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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 Vincent Laeretti on May 6, 2018 22:22:49 GMT -7
Vincent and Kiku leaped overboard their boat, boots splashing into the icy waters, and began to push the boat towards the shore, burying the hull into the sand such that the gentle lapping of morning waves wouldn't dislodge it. Once the boat had been grounded, Tehodis quickly hopped overboard as well, joining Vincent and Kikuriku in looking around for potential witnesses. For now, it appeared that they were alone. Good. It was imperative that they not be seen so long as Woodrow or any of his men could be so nearby.
Thankfully, Tehodis did seem to be in a better frame of mind ever since Kiku had successfully broken Tom's spell over her. Her change in attitude from the distant persona she'd been prior to that was at least one small comfort over the otherwise grueling agony that was the last several hours. Vincent had been spending those hours rowing their boat with a driven focus, his shoulders screaming at him as he kept at it doggedly, and yet he did not halt. When Kikuriku was warmed enough to offer his assistance in the task, Vincent refused him; not for lack of appreciation of the offer, but because they needed to move as quickly as possible, and Vincent knew exactly where they were going. Having to divert attention to guiding Kiku into going the right way, or making sure the man didn't accidentally work against him and slow their progression, was not something Vincent was going to risk when at any instant The Noble Eastwind could have happened upon them, even if it was searching blind in the dark.
There was also the chance of sea monsters. It was well-known that Glacier Fangs lived in these waters, and to be perfectly blunt? The three of them didn't have a prayer if one of those monsters happened upon them. They were sitting ducks in the middle of a chilling and unforgiving sea. They wouldn't survive a leap overboard, even if they could optimistically pray that their boat could be a suitable distraction for an attacking beast. Vincent elected not to share this particular risk with his allies as they traveled, deciding that they didn't need the extra anxiety of wondering if they were going to meet a fang-filled end suddenly and without warning.
It didn't come to that, thankfully, but the final stress laying on Vincent's shoulders was that of his burning questions. After Tehodis had returned to her normal self, he could have started questioning her then, he could have asked her what she had been about to tell him, what she knew of Endless. But Vincent also knew he didn't need the distraction, not yet. He didn't need the hope when he wasn't sure he could even save their lives yet. And Tehodis perhaps must have known this as well, for she made no attempt to bring the matter up again afterward.
Vincent endured strain, anxiety, and impatience for hours as he steered them towards the shoreline of a beach in Tinos, arriving under cover of darkness and avoiding any of the most crowded port sections for the Tarifa hold. All that endurance had paid off: they were here now, and they were seemingly alone. For the moment, at least.
"Kick the boat back out to sea," he advised Kikuriku, too tired to do it himself.
Kiku did as instructed, launching his leg firmly against it a few times until it dislodged from the sand they'd driven it into, and began drifting back out. They didn't need an SSPB officer seeing and recognizing the lifeboat once daylight arrived.
"We're just outside the village proper of Tinos. There's a private port in town where a pilot I know of rents out small air craft. That will be our best way to reach Artavia quietly. Even if we could manage not to attract attention at a major port, reaching one from here could take us days. It's our best option."
Vincent glanced up at the sky, nearly black still, but for the barest peaks of navy blue off on the horizon. The pilot managing the port wouldn't be opening shop for another few hours, and Vincent needed to rest.
"But first, we need to find a place where we can stay out of sight for a while. We're at the mercy of our would-be pilot's schedule," he explained. He left out the part about his screaming arms. They didn't need to know, and it would have borne little relevance if they had the option to move now, because Vincent would have ignored the pain for as long as necessary. "Let's find an inn."
Post by Tehodis Kitai on May 7, 2018 12:44:36 GMT -7
Tehodis had been right about this new world, what it looked like. It was dark, foreboding, and dangerous. Also? Cold. Very cold.
