Welcome Guest. Please Login or Register. May 25, 2013, 6:08am
The nutritional adequacy of plant-based diets
Dragon Age: Warden's Vigil is a Dragon Age: Origins based roleplaying community within the world of Thedas.
Our timeline is set approximately three years after the Fifth Blight and the events that happened in Dragon Age: Origins.
Keep in mind that all members are expected to RP, and also please note that this forum contains spoilers about Dragon Age: Origins and Dragon Age 2!
Please visit our information For New Players, linked in the Site Links portion below. Any questions or concerns may be directed towards the staff!
Topic: Down the Rabbit Hole [complete] (Read 555 times)
sidhekate Guest
Down the Rabbit Hole [complete] « Thread Started on Aug 30, 2010, 12:38pm »
((10-28, immediately after Journey, Bitter and Sweet))
From her vantage point, the bard could see her companions fleeing retribution as they ran for the woods. Before any eyes turned back to her and made the connection, she ducked down and slid off the roof. Pressing her body against the side of the building and wrapping around the little cage she held, she hushed the bird. “Good job,” she whispered to Peko. “They are safe. You should rest now, I will need your help again in a few hours.” Chances were that few, if any, knew of Olivie’s involvement in the previous incident. Therefore she could stay at market and purchase what was necessary. She slipped the cover back over the birdcage so her companion could rest and disappeared into the shadows.
The first step was to move to another area of the marketplace. The second was to make fast and pointed purchases. She disliked leaning on spineless merchants right before asking an underworld boss for several favors but she had neither time nor money on her side today. She purchased several roots, lengths of cloth, a fully finished cloak, and so on. The time for worrying about how much she could carry in a day was over and emergency measures were installed.
Next she had to see if her former companions could be found. The plan for the evening was going to vary greatly depending on whom and in what condition they were in. Olivie wandered approximately 100 meters into the woods in the same direction they had fled. The best way to avoid detection from those on horseback was to hide and let them go by. She hoped at least one of her companions hid in such a manner. Judging by the movement of the sun, a few hours had passed. The bard took Peko’s cover off again and looked at him sadly. “Ok. Time to find Kaiera. She’ll follow the sound of your voice.” The bard bribed him with some seeds and a gentle head rub. “Let her hear your song.”
The bird sang a melancholy tune while the human cleared out their encampment for a while. She prepared the roots and boiled down her brews in preparation for someone to find her. She fussed with the cloth and set up for the third phase of her plan. Eventually, she sat down and just waited.
Re: Down the Rabbit Hole [closed] « Reply #1 on Aug 30, 2010, 7:08pm »
It was too fast. All of it; absolutely everything: her heart, her mind – the situation, all of it racing. Quietly panting against the hard support of a tree’s trunk as she listened to the receding trot of several hooves, Kaiera made a diversion out of watching the frequent puffs of hot breath leave her lips and take tangible form in the frigid air.
The elf had not been given the chance to catch up until this very moment, and everything had been so simple, that she allowed this action without reflection. The vile weight pressing against her, the pained grunt, the harsh jerk of her wrist, the frenzied escape; all of it, constant motion that had given her the ability to run from not only chevaliers, but the events as well. But now, with the sudden silence, realization accompanied reality, and she could not stop shaking.
Maker… That she could have – that that beast was about to…But she could not complete the thought. Both were unwelcome. That she would have been so savagely violated…That there had been a need to intervene at all; it was too painful to even contemplate.
But then...it was as if some divine entity took pity as Kaiera heard the push of a despondent song come from, it seemed, the forest itself, closing her eyes as her heart leapt in recognition. Gathering her wits, the elf scrambled quickly to her feet, following the voice, singing out to it in response if Peko would ever drop the tune, before the his call came back more insistent from hearing her. Tree after tree, the foliage began almost to blend together into an inconsequential sea of greens and browns before she saw unique color: the blue and silver and gold of bird and cage, the soft blond of Olivie’s hair.
“Peko…” The relief came so thick that it stilled her tongue, If I lost you… Her eyes darted to the human, words frantic as she needed more of this motion, more of the racing to keep the thoughts away. “Olivie: I…demanded Delain and I part and he continue running – that this was not his problem. They could not catch both of us.” She neglected to tell the woman that it was his idea to taunt the chevalier he had injured, his idea to gather all of their attention while he told her to run. “Perhaps…perhaps we will meet again someday. I…” Oxygen leaving her entirely too fast without replenishing, she wobbled slightly before collapsing to her knees, being able to resist the gravity of circumstance no longer. “I do not…Just…” She raised her hand in pardon – she could still feel the weight of that man, “I need..." Those hands... "only a moment.”
Re: Down the Rabbit Hole [closed] « Reply #2 on Aug 31, 2010, 1:33pm »
The bard could hear Kaiera before she saw her. It was as though Peko’s song called to the elf’s heart and not her ears. Olivie found this curious but remained silent and let the two reconnect. The form that eventually appeared from the woods was forlorn and dreadfully shaken. Kaiera explained that Delain had continued to flee their pursuers. The truth was that the bard was not worried about her tracker friend. He would be just fine in the woods and was more than able to take care of himself. The woman before her, on the other hand, was a shaking wreck. She managed to say, “I need...only a moment.”
“You need more than that,” Olivie replied matter-of-factly. “Sit. There is much to decide and then important actions to take.” She knew what the other suffered. Thankfully the elf would likely only know such terror and torment once in her life. She reached into her bags of purchases and produced a new shirt. It was not as fancy or of good quality as what Kaiera now wore. But it was a rush job. How much could one expect a seamstress to do in two hours? “Get rid of that one,” she said softly, “and try this on.” At least the new one wasn’t torn and hopefully wouldn’t remind them of the attack. “We’re the same size, so I just had her use my measurements. I bought some fine cloth for another one – a better one – to be made as soon as there is time. For now, though, time is what we lack.”
