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Post by 𝘨𝘰𝘭𝘥𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘶𝘯 on Apr 17, 2017 15:52:29 GMT -5
mine's just a habit I can't be bothered to stop oops
true that
of course! and it doesn't show, don't worry.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 17, 2017 15:54:26 GMT -5
Slender fingers drummed in front of him lightly as Kit watched the woman calmly. He did not say a word as he watched what could've been her waiting for an invitation, but when she sat, he raised an eyebrow. It was normal, of course, for someone to sit at his table - usually his own men, or people asking for him to do a job. This, he supposed, was possibly a client. He shifted his weight but continued to sit in an almost lazy position. It was a vague hint that he didn't care who she was, but he did care what she was here for. His tongue darted quickly over his lower lip and he brushed some of his hair out of his face.
"You need business taken care of?" he asked, deciding that he'd take this seriously. With no slang or clipped words, his off accent was a little more notable; but soft enough that not many people had questioned him about it over the years. The people here, he knew, did not question him on it, because they feared him. Nobles did not know of it because he adjusted it if he had to speak to them for a scheme. It worked. "Talk to me. I do not bite those who make good deals," he took a sip from his ale. Cheap stuff, he knew, but it was just one of those things. After a moment of thought, he offered the cup.
This, he told himself, will tell me what rank she may be from.
It was extremely common for the poor to share drinks as well as food, for it saved money and would help lower portions and need for extra supplies. Even with money tucked away, Kit was into the habit of sharing his food and drink, and offering to someone else, he'd found out, was a good indicator of where they came from (unless they knew how to hide it). Those of a lower rank (below high noble, in that case) would often accept. Those of a high rank would refuse. It was just how things worked. While he waited for her answer to the offering of the cup, he gave what could've been described as a Cheshire cat-esque smile.
"My name is Kit. What is yours?"
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Post by 𝘨𝘰𝘭𝘥𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘶𝘯 on Apr 17, 2017 16:31:39 GMT -5
Amelia considered the cup, then raised a graceful hand. "Thank you," she said. "But I'll decline. No offence meant, of course." She wondered, if only for a moment, why he'd offered. It was not something she would have done, nor had she ever seen it done before. At the King's table, food was not shared. Even the idea would be offensive to some, her father among them. It was an odd thing to do, far outside the norms Amelia had grown up seeing. She didn't bother hiding her curiosity knowing that she'd fail even if she did. She'd always been far too transparent for her own liking.
"My name is Amelia Leolan." This was the first time she'd introduced herself forgoing her former title. Like a stab in the gut, the emotions it brought with it were sharp and painful. It wasn't just the loss of her standing, it was her father's name and knowing he would never be addressed by it again. She may be done grieving, but that didn't mean she was any less raw. Maybe that would pass with time, maybe she would remain this way forever. It didn't matter. She was like this now.
She drew a deep breath, steadying herself by clasping her hands tighter together beneath the table. "My name is Amelia Leolan," she repeated, "and I am here because I want my country back."
She'd said these words many times before. Thus far, no-one had agreed to help her. But she'd had nothing to offer before. The men she'd asked were all rich already, leading lives in comfort. All of them had been allowed to keep their titles when her father was overthrown; they were not royalty, they didn't have enough people rallying behind them to be a real threat. And, as they'd already proved, they were loyal only to their money and influence. As long as that wasn't threatened, they'd stay where they were.
But with this man, she hoped to bargain. She was not pleading to some loyalty, hidden behind layers upon layers of betrayal. She was pleading to greed and to self-preservation and she knew now, more than ever, that that was a far more reliable way of getting what you want.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 17, 2017 20:37:14 GMT -5
bwehhh im sorry i vanished, i went to play games bc im actually 10 yrs old again
im glad it doesnt show though!
i'll get up a response soon
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Post by Deleted on Apr 17, 2017 20:47:07 GMT -5
Declined. She was a noble. Kit shrugged lightly and drained the rest of it before setting it aside lightly, ignoring the woman who came to remove the cup to clean it (she knew he wouldn't want more, for he was lightweight and didn't wish to be drunk). It was when the woman stated her name, however, that he perked up and narrowed his eyes, snapping to attention within seconds. The Princess was here, in the slums; though he had heard rumours that she was dead. He considered her words momentarily, before clicking his tongue and smiling lazily, stretching his arms over the table before he rested his chin gently upon his forearm.
