[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/pcFfvpp.png[/img] [img]https://txt.1001fonts.net/img/txt/dHRmLjY2LmFiOWIzNy5XbUZ5YVc1aElFRnNMVTVoWkdWeS4w/italianno.regular.webp[/img] [hr] [b]Interacting with:[/b] Yalen [@pantothenic], Jocasta / Adela / Luisa [@Force and Fury], Ayla [@Ti], Kaspar [@Wolfieh] [b]Location:[/b] Tethered Refuge -> Zarina's Quarters -> Stables [hr][/center] [color=ffdead][b]"If you were able to time travel, what do you think you'd do with it?"[/b][/color] This philosophical question was brought to you by Jocasta Re as the group of school-age teens made their way from Amanda’s room to the common room. Kaspar and Yalen seized this opportunity to express their thoughts, and Ayla soon after with an equally thought-provoking idea. And yet, one remained discreet, keeping her eyes forward and somewhat separated from the group. [color=ffdead][b]"How about you, Strong-but-Silent?"[/b][/color] Jocasta prodded. Zarina had remained conspicuously silent during this exchange. The subject itself did not appear to inspire much from the tall teen, and if anything, it prompted her to stick to the background. Her arms crossed under her chest as she paced slightly behind the others and just watched the evening skies. Jocasta then poked for both Ayla’s and Zarina’s attention, and again the Virangish kept discreet while the Torragonese expressed her views on the matter, more so than a wish. With the tone she used, it seemed like the subject had affected her patience and forced herself to answer. [color=C78A2C]”I don’t like to think of these things.”[/color] she states when a moment of silence came and inevitable attention was brought to her again, [color=C78A2C]”They busy the mind with things that won’t– or shouldn’t happen.”[/color] she scratched her cheek, [color=C78A2C]”I don’t dwell on the past and I make the future what I want it to be. No point skipping ahead.”[/color] Zarina pursed her lips and shrugged to the group, knowing full-well that her answer brought nothing but awkwardness. She kept it at that and clearly didn’t seem too enthusiastic over the notion of sharing her genuine thoughts on such matters. It was almost quite cold how she held herself in such a harmless and probably meaningless exchange between friends. When they reached the common room, Jocasta and Yalen entered together to get things ready, while the Virangish went off to get a drink, only to find an adorable scene not long later. Giving the two blondes the privacy they deserved, Zaz simply waited outside and gatekept those that would potentially intrude. [color=#FD5E53]"Good to see you Zarina. Please, come in."[/color] Yalen held the door open and politely gestured for her to proceed, all the while keeping his eyes peeled for any other arrivals. It looked as though the two were done. The door creasing open prompted Zarina to relent on the ‘too cool for school’ posture she held by it. She peered at the cuddle-recovering blonde that invited her back in, [color=C78A2C]”How we feeling, Yalen?”[/color] she was definitely still giving [i]the look[/i] alright. She took the invitation and stepped into the room, although she kept to the edges and didn’t appear to want to be noticed all too much, [color=C78A2C]”I hope you can excuse my lack of participation,”[/color] Zarina speaks up before others may join, [color=C78A2C]”I don’t exactly share the same enthusiasm for the Pentad as some others might.”[/color] and yet here she was. Zarina kept herself in the background, vigilant and present. Where others prayed, she was left to her thoughts in the most uncomfortable of ways. At some point she would have to pay some mind to the communal worship, even if she didn’t quite participate. It allowed her to focus on other things- on others. How they conducted their faiths, potentially why they did it, and how much they were tied to it. She watched and judged, all so she couldn’t be left to observe and judge her own person. [hr] The sun had long since fallen into the horizon, Zarina had retreated to her room, just as many others had. It was at this point that she fully realised how rancid her clothing had gotten, and to a lesser extent her entire being. Dried blood and guts were really reeking in the crevices of her attire, her hair was dried from all the dust and sand as well as- you know