Masked Resistance vs Aradian Tyranny {closed/started}

Masakka Dan

I fought the urge to smash the rapacious guard's face into the wall. What a dog. Instead, I hissed a few choice words in his ear and sent him off to the brig for lashes.
I turned back to face the cell. Jasmine was sitting on the floor where the guard had released her. Her hair had come loose from its band and spilled across her shoulders like ink. My eyes trailed the length of it, then snapped back up a her head turned.
"What?" she asked. "Come to apologize for escaping my murder attempt?" She winked.
I raised my eyebrows. "I came to see how our little sorceress likes her grandiose apartments."
She rose up to her feet in one fluid motion. "They stink, Masakka. Like one of your dirty little ponies, they stink. Like your attempts at making something of yourself, they stink. And like this dirty heavy collar you have put around my neck, they stink." She raised an eyebrow. "Captain."
Her words lashed up memories of my father, barking in my face with his rancid breath flooding my nose. Why so lazy, you little whelp? Why can't you work like your brother does? You stink of your filthy horses, boy. You stink like a dead dog. Get into the fields and work till all the corn is harvested. Go! Get your lazy stink away from me.
"Why, you little witch-rat," I said calmly. I stepped up to the bars and came face to face with her. She shrank back a little as I stared into her glittering eyes. "I would not be so bold if I were you. I could reach in through these bars and snap your neck before you had a chance to draw back. But I wouldn't want to get your rebel filth on my hands."
She gasped. "What--?"
"Yes, my lady," I said mockingly. "I know you're a rebel."

Fenezari Theartus

I stood at the top of my tower gazing around at the castle grounds. I thought about how much fun it would be to briefly terrify some of the guards by leaping from the tower. The guards knew that I had risen through the ranks of the guard quickly and had become one of the lieutenants before becoming the royal cartographer, but few remembered why. Most new of my ability to combine fire and water sorcery but few new of my true strength. I waited for Pellentesque to give me reports on the locations of my fellow castle dwellers.
Pellentesque had helped me learn how to communicate with him without words so I called out to him to return to me. Pellentesque return to the tower I'm ready to walk the castle grounds I would like to hear some interesting news
I'll be there in mere moments I have some news you may be very interested in hearing. Pellentesque landed on my shoulder.
I turned to him "Well do tell my good friend."
"Well there's a new prisoner. From what I've heard she's a resistance member. How's that for news?"
I looked at him eyes full of delighted glee, "my dear friend that's the best news I've heard all day. Oh what kind of sorceress is she?"
He looked at me mirroring my look of glee, "I'm so glad you asked! She's actually a fire sorceress."
I grabbed my halberd, lute, and flute and leaped from my tower. As I fell creating wings of ice and fire to fly to the ground by I looked towards Pellentesque with a gleam of mischief, " well then lets go meat this girl."
I landed in a circle of fire at the bottom of my tower leaned my halberd against my shoulder and strolled towards the dungeon eager to meet our new prisoner. I completely disregarded the looks of awe and terror in the eyes of the guards and strolled into the dungeon.

Jasmine | Palace Cells

I stared at him, dumbstruck, then shook my head again. "You have no proof." I hissed in reply, my face twisted into an expression of anger. Losing restraint of my powers for a second, I winced as a sharp jolt of pain racked through me, and turned away, trying to calm my breathing in an attempt to get my emotions under control.

"You think I didn't see you on that building? How did you think I caught you so easily, witch?" His eyes shone tauntingly for a second, and he leant in again. "Maybe next I'll catch your friend too. Don't think I didn't see him."

My scowl deepened, and I opened my mouth to reply before hearing the sound of more footsteps towards my cell. No visitors for three hours, and now three in ten minutes? I shook my head with mild disbelief, then took a step closer to the edge of my cell, wrapping my hands around the bars of my cell and peering out to see who it was.

A young man was making his way towards us, a slight smile visible on his face even from this distance. I saw the Captain give a slight bow of the head, murmuring the name "Fenezari," in greeting.

