See-Through ´´{Auric}

[Beatrix]

"No," Beatrix said, her voice dropping to a lower register, harsh and colder than a block of granite. The jail-keeper bared her teeth and hissed, gazing at the General with true hatred. The woman carried saws and knives and several other torture devices in her arms, her pupils wildly dilated, her chest rising and falling with heavy pants. Beatrix didn't need the memory of her own experience to realize the guard was under the Mist's influence. They needed information, badly, but not as bad as to torture a man who had committed no crimes, and one that had let himself be captured. Besides, she had promised him he wouldn't be harmed. Beatrix kept her promises.

"I said no," she repeated icily, as the guard was about to protest. The keeper wasn't the first one of her soldiers to fall prey to the Mist, and she wouldn't be the last. Beatrix had believed those with strong enough willpower would be able to resist it, but she had been proven wrong that very day. It had been only for a few seconds, but she had completely lost control over herself, fallen for the bloodlust the Mist inspired. It took longer the stronger the individual, but eventually everyone fell to the voices whispering in the Mist. The effects could be delayed, but not fully resisted. Thankfully she had been waken up from the trance, or otherwise things could have gone very wrong.

The woman stared at her for a few moments, and then left, muttering something about treachery and soft-hearted Generals. Beatrix followed her with her eyes, and closed the door behind her. She still inspired respect on her soldiers, or at least fear, and for the moment that was enough to control them. But it wouldn't be for very long. Their bloodlust would only get stronger and more insidious, and soon even her wouldn't be able to keep them in check. She felt an anguished, impotent anger building inside of her. She had trained many of these recruits since they were children, known them and trusted them like sisters, and now she had to see them turn into nothing more than ravenous beasts. She could do nothing but watch as her beloved city crumbled and turned into a nightmarish hell, where monsters and madness reigned, nothing but a mass of ruined buildings and corpses rotting under the Mist.

Beatrix took a seat before the man's cell, gazing at him. He was still unconscious from her last blow, his legs chained together and to the wall, but otherwise unbound. Perhaps against precaution, she had left his arms free. It didn't matter much; there was an anti-magic field placed over the dungeons, and unless he could bend the iron bars with his bare hands there was nothing he could do to escape. Beatrix played with a set of keys in her hands. She didn't know if she was going to go through with her plan; she guessed it depended on what he said. She looked to her right, where his personal effects had been put in a pile. There were no weapons, interestingly, other than a strange, metallic device with an unfamiliar shape. It was made of no metal she knew of (another piece of evidence indicating he was not from the Continent), and though she guessed it could be used to crack a person's skull quite effectively, that didn't seem to be it's proper use. It had a curved handle, and what looked to be a miniature cannon-barrel. If it was a weapon, it was obviously magical. Strange, the man hadn't employed magic in their battle, other than to heal himself. But then again, he had been holding out, perhaps more than she had realized.

[Auric]

Translucent
It's like "transparent", only less see-through.

She was plenty strong. Beatrix, I mean. From the moment I saw her I could tell her swordsman skills were top class -- I knew from that moment on I wouldn't be making it out. At least, not without causing a few deaths which would of been a poor start in getting to know the town better. I guess in the end my real hope was that I'd be able to study Alexandria without having to wear a cloak and keeping to the shadows. It's so much nicer to be able to just walk through town and take my time to really enjoy things. Mind you, my impressions of the town so far weren't exactly favorable if they were looking to be some kind of tourist hot spot.

Ah, well. Sometimes in a situation when you know you've lost what it is you came for... you can always roll dice and hope your luck pays out.

---

Beatrix was his chance. He knew that from the way her soldiers reacted she was their superior -- someone high up. Of course the place looked very medieval and he could tell their technology wasn't at all as advanced as to what he was used to but he'd always found inspiration for better works... for innovations. Still, more than that... he'd come here to become acquainted with the lands of their new world. She wasn't royalty -- not that he could tell, given how her style of dress wasn't overly ornate like he was so accustomed to seeing... hell, even on Cocoon that held true. Still, she was interesting enough... and he knew for sure that if he were to have any real hope of ever coming back to this land without putting the watch on high alert, he'd have to build a good relationship with this one person.

