505-10-08 Teenage Demon Fighting Club 2
From Crossroads Wiki
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| Players: | Tiege, Oksana, Mathis, Leon, Rosier, Dorian, Addison, Joshua, Valentine |
| Location: | Dining Room, Draught Tower |
| IC Date: | Thursday, October 8, 505 A.G. |
Dining Room - Draught Tower - Gateway Castle(#194RnJ)'
Hard wood floors of mahogany give the room a warm yet regal ambiance, a nice contrast to the light blue painted walls. The wall to the north has a large window that gives panoramic views of the ocean beyond, giving many a feeling of being on top of the world. The opposite wall has a fireplace with a mahogany mantle and a tapestry of the crest of Draught over it. The centerpiece of this room is a rectangular table of just one shade lighter than the floor with seating for twelve, silver candelabras ever the centerpiece. Each chair has an upholstered cushion that seems to match the sea beyond.
Obvious exits: Kitchen <K> Out <O>
It's the usual thing, teenage meeting of food and chatting.
Tiege reaches for another cookie and takes a small bite of the corner. "So, the guest speaker should arrive any time now," he comments to Oksana, then waves to Mathis. "Hi Mat." The greeting is one of warmth." to Leon.
Oksana is sitting at the table with parchment in front of her, ready to take notes. She does get up to curtsey when the noble members of the study group arrive.
"I'm not the guest speaker." Mathis says with a small smirk as he tilts his head. "Hey, Tiege." he greets, adjusting his backpack as he moves to go take a seat somewhere along the table. "Something is happening back on Amphorae.. Khalani is getting ready to deal with it."
There's another member of the club who slips in late, but before the speaker still: Leon's steps are almost hurried across the hardwood floor as he makes his way toward the table. "Sorry I'm late," he mutters as he draws backa chair and, weary, drapes himself over it.
Tiege pushes the plate of cookies toward Leon, rising and sweeping a bow in reflex. "Is she alright? Does the Baroness need anything?" he asks Mathis with swift concern.
Dorian comes in from the foyer. Dorian has arrived.
Oksana doesn't join in the conversations with anyone. But she does get up once more to curtsey to Dorian as he arrives.
"No no, she just may have to go back to Amphorae for a couple of weeks. Help out, keep the natives calm, you know, make sure that she is still Baroness, despite her choices in a suitor." Mathis smiles thinly, tipping a bow. "M'lord, Marquis."
Dorian arrives, tardy, appearing in a hurry. Seems the boy has been quite busy catching up on all the tasks he couldn't do while his hand was splinted. Now that he's got full use of his digits back, the combination of sword lessons, architectural lessons, volunteering at the orphanage, and his usual study load keep the boy quite busy. "Sorry I'm late," he mumbles and plops quickly into a chair, catching his breath.
It's a weary Leon that reaches for the cookies passed his way and casts a grateful look toward his cousin for the kindness, and one equally weary -- but with a mouthful of cookie -- who rises and bends himself in a bow to the Marquis.
With any room with furniture, there are shadows cast underneath them. It is very subtle at first when those shadows start to shift, growing toward the far corner of the room. It all happens quickly as the shadows darken into complete blackness, a chill sweeping through the room as Rosier steps out of that gathered darkness.
"I trust that they'll be fine Mat." It's sympathy that Tiege directs toward Mathis, and then a bow toward the marquis. "Good eve, Marquis Dorian. Cookie?" The cookies are really good, for reference. Tiege gives Leon a slightly worried glance. Apparently he's just the worry-wart today. "We have a guest speaker who is an expert on demons. He..." Tiege grows quiet as Rosier appears for a moment, before bowing and stating a formal, "Ambassador Prince Rosier, welcome. Would you like a drink, or a cookie?"
Dorian is not one to turn down food, and he reaches to take one of the snacks, but aborts his attempt when the shadowy stuff starts. He looks cautious for a moment until he identifies Rosier, at which point he appears to think everything is normal, and reaches again for a cookie.