She walked back to the other side of the clearing and sat down. “We should continue on to Lydes.” Her tone remained flat and her sentences simple. People in shock, in her experience, needed to be handled one concept at a time. “There is no point in continuing through the woods with our guide gone. Were I to continue alone, I would use a network of checkpoints through the towns to send messages and ensure my own safety.” Olivie wondered if Kaiera understood what she meant. The elf had never asked her about the Crows through the bard had made reference to them twice. It was reasonable to assume that the elf knew something of the underground. “I presume if you were to continue alone, you would call upon your resources to secure rooms at inns and perhaps the occasional noble’s manor?” She waited for acknowledgement before continuing, “then I recommend we use a combination of both. What are your thoughts?”
“We remain closest to Montsimmard. It is most prudent to return there, but we can not go back while you are easily recognizable.” Olivie gestured to the cauldron of goo in front of her. “If you were to change your hair, would you be willing to color it? And would you like to go blond or black?”
Re: Down the Rabbit Hole [closed] « Reply #3 on Aug 31, 2010, 9:16pm »
“You need more than that,” More would kill me… “Sit.” It was an order one might think unnecessary – was she not already on the ground? But the elf silently acquiesced; the support of solid earth beneath her a welcoming one, while the rest of the world seemed to spin. “There is much to decide and then important actions to take.”
Kaiera managed a nod, eager to take the role of listener and no longer have to form words, eager to agree and depart; they were still too close, and she wished to get away from this all. Fingers tentatively gliding down the large tear in the front of her top as she was given an additional order to replace her top, it was as if she could hear the horrible ripping of it all over again. Suddenly, the frenzied urge to hug the torn fabric as close as she possibly could to her chest overcame her, the thin material being her only defense.
Stop it. Stop it. It was not a plea to the chevalier, but an intolerant decree to her trembling hands, her hunched shoulders; the elf did not know how one dealt with this situation, but she, at the very least, expected more of herself than this. Focusing on her task, on how very simple it was, she shrugged her top off, modesty irrelevant as she placed the new one on, uncaring of its state on her or its material. “It’s fine.” It covered her, albeit loosely; it exposed none of her flesh – at this moment, she required nothing more.
Olivie continued on, touching more on her plan with mercifully plain sentences her mind could easily digest: they had to get to Lydes; the forest was no longer an option; the human’s connections. “I presume if you were to continue alone, you would call upon your resources to secure rooms at inns and perhaps the occasional noble’s manor?”
The human waited, expecting a reply, “I have…” The gap proved unbearable as she blinked stupidly, trying to locate the word, “contacts. They’ll assist…provide a place to stay.”
“then I recommend we use a combination of both. What are your thoughts?”
A forced jerk of the head that she hoped would be taken as a second nod. “Yes.”
Olivie motioned to a sizable cauldron. “If you were to change your hair, would you be willing to color it? And would you like to go blond or black?”
The words made more than one passage through her head before Kaiera's brows furrowed. “No.” There were no tremors in tone or pause required. I will not let this change me – him change me. She grasped onto what fluency could be found. “It would be simpler to merely let it out or cut it. And the effect would be as immediate.” As if to prove her words, Kaiera pulled each pin from her restrained hair with deft fingers, letting the mane of brown cascade her shoulders and back. “The event has just happened, yet most of your kind believes we all appear similar: will I not be just another elf?” Would she understand this was not merely vanity? Why she argued so desperately?
Re: Down the Rabbit Hole [closed] « Reply #4 on Sept 1, 2010, 3:04pm »
Although she accepted the shirt, the idea of changing her appearance too substantially seemed to displease Kaiera. “It would be simpler to merely let it out or cut it. And the effect would be as immediate. The event has just happened, yet most of your kind believes we all appear similar: will I not be just another elf?”
“You do not believe you are just another elf, but you expect others to? Or do you really expect a brute to easily forget the woman that pulled a dagger on him?” Olivie took a deep breath and pinched her nose. She understood what the elf was going through all too well but it didn’t change the immediate needs. She knelt down next to Kaiera and stared deeply into her eyes. “You are not your clothes. You are not your body. There are things that can never be taken from you. Guard those well for that is who you really are. The rest is a disguise, a role we portray, and I ask you to temporarily change that role that we might gain the advantage over the dirt bag that hurt you.” The bard’s eyes lit up with fiery anger. “The first step in beating him is to get angry. Come,” her voice grew harsh and dark, “ let us beat him.”
She stood and returned to her purchases. She sifted through her bags and produced the other cloak. Turning back to Kaiera and tilting her head to the side she asked, “who do you want to pretend to be? Let us be actors. Do you wish to be underworld spies, women on their way to study with a great tutor, adventures in search of treasure…?” She had never been known for being comforting. She had no idea how to make the other woman feel any better. But they had things to do, and angry Kaiera was better than a shaken one. Or at least she was more motivated. The bard took a spare piece of thick cloth and wrapped it around her own neck. She put on a set of inexpensive gloves and took a cheap brush and dipped it in her dark concoction before running it through her hair. It would serve as a temporary stain to darken her hair. “Do you wish assistance in styling your hair? We have much to do…” Her voice trailed off as she focused on not staining her skin and ears. When she completed her task, she bound her hair up to let the dye sink in. “I don’t mean to rush you, but perhaps you would find it useful to focus on another? The one you attempted to rescue will be the target of retribution, as might the whole elf quarter. We should finish our transformations and make our way there as soon as possible. Plus, we have other arrangements to make.”
Re: Down the Rabbit Hole [closed] « Reply #5 on Sept 1, 2010, 5:50pm »
“You do not believe you are just another elf, but you expect others to?" The question was not surprising, if she were of more level mind, she would have easily agreed -- but this one thing, Kaiera would not change, needing to remain as close to the person she was before this as possible. "Or do you really expect a brute to easily forget the woman that pulled a dagger on him?”
