[NSFW] The Trail [Closed RP - OOC Welcome]

[Lumin]

Ehvar’s hands were thrown up hardly in time to catch the foot aimed for his face. A hit there would have been very unfortunate. His head was still throbbing with pain from this encounter with the wretch that undoubtedly took Mere away from him. The bloodied coeurl was just another sad memory for him to push aside for now. There was nothing that could be done about it -- least of all by dwelling on it. As the foot pressed with such force, the weight hit the switch at the palm of his hands. There was a reason the switch was there, after all. If it had not been, when he made the move to catch the foot and the weight shoved his own hands at his face, the spikes would have been rammed into his own face.

 

The spikes snapped back down and he was forced to skid back along the floor a few inches from the force of the kick. It only made him grin more and more. The inspector did not want to talk, but he was talking with him all the same with his body. “You have seen her dance. I can tell. -- Just not the same sort I was talking about. -- And let us be honest here.. You do not want a peaceful end to this. If you did, you would have just let me walk away, Inspector. You need it to be this way.”

 

The limb was not shoved back, but allowed to drop down when he suddenly released it and tucked in his body back and away. A click sounded. The spikes were back into play as he took his first swing aimed for the side of the inspector’s torso. Another followed immediately after regardless of if the first connected or not, this one aimed much higher towards the opposite side of his body, at Desmond’s neck and towards the back of his head.

[desmond28]

He refused to answer his taunts. In fact, he wouldn’t. It was a very basic rule not to reply to those you are interrogating. And that is what Paul would do before this test of each other’s defenses escalated.

 

The blow came full swing at him, his sword connected with the spikes to parry the attack but another quickly came for his neck. He crouched, spun, and swiped his leg at Ehvar’s to knock him down on his back.

 

“What I need is for you to face the penalty for your crimes. I know what happened in that storehouse. Mere says hi. Did you know she was still breathing when I left to come find you?”

[Lumin]

The swipe came and Ehvar did make an effort to catch the leg as he had before. However, there was a problem. The swing came from his left side -- where his vision was lacking and thus his hand slipped right past and failed in the attempt to defend himself or grapple his enemy. He landed down hard enough that it took the wind out of him for a second-- long enough to cause him to chuckle in amusement at the turn of events.

 

That laugh was brief and quickly snubbed away after Desmond spoke. The man who did not want to play his game apparently decided to play his own. The friendly look was quickly leaving his golden eyes as they focused in on the inspector before him. He quickly got to his feet as he growled out his next words, furious, “If you are bluffing, I will have your tongue out of that pretty mouth of yours.”

[desmond28]

He doesn’t press the advantage, at least not physically. Paul remains poised for Ehvar’s undoubted next attack. But he does press the verbal advantage.

 

“A young boy… Leto I think it was. He mentioned she was still breathing. And that’s the thing,” he says with quite a grin. “She was breathing until I helped her take her last breath. Tch, tch, poor thing was gurgling in her breaths. But she’s quiet now. Just like those girls you did.”

[Lumin]

Ehvar felt everything drop away. It felt as though the color had all but left his face for a moment. His fingers felt numb, but they soon clenched with anger. It caused the spikes to drop down. It wasn’t what he intended. It was just the rage that fueled him in his next actions. Just like when the woman, Synerva, first hurt Mere and he was in shock -- when he struck down at her face as hard as he could manage when he did not want to go that far so quickly. Desmond nudged that balance and it did more than go off kilter. It collapsed all together.

 

It was with that anger-- a blind rage that he launched himself forward. The force with which he used was not held back and each blow he surged forward was meant to do more than just taunt -- more than just hurt. And even though the advance was not as planned, the moves were still calculated. Years of training guaranteed that. The same training that had been done to control his emotions, however, did have its limits. Not everyone knew of his weak spot for the creature. Those that did knew not to tread on it.