Feeling the chill, Mathis stiffens in his chair, especially as Tiege speaks, giving him the 'what have you done' look. "Awww, shite.." he murmurs, looking around. As he the shadows condolesnce and Rosier steps out of the darkness, the young man blows out that pent up breath. Oh good, wasn't /her/. Rising up, the young man affects a formal bow. "Ambassador Prince." he adds with Tiege.
Oksana's eyes widen as Rosier appears in the room. And she's on her feet again to curtsey. Quietly, but she can't help but get as much detail as she can looking the Ambassador over.
Leon's already on his feet, and it's a good thing else the chair behind him might tip up and over from the start he gives at the shadows and the chill. His cookie shifts hands (Providence forbid it be relenquished) as his other goes for the knife's hilt at his belt. There's relief, though, and his hand falls away as Tiege introduces their guest. He offers a stiff bow as well before lifting another snack and pushing the tray toward Dorian.
Rosier snorts at Tiege's question. "No." His gelid gaze scans the gathered children around the room, touching upon each one. "Hello, children. Thank you for the invitation. The last time I was within this tower, I was rescuing the Marquis's sister from the demon worshipers."
Tiege does make sure that there's a chair offered for the Ambassador, and doesn't sit until the Northern prince has done so. His words are polite and formal for the chill figure. "We're honored that you would take the time, Ambassador. You are definitely the foremost expert on demons around, and since we're studying them, it seemed prudent to invite you to speak to us. Would you prefer to offer any general insights first, or should we just begin with questions?" He does glance around to the features of those gathered, as if to check something.
After the bow, Mathis moves, retaking his seat, not exactly going after the cookies at the moment. Rosier still makes him just a little nervous, his fingers moving to touch the stumps over his two missing fingers, quiet for now.
Tiege does reach for parchment to be prepared to scribble down notes. This is something he wants a record of.
"I do not like to volunteer information without inquiry about my race," Rosier says with a dismissive wave of his hand. He does walk to the chair, melting into it most comfortably. "So, ask your questions. Who would like to start?" he asks, then looks around, cold eyes settling on Leon with a wide grin. "You, little Maritus?"
Dorian offers an appropriately courteous bow to Rosier as he rises from his seat, waiting long enough to be polite before snatching a cookie from the tray Leon slides his way and murmuring a thanks. He settles back into his chair again, then, watching Rosier with studious interest.
Oksana sits back down and takes up her quill to start taking notes herself. And although the Ambassador has not said much, she's already writing at a frenzied pace.
Addison has been here the whole time (really), she's just been unusually quiet, which is bound to happen on occasion. A bright smile is sent Rosier's way after he arrives and remains on her feet until Rosier takes a seat, and then slips back into her chair, listening.
Children? The greeting draws a narrow look from Leon, who's settled back into his chair once more. His eyes cut aside to Tiege, and his brows arch mildly, but he keeps his silence save for the short, tight cough that escapes him. "Beg pardon," he murmurs, clearing his throat.
At least, until he's addressed, and then his ears take a mildly pinkish turn. "I -- I'll let my friends start the questions, if it's all the same," is his reply, again punctuated by a cough that draws his kerchief to his mouth to cover it.
Dorian looks around at the others, and then raises his hand to see if he can be the one to ask the first question.
Tiege considers Rosier and appears ready to inquire, but Dorian's shift for attention draws his regard first. He gives the Marquis a look of solemn encouragement.
Dorian rises and offers an appropriate bow toward Rosier. "I would like to know how your race relates to the others with similar powers, such as the one named Lilith. Are you enemies? Do you ever work together? Should we ally with you instead of them, or are we pretty much at either of your whims?"
"The Southern Lands are neither our kin, exactly, nor our enemy," Rosier explains with another wave of his gloved hand as he speaks. "We do not share the same goals, though our two races have worked together in the past for common goals. If you are wise little humans, you would not ally with demonkind at all. I have little to no interest in these lands. Lilith, however... well. They are her lands, aren't they."
Leon listens, but continues to keep silent as he munches slowly on cookies from the nearby tray.
"From your words, Ambassador, I take it that it's never really something for the best to negotiate with a demon? No matter how it might look on the surface?" Tiege asks, his head tipping a bit.
