escordvi | OPEN | Going Around Like A Revolver

Entry tags:

OPEN | Going Around Like A Revolver

Who: Turo & More
Status: Open
Where: Short stop in an Eltrut jail, ultimately Elah's Prison. | B r e a k - o u t s
What: Growing Tension; what happens after being arrested.
Warnings: TBA

Whether it be for the short moment that Turo was in the Eltrut jailhouse, sitting in one of the cells and only able to listen, waiting for the Paladins that had taken him in to arrange for a guarded passage to Elah. Apparently they hadn't really thought they would find him as quickly as they had- as if he would have run. Should have been expecting them.

Already there was so much suspicious there, already knowing they had the wrong person, but-

There was some sort of shackle around his neck, engraving on the inside of it -he had felt them- likely nullifying the magic the tattoos gave him.

Which was upgraded one he was put into the larger cell he was shoved into once on Elah, led into that prison much the same way as he had been captured; not allowed to walk on his own and someone suspecting he had to be stronger than he looked with how heavy he was.

Still, even there he simply sat and tried to piece together what he had managed to overhear. Overconfidence made certain types of people talk far more than they realized after all.

"... This is a mess." Something he had said to himself more than once already.

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(They considered just busting him out themself. They also considered posting bail but that wasn't given as an option.

...They figured finding out what's going on was more important than rushing in.)

Turo?

[No bail, they were sure that had caught one of those so very closely related to what was going on with crystallization of people and animals to sell as statues- and whatever else was linking with the whaling being done. Those that had caught him so smug, how he had made it so 'easy' for them—

That slipping of clues to what was being placed on his head.

He perked up a little, tuning back in as he-]

Hello, Chris.

[Sitting on the bench shackled to the wall, much as he was even by that one around his neck.]

(Well, they'll just save their money then so that when Turo is proven innocent they can buy a lawyer and come after these fucks for every rule bent in their rush to apprehend this supposed "criminal". They may, in fact, say something to that effect with a smirk that should, perhaps, be disconcerting in its confidence and its threat.

Inside, they are a bundle of panic and rage.

Fuck, they put a collar on him?)

Damn, who'd you piss off this time, Rocks for Brains?

(In Re-Gene sign Did they hurt you?)

[They put a collar on him—]

Apparently the wrong person- they seem to think I was purposefully making myself heavier to make them 'look weak' as they were hauling me in.

[So, so dryly stated, even as his eyes flicked from Chris to the direction he knew the guards and officers were in. Gathered he wouldn't be in this cell for long.

Nothing that will linger.]

It can't be worse than how they're gonna look rushing an arrest for someone trafficking animals through the Conservatory when it would have taken maybe an hour to have someone undercover come and verify that no animals have ever gone missing from the Conservatory.

(Everything tracked. Known. Verified. Taking for granted that there was a crime because there could be. A logical fallacy..

Good.)

They may be that desperate, given how long this has all been going on. An attempt to save face, or even their own jobs?

[He was still trying to decipher just what was going on. If they were part of it, or just... stupidly doing their job out of desperation. A mix? All he could tell was it was linked to more than just the auction houses- those crystalized people as well.

They think my heavier weight was me doing some sort of magic or other.]

Well, that's gonna backfire. Any decent lawyer would take them apart.

(There's a tone there that might be familiar: Chris will make sure that that lawyer gets to divest these sorry, desperate assholes of their jobs and their reputations.

It's probably better than knowing the truth.)

It is not terrible difficult to prove at I have never been to... most of the places involved with the statues. The only time I have been near them was helping free those trapped within.

[A reason he was able to treat the crystalized animals brought to the sanctuary. Still he didn't really understand why anyone would want anything of the sort.

Agreed.]

I mean, yeah, but they don't even need to go that far, considering that from what I overheard they're accusing you of selling sanctuary animals.

(You'd think the cops would, you know, bother to verify that sanctuary animals were being sold, or that any had like, disappeared literally at all before arresting someone for it? Like, the crime they're charging for just straight up doesn't exist.

