Demisexual
Leo
Surviving off Thai tea and Miguel O'hara
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Post by Leo on Jun 13, 2021 14:14:56 GMT -5
Elena stood silently, glaring between Atlas and Ress. Waiting for one of them to explain why they brought a prince and a guard of the castle here if not to dispose of them. Waiting for some quick explanation on why she was to go along with this little plan.
Patience was a thing that came and went with the Siren. There were most days she could keep control and let the long game play out. But, then there were those rare situations when she couldnβt keep things inside and she was ready to explode.
And when Carlo spoke a bit of that anger released.
Without a second thought or any hesitation, Elena grabbed a knife that was on her waist and quickly threw it at the prince. The small blade sliced through the air, passed by his arm, and landed tip down in the mud hardly an inch from his hand.
She was charming yes, but only when she wanted to be. And the wrath in her eyes told him she wouldnβt be kind and miss the next time.
Be silent.
After both Ress and Lilith spoke, Elena scoffed and laughed in their faces. A complete flip in emotion from a moment ago. βWorth what?β She asked through her laughter. She shook her head and pointed to Lilith and herself. βWe donβt need them. Do you see what Iβm wearing? Do you remember what we got tonight?β
Elena turned to Ress and crossed her arms over her chest. She chuckled at the mention of a Queen coming after them and shook her head. Once again she pointed to her and Lilith. βWe had nothing to do with this. I did not kidnap them nor did I ever plan to do so,β she began to explain. βBringing them here to be prisoners in your war is absolutely the burden you claim you donβt want it to be. Especially, if weβre to make sure they stay alive. Unless youβre going to offer me something better than what you have, keep them yourself.β
βWe could-β Atlas began but was quickly silenced by Elena by a look and a point in his direction. This time her smile was gone replaced by a scowl.
βDonβt make me any more false promises about connections. I could get them faster than it takes for you to make a decision on which bottle to down first,β She hissed angrily. It was the same thing Atlas promised every time she wanted something. Sheβd only fallen for the lie the first time.
βI want your secrets,β Elena demanded looking at the two intruders. βI want to know something you keep hidden from everyone else. Either from you,β She pointed at Atlas first. βOr you,β Then Ress. βOr your Queen.β She dropped her arm and shrugged thinking of another option. βOr shared between all three of you,β She finished.
Walking back over to the prince, Elena pushed the boyβs hand away with her boot gently and grabbed the knife she had thrown at him. She gave him the famous charming smile her victims usually saw and then flashed it at the other two.
βI do adore you two. But, that affection does not save you from death at my command.β
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Demisexual
Leo
Surviving off Thai tea and Miguel O'hara
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Post by Leo on Jun 13, 2021 14:39:42 GMT -5
Athena bowed her head as the King made his demands and left her with the rest of the men in the room. But, she couldn't relax just yet. She needed to get out of there as fast as possible. A place at court hadn't been her home in a long time and she hadn't missed it so far.
Athena smiled gently at Alex as a young lady of nobility might do when promised a tour of the castle. But, she couldn't keep the same false happiness when Dante spoke. Her lip twitched slightly and her eyes narrowed at him when he agreed to go with them. "Thank you," She said softly before dipping her head to the Crown prince and the visiting lords, Athena swept out of the room with Alex and Dante.
And once they were alone, Athena dropped her smile and started speed walking down a hall towards the exit.
"I'm leaving," she told them, not sparing a second glance in their direction. Quickly, she tapped each and every blade on her, making sure she wasn't missing one and would have to go back for them. "I don't care what your bastard of a father just said, I'm not staying. Come up with an excuse for me. I won't be too far but I..."
She had the weirdest feeling. Something similar to when her abilities were activated only she wasn't seeing anything this time. Maybe something was trying to come through but wasn't successful. Regardless, something felt incredibly wrong. With this castle, with the unknown prisoner, with the two kings. Something was very very wrong.
Shaking her head and walking a little faster, Athena threw her hands up and decided she wasn't going to get involved.
"I can't stay here."
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Post by Ζ€Ξ±ΖΖΞ±Ρ β§ on Jun 13, 2021 15:25:49 GMT -5
Lilith had looked at Callan with a smirk and a raised eyebrow at Ressβs comment, clearly amused by the idea of a royal guard getting beaten so easily. Unfortunately though, the manβs response wasnβt as interesting as sheβd hoped it would be.
Her comment had clearly gotten under his skin, she could see in the slight thinning of his lips and the set of his jaw. But he was making a valiant effort not to show it. He seemed to have bigger things to focus on, if Lilith could judge from the way he kept looking at Elena, the flash of confusion in his eyes.
Something was going on here that Lilith couldnβt quite discern.
She chuckled and folded her arms as Elena launched a knife in the young princeβs direction. She did enjoy when her friend let her anger get the better of her on occasion, it was amusing to see.
The only issue was when it got in the way of their business deals, as it did now when Elena pointed out the score the two had just recently made and began demanding secrets from Atlas and Ress.
βThat crown will get you plenty of money, but it doesnβt have any of the power itβs supposed to represent.β Lilith pointed out βWhile we have them, we have power over Adrestia and a bargaining chip with Ernestine. After all, we donβt work for her.β
Lilith wasnβt afraid of any ruler. Not even Ernestine. And the woman was acutely aware that while they had Ernestineβs βcargoβ, they had some kind of power and influence with her. She hungered for power, because she knew she would need it if she was ever going to take back the place that sheβd been destined for. She knew her kingdom was not as it had been and it would not be as simple as just walking back in.
But if she could build up some power, get herself an army? Perhaps she had a chance of taking back what was hers.
βBesides,β Lilith added on with a disdainful glance towards the carriage βI donβt know about you but Iβd rather that thing get out of our territory sooner rather than later. Itβs not exactly subtle.β
If they helped Ress and Atlas out, the two I could be on their way and out of their hair as soon as possible. No waiting, no trouble.
Lilith, for her part, was pretty satisfied with Ressβs deal. The way she saw it, all she had to give was free passage through her territory, some things that werenβt hers, and some share in the profit. She was getting free money and free power here. It was a win-win.
βGive her your secrets or weβll be here all night.β Lilith said to Atlas and Ress with a roll of her eyes βSooner you give her something sheβs interested in the sooner we can all get on with our lives.β
Lilith had been lucky enough to never have to deal in secrets with Elena. In fact, sheβd made very sure to ensure that the other woman knew none of Lilithβs secrets. Partly because it amused her to see how much it frustrated Elena to not have anything on her rival, partly because it amused her even more to know how much delight it would bring Elena to know the many secrets Lilith did possess.
Meanwhile, the woman dropped to her haunches in front of Carlo, examining the young prince with a flick of her eyes.
βIβll take the prince,β Lilith called to Ress and Atlas without taking her gaze from Carlo βLet Elena have the Ironblood over there if she wishes it.β
She said Ironblood with a derisive snort, clearly enjoying the irony in the name. It was supposedly a nickname of the Verndari, and she found it incredibly amusing given the ease with which Ress seemed to have taken him prisoner. Callanβs eyes flickered and he seemed to tense for a moment in Atlasβs grip, clearly getting irritated between Lilith and Ress, but still kept his mouth shut.
