open | The Commander's Audience at the Palace of Landed Sky

[alderwood]

Characters: The Ironwood Emperor Alderwood Commander and anyone who came to speak with the Ironwood Emperor.
Date: June 15th
Location: The Palace of Landed Sky
Situation: The expected holding of an audience for any that care to speak with the Ironwood Emperor, though they will be met instead by the Alderwood Commander.
Warnings/Rating: N/A; to be updated if necessary

The hall is still and white, strung with softly glowing lanterns that are strung up high beyond reach. Outside, the sun is at its zenith, and it filters down through the cloudy glass roof to create a brilliant, nearly blinding ambiance.

The floor is marble, inlaid with mother-of-pearl and ruby quartz. It catches the light, and casts strange patterns on the walls.

The room itself is almost eerily silent. No noise, no echoes. No one and nothing vaguely human, excepting the presence of Evandau. The Alderwood Commander stands before the Emperor's empty throne with patient expression and posture reminiscent to the at-ease bearing of a soldier. He waits to receive the petitioners, kedan and Foreigner alike, in Eshai's place this day. As with her audiences, those wishing to make their case must approach him and he will make not move to shorten the distance between the grand entryway and the throne that he defends.

The 'audience' is an open one, and no one will be turned away. So come one, come all, to the Palace of Landed Sky.

[Actionspam or prose are both acceptable! The Emperor has delegated the audience to Evandau this month and he has been temporarily granted many of the authorities that she naturally holds. Why is that? Well, telling y'all would be too easy, wouldn't it?

Characters will only be admitted into the hall one by one, so there won't be anyone present for anyone else's conversations, and there won't be any 'mingling' in the chamber itself.

By popular demand, we continue to allow mingling for those waiting for an audience in an antechamber. There is a thread header below to allow for that!]

Comments

[heartofgraces]

I...haven't felt that kind of hate, particularly. I just feel like he's dying. But I was told there was something else attacking us?

Fodra was dying because something happened to it first. Once that stopped, it could begin to recover...it was just that she blamed humanity for her destruction. If the attacks can be stopped, then we might be able to...

[He rubs at the back of his neck, hesitating a while longer, before bringing his hand up to his left eye again.]

He's still dormant now, but Lambda...that dear friend I mentioned, he might know some way to give Tu Vishan some of the energy he gathered when we stopped Fodra. I don't know if it'll work, and I can't ask while he's still asleep, but if it's possible we might be able to buy time for the turtle to recover?

[This is a bad idea, to be telling someone he doesn't know this. It's a bad idea and it might end with Tu Vishan infected by Lambda and Lambda pissed at Evandau and Eshai, or with them all three dead, but...Asbel can't stand doing nothing, and he can't think of any other way.]

[alderwood]

[This Lambda reference is of interest to him. The Foreigner speaks of him as though he is here, but Evandau does not recall that name on the rosters he has reviewed.]

I see. [A nod, brief and shallow.]

Tu Vishan is dying, yes. And there is something that attacks it, though it is not so bold as to make a direct assault. Whether those two correlate to his current state? I do not know at this time.

[And time is what is of the essence.]

How much time do you think it would buy?

[heartofgraces]

I...don't know. Maybe a few months, if it works? But while he's being attacked, I don't think it would last as long.

What I'd hope for is that it would...act like medicine.

[Lambda brought Richard back from the dead multiple times while they were merged. Even just a little of Lambda's infection might do to help heal Tu Vishan, but...]

...He hasn't woken since I arrived here. Absorbing Fodra's hatred took a lot out of both of us. I can still feel him with me, but I don't think he'd wake up unless I was in immediate danger.

[He does not appear to consider telling this to a man armed and vastly more powerful than him to be a bad life decision. Because Asbel doesn't learn.]

[alderwood]

Strange medicine, to need such provoking.

[It is an idle comment. Evandau draws no sword and makes no step against him, opting for caution. This Foreigner has spoken clearly and he sees no deceptive body language, therefore he takes it at face value.]

Are you sure he would act in our best interest were he to awaken to a threat? It's not my experience that the attacked will help the attacker.