it- disgusting remains. She shuddered at the sight of her reflection on the mirror and quickly purged herself of the ranger clothing given to her, relegating them to a remote corner of her room. She was left with but a single, long top that covered most of her dignity. A bath was readied, and in the meantime she would perform the second prayer of the day. Realistically, she hadn’t had a proper opportunity to do so, except perhaps when they stopped to eat. But by the time she had gotten through her issues with Marceline, it was time to go. So, as many did in Hexaism, she simply ‘expressed’ it. Prayers, after all, were meant to dedicate time of one’s life for worship, show discipline and some degrees of humility by sacrificing potentially good moments and giving time to prayer. But it was also all just works. Rituals, which most held close to their hearts but reasonably found shortcuts when circumstances made it so. Some were even lax enough to simply half-ass all prayers. All but the last one. The one before bed- the one before one dreamed. This one- every Hexaic worth their soul would do it right. Zarina did her second while still mostly covered in filth and simply recited the words via mumbles while kneeling rapidly, wanting to just get it over with. The bath was more important. Once it was done, she cleaned up, enjoyed a good half-hour of heated water and thorough scrubbing before getting back at it. The final prayer of the day could begin. Clean, with fresh clothes and the Hexaic pendant set right before her, hanging from the nightstand. Like the previous moment of worship, she mumbled over uttering, but she took her time. Eyes closed, muscles relaxed and mind made to be as serene as her washed body. Only, Zarina’s mind seldom ever found serenity. Whereas yesterday she thought of compassion and her hopes for others, a boiling anger deep inside was growing on this very night. The very stone her carpet was set upon was beyond soiled and this place reeked of nothing but death and misery. [color=C78A2C][i]May the nightmare …[/i][/color] She thought, gritting her teeth. The Virangish tried her best to purge the vile thoughts. The thoughts of a cauchemardesque world, where her anger was unrestrained and many feared her as much as they feared her mother. She imaged the faces- even those she’s never seen- of those that defiled these kids. Those that defiled the calamity that is Jocasta. Despite the endless compassion and generosity the awakening of the Dreamer could usher, she wished nothing but the nightmarish abyss to those many wicked in this world. [color=C78A2C][i]... seep into your very soul.[/i][/color] This release of anger, the excess energy she had remaining before hitting exhaustion- it was cathartic to release it. It was liberating, in a way, to poison the world and its future, just so those she hated could suffer. It was so easy to forget the good in the world. The Ayla’s, the Kaspar’s, the Yalen’s … When pain and anger all filled your head, at this very time. She did not want to hurt them, she wanted the best for them. But maybe, her desire to damn the wicked in her misplaced indignation was stronger than her will to bring good to those that deserved it. She hoped it wasn’t the case, but sometimes she wondered. For the first time in a week, Zarina managed to sleep. Well, she collapsed onto her bed and slept in a dreamless slumber. She awoke earlier than most, but she was refreshed and not as volatile as she could be. First came the coffee, and then came a relaxing stroll outdoors before joining the meeting led by Escarra and Amanda. [hr] Morning came, most were awake and Escarra, along with Amanda, announced the state of things. The Warden had been taken care of, the schedule was established and the next operation was to be conducted very soon. Zarina, sitting with a half-finished breakfast before her, raised her hand to pose her question, [color=C78A2C]”Where did you put the Warden?”[/color] she asked plainly, no beating around the bush with her eyes focused on Escarra in particular. Given their tight timeframe, if the answer wasn’t satisfactory, she would still have to go on doing her job. [color=C78A2C]”Otherwise, I can handle one of the Vice-Wardens. I just need a chem-person to help.”