Paridon Book II: A Taste For Power (IC) - Page 6

Rhun · 9th June 2009, 03:45 PM

Skyler too steps forward. "Ah, I've not tried eel," says the knight. "Is it anything like lamprey? I must say, that I am curious to give it a try." With that, the knight grabs one of the slippery things in hand, and following Ru's lead, bites into the eel.

Neurotic · 9th June 2009, 04:25 PM

Seeing as how favor of powerful judge might come handy and remembering all things one ate while living off the land Eugene comes forward and takes the eel.

Eugene bangs eels head with suitable implement to stun it. He then closes his eyes and lets the fish slide into his stomach whole. He even seems to enjoy it licking his lips.

OOC: may I draw your attention dear collegues that these delicacies are designed to be eaten alive.
OOC2: I just hope they are small enough otherwise there might be slight 'dragon breath event' all over the table

kinem · 10th June 2009, 02:34 AM

Father Berman raises an eyebrow at this strange turn of events. He's wrong about the case - truth magic alone would rule out simple lying by Pigglemorth - but on the other hand he is the judge, so what choice do we have? He is playing with us, not seeking justice.

Father Berman takes hold of the last eel and takes a bite. Tastes like ...

industrygothica · 10th June 2009, 04:09 PM

Darian watches the scene with silent disgust. What sort of magistrate is this that hinges justice on drunken parlor tricks?

He only hopes the horrible slob of a man hadn't noticed Darian's obvious distaste.

InVinoVeritas · 13th June 2009, 02:15 AM

Eugene slides the eel down his throat. It passes through his mouth chilly, slimy, and briny in flavor. It passes down the esophagus. About when it hits the stomach it awakens enough to wriggle uselessly for just a moment, before it settles down into death.

Ru, Skyler, and Fr. Berman bite into their eels, and cold blood issues forth from the wound. The mouth fills with a fishy flavor, and the eels writhe painfully, splashing a dark-colored blood on the floor. Quickly, the three finish devouring the fishes.

Gustav chuckles, and gives each of the four a silk napkin. "Ha, don't worry about the mess, it's bound to happen with people's first eel experience. I enjoyed a couple of them last night, and I think I now understand the predator's preference for live prey. You are all good sports!"

He looks around to everyone. "Now, you may be wondering why I had you devour eels. First, I wanted to see if you would do it. You all jumped at the chance, so it is clear--you definitely have ambition, you definitely have pluck. You've got even more than Gis, and that's going to serve you well! Second, Gis and I had a bet... I won."

He pulls a steaming sausage from a pot of broth and plops it on a plate. The sausage's skin is taut and smooth, a simple well-shaped piece of food. "As for Alek, I want you to be aware of the possible problems in his case. At this time, the evidence is circumstancial. A good solicitor will try to tear it to pieces, and I want you to know that before it is brought to trial. But... we are a society based on reason. Paridon would not have become the gleaming jewel of culture it is by the mere whims of the elite. No, we base our progress in facts, proof, and rules. So, I do not wish for you to think that we can just put Alek away because we simply feel like it. If he is to be sentenced, it will be for the crimes he has committed."

Lord D'Marosso takes a fork and knife, and with a single determined slash, cuts the sausage open lengthwise. It pops open, spilling its juices and chunks all over the plate. "However, Ru, Skyler, Eugene, Brian, if you worry that the evidence has all burned away with his manor, that justice will fall prey to his poison tongue... I am still offering each of you a boon. We know of his crimes, just say the word and justice will be served. Otherwise, feel free to ask for whatever you wish."

Lord D'Marosso scrapes the innards of the sausage from the casing and practically inhales them.

jkason · 13th June 2009, 06:10 AM

Ru quickly wipes the blood from him, not at all comfortable with the surge this pointless kill seems to have welled up within him. As the noble before them speaks, he listens politely, making sure the verbose man has said all he has to say before replying.

"Alek is all about gaming the system," Ru says, shaking his head. "His pride is tied up in how well he's learned to cheat at 'the game,' and it strikes me that our circumventing the system would be just another victory for Alek; he'd gladly, smugly sit in a cell for quite some time if he thought it proved that the laws we support really are so weak that we can only enforce them by cheating as he does.

"No, the only way to truly cow a man like Alek is to beat him without the cheats," the monk insists.

"As for my boon, I don't recall hearing an expiration date on it. I think, perhaps, this is what my gambling friends called holding an ace? I think I'm quite content knowing I have the card to play for now, without needing to show my hand. I hope you don't mind?"

Ivid · 14th June 2009, 01:05 PM

OOC: Sorry for the silence! Moving house, still no internet connection at the new flat.

For the first time in quite a while, you see Calahan become pale.
Staring at the living fish on his plate, the former woodsman doesn't touch the cutlery.
His left hand lying sweaty on the table, the Snake fumbles with his right one around his glass of wine, his eyes wide open,
and observing how you others treat the food with obvious fear.

kinem · 14th June 2009, 05:30 PM

Father Berman wipes the blood from his mouth and watches how the others react to all this. Before I served Ezra I might have been squeamish about it, but what have I to fear now? Calahan's reaction is surprising but that one is often unpredictable.