Lilith kept her attention on the prince. She was used to dealing with royalty, of course. Sheβd known who Carlo was even before heβd been introduced, but she knew he wouldnβt know her. The Lenore family has been so secretive that she doubted heβd remember her. Lilith had never been one to demand attention either.
βWelcome to the real world, Your Highness.β
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Post by Ζ€Ξ±ΖΖΞ±Ρ β§ on Jun 13, 2021 15:46:08 GMT -5
Alex had, of course, caught his fatherβs backhanded compliment. He wasnβt stupid, nor was his father subtle. In response heβd just given a tight smile that didnβt reach his eyes and only flashed on his face for a moment, before accompanying the two others out of the room.
Athena expressed her desire to leave, already starting to power walk towards the nearest exit. It was a shame, because ideally Alex would have liked to ask if she couldβve assisted them in smuggling Minke out of the palace and to safety. But he couldnβt ask Athena to do that, not when sheβd already done so much to keep him out of trouble with his father already that day. Not when she was in the position heβd put her in. That didnβt seem fair.
βAlright,β Alex responded βI understand. Maybe we can help you get out of here if you-β
The young man cut himself off, looking over to Dante.
βExactly how urgent is our... situation?β Alex asked him quickly.
If they had time to help Athena and Minke, he would. If they didnβt have time, Minke was the priority. Athena was perfectly capable of taking care of herself, Alex knew that. Minke was the one who needed them.
Besides, if what he was beginning to suspect was actually the case, their situation was dire indeed and they needed to move quickly to help get Minke out of there.
Not that it mattered much anyway with Athena power walking away from them like that. She likely wouldnβt stop for them to catch up and sheβd be gone anyway.
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Post by πππππ π¨ on Jun 13, 2021 16:40:13 GMT -5
Ress glared at Elena when the prince finally angered her and she flipped. That patience of Elena would be her undoing, and Ress almost looked forward to the day it would happen. Except, it also saddened her, how such an event would tear her down. Elena was much stronger than that, or should have been.
Her eyes locked on the tantrum the girl was practically throwing. Cool and collected still, she intervened smoothly, raising her eyebrows at the criminal, "As much as you want to sound tough Elena, we can think this through rationally," she began, staying at a safe distance, "If we still have the royal carriage, and their royal items, why would anyone have any reason to suspect who you have? As much as a royal is important, to most people they're just some ruling figure in some other country and a name."
There would be people who recognized them, but it'd be easier to keep people silent. Especially with Elena's abilities.
Carlo himself flinched when the angry criminal threw that knife close to his hand, tensing and frightened. "Oh," the gasp of horror left him, "Nice aim. I think you missed a bit though."
Ress herself turned her attention to Lilith, nodding her agreement to the words about gaining power. In all honesty, Ernestine had no care for anyone, if an attempt at power failed, she'd find more pawns, but she was willing to work out deals. Lilith was right to a degree about that, and Ress simply didn't care. It wasn't her job to tell criminals not to mess with her queen, it was her job to stop them if they truly did.
She shook her head as Elena continued, demanding secrets and threatening death. Sure, Elena and Lilith and their crews could kill them, but Ernestine would handle that situation rather quickly. Maybe not by killing the criminals, but she'd send more enemies, she'd get her revenge by ending business with them or framing them or some sort. Or maybe she wouldn't care.
So Ress instead chuckled, "I'd love to see you try, Elena," she warned. She had taken out a kingdom's head guard with just a candlestick and her wits. She didn't fear Elena because the girl had a pretty voice and some lackies. After all, Elena was very open about her powers, but Ress had some hidden weapons of her own.
"Secrets are powerful weapons. Allies can have them if they ask nicely, but those who choose to become enemies won't keep them very long," Ress pointed out, but some secrets were also dangerous. If they truly wanted Elena to back off, perhaps it was time to reveal one instead.
"It's a secret you ask for?" She questioned, walking towards the criminal, "So one you shall receive."
Glancing at Atlas, she nodded in agreeance to Lilith. A silent command for him to go and watch over the two royal prisoners and make sure Lilith didn't try anything. Meanwhile, she looked at Elena, waiting for the criminal to lead her to a hidden area to give her this secret. Ress wasn't keen on going anywhere private with Elena or Lilith, but especially Elena, who was the more unhinged of the two. But Ress was confident that Elena wouldn't try anything. Not if she anted the Verndari boy.
Carlo himself watched Lilith, frowning slightly when she bent down near him and commented on this being the real world. "I mean, it could be worse," he commented, his voice carrying annoyance at this situation, "I could be kidnapped from my family and forced to stay with a notorious criminal."
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Post by πππππ π¨ on Jun 13, 2021 17:32:11 GMT -5
Dante felt a chill run down his spine as soon as they were out of the room. His eyes locked down the hall, panicked and wide open eyes. Out of the presence of those he had to hide such panic from, he led the group silently. Except, someone was talking and suddenly the group was a lot less than before.
Taking a deep breath, he watched as Athena began walking away. Why was she doing that? Then he heard her words, and he frowned deeper.
"I can't stay here."
This was way too much at once. King Drake, Athena leaving, Minke in danger...
"Urgent," he answered shortly, glaring at Alex, not out of malice but more out of the need to act quick, they didn't have time for Athena to go leaving. "King Drake is here for her." He explained, in as few words as he could, because he had to handle the other situation that was hightailing it out of their as fast as possible.
They couldn't handle Athena suddenly just leaving. He began to start walking towards her, quick, ready to intercept her and make sure she stayed put, when suddenly some figure dawned in a dark cloaked exited out of one of the nearby doors. Head ducked, rushing along with some sacks in their hands. The sight of which caused Dante to pause, steps slowing as he watched as the cloaked figure rushed towards the exit.
Near the same destination as Athena, the figure, standing not so tall, ran straight into Athena due to their constant looking down. Tumbling, their belongings crashed onto the floor, food falling from the bags and some coins as well. Quickly, they rushed to get their stolen goods, glancing at the girl in question for just a moment before ducking their head again, grabbing just one of the bags they originally had and rushing out of the building, already running out, cloak billowing behind them.
Dante watched the interaction, still for a moment until the doors closed, as if moving would cause some great alarm. There were spilled rucksacks, food, and coins littering the ground now. He then looked at the door, then Athena, shaking his head slightly. The situation at hand needed to be handled, "Listen, I know you want to go and not get caught up in this but you're the one who came to us asking to get involved," he pointed out, some venom and urgently lacing his voice, starting with reason first, "I might not trust you but Alex does and someone is in danger."
She had to stay. She had to.
"And honestly, we don't have the time to deal with covering for you," He didn't even trust her, but she couldn't leave and that was that, "So we won't be telling any lies on your behalf." That was more of a threat. If he wouldn't make an excuse for her, that meant the truth. In her case, that didn't just put her in danger, it put Alex too, and Dante himself. But Dante would rather that then the alternative.
