Opiate of the Masses (Open)

[111]

A semi sequel to: The Rights of All

 

 

All over the city, in alleyways, and cramped corners. They lie. On lamp posts and fenceposts their corners flutter in the cold and snowy breeze. 

 

 

                                 

[align=center]MEN AND WOMEN OF ISHGARD[/align]

[align=left]

 

 

[align=center]YOUR FREEDOM LIES AT HAND[/align]

 

 

[align=center]The time comes to take back your destiny. The Noble Houses and Holy See are naught but SLAVEMASTERS, sucking you dry, all in order to feed their own extravagance. [/align]

 

 

[align=center]The PEOPLE are the only true rulers of Ishgard[/align]

 

 

[align=center]You owe it to yourself and your children to tear down these ancient and corrupt structures.[/align]

 

 

[align=center]Down with the Holy See![/align]

 

 

[align=center]Down with the Noble Houses![/align]

 

 

[align=center]Down with the FALSE GOD HALONE![/align]

 

 

[align=center]The People shall Rise![/align]

 

 

[align=center]Meetings of the people's resistance held nightly, donations appreciated.[/align]

[/align]

 

 

 

 

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On a soapbox, in a a crowded street, an Elezen woman dressed in high boots, tight breeches and red Ul'dahn robes, is loudly and brazenly repeating the opinions of the poster, to any and all that walk by. 

 

 

"You there! Do you wish to help break the chains of oppression?" She says with a resolute smile, as you are handed a flyer.

[Dare]

It had been a long morning. 

 

Whereas many folks were still jubilant and ready to greet the day’s challenges, J’Keera trudged through the crowded streets of Ishgard with one mission, and one mission only; to find the inn, throw Gil at the keeper, and flop into bed as soon as possible. She had risen well before the Sun, overburdened with chores and tasks, and had decided to tackle them all at the same time – in addition to polishing her new found Machinist skills.

 

In other words, she bit off more than she could chew.

 

Her boots scuffed the ground as she dragged herself through the crowds, meeting every bump and blundering person with a tight-lipped leer. Her clothing was stained with the ash from gunpowder, her normally bright, neat orange ponytail was severely unkempt, and soot smeared her cheeks in a most unflattering way. As the inn came into sight, her golden eyes lit up in appreciation – there, finally, was salvation.

 

Yet as she bee lined towards the structure, a pamphlet was thrust into the Miqo’te’s hands, causing her to stumble and halt her forward momentum, staring down dumbly at the object before connecting the dots and slowly, slowly looking up to its source. Oppression?

 

“Methinks the only thing oppressed here is my venture to the inn.” J’Keera muttered callously, her lion-like tail flicking in irritation. She glanced over the flier briefly and blinked at what she read, once, twice, in rapid succession. She then gave the Elezen a look of pure scrutiny, pushing the flier back towards her.

 

“I shan’t have anything to do with this.” She stated flatly,folding her arms. “Denouncing the Holy See is one thing, but Halone herself?” Her head shook in disbelief. “Explain yourself.”

[Reiner Dorn]

Forgoing finery and jewels, brazen symbols of wealth or power, save one, a gold circlet with a red gem in it's center. Cloaked in black coat with fur hood, remarkable only for it's golden gryphon emblazoned on it's back. 

 

The Tower of Hyur strides through the courtyard, never sparing time to lay his eye on paper propaganda, but simply taking his time to watch the speaker.

 

The barking of voice, and the bustle of streets passing for half a bell are offset by the giant finally moving, crowd barely parting to let him through as he made way forward. Standing before the woman with a long near astral white gaze of the eye, the gruff Mhigan noble judging  and thinking.

 

Taking the flyer out of formality and polite respect, his other hand extending with a purse of gil bound tight by a cord, the end adorned with a linkpearl. "Coin may aid efforts, but only hearts can make the lone step. All they have to lose is their chains. Use it well." Turning from her with an unfailing gaze until eyes are out of few. "Use that well." inferring of the gil or pearl seems to not be of importance as his heavy boot steps joins the cacophony of the crowd away.

[DoomsdayClock]

In that open air, the nobleman stood and watched. His narrowed eyes had long since left the woman speaker, he'd stopped listening...stopped focusing on her as his attention turned to the crowd. A hand deftly sliding into his pocket, as long white gloved fingers curled around the Inquisitor's ring he carried. The metal felt colder than before, and now more than ever did it call out to him.

"How many..." He whispered to himself as hues drifted from one face to the next.

"Forty-seven souls saved...forty seven heretics given salvation over torture...And oh still how my hands ache..."He whispered softly to himself.

