Behind Unlocked Doors (Part II)
In light of Anba Hor's imprisonment, the Abbey belfry has hosted a lot of activity lately. Old cronies, murder attempts, sight-seers and maladjusted younguns--all flocking to catch a glimpse of the chained, ill-tempered captive. Most are hurriedly shooed out by the guards, but not before churning out a wonderful (if short-lived) scene or two!
This is a collection of my recent logs, edited only to remove OOC content; I preserved the messages (such as connects and disconnects) that would seen on the +radio broadcast.
[23:22:53] RW Abbey: Belfry
[23:22:53] ------------------------------------------------------------
[23:22:53] The Belfry of the Bell Tower is an open, airy space, four
[23:22:53] great stone arches look out over the abbey grounds and
[23:22:53] the woods of mossflower to the north, south and east. To the
[23:22:53] west one looks across the threshold of the abbey and out over
[23:22:53] the flat lands to the west.
[23:22:53]
[23:22:53] The stairs leading up are made of wood and stop at the stone
[23:22:53] ledge around the outside of the tower. Dug deeply into the
[23:22:53] stone a great oak beam stretches across the centre of the
[23:22:53] tower. It holds up the Matthias and Methusaleh bells, both
[23:22:53] attached by thick ropes to support their weight. Above the
[23:22:53] bells the roof supports can be seen and the underside of
[23:22:53] of the red tiles.
[23:22:53] ------------------------------------------------------------
[23:22:53] Exits: [D]own[s]tairs
[23:22:53] With: [IC] Sinway and [OOC] Anba_Hor, Evil Itself..
[23:22:58] Anba_Hor chuckles, "One thing I've learned is that honor is empty... and fear does not discriminate between the fair and unfair. Indeed, they fear me more for what they do not know... when I bring death, you do not know how or why. But for certain, you will know when, when you wake up in my lair chained to a wall... that is only the beginning, for you." He snickers, the sound echoing even seemingly before the sound comes out of his mouth, from all directions into the otter's ears.
[23:25:48] Sinway nods "ohh im sure, sounds sick and twisted." he says with a long sigh "guess yoru just to dangerous to let go the abbey beast better kill yer soon." he says yawning "but then they wont, they can't, goes against there code, that honor they took up, i ditched it, see i was once a novice but then i had to go kill so i ditch that honor that code i took up, so i guess in a way your words are true honor is empty."
[23:30:02] Bare feet make little noise against the wood steps. The only sign of Psamathe's ascent is a couple of dubious creaks, but she has all ready reached the top of the flight by the time these register. She dons a heavy wool habit--but not that of the Abbey; it is gray, tattered--the hood falls over her head, allowing just the tip of a canine nose to poke out. She is hardly recognizable in this garb. A jug of wine is clenched lazily in one paw. The vixen pauses upon noticing Sinway; she hadn't expected other 'visitors.'
[23:31:27] Anba_Hor's turn to yawn, "Do I have to hear much more of your life story before you swear your allegiance to me? If you're not /with/ the Redwallers, my suggestion to you would be to join a side that would otherwise see to your horrific demise. If honor is not your code, may I suggest loot? The promise of wealth? Hmm?" He doesn't try to charm, but his voice is smoother, his expression a bit more cheeful, and the eyes... those eyes... bigger and brighter than the moon, if you stare long enough...
[23:38:52] Sinway yawns as he here the other beast come in he turns his head "hello there." he simply says before looking at the fox chain to the wall "with you tied up and the possiblilty of your death coming, what makes you think you will be around to deliver my most horrific demise?" he asks
[23:40:36] Drago has arrived.
[23:42:50] Anba_Hor frowns in mock confusion, "Do you not know who I am, otter? You /must/ not, if you think I am not chained up here by my own volition... why... what do you think this is? A bell tower?? Ha!!" The sharp staccato of the laugh bounces off of the bells and walls, as his voice crescendoes into the night for all the abbey to hear! "This is my command post, my watch tower!!! This is the place from which I lead my army to destroy what has stood billigerent to my kind for too long!!" He whispers, "And you will be there to witness it..."
[23:43:04] With an wet slosh, the jug rises to the snout that pokes out from the peculiar hood. The fox behind it looks quite heavily intoxicated; she stumbles, saved at the last moment by a hand against the nearest wall. Half-hunkered over, she defiantly downs another gulp of booze--it leaves a reddish residue at the corners of her mouth. ".. Abner Abner Abner," Psamathe slurs and shakes her head slowly, snort-laughing beneath her wino breath. A brief glance is cast to Sinway, chin rising to allow a better glimpse of him from under the heavy wool. ".. eh, weresn't 'spectin' a party up 'ere," she grunts.
[23:45:11] Drago has disconnected.
[23:45:17] A spitting image of what slavery can do. The ferret is thin, but not just bone however. His face still looks sort of like a playful dibbun but his eye hold a hateful glow. His left eye has an eye patch over it and there's a long scar going down the side of his face as well as odd scar patterns around his eye. Along the back of his neck are welts that probably continue down his back. His fur is faded brown with a grey underside and a black tip for his tail. His clothes are newish, probably replaced some rags not too long ago. Upon his upper half, he wears a brown tunic and on his lower half, he wears a pair of black trousers. Hanging off his belt is a handle of a long sword, broken at the hilt.
