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| Under Cover of Darkness | |
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| Topic Started: Jul 16 2008, 01:33 AM (200 Views) | |
| Scruff | Jul 16 2008, 01:33 AM Post #1 |
 
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From her spot amongst the trees, Scruff could see Snow White Memorial Prison rising into the air, taunting her with memories of a life she was trying hard to forget had existed. Two years of her life had been lost, wasted within its confines, simply because the poor girl had found herself hungry one day and swiped a loaf of bread from a merchant. Two years for some bread though she had long believed there was more to it. The efforts of the late king to clean up the streets had them throwing the poor and downtrodden away for the smallest of crimes and she had fell victim to that. Not because she had done anything wrong. But as all did that lived any portion of their within the prison, the girl that had only been hungry had hardened. Become smarter, wiser. More willing to do whatever she had to do for survival. Instead of 'fixing her' they had only managed to make her the threat that they had only envisioned before and now as she walked the streets, her name was no longer Katrina but Scruff, the nickname given to her that those who had been imprisoned wore as a badge of honor. A sign that they had survived its cruelties. Even so, she had never wanted to be back here, so close to the prison. They could do nothing should they find her. She had served her time and gotten free honestly unlike the men she was there to aide that night. It had been set up before she was released and she had been working with them from the outside, helping to secure the things they would need once outside the large stone walls. The very things that would help make sure they did not end up there again. She saw them from a distance, thinking she was seeing things for a moment but the closer they came to her hiding spot, the more she realized she was seeing perfectly clear. That there was a fourth figure amongst them. As they walked into the treeline, searching for where she was hid, she followed them at a distance. If this was a trap, set up to take her back into the guard's custody, she would not fall victim to it. She was obviously smarter than what they gave her credit for. Coming up on them, she ducked into some tall bushes, moving silently amongst them and trying to hear what they were saying. Swiftly, she reached out and grabbed Seton's elbow, pulling him into her spot of hiding and moving quickly out of the way before he could shank her with whatever makeshift weapon she was sure he had on him. Not that she could blame him, she would undoubtedly do the same in his shoes and taken by surprise. Quietly, she whispered to him, "Who is she?" and waited less than patiently for a response, praying for their sake it was a good one. |
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| Seton Nym | Jul 16 2008, 02:09 AM Post #2 |
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Seton had opted to hang back, letting Ruse take over and slip into his own element. He was perfectly fine with it--the fact that they had made it outside was a celebration for the man. And he was doing it in his own, brooding silence. He didn't send glowering scowls towards Ruse and Grish anymore and that, to Seton, meant the annoyance was gone. He was, in fact, growing almost proud of them--almost. He jerked, however, sharply and had gone for something in his pocket as Scruff pulled him off to the side. It was only when he heard her voice that his shoulders slumped slightly and he gave a roll of his eyes, tugging away from her and straightening out the clothes he wore. "Ya're not really that subtle, are ya? I could'a killed ya, ya know. Ya're lucky I didn't." Seton scolded before he glanced towards Ruse, Grish, and Starr. They were farther ahead of them, Ruse going on and on about something that was no doubt holding Starr's attention. "Ya heard about Grabiel right? What he went and did to that woman--yeah well that's her spawn. Apparently the whole damn place has put her under security from Grabiel--like that sodding idiot is going to come runnin' back. Ruse ran into her and we got stuck with her." Seton told her in a quiet whisper--even in a soft voice he seemed annoyed by the whole thing. "Don't ya worry about her...we're goin' shake her and run. Let's just hope she doesn't find out that we know anything--or better yet, that we're not really guards. She's already done the water works on us--worked well on Grish too." Seton smirked before he nodded up towards her. "Just help us get rid of her and we'll go, all right? Simple as that--or just sit here until we get it done. I don't care what you do." |
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| Scruff | Jul 16 2008, 02:31 AM Post #3 |