At the thought eyes went back to Evangline, and the bile in his stomach rose up into his throat.

"Forty Eight....the man who wore this ring, the man who was looking into her....and now here she is, outwardly parading her beliefs. How many more will I have to smother from this world to now keep this fool safe?"

He reached up touching over the stubble on his chin. How unkempt he had become. There was a time were Vairement Chevalier carried himself far better. The ponce and fop had been worn down, and the fatigued madman clawed at the facade to carve it's way free.

"I've....things now. Things to tend to...the little one, the Courier...How can I ever balance this all.."He muttered, as his tall, red coated frame made it's way through the crowd. It was within moments that he was looming behind the woman questioned Evangeline. His lips drawn into a tight line as vision bore down on her. And yet at the moment he said not a word to her, or outward in opposition to Evangline at all.

[111]

She gave the Elezen a look of pure scrutiny, pushing the flier back towards her.

 

“I shan’t have anything to do with this.” She stated flatly,folding her arms. “Denouncing the Holy See is one thing, but Halone herself?” Her head shook in disbelief. “Explain yourself.”

 

 

Evangeline clucks her tongue, "Explain myself? Why does not Halone come down to explain HERSELF!" She makes a grandiose gesture, "She cannot, of course, if she even exists. Yet people pray to her still. A god who will even lift a finger to protect her chosen city."

 

As people approach they can notice a thick black brand on the side of the Elezen's face. It is a crude depiction of a Drake. The mark of one who has committed some manner of heresy against the Holy See. Generally such marks are only seen on those marching towards the gallows.

 

"If I am wrong, if Halone is a true god, surely she will strike me down for my words!" Evangeline looks expectantly up at the stars, "DO IT YOU WRETCH." Sadly, no lighting crashes from the sky to burn her. "See? She cannot even defend her honor, let alone this city."

 

 

Taking the flyer out of formality and polite respect, his other hand extending with a purse of gil bound tight by a cord, the end adorned with a linkpearl. "Coin may aid efforts, but only hearts can make the lone step. All they have to lose is their chains. Use it well." Turning from her with an unfailing gaze until eyes are out of few. "Use that well." inferring of the gil or pearl seems to not be of importance as his heavy boot steps joins the cacophony of the crowd away.

 

Evangeline smiles and bows to the man, "See! A man who understands the greatest chains to progress are the ones we forge ourselves." The coin-purse is quickly secreted away into one of many pouches, "Your donation will be well used Ser!"

 

She does not appear to notice Vairement, or the grim countenance her bore.

[Boo the Hamster]

Enju would look toward the Elezen he briefly knew of from months before.  She did help with Verad's investigation sure, but this..?  This is too much.

 

He listened to the desperate cry of a miracle to happen right this moment, knowing it's absurd to call for such.  Desperation from the masses is not what Ishgard needs.  Despite his lack of status here, there are some things that must be done for the greater good.

 

"Halone defended more than just this city.  Do you not remember the Calamity?  Where the Twelve themselves came down to save Eorzea from the dreadwyrm Bahamut?  What of the times then?  Is that not proof enough that the Twelve themselves existed, where they lent their aid to save Eorzea from complete destruction? Do you forget what Louisoix has done for us?"

 

He stopped there, or thought of it, then simply shook his head, his brows furrowed.

 

"You bring nothing but chaos in your wake.  If you divide the people with your nonsense, you're only going to bring doom upon Ishgard.  Is that what you desire?  To have this city be destroyed and for the people to suffer a fate worse than death because of it?  If you truly care for the people, then show it, as those who work with the See do in the Brume, as others have with the hand they extend toward them and those who give their lives in the line of duty against the Horde every sun."

 

He turned his back with that, moving to walk toward the Brume with his words spoken.  He couldn't bear to stay a moment longer.

[111]

Enju would look toward the Elezen he briefly knew of from months before.  She did help with Verad's investigation sure, but this..?  This is too much.

 

He listened to the desperate cry of a miracle to happen right this moment, knowing it's absurd to call for such.  Desperation from the masses is not what Ishgard needs.  Despite his lack of status here, there are some things that must be done for the greater good.

 

"Halone defended more than just this city.  Do you not remember the Calamity?  Where the Twelve themselves came down to save Eorzea from the dreadwyrm Bahamut?  What of the times then?  Is that not proof enough that the Twelve themselves existed, where they lent their aid to save Eorzea from complete destruction?  Do you forget what Louisoix has done for us?"

 

He stopped there, or thought of it, then simply shook his head, his brows furrowed.