[heartofgraces]

He probably wouldn't listen, no. [But Asbel's got a feeling something here will wake him.]

I can try to wake him up myself, but even if I don't, he'll probably eventually wake up on his own. Do you want me to try? He can explain himself better than I can.

[alderwood]

It's always better to go straight to the source. [A nod in invitation that he might, at least, try.]

[heartofgraces]

[Asbel nods, and closes his eyes. For what must seem like an interminable few seconds, he stands there. 5 seconds, 10, 20, 30...

When Asbel opens his eyes again, a ring of red flashes around his eye, and the area seems to go grey. It's simply window-dressing to short-range telepathic communication.]

You wished to speak with me?

[Lambda's voice is low and rumbling, a deep ringing sound that comes from nowhere. Even so, he sounds lethargic and sleepy himself.]

[alderwood]

[Possession and control are not unfamiliar concepts to he who has witnessed the souls arrive and fill the bodies provided for these Foreigners. He waits at ease, noting the difference in his eye and tone.]

Your friend thought we'd get along.

[A wry smile.]

What do you know about the turtle?

[heartofgraces]

[There is a brief moment of silence that seems like Lambda conversing with Asbel, before he speaks again. There's dry amusement to his tone, a kind of cynical humor totally at odds with Asbel's own attitude.]

I know that Tu Vishan--and that cannot be his real name--is ill. That he is dying. I know that Asbel believes my infection can heal those who I have given it to. He is not wrong...but what has he told you about this infection?

[alderwood]

Odd that he used the term "friend" for an affliction.

[Which is, in and of itself, a reply that he further clarifies.]

He spoke fondly of you. You seem to think differently. Explain?

[heartofgraces]

Do not mistake my reticence for hostility. Asbel is a fool, but he is a fool dear to me.

[There's a sharpness in Lambda's tone that would make it clear that it is the truth, if nothing else.]

But it is because he is a fool he will not have explained properly. I am not the infection which I speak of...Asbel allows me to share this body. He is not the only one I have shared with thus, although that is more personal a subject.

[There is another pause, one that carries more the weight of Lambda's consideration.]

My infection is but a portion of my energy. It gives me control over the infected, if I wish it. In the past, such creatures became more aggressive, off my own anger and hate. But I do not believe the Turtle is so weak-willed as to be affected, except perhaps to be more foolishly endeared to idiots such as this one before you.

[alderwood]

[Endearment. What luxuries some creatures have in their worlds where they are not consumed with the darkness that hangs over his future and has long stained his past. Evandau shakes that thought from his head and considers this explanation instead.]

There is the risk, though, that you could overtake Tu Vishan. [A concern, in turn, of his.] Would the infection of your energy cease if I put an end to your main host?

[There is no threat, only an exploration of options before he commits to any one angle.]

[heartofgraces]

No.

[Lambda knows the difference, but doesn't particularly feel like seeing what truly desperate men will do against the wall, either; he speaks the truth, but his answer would not have change regardless.]

The past cases were infections of monsters already aggressive towards humans. In the case of my...previous host, it was both of our anger and betrayal that were amplified, not made from nothing. If the turtle does not wish to destroy humanity, it will not make him wish to do so.

[Lambda pauses to consider another angle.] And while there is a possibility I would be given some amount of influence myself, I have...no desire to control Tu Vishan.

[alderwood]

[Then there is risk there -- paramount risk, to have something remotely capable of influencing something like Tu Vishan. Evandau knows it is not his decision to make and he shall offer his counsel to Eshai based on what he learns here, but still there is caution. Concern.]

And I know you speak honestly how?

[There are many -- one above others -- that would claim truth for such an opportunity.]

You speak of infection and wishes, then of your own interests, but how do I know this would not end poorly for Tu Vishan? [For Eshai.]

[heartofgraces]

I can offer you nothing that would satisfy your concerns. I can only offer that to take full control would require me to...part with Asbel, which I will not do.

[He doesn't have the strength, and also he's happy right here, thank you.]

