[Nexus] Skyside: The City of Eventually

[Ashen Lilies]

No, sir.
Tempest replies.

[SLAVE - Basement]

The being nods, as if to himself. In some ways he preferred his 'clients' to be unaware of his true nature - lack of prejudice tended to make them more easy to negotiate with. On the other hand, it could also make the temptation all the more sweeter, if the client knew what they were dealing with and what they had at stake, and accepted the offer anyway.
"My name is Ambrosius, and I can help you take revenge on those who have humiliated you."

[Lady Serpentine]

Slave Shopping- Shaman & Apprentice

'Eleven' nods and walks to the minotaur, drawing the rune on his stomach after wetting her finger from the cut upon her shoulder.

The minotaur bellows in pain, anger, and futile rage; the Zygerrian flinches at the sound.

"Very good; now, repeat this: Grahuul kull morta hruuk; kraesharka hraan tkoal. Kraesh. Hraaghesh. Kull morta graesh. Garuuk kahol mraak. Rukaal!"

Should she do so, the kyton will be bound into the minotaur fully, twisting its body as you feel appropriate for such a thing, and tied to the girl, to some extent, follow her orders if not given conflicting ones by Gnarshuul.

SLAVE Tieflings & Fey'ri

Since Makaria and Ashara were here last they have restocked. The cages are filled with humanoid girls and women aged from 13 to 30, though most are between 15 and 25. Few of the girls are human, but they're all humanoid, and mostly attractive.

The shopkeeper is behind the counter, examining a fourteen-year-old half-elf with delicate features, brown hair, dark brown skin and green eyes; she's wearing purple underwear and has her hands manacled behind her. She's staring defiantly back at him, though there's a trace of fear in her eyes. In her nose is a small brass ring.

Ashara approaches the counter, looking curiously at the half-elf, trying to see if there's anything wrong with her that such an inspection can reveal without being blatantly obvious.

Assuming there isn't, she coughs politely, flashing a smile at him. "How much for that one you're looking at?"

[Earl of Purple]

Slave Shopping- Shaman & Apprentice

"Grahuul kull morta hruuk; kraesharka hraan tkoal. Kraesh. Hraaghesh. Kull morta graesh. Garuuk kahol mraak. Rukaal!" Her wording is hesitant, and her pronunciation is perhaps not as good as it could be; but it's good enough for the Kyton to take over the minotaur, straining its muscles and pulling its limbs free from the chains. As it stands up, it is clearly taller- at least ten feet, now. His horns have regenerated, and are longer than ever. The chains which had formerly bound it snake towards the minotaur and wrap about its limbs, binding with his flesh. His eyes are glowing red orbs, and brimstone-scented smoke is exhaled from his bullish snout with every breath. His first act is to get down on one chain-wrapped knee and bows to the gnoll and her apprentice.

The Zygerrian looks on in awe, and the half-orcs are backed away, smelling of fear, terror and urine.

SLAVE- Demon-Blooded

"A shop down the road sells professionals. I don't; I sell pretty young things for looking at, like this one. This one's [moderate amount of money]. Just arrived, my newest." The slaver smiles as he talks.

[Arkhosia]

[SLAVE - Basement]

The being nods, as if to himself. In some ways he preferred his 'clients' to be unaware of his true nature - lack of prejudice tended to make them more easy to negotiate with. On the other hand, it could also make the temptation all the more sweeter, if the client knew what they were dealing with and what they had at stake, and accepted the offer anyway.
"My name is Ambrosius, and I can help you take revenge on those who have humiliated you."

When do we start?
Tempest asks.

"Very good; now, repeat this: Grahuul kull morta hruuk; kraesharka hraan tkoal. Kraesh. Hraaghesh. Kull morta graesh. Garuuk kahol mraak. Rukaal!"

Should she do so, the kyton will be bound into the minotaur fully, twisting its body as you feel appropriate for such a thing, and tied to the girl, to some extent, follow her orders if not given conflicting ones by Gnarshuul.



Ashara approaches the counter, looking curiously at the half-elf, trying to see if there's anything wrong with her that such an inspection can reveal without being blatantly obvious.

Assuming there isn't, she coughs politely, flashing a smile at him. "How much for that one you're looking at?"

