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 Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2017 8:38 am
✺Forgotten Son EC: 100
Of course, Dixon wouldn't hate the idea of excusing himself. He was no doctor, and had the wits to know when his presence was superfluous; further, he wasn't too sure that his witnessing all the blood would help anything--wouldn't articulate it, but he was acting as though he was sure his mind would be dulled by the emotions it stirred up. That was just the value of instinct on this day. Out in the hall, he and Youkimi had several moments as the lady from the lotus house was worked on.
"... I never got to apologise for what happen," he began deflatedly. "Whatever happened was my fault alone--I'm just ashamed that I'm not the only one who has to deal with it." It was at this point that two tears rolled down the phoenix's cheeks. "And now we're on the verge of civil war..."
"Maybe if I had treated Solidon better...? --Ah," flapped the count, turning his head a degree or two further away before snapping back to his original space on the floor--"I think of all the times I've earned the ire of people like the lady in there... and they're all sounding quite right."
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The door seemed to open slowly, just a crack, and a voice, weakened, wriggled out. The count shuffled away from the door, taking a handful of hair and tugging it back over his head. He remembered all those times trying to raise up Antigone--it had become something of a project for him, as much as It was his obligation--and now it was threatened by another state... And Phobos... He would have to be in contact with them during this entire affair. Would he stand with his compatriots, albeit former? Would he simply scorn them for new foreign allies? His hands wrung themselves like a neck, like a lover's assassination, and he found sanctuary in nothing, for as he remembered to call for his goddess a hollow steel draft cut right through him.
As he turned around, unbeknownst to him, briefly, his face showed scars that were not their before. They sprawled out from the bridge of his nose like a star made of sloppily welded metal. They soon enough faded, but Youkimi would likely be the one to see the most of them.
And now he was given to pacing. So many things to do. He also needed to address the raids on his land and the debacle at the Fire. Those were things that stoked a brutally hot flame in the count; he felt a fist tighten as he turned back to the others.
"We must crush this rebellion quickly," said Dixon with a firmness that borrowed from his resolve to fight the goddess. "As a show of Ethe's strength, any revolting state will be smote like a foreign enemy." His eyes narrowed. "Solidon is not the extent of Ethe's strength but an extension--and if we must prove it, we shall; I will challenge this prince to a duel if I must to end this quickly and with few casualties..." That scar began to creep up again, and waned with the unclenching of his gloved fist.
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Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2017 11:12 am
Baroness Youkimi Kai
Youkimi, in the hallway, found her mind still continued to turn. She could hear the report that had been given, and she was relieved that the doctor was able to do somewhat. The guards at the gate reported having lost one, a side effect of trying to catch the lady, though the other had managed to survive. An unfortunately potent power, when one's blood was so dangerous.
Then she had a few moments to speak with Dixon, who seemed so desperately torn. He spoke and she saw his tears, she noted the distress, how he seemed so crestfallen compared to when he had been at her side and supporting her and the nation through all of what had happened.
She reached up with a handkerchief and gently wiped away his tears. He blames himself too much for what happened.... Many choices had to be made for everything to have unfolded as it did. To hinge anything on one person placed too little responsibility for the others who made their choices in turn. She took hold of his head and brought him closer, to touch her lips to his forehead. She couldn't articulate words. She wished that she knew what to say or what there was to say in the moment.
She knew that she needed his support. She recognized his pain, as it was one that she felt deeply herself. In watching over the kingdom, it had fallen apart, and thus it was her responsibility of the nation hurt or if its members felt so driven to war and conflict with factions, to become a reckless mob, or to damage each other.
"Don't take all of the credit, good Count. There are more responsible for this then a few can place."
Once the surgeon and the nursing staff had finished and notified them both that they could enter the room safely, she thanked them and gave them the rest of the day off. The remaining day staff would soon change for the evening staff, as it was, and they had done well.
She would enter the room again with Dixon, finding with her own measure of surprise that Chusi was still quite awake. Then again, her family were warriors and strong ones at that. The lady reported that Solidon had seceded from Ethe.... and that they intended to war against Antigone... The region that Dixon watched as steward for his ward. This was the worst time for such a thing to happen. Youkimi felt her heart sink as she contemplated this news and what it meant.
It scorned them. Perhaps if she had spoken with Argos? Perhaps if she had made it a point to keep in closer contact with the lords and ladies who remained with them? She took a slow breath in.
"Would Argos be willing to speak with me here at the castle?" Her question came on firm words, but there was a second's hesitation in the execution of them. She worried.
