Wrong Place [kala]

[Baudric]

B A U D R I C

The two sat in silence for a while. Leaning against the wall with his eyes closed as visions of his past and his time here in Kalzasi drift across his mind like a little boat adrift on a meandering river. Only interrupted by the Guard coming to the cell door and sliding a bundle of cloth through the bars.
"This is for you sir. Please change and hand over your clothes to be entered into evidence. Lady Leukos, If you would come with me we can set you up in better accommodations befitting your station."

Baudric stood that he might take the new clothing. Surprising enough to find they looked to be of his size. It wasn't anything special. However, they were clean and much more comfortable than the blood stained suit he wore. He Pulled off the complex cut of shirt meant for Avialae wings. The suit tailored to fit the his wings that situated on his lower back instead of his shoulder blades like more Avialae. It looked as though the Guard took that into consideration as well. Once he was bare chested he paused to glance at Kala to make sure he would not offend her by stripping before her. Seeing her addressing the soldier he quickly dropped his pants and put on the new clothing. Neatly he folded the pieces of the suit and walked them back to the Guard.
"Here. I don't supposed I will be seeing those anytime soon again. Or at all. Might I ask how long I should expect to wait?"

"You are not the only person we have taken into custody. You'll just have to wait for as long as it take."
He took the suit and tucked it into a special container before labeling it with Baudric's processing number, name, and date. He took another look at the pair.
"I'll see to some food brought your way. Bread and water at the very least."

[Kala Leukos]

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"I will abide with Sir Baudric," she said calmly.

Nudity didn't upset her, and she had grown up with brothers. She had already seen most of Baudric's body and that in a vulnerable position due to the exigencies of his recovery in the Tranquil Gardens, but she turned her gaze away from him out of respect for his privacy even if the guards didn't. But while the guards didn't attempt to force her out, it seemed they would continue to try to tempt her out. She wasn't sure whether they felt guilty for putting her in this position or if they wanted access to Baudric without someone advocating for his best interests. She chose to give them the benefit of the doubt.

"I think at the very least there ought to be leftovers from the wedding feast," she said. There was a note of command lurking in her voice though she wasn't unkind or haughty about it. "Sir Baudric is being detained for questioning but he hasn't been charged with any crime. Until such time as he is, we ought to afford him better than starvation rations. We are better than that, don't you think?"

Her question was largely rhetorical, but it seemed to shame at least one of the guards into nodding and shuffling out with a "yes, milady." Perhaps he wondered how well he would be treated in the Imperium were he unlucky enough to be present for an assassination and kidnapping.

With a disappointed sigh, she returned to her seat on the cot. Starfall and House Leukos had been loyal to Kalzasi and Great House Briathos for generations; it was disheartening when circumstances made her doubt the value of such loyalty. She knew Talon Novalys to be a good man and she knew many Kalzasern citizens who were good people, but sometimes she wondered how much pressure it took to turn good people to bad actions.

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[Baudric]

B A U D R I C

The guard was astonishingly fast in bringing food, not from the reception but rather from the guard's own supplies instead. It wasn't a hot meal but it was a decent selection of bread and stew. Warm enough, Baudric conceded. Most likely it cooled off while I transit. Regardless he was thankful that Kala had insisted to a better meal.

"My thanks Kala. It seems as though I am again in your debit of kindness. It's strange to think I can find myself considering the idea of friendship with anyone. I respect both the Prince and his love. However you and Kaus, I would be honored to call friends were I allowed to." He picked at his food, knowing he needed to eat to avoid exhaustion from stress and uncomfortable night in a cell. Even with his hunger suffering. "I truly hope they are ok, they were taken. At the very least they will have a terrible time but alive they will be. For a time at least."

His mind cycled through the possibilities of what could happen to Talon and Aoren. The problem was he didn't know who was responsible. Hiring those pirates placed the blame on either Zachear or Grandal. Perhaps, both working together. He felt ashamed for his home. A strange feeling since he was still coming to terms with understanding he was brainwashed and under oppression. Even knowing that still. He still felt honored to sacrifice himself in service to the people. He would gladly give up his rights if it benefitted the people. One thing was clear in his mind, His sovereign was not playing fair.. and that seeded a desire for rebellion in him.

"If you are cold. You may tuck yourself into my wings. I don't mind if you touch me. You and Kaus have earned that much in my eyes." He smiled warmly to her. Unfurling his wing as he sat back down with his food on the cot. "At least long enough for the Guards to get you better bedding for the night's stay?"