Slave Shopping- Shaman & Apprentice

"Grahuul kull morta hruuk; kraesharka hraan tkoal. Kraesh. Hraaghesh. Kull morta graesh. Garuuk kahol mraak. Rukaal!" Her wording is hesitant, and her pronunciation is perhaps not as good as it could be; but it's good enough for the Kyton to take over the minotaur, straining its muscles and pulling its limbs free from the chains. As it stands up, it is clearly taller- at least ten feet, now. His horns have regenerated, and are longer than ever. The chains which had formerly bound it snake towards the minotaur and wrap about its limbs, binding with his flesh. His eyes are glowing red orbs, and brimstone-scented smoke is exhaled from his bullish snout with every breath. His first act is to get down on one chain-wrapped knee and bows to the gnoll and her apprentice.

The Zygerrian looks on in awe, and the half-orcs are backed away, smelling of fear, terror and urine.

SLAVE- Demon-Blooded

"A shop down the road sells professionals. I don't; I sell pretty young things for looking at, like this one. This one's [moderate amount of money]. Just arrived, my newest." The slaver smiles as he talks.

Tyra gives an acknowledging nod and leaves to said shop.
Makaria is skippable unless addressed.

[Devixer]

Warehouses:

"TAAAAAAAAKE" the creature screeches as it tries to push itself away from Ashley. It stumbles backwards and falls to the ground as it clutches it's frozen chest. The chest of the creature crumbles and cracks as it turns to a shower of silvery medallions, revealing underneath, a suits lapel with a red rose attached.

As it scrambles to pick up its medals and attach them back to its chest, the vines reach out again, this time for the throned creature's club, grabbing and hurling it at the lady wizard.

Ashley gets hit in the shoulder hy a club, and staggers back a few feet. Once she regains her footing, her hands suddenly look like they turn into ice, and she runs right back at the creature before trying to grab it, intending to freeze the plant matter.

[happyturtle]

SLAVE shop - selling Asinoe

SLAVE Shop

Unfortunately, the shop does not sell healing potions, though there is a slave's accessory shop down the road that does sell them and he offers to send Harribald down to buy some. New underwear to replaced that which is being shredded by the whipping will not be offered, however.

They do sell collars, however, should the elf want one- or two.

The offer for Harribald to run errands is accepted, and the elf drapes zir own cloak about the whipped slaves shoulders. When the healing potions are brought back, ze gently cups the girl's head and pours it into her mouth, careful not to choke her. "If you have any goodbyes to say to your family, you should do so," the elf tells Asinoe. "Do not pack any weapons, equipment or clothes. Those will be provided. When you are ready, step into the carriage." The elf purchases one well made set of matching collar and manacles, but does not put it on the whipped slave. Instead, once she's healed, ze'll escort her carefully into the carriage to wait for Asinoe.

[Earl of Purple]

SLAVE- Selling Asinoe

The girl turns to her father and asks, in British Sign Language, if she can keep her favourite whip- the one she just used. The shopkeeper will then translate, unless the elf shows signs of understanding the motions.

Regardless of the answer, she'll dart off into the house to bid goodbye to her true mother and her other mother, and as many of her siblings and half-siblings as she can find, telling them to give her love to the ones out collecting more stock.

When she returns, she will now be wearing a pair of slightly muddy trainers and clean socks in addition to her previous attire. If she wasn't allowed to bring her whip, it has been left on Harribald's bed; if not, it remains looped around her waist like a belt.

The whipped slave's injuries heal with the potions she drinks, as she is unshackled and holds the cloak tight about her practically-nude form. She doesn't resist being led to the carriage.

[happyturtle]

SLAVE - Selling Asinoe

She was told to leave her whip behind.

In the carriage, before Asinoe arrives, the elf turns to the whipped slave. "What would you like me to call you? I won't demand your true name if you do not wish to give it, but I will not choose a name for you either." He's very gentle with her.

[Earl of Purple]

SLAVE- Selling Asinoe

"Zoe. My name is Zoe." She sounds scared, and her voice is hoarse from crying and screaming.

Asinoe will return shortly- most of her older siblings are out collecting slaves, and many of the younger are playing elsewhere or attending school.

