Collab Post with Camleen
The Count snaps his eyes towards the snorting sound of the Unicorn, and he looks almost more afraid than surprised to see one here. But it is a quick expression, seen only by the most keen observers. He returns Benji's salute without hesitation or question, even saying "At ease, soldier." He was about to join the rest of the group, mainly go to Roanar's side, but then the unicorn beats him to it, so the old man stands apart from the rest, but still acknowledges the Princess with a bow and "Pleasure to meet you again, Your Highness Princess Shalana."
The other old man of the group, Leonidas, stands aside the group as well but looks across them all at The Count intently. Something about the other man...doesn't feel right.
"Huh?" Anne is brought out of her fascination with the Barbin named Roanar, and to the Princess she didn't witness coming down to the courtyard due to the sudden arrivals startling her. Now she looks into a very otherworldly pretty face, and Anne can't help but feel jealousy bubble up in her. The handmaiden and guard tell her this is some kind of royalty. Princess, she can only assume. The woman looks at the weapon in her hand, and carefully holds it just by the handle with fingers away from the trigger for her to take.
"Aye, inspect all ya want. Just be careful not to shoot me."
Anne offers up the pistol, and Shalana reaches out to grasp it by its barrel. She then wraps her hand around the handle itself, her forefinger resting on the guard outside of the trigger so she doesn't accidentally fire it. She keeps it pointed towards the ground, and her free hand reaches for the rear of the gun. Her brows furrow as she tries to cock it, but finds herself just not strong enough to. "Hmph" she offers softly, looking down at the gun. She turns it in her hand, inspecting the body of the pistol. "This is of… late 19th century?" She asks softly, her eyes now moving towards Anne, and then Benjie.
"I think so. Certainly after my time as I never seen a gun like that." Anne answers, leaving out she doesn't know what '19th century' means any more than semi-automatic. She watches the girl handle the weapon and is a bit surprised. It's like she's handled them a few times before, even been shown and told how to do it properly. Anne takes out her flintlock to compare, holding it so the barrel is pointed up.
"This be one of the guns in my day. Can't shoot someone too far away, but ya get it up to their skull, you can take someone's head." Anne puts it away. "Never done it meself, but seen it. Nasty business that was. Good thing the gulls and crows are good cleaners." She says, giggling as if it were a fun memory.
While the Strangers have been conversing and meeting with Count Orlock and the Barbin Ambassador, the Overseer has been talking to his Senior members in the farthest corner of the courtyard. He speaks in an even, authoritative tone.
"This should go with saying, but it is my duty to remind you all before we move forward, that we must not make this personal." He clasps his hands together and keeps looking all around at every one of them. "We have lost friends, people we may have considered family, to this new threat." He raises a finger "But, we must follow the example of our fellows in the White Guard, and not make this about any of our personal losses. We need to uphold our duty to this Guild, and the world we've pledged to serve. Is that understood?"
"Understood, Overseer Germaine." Genessa is the first to answer in the affirmative. The others do as well. Except Odalwa does it last, and a few long seconds after the others while looking the Overseer in the eyes. Genessa knows why. Delilah, one of those lost in the attack, had joined up with him years ago. Both from the same village, so the two of them may have likely had a prior relationship of some kind before. The Overseer is no fool who doesn't see this hesitation behind that stone face, nor are anyone assembled, but it passes without one comment.
"Now, as to our current duties." Overseer Germaine looks around at the other Red Shield gathered and waiting. "I will be going into the King's Council meeting, and will convey what I'm allowed to all of you afterward. In the meantime, have our Field Operatives escort the Scribes to the main Guild Hall in small, discrete groups until everyone is out of this courtyard, the six of you and these Strangers being last to await my return." He makes their salute, and the others return it before they all disperse. Genessa walks beside Overseer Germaine as both are going towards Count Orlock.
The older gentleman sees their approach, and dons a large toothy smile. "Ah! My dear Genessa! Finally!" He holds his arms out. Genessa sighs, blushes as they close distance and once she's in reach, he embraces Genessa very warmly. A smothering warmth, you might say. Genessa smiles but blushes deeper. "Yes father, I am very fine, thank you." She says quietly, returning the hug with less gusto.
"Less than fine, I'd say." The Count breaks the hug, and looks closely at his daughter with brow furled "Have you not been taking your medicine?"
"Yes I have." Genessa says indignantly.
"Today?" He asks, incredulous. Overseer Germaine watches this, holding back a chuckle that might be demeaning to his subordinate.
"I had...some today." She reaches into an inner pocket of her cloak, but finds only that empty vial. She groans and The Count reaches into his own, producing a metal flask he then hands to her.
"You know better." He tells her, just a little admonishingly.
