Finished [Clockhaven - Behind the Bars]

[Spoiled Bread]

"I want a lawyer." Meredy folded her arms in front of her chest as she stared back at the officer in front of them. After the event at the Tavern, the witnesses were taken to the guard station so they could have their testimony recorded. However, it seemed the two guards present at the crime scenes suspected a foul play and thought that she and Marcus were conspiring with the construct from the very beginning. Meredy subtly signaled at Marcus not to say anything. In this kind of situation, it's best not to give them any ammunition that might be used against them and just straight up invoke their right.

"Yes, don't worry, we will call them later. For now we just want a more thorough infor-"

"I want MY lawyer. Here's his card." Handing a glossy red card that was seemingly taken out from her sleeve, the guard would take a glance at the fancy card and sighed. For now, Meredy had shown him who was the more stubborn one. He told them to wait for roughly half an hour before he moved them into the waiting room and left them. Though the clicking noise of the door being locked could be heard as he left, at least they're left alone for now.

"What a bull, they probably just want a scapegoat. The culprit's dead, so they're looking for someone else to blame."

There's not much stuff in the waiting room, there's only a few long cold wooden benches, a table with several parchments for some dry barebones entertainment and potted plants on each corners of the room. There's two doors connecting the room to the interrogation room and the corridor, and some windows sealed with steel bars to avoid anyone for breaking in or out while letting some of the sunlight in.

"This will be one big boring afternoon." Meredy winced as she looked at the parchments on the table, which turned out to be just outdated newspapers.

Maverick Six

 

[Maverick Six]

Marcus Banecroft
Interaction: Spoiled Bread
Titles: Human (Mundane), Hospitaller, Eastern Empire Military E, Abomination Fighter, Rico's Roughneck, Peacekeeper, Expert Spearman
Language Key: Common | [Terran] |

The Fire is Gone

The am-at-arms offered no resistance as he was taken into custody. Though he had a tendency to follow the laws of whatever so nation he was visiting, he'd be lying if ever he had encountered such an incident like this. Some things which happened during the war -- ultimately there was little reason for such ambiguous violence during times of peace.

For the most part, he was silent. And indeed, he would have cooperated with the guards had he been alone. Yet Meredy's voice caused his own opinion to shift.

"It seems within my best interest that I wait. I seek to speak nothing but the truth. But perhaps it is better that I wait for someone more well versed in legal authority." Marcus said, his tone in contrast more polite to the guard. Yet there was a firmness in his polite and accented tone, which impleid he was unlikely to budge on this matter.

So it was then that he would remain here. Looking about the room, Marcus walked over to a chair, turned around and then sat.

For the most part, Marcus was content with silence. It seemingly the first time and he was used to often being alone. Yet when prompted for conversation, he raised a brow beneath that beastial helm. Surely, the young one needed more stimulation. Particularly given her background. His eyes caught on that well made card she seemed to have on hand for such situations. Thus as the silence.

"I have grown to appreciate such peace in the aftermath of tense moments. I thank the gods for each moment I draw breathe. For the next foe may not be so easily disposed." He said. "Though admittedly, I pitied this foe the most." One couldn't hear remorse or hesitation. Yet despite the fact that it had to happen, he couldn't help but sound as though it was something not to be celebrated.

"Still, I could have been doing more productive things then sitting here idly. But such is the hand that I have been dealt by the three fates." A shrug.

"Tell me young one, what is your name? I had never asked before. But I would prefer to refer to you as something less vague, if we are to speak." He turned towards her.

"And if I might pry, what is one such as yourself. You seem to be of high status. Yet you are unaccompanied and seemingly unprotected." It seemed like a more interesting topic then anything present in those old papers.

 

[Spoiled Bread]

Meredy Cainbell

---

"I guess I haven't introduce myself to you, Mr. Marcus. My name's Meredy, Meredy Cainbell. I am kind of... sneaking out right now. My house is boring, so I come here to buy souvenirs and enjoy some events." Meredy answered, seemingly eager to share her story but also hesitant share the details. She gave up searching for anything interesting between the dusty parchments and sat down on one of the chair.