“You say this as if every human shares my beliefs – was I not just another elf to the crowd? Was I not just another elf when that man planned to have his way with me?” Her chest tightened at the thought, her stomach twisted, but she willed the words forth. “No. What I believe is irrelevant to anyone other than myself. That…man will remember the scar more then he will recall me.” And it was truth. The bruising of his pride would linger in his memory longer than her face and pointed ears.
The human saw fit to kneel next to her then, staring intently into her eyes. “You are not your clothes. You are not your body.” She said these things as if it were not something the elf had learned long ago: how could you be hand-me-downs that never belonged to you? How could one invest in a body that was only useful when owned? “The rest is a disguise, a role we portray, and I ask you to temporarily change that role that we might gain the advantage over the dirt bag that hurt you.” The sentiment did not have to be given, but Kaiera could not bring herself to care, only having access to fear or rage, nothing in-between. “The first step in beating him is to get angry. Come, let us beat him.”
With mere anger? No, "I wish him to die like the animal he is." Even as she said the words, she knew the intent to be true.
“Let us be actors.” The other suggested, giving a string of roles they could play. And somewhere, in a remote corner of her mind, the elf knew that this was Olivie’s attempt at comfort, but it did little more than irritate her, causing her to then be stuck in an abominable loop of exasperation at the other’s façade to anger at herself for causing it to be necessary in the first place. What she wished for more than anything was time to think, to sort this out – to regain herself, but it was becoming more and more obvious that she would not be granted such time…And there was yet one option she, formerly, did not consider. She could become numb. Let the events wash over her, but not be influenced by them – not now, not yet; reliance on logic would be far more practical than anything her frayed emotions could give.
“Do you wish assistance in styling your hair?”
“No. This will do.” She ran her fingers through her brown locks. “It is plain – unassuming.”
“I don’t mean to rush you,” But you do, because there is no time for this “but perhaps you would find it useful to focus on another? The one you attempted to rescue will be the target of retribution, as might the whole elf quarter. We should finish our transformations and make our way there as soon as possible. Plus, we have other arrangements to make.”
Concern over the other elf she had thought she aided earlier gave her the strength to rise to her feet – would the other elf, even now, have to pay for her actions, would the entire alienage? “Choose our role; I will act accordingly." Donning the cloak that Olivie had set out, Kaiera's eyes fell on the cage next to her. "Did they see Peko with you?" She would put her own life in danger -- it was her choice -- but not his. "Will we have to hide him to not be noticed?"
Re: Down the Rabbit Hole [closed] « Reply #6 on Sept 2, 2010, 3:51pm »
Kaiera misunderstood and underestimated what people saw when they looked at one another. “No. What I believe is irrelevant to anyone other than myself. That…man will remember the scar more then he will recall me.” Olivie shook her head but did not argue. What Kaiera believed about herself was everything. The way she moved, the way she did not avert her gaze, the way she carried herself with her shoulders straight and her head up. That she believed herself ‘not just another elf’ meant that no one watching would believe it either. The bard knew from experience that a person’s secrets could not be protected when being scrutinized by the right person. And her plan was to enter into a den full of them. To her suggestion of getting angry, the elf replied, "I wish him to die like the animal he is." Olivie nodded. It didn’t change things… the attacker being dead. She knew that all too well. But even she would admit that it was oddly satisfying. It would be on the agenda to discuss, she decided.
Her companion refused assistance with her hair. The bard finished with her own hair, spinning it into a bun and then tucking it into a disposable hat. That would allow the dyes to sink in without dripping and hold her thin hair out of the way. Kaiera was able to refocus when the other young elf was mentioned. “Choose our role; I will act accordingly." The elf instructed as she put on the new cloak.
“You misunderstood what I meant,” Olivie explained. “A role begins in one’s mind. Then they don a costume to fit. I cannot choose one for you because then you will try to pretend to be something that you are not in your mind.” She gestured back in the direction of the town. “Come, I will show you. To the bartender and his master I will a commanding force in the Orlesian underworld. To the elder I will be a benevolent powerbroker.”
"Did they see Peko with you? Will we have to hide him to not be noticed?"
“I do not believe that the relevant individuals noticed the little one, no.” They were otherwise occupied. “Nonetheless, I purchased sufficient cloth to fashion him a additional cover. Though that will not mask the shape of his cage but it should suffice.” She draped the cloth over the cage and began cutting it to suit. “I do not want to leave him here out here. We will need to get a room at the inn anyway as a sign of good faith to the bartender, so we can keep him there in the warmth.”
Olivie collected the discarded pieces of cloth, her dye gloves, Kai’s ripped shirt and the various other things they no longer needed and dropped them into a hole she had dug with the hand shovel. She poured the dye on top and buried the remains. After stamping down the dirt to something resembling ground level, she swept the ground clean of her footprints and brushed leaves and debris to cover the ground more like the natural forest. “It will do,” she said quietly and nodded to Kaiera. “Ready?”
When they were collected and prepared, the two plus bird went back to town. Olivie watched over her companion’s reactions. Sometimes revisiting the scene of an attack was best done immediately and sometimes that aggravated someone’s condition. There was no way to know for sure until actually going back. She just trusted in Kai’s inner strength to see her through this, hoping she would pick the fight reaction rather than flight. She led them straight for the inn because she hoped a straight shot would dull any negative response because it did not break focus. Secure room, make contact, and go help the elf. Just stay focused, she thought towards the other woman. Just stay focused.
Re: Down the Rabbit Hole [closed] « Reply #7 on Sept 2, 2010, 11:48pm »
Kaiera thought that perhaps it was the human that truly misunderstood, or at least she doubted her ability; what was an added role to a life of such, one after another? And it was not often that said role was not ordained by another. But she had neither the will nor strength to argue, and this was certainly not the time for it. “Then I will be a servant. Or perhaps a lover for the eve.” Her shoulders gave an indifferent shrug; there were not many parts an elf could play. “I will think on it as we travel.”