[/color] she then took a bit of churros and brought her gaze toward Luisa, who so happened to have stepped up in all her talkative glory. They all quickly went into action, with Luisa providing enough information on Adela’s routine to prepare an ambush. And it so happened that the stables were a good point of interception. This was going to be a good day, Zarina could feel it. [hider=The Crop or the Crop]It was 4:48 Shune: two minutes to the hour. The nighttime cold was eagerly transforming itself into the desolate daytime heat of the high desert as morning was on the verge of giving way to midday. [i]The Refuge of San Agustín de las Arenas was well and truly awake now: the daytime shift of Cardinals at their stations, Magpies and Pigeons having cleaned up after another successful breakfast, the Tethered themselves walking or wheeling about the courtyard, paths, and colonnades, the first few dipping unfeeling toes into the water of the great bath. There were two people, known as Eagles to those ostensibly in their care, who walked purposefully from area to area. One, Adela Mirabel Gonzalez, fifth daughter of a count and barren all her life, was approaching the stables, a distinct note of discomfort to her step. Ahead, she could see the girl who never stopped talking - Luisa - rolling towards one of the horses in her wheeled-chair, what appeared to be a bag of feed slung across her lap. At the vice warden's approach, the Afortunado twisted her way and waved a greeting. The area seemed conspicuously absent of all other human presence and that put her at further unease. She did not trust these people. The Tethered were dangerous. Presently, Adela began to reach out with the Gift, searching for other energies.[/i] Zarina had been paired with Luisa, and their target was the female Vice-Warden. The patrol route was defined with basic information on both individuals, and so they waited with the Tethered teen unleashing a ceaseless discharge of words and Zarina tending to one of the horses further into the stables. She chose that one to stay out of sight when the time came, and it wouldn’t be until Adela sought to stake out any presences that the Virangish guest would show herself, waving with a brush in hand. [color=C78A2C]”Ah, hi!”[/color] she looked jolly and her high-pitched salutation helped to give off that impression. By the looks of it, Zarina likely didn’t get too much sleep the previous night either, but had enough to be functional. The horse she was tending to neighed after her greeting, [color=C78A2C]”Vice Warden Mirabel-Gonzalez, right?”[/color] her Torragonese accent was on point, [color=C78A2C]”I’m Zarina. You have wonderful horses. Especially this stallion here.”[/color] she reached out to caress the beast’s snout and he responded with the typical, affectionate flapping of his lips over her palm. [color=C78A2C]”Could I bother you for a bit of your time? I fear this one needs a bit of an advanced manicure. And, well, this one here-”[/color] she nudges her head toward Luisa with a smile, [color=C78A2C]”Has a bit of trouble with her height.”[/color] Zarina gave the official an intense, unmoving and wide-eyed look- not exactly threatening, but the tall teen was definitely trying to impose her presence into this relatively peaceful environment. The Vice Warden blinked, pausing. She had not noticed the interloper. It was one of those students from Ersane'Enise, one of the ones that Tavio seemed determined to send to their doom. [color=664BD6]"Yes, I am she,"[/color] Adela responded, knitting her hands before herself. [color=664BD6]"Pleasure to meet you, Zarina."[/color] Yet, when the youth implied that she should help with the stallion's hooves, the older woman found herself insulted. A natural inclination, perhaps a weakness from birth, nearly took over and made her acquiesce. However, Adela quickly remembered who she was and what her position was here. Expression turning just a bit cooler, she forced a tight smile. [color=664BD6]"I shall call for some of the help to assist you,"[/color] she said, turning about ninety degrees and taking both young women in. [color=664BD6]"It is their job, after all. For the time being, I must continue my rounds, especially with the danger that we now face."[/color] She shook her head and something that probably should've remained sealed within slipped out. [color=664BD6]"He should've called the Duke. All this pride..."