(~ Chapter One: The Idea ~)

While the nobles squabbled and discussed the upcoming election, the urchins of the streets of Magnagora jeered and snickered in the shadows. A few thought themselves quite clever and would gather trading poems and songs, satisfied to idle in the filth than use their gifts towards advancing themselves or the Engine. They called themselves the true starving artists among the Cogs, but truly were nothing more than laze about dilettantes.

 

"Oi, 'ere, I bet we kin start a ruckus," said a brown-haired human female. 

 

"What's yer plan?" replied a dark-skinned, filthy male of indeterminate race.

 

"Nick me some vellums, let's rhyme up dis election. It's poi-fectly inspirin' the way the nobles are goings about!" she exclaimed.

 

"Jojo, you's a fool..." the male retorted with a roll of his eyes. 

 

"Better 'an you, you lump. When's the last time your take was bigger 'an mine, Ferr?" she shot back with a glare, using his gang name in turn, the only ones exchanged among the Cogs. 

 

"Argh, fine fine, whatever Jojo." Ferr relented.

 

-----

 

The next morning, outside the Council chambers, a grimy letter was found on the floor. Upon the soiled vellum, a poem was written in near indiscernible text...

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[The Lies You Tell]

The lies you tell, the lies you tell...

They drip like honey sweet... 

 

Rolling in a viscous state,

Pois'ning all you meet... 

 

Twisting words, sounding dire...

You give kind things a heat...

 

Wash me not with vile words,

Or brandish tall your swords... 

 

Tis not a game I wish to play,

Try again another day... 

 

'Cause truth will out in the end

How will you take to being beat?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

The first nobles to arrive read the letter, refusing to touch the filth, as their faces erupted into several shades of crimson. Soon enough, more angry debate broke loose demanding to know the perpetrator of such atrocities.

 

"Completely undignified!"

 

"Below the belt!"

 

"Rude and savage!"

 

"Uncalled for!!"

 

Meanwhile, snickers and giggles were completely masked by the fury and outrage of the gathered group. Jojo and Ferr stuck to the plentiful protection of the shadows, enjoying the first-hand entertainment. As the shouts grew louder, they stealthily fled, staying close to the darkness, still snickering with every step.

 

"Oh! Now that was grand!!"

 

"We -must- do it again! What you's say Ferr?" 

 

"I'm in!"

 

 

================================================================

(~ Chapter Two: Just Having Fun ~)

 

"Where's dis one a-goin', Jojo?" 

 

"Hm! How's about the News? I bet them nobles go there often now. P'litics always makes news."

 

"Ooh, good choice. You's a crafty one Jojo."

 

A cunning gleam in her eye belied the muck smudging her face as she replied in a self-satisfied manner, "O' course!"

 

With a snicker and a jeer, she let the bit of vellum "slip" from her hands as they passed the News, blending with the city's gloom and looking quite downtrodden as to avoid notice. No one bothered a beaten and meek urchin. Scaling a rooftop nearby, they watched the show.

 

In short order a noble election candidate sauntered up and found the derogatory poem. Flushing angrily, the gentleman looked from the right to the left as if to spy the culprit. As other aristocracy arrived, the letter soon circulated amidst furious discussion...

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[Talk, Balk, Shock]

A parade or farce I cannot tell.

In the streets people yell.

They talk a lot pell mell. 

A Warlord they wish to fell.

 

Banter, crimes, all is talk.

Many came just to balk.

Revealing things that did shock.

But all I heard was more mock.

 

A voice of reason came at last.

One of present and past.

Seeking that our vote be cast.

For she too was aghast.

 

Things got hairy even then,

There was much we had to ken

Truths? Lies? There were ten... 

Spoken between mighty men.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

"Good citizens of our Grand Dominion. We shall see these criminals punished for their crimes against Etiquette and Inappropriate Conduct!" clamoured the Council. Each one stood fully prepared to exact full justice on those who would make a mockery of such an important event.

 

Jojo and Ferr were quite pleased with themselves as the shrieks and outcries of the nobles reached their ears. Each shrill voice of indignation was a sweet song for their long-abused hearts. 

 

"Serves 'em right."

 

"Jojo, maybe this is 'nuff. They sound awfuls mad."

 

"Not like they done nuthin' for us. Some streets truth should 'umble 'em good."

 

"If you say so Jojo..." Ferr was uncertain but willing to play along, because it really was entertaining.

 

 

================================================================

(~ Chapter Three: Beg For It ~)

 

Jojo smiled wickedly. "This election is a right inspirin' circus. We've a new letter to drop!"

 

Ferr read through the letter... 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[More for the Fire!]

