Ask Breaker Of Chains

[The Storyteller]

City Streets
Ryssa Kalayli
The Ninja

Spoiler: Music OOC

A man may think..
Is a woman’s life on the brink?
Who knows such things?
Does a man?
Can a man..?
A man may ask…
But not this man.
Every man.

A woman cooperates, enters a dark room where shadows come to congregate.
They lie in wait.
Quiet.
Eerie as eels in the blight of night, beneath a black sea, drowning and weeping.

A woman can’t see.
But a man can see clearly.

The door closes.
…-Click-...
Like the door before.
Won’t open.

“Take a seat.”
Like that—light.
It wasn’t much.
Just a shy glow of yellow.
Illuminating a skeletal metal chair.
Waiting for a Governor’s touch.

A man would not wait.
Knees bend.
Back is straight.
Even this man has a rear end.
Takes a seat.
Blaster in lap.
Hiding like the man.
In the dark.
Can’t be seen.
In the cloth of an Oreginan peacekeeper.
But he was not here to keep the peace.
Not really.
He was here to speak to her.
To give him what he needs.

“What is your name?”

@Sicadorito

 

[Mazeryl Xiron]

City Streets
Mazeryl Xiron vs. Hur Terel

Spoiler: Music OOC [Recurring]

There it is again!
Red…

The blood of the dead.
A woman is water!

“AGAIN!”
YES, FATHER!

A maze waits.
A blade at the gate!

His sword is in his right hand.
Her sword is in both hands.

His blade thrusts for her stomach.
She steps to her left, doesn’t touch it.

She also steps forward, toward his right flank.
Swings her sword the same way, sings her blade.

It comes arcing downward toward an unguarded arm.
The blade would take Hur’s arm apart around the elbow.
He could retract his arm; the blade would take the hand from the wrist though.

@Sicadorito

 

[Ryssa Kalayli]

Ryssa heard the click of a lock behind her as she made her way into the room. Typical. There was no other way out of here as far as she knew, and the man probably had the key. How she could get it was another matter entirely, and one that she would have to think about soon.

When she went to sit down across from him, she couldn’t help a small shiver from going up her spine at the feeling of the metal chair. It was as cold as it looked, and it seemed a little too similar to one of those torture machines for her liking. But if he wanted to talk, then she would oblige. Anything was better than having a blaster pointed at her head, even if it was now on his lap.

“You know who I am.” She met the man’s gaze, forcing herself not to look at the blaster. “The better question is, what is yours?” It was unlikely that he would give his name, and even if he did, it would probably be a lie. But though the situation bid her tread carefully, she couldn’t help a bit of disdain from entering her tone. No one who had everything going smoothly would resort to something like this to get an audience with her.

He’s nothing but a coward. A dangerous one, but still a coward.

“And, what is it you want from me? Just say it. No need to play games.”

@Die Shize

 

[The Storyteller]

City Streets
Mazeryl Xiron vs. Hur Terel
​

His sword went straight past Maze, but as he realized his mistake and tried to pull it back, he felt the woman’s blade make contact with his lower arm. And this was different from either of the cuts from before.

This time, it went right through his arm. A sickening crunch along with his scream of pain was all he could hear as his sword and his hand fell to the ground. His fingers were still clasped around the hilt, but red was all he saw as he looked in horror at where his right hand used to be. His vision tightened into a tunnel— there was nothing but him and Xiron.

The shriek that came out of his mouth was hardly human as he lunged for her with his remaining arm, the other dripping blood, his anger and very real fear now making him reckless. The only thought on his mind was to kill.

He ran at her, aiming to yank the sword out of her grip as he rushed over in a tackle.

@Die Shize

 

[The Storyteller]

City Streets
Ryssa Kalayli
The Ninja

Spoiler: Music OOC [Recurring]

A man doesn’t play games.
A man has no face to play.

A man may also ask questions he already knows the answers to.
A tongue said one thing, the eyes said another.
From the dark, from lairs looming, undercover.
Eyes could detect lies from truth.

