Fireworks Sidethread: Ashes to Ashes (Ch 25, Late ET)

Moderator: Mods

Locked
Aerin Penna Seleratus
Civus
Posts: 437
Joined: Fri Apr 13, 2007 6:51 am
Location: Thatcher, AZ

Fireworks Sidethread: Ashes to Ashes (Ch 25, Late ET)

Post by Aerin Penna Seleratus »

The bite from jarring bone helped keep Aerin focused as she ran for help. Ashtari had not specified where to go and Aerin was as yet unsure as to where the guards normally congregated, but she did know one thing – the fire was near a temple of some sort and people did love their temples. Her chat with Ashari had not yielded her the name of the burning building, and so Aerin decided to use the temple to her advantage as she ran, relying on it as a selling point to whomever was listening to come to her aid.

“Fire! Fire! Fire near the temple!”, she screamed repeatedly as she ran, the earlier vomiting, smoke inhalation, and now yelling putting a strain on her voice even before the first repetition of her impromptu script. “Guards! Anyone… Fire! Fire near the temple! Behind me! Behind me!” If possible, she would grab at things as she ran, barrels, carts, anything that would make some more noise to disturb people from either slumber or festivities.

“Fire! Fire! Fire near the temple!”
”The true man wants two things: danger and play. For that reason he wants woman, as the most dangerous plaything.” – Nietzsche

Avatar by Draconis (Found and resized by Paige)
http://drakonis.org
Maeve
The Dragon & Game Designer
Posts: 15536
Joined: Thu Oct 03, 2002 1:29 pm
Location: The Netherlands

Post by Maeve »

Aerin did not hesitate, running in Temple Lane. There was the curiously quiet Temple of Pan, and past that.. the Bardic College, the Temple of the Mother, even further the Temple of Pecunia. She was running directly into the celebrating crowd beyond what Ashari still controlled.

Entertainment was abundant, every suitable spot either holding a small group of Bardic College students playing dance tunes, or acrobats, a theatre troupe performing a humorous act, or near the Temple of Pecunia a whole circus with the arena set up in the open, Temple yard temporarily housing the backstage where props and equipment rested until they were needed. Magician, albeit one of obviously limited talent, cast spells of illusion and trickery drawing gasps and cries of surprise from the gathered crowd.

Tables, creaking under the weight of piled up food and snacks were spaced out evenly along the street, servants standing ready to help those who happened to pass by to a healthy chunk of meat or a wooden plate filled with steaming thick vegetable stew. Others passed out sweets and cakes, the blocked up alleys serving as delivery paths for other servants to refill the tables and keep them laden with food constantly. Barrels of fine beer, and quite good wine were equally numerous, and all who wished received a well filled cup of the liquor. A few of the revelers were already quite well soaked in the alcohol, and the guard have had to remove a few, but those that did not cause too much trouble were left to sing and enjoy themselves slurring heavily, their tongue thick with inebriation.

Wreaths of fresh flowers adorned every facade, their fragrance enhanced by the minor magics of the Priestesses of Mother that had woven them all the day before, hanging upon every nook and cranny of the houses, Temples and Businesses of the temple Lane. They swayed even in the rhythm of the music coming from the bards, almost coming to life for this very special night.

All were eagerly awaiting the fireworks that would signal the end of the Coronation Ceremony, signalling that after a long months of wait the Citadel would have a new Caesar. His people knew little about Lord Andolin Azarin, but his ascension has been marked with the end of the war and that made him a good ruler. Time would tell if such impression would hold or if people would see another face of their new rules.

However, the explosion had already caused some faces to turn, and Aerin's approach, shouting, yelling was breaking through their shell of shock. Something further down the lane was burning, its pretty flames of red, orange and an occasional green flaring up high in the air, starting to lick the Temple of Pan.

Picking up an empty barrel, Aerin was running towards the fountain with a large turtle in the middle. Dispersed among the crowd, at strategic intervals were the white uniforms of the Imperial Guard. The girl could also see the robes of several priesthoods among the crowd.