Turning, he glanced at Alex quickly, uttering nothing more and already heading towards the dungeons. It was Athena's choice in what she did, but Dante didn't owe her anything, and he wasn't about to lie on behalf of her. They had more important priorities anyways.
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Demisexual
Leo
Surviving off Thai tea and Miguel O'hara
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Post by Leo on Jun 13, 2021 18:07:37 GMT -5
"Projcting much are we, pequeΓ±o peΓ³n?" Elena countered at the notion that she was trying to 'act' tough. Elena did not act anything other than charming, kind, or helpless. She is not some scared little boy using humor to deflect from the situation. Nor some mislead little girl who desperately wanted mommy's approval while pretending to be the smartest in a room. She was rage, cunning, and secretive.
"Elena," Reed warned from the side. Elena had been about to raise the knife in her hand to the prince's throat. Maybe cut out his tongue or stab it through his hand like she promised. But, Reed being the voice of reason gave his leader and disapproving look.
Since learning she had to keep the Verndari alive, Elena wasn't able to keep her anger in her favor. She was trapped in a state of emotion she was not used to dealing with. She hated it but at least her second had made her aware of it so she could try harder.
Straightening Elena glared at Ress then at Lilith. Crossing her arms over her chest she gave the other woman a bored look. "I don't need any connection to royalty like you seem to need, Tonta. I could give a damn about the so-called 'power' any of them could give me. I'll get it myself like I always have."
She'd done nothing nothing but fight for what she has now. She did not get handed anything she has now, she stole, manipulated, and almost died on numerous occasions. If she was going to have any power related to the nobility and their various bastards it would be because she has something over them. She will never owe them anything because they owed her everything.
Elena began laughing when Ress chuckled at her threat. She thought she was talking out of her ass? Ress may be a skilled fighter but if she was proud at beating Callan, she'd be disappointed to know she wasn't the first. "Try? It wouldn't be too hard, princesa," Elena confirmed flipping the knife in her hand and then tapping the point against her chin. "At best, Cypress, we are mutuals who pretend to be friends."
Glancing at Reed and Crius, Elena started walking away to get the secret she was owed. "Make sure they don't bother us," she ordered to the two.
Reed nodded and started following her only to stop halfway and turn the other way, out of earshot. Crius on the other hand, nodded said "Yes ma'am," and once again climbed on top of the carriage. To keep an eye on his mistress and anyone who might go for them.
Not even turning to address her, Elena spoke her invitation for Ress to speak. "Make sure it's worth my time.'
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Post by πππππ π¨ on Jun 14, 2021 0:57:13 GMT -5
Ress watched Elena carefully, the tension was really so unneeded. Annoying. They'd really have to take care of these criminals at some point, send a message to them. They thought that being lawless freed them of any consequences, but they seemed to forget that some royals merely turned a blind eye to their antics.
If the Kingdoms were smart enough to ally, these gangs would be dust. But Ress tended to like them, except when they became greedy, that was ever-so-annoying.
Especially pretty girls who sang songs and got boys to do their bidding thinking they got to run deals. Elena was strong, and Ress would never deny that. But Elena was also quite full of herself, at least from what Ress knew of the girl. Lilith tended to be more level-headed. But perhaps that's what made the two so strong. Elena used that to her advantage, her abilities were open but she wasn't scared of that, of what people would do because of her abilities. They weren't a drag, they were a strength. If only Ernestine and others saw that and learned to use that to their advantage.
"Without royalty allowing you guys to trade and work with some of them, you guys wouldn't exactly have customers or ways to work. Fear is power," She corrected, shrugging Elena's words off, "Without it, none of us have any power, now do we?"
As much as Elena wanted to believe Ress gained everything because of Ernestine, the presumption would be incorrect and correct all the same. Pain was a marvelous way to learn, and so was loss. It wasn't like Ress became a warrior overnight, like she was compliant because she was given her power and strength by Ernestine. Except, in a twisted way, it was. A gift of fear and pain. Ress may have gotten there herself, but without Ernestine there to keep it in line, Ress would likely still be that abandoned girl, looking for things that never would have mattered in the first place.
So she didn't correct or say anything on the last comment. There was no need to prove her strength, to prove her ability to anyone. Not anyone but Ernestine. Elena didn't need correcting, because if Ress corrected her she'd be spitting words and looking like a fool. She came for a trade, not for a fight. And as much as she'd love to wipe the perpetual smirk from Elena's face, there simply wasn't time.
Though, she did raise her eyebrows at the usage of her full first name, a glance that seemed to question if it's usage was supposed to bother her in some way.
Ress then followed Elena, glancing back to the group to make sure they were out of sight. Now, there were certain things Ress wouldn't reveal to Elena, and as she walked she decided on just what would be fine enough to use. Something Elena couldn't really use against Ress, at least, not without putting herself into potential danger. At least, that's how the thoughts went so far for Ress.
Elena said to make it worth her time, so Ress took that as an invitation, "Okay," she commented flippantly, and immediately the shadow of a nearby tree turned into a dark cloudlike substance, spiking forward mere inches from Elena's chest. Ress stepped around Elena, placing her hand on the currently materialized darkness, her own darkened grey eyes reflecting the shadowed stake before her. When her hand made contact, the darkness melted back into the shadows, and she gave a shrug to Elena.
"You're one of two people to know," she said, not giving indication as to who else knew of Ress' ability, "Keep it that way." While the words were cold, stern, an order, perhaps a threat if someone wanted to take it as such, the slightest bit of hesitance showed through. Magic was a dangerous weapon, being a factioneer was even worse. Elena was one herself, and while she could sing her way into people's heads for her safety, a Darknyx could only protect their secrets by hiding. As Ress saw it, this was an act of fairness. Ress knew of Elena's magic (not that Elena was exactly secretive with her usage of it), and Ress showed her own.
Secrets were only powerful when they remained as secrets, after all. Revealing them made them nothing more than rumors.
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Demisexual
Leo
Surviving off Thai tea and Miguel O'hara
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Post by Leo on Jun 21, 2021 22:20:21 GMT -5
A scoff passed the Siren's lips. Let the kingdoms come if they dared. Sure, they may turn their attention away from her and her business but she does nothing to benefit them. She takes from them, ruins them, and has a plan for every single one of their downfalls. She had a King's army all her own and she was not just a pretty face.
Let them come. She would show them her rage.
For the time being, she was stuck with this one. This princess parading around with her confidence and arrogance that ould match Elena's own. But at least the leader was aware of her own faults. Selfish and demanding of what she wanted when she wanted it. Ress did not seem to acknowledge these in herself.
Elena watched Ress quietly. Not once taking her eyes off of the girl as she just stood there in front of her. Movement caught the edge of her vision and Elena looked up at the shadow cloud forming by the tree. Then, just as fast as it formed, that spike protruded towards her chest.
Nothing in Elena's demeanor changed. Her breath, her stance, her expression all remained the same as she looked down at the spike. Then within a second she took a breath and sighed heavily looking back up at Ress. Her expression said more words than she did in the last few moments...
