PASSING OF THE CROWN, Part I: the coronation

[wolff96]

Doh... Didn't see my own post until it was too late. Double Post.

 

[wolff96]

Niro looks around casually, not really recognizing any of the people in the room other than his old mentor. After realizing that the people on either side of him were more interested in their own gossip than in him, he slumped in his seat.

Then, after sulking for just a minute, he leans forward to sniff the vanilla-scented candles in the candlabra in front of him. Liking the scent, he takes one more look around to make sure no one is watching him at that moment. Licking his fingers, he snuffs one of the candles, slips it into his sleeve, and sits back casually.

Assuming no one has seen him, he smiles to himself and leans back in his chair, closing his eyes and waiting for something interesting to happen.

(OOC: I posted in this thread last night, but my post apparently got lost. Very weird.)

 

[Sodalis]

Seeing one guest take seat and then disappear in a puff of smoke, the king seems uneasy. Mandar especially seems disturbed. He motions for a guard and whispers orders into his ears. The guard comes to Vresiya and whispers into your ear :

"The Prince feels that it is very disrespectful for a guest of honor to leave without a word of leave." He returns to his post.

the king then speaks, "my honored guests, I have summoned you here for a purpose. As to the riddle of heir, it will soon be decided. These mystics will peer into the bellies of the princesses and tell us who is male and who is female. That wil take place later tonight- as the meeting of the people is due at dawn tomorrow. But tonight, you are all welcome to stay and bask in the presence of the princes and princesses, as one of them will soon have a title change."

He gets up from his throne, and paces the floor, addressing each son individually,a nd sharing their strengths and weaknesses. Mandar, Dryka, Underwood, and Bob. he addresses the first two with pride and dignity. The second two with hesitation.

Immediately, Vriseya notices that the mystics take note of this,a nd start to converse amongst themselves. Their voices are low and bassy- but Vriseya can pick it up, though she is not able to make out exactly the dialog.

The king then directs you to the celebration hall, where a finely decorated table awaits you.

[assuming you follow]

As you get up to follow, Mandar winks at you and motions with a facial tick and a nod of the head that he would like to speak with you (Vriseya). And he slows down enough for you to catch up with him as he enters the room. He looks a little displeased, but he needs your help- and so lets the act of disrespect slide.

 

[wolff96]

(OOC: Is the weasel -- sitting under the mystic's table -- close enough to pick up their conversation?)

After mentally telling the weasel to follow the mystics to their new location, Niro heaves himself to his feet and follows the group into the banquet hall.

He raises an eyebrow when he sees Vriseya follow Mandar into a side room, but knows that she is perfectly capable of caring for herself.

Settling himself in at the banquet table, he begins to tuck into the available food. He takes special care to heavily load his plate with all the foods he hasn't been able to afford lately -- the delicacies that have been imported from other lands, the fresh fruits, and the cow's tongue.

 

[Semirhage]

Vriseya manages to hold a frown from her face when Kadiyan teleports. His actions, as my guest reflect upon me... no manners. Now I shall have to make up some excuse so as not to seem rude. She merely nods to the servant when he tells her it was rude. Naturally, she knows already.

She is very interested in the Mystics' conversation, but annoyed that it would also be rude to eavesdrop and she has already usef up some of her leniency for the evening.

When Mandar motions her over, she joins him. "I am terribly sorry for my guest's departure, but something came up. I expect he will return later after this most important errand is finished, and will have an apology ready. At the very least, a written apology to the King is in order."

She looks him over, "So, my friend, what's on your mind. The same as is on everyone else's, I'm guessing?"

 

[Sodalis]

OOC: the mystics have their own language (orient) and i dont think the weasel can understand- even if he could, they speak in mumbles (mumbling to us, but a secret language to them) and Vriseya is the only person who recognises this. To the normal ear, it is a very low pitched mumbling that is almost inaudible.

The mystics follow immediately behing theprinces into the banquet hall- followed by the Vriseya who is walking along side a lagging Mandar, who is supposed to be up with the princes, but straggling to talk to her.

Mandar pauses, "The mystics are a ploy, they were sent for by Underwood, no doubt to help him win the crown. I ask for your presence so that you may help neutralize their effect on the birth and the crowning."

He then picks up speed to catch up with th eother princes. He smiles to his wife,assuring her that all is well.

The banquet hall is elaboratly decorated. The table was set with care, and the plates are shiny metal, with gold trim. The goblets are fine blue glass- filled to the brim with your favorite drink (whatever it may be). Each placement is accented with a greeting card that has your name on it- special placards that reserves your space at the table.

