INTRO LOG #2

[abraxasmods]

Intro Log #2

It has been two months now since the initial group of summonings first took place. Castle Thorne, or at least the part above ground, is buzzing with a vibrant air of hope following the 'success' at the Singularity. Eager smiles and excited chattering are to be found in nearly every corner of the castle and surrounding town. The honored guests may find grateful looks turned their way more often than not. A new and brighter day seems to be dawning on the kingdom.

In the dungeons it's a different story entirely. The mood is somber and uneasy. The prisoner taken for trial has yet to return, and no word has come regarding her or her fate. There has been no mention of any further trials as of yet and guards seem to have little patience for unruly behavior or even conversation. Some seem to not even look at or acknowledge the prisoners at all.

[ Feel free to continue threads from the TDM here or start your own! As cell and room assignments will be short-lived due to this month's event, you're free to assume whichever cellmates and roommates you like instead of officially signing up as long as there are ICly no more than four people in a cell or room at once. ]

Comments

[wiedzminka]

How very straightforward of them.

[ Ciri frowns, clearly uncertain about this. Wouldn't it be better to silence the one who knew too much immediately, rather than sharing the information and setting his execution for later? It seems odd, but she does not comment, not feeling well enough educated yet in how their captors think or function.

But to that last, she nods. She feels the same. ]

So they summon people from other spheres in order to interact with this... Singularity. But they have not yet revealed what makes a summoned individual a success in their eyes, and what has earned us imprisonment. There seems to be little commonality between us, in my short experience thus far, except that we are from scattered universes. [ And times. ] And what of those above?

Surely there are an equal number of so-called successful summonings, if not more. Do our generous and straightforward captors regularly share information about them?

[cryptsleeper]

Seemingly. I'm not a strategist or politician, otherwise I might be able to read meaning into the action.

[Ciri was right. It was...strange...to just spill the information as had been done, but figuring out the whys and wherefores was a job left to heads other than Alucard's. He was best used in a fight or within a library, not within spheres such as these.

Spheres though. That's a fascinating word choice, although Alucard doesn't pick at it.]

All they have noted is that we below are some how threats to multiple universes, and the mage can see various outcomes. Given what I know about at least one of those above is that this criteria seems...[Look, Hector's trying his best but Alucard's still very bitter.] I question it. But I don't believe they have been privy to any more information.

[He shakes his head, voice no louder than a pin dropping.] A number wish to leave as we do and read no kindness into their station.

[wiedzminka]

[ That is new information to Ciri. She'd been under the impression they were mistakes of some sort, though it's been unclear in what sense. Hearing that they've been judged threats (and to multiple universes, at that), has her shoulders stiffening, the back of her neck prickling with discomfort.

How much do they know?

Her voice also drops, a quiet hiss. ]

And they've shared no information as to how they determine this? The sort of threat we in the cells may pose?

[ It's a bit encouraging to hear that there are those above who feel similarly unhappy with the situation, but Ciri knows courts and castles; they may not be in cells, but she has a strong suspicion the other summoned, even those not deemed threats or mistakes, are not nearly as free as it may seem. ]

[cryptsleeper]

Of course not. [There is something approaching a laugh in Alucard's voice with that response, but it doesn't surface in full. What comes out instead is exhaustion and frustration, the latter moreso than the former.] That would involve putting at least one more card on the table.

All I know is that you were given more information than we were upon summons, as there was no mention of a trial at that time.

[He's heard the rumour now. Doesn't trust it an inch, but there is the lift of his eyebrow at Ciri to gauge her opinion of that particular promise. Alucard expects it is a lie, of course, or else theater, but perhaps there was a tone he missed.]

[wiedzminka]

Mm. Too much to hope for. I figured.

[ Ciri sighs, and with the exhalation lets her whole body sink, until she ends up on the floor a few feet in front of her fellow prisoner (careful not to mess up his dirt scribbles, of course). With her knees up in front of her, she rests her elbows atop them, sitting casually so they can chat quietly without her having to lean over to hear at this volume. ]

I don't even know what we're meant to be on trial for. A trial should allow the convicted a chance to defend themselves, but how are we meant to provide evidence against any wrongdoing when the accusation seems to be against our very existence here, through no fault of our own?

Their mages should be on trial, not we.

[cryptsleeper]

Well, obviously.

[Alucard can appreciate the fact that Ciri is careful enough not to scuff his work, such as it is. The arcane scribbles aren't much, he'll have to brush his hand over them soon, but until then, well.

There's a huff, and now his fingers simply trace idle patterns through the dirt. His face darkens as he speaks in a low voice.]

But I doubt it'll be a real trial. Just accusations, no defense, and then death. Or whatever their designs are.

[Like a church's inquisition. Like what killed his mother.]