DIR Return Create A Forum - Home
---------------------------------------------------------
A Roleplay
HTML https://worldofliphiliusrp.createaforum.com
---------------------------------------------------------
*****************************************************
DIR Return to: French Place
*****************************************************
#Post#: 1135--------------------------------------------------
Re: Chapter 0.9: Duty and Disobedience
By: Kimcora Date: June 22, 2020, 11:39 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Dimitri's lip twitched as the talks with the cousins devolved
into ratting each other out on who was sleeping with the worse
type of woman. Nesryn looked unamused and snapped them into
place of course. Hell Dimitri was pissed. This was a glaringly
real look into what was serving to protect Luna. Had Nesryn not
been there these dolts would have had Luna's death on their
heads. It was...worrying and definitely attested to Dimitri's
resolve to this being an outsider fading. If people like this
worked in the home he was practically raised in and he knew so
little about them...could there be others here that he knew so
little about? Others that would try to kill Luna?
He shook that off and left with Nesryn, realizing that this
adding more questions than Dimitri had before...
When in the hall, she began to clarify that she thought this
pointed to the staff again. "I'm inclined to believe
you...Alycianna and I were raised in this house. I genuinely
didn't think any of these people would try to harm her. But that
was...Horrifyingly clear that there are some issues here that go
past the family's drama." He said, unable to help the shock that
seemed to seep into his expression.
He let it fade only slightly when she offered up more leads. If
the assassin wasn't one of the guards meant to be on that hall,
then it stood to reason that someone could have entered through
the yard. That entrance would have been open and clear of a
guard...And someone would only know that if they were a part of
the staff. Dimitri was in the kitchen and didn't see anything
out of the ordinary...so that stood to reason that perhaps the
intruder came from the other way? The lead of talking to the
groundskeepers could at least eliminate a point of entry?
Because if they didn't come from the yard, they came from inside
the house...That narrowed down quite a few people who would be
normally seen wandering the halls at such a late hour.
Or they could check the staff immediately? They gossiped enough
to know the goings on here and he was curious who was assigned
to that hall last night while he was busy. Besides, that was a
big pool of people, but one that could be narrowed down easier
perhaps? They would also be the first people to see an intruder.
However her asking to talk to Marcella again did make his
hackles raise a little. Marcella was practically his sister and
he was sure whatever she told Nesryn was accurate. Why bother
the woman by asking again? He let that brief flicker of
annoyance go and realized that Nesryn was just covering all
bases. Not accusing Marcella of anything.
"I think we should try the groundskeeper. Regardless if they saw
anything. That narrows point of entry down. And...I'd rather not
start accusing the people I work closely with." He admitted,
even if it wasn't perhaps the best reasoning...
#Post#: 1180--------------------------------------------------
Re: Chapter 0.9: Duty and Disobedience
By: DolittleMax Date: June 26, 2020, 8:08 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Nesryn simply nodded, understanding where he was coming from. It
was better for him to explore every opportunity that it wasn't
someone he'd been working close with for years. She could
understand that desire to not question the stable, the reliable
and the safe. She'd once been the same, shutting her eyes to the
things she would have just rather not existed. It didn't change
the likelyhood that she was right though, and with two of the
suspects eliminated from the equation, those chances were
turning more toward her favour. She would humour him.
"Mmm, let's go then" she said before moving off toward the door
into the garden.
-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-
Her steps echoed quietly through the garden as she stepped onto
the footpath and into the warm morning sun. The distant strains
of a harp floated on the air as they both walked outside. Nesryn
cast a casual glance along the building to try spot Luna, where
she must have been playing another garden over. Last night
Nesryn had put the household on high-alert; Luna was no longer
accompanied by any less than three people. Afterall...
'One could be a lie, two could be a conspiracy but three is a
number to count on.'
That's how it would stay until this mess was sorted out and she
was married.
What would happen when Luna was married? Would she be dismissed?
Would she still be Luna's guard? Who knew...
But as Nesryn's eyes landed on a figure by the gardens, bent
over and working all such thoughts were pushed from her mind.
