[closed] don't go prison (breakin') my heart

[katabasis]

WHO: Benedict, Kitty, Kostos, Derrica, Lazar, Caspar, Poesia, Yseult, Flint
WHAT: The Gang Breaks a Guy Out of Prison
WHEN: Early Cloudreach
WHERE: Tevninter; a small island not far from Neromenian
NOTES: OOC Post; if you're in a group, I highly encourage flexible turn order. Feel free to self-assign where your character ends up once Things Get Real, but please don't have your lad or lady be two places at once. Prompts below are the main action of the plot, but feel free to do whatever you like before/after/adjacent to them.

Eione Island was once a staging ground for Tevinter forces eventually bound for the jungles of Seheron. Today, with the Imperium's attention and the bulk of its military might directed toward the South, the island fortress is an outpost in reserve - maintained by only a few dozen members of a private guard and overseen by Idothea Petrus, the third daughter of a Laetan family which has spent generations carefully navigating their way up Tevinter's social ladder. Much of the island is characterized by its challenging cliff faces with water too deep to cast anchor in. The only sure anchorage to be found is in Eione Bay itself, over which the fortress itself resides. Catapults at either end of the bay provide strong discouragement to anyone who might attempt a surprise landing to take the island by force. SO THEY'RE NOT ATTEMPTING TO SURPRISE ANYONE. Instead, Riftwatch is sailing straight into the bay in their own Tevinter ship, repainted in the reds, gold and blacks of the Artemaeus family and flying a flag of distress. The story? Benedict Artemaeus, son of a magister and heir to a textile trading empire, was returning from having overseen the sale of a large shipment when their ship was attacked by Nocen Sea pirates. Having barely escaped, the ship has put in here at Eione until the likelihood of further danger passes. Besides, wouldn't you know it? - Benedict's picked up some dreadful cough while doing business abroad and now requires the Petrus family's hospitality now more than ever as he recovers. The mages of the group in addition to Benedict are all to pose as semi-important mages in Benedict's company. The rest of Riftwatch's force will pose as servants and advisers and so on, including Yseult as Benedict's most devoted maid who is simply worried sick about her illness-stricken master and must keep close at hand at all times should he seem likely to tax himself overmuch by, say, spilling the beans, and so require the healing touch of a tender knife between the ribs. IF ALL GOES TO PLAN, Riftwatch will take advantage of Petrus' hospitality for the few days it takes to locate where their target, a once-prominent contact with the burgeoning enslaved rebellion in Tevinter who has been missing for two years, is being held. From there, Riftwatch's forces are to divide themselves into three groups: two groups will disable the catapults at each end of the bay in as flashy and dramatic a way as possible so as to draw attention; the third team will descend into the prison, locate Valeriantus, and then make their escape overland to the other side of the island where groups one and two, having made their own get away, will meet them with the ship for extraction. Simple, right?

Comments

[katabasis]

[Presumably the last time Idothea Petrus flushed with embarrassment, she was five years old and for her trouble received a stern talking to about the advantages of being inscrutable. Here, she smiles with the graceful faux-penitence of a woman happy to sacrifice the appearance of her pride.]

I've no doubt that were I fortunate enough to find myself in the Elder One's company, that I might ask similarly foolish questions in his presence. [But also.] I meant no harm by it. It's merely something of a curiosity.

[altusimperius]

Your curiosity serves you ill.

[He tamps down the pipe's contents and plucks a candle from its holder to relight it. A strange gesture, perhaps, for someone who can conjure fire.]

Ask my father, if you like. The reasons are not mine to disclose.

[rathercommon]

It's -

[ The quiet, dark-eyed servant girl - who has, to this point, kept mostly silent - speaks up suddenly. And she cuts herself off just as suddenly, and flushes, biting at her lip, turning her eyes downward, bobbing an awkward curtsey at everyone involved. (Kitty does play the part quite well, when she's inclined to play the part.) ]

Begging your pardon, Master Artemaeus. I shouldn't speak. It's just that I get so proud of what we're able to do for you.

[ And then, earnestly - ]

The rift mark, it used to keep him cooped up with some others who had it. It's agony, you see, when you're not near someone else who's got it. But they found me, and a few others, and I'm able to travel with him and let him be free to do business again.

[ She holds her hand out, showing the green mote in it as well. Then she ducks her head, apparently quite embarrassed, and mumbles - ] Sorry, Master Artemaeus.

[katabasis]

[There is an inclination toward pinching that shows in her face when the girl starts to speak, but that gives way to a sort of back lit satisfaction given the subject. Idothea smiles at Benedict - how charmingly devout your servants are -, then slides her attention fully to Kitty. From her chaise, she extends her arm in invitation.]

Is that so? Come, let me see.

[rathercommon]

[ Kitty bobs a little curtsey, then looks rather nervously at Benedict, apparently waiting for his permission before acquiescing. You know, as a good servant would do. ]

[altusimperius]

[Benedict meets her eyes with an expression that would confuse an outsider, as it seems equally searching. Then, he gives a nod and a little wave of his hand to permit it.]

