[EVENT; CHIHUELANS] Domestic Disturbances

[cherrywood]

Characters: Chihuelans + OPEN
Date: Starting Sept 8, ongoing through the month
Location: All over Keeliai
Situation: The Chihuelan contingent has arrived in Keeliai as previously announced, to begin their task of routing out the deserter Chihuelans on the turtle, and the Grand Justicar is not a patient woman.
Warnings/Rating: Non-descriptive mentions of execution.

OOC NOTE: Additional starters will be added to this post as the month progresses, based on what happens within the threads. Characters do not need to interact directly with the NPCs for every thread, the starters are just so there's an idea of what is happening with them at a given time and for general timekeeping. Please feel free to thread amongst yourselves anywhere on this post as well! Replies by Chihuelan NPCs will come from the cherrywood journal, just for Li's sanity of not needing a new journal.

Please direct any questions to the Itinerary questions comment, thank you!

---

A. ARRIVAL - SEPT 8th;

The Chihuelans arrive shortly after daybreak, on a small ship approximately the size and shape of a mid-length Coast Guard cutter. It bears only minimal armor, and some weaponry, but the configuration suggests defensive capability rather than offensive. Certainly, it's nothing with the ability to attack land-based targets, as if the Grand Justicar is very aware of the image they are presenting. They do not seem surprised to be met by the Woodsmen as they land, but they do not rush as they make berth with the ship, securing it to the beach, and approximately a dozen armed sailors take up guard positions around it. Any move by the kedan or Foreigners toward the ship will result in defensive fire.

The Grand Justicar herself is a tall woman, a touch over six feet, with inhumanly sharp features and a calculating gaze. She wears the same formal dress uniform in red and black, as she did in the console broadcast. It has little ornamentation, straight-cut lines, and those who visited Atamsichar will find it (and the rest of the outfits) in keeping with the militaristic, minimalist style of that city. Chosheni also wears a white and red sash across one shoulder, which seems to denote authority, and is armed with two blades, one long and one short. Her second in command, Eakoven, is a stocky, shorter man who wears a similar outfit in yellow and black, but no sash. There are two dozen soldiers who stand in rigid formation, and their outfits are simpler versions of the two commanders, in black with either red or yellow accents. Each is armed with a blade and a firearm, although what type is difficult to tell, as they all remain firmly sheathed and holstered respectively, at the barked command of Eakoven.

The soldiers will not speak to anyone even if addressed during the trek back to Keeliai, and Eakoven will inquire about the state of lodgings, but seem satisfied when the Woodsmen inform them of the area set aside on the College campus grounds.

B. INTERVIEWS - SEPT 10th-13th;

Once the Chihuelans have settled in, Chosheni will make a console announcement to the general populace (although she does, at least, get permission before making this one) regarding taking interviews from kedan and Foreigners who might be able to provide information on the missing Chihuelans. She will receive people one at a time in a sparsely furnished office, with two soldiers outside the doors, and another two stationed at the main entrance.

Even though the space is functionally an office, the Justicar's stern presence makes it seem more like an interrogation room, albeit one with much nicer furniture. Still, she will neutrally offer to have anything fetched that they might require to feel comfortable.

"Please have a seat," she says crisply. "What information are you offering?"

C. SEARCH TEAMS - SEPT 10th-17th;

Beginning in the days after their arrival, the Chihuelans separate into different groups to begin their search for the deserters. Sixteen of their number, accompanied by Eakoven rotating through the teams for the first few days, then both he and Chosheni once she's concluded taking interviews. The soldiers divide into groups of four, two groups taking the outskirts of the city and out to the Shell's wilds, and two groups remaining inside the city.

Sixteen Chihuelans in the search teams, and four guarding the College campus, however, does not equal the twenty-four who came to the city. Somewhere along the line, four of them have completely vanished. Inquiries as to their whereabouts will be met with practiced deferrals to speak with the Grand Justicar.

The city search teams will move through the various Sectors with a confidence that suggests the layout is not entirely unfamiliar with them, stopping people on the streets and asking questions. Although their methods are brusque, they're very careful not to use violence-- although they will defend themselves if attacked first.

