The Hard Road to Truth (TaliesinxLady Alainn)

Darren was naturally a light sleeper after all his time on the streets so while he slept through the general noise of the guards he was instantly awake and alert as he heard purposeful footsteps in his direction. He scrambled to sit up, once again plastering himself into the corner. He definitely looked like he hadn't slept much, let alone very well, and he definitely looked very happy to see her. In fact the only person he would be 'happier' to see would be the general himself. It seemed very strange that she would call him 'sir' and he was fairly sure it was just another sarcastic addition to the ensemble.

"Passably well." He answered after a long pause of him getting control of the tidal wave of emotions that had hit him as soon as he had gotten up. Waking up to her smile was not a good way to start the day for him. For once, his voice held no trace of magic. Almost, her smile and sarcastic words made him want to lash out of her, but his honor was the only thing he had right now and there was no way he was going to break that. "Not as nice as the bed you chased me out of, of course." His tone held no accusation, just a tired statement of a fact. He was picking his words very carefully though. It was far too precarious of a situation to speak freely. As he got more and more in control of himself his expression settled into more or less a blank slate.
 
Myleen arched an eyebrow in amusement as the elf's emotions rolled across his delicate features and settled into an impassive mold. She folded her arms across her chest and leaned her shoulder against the wall in the same position she had spent most of her previous visit in. It made her feel like she was in control of the situation, but in reality the agent had little to no idea in how to proceed. Should she begin by torture? Trying to talk sense into him? She snorted silently. How does one talk sense into an animal? Her eyes flitted from his bony hands to his narrow shoulders to his intriguing elongated ears then rested on his shapely lips as he spoke. A strange tingling sensation entered her stomach as she realized just how handsome her captive was. Slow down, girl. He's using his magic against you again! She shook her head to clear it and fell behind her tough girl demeanor again.

"I'm sorry about that, really," she responded dryly. "How can I make it up to you? A firmer mattress? Maybe a pillow?"
 
Darren watched her every movement with the sharp eyes of someone who has had to learn how to read people very quickly to get by. He tilted his head ever so slightly in curiosity as she shook her head, wondering what was going on in that mind of hers. What she said afterwards did not entirely illuminate the situation either. He didn't understand her and while he had a general idea of what she was trying to do he hadn't quite pegged how she planned to get there.

"A blanket would be nice." He decided to respond as if she was being entirely serious. He didn't necessarily want to play her game but his other options were limited. "A return to my previous accommodation would be even nicer." He didn't really like how she looked at him either, something just seemed a bit odd about it. Without thinking about it much he uncurled himself he slipped off the cot and leaned up against the wall somewhat across from her, shaking his head to somewhat settle his hair which was silky enough that it actually untangled almost completely and hung around his face in it's usual style. He crossed one arm over his chest and held his other, a more nervous and defensive position than hers.
 
"I'll see what I can do."

Her eyes followed his movements as he stood up and settled against the opposite wall. Another tickle erupted in her stomach while he shook his hair into place. He seemed so... normal. If elves could be considered normal. If she didn't know better, and if his ability to charm wasn't so obvious, she could have easily mistaken him for a human.

"You're so...human-like... for an animal," she murmured under her breath. A blush stole across her cheeks when she realized she spoke out loud. She cleared her throat and looked away. Her glasses slipped down on her nose, giving her a schoolmarm look. Turning to the door, she banged on it with a fist. "Harry, bring the cuffs!" The door opened and a pair of handcuffs slipped through. Agent Smithers took them and held them out before her.

"We might as well get started. Hold out your hands."
 
Darren's pointed ears twitched at her murmur. He was a bit surprised, though he had heard similar sentiments before. He supposed it was because before it hadn't really effected him much, whereas right now it was his captor saying that he was less than her somehow. The pain he felt at this was more than enough to mitigate any amusement at her embarrassment. His shoulders hunched once again and his already haunted eyes took on a darker tint.