They're none the wiser in Kirkwall, [he adds, a bit distantly.] Circumstances being as they may, it's in everyone's best interest that they continue to think I and my people are loyal to their cause.

[He's staring out at the darkness again.]

[rathercommon]

[ Kitty's eyes don't give anything away - not even to Benedict. There's not a crack in her good-and-faithful-servant routine.

She makes her way over to Idothea, then, carefully holding out her hand for inspection. ]

[katabasis]

Kirkwall. That is very far South. [She takes Kitty's hand the moment it's within reach, claw-like fingers at her wrist and thumb.]

I've heard you can close a rift with one of these. [To Benedict:] But what about opening one?

[altusimperius]

[When the woman takes Kitty's hand, it triggers a memory, and a sudden swell of anxiety.]

I didn't say you could touch her, [he snaps, his shoulders tensing as he pins Idothea with his gaze. Then, just like that, he relaxes again, taking another drag from his pipe and coughing lightly.]

They've been known to do that, yes.

[rathercommon]

[ That causes a small twitch, a tiny break in Kitty's facade. Why on earth does he sound so angry? Is it some Tevinter thing, where it's a grand taboo to touch someone else's servants? Still weird. ]

[katabasis]

[Her hand obediently gives from Kitty's wrist, but the point of her attention doesn't soften. Well. As Master Artemaeus is so set on being taciturn - to Kitty:]

I imagine that makes you very useful.

[altusimperius]

[Benedict continues to watch them both, smoking silently and letting Kitty answer for herself, though his gaze is pinioned on the "servant"'s hand as if waiting for Idothea to try her luck again.]

[rathercommon]

Oh, I don't know.

[ She tucks her hair behind her ear. ]

I don't really - do any of that. Get near those things. All I do is stick close to Master Artemaeus.

[ And she looks round, and turns a fond smile on him. Then a quick curtsey, bobbed to Idothea, and a shy: ]

Sorry for speaking out of turn, mistress.

[katabasis]

You're forgiven, [is perfunctory and means nothing.] What I mean is that makes you useful to someone who might want to use you.

I'm surprised there aren't more people in the capitol trying to do what you have, Master Artemaeus. Even despite the obvious drawbacks of needing to keep sweet ones like this so close.

[She flicks her hand dismissively at Kitty. Go on; she's done with you.]

[altusimperius]

People in the capitol can't see past their own noses, [Benedict replies, and even to those more familiar with him, the disdain sounds real.]

They have no idea what's going on beneath the surface, they only care about the benefits they'll reap by licking the Elder One's boot. And if you've ever spoken to him, [with the implied 'as I have',] you'll know they're few unless one is proven truly worthy.

[He takes another idle puff and coughs lightly once again-- then coughs more heavily, clapping a hand to his chest.]

I'm tired, [he announces suddenly,] I assume you've made arrangements for myself and my people?

[katabasis]

[There is something in the sharp edge of the woman's focus which sharpens still further as Benedict speaks, a bird-like tip of the head which quirks n meditative consideration of what he has to say. What a good listener Idothea Petrus is, even if her questions aren't the type to make her particularly popular in courts and among friends of rank.

(There is no doubt a reason why she is here on this island rather than anywhere else in the Tevinter Imperium.)

She lets him cough. When he is finished, she tips her head for a last look around the room - at the girl, at Artemaeus' maid lingering there past the miniature blood orange trees in easy reach should her master need her, and then finally back again. The smile she has adopted is perfectly pleasant.]

Of course. What am I thinking, to have kept you so late? [With a snap of her fingers, her own servant materializes.] Show Master Artemaeus to the rooms prepared for him and that he and his retinue are made appropriately comfortable.

[She moves to rise from her bench - one should stand when seeing off a guest.] Will that be all for this evening?

[altusimperius]

[If he thinks anything of her odd behavior, Benedict doesn't mention it, or even really log it away in his mental account; he's never going to see this woman again, he's not who he says he is anymore, and if she finds out, well... that's inevitable.

She just has to not find out right now.

Once they've all been helped to his chambers, he informs the Petrus servants that he insists on his own people managing all of his needs, and closes the door on them. Then, back resting on the door, he fixes his anxious gaze on Yseult.

He really is as tired as he said he was; he's also emotionally prepared to get condemned, lectured, diminished, or whatever else she and the others might have in store, and seems to be steeling himself for it.]

[hassaran]

[ Yseult just nods, a brisk downward jerk of her chin, and moves to begin unpacking Benedict's things, as an actual servant might. ]

She's too canny to fool for long, [ she says, voice kept low enough not to carry through to anyone who might be watching through the walls somehow ] and we should assume we're being watched at all times, so we must all keep up our roles. Tonight especially. If we can lower her guard tonight we may search more easily tomorrow.