Fantasy Crimson Streets

[InsanEleven]

Inanis watched as Sir Syrann went and confusedly stared between him, Polaris and Prudence, only for the fairy on his shoulder to apparently snap her fingers and get him to wake up. Then the knight made his way over to him, and he felt immensely small as he had to stretch his neck just trying to get a glimpse of a helmet. Caught of guard once more (and it definitely seemed to become a trend here), a giant hand suddenly laid on top of his head, and even when it was placed there carefully, it was still heavy. He felt incredibly uncomfortable and embarrassed as he was patted on the head with the accompanying words of the knight pulling all eyes towards him.


"The day may look bleak! The light may waver before your eyes! But goodness stands always true and tall! Grasp your hope! Believe in your dreams! Brightness always hails at the horizon!" What did that even mean? And why was he the one being comforted while Prudence was definitely the one more in need of help? Shortly he felt a childish rage boil up at being treated like he was helpless, only to realise the knight meant no harm with it. It still felt slightly demeaning though, and with his cheeks turning red as he got more and more flustered, he locked eyes with Polaris in a silent try and find confirmation of how ridiculous the situation was.


After what felt like an eternity, the Sir Syrann lifted the heavy hand, and moved on to his dramatic exit, Prudence laid down carefully on his arm. Meanwhile Ina was still half in shock from both his memories flaring up and being patted on the head, just as he felt Polaris touch his shoulder and ask if he wanted to be checked on later.


"I think it is j-just anxiety flaring up, b-but it couldn't do much h-harm." He said, and now he started to calm down again he felt his voice return to him more and more, leaving him able to talk coherently again, even if it wasn't perfect yet, but he discarded that as still being nervous and perhaps his confusion at Sir Syrann's awkward sense of drama. He had had the flashbacks before though, and knew he would be fine if given a little bit of time to wear it off, though his hands still shaking clearly didn't seem to confirm that notion in any way whatsoever.

 

[noticemeknot]

•• Elara Elliana Farlance ••

​

Eyes wide, body stiff as a board, mouth gaping open over and over again not unlike a fish. This was the way in which Elara sat, taking in the scene around her.


The White Queen had finished her words with an air of absolute truth, Elara could see it in her eyes, and sensation of relief washed over her body immediately; it wasn't a trap. Her Highness had no intention of murdering them, at least not directly, but even that was preferable to dying while trapped and alone in an unfamiliar setting. This was fine. Elara was safe, for now.


And then everything exploded into chaos...


First, the young girl, Prudence. Rivers of tears streamed down her face and though she spoke her words clearly and with the elegance of a noble, her terror was plain to see. When her head hit the table and her sobs cracked the overbearing silence in the air, Elara's form froze in place. But it was fine. It was all still fine, of course not everyone would so readily agree with the Queen's desire, especially not a prepubescent child. Tears were expected. No big deal.


Then the assassin rose to his feet, face much paler than before, his steps uneven and shaking hands clattering against his thighs. His attempts to speak to the ever-helpful Polaris fell flat as his words tumbled off his tongue in a sputtered mess of sound. But no, this was fine too, everything was still okay. He was frazzled, sure, but he wanted to help. That was a positive sign. Though the murderess spoke these thoughts in her mind, feeble attempts of self-conviction, her own breathing turned sporadic and her hands gripped the ends of the armrests so that her knuckles turned bone-white.


A snap rang in the air, jerking Elara's gaze to the source--the knight's fairy, whimsical and unfazed, dropped her hand back to her stomach. The noise seemed to affect the armored giant as his once stiff form grew lose with movement once he ventured toward the unconscious Prudence. His own voice boomed as he shouted on about hope, his words sounding as though they belonged in some children's version of a holy book.


That was it. It was all she could take. So many voices and motions, so much fear and tension... It agitated the creatures inside her, the ones that never left. Of course, her empathic ability could only truly apply to beasts covered in fur, feathers scales, but this was not to say that the noble was not sensitive to human emotions as well. Everything and everyone seemed to be falling into pandemonium, chaos, instinct, and Elara could feel her humanity being pushed to the side as her animal self took over to revel in the scene.


No....


Not now...


This couldn't happen again!


The slave pushed her chair back and rose to her feet with a slow, shaking movement. The others were focused on Prudence and her well-being, no one would notice her absence. She had to find a place to calm down, or at the very least, a place to let her beast reign and tire out. With cautious yet trembling steps, she made move for one of the many doors lining the hall, hoping with everything inside her that one of the servants missed a lock.

 

[Unwavering Knight]

The Clipped Wings


"Righty-ho-" Syrann began to yell, only for Kaatl to forcefully tap his helmet with her small fist "-oh, uh, sorry." causing him to lower the volume of his voice. Carefully balancing his step, the usually jumpy and fumbling knight slowly but evenly made his way down the corridor the Queen had pointed towards.


Out of the two, it was only Kaatl that took note Farlance's undignified exit, a quirking of an eyebrow and an uncertain flap of her wings communicating puzzlement, though a look back at her knight on whose shoulder she continued to rest brought the most likely conclusion: Pain. What sort she could not judge yet, but it appeared to be the sort she preferred to suffer alone. Making a mental note for later, the fairy concentrated on Prudence again.


The room was easy to reach, the adventure of the day concluded by Syrann carefully laying lady-madam Lady Ashford on the bed meticulousely prepared by the servants of the court.


"She's going to be alright, isn't she?" Syrann's voice emerged from his helmet with some hesitation as he looked down on the small patient, Kaatl reclining on her seat as usual.