Just as she may have been grabbing their attention, another set of explosions. Fireworks. Over the palace. Oohs. Aahs. Uncertainty if in fact the fire was not meant to be part of the spectacle.

OOC: Another mod stepping into this thread shortly :)
Last edited by Maeve on Sat Feb 16, 2008 1:38 am, edited 2 times in total.
[i][b][color=orange][size=92]Smile and carry a big stick.[/color][/b][/i][/size]
Aerin Penna Seleratus
Civus
Posts: 437
Joined: Fri Apr 13, 2007 6:51 am
Location: Thatcher, AZ

Post by Aerin Penna Seleratus »

Aerin’s shoulders hunched reflexively as se heard the snapping and popping coming from above, her wide eyes seeming to outrace the rest of her head as she turned to look back at the Red Rose Guild, expecting the fire from the building to have explosively doubled eightfold, instantly vaporizing the two mages and the mesmerized crowd.

Instead, she saw fireworks and, although some of the crowd looked concerned, most seemed to ignore her and focus on the show instead. “Son of a…” she mumbled, resuming her trek to the fountain. Once again, her eyes scanned the scene before her as she quickly pondered how to compete for attention. “Fi---OWW!” she cried as she tried to bang her makeshift drum, the stick falling from her broken hand as the pain made it impossible to keep a grip.

Shit…

Her eyes went to the bucket and fountain. Perhaps she could throw water on them? But what then? It might be the wrong type of attention – anger – to be able to bend their thoughts toward her will. She lowered her chin to her chest in dismay. If only she had Ashari’s magic… If only she could make men want to listen to her…

And then it hit her and, with a shrug, she set the bucket down quickly and ripped downward on her bodice. What the nether? The dress is fucked anyway…, she thought rapidly filling the bucket and, in the same motion, flinging bucket and all out over the crowd.

“HEY!” Aerin shouted, her bare breasts bouncing and jiggling from both shout and effort as she pointed repeatedly toward the Red Rose Guild. “There is a TEMPLE on FIRE over THERE!” Aerin sincerely hoped that her plan would pay off and not be an open invite for assault.
”The true man wants two things: danger and play. For that reason he wants woman, as the most dangerous plaything.” – Nietzsche

Avatar by Draconis (Found and resized by Paige)
http://drakonis.org
Reiker
Defender of the Keep
Posts: 274
Joined: Sun Mar 13, 2005 3:38 pm
Location: Iloilo, Phillipines
Contact:

Post by Reiker »

Fireworks. Harris enjoyed watching skies burn, even if those burns were there for only a flicker, spreading out into tendrils of color. The watchman wondered where they even made those. If the royalty had a mind for fire that paints the heavens, maybe they had the ability to make fire that'll make his job a bit more easier. Harris liked what he saw, yes, but there was always something better to do than that. He grunted a bit and scoffed at the sky. He turned away and drew from his vest pocket a stick of dried leaves. He brought it to his lips and only then did he feel the buzz that blurred his mind's focus. Alcohol had that lovely effect. He figured that the buzz was never complete without the smoke. He sparked a match to life then burned the leaves into embers. The smoke was rough on his throat and tightened his lungs as it filled them.

He walked out of the alley and kept his hands to his sides as small strips of white wisped from the stick in his mouth. I short sword dangled behind him as his vision blurred at every other step. He rubbed his eyes and smiled over how he misjudged his earlier drink. Indeed, ten shots of gin had this effect on everyone. Of course, only he had the talent of walking straight after those ten shots. His eyes took all the damage though. It was obvious to the Imperial Guard on duty that saw him, those reddened eyes that looked his way by chance. Harris deliberately halted an arm's length away from the guard and smiled. His eyes narrowed to their arrogant angles and his voice merely snickered. His smile challenged the Imperial, but there was no reply. Harris chuckled and went on his way. There was never any love between the Imperials and this city's watchmen. Harris always made it a point to present that displeasure to them. It didn't help anyone's cause that he carried more than just breath. His arms knew how to cut. Harris, and the rest of his men, were never seen as soldiers. They were killers to the bone. Talented killers. Dangerous killers.

