open audience; the alderwood emperor

[alderwood]

Characters: The Alderwood Emperor and anyone who seek to speak with him
Date: January 8th
Location: The Palace of Landed Sky
Situation: The expected holding of an audience for any that care to speak with the newly appointed Alderwood Emperor.
Warnings/Rating: N/A; to be updated if necessary

The hall is stark and black, lit 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 warm the dark room.

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

There is beauty to it, but the room has been repurposed to function moreso than form. Weapons racks line the walls and there are officers stationed at regular intervals to ensure the safety of their assets and, of course, the Emperor himself. It is but one sign of heightened security, another being that all attendees must be escorted in with the attendance of a pair of armed guards. The rein of Alderwood begins in caution and will not be made victim of as Ironwood's did in its end.

The Emperor himself is seated at a broad table and working his way through cleaning a variety of firearms that range from elegant handguns to heavy muskets. He works with swift precision, dismantling each in turn before proceeding with cleaning and reassembling, then he moves to the next. Like the weapons upon the racks, these vary in age from rudimentary to advanced technology reminiscent of the spectre weapons. He knows each of them as spoils of war gathered over the centuries and now he seeks to repurpose them. To use them against the enemy that had him fight in the first place.

He is dressed in his familiar military cut, having no mind or pleasure in anything of ornamentation or to further denote his rank, and greets each attendee with the curt statement: "Speak to your purpose."

[Actionspam or prose are both acceptable!

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 will continue to allow mingling for those waiting for an audience in an antechamber. There is a thread header below to allow for that!]

Audience | Canon Updates | Antechamber

Comments

AUDIENCE

[alderwood]

Korra

[alphatar]

Standing on ceremony was something Korra knew how to do. Even with what just fell into her lap, she could manage. Something she’d even see in her do so in her future, and that was addressing the entire Southern Water Tribe.

Stepping into the audience chamber, Korra went to where she always stood when she was here; with Eshai. Putting her fist in her palm, she extended her arms forward and bowed.

“Emperor Evandau.” They had met briefly on the network when organizing teams when Asti was sick and of course more recently on the day of Eshai’s death. Still, those weren’t formal introductions. “Avatar Korra.”

Strapped to her waist is the sheathed jian, her Christmas gift for Eshai, and Korra untied it to hold it out with both hands. The jade on the scabbard is in the shape of a dragon, what drew her eye to it at first. The Emperor had a fondness for them, as did Korra, including both Temeraire and Iskierka. The enchantment on it to keep the sword the sword from ever dulling was there for any sensitive to magic to feel.

“This is for the Emperor.” This was true in both cases of Evandau and Eshai, meant for one and now the other. Korra kept her tone level and even. She’d done her mourning and even named their turtle after the late Emperor, and she had other things now that were vying her attention in the back of her mind.

[alderwood]

Evandau notes the title and the bearing, though he finishes scrubbing a stiff-bristled brush against the slide of a pistol model once common to Sinbrilee's military. He places brush and hardware down and wipes clean his hands on a rag before stepping forward to stand a few steps beyond her.

"Avatar," he greets, waving back the two armed guards. They move ten paces back, uncomfortable but unwilling to disobey him. They are his trusted officers and trust him in return, so he has at least that in this hellish birth of his reign.

The jian being offered metaphorically stops his heart in his chest and it takes him a moment to reach for it. To accept what would have been Eshai's, had the blood not fallen where it did. Evandau has been expecting it, but his grief is still raw and difficult to manage. Accept it he does, taking a step back to clear the air so that he may draw the sword and admire it -- the scabbard bears beauty, but the blade is what takes his breath away.

"An excellent blade," he says, the admiration clear in his tone. Its sharpness gives him focus and he nods, sheathing it once more. "I shall never be without it, Avatar."

[bindsthedead]

[Sabriel came in unarmed, though her eyes traveled over the weapons around the room for a moment as she bows, then brings herself ramrod straight.]

