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Post by songsofinfinity on Dec 31, 2017 18:16:21 GMT -6
- The Underground -
Characters Mas, Ithran
Location A pier at the end of a small market
Time of Day Night, about three hours after sunset
Weather Overcast skies and a slight breeze coming off the sea |
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Post by songsofinfinity on Dec 31, 2017 19:16:34 GMT -6
__________________________
"A wise man fears three things: the sea at storm, a night with no moon, and the anger of a gentle man."
__________________________________I T H R A N
Vagabond | VindicatorIthran waited quietly at the end of the pier, looking out over the sea. He'd been standing here for hours now as the crowds at the market had slowly thinned out, had grown again as couples and friends came to watch the sunset, and finally dwindled away to nothing, as the pier didn't have much in the way of entertainment or food. There were still a few late-comers, what with this being Valore and all, but they were mostly at the upper end of the pier. There would be plenty of room for a clandestine meeting between smugglers. Assuming the kid showed up at the time Ithran had given him. Or, well, not Ithran. Here he was going by the name of Maera. Maera was a riddle wrapped in an enigma wrapped in a pretty silk scarf and a fancy hairdo who was much smarter than she looked on the surface.
The disguise was quite thorough. He'd dyed his mane and tail so they were both solid cream, and had hidden his brindle and white stripes with more dye. He'd even taken a hair growth potion so his mane would be long enough for the elaborate styles Maera preferred. It was incredibly strange to have long hair. He didn't know how Eshana did it, and her hair was shorter than his by nearly a food. The weight of it, and its tendency to get caught in things as he walked by, were completely unfamiliar and just a little bit uncomfortable. Still, it was important. Maera knew much more about the Valorean underground, and Ithran was a very, very wanted fugitive. If he'd dared enter the city looking as he normally did he'd have been caught in a matter of hours. As Maera, he could get in and out safely. No one would suspect a simple trader, even one as tall as she was. He didn't need illusions like Eshana did to have a perfect disguise. All he needed was a costume, a character, and a part to play.
The lapping of the waves against the pier pulled him out of his thoughts and he glanced around again. It was a little disconcerting standing suspended above water without a solid connection to the earth. He wasn't sure he liked it, even though it was a beautiful spot, lit by glowing light from the streetlamps and the moonlight reflecting off the sea. Most of this city was beautiful, really, even if you knew what was happening behind the scenes. This place could be so wonderful, and yet the horses who lived here supported a system that exploited and killed thousands of horses to maintain a lifestyle more lavish than any horse could possibly need.
Even smugglers struggled to leave behind the values of Aodh society. He'd heard about this one, a teeanger who worked in a library of all things, through another smuggler. He was a hippocampus and apparently would be pretty easy to spot once he actually showed up. Ithran had sent him a message three days ago, asking the boy to meet him at this pier three hours after sunset to discuss certain alliances. Ithran planned to reveal himself as a Vindicator. He'd sent several prayers to Kaia that this boy wouldn't be one of the smugglers with a deep hatred for Vindicators. He'd implied involvement with the Vindicators in the note, but the boy might not pick up on them. He pulled out a copy of the note (he'd smudged the ink and signed it Ithran, not Maera the first time he wrote it) and scanned it.
"Dear Masike Aberforth, I am writing you with a proposition. I have heard something of your side business, and I believe I and my associates may be of some use to you. I know how difficult it can be to get certain goods out of the city, and would like to meet to discuss a mutually beneficial arrangement. If you are interested, meet me at the end of the King's Pier at ten pm. Sincerely, Maera Solator."