[/color] The Vice Warden took a couple of steps, still open to responding, but ready to move on. Zarina sighed from her nose, eyes closing very briefly as the Vice Warden rejected the invitation to help. When her eyes opened, her eyebrows furrowed and her teeth gritted slightly, [color=C78A2C]”Did you know?”[/color] she spoke up with a dry tone while giving a quick glance toward Luisa, indicating the Tethered youth that it was time to seal the exit, [color=C78A2C]”Did you know about the plan? The one where you’d sacrifice us, as well as Marci and your own people?”[/color] she stepped out of the stall and locked eyes with the timid creature that couldn’t spend a few moments helping a vital creature to their operations, [color=C78A2C]”Tell me- Vice-Warden- what are you going to do now? The Warden isn’t calling for help, or anything really. The Wyrm is coming. Everyone in the region is probably going to die in not too long.”[/color] her stepped closer, and the horses were beginning to neigh more and more, as if sharing the growing frustration brewing in Zarina’s being. Just like that, Adela knew this for what it was: an ambush. Luisa was strong, though she did not make a show of it, and this student from the school likely stronger still. As she had always known hat they would, the Tethered were turning on their carers. The fools. The best course of action, the vice Warden decided, was simply to tell the truth. [color=664BD6]"I am not your enemy, stupid girls."[/color] She shook her head, trying not to sound too cutting. [color=664BD6]"I knew of the Warden's plan. I knew he would not be dissuaded, so I contacted the Duke Frannemas. He is on his way and will deal with the Wyrm."[/color] She shook her head. [color=664BD6]"Whatever this little rebellion is, it is unnecessary and unhelpful."[/color] It was then that Luisa, normally a chatterbox but silent up to now, finally spoke. [color=CA24C2][b]"Unnecessary and unhelpful to you, maybe,"[/b][/color] she accused, [color=CA24C2][b]"But long overdue for us. Not that you would know or care. You've always feared us handling things on our own."[/b][/color] Adela was nonplussed. [color=664BD6]"A baseless falsehood!"[/color] she shot back. [color=664BD6]"I never said anything of the sort."[/color] Luisa rolled her eyes, taking a push forward. [color=CA24C2][b]"No. It was only in your tone, your expression, the way that you drew energy whenever you were around me, as if you were ready to defend yourself."[/b][/color] Adela's eyes darted between the two young women's implacable faces. [color=664BD6]"So are you going to attack me, then?"[/color] she demanded. [color=664BD6]"It is true that II find you dangerous - you are proving it right now - but I have never thought you incapable. What that you had simply been empowered by Tavio - that fool - to handle this yourselves, we never would've had to call the duke!"[/color] She paused, trying to gauge the two. [color=664BD6]"If I meet with him, I may yet be able to call him off..."[/color] she said. Zarina began to draw from her surroundings as a conspicuous warning to the Vice-Warden the moment she qualified the two as ‘stupid’, [color=C78A2C]”Let’s not prod the side that has the numbers on you.”[/color] she stopped her approach, however, and stayed by Luisa while keeping an adamant eye on the authority figure. [color=C78A2C]”You were certainly very helpful when we, as well as your colleagues, were sent to die. The only one that stepped up was Escarra.”[/color] the Virangish went on to brush through Adela’s figure with a scrutinising gaze, sizing the woman up with close attention given to body language, [color=C78A2C]”We won’t hurt you, so long as keep on being agreeable like you are now.”[/color] Zarina’s attention scatters briefly and her attention is taken by a riding crop nearby that she picks up, [color=C78A2C]”Now- Tell me. In the case of a loss of control of the Refuge, what are the protocols?”[/color] her eyes turn from the crop she had been passing her digits over to the Vice-warden, [color=C78A2C]”Will the Duke attempt to take the establishment? Burn it down with everyone inside just to be safe?”[/color] [color=CA24C2][b]"I have never met the duke,"[/b][/color] Luisa added, tilting her head to the side. [color=CA24C2][b]"Though I have heard of him, of course. Huarcan Frannemas is second only to the King himself, and some say not for much longer."