 

"You bring nothing but chaos in your wake.  If you divide the people with your nonsense, you're only going to bring doom upon Ishgard.  Is that what you desire?  To have this city be destroyed and for the people to suffer a fate worse than death because of it?  If you truly care for the people, then show it, as those who work with the See do in the Brume, as others have with the hand they extend toward them and those who give their lives in the line of duty against the Horde every sun."

 

He turned his back with that, moving to walk toward the Brume with his words spoken.  He couldn't bear to stay a moment longer.

 

Evangeline shakes her fist as the man leaves, "Lies and rumor I say! There is no proof the twelve stopped that beast, and if they did, it was a poor job done. Some gods they are, to let the calamity happen to us!"

 

"The people are already divided Ser! Between the Rich, Royal, and Holy who profit off this war, and the common people who fight it!" 

 

She stomps her foot, "The people should rule in this city! There is no need to bow under Priests, Kings or Gods!"

[LystAP]

Aigiarn looks at the yelling Elezen and the fliers floatingaround. It reminds her of the occasional ramble rousers that often sprung up in Garlean territory. Having only recently arrived in the city, she was unfamiliar with the specifics of the city’s politics. She did learn general facts and rumors about the Holy See, while passing through Coerthas.

 

Looking around, she was surprised that none of thesupposedly zealous Temple Knights were nowhere to be found, despite the rumored suppression of dissidents within the city proper.

 

Mayhap this could be another trap for catching dissidents;she remembers an occasion where a speaker went to the square of a city and rallied against their Garlean occupiers; later, the speaker was known to be a Garlean agent, and many of those residents who openly supported them were subsequently arrested.

 

Once she left the city, she heard that the resistancemovement had attempted to stage a revolt; but as a consequence of the previous event, few residents rallied to their cause, allowing the Garleans to crush the resistance swiftly.

 

However, she found herself gravitating towards thecommotion. Glancing about, she notices some individuals watching the commotion intently. Perhaps this will have an interesting end-result. But then…

 

 

“What are you doing? Are you crazy?” Aigiarn blurted outamong the crowd, her tail flicking about agitatedly.

 

-------

 

(Just to be sure, this is happening in Ishgard, right?)

[Dare]

The grim frown that decorated J'Keera's face only deepened as the Elezen spoke, even more-so when a coin-purse was given to her by a passerby. She scant had the chance to turn and see from whence it came before the person had gone, swallowed by the crowd that swooned in the area. Uttering a small 'tsk', J'Keera turned back to the Elezen with another fervent shake of her head.

 

"O'course Halone isn't going to strike you down personally." The Miqo'te pressed, unfolding her arms and spreading her palms. "Nor shall the rest of the Twelve. Halone's will persists through her people, and through them, doth she exist."

 

She paused then, casting her gaze skyward for a moment before letting it fall back to the woman in front of her. "It matters not where they dwell, but rather whom they dwell within. Halone gives her people strength, and it is in that way doth she live."

 

As more folks from the crowd began to press in beside her, J'Keera took a moment of silence to observe how they reacted to the Elezen and her ideals. One man seemed far more grim than she, and had said naught; both of which peaked J'Keera's interest. Her gaze then swiftly shifted as another spoke out, denouncing the preacher, before leaving in a huff.

 

As another lass spoke their piece, J'Keera decided to chime in again. 

 

"Tell me," She spoke up, sparing a glance in the grim man's direction, "Whom do you believe in then, if you do not bow to "Priests, Kings, or Gods"?" Her attention snapped back to the Elezen, a small quirk in her brow.

[111]

 

 

“What are you doing? Are you crazy?” Aigiarn blurted outamong the crowd, her tail flicking about agitatedly.

 

-------

 

(Just to be sure, this is happening in Ishgard, right?)

(Yep it is!)

 

"Crazy!?" Evangeline turns to face the Au Ra woman, with a face that admittedly, looks slightly crazed. 

 

"No, good comrade, I am the one who is sane! You all are locked in an eternal war with a foe you do not understand, giving praise to a god who does not protect you! For a thousand years you all! You common souls have fought and died while four noble houses and the Holy See feasted and relaxed on the backs of your labor."

 

"Open your eyes friend!"

 

"O'course Halone isn't going to strike you down personally." The Miqo'te pressed, unfolding her arms and spreading her palms. "Nor shall the rest of the Twelve. Halone's will persists through her people, and through them, doth she exist."

 

She paused then, casting her gaze skyward for a moment before letting it fall back to the woman in front of her. "It matters not where they dwell, but rather whom they dwell within. Halone gives her people strength, and it is in that way doth she live."

