Court's Ties to Alicante (1/2)

[16:59:09] Dura Levante says, "I've gotten word you have my "Inquisitor" in your custody?"
[16:59:22] Anreed says, "Yeah."
[16:59:46] Polalart says, "That was another report I was going to do but... seems like the legion has that covered already."
[16:59:49]
There's a strange amount of emphasis on 'Inquisitor' as she says it, taking a stack of papers from under her arm and rifling through them.
(Dura Levante)
[16:59:49] Chat command attempt: /emote There's a strange amount of emphasis on 'Inquisitor' as she says it, taking a stack of papers from under her arm and rifling through them.
[17:00:05] Dura Levante says, "So it does. Unless the Chairman and XL have any qualms, you may remain for this discussion."
[17:00:27] EX CEL says, "I: have no IDEA who this CHILD IS. ARE: they TRUSTWORTHY?"
[17:00:30] Dura Levante says, "I did get your initial report, Adept Polalart. Which I appreciated, by the way."
[17:00:38] Anreed says, "It's better that it's public knowledge honestly."
[17:00:43] Dura Levante says, "Is anything in this discussion necessarily secretive?"
[17:00:50] Polalart says, "I'm Polalart, adept of the Hammer of Providence."
[17:01:06] EX CEL says, "NOT: really. BUT: I'D prefer not to have RANDOM FOLK: listening what we SAY and misconstruing IT. "
[17:01:25] Anreed says, "Salutations Polalart, adept of the Hammer of Providence. I am Battle Brother Anreed of the trio of the beloved Battle Brothers, Second Legate of the Paludrexian Legion."
[17:01:34] EX CEL says, "PEOPLE: are insane nowadays, YOU: know. LUCIANNA of UROSIL attempted to CALL me an AGENT OF NEVANERRO. "
[17:01:34] Anreed says, "We've met already."
[17:01:37] Anreed says, "I just like saying the title."
[17:01:41] Polalart says, "I'm aware! We talked to each other already."
[17:01:44] Dura Levante says, "..."
[17:01:46] Dura Levante says, "Why?"
[17:01:48] Polalart says, "It was more for EX CEL"
[17:01:56] EX CEL says, "BECAUSE: I detained ASPHODEL. "
[17:02:00] Dura Levante says, "Lucianna has already been offer her rocker, though. This is nothing new."
[17:02:13] Dura Levante says, "Yes, well. His mother is Seer still. And they are rabid with their ties."
[17:02:25] EX CEL says, "THAT'S: the funny thing. "
[17:02:31] EX CEL says, "IRIEL'SA doesn't seem ALL: that concerned. "
[17:02:38] Dura Levante says, "Probably because she is reasonable."
[17:02:46] Polalart says, "...That just sounds idiotic. As far as I've gathered, he has alot more ties to alicante and thus by extention nevanerro."
[17:03:01] Anreed says, "I think she was expecting us to f**k 'im up honestly."
[17:03:02]
There is the faintest twitch of one of the Duchess' eyes.
(Dura Levante)
[17:03:02] Chat command attempt: /emote There is the faintest *twitch* of one of the Duchess' eyes.
[17:03:29] Anreed says, "One of those 'pleasantly surprised' type deals."
[17:03:39] EX CEL says, "YES: ASPHODEL is known to WORK with ALICANTE. HE'S: practically a TRAITOR to the 'CROWN' as it were. "
[17:03:55]
To make it blatantly obvious, EX CEL's massive f**king rock hand points directly at Dura's dollar store tiara.
(EX CEL)
[17:05:05] Dura Levante says, "I'll hear the full weight of the accusations against him. I had matters to attend to off of Sarea, but already there are other matters to pass judgement on in regards to my "Inquisitor". "
[17:05:14] Dura Levante says, "Matters which will be, naturally, internal to Providence."
[17:08:05] EX CEL says, "OF: course. "
[17:14:05]
"We've talked a lot about Asphodel in the past already. You know how we feel about him. I know how you feel about him. We didn't want to step on your toes, so... We left it up to you to deal with."

"Recently he got into an argument with one of Celius' people, the Seraphim Sylia Magnolias." Arms cross in front of himself. The left hand and its fingers idly thrum against the right forearm, a soft, light metallic sound ringing through the arm with each thump of a digit. "She told him that Seraphiel was an example of what a traitorous Seraphim looks like, and Arcadia was an example of why Seraphim, and people at large, should follow the orders given to them by superiors."