[/b][/color] Would that she'd seen this coming earlier, Adela would've done something to head it off. Now, these two had her over a barrel. Now, she had to think. [color=664BD6]"The duke is a powerful man. If what we do here threatens him, then we shall find ourselves facing a fight we cannot win. If it serves him, however, or at least appears to do so, then he may yet be an ally and even grant you some of what you appear to seek."[/color] She shrugged. [color=664BD6]"It is hard to say in lieu of meeting with him."[/color] She furrowed her brow. [color=664BD6]"I would have to have words."[/color] Zarina shifted her attention between the cornered Vice Warden and the crop in her hands, eventually only holding it with one hand after giving a couple of test swings, [color=C78A2C]”Haven’t used one of these in a while. Used it to help my horse, Riesco, get into a gallop faster and reach his potential. A sort of encouragement, not really a punishment.”[/color] by the swings, however, it was clear Zarina had the power to really make it hurt, [color=C78A2C]”If we were to bring you downstairs, kept quiet until this Wyrm issue is resolved- Señora Mirabel-Gonzalez- would there be a need for additional encouragement for you to comply?”[/color] she nudged her chin forward, eyes wide and expecting an answer from Adela. [color=C78A2C]”Do you think she can ever be trusted, Luisa?”[/color] she inquired while keeping her wide stare on the second-in-command, [color=C78A2C]”You’ve known her for much longer than I have.”[/color] Before Luisa could offer her opinion, the Vice Warden interjected, voice rising in panic. [color=664BD6]"You are making a huge mistake if you try to hurt me or.... or lock me up."[/color] She glanced both anxiously and vexedly at the crop. [color=664BD6]"I am no threat and I am valuable to the duke. I'm his agent. I can talk to him!"[/color] She took a deep breath, trying not to hyperventilate. [color=664BD6]"I am not your enemy. Surely, you can trust me to look after my own best interests!"[/color] Luisa tilted her head to the side, positively Jocasta-like in the gesture. [color=CA24C2][b]"To answer your question, Zarina..."[/b][/color] She narrowed her eyes. [color=CA24C2][b]"You can't trust her an inch further than you could throw her."[/b][/color] [color=C78A2C]”Valuable?”[/color] Zarina raised an eyebrow and leaned in closer to the vice warden to intrude on her personal bubble. She could trust Luisa to at least have her back if the older woman attempted anything, [color=C78A2C]”I don’t think anyone condemned to work here is all that valuable.”[/color] she chuckled, both at her own remark and Luisa’s assessment of Adela’s worthiness of trust. With little warning, the Virangish smacked her own palm with the shaft of the tool she had been swinging, prompting an unpleasant, visceral sound to assault the cornered woman’s ears, [color=C78A2C]”I figure it would be a huge mistake for you to not let yourself be locked up. Unless you’d prefer some mob justice out there.”[/color] she gestures her own head toward the exit of the stables, [color=C78A2C]”I’m sure more than a few hold higher-ups like you responsible for the more unsavoury things going on here.”[/color] She let that threat sink in, all the while placing herself between the exit and Adela, and Luisa covered the other direction. There was nowhere to go, and Zarina’s shadow was perfectly cast over the other’s being. But, she sighed and let her body relax a little, [color=C78A2C]”But we’re not here to take lives. Orders are to preserve them. And usually-”[/color] she locked the crop between her armpit and arm, and reached out for a nearby bag of feed. A carrot was taken out to be fed to the nearest horse with a flat palm, [color=C78A2C]”the carrot works better in these cases. Surrender yourself to Luisa. You’ll be taken care of. And then you’ll have your word with the big man when he arrives.”[/color] she looked over at the vice warden expectantly while the horse munched happily on the treat. Adela saved a choice glare for Luisa. The girl had always had something against her and now that she'd had the chance to act on it, she had. [color=664BD6]"You are making a mistake that could cost you dearly,"[/color] the Vice Warden warned. [color=664BD6]"Don Frannemas will shoot first and ask questions later if he feels he cannot trust the situation."