[happyturtle]

SLAVE - Selling Asinoe

Once Asinoe is in the carriage, the elf knocks on the roof, which signals the driver to come around to the side. That will keep her from escaping out that door. Zoe is sitting on the far side of the carriage from Asinoe, with the elf in the middle.

"Let me see your hands, child," the elf says. If she shows him her hands, the elf will quickly manacle her. If that is successful, the next thing he'll say is, "Your family sold you."

[Earl of Purple]

SLAVE- Selling Asinoe

The girl does as she is told, and holds out her hands, looking up in surprise when she is manacled. She looks on in confusion at the elf's words, but says nothing- with her hands bound, she is effectively gagged, and I don't think the elf knows the language she 'speaks' anyway.

[happyturtle]

Leaving SLAVE

The elf attaches the collar onto her, then thumps the roof as the signal for the driver to remount the carriage and drive away.

"Zoe, how did you become a slave?" the elf asks. "Were you betrayed by someone, the way Asinoe was?"

[Earl of Purple]

Leaving SLAVE

"Sort of. Her brother runs a hostelry near the docks, and when I ran out of money to pay rent, he said he'd give me a night on the house and took me from the room I was renting in the middle of the night. I was in chains before I woke up." Zoe is confused about what's going on, but she's telling the truth. Asinoe's older siblings use various methods to keep their father supplied with slaves, and that is just one of many, though more profitable than most as they can observe whether or not their tenants are going to be missed before they make a move and take money even from the ones that will be missed.

Asinoe is just shocked, uncomprehending as her neck is enclosed within the collar.

[happyturtle]

Leaving SLAVE

"Ah, but not betrayed by family. Did you know, Asinoe, that your father consulted with your two mothers before agreeing to sell you?" He watches her face to see if she seems to believe it or not. "Zoe heard the negotiations. She can confirm. But then, you'd probably think she'd say whatever I expected her to, since she is my property now. Perhaps you cling to the hope that your parents didn't know I meant to put you in chains, and would attempt a rescue if they knew."

[Earl of Purple]

Leaving SLAVE

Asinoe seems confused mostly, but does believe it- she knows her father didn't think she would be a good slaver due to what he saw as her excessive sadism. She knows her older siblings would likely attempt a rescue, but not her parents.

[happyturtle]

Leaving SLAVE - Cloudtops - The Heights

The carriage enters an underground parking garage for one of the residential skyscrapers and stops near a private lift. The elf orders the girls out and into the lift - though either or both might have a chance to make a run for it.

[Earl of Purple]

Cloudtops; The Heights

The two girls follow obediently- Zoe because she's not sure what's going to happen next and (perhaps mistakenly) believes that the elf will treat her well. Asinoe is still a bit too confused and is too busy trying to understand what's going on not to obey.

[happyturtle]

The Heights

The lift is rather luxurious looking, with upholstered seats built into it. The elf doesn't sit, but he doesn't mind if the two slaves do. He presses a numerical sequence into a keypad, which he makes no particular effort to hide. "I am The Venerable. You will address me as such. Asinoe, you will be given paper and pen, though you may teach any of the other servants your sign language if they are willing. Zoe, do you know how to use a whip?"

[Earl of Purple]

The Heights

Zoe will sit down, but Asinoe won't. She nods at the elf's words though.

"No, I don't." She thinks she knows why she was bought, and her mouth is curling up in a smile.

[Gullara]

SkyParkHappyFunLand

"I'm sure it is," Aiden says, being decidedly optimistic about the big cat. He heads to the ship with Dana, looking around at the other sights as well.

SKYPARKHAPPYFUNLAND has no slaves!

There is lots of screaming from the participants on the ride, though surely they are screams of pleasure and fun, and not of terror! The rat maze of a queue manages to keep them from viewing the ride directly. When they finally get to the front, a bored looking teenager with an eyepatch and fake hand hood waves them into their seats. "Yaar, All aboard, me hearties! All aboard!"

Once everyone is seated in their row, a bar comes down to hold them in place. Since there's a rather large Uruk-hai on their row, the bar is stopped several inches above their thighs. But I'm sure that won't be a problem!

Also, a minor enchantment on the ship causes most of the riders to lapse into pirate speak. Yaaaar!

