Red String of Fate (IC) (OPEN) (Courting)

by **Kyrenaia** » Wed Sep 15, 2021 1:38 am

Khana Amina bint-Karim.
Whatever he was seeing, I was not as sure - there was another person, who had a say in how this would end, after all, and... actually, there were a few more. I knew, that I wuld need to bring some of the court under my control as well and one knight was not the entire court.
And then there was another problem... far too many people were here to have such a conversation, a planning session, far too many people with very sharp ears.
I did not answer his question immediately: "Let's go outside for a moment. I need a breath of fresh air.", I asked of him, then made my way towards the balcony, on which Grimes, Kornelia and Ymir were having their conversation, the Handmaidens and Marla, as well as hopefully Leon in tow. The fresh air was refreshing, rejuvenating and I took a deep breath, sucking in air like a dehydrated person sucked in water. The stars were beautiful, too. I tried to make out a constellation or two, which was familiar to me, but no dice on the fly. I turned to Leon: "I felt at peace."

by **Scornerse** » Wed Sep 15, 2021 1:59 am

The Frozen Forest wrote:[align=center](Image)

Seraria heard the familiar voice of Sartana and turned towards the suitor, her hands finding the small diamond-like object that she had been given by Eleanore only minutes ago. She sill wasn't sure what exactly it did but Eleanore had told her to tap it if she felt uncomfortable. Sartana on the other hand did not approach her like a predator, but instead came along with that same friendly demeanor that Seraria would have attributed to a friend. Seraria could be wary but it was a fact that she wasn't experienced with court intrigue-telling friend from foe was not one of her specialties.

"O-overwhelmed? I'm not overwhelmed, what do you mean." It was a lie, easy to see through even by the standards of a commoner. "I did take some photos of you and the Princess talking to one another." Seraria admitted truthfully, holding her camera close. "Princess Eleanore isn't plotting with the colonies, I talked to her about it." Seraria burst out, not emotionally prepared to fight off Sartana's approach but also not particularly uncomfortable.

It was at that particular moment that another figure made their way out of the woodworks. Baroness Melanie Cressida slipped through the crowd and came towards them, Seraria barely noticing until the young pit viper came close. Melanie didn't pay Seraria any attention, brushing past her to stand before Sartana. "It's done."

Sartana gave Melanie a confirmatory smile and smirk, the most she'd do to acknowledge what Melanie had done. She wasn't about to openly acknowledge her plan, but she was still happy to be working with Melanie than against her. Sartana was familiar with causing physical discomfort and embarrassement for her purposes, but doing so through a tainted drink was certainly new for her and she was happy that Melanie did the dirty work.

"Pardon me, Baroness, I just wanted to say a few things to Seraria." Sartana said, before turning back to the court photographer.

"I hate to break it to you Seraria, but if she was plotting, Eleanore certainly wouldn't tell you that she was, given that honest you're a rather honest type and volunteered to tell me she what she told you, without my even having to ask." Sartana began softly.

"In any case, I do remember saying that it was a possibility, not that she was certainly plotting with them. More concerning is her background, She hails from dimension with a galaxy spanning, empire and from an archduchy within it. An archduke, surely prefer to marry their princesses of political purposes. Yes, exceptions can be made by those that put a great emphasis on their daughter's happiness, due to said daughter, for example, being madly in love with someone, but given Eleanore hasn't been exactly throwing herself before King Ivan, political purposes are likely primarily at play here." Sartana tried to lay out the circumstances to Seraria as she did the queen of camelon, though more directly given that she wasn't talking to royalty.

"I don't want to be too blunt, but the only political benefit I can imagine an archduke of a galaxy spanning would see here, is a foothold in this dimension for purposes of conquest. I, honestly, can't image this kingdom remaining meaningfully sovereign through that. Obviously, you know, my saying this is largely self serving, I love and desire King Ivan to wed, but what I've said is nonetheless true. Please, take it seriously and act accordingly, for your loyalty to this realm above any flattery Eleanore may have bestowed upon you."

by **The Frozen Forest** » Sat Sep 18, 2021 1:42 pm

Agent Reiksvold stood in the grass of a field not too far away from the walls of The Royal Palace, looking up at the sky and waiting for the arrival of a young alien and his entourage. The birds were silent at that hour but the cicadas were not, buzzing away joyfully in the cool night air, the only other sounds being that of the wind and the rustling of the young agents suit. Agent Reiksvold brought his arm up and looked down at his watch, counting the minutes. He was alone but that was only due to the fact that he was the only government agent close enough to respond when news came down from the Normandie, warning of the arrival of yet another member of their royalty. It wasn't how he wanted to spend the remainder of his day but he didn't have a choice

After some time the air began to change and the sounds of the cicadas died off. Maybe they were able to sense that something wasn't quite right, but certainly Agent Reiksvold took notice as a fairly large spacecraft made it's way to the earths surface. It landed without pomp or pageantry, a simple machine doing a simple job, as though it's very presence wasn't something almost awe-inspiring. Agent Reiksvold bit the corner of his cheek to make sure that he wasn't dreaming. Sure he had expected a spacecraft, but what he didn't expect was for it to seem as normal as it was.

The door came open and Reiksvold brushed his suit off, doing his best to look unenthused about the visitors. Out came the boy who looked quite human, as well as one creature which was clearly not human. It was grotesque, nay monstrous and adrenaline began to pump through Reiksvold's body as his fight or flight response sprang to life. Yet Reiksvold didn't run nor did he attack the alien, but merely stood his ground. "Welcome to The Frozen Forest, my name is Reiksvold and I am here to escort you to The Royal Palace. If you would be please follow me." Reiksvold led the pair to his car, which was parked some distance away. Not much later he was standing by it, watching his passengers make their way into the palace. I think a drink sounds good right now.

...and so the game continued as more bottles of alcohol were brought to the Admiral and Leopold. It was enough of a sight to draw a small crowd from among those other patrons in the bar. They cheered as Leopold and Aron lifted their bottles and downed the foul liquid, perhaps in amazement that either man had yet to vomit or pass out. The sailors cheered for their admiral, and the court servants cheered for Leopold, and everyone else cheered for them both.

Aron lifted the fourth bottle of Seamans Rat to the sky and began to chug down the foul liquid. It burned worse than it should have, and the alcohol began to sing to Aron. He was a man whose honor though permitted no such weakness, even if he were thoroughly buzzed from all of the drinking. Aron would not lose to a prissy noble-knight from the sky domain. He reached for the fifth bottle, downed it and then turned steadily towards his opponent. The feeling of alcohol punched him in the gut, and the the world began to spin violently as though Aron were caught in a vortex.

Aron gripped the sides of the table and took a second to steady himself. The admiral would not be sunk so easily. Leopold's image was fuzzy at best and Aron began to lose a sense of time, taking a sixth bottle and working his way through it. The taste began to fade, and sounds began to become distorted. The sailors voices came quick and slow, and the world began to fade away.

Leon followed behind Marla and Amina to the balcony, immediately taking note of the other fellows present. Luckily the balcony had a generous sizing that allowed them to stay out of earshot of the other group. Leon couldn't help but wonder if the reason why the Khana had needed air was because she was so taken aback from the prior knowledge, had it been so affecting for her? Leon stepped aside towards the edge of the balcony, the sounds and sensations of the wind gently washing itself over them filled the air and space. Moonlight broke through the clouds and passed over them, shimmering along Leon's armor and making it shine brilliantly.

"I felt at peace" The Khana looked earnest and Leon offered a small nod of affirmation. "At peace...I'm sure the King felt the same way. If you and he are meant to be together...to be at peace together then we should get to work. I imagine you aren't very familiar with Frozen Forestrian poetry and literature from the 14th century?" Leon waited for a minute for a correction "Well there is a famous poem written then called the Ode to the Stag. The heroine of the work convinces the object of her affection to meet her below moonlight in the palace gardens. They talk and realize their feelings for one another, and the heroine says "If you would have my heart look into my eyes now, walk through the inferno with me until the sun melts and the sky is filled with a tidal wave of stars. To me you are sætii."

Leon looked steadily at Amina and continued "If you're feelings are true then you should say the words. If he feels the same he will respond "And to me, you are sæta." I can get you alone with him, if you'd like." It was a promise that he knew he could fulfill.

Melanie backed away with a slow and respectful bow, her smile hyena like with a job well done. Now it was her time to withdraw, to remove herself from the realm of suspicion in any way shape or form. Melanie slipped through the crowd and to the other court ladies, one of which was slowly bringing a cup of tea to her lips. Melanie deftly glided over and stopped the cup before it could reach the poor girls lips, offering nothing but a small shake of the head to the girls startled expression.

"But that can't be true...Eleanore is my friend..." Seraria looked at Sartana uncertainly. She couldn't say she cared so much about the King's feelings in particular, not anymore than she did the other nobility and royalty. What she did care about was the feelings of her friends. Then Sartana appealed to her job and her role as a member of the royal court, as a loyal citizen under the Crown. "What would you have me do?" She hadn't agreed to anyone and that was plainly visible from her skeptical expression.

by **The Holy Solar Empire** » Sat Sep 18, 2021 3:01 pm

The Frozen Forest wrote:Agent Reiksvold stood in the grass of a field not too far away from the walls of The Royal Palace, looking up at the sky and waiting for the arrival of a young alien and his entourage. The birds were silent at that hour but the cicadas were not, buzzing away joyfully in the cool night air, the only other sounds being that of the wind and the rustling of the young agents suit. Agent Reiksvold brought his arm up and looked down at his watch, counting the minutes. He was alone but that was only due to the fact that he was the only government agent close enough to respond when news came down from the Normandie, warning of the arrival of yet another member of their royalty. It wasn't how he wanted to spend the remainder of his day but he didn't have a choice

After some time the air began to change and the sounds of the cicadas died off. Maybe they were able to sense that something wasn't quite right, but certainly Agent Reiksvold took notice as a fairly large spacecraft made it's way to the earths surface. It landed without pomp or pageantry, a simple machine doing a simple job, as though it's very presence wasn't something almost awe-inspiring. Agent Reiksvold bit the corner of his cheek to make sure that he wasn't dreaming. Sure he had expected a spacecraft, but what he didn't expect was for it to seem as normal as it was.

The door came open and Reiksvold brushed his suit off, doing his best to look unenthused about the visitors. Out came the boy who looked quite human, as well as one creature which was clearly not human. It was grotesque, nay monstrous and adrenaline began to pump through Reiksvold's body as his fight or flight response sprang to life. Yet Reiksvold didn't run nor did he attack the alien, but merely stood his ground. "Welcome to The Frozen Forest, my name is Reiksvold and I am here to escort you to The Royal Palace. If you would be please follow me." Reiksvold led the pair to his car, which was parked some distance away. Not much later he was standing by it, watching his passengers make their way into the palace. I think a drink sounds good right now.

...and so the game continued as more bottles of alcohol were brought to the Admiral and Leopold. It was enough of a sight to draw a small crowd from among those other patrons in the bar. They cheered as Leopold and Aron lifted their bottles and downed the foul liquid, perhaps in amazement that either man had yet to vomit or pass out. The sailors cheered for their admiral, and the court servants cheered for Leopold, and everyone else cheered for them both.

Aron lifted the fourth bottle of Seamans Rat to the sky and began to chug down the foul liquid. It burned worse than it should have, and the alcohol began to sing to Aron. He was a man whose honor though permitted no such weakness, even if he were thoroughly buzzed from all of the drinking. Aron would not lose to a prissy noble-knight from the sky domain. He reached for the fifth bottle, downed it and then turned steadily towards his opponent. The feeling of alcohol punched him in the gut, and the the world began to spin violently as though Aron were caught in a vortex.

Aron gripped the sides of the table and took a second to steady himself. The admiral would not be sunk so easily. Leopold's image was fuzzy at best and Aron began to lose a sense of time, taking a sixth bottle and working his way through it. The taste began to fade, and sounds began to become distorted. The sailors voices came quick and slow, and the world began to fade away.

The Imperials

Louis existed the dropship along with his guest and quickly touched ground on a parallel Earth. The sweet call of nature filled Louis with a sense of content, happy to no longer be on a stuffy star ship for so long. Chuvol was likewise relieved to touch the ground again, it allowed him to properly steady himself interpretation of the coming event, there was no turning back now, one could argue there never was when his people made contact with the Empire.

"Well, I am not sure exactly how similar is, but welcome to Earth, a version of it at least." Louis said as he escorted the alien behind him. "Normally a xeno who has yet to yield to the Heavenly Throne would never be permitted to lay a foot on holy ground, but this isn't exactly the Holy Ground of the Empire, so I think no one in the Empire would mind." In a few moments they arrived to a man who had be sent ahead to bring them to the palace, Chuvol noticed that some tension emanated from the human, he had a feeling, one which he wanted to ask Louis about, but figured it would be best saved or later.

"A pleasure to meet you monsieur Reiksvold, we are in your hands." Louis said with a small bow before they followed him to a car parked not far from where they landed, the two got in without much trouble and Louis could barely hold in his excitement. "I must be honest with you Chuvol, I almost feel a bit nervous, it will be most pleasant to see my sister again."

"I look forward to making her acquaintance." Chuvol responded, and with that they were off.

Leopold had kept pace with his new "drinking buddy" all the way, this wasn't a race, it was an endurance test. Leopold had to admit that with how awful the whole shit was that he was surprised Aron survived one bottle, he had guzzled down his fair share of hard beverages, but this Seaman's Rat was something else, still the Knight endured for his ladies honor was on the line, and he was not gonna lose to some ego driven seaman. Leopold drank the fourth, and then the fifth, and each was as horrible as the last, but he endured.

He didn't need to give his opponent much mind as he began drinking his sixth, Aron was starting to stumble and hesitant if not in spirit then by body. Leopold decided to finish his drink and ready a seventh before he saw that Aron was fading away form him, while Leopold was still fine. Leopold stopped short of the seventh and tapped Aron on the shoulder to see if he was okay, he wanted to drink the admiral under the table not play part in a convoluted suicide.

"Monsieur Admiral are you okay? Monsieur? Monsieur Aron?"

by **Scornerse** » Sun Sep 19, 2021 6:04 am

The Frozen Forest wrote:
Melanie backed away with a slow and respectful bow, her smile hyena like with a job well done. Now it was her time to withdraw, to remove herself from the realm of suspicion in any way shape or form. Melanie slipped through the crowd and to the other court ladies, one of which was slowly bringing a cup of tea to her lips. Melanie deftly glided over and stopped the cup before it could reach the poor girls lips, offering nothing but a small shake of the head to the girls startled expression.