His demeanor changed again when she called for the cuffs and he stiffened. His breathing rate increased sharply. Things had escalated so quickly from their not quite amicable chat. He gave himself a brief mental shake and pulled himself together. He was still shaky, but not panicking. His hands remained firmly where they were as he stared at between the hand cuffs and her for a few moments. "I think I'm good, thanks." It was pointless and he knew it, but he couldn't just give in and give her,and by extension the general, whatever it was they wanted.

So he maintained his position. If she wanted those cuffs on him she was going to have to do it all herself. He wouldn't fight her, but he wouldn't help her either.
 
The elf's change in demeanor did not escape her notice. His eyes haunted her. She looked down at the cuffs in her hands, then back at her captive. What would happen if she let him walk out with her...without the cuffs? Magic, that's what would happen. Agent Smithers crossed the space between them in three easy steps and snapped the first cuff open. Her movements weren't rough, but they certainly weren't gentle. She grasped Darren's first arm to force the cuff on, then yanked him forward to force his arm behind his back. Reaching around his side, she snatched his other arm and brought it behind his back and into the second cuff. It clicked with a finality.

Myleen rapped her knuckles on the door again. "All right, let us out."

She led Darren, ready to drag him if need be, through the common room and down a dark hallway on the opposite side of the floor from his cell. They passed a few metal doors before she paused at one on their right. The door clanged open and a guard stepped forward to grab Darren by the elbow. They brought him to the center of the room where a hook hung suspended from the ceiling. This lowered until the guard could latch the elf's cuffs onto the hook and was quickly raised again until Darren's arms were high above his head and his feet dangled a few inches from the ground.

Myleen took her position leaning against the wall and nodded to the guard. "Have fun." The guard unfurled the whip from his belt, a sadistic grin on his face as he snapped it against the floor to tease the elf.
 
Darren acted almost liked a propped up rag doll to her rough movements, helping just enough so that she didn't end up seriously hurting him in the process. His panic level was once again creeping upwards with his hands secured behind his back. In the cell, there was enough space between him and the magic deadening components that it was just sort of a...compression, in the back of his mind. He could still use his magic, it was just limited in it's scope. The handcuffs were a whole different matter and he had to resist the urge to try and claw them off at all costs. They burned just a little touching his skin, because as an elf his very nature was magical and he felt wrong somehow. He had a return of the nausea and there was almost an ache as the magic that normally radiated from him freely was all contained within his skin.

He was so disconcerted by the sensations he didn't even think of resisting as they moved through the building. He did snap to attention when the other door opened though. He had a bad feeling about the guard immediately and tossed a pleading, fearful glance in Myleen's direction as if she would care to stop what she herself had started. Knowing it was futile though his expression turned more resigned, if not a bit determined, as he was pulled upward a bit too quickly for comfort. He knew the budding ache in his shoulders was going to be the least of his concerns soon.

He couldn't help the flinch at the first crack of the whip, though he pointedly did not look at it or the guard. Instead he cast his gaze at the wall above Myleen and his eye's were quickly taking on the glassy tint of someone who is going 'elsewhere'. He may not be used to people attacking him but it worked well to get him through the cold, wet, heat and hunger that he was entirely too familiar with from being on the run.
 
Myleen had no intention of turning her prisoner into a bloody, meaty mess. The guard used quick, light flicks to encourage welts to appear on the pale skin, but not enough to draw blood. Besides, it stung more this way. She was curious about Darren's resistance to physical harm. Careful to keep her eyes off the face of the elf lest his expression tug at her conscience again, she instead focused on his back, his wrists, the angle of the shoulders that could result in a dislocated shoulder if Darren's body reacted too violently to the burning tongue.

How long the beating continued Agent Smithers didn't know, but the moment the first drop of blood was spotted, she held up her hand and the whip stopped its assault. "Take him down." As the elf was lowered to the ground once more, she casually wondered if the elf would be able to walk back to the cell, or if she'd have to carry him
 
Though Darren was no stranger to being 'checked out' for hours at a time due to cold or other conditions, it was an entirely different sensation to be checked out while someone was deliberately inflicting harm upon him. He found himself in a semi aware state where he couldn't feel anything really but he could catalog the red welts across his skin and he knew that when his focus broke he was going to be in a not inconsiderable amount of pain.

