06-08-2021, 07:41 PM
(Joint post with Lauchenoiria)
May 29th, Palace of Flowers
Empress Calhualyana calmly sat on the Obsidian Throne, waiting. The debacle at the Cauhloc had displeased her greatly, but she was hoping that this visit would improve her mood about that matter.
Her steward Xiuhcatli soon walked into the Throne Room, giving Calhualyana a short bow. “Your Majesty, Mariya Adema has arrived, with her…delivery she promised.” Filing in behind Xiuhcatli were an elite set of palace guards. Many palace guards. They took up protective positions behind the Empress, and on either side of her.
Calhualyana raised an eyebrow slightly at the increased security, before gesturing for Xiuhcatli to show Mariya in.
Mariya Adema was holding the end of a chain, pulling it the way one might walk a dog. Yet more guards, this time from the Cauhloc (though not those who were on duty during the break-in) accompanied her, pushing the heavily restrained human she was dragging behind her. On said human's head was a large ribbon tied into a bow as one might place on a birthday present.
"Your Majesty, I brought you a present," Mariya greeted the Empress, bowing as she spoke. "This individual is an Aurora."
For a moment, the Empress was silent. Then she began to laugh. The sound of pure pleasure filled the Throne Room, as Calhualyana stepped down from the Obsidian Throne.
“Ah, Mariya, you have outdone yourself this time,” she said. “You have excellent taste in presents. This redeems the disaster at the Cauhloc, at least somewhat.”
Calhualyana advanced until she was looking the Aurora in the eyes. “Are you enjoying your visit to Xiomera? Do you like our hospitality? You’re about to get quite a bit more of it.”
The Empress turned to Mariya, giving her a warm smile. “I assume you have plans for your prize.”
The Aurora glared back at the Empress with pure fury in her eyes, not that much else of her was visible. She was gagged, her arms bound behind her back, her ankles cuffed to each other and to top it off, chains wrapped around her entire body. A muffled hissing sound came from under the gag.
"Of course, Empress," Mariya smiled, triumphant. "She hasn't said anything yet, but she will. She will tell me everything."
”Oh, I have no doubt about that,” the Empress said, circling the Aurora like a jaguar stalking its prey. “You should know, Mariya has already broken one Aurora, a task we had thought impossible,” Calhualyana said in a pleasant tone to the prisoner. “You’ll be no different. You will tell us everything, indeed. Where your fellow conspirators are hiding, why you came here, who the rest of you are and if you have further hostile intent against my Empire. You will keep nothing from us, no matter how hard you try.”
Calhualyana paused in front of the Aurora once more. “And when you are done telling us what we want to know, you’ll plead for mercy. If your answers please me enough, you might even get it. Perhaps.”
Calhualyana turned back to Mariya. “You’ve done very well. I will see to it that you receive a suitable reward for your achievement. If there’s something specific you wish, you are free to ask for it. This is something worthy of recognition.”
"My work is its own reward," Mariya replied, genuine in her love of what she does. Behind her, the Aurora made some noises like she was trying to say something through her gag. Mariya glanced at her and smirked. The Aurora glared at Mariya and pulled against the chain, but immediately two guards leapt forward and pulled her back.
”I admire your devotion to the work. It is a trait I shared during my time in ASI. But in Xiomera, success is always properly rewarded. I’ll be sure to think of a suitable present of my own to exchange with you, for such a fine prize. Perhaps a new set of top-notch equipment to work with,” Calhualyana mused. “Or a bigger lab. Perhaps both. I do plan to have some new construction done for interrogation purposes.”
When the Aurora tried to pull free from her restraints, the Empress laughed once more. “You have some fight in you, unlike the last Aurora we broke. That is perfect. It’s always more fun breaking someone who puts up a fight.” Calhualyana smiled again, this time at the Aurora. It was not a pleasant smile. “I look forward to seeing what information you can gain from this prize, Mariya.”
The Aurora appeared to take a deep breath. She recognised that no amount of struggle would free her, it would only deplete her energy. She stared blankly at the Empress but glared in fury at Mariya.
For her part, Mariya smirked and stepped towards the Aurora, reaching out to run her sharp fingernail across the Aurora's forehead, drawing blood. The Aurora didn't even blink. Mariya licked her finger and turned back to the Empress.
"My research into the nightmare serum has, unfortunately, ground to a halt. I could do with more test subjects, especially cooperative ones. I need people who will answer me honestly after I make them cry," Mariya said, as if commenting on the weather.