"Asphodel escalated it into violence. Broke her nose, sent her runnin'. So, EX CEL came to him- Asphodel downplays the matter pretty damn heavily and attempts to brush it off entirely."

A shrug. He couldn't quite fathom the man's mentality, really.
"Straw that broke the camel's back. We took him into custody, spoke with him- upon which he stated the Seraphim had no authority upon Rhyst and that the 'Solars' were not a real thing, and that Alicante's people were merely attempting to make a better world."
A beat.
"He still thinks that Alicante can be 'redeemed', in spite of Alithea's open declaration they'll be aiding Deliverance in the war to come."

"We held him custody until we could sit down and tell you about it. I don't want to step on your toes, but... he's been a pain in the ass."

Half-lidded tired eyes peer up and over to the twenty foot tall killdozer Empyrean.
"Anything else you might want to add? Given you were the one to perform the arrest, and things like that. Got heckled by Safiya and her lot all the while, though..."
There's a brief moment as he shakes his head and smirks, "Those people aren't really something to be worried about in the slightest. It's good to talk about it anyway, just to get it all on the table."
(Anreed)
[17:16:39]
She chimmes in for just a moment. "That was the incident in the report I filed. I've been a witness to the first half of what Anreed has said. Which all true and better worded than what I wrote."

And back to standing at attention for now.
(Polalart)
[17:19:22]
"NOT: much to add. BESIDES: that ASPHODEL has consistently SHOWED: his allegiances to ALICANTE. WHERE: he attempted to DEFEAT: RYNN. HE: fought DYNATHIS. HE: also stood against US: at the APHERION RAIDS."


"HE: tried to PLAY off the BREAKING of DYNATHIS' ribs as 'PRACTICE'. HE: tried to PLAY off attacking RYNN as HIM: preventing his FAMILY from being EXECUTED. AND: that HIM standing against US: at the APHERION was 'for LAUGHS'. IT: was A JOKE."


There's a pause, as the Empyrean pulls out his granite mug of motor oil, sipping on it. As a VERY important reminder, it does say RHYST'S #1 EMPYREAN on it. (remember this)

"AFTER: assaulting SEVERAL alliance members, HE: shrugged it off as EXTRAJUDICIAL punishment. HE: even said HE'D arrest himself for A: few minutes, DISMISSING: the severity of his ACTIONS. IT: was only WHEN: we acted AGAINST him that he TRIED to leverage HIS: position as WHY: it shouldn't happen."


"KID'S: a fraud. HE'S: clearly not WORKING: in PROVIDENCE'S interests."

(EX CEL)
[17:19:49] Rynn Blackwood says, "Oh hey."
[17:19:55] EX CEL says, "HEY. "
[17:20:01] Anreed says, "I decided that we would hold him until you could deliver your own Verdict™."
[17:20:10] Dura Levante says, "...I will ask a quick point of clarification."
[17:20:16] Dura Levante says, "You said raids. Plural?"
[17:20:54] Polalart says, "There have been multiple attempts to activate the wind apheiron. Some succesful."
[17:21:04] EX CEL says, "HE: attended one as OPPOSITION. THE: rest to HECKLE us. "
[17:21:13] Polalart says, "There has also been a raid lead by... lestradht once, if I remember correct."
[17:21:37] Dura Levante says, "Correct. I wanted to know more accurately at which he was actually an active opposing force as a technicality. "
[17:21:41] EX CEL says, "TO: his 'CREDIT', he ONLY: ever tried to STOP us ONCE. "
[17:21:42] EX CEL says, "YES. "
[17:21:42] Dura Levante says, "However..."
[17:22:04] EX CEL says, "ALSO: I wouldn't say the WIND apherion was a SUCCESSFUL activation. WE: beat them FIVE-OH. "
[17:22:09] EX CEL says, "BEAT: their asses JOLLY-RANCHER RED."
[17:22:13] Anreed says, "Legion stay winning."
[17:22:16] Anreed says, "Indubitably."
[17:22:46] Polalart says, "I thought it was has been activated once or twice?"
[17:22:52]
Dura's hands fold behind her, in the small of her back, below where her wings sprout from her shoulders and are just as well folded behind her. She glances over to Polalart.

