felldenlogs | Court Gossip (Stars Only)

[An Emperor. When Claudine last saw them upon her arrival, the title brought to mind Siegfeld's Frau Platin, the "King" in Elysion. Every prospect who wanted to enrol at Siegfeld was drawn there because of it — those who proved themselves worthy would be awarded a role, and those who could not devoted their three years there to the production's continued success. She had chosen Seishou over Siegfeld, but any stage girl worth her salt knows of Elysion.

Inwardly, she wonders just what it is about the Emperor that still, beyond the similarity in titles, reminds her of the King. The loss of people who clearly meant much to them? The fact that they seek to put an end to ongoing conflict? Or something else…]

Is it just me, [she turns to another member of the dispersed audience next to her. SPOILER: no one who says "is it just me" sincerely believes their opinion is unique, or at the very least uncommon,] or do you also find yourself with more questions than when we started?

[ THAT WAS INFURIATING, and Katsuki will just...head to the kitchen to let out some of his steam steadily (and scarily) dicing vegetables. You can catch him there, or coming back out with onigiri on a platter that he slams down on a table wherever they've mostly gathered.

They're...probably snacks to share? He made too many to eat on his own, surely. Just...ignore the surly teenager slouching nearby. ]

That was complete and utter fucking bullshit.

[ Or don't, if you want to bitch about the whole situation. He could go for that. ]

Well that was something.

[Nia isn't deliberately loud. She's just loud by nature, with a voice and an accent that tend to carry. The others act like they're all dissatisfied, but Nia... she's just rubbing her head. This is the second tale of apocalyptic doom she's heard recently. How many can a girl take?]

So we save the world... and this time we don't have an Architect on our side. Or maybe we do and we don't know it. We need more answers about stuff I don't think the Emperor knows.

Yeah. [That's a real good way to put it, of course, and Nia glances up at the other girl out of the corner of her eyes.] But I also get the feeling that the Emperor there didn't know the answers either. There's way more to this, I'm sure of it.

[Once Sarah has had her fill of questioning the Emperor herself and has sat through all the others she doesn't really feel much like hanging around the throne room itself. For a few moments at least she lingers just outside of said throne room and while she isn't pacing or anything of that nature, she certainly gives the impression of one. She's chiefly piecing things together, even momentarily picking at her lower lip before she finally leaves with some sort of destination in mind.

Eventually one may come across Sarah in the Court's library later in the evening. She's managed to scrounge up paper and writing materials from somewhere, likely from one of the library attendants for now, and seems to be making notes with the diligence of someone who does this sort of thing way too often. She's wrangled her hair up into some sort of loose, messy bun on the back of her head and a pair of reading glasses are settled on her nose. She looks terribly at home at the table she's chosen to occupy honestly.

A brief glance at the page even from an angle makes it somewhat clear that she's at least a little organized about it, even if she's trying to put all this down from memory. If one happens to glance too long or she just eventually notices it she'll direct her gaze over in your direction and quirk a faint smile.]

You wandering the castle at night too or just looking for reading material? There's not lot here on the history of this place unfortunately but there are a lot of other interesting works.

[Or so she's found so far.]

[ He's been listening intently to the audience, lost in thought, motionless even as the other members disperse. He turns to the girl with a start when he realizes she's speaking to him. ]

Yes. In particular, the origins of this war are what stand out the most. Or, rather, that neither we nor the Emperor really seem to know what they are. That all the history books are defaced, and nobody seems to know how that happened, or by whom...

[ He taps his chin. ]

It seem to me the best way to wage this war—if we choose to do so—is to get more information.

[ Somehow the sight of so much fury just makes him want to smile, so he does, as infuriatingly as he can manage. He reaches out for an onigiri and holds it up, peering at its strange shape. ]

What, you're not excited at the prospect of fighting a war? That nobody knows how it started, nor why it's gone on for so long? Is this spicy inside?