I don't trust them not to be in on the business. The other part of that sentence, that Turo is the sort who might end up sold on the very market he's being accused of selling to, goes unsaid. They're unsure if they want him to realize so it'll be safer, or if they really hope he doesn't.)

Also using it as a cover to smuggle other rare or endangered species. Something does not sit right- other than them accusing me of this.

[Fingers drummed on cell bars, the movement idle.

Someone higher has set them on me. I do not know who, of course. Someone part of the Paladin higher up, or something close to that level.]

Let me guess: they don't have any evidence that the animals in question even exist?

(Because every animal brought into the Conservatory is documented. Because the animals supposedly being smuggled don't exist.

Figures. The rich and powerful are all to happy to bend the rules of society to their whim. And then. It's too dangerous to let them keep you.

They doubt he can keep his secret inside a prison. And well, they've seen what the morals of his captors are.)

They said that it will be easy enough to find now that they know where to look- I worry for the others working there, and the animals themselves. If one of those ho returns is...

[If it was someone involved the people and animals could be in danger again. They needed protection, had already been trouble.

For the moment they believe I am 'fucking' with them through some charm or something, because I am heavy. Hence the fact they had him in shackles, the collar was simply to negate the tattoo and was one from Eltrut's jail.

There is much to worry about.]

(Their fists clench.

Can't hit the bars, they'll just injure themself ...and the cops will probably take it as an excuse.)

I'll keep an eye out for trouble.

(By which they mean they'll stay at the Conservatory and telepathically monitor the animals as best they can.)

Security is pretty good, at least. (Lots of strong people ...provided the cops don't arrest them all.

Dojima is looking out too.

...Assholes.)

[A nod-]

The place will need as many hands as it can get, given I do not want to imagine how some may try to take advantage.

[Of any chaos that could come of this. He doubted he would be the last, and there would be a lot of fear and disorganization some would no doubt love to take advantage of.]

I trust those who have volunteered.

[Good. I doubt the Paladins are the only ones involved here.]

Wouldn't be surprised if whoever staged this was hoping to do exactly that.

(A motion like cracking knuckles, but without the full noise. That's not a Re-Gene gesture, but Turo will probably understand it just fine.

And then. Yeah, they all suck. Or at least, something with a similar sentiment. A more literal translation might be "they're all useless bread thieves".)

Keep a sharper eye- I have a feeling more than natives are involved.

[There had been riftfarers coming here for a few decades at the very least after all, some of the more integrated ones could have gotten themselves into the same high stations as well as any native after all.

I believe someone may have been watching me. A tail of sorts, just to try and make the story fed that much more believable at the very least.]

Probably.

(Think I should watch when you get out? In case whoever was watching him returns.

Fuck. They should have thought about the possibility of this. What other things have people been spying on?)

Edited 2025-04-07 08:15 (UTC)

Hopefully this unrest... does not have reason to last much longer.

[If there is still trouble, yes. I may not be going many places for a while at least.

Not when he first gets out- which he hoped was soon, even if he was staying just long enough to try and piece a few other things together. The Captain of the Royal Fortune definitely didn't seem happy about any of this.]

(They snort.) Hopefully. (They doubt that'll be the case.

May have to lie low for a bit.

Or longer, if they decide to slap a charge on him for being broken out, but they don't say that.)

Rather a swift end come than not- but the fact that these people are acting now means some have gotten too close.

[A slight nod, a hand rested against bar as fingers curled.

So I would imagine, possibly for the best.]

Even if we're close, we'll need law enforcement to be trustworthy to actually do much.

(If the cops refuse to move against wrongdoers, that will make things difficult. Especially if they say, retaliate at civilian attempts to mete out justice.

Yeah.)

I am afraid it is not law enforcement we have to worry about, but those higher. I do not simply mean one or the other either.

[There was something there. Something more, and narrowing focus would... not help, if anything the division was what was being sought. Play sides against each other to distract from the whole if those sides looked together to spot it.

