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 Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2018 6:29 pm
✺Forgotten Son EC: 100
Dixon managed to avoid cursing himself aloud as he saw the two introduce themselves. Sure, they were casual, but what kind of host was he! The creaking of the chair announced his readiness to speak.
"I'm afraid I don't know where to start--regent Youkimi Kai, duke Ali Abava; duke, regent--"he began with the briefest possible introduction--"friends. It appears that something is very urgent indeed." He permitted a shrug to pass on its hushed snicker. "I of course have my hands full, but Bernard has given me ample training in the art of juggling."
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Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2018 6:39 pm
Ali Ababva, Lord Xerseis 
Gone's the wisdom
Of a thousand years
A world in fire and chains and fear
"A pleasure."
"Mutual, I'm sure."
And to business they went. The dragon focused his attention on the count, who seemed quite eager to get on with what he was concerned about. He could think of a few things, already, and not the least of which having to do with the fact that Ethe, as a state, was making the biggest move of its history since the foundation of the empire.
That must have been stressful to the count as well as the regent. How was she able to veil that stress with composure? .... She was wise enough, and the records and his distant observation indicated, so it wasn't as though she was blind to what was going on and the concerns of her nation....
Very regal, he found himself almost admiring. There were few women who held themselves together with the elegance and calm that radiated peace in the room. No wonder she had the loyalty of her people. Shame she was a phoenix.
.... The silence prevailed.
.... Oh! That was right.
He straightened and he cleared his throat. "The empire is concerned about Ethe. You should probably remove your spies from Lionis."
He found himself smiling as he recalled how the rest of his day went, when he learned of this.... and confirmed other things.
"And the gods covet my eyes."
Leads me to a place so far
Deep down it lies my secret vision
I better keep it safeBaroness Youkimi Kai
There were a few things she could admit as urgent, not the least of which were the letters that were in transit, getting into contact with their neighboring rulers, rallying the people again, creating new plans, affirming that Lionis resources had officially been uprooted and returned to Lionis, the matter of the...
She was still waiting on a reply from Phoebos' king... She suspected that she and Bellris' could reach peaceful terms...
She brought her thoughts together again and turned her attention to the crystal dragon, who the floor had been ceded to. ...
Since the implementation of the system that delivered news, Ethe only occasionally called on the use of reconnaissance. As it was, she preferred ambassadors and the use of friends to gain her information. ... Was the new empress worried that Ethe was a great enough force to use spies and information against them?
Her eyebrows knit on her head as she considered this. It was bothersome... and again... disappointing... She managed to contain her feelings from escaping in a sigh.
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Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2018 7:04 pm
✺Forgotten SonEC: 100
Dixon waited a moment, sure that the dragon was simply gathering his words--it was the way he carried himself at times, as though he was meant to be at the edge of attention before commanding the ears of his audience. Dixon's hands knitted together neatly in front of him, taking in the words as sonic signatures, as a modal piece, before blinking, silently balking, at this last bit.
"I'm afraid this last bit escapes my comprehension, old boy..." The shuffle of staff members along the adjacent corridor were muffled to that of a distant herd through the thin walls of the room; they signaled the count to press on. "--but this other matter should be simple enough. I keep my spies along the borders--as the wont of my neighbors is to attack quickly--of Bellris and Phobos by way of Guzul land... Please: this sounds a threat from the declining empire; how am I not to warm to the idea of spies in Lionis now?" He glanced to Youkimi, offering a small smirk to ease her mind. "Let them be concerned with silence," mused the count, "it is a mode of the insane to bey at a moonless sky."
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Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2018 7:14 pm
Ali Ababva, Lord Xerseis
Gone's the wisdom
Of a thousand years
A world in fire and chains and fear
Perhaps so, Xersies thought with a smile. He was merely offering that out of polite consideration, and did not suppose or presume to command either of them, or to break confidentiality with any of his informants.
Though, there was another matter that he wished to ask about, but he only hesitated as he was concerned about what other ears might be lurking about the estate....
... Why was he worried?
Mostly because of the fallback. However... hypotheticals could be used, especially as he introduced his eyes into the matter. And this, indeed, was his opening.
