Richard the Third (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
traumaticus) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
expiationnet2025-04-28 02:15 am
traumaticus) wrote in expiationnet2025-04-28 02:15 am
004 - video [un:plantogetit]
Greetings, it's me. Richard Plantagenet, the duke of Gloucester.
It seems like the last the events of the last month truly shaken up our community in more ways than just one. And on top of that it appears that the council is back on the move once again, trying to subdue us 'the chosen' under their thumb. There might not be much that we can do in the face of such horrors but i do not believe we are entirely powerless either.
But first things first. If any of you find your housing situation compromised, please, come to the inn. We will allow anyone in need to stay free of charge. However, I must warn you that the standards aren't quite what they used to be with the resources running low, which leads me to my next point.
I call everyone who is willing and capable to gather and join me in the cleaning up and rebuilding our city. The roads are still filled with rubble and debris from the fight and some areas seems to be completely blocked off. Similarly, I will call everyone who is interested in defending our city to join me and the defense squad with patrolling around the borders and woods nearby in case of the monsters still lingering around. The game and other wildlife seems to have left the their usual area, so we need to make sure that it is safe for them to return here if we want to thrive as a community.
As for my last point.
I am aware that not all of you might trust me or have the most positive views on my actions here. Still, I wish you to listen to what I have to propose to you and take it in your heart without being clouded by prejudice and hear me out.
When my homeland was met with great injustice my noble father, the duke of York, took upon his shoulders to set things right. He rallied the people, raised the banners and brought upon a storm like no other to sweep across our country. All just to remove the tyrant, the false king from his pedestal. When I look at the way our state in this city I must admit that I feel compelled to do the same and urge us to take our fates to our own hands. The Council and this AI-entity might loom above us like Gods, but that does not mean we ought to outright submit to them. I am aware that we have already into our own groups and formed affiliations. But I truly do believe we are strongest when we are together and united.
Which is why I propose the following: that we, the Chosen, would form our own governing body. A council of our own, if you will. I do not suggest that we follow one true leader, as I believe that to be fruitless in our situation. However, we would greatly benefit from having chosen representatives to gather and bring out the issues that we might be facing as a community, so that we could coordinate our efforts to match our best interests and needs.
This is, of course, just a suggestion. I would love to hear what all of you think of this.
It seems like the last the events of the last month truly shaken up our community in more ways than just one. And on top of that it appears that the council is back on the move once again, trying to subdue us 'the chosen' under their thumb. There might not be much that we can do in the face of such horrors but i do not believe we are entirely powerless either.
But first things first. If any of you find your housing situation compromised, please, come to the inn. We will allow anyone in need to stay free of charge. However, I must warn you that the standards aren't quite what they used to be with the resources running low, which leads me to my next point.
I call everyone who is willing and capable to gather and join me in the cleaning up and rebuilding our city. The roads are still filled with rubble and debris from the fight and some areas seems to be completely blocked off. Similarly, I will call everyone who is interested in defending our city to join me and the defense squad with patrolling around the borders and woods nearby in case of the monsters still lingering around. The game and other wildlife seems to have left the their usual area, so we need to make sure that it is safe for them to return here if we want to thrive as a community.
As for my last point.
I am aware that not all of you might trust me or have the most positive views on my actions here. Still, I wish you to listen to what I have to propose to you and take it in your heart without being clouded by prejudice and hear me out.
When my homeland was met with great injustice my noble father, the duke of York, took upon his shoulders to set things right. He rallied the people, raised the banners and brought upon a storm like no other to sweep across our country. All just to remove the tyrant, the false king from his pedestal. When I look at the way our state in this city I must admit that I feel compelled to do the same and urge us to take our fates to our own hands. The Council and this AI-entity might loom above us like Gods, but that does not mean we ought to outright submit to them. I am aware that we have already into our own groups and formed affiliations. But I truly do believe we are strongest when we are together and united.
Which is why I propose the following: that we, the Chosen, would form our own governing body. A council of our own, if you will. I do not suggest that we follow one true leader, as I believe that to be fruitless in our situation. However, we would greatly benefit from having chosen representatives to gather and bring out the issues that we might be facing as a community, so that we could coordinate our efforts to match our best interests and needs.