Afraid…
…But brave…

“I want nothing from you.”
If a head could shake, ears could hear it, but a head is motionless.
A man’s face?
Naked…voiceless…expressionless.

“Not really.”
A gleam, then, as light cascades its pastel shadow over a cold countenance.
Face so shallow.
Cheeks so hollow.
Like a skeleton of his own, maybe, the face behind the face that was borrowed.

The gleam, though, is no cheek.
It is a small thing, same size as thumb and forefinger in a ring.

One side, cold silver.
One side, warm gold.
If chance could kill her.
Across knuckles would it roll.

“Those I represent want something from you.”
A man wonders…
How much blood is in a woman’s body?
“Starting with your name.”

@Sicadorito

 

[Mazeryl Xiron]

City Streets
Mazeryl Xiron vs. Hur Terel

Spoiler: Music OOC

There!
An arm.
In the air!

It wasn’t a severed limb that did it.
It was victory’s kiss.

“FOCUS, DAUGHTER!”
YES, FATHER!

A ribbon of red billowed from bone.
A man had lost his hand, but a woman still had two of her own.

The rest would be a man’s death.
Just like a woman said…

He ran at her, aiming to yank the sword out of her grip as he rushed over in a tackle.
The entire gesture was rather reminiscent of a mad man’s cackle.

“FINISH IT!”
YES, FATHER!

A lady is water!
A woman is wind!

By the time a hand would snatch a hilt, the hilt would no longer be there.
A hand would grab empty air.
Overhead would soar a sword.

The blade sang for a throat again.
Horizontal sweep, sleek and clean, time for this to end.
A woman’s blade would separate a man’s head from his neck.

@Sicadorito

 

[Ryssa Kalayli]

He knew her name. He knew full well who she was— she wouldn’t be in this situation if she was anyone else. This man just wanted to rub salt in the wound, make her admit that he’d succeeded in his mission. Whatever that was.

The woman narrowed her eyes. She didn’t have much choice in the matter, and that was what she hated.

“Ryssa.” She put her hands over her lap, her fingers laced tightly together to keep them from shaking. From fear or fury she didn’t know, maybe it was a mix of both. If only she had her blaster… then she caught herself looking at the one in his lap. So close, but so far.

“Whom, if I may ask, are you representing, then? I think I at least should know the people who I’m giving my name to. It is only fair.”

@Die Shize

 

[The Storyteller]

City Streets
Mazeryl Xiron vs. Hur Terel
​

Maze moved again, and as his hand grabbed nothing but air Hur knew he was done.

Karking Xiron.

The sword arched over his head, coming to take his head like the woman had taken his hand. Accepting his fate but not really, Hur shouted out the last thing he could think of. Hopefully his comrades were listening, because he would be made a martyr.

“TEREL WILL LI—”

But before he could finish, the governor’s blade made contact with the challenger’s neck, cutting off more than just his sentence.

Once again, Xiron had triumphed over Terel.

@Die Shize

 

[The Storyteller]

City Streets
Ryssa Kalayli
The Ninja

Spoiler: Music OOC [Recurring]

A man knows how much blood is in a woman’s body, quite right.
Between one to one and a half gallons in a Human’s, for instance.
A Twi’lek’s?
He knew that too, knew the specs.
The real question was how much blood could the Governor of Ryloth lose before losing her life?

He knew her name.
He knew full well who she was.
She wouldn’t be in this situation if she was anyone else.

A man knows much and more.
A man knows what a man knows.
A woman does not know which way the wind blows.
Because there is no wind in this room, only cold, only floor.

A woman has a face.
A man has no face.
And it is naked.

She puts her hands over her lap—
—Her fingers laced tightly—
—Hold the shake politely—
She looks at a man who is more than.

Some called him a monster.
Does monster have a name?
Grey eyes barely blink on her.
A woman unsure of the game.

“Ryssa Kalayli.”
A voice speaks plainly.

She left out that last fact.
A woman’s eyes glance around.
A man’s eyes follow a woman’s eyes.
She could snatch the blaster from his lap.
That was if she wanted to go ahead and try.

A voice asks a lady.
“What are you doing on Karazak?”

