|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2011 2:46 pm
Ocie winked at the queen, smiling. Of course he couldn't read minds, he'd just gotten that look before. He was well used to it at this point, everyone staring at him like he's some sort of freak. Okay, so he was, but still.
His head turned to the side, looking at Sadron as he swam into the room. It was about time. The water sprite sighed, expecting bad news. And of course, it was.. He closed the red orbs of his, and just listened, wishing none of this was true. It was saddening.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Sep 06, 2011 7:07 am
Turin listened to Sadron's report with a frown, then cast his surveying gaze over the gathered water-dwellers. This was not the opportune method of delivery of this type of message, that was for sure. There would have to be some damage control done, least panic spread through the masses. He had faith in his people, of course...but fear can cause the most stolid warrior to panic in the right situation.
His raised his voice to break through the murmurs beginning at the edge of the throne room, steady and strong, with the tone of command. "Sadron. You heard this explicitly? The Faun mean to start a war? Perhaps this is not so. Perhaps there is more to this than meets the eye. Is it not just as likely that they are being precautionary, as opposed to being aggressive?" He gave the hunter a pointed look. Even if there wasn't any doubt, it might be a good idea to imply that there might be, if only to keep order amongst the subjects, after dropping such a surprise on them all. Damage control.
"It was my understanding that the Faun were peaceful, content with their homes among the trees. It wouldn't make sense for them to suddenly become aggressive for no reason," he added, shaking his head. Nevertheless, his grip on his spear had tightened, growing anxiety regarding the situation and the implications it held for the future showing only in that small gesture.
"My Queen," he offered, turning and bowing slightly to Tariel. "I agree that more information must be gathered before making any rash decisions. These creatures led us to believe that they were our allies. We should be sure of their motives before casting this alliance aside. Such things done in haste are all the more a shame when proven false in the long run. We have so few allies among the land-dwellers as is; we should not risk the only alliance we have established thus far, shaky though it may be."
He knew that Tari was ruled strongly by her heart. She would, of course, do whatever she thought necessary for the good of her people. However, Turin knew well enough that her emotions could also cause her to make rash decisions, even when she meant well. That's why she had her Court. It was their job to keep her 'grounded', as the case may be, and to offer her support in trying times such as these. For now, the most important thing Turin could do was to support his Queen with a show of confidence and reassurance, all while planning ahead how best to deal with this situation.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2011 8:28 pm
"I just report what I witnessed. Do with it as you will," Sadron huffed out a reply. He had deep down expected astonished objections, but they hurt his pride and made him overly defensive. Why bother to send him as a spy if he were not to be taken seriously. Though he knew the severity of the news was enough to unsettle those with the fear of change, with comfortable lives. The hunter, however, had first hand experience with the fragility of life and the scars to prove it.
With a toss of his head, the naiad backed up to a column and leaned against it with his arms crossed. "The land dwellers are not free from falsities. I suggest we at least prepare ourselves for the eventuality that things take a brutal turn. The last thing we need is to sit around and grow fat and complacent... the Isle's victory fish fry."
Sadron chuckled, his mohawk bobbing and piercings jingling against each other. "I personally don't want to find out if I taste good with tartar sauce."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2011 8:54 pm
Tariel thanked the Waters that Turin at least was objective and able to relate to the naiad present, and keep them from panicking. She was happy that he served at her side.
"We must investigate this matter further," Tariel said, narrowing her eyes at Sadron. It wasn't that she didn't believe him--because she did--it was more his reaction to this that was testing her patience with him. "It is in our best interest to remain diplomatic and gather all of the information that we can."
Tariel swam towards the indignant Sadron and placed a hand gently on his shoulder. Her back was towards the court and she spoke softly hoping that this part of the conversation could remain private, despite the public forum. "Sadron, my intelligence is giving me conflicting information. We need to keep the naiads from panicking and letting on that we know anything. We need to maintain a calm. I believe you, but we need to know for certain. We already know we have many enemies on this island, so we must nurture what few alliances we have."
The queen turned once again towards Turin and slowly approached. "Do what you must to keep order. Sadron will continue to gather information, but I want someone to go with him." She turned to look at the naiad present in court to assign an underling to the Captain of the Hunters.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2011 10:51 pm
A war, eh? Sounded interesting. Improbable, but interesting. One could never be too careful.