His hip hurt. So did his ribs and shoulders although the blow to his back had healed over nicely... the healing spell having run its course even after he'd fallen. It wasn't every day that he let himself become someone's personal stress ball -- but he knew how to roll with the punches. Swords stabs, whatever. The blade was gone from his shoulder -- that much he could tell since he had feeling in that part of his body once again. His ribs hurt -- though that might have been because he was down on the cold hard ground of his cell. He had awoken with a start, blinking as he hoisted himself up with his good arm, his head still hazy as his mind fought continuously against the mist. His jaw tensed as the numbness went away and he pulled himself up to his knees -- hunched over as he observed the intricate nothingness of the ground.

He peered to his left then to the right, making small notes about the room as he began to comprehend his situation. Great... I don't even get a bed. he thought to himself, wondering whether or not he'd moved up in life. His guess? No. As his injured arm moved down to clutch his ribs the padding of additional bandages gave him the impression that they'd had the decency to give him some medical treatment. Oh, he knew Beatrix was right in front of him -- he didn't need to look up to feel her interested eyes appraising his form. "I get not liking me, but I have to admit I'm a little flattered." he breathed out leaning back, wincing at the pain as he slumped against the opposite wall, the clanging of chains and the coldness against his ankles that didn't go away evidence that his feet were chained. His eyes were closed, as if he were sleepy. Close enough to the truth -- his head was still throbbing.

"I don't get dinner?" he grinned, one eye opening to look toward her briefly before shutting.

... a jail full of women. I guess I wouldn't mind dropping the soap.

[Beatrix]

She kept looking at the strange weapon, studying it from every angle. Her father had been a blacksmith, and she knew the basics of the craft, but she couldn't recognize the metal it was made of. It wasn't very heavy,though it looked quite durable. As she held it by the hilt, she realized it was meant to be held by half of her palm, her index finger curving naturally at a small lever under the miniature canon. She was wondering what would happen if she pulled it, when she heard the prisoner awakening in his cell.

She smiled at his words; most people would be begging for their lives now. In fact, most people begged for their lives as soon as they saw her drawing her sword. 'Beatrix the Cold-Hearted', 'She-Who-Fell-A-Hundred-Men'; she'd had a grim fame. And the fear she had inspired was practically the only thing keeping her troops under control. She was a shadow of the warrior she had been, her skills a mere reflection of the invincibility she had achieved. Even her memory was faulted. Though even at her prime, she wondered if she'd been able to defeat that man's prowess so easily. She could've shredded him in seconds if the skills he displayed earlier was all there was, but she was sure he hadn't even began to show his true power. He had been holding back, putting up a charade for her benefit, taunting her.

"You can pretend this is a date, if it helps you," she proposed, indifferently, as she dropped the arm holding the weapon and raised her head to look at him. She moved her head reflexively to the side, throwing back a strand of hair that was falling into her eye. He was leaning against the wall of his cell, his eyes shut. She would have healed him herself, but she had lost her magic; in the end Garnet volunteered to heal him herself. Beatrix's curative spells had been superior, even able to wake the Queen herself from a deep, magic-induced coma - and now, the Great Beatrix wouldn't have been able heal a simple paper-cut if the Kingdom depended on it. Though she couldn't admit it to herself, one of the reasons that drove her to leave the city was a subconscious hope that her abilities would come back once she got away from the Mist.

"So how should I call you, my handsome date?" she said ironically, going along with the game. She raised from her chair and walked towards the bars, standing a few feet away from them. She looked down at the man, a feigned reprobatory expression on her face."I've already introduced myself, while you haven't as much as told me your name. That's hardly gentleman-like."

[Auric]

[Reverse Charity] was a unique weapon. It was old, too... at least, by Pulsian or Cocoon standards. To the people of this city-state, it must have been a breakthrough in weaponry. Not that sabers or swords ever became out of fashion but when you fight on the front lines and a firearm is in play you would much rather have it on your side. It was true that Auric had held back -- drastically, at that. With the weapon Beatrix had held in her hand he could have conducted an orchestra -- their fight would have been very different... that last blow that had ended their duel would have been stalled and he'd of followed up with the new opening. Likewise, he'd of never allowed her to come so close.... but that's not what that duel was about. It had to be class... he had taken her on as a swordsman and she was formidable enough that he could say he lost. Next time would definitely be different... and perhaps, if there was a next time he'd have a decent enough sword that didn't shatter in his hands.