The stranger nodded his own reply, greeting him with a simple "Captain," before turning to me and scrutinising me for a moment. "So, you're the captive?"

Delilah:
King Morgan hugged me.
"I don't know yet, my dear Deliah. All that I know is that some of our members are starting to deplete. If I hear such a report again that involves your kind, I'm going to panic like a worried parent. Why I say that is simple. I can't afford to lose you. You're the best of the Abnormals, the foremost reason why you're my favorite."
He kissed my forehead. I was 5 when he found me. Crying in the forest afraid of myself. He stood by me and convinced me that I couldn't hurt him. He became my father-figure, I his loyal Abnormal Commander. I loved him like a father, but respected him like a king. I was nervous, since the uproar, my life had been at stake. What would I do if I lost one of my ranks in a fight?
"I'm scared, daddy."
It took me a moment to realize what I said. I took a step back from him.
"I...I'm sorry my King."

Spoiler

Well, I know i haven't been roleplaying for awhile. So I am going to jump in.

Merry sat inside her tent. Lately, her thoughts have wondered to less important thing. She even wondered how was her brother, Morgan, doing. She knew she shouldn't even care about him but inside she still felt...sad for him. For she knew what he was going through. Merry sighed. She said out loud, "I should stop thinking about him. I know it is wrong but..." She couldn't finish the sentence.

Fenezari Thaertus

I looked towards the new prisoner and briefly admired her beauty before turning towards Masakka, " so Masakka this is the new prisoner?" I turned towards the prisoner to speak with her. " I hope Masakka has not been bothering you. My good lady regardless of your affiliation with the resistance he should know to treat even the lowest prisoner with some kindness."
Masakka looked down at his boots dumbstruck by Fenezari's words. He replied to my words with shocking ones of his own," this girl attempted to kill me just this morning Fenezari. I will treat her as I please."
I glared towards him, " a pity she didn't succeed as you're obviously still hear you great lummox. Now regardless of her attempted assassination she was brought before the king so treat her with respect." I put my hands a flame and put my fist next to his face, "unless you'd rather I display how I achieved being a lieutenant by age 15 you'll leave me to speak with the prisoner."
Masakka briefly turned towards my burning fist before turning to leave. As he left I could hear him saying something about interrupting his interrogation of the prisoner and heard as he spat and cursed at me.
I turned towards the new prisoner and addressed her using her name that I had learned using my emotion reading, " So Jasmine the fire sorceress welcome to the castle." She looked shocked that I knew her name so I quickly explained it away, " I'm good at reading other fire users it was really just a lucky guess. All I know is that your a fire sorceress for the resistance though, don't try to deny it you gave yourself away already, why not tell me somethings about yourself I promise," Leaning my halberd against the wall and running my fingers through my hair. " I promise I won't bite Morgan would be furious if I were rude to a lovely lady so go ahead tell me about yourself."

Azul Bordeur

Azul lumbered towards the door and slowly opened it. A young man pushed his way through the door. He was streaked with soot and dirt, and he was breathing hard. The boy tried to say something, but he was breathing so hard the words came out in scattered gasps. “Calm down boy,” Azul whispered as he helped the young man to a chair and got a pitcher of water. “Here take a drink of this,” he said and handed the boy a cup of water.

The young man greedily began to drink the water, gulping it down. “Slower,” Azul cautioned, “Or you will just feel worse.”

The young man heeded his advice and slowly began to sip the water as he caught his breath. “We… we need Keenan,” the young man gasped, “There are wounded, burn victims.”

Azul blew out a small breath, “What has happened?”

“A freak fire in the forest,” the young man said. His breathing had finally begun to even out and he wiped a hand on his sweaty head, smearing black soot across his face. “I am part of the…” he trailed off for a second and took around nervously.