Emperor. I am here to offer my services as a Charter Mage and Abhorsen. I have been trained in the use of binding spells, necromancy and other uses for magic.

I would also like to speak to you about the cemetery where those soldiers who died lay.

[alderwood]

[Evandau has heard many offers of service in the wake of Eshai's reign and it's enough to embitter him as to why they were not so generous with their service beforehand, but he knows better than to look a gift Kirin in the mouth.]

Hold.

[His eyes narrow at the mention of a cemetery and he raises a hand to match the order inherent in that word.]

When and where did you discover this cemetary?

let me know if you'd like me to edit!

[lostundercover]

Costigan moves too quickly for the guards' liking. He violently shrugs off one's guiding hand just as they move through the door and the guard responds by pinning an arm behind his back just inside the room and then shuffling him forward in a very controlled manner. The other guard accompanies them. Count on the undercover to know how to make an entrance and make things 'easy' for the new Emperor.

He tries to shrug them off again, not replying to Evandau's default greeting and instead waiting in silence for the man to call off his dogs. It's still strange for him, that the man he's been working with for so long is now the Emperor. It unsettles him, makes him wonder how their relationship will change or if he'll be passed on to someone else now.

this is perfection personified

[alderwood]

Evandau picks up a rag from the table and wipes the oil and grime from his hands slowly, casting an even look Costigan's way as he considers the haste and impact of his particular entrance. It's brash and very like the Foreigner to do this, but he wonders if there isn't something more underlying it.

"Leave us," he instructs the guards with a nod, indicating that they wait by the entrance to the hall. There is a beat and he would not be surprised if that trapped arm was twisted a bit harder before being released, but they do release him and move and ordered.

[bacondivination]

[ Loki nods his head, an acknowledgement more of equals than anything. A recently jumped up Emperor versus a mad prince of Asgard seem close enough in rank for pleasantries, and he's not of the nature to bow and scrape besides. His tone is conversational, and his stance easy enough as if he were more likely to be discussing the weather of late than anything serious.]

Hail, your Imperial Majesty, I'll get right to it.

I'm just wondering how well and truly fucked we might end up being on a mystical level, so I do hope you're up for chatting about magic today.

[alderwood]

[Evandau recognises this Foreigner and it is not with a sense of fondness, for their last conversation had been far from his favourite. He remains seated at the table, selecting an elegant, older model musket to work on next.]

Get to it.

[That's about as much invitation as you're going to get.]

IXIS NAUGUS

[ixis]

Ixis Naugus arrives on the scene with purpose and confidence in his stride, boots clicking on the marble floor, chaos emerald staff in hand. He had been slightly annoyed at the insistence of guards at first, but his composure has been regained and he walks one pace ahead of them as if to forget their presence or assert their unimportance. Once before the Emperor, the mage takes an elaborate bow, claw resting against his chest and dipping down low, remaining bent as he voices his purpose when prompted.

“Your majesty, I come before you with a proposal two-fold. An offer and a request. Firstly, I have come to offer my services as court wizard. I have served faithfully under two generations of monarchy back in my prime zone and wish to extend the same in this realm.”

Naugus straightens up now, the butt of his staff clacking smartly onto the marble floor. “Secondly, a request. I wish to know more about the summoning process that has brought us outsiders here. I humbly ask for insight as to the nature of the spell at work, if it pleases you.”

[alderwood]

"It doesn't," is his flat reply as Evandau sets aside a rifle that has been thoroughly worked over by his hand. He takes a moment to look at this Foreigner -- a newcomer, it appears. Eager to please, which makes him a sight less defiant than others that have rushed in to demand a return home.

It is with that eagerness in mind that Evandau leans back in the chair and focuses on the conversation rather than the weapons. "I am no magician," he offers in explanation. "Soldiering and science are how I do things. The spells are Eshai's and continue in her absence."

