In the greyness and drizzle of one despondent dawn...

[culbutiri]

Characters: Nesir Aeser and you
Setting: Floor 20
Format: Prose but I will switch
Summary: Aftermath of being a drone.
Warnings: just event stuff and dark thoughts

When Nesir had seen the dress laid out on her bed she had almost lost her temper, cut it up and thrown it away. But she had forced herself to stay calm because it had been given to her to provoke that reaction, to make her lose control. And she wouldn't, she had put it on instead, transferring the poisons to the hidden pockets, and moving her daggers across.

She had never worn it before, it had been stowed in her trunk in the temple after Lotte had thrown it at her in anger, I had it made specially for you, and I almost had to bury you in it.

Only fitting that she should wear it now then, beyond death. A soul trapped, away from the natural order of things and kept, contained.

Theirs to do what they liked with. Nesir sat on floor twenty, at the edge of the tower, legs dangling off the side staring out into the fog and emptiness. She remembered every moment, the pain, the brainwashing, the feeling that everything was alright, her actions, what she had done, attacking, killing.

She had been controlled before, both as training and punishment. Her body a puppet. It happened rarely, for she rarely disobeyed, had never disobeyed before she went to the temple. Yet this had been different, because her mind had always been her own. She might not be able to speak, to move except on the whims of whoever was pulling the strings, but she could think, she could curse them silently, she could fight back mentally.

But even that had been taken away, her mind had been theirs, she had obeyed them mindlessly. Helpless, like a child, unable to fight back, not even wanting to...

And as far as she could gather there was no reason except that they could.

Causing chaos, it was a motive she could get behind but these were blasphemers, they worshiped no shadow god, they stole souls, they played with life and death itself.

Her life and death, her soul, her mind. She was more than a puppet, she had proven that. She made her own decisions, she was her own person. She was Nesir, she had made the name her own, she was Culbu. She had earned a name, and she had earned her free will. She was obedient, she was loyal. She didn't need to be controlled.

But these people played by no rules she knew and seemed determined to prove her wrong.

She would destroy them, she did not know how, or when, but she would. She didn't know if the shadow god could hear her hear, but she closed her eyes and pledged it, the destruction of this place, the blood of everyone who stood against her.

Comments

[culbutiri]

[She tilts her head, she didn't think anyone had ever told her they liked talking to her before, she must be getting better at conversation.]

No one do be controlling me and getting away with it. [At least like that, her mind was her own.] I will be destroying them.

[chevalier_mal_fet]

[Lancelot's smile reappears as a grim version of itself.]
A laudable goal.

The do seem intent upon antagonizing some of the more powerful among the captives here.
I cannot think what they wish to accomplish by it, since it does not seem to have cowed all into obedience.

I myself was not controlled. Though several-- companions and acquaintances of mine suffered greatly.
Have you a plan, then, in service of your Goal?

[culbutiri]

[She nodded, she wasn't sure either, except information. Which made them seem week, if they had to go to such lengths to learn what was going on.] They do be delighting in suffering, and it will be being their downfall.

[She frowned] I will be having one. When I do be thinking of it.

[chevalier_mal_fet]

Strategy was ever among my strengths, but this place-- it seems made to unsettle the faculties.
I have made a thorough study of the rooms of our prison, of those such as I could reach, and now that I have knowledge, I will attempt a plan of my own.

Though I too know not what that might be-- yet.

At times I fear I will simply be driven to murder. Which I would not so mind, only reckless action is not rewarded in this place.

[culbutiri]

No, I do no be thinking killing everybody will be finding us a way out of here. [Or she would have already tried that.

She stared out into the mist frowning, too much thought down this road could lead her to say something she would regret. And light addled as he very possibly was Lancelot was one of the more interesting people she had met, she wouldn't want to lose his friendship.]

When we did be first meeting you did be saying we could be sparing... Would you still be wanting to?

[Now she had seen his strength and power she knew she would lose, but that didn't matter so much. In fact it was sort of the point, he was so much stronger than her but she could fight him. She had that much power, that much autonomy that she could make that decision.

It was a proof she was human.]

[chevalier_mal_fet]

We are in agreement then, Nesir Aeser. If Killing were the answer, I would have died many times over in this place seeking the lives of our keepers.

[Lancelot seems pleased by the suggestion of a spar-- and he enjoys this young woman's spirit and admires her canny nature, as well as her fortitude.]

The honor, indeed the pleasure, would be mine-- to spar with you.
You may name the time and place, and I shall ready myself for your knives.

[Lancelot's smile is slight, but genuine.]

[culbutiri]

Can it be being now? [She looks down at the lilac dress she is wearing and shrugged] Lotte did be promising that I would be able to be fighting in it. [Might as well test that, she stood up and drew her daggers, holding them so that the blades pointed up her arms towards herself, crossed her arms in front of her and gave a bow, and a huge grin.]