@Sicadorito

 

[Mazeryl Xiron]

City Streets
Mazeryl Xiron
Hur Terel's Corpse

Spoiler: Music OOC

—Die.

So spoke Hur of House Terel.
He had fought bravely, died well.
His deeds and victories, they’ll tell.
Also of his slayer, after her sword fell.

Maze came to face her bane, slain.
Yet the first shall not be last.
Hur had been his name.
They’ll share his fate.

The arm is extended.
Hilt in hand.
Blade out.

The battle has ended.
Dead man.
No shout.

Hur was no longer loud…
No, all is quiet now…

Blade’s tip
Blood drips.
Flicks a wrist.
Weeps from it.

The maze lowers her arm, turns before the crowd.
Two sides of the street are gazing upon just one woman.
She looks back, back to her people, chest to the enemies around.

“I am Mazeryl Xiron!”
They did not disagree.
“I am the Governor of Karazak!’
You are my enemy.

“You sent your best.”
Sword points at severed joints.
“Now he’s dead.”

The Terel storm was suddenly silent.
Once so swift, once so violent!

One word, one wing, one wind!
A woman could swing and spin!
Kill them all, the first and the second.

“Why are you helping me up, Father!?”
Asks a confused daughter.
“I bruised you. Beat you. I won.”
He did the same to his son, but in a dancer’s way.
A hand takes a hand, accepts the man, his painter’s gaze.
“The hand that helps your enemy still defeats your enemy, Maze.”

Steel and fire for your enemies…
When they bend their knees…
Show them mercy…

Yes, Father.

A lioness!
Her eyes ablaze!
Burning darkness!
Bright emerald maze!

“Surrender your swords!”
Sword points forth, just like before.
“In the name of the Lady Protector!”
If souls denied, here was their collector.
“In the name of Mazeryl Xiron, of Karazak, her scion!”

@Sicadorito

 

[Ryssa Kalayli]

Despite her situation, Ryssa glared at the man when he said her name out loud. He hadn’t even answered her question, but she was really in no place to argue. It was worth a try. As the thought ran through her mind, she tried to ignore the fact that he was barely even blinking.

This isn’t normal. No kidding. Her grip tightened.

“I was here to negotiate a trade deal,” she answered, “as well as to pay a visit.” It wasn’t a lie. From her point of view, it was completely normal for officials to travel to other planets of their own faction, but clearly this man didn’t think so. And look where that got us? She’d actually have to listen to her security force next time— this was the second time now that they’d been right.

“If you have any issues with my being here, you can file a petition. I think—” Her breath suddenly caught in her throat, and she didn’t realize she’d been holding it. As a result, the second part came out much quieter. “I think Governor Xiron would be more than understanding.” Frankly, she didn’t want to come back here after this. She could leave Karazak alone for all she cared— it hadn’t even been a necessary visit. She would even rather go back to Manaan, and that was saying something.

@Die Shize

 

[The Storyteller]

City Streets
Mazeryl Xiron
​

The crowd was silent after the words of the governor. The only sound on the Terel side were blue banners waving in the wind as their bearers stared in disbelief at their former commander on the ground.

The son of Terel… is gone. The previously unthinkable thought was now in the mind of every man and woman there.

Then one moved. A sword was laid on the ground, and a man dropped to a knee as he met the gaze of Governor Xiron.

“The deal was made. We yield.” A woman followed, and one by one the warriors of House Terel did the same. But at the end, there were still a few left standing— a good dozen or two. Their faces were a mixture of awe, disbelief, and raw fury as they watched their compatriots surrender their swords.

“Traitors! All of you!” yelled one, but the rest remained silent. The same man pointed his sword at Maze like Hur had done before.

“You might have won this round, but the real Terels won’t stand down. We’re outnumbered today, but we won’t be next time.” With that, he turned to leave, bringing those who still stood along with him.

@Die Shize

 

[The Storyteller]

City Streets
Ryssa Kalayli
The Ninja

Spoiler: Music OOC

ww.youtube.com/watch?v=sc4-Fdxr6lQ

A man wonders…
…Can I count the beads of sweat on a woman’s skin?