"But that can't be true...Eleanore is my friend..." Seraria looked at Sartana uncertainly. She couldn't say she cared so much about the King's feelings in particular, not anymore than she did the other nobility and royalty. What she did care about was the feelings of her friends. Then Sartana appealed to her job and her role as a member of the royal court, as a loyal citizen under the Crown. "What would you have me do?" She hadn't agreed to anyone and that was plainly visible from her skeptical expression.

Sartana was sincerely appreciative that Melanie was proving useful and discreet. If their plot went off without a hitch that'd all but confirm her role as an enforcer for her, should Sartana become queen. However, Sartana had to do her own part to maximize The Duchess's embarrassement.

"Seraria, I'm going to be honest, you're a nice well meaning person, but as the one responsible taking pictures for the ball, you're going to be a target for disingenuous people who want to manipulate you and will pretend to be your friend to do so. It'd be very easy for me, for example to insist that since the the ladies of the court, troublesome and bickering as they tend to be, think Highly of me, that the King's sister Freya thinks I'd help keep the King and nation safe from plots and that King Ivan is clearly attracted to me, that you should make it your mission to catch flattering pictures of me over others. But I won't do that, as that would be manipulative, I'll leave how you wish to potray me up to you." Sartana said, a bragging confidence in her voice, she wouldn't mind that Sararia did favour her in the pictures she took, she also sincerely preferred that she put her focus on another task

"But what I do suggest, is that you do not allow Eleanore to manipulate you, either. If anything, you should keep a close eye on moves she might be making. For one, she or her guard might make a move to embarrass a lady of the court that has a great deal of political savvy, respect and influence, as they might otherwise prove to be an obstacle to their plotting. So it'd probably prove sensible to keep a close eye on Duchess Arissa, in case they pull something, while being ready to take a picture.". Sartana said with a concerned tone. Catching Arissa being made a fool of on picture would certainly be useful to her cause .

"Anyhow, as I've told you before, I don't want to take you away from your work for too long at a time, but it's always nice talking to you. Forgive me for flattering you, but you're refreshingly sincere compared to most of the other women in this room." Sartana said with a friendly smile before walking away.

Now, Sartana's aim would be to find an intercept Eleanore before she had a chance to speak to Sararia again. In stark contrast to most of her other approaches up to this point, she wouldn't be looking for a fight. That wasn't nessecary, all Sartana really wanted to do was waste her time until King Ivan returned to give Sartana the talking to that she had been promised.

"Princess Eleanore, I don't believe I've had the pleasure of speaking to your highness yet? I'm Chieftess Sartana." She greeted her with a friendly confidence. She wanted her to know immediately she wasn't there to intimidate her, but she certainly wouldn't back down if treated with hostility.

by **The Holy Solar Empire** » Sun Sep 19, 2021 3:15 pm

Scornerse wrote:Now, Sartana's aim would be to find an intercept Eleanore before she had a chance to speak to Seraria again. In stark contrast to most of her other approaches up to this point, she wouldn't be looking for a fight. That wasn't necessary, all Sartana really wanted to do was waste her time until King Ivan returned to give Sartana the talking to that she had been promised.

"Princess Eleanore, I don't believe I've had the pleasure of speaking to your highness yet? I'm Chieftess Sartana." She greeted her with a friendly confidence. She wanted her to know immediately she wasn't there to intimidate her, but she certainly wouldn't back down if treated with hostility.

The Imperials

Eleanore was frustrated by just how much Sartana had leaned into besmirching her honor, the way she sung her song was of a vile seduction, a devilish tune that pricked at the heart strings of her victims. Eleanore had yet to properly hear Sartana, to know her character, and now she had a good idea of what type of women she was. Eleanore couldn't say that Sartana didn't like Ivan, but she was confident it was driven by sin rather than the goodness of her heart. Any other imperial denizen would have waved someone like Sartana off as a non entity, Eleanore was not gonna make that mistake, and when Sartana's voice had waned into silence, she knew that she had left Seraria alone.

Eleanore opened up her connection to Seraria so that she could hear what Eleanore presumed was to be a conversation with Sartana, just as Eleanore had listened to them. Eleanore had given Seraria what could be best described as a baby monitor, it allowed two way communication, hearing and tracking and lastly a panic button action when tapped. They were considered essential in the Empire, especially for a host who didn't want someone to walk off and act against their estate, trackers of all sorts where keen to ensuring harmony.

Eleanore didn't have much time to actually talk to Seraria however, she had to continue to place her trust into Seraria, even as she faced yet another gauntlet of manipulation by Sartana. Eleanore knew she should have moved a bit sooner, but alas the news form the Normandie had stalled her and Seraria had yet to call for her, she would respect Seraria's wishes in this regard. Time slowed down as Eleanore saw Sartana make her way towards her, and she steeled her resolve, a silent prayer to God that she shall stand triumphant in this encounter.

"A pleasure to make your acquaintance Chieftess, I assume that you have had a wonderful night so far?" Eleanore wasn't gonna go with any offense, not unless she knew what Sartana wanted exactly, but she wasn't gonna let her just walk away when she did.

by **Brettenwald** » Tue Sep 21, 2021 9:15 pm

The Frozen Forest wrote:Ivan was silent as he led the way into the gardens. No doubt people had been watching him and Asha leaving but even they wouldn't be so dull as to assume it was anything other than a discussion of the argument that had just occurred. Ivan knew they weren't going to be followed, his guards would see to it that any interloper behind them was rerouted into a different part of the gardens so that he and Asha could talk without the formality associated with the court. Ivan could have rounded on Asha immediately as they entered the forested part of garden, could have let his frustration out on her among the thick oak trees-but he didn't. He continued on until they finally reached a larger, circular stone resting area, still surrounded by massive oaks but with the added sounds of running water and birds a flutter.

Asha spoke first as they entered the clearing. Ivan was silent, listening to Asha as she began to describe her part in the incident. She described her families pride and then she apologized for causing a scene, which softened Ivan's temper. At least she understood that what had happened was something that required an apology. She offered her leave and Ivan may have been honor bound to accept, since her departure could be viewed as a punishment by the rest of the court.

It wasn't until Ivan noticed Asha's tears that his resolve to punish was broken. Her soft voice was a knife to the heart, shattering his anger into tiny pieces. It was a tacit reminder that he wasn't dealing with a minister or soldier-Asha was a young woman and her feelings were obviously hurt by the whole interaction. Ivan took a deep breath and offered his hand to Asha. "You don't need to leave, but you can't go along getting into arguments like that, especially when I'm right beside you. You both made me look weak in front of the court and now they're going to expect me to punish you both." Ivan let a beat pass. "Of course I'm not going to do that. You're right, I was the one who offered to dance and it was rude of me to turn aside like I did. I know it's not quite the same thing as dancing in front of the court but if you'd like..." Ivan kept his hand extended to Asha, prepared to make good on his promise.

"I know, and I'm sorry. Truly. I had no intention of making you look weak. Back home the court hasn't really existed in a form like this for at least a century and a half, so I suppose I just don't know how things work here. I'm sure I could learn, though."

Asha took Ivan's hand. "I'd love to dance, your royal majesty," she said, and her heart leapt as Ivan gently got the two of them moving.

Maybe I'm still in with a chance after all.

"I don't mean to get unduly personal, your royal majesty, but how do you know Sigrid?"

by **Scornerse** » Wed Sep 22, 2021 7:12 am

The Holy Solar Empire wrote:
Scornerse wrote:Now, Sartana's aim would be to find an intercept Eleanore before she had a chance to speak to Seraria again. In stark contrast to most of her other approaches up to this point, she wouldn't be looking for a fight. That wasn't necessary, all Sartana really wanted to do was waste her time until King Ivan returned to give Sartana the talking to that she had been promised.

"Princess Eleanore, I don't believe I've had the pleasure of speaking to your highness yet? I'm Chieftess Sartana." She greeted her with a friendly confidence. She wanted her to know immediately she wasn't there to intimidate her, but she certainly wouldn't back down if treated with hostility.

The Imperials

Eleanore was frustrated by just how much Sartana had leaned into besmirching her honor, the way she sung her song was of a vile seduction, a devilish tune that pricked at the heart strings of her victims. Eleanore had yet to properly hear Sartana, to know her character, and now she had a good idea of what type of women she was. Eleanore couldn't say that Sartana didn't like Ivan, but she was confident it was driven by sin rather than the goodness of her heart. Any other imperial denizen would have waved someone like Sartana off as a non entity, Eleanore was not gonna make that mistake, and when Sartana's voice had waned into silence, she knew that she had left Seraria alone.

Eleanore opened up her connection to Seraria so that she could hear what Eleanore presumed was to be a conversation with Sartana, just as Eleanore had listened to them. Eleanore had given Seraria what could be best described as a baby monitor, it allowed two way communication, hearing and tracking and lastly a panic button action when tapped. They were considered essential in the Empire, especially for a host who didn't want someone to walk off and act against their estate, trackers of all sorts where keen to ensuring harmony.

Eleanore didn't have much time to actually talk to Seraria however, she had to continue to place her trust into Seraria, even as she faced yet another gauntlet of manipulation by Sartana. Eleanore knew she should have moved a bit sooner, but alas the news form the Normandie had stalled her and Seraria had yet to call for her, she would respect Seraria's wishes in this regard. Time slowed down as Eleanore saw Sartana make her way towards her, and she steeled her resolve, a silent prayer to God that she shall stand triumphant in this encounter.

"A pleasure to make your acquaintance Chieftess, I assume that you have had a wonderful night so far?" Eleanore wasn't gonna go with any offense, not unless she knew what Sartana wanted exactly, but she wasn't gonna let her just walk away when she did.

"Oh yes, it's been wonderful. I've had to give a few women a piece of my mind..." Sartana said, smiling while quietly punching her right fist into her left palm. Playing nice with Eléonore didn't mean not making it clear she was a fighter and an eager one at that.

"Which has served me well, as I've won the respect of the ladies the court and the queen of Camelon. Oh and of course a wonderful, lively dance with King Ivan. He is as athletic as he's charming, with a commanding presence.. I also get the sense that he'd prefer a Queen who's also athletic and charming, with a commanding presence. Between Khana Amina, Princess Asha and I, none of us are shorter than six feet tall, are otherwise physically impressive and are familiar with getting our hands dirty. I suspect the Soldier-King wants a Queen that can help pass on strong genes and martial prowess to his children and is willing to be more hands on with handling the ladies of the court." Sartana said to the younger, smaller woman. Sure, who Ivan had mostly been around so far could entirely be a coincidence, but why not see if she could subtlety impose a little insecurity on Eléonore, Sartana thought. Besides, bragging about the attractiveness of her physique was one of her favoured uses for it.

by **The Holy Solar Empire** » Wed Sep 22, 2021 12:37 pm

Scornerse wrote:"Oh yes, it's been wonderful. I've had to give a few women a piece of my mind..." Sartana said, smiling while quietly punching her right fist into her left palm. Playing nice with Eléonore didn't mean not making it clear she was a fighter and an eager one at that.

"Which has served me well, as I've won the respect of the ladies the court and the queen of Camelon. Oh and of course a wonderful, lively dance with King Ivan. He is as athletic as he's charming, with a commanding presence.. I also get the sense that he'd prefer a Queen who's also athletic and charming, with a commanding presence. Between Khana Amina, Princess Asha and I, none of us are shorter than six feet tall, are otherwise physically impressive and are familiar with getting our hands dirty. I suspect the Soldier-King wants a Queen that can help pass on strong genes and martial prowess to his children and is willing to be more hands on with handling the ladies of the court." Sartana said to the younger, smaller woman. Sure, who Ivan had mostly been around so far could entirely be a coincidence, but why not see if she could subtlety impose a little insecurity on Eléonore, Sartana thought. Besides, bragging about the attractiveness of her physique was one of her favoured uses for it.

Eléonore

Eleanore could read Sartana like a book, her tactics were direct and forthcoming but also where not inherently explicit either, Sartana clearly knew her political theory and if believed had put it to good use. But Eleanore wasn't impressed, she stared down duchesses and had talked to dignitaries before, she could smile and look pretty while also give insight as expected of a royal of one of the Empires oldest dukedoms. Either way she knew Sartana was trying to play at what seemed to be inadequacies, but all could be countered fairly easily and frankly diplomatically, she'd respond in reverse.

"Earning the praise of the Queen of Camelone is a good sign, I have earned praise from the Crown Prince myself, it is truly auspicious when one impresses upon relatives of the King." Terrible as it may be, she might need to get Ari's support, and soon, just to lock him into place, that would require more maneuvering than expected, but she'd manage. "I am happy that your dance went well, I had assumed that he would start soon when the ball began, but I decided to practice patience, I will have my turn after all." Eleanore had taken to drinking some tea that she had with her, if to just break up the conversation so it wasn't a run on, after all they were still both fairly civil.

"I agree with the notion that the King requires a fit wife, but I find it a bit discourteous to bring up people who are not present, while I must admit Nova's chances are slim that is no reason to insinuate that she has no chance." Eleanore could tell that it was actually directed at her, she was a bit shorter, and at first glance she didn't seem particularly "athletic." but the old adage held true, never judge a book by it's cover.

"Regardless, good health must come to the King and his offspring, If I may be so bold as to say I consider myself a great candidate in those regards, his heir in such a union would benefit greatly from my bloodline, why I question if he'd ever get sick or have to worry about any mundane poisons this world can conjure up." Not to say that with her genes their child would be stronger, smarter, and longer lived. "I imagine that the other suitors, including yourself, have much to give on that front as well of course, but Imagine this will be done more to who wins his heart, we're not machines after all."

"It is good that you have kept some of the court ladies in line, they can be a skittish bunch and in this realm I imagine they have yet to have the fear of God put into them. One could almost imagine the amount of intrigue that has been going on since the ball began, I am all to familiar with such, seen it and dealt with it. God willing and I become Queen I do not think anyone insidious would be quite prepared to deal with 84th century responses to such improper behavior, of course we all have our own ways to handle such matters, it is only fitting you have to resort to such methods." She ended with a sip of tea.