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"I'm not about to be killed by some sharpened piece of scrap metal that you found on cleaning duty." Scruff replied, her voice montone but almost offended that he thought she hadn't been prepeared for that very thing. The prison was a hard place for anyone but it was a place most women didn't make it out of unless they were put in solitary somewhere. The division of the sexes was almost non-existant and they were all treated just as poorly, thrown about like ragdolls while eating nothing but beanstalks day in and out. Most women didn't have the physical strength to dndure it and died within the first year. Scruff was proud that she made her whole sentence and had got to walk out the gates, not be carried out in a cardboard coffin. The news had reached her alright and as she turned her head, she could just see the feet of the rest of the group through the leaves as they walked ahead of them. She said nothing, only stared with the corners of her mouth turned down the smallest bit showing her dissatisfaction in this change of events. This was really just her luck and the thought of just killing the girl and throwing her body in the river crossed her mind more than once as she tried to decide just how serious she was about doing it. But they were too close to the prison still and her want to stay out of prison outweighed her need to get rid of her at the moment. "Of course it would work on him." She said in displeasure, irritated by the whole event though little of it actually shown on her face only managing to slip into her words as she whispered them. "She'll suspect something if I just join you now. I think it would be best if I hung back until she was gone or at least until we hit town." Scruff told him in her measured tone. She wasn't sure who she was angrier at, these fools for picking up the stray or Grabiel for killing the wench anyways. Not that she didn't have it coming, according to the story that she had heard. "This is just brilliant." She replied, only barely able to tell that it was sarcasm. |
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| Seton Nym | Jul 17 2008, 01:10 AM Post #4 |
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"It's not as if we asked for this." Seton snapped, running a hand across the top of his head as he glanced back up at them. He let a frown cross his face before he sucked in a deep breath and shook his head. "It doesn't matter if she sees ya--it's not like we're going to let her off easy. She can run back to the prison and let everyone one of those buffoons know that we were with her--she already knows too much. So what's one more, aye? We need your help--Grish is a terrible liar." Seton refused to mention that he too was bad at it. "Ya're not as good as Ruse but a fair bit better than me and Grish--who knows, maybe she'll be more comfortable around ya--maybe with ya 'womanliness', you can go all soft and feely on her and we can get the hell out of here." Seton told her with the utmost seriousness--he knew well enough that she was a soft or dainty sort of female but that didn't matter--she could work people better than he ever could. However it was becoming increasingly obvious that no matter what he did or said, this was all going to end badly. Seton was pessimistic enough on a daily basis but this was making him worse. He was absolutely certain this was going to end badly for all involved if they didn't get Starr farther away from the prison. Somewhere far enough that they could get rid of her and run before she went back to the prison to talk with any of the real guards. "Oy!" Seton called out suddenly from the bushes, grabbing onto Scruff's wrist and tugging her towards him as he moved out from their dark hiding spot. "Aye...ya three." He called out again, catching their attention a second time. He moved farther forward so that they were visible in the light of the path. "We've got a little trouble up the way. This broad here--says somethin's happened up by the cottage and we'd be better off goin' into town. Ain't that right?" Seton looked towards Scruff with eyebrows arched high. |
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| Scruff | Jul 17 2008, 01:47 AM Post #5 |
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She wanted to argue, to insist that she stayed out of sight. Scruff was not a people person by most standards. She was a fast talker when she had to be, not like Ruse, but she had been forced to learn it somewhat. It was part of her way of life before being sent here. She was, and always had been, nothing more than a street rat. Living off whatever her young hands could collect. Well, it wasn't particularly true that she had always been that way. Her parents had been killed when she was a kid and she had been forced out onto the streets and made to adapt quickly. And as her luck had had it, her adaptions had brought her to this moment, aiding in the most botched up escape she had had the unprivilage to witness and sadly, be involved in. Before she had time to say anything though he had a hold of her wrist, a move he would pay for later, and was pulling her behind him. Scruff fought the whole time, trying to break free and get out of sight. She would not go down with them. Not again. She was not going back there, this time with little chance of getting out, honestly or not. The moment he called out, though, she quit her fighting before anyone could see the struggle and her face went blank, unable to believe this was actually happening. "That's right." She agreed taking a step up next to him. "There was an attack there. They say he's armed. I'd suggest heading around the other way through the forest. I can show you the way if you like." She volunteered, a smile crossing her face that would look unnatural to anyone that knew her. |
