Exalted:End of an Era

[Biologist]

(( I think Shaya is waiting for a reaction from Pheonix. After that, shall we skip to the meeting of the generals?))

[Mistress of Whispers]

(( I think Shaya is waiting for a reaction from Pheonix. After that, shall we skip to the meeting of the generals?))

((I'm fine with that. Maybe not straight to the meeting, but in the hours leading up to it?))

[Takhesis]

[Hmmm - the Fire Exalt's reaction to the news should be interesting to say the least...... though I suspect she's also too tired to give her usual reaction to spies/people of uncertain alignment joining them]

 

While the two Solars were in conference, Pheonix finished her cup and waited for the result. She didn't have a long wait.

 

She had some idea of what the meeting was about from Web's report so she didn't find the first part of Shaya's statement surprising. The second part however did catch her off-guard.

 

Wait - the one that worked against us is now with us? Pheonix couldn't quite wrap her head around that thought - though that was probably due to tiredness as well as the slightly ambiguous phrasing of her own mind.

 

Trying not to let any of her confusion show, keeping her face in a strict neutral expression, Pheonix spoke:

 

"Welcome to the unit."

 

The only sign of her not-so-enthusiastic feeling on the matter was the last shreds of liquid that remained in her cup starting to evaporate.

 

 

[A true Fire Exalt explosion would require more energy than she actually has after her 'extended shift'.]

[Mistress of Whispers]

Mia's eyes briefly flickered to the boiling cup of tea, but she either failed to see the significance or (more likely) politely pretended not to.

 

"Thank you for the welcome." Somehow, the young Eclipse sounded completely sincere.

 

Turning to Shaya, she continued: "I'll go pack and come back here after. Don't wait up."

 

And with that, she was gone.

 

Shaya stared at the door for a few long moments; the Eclipse's parting words still hung in the air.

 

"Don't worry - I won't," the Chumyo replied to the door.

 

Then she turned to her Lieutenant with a 'yeah, I know' shrug.

 

"Let's just call it a night."

 

She was fast asleep by the time Mia returned.

 

 

((Let's do the timewarp agaaaaaain. Where do we want to pick up? The hours leading up to the Commanders' meeting?))

[Takhesis]

[Hmmmm the hours leading up to the meeting seems a good pick up point to me. Since there's going to be trouble as well - esp. since Silune is due to show up, if memory serves correctly.]

 

Pheonix nodded at Shaya's assertion to call it a night, though before she turned in herself, she made sure that the Bronze Tiger guards knew that Mia had joined them on a temporary basis and was expected back at some point.

 

Then she went to her much needed sleep.

 

[Time skip - til the morning at least]

 

Pheonix was up early - her internal clock still following military time. She started her stretching routine - the whole thing meant to loosen up the muscles for the training grounds.

 

When Web woke up, she found Pheonix in their main hall going through a basic exercise routine.

[Mistress of Whispers]

[Time skip - til the morning at least]

((Are we skipping to the next morning, or the morning of the Commanders' meeting?))

[Takhesis]

[Hmmmm depends - is Silune turning up before/during/after the Commanders meeting?]

[Biologist]

((well, Silune is on a ship with one of the commanders who needs to be present at the meeting. So she'll be present at the meeting. Maybe even a day sooner. So we could start at the morning of the meeting with the commanders arriving. I'll write a post about Silune arriving ))

 

The ship sailed for days on end. Silune was quickly bored with waiting and keeping a low profile. She decided to investigate.

 

She scouted out the confines of the vessel in different guises and learned that she shared a boat with a Lookshyan Legion. They were headed for Nexus with all due haste and water aspected dragonblooded worked round the clock to give the ship extra speed. Silune gathered they were going to be in nexus in record time. She wondered whether her assignment had anything to do with it. But she resisted the temptation to seduce the Lookshyan captain to find out more.

 

Within the week they arrived, and the legion split up, since it was not allowed to bring an army into Nexus. The troops were stationed a few miles outside the city limits, while the commander and a few lieutenants went on to the city proper.

 

Silune changed form a few times to make sure no-one would be able to follo her, and she made her way to Commander Lenco's estate. This is getting more interesting with the minute.

 

-----------

 

A young and graceful woman arriived at the mansion doors and was let in after a short conversation. The political spies reported yet another girl who wanted to be a servant to a noble household to be close to richness. Not an uncommon sight for the Lookshyan ambassador's house.

 

Within the walls of Lenco's office another matter altogether was being discussed...