“It’s alright,” Azul whispered. He reached inside and touched his magic, touched his connection to the earth. It washed over him like a cooling breeze and he felt it stretch out from him like ripples in the air. He focused on the ground, on the feel of the earth beneath his feet. It was solid, sure, comforting to know that the ground was there. Azul let that feeling wash from him and over the young man. The feeling of peace and rest, of comfort and knowing that he was safe. “I know you are part of the resistance boy, we help you people from time to time. You are safe here.” Who ever thought I would be helping the side who fought the crown[i/], Azul thought quietly to himself, [i]Then again if a wounded soldier showed up at my door I would help him just as readily.

“Thanks,” the boy whispered. “There was a fire by one of our bases. A couple of our Fire Sorcerers were able to put it out but some people are hurt pretty bad. I was sent to find Keenan, is he here?”

“No,” Azul whispered quietly, “Not anymore, but I can help you.”

The boy gave him a skeptical look. “You look more like a bruiser then a healer mister, no offense.”

“None taken,” Azul answered with a smile as he stretched out his large muscled frame. “I am adapt at healing myself boy, now are there only burn victims, and where are your own healers?”

“They’re busy,” the boy answered with a grunt, “The leader is planning something so they are off being busy. We are don’t have many people to help, and even though Keenan was never officially part of our cause he was known to help.”

Of course he was, Azul though to himself. Keenan never turned anyone away no matter what. If they didn’t have money he would work out some kind of trade, but he never said no, or turned someone in need away. And if there were ever a group of people in need it was the Resistance. Azul had never heard Keenan share is opinion on the rogue group. He would merely grunt if they needed help and do what he could.

“I will come with you boy,” Azul said as he grabbed a leather bag from the wall and went to the back room and began to fill it with bottles of herbs and potions. He grabbed bandages and wraps and a few minutes later stood by the door. “Come on boy,” he called, “Lets go see these friends of yours.’

King Morgan Darkrai

It took me by surprise when Deliah left my arms and called me Daddy. After she apologized, I just chuckled. I winked at her and said, "Feel free to call me that when it's just us. It'll be our little secret, my dear sweet Deliah." I kissed her forehead and took my leave. Abnormals can't steal the elements I have, so I was safe for them to touch without any consequence. I was reunited with the Royal Guard and escorted to my bedchamber where the Queen and Kali. The latter was looking uneasy for some reason. While the Queen went to take a bath, I asked, "What's the matter with you, Kali?"
Kali answered, I'm afraid the Resistance may be getting their information from inside the castle. Like you, I'm afraid of the Resistance. But what makes me uneasy is that I watched the Queen send a pigeon somewhere. I had to kill the bird to prevent it from reaching its destination. The Queen is one of the Masked Rebels. Look into her closet if you don't believe me.
I looked in the closet and saw a mask right there. Much to my horror, Kali was right. My wife- my beautiful Queen- was one of Them. I took to the bed and waited for my moment to strike. As I heard light footsteps come my way, I closed my eyes to make myself look like I was sleeping. Once Kali called me to look out, I struck with strong black orb. My wife fell down with a dagger in her hand. I dressed myself in my kingly attire and dragged my wife's corpse to Kali. I told Kali sternly, "I don't want the Resistance to know I'm now in on them. Take this wretch to the North Hill and leave her there. Let Them know she's been compromised and paid the price with her life." As I watched Kali carry my wife's corpse way, my stomach churned so much I was too sick to leave my room. I laid down in my bed and dozed off there, sleeping my sickness away.

Spoiler

Morgan means "The Masked Resistance" when he says "Them." He's too scared to say "The Masked Resistance," even around the guards.

Delilah:
The king told me I could call him whatever I wanted when it was just us. The others couldn't know. To them I was simply a leader picked because of skill. Having anyone know that I was nearly his child could put my life and his in jeopardy. I look over my sleeping troops from a mothers eyes. I walked to my bed, tucking some in, whispering "sleep well". I got to my bunk at the very end and laid down for some well deserved rest. It wasn't long until my sleep was disturbed by a knock on the door. The messenger, King Morgan wanted to see me. I closed my eyes and nearly fell asleep standing up. I had to go.
"Get someone to keep an eye on them" I mumbled, throwing a thumb over my shoulder. I walked into the castle and to the bedchambers of the king. He was lying in bed looking sad, almost sick. I slid tiredly over to the bed and sat down next to him, pulling my knees to my chest and burying my face in them.
"Whats the matter, daddy?"