Addison's lips part and then press together again, reconsidering her question and then dismissing it entirely. She sits back in her chair and looks back and forth between Tiege and Rosier.
Plucking up a cookie, a frown creasing his features, no questions coming to his mind as Mathis looks towards Rosier. All those questions at the Gathering are forgot for the moment as he looks back down, studying the cookie, and back towards his own notes.
Rosier shrugs lazily. "It depends on the agreement. I will admit that you must be very careful, as we are masters of deception. But I am not telling you anything you did not already know," he says with a smirk. "But I have done plenty for people here with asking nothing in return."
And so as Rosier speaks, Oksana continues to write, glancing up only every once in awhile.
Tiege digests that answer for a moment. "We understand that lesser demons are different from you. Are they your subjects? Your pets? Your slaves? They don't seem to communicate with us, are they just like animals?" he inquires thoughtfully, then glances around, apologetic. "Sorry, if anyone else has questions, I can shut up."
"You -- Tiege may have made an introduction before I -- before I made it in," Leon speaks up finally, his brow faintly furrowed as he casts a glance to that cousin between cookies. "But -- but, you'll have to forgive me for missing it, and what -- I mean, who -- who are you?"
There's no raised hand before the question's asked, and it follows short on the heels of Tiege's -- no doubt, to be answered in turn.
Mathis snaps down on his cookie with a look at Leon. Oh jeeze. A small sigh slips his lips.
"I...," Rosier says, puffing up his chest a bit. "am Prince Rosier Sidragusun Helkaer, Third son of the Snow Queen and Ambassador from Khelek. And lessers are not exactly pets, or slaves. We need not enslave them by magical means. They are made to serve us. They are... devoted companions. Like... familiars, if you will."
There's a gentle lift of Mathis' finger. He considers for a moment, then shakes his head, lowering his hand. "I'll ask you after the meeting, Ambassador Prince." he says with a small smile. "...familiars? You draw magic off of them?"
Tiege leans toward Leon as if to snag a cookie. He mutters to Leon, "The... is... demon realm. Ambassador... greater..."
Leon senses "Tiege leans toward Leon as if to snag a cookie. "The land of Khelek is a demon realm. Ambassador Helkaer is..er..a greater demon.""
"The greatest of!" Rosier assures Tiege after his mutter to Leon, all smiles. "I am the next King of the North."
"Ah," is Leon's reply, his ears turning a slightly deeper shade of pink. His lips twitch quietly at Tiege's mutter, but it's to Rosier that he gives a slow nod: "Thank you."
And then? It's back to the cookies.
"Well, no," Rosier says to Mathis, his eyebrows drawing together as he looks at the young man. "No. Their magic is much different then ours."
"How so." Finally, it seems that Mathis has settled, the question coming from him easily.
"There is a limited amount of magic a lesser can cast," Rosier answers Mathis. "Whereas, say.. my power," a quirk of his lips. "Is unfathomable to the human mind."
"And what is that limit? And if you were to be seperated from one, would it be an effect as if removing a familiar.. I mean.. like.. say you took away a Ranger's favored bow - he would still be effective, but not as much as so?" Mathis asks, the two good fingers of his right hand tapping the table with the thumb playing stabalizer. "...would the same hold true if a demon lost a familiar?"
Tiege's lips quirk at the pour of questions from Mathis, and he scribbles notes rather quickly on the paper.
"No," Rosier answers Mathis simply, the smirk on his foreign features growing.
"What do lessers eat?" Tiege asks abruptly, his brow furrowing.
"...then what's the point?" Mathis asks, confused for a moment, before he shrugs and snacks some more on a cookie, ooohing at Tiege's question.
Leon, silent, listens to the barrage of questions from Mathis and Tiege, and does so quietly, save for an occasional tight cough.
"What?" Rosier looks at Tiege with an odd look, then laughs in a silken manner. "What do lessers eat? Whatever they want, of course. And what do you mean, what's the point? What is the point of an entire species of somewhat powerful creatures in comparison, who live and die just to serve you well? Am I not explaining this well?"
