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 Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2005 7:04 pm
Setup:
This is in the past, during Cedric's captivity. The purpose of this thread is to develop/reveal Ross' character by showing his interactions with Cedric. Other people may jump is as NPCs or as characters alive at that time. xp
Scene One:
Cedric and Ross meet when Cedric is pitted against another slave in the fighting ring as punishment. After doing well and following the women's instructions, he's allowed to join Ross and the other guards for a meal. Ross is paired with Cedric to train him to be a guard. They get along well, but Ross is transfered to a training camp.
Scene Two:
Ross returns and the two strike up their friendship easily. For the both of them, the other is the only person they can talk to about rebellious ideas and sentiments. Both of them are rather busy and don't see each other often, but Ross still ends up with a good impression of how the rest of the world outside of Feretris lives: free. The two start planning an escape but find certain obstacles insurmountable.
Scene Three:
Escape! Because Marean is pregnant, a trip is in order. Cedric suggests that Ross lead the trip, and he and Ross plan and succeeded in an escape for Cedric that involves drugging most every one in the camp. Ross gets his first hint of other slaves that share some of his rebellious sentiments.
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Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2005 7:14 pm
first post!
-----
Marean frowned down at her pretty-boy slave. He wasn't supposed to be trouble. He was just supposed to be pretty. But some one had suggested a way to tire out his wild tendancies, and here she was going along with it. Her personal guard stood between her and Cedric, of course, and another woman who could perform magic was with them. Otherwise, they were alone in a stable.
"We are going to put you in a ring with another man. You will both be armed. If you kill him, we will make you wish you had died instead. But you must fight him until he quits."
The poor, stupid animal looked puzzled. "What for? You just want us to fight?"
"Yes," Marean explained at a slower pace. "He will try to hurt you."
"And if I die?"
"That will not be such a big loss. Now-- watch yourself! And good luck, my pretty boy," she said with a smile, ending the conversation there.
-----
Cedric was not given any time to prepare, but he was allowed to pick from a few weapons. He chose a sword. Even though it was a straight blade, it would serve him better than a weapon he had no knowledge of at all.
And the women didn't have to worry that their slaves were both armed. There were plenty of mages standing around, and they could make the men drop their weapons and curl in the fetal position from the pain, real or imaginary. Usually, that wasn't necessary. It surprised Cedric, though, that there were so many people. There were both men and women here to watch him from all over the compound.
So they wanted to see if he amounted to any thing, huh? Since he wanted to live, he'd better. The other slave had a sword, too, but a wider and shorter one. There were no rules for how to start, so Cedric waited with his weapon up, parallel to the ground, at ready. The other man was not studied in weaponry. He was the lowest of the guards, set in the halls to make visitors feel safe. When he came at Cedric, he looked like he was splitting wood. Up and over, hardly any aim-- trees may not dodge, but Cedric did easily enough.
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Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2005 8:01 pm
((Second Post! Big thing eh?))
Ross was told to come to The Ring, as the fighters thought of it. The training ground and the "arena". He was told that the "new blood" was going to be tested. Ross hadn't the faintest idea how though. He was interested. He had heard that this new slave, a rather pretty one from what some of the women were saying, was a wild one.
He leaned on the fence, wondering what was going to happen. He noticed that there was a lower guard in the ring already, a Gladius like weapon in his hand. His blood chilled. Live steel? No way. They must be crazy. That guard is not very experienced though, what are they planning? He watched as the new boy was thrown in. He looked rather young. A handsome one too. Too bad he was going to get messed up.
Ross looked him over again, and was surprised. The sword he had chosen was balanced in his hand, an unconscious movement. His arm easily carried the weapon. He was also balanced on the balls of his feet. So maybe there was more to this lad then met the eye.
Ross watched as the guard moved forward, his arm going up and coming down. Ross shook his head. The fool doesn't even know how to use it; you stab with that weapon, not slash. Cedric dodged the attack easily. The guard lost his balance and stumbled forward a bit. He then turned and brought his arm up to attack again, charging.
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Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2005 8:35 pm
(well it IS the second in the whole RP!)
Cedric made a show of coming to meet his challenger's overhand blow. But blade met blade only for a moment, and as Cedric's blade tilted with point to the ground the guardsman's blade slipped off and to Cedric's right (Cedric being right handed). This put the man off balance.
Cedric didn't take advantage of it. He could have jabbed the man in the side, since he was only holding the blade with his right hand now as the weight eased off of it. But he had been taught to fight very cleanly, and he had no particular hate for this man. Instead, he stepped aside and smacked the guard lightly on the thigh as he regained his balance. If this were a fight with rules, that would be a point against the guard and the whole thing might be over already.