"So Sartana, you find fulfillment in athletics do you? Mind telling me what physical hobbies you have? I myself enjoy a wide assortment of physical activities I am sure after this is all said and done we could fine time to find a common hobby to partake in, after all regardless of who wins the Kings hand I imagine I'll still be around for a time." She ended with another sip, she was gonna see where this went before she went on any offensive, knowing Sartana's sharp wit she may have to try and wrestle the conversation her way. Eleanore had to admit, she was a bit charmed by Sartana, she doubted the women was a snake, but pious she was not. At the very least Eleanore respected how Sartana carried herself in a conversation, it is one thing to hear about the women, it's even another to hear her, but it is an entirely different experience talking to her.

by **Scornerse** » Thu Sep 23, 2021 1:41 pm

The Holy Solar Empire wrote:
Scornerse wrote:"Oh yes, it's been wonderful. I've had to give a few women a piece of my mind..." Sartana said, smiling while quietly punching her right fist into her left palm. Playing nice with Eléonore didn't mean not making it clear she was a fighter and an eager one at that.

"Which has served me well, as I've won the respect of the ladies the court and the queen of Camelon. Oh and of course a wonderful, lively dance with King Ivan. He is as athletic as he's charming, with a commanding presence.. I also get the sense that he'd prefer a Queen who's also athletic and charming, with a commanding presence. Between Khana Amina, Princess Asha and I, none of us are shorter than six feet tall, are otherwise physically impressive and are familiar with getting our hands dirty. I suspect the Soldier-King wants a Queen that can help pass on strong genes and martial prowess to his children and is willing to be more hands on with handling the ladies of the court." Sartana said to the younger, smaller woman. Sure, who Ivan had mostly been around so far could entirely be a coincidence, but why not see if she could subtlety impose a little insecurity on Eléonore, Sartana thought. Besides, bragging about the attractiveness of her physique was one of her favoured uses for it.

Eléonore

Eleanore could read Sartana like a book, her tactics were direct and forthcoming but also where not inherently explicit either, Sartana clearly knew her political theory and if believed had put it to good use. But Eleanore wasn't impressed, she stared down duchesses and had talked to dignitaries before, she could smile and look pretty while also give insight as expected of a royal of one of the Empires oldest dukedoms. Either way she knew Sartana was trying to play at what seemed to be inadequacies, but all could be countered fairly easily and frankly diplomatically, she'd respond in reverse.

"Earning the praise of the Queen of Camelone is a good sign, I have earned praise from the Crown Prince myself, it is truly auspicious when one impresses upon relatives of the King." Terrible as it may be, she might need to get Ari's support, and soon, just to lock him into place, that would require more maneuvering than expected, but she'd manage. "I am happy that your dance went well, I had assumed that he would start soon when the ball began, but I decided to practice patience, I will have my turn after all." Eleanore had taken to drinking some tea that she had with her, if to just break up the conversation so it wasn't a run on, after all they were still both fairly civil.

"I agree with the notion that the King requires a fit wife, but I find it a bit discourteous to bring up people who are not present, while I must admit Nova's chances are slim that is no reason to insinuate that she has no chance." Eleanore could tell that it was actually directed at her, she was a bit shorter, and at first glance she didn't seem particularly "athletic." but the old adage held true, never judge a book by it's cover.

"Regardless, good health must come to the King and his offspring, If I may be so bold as to say I consider myself a great candidate in those regards, his heir in such a union would benefit greatly from my bloodline, why I question if he'd ever get sick or have to worry about any mundane poisons this world can conjure up." Not to say that with her genes their child would be stronger, smarter, and longer lived. "I imagine that the other suitors, including yourself, have much to give on that front as well of course, but Imagine this will be done more to who wins his heart, we're not machines after all."

"It is good that you have kept some of the court ladies in line, they can be a skittish bunch and in this realm I imagine they have yet to have the fear of God put into them. One could almost imagine the amount of intrigue that has been going on since the ball began, I am all to familiar with such, seen it and dealt with it. God willing and I become Queen I do not think anyone insidious would be quite prepared to deal with 84th century responses to such improper behavior, of course we all have our own ways to handle such matters, it is only fitting you have to resort to such methods." She ended with a sip of tea.

"So Sartana, you find fulfillment in athletics do you? Mind telling me what physical hobbies you have? I myself enjoy a wide assortment of physical activities I am sure after this is all said and done we could fine time to find a common hobby to partake in, after all regardless of who wins the Kings hand I imagine I'll still be around for a time." She ended with another sip, she was gonna see where this went before she went on any offensive, knowing Sartana's sharp wit she may have to try and wrestle the conversation her way. Eleanore had to admit, she was a bit charmed by Sartana, she doubted the women was a snake, but pious she was not. At the very least Eleanore respected how Sartana carried herself in a conversation, it is one thing to hear about the women, it's even another to hear her, but it is an entirely different experience talking to her.

"The Crown Prince, hmm. Interesting. There are those, you know, that make look on in concern that you've won his approval. Not that I'm necessarily one of those people, you know, but even I have heard rumors about his intent." Sartana said. As far as she saw, Ari was likely position himself to take Eleanore as his Queen, should his brother not do so, for the power he must feel he'd win by doing so. Sartana wondered if Eleanore herself intended to use this as pressure for King Ivan take her, if so it was precarious move, as it'd depend on the King assuming that Eleanore wasn't aware of her being used as leverage.

"As for patience when it comes to dancing King Ivan, well, I certainly didn't push myself on him early. I spent time talking to other guests and individuals in here, before circling back to the King to dance with him." This wasn't inaccurate at all, she specifically went to dance with the king due on suggestion of Countess Melanie.

"And Nova, oh, no, I wasn't talking specifically about her, but I do see your point. I wouldn't put her size or fitness down as her main obstacle, however. We can't know for sure what her alien physique is capable of, but we also can't know if she could even provide King Ivan an heir, but I suppose being an alien she has advanced sciences to work with. I imagine, though, as much as that could be useful, if foresterian society would tolerate that sort of genetic modification in a member of the royal family." Sartana didn't like unnecessarily talking behind other's back, but the way she spoke was, intentionally not only specific to Nova.

"These things are delicate balances, you know, marriages and plans made around the predictability of the eventual mortality of us all. Assassinations, coups, civil wars have been fought due to individuals living a little longer, or dying a little earlier than expected. These little, natural processes that give people something bide their time for, knowing their family might one day get their chance to rise. Without that, you get political instability, as people come to the conclusion that they have nothing to lose." Sartana continued, startlingly to subtly imply that what she saw as advantages of her being from a galactic empire could very easily serve as destabilizing elements.

"That sort of thing can be mitigated on a constitutional monarchy, of course, but without one, power and therefore politics gets wrapped up in the somewhat predictable cycle of life, death, marriage and birth." Sartana, putting together a manufactured rational for why Eleanore, or at least her guard, would want to spike the drink of the tigress of the west.

"Faced with the prospect of, say, Nova, being able to provide a genetically enhanced heir that'd far out live anyone else, it'd likely spur immediate conflict. Even if she promised not give them life far beyond the norm her merely have the capacity to do so would make others act as if she certainly did. At that point, King Ivan would have no choice to accede to the demands of a force power to protect him. A functional end to his sovereignty. It's interesting thinking about how a pursing little more power the wrong way can cost a whole lot of power overall." Saratana concluded her indirect explanation for why King Ivana marrying Nova, or Eleanore, would be politically perilous and an opportunity for the Foresterians to find themselves vassalized.

"When it comes to the court, While I don't know what methods you'd employ aside from bringing technology and force from your home here, I think I've done about as well as a singular person can in the time I've been here. I found a court bully and reduced her to tears before she went and slapped another woman in frustration, because, of course, she wouldn't dare slap me, unfortunately." Sartana said with detectable disappointment. She'd been dying for an excuse to make one of these affluent women buckle from a punch or two.

"Then I came back around to get her to apologize to the woman she slapped. That woman then gave the bully a good punch in the face and broke her nose, she ran off in tears again. That was certainly fulfilling." Sartana said with a small smile.

"Speaking of fulfilling, you asked me if I find fulfillment in athletics and if there are common hobbies we share? Well, I'm good horseback rider and I also hunt, with both bows and guns, I believe those seems like somethings you'd enjoy?" Sartana said, with a hint of condescension that was closer to a challenge to prove she had more in her than an insult.

"Though I find full contact sports, especially martial arts, most fulfilling. I spend a lot of time exercising and there's wonderful affirmation I get for my hard work in getting to physically defeat someone else's body with my own. I've done Judo, Wrestling, Boxing, Kickboxing, Karate, Taekwondo and naturally, Mixed Martial Arts, among others, if incapacitating my opponent to win is an option, I've likely tried it." Sartana wanted to make it clear she wasn't in it for the 'arts' she was in it for the 'martial'.

"I'm actually the current national champion for a martial arts competition in Scornerse, it's called Musogtakanakuy, it's a little like kickboxing, but with standing submissions and throws, lacks the ground combat of mixed martial arts, though, not that I can't execute an effective ground and pound." Sartana gave a smug smile.

"Oh, forgive me, got a little carried away there. I don't think that any of that sounds like something you'd enjoy." Sartana didn't seriously think it was impossible for Eleanore to enjoy martial arts, she'd seen women like her that could fight, they just tended to be a few weight classes below her.

by **The Holy Solar Empire** » Thu Sep 23, 2021 10:10 pm

Eléonore

Eleanore had listened carefully to Sartana the entire time, occasionally sipping her tea and nodding when appropriate. It didn't take a genius to tell that Sartana didn't take Eleanore seriously, beyond her perceived material influence. Oh sure she might not be the most imposing or aggressive, but she wasn't some dumb waif who doesn't know how the world works, Eleanore was raised specifically to be able to maneuver in the political sphere, and she was given the best education her side of the Empire can afford. She didn't need the chieftess to point out an obvious fact she herself was already aware of, besides from their conversation Eleanore was confident that she could maneuver past him as she did with the Lunar King.

Eleanore was a bit surprised that Sartana would make the mistake of not accepting her out, she directed Sartana's spurious comments off to someone else so she could save face and the blasted women thought it fitting to just toss that away but then attempt to use it to draw further parallels. Eleanore had to fight the urge to face palm at that and just accepted it for what it was, the women clearly thought to highly of herself, too much pride, not enough humility. She was a bit annoyed by the way Sartana was talking to her, going through a series of what if's that she found quite vacuous, and Eleanore didn't quite appreciate that Sartana was coming off as condescending to her, as if she was some inexperienced child. Eleanore has lived for 19 rotations around her home worlds sun, she could have been born and raised on a planet and be considered 4 years old and be otherwise the same; given the other comments Sartana had made when she listened in on her, Eleanore had came to the conclusion that the women's ability to conceptualize how a "galaxy" spanning empire works to be as well founded as how a island born people see the universe.

Eleanore was at least pleased that Sartana had fallen for her trap and started talking about the various physical activities she enjoyed, it gave Eleanore more than enough time to digest the information that Sartana gave her in how she dealt with some of the ladies in court, and thus peace together the puzzle given to her. For all of Sartana's talking down to her, and about how advanced the Empire was, Sartana seemed to not have considered just how capable Eleanore is at inference. What is considered advanced math for this day and age on the Forestian Earth, is something that many children in the Empire can learn at a young age, and thats for people who are otherwise pure in body, plenty of people have some degree of computer integration, it's not even something restricted by class. Sartana has made the common mistake of attacking the material example instead of what is beneath the surface. Eleanore nodded and smiled, outwardly showing interest and attention, but only enough so that behind the veil, she could muse over the information so far, she formulated a hypothesis.

Sartana had mentioned that she needed to give a few women a piece of her mind, she doubted that her motion of punching her palm was figurative. Further she said such an action had served her well getting the court to respect her, no... they didn't respect her, at least most didn't, they likely feared her, it was a double edged sword that could prove dangerous... the mention of a physical altercation between some people further likely shows how Sartana would handle such situations, she didn't know if Sartana herself was physical, probably not, but she likely will be if she becomes Queen given the way she said she would be hands on. Further evidence came on when Sartana talked about her interest in martial arts, she had the trappings of the stereotypical barbarian queen, where violence and intimidation was a first resort, she was dangerous for the health of this country, especially if she influences the children too much, this could not be allowed.

Given this, she then pieced together the "It's done" she heard from Sartana and Seraria's conversation. The women was a baroness, her connection to the previously mentioned events is inconclusive, she could either have been the women intimidated or offended, but either way they were a lackey brought into Sartana's intrigue. She was told that Sartana had wished to speak with Seraria and since then neither came with Sartana or mention anything else, but Sartana had hinted Arissa to be a target, which makes sense. Eleanore can always ask around court for the name of the Baroness, even go to Arissa if she hurries, she had the conversation recorded after all, and if all else fails the conversation was transmitted which mans it would have been picked up by the Frozen Forest. Eleanore decided to take control of the conversation, slowly and through her same method of irregular response pattern. In the back of her mind she hoped that Seraria had managed to hear everything so far, it's perhaps why she is counting on her scroll and the Kingdom itself to come to her aid.

"Ah yes I see, I took you for the sort to enjoy such activities, I imagine some of it was born from necessity and then taken up as a hobby? Ah but it matters little, what does matter is the enjoyment one finds in life. I myself have learned self defense, if only because my father made all of his children learn. I enjoy a good horseback ride here and there, but I find a good biking to be the more practice experience, requires a bit more leg work, of course I also like swimming, jogging, and hiking to name a few." She eased her end of the conversation by starting off where Sartana left off, ending it with a small sip of tea before moving in.

"Anyways it is a shame that such physical altercations happened in front of you, I don't think I would use the fulfilling however, more barbaric. I believe I would have interfered as well, on the principle that it is only just to do so, but I'd advise that you should have actually stopped any violence from occurring when possible. I know the advice is past it's use, but you may find yourself in a future situation where you need to break apart an altercation, and doing so requires more finesse then merely allowing them to take out frustrations upon the rest of court."

"As for the Crown Prince, I have heard rumors yes, and I have learned of countless similar cases ending in disaster, more than you could think of perhaps. However I am no ones tool, and if some rumors are true, the Prince will be left wanting. I came here for the King's hand because my heart sings to King Ivan, and I won't allow anyone to try and use my birth as a tool. I'd rather give up my connections to my home than allow it to be used as a tool by anyone."

"I know not how the Frozen Forest perceives things like genetic modification, but as far as I am aware Nova is merely a subspecies of Human, I am unsure that is enough to prevent a child, I am unsure to what extant Nova is even augmented, as for myself...." Eleanore took a long sip before locking eyes with Sartana, a moment of silence before she went on the offense. "I do not have any modifications, not unless one wanted to stretch the definition of a vaccine. I am going to be honest with you Sartana, my patience paying these games has waned, so allow me to be honest with my opinions of what you have said. You see I have a problem with your many assertions, chief among them being that you assume that King Ivan himself is not aware of these facts, or even his inner court, you seem to make a bad habit of not giving this Kingdom it's agency on these matters, that Somehow in someway Ivan wouldn't be aware of the potential dangers of wedding Nova, or Me, or anyone really. I understand you're a chieftess, Sartana, but do remember I don't need a lecture on the politics of monarchies."