Intrigued, Itsaso slowly, inconspicuously makes her way forward toward the three in charge, who were now speaking in hushed voices. It was better that way, thinks Itsaso. Better to not arouse the panic of the general public.
Perhaps if she were to hide behind this column..."Uf!" she exclaims quietly, surveying the mottled pink woman with flowing hair and a timid expression. When the timid intruder doesn't immediately vacate, Itsaso gives her a pointed look and flares her head-fins.
She wonders why in the seven seas the woman would be hiding behind a column like that, but quickly dismisses the thought to focus her attention on the conversation in front of her.
"Sadron will continue to gather information," the Queen was saying, "but I want someone to go with him." Aha. Itsaso slinks out from behind the column, casually, as if it had been coincidence that she'd appeared exactly as the Queen had begun to survey the crowd, presumably to locate a suitable accomplice for the Captain.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2011 2:39 pm
Ocie looked to the side, crossing his arms. He would go wherever he was ordered, however that didn't mean he would like it.. the water sprite was half tempted to leave the court, since he didn't really fit in. Nor did he want this war to take place, but he had a good chance of fighting against it.
Ocie's mind was racing, wondering if he could fit in with the pae with glass wings well enough to make a peace agreement. He had those glass wings they did afterall.. Perhaps he was assuming things, thinking the glass winged pae were going to be involved.. He shook his head, unable to believe he was thinking of this.
"This is not a war we should have to fight.. There have been enough of those since the beginning of time.." He frowned, talking to himself really. He was close enough to queen Tariel that she may have overheard him, along with anyone else in the immediate area. Ocie didn't seem to care.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2011 6:09 pm
At the spoken words nearby, Tariel shoots a pointed glance towards the fancy-finned Naiad she had previously been considering flirting with. He knew about the wars since the beginning of time? But how? How would he even know what this war would be for, he's just a child still.
Who is he?
Suddenly top of Tariel's to-do list is to find out who this suspicious pae is and what he knows.
"You," she says, pointing at Ocie, "Will stay right there." Her tone towards him no longer that of flirtation, but of command and power. Despite this, she did not inflect fear or panic, merely instructed him stay where he was. She still appeared friendly. She did also use a bit of her Siren's Song power to slightly subliminally suggest with the carefully chosen tones of her words that leaving would be a bad idea for him. Only those closest to her would know she did this, because it is incredibly subtle.
She turns to her captian and quietly tells him, "Do not let him leave. We have to question him."
Looking back towards those in court this day, Tariel surveys those in attendance. Her eyes float over a light blue lass that has made her presence known, but she notices a group of three orange and pink naiad huddled together towards the back. Trying to not be noticed?
"You three, in the back. Come forward."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2011 6:40 pm
Toli looks up suddenly. "I...uh....you mean us?" He blinks rather stupidly.
He'd grown up playing in and around the palace, but the Queen had never actually...addressed him before. He glances around to Zoran and Moana, then shrugs and starts forward toward Tariel.
Kelebek blinks, wide-eyed, as the Queen calls her three not-so-little children forward. She...she wasn't going to send them off to war, was she? Kelebek frowns and prepares to dig in her fins. She wouldn't let that happen, ever.
Itsaso frowns deeply as the Queen's eyes pass over her. She follows her gaze to...the three youths in the back?! She makes a soft "hmph" noise. Those idiots wouldn't know how to conduct an espionage mission if their fins depended on it. Itsaso crosses her arms over her chest.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2011 6:46 pm
If looks could kill...or at least maim...Turin was making an effort of it, directed at the commander for his insubordination. Who did he think he was talking to? And here, in public! As usual, it would fall to the Captain's shoulders to keep order and prevent everyone from panicking. This really should have been handled in private...
As the Queen suggested sending someone with Sadron to gather more information, Turin nodded his head sagely. "Aye, my Queen. I believe that would be best. While he is a capable scout, there is no harm in extra eyes and likely the grounding effects they may have."
Her attention soon turned to the young male, and inevitably, so did Turin's. This strange child was giving him a bad feeling. Not one of impending maliciousness, else he wouldn't have hesitated to place himself between the Queen and this unknown danger. No, this was just a personal feeling, and the Captain wasn't one to brush aside his instincts. There was something quite fundamentally odd about the boy. Years of practice kept the Captain from betraying the chill that ran down his spine at the sound of the Queen's sudden change of tone and order. He knew that tone. It wasn't often, but he'd heard it before and knew exactly what it meant...