It was a relief to hear that Peko was not overtly noticed, and Kaiera lifted his cage for her as she fashioned an additional cover, humming softly to the bird's angry chits as he was not happy to be separated from his owner yet again. “I do not want to leave him here out here.” The elf cocked a brow at this: did she think she would ever merely retire Peko in a location she did not personally approve? “We will need to get a room at the inn anyway as a sign of good faith to the bartender, so we can keep him there in the warmth.”
“Thank you.” It was not grand, but she bestowed all the gratitude she could muster at the moment, for protecting something dear to her. "I would like to wash, as well…When time permits.” The notion was understated for she could not think on it long; her clothes had been changed, yet she still felt dirty; still felt the fervent press of fingers no longer there.
“Ready?”
“Yes.”
It was not a long trip: once more, their path transitioned from ground to cobbled road and Kaiera could not help but reminisce on when she thought this Montsimmard beautiful, anticipating all the pleasant wonders it would bring – now, it was nothing more than disgusting, a town to be despised. Every step closer to that place, and her body all but screamed its displeasure:
No -- this is where it happened. Nausea came thick and fast, This is where he defiled you.
She did not wish to see it, muscles suddenly tensing, movements less fluid – but the elf had an audience. She could feel Olivie’s eyes on her, the human’s gaze heavy as if waiting to see if she would break – something that would not be allowed. Forcefully biting the inside of her cheek, Kaiera focused on the pain of it as they walked across the same stones where her body once lay, tasted the blood as they passed through the inn’s door. Inside, the elf could not help it, she scanned the room immediately for any sign of the chevaliers -- of the chevalier -- but found none, grateful both for the emotional mercy and to be saved from a drastic response.
We remain beneath notice. There was the occasional curious glance at the newcomers, but that was to be expected; the elf tousled her hair a bit more, slipping into her role as they both approached the counter.
“What’ll be?” The bartender did not look their way as he cleaned a mug.
“Order.” Kaiera delivered a gentle caress down Olivie's arm, posture relaxed as she kept her sentences simple. “So we can go upstairs...” So we remove any suspicion. A grin was purposely exaggerated, as if she had imbibed just the right amount of alcohol to openly display what could only happen next.
Finally glancing up, he took a look at her before regarding her companion. “You into elves, eh?" That the shem spoke of her as if she were not there meant her act was a convincing one. "They’re nice enough, I suppose, but I just can’t get over those damn ears.” He set the mug down. "Wouldn't go spreading your tastes around, though -- the elves aren't all that popular present."
Re: Down the Rabbit Hole [closed] « Reply #8 on Sept 3, 2010, 10:41am »
“Order. So we can go upstairs...” The elf touched her arm and grinned. Olivie had enough self-control to not stiffen or sneer at this but her stomach twisted in anger. Kaiera did not know what she did and so the bard did not blame her for choosing the worst possible façade.
"You into elves, eh?" The bartender asked as he cleaned. "They’re nice enough, I suppose, but I just can’t get over those damn ears.” Olivie smirked. She disliked qunari because they were hard to seduce and harder to kill. Elves were neither. “Wouldn't go spreading your tastes around, though -- the elves aren't all that popular present."
A raised hand signaled to the man that the bard was already tired of his warning. “I would like a cup of Elusive T,” she said flatly. The bartender’s eyes widened in response. “I have a tall order, and accordingly I expect you will carry it out personally. And we will take a room, for a Lark.” Her eyes darkened as she surveyed the man’s reactions. Her voice dropped and she hissed, “Do we understand one another?”
“Yes ma’am.” He said quickly, his earlier casual tone having disappeared. He fetched them a room key and gingerly slid it over to Olivie as though he were afraid to make physical contact with her.
She took it and handed the key to her companion. The bard spoke in a whisper to the elf, “lock the door behind you. I will knock and announce myself. If anyone else knocks or if the lock unclicks, get your weapons and prepare for battle.” The look she gave Kaiera was to emphasize this was life or death. “Per your earlier request, I have a few more things to buy at market in case we are granted permission.” She had neither the time nor the privacy to explain what she meant. A short bow of her head to the elf indicating she trusted the other woman to take care of herself and she headed back to market to look for a few choice items.
An herb to slow bleeding and a bag powder to make an entire group of men sleepy from the apothecary. A length of rope and piece of parchment was purchased from the general store. Olivie decided she had enough cloth already to accomplish the rest. A young boy ran up to her and said her meeting had been granted and then ran away again. She slipped her latest purchases into a pocket and carried the rope back to the inn. The bard was relieved to see the door was still locked. She softly rapped at the door of their rented room and said, “it’s me. I have things to drop off in the room and then we have our meeting.”
Re: Down the Rabbit Hole [closed] « Reply #9 on Sept 4, 2010, 1:52am »
“I would like a cup of Elusive T, I have a tall order, and accordingly I expect you will carry it out personally. And we will take a room, for a Lark.” Her words became a foreboding hiss, “Do we understand one another?”
Kaiera had to resist arching a brow. And that had come from where, exactly? It would have to be a question for a later instance, however; for now, she still had an act to convey. Summoning the giggle was effortless enough, a sound that told sufficiently of being both impressed and enticed.
She was then handed a key. “lock the door behind you. I will knock and announce myself. If anyone else knocks or if the lock unclicks, get your weapons and prepare for battle.” Not the most suggestive statement, a choice that told much of her disapproval of the role she decided on; at the very least, she sounded possessive – that could be worked with. “Per your earlier request, I have a few more things to buy at market in case we are granted permission.”
“You are leaving?” A pout. “Then I will prepare the room for your return. Do not be long.” It was more than a planned approach: no matter how much it nicked her pride, how much she wished to be left unaccompanied with only her thoughts, the concept of being alone was…. “Be careful.” The elf whispered back faintly before departing up the stairs.
