Everette
Rebels
Rebel's Femme Fatale[M:0]
They don't know what they've started: Confrontation
Posts: 7
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Medley
Sept 20, 2009 5:54:16 GMT -5
Post by Everette on Sept 20, 2009 5:54:16 GMT -5
Everette sauntered lazily along the cobbled streets on the market, edging her way through the crowds. As always the air was thick with the smell of the stalls, fresh fruit and vegetables, fish, spices, even exotic dyes....and, as always, the taint of soot hung in the air, barely perceptible, but unmistakably there. The weather, as usual for Elysia this time of year, was perfect for the gaggle of eager salesmen and the citizens ready to buy. The air was cool, much more so than compared to the compacted atmosphere of Dysprosium District. Here it seemed there was room to breathe and on a rare occasion catch the drift of an autumn breeze. This, and the fact that there was so much more to offer in the market, was why Anatase District was by far one of Everette's favorite places to make a purchase. With a passing smile to each familiar face that nodded to her in greeting, the young woman gave the courtesy of returning the gestures before moving on to the next item on display that caught her attention: fabrics, jewels (albeit less glamorous than those she had seen in Nepheline), and attire accessories that seemed more suitable on a man's body than one so slender as her own. Such was the joy of making her own wardrobe, though. Anything from casual outfits to the costumes she dolled herself up in when it came time to do a performance for some high class socialite that always fell one stone short of being highly important. And with such privilege came the freedom to use whatever she wanted in the making of the clothing. As it's been for human nature, she finds her muse in everything around her. The diverse medley of people she meets, the music she dances to, and the small, priceless items she finds throughout the weekly trading post. For example, the small, rounded, metal buttons hiding in the depths of her gown pocket would tether nicely onto the collar of her favorite, cotton top that was perfect for visiting the Cat's Paw in. Or the three buckle harness that Everette was now brushing her fingers over in admiration. That piece alone would secure the slightly loose fabric at her chest on the dress she wore now; despite the fact that it was designed for a man's use. Such fashion statements were not a proper lady's choice. Though, it was in good form. The wide straps, measuring to be about two inches, crossed in the back, approximately in between where her shoulder blades would be. And, as a proper harness should, the beige leather circled around, where it would cup just under her bust before rounding up to cling over her petite shoulders. The buckles were more of a decoration, once one adjusted the straps correctly; making for an ornamental addition along the front. A good buy, indeed. Well worth the cut in her money that Everette handed over to the seller for her purchase. If there was ever one thing a shopper in Anatase could count on, aside from the constant burden of peddlers, it was the exquisite quality of the food on the local market. The apples were fairly large, ranging from every beautiful color that matched the season of autumn. The vegetables were lush and green, unless specified otherwise: such as the carrots, which were thick and delicious. The best stews were always made here in the warm homes of those that slaved through the plantations or their own personal gardens. And it's no wonder why - after years of mastering the art of horticulture, no one could hold a candle to the abundant plant life belonging to the middle class folk of Anatase. That's why Eve wasted little time making her way over to the carts with the diverse assortment of vibrant produce. The green apples were her favored choice, by far. Rich with juice and that crunchy texture that she loved to sink her teeth into. She gladly handed over the last remaining coins she brought to spend for the round fruit now tucked tight into her possessive grasp. And then she was moving on, taking her small gather of items to the next vendor to delight in looking over the small gadgets after more polite mannerisms in salutations. [Word Count: 716] [Tagged: Natalia]
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Natalia
State
Sericitian Socialite[M:0]
Posts: 6
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Medley