”Hmm. There are the round-ups we did of the Unificationists during the recent raids,” the Empress said, referring to members of the Unification Party. “Feel free to pull from that detainee pool as needed. My goal is to break them from their silly flirtation with the opposition; perhaps your efforts can encourage them in that regard. They tend to be a bit soft, so I doubt they will be able to resist or deceive you for long.”
"Of course, Your Majesty," Mariya nodded. "I am only sorry that I did not manage to apprehend more of the Auroras. Those things are barely human, they move so fast."
”Capturing even one Aurora is an impressive feat, so you need not apologize. You’ve done well. In fact, some of the others working for ASI could do well to learn from your example,” the Empress replied, making sure her voice carried to the guards from the Cauhloc. Calhualyana was still quite displeased with ASI’s guards and was not afraid to make that displeasure known.
"Oh, I do have one more request..." Mariya replied, glancing at the guards with a smug expression. "The dead one. The Aurora. May I study her body?"
”Of course. Just be careful not to do any permanent damage to it. I promised the Kerlians I would send the body back to them, to make the Council think I am their benefactor. The body needs to appear intact, at least, when I do so.”
"Understood," nodded Mariya. "That won't be a problem. I just want to check they don't have any, well, additions to what should be in a normal human body. You never know!"
”Indeed, and if there are any….insights that can be gleaned from the body and this living example which we can use to improve Imperial soldiers and security personnel, I would be quite interested in that,” the Empress replied with a thoughtful tone. “You are free to conduct any research you see fit on this one,” she added, waving her hand at the chained Aurora. “She’s not going back to Kerlile, unlike her compatriot.”
The chained Aurora did not struggle this time, merely maintained her glare at the Empress and her torturer. She showed no fear at either the prospect of Mariya carrying out an autopsy on Lily's body... or of what Mariya could possibly do to her.
Calhualyana noticed the fearless glare, and simply chuckled once more. So proud. So unwilling to show fear. When this one breaks, it will be very interesting indeed. “Go ahead and return to the Cauhloc and begin your work,” she said to Mariya. “Keep me posted on your progress. I will be following this one’s trajectory with close interest. I may even break out some popcorn.”
The Aurora struggled against her gag once more, seeming desperate to say something but Mariya gestured for the guards to begin dragging her away while Mariya turned back to Calhualyana.
"I'm deeply grateful for this opportunity, Your Majesty," Mariya said, bowing again. "I will not let you down."
”I know you won’t,” Calhualyana replied.
May 29th, Palace of Flowers
Empress Calhualyana calmly sat on the Obsidian Throne, waiting. The debacle at the Cauhloc had displeased her greatly, but she was hoping that this visit would improve her mood about that matter.
Her steward Xiuhcatli soon walked into the Throne Room, giving Calhualyana a short bow. “Your Majesty, Mariya Adema has arrived, with her…delivery she promised.” Filing in behind Xiuhcatli were an elite set of palace guards. Many palace guards. They took up protective positions behind the Empress, and on either side of her.
Calhualyana raised an eyebrow slightly at the increased security, before gesturing for Xiuhcatli to show Mariya in.
Mariya Adema was holding the end of a chain, pulling it the way one might walk a dog. Yet more guards, this time from the Cauhloc (though not those who were on duty during the break-in) accompanied her, pushing the heavily restrained human she was dragging behind her. On said human's head was a large ribbon tied into a bow as one might place on a birthday present.
"Your Majesty, I brought you a present," Mariya greeted the Empress, bowing as she spoke. "This individual is an Aurora."
For a moment, the Empress was silent. Then she began to laugh. The sound of pure pleasure filled the Throne Room, as Calhualyana stepped down from the Obsidian Throne.
“Ah, Mariya, you have outdone yourself this time,” she said. “You have excellent taste in presents. This redeems the disaster at the Cauhloc, at least somewhat.”
Calhualyana advanced until she was looking the Aurora in the eyes. “Are you enjoying your visit to Xiomera? Do you like our hospitality? You’re about to get quite a bit more of it.”
The Empress turned to Mariya, giving her a warm smile. “I assume you have plans for your prize.”
The Aurora glared back at the Empress with pure fury in her eyes, not that much else of her was visible. She was gagged, her arms bound behind her back, her ankles cuffed to each other and to top it off, chains wrapped around her entire body. A muffled hissing sound came from under the gag.
"Of course, Empress," Mariya smiled, triumphant. "She hasn't said anything yet, but she will. She will tell me everything."
”Oh, I have no doubt about that,” the Empress said, circling the Aurora like a jaguar stalking its prey. “You should know, Mariya has already broken one Aurora, a task we had thought impossible,” Calhualyana said in a pleasant tone to the prisoner. “You’ll be no different. You will tell us everything, indeed. Where your fellow conspirators are hiding, why you came here, who the rest of you are and if you have further hostile intent against my Empire. You will keep nothing from us, no matter how hard you try.”