Kina weren't sensitive to temperatures like other mortals were, as they lacked the blood and flesh that made temperatures so awful, but the cold had magical effects, too. She could feel it fogging her senses, and sharpening the prickle of external magic as it glanced around her. Kiku's transformative powers felt stinging to her, and so did the magic rising from the water, from whatever beasts lay beneath.
The cold also had one visible effect on Tehodis, as Vincent rowed them through the frigid waters. Her arm. The wisp of magic that was almost an arm, with almost a hand, and almost fingers had dissipated once more, and no matter how hard she tried she could not summon it back. Kiku had even tried assisting her a few times, having decided it was he who was responsible for it appearing in the first place. He tried to goad it out with whispered compliments that made her skin grey with flush. It didn't work, but she couldn't say it wasn't a pleasant experience.
So, she decided. If she could not assist with rowing, or anything else physical, she would help magically. Only-- That damn fog in her mind. Every time she tried to summon an ounce of power to see the Noble Eastwind, or Woodrow, or Tom, or even one of the many person effects she left behind, she only found her heart aching and squeezing painfully. Like an engine failing to turn over. The adrenaline had her spent. Or the adrenaline had given her a fluke of abilities. Or she was dying. All seemed perfectly reasonable in the moment, particularly as she realized how useless she was.
It was worse when she realized she might be even more useless if she did have some power left. What good would the small touches of magic she could do be? She could make a light. That was a big no -- they were trying to hide. Her instincts were of little aid when there was nowhere to go. They gave her a sense of immediate impulse. She would know the moment before they struck if the Eastwind was somehow sneaking up behind them. Calming emotions seemed like perhaps it could serve a use to relax Vincent -- but when she realized how their emotions were helping drive their survival, it was clear that would be completely worthless.
She would be worthless.
She was worthless.
Maybe not entirely, but in the current moment? And maybe that was what this new world was. Dark, foreboding, and within which Tehodis was a non-entity. It wasn't a terrible thing. She had long been the centre of horribleness. Dunn. Woodrow. Whatever else Endless had tried to remind her of. Being completely normal - below average, even - didn't seem terrible, actually.
Her two allies pulled the boat ashore, and Kiku offered her a hand out of the boat. She took it, grateful, yet somewhat frustrated at the fact that she absolutely needed it, and crunched beside him through the snow of the arctic coast. Both he and Vincent looked cold, and Tehodis cursed herself that she didn't have a way to help with at least that. She couldn't even touch them with warm hands, as her body almost matched the degree in the air. She just had a sympathy that didn't understand what they were experiencing. She pulled her arm back from Kiku.
Vincent told them about a contact he had in Tinos, someone who could help them get around the SSPB patrols at the port proper. It wouldn't be tonight, but they would be safe if they could make it to tomorrow. Next, Vincent offered their best course for the late hour: An inn. And finally, Tehodis had something she could help with.
"I know three," She piped up, eyes widening in almost surprise as she remembered something useful for once, "Er-- When I knew we were going to Aissic, I read a lot of travel brochures and got in touch with some contacts. So, uh, Coming from Submiere we'd be at the east coastline of Tinos-- probably more towards the south, based on the position of the lantern constellation. Which would mean...
"There are two that aren't too far, I think. One of them sounded really nice -- way more than we could afford, plus, awful close to the port. But-- The other one... Well, I wouldn't imagine us staying there usually. It's... Well, it's a little... Look, I was told about it by one of our criminal informants. You uh, might need to hide your badge-- But... Uh, it would probably be more free of Sumish eyes."
