Conduct and Consequence [Tobias]

[Paragon]

P A R A G O N

Continued from here.

“Come along, Rich!” Jophis continued to speak in a friendly and peaceful manner. Richard moved quickly and without protest. Jophis whistled merrily as they walked down the street. He stuffed his hands into his pockets. He smiled at the Defense Corps soldiers that watched them leave. He even waved to a few of the locals who were meandering down the street enjoying their evening business. He walked. He continued to walk until they were several blocks and several alley turns away from the Hobbled Gobbler. Still whistling merrily, Jophis took out a ring of keys as they approached an unassuming house. All the while, the mental paralysis being experienced by Tobias did not let up. He took his time looking at each key.

“This one? No. Not that one.” A spike of pain rippled across Tobias brain, sending rivulets of stinging agony through every nerve as Jophis tested another key. Every time he selected a wrong key, the pain got worse. Finally, when Jophis selected the right key, he let out a triumphant laugh.

“Ah ha! That one. Come inside gents. We’ve a conversation to have.” Smiling, Jophis waved to some of the commoners going about their evening business. As he closed the door behind them. Jophis continued humming and drew the curtains to the humble residence. There were three other people inside. All of them dressed as common folk. Every single one of them glaring daggers at both Tobias and Richard. Tobias and Richard were both maneuvered to stand in the center of the room. Two of the other three stepped forward and began disarming both men. The third made a few gestures and several wards flared up within the interior of the cottage. Once the wards were securely in place, Jophis clasped his hands behind his back and smiled at the two men in front of him.

He then punched Richard firmly and squarely in the gut. Richard gasped, dropping to his knees.

The blinding agony yanked out of Tobias mind with a jarring quickness.

Jophis grabbed Tobias by the neck and yanked him forward before the young man could catch his breath.

He was not smiling. His eyes were murderous in their fury.

“Who exactly do you think you are, boy!? Who the fuck do you think I am? Some bum off the street? Some idiot grunt in the fucking Defense Corps!? I am VIGILANT Jophis. Your stupidity…” He backhanded Tobias. “...your arrogance…” He slapped Tobias across the face again. “...YOU BLEW THE ENTIRE OPERATION!”

“J-Jophis!” Richard moved to get up. He was kicked in the stomach by one of the other Reconciliators. Jophis glared down at him.

“Don’t.” Jophis shoved Tobias. His fury was still in full swing. He unsheathed a dagger from the shaft of his boot, grabbed Tobias by his shirt and yanked him forward. Jophis pressed the dagger to Tobias jaw.

“Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t execute you here and now for your brazen display of disregard for order and discipline?”

[Tobias]

♅ 15th Ash, Year 121, A.O.S ♅
Company: Richard, Jophis and other Reconcilliators| Thoughts: Now I've done it...| Mood: Fuck...

---

The burning sensation through his veins coursed as he stared over at the Vigilant with a defiant gaze. A simple ounce of pain wasn't going to let Tobias relent, but he knew who he was dealing with. A higher reconciliator from order himself. He wondered if that was the price he would pay after Richard glared at him. It was indeed his fault, a simple distortion of magic and walla... All it took was a civilian to interfer with the operation. He thought that this would've been invisible to some folks. The simple of mesmer turned into a bigger scandal. One that Tobias was going to have to worm himself out of. He had no help from his father; a mere seeker within the order. He was alone.

The agony and discomfort surged through his nerves as if the Vigilant was torturing him through his Symphony. It was clear he was a very powerful mesmer, that even he couldn't outwit the mind him. The pain only grew worse with each key; as he was doing it on purpose, to make Tobias cry out in pain. However, he held his nerve and struggled through the searing pain, until he fell to the floor screaming "STOP THIS!" He screamed as he was brought into the house, already riddled with the agony of a thousand needles, acupuncturing his nerves down.

The sadism would continue from Vigilant Jophis as Richard had been punched, causing Tobias large amount of pain; as if an earthquake had rumbled in his brain. The screams of internal agony would harrow Richard's mind as the silver haired man felt to his knees. His breathing became heavy as his heart rate went up at 100 beats per minute. The fear had settled, though it wasnt a moment too soon.

The aggression and dominance was further reinforced by his slaps and backhands he would Tobias would receive. A firm hand was enough to subdue the man into panic. Vigilant Jophis would unleash his murderous fury upon the rebellious man "I had no idea that aether was visible alright!" He protested as the knife was placed on the tip of his jaw.

He shuddered.

Panicked.

