prison blues & plot cues [OPEN]

[aquaveiled]

WHO: Himeka & you!
WHAT: Some info sharing from her time in Hayle
WHEN: July 10th, pre-Event #2
WHERE: Dungeons

[ ooc; I default to brackets but I am happy to write in prose! Whatever you feel comfortable with.

Prisoners and welcomed are all encouraged! I put together two different scenarios that may cater to either more easily, but feel free to hit up what makes the most sense. ]

i. cell number one

[ Normally looking at least a little optimistic, Himeka leans against the bars to the cell, forehead pressed between them as her eyes dart back and forth down the hall. She had been returned to her cell after her days in Solitary not more than an hour prior. It felt good to be out, as much as one can consider "out" equating to "behind bars". But for someone who blossoms in the presence of others, being shut off had been a difficult time indeed. The light in her eyes has dimmed and she looks as if sleep has been elusive.

As glad as she is to see one of her younger cellmates hale and whole as one can be given the circumstances, she is missing someone she considers a dear friend. Estinien had also been sentenced to solitary confinement, so it only made sense that he would be released as well. Right?

Whether they walk towards cell one with a purpose--perhaps they had heard of the few prisoners who made an escape between the snow-covered mountains of northern Thorne, only to be recaptured days later--or by pure chance, Himeka immediately perks up at the sight of another. She straightens in place, tail swishing back and forth behind her with a surprising amount of mobility. ]

Hello! Excuse me!

[ She sticks an arm out, waving to try and catch their attention. ]

You haven't seen a man nearly twice my height with light hair and a sour expression nearby, have you? Mayhaps in another cell?

ii. dungeon common areas

[ Time allowed outside of their cells for a little bit of recreation is fleeting. She finds herself anxiously looking forward to the appointed hour more than she has before--not just to stretch her legs, but to search.

Though she does not waste the opportunity to grab something to eat for their sole meal of the day, Himeka makes unusual rounds about the dining hall. Eating sparingly during her discussions, she moves from one table to another, taking a set uninvited with familiar and unfamiliar faces. ]

I hope you don't mind--there was an open seat.

xx. wildcard

[ ooc; If you still want some plot clues or just want to chat and don't find an option that works, feel free to hit me up on the discord server or at doggystyle and we can work something customized out. ]

Comments

[sanc]

[ Relena looks her over with care, trying to see if she's been hurt and how much. She's suddenly very aware that first aid would be beneficial to learn going forward. She needs more practical skills if she's going to be of any use to anyone. ]

I've heard something like that before at home. It's not encouraging, you know?

[ The kind of dismissive words Duo would say, she thinks. She places a hand on Himeka's arm as if offering to steady her. ]

It's good to see you too, Himeka... truly. Here, you should sit down.

[ She tries to coax her towards the beds to sit, trying to be mindful of how tired she seems. ]

[aquaveiled]

[ She can take the mild scolding, seeing it for what it is. She does take a seat on one of the cots at Relena's behest, though she feels the need to run around more than anything else. Not that there is that much to do inside these cells than chat with your cellmates.

Speaking of...

As she looks around, she frowns slightly. Estinien...must be right behind her, right? But-- ]

Where is Kay?

[ There is one yet unaccounted for. ]

Did she make it back...?

[sanc]

[ Relena thinks for a moment. She doesn't have all of the details, but... ]

Kay's not here, but it seems she's freed for now, as far as I'm aware. I think she's safe.

[aquaveiled]

[ Himeka blinks, brows raising high on her forehead. This is good news! It should absolutely be good news, but she is still surprised. ]

Freed? They are letting people leave?

[sanc]

It seems you need someone to vouch for you... even then, I'm not sure if they can fully leave or if they're just allowed out of...

[ Relena gestures, waving her hand about for a moment, just a bit agitated with their situation as she thinks about it right now. ]

This place in particular.

