[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/LgSd4Mv.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/LZlsWny.png[/img]

[hr][hr][hr][youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdbqAQwKNDY[/youtube][/center][hr][hr][hr]

[h3][color=gray]Unknown Location, Pennystakes[/color][/h3]

[sub]In collaboration with [@flux]
[b]Mentions:[/b] NA [b]Interactions:[/b] NA[/sub]

[hr]

When Khor eventually came to, she would find herself kneeling, arms wrapped around and tied to a thick wooden post. There was the distinct feeling of cold air brushing against her back, indicating that someone had taken the liberty of cutting the cloth of her suit away to expose her back. Her gun, helmet, and other effects were missing.

Beyond that, her room was unremarkable. Just a concrete box with a drain in the floor and a fluorescent light overhead.

The Dark Ace sitting at the door glanced over, noticing her slight movements, and mumbled into his comms. Not five minutes later, it was none other than Ezra who entered the room. The Dark Ace moved to place a chair by the post, and Ezra sat, elbows on his knees and learning forward, staring down at Khor.

[b][color=lightgray]”Well, well, you're finally awake. How are we feeling?”[/color][/b]

Khor blinked the blurriness in her eyes away, trying to take stock of her situation. Tied down, looked industrial, she thought she heard Frankie before it all went dark. She huffed a laugh scrunching her eyes trying to push the fog in her mind away. “Looks like you get to put me through it now Frankie. What are the odds-”

Her eyes opened more focussed now. This wasn’t industrial at all. This felt purpose built. Wherever she was she had a hunch it wasn’t Heavy Crossguard anymore. Looking up again she took stock of who really stood in front of her, the swirling inky black for a face leaving no question of identity. She swallowed. There were so many questions but a new anxiety kept them down. “You're not Frankie. Or Vinnie.”

Her mind leapt trying to make sense of why [i]he[/i], of all people, was standing in front of her. She knew Erza and Vincent were both conspiring with Antonio but this didn’t add up. Erza was his own man on his own mission. Why was she here and not hanging in front of Vincent after she burnt down [u]his[/u] warehouse. Lips tightened. Nothing smart escaped her mouth. No quip or insult, just trepidation.

Ezra’s single eye crinkled, noticing her lapse into silence. [b][color=lightgray]”Alas, I am not Frankie. However, you've got a good head on your shoulders. He's around, and will be joining you momentarily.”[/color][/b]

He reached out, gently holding her chin, slightly turning her head a little so he could get a better look at her. More importantly, to get a closer look at the fear building in her eyes. Taking note of the pupil size, the clamminess of the skin, and the rate of her pulse in her neck.

Her eyes closed before wincing open, lips pulled a little tighter. Anyone. [i]Anyone[/i] else. Why was it him? She brought her breathing down. Tried to remember Misty’s advice on interrogations. Don’t make eye contact. Don’t speak unless questioned directly. Everyone breaks. Cooperate.

She closed her eyes again fighting a smirk. That wouldn’t fucking help. This man had a reputation. It wouldn’t matter. He was going to have his fun either way, maybe she should just have hers while she could.

[b][color=lightgray]”You fancy yourself some type of hero, don't you? Or at least you try. You think saving one boy changes who you are.”[/color][/b]

A quiet voice from Khor. “Hardly. Just another in the flock trying to do right.”

He leaned in a little closer, his grip on her chin tightening a little. [b][color=lightgray]”Hmm… Would you like to know what I do with heroes like you?”[/color][/b]

Khor. “Not really.” Were the first words that shot through her mind and out her mouth before she realised. Her mind went back to what he said earlier, hoping that it might buy time. “You mentioned Frankie?”

Ezra's eye lit up, [color=lightgray][b]”Why yes, Frankie. Actually,”[/b][/color] He gestured to the guard standing at the door, who murmured into his comms. Thirty seconds later, Frankie came through the door, held by the arms by two Dark Aces men. They shoved him into the room and shut the door, Frankie with a pale sheen to his face.