Olivie may not have approved, but to her, the part she played served its purpose well: the bartender noticeably feared the human from her few spoken words and she was the supposed lover, a person of import to a potential dangerous person. If anything, no one would approach her off that basis alone. Still, the state of affairs were somewhat perplexing; Kaiera knew well that the other had a reliable set of skills and need not be underestimated, but they had not discussed her swift departure after securing a room. Connections had been mentioned, ways to guarantee safety during travel – but from who, exactly – and how?
What does she plan?
Shaking her head of the views that would simply not be answered until the human returned, she tested the key to their room before fetching a pail of warmed water to wash. Remembering how eager she was for this event, now she only wished for a bar of soap, with which to scrub herself raw, not stopping until her skin throbbed red in protest and her every nerve cried out for her to stop. But it was not enough; never enough as tears began to roll down her cheeks and the elf scrubbed all the more vigorously against her flesh – she was so dirty; Maker, he had made her filthy….
Huddling beneath numerous covers after finally not being able to endure the pain of her cleaning methods, the elf's hands gripped its opposite arm, her eyelids closing while she plainly breathed, focusing on the process of it. In and out; in and out...Just to have a barricade from the world, to not have to see it, gave Kaiera comfort; the thought that she could, by chance, disappear if only she were completely still. To blot this event from the course of her life, to forget and solely move on…But then it came to her as if summoned, mocking her moment of stillness with its vicious images and forced recollections until it became too much and numbness took her once more.
And it was enough -- until a soft knocking met the door and reality violently thrust its way back in. “it’s me.” Olivie… “I have things to drop off in the room and then we have our meeting.”
Slowly, tentatively, extracting herself from the blanket cocoon she fashioned, Kaiera made her way to the door, wiping her eyes and willing her face to a presentable state before unlocking the door.
“Meeting?” The elf tested her voice; softer, perhaps, but otherwise normal. “You’ve made your connections, then?”
Re: Down the Rabbit Hole [closed] « Reply #10 on Sept 5, 2010, 4:11pm »
The door was unlocked. Olivie surveyed the room and decided Kaiera was as well as could be expected. “Meeting?” The elf asked quietly. “You’ve made your connections, then?”
The bard chuckled softly as she dropped her new purchases on the dresser. "You were there when I made the connection. I asked the bartender to meet with T and told him who I was." Habit alone moved her unconsciously to the wall with the door and her back securely against it. "Have you rested well? You had asked to wash up and I needed to get to market before it closed in case I can fulfill your request." Her eyes darted to the shadows around the room. Quietly she asked, "you haven't had the opportunity to sweep the room, correct?" It was not a judgment, the elf probably would not think to do such a thing, but given the circumstances Olivie was feeling particularly prudent.
She drew her daggers and began what would otherwise appear to be a dance. She swept low and high, sliding her legs around to feel for blank spaces. The objective was to check for hidden assassins and spies, moving in a pattern that would corner one and force him to be revealed. But she performed her task with practiced grace and precise angles as it was one she had done many times in her life. Strange how we all fall back on our training. Satisfied that no one hid, she sheathed her daggers and nodded at Kaiera.
"Before we head out, I want to review a couple of things with you. First, I do not expect things to go badly, but prepare yourself just in case." She crossed her arms in front of her chest and gave an unusually stern look to her companion. "Do not try to save me, just run. If you are caught, tell them who you are and that the Balfors will pay handsomely for your safe return." She exhaled slowly. The plan was based in paranoia, but she firmly believed that paranoia keeps people alive.
"Second, I am going to ask permission to eliminate the chevalier that attacked you. It is possible that T will refuse, since it is a dangerous proposition for him, but more likely he will charge some outrageous sum of money for us to use their services." The bard waved her hand to dismiss the idea of the syndicate's services being much more than their silence. It was considered rude to murder authority in the territory of another without paying an appropriate sum, much like a tax, because the existing syndicate would doubtless have to deal with some fall out. Incentive was needed for them to not simply turn in the offender - and often collect reward money. Honor among thieves and all. "You should decide how much you are willing to pay in advance, and don't budge from that amount." She gestured to the packages on the dresser. "That is what those are for, we can discuss the results once I have permission." Olivie tilted her head in her companion's direction. "That being said it must remain our lowest priority. Getting out of here, making contact with our final location, and protecting the other young woman that was assaulted will come first. If that is not acceptable to you, please tell me now. We need to have our story straight when we go into this meeting."
"Do you have any questions or is there anything else you would like to do before we head out?" She gave Kaiera one last opportunity to make last minute requests. "I don't want to make T wait too long."
Re: Down the Rabbit Hole [closed] « Reply #11 on Sept 7, 2010, 9:18pm »
Olivie had chuckled at her inquiry, as if her coded words were not confounding in the least; that she accomplished so much with such a simple statement to the bartender was impressive, at the very least. "Have you rested well?” Their eyes met as she pressed her back flush against the far wall. “You had asked to wash up and I needed to get to market before it closed in case I can fulfill your request."
Rest? It was suddenly a queer term, ungraspable to the mind – had that been what she had done under those covers? No; I…existed. And could not disappear. But that would be too hard a concept to explain to the other woman -- too cumbersome. “I did.” The elf nodded, noticing, now, how much she favored the gesture that assured everything was all right when there was a certain chance everything was not. “I am…” better? She felt her tongue could not bear the lie, “clean.” Her skin throbbed to the word -- but she needed to believe it; otherwise, she would remain in that room, still scrubbing, scrubbing..... “Your consideration is appreciated.”
Olivie had graciously moved on, eyes now taking more interest in their surroundings than her as she asked if she had swept the room. With a simple shake of the head, never hearing of such a term, Kaiera watched yet another dance from the human as she brandished her blades, moving with grace and deadly precision; whomever the dance dedicated, it a waltz of their impending death.
