Private - The Emissary

Word had been going through the castle. A stranger had approached the gates seeking an audience with Astor. Of course the king was rather busy with his other duties, as was Jack (even though the latter seemed to take to it reluctantly). Thus the task fell on Roland’s shoulders for some reason, despite the fact he had become somewhat of the local drunk. Some thought this was due to Roland’s open reluctance of forming the empire, but in reality it was just convenient timing as he had only recently learned how to synthesized ingredients into liquids that perfectly mimicked alcohol.

Luckily he had been awoken later in the afternoon before he had begun another bender, and with his alchemical abilities he was easily able to deal with the after effects of the night before. So he strapped on his best looking leather jacket and headed towards the gate. As he made his way he grabbed courier and asked that he could contact the garrison and make room for a meeting to be held in private. He didn’t want to lead whoever it was at the gate directly into the castle if he could avoid it, but they needed somewhere they could meet in private.

Roland grinned as he approached the gate, it was not simply one guest, but a caravan of carriages each engraved in pain staking detail, and standing before them stood what seemed to Roland to be some sort of a butler with piercing blue eyes.As the man tucked his watch away Roland flashed him a welcoming smile, “Greetings and welcome to the Kingdom of Astorea, I hope our guards did not make you wait to long.” Roland motioned to the gate keeper advising him to open the gate. Whoever these people were, they weren’t an immediate threat and it would be best if the kingdom would make allies with the nobility or wealthy merchants of the area. Still, it wasn’t as if they could be trusted which is why he had waited to introduce himself, “May I ask, with whom do we have the pleasure of meeting with today?”

 

Rory hated politics, how he got here? He didn't know, he was just helping out when suddenly wham! He got caught in the whirl after the giant mushroom and ended up here. He growled in frustration before catching sight of the gate opening. Rory raised a brow before catching sight of the carriages and the one called @Roland Rutledge.

Rory ran as fast as he could to the gate, what was that man thinking? The carriages un-checked could hold some thing dangerous to the city it's self. After arriving he would pant and bend over with a finger up, signalling for people to give him a moment before he spoke. "I'm sorry but before you enter, who do you represent and of what faction, country, organization or things of such likeness and why have you come to this fair city?" Rory would ask this bluntly as he stared coldly at the man. Not a hostile glare, but of one trying to do this job and not willing to take crap for it. He would look around, strange, there was supposed to be another according to that king besides for this Roland and him. Rory shrugged, it didn't matter, as long as he did his job to the best of his ability and defended the city. Then it was all fine with him.

Rory gave a look at the carriages while he waited for an answer, a rose? In such a strange fashion and a lot of them, this is a lot for diplomats unless these are gifts, maybe dangers? Either way, they should be checked before being let in. This could be a retaliation of some unknown party since the 'players' took the city or what not.

 

Alpha greeted the man with unbound enthusiasm, barely even noting Roland and Rory's presence. Although she knew of the former's existence, the latter was an oddity to her. She may be a curious soul but the prospect of meeting a foreign ambassador proved to be worthy of more prioritizing than a frankly intimidating behemoth. She struggled to stop herself from staring in awe at the marvelously constructed carriage and the lovely stallions which carried it. "Haha, no worries! We're in no rush or anything and it's super awesome and cool and stuff to meet you Mr. Man-Whose-Name-I-Do-Not-Know!" she roused up, pumping her fists into the air.

She looked over at Rory when the man had asked and, with a tentative look of thought dawning on her face, she stayed silent for a few seconds before giving him as best of a response that she could muster. She stuttered a bit but that was a given when considering the fact that the stranger (and her companion in this quest) seemed to tower over her at a height that could be described as at least twice her size. She didn't even know the man's name yet and that seemed to cloud him in a threatening air of mystery. "Oooh, maybe he's from Atlantis? Or Narnia! Maybe the Land of Oz?" she babbled on and continued to do so as discussion and introduction continued on. It helped ease her anxiety from the man's presence and, as her shoulders relaxed and the tension rolled out of her in waves, she didn't pause for a single breath. Her confidence seemed to return to her and her later musings were spoken in complete confidence without a hint of a stutter.

 

Roland grimaced as Rory showed up trying his best to undo Roland's previous actions. It seemed the large man felt he was more important than he actually was, regardless of whether or not he had been accepted on this quest didn't extend his authority over the castle. Well as far as Roland knew at least. Roland turned to the man with a tight lipped smile making it clear he was withholding a significant amount of frustration, "I understand you are trying to help, but please leave the diplomatic efforts to myself." What was left for Rory to do Roland left unsaid instead he redirected his attention to alpha, shooting her a sweet smile, before returning his gaze to Narth.