Unimpressed.
"Maybe," Elena shrugged at the demand to keep it a secret. She feigned thinking about whether she would or not, casting her eyes to the side and allowing a slow grin to form as she looked off in the distance.
She said only two other people knew of this secret power. Her and someone else. Either someone she trusted enough to tell or someone that was exploiting her. Now, what kind of person would she be if she didn't try to find out the answer to that?
This... this was a better secret to keep in her pocket in addition to Ress's powers.
"For now," Elena finally agreed. She twirled the point of her knife under a fingernail and raised an eyebrow at the girl. "But..." she trailed off, moving to start walking back to the rest of the heathens she called her own. "Rumors can be dangerous."
Turning her back to the princess, Elena kept flipping the knife over and around her fingers. She lifted her head to call back to her. "Corre a casa niΓ±a! And please, do come and threaten me again."
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Post by πππππ π¨ on Jun 22, 2021 0:33:29 GMT -5
Unlike so many other thieves these days, she was a loner. Kept to herself, worked by her own rules. But that was falling away on the daily, wasn't it?
That's what Leon noted dully as she watched the others. Specifically this Trey guy, who she disliked massively. Seriously, why did Eldred think they needed some village boy to help them? He had some crazy weird vibes too. Not like she could judge that too much though, given her own track record. At least the guy wasn't magic, at least, he didn't seem like it. He was scared of some water monster after all, this whole village was, which was, again, weird. Like seriously, it was water. If you knew how to swim how could it possibly hurt you?
A lovely reminder of it being a monster flashed into her mind, specifically the monster being sentient. But then again, this was just another reason why magic should be outlawed, probably. Or maybe allowed, like, legally, and not punishable by death. If it was allowed, Hydros could have handled this thing, and so many people wouldn't have to be dead or eaten by the water thing.
Which, ideas got better apparently, because now there were supposed to fight this thing? Honestly, should be easier done than said. Especially given how boring the whole discussion about the whole water monster thing was. Not only was he suspicious, but Trey was also boring.
"Can we just fight it already?" She groaned as she sat on a banister, she'd already packed, ready to fight. The last one hadn't been fun, but it wasn't like anyone on their team exactly could control the rocks at the flick of their fingers. Leon's department was water and well the other thing. But water, she could probably take this thing out with one grand gesture, and then she'd have something to crow over Eldred and Zach. "Like, crazy illegal magic stuff, remember?" She whined, impatient and bored, "Why not put it in good use? I can do water stuff. And our prince isn't getting any younger. He's actually probably being ingested though."
Going off on a tangent, she wondered briefly what horrors the Prince must have been enduring with the water monster. Was he, oh dear no... was he learning how to swim? How disastrous for him, to have to flail his poor princely arms. To have to actually be by himself.
Honestly, this whole shenanigan was boring. Flicking bored eyes around, she leaned her head back, frowning, "I don't even see what the big deal is."
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Post by Ζ€Ξ±ΖΖΞ±Ρ β§ on Jun 22, 2021 2:08:55 GMT -5
Lilith had only rolled her eyes as she watched Elena leave to get her secret. She supposed she didnβt disapprove of Elenaβs way of operating - Lilith, of all people, knew how much power secrets could hold. But she didnβt choose to act the same way unless she really needed something. Lilith was manipulative and liked knowledge, sure, but she also tended to find that most of the time brute force and surprising ruthlessness tended to do the job just as well.
Still, secrets had their place for her.
The woman turned her attention back to the young prince in front of her, who still had quite a lot of fight in him, judging by the sass. She wasnβt sure of the princeβs nature yet. Perhaps he was the kind of person for whom fear would soon set in, and he would go quiet. Perhaps he was the opposite kind of person and any fear heβd felt initially had given way to this behaviour she was seeing now. No matter, she knew how to deal with both.
βYou should be grateful,β Lilith commented in response βIβm not generally known for letting people live. This right now is special treatment, but of course if it isnβt to your taste, Your Highness, I would gladly arrange to treat you as I would less precious prisoners.β
Technically she couldnβt kill him, or she shouldnβt. But she also knew that she didnβt technically work for Ernestine. Sure, sheβd be angry if Lilith killed her prisoner, but Lilith felt fairly safe from the grasp of any of the royals. The power she and Elena had both built up as individuals made them very difficult to touch. Especially if the royals didnβt want the land the two women controlled to become a power vacuum and fall prey to other criminals, perhaps ones whoβd be less scrupulous and less generous in their dealings with the royalty.
She soon noted Ress and Elenaβs return and straightened up to speak to them rather than Carlo. They had business to conclude.
βAre you quite satisfied, Elena?β Lilith asked βIf youβve got your secrets and everyone is sufficiently uncomfortable, perhaps we can get a move on here. We shouldnβt have them out in the open like this for too long.β
As she said those last words, she nodded to indicate the prisoners. They did control their land, but of course they didnβt own it and they werenβt the only ones who inhabited the area. The trees had eyes, in Lilithβs mind, and she was cautious about letting their deal out here stretch out too long where anyone could see it. The longer they had before anyone knew they were the ones who had the prisoners in their care, the better, for Lilith didnβt much fancy fighting off anyone else who might want their prisoners. There were more than a few lesser criminals who did need ransom money.
In fact, she called one of her people over, a young man to whom she spoke quietly, asking him to prepare somewhere for Carlo so it would be ready by the time they got there later. He nodded, and disappeared out into the shadows. Lilith was unconcerned. She had enough people with her to protect her that she could afford to send one person back.
Now it was Ress and Atlas she spoke to, folding her arms.
βI presume the terms we individually offered are satisfactory, then?β the woman questioned.
If it was, she supposed she could throw some extra in given the huge amount of loot she and Elena had recently scored between them. But she didnβt much want to do that if she didnβt have to, and she felt that what sheβd proposed was more than fair
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Post by Ζ€Ξ±ΖΖΞ±Ρ β§ on Jul 8, 2021 8:59:12 GMT -5
Eldred watched the young Leon as she sat on a banister complaining about having to wait so long to fight this thing, saying she didn't see what the big deal was. The older man was unconvinced; he'd seen far too much in his time to be so quick to express confidence at this juncture.
"I wouldn't be so eager," Eldred cautioned, folding his arms "Not after our performance against the last beast. Besides, if magic were all that was needed to defeat this thing the town would have been rid of it long ago. You cannot be dim enough to seriously believe there have been no magic users in this town in the time the creature has been here."
Eldred knew very well that there was magic in this village, being a Factioneer himself. Whether magic was illegal or not, he was fairly sure it was reasonable to assume that if magic was all it took to take this thing down, it would have happened by now. Surely he hadn't been the only one in the almost half a century since he'd left.
"You're more than welcome to go in there without a plan if you wish to, but I really don't think you're in a position to be gambling with your life or the success of this mission." the elderly man added
He didn't think going in there blind would result in a favourable outcome here. Trusting natural selection with Leon and the prince could only end badly.
