EdytkaThe young noblewoman's hair is dishevelled, her bodice stained with grime, and her mask pushed clumsily on top of her head. Holding her skirt high, she is trying her hardest to fight her way through the guards blocking the door. "Just let me go, please, for Throne's sake!" she exclaims when the guards yet again push her aside.
EdytkaThe woman notices you and attempts something resembling a curtsy, but stumbles and falls to her knees. "I'm done! I just can't take it anymore! You're our Celestial Lord/Lady, aren't you?"
YOU"Yes, I am. But you do not look much like a noble lady."
Edytka"I'm Edytka, Your Graciousness. I'm not a noble, not one bit! I just do the laundry and bleach the linens. I've never mixed in high society in my life! Forgive a fool, Your Graciousness..."
YOU"Why are you telling me this? According to the rules, you are meant to pose as a noble, then you get a reward."
Edytka"But I don't want no reward, m'lord/m'lady! I want to get back home!" The woman hangs her head and clutches the lace frills on her dress. Her breathing stutters as she is racked with silent sobs.
YOU"Why are you telling me this? According to the rules, you are meant to pose as a noble, then you get a reward."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why are you trying to escape?"
Edytka"I want to get away before they start putting those... those brands on us. For the tricksters! I'm no kind of trickster, can't you see? I couldn't fool a grox."
YOU"Why are you telling me this? According to the rules, you are meant to pose as a noble, then you get a reward."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why are you trying to escape?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why are you participating in the masquerade in the first place?"
Edytka"It's not like they asked me nicely, Your Graciousness. They grabbed me, shoved me in this dress, and threw me in here. Nobody here was asked. But I don't want to be anybody's toy. I have three boys and a girl, we starch our lords and ladies' undergarments, and we work our fingers to the bone just to get enough scraps for the day!" She shows you her calloused hands, mottled red from chemical burns.
YOU"Why are you telling me this? According to the rules, you are meant to pose as a noble, then you get a reward."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why are you trying to escape?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why are you participating in the masquerade in the first place?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"So, what should I do with you?"
EdytkaGripping the frills of her fabulous dress in her coarse, white-knuckled hands, the woman looks up at you. "Please, Your Graciousness! By the God-Emperor, just let me leave! Nobody who gets put in one of these get-ups ever comes back. If I stay, I won't see my home again, I just know it. I haven't done anything wrong!"
YOU"No one ever comes back? What is that supposed to mean?"
Edytka"Just that, Your Graciousness. It doesn't matter if you get branded or not — once the hunt is over, you're gone. This place is like a grox pit — there's no way back. But I want to live, I want to be useful. Please, please let me go home!"
YOU"No one ever comes back? What is that supposed to mean?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You really don't look like an impostor at all. Guards! Let her go."
EdytkaLacking the courage to object to your demand, the guards reluctantly step aside. As the woman turns to look back at you, you see wet trails on her guileless face. "Thank you, Celestial Lord/Lady! You sweetheart! I'll never forget your kindness!" She bows low and vanishes into the darkness.
end of branch
YOU[Place the brand on Edytka]
EdytkaAll hope fades from the woman's glistening eyes. She wipes her nose with her sleeve and lets out a dejected sigh. "Pardon me, Your Graciousness. You've done as you should. It wasn't right of me to spoil your game."
end of branch
YOU"You really don't look like an impostor at all. Guards! Let her go."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Place the brand on Edytka]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"So, what should I do with you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why are you participating in the masquerade in the first place?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"So, what should I do with you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why are you trying to escape?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why are you participating in the masquerade in the first place?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"So, what should I do with you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Indeed. Remember my face, peasant!"
Edytka"Remembering nobles' faces isn't the done thing on Thassera, m'lord/m'lady — not when they change them five times a day!"
Edytka"I'm Edytka, Your Graciousness. I'm not a noble, not one bit! I just do the laundry and bleach the linens. I've never mixed in high society in my life! Forgive a fool, Your Graciousness..."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Say nothing]
Edytka"I'm Edytka, Your Graciousness. I'm not a noble, not one bit! I just do the laundry and bleach the linens. I've never mixed in high society in my life! Forgive a fool, Your Graciousness..."continues where this line first appears above