QUIET MOUNDS - STEF HEART

[abardacttofollow]

You find yourself in a stone room that looks like some sort of medieval dungeon. There are (thankfully), no torture instruments, but there is a man strung up here. One large manacle is around his neck, chaining him stiffly to the door. His hands are free, but each foot is manacled to the matching bottom corner of the doorframe. There is a visible lock on each of the three manacles.

It's Stefen, and there's a knife in his chest. Despite that, he's alive, apparently alert, and doesn't look to be in pain, perhaps due to the lulling, sense-dulling music that seems to be coming from nowhere at all—in fact, if you were in pain before you entered, it's gone here. His wound is bleeding, but only a little, and he smiles his usual bright smile at you.

Behind him, but in front of the closed door he's bound to, you can see three double sets of strings running vertically. Where they meet the floor, they are fastened, and then each runs across the floor to the three doors on the opposite wall, then under them.

There is nothing else in this room.

((OOC: Here's how this will work! Since we're doing individual runs, rather than me putting up individual top levels for areas, just jump the post itself, and I'll run everything for you within your one thread. If you're wanting to do a run with someone else, just stay in the same thread together.))

Comments

[twicebonded]

. . .

[takes his outer sweater off, offering it silently. he's still wearing a t-shirt underneath]

[abardacttofollow]

Stefen's eyes go huge. "No, she'll... she'll take it for herself when she wakes up. Keep it. Thank you."

[twicebonded]

Oh. That's true.

[. . . he seems to consider something, approaching the bed and carefully plucking the bottle out of her grip. a gentle mind touch to make sure she keeps sleeping through that]

[if successful, he'll try to put that at the door]

[abardacttofollow]

Click. The door unlocks.

[twicebonded]

[he glances back at Stefen]

. . . I understand.

[abardacttofollow]

Stefen gives him a hesitant smile.

[twicebonded]

. . . I love you, I'm sorry I can't do more.

[abardacttofollow]

Stef's eyes go huge again and he sort of huddles under his rags. "Wh..."

[twicebonded]

[LET'S MOVE ON]

[fuck I have to go back this way don't I]

Composition 3

[abardacttofollow]

[you will yes]

This is another outdoor scene, similar to before, the room an 'alley' running between two buildings, both clearly houses of ill repute; judging from the crudely drawn images on their signs, one caters to men, and the other to women. The lighting is dim, and the ceiling is painted like a clouded-over night's sky. The cord runs through the room and then up, being held by a woman standing there. You can see a key in her other hand; she's spinning it at the end of one finger. She is tall and fierce-looking, stern and alarming, dressed head to toe in scarlet. You may recognize Bard Lynnell.

As before, there's plenty of garbage scattered around.

"M'Lord Herald," Lynn calls out. "I don't suppose you know what the weight of duty is?" She does seem to recognize the irony of asking you this.

[twicebonded]

Ah . . .

[he pauses, just looking at her for a long moment]

I'm not sure that's my answer to give. But may I have that key . . .? I think it's Stefen's to decide.

[abardacttofollow]

"Stefen? Is that the boy? I've been looking for a boy around here. He's apparently got the Bardic gift, so I'm to bring him in."

[twicebonded]

Yes. He'll be a fine Bard. One of the best.

[abardacttofollow]

"Am I in the right place? I've heard he might come this way."

[twicebonded]

[holds a hand out to her]

I'll pass the message along and ask him to come out.

. . . be gentle, won't you.

[abardacttofollow]

"Gentle? I'm always gentle," she says, confused. She hands him the key.

[twicebonded]

Yes, Bard.

[just nods to her, heading back the way he came]

[abardacttofollow]

Stefen is still bright pink, his face buried in his rag bed.

[twicebonded]

[. . . oops]

[he clears his throat]

Ah. Hello again. I'm just—passing through. But you should—step out that way.

[abardacttofollow]

"O,okay," he says, strained. He grabs something out of his rags and flees.

[twicebonded]

[. . . blushing his own fool head off as he goes back into the main area]

[abardacttofollow]

Vanyel! How could I resist that!

[twicebonded]

I didn't mean to . . .! It just—came out . . .

[w-what do I unlock here]

[abardacttofollow]

[That's his left foot. He wiggles it]

Oh, I love you, I love you. Every inch of me, inside and out.

[twicebonded]

[he fumbles as he unlocks him, looking up at Stefen, flushed. which is also not a bad image]