"So to be clear, King Ivan doesn't need my father's protection, he has done wonderfully thus far, and I am more than confident he is more than able to root out plotters and instigators. The Frozen Forest had sent an invitation to my father of it's own violation, they have seen our ships, are aware of our empire's size to an extant, and are surely prepared for the future, unlike you I will not act as if they are characters in my life story, they are people who no doubt have their own thoughts and actions, and chief among them the King. If I am here, if Nova is here, if any single suitor including yourself is here, that is by his violation, and his will alone has decided that.

"This reminds me, this idea that such a union would only result in instability for the Frozen Forest, instability you cannot prove, it seems to lead to the result of the Kingdom losing it's sovereignty to my Father. What was it you that said again? My father wants a foothold in this universe for conquest, and thus that means he would have me marry Ivan and make him a vassal? I'll be honest Chieftess, you should consider taking up the pen and become a fiction writer, you have quite the imagination. Allow me to elucidate a few things for you, the Holy Solar Empire itself does not span a whole galaxy, it holds considerable, arguably de facto control over an arm of the galaxy, but nothing beyond that, and any Imperial would admit that the Empire's control wanes along the edges."

"However, you seem to think my father wants a foothold to expand in this reality, but the method is incongruent with reality. If my father is enough of a force to safe the King from a costly rebellion and subjugate him, why would he bother marrying me in some political ploy, he has the force to conquer it flat out, it reads as one of those ancient stories about aliens hiding among people so they can turn them into food or control their society, if I may say it's literal conspiracy nonsense. The very fact that I am here, essentially on the permission of the King due to his own interest, I think it is fair to say my father has no aspirations, but that wasn't quite what you suggested, at least to Seraria or me was it, so lets rewind a bit."

"You seem to think or at least you give the appearance of thinking, that my father needs the Forest Forest as a foothold in this reality, that he needs the Frozen Forest for some reason. If I may once again call upon an analogy, that is similar to those old films about aliens invading Earth for water, it's patently ludicrous and it shows how much you don't understand the subject of interstellar expansion. If my father wanted to expand into this galaxy, he wouldn't need the planet, he wouldn't even have to give them any mind, he could have a star port built near the sun, and then colonize the system or terraform Mars, he doesn't need the Frozen Forest, and he certainly doesn't need me to marry Ivan if he wanted the planet. What you have been saying to me, and to Seraria is not only patently false, but outright conspiratorial nonsense that impacts my honor, and cannot in good consciousness tolerate you harassing and using my friend for your own ends." She actually corpsed at the end, anger and frustration was clear when she brought up Seraria.

"I can tolerate you acting against me, but do not bring Seraria into these squabbles. So allow me to be curt with you, what is it you plan to do with Duchess Arissa? And who was the baroness you conspired with? Oh yes if it wasn't plainly obvious by now I knew what you said to Seraria, I heard everything, I gave Seraria my trust and I consider her a friend, but I don't trust you or many other people, I gave her a monitor, it runs on rather mundane technology, even the Frozen Forest could collect the transmission. What was it you said about handling the court, you needed to be hands on? Well Sartana I am afraid that I don't need hands to do the same."

"So allow me to come up with a hypothesis of your plot. You plan to humiliate the Duchess and have it tied to me or my Guard, and this baroness you spoke to, likely connected to your dealings with the ladies, was your hand in this matter, given poison would be to much an escalation, you likely put something in her that would embarrass her, if for no other reason that any other method could be to obvious, I'm thinking laxative... am I right? I have all the confidence in this hypothesis of mine, and it is because of you Chieftess Sartana, you have my thanks." Eleanore finished, as calmly and polity as ever, she had to pat herself on the back, despite that short bit about Seraria, she had kept her cool, if a bit tense to Sartana. Sartana was a fascinating women, one she couldn't respect with how she manipulated Seraria, but she could respect her in other ways, Eleanore could only hope she had it in her to forgive the Chieftess when all was said and done.

by **The Frozen Forest** » Sun Sep 26, 2021 5:49 am

Musique

The Admiral gripped the table and his vision steadied. He gulped in a breath of air and reached down for another bottle, finding his opponent tapping his shoulder. In a spike of anger Aron swatted the mans hand away and waved the now opened bottle at him dangerously, "Ish gonna *hic* taaakemore than *burp* t-than that tooo outdrink meeee *hic*" Aron looked down at his bottle and then back at Leopold, how! How was he not even a bit affected by it!? Aron had seen men twice Leopold's size be floored with the amount of alcohol they had drunk, and Aron hadn't been defeated since putting on rank so many years ago.

Aron lifted the bottle and drained it's contents down his throat, feeling like his gut was about to explode. At least the taste had fully faded away, now the alcohol tasted like water and he felt more than capable of swallowing down more. Unfortunately the Admiral had lost control of more than his taste buds, as his vision had blurred to the point he was seeing shapes rather than people. He'd hit the point where the drinking wasn't fun anymore. Aron felt anger bubble up inside of his chest and he took the empty bottle and smashed it against the table, shattering it, before aiming the bottle at Leopold (or who he thought was Leopold, but was instead another sailor).

"Hhhit me!" The sailor, who also had begun drinking obliged and drove his fist into the Admirals face, causing him to stumble back into a wooden pillar. Without a word the Admiral threw a punch of his own into the body of the nearest person, again another sailor. The sailor dubbled over in pain and from the other end of the table a guard tackled a sailor, both of them falling over a table. The barkeep sighed loudly and exited the tavern as someone hurled a chair at Leopold, missing entirely and hitting the edge of the bar. Someone clocked Aron in the jaw and he returned fire, driving his knee into their gut and then punching them in the face.

Aron, who before had almost gone unconscious seemed energized by the fury which now overtook him. War was chaos, but then again so were barfights, and he was in his element. Aron dropped his shattered bottle and rounded on Leopold for a second time (though actually it was the first), his knees bent in a defensive stance and a tiny stream of blood rolling down his mouth. From somewhere in the back of the room a man who looked suspiciously like the Crown Prince entered and despite not being drunk, deflected a glancing punch from one of the guards before hauling the man up and throwing him across the floor.

"*Hic* Come on preetty boy, let's see if you're as strong as you seem to think you are." The Admirals speech was steadied, eyes sharp (as sharp as they could be with the drunkenness he was now overcome by). Aron deftly brought his fist forwards in a haymaker. From the side another chair was thrown, this time landing squarely in the chest of a guard. One of the less drunk musicians in the room began a tune and was joined by a few others, occupying a corner which was relatively uninhabited as men brawled in the center. Men came from all sides and one man with black hair and expensive clothes fought his way towards the center, punching and kicking and scratching and throwing men as they attacked. As Aron threw his haymaker did this man go in to tackle Leopold.

Musique

Seraria watched Sartana leave, her feelings once again a jumble. What did Sartana mean, that the King had been attracted to her? That Queen Freja had thrown her support behind her? Doubt welled up within her and she sat down at one of the dining tables off to the far side of the room, away from the dance floor. She took her camera and looked through the photos that she had took, looking at them and deleting certain ones that she felt were poorly taken. She hovered on those of Eleanore and King Garaemarys, but stopped shy of deleting them. It wasn't her job to delete the photos that she had taken, save for those that were too bad to be made available to the court. She crossed her arms, trying to figure out who was manipulating her and who was trying to help.

Seraria bit the edge of her cheek, feeling in her heart that Eleanore was genuine. She reached down and picked the camera up again, looking back at the photos from before. An evil thought made it's way into her mind and she scrolled to those photos she had taken of Sartana from before. Delete. Her finger hovered over the bright black button. "Hello, I know we haven't met before but I was wondering if you'd like to dance." A voice like cool woodsmoke came to Seraria and she turned her head to the source. He was handsome and wore a suit of white and blue, a equally blue rose in hand, which he dropped into the nearby vase, smiling down at Seraria. She met his cool blue eyes and her jaw went agape. "I-I...Sure..." She closed her mouth and took the man's outstretched hand as she pulled her from her chair and towards the dancefloor.

The van was abuzz with the sounds of a dozen radio's chattering and the men working them. Among the radio listeners stood one who wore an expensive suit and hat from Truvaria's most prestigious name-brand fashion companies. His eyes were an unnatural red, no doubt the result of some unethical and lucrative surgery from the best ophthalmologists that The Frozen Forest had to offer. A smell of the vehicle would reveal the scent of cinnamon and goldwood, a beautiful caramel aroma. One more attuned to it may have realized that the smell was none other than that of Avanti Horgarson, of which only ten or so bottles were made annually for sale.

The man looked over one of the radio operators work, noticing nothing quite out of the ordinary. There was the usual chatter, including that of peoples cell phones, those that had broken with tradition and brought them into the ballroom as well as those throughout The Royal Palace. His operators were trained to filter out mundane or unimportant chatter themselves, and anything related to court gossip unless it were to somehow be useful for the benefit of the King.

"Lord Falkyre, you may want to see this." One of the operators held up a sheet of paper and the man stepped over and took it, reading down the page. What lay upon the page was nothing less than a potential scandal, a goldmine of information. The entire interaction between two of the suitors, in which certain incriminating details were listed-it was blackmail galore, a perfect opportunity for he who could recognize it when he saw it.

"You will tell no one about this. Are we understood?" The operator nodded, his eyes folded fearfully. Falkyre took the paper, stamped it and crisply folded it before sticking it in his coat pocket. No doubt tomorrow would be an interesting day.

Ivan held Asha's hand and guided it to his shoulder, placing his other arm around her waist. She was softer than Sartana for sure, more like the women that Ivan had danced with before while visiting foreign courts. Ivan felt the figure of her waist clearly through her snug dress, but it passed over his attention the same as the sounds of wind rushing through the trees, or those nightly birds which liked to inhabit the gardens after sunset. Ivan stepped forwards gently, then back again. It was to be a slow dance, and he focused his attention solely on Asha, giving her the respect that she deserved after the prior ordeal.

Ivan was surprised by the question and hesitated before answering. "Sigrid? Well that's a long story. When I was a younger man I served in the The Treezian Archipelago, one of the colonies. They are generally pretty stable, but the Archipelago hasn't been for decades. My battalion had been ordered to defend the city of Tutanabu from an advancing rebel force. We didn't know it then, but Tutanabu was the rebellions first target in a long line of cities towards the colonial capital. We ended up being sieged for months, and that's where I first met Joakim. Between rebel assaults we talked about our families, I told him about my father and sister and brother and he told me about his daughter. He and I held our part of the line, and eventually the rest of the Colonial Army arrived.

He was my best friend. When I was eventually given command of my own unit I wanted to make him my second in command, but he wouldn't accept that, he said that he had to earn it. He was a damn fool. His daughter was a newborn, Joakim had fallen in love with one of the locals and together they'd made little Sigrid. The mother had been killed by guerrillas for having a half-born child, and Joakim never made it home." Ivan's voice cracked as memories of his old friend flashed before his eyes, accompanied by the smell of gunpowder and dust and blood. The war had taken so many of his friends, but Joakim had been something else.

"Sigrid had been with us most of the way. She was the darling of the battalion, but the number of times she was almost killed in the crossfire...After I finished my service there, I took Sigrid with me. I took her to be baptized the same day that we got off the plane in Truvaria. I've been her godfather and her guardian ever since. She's a strange one, but she's a sweet girl."

"I shouldn't have been surprised to see that she snuck out of her room, but how did you two come to meet? She hasn't been a terror has she?" Ivan hadn't really considered it before, but Sigrid really didn't get along that well with others her age...or anyone of any age apart from a very special few. Sigrid would never stick her neck out like she had for anyone but family, it was the way she was. Asha was a special girl indeed if she had succeeded in gaining Sigrid's trust.

Ivan subconsciously pulled Asha close, with the tenseness of his body easing away. Maybe it was the catharses of sharing bad memories with her, or his newfound curiosity in her relationship with Sigrid. Ivan couldn't place it, but something about Asha put him to ease. Ivan could feel Asha's breath, and their dance was best described as gentle, tender.

The woman stood among her friends, sipping cool brown liquid out of a fine teacup. She laughed loudly as one of her friends made a well placed joke. She took another sip from her tea, and then set the glass on the tray of a passing servant, who took the teacup among others and made his way back towards the kitchens by way of the staff passageway. Along the way he passed others making their way into the kitchens carrying fresh china, food and drinks. The aristocracy would require a steady supply if they were to continue the raucous parting and dancing through the rest of the night.

The women clutched her gut and her stomach gave a horrid growl. "E-Excuse me!" She said and respectfully exited the conversation, a hurriedness striking her as she rushed towards the restrooms. Her insides were burning, perhaps it was poison, perhaps it was the root of the goldtree, whatever it was it brought the woman into an uncharacteristic run, she nearly tripping over her heels along the way. Along she went until finally she could see the doors of the restrooms and the many others gathered outside, all looking quite as desperate she she herself probably looked. "Oh god." It was a crisis, and the guards were already seeking out the source of the poisoning.

Chief of Palace Security Ivar Friis pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration and took a deep breath. A poisoning was the last thing he wanted to deal with this late in the day, but a whole rash of people being poisoned? Sacré bleu! Personally he thought it had to be food poisoning, nonintentional, given that no one had reported any suspicious activity and his guards hadn't noted anyone snooping about where they shouldn't have been. Of course it could have been a foreign power trying to damage the Forestrian government, but no one had died. All of the possibilities ran through his head, as it was his responsibility to protect those at the ball. To that end he had failed, and could legally be executed for his failure.

Not that he expected that to happen, but only if he didn't muck up the investigation. He'd sent his best guards on a thorough sweep of the palace, checking on guests and looking for evidence. If anything could be found it would be found, but in the meantime all food and drinks had to be replaced. Technically he could shut the ball down, but to do so without the King's permission would be suicide. "It's not that serious, no one has died." He repeated to himself. He could replace the food gradually, until he learned what it was that was making people sick. That was the plan and that was what he would do.