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| Starr Britely | Jul 17 2008, 03:48 PM Post #6 |
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"A... will? Perhaps..." She said earnestly. It could be. Her mother, maybe. Starr came outside in fear. She went a couple of steps in front of the guards and took in a deep breath. Oh, what a deep breath. The air outside had never been so sweet... the dark sky so enticing. She turned around a couple of times, spinning. Hysteria, that's what it was. No other way would she be so happy after her mother had died. She stopped. "It's so much nicer outside..." She mumbled, before realizing nobody was listening. "Guards? Guards!" She cried. |
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| Grisham Rigby | Jul 17 2008, 04:17 PM Post #7 |
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Grish tried his best to contribute, throwing in one-worded suggestions. "Necklace... broach... golden goose..." He asked, his eyes sparkling in interest at the last one. As she finally spoke up herself, he nodded. A will... that was a good one too. It wouldn't help him out like a golden goose but as this one already seemed to have people dropping like flies for it, maybe that was for the best. "Was your mother well off?" It wouldn't be the first long-distance relative killing everyone off to inherit a fortune that he had ran across. He didn't even realize that Seton was gone until he was back again, Scruff by his side. She wouldn't be happy, he knew that. And if Scruff wasn't happy then no one was happy. Behind Starr's back, he sent Ruse a worried look. Not that they would be given away but what Scruff would say to them once the girl wasn't there. "I think that would be the best idea." He pretended to agree or at least started to before it happened. The most ungodly thing that he had ever seen. Scruff... smiled. And just as he suspected, the whole world went insane as the natural order was completely thrown off balance and Starr began to freak out. Okay, he wasn't sure why Starr was freaking out but he'd place money on the complete insanity that was Scruff smiling. He practically jumped as she started yelling out around them and he hurried over, grabbing onto her shoulders. "What in the world? We're right here. And yes, I have to say is so much nicer outside." He said gladly as he guided her farther and farther from the prison. "Now... quiet. Just because I'm a guard does not mean I take pleasure in having to fight people off. Do you want him to hear you?" Stepping back, he turned back to where Scruff and Seton was standing and repeating, "I think we would all appreciate it if you could show us the way." |
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| Starr Britely | Jul 17 2008, 09:15 PM Post #8 |
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Starr froze in fear. She hadn't meant to be loud. She wanted to cry, she didn't want to bother these guys. They were being helpful. "I'm sorry." She whispered gravely. "I didn't see you in the darkness. Really. Sorry. So why are we here, exactly?" She asked, trying to say it in a carefree manner. She turned. Yes, she would like to know the way, as well as where she was. She realized one of her guards had asked a question. "Well off? As in...rich..." She sounded dumb and didn't care. "No, not at all." Starr paused. "Well not that I know of..." She said, uncomfortably. "Things weren't really...open...between us." She said. "She could easily have been hiding something." She probably was. But Starr didn't like to admit this, didn't like to think the worst in her mum. |
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| Kate Trammel | Jul 17 2008, 10:03 PM Post #9 |
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Kate was a worker, a hard one too. As a result she used it as an excuse to play even harder. She was currently sitting on a log around a fire just outside of bean town with a small group of people. There was a makeshift band, a pig roasting, barrels of beer and good company. They had met at dusk, after everyone was done with their chores to have a midnight oil burning party. She wasn't a resident of Bean Town; the city a little further south of there - but selling her crops brought her to market there once a week. She met with the same crew and even in their work clothes still all dirtied from a hard day of labor they sang and danced and drank. As the orange light of the fire danced off her face, Kate caught herself laughing and singing along