"Before we head out, I want to review a couple of things with you. First, I do not expect things to go badly, but prepare yourself just in case." Here was a tone she did not recognize as slender brows rutted lightly, gray watching with growing confusion on what warranted the crossed arms; the stern gaze – had she not always been prepared when the time called for it? "Do not try to save me, just run. If you are caught, tell them who you are and that the Balfours will pay handsomely for your safe return."
“How sound…The Balfour name is a powerful one, and that would easily ensure my safety. I refuse.” The negation would have no doubt been surprising, even to her if they had not gone through what they did, but she continued without pause. “You’ve remained in my company, led us this far, secured this meeting – you’ve even protected that which means everything to me.” Pride would not allow it: the human had done too much and drastically tipped the scales. “I will not abandon you.”
Being informed that a no doubt ‘outrageous’ sum would be charged for the chevalier’s death did not unsettle her; the task was a difficult one. It was not easy to kill a chevalier without raising a few, very dangerous heads in one’s way – but it could be done: had to be done. And that an amount was placed at all meant much: it was not a vast group, those that would take a bounty made on one of the knights, regardless of pay.
It also meant this 'T' was very influential. And more dangerous than I could possibly believe.
"You should decide how much you are willing to pay in advance, and don't budge from that amount." Olivie pointed to packages she had not formerly noticed. "That is what those are for, we can discuss the results once I have permission."
Glancing down to the small purse that rested on her hip, Kaiera easily knew she possessed, still, a sizable amount of coin, more even then she guessed at this point of her journey with her companions' frugality; she was more interested in the latter part of the other's statement. Why was permission necessary -- and from where was it to be granted?
She, however, let the other continue uninterrupted. "That being said it must remain our lowest priority." Lowest? It had stung and the elf could not help the anger, despite seeing the human's rationale. "Getting out of here, making contact with our final location, and protecting the other young woman that was assaulted will come first. If that is not acceptable to you, please tell me now. We need to have our story straight when we go into this meeting."
There was a brief stab of selfishness, but it was potent: a coldness to everything that was not the chevalier's death -- but the other elven woman; what was the point of this if she were not alive? "It is acceptable. From your words, I assume the woman will be brought up? If there is a way to guarantee her continued safety and protection from the chevalier...I will...retract my request for his death if it conflicts." It was so hard to say -- harder than she expected, hating both her morality and self interest all at once.
"Do you have any questions or is there anything else you would like to do before we head out? I don't want to make T wait too long."
Where will the meeting take place? Who is this ‘T’? Why will he aid us? How is it you know of him? All of these questions buzzed in her head, another born right after the last.
“No.” was what actually left her lips. “I agree: we should not dally. Any questions I have, this meeting will answer.” Turning back to a small table, Kaiera peeked under the draping over Peko’s cage to confirm his state, a part of her was glad he was not awake to fuss on her departure. I will come back to you. “Let us be off.”
Re: Down the Rabbit Hole [closed] « Reply #12 on Sept 8, 2010, 1:59pm »
Her suggestion that the elf be prepared to save herself was met with outright refusal. Olivie sighed and pinched her nose. If things went horribly wrong, the most likely outcome would involve the bard being gutted before she could utter a word. The best she could do was hope that Kaiera remembered the offer of ransom before panic set in. A better option was to not let things go so far, but being prepared saved lives. Kaiera was even less pleased at the order of priorities but had the decency to agree to them. They would work out the details once permission was obtained.
Both women indicated readiness to depart. “I agree: we should not dally. Any questions I have, this meeting will answer.” The bard made one last assessment of her companion. She was bent but not broken, it appeared. Though revenge was on the mind she was still able to control her emotions and prioritize both her own safety and the safety of others. It was more than Olivie expected considering the totality of the situation. Her only disappointment was this ruse of a subservient lover. If they got into trouble, Kaiera’s smooth words would have been more appropriate coming from an equal. She shrugged off the idea. They would be fine. Hopefully.
They walked back to the main room in the inn and up to the barkeeper. “Is our drink ready?” Olivie asked quietly and the man nodded. He led the women to a back room and opened a cellar door. Her breath caught in her throat for just a moment. Going forward meant being locked in and they were only getting out alive if that was what T wanted. It will be fine, she promised herself and forced the air through her lungs naturally. She tried to give her companion a reassuring nod but wondered which of them was the more nervous.
Unlike some hideouts she had been in, T’s compound was closer to a large basement than a vault or a dungeon. Or a crypt, she added to herself. The man himself was seated at the back room and flanked by two of his advisers. He was tall and thin, with dark hair that only begun to show signs of gray and a dark beard with the same consistency. He wore dark leather armor with matching gloves and boots. To his left was a fair-haired man with a large battle-axe strapped to his back and blades at his sides. To his right was a smaller man whose eyes lit up when they rested on their guests. The number of blades in the room that hung on the hips of each person made the situation dangerous, and the skill possessed by the men in front of her at least equaled her own.
“Livie!” The leader cheerfully declared though he made no movement to approach her or even stand. “It is so good to see you. It has been too long.”
She politely bowed to T and his second lieutenant, Pierre, but gave a warmer greeting to the man on the boss’ right. “Jaques,” she murmured and they exchanged quick kisses on either cheek. People of similar rank tend to make closer acquaintances, as she had indicated earlier to Kaiera when they discussed nobles back in the woods. She had been the first lieutenant for many years...
T gestured for them to sit and remarked on the elf, “and this lovely creature is with you? Livie, I’m surprised at you, with a woman? You’re breaking Jaques’ heart, but I guess the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, does it?” The bard fought the sensation to react and instead glared at the floor. She had no desire to give any details about her companion. Details were weapons that could be used against them later. The silence hung in the air until T continued, “so what brings you to my city, Livie?”
“We’re just passing through, T,” she answered. “I am looking for two Writs of Passage, a letter to the Southern Cross, a magic box and grazing for a horse.” She was all business as usual, skipping the discussion and pleasantries. Her companion’s strength was clearly her weakness in situations like the one at hand.