"Haha, your so funny Helga. Where did you learn to do that?" Baroness Melonie Cressida giggled, her eyes flashing across the room as guards went about looking for something or someone. Outwardly she was a happy-go-lucky court lady, but internally she was afraid. Afraid that she had been caught, that they had discovered her part in the scheme that she had concocted. She could only guess at her success as people fellow out of the crowd and ran towards the restrooms, including one of Melonie's lackeys who she had been too late to stop. What was the punishment for what she had done? More than likely the loss of her title unless the King was in a good mood. "Watch this!" Melonie made a wicked face in mimicry of the court jester, her impression striking a cord with the other girls who broke out into their own vicious laughter.

Melonie took a breath, it wouldn't come to that. If push came to shove and she was caught she could always throw Sartana under the bus in her place, but that wasn't likely to happen. The only thing that could give her away would be a frisking of her body which would no doubt reveal her laxative vial. They wouldn't do that though, not with so many high-born nobles present. "Everything will be fine" Melonie whispered under her breath.

Mary Tinsell stared down at a heavy leatherbound book while sitting at one of the dining tables. Zodiac Signs. Nope, she turned the page. year of birth. Nope, she turned the page. Soul Alignment, there finally! She began to look over the page, scanning at least six listed charts detailing ones temperament based on the year of their birth and the barometric pressure of the room. So far Mary had failed to understand love, but here it was clearly stated that when pressure was 29.92 In. and one was born between 1940 and 2000, that love was inevitable! Who could have known!

Mary suspected that was why the suitor Nova seemed to have no interest in the King, since she was born before the year 1940 and thus could not fall in love in the same way that those born post 1940 could, according to the stars and heavens. Where was Nova anyways? She hadn't seen the girl in quite awhile despite keeping a relatively hidden eye on her.

The negotiator had succeeded as strange as that was. The rebels agree to abandon the area immediately when faced with the overwhelming force of The Frozen Forestrian Army and Air Force. Perhaps they weren't all animals like Major General Louis Akession had first though. Surely he would have never considered giving the rebels a chance if not for the Polish-Prussians who had come to court, and for that suggestion he at least owed them a thank you the next time he saw them. It would be a boon to his career that he had managed to take the ground without losing a single life, even if the rebels were allowed to fight another day.

How to celebrate but with the fine taste of alcohol. Along with the other captains Lous Akession made his way over to one of the bars and ordered for himself a bottle of fine imported rum straight from the AHSCA. It cost him a pretty penny and was unnecessary given the volume of free alcohol flowing from the kitchens, but he had a major success so why not celebrate? As he popped the top off the bottle and took a long swig he decided that next time he had the chance, he would give peace another try.

King Garaemarys Tarlaris was not someone who often mingled with his oppressors. Back home in his palace it was easy to insult them, to dehumanize and make them into monsters for dominating The Lunar Kingdom, but up close it was clear that they were humans just the same as he was, with the same desires and wishes and dreams, well maybe that's a stretch. Garaemarys had managed to succeed on at least one part in gaining the trust of Princess Eleanore, which if nothing else would at least allow him to survive as King in a post solo monarch world.

Garaemarys held the young blonde Frozen Forestrian girl carefully as they danced around the ballroom. She had a wonderful imported ruby red dress and a small bow in her hair and had insisted that Garaemarys dance with her, so dance he would. At first he was tenative, almost unsure of his movements before leading the girl into a flurry of local dances from back in The Lunar Kingdom, of which the girl was clearly impressed. What more could the puppet king do but wait for Eleanore's victory?

by **Scornerse** » Sun Sep 26, 2021 7:43 am

Sartana had to think quickly about what her next course of action would be. Soon after Eleanore made a guess at Mealnie's plot people all over the court were rushing out to the restrooms' their tea also tainted. Apparently, Melanie had done a poor job at targeting Arissa.

However, Eleanore so accurately laying out the form of the plot did present Sartana an opportunity, she could insist that it was Eleanore's plot and that she was trying to frame Sartana in it due to her 'closing in' on Eleanore. But that would be difficult unless others were eveavesdropping on their conversation. She had little choice but to try, however.

"What you... Oh you wretched woman!" Sartana growled at Eleanore.

"You're trying to pin the blame for your plot on me because you were concerned I'd catch you in it! Is anyone else listening to this?" Sartana said, look around and gesturing with her hands.

"I won't pretend I haven't been assertive and even a little rough, but I've been nothing but overt my entire time in this ball! You on the other hand, have only been a duplicitous snake the whole way through! You start the ball in deep discussion with the lunar king and Crown Prince Ari then when I head over to Seraria thinking that 'hmm, it's weird how this woman is talking to multiple politically notable men before speaking to other suitors or ladies in the court or even King Ivan himself' you decide to rush over there and put on an act of kindness and virtue so you could give her a recording device." Sartana continued, not shouting, but loud enough for by-standers to hear.

"So when, I or maybe someone else decided to talk to her, something bound to happen, as people will inevitably want to know how they look in pictures and even gossip a little, you could over hear it all and use it against them and others So when I made the guess that you, a clearly politically oriented individual, might want to make 'some move' regarding duchess Arissa, you decided, in an effort to muddy the waters rather than risk me finding out what you were up to, insist I am to blame for your plot!" Sartana said this with the best revelatory conviction she could muster up.

"Fine, then, but I'm sure others can attest that your behavior throughout this ball has been rather suspicious, with you keeping a low profile, in contrast to me who has been anything but! If you wanted to make an enemy of me, Princess Eleanore, you have." Sartana said before propping her hands on her hips.

"As for your training in self defense, in tomorrow's events, I'd like nothing more than an opportunity to personally test what you've learned! Goodbye, Princess Eleanore, barring your cowardice, our next meeting won't be defined by words!" Sartana said, before storming off in search of the chief of security. Eleanore said that her device was recording their conversation, and foresterian security should be able to pick it up, right? Maybe the precision of her guess would at least make it impossible to tell who was attempting to frame who.

by **Brettenwald** » Sun Sep 26, 2021 9:13 pm

The Frozen Forest wrote:Ivan held Asha's hand and guided it to his shoulder, placing his other arm around her waist. She was softer than Sartana for sure, more like the women that Ivan had danced with before while visiting foreign courts. Ivan felt the figure of her waist clearly through her snug dress, but it passed over his attention the same as the sounds of wind rushing through the trees, or those nightly birds which liked to inhabit the gardens after sunset. Ivan stepped forwards gently, then back again. It was to be a slow dance, and he focused his attention solely on Asha, giving her the respect that she deserved after the prior ordeal.

Ivan was surprised by the question and hesitated before answering. "Sigrid? Well that's a long story. When I was a younger man I served in the The Treezian Archipelago, one of the colonies. They are generally pretty stable, but the Archipelago hasn't been for decades. My battalion had been ordered to defend the city of Tutanabu from an advancing rebel force. We didn't know it then, but Tutanabu was the rebellions first target in a long line of cities towards the colonial capital. We ended up being sieged for months, and that's where I first met Joakim. Between rebel assaults we talked about our families, I told him about my father and sister and brother and he told me about his daughter. He and I held our part of the line, and eventually the rest of the Colonial Army arrived.

He was my best friend. When I was eventually given command of my own unit I wanted to make him my second in command, but he wouldn't accept that, he said that he had to earn it. He was a damn fool. His daughter was a newborn, Joakim had fallen in love with one of the locals and together they'd made little Sigrid. The mother had been killed by guerrillas for having a half-born child, and Joakim never made it home." Ivan's voice cracked as memories of his old friend flashed before his eyes, accompanied by the smell of gunpowder and dust and blood. The war had taken so many of his friends, but Joakim had been something else.

"Sigrid had been with us most of the way. She was the darling of the battalion, but the number of times she was almost killed in the crossfire...After I finished my service there, I took Sigrid with me. I took her to be baptized the same day that we got off the plane in Truvaria. I've been her godfather and her guardian ever since. She's a strange one, but she's a sweet girl."

"I shouldn't have been surprised to see that she snuck out of her room, but how did you two come to meet? She hasn't been a terror has she?" Ivan hadn't really considered it before, but Sigrid really didn't get along that well with others her age...or anyone of any age apart from a very special few. Sigrid would never stick her neck out like she had for anyone but family, it was the way she was. Asha was a special girl indeed if she had succeeded in gaining Sigrid's trust.

Ivan subconsciously pulled Asha close, with the tenseness of his body easing away. Maybe it was the catharses of sharing bad memories with her, or his newfound curiosity in her relationship with Sigrid. Ivan couldn't place it, but something about Asha put him to ease. Ivan could feel Asha's breath, and their dance was best described as gentle, tender.

"Sigrid's quite the character, I will say that," Asha laughed gently. "No, she's been a sweetheart. That was..." she struggled to find the words for a moment as the full impact of his royal majesty's story hit home- "I'm honored to dance with the kind of man who would do that."

The pair softly swayed together in a few seconds of silence. "I suppose you have something in common with my father Prince Henrik to an extent, oddly enough," she said softly. "He went in for his requisite two years of civil service straight out of tertiary school at 18 just to get it over with in the summer of 1981, and he chose the army. Ended up in the 33rd Infantry, which would have been fine if his unit hadn't been shipped out to North Africa to help stamp out a terrorist uprising in one of our former colonies, Makhribna, straight out of training. I'm not going to spoil your night by going into detail, but he said it was seven years of the closest thing to hell he'd ever experienced. What he found out they did to POWs from our side- not the hard way, thank the gods..." She shuddered. "I'm surprised it only made him an alcoholic. And then when he came home in '88 the country was circling the drain because my grandfather was unstable at best and depression after his eldest son Alerik died in a car crash that February was only making it that much worse. Alerik was a monster and death was too good for him, but Thomas III had a blind spot the size of Truvaria where he was concerned. Everyone just sort of watched and waited and worried until His Majesty dropped dead of a massive heart attack in the palace library in March of 1989, leaving Uncle Thomas two weeks to learn how to do a lifetime job, but I'd say we've rebounded fairly well. Not that I mean to brag, the Frozen Forest seems like a lovely place indeed," she added with an embarrassed, blushing smile. "I'm sorry for going off on such a tangent, but... I guess you could call it generational trauma. The sins of the father and all that, as I believe your Bible says."

They had moved rather close together by now, though Asha had no complaints about such a situation. Brown met blue once again, and a wildly optimistic little voice in the back of her head said kiss me, you know you want to as she subconsciously gave his royal majesty that one particular look that had a tendency to make men melt.

by **The Frozen Forest** » Mon Sep 27, 2021 3:43 am

Ivan considered it Asha's words carefully, watching her gently as she described her father's military service, her grandfather's unsuccessful efforts to act as King, and the loss of her Uncle in an accident. Cursed by the fates, he had to agree with that assessment, it didn't sound good, but there wasn't much he could do to help any of those situations, save offer comfort.

Ivan found himself in an intense situation. Asha's eyes burrowed into his and hooked, she had his full attention. His hands rested softly on her hips, her arms around his neck. Ivan stepped forwards just a bit farther than before, simultaneously pulling Asha just a bit closer. His arms drew back as she was drawn closer and her arms worked their way along the skin of his body as the distance between the two dancing partners closed, any hint of formality or reservedness having disappeared. If anyone saw them then, they wouldn't see a casual dance but something much more suggestive of feelings in the air. Ivan's heart began to hammer in his ears, a steady rhythm growing faster and faster with each passing second.

Asha looked up at him and made a face. Something deep inside of him thrilled. The feelings in his chest had become a cryptadia, Ivan's understanding was anything but verily as he breathed in the scent of perfume. What am I doing? The thought crossed his mind before being scrambled. Asha was looking at him optatively and he looked at her much the same without realizing it was so. The distance closed gradually, and What...am I doing the rhythm of his heart had grown into a cannonade. Their foreheads were nearly touching. Ivan could feel the electricity in the air and it was seductive, calling to him siren-like. The pressure from before when he'd been in front of the court, it had become evanescent. Ivan hardly noticed that the dance had slowed to a stop, the pair holding each other oblivious. Ivan leaned in slowly, then stopped an inch short, so short, lips parted gently, nearly committed. The bushes rustled, the trees swayed, the wind howled. Something moved off to the side, but Ivan didn't notice, perhaps Asha did? Perhaps not?

Ivar Friis closed his cell phone with a satisfied grin on his face. Poison control said that it was likely just laxatives given the symptoms and lack of any actual damage, save social embarrassment. Grante he couldn't be sure until they had the food and drinks tested and that would take a couple of hours as the very least, so Ivar would have to be content with the knowledge that so long as no one died, that it was likely not an issue he needed to be gravely concerned about. Of course it could also be food poisoning, but it seemed strange that even something like food poisoning would so quickly and so violently take effect. One of the suitors came into his field of vision and it was none other than Sartana. For reasons best left unmentioned his men had begun to refer to Sartana by the vicious, perhaps flattering moniker of "The Wolf Queen." It implied savagery and a hint of something else that he couldn't quite place. Ivar bit the corner of his cheek, unsure if the following talk was going to prove to be a headache or not. "What seems to be the Problem, m'lady?"

by **The Holy Solar Empire** » Mon Sep 27, 2021 5:27 am

The Imperials

Eleanore had listened in on Sartana's words, who was predictably flustered and now trying to shift blame to Eleanore. Not that it would help, Sartana was caught red handed, that was victory in Eleanore's book, and it was clear she had gotten under the Sartana's skin, if a bit more so than expected. It wasn't anything new to uncover someones plots in court, and Sartana could easily recover, after all the deed was committed by a lackey, even if you weren't charitable thats no where near enough to end her chances. That said, Eleanore was still upset with how Sartana had brought commoners into the exchange, in court warfare thats a big moral taboo and to know that a competitor would stoop so low was disheartening. Eleanore saw that Sartana was readying to leave, and so with words matching Sartana's pitch she responded.

"Oh yes, I've been a snake, I was the one who brought a commoner into the our affairs, or insult another suitor before the ball even began, you were just an innocent surely, you did nothing I'm sure... beyond. Honestly I find your behavior unbecoming of someone who wishes to be Queen, this wouldn't have occurred if you had challenged me directly instead of manipulating staff. And I mean that isn't to even go with how ludicrous your assertion is, it as you yourself had said, I have yet to mingle with the court, so why embarrass a member that I could benefit from if I am so conniving? It is plain as day you already chose a side and was dealing with opposition." Eleanore stated calmly and as if it was already a well established fact, Eleanore knew that acting dramatic and angry only worked under certain context, in a situation like this, remaining calm and matter of fact in tone showed confidence. It was much like how one was to sniff out someone who was guilty of a crime, those who did something wrong will panic and deflect, come up with some sort of excuse, something Sartana had done just now. Sartana's plan could only work momentarily as a distraction, but it could be countered quickly.