[23:45:18] Drago has connected.
[23:47:17] Sinway gives a small yawn a little "command post really, watch tower, hmmm, thats some information i got now." he says yawning again before looking at the other fox standing up and leaning against the wall "such a loose tongue fox, for one who is not your follower."
[23:48:26] Drago has connected.
[23:48:59] Anba_Hor smiles and regards the vixen, whom he realizes is intoxicated, "Ah... well, if it isn't my friend... clever disguise, lass, the guards probably think you're that awful bore of an elder who comes up here... to talk, of all things, about what /they/ plan for /me/. Ha!" He stares at Sinway, "Follower or not, there is no escape from me... you see... I /deal/ in treachery, I /barter/ and /buy/ with it... I know my way around it, and I could tell you my plans tomorrow and you would still not be ready for me."
[23:50:53] Drago has disconnected.
[23:50:55] Sinway gives a nod "ohh yes thats true but then are you ready, could you defend if i where to ohh say take a dagger and slit your throat right here and now?" he asks with a lazy yawn "im not bound by abbey code i have no problems with killing some one who i see fit to be dead, in cold blood." he yawns and plays with the dagger hilt he had hidden "im a funny kind of otter like that."
[23:53:41] Anba_Hor smiles and yells down, "Free me! Quick!! Yes, unchain it, that's it!!" Immediately, several guards come up and shout in gruff voices, "What's all this!! Leave the fox alone! Get down here or you'll have it from the abbot!! The fox is not to be visited by anybeast save those who have proper permission! Clear it out!" The fox smiles at Sinway, winking, "What were you saying? Just like what? Take care, now, and be sure to thank the guards for saving you..."
[23:55:02] Psamathe takes a minute to steady herself, then chooses to set the jug down for now--blaming its weight, not its contents, for her lack of balance. Ogling Anba, she pads in a semi-circle, sizing up his situation; contemplating the outcome of hulking fox versus his chains. Ultimately, Psamathe decides that the shackles are more or less secure. ".. y--arh," she begins to speak, then just grunts in utter frustration. He recognized her--that was not part of the 'plan,' if you could call her drunken adventure to jeer at the captive cannibal a 'plan'. ".. stilla' bright ray of happy sunshine, eh, Abner?" The fox does not seem interested in the conversation among the otter and the prisoner. ".. eh." Her ears flatten at the rustling guards and the Psamathe adjusts her hood a bit.
[23:56:20] Sinway smiles a little with a small yawn "you know i could pin this dagger to your head right here with out even blinking before the guards had a chance to lead me down." he smiles again "though i really don't feel like it." and before the guards could lead him away he runs up close to you and smiles whispering in your ear "and i could tell the guards thats a fox under that hood." he says with a grin "but you see i don't feel like it."
[23:58:54] Anba_Hor makes brief eye contact with the vixen and he narrows his eyes... can he see through the shadow of the hood? Before he has time to process the voice and the exact shape of the muzzle, he is beset by the otter... the fox snaps at the creature's neck but is too late. "You won't feel like anything by the time I'm done with you, you wretch. You think you have talent, until you are face to face with me. Fair fight? There /is/ no such thing against me."
[00:00:30] Sinway smiles a wicked smile one that would make other beast blood run cold "and who said, i would ever fight you." he says with a nod "who ever said i would go up against you in the first place?"
[00:00:39] ".. yak yak," Psamathe clips at Sinway, obviously unconvinced that the otter would have the gal to stab Anba. "Riverdogs's always fulla' it--betcher hands'r too slimy t'even wield that lil' knifey. Whydonche' jus' go crawl back in tha' muddy waterhole down there!" A brief pause while the vixen fidgets with the hood again; it's obviously heavier and more awkward that she had anticipated. ".. fox unner' the hood? A *fox* is the damned sword-slingin' Champion 'round 'ere." With that, Psamathe flings the hood off her head and flashes a toothy grin to Anba. ".. 'allo there."
[00:01:33] The guards make no hesitation in running up to the otter to pull him off of the fox, "Okay, okay, you've parlayed your foul words with the fox, wouldn't we all like to insult him... now get going..." There's a fair bit of prodding and poking with quarterstaves, and the guards lead the otter to the steps. They corral the vixen too, "Ma'am, how did /you/ get up here? Don't remember seeing you..." The guards poke at her too.
[00:03:51] Sinway smirks a little as the guards lead him away "take care fox, ok, come see me if you get out of here alive, we could have another fun chat." he winks and walks away "don't you know guards, she suppose to make sure the fox is fed till his punishment is decided, fed and had something to drink." he says in a smooth and convincing tone
[00:03:55] Psamathe collects herself, eyes darting about for a decent excuse. She spies her jug and dons her best act: "I weres' sent t' bring drink t'the prisoner," she tells them, quickly pulling the hood over her head again as she reaches for the wine. "Don' want the beast wastin' away of thirth, yaknow--that wouldnae' be right." She holds the jug in her hands--tapping mangled fingers against it. ".. can' let 'im suffer--even if 'e is a baddin'."
