|
Post by FC4 on Oct 21, 2009 18:41:16 GMT
"There... there's buzzing... in my head..." Zhira answered to Selinus' question, which was not at all what he had expected. And as the answers to his own from Jo'Dar/Mooneye, it dawned on him. She had heard buzzing in her head, when he was performing telepathy near her. And in that moment of realization Zhira fell towards him again...
And continued falling. The monk grabbed for her form and guided her to the floor, as Will lurched to the aid of his fellow Redguard. Another man, the Breton Selinus thought looked capable, proved to be so, claiming himself as healer and beginning to work on her 'wounds'. Selinus sighed thoughtfully, picking up his Mithril staff and rising to his feet. There was a worried frown to his face, but not for the woman's well-being. Well, not entirely.
Ocato looked to his fellow Altmer, Borsalmas, as the question was rather informally raised. "Only a few more, i should thin-" He turned when Zhira fell, slightly surprised. Dragonblood, fainting? How unusual. Ocato looked at the scene around Zhira, pleased to see members of the soon-forming team able to perform aid.
I am Selinus, but the Kin call me Sunshadow. Selinus replied to Jo'Dar's inquiry silently, as he looked down on the woman and her attendees. And I was talking to her, because she is a very interesting human. Selinus turned away and swept the room with his hooded eyes, finding the Khajiit easily, and then passing by her as if nothing before walking back towards Ocato's 'throne'.
"I trust you had nothing to do with that?" Ocato asked him softly, nodding his head towards Zhira with hesitance.
"Of course not, my emperor." Selinus replied smoothly, a reply with a tone so cryptic it was somewhat difficult for Ocato to determine if he was truthful, sarcastic, serious, or mocking him. Which only irked the Altmer.
She can sense us, sister. Just like you and I sense one another, she senses us; though not as clearly and she does not understand it. She also sensed our telepathy. This will present a problem, concerning the secrecy of our existence. Selinus explained to Jo'Dar. Do you know if others are coming? He had turned away from Ocato by now, looking towards the doorway. The trust between dragons and lesser mortals was shaky at best, so concealment had always been the better option.
And there, he sensed it, standing at the door waiting to be noticed. A broad-shouldered Breton in traditional mage robes, standing there politely and waiting. He could feel the magic that emanated from him, just like he had from Jo'Dar. But this magic carried a male characteristic, and earthen, hot quality. Greetings brother, I trust you traveled well, and the Elders have informed you. We are about to inform everyone, but I warn; the blind woman can sense our presence and telepathy, somehow. We must be cautious. He projected the mental message to his brother, as Ocato presented greeting and asked for him to come sit down.
That was just before Shelbitha struck, and ended up with three swords to her throat. Ocato's fist slammed on the throne armrest, his voice carrying cleanly and authoritatively, a sharp contrast to the welcoming of the newcomer he'd called Cirith. "I need her alive!" The three soldiers turned to Ocato. "No Emperor has allowed weapons to be drawn within this room, and I will not stand for it now. Sheathe your blades or find new work. She is better serving her Empire alive than dead, and she will need that fighting spirit to serve proper."
Selinus' mouth twitched to a smirk. You can certainly pull your own weight when you have to, eh? Suddenly the leader of the Council emerges. Ocato rose from his seat, robe falling down to full length, concealing his feet from further dog investigation and utilizing his full seven feet of height. "Release her by my order, and stand post outside the doors." His voice was firm and unwavering, golden hands in fists. "And do not disrespect the Throne again. This is a room of negotiation and diplomacy, not violence and bloodshed." Reluctantly the guards undid the locks on Shelby's chains, cautious in case she made a sudden move. Finished, they left the chains on the floor around her, helping their comrade out of the room.
Once the doors closed, Ocato looked directly at Shelby. "Shelbitha Brisbane, I am giving you an opportunity. If you squander it now, and try to run, I will execute you here, and now. There will be no violent end, and no bloodshed. Magic can kill without either of those results." Ocato seemed firm when he addressed her, but his voice lacked now the authority it held before. And the strength. He didn't really have the heart to outright murder her.
