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Lyra paced in front of her elaborate golden throne. Her grandmother was dead and she wanted revenge. (See profile.) Her advisors sat around a table directly in front of her throne, they were quietly discussing plans for an invasion into Pearle.

They kept sending emissaries and envoys...all of them were either dead or considered prisoners of war at this point. She, of course, had been persuaded to send out a group to try to negotiate. The leader of the group had been one of her older brother's daughters. (Lyra'd inherited the throne because it was custom for there to be a fight between siblings for the right to the throne and she had beaten him.) The girl was named...Etsu, if Lyra remembered correctly. Though Lyra hated to admit it, her brother had always been very high in her council, though he wasn't actually on it. He'd been the one to really persuade her into sending out the envoy. Where she would like nothing more than to start a war, which he confessed, he would too; he had said that it was important to try to maintain peace.

(She agreed with him of course, but she was far too angry right now to think properly.)

Her advisors continued to converse in a circle while she continued to pace angrily.

Ayame sat there with her fellow advisors, listening to them converse. She was the type who did not see only her side, but the side of many. She listened to what they all had to say, agreeing and disagreeing to opinions within her mind. She would not speak until she really felt her viewpoint was needed, or if she really felt she had the need to speak. She would always try as hard as she could to see how Lyra felt most. Being the empress, her impression was greatest upon Ayame, thought she may have disagreed once or twice for the good of the kingdom.

[[err, hoping is is okay for my part. sweatdrop ]]

Rae was talking rarely to the other advisors. She sighed, looking down and closing her eyes. I just don't see why the Pearle Empire would do somethign like this. There is a reason to fight, just not with them. Oh, I wish we could find out who did this easier...This is just horrible... She looked around the room. I wonder...After this is all over, will we still be in this room?

((School starts in 9 days for me...It sucks...))

Lyra sighed. It was hard being empress sometimes, what with being connected to a degree with the goddess' emotions. She was basically channeling the rage that Lycra was feeling at the moment.
Lyra watched her advisor aproach and readied herself to make conversation. Pacing was becoming boring and somewhat irritating even.

"Hello Ayame, I trust you have been well these last few days? I have not had the chance to speak with you since that night."

Lyra cast a glance at another of her advisors, the silent ones were always the best in her opinion. It showed that they were intelligent rather than giving the impression of bickering children as most of the others did. She beconed Rae to her side as well.

Rae looked up at the Empress, seeing her becon her over. She stood, excussing herself from the others, and then walked over to Lyra. When she got to the throne, she curtsied out of respect.

Lyra sighed again, she appeared to be doing a lot of that as of late. It was all Pearle's...no, she had to restrain the anger she was channeling from the goddess Lycra. It was in the best interest of Lyra's empire after all.

"Yes, indeed we shall," She replied to Ayame, "Before we retreat to a more private place to talk however, I have an announcement to make."

Lyra raised her voice so that it filled the large room, no small feat as it was a large throne room, and began to address the room in general.

"My friends, I will be frank with you. I have a deep desire to spill Pearlean blood this day, but nearly none of it is mine. I, as the Empress, have a...connection, one might say, with the goddess Lycra. She is terribly furious and as such I am channeling her rage and lust for vengeance. I will not lie and say that all of it is hers, I too am very angry with the death of my grandmo...the High Priestess." She sighed again as she prepared herself to think about the next bit, "An envoy from Pearle will be arriving in about an hour to talk peace. Against my own feelings, I shall discuss with them willingly. When they arrive I would like one of you to escort them to the private audience room, as this one is a tad intimidating for talks of peace." As she said the last, she glanced about the vast room that was painted a deep red, the walls were adorned with every weapon imaginable. Paintings done by skilled artists were hung tastefully on every wall, the windows were huge gothic looking things with stained glass depicting much of the Empire's history. The windows didin't lead to the outside as the throne room was located in the rough center of the palace, but they were lit from behind by flaming limbs of trees that would burn forever because of a spell cast by her Imperial Mages. The total effect was rather stunning, while Lyra found it beautiful, she had been told that most others found it somewhat scary and even disturbing as the Empire had a rather violent past reflected in the windows.

Having finished what she wanted to say, Lyra stood from her once again seated position and after motioning for Ayame and Rae to follow and making eye contact with Dimitri that conveyed that he should greet the envoy when it arrived, she left through a side door to the left of her throne.

((Not my best work, but it'll do. The envoy is going to be here within a few posts so...))

Ayame followed behind Rae, walking somewhat at a slow pace since she was contemplating and taking in the words the empress had just staed. Ayame was really one for peace, but if Lyra (and Lycra) wanted blood spilt, then so be it. But then again, Ayame wanted blood to be spilt at a.... reasonable amount.

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Corporal Kaleb Vellar smiled at himself as he walked through the gates into the courtyard. There was a light hustle and bustle about, but he wasn't too worried about them. He nodded to his men, and they fanned out to form a line. Militaristic might wasn't Pearle's specialty, but Corporal Vellar figured that looking good in front of the Houkans would be a good first impression. He laughed to himself and said under his breath, "When in Rome, do as the Romans." It didn't take him long to spot Dimitri. Dimitri was the only person around who didn't look like he quite belonged outside, and looked far too much like a diplomat. Corporal Vellar immediately knew that this man was sent for them, and wasted no time in introducing himself.

"Good day, sir. I am Corporal Kaleb Vellar, and with me is Lady D'Lora. We have been sent from Pearle to discuss possible treatises and ceasefires in an effort to re-establish the peace our two beautiful kingdoms once had," he said. He motioned to Lady D'Lora when he mentioned her, then paused as he finished.

Dimitri played a psychological game with Corporal Vellar, and nodded his understanding. He said nothing to the good Corporal, but only signified that he had heard him and understood him. The Corporal was young, and brass. The diplomat he had brought with him seemed to be much, much more refined and used to the measures of diplomacy. Corporal Vellar was not.

After waiting a few moments, Corporal Vellar caved in. "If you could please direct us--" he started, but was cut off by Dimitri.

"I know of you, Corporal Vellar. I know why you are here. Have paitience, young one," Dimitri said with a smile. He had already won the first battle. This would not be difficult. "I am old and frail, and not quite so rigid and militaristic as you," Dimitri added. He made sure to touch on the fact he noticed the militaristic touch, and made an effort to undermine Corporal Vellar's efforts. He continued, "But, if you are in such a rush, follow me to the hall." With that, he turned and slowly walked to the hall that Lyra had requested he take them. He showed them into the hall, and then sat across from them and smiled. He said, "Queen Lyra will be with us shortly. Until that time, are there any questions or ponderings you might have that I myself might be able to answer? Perhaps something to drink, or eat?"

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