He would have went straight to his maiden's home after that. His son was waiting for him there, and so was his maiden's pleasure. He needed the rest for a night like this. The buzz in his head didn't mix well with his duties anyway, but the night always had something for him to do. An explosion woke his focus and a large pillar of fire shot up to join the fires above. The pillar was bright, colorful, and was as alluring as the spectacle dancing in the heavens. The fire kept on burning though. The yellow haze that domed deeper into Temple Lane made him wonder. He had no ties to the men that oversaw this event, but he knew well that such a fire was not with the city's plans. He scratched his chin and thought about checking it, but no. He sighed and lazed crawled over his muscles. He looked around for any sign of his men and was lucky enough to see five cavorting with ale and merriment.

"Paulie," he yelled at them, "Paulie! Bloody hell! Don't make me yell for you again!"
"Sir!" the most steeped in haze answered him, "You need something done, sir?"
"See that?" Harris pointed at the hazy, yellow dome far away.
"Fire. Freaky fire."
"I want your boys to check it out."
"On it."

It was amazing to see Paulie shrug off the drunkenness inside him. His eyes were quick to narrow down to their serous slits. He woke the rest of the boys with strikes to the head and tightened his sword belts. He drew a large axe propped against the wooden table and moved on towards the orange gleam from far away. His boys was quick to follow him, their weapons tightened about them. Harris smiled and walked off the separate. He taught those boys the ways himself. They were almost good as him when it came to getting the job done. Whatever it was his boys'll take care of it.

Paulie's dark skin and close cropped hair glowed with the colors that exploded above. The five men's steps were fast and eager. The sooner they had this done, the sooner they'd be back where they came from. All of them still had a dullness in their minds, despite their sharpened exteriors. Years of work had trained them for it. Most even noticed they worked better with the poison inside them.

Paulie led his men through the streets deeper into Temple Lane. They were at the turtle fountain within minutes. Revelers about them didn't mind them as their own minds were glazed over with joy and forgotten responsibility. Tonight was a night they would lose themselves. Paulie envied them sometimes. Of course, the work always outweighed the simplicity of civilian life. Being a watchman gave him privileges most would kill for. Truth is he did too. He could still remember the three heads he took in order to get where he was now. His boss Harris just added to the count and the skill behind that count.

The men pushed their ways through the crowds. Some were pushed oo hard. They would fall on their faces into either stone or food on a table. Some would protest, but seeing the men's blue colors would easily silence them. Some immediately shied away hoping the men in blue didn't notice their displeasure. Everything was alright whenever the blue men were around. Everything was alright...or else.

The men arrived just in time to see Aerin's sudden flash of nipples. Of course, they were also there to greet that water that suddenly rained down on them. On that exact moment they forgot what they needed to do. They all had their eyes on the girl and the quickly moved towards her. Others were already nearing her, drunk revelers entranced by the sudden show of flesh. Paulie could here their mocking voices as he neared, "Ooooh, a Panling I see. Well, well, my lady. You came to the right party. Allow me to liberate the tension off your shoulders with these magic hands."

The drunk was steadily about to get his hands on some wondrous flesh, when a thick gauntleted hand grabbed him by the back of his neck. His voice suddenly yelped as he reeled back and soared in the until his body grazed against the stone. Blood dripped from his forehead and his muscles suddenly lost all life. A foot stepped on his head and slowly applied pressure. "Stay down," gruff voice commanded. Atop him a skin head smiled.

Paulie slowly stepped to Aerin's face and proclaimed, "Lady, if you please. We have rules against improper undressing. It would credit you much if you follow us."

None of them has smiles to show their even more improper intentions. Their eyes had a burning agenda that screamed at Aerin to notice what they wanted.
[url=http://world4.monstersgame.co.uk/?ac=vid&vid=47124424]click me please[/url]
[url=http://www.knightfight.co.uk/?ac=vid&vid=63002342]Knights Game[/url]
Aerin Penna Seleratus
Civus
Posts: 437
Joined: Fri Apr 13, 2007 6:51 am
Location: Thatcher, AZ

Post by Aerin Penna Seleratus »

Aerin flinched with a yelp away from the drunk man, more than happy about the skinhead who had felled him, her good hand once again tugging the torn top of her dress up to cover herself now that she obviously had center stage and a spotlight.