[ Sometime after the audience, you’ll find Wei Wuxian anywhere about the castle or its grounds, smiling and seemingly happy enough to strike up a conversation; he listened very intently to the audience session, and he definitely has Opinions. But you might also find him outside at night, perched on one of the castle walls nearby the housing wing, disturbing your sleep with the sound of a flute.

To the average listener, it’s just an unusual yet strangely unwholesome tune. But to ghosts, spirits, and the undead, it’s a call to awaken and rise. To speak.

His powers would ordinarily be strong enough to raise a whole host of spirits and fierce corpses. But this evening, all he can summon is cold, otherworldly breaths and sibilant sighs. Flickers in the night, shadows in the corner of one’s eye. The whispers are more sad than fierce, more full of regret than resentment. Maybe you'll see or hear them, or maybe they'll just make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. Either way, it's probably not so good for sleeping.

Finally, he sets his flute down, his face twisted in frustration, and mutters to himself: ]

How am I supposed to fight a war with my cultivation damaged?

[ Again. ]

[ ooc: please see my permissions post if your character’s powers relate to ghosts or the undead. Thanks! ]

Book lingers as the attendants and members of the Court filter away one by one, and although the Throne Room is going to close, he tries to catch as many eyes as he can. What he has to say is for as many ears as he can get. Luckily, the edginess of the locals is working in their favor. Undoubtedly, the courtiers are going off to gossip about the Otherworlders just as the new arrivals are going to gossip about what they've just learned.

"Although I just walked out of that meeting with everything I could have hoped for? I would still urge everyone to remain skeptical."

His hands clasp one another. "Where I came from, there was a war, on a grand scale, likely grander than any that you have experienced. In retrospect, they called it the Unification War. One powerful ruling force, the Alliance, they fought to draw in all of the independent colonies and lands under one rule. No matter how hard they fought, or damaged a colony when they attacked them? As soon," punctuated with a snap of his fingers, "as that colony came under the Alliance? Whether through agreement, or conquest?"

"The Alliance was never more generous than in that moment. After war, or after a colony struggling on their own for so long? Suddenly there was food aplenty. Medicine, doctors, and hospitals. New buildings being built. Even if the Alliance was the one to tear them down. They spared no expense in that moment to make sure everyone knew. The Alliance was the way."

Book holds up one hand, a finger in the air. "The Court's generosity is wonderful. But remember that it serves a purpose." His hands spread out to the sides. "By all means, take what they are offering. There is no reason not to. And if you feel right about this war, then you do what you will. But keep your eyes open."

The most eloquent way Book could come up with to remind everyone that they are being bought off.

[ People frequently smile at him when they shouldn't these days. His classmates........are incorrigible. ]

Yes. [ He likes spicy things. ] And I'm pretty sure no one's excited for this crap.

[ After all that, her head is still fairly spinning from all the information that had been passed around in such a short time. The Emperor had seemed reasonable enough, and willing enough to talk to them and answer their questions. And yet... There were plenty of worries to be had, still.

It all seemed too simple - even her own situation, with Hoju and the Exarch and the others. Just ask them to defect, and they would be fine. Under the Emperor's personal protection, even. She isn't sure what to believe.

Not to mention some of the Emperor's own goals and what they described, while reasonable on the surface, were...uncomfortably familiar. A dying world, wanting a place where people could comfortably live out the rest of their lives without its burdens, or fear of fighting. That the Priestess was fighting so hard to allow this world to continue living.

Wasn't she on the other side of this equation just a scant few days ago? Aren't people that she considered friends and family on the other side of this equation even now?

Regardless, while she's reluctant to voice many of her thoughts to this unasked, she is interested in hearing what others have to say. So she'll stick to the area around the throne room in the immediate aftermath of the audience. And then later, she'll find where Otherworlders might be gathering to discuss the information they received. If anybody wants to talk to her about what they heard of her audience - or call her out for eavesdropping - she'll be there. ]

Edited 2019-09-03 05:34 (UTC)

[After the meeting with the Emperor, Lisa spent most of her time resting in her quarters. All of this really did seem too...odd. Too odd to be true. But she would certainly do her best to make sure that things do go well. Once everything is over and they all win...whatever this is, they'll be able to go home. But there is something that still worries her even after she is well rested and waking up later in the evening. Just what will happen if one of her friends were to be on the other side? Would she really have to fight them?