Warlord against the world, 

Election come unfurled,

As candidates did flock.

 

Not time yet, tick tock,

Then more came just to hawk,

Then to run just because...

 

Did none of them think to pause?

'fore digging in sharp-tipped claws?

While vying for such a post?

 

Many were there just to coast,

Not looking to lead but to boast,

And watch the fire ignite and flame... 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

"Oh Jojo... this is somewhat else." Ferr looked on with concern. "Maybe you should change yer writin' a bit. Hide yer letters to be writ like 'nother."

 

"No, what's da point? Theys never gives us a second look. 'Cept to collar us. Or beg from us." Jojo was intent and haughty. "Maybes it's our turn for some funnin' on dem?"

 

"Jojo, I'm done. I dun like it. It-" Ferr cut off as a college student rounded the corner. They were dangerously close to the Megalith and could be easily noticed. He slipped the letter back to Jojo. One thing you learned on the street, watch your own back because no one else will.

 

Jojo grinned and her eyes gleamed, then placed herself prominently so the student could see her. The student was a typically refined, young noble-to-be. Well-dressed, yet naive and referring to her map frequently at every step. 

 

The collegian smiled pleasantly at finding an urchin to influence. She sauntered up, trying to behave so nobly and began her begging. Pleading with Jojo who acted quite unconvinced about the student's destitute state.

 

With a dramatic fling of her hands and an exasperated sigh, Jojo pretended to rummage in her grimy trousers and handed the student the paper. Jojo shrugged, appearing apologetic, when the student grimaced and tucked the letter into her pack.

 

Ferr rolled his eyes, sticking to the shadows and refusing to deal with another begging noble "wannabe" and shook his head in Jojo's direction. After the young citizen left, Jojo and Ferr turned away from the Megalith and the Centre of the Necropolis to make a stealthy escape.

 

-----

 

A Viscount eyed the slovenly collegian next to him with some disdain, he had seen this one often idling by the Megalith, not advancing or progressing much. He made her a polite bow of the head and spied an unscrupulous-looking letter in her hands. 

 

"See here young one, what is that?"

 

"A poem, I think. It is not terribly good."

 

"Who gave it to you?"

 

"Um, I forget. It is just talking about the election."

 

"Perhaps I might review, if you would be so kind?"

 

"Aye sir." She curtseyed to him as protocol demanded and handed him the ragged letter.

 

'At least she has manners,' he thought and looked to the writing. 

 

"Now, you did not write this, did you?" He gave her a stern, hard look.

 

"Nay, sir. I was influencing urchins and one gave that to me."

 

"Did you remember the urchin? The appearance? Perhaps a name mistakenly spoken?" 

 

"Oh. No. The urchins all look the same to me though. Dirty and filthy..."

 

"Next time, do make note of the urchin with more acuity and report it immediately. For now, I shall forward this to the Council and Constabulary."

 

 

================================================================

(~ Chapter Four: The Finale ~)

 

"Hey Ferr! You hear??"

 

A rumbling came from beneath some tattered blankets at the Cogs in the Smog headquarters. With a grunt of confirmation, Ferr responded, "Yeah, yeah, where's else I'd be, yeah?"

 

"Some old bloke rose from the dead to be Warlord!"

 

"Oi, theys all rising from the dead, theys undead."

 

"No no, really. This'll be good. Now I can writes me two letters at once!"

 

"Really Jojo?? Yous hit your head or somewhat? I hears news too. They've sent the hounds for ya. Every street now knows we urchins are 'sponsible. Theys comin' for us. I've been stuck under here for ages now it seems. No night stalkin' or nuthin. All for your pranks!"

 

"Bah. Just some fun... hows dis, these the last, kay?"

 

Ferr sighed, knowing he could never change her mind, no matter how dangerous things would get. He nodded. "But we's still on da lamb. Ain't no peace for us for years I bets."

 

"Jus' read these, eh? Them nobles ain't quick 'nuff to catch me."

 

Grumbling under his breath, he complied with her request...

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[Reawakened]

Awake again, I am pure!

I am one who can endure!

 

So our Marshal spoke,

Shortly after he awoke.

 

Now of the candidate group,

We have a threesome troop.

 

Of those with right desire,

To run and raise us higher.

 

Such company,

Small among fourteen.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Sighing dramatically at how much trouble she was inviting on herself, he looked to the second soiled parchment...

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[Recounts of Truth]

Words of truth we all did ask,

Our Warlord was up to task,

So in his truth we did bask.

 

Letters placed to the East,

Of our Nexus a feast,

Of words and records released.

 

First one came of covert meeting,

Leaving hearts concerned but beating,

But there was no overt cheating.