"Good thing you have good eyes on you, Mr. Marcus. The people in this country can't tell a noble from regular people. They only care once you shove money on their face."

Meredy remembered the man's face from that moment after he took out the bartender, not the most pleasant face around, but she had seen worse. She did wonders whether the scars continue to his body though, that might explain why he's wearing full armor on broad daylight.

"And what about you, Mr. Marcus? That armor of yours screams Otenzian. What does an eastern empire warrior such as yourself doing here?"​

 

[Maverick Six]

Marcus Banecroft
Interaction: Spoiled Bread
Titles: Human (Mundane), Hospitaller, Eastern Empire Military E, Abomination Fighter, Rico's Roughneck, Peacekeeper, Expert Spearman
Language Key: Common | [Terran] |

The Fire is Gone

"Meredy. I see. I am pleased to make your acquaintance, with all that seeming to have passed." He paused for a moment as she mentioned that she was sneaking out. "It seems a lost cause to convince the likes of you to return to your home where it's safe. However, I might advocate for a healthy amount of fear and caution."

While Marcus' expression was ever difficult. From beneath the armor, one could hear an amused chuckle. "I am no stranger to children. And you are much different from those that I know, back at the monestary from which I come. I have never met one who had a lawyer at their beck and call. Combine this with how well educated you seem and well, it isn't that difficult to put two and two together. I try my best to not let certain details escape me." While he didn't have appraisal like certain "Otherworlders" did -- it didn't take that much.

"I come from the Empire indeed. As I told the bartender, I hardly care for this place. I have come on a quest." He raised his gauntlet to his chin -- knowing at least a little bit of how to tell stories.

There wasn't much thought. He had pried into her and it only seemed fair. That and well, his mission was no secret in particular. Indeed, he was eventually going to need to talk to someone about it, even though he seeks nothing from Meredy save to entertain and inform.

Arms crossed, he leans his head back, gaze wandering as the story begins.

"As you say, I am a warrior. I am a soldier for the empire, though I am merely in the reserve....

I fought in the war against the bug. A united front of see, empire and additional forces sent to curtail an existential threat to us all. I undertook a mission in which I ventured into the caves which comprise. We had managed to kill some of the bugs and had few casualties compared to others. However, in one room of the hive -- we noticed a strange device. Something quite unlike what they normally used.

The insects are more intelligent then they appear. I fear they seem to be master fleshcrafters. I have seen them manipulate what appears to be gravity or some unseen force. So much that one.

However, as we ventured through the cave, we saw something strange. A mechanical device which "thumped" against the earth. It seemed to cause seismic activity. It was a far cry from what we had before." He spoke of the caves, memories felling the giant bugs like trees, bathing in their blood and running along to distract them. As Marcus spoke, there seemed to be no sign of remorse, fear or even the sound of being tired in his voice.

"I want nothing more than to go back into the cave and try my hand at slaughtering them all and taking the queen's... " He realized his description had become more vivid.

"That thumper. It scratches my mind. No one wants to go and clearly, we have traitors in our midst. A third party. It could be a country. It could be family. It could be a merchant or criminal element. I have come to Widersia in search of leads. Many seem not eager to throw bodies at this problem.

Thus, with that on pause, I am here. Searching." As the story ended, Marcus' wandering gaze finding focus once more.

 

[Spoiled Bread]

Meredy Cainbell

---

Meredy listened as Marcus shares his story. She thought this would be simply something to pass the time, but the more she listened the more she realized who the warrior in front of her was. Marcus was one of them, the people who descended into the hive trying to kill the queen. She never thought she would met one of them this fast.

"That's... that is an interesting story, Mr. Marcus." Meredy covered her mouth with her hands as if she's surprised, but truthfully, she's just trying to restrain herself as not to start grinning and cackling like a maniac. Whoever in charge of the fate that day, must have moved it in her favor. This might be the door that would allow her for revenge.

