The Last Rose of May. (Closed, Started)

[Arrogancy]

"Admiring the view?" Came a voice over Zavier's shoulder. He turned to find the owner of the voice. It was a woman with messy, dark hair and a strange eye patch. She adopted an aggressive pose with her hand resting casually on her blade. It was meant to be intimidating only succeeded in making her look somewhat silly to Zavier. He figured that he could take a half step to his right and be in her blind spot if anything started. More likely than not, he reasoned, this was one of the pirates.

"Inasmuch as there is a view to admire." Zavier replied with his signature wit. He stopped himself from going on to make a rude, sarcastic comment on the woman's appearance, and not only because she looked like she would have no problems with attempting to kill him in a public place. "I must admit, I am somewhat curious about this ship. I don't suppose you know who this vessel belongs to?" In all likelihood this would turn into nothing short of a massive waste of time, but then, he had time to kill.

 

[Terratina.]

The man turned to reveal himself as someone who considered himself a gentlemen of class with a well-armed gentlemen to boot. Pistols, swords, daggers and probably oodles of communication to boot. The man looked like he found this amusing somehow. Greenhorns had this look, as if they were looking forward to war, they still had this look as she cut them down. She thought of the possibly that her appearance amused him, the very caricature of a Sky Pirate. Good, he'll probably underestimate me, all the better for me then. She watched as his eyes wandered over to the eye patch, not doubt to stare at it. Tara hoped the message it said was clear enough:

  I am a mage. I have seem battle. I can make you combust in a blink with a ready tome.

"Inasmuch as there is a view to admire."

This was clearly someone with a stellar wit. Tara was one of those people who had no patience for wise guys. She folded her arms and huffed.

"I must admit, I am somewhat curious about this ship. I don't suppose you know who this vessel belongs to?"

Definitely a curious onlooker, she was unsure whether to reveal who the owners of the airship were to this man, but seeing as they were being so blatant to being with, she supposed it couldn't hurt.

"Sky Pirates known as the Scorchers." She said, short and swift. Then decided that she might as well got some information out of this one as so much he had got information out of her, "I must admit I'm curious about a man who stares at pirate vessels. Who are you?"

 

[Viking Incognito]

"I'll see you later." Rez said as he turned away.

He began walking through the streets and taking in the sights. It had been years since he had seen the festival. It was one of the few time when he could go and play with his friends without getting in trouble.

The pirate Duke lit up a cigaret and took a long drag. After letting him mind wander, his train of thought landed on fire, as if always did. He heard the roar of the flames that consumed one of his family's holdings from his boyhood. The smell of the burning wood, the feeling of smoke coming in and out of his lungs. Such fond memories.

He began asking around after Evangeline, but didn't seem to have any luck. He was walking away from a wine stand when he bumped into a boy that couldn't have been older than 12. Suddenly a man the size of a gorilla was between them.

"Watch yourself around the young master." The ape said in a voice like a hammer striking an anvil.

"I'm okay Dalton. You don't have to be so worried all the time." The boy said, straightening his shirt.

"Sorry about that young man." Rez said with a lighthearted grin.

"It's okay, I shouldn't have been running. G'by now!" And then the boy hurried on ahead.

Cute kid Rez thought as he took another drag and walked on.

 

[Arrogancy]

"Sky Pirates known as the Scorchers." Scorchers, eh? No one he was familiar with, not that that was particularly surprising. He still wanted to know why they would come to the Hipereon capital, though. "I must admit I'm curious about a man who stares at pirate vessels. Who are you?" The woman asked.

She was obviously not very impressed by Zavier, and he had no desire to challenge her belief, too much a waste of time and effort. By her posture, it was clear that she was quite annoyed with him already. Zavier flashed a smile, sometimes he just had a knack for aggravating people, "I'm afraid that's a question much less easily answered. As to why I am inspecting a pirate's vessel, it's because I am curious about these pirates. For instance, what sort of pirates dock in an imperial capital? And why dock so blatantly in the open? Quite curious."

He wondered whether he should give his real name or a fake name, after quick consideration, he determined that he was far enough away from Uleth to be unknown. He decided to play the gentleman, and put his hand forward, "But I'm getting a bit ahead of myself. I'm Zavier Martres, whom do I have the pleasure of meeting?"