"And the 'big deal' is that the prince for whom we are conducting this entire mission is at risk. If we rush in without a plan, he's dead. If we make one wrong move, he's dead. I'm aware you have no concern for anything but your own issues, but I'm sure even you can imagine what might happen if he does not make it back and the king and queen cannot be cured."
Power vacuums were one risk. The entire kingdom crumbling into anarchy was another. The curse spreading was another risk, and perhaps the most terrifying of them all. Eldred was not playing games here. He didn't appreciate Leon's attitude to this whole situation, and she was grating on him incredibly. He didn't want to cause anyone in the group to dislike him, but he wasn't there to make friends. He was there to do his job and keep the prince and the rest of the group safe, something Leon seemed to thwart his attempts to do without even trying.
Thankfully, at that moment Isabella arrived to cut the tension. The young woman rushed down the stairs, shrugging a quiver over her shoulder and holding the bow she had acquired recently. She was identifiable as one of the members of the group who hadn't been awake during the original confrontation with the creature, mainly because of her haphazard appearance. Her clothing was wrinkled and thrown on, clearly just the clothes she'd been wearing earlier rather than a new outfit. Her hair was still messy; she'd obviously run through it only very quickly with a brush and thrown it back hastily to keep it out of her face.
"I'm here, I'm here." the young Factionless woman gabbled out, flashing an apologetic smile to the rest of the group as she did so.
Eldred could feel a heavy weight in his chest, like a ball of lead rolling and turning. He was nervous about this. Nervous about protecting the prince, nervous about keeping the group safe through this fight. And he didn't want to go in without something, some kind of plan to make sure he felt they had a chance.
The prince still needed him.
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Post by Ζ€Ξ±ΖΖΞ±Ρ β§ on Jul 15, 2021 17:40:44 GMT -5
FLASHBACK It was night Callan had arrived back at Wisteriaβs castle. Heβd been called back from active duty in the army, having received a letter from Tia officially recalling him following the deaths of her parents and the news that sheβd be coronated as queen.
It has been a long journey, and following his obligatory greetings to the soon-to-be queen and other important figures within the court, heβd made a beeline for his chambers. He needed to unpack, collect his thoughts. Take a breath and let it sink in, the responsibility he was about to take on. Because he knew that when Tia was coronated she would want him to be at her side as her head guard. That had been Callanβs entire purpose in life. Her. Being at her side when she needed him. Being an older brother for her and Carlisle. Being their protector for the rest of his life.
Unofficially, heβd taken that oath before he was even old enough to knew what it meant. Because it was just what was expected of him. But now he was going to have to ratify that agreement, dedicate his life to the family that had, really, raised Callan as much as the Verndari family had. That didnβt mean it didnβt scare him.
He was in his room, a wooden trunk open on his bed as he worked on unpacking his things. He knew he could leave it until tomorrow if he really wanted to, but he felt he needed to keep himself busy for a little while. Still, he wasnβt unrelaxed. Heβd been able to take off his armour and was in more casual clothing, illuminated by soft candlelight as he worked.
The young man had his back to the door when he heard it open, the candles flickering for a moment as the draughty air of the castle spilled momentarily into the room. Callan glanced over his shoulder, taking in the familiar shape of his father. His mouth tightened slightly, and he turned back towards his bed to continue his unpacking of the trunk.
βCallan,β Tybalt greeted a little hesitantly, and Callan was struck to hear his dad sounding uncertain. His father had never sounded out of his depth or lacking confidence before.
But Callan just brushed the thought away, continued folding clothing as if his fatherβs presence hadnβt affected him in any way.
βHi, Father,β the guard responded to the older man
There was a pregnant silence, a moment of hesitating awkwardness. Callan heard his father step closer, caught his shadow moving across the floor in the corner of his vision.
βItβs good to see you,β
Those words made Callan stop for a moment. Was thatβ¦ affection? From his father? Now, Callan would never deny that his father loved him. He knew he did, his father loved him the way most fathers loved their sons. But he tended to show it differently. He showed Callan he loved him by always writing him letters back the very day he got them when Callan was away. He told Callan he loved him by being harsh when teaching him how to use a sword as a child, because he wanted to make sure he was safe and wouldnβt make mistakes that would cost his life. He showed Callan he loved him by spending hours showing him how to repair his boots properly when the sole tore away. He never did it with words, even though the words heβd used were very indirect.
βItβs good to see you, too,β Callan answered, though his tone was warmer that time, more sincere.
And technically it wasnβt a lie. Of course Callan was happy to be home. Or course Callan loved his father and was pleased to see him again. The issue for Callan was that he would never have had to leave in the first place if his father hadnβt made him.
βListen,β his father began, clearing his throat as he approached Callan further, the boyβs back still to him as he worked βI want you to know Iβm proud of you.β
He knew what his father was referring to; he was proud of Callan for his service in the army these last six years (or thereabouts). That brought up a flare of anger as the man recalled that night when he had just turned eighteen, when he and Tia had tried to escape. Neither of them had wanted to face their future lives.
And no, though Callan would never admit it to his father, he didnβt regret serving in the army. He didnβt hate his future anymore, not like heβd used to. He didnβt like that it had all been forced on him, his future set out before him, but heβd made his peace with his duty. He didnβt hate Carlo for telling the king about the escape attempt. But regardless of that, heβd never resolved things with his father. Had never put away those feelings.
Callan didnβt respond to Tybalt, instead just pushed past him a little too harshly to store away the clothes heβd just folded.
βCome on, son, Iβm trying here.β Tybalt sighed βAre you really planning to spend your whole life hating me for this?β
Those words were when Callan rounded on his father, whirling to face him for the first time in their exchange.
βAre you planning to make me spend my life living someone elseβs dream for them?β Callan retorted
He didnβt want oaths that were generations old. Heβd inherited a fight and a duty that wasnβt his and he detested that so much.
His father, however, looked unmoved. If anything, he looked surprised. As if what his son had said was ignorant to such an extent that he couldnβt believe it. The incredulous expression spread across his face.
βIt was never my dream either!β responded Tybalt βYouβre still young, Cal, you donβt understand yet that this isnβt about what you want. Itβs bigger than you.β
He paused, looking helpless for a second as he searched for words, starting to speak a couple of times before the words died on his tongue. Eventually, he seemed to find some. He nervously licked his lips, faltering for a moment.
βI need you to be better than me,β he finally said, voice earnest and with a hint of desperation.
That hit Callan, as a realisation washed over him. The king and queen had been killed, and he suddenly understood what that meant to his father. That heβd failed the duty heβd spent his whole life for, that heβd failed the one purpose that was drilled into every Verndari.
βNo, you donβt,β Callan replied, harshly and firmly βThe king and queen died on your watch, thatβs your cross to bear. Donβt you dare turn that into another burden for me.β
He wouldnβt let his father project into him once again. He couldnβt. Not even the unusual vulnerability the older man was showing would move him. He couldnβt let this turn into more expectations about saving the family legacy or whatever.