Despite resistance, at least some of the searches and at least a few interviews have produced results. By the end of the week, 11 Chihuelans -- seven from within the city, and four from the outlying areas -- have been caught, dragged back to the College campus, and summarily executed. At least the Justicar had the consideration not to do it on the front lawn.

---

UPDATES
Several interesting developments have happened as a result of the Foreigners' interactions with the Chihuelans!

First of all, Klaus negotiated with the Justicar in regards to the executed deserters, to see that their bodies were properly disposed of, which did however come with a cost: the news of forfeited technology, which was intended to be delivered at the conclusion of their stay.

Secondly, an arrest warrant has been issued in response to Lapis' attack on a search team around mid-month. They have her name, courtesy of Deon shouting it -- but the warrant remains for her specifically, not for a group at large.

---

D. SEARCH TEAMS - SEPT 17th-24th;

The search for the next few days runs slow. Despite the thoroughness of the searchers, the Chihuelans from the turtle seem to have grown savvy and are more difficult to find. For all that, the search patterns have grown more directed; still led by Eakoven, the places searched are no longer on a systematic layout, but appear to be cherry-picked.

After the brusque treatment previously, many kedan eye the searchers with belligerence and most outright refuse to help -- in some cases, borderline obstructing the search. Though in public the Chihuelans are still careful not to use violence, there are some instances of breaking and entering, and unsolicited searches, which occur only when the residents are absent.

Exactly where those four Chihuelans are gone is still unknown, but in spite of their apparently diminished numbers five more Chihuelans have been captured and executed. Though this still isn’t done publicly, and the bodies are at least properly disposed of, there is a growing crowd of kedan present near that area of the College campus, and they never look happy.

E. OBSTRUCTION OF ‘JUSTICE’ - SEPT 20th;

On the morning of the 20th a kedanese family refuses to let a group of Chihuelan searchers into their home, despite the fact that the Chihuelans claim they have good reason to believe clues can be located inside. The kedan object on the basis of Keeliai not being part of their empire, and therefore having no right to force their way into private dwellings, regardless of suspicion.

Another search-party will eventually arrive to back up the Chihuelan searchers, but kedanese supporters are generally either uninvolved or on the side of the kedanese family. Still, something dramatic is unlikely to happen without an instigation.

F. NEW ORDERS - SEPT 27;

On the 27th, two of the sailors which had been minding the Chihuelan ship come into the city, seeking the Justicar. It seems that they've received a transmission from Vesquesam. Those who are in the vicinity of the College to see the exchange will see Chosheni reacting with genuine frustration and anger at whatever the message contains.

Despite this, runners are shortly thereafter dispatched to the search teams, and they're recalled to the College campus. By the top of the hour, the campus is abuzz with Chihuelans who are readying things to depart. The word, should anyone ask the Chihuelan soldiers (the Justicar herself is a thundercloud, and therefore it is probably not wise to inquire with her directly) is that they're being recalled from Tu Vishan's shores.

G. DEPARTURE - SEPT 29;

Early on the morning of the 29th, the Chihuelans and their commander re-board their ship, and it casts off from Tu Vishan's shoreline.

---


OOC: Players are welcome to NPC the interrogated kedan and have them react in any way they choose (some will be quietly resentful, some actively belligerent, some intimidated into talking, etc) as well as their characters' reactions to these incidents.

Please keep in mind that ICA=ICC!

Comments

[irishthor]

Since Arno managed to see Shay through the walls, this means that Shay managed to catch sight of them, too.

Luckily for Arno, the red Aura surrounding the Assassin has been replaced by a nice minty-blue. One of the few on the Turtle. Everyone else showed up as gold, or just blended into the background. Arno was blue, his companion was a familiar gold.

So, as they head up onto deck, Shay's already out there, but hidden in the shadows.

"There a reason you're paying me a visit unannounced?" Shay calls out. "Or is our relationship such that you feel you can just walk onboard a man's ship."

[stubbornlittleshit]

"Part of my abilities." Arno nods to China. "Definitely a person of interest in the moment, after all."

And then, he's pausing, making deliberately sure to stick his hands into his pockets in Shay's presence.

"Why, Master Cormac," There's a bright note in Arno's voice there. "I meant to knock but you remember the last time I touched anything. I DO hope I am not interupting anything that cannot wait." And then, his expression is shifting. "Although, yes, the reason IS a good one." He's nodding toward China there.