"Now, Once everyone is conscious..." Ocato turned, blue robes softly swirling with him, to look towards Tyrol, Zhira, and Will. "... and in good health," he turned back once more to face the center of the room, "we will begin."
OOC: I am leaving for a fencing tournament in Philadelphia, no guarantee of getting on at all this weekend.
|
|
|
Post by Anticlere on Oct 21, 2009 19:14:37 GMT
"Bors Tapynyalas. Welcome to the party, yeah?"
Richard looked up from the floor which he had interested himself in to see the aged Altmer. Given he was half-expecting some crazed old coot, the spellsword had to admit being pleasantly surprised; he returned the Mer's greeting with a rather sad smile.
"Talk about. Don't even know why I'm here to be honest..." He wasn't lying - there he was sitting in Weye talking with an old fisherman when some guy turned up and proclaimed Richard's presence 'was requested in the White Gold Tower'. A man like himself (meaning one whose life was pretty much a wreck) didn't turn down invitations from people looking like they could buy him ten times over, so next thing the spellsword knew he was making his way over the bridge.
It looked like he wasn't the only one here uncertain of what was going on; most others displayed at least a hint of surprise at this twist of events, and none of them looked to be too suited to an environment like this. The only invitee not too surprised seemed to be the monk-looking man that Richard had noticed because of the flicker.
Having expected the man to be a highly powerful mage or some such, Richard was a bit taken aback when there was another very brief flicker when the Khajiit thief, one Jo'Dar, was introduced.
What the hell. If I'm not being confused by monk-man here, then either this one has something up with her... or she's not really a thief. Frowning slightly, he was however forced to stray from this chain of thoughts when the Ra Gada woman suddenly fainted.
Concern flashed in Richard's eyes; fortunately, however, the other Breton stepped in swiftly and the situation appeared to be under control to an extent. That allowed him to notice yet another flicker, though his sense of magick stirred up somewhat by a stronger emotion he wasn't so sure who it was anymore - could've just been the other two he previously noticed again.
This place is weird... And half the people are pretty weird too. What does Ocato want from us, I wonder; and when will he bloody tell us what's all this about, too? All this mystery is starting to tip me off...
OOC: I hope no one minds these 'flickers' of Richard's? I just figured it'd make sense that he, being closely entangled with magick, would feel a 'disturbance in the Force' so to speak when around such highly magical creatures.
|
|
Fanchon
Waker
Scourge of Eberron!
Posts: 126
|
Post by Fanchon on Oct 21, 2009 20:05:05 GMT
Shelby's surprise was evident as the guards undid her manacles and filed out of the room without a sound, although not without casting a few nasty looks her way. Carefully she stood as she listened to the Chancellor's words, rubbing her wrists where the cold iron had chafed them raw. "Oh, very well then. Since you've been trusting enough to remove my chains, I won't try anything like that again. Until I've at least heard you out, that is.", she said, the seriousness of her tone unmistakable. His threat, although perhaps a bit hollow, still rung true. She might resist a spell if she made a dash for it, but... she'd gambled enough today. Not to mention the whole palace full of guards to contend with just outside the door, or the city full of them beyond the palace. Plus, if he really does want my help, maybe I can negotiate the release of the crew of mine he still has imprisoned. she thought, casting a few more glances about the room. She wanted to sit in one of the comfy looking chairs, but decided against it, not wanting to ruin them. Instead she contented herself with leaning against one of the great pillars which adorned the chamber, silently watching the others with great interest. An interesting lot. Future traveling companions, perhaps? Seems that way. A few too many mages for my tastes, although some of them look like they may be pretty handy with a sword too., she mused to herself, a hand wandering down to her hip reflexively searching for the comforting presence of her own weaponry. Just as quickly it withdrew, the weapons and the rest of her possessions of course being in the tender, loving care of the Empire's finest. If all goes well, first thing I'm doing when i get out of here is taking a nice, long bath. she thought, looking down at her filth-encrusted body. The better lighting in here really did show with a bit too much clarity just how dirty she was. Even her normally vibrant red hair was so greasy and dirty that she could probably pass for a brunette. Yep, a bath, and a change of clothes.OOC Edit: Good luck, FC! We'll just mingle till you get back
|
|
fantome
Novice
Moonlight becomes you....
