Friends, Romans, Countrymen

[man_and_monster]

Who: River Royal, everyone else ever
What: The Demon offer
Where: prison
When: Wednesday midafternoon
Notes: Each cell tag in a different thread.

Comments

[weedyshyguy]

Bret had been considering whether this purple silk wrapped around his head made him look like Rambo when River came in. It was amazing how the man commanded the attention of everyone in a room. Bret could only dream of doing that on stage back home, and even with his surprising success he'd had here he was really jealous of the man's charisma.

His offer was tempting. Extremely tempting after being in jail for so long. But he just wasn't sure what to do. He was terrified of being locked up any longer but if he went against what everyone else was doing...He just didn't know.

He looked at his cellmate. Maybe he'd just do what she did. No, he couldn't leave the decision to her. That wasn't fair. God, I'm such a coward.

[man_and_monster]

Bret and Cho's cell was last, on the trip through the jail. But Royal looked no less refined, patient, and charismatic for it.

Ah, yes. This was the young woman who killed so many of the demons; and a young man who caved rather rapidly.

His voice was gentle. "May I have your answer?"

[weedyshyguy]

Bret had heard a feminine voice one cell agree to be good. He looked at Cho. She didn't seem likely to speak up for herself, but he didn't know that it would be in her best interests to speak for her.

He stood, tugging a bit nervously at the bit of silk wrapped around his head. If there was any time where looking like Rambo would be helpful, it was probably now. He stood a bit straighter than usual, sensing Cho moving to stay behind him.

"I won't fight," he said in a voice that was much weaker than he was trying to appear.

[tenuefarfalla]

Cho had listened to his speech, or part of it, because it had been almost impossible not to, but it hadn't reassured her much. This was the man who attacked a nearly empty city with an army ready for serious war for no reason she could see. What had they been doing? Who had they been hurting way out here? He was charismatic and charming - the kind of person you wanted to get to know, the kind of person you wanted to consider you a friend. He was a bit like Gabriel, in that regard, she supposed, but then decided against it. Gabriel was warm and genuine and caring. You wanted him to like you because he was a good friend and an even better person. River Royal did not remind her of Gabriel at all, he reminded her of Chad, and as soon as the connection was made in her mind, that mind shut down. She didn't want to listen to him, didn't want to know him, didn't want to be anywhere near him. She moved even closer to Bret, turning her face so that it was completely hidden against his shoulder. She was out of tears, and that was the only reason

[man_and_monster]

Strange. The girl that fought so hard seemed nearly broken, in front of him. Clinging to one who, by all accounts, fought very little and folded exceptionally easily.

Well, no point in keeping them imprisoned.

"You're free to go," he decided, not asking for any more clarification, and nodded at the guard to let them out.

[weedyshyguy]

There was no point in asking for anything else. Cho was obviously terrified. When the guard had opened their cell, he reached behind him and took her hand, squeezing it gently in an attempt at reassuring her. So far his presence had seemed at least a little helpful, though she'd made no effort to speak or do anything other than cling to him so far. Sending a strained smile over his shoulder at her, he led her out of the prison.

[tenuefarfalla]

Cho had let Bret lead her out of the cell and past River Royal, looking at the floor the entire time, not wanting anyone to see her eyes, mostly because she wasn't sure what would be there. Her head was still hot and full and her hands hurt. Not as badly as they had yesterday, but more than enough to remind her that, no, this was not all just a bad dream. She remained restrained and tried to look as small as possible until they were out of the city center, then she dropped Bret's hand and picked up the pace, heading for her room and trying not to out and out run. She was not hanging around for Royal to discover that she had nothing to exploit.