And of course, as Sartana finally leaved she went with a challenge to Eleanore. Eleanore was sure that she could probably hurt Sartana a whole lot more, evolution, natural or otherwise, kind agave her that advantage, but Eleanore wouldn't rise to the provocation. For one, just because Eleanore would be stronger doesn't mean she would win, skill comes into it and she wasn't gonna test that out. Secondly Eleanore was not a fighter, she didn't pick up the skills to fight, just defend herself and just enough to get away, Sartana was just looking for an excuse to be knuckle dragging baboon in front of everybody. Eleanore wasn't here to be a warrior queen, she came here to find a husband and aid in the Forestian standard of living.

As Sartana left her view Eleanore walked away back to the table to get more tea, she was about to take another sip when she felt a pain in her stomach, the sudden feeling and seeming loss of strength nearly caused her to keel over, she had to haphazardly support herself on a table's edge before she managed to get to a chair and rest. Eleanore looked up to see some other people rushing out and she figured that whatever Sartana's lackey had done. The mystery Baroness hadn't just targeted the Duchess, but had haphazardly spiked the whole supply handed out. It was very stupid and Eleanore knew she had to try and find out who did this, though if it was affecting a ton of people her part will more than likely to hand over her own evidence.

Eleanore felt like she could barely muster the strength to move, sweating at whatever poison was in her. She didn't expect a laxative to be causing her this much of a cramp, and at first she wondered if she was actually being poisoned, but she pushed that aside since such an act might as well be a declaration of war, and she doubted Sartana nor her lackey were so stupid as to assassinate her, she can't reign in her father if she dies after all. Eleanore came to the conclusion that whatever was slipped into the tea was something she was allergic too, and she was having a hard time with whatever was in it. Despite the centuries of eugenics, outright genetic modification, and the resulting process of evolution, humanity can't solve every problem. Eleanore's immune system is otherwise top notch, but even she has things she is weak to, the only question is what was in the laxative, even in this state of nausea and dizziness Eleanore could still form a hypothesis, but she could not pin point what was the likely culprit.

Eleanore felt chills in her body, like it was practically numb in certain places, but she worked up the energy to ask a nearby servant for water and tapped her brooch giving of a ping to Leopold to come quickly. She knew he likely had something on hand just in case, but she doubted this poisoning would prove fatal, it was just thrashing her around momentary but she can still use this, a booster shot to hold her over so she can remain in the ball and they can get something to properly deal with the intruding element properly, besides if she gets back on her feet and continues even after such an affect then she will give a much needed appearance of strength.

Leopold had stared at the clearly drunk Admiral with a look of utter disbelief, he didn't know what Aron liked beyond awful beer, but he was gonna give the Admiral something as a show of respect. Still, he was a bit stunned when the Admiral started muttering and making strange expressions, Leopold quite couldn't place his finger on what it looked like, but he felt it was like a inbred fish gawking at him. Leopold took his hand off the Admiral when it became quite clear that it was unwanted, though perhaps not unneeded, Leopold was concerned for the Admirals health given how utterly sloshed he was, he almost felt a tinge of guilt accepting the challenge, but he felt that even had he been up front about it that it would only encourage the Admiral further. As a knight, Leopold was given some standard augmentations that helped keep him in top shape, in this case one such augmentation was to make him very tolerant of alcohol, in truth Leopold would need something that could possibly kill the Admiral if he wanted a buzz, it was a blessing and a curse, but with being a Knight came responsibilities, better to not be able to get a buzz than not being able to go home to play with the box the kid came in...

Leopold was shaken from his thoughts when Aron had broken the bottle and started pointing it at a sailor, who he no doubt mistook for Leopold. Suddenly Aron demanded the sailor to punch him, and was immediately awarded with just that, Leopold had attempted to speak up before Aron had slugged the nearest sailor with a mean hook, which earned itself a whistle and nod from Leopold. Ah yes, a bar fight as brewing, and Leopold was in the epicenter of it all, like the olden days. Leopold casually craned his neck to the side as a chair came flying at him, more or less enjoying the show drinking one of those ass tasting beers, perhaps as a sort of flex, though he doubted Aron would be able to notice or care at this point.

Aron then stepped in front of Leopold readying for a fight, Leopold had no interest in mauling someone whose support he was trying to gain. Leopold glanced briefly at the back of the room where someone who looked awfully like the Crown Prince entered, who calmly parried a blow and sent a drunk flying... impressive. Leopold turned his gaze back to Aron who was more than ready to fight as the chaos around them carried on to the tune of music. "I'd suggest we don't escalate things, but I know you're too drunk to listen let alone care." Leopold entered his own combat stance ready to get a little rough with the Admiral, Aron wanted to see what an Imperial Knight could do, then he'll show him, he'll go easy on the smug bastard. As Leopold smirked and readied to fight with his new drinking buddy he was interrupted by repeating ping near his collar, even with his attention taken away he was able to effortless parry Aron's strike while chopping his would be tackler onto the floor.

That ping meant only one thing, his lady was in distress and needed him there yesterday. All appearances of rowdiness and excitement for a fight was gone in a flash, replaced by stoic professionalism as his adrenaline kicked into high gear. He had to get to his Lady as quickly as he could but he was gonna spare as much time as he could to end this bar fight before anyone got too hurt, at least hurt in ways that would keep them from their obligations.

"Apologies Admiral, we'll have to have our fight another day." Leopold said as he quickly knocked Aron down with a calculated blow, he did the same with the other belligerent drunks in short order, making sure to keep them face up before reaching the entrance. "They'll all be okay, probably feel like shit when they wake up though." He didn't have time to stay, he had to make sure that Eleanore was okay after all, hopefully the Frozen Forest won't be too upset with the bar fight, he felt that these were probably not to uncommon anyways.

by **Scornerse** » Mon Sep 27, 2021 7:21 am

The Frozen Forest wrote:
Ivar Friis closed his cell phone with a satisfied grin on his face. Poison control said that it was likely just laxatives given the symptoms and lack of any actual damage, save social embarrassment. Grante he couldn't be sure until they had the food and drinks tested and that would take a couple of hours as the very least, so Ivar would have to be content with the knowledge that so long as no one died, that it was likely not an issue he needed to be gravely concerned about. Of course it could also be food poisoning, but it seemed strange that even something like food poisoning would so quickly and so violently take effect. One of the suitors came into his field of vision and it was none other than Sartana. For reasons best left unmentioned his men had begun to refer to Sartana by the vicious, perhaps flattering moniker of "The Wolf Queen." It implied savagery and a hint of something else that he couldn't quite place. Ivar bit the corner of his cheek, unsure if the following talk was going to prove to be a headache or not. "What seems to be the Problem, m'lady?"[/align]

Though her aims were conspiratorial, Sartana wasn't going to play needlessly innocent, from what she heard from before the ball, the Foresterian military types seemed to not mind having a pugnacious queen, judging by the admiration of Lady Irene she'd heard and she didn't bother with any pretense of elegance. But elegance wasn't what she play up in this conversation, right now she wanted to play up her martial prowess and the discipline of power withheld.

"Well, sir, I've just had a rather unpleasant, but I believe relevant to your concerns, discussion with Princess Eleanore. She claims that the poison that's been slipped into the the tea is some type of laxative, targeted at Duchess Arissa, but she pins the blame for the plot on me. While I can't say that it was her plot, that she's pinning on me, her knowledge of the specifics of both the type of poison and the target seemed rather suspicious, especially given her behavior throughout this ball." Sartana continued to lean on the idea that Eleanore's behavior to this point had been more suspicious.

"Apparently she had convinced the court photographer to carry a two way radio on her that'd record conversations while she also carried one. I had glimpsed the two talking at length with one another, but I didn't know the depth of their conspiring. Frankly I just went by the photographer because I was curious if she got any pictures of me, which, of course, she did. Not to brag, I think I've gained some notability here, even If, admittedly, a lot of that is fear of me." Sartana smirked. She felt somewhat bad dragging Seraria to it, but allowing herself to be used as a means to record her and others on behalf of Eleanore made her a fair target. Also Sartana was happy to play up her dominance of the court. If the fact Lady Irene once beat up a room of faculty didn't dissuade her from being a target of admiration, certainly her own aggression wasn't going too far. Besides, security and the military probably appreciated a woman that could keep annoying, likely constantly complaining and petty trouble making court in line.

"Which is somewhat unnecessary, I know that I'm rather physically intimidating to the average lady of the court, but It's not like I'm going to beat anyone up, there are too many people around." Sartana said in deadpan. "I'm joking, of course, I'll leave that for tomorrow's events." Sartana smiled. She wondered if Eleanore would take up her up on her challenge. Whether or not she didn't Sartana was detery to show she didn't only bark and growl, but could and would bite.

"Anyway, if you doubt the veracity of my claims, Eleanore said that the radio signal could probably be intercepted by your people, so if any of your people recorded it you could cross reference it to what I've said."

by **The Saucer Pilots** » Mon Sep 27, 2021 7:36 pm

The Frozen Forest wrote:
(Image)

"You. Have. No. I-d-e-a. All anyone wants to talk about is the King and his suitors. My friend Rosalin said that the King is madly in love with Khana Amina, but then he's dancing with Chieftess Sartana! It's madness, the King should just pick a suitor and be done with it-get over all of this pomp and pageantry." Kornelia was obviously sour that the King hadn't fallen madly in love with her, much to the point that he'd even noticed her presence at all. Kornelia being as flustered as she was made Ymir chuckle, and his sister to turn on him for it. "What are you laughing about? What have you been doing other than sitting out here growing old." Kornelia straightened out her dress and looked to Grimes. "I haven't been asked to dance all night." It was a comment, but one that sounded an awful lot like a demand.

Sæunn

(Image)

Sæunn stood up and made her way across the room to her small bed. She dropped down to her knees and reached under the small wooden furniture and withdrew a long piece of parchment that looked quite old between the dust and spiderwebs covering it. Sæunn began to unfurl the scroll, moving slowly in order to not damage it. When finally she held the map open before her the passage seemed clear and she knew exactly what she would have to tell Nova to help the young alien escape her predicament. Naturally she was very protective of her map and quickly closed it before stuffing it away under her bed.

"You unleashed the Zuul into the fort, so you'll have to be careful of that. Now there is a secret passageway which leads out of the fort that you'll need to take, but to get there might be dangerous for reasons other than the Zuul. If you follow the hallway down you'll come to an intersection, go left and keep going until you reach a big iron door. It's usually unlocked, so head inside and look for a big stone fireplace. If you push on the back of it, it'll open up and you can crawl through. The passage leads outside of the fort. Oh! And don't forget that when you're outside, find the King and give him my book! I'm counting on you!"

Grimes:
The agent recalled the names of the women that Kornelia had mentioned, "Oh, those Amazon women." By then, the two siblings were playfully sparring in a verbal manner. Just as he was going to say something about the situation, the young noblewoman had already expressed her intentions of being there. Grimes was unsure if rejecting Kornelia would be seen as rude, but he had never danced at a Ball before, he hardly danced at all in his life. Grimes tried flattery to buy some time, with some luck, maybe Nova would interrupt..."Really? That's surprising to me. I'd have assumed you'd have rows of young men waiting to take you to dance."

Nova:
At first, what Sæunn described seemed like something out of a mystery novel; but then again, they recalled reading that many Medieval forts and castles often had secret passageways and areas. Furthermore, reconsidering all the things that Nova had experienced, talks over secret passageways were likely the least strangest thing to occur right now. Analyzing the child's words, Nova was aghast at the though that they 'unleashed the Zuul' for a moment and they felt a knot in their stomach, a sensation caused by Nova wondering if they really had indirectly killed somebody again. But they suppressed the anxiety once more, they could feel devastated later on, for at the moment, there were more pressing matters: Sæunn said the big iron door that Nova would have to go past was usually unlocked and Nova was already assessing possible risks. However, with little else to do and with frightful determination, Nova turned to the door and nodded at their host with a dead-serious stare while clutching the book with one hand and grasping the laser in another, seemingly convinced it could be a tool if not a weapon: "I won't let you down, Comrade Saaun." Then, Nova turned the door's knob and walked outside while repeating the child's instructions in their mind.

by **A m e n r i a** » Thu Sep 30, 2021 3:52 am

She thinks I'm all in. This might be a good opportunity for me to look at her angle better. She's right, if she tries anything funny I can just double-cross her. Worst case scenario I can just jump outta here and let the twins take care of things from there.

"Alright, I'm listening, whatcha got?" Yali asked before walking closer to her side and lowering her voice. "This might not be the right place or time. You wanna head out someplace you keep all you skeletons?" she continued, not considering if Arissa would appreciate her sarcasm.

by **The Frozen Forest** » Mon Oct 04, 2021 8:06 am

The punch was absolutely perfect. His fist sailed through the air, swinging along with the full weight of his body behind it, ready to crush whatever lay in it's path. The fist itself was clenched tight and his arm was a tense muscle. In slow motion Aron watched his fist fly through the air, and in slow motion he watched as Leopold deflected it, before the knight drove his fist deftly down on the Admiral. Aron felt a pressure run along his back and down his spine, and he quickly began to lose control of his body. The world seemed to stutter for a minute, a cool bead of sweat slowly dripped down his face, and the Admiral's world began to fade away. He hit the ground with a loud thump, hard enough one might have checked to make sure he wasn't dead.

Aron opened his eyes and the world was white. As far as the eye could see there was nothing but a endless field of snow colored nothingness-save for a single wooden door many miles away. Aron pushed himself off the ground and stood up, brushing off his clothes. "That's weird, I could have sworn these were the same clothes that I wore as a child." Aron said to himself, a shrill voice coming from nowhere. "Wait what?" Aron looked down at his hands and they were gritty but small, fragile even. A mirror appeared from the void to assist and Aron looked at his reflection, seeing himself many year ago before he had any notion that he would join the navy.

The door was closer then, much closer. Aron turned his head and it was staring at him, it's large wooden framed decorated by beautiful inlaid gold and ruby designs. "My front door...." Aron whispered, reaching down to the small lion-head knob and twisting. Aron pushed the door open and before him stood a large room with green pain, bookshelves, wooden rocking chairs, a warm hearth and two people. There was a tall man with blond hair and a thick bushy mustache as well as a young women with brunette colored hair, wearing a older piece of yellow and white clothing. These were people that Aron recognized immediately. "Mom? Dad?" Aron's mother turned her head to look at him, and his father continued whittling away at a small piece of wood in his hands.

