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Champion
HUMAN
27 years old
IMPERIAL GENERAL
played by JIN
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this is a banquet inside a steel jail cell. look down on us from your guillotine.
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Post by HECTOR GRIMOIRE on Jan 23, 2015 2:35:16 GMT
It's rare for Hector to venture into Lower Town, and not because he dislikes it, but because there had never been a need for him to be there. On the other hand, it isn't good to stay away from the area for too long. This was where the majority of the population dwelt, and the area included people who were also included in those he had sworn to make decisions to defend them.
It is dark outside, colder, now that the sun has set. Hector tugs the front of his cloak shut once again. By now, he should have already been making his way back to the High City. He slips further into the Lower Town, passing by a few bars, a handful of men and women clad in each tavern's uniforms beckoning to rest awhile at their businesses. He passes by each, for they are not the reasons why he had decided to visit.
He had heard the painting was magnificent, hung in the window of the Lower Town's library. And indeed it was, glowing softly in the enclave's lights. The unicorn it depicted was wholly worth the exhibition, and it was truly no wonder that it had been selected as the library's art competition's winning piece.
What Hector had not expected was to see a boy curled up underneath the window, taking shelter under its awning.
"You'll catch a cold out here. If it's shelter you need, there are plenty of them scattered across the Lower Town that house people pro bono."
FINTAN
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Monster
MONSTER
played by KITTEN
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Post by FINTAN on Jan 23, 2015 2:52:29 GMT
Golden light had seeped from a window displaying a beautiful painting, the likes of which he had never seen before. It wasn’t that he had never seen art before; it was simply that the glimpse he had seen within the home he was kept in was nothing like this painting before him. The artwork alone had attracted him to lay beneath the awning with the radiance illuminating it as a nightlight against the darkness surrounding him. He curled up for sleep beneath it, with just his tattered cloak for warmth. But sleep would not come easily, nor would he be left unnoticed where he lay. That much became clear as a voice rose to fill his ears and rouse him from near-sleep. “I’m fine here.” He murmured, voice thick with exhaustion. “It’s cold, but I’m used to it.” In a cage, no one gave you a blanket for warmth. They gave food and water, yes, but nothing warm and soft to sleep in. He only had the cold, cold metal of the cage and the worn, splintered wood of his perch. That had been enough, and this would have to be as well. HECTOR GRIMOIRE
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Champion
HUMAN
27 years old
IMPERIAL GENERAL
played by JIN
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this is a banquet inside a steel jail cell. look down on us from your guillotine.
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Post by HECTOR GRIMOIRE on Jan 23, 2015 3:40:29 GMT
Homeless children were not an unusual sight. Granted, they were not as common as a sight as they would be in Old Town, but most decided to be resourceful and take refuge in a shelter. Hector arches a brow as the boy curls up under his tattered cloak. Albeit, his voice makes him sound ten times as more defeated.
"Then you have nowhere to return to," Hector responds, unfastening his own cloak. The lighter coat underneath it would do for the time being. If he hurried back to the High City, he'd be able to arrive home before it got too dark. "Even if you are used to the cold, that cloak of yours will do you no good. Take mine. You need it more than me."
With that, he steps forward, crouching down to the boy's level. He holds the cloak out to Fintan. It was not a real loss for him. After all, Hector had plenty.
FINTAN
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Monster
MONSTER
played by KITTEN
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Post by FINTAN on Jan 23, 2015 3:59:29 GMT
What trickery is this human trying to pull on him? He is certain there is some trick behind his kindness. In the short span of his miserable life, he never once saw a human display any sort of genuine compassion without a motive, and that was reserved for their own kind. Human had no kindness, feigned or genuine, to spare for monsters. However, he does wear the appearance of a human. He is sitting up now, with bright red eyes focusing on this blonde haired man. Their lids fall heavy over them, still burning with the need to sleep, but he is intrigued. “You would give me your own cloak?” He eyes the garment with unconcealed suspicion. There is obviously some catch, some trick behind this gesture. Would he make him work to pay off debt occurred from taking it? Or would it be something worse? “Why?”HECTOR GRIMOIRE
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Champion
HUMAN
27 years old
IMPERIAL GENERAL
played by JIN
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this is a banquet inside a steel jail cell. look down on us from your guillotine.