 

As more folks from the crowd began to press in beside her, J'Keera took a moment of silence to observe how they reacted to the Elezen and her ideals. One man seemed far more grim than she, and had said naught; both of which peaked J'Keera's interest. Her gaze then swiftly shifted as another spoke out, denouncing the preacher, before leaving in a huff.

 

As another lass spoke their peace, J'Keera decided to chime in again. 

 

"Tell me," She spoke up, sparing a glance in the grim man's direction, "Whom do you believe in then, if you do not bow to "Priests, Kings, or Gods"?" Her attention snapped back to the Elezen, a small quirk in her brow.

 

Evangeline brightens, "I'm glad you asked, Sister."

 

"Why I believe in the goodness and strength of every man and woman. We are not animals, to be hooked to a plow and driven. We are not dogs to be trained!"

 

"We can take control of our own destinies! Create our own laws, forge our own destiny!" She points up to the Cathedral on the hill, "Look not upwards for the will to resist, but to each other!"

 

"What right to nobles or gods have to demand our allegiance, what makes them superior to the commoner?"

[Dogberry]

Dogberry had been working all day. His carpentry was needed to repair some of the planks in the steps rising from The Brume. He was exhausted from the labor, and angry at paltry sum his employer gave him at the end of the day. No doubt the bastard assumed a Roegadyn was bad at counting. An attempt at getting a fair deal was met with the threat of no more future work. His blood was boiling. He stopped short when confronted with a flyer. After looking it over, he smirked and looked at the young (he assumed? Elezen aged weirdly) woman in front of him.

 

"Y'know, you're th'only one I've seen in this city that has a damned clue?" He said in his thick Lominsan accent. "Ain't jus th'city, whole world's like this. Worker gets nothin', not even th'fruit o' their labors. I been thinkin' it's time t'organize, m'self. We pull together, they can't bully us. Where're these meetin's?"

[V'aleera]

V'aleera watches the spectacle from just outside the edge of the crowd, garbed in the regalia of her station amongst the Holy See's elite dragonslayers, her eyes narrowing in a attempt to confirm the identity of the speaker. Her suspicions quickly confirmed, a brief and furious glare flashes across her vizage as she peers at Evangeline. But as her gaze lingers on the woman's face her expression shifts to one of regret and disappointment. A glimmer of sadness in her eye, she turns her back on her one-time ally and walks away.

[Dare]

Evangeline brightens, "I'm glad you asked, Sister."

 

"Why I believe in the goodness and strength of every man and woman. We are not animals, to be hooked to a plow and driven. We are not dogs to be trained!"

 

"We can take control of our own destinies! Create our own laws, forge our own destiny!" She points up to the Cathedral on the hill, "Look not upwards for the will to resist, but to each other!"

 

"What right to nobles or gods have to demand our allegiance, what makes them superior to the commoner?"

 

J'Keera shifted her weight to one leg, her lips tight, but her eyes curious. She followed the woman's gesture towards the Cathedral, tall and ominous in the low-hanging clouds. She would hate to admit it outright, but the Elezen had brought up a good point - there really wasn't any right for the nobles to make rule of the peasants the way they did, or otherwise.

 

However...

 

"I see where you are coming from." J'Keera spoke softly, dragging the cuff of her shirt against her cheek, wiping away some of the soot that stained it. "While it may be true that we ought to be free to our own destinies, there are... necessities, the Holy See provides.

 

"Food, soldiers, protection," She continued, extending a finger for each item she listed, "a guiding light to those who have none. Such is what Halone brings too, for it is her divine fury that brings warmth even to the most cold of places, and gives soldiers strength to drive back the Horde."

 

J'Keera then paused and listened to the Roegaydn that had approached, her frown returning. "Surely you are compensated somehow; not even Gil?" She pressed the man with the tilt of her head. "Methinks most cities would deem any labor to be deserving of Gil, at the very least."

[Klynzahr]

V'aleera watches the spectacle from just outside the edge of the crowd, garbed in the regalia of her station amongst the Holy See's elite dragonslayers, her eyes narrowing in a attempt to confirm the identity of the speaker. Her suspicions quickly confirmed, a brief and furious glare flashes across her vizage as she peers at Evangeline. But as her gaze lingers on the woman's face her expression shifts to one of regret and disappointment. A glimmer of sadness in her eye, she turns her back on her one-time ally and walks away.

 

 

Not long after the last straggling onlookers are left behind, the uniformed Dragoon would pass a bulky armed figure. Smothered from head to foot in layers of chain and leather, there is nothing to distinguish the elezen-sized form apart from the dozens of other southern mercenaries, who currently wandered the icy streets.