The man spoke cleanly, admitting to Roland's previous inclination he was a butler of some variety, and though the house of Vermilion was not one he had heard of Roland was desperately ignorant to the local nobles of the land. Much of what Narth said was what Roland had half expected to hear, only the mention of the lady’s size giving Roland pause. If they were a noble or wealthy merchant they truly needed to make an attempt at being amendable. With a large smile Roland replied, "King Astor welcomes you, and all of Lady Vermilion's entourage to the castle. I have taken the liberty of having some of our men prepare a room for us to rest and relax in within the keep, and I’m sure lodgings could be arranged swiftly if required. My name is Roland Rutledge, I am an adventurer, alchemist, and Dragon within the Yulan Guild. Come with me and I we will get you settled in” Turning on his heel Roland motioned again to the gate guard with a stern expression. With his position within the guild, Roland’s orders should hold more weight. He would additionally try and flag someone down who could fetch a stable hand to tend to the horses that pulled the carriages once they moved inside the safety of the gates.


(If Rory or Alpha begin to object to Roland letting the caravan in, he will immediately attempt to overrule them)

 

Rory's eye twitched, he saw Roland in battle, He would be nuts to fight with him. But Rory didn't think he was in the right and this was beyond reckless, this was careless and thoughtless. Rory didn't care what Roland's going to do to him if he argues, but this isn't right and he's gotta stop it some how. Especially after he tried to alpha him, no way in hell is he going to bend, no mater how strong the guy was.

Rory's eyes narrowed before saying "I'm sorry Mr. Narth, but I must disagree with my companion here and insist only the people speaking for behalf of Lady Vermillion will enter with some of their personal bodyguards and the rest, including the carriages, will stay outside the gate until checked. If you don't want them checked than they will say here for the purpose of safety for the town." There, Rory said his piece, now all he has to do is avoid getting killed by mega man over here. He then turned towards the town guard and said "Roland is higher rank here but I must insist you think about this. Were letting in unknown vehicles into the town which may contain more than we realize and it may endanger or hurt the town. The responsibility of that will fall on us if the city is hurt in anyway from this breach in security and safety." Rory would take a breath, damn, he hasn't said that much in a while before turning to Roland "If you wish, you can kick my ass later after this is over cause in my opinion right now Mr. Roland you're being thoughtless and unwise in your decisions and possible threaten this entire town." he would say bluntly as sweat dripped down his face. Hopefully he won't get his ass kicked, but if he does, he'll at least get one blow in.

 

Alpha grinned as both the foreign diplomat and Roland offered their kind smiles; she just loved seeing people all happy! Her chest bloated up with pride from her success in bringing cheer all around (a favorite past-time for her that nearly trumps traveling and karate-ballet). As satisfaction ran through her, she barely had time to notice as Narth took her hand into his own and, much to her surprise and embarrassment, gave her a gentle kiss. She blushed and found herself flustered by the unexpected action, too stunned to withdraw her hand as heat pooled on either sides of her face. She was at a loss as to what to say and, suddenly shy and bashful, found that the earthen floor was quite the spectacle to behold. Why, look at the cracks on that ill-placed rock! "Oh, uh, oh, uhm, eh, gahhh!" she blubbered on. Her mind was definitely fried.

As the gentleman continued his words, however, she found herself increasingly agitated. Her skin was nearly rubbed raw from the constant nervous rubbing she had decided to oblige herself in and she was a straw short from full-blown panic. She had never had a man proposition to her before! She had always imagined this moment to be something detestable; an absolutely disgusting act that she would only find in poor sitcoms and soap operas. Romance was a taboo topic in the Sutton household in real life and she didn't spend much time thinking about it other than to joke and jeer at the very concept. Her heart beat faster. Was this love?

Deep inside, she knew that she was just a kid and that the man was about twice her age and, judging from his kindly words, saw her as nothing more than a cute child to coddle with (she frequently manipulated many pedestrians strolling along Dunnstads with her admittedly cute appearance to get some free candy and gold for buffets). Still, though, she couldn't help but swoon as she imagined vividly of roses and petals that swept in the distance. Cherry blossoms.

And she instantly noticed the man's charm and chiseled face; his dashing smile and handsome build. She did the only thing a girl could do in this situation. She fainted.

Distantly, she could hear the cogs in her brain come to a stop and heard one of the little peoples who worked inside her head (she came to the belief that her emotions were personified after watching the age-old Disney classic of Inside Out that came from the olden, early 2000's) say: "That's it. She's broken. Let's go home guys; I've got a retirement home waiting for me and I can't wait to get out of this pony-filled, rainbow-making, pubescent head!"

She wondered if Narth would catch her and, as she fell, she grinned at that thought before she was finally rendered unconscious.