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Post by HECTOR GRIMOIRE on Jan 23, 2015 4:22:33 GMT
The question is a reasonable one. Perhaps, if this had been his only cloak, Hector would have been slightly more reluctant to part with it. But since he had a second and, most likely, a third back home, it would not necessarily be as missed.
"A second cloak can be bought with money. A life cannot." It is clear that the boy does not trust him. Instead of being offended, Hector is satisfied. The boy has survival skills, he thinks to himself.
Now that the boy is sitting up straight, Hector is able to get a better look at his face. He is covered in grime, dark circles under each of his crimson eyes. Life has not been kind to him. "Take it. I'd prefer if you kept it." And as if to add some extra reassurance, Hector does manage a small smile through his typically stern mien.
FINTAN
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Monster
MONSTER
played by KITTEN
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Post by FINTAN on Jan 23, 2015 4:57:56 GMT
The young phoenix studies this stranger’s face, searching for a hint of a lie in his clear green eyes. He can find none. “Thank you,” he mumbles now as he accepted the proffered cloak. The fabric is soft under his grimy fingers, which clamp on it as if he thinks it’ll be torn away from him the moment he grabs it. He pulls it around his shoulder, feels the soft fabric flow around his small frame. It’s a lot longer than the one he has now. “This is really nice.”His attention moves back to the man, taking in his smile with a degree of interest. Fintan tries to mimic the expression, which feels strange on the face that’s still alien to him. The hood of his new cloak comes up over his head to hide his face after he realizes he was being scrutinized. HECTOR GRIMOIRE
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Champion
HUMAN
27 years old
IMPERIAL GENERAL
played by JIN
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this is a banquet inside a steel jail cell. look down on us from your guillotine.
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Post by HECTOR GRIMOIRE on Jan 23, 2015 5:11:39 GMT
Little does Fintan know, the cloak was crafted of only the finest threads. Yet, the article of clothing held a relatively modest appearance, dyed a deep brown with black trim. "That should do a better job at keeping you warmer." Whoever he was, the boy must have had his reasons for avoiding the shelters.
Hector thinks to himself, if he were him, he would not appreciate unnecessary questions either. Not with a fatigued expression like that.
Speaking of which, he adds, "When was the last time that you ate?" By now, the majority of the hustle and bustle in the area has died down, leaving the two of them alone for the time being. He points at the cloak that the boy had wrapped around his form. "There should be a biscuit in the pocket. Feel free to have it as well."
"My name is Hector. How might I address you?"
FINTAN
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Monster
MONSTER
played by KITTEN
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Post by FINTAN on Jan 23, 2015 23:10:24 GMT
Never has he owned anything so lavish. The clothes and cloak he wears now are mere rags, barely held together by their frayed threads. And now he’s enveloped in this new cloak, which provides him with warmth beyond that of his old cloak. A bubble of gratitude rises up inside his chest, but it isn’t enough to dispel his suspicions. He is still on guard, waiting for any sign of threat. Fintan watches from beneath the rim of the hood. The man hasn’t tried to further engage him, and yet he hasn’t left. He can’t guess what he’s thinking. This isn’t the usual brand of human. And he can’t help his building curiosity. “You keep biscuits in your pockets?” Fintan sticks his grimy hands into both of the cloaks pockets, fishing hungrily for their contents. It has been days since he last ate. His body hasn’t been as responsive as before, fingers suddenly clumsy and heavy. He has been caught instead of slipping away with the coins he tries to pickpocket. It was all the fault of the man who cut him down. But right now he is more worried about stuffing his mouth with the flaky biscuit to indulge the rising bitterness and hatred for that human. And he finds himself asking before he’s swallowed down his mouthful of food, “Do you have any more food in your pockets?”He wipes crumbs from his lips. He waits for the name he’s taken for his own, and it comes sluggishly to mind. “Fintan.” HECTOR GRIMOIRE
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Champion
HUMAN
27 years old
IMPERIAL GENERAL
played by JIN
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this is a banquet inside a steel jail cell. look down on us from your guillotine.