"I am glad that you managed to came out alive and set off those bombs." She said nonchalantly, as if she didn't just said a detail that the warrior didn't tell her. This was an intentional bait though. She wanted to tell Marcus that she knows more, but she didn't want to commit yet. She wanted to ask one last question before deciding.

"Say, if today you gain the knowledge about this uninvited 4th party who planted the device, the invisible men who hide in the darkness. What would you do, Mr. Marcus?" Meredy leaned forward as she asked Marcus the question. Her voice sounded more serious, yet it still carry the same mischievous tone like the one she used in the tavern​

 

[Maverick Six]

Marcus Banecroft
Interaction: Spoiled Bread
Titles: Human (Mundane), Hospitaller, Eastern Empire Military E, Abomination Fighter, Rico's Roughneck, Peacekeeper, Expert Spearman
Language Key: Common | [Terran] |

The Fire is Gone

Marcus had been for the most part, consumed by his story. Yet he noticed something which was quite peculiar. An attempt at some sort restraint. And a detail obviously dropped.

"I never stated that there were any bombs." Somethings Meredy had at this point, expected him to say. Yet in the way he said it, there was a distinct lack of the same sort of passion in which he had delivered his tail. A sort of flatness that seemed less like the telling of a story and more like a statement of fact.

But soon, before he asked any questions, a question of itself made itself known. Meredy would be able to feel the man-at-arms gaze upon her as that helmet was locked in upon her direction, light faintly shedding itself onto his eyes and showing him squinting at her through his visors. There was a slightly tenseness in his hand -- as though it was to curl into a fist.

After she asked him that question, there was a prolonged period of silence -- lasting about 10 seconds of nothing.

Then she would see as he got up. The sound of his approach would likely be already well known to her. And then he would sit down right next to her. The chair next to her would creak and wine in protest from his weight.

And then he would answer, looking right at her.. "It's simple." He said, looking at her. "I would seek to extract information from that person. In whatever way so way appeared necessary."

 

[Spoiled Bread]

Meredy Cainbell

---

"Ahaha, AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!" Unable to hold herself, Meredy let out a long cackle. This was like a fever dream come true, a chance for revenge beyond the grave while helping her supposed enemies to screw her former allies. She refused to let go of this once in a multiple lifetimes choice and this would become the most diabolical scheme she ever made.

"Apologize, that was unsightly of me." Once she regained her composure and wiped her tears with a handkerchief. She pulled a paper and pen from her seemingly bottomless pocket and wrote something on it, making use of her hand to cover it from Marcus' sight. Once she's finished she folded the paper, put it in an envelope and sealed it.

"Life is full of surprise, isn't it Mr. Marcus? So much so that I think sometimes the divines just staged certain encounter just so they can watch something interesting. Coincidentally, I do know what your situation is, and, about those people you are seeking, the group that sabotaged your effort inside the nest. It's an organization though, not a person, so you must put more effort than to interrogate a single individual. I wrote the name and the location of that organization here on this paper." Waving the envelope in front of her, Meredy would continue her talk but with slightly more formal tone than before.

"By the name of Miralis, I guarantee that everything I wrote on this paper is true, to the extent of my knowledge. I shall grant you -Marcus from Otenzian Empire- this paper as long as you agree to abide by three conditions, and should you share the information on the paper to other people then you are obliged to urge them to obey the same conditions:"

"First, you will not ask Meredy Cainbell about the origin of the knowledge on this paper."

"Second, you will not involve any member of the Cainbell family in any activity involving the knowledge on this paper, except Meredy Cainbell."

"Third, you will inform and invite Meredy Cainbell to any major actions you will take that involves the information on this paper."