There were neutral territories but war is still war. They'd have to battle eventually.

Lisa eventually finds herself in the library, deciding that a good book would be a nice distraction from these thoughts. She didn't really care what genre it would be either. Just text on page would be enough for her. Dragging behind the cover that she stole, Lisa looks around a bit at all the books. There's a lot, certainly more than the ones she'd usually find in a store. She wraps the cover closer around her body when she sees someone else. Lisa had planned on walking pass all casual-like so she didn't deserve but she quickly found herself distracted by the other woman's note taking skills.]

Woah...

[It's really impressive! She could only wish she could be that neat. Lisa quickly freezes in surprised when she is called out. She didn't mean to hover over her like that!]

Gah, sorry! You must think I'm a total creeper but I promise that I was just distracted by your notes. That's all! They're very well organized.

[She lets out a small sigh.]

H-Have you found anything interesting?

[This lady seems smart. Maybe she has some more answers.]

More than questions.

[Crowley isn't at all happy with how the forum went, least of all the answers that he was given, and a scowl darkens his features. There's no undue malice towards Claudine, he's just permanently annoyed for the moment and feeling less-than hospitable towards their mutual host.]

That was an entire load of bullshit with no real answers sprinkled in at all.

[Honestly she has to envy Lisa a little. The younger woman looks rather cozy in that cover of hers and it makes Sarah think of all the times she's plodded around her own house in a similar state, maybe with the addition of a mug of tea clutched like a lifeline in one hand. Now here she is after a few handfuls of sleep here and there, unable to rest until she writes things down to preserve them at least.

She blows out a light breath of amusement and waves her hand a little dismissively.]

There was a lot to digest from the Q&A earlier so I'm mostly working on writing down what I remember of that. There was plenty interesting in that though if you ask me.

[ He had deferred from asking any questions himself, perfectly content to listen in as the new otherworlders of the Court discussed with the Emperor. Thus with his calm aura cloaking him, he leaves the audience chamber with the rest, seemingly content with the answers they have received, a serene and passive smile never fading from his lips. Light follows him as he goes.

Incredibly, or perhaps not-so-incredibly, there's already a bird flocking to him as if attracted by the peace he emanates, as if it has mistaken him for the morning sun. Brushing off a lock of his hair from his shoulder, he lets the animal perch as the strands flutter behind him. It chirps at him sweetly, blue feathers rustling against his cheek, and he nods his head towards it as if in agreement. He then sighs, admitting to anyone else who is with him: ]

Ah, I'm glad to not have to worry about missed schoolwork... [ As for the war, well. He does have some thoughts about it, but he chooses not to bother with such negativity. Preferring to live in the moment as the world (oh, yes, worlds) still exist, he'll happily enjoy his free time.

At least the new Traveler-deities that have brought him here didn't enrolled him in high school. That's a goddamn plus. ]

Edited 2019-09-04 00:13 (UTC)

[ At that yes, he eagerly bites into the onigiri. A moment later, he looks up with an expression that very clearly says, "you call that spicy?" But that's the end of his critique, as he swallows the thing down in a few bites. ]

Yet you followed that... [ absolutely terrifying enormous supernatural dog thing ] ....er, "traveler deity" was the term used, I believe.

"Sounds like Separatist propaganda to me."

Anakin steps forward, arms crossed and a frown on his face. He had come to hear more, but now that he heard what appeared to be a Separatist encouraging skeptism he's immediately more inclined to believing the Emperor.

"They want us to help, of course they're going to do what they can for us. You'll also notice none of us have to stay here if we don't want to."

So? That doesn't mean I'm not able to think it's bullshit we're not getting all the information we actually probably need.

[ Also that sounds like some sort of spirit dream from the explanations.

