A militaristic, bloodthirsty state as Noxus would count arena combat amongst its entertainments, and where there were arenas, there were gladiators. And, where there are gladiators, there are gladiator schools.
One such private school is the Blood Brides School, belonging to Madame Sylvia Autumn Irongate Visari Monteclaire, a Noxian noblewoman of good standing and vicious temperament. Married three times, her previous two husbands having met their demise in military service, Sylvia is a fiery woman despite her advancing age and greying hair. It is here she raises Blood Brides- a dozen of her hand-picked, highly trained and seasoned murderesses who earn great acclaim in the female-exclusive, Siren Arenas. In addition to the brides, the school houses another dozen young girls, being raised to eventually replace the losses among the brides of blood.
It is in this school, Caeris Ash’abel, the gypsy dancer had been rescued from her fixed premiere battle against hardened opponents. Sylvia took a golden opportunity and bound the dancer into slavery, burying her under a mountain of debts that would see the gypsy girl bound to the school and the arena.
The Brides are often recruited as novelty additions to bodyguards and entourages. Many pragmatic recruiters scoff at the outlandish prices of 'renting' the Brides, preferring mercenaries in practical heavy armor and ranged weapons. Still, the wealthy would find reason to add such deadly artists to their side- after all, a heavily armed and armored mercenary could not go everywhere they were needed.
Early evening, and Madame Sylvia enjoys a lavish supper at her home, tended to by servants. Her husband, another Noxian officer, was away, leaving her with her school. She was known to be fair of demeanor, and open to business even at this hour- provided the guests are gracious as well. She dined on her school’s balcony, overlooking her business and pleasure- the evening training of the Brides.
She sipped her wine, wondering if this would be yet another quiet evening.
Post by The Mad Chemist on Feb 17, 2013 23:05:25 GMT -5
Singed had walked all around the city without any direction on mind thinking about the events that had leaded to the Burning vengeance fall. It is true that the military power (numbers) of Nuxus had been a major factor to it but what had left him impressed had been how Swain managed his men like an extension of himself. This was the first time that he found himself learning from another person on a long time even if he didn’t wanted to admit it. Before too long he found himself lost on the big city of Noxus “Sigh this is bad” he though after all even if Zaun and Noxus were allies Singed was a hated man on Noxus. Either because of how “his weapons tarnished the art of war” or because of the Noxian soldiers whose lives he had taken to ensure the survival of many more, even if he thought like that “those horrible actions didn’t had any excuse” at least on the eyes of those that wanted his head. Of course he wasn’t afraid of fighting some street punks from Noxus but he just disliked the idea of directly fighting anyone and preferred to avoid any conflict unless it was necessary. It wasn’t before long that he found himself in front of the Blood Brides School he had heard of them from his associates of Noxus and were rather exited talking long time about their beauty and strength. He also knew about how they were rented as bodyguards and for “other duties” well he needed a guide and had some “pocket money” spend so he decided to look inside the place.
Upon seeing the infamous zaunite champion, the house slave at the gate quickly rushed over to her mistress.
“Milady... Singed, the Mad Chemist of Zaun, has come to our doorstep!” He said, bowing then sharing the news.
“Well, let him in!” Sylvia exclaimed, getting off her feet. Such an esteemed guest was totally unexpected.
It took a few minutes before the door opened, and behind it was a meek young boy, not even adolescent, struggled to push the door open. He manages anyway.
“Please, come in master Singed. Walk this way.” The servant boy said, as he opened the door to the large school and up the entrance steps.
The house, like many nobles’ homes, had lavishly decorated interiors to contrast the bleak architecture of Noxus. Servants- or more likely, slaves, by their collars, stood at each doorway, ready to offer their services. Sylvia ushered the Champion into the main dining room, where a table was prepared with some foods, and chairs for seating and transacting business.
“Good evening, master Singed! What brings you to my humble abode this day? Have you eaten? Please, sit, have some food or wine...” Sylvia said, her own dinner interrupted and cleaned up to accommodate their esteemed guest. She stood beside the Champion, offering him a seat at the table.