He didn't realize the beating had stopped and that he was being lowered until his knees hit the ground and he 'woke up', looking around himself briefly in confusion. Then the pain hit and he had to clench his teeth against crying out but it still came out as a whimper. He almost wondered if it would have been better to experience the pain gradually. It was too late now.

As his focus spread he became aware of the others in the room once more. It took him another moment to realize the agent was making a move like she would carry him if he didn't get up soon. He set his jaw and breathed through the pain before heading himself up awkwardly. Having his hand still restrained made the task even more challenging. Once he was on his feet he fixed the agent with a pointed look. He would make it (hopefully back to his cell) without assistance.

It was more impressive as his fair skin now looked almost like one giant sunburn. His face was tight with the pain and he was not sure he could talk beyond more undignified noises.
 
The agent turned to the guard as Darren struggled to his feet. "Summon the General, please, and have him meet us in the creature's cell." She gripped Darren's upper arm tightly and shoved him towards the door, doing her best to ignore the whimper that had slipped past his lips. A steely expression settled over her features as she struggled to keep herself from sympathy. She marched the elf back down the corridor from whence they'd come, taking care not to trip over the elf's trodding feet. The elf was quickly deposited in his cell and Myleen sunk onto one of the chairs by the table in the common room to await the general. Her legs felt like jelly, her hands trembled as she clasped them together on top of the table. The raw, tender skin of the elf plagued her thoughts, twisting her insides in a sickening knot. Myleen took in a deep, shaky breath. If the general didn't come soon, she might wretch.
 
The stubbornness that kept Darren on his feet all the way back gave out abruptly as he reached his cell. Before it had been a hated confines, but after the past couple of hours he happily sank onto the bunk like it was the softest bed, only to stiffen and cry out as a searing pain went up his side and radiated from every inch of him pressing against the cot. He hastily stood up, looking around with desperation as he tried to think of some position that would hurt less. His shoulders he couldn't help until he was un-handcuffed but the rest.. He finally decided if he knelt on the floor and rested his head against the side of the cot, it would be about as good as it was going to get. With a sigh of relief he pressed his head against the cool metal and wished for sleep.

General Stone took a bit longer to arrive this time, a good 10 minutes at least and his expression was rather expectant. "Did you have some good news already agent?" He was hopeful, but he hadn't missed the fact that she seemed rather...off.
 
As the general approached her, Myleen forced all of her emotions into a little bottle in her stomach to appear as composed as possible. She stood up quickly and offered him a quick salute. "Sir! The prisoner is weak and possibly ready for interrogation." An apologetic look accompanied the last of her words. "I've never dealt with his kind before, Sir." The guard escorted them into the elf's cell. Instead of leaning against the wall, this time Myleen clasped her hands behind her back and stood next to the general. She was curious what the general would do with the poor creature and also apprehensive.
 
Stone nodded, the hint of concern he felt banished by her words. "Well we shall see." He paused in his approach to the door, giving Myleen a knowing, comforting smile. "I know, they are quite disconcerting eh? It's their best defense mechanism." Then he strode through the open door, looking the miserable elf over with an approving nod.

Darren was not thrilled to see he was going to be subjected to more company right now, though he was not particularly surprised. however while he was in a great deal of pain he was far from broken. While he did not try to stand up and present himself better(which was admittedly a blow to his pride), the look he fixed the general with did not in any way indicate that he was ready to do any of the things the general wanted.

Stone frowned a little, glancing at Myleen out of the corner of his eye and wondering what she was thinking, bringing him to the elf when it was so obviously spirited still. He was actually a bit surprised to see the elf who had huddled in the corner of the cell like a frightened child so resistant after what looked like a pretty thorough torture session. "Enjoying our hospitality so far?" He finally said in a companionable tone.