Post by Vincent Laeretti on May 17, 2018 4:24:29 GMT -7
Vincent paid careful attention to Tehodis's words while his eyes busied themselves with scanning the horizon. There was still no sign of Woodrow's ship having somehow located them, and there were still no other souls on the beach. Still, there would be no rest until they were somewhere safe, and right now Tehodis was suggesting a number of usable options she knew of. Honestly, it was quite the relief that she had information to supply; Vincent was barely managing to run on sheer force of adrenaline still, and his mind couldn't really come up with any viable options of his own in the moment. When she went on to describe the third option, the one which she implied was of a seedier disposition, Vincent was reminded of the presence of his badge. He glanced down at the lapel of his jacket, almost surprised to see that the thing hadn't budged in all of the chaos of the escape. It was the one identifying marker he had that he was a part of the SSPB, as the nature of his somewhat secretive duties typically saw him forgoing the organization's uniform. Under normal circumstances, even the badge wouldn't be visible beneath his typical traveling cloak, but he hadn't bothered to wear that while he conversed with Tehodis in her room. And now it was plainly visible, almost tauntingly so.
He stared at the object with hooded eyes, his face set in a grim expression. For a moment, he contemplated tossing the damn thing into the sea. It was all but worthless to him now. Nothing but a reminder of the sham that was Markus Woodrow, false pioneer of justice. He removed it from its position, gripping it in his fingers as his expression shifted into a glare. But... no. For now, it was still potentially useful. If they could act quickly enough before Woodrow put out word on their wanted status, Vincent could possibly use the badge as a persuasive means to an end later on.
He stuffed the object away into a pocket.
"The third option will do just fine, Miss Kitai. Please, lead the way."
Post by Tehodis Kitai on May 17, 2018 8:26:50 GMT -7
Tehodis felt a little like a voyeur watching Vincent as he made his decision with the badge. So, to offer him a little privacy, she busied herself with Kiku. She explained to him the things she had read about back on the Eastwind, when they had been researching his mother. The lead they had found. It helped to keep spirits high, if nothing else.
Vincent announced himself when he was ready, asking Tehodis to lead the way, to which she nodded. Her and Kiku continued light conversation about where his mother might be, if she was missing from Asmin. If it was actually her that was in Asmin. They discussed some optimism that she could even be in hiding there, away from whatever agents or Black Cloaks or whoever might be looking -- and that perhaps when the month was through and Woodrow returned to Submiere, the two would be reunited. It was easier to talk about someone else's problems, hopes, and dreams than her own. Mostly because there was too much laying before and behind her now, and she didn't know if she could properly cope with it all.
At least she had Vincent and Kiku to help her.
The trio trudged away from the snowy coast, with Kiku directing them to a packed down path to keep them from wading through thigh-high snowbanks. From there, it wasn't too difficult to find the edge of Tinos. First, were the small huts outside of which were dogsleds and fishing gear. Likely, she assumed, the cause of the convenient path they were now walking. Tehodis kept her head down as they passed by, though knew they were covered by darkness - and likely no one paid too much attention this time of night, even if they were home. Most, who could afford it, would be off to Asmin for the festival. Those who couldn't would be preparing for the true Day of Peace nearer the city centre, or would be resting from the exhausting work preparing that they had done thus far. A festival of this scale required a lot of sweat, tears and fish.
As they neared the town, Tehodis asked Kiku to use his sharp dark vision to spot a small road or alley that would lead them around the outside ring of the city, to which Kiku not only obliged - but succeeded grandly on. Within moments of crossing a stone bridge just following the fishing huts, he noticed footprints leading off to the northwest. Footprints that lead over, and then through a break in the homes on the outermost part of the town. Vincent and Tehodis would both be able to pick-up on the location next, as the sound of music grew ever louder in their approach. Bright with lights and laughter as they turned a final corner was the place Tehodis had been trying to bring them. It was somewhat on the shabby side, with some of the shingles soft from snow and piling on the street. Tehodis couldn't say it had it's own charm, but at least it was shelter. A sign hanging above the door and over the path gave the small establishment a name: "The White Lady's Tit" -- to which Tehodis frowned and flushed grey over.
"Uh, that would be the place," She told her companions, "Criminals are decidedly terrible at naming things."