Posts: 10
|
Post by fantome on Oct 21, 2009 21:19:03 GMT
Interesting human, indeed. So she senses us huh? Well, that's new. And for the record, I'm typically not the most welcome person at Dragon gatherings; little mishap with an emerald, you see. So no, I don't know who else is coming.
She was finding Selinus to be very.....interesting to talk to himself. Jo'Dar leaned forward in her seat to peer through everyone's legs and bodies to see Zhira. The woman had finally stopped convulsing and Ocato seemed quite interested in getting the meeting officially started. Hmmm, there's another Dragon....where are you? Jo'Dar flicked her magic-fueled vision about the room and located the Breton.
Well, hello there. There was a hint of a purr that permeated even her mental voice as she sent it across the room to the new arrival. And who might you be, Breton?
While waiting for a reply, Jo'Dar helped herself to a small lick of Moon Sugar from her bag. If this meeting was going to be as dull as she was expecting, she was gonna need it.
|
|
Cirith
Apprentice
Roleplaying mad genius
Posts: 59
|
Post by Cirith on Oct 21, 2009 23:41:46 GMT
"This truly is becoming an odd bunch of fighters" Cirith though as he tried not to chuckle with the failed escape attempt of the convicted carried in the throneroom, there was a moment of confusion with that escape attempt and appearently the blind redguard fainting or something at the other side of the room. "either armed to the teeth or wellversed in the school of destruction, by the looks of them, propably chosen for their skill in killing stuff" Cirith had already noticed the presence of othe dragons, one shrouded in robes and with his face hidden under a hood and he other arriving not long after himself in the form of a Khajiit. as he observed the scene thinking about why by the nine this task couldn't be left with the dragons and perhaps the Imperial legion to solve instead of gathering this troop of...
His trail of thoughts was interupted by another voice in his mind, female, the khajiit, asking for his name. The name is Cirith he replied with a voice similar to his disguised voice but without the boom of a big tough man. And who are you may I ask? Cirith looked from the khajiit to the group around the redguard woman who fainted. He suddenly had the funny feeling like they were being eavesdropped by someone, but just a quickly as it came the feeling stopped, just the tension building up from all the comotion he thought...
|
|
|
Post by Vicorva on Oct 22, 2009 17:12:08 GMT
Fire. Fire, fire, and fire... and the smell of blood and bones.
Zhira stirred slightly as a cool wave of something trickled down her spine, and something heavy was leaning against her side. She raised herself from the ground, using Saffa, who was standing steady beside her, to get herself into a sitting position.
From there, she managed to push herself jerkily into her seat, her every muscle trembling. Her lips were pressed tightly together. She did her best to sit with dignity, trying to smooth her skirts as she sat. As her fingers brushed the crinkled fabric, she grimaced.
The strange weight in her head remained, but not so heavy now.
She tried to part her lips twice, but they would not budge. At last, she managed to open her mouth enough to say. "Thanks." Her voice trembled somewhat. She wrung her skirt between her hands.
|
|
|
Post by DarkNova50 on Oct 24, 2009 19:48:15 GMT
Will had to admit it, if even only to himself; he was impressed.
The Redguard woman, whose name he had still yet to discover, had recovered relatively quickly from whatever it was that had sent her falling to the floor. What truly struck Will, however, and did a great deal for her disposition in his eyes, was the way in which she almost casually disregarded the entire affair. She hadn't made a great scene of assuring those around her she was alright, nor had she drawn attention to herself by speaking of whatever it was that had happened.
She had simply, wordlessly, pushed herself up off the ground, requiring no additional aid from anybody else, before ensuring she thanked those around her for their efforts.
It was a spectacle of warrior-like nobility. A display of such independence and fortitude...it was something Will would have expected in the midst of a battle, from other fighters such as himself, but certainly not from a woman adorned in such elaborate clothing, and in the Imperial Throne Room no less.