Darren fixed him with an annoyed look and a heavy sigh, as if the general was quite boring.

Stone did not take that too well but decided to use a little reasoning here. "It doesn't have to be like this you know. These are the cells for only the most dangerous and disagreeable. If you apologize and behave you could see an upgrade in accommodations."

Darren closed his eyes, once again wondering as to the true status of his parents. He almost did, just to see if maybe...just maybe, they might be there waiting. He knew he was just being nonsensical though and grit his teeth once more as he shoved the urge down. "Whatever it is you are trying to get from me, I won't do it." He was no good at anything other than the basic little magics anyway. He still had no idea what had happened with that huge surge of magic before. He certainly hadn't had the time to really think about it. He'd almost forgotten at this point.

General stone shook his head, the brat really was far too much like his parents but his pain had just begun and Stone didn't think the boy would last too much longer. "If that is what you want." He knocked on the door and strode out with a steely expression, waiting for Myleen. "I don't want to see that elf again until he is ready to eat out of my hand like the dog he is. He is far too dangerous to have that kind of behavior." He paused for only a second, perhaps having a moment of intuition. "You have a week or we will have to put him down." That was a bit tight of a deadline but he wanted to firm up Myleens resolve. With that he strode away.
 
"General, wait!" Myleen hurried her step to catch up to the general. His words had been a blow to her pride but she was determined to do better. "If I knew what I was preparing him for, it might be easier to figure out how to break him. What do you want from him?"
 
General Stone paused and turned to look at her, his face a blank mask as he thought it over. If she was able to push through and actually succeed at this...well a promotion might be in order. He tilted his head a bit and smiled secretively. "For the moment, that's top secret. Let's just say he needs to be an obedient pet for the government." He looked her over for a moment. "If you succeed you will be able to follow him to higher places." The way he said that made it clear he meant she would then get to see just what happened to those magicals that 'disappeared'. "He could even be your pet." He didn't bother to hide the knowing smile. The elf was certainly quite attractive, he couldn't blame her. He didn't mind spending a bit of a time with some of the female elves either.
 
Chagrin prickled her skin at the general's knowing look. She had hoped those mixed feelings were limited only to the butterflies in her stomach. Apparently, they weren't. Taking a deep breath, she nodded her head. "Yes, sir. I will see you in a week... hopefully less." She spun on her heel and marched back to the cell, barking orders at the guards as she approached.

"Harry, get the Shocker warmed up and Christopher, get my room ready." Agent Smithers snapped her fingers. "Now, Harry, now! He's not going to get any more dehydrated than he is now." Her stomach started rolling again in queasy waves as she processed what she was about to do. His skin tender, his body dry, it meant maximum pain from the electric shocker.

"He could go into cardiac arrest-" Christopher warned. Myleen cut him off.

"Then get the life machine prepped. If his heart gives out, we'll bring him back and shock him again." The door opened to the cell and she stepped through, a determined look on her face. Her eyes bore into her captive's. "He's not dying on my watch."

Cuffs were snapped onto the elf's wrists for the second time that day. Any feeble attempt he'd make to resist would be instantly over-riden. The elf was roughly escorted to another room along the dark hallway they had come down before. This one was home to a contraption that looked like an operation table, but clearly wasn't. Needles charged with electricity hung above the metal table giving off a disturbing hum. It was a horrible contraption, meant to prick and shock a person in the worst locations to bring about maximum agony. Off to the side stood a cart with pumps and an oxygen tank-- the life machine. The two guards forced Darren onto the table and strapped him down. Myleen turned her back on the scene as another sickening wave rolled in her stomach.

"Don't stop until he begs for mercy. I want him balling like a baby, got it? Come and get me when you think he's had enough." She left the room and made her way back to the common area where she sat down on a chair, propped her elbows on the table, and plugged her fingers in her ears to ward off the screaming that was destined to come.
 