One of the guards nodded to another, running off to do as yet another request came through for the Lady's benefit because she stood firm in staying by the detainee.

[Kala Leukos]

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Kala smiled at him. She was weary, but there was a sweetness and a strength to the look on her face.

"Since we both already consider you a friend, I can say that we welcome the reciprocation." She didn't mention that Kaus' agreement came immediately over their bond; she knew bonds still made him nervous, though perhaps he would come around. It seemed as though he was questioning what he had been taught. Kala had been raised to question what she was taught, but that was not the case everywhere, not even for everyone in Kalzasi. She felt fortunate to have had her parents and her upbringing, even if they made her strange to most people.

She sighed.

"I think they wanted them alive. Talon for obvious reasons, Aoren for leverage. The Shinsei would be a tough nut to crack, but if they threaten his husband..." She shook her head. While she had never been tortured, she knew that a threat to Kaus would be difficult to stand up to.

Kala smiled again at his offer and moved closer to enjoy the warmth of his wing, though she did her best not to crowd him. Kaus often shielded her from the wind this way, and in times previous, her elder brother had done the same. Just now, though, it reminded her of her father, who had been dead for many years. It made rational sense: Baudric was a full-grown Avialae warrior whose so-called weakness had been caring for the other children. She wished Baudric had been able to meet her father; he would have had a different outlook on life.

"I'm certain Prince Rien and Queen Sahfri are already organizing a search and rescue," she said. "All Kalzasi's resources will be turned toward their recovery. Not only is Talon our Shinsei, but he is a demigod. The Dawnmartyrs have been rallying to Arcas reborn; they will surely seek him out even to the ends of Ransera."

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[Baudric]

B A U D R I C

Kala and Kaus were both good kids, no they weren't kids. Young adults put in a position to have to act beyond their years. It still left him confused to think they were about a decade younger than him.

Kala settled into his wing, which he carefully closed a bit around her. A loose hug of sorts to keep her comfortable.
"If I am released from this holding I wonder if I might be able to do something. Anything."

He took a few more bites of his food. Still forcing himself to eat.
"I think I will also need a serious spar with your brother, probably get my ass handed to me again. His speed and agility is unrivaled. Don't.. tell him I said that. I don't think he needs and inflated ego on top of his unbridled cockiness."

Baudric couldn't help but smile brightly thinking about it. He really could use the test of combat to vent his frustrations.
"I could also try my hand at sparring with you. I suspect the same outcome though. You may be very kind and certainly focused on aiding others, but don't think I haven't noticed the way you move. You might have been groomed as an assassin if my Primarch discovered you. Well I don't know that for certain, but I do know he looks for avialae with skills and attitude that you and Kaus both exhibit. Granted you would have to be a man for him to gain interest in you."

He cleared his throat setting his bowl aside.
"It seems like it might take a while before I am grabbed, we might want to consider sleeping soon. I will take the floor, and I will hear no rejection on the matter. Not only are you a Lady of a noble house, but I refuse to let a man of my station think myself wanting."

[Kala Leukos]

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"They might accept your help," she allowed. "They will be desperate to find him. His acession isn't guaranteed, but it would be the path of least resistence for a transition of power." Cloistered as she had been with Baudric, she didn't know who had perished in the attack, what power vaccuums were rushing to be filled. She hoped Kaus would pay attention for her. She made herself eat as well; they would need their strength for what was to come, whatever it might be.

She laughed.

"He needs someone like you to push against. Growing up, he had our elder brother. But I won't tell him." She winked. Then, he felt the cold kiss of steel against his ribs. The wicked curve of her karambit was poised to gut him like a raptor's talon. Of course, the guards wouldn't think to check her for weapons. "They always underestimate women," she noticed conversationally, and then secreted the blade away once more.

"I will accept your hospitality." It might have seemed like a joke, but this was his cell and she knew it might have been a blow to his pride to depend on others for his livelihood while in Kalzasi; if this small gesture was what he had to offer, she would accept it in the spirit in which it was offered.

They would need their sleep for what was to come, as well.

"I hope you will not think unkindly of us," she said after she finished her food, hands resting in her lap. "The loss of our Shokaze, Shinsei, and prince-consort was a heavy, unexpected loss. They are frightened, and that leads to anger. It will bring out the best in some, and the worst in others."