So be it, he thought to himself with a certain sense of pride. If she wished simply to disregard the event, he would gladly comply. He nonchalantly took his previous seat nearby his blinded kinsman, dismissing the various other happenings throughout the room as he turned towards his fellow Redguard.
"I don't believe I got your name before," Will mentioned abruptly, deep blue eyes focused intently on her. A moment ago, he may not have asked the question of the woman; her name would have been as unimportant as the others assembled in the room, and he would have easily waited to learn it in his own time. Now, however, he felt the need to have a real name to call her by; titles such as 'the other Redguard' and 'the blinded woman' did not seem appropriate to him now.
|
|
|
Post by Vicorva on Oct 25, 2009 21:25:08 GMT
OOC: Okay, I was fully gonna wait for Vrek to make a post first but... even someone graced with the extreme patience and cool temperament that I display so frequently can get restless. IC:
The room was still a-buzz with talking, similar to the strange humming in her mind. She turned her attention to more earthly sounds, straining to hear conversations, the sound of Saffa scuffling at her feet, the breathing of those around her instead.
"I don't believe," came a voice. "I got your name before." Zhira's grip on her skirt slackened and then tightened once more, but she turned her head slightly towards the speaker- Will, if she remembered correctly.
"I am Zhira Okono," she said. There was no expectation for recognition; few could equate that name, let alone this broken creature, with her other name... her other life.
She lifted her head slightly, and seemed on the verge of speech, but her lips were tight and pale, her hands still gripping her skirt most tightly, her body still rigid as a board. She asked quietly, "Do you care much for politics, Will?" she spoke the word 'politics' with a funny quirk of her lips, but there was a strange intensity to her manner that seemed out-of-sorts with her words.
|
|
fantome
Novice
Moonlight becomes you....
Posts: 10
|
Post by fantome on Oct 27, 2009 23:53:10 GMT
Jo'Dar flicked her tail in acknowledgment of Cirith's reply. Mooneye.....umm....actually, make that Jo'Dar for the time being.
Jo'Dar let her eyes wander about the room yet again. Being the only furry one in the room, not counting Saffa, came with the advantage of being very unique and the disadvantage of being so very out of place. Not to mention the fact that she was growing rather impatient. Why are we all here?
With a sigh she stood and prowled over to Ocato.
"Hey Octopus, or whatever your name is, just when do you plan on explaining why we're all here?"
|
|
|
Post by FC4 on Oct 30, 2009 18:45:52 GMT
Selinus looked around the room as the crowd had finally gathered. No one else was entering; this appeared to be the group as a whole. Perfect, 3 dragons and a ton of mortals... they are going to be liabilities. This should have seriously been left to the dragons. Selinus glared at Ocato sidelong at the thought. It was Ocato, and the mortals of the Elder Council, that insisted Dragons not be the only ones to hunt Elindral. Something about keeping the Dragons self-conscious and preventing possible wide-spread panic if a dragon began fighting an elven citizen within the area of a city.
Selinus understood the subtext, however. He doesn't trust us much. Never really has. Relied upon, but never fully trusted. And right now, with the Empire so unsteady, He was being especially cautious. Ocato looked towards Zhira, and she must have passed his test because he nodded and turned back to face the whole ensemble.
"First off, I wish to thank you all for attending, even if the circumstances of your arrival were..." Ocato glanced towards Brisbane, "... less than comfortable. And also, less than reasonable. Undoubtedly, many of you wonder why you have been gathered here, in the Throne room." Ocato paused, exhaling and folding his arms behind his back.
"As the Black Horse Courier has so magnificently informed the public, an incidence arose in the Arcane University a month previous. They have stated what they have been informed of; an experiment went awry, and a few students lost their lives. That, is only half the truth." Ocato sighed as he said this, stepping down the dais to be level with the adventurers before him, hands still behind his back.