"You mentioned something about him saying he was...'the law'? This is also correct?"
(Dura Levante)
[17:23:32]
The Paludrexian Legate, Soldier of Man, Battle Brother, person who should be taking this very seriously- can't help but slam his fists into his chest for a few moments. For a moment he's the striking image of a frat boy rather than a middle-aged ex-mercenary.
(Anreed)
[17:23:39] Dura Levante says, "And he attacked - you, Rynn. Claiming to 'protect his family'? Under what context is this?'"
[17:23:56] Rynn Blackwood says, "Right. This was during the time I activated the Earth Apheiron."
[17:24:17] Dura Levante says, "Ah, you'd captured someone. Which one was that again, of Alicante's people?"
[17:24:39] Rynn Blackwood says, "One of the Nephilim who would contest it, Zorin, was around. Asphodel had fought him and lost, so I fought Zorin and captured him. Asphodel demanded custody over the prisoner, saying he was going to keep them safe, or something along that, and attacked me to get custody since I didn't give the priso"
[17:25:11] Polalart says, "That comment was something that I heard when I did look into it. It can't confirm it a hundred percent. I believe it was someone saying in different words that he would arrest himself, like how EX CEL stated."
[17:25:20] Anreed says, "-- To add onto Rynn's experience. When I brought this up to him as a complaint of ours, last night. He informed me that it was out of fear they might not be safe in our hands."
[17:25:42] Rynn Blackwood says, "I'd like to let you know that we even gave Zorin ice cream."
[17:26:08] Anreed says, "Threw the bitch outside to sleep. Crazy motherf**ker asked for that specifically though, so I mean- I obliged."
[17:26:09] EX CEL says, "HE: IMPLIED he would THROW himself in a CELL for a few minutes to GET around any lack of 'PUNISHMENTS'. "
[17:26:24] EX CEL says, "FOR: his actions against SYLIA."
[17:26:46] Polalart says, "Yes. That is confirmed. And I believe that the comment I wrote in the report was... paraphrasing of that action."
[17:27:40] Anreed says, "Asphodel attempted to have me release him from custody. He's of the opinion this is merely a power play and that he's done nothing particularly egregious."
[17:29:35]
The Duchess seems to absorb all this quietly, ears twitching to either side as those to her left and right speak. She reaches into a pocket of her armor and takes out a crisply folded sheet of parchment.

She carefully unfolds it and scans the lettering therein.

"If those present of the aggrieved party here will humor me:

Were he not affiliated with any particular nation or entity. What would be done with him?"

She does not look up. Dura is eyeing the contents of the paper intently.
(Dura Levante)
[17:43:50]
"Kid's a f**king moron. But he is, indeed, a kid." There's a sound of Anreed clearing his throat as he shifts his weight around the balls of his feet, formulating his opinion within the momentary silence. "Were I younger, I might've already killed him. But... F**k if I know. Mayhaps he could, eventually, be convinced we're not his enemy."

Rolling his shoulders, he continues.
"I don't particularly care for him so long as he stays out of our way. The Legion is- we're not here to play dress-up and be look upon as heroes by the island. I'm not doing this because I want to be loved."

"That boy can rant and rave about us as much as he wants, so long as he's not trying to take up arms against me. Hate us, love us- we're here for Rhyst. Getting called 'thugs' is the least of my concern. Let him do what he wants!" The Legate's arms unfold, thrown up into the air exasperatedly- annoyed by the idea, but ultimately accepting.

"Even now, despite everything he's done- I've no interest in seeing him dead."

A finger is raised up. There's a caveat.

"But if he takes up arms against us- and he continues to do so, in the name of the extraplanar, or those who ally with the extraplanar- we will do whatever it damn well takes."

A deep frown stretches across his face as he imagines the scenario.
"I do my best to encourage Rhystians to pursue their goals, their dreams- I do my best to convince them there is strength within them that they have, if only they believed in it."

"...But, if someone makes up their mind. And they commit to that path. There would be nothing saving them. Until they turn away from battle and drop their sword- or they are impaled upon it."
"Asphodel is no exception."
(Anreed)
[17:51:42]
"Young, maybe. Younger than either of us, it's true. A kid, I'd have to disagree.