For now I can handle myself- see what others may have heard.]

Keep the people beneath them fighting so no one can stop them taking what they want.

(And the cops don't have the "authority" to stop them.

Tell that to Dojima.)

This tension we all feel... may be due to the fact people have gotten close, and they need this fighting amongst the groups to cover themselves. Even could be a distraction for just that.

[Distracted with personal slights and likely further strain things; division weakened after all. The sides were one thing, but they tended to work together- this was done purposefully.

I will once I do see him. He is likely trying to prepare for what time will be missed at Cosmo.]

(He's also making bombs.

Might as well give him a heads up on that.)

I'll believe we're beating them when they're all dead or in prison.

(Yeah, sure, Turo vould easily be right that the traffickers are running scared but that just makes them more dangerous.)

He doesn't hear about (and see the video of) the abduction until Turo has already been spirited away to Elah prison. Once he does, he teleports there and calmly but firmly negotiates a visit to see the professor.

Emet-Selch waits until the guard walks out of earshot before gripping the bars and pressing himself against them.

"What in the seven hells is going on?" he hisses. "What did you do to offend them?"

"That? I am still trying to figure out- other than my weight apparently being some form of resistance." Which was why Turo was, well.

A much nicer and likely meant to be heavier metal collar around his neck with some runes engraved along the inside of it, dulled points pressed against skin. Shackles around ankles that were fixed to one of the walls- and a pair on his wrists. He could at least stand and move near the bars without making noise; fingers curled around the chains at his wrists.

"They are accusing me of crystalizing those people, on top of trafficking rare animals."

Emet-Selch's gaze is immediately drawn to those magicked bindings. It's something he could probably undo given enough time, but that is not something you do without a thorough plan. Not to mention how inadvisable it would be in the heart of the Paladins' stronghold. While he doesn't care for their creed or practices, it IS useful to have an allegiance to a larger organisation so that one may exploit their resources.

"Are they daft? You aren't some errant magician. Although I can understand why they would think that about the animals."

The Pokemon the professor keeps do stand out.

"Do you need me to argue your case for you?"

It was certainly something upgraded from the sort of collar had on Eltrut, but it seemed as just with most other things Elah prided itself in having state of the art items; even to go with its prisons. Turo was, as a result, far more aware of his energy levels incase the runes managed to have some affect on his core; so far so good.

"That is part of it; I can understand the reasoning, more so if someone is attempting to use what is true to add some backing to these accusations." But could fall very short if some effort was made to look into it.

There was a slow breath; he ad been using some of his time to think-

"If it is needed. Right now I do not think they will listen, given the amount of pressure being leveled onto these cases. There is also good reason to believe someone here is trying to use me as their... scape goat- is that the correct phrase?"

"Aye. A scapegoat. They wish to show that something is being done regardless of whether 'tis right or not."

Emet-Selch had been fending off the occasional attacks as well but up until now he had assumed it was because of his efforts to thwart hunting of rare creatures. Is it part of a larger trend, or...?

"I believe Dojima went after you but I see he failed to get you out. Where is he now?"

"Which means it is someone that knows what submissions I have been turning into the Archive, along with a few other things." So someone has been watching him, possibly someone on Elah and... had someone been following him? Even another riftfarer could have been paid to do so, easily blend in. "I do know the captain of the Royal Fortune wanted no part in this and seemed to deeply disapprove of matters."

So this was definitely something more on Elah and their council than any of the actual armada. Still, Turo couldn't help but wonder just how closely he was being watched, or if this had just been convenience for whomever was framing him.

"He likely missed me on Eltrut due to needing to make sure things at Cosmo can continue to run smoothly- Nanaki has been taken as well, some time after I was. Now? I can only imagine he is planning something."

"Did he now? The paladins are not as unified as they think they are then."

Well, the paladins have never really been a unified front of lawfulness anyway. Emet-Selch doesn't spend much time here on Elah but he's very good at keeping quiet and listening to others talk.