"Yes, Your Majesty," he quipped briskly, bowing his head and tightening his grip on his spear as he turned towards the boy. If this was to be his new task, so be it, he would guard this one while the Queen selected those...to...
Oh, Great Waters, no...
His eyes followed the Queen's line of sight, but there could be no doubt which 'three' she had addressed, what with the few Naiad in the room. No, no, no, this was not happening, he'd been so careful...
He'd never out and out lied about his 'family-on-the-side,' but at the same time, he'd never admitted the truth in any public sense. He'd neither confirmed nor denied the rumors that had fluttered about the Court briefly following those strange pirates' appearance, and fortunately by doing so, he'd aided in the interest dying quickly, along with the rumors. The Queen had more to worry about than idle gossip in the halls, so he'd been relieved when the rumors seemed to have been swept under the coral.
As long as he kept his duties first, and his 'family' on the down-low, she'd never need to know. Right?
That's what he'd told himself. In complete denial.
Of course, that was when he believed that he could keep the two separate, but now, his two worlds were crashing together right before his eyes. It was like some horrible nightmare, one he wished he could wake up from before the true trouble started.
He was juggling a number of insane thoughts about methods to distract or derail the Queen's train of thought, maybe a sudden shark attack on the palace...wouldn't have to be a real shark, just a false threat...
Oh, wait...lake, not ocean...there went that idea.
"Your Majesty," he started, no idea what he was going to say...just saying something, anything, his mind racing for something to do that wouldn't cast even more suspicion over his actions. It was just...she couldn't find out. Especially not like this. Maybe if he'd found a way to tell her before, but not like this. What would she think if she found out?
What would she think of him?
Any chance he may have had...ever...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2011 7:08 pm
Zoran had not expected the attention of the queen at all. He had not wanted it. And he cast a glare at his siblings for outing him in court when he was trying to go unnoticed.
He didn't want to avoid the queen's attention because he feared her, because he didn't, but he just didn't want any kind of spotlight on him at all. He didn't like having to answer for his actions on any platform.
On the other hand, the queen was definitely not hard on the eyes and he'd never really be close enough to get a real good look at her. Maybe now was that rare chance.
Still... what could she possible want with him and his brother and sister? He had not been paying much attention to the conversation, nor could he hear any of it to know what exactly was going on. Toli was the first to respond, so Zoran just followed his brother towards the front.
"Dad looks like he's going to have a heart attack," he tried to whisper to his brother as they moved towards the queen.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2011 7:17 pm
Without any of her brother's hesitation or doubt, Moana brightened up and smiled at the invitation, as she viewed it. She was quick to dart forward, shooting a grin at her brothers as she zipped around them. Then, her eyes were fixed on the Queen. Such a beautiful, regal leader, with a commanding presence and adoring subjects...
Ah, how wonderful it must be...
Well, this was as close as she'd probably ever get, so Moana was going to make the most of it. She smiled at the other Naiads in the room as she passed, waving and nodding to each along the way, whether she knew them or not. Afterall, it was almost as if she were royalty, what with the way they'd suddenly become the center of attention like that. She was going to enjoy it while it lasted.
Nearing the Queen's throne, she glided to a halt, dropping to a curtsy with a bow of her head to the Queen. "Your Majesty..." Moana was the very picture of regal culture...until her eyes lighted on her father. She didn't notice the look of panic in his eyes at first. She dropped the facade she'd adopted, if only for a moment, to wave at him enthusiastically. "Hi Da-" she stopped short, blinking in confusion at the sharp glare she'd received in return. Was her father angry at her for some reason?
She frowned, realizing that maybe so...but there was more there. He was upset by something. Wait...was it the reason why they'd been called up here? Why were they being called by the Queen anyway? It hadn't occurred to her at first to ask.
Despite his coloring, Turin seemed to pale, even before his daughter opened her mouth. Wonderful.
Hope was gone.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2011 7:38 pm
Toli giggles quietly at Zoran's comment before they reach the platform, but his smile fades when he sees their father's face.
Woah.