Ezra, on the other hand, seemed to be enjoying himself. [color=lightgray][b]“Frankie, my boy! This is the one who threatened to torture you, yes?”[/b][/color]

Frankie swallowed hard, not looking at Khor. [b]”...Yeah.”[/b]

[b][color=lightgray]”And the one you gave sensitive information to, yes?”[/color][/b] There was a dangerous edge to Ezra's voice.

[b]”...Yeah.”[/b]

Ezra clapped his hands together, standing. [b][color=lightgray]”Excellent~ Then you'll see this as either a punishment or a blessing. We have to shake you free of any notion that you were ever [i]friends[/i]. Khor, after all, doesn't have any friends. Not anymore.”[/color][/b]

The chair was pushed to the side, and Ezra reached out, passing a whip to Frankie, who took it in trembling hands. Ezra nodded towards Khor. [b][color=lightgray]”Go on, then. Thirty should do the trick.”[/color][/b]

Frankie stared long and hard at the whip, then snatched a glance at Khor, before his gaze settled on Ezra. [b]”I…I can't do this, sir.”[/b]

The whip was enough to raise the hairs on her neck, but the hesitation shot fear throughout her as she breathed words. “Shit… not the right answer Frankie…”

Ezra's head tilted, and he leaned in, cupping a hand around his ear. [b][color=lightgray]”Sorry? Did you say you wanted to join her? Well, I'm sure we have a spare post around here somewhere-”[/color][/b]

Frankie waved his hands anxiously. [b]”No, no-... That won't be necessary.”[/b]

Ezra looked pleased, standing by the door. [b][color=lightgray]”Splendid. Go on, then.”[/color][/b]

Khor let out a breath, both of ease and anxiety. Least Frankie wasn’t stupid enough to get himself killed yet, but a part of her deep down right now wished he was.

Frankie took a deep breath, clearly looking unsettled, before he stiffly walked around behind Khor, seeing how small she looked compared to the post. He winced, before leaning in, whispering. [b]”Please… Please forgive me.”[/b]

She choked something out. “Don’t worry.” An uncertain smirk. “I’m into it.” A twitch in her mouth betrayed her bluff. She watched him move back. Every hesitation flooded her with relief and terror. Every moment the whip remained curled building hope and despair. Eventually frustration took hold, acceptance of the situation and just wanting it to be over. Voice building. “...Stop pacing around and swing you [b]fucking girl![/b]”

A sharp intake of air, before he reached back, unfurling the whip, and the first lash struck like icy fire.

The first was the worst. Or at least she thought. The next came just as hard, if not harder. Each earning a shriek. As the strikes went on they became expected, the belting eventually only getting a confused mixture of yelping and chuckling. 

Tears reached her toothy grin. A truth that kept her mind hoping this wouldn’t end but begging it would. This wasn’t the main event, and though there’d be a moment of respite when Erza decided it was his time to play, she was sure she’d wish for the whip not long after.

Twenty-nine… thirty. Frankie threw down the bloodied whip, disgusted with himself. 

Ezra gave a light applause. [b][color=lightgray]”Well done. I imagine you've cleared your name now, and any suspicion around you.”[/color][/b]

Before he added dismissively. [b][color=lightgray]”You can go now.”[/color][/b]

Frankie looked once at Khor, before he clenched his teeth, the door opening and shutting behind him. Now it was just the three of them, the Dark Ace guard, Khor, and Ezra. Ezra, in particular, gestured to the door. The guard slipped out, wheeling in a small trolley with a bowl of water, cloth and gauze, and a bottle of alcohol. The guard also placed Ezra's chair behind Khor, where Ezra made himself comfy.

Ezra silently looked over Khor’s back, the criss-cross of deep gashes and split skin, blood dripping down. It was quite the bit of handiwork Frankie did, well executed. It would teach the man to be more careful with his allegiances.

But this wasn't about Frankie. This was about Khor. So, while soaking a ball of cloth in alcohol, and applying it gently to the top of Khor’s back, he spoke.

[b][color=lightgray]”You know I had to do that… It was necessary to knock you down a few pegs. Now we can talk a bit better.”[/color][/b]

Khor winced, breathing words through barred teeth. “Being tied to a post in a dungeon has a way of doing that. Was already there buddy.” She could understand testing Frankie’s convictions but if he knew the slightest thing about her Erza would’ve just asked for what he wanted. Hell if he followed a basic interrogation procedure he would’ve learned pretty quickly he’d have more trouble getting her to shut the fuck up than to talk.