Calhualyana paused in front of the Aurora once more. “And when you are done telling us what we want to know, you’ll plead for mercy. If your answers please me enough, you might even get it. Perhaps.”
Calhualyana turned back to Mariya. “You’ve done very well. I will see to it that you receive a suitable reward for your achievement. If there’s something specific you wish, you are free to ask for it. This is something worthy of recognition.”
"My work is its own reward," Mariya replied, genuine in her love of what she does. Behind her, the Aurora made some noises like she was trying to say something through her gag. Mariya glanced at her and smirked. The Aurora glared at Mariya and pulled against the chain, but immediately two guards leapt forward and pulled her back.
”I admire your devotion to the work. It is a trait I shared during my time in ASI. But in Xiomera, success is always properly rewarded. I’ll be sure to think of a suitable present of my own to exchange with you, for such a fine prize. Perhaps a new set of top-notch equipment to work with,” Calhualyana mused. “Or a bigger lab. Perhaps both. I do plan to have some new construction done for interrogation purposes.”
When the Aurora tried to pull free from her restraints, the Empress laughed once more. “You have some fight in you, unlike the last Aurora we broke. That is perfect. It’s always more fun breaking someone who puts up a fight.” Calhualyana smiled again, this time at the Aurora. It was not a pleasant smile. “I look forward to seeing what information you can gain from this prize, Mariya.”
The Aurora appeared to take a deep breath. She recognised that no amount of struggle would free her, it would only deplete her energy. She stared blankly at the Empress but glared in fury at Mariya.
For her part, Mariya smirked and stepped towards the Aurora, reaching out to run her sharp fingernail across the Aurora's forehead, drawing blood. The Aurora didn't even blink. Mariya licked her finger and turned back to the Empress.
"My research into the nightmare serum has, unfortunately, ground to a halt. I could do with more test subjects, especially cooperative ones. I need people who will answer me honestly after I make them cry," Mariya said, as if commenting on the weather.
”Hmm. There are the round-ups we did of the Unificationists during the recent raids,” the Empress said, referring to members of the Unification Party. “Feel free to pull from that detainee pool as needed. My goal is to break them from their silly flirtation with the opposition; perhaps your efforts can encourage them in that regard. They tend to be a bit soft, so I doubt they will be able to resist or deceive you for long.”
"Of course, Your Majesty," Mariya nodded. "I am only sorry that I did not manage to apprehend more of the Auroras. Those things are barely human, they move so fast."
”Capturing even one Aurora is an impressive feat, so you need not apologize. You’ve done well. In fact, some of the others working for ASI could do well to learn from your example,” the Empress replied, making sure her voice carried to the guards from the Cauhloc. Calhualyana was still quite displeased with ASI’s guards and was not afraid to make that displeasure known.
"Oh, I do have one more request..." Mariya replied, glancing at the guards with a smug expression. "The dead one. The Aurora. May I study her body?"
”Of course. Just be careful not to do any permanent damage to it. I promised the Kerlians I would send the body back to them, to make the Council think I am their benefactor. The body needs to appear intact, at least, when I do so.”
"Understood," nodded Mariya. "That won't be a problem. I just want to check they don't have any, well, additions to what should be in a normal human body. You never know!"
”Indeed, and if there are any….insights that can be gleaned from the body and this living example which we can use to improve Imperial soldiers and security personnel, I would be quite interested in that,” the Empress replied with a thoughtful tone. “You are free to conduct any research you see fit on this one,” she added, waving her hand at the chained Aurora. “She’s not going back to Kerlile, unlike her compatriot.”
The chained Aurora did not struggle this time, merely maintained her glare at the Empress and her torturer. She showed no fear at either the prospect of Mariya carrying out an autopsy on Lily's body... or of what Mariya could possibly do to her.
Calhualyana noticed the fearless glare, and simply chuckled once more. So proud. So unwilling to show fear. When this one breaks, it will be very interesting indeed. “Go ahead and return to the Cauhloc and begin your work,” she said to Mariya. “Keep me posted on your progress. I will be following this one’s trajectory with close interest. I may even break out some popcorn.”
The Aurora struggled against her gag once more, seeming desperate to say something but Mariya gestured for the guards to begin dragging her away while Mariya turned back to Calhualyana.
"I'm deeply grateful for this opportunity, Your Majesty," Mariya said, bowing again. "I will not let you down."
”I know you won’t,” Calhualyana replied.
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