[definingfuture]

[Tony enters the chamber when he's admitted wearing a hard expression and an official looking suit. It's more formal than he usually wears, but this is that kind of occasion. He takes note of the various guns laid out and the new Emperor taking his time with them. His eyes linger over the designs and various models surrounding Evandau. There's an unspoken message there, and it's laid out in weapons.]

Emperor. Commander. I need to know more about the hatchlings.

[He's direct and to the point, which has served him in the past. He knows enough about working with the military not to play around. If he wants to be taken seriously, then he has to act serious. So that's what he does.]

I'm sure you've already taken care of security here. But you can't be everywhere, so the more we know, the better prepared we can be. And if... I can help, then I'll do everything in my power to keep all of us safe.

[alderwood]

[There is comfort in the second title and that is the one he responds to, raising his attention from the firearms to the Foreigner that is speaking. Evandau has not yet grown comfortable with being Emperor and appreciates that reminder of his former role.]

You will be advised if there is a need for security, but first: What of the hatchlings?

[superieure]

Monet's heels click on the floor as she moves, purposefully, the kedan guards keeping up with her, their expressions solemn. She gives them glares at regular intervals, if she'd really wanted them gone she could easily dispatch them, and their presence is an affront to her pride.

The room is too gloomy, even for one in mourning. She stops a respectful distance away, as she had done with Eshai the day they met, and casts a glance over the room, her gaze lingering on one of the muskets. None of those firearms could touch her: she could either catch the bullet or it would simply bounce off.

When addressed, she steps forward, confidently, and speaks her piece. 'Your Majesty. My name is Monet Saint-Croix, and I have a petition.'

[andaway]

Eshai had never liked the formalities, Kal knew that much. Every time the man had bowed in front of her he'd seen fight the urge to roll her eyes, even though she'd always done her best to at least be formal. Especially once the foreigners had learned more and more about the turtle, her and the story behind everything and the lies had been less and less necessary. He was sure there were tons of information still hidden from them, but he was a patient man. He could wait.

Now Kal was in front of a new Emperor, and he feels the now familiar pang of guilt while bowing in front of him gently and letting his bright cape touch the floor. He always looks so weird, too loud and colorful against the room's decoration but he's always believed they wouldn't take Clark Kent seriously if he was the one in the audiences. One day, he'll have to try.

"While I see you've upped your protection a notch, Emperor, I still offer my services to protect yourself again." He failed to protect one Emperor, he won't do the same again.

Re: AUDIENCE

[mightythinice]

[so, Ellie has no idea what functioning government is. Actually, Ellie has very little idea what a functioning anything looks like, except maybe a car. But she was slowly learning, just through the process of being there. They didn't have ration cards, but they did have money. An economy. Something Ellie could only just insert herself into.

And they had a library. Ellie was pretty sure she got a handle on how this works. The butchers were willing to pay a lot of juulan for these lizards, so maybe the Emperor liked them too? She could trade them for like. A library card. That's all she wanted, was to find books that she could read.

Despite all her other adventures, she really missed settling in with a book]

Hi? You're the emperor, right?

[well, you know, that's one way to start a conversation]

My name's Ellie. [and she has two lizard carcasses she's carrying in behind her]

[neverdanced]

[When it's finally Steve's turn, he walks into the room and glances around for a brief moment. And then his full attention is on the Emperor. There's a lot he wants to ask, but he's not certain how much can and will be answered.

Either way, it's worth a shot.]

Emperor Evandau, my name is Steve Rogers.

[If his previous self met Evandau might recognise him, but Steve just goes on the assumption that he doesn't to be on the safe side.]

I want to ask you a few questions, if that's alright.

Russell

[15104]

Russell was as much intimidated by the room, as he was by the armed escort. He did his best to keep his expression controlled, but his eyes were a little wide by the time the guards motioned for him to stop before the dais.

He tried not to shift his weight, and moved his hands behind his back. Treat this like something familiar, he thought. Like your talking to the overseer at the mill, or the warden in prison. It ain't all that different.