Tybalt seemed taken aback, for he was unused to his son standing up to him in quite this way. Not to mention that perhaps Callanβs words had wounded him more deeply than he young guard could have possibly intended.
βDo you really hate this life that much?β
Callan let out a sound that was something like a scoff in response to that, but soft. He shook his head slightly.
βI donβt hate this life, Father!β Callan shot back bitterly βI just wish I could have chosen it.β
That was the crux of it. That heβd been denied agency, buried under expectations forced on him as his parentsβ only child. Perhaps if heβd had siblings he could have selfishly forced it on them, had more leeway to do what he wanted.
Heβs never gotten to see what else was out there for him. He loved Tia and Carlo, and perhaps if heβd had the choice he might still have ended up on this oath, but the problem was that heβd never know.
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Demisexual
Leo
Surviving off Thai tea and Miguel O'hara
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Post by Leo on Jul 22, 2021 1:10:48 GMT -5
Athena was walking pretty quickly. She was determined to get out of this hellhole. Back out onto the streets where no one would pay as much attention to her as they did here.
As she walked she could hear footsteps behind her, following her at a rapid pace. She guessed that it was Alex and Dante. Chasing her down to talk or convince her to stay longer. But, she couldnβtβ¦ she wouldnβt stay.
She was walking so quickly she didnβt see the person coming at a similar speed in the other direction. Collading into each other, Athena stumbled to the side but caught her footing. Ready to snap at the person that ran into her, Athenaβs expression turned into a scowl then softened when the short person in a hood was already scampering off down the hall. Leaving a bag behind in the process.
Athena picked up the bag and went to call after the person but they were already gone.
And now Dante had caught up with her.
His argument was poor. Trying to appeal to her better nature. That was near non-existent. Sheβd had to fend for herself too long to care about other people now. If she had to sacrifice a few other people to save herself then why shouldnβt she? She was royalty, the last of the Telekineβs, she was much more important than them.
But, if the truth did come out and King Chadwick had more allies than just King Drake, there was a possibly she would be hunted down for knowing too much.
Sighing she threw up her free hand and looked straight at Alex ready for him to give his speech. βGo ahead,β She grumbled. βMake your point.β
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Demisexual
Leo
Surviving off Thai tea and Miguel O'hara
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Post by Leo on Jul 22, 2021 1:48:50 GMT -5
As Elena walked back from her short meeting with Ress, her face no longer smiles, she shoved her hands into the pockets of her coat and thinking over her next actions. Her expression could be totaled up to a suppressed anger. Of course, she was still angry about keeping the Verndari alive. And she was going to be until she could give him the treatment he deserved.
The Siren merely glanced up at Lilith as she spoke to her. Nothing changed in her face and she didn't bother answering the question. She just kept going towards her second and Crius.
"Knock him out, bind, and gag him," Elena ordered quietly to the two as she passed them. She could have stopped to give the order but she had another matter to settle. And they knew her well enough to know that she tended to give orders on the go.
"Are you sure about this?" Reed asked, quiet enough to keep it between the three of them but loud enough for his charge to hear.
Elena glanced back at the older man and shook her head slightly. "No. But, he'll stay alive for now," she confirmed and kept going towards one of her other men.
Clicking her tongue at him she pointed towards one of the bushes and directed him to grab something. When he came back with a small bottle of something, Elena scowled and shook her head "The other one, engaΓ±ar," she chastised lightly. The man did as she wished and handed her a bigger bottle of brown liquid.
"Zorro!"
Atlas turned his attention towards Elena's voice and managed to catch the bottle she was getting at the last second. Whiskey. Just like she promised. Looking up at her, he caught her flirty smirk and quick wink.
"I'll see you soon, Zorro."
Atlas nodded his appreciation and glanced down at the bottle in his hands. Part of him knew he shouldn't have taken it. That he'd have to stop drinking at some point. But, tonight still wasn't that night. "I believe we're good."
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Post by Ζ€Ξ±ΖΖΞ±Ρ β§ on Jul 22, 2021 4:43:14 GMT -5
Alex's expression turned grim when Dante confirmed his worst fears. Drake was here for Minke. That was bad, so incredibly bad. His father had been mistreating Minke here, but at least she'd had Alexiares and Dante to watch out for her. Who knew what awaited her if Drake got his hands on her?
He could only imagine that execution would be the kindest thing Drake might have planned for the teenager.
That was why, when Dante approached to try to prevent Athena from leaving, the prince followed. Dante was trying his best to convince her, but Alex knew his friend. That wouldn't have any impact on Athena whatsoever. The only surefire guarantee of securing Athena's help was with money, but Alex wasn't sure even that would help this time. Athena seemed pretty desperate to leave, and Alex wasn't carrying enough money on him to even start to be enough to pay for what they needed. Especially if she found out that Minke was a telekine - smuggling her out of the palace would be risky and Athena would want to be paid plenty for that.
He couldn't convince her by emphasising the threat to her if his father found out she was a mercenary and had witness important castle business. Athena could take care of herself, after all. He'd seen that for himself, and only a little earlier she'd told him as much.
He had to hope a different method would work.
When Dante turned to leave and Athena looked at Alex then, telling him to give his speech, the young man didn't know what to do. She was basically challenging him to convince her. Without Athena's help he didn't know if they'd be able to save Minke.
He opened his mouth a couple of times mutely, helplessly searching for words that wouldn't come. Probing in his mind for the right thing to say. Eventually he just exhaled, giving up. He didn't have anything truly convincing, all he had was...
"I need you."
That was the truth of the matter. He needed his friend. It might not be good enough but it was all he had.
His voice was genuine, serious. Didn't have its usual snarky or sometimes moody tone. Not even the more lighthearted way he'd address his friend when nobody else was around to see him being happy.
"Please," he said, the word almost coming out a whisper.
He didn't expect that she'd agree, of course he didn't. It was weak, worse than Dante's attempts at convincing her. But he would have to go back and help Minke regardless of her answer. Athena had gotten in, he had to trust that she'd be able to get out on her own if that was what she chose.
He glanced over his shoulder in the direction where Dante and Minke would be waiting for him. He couldn't stay to see Athena out if she still wanted to leave.
So after his earnest plea, he turned to follow Dante. He didn't want to pressure Athena's answer, thought it would be better to leave her with it. If she wanted to come, she would. It was less awkward that way if she still wanted to go.
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Post by πππππ π¨ on Jul 22, 2021 12:50:00 GMT -5
Dante watched as the girl ran off and as Athena took in his words, his gaze calculating as she seemed to heed them. As he turned, passing Alex, he set his steps towards the dungeons, it wasn't far from their current location. Purposely slow, he paused as he neared it, finally taking in his surroundings rather than listening to Alex attempting to persuade Athena, he went to the end of the hall, his gaze turning to the hall, where just down the corridor, the dungeon's door sat.
Still composed, he turned his gaze towards him peers, sitting at a further end of the hall that he just came from. Alex was following him, and despite knowing that Alex was going simply to save Minke, a part of his mind still drew onto the fact that Alex was following him rather than talking things out with Athena.