 

The second piece spoke of one,

And the harm she may have done,

But of proof there was none.

 

So the letters sowed their seed,

And achieved intended deed,

Now their words have been freed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

"Jojo, you's a clever one. You know's this ain't goin' to end well..." Ferr said through sad, forlorn eyes. He always held a special place for her. They joined the Cogs at the same time, abandoning "proper" society to live more freely.

 

Jojo hesitated a moment, then her eyes lit up anew, "No. But I's doin' it. They cain't be left to think themselves so 'igh and mighty."

 

She looked at Ferr's eyes and smiled softly in spite of herself, "You stays here. I dun care what they'd do to me. But you. You go on, remember me, my words. Keep them's high nose types in check." 

 

Ferr gave a crooked, half-hearted grin and held her hand a moment. "Comes back safe."

 

Jojo nodded, self-confidence once more and clung to her letters as she snuck out just before morning light. The soot in the city was heavy today, but she knew her way well. Having the advantage of navigating via rooftop helped greatly as she kept a quick pace.

 

Taking a leap between the bank and a neighbouring building, she let her first letter lazily drift to the huddled masses below within Atropos Plaza. She had a special location in mind for her final letter. Maintaining her stealth, she shimmied down from her vantage point and crept along the shadows heading to the eastern arch before the Centre of the Necropolis.

 

Letters already littered the ground here, glowing faintly from the attached sigils keeping them in place. She reached a hand out of the gloom to drop her letter, when a heavy fist clamped on her wrist like iron. 

 

"Aha!" came a gruff, victorious voice.

 

The letter slipped from the tips of her fingers like a petal wilting off its stem. She gave no surprise, no stutter of helplessness, nor tried to insult his intelligence by denying her guilt. Jojo did herself proud and stepped from the inky blackness, without confidence, simply resignation to the fate she knew would come.

 

"So, little urchin, you are the mocking poet? Surely you could think of better ways to use your talents than such chaos and anarchy?" the Constable asked rhetorically.

 

"S'pose, but then, who's to entertain them masses, eh?" Jojo replied, giving a jovial grin.

 

"Come along then. You may not feel the seriousness of your crime yet, but we shall see that you do," came the firm reply, assuming her ability to even crack a grin was subordination.

 

 

================================================================

(~ Chapter Five: Catch and Release ~)

 

They arrived at the Constabulary's ravenwood night-desk as the first rays of light tried penetrating the smog. Jojo followed along in handcuffs, not bothering to attempt escape or cause further trouble. The official who caught her looked quite smug with himself for ridding the city of such a nuisance and a terrible, disruptive influence. "One urchin to occupy our 'best' cell. We have a celebrity after all. A rhymer of some repute."

 

Catching on to the gag, the gentleman behind the desk continued, "Oh yes, I see. Ah, I have the perfect one. It has the best view." He deposited a new sheaf of parchment to his "Processing" queue and directed them both to Cell B1.

 

Once locked inside, Jojo was left to her own devices for several hours. She began to pace, worrying about how she would be punished. Exile would be the worst, she would fear for Ferr and miss his presence. Although being sent to the Workhouse would not be pleasant either, endless days of slavery and drudgery. Jojo collapsed in a corner with a sigh, having the presence of conscience to shed a tear for her fate. 

 

Night came with no sign of food or word of what was to come. Her only comfort, or perhaps discomfort, was the incessant barking from the kennels which echoed ominously from down the hall. 

 

Jojo found a sliver of iron and wrote a simple profession of guilt, "I confess!" As if writing it out would make her fate come faster if she proclaimed her culpability. 

 

A nighthawk sang its cry overhead masking the sounds accompanying the entry of a caliginous figure cloaked in darkness with the hood raised. Jojo jumped seeing the shadows move amongst themselves before puzzling out the new occupant. She stood straighter then, "Oi guv'nah what's it to be then? Condemned to the Workhouse? Slaved in undeath like you lot? Dare I says exile?"

 

A disguised, raspy voice gave no indication of the individual's gender or any accent to give away their origins. "No," came the only reply. 

 

"Oh wells then I'm goods to be sets free. 'Twas just some letters, eh? Nuthin to its. I'll be on mys way thens."

 

"In a manner of speaking, aye, young miss."

 

The assassin's cloak flashed open long enough for Jojo to glimpse a noble House crest, which coincided with the clinking of a jakari chain unravelling. Despite the fleeting knowledge, her mind could not recall which House's crest condemned her as lights danced behind her eyes and the cold links against her throat drew tighter. Her vision blurred and everything bled together as a thick and noble Magnagoran accent whispered sweetly in her ear, "Be free."