"Elindral Zetren, an Altmeri wizard of the Mage's Guild, has been conducting research for some time now. A secretive study, I might add, despite such projects being condemned by guild and government alike. None knew exactly what he was researching." Ocato's face looked visibly displeased, and he made no effort to hide his displeasure of this fact, and having to reveal it to these people.
"We have studying his notes, and came across a force he called 'anti-magicka'. We know very little about what this is, but we know it is powerful, as if caused the disappearance and presumed death of an entire building of students without harming the structure, and allowed Zetren to disappear. It took the entire month to completely reclaim the building from whatever entities had taken these students." Ocato looked around the room, examining their reactions.
"The Daedric Invasion is growing stronger by the day, and the Legion spread thin, but the Council and Mage's Guild have determined that this 'anti-magicka' has caused Elindral Zetren to go insane. And this makes him only deadlier. The mage must be dealt with before we learn more of what power his research has given him, the hard way." Ocato paused, waiting for a moment for his message to sink in. Stop Elindral, or more death will ensue.
"And so, the duty falls upon a select few." Ocato stated, only for Selinus to cut in a moment after.
"Funny how it always works out like that, isn't it?" He remarked calmly, a smirk hovering beneath the shadow of his hood. Ocato turned to the monk, holding back his displeasure at the rudeness of the interruption.
"Yes... yes it is." The Emperor responded softer, his tone darker. With a swish of his Imperial robes, he turned to face the group, one arm held out towards Selinus. "This man, Selinus, shall be your guide and sage for the expedition. He has some experience with this force Zetren has been studying, and so will be invaluable to your cause."
"I'm not sure they'll hold out well enough with me, my Emperor." Selinus remarked in response, moving down the dais to stand beside Ocato, who was looking exactly where the man's eyes would be as he turned to face Selinus, shoulder to shoulder. "A few perhaps, but there is quite a ragtag bunch."
"I assure you, my reason is sound in my decisions." Ocato replied firmly, brushing his shoulder against Selinus' as he passed and walked up the dais to stand before the throne. Turning around to address his subjects once again, he folded his arms behind his back once more. "I am sure there are questions. Do not fear to ask."
|
|
Fanchon
Waker
Scourge of Eberron!
Posts: 126
|
Post by Fanchon on Nov 3, 2009 1:32:11 GMT
"Oooh, diplomatic tension. How riveting.", Shelby said under her breath, unfolding her arms and moving toward Ocato so as to be more easily heard.
"So, I'm guessing that my own 'reward' for participating in your little witch hunt here is a full pardon? That part's easy to figure out, but my question is, does it extend to the crew of mine which you still have languishing in the dungeons? Because if it doesn't", she said, looking up into his eyes, now a mere ten feet or so away, "then you may as well murder me right here, as promised. I'll not go free while those captured under my command rot for the rest of their lives."
Had it not been for the seriousness of her tone, the whole situation would have seemed quite comical, given the great difference in height and appearance between the two.
|
|
|
Post by FC4 on Nov 3, 2009 1:49:04 GMT
"I take back what I said." Selinus remarked towards Shelbitha as she went right up to Ocato, nearly in his face, and made a demand of her own. His hood rustled as he nodded towards her. "She may actually fair rather well."
Ocato shot Selinus a silencing glare, then locked eyes with Brisbane. There was intensity in her tone he had to admire. Would most Legion commanders share similar sentiments towards their men? She has little to gain in this endeavor if they are free... Unless... Ocato frowned, his lower lip curling upward and eyes narrowing.
No... they need her. Outlaw and smuggler, she's got enough fire for three soldiers and from the work involved in locking her up, more skill than five. They need her... Ocato straightened his face, thrust up his jaw, and set his shoulders firmly.
"On one condition, Shelbitha Brisbane. Once you leave this room to undergo this mission, you are free; mostly. You are restricted to remaining with this group until your objective has been met. And if you accept, your men will be freed as you request. But you will have to accept this condition. You cannot contact your crew in any manner, until your objective is completed. They will be free, but you will not be allowed to meet with them; if it is discovered you have done so, they will be incarcerated once more." Ocato lowered his chin to give a less authoritative, more business look.