 

----------

 

Meanwhile, outside the Nexus city walls, a predatory bird eyed the centre of the river province with wary suspicion. It had arrived mere hours after dawn after days of flying tirelessly.. it was close to its prey now, it could sense the woman even over the stink of civilization. It was not accustomed, however, to moving amongst the mortals of a city unnoticed. It contemplated waiting for its prey to emerge from the safety of the city, but the almost tangible closeness to her made it agitated and impatient.

 

It brooded for a long time, cursing humanity and its cities...

Edited January 10, 2014 by Biologist

[Takhesis]

[Looks like we're in for some interesting times - first with Lenco's back-up plan and then with Pheonix's history rearing its head. Assume that Pheonix has been training with the Bronze Tigers in the intervening timeframe.... and Web has most likely been conversing with Mia - if while under the watchful eyes of other unit members.]

[Mistress of Whispers]

((Interesting times indeed.

 

As for the time in between -

 

Shaya has gotten back to her old self. She's planning for the upcoming meeting, while simultaneously being bored for lack of action.

 

Mia is getting to know the group. She does her best to get to know everyone and be supportive.

 

Skip to the morning of the Commanders Meeting then? Who wants to do the first post? Which character is likely to wake up first?))

[Takhesis]

[i'd say the military characters would be likely to wake up first - if only due to past routines. Though Tinker may very well beat them all to it.]

 

The morning of the Commander's meeting came - too slowly for Pheonix's tastes, she didn't like the waiting - at least the time gave her a chance to view the Bronze Tigers training regime - and take part in it as per Risa's timetable that the two had drawn up after their sparring.

 

She also hadn't forgotten Shaya's assignment for her concerning the potential betrayal of Web.

 

As she went through her morning stretches, Pheonix's thoughts went to the new additions to the unit. Web had - at least partially - proved herself, so even though there was concern as she was still an Abyssal, Pheonix was slightly more confident of Web than she was of Mia.

 

She was really not sure what to make of the younger Solar. And Pheonix hated uncertainty.

 

Web woke up and found Pheonix already up and about. That didn't surprise her, Pheonix was usually up before her - must be the military training -and so she set about getting breakfast for all of them.

 

Today was going to be an interesting day - and a test of their trust in her - considering they had to deal with Commander Lenco's alignment to other forces, and the unknown reactions of the other summoned officers.

 

Even if they were against the Darkness that Lenco now served, there was also a possibility that they'd turn on her if her Exaltation was revealed in the process. And that was a valid concern - considering the potential damage that could have been done when Dace was told by a third party.

 

[Thinking Web could meet Tinker as she goes to get the breakfast tray - assuming he's up before her?]

[Mistress of Whispers]

Shaya was already in the small courtyard, sparring with Dace. The two had a strict 'no charms' rule for their sparring match, but even so their prowess was drawing in a small crowd of mercenaries. She knew that she really should be inside, reviewing Pheonix's contingency plans and getting prepped by Tinker and Web for the upcoming 'diplomatic meeting', but she just couldn't bring herself to it. She didn't mind meeting with Pheonix, but she was not looking forward to memorizing more speeches or getting lectured on how swords had no place in peaceful talks. She landed a barehanded blow on her opponent, perhaps more forcefully than she had intended to, and he grunted as he staggered back.

 

"Something bothering you, Chumyo?" he inquired far too innocently.

 

"Just shut up and fight," she retorted while taking another swing.

 

 

----------------------

 

Mia had just woken up. She had slept right through Shaya and Pheonix getting up and was more than a little embarrassed at being such a sleepy head (at least, compared to the others). She just heard the door closed and, given the time, guessed that Web was just going to get breakfast. She took the opportunity to get dressed - since the others but Web were all military, they seemed perfectly fine dressing and undressing in front of each other. Mia guesses that privacy was not a luxury that the army offered. She, however, was not accustomed to such candour and she was glad to have a moment alone to get dressed.

 

When that was done, she rummaged through her bag to select a good tea to go with breakfast. She knew that today would be an enervating day, so she selected a blend with a little oomph.

 

------------------------

 

((Tinker is probably up and doing a kata in the courtyard. He's probably engrossed in the exercise, but Web would definitely see him on her way to the mess.))

[Biologist]

Hanzo had been busy in the days between the Rivercouncil summit and the meeting of the Commanders of Lookshy. He had visited Sayn often to talk about the plans of outfitting the new army of the River Province and about the pure joy of making things. Admittedly, Hanzo also visited him to feel a bit less of a freak and affront to the world, finding a kindred spirit reassuring.

 

He reported back to Pheonix and Shaya about the progress and the ideas. His bunk was still a jumble of rice paper and schematics strewn all across his bed and the walls next to it. He felt at home in the rhythm of the military that Shaya and her unit adhered to. It gave him something to hold onto. Excercise, eat, work,eat, excercise, sleep.