He cleared his throat. "Thank you, uh Emperor... Sir." He hesitated for a second, he hadn't thought what the correct title might be. Hopefully it wouldn't cause too much offence.

"I've been told you might be able to tell me what the customs are here. Or maybe, tell me where I aughta look?" Surely, despite what Clark said, the Emperor himself isn't the one in charge of this sort of thing. "Only I don't want to accidentally get in trouble for somethin' I didn't mean to do. I was wonderin' if there was a list of offences that can get you locked up, or some sort of legal document with our rights as uh, foreigners."

[cmdreffingshepard]

[Shepard has been here before, but, as she expected, it's quite a bit different from how it was under Eshai's rule. More security, for a start.

But Shepard is a soldier, and she knows Evandau's background is something like that, too. So she does what she would in the presence of a commanding officer - stands ramrod-straight, at attention. The only thing she foregoes is an actual salute - since she's not quite sure how that would be taken.]

Sir. I'm here for a couple of reasons. First of all, I'm not sure if she would have had it in her records somewhere, but I owed Eshai a service. Some months ago, we agreed that in exchange for - ah, seeing my future - she would be able to call upon me at her discretion to perform a service for her. She never did.

Since she never got the chance, I'd like to extend the debt to you. I'm just a soldier, so I don't know how much worth it would be to you, but it seems like the right thing to do in the circumstances.

Una

[una_persson]

Una makes her entrance and bows. Evandau isn't a stranger, so that makes it easier—though it still feels strange to see him here and not Eshai.

"Your Majesty," she says, her tone quite free of irony. "I wanted to speak with you with regard to a project that I discussed with Emperor Eshai, and which I was unfortunately unable to complete before her murder."

Bart Allen

[backinakidflash]

[Bart enters the room with a chip the size of Alabama on his shoulder and with only the slightest nodding in the head in lieu of a bow. He doesn't like Evandau all that much, and he thinks the feeling is mutual. Offering sympathy for Eshai's death probably didn't do that much because, hi, the guy is obviously upset over her death and cranky.

He expects to get thrown out on his ear quickly and hates the way he gets slammed down into first gear whenever Evandau's around, so there's no point in beating around the bush.]

Why can't foreigners join the cops here?

Gaius Septimus - sorry this is so late :|

[survival_isnt_living]

Partly knowing that Evandau is a military man, and partly simply out of habit, Septimus is likewise dressed with slightly formal, slightly military-cut clothing. It isn't quite overt, though the sword he absently belted on makes it more obvious. He'll let the guards take it if he must, but habit rules at times.

He'd known quite well how to deal with Eshai, of course--somewhere between his parents--but Evandau is actually slightly new to him. His father is not a military man, never had been. This will be an interesting experiment. He likes the to-the-point attitude, though, and inclines his head somewhat in acknowledgement.

(It may be slightly less deep than to Eshai. Hopefully Evandau does not know this.)

"Sir." Septimus's own tone is brisk. "Two months ago Emperor Eshai," slightly more respectful for occasion, "graciously discussed the matter of the young turtles and imperial interaction with the hospital."

His expression clouds a little; he'd liked her. Besides, her murder was about the worst trigger he could have gotten. "Under the circumstances, I thought it best to check in, for progress and confirming the information I received."

CANON UPDATES

[alderwood]

Mako!

[browbeater]

[this was his first time actually meeting with the Emperor. But ever since Korra had come back, shaken from what she'd seen, he knew it was only a matter of time before he could stop playing dumb, himself. So, that was what brought him to the Emperor. To barter to see what his future held.

He knew how to be respectful, but he wasn't sure how you exactly paid Royalty respect. He was just going to have to go off of the things his mother told him about the Fire Nation when he was a kid.

He managed a bow, his head lowered for a moment out of respect. Actually speaking was more difficult, he hadn't practiced the words in... ever.]

Emperor, I heard you can show people the future.

ANTECHAMBER

[alderwood]