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

[cherry_reyer]

Cherry hadn't spoken, hadn't moved. Her jaw was clenched tight enough to cramp. She couldn't stand this. Down in the dungeon, curled up in a corner of her cell, she was hyper-aware of every millimeter of her skin. It was cold and damp and dirty and crawling. She had a secret. Cherry's secret was that she was afraid of the dark. Not the dark really, night, more than anything else. But the fact that she could barely see wasn't doing wonders for her occasionally damaged psyche. Her common sense told her that nothing was going to sneak up behind her and bite her neck...but common sense had difficulties winning out over irrational fear.

River's voice pierced into her mind like a knife. She wanted to say he sounded like Erik, but it wasn't true, not exactly. Nor did he sound like Ganondorf Dragmire. She couldn't quite match him to any of the villains of her past. He was something else. And she wanted to face him.

[man_and_monster]

Royal stops by her and Tamber's cell fourth. He ignores the boy, and looks straight to Cherry.

"May I have your answer?" he asks.

[cherry_reyer]

Cherry bristled. "I had no intention of acting against anyone until I was attacked," she barked, facing out in no particular direction. "Why did you attack us?" she demanded. "What are we to you?" There was a whine rising in her voice, she couldn't help it. She hated feeling helpless and alone and afraid. It only made her feel even more helpless, alone, and afraid. She planted her hands on the walls, trying to pull herself up to her feet.

[man_and_monster]

"Easy," said Royal, holding out a hand. His voice wasn't patronizing, but reassuring - warm, somehow. "I was given word that there were Elves here, that had taken over Jhelbor, which is a city in rightful Demon territory. I attacked as I did because the Elves are currently our enemy."

He laughed, a little ruefully. "We had to no conception that this was now a city of Majiks."

[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

Cordy, Demyx, and Cassandra

[melodyofwater]

Demyx had, for the most part, tried to keep a cheerful demeanor. It was thwarted by being surrounded by so many demons, though, especially since that fight obviously hadn't gone so well. For the elves, anyway- it went pretty good for the demons.

He watched River give his speech, and concluded that this guy probably didn't know about the gate. Brilliant reasoning, I know. But after that, he was quiet until the demon came around.

Re: Cordy, Demyx, and Cassandra

[cordy_estwynde]

Cordelia was sitting on the ground of the cell and petting Maurice, who had come skittering back to her after the fighting had ended. Her head hurt something terrible. Whoever had knocked her out had not been gentle about it. But then again, she mused, it was probably difficult to be gentle when you were knocking someone unconscious. Unless you were pinching certain nerves, she had heard that was possible but had no idea what nerves they were. And there probably wasn't time for something like that when someone was pointing an arrow at your heart. Or wherever she had been pointing those arrows. Her aim wasn't really that spectacular. Still, she was glad everyone seemed to have survived--everyone that she knew, anyway. Lottie, Cherry, Hood, Bret

[man_and_monster]

The fifth cell, the one with three, might prove to be an interesting challenge. He didn't know how these dynamics might play out.

Keeping his voice as gentle, even and friendly as he had before, he stopped by their cell. "May I have your answer?"

[cassie_of_troy]

Cassandra stood up, walking directly to River and the bars that separated them. She scrutinized him carefully for a moment. On first impression, she judged him to be horribly charismatic and commanding. Both ideal qualities in a general. Or god. Still, there was something off about him. She couldn't quite put a finger to it. A part of her was very tempted to reach out between the bars and touch his hand, just to see if it caused the feelings but she refrained for the time being. She had a feeling it wasn't worth the risk.

She stared at him a minute or two with her unblinking, black eyes. "I have no abilities," she said softly, "And I have no idea who you are." She paused. "And therefore, I have no quarrel with you." Other than the fact that he had beaten a little girl and thrown her into this prison.

[ruathanrefugee]

JY remained sitting on the cell floor, his knees pulled up toward his chest with his arms draped over them, balancing his wrists on his kneecaps even as River spoke. He couldn’t help but wonder how they could possibly be worth the trouble. He knew little of magic and what effort it might take to perform it, and despite what this demon implied he certainly had none himself. But a wall of fire trapping the city? 100 demons participating in the attack in the prison alone? It seemed like a lot of effort to imprison about a dozen people. So there must be more to the demand.

[man_and_monster]

Lhoral stayed silent and unresponsive, as River Royal stepped out, in front of their cell.

He clasped his hands behind his back, ignoring the Elf. "May I have your answer?" he asked.

[ruathanrefugee]

He thought perhaps he should stand, approach the demon, but he felt safer further removed. Safe enough to ask, “What exactly do you mean-not act against you?” He had to make the question clearer. “Do you mean just not fight against you with weapons? Or to follow your every word?”

[man_and_monster]

"Neutrality is perfectly acceptable," said Royal. "Forgive me, but I think compelling obedience, and drafting soldiers, is both foolish and entirely uncivilized."

He straightened, a hint. "However, I must look out for the safety of those under my command. Thus, I cannot release those who would try to hurt them."

[lottieinasnap]

Lottie didn't like being in a cell. People weren't meant to be caged and restricted against their will, without the simple joys of life. But she had been the one to surrender, the one to give up her will to whatever they wanted of her. And so she had no room to complain

[itworks_bitches]

Hood still felt a little weak, and his arm ached where Cho had accidentally cut him. It had been attentively treated, stitched up and bandaged, and he had to admit that his impression of the demons had improved post-battle.

Not the least because of the words of their leader. The prospect of training, of information, was sorely tempting.

After all, he'd risked himself and his friends before for the promise of less.

He did have a few questions, though. And fortunately, River Royal seemed like he might be willing to answer them.

[man_and_monster]

These two were in the second cell that River Royal stopped by.

He paused, next to their cell. "May I have your answer?" he asked, his eyes bright, piercing.

[lottieinasnap]

"You may, but I have a question too. If you don't want our allegiance, and you don't want to kill us, why did you attack us?" She asked it confidently, because she really was curious. She had never gotten a straight answer from the woman that had socked her a good one.

Speaking of, her jaw was still really sore. She was a bit afraid to catch a glimpse in the mirror.