He is a man. He has made his decisions. He has made them consciously. Additionally, he has made his oaths - to myself and to Providence, and he has broken them."

Dura neatly re-folds the paper - a contract, written in deep red - and tucks it back away somewhere in her armor. Her expression hardens. Not that it was 'soft' to begin with.

She opens her mouth as if to say something else. To continue a train of thought. It stops. Silence.

The Duchess continues on a new train of thought.

"I would like to speak with my former Inquisitor to see what he has to say on his own behalf. He has broken a binding contract with myself. Even if he may not see it this way."
(Dura Levante)
[17:53:37]
Rynn lets out a low whistle through their lips, looking just as they had despite the reaction. The medic eventually clasps both hands behind their back.

"It should be noted that- well, I guess you can hear it from himself. I think that it will be quite the exchange when you talk to him."
(Rynn Blackwood)
[17:53:52] Dura Levante says, "No, please. Note away."
[17:54:13] Dura Levante says, "To be informed is to be prepared and armed."
[17:54:37] Chat command attempt: /who
[17:55:08] Dura Levante says, "I hold your opinion in some esteem in particular. So speak plainly."
[17:58:11]
There's a breathless chuckle as mirth crosses his face. "Yeah, well- don't get me wrong. Kid or not, don't mean he's immune to consequences. Just that it explains why he's clueless."

Raising a fist, he thumps his own armor piece and grins. The heavily scarred, battered, beat-the-f**k-up, hunchback militiaman has a proud look on his face.

"My life experiences have taught me- it's good to have kids grow up early. It's good to use 'em as soldiers, so they can grow to be durable and resilient in their adulthood."

"Made me the man I am today. As did all the assbeatings I got on the battlefield! I take lickings and keep on ticking."

But he was getting off track.
The fool shakes his head.

"We've been holding him in Solace. I've no objections to you and him having a chat. Take as much time as you'd like!"

He'd fall silent until Rynn said her piece.
(Anreed)
[17:59:20]
EX CEL pipes up, if only for a moment.

"IF: I were STILL operating ON: the MAINLAND, WE: would've killed him. NO: questions asked. PAPERWORK: filed. WENT: on with our DUTIES."


"PEOPLE: value life here, FOR: better or FOR: worse."

(EX CEL)
[17:59:23]
Rynn's head tilts forward and one of their eyebrows raise, before their lips purse and they nod in quiet acceptance- yeah, just like the Rock.

"Well, thanks- but from having talked to Asphodel he seems to be of the opinion that what he's doing is to help Providence. Ultimately, his goal seems to be to get Alicante to sever ties with Deliverance- which we know isn't happening. He's of the opinion that their sheolistic magics aren't harmful to the plane and that the place isn't just a Diet Deliverance sort of cult."

Armored shoulders shrug.

"Either way, he's said you talk more with Deliverance than Alicante because Camilla defected to that island, even though Deliverance is the place Providence has a ceasefire with.

Either way, he's of the opinion that he's already going to quit once you come talk to him anyway, so that he can help Providence by not being in Providence, which he says is the historically precedented best way to help the Duchy..."

There's a small pause as Rynn ponders. It doesn't seem that there's anything else, but the medic finally adds.

"Oh yeah, he's also upset that you're not including Johan and Persimmon more in your decisions, or that you don't support either the Loyalists or the Redwings. Basically he's of the opinion you should never have been a leader."

(Rynn Blackwood)
[18:06:09]
Again, she lets it all wash over her. From Anreed's chest thump and general levity, to XL's matter-of-fact and efficient offering, to Rynn's own opinion.

And the revelation that brings.

It is particularly hard to hide a shift over a range of expressions. From something haunted, brushing over anger and indignation, before it finally comes to rest at solemn, rigid, and disconsolate.

"I see. So he has said all these things to you?"
(Dura Levante)
[18:06:52] Rynn Blackwood says, "Yeah."
[18:07:21] Dura Levante says, "...How unfortunate that. Given every chance to speak with me."
[18:07:23] Dura Levante says, "And to be candid."
[18:07:29] Dura Levante says, "He never offered these things."
[18:07:40] Rynn Blackwood says, "Well, I guess you can clear it out with him now."