THE SECOND PROSCRIPTION

[strangerpeople]

THE SECOND PROSCRIPTION
(CW: Coffins, claustrophobia in general, skeleton bones)

Most interesting.

[Suddenly, a bright light from above lights up, same as last week, from the bone chandelier. Once more, the light only seems to shine on one individual, as the Elder Steward appears, looking pleased as punch.]


Excellent, excellent. You have condemned The Noodles to die by quite the majority, so certain you were of her guilt!

[There is a long, long pause. Finally, though, the Elder Steward does something unexpected. First, he throws his hood off to reveal--huh. A rather young-looking and handsome figure. Odd.]

But...

[A slow, fanged smile appears on his face, before he turns to Eric, raising a toast with a glass of something that might be red wine-or something else.]

You were wrong. Congratulations, Fast. You have exceeded my and Our Lady's expectations. You have damned an innocent woman to the cruel death you deserve for your crime, and your fellow shall be forced to watch. For this you shall be rewarded protection for that special person, as promised.

Now.

How does it feel to know what you've done, hm?

Comments

[15unknowns]

Perhaps it is best for you to, ah, spell it out.

[And you all thought the Younger Steward was an asshole.]

[yonosoymaria]

[WELL HEY IF ANYONE HAD ASKED ABOUT VAMPIRES - ]

An invitation, then? Before I'm such a fool, tell me - this isn't the "gift" that bitch calling herself Elizabeth Bartley gave my late fiancee, is it?

[15unknowns]

[a snort]

No. Protection from harm shall be given to someone of your choice, as was stated before. Any other "gifts" you are presuming is foolish speculation otherwise.

[yonosoymaria]

[Of all things, it's a low laugh that leaves Eric's lips first.]

Hardly speculation. Sarcasm, it's the last refuge of the damned. In any case - I've read too many... lived too god-damned many fairy stories not to ask. What are the limitations? I didn't want this - didn't mean to get it - but if I have it, well... John's safe already, I have the whip.

[15unknowns]

There are few limitations. You may choose anyone you wish to be granted protection from any harm that may befall them...save for The Noodles, and those here, of course.

cw: self-harm

[yonosoymaria]

So it's as good as useless, then. God. God, I've... bad enough that it happened, that it was an accident, you add that part after the fact?! Damn you! Damn you and damn this entire damned world!

[He buries his hands in his hair and just as swiftly yanks them back out, tearing at it - not enough to draw significant blood, but enough that there's. Certainly hair that didn't just shed in his hands. He stares at the Steward, eyes wide as a movie-show madman.]

So you can't or won't define harm, then, either? God. Damn it all to hell - it will keep him from getting into trouble now that I won't be there. Fine. Fine, if it's no one here, fine, let my Patroclus be as Achilles should have been, let John Morris be safe.

[15unknowns]

Very well. He shall be protected.

[And that is that. At least as far as the steward is concerned.]