[+ ebonite +]

casimiro

He'd had an unexpected reaction upon learning that he'd been stolen by a Helkaer - bursting into laughter. What, now, of all times? Now he had attracted attention? After he'd stepped down from his role as leader and was stripped of his rank as Vigilum? He'd done all of that so he could live in peace, away from all of the responsibilities and only focus on raising his son. Now this Helkaer mare thought it was the perfect time to steal him away, to steal time away from Kanoni? His initial amusement gave way to rage as he made his way toward the Outlands, not for the first time. He'd been here before in what felt like a lifetime ago - and he'd met face to face with a Helkaer named Undead Legion. The Helkaer who'd stolen him was named Harlan and that's about all he knew about her. He felt no fear as he traversed the lands, his mind buzzing with all kinds of sarcastic comments that he could say. How different he was since the last time he'd been here. Before he'd been known for his sunny disposition, for being an eternal optimist, ever cheerful and charismatic. Now, he felt like a shell of his former self, containing nothing but negativity. He supposed Harlan would experience that first hand. He wondered what she expected out of this encounter. What exactly did she want? He wasn't anybody anymore. He had no special purpose. So why now?

Kanoni was nearing a year old now and Casi would be damned if he missed his son's first birthday because of some Helkaer mare. He'd fight her himself if he had to. He hadn't trained in a while, but muscle memory would serve him well enough. That was a benefit of being raised by Light extremists. Did Harlan know that he'd pushed a demon into boiling lava? Did she know that he was the grandson of a former Helkaer Commander? He doubted it. He wondered if he would tell her during this conversation. It would depend on how he was feeling. It could go a lot of different ways. Did she want to hurt him or get information out of him? He didn't know a whole lot anymore. He'd dropped out of the social world as soon as he'd lost his position as Vigilum. His messenger bird had come with him, but she was no longer an official messenger. She couldn't be, given she'd chosen to stay with him. He felt bad about it at first, but realized that she too wanted to get away from it all to raise her own family. In that respect, they were the same, at least.

He crossed the border of Sinheim, taking note of the land's characteristics. It matched the description he'd been given. And if he was mistaken, he was sure whoever was here would point him in the right direction. "Hello, Harlan," he called out into the lands, deciding to just leave it at that. Give her a neutral greeting and see if she responded in kind.


tag illɘgal
timeline kanoni is 11 months old
notes lol here we go

[illɘgal]

The wraith felt that was starting to make a name for herself, but it was still too slow for her taste. She always craved more. More violence, more action, more blood. After her meeting with Xerxes where he delegating an interesting mission to her, the private had been taking the prospect seriously and was contemplating what else she could do to remind everyone that the Helkaer were still a force to be feared. She planned to speak to Nemesis soon to see what plan the two could concoct. Since joining the Brotherhood, Harlan hadn’t had a chance to speak to the bay one on one, but they had all been busy with their own schemes. Besides, the general didn’t strike her as someone who would want to converse for no real reason.

Besides her mission for Xerxes, Harlan had been working on her own plans. She had begun to slowly and methodically steal people away from their homes in her own way to cause problems within the alliances. While she felt no need to explain her choices to anyone - save Sly or Nemesis if they ever asked - she did have reasons for each one. The most recent was one of great interest to her, though it may seem strange to others. A recently retired Vigilum. The thing was, the concept of the Vigilum seemed absolutely ludicrous to Harlan. Neutral, “peacekeepers”, “seekers of justice”. It all felt so… boring. But what had made them finally interesting was that one had been replaced. And fairly quickly. She had heard some random rumors, but the Helkaer took it all with a grain of salt. It was better to hear it from the horse’s mouth, no?

The buckskin woke early to prepare for her newest guest, purposefully ensuring that her children stayed asleep so they would stay out of the way. Luckily, as all four of them grew older, they seemed to stop bothering her and managed to entertain themselves. She stepped out of the caves to a sharp, biting breeze that faintly smelled of snow. Her land wasn’t pleasant in the summer, and it certainly would grow harsher in the winter. She couldn’t help but wonder if she needed to find different caves to hide her prisoners - colder ones.

With a smirk on her ivory lips, the Helkaer lifted her muzzle to the breeze and breathed deep. Most of her herd appeared to still be asleep but there was one scent that caught her attention. With her expression remaining in place, the wraith moved to her borders at a leisurely pace. It didn’t take long before the bay stallion started to come into view. How long had he been waiting? Long, she hoped. Her face fell more neutral as she drew closer and heard her name fall from a lips. She would never grow tired of these meetings.