 

[TheBlueShotgun0]

The music stopped and the people in the square burst out in applause, Marcus included. The band bowed and marched away, and the people resumed socializing with one another. Marcus took another sip of his beer, now about half empty, and decided that he would call it a night. The night was still young, but the festival wasn't really worth experiencing without any friends. And all of Marcus' friends were long since dead. Marcus took another swig of the drink. He didn't often think about his old life in Thurmond, but when he did it only brought tears and sorrow.

Marcus wiped the few tear drops from his eyes and got up. No use worrying about it now. he though. It would be better to save his feelings for the battlefield, where they could be converted into righteous furry against the Republic. With that, he set off towards his apartment on the south side of the city.

Marcus quickly realized he had no idea where he was going. Every brick building looked the same to him, and the crowd made it difficult to see any other land marks. As he walked, Marcus noticed a confrontation between a hulk of a man and another, more average man wearing a peculiar face mask. It looked like it would erupt in a brawl for a moment before a young boy, apparently the larger man's master, stepped in and broke things up. Marcus couldn't help notice how diplomatic the smaller man had been about it. He seems polite. he thought. Maybe I can ask him for directions. "Excuse me, good sir." Marcus said, approaching the man in question. "Could you direct me to Clifford Avenue?" Marcus was painfully aware of how much his Thund-Akrieg accent stood out.

 

[Dogmatic99]

Zeke managed to get clear of the main body of the crowd and wandered along the pavement. He managed to find a cluster of food and snack stands but of course he had bought his own. No, the real attraction was the band playing in the middle of the street. A small crowd had gathered around them, making it hard to get a good look at them and the noise of the crowd drowned out most of their music. Credit where it was due though, they were pretty good.

It was while listening to a rustic country tune that Zeke spied a young couple, locked in each others arms get up from a bench that they had been hogging. He managed to slip in before anyone else could claim it. Probably slipping in a little too soon as he almost barged the young man out of the way, earning him a dirty look. Zeke just gave a bashful smile in return. Personal space be damned!

Zeke just let himself zone out for a while, he couldn't remember the last time he had just sat and listened to some music. An smile snuck its way onto his face while he wasn't paying attention. He was broken out of his daydreaming by the sound of a familiar voice. Duke looked like was about to get himself into a spot of trouble. Or out of it. It was hard to tell with him. Zeke half stood out of his seat, keeping one hand on the arm rest of the bench so no elderly people got any ideas about taking his spot.

"Duke! Duuuuuke! Over here!" He called out, waiving his free hand over his head.

 

[Possum TheGreat]

After the embarrassing run-in at the bar, Tostundir decided to head back home. His house was quite high up in Hipereion, in such a position that he could lean over his balcony and observe the city beneath him. Despite his curiosity about the woman at the bar, he thought better of it and hung up his top-hat and coat beside his door, approaching the balcony and turning his astronomy telescope towards the city. There was always an interesting bunch in the city, especially during the six days of Gods. He coldly wondered if Hipereon would see another. Perhaps a few. But not many, he thought. Surely it could not be long before Uleth fell, and then it would only be a matter of time before-

He stopped abruptly.

A pair at the docks had caught his attention. A most peculiar pair, indeed... A pirate, that was obvious, and a gentleman (though he didn't quite hold himself as one should) stood together, chatting, and there was no doubt that they were hostile, if their posture was anything to go on. And the subject of their talk...

His lens followed the area the man was gesturing to, and eventually rested on a ship. It was truly magnificent. From a distance it had seemed totally unremarkable, but now that he was seeing it close-up, it was clearly a pirate ship and the modifications to its original design were both minimalist and brilliant. There was no question that other ships of its class would be outmatched in a straight-up fight. And, given that the crew were obviously pirates, they would make sure that the scales were tipped in their favour anyway...