He glances in the direction of where the guards are and lowers his voice. "Tempting as it would be to rescue you now, I suspect that would only paint a target on my own back and ruin another man's plans. I have noticed that I'm being followed and ambushed more frequently of late. Mayhap 'tis connected."

Looking back towards Turo, he adds, "I'll set a ward around the conservatory after I leave. Your creatures will be safe."

"She likely has other things important to her than whatever parts of the council hold- like ill gotten riches; we can hope that the Corsair's Stormbringer Captain feels the same way, given there are people there with their hands bloodied as well."

Working together in... something terrible, as it was clear enough the whaling tied into things with young whales appearing at the Auction house. Nasty business, really.

A small nod, letting out a breath- "It may very well be, as those involved in that auction house raid -and a few other connected issues- tie together. Means those involved have more than enough to pay, and some desperate enough to keep secrets no wanting any sort of threat left." He was convenient, dabbling in the crystal cure and taking care of rescued animals.

"I deeply appreciate it- those animals were rescued once already, and a few only just rid of the crystals growing on them."

"Professor Turo?"

The voice comes from the next cell over, heavy with weariness— it's not often that Gale of Waterdeep allowed himself to be seen as anything short of optimistic, but his usual cheer is nowhere to be found. Unsurprising, given the circumstances; he sits on the edge of the cot in his own cell, hunched forward with his hands clasped over his knees, a device similar to the one Turo wears around his own neck to keep his magic at bay, a matching set of manacles about his wrists.

He'd seen the altercation that had been caught on Turo's phone some days before, well before Gale himself had been cornered by the authorities, and his brows knit together as he realizes that Turo must have been brought somewhere else before coming here.

He exhales, getting to his feet and taking a few steps towards the neighboring cell. First things first.

"Are you hurt at all?"

Had certainly been a time, that brief pause still on Eltrut before they managed to bring him to Elah. Enough time to try and weigh options given he doubted they would let him go easily given what exactly they were accusing him of—

"Gale?"

Looking up from where he had been staring at his own shackles, moving carefully to stand as a hand rested just against one of the horizontal pieces of bar of his own cell.

"Not terribly, despite their efforts." Still thinking he was making anything when they tried lifting him difficult on purpose. Better they think it was something magical than the real reason- "What about you?"

The wizard lets out a sigh of relief as Turo gets to his feet, a bit worse for wear but clearly in one piece— the skirmish he had borne witness to had him worried the professor might be otherwise, but given the circumstances, he was, perhaps, as well as could be expected.

"No harm done," Gale confesses, uncharacteristically somber, "Though I imagine it helps that I came quietly."

He wouldn't have expected anyone else to do the same, but he had been too worried about what resisting might do, had things gone awry.

"How long have you been down here?"

"It would- they took a few things I can not help as... a personal slight," it was said with a little wince. He really couldn't help that he was heavy with their efforts to carry him out.

Turo also couldn't help the slight outburst when he had been accused of poaching, using the animal sanctuary Cosmo Conservatory to help smuggle rare creatures. Aiding in crystallizing—

Still, a hand rested against those bars.

"Between the cell on Eltrut before they could get a boat to take me here? Not too long, feels as if nearing a week, but I have been having some difficulty keeping up with time."

Turo?

[The familiar voice comes not from Turo's cell, but one across and a bit aways from his. And if Turo were to peek out from his own cell, he'll see Nanaki peeking out from the bars of his own cell... or well, as much as he could. Around his face is a thick metal muzzle, and his paws jingle with each step as they too are shackled; probably to keep him from running off. He's got a similar collar around his neck as well, likely also nullifying his tattoo.]

Is that you?

[Oh—]

Nanaki- whenever did they grab you?

[His own shackles rattling from the chain attaching him to a wall from one of his ankles. Fingers curled around bars the moment he had made it there, doing his best to see just where Red was from voice and sound of movements alone. Frowning once he caught sight of that muzzle.]

I heard mention from those who took me in that they were going to head back to Cosmo, but I never imagined...

