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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...))

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

*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...*

*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.*

*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.*

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.

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

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?*

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

*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*

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.

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.*

Vashti: ...It is time, Harlequin. *waiting near the door.*

Quin: *soft shudder and…n-nods, tightening his hold on his brother for an instant before forcing himself to pull back* I’ll see you all soon. *looks at them all . . . then turns and makes himself head for the door without looking back – realizing he’s…not been flogged, maybe she’s waiting to do it herself, /swallows/ at that thought and squares his shoulders, head up*
Tam: *it’s /everything/ in him not to bolt after his brother, try to take him back…standing with hands in FISTS tight enough that his nails may draw blood from his palms*

Vashti: *softly as Quin steps up behind her.* You will see them again.

Quin: ……………. *bows* Milady… *not sure he dares let himself believe that, this is too difficult already, without that possibly false hope…*

Vashti: *leads him to an inn she was staying at. There they meet up with a cheetah amin and a j'har man.* Is everything ready to go?
Amin: Yes, Mistress.
Vashti: *nods* Harlequin, this is Tyli and Warrik. This is Harlequin. He will be joining us for the next half year.
*they both give him a nod.*

Quin: …………. *”joining”…as if he’s a guest…never meets their eyes, head bowed, as he steps up and bows, obviously consciously trying to keep from folding his arms or hugging himself, arms stiffly at his sides* Pleased to meet you both.

Tyli: *gives his shoulder a gentle squeeze.* Chin up, you'll be okay. *if he looks at her he'll find she's got a smile for him.*

Quin: *he…he doesn’t, /flinching/ from her touch – he’s still expecting to be beaten – and keeping his head down*

Tyli: You know how to ride, Harlequin?

Quin: A horse? No, miss. I’m just a vagabond. *intellectually, he…knows…that the rules from back home regarding riding privilege don’t apply here, but he grew up with them…and had them /beaten/ into him too viciously to ever want to do that again*

Tyli: You're going to learn today. We've got a ways to travel to get home. Warrik will show you how, go with him.
Warrik: This way, please. *will head around to where the stable boy had brought the horses.
Vashti: *has already gotten on her horse, her skirts divided to allow her to sit comfortably without having her dress around her knees.*

Quin: Ah… *has gone /pale/ at the thought of getting up /on/ a horse . . . not resisting but clearly REALLY REALLY REALLY NOT wanting to do this…*

Warrik: Don't stress too much. Misty is a really, really calm horse. If you have to learn quickly, she's the best to learn with. *will motion Quin over beside the horse.* Start with petting her, let her know you're here and are friendly.

Quin: ………….. *steps up and easily pets the horse, but keeps glancing at Lady Vashti, ready to /jump/ back if she so much as looks at him – clearly it’s not the horse he’s scared of…*

Vashti: *she /is/ watching him, just patiently waiting for him to get on the horse so they can go.*