 

[align=center] 

 

[align=left]However as V'aleera approaches the tall figure straightens from it's customarily slouched position, towering above the small dragoon. From below the mask, Val might be able to glimpse a flash of dusky skin and a pair of sharp, blue eyes. They linger on the passing dragoon for several moments, before focusing back in the direction of Evangeline's distant voice. Only when V'aleera is almost upon her does the mercenary speak in a soft, husky voice.

 

"..... there trouble yet?" [/align]

[/align]

[V'aleera]

V'aleera stops as she is addressed, turning with a suspicious gaze to eye the source of the voice. After several moments of quiet scrutiny, the frown on her face softens slightly. "Ah, Klyn, I did not recognize you beneath their." She turns to briefly look back toward the crowd she had left, her frown deepening as a sigh escapes her lips. 'No trouble yet, and any that arises is of her own making." The blonde woman shakes her head, "I had high hopes for her return to the homeland; I truly believed that she was committed to doing good. But this..." She scoffs, "This is nothing but the same foolish nonsense she played at in Ul'dah. The greatest accomplishment she can hope for while pursuing this asinine line of action is to agitate those with far more pressing concerns to address." The dragoon lifts a hand and waggles a finger at the large woman beside her, "If she is lucky she will only be escorted out the Gates of Judgement."

[111]

"Y'know, you're th'only one I've seen in this city that has a damned clue?" He said in his thick Lominsan accent. "Ain't jus th'city, whole world's like this. Worker gets nothin', not even th'fruit o' their labors. I been thinkin' it's time t'organize, m'self. We pull together, they can't bully us. Where're these meetin's?"

 

"Greetings Brother! For we are all Brothers and Sisters in this struggle." She waves her arms in a theatrical gesture. "Indeed the workers of this land give not only their labor, but their blood and lives in defence of it. All for the scraps of the Rich and Royal."

 

She grins, "Yes, Organize we shall! But..." She coughs, losing some of her confidence, "I have had some difficulty finding a landowner willing to rent me a room for the meetings." She exhales, "Something about heresy... though hopefully I will find one soon."

 

 

 

"I see where you are coming from." J'Keera spoke softly, dragging the cuff of her shirt against her cheek, wiping away some of the soot that stained it. "While it may be true that we ought to be free to our own destinies, there are... necessities, the Holy See provides.

 

"Food, soldiers, protection," She continued, extending a finger for each item she listed, "a guiding light to those who have none. Such is what Halone brings too, for it is her divine fury that brings warmth even to the most cold of places, and gives soldiers strength to drive back the Horde."

 

J'Keera then paused and listened to the Roegaydn that had approached, her frown returning. "Surely you are compensated somehow; not even Gil?" She pressed the man with the tilt of her head. "Methinks most cities would deem any labor to be deserving of Gil, at the very least."

 

 

"A GIL?" Evangeline waves her arms again, "Why should this happen at all? The nobles live in their grand estates, the priests in their grand Cathedrals. Yet the poor souls in the Brume lack not even homes to shelter them against the Cold, lost in the recent attack by the Dravanian hordes?"

 

She spreads her arms, "Is this Justice? Is this Halone's guiding light? That teaches the nobles and priests to cast out the cold, poor and dirty, letting them freeze to death rather than find them a place at their hearth? They are quick enough to use you all when you are needed."

 

She points to the Roe Carpenter, "When they need Labor."

 

She points to a nearby guard, "When they need a steady hand to hold a spear."

 

"Yet when it is the people in need, they can but barely raise a jeweled finger and toss a few gil!"

 

She nods, "As for the strength Halone supposedly provides, I doubt that as well. The Garleans were able to defeat the greatest of the Wyrms, and his spawn at Silvertear Lake. Science, Reason, and Technology proving more than a match. I am no advocate of their Empire, yet perhaps we should give more thanks to the Machinists of Skysteel than Halone for our safety. For all we have prayed, she has not swept a single Drake from the sky."

 

At this point a hastily assembled group of knights and robed figured can be seen organizing at the far end of the square, weapons gleaming among flurries of snow.

[Dogberry]

"Greetings Brother! For we are all Brothers and Sisters in this struggle." She waves her arms in a theatrical gesture. "Indeed the workers of this land give not only their labor, but their blood and lives in defence of it. All for the scraps of the Rich and Royal."

 

She grins, "Yes, Organize we shall! But..." She coughs, losing some of her confidence, "I have had some difficulty finding a landowner willing to rent me a room for the meetings." She exhales, "Something about heresy... though hopefully I will find one soon."

 

"I can offer m'place," Dogberry said, scratching his bearded chin. He sounded unsure, as if embarrassed. "It's small, near to th'Brume. Can't host many people, but it can do as a start. How many members d'y'normally get?"