Harlan’s hooves didn’t stop and instead began to slowly circle the beast as her magenta eyes scanned every inch of him. The hunger rose to the forefront without warning, and she wanted to drag her teeth across his flesh. Now wasn’t the time for that, but perhaps later. When she reached him hindquarters, her head tilted back towards him. Welcome, Casimiro. I hope your trip was pleasant, the words dripped from her lips with honey. She continued her walk, humming to herself in thought. Her stroll ended as she stood shoulder to shoulder to the stallion and she tilted her crown again to look him in the eye. I know, I know. It might not be as.. appealing as your home. But I hope it is to your liking, she said with her smirk returning. Who knows how long she wold keep him here. Would his mate come looking for him? Would the royals? Would his old Vigilum partners? Only time would tell, and that made things interesting.


+ ebonite +
<3

[+ ebonite +]

casimiro

The lands he stood in were the polar opposite of Omashu. Where his home was teeming with green, rolling hills, these lands were completely desolate, dry and jagged. He couldn't fathom why anyone would want to call this place their home. Where did they eat? Where did they drink? Where did they sleep? There must be some hidden oasis somewhere, or else no one would survive here. In just the time he stood here, at least two snakes passed him by, going about their business and not interested in him, luckily enough. At least he hadn't lost his knowledge of herbs when he'd left the Vigilum. That was one skill that would stay with him, at least. His ability to detect lies and heal were gone though. It was odd, knowing that he now had the ability to lie. He'd never struggled with that barrier when he'd been Vigilum, though. He never saw the point in lying to anyone, especially as a Vigilum. Now, however, that ability came in handy when it came to lying about his emotions. He'd lost count how many times he told everyone that he was doing just fine, he was just tired and on and on. That came to him easily.

He lost count of how long he'd been waiting when a horse finally made an appearance on the horizon. He'd been so lost in thought that he didn't really care. Ruminating about the same things, the choices that he should have made, and the choices that he made instead. It was a worthless exercise, really, but he couldn't stop himself from doing it. Again, the thought of visiting Duramus to get a therapy lesson taunted him, but he had no idea how he'd go to Mount Vigilum to face his former companion after what he'd done. The shame saturated him from head to toe.

The mare approached him now and he observed her. A few inches shorter than him. Buckskin, perhaps, with silver hair and paint markings. Purple eyes. He caught the Helkaer brand on her left withers. Definitely Harlan then. 'Welcome, Casimiro. I hope your trip was pleasant,' she said, her words dripping honey. He snorted, the only response he felt was worth making. 'I know, I know. It might not be as.. appealing as your home. But I hope it is to your liking,' she said to him again, her head tipped to look him in the eye as she stood side-by-side with him. "It's not," he said bluntly. His gaze swept briefly across the lands, Sinheim, was it? Appropriate name for a hellhole like this. He supposed it was a side effect of living so close to a desert, but still. There had to be better prospects than this. "Let's get right to the point, then. What do you want?" he asked her. Had she known him before, when he'd been a Vigilum, the harshness of his tones would have surprised her. His eyes were hardened and his expression just on the cusp of anger. He had little patience for this. He needed to be back home with his son, with his mate, with Danika. That's where he belonged.


tag illɘgal
timeline kanoni is 11 months old
notes angry boy

[illɘgal]

H A R L A N

The wraith took her time circling the beast, taking in every inch of his broad frame. She hadn't had the chance to meet any of the current Vigilum, but a late member might be able to provide her with some fickle details about another faction - the Versai. This project from Xerxes had to be executed correctly and efficiently, and the Helkaer was going to make sure that things went smoothly. Though she might not know the details of Casimiro's retirement, she did know that the Vigilum had eyes and ears all over Wild Equines. He might have some information worth trading his freedom for. After all, surely he wanted to go home safe and sound as soon as possible.

The stallion didn't appear to be amused by her comments, which didn't surprise her. As his gaze turned out to the land, so did hers. The harsh landscape was exactly what she wanted. It was anything but welcoming, helping to keep strangers from wanting to explore. Her children enjoyed it well enough, having quickly adapted to the dark caves and rugged exterior. Harlan did as well. It hadn't taken long for her to feel at home, but she could understand why Casimiro might not like it. It wasn't lush, green, and warm. It was quite the opposite. It also didn't help that he was brought here basically against his will, but that's not the point.

Let's get right to the point, then. What do you want? The Helkaer huffed a chuckle at his tone. Was this how all Vigilum were, deep down? Do they just hide it from everyone to maintain their reputation? What's the rush? You just got here. I just want to have a conversation, Harlan said with the same sickly sweet inflection laced with amusement. So impatient. Did he really think he would just show up and then return home in the same day? No, it certainly wasn't going to be that easy. Her eyes returned to his with a dark gleam and her smirk disappeared. I desire what everyone is hunting for these days - information. While you may not be privy to just about anything any more, you did have access to quite a lot during your Vigilum days, her words now matched his - blunt. Harlan had to appreciate that he didn't want to beat around the bush. She didn't have a lot of patience for the dance of niceties. If you don't want to be my guest until your mate comes looking for you, then it would behoove you to give me what I want. Details and information about the Versai, their lands, and their new leaders. Her head tilted again. If what you have is worth it, then you can go back to your family.