Post by The Mad Chemist on Feb 19, 2013 19:26:02 GMT -5
Singed entered the place and followed the young slave to were his mistress was. The house didn’t seem overly rich but was well decorated with a rather good taste. At the balcony was the matron of the school whose name escaped Singed’s memory or hasn’t been mentioned by his business partners. “No thank you. I don’t usually drink or eat while imposing my presence to others but, please feel free to continue with your dinner I don’t mind at all.” Then he took the seat that was offered to him. “Truth to be told my arrival here was in part causality and part for the fame that this establishment has achieved even in Zaun.” Singed was being as political as possible with the now mature but still beautiful matron. “Truth to be told I came to Noxus because of a certain business that will take some days to complete and during one of the walks I took to clear my mind found myself lost on the streets of Noxus.”“Before long I found myself in front of your establishment and though of hiring a bodyguard from here since the ones from here have such good fame. Plus it would work a guide.” “So would you my dear madam would you be so kind to tell me the prices and your name?”
“But of course, of course! I am Sylvia Autumn Irongate Visari Montelclaire... thrice married, all to Noxian officers. I am the Head Mistress of this Ludus; this gladiatrix school, which I have initiated when I was still a younger and more comely maiden.” Sylvia bowed as she introduced herself, before snapping her fingers at a young slave standing by the door.
“Leandros, fetch the price ledger!” The teen boy bowed and went to the records room, returning with a thin booklet and a table tied to him. He held the booklet open for his mistress.
“The brides’ services offered are varied. Since you required a bodyguard and guide, I will skip the other services they are sought for...” She said with a smirk, opening the price book halfway, as if searching for a fine meal in a menu. She stops and points at the services Singed was interested in.
“Ah, here we are. Because you are man of such renown, master Singed, I will waive the Investment Fee I usually ask of clients; your prestige and word are investment enough to the school... Let’s see... 400 valor a day... plus 75 for basic equipment... plus another 50 for a special weapon... yes, that should suffice. A bodyguard and guide, within the limits of Noxus, 575 valor a day... I will give you a special rate and cut it to 500 a day. We will shoulder their medical expenses in the event of injury, but we will charge you a fee in the event of their most unlikely demise.”
Leandros quickly writes down on his carried table, to write the receipt. He respectfully lays the receipt before Singed, requiring his signature- which in itself would already be a boost to the school's reputation.
“Now, allow me to fetch our fine product. Decima, go down to the grounds and fetch Crimson, Scarlet and Vermilion!” Another imposing figure was women in Noxian armor, her face mostly covered in bandages, save for her eyes and lips. The lack of hair indicated her baldness. At her belt were two thick coiled whips ending in heavy weights.
“Yes, Matron.” She saluted and went down stairs, returning with three red haired women in tow. Sylvia held out a hand and gestured to her ‘products’, walking slowly among and between them, occasionally stroking their arms. The girls, being slaves, understandably stood at attention, with no protest.
“These are the three most promising and able of the Brides. Forgive me for not sparing the house Champion, but she is already fully booked, unfortunately. But any of these three should be adequate.”
The three of them were clad in their Arena suits, with their hair dyed to the shade of red their names corresponded to. Crimson was of middle height but had a stocky body, a Frejlordian. Scarlet was the smallest of the trio, her facial features suggesting an Ionian. Standing half a head above them was Vermilion, a woman of mixed blood, not of any obvious heritage.
“Please, inspect them to your satisfaction. Crimson is of northern barbarian stock, and quite a charming mouth on her when in battle. Scarlet was a daughter from a previous Ionian slave who was brought here to Noxus from the occupation. Vermilion... I believe she is a gypsy and a dancer, quite an exotic skill set for a slave; good for amusement at home when one is bored of bloodshed but irrelevant to the arena.” She finished her sales pitch with a smile.
“Ah, but please excuse me, I do prattle on. Take your pick of them, master Singed. Their price is the same.”
The first two slaves seemed almost eager to serve, but Caeris looked afar, showing no interest in the Champion before them.
