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 Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2014 8:21 pm
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Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2014 8:21 pm
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Thera had been making her rounds among the clans. Whispering into various ears of a seminar she was going to hold- One that would focus on how to prolong the life of their prisoners and harvest the most possible FEAR. It would be nothing new or remarkable, but it was to remind horsemen that kill on sight wasn't the best way to draw out the most they could. There would be demos, hands on practice- and the promise of a fresh 'meal'. Thera was determined to make the prisoners last longer than their various predecessors.
A date and location- Twilight upon the next frightday at the water pavilion- the place where they might easily gather and, not have to worry about any new arrivals to the prisons themselves.
Upon the day's arrival, Thera was waiting, two burly looking warriors of her clan standing off to the side next to a large cage, where four filthy, scrawny humans curled up together as far from their captors as possible. One a large woman who was dressed in what looked like a once expensive suit; a tall a lanky man wearing an oversized sports jersey; a young 'pretty' human girl, face stained with tears and dirt, her outfit that spoke of a life that was spent on the road; and finally a child, male, clutching his little man doll. Prey, cattle, Occasionally when one of Thera's assistants move they would shuffle, make a whimper or cry. Sobbing softly was reserved for the young woman.
The weapons master herself was smiling like she'd been given candy, a table with various instruments laid out, forms covered by a black sheet. A hissing and scratching can be heard from a few objects, as well a light buzz. Famine horsemen would recognize the sound as insects, though not to the extent to know exactly which ones.
The pavilion was open enough for many- and if you looked at what was under the table you would notice a large empty basic and many various cups.
The air is heavy with FEAR from the captives, and it draws a primordial hunger. Not yet however, class has yet to begin.
Quote: Sign ups are open for 2 days after which the next part will open- I will quote players in attendance. |
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Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2014 8:21 pm
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Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2014 8:54 pm
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Alva was very often bored of late, after the initial settling in period he had found himself with a dearth of activities, there was of course the usual painting and crafting to be done, but one simply could not do both all day every day. He craved excitement, he always did, the thrill of combat and conflict. His parents had said that his attitude had been unbecoming, far too feisty and War-like for their long-term ideals. He had never grown out of it, and when there was whisperings on the gossip chain of a class which might prove to be interesting, it did not take much to bring him there.
Dressed once again in the clothing of his clan - because they were no longer groveling in tents, subject to the whims of their captors, he made his way to the pavilion and waited patiently for the main lecture to begin, eying the curled and terrified humans with an expressionless interest. As always the internal turmoil of his emotions remained completely out of step with his external self.
He also found himself pleasantly distracted by the hum of insects, Famine had always been one of his favourite clans, they were such interesting and varied creatures, he looked forward to whatever the night's entertainment might be and was especially hopeful that the insects would be involved too.
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Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2014 10:18 am
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Now here was a seminar the priestess could wrap her head around. She was usually, much like her guardian, a strike first, ask later sort of warrior, but she did so delight in the pain an anguish of their victims, and if the weapon master could provide a good means to prolong such, well.
On the day of the mare had bid adieu to her stallion with coy smile and a kiss on his cheek. He'd been otherwise tied up with another task and wasn't sure if he'd be able to make it, so she'd left them at their home and gone ahead. She hoped to see him there, it was a subject she knew he would enjoy, but if he had to miss it she would be happy to relay anything she learned.
As of yet Nergui had not visited the water pavilion, but it was easy enough to find. She'd dressed simply, hair back, touches of fur and bone in artful accent around her person.
So far the turn out was on the small side, only one other horsemen present, but it was early yet. The stallion wasn't anyone she recognized, but when she neared, should she catch his eye, she offered a respectful nod and the shadow of a smile before her attention drifted to the captives in their cage. She could practically taste their fear, like honey on her tongue. It was delectable.
The tables and their mysterious, humming contents were a curious mystery, but one she was eager to be shown.
