[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/saJefsm.png[/img]
[h2][color=ab0000]C[/color]armillia [color=ab0000]C[/color]arbonneau[/h2][/center]

[b]Place(s): Corridor to Upper Deck and Entertainment Lounge, Lorentine Queen
Interactions: Various [@Medili][/b]

"Is it not our rights to take what is owned to us from those so-called noble leeches? Indeed it is! Today, this boat! Tomorrow, the country! Down with the Rednitz!"

[color=ab0000][i]Pointless talk. You've got guts, I'll give you that. But even a monkey is more capable of forethought.[/i][/color]

The type of person she hated the most was someone who lived within their assigned 'roles', never seeking better. In that respect, Carmillia felt a hint of approval towards these rioters. Of course, all of that was washed away by the imbecilic way they were going about things. Did they really think they'd make a difference like this? This was just random violence. Burning down a boat and killing a bunch of mages assigned to run the steam engines achieved nothing.

She dismissed her reprovals with a sigh and started working the cogs in her brain.

There was an oppurtunity to be harvested here.
[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/dDAl8GI.png[/img][/center]
"You might not be noble scum, but you money-grubbing merchants aren't much better. Why should we listen ta' you?"

The man speaking to her had introduced himself as Mortas Dred. The current ringleader of the rioters on the upper deck. Carmillia had approached him and curtly pointed out the futility of their actions. He didn't seem to take her words too kindly.

"Eshiran's Bones! Tell me why we shouldn't be gutting you right now instead?"

The men at his side moved to surround her. Knuckles were cracked. Sneers and menacing grins were shown. Essentially, they were doing their best impressions of third-rate thugs trying to be intimidating. 

She refrained from yawning. Without batting an eye, she gave her response.

[color=ab0000]"Go ahead."[/color]

Noone moved. Carmillia's lack of concern was no doubt confusing to them. They were worried she unfazed due to the fact she was a powerful mage. It couldn't be further from reality. Her napalm canisters were used up and she was fatigued from overdrawing. She still had her trusty dagger but the odds weren't looking great. Despite all that, she continued her charade by raising an eyebrow.

[color=ab0000]"What's wrong? You don't actually think I can take on all of you at once? Go on, kill me. Then you can continue burning this ship till it sinks. Tomorrow, you can storm the capital and finally kill the oh so hated Rednitz. Once that's done, the country is yours. It's a bloody great plan, if you ask me."[/color]

The weight of her words seemed to finally penetrate their thick skulls. Even these obtuse men understood they were simply that they'd hadn't exactly thought everything through and that there would be consequences for their actions. [color=ab0000][i]That being said, rabble like these don't take well to be told they're wrong. They'd rather suffer than experience the humiliation of admitting their fault.[/i][/color]

"Shut the hell up, ya stinking merchant whore!" yelled one of the men. He swung a fist straight at her. She was capable of dodging it but she took it square in the face. A sickening crunch could be heard and the blow her sent sprawling onto the ground. After a moment's rest, she got back up despite the throbbing pain. Blood dripped from her nose.

"That's what ya get for running your mouth. And it's far from over."

The man was grinning, his frustration at her words replaced by the satisfaction of violence. Cheers could be heared from his comrades. They were all elated at putting Carmillia in her place. They jeered at her.

She burst out laughing.

[color=ab0000]"Feels good, doesn't it?"[/color] She sputtered. [color=ab0000]"I'm sure the Rednitz are going to enjoy it just as much when they do it to your families."[/color]

It was as if her words were an icy hell that froze them all over. 

[color=ab0000][i]Rabble would rather suffer than experience the humiliation of admitting their fault. But would they choose to make their loved ones suffer?[/i][/color]

[color=ab0000]"Maybe all does go well. Maybe when you storm the capital, you manage to kill all the Rednitz. I can't say it's impossible. But what are the odds of that happening? You might be willing to bet your lives on that tiny chance but are you willing to bet the lives of your families?"[/color]

Carmillia had intentionally let him hit her. She wanted to drive home to them that right now, she was a helpless girl at their mercy. Just like how their families would be at the mercy of the Rednitz House if their revolution failed. And it would fail. They knew it. They had no plan. They had no means of taking the Rednitz down. They were just indulging in a fantasy and getting high off the chaos.

[color=ab0000]"Get of your damned high horses. Look at what we're on. [i]A river casino[/i]. Instead of being at home, spending time with those that actually matter, you're here getting drunk and pissing whatever meager coins you have away. The irony. Who do you think owns the Lorentine Queen? You're throwing back your coin at the Rednitz!"[/color]

At this point, she was surrounded by far more rioters than Mortas' original lackeys. They had come to observe what was happening. They had heard her words. Now they were all speechless and at a loss. The silence continued until Mortas spoke up.

"So we suffer in silence? Live our lives like their dogs and be happy with what we have? If that's the case, I'd rather spare my family from living a life of servitude!"

Mortas had yet to give up. He was still trying to breathe life back into the riot but his words lacked the charisma it had earlier. It was glaringly obvious. Everyone observing could sense it.

[color=ab0000]"No, you fool. You avoid pointless deaths and senseless violence. You play the game they play. The game of plots and schemes. Sure, you might not have any experience in it but fortunately for you, you have [i]me[/i]."[/color]

"Ha! You're just some girl."

[color=ab0000]"Am I? Even without resources or tools or power, I've brought all of you to a stop with just my words."[/color]

Murmurs could be heard all around.

Mortas was stunned. It dawned upon him that Carmillia had orchestrated and planned everything from the start. That even getting hit was part of her calculations. He shuddered at the thought.

"...even if you are that capable. And I'm saying [i]if[/i], why should we trust you?"

Carmillia took out a handkerchief to wipe away the blood off her face. She wrinkled her nose and regretted it instantly as pain shot through her face. On the bright side, it was starting to clot.

[color=ab0000]"Because I'm a money-grubbing merchant. And when things change for the better, you'll owe me a cut of the revenue from the spratz. Along with other benefits like tariff exceptions throughout the Feskan region and what not. The only way you can trust anyone is if they need you. And with this deal, we'll need each other."[/color]

Carmillia looked up at Mortas and then around her.

[color=ab0000]"Any disagreements? No? Then first up is getting the rest of the rioters up to speed so this boat doesn't sink. Can't have you drunks be drowning before we actually accomplish anything."[/color]

Noone seemed to move. Until Mortas spoke up.

"You lot heard her, get your asses moving."