• Memory • [Prison]Life On The Inside

[Lucas Nardovino]

Ymiden 13th, Arc 713

It was amazing how quickly someone admitting to a crime could find themselves stood at the gates of a prison. This prison in particular was located in a seemingly never ending wasteland that truly stopped even the thought of running entering Lucas' mind, then again he was fine with going in anyway. It was safer in the prison, less chance of getting killed in some revenge attempt. Not only that but it was where he belonged, he was after all a thug but not only that any more. Now he was a murderer, not that he believed he had done wrong in killing his old boss.

The young man sighed as he was shoved forward and through the gates by a grumpy guard. Lucas tried to imagine what the guard could possibly think was worse than what the criminals in front of him were about to endure. Of course there was nothing that sprung to mind, although he was sure the man had his reasons. He fought back a smile, it was amusing how small others problems seemed when you were being put in a prison to wait for the day they would leave you on the shore to drown. Lucas shuddered at the thought of the water climbing up your body with each lapping wave.

Shaking the thought from his mind the convict followed the prisoners in front of him as they were lead into the red walls of the old fort. Immediately the sound of prisoners whooping and beating on their cell doors could be heard. They were not yet even into the cell block but still it could be heard and Lucas could already tell this place was going to be cruel. The group were searched for weapons or any other contraband before being lined up and pointed toward a barred thick oak door. Steeling himself Lucas took and deep breathe and stood tall, he didn't want to look the weakest the last thing he wanted was to get his ass beaten on the first trial.

The lead guard went and unbolted the door, three thick iron rods that slid to the side before lifting the latch and pushing open the heavy door. The back man was pushed hard and they all lurched forward as they bumped into one another and headed in. The hall was massive, about 200 metres long with three floors of cells and rotting wooden stairs going between the platforms. Following the man in front of him they walked in and Lucas was taken aside by a guard and marched up to the middle floor. A hand reached out at him through one of the barred cells and was beaten away by the guards baton.

Finally they reached his cell the racket was still going on but he ignored it and entered. It was spartanly furnished with a single not very comfy looking cot, single chair and small square table, a bucket and a wooden box. Walking into his cell Lucas wordlessly sat on the edge of the cot and looked at the guard as he slammed the cell door closed and locked it. Groaning he laid his tired body down on the cot the wooden beams offering little relief.

He drifted into a shallow nightmare filled sleep, luckily for him his nap was only short as the guards came by and began to let the prisoners out and march them in groups to the yard for their evening air. Lucas' shirt was sweaty but he supposed no one would care why it wasn't exactly cold. The yard was filled with prisoners, many splitting off into their usual groups besides the new folks who some stayed together. Maybe they were going for safety in numbers but Lucas moved off on his own and went to stand alone against on of the red stone walls. Here he waited, trying to forget the dreams he had just been forced to experience. He sure wished he had some booze.

[Ryqet]

"Look at the new blood."

Ryqet glanced up at those words, a small group walking past him as his cellmate made a grab for one before being smacked away by the guard. With a small whistle from the purple-eyed man behind him, the thug moved away from the bars and sat back on his bed. It wasn't safe to make a move on the new blood, not yet. Some of them might prove useful to Ryqet, after all. Besides, they weren't animals, despite how half the men and women acted in here. Prison or not, Ryqet had no intention of behaving like the caged beast society saw him as.
Slowly, his eyes traced over every prisoner, until his attention fell to one in particular. Whoever he was, he had confidence. That or he had brains enough to fake it. One way or the other, he was smart. While the other prisoners shook with fear, inviting themselves to a world of pain, this man showed himself to be brave. He refused to be a target, refused to break. Unfortunately for him, that might invite some unwanted attention - unless Ryqet got to him first.

Once the men and women left the line, one by one, everyone went quiet again. Just how he liked it. These animals were only useful for one thing, and half of them weren't even good at that. But it had to be said that most of them could fight better than the half-Biqaj could. Without a blade, the guy was useless in a fight. Hence why he had a group of men he kept bribed. If they fought loyally for him, then he wouldn't have to fight again. Most didn't question it when offered contraband, nor if their life was on the line. They were safer as a group anyway.
With the thoughts in his head the guards came by and opened his cell, not bothering to escort him. He'd been here a while, near to an Arc, which for most was small numbers. But for Ryqet it had felt like a lifetime, and the scar on his shoulder certainly helped him feel like a veteran when it came to this hellhole. A man in this place, on his first day, had once warned him of what it was like here.