 

Now that he was on the attack, he did not just focus on his prized fists that were his trademark in the murders. His legs too were used in an effort to break the man down a foot or two if the swings had not done that already. He would attempt to deliver a kick into Desmond’s shin to bring him down a notch. Gods willing, he would make good on his promise to rip that tongue from his gaping mouth soon enough.

[desmond28]

That’s it, release that control… The funny thing was that Paul didn’t know if the creature was dead or alive, but it had little time, regardless. He did learn something though: once he has Ehvar in custody, Mere is his ticket. The attack was not unexpected, and Paul dodging, blocking, and batting away. However, because of the fierceness there was no alternative to suffer a blow to his ribs and chest here and there.

 

The kick to his shin was tricky. He could not move his leg and suffer a sprain, possibly a break. Or he could roll with it and go down with the blow. The dance Paul moved to required him to suffer blows at time to then press an advantage. So back his leg went with the kick. But as he did he brought his blade fast and hard to hit Ehvar with the flat of his blade from the left side, working at the weak spot that Synerva had pointed out subtly.

 

That girl… she could have been more specific!

[Lumin]

As satisfying as it was that there were times his fists connected -- that he could feel the flesh and bone struck beneath his heavy blows -- he wanted more. He needed more. Ehvar had planned to bring out the darkness in Desmond. And it was shone, but in a way that left him anything but pleased over the matter. He thought perhaps it would work the man into a bloody fight with him -- something they both could have enjoyed. Something Lissa would have enjoyed as well if she had not been so.. Difficult. But she was a matter for another time now.

 

When the inspector dropped down, he foolishly planned to press onward still. He did not catch sight of the blade. It was hardly a blur. Then, the flash caught the focus of his good eye just before the sharp pain struck into his side. It was enough to cripple Ehvar down to the floor and he knew why. It was not just some wayward jab. It was aimed to send a shock to his system.

 

One fist hit the floor, his other hand grasped where the blade slammed into his body. It was enough to leave him gasping and unable to immediately recover, defend, or retaliate.

[desmond28]

Now was his chance. Paul moves in behind Ehvar and kicks him him to the floor, hard. He presses his head to the floor as he works to bound his hands in chained cuffs. He then kneels beside Ehvar.

 

“Here’s what tomorrow’s headlines will say: Ribbon Maker apprehended. Rape Spree Ends. Oh, one more thing. I lied. I didn’t kill Mere.”

 

Then, with the hilt of his blade, he hits Ehvar on the head hard to knock him out. He drags him to a nearby pillar support and secures him firmly to prevent escape.

 

Now, running to the stairs, Paul sheaths his blade and then takes them two to three at a time. So many rooms in this manor. One by one he kicked the doors in until eventually, he found the one that contained Lissa.

 

 

[Lumin]

The groan Ehvar let loose mingled into a primal growl when he was finally brought down. He could still hardly catch his breath over the pain, but the frustration and humiliation he felt over his loss was far greater than that. He felt the chains that were put into place and he might have started to struggle until… Mere.

 

Abruptly, all fight in him was gone. Just before it was all done with, he was laughing. Though what it was he found so funny would remain a mystery for the time being. The blow to his head easily did him in. It also reawoken the flow from his previous injury -- though that was hardly something of note when he was soon left behind at the pillar.

 

She could hear the doors along the hall, but she could not exactly make out what the sound actually was. One by one there was a bang and it reminded her briefly of the gunshots she heard before Ehvar struck her. It reminded her of the sick thuds when Ehvar struck her face in the past -- and also more recently. It reminded her of the drop of the body she once witnessed Ehvar disposing of. And then, suddenly, the thud exploded its way into the room she was trapped within.

 

M’lissa was still securely strapped to the bed. Her breaths wheezed loudly and were clearly labored not just through her nose but deeper. Her face was left bloodied from the assault she had no defense over. Her wrists were bruised and swollen from the fight she gave that did no good. The dress she had been forced to wear was in tatters on her body and it was quite clear what had likely been done to her in the time Ehvar had her there.