 

In Mia he found a fellow tea enthousiast and after a few careful probes to see if she didn't befuddle his mind with sweetened talk or winning smiles, he found he enjoyed the simple grace of the ceremony surrounding the art of making tea.

 

This morning Hanzo had gotten up early as well and he was watching the Chumyo fight Captain Dace. He was awed at their prowess: they were practicing, which meant they had to be even more precise and in control. Something in the fluid motions of the flashing swords was very familiar. He vainly wished he could be that good with a sword, but he knew full well that that was not where *his* strengths lie.

 

------------

 

A messenger arrived at the compound with a summons for Captain Shaya - Interim Chumyo - to attend a meeting with the High Commanders of the Lookshyan army. She was to bring her two trusted advisors and she would be assigned an assistant for the proceedings. She was expected to take up residence in the mansion of the Ambassador of Lookshy to Nexus for the duration of the convention. She was expected to be at the mansion an hour before noon.

 

It was signed Lenco, with his seals of rank as Commander of the Diplomatic Corps of Lookshy and Ambassador to Nexus.

[Takhesis]

Web was careful to avoid interrupting the training spars of the Bronze Tigers as she made her way to fetch breakfast. Mainly as they were wary of her presence once it was made known that she was of the Black Exaltation.

 

She noticed Tinker in the middle of some form of meditative kata as she crossed towards the mess. Even if he didn't seem aware of her passing, Web was certain that Tinker was more alert than he appeared to be. Considering his current pose, Web guessed he'd be finished by the time she'd picked up the breakfast trays for the group.

 

She picked up the trays - noting that there were a few less people in the mess hall than usual, which at least meant less suspicious glances her way. As she left she could see why - Dace and Shaya were in a training bout.

 

Carrying the trays, she detoured towards the crowd knowing a few of the unit would be watching.

 

They won't mind the breakfast call - too much anyway. If only because its become routine for them.

 

After that, Web was going to alert Tinker to breakfast - assuming he wasn't already aware.

[Takhesis]

[bump?]

[Mistress of Whispers]

Elbowing his way through the crowd, the messenger gave an awkward salute as he handed Lenco's message to Shaya. The Dawn made no effort to hide her annoyance as she accepted the latter, dismissed the courier and cut her training with Dace short.

 

She knew she was supposed to take two trusted advisors, but she hadn't yet decided who that should be. Phoenix would be stationed outside with the unit, ready to spring to action of need be. Web would be a good choice due to her diplomatic expertise, as would Mia. Normally Tinker would make an excellent candidate for any mission, but she didn't want the old mortal anywhere near Lenco-the-Akuma. Perhaps Hanzo then?

 

Contemplating her options, Shaya made her way inside as she caught the scent of warm bread on the air. Scanning the crowd, she spotted Web. The Dawn wasn't sure if she felt like frowning or smiling - the Abyssal had grown on her and that worried the warrior. Nevertheless, she couldn't deny that Web seemed sincere in her efforts and, one way or another, Shaya knew she owed it to her to address the fallen-Solar theory one of these days.

 

Shaya made eye contact with any of her unit that were outside, but gave no orders to follow her inside. She knew that they'd join her once they wrapped up their current endeavours and she couldn't fault anyone for being less than eager to deal with Lenco's missive - she certainly was.

 

----------------------------

 

Finishing his kata, Tinker opened his eyes and found Web almost immediately. Sauntering over, he carefully looked at the eggs piled on the plates.

 

"You spoil them," he commented dryly. Of course he usually did the same when he made breakfast and they both knew that it took less time to cook eggs than it did to eat them.

[Takhesis]

Web conceded Tinker's comment with:

 

"Today will be a trying day for them, might as well make at least the start of it as pleasant as possible."

 

He, of course, would be aware of what she was referring to. The issue with Lenco.

 

Seeing that Shaya had finished her sparring - if a little prematurely due to the arrival of the messenger - Web started towards their assigned quarters with the breakfast trays.

 

She made sure to keep step with Tinker - not that she thought he couldn't handle a faster pace, but more because she wished his advice on a certain matter. It was likely that Tinker would be able to read that something was on her mind in her measured paces - though to outside observers she was just being mindful of her elder companion.

 

"Speaking of trials, I have been thinking on the upcoming meeting of Commanders and would like your council on something." She paused to allow Tinker to indicate a continuance.

 

"Considering the potential damage in trust that emerged when Dace was informed of my 'condition' by a third party, I was wondering if it would be wiser to be honest about it to the other Commanders?"