Heaven isn't a place on Idalos. Idalos is a place in hell.

When the man arrived outside, he immediately looked for the new guy. But it seemed he wasn't the only one. Before Ryqet and the three men he currently had up his sleeve could make their way over to Lucas, one of the bigger inmates did - and Ithecal nicknamed Viper. She earned the name, it had to be said. One bite from her and grown men dropped like flies, unable to move while she did the damage. How she acted around new inmates varied, she would often enjoy a small flirt.

But seeing as the guards intentionally turned away, that wasn't the case today. Without hesitation, he gestured for his men to make a move before Viper could do any damage to what might be a new acquaintance. That, however, didn't stop the Ithecal women from attempting to uppercut Lucas.

[Lucas Nardovino]

Ymiden 13th, Arc 713

Lucas noticed the Ithecal approaching him and was already expecting the attack as the uppercut was swung in his direction. Stepping to one side the smaller man narrowly avoided the scaly fist of the attacker, she towered over him by well over a foot. It was truly a challenge to avoid the next attack that came too and as she lunged at him with her jaws he jumped back to one side and brought his elbow down on top of her head. Her rough skin felt hardy, like a natural armour against his attack but he followed it up with another punch in the side of her large jaw. She recoiled with a hiss but not without retaliation towards the new inmate.

Apparently this was a mistake as he was met by the full force of her tail smacking into the side of his legs. Sweeping him off his feet he fell to the floor with a thud and groaned loudly as he scrambled to try and get to his feet. On his hands and knees he was too slow as the large foot of his opponent slammed into his backside and sent him sprawling in the dirt, she let out a loud laugh as she kicked him. Clearly the Ithecal was enjoying herself while Lucas lay on the floor blowing dust and muck out of his mouth. Her delay to take in the sight of him gave him chance to get to his feet, the vicious gangster still inside him as he charged her. Launching himself into her sturdy hips and driving deep from his legs, pushing as hard as he could in an attempt to topple her.

Lucas felt her start to fall and pushed hard one last time as they toppled over with a cry of might from the convict. There was no doubt in his mind he was fighting a losing battle but he had to make a show of the fact he was not an easy target he had to survive this place. He could not afford to be the target of everyone's abuse while fighting with his own inner pain. So he fell with her, landing on top of her to be met with a dazing impact against her sturdy naturally armoured chest. Grabbing at her mouth he forced it to the side with all his strength but this left him open to an attack from her arms. A flurry of three punches impacted on his gut before he could react and he retreated pushing himself away with his legs and landing in a heap a few feet away.

The Ithecal rose to her feet and Lucas did his best to mirror her moves, swaying slightly as he held his already bruising stomach. He felt like he would be sick but he stayed strong, fighting off waves of nausea. He couldn't keep this up for long. He was vaguely aware off people approaching, a small group but he was too focused on the attacker right in front of him and her mean looking teeth. The teeth that charged him, a wild excited cry escaping from between them.

Lucas readied himself for the impact of her against him and made little attempt to stop it, knowing he had no chance against her. He crumpled at the waist and fell on his back, dazed as his head hit the hard floor. He felt her climb a top of him and the first punch land on his chest. The wind left his lungs and he wheezed, fighting to gain more air, the next hit landed on his face and he rebounded against the floor again. A headache quickly spread and his vision blurred as he felt something hard and pointed in his hand, cold and deadly. He raised his arm quick and hard into the air and felt it connect against the side of the Ithecal's head. Warm liquid ran down his forearm as she fell off of him with a scream.

He rolled over confused and in pain, blurred vision saw a group of men standing over him and he struggled to his feet. Standing shakily and wobbly the adrenaline pumped through his veins and he fought to stay up right, he couldn't show weakness, he wouldn't let them see the broken man that was hidden below.