Shaking his head, he drew onto the situation again, looking between Alex and Athena and door. Waiting for Alex to get a little closer, he stepped forward quietly, keeping his eyes peeled for any sign of any guards. As they got closer, he glanced at Alex and the door, nodding his head once towards it.
"We have to hurry," He whispered stepping closer to the door and pausing to glance towards the end of the hall. They didn't have long, and he knew it.
Pushing at the door, it strangely opened without needing to be unlocked, leading down to the staircase and further towards the dungeons. Sharing a glance with Alex, he stated the obvious, "It's unlocked," he pointed out, for once seeming to wait on what Alex wanted to do.
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Post by Ζ€Ξ±ΖΖΞ±Ρ β§ on Jul 22, 2021 17:12:32 GMT -5
It didnβt take long for Alex to catch up with his friend, soon following just behind the royal advisor as they approached the dungeon. He nodded lightly when Dante said they didnβt have long; the prince was all too aware of that. Time was already running out for Minke.
As they approached the dungeon he kept listening for the approach of guards, or worse, his dad and King Drake. They couldnβt afford to risk anything stopping them from doing what they needed to do right then. Least of all King Chadwick.
The prince noted at the same time that Dante was that the door was unlocked, raising an eyebrow as the other man states the obvious
βThank you for the narration,β Alex whispered
But he still examined the door thoughtfully for a moment, considering what he wanted to do. The door being unlocked either meant that they were too late and theyβd already taken Minke, or that sheβd somehow gotten out herself.
He had to assume someone was in there, so he shared a glance with Dante.
βIβll go in first,β Alex explained βThat way if thereβs someone in there you can pretend youβve followed me in.β
That fit what Alex and Dante tended to do more. Alex would go somewhere he wasnβt supposed to be and Dante would follow to try to stop him. He figured whoever it was would buy it
So the prince stepped forward to move past Dante, stepping carefully through the open doorway to see if the coast was clear.
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Post by πππππ π¨ on Jul 22, 2021 18:06:32 GMT -5
Once Alex was close, Dante shook his head, about to go in himself, save the prince from having to get caught if there were guards in there. But then a bag was shoved at them, and he took it into his hands from Athena, looking down at it for a moment.
With an annoyed look at the girl before them, he calmly waiting a few moments to see what Athena found. Not without rolling his eyes at Alex's sarcastic comment.
Following the girl into the dungeons, Dante glanced around her to assure that indeed, Minke was gone. Before them sat an empty cell, no signs of breaking out or anything of the sort. Instead the door was open to the cell, mostly scratch free. Stepping forward, the boy paused to look down at what his foot hit, which was a set of discarded keys. He toed at them some, before looking at Athena then.
Looking at the bag in his hands, he opened it, looking through it. Mentally listing off the items, he spotted a book he and Alex loaned to Minke a while back. Along with a pencil, something she could write it, but something she could read too. But that book was there, and he handed it over to Alex, sighing softly.
At that moment, he forgot one of his own rules, instead wanting to help assure Alex that the girl they helped out these last weeks wasn't some mad king's prisoner.
"Minke's gone," He said quietly, "It looks like she did get away."
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Post by Ζ€Ξ±ΖΖΞ±Ρ β§ on Jul 23, 2021 1:33:51 GMT -5
Alex had been prepared for Dante to argue, and was ready to be as stubborn as he always was in response. What he hadnβt been expecting was for Athena to pull him back, telling him sheβd go in instead.
He knew better than to argue with Athena on this; heβd never win, and besides, her argument was pretty airtight. So he nodded, and watched as she headed into the room, craning his neck to see as much as he could as Athena disappeared.
She called back that their friend was gone, and when Alex followed her in along with Dante he saw that she was indeed right. It did look like sheβd gotten out, empty cell and everything. How had she managed it? Ah, the keys on the floor that Dante had just noticed would seem to answer that question.
But what really drew his attention was the bag that Dante opened, which contained some of Minkeβs things. A book theyβd loaned her, for one. So they must have run into her even on their way out.
βShe made it,β he said, voice hushed, somewhere between proud and relieved
Because after so long she had finally done it. Gotten her opportunity and seized it, and she was out of the palace safe. Well, perhaps not safe. But safer than she would have been if she had been handed over to Drake instead.
He looked toward the door, then, anxious of the fact that his father and Drake could still be coming. It wouldnβt look good if they came down here and found the three of them in the dungeons and no Minke.
Besides, he really didnβt think it was fair to keep Athena in the palace for too long.
βWe should move before they get here,β the prince suggested
Now that he knew that Minke wasnβt in imminent danger, it was truly occurring to him how risky the moves the group were making truly were.
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Post by πππππ π¨ on Jul 23, 2021 14:13:23 GMT -5
Dante nodded in reply to Alex, a grim look on his face still, adding a soft warning, "She still has to survive." He commented, not necessarily trying to bring the mood down, but being realistic.
However, the advisor seemed to take notice of Athena's shock then, especially when she repeated the name, shock evident in her tone. A big of a panicked look overcame his face when she did so, because what if what Drake said was true? But then again Athena didn't look scared, she looked almost as if she pained. As if the very idea that the prisoner was Minke was what scared her.
His eyes narrowed at that straw of information, wanting to pursue answers. Wanting to see how useful Athena could be. But then Alex brought them back to the situation at hand. They had to leave, and quick.
Dante knew the guards would be there any second. It wasn't a chance or a maybe that Drake was going to come for Minke, it was a certainty. and King Chadwick was too good of an ally to reject such a request.
Falling into step near Athena, he kept his voice low, as if trying not to alert Alex of the discussion. He'd let the prince focus on getting the all clear to leave and leading the group somewhere to talk. "Did you know her?" He questioned, voice soft as he looked ahead at Alex, then at Athena.
If Athena knew anything about Minke, about why Drake wanted her, then they could truly find a way to help Minke.
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Post by Ζ€Ξ±ΖΖΞ±Ρ β§ on Jul 23, 2021 14:59:15 GMT -5
Athenaβs reaction to the mention of Minkeβs name hadnβt evaded Alexβs notice, not by a long shot. Something was definitely up. Did she somehow know Minke? What kind of crazy coincidence would that be? He found himself curious how the pair knew one another, but he supposed he wouldnβt be surprised. Nothing Athena said could surprise him given that she seemed so mysterious. The same went for Minke, when he came to think of it.
βYeah,β Alex answered βThatβs what she told us, anyway. She didnβt say much else though, kind of a secretive girl.β
Not that he could blame her. He wouldnβt have been willing to share his life story had he been in her position either.
He did want to ask how Athena knew her, but he also knew that they had to get out of there quick. Surely they could talk when they were somewhere safer and more secure. Or at least while they were on their way, as long as they got out of the dungeons.
And so when his friends agreed that they should leave, Alex led the way. The man approached the exit to the dungeons, checking that the coast was clear before moving out and allowing his friends to follow.
There was nobody there yet, but they had to be fast.