"I mean, do they eat meat only? Humans only? And I think Mathis was asking what was the point of lessers, yes, though I suppose having a race that lives and dies just to serve is rather a benefit," Tiege says with a glance toward his friend. "Yes?"
"No no, makes sense now." Mathis gives a shake of his head as he reaches for the punch. "Is there anything that the lessers can do independent of their masters, or are they joined to their master? If a master was to suddenly lose most of his lessers, would he or she be weakened politically?" Bobbing his head to Tiege, he agrees, but the questions are just there now. "Do you trade lessers across north and south lines? Or try to undermine each other's lessers?"
Rosier just continues to smirk at Mathis. "Aren't you the selfish one, asking all of these questions in a row without giving any of your friends here the opportunity to ask anything. That is the demon roots of the human race coming out in you."
Coughing as he was taking a drink of juice, Mathis ohs, uhms, coughing a few more times, and wipes at his mouth furiously, blushing. "S-sorry." the stammer just shows up for a moment, but he smiles, a little undeterred. "Does anyone have a question?"
Tiege blinks at Rosier and tilts his head to the side before he comments, "I think that we're very glad for the keen, inquisitive nature of Mathis, Ambassador. We want to learn all we can, and he's got some fascinating directions he's going. Unless you're bothered by it?"
Oksana doesn't have any questions at the moment. She takes the lapse in conversation to catch up, but pauses long enough to shake her head to Mathis's offer.
Joshua shifts in his seat. He's been taking his own notes and just trying to process the words exchanged thus far.
Valentine comes in from the foyer. Valentine has arrived.
Not seeing anyone else move to ask a question, Mathis turns his attention back to Rosier, smiling a little thinly. "I did not mean to take advantage, Ambassador Prince, but the offer was on the table."
"No, I am not bothered by it," Rosier tells Tiege. "They are just not good questions. How would we trade lessers? They are of the South, and we of the North. Our lessers are as different as the greaters are. They do not have anything to do with each other."
"That was but one of the questions, Ambassador." Mathis makes sure to point out quietly, smiling a little. "If you do not mind answering the others?"
Valentine slips in quietly, hearing that the meeting is already in progress. She finds the nearest available seat, wherever it may be.
"What -- what /would/ be a good question?" There's a break between cookies, and Leon speaks up to ask this one, his brow mildly furrowed.
"Ahh!" Rosier says, springing to life in his chair to lean forward and point at Leon with a wicked grin. "Now /that/ is a good question. Ask the subject what a good question would be, and he would have to tell you, would he not? Or be the fool for not answering himself. Let me finish answering these tedious ones, and I will tell you what a good question would be." To Mathis, he does finish. "Lessers don't exactly have masters. We all serve one master, and that is whomever is sitting upon the throne. They are akin to... your citizens. Except they do whatever we tell them to."
Oksana's gaze shifts around the table briefly, pausing upon Tiege for only a couple of seconds before she looks back down to note-taking.
Joshua is really just trying to get his bearings. Looking over at Rosier. Trying to just figure out this demon prince. Jaw set some but no words just yet.
Tiege matches Oksana's gaze with a slight shrug before he looks back to Rosier.
Valentine also starts to unpack her writing gear, while also picking one of her favorite cookies to nibble on, and searching for a cup and refreshment. Rosier's stark appearance pretty much has most of her attention.
A touch of a smile tugs at Leon's lips as his query touches home with their guest, but it's a quiet smile, a cautious one; his blue eyes remain settled just as carefully on Rosier as he slowly chews his -- seventh? eighth? -- cookie.
A memory is triggered at some comment Rosier makes, and Mathis's brows furrow together, a small snort escaping the young man's lips, quickly covered with a cough and a sip of juice.
Mathis makes a note, leaning in to Tiege for a moment, voice dropping in thought. He mutters to Tiege, "... need to remember to... note... stepped... here... any... the... devices.... we should... to... mages?... assume... thing... can..." with that, he leans back up to take another bite of cookie.