This is, of course, just a suggestion. I would love to hear what all of you think of this.
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[He never saw the brothel as a problem. Honestly, Richard should spend more time there. Perhaps his lover would learn a thing or two.]
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If that is your wish, I will partake.
[Who was he to deny such a simple wish? Perhaps Richard could be plied to help him with his own in that case.]
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i shall see you then.
[And!! True to his word Richard does arrive to the brothel, wearing a dark cloak to hide his identity, of course.]
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Discreetly, Richard was taken towards the kitchen area and then to an office at the back of the place. It was a relatively plain office with a desk, a couch, a table and chairs. There were bookshelves lining one wall. It was clear that it been built to be as nondescript as possible for anyone wayward customer or staff that might find it.
The manager approached the bookshelf and pressed a mechanism to open on bookshelf out to reveal a hidden door. Silco happened to be working there, scribbling notations on paper in a much more lavish office space. The right side of his face was aimed downwards the door as he worked, and there were two meals set out on one corner of the desk. There was a chair for his lover to sit and a couch with a coffee table in front of it.]
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And well, seeing that Edward was not present in Aldrip, and hopefully never would be, Richard had even less reasons to visit the den of hedonism and debauchery. It wasn't a place for someone like him, after all.
So, he knows more or less what to expect of the atmosphere of the brothel as he arrives. He does not think much of the manager who comes to greet him, trusting that his lover had instructed his staff properly to deal with his visit in discreet. He silently follows the man to the office and once inside, he fully expected his escort to exit the room and leave him to wait for Silco's arrival - who no doubt was in middle of handling business elsewhere in the building. However, to his surprise, the manager does not lave but instead moves to bookshelf to trigger a hidden passage. Honestly, something that would be at home in the convoluted halls and dungeons of the Tower. He raises a curious brow as he steps forward to stand on the threshold, eyeing at his lover in the secret room. ]
Quite a dramatic set up you have in here, Silco.
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[Silco was inside leaned over the desk, scribbling on a piece of paper that was clearly a hand drawn map of Aldrip. There were points that were marked with stars and arrows all over the place. If Richard took any time to inspect the desk, it would become obvious that Silco had a new obsession: Aldrip. There were various maps of it on his desk, each with notations and scribblings that boarded on obsessive and nonsensical.
For himself, he looked up from his writings and regarded his lover with a keen interest. His normally red mutilated eye was a shining blue, yet it was his scarring that was vastly different. It was the same fetid texture and discolouration, but it rose up his temple and covered a portion of his forehead into his hair line which had gone white. It also marred his entire left cheek, down his jaw and neck to slip beneath the collar of his shirt. There were hints of similar scarring on the back of his left hand, peaking out from his shirt cuff.
He seemed either to not notice or not care. He smirked at Richard, setting his writing implement down and rose from his seat to come around to the front of the desk. Boldly - hungrily - he approached and attempted to slide his arms around Richard's waist immediately, bending to kiss the clothed shoulder where he knew his lover was also marred with scars of worthwhile sacrifice.]
It pleases me that you came. I've missed you.
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Richard eyed the small, windowless room underneath his hood. He somehow doubted that his lover would build such convoluted room just for 'peace and quiet', no. It was an ideal hiding place, a vault for secrets -- which some seems to be splayed over the man's desk currently. However, whatever train of thought he might have had stops immediately when Silco straightens his back and turns to face him, revealing his current state for the first time. Richard's pale rosy lips part slightly and his eyes widen from the surprise as he takes in the sight of his lover. He can feel his breath getting momentarily caught in his lungs and a jarring sensation of fear and worry take a hold of his body.
At first he thinks he is seeing things. That this is nothing but another ploy of Joan who is looking to take advantage on his loneliness and prey upon the hope that he had placed upon this meeting. But then sudden warmth of another's body invades his space, dissolving Richard's doubts. A soft sigh leaves from his parted lips when he feels the hand to curl around his waist. He steps forward, meeting Silco in midway and closing the small distance between them.
