Solo [No Man's Land] What's Right Seems Wrong

[Aladari Coolwater]

11th of Fall, 516 AV

There were always rumors going around in Sunberth. This man was practicing magic. That girl was spotted at Brega's. This whore was on her way to the Dust Bed.

None of it held any weight, usually. People just liked to talk. They wanted to feel some false sense of superiority in a city where everyone was at rock bottom. In general, Aladari didn't listen to the talk. Except, of course, when she drank.

"Is'at so?" She cooed loudly, eliciting hushes from the other men.

"Quiet, Lassie. Is still on tha down-low. Ain't nobody want the otha gangs ta hear jus' yet."

Aladari nodded her understanding, her eyes lighting up with a smattering of green and purple like an abstract painting. However, she couldn't stay completely quiet.

"Tell me more." She whispered.

There was no argument from her confidant. He, too, loved to gossip over ale. "They call themselfs the Vigilantes. Now, I ain't know nothin' but what I been told, you see. But I been told they's fightin' against tha gangs. You know, freein' slaves, fightin' for tha folks who's in debt, some said they's even trainin' an army ta take back Sunberth."

The third member of the discussion laughed. "Take back Sunberth? And give it to who? Sunberth would be complete anarchy without the gangs."

"No, nah anarchy." Aladari corrected him, her eyes alight with the possibilities of a new Sunberth. "Freedom."

[Aladari Coolwater]

She couldn't wait.

It was no more than a bell or two later that Aladari made her way to the town's newest tavern. She had been told all she needed was the slip of paper given to her by one of her drinking buddies. She couldn't read the Common written on the slip, but she had been told that it said "Ordering the Midnight Special". It had been explained to her quickly in hushed tones that this meant she was willing to join. At the time, her blood had rushed with excitement, and her eyes glowed. Now, her muscles moved slowly, and her eyes skittered about nervously, viewing everything through neon pink irises.

But as she walked, she saw beggars lining the streets. She saw weapons adorning every hip and children with bruises on their faces. She saw slaves in shackles, and business owners speaking quietly to their guards. And with each familiar horror she saw, she grew more and more confident in her decision. None of this needed to happen. She could create change. Who would she be if she let this continue, fully aware of the hurt?

Her confidence left her like a spirit from a dead man when she saw the tavern. No Man's Land looked like a traditional tavern from the outside, save that it was new and undamaged by the spring floods. On the inside, there was more of the same- drunk men and women, a few girls whoring, and plenty of drink. There was a guard gifted with intimidating muscles and a hard expression near the door, and a skimpy bard wailing on his lute in the far corner. All in all, the place seemed nothing above average.

Aladari hoped it wasn't true.

Gripping her paper tightly, she moved in to sit at one of the tables. Dim lights danced around her. No one sat down with her. No one looked at her. It was peaceful, with the noise of the tavern was drowned out by her own thoughts.

Aladari Coolwater, daughter of two humble fishers, was here here in Sunberth ready to join a gang. What would mother think? As much as she wanted to believe the Vigilantes weren't a gang, she couldn't shake the logic. Weren't they harming everyone just as much as the gangs by imposing their will on the city? Weren't they just as lowly as the Night Eyes if they hid, and did their work in secret? But they're fighting for what the people want...even if they don't know they want it yet. Fighting for what the people need.

Under the Vigilantes, Aladari could see a world where Sunberthians didn't have to worry about being mugged on the street, or drugged in an alley. The city would be just as wild and free as now, but...safer. They weren't just another gang; they couldn't be. They're different. They're righteous. She had to silence her mother's words in her head, reminding her of her folly. Her mother's voice reminded her, gentle but firm, that as soon as you used the excuse "it's different", you have been fooled.

[Aladari Coolwater]

Even with her mother scolding her in her mind, and her thoughts scattering everywhere with doubt, Aladari still couldn't convince herself to leave. She had come this far, determined to join, and so she would. Somewhere inside her, the stubborn child who never refused a dare was still present, loud and proud. It was who she was. This whole thing was one big gamble to her, and Morwen be damned if she wouldn't come out on top!

By the time the barmaid finally made her way to Aladari's table, inquiring about her meal for the night Like in a dream, her mind was chaos. Her mother's voice was warning her of the dangers. Her father asked only that she leave if it got dangerous. Her own inner child yelled loudly about following through, and showing others how it was done, while on the outside, Aladari sat paralyzed. Like in a dream, she extended her hand to offer the slip of sweat-worried paper. She watched the woman read the note for what felt like chimes, then look up at the Vantha and smile politely, just a gleam of mischievous delight in her eye.

"The Midnight Special? Now, is that so?" She hummed softly. Aladari merely nodded, unable to make her dry tongue move. In honesty, Aladari was surprised the woman didn't mention her eyes' bright pink color, so bright it must have been shining in the dim light. Instead, she simply said, "Wonderful. Let me see what I can do for you."

Aladari sat frozen as the barmaid walked away. Her limbs felt numb, as did her lips. The feeling grew only stronger as she waited, a harsh weight settling in her lungs. Just as she felt she might faint, she realized this was because she had not been breathing. With a gasping breath, the feeling flooded back into her skin, leaving behind a tingling sensation. Her toes, fingers, and lips slowly came back to her. But her mind, her senses?- she wasn't sure those would be back until she left Sunberth for good.

[Aladari Coolwater]

Aladari sat for several chimes. Must be on purpose. For intimidation. And if that was their intention, it was certainly working. She squirmed in her chair, glancing around for the absent barmaid but finding no one.

Finally, she stood, her legs wavering beneath her as she did so. She pushed herself to the bar, leaning on it for support as she looked around for a bartender. Flagging one down, she ordered a stiff drink. When the drink was slid in front of her, Aladari tossed her coin recklessly on the counter and picked up her cup of courage. She knocked it back quickly, immediately feeling better under the warm hum of the alcohol. When the barmaid returned, she was already sitting back at her table, her eyes a comfortable, glassy yellow.

"Good news. It look like you'll be joining us soon enough." She smiled grandly, causing Aladari to smile back in relief, even though she still wasn't certain if it was a good thing to join. "So, we'll have someone ready to issue your proving test tomorrow, if you're ready to take it on."

"Proving test?"

"Yep! Same place." She confirmed, and then she was off, leaving Aladari sitting alone, confused, and afraid.

[Samuel Longwell]

Grading Complete Please edit your grade request thread so that it's obvious that it's been graded. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions/problems with your grade. Name: Aladari XP Award: Socialisation 1 Observation 2 Lore: The Vigilantes: Fighting against the gangs Hopes of a new Sunberth Sunberth Location: No Man's Land The Vigilantes: Just another gang? Stubbornness trumps fear The Vigilantes: Is joining a good thing? Notes: I enjoyed reading this, you communicated Aladari's emotions very well throughout. I'm sorry there wasn't much XP, I hope the lores are what you were hoping for. Make sure you deduct the price of the drink from your expenses. Enjoy your grades.