A man can hear fear.
A man has told you so.
A man can also smell fear.
Courage like grains of snow.

A man’s eyes gaze into a woman’s eyes.
She’s looking back, look away if she tries.

You cannot hide.
A man thinks.
I. See. You.
A man indeed.

Yellow eyes so bright.
Purple skin, smooth.
Black freckles to boot.
Lips a man’s choose.

Yet, a man is not interested.
This woman’s skin, men would covet.
But this man sees just the blood under it.

A man is every man.
A man is a man.
A man.
Man.

Coin.
Cold kisses.
Rolls.
‘Cross knuckles.

“What’s the most you’ve ever lost in a coin toss?”

@Sicadorito

 

[Mazeryl Xiron]

Spoiler: Music OOC

Silence…
A silent night…

Not quite.
Crickets, fireflies.
Frogs in the firelight.
Even though it is daytime.

A woman has no eyes.
A lady has glimpsed fire…

Flames still dance beyond the masses.
At their lady's back, Karazak amasses.

Audience in the wings.
Attractive.
Attracted.
Like a lady in a maze…

They needed her.
Needed the leader.
Lady Protector!

Before the storm.
That quiet squall.
Bid the blaze.
Flames…
Of welkin's hall.

Dancing choir.
That pyre fire.
Burning for Hur.

Maze blinks herself back into reality.
Her enemies bend knees.
Swords sheathe.
Others sing.
On crete.
Blade of clang.
Blade of cling.

Mazeryl Xiron said nothing, no one, no.
Lips a rigid line.
Eyes into eyes.
As the beaten bent, the broken bowed.

She watched the man drop.
Met his gaze with the gaze of Maze.
Upon the rock that was the city street.
Woman after man, man after woman, knee.

But, of course, not all.
Always one more call.

Voice as in a city hall.
Another fool to fall..?

“Traitors! All of you!”
“You might have won this round, but the real Terels won’t stand down. We’re outnumbered today, but we won’t be next time.”

“Next time I won’t play nice.”
Mumbled Maze, gave her eyes.

Like that, House Terel went the way of the wind.
And Maze remembered something was missing.

“Vadrian!”
A Protector calls to Blade and kin.
“Where is the Governor of Ryloth?”
Looks left, looks right, looks off.
“Where is her aide?”

@Sicadorito

 

[Ryssa Kalayli]

Ryssa lifted her chin, pretending not to look at the coin rolling across the man’s hands. She didn’t know what it meant, but whatever he had in mind couldn’t have been good. Once again she felt her heart speed up, and it was becoming more and more difficult to keep up the act. Was there even a point in doing so? Meanwhile, the man across from her didn’t seem to be feeling anything.

“I don't put things to chance. Make of that what you will.”

Her eyes searched for any hint of emotion on the man, anything at all. She had to keep herself occupied somehow, because his long episodes of silence were unnerving to say the least. At least with the Killiks, she’d known her fate, but this? He was unpredictable, and now, so was that coin.

Heads or tails, she didn’t want to find out what they meant.

@Die Shize

 

[The Storyteller]

Vadrian stepped forth when he heard his name. He didn’t spare the Terel soldiers a second glance as he did. His duty was to House Xiron, to Karazak, and that was that. As for the Governor of Ryloth…

“Have any of you seen either of them?” He turned back to the others gathered behind him, but he saw only shakes of heads and heard only silence. His hand resting on the hilt of his sword, he looked back at the eyes of his Lady Protector.

“My lady, I’m afraid—”

Just then, something buzzed in his pocket, and Vadrian would take out his comms.

“This is Officer Cory reporting in. Just found the body of a male twi’lek— looks like whatever happened, happened recently. Sending coordinates now.” The Blade looked at Maze. Are you thinking what I’m thinking?

“We’re on the way,” he spoke into his comms before switching it off. “Are you coming, my lady?”

@Die Shize

 

[The Storyteller]

City Streets
Ryssa Kalayli
The Ninja

Spoiler: Music OOC

A man…might remiss.
Were a man…not amiss.
For a man…is not a man.
No…a man is…every man.