Okay, maybe it was a little abrupt. And unclear. Well, they could work out the details - and clear up any confusion - if and when the boy showed up. Ithran tossed his head, then winced as several of the braids shifted from their careful placement. Well, the wind off the sea had already made a mess of it anyway. He sighed and glanced up the pier to the few horses out and about. Hopfeully he wouldn't have to wait much longer. Post Count: 1 | Word Count: 792
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 31, 2017 22:32:54 GMT -6
The note had startled Mas, to say the least. Reading it over, not only did the stranger know his full name, but the fact that he was a smuggler as well. This left Mas going over everything he had done since becoming a smuggler in his mind almost in a paranoid fashion. Did he tip someone off? Did he say something wrong? Perhaps this was a chevalier wanting to take him him in but not draw attention? It took the young stallion quite the long time to decide to meet this Maera, but his curiosity was getting the best of him. He had determined he was not going to tell Bastian of the note, in case Mas did get into trouble. He didnt want to drag his mentor into the damage he might most likely cause.
He pulled a shawl over his ears and a coat over his back as he slipped out of the library, the shadows long from the sinking sun. Bastian had always told him to cover up, as his coat made him stick out like a sore hoof- whatever that meant. Mas thought he was a stunning creature and needed to be seen wherever he went, but that was the opposite of the ways of a smuggler. So instead, he reluctantly did as his mentor told, and went out in the color of the shadows.
He was careful to make his steps quiet as he made his way toward the pier, keeping out of sight and his eyes to the ground to avoid eye contact. It was awfully hard, considering Mas was one to talk to anyone who just happened to pass him by. He had to constantly remind himself that he was a smuggler now. He had to play by the book. He had to blend in.
Taking to an alley way, the young stallion dipped out of sight and took on a trot toward the water. He shed his disguise, letting it fall to the puddles of the sloppy cobblestone. His parent would buy him a new coat; he didnt need to bother about loosing that one.
He could smell the salty scent of the sea in his nostrils as he went, his curved ears flicking forward as he got closer. By now, the sun had already set, and had been down for a while. The moon shimmered over the sea water, gistening in the waves as they lapped at the rock. Ears turned back and forth as Mas's orange gaze followed the docks until his gaze landed on one particular creature who seemed to be just out of sight enough.
Holding his head high, Mas tried his best to keep himself professional despite the mix of excitement and nerves bundling in the pit of his stomach. Slowly, he approached, careful not to scare the figure. He admired her long, pinned up hair and beautiful silk scarf before clearing his throat.
"Miss Solator?" He spoke, nerves slipping into his tone, but he quickly regained his composure. "You addressed me as Masike Abberforth, but you may call me Mas." A small, lopsided smile found his lips as he stopped in his tracks in a respectable distance. His full name felt strange on his tongue; it was only used when his mother was upset with him.
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Post by songsofinfinity on Dec 31, 2017 23:53:22 GMT -6
__________________________
"A wise man fears three things: the sea at storm, a night with no moon, and the anger of a gentle man."
__________________________________I T H R A N
Vagabond | VindicatorIthran watched as a figure approached. He'd known the smuggler was young, but had never seen him. He was shocked when he saw just how young the boy was. He couldn't be more than eighteen or nineteen at the most. Not that Ithran had been much older when he'd joined the Vindicators. He admired the young ones who joined the cause, and appreciated the chance to work with them. It was invigorating, and he often learned more from them than from older horses more set in their ways. As a bonus, younger ones were easier to fool with disguises.
Masike wore a coat and shawl against the night air and hopefully as a disguise. As he stopped in front of Ithran he greeted him, his voice and body language nervous. Ithran could sympathize. Clandestine meetings were terrifying the first few times, and definitely didn't get much easier with time. Ithran himself was on edge, though the risk he ran tonight wasn't that terrible compared to things he'd done in the past.
He took a deep breath. The kid asked to be called Mas, which was honestly a much better name than Masike in Ithran's opinion. Masike was just so... Aodh. It sounded like old money and fancy parties. Mas was plain and straightforward. You could have a good conversation with a guy named Mas. At least, hopefully Ithran could tonight. Though, this kid didn't seem like other smugglers Ithran had met with. For starters, he was obviously younger than most. He seemed a little uncertain and hesitant, too, but there was something about him that Ithran liked.
