eastbound | un: Black Prince; text (pre-colosseum adventures)

Do hope you're all settling in well. How are we finding our accommodations? I've a position that allows access to the senate. Let me know if I can assist.

The mood is largely in favour of conquest, of war to honour the Chained God. Worth noting that the aptitude of the army appears to be a new development, and Narula seems to be the reason that changed. Has anyone spoken to him? They describe him as a feral animal, and those who worked under him consider him a loose canon, risk prone with little regard for ethical combat and a drive to constantly improve at any cost. Since the senate lacks trust in Narula, and some favour Messalina leading because of that, I had put forward that a veteran might serve as Narula's replacement. Given how loyal soldiers of the Hand are, however, I suspect that would prove an uphill battle.

Equally, Jacob and I happened upon one of those target lists the news shouters received. All members of the Senate: Darius Alexandros, Julius Secundus, Drusilla Minora. Two curiosities: not all of them oppose Messalina, and parchment used was official senate paper. All senate paper is marked with a code, containing a date and unique number. The date here is five or so months past, which just so happens to be when Messalina entered Ephes.

Oh, and Caius Justus does appear to be alive for any concerned.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Saw him, safe and sound, in the Temple everyone says he was in. Looked like he could do with a good meal once he comes out.

[And Jacob does sound pretty pleased about this successful mission, even if he didn't get to fight anyone during it.]

Isolation will do that to a person. So you guys confirmed he was still alive and actually doing what we've been told then... assuming, he was, in fact, praying for an answer from his god in there?

I assume he was praying because he was on his knees in a sanctuary. And there was no one else there, which negates the other reason you'd be on your knees in church.

I tend to avoid churches, [you would too if you had a demon in your head] but that seems about right.

Did you see anything else in there?

Can't say I frequent them often. But the rooftops are great vantage points.

A lot of other people - worshippers, priests, that sort of thing. A few guards too. But if you look the part and don't make trouble, you can get in.

Huh. [Interested.] I imagine they are. Do you- you climb them? ...Often?

[A slight pause, and then:]

Interesting. I thought it would be harder to get into the inner sanctum considering all the fuss. Or, I thought- that he was locked in there where the Chained God was kept, and that was locked down.

Back home it was pretty frequent but unfortunately here there's not so many churches with steeples. But they've still got some pretty tall buildings, so I make do.

[ He laughs.]

So did I mate. Got a little gang together ready to break in and break heads but as it turns out, you pull your hood up, don't bat an eyelid at the self-flagellation, and you're good.

I guess that makes sense. So, you like it up high then. For the view?

[He sighs.]

Well, good to know. If we ever need to get in there for serious reasons...we know it's possible.

The view? Something like that. But mostly it's jumping off them that I like. If you know what you're doing, it's a lot of fun.

[ Jacob makes a noise of agreement. ]

Easy as can be. I'll go with you, if we get a chance.

[Okay, climbing up for the view he could understand but--] Y-you like to jump off high places? Why? How... how are you still alive?

[Please still be a living person or else he would be surprised he missed that detail. Wow.]

All right. [He almost said he was curious to get a look at the Chained God, but he left it alone for now.]

[Jacob laughs]

Never met something, or someone, strong enough to kill me yet.

[He can tell there's an urge, an eagerness. But there's something stirring, and Jacob doesn't thing it's the Chained God he saw in his vision.]

I'm sure you'll get a chance soon enough.

[Well, at least this guy was confident about it! Benedict liked to run across rooftops if it served him, but he did not like it when he had to jump off high places that were as tall as church steeples. Some of those were ridiculously tall!

...his Companion could only shield him from so much. And he didn't think Jacob had any supernatural protections. Good grief. What a strange man.]

That's... that doesn't even make sense! It's the impact of the fall that'll kill you! Not some opponent or a thing you can fight against...

[He inhales a shaky breath and releases it with a shake of his head.]

Right. Maybe... but whether that's a good thing or not is debatable. I'm leaning towards not so much.

If it kills you, you're doing it wrong. Simple as that.

[Never mind that the Assassins have been doing this for hundreds of years and have got the secret technique worked out.]

I suppose we won't know till we go and meet him. But there's plenty that needs to be done before then.

That's...still a big risk!

[He just sighs though. It's not like he can "win" this "argument." It just seemed crazy to him... and he had a demon in his head.]

Yeah, I suppose so.

Want me to show you?

[Huh?]

Show me? [...] Show me how you jump off high places!? Am I supposed to encourage that crazy now??

[Yes, show him.]

Yeah, that's what I said.

How about... you meet me in the market, about midday? There's a pretty tall building not far from there that'll do in place of a church.

I- um.

[There's a moment of hesitation, and then a obvious auditory moment when Benedict essentially thinks 'fuck it' to himself and then returns with:]

All right. I'll meet you there.

un: Black Prince; text (pre-colosseum adventures)

un: of corpse not / audio

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