At this point Overseer Germaine clears his throat to get their attention.
"Count Orlock, we are needed inside. Don't want to keep His Majesty waiting." He says, gesturing at the palace doors.
"Yes yes, we are coming." Orlock says to the Overseer. He gives Genessa one last quick hug, and the two start walking. Ambassador Roanar sees this, and gives Grimm one last pat on the back and Niji a pet down her snout. Oddly enough he is not so impressed with a unicorn like the others.
"Happy huntings to you, and may we hunt together in the future." He says in parting to Grimm and follows the other two.
Genessa, now thoroughly embarrassed, has a drink from the flask. Just a quick one.
But of course the emergence of a new group of Strangers wasn't kept a secret for long from many. In fact when they first began to emerge, a message was sent to the far corners of this world. A message describing not only the fact new Strangers had came to their world… but the unprecedented number of them. Usually, a small group could be expect. 3 at the most, normally. But something was different this time. Something was off.
And so a meeting was arranged, a meeting with the intent of trying to figure out just why all of this is happening now. And what the bigger picture might be. Many of this world have seen enough suffering at the hands of Strangers for them not to be wary.
It has been nearly 14 years since representatives came together from all of the intelligent races of the world, holding conference in the distant land of Maagin, far to the south and east of the kingdom of Gatecia. Removed as it was from the rest of the world, it would allow some sort of impartial meetings and judgements in regards to said world. A council of beings from 9 of the races that make up this beautiful world. All of them wanting nothing more than to keep the peace, to allow this world to prosper through cooperation of the races. And their defense.
As these are unusual times, unusual measures were to be taken. From the far island of Maagin the Council travelled, heading towards the kingdom of Gatecia. Their arrival kept secret, save for those in the highest positions of the military and governing body. The original intent… a conference for discussion of the Strangers situation, of the rising violence in the wildlands of their world. But after the brazen attack on the King and Queen of Gatecia… the Council now feels the need to act immediately. And to act… they would need information.
The group of gathered Strangers is flanked by the Red Shield members, some keeping an eye on the Strangers themselves and some watching for any further danger. Abruptly from one of the alleys comes running a Barbin child, clad in what would be the traditional garb for those of her village. And she is, of course, on a mission. And every assignment given to her is of utmost importance. One of the Red Shield immediately steps in front of her to stop her. But as the guard looks down at her, he recognizes her almost immediately. He steps aside, motioning her to move passed him. She wrinkles her nose at him, and resists the urge to bite him in the leg. Turning then she hurries in the direction of Genessa, waving a thin arm above her head. "Genessa!" She calls out at first… but stumbles a little with her feet, and with her words. "I mean… m'lady! Yes, m'lady Genessa!" she finally gets out as she stops just beside Genessa. She works to catch her breath, looking up at Genessa through big green eyes, those eyes partially concealed under red hair, her long cat like ears twitching. She points in the general direction of the palace. "Meeting!" She says suddenly, not realizing Genessa would have no clue what she's talking about.
The young Barbin's name is Arah, and she is the assistant to the head of the Peacekeeper Council itself. A Barbin woman named Chize. It isn't so unusual to see Arah here in Gatecia, as she is sent regularly on errands for the Council. But it is rare to see the child this flustered…
Genessa sees the small Barbin girl, caps the flask, and puts it in her cloak pocket. She has seen this girl before on the two occasions the Peace Council has required something of first her family, then her branch of the guild. Both times it had been something small, so this girl had been calm about it. No surprise to her. In fact she had been wondering when the Peace Council would get involved, with the two attacks in as many days.
"Meeting?" She looks at the palace then back to the girl "Yes, the King's Council is meeting right now. Did you need to pass a message to King Richard?" She asks, unsure.
The kitten comes to a stumbling stop next to Genessa, catching her breath as she stares up at her with wide eyes. She shakes her head suddenly, and seems to be looking for the right words. She was told when sent out to this task… stay calm. It won't be the end of the world. But for some reason… she feels like it just might be. She doesn't know what exactly makes her think that… perhaps the way the Council had been speaking amongst themselves.
"NoNoNo" She says as she reaches up. She grabs Genessa's wrist and tugs lightly on it, and then lets her go as she remembers that isn't exactly proper protocol. Arah points in the direction of the castle "The Peace Council, they are here! Here here!" She pauses as she does indeed catch her breath "All of them! Whole council!" She nods in an almost agitated manner. She then motions to the group of Strangers surrounded by the Red Shield. "They told me to tell you they wish to speak to 2! You bring them, please! 2 of the" she whispers the next word, her ears flattening a little "Strangers" and then a normal tone as those ears flick a few times "to the Council. Some are angry there.." meaning some of Council is… less than pleased. Of course.