"Princess Amelia wishes to have her country back," he mused softly, more to himself than anyone else. Did that mean that she would be Queen if she succeeded? That would be a high power to have as a friend. However, if he helped her, that would get the country back on track - which meant the authorities would pay more attention to him and his group.
With the vague chaos within the system as to who should listen to who, anyone who was caught could be rescued easily. Puppy had been caught by the police a couple of nights back, and he'd been rescued with little trouble and no lingering issues. He narrowed his eyes and tilted his head upwards slightly, watching the flickering candles above and listening to the low murmur of chatter from the back room, where his group were. He could hear Puppy's not-yet broken voice chirping to Ty (or Myle), complaining about something or other.
"Well," he breathed, sitting up again and unfolding himself. Then, he rested his elbow on the table and curled his fingers inward again, propping his chin up on his fist and half-closing his eyes. It was a lazy gesture, relaxed and calm and most certainly at peace in his environment. "It's a tempting offer, except you have not yet offered me anything in return - and before you offer riches or any of the like, I do not care for it. I'm not poor."
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Post by 𝘨𝘰𝘭𝘥𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘶𝘯 on Apr 18, 2017 11:43:27 GMT -5
it's all good, I vanished at some point there, too.
--
Amelia's fingers drummed rapidly against her thigh without her consent and without her noticing. She was busy with other, more important things, such as desperately trying to extend her focus beyond the table she was sat at. She should be picking up on the little things, should hear the distant chatter of other guests. Only a short time in the slums had taught her this: everyone noticed everything. She needed to learn to do the same, but here and now she couldn't even force her attention away from the matter at hand long enough to register the coming and going of a woman. She only realised once she looked down to find the cup gone.
"If I thought you were poor," Amelia said, glad at least that her focus allowed her to pick up the conversation easily, "I would not have come here. I am not in the business of hiring men who are no more than adequate at what they do." She could only hope he did not belong to this category after all. It had proved much more difficult to get any proper insight into his operation's success than if she'd been looking for a simple carpenter or even artist. Unsurprising, she supposed.
As much as she would have loved to linger on his skill as a thief, she saw his statement for what it was. It was not an invitation to discuss what wealth he did and did not possess. "I was not planning to offer anything of the kind, regardless," she continued. "I do not have great wealth to give you. But I understand this whole operation works on the basis of stealing from the rich and leaving the poor alone? I can't imagine the nobility appreciates that much. I also cannot say I appreciate them much at the moment, but they are my people nonetheless. I owe them as much as I owe anyone, which is why I'm willing to offer you a compromise.