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Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2014 10:45 am
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Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2014 3:23 pm
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It seemed that the FEAR of the captives was a song that drew Death priestesses for another, though much less experienced one than Nergui, drifted quietly in. Kithryn had still not returned to the form she'd been in before the event that had destroyed their Clans but she was looking far more robust than when she'd first come to the Tower. Still a little lost, a little unsure of herself, but here to learn nonetheless.
Pale skin flashed between strips of black as they crisscrossed her torso to end in a skirt so dark and flowing as to be almost living shadow. It was so lovely to be home, to be able to again thread silver through her hair, to feel like she belonged. Smiling at Nergui the young mare drifted closer to the cage, watching the four inside with a sort of detached amusement.
"What is it about humans that makes them so soft and weak? I don't think I've ever seen one that wasn't sobbing or whimpering in some form." It was an academic question, rhetorical and not really directed at anyone. "Ah, well, I suppose we shall reap them soon enough and they will be in a much better state than they were originally." Silent. Dead.
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Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2014 7:28 pm
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Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2014 7:55 pm
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What a strange, interesting place this was turning out to be. The very walls seemed to hum with the promise of power, whispering their secrets to Khaliq in snatches just enticing enough for him to want more. He hadn't committed to anything yet, of course, though staying seemed to be winning out. There were more like him here, and although he was hesitant to truly call them clan, they had much to offer him.
This seminar he had heard mention of, for example. Knowledge was truly the most precious commodity of all, to be hoarded and shared and bartered like anything else. It was something he could keep with him if he decided to stay--or put into practice if he chose to leave. He found the appointed meeting place eventually, taking his time to learn the paths of halls that were new to him. After giving a cursory and disinterested glance to the others who had come to learn, he focused his attention on the captives in their cages. The fat one, especially, held his interest; how did humans get so large? Did the bigger ones produce more Fear? Khaliq looked forward to finding out.
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Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2014 8:27 pm
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Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2014 8:31 pm
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Lan hadn't planned to attend any classes nor had she planned to deal with prisoners on a regular basis. However, now a solider, she somewhat had no say in the matter. This was something she should be doing if she wanted to or not. Killing or tormenting- so long as she was operating at optimal for harvesting her FEAR and meeting her quotas, who could really complain? Then again, elders and those higher always complained. She would know, having been such a complaining brat not even a month prior. Still if she wanted to get things done she'd have to work for it, and, she'd need to prove that she could be afforded some sluck as to not have to attend the courses she knew.
Or claimed to know at any rate.
Nobility didn't often deal with interrogations. They just paved the way and made plans. The busy work left to soldiers and to war and famine.
A heavy sigh as she arrived, Lan tossed her hair back, thankful that she'd not have to take the course in the war prisons or in the dirty famine chambers. The pavilion was familiar and it was void of the smell of blood. For now anyway.
Sitting herself towards the back, Lan looked at those present, wondering if certain others might also be in attendance later.
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Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2014 9:06 pm
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Horsemen gathered, Thera grinned sweeping her hand over them in grand gesture. "Welcome. Today I would like to hold a demonstration on of FEAR extraction, and on how to do so while keeping our guests... well enough to last a few sessions, or until a time which they break. " At this, the human began to shuffle, clearly able to understand each word, the faces alone making the FEAR they're providing all the sweeter for later.
"As you're all no doubt aware, we don't always kill, sometimes we capture, if for experiments, for the delight of prolonging our harvest, or just plain fun." One of the humans, child, had begun shaking. "Now-" She turned her head to smile at the boy who yelped like he'd been stung, trying to scoot further into the corner of his fellow humans.
"When we capture a few cattle, we need to use them as long as they remain profitable. That is, until their bodies give out, or their minds end up so broken as they can no longer generate FEAR. To start off, this means we must give them hope of rescue. The idea that they might gain freedom, that they might live is what some might claim to be how they keep fighting us, but really, it is nothing more than an exploit. To hope is to fear the loss of hope- the fear of abandonment, of hopelessness. Hope is the mark of the decent into the fear of the inevitable death. Yet humans are foolish and will hope even when that hope is gone and the reality is very plain. Humans are abysmally stupid in this manner."