It was obvious that one of the two was connected to it somehow. He took a quick sketch and returned the lens to them. The man was now offering his hand to the woman. Judging that they could be talking for a while longer, he hastily donned his hat and coat and rushed out again, notepad and pencil in his coat. He had already identified a good bench to draw it from. Hopefully, the people in the conversation would refrain from killing each other long enough for him to get a good drawing of the boat. That way he could get out of there fast enough that he wouldn't have to act surprised when they inevitably did clash. He did wonder what was going on, though. He supposed it was another thing that he would never learn, like the identity of the woman at the bar. Oh, how these things fascinated him, yet, he knew from experience that curiosity very often ended in serious injury. Like that one festival a few years back, when he tried to figure out how to ride a Barro-cycle. That did not end well...

He shuddered at the thought as he ran.

 

[Terratina.]

She simply stood there as a flurry of questions assaulted her, this man seemed to be the type that muttered and mused about with his arms waving in the air, giving the impression of sometime who thought that their thoughts were more important that everyone else's. This man clearly had no idea how to act when the dour Tara Rhosyne was in the room. She simply waited for the self-proclaimed gentlemen to finish flashing smiles and get on with his business as there was plenty to do doing the festival. But then again with that reasoning backfired as she had spent hours just trailing the Sky Pirates. Pity he had simply assumed her to be one of them, as she couldn't give answers to the questions he was asking, she could only give him her assumptions. The smiling gentlemen finished and extended his hand.

"But I'm getting a bit ahead of myself. I'm Zavier Martres, whom do I have the pleasure of meeting?"

She took the hand and replied almost automatically giving a good solid handshake, "Tara Rhosyne."

Hadn't she heard that name somewhere in Uleth. Something about a cold-hearted killer contracted by the government during war-time, there were whispers of that among both the upper and higher ranks of the Uleth Army. The whispers also talked that the man worshiped the Dark Ones, one of ones who with ambition to hold great power and desperate enough to ask the deities of the deepest hells to get it. The thought that this was that man sent shivers up her spine, but she did the best to conceal her fear. She took a deep swallow and asked the man yet another question in this series of exchange.

"A fellow Ulethian then?" She asked, tilting her head slightly, "Or are you from one of the other nations?"

 

[Tiger Sora]

"I do as you command". A tall brown haired figure had received the order. Falcon Torris was the mans name, a high ranking member of the administry. He stepped out from his office, no one else was bustling around. They'd all long gone off to the celebrations. The orders were clear, and he'd now carry them out to the tee, with account for unexpected possibilities. "Solontair, you may reveal yourself now.

A dark robed man stepped forth from around the corner. "Torris".

"I have received word. We are to enact our plan beginning tonight. Spread word to your lieutenants that the curtain is to be raised and act one is to start without delay.

Solontair smiled beneath his mask, a snakes smile. "I do hope that it shall be an amazing show".

______________________________________________________________________________________________


Calia walked through the paved streets of the lower city. Thankfully most of the populace were gathered so a crowd wouldn't be forming around, cheering and praising her. Not that the attention wasn't opposed. The last rays of light shone over the great wall that ringed the city, twilight permeated everything to a beautiful purple blue. An ominous beauty.

For a good five minutes Calia just stared towards the wall from the middle of the street. A stray dogs bark brought her back to reality.

Down the hill there were a good number of people partaking in drinks, the tavern must of been quite crowded, especially because it was next to one of the largest squares in the city. "Perhaps this needs, investigating". A poor excuse she gave herself to go have a drink or two.

 

[SkullKing84]

Ivan doesn't remember how he got to this Capital or why he is here. But, he is enjoying the scene. People being pious, degenerates running a muck, bands playing and apparently ape-men having children break-up fights. All for the same reasons; six days of gods.

"Duke! Duuuuuke! Over here!" A man standing on a bench called out, waiving his free hand over his head.


"PpppFFFffffTTt.... Thats not how ya get someone's attention. Hold this."

Ivan handed off a full bottle of imported rum to the man on the bench. Then pulled out a musty half burnt tome out from under his long coat. Flicking his goggles down over his eyes that seemed to have been not drifting in unison. And, finally kissing his mummified human hand that dangled around his neck for luck.

" This may singe some eyebrows... unless i aim high enough. Or, we could ... just go over there and have a drink with whats-his-face.... hope it isn't the Ape-man." Letting out a creepy broken smile as he slurred.