"Oh, well this is very unexpected." Genessa says, surprised the Council was able to gather so suddenly. Perhaps they had been on the go since the first reports from a couple days ago went out. "Two…." Genessa looks to the group of Strangers, who by now would have all been made aware of the young Barbin by her actions alone. The red haired woman is an unknown quantity to Genessa, but by her few actions she thinks that one is not fit for diplomacy already.
As if to prove her point Anne, upon seeing the young Barbin, abruptly walks away from Benji and Shalana with a large smile and hand out. "Hello there little kitten. You want a pet?" She asks, but it's rhetorical. The pirate comes upon the little Barbin and without warning bends down at the waist to scratch Arah's neck.
Genessa is aghast at this. What would possess this woman to just touch a Barbin like that?
"Miss...whoever you are, please stop." She tells Anne eyes narrowed.
"Wha?" Anne looks aside at Genessa and doesn't stop petting Arah. "Why? Barbin like to be pet, and it feels nice to pet them. A win-win I say. And the name's Anne Bonny."
The kitten seems to fret a little when Genessa seems to express a bit of doubt. She interprets that as Genessa doubting her words. She looks back up towards Genessa as she seems to deliberate with herself, and then she follows Genessa's gaze towards the Strangers.
It's about then she sees Anne heading right towards them… Anne's eyes seeming locked on the kitten. Her own eyes widen, and she takes a timid step back as her shoulders roll upwards a little, her ears flattening a little against her skull. Her head is cast down, barely looking up towards Anne when the pirate reaches out to her. Frankly, she's to frightened at first to move. Anne starts to scratch her, and she would admit later it felt nice. Buuuuuut… well it doesn't feel nice now. Genessa asks Anne to stop, and when the kitten hears Genessa's voice, her tail starts to suddenly twitch. A low (soft) rumble starts in her throat as Anne continues to pet her… and then with the snap of a hiss she lashes out. Her clawed fingers move to scratch at Anne's outstretched arm, the hair along her spine standing on end as she lashes out. As she feels she needs to defend herself, just as she has been taught.
"Oi!" Anne exclaims pulling her arm back barely in time to avoid the kitten's scratch, and jumps back. She looks very surprised at this reaction.
"Let that be a lesson to you." Genessa admonished Anne sternly "I don't know where you got the idea it's okay to touch people without asking. And a Barbin no less. Lucky she didn't take an eye out."
Now Anne looks at Genessa. Glares actually. "I'm gonna let that slide. This time." She says in a warning manner to the other woman.
Genessa ignores the warning for now and says to Arah in her best approximation of Barbin "I am sorry for that Arah. She is one of the dumb ones, thinks she can do as she pleases." She then addresses the group.
"Arah here is an envoy for the Peace Council, and with the situation escalating, they have requested two of you come and speak with them." Her eyes go right to Burton "You, Richard, I feel would be most qualified to speak to them." She quickly says to the other two of her group "Not to say anything against you two, Grimm and Leonidas, but you may find it very tedious." She then says to the other party they just met. "Would any of you care to be the other?"
"Count me out." Anne says immediately, blowing a raspberry at the idea and walking away back to Yuzuki, Benji and Shalana. "I'm only here to speak with King Richard about helping my people." Coming back to Shalana, she asks "Think you can get your pa to have a sit down with me? I'm gettin' real antsy, ya understand?"
The kitten lets out another little hiss as she slips back once more from Anne, almost moving behind Genessa. She flexes her little hands still, her claws still slightly extended. She's never heard of someone just walking up to another and just… petting them. Or whatever that was. But she also then remembers what she is told often of Strangers. They don't know this world's etiquette or culture, and so shouldn't be judged to harshly. But this… well her giant hands were practically trying to strangle her! Anne wasn't, of course. But it felt that way for a moment.
Arah looks up towards Genessa, showing displeasure in her eyes. Perhaps displeasure is to strong a term. She was merely scared for a moment, just frightened for an instant. Understandably. She listens to Genessa's words of comfort, her ears flicking as she does. Genessa is a very nice woman, one of the nicer Maleese, but her Barbinspeak needs work. Arah only nods in agreement, looking back towards the retreating Anne with a wrinkled nose. She remains there at Genessa's side as she now addresses the group, her big eyes moving along them. Such strange looking beings… no fur… strange coloring… no tails… and they look like someone mauled their ears… she almost feels bad for them. While one would think Arah thinks the same of Maleese, since they share so many physical similarities to Humans… well to Arah there's so many subtle differences. That's how it is for most of this world. Those from Earth… can be spotted sometimes easily, depending on who is doing the looking.