"Lady, if you please. We have rules against improper undressing. It would credit you much if you follow us."


“Huh… uh… yes…” she stammered, her eyes looking past Paulie for a moment at the fireworks and fireball beyond, her eyes unsure if she had actually just seen a body plummet back to the ground after the explosion. Paulie and his men may have had danger on their minds, but Aerin’s thoughts were elsewhere. After a few flickers, she turned her attentions back to Paulie and noted his uniform, her mind still too fresh to the Citadel to recognize colors or rank.

“My name is Aerin, by the way…” she scowled at the unconscious man. “And I am not a Panling..." She worked a little more at concealing herself as she talked, oblivious to the fact that her small pouch with her tobacco, a small bit of change, and her pass for the city had flown away* when she had torn open the only ‘pocket’ that her dress had provided just moments before. “I am a loyal servant of the One…” she continued, finishing the sentence in her mind as so it was not a total lie …and only Aerin…

“You will send men to help with the fire, yes?”, she asked, paying little heed to where she was being led and allowing herself to be guided wherever Paulie wished her to go. “And if I may ask for something to cover myself with? I needed to draw attention to the fire and, with a broken hand, I…” Suddenly, Aerin could hardly speak, a combination of the nasty crack to her head, smoke inhalation, and the adrenaline draining from her system dropped her words to a barely incoherent mumble and her knees felt weak.

OOC: Sorry for the small liberty there - figured losing her purse would add insult to injury, plus I had not posted her taking care NOT to lose it.
Last edited by Aerin Penna Seleratus on Wed Feb 20, 2008 5:25 am, edited 1 time in total.
”The true man wants two things: danger and play. For that reason he wants woman, as the most dangerous plaything.” – Nietzsche

Avatar by Draconis (Found and resized by Paige)
http://drakonis.org
Grey Wolf
Furry Game Designer
Posts: 2742
Joined: Wed Mar 29, 2006 8:58 am

Post by Grey Wolf »

While the Citadel was a rather rowdy place at a time such as this, Aerin's action was not the smartest one, especially given the fact that she was not the first girl to have done something like that during the celebration. While the goons gaped at free boob show, Paulie, took a few steps closer, leaning forward the girl and sniffed. "You had a bit too much to drink have you? Maybe took some white myst or something? I heard what that stuff does to you. Well, honey, it's just fireworks. Mages d all kind of weird stuff." His finger went up and tapped Aerin forehead. "You are seeing things silly. Now, I suggest you go to Mother's temple and have that hand looked over and then sleep the stuff off. Otherwise, I'll have to lock you in till you get better, and you might not like it. SO, what's it gonna be, pretty?" He glanced down at her exposed bosom, which despite her efforts, did not cooperate fully, his wolfish grin showing just how difficult he found it to concentrate on not reaching down and helping her with those naughty orbs of flesh
The diplomacy is the art of saying "Good dog", while you are searching for a big rock.
Aerin Penna Seleratus
Civus
Posts: 437
Joined: Fri Apr 13, 2007 6:51 am
Location: Thatcher, AZ

Post by Aerin Penna Seleratus »

Getting help from anyone, it seemed, was an exercise in frustration, and Aerin tried to shake off the drunken feeling that she was experiencing as she attempted to pull the dress back up a little more, looking back toward the temple with a nod. “Y-yessir… Temple and sleep…” she muttered, making to move past Paulie in order to go back toward the Red Rose Guild with her dignity, much like her dress, in tatters.