 

[Arrogancy]

"A fellow Ulethian then? Or are you from one of the other nations?" Tara asked. To most there would have been little to note in Tara's behavior, other than she seemed slightly more distant. Zavier, however, was not most people, and he didn't get so far in his line of work without being able to read people. The woman was scared, and she was from Uleth, that meant only one thing, she knew who he was, at the very least she suspected. I should have just used a pseudonym, Zavier thought as he maintained his own smile with some effort.

He did, indeed, have some degree of notoriety, even enjoyed it a bit, but that was back in Uleth, where his work was sanctioned and the right people were willing to turn a blind eye to it. Here in Hipereon, however, he had no such protection, and if he were tied to any crimes here, there would be severe consequences. Zavier briefly entertained the thought of killing the woman before she could inform anyone, but quickly tossed the plan aside. He had no doubt of his ability to best this Tara Rhosyne, but from the looks of her, she wouldn't go down easily and the trouble of disposing bodies in a foreign city was almost always more than it was worth. He'd just have to keep an eye on her, he decided.

"I should have recognized one of my countrymen." Zavier said, doing his best to seem oblivious to any changes in the woman, "I'm surprised to see someone from Uleth so far abroad it is a bit...unusual. That aside, how do you know about these sky pirates?"

 

[Fishtie]

It was... later.

Evangeline had spent some time wandering the streets looking for the guy she had seen at the bar. Of course she didn't find him, but now a lot of the fumes had burnt off and it didn't seem nearly as important. Things weren't necessarily better, but they weren't... quite as bad.

Evangeline now wandered the streets aimlessly sharing a quick nod with passing revelers, a bow with worshipers, and a salute with a few soldiers. Suddenly though she stopped.

A familiar scent, a space, a certain ring to the echos. Evangeline almost couldn't believe that her randomly wandering feet had brought her to this place, but there was no mistake. New graffiti was over a different coat of none-the-less peeling paint; detritus betrayed the existence of a new gang of children, probably all off enjoying the festival at the moment; the old unlockable window that had served as an entrance to a climbing child was boarded up; but Evangeline would never forget this place.

Evangeline felt a wave of memories washing over her as she stood in front of the old warehouse that had served a a hide out back when she had been a child. Of course to her it had almost been more; a hideout, a fort, a second home almost. The many many hours she had spent there. This place was even where she had met Rez for the first time.

Evangeline couldn't help but smile as the memories all came back. It had been a simpler time, when life was filled with nothing but staying out of the grasp of a town guard and working hard as could be just to get some decent grub. Evangeline giggled a little as she thought that maybe it wasn't so different after all.

Evangeline wondered for a moment if Rez even remembered this place at all. It seemed like he never looked back from being a pirate at all sometimes. Suddenly feeling very tired, Evangeline sat down on a solid looking crate and leaned back against the old cheep brickwork. Perhaps she would rest her eyes for just a few minutes in this old familiar place.

 

[Terratina.]

Zavier was deciding whether to be honest with his nationality or not, the gentlemen's smile wavering as he though about the serious manner. Tara unfolded her arms in and let her sword-arm grip the hilt more tightly than ever now. The docks are strangely empty compared to the other parts of the city, no doubt others went into the heart of the city to where all the grand establishments lay, whether it was the grand cathedral or the pubs that claimed to be grand. The Firebolt stuck out like a sore thumb as it was docked between numerous civilian and merchant craft.

An onlooker from afar would see this as some sort of stand off between a Sky Pirate and some other stranger. She sighed, what was that made everyone think that she was part of the motley crew? Perhaps the eye patch, her strange demeanor and the fact had she had arrived on a pirate vessel might be it. Better for people to think that she is a ragamuffin Sky Pirate than a murderous member of the Uleth military. Or a turncoat that killed those on the side she once worked for. The man made up his mind and decided, well Tara didn't know whether Zavier was being totally honest or not.

"I should have recognized one of my countrymen." Zavier said, "I'm surprised to see someone from Uleth so far abroad it is a bit...unusual. That aside, how do you know about these sky pirates?"

"It's a long story." Tara replied, crossing her arms to indicate that branch of conversation was closed, "I paid them for passage to this land. Do you have any business here?"