Ryssa Kalayli lifts her chin—
—Pretending not to look—
—Heart’s blood is racing—
A woman living in a book.

A woman’s eyes look, penetrate..
Burn into a man’s, but no light.
There’s no life, no, no flame.
No white, no black—grey.

“A man makes his own will.”
A man can sit and state.
A man can sit and kill.

Cold or gold on one side.
Rolls from right to left.
Flips edge over edge.
A man can murder.
Eyes pierce hers.
A man’s urges.
This is urgent.
Encourages.
To commit.
To submit.
Before it
Might be
Too late
To quit.
See?
Play.
And
Coin.
Rolls.
Right.
Toward.
The night.
And forward.
Into darkness.
A man can kiss.
A man can think.
Woman has no will.
Forgets a man can kill.
This is the secret game.
The hidden truth in name.
That there just is no escape.
No real will a woman can make.
For a man can’t feel. He's not real.

“A woman tells a man everything a woman can.”
One way or the other, a Governor would understand.
“If you lie to me…”
A woman’s naked face.
“...It will not be pretty…”
A man must not hesitate.
“Are you a rat in a maze?”
Eyes don’t waver, they gaze.
Lifeless, those eyes so gone.
“An enemy of Mazeryl Xiron?”

@Sicadorito

 

[Mazeryl Xiron]

City Streets
Mazeryl Xiron
Vadrian

Spoiler: Music OOC

Afraid.
A woman feels fear.
She knows what it means.
Intimately, Maze…

“You are afraid, daughter?”
“Yes, Father.”
“Of the sword? Or of me?”
“No, Father, afraid of me…”

A woman' is afraid!
A lady with wings!
A lady is the wind!
A lady is a maze!

“Yes…”
Fire burns.
My lady turns.
This is a dance.
There is a song.
Enemies are ants.
Cry death’s gong.
“...I am coming…”
To right wrong…
To go, advance.
War humming.
Drumming.
Chest.

Turns head, cradles neck.
“Coming for my enemy.”

House Hur.
Or another.
Enemies burn.
One, the other.

She was a lost girl.
Our Ryssa Kalayli.
That lekku twirl.
Twi’lek daily.
Firelight.
Twilight.
Aching.

…At the crime scene…
……Not an alley……
………The Valley………
…………A cantina’s dream…………

“Officer Cory?”
Queried a Maze.
“Lady Protector.”
Bowed a gaze.

“Show me the body.”
“Follow me.”

The scene?
Tapestry.
Agony.

…Afraid…

“This is not the Governor’s aide…”
…States a maze.

@Sicadorito

 

[Ryssa Kalayli]

How are you supposed to know I’m lying anyway? This man wasn’t a Jedi or a Sith, and even they weren’t perfect. But, thinking of the current situation and how she was barely able to keep from breaking down despite her brave face, she doubted that it would be difficult to tell.

“Governor Xiron is a colleague, a representative for Karazak and for the ISC. Nothing less, and nothing more.” She chose her words with care. That was what she’d believed before coming here today. If this had really been planned, she would make sure that Xiron got what was coming once she got out. If I get out. She couldn’t think that way.

But if not, and this man was acting on his own… That’s impossible. This had to have been planned. Or was it just her own self-made disaster because she’d refused to listen to her security? Either way, I’m a fool. The thoughts were killing her.

@Die Shize

 

[The Storyteller]

City Streets
Mazeryl Xiron
Vadrian
​

Vadrian stepped aside to allow the inspectors through to do their work. If this wasn’t the aide, then they would have to keep looking elsewhere despite the tragedy in front of them. Meanwhile, another officer came up to him and spoke in his ear. Another bringer of bad news. The man left, and Vadrian looked gravely at Maze.

“Lady Protector.” He would wait until she met his gaze before he continued. “I have reports that the cameras were scrambled. There is no footage of anything that took place after the fire.” Needless to say, it would be difficult to find Ryloth’s governor.

Perhaps they had to first retrace their steps.

“Where was the last place you saw her?”

@Die Shize