell if they accepted her story.
@maude
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Post by purrsain on Aug 2, 2017 13:12:36 GMT -6
Athelstan
The tall stallion shifted nervously in his spot in one of the corners of the cell, the feeling of Maude’s force fields pressing against him, making him feel immensely claustrophobic. His anxiety levels were still through the roof once again, he wouldn’t be surprised if he had nightmares about this entire day for the next month or more. He listened quietly as Illidus stuttered out where he had been and who was there, And then Illidus started rambling on about something Athelstan couldn’t quite here. And then one by one the others told The Intimidating figure outside the cell where they had been and who could confirm their stories. Then it was his turn….
Athelstan cleared his throat nervously” M-my name is Athelstan and I-I was with my master, Rania Maxima, this morning, She sent me on an errand to deliver merchandise to a client in the Sol District. Ask her, she can confirm this.” He stuttered out nervously. He hoped to the gods he would be able to get out of here soon. He bit his lip and shook his head gently as if trying to shake way some of his nervousness, but it didn’t work. His entire body still trembled with nervousness, and he was drenched with sweat, He just closed his eyes and put his head down until he was addressed again.
{Word count: 230|Post: 4}
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Post by arlybarlywartek on Aug 2, 2017 14:21:55 GMT -6
Sahkmet snapped her head round at JJ, staring at the mare who dared to even suggest that Sahkmet was up to anything suspicious.
She pursed her lips, lifting her head high and clenching her jaw.
"Oh please, just because you dance around in a pit doesn't excuse you from a murder investigation. Do I really look like the sort to lift a hoof and get messy with blood?" Sahkmet rolled her eyes, listening to all the other horses' stories only made her cringe. They were so...Pathetic. Brutus was probably the only one who seemed to be showing any spunk- Don't even get her started on JJ.
Sahkmet sighed heavily, raising a brow.
"Where I was this morning should be none of your business, even if the King has been murdered."
She lifted a hoof, articulating her words.
"I have an alibi. I have someone who can confirm my location, I just prefer not to speak around other horses dare they think they could perhaps jump on my ass outside of this cell." Sahkmet eyed JJ.
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Post by brandvandet on Aug 4, 2017 23:24:41 GMT -6
I'm waiting for the call, the hand on the chest
I'm ready for the fight, and fate
Her eyes narrowed as various forms of cellbound stupidity broke out. One slave insisted that not having a brand made you more suspect as a master wasn't about to tell her every little thing you did. In Maude's private opinion, it was goddamn amazing how little most masters actually knew about what their slaves did or where they went. This investigation wasn't interested in the set itinerary but in the deviations. Fat lot of good it did to know that the high and mighty had sent one of these idiots to a place without them being able to say for sure they had been there. Maude had heard “my slave would never” enough times that she was heartily sick of it. Often times it was hardly “never” and most times it bordered on straight up “always.” The damn things weren't toys, despite some of their inability to stop whining. Brutus managed to top JJ in stupidity and she rounded on him. “We know your names, occupations and addresses, never fear, citizen,” she bit off the last word with perhaps more sarcasm than was needed but she was beginning to think this was a vast waste of her time and resources. “Also your reputation.” With Brutus, that was probably nearly the whole reason he found himself in this cell. You don't pull off a leg in front of half of Aodh without attracting a few questions. She was about to delegate this batch to a Chevalier when another one started sobbing. With the tears though came spilling actually useful information. The coward spun some bullshit about an advisor inviting him to be part of a coup but it was the latter half—the kernel of truth—that held her attention. Fire billowed against the bars from her breath as she steamed at him. Force fields slammed with righteous fury towards Illidis, seeking to shove him up against the back of the cell. “So, we have a snake in the pen after all,” she snarled. “I should kill you right now for conspiring against your king.” Another billow of fire dissipated against the bars. “Out with it. What was your part today? Did you wield the knife or just stand by as a child was killed.” Fucking coward, she could smell it on him. Regicide and a child killing in one. On top of that he had the nerve to lie to her face. “Don't think you'll worm out of this by thinking I'll chase after that false lead either. Trying to throw me off with Isador. Want to try again with the truth this time?”Her voice had risen to a roar and other chevaliers had started to throng behind her. Still trying to press Illidis to the back wall, she glared around at his compatriots in suspicion. Were any of them co-conspirators? She grunted at Verona's story. “Anyone see you that can vouch?” She nodded sharply at a chevalier who stepped forward. “Rania Maxima, go ask her what she was doing this morning. Be back with an answer, sharp.” The young man ran off, armor clattering as she met Athelstan's eyes. Then the one JJ had originally pissed her off about piped up. “Sakhmet, what you do is sex. Isn't anything that's hushhush about it unless that's not what you were doing this morning. And if you want to get back to it, you'll spit out what you were doing as it sure as fuck is my business today.” She had run out of her patience a long time ago. Maude - Aodh - Chevalier Commander
w | five hundred eighty eight - p | four [/b][/div] |
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Post by Moose-On-Ice on Aug 5, 2017 8:23:28 GMT -6
⋄ ╪ Illidis ╪ ⋄
"In the end what separates a man from a slave? Money? Power? No, a man chooses, and a slave obeys."
