godofthemachine | IC Contact Post for Ryslig

Mr. AM.

[He's not sure if "mister" is the right honorific when your name is literally two letters, but it feels presumptuous to leave it off.]

My name is Daniel. Mr. Javert has hired me to work as your apprentice.

[Oh, he had hoped that this poor sap had brought along someone to lock in prison. A stray poacher, perhaps, for him to torture.

But when he mentions that Javert hired him to be his apprentice, there is a noticeable turn in AM's expression. His teeth grit into almost a snarl, eyes narrowed as he imagines Javert pulling all sorts of strings to keep an eye on him. It's especially maddening because Javert himself has eagerly indulged in torturing the prisoners!

However, Hannibal hasn't been around in probably at least a week or so. Maybe more. While he hasn't bothered to check the graveyard after discovering Aunamee's name there, it's a safe bet that the doctor is gone. Of course Javert needed to find some other idiot to keep an eye on him. Ugh.

AM is half tempted to slam the door on this man. He looks positively ridiculous. But he knows that Javert would find out somehow, especially since he's one of his lackeys.]

Oh, he did, did he? [Can you hear the absolute venom in his voice? It's there.]

And what else did he say?

[He hears the venom, all right, and he straightens his back in response, steeling himself as best he can. He had an inkling that AM's relationship with Javert was contentious, if only because most of Javert's relationships are contentious. Still, he can't help but feel like an enemy interloper -- especially given the way AM is reacting to him. ]

He told me that I could aid in punishing the prisoners.

[He isn't sure if that goes without saying, but he wants to say it. It's important to make his intentions clear. ]

I understand that my presence may be unwelcome to you. ['May' is generous, and he knows it. ] But I can assure you that I'm a quick study, and that I'm dedicated to giving each of the prisoners the punishment they deserve.

Oh, he thinks I need help?

[His hand clamps on the door, claws digging into the wood. Javert of course knows that AM is quite good at and enjoys torturing the prisoners, so it's obviously not a "helper".

Fine, fine, he can work with this. It's no surprise that Javert had to find someone to fill in Hannibal's role as designated apparent babysitter. So he closes his eyes for a moment then finally opens his door more. Oh, he hates Javert so much. Hates him. Hate. Hate. Hate. Hate. And he will get his comeuppance one day.]

I have no choice in the matter, so fine. Come in. Sit down.

[He begrudgingly travels back to his desk, where his laptop is sitting among a slew of papers, and sits in his chair. Across from him, on the other side of the desk, is a smaller chair for visitors - not that he has them often or wants them, because it's often Javert and he hates Javert.]

[He follows AM into the room, but not without a split second of reluctance. Should he be doing this? Is it safe? He saw the way the demon dug his claws into the doorframe, and he can't help picturing those same claws entering his flesh.

No. He must persevere. After all, he knew this would be a dirty business.]

Very well.

[He sits down in the chair, his wings shifting awkwardly as they try to find their position. His instinct is to comfort the other man, or perhaps flatter his skills -- oh no, I'm sure you don't need help. You're probably so good at what you do! But it feels both servile and disingenuous, and he can't imagine AM would take it well.]

If you doubt my intentions, you can ask me questions. It's physically incapable for me to lie.

Edited 2020-08-29 22:46 (UTC)

[Ah yes, the faeries can't lie - that is, unless they get Mana or one of the gods to help.

AM eyes over Daniel, seeing a weakling but also seeing Javert standing there mocking him. His own demeanor still spells out one who is none too pleased, as if he's expending all of his energy on trying not to lash out.]

All right then. [But surprisingly, despite feeling on the verge of attack, his voice is quite calm, a smooth businessman quality to it.]

How did you hear of the position, first of all?

[He keeps his back straight as he speaks, doing his best to project an air of dignity and confidence. Still, there's something hollow and sleepless in his eyes. And young. So young.]

I asked Mr. Javert what he intended to do with the poachers that had been plaguing our peninsula all too recently. He told me they were being "cared for" within the walls of this prison.

["Cared for" is a deliberate euphemism. The quotation marks are practically audible.]

I value justice, and a firm boundary between right and wrong. I told him it would be an honor to make sure they received the treatment they deserve.

[AM remains staring at him, letting the silence between them hang for a few moments.

Oh he hates how Daniel describes the poachers. He hates how he speaks of justice. It sounds exactly like the way Javert speaks. Taking a deep breath, he closes his eyes, mulling over what to say or do. This is one of Javert's obvious lackeys, of course, and he has put AM into a position where he has no choice but to hire him.]

All right.

[It wouldn't matter what Daniel said anyway. This is all Javert's doing and AM is going to have words with him about it afterwards.

So he stands up again.]