But the biggest mystery was what exactly his unique weapon was made out of -- Auric himself could never truly determine what metals had been used. All he could tell you was that it required powers like his own. How it even utilized it is still a big mystery but the effect was obvious -- with that gun in hand he could determine more about a single person's movement than he could in an entire minute in their presence. And if you knew how he worked -- that was a lot of time. All he could tell you was that so far that weapon had proven to be indestructible, required no maintenance, and was enchanted with magics he couldn't even comprehend. But as she spoke, the smile crept up on his lips.

It was so nice to know she could play.

Still, as he opened one of his eyes to get a good look at her he appraised her form... remembering that he hadn't exactly given her his name. He didn't write it on any of his equipment either and of course they wouldn't have been able to be quick to decipher the script it was written in given how they probably used a completely different alphabet. "How astute." he countered, addressing her observation of his lack of introduction. Naturally, he played the rogue... he hadn't been very co-operative so far and yet somehow he'd gone and done her a favor. Yeah. Auric wasn't the kind of guy that was easy to figure out. "Then perhaps I'm not a gentleman." he proposed, shooting her a wink as he thought on the idea with light amusement. But he was meticulous as much as he was witty. "But you're not asking for my name." he pointed out, bringing up his arms and resting them on his knees.

But she did need to call him something, as coy he was he knew that if he remained incognito for so long she'd slap a humiliating label given enough time. So, he beat her to the suggestion. "You can call me 'lover'." he grinned, opening his hands and noting how they'd even taken his gloves. He glanced upon his bare palms and continued to deny her authority over him. "Well, I guess we have to start somewhere. You didn't chain my wrists... so I assume you want to hold hands."

[Beatrix]

Beatrix looked at the stranger harshly, her oval face sporting an irritated frown; she had expected him to be more cooperative, given his behavior in the battlefield. She couldn't tell if his reluctance to give any sort of information meant that he really wanted to hide something, or if he was just doing it to mess with her. She had the impression the man was amused by the situation. There was perhaps no better way to know another person than by battling with them; he was formidable, on every aspect, but the true danger was his mind. She could only see one way out of this; but before, she would have to make sure he was to be trusted. For all she knew, the earlier events could have been an elaborate plot to gain her trust. Of course, there wasn't much she could tell him that he couldn't find out by himself; Alexandria's dire situation was, unfortunately, painfully evident. And he had already witnessed the worst of all, which was the Mist's influence. Another reason not to let him go until she knew who he was.

She raised her eyebrow at his suggestion for a name to call him by. "I'll call you 'prisoner'," she answered, her voice stiff. He was evidently trying to embarrass her, to set her off. She interpreted it as simple defiance. It was strange; at one instant he seemed to help her, at the other he defied her again. The only constant was his annoying impishness. "It is a small kindness, in repayment for your earlier actions," she said, referring to the small mercy of leaving his hands unchained. Though he couldn't know, the true mercy had been to keep him away from the gallows, where by law his feet should be dancing on right now. And perhaps still would, depending on how this went. Though it would be a shame, she thought, if such a skilled warrior died such an inglorious death, and before she could test her steel against his once again. "I always pay my debts, prisoner, just as I always keep my promises. Though that is the only kindness you are getting," she added. Perhaps if he realized she had been speaking truthfully earlier on the battle, he'd be more inclined to show her he could be trusted. If he could be trusted, that was.

She walked back to the chair, keeping her eyes trained on him. He was leaning against the wall on the floor, his feet chained and and him seemingly still tired from the battle, but it wouldn't do to underestimate him, even for a second. If he was walking free, it would be when and if she decided it. If he was a spy, him escaping could be disastrous. She leaned back, crossing one leg over the other, the bottom of her mended white vest falling at the sides of the chair. The dungeons was dimly lighted by a few torches on the wall, the back of his prison almost in shadows. Her crimson leggings seemed blood red in the dim light, the firelight shinning against the dense chestnut locks framing her face. She narrowed her eye, thinking what was the best way to approach this. Mind games weren't her strong suit. Perhaps being honest was the way to go.