Her stride regained purpose as she headed across the grass
toward the man, skirts swishing quietly as they approached.
"Good day Markov, I hope we are not disturbing you"
"Ah, little Miss Shadow! Nice to see you and put a name to the
voice"
What stood before them, a little bent over and sun-worn but
still lively looking, was the gardener. His worn face with
crow-foot wrinkles gave the impression that as a younger man he
was quite ravishing. He would have also been quite tall, but it
seemed that time and the constant bending over the flowers had
stooped him; if not for that he could have easily equalled
Dimitri in height.
The Elvi's ear pinked a little at the tips as the old man spoke
of their first meeting.
"You see Dimitri, this little lady on her first day here was
wandering about the gardens. All wrapped up in her dark clothes,
acting all shadowy. Nearly scared me half to death before Karl
came out and showed her inside"
The man set aside the trowel he was holding and brushed some of
the soil from his hands with a smile, "Now how can I help you?"
[spoiler=The
Garden]
HTML https://i.pinimg.com/564x/dd/49/63/dd4963f2efaddec203c95184db9ea9c1.jpg[/spoiler]
#Post#: 1188--------------------------------------------------
Re: Chapter 0.9: Duty and Disobedience
By: Kimcora Date: June 26, 2020, 5:19 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Dimitri was thankful that Nesryn humored his desire to not go
pointing the finger at his colleagues just yet. He knew it was
irresponsible and perhaps selfish, but there was a certain part
of Dimitri that considered these people a home and family. After
all, he was sold off as a child with his blood related sister,
who turned on him the moment they got to the Whitheres home. The
servants around him, though not perfect by any means, replaced
that sense of community and family he missed as a child. So to
accuse them of breaking any moral code and harming Luna
was...hard to swallow to say the least. Especially because he
did care for the young woman and was protective of her
well-being. How could anyone want such a good person dead?
He pushed the thought away and instead allowed himself a peek at
Nesryn as she strolled along in the sunlight of the garden. How
she ever made a living as an assassin was beyond him. Surely she
must have drawn the eyes everywhere she went. But perhaps that
just flattered her skill further that she was able to blend so
seamlessly in crowds. He smiled softly to himself, but quickly
got himself together when she spotted the man she wanted to
speak to. When she called out his name, Dimitri thought a moment
to himself that she was scary good at placing faces and
names...Must have been part of that training of her’s.
Markov’s greeting and spilling of details of how they met drew a
chuckle from Dimitri. Not at her expense but more at the cute
nickname and the idea of her terrorizing the old gardener. Miss
Shadow...maybe that would be a cute nickname for her in the
future? He figured by her blush that she wasn’t a fan of the
nickname so he would keep it to a trial by trial basis. Or maybe
just when he got her attention alone?
“Miss Zoya has quite the presence about her that I’m sure we all
can appreciate.” He said before he gave a quick nod to the man.
“Markov, we’re here about what occurred last night in Lady
Luna’s room. I’m sure you know as word spreads fast.” He said
before giving him a curious look. “After sundown, before 9,
someone got to Lady Luna’s room, possibly from the gardens. Did
you happen to see anyone in the garden that afternoon or around
last night? I don’t know if your work kept you out here that
late but...” he asked since the man seemed to be in an open
enough mood to answer questions. Dimitri kept checking for signs
of any abnormalities and couldn’t really find any. Honestly,
Markov was the last person he expected to want to cause Luna
harm. Maybe Karl had something to say about this if he was
wandering around out here while Miss Zoya was?
#Post#: 1194--------------------------------------------------
Re: Chapter 0.9: Duty and Disobedience
By: DolittleMax Date: June 26, 2020, 9:20 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
At the mention of the attack, Markov scowled.
“I did hear about it and it’s disgraceful. Who would do such a
thing to such a fragile and peaceful woman? It makes me mad and
if I get my hands on whoever did this- I’ll- I’ll-“ the man gave
a vague angry gesture with his hand and a stomp of his foot. He
seemed genuinely angry at what occurred.