 

There was further bruising over her body. Her face was not the only place he landed his fists and raked the spikes. The worst damage, however, was still likely due to the hits she took to her head, the grip that had been placed at her neck that left very telling marks there, and undoubtedly further damage to her chest that could have been affecting her lungs from the sound of her distress. She could hardly focus past the blood in her eyes, but her lips did move. There was no sound. And it was clear this had not been her first attempt to call out to him judging from the tears that soaked her face nearly as much as the blood.

 

There was also another piece left behind. Ehvar knew the outcome of this to the very end. He knew Desmond would find Lissa one way or another. Desmond was not going to fall victim. Though, Ehvar did not likely expect to have been taken prisoner, the result was still the same.

 

Lissa’s hair had been pulled up into pigtails that had since become messy from her struggle and whatever happened between herself and Ehvar while they were alone in the room. It was what secured the hair that Desmond would most definitely find interesting to say the least. The bows tied there were not made of just the fabric from the recent victims. They were made of pieces of the last two missing fingers from the deceased. Their missing ring fingers -- skinned, separated into segments, cleaned and tied to resemble bows in her hair.

[desmond28]

As Paul looked over the room it was all entered into his mind in one flash, a blink of an eye. He didn’t delay. Letting Lissa know he was there, he begins to free her. He was careful in cutting her binds away, gently letting her arms drop so they didn’t slam against the bed.

 

He wanted to remove those hideous ribbons, but first her breathing. He puts his ear to her chest on one side, then the next. Her lungs didn’t sound horrible, just her breathing was bad. Likely a broken rib. Finally he removes the hideous bows.

 

“Don’t try to talk. I know it hurts, Lissa. I know. I’m here now. You’re safe.”

 

He was ill-equipped to handle something like this or even get her cleaned up. Thankfully, Paul had called for backup despite what Ehvar may have thought. He could hear the voices downstairs now. He speaks into his linkpearl and calls the team up. He makes sure another apprehends Ehvar.

 

In a few moments, Lissa was being lifted to a carriage to be pulled away for expert treatment. With her: Paul. He wasn’t leaving her alone in this state.

[Lumin]

Lissa could have fallen unconscious at any point, but when Ehvar left and mentioned that her inspector had arrived, her panic took hold. She could not hear what had happened outside the room. She was only able to wait and continue her struggle for air against the pain she felt all over her body. It was to the point that she really could not have guessed what was even hurt. Before, when Ehvar hit her face, it was just the one injury. Then they just kept adding up after she woke in her old room. Eventually, she lost track of where he struck her -- where she pulled too hard and hurt herself -- where he grabbed -- where he cut.

 

At some point, she left herself. She thought of how foolish she had been to have left on her own -- to have even thought she could have stopped Ehvar herself. What good had she done? But then she had to give herself some credit. If she had not acted, then what? Ehvar would have been gone from the storehouse by the time Desmond and his team found it. There would have been nothing to have led them in the right direction. More women would have died. It might have been foolish and reckless.. But her choice had worked, had it not?

 

It was Desmond’s voice at her side. It was Desmond who freed her from the restraints. As much as it pained her to move anything, she reached to grab for his hand through the blur of her vision. Then, when there were more voices, her hand squeezed more tightly. She could hardly make out what was happening. She gave something of a futile fight when she was moved. Soundless cries of pain left her lips. Then, suddenly, her hand lost its grip and went limp somewhere along the way. Between the pain and the shock, she finally lost consciousness.

[desmond28]

Interrogation

 

By now, Lissa was at a place where Paul could relax and not readily worry after her. He looked over several documents and pictures as he waited for Ehvar to be brought into the interrogation room. When Paul had arrived it was nearly a standing ovation from his comrades and fellow officers. Finally, they got him. But he would not forget Lissa’s sacrifice in this, nor would he forget Sireh’s.

 

It was time. He made his way to the interrogation room, opens the door, steps in, then softly closes it behind him. He takes a seat across from the table Ehvar is at and places a folder of documents and pictures to the right, near Paul’s end of the table.