[SkyParkHappyFunLand]

Dana is grinning as they board the ride, and she seats herself right close to Aiden. She is sure looking forward to this. When the bar comes down, however, a look of mild concern replaces her grin. "Do you think there's supposed to be this much space?"

[Lady Serpentine]

Slave Shopping- Shaman & Apprentice

"Grahuul kull morta hruuk; kraesharka hraan tkoal. Kraesh. Hraaghesh. Kull morta graesh. Garuuk kahol mraak. Rukaal!" Her wording is hesitant, and her pronunciation is perhaps not as good as it could be; but it's good enough for the Kyton to take over the minotaur, straining its muscles and pulling its limbs free from the chains. As it stands up, it is clearly taller- at least ten feet, now. His horns have regenerated, and are longer than ever. The chains which had formerly bound it snake towards the minotaur and wrap about its limbs, binding with his flesh. His eyes are glowing red orbs, and brimstone-scented smoke is exhaled from his bullish snout with every breath. His first act is to get down on one chain-wrapped knee and bows to the gnoll and her apprentice.

The Zygerrian looks on in awe, and the half-orcs are backed away, smelling of fear, terror and urine.

"Very good, Grahaan, especially for a first time." Gnarshuul smiles and pats her head lightly, apparently quite pleased, before turning her gaze on the devil-infused Minotaur, examining it curiously before she resumes speaking. "Your name?"

The others are ignored for now,

SLAVE- Demon-Blooded

"A shop down the road sells professionals. I don't; I sell pretty young things for looking at, like this one. This one's [moderate amount of money]. Just arrived, my newest." The slaver smiles as he talks.

"She seems to be a viable one for some of our needs... Looks somewhat restive, though. But I think we can handle her." Ashara gives a quick glance at the slaver, wordlessly asking permission to examine her more closely.

---

[Down The Street]

A short time later, Ashara enters the same store Tyra went to!

[Ashen Lilies]

[SLAVE - Basement]

"Before I leave here, I will grant you a small measure of my power for a small amount of time. More than enough for you to make your way out of this place, and perhaps pay back a little bit of your suffering on all those inside." Says Ambrosius. "However, with this gift, comes a small price."

Ambrosius holds out a hand, and a small sigil appears above it, glowing redly in the air. Floating above the sigil is a small mark. "For your escape, I will require one favor. This is my first price. For each of your captors you choose to get your revenge on, the price will increase, and the number of favors you owe me will grow." The small mark above the sigil duplicates several times, creating an array that rotates clockwise around the sigil, before disappearing.

[Devixer]

SkyParkHappyFunLand

The piratey enchantment doesn't work on Aiden, for whatever reason. He seems more than affable to Dana sitting close to him, though he's mostly looking at the gap between them and the safety bar. "...No, I don't. Best keep a grip on it." This was why he liked individual restraints.

[Arkhosia]

[SLAVE - Basement]

"Before I leave here, I will grant you a small measure of my power for a small amount of time. More than enough for you to make your way out of this place, and perhaps pay back a little bit of your suffering on all those inside." Says Ambrosius. "However, with this gift, comes a small price."

Ambrosius holds out a hand, and a small sigil appears above it, glowing redly in the air. Floating above the sigil is a small mark. "For your escape, I will require one favor. This is my first price. For each of your captors you choose to get your revenge on, the price will increase, and the number of favors you owe me will grow." The small mark above the sigil duplicates several times, creating an array that rotates clockwise around the sigil, before disappearing.

Deal.
Tempest replies eagerly, offering a hand.

[OrchestraHc]

Ashley gets hit in the shoulder hy a club, and staggers back a few feet. Once she regains her footing, her hands suddenly look like they turn into ice, and she runs right back at the creature before trying to grab it, intending to freeze the plant matter.

"FuhreeEEEeeEe" the vine monster warbles. Instead of engaging Ashley, it reaches its tendrils around its thorny brethren an lashes its other hand out, sending vines to grip the roof of another warehouse building. It almost flies from the scene, as it takes itself and its compatriot away from the icy witch.

Now it's just Ashley, in a mossy alley, with a pile of strange medallions on the ground.