Sept 20, 2009 13:06:22 GMT -5
Post by Natalia on Sept 20, 2009 13:06:22 GMT -5
They paused at the borders of Sericite, Natalia and her group of the day. The guards were dressed in plainclothes on this day, as the task that went along with their trip to Anatase was infiltration. The turnaround business, at least where the guards were concerned, moved fairly regularly. If one from the Anatase market were standing next to one, they probably wouldn't recognize them without all the gear. Just another face in the crowd. Bex, on the other hand, saw no need to dress down. A fairly sturdy corset sucked her ribs in and pushed what little cleavage she had out. Skirts of dark, fine fabrics flowed from it's bottom hem, swaying about her hips as she led, more or less, her men of the day into the Anatase market. Wherever she roamed throughout Elysia, people seemed to know who she was. Half time time she was attached to Camille's skirt tails; how could they not? It didn't take long before the vendors were turning their heads. Bex snapped an order or few at the men at her side and shooed them away with a dismissive wave. These men weren't with her. Simply another group of middle class sewer dwellers that saw the clean, pretty lady and decided to make it worth their while. "So sorry, boys. Not in this lifetime. Do hold your breath for me, will you?" The woman spun away from the group as they made themselves scarce, immediately throwing themselves into the markets fold, assignments of their own to handle. Within a minute or so, Bex could barely even see them. Natalia gave a satisfactory nod as she made her way to the first vendor, first taking a fair chance to appreciate his trinkets and such. Clothing of all shapes and sizes. Jewels and watches galore. This man had one of the bigger displays, and in the Anatase market, retail space was scarce, he must be popular... She picked it up, immediately enthralled. A rare find for Natalia, she saw something she could actually imagine owning at a place of such stature. The vendor had been studying her, as was only expected by the woman in front of him, displaying the little knick knack on her person. It was only then her assignment smacked her in the face; a few vendors down a guard of hers was 'oh so politely' escorting a group of teenagers out of the market. Clothes torn and raggid, they looked like they hadn't bathed in months. Dispicable. "Let's make a deal." she offered spider gleaming in the light of day as Bex began to adopt it as her own. "I'll buy this piece, for a price higher then I'm sure you ever imagined, and you give me some information about all the squatters your housing in this market." The man looked at Bex with an odd sense of horror. He knew who she was, certainly. He just had to decide which was worse, betraying orders from the Empress, or dealing with the backlash of his people when they found out he'd sold them out. Oh well. Not Natalia's problem. The woman dangled a hefty bag of coins in his face, brows arched as she patiently awaited his decision. All of which took only a minute or two, the greedy rat snatched the bag from her, tucking it away in his shirt as he leaned in, and squealed like a pig. Turning from the stall, spidey in hand, she made her way through the market with a refined sense of purpose. She knew who she was after now, for the most part. This was going to be a two day job. Natalia would survey the sorry lot today, taking a tally of those in Anatase who lived where they wanted, when they wanted, no expense necessary. Her guards, she assumed, were doing the same, if not evacuating right then and there. Could give the rest of them a heads up and they would scatter appropriately. Let them flock to Dysprosium; the Prince could deal with them then. An hour or so later, after much footwork and data gathering, she met up with a pair of her guards, strolling along the northern part of the market, eyes seized on a young girl just stalls away. She didn't look like a squatter, per se, but the men on either side of Bex couldn't take their eyes from her, for whatever reason. The woman gave a proper rolling of her eyes, swatting the both of them on the back of the head as she stepped forward, approaching the shopping one ahead of her. "Proof of housing and registration, please." Bex greeted her, sticky sweet in tone followed by a toothy grin. She was 98% sure that this one didn't have a specified 'home' to go to. She seemed to carefree. Ah well. She'd soon find out.