@Mystella


@ataraxiandream - mentioned

 

[Dragongal]

Polaris Mentha


Following the knight and fairy into the room, Polaris didn't notice Elara's exit. She lit one of the bedside lamps so that if Prudence woke up at night, she'd not be so scared. She laid a thin blanket over her so she might be more comfortable. She smiled up to Syrann, softly saying, "Yeah. She'll be just fine. Might be a bit of a shock for her when she wakes up somewhere different than where she fell asleep, but she'll be fine. I'll suggest a guard being put on this room, so that when she wakes they can find me for her." She thought for a few seconds, weighing the risks, before asking, "What happened to your arm?"


@Unwavering Knight

 

[KnightofShadows]

Alexi froze...


Things descended rapidly into chaos, as the Queen’s words trailed off and Prudence began a quick descent into a despair in tears and became so overwhelmed that she had passed out.


Seeing poor Prudence’s emotional overload had triggered some deep, dark and traumatic memories. They came unbidden and unwanted to the surface, paralyzing him. He could do nothing but look on, as Prudence had begun to unwind.


The fear that drove her tears was real and palpable. The tears had begun, and though the few years of being Red’s guardian had subjected him to many such occurrences, this one was different.


Red, the youngest of his Rat Pack, was only sixish by his best guestimate. She had been little more than three when she had come into his life. A day of darkness that came rushing back in that very moment. A day he did not enjoy revisiting, despite it culminating in Red’s coming to join his little family of the 3rd Stein’s riff-raff. An event that without doubt, brought the single greatest gift of light into his life. An event which was still occasionally responsible for the anguish of insidious nightmares, for him, and much more frequently for Red.


Prudence’s distress had triggered an avalanche of memories which quickly overtook his mind in a torrent of fear, sweat and blood. For the few moments that had transpired as the kind Polaris had come to her aid, mustering the ever dramatic Syrann as well as the young assassin Ina to care for her, Alexi was transfixed. He could only look on, luminous blue eyes wide with what he hoped appeared as that of a boy overwhelmed and unsure of what action to take… Something far from the truth of the matter.


They images rushed at him through the darkness of the night remembered. His steps fell fast as he fled into the night, and he was unsure if it was the pain in his side, or the loss of blood that threatened to bring him to unconsciousness.


The crossbow bolt had found its mark, and was buried deep between the ribs of his right side. The shot had been a lucky one. Half a second more and he would have been gone into the night with the child in his arms. “Half a second more!” he thought.


He had not the control over his power then that he possessed now. He wasn’t able to concentrate with this level of pain…


They weren’t far behind. It was only his gruelingly acquired stamina, and the slippery dexterous and unpredictable nature of his free-running maneuvers that had kept them from close capture thus far. They were deep in the seediest alleys of the 3rd, far from the safety of what he called home.


He didn’t care… All he knew was, “He could not stop. He could not let them catch him. He would not let them hurt her…


Never again!"


He raced on through the terror of that re-visited night, only able to shake the waking nightmare after having reached in his mind, the shadowed streets of where they called home. The narrow dark alleys and dilapidated, even precarious structures of the old warehouse district. Home, to what the locals called Rat Alley.


He had made it this far, but they were close on his heels. He summoned what air he could to his burning lungs, and gave a low long whistle, as he rested a moment in the shadows, then bolted again in the direction of home.


The last thing he had remembered, was the heart lifting sound of the many echoed return of his distress whistle. They had heard him. They would come, they had made it home…


So distracted was he, that he missed the stealth-ful exit of the feral Elara. A detail he would not normally have missed.


He gathered himself then, and with a half courteous, “Please excuse me for a few moments.” He rushed off in pursuit of Polaris’s rescue retinue, wiping away the welling of tears from his eyes before they made him look a fool.

 

[Unwavering Knight]

The Clipped Wings


Syrann stiffened notably as Polaris asked the innocuous question, helmet involuntarily turning to direct his gaze at his cold arm hanging uselessly from his frame. Kaatl found now was the best time to aimlessly stare at the ceiling. Raising his working hand, Syrann clutched the crippled limb akin to one trying to hide a blemish.


"Oh, uh... What arm? This arm? Err..." he stumbled over his words, brain set into high gear as he forcefully thought of a proper answer. Lying was not an option, whenever he had tried that he would always end up telling the truth like a broken record. So... then tell the truth... but do it perhaps in such a way that it would remain wholly unintelligible? Yes! That would work!


Steadying his gaze, it took him some effort to release his broken arm to assume what he hoped would appear as a proper knightly stature as he spoke "A dragon charged us. So I blocked it with my shield." His tone was court and formal.


'Genius!' he congratulated himself.


"I must return to my chambers now, Lady Polaris. My people need me!" he quickly turned and beat a hasty retreat, stopping at the door only to say "Good night!"


@Dragongal

 

[Dragongal]

Polaris Mentha


"Uh, good night...?" While she would have responded to his explanation, Syrann ran off so quickly that he just left a very baffled - and silent - Polaris. She shook her head to herself; he was evidently opposed to being healed. The fact that he had fought a dragon seemed greatly diminished by how he ran off.


She looked to Alexi, whom she'd not noticed. His face seemed a bit flushed, maybe from tears of stress. It seemed like everyone except her was suffering from bad flashbacks - Syrann's hesitation and Kaatl having to hit him, Inanis's anxiety, and now Alexi too. She softly said, "Hey there. Are you alright?"





@KnightofShadows

 

[InsanEleven]

Inanis followed Polaris and Sir Syrann to the door at the side of the dining room, looking back a bit unsure if maybe he should stay, or at least say something while leaving. Everyone was already leaving though, somehow Elara had already disappeared, and Alexi soon followed too. Maybe he should tell the queen they needed some time to think about their answers? But then again, he was already halfway to the door, and he wasn't sure if more social anxiety and nervosity would be doing him any good. He just bowed his head and stared at his feet while making his way out of the dining hall, and into the corridor, only to realise everyone else already had gone into the room the queen had talked about, and he heard soft voices coming from it, but didn't quite entirely hear it. A little while he just stood in front of the door, contemplating whether or not he should enter, but eventually decided that he probably shouldn't bother, as he didn't really know what else he could do anyway. There really wasn't that much he was useful for besides murdering, killing and stealing, and it was a harsh thing to realise that, even when he tried his best to become a good person, he still wasn't much but a weapon, a tool ment to destroy and demolish.