Asbel is a fool, and an honest man. He suggested this solution in good faith, and I will not betray him. As for the circumstances that lead me to him...it is a story best asked of him, or one other. But...I have spoken too long.

It is...tiring

[The feeling of Lambda's presence fades, as does the ring in Asbel's eye, and he closes them before opening them again, a little disoriented by the switch.]

Ah...he's gone back to sleep. I think however we got here must have left him a little more off balance.

[alderwood]

[The commander thinks upon that -- the words, the meaning, and the statement to the end. 'It is...tiring.' That suggests strain. Effort. Could it help if the mere act of speaking tired it? What could have been dismal hopes flickered and faded into hazy negativity.]

Off balance? Explain.

[He falls back on habit too often, speaking as a commander to a soldier. It is what he does at something new. Strange. Difficult to comprehend.]

dammit alex I can't tag without spoilers!

[heartofgraces]

I don't know. He's usually much more active once he's awake. But I think however the Emperor brought us here might make him feel a little more displaced, even in me. He didn't get any of the explanation...he knows what I do, but I think waking up here has him disoriented.

[Asbel sighs, and shakes his head. Lambda's infection doesn't require constant effort on my part.]

I don't think it would...stop his power. He's..revived someone from the dead before, even while he was dormant.

[He doesn't want to think about it. But with all the pieces, with Richard's terrible wound, the only way he would have really escaped was...]

you do know I read yours and Farrah's apps, y? rofl, I am teh spoiled. EXCEPT FOR SOPHIE AND "SIR"

[alderwood]

To what scale?

[A kirin is nothing to the life of Tu Vishan in his eyes, so that bears some importance. Though he recalls mention of planets and great scales before, so maybe. Perhaps.]

...there are more surprises let me tell you what

[heartofgraces]

He's revived humans before, easily. The Little Queen, who's energy he took, was bringing an entire planet back to life. Lambda and his....former host started outright creating the nova monsters after a while, instead of infecting existing ones.

I don't think he could...revive Tu Vishan entirely, because he'd be dead with it, too. But...I'm hoping he won't have to, sir.

[They just need time. That's all Asbel's been hoping for. Not a cure, not a permanent fix, but time.]

.... .... ....

[alderwood]

[Smoke and haze, not hope. Asbel came with an offer of help, but -- revive. He felt potential, should things go too far. It is... unpleasant to face that reality. It has been unpleasant for many centuries now.]

Time, then. [A stiff nod. He accepts the form of address, accustomed to it. He might, in another light, appreciate the show of respect from a Foreigner, but his mind is clouded with potentials, risks, and consequences in the moment.]

This comes back to time. Sensible.

[He should speak with Eshai -- obtain her blessing. It is appropriate, but it is... time.]

But, I need time. The Ironwood Emperor must know of this, as she knows Tu Vishan best. A week, for her to know and research what may happen.

JUST FOR YOU

[heartofgraces]

[Asbel nods. He understands the need to report higher up. He understands that they may not accept the offer he can give.

But he has to try. He can't ever believe there's no hope.]

I understand.

[He vaguely remembers he wanted something else but it seems much less important now, all things considered.]

Whatever you decide to do, I want to help protect Tu Vishan and Keeliai the best I can, sir. Please, don't hesitate to call on me.

[Not that he thinks Evandau would, but it bears saying anyway. Asbel salutes, hand over his heart, and only barely restrains a waiting "May the wind guide our blades", replacing it instead with a half bow.]

[alderwood]

[Odd. He's not haughty about it like the others and his care is both legitimate and phrased with an according degree of respect. It earns a nod -- and a raise of his hand in an old salute. It is one of dismissal, but offered from an officer to a soldier and is not accorded to merely any Foreigner.]

You'll hear about it if we need you or that friend of yours. Trust that.

[heartofgraces]

Thank you. I will.

[He understands the dismissal and turns to leave and keep his best friend from panicking. He sees no reason not to trust Eshai and Evandau have their reasons for the way they do things, even if he doesn't understand them yet. He has no reason not to believe the best of them, and thus no reason not to pay them the utmost respect.

You just got Asbel'd, Evandau.]