Post by The Mad Chemist on Feb 19, 2013 23:01:15 GMT -5
“Oh please don’t say that you are plenty comely as you are now. I will take your offer to not pay for not paying the investment fee but I insist to pay the full price as well as taking care of the medical expenses.” Singed then give a complicit s smirk to the Madam. “I will also require paying full price since I’m the type of man to use a tool “to his full capability” once it is on his hands.”“I would also like to know a little bit more about them I will after all confide them my “back””
Sylvia smirked. She appreciated clients who knew the value of her products. "You are a most fair and generous client, master Singed. Leandros, alter the receipt."
The 'cashier' boy nodded, and quickly began writing a new receipt with his quill and ink.
Sylvia gestured to the many rolled up tapestries on the far wall, organized into twelve great banners corresponding the the shades of the girl's hair. Crimson's, Scarlet's and Caeris's banners were unfurled, showing off their track records. Caeris had the most number of badges and commendations, though by only a trivial margin of two more than the others.
"As you can see, each girl has had a fair career inside the arena, as well as time outside of it, having served from bodyguard to assassin to concubine to entertainer."
She then clapped her hands twice in succession, and house slaves brought in a rack of weapons, normal and exotic- spears, maces, swords; to spiked chains, claws, giant scissors... and more.
"They are school in wielding mundane and exotic weapons, depending on the role they fulfill and the fighting style they have... dear Vermilion for example has a dancing background, making her appropriate for light weapons. Crimson is strong enough for a sledgehammer. Really, I can go on all night about my Brides. The question is, what did you want to know?"
Post by The Mad Chemist on Feb 19, 2013 23:21:39 GMT -5
Singed agreed with his head and then spoke to the matron. “Yes that is valuable information for a man like me I would also want to know a little bit more about their background before the arena and their personalities”
“What? Really, master Chemist? They are just slaves... no need to know of their irrelevant lives. Very well; Brides, you may speak.” Sylvia explained, then said to the Brides. Singed’s request was most unusual, but she found no reason to object. All her slaves were broken in. Almost.
Crimson strode forth and stood at attention, bringing her clenched fist over her right chest in a salute. “Bride Crimson! I hail from Rakelslake, daughter of a fisherman and his Thatcher wife. The Noxians captured me when I fought alongside my father. Rather than the brothel, I was taken by lady Monteclaire. I have been a gladiator for five years, a Bride for three of those five.”
Scarlet did the same, moving forward and making the same gesture. “Bride Scarlet! I am of Ionian blood, but born here in Noxus, the daughter of a house slave captured from Ionia. I was traded thrice, and became a house slave to lady Monteclaire eight years ago. By Lady Sylvia's grace, I became a gladiator four years ago, and have been a bride for two.”
Caeris rolled her eyes. Those two had been so thoroughly broken by Decima’s whip they eagerly performed as dogs called to a meal.
“Vermilion! Speak!” Decima barked her command to the gypsy, who moved forward and saluted as the others did.
“Bride Vermilion. I am born of the... gypsies, a troupe of performers and artists. I came to Noxus to prove my skill with the blade... but in my arrogance was matched against a superior foe...” She paused, recalling that incident where she was deceived into fighting the House’s reining champion, Bride Red. She swallows and clears her throat.
“...I was thoroughly beaten and nearly dead, but thanks to... Lady Sylvia’s kindness was I saved from the clutches of death. I owe her my life, and more. I have been a slave for two years, and a Bride for the last four months.” It was clear she resented the story greatly, if only because Decima, the Lady’s Whip, had brought out her bullwhip to ensure she complied.
“Well. Most interesting, if that is what you sought, Master Chemist. Have you made a decision?” Sylvia asked, helping herself to a bowl of strawberries and chocolate dip.
Post by The Mad Chemist on Feb 20, 2013 19:08:58 GMT -5
“Madam Monteclaire I’m sorry if my request was a little odd but I’m the type of man that cares even about the little details.” Then he fell silent for some minutes. Observing the brides with his pupil lacking golden eyes as if he was evaluating the cons and pros of an object. “I have made my decision I will take Vermillion she seems to be the one that will be the most “fun”Let’s see 575 is the price for a day so it will be 2300 for 4 days right?”