Speech


TAG+ ebonite +
WORDS 400+
TIMELINE Winter, before Dahlia plot
NOTES Sorry for a lil' wait

[+ ebonite +]

casimiro

Now that he had given into his impatience, every second that ticked by felt like an eternity. He was missing out on more of Kanoni's life the longer he stood here. The more time was wasted with this. He was nothing. If she wanted to use him to get back at Gidge or something, then he wouldn't let her. He'd fight for his own way out of here. He still remembered how to do that. 'What's the rush? You just got here. I just want to have a conversation,' at her words, he gave her an expression that clearly told her to go fuck herself. He nearly repeated it outloud as well, but managed to hold his tongue. If he got himself too riled up, he wouldn't be able to maintain a clear head. And that would only benefit her. He had to tamper down his anger as much as possible, even though something very near the surface was screaming at him to attack her and run. Would she expect a surprise attack from a former Vigilum? How quick were her reflexes? The thoughts turned idly in his mind as he waited for her to tell him what she wanted.

'I desire what everyone is hunting for these days - information. While you may not be privy to just about anything any more, you did have access to quite a lot during your Vigilum days,' she said to him and he stared at her. 'If you don't want to be my guest until your mate comes looking for you, then it would behoove you to give me what I want. Details and information about the Versai, their lands, and their new leaders.' And stared. 'If what you have is worth it, then you can go back to your family.' She finished then. Information? About the Versai? He wanted to howl with laughter. He didn't know how else to appreciate the irony of it all. For most of his life after his mother's murder, he had hated the Versai. It was only until recently with his induction into the Vigilum that he had tried to see them objectively, tried to understand them, and indeed, even tried to guide them toward a better path when Luna had come to visit. He had questioned her judgment, her morals, her way of thinking. He had encouraged her to befriend Darks and to see the world like they did, to not automatically equate Lights with being better than everyone else. He did not know if it had worked or how much had sunk in, but he had tried, despite how much he had hated them.

And now here he was, trapped in a Helkaer's lands, told that he would be freed if he provided her with information. He had information to provide. Whether it was sufficient enough was up to Harlan herself. But here he was, faced with yet another moral dilemma. Did he compromise the discussions he'd had with Luna about morality? Did he volunteer this information to a Helkaer mare who would only use it for chaos and violence? If he kept it a secret, then he would be away from his family. If he didn't, he'd go back to them, but with the knowledge that he'd given intel to a being who he disagreed with on a fundamental level. And yet he still did not like the Versai. Their crimes were numerous and he didn't know if they'd paid enough for them or if they deserved any level of redemption. But, still, did that make it right for him to give information away? Was it information that would even be useful to Harlan? What would Danika say? What would Gidge say? He snorted. Gidge would probably encourage it, given the Versai were responsible for the murder of his best friend.

"I doubt conversations of morality will be of much use to you," he said mildly. "It's a pity you chose the former Vigilum who wanted the least to do with the Versai," his words were accompanied by a shrug. He avoided the Versai whenever he could and had the Vigilum ever been called upon to intervene in something that involved them, he would likely ask one of the others to do it. He tried his hardest to remain objective with them, but he knew that his views were too compromised to be unbiased. "Looks like we'll both be unsatisfied," he grinned slightly. Even though his lack of information meant he'd stay here, it also meant Harlan not getting what she wanted. What was there left to do now? Perhaps he would challenge her for his freedom now and get it over with. "What to do now, hmm?" he voiced the question, quirking a brow in her direction. Did she have anything more for him or was this it?


tag illɘgal
timeline kanoni is 11 months old
notes casi has another moral crisis and decides to be a shithead about it

[illɘgal]

H A R L A N

It was becoming a form of entertainment to watch how the Draft beast's face showed his emotions. The wraith nearly laughed at his response to her sweet, sweet words. Perhaps he was enjoying no longer being a "peacekeeper" so that he could express himself more freely. She had hidden her emotions and pretended to be someone she wasn't in the past, and knew how hard and frustrating that could be. Did it frustrate him as well? Maybe the Helkaer and the retired Vigilum had more in common than either of them thought. She might ask him later when they moved past this initial stand off - when he was deep in the prisoner cells. The cold and the isolation may make him more apt to friendly conversation.