With a sigh to calm himself he looked at the pair seriously, “As
for seeing or hearing anything? Not. My wife and I have our town
house and I leave before dinner in the day. So I wasn’t here.”
His face morphed into an expression of remembrance as he reached
into his tool-belt and pulled out a knife. It was an simple
blade made of black steel. The handle was curved and looked
quite sharp indeed. Nesryn stiffened beside Dimitri.
“I found this in the garden this morning, must have been there
all night because it was covered in dew. Over there in the herb
planters.”
Nesryn stepped forward and took the knife from him, giving him a
tight smile.
“Thank you for your cooperation. You’ve been very helpful.”
She gave a graceful curtsy before spinning on her heel and
roughly grabbing Dimitri by the elbow to steer him back inside.
Her face was pale and when they were out of earshot from the
gardener, Nesryn looked at him, still gripping his arm.
“This is my dagger...”she said quietly.
#Post#: 1196--------------------------------------------------
Re: Chapter 0.9: Duty and Disobedience
By: Kimcora Date: June 27, 2020, 12:01 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Dimitri nodded at Markov’s assessment of the events. It was
true. Who in their right minds would target Luna? Surely it must
have been someone out of their damn mind or someone that was not
loyal to the family. Someone who wanted to hurt Luna for what?
Dimitri remembered his conversation with Nesryn before and a
crow pulled through him. Was Nesryn right? Did someone actually
want to harm Luna to get back at the Hythian man? Why not just
kill that f*cker and be done with it? If he was your target why
go after the woman clearly just a pawn in all this? Luna
certainly didn’t love Malachi and certainly didn’t know about
his business dealings...surely they must see that...That’s why
he had been adamant about denying it was one of the servants
that dealt with the family, as they would clearly know Luna was
innocent in all this. But at the end of the day, there were
awful people in this world. He knew that to be true because
Nesryn’s job existed.
His attention went back to Markov who explained that he couldn’t
have seen anything. The man went home before dinner to be with
his wife before the attack happened. Well, that was a
dead—Dimitri países when he produced a knife and rose a brow.
Was that the attempted murder weapon? By the look of it it was
clearly a knife used for skill and attack. Someone who knew what
they were doing would use a knife like that. Did that mean
someone on the staff was a skilled assassin? Hadn’t Nesryn had
knives? Maybe she would know how this one was used?
Before he could ask Nesryn her thoughts, she was dismissing
Markiv with a polite bow and a goodbye. Dimitri opened his mouth
but quickly shy up when she grabbed him by the arm and dragged
him inside. He wasn’t expecting her to touch him and that
clearly made his heart race. However, the worried look on her
features as she gazed up at him made his stomach drop.
Everything in him wanted to take that concern from her, but he
knew he couldn’t unless they found the attacker. The concern
came at the expense that it was her dagger the gardener found.
Dimitri’s brow furrowed and he looked genuinely confused.
“Did...you perhaps misplace one? How would someone get ahold of
one of your blades? I thought you keep them all on you.” He let
his eyes wander her a moment, wondering just how many she had on
her person now. “This was perhaps where they left through
then...but how did they get a weapon off you?”
#Post#: 1200--------------------------------------------------
Re: Chapter 0.9: Duty and Disobedience
By: DolittleMax Date: June 27, 2020, 4:58 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
They moved into the hallway past the barracks before Nesryn
dropped her grip on is arm to place a hand on her hip in
annoyance. His eyes had briefly flicked over her appearance and
she found herself wishing that she hadn't worn such an obviously
coloured dress. It had seemed to attract the servant's eyes a
few times within the day and she was concerned that perhaps not
all his focus was on the task at hand.
"I don't keep every weapon on me, just my most useful and
discrete ones. The others... I keep in the room I was assigned.
Usually hidden pretty well... but I haven't had need to go to my
room, since I stayed with Luna last night..."
Nesryn turned the blade over in her hand, feeling the weight of
it in her palm. This one had been under her mattress in her
room; Nesryn flicked the blade through her fingers, twirling it
about in ease before gripping it properly.