"Do you have a homeland, stranger?" she asked, leaning forward against her legs, her arms crossed under her chest. "A place you where your heart lies - a place that you would protect with your life, like you would a parent or a child? Anything - or anyone - that you'd die for?" Her eye glowed, a fierce expression on her face. She sighed, looking at him still, a serious expression on her face. "I am not demanding anything from you. I am just asking for your help, as you helped me earlier today. Like I said, I pay my debts," she said, taking the set of keys back our of her pocket and holding them visibly in her hand. ", and keep my promises. But before you escape," she began, looking at him intensely ", I need information. Anything you may know about the re-shaping of the world, or the return of the Mist. Me and all Alexandria would be on your debt."

[Auric]

You have to think about it from his point of view. While, true, he really took it all into stride and was, at this point in time, calm regarding his situation... you had to wonder about the events that lead up to his present circumstances. He could have quite easily left -- he had held back, which is true but in addition he hadn't caused any deaths. He had gone out of his way despite the attempts on his life by overwhelming numbers to stay his hand while every woman clad in armor tried to bring him low. And then there was the mist. It was thinner here than in other places -- but persistent regardless, given enough time the irrational murderous rage would consume them all and the preventative measure was rather simple although given the number of monster attacks he'd experienced he wasn't sure if their military might was up to it.

He could have told them. Just station some of her troops outside the Mist and rotate each garrison... that would decrease their defenses, true, but in the long term they were better off. Hell, the smart thing to do would have been to pack up and leave but he understood the sentiment of wanting to stick around. After all, this was their home -- and very few people would be quick to leave a world they'd known their entire lives for the great unknown. And yet, here he was... a traveler -- a tourist; jailed for observing the sights, a stay of execution for showing mercy to a barely sane military that had tried to murder him. And the funny part of it all? She was trying to guilt trip him. That isn't to say he didn't care.

Still, freedom was something he would have pursued... and even with the magical field around them, he could have just blown apart the wall behind him with his special talents. Not that he'd be too interested in revealing his powers... nor did he like the odds of someone being behind the wall and him accidentally devastating an entire city block. No no, he'd be walking out of here whether it be of his own skills or with key in hand. "You said I would be released." he stated plainly, calling her on it. She had, after all, stated that regardless of why her guards were attacking him he would walk free as an innocent man and yet here she was offering him an option to "escape". Those were her words and he was meticulous so he knew immediately what she might have had in mind.

That she would give him the keys and he could flee. Like only a guilty man. Not that the prospect bothered him, after all, he could always return and use a hooded cloak when entering the city -- now that he'd seen how the locals look like he could match their style of dress. But why wouldn't she stick to her word and just release him as if he were innocent? He was after all... but then the battle reminded him of one inevitable fact. That she was vulnerable to the mist no differently from her soldiers. Strong willed, true, but even so... she would be a slave to her own urges given just a little bit more time. Any battle she would join would risk her losing herself once more and now he knew why. "You want me to escape." he accused, her features were veiled in the darkness, the light behind her glaring out her frame.

He remained quiet, having dropped all pretenses. Yeah, he knew she was sincere -- she didn't need to give a good speech to let him know. He'd joined her in battle and her nature was easily discernible.

"Some first date." he smiled, leaning his head back again as eyes closed. "No dinner, no hug, no kiss. You've got the lighting down, but this isn't the most romantic of places."

[Beatrix]

"If your intentions were honest," she replied to the man's recrimination.So far, the interrogation had been a fiasco. She hadn't been able to get where the man was from, was his purpose in Alexandria were or anything about the outer world's conditions as she had proposed herself; she hadn't even been able to get the man's name. She supposed her interrogation skills were going a bit rusty - just like her fighting skills, and pretty much everything else. "That means cooperating," she added.

She smiled at the man's next words. "I simply don't want to keep you here longer than necessary," she replied. "My soldiers aren't very happy with you." The man had beaten some of her best like they were insects, and many of them were furious. Emboldened by the Mist, Beatrix was worried that they might do something stupid. Besides, his escape would play perfectly with her plans to leave the city.

She frowned as the man changed the subject back to their supposed 'date'. The man clearly didn't want to talk, and she wasn't willing to use any unsavory means to extract information out of him. For what she had gathered, the man had done nothing wrong except defending himself, and on top of it taking care that no one got hurt. At any rate, the interrogation had proved fruitless and now they were going in circles. "This is going nowhere," she said with a sigh. "I'm keeping you here overnight," she announced, placing the man's peculiar weapon back with his things. "Someone will bring you food and water in an hour. Don't try anything," she added, the tail of her white best trailing behind her as she walked out of the dungeons.

[EXIT]