She shrugged, pulling off the sheet from the table. Various objects from antiquity to the modern age lay on the table, all crusted with blood, and all very obvious in what they were used for. The appearance of the items drew a panicked scream from the skinnier woman.
"Ah, delicious isn't it? Now, see, let us begin with our first example." Smiling, Thera walked over to the cage, motioning to the skinny woman who was then dragged out by one of Thera's assistants, the woman's scream deafening.
"Oh now this won't do-" Grabbing the woman's chin, there was a loud snap. Letting go, the woman's bottom jaw began to sag as she screamed, if now, from pain and fear. "Setting an example is good. But remember to keep them aware. Sound, sight, smell, touch. Hold her up- yes just like so." The horsewoman's asistants kept the woman standing, pinned while she screamed and struggled.
"If you have one prisoner, you want to reserve death for the last measure. But in a group? Draw it out a bit on the first- let them know their fate." Taking a jar filled with black beetles of various sizes, she undid walked to the woman. "Make sure they can watch and-" Removing the lid, the jar was set atop the woman's head.
And then the show began. They clawed and fed their way down, woman screaming all the while.
Once finished the body went slack, the beetles continued to feast, and when done, fled to the water. Thera and the others didn't seem to mind. Famine horsemen would have recognized them as beetles from a pet hive. They were just going home now. The aids then threw the dead body back with the prisoners, who were sreaming and crying in loud wails.
"True, this doesn't prolong our individual, but it gives them remaining cattle time to process, to dwell. Over time their fear will ripen until they're ready for harvest. This is usually a day or so before the next session. However we're not really to wait and will be for the purposes of this course- be moving right along. Now.. who would like to pick the next victim? Any suggestions as for what to use?"
Quote: There are 3 'cattle' left. The woman in a suit, the jersey man, and the child. On the table are various torture instruments- you can just imagine any one that is able to fit on a table is present. When/if your horseman offers a suggestion just link to what it is. Basically, vote and offer ICly what 'ideas' your pony thinks would be best!
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Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2014 8:23 am
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Alva watched the demonstration with interest, as always curious about the fragile and timid nature of humans and wondered if they were all like this or if some had some measure of instilled defiance, though their fearfulness was rewarding in some way in itself, part of him hoped that there were those who refused to give even an inch, who could fight till the last. That thought appealed to him far more than the cowering child and simpering creatures in the cage. It was almost a disappointment to see them, he hoped in some way that the beasts which fed and sustained so many might in some way be noble, befitting of their masters. He did not agree with the estimation of hope as a stupid trait, if anything he saw it as some glimmer of how much their enemies were not to be underestimated, it was one thing to surrender to loss in the face of logic, it was another to cling to hope, to cling to chance and defy those minuscule odds.
The torture implements raised one of his brows, it was important he assumed to demonstrate what lay in store, to let the terror percolate and settle. The woman's scream was not unpleasant to the horseman's ears, it was shrill and irritating but a psychological torment unto itself, he was not sure he agreed with breaking her jaw, it seemed crude perhaps, unsubtle, something large and out of step with the order of things. He assumed it was a difference in personal preference, in Thera's place he felt like he might instead have drawn out the psychological and subtle until they felt they had measure of him and then escalate from there.
He enjoyed the bugs, but again his internal critic spoke up, assessing the time it took for the woman to die. He mentally considered that in the same position he would have started from her feet and would have chosen a type of insect which would become fat and sated before reaching the ribcage. He'd have let the screams continue for many, many hours. But he could accept that this was a class and many things were likely hastened for their benefit.
Finally he spoke up, his voice deadpan and calm. "I have no preference about the victim in question. But perhaps small things. " he looked at his claws thoughtfully. "Fingernails. Extremities. Ears. Teeth."
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