Maybe she could give him some tips. Before Frankie the last interrogation tested the efficiency of a fire axe. She got to use that fire axe too. Good times. She closed her eyes to kill that train of thought. [i]Do not start giving the man who’s torturing you ideas you dumb, dumb bitch.[/i]

Ezra dabbed her back gently, moving down one gash line. [b][color=lightgray]”...Do you hate me?”[/color][/b]

She winced again, but even so the confusion was still clear on her face. “What?” 

Do you hate me. What kind of question was that? He had her tied up to a post in a dungeon and just had someone start carving the meat off her bones, her opinion of him wasn’t exactly going to be stellar. She shook the frustration. This was a genuine question. If he was aiming to throw her off guard then that was a point well earned. Either way it was better than having the piss beaten from her, so she took the time to offer a genuine reply.

Khor let out a breath. “I… shit dude. Starting from the top then. You’ve got one mean reputation, and I mean [b]terrifying[/b]. The kind you have to earn. Not just people spreading rumours and crap. That does [i]not[/i] leave much to doubt.”

She turned her head, trying to better speak to him. ”But I don’t know a damn thing about [u]why[/u] you aimed to achieve that, or [u]what[/u] your mission is. So if you want my honest opinion of you, you're going to have to fill in some blanks for me so I can separate fact from fiction about the Midnight man.”

Khor sighed. “Or do I get smacked in the mouth, ‘only we ask the questions’, or something or other.” She closed her eyes again, her expression just disappointed with herself. [i]And now you’re gonna get smacked in the mouth or worse. Good job! All because you can’t help but speak your mind. Outstanding.[/i]

Ezra's eye curled a bit, clearly delighted with her answer. [b][color=lightgray]”So polite~. Of course I'll give you a bit of clarity.”[/color][/b]

He dabbed the alcohol further down her back, his touch gentle and methodical.

[b][color=lightgray]”The Lady of the Akulas... When Frankie gave me the details of his interrogation with you, I learned a thing or two.”[/color][/b]

With every cut sterilized, he switched to a cloth soaked in water, dabbing away the blood.

[b][color=lightgray]”You almost seemed to [i]want[/i] to kill him. What was it you said? Something about ‘going for a ride?’”[/color][/b] He gave a breathless sigh. [b][color=lightgray]”Fascinating.”[/color][/b]

There was amusement in his tone, [b][color=lightgray]”I am merely here to help you realize your true self. And [I]we[/I] will go on a ride together to see that happen.”[/color][/b] 

The way he said ‘fascinating’ sent waves of conflicting emotion through Khor. A part of if felt perverse, someone peering into something she’d held private from anyone and everyone else. As if he’d just thrust a closet open to let the skeletons collapse to the floor without her consent. Another part felt welcome though, as if a weight was lifted. His acknowledgement of what he found wasn’t laced with malice or disgust, in fact it dripped with warmth, understanding and honest, genuine fascination. She felt something she never had before, a semblance she wasn’t alone.

Not only a moment of understanding, but an offer to help. 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She shuddered, resulting in Erza’s hands digging deeper into her wounds than intended. Pain brought her back to the moment. She fought most of her adult life for something better. Nothing exact or concrete, just enough for those occasional moments that everything felt ok. That people could feel some sense of security to live lives of freedom, however brief. That lust to maim, to slaughter, to kill. It wasn’t her. It was just a tool. Something she dominated in order to achieve what she set out to do. She wasn’t like him. She didn’t play the game for the thrill of it.

Even still, that part of herself she pushed deep down still slipped out on occasion. Now was no exception. She couldn’t help herself seeking some form of connection, a sense of comradery. Her mouth opened, words hesitating, a dying urge to resist the comfort of understanding for something that had no logic, the embrace of empathy for something that deserved no such thing.