Silently he just turned around and walked away, looking for the room assigned to him. It was slightly further down the hall, and as he opened the door he smelled the fresh linen of a clean, well kept room, combined with the smell of flowers coming through the opened windows. The entire room was a soft, creamy white, and clearly ment for people with a better sense of style and interior as him. Probably for people who didn't stink of horse and shame too... or who had murdered enough people to give a lich a small army... and yet he was here, and if anyone had ever told him he would've stood in the royal palace basking in a golden summer eve sun, he would have declared them insane. He still would.


Quietly and in awe he took of his cloak and reluctantly put it over a chair, afraid to stain it. He didn't really know why, but it felt nearly like blasphemy for him to stand there, and he just hoped nobody would get mad at him for doing something he didn't even know he shouldn't do. After he had taken off his cloak, he started to untie his shoes, and only now he realised how filthy the third stein and his journey had left him, and he was in desperate need of a new set of clothes. Maybe he could buy clothes the following morning, after the dust had settled.


I might aswell need a haircut too... he thought has he ran his fingers through his hair, brushing it out of his eyes, and realising it took significantly long for it to end. He legitimately hated it when his hair got long, it reminded him of the traditional hairstyle he had to wear as an assassin, as it was forbidden to wear any hairstyle too short too be tied together in a decently long ponytail. For months now he had kept his hair short simply by holding it together behind his head and slicing it off with his wakizashi, with mixed results, as sometimes his hair did end up assymetrical. Even now the tips of his hair were definitely longer on one side than the other, but he hadn't really given it a thought, as he didn't exactly have a mirror closeby while traveling from village to village. Here in this setting though even the floor was clean enough to reflect his image, and it confronted him with this sad looking unkempt boy, so desperate to be a hero he hadn't even noticed his world crumbling and tearing around him. So desperate to be a hero he hadn't even seen that perhaps he himself needed a hero even more. And it was a sad thought to think that so many people lost their lives, only to make him into this... failure, something most people would think of as weak and frail.


He looked at his hands, and saw them shaking again, and with each shiver they remembered the touch of another person's blood, enough blood to paint this room red, and many more too. No matter how many tears he cried on them, he would never ever wash it away, no amount of soap or water would help, and he doubted even fire could cleanse him. He felt his legs turn weak and crashed down on the bed, for a split second amazed at how soft it was, then, as he stared at the ceiling he started laughing, harder and harder, tears streaming over his cheeks at the same time. There was no way to know what he should feel anymore; the child in him disappointed at everything he had become, his conscience hating him for everything he had done, and his sadistic side laughing at himself for everything pathetic he was now. But most of all the good in him, afraid of what he might be, afraid of himself, of his powers... of each and every little speck of evil in his soul... and each murder had made him colder, frozen, leaving his childish side, his conscience and his sadistic side dead. He had found them back after months of not being anything... and for how long would he be able to keep them, before they ran off again...


Here he laid, laughing and crying, clothed in raven in this hazy white room, heaving heavily and everything about him either hurt or hallow.


(I envisioned the bedroom to be something like this

Spoiler

)

 

[KnightofShadows]

Alexi moved into the room, brushing past the hulking form of Syrann, just as he was making his exit. Just in time to catch the exchange between he and Polaris. Just in time to hear the knight’s bold claim. True or not, he couldn’t guess. If it were, then the man and his fae companion were arguably much more of an asset than any of them had given him credit for as yet. Alexi wasn’t ready to discount the idea, the pair were indeed a curiosity, that much was certain.


The knight departed hastily, and he threw a sincere “Thank you Syrann!” in his direction as he departed, leaving him alone with Polaris and the unconscious, inert form of Prudence. She lay upon the most magnificent bed Alexi had ever seen. The entirety of the room’s furnishings and design were resplendent white, pure and untainted by other than the gold accents of the fixtures.


Polaris looked at him questioningly, "Hey there. Are you alright?" she asked. The question rang of sincerity and genuine concern.


The words validated his concerns about looking the fool. His earlier distress was evident…


“Oh yes, yes I’m fine Polaris thank you. Just concerned for our little friend here.” he tried a reassuring half-smile, that he was sure was transparent. He knew trying to sail that one by a woman as empathic as this one was, assuredly was futile. So, distraction was his avoidance answer. “Is she ok?” he asked, moving to the bedside. “She’s right you know? The Queen is mad to think it’s ok to involve one so young and innocent in all this. I don’t care how desperate she is. It’s wrong…” he barked, his voice taking on a steely quality that betrayed his anger.


He turned to face Polaris, expressionless, cold. “I cannot make her choose to walk away from this. I will however, not allow her to be harmed. By anyone…” There was the slightest crack in his voice as these last words issued softly, menacingly, from his mouth.


He cleared his throat lightly, and leaning down, tucked the blankets around her snugly. “Thank you Polaris, for being there for her. I know you are kind of heart. I see it and I feel it. I will be glad to have you among us if you choose to take on the Queen’s gambit.” he said warmly.


“We need to get back and finish our business, if you think she will be ok on her own for a bit?”


“I will come back and sit with her till she wakes afterward. I don’t want her waking up alone and confused. We might not ever see her again, if you know what I mean…”


“What do you think?” he asked, looking back to the child as she rested breathing shallowly.