[Ryqet]

All things considered, Ryqet was impressed. Partially, he was impressed that anyone had the balls to swing on someone as big and dangerous as Viper. She was, as she liked to remind people a lot, queen of the prison. Fortunately for Ryqet, the two had never been much of an issue to one another. Very few people paid Ryqet attention, aside from some of the men that decided he was an easy target. But most of the big dogs preferred to prey on the newer, weaker folk. Gathered them more respect, gained them a few devout and loyal slaves in the process, and perhaps even some men or women willing to fight their battles for them. Ryqet at least had the decency to pay those people, not threaten them.

As the fight progressed, he realised that the man may stand a chance of actually winning. It was close, very close, and the woman had failed to sink her teeth in like she wanted to through the fight. Normally she would uppercut and bite. Left her foes weak, doubled over and vulnerable before the venom left them immobile. What she did after that depended on who they were, but Ryqet new well what the venom felt like. While they'd had few problems, he had been new once, and the woman had used her venom on him too. It was how she learned of her desire to flirt, and taunt - and fight. All three happened to him, though admittedly not in that order. As one of his men stepped forward to help Lucas, Ryqet raised a hand. "Let them fight. I want to see what happens."

With a nod the man stepped back, just in time for Lucas to grab a rock, causing a grin to form on the pirate's cheek. "Smart man" he muttered to himself as the stone slammed into the Ithecal's head, the cracking sound causing all around to wince in some level of pain, the Ithecal woman dropping to the floor stone-cold unconscious. Lucas was in no way in good shape when Ryqet gestured for his men to come over, but that was fixable. If Ryqet was going to be hiring people to work for him, he would have been a fool to only hire fighters. By his right-hand side was a Sev'ryn man that was rather adept at healing. As Lucas would look up, Ryqet was sure to be the most prominent figure, watching as the man struggled to his feet. Again, smart man.

"Nobody is going to hurt you" Ryqet assured the man, offering a hand to help him stand. "You got balls, fighting back against the feistiest bitch in this prison. We could use someone like that. I think me and you might have a partnership to discuss."

[Lucas Nardovino]

Ymiden 13th, Arc 713

Lucas wobbled on his feet, he couldn't fight all the men that approached him. He had no chance and as they approached he heard words but still dazed they didn't fully register. Fortunately he did have the composure to attack right now instead he just felt a firm hand grasp him steadying him, the adrenaline was pumping through him and his hands were shaking as he tried to steady his breathing. The new inmate looked at the man in front of him and heard his words as someone else dabbed at his face with some sort of cloth, trying to clean the blood from his split lip and bleeding nose.

The words were all to familiar he had heard an offer like that over 10 arcs ago and it was that very offer that had landed him in here. Lucas new better than to take such a deal, he would not fall down that rabbit whole again. He knew men like this one and they would use you and pretend to care, deceive you until something goes wrong at which point they would leave you in the dirt to die.

"No." Lucas said retreating from the hand that steadied him as he felt his unsteady body waver again without the support. "I have met men like you before, your promises can't be trusted." He could feel his head throbbing as he turned away from the man and bent at the waste. A mixture of bile and blood escaped his lips as he wretched, the Ithecal had gotten quite some power behind her punches it seemed.

Looking back to Ryqet as he wiped his mouth with his sleeve Lucas shook his head. "I don't want a partnership, it won't end well for me, they never do." People like him always ended up getting the short end of the stick in arrangements with gang leaders like the man before him. He spat out some more blood and looked at the Ithecal, he didn't think she was dead but she was certainly knocked out. The ex gangster realised he was still holding the rock and dropped it, the fresh red blood of his opponent going sticky on his forearm and hand.

He was fully prepared for a beating over this denial and so he tried to ready himself but he was hit with another wave of pain and nausea, he struggled not to vomit as he let out a low growl of pain. Still he stood though, swaying as if a slight gust of wind would knock him off his feet. Lucas had to hide it, he had to stay strong for now until he was away in the safety of privacy where he could let the pain do as it wished.

[Ryqet]

Ryqet watched as the man was given medical attention, before able to stand. Blood was pouring out of his face, and his injuries looked moderate. It wouldn't kill the man, might not even scar him. But it would most certainly hurt for a while. Fighting an Ithecal with a knack for cracking skulls was sure to make a good name for yourself in this prison, even if you were spewing out your own intestines once the fight was done. Hurt or not, he had won the fight.