"I dare say this could be the blade... inefficient for what the
attacker wanted, showing that perhaps they weren't skilled in
combat or at least choosing a weapon"
She tapped the edge of the blade, listening for something in the
ring of the metal. She frowned a little in concentration before
handing Dimitri the blade, positioning his hands in a sturdy
stance.
"Stay like that-" she said, before producing her own dagger out
of nowhere.
With no warning whatsoever, she brought the blade down hard on
the knife in Dimitri's grip, the clang echoed through the stone
hall.
"That's definitely the blade they used, I can tell. I used this
blade I have here to defend Luna and that was the same sound it
gave. Two different steels clashing." she took both the weapons
and stashed them away from view.
Now it seemed they had another location to visit, along with the
shortening list of suspects. Nesryn looked to Dimitri
expectantly, awaiting his thoughts.
#Post#: 1202--------------------------------------------------
Re: Chapter 0.9: Duty and Disobedience
By: Kimcora Date: June 27, 2020, 9:34 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Dimitri saw her annoyed look and figured it was over him gazing
at her. Really? Could she blame him when he was sure she was
packing knives all over her person? Besides, it was an admiring
look. Not one that was lascivious and crude. But he understood
his intentions didn’t matter in this situation. If it made her
annoyed, he would try to stop...
However, the news that she was hiding the blades in her room
made him a bit annoyed. That meant that someone went through her
room and stole that blade. Furthermore, she stated it could be
the blade they used to attack Luna. However, she said it wasn’t
an effective blade for an attack like that, which led her to
believe this was an unskilled assassin.
But was this the blade actually used to attack Luna? He was
surprised when she put the blade in his hand for a quick
demonstration. The sound made him flinch, but he did look
mystified that she would be able to tell the dagger by the
sound. He looked at the blade as she stowed it away, his eyes
narrowing some in thought. “So, someone entered your room, stole
a blade, and tried to attack Luna? But why your blade when we
have plenty of knives in the kitchen? You also might notice a
blade missing. Maybe They intended to frame you? Also they must
have known you would be with Luna...” He huffed, before running
a hand through his hair. “It’s looking more than one of the
servants must have been the one. Who else would know your room,
when your there, and not be looked at strangely for being in
your room. Do you know the servant who looks after your room?”
He asked before his face fell some and then shook his head. He
was jumping to conclusions with not enough evidence. “Perhaps,
we can talk to everyone at dinner?” He added since he was sure
the others would be busy and they would get in trouble for being
distracted.
#Post#: 1203--------------------------------------------------
Re: Chapter 0.9: Duty and Disobedience
By: DolittleMax Date: June 27, 2020, 11:28 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Nesryn bit the inside of her cheek in thought as he fired
questions at her, and she considered them.
"Indeed they could have stolen a knife from the kitchen, but
wouldn't you or the chef have seen them then? Weren't you
telling me only yesterday that you saw nothing? Unless you wish
to revise your story-" her gaze settled on him; unwavering "then
I would consider that to be quite an impossibility, no?"
She shook off her intense stare and started walking, expecting
Dimitri to follow, "As for my knife, I would have noticed- had
they stolen it any earlier. I had just fetched some 'sewing' to
do only minutes before I sat to wait on Luna. Meaning, that the
knife was stolen within that small time frame. It hadn't been a
priority to check my room... but perhaps it might be now..."
Nesryn stopped talking then and simply headed her way to the
dining area with Dimitri, but she halted before she reached the
door to look up at him.
"We should not however, discuss it at the table with everyone.
Allowing everyone to be present when alibi's and evidence is
given means the culprit has a chance to align their story with
the truth- making it all the more difficult. Perhaps we should
start with Lacey or Karl..."
With that they went into the dining room, and Nesryn was acutely
aware of some of the stares the two got as they walked in. Lacey
giggled behind her hand and Nesryn felt her ears redden.
So word of this morning's embarrassment had gotten around...
#Post#: 1205--------------------------------------------------
Re: Chapter 0.9: Duty and Disobedience
By: Kimcora Date: June 28, 2020, 8:40 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Dimitri was glad Nearyn went along answering his questions and
thoughts with her own thoughts. Honestly, he liked that he was
able to speak so casually with Nesryn, work seemingly letting
her guard down. He hated that it was at Luna’s expense, but he
wasn’t going to be against the fact that he got to help. Even if
he felt like he was the last person she really should be asking.