 

Web then explained her concerns with both options. "Of course, it may alienate them to Shaya's position from the outset if I did so - but I fear if it was kept secret, Ambassador Lenco could out me to gain favour."

 

"You have had more experience with the Lookshayan military than I. Which option would have the best outcome for all parties concerned?"

 

[Web has a dilemma. And its not the only one on her mind - just the most pressing timewise. Little does she know how much experience Tinker has....

 

Also even though she is confiding in Tinker - if Shaya/Hanzo passes close by they would hear her. She's just trying not to let too many overhear.]

[Biologist]

Hanzo had seen the messenger wrestle through the crowd. He had seen the look Shaya had given him after she had read the missive. So he followed her inside. He hadn't planned for anything that could wait, so he assumed this was important enough to put on the top of his list of things to do for today.

 

As they passed Web and Tinker, Hanzo couldn't help but smile at the food and hoped they could start breakfast soon. His stomach agreed with him loudly.

Edited January 23, 2014 by Biologist

[Mistress of Whispers]

Making sure that no one overheard them, Tinker spoke to Web in a low voice.

 

"Your possible reveal as a Death Knight is a lose-lose situation for the Chumyo. Knowing her, she'll want to come forward about being a chosen of the Sun before the commanders vote. That's going to be tricky enough, but she might be able to sell it since the East still remembers that the Unconquered Sun represents life and good. But she won't be able to reconcile that with having an Abyssal in her retinue- it will simply reinforce the Immaculate's propaganda that she is an Anathema and it won't matter if she was honest about you or not."

 

He was silent for a moment, then continued.

 

"The best thing for her, really, would be if Lenco is revealed as an Akuma before he can out you. Preferably in a violent act such as trying a kill the commanders, which would give the Chumyo a chance to shut him up for good. Not to mention that such an act on Lenco's behalf would give her a chance to prove that Solars are protectors."

 

Tinker's tone remained casual. Too casual for the topic that came next.

 

"If I had been in the Chumyo's shoes, I would have arranged for such a violent reveal of Lenco. But - well you've gotten to know her. She would consider it dishonest and convoluted. I'm sure she does realize, on some level, that she needs an excuse to get rid of Lenco. But either she doesn't appreciate the full delicacy of the situation, or she's counting on Lenco's own devious nature to give her the opening she needs. Either way, I hope she's right - or lucky enough - rather than wilfully ignorant."

 

"If you're revealed as an Abyssal, by Lenco or your own honesty, that will probably tank the Chumyo's chances of being elected. But the fault isn't yours - it's her own unwillingness to play the game that sometimes needs playing."

 

Harsh words, but probably true. Certain levels of power required a bit of scheming and plotting and, so far, Shaya had proven unable to deliver in that area.

[Takhesis]

[Yep - Web's condition is going to be a problem and she knows it. Plus the admission to/consulting of Tinker was one way of airing it in 'relative' privacy.]

 

 

Web had considered both options - willingly reveal her nature and keeping it secret, and she could not see any good coming from either path. Which is why she'd asked Tinker about it - she was too close to the problem and as such may not be able to see a clear solution.

 

Unfortunately his first words had confirmed her own logic, although he did come up with an alternative path that she hadn't thought of.

 

"Thank you for your honest assessment, though that does present a potential solution - if not one that is guaranteed to work," Web paused at the door, "the failsafe phrase - his reaction to it was, if not technically violent, very disturbing."

 

Of course that depended on quite a few variables.

 

[breakfast time I think for the group.]

[Mistress of Whispers]

((At the breakfast table...))

 

Moving her eggs around on the plate, Shaya resisted the urge to sigh. She had deliberately claimed the title of Chumyo and now she had to act like one. That meant keeping her (proverbial) shirt tucked in, her sword buckled and meeting with the dang Commanders.

 

"The official invitation from Lenco arrived. Every participant can bring two aids. I was thinking Web for her diplomatic acumen and Hanzo for his perceptive mind. Pheonix will stay with the unit in case we need back-up. Mia, you seem to be pretty stealthy -" Shaya was obviously referring to the Eclipse's illicit and unnoticed entry into the Guild Hall "- so you will serve under Pheonix as scout."

 

Satisfied with her plan, Shaya skewered an egg on her fork and put it in her mouth. Despite her lack of appetite, it was quite tasty - Web was a good cook.

 

 

---------------------------

Mia listened to the Chumyo's orders while she poured the tea. She had no objections to working under Pheonix, but it did seem like the Dawn forgot to mention one giant elephant in the room. Lenco was an Akuma and, from what little Mia had gleaned in the past week, he knew that Web was an Abyssal. Surely she was not the only one who thought the fiend would make use of that handy fact?