King Morgan Darkrai

I looked up and saw Deliah, my nervous sickness obviously showing on my face. I held her close to me and said, "My dear Deliah, I have done such a wrong it sickens me to the core. Today, I have murdered my wife in self-defense." I sniffled. If I ever were to get this emotional, I would do it in front of Deliah. "My dear Deliah, I had no choice. My wife was one of Them- the Resistance. She would've murdered me if I didn't act. I had no choice but to commit such a crime. How will I ever forgive myself, my dear Deliah? How? I don't know what to do. I feel sick because I'm nervous. The latter is because of Them."
Deliah embraced me and buried her head in my chest, dozing next to me like a little child in need of comfort after a bad dream.
A guard asked me if I wanted Deliah removed from my chamber.
I answered sternly not to dare take her from me, for I wanted her to come and needed her at my side. I looked at the other side of my bed and saw Kali. She had shrunk three times her original size and was glaring at Deliah. I said sternly, "Kali, I know you're jealous of Deliah, but I hope you get used to her before those Rebels take my life. But that's if they take my life."
Kali said lowly, Let's not forget, you have the Fire-Water sorceror and his spirit-bat going on some wild goosechase for your sister. Frankly, I just hope she's not as hard-headed as the Captain of the Guard.
I growled, "You don't know Meredith, Kali." I yawned, then began to sleep with Deliah still resting in my arms.

Delilah:
King Morgan pulled me close.
"My dear Deliah, I have done such a wrong it sickens me to the core. Today, I have murdered my wife in self-defense." He began to cry,
"My dear Deliah, I had no choice. My wife was one of Them- the Resistance. She would've murdered me if I didn't act. I had no choice but to commit such a crime. How will I ever forgive myself, my dear Deliah? How? I don't know what to do. I feel sick because I'm nervous. The latter is because of Them."
I wanted to say something but my tired body had begun to shut down. I buried myself into him, like a young girl, not the 19 year old I am. I thought about my real father as I fell asleep. Would he be hurt by my replacement? Soon I was asleep, but still on guard. This feeling never went away, having to protect, having to keep an ear out for problems in the ranks or on the streets. The feeling was troublesome, rarely did it let me sleep peacefully. All sleep came with nightmares, cold sweats and fear. Not long after falling asleep I woke with a start. Who was watching my barracks?
"My King,I have to get back to the cottages."
I had a responsibility to the Abnormals. It didn't feel right not being there for them, especially now.

Jasmine | Palace Cells

I stared at him in silence for a moment before shaking my head in disbelief. "You want me to 'tell you about you my myself'? Do you think this is some kind of joke? God... that man might have been a jerk," -I gestured at the disappearing figure of the Captain- "but at least he understood how this works. I'm your prisoner. I'm not here to exchange pleasantries with stuck-up palace boys." With that, I took a step back, sitting down in the centre of my cell and folding my arms across my chest.

The man's smile remained intact, and he spoke again, his tone no different than before. "Being imprisoned is no reason for us not to get along. I assure you, your well-being will be looked after for as long as you stay here." He looked down at the ground for a moment, inspecting it lightly, then sat down to stay at my eye-level. "Please, tell me about yourself." Great. So he was sticking with the let's-be-friends method of interrogation. My scowl deepened and I felt a warning twinge of pain come from the collar as my frustration grew again.

"What part of this don't you get?" I hissed, coming closer to the bars again. "I'm in here because I want to kill you. So you can be smiles and politeness all you want, but that doesn't change the fact that I want nothing more than to see you, the King, and every other person who carries out his orders, dead by my hands."

A slightly pitying tone had come into his gaze, and he shrugged lightly before speaking. "I really think it would be in your better interests to co-operate."