“A horse, hmm? I thought it might have been you two that ran into trouble earlier,” he responded. His voice had changed from its faux-jovial greeting to a more annoyed tone. “The scouts tell me that there was an altercation outside.”
When she spoke, Olivie’s voice was barely above a whisper, “no one touches what is mine and lives.” It wasn’t true. In fact, it had so little to do with the truth that she worried it was not believable. She tried not to hold her breath, not to break T’s gaze, not to waiver or in any way indicate that it was a bluff.
It appeared to have worked a little too well. “Possessive, Livie. So much like her,” he replied, his eyes fixed on hers. “Maybe too much? Should I eliminate you now, before you become too much to handle?” The bard wanted to kill him. It was the second time he had made the comparison of her against Marjolaine and every instinct in her body was to draw her daggers and lunge at him. She wondered what she looked like on the outside. Was she her normal, perfectly still, darkened eyes self? Or was the hate suddenly palpable? Either way, T waved off the idea. “The Writs and message are no problem. The usual arrangement, of course.”
She nodded and whispered, “of course. Leave what is necessary in our room.” She waved her hand as a thought occurred to her. “Actually, if the horse is out to pasture, maybe we don’t need a magic box. Just looking for safety and peace for the original victim.”
T considered her words and nodded. “Keep the other out of trouble until the event and we will make sure there is no collateral damage. I will include the price of protection together with the other, then. What is your play?” The syndicate boss shifted in his chair, his interest in her response obvious.
She shrugged. “I was thinking Hapless Child but he seemed to respond to Seeing Red. I might just take the For Hire approach, depends on how drunk he is at the time and his mood.”
“I see,” he nodded, still in thought. “And what do you propose to pay for this?” Olivie sighed and pinched her nose. She had been hoping T would quote them an amount instead of having to guess at what he found acceptable. She looked to Kaiera to supply the answer to this particular question.
Re: Down the Rabbit Hole [closed] « Reply #13 on Sept 8, 2010, 6:13pm »
“Livie!” Words were deceiving: the elf of all people, knew that even as the word was full of cheer; even if false warmth, however, that the man used a moniker instead of the other’s full name spoke of their history. “It is so good to see you. It has been too long. And this lovely creature is with you?” Oh, but how exciting to know that her looks could be used to her advantage once more! In the company of their former guide, she had almost forgotten this. "Livie, I’m surprised at you, with a woman? You’re breaking Jaques’ heart, but I guess the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, does it?”
To Olivie, this had obviously been a critical hit, yet the elf did not know why as she merely stood, glaring at the floor. Kaiera internally tsked: silences such as this one were so awkward and just could not be allowed, otherwise, it would be more prudent to tell this Mr. T that he had won. A curtsy was her start. “The rotted apple, perhaps…But introductions are in order, yes? And perhaps a bit of gratitude as well from such a well placed compliment. I assure you, I am all but putty in your hands.” The smile here was so effortless, her lips knowing its practiced sway well. “I am called Kaiera;” She figured, with a man like this, an alias of any sort would be nothing more than a waste of time, “a pleasure.”
T regarded her for only a moment; brow cocked a mere fraction – enough to show her lexis was surprising, but not completely unexpected. “But the pleasure is mine. I will be the first to apologize if you were insulted by my surprise at your connection."
“It did not concern: Olivie knows well my worth. It appears I will only have to prove it to you.”
The man waved his hand, a small chuckle following. “No, no; I trust Livie’s selections. She is not known for making unfavorable decisions – at least, when given the option to choose at all.” His eyes settled back to her companion. “so what brings you to my city, Livie?”
“We’re just passing through, T, I am looking for two Writs of Passage, a letter to the Southern Cross, a magic box and grazing for a horse.” More code. The rest was not pretty, but she would be the eloquence in this situation, softening the blows dealt by Olivie when necessary; for now, Kaiera remained silent as she listened to their conversation, trying to put the words together, looking for context clues as she would not outright ask them to explain themselves.
“A horse, hmm? I thought it might have been you two that ran into trouble earlier,” he was annoyed now, and it showed. “The scouts tell me that there was an altercation outside.” So, he knows.
“no one touches what is mine and lives.” The words held weight, but the whispered delivery sought to undo it all – did she not know that she did not have to mean the statement as long as it sounded convincing? Hoping to help Olivie’s performance, the elf overplayed shock into astonishment, it becoming a smooth transition into compelling admiration; she looked at her companion with softened eyes, as if the other’s were no longer in the room, as if they had never existed….
“Possessive, Livie. So much like her,” Her? It was the second time the elf had felt she missed out on something of import. “Maybe too much? Should I eliminate you now, before you become too much to handle?”
Was this an attempt at humor? It certainly did not feel as such as tension filled the air, one Kaiera sought to combat with another well placed smile. “You have been such a wonderful host so far, T – I will assume that was merely jest.” The sentence was concluded with just enough bite to show that she would fight for her ‘lover’s’ safety, and perhaps that it was even a threat. Grey eyes looked to the well armed men on either side of him. Let the risk be worth it…
He laughed and Kaiera had to resist pushing a breath out in relief, “This relationship, possessive all around! That is good. Such loyalty is…refreshing."
Again, the man and Olivie spoke in their coded language and she could only listen helplessly. The horse must be the chevalier...And we are making our way to Lydes; perchance that is the southern cross. The rest of it had her at a loss, though she supposed it was enough to decipher that they spoke of the other elf as well. It being confirmed when Olivie explained they were "just looking for safety and peace for the original victim.”
"T, that is of the highest priority -- the elven woman needs to be protected and kept safe." She did not have their veiled statements, but they were not needed her: this, the man had to understand. "I would think it difficult to get a human into the alienage here. I would not dare to assume you do not employ elves in your line of work, but allow me to offer myself for this part. I would wish to see this done personally."