[00:04:37] Psamathe nods vigorously as the otter corroborates her story. "Vittles!" she chimes, cradling the jug.
[00:04:51] Drago has connected.
[00:06:14] Drago has disconnected.
[00:07:06] The guards look at each other, and at Sinway... why would he agree, he hates the fox. They decide it must be true and warn her, "Okay, but if he gets too close, you just give a call... and fox, we won't have you dead before we're through with you, so no passing of poisons... we'll check her inventory now and after she comes down. They go through her things briefly before nodding and taking the otter downstairs.
[00:08:36] Sinway calls back "but anba me mate, talking to strangers is so much fun. take care now." he giggles and walks off
[00:11:37] Psamathe allows the guards to search her--they won't find much. Skin and bones and a big wool cloak. She waits, watching the guards haul Sinway off, before she slips the hood away from her head again. ".. that one needsta' get 'is motives straight," the fox remarks, tilting her head and lifting an eyebrow. ".. r'maybe 'e's just wantin' t' come up 'ere tomorrow and see mah bits shredded all over this stoney tomb." A maniacal, drunken cackle erupts from her muzzle, pursued by a crooked smile and another drag from the jug. ".. ah well. 'Ow's the new quarters treatin' ya', Abner ole' pally?" she questions.
[00:15:19] Anba_Hor grins, "Ah, the one with the golden idol... Is that still sitting in my den, or did I give it back perhaps?" He chuckles and eyes her like a hawk, watching everything she does and not taking his eyes off for a second. "What could you be doing here I wonder? You haven't brought the entire Black Gull here I hope, they're mostly wanted for murder just as much so as me..."
[00:20:13] Psamathe snorts at the other fox, sinking to a crouch with her back supported by the wall--so as to appear less inebriated and wobbly, all though this is probably a hopeless effort. ".. ain' brought nobody," she starts, flexing her disfigured hand; ".. an' mah statue is back inna' 'ands it belongs to," the fox continues. "Gottit' back--weren't mucha' a problem once y'got all locked 'n stocked up 'ere." This could just be a bag of
[00:26:26] Anba_Hor nods, his expression clearly, if not mockingly, showing how impressed he is, "Well, then... don't let that valuable thing out of your sight... well, I'm doing famously... got water from when it rains, food.." He flicks a black feather he hadn't seen before from his chest, "You know, I'm not touching a bit of that... don't think I'm stupid. The other vixen, she sent you didn't she? You're not likely to have come up with this all by yourself..." His tone is condescending, meaning every bit to insult and belittle. "You were all fools to think you'd have a share in what was /my/ venture, /my/ investment. To just join in at the last second and expect me to be grateful. Hah!"
[00:28:53] Psamathe, satisfied that the majority of the Abbey has retired for the night, chooses to remove her useless disguise. This is quite a struggle for the skinny fox; a ruthless battle with yards of wool before she finally escapes, leaving the thing in a pathetic heap on the floor beside her. More comfortable in her tattered, everyday attire, the fox sinks further; plops down on her rear and returns to the wine. She slurps it loudly, belches, then responds: ".. ain' nobody sent me, neither. Been 'earin' that y'were all captive and such--came to spy it fer myself; getta' couple a' laughs in b'fore the sun comes up." At that, the fox makes a point of snickering at Anba and his situations. "Such lovely chains--so shiny inna' moonlight!" she jeers.
[00:35:08] Anba_Hor smiles, thinking to himself a bit before changing the subject, "You know what also looks shiny in the moonlight?" Without answering himself, he looks straight at her, unblinking... there's something of longing (but not necessarily /for/ anything... it's something /pulling/ inward), and also a peaceful quality about it... like looking at the moon behind a thin layer of cloud, the same opalescent mystique... "It's a beautiful night I think, too... I'm in.... complete... agreeance...."
[00:41:38] Psamathe uses the back of her hand to wipe wine at the wine-stains on her pale-furred snout. ".. s'cold," she grunts, meeting his gaze like a brick wall; an incredibly drunk brick wall. The vixen appears rather impervious to this paradigm shift; all too aware of Anba's mind-games. The smile eventually takes hold of her lips again, revealing several teeth--also a bit purplish from the wine. "S'ye' in charge a' ringin' them bells now?" she asks nonchalantly, jutting a finger at the huge suspended things. "Seems' like this place'd be puttin' ye' to work sooner 'r later--since yer like freeloadin' an' all."
[00:45:15] Anba_Hor leans his head back and waits out the rest of the night with his unwanted company... shouldn't those guards be checking in by now? He's seen torture... but this may very well be as much as he can handle... "Ah, go to sleep, the booze wants you to and I want you too as well..." He closes his eyes and drowns her out by recalling all the screams of past victims in his mind's ear.
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