 

[Dragongal]

Polaris Mentha


The smile that Alexi flashed was clealy a cover. Which of course meant that she shouldn't try to invade his privacy by inquiry; it wasn't any of her business. He wasn't wrong by being mad at the Queen for asking someone of such a young age to help in this quest, but was too emotionally involved to see all of the sides. She spoke softly, "Well, if the Queen is right about what a threat this all is to Wunderheim, then, it's possible that without her to help, she'd be in just as much risk, if we failed. However, if she is going into this, I also intend to keep her safe. She doesn't deserve this, but circumstances rarely ask me. She seemed to be more upset with the idea that she couldn't be of help, than the idea that she was being asked for help." She sighed, saying, "I also believe her to likely be the only one in all of the guests who hasn't killed at least one person. I intend to keep it that way unless the very, very worst comes along."





She stretched leisurely, saying, "She'll be fine for a while. It's a good idea for you to stay here, just come and get me whenever she wakes; don't worry, I don't really sleep anyway. And don't thank me, it's just what I do. Now that I've given you all of my opinions, we should maybe return."





@KnightofShadows

 

[CallSign]

Isaac stood unfazed by the tide of memories that seemed to be sweeping away the others. He noted that the queen's composure was second only to his own as he watched the mayhem unfold. Only one word could describe how he felt about the others at this moment:


Unimpressed.


The queen wanted him to take down superpowered criminals with this motley crew? What a joke. His risk assessment informed him simply that he was as likely to die by way of their mistakes as by some fireball-throwing goonie. If he was going to do this, he was going to need some serious compensation. Negotiations seemed to be favoring him in all but personal relations with the other party, though he could handle a bit of bad blood in this situation.


However, it seemed negotiations would have to wait until tomorrow. That girl had started a bandwagon of memory-driven breakdowns that the group had been all too eager to jump on, delaying further discussion of the task until the morning at the soonest. He would be forced to stay the night by one wench's mental instability.


Isaac was not fond of the idea of sleeping within the castle, but had prepared for all eventualities. His apprentice would tend the store while he was absent. The black market was aware that he would not be accepting orders for an undetermined period, and he had no pending orders to fill. His home was as ever out of reach of any who might wish to plunder it. He could be gone for years and return to find his wealth had only increased as though he'd never left.


As Isaac strode from the feast hall, he paused at the doorway, turning to the queen. "I've a message for the Dorovich family, if you've the messenger to deliver it. Let them know that their black sheep is on track to surpass them within the year, and that culling him from their little flock was likely the best thing they've ever done for him." Without waiting for a response, he continued toward his guest room.


Isaac found his room furnished simply. It seemed all they knew of his personal delights came from his childhood, as a bookshelf was provided and filled with fairy tales of all sorts. Or, thought Isaac, the queen finds me to be childish. Either way, the bed, chair, and bookshelf were all Isaac needed. He was no stranger to austere living conditions after his many excursions to retrieve certain valuables for customers.


With the closed door safely fused to the floor and walls, Isaac selected a book from the shelf and proceeded to read himself to sleep for the night. He dreamt that night of a pied piper dressed in shades of white leading him to adventures unknown.

 

[KnightofShadows]

Alexi nodded. “I agree. I don’t think for a moment she doesn’t have the heart for it, the courage or the smarts by a good measure. It’s strictly the cost that I have contention with. You’re close to twice my age I would hazard to guess, and I have seen enough pain and hardship in the innocent lives I’ve seen lost, to easily number both our lives! Children for the love of the Gods!


I will not let that number grow, as long as I have breath in me. Gods help me that the life of an innocent girl be the next! I’ll not let it happen…”


the speed in his tongue grew with each word, as he spat the last. Not in contempt or accusation, but conviction!


“Her life will never be worth less than my own. If she chose’s to follow us, into whatever fresh hell this proves to be, know that I will never walk away if her, or anyone’s life, for that matter is in danger.” Alexi added, slowed and contrite.


“I am sorry… I mean no offense. You are the only one whom I feel I can wholly trust in this. Also, for what it’s worth, I have never taken a life…” he paused to let that sink in. “Not that I haven’t had reason or want, believe you me! I have simply not crossed that line. I never felt the absolute necessity…” another tic, “I never had to, and I hope to the Gods I never do.”


“I am committing. I can’t say I’m enthusiastic, but honestly, leaving you all to handle this without me, scares me to death!” he said, rolling his luminous blue eyes and smiling like he’d just run off after poking an angry bear with a stick!


“Let’s be off then!” he intoned, as smiling once back at Prudence’s peacefully sleeping form, he high step dodged toward the door with ludicrous speed and agility. Avoiding any probable connections with his exposed posterior that Polaris might have been giving any consideration to, and he exited in the direction of the feast, giggling. Mika squealing in protest at the jostling…





@Unwavering Knight @Dragongal

 

[Dragongal]

Polaris Mentha


Now in the empty room, she sighed to herself, "Seems like I might be the most sane out of any of them. Well, as far as anyone can see." While she had revealed that she'd killed before, she wasn't worried about it. Alexi seemed very trustworthy, if very skittish too; but that was okay, she could be skittish at times. She followed Alexi out of the room, far more casually, carefully closing the door quietly behind herself. She walked out to the hall, and back to her chair at the table. But she didn't sit down. She looked around the room, now empty except for herself and Alexi. She could account for the whereabouts of five of the seven guests. She didn't like those numbers, since for some odd reason she felt slightly responsible for Elara.


She knew what she did was right, and had she been ordered not to, she still would have done it. She almost smiled slightly at the memory of her mother's description of her style, "Chaotis good - doing what you know is right, depite whatever laws there are." However, responsibility had to be taken, and any punishment with it. Taking a deep breath, she looked the Queen in the eyes and said, "Your Highness, I am terribly sorry for what happened tonight, and I take full responsibility for the scattering of - " she looked around, remembering where everyone had sat, "of the guests. If I had stayed put, they may have as well, however, I could not bring myself to leave Miss Ashford as she was. Therefore, I will take any punishment asked of me, as well as any punishment that may be put on any of the others' heads."