 

“I trust they have been treating you well?”

[Lumin]

Where Ehvar sat, he did not at all look the part of the madman that everyone had in their minds for some time now. Even as Desmond entered, the miqo’te remained docile and somewhat slouched in his seat while not being entirely improper in his posture. If someone had not seen the damned evidence in the manor where Paul had caught him, they likely would have doubted he was the right guy.

 

“As well as can be expected,” Ehvar answered calmly. When he looked up, there was quite the bruise forming just beneath and to the side of that dead eye of his. He would give the one responsible credit if he did not know it was just a lucky shot in the dark to go for that side of his face specifically. Then again, with his limbs bound in chains and both angry and anxious looks focused on him, it was not like there was much he could do to aid himself in his current situation.

 

“You are not here to make pleasantries, Inspector,” Ehvar said with roll of his eyes. “So let us carry on to why you really are here. Yes?”

[desmond28]

Paul smirked slightly. Though the end of Ehvar’s speech was the tone of a question, Paul ignores it, or rather, does not acknowledge it. Instead he continues speaking his mind on what he was set out to say.

 

“I wanted to apologize for something. Of course, we do have things to discuss, but there is something troubling my mind. I lied about someone you care about. For that I am sorry. As proof that I am not lying now...”

 

He reaches in the folder and pulls out a picture, slides it to Ehvar whose hands were not chained so tight that he couldn’t stop the picture from sliding.

 

“Members of my team were able to get Mere professional help. Leto was doing his best to keep her alive, so you’ve him to thank. Had he ran, she would have died.”

[Lumin]

Ehvar gave a slow, gradual tilt of his head and his brows furrowed slightly inwards. It was not that he did not understand what Desmond was saying. He knew exactly what the man was referencing. The point that he could not grasp was why he was thinking he could play such a game with him when that ‘card’ had already been dealt. There was also the fact that, angry as he could get over Mere’s condition, there was no way he was breaking through the chains.

 

The folder was taken up and, after a long suspicious look Desmond’s way, he flipped it open. The coeurl looked well enough. Alive, which was far better than what he was expecting in the first place. Of course, it was no surprise about Leto. Of course the boy did not run. Though skittish, he was still loyal.

 

The folder was shut, though he did notably look at the pictures a while longer before doing so. “If you are looking for my gratitude.. you will be disappointed.” The soft look in his eyes slowly faded to something more stern to hide it away. “You see… I do not have any idea what or who you are talking about.”

[desmond28]

Paul pulls the photos back. He had more. Oh did he have more. But they were not of pets or something nice. They were of Ehvar’s handiwork. He reaches to another photo and pulls it out. Victim number one. He slides the photo forward.

 

“Then let’s talk about someone you do know. C’gemsebo.” Paul says the name effortlessly. “She was walking home from an academy at night and then she was abducted. She was found beaten to death and savaged beforehand. Why did you choose her?”

[Lumin]

The face Ehvar made in response to the picture presented before him was one of pure disgust. “Who..? I do not know this person. I do not even know what I am here.” He shifted his feet restlessly beneath the table. He sat more upright to convey that desperate emotion clear as day. “I was minding my own business. Checking into my old man’s house after someone told me something was going on in there. Then you barge in and now I am here. Being shown.. This?”

 

Ehvar’s chained hands wave after the photo for emphasis. “Look, you can ask anyone who knows me. I like the ladies -- love them. But not like that.”

[desmond28]

“No, not all the ladies. Just certain ones; just your kind.”

 

He puts down photo after photo until he has all the victims laid out on the table. “Do you really think that’s a good cover? We found Lissa tied to a bed with ribbons made from the last two victims. That’s… pretty damning evidence. I mean… if you were in my position, what would you do? What would you think?”