I made an aborted half-snarl, resisting the urge to reach through the bars and see how long it took me to wipe that infuriating smile off of his face. I glowered at him again before turning away, my gaze fixed on a blank spot of wall on the other side of my cell. "Sorry, but I don't feel like sharing today."

King Morgan Darkrai
A few years ago
Before kingship

I was walking in the woods when I heard the bawling of a child. Out of the goodness of my heart, I followed the crying to a small child of possibly six or seven. It broke my heart just to see a child so young be alone and without someone to care for her. I felt sad just looking at the little tyke. She looked half-starved. I took a small piece of bread and offered it to the child. I asked kindly, "You hungry, little one?"
The child stared at me timidly, like she was afraid I would hurt her.
I got down on one knee, still offering the bread. I said, "It's alright, sweetie. I don't bite."
The child snatched the piece of bread and ate it hungrily. She resumed staring at me, like she couldn't trust me.
I got on both my knees and spread my arms. "Don't be afraid, little one. I won't hurt you, I promise."
The child shook her head and protested, "I hurt you! I not normal!"
I blinked. An Abnormal child?! My heart broke more. I said kindly, "It's alright, little one. You can touch me. I'm not going to lose my magic by your touch. Come here and let me hold you."
The child walked towards me timidly, but got in my arms nonetheless.
I held her close to my chest and carried her to a small hut near the Aradian Castle. I told her I would raise her myself since her family wouldn't accept her. I took great care of her like a loving father and I knew she adored and respected me as if I were her father. She told me her name, and I told her mine. We became like father and daughter, even during my kingship.

The present...

I rose from my nap. Deliah had already left to babysit her troops. I combed my hair and took my leave to the cells. Fenezari was trying to strike a conversation with the Fire sorceress, but to me it wasn't going well. I said calmly, "My old friend, let me handle this. Go take a break. Let me handle this the proper way."
Fenezari left after a brief bow.
I looked at the sorceress and said calmly, "Let's talk, pretty lady. Let's start with your childhood."

Merry pounded her fist on the desk. Chaos reported to her that there most important ally, The Queen, is dead. Found on top of a hill. She couldn't stay sitting at her desk any longer. Something need to be done and it wasn't going to happen while she lazy around, letting others do her work. No! It was time for her to do her part too. She walked out of her office. Everyone near it saluted her as she walked past them. She stopped walking and so did the people's whispering conversations.
"I have bad news to report. Queen Amy is dead. Our greatest and most imporatant ally is dead." Merry said, looking amongs the crowd. For a moment, she studied everyone's expressions. Some were in angst and others were expressionless. "We need to act now. We are on our own. Be brave, my fellow fighters. She was bound to get caught anyway. Morgan is not stupid. So, don't be like Amy. That is all." She kept walking past the crowd behind her. 'Stupid idiot. Stupid people. Stupid Morgan.' She thought to herself.
"What is wrong, my dear?" Anubis, Merry's spirit animal, asked. "You know when you are angry, thunder comes. Rarely, you are sad. It rains less and less by the day. I guess you are not crying like you used to." Merry stopped in her tracks. "Ha ha, Joke all you want to. Unlike you, I have work to do."

Kasis Balti

It was early this morning that one of my informants came to me and told me of the captured resistance fighter.
As a lowly constable, I am officially not privy to any sensitive information like who will be getting tortured or not and when. However, the crown underestimates me frequently. I have a nice little web of spies who keep me informed as to the royal goings-on. In fact, I have such an influence in most places worth mentioning. Except the resistance.
So, understandably, this news was of interest to me. The moment I heard it, a plan began formulating in my head. A few silvers can persuade most people, I thought.
But what if they're one of those devouts?
It doesn't matter. If they turn down my offer, I'll go back after they're tortured. I'm sure they'll have reconsidered.

I grinned, dropped a few coins into the spies hands, and went to my room to begin scheming.
"You see, Kasis." I said to myself under my breath. "Patience is rewarding. Things are gonna start kicking off soon, and knowledge is power..."