"That's it, those are the conditions. I am a reasonable person, right? If you agree with it then this will be yours. One big step towards your goal." Meredy extended the envelope towards Marcus once she stated her conditions. What she just did was stating a verbal contract, it's less detailed and more of a honor-bond vow rather than its stricter written counterpart, it didn't even have any clause for contract-breaching, but Meredy trusted Marcus enough to believe that he would keep his words should he accept it.​

 

[Maverick Six]

Marcus Banecroft
Interaction: Spoiled Bread
Titles: Human (Mundane), Hospitaller, Eastern Empire Military E, Abomination Fighter, Rico's Roughneck, Peacekeeper, Expert Spearman
Language Key: Common | [Terran] |

Sneaky Bat

"....."

As laughter rang through the air, Marcus felt himself practically in the dark. Such a thing had clearly defied his expectations, given his eyes piquing at her. He could only fathom what exactly it was that she was laughing about. Yet there was little to do but to wait. Soon however, an apology was given and more explanation accompanied it.

"....I can't help but agree. The Three Fates assuredly like to play their games. Though this time, it is one of fortune. I have not been visited by the gods. Perhaps this whole fiasco has had meaning after all." He said, as it became known. Marcus himself could only agree. Perhaps he followed a different set of gods yet what could such a meeting as this be except miraculous? The sound of scribbling was through the air and soon an envelope.

His eyes locked onto the parchment. Already he had received crucial confirmation and information if it was true. And now yet, he could learn more. A;ready, his hand was moving forward, to reach for the letter.

It would be easy to simply say "yes" to all the conditions present. One word and in truth, he'd be closer to this then he'd likely have ever achieved in and of himself. For all his strength, it did not lend him to knowing about where exactly to find the information for this. He did have the influence to eek his way into the inner circles of Widersian nobility nor their merchants. He was one of the battlefield. Yet here, he felt as though.

"It is not unreasonable. And yet...." He said, lowering his hand and keeping it in place.

"In guessing your motives, I'd wonder if they wronged you in some way. Yet you are secretive. An organization like this would surely draw the ire of most. I'd suspect bringing them to the forefront could make one a hero. Yet you keep so much close to your chest."

He squinted at her. Yet he didn't use force nor take the letter. His voice while suspicious, had remained comparatively.

"In another case where you merely gave me the information, I might have accepted and simply told you this. However, you also seek to work further in this cause, implying we may meet again." A sigh, as he reigns in his eagerness, seeking to keep a cool head.

"Meredy. If we are to work together in the future, I must be able to trust you. Thus, I ask why is it that I cannot ask where you got this information from. And for your second clause, I cannot guarantee that, if your family is involved."

Marcus said. It was a deal, yet Marcus could feel that there were simply too many things Meredy wasn't telling her. He felt far too ignorant of someone who was working with -- feeling himself being roped into a grand conspiracy. It was likely he'd be doing this almost alone. Trust was a two-way street and Meredy was currently still too much of an unknown.

Somehow, he the bug caves seemed more familiar than this.

 

[Spoiled Bread]

Meredy Cainbell

---

"Nope, I'm not going to tell you or anyone anything about my reason~" Meredy stuck her tongue out as she replied, stubbornly refused to elaborate further. "You are free to make contingency plan against me if you wish, Mr. Marcus, but I already stated my conditions."

"Or does an unknown factor from this little harmless me is enough to deter you? Were those words about doing whatever way necessary to get information was nothing but mere facade? Please don't ruin my impression of you, Mr. Marcus." Meredy said with genuine disappointed tone in her voice.

"As for my family, don't worry about them. They know nothing about this and I prefer to keep it that way. If my family was already involved then the entire conditions would become moot anyway."​

 

[Maverick Six]

Marcus Banecroft
Interaction: Spoiled Bread
Titles: Human (Mundane), Hospitaller, Eastern Empire Military E, Abomination Fighter, Rico's Roughneck, Peacekeeper, Expert Spearman
Language Key: Common | [Terran] |

Sneaky Bat

Beneath his helm, Meredy could see Marcus' brow furrowing out of anger. In spite of this however, he never interrupted her. Despite the poking and prodding at his nerves -- she never seemed to get any outburst from him beyond mere annoyance.