However, he was curious about Athena and Minke, so he kept his ears open to his friends behind him so they could talk as they walked. But in his focus on getting out of the dungeons, he hadnβt heard Danteβs question. That didnβt mean he also wasnβt curious.
βDid you know Minke?β Alex questioned softly as they walked, not pausing to look over his shoulder at his friends due to his need to focus straight ahead βYour reaction to hearing her name was strange.β
He paused at the end of the hallway, listening for footsteps. He didnβt hear any, and when he ventured to peak around the corner there didnβt seem to be anyone approaching. So far, so good. He turned back to his friends, giving a little nod to let them know it was safe (at the moment, at least) before leading the way around the corner.
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Post by πππππ π¨ on Jul 24, 2021 2:16:37 GMT -5
Dante followed after Alex, more timid in his stature, wary eyes flicking around the hall. His skittish nature became so obvious in these situation, and he jumped a little when Athena spoke and then...laughed?
"Are you sick?" He questioned, raising an eyebrow at her, "I haven't seen you do anything but scowl," he added, almost snorting at the words as he followed Alex around the corner.
So Athena likely knew Minke, but it'd be better to know for sure, even if their similar personalities weren't enough proof. But a few moments passed as he thought about it, stepping down the hall, when from the corridor they just exited, a large bang sounded. A door opening.
Grabbing the arms of the two others, he quickly pulled them into the closest room, closing the door behind him quietly, and pressing his ear to the door to listen.
Guards, he could tell by the annoying clinging armor. They weren't close enough to exactly tell what they were doing, but it wasn't that hard to figure it out.
He tried to detect any noises he could hear, any voices or words, but a panicked shout escaped on of the guard members. An alarm of sorts. And he let off a heavy sigh, leaning his forehead again the door, a shaky breath escaping him, letting the cool of the door bring him back into the present.
So, well, they knew eventually her escape would be discovered. He had hoped they'd at least have some time.
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Post by Ζ€Ξ±ΖΖΞ±Ρ β§ on Jul 24, 2021 2:49:03 GMT -5
Alexβs suspicions were confirmed when Athena said that she did know Minke, if she was who she thought she was.
And he didnβt think heβd ever heard Athena sound so happy or hopeful before. It was strange, but in such a good way.
Alex mulled it over for a second. He could basically confirm whether or not this girl was the person Athena seemed to hope she was. But it would involve revealing perhaps the most sensitive piece of information about Minke. But then again, what did it matter? Dante had already revealed her name, and the girl had escaped. It wasnβt like they had anything to lose; Dante had rightly pointed out that she still needed to survive and if Athena knew her, maybe she could go out and find her and make sure she was okay.
No, he was going to say it.
βSheβs a Telekine, that should narrow it down.β he murmured softly to Athena behind him.
Perhaps the last Telekine in Oikoumene. He knew he shouldnβt be revealing too much about the girl, but Athena already knew her, apparently. What were the chances that it was a different Minke? It wasnβt like Dante could get mad at him after heβd blurted out her name, anyway.
Moments later, there was a crashing sound and Dante pulled all three of them into some kind of closet. Alex watched as he leaned toward the door to listen, but the prince could hear the noises himself. That metal clanking and clattering could only belong to the guards. Which was bad news.
βWell, shit,β he whispered βHowβre we supposed to get Athena out now with this entire place on high alert?β
He wracked his brain. There had to be a way out of here they wouldnβt be monitoring. Some of Alexβs favourite secret routes out of the place must be blocked off at that point, because most of them probably werenβt quite as secret as heβd like to think given that heβd been caught trying to sneak out in the past.
But then again, the only person who almost always caught him wasβ¦
βDante,β he whispered quietly βAre there any of my usual routes out of this place that you havenβt told anyone about?β
Maybe Dante hadnβt shared all of them. That had to be the case, because Dante was the only one who always seemed to catch him when he tried to leave on his watch. Which was infuriating, but which also meant that there had to be some routes that only Dante knew about, or heβd be caught every time.
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Post by Ζ€Ξ±ΖΖΞ±Ρ β§ on Jul 24, 2021 3:17:50 GMT -5
(INKY OMG HI! Itβs so good to see you Our owner πππππ π¨ is around and Iβm sure sheβd be happy to talk through the joining process with you I will be poofy getting ready for a meeting in 45 minutes but when I get back Iβd be happy to help talk through whatβs happening in rp right now)
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Post by πππππ π¨ on Jul 24, 2021 3:39:00 GMT -5
So, I'll be real honest right now. I'm horrible at updating the front page. I never actually completed it. But most information about the story is on our Discord in terms of known lore. Since you don't have access to that yet, the best place to start will likely just be to kind of address bigger things. The story has a few big focuses right now, specifically 3 separate ones in my way of categorizing it. The Journeying Group: A group of ragtag people setting out to find a cure to a mystical curse that has infected the king and queen of Aaoltonen, the big Kingdom of the land. They have to find Alexandria (which is the lost Kingdom, fell 3 years back).
The prince (who used to be claimed by a member who can no longer be a part of the story) collected a group of people including his advisor, a few thieves, a merchant, and some others they pick up on the way.
The big thing with them currently is they picked up a new person and they also have to combat these giant magic guardians that they keep encountering.
In all honesty, we actually have some big positions open in this, but I will warn that it's a little bit slow right now? The Kidnappings: Centered around a girl named Ress and a guy named Atlas who kidnapped a prince and a head-guard from Wisteria in a power-move of the kingdoms. Ress and Atlas are given orders from their queen to deposit the prince and the guard to some criminals.
Which leads to our lovely duo of criminal gangs. One lead by Lilith, one by Elena.
The whole part of this plot kind of ties into the next one I'll mention? There's not super huge components of this that have to be directly understood and I can totally explain more?
As for what would be open, you can ask Leo and Pal (my two mods, they're pretty active) about potential spots in these gangs. Or you can talk with us about ideas and we can wee where we can fit them! The whole Oralee...thing So a large part of our plot focuses on the kingdom of Oralee, which is lead by some chad guy. His two sons have wildly different reputations. His elder son is popular and well liked. His other son is really not liked for political war-related reasons that really aren't Alex's fault (the younger son) but hey why not blame him anyways.
Anyways, Alex is practically babysit by this council member who a few years younger than him because no one apparently trusts him. Said council member is Dante. They hate each other (it's complicated), and they end up finding this prisoner whose of the rarest Faction of magic. The rarest faction of magic is feared because of this legend surrounding them. Regardless, they meet her, blah blah blah.
Enter a few weeks later, Athena, a mercenary, enters the equation. That same day, King Drake, a king from Taluhtah who had Minke as prisoner before, comes to acquire her back, but she's escaped by the time they try to get her. Leading to now.
As for this plot. I'm sure we can fit in spectators or other such. The big important thing to remember is that new plots can come from anywhere, in new kingdoms in such.
Like, in the near future, we'll see kingdoms alliancing to fight against magic and that whole shabang. So plenty of openings and spots and opportunities await. Again, thanks for showing interest! I really like seeing that it's drawn the attention of someone so thanks for stopping by!)
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