-Andrew Ryan, Bioshock
Illidis shrieked at the sudden, intense forces pressing him against the wall, cowering. Oh gods, oh gods, h-he'd made the wrong choice, he s-shouldn't have- Shaking and flinching at every word out of her mouth. H-He... "I-I'm telling the truth!" He pleaded. "I-I tried to oppose things! I-I said we couldn't do it! I-I would never, n-never want to kill a child, m-much less the king! I-I was just e-escorting my master- a-and I shouldn't have s-spoken up, b-but I did, I couldn't s-stand by and let them d-discuss this a-and put it into action, I-I should have spoken up sooner, I'm sorry, I'm sorry," he babbled. "T-The others t-there h-hated me for i-it, I-I lost f-f-friends... I-I can name them! I-I k-knew some of them!" He continued, desperate to do practically anything to get out of this. Practically anything to please his captor.
Flashbacks to Sagan, to how desperate he had been to please him, drifted through his mind. No, no, no, no.... Sobbing lightly, Illidis felt like his death was rapidly approaching him. She wouldn't believe him. If he told her to go to Luciano, then Luciano may throw him to the hounds. Or Luciano was arrested. Putting both him and Algren back on the market. Oh gods, why, h-he'd made a mistake, he'd made a huge mistake. He could always beg, saying he had been lying, because he was desperate for them all to get released, but that could make things worse. Why, why, why...
Squeezing his eyes shut, he sobbed quietly, practically resigning him to the noose. Or to the flames. Like his father. And here he was, sobbing, pinned against the wall. Pathetic... How could he be a pit fighter... He was worthless. Not like Brutus. Or anyone else. Would anyone even miss him if he was killed? Maybe he would be, even if he wasn't part of this, just to give the Aodhian people someone to turn their anger to... Oh gods...
Word Count: 328 words; Post 5
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Post by striaga on Aug 6, 2017 10:32:59 GMT -6
]JJ
[
JJ gave Sahkmet a withering stare. By Cascade, she couldn't stand these citizens. And yet, the memory that had her mother decided to be decent she would be among them--JJ bristled slightly and shook her head. "I wouldn't jump you. You wouldn't be worth it."
But then Illidis began to rant and moan and JJ felt her legs lock up--wait. WAIT! Her head swung towards him and she swallowed hard, the motion swinging dew off her body. Before JJ could say anything in his favor however, Maude slammed him back. JJ reared and went to close the distance with him if she could, trying to stand protectively before him.
Something in the pit fighter broke. "STOP IT!" She screamed at the Commander, her voice deep and strong. "BY THE GODS! Did it never occur to you that your precious civilians could be snakes too! Fuck! Lookit him! He's so gods-damn scared you think he coulda done anything! When the crucible was attacked--yeah, you remember that?! I was there! So was he!" Her sides rose and fell.
"And you know what he said? 'freedom is bad. We have to stay.' I don't fuckin think you could make this guy do ANYTHING against ANYONE if it wasn't in the pit! Not like it matters, cos we're SLAVES, most of us!" Dew spattered to the floor.
The mare gritted her teeth and felt no fear.
()[/div]
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