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Everette
Rebels
Rebel's Femme Fatale[M:0]
They don't know what they've started: Confrontation
Posts: 7
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Medley
Sept 20, 2009 20:52:40 GMT -5
Post by Everette on Sept 20, 2009 20:52:40 GMT -5
Such pleasant greetings were always a favorite of Eve's. No doubt the sudden charge of suspicion caught her immediate attention, which was now deflecting away from the ripe, yellow-green fruit held against her palm by her dainty fingers. The woman speaking was such a contrast to herself in every way. Tall, chocolate tresses for hair, honey tainted, piercing eyes. Not only did she look it, but she also reeked of high society. No matter the woman's outer flaws, there was no second guessing on the fact that she was gorgeous. "Who wants to know?" Everette inquired, raising her left, blond brow in mock curiosity. Of course, the question need not be answered. Everyone knew the face of the woman, even if sometimes the name was casually misplaced by the ever favorite "Camille's Shadow" or "The Empress' Pet". Still, there was no denying the rank and prestige this one woman held over everyone in the common marketplace of Anatase. Bex paused at the woman's question, brow lifting in a heavy arch at the tone of her sass. "Don't ask stupid questions, girl." she retorted in a snap, giving the one before her an elevator glance. "Are we going to have a problem?" This retaliation took the younger of the two women off guard. Eve, never being one to slow her tongue, found this moment to be quite a conflict for her. To quiet herself or not? That was the budding question at the back of her mind. Too bad it was dislodged by the sudden wave of instinct that took over from there. "Clearly so. The problem started when you marched into this district and it will continue to do so until you gather your empty threats and return to the pedestal in which you've clearly fallen." The woman shook her head, sigh emitting from parted lips as she ushered the two men trailing behind her forward. "Empty threats?" Bex cocked her head to the side curiously as the guards began to unveil their restraints. "We aren't looking for trouble here. Simply, putting things back where they belong. Now if you'll quit the 'tude and just show me what I and Camille want to see, we'll be on our merry way." Everette's slender face could have said it all for her. The sheer expression of abhorrence played off of every curve in her countenance. Likewise, her voice was strong and growing just a tone louder in distaste, "Those things you're referring to are people. People whose lives have been ruined by your precious Empress and her self-centered government. And I don't have your damn papers. I don't live in Anatase, so there are no titles for land here to speak of." A look of gentle disgust plastered across Natalia's features. She nodded to the taller of her two guards, the man immediately stepping 'round the younger of the two women, hands moving for her wrists. This one just wasn't going to cooperate. Which was no matter, one less rat on the street. "I don't believe I asked where you didn't live. Your views of our Empress don't particularly concern me, although I will tell you, you aren't doing yourself any favors with your present company by talking about her in such a way." The woman 'tsk'd' in disapproval, head shaking. It was such a shame. Everette raised an arm defensively to the man stepping far too close for her liking. Accompanying her index finger's outreach to point at his face was a solid command of, "Do not touch me." Eve's attention didn't linger there long, though. Clearly, as most guards were, he was just the mutt that obeyed everything he was told to do. To stop the puppet, one must focus on the puppeteer, "There is nothing against the law by speaking aloud, but what bothers me most is your stance when your country is in dire need of aid. The ironic part about all of this is that our enemies do not come across the seas. They're in these very lands: living in the palaces and caring only about what benefits them. So what's your plan, 'Princess'? Arrest every homeless citizen in Elysia so you can crawl up the backbone of this ridiculous monarchy? How far do you think that's really going to get you?" She paused for a moment. True, this didn't help her current situation at all, but she'd already dug this far down and self-control was really not her forte, "It must be tiring to be so close, yet never making it to the top." Fingers raised to Natalia's mouth, stifling the laughter that was erupting within her. A hand momentarily waved the guard off as the woman in front of her recoiled. Weight shifted from one dainty foot to the other as she went on, and on, and on some more. Bex began to yawn, waving the woman's words on fast forward "Yes yes, all that. Anything else you would like to shed some light on for me darling? Anything I haven't already heard a million times before by peasants in your very predicament." "Let me make this abundantly clear: I. Don't. Care. You can spew all you want, chances are you'll still be spending the night behind bars," Bex stated, very matter-of-factly as she picked at a bit of dirt beneath her fingernails. "Now, you can keep up this self-righteous bit, but the boys and I are getting rather bored here, so if you don't mind, perhaps we can do it while escorting you to the district's border." Natalia wasn't suggesting, she made that clear with a second nod to the taller guard, who hesitated not this time, restraints hooking around the young woman's arms. "Shall we?" Natalia offered, preliminary steps away from the market starting at her normal rushed pace. She still had places to go. People to uproot. [Word Count: 974] [Posted with the permission and aid of Sarah (Natalia Bex)] [Modified: Because I fail.]
