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Post by Risukage on Jan 23, 2017 1:07:27 GMT -5
A couple of minutes after Abbyline sits down someone approaches her table. The newcomer is completely nondescript; her hair is short-ish and brown-ish, as are her clothes, there's nothing particularly remarkable about her face, and she doesn't seem to be remotely interesting at all. She sets down her own cup of coffee on the table, and on the inside of her wrist is a pin that is a mirror of the one that Abbyline is wearing. Sitting and reclining, she reaches for her coffee with her other hand.
"Such a nice name, Aevra, can't say I've heard it in use in a long time. If I can pry a little, can I ask who gave it to you? Clearly it was someone who cared a lot."
She sips her drink and hooks the other arm comfortably over the back of the chair, and a quick glance shows that the pin has vanished from her sleeve.
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Vir
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Post by Vir on Jan 23, 2017 1:20:26 GMT -5
She's sick of resisting. Sick of fighting. Azandra makes her sick. She hasn't touched her coffee. It's clear to see she's distressed.
Another code, she thinks tiredly. "He did care a lot." She's stalling both the mousy-brown lady and Azandra. Talking helps. "It's not a name that's treated well here, though. The Princess... I hear she hates it. But enough about the name. You asked who gave it to me? His name is Lysander."
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Post by Risukage on Jan 23, 2017 1:31:54 GMT -5
The Raven now smiles in a warm and friendly manner.
"Well spoken, friend. You may speak freely. Ask of us what you need, and if it is within our power and limits we shall assist."
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Vir
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Post by Vir on Jan 23, 2017 1:46:36 GMT -5
She smiles worriedly. Speak freely? That's a laugh. She's not even sure how much Azandra knows about what she's doing. She's practically trapped in her own mind.
Ask her where Eshevrhi is. Eshevrhi and Krolaken.
Perfect. She can use this. Abbyline bites her lip, allowing herself to look lost, afraid. "I... I need," she says, her voice quiet, "a way out. I hear Spire is safe... or where Krolaken lives. I need to know how to get there." She swallows. This may well lead to her being sent on an assassination mission. She hopes she won't be controlled like this then.
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Post by Risukage on Jan 23, 2017 2:06:16 GMT -5
"Safe places in this world are sadly few and far between, but we know of them all. I cannot leave my post here, but someone arrives tomorrow who can escort you in safety to any destination you require. Do you require a haven until then?"
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Vir
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Post by Vir on Jan 23, 2017 2:13:40 GMT -5
She winces as her thoughts mix with Azandra's commands. She'd have preferred Krolaken, giving her an excuse to go through Akra, but Azandra wants Eshevrhi. Very well.
You don't want a haven.
"No, but thank you." She knows what's coming. There's no way Azandra would send her out without being sure of her loyalties. She swallows. Fear in her eyes. "Who's coming?"
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Post by Risukage on Jan 23, 2017 2:20:09 GMT -5
The smile is now one of respect as her eyes unfocus, thinking of the person in question.
"Fenrir, The Wolf of Yggdrasil. Your timing is excellent. She's strong and brave, and with her guarding you there'll be nobody foolish enough to harm you. And anyone who is, well..." She chuckles into her coffee. "They never get the opportunity to do so again."
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Vir
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Post by Vir on Jan 23, 2017 2:36:32 GMT -5
Abbyline puts a hand to the bruise on her cheek. She knows Azandra's thinking the same thing. Tomorrow Fenrir will be here, and Abbyline will either be dead or safe. She's leaning more toward "dead" right now, she thinks. If she dares say anything out loud it'll be confirmed, but might the consequences be worth it?
That's her job, to make sure they are, now. Now that the question of her death has moved from if to when. She won't have a chance to speak to the Ravens when she's being interrogated by Azandra. Now is her only chance. She swallows. "That's great. But too late. I'll be dead before tonight." Azandra isn't speaking. She must have been caught off guard. "The best way to help me is to knock me out, now." The last part is spoken in a rushed whisper, and then Abbyline tries to grab the Raven's wrists.
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Post by Risukage on Jan 23, 2017 3:07:13 GMT -5
The smile exchanges for a look of surprise, but the Raven pats her hand soothingly.
"You look tired, dear, it's been a long day, hasn't it? You really should rest."
There is a sharp sensation of a needle prick on Abbyline's wrist, and anyone that is looking for it can see the Raven slide a needle into a hidden sheath, slightly colored with some liquid. She continues to hold Abby's hands and smile in a motherly way.
"It will only take a few seconds more," she whispers, "then you will be at peace in safety. The wings of Ravens will carry you to a place where you will be free from harm."
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Vir
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Post by Vir on Jan 23, 2017 3:17:59 GMT -5
Abbyline wants to say thank you, but instead - "Damn you - she's my child!" The protest is futile, though, as her glare turns unfocused, her grip on the Raven's wrists loosens, and Azandra's control is broken. Abbyline's head falls forward, likely connecting with her cup of coffee. She's dead to the world now... and Azandra, in her castle, leaps up from her seat and hurries to retrace her steps to the dock.