"The lady has a rather important matter of some security to discuss, and you were the first to come to mind as someone trustworthy enough at least to hear the situation out."

[inkulcation]

It's strange, but the way they speak to each other, despite Arno's approving description of Shay as someone he'd trust with his life... it makes her think a little of the Dead Men.

"Try not to come to blows before we can get to business," China says dryly. She takes one step away from Arno, fixes her gaze on the point in the shadows Shay's voice is coming from. "Master Cormac. If we can set aside unannounced violations of your ship's sanctity for just a few minutes. I have a pair of vulnerable contacts that require subtle protection, and monsieur Dorian brought up your name." She leaves the glowing praise out for now. "Can you be persuaded to set your lady-love aside for a little while?"

[irishthor]

Shay steps forward, his gaze flicking between Arno and China, his expression sobering somewhat at the tone and sudden change in atmosphere.

This must be serious.

He bows his head. "Of course," He says, before indicating the stairs and doors leading down to the captain's cabin. "I assume this best be discussed somewhere warmer, and more private?" He asks.

[stubbornlittleshit]

There's a definite respect that Arno has for Shay, and it endures, but it's tinged with something else. The uneasy trappings of a new friendship, maybe, where you're not quite sure how much teasing is going too far, or how much invasion of their life is too much. That said, though, today, yes, better things in mind.

Although, the last time Arno touched the Morrigan, really touched her as opposed to hanging out while he threw up over the side, he managed to unravel a rope by being near it, somehow, prompting his own rule of not touching anything because he has too much respect for Shay, his friend, and a healthy fear of Shay, The Captain to break anything accidentally. So that would be part of why.

"Private seems as if it would lend itself to the situation." Arno looks to China. "Yes?"

[inkulcation]

She nods an agreement. No matter that they're already on a ship, somewhat removed from the city proper; she would prefer to be as cautious as possible.

To that end, China will wait till they're closed in the captain's cabin before actually speaking again. "There are a pair of Chihuelan deserters in hiding whose location I've acquired," she says. It's matter-of-fact, lacking much of the sarcasm or lightness that would be in any average conversation with her. "They're willing to provide what information they have, but they require sanctuary, by a moderate consensus of Foreigners. This will require time to acquire subtly, and I have little faith that they will remain safe left to their own devices. Thus, monsieur Dorian has agreed to watch over them for a time. He suggested you would be capable of assisting with similar subtlety." She arches one eyebrow a little, as if to say she herself is skeptical about that. Which she is; it's Arno's recommendation that's gotten them here.

[irishthor]

Shay slowly makes his way around the pair, around the large table in the centre of the modestly decorated cabin, which has charts and maps scattered over it still. He leans on the wooden top, frowning slightly.

"So, some of our guests have escaped the Justicar's wrath." He remarks. "I can offer my services, of course. What the Chihuelan authorities did leaves a nasty taste in my mouth."

He looks between Arno and China.

"Are they secure?"

[stubbornlittleshit]

Caution is one of those things that Arno's not ALWAYS so approving of, all the time, but in this case, he applauds China's use of it now. After all, who knows what he could have led her into, right? They could be carrying her off to accost her. ...In a docked ship, yes.

...Arno spent too much of his childhood reading adventure stories that, thankfully, didn't go into detail on anything too disturbing, which is sort of what allows his mind to brush the idea that this might seem a little creepy aside.

"Everything I had to say of them at the time, life being terrible and ending in the way it did for them was the wine speaking, that's for sure." He feels the need to clarify THAT bit, here and now, nodding as Shay speaks. "It's true. It smacks of the worst abuses of human authority I've witnessed."

And he means that, human, because it's certainly not the subtle, longer game that they're both signed up to play for their opposing side, but the nature of an individual who seeks to control directly, without caring who knows they are oppressed, who would treat people like dirt beneath them and not even acknowledge that something is being taken from them. It's an insult and the Justicar behaved in such a way that he would consider unworthy of any leader of men in...

Oh. Ah.

"Perhaps not the best word choice there, 'human'." he admits, frowning. "Obviously, not simply human. When I was asked to give my aid, though, you struck me as someone who'd likely feel the same, Shay."