Never in Toli's life had he seen their father looking so....unwell. He looked like a combination of enraged and frightened, and this definitely unsettled the easy-going Naiad.
"Are...are you okay, Dad?" he asks in a timid voice, all attention gone from the Queen.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2011 8:13 pm
Sadron gave his Lady a wry smile. He knew she was right but would never admit to it. Masculine pride and all. "As you wish, milady."
As the queen went on to suggest a partner for him, he had cause to rebuke. He was a one man operation. This would not stand at all. Did she not trust him? Were his words useless now? It didn't sit well with the naiad at all.
"But Tariel..." he began only to get cut off as the queen became distracted. Sadron sighed. This subject would have to wait.
When the attention turned toward Turin's children though, Sadron bit down on his lip to keep from grinning like an idiot. This would be pretty funny to watch. His poor poor buddy.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2011 8:18 pm
((I just want to let you know, Umi, I am not ignoring or skipping. Tariel still needs to have a lil conference with Ocie, but I wanted to keep this bit going while folks were online.))
Tariel floats on the dais in front of her throne watching the three naiad come forth. They all look similar--familiar even. And what's with the glances towards her captain. She hears her captain address her so she turns her attention towards him.
"Yes, Captain?"
"...Dad"
Tariel's heart hits the floor for a moment when she hears one of the young naiad males say the word. Certainly he wasn't speaking to anyone in her court. Maybe Sadron's past is catching up to him. She spun around towards the boy as quick as she heard the sound escape his lips.
No. The lad was looking towards Turin, concern on his face. Concern on the faces of the other two as well she noted. Her eyes darted across the faces of the three she'd called forward. Those two boys, she just noticed, had Turin's eyes. And the girl, well, her hair seemed to be the same shade. Siblings? They all certainly looked alike enough... like Turin. This sudden realization was a bit much for the queen to take in. It was information she was not made privy, so she felt a sting of betrayal. Did Turin not trust her? There was something more to it, she felt it. Not just a betrayal. She looked to her most trusted friend, her body guard and Captain of the Guard.
Not wanting to trust her own eyes and ears, Tariel glanced back over the court. Who else was out there. Was their mother? Who was this serpent that would steal her captain? This question caused her mind to flash to all of those instances when Turin was mysteriously taking care of other things. Was he out with her, and not really tending to palace duties?
And that led to more unwanted and unpleasant imagery in her mind. She pushed the thoughts aside, trying to see if any of these females had the girl's eyes. She didn't see any.
Her eyes did land upon the white and blue naiad that had moved to the front before the trio was called upon. She looked displeased. Tariel sensed something about her as well, but that would have to be dealt with at a later time.
Hell, even this Turin betrayal would have to be dealt with at a later time. Even if she didn't want to face it. There were more pressing matters at hand. She swallowed hard, not wanting to make a scene of her personal feelings in this matter, and looked back towards Turin.
"One moment, Captain," Her voice remained steady, no hints of the emotional anguish seeping out. No indication that what she had just learned was affecting her, yet.
She'd have the meltdown and explosion later, behind closed doors.
She turned to the boy who spoke. "I have seen the three of you around the palace. Watched you grow even, but never knew who you were. What is your name, and your job here?" Her gaze drifted to the other two sibilngs, asking the same question of them.
"And you," she added, looking towards the white and blue female.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2011 8:38 pm
Toli gets a bit wide-eyed at the Queen's sudden sharp tone. He'd never seen this....edge to the normally bubbly and laughing Tariel. Slightly at a loss for words, Toli glances on either side of him to Zoran and Moana, then bites his lip and decides to speak up first. Zoran certainly wouldn't, and maybe they didn't necessarily want Moana to be the first to speak up.
"I'm Anatolio, my Queen," he begins, bowing shakily. "I....I don't precisely have a....a job...." He blushes, and desperately wants to glance at his father for help, but he dares not take his eyes from the Queen. He bites his lip.
Itsaso's eyebrows go up. She's mildly surprised the Queen remembered her, in the face of this....interesting turn of events. She decides to wait to introduce herself until this had fully played out. Perhaps she could use it to her advantage. She glances 'round the room, wondering if the trio's mother was in attendance.
There. It was the woman she'd evicted from this pillar. She looked rather a mess. Presumably with worry. Itsaso wonders if the father, the distressed-looking Captain, knows she's here too.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