"How does never having to fear punishment again sound? I am the rightful ruler of this country. If you work with me to restore me to its throne, I'll pardon you all former and future crimes. Your men, too, if you wish. There would be regulations, of course; I will not have a band of thieves running my country from the shadows and I need the nobility behind me. Those are up for negotiation, should you accept my offer." Amelia fell silent finally, not wishing to get into the technicalities needlessly. She watched him carefully, looking for any sign of what his answer might be before he actually gave it.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 18, 2017 17:53:14 GMT -5
heyo heyo i will read your response soon and then i will respond <:
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Post by 𝘨𝘰𝘭𝘥𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘶𝘯 on Apr 18, 2017 18:31:20 GMT -5
of course, take your time ^^ I'm not sure if I'll be here long, it's half one in the morning and I'm getting up early tomorrow, but if not I'll get you a response tomorrow.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 18, 2017 18:36:07 GMT -5
ayy it's half midnight here lol im just around bc bad sleep schedule
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Post by 𝘨𝘰𝘭𝘥𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘶𝘯 on Apr 18, 2017 18:42:19 GMT -5
I mean, same. I can't remember the last time I, like, didn't ruin my own life by staying up way too late. oops
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Post by Deleted on Apr 18, 2017 18:46:01 GMT -5
If his full attention wasn't on the Princess, then it wasn't obvious. Kit's eyes were narrowed and his posture was lazy, though he was fully aware of his surroundings - such as Morrigan exchanging words with her patrons and waitresses, or a gambling man about to lose his entire hand. He was aware of the woman in front of him, naturally, and listened to her words without much interest. Nobles had money and materials worth taking, but their words were an entirely different matter. He exhaled slowly through his nose and shifted his weight as he listened, nodding absently.
"Never fearing punishment," he repeated after a few moments, blinking quickly as he turned his gaze back to Princess Amelia. He knew that he had heard correctly, supposed that it would be good; but then it would make him slack off. But...his thoughts flicked to Puppy and he absently ran a hand over his jaw, fingers scratching lightly. It was tempting. One of those things that, for his boys, he would certainly consider - but was it a payment worth the work? Helping the Princess gain back her Kingdom. Her rightful Kingdom, he supposed. She was the heir and the current 'King' was nothing if not cruel. It was not punishment that caused Kit worry, for he had known for years that his death would approach, but it was his group; the future of the two boys he'd come to see as children, the future of the two men he'd come to see as brothers.
There were regulations - there were always those.
"Well," he mused idly, now moving his fingers to lazily trace over the wooden table, "I suppose that would be a rather interesting start to a payment - though it is not much of a motivator," it was true that his attention was caught, and he was sure that he'd take the job without much more needling; but it was always more interesting to see if people responded well to his hints of a further payment. "Helping a noble become a noble, at the cost of other nobles. They are your people, but it is their wealth and items that you offer in exchange for the throne," his lips twitched up into a curved, sly smile. "Princess, I do not think you are as kind and warm as the people say."
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Post by Deleted on Apr 18, 2017 18:46:43 GMT -5
tbh im just slamdunkin everywhere bc i have no sleep
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Post by 𝘨𝘰𝘭𝘥𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘶𝘯 on Apr 18, 2017 18:54:47 GMT -5
sleep is kinda weird though. you're not dead but you're not really alive either, you're just suspended in your own subconcious until your body decides - for some reason - that enough is enough and really shouldn't you be living your life and as facinating as that is, it freaks me out a little
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Post by Deleted on Apr 19, 2017 16:22:50 GMT -5
that is the exact reason why i love sleep
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Post by 𝘨𝘰𝘭𝘥𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘶𝘯 on Apr 20, 2017 14:23:26 GMT -5
Amelia considered his words carefully, nodding. "The moment they chose the man who calls himself King over me and the rest of the Kingdom they forfeited the right to my loyalty. That is reserved for my people alone and they have made it clear they no longer wish to be considered as such. If that makes me unkind, I shall wear unkindness with pride."
She'd considered her hypocrisy, of course. It was easy to see that in an attempt to help her people she was turning her back on those her father considered his closest allies. There was a reason she had not taken this option first and it was this: the other side of betrayal hurt just as the first did. By now, she knew one well and she knew it wouldn't be long until this new one became as familiar as an old friend. It was difficult to face that down with the pride she spoke of but she had been groomed to be a leader. No other vice came as easy to her.
"Unfortunately, I do not have much else to offer you," she said in response to his prodding. He wanted to see what else she'd give, but the truth of the matter was that she had very little to give. She'd lost far too much. "Talk to me again when my Kingdom is running as it should."
( graagh this post was short and rocky and pretty bad in every sense :/ sorry. I'm too tired to bother going back and rewrite it to fix that. )
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