AN: For the novelnovice April/May writing prompt. A snippet of dialogue between Victer and his comrade Aloysius, with some Carlotta on the side (non-speaking.) Hope it isn't too obscure~
"Sir, that thing right there. Yes, that thing in front of us. I find it most interesting."
Victer brushed his comrade's comment aside. "Aloysius, I assure you that we've seen more than our fair share of vulgarities and monstrosities on our journeys. This girl is far from intriguing."
"Sir, I do believe Miss Carlotta is going to throw up."
"Well, do something about it, then!" Victer said, turning away from the sights before him. "Get her away from the poles, the bodies. Their stench is probably the cause."
"Miss Carlotta, we should just –"
"Oh, gross. Aloysius, you'll get hit with that spew of vomit if you don't move. Ugh, it smells… What have you been eating, girl?"
"Here, Miss, let me clean you up."
Victer ignored Carlotta. "The girl was a criminal, you know. That's why they rammed a long wooden stake through her body. Even if it is a cruel and unusual punishment."
"Miss, you must understand that people walk down this road every day to get in and out of the City," Aloysius said, turning the girl away from the line.
Victer nodded. "The executioner's line leading into the City is a show of the power the government holds over its citizens, how little toleration they have for disobedience. I find it quite effective."
"Blood, fresh, still running down between her legs, even though she's been dead for almost a week," Aloysius murmured, almost admiringly. "The pole runs straight up inside her torso, going through her jaw and out her mouth…"
Carlotta and Victer stared. "Aloysius, I believe we must be going, no matter how drawn you are to the bodies strung up like this," the man said. "Come along, both of you."
"Yes sir," his comrade said automatically, following after Victer and Carlotta, into the City.