Despite all reasonable sense and rational thought, the words finally slipped from her mouth. “What exactly do you mean by [i]fascinating[/i].” She lowered her head, her words creaking the door open to discuss what she guarded so closely, should that be what he aimed to expose.

Ezra's eye curled. [b][color=lightgray]”Perhaps that's something for you to find out.”[/color][/b]

He proceeded to wet and clean the rest of her back, before glancing at the gaze. [b][color=lightgray]”I'll need access to the rest of you so I can wrap these wounds. You won't put up a fuss, yes?[/color][/b]

Khor shrugged. She wasn’t going to say no to her wounds being treated so long as he didn’t get handsy.

He nodded to the guard, who undid the chains binding Khor around the post. The guard then slowly peeled away the top of her shredded outfit, freeing her arms. However, despite her exposed chest he was pointedly behind her. He still had Khor kneel, placing her hands to brace on the post. Quietly, she would be able to hear the unholstering of a pistol.

[b]“Keep your hands there,”[/b] The guard would quietly murmur. 

Khor growled. “So long as neither of you get any ideas, neither will I.” She wasn’t in much condition to fight, and trying to overwhelm however many potential hostiles were in this location would be suicidal, but there were some things worth fighting against no matter what if it came to it.

Ezra, unbothered by Khor’s half nakedness, slowly unrolled a bit of gauze. He gently pressed it to her back, wrapping it with practiced delicateness around her front, careful not to touch anything, before bringing it back over her back. He did this several times, over her shoulder and under her arm, and around her torso, until the wounds were covered.

Satisfied with his work, Ezra stood, moving to the door and knocking on it. About thirty seconds later, it opened, and a guard stationed outside passed a hospital gown and overcoat to him. 

The door shut and locked, and Ezra turned to Khor, holding out the garments to her while pointedly looking at her in the eyes.

[b][color=lightgray]”Change into this, remove your old garments.”[/color][/b]

Khor slid her hands through the sleeves and promptly tied the back tight to avoid the gown snagging on anything. It wasn’t long till its length proved frustrating enough for some impromptu tailoring. Tearing it to length just above her knees she only wore her underwear under the adjusted hospital gown. “Makes it easier to move. Hope you don’t mind.”

[b][color=lightgray]”Not at all.”[/color][/b]

When Khor was done changing, Ezra gave a satisfactory nod. He gestured for Khor to follow him, knocking on the door. It unlocked, and he led Khor down a gray hallway, the guard following closely behind Khor.

Ezra soon led them to another room. It looks like a shooting range, almost. As the door would lock behind Khor, she would see a conveyor belt along the far wall. Noticing the occupants of the room, someone or something activated the belt, rolling in a small crate with little holes in it. It was impossible to see inside, but there were small little mew’s coming from within.

The guard stood beside the door, and Ezra stood beside Khor. He calmly unholstered his pistol, holding it out for Khor to take. His chin gestured to the crate.

[b][color=lightgray]”Shoot it.”[/color][/b]

Khor looked at the handgun before her eyes met his, then back to the gun, reaching for it. “Can’t say you aren’t brave.” She brought the gun to eye level, dragged back the slide and watched a bullet load into the chamber. Full of ammo too. This wasn’t a test of trust, he’d really just handed her a loaded handgun. She huffed a chuckle, bringing sights to the box. If he just wanted to watch her shoot some crates, she could do that.

Then she heard the mewing. Focussed eyes squinting almost disappointed. This was a test. The wrong kind of test. She lowered the gun, both hands still wrapped on it, arms straight, head turned looking at Erza. “Yeah, no. That’s just gross. No risk. No rush. No point.” Her eyes floated to the guard now. “Him on the other hand. He looks capable, weapon ready, well trained even. If you want a real show.” 

She nodded at the guard, tongue running over the back of her teeth, fingers releasing the magazine from the weapon leaving only the bullet in the chamber. “Just give the go and I’ll get started.”

Ezra seemed everso delighted by that answer, chuckling deep. Khor was tensed and all ready to go, it was evident from here. Well, if she wanted the real test, he would be happy to oblige.

[b][color=lightgray]”I have something else in mind…”[/color][/b]

[hr][code]Intermittent post, no points awarded[/code][hr]