[aquaveiled]

[ Himeka hadn't honestly considered that--that those who were considered honored guests weren't exactly free to do as they pleased either. Still, a good day's meal and a bit of privacy goes a long way. ]

Well...I have a feeling that's not really a possibility for a few of us now.

[ She looks from Relena to the door to the cell. Surely Estinien is moments behind her, isn't he?

Himeka shakes her head, turning her attention back to the younger woman with a tired smile. ]

The plan was to come back for everyone at some point, you know. We just needed supplies, connections and the sort.

[sanc]

No, I don't think so, either. Most are at a disadvantage.

[ Relena watches Himeka. She can at least see that she's antsy and she has a feeling she knows why. She nods, confident that Himeka did indeed plan to come back. She didn't seem the type to run off selfishly.

She lowers her voice a bit and steps closer to speak to her. ]

It's fine, but I have to ask, did they end up capturing you? And how far were you able to get?

[aquaveiled]

[ There is some relief in that. Spending so much time with the younger woman has definitely made Relena one of the first people she would come back for. She's got a good head on her shoulders and a surprising amount of fortitude for weathering this, she wouldn't have wanted Relena to feel abandoned.

To her question, however, Himeka nods, letting her eyes fall to her knees. She keeps her voice low as well. ]

We made it all the way to Hayle before we were discovered. It was the guards there that found us out. We are branded with more than simply these sigil...

[sanc]

[ Relena is a person much more capable of believing in people than she would have been just two years ago. While she's frustrated with the injustices of the world, she has seen the good in people all over her world despite hardships and war. In a situation like this, there will always be people who come together and support each other. Himeka has seemed like that type from the start when they first shared food. ]

We are? What else gave you away? Or are you not yet sure?

[aquaveiled]

[ She purses her lips slightly and shakes her head. ]

Eponine said that my scales may make me stick out like a sore thumb, but it wasn't so. Hayle is a much too busy place and it was relatively easy to just get lost in in the community thrall of daily life.

[ Himeka looks back up again, leveling her gaze with Relena in a fashion more serious than she has been inclined to be. Estinien had always filled in the room for harsh cynicism, Himeka preferred to believe in the good in others, much to her own detriment. ]

It was the sigils. They say more than whatever our alignment is. Mages can scry them and find out that were are branded as enemies of the state.

[sanc]

Good to know. At least it was easier to slip into that place. I'm only sorry you weren't able to slip beyond there, Himeka.

[ Relena's eyebrows raise before she touches her shoulder, thinking of the sign of Death on her back. She doesn't understand magic, but she still isn't surprised that the sigils are the cause. They are like a brand, right? A marker that they are different, it seems. ]

So it is only the people who arrived here with these, I'm guessing. I guess that will make it that much harder to slip away.

[aquaveiled]

[ She nods solemnly--not much to her usual disposition, but she does know how to be serious. Relena is a level-headed individual, has that sort of personality that seems wise beyond her years, so it's no stretch of the imagination what all the implications are therein.

Yet, she shares them anyway, maybe just because she needs to say it. ]

I fear as long as we're in the Kingdom of Thorne...solace will be beyond our reach.

[sanc]

[ Relena tries not to let her expression go too morose. She knows Himeka is right. She has thought the same. This is much different than her usual perilous experiences. She lets out a short sigh. ]

I believe you're right. I don't want it to weigh on us too heavily, but I think it's right for us to expect that as long as we are here unless something drastic changes things.

[aquaveiled]

[ Himeka exhales long and low through her nose. Relena may be young, but she has one of those souls that feels that it has seen more than her age would give credence to. Himeka also isn't the sort of person who would deny reality--no matter how harsh--based on something like that either.

But she does feel a sense of responsibility for her well-being and safety, much as she does with Alphinaud and Alisaie no matter how capable they are on and off of the battlefield. So, despite it all, she manages to conjure up a new smile and rests a hand on Relena's shoulder. ]

If anything, we have seen that it's possible to subvert their expectations. Thorne did exalt itself as nigh inescapable, didn't it? And yet escape we did.