"My my, you're up early. Don't you know what day it is?" Aron shook his head at the question. "It's Christmas! Since you're awake why not open a gift, we can open the rest after breakfast." A sense of calm washed over Aron and he nodded steadily. The Christmas tree was huge but underneath it was only a handful of boxes, each with a name written on it. Aron vaguely recognized the names as suitors from the ball-that's right, the ball. He'd been doing something at the ball, so how did he end up here?

Aron looked at each of the presents. There was one for Eleanore, Asha, Sartana, Amina, Yali and even Nova, as well as a few others, smaller ones. Nova's was decorated in galactic styled wrapping paper, Yali's in crescent moons, Amina's in stiletto's, Sartana's in daggers, Asha's in kittens and puppies and Eleonore's in Christian crosses. Aron looked at them all, and then back at his mother, who gestured for him to pick one. They each seemed to call to him in their own way, but the loudest was Eleonore's.

Aron reached down and undid the loop of the cross-decorated cardboard box. The ribbon came off easily and Aron lifted the top off to reveal a single item: A bleeding cross. Aron reached down to take the gift in hand. "That's an interesting one, the girl that's meant for has a bright destiny ahead, even if she's a little naïve." Aron looked at his mother confused. "What do you mean...whose this girl..." There was a knock at the door and Aron turned his attention to that.

Aron opened his eyes hours later, his head spinning and his body still thoroughly drunk, albeit not so much that he couldn't think. "What a weird dream."

There was silence for a long minute after Sartana dropped her bombshell revelations on Ivar Friis, The Head of Palace Security. His face twisted and furrowed as the gears began to turn in his head. Well that just about makes it true, the poison was a nonlethal laxative. Ivar reached into his pocket and retrieved a small cellphone. Ivar flipped it open and hit one of the keys and then held the phone up to his ear, a husky male voice spoke and Ivar responded. "Inform poison control that we suspect it to be a laxative of some kind." The voice squawked something back to him. "Have we had any reports of radio communication between Princess Eleanore and Court Photographer Seraria? No? Nothing from our remote surveillance team?

That has to be b*llshit, I have one of the suitors right in front of me telling me that there was radio communication. I want a full search of the RST and it's equipment. If they are withholding something then I want it found. I want the court photographer in chains and in the dungeon within an hour, ready for questioning. I want all the tea in the ballroom and kitchens replaced and guards in the kitchens for the remainder of the night. I want Duchess Arissa brought to me immediately."

Ivar closed the phone and struck his hand out towards Sartana to shake. "You've just made my job much easier, thank you for letting me know about this plot."

-Meanwhile-

A handful of men and women entered the ballroom dressed in suits and ties and wearing cold black earpieces. Despite the relatively relaxed atmosphere of the ball, where most were speaking the common lingua franca English, the suited folk spoke quietly and in Frozen Forestrian. They spread out from the entrances in pairs of two and swept from the ends of the room towards the center, checking patrons faces and identities as they went along. It wasn't until they reached the near center of the dance floor that one pair stopped and spoke into their earpieces, causing the other guards to hurry their way. Without much notice they began to direct folks away until only two dancers remained on that particular area of the floor.

