(no subject)

[socrowdedinhere]

Captain: *nods and stands* Come with me Harlequin.

Quin: */stiffens/, NERVOUS again suddenly* Y-yes, sir... *follows, head up and shoulders back, putting on a brave front...but he's clearly scared*

*When they step into the waiting area Quin will see a noblewoman.  She's cool and collected.  She turns to face Ius and Quin as they step in, gaze locking on Quin...*

Officer: Captain, this is Lady Vashti Alvierda.  The amin boy belonged to her.

Captain: My lady.

Vashti: Is this the man who killed Rai?

Captain: *breath hitches as he is cut off before he can say more...* Yes, my lady.  It was a complete accident.

Quin: ............. *drops to a knee before her, head bowed low* M-my lady, forgive me. I've never meant harm to anyone. I have no arguments with anyone, regardless of race or social standing.

Vashti: ...Look at me. *studying him, seeming to decide if she believes him or not. ...finally she nods* What are the options, Captain?

Ius: *will tell her more or less what he’d told Quin.*

Vashti: .....*nods* I have a few things to finish, Captain.  I will come back with my decision in an hours, if that is acceptable?

Ius: *nods* Of course, my lady.

 

((Character List:
Terris
Ziomi
Wes
Mitham
Naijah
Khepri
Zera
Talim
Jerrica
Jimn
Nyri
Jendayi
Ilmari
Raizen
Daithi
Patch
Quin
Tam
Rihn
Optimus
Horses: Rory and Toby
Fox – Squeak
Goat – Crackers
 
Family Acquaintances - Lyria, Darien, Soren, and Dycus
Lunnaei, Kalan, Darden, Aren, Mairi, Klatu, and a few unnamed others...))

Comments

[dragondancer5150]

Quin: .................. *shifts to both knees and folds all the way down, fearing for his life*

[socrowdedinhere]

Vashti: *studies him another long moment...and will turn to go* I will be back in an hour.
Ius: *will wait for her to go and then will gently draw Quin to his feet.*

[dragondancer5150]

Quin: .................. *will go as directed - he's so frightened...at the /least/, he's bracing for a vicious flogging...*

[socrowdedinhere]

Ius: *will take Quin to a holding cell.* I'm going to see if your brother can be found before she returns. If he can be, I'll let him see you. *He'll also press a cup of water into Quin's hands.* Drink. I'll see you again soon.
*Once Ius leaves Quin will be left for...well...must be an hour when an officer steps in and studies him.*
Officer: Harlequin? *making sure*

[dragondancer5150]

Quin: *has sipped at the water, not wanting to drink much for fear of getting sick, is sitting in a back corner curled on the ground with his head in his hands - looks up at his name, /nervous/* Y-yes, sir...?

[socrowdedinhere]

Officer: It's time. Come with me now. *will open the door and motion Quin out.*

[dragondancer5150]

Quin: *the infrequent times that the Pranksters have been in trouble before - and caught - punishment was always swift and then they were released...this waiting has been a torture in itself . . . he shudders and climbs shakily to his feet, not meeting the officer's gaze as he makes himself approach obediently*

[socrowdedinhere]

Officer: *supportive as he leads Quin out.*

===

*Meanwhile an officer has spotted Tam and the others just outside of town where they retreated to regroup a bit and wait for the rest of the family. The officer approaches, stopping back a bit.*
Officer: I'm here to speak with Harlequin's brother.

LOL that's why I never got a notif...you replied to yourself. XD;;;

[dragondancer5150]

*Tam and Patch have an inconsolable Rihn balled up between them. Tam is restless, clutching his brother's lute to himself as if by protecting it, he can protect his brother. His head snaps up at hearing his brother's name.*
Tam: *jumps to his feet, passing the lute to Patch and shifting to stand protectively between the officer and his family* I'm Tam. Where is he? What have you done to him?

SORRY!! I blame drugs and pain.

[socrowdedinhere]

Officer: He's at headquarters, waiting to hear what will be decided. I'm here to give you a chance to see him before that happens. I was told to tell you that it's best to visit Anaken in the spring, when the apples are ripe.

((Or...I think I got that right. XD;; *didn't want to go look it up...*))

[dragondancer5150]

Tam: ……………….. *still scowling, but calms, arms folding as he nods* I’m listening.


((No worries! Just in case you were wondering what was taking me so long. XD Also *HUGS!!!* And close enough - I've corrected it.))

[socrowdedinhere]

Officer: I'll be honest, it's most likely your brother is going to end up enslaved for a time. No longer than a year. You're welcome to come down to see him, and you'll want to check in with the Captain to make sure you know where to come when he's free again. *looks at those behind Tam* You'd all be welcome to come see him if you wish.

