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Welcome to the world of Fortuna, a land of fantastic proportions. This is an original fantasy roleplay that takes place in a world developed over nearly a decade of work and collaboration. We aim to encourage all participants to have a hand in the stories of the characters here, and the world around them. Your choices are key - so make them with pride. You decide who wins the wars, you decide who becomes King, the world is ours, and together we will bring it to life!
Post by Kikuriku Gouken on Mar 7, 2017 16:07:14 GMT -7
Riku pondered for a moment at the request of the woman in front of him. She would give him all of her information on Elias Harel – Harry, as she called him – and all he had to do was not kill or maim any individual sporting a specific mark. Odd, he thought, Taegen did not appear to have such a mark, though Riku supposed that it was possible that he did not look hard enough to see it. What use was this mark to him, after all? It did not point to Harel, did nothing to seeing him dethroned – the mark meant nothing.
But to this woman, the mark seemed to mean a great deal. So much so that she was willing to barter for the protection of those that bore it. Riku wondered the importance of the mark, but did not care enough to inquire. Instead, he stroked his chin with his fingers and closed his eyes. Whatever information this woman had would have to be conclusive for him to agree to such a deal. If not, then what would happen if he found someone else who had the information that was needed, but he was honor-bound to do nothing about it because they bore such a silly mark? Unacceptable. “Truthfully, my dear,” Riku said, glaring directly into the woman’s eyes. She was clearly not one for petty games, her hook hand almost angrily having scrawled the drawing on the table. “That seems like a tall order. Who is to say, and I do not mean to doubt you, but who is to say that your information is even valuable? I think, to protect the people you wish to protect… you’re going to need to give me a little more.”
Post by Leigh Haskell on Mar 8, 2017 9:52:16 GMT -7
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[attr="class","wavesundtext"] He wasn't going to budge, and Leigh wasn't going to push. And she also wasn't giving anything away for free. It wasn't her style, nor the style of the Defiled Grail. She'd come here to enforce to Gouken that there were consequences to his actions... And she would. She would, but not where the odds were stacked so evenly. She needed the advantage. And so she knew exactly what she was going to do.
"No," She said simply, standing up and brushing her jacket clear of the shavings of wood that had come from scrawling on the table, "Seems you think I want something more than what you do... But it's as simple as: I don't give anything away for free. You don't like the price, then we're done here -- I don't haggle." She made her way to the door, grabbing an apple from a basket as she did. She wasn't looking at Kikuriku, but all of her other senses were held to him. She was listening for the scraping of a chair, or the stepping of feet on the wooden floor. Her nose twitched as it focused on his repulsive musk, which would only strengthen if he came within a few feet of her. She was just as ready to slam her hook into his chest as she was to simply walk out of the cottage with no further talk, as she was to listen to him take her standing offer.
Post by Kikuriku Gouken on Mar 15, 2017 10:02:08 GMT -7
For whatever reason, the woman was not completely complying with Riku’s wishes. She saw purpose in telling him the information that he craved without getting something in return; the safety of her and her patrons. Typical criminal scum – always looking out for themselves and never looking towards the common good – the freedom of the world from a corrupt and vile politician. No matter, whatever trivial nonsense that Riku had to put up with in order to acquire his desired information, so be it.
“Wait,” he spoke, casually pulling back from the table and standing up. Riku would meet this woman eye to eye, not looking up at her like some subservient being. She would need to know her place – in due time. “This mark – people who bare this mark go unharmed. Simple enough. But your information about Harel had better be worthwhile.” Riku ran his fingers over the marking that the woman had made in the table. A diamond and dagger. It was a symbol that he had seen before, though his memory was unclear.
Think, Riku – think back to your searching. That symbol, where have you seen it?
Flashes of the past shot through Riku’s mind like a slideshow. A ship. The ocean. Solana. Another woman he recognized, but could not place. The symbol. And in an instant, it was all clear.
“This should be a friendly visit. The Defiled Grail doesn’t need any more enemies, does it? Hm?”
Riku had seen that symbol before, in another life. It was so clear now, on board the Eastwind headed for Aissic. He saw himself rifling through papers before coming upon one that detailed the Defiled Grail – a childish band of pirates that were the bane of Woodrow’s existence. And in that moment, Riku came to the clearest of conclusions.
Perhaps Markus would appreciate a member of the Defiled Grail as a captive? I’m certain he would do nearly anything for that…
Post by Leigh Haskell on Mar 19, 2017 7:38:46 GMT -7
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[attr="class","wavesundtext"] She had held in her smirk when he agreed to go along with her - and so she would hold in the mild grimace playing at the edges of her mouth as he placed her. There was a chance, of course, that he had simply smelled ocean on her, and made a guess that she was a pirate, and then the Grail was the only place for pirates these days... But, she needed to be cautious now. Their intel hadn't told her this man was SSPB, but there were a lot of surprises in the SSPB lately. Notable faces missing from their roster, moved onto Wanted posters; Woodrow withdrawing from several ports for some reason (she didn't know it was to better fill new centres in places like Muerte, Dirys, and Aurcaele); the SSPB wasn't acting as usual. This man certainly wasn't 'business as usual'.
She scoffed, "You're obviously not much of a criminal, despite the act." She quickly weighed the issues. She could tell him what the mark really meant - that it was thieves' cant, had little to nothing to do with pirates - but if he was SSPB - that'd be walking right into his trap. She wanted to insinuate that he was wrong... But she wouldn't give Woodrow the satisfaction. Instead, she left it at that.