She added after a few seconds, "On another note, if you will still have me, I am very willing to go on this errand. Without compensation." She bit her cheek after she'd said this, as she remembered Alexi was still here, and he might now be pressured to go without pay, when he likely couldn't afford it.

 

[KnightofShadows]

Alexi returned to the great hall where the Queen remained, alone, with a look that spoke of a mix of consternation and not unwarranted anger. Though the look quickly disappeared as he and Polaris made their way back.


“Where was everyone?” his mind implored. Before he could voice any such question, as he hesitated to do so, Polaris broke the silence with her apologies and an unwarranted and unfair yet noble gesture, of accepting accountability for the earlier chaos and the resulting dispersal of her misfit audience.


"Your Highness, I am terribly sorry for what happened tonight, and I take full responsibility for the scattering of… of the guests. If I had stayed put, they may have as well, however, I could not bring myself to leave Miss Ashford as she was. Therefore, I will take any punishment asked of me, as well as any punishment that may be put on any of the others' heads."


Alexi understood her attempt to save face for the lot of them. That motherly nurturing instinct was always right there below the surface in her. It was something he found endearing. Perhaps just a subconscious craving for something he’d never really had…


It was her following statement that he didn’t quite understand her motivation for. "On another note, if you will still have me, I am very willing to go on this errand. Without compensation."


Was it just a simple attempt at lessening the Queen’s ire for such disrespectful abandonment? An act she hoped would be a reflection of her loyalty to the crown and her selflessness? Both? He wasn’t sure. It was admirable either way he decided, and it may have just afforded him the slightest bit of leverage toward the plans that his mind had already begun to coalesce.


Alexi stepped forward, glancing quickly at Polaris whose expression had flashed him what he thought might be some minute, unspoken apology which he attempted to shake off as unnecessary with the raise of a questioning eyebrow. Then he turned his attention back to the Queen.


“Your majesty, we all owe you an apology for this unseemly and unintended disruption of your gracious gift, and more importantly, the delay of answers that might bring you some much needed comfort. I am sorry. We all are, I assure you. We only had great concern for our new found friend and wanted to be sure the child was ok.” Pausing he looked around at the empty chairs. “I am not certain what the motivations of the others were for abandoning your company so rudely, but I hope you can understand and forgive our indiscretions.”


“If it’s any consolation, you have my commitment to your cause as well.” he bowed his head in supplication.


“With respect to any compensation for such, I cannot claim to be without hope of reward, if we are to successfully quash this threat for you and for the kingdom. Though I believe you will understand when I say, that you already know where my heart lies and toward whom, anything I might as ok you would be directed.” He glanced to Polaris again before continuing. “I dare say, and correct me if I am wrong, but I believe the lady Polaris would not object to directing her own remunerations toward a similar end, if you might take such into consideration. As the need for what I speak of is great, of which you have already confessed knowledge of.”


“I hope you find this idea agreeable, if not wholly in alignment with your own compassionate desires, for the less fortunate children of your Empire. I would hope you would honor any such agreement, even in the event that we might fall, even should we manage to prove successful.”


He let the words go, along with a silent prayer to the Gods that they would be well received.


They echoed in the relative silence of the cavernous room…





@Dragongal

 

[Dragongal]

Empertrie D. White ~The White Queen~

​

Contrary to the popular belief, Empertrie was not mad at their taking leave of her. If anything, she was rather bewildered, as it had all happened so very quickly. With the exception of Dorovich's leave, of course; that was just plain rude of him, Queen or not. She'd been thinking of heading t her own room when Polaris and Alexi returned. She smiled slightly to herself at their apologies. She smiled, shaking her head, and said, "You don't have to apologize. I expected nothing less; you did what was right. Miss Ashford needed to be taken care of, and all of you did that (except for the other two). It would be quite ridiculous for me to be mad about it. There's no punishment for anyone."





While she was happy to hear of their commitment, she had a few things of her own to say about that. "I thank you both for your commitment, but payment to your families was already included in this. You'll both be receiving money as well, whether you like it or not. For one of you, previously unpaid reward money will also be paid, as a debt from the Guard. We haven't a way to dispense the money to the poor children of the Third Stein, however, maybe you two could find a way for that. In which case, of course, money would be donated for that cause. Should you fall, well... I suppose we'll have to find some other way."


"It's been a long day for everyone. You may want retire to your rooms for rest. However, Polaris, I do have a favor to ask o fyou, first, in private." She didn't want to insult Alexi, but this seemed like the best option.

 

[InsanEleven]

Ina slowly calmed down again, and now he had let his mind run wild and eventually out, he did feel a lot better. These things weren't for him, castles and banquets were never meant for him anyway. He'd rather sleep on a tree branch in a stormy night than to ever have a dinner like that again. His doubt about the queen's offer didn't stem out of a fear of getting hurt, failing or even dying, he was used to that on a mission, no... his biggest fear was having to face those people every day, knowing well that there would be a time that his actions could decide their fate for the worse. Perhaps even more scary was them getting to know him, know who he was and what he had done, nobody could know about it, it was better if that knowledge died with him, and wouldn't slumber on in the minds of others causing even more hurt and distress. Slightly instinctively he grabbed the cloth of his right shoulder, the one brandished with a symbol many in the third stein would cower at, and pulled it closer, as if maybe he could hide it better if his shirt was an inch to the left.


Finally after much internal debate, he stood up, his mind finally made up and now devoid of the nervosity and doubt that had been sawing at the strings of his sanity for the duration of the evening. A mission was given to him, and naturally not a single thing in the world but death would keep him from fulfilling it, he had been laying dormant for too long, his skill rotting away a little at a time. Years ago he would have gladly taken this chance to prove his loyalty and worthiness of thrust, today he would take it to prove his morality and worthiness at being a hero... but most of all to prove to himself he had an use beyond evil deeds. Without a sound he opened the door of his room, and he could feel his body shiver in excitement as it once more practised what it was best at... silence like death itself.


