``I SIGNED UP FOR THIS GAME ; VAUGHN

[Alegra Silvertongue]

"You caught me," she said sarcastically. "I'm secretly suicidal but too cowardly to end myself, so I traipse around in my knightly attire hoping that someone'll run me through with a sword one of these days." She couldn't help but be surprised by the intelligence behind the assumption. It was incorrect, of course, but even so, she herself had never realized that what she did could be looked at that way. Add in how calmly she was accepting the dagger held at her throat, and it was no wonder he would assume that. It fascinated her.

She made a face when he claimed that she was too passive, not that he could see. Odd as it was in a situation like this, but Alegra also found herself flattered by him referring to her as a knight. Most other men would tell her she was 'trying' to be a knight or that she was 'playing around'; even her brother used those terms. He was the first person (granted that he was also the only other person who knew) to know that she was female and still use the word to identify. "Passive," she repeated, thinking about it. She was rarely passive in anything, really, unless she was completely at another person's mercy; which she was. "If I begged and cried, would you let me go?" she inquired curiously. Of course, even if he said yes - which she extremely doubted he would - she didn't know if she would do it. Was she capable of begging, even to save her own life? It was unclear, even to her.

[Vaughn Adeney]

Vaughn grinned. "Now that makes more sense," he said, also sarcastic, but you never know. Someone out there could be as messed up as that and find posing as a knight, the only way to end their miserable life. "Besides, it would grant you what all knights desire: the most honorable death." To die in battle was a great honor. To die serving a king. To have your loyalty attached to someone. The concept was as ridiculous now as it was when he used to be like that. He much preferred this life of solitude. He served no one. He served nothing.

Vaughn pretended like he needed to think about the question. "Would it not be worth a try for you to do so? Desperate people do desperate things. And right now, this situation is out of your control." At least so far it was, while he still did not plan on killing her, he still wanted it to sound like the thought was in his mind. Who knows. He could always change his mind.

[Alegra Silvertongue]

She chuckled softly at his returned sarcasm - or at least, she was pretty sure it was sarcasm. If he'd actually believed her, though, she would be equally amused, so the laugh fit either way. "Honorable death," she echoed, snorting. That was the least thing she wanted. Alegra wasn't a knight for the glory, the reputation, the honor; especially since because no one knew her identity, it could never truly be awarded to her. Having a name other than your own honored for your own deeds would be more troublesome than not being honored at all. "Too conventional for me," she announced. "I want the way I die to be interesting, something to ponder while it's happening."

She listened to him as she spoke, and even considered what he said, but eventually decided against it. "But I'm not desperate," she explained. "I don't want to die - that's a hint to remove the blade from my neck, if you start feeling generous - but it's got to happen some time. I have no huge event planned for the future to look forward to, nothing, at least to my knowledge, so amazing in my future that this moment wouldn't be as good as any other." In fact, her future was looking fairly dull at the moment. She would continue living at the estate, continue being pressured by her mother and society and reprimanded when she did not adhere to their wishes. She could disappear into the night, sure, but what could would that do her? The only two people in the world she really, truly cared about, were at home, even if they did not particularly like the way she handled herself.

[Vaughn Adeney]

"And what to you would be an interesting death?" It was a bit of a morbid question to ask; what someone envisioned their death to be. Vaughn had no answer to the question. To him, no death was honorable. Death was death. Whether they suffered or not during the process, it did not matter. Death was the only guarantee in life. And that was why he did not fear it. It was what really defined who he was. Cold. Insensitive. Emotionless. Everything that made him a cruel person came from his reckless disregard for death, accepting it when it decided to meet him.

Vaughn chuckled yet again. "Then consider meeting me, your greatest adventure." If she had nothing to look forward to, then maybe he would just have to honor her with his company, repeatedly. He lowered the dagger, released his hand and took a step back from her. He casually placed the dagger back in the holder strapped to his side. "I am not going to kill you. I need you alive." He had a plan, and now, he just had to put it in motion.

