[open] november catch-all

[subigito]

Who: Astarion & Anyone
Status: Open
Where: All over!
What: November MANTA Board, Event, and Other Random Prompts--all will be in comments and I'll add as the month goes on.
Warnings: Nothing yet, but Astarion is a field full of trauma and makes a lot of things nsfw so tread carefully and feel free to use his opt-out if there's anything in specific you don't want to deal with.



November Event: Undeadly Experiments

MANTA Board: Claws & Companions
MANTA Board Gallows Gambit
MANTA Board Pollen Plants (nsfw + dubcon)

Comments

all tied up

[vermilloci]

[ It's the scuffle she hers first, then the swift twang of a blade tossed through the air that catches her attention. She turns her head in his direction just in time to see how he catches the dagger behind his back. It's impressive, to say the least, but also a bit extravagant, especially when discretion is best in this situation.

While she isn't too terribly worried, as she has her own means to escape, she is worried for the others who have been captured and bound. Rem lowers her voice. ] What are you doing? [ Her own hands and ankles are bound similarly, but she manages to lean in. ] They'll see you.

[ And then what? She doesn't know if the other hired guards have orders to kill all on sight should there be any single attempt to escape. Then again, perhaps paladins-- even corrupt ones-- have a bit more honor than gunmen corralling prisoners of war. ]

[subigito]

That's not a very good reason to stick around, is it?

[ His voice is quiet, the hushed and yet perfectly enunciated tones of someone who has had to sneak in shadows plenty of times before. He manages to get his wrists free and from there its easy to cut the ropes on his legs.

He stands up, looking down at her with his knife still out. ]

But if you'd rather stay, then I'll leave you as I found you.

[vermilloci]

[ As he rises, her brow lowers along with the corners of her lips. Now that he's made swift, short work of his own, it'd be foolish to not accept the assistance. A knife is definitely less flashy an escape than, say, a burst of magic, anyway.

She glances to either side of them-- so far, no sight of another paladin, guard, or executioner. This could be a perfect chance to go. ]

...Cut me loose. [ A beat. ] Please.

[subigito]

Very good.

[ He says it like a teacher admonishing a student for getting a lesson right and then kneels down and cuts the ropes on her wrists first and then her ankles. ]

Shall we get out of here, then?

[vermilloci]

[ Her nose scrunches at the tone, but says nothing until the bindings are off. Nursing her wrists, she stands on her feet. ]

And leave the others behind? [ --To their executions, at that, and it seems that they've already made a stir among the other captives. Some are beginning to come to, looking at the both of them eagerly. ] You can't be serious.

[subigito]

[ Astarion's expression hardens. ]

Weren't you just complaining about getting caught? Which is it, you want to save everyone, or you want to get out of here safely?

[ He was totally serious about leaving everyone behind! ]

[vermilloci]

[ Ugh don't question her girl math!! His stony expression is met with a stubborn one of equal caliber.

Kind of, anyway. The puff of her cheeks make it look like she's pouting. ]

Two prisoners escape, and you don't think they'll slaughter the rest on sight? At least a single guillotine gives some time to come back later with more help. So, it's either we save all now, or never.

[ By the defiant, albeit naive, look in her eyes, it seems she believes her own words-- and will do this rescuing with or without him. ]

[subigito]

[ Astarion sighs dramatically but nods. Her logic is sound and, really, he's more of a party member than a party leader, so if she really wants to do this, he'll just follow her into danger. ]

Fine. But we'd best make it quick. Do you know how to pick a lock, or do you want to take the ropes and I'll take the locks?

[vermilloci]

I’ll undo their ropes. [ Lock-picking is no where near any of her skills, and so she gives him a nod, turning to begin her work.

Rem moves quickly over to where the other captured are lying in wait. With a bit of magic, she singes the rope apart just enough to unravel them. Some captives are despondent, and for them she offers her reassurance. Others take more convincing to remain quiet, giving them instructions to not move it’s clear the paladin and his henchmen are not near. To each, she gives a few doubloons so that they may buy and change their clothes as soon as they’re free. Best to not be easily identified as an escapee.

When she releases the last of them, Rem stands, walking to where the white-haired stranger is. By his features, he guesses he’s another otherworlder like herself. ] Do you need some coins, too? To buy new clothes after, I mean.

[subigito]

[ Astarion makes quick work of the locks in kind, each one easily giving way as he picks them with his tools. Between the two of them they've managed to free most of this night's captives. The Paladin isn't going to be happy in the slightest.

Of course, he's not as altruistic as she is with her money. He's got plenty, but when she offers he's not about to turn her down. ]

That's kind of you. It would certainly help.

[vermilloci]

[ Without questioning, she deposits the coins into his palm, and with the compensation all distributed, she moves towards the wall, sidling up to the corner. It seems that their captors have brought all of the accused near an alley beside the docks. Palates of cargo have be pushed to the sides of the warehouses, and giant crates block all but one exit. A small platform lies in the center of the clearing, showcasing a set of nooses swaying from a beam above.

Clearly, the paladin’s plan for executions is unsanctioned. Otherwise, why hold capital punishment in such a secluded area? Not to mention, the guards wear no officers’ uniform. All of this appears extrajudicial.

She waves Asterion over, nodding her head in the direction of the platform. ] There’s one exit. I’ll create a diversion by destroying that platform… Can I count on you to lead these others out?

[subigito]

[ Astarion takes the money and pockets it. Thanks stranger! Astarion approves!

But he doesn't just cut and run (much as he'd love to) he follows her over as he watches her formulate her plan. ]

Me? What are you going to do if they catch you?

[vermilloci]

[ At his question, she gives him a single, passing glance, followed by an innocent raise of her brow. ]

I would escape.

Again.

[ ~logic~ ]

[subigito]

I helped you escape. So what are you going to do if it's just you alone?

[ Not that he cares! she can just get captured again if she wants, really! ]

[vermilloci]

[ Obviously, she would just use her magic to escape!!

—Is what she’s about to say, but instead she presses together. It could be risky, maybe next time they have some sort of means to negate her magic. While she does have experience overcoming such negations, better safe than sorry. ]

Will you help me, then?

[ He seemed so eager to leave… ]

[subigito]

[ It's like this...he is eager to leave but he is more eager not to have to be in charge of shepherding a bunch of people out. Lesser of two evils. That is all it is! He is not a good person and he does not want to help her! Definitely! ]

Well I can't let my good efforts to go waste, so, yes, I suppose I will. The others will find their way out.

[vermilloci]

[ As much as she'd feel better to have someone go with the escapees, he does have a point. Two points, actually, in that it's safer to work together and that it's not as if the captives are helpless. ]

Okay. [ She concedes, and then pressing her body against the crate, Rem takes another look around its corner. ] I'm counting... two guards and one executioner near the platform. Wherever the paladin is, he's not in sight. [ Which means he could appear. Or maybe he's arresting more poor, hopeless innocents.

Fire would be the easiest type of magic to use on the gallow, but the smoke could also signal for others to come. ] We should prioritize taking out the men first. [ A pause. ] Ready?