Post by Vincent Laeretti on May 25, 2018 18:24:19 GMT -7
It could be stated that Vincent was still disassociating for the most part as he followed Tehodis's, and then Kikuriku's, lead into town. The methodical, duty-driven part of his brain was of course on full alert. Eyes always scanning for danger, reflexes poised to react to any threat, mind parsing everything they passed by and attempting to record a mental map of their path for the sake of crafting an escape route if necessary. But the personable side of him, the part that was human and not mechanical, was simply numb. He was tired. He didn't want to think. He didn't want to resume digesting his situation the way he'd started to do on the boat. He didn't want to start letting his imagination run wild with notions of what Tehodis had been about to tell him. So he put that side of himself to sleep. He followed a process, an efficient auto-pilot but an auto-pilot none the less.
Perhaps this is why he had very little reaction to their destination. Tehodis was frankly doing an admirable job of actually keeping things somewhat spirited despite the situation. She made a remark about the name of the establishment that, ordinarily, Vincent might have found funny. Kikuriku tossed his own two cents into the pile, adding a more crass comment to the conversation that had Tehodis flushing a deeper gray and even stifling a giggle, but again Vincent had no reaction.
He merely took in the sight, analyzing exits and potential dangers. His hand found its way to his holster, where he ensured his pistol was loaded and sufficiently warmed in the current environment. Having an insulated holster was useful precisely because deployment could find him in locales such as this. Once he had determined his weapon's status was to his liking, he hiked the thing up higher and pulled his dress shirt looser, letting it fall to conceal the armament.
"Let's go," he instructed, walking past his two companions to enter the seedy place ahead.
It was rather lively inside, in spite of the early hour, people already up in preparations for their days, or else not having slept yet from their night's excursions. The bar was already open (Vincent suspected it never closed), and was currently populated by a rowdy group of what he could only assume to be mercenaries celebrating a night's work. The fact that they were so active this close to the Festival of Peace was practically offensive, and if not for the fact that Vincent's personal side had been put to sleep for the time being, he likely would have been shooting scathing glares of judgment at them. Hell, if the events of just the last several hours hadn't occurred, he may even be acting to arrest them on the spot. There were five of them, sure, but they were drunk, and Vincent was lethal.
He aimed to ignore them, and hoped that Kiku and Tehodis would do the same. At least a couple of them had shot looks over at them when they had entered the building, their eyes lingering on Tehodis in a manner that was far from subtle. They would be wise not to try anything. Vincent instead made his way in the opposite direction from where the bar was situated, over to a desk where a man in shabby clothing was seated, sipping lightly at a bottle he had on hand and rolling a coin around on the table. He held Vincent's gaze steadily as they approached.
"Guess you're lookin' for a place to sleep?" he asked, giving the three of them a look over.
Vincent nodded.
The man glanced at Tehodis, and Vincent could tell he was taking a moment to look at her missing arm, then switched gaze to Kiku. "You three look like hell. Long night?"
Vincent leaned forward onto the desk, propping his chin up as he fell into performance mode. "Longest in a while. But dealing with the SSPB'll do that to you."
This earned him a raised eyebrow, the man at the desk now leaning back in his chair and seeming to give Vincent a renewed appraising look. "No shit? And you got away?"
Vincent smirked. "They ain't caught me in twenty years, I dunno why I'd let 'em start now."
"Can't take two steps without findin' one of 'em pissing in some alley this time o' year," Desk Man replied, clearly interested. "How'd you manage to shake 'em?"
"You seem pretty interested in that," Vincent shot back, his voice a little harder now. "Should I be worried? You ain't keepin' an eye out on behalf of ol' Woody, are you?"
He spoke it just loud enough to draw the gazes of a few of the other patrons in the building. Just a few, an extra couple pairs of eyes being drawn to their location.
Desk Man's expression changed, less interested and more panicked now, evidently knowing he had to quickly save face. "What? No, 'course not! Just need to be sure you ain't about to drag any SSPB dogs to my door."
"You don't gotta worry about that, then," Vincent replied, his expression now a leer. "Trust me, we took certain measures to be sure no one would be followin' us, or reportin' back to Markus Fuckface. You can rest easy."