 

Alpha woke from her artificial slumber (recovering from the partial interference of the game system) to catch only half of what Narth said but she was already certain of her course of action. "Ooops, sorry 'bout that!" Alpha rubbed the back of her head sheepishly before attempting to wrap her arm around the older man's own. Hearts were floating around her and she swore that she could've heard wedding bells ring in the distance and Cupid's song playing in the air. "Haha, thanks for your advice! Uh, let's get to know each other with lunch or something! I think there's a place that cooks up mushrooms after that battle with the giant thingy! Yum!" she barely restrained herself from squealing and, in her own book, was hopefully successful in hiding her lustrous affections for the fair-faced diplomat.

"C'mon guys!" she tried to drag Narth away and beckoned Roland and Rory forward. She'd seen scenes like these in a variety of reality and bachelor shows she'd found herself watching when cartoons stopped airing at midnight and were replaced with channels for more adulterous pleasures. She briefly wondered if an arranged political marriage between Narth and her (had you never watched that early 2000's television show: Game of Thrones?) would be something to consider. It was for the benefit of Astorea and nothing more, she reassured herself. The light pink plume which erupted on her face, however, failed to be properly concealed. "And we can talk about more stuff while we eat! My treat! You must be really hungry after all that traveling, right?"

 

Roland shot an angry glare at Rory before letting out a small huff and visibly calming down. "One visitor it is then..." He said as if he was the one relenting while he pulled a flask from his inventory taking a long sip before handing it off to Rory, "Here, to show there are no hard feelings." Whether the man took his gift or not, Roland would down a second unknown blue vial before turning to Narth, only to see Alpha partially fainting before jumping right back up and trying to drag the man along. Roland re-adopted his smile not fighting Alpha for being in the lead and instead falling in line with the diplomat as she tried to drag him forward.

"Right, Alpha, that sounds good, as I said before I have arranged for a place to meet inside the keep, its right at the entrance." He turned to whom he had assumed to be a butler, looking him up and down. It seemed his earlier assessment was off, or at the very least the family placed great trust in the man to do their negotiations for them. "As you can see, we are diligently repairing Castle Dormont to its former glory with help of the Yldians. You will have to forgive the king as he will be unable to attend this meeting, such tasks take great planning and he is needed elsewhere. Instead you can speak with me and Alpha regarding the manners you've come to discuss...." He noticeably didn't mention Rory, in fact he hadn't bothered looking backwards since they left.

 

Rory fell asleep, and when he came to. He was pissed, the fucker put him to sleep. He growled as he looked around, noticing no one if anyone at all. He then asked the guard to open the gate, he was going to find them, include himself, if they liked it or not, and make sure everything went over safely.

He ran through the city, thinking of everything this Roland guy could of screwed up like "Sure! We'll pay you all of our treasury!" or something stupid as he turned a corner, dammit! Rory cursed as he ran into another dead end alley way before taking and breath and thinking. They would probably meet in the castle, but where is the castle? Rory would quickly find a guard, ask for directions before coming to the castle and rushing in, hopefully he'll find the business not done, and if done. Think of something petty to do to Roland

 

Roland flashed the man a tight smile before replying to the man's question, "The king is a powerful mage some say he single handedly defeated the evil spider queen. I was there that day, and I can tell you that the stories are not to far from the truth, though of course he had quite a bit of help." The group continued to the castle keep, where Roland looked for the servant he had spoken too before leaving. Following her lead, she took them to a large sitting room which had been prepared as Roland requested. Inside was some of the previous furniture that had somehow escape the battle unscathed, included in the collection were two large leather love seats, three cushioned chairs, and a few wooden tables each decorated with an assortment of sweets, fruits, cheeses, and juices. Roland cursed the latter as he had been hoping for wine, but then again he usually carried that with him anyway.

With a smile, he would Alpha led their guest into the room if she was willing, happy that her childish antics were something the man seemed to favor or at least humor. In fact, it seemed that most of the antics performed this evening humored the man, leading Roland to question his intentions. "Just a little bit further, a few pieced of cheese and some small talk and we will be able to get to the bottom of this." Roland thought as he took a seat in one of the cushioned chairs that sat catty corner in facing both one of the loveseats and another chair.

"Please, sit, drink, eat and relax. I know you've come on business but the roads are rough, we can talk once you're comfortable." Roland said as he spread his hands to the small snack, indulging on some rather heavily salted crackers himself. Once the man seemed as comfortable as he was willing to get Roland would begin to question him finally, "So, you've traveled quite a ways, I think it's time we get down to business. I am sure you are well aware of our current political and economic situation. To call it tenuous would be putting it lightly, having a solid and lasting friendship with someone like your Lady would be something we'd be very interested in. So tell me, how can the land of Astorea best serve Lady Vermillion's interest to make such a friendship happen?" He tried phrasing it in a way that seemed both sincere, the truth was Roland wasn't sure how much longer the player country would last without more outside help.