[Devixer]

Warehouse

Ashley looks up at the creature as it flees the scene. She crouches down to pick up one of the medallions, examining it before continuing on her way to where she needs to go.

[happyturtle]

SkyParkHappyFunLand

Spoiler: Pirate Ride

Show

[SkyParkHappyFunLand]

Dana is grinning as they board the ride, and she seats herself right close to Aiden. She is sure looking forward to this. When the bar comes down, however, a look of mild concern replaces her grin. "Do you think there's supposed to be this much space?"

SkyParkHappyFunLand

The piratey enchantment doesn't work on Aiden, for whatever reason. He seems more than affable to Dana sitting close to him, though he's mostly looking at the gap between them and the safety bar. "...No, I don't. Best keep a grip on it." This was why he liked individual restraints.

Yes, individual restraints would be safer. But they'd also cost more!

As the boat starts rocking back and forth, they'll hear lots of pirate chatter amongst the other passengers. "Shiver me timbers!" "Aye! This be a bad idea, mateys!" and so on. It's good that they're holding on tightly, because about the time the boat reaches the halfway point, perpendicular to the ground, gravity will be trying to pull them loose. And on the row in front of them, a halfling starts to slide out of her seat!



The Heights

Spoiler

Show

The Heights

Zoe will sit down, but Asinoe won't. She nods at the elf's words though.

"No, I don't." She thinks she knows why she was bought, and her mouth is curling up in a smile.

She's probably right.

The lift opens to a luxurious penthouse flat. If the Venerable can afford this place, then ze can probably have bought every slave on slave alley without batting an eye. There is a male servant polishing a mirror who immediately turns and kneels as they exit the lift, but a female servant uncorking a bottle of wine merely bows her head in acknowledgement. Both are dressed nicely, though not in any particular servant style attire. It is only obvious that they are servants by their tasks.

"Lewis, fetch a notepad and pen for the younger girl. Her name is Asinoe and she is mute. Fleur, pour wine for all of us, and then show Zoe to where she can find clothes."

Lewis, a young looking elf, is quite speedy in returning with a leather bound notebook and pen for Asinoe. She's free to begin writing whenever she chooses, and a glass of wine is offered to her.

Fleur, an older plump woman who is not entirely human, pours three glasses of wine, and turns to Zoe. "You can bring your glass with you, shaeshille." she says, her Nexus Common Tongue heavily accented.

[OrchestraHc]

Warehouse

Ashley looks up at the creature as it flees the scene. She crouches down to pick up one of the medallions, examining it before continuing on her way to where she needs to go.

Warehouses

The medallions are all uniform, a silver wider and thicker than your average gold coin. On one side of the medal, is a strange stylized X, and on the other is an iconograph of a rose. Supernatural examination reveals they all have a certain psychic emotional resonance.

As far as the nest, signs imply Ashley is quite close. Plant life squeezes through the cracks of concrete in greater numbers than in the rest of the district, moss grows along corners and walls, not to mention that they attacked her from here.

[Gullara]

SkyParkHappyFunLand

The piratey enchantment doesn't work on Aiden, for whatever reason. He seems more than affable to Dana sitting close to him, though he's mostly looking at the gap between them and the safety bar. "...No, I don't. Best keep a grip on it." This was why he liked individual restraints.

SkyParkHappyFunLand

Yes, individual restraints would be safer. But they'd also cost more!

As the boat starts rocking back and forth, they'll hear lots of pirate chatter amongst the other passengers. "Shiver me timbers!" "Aye! This be a bad idea, mateys!" and so on. It's good that they're holding on tightly, because about the time the boat reaches the halfway point, perpendicular to the ground, gravity will be trying to pull them loose. And on the row in front of them, a halfling starts to slide out of her seat!

[SkyParkHappyFunLand]

Dana is way too distracted with screaming and clinging to the bar that's supposed to be holding her in place to notice what the other people on the ride are doing. Is that guy actually slipping right out? She doesn't know, she's trying not to do the same! "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"

[Devixer]

SkyParkHappyFunLand

Right now, Aiden's main thought is that he really misses safety regulations, and he's about half of a second from screaming himself. Unfortunately, he's too preoccupied with fighting gravity to notice the halfling starting to slip out.