[Alegra Silvertongue]

What would be an interesting death? That was a good question. Alegra wasn't entirely sure she knew, if only because part of what would make it so interesting would (hopefully) be that it was entirely unexpected. "I'm not entirely certain," she admitted. "Something unheard of. Perhaps being killed by an animal previously thought harmless. Or maybe just something ironic, like a sickness." There would seen nothing "ironic" about that to most people, considering how many people succumbed to it, but that was part of what would make it so for her. No one, especially her, could expect that a person like herself could be brought down by something so entirely normal.

As grateful as she was when he lowered the dagger and released her, she could not help but be suspicious. Was he really just going to leave it there? His following words gave her her answer: no, of course he wasn't. "I need you alive." Her expression immediately became wary, and she looked him over as if hoping to gain a hint as to what he had in mind simply from his face. When she found none, she sighed, rubbing her neck where the dagger had been and trying to make sure that there wasn't even a small cut. She didn't think her mother would believe that two rocks had somehow managed to find their way to her flesh. "Why do I get the feeling that before this is over, I'll wish you had simply killed me?" she wondered aloud. "What is it you need me for?"

[Vaughn Adeney]

Vaughn could not help but laugh at her answer. It was not something he had expected to hear. She sought the unexpected, and apparently ironic. "To die from a sickness would be a terrible shame for a woman like you. For one who craves adventure, you should have a more dramatic death than that." She was clearly outgoing, and obviously did things that no one would expect of her. To lie on her death bed, ill, would be a terrible shame. "Such a waste," he added for extra emphasis.

"Trust your instincts because in this case, they are correct." He was still smiling at her. "You say you want adventure, I will give it to you." Though perhaps blackmail was not the greatest adventure, Vaughn was fairly certain that their future encounters would be anything but ordinary. "It seems I have discovered a secret of yours. A great one that if anyone were to find out about, you and your family would pay the price." He knew she was not stupid. She seemed intelligent enough to know the consequences of what would happen if anyone found out she disguised herself as a knight. "And I intend to keep that secret." Only, there was more. "For the right price," he said, with a devilish smile and a sinister gleam in his eyes.

[Alegra Silvertongue]

"Death of any sort would be a shame for a person like me," she added, a bit of her cheeky side showing through again. She was being mildly sarcastic, of course. She was proud, yes, but egotistical? Not so much. "But it would certainly be unexpected. I'd have quite the time contemplating it up until I did die." It was a dark concept, even to her, to speak so nonchalantly of considering death while on the brink of it, but she knew herself, and knew that was exactly what she would do. In fact, depending on how uncomfortable the sickness was, she might even manage to find humor in the situation.

Alegra watched him carefully. When he offered her an "adventure," she nearly corrected him and reminded him that she had said nothing of sort, but then decided that doing so would only postpone the inevitable; there was surely a follow-up statement, one that she was anxious to hear and get it over with. As he began going on about her secret, the sinking feeling in her stomach only got worse - this was not going to go well, she could tell. Even when he announced that he would keep the secret, she didn't react. She was not stupid enough to assume that that would be the end of it, and was proven correct when he finished speaking; a price? "What price?" she asked curtly.

[Vaughn Adeney]

"You never know how much time you may have." Her life could have ended tonight. He could have just slit her throat and be done with it. But then, he would not get anything from it. This way, he would be able to make some money and make sure he would not have to find ulterior ways to get it. Of course, part of the reason he was doing this, was because he could. Because he had the power to. And because he enjoyed having a hold over someone else.

Vaughn was both glad and disappointed that he would not have to argue about it. It only meant that she knew she would have to pay him in order for him to keep this secret. Did she actually trust him to? Well, she had very little choice in this moment. "How much do you think a secret like this is worth?" He wanted to know how much she thought she should pay him to keep her identity a secret.

[Alegra Silvertongue]

"That's very true," she agreed, "and it's all the more reason for me to not dread it when it comes. That'll just make the experience less pleasant." Was she really so cold in regards to her own death? Surprisingly, yes. She valued her life, but she also knew that willpower alone couldn't keep her alive in an instance where it was no longer her choice. If she had the power to keep herself alive, she would do so, but if she didn't - which was far more likely - there would be no point in allowing herself to hope that she could. It was bes to just accept it and bide her time while she waited. She didn't actually spend a whole lot of time considering all of this, but when she did, she was very resolute in her thoughts.