with the rest of them; tapping her foot and partaking in the intimate festivities. However as the last song died down and everyone went for their own break to grab food or another ale Kate fond herself alone at the wine wagon. It was there that she heard something and managed catching the faces of the small group ahead. Her expression was at first surprised as she took a step back. However she immedaitely moved forward, a new welcoming grin on her face. She was ready to invite them to the food and festivities until her eyes fell on Seton. She had noticed the girls first, she lingered on Starr for a moment and gave a fleeting smile to Scruff. However the second she saw Set a soft scowl made it's way to her face. "You better beat it before I call the guard. You might not have done anything now but I know you will." She hadn't seen her uncle Gabriel in more than two months and now that Set was in her presence she simply knew that something was amiss. She looked at the others. They were with him, therefore they were likely no good - but to prove her point she went on to say. "The rest of you are welcome to join us; though if you spoil the party you'll be asked to leave." The whole while her eyes were set on Set. |
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| Starr Britely | Jul 18 2008, 09:11 AM Post #10 |
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Starr looked at the woman in shock for a moment. She only just noticed Scruff as well. Who were these people? Everyone else seemed stunned to see the new woman. Starr took a step forward. "Who exactly are you?" She asked, kindly as she could. "And why are you threatening my guards?" She added. It was a sarcastic question, in a way. She trusted this woman more than she trusted her guards: she trusted her for the truth. |
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| Kate Trammel | Jul 18 2008, 12:50 PM Post #11 |
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"Kate, my name is Kate. My friends and I were simply partaking in festivities to burn off the boredom of life. It's not living at all if you merely get up and work then go to bed - that life is for drones and beasts of burden." She said boldly. "As I'm neither I plan on living it, life that is, until someone tells me otherwise. Who are you lot?" She nodded behind the girl. Her eyes cut directly back to Starr. "Your what? Say what?" She starred at the girl in mild shock before bursting into laughter. "You must be joking. You simply have to be. Either you're a fool or one of these other scraggly bunch is a really good liar. Perhaps both." She snorted, her eyes drifting over to Set again. "This man...if I were you - I wouldn't close my eyes around him, he might kill you in your sleep if it suits his cause." She folded her arms over her chest. "How he became your guard I have no idea, but I wouldn't trust him as far as I could throw him. You're safer on your own than trusting the likes of him. And possibly his whole crew if they are sided with the likes of Seton." |
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| Seton Nym | Jul 18 2008, 01:17 PM Post #12 |
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Seton had opted to stay quiet as Grish took over Starr and directed the attention away from their arrival. They just had to get to the town below and then they could split--that was the plan, the plan they had silently agreed to with a few glances and a well placed wink from Ruse. Seton had let go of Scruff's wrist but stood close by in case she decided it was time to bail out on them too--not yet. They couldn't bail yet. At first he didn't recognize her but it came quickly as his shoulders slumped slightly and a scowl passed over his face. This was just all falling apart before their very eyes and Seton was pretty sure that they should just take their loses and double back, returning to their cells until they were out for real. It was as Starr spoke and then Kate replied that Seton jumped forward, eyes wide--this was not at all running well and he would be damned if it was this broad that destroyed their entire operation--one that Starr had already trampoled on. He started to speak, interupting any of the others, including Starr. "Oi, ya there...who'd ya think ya are, huh? It ain't none of ya business who we are and what we're doin' here." His eyes cut to Starr as he took a few steps forward, eyebrow raised. "Ya going to believe this piece of vermin over us--we were assigned to ya, laddie...we here to protect ya. From people like this one. Don't listen to her and we'll be on our way to some where safe. There's all sorts of criminals in the forest this time a night and I'm bettin' she's one." Seton told her in a hushed whisper as he jerked his thumb towards Kate. He stood up straight a moment later. "Let us on our way..Kate, was it?" Seton stared at her, eyes dark as he did so. They just needed to get out of there as soon as possible--even back to the hut at that point. Anything to separate Starr and Kate, Seton would do it. He grabbed hold of Starr's hand with a rough grip and started to tug her to turn around. "Come on lads--we can circle around." |