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Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2017 1:16 pm
Lady Chusi Chhatrapati350EC clothing: BlueChusi sighed, not attempting to get up as she already know that her abdominal muscles would tear the stitching and quite possibly start her bleeding, so instead she simply laid their with her blanket over her body and shook her head "he would probably give it some thought, but getting a message to him would be difficult, and if he doesn't want to come he'll probably just kill the messenger" she sighed. using her good arm Chusi moved and slowly rolled herself onto her side so she could look at them, the blanket falling in to fill the curvature of her lips as she used her good arm as a pillow "He feels abandoned and like his family gave up on him but we never did. Father had told Chai and I that Argos was a bit more delicate. He didn't have the body of a warrior but he was much more charismatic then my brother or myself" she told them "He will probably only respond to force, if he suffers a substantial loss then he will have to listen to reason, however and... no offence Count Titanus... Baroness Kai, but neither of would be able to provide the needed troops in the time it would take Solidon to take Antigone." she told them "Every man woman and child are given a sword by the time they see a year in this world and our primary employment is military based."Chusi said, closing her good eye for a second, she felt quite a bit better now that the world wasn't spinning as fast and she actually saw more than just a blurry outline of the two in front of her "I can see if I can get a message to him but I doubt anything good will come of it" she said to Youkimi. She however heard Dixon and what he said seemed to strike a chord with her and she opened her eyes, or at least tried to. When she tried to open her bad eye she felt a sting and she quickly closed it, looking at him with her good eye. If it wasn't for the bruises on her face she would have probably looked angered by his words "We ae not dragons Count Dixon, we don't smite." she said as she this time pushed herself up despite the pain and instantly regretted it. Her stitches didn't rip but Great Maude did that burn like crazy!. Chusi none the less fought though it and looked at the count "Besides Etherland and the people relocated to the south by you Solidon most likely has the most people. We have the largest territory just after the crown and we suffered the least damage from the volcano. Not to mention that until this incident Solidon has had more then a spotless record. Our people have never broken out in rebellion against its nobles, my family, or against the crown." she took a ragged breath "As my brother pointed out to me before he started trying to cut me to bits, The Chhatrapati house has sacrificed many things and have asked for nothing in return. With all the people my family has sent to meet god of death all of my ancestors have perhaps damned the entire lines soul to a cycle of suffering and torment because of all of the people, not just singular people but houses we have ended in service to Ethe." she said to him, her face was showing nothing but pain, both from the wounds and perhaps from her own words "Our men do not get to see the world passed the age of twenty five, the women born to my family- myself included, will die by the time we are fifty. We have sacrificed our own lives for the crown. Duke Chai's wife is with child back in Solidon and if you just go around smiting my people I swear to you it wont be Antigone that they attack and instead they will see Titania and Etelan razed to the ground." she said, narrowing her one good eye "Besides, you don't have the power to make that call. Once this debacle is finished I will be the next Duchess of Solidon, and it is up to the Queen..." she trailed off and looked at Youkimi ...or her the Stewardess, to decide how this is dealt with." Chusi said, pressing her split lip together with her upper one as she lowered her head slightly. She had let some of her temper flare just then, but she was to exhausted to yell at the Count, to call him insolent and uneducated in the ways of Solidon's people. After all, once you step into Solidon its almost like a different place. But after all that had just happened in the span of a few hours, Chusi's temper was probably to be expected. Her unborn niece or nephew was stuck in Solidon, she had just suffered wounds and blood loss, killed a guard from Solidon, got stitched up, had been unofficially exiled from her own lands, lost her elder brother to the family curse, and in her mind- just had that land and everyone in it threatened by a dragon fraternizing politician, To say she was in a bad mood would have been an understatement...She was depressed, furious, exhausted, worried, and in pain "Baroness Kai... Solidon has never in its long history gone against Ethe. We are perhaps the only old house that has never been corrupted by its power until now... and this is only happening because of a boys whims and desires to make his father and family proud. As a warrior I understand and agree that Punishment should be enacted, but my family and all of Solidon is not an enemy to be wiped off the world and smote. You would be condemning a house that has done probably the most for Ethe then any other, people that though are dangerous had to say in the matter, and the Late Dukes unborn child. I simply ask for mercy, and once my brother is removed from power I will accept the punishment that is necessary for my house. Your judgement is the ruling I will go by, and I will accept no other...least it be from the Queen herself"
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Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2017 2:02 pm
✺Forgotten SonEC: 100 And again, the count was pointed out to be despotic and harsh as a governor. If it weren't for the threat of war, he would have been more than happy to let the new state go on making its own way without bothering Ethe. Unfortunately, this was not the case... Perhaps there was a patience in war that the count had yet to learn.