"Naturally so, for I had a conversation with an oracle not long before and he so kindly informed me of the gods.... desire... and also warned me of the past. Something about an ancestor of my soul having done something.... that only sealed away some ancient evil... and for that end, I need to ask everyone I know..."
His golden eyes flit to the regent, for but a moment. She was a confident of Dixon's... but this undoubtedly would stir a reaction with her. He wanted to know what it was, because it would betray her.
"What do the texts say about killing a god?"
Leads me to a place so far
Deep down it lies my secret vision
I better keep it safeBaroness Youkimi Kai
Dixon didn't seem the least bit worried. She wasn't as concerned for his control over those in his employ as she was for the other regions that answered to her. She could think of a few other war-faring people that might be happy to use spies, and if they were lumped into the same angry category as being Ethian, then she might end up hearing about it and risk having her nation being tossed about in war.
.... She would greatly prefer to prevent that, though she was partly grateful that she was at least warned of-
Her eyes chilled and she focused all of her attention on the dragon. Where was the dragon going with this? His eyes were watching her. Was he expecting her to say something? What was he after?
She hummed thoughtfully and turned her gaze away. The texts and history books said nothing of killing the gods. They were divine.
Why did she suspect that he meant something else...?
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Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2018 7:25 pm
✺Forgotten SonEC: 100
Dixon seemed to constrict the dragon with his eyes. Surely he was in a place where he would share all that he came to, and yet...
He watched Youkimi for a moment, finding that her comfort had suddenly become a priority to him; he knew that, though capable of doing so under pressure, she was best when calm. Introverted, perhaps, but Dixon knew her. He knew that face.
"... Seems to me that it's been quite the eventful day," said the count somewhat placidly. He paused, waiting for steps to fade away before continuing.
"--but please, let us not trifle with caveats longer than necessary. I have slain the goddess Agni--no doubt what the duke refers to--and it needn't be dodged as a subject any longer among us. Here were sit as friends." Dixon drew a quick but deep breath, studying the face of the dragon. "Are we sure this is all there is to tell? Your entrance was quite dramatic; I wonder how the details of this venture of yours will measure up to it."
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Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2018 7:38 pm
Ali Ababva, Lord Xerseis
Gone's the wisdom
Of a thousand years
A world in fire and chains and fear
She had tensed, as though she was surprised by his knowledge and would have challenged him... ah, but doing so would only have confirmed her knowledge of it, as Dixon had already informed him. He had caught her off guard with this hint, and now that Dixon had openly stated it, he was now officially a part of their secretive inner circle. He was no longer behind the regent's back.
But he also knew the cold calculation of a person who was deep in thought, so careful with their words that they would prefer to be silent and allow others to follow their own conclusions than to betray themselves with words.
Xerseis relaxed his stance and turned his attention to Dixon, quite at ease now.
"Not all," the dragon admitted. "The oracles are inclined to think that the nature of my eyes grants me affinity to see shards of the past, or where one's soul last perished. My first soul, as it were, was captured in a piece of jewelry, and is in possession of a foe dangerous enough to the living to have been buried alive. I know of its location, and also was warned that such a person might break their prison at some point."
Not entirely urgent, no, but there was something else....
"The empress would hate the suggestion, but I would prefer to end a threat now, when I might have the surprise, then leave it to decedents some millennia down the road...."
He scratched the side of his head. "Besides this... I believe the Empress wants to marry me."
Leads me to a place so far
Deep down it lies my secret vision
I better keep it safeBaroness Youkimi Kai
Was the dragon following any logical conversation?
.... Youkimi wasn't sure what to say, or where even to begin. If the dragon already knew, why was he so smug in skirting the line? If Dixon trusted him already, why was he prodding as he was? What was this? Who was this stranger and why did Dixon trust the dragon from Phoebos? He was a stranger to her and his calm acceptance of the dragon's knowledge upset her nerves too quickly.
She managed to keep herself from saying anything, but this could easily have been because there were simply too many things to ask, and her emotions couldn't bring these thoughts to words, anyway.
