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Post by FC4 on Apr 8, 2010 12:56:04 GMT
"It would seem we won't get to continue the discussion." Malinus sighed, setting down the plate he'd begun to refill with food. The Force Commander had just given explicit orders -or they sounded like orders to the legionaire- for them to get ready to meet High Chancellor Ocato. And he sounded none too happy about having to do so. But, after something like the Oblivion Crisis, Malinus understood the need for such security. Perhaps the Palace Guard was not enough, hence the Legion inclusion.
"If I may request," Malinus turned to his side to regard the Khajiit scholar, "could we continue this some other time? It is rare to find someone who knows such complex subjects as Daedra, yet can explain them in such easily understood terminology. I wish to learn of the Khajiit views of these subjects myself."
Malinus walked around the Khajiit towards the door, then stopped and turned to regard the cat once more. "It will be a pleasure discovering the source of this odd behavior with you, Ja'Rasha." He gave a slightly bowing nod to the feline, and then continued towards the door to await the time to meet Ocato.
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Post by shadow666 on Apr 8, 2010 15:23:26 GMT
It seemed that the Wilfric man seemed to know of a way to get more, and so Nina nodded, and hoped to remain civil with the man. After all to have that poison in steady supply would make her hits much easier.
The man then walked away after saying his goodbyes, and it was then Nina heard the Commander speak up about the Chancellor ready to see them. "About bloody time.." She said under her breath and then looked at the woman next to him.
Nina's head cocked to one side in curiosity because of her posture and movements. movements that she knew shouldn't be the ones of an aide. Perhaps she does more than organize the chancellor's paperwork she thought idly as the commander made a subtle threat.
"Again with the threats? really.." Nina said out loud in distaste. as she walked casually towards the door that was now open. "Well at least this is better than prison, he must really trust me to get me out of prison personally, maybe you might want to try the same" She added as a side note to the commander as she past, glancing to see the woman move her hand up the man's arm, making Nina's left eyebrow rise.
There was something about the woman Nina thought she recognized but put it aside. Finding out why she was needed was more important than that.
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Post by Darkom on Apr 8, 2010 20:03:38 GMT
IC: Now we see Ocato, learn his plan. Good. The Khajiit glared at the red-armored legionnaire, detesting his patronizing tone. With the exception of the Bosmer, no one here was fool enough to start anything in the Imperial Palace, especially in front of the High Chancellor.
"It would seem we won't get to continue the discussion." The strange man that had been speaking with Ja'Rashi seemed truly disappointed at having their conversation cut short. The Khajiit doubted he would ever understand humans, or if he would ever want to.
"If I may request, could we continue this some other time? It is rare to find someone who knows such complex subjects as Daedra, yet can explain them in such easily understood terminology. I wish to learn of the Khajiit views of these subjects myself." The man had set down his half full platter of food and seemed ready to follow the legion commander out the door. Such lengthy farewells, when they would most likely be able to continue conversation after the meeting, seemed more than pointless to Ja'Rashi, they were down-right annoying.
The Khajiit gave a terse nod in reply, though he only understood half of the man's proposal. Daedra known even by little mewlings. Silly humans with no clan mothers know not.
Ja'Rashi followed the man out the door, answering his strange nod with a bemused look. As they were led down the hallway towards the council chambers, the Khajiit could not help but marvel at the number of legion guards surrounding them. Gold Cat had less security, the cat thought, chuckling silently to himself.
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Post by webster52402 on Apr 8, 2010 20:17:38 GMT
Wilfric let out a disdainful "Tsk..." As the Breton woman, with perfect timing, returned to the room just as the nobleman had poured himself a goblet of wine. A pity... It looked like the wine at least would be worth something. He had been looking forward to drinking it.
Luckily for him, it seemed that the woman was a little preoccupied and took a moment to start practicing her flirtatious smile before actually speaking to Seraphim. Not one to waste opportunity, Wilfric raised the goblet to his sallow lips, taking a long swallow of the bright red liquid. Ahhh... It was delicious. It had a very sharp, very bitter taste, just like he liked his wines.