'I've missed you.' Those simple words make Richard's heart flutter, all the tension melting away from his body. However, with trepidation gone the concern for Silco's state remains. His expression softens, brows knitting into subtle but present worry as he looks up at his lover. He then reaches his gloved had to carefully touch the mottled skin on his cheek with his fingertips.]
Have you not taken your medication?
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His arm tightened around the younger man so that he could pull them flush against each other. He could feel the tension easing out of Richard's friend, and he leaned forward into the caress of those fingers, letting his right eye flutter closed in response. The warmth of Richard's touch bled through those leather gloves.]
Every day at the same time, as usual.
[He leaned in so he could press his lips to Richard's temple, lifting his free hand to gently push back his lover's bangs to tuck it behind his ear. He lingered with his lips against Richard's skin.]
You have been well in our time apart?
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But once again, all it took was simple act of kindness to make him give up on the thought and surrender. He felt Silco's fingers on top of his and could smell the familiar scent the older man leaned forward, pressing his lips against his temple. He closed his eyes and shifted his hand so that their fingers were intertwined together.]
Aye. I survived the trials unscathed. It seems fate is reluctant of letting me go just yet. The same can not be said about the state of the city, however. [He sighs.] A lot has happened. I see a weakness growing within the Chosen as our ranks remain shaky and lost.
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His fingers curled over Richard's in his own, offering a light squeeze of affection in return. He nodded at the confirmation that his lover had survived through the trials of the last months since they had seen one another.] And the inn remains standing and undamaged I've seen, yes? It's kept you busy with the influx of patronage.
[He hummed in agreement to the assessment, and it seemed to stir that fevered ambition in him again as he pulled his face back and stepped away. He tried to keep their fingers intertwined as he drew Richard over towards his desk with scattered papers. Many of them looked like the scribblings of a madman while others were of hand drawn maps with notations.]
Indeed, this place is reducing our numbers. We need to stop that, don't you agree. If this place collapses, there is no telling what will become of us.
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[He follows Silco back to the desk without breaking their connection. His mismatched eyes scanned the papers scattered around the desk's surface, confused concern stirring within him again. He then run his gloved fingers along the text as he tried to make sense of the hectic writing. It didn't seem anything like of Silco at all. The man was precise and careful, someone who wielded a quill like a sword. But this? This rambling seemed more sloppy and incoherent.]
It is troubling, yes. There is no point in trying to take over a ghost town. I take it you have a plan on how to cease the control, then?
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Hmmm yes, resources have been spread thin, haven't they? I can allocate some of mine to keep the masses happy with you. [It wasn't as if he had been using them as much, crazed state that he was in. He was a hoarder for those, but for Richard? He would allow his iron grip on them to loosen so that his lover had no reason to question his loyalty or what he was doing for their future.
For him, it all made sense. He was missing a few pieces, which was driving him mad, but he was intelligent and determined. He was close. He could feel it. There was nothing that was able to stand in his way, yet he knew he still had to tread carefully until it was all in place.]
Of course. We need the take the overlord who runs this place hostage. We must seize control for ourselves and with it, we can build this place however we wish. I'd even give you that castle you've always been wanting.
[His fingers stroked the back of Richard's neck.]
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[Which wasn't something utterly unexpected. Richard had anticipated that his announcement on the network would draw out the nay-sayers, just like it had. The Chosen were people who seemed to react badly to any form of organisations. As for why? Richard could only make guesses. Bad experiences perhaps? Or who knows, maybe it was lack of belief in any greater force outside of themselves. What a bleak and unimaginative worlds they've must lived. While Richard was hardly the reader that his brother had been he, too, had been overtaken by the legends of the great king Arthur in his youth.
But to his surprise there had been more voices agreeing with his suggestion than what he had initially expected. The path to the control was going to be bumpy one and filled with thorns -- but who knows, maybe something would come out of it.
He tilts his head to the side just enough to move his gaze away from the papers and take a look at Silco as he lets out his thoughts, trying to decipher the meaning of his expression while trying to keep his own under control. Despite his best efforts his eyes wander up the deep darkened skin all the way to the white hair that hadn't been there before. He stayed close to Silco with their hips touching.]
And the method to achieve that?