The king gets up to make a toast, "To a fruitful future and a peaceful life..." He raises his goblet and drinks every drop.

The food is then brought out, at which time, Niro helps himself to it. The king smiles as everyone else starts.

Sitting at your place, Vriseya opens her reservation card and finds a note inside, "Do not get involved..." She looks around to see that a shadow with putrid green eyes had been standing at the entrance to the banquet hall- which then disappears.

 

[wolff96]

Niro comes strolling over to Vriseya, an Unseen Servant carrying a laden plate behind him.

"What's the problem, mistress? You look upset... Even if most people wouldn't notice. You always keep your face impassive, but your whole body is tensed up like there is going to be trouble."

Reaching behind him to snag a lobster's claw from the floating plate, Niro cracks it open and begins to eat it while waiting for Vriseya's response.

 

[Semirhage]

Vriseya looks at Niro, "There's always trouble. And the one's who make it obviously don't know me very well if they think to frighten me off with threats. Stay close, my boy, and we'll see if we can't foil a plot or two."

She sits quietly, eating her meal, after checking for poisons, and considers her options. Naturally, someone as already foiled her own plot, that of determing the rightful heir. She frowns. Perhaps she can make it appear that all of the children are female. Or all male. After all, the mystics' predictions don't matter if the child is stillborn... It's only a possible future.

The mystics are only a solution if only one child is female, which would naturally be Underwood's child. She smiles as she dabs at her lips with a napkin. Underwood's child must not be allowed to be female. Or at least, not the only female.

 

[Sodalis]

Following the feast, the guests are ushered into the main hall once again. The room has been decorated to suit the individual princes. Three stations have been constructed- the bed cushions are stuffed with griffen down, and lined with silk and velvet. Each of the three princesses have not eaten, anxious of what was to come.

The three pregnant princesses lay on the beds, and the mystics walk along side them. All along, the mumbling has been continuing, but with her great wisdom, Vriseya is managing to understand bits and pieces: "careful...... powerful allies.... mistake..."

The forth one stands in between the three, overseeing the whole event. He has his eyes closed,and walks to the exact center of the three, all the while remaining completely silent. He begins his chant.

In a deafening scream, he floats into the air, convulsing and shaking violently. His arms and legs flailing and eyes bulging. He twirls in the air as he gasps his words. The other three mystics are holding onto the princesses tightly, who have long fallen asleep (or entranced). They mumble louder now, and Vriseya can almost understand them completely: "let the true heir be known. let there be peace. Let the true heir be known. Let there be peace..." The chants continue on and on for the length of a candle (one hour) when the mystic finally falls to the ground in exhaustion.

The other three rush ovber to pick him up, the ritual is over. All that is left is to deliver the news- but he is too weak to speak.

The king immediately rushes over to his side, "So?" He points to Underwood.... and in a weak voice "female" . A loud roar comes over Underwood and his wife. The guards frown anticipating what is to come. He then points to Dryka... ""female" . And a sigh of relief comes over the king, and the brothers. Mandar smiles, as he thinks to himself, "at least there is one of us". Then he points at Mandar's wife... "i am sorry, but i cannot tell. A dragon is a magical creature..."

The king bursts into cheers as he hears the news. Mandar's child is a full dragon. Dryka's child is a girl. At last, his kingdom may rest for the future is secure in peace, prosperity, and protection.

Streamers and confetti fall from the ceiling as the guards start to play their horns. "Let the celebrating commence!!" cried the king as he runs over to Mandar's wife, Ederoi- "My beautiful child, you don't know happy you have made me tonight... and you Aidan (Dryka's wife) that child has a great future ahead of it..." completely forgetting about Underwood, the king turns to the court and screams, "My kingdom will fluorish once again.

Keeping an eye on Underwood, Vriseya recognises a frown came over his face, his teeth clenched, and his eyes teary as he was completely forgotten in the celebration. He grabs his wife and they rush out of the main court... His screams echoing down the halls.

Bob watches as he rushes out- with a nervous smile on his face... a look of confusion...

Mandar smiles at his victory, but also a worries of what is to happen in the days to follow.

 

[Semirhage]

Vriseya also smiles at Mandar, walking over to congratulate him, looking briefly over her shoulder at the retreating Underwood. "Well, Prince, I should think that it will no matter what gender the child is. She will be able to take any form she needs."

She shakes her head, "Patience is its own reward, but I fear the next few days will be very difficult. You must ensure that only loyal men and women surround you. And powerful they must be as well to withstand the onslaught that will surely come." She pats him on the shoulder, "I'll be around."

She walks over to the mystics, "So, who have you angered by telling this truth? And what help can I render to reward your integrity?""