Carefully, she once again cupped her broken hand to her bosom, using hat arm to try to hold the dress fabric in place while the other hand seemed to mirror the first, save for the material trapped in the palm. Her actions had caught attention all right and Aerin made to start the trek one step at a time hoping that she would make it back to Ashari safely and that the explosion that she had seen did not mean that there was no longer an Ashari to go back to.
”The true man wants two things: danger and play. For that reason he wants woman, as the most dangerous plaything.” – Nietzsche

Avatar by Draconis (Found and resized by Paige)
http://drakonis.org
Grey Wolf
Furry Game Designer
Posts: 2742
Joined: Wed Mar 29, 2006 8:58 am

Post by Grey Wolf »

Aerin almost made her way past Paulie, before a hand on her forearm caused her to stop and spin around, as the guard pulled her back roughly. "Sweetheart. You aren't testing my patience are you? The Temple of Mother is this way." His chin motioned towards an imposing building some fifty paces ahead, in completely opposite direction of the Pan's Temple and the smoldering Red Rose Guild. "One last chance. What's it gonna be. Temple or not so nice damp, cold cell, filled with whores and thieves and cutthroats?" His face was mere inches from Aerin's, his fingers digging painfully into her skin, his breath smelling of cheap wine and even cheaper tobacco.

He actions did have an impact, for while the guard might not have acted upon it and was insisting on sending her to the Temple to sober up, people started turning towards the Temple of Pan, craning their necks to get a better look. Even a few of Paulie's fellow guards seemed interested in what the Nether was happening back there, though their leader was focused entirely on the near naked girl in front of him. He licked his lips, short stubble of a beard covering his cheeks, bristling, as his breathing became heavier. The man's eyes flicked quickly between Aerin's tits and her eyes, though tits had much more appeal it seemed and had his attention for longer stretches of time.
The diplomacy is the art of saying "Good dog", while you are searching for a big rock.
Aerin Penna Seleratus
Civus
Posts: 437
Joined: Fri Apr 13, 2007 6:51 am
Location: Thatcher, AZ

Post by Aerin Penna Seleratus »

“Fine. Yes.” Aerin agreed, her words short as she attempted to ply herself free of both his grip and leering gaze, turning her eyes to the temple. “I will go this way then, as you command.” Her voice was laced with frustration- surely Ashari, with her magic, could mend her hand and Aerin felt as though she would be more at ease with the young witch than with some priests, no matter who they followed. Still, Paulie was fairly insistent that she be not allowed to return to what little remained of the guild until she had been properly clothed and ‘sobered up’ and so Aerin had indeed resigned herself to the fact that Mother’s Temple would be a necessary evil which must be endured.

The pain from his grip and his continued stares, however, were two things that she could do without and, with a smirk on her lips, Aerin nodded toward a point behind Paulie. “I can get there faster if you release me…” Her tone, despite the smirk, was growing angry. “Look.. Defenseless kittens…” A lie, but Paulie suddenly struck Aerin as the type to be thrilled at such ‘good fortune’ for himself and ‘bad fortune’ for helpless creatures like herself.

Once again, Aerin attempted to break free of the man’s grip.
”The true man wants two things: danger and play. For that reason he wants woman, as the most dangerous plaything.” – Nietzsche

Avatar by Draconis (Found and resized by Paige)
http://drakonis.org
Grey Wolf
Furry Game Designer
Posts: 2742
Joined: Wed Mar 29, 2006 8:58 am

Post by Grey Wolf »

Paulie was just about to release Aerin's hand, happy with her obedient answer, but then she had to go and make fun of him. His fingers relaxed on her forearm and he did start to turn to where she indicated, but the grip was back as soon as she mentioned kittens. He could go over her nudity and drunken stupidity. He had been drunk himself a number of times and knew how pigheaded drunks and junkies could be. What he could not go over was the disrespect and contempt and the punishment for such infractions was quick to come. His grip became painful rather than just unpleasant, quite likely to leave marks on her skin afterwards as the man looked up at her with anger clearly flashing in his eyes, his face twisted into a scowl.