"But that doesn't matter, does it? Deal. I hope you're listening, since I'm not gonna talk twice," She thought back to the underground in Aissic. She thought back to the papers she'd found (or rather, liberated) from Kali's associate. She had thought it was bullshit when she'd read it, since there was no way in Moann's oceans that Markus Woodrow would compromise his values - not the Markus Woodrow they had all come to know. And yet, with what Gouken had told her, it seemed it was true.
Markus Woodrow was a goddamn dirty pirate himself.
"Harel's government's been involved in shady dealings in a lot of circles. The one you're probably interested in, is human trafficking. Though, that's not what they call it. Importing and exporting I guess is the term when you're a government entity, and the people you're trafficking are qualified as pets or worse -- and smuggling's what most outside of Mot law would see it as. I didn't think that part was bullshit, seems just like the disgusting shit they'd do in Muerte, fucked up people they are. But... Papers I saw seem to imply ol' Woody's been using his ships for said importation. See, when the SSPB is the international body that has to inspect ships for illegal merchandise - and it's an SSPB ship being checked -- you get the picture. They been snatching up beastfolk, shipping them to Muerte, and in Muerte they can legally be treated as slaves, pets, hell even food. And now that the SSPB is in 'bout half the goddamn world... Well, criminals ain't the only ones need to be scared."
OOC: All approved by Jackie for Elias/Woodrow stuff... Some of it's true, and some of it's not, since I figured the files would have some embellishments.
Post by Kikuriku Gouken on Mar 23, 2017 11:25:52 GMT -7
Riku listened intently to the woman’s information. It was important for him to note whether the information was worthwhile – worth his time – so that he could surmise his next move. Would he do away with the disrespectful bitch right now, or would he honour their deal, and go about his business while leaving her unharmed? For the moment, Riku was not sure.
He was not surprised by her information either.
Though it was a noteworthy development in his investigation into Markus Woodrow II – and by extension, Elias Harel as well – that he had knowledge of (and even participated in) human trafficking, it was not at all the type of information that he was hoping for. Ideally, Riku would have some sort of information to approach Markus with that would gain him favour in the eyes of SSPB leader, so that he would introduce Riku to Elias Harel. And Riku would introduce a blade to Harel’s skull. Not unlike this criminal wench would surely like to do to Riku.
And that thought gave him an idea.
“Very interesting,” Riku said, rubbing his hands together. He was not aware of how comically mischievous the gesture looked. He took a couple of steps towards the woman. If she were planning to run out the door, she would have to do so quickly. As he closed the distance between them, Riku brushed the ashen hair out of his face. “There is information here that I could use. If Markus Woodrow were not open to an alliance, then perhaps he would be amenable to blackmail. You have done well, girl. As per our deal, I will do my best to ensure that I do not harm anyone baring that mark.
Now, before you go, I must ask. What is the business exactly that you had with Taegen?”
Something had been bothering Riku. It had taken weeks of information gathering to not only find out about Taegen, but the location of the wooden hut that he was hiding out. Information gathering, interrogating and map checking. And, coincidentally, this woman at the very same time had made her way to the cabin looking for Taegen as well. How had he not run into her, or heard that anyone else was looking for the Elf? Could he have just missed her, or any mention of her? Possible, but unlikely. And for her to have shown up exactly when she did? Another coincidence?
Post by Leigh Haskell on Sept 16, 2017 8:32:05 GMT -7
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[attr="class","wavesundtext"] He seemed pleased enough by what she'd said, and so she held her ground as he took steps towards her. He was quick, she knew that - he'd taken out Teague without a lick of trouble - but she was quick, too. Her hook wouldn't hesitate to lodge itself in his balls if he acted on a stupid impulse to attack her. She could almost feel the steel of the thing warming with the excitement for it as he stepped closer to her. One step. Another. She could smell his breath and the scent of sweat in his hair as he moved it from his face. Disgusting. But she remained stoic.
But. But. He agreed. That was all that she wanted. Her lips parted to speak, but he continued:
"Now, before you go, I must ask. What is the business exactly that you had with Taegen?"
And what was that business? Truth was, of course, that she didn't give two shits about Taegen. She didn't mind him being dead... But the people who had lead Riku to him? They mattered a little more. Her only business with Taegan was that the ruthless killer in her face had business with him. Her only business had been to enforce - whether that meant physically, or with a deal. Unfortunately, it had worked out in favor of the latter. She'd love to see that cocky face twisted in pain.
"Enforcement," She offered with a smirk, not bothering to lie about the goal, just about the who. "You already know who's pocket Taegan was hiding in, and you must've already guessed who he was hiding from."And if he was hiding, it wasn't from you, fuck face."Taegan had been playing a little too much on both sides of the line. His loyalties were tested, and it was decided he either needed to-- find a reason to pick a side, or..." Her eyes peered over Riku's shoulder to the stiffening corpse of Taegan, "End his agreement."
Post by Leigh Haskell on Dec 18, 2017 15:32:49 GMT -7
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[attr="class","wavesundtext"] Their accord made, the business done, Leigh took her chance to leave. The guy gave her the creeps. It wasn't in the way that Markus Woodrow gave her the creeps, though. It was something deeper, more unsettling. Almost like the guy had tapped into her actual spine and was keying away at it like some fucked up piano.
"See ya never," She didn't turn as she waved her hook-hand back in farewell, being quick (though not hurried) to hit the trees so that she could disappear.
Yeah, if she never met that guy again, it would be too soon.
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