[Lumin]

“Lissa?” Ehvar sounded out the name, testing it on his lips and appearing baffled. Then, he gave a start. “You mean M’lissa? M’lissa Keht? The same girl who killed my guardian -- my father, Ludovic? She was tied to a bed… with ribbons made of.. what?”

 

The miqo’te squinted, trying his best to decipher what it was he was being told as though he had no idea. “Wait, so you are saying she was in my old home? Some psycho killer was having a kink-show in my old house? Well, if I were you.. I hope you at least arrested her… If that is the same girl. She is a murderer, after all.”

[desmond28]

Paul was smirking again, even grinning. He knew for a fact Lissa hadn’t killed Ludovic and had never killed anyone.

 

“You should get your facts straight. I know for a fact that Lissa didn’t kill Ludovic. She doesn’t have it in her. But you… Oh, you’ve got what it takes. But here’s someone who didn’t make your list.”

 

Paul procures another photo. “Synerva. She was taken to your storehouse and held prisoner. That’s kidnapping right there. And then your boy Leto who you-” Paul airquotes “-don’t know told me everything you did to her. And then he told me that you kidnapped Lissa and took her to the manor. And then I found you… and Lissa… half beaten to death. And you had the weapons you did it with. I wonder whose blood will come back on those weapons? You know what? I don’t need you to tell me about these girls.”

 

He collects the photos and puts them in a folder.

 

“I have everything I need to put you away for the rest of your life. No one will ever know or even care about your stupid game.”

 

He gets up and begins to make his way to the door.

[Lumin]

Ehvar’s smile gradually faded away into the stern look offered Paul’s way. The last thing he wanted was to be reminded of Synerva while he was bound and trapped away headed for prison. But to hear that Leto had turned on him? His initial response was doubt -- despite how timid the boy was. Leto never questioned orders. Leto killed if he had to evil if he was still just a child. Even at risk of being imprisoned like himself, Leto stayed behind with Mere. That was not something Paul could have lied about.

 

If Leto had not pointed the way out to the inspector, he never would have found the last scene until it was spoiled and done with. But could Leto have really spilled everything? Why? Was it for his freedom? The boy did seem concerned over prison.

 

The inspector was nearly to the door when Ehvar tilted his head back and called after him. “I do not know anything about this Synerva woman. But maybe.. Someone is trying to frame me in their own game. Someone wanted Keht dead for what she did. I would almost be willing to take the fall for it too, if she did die.” He stared back after the man with a cocky smile playing at his lips. “You never did mention that, by the way. Other than being tied up with ribbons.. Beaten up… How is the murderer doing?”

[desmond28]

A smirk appeared on Paul’s face once more. “Tch, enjoy your cell, Ehvar.”

 

He tugs the door open and nearly steps out until he stops, turns around, and then says to Ehvar. “Oh, there’s just one more thing. I think it might be better if you see it. Words can’t do it justice. Guards! Let’s take him for a walk.”

 

He leads Ehvar down the hall and into another room. “Lock him to the rail.”

 

Paul then opens up a curtain that was hiding a window. Out the window would be Mere, resting, sedated, peaceful.

 

“While her injuries are patched and her bleeding stopped, there is internal bleeding that requires corrective surgery. Sadly that will cost quite a bit of gil and my department has no reason to save this animal’s life. After all, she can’t speak and tell me what happened. So of what use is she?”

[Lumin]

The miqo’te gave a small shrug as though the thought of returning to his cell was nothing. It wasn’t true. The guards were having fun using him as a punching bag while he was in chains. It left him seething with hatred and wondering what was taking them so long. Although, now hearing that Leto might have folded.. He supposed that could have explained the reason for the delay of his so-called allies. It was something he would just have to endure.

 

Then, as the guards were unclipping his chains from the table and floor, Ehvar found himself led, not to the cells, but elsewhere. “I do enjoy walks,” Ehvar attempted to show good humor about it all despite the anger and impatience eating away at him from inside.