"Are we clear?"
|
|
Fanchon
Waker
Scourge of Eberron!
Posts: 126
|
Post by Fanchon on Nov 3, 2009 6:46:29 GMT
"Crystal. As long as they're free to go home without further harassment from the authorities, I'll be the best little Imperial stooge you've ever seen. You have my word... for whatever you think it's worth.", she said solemnly, keeping eye contact, but backing off a bit. She'd gotten what she wanted... for now.
Doubt I'll ever see most of them again anyway. Besides, you've still got my ship... what's left of her., she thought, mentally wincing as she remembered the catastrophic damage done by both ballistae and battlemages during the fighting. The sight at the time had nearly brought her to tears.
I'll get her back, when this is over. Maybe the Empire will have even been gracious enough to repair all the damage and put her back into service by the time this chore is done. The thought comforted her somewhat as she turned to resume her previous position against the ornate column. Before she did however, she turned to address Selinus.
"Appreciate the compliment. But if you think I'm going to call you 'sir' or 'captain' or any of that bullsh*t, well, let's just say I hope you're used to disappointment in life." she said, although there was a *slight* bit of respect in her voice. Secretly she admired the way he'd spoken to Ocato, but also knew that he'd probably end up treating her and the others with the same contempt down the line... and she wasn't going to tolerate that in the slightest.
|
|
fantome
Novice
Moonlight becomes you....
Posts: 10
|
Post by fantome on Nov 4, 2009 19:34:07 GMT
Jo'Dar's bit of Moon Sugar high had worn off by the time Ocato had finished outlining the task for the mismatched group. The fact the Selinus was in charge was rather surprising. Why Selinus; why not another mage? Just how much of this stuff has he studied?....How did he study it for that matter?
Brisbane's demand that her crew go free distracted Jo'Dar from her original train of thought and provided some amusement in the dull meeting. Humans....so entertaining. That's precisely why I like to live near them.
Jo'Dar returned to her original train of thought. She considered asking Selinus himself just how he had studied anti-magicka but decided against it upon remembering that there was a possibility dragons could be overheard. I wonder if she can hear us.....And if she can, could she respond?
Hello?....Can you hear me? Jo'Dar timidly tossed the question towards Zhira.
|
|
|
Post by Vicorva on Nov 5, 2009 19:50:10 GMT
Zhira's conversation with Will- which was largely based upon her own drive to ignore her fear- was interrupted by Ocato finally announcing what the whole point of the meeting was.
The ex-warrior listened with an unreadable expression, her lips pressed together and her eyes as unfathomable as ever beneath the blindfold. There seemed to be a lot of fuss around a woman named Shelbitha- but from her insolent attitude, she wasn't worth it. Zhira had met woman like her before; the tough chicks, the outlaws, the pirates. They talked big, but when faced with real pressure, they either snapped and broke into tears, or their blind arrogance would find them at the end of cold steel.
Although the beast seemed to like her. Zhira shuddered, and despite her dislike for femme fatales she could only hope that this Shelbitha would meet a better fate than those others who had fascinated dragons.
Buzzing filled her head again, but she shoved it back, ignoring the irritation of it as surely as she was ignoring the heavy metal weight behind her eyes. She focused hard on the conversation at hand.
She listened to Shelbitha's demands for a moment, her lip curling, then said, "Ocato, I'm not military and won't serve under someone with a black heart and rude mouth just because you say." She wasn't foul-mouthed like Shelbitha, nor was she anywhere near as loud, but she knew Ocato would listen. "Tell us why we should listen to your sage or help your cause when clearly we aren't wanted." She scratched Saffa's ear as she spoke. "I'd be happy to take those... Selinus..." her mouth stumbled over the name, and briefly she heard the distant ringing of a different, unfamiliar one.
"...Those Selinus doesn't want, and make a separate effort." She sat straight-backed in her chair. She was a warrior, and proud, and blind and broken she might be, but she would not have anyone, not the Emperor of Cyrodiil nor a vicious monster of legend pretend she was worth any more or less than she was.
|
|