Jerking her towards him, he stepped aside and made her stumble as he let go, his booted foot helping Aerin along with a shove against her rump, threatening to send her sprawling to the ground once more. She never hit the dirt, a pair of Paulie's goons catching her, and pulling her up, with quite a bit of groping and touching. Much more than was necessary to keep her on her feet. The man to her left smelled heavily of sweat and garlic, his palms greasy and quite fond of the girls behind, his partner less stinky, but much rougher, Showing obvious love of cleavage as he used a hand on her bosom to steady Aerin. "Take her to the Mother's Temple and make sure she does not get into trouble. If she gives you any trouble, toss her into a cell in the Gaol till morning." The goons' nodded and turned, half draggin and half-carrying Aerin away from the wreck of the Red Rose Guild. "Come on, luv. Be a good girl and corporate. Nothing better than a corporative girl." It was the sweaty goon on the left, Paulie's next command almost lost in the noise of the party around them. "Come, lets go see what all that mess up at the Pan's Temple is. Maybe the Panlings are throwing an all out orgy and I sure as Nether don't want to miss that." Even if there had been an orgy, Aerin was about to miss it, as her captors kept taking her the other way.
The diplomacy is the art of saying "Good dog", while you are searching for a big rock.
Aerin Penna Seleratus
Civus
Posts: 437
Joined: Fri Apr 13, 2007 6:51 am
Location: Thatcher, AZ

Post by Aerin Penna Seleratus »

Aerin cursed her helplessness as Paulie tossed her about like a rag doll – compassion was certainly not a standard issue item when it came to the city guard even if it had been her own tongue which had provoked the treatment. Before she could protest further, she felt herself being held by the two guards, her rump and breasts tasting a bit of unneeded attention from the pair, their scents almost as overpowering as their hands.

"Take her to the Mother's Temple and make sure she does not get into trouble. If she gives you any trouble, toss her into a cell in the Gaol till morning."


“I…”, she began, wanting to re-explain to the head moron that she was going to the temple if they would let her, but her common sense finally awakened from its slumber, rolled out of bed, and kindly told her to nod and shut her mouth for once. Aerin took its advice. She moved with the guards, surrendering herself any indignities that they wished to inflict upon the way, not arguing if they decided to further paw breast or arse.

"Come on, luv. Be a good girl and corporate. Nothing better than a corporative girl. Come, lets go see what all that mess up at the Pan's Temple is. Maybe the Panlings are throwing an all out orgy and I sure as Nether don't want to miss that."


Just as I am sure that it is every Panling’s desire to have you two picked as potential breeding stock… What wonderful horrors your seed would make, I imagine… Aerin scowled silently as she kept herself aimed at the temple, eventually finding her way inside.

It was with no small amount of humor that Aerin laughed once inside – the redhead suddenly realizing that her self-promise of ‘They will have to drag me, kicking and screaming, into a temple of any sort’ had almost come true.
”The true man wants two things: danger and play. For that reason he wants woman, as the most dangerous plaything.” – Nietzsche

Avatar by Draconis (Found and resized by Paige)
http://drakonis.org
Grey Wolf
Furry Game Designer
Posts: 2742
Joined: Wed Mar 29, 2006 8:58 am

Post by Grey Wolf »

Even had the injury and smoke not taken its toll on her body, Aerin would have found it hard to resist Paulie, the guard not big, but definitely strong, his two companions gentle compared to him. What they lacked in hard muscle, they more than made up in fat and wandering hands, but as the girl refused to resist they soon grew bored with simply groping and did as they were told. It was simply not fun to bother with a willing victim, and as soon as they reached the Mother's Temple they let go of Aerin and waited for her to get inside. Even at that late hour a couple of acolytes stood ready and despite any protests insisted on at least binding her hand and setting her bones, before giving her a herbal teas that would soothe her pain, and make her sleep for a couple of marks, giving her battered body a bit of a rest before morning.
The diplomacy is the art of saying "Good dog", while you are searching for a big rock.
Maeve
The Dragon & Game Designer
Posts: 15536
Joined: Thu Oct 03, 2002 1:29 pm
Location: The Netherlands

Post by Maeve »

Skilled this narrow escape!
[i][b][color=orange][size=92]Smile and carry a big stick.[/color][/b][/i][/size]
Locked

Return to “Inner City Archive”