"Well, excellent... choice." Sylvia said, with a slight hesitation. Caerys seemed to be growing in popularity now, and thankfully she wasn't booked for her other clients until next week. She'd have to keep an eye on the girl.
Leandros, head still downcast, updates the receipt, tallying the final cost as Singed said. "Sign here, sir." He pointed to a generously large place for a signature.
Meanwhile, after she spoke privately with Vermilion, Sylvia came over to Singed and handed her a simple control device of zaunite origin. "While all my slaves are properly house broken, here is a control that will administer a shock should she misbehave, just in case. Or if you grow bored." She smirked, taking a look at Caerys. The cruel mistress demonstrated the device, causing a brief 'ping' coming from Caerys's collar; she was about to plead for mercy, when a discreet electric shock coursed through her body, and she was immediately on the floor, arms and body twitching involuntarily, eyes rolled up into her head.
Sylvia deactivated the device and laughed at the display. The Blood Bride was then helped up by a pair of slaves, showing no signs of weakness. She was fitted with her bladed armor, while she contemplated her choice of primary weapon from the rack.
"So... I hope you will find her services as your Bodyguard and Guide satisfactory. I will see you in four days, and hopefully the girl in one piece, master Singed... oh, you'll also need to feed her every now and then" She giggled, handing the device to Singed.
Post by The Mad Chemist on Feb 20, 2013 22:39:00 GMT -5
“Well that is so kind of your part” Singed took the devise and properly put it on his pocket. “Before I go do you mind if I take a look to the “other” menu? I’m interested on those services to and the more I’m charged with the more your business will prosper.”
Sylvia's lips curled into a devious smile, as she exchanged looks with her cashier boy and the head enforcer, Decima. Caerys paused where she stood. The Vermilion blood bride felt only ambivalence at this point for the Champion, but now she decided he was someone to loathe. Caerys listened intently as to Singed's intentions, staring with cold, hateful eyes.
"...In addition to being warriors and guards, the Blood Brides also make fine... companions, whether in public or in private. They are schooled in more than just the blade, and Vermilion displays a hidden creativity." Sylvia explained, as she slid back in her seat and showed Singed the 'other' services.
"As a public escort, merely as decoration that clings to one's arm, I charge 250 valors a day. If you wish them to behave more... affectionately... like a lover since childhood... the price is another 400 valors a day. You may play, and tease, and exchange kisses with the Bride, treat them like a romance, but I strictly prohibit 'touching'... " Sylvia paused once more, then turned the page over to a section of small contracts with bids.
But if you are interested in anything further, you will have to join the bid for her... " She trails off at that last part, as she pointed to the bids, where other wealthy men had submitted their bids for Caerys; the highest figure was 72,000 valor, which could only mean the Bride's first was being auctioned by this cruel woman.
Post by The Mad Chemist on Feb 21, 2013 18:52:06 GMT -5
Singed feel into deep though for a moment he didn’t expected such inflated prices to say the least but then he saw an auction truth to be told he wasn’t the type of man to back away on an auction. “Sadly I don’t count with that amount of capital right now would you mind to point me on the direction of the closest bank in the area?”
Sylvia smirked. It seemed her gladiator school had won the luck of the draw, just as gladiator combat just began resurging in popularity. If they could snatch support- and money- from a Champion no less, their school's prestige would rise greatly... as well as the prices of her Brides skyrocketing.
"Vermilion will be happy to guide you, as an sample of her company as a bodyguard and guide, for now. You heard him, girl, bring Singed to the Noxian bank two blocks from here."
Caerys looked at Singed, her hateful stare subsiding somewhat. It seemed that there was still time. She chose the short glaive, a curved sword mounted atop a short shaft. It provided the benefits of wielding both blade and spear, and one of her favorites.
"This way, master Singed." Caerys finally spoke, her voice a deadpan as she led Singed out into the city on foot. The door slave gave Caerys a parting article of clothing, a short, red mantle that mostly covered up her upper back, leaving her abdomen and legs free.
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