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Post by john on May 27, 2008 23:25:52 GMT -5
John smiles for a moment, and shifts his weight. "You're in my way." he observes, his voice a low husk, for the moment. "I'm assuming you've got something to say, rather than just getting in my way. Of course, you could just be looking for a fight. Or wouldn't that be.... proper?" He twists his lips and pronounces the words like a curse or an insult.
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Post by Uathach Blackmantle on May 28, 2008 0:18:50 GMT -5
"Beris Onea." Wraith says softly. "I'll have to remember you, cutter." Retracting her hand, she bows politely again, and excuses herself from the group. If the imposing man's presence and forced politeness bothered her at all, the ex-Dustman refused to show it. She'd seen her fair share of pompous and intimidating berks... she was almost willing to lump this Beris in with the rest of them. He's one to mark so I know whom to avoid in the future. She muses to herself. His masked disdain as her cloying scent became painfully apparent wasn't lost on her. Making her way steadily to the podium, Wraith stops and glances over her shoulder as the sour-faced Taker issued his challenge. She smacks her forehead. Apollo give me strength. She prays silently, and begins moving back to her companions,. Then she catches a glimpse of what could be a potential speaker, moving toward the abandoned podium, and decides against it. They can take care of themselves, she sighs heavily, and walks down the isle to the speaker's stand. At least, I hope they can... [ooc @ Stix: I'll write up my first post for Wraith's speach when I've finished moving house. ]
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Post by exile on May 28, 2008 12:00:47 GMT -5
"Of course, I will stay, sister," Hadrian replies off-handedly, his eye turned to the approaching Hardhead.
'This should be interesting,' he thought.
Turning a wry smile towards John at the man's reaction, Hadrian offers his hand in welcome to the Harmonium officer. "Beris Onea, Measure Two is it? Hadrian, Barmy Sod, and sinfully proud individual. I'm sorry, I don't think I managed to put quite as much venom into it as you," he exclaims with a wink.
"Welcome to the peanut gallery, Master Onea. Its not glamorous, but it suits me just fine. I wonder, would such a gathering even be permissible on Ortho? I ask because I've recently been suggested to seek a new place to call kip. Evidently my ability to think freely requires that I make bloody stupid decisions at every opportunity. But never-you-mind cutter, you've ceded the stage. Its not for me to judge a man once he leaves the public eye," he concluded with a warm-hearted laugh.
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Post by Stix on May 31, 2008 10:21:34 GMT -5
"You have a terrible urge to go to war with the law, berk," Beris says with a sneer to the Taker, glaring down at him. "If you'd like to trade seats, you can just ask." He makes no motion to move from his chosen place.
"I'd noticed," the Hardhead interjects -- though a hint of a smirk plays on his face as he brusquely shakes the Bleaker's hand.
"You're the one complaining about the Harmonium's activities in the Cage -- I defy you to show me a more effective group of lawmen anywhere in the multiverse," he challenges, perfectly willing to continue his debate in private.
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Post by john on May 31, 2008 13:09:44 GMT -5
"No, now that you're sitting you aren't in my way." John shrugs. "I don't want your seat, now that you're no longer in front of me. So I'll be on my way, then."
John continues onward, then stops, and says, "I've no urge to go to war with the law more than anything else. Nothing personal, mind. Just always ready to cross blades. With anyone."
He continues on his way, unless the Hardhead comes up with a particularly witty rejoinder.
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Post by exile on May 31, 2008 16:50:22 GMT -5
“If we’re to be honest, master Onea,” Hadrian replied as he settled in to watch the next speech. “The Cage includes the Hive, a ward where the Harmonium’s activities amount to nothing and where its presence is arguably needed most. Let us assume for the moment that I accept your prior arguments however, and we exempt the Hive from this discussion.”
“My quarrel with the Harmonium lies not with your effectiveness, my friend. I come from Ysgard; I believe good governance sometimes requires muscle to stand behind it and that good people often require protection. I’m sure you and your brethren are at least as competent in those respects as any other professional civil guard, though admittedly I have not seen it from the windows of my cell in the Gatehouse.”