The fact that he wanted to know how much she thought it was worth was slightly annoying to her. Her secret was worth everything; but, despite that, she would not be willing to pay 'everything' to keep it. Such was the way such a twisted world worked. "I suspect it's worth however much you plan on asking for it," she said dryly. "You know that I'll pay whatever price you ask for," monetary, at least, she added in her head, "and I don't have the slightest clue how much you're interested in. Regardless, I would either offer too much and let you get away with more than I could have, or offer too little and suffer further mockery from you." She lifted a shoulder in a half-shrug. "What is it you're demanding?"

[Vaughn Adeney]

What was he demanding? That was such a loaded question with so many different responses that Vaughn did not even know where to begin. He could ask for anything right now, and he would get it. Vaughn however was not someone who wanted too much. He wanted enough to get food, and enough to travel with. To have far too many gold and riches was useless to him as he did not plan to settle in one place. He had no home, and doubted he ever would. But this nomadic lifestyle was a choice. If he had wanted any other lifestyle, he would not have left his home, for there, he lived luxuriously, like a true noble.

"I want an answer," he said simply. He had an idea in his mind, but really just wanted to hear how much she would offer for it. He would not take more than he needed, or maybe he would just for the fun of it. "How much wealth could you get away with distributing to protect your secret, and how much are you willing to distribute. I am curious." That was all it was; sheer curiosity. "Otherwise, it will not be wealth I would choose to steal from you, but perhaps your virtue." Vaughn in actuality, not really go as far to do that. He was not that corrupted that he would expect a more intimate expense to protecting his secret. It was the same reason he did not pay women in brothels and bars. Why waste money on such a thing when it was easily achievable for free, and without force.

[Alegra Silvertongue]

Alegra sighed, frustrated, and waved her hand. How much could she get away with? "More than whatever you're looking for, I assure you." She was not being conceited or over-emphasizing her family's wealth. They were among the richest of the local Noble families, and all Alegra had to do was tell her mother that she wanted to buy new dresses (or anything cosmetic that remotely hinted at her desire to be more feminine, really) to receive whatever sum she really asked for. Of course, she didn't do this often, as she rarely had any use for the money, so there was little point in requesting it.

She raised both brows when he rather callously informed her of just what else he might choose to take. Her initial reaction, of course, was sheer outrage, such that it tinted her cheeks pink with it, vibrantly enough to be seen even in such little light. However, then she began doing what she was wont to do in such a situation; she began considering. Since she really had no plans to marry... And it could make things so much simpler... No, absolutely not. She clicked her tongue, nearly disgusted with herself for even trying to think that way. If she did that, he could very easily take advantage of her and then demand money anyway, and she had far too much pride to consider trading her body away. "Whatever you need to live on, and perhaps a bit excess," she said, her brow knitting. "I don't handle our finances, so I don't know how much that is. You have a better idea than I."

[Vaughn Adeney]

"That sounds promising," he said when she assured him that they could handle any amount of money. Vaughn knew that this meant he could keep this up for quite a bit of time. His intention was not to make her family bankrupt of course. Not that he cared about the well being of her family. It just meant that his fun would end. Seeing her emotions seem to alter, even in the slightest, meant that he had presented a situation that she was not comfortable with. Then again, if she had been, it only would have meant that she had lost her virtue long ago.

"How much do you think a knight would live on? You seem like a reasonably intelligent girl." Yes, he called her girl. "Tell me. Based on your opinion of all that you have seen in your travels. What do you think would be a decent amount for a man to get by in, oh well lets say for about a week." He paused for a moment. "Monetary wise. The other possibility would have to be on a different basis." While not truly considering it as an option, it was fun for him to entertain the idea with her.