You sense Mathis makes a note, leaning in to Tiege for a moment, voice dropping in thought. "We need to remember to make note that he stepped into here without triggering any of the castle's anti-magic devices. Maybe we should pass that on to Addison to discuss with the mages? Or.. just assume there's not a thing we can do about it?" with that, he leans back up to take another bite of cookie.
"Now, a good question," Rosier says, relaxing into his seat once more. "A good question would be, for instance, what is the greatest weakness of a lesser demon? Or.. what weapon is the best used against lesser demons. Those are good questions."
Tiege gives a subtle nod to Mathis and sketches down a note before he smiles faintly at Rosier. "Will you answer those questions for us, Ambassador?" he asks hopefully.
Joshua looks up with interest when Rosier explains what good questions are. He's also hoping that he'll answer the questions he put out as an example.
Heralds run throughout the castle and village announcing that Orphanage Ribbon Cutting & Childhood Party! will be starting at The Light House Orphanage in 30 minutes! (See +event 333 for more information.)
Valentine leans over to say something to Oksana She mutters to Oksana, "His... remind... late... Snow...."
Rosier laughs and shakes his head to Tiege's request. "Of /course/ not. But you can be grateful I am not telling you something that is not the truth that could get you killed some day."
Oksana looks at Valentine, her lips pressing together for a moment before she speaks quietly. She mutters to Valentine, "... it is... are plenty... strange... or..."
Valentine speaks back She mutters to Oksana, "I..."
"Why...." Josh was about to add more to that inquiry but thinks better of it. He doesn't really want to get into trouble here. He's also trying to not pay attention to all the muttering that is going on around him. Instead he just scribbles a couple of more things down.
"Will you tell us of the Game, then?" Tiege asks the Ambassador, watching him unblinkingly and leaning forward just slightly.
Mathis considers for a moment. "If lesser demons are different on both sides, is there something that can harm a Southern demon that will not be so effective on a Nor---" then he freezes at the mention of the game, the young man balking.
"The Game?" Rosier repeats, some of his mirth falling away at that obviously unexpected question. "And how would you know of such a thing, child?"
Even Oksana stops writing for a moment at Tiege's question, watching the Ambassador for a long moment before returning to the writing.
Valentine holds up a hand apologetically, to say she'll not do it again. She nearly drops her quill though when Tiege asks yet another question about something yet /again/ he's not supposed to know about. Hoo-boy!
"Some of us have played it, Ambassador and admittedly - have no wish to do so again." Mathis responds, a pointed look shot at Tiege.
Tiege gives the slightest of shrugs. "We've been doing research for a bit. It's something mentioned only in the vaguest of terms, Ambassador, but it must have some greater significance." He glances to Mathis, brow furrowing a moment, before he shakes his head. "No, not that. There's.. a game. Something of import to their race."
"Tiege."
The name is soft-spoken, but Leon's eyes harden a touch at mention of the Game, and he casts that cousin a short and narrow glance.
Well obviously Josh has no idea what has everyone hackled up. A glance given for Tiege and than Rosier, going back to listening and taking notes.
One side of Rosier's lips curl upon his features, his gaze intensifying upon Tiege. "The Game is simple. All you need to do is win."
Tiege flicks a glance at Leon before he looks back to the Prince of the North, inquisitive. "And the rules? Are there any, truly, that you adhere to?"
"There are laws of our society that we do not break," Rosier allows with a slow nod. "Of course. Aside from those, you do whatever it takes."
Valentine looks at Tiege with concern, then to the demon "Oh, now that's intriguing! Could you list those laws for us? I'd be much obliged." Then she looks at her tablemates "We don't have to raise or hand or anything, do we?" Fine time to ask.
"No, not really," Tiege says to Valentine with a faint smile, though there's a very couched probing look to the way that he watches Rosier.
Rosier shrugs. "They are normal rules of society. The list of them is inconsequential."
"And the Prize?" Mathis asks, finally.
Tiege adds his codicil to Mathis' question, "Will you give us an example of a... a very smart move in the Game?"
Valentine clearly looks disappointed as her question seems to be dismissed, but waits to hear if Rosier will answer Tiege's and Mathis with a more satisfying answer.