Yet something possessed the man to decline the offer Ryqet gave him, moving away from his hand rather than taking it. It wasn't as if the man smiled often, but what little confident smirk Ryqet wore was gone, replaced with a cold and impenetrable look. Purple eyes watched the man curiously as he spoke, saying that he had met men like Ryqet before. All of his men were ready, waiting for the order the half-biqaj gave. If he asked, they would pounce the new blood and beat him to death. Most of them were here for life anyway, sentenced to death in a dark and dank pit where they would rot for all of eternity. They had nothing to lose from it, nothing to lose from breaking necks and shattering bones.

"There are no men like me" Ryqet returned, his eyes and voice calm but cold as he looked down at the injured man. No matter how good of a fighter he was there was no way he was taking out every man here. Then again, he wouldn't need to. Ryqet wasn't about to attack a man for not wanting to join his small team. More fool him. This prison's toughest criminals, be it murderers or Immortal worshippers, worked for him. When a man could spit fire, or rip open metal bars with their bare hands, Ryqet was interested. How else would he survive this miserable existence? Friends were important, and Lucas would learn it one day. All the man could hope for was that day wouldn't be his last.

"Very well, but I'll tell you this much" he started and stared the man down, all of his guards backing up as they weren't ordered to attack. "This prison is a war zone. Once they put you in here, you're gone. One in a hundred men will leave alive, the rest will rot in their cell or be beaten to death in this courtyard. And lone wolves like you? They're easy pickings. Easy to jump, easy to gang up on. You can fight one big Ithecal. Try fighting four, all of them with makeshift blades and a jaw so strong it'll crack through your skull."

Once he'd given his small speech, he glanced around to the other prisoners, most of which smirking at the truth of it. Everyone here, aside from the new blood, had seen death. Most of them had caused death. Some of them had nearly experienced death. But they were the ones tough enough to survive - which meant they learned the game, followed the rules of it. Survival was key when locked in a cell with four hungry animals that want nothing more than to feast on your flesh.

"You want to work alone, so be it. I'll try not to shed a tear when they scrape you off the walls."

[Lucas Nardovino]

Ymiden 13th, Arc 713

The man's ego must have been huge, to think there was no one like him was the most ignorant response Lucas thought he could have heard. Perhaps someone had been pumping up his self confidence until the man was about to float away with the amount of inflation his head must have been taking. He would never understand how a man could be so naive as to truly believe he was unique in every way. Before everything had happened and he had killed the man like Ryqet he might have found it amusing and even laughed but here and alone, he was not going to risk death at the gang the man commanded.

It seemed almost cowardly to hide behind a group of other men that were stronger than you but it was also smart. Still that was not how Lucas would lead his life in here, he was not going to fall back into that old habit and he was not going to trust someone else to ruin his life all over again. Although, whether you could call what he was now heading into a life or not was debatable. Still the new inmate stood and remained conscious as the nausea passed and he listened to the man's speech.

If he had intended to scare Lucas it hadn't worked, he was going to be executed soon enough anyway, he was a murderer so it was just a matter of time. Whether he died at the hands of some lunatic convicts or tied to a dock waiting for the water to rise and drown him did not matter. In his eyes death was inevitable but for now he would remain in control of himself and he would not become what he was before. Never again.

He considered bowing ironically to the man who clearly believed himself to be some form of great leader of men. His speech made it evident he thought he had some sort of enormous understanding above all other criminals in the prison. "I would rather be scraped off the walls than stuck serving blindly under another man's boot again." He looked at the gang around him, he knew a fight here would kill him but he would not let the man before him make him look a fool. He had decided to make a strong impression and he was sticking to it, weakness would not help him here.

"Try asking one of the other new fools to be your lapdog." He stood still, awaiting his beating and most likely the long darkness that would follow. He just hoped that the man would perhaps find some form of respect in Lucas' refusal to be pushed around. It was a long shot though, the man likely had a reputation to uphold and he knew this was a bad idea after he had done it but it had to be done. He couldn't be weak now, he couldn't back down without his appearance being broken and his first impression being marred.