[Alegra Silvertongue]

Though it did not show in the slightest on her face, Alegra was fuming on the inside at her utter helplessness in such a situation. What a fool she'd been! She really needed to start listening to instinct, she decided; then she would not find herself in such unpleasant positions. When he went about asking her opinion again, she scowled. She honestly, truly didn't have any idea in the slightest; she didn't know how much a loaf of bread costed, much less how much a man could need to get by on for a week. She absentmindedly began to twist a lock of hair between two fingers as she considered, trying to recall any indication of any expense of living for her to base her approximation off of. Giving up after only a few seconds, she finally named a price much higher than any he was likely expecting, namely because she was fairly sure that it would cover - hopefully - whatever needs he had.

When he continued to speak of other things, she shook her head at him, allowing the hair to unravel itself only to begin twisting it again. Was there no way to dissuade this man?! Probably not. Well, if there was no way to get him to come off it, she was equally apt at teasing. "I'm afraid you'll have to be on your best behavior if you wish to receive extra treatment," she informed him. "I am, after all, a girl -" the emphasis was extremely slight, but there none the less, "- with standards."

[Vaughn Adeney]

Vaughn chuckled at her remark, deciding that he would focus more on the idea of another kind of blackmail, rather than receiving money for it. "I must do nothing. If you wish to protect your secret, it is you who must be in full compliance." Really. How far would she go with this? Vaughn was going to test out that theory. For a man with no morals, he had no problem testing her limits. "What a scandal that would be, if anyone were to ever find out."

Vaughn was very tempted to see where she lived. Maybe he would give himself a tour later on. He had the name, the place would be easy enough to find but he truly was curious as to what kind of family Alegra had, and what sort of estate she owned. If what she spoke was true, then it really would be a rather large one. "Lucky for you, I am a man who can meet anyones high standards." He was not above boasting, especially if he was not actually going to go through with this. But then she did not know that, not right now. "The time for talking seems to have drawn to an end. Should we go somewhere more private to begin the first payment. Unless you would like to put on another show, this time for others who lurk around. I doubt it will be as violent as the last."

[Alegra Silvertongue]

Her lips parted and she gaped at him, nearly unable to believe what he was saying. "Do you think I'm that easy?" Her voice was startlingly lacking in anger, and instead it simply sounded sligtly curious and utterly shocked - so shocked that she did not even notice the crass language she had used (though if she had noticed, she still would not have taken it back, as it best summed up what it was she wanted to know). Had she given off that impression? If she had, that was certainly something needed to work on. She wracked her mind, trying to remember what she could have said that would make him think that. When she could think of none, she simply continued to stare at him.

Were she any other woman, she would've blushed at his boasting; in fact, even in her normal state, she might have at least pinkened a little. However, as she was, she could barely refrain from snorting. As if she cared to hear about his skill with intimacy? He was attractive, there was no denying that, but she was not so easily submissive. "The secret is not worth my body," she stated firmly. "If you wish to milk it, go about it more intelligently. I will pay you for it, but not like this. If this is truly all you want, then you forfeit your ability to gain anything."

[Vaughn Adeney]

"I am going to assume that is a rhetorical question," he commented when she asked him if he thought she was that easy. He had after all been testing really. Was she really that easy to convince of such a thing? Probably not. Judging from her stubborn attitude he had a feeling that would create a whole new set of defensive remarks from her, if anyone questioned her virtue and what they had to do bed her. Vaughn was not that interested in details. He would only ask, if it annoyed her and therefore, created furthermore entertainment.

At her refusal to do so, he laughed, a deep and highly amused chuckle. He would not say he was kidding about it, nor would he apologize for making such assumptions. He would merely display signs of humor. "Forfeit my ability to gain anything," he repeated, pretending to ponder deeply over these words. "You truly make it sound like you have a choice in this situation. Is your body not worth protecting your family that you claim to love so dearly?" He wondered if she would do it, to protect them. After all, the punishment for posing as a knight was harsh and would most probably affect her mother and brother, not just her.