“Rather,” Hadrian paused to clear his throat before resuming. “Rather, I am alarmed by the apparent desire expressed by members of the Harmonium to exceed their afforded mandate to enforce the law by also assuming the authority to write it; something you alluded to in your speech. This mindset is reflected in the petty harassment inflicted by your patrols on so called undesirables. The Harmonium’s place is to protect the peace, not to mould it to their liking. I find it pleasantly reassuring to note that so long as the Guvners hold power in Sigil, the Harmonium will be kept in check.”
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Post by Stix on Jun 1, 2008 23:43:47 GMT -5
"No, now that you're sitting you aren't in my way." John shrugs. "I don't want your seat, now that you're no longer in front of me. So I'll be on my way, then." John continues onward, then stops, and says, "I've no urge to go to war with the law more than anything else. Nothing personal, mind. Just always ready to cross blades. With anyone." Beris shakes his head slowly, frowning. " It's a sad statement on the nature of the multiverse. I don't like your ways, but I don't hold them against you; I just wish you'd recognize that it doesn't have to be the way it is." “ If we’re to be honest, master Onea,” Hadrian replied as he settled in to watch the next speech. “ The Cage includes the Hive, a ward where the Harmonium’s activities amount to nothing and where its presence is arguably needed most. Let us assume for the moment that I accept your prior arguments however, and we exempt the Hive from this discussion.” “ My quarrel with the Harmonium lies not with your effectiveness, my friend. I come from Ysgard; I believe good governance sometimes requires muscle to stand behind it and that good people often require protection. I’m sure you and your brethren are at least as competent in those respects as any other professional civil guard, though admittedly I have not seen it from the windows of my cell in the Gatehouse.” “ Rather,” Hadrian paused to clear his throat before resuming. “ Rather, I am alarmed by the apparent desire expressed by members of the Harmonium to exceed their afforded mandate to enforce the law by also assuming the authority to write it; something you alluded to in your speech. This mindset is reflected in the petty harassment inflicted by your patrols on so called undesirables. The Harmonium’s place is to protect the peace, not to mould it to their liking. I find it pleasantly reassuring to note that so long as the Guvners hold power in Sigil, the Harmonium will be kept in check.” " Due process in the Courts is an important frill for the fragile peace of the Cage," Beris begins, the corners of his mouth upturned so slightly. " But the city's laws themselves are written in part by the wicked and the unlawful. Undead, life-consuming abominations walk the streets -- and they're afforded protection by law, thanks to the Dustmen. I'm certain I don't have to say that it's a grave flaw of the representative oligarchy to allow groups like the Doomguard and the Xaositects to propose legislation." He scoffs. " Honestly, they're little better than Anarchists." But it's not our direct opposition that drives me to fight so hard to better life in the City of Doors for all of its decent and loving civilians. One of the evils we must fear most, Hadrian, is the indifference of good men... so you'll understand why I find it difficult to take to heart any condemnation I hear from a representative of the second-to-most uncaring and indifferent faction in Sigil." The Hardhead's crystal-blue eyes sparkle in the ambient light as he attempts to bait Hadrian into arguing with his point.
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Post by exile on Jun 2, 2008 15:48:33 GMT -5
“Second-to-most uncaring!” Hadrian roars with laughter. “I’ll have to tell the factol we aren’t trying hard enough! Truly, master Onea, you have our number. When the Bleak Cabal assumes responsibility for Sigil’s poor, disenfranchised and barmy it is only out of our lust for the wealth and station afforded by such endeavors. Depraved indifference of good men does not begin to describe such callousness!”
The aasimar wipes a tear from the corner of his eye while struggling to regain his somber composure. After a few false starts, he manages to continue. “The city’s laws are thankfully not for you to interpret, my friend, although every free man has the right to peacefully question them. So long as a Vrock commits no crime in the Cage, it is not a crime in the Cage to be a Vrock. The same is true of Xaositects, individuals and for that matter, all good men indifferent or otherwise. No one is asking you to like it, master Onea, just to respect it and to do your job.”
“You may view the Sinkers and Chaosmen as dangerous misanthropes, but I see them as necessary counterweights in the maintenance of this city. For without them, there would be no voice to stand up against yours in the Hall of Speakers.” Hadrian concluded his tirade with a wink towards the Harmonium officer.
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Post by Stix on Jun 2, 2008 18:10:05 GMT -5
"You either misunderstand me, or you've been locked up in the Gatehouse for too long," the Hardhead rumbles, not keen on being laughed at. "You barmies have your soup kitchens and your orphanage, but your entire philosophy is based on the idea that it's all without purpose, and serves no greater good. If some poor sod starves to death in the street, you'll step over him without a care, because you don't care about anything," he continues, pointing an accusing finger at his fellow aasimar.