[Ryqet]

Brave.

It was the only word to describe what the man in front of him was. First, he turned down the offer of a group to protect himself in a prison of killers, psychopaths and men and women with no moral code. On his first day, he'd been jumped by Viper, and she was fighting alone. How, Ryqet wondered, would he not realize how much safer it was in a group? There was nothing that could save one man from a group in this prison but a group of his own. Some men and women had marks, just like Ryqet, that meant they were lethal. Faldrun, Lisirra, Syroa - Chrien. Immortals that would adore the bloodshed their blessed could and did cause.

Yet despite what Ryqet saw as idiocy spewing from the man's mouth, alongside the blood and guts, there was some level of amusement to him. Curiosity got the better of him, wondering how well the man would do. If Ryqet was lucky on his bet, and he often was, Lucas would die within a season. Best case scenario, he'd have just under an Arc before someone took advantage of his isolation and stole his life away. But one word really caught the marked of Chrien's attention - again. Wherever Lucas' spite for serving under people came from, it had happened before, which meant he had a weakness. A history that could, and might, tear him apart in here. Perhaps even a deep-seeded fear for being forced to serve.

When he expected a beating, and a few men readied themselves, Ryqet let out a small chuckle. "Very well. I'll be sure to ask them if they're interested in safety" he spoke, amused at the other man's words. He gestured to a bench and begun a walk to it, his 'friends' following him and sitting down on the bench obediently. Their deal was simple. A break in the courtyard every trial, during which they would protect him and keep around him at every turn, just in case. Once they were out of the courtyard, that deal ceased to exist and the men went about their own lives. But the contraband Ryqet offered was too good to deny, even if it did mean acting like a lapdog for the time being. When he sat down, his eyes fell to Lucas, piercingly watching as the guards grabbed and detained him.

"Brave fucking man."

[Woe]

Name: Lucas Nardovino

Knowledge:

Brawling: Dodging an uppercut
Brawling: Fighting a bigger opponent
Brawling: Don't forget about the Ithecal tail
Endurance: Recovering from a daze
Endurance: Fighting your swaying body
Endurance: Ignoring pain induced nausea
Endurance: Growling to deal with pain
Strength: Toppling an Ithecal
Strength: You legs offer a lot of power

Loot:
Injuries: Bruises across the body, should take around 20 trials all to clear. Headache and a mild concussion, around 10 trials to clear up. Not a issue for your character presently, for obvious reasons. Take note for any future Memory threads taking place 10-20 trials after Ymiden 13th, 713
Renown: 5 for surviving a good beating from one of the toughest gal in the prison, and knocking her out even.
Magic XP: No

Points: 15

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Comments:

Obviously a hard-nosed, stubborn man, Lucas seems like he stands to learn a lot from the arcs that lay ahead of him in prison. The writing here is great, I enjoyed your vivid and descriptive narration of the action. The interactions between Lucas and Ryqet seem very natural and what one would expect in this setting, with suspicion from the new broom, Lucas toward Ryqet. The hints you give of his past lend an interesting layer to the conflict here, while he weighs Ryqet's offer of 'protection'.

If you feel I've missed anything or if you have questions about your review, please don't hesitate to send me a quick PM. Thanks!

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Name: Ryqet

Knowledge:
Intimidation: Targeting new prisoners
Intimidation: Crowds are intimidating
Intimidation: Keeping eye contact
Intimidation: Heavy threats
Leadership: Bribing for power
Leadership: Firm tone
Leadership: Leading by example
Leadership: Shows of power

Loot: None
Injuries: None
Renown: 5 for making a display of the pull he commands with his underlings.
Magic XP: None

Points: 15

- - -

Comments:

Always enjoy seeing a prison influencer in action. I enjoyed your description of the realities of prisoners living in a harsh and unforgiving prison system, how your character and his underlings adapted in order to survive (Banding with others, pooling their skills, etc.), his reaction in the face of Lucas' stubborn refusal to entertain the alpha beta dynamic of joining a prison gang seems pretty spot on. Overall, this thread was thoroughly enjoyable.

If you feel I've missed anything or if you have questions about your review, please don't hesitate to send me a quick PM. Thanks!