[/color] She forced a shrug, though, hiding her fear and bitterness. It was clear that these ungrateful tethered - who had no idea how difficult it was to staff and run a refuge - had corrupted the students and brought them wholly onside, not that Adela could blame them all that much with the way that idiot Tavio had decided to deal with them. [color=664BD6]"But it is quite strongly built and isolated there beneath the red tower. When he razes this place to the ground because you didn't listen to me, I will be safe enough, I suppose."[/color] She held her hands out in acquiescence. [color=664BD6]"Lead me away or I can see myself there. It does not matter."[/color] Zarina rolled her eyes, her fingers simulating a mouth yammering about when Adela shifted her gaze away from the Virangish while making a goofy face, [color=C78A2C]”Yeah, well, we’re counting on you to slip in a good word when the time comes, yeah?”[/color] she noded toward Luisa to do the deed and knock out the Vice-Warden with her chemical magic. When everything seemed to be under control, Zarina shelved the crop and continued to give a bit of feed to the animals, [color=C78A2C]”Although, good to know the basement is that durable. Thanks for that.”[/color] she flashed a quick smile toward Adela, probably right before she fell into dreamland. [color=C78A2C]”Hmmm,”[/color] panic in the Refuge was getting louder. If Luisa hadn’t captured the sounds yet, Zarina would have at this point, [color=C78A2C]”know a way to get her nice ‘n’ comfy without dealing with more jumpy staffers? I can handle the carrying.”[/color] The energy was still cooling in her veins. Her target was asleep. Though it couldn't quite be characterized as a 'hatred', there was little love lost between Luisa and the Vice Warden. [color=CA24C2][b]"Gods, that felt satisfying,"[/b][/color] the former remarked, as the latter slumped half on the ground, half across her lap. [color=CA24C2][b]"I should've let her hit her head. Might've knocked some empathy into the bitch."[/b][/color] [color=C78A2C]”She was a bit of a cunt,”[/color] Zarina nodded, amused while handling a very large and empty bag of what likely used to contain feed. She flapped it straight and began to fit the sleeping vice warden in it, [color=C78A2C]”but I’ve seen far worse. And I’m sure you have, too.”[/color] she was careful to not hurt Adela- the woman did concede without a struggle and complied, so Zarina was going to stick by her word, [color=C78A2C]”At least you’ve shown you’re not a cunt. Just a bit of a tart.”[/color] she winked at Luisa. After a moment, Zarina spoke. Luisa shrugged easily. [color=CA24C2][b]"All you, boss lady."[/b][/color] She pulled a small flask out from the folds of her dress, uncorked it, and took a sip. [color=CA24C2][b]"I'm good to help if you need me."[/b][/color] She furrowed her brow, then, casting about for Felix. Then... she felt his energy and it was not good. The Vice Warden was carried over Zarina’s shoulder. The Virangish was built stronger than the average female, but mostly utilised the Gift to make the task far easier. She relied on Luisa to navigate while she brought along this conspicuous bag that was just loose enough to not be TOO obvious. Still, she hurried, before things got a bit too hot in the Refuge. So far, this day was indeed going pretty well. [/hider] [hider=tl;dr] -Zarina isn't too engaged by Joscata's philosophizing. -She attends Yalen's prayer in the common room, but stays in the background, discreet. -She prays to the Dreamer in her room, but feels nothing but resentment and anger as she remembers where she is and how vile people can truly get. She sees but a nightmare. -Gets good sleep and wakes up early, attends the meeting and asks where the Warden is stashed. -Teams up with Luisa to ambush Vice-Warden Adela. -Adela is given a choice: The easy way or the hard way. A riding crop is used as effective illustration. -Adela concedes and is knocked out, but not before mentioning the Duke Frannemas, his inevitable intervention and how he'll mow down everything if he feels threatened. She claims to be his agent and can talk him down. -Zarina and Luisa knock her out anyway, but nicely.[/hider]