Altercation with Ruby (Immediately following end of last session)

[digitaljoel]

     As Raphael looked at the prison cells, each packed with slain elves, he could only smirk.  Had he really taken that many in the last week?  It was then that the anger began to well up inside him.  Anger that should have been directed at the elves, but was instead directed inward.  Raphael hated himself.  Hated the things he had done in this life.  Hated the direction he was going.  He couldn't even understand why he had such a lust for elven blood.  The memories he usually had just weren't coming in this life.  The loneliness only served to stoke the misguided anger.

 

        The nearly empty vial of pheromones from the dead mine critters stirred Semael as Ruby said something alluding to the fact that she had Garth killed.  The dead elves morphed into live prisoners in New Canton, with a single cell full of blood and gore.  The fury remained, but was now aimed squarely at Ruby.

 

        When the party was in the small corridor between the prison cells and the guard house Semael stopped and stood squarely in front of Ruby.  He couldn't let the prisoners see this confrontation, but it definitely had to happen now.  He looked at Ruby fiercely attempting to stare her down and gain the upper hand before even saying a word.

 

        "You're no better than they are."  Semael said, his voice quiet but piercing.  "You kill to serve your own needs, and frankly, you've given us no indication what your real intentions are.  My mission, as a servent of The Platinum Dragon, is to uphold justice, and what you did in there was not justice.  We needed to make an example of that man to put some fear in Constable Harken and ulitimately Archon.  We've made inroads into the justice system with some new guards and judge Judith.  We could have seen this through properly so they would know their grip was slipping, but instead, you murdered that man while he was in MY CUSTODY!"  Semael couldn't help but raise his voice at the last as he inched a step closer to Ruby.  Sometimes people had to die, that's just how things go, but not a defenseless man in a prison cell, and especially not on Semael's watch.

 

        "Now," he said, taking a deep breath and a small pace back, "I know you have been running the show here, but you're dangerous and I am no longer your pawn.  I know you have helped make some progress in New Canton and things have begun to change.  I don't pretend that we could have made nearly as much progress as we have without your help, but it's time for you to be more forthcoming in your intentions.  You have plenty of information that you have not shared, and I have no reason to believe that you want anytyhing other than to remove the competition so you can run this town yourself.  I serve Bahamut, not Ruby.  I hope that our relationship will continue to be mutually beneficial, but you must know that justice is blind and this kind of blatant disregard will not be tolerated."

 

Comments

[quickhorn]

Ruby took a step back. Sure she expected him to be outraged. But he was definitely imposing. She gathered her composure and smiled sweetly.

"Honey. You and I don't follow the same diety. Don't expect me to play by his rules. Let's be straight here." She stepped forward and ran her finger down Samael's chest. He shuddered a little, probably out of disgust more than desire. "You and I both know that this is the best message to send to Harken and Archon. The message is simple. 'You have lost control.' It used to be that they could have anyone they wanted killed anywhere. That is no longer true. Soon they'll know that we're coming for them. And, for the entire city's sake, I hope they are willing to let the city go before we have to get all the way up to them. It'd save a lot of unnecessary bloodshed.

"Now, you can throw me in your prison, but you and I both know that won't get us anywhere. Besides, you don't have any evidence that I had anything to do with his unfortunate demise." Ruby took a step back, turning more serious. "You're right though, Sam. I haven't been incredibly forthcoming with my information. That needs to change. You lot obviously get it done, so it's time you start knowing what it is that's going on. Why don't you come to my home later, and I'll fill you in."

Ruby didn't wait for Samael to respond. She turned on her heel and began to walk out down the hall towards the exit.

[digitaljoel]

While getting information was the intent, it was the least expected result and kind of took Semael off guard. It definitely had the calming approach Ruby was looking for as the rage dissipated. In an attempt to maintain some semblance of control Semael very nearly told Ruby he was busy tonight and would see her tomorrow, but decided not to push it.

"We'll be there" was his only reply.

As soon as they were out of Ruby site, Semael removed his tunic and wet it to be sure Ruby didn't have any of those pheromones on her fingers when she touched him. She may be offering to meet, but he wouldn't put anything past her until he heard what she had to say.

Semael's only regret in that interaction was that once again, they would meet on her terms.