The condolences from the baroness seemed to melt away from him again. Wearily, the count found a chair and sat, resolving to say as little as possible. After all, Youkimi did have the final say in the matter. She was the leader because she knew what was best; he was the prominent deal-maker because he had the initiative. An inward chuckle--he'd already been the hero once, though it mayn't be taken such a way.
"My apologies..." offered the count. "My temper got away from me. All I wish is for Ethe--and my land--to be unmolested." He wrung his hands as he dared to look up at the lady, finding quickly easier to wait for Youkimi to comment on the situation.
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Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2017 6:05 pm
Company:: Outfit:: Sir RolandFeeling:: Agitated and Defensive Condition:: Healthy Location:: Currency:: 5000¢ EC Items:: DyrnwynOOC:: Sorry for the wait  Prince Roland Leoharz Bellris With five phoenix knights by his side, assigned to him by his sister's command, Roland flew on black wings through the frigid skies with all of the phoenixes in a tight formation. They were like jet fighters that flew with hell on their heels but there was an odd feeling to this squadron that cut through clouds for cover as the rush for a royal home in Ethe. There was an air of hostility to them as they flew on word of Dixon for a meeting with Roland. There was a scent of blood on these men as they rip through the skies. When they arrived dressed in armor they gave no indication of their feelings just as commanded by Roland. Instead they were escorted just as normal, with the knights of Roland being asked to please wait some space away from the count and his guests while the Bellrisan chairman speaks with Dixon. "What are up to Dixon." The crimson eyed young knight ask his glaring question with a calm but festering anger. "Me and my men were attacked upon crossing the border into your kingdom and I demand to know what part in this scheme did your hands play a part in." He had seen the baroness also waiting with the count but his eyes only gave her a glance of uncertainty before looking to the count for answers. He had felt that he could have fully trusted Youkimi before but with this sudden attack on him during his travel here, and with the sight of the injured woman Roland wasn't sure what to think...which is why he stands with his helmet off and under one arm while his other hand lay steady near his enchanted sword for whatever danger might arise.
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Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2017 8:22 pm
Baroness Youkimi Kai
With so much to think about and so many things that rightfully earned her concern and worry, there was little Youkimi could immediately say. She needed time to contemplate what she had just learned, but at the same time, too much time dedicated to thought meant that more would end up dead because of the sudden bold and angry movement of one from a family she wanted to trust within Ethe's borders. They had only recently been unveiled to the world and what troubled her was the very real possibility that their rival countries who sought their downfall would seize this opportunity and attack while they were at odds amongst themselves.
"Lady Chhatrapati, when it comes time to decide justice, it suits Ethe to recall who is responsible and for what crimes. I do not wish to see any injured or grievously punished for following the orders of superiors." She took the lady's hand, whose skin was notably darker than her own, and she squeezed it gently. "For now, rest. I will need your help when you are well."
Because of the chaos, somehow the knights and soldiers at the gate thought it best to allow the knight and his men through. The prince of a republic found his way to them, and though he did not speak to her directly, she felt the suspicion that certified his words. She stood again and turned to the gathered men.
"May we continue this conversation elsewhere?" She asked firmly. This was a sickroom now, and once she saw to it that the woman was comfortable in the bed, she would join them, but not here.
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Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2017 10:09 pm
Company:: Outfit:: Sir RolandFeeling:: Agitated and Defensive Condition:: Healthy Location:: Currency:: 5000¢ EC Items:: DyrnwynOOC:: Prince Roland Leoharz Bellris Always the voice of reason. Always an advocate of peace. Roland didn't want to trust the blue feathered baroness but it seems the hopeful knight has a weakness for the clam natured woman and just couldn't toss away his trust of her character. Still, while he did have some trust in lady Kai he was a little uncertain of his fellow conspirator, since he knows that he is quite capable of many power moves with the upmost discretion. A growing force from what Roland has heard from the Ethen men he is training alongside the other men that live on the lands of his manor. "I suppose if someone led the way..."
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Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2017 11:37 pm
✺Forgotten SonEC: 100
Whatever the decisions made were, Dixon hoped that the baroness left in mind space for his growing forces--and really, he just wanted to help, to be there. These were troubling times; the leaders of E--
... Well then. Suppose they could become more troublesome. Another clangorous uproar and the guards were thrown yet again by their obligation to let a dignitary inside--that was the impetus, yes? Whatever the case, Dixon felt his temperature rise along with nervous tension as the footsteps approached them. His eyes drifted to the young prince who was something of a friendly rival as well as a partner in diplomatic motions. He was about to make with the haughty act--for illusion's sake, when...