He watched his father get up all of a sudden, only to be brutally whacked in the solar plexus by another Reconcilator. Tobias was shaken by that as he made eye contact with Jophis "I'm sure you've made mistakes when you first started as a Reconciliator." The knife against his jaw only made him tense up further as he glared back at him. Deep down he wanted to fight back, but that'll only make matters worse.

He was still tense from the moment. He had only been in one particular situation like this; the coven that he was groomed into, although seeing the darker side was enough to get him away from that life and back into the arms of his father. Still, he knew everyone made mistakes when adjusting to a new life, including Vigilant Jophis "Don't act like your Mr Perfect, I know you've probably done things you've regretted in your life" He answered back with cutting words and aggression in his voice as well as fear and desperation.

He still was uncomfortably backed against the wall, knowing how much trouble he was in. He wished he kept his mouth shut.

Perhaps it would strive in his favor as he met the eyes of the Vigilant whose cold steel dagger was against his throat.

---

"Tobias Speech"
"Richard Speech"

[Paragon]

P A R A G O N

“Bad move, coven trash.” Jophis flourished the dagger. He raised it as though he was about to plunge it into Tobias eye socket.

“That’s enough, Jophis.” The voice that spoke did not shout. It was quiet and dignified. As soon as the words were said however, Jophis halted. Together the group turned to regard an older man who was walking into the room casually from one of the other rooms. He was in the full uniform of a Reconciliator. Jophis ground his teeth, looking from the old man to Tobias. He shoved Tobias, settling for punching the man in the gut instead of cutting him. The old man walked forward casually, his hands resting at the small of his back. He came to stand just across from Tobias.

“I know your type, Tobias Zorrothy. You were given a second chance despite having fallen in wish Coven insurrectionists. You think because you have a smart mouth and a troubled background that you can get away with disorder and poor conduct.” The old man sighed heavily as though he were supremely disappointed. He looked at Tobias from down his nose.

“This is the Order. And we will maintain order. Your careless disregard for actually performing in the role of a disciplined officer of the Reconciliators has cost us resources but more importantly, it has wasted time.” The man turned on his heel, facing Tobias and Richard fully. He looked between the two.

“Punishment is in order but I think, you will not be the one to suffer the consequence.” He looked to Richard.” Yet again, you fail miserably in your duties Richard. Unsurprising. For your failure, you shall be imprisoned and subjected to the reeducation facilities.”

Richard went wide eyed before looking at Tobias. He firmed his jaw before dropping his head without comment. The old man regarded Tobias.

“Your father will remain in internment until such time as we are confident that you have actually learned your lessons and earned the trust of the Order.” He leaned in, glaring at Tobias.

“Which is to say, we do not just blatantly go about using magic. Are you a Kalzasern? Do you not have eyes? Are you not capable of being a true detective? You are useless to us if all you know how to do is flash your magic to get results. Magic should be the last resort.” The old man straightened. He looked to Richard then back to Tobias.

“We’re done here. Take him.” Before Richard could even speak, he suddenly grimaced in pain, clutching his head before his eyes rolled back and he was tipping forward unconscious. Two of the other Reconciliators scooped him up, dragging him to his feet. The old man snapped his fingers and the wards around the cottage fell down. Quietly, he stepped up to the door, pausing.

“This will be your final warning. Fail again and your father will be executed.” He turned to open the door then stepped outside into the dark of the night. Behind Tobias two more Reconciliators came from another room. Jophis spoke to them.

“Have this place marked. We will have to dismantle it.” Jophis looked to Tobias. He pointed at him with his dagger.

“You won’t be so lucky next time, coven trash.”

With that, the Reconciliators filed out of the house, leaving Tobias on the floor in the dark.

!

Message from: Paragon

For his failure to obey the commands of a superior office, For his blatant disregard for order and conduct, For his wanton abuse of a high restricted magic in a public space, For wasting the time and resources of the Order of Reconciliation, For causing the name of the Order to fall into disrepute, Tobias E. Val’Atre - Zorrothy has received a sharp reprimand from the Order of Reconciliation. Your Companion NPC, Richard, has been taken into custody by the Order of Reconciliation as of the date of the this thread. He is imprisoned under threat of execution should Tobias fail the Order or give reason to doubt his loyalties. This state of imprisonment will last until such time as Tobias can/will be assessed as to whether or not he is a worthy member of the Order once again. Richard is no longer available to you for use in threads without permission from the moderation team. In the event he and Tobias are allowed to speak to one another, it will be at the mage-prison maintained by the Order and under heavy supervision.