 

He offered the Elezen woman his hand.

 

"Come look me up sometime," He said. "Name's Bharfyst Elilstyrmsyn."

[DoomsdayClock]

" Oh dear....the song bird doth sing till the axe man doth come for her head.." He muttered, loudly enough for the woman infront of him to hear.

He was getting nervous, and rightly so. With each friendly reply Eva got, she gained far more in scowls and tension. As he noted the arrival of encroaching knights, the viper realized some form of hastly action would be needed.

" fifty....fifty one....fifty two..fifty three.." he spoke out, county each knight as if additions to his grim taly.

" And then there is the need to somehow get away...." he shook his head. No...none of that would work. But what would? Eyes grew wide at the realization. He knew what to do. He pressed a hand to the woman before him, the one speaking on Halone, upon her shoulder. And after it he strode past her, free hand drawing his knife from his belt. Loudly he would announce..

" Shall this be an example to her fury given flesh! Shall this show true to all present that the Twelve do act through agents of this world. Shall my blade snuff out a liars tongue , and rob her of voice and breathe forever more. " did Vairemont annouce as he approachex both she and the Roe she spoke with. Derranged only barely described hus countenance.

( forgive my typing. On a phone at the beach :cactuar: )

[Klynzahr]

"Ah, Klyn, I did not recognize you beneath their." She turns to briefly look back toward the crowd she had left, her frown deepening as a sigh escapes her lips. 'No trouble yet, and any that arises is of her own making." The blonde woman shakes her head, "I had high hopes for her return to the homeland; I truly believed that she was committed to doing good. But this..." She scoffs, "This is nothing but the same foolish nonsense she played at in Ul'dah. The greatest accomplishment she can hope for while pursuing this asinine line of action is to agitate those with far more pressing concerns to address." The dragoon lifts a hand and waggles a finger at the large woman beside her, "If she is lucky she will only be escorted out the Gates of Judgement."

 

 

        Klynzahr cringes slightly as the familiar voice addresses her. "Gods above V'aleera, is it so bloody obvious?" She grumbles tensely, "I reckoned th'full visor would 'o hidden me a might better."

 

         Squinting at the distant croud in it's cloud of freshly printed propaganda, she continues in a straightforward manner "Yer not wrong though. 'Vangeline has a ponze o' imagination and a tonze o' impulsiveness  fer every onze o' common sense in her head. Given ten years she may o'mellowed enough ter change th'world, but today..." The bulky woman trails off, shaking her head.

 

         Without her customary thick spectacles, the distantly clustered audience was nothing more than a shifting blur, which blocked Evangeline herself from view. The muted colours of the menacing group across the square left them nearly indistinguishable from the overwhelming grey around them. Klynzahr's nearsighted gaze slipped their way only to snap back at the sound of a raised voice competing with Evangeline's.

 

".....an example... show true ....through agents of this world...."

 

The Roegadyn stood frozen, while her failing eyes struggled to distinguish the speaker.

 

".....snuff out a liar's tongue.... rob her of voice...."

 

"Hells dammit all." Klynzahr swore quietly, with a tangible note of fear under the coarse words "Trouble's not waitin' t'day."

[V'aleera]

        Klynzahr cringes slightly as the familiar voice addresses her. "Gods above V'aleera, is it so bloody obvious?" She grumbles tensely, "I reckoned th'full visor would 'o hidden me a might better."

 

         Squinting at the distant croud in it's cloud of freshly printed propaganda, she continues in a straightforward manner "Yer not wrong though. 'Vangeline has a ponze o' imagination and a tonze o' impulsiveness  fer every onze o' common sense in her head. Given ten years she may o'mellowed enough ter change th'world, but today..." The bulky woman trails off, shaking her head.

 

         Without her customary thick spectacles, the distantly clustered audience was nothing more than a shifting blur, which blocked Evangeline herself from view. The muted colours of the menacing group across the square left them nearly indistinguishable from the overwhelming grey around them. Klynzahr's nearsighted gaze slipped their way only to snap back at the sound of a raised voice competing with Evangeline's.

 

".....an example... show true ....through agents of this world...."

 

The Roegadyn stood frozen, while her failing eyes struggled to distinguish the speaker.

 

".....snuff out a liar's tongue.... rob her of voice...."

 

"Hells dammit all." Klynzahr swore quietly, with a tangible note of fear under the coarse words "Trouble's not waitin' t'day."