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| Kate Trammel | Jul 18 2008, 01:55 PM Post #13 |
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Kate thought to let them go, she didn't want to bother with someone like Set. And she didn't want to expose her friends to him. However the oblivious girl was where Kate's dilemma came in. She felt her shoulders slump. She could really easily let him take her - of course she could read in the Kingdom Times that this girl had been killed. She almost let them go, she almost said good riddance and dusted her hands of it. But it was the fact that her deep mistrust of Set and the blind trust this girl had in him that Kate moved forward. She grabbed onto Starr's other wrist. "Oh no you don't. You won't take her out of here until she answers. I want to know exactly how you earned this girl's trust." She arched an eyebrow. "I won't let her go off with you until I hear from her how she trust you and why. No one should. Those others there - you," she nodded to Grish, "do you trust this man? If so why? You know that he broke into a shop just outside of little lamb village and stole all the coin from the vault. If that wasn't enough he strung the owners up for fun by their ankles. And you," She turned to Ruse, "do you? You know that he slaughtered a field full of sheep just because another family paid him a few gold coins so that their sheep would sell instead - you know, as the other family had no sheep to sell? Oh," She let her eyes fall on Set again, this time she smiled, "or what about the time...shall I go on?" She was a hard worker, she relished in it - and took pride in it; it was because of that that she found criminal activity particularly vulgar. "Why don't you tell me," she said to Set himself, "why I should simply let you walk off with her - she seems to trust you. What spell have you on this creature?" |
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| Starr Britely | Jul 18 2008, 02:23 PM Post #14 |
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Starr stared at the conversation without really paying attention. Her mind had stopped listening as soon as the woman had accused her guards of being frauds. Starr looked at them all, feeling betrayed. "I... are you trying to tell me that my guards are frauds?" She asked quietly. She wasn't accusing this Kate of anything. As her guards protested, Starr blocked them out. "My mother was murdered in jail, by a prisoner, and these men were assigned as my guards." Without further ado, she inched closer to Kate, making it obvious whose side she was on. "Who are they, if they're not my guards?" Starr asked slowly, not meeting her guards' eyes. "I mean, I understand what you just said... but then why, if they're such criminals, were they assigned as my guards?" She asked. |
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| Grisham Rigby | Jul 18 2008, 02:58 PM Post #15 |
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Grisham could only blink in silence as this woman spilled all of Seton's crimes, well some of them, in front of Starr. He was more confused than ever though as she went to side with this stranger, maybe even a little aback. I mean, maybe they weren't real guards but she was still alive so they had to have done something right at some point in time somewhere. Even tried to help her out some... well, he had, at least, having got caught up in the guessing game of why they might be after the girl. And now she was just turning on them. I mean, maybe Seton was scary... Grish had been scared of him the first time they met too... but he had thought him and Ruse could be downright friendly. But in his confusion, he could only do the one thing he knew of to do in this situation, shaking his head and looking at his two comrades. "We might as well just tell her the truth. She'll figure it out at some point anyways." He told them seriously before his eyes settled on Starr. "You see... Ruse, Seton, and I - we might not be who we said. In all reality..." He paused dramatically as he looked up towards the night sky. "We're circus people. I'm the strong man, Ruse is our ringmaster. Seton over there - he's the clown... There it is. Now you know." He joked, winking over at Kate over Starr's head. "Come on, Starr. Lets leave the scary chick to her lies and get out of the woods where you'll be safe." He asked, smiling towards her. "We won't make you come but wouldn't the people that are after you be willing to do anything they could to separate you from the ones wanting to keep you safe?" His eyes switched up to Kate suspiciously, having no real idea who she was in reality but it seemed like the best way to do this as she wanted to swing out their, well Seton's, wrongs having at some point started feeling at least a little protective of the girl. She had helped them escape after all, even if she didn't know she had done it at the time. Edited by Grisham Rigby, Jul 18 2008, 03:01 PM.
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