Of course, that was because arsenic tasted very bitter itself, which made it a perfect wine poison, but...
Just as he managed to finish off the goblet - with haste he would rather not have shown such wine - the aide delivered her message, causing Seraphim to immediately start barking out orders to his men. Wilfric couldn't help but wince as he lowered the goblet back to the table, wiping his thin lips with the back of his hand. The sheer distaste that rolled off of him in waves was palpable. What an odious fellow... Wilfric didn't approve of the group any more than he did, but he had the tact to not bellow it out at the top of his lungs.
Sighing reluctantly, he rose from his seat, pulling his cloak free from the chair. Shaking it to get it to its proper voluminous nature - he couldn't very well stand before the Chancellor looking rumpled - he wheeled away from Seraphim and the aide, just as the Bosmer woman started to rub her hands along Seraphim's arm.
"Have I ever told you how sexy I find powerful men?"
He couldn't help himself. As that sentence left the aide's lips, Wilfric froze mid step and broke out laughing. Throwing a bemused glance at the two, he shook his head slowly. Wow. She's such a [censored]... He thought unabashedly, as he resumed his walk. And she doesn't even know what real power is... The commander's nothing more than a glorified bootlick with a title.
With a self-confident smile, Wilfric slipped from the room, turning towards the council chambers. Hopefully this would be over swiftly.
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Post by DarkNova50 on Apr 10, 2010 6:38:29 GMT
As they passed the spectacle that was both he and the Chancellor's aide, Seraphin couldn't help but notice some of the adventurers' unusual expressions...and for the first time since he'd laid eyes on them, he felt as though both they and he were on the same page.
"Don't you think that's a little inappropriate?" he asked unflinchingly, any trace of smug sadism that may have remained in his voice vanishing as he turned to face Claire. The Breton woman's finger stopped abruptly, and for a moment - just a fleeting moment - he saw an expression on her face that made him think she were cursing herself.
But the angry expression on the woman's face was short lived, to the point Seraphin didn't imagine anybody else had even seen it. Colour suddenly rushed to the young woman's cheeks, and her expression morphed into one of sudden, almost practiced embarassment.
"I-I'm sorry, Commander," Claire murmured quietly, her gaze suddenly falling to the floor. She wrung her hands nervously in front of her, and refused to meet Seraphin's gaze. "I guess I've just been a little on edge around the Elder Council lately, protocol and such. And...well, I-" She suddenly looked up at him, her eyes locking with his. "I didn't embarass you, did I?"
Seraphin blinked uncertainly, before looking up at the adventurers who were already heading for the Council chamber. He'd made out some off-hand remark by Nina Othelu about trusting her - which was really quite ironic, actually - but what really irked him was the mocking laugh that he'd heard from that greasy little bastard, Wilfric.
Wretched little imp had best mind himself, Seraphin though bitterly. He'd read the man's dossier before he'd arrived, and though he didn't know everything Mr. Salazar...he knew enough not to trust him. He'd have to keep his eyes open...and his blade handy.
He turned his attention back to Claire, however, who was still looking up at him with a pair of large, strangely haunting eyes. Somehow, just looking at her...her sweet, innocent features...made any anger he might have had disappear. "Just...don't let it happen again," he growled halfheartedly.
He turned his attention back to the freelancers who had yet to begin making their way towards the Council chamber, so distracted by Claire's little display, and by the reactions of some of their more unsavoury guests, to notice that they seemed to be plus one previously unnoticed guest...
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Post by FC4 on Apr 10, 2010 13:51:25 GMT
OOC: I'm feeling uninspired lately.
IC: Old age must have really been working its magic on Malinus' senses; not only did he fail to acknowledge Miss Claire's inappropriate behavior, he also failed to notice the additional guest to the group. The only thing he did notice was a lack of that magic in the air, that soft hum in his head that told of a spell gently working away. The magic had stopped, whatever it was.