"I am not just a warrior. I am a soldier. I spent good part of my life with men that I knew everything about. Whom I could trust. Even for working with one such as those Fae See scum during the war -- I knew their intentions well from the get-go. There was no need for pretense." He hand grips the paper yet does not pull it away.

"Your impression?" He scoffs beneath his helm. "The whole continent is filled with people who despise me and where I'm from. What would be one more to look down on me...?" He said, perhaps not only to her but himself. It reminded him of his position and where he was. Many people saw the empire as the aggressor in the war despite.

"Your lack of a threat to me now does not mean that you won't pose a threat to me or the empire later. The fact that your family appears to be uninvolved makes it easier, as I wouldn't be able to keep my word concerning them." At the very least, she did not compel from him much trust.

Finally, he takes the paper from the letter as he takes what he believes to be the best move in this situation.

"You are a risk I will have to take. Whatever your true motives, I suggest you not make an enemy of me. I will agree to your terms." Once he did agree, he pulled back and took the letter.

"Though until such a hypothetical, I have no reason to make an enemy of you. And we might be able to assist one another in this seemingly common goal." Perhaps trust would need to be earned. Or maybe he would never know.

With the letter in his hands, he would seek to open. Even with the gauntlets on, he seemed to be able to pinch it open and would decide to read it -- eyes shifting to see if anyone might enter the door at any time. The letter was part way tucked in, and Marcus began to use his keen senses [Perception F] to listen for anyone who might yet approach.

 

[Spoiled Bread]

Meredy Cainbell

---

"Good choice, Mr. Marcus. I'm looking for our future endeavor." Seemingly unfazed by the warrior's threat, Meredy's smile grew brightly as if she actually enjoys riling people up for no reason. "Just to make it your while, I might give you something else the next time we meet so do keep me in the loop."

As Marcus going to open the envelope, steps could be heard echoing from the corridor. Whoever that was, that person must be moving in such haste that at one second the steps sounded to be on the end of the corridor but by the next second the steps were already stopping in front of the door to the room. The sound of metal keys against lock, and the door swung open revealing a middle-aged man wearing a large red formal robe as if he just attended a prestigious scientific seminar. This was the Cainbell's family lawyer, most of the time he deals with high-level cases involving business and law. He would never guess that he would spend that afternoon picking up Meredy.

"For the first time in my 30 years of serving the family, this is the first time I find the young lady sneaking out to another country for five days, and somehow got tangled in a murder case. Do you know how many heart attack I almost got just from hearing the summon??" The old man talked with an obvious restrain in his rage. Just like with Marcus, or the construct bartender, Meredy didn't seems to register the true gravity of her situation, or maybe she just didn't care.

"There's first time for everything, Mr. Seth." Meredy just answered nonchalantly and giggled at her own situation. Her trip to Widersia was indeed filled with strange events. Dancing with the devil in Red Haven, Meeting murderous construct, and then get a deal with the person that would likely become her enemies in her previous life.

The lawyer let out a long sigh, then shifted his attention to the Otenzian warrior. He gave Marcus a polite bow before addressing him.

"You must be Sir Marcus, the guards already told me about how you saved our lady here from a killer. Please, accept our gratitude." Seth handed a sack filled with a generous amount of rykes, enough to live in luxury in Ryke for a few weeks. "I also cleared your name from this case, you are now free to go, Sir."

Having said his words, the lawyer beckoned at Meredy to go home. The girl followed behind him, although before she exited the room she glanced one last time at the warrior and gave him a playful wink. This likely wouldn't be the last time they meet, one way or another.

"You are not going to tell father about any of this, right, Mr. Seth?"

"I am obliged to give My Lord the truthful report, young lady. No talking your way out of this, I'm afraid."

"Booo..."