 

[Arrogancy]

"It's a long story. I paid them for passage to this land. Do you have any business here?" Tara replied. Paid them passage? Zavier considered, But why? Why not simply take a civilian transport? Why take such a risky route? He wanted to ask those questions, but the woman's manner clearly indicated that she would answer no more on the subject. There was something more here, he knew, something worth uncovering. He'd just have to take a more subtle approach. There still was the possibility that she was one of the pirates and was using a weak cover story, but Zavier didn't think so. Her posture, her response, her inflection, it all rang genuine.

Zavier thought about her question. People said, honesty was the best policy, he called those people idiots. "I don't have any particular business in the city, no." Zavier lied smoothly, "I decided to spend the Six Days of the Gods somewhere less thickly congested with fear and misery than Uleth." Overall that wasn't entirely untrue. Staying in Uleth too long tended to make people miserable, despondent wrecks, Zavier took every chance he could to leave the city. The bonus on this assignment was seeing a new place, he had never been to Hipereon before.

He brushed some non-existent dust of the sleeves of his coat before turning back to Tara. "And what of you?" He asked, "Do you have any particular business in the city?"

 

[Terratina.]

Sure, her answer didn't have the whole truth, after all, Tara was on route to Uleth as soon as the Sky Pirates stopped mucking about with this festival and took to the skies. There was enough truth in the lie for Zavier to buy it. At least he knew she wasn't a pirate but something else. Her choice of transport would surely ring alarm bells in his mind but if Zavier was so inclined to ask her about it, Tara would simply answer that she was on the run from the Republic, as many rebels in Uleth were. Yet another half-truth, she was particularity fond of them.

"I don't have any particular business in the city, no." Zavier replied, "I decided to spend the Six Days of the Gods somewhere less thickly congested with fear and misery than Uleth."

Seems like this gentleman was fond of half-truths as well. A contract killer would go whenever the target was, not that Tara cared. She guessed that ever since the fall of the Uleth, the government had been sparse with the pay checks, seeing as the Republic seized all of their assets. The festival was in full bloom here, Tara wondered whether another care-free one would come again, as Hipereon's days looked to be numbered as the Republic marched on.

"And what of you?" He asked, "Do you have any particular business in the city?"

Zavier brushed some non-existant dust off his coat as he flung yet another question at her. This guy was answering few and asking many. Tara scowled, it was pretty that she had a hint of who he was and what he did, so why didn't Zavier tell her that? Well, a lie would be returned with another lie. The stony facade remained on Tara's face as she remembered how her father would fool people into thinking his goods were a fair price and the bitterness of him having to abandon the business as the battlemages took her away to learn the art of magic.

"None. Just here for the lack of Glorinst oppression." She replied, mimicking his previous gesture, but this time as a simple dismissal of the subject in question.

 

[Arrogancy]

"None. Just here for the lack of Glorinst oppression." Tara responded, making a show of brushing him off. She was obviously trying to provoke him, she didn't believe him and was pushing back. Zavier admired her boldness, she knew who he was and was still trying stand up to him, most people just became quiet and got a fearful look in their eyes. It was a refreshing change of pace. Her answer probably was about as genuine as anything else she had said, Zavier thought, meaning it was probably hiding something else.

He took a look around the docks, taking note of all the airships. It wouldn't be long now before the vast tides of refugees hit this city, as had happened in Uleth. Anyone could see that the game was almost up. The Republic wasn't stopping, and it seemed like nothing the armies of the remaining empires could do would change that.

"For how much longer, I wonder." Zavier mused aloud. He looked at Tara who was still glaring at him. "Miss Rhosyne-or do you prefer Tara?-perhaps we could take this conversation somewhere else. Somewhere where we could have a more relaxed conversation. I'm sure one of the inns nearby would be suitable." He looked about the area, trying to find a nearby one-not his own, that was obvious-that he could speak more to this woman at.

 

[Terratina.]