The guard grew more cautious now, circling with his blade at an angle to the ground the way he had been taught. He had recieved some training, after all. Cedric held his blade out in front of him this time. "You fight like a bull, all horns and no aim," he taunted. It was a taunt meant as much for the women as for his willing attacker. He was obviously better than the man. Couldn't they call it off before some one got hurt?
(You can end the fight however you like, if you wish it to end. I don't know as much about fighting as you do, so you can control Cedric if you need)
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Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2005 8:56 pm
That got the guardsman angry. Well, he never had much sense. Ross thought. The guards man charged and swung wide with an attack. Cedric brought his blade up and easily caught the blade. He locked it, then disarmed the man.
The arms master the bellowed out "Enough! Cedric wins the match." he steps into the ring and sticks his hand out, plainly asking for Cedric's weapon. Once recived, the guards man hands back his weapon. "Ross, come 'ere." He says and metions to Ross. Ross trots over. "I want you to keep and eye on this lad. And give him some training. He's good, but you can make him better."
Ross nods, salutes and says, "Yes sir." Turning to Cedric, he asks, "Do you have rooms already, or would you need one?"
((Hurray the end. And no one was badly hurt.))
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Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2005 9:00 pm
(yay!)
Cedric gave him a distrusting look. "They already have me in a room." He was distrustful because he thought that being 'taught' something would involve more of this stupid match-pitting, except against a better fighter.
But the arms master was talking politely to a woman who might change the sleeping arrangements. A trainer kept him at the moment, chained to his bed at night so that he couldn't try any thing drastic.
"Who are you?" Cedric was the embodiement of resentment. I mean, not only was he a slave, which he still hadn't gotten through his brain, but this kid who was supposed to 'make him better' was only a few years older than him!
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Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2005 11:31 am
Ross say the look. He was used to it. No one truely believed that he could be this good this young. But he was a natural. He was born to be a warrior. It was just something that happened. "The name is Ross. And, I have one rule I want you to get in your head before tommorrow. Who ever is training you is God. He doesn't care who you are, where you came from, or if you like meat or veggies. He is God. You obey him no matter what. Tommorrow, I will find out what you know, and then we will continue from there. Understand?"
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Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2005 11:54 am
"Don't patronize me," Cedric hissed, but quietly enough so that only he could hear. "I've been through training before, Sir."
The armsman came back to tell them that Cedric could stay with them now, but that he would still be watched closely and probably still chained to his bed at night. They were told to clean up for dinner, which the guards would be eating in a nearby kitchen. Eating arrangments were usually handled along with sleeping and working arrangements, so that every one's schedule could be smoothe and simple. Today, the guards included Cedric. He'd moved up from an unclassified slave to one in training for a particular job, although it wasn't the one that Marean was keeping him around for.
The armsman turned to Ross. "Take care of him tonight. The boy doesn't know any thing about civilized ways."
Cedric sighed. He could have died of mortification. Civilized ways? Pfah. But he was very hungry, and desperately needed to be shown the ropes if he was going to enjoy dinner. "Please, Ross. I've always eaten in my room. Where are we going now?"
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Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2005 8:51 am
((Took me long enough..... Well, here it is))
"Good. I have no idea what you have been through or not. Now, we are heading towards the kitchen. That is were we eat. Follow me, and we'll get you washed up." The first part was quiet, only for Cedric. Ross leads Cedric off towards a low building. It is a showering area. Ross points out the different things: soap, nozzle, towels, and the pump. "Pump first, then stand under the nozzle. Soap, rinse, towel dry and get your clothes." Ross leaves, heading towards a sink to wash off his hands. "Civilized ways"? If my guess is correct, he is a noble or a high ranked person. Or was. He has the grace of authority on him, a lot the women in charge. But why is he a slave? .
Once Cedric was done, Ross led him off towards the Kitchen. For the guard shift, it was more of a cafeteria style. You got in line, got a tray with some food on it, then found a table to sit down and eat. Many guards would sit with their friends, taking in each day's events before then went off to bed. Tonight's dinner was some sort of meat, a salad, and watered wine. The women allowed the men some stuff, but getting drunk was past the limit. Ross got in line behind Cedric.
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Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2005 10:18 am
(awesome! I don't mind waiting. I may occasionally get paranoid that you've forgotten me, but I don't mind waiting. xd )
Cedric was quiet and obedient. He could actually be obediant when he wanted to, or at least when the order was in the form of instructions or a simple request, from some one of equal rank. If it was that easy for him to submit to a higher authority, he wouldn't be here. He'd be just a pleasure slave, living in the House.
Cedric watched the slave in front of him get food, and tried to do the same thing. Luckily for him, all that meant was that he had to be quiet and thank the person on the other end for the food. He didn't follow the slave ahead of him to seating, though. Seating seemed to be by rank or company, and Cedric knew that he was supposed to be with Ross. He followed Ross to the correct table.