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Post by Risukage on Jan 23, 2017 5:24:48 GMT -5
Barely in time, the Raven moves the cup of coffee out of the way and gasps in concern.
"I was right, the poor thing was just exhausted. Oh, let's find you a place to get some sleep, little one."
Carefully, she wraps Abby in her cloak and picks her up, and passing by the counter, gets the attention of the man making coffee.
"She collapsed at the table and needs medical attention. I'll definitely be asked for about her, so when they do, I went to the docks and am taking a boat to the mainland."
The man nods, knowing that something is wrong, but says nothing. The Raven walks out and into the streets, in a direction definitely not the docks. Nobody notices her passing, and why should they? She is completely unremarkable...
A bit later, in some place that only a select few know about, that was definitely not the docks, the Raven sets Abbyline on the bed, but binds her wrists and ankles and secures them to the bedposts. She hates it, it feels quite wrong, but the girl's request, and then that voice... Something was terribly wrong, and her training tells her to take no chances. She sends a message up the chain of command to Loki, knowing that he'll want to hear about this. She doesn't know what the exact situation is, but she had been instructed to watch for a girl with this description, and that the princess might try something. This seemed to fit both criteria. Sighing, she sets down her tablet and awaits a reply. It was difficult setting up the network to relay instant communications between cities, but Yggdrasil has many connections, and thanks to Lord Eshevri's contributions (in return for full and free access to any information he wanted at any time) no Raven was caught unawares. As she glances at her unconscious charge, she wonders how far away Fenrir is. Hopefully she can arrive quickly, this is too much for a mere Raven to handle...
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Post by Risukage on Jan 23, 2017 5:32:59 GMT -5
Shortly, the tablet flickers with a reply, and the Raven reaches for it, hoping for good news. She reads it and sighs with relief, regarding the still-sleeping Abbyline with a smile.
"You're going to be safe, little one."
The message on the screen reads: "Ravens flee swiftly when the wolf and cub walk into the light."
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Vir
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Post by Vir on Jan 23, 2017 11:41:46 GMT -5
Abbyline wakes slowly, still a bit groggy. She's not in the coffee shop... she looks around slowly, taking in her surroundings. Her wrists and ankles are tied. Surely she hadn't tried something else after she blacked out. At least she can't feel Azandra's presence in her head anymore... that guess was right. She takes in a deep breath, turning her head to the Raven. "She's gone."
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Post by Risukage on Jan 23, 2017 12:03:13 GMT -5
The Raven looks at her with scrutiny, thinks for a moment, then nods. From the intel that she'd been sent the control is powerful but still limited, and the drug has effectively removed that control. Standing up, she releases Abby and leans against the wall, arms crossed across her chest.
"Sorry to do that, but I had to be sure. She is powerful and unpredictable, and we've learned to take no chances around her. In good news, I have received orders that you will be escorted back to the Lux as soon as Fenrir arrives. I've still not heard from her yet, so she's likely on the ship over. You'll be safe in here until then, nobody knows about this location but Yggdrasil, and I'm the only one right now who is authorized for access."
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Vir
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Post by Vir on Jan 23, 2017 12:12:27 GMT -5
She nods. Fenrir... Abby will have to convince her to change course. She doesn't intend to return to the Lux. She smiles up at the Raven gratefully, sitting up. "Thank you." She doesn't bother asking her name. She's on the run now, and with mind control in the game, the less she knows, the better.
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Post by Risukage on Jan 23, 2017 12:30:55 GMT -5
The friendly smile flickers again, and the Raven stands up to examine the tablet again.
"There's food and water here, as well as 'facilities,' so we won't have to risk being discovered until she arrives. I'm hoping it's tonight, but it may not be until morning."
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Vir
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Post by Vir on Jan 23, 2017 12:51:07 GMT -5
She stands up, walks over, and hugs the Raven tightly, expressing the gratitude she couldn't tell her before. "Thank you... thank you."
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Post by Risukage on Jan 23, 2017 14:50:57 GMT -5
The Raven blinks in surprise and laughs, returning the hug and ruffling her hair like a younger sibling.
"I'm glad that I was able to help. I wasn't sure what to expect when I was told of your arrival, as well as her return, but it looks like things will work out. Sorry I've got not much to entertain with at the moment, though, this is meant to be a hideout, not a vacation spot. Is there anything I can answer for you or fill in at the moment?"
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Vir
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Post by Vir on Jan 23, 2017 14:55:03 GMT -5
Abbyline grins at the hair-ruffle. "I'm fine. I'd ask if you could tell me about yourself, but I don't think that'd be smart right now. ...Do you know where Uelricost is? Or Lizeny, or Vizal?"
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Post by Risukage on Jan 23, 2017 15:08:30 GMT -5
She frowns in thought and gazes off distantly.
"Not off the top of my head, and any info I would have on them is a bit old. I'll query for data, but I can only release it to Fenrir when she gets here. Sorry, it's protocol. Besides, she's the one that's best equipped to give you the answers, as she's much farther up the chain of command than I am."
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