If he had noticed Claire's behavior, he would have disapproved as much as the Force Commander. But of that incident, the sleazy laugh of the nobleman was what caught Malinus' attention, making him wonder just what he found so funny. I don't like his laugh. Or his manner of walk. Or that look in his eye. The man pretty much embodied what Malinus didn't like about the Empire; snotty noblemen who love themselves more than anything else and fail to respect what others do for them.
And he had to work with that man. Fun. Just like being in the legion again. Malinus sighed, stopping briskly and patiently when he finally did reach the Council Chamber door -one of the first to do so. "I imagine you wish me to wait for your Force Commander to arrive before letting me in?" He asked the guards, making no move to force entry.
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Post by DarkNova50 on Apr 13, 2010 3:16:48 GMT
Amongst the myriad of other guards swarming the corridor, one of the two honour guards, glad in ceremonial white and gold platemail, noted some of the adventurers approaching the Council Chamber.
"See them in," ordered the Chancellor's aide, Claire, coming up from behind the first group of freelancers. The guard quickly complied, he and his fellow pushing open the large metal doors into the Council Chamber.
The interior had been vacated, save for Ocato himself, and a half dozen more of the honour guards standing nearby. Each of them wielded a massive, and deadly looking, ebony pike, and cautiously eyed the strangers standing outside the chamber doors.
"Ah, here they are at last," Chancellor Ocato noted, nodding his head in approval. "My apologies for the wait. Commander Callius is a fine officer, but I fear that his security precautions may be a bit...excessive." The Altmer smiled, and inclined his head slightly. "Please, do come in. I trust the rest of your number will be along shortly?"
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Post by FC4 on Apr 13, 2010 6:03:14 GMT
"They should be, unless they walk slower than an old man, Chancellor." Malinus replied to the High Chancellor, walking into the room as the guards opened the doors. He looked around at the vacated premises, noting the deadly Ebony pikes. Pikes? Seriously? Not the best idea in an interior space. Perhaps a Halberd or spear, but pikes are far too unwieldy. But these men likely wield them like extensions of their own body. Malinus may have been a Battlemage, but he'd seen his fellow soldiers on the field; he wasn't a weapons expert, but he's witnessed firsthand.
So, the elder simply walked down the runner carpet of the chamber towards Ocato, bowing when he was within a few yards of the Chancellor. When he rose again, he grasped his staff with both hands and smiled. "In times of such uncertainty, security is a necessity, and I am glad to see our leadership safeguarded."
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Post by Vicorva on Apr 13, 2010 7:56:51 GMT
The slim figure in the silver dress walked sedately down the corridor, extending her legs like a dancer poised before a performance with every step. Her hands were held delicately at her sides, her stance erect, though her pale hair managed to obscure her eyes even from its plait.
It was impossible without seeing her face to see how very exposed she felt. Her eyes, behind her hair, were scanning the corridor back and forth, watchful, and her lips were pressed tightly together. But as for the rest of her body, it was loose and sinuous, ready to twist away at the slightest provocation. For when Ephemera was nervous, she relaxed her body rather than tensing it.
Despite the pace of her steps, she nevertheless managed to keep up with the group, silver skirts swaying gently around her legs. She passed the guards without comment, although as her eyes passed over them they shifted nervously, as if her eyes brought with them a chill breeze. And then she was through the door, not far behind the old battlemage.
He was bowing to the Chancellor, a smile on his lips. A frown flickered across Ephemera's own. Smiling seemed very forward. "In times of such uncertainty," said the old battlemage "Security is a necessity. and I am glad to see our leadership safeguarded."
Well. That sounded much more appropriate. Now Ephemera approached, and curtsyed low, gracefully bending a knee and bowing her head. "Supreme Chancellor," she murmured, and rose again into a standing position.