A slight challenge to wake his senses should be fun enough, and his challenge was to enter the hall and sit in his chair without anybody noticing. Quite likely even he couldn't pull it off, but it was worth a try, just to show to himself the queen hadn't invited him there based on a skill he no longer possessed. Most would say he was doing incredible, but his ears picked up sounds his movements made he was sure they didn't when he last moved like that, the little grains of sand grinding across the stone floor for example, or the sound of the seems of his pants touching, even the sound of his clothes seemed unacceptable. Gradually though he felt it coming back with each step he took, until he had learnt which movements made the most sound, and more importantly, which didn't.


He made it into the hall without anyone noticing him, which seemed to be quite a feat... though he was surprised none else was there besides the queen, Alexi and Polaris, with the latter two now making their apologies loud and clear. Gladly he realised that would make this little endeavor of his only easier, and in his mind he was thankful that his seat had been on the same side the door to the rooms was at. If only nobody would look up, maybe he could actually make it too his chair, though it did feel like he had grasped a tad too high with that goal. If he couldn't do it though, he probably would have to train until he could, otherwise he would not stand a chance to ever face the Red Queen... as her assassins were at least on par with Lion's Irate, and her gang was the only thing he'd less rather serve than Lion's Irate.


"Your Highness, I am terribly sorry for what happened tonight, and I take full responsibility for the scattering of… of the guests. If I had stayed put, they may have as well, however, I could not bring myself to leave Miss Ashford as she was. Therefore, I will take any punishment asked of me, as well as any punishment that may be put on any of the others' heads." he heard Polaris say, and he took a quick mental note of it, not even aware that he did, as it was only natural he'd listen for anything important while sneaking around. While she talked he moved halfway to his chair, surprised he was doing this well, but knowing he should keep his head cool and not get too distracted at this small success. Cautiously he looked at them, trying to stay out of their line of sight, though it was incredibly hard as they sat in a triangle and had full view of the well lit hall. If it had been dark he would have guessed he might would be able to stay hidden if one of them looked up, but now it was only necessary for either the queen or Alexi to look up and past Polaris to see him nice and clearly. The only thing that might help him was that they wouldn't expect him to be sneaking up on them... and so they wouldn't be looking for him in the first place, though these weren't ordinary people, and he was only guessing they hadn't been told enough to look for an assassin techniques.


“Your majesty, we all owe you an apology for this unseemly and unintended disruption of your gracious gift, and more importantly, the delay of answers that might bring you some much needed comfort. I am sorry. We all are, I assure you. We only had great concern for our new found friend and wanted to be sure the child was ok." Now Alexi started talking, and this would probably be the only chance he'd have at slipping into his chair unseen, because he looked away and towards the queen, his line of sight shifting just enough for Ina's chair to switch to peripheral vision, at least, if he didn't have extraordinary vision.


As fast as he could while still being silent he moved towards the chair... until he was a feet... and then only inches away... was he going to make it? In his mind it had been an impossible challenge to see how far he could go, but he hadn't expected to really make it as far as he did. He had really thought there was no way they wouldn't catch him getting seated in broad daylight... but yet he managed to somehow and he blamed it on both Polaris, Alexi and the queen being too occupied with their own chat to notice their third guess. And with a slight sadistic smile he realised he might as well use this unforeseen twist for his own fun. Quietly he listened as the queen finished her talking about compensation money, and he couldn't help but wonder one question, he had already been planning on talking to make his presence known, but now he actually had a real question to go with it. Silently he leaned forward, one hand on his chin, thinking about how he would best go about it.


"Please excuse my intrusion, your majesty, but I truly can't help and wonder what would happen if for any reason we would need money to fulfill our task... repairs, medicine, and with Prudence and Sir Isaac I am pretty sure we won't be sleeping in the forest eating woodland rats for dinner. I don't want to sound like I am taking advantage of the situation, and just like Polaris and Alexi I would be happy with little to no compensation at all, but parties like this sadly don't last long with only the will of volunteers." He too wanted to get started as soon as possible, but even though he only had participated in the so called hunting tasks only a few times, he knew that planning these details would be as vital to the mission as the swords on their backs. It also would be crucial for a good moral to know that whatever happened they would't have to worry about rations or medicine, at least not unless they truly ended up having to go into the woods for a week.


@Dragongal @KnightofShadows

 

[KnightofShadows]

Alexi nodded in understanding, “Thank you your majesty. That is most gracious of you, and I am sure, that we can do just as you suggest. I have already given the matter much thought.”


It was then he caught the movement. It was Ina, moving with the stealth one might expect from someone of his reputation. His skills were good, good enough to best most eyes or ears, but not the hyper-vigilance of one who spent most of his time in the dark stillness of the night in silent observation of the world. He didn’t care, let the assassin have his fun. He wasn’t sure what he imagined he might gain from the effort…


He ignored the assassin’s approach for the moment, and just remained at the ready, in case by some chance he was here somehow to exercise his skills in some diabolical attack on the Queen herself. Unobtrusively, he loosened one of the throwing knives hidden up his sleeve, just in case. He knew the boy could teleport, and if he was indeed stalking her, he would need all the speed he could muster.


To his relief, moments later the young man simply slid into his seat unchallenged, and asked a few questions of his own and in turn voiced his commitment as well. However, thereby revealing the very fact that he had been eavesdropping to begin with, or attempting to have them believe he’d been there all along. “Curious…” he thought.


Alexi smiled warmly at the Queen, and before she could answer he made to take his leave. “I’m sorry, let me be on my way, I don’t want Ms. Ashford to wake up alone and disoriented.”


“You wouldn’t mind terribly if I were to gather a few things for Ms. Ashford and myself to snack on?” he said meekly.