"Personally? You do not trust me to take care of this task?"
"I do not trust your men -- I do not know them. Forgive me if I am slightly wary of the opinions the usual sort of male has on female elves."
“I see,” he nodded, still in thought. “And what do you propose to pay for this?”
“T; would you not think me a poor guest, barging in here for the first time as I have, and brusquely naming a price?" Kaiera shook her head disapprovingly. "So impolite: I simply could not stand it. I am under no illusions as to who controls this transaction, and neither are you; let us both save time: name your starting bid. Then we will establish this dance of what is too low and what is too high.”
He smiled, leaning slightly forward in his chair as his fingers intertwined. “Six sovereigns.”
“Four.” Her gaze did not waver as she unclasped her purse, and indication that she would pay now. “I will even throw in a silver or two, if you prefer. For your,” She gestured to the other two heavily armored men, "companions." She winked at Jaques, "A no hard feelings, if you will."
"You do not know me, Kaiera, but I would think it would be plain to see I am not a man with which one usually negotiates."
"No, you appear to be a man that would not cry over the loss of two, insignificant sovereigns -- am I wrong?" The pause was intended, not for him to answer the question, but to allow thought. "But there is no telling what the future will bring: I might need to make of your services yet again. As you have said, however; I do not know you. For this first time, prove to me that you are worth this payment and more will come. Is that unfair?" Kaiera looked back over to Olivie, looking for her opinion as well.
Re: Down the Rabbit Hole [closed] « Reply #14 on Sept 9, 2010, 2:25pm »
Kaiera was charming and flirty and seemed to soften up the rogues on the other side of the negotiation. The bard appreciated the balance her companion brought, since her strength was in brooding and glaring when she was this angry. Speaking quietly had always been her way in such situations. But then, Marjolaine was often leading the negotiations and meetings. The sticky-sweet words and half-truths dripped from her mouth with the ease that Kaiera seemed to display. Olivie’s eyes moved over to Jacques. The man stood silently and watched the situation. That is the role where I feel most comfortable, she thought to herself and she envied his position a little.
She breathed a quiet sigh of relief when the elf took over haggling as well. See? Being prepared always helps, she mused as she recalled the little talk they had in advance. Eyes fell on her eventually when Kaiera said, “For this first time, prove to me that you are worth this payment and more will come. Is that unfair?"
It was an eloquent opening for the more forceful of the two to speak again. “T, you know I will handle everything. I always did.” Livie’s eyes resumed their harden look. “What we propose is nothing more than insurance on the chance our actions prove inconvenient to you.” The bard sat back and spread her fingers. “If it doesn’t, what we provide is pure profit.”
The syndicate leader considered what both of them had said before bursting into his pleasant tone again. “Of course, ladies. I accept your proposal.” A knot loosened in Livie’s chest. “However,” always a catch, “you will not do so here. It would not fit to have an investigation, if one should come, right above my wine cellar. Arrange yourselves in the other inn across the way and we will ensure that your horse makes its way to the proper stall,” T gestured to some other part of town. “May the Maker watch over you on your journeys.” That was an awfully polite way of saying ‘get out’ if I’ve ever heard one.
In no mood to press their luck, the bard stood and bowed to the trio. She offered a hand to help Kaiera arise and then an arm to hold as they walked. But it wasn’t until she heard the sound of the lock unclick and they were back outside the den that she finally felt her heart beating at a normal pace. She led her companion back to their room and shut the door with a sigh. Before the elf could speak, though, she gestured for silence and swept the room again for intruders. Again she found none.
The relative safety of the room made her emotions burst to the surface. “That… he… dared…” She snarled and one fluid motion had drawn her dagger and thrown it deeply into the wall. Seconds passed as she trembled with rage before she could control herself. When she could finally move again, she put her back to the wall adjacent to the door and sank down to the floor in relief. Her voice still did not rise above a whisper. “You have no idea how much I had hoped to never be that person again.” She pinched her noise. “I am sure you have questions. Let us take a few minutes to address any concerns you have and make our plans.”
Olivie looked up and explained her plan. “I know you will want to be intricately involved in this execution, and I know that bodies disappearing create more questions than an explainable death. So my thought was to stage a suicide.” She rested her hands on her lap and intertwined her fingers. “That is what the rope is for. The herbs are to put his friends to sleep early and the smaller amount is to make the target’s movements sluggish. We will need to get all of these into the respective people.” And now for the part where she tried to skirt the issue of which one of them would actually kill the man. “How do you feel about playing waitress while I play bait? Once the toxins have taken effect, you can join me in the room and help me hoist him up.”
![[Home]](http://i900.photobucket.com/albums/ac207/wardensvigil/Welcome%20Menu%20Buttons/home.png "[Home]")
![[New Topics]](http://i900.photobucket.com/albums/ac207/wardensvigil/Welcome%20Menu%20Buttons/newtopics.png "[New Topics]")
![[Help]](http://i900.photobucket.com/albums/ac207/wardensvigil/Welcome%20Menu%20Buttons/help.png "[Help]")
![[Search]](http://i900.photobucket.com/albums/ac207/wardensvigil/Welcome%20Menu%20Buttons/search.png "[Search]")
![[Login]](http://i900.photobucket.com/albums/ac207/wardensvigil/Welcome%20Menu%20Buttons/login.png "[Login]")
![[Register]](http://i900.photobucket.com/albums/ac207/wardensvigil/Welcome%20Menu%20Buttons/register.png "[Register]")
![[Search This Thread]](http://i900.photobucket.com/albums/ac207/wardensvigil/Buttons/search2.png "[Search This Thread]")
![[Share Topic]](http://i900.photobucket.com/albums/ac207/wardensvigil/Buttons/share.png "[Share Topic]")
![[Print]](http://i900.photobucket.com/albums/ac207/wardensvigil/Buttons/print2.png "[Print]")
Author
Logged