Craning her neck to look up at Klyn, the blonde woman simply shrugs, "There are few of your kind present in the Holy See; fewer still who speak in such a strong Limsan tongue. That aside, we met briefly some short time ago when you stumbled upon myself and miss Mol in the Congregation." She gives a light-hearted smirk, "All that given, it was not a terribly difficult ruse to see through."

 

She shakes her head in frustration as the dialogue returns to the subject of the preaching Elezen revolutionary, "She's hardly dull of mind, that woman. Ishgard is plagued by many burdens and ills, and as sharp a wit as she has she could be doing real work to aid in the efforts to relieve them. But no, instead she insists in wasting her time on this nonsense." Looking back to the crowd and narrowing her gaze as a fresh commotion seems to brew V'aleera remarks, "And it would seem this farce has yet to reach its full potential yet." Slit-pupiled eyes scan the distant grey, making note of what her companion's do not. The Ishgardian tenses, suddenly becoming much more aware of the weapon strapped to her back and the distance between herself and the mob.

[LystAP]

Aigiarn glances about the crowd and notes the increasingly hostile glances from all around. It feels all too dangerous to stick around, but her curiosity in regards of the well being of the near-insanely passionate Elezen continues to get the better of her thoughts. She had heard of recent agreements within the Forgotten Knight between the Temple Knights and the rumored revolutionaries in the Brume, but the Elezen’s display seems to be testing those to their limit.

 

"Greetings Brother! For we are all Brothers and Sisters in this struggle." She waves her arms in a theatrical gesture. "Indeed the workers of this land give not only their labor, but their blood and lives in defence of it. All for the scraps of the Rich and Royal."

 

She grins, "Yes, Organize we shall! But..." She coughs, losing some of her confidence, "I have had some difficulty finding a landowner willing to rent me a room for the meetings." She exhales, "Something about heresy... though hopefully I will find one soon."

 

"I can offer m'place," Dogberry said, scratching his bearded chin. He sounded unsure, as if embarrassed. "It's small, near to th'Brume. Can't host many people, but it can do as a start. How many members d'y'normally get?"

 

He offered the Elezen woman his hand.

 

"Come look me up sometime," He said. "Name's Bharfyst Elilstyrmsyn."

 

She watches Evangeline’s exchange with the Roegadyn and finally shouts:

 

“What are you doing? Do you remember what they say happens to such dissidents in the city? They might throw you and everyone else here off the city walls to see if dragons try to catch us!”

[111]

 

"I can offer m'place," Dogberry said, scratching his bearded chin. He sounded unsure, as if embarrassed. "It's small, near to th'Brume. Can't host many people, but it can do as a start. How many members d'y'normally get?"

 

He offered the Elezen woman his hand.

 

"Come look me up sometime," He said. "Name's Bharfyst Elilstyrmsyn."

 

 

Evangeline smiles, her voice soft over the growing roar of the crowd, "The is a kind one Ser. I will seek you out. If nothing else than simply to hear the struggle from the view of another pair of eyes." 

 

She reaches out and shakes his hand, "Evangeline Primrose." Her voice remains low, "Now, Brave Ser, I suggest you retreat before this gets out of hand." The Elezen's eyes find the form of the tall man striding through the crowd, chanting religious words. She turns back to the Roe, "Which might be sooner rather than later."

 

 

 

" Oh dear....the song bird doth sing till the axe man doth come for her head.." He muttered, loudly enough for the woman infront of him to hear. 

He was getting nervous, and rightly so. With each friendly reply Eva got, she gained far more in scowls and tension. As he noted the arrival of encroaching knights, the viper realized some form of hastly action would be needed. 

" fifty....fifty one....fifty two..fifty three.." he spoke out, county each knight as if additions to his grim taly. 

" And then there is the need to somehow get away...." he shook his head. No...none of that would work. But what would? Eyes grew wide at the realization. He knew what to do. He pressed a hand to the woman before him, the one speaking on Halone, upon her shoulder. And after it he strode past her, free hand drawing his knife from his belt. Loudly he would announce..

" Shall this be an example to her fury given flesh! Shall this show true to all present that the Twelve do act through agents of this world. Shall my blade snuff out a liars tongue , and rob her of voice and breathe forever more. " did Vairemont annouce as he approach both she and the Roe she spoke with. Derranged only barely described hus countenance.

 

 

Evangeline straightens, her back firm, but she cannot keep some fear and recognition from her eyes as the Elezen male strides towards her. "It is not the tongue of the liar, you dog! It is one that speaks the truth that many feel. If the twelve act through men such as yourself, they have poor methods indeed." Still her eyes began scanning the crowd softly, looking for escape routes as the templars began to block off the exits to the square.