(The spice in the onigiri should be REALLY strong, but hey, he can double it if Wei needs?) ]

[ So quiet, she seems, but Baldr has noted her to be one of the few who had gone right up to the Emperor herself to ask her questions. It seems the girl's delicate appearance hides far more bravery beneath. ]

If I had to guess... [ He approaches her, giving her a friendly wave, a smile to accompany it. ] ...you have many more questions on your mind.

The boy that approaches is exactly the sort of person that Book had expected to see more of; young, strong, and probably eager for a fight. Exactly the kind of person who Book fears for most.

"Not here, in their castle, no. But, on this planet? Yes. They have not the power to send us home."

"If you believe their cause is worth taking up with no further convincing needed, then, by all means. But wars break out by inches. And what they will ask of us will grow, in time. There are lines that all of us hold our morals to, and war is precisely the thing that will chip away at those lines, if you don't keep your eyes open." He is speaking, still, not just to the boy, but to any who are listening.

The frown turns into a scowl as it doesn't escape his notice that the man isn't so much addressing him, but using this to preach his view to everyone else.

"Inaction can be just as bad. Are you going to just stand there and watch these people get slaughtered then?"

Anakin has the Jedi Code to follow so he disregards the warning. Maybe there was someone who might have benefited from the old man's words, but Anakin doesn't like that the man is automatically taking the moral high ground and seemingly looking down on everyone else.

Book’s eyebrows raise, then wrinkle in sympathy. The boy jumps immediately to extremes, so maybe this is the person he needs to convince. “There is a long way between those ideas. Defend the helpless, shelter the weak, tend to the sick. But if taken too far? That idea can turn slowly into an attack. To lash out at those someone fears would cause a slaughter,” a gesture to the boy, using his words, “when they haven’t harmed anyone.”

“We have been told there is a war. But we have also been told that there have been no active battles for a long time. No acts of aggression. This is a moment where fighting could turn worse. Or where the tide might be turned towards peace. Us, we who haven’t been wounded by this declared enemy? We may find a way where other hearts have been hardened by war.”

[It's a good thing Inho didn't get the chance to ask the Emperor any questions because all he would have done with that precious chance would have been to yell at them and who has time to hear that.

still, hearing everyone's thoughtful questions and the emperor's replies does nothing to dissuade his quickly rising temper, and Inho has to grit his teeth to remind himself that losing it would be a stupid thing to do.]

What exactly does the emperor want us to do? Fight for them -- yeah, I know, but... how? And when? Hell, I'm not convinced on the 'why' yet. Has anyone here even met that priestess?

[priestess = bad. emperor = not bad or good but acting solely in the interests of their people and also the people she recruited and not crazy about giving clear answers huh]

Arcade waits his turn, a silent yet unmistakable observer as Book and Anakin engage each other not far away. He's not the only ear Book has caught with his sermon-like account of his world's history, but where many content themselves with listening -- a nod here, a disagreeing posture there -- Arcade can't possibly stand idly by. Not after hearing all that.

"Sounds as if the war you're talking about isn't just a chapter of ancient history. Well, that or the patterns never really change regardless of where we all came from."

Not now that he suddenly knows: he isn't alone here. In this. His skepticism; his ambivalence.

"Julius Caesar and Sun Tzu spoke of the home front too."

[prayer emoji for Inho's mental well-being because he just doesn't KNOW anything, despite having listened intently to the entire audience. it might be because Inho is completely out of his depth here, but also? He's just... not good with the talking. Or with listening. He's emotional -- but his emotions always lead him to react first, then think later.]

This is --

[He exhales, rifling his hair with his hand,]

Where the hell is the moon person? I want to ask them if all this bullshit is true.

[as bad decisions go, how would you rate this fellow stars]

Court Gossip (Stars Only)

somewhere... around the castle

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At Night in The Court's Library

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Shepherd Book - Near The Throne Room

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All my friends are in the other faction, AMA (ShB spoilers)

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about the castle

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threadhop, hope it's all good!

throne room, right as the audience ends, ota