He stepped a little closer to Mas. Not too close; he didn't want to scare the kid off. Just close enough that he didn't have to speak too loudly. "It's good to meet you, Mas. I know I didn't say much in my letter, but I'm here to talk to you about smuggling. I and my associates are trying to make more contacts in the city. We specialize in getting slaves out quickly and with little fuss, but we don't have many people to bring the slaves to us in the first place. You and people like you are a start for us to be able to help get more slaves out.
First, though, I need to be sure you're willing to work with us. My associates and I are not always very popular with people like you. I am a Vindicator. If you are unwilling to work with us, this meeting can end now and we will forget it happened. We will go our separate ways without interfering in each other's work. I will not betray you, and I trust you know better than to betray me.
I hope this won't be a problem, but I understand if it is." Ithran shuffled as he waited for a reply. If Mas agreed to work with the Vindicators, he would ask for other contacts and people to go to, and inform him of some ways to contact the Vindicators should he have slaves he needed to get out of the city. He'd also probably tell the kid his real name. It was a bit awkward always running under pseudonyms and fake characters. Still, he might not. He wanted the kid to trust him, and it wouldn't help to reveal he'd lied about his identity, even if it was for a good reason. Post Count: 2 | Word Count: 605
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 16, 2018 22:48:14 GMT -6
The young stallion's ears flicked forward as the mare before him turned to face him and stepped closer. He held his head high, wanting to not look easily intimidated. This was his proving moment; he could do this on his own. He was a real smuggler. He listened as the other spoke, his eyes widening ever so slightly as she spoke of being part of the Vindicators. He had heard of the Freedom Fighters, the ones who caused chaos at the fights. Many had died, slaves had escaped, and destruction littered the city. At the time, Mas did not understand the progress that had been for the slaves, but he understood now.
And he was happy to aid such bold fighters.
Nodding his head perhaps a little too eagerly, Mas agreed. "Not a problem at all!" He sputtered before realizing he had probably spoken too loud. He dipped his head, curved ears flicking back.
"What.. what do you need me to do?" He felt excitement welling in his chest, his hooves firmly planted to the ground to keep them from tapping away his nervous energy. Bastian would be so proud.. if Mas were to ever tell him. He probably wouldnt, at least, not anytime soon, but it was still nice to think about.
He was unable to stop the small smile that tried to tug at his lips as he awaited the information he needed.
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Post by songsofinfinity on Jan 18, 2018 0:47:13 GMT -6
__________________________
"A wise man fears three things: the sea at storm, a night with no moon, and the anger of a gentle man."
__________________________________I T H R A N
Vagabond | VindicatorIthran had been prepared for any response from the boy, but he still breathed a little easier when he heard the young horse's excited assent. His rapid head nodding was almost endearing, and Ithran smiled faintly.
The next question caught him off guard, though the enthusiasm was a good sign. What did he want Mas to do? He needed more contacts among the smugglers, and he had to know which ones would be willing to work with the Vindicators. Information about slave traders in Aodh, the kind of knowledge you could only get through being a citizen or close to slaves yourself, would be invaluable. Yes, if Mas could help with any of those things that would be idea. Still, he was so young. Ithran didn't want to burden him too much, and while he didn't doubt the young horse could keep his mouth shut he didn't want to risk too much.
"Right now, Mas, all I want is information. I need to know more about other smugglers in the city if you know any. If you do, I need to know which ones are willing to work with Vindicators. I also need information about slave traders. The kind of things slaves would know, like which ones are kind, which ones watch their slaves closely, which ones are hands-off, things like that." He paused, considering his next words. He didn't want to give Mas any more duties right now, but the young horse would . have to know how to get the information to him. Where had Eshana set up that drop spot again? Ah, right, the Dark District. "I'm not always in the city, but there is a place where you can leave messages to contact me. Listen closely. In a back alley three streets north of the Dark District there is a particular cobblestone darker than the others around it.You can lift it out and place messages under it. Flip it over when you put it back in, so that the underside faces up. I will get anything you put there." Ithran paused again, making sure all this information wasn't too much for Mas. "You have all that? Need me to repeat it?" Post Count: 3 | Word Count: 402
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