... This dragon knew.... Dixon had told someone. Was she overthinking it if she began to worry about who else might know? Or who might have discovered the truth and would then call for Dixon's head? ... There was backlash in that thought and in that fear, and she was not ignorant of the possibilities.
.... More gods to fight?
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Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2018 1:32 pm
✺Forgotten SonEC: 100
"The oracles..." It had dawned on Dixon just then: "how curious a thing, for you to visit the Maude in the first place." He seemed to think aloud more than criticize, but he did try to shoo the smearing away. "--I should hope we do not have another crisis like the debacle at the City of Ashes..." He looked to Youkimi, calling on her silently to weigh in on this matter. Surely she wanted no part of this supernatural business when their natural world seemed to teeter on the edge.
"I have nothing but sympathy toward your plight, old boy," said the count with a raspiness that gave away his severity as well as some reluctance, leaning back in his dusty chair to bring up a groan from its old spine. He eyed the both of them at once, waiting with the attentiveness of a stalking jaguar. "...--And as for our arrangement, you know that you have my support. The question is, my scaled friend, what is our course?"
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Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2018 9:38 pm
Ali Ababva, Lord Xerseis
Gone's the wisdom
Of a thousand years
A world in fire and chains and fear
Thus their problem. It was another reason he wanted to ask from the first hand perspective of someone who had survived an encounter with a deity. He wouldn't ask anything more from Dixon unless he felt there was a practical reason to do so. Best not to cause too many waves for that. He already unsettled Ethe's regent. He was glad to have been listened to by one ear that was grounded in reality.
Leads me to a place so far
Deep down it lies my secret vision
I better keep it safeBaroness Youkimi Kai
Youkimi did not like this.... was she even needed here if this was the manner of their conversation? They clearly had an arrangement, and with the gods being brought into the conversation, she doubted that she could easily feel comfortable around them.
.... And the visiting dragon... Was it the way he carried himself that disrupted her? ... She still didn't know what the dragon's history was with Dixon, and for that matter, what happened to convince Dixon that this dragon could be trusted with that kind of sensitive information?
"I'm uncertain what you are asking, my lord, and also regret to tell you that Ethe's resources are already allocated to other projects. I cannot grant any services for a possibility that is currently docile and no current threat."
The dragon allowed a smile, though brief, to flash across his features. "Dear regent, I came for advice and wouldn't dream on imposing on your hospitality or to demand anything of your excellent nation."
Youkimi's eyes narrowed. Such flowery language and confusing mannerisms. She braced herself on the table and stood from her seat. Her eyes returned to Dixon. "Am I needed here?"
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Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2018 9:52 pm
✺Forgotten SonEC: 100
The air had grown tense. Dixon knew when the regent was at her limit, but he also knew when such things were simply not allowed for by the situation at hand; he'd seen both of them rise above themselves to meet challenges. He listened to their exchange, feeling that it would be well to smooth things over sooner than later. His eyes held Youkimi from leaving. "... I think you know the answer to that." Either way, it was within her. However...
"The good duke has leant the entirety of his forces to my states--our states--in exchange for the same from myself alone. He has proven himself to be one of the most honorable men I've met. If he knows of some crisis..." He leveled his gaze on the dragon again, waiting expectantly.
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Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2018 10:01 pm
Ali Ababva, Lord Xerseis
Gone's the wisdom
Of a thousand years
A world in fire and chains and fear
Perhaps it was easier to ruffle her pristine feathers than rumors suggested. All accounts suggested that the baroness was calm, collected, and so sure of her calculated decisions that she was unlikely to be swayed by emotions. Had he caught her on an off day?
But he heard the count's words and began to support the tactic. "Then as an ally, I would be honorbound to alert my friends of the crisis."
He leaned forward and braced his arms on the table, still as calmly and casual as ever.
Leads me to a place so far
Deep down it lies my secret vision
I better keep it safeBaroness Youkimi Kai
.... For Dixon's sake... she could listen a while longer yet.... She lowered herself into her seat again and looked to the dragon. She didn't say anything further as the dragon motioned for them to draw closer, and freely delivered the news that he had to share. Most of what he shared before was to help affirm whether or not they could freely speak... but he would be lying if he didn't say he didn't enjoy throwing Ethe's regent off her balance. He felt that didn't happen very often.