After all, she quickly corrected his thinking on the knife and
even asked if he wanted to change his story. Was Miss Zoya
joking or just being sarcastic? Either way, he cocked a brow at
her. “Nope. If you don’t believe me, feel free to question or
take a look for any injuries. Oh we could even compare heights.”
He said, meeting her unwavering gaze and finding he liked having
her eyes on him. Even if it was intimidating...Maybe that wasn’t
a good thing...
He agreed they should wait to question the servants and went
with her to the kitchen. When they came over to the table, he
looked briefly confused when a few people gave him judgey or
leering glances. Some even passed to Nesryn, who seemed to get a
bit pink. He was about to ask Marcella what was going on, when
he caught sight of Jorgensen who winked. Oh crap, this was over
the pantry misunderstanding? He blushed a bit himself, wondering
just how wild the rumor had gotten. He hoped not too damning as
his sister would probably tell Frieda and get Nesryn in trouble.
After all, people judged the woman worse than the man in any
rumor. So he made a point to leave her be, to act normally and
to be cordial but not overly attentive.
After the dinner was done, Dimitri spotted both Karl and Lacey.
He knew he could catch Lacey a bit later but he didn’t know Karl
all that well. Besides, Markov mentioned Karl so he was on
Dimitri’s mind. “Hey, Karl, would you be okay talking for a
second?” He asked, catching him in the hall with Nesryn on his
heels.
#Post#: 1207--------------------------------------------------
Re: Chapter 0.9: Duty and Disobedience
By: DolittleMax Date: June 28, 2020, 11:22 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Nesryn went through the entirety of the meal in silence as she
didn't particularly feel like engaging in chatter and wanted to
avoid any questions about the unfortunate event occurred that
morning. She was quite sure she had eliminated Dimitri as a
suspect and their earlier conversation was meant to keep him on
his toes- make him less prone to getting closer to her. But
instead...
"Oh, we could even compare heights"
His retort still echoed through her mind and made the back of
her neck tingle and the blood remain in the tips of her ears.
Something about how he said that had given her the urge to step
closer to him- which in turn made the stubborn, prideful part of
her soul want to slap him. If she could get him to shut up,
perhaps these feelings...
Even now she could hear his playful banter with the others,
albeit it seemed a little more tense than usual. Her eyes moved
from her dinner to watch him for a moment; she could tell he
wasn't keen on questioning anybody at the table.
However, Nesryn felt some appreciation of his determination when
he moved to ask Karl if they could talk. She moved to stand
beside him as a silent sign that she was following his lead.
Karl looked at the pair down his nose, he stood taller than
Nesryn and Dimitri- although only stood taller than the male by
a half-inch or so- and his blonde hair and blue eyes gave him
that icy appearance that matched his personality.
"Fine- it better be quick. Lord Hydrus is expecting me to play
cards with him this evening, I'd rather not be late on account
of a servant and his Elviyenne harlot-"
Nesryn didn't seem phased by the insult at all and instead
turned the conversation on him.
"Then we'll be direct. Where were you last night when Lady Luna
was attacked?"
He blinked for a moment and offence entered his eyes, "I don't
care for what you're implying-"
"It's only implying if you take it to be. I only asked a simple
question."
His eyes narrowed and he brushed something invisible off his
sleeve as though Nesryn's words had dirtied him, "Last night I
was in Lord Hydrus' sitting room engaged in a game of cards with
he and his sisters. If you have any doubts on that, then you can
go ask the Lord yourself."
Nesryn held his gaze and the tense silence stretched on for a
long moment before Nesryn turned on her heel and called over her
shoulder to him, "Thank you for your cooperation. Dimitri? Let's
go..."
Internally, Nesryn was contemplating how long it might take her
to empty every weapon that was on her person into Karl's back as
he stalked away.
*****************************************************
DIR Previous Page
DIR Next Page