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Post by HECTOR GRIMOIRE on Jan 24, 2015 0:37:36 GMT
It is true that the boy creates quite the juxtaposition with the too-large and nearly-new cloak over his small form. And now that he is warm, Hector finds that he can relax as well. The hood falls slightly over its new owner's eyes, but he is still able to catch the slightly brightening of eyes as he mentions the food.
He gives the boy an apologetic expression. "I'm afraid not," he responds. "That was all that I had on hand. I can get you more, if you'd like, back where I live. Alternatively, I can send someone with some for you, but I am unsure about its reliability." Unfortunately, it is past the de facto curfew; most of the businesses had already closed, and the only taverns that still had their doors open were filled to the brim with customers.
"Pleased to meet you, Fintan." The boy's name is the only thing that is certain, and if he is out in the cold, then he has nowhere else to be. "Have you considered finding employment?" Granted, if he had, Hector was not surprised that Fintan had been fairly unsuccessful. The majority of trade masters typically only accepted apprentices that already had some history with them.
FINTAN
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Monster
MONSTER
played by KITTEN
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Post by FINTAN on Jan 24, 2015 1:02:16 GMT
There is a narrowing of his eyes concealed by the hood. He examines the human before him one more time, still unsure if he can be trusted. A part of him, the irrational and hunger stricken part, is willing to put faith in Hector. But the other, the part governed by suspicion and distrust, irrational as well but convinced it is logical and what has kept him alive, thinks he should just take the cloak and run. There is one more voice to add to the turmoil in his mind, one he’s not accustomed to hearing. It’s on the ‘faith’ side and it tells him there is no harm in trusting this man. After all, he doesn’t know who Fintan is, what he is. “How far?” He realizes shortly once he’s said it that he needed to clarify his question. “How far do you live?”Fintan dusts the remaining crumbs from his shirt and hands. He’s a filthy, bedraggled mess already and he doesn’t want to add to it by wearing the remains of the biscuit. He even tries to smooth out his hair beneath the cloak with some degree of difficulty. “I don’t think anyone will hire me.” He muttered. “I’m not really good at anything, except singing. And there are minstrels that are much better than I, and I don’t know the words to any songs people are familiar with.” He conveniently leave out his other talent, one involving sticky fingers and pilfering pockets of their gold. HECTOR GRIMOIRE
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Champion
HUMAN
27 years old
IMPERIAL GENERAL
played by JIN
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this is a banquet inside a steel jail cell. look down on us from your guillotine.
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Post by HECTOR GRIMOIRE on Jan 24, 2015 1:25:16 GMT
"The High City." It was, by no means, "nearby", leaving the decision as to whether or not he followed up to Fintan. "It may be a walk. If it is too far, I can send someone for you." Albeit, this "someone" would be a stranger to Fintan, and the look in the boy's eyes was one that didn't seem to appreciate strangers.
"Is that so..." A thoughtful expression crosses Hector's face. He had figured as much, but things were a little different when a person offered to pay someone to teach a trade to their child. "Have you wished to be learn a trade in the past? If that is the case, I can arrange for it. Then, you would be able to feed yourself."