"There is a more urgent destruction to worry about. Deaths of thousands, if left unchecked... something about those who would disguise themselves as gods."
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Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2018 10:59 pm
✺Forgotten SonEC: 100
And after all was said, Dixon understood that there was something there that required his attention. He regretted that he would be the first to honor their arrangement, but he would have to admit there was a certain thrill in being that trusted friend. He only had one more question.
"If I may, it seems to me that you are not the type to cling to such superstitious things. Whatever has changed your mind must be treated more seriously than those who blindly agree with any old palm reader." Dixon straightened out his jacket and sat up, looking quite ready for action.
"My operations will continue while I'm away," he announced, somewhat sullenly. "It seems to me that this problem should be dealt with before more resources are needed--and I do mean just like the debacle with the goddess." His voice was cold, but there seemed to be a layer of regret there. It was times like this the man really hated himself, what he was asked to do. "I'll write as soon as I'm able..."
The count didn't expect Youkimi to follow. Also telling was the way he couldn't seem to face her suddenly as he rose to leave the small room. He paused briefly at the door. "... You came here for something, Youkimi?"
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Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2018 11:13 pm
Ali Ababva, Lord Xerseis
Gone's the wisdom
Of a thousand years
A world in fire and chains and fear
Naturally, the resident skeptic needed to answer his friend. "When you speak with a god and see his face, you are soon persuaded from your doubt."
Though, this besides, he didn't know anything much at all except that there was something coming. What he first spoke of was separate from the second, for the matter of his first soul was a matter that was still very stable. As for the rise of the ones that pretended to be gods and who had a vendetta against his kind?
He could only imagine how that would begin. He motioned for Dixon to sit, unless he felt the need to leave at this moment. Though, the dragon would have been satisfied with merely information and knowledge that he could use to prepare his knights for battle and for defending their allied regions.
"Even if we were to leave now, I wouldn't know where this major event is supposed to take place. I would like to prepare my troops and men first, which is where I intend to go after this. Naturally, you're free to come along, if you'd like."
Leads me to a place so far
Deep down it lies my secret vision
I better keep it safeBaroness Youkimi Kai
It did lead to the question... didn't it...? Why did she come if this discussion seemed to unfold before her and without her opinion or input.
... When Dixon asked what she had come for, she felt even further out of place than she had at the start. She wanted to visit, at least to talk, but she hadn't expected the crystal dragon to appear or to bring the news that he had. She was confused and unsettled.
Considered second to the dragon, Dixon's new friend and his visitor.
... That thought hit her strangely. She turned her eyes away and tried to think back, to logically pull the reason she had come. Surely there had been one. Or, possibly, she had been selfishly trying to get away from work and from everything... just for a while.
"I wanted your opinion before I went to speak with the king of Phoebos... that is all."
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Posted: Sat Jan 27, 2018 1:04 pm
✺Forgotten SonEC: 100
Fair enough. Dixon himself remembered a time when he was more skeptical in regards to the gods. Then again, what greater skepticism was there than to fight and eventually destroy such a being? Perhaps now wasn't the time for such musings, but suffice to say the count agreed with this sentiment.
The rest of what he said, Dixon hanging about in the hall now as if in some suspended animation, was also sound. To march in half-cocked may have worked once, but the mutable feathers of the phoenix might not have been saved by another attempt of the kind.
This was all to say nothing of how he felt about Youkimi's involvement. How did she feel about dealing with deities again? He could guess. He wanted her by his side again, but knew that it was too unfair to ask her to do something like that. It was a major part of why he seemed to rush. He sighed.
"Bernard!" He called, waiting only a second for a response before continuing. "Ready a troop to the order of Lord Xerseis. Send an order to border security to watch for suspicious activity relating to anything supernatural in addition to their current orders." He turned, opening himself to the doorway that framed the two of his guests.
"Discussing these things in the presence of the duke should be productive--"his eyes narrowed just a bit around Youkimi--"if this suits you."