"As for the politics of the Hall of Speakers, to discuss them so broadly is a waste of time. The fact of the matter is this: the Doomguard want everyone and everything dead. That makes them unholy monsters who deserve nothing more than the death they so crave."
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Post by exile on Jun 2, 2008 19:28:03 GMT -5
“Oh I hear you just fine, Beris,” Hadrian replies in bemused tones. “And though I’ll defend my faction’s deeds to you, I’ve no desire to defend our beliefs to you or anyone else. I don’t have to. The onus lies on other factions to demonstrate that they have found some kernel of the Truth; we don’t have to do anything at all to show that there is none.”
He raises a hand to halt any interjection at this point.
“You may hasten to call such reasoning trite or convenient, but no true Bleaker has ever been won over to the cause by cunning rhetoric so I’ll certainly not waste my breath on you. Our understanding of the way of the planes, or rather the lack there of, comes about when a body recognizes that all the screed being peddled out in the streets from the dirtiest gutter to the highest pulpit is naïve at best, and dangerously foolhardy at worst. You can decide for yourself where I count the Harmonium in that statement. All I endeavor to do is to help some poor sod recognize that the road to Ortho is not the one for him. He will find the road to the Gatehouse all by himself in time. Or maybe he wont, its not our loss.”
“So which is it then, Beris? Will you deride us for the soup kitchens, the orphanages, or the asylums? Actions speak louder than words, my friend, and so far you have simply talked about helping the downtrodden, while I have actually done it. But I’ll tell you what, Beris. I can see you aren’t a bad person, just painfully deluded, so I offer you a truce and a proposition.”
“I will -give- you the chance to count yourself amongst the ten men you spoke of. Come to the Gatehouse yourself and spend a week with me in the almshouse looking after the poor. In exchange, I will accompany you for the same length of time on your patrols as you bring the righteous arm of the Law down on the unsuspecting heads of villainous loiters the Cage round. Then we can speak of things as enlightened men do.”
“How about it, Beris?” Hadrian wore a wide grin by this point, and his brow was cocked high with a questioning look. He glanced about to see what manner of crowd had gathered round the discussion, if any at all, before fixing the Harmonium officer with the full weight of his gaze.
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Post by Stix on Jun 2, 2008 23:32:45 GMT -5
Beris glares hard at Hadrian, spitting back at the condescending Bleaker with the gravest insult he can speak to another aasimar.
"Your celestial ancestor must be ashamed of you. You disgust me. Wipe the grin off your face before you're wearing it behind bars."
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Post by exile on Jun 3, 2008 13:55:40 GMT -5
"Oh come now, you pompous ass," Hadrian goaded his quarry on with relish, having found a solid purchase in the Hardhead's facade. "Perhaps you're right about my father, I hardly know the man; but then again I'm barmy, or hadn't you noticed?" he exclaimed, tapping the insignia on his breast with pride.
"Whats your excuse for abasing your blood, Beris? Go ahead and arrest me, abuse your station while your ancestors weep at how far their seed has fallen. In fact I insist on it!" The Bleaker thrust forward his wrists in mock supplication. "Show your clueless recruits how harmony is maintained on Ortho! Show us all how little regard the Harmonium has for innocence and guilt! Such things are trivial when a man can decide upon guilt even in the absence of a crime! Such arrogance, Beris! How the devas must cry for you!"
Hadrian's blazing blue eyes had narrowed to a dangerous glint though an irrepressible smile danced upon his lips.
"But you can't, Beris, can you? No, you're far too canny for that; there are too many eyes here bearing witness to silence. Here and now, in the company of good men, you are impotent, Beris Onea! But I will see you again no doubt, you and your ten men, on some cloudy night while I walk the streets alone. You will be waiting to drag me before the justices on trumped up charges like the snakes that you are. Because that is how the Harmonium removes its opposition, is it not? Well, I am not afraid of petty men, Beris, and that, my friend, is all that you are."
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Post by Stix on Jun 3, 2008 14:58:33 GMT -5
Much of the residual debate going on around the two aasimar has come to an end as spectators have taken in the volatile exchange between two bitter faction enemies. Beris rises to his feet as Hadrian speaks, all the emotion draining from his face until the pitiless gaze of a celestial on the warpath is all that remains.