FINTAN
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Monster
MONSTER
played by KITTEN
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Post by FINTAN on Jan 24, 2015 2:28:02 GMT
He’s weak, still weakened by his recent revival from death and days gone without a decent meal. Walking a lengthy distance held no appeal to him, nor did making the journey with yet another stranger. If he was to place his trust in Hector, it wasn’t going to extend to anyone else. Trust wasn’t easily given, especially when your life was constantly on the line. “You’ll really give me food if I come with you?” He testing the waters, wanting to be sure before he followed this man all the way into the heart of the empire where champion, the men who’d love nothing more than his slaughter, resided in their lavish homes among other humans of high status and extravagance. “Promise?”He lifted himself up to stand, the fabric of his new cloak pooling around his feet. He looks as if the slightest breeze can knock his tiny, fatigued body down. But his bright red eyes are burning with life. He’s fighter if ever there was one. And he will accept this strangers gesture so long as he is sure no harm will come to him, and for as long as this human he oblivious to his true nature, that of a monster who only borrows a human’s face. That is his resolve. “I haven’t really thought about taking up a trade.” His answer is honest. Humans think of careers and trades to take up. Monsters think of survival, other think of the slaughter. “I don’t know what I’d be good at.”HECTOR GRIMOIRE
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Champion
HUMAN
27 years old
IMPERIAL GENERAL
played by JIN
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this is a banquet inside a steel jail cell. look down on us from your guillotine.
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Post by HECTOR GRIMOIRE on Jan 25, 2015 1:50:07 GMT
There is no reason for him to lie to Fintan. "Yes, I will," Hector reassures the boy. "I promise." The child was not an uncommon sight, especially once one ventured further down into Old Town. But this was only Lower Town, so there may yet be hope for him.
In truth, Hector is impressed that Fintan has managed to struggle to his feet. He had prepared to carry the boy back, if the situation called upon it. And it looks like the boy is, also, determined to walk on his own. Perhaps Fintan would be offended if he offered to carry him.
The resolution burning bright in his eyes was something that Hector typically looked for in others' irises.
"Then you will learn and experiment in order to find one," he comments, gesturing for Fintan to follow. "Stay close," he says as well, but does not add that it is because a part of him fears that Fintan's knees may buckle under him at any moment, and he would need a steady arm to catch him.
FINTAN
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Monster
MONSTER
played by KITTEN
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Post by FINTAN on Jan 25, 2015 3:23:35 GMT
There are times he forgets the body he is in, the appearance he hides behind in the presence of humans. He spends so much time in human skin that he occasionally forgets there should be nothing to frightening him as long as he is careful. He is a monster, yes, but human can’t tell unless he gives himself away, and he is careful. Why would this human want to harm him anyways? As far as he knows, Fintan is just another human, a filthy, emaciated orphan with no place to call home. It’s enough to give him confidence as he walks on shaky legs towards the human. “I’ve never been to High City,” he lies flawlessly. In fact, he has. He had been kept in a cage and grew up in a mansion settled in the golden place. “What is it like? Will they let me in even though I look like a beggar?” He’s preening his matted, white hair before he’s even conscious of it. He lowers his shaky hands to his sides, and he tries to focus on just walking and listening to Hector. “What if I can’t find anything?” Truthfully, he doesn’t want to take up a human occupation and integrate himself further into their world. The risk it involves makes fear constrict his chest. What did Hector have in mind for him, anyways? But he didn’t ask any more questions, simply abiding his command and staying close to his side. HECTOR GRIMOIRE
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Champion
HUMAN
27 years old
IMPERIAL GENERAL
played by JIN
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this is a banquet inside a steel jail cell. look down on us from your guillotine.
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Post by HECTOR GRIMOIRE on Jan 30, 2015 0:57:42 GMT
Under normal conditions, no, they would not have let Fintan in at all. In fact, it is likely that the guards would have chased Fintan far from High City as soon as they saw his scruffy form come hobbling down the path. "If you are with me, then they will have no reason to turn you away," Hector explains. "There are not nearly as many people who live in the High City as there were in Lower Town. Whatever your living arrangements were in the past, they should be improved there temporarily."
And in case he was forcing Fintan into this situation, he adds, "If you have somewhere to be, I will not force you to stay after you have recovered."
The boy's next question causes Hector to fall silent as they walk side by side. What if he could not find anything at all? Impossible. "There is always a task to be completed by each person," he says. "It may take time, but there will be something for you if you choose to stay." Matching people to a task was always ideal, and Hector was a firm believer that people had certain aptitudes for specific tasks.
FINTAN
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