"The prize?" Rosier chuckles. "Power, of course. All of the power you can grasp." He does fall silent to think about Tiege's question, but only for a moment. "A wise move. Well.. how about getting exiled just on the bring of a short war? That was rather brilliant."
Heralds run throughout the castle and village announcing that Orphanage Ribbon Cutting & Childhood Party! will be starting at The Light House Orphanage in 5 minutes! (See +event 333 for more information.)
Dorian perks his head up at the herald's shoult far out in the hallway, and glances between Tiege and Rosier.
Mathis has partially disconnected.
Tiege glances at the door with the call of the herald, then to Rosier, then back to the door. "A brilliant one indeed, Ambassador," he agrees with polished cordiality. He glances about the table. He rises with the apologetic, "I have to run to the orphanage opening. I suspect that there are more questions, though. My personal thanks for you taking the time, Ambassador. Anyone who's got time, come by Grounds for Thought tomorrow." He does bow for the Ambassador, and again to the nobles in the room.
Dorian rises, as well. "I'll pardon myself as well," he explains, looking like he's going to follow Tiege. "But you are all welcome to remain here as long as you wish."
Dorian begins following you.
"You're leaving me for orphans?" Rosier asks, amused. "Well, then it seems we are finished here, yes? Good. I have important things to do as well."
Mathis doesn't seem to be leaving yet, as he looks to the Ambassador. "Ambassador Prince, if I may have a moment of your time before you leave? I know you have more important things to tend to.. but.." he says, rising to bow, and semi-approaches.
"I'm leaving you for obligations," Tiege answers Rosier with his faint smile in place. "You must be well aware of the plethora of questions I have left. I hope that you'll indulge the rest of us, though, even if I can't be here." He gives Mathis a look of support before heading out, quickly.
Tiege returns to the foyer. Tiege has left. Dorian returns to the foyer. Dorian has left.
Rosier does start getting to his feet, looking at Mathis. "Quickly, then."
"Thank you." Leon's words are short, and a quiet cough follows them, as he also rises and offers a short bow. And grabbing another couple of cookies, he, too, slips out.
Oksana still sits there and writes down as much as she can. She's not going to the opening.
Leon returns to the foyer. Leon has left.
Valentine looks rueful. "It's over?" almost unbelieving. She just got here, of course.
Mathis considers for a moment, then speaks, quietly. He mutters to Rosier, "I know... travelling... northern... out... but... have... of herbs... a way... a... of... of... poisions... healing herbs from your..."
You sense Mathis considers for a moment, then speaks, quietly. "I know that travelling to the northern lands is entirely out of the question, but I have recently taken up the study of herbs and alchemy of other lands. Is there a way I could ask you for a sample of plants and maybe some of the poisions and healing herbs from your lands?"
"Plants?" Rosier asks with a grin. "My homelands grow nothing but pomegranate. It is an icy wasteland of the most frigid temperatures. As for the poisons? There are some things we are not willing to share with those that might try to turn them against us, yes?"
"..why would I try to do such? I suspect you would already know of any possible attempts." Mathis shrugs his shoulders with an honest smile. "I just merely thought I would ask."
Joshua has just been so distracted. Probably daydreaming off and on he stays rooted as it is.
"And you have my answer. Anything else pressing before I go?" Rosier asks, looking down at Mathis over his nose.
"No. Good evening, Ambassador." Mathis says with a polite bow.
While Oksana would stay and take notes on everything she could, the player has to go! So, when she's done, she'd pack her things and leave quietly.
Oksana goes home. Oksana has left.
Valentine slaps her quill down. "Damn. We should have prepared a list of questions ahead of time!" chiding herself pretty hard. "I am so sorry I could not get here earlier. Ambassader...I don't know what to say but sorry. I am sorry."
Well since things seem to be concluding Josh gets his things together and offers a respectful bow to Rosier when he rises and begins to make his way for the door.
Valentine doesn't. She folds her arms, pretty steamed about it, evidently.
"Good," Rosier states, then looks around the room again. "Perhaps next time, you will not be late. But I forgive you." And with that, and a shock of cold air in the room, he is gone.