"I don't think the case is as weak as you've said. Pigglemorth tells his tale convincingly, and truth magic should prove he's not lying. Besides that there is circumstantial evidence - no least the 'pets' themselves who seem to act like they're under some sort of drug.

But we could use more time to investigate further and to help get the drug off the street if it's still being dealt. We've been told that Alek owns a shop - that's where I'd start."

Rhun · 14th June 2009, 07:02 PM

Skyler nods, having just finished wiping the eel blood from his face. "I agree that further time is needed. To investigate this shop, as well as the ruins of Combledorn Manor. Laws are laws; we cannot circumnavigate the system to put Alek away. It would be a betrayal of everything we stand for."

Theroc · 14th June 2009, 11:03 PM

Rhiannon stared on in nigh horror, schooling her expression to hide the squeamish-ness that emerged at the idea of eating a still-living creature. Not only was it rather... disturbing, it was also dangerous... after all, there isn't much to do, should one choke on a whole eel...

Listening to the talk of 'what we stand for' Rhiannon frowned lightly. She wouldn't say it in front of Lord D'Marosso, but she cared little for the laws as written so much as what would make the children safer. A monster like Alek's been shown to be is not someone who could reside in a child-safe Paridon...

InVinoVeritas · 16th June 2009, 03:18 AM

Lord D'Marosso looks at the empty sausage casing lackadaisically before sucking it down. "Very well, we will make sure we put him away properly, with the full weight of the evidence against his crimes. Ru, you may indeed save the boon for later. What about you other three? Is there anything else you wish for?"

An embarrassing gurgle rises from the magistrate's gut, but he pretends not to notice.

Rhun · 16th June 2009, 05:45 AM

Skyler nods his head at D'Marosso. "I too would like to save my boon for a later date, mi' lord," he says. The lord's favor could certainly come in handy, and perhaps even help to further the young nobleman's career.

kinem · 16th June 2009, 04:19 PM

"Let me be clear: Alek must be convicted" Father Berman declares.

"I think the evidence is, and will be, sufficient for any court. I'd rather not invoke the favor you have offerred, m'lord, but if it becomes necessary to do so then that will be my request. And should I be slain in action, you will know what my wishes were."

Neurotic · 17th June 2009, 10:58 PM

"I don't realy care if Alek is convicted now or later. If he goes down, power vacuum will be filled by next corrupted soul with the ability. I'm more concerned about the drug circulating in the city especialy one so powerful as this 'love'.

Thus, Milord, I'd ask my boon immediately. I have a facility with special equipment and people with skill that may be able to decipher what is exactly needed to produce Love and, more importantly, to find an antidote.

Former we can use to control needed substances if possible and latter to get rid as many people as we can of that affliction.

I ask for special permission to handle and posses love for experimental purposes for me and three civilians working at the lab. We will of course maintain exact record of quanitities used and report any and all results to our agency. It would be helpful if I could be allowed to peruse Editomas' diary to try and discover as much details as possible."

InVinoVeritas · 19th June 2009, 04:04 AM

Lord D'Marosso nods. "Very well, you'll get your boons later... and for you, Eugene, I'll write you a letter of introduction."

He calls Camilla forth and she fetches paper, quill, and ink. He writes for a couple minutes.

Other odd noises issue from his belly. He signs his name with a flourish, grabs a waxed cheese, tears off the rind, and seal the letter with his signet ring.

He presents the letter to Eugene. "Here. Lady Nostara is well-regarded, and was an accomplished sorceress and alchemist in her earlier days. She would be more than happy to let you use her equipment."

He gets up, in obvious discomfort. "Now, if you will please excuse me, I shall return." He shuffles off through a door and down the hall.

From whatever far-away position he has taken, the most disagreeable sounds can still be heard. He calls out Ezra's name a couple times. After about a minute of this, he delivers a sigh of relief.

Then the sounds start up again, louder. Camilla even jumps at the noise, before returning to her serene state. Gustav lets out a pained shout, followed by a wet gurgle, and an almost explosive aural display of wetness, sucking, and plopping.

Then silence.

Theroc · 19th June 2009, 05:29 AM

Rhiannon remains quiet, placing a hand over her lowered face to conceal her disgust at the situation. Thus far the noble has done little to impress the woman, save his apparent opulence. Rhia could only wish that the man would prove useful in their case, for he certainly had little concern for the well being of Paridon... as far as she could tell.

Rhun · 19th June 2009, 06:18 AM

Skyler too remains silent, simply cocking his head and raising an eyebrow. He hoped that D'Marosso's discomfort did not have to do with eating eel.

industrygothica · 19th June 2009, 07:19 AM

IVV

Neurotic · 19th June 2009, 10:18 AM

OOC: I referenced another lab, that of Eugene's parents...don't need some sorceress for equipment. Altough of course if that remains I'll use it as I can...

Maybe my language failed me? I tried to sound as noble as educated barbarian can and thus, used maybe little bit too circumspect language...

jkason · 19th June 2009, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InVinoVeritas

Then the sounds start up again, louder. Camilla even jumps at the noise, before returning to her serene state. Gustav lets out a pained shout, followed by a wet gurgle, and an almost explosive aural display of wetness, sucking, and plopping.

Then silence.

Ru turns to the servant.

"Your master seems quite schooled in exotic cuisine. I wouldn't think him subject so such ... violent disagreement with it. Has ... this happened before?"