[chevalier_mal_fet]

[Lancelot cannot but return that grin, even if in some lesser measure. There is something affirming about a good, hard spar.
As he admires her display, he obliges with one of his own-- a black fog gathers swiftly and takes form as he extends his palm, Arondight's hilt appearing in it. He raises the finished blade vertically before his face, nearly touching his forehead to the chains winding around the hilt-- and thus salutes Nesir.

He lowers the sword to his side, point down, before speaking again.]

Verily. I shall be well pleased to meet you now, Nesir Aeser.
Where shall we Battle-- in this place? Or some other ground?

[culbutiri]

[That brings a wider grin, she is impressed.] This place do be being as good as any, unless you do be being afraid that you will be falling. [The floor was large, unless their fight got majorly out of hand it was doubtful they would fall from the tower.]

[chevalier_mal_fet]

No, I do not fear to fall.

[Lancelot finds her grin infectious, and so returns it. Knife-fighters present unique challenges, and he feels ready to fight.
He brings Arondight up to guard, nodding at Nesir over the blade.]

When you are ready then, Nesir Aeser-- make your strike, and we shall begin.

[ooc: We can handle this however you like! Action or continuing in brackets are both fine, so is handwaving the spar in large part, or whatever you're at home with, really!]

[culbutiri]

[She nodded and brought her own knives up, he would probably be able to see straight away that her form was odd, mostly to compensate for her missing digits, and it would be probably obvious to a trained fighter that despite her dual wielding her stronger attacks would come from her left.

She ran towards him, aiming to slash at his side, knowing she had to be quick.]

((OOC: I am cool with anything, I enjoy writing spars so as long as you do I am cool with writing it out. As for the format, again whichever is easiest for you!))

ooc: Hurrah! I'm happy with the bracket/action hybrid!

[chevalier_mal_fet]

[Quickly. A lightness of foot is required when fighting a knife-wielder that is not normally called for from a tall man wielding a broadsword. But Lancelot is a warrior of long experience and he lets Arondight find her own center, moving with her as he dodges and comes about to face Nesir Aeser.

He will not use his other Noble Phantasms here, for this is a spar. His sword will be his only weapon. He brings the blade back as he feints to his opponent's left, his objective to leave her less well-guarded right side further exposed. Then he will strike.

He does grin at her, his teeth bared.]

[culbutiri]

[Her left dagger comes down to block as she steps to the right, quickly changing her movement into a backwards roll as she realised it was a feint.

She stood up out of the roll and grinned back, daggers up, waiting for him to attack again, whilst looking for week spots, places she could strike.]

[chevalier_mal_fet]

[It was very well done. The best bit of a spar is always coming to know one's opponent.

A broadsword is a direct weapon by its nature. Lancelot makes a seemingly simple charge, seeking to overwhelm and drive Nesir backwards with his height and reach.
Should she dart beneath his blade and seek his side again, he will turn and sweep her legs out from underneath her with one of his own.]

[culbutiri]

[She darted forwards, not wanting to be pushed back and managed to anticipate the sweep, rolling forwards and spinning round as she stood, before going straight into a strike at Lancelot's other side, one dagger striking as the other remained in a guard position.]

[chevalier_mal_fet]

[Merely a scratch, but this is his only suit. Lancelot does not seem put out by it, but rather seems almost approving. This is how reach and power are gauged, by degrees. If he were fighting to kill, it would be another matter-- but it is challenge enough to hold himself in check.]

[She moves with the strike and he follows the dagger as she draws it back, seeking to trap it in the hilts of his sword and wrench it out of her grasp.
In a breath he is upon her and the dagger falls a few feet away, only to stick point first in the floor.

Lancelot raises his sword, waiting for the young woman to retrieve her weapon.]

I await your pleasure Nesir Aeser. Come for me when you are ready.

[culbutiri]

[Her triumph at landing even a sort of hit faded as her dagger span out of her hand. It was a good thing about dual wielding though, she had two daggers.

She raised an eyebrow as he raised his sword though, but nodded gratefully and, not taking her eyes off him, retrieved the dagger and ran at him again. This time instead of stabbing she kicked out, aiming at his thigh hoping to unbalance him a little.]

[chevalier_mal_fet]

[Raising Arondight's hilt to shoulder hight, he moves his weight into the kick, pushing forward at speed-- seeking to break past her defenses and drive her back against a wall.

She is quick, is Nesir Aeser, and whether he should succeed in driving her or no, he is mightily entertained.]

[culbutiri]

[Quick she may be but she is a lot smaller than him and so she is driven back by his weight. She brings her daggers up to guard, her eyes darting to try and find a way out, before she brings her knee up, aiming for his ribs, or stomach to try and give her some room.]

[chevalier_mal_fet]

[Lancelot meets the hilts of her daggers with his blade, edge sliding long them until it catches-- so seeks to disarm her again. Then her knee finds his gut and he breaks stance, pulling back with a grin, his hair fallen partly in his face.

Not knowing how Nesir will respond, he breaks back, making a gesture that she should come for him.]

[culbutiri]

[He got a grin back and she leaped after him, dagger aiming for his shoulder this time, a high strike but her second dagger remained low, to protect herself.