 

Carefully glancing around the table, she made brief eye contact with Web. Did the Abyssal want to bring the issue up herself, or should Mia?

Edited January 26, 2014 by Mistress of Whispers

[Takhesis]

Pheonix nodded at the layout - her being with the unit was part of the original plan.

 

A few changes though - the addition of Mia as a second scout and the main threat had changed from Web's betrayal - though still a concern - to that of Lenco's alignment.

 

Pheonix was also aware of the 'Abyssal problem', after all she'd been in the room when Web had revealed herself to Lenco.

 

Here's hoping that doesn't come around and bite us in the ass. Pheonix thought, while wondering if Web had a plan to deal with that eventuality.

 

Web caught Mia's glance, and immediately knew what it was about - after all the same thing had bothered her enough to consult Tinker on a course of action.

 

Probably best coming directly from her - after all, any hesitance on her part could be misconstrued.

 

"The switch of Pheonix and Hanzo may make Lenco nervous. Though hopefully my presence will, at least, reassure him that he isn't suspected." Web mentioned, "and if he gets nervous he might reveal my 'condition' to gain himself favour and sink you."

 

"Though he probably do that anyway, " Web added wryly, "unless his alignment is revealed first - then his word wouldn't count." She knew that Shaya wouldn't like that idea - since it was underhanded and not an honourable tactic.

[Biologist]

Hanzo thought long and hard on the information he heard. It was a delicate political situation. Those always gave him a headache. Finally he spoke up.

 

"I guess it also depends on when the meeting is taking place. Have all the commanders arrived yet? That way we can get down to business immediately. If we have to wait, Lenco has more time to weasel his way into the minds of the commanders and plant seeds of doubt and dissent against the Chumyo before the meeting has even started."

 

He sighed.

 

"That leaves us two options. Either we hurry over and do some damage control before the meeting. Web's presence is going to jeopardize this, as it is an obvious weakness in our position."

 

"The other option is to wait as long as possible to get to the meeting. That gives Lenco time to prepare, but it will take away his option to reveal Web's nature as a counter move against us. He can hint at it, but without Web actually present for the others to verify his claims, his words will not hold as much power."

 

Hanzo looked tired all of a sudden. He hated politics.

 

"Whether we take Web with us or not, Lenco will probably be suspicious anyway. Especially if he knows of Web's nature. Did he request her presence at the meeting?"

[Takhesis]

Web looked over at Hanzo as she already knew the reply to that question. As did Pheonix.

 

"Lenco expects my presence at the meeting."

 

This did in effect confirm the problem.

 

"However, as far as he is aware I still serve his master's allies - and am therefore, indirectly, HIS ally. He wishes me there, so I can undermine Shaya's position by subtly bad-mouthing her and making her look unreliable to the other commanders."

 

"I intend to do the opposite." Web stated. Her plan, while not completely foolproof, was one that had been brought up - if in passing, during her joint report with Pheonix.

 

Pheonix remained silent, considering the situation, but surprised herself - if only slightly - by speaking up to support the Abyssal's words.

 

"I believe that was Lenco's intention - if only as an initial strategy. Though as Web has pointed out - Hanzo going in my place could change things."

 

To summarise events, for the benefit of those that weren't there for the report, Pheonix continued:

 

"I was in the room when Web spoke the phrase that revealed Lenco as an Akuma. She revealed herself to prevent Lenco's paranoid reaction from calling the guards on us."

 

"I suspect Lenco thinks I'm an Akuma - or at least sympathetic to the Abyssals, as I didn't attack Web at that point. He spoke rather freely in front of us after that."

Edited February 4, 2014 by Takhesis

[Biologist]

Hanzo looked up. "How does Lenco view the rest of the unit? Does he believe we are under the control of the Abyssal agent? That we are - how did you put it, Lieutenant - 'dupes that are being manipulated'? If he thinks I am a mere mortal, he might underestimate me, thinking Lieutenant Pheonix' absence might make it easier for him to maneuver his own agenda farther along instead of having to compromise with our wishes."

 

"We should share this 'phrase', so anyone can utter it if the moment comes to unveil his true face to the commanders. In case someone is incapacitated in any way." Without hesitation he continued: "If I remember correctly from Web's report it is 'Black Heron at the edge of the pool of Wisdom'?"

 

Hanzo turned to Web.

 

"If you have made any 'promises', however superficial, I suggest we keep them to minimize exposure as Lenco's enemies. That would include you joining the Chumyo's entourage, it seems. And it would include arriving at the summit ahead of the actual meeting."

 

Then he looked at Shaya. "Naturally, in the end though, it is your call, sir."