The biggest of the men went first, followed by others who formed a loose circle around the dancing couple, blocking them from sight of the rest of the ballroom. There wasn't any time to waste and the leader of the group spoke loudly. "Court Photographer Seraria, by order of the Captain of The Royal Guard you must enter our custody. Please come along quietly, alone." The Royal Guard eyed Seraria's dancing partner, who blinked at them surprised.

~~~

Near the palace sat the remote surveillance team in a relatively inconspicuous van of unnaturally large proportions, sitting along six other vans of different colors but the same size. Inside were not the greatest radio operators in the nation, but rather the loyal and dim and corrupt. They chatted away on small radios, and then were silent as they received certain radio waves from the outside. Some were scribbled down on notepads, other less important gossip was forgotten and ignored. None of it really mattered, especially the general chatter from peoples cell phones.

Men alone made their way towards the vehicles, dressed in ceremonial armor and wielding assault rifles, a strange combination should they be seen by the civilian populace. They were unseen until finally they had reached the specific unmarked van that held the RST. With a nonverbal handsignal they threw the door open and swiftly entered, rifles ready to fire. "HANDS UP! PUT YOUR HANDS UP!"

Thump! Thump! Thump! Seraria's heart pounded away in her chest. She felt his hands move along the sides of her body and his touch was electric for she who had little experience with that sort of thing. Seraria kept her hands wrapped around his neck, feeling his warm skin against her arms. His breath melted against her body, waves of warmth breaking against her collarbone and evaporating up to whisper sweet temptations in her ears. She stepped along to the sounds of the music as they floated along the air, her dance more akin to that of a wild turkey than that of a graceful swan, yet it didn't seem to matter. It didn't matter that she didn't know the steps or that she was clumsy; he led her along and she followed.

Seraria looked into his eyes and saw a bright future ahead. Nevermind that it was an illusion brought on in the heat of the moment, she could see it clearly. She was not a lowborn lady from humble beginnings trying to eek out an existence among the gods-she was the wife of one such god, and her children would be gods themselves, and she would live in a beautiful country estate with them. Seraria could see herself falling in love with him, and he would be her ticket to a better life.

"Court Photographer Seraria, by order of the Captain of The Royal Guard you must enter our custody. Please come along quietly, alone." Seraria released her dancing partner and turned dumbfounded to see a throng of men in black suits surrounding her. The illusion was shattered, what could she do? "I-i-um...yes..okay" The men approached and took Seraria by the arm gently but firm and then led her away. through the throngs of people towards the inner guts of the palace. Shame burned through her, though she didn't know quite why.

Shame turned to fear as Seraria was taken further and further into the palace, before finally coming a large set of stairs. Even she had heard rumors of what happened below the palace walls, and it was almost never pleasant. She was dragged along until finally she was brought to a holding cell of sorts, which leather chairs and a fine mahogany desk. The guards released her and left the room and Seraria found herself tapping the small device that Eleanore had given her, it was a call for help.

"HANDS UP! PUT YOUR HANDS UP!" The sound rang through the van and into the ears of all the men present. The radio operators didn't need a second warning as their hands rose to the sky. Lord Falkyre had already drawn his pistol with the sound of the door opening, but as men poured into the van he stuffed the weapon back into it's holster. He held his hands in front of him, deigning himself above the embarassment of surrender in the same manner as his assembled men. The officer in charge of the assault team entered last, and looked wickedly at Falkyre. "Lord Falkyre, by order of the Captain of The Royal Guard, I'm ordered to take you into custody."

"This will really put a damper on our productivity. I hope The Royal Guard intends to compensate the communications ministry for this...incident." It was a last jab, silenced as one of the soldiers came forwards and slapped cuffs on him, drawing them tight enough to be uncomfortable. There was nothing more to be said as he was lead out of the van and through the various facilities on the sides of the palace. After some measure of walking they came to a solid steel door guarded by two men in full military dress. What awaited him was a prison cell, where he was subsequently searched-his previous transcript of Eleanore and Sartana's conversation being seized by The Royal Guard.

Kornelia grinned triumphantly at the reaffirming of her natural superiority over other women. What could they possibly have that she didn't? Good looks? Nah. More money? Unlikely. Willpower? She had it all. Kornelia knew that she was a gem, so why get so worried about soft fools not appreciating her true value? At least there was someone at the ball who had shown their appreciation publicly, and he now had her full attention. Kornelia stepped close to Grimes, thirsty for more compliments. "Oh? And why is that?" Ymir to his credit pretended to not notice Kornelia's vanity.

The hallway stretched out before Nova as she left the safety of the room. There was no sign of danger, just a normal hallway by appearances alone. In the distance there was the occasional cackle or the sound of a door being opened or closed. Just enough to break the eerie silence. Nova was on her own then, and she had a ways to go to escape. What dangers could possibly lurk in the hallway, save for the horrid Zuul which was no doubt still prowling about somewhere in the fort.

Intrigue was indeed something better kept behind closed doors, but Arissa would not be seen hiding at such a critical time, and so she shook her head to Yali's suggestion. "There's no need to hide my support for you, it will be to your benefit anyways." It was true that once she threw her weight behind Yali, that it wouldn't matter so much about public image. No doubt the King and court were already sorting power-players towards one suitor or another, and no doubt would Arissa be expected to speak on Yali's behalf tomorrow. "We could start with you gaining the support of the clergy. Assuming your rival Eleanore hasn't talked to them already, they'll need a friend at court." The ever present clergy, the looming shadow that worked it's machinations on the court for centuries-it was no less important today than it was a hundred years ago.

by **A m e n r i a** » Mon Oct 04, 2021 9:57 am

The clergy. Of course they're influential here. If I don't get along with the Muslim branch of the Ministry of Religion too well, how the hell am I supposed to win the support of a foreign, Christian clergy?

"Umm...the clergy, huh? You sure they'll like me? I ain't a Christian, you know? Sure, there's the thing about being fellow people of the book, but you know..." Yali smiled sheepishly as she presented her doubts to Arissa. Sure, his father taught her well to understand the importance of religion in statecraft, and about tolerance of other religions. After all, what would Shariah be without it, as a system that cannot be applied to non-Muslims, unlike Hindu rulings? But still, she has never been the conservative type, as both hardline traditionalists, and hardline Muslims wouldn't and didn't approve of a social media fitness model with masculine interests - a lesson she learned firsthand.

"Don't worry, it's not like I'm a secularist or anything, but I'm not sure how your friends in the church would think of a Muslim gal, you get me?"

by **Scornerse** » Mon Oct 04, 2021 11:37 am

Did Sartana feel bad for Seraria? Not particularly. She was being difficult, which would be fine enough if she was difficult with everyone, but it was clear enough by how she was with Eleanore that she wasn't. Sartana had sympathy for those who supported her and those who remained neutral, but showing favor for someone against Sartana made one any enemy to her.

Sartana hoped that Melanie had the sense to properly cover her tracks, but she wasn't about to head over to her check on that.

Sartana still had to find something or another to do while she waited for Ivan to return, standing around, her otherwise acting differently that she normally did would only potentially bring negative attention on her anyhow. While her casual friendly approaches had seen mixed results, she sort of made a friend with Adheleid and Irene, she certainly got somewhere with Ivan's sister, but that was about it.

Even then, those conversations involved her playing up her capacity aggression. Whether it was metaphorically flexing her willingness to keep the court in line, through violence, if necessary, to Freja, or literally flexing her own arms in front of Irene, her every success was about her willingness to get in confrontations, or confrontations themselves. Those confrontations had consistently worked out for her, even her move against Asha. She had, after all, successfully ruined Asha's chance to dance in front of the other guests, therefore undermining her notability as an option for the king among them. Regardless of what she may or may not be getting out of Ivan at the moment, it would only be known by her and Ivan. Sartana would get her opportunity to be alone with Ivan after her, anyway. An opportunity which, if she played it properly, would mean her having two extended intimate interactions with Ivan to one for Amina and Asha, with none for anyone else.

So Sartana, recognizing this, thought about who she'd confront next. She had remembered, earlier, seeing two women who had relatively recently entered the ball, one, looked like a standard nun and the other wearing horns and another, in white, wearing horns and a skull on her head. Sartana had done enough research to recognize a Torgeirist when she saw one. One thing Sartana had wanted to do, was the find a way to play up enough of her Catholicism that'd she'd be able to win favor along those lines, while avoiding completely alienating those who weren't aligned with the church. The thing with directly approaching a nun or a priest, however is that foreclosed the possibility of that arms length association, plus what would she even do to convince them that she was a good catholic by conversation even if she did approach them? No, Catholics knew others best by their works and what better work to show than causing a pagan some annoyance.

Sartana briskly made her way in the general direction of Fjolla Saskia, as though she were heading to somewhere or someone beyond her, while being 'unaware' of her presence. Sartana's goal was to give her a subtle, but forcefully enough bump, that she could trip her to the ground by placing her foot behind Fjolla, the skirt of Sartana's dress making it even harder, at least for observers, to recognize that it was intentional. She already had a line ready to say upon turning around after impact:

"Oh, sorry, wasn't looking at you." Sartana began with a statement that was, technically, true. "You're a Torgeirist, correct? Seems ironic, being tripped up while tripping up other's faith." Sartana said with a mischievous smile.

by **The Saucer Pilots** » Wed Oct 06, 2021 10:56 pm

The Frozen Forest wrote:
(Image)

Kornelia grinned triumphantly at the reaffirming of her natural superiority over other women. What could they possibly have that she didn't? Good looks? Nah. More money? Unlikely. Willpower? She had it all. Kornelia knew that she was a gem, so why get so worried about soft fools not appreciating her true value? At least there was someone at the ball who had shown their appreciation publicly, and he now had her full attention. Kornelia stepped close to Grimes, thirsty for more compliments. "Oh? And why is that?" Ymir to his credit pretended to not notice Kornelia's vanity.

(Image)

The hallway stretched out before Nova as she left the safety of the room. There was no sign of danger, just a normal hallway by appearances alone. In the distance there was the occasional cackle or the sound of a door being opened or closed. Just enough to break the eerie silence. Nova was on her own then, and she had a ways to go to escape. What dangers could possibly lurk in the hallway, save for the horrid Zuul which was no doubt still prowling about somewhere in the fort
.

Grimes:
Grimes noticed Ymir's secondhand embarrassment, but he also assessed that flattery really could buy some more time, so he continued to entertain Kornelia. "Well, the way I see it, a lot of potential beaus wouldn't want you to get entangled in all the scuffles going around inside the ballroom. What if one of the suitors decided that you're a threat to them?" Inside however, the Special Agent was still hoping that somebody could interrupt further. Though by now, Grimes began to ponder if changing the subject matter away from the dance could be more fruitful if Nova wasn't around to bail him out.

Nova:
The explorer dashed through the long and grey hallway, as quick as their limited gait would permit them. Nova's sensation of single-minded urgency was increased by them holding their breath, something they subconsciously mimicked from the last encounter. Nova thought of Zuul and other potential dangers and had the laser in their hand, but they didn't attempt anything Sæunn didn't mention, instead heading right towards the big iron door to the left once they reached the intersection. Nova nonetheless felt anger, something stemming from the frustration of an extraordinary situation they thought they had little control of; it reminded them of simulation games that had scenarios with unwinnable battles and disastrous accidents. The aforementioned games were design to wear down at morale, but also to get trainees to control their emotions in the worst of situations.

Finally at the door, Nova went inside the room and closed it, gasping for refreshing gulps of fresh air. After a second of rest, Nova used her wrist to wipe away at beads of sweat which had begun to drip down their forehead and got to the fireplace, which, fortunately, wasn't in use. The task wasn't over, and they mustered all their physical might, as unimpressive as it could have been, toward pushing at the wall on the back of the fireplace.

*So far, so good? Right? Or is it too soon to celebrate?*

by **The Holy Solar Empire** » Sat Oct 09, 2021 3:53 am

The Poisoned

Time seemed to have slowed down for Eleanore as the invading substance continued to flow through her body. She was utterly drained of strength as her body tried fighting off the alien poison, her throat had become sore and she was gripped by the occasional chill. A servant was gracious enough to return to her with some water and a walking stick for support, but all it could do was give her something for support. Eleanore was starting to question how serious the laxative was to her body, she hadn't felt quite this sick before, she never had ingested an alien substance after all, had she perhaps had a small sample she could be fine, but she had consumed a large amount, she'd need some sort of booster to be able to get back into proper form.

As she rested the monitor she had tied to Seraria had activated once more. "Court Photographer Seraria, by order of the Captain of The Royal Guard you must enter our custody. Please come along quietly, alone." It felt like forever for Eleanore to properly process what she had heard, the voice was authoritative, so it had to be some guardsman, but why did they need Seraria? Of course, she had been roped even further into this mess by Sartana, that utter bitch.... But still, how did it come to this, shouldn't they had been able to soon realize Sartana's plot for what it was? Several fears had come to the surface for Eleanore, was this intentional, where they covering their tracks, or looking for a scrape goat? Eleanore knew either way she needed to get to the bottom of this situation, and it all goes back to that mystery voice. Eleanore couldn't quite say why, but she felt tied to Seraria beyond simply counting her a friend, she could feel the worry emanating from her, in the back of her mind she knew she had to make things right, she made up her mind then and there.

Only a moment later Leopold had finally made his way to her, quickly getting down to one knee in front of her. "My lady! Are you okay? Look how pale you're getting, you look beyond sick, please tell me, what has happened to you!"

"I'll be well friend." Eleanore squeaked out before a small cough fit overtook her. "Okay, perhaps well is not the most accurate of terms at this moment."

"Lady please, this is no time for joking, hold on and let me get you a booster shot." Leopold said, fumbling around looking for a booster for his lady.

"So, did you manage to make an ally with a member of the court?" Eleanore had ignored his worries, an attempt to ease the current situation.

"That I did, an admiral, he is a conceited fellow, and his taste in beer is awful, but I may have earned his support."

"I see he has not followed, my I presume you two had a drink, perhaps to earn his trust?" Leopold had to hold back his surprise at how quickly she had guessed at his misadventure, his lady has always been adept at figuring out those sorts of things, ever since she was little even.

"Indeed, although a bar fight ensured so I had to knock some patrons down as..." he was interrupted by a small punch to his head. "My lady!"

"Did you have to be so rough?" She scolded him, even with her tired state she was able to show her disapproval.

"I apologize." He said with a short bow of the head before he finally found the booster. "There we go, this should last us until we get you something to knock whatever has caused this, you didn't answer me what happened."

"It appears I have been poisoned, not intentionally, a laxative had been put into the tea, a pain for the locals, but it appears I myself am allergic to it." Leopold furrowed his brows at this, angered the fact that this had occurred at all.

"And no guard has come to ensure your safety?"

"I am afraid not." She said as Leopold prepared to administer the booster, only to be halted. "Wait, Seraria... she's in trouble." Leopold reluctantly held back, looking to Eleanore questioningly.

"Could you perhaps explain what had happened since we departed in greater detail?"

And so Eleanore had recounted the events that had transpired since Leopold came back with Seraria and left to find allies in Court. She told him about how Seraria had revealed Sartana's plot to manipulate her and the court, and about placing her trust into the photographer. She then told Leopold of her giving Seraria a monitor to ensure that she wouldn't face further harassment and overhearing Sartana talking to Seraria once again before their fatefully first meeting, it all then ended to Sartana's withdrawal and Eleanore's sudden sickness to the laxative.

"Yes, it sounds just like her to fold in an uncomfortable situation. I presume you want us to find Seraria then, to get to the bottom of this plot?" Leopold asked.

"Precisely"

"Very well then, so lets get you up and running again." Leopold went to give her the shot again, only for Eleanore to block it once more. "lady Eleanore, this is quite unbecoming of you, you're sicker than I've ever seen and yet sill you refuse to be treated."

"We must wait friend, I am doubtful the guard would just allow us to see Seraria, not without assistance, and to say nothing of meeting the King." Leopold raised an eyebrow and leaned back.

"So what are you planning then?"

"Simple, use the booster on the admiral, it should be more than enough to wake him from his drunkenness, then we get the aid of the Crown Prince" Leopold cringed at the suggestion. "I know how you feel all to well, but given that the Kings sister is in Sartana's side, it would be safer to traverse the stars we know then that of which has not been revealed to us." Eleanore offered her hand towards Leopold, who took it and helped her to her feet; she looked back up towards her guardian, supported on her cane.

"Very well then my lady, lets get to the bottom of this plot, I presume you want me to ensure Seraria is okay then?" He then said, escorting her back to the bar.

"Indeed, you know the admiral more than me, meanwhile with the Prince I shall attempt to meet with his highness." Eleanore gently shoved him a tiny bit. "You go on ahead, make sure he is still there and I'll follow you behind."

"As you wish." Leopold turned with a bow before quickly leaving to check up on Aron. The journey between both points was fairly short and so when he got back Aron was more or less still where he was. Leopold moved the admiral up against the bar and checked on him, he was still out of it, and it would take him hours to recover normally. Leopold looked down into his right hand as he saw the booster shot, this was the one thing that could heal his lady in short order, and yet he was to use it on someone else.

Leopold accepted this duty, for he trusted his lady to know whats right, he exposed the admirals arm and then pressed the booster against his skin, and it began to scan him for his ailments. It didn't take long before a needle had carefully begun entering him, delivering a concoction that will wake the admiral up with new vigor and alertness. As Leopold pulled the booster away and back someplace secure, Eleanore had as she promised, caught up to him, quickly taking to sitting in a nearby seat.

by **The Frozen Forest** » Mon Oct 11, 2021 7:43 am

There was a clattering of high heels upon the marble floor as the young woman approached Baroness Yali and Duchess Arissa Eklund. She didn't look quite so different from the Duchess, albeit with eyes that shone violet and hair that reached down to her waist. The young woman approached the Duchess first and curtsied. "I've spoken with the other girls mother, I think there's something you should know." The young woman craned her neck slightly to the right to acknowledge the Baroness, albeit sparing her the formal customs and courtesies.

"Your faith as a Muslim does present a bit of an issue on our end. The Catholic's will no doubt suspect you of being supported by the miniscule Islamic minority here, and the Torgeirists won't be likely to offer you any support either. That's precisely why our strategy will be aimed at presenting you as a secularist. The Torgeirists and Catholics have been at each others throats for the past few decades, jockeying for influence wherever they could. Sure it helped the cause of us nobility tremendously by giving us the support needed to topple the socialist government, but now people are beginning to become sick of the infighting. I've been meeting with both sides recently and there is a growing call for peace. We can present you as that peace, someone who will protect both faiths equally."

Arissa turned her attention to her daughter. "Anne dear, what is it?" Anne Eklund, who to her credit had waited patiently for her mother to finish speaking finally leaned close and whispered something into the Duchess's ear. Arissa's eyes went wide and she set her tea down onto the table. "Take the rest of the girls and find out what you can about this tea situation." Anne Eklund nodded and turned on her heel to trot away back into the throng of guests.

The Fjolla hit the ground hard and the crowd gathered around her collectively gasped. A young man appeared from the crowd and helped the Fjolla back to her feet, the gathered Torgeirists suddenly moving forwards onto either side to support their young priestess. "The White Lady asks us to forgive the ignorant, for they have not yet received her word. It would be unwise of me to betray my vows, so think no more of your clumsy mistake, you are absolved in her name." Fjolla Saskia brought her right hand to the corner of her left shoulder, tracing down with her finger to the center of her chest. "The White Lady protects The Frozen Forest and her people, and has done so since before the first settlers came from the old world. Her wisdom guides us, we who prosper here in this fertile land.

The White Lady welcomes all to listen to her word. You are the suitor Sartana, she who comes from Scornerse. She who wears the banner of a poised pit viper. She who has tamed those most fierce court ladies, who tell me of your graceful actions. The White Lady does not punish those with any eye for ambition, nay she prefers to reward them with the crowns of men. I am Fjolla Saskia, I speak on behalf of our patron god here in The Frozen Forest, and I lead the faithful here in Truvaria. I would ask you to speak with me in private."

The Fjolla brushed herself off, turned back to her flock and performed the motion of tracing her finger from her shoulder to her chest. "Go in grace my flock, for The White Lady is with you and grants you her blessings." The crowd began to disperse gradually, each member offering their own look of distaste towards the potential queen. "You'll have to forgive them, our faith has been persecuted for many years now and they are weary of those who bring harm such as you have done to me. I fear they may see you to be a tyrant, but that is not a view that I share." Saskia ventured towards the front of entrance of the ballroom, and gestured for Sartana to join her.

"I hope you'll reconsider that offer, m'lady. The devil oft prefers to speak tricks from the mouths of so called Torgeirists. Surely you are yourself a good Christian and can see through such lies." Sister Kaja had witnessed the interaction between Sartana and the Fjolla. While she didn't condone Sartana's obvious attempt to shame Saskia, Kaja knew what sort of game Saskia was playing, trying to talk the young suitor into supporting her faith and stomping the Catholic Church. Kaja wouldn't roll over and let that happen without a fight, and maybe Christ would allow Sartana to see sense in the situation.

Kornelia nodded affirmatively at the idea that she was on par with the King's suitors, and with that her vanity was worthily satisfied. Grimes had said enough to earn himself a dance from her, which was quite an honor if Kornelia could say so herself. To dance with a woman as beautiful or more beautiful than even those courting the King, well Grimes must feel honored. Kornelia had managed to close in on Grimes, nearly trapping the poor man against the balcony. "Are you one of those beaus?"

The sound of rapid footsteps filled the air and both Kornelia and Ymir craned their heads to look towards the entrance of the balcony. Before them stood a man that they knew well, and he looked to be in a hurry. The man regained his breath and stepped forwards until he stood in front of Ymir, before dropping onto one knee with head bent. "Master Ymir, I come with terrible news from your families estate. Words best shared in private I'm afraid."

Ymir blinked and then looked towards Grimes and Kornelia, then back to the servant. "We are alone, what sort of news do you bring." The man raised his head, considering Grimes carefully before answering. "Master, it would appear your father has collapsed from a suspected heart attack. The doctors are doing everything they can to resuscitate him, but until then you are the acting lord of Syrén family assets." Ymir felt his jaw go slack but quickly regained his composure. "Yes...I see...Well um..wake the rest of the household back at the estate and summon our workers from the largest mines, have them on standby. Father told me once that if anything like this happened that other families would try to swoop in and push us out. I want all of our lawyers working for the next twenty-four to monitor the other powerful families. Keep me informed about my father."

A sound erupted down the hallway many hundreds of years ago, one of a myriad of noises all too loud for those cold and empty walls. Perhaps some innocent bystander reacted betise and distracted the wild beast, or perhaps it was just too slow after picking up the foreign scent. An ancient metal back to an ancient stone fireplace groaned and creaked and gave way, falling down flat in a wide open room. This room was distinctly modern, with a few scatted lights across the space, illuminating it. In the farthest part of the room was a single young woman wearing a innocent black and white uniform that suggested the profession of maid.

This maid turned at the sound of the now broken fireplace wall, saw a small white face peering at her from near darkness, and let out a blood-curdling scream.

Admiral Aron Fältskog rocketed from the ground and onto his feet, swinging a broken bottle wildly at some imagined enemy from the dream he was having mere seconds earlier. "You mad pig dog, I swear to god I'll kill you! I'll kill...you..." Aron slowed his violent slashing motions to pull hair out of his eyes just in time for a massive high to punch him in the face, causing the man to step backwards into a wooden pillar just behind him. He might have slid down to the floor if he wasn't seeing dozens of brightly shaped colors passing through the ball of a needle, and his head didn't feel like it was being drilled with exactly three different jackhammers moving at exactly three different speeds.

Then there was the alcohol, which he had basically just finished drinking. It hit him harder than a freight train and Aron turned and lost it all on the base of the support. For a solid minute he lost his guts, the other men around being thoroughly ignorant in their own drunken stupors with exception of a few confused sailors who had just entered the bar. Then there was the bartender, who looked at Leopold and Aron with wide eyes at what he just saw. Aron, not quite caring so much for them stumbled over to the bar and snagged a loose bottle of Seamans Rat, a leftover from his and Aron's drinking game. Aron took a swig from the bottle and leaned against the bar, only just then seeing Leopold and his master.

"What, you decided to come back so you could lose again, eh?" Aron set the bottle down and stepped over several sleeping sailors to stand before Leopold. Aron's face burst into wide smile and the Admiral let out a hearty laugh. "No, I lost this time didn't I? Don't let it be said that I'm not a man of my word. Tomorrow the King will be sure to know that the Admiralty is supportive of Eleanore as the next Queen. You and her have earned my respect as well, I can't say I've ever lost so badly in a drinking game." Aron kicked a nearby sleeping sailor. "How long have I been asleep. It looks like the fights been over for not even five minutes."

Baroness Melonie Cressida watched as The Royal Guard arrested the Court Photographer. She didn't need to be a masterful manipulator to understand the gist of what had happened and she had to say that she was impressed, to pin everything on Seraria was underhanded and slimy and she loved it. Seraria was a nobody, she meant nothing to the nobility and would be the perfect scapegoat to take the fall for the poisoning. The best part was that it would no doubt be seen as an attempt on the King's life, and there was only one punishment suitable for trying to murder the King.

Melonie smiled devilishly, knowing that with Seraria's execution her complicity in the plot would be forgotten and buried. Surely no one would dare intervene to try and save a commoner of all people, so she was as good as dead, which meant that Melonie could move onto her next plot, whatever that might be. Thus the young court lady found herself tailing none other then the Crown Prince, who had managed to find his way back out onto the ballroom, followed by a very upset looking young woman with long black hair and crazy eyes. The Crown Prince wore an embarrassed expression. Melonie slipped through the crowd after him, tailing him to see where he went.

Red String of Fate (IC) (OPEN) (Courting)

Who is online