Desk Man took a look into Vincent's eyes and let out a nervous chuckle. "Right... guess I'll sleep peacefully then." Slightly intimidated, he cleared his throat. "It's twenty pieces for a room. You want three of 'em, or..."
"Twenty pieces is a rip, but fine. One'll do."
The exchange was made hastily, and Vincent took the key that was offered to him. Her turned briefly to Kiku and Tehodis and jerked his head for them to follow, heading for the stairs wordlessly. Kiku, he noticed, looked like he fit right in here, and was definitely throwing out the body language to match the reputation Vincent had painted for them. Tehodis... well, unfortunately, didn't quite look the intimidating part. But hopefully these degenerates would just assume she was a tag-along, or maybe would see her missing arm and assume that she'd got into some serious business despite her appearance.
As they marched up the stairs, now out of sight of the waking residents of the inn, Vincent allowed a scowl of distaste to color his features for a moment. He hated speaking like that. But that was personal, and right now he was seeking to avoid the personal. There'd be too much to get furious over if he allowed that to seep out now. So he numbed himself once more, his expression returning to its blank state, and unlocked the door to their room.
It was shabby, as expected, but workable. A bed and a chair. He'd take the floor if he had to. What was important now was getting what little rest they could afford to. They'd be moving again as soon as eight a.m. rolled around, opening hours for the private flier he knew of.
"Get some sleep," he instructed, pulling a time piece from his jacket pocket. He wound a needle and flipped a switch, the ticking of the object becoming more insistent with the action. "We don't have long to rest."
Post by Tehodis Kitai on May 29, 2018 13:53:35 GMT -7
Vincent took the lead as the three of them went inside, for which Tehodis was grateful. She was massively unfit for this place, and while Vincent would have normally stuck out like a sore thumb, her superior had managed to make himself intimidating and rough enough to pass as the type for the Tit. She had watched him meld with shadows as well as an ajatar, stay an unknown entity - but never had she seen him become something so unlike himself. She wondered if he could blend in just about anywhere.
Tehodis was not one to 'blend in', particularly not in the recent weeks. Her accursed arm had cemented that quite assuredly. It was strange enough when she wore things that had yet to be altered, and the fabric hung limply from a distended shoulder; it was stranger in another way as she managed through life with it all just absent, as if it were invisible but for that lump of twisted shape at the joint.
Tehodis could feel small pings in her mind of eyes watching her, small surface thoughts invading her mind. Tehodis assumed it was her anxiety, her belief that everyone was silently thinking these horrid things of her at all times, and tried to will it away. She refused to accept that it could be the magic she tried so hard to stifle, those little blips of precognition that could spirit away thoughts from one mind and into her's. She shivered, and shook them off as best she could. They wouldn't have to be here long. Just enough time for them to move toward the next stage.
She attempted a firm nod at the innkeeper as the group of them made their way upstairs, the man's eyes squinting in response. She worried he somehow recognized her from a memory she had long forgotten. She hoped that was only fear speaking. There was no way she had been all over the world in a life she didn't recall living, which meant it was just as unlikely this strange man could recognize her -- and yet it roiled her energy uncomfortably. But no. No. He was just... Leering. At her, or the missing arm she couldn't be sure, but she had to believe it -- even as his eyes didn't move from her back until they turned out of view.
The room Vincent had secured them was about what they could have expected from the name of the so-called establishment. It was seedy, likely home to numerous criminal acts in the past. And now it would add one more - because they were, after all, criminals now.
What a thought.
"I'll just stay here," Tehodis told them both as Vincent gave them some instruction. She sat in a corner along the wall of the door, sandwiched between a ragged dresser and the chair. Kiku attempted to stop her, to insist upon something - perhaps make a joke or an invitation regarding the bed - but Tehodis merely shook her head minutely before he could manage the words. "I don't need a full night. I just need this--" And she pulled out the small pendant from under her shirt, the small thing hanging off a silver chain and sparkling like the sea at daybreak, "And a chance to...