Their voices faded as they walked away from the room, leaving Marcus alone with the new knowledge about his next supposed destination written on the paper.

====================== RP CONCLUDED ======================

Spoiler: Grader Information

These are only suggestions. Please wait until a Grader Mod confirms which rewards will be granted upon the RP's actual grading.

Narrators Involved (List the narrators who participated in the roleplay.)
Spoiled Bread

Narrator Standing (Provide the standing of each narrator involved, including links to their standing sheets for reference.)
D grade standing from Aqua

Summary of the Roleplay (Briefly summarize the events and main storyline of the roleplay.)
After the murder happened in the Curious Cat tavern, Meredy and Marcus were hold in suspicion for potentially aiding a murderous construct. Meredy used her family connection to call her family's lawyer to clean the mess, and while they're waiting for the lawyer to arrive she discovered that Marcus and herself has a somewhat intertwined goal: to defeat the group that sabotaged the big raid on the hive's nest, for one reason or another. Meredy still hides the fact that part of her soul is a reincarnation from a former saboteur however and instead choose to offer some conditions for her cooperation. Marcus was hesitant to accept Meredy's shady offer but in the end accepted her conditions.

Goal Achievement (Indicate whether the goal of the roleplay was accomplished. Note that this affects grading, as failed roleplays typically receive lesser rewards.)
Goal: Connect the goal of the two characters - success

Criminal Acts Perpetrated (List any criminal acts committed during the roleplay, with links to the specific posts where they occurred.)
None

Lore to Establish (Detail any new lore you'd like to introduce, including brief descriptions for lore moderators, links to the posts where the lore was established, nation of origin associated with the lore.)
None

Partial Participants (Provide a list of partial participants, including their character names and roleplayer (RPer) names.)
None

Partial Participant Invaders (Note if any partial participants were invaders. Specify whether world rules or player versus player (PvP) mechanics were utilized.)
None

Full-Time Participants(List all full-time participants.)
Marcus Banecroft Maverick Six
Meredy Cainbell Spoiled Bread

Characters with Point Boosters (Identify any characters who used point boosters, including links to the posts where the boosters were used to gain points (for narrative boosters, the first post in the scene is sufficient)).
Meredy Cainbell Spoiled Bread
Character with higher standing exist [Marcus Banecroft]

Recommended Titles (Suggest titles for characters based on their actions or outcomes within the roleplay.)

Character name. Marcus banecroft
Title: [Title] - Saboteur Pursuer : Character persistently pursue the group responsible for sabotaging the hive raid and gained intel about them

Character name. Meredy Cainbell
Title: [Title] - Saboteur's Saboteur : Character leaked information about their former group, even after reincarnated as different person

Assets/Titles Roleplayed For (List any assets or titles that were roleplayed for, along with justifications for each.)
None

Characters with [Wanted] or Criminal Titles (Provide a list of characters who already possess the [Wanted] title or any criminal titles.).
None

Hunters' Involvement (Indicate whether any characters with the [Wanted] title had their hunters appear or play a part in the roleplay.).


Downtime (List characters using Downtime, such as those using Buddy skills, Masterwork skills, Complex Assets, increasing existing Assets, etc.)
None

Transactions Performed (Note any transactions that occurred during the roleplay, such as, weapon exchanges, asset transfers.)

None

Rules Utilized (Specify the level of rules used in the roleplay.)
None

Character Sheet Oddities (Mention any noticeable oddities or inconsistencies in character sheets related to their purchases. Note: There's no need for a full evaluation; simply highlight any unusual findings during your review.)
None

Aftermath and Potential Lore Updates (Describe any potential aftermath or consequences based on the events of the roleplay. Suggest any updates that might be needed for the lore.)
None

Narrator Bonuses (Recommend any bonuses you'd like to award to narrators based on their performance.)
Marcus : Meredy's letter - A paper containing the name and location of the group that sabotaged the hive raid

Additional Notes (Include any other observations or points you'd like feedback on or that require further commentary.)
None