"You're under arrest for making disparaging remarks about law enforcement. Submit quietly, or we'll be forced to subdue you." He lifts a heavy pair of manacles from his belt while signaling over one of the patrols in the crowd.
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Post by john on Jun 3, 2008 16:13:36 GMT -5
John looks back from the threshold, (With stix's permission), and spots the bandying of words about to turn into something else, and mutters to himself. "Finally a chance to pay back a debt." He lowers his shoulders slightly, as though relaxing, then turns around at a dead-run, heading for Hadrian and Beris' location, moving to intercept the harmonium squad. He's about to start a -very- large brawl, but he has an idea. Like all of John's ideas, this one involves a great deal of concussive force dealt directly to the people in the way of what he wants.
And for the moment, that's keeping Hadrian alive and out of custody of those stiff-necked twerps. For while he dislikes bleakers in general, Hadrian is a decent enough being by the warped standards of the Taker, always paying his debts and maintaining his personal honor in his interactions. Perhaps it would be too strong to call anyone in John's life a friend, as he despises them all for various sorts of weakness, but he might have some underlying modicum of affection and respect for the wily-tongued madman.
"Put up those manacles before I feed them to you!" He barks at the Aasimar, his grating voice more human, and in some ways more frightening than the voice of a denizen of the lower planes.
[dice=20+11] (Intimidate, realized I level up and INT is one of my every-level buff skills.)
He doesn't move towards his weapons. Not yet. But it's very clear the plug-like little Hiver is about ready to go all kinds of psychotic on the Hardhead. For a moment, he looks to the Xaositects, and the Independents, and everyone else who might be willing to even the odds with the Harmonium a bit. [dice=20+12] (sense motive to get a mood if things are about to break into a general brawl, in which case John'll try to spark things further, in his own inimitable way.) [rand=14920695885703983892061229137925371796076348557097794901734601923]
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Post by Stix on Jun 3, 2008 16:41:23 GMT -5
Will save vs. Intimidate [dice=20+13][rand=79663982525286435196355851348905469456651672482965753747854777331]
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Post by Stix on Jun 3, 2008 17:17:45 GMT -5
Beris gives an unimpressed look at the armored Taker, noting the second patrol that's already immediately behind him with mancatcher and manacles at the ready.
"Come on, basher. You're too smart to threaten an officer of the law. Let this one go," pleads one armored officer.
(Will save, DC 16 vs. Charm.)
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Post by exile on Jun 3, 2008 17:26:45 GMT -5
The aasimar’s grin threatens to split his face cleanly in twain at the sudden turn of events. “Subdue me? I’ve no doubt you’d enjoy that, master Onea. You’d arrest me for voicing an opinion in the Trianym of all places then? I’ve misjudged you, my friend, you’re not clever by-” The sudden appearance of John at his side brings an abrupt halt to Hadrian’s speech.
(OOC: I think I’d like to see how the current issues get resolved)
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Post by john on Jun 3, 2008 18:25:41 GMT -5
Will save [dice=20+2][rand=697220253839330296494582266357740589543198493446303230978566221521]
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Post by john on Jun 3, 2008 18:28:16 GMT -5
"Yeah. Guess I am. For now. Still. I don't think... er... well, yeah." He deflates like a blowfish that was knifed by an expert chef, and looks vaguely annoyed, not realizing someone used magical abilities to tamp down his willingness to commit acts of extreme mayhem.
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Post by exile on Jun 3, 2008 18:46:56 GMT -5
“Thank-you, cutter,” Hadrian offers a nod of admiration towards John. “But I’ll be alright. I’ll tell you what though, cutter, if you’ll hold on to my spear until the Hardheads release me I’ll be sure to reimburse you for your trouble. I don’t trust them not to ‘lose’ it while I’m in their custody.”
Taking a step towards Beris with his hands held together at the wrists before him, the aasimar raises his voice over the commotion. “Ladies and gentlemen of Sigil. You all bear witness to my arrest for the crime of speaking my mind in a place of privileged speech. I go willingly, and let no man say otherwise. I place myself in your custody, master Onea. I wonder though, is Sura Ekness in attendance? If it please you, I’d like one last word before you remove me.”
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