"Vincent, I'm..." Her tone shifted and she bit her lip with concern as she watched him setting a timer for them, "Thank you, you know. For... You know. Do you want to... You know-- Talk?"
Post by Vincent Laeretti on May 31, 2018 18:06:50 GMT -7
Vincent allowed a rueful smile to reach his face. He wasn't sure if Tehodis had already thanked him or not; in some corner of his mind he felt like she surely had, but in all the chaos of the evening he couldn't quite remember. Not that he required any thanks, of course. No, Vincent had merely acted in the manner he saw as right. He couldn't tolerate his subordinate being treated in a way that was, frankly, submortal, and neither could he tolerate the criminal acts Markus Woodrow had implicated himself in.
Tehodis's thanks was not necessary. But it was certainly appreciated.
And her question was... tempting, to say the least. But their little chat had waited this long already. What was a few more hours? He set his time piece on the shabby bedside table. "Truth be told, Miss Kitai, I'd like nothing more. But we do not have the time. We all require rest. Myself much moreso than I'd like to let on. But I will gladly take you up on the offer later."
He spared a look for Kiku, nodding towards the bed; the man was welcome to it if he so desired. Vincent would be content with the chair. And true to his words, it was barely moments after he'd settled himself in before his eyes were finally drifting shut, and he was lost to Thorseph.
Post by Tehodis Kitai on Jun 3, 2018 9:15:37 GMT -7
"Of course," She nodded in response, settling carefully onto the floor by sliding against the wall, "Good night."
As the two slept, Tehodis was restless. She certainly didn't quite need the rest that a human or an ajatar did, but even with the magical amulet against her skin she would need to relax herself into a trance-like slumber for some time. And yet, she didn't.
Though the threats had passed, the thoughts and memories were overbearing. From Woodrow hunting them down, to the sick control that the scientist - Dunn, she now knew - had placed upon her, to Endless and Vincent, Kiku's mother... There was too much that felt urgent for her to truly quiet her tired mind. The road both ahead and behind were disturbingly complex, and Tehodis was afraid they wouldn't make it to the other side. They needed help, she realized. Help that few people could provide. She knew of one, however. A single soul who might-- might...
She stood with a little difficulty, pushing against the wall with her legs (which had become so much stronger over the past month) and gaining traction against the wainscoting to better move without disturbing her two sleeping allies. Not bothering with shoes, she padded in sock-feet across to the door, and slipped out without a sound.
The night had quieted by now, with only a table or two occupied, and the gruff man who'd given them the room looking bored. No one heard her approach, and so as she spoke the proprietor started. "Excuse me-- Sorry, I didn't mean to spook you." Tehodis attempted to even her tone, finding something a little closer to an assured deadpan. It was only partially effective.
"Eh? Whaddya want?" As he spoke the man looked around her, as if expected to see Vincent or Kiku crouched down behind her in an ambush. Not seeing anyone, he just narrowed his eyes at her suspiciously.
"Do you have parchment? Paper would be fine as well. And ink, a quill?" She tried eye contact as she asked, uncomfortable with the man but trying to appear as though she might belong here. She couldn't tell if he was buying it or not as he brought a greasy hand to his stringy chin-strap beard and rubbed it in thought.
"Aye, I'd have what ye'd be lookin' for. Why's ya need it?"
"I'm writing a letter," Her words were truthful, and then less truthfully, "An ally of our's should know we escaped."
The man appraised her words, likely trying to read her as much as she was trying to read him-- being far more successful than she was. He scratched at his armpit (her face flashed to disgust for a moment) before answering her, "Yeah, I got something like that. 2 pieces."
"As you took advantage of us with the room charge, I'm sure you can let this one go," Her words were faster than her mind, and as the latter caught up she pursed her lips.
But the man laughed, catching the attention of the few who were still at tables, who leered at the pair over tankards and cards. "See you play hard to get, missy," He chortled, the end of his laugh punctuating the words, "But ain't no paper included with the room. 2 pieces. Unless... You got somethin' else for trade."
