WELCOME TO NOTT!

[abraxasmods]

WELCOME TO NOTT!

Welcome to Nott! A blend of old world Thorne and new world industrialism, densely packed wooden buildings surround a section of ancient stone architecture at the lake’s edge. The city rises up against the horizon and is easily seen from a distance, lacking any farmland or outposts around it to distract the eye.

The city gates are wide open. Whatever may be happening back at the Thornean capitol, there’s no obvious hint of it here. Busy citizens are going about their day, guards in local uniform patrol the streets with little urgency, and no alarm bells or horns are sounding. It appears,at least on the surface, as though no one is concerned about escaped prisoners here.

But it certainly is a bustling place! Sounds and smells assault the senses right from the gate. The streets are filled with vendors and panhandlers and criers shouting out deals and directions and soliciting money, hawking food and services and shops. There seems to be a tavern or a public house on almost every corner. A cool wind comes off the lake and the scent of the fish market carries through the city. People are everywhere and no one seems to notice or care that much about strangers - aside from wanting their coin.

It’s the perfect place to hide out from Thorne while staying within Thorne’s borders.

Within a few hours of arrival a city guard will approach each escapee from Thorne - regardless of what their standing was back at the castle - to politely inform them that Lord of Representatives Lyle Vela would be happy to receive them at the House of the Lords at any time today. Each character will be given a handwritten invitation marked with an official seal that gives directions to the House of the Lords, a sprawling Old Nott building on the lake that overlooks the city. The invitation is of course optional and there are no repercussions for declining.

Comments

[princessvegas]

[ That hatred is met only with cold indifference as Julie stops just outside of arm's reach. She doesn't hate Eponine -- she doesn't care about Eponine outside of vague disgust about her general existence. Julie's eyes glint, calculating, and she cocks her head to one side. ]

You gon' listen next time I tell you to fuck off?

[gardienne]

[Eponine shakes her head.] I don't understand you, Julie. You are mad at me because you pushed me away from my food and I answered back. You try to murder me over a bun and a bit of cheese? You are fat enough anyway not to fight for such a thing. And yet, it's me what is the whore, the devil, the little shit?

[It's a good thing that Julie believes Eponine has a knife. She doesn't - but maybe stealing a little dagger would be a good investment. She cocks her head to one side.]

You know a man what visited me in prison? He has paid me to kill you, you know? You are not so well liked as you think. And me, not so bad, for here you are, still breathing such rancid breath to the air.

[princessvegas]

Don't fuckin' lie to yourself. I told you not to pick a fight you couldn't win, just like I told you three times today to back your ass up. Play stupid games, win stupid prizes, dumbass.

[ Julie rolls her eyes in such an exaggerated way that it actually makes her head shift a little, as if to follow her pupils. ]

I don't know what you're talkin' about. I only met one person I didn't already know outside of the dungeons, and he and I get along real good. In fact, I just saw him before we left Thorne. So whoever you met don't know me.

[gardienne]

But you started it all. Why should I back down to a bully, Miss? Me, I am not afraid of you. Not of you, or Lloyd or Flagg, or Nadine. And dumb? No, I am a lot of things, but never dumb! Nadine said -

[She scowls. Of course Nadine told her what she wanted to hear. Eponine really is a dumbass.]

Well then, you are stupid. Monsieur Nero, he finds me there. He said I'm the prettiest girl he has ever seen. He says how ugly you are, how you deserve to die - how I ought to kill you for what you're doing to me. And he gives me a dress for your blood and for my - well. You know the deals I make well enough, don't you, Miss?

[Her voice has hardened to a sulk.]

[princessvegas]

You wanna know somethin'? If you had been smart enough to shut your fuckin' trap when I told you to, I woulda left you alone. I can respect someone for speakin' up, but you gotta close your goddamn yap before you get your ass beat. Learned that lesson, didn't you?

[ Her finger points sharply through the air, as if lecturing a child. She scoffs at the mention of this new person. ]

I don't know any "Nero". Never met anyone with that name. He lied to you. That's what men do, and any woman who fucks 'em should know that. Hope the dress was worth the sex, 'cause we both know you ain't gonna kill me.

And by the way, you should be afraid of Flagg. [ All the antagonistic edge has disappeared from her voice. This is something she is deathly serious about. ] He's the greatest man the world has ever known, but you don't wanna cross him.

[gardienne]

[Eponine scoffs back.] The greatest man? Nah. Monsieur Bonaparte is the greatest of men, stupid. What has M'sieur Flagg done? Shared his chicken with me? Welcomed idiots like you to stay with him? He is a nice man, but he is not the greatest in the world. Even my 'Parnasse is the better than this one.

[princessvegas]

Bonaparte? You mean Napoleon? He was a midget who got his ass beat so bad, they wrote pop songs about it. Died locked up on an island, all alone.

[ She shrugs. ] When he rips your fuckin' heart out and eats it, don't cry to me.

[gardienne]

My papa saved his life. Even through everything, we saved his portrait. Even when we froze, Pa wouldn't burn it. We're real Bonapartists, you know?

[Her sulk deepens] He shan't have the chance. I'm going. I know where I ain't wanted, and you might explain to Nadine the lies you have told me and see what she says then? Feed you to Flagg if he is so bad, I should imagine.

[princessvegas]

Then your papa's as dumb as you are, keepin' a picture of some fuckin' politician instead of bein' warm.

[ She gestures back toward the boardwalk, away from the sea. ] Git on, then. I'm givin' you a chance, you should take it while you can.

[gardienne]

[Eponine can't argue with that. Her father is stupid. She half glances back to the boardwalk, before looking back at Julie.]

You haven't won, you know?

[But she steps carefully back, back and back, until her bare heels hit the wood of the boardwalk.]

Don't come for me, or I really will murder you, Julie.

[princessvegas]

Bitch, you don't even cross my mind unless I'm lookin' right at your pathetic, fucked-up face. Now run before I change my mind.

[ There's only one of them left standing on the beach, and it ain't Eponine. ]

[gardienne]

[She runs then. Runs and runs. She runs far away from the beach, far from everyone, running until it hurts to draw breath. This isn't for her. This life, with people, and people who care about her? It's not for her. No one cares. No one wants her, only her quick fingers and quiet feet. She has to go now before she's left hurting even more than she already is.

Nott's not huge, but she's already getting to know the back alleys and the rougher crows that thrums their beat through the underworld. Like calls to like, and scum to scum. She can make her life here, same as Paris. Screw the lot of them.

She's going to rob their rooms blind first though.]

[princessvegas]

[ Julie watches her go and laughs, keeps laughing even when she loses sight of Eponine and then turns back to go retrieve her shoes. She resumes her walk with a smile on her face. ]