Talking was allowed at these meals, but there were women about to catch any thing offensive. But Cedric didn't want to talk just yet; the food was still foriegn to him, but he was hungry enough to wolf it down unquestioningly. It would make sense to Ross that the women would starve a particularly rebellious slave, but Cedric told him any way. "They hated me so much, they wouldn't bring me food. If I had known I just had to fight to get it, I would have volunteered." Yeah, and he was going to get a stomach ache if he kept eating that fast. "Do you think they will do that again? Does every one have to do that?"
Usually, slaves were broken in gently and sent right off to training or to the jobs they were already qualified for. When a slave became a guard, they might have to show what they were worth, but that didn't usually involve being pitted randomly against an existing guard just for show. If the women did that all the time, they'd have a bunch of hurt slaves. Armsmasters were more careful than that, assessing skills by observation during practice time.
But when a slave broke all the rules, the rulers of the compound had to show that they could break traditions.
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Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2005 1:07 pm
[ Message temporarily off-line ]
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Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2005 6:40 pm
Cedric looked around nervously. Maybe he wasn't supposed to talk about certain aspects of his former life. "I came from...the west. They found me in the mountains, wandering around like an animal." Wow, that sounded PC. "I'd been drugged and dumped there. I'm glad some body found me, but I wish it had been some one else."
He cleared his throat and pushed his finished plate away. "I was training formally. I wasn't done yet, and your swords are different. Some one of my, ah, my stature needed to know that sort of thing. Now I need it even more. I hope you have something to teach me." Cedric gave him a pensive look. "You probably do. I appreciate it, no matter what I say." The boy had had little reason to be afraid or depressed before all this mess had started. He'd been trained how to hold and mold his tongue to tell people what they wanted to hear, but he found that such strong emotions muddled that up. He'd also been told to have an opinion and voice it, when the time was right. Here, the time was never right.
"Uh," he said after a few moments. "How long does this meal last, and what next? I think I might be sick..."
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Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2005 1:40 pm
[ Message temporarily off-line ]
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Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2005 7:17 pm
"I'll wait," he said, but grew quiet and stared at the table top. With as much trouble as he had caused to himself already, he didn't want to draw attention by leaving lunch a few minutes early. And it was his fault any way, for eating as fast as he had.
Once they had filed out of the cafeteria, he asked, "What are you going to teach me?" in a somber voice. He would never like a slave's life, but he was going to pretend to for a while. As much as he could, any way.
((however much you want to play out is fine with me. Your character's one of the few (only?) that is Cedric's age and could relay some information about him to his children and the rebellion later))
End Scene 1
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Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2005 11:44 am
Start Scene 2
Prologue:
"First I'm going to see what you know, then based off that, we'll proceed. If you master what I want you to learn easily, then you will move on to more advanced things. I think I know what the mistresses want you for, but I'm not really sure. You'll probably get regular sword, sword and shield, and bow training." Ross answers, thinking. He then noticed the Arms master coming towards them, with a drawn face.
"Ross, I need to talk to you. Since this also will be concerning Cedric, he can stay." The Arms master says once he is close enough, with a heavy sigh. "Ross, you're being sent away for training at an Army Headquarters. They noticed how well you have handled yourself, and decided that more advanced training is needed. You leave immediately. You will met with Mistress Marean and a few guards to travel to the Army HQ."
"Yes sir. I'm just going to pack my bags and get a horse. Who will be training Cedric?" Ross asked, his emotions hidden behind a "soldiers face". "I will, go and get packed. Cedric, if you will follow me." The Arms master says and walks towards the sally.
Ross heads to the barracks and packs. He ignores the looks of the other guards. He grabs his packs, mostly weapons and armor, and heads to the stables. Explaining to the stable hand, he gets a horse. He walks it to the entrance where Marean and two female guards are waiting, both good enough to hold him if he thought of escape. "I am ready." He says and mounts. One of the guards starts and motions for him to stay behind her.
Four Years Latter
Ross returns to the Combine. Cedric had gotten two years of training from the Arms master. He now had three official jobs: Personal guard to important visitors, general guard, and bed warmer. He is a master of the sword and sword and shield, but was not taught anything else.
Ross rode into the gates of the Eldic Combine. It was good to be home. Not much had changed in those four years, but Ross now knew more then any slave on this combine. Wearing the rank of Lieutenant, he was quite proud of himself. What would be best, to show off to my old friends, or present myself to Marean? I think doing a formal introduction would be best, along with asking her where I am to go.
He returns the horse to the stable, and then asks where he could find Mistress Marean. He follows the instructions, and proceeds to find her. She was working in her study, reviewing something. Ross waits outside her study at attention as a slave informs her that he is out side.
((Yay for really long posts!!!! xd ))
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