He waited for the returned smile, and her nod of approval before he approached the table and began to gather things on Prudence’s plate.


He paused a few times, before his eyes again caught something insanely irresistible, adding to the plate that quickly filled while he finished speaking.


“I expect she will awaken soon, and she barely touched this splendid feast you had prepared, and it’s already a travesty to see this much delicious food wasted… Me, well I don’t sleep at night normally. So it’s going to take some getting used to, and I’m afraid I won’t get much sleep. Despite the incomparable comfort of your hospitality here.” he finished his pilfering.


With a, “I bid you all good night then. I am sure you can workout such details without me." he said.


"I will look after Ms. Ashford, and make sure she gets some rest. Please check in on her if you like Polaris, I am sure she would like that.”


He raised his hood, and the cobalt blue eyes disappeared in the depth of its darkness. “Your majesty.” he bowed his head. “Thank you, and sleep well everyone.”


He picked up the near to spilling plate, and quietly retreated in the direction of Prudence’s room.





@Elvengarda

 

[Dragongal]

Empertrie D. White ~The White Queen~

​

The Queen was a bit surprised at Inanis's sudden appearance, but reckoned that it was to be expected from such company; harmless, really. "Naturally you will be given money at the beginning to purchase supplies, and a chance to go through the castle's armoury. I cannot promise that camping in the woods is out of the question." She thought for a moment, and said, "It is truly fortunate that you came when you did, Inanis, as I said earlier, I need to speak to you in private. While Polaris, if she wouldn't mind, gets Elara, may we speak?"


By her figuring, she could give Inanis his news by the time Polaris returned with Elara, then dismiss Inanis and give Elara her news. Yes, that way everyone would be able to retire sooner. "Polaris, if you could please do that, she went down that hall. That is, if you weren't going to be retiring to bed, of course."





 
Polaris Mentha


Polaris jumped a bit at Inanis's sudden arrival, but recovered quickly. This wasn't odd for her, she'd always been a bit jumpy. She agreed with Inanis's point; they would need supplies. At the Queen's response, she realized the Queen must have been planning for this for a long time, since she seemed to have everything planned. As Alexi backed out, she smiled to him; he knew to come find her when Prudence awoke, if she needed help.


She nodded at the Queen's request, saying, "It's alright, Your Highness, I don't sleep much anyway," before nodding to Inanis and walking down the hall in Elara's direction. Once out of the Queen's sight, she decided to walk a bit slower, so as not to startle the animal-like Elara. She reached the courtyard, and looked around, seeing Elara huddled in a corner. She held her hands up, and slowly approach. Quietly, softly she called, "Elara? Are you alright...?"





@apheIion

 

[CallSign]

Something tugged at the back of Isaac's mind as he read. He thought it minor at first, but it grew until finally he set the book down and took action. His merchant's sense was telling him that if he waited for the morning to negotiate his advantage would be lost. He had to strike while the iron was hot, so to speak.


He opened his door and summoned one of the castle servants to him with a wave. "Please, ask the queen if she might have a discussion with me, Sir Isaac, before the night is out. The matter is of importance to her request, but not of any particular secrecy." Isaac's memory of courtly manners had yet to desert him, and he knew it to be presumptuous to simply show up expecting an audience. The queen had her own schedule of business, and since Isaac was on standby at the present he would follow her schedule's dictation.


As he waited, he propped the door open with his chair, sitting in it and watching the goings-on in the hallway idly. Little of interest to him happened before the servant returned with the queen's directions. He followed the servant to where the queen had summoned him and knocked politely before entering.


After a quick bow, Isaac cut straight to the heart of the matter. "We've a bit of business to discuss. What sort of compensation were you going to provide for our work? We'll most certainly be risking our lives on your order. I do hope you weren't considering some silly fairy tale reward like a daughter's hand in marriage."

 

[Dragongal]

Empertrie D. White ~The White Queen~

​

Empertrie thought that Dorovich should consider himslef lucky for her speaking to him so quickly, after how he'd left earlier. Rude by any standards set. She wanted, quite honestly, to get him out of her sight lest she become angered again. Hearing his question she smiled wryly. "Straight for the money, naturally. Well, besides the number of lives you'd be saving, and that you'd likely be preventing an entirely new government to arise, likely with a form of tyranny, you will earn hard money. The exact amount will be determined by your cooperation with the group, but no matter what it will be a rather large amount, however, of course, you won't be able to stop to do business during this endeavour, which could last a month, likely less, possibly more, and I can't compensate for those profits, naturally, because they're illegal. But it will be a large sum."


She leaned forward in her chair, and said without emotion, "However, should you be the cause of death or injury for one of your teammates, or betray them in any way at all, you will be killed." She leaned back again, adding lightly, "They will have first call of that, of course, and I doubt Miss Farlance would mind. Or Miss Polaris, Alexi, or Sir Syrann, if it's one of the younger ones. And if they only want to hurt you, not kill you, well - then the guards can have some fun. I always worry their shooting is getting rusty." She smiled lightly and innocently to him, as if she'd not just threatened him with a firing squad with bad aim.

 

[Unwavering Knight]

The Clipped Wings


Closed doors, nervous fumbling with the lock to ensure highest possible amount of quarantine. The lavish decoration of the room going almost entirely ignored as the candles are snuffed out one by one by plated hand.


Kaatl watched the proceedings, sitting on a chair, a practiced mixture of wariness, expectation and kindness written across her fine features.


After making sure complete darkness reigned, the knight seated himself upon his bedside, mentally signaling for Kaatl to begin. Dainty fingers set themselves upon the iron hinges on Syrann's neck, gentle caution expressed by careful slowness as the fairy slowly undid the locks. One problem with the armor was that it was never meant to be opened by the wearer. He remembered how it had taken Kaatl hours to find the right combination, even after having spied on his father beforehand. Now her process was done in mere minutes. A tap on his head, signaling the last opening of the lock. A plated hand is led to the lower rim of the helmet, slowly lifting it upwards.