[dragondancer5150]

Tam: *snorts* How do we know he’ll ever be released? Slavery’s for /life/, isn’t it? Even the rare time it’s not supposed to be? Marked, /beaten/, abused, he’ll be lucky to survive? *there’s anger on the surface, but it’s clear the anger’s born of terror for his brother’s sake…he’s putting on a brave front, but…*

[socrowdedinhere]

Officer: I understand your fears. Your brother won't be forgotten, we'll make sure he's freed again. Will you come see him before he goes?

[dragondancer5150]

Patch: *stands, pulling Rihn up with him and speaking before Tam can (not going to risk him continuing to antagonize the officer or something)* Yes, sir, thank you. Tam, help me with Rihn.
Tam: ………….. *shifts back to get an arm around Rihn, trying to talk to him and pull him out of himself as they move to follow*

[socrowdedinhere]

*Ziomi and Terris will also move to follow, Terris with a gentle arm around Ziomi*
*It took the officer long enough to find them that by the time they get back the noblewoman has returned and is waiting for Quin to be brought out. Everyone will be stepping in just as Quin is brought out.*
Vashti: *glances at the other people, then looks at Quin...and then looks back at Tam. There's no mistaking that they're related...*

[dragondancer5150]

*Quin looks a /bit/ disheveled – he gave up his broad hat and fine vest along with his whole belt with pouches, so he’s in nothing but his trousers and tunic (which he tucked in to neaten up at least a little). Tam, by comparison, is in full jester kit, with an extra belt around his hips and a lute slung over one shoulder, slightly awkward for those who are observant enough. The faces, however, and how they carry themselves…and lock gazes with fear and concern, checking on each other… Quin spots the noblewoman next and . . . drops to a knee, head bowed low. That makes Tam /stiffen/, looking at her almost accusingly before…forcing himself to bow to her*
Tam: My lady…
*Patch also bows as best he can, wearing Quin’s hat, his own tucked in the back of his belt. Rihn is tucked to him, face buried in the old man’s shoulder.*

[socrowdedinhere]

*Terris will softly whisper to Ziomi and then he too will bow.*
Ziomi: *stays standing, but then she's clearly blind, so most don't tend to take offense to that.*
Vashti: ...You must be family. *addressing Tam since he addressed her.*

[dragondancer5150]

Tam: *still bowed – there’s a slight tremble, like he’s holding back…voice is steady when he speaks (performance training is the /only/ reason)* Yes, milady, we are. Harlequin is my brother.

[socrowdedinhere]

Vashti: Then you have fifteen minutes to say your goodbyes. You will see him again in eight months.

[dragondancer5150]

Tam: *head snaps up at that, shocked* Eight? We- *catches himself . . . is she serious? Studies her – is this a trick? . . . bows again* Are…grateful for milady’s generosity. *if she’s not lying*
Quin: *also caught his breath – really?...does he dare believe?*

[socrowdedinhere]

Vashti: *nods and will turn to the Captain with one last comment back to the beothers.* Your fifteen minutes start now.

[dragondancer5150]

*Don’t have to tell them twice! Tam /bolts/ for Quin, dropping to his knees at the last minute to /wrap/ his brother in a tight HUG. Quin HUGS back, burying against his brother’s shoulder – he’s shaking, scared and trying to keep it together for the sakes of the others.*
Quin: I-I’ll be okay, Tam. I’ll be all right. The police captain has promised to keep track of me, and come get me when my time is up.
Tam: He’d /better/… *muffled against Quin’s shoulder*
*Patch will approach as well, bringing Rihn with him. The two will embrace the brothers between them, the four in a tight huddle centered on their bard.*
Quin: Take care of each other . . . take care of each other . . .
Patch: Always, lad. Always.
Rihn: *voiceless sobbing*

[socrowdedinhere]

Terris: *will guide Ziomi to them*
Ziomi: *drops to her knees to wrap her arms around the little huddle.*
Terris: *will rest a hand anywhere on Quin that he can.* We'll make sure you are not forgotten. You will come home again.

[dragondancer5150]

Quin: *just…l-lets himself be buried among everyone for a long moment, letting himself be weak and supported instead of strong and leading* I love you all. Look out for each other. And . . . Tam, you behave yourself. *voice tight even with the attempt at a tone of humor*
Tam: *snorts a soft laugh* I’m a jester, brother. That’s not in my make-up.
Quin: *that gets a low hufflaugh from him* Don’t I know it. *finally sighs and . . . pulls back from everyone, climbing to his feet so he can get hugs from each individually*
*Patch and Rihn will each HUG him tightly, then Ziomi and Terris – he stinks of how scared he is, despite the confident front that he’ll be okay – and finally Tam, the brothers CLINGING longest.*