[Alegra Silvertongue]

She refrained from commenting when he noted that it was a rhetorical question, but such a response answered her anyway, and she was relieved. If she had, in fact, given off that impression, she was certain he wouldn't made much more of a joke about it, and would have started it much earlier. However, the relief only lasted moments before she heard him laughing, a sound that she was rapidly growing to despise as it could only mean that he was going to say something to put her in even more of a wretched situation. And, as she had assumed, she was correct. Alegra couldn't help but think that it was far too late at night for things to be spiraling out of control like this.

"I do have a choice," she stated before she had even absorbed all of what he said. "I always have a choice." No matter what the situation was, no one in the world could take away her right to decide things for her own, nor would she ever let them. The rest of his comment, however, weakened her resolve; not that she let him see that. The whole thing was beginning to make her feel ill. Already, he had guessed her only real weakness. Of course she would do it for them; she would do anything for them. But he didn't have to know that. Without hesitation, she clearly repeated, "My body is not a price you can demand, family or no. You may choose something else or choose to report me, but I'm offering you impressive monetary compensation, and you would gain far less if you simply told on me."

[Vaughn Adeney]

Vaughn she was right, which was why he had not actually intended to go forward with any other plan of telling on her, or the other option he had been suggesting. He knew he would get far more to gain money, unless he was some pervert who could find no other way to satisfy his nightly pleasures. But this was not the case for Vaughn. Thankfully, he was not an unsatisfied man. "Just be sure you make the right choice as you empower yourself with the belief that you have one." She chose to cooperate with him, which was the wisest choice she could make. Of course, cooperate as far as giving money went, nothing more. It was sensible. Decent. Though Vaughn could not help but wonder if things would go so far, that she would submit to such demands. Probably not. Not from the determined way she was speaking right now.

"I do not think it is possible to gain less from telling, or not telling and getting compensation and reward for my discretion." Again, he knew she was right to assume that money was the best way to go, but where was the fun in just admitting it and moving on? "So if I only asked for one thing, the virtue of a noblewoman, and if I were to say it was the only way to save your family, you would not submit?" He gave her a slightly crooked smile. "For people you claim to love a great deal, it does not seem you would do whatever it took to protect them." Vaughn knew that it was just a hypothetical situation, but the fact that he was still implying that that was what he was asking for, well, he was hoping she would believe him....for now.

[Alegra Silvertongue]

"I am making the right choice," she stated, her words hard with truth. "Were I to submit to such a thing, you would surely not stop there and continue to test how far I was willing to go." It was a statement, not a question. "I am slave to no man, and I do not intend to start here." He did have power over her right now; that much was entirely undeniable. However, he did not have that much, and she was at loathe to give him even the slightest bit more. The amount he had now was bad enough.

She bristled at his very use of the word "submit," despite the fact that she had used it herself. His words were assaulting and stretching the hole in the armor that she had carefully constructed around herself many years earlier, and her eyes were alive, blazing with the intensity of it, like two separate fires on her face instead of methods of seeing. "The word 'save' is over-dramatic," she muttered ruefully. "You can not have my body as payment." She'd said it many times, and she wasn't exactly answering his question, but it was also clear that that was the closest to an answer he would receive. When he not-so-discreetly questioned her love for them, she couldn't help the small pang of hurt that swam through her chest, but placated herself with the knowledge that if it did come to that, she would do as he asked; she simply wouldn't let it come to that.

[Vaughn Adeney]

"I am already trying to see how far you would go, and clearly, it is not that far at all." He was again, just trying to emphasize what she was not willing to do, rather than focus on what she was. "Never the less, money should be satisfactory." He would get more use out of that than anything else. This situation was perfect. "Instead of getting one huge payment, we will ration it out a bit." He was leading up to just how frequent that would be. "I have not fully decided yet. Lets start with once every month." If he found it would be fun to get more than that, then he would. But he was certainly not going to ask for a large sum all at once. The fun would be too short lived. He would get the money and then thats it, it would be over. This way, he could keep it going for however long it kept his amusement.

He was still smirking, enjoying this conversation far too much, even though she was not. Perhaps that was what made him like it all the more.