Instead of the forceful reaction that Tara had expected in this little engagement. The man was expecting something else, perhaps fear. He was a contract killer after all, an assassin hired by the highest bidder. But Tara had dealt with those who ideas about themselves with one clean cut, regardless of what uniform they were wearing. Tara had long admitied to herself that in the military, she was nothing but a killing machine, a weapon for whoever in charge to force their way. This faux-gentleman was simply the same, but had the freedom to pick and choose who he killed and had disregarded compassion in the process. Something Tara vowed to herself and to the rebels of Uleth that she would never do.

"For how much longer, I wonder." Zavier mused aloud. He looked at Tara who was still glaring at him. "Miss Rhosyne-or do you prefer Tara?-perhaps we could take this conversation somewhere else. Somewhere where we could have a more relaxed conversation. I'm sure one of the inns nearby would be suitable."

Playing the gentleman, again he had given her a show of compassion. Maybe it was time for this tete-a-tete to actually become a tete-a-tete and the Hipereon authorities wouldn't take too kindly for two suspicious characters loitering around a pirate vessel. She wondered whether she would call her by rank, the rank she held in the Uleth military that is, but then again she would have to give him her full name, along with her aristocratic titles given to her by virtue of being born into a noble family. It didn't matter, she had discarded those titles long ago.

"Just Tara." She replied and motioned over the bundle of buidling over yonder, "Let the way."

At least this will kill some time.

 

[Athol]

Marc was smiling as he stepped out of the 'Falling Man'. Having just spent some rather enjoyable time with some rather talented women, he felt the urge to explore the city. But first, I need some more coin. Sammy and Cynthia have also done a remarkable job of bleeding him dry, not that he could fault them for that.

Weaving through the narrow streets that surrounded the docks, Marc did feel kind of naked without his guns. well you old fool, how do you think the city watch would react to seeing someone so heavily armed? Just because that its a good point doesn't mean I like it. He was still lost in thought when he rounded the corner, and saw two figures standing by Firebolt. Stopping himself just before he stepped fully into the open, he moved back a bit and watched. Who the hell are these people?

 

[Arrogancy]

"Just Tara." She replied and motioned to a bundle of buildings over yonder, "Lead the way." Zavier made his way to a nearby inn, grateful that Tara had decided to be agreeable for a change. Like every other inn in the city, it was packed full of visitors and revelers. It wasn't long before a pair of patrons got up to head back out into the celebrations in the city. Zavier and Tara quickly descended on the table. It was louder in the inn than out by the airships, but it was a small price to pay to be out of the way. It would be rather unfortunate to be seen loitering around a pirate's airship with what appeared to be a pirate when the authorities came around. But then, if they hadn't noticed the obvious pirate ship in their docks, then he had doubts as to their competence.

As they sat down, Zavier looked back out the window, watching the people walking by before he addressed his companion again. "So Tara," Zavier said, still not looking at her, "You know who I am, would you mind telling me who you are, really?"

 

[Terratina.]

It felt good to be out of the open, hopefully no tattletales would go to the authorities after seeing what looked like a pirate confrontation. The festival had made its mark in the inn, decorated with icons of the Gods and someone was being rather enthusiastic with confetti, not to mention the drunks who downed every drink with a touch of vigour. Underneath the revels and merriment, the question on everyone's mind must have been how long could this last? Maybe the people were simply giving their all in celebration, lest this be the last Six Days of the Gods in the last standing Empire.

Some a table was freed up as some patrons left to hit the town. The noise was incredible, but she was sure that skilled eavesdroppers could separate the tapestry of conversation and pick at the most valuable threads. They both pounced on the table, knowing that a few seconds could spell the difference between failure, another pair of patrons taking it, and success, the capture of the table for Zavier and Tara. Here, one could really see the festival's effect on people, they toasted, they drank and were made happy in the intoxicating atmosphere had tempted you to join in. This was broken by the question Zavier asked.

"So Tara," Zavier said, still not looking at her, "You know who I am, would you mind telling me who you are, really?"

It irked Tara that he didn't made eye contact when she could potentially tell all. She sighed and choose her words carefully, this man could go around telling everyone that she was traitor and Tara could be tried for treason if he wanted to, with the right information. Best to give him the abridged version, with a few selective details left out.

"Ex-military." She replied, "You want specifics? Tell me the details of yours."