She wondered if he remembered borrowing her from the Count of Skingrad a few years previous. She was only insignificant, afterall, but she'd garnered valuable information for him. That is, presumably, why I'm standing here today...
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Post by sibera on Apr 13, 2010 13:51:31 GMT
Ji'Zahd bolted towards the doors of the Imperial Palace, he was late having had several snags on his way from the border to the large city that was the centre of the Empire. He managed to get to the doors before being blocked by two rather impressive guards in steel clad armour looked down on the panting khajiit. "Halt, State your business here.." the guard commanded. Quickly Ji'zahd fumbled through his pockets and removed the old looking letter and handed it to the guard, it had been marked with the official seal. Gods he despised his order at times and their version of promptness. The guard looked the letter over and they allowed him in, escorting him through the rather exuberant halls, filled with legion soldiers.
Security is tight.. though after what happened years back I don't blame them. Rather unfortunate I think though, to marr such beautiful halls with such.. robotic looking soldiers. he thought as he was escorted to another room with several other adventurers in it. His armour was in better condition than normal, polished up a bit as well. He gave a bow to the High chancellor but stayed in the back as the guard turned to leave. God he felt awkward and disliked this sort of entrance. Least though he was in abit of a better mood now that he was inside. Thoughts racing through his mind.
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Post by Elgen on Apr 13, 2010 13:54:19 GMT
What with the general flow of people heading for the room where Ocato was waiting for them, Aron thought it best to join them. Would probably be thought of as pretty rude should he just stand there, and so he left the redguard for the Chancellor.
He walked after a slim woman which he hadn't noticed earlier, into the chambers of Ocato. His eye darted left and right, noting the many guards in here. Every one of them looked like the spear was a part of them, they handled it naturally. He didn't want to meet any of them in battle.
Though he might not like it, etiquette was etiquette. Aron dropped on one knee, his left hand on his sword hilt and his right fist on the floor beside him, head bowed. "My lord Ocato. As you have summoned me, so have I come. I stand ready." he said, his eye fixed on the floor before him. He made no attempt at rising just yet. After all, these commoners might be just that, but Aron was a soldier in this man's army, and this man even led the very state. Protocol dictated such from a lowly armsman.
OOC: erect... heh...
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Post by Simmo33 on Apr 13, 2010 18:33:11 GMT
One by one, each of the adventurers in the room began making their way to the room where Ocato was waiting. Raydus saw Aron stand up to join the line and so followed behind him. Raydus noticed the many pike-wielding soldiers in the room, each one of them alert, focussed on protecting the chancellor.
Raydus watched as Aron approached the chancellor. He dropped to one knee and bowed his head, saying "My lord Ocato. As you have summoned me, so have I come. I stand ready."
Raydus was a bit surprised to hear the Nord speak so formally to Ocato, it sounded like he was reciting some sacred script. Perhaps Aron had done this kind of thing before. Aron seemed to wait for Ocato's permission to rise, so there was nothing Raydus could do but wait.
He saw one of the guards eyeing him up, making sure he was noticed with his pike. Raydus stared right back at him, not in an aggressive way, but just to show he had nothing to hide. The guard darted his eyes away and Raydus turned his head back to Aron and the Chancellor.
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Post by webster52402 on Apr 13, 2010 21:59:35 GMT
Somewhat miraculously, though Wilfric was one of the first to leave the chambers, he was beaten by several of the others to the actual Council chambers, including by the old battlemage man. Just how that was possible, the noble didn't know... Though it seemed that the group was full of such mysteries, since yet another of them had materialized somehow between the gathering room and the Council chambers.
Quirking an eyebrow at the silvery looking Bosmer woman, Wilfric filled in behind the others who were all taking their turns kissing the Chancellor's ass. Ah, how station granted such courtesy from the sheep below... Wilfric himself had experienced such things himself. However, it was their lot in life to do so, so...