"Good prince, please calm yourself." He hadn't expected it to be so realistic!
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That's it old boy--good show! Youkimi'll never suspect until the former queen's head is on a pike! ... Oh, how I must restrain myself from asking!
"Yes... I believe that would be best," nodded the count gravely, hardening his gazes on the princely knight and rising. Once in the new room, the talk could begin in earnest.
"Councilman Bellris," began the count, flicking a hand through his hair, "I think it very queer indeed that you should suspect my men of such a thing--to attack you is an act of war; to attack you in such a way is a cowardly way indeed to begin one." He let his arms spread out in a grand shrug. "Wherefor do my men target this princely man and his flock, dressed in assassin's garb? Should it be plainly written that my archers are trained on the dark cloaks of marauders in this season of prolonged night?"
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Posted: Sat Aug 26, 2017 10:30 am
Baroness Youkimi Kai
She moved carefully to excuse herself from the injured lady's presence. Following the men out of the room and closing the door behind them, she considered how much of a wonder it was that she didn't feel caught up in anger or frustration. Perhaps it was how overwhelming the situation and everything was. Where only just yesterday there had been some semblance and hopes of peace, with things cropping up that could have been dealt with in due course and quickly, what arrived at this day was much worse, and the compounding and sharp reality wasn't something she felt prepared for. Internal strife at the fires. The rebellion of Solidon. The attack at the border. She didn't want this. All of this was within the borders. If a more coordinated outside force were merely to catch wind of this? Ethe would be overturned, and the work of the people would be squandered and divided amongst the conquerors.
This was the worst time.
They had no time. She gave only a moment's attention to her breathing, and after stopping herself from groaning, she managed to make it more ladylike by slowing down her breathing.
She wanted to send a fast messenger to Antigone, to move them out and to Titania or a neighboring land that was not being attacked, to lessen the loss of life. She wanted a bulwark of soldiers to unify and move to intercept the arriving forces. She wanted archers focused on the sky. She wanted Susumu at her side to advise her on these matters.... She couldn't afford to waste time if there was to be any bickering about the meager forces she had protecting their exposed borders!
She stopped a servant and requested that he fly to Kaishin immediately and relay this news to Susumu. She also wanted him to gather all the forces and soldiers he could and move to the Antigone border. Then her attention returned to the count and the prince.
"I pray you pardon me, Sir Roland, but you have caught us at a terrible time. We are sorry to hear you were accosted at the border. I pray you understand how tentative we feel about our security."
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Posted: Sat Aug 26, 2017 12:49 pm
Company:: Outfit:: Sir RolandFeeling:: Agitated and Defensive Condition:: Healthy Location:: Currency:: 5000¢ EC Items:: DyrnwynOOC:: Prince Roland Leoharz Bellris His crimson eyes remember the sight of the injured woman as Dixon and Youkimi led him away. The view of blood on such a tranquil looking woman boiled his blood a little more. What the heck was going on here? Why were soldiers of Ethe attacking people? And why was the count and the baroness aiding the lady if he thought they were the cause of such harm. Silently he began trying to solve this dilemma when the imagery of the failed attack on his life flash before his eyes. And once again, as the prominent figures spoke to themselves Roland's knight would be asked to leave them alone while they guard the door along with Dixon's own men. "Lady Kai, I understand what you mean. Some of the Ethens on my land have told me that the strange barrier around your lands has fallen. I just hope you will be as understanding in pardoning my knights and I for killing the men who tried to slay us first." Yes, the men who attacked them like highwaymen were dead. Their bodies were left their in the snow just as they had fallen and not a single article of clothing or item removed from their corpses so it can be shown they were killed when fully equipped at their best. "But, Dixon, their armor was different now that you mention it. Their color of steel and style were very similar but their sigil was of another's... What's really going on? You did ask for me by letter, but now I'm immensely curious as to why."
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Posted: Sat Aug 26, 2017 2:36 pm
✺Forgotten SonEC: 100
You WHAT! b*****d! I knew I should have... Oh... Right.
"Pardon?" Dixon took a step back, finding that his energy had turned to fidgeting; his hand gripped at the cufflinks he wore and glanced to Youkimi as though to apologise for speaking out of turn. "Are you saying that my men may not have attacked you? This is all good news--I'd hate to distrust them or deal with any entanglements--but it makes no sense." He felt an unsettling thought creep into his mind. "Surely our treasonous Solidon hasn't advanced to my border already. Quick! What sigil did you see?"