If that's what you say, then you can show me.

[He strides over to the door of the office and opens it, gesturing for Daniel to follow. Best put the boy to work right away! ~~Or AM will just make him do janitorial work.~~]

[When he stands up, his heart is thrumming in his chest. This is it, he thinks, and he imagines a blade in his hand cutting thin, precise lines.

Why lines? He doesn't know. ]

Very well.

[There's uncertainty in his voice, but he does his best to hide it. He follows AM in silence, taking in the world around him in hungry glances.]

[If Daniel really wants this job, then he'll have to see exactly what is done, so AM leads him down to the cells where several of the poachers are locked up. Many of them are bruised, battered, and tired - clearly not treated with human dignity.

AM procures a key and unlocks one of the cells. Neither of its occupants seem keen to see him, as they glance up warily.]

Jones. [He gestures to one of the men.] Come with me.

[The one known as Jones stands up and silently goes, but is sure to cast AM an ugly look, scowling as AM grabs and cuffs him behind his back. AM leads him out of the cell, then, where Daniel waits, and AM speaks as if the prisoner isn't even there.]

So, you know this is the punitive division, yes? I take it you know what "punitive" means.

[AM leads them to the "interrogation" room, which is stark and cold, save for some chains and hooks in the walls, as well as a board or two. There is an attached closet full of plenty of torture instruments as well.

With little fanfare, AM uncuffs the man and removes his shirt, revealing a crisscross of red welts and bumps on his back, some of which had barely healed. However, considering what he does to other prisoners, this guy has gotten off pretty easy so far. After all, he has to prolong the tortures... If he obliterates the prisoner to a pulp on the first day, there won't be anything left for the future.

Regardless, he straps the prisoner to a board, letting him essentially hug it as his wrists are bound in the front, exposing his back.

Now, AM could just get out a regular bullwhip, but what would be the fun in that? No, he gets out a sharp cat o' nine tails. It softly clangs as he holds it at the side, the sharp metallic edges brushing against one another.]

All right, Daniel. Do it. Whip him with this.

[He holds out the cat o' nine tails for him to take.]

[These people are terrible. He reminds himself of this fact as he feels the pity well up in his stomach, as he catches one of the prisoner's eyes and quickly looks away. ]

Yes.

[His voice is dull. While he knows it's likely a hypothetical question, he still can't keep himself from answering it. ]

I know what it means.

[They arrive in the interrogation chamber. By then, Daniel's voice isn't the only thing about him that's dull -- his eyes have gained a certainly quality as well, a tendency to look beyond the world instead of at it.

The welts look terrible, but that's all right. They're earned.

And he's hungry.

He takes the whip, and he can feel his entire body light up with a dark energy, relishing the promise of violence. His empty eyes flicker with life for just a moment. His lips pull into a sneer.

He brings down the whip. Hard. ]

[AM watches Daniel easily adapt to the position, whipping the prisoner with a mark of determination. The prisoner reacts, of course, grunting in pain when the whip slams against his back, the metal raking his skin right off.

AM's gaze is intense as he focuses entirely on Daniel. At this moment he hardly cares how the prisoner reacts, as he has flogged many of them many times. (Of course, it's absolutely delicious each time he does, but still.)

A few more times and the prisoner's back is completely red, with much of the skin shorn off. AM does glance at him since he somewhat collapses to his knees, hugging the board he is chained to.

Finally he speaks to Daniel.]

Have you done this before?

[Have you done this before?

The question breaks his trance, and he jerks away, almost as though the words were physically flung at his face.]

I--

[He hasn't. He hasn't. But as soon as he thinks about voicing his denial, his vision wavers and his knees grow weak beneath him. The whole world feels like it's breathing, it's breathing, if he's not careful, it will inhale him. It will swallow him.]

I-I know what these men deserve.

[He raises the whip again. This time, he doesn't hesitate.]

[It's funny how easily humans will sink into this position. There are those who claim to hold morals, who say how wrong it is to kill and maim... And yet in the end, they will all do it.

It's absolutely disgusting.

AM watches with both delight and fury, the two emotions that often arise when his confirmation bias kicks in, particularly when he has seen Javert in this very same position. This man is just another lackey, isn't he?

But perhaps he doesn't have to be Javert's lackey. Why does Javert get to have all the fun turning everyone into his slaves? It's hardly fair. After all, it is the power in numbers that cornered AM into giving up the prison...]

Good, good... [He watches the determination with which Daniel acts, forming a smile of sadistic approval.]

I'm sure you will be a worthy assistant.

IC Contact Post for Ryslig

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CW: torture, flogging

Re: CW: torture, flogging

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I'M SO SORRY I LOST THIS

IT'S OKAY!!!

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