Taking his own place beside the Nord, who was absolutely scraping the floors with his great frame, Wilfric did something a little less demeaning. Since he himself was a nobleman, Wilfric was entitled to give less reverence than those of the bottom rung like the Nord, so he settled for just pulling his cloak to one side with one arm, folding the other against his stomach.
Much like he had greeted the others - those he wished to afford a modicum of respect to at least - he bowed low, keeping his cloak open. He wasn't sure why the custom had come about to bow as such - though he assumed it had something to do with frequent assassination attempts in times of tumult by the nobles - but it was a simple and elegant gesture.
"We all await your orders, Chancellor." Wilfric hissed, his thin lips pulling up into a secretive, malevolent smile. One day, he would be on the same Council that this man headed... And perhaps, if he played his cards right, he may take the Chancellor's position outright...
However, he couldn't help but have his eyes travel off to one side, towards the silver woman. To put it quite bluntly, he was intrigued: He had not spotted her in their gathering group nor on the way over here, yet when they arrived she was just... there. She looked so natural and reserved about it too... Perhaps she would serve as a useful tool, like the assassin girl?
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Post by Darkom on Apr 14, 2010 0:05:47 GMT
IC: Ja'Rashi ambled casually along the hall, noting the others as they passed him on their way to Ocato. The old human that he had spoke with arrived at the chamber first, followed by a flowing Bosmer woman Ja'Rashi had not noticed in the reception hall. Strange, but no worry.
After the small elf came another new arrival, this one a Khajiit. An elf woman Ja'Rashi could overlook, but a fellow desert walker was unlikely. The gangster shrugged his robed shoulders, dismissing the cat as he bowed to the old elf. Late fool, give Khajiit bad name.
Finally, after the kneeling Nord and sleazy Breton paid their respects to the chancellor, Ja'Rashi found himself at the front of the procession. He would rather stay in the back, away from the authority of the Empire and his pike-wielding guardians, but unfortunately, the elf had noticed him. Ocato now looked amiably in his direction, as if expecting similar frivolities from a Tenmar Khajiit.
Ja'Rashi, after a moment of hesitation, approached the chancellor, whiskered face impassive. He fought against his pride and naturally rebellious instincts for the slightest of moments, but soon realized just how quickly the elf could have him killed. Ja'Rashi gave a small bow in the Imperial fashion, bending at the waist, dark orange eyes focused on the rug beneath him.
"Chancellor," Ja'Rashi mumbled, his rasping Khajiit accent thick. He considered saying more, but feared his own tongue, unfamiliar with the language he was forced to speak here, would betray him. Instead, the Khajiit stepped back towards the edge of the room, eyes still trained on the floor. Diplomacy was not Ja'Rashi's strong suit.
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Post by shadow666 on Apr 14, 2010 2:13:22 GMT
Even though Nina was the first to leave the room, it appeared that everyone else was so eager to get to the other room, most had beaten her there, making her raise an eyebrow. Why would anyone be so eager to go see the chancellor? any faster and these guards would have taken them out.. she thought to herself as she eyed the guards as they eyed her back, neither one trusting the other.
As she glanced back forward there was a new woman she hadn't seen before, or even see come into the room. What pissed her off the most was the fact no one seemed to bother that someone seemed to have suddenly appeared. If Nina had done that she would have several blades through her by now.
As she reached the other room, the others seemed to be kissing ass with the way they spoke and acted towards the Chancellor making the Imperial woman roll her eyes in disgust. "can we move the pleasantries along so you can tell me the reason i am out of your highest security prison, and standing before you with a bunch of ass kissers so i can return to my mistress and tell her why two of her daedric brothers are dead?" Nina spoke outloud with her arms crossed obviously not happy with what was going on.
The sooner she got out of here the better. There was something in the room that made her uneasy, and that didn't happen often. And without any of her weapons bar the poison, if something did happen, she would be in a tad of a pickle.
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