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Natalia
State
Sericitian Socialite[M:0]
Posts: 6
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Medley
Sept 20, 2009 23:07:27 GMT -5
Post by Natalia on Sept 20, 2009 23:07:27 GMT -5
Bex gave a satisfactory nod to the guard that had successfully bound the girl in front of her, spinning on expensive heels as to lead the group back to the Palace where the lock-up was held. Even if the girl hadn't in fact been a squatter, surely her attitude had warranted at least a day or two in solitary confinement. And why not? It had been a particularly boring day, and Natalia -was- bored.
On the way out, other members of the palace guard flocked to the exiting Natalia, awaiting further orders. "Finish off the tally, I'll relay the information to Camille tomorrow morning before Emery's presentation." With a dismissive wave, the guards made themselves scarce, disappearing into the markets folds once more to complete the task they'd been put there to complete.
Bex on the other hand, was now studying the bound girl before her, wondering why she had been so headstrong, surely knowing she'd land herself in this position. It didn't make any sense to her. Chances are, if she had just offered up her information, she would have been nothing more then a name on a list. Her mouth had landed her squarely on Natalia's radar; which was never really a good place to be if you were known for rebellious behavior. Bex didn't even know the girls name yet, but knew already that the State was the farthest thing from an ally to her, and she showed certain disregard to the Empress and those that followed her.
"I hope your pleased with yourself." Natalia noted to the prisoner in passing, scribbling bits of notes on her faithful clipboard as they made their way out of Anatase. "A few days in the hold of the Palace's basement should do that mouth of yours wonders, especially if we parch it." Natalia was now bordering on the line of cruel and unusual punishment. It wasn't protocol exactly to starve the prisoners, but she didn't have to know that. What she didn't know, only gave Bex more power.
Everette had fallen in the tune of the guard's steps behind her. With his arm grasped firmly against the inside of her arm at the bend of her elbow, she was forced to keep steady rhythm with her movements. For the past half hour, the young woman had been fiddling with the metal links binding the arm restraints together, as if through hopefully wishing and a little persistence, she would be able to rid herself of them. If that was all it took, Elysium should have been the ideal place already.
"You think I'm scared of being without food and water? Maybe if you socialite bastards would open your eyes a little more past the mere goals of getting in the Empress' good graces you would know that people in Dysprosium live as such daily. Now that you've put a price on well-being, no one can afford to eat," she spat, like a curse directed to the woman prancing on her high horse as if the Camille could hear Eve through her.
Natalia's head quirked left at the girls next statement, left hand scribbling away at her account of the ordeal. "Socialite bastards. I'll be sure that makes it way in. Always nice to hear what our civilians have to say, no? I'm well aware of the living conditions in Dysprosium, and if you've got issue with it, I suggest you bitch to your "Prince", not me. Surely I'm not going to help you out in that department." The woman rolled her eyes at the pitiful display before her, still nameless. "What do you go by, girl." Natalia needed such information for the books; there was after all an account of everyone stuck in the dungeon. She was also, plain ol' curious. "And don't lie, or I'll know."
Pursing her lips firmly together, Everette gave an attempt to shrug her limb out of the man's grip. When it failed, her canines clentched together tightly. "Everette. Che. Temple," she forced out. The woman was not ashamed of her name, nor would she ever be. But her temper was no longer contained. In fact, she was livid, angry, in a rage. Though it was mostly at herself for her lack of self-control. She knew better than to think for a moment that the government would play fairly.