 

 

 

Aigiarn glances about the crowd and notes the increasingly hostile glances from all around. It feels all too dangerous to stick around, but her curiosity in regards of the well being of the near-insanely passionate Elezen continues to get the better of her thoughts. She had heard of recent agreements within the Forgotten Knight between the Temple Knights and the rumored revolutionaries in the Brume, but the Elezen’s display seems to be testing those to their limit. 

 

She watches Evangeline’s exchange with the Roegadyn and finally shouts: 

 

“What are you doing? Do you remember what they say happens to such dissidents in the city? They might throw you and everyone else here off the city walls to see if dragons try to catch us!”

 

 

Evangeline's concentration is broken by the words of the Au Ra woman, and her face breaks into a slightly smile, "Throw us off the walls, you say? One would could only wish for such kind treatment." Her eyes continue to flit over to the knife wielding Elezen as she speaks, "You would do well to hide yourself for a time, sister. The Inquisitors will be interested in all who spoke to me closely."

 

She then throws her arms out wide and raises her voice once more, "Brothers, Sisters, even if I am silenced, I beg you not to accept the lies this city has told you. Seek out your own answers, and do not forget that currently you are as caged animals. If not of this city, then for another. Open your eyes!"

[Klynzahr]

"All that given, it was not a terribly difficult ruse to see through."

 

 "She's hardly dull of mind, that woman. Ishgard is plagued by many burdens and ills, and as sharp a wit as she has she could be doing real work to aid in the efforts to relieve them. But no, instead she insists in wasting her time on this nonsense." Looking back to the crowd and narrowing her gaze as a fresh commotion seems to brew V'aleera remarks, "And it would seem this farce has yet to reach its full potential."

 

Although Klynzahr doesn't glance back to the small dragoon, the eyes behind the slits of her mask curl into a smile. "Next time." She replies, enunciating each word deliberately "I will wear fake ears."

 

Biting off a short nervous laugh, the towering woman begins moving slowly towards the square. Still oblivious to the soldiers, she focuses her eyes upon the uncertain croud surrounding her companion.

 

"V'aleera...." She addressees the Miquo'te in a voice strung with tension "Please."

 

There is a note of desperation in the unfinished request, as Klynzahr finally turns back to face Val. Studying the skilled fighter intently, the muffled sea wolf continues slowly backing towards the square. "Jus' remember... lass." She pleads finally "S'not jus' any old fool this time. This one's Eva."

 

With that she turns back to the ill fated rally, finally able to make out the true threatening figures spreading around the square. Breathlessly she quickens her pace. Covering the distance with long ground eating strides, she aims to walk through the square's entrance before the approaching templars can bar it.

[Xydane Vale]

[[ Post has been drafted via Thread Author's request and re-posted to fit in play according to timeline. ]]

[111]

Their greaves approached loudly under the sound of plate clashing with mail. Their black and crimson armor marked by agony and hate was showered with the recent spilling of gore from many things that used to breathe.

 

Their greaves approached loudly, crushing the snow that blanketed the streets of cobble and stone.

 

Oh, for now it has been a time since they had returned home and those who survived over the trying years of Ishgard welcomed them with open arms. In time; however, those who knew of their considerable reputation had also learned one disturbing difference. No one knew what happened to the knights whom once served the passed Inquisitor Maulcrioux during the initial Dravanian attack and though they were thought dead, the brothers had returned with a loathsome aurora that followed them wherever they tread.

 

This hour marked the brothers back from a successful hunt for the decapitated head of a wyvern swung to and fro, clenched under the sharp metal fingers of Marcus Vale. Held with a deathly grip by the younger brother was also a woolen sack of unknown contents that dripped many crimson drops onto the white snow, leaving a trail that distinct the Vale Brothers' return.

 

Those citizens whom knew of the brothers staggered back at their arrival for Marcus and Xydane Vale had entered the setting. Even those few of the assembled knights had not the slightest idea that the intensity of the scene was about to rise.

 

Forcing their way pass unknowing adventurers, travelers, and citizens of Ishgard, the knights came to a halt within some feet away from where the instigator stood. The wyvern's head was dropped onto the ground, forcing a sound that mixed flesh, stone, snow, and bone to be heard by all.

 

Their dreadful helms, forged with revulsion, stared coldly at Evangeline and those that surrounded her.

 

Slowly, he began to unsheathe his massive bloodied claymore and with a voice that sounded impassive, Marcus Vale "The Nightmare" spoke.

 

"Xydane, let those unaware know the fate of such, for a public execution for the heretics shall now... begin."

Xydanes post is OOC until further notice. Feel free to keep posting, but his post brings far more into the situation than I'm prepared to deal with without prior agreement.