Jeremy
Vhekraul Marikstaed 
Whylderholm Inspection Centre

Vhekraul felt bad for the strange caged up man above his head, he really did. More than that, he felt confused and disturbed but sympathy was not far behind. 

"It probably won't take more than 10-20 minutes, a half an hour. Some time around there, yeah." Vhekraul tried to reassure Aleks, but was frankly not used to handing out sympathy. It was in his job, he was told to treat Aleks above himself, Aleks was precious cargo after all. "Hell, it might take your entire lifetime, the inspection, if you aren't who you say you are" Vhekraul laughed at himself. He tried to cut the tension with a joke, though maybe he should have chosen one implying Aleks might die in inspection.
Carlos
Aleksandr Skagerlly
Whylderholm Deposit Centre

Aleks drew himself inward, bundled into the tightest ball he could possibly be in. Above all else, he was afraid, overwhelmed by the rush of the Deposit Center. His ominous joke only served to further Aleks' unease. The boy nervously placed one of his knuckles between his teeth, a habit he'd picked up to ease his nerves; he nipped at the thin skin anxiously. His gnawing ceased as pain pricked in the area, reminding him of his humanity, but also that he had to respond to the conversation.
"I don't see why anybody would want to be in my position, anyway. Spending a lifetime here would be better than any time I spend at home," Though he said it jokingly, he did not smile. It was all too true.
Jeremy
Vhekraul Marikstaed 
Whylderholm Deposit Centre

Marikstaed thought about what could have possibly gone on back at his home and immediately stopped, he knew quite enough, and didn't want to make any connections.

"Well, Id certainly have to agree with you there, man, I don't think anyone would want to be in your position." Aleks was almost loaded for inspection. Surrounding them were countless crates being opened and checked, men screaming, workers with bricks of charcoal used to mark shipping containers, similarly to the Deposit Centre, it was a deeply thought out controlled chaos. "Aleks, *Why* Exactly would you prefer Northwind to your home, have you ever been to Northwind before?" Marikstaed said almost in accusation.
Carlos
Aleksandr Skagerlly
Whylderholm Deposit Centre

The introduction of this sudden chaos made him want to crawl into himself and vanish. Never a fan of loud noises, he especially abhorred the sound of screaming, suffering, and pain. He'd had his fill of everything of the sort, and then some. It almost seemed ridiculous to him that Marikstaed had to inquire as to why he would want to be in Northwind.
"Well, have you ever visited the Weeping Pits? Any place would be better than the Gran Stead. At least, when I'm in your custody, you're not lashing me half to death for petty mistakes," He felt as if he was overstepping boundaries, but he continued nonetheless, "I have royal blood in my veins, but my treatment is even worse than the slaves that run about these places. They don't wear the shame of their scars, they only wear them cosmetically."
He frowned, crossing his arms bitterly.
"Nothing, not anything, could be worse than the treatment I get from my brothers and father. Thieves have treated me better."
Jeremy
Vhekraul Marikstaed
Whylderholm Deposit Centre

Marikstaed went white instantly, he couldn't hear what Aleks was saying, it all became irrelevant. He said the word again. He may not have noticed, maybe he did it out of retaliation, he could care much less. 

He acted instantly.

He stood up straight and called over the nearest enforcer, a man he'd known for years, had a serious connection with as they'd both been shipped to Whylderholm together. 

"Enforcer Wilkemmet Ser, we were transferring precious *Living* Cargo in our cage here, and unfortunately the welding strip on the bottom split and now were in a bit of a rough situation" Vhekraul stated in his most official of tones.

"Well Marikstaed, we certainly can't have this" The two seemed to share a close understanding.

"No Ser, I'd like to suggest that we move Aleks 'ere to a more secluded place"

Wilkemmen peered up to see the perfectly unbroken cage and without visibly changing his expression, caught on to Marikstaed immediately. "Ah, Marikstaed I know just exactly the place, you can perform you duty in much more desolate silence"

After a turn of handshakes and agreements, Marikstaed leaned into Wilkemmen to whisper into his ear. 

"*Red Poppy*" Wilkemmen eyes widened, though he caught himself and withdrew his expression.

"Yes Marikstaed, and Id have to escort you on this cage repair"

"Yes Ser of course, bring our best *Smith*" The two were almost exclusively speaking in code at this point. Marikstaed signaled to bring the cage forth and follow his enforcer, he had other plans than a traditional inspection.
Carlos
Aleksandr Skagerlly
Whylderholm Deposit Centre

As soon as the man's tone shifted, he knew he'd let his mouth leap ahead of his rationale. The boldness he'd held only a few moments prior melted into the same trembling, naked fear he'd held before. Even after years of serving others, he still let his tongue loose; his thoughts filled with the cruel words he'd been told throughout his entire life. The one thing he'd been charged to do, he failed at, and he did it spectacularly. Even without conflict, everything in the men's exchange read as ominous to him, a warning of what was to come. Surely, the cage wasn't damaged; he couldn't tell exactly, but it would've sooner been a problem had that been the case. He wanted to murmur an apology, but he hadn't yet sorted out what type of man he was riding on the back of. Would he have the apology, just to boost his own ego? Or would he bring a cruel fist down and silence Aleks? Only time could tell. His pale eyes fluttered shut, and he took in the dull roar of the room and the frenzied beating of his own heart.