Deep down, she wasn't entirely convinced that Casimiro would give her any information. Maybe offer her something that was common knowledge just to try and go home, but was withholding his freedom enough to get him to share what he knew? Perhaps not right now, but the longer he was here, the chances could increase. Harlan turned her eyes back to the landscape and let her demands marinade in his mind. It was all a part of her plan to fulfill Xerxes's request and she would get the information she needed, whether that was from this beast or another. It would be interesting to see how long it would take his mate - what was it? Gidget? - come looking for him. She didn't bother to keep it a secret, she wanted the lead and the light kingdom know that none were safe from the Helkaer. The darks may have a truce for now, but when that was over, they were free game as well. They would all fear the Helkaer again - it was about creating the building blocks again.

As Casimiro snorted, her magenta gaze turned back to him in curiosity. Would he disappoint her or give her what she wanted? I doubt conversations of morality will be of much use to you. It's a pity you chose the former Vigilum who wanted the least to do with the Versai. Harlan chuckled darkly at his shrug, shaking her head slowly. Yes, a pity indeed. No, the private didn't need nor care for a discussion of morality, though a part of her was curious about what he would even say to her. That she should be neutral? Take into account the feelings of others? Be kind? Another time, perhaps.

Looks like we'll both be unsatisfied. Harlan met Casimiro's grin with one of her own. Even if he wouldn't tell her anything now, he very well could later. Looks like the Draft was going to be spending some time down in the cold, dark caves. Her savage children will love to have someone to torture - especially the cambions. She remembered a conversation she had with Cahethal and what Yvette was having him involved in. Would he be willing to help Harlan with the same? All in good time - for now, she would simply let him suffer down there. What to do now, hmm?

The wraith moved a few paces in front of him, gaze catching on the guards nearby. She turned back to face the stallion fully, the grin returning to her lips with a wicked curve. You will stay here until I am satisfied. Perhaps some isolation will jog your memory. Please, follow these fine gentlemen to your sleeping quarters. I do hope you find them comfortable, the bite returned to her voice as her tone lowered to be full of threat and promise. If you remember anything you would like to tell me, just let one of them know. And watch out for the children - they bite. The Helkaer looked back to the guards and gestured her head towards him. She began to walk back to find Nine. She was hungry after all.

Pausing after a few paces, she looked over her shoulder. Perhaps we'll have that talk about morality some other time, Casimiro. Enjoy your stay.

Speech


TAG+ ebonite +
WORDS 680 ish
TIMELINE Winter, before Dahlia plot
NOTES Sassy and spicy

[+ ebonite +]

casimiro

He had not expected this stay to be easy. It was the Outlands and the Helkaer, of course. He even expected to be tortured since they seemed to like that sort of thing. But he did not expect the stay to be that long. He doubted Gidge would let him stay here and Casi himself didn't intend to let himself stay here either. He would challenge Harlan for his freedom as soon as he was able. Would she be expecting that? A Light and a former Vigilum to challenge her? How much did she underestimate and misjudge him? Despite everything that had happened, he still had enjoyed his time as a Vigilum. It had given him new perspectives on everyone and everything. It had helped get him out of his own head and away from his own biases. That was valuable no matter who you were. It could help create war as much as it could help create peace. The better you understood your enemy and all of that.

She grinned at him as he grinned at her and he figured that he would be escorted to some sort of prison soon now that he had revealed his lack of information. He didn't think a Helkaer had much use for his morality debate with a Versai. That was the only information that he had on them now that he had left the Vigilum. He didn't even have the gossip and rumors of the Free lands now that he no longer left Omashu. Harlan had chosen her target poorly. 'You will stay here until I am satisfied. Perhaps some isolation will jog your memory. Please, follow these fine gentlemen to your sleeping quarters. I do hope you find them comfortable,' she said to him. She didn't appear to believe that he had nothing to offer her. He snorted. Leaving him in a prison was a waste of time for them both. It would just delay the inevitable battle. 'If you remember anything you would like to tell me, just let one of them know. And watch out for the children - they bite.' He quirked a brow. Well, he'd keep that in mind, he supposed.

She began to leave then and he felt a bit disappointed that the snark to snark combat was over. 'Perhaps we'll have that talk about morality some other time, Casimiro. Enjoy your stay,' she said to him, pausing a bit. "The only interaction I had with a Versai was to talk about morality. I wouldn't waste my time trying to debate morality with someone like you," he said, his words matter-of-fact. He had had another interaction with a Versai named Javindhra many a year ago, but her information was something that had eventually been made public - the Versai's corruption, and she had left the Versai shortly afterward. "You chose your target poorly. I will challenge for my freedom as soon as the time limit is up. I'll be waiting for you then," he said to her and then turned away himself to leave with the guards. His time here would be unpleasant, yes, but it would be temporary. That thought alone helped comfort his impatience.


tag illɘgal
timeline kanoni is 11 months old
notes could start a new thread with The Bite perhaps? or a three-way with him, gidge, and harlan, whatever you wanna do <3

[+ ebonite +]

[ooc] illɘgal gonna consider this done since we have the new thread set up <3