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Darren had just started to think about charming himself to sleep when there seemed to be some sort of commotion from outside his cell. His empty stomach started to turn as he anticipated things getting much worse. He couldn't deny the trepidation he felt as the door opened, but he attempted to steel himself as he was pulled to his feet. Somewhere in the haze of fear he felt like there was almost some second meaning to what she said as she met his eyes, but he had no idea what that might be.

As they opened the door to the room he felt his heart stop and he hadn't even made it to the table yet. He tried to fight briefly, to pull and run away but since even then he wouldn't put out enough force to actually hurt them he didn't get very far. He was worn out from the previous torture already.

Lying on the table he tried desperately to do what he had done last time. He couldn't seem to find 'away' in time before the first shock hit and after that he had no chance. He managed to keep it to groans of pain for the first couple but each shock seemed worst than the last and it wasn't long before everyone on the floor could hear him. In between the screams he strained for his magic, trying to charm without success. Eventually he lost himself in the pain and when he came back, when the pain receded just agonizing soreness and painful tingles, he realized he finally must have said the right thing. He had probably begged but he honestly didn't care right now. If the pain stopped that was all that mattered.

His throat was so raw it was surprising he had been able to talk at all. His face felt sticky from the tears of pain, wasting precious water he didn't have much of anyway. If he could see his body...well it was still twitching a bit and the contacts from the needles looked decidedly unpleasant.

Now that it had stopped he tried to lie very still and wished. He wasn't sure what he was wishing for, but he was wishing.
 
Myleen couldn't cram enough of her fingers into her eardrums to block the agonized screams that rocked the building. Tears streamed down her own face as she sat huddled in the common room. She was losing her composure. In her usual cases, the person she sentenced to the Shocker had committed a crime so egregious they deserved what they got. She could pull the faces of the innocent victims into her mind and focus on the justice they were receiving. But this elf had no abused victims in his wake. A pet. That was what the general had said. Her stomach knotted as another scream shattered her eardrums and sank as she started coming to horrendous conclusions.

Finally, the screams abated. She wiped her eyes in time to hide the fact she'd been crying when Harry came to get her. "He's had enough." Agent Smithers straightened her shoulders, stood up, and followed him into the room. At the sight of the elf, she could feel moisture build up behind her eyes again. She quickly blinked them back and approached the table cautiously.

"Are you ready to cooperate now, elf?" her voice faltered, but strengthened as she slipped into interrogation mode. "Will you behave for the general like a good little pet?"
 
Darren had slipped deeply into his own mind in the short amount of time it took them to get Myleen, cataloging his hurts and trying so hard not to think about anything. After the first round he had felt fairly confident. It had hurt like hell and had sucked, but at the time he felt like he could deal with it. This chamber though...His eyes snapped open at the sound of Myleen's voice, eyes he hadn't even realized he'd closed. He was only slightly less afraid of her than the ones who had done this to him now.

Unsurprisingly, her words left him with some serious mixed feelings. On one hand, hearing the word pet made him cringe and just a hint of rebellion once again kindle within him. On the other, much larger hand, he really, really did not want to go through this again or anything worse she came up with. He couldn't help but hunch his shoulders at the very thought and took a shaky, slightly tearful breath before he was calm enough to answer. "P-please..." He whimpered, sounding quite pathetic. "I-I will. Just take me down." It was easy to promise just about anything, so long as he was not subjected to anything else right now.
 
Relief softened her features when he offered no resistance after being called a pet. Hopefully this session had been enough. Agent Smithers pivoted on her heel to leave the room. "Clean him up and take him back to his cell." As the two guards set about unbinding the elf and half-carrying, half-dragging his lanky body to his cell, she took a detour to the emergency supply closet to dig out a soft blanket for his bed. After selecting a satisfactory one, she clutched it to her chest and hurried to his cell. The guards were just leaving. Myleen slipped in as they closed the door, but froze at the sight of the elf. Not a word did she speak nor a movement did she make, her eyes glued to the wretched elf.
 
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