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Posted: Sat Jan 27, 2018 2:44 pm
Baroness Youkimi Kai
Dixon thought so..? Youkimi looked to the crystal dragon, who seemed to notice. She bit her lip. Was he really to be trusted? Why was this the case?
She took a slow and deep breath. Perhaps there wasn't harm in it... if the dragon was of Phoebos, it implied that he had loyalty to his home country. She still wasn't certain of whether or not she felt comfortable sharing her concerns and trying to cement a tactic for speaking with the king of Phoebos. For all the help he had given her people, she had been unable to speak face to face with him yet.
She could then ask the dragon, and in this thought, she regained her composure.
"I would like to arrange an alliance with Phoebos, first. They have experience for war and their king carries himself honorably."
She didn't feel that she needed to explain the benefits of alliance, though she felt that she needed to prepare herself also for what the king might ask of Ethe to help affirm the alliance. Perhaps his influence might also help persuade Bellris to be a friend of Ethe. From there, she hoped to reach further outward, to Zalto, next... and perhaps after that, persuade Lionis. It was a plan, in any case.
"I feel that he can be reasoned with. I understand that our research is not negotiable... but our art has proven to be unique. Perhaps an internship, a student exchange program, or apprenticeships might be welcomed."
Ali Ababva, Lord Xerseis
Gone's the wisdom
Of a thousand years
A world in fire and chains and fear
The dragon was grateful that Dixon was willing, again, to offer his men to this defense of both of their regions, and to have their men train together would undoubtedly be a benefit to them all. His knights could learn from the Ethians. The ethian troops could benefit from their allies experience. And in turn the militia that was still eager to fight still seemed willing to fall in with his word. Yes, the war had ended, and yes, the empress was on the throne, so most of his troops from that wave had dispersed and had gone home. For the best, of course, but he felt they could be called on again if the empire was in danger, as might be necessary soon enough, if the threat of powerful beings was to be believed.
He watched the regent and the count interact. He felt that there was a disconnect in the room, as though both of them had more to say. Was he interrupting this process? At least not from Dixon, who seemed about as calm as ever... ah, but no. There was a thought he didn't voice, and it seemed to come through his expression. The regent responded as though she noticed, though it seemed to the dragon that she didn't see his expression.
Perhaps they went back far enough to recognize tone. That made sense, indeed.
Yet still... what was the disconnect? What more did they have to say? Why was he so curious about it? He had a suspicion, yes, but it was currently unproven as there were no rumors that flew regarding the Regent. So very few... which was very strange. She was beautiful, so he couldn't doubt that there were some that were vying for her favor. And considering her position, he wouldn't be surprised if some wanted to wed her, gain the favor of the people, and convince her not to give the kingdom to the crown prince. Yet, was it her disposition and cool composure that startled others and kept them away? On the other hand, her knights were very protective of her. Perhaps they were the ones that frightened potential suitors....
Perhaps it wasn't important, but he wondered if such details would surface again later, especially as the woman grew older. Surely someone of her position would have worried about the future. Men had more time, it was true, but women in power? The baroness behaved more sensibly than most other nobles, as though what she was doing behind closed doors mattered as much as what was done in plain sight.
Was her sense of duty that pervasive?
"My good king has heart, so he might be persuaded upon."
Leads me to a place so far
Deep down it lies my secret vision
I better keep it safe
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Posted: Sat Jan 27, 2018 4:36 pm
✺Forgotten SonEC: 100
"Glad to hear it," joined the count, wearing a small, natural curl at the corners of his lips. However, that smile soon enough flattened.
"Still..." Dixon took a step to the side so to lean on a hall chair, looking as casual as possible as he began to voice his musings. "The fact that King Letho has stayed with the empire despite generations of abuse does little to ease my mind." He flicked a hand, perhaps quitting some hidden sentence before it was spoken. "Perhaps he is a man of practicality as much as honor--that he honors the people in that is to be admired, yes--so, I believe, we need to persuade the king that his country can stand without the limited aide given them by the empire. This is how it must be if Phobos is to join us outside the empire's oppression."
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