The joints in her shoulders were now beginning to ache from the constriction that her arms with tethered in. Each step caused her wrists to bounce against the small of her back, digging the edges of the metal restraints deeper against her colorless skin. And, to top it off, the hem of her homemade gown kept continually getting caught under the sole of her brown, worn leather boots; and each time she'd have to watch her footing to keep from tripping over the fabric. This only fueled her mood. "And what do they call you when you're not being taunted for being Camille's protege?"
Everette Che Temple. How..precious, Natalia sufficed as she jotted it down, handing off her report to the unbusied guard at her side as the entered Sericite, the palace nearly in view. Bex noticed the girl struggling beside her, she could've sworn the obnoxious one had nearly fallen on her face, on more then one occasion. The thought flitted across Natalia's mind to maybe loosen her restraints, but she just couldn't see the fun in that. Everette had made her bed, she was now going to lay in it.
"I don't really see how that bit concerns you, Miss Temple. The name is Natalia and I'm quite sure you've already done well to remember so." Bex could be cocky at times, sure, but she found it truly unbelievable that Everette hadn't heard of her before today. "And I may follow the Empress closer then others, but do you see me complaining? Am I worse off for it?" The woman managed a small chuckle, "I think not." and pointed ahead. For as they were passing through Sericite, they conveniently happened passed the manor Bex had inherited from her parents through Camille's court income.
She glanced to the girl, grin highly apparent across her features as she studied her body language. Everette wasn't exactly Miss Sunshine standing there, mussed and shackled. Bex reached forth, tucking a stray blond tendril behind Temple's ear. "Careful darling, scowl like that and your face will get stuck that way." Bex winked, turning on her heels once more as the palace ahead of them became visible. Only a matter of minutes now, and she could ditch the insolent.
The strongest urge surfaced in the petite framed woman; an desire that both brought amusement and scared the hell out of her. She had never been so violently inclined before. Upper class females weren't allowed to be. But for a split second, Everette toyed with the idea of what would have been should she have bitten the woman's hand. Of course, she would never. No. Instead, her retaliation consisted of a smirking smile and a keen interest for what the woman was saying. "Is that so?...Must burn your hide to know that my family's manor is bigger."
Everette knew better than to elaborate on the comment passed. If Natalia hadn't know of her family by now, then the new uprising of the only Temple daughter imprisoned would surely bring on the news of her father's previous military accomplishments.
Despite the fact that the sleeves of her gown were bunching at the arm restraints and now being pinched against her skin, she continued forward to the Palace herself, without the guard's pushy demands to guide her. There was no getting out of it, and even though her father was a well known contributor to the Empress, he probably would never know of her current situation anyway. She felt it was always fun to give the impression, though. Besides, who knew what sort of observed information she would come across in the very Palace itself.
"Burn my hide? Hardly, child. Your -families- estate my just be larger then mine, but after all, it isn't the size, it's what you do with it, right?" Natalia laughed once more, imagining the manor in question. Certainly not in Sericite, or even Anatase. Hell, Bex was willing to bet Everette wasn't even a resident of such elaborate settings. "That one however..." she motioned to her own with a shrug of her shoulder, "...belongs to me. So if you'd like to keep trying to size me up, I suggest you try a little harder, and when you aren't about to be thrown in jail. Just a tip." Bex shook her head, rather disappointed in the girl. Was that the best she could come up with? 'My ___ is bigger then your ____' Really?
Oh well, it was hardly a matter that needed attention - they were at one of the Palace's many entrances. It would just be plain foolish to drag what was considered a prisoner through the main halls. A guard pushed open the gate, revealing to them a maze of stone wall and hard flooring that made up the Palace's dungeons. "Home sweet home." Bex rung out in a sing-song voice, leading Everette to what she could now consider her residence. "I do hope you enjoy your stay with us, Miss Temple. Was it worth it?" She questioned as the guards removed her restraints, shoving the petite into the barred cage with little discretion. The ever-present grin across Natalia's face only widened as the guards made their exit, following with a swift pivot of her heels and a friendly wave to Miss Everette Che Temple.
(Joint post with Everette) (Modified because I forgot to credit her :\ )
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