In the darkness, a round set of eyes is revealed, giving off a faint sapphire glow. Brushing the blond hair out of his face, Kaatl decided that it was about time for scissor-work again. Not that he would ever be able to appreciate it, considering his avoidance of mirrors like the plague.


Syrann gave a sigh, though there was a certain amount of joyful expectation on his features. "The feast!" his voice uttered, saliva rapidly gathering in his unsatisfied cavity.


A finger snap, a sheer hunk of meat appeared, directly taken from the feast. Without hesitation, a plated hand grabbed hold before his head was rapidly propelled forward to the sustenance.


Eating had become... difficult. Back when he first started out, it had taken him some time to determine that he could no longer digest fruits and vegetables, pain and violent vomiting being the usual result. Then there was the process of chewing, but he had figured out a trick! First, he would cautiousely rake the edge of his jaws upon a protuberance, before grabbing hold with his frontal set to tear it out. Then he would use the canines - or at least what he assumed to be canines - to slowly tear the thing to manageable pieces. Then he had to swallow the half-chewed mess.


Even after all this time, he was still prone to cough, violently swallowing the chunks to force them down his gullet, though the sharp edges kept getting in the way. But at least he was no longer in danger of choking to death while eating.


Kaatl merely flew around the room, her curious eyes inspecting the furniture.


Process done, the knight fastened the helmet back on his head.


It was time to rest.

 

[noticemeknot]

•• Elara Elliana Farlance ••

​

Elara was never one to consider herself lucky by any means, but perhaps one of the gods believed her worthy of pity and and grace. Whatever the reason, the door whose threshold each chosen subject crossed a mere hour or two before was left open for the taking. While the others were preoccupied with their own thoughts and concerns, the murderess made her silent yet shaking getaway into the shadows of the courtyard.


Concentrate... Focus... Just breathe, deep and slow... She voiced her thoughts in hard whispers, struggling to keep her beast at bay. Ever so slowly, the monster inside her began to ebb away, and just when Elara thought herself to be in the clear, a familiar vice cut through the air.


"Elara? Are you alright...?"


In a wild flurry of motion, Elara rounded on the girl with a guttural growl; her fangs poked just past her lips and her pupils slit to a thin line across her eyes. Her gaze widened at the sight of a nervous Polaris and she hastily turned back towards the corner.


"Just.... J-Just give me a minute," she ground out as she rocked back and forth on the balls of her feet, her voice low and grating.


[ @Dragongal ]


[i'm sorry this post is so bad...]

 

[Dragongal]

Polaris Mentha


To her shame, when Elara turned and startled her, Polaris reflexivelybrought her right foot and arm back, purring herself in a fighting position. She was honestly tempted to take her shield off her back and move it to her hip as a safety measure, but didn't want Elara to take that as a threat in any way. Worried that the cound of her voice might startle or anger Elara again, she slowly moved to the edge of the raised garden, sitting down on the flagstone. She'll come around on her own, she figured. I just have to be patient.


It was rather dark in the courtyard, with very little light coming from the halls, and the outdoor torches had been neglected. Polaris leaned back, teasing a single branch out of a clump of vines, and silently encouraging it to grow the way she told it to. The result was a small flower, glowing a luminous blue like foxfire. She smiled to herself, always amazed by the beauty of plants. She had a notable thing for anything that gave off small amounts of light in the dark; from a teacandle, to a firefly, to the stars, to a flower that she manipulated to mutate into bioluminescent bloom.


She looked back to Elara, beginning to worry a bit, when one of the vines wrapped itself around her wrist. She sighed, realizing her mistake of not paying attention immediately after affecting plants, and carefully disentangled herself, telling the plants to behave. She was about to return her attention to her charge, when she realized that she didn't know if looking directly at Elara might anger or threaten her more. She decided that she had a sword, shield, and whole garden at her back, so Elara wasn't much of a threat, and watched to make sure she was okay.

 

[noticemeknot]

•• Elara Elliana Farlance ••

​

For the beastly noble curled in the corner, time had no meaning; mere minutes could have past until she wrestled her inner monsters into submission, or perhaps full hours. No doubt the female behind her could hear her grunts and groans as she struggled. When finally she rose, heaving a sigh and raising her gaze towards the tar-scattered sky, the dim moonlight darkened the circles under her eyes and the widened the hard frown on her lips. Her fangs had returned to normal, as had her eyes.


After a moment of collecting herself, Elara pivoted on her front of her foot and trudged towards the raised garden where Polaris now stood. The greenery had changed in some ways--clumps of vines thicker than before, oddly shaped and colored flowers blooming in the moon's rays, an eerie and ethereal light shining from from one plan in particular. She only blinked in response to the sight. So, this was the girl's power? It was really quite... pretty, Elara supposed, a slight touch of envy to her thought. No doubt, however, there was much more to it than mere showboating greenery.


"Well?" she asked, the guttural growl gone, replaced with a deep sense of exhaustion. "What is it that you want from me?"


[ @Dragongal ]

 

[Dragongal]

Polaris Mentha


Glad to see that Elara was no longer in pain, Polaris stood, saying, "Actually, I'm afraid I'm just a messenger this time. It's the Queen who wants you." She was so focused on her concern for Elara - and being prepared to defend herself if needed - that she forgot her focus on the plants yet again, and another vine reached up to her, wrapping around her hand. Polaris jumped a good two feet in surprise, the snapped her finger in anger, sending the vine back to its trellis. She cut off her connection to the plants entirely this time.


She looked back to Elara, a bit embarrassed, saying, "Anyway, um, if you're ready, she wanted to talk to you about something. In private."





@apheIion