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Posted: Sat Aug 26, 2017 2:49 pm
Baroness Youkimi Kai
Youkimi, after hearing this, was currently resigned to accepting the situation for what it was. This troubled her with more questions than she wanted to be overwhelmed with. Any Ethian blood lost was more than she wanted to accept. But the news, the information that this dark phoenix could bring, if it could save more, then to scorn it was foolish indeed. Besides, as Dixon had pointed out, the conflict might have brought them to were if they were not more understanding. She already had the prospect of one 'war'. She had no desire to sandwich her people with conflict on two fronts.
She held her tongue for now and listened to the two men, whose relationship and rivalry continued to confuse her. This information was vital. The sooner it was out, the sooner she could act on it.
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Posted: Sun Aug 27, 2017 12:46 pm
Company:: Dixon & Youkimi Outfit:: Sir RolandFeeling:: Uncertain Condition:: Healthy Location:: Currency:: 5000¢ EC Items:: DyrnwynOOC:: Prince Roland Leoharz Bellris The air in the room was quite obvious and the tension was thick. The stare in Youkimi's eyes told no lies of what she felt even if her teeth held back what she may have wanted to say; If there was anything she wanted to say or protest against. Yet rather than take time to console her Roland had to press forward with the issues at hand. The hearts of Youkimi and Dixon may take respite after matters are settled, yet for now the matter with Dixon was at hand. Roland showed a silent moment of uncertainty which was change when he walk back out a little, taking a second to speak to one of his knights which were waiting on him. They both spoke in the Bellrisian tongue, back and forth between whispers, until Roland came to an understanding of the identity of their attackers. "The band of warriors was small. They were more than likely just a scouting team, but these men were indeed of Solidon." He hadn't realized how grave the situation was before coming here but now that Roland is getting the picture of what's going on a small grew within him as the thrill of battle rised within the beating of his heart; But for now he would take it for what it was and held narrowed brow of seriousness.
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Posted: Sun Aug 27, 2017 1:07 pm
✺Forgotten SonEC: 100
"I see..." Dixon was trouble by this: "Then that means they're setting their sights on Etherland and Titania. From there it's only a short hop to Bellris. Sir Roland, I'm afraid you must be on your guard." There was also other things to consider, but the count did find a kernel of confidence in this trying time.
"However," he rejoined with a small shrug, "their forces are not infinite. They will have quite a task ahead of them if they aim to push through my lands--Antigone included--and even steeper is the task of holding prisoners as they continue to fight. My men are not so sickly as to be held down--their conquests will not impress upon us the pale seal of fear."
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Meanwhile, the surgeons and magi of the staff had continued to work on the lady Chhatrapati's convalescence. They were using all they had available, one doctor going so far as to sacrifice a number of his feathers in a recovery spell. After several moments, they had been able to ease the swelling in her eye considerably, and her wounds would no longer open upon standing.
"There... How are you feeling now, milady?" Asked the head surgeon. Sweat beaded on his forehead was telling of his struggle to return the lady to her former health.
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Posted: Sun Aug 27, 2017 1:24 pm
Lady Chusi Chhatrapati350EC clothing: Blanket Chusi looked at the healer with her good eye, though the swelling had gone down and she could now open them both, she was going to be permanently blind in her right eye, which probably would have been more of a problem if she wasn't left handed, but it would still cause her a great deal of strife in order to reorganize her depth perception. She slowly sat up from the table and held the blanket up, phantom pains from where she had been sliced by the blade still clear in her mind "Thanks" she said softly "you have my gratitude." She walked toward the door and listened to the conversation. She placed her ear against the door and what she heard made her jaw twitch, they were taking the word of this foreign filth over hers? Just went to prove how fast a spotless house like Chhatrapati could be demonized by one small act. Though the Bellrisians wearnt as bad as dragons in her book they were just disgusting. She doubted that any of the soldiers had actually gotten so far as Etherland. She knew that they where headed for Antigone and then from Antigone to attack Phobos. Whomever it was in that room was a disgusting dog of a liar. She had half a mind to leave the abode and the other half told her to stand up for her house and Solidon...both were calls of bad judgement at this point but she chose to go with the second option and she opened the door and she crossed her arms to keep the blanket up as she looked at the man from Bellris "I'm sorry, I don't speak the s**t tongue of farmers, but what exact sigil was on the armor? Was it an Eagle? perhaps a green circle? A snake? A crown? you should answer that since I doubt you've ever been to Solidon" she said "you piece of s**t b*****d bellrisian" she kept the last bit in her head as she narrowed her eyes at him.
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