[That they were looking for him.]

Not long after they took you.

[He's glad he's found Turo, but that does little for their situation right now. He tries to rest a paw on the bars, but it's difficult with his own binds.]

They said I was a wild animal and took me in. The only reason they brought me here was one of the Paladins recognized me. Are you alright?

I did hear they were going to go back...

[They had just wanted him out before any of his pokémon could get back, as assured as the guards seemed to be that they had the right person. Afraid to fight back given what was going on as they took his heavier weight as a slight against them-

Maybe he should have.]

More reason to believe something very wrong is going on here- even if some of them are not in on it. I am as alright as I can be. What about you? Those restraints...

[Some of the Prisoners may here a loud BANG, one of the metal doors in the Guards room being slammed open--

And someone yelling--]

I know you lot aren't that stupid. You have the wrong man.

[Some- movement, like people getting up, someone telling the intruder to calm down-]

I am calm. This is a trumped up charge, and you guys know it!

[Apparently, Dojima really knew how to make his voice carry when he wanted to--]

[Ah- there he was. It was incredibly hard to misplace that voice even if so much attention hadn't been called from the slamming of metal doors.

Turo looked up from where he had been looking towards a different cell, seated on the bench hanging from the wall.

... That tone. He just hoped none would take it as some excuse to 'apprehend' Dojima in turn with how some of them were acting.]

[There was a sound of books dropping on a desk--]

--This is Florentino Turo's own records here. Compared to the reports we've given to the Armadas when any of them bring in a animal under our care.

[Dojima was leaning over, showing the... honestly? Ridiculously extensive notes the man took, drawings of the animals--]

Along with my own records and report on what I and another man were able to free from an Auction house-- if you notice, all of them are accounted for. Any one of you could have done a incognito check to our records and our grounds if you want to confirm Turo was not involved. -- I also have found out that you recently took in the other owner of the Conservatory, for what? Because you thought hewas one of our animals and wanted to grab him too?

[A bit of sound, like a murmur-- before the head Guard spoke up]

Be that as it may, Mr. Ryotaro, we have reason to believe--

[Dojima immediately cut in--] Do you have anything to back up your claims?

We--ah, We have a confidential informant who said they--

Who? Where? What reason do they have to tell you this? What could they gain by giving you false info? Do they say where he was, date and time--?

Er--

Because let me tell you something--

[—which answered what Turo assumed was taking Dojima on getting to this prison. A thorough man, which was no surprise given his occupation as a detective. Reason that Turo knew he would do well taking on more of a job at the conservatory.

Was enough time to allow Turo to gather more of an idea of at least what might have gotten him in chain behind bars.]

--I'm a detective back home. I know how this shit works. This accusation came from somewhere high in the Paladin ranks for you all to act on it so fast you don't even do basic research into the person you arrest. Someone who'd have a good reason to get the heat of them by targeting someone who, on surface level could seem like a good fit for the crime. A rookie mistake. You didn't do your due diligence, because, if you did--

[A deep breath, and one of the Paladin's sounded like it was going to try and say something--]

You'd know he had a solid alibi because I live with him. [wow he said that a bit loud--] We always keep tabs on one another, and the animals at our apartment would make a hell of a noise if he tried to sneak out late at night to some 'secret lair' to do this shit. There's too many damn volunteers at the Conservatory for him to be trafficking animals or turning people into tacky crystal statues. We have several ex-soldiers who'd sooner report wrong doing to me than let it continue. You have the wrong man, so let him go.

[Everything being said was absolutely reasonable, made sense to anyone that would have taken any time to look into things rather than simply going off of—

That was said very loudly.

Turo had indeed heard it when Dojima spoke so loudly, but it had taken a few moments to register that the man had very much yelled they lived together.]

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OPEN | Going Around Like A Revolver

Eltrut Visit

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Elah visit

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Elah Prison

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Elah Prison

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- Backdated Before April - In Which Ryotaro Dojima Does a Prison Break

(ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧💥

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