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[Baudric]

B A U D R I C

He smiled at her confirmation that his secret was safe with her. He still didn't understand how The Bond worked but he knew that the two of them almost seemed to operate with one mind at times. Tapping the blade with his finger not surprised in his assessment of her skills. But the fact he had it while they were here. He glanced to the guards in the distance through the bars. Seeing that the coast was clear he rested his head on his hand.

"Help. I want to help. Talon and Aoren both have been.. I respect them both greatly. Like you and Kaus. If I can, I want to help in whatever way I can. I cant I say I am certain in my agreement to how Synnekar live. But I know for certain that I have been lead to believe wrongly. The three of you, Aoren's choice to defect.. regardless I respect you all and I can see who you each work towards the betterment of the common folk. You see past boarders and want to aid the people. I will always lend my shield to that cause."

Carefully he pulled his wing from behind her, easily with her also adjusting to allow him. He slipped down to the floor so she could get comfortable on the cot. A woolen blanket rested at the foot of the cot next to where he had been sitting. Though she was able to do it herself he subconsciously unfurled it and handed it to her.

"I understand that the nation is now grieving. It will act out like wounded animal, frightened and with no true target to lash out at. I do not blame the reactions, but I certainly hate the implications of possibilities. My opinion has not changed. That's all I know."

[Kala Leukos]

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Kala nodded. She could understand where he was coming from. That had been her goal in visiting him at the Tranquil Gardens and everything that came after: to build a bridge between one wingless Synnekar girl and a Kathar from the fearsome Imperium. She had never been wanting for empathy and she was glad that they had become friends so quickly, though she wished the current circumstances were different.

"First we have to help you, and then we can try to help Talon and Aoren." But she was confident that she could do the first, and when it came to the second, they would only be able to lend themselves to whatever other efforts were underway. She hoped they didn't miss out on that.

Detaching himself was as comfortable as the wing around her shoulders. She just nodded and pulled her feet up onto the cot, not bothering with her shoes because she didn't know when they might be taken out. She smiled and arranged the blanket about her after he offered it. People had served her for her entire life, but she also saw herself in service to them, albeit in a different way. She was gracious when being served and for a brief moment wondered if he might swear himself to House Leukos and abide in Kalzasi rather than returning to the Imperium. Perhaps if he decided to stay, she would offer to make him a knight of her House, but she wouldn't push any sort of agenda upon him.

"My opinion of you has only grown in respect and admiration, my friend."

She felt exhaustion creeping in now that the immediate danger had passed. With a wave of her hand, she sent cords of Fire winding through the room to heat up the air enough to keep the Frost chill out so Baudric wouldn't be cold on the floor and she wouldn't be cold with the one blanket they had between them.

"Good night."

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[Baudric]

B A U D R I C

Still and silent he sat. The world around him continued to breathe, continued to move, as it always would no matter what happened to the people upon its face. Still and silent he reflected, feeling the collar upon his neck. Its smooth cool surface always pressed to his skin. It was a source of conflict for him. And it has been encouraged to him to rid himself of it. But they don't understand. For as much of a source of conflict it was just as much a source of comfort. Like a promise that it will keep him safe. A symbol of oppression, and a promise of life. He would always have it so long as he stayed with a fragment of devotion to the citizen's of the imperium.

Rejecting this promise and comfort to free himself from oppression and pain, meant he denied the people who needed him. The choice before him had ways that both rewarded and condemned him in one way or another. The balance of positive and negative energies. Only when a true tip to the balance sent a wave of chaos could a real choice be made to restore the balance. He felt that wave approaching. A choice must needs be made. Soon.

At some point the shallow breathing of Kala's slumber shook him from his mind. Resting his elbows on his relaxed knees he buried his face in his hands. Hiding the single tear roll down his cheek. It would take it's time and it would come uneasy. But eventually, slumber would come. Rest would be had.

[Rune]

R E V I E W

Lore:

Baudric:
TBA

Kala:
Surgery:
Analyzing a Fresh Wound
Makeshift Bandaging
Using Elementalism to Cauterize
Binding a Wound to Stop Bleeding
Civilian Triage
Cauterizing to Stop Bleeding

Elementalism:
Precision Use of Fire
Precision Use of Air
Precision Use of Water

Semblance:
Analyzing Life Force

Politics:
How Others Will Interpret Actions
Seeing Multiple Points of View
Claiming Guest Rights
Analyzing Regime Change

Religion:
Prayers in Time of Upheaval

Points: 10 each, Kala may use for Semblance or Elementalism

Injuries/Ailments: None

Loot: None

Notes: Looking forward to seeing how this story arch ends.