 

But the walk ended and he was forced to face a curtained window in another room. He gave no fuss as he was locked in against the rail.. Not until the sight was unveiled to him. The chains grew taut and his jaw clenched. Golden eyes scanned the beast’s battered body. She had been so shredded into because of that damned woman. Her beauty had been stripped right from her and it left her bare and scarred. One of her tendrils were gone and she practically became like him in such a state. That side would forever falter. She would not be as perceptive as she was before. That woman destroyed his Mere.

 

For a time, Ehvar was dead silent. Then, suddenly, his hands gave a harsh jerk that caused the railing to creak and the chains to whip and clang noisily against it. “What the hells do you want from--”

 

“Ehvar,” a voice suddenly interrupted from the doorway of the room. There was security that had chased the odd woman with the dead stare down.

 

“You’re not authorized to--”

 

“I must speak with him. On behalf of House D’Aulaire,” the Raen woman announced-- not just to anyone, but to Desmond in particular. She walked her way right over and handed over a small heap of folders that likely corroborated her story.. And would take a lot of time to read through. Both were necessary for her mission’s success. “This man is not well. He was assigned to our lady’s custody after the passing of his previous lord and guardian. I am afraid anything more you have to ask of him, you will have to deal through me.” Her paled hand jutted out almost robotically towards Desmond. “You must be Inspector Desmond? You can call me Tsuki.”

[desmond28]

The commotion seemed to grab Paul’s attention and when this figure entered like she had some invitation, it made him wonder what was going on and maybe if he stumbled into something. When she offered her hand he looked down at it and then at Tsuki and just started laughing in disbelief. He doesn’t shake her hand.

 

“You can’t be serious… Yeah, I’ll take a look at those files…” He then turns to Ehvar and even walks up next to him and looks out the window at the pitiful creature.

 

“Her bleeding is severe. She doesn’t have much time, not like you, who has the rest of his life to think in a cell. I’m going to file my report on this mess you’ve made. What I want? I just simply wanted to hear your side of the story, help me fill in a few missing pieces. After a tribunal sees what you did to Lissa, they will easily convict you on ten rapes and murders. But no one will ever hear your side of the story.”

 

With that Paul leaves Ehvar’s side and leaves, but stops in the doorway.

 

“Oh, one more thing, Tsuki was it? You’re associated with this man?” He raises a finger and says, “Don’t go far. I’ll be watching you.”

 

Then Paul says to the guards, “She has five minutes with him and then back to his cell.” He then leaves the scene.

[Lumin]

Unnervingly enough, the Raen woman’s expression remained unchanged and dead to it all even when the inspector laughed rather than respectfully taking her hand like a proper gentleman would have. The insult was not lost on her, however. And she purposely kept her hand extended just a few seconds longer before she dropped it back to her side. She gave no further answers or explanations. She barely nodded her head to agree that she was ‘associated’ with Ehvar. It was not until he left that she moved to the miqo’te’s side.

 

Ehvar felt his wrists throb with pain. He still had the restraints pressuring against them as far as he could reach. That pain kept him from screaming out things he -wanted- to say at this point. “They will kill her if I don’t say anything,” he practically growled out the words.

 

“It’s just a damned coeurl, boy. You can get another,” Tsuki grunted back, eying the chains that were latched far too tightly. She began to turn to demand their loosening when Ehvar said something else to gain her attention.

 

“Hope you are good at your job,” Ehvar had muttered before he called back towards the inspector -- hopefully before he could leave the room. “I will tell you what happened to those women. And why. Just.. get my Mere the help she needs. Alright?” The smile was forced, but looked genuine enough if no one paid attention to that tantrum he had before Tsuki’s arrival or the fact that he was still straining restraints in his anger even now.

 

Tsuki stood there, stunned. She had been warned this would not be easy. She had no idea it meant that the fool would throw himself right into an impossible situation like this. It was enough to cause her to falter in silence for a moment. Then, she too looked back towards Inspector Desmond. “Make this agreement official in writing.. And we have a deal, Inspector.”