He's nodding toward China now. "You mentioned that they were safe enough for the moment, and would likely prefer to be consulted as to places they might wish to move, yes? I can provide the blade, but the location," He's holding up a hand quickly there, looking to Shay.

"NOT to volunteer you for anything, you likely know places along the coast by now as well that could be made safe, more than I would know, at least. That location is what seems to be the problem if I understand correctly? Unless I've missed something, of course."

[inkulcation]

Strangely, the thought they might plan to accost her, while it's one she's considered, is not one she's exceptionally worried about. She has a magical arsenal under her skin, after all.

"For now? As secure as they can be without guards, but I myself was led there by a kedan informant. What more than one person knows will travel, and I wouldn't care to leave them there long-term." Places along the coast are promising. The Chihuelans might prefer proper accommodations, but China's a little more concerned with their survival, for now.

"The difficulty is they won't consent to much until they have assurances of sanctuary, and they want this from significantly more than three of us," China says. "So I need the two of you to look after them until I can acquire those. They'll need another place to hide sooner, rather than later." She gives Shay a speculative look.

[irishthor]

"I only know of one place more secure than the Midnight Hotel." Shay says, ponderously. "Which, I assume, you have reasons for not relying on Master Shudder's hospitality." He can think of a few. He leans over the table a bit more, frowning.

"It's here. Onboard the Morrigan. It's secluded, and if things get out of hand, she can be moved. But..." And he raises a finger. "I am not offering this as a long-term solution."

[stubbornlittleshit]

Arno HAD hoped this would be the solution all along, but he mostly manages not to look TOO triumphant. That would only be completely obvious, after all. He's nodding as Shay speaks, all the same, understanding that.

"I can see where it could become a concern. There'd have to be some kind of a provision for their safety too. Wouldn't be fair to pin it on you." He doesn't want to just dump them there, at least.

[inkulcation]

"They explicitly held forth against the Hotel," China says absently, considering Shay's offer. "Too central, too high-profile. I can't say I disagree with them."

Secluded, looked-over by one or both, movable. It has its high points. "It will certainly be safer for them than where they are currently," she agrees, after a little time. "A stopgap, then. Until something better can be found."

[irishthor]

"Yes, I figured that would be the reason." Shay conceeds about the Hotel, folding his arms. "This is a stopgap. I can't impress enough. I don't have the crew or the supplies in which to make this permanent." Nor does he particularily want his ship to be a haven for people on the run from their governments.

"Supplies will need to be procured for them."

[stubbornlittleshit]

Arno, who had seen the ship, and could attest to that much, and understand it, nodded. "You buy us time. It helps a lot." Making the ship that kind of haven would not only be unfair, but it'd be risking too much, in the long run.

"I can work on those, I believe." Somehow.

[inkulcation]

"Yes, yes," China tells Shay, a little impatient. She's not sure she'd want them here long-term, either. "I'll provide for supplies. This is my little project, after all. We're agreed, then. If they're amenable, they'll stay here till a consensus and a better location can be reached, and the two of you will see to their safety."

She's not exactly happy to compensate them, but neither seems particularly impressed by her more magical charms, and China does like to at least make a show of good business. "You should both be introduced to them," she adds, still sounding somewhat impatient. "So that they will know your faces in my absence."

[irishthor]

"Then we have an accord." Shay remarks, shifting, noting the impatience. Best to avoid the formailities normally observed in business transactions.

"Whenever would be best. I'm not exactly doing anything at the moment."

[stubbornlittleshit]

"That does seem slightly better than the alternative of terrifying them half to death." Arno's voice is low, a mutter, at best, but it's still probably fairly audible. All the same, his expression is sincere and so is his nod.

"I've got no prior engagements myself if everyone agrees, then?"

[inkulcation]

"Excellent," China says briskly. "If you find that they are attacked, I would prefer that at least one soldier be left alive, but the safety of the deserters should take priority." And, judging that all the rest that needs to be said on the matter, China turns, and aims to leave the cabin the way she came. "I'll work as quickly as is possible regarding a consensus of Foreigners, and update you accordingly."

[irishthor]

"Very well. I await your decision."