Tehodis frowned and dropped her eyes downward in thought as the man leaned forward on the desk, his breath stinking of both day old liquor, fresh liquor, and meat. She'd had no money on her when they'd made their escape. No money, no weapon, nothing but the clothes on her back, the amulet and-- She had one thing. One thing she most certainly wouldn't mind giving up.
"Alright," She nodded slowly, meeting his eyes and seeing how the smile had caused them to glisten like a bug's. There were likely things he would have been interested in her trading, for amusement or otherwise, things he would not be getting. Not from her. "I've a spoil. Something I grabbed during our escape that might be of interest to you, or someone who would buy from you. Worth more than a couple pieces, but perhaps it can also ensure your silence."
"Well now ya got me curious, whatchoo have, girl?"
She dug into the tight pocket of her pants, two limber fingers snagging the shape of something round. She pulled it out and held it up for him, lifting it from his reach as he tried to touch it. "Silver, but that's not what you care about, is it?"
"What is it, then?"
"An SSPB official's signet ring. The real deal. Should be able to make some official-looking pardons with that. Or other... Unique documents." It hurt her to aid a criminal like this. It felt wrong, and evil, and she hoped Vincent never found out, as he would certainly despise her for it. But she needed the supplies, and how else could she get it? Stealing it would be wrong. She had no money. She wouldn't trade the other things this man wanted. Vincent wouldn't want that, either.
"Wouldja look at that," He smiled with yellowed teeth and pulled the ring from her fingers, leaving grease on her. She shuddered, but held his face in her gaze as he turned the ring over. "And ya just want paper, ink, quill? That all?"
"And your word that you never saw us. No matter who asks you. I'm sure you can get the message across to your patrons, as well."
The proprietor appraised both her and the ring for a moment, then finally, he sniffed loudly and pulled some items from below the desk. A stack of paper, a quill, two bottles of ink. "Enjoy, li'l missy."
She nodded her thanks in the most terse way Tehodis could manage, and gathered the things into a pile before sliding it off the desk, and holding them against her chest tightly. As she turned towards one of the tables, the man caught her once more-- "But now I gotta know How'd ya lose that arm?"
She paused as he asked it, her face glum as she remembered the thing that people kept seeing of her. This thing Markus Woodrow had done to her out of some perverted sense of love, or lust. "How do you think?" She turned her head slightly towards him, noticing as she did that the other men were listening as well, "Old Woody himself." It felt good to accuse him so openly.
The owner sniffed and wiped his nose with the back of his hand, "Sounds 'bout right. Me brother too, lost both hands. Got called a thief. He's me twin. Good man... Innocent, the job was mine-- Not that'd matter. What work can a man do with no hands? Just a death sentence without the rope. Least 'e just gave ya a warnin'."
The words were sickening. An innocent man losing both of his hands. What had he been suspected of stealing that had been worth so much? They had a prison system in place to punish people. To amputate someone's hands... It seemed a tale from yesteryear, or from a backwoods village. She hadn't lost her arm for any crime, though. She had just been the object of Woodrow's desires. So then, she had to believe that those who angered him could receive far worse. So then, she had to realize that the three of them had now angered him.
"For now, anyway," She mumbled, giving the man a nod and receiving one back. He seemed to believe her. So did the other men, who gave their own solemn nods as she sat distant from them.
For the rest of the night, Tehodis worked on the letter.
Before the sun could rise, Tehodis was back in the room and finally finding rest upon the floor. Her head lolled against the wall, and grey circles had formed under her eyes in respect for her exhaustion. She wouldn't have long to trance, but she hoped that while they sailed to the distant port of Artavia they'd be able to rest again.
The skin OTHERWORLD was made by JAWN of WICKED WONDERLAND.
FORTUNA-RPG was created by MELLIE. Images belong to their respective artists. All codes and scripts belong to their respective coders. Please DO NOT take anything without the owners' permission.
