Memories of the Blood Emblem IC

[Julian84]

GRMM (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHcVzeVD0MU&index=3&list=PL3F40DB415E57E79E)

Friday February 13th, 1968 A.T.B.

Two boys stood side by side, clothed in the black garb of mourning, but enshrouded in a deeper, darker melancholy, huddling together under the protection of an umbrella held protectively over them by a man wearing sunglasses despite the overcast skies and chill rain. His other hand rested protectively on the pistol holstered at his hip, a terrifyingly oversized and carefully maintained antique, the 1912 Colt Walker. A weapon still utilizing gunpowder rounds instead of the new electromagnetic rail weapons, it made a statement of the man wielding it – Stealth and subtlety were overrated in comparison to sheer, brute power. It was a very Britannian concept, if an anachronistic version.

The two boys, fraternal twins, watched a procession of thousands upon thousands of people file past the marble coffin before them, the man inside now a cold shadow of his former power and glory, the cunning and intelligence he had carried like a cloak torn away, leaving only a sad, diminished old man. Their grandfather, Audric, the 97th Emperor of the Holy Britannian Empire, laid to rest after being found in his bedchambers a week ago, his throat slit from ear to ear… Just as the boys’ parents, discovered to be dead over two months prior, just after Yuletide.

The memorial service would last for several more hours as the mourners shuffled past the deceased emperor, tossing coins, flowers, and other mementos to his glory, murmuring words of condolences to the devastated royal family. Some had not been able to make it to the funeral, and after the deaths of half the clan… Their numbers were sparse, awkwardly standing close together as a token of unity in the face of such doubt and despair.

One of the brothers gasped in light shock as a breeze sent a gust of rain beneath the umbrella, squirming closer to his sibling to avoid the cold shower. A once cheerful and excitable boy, he had never been quite the same since discovering his dead parents, the light in his eyes extinguished as surely as the rain puts out a fire. Now he was afraid, neurotic, and distant, often lost in thought and easily frightened. His brother, however, regarded the people below him with shrewd, calculating eyes, searching for even the smallest sign of treachery, of triumph, amongst the throng. He would find the people responsible for the deaths of his parents, even if it was the last thing he did.

Their guardian put a hand gently on the soaked brother’s shoulder, guiding the two away to return to the palace to get dry and prepare for supper. Only children, they would not be expected to preside over the rest of the memorial. They leaned against each other for emotional support as they walked away, shielded by the mountain of a man following behind them.

Neither noticed the piercing green eyes that followed their every move.


Two Weeks Later
Friday February 27th, 1968 A.T.B.



Eloise

GRMM (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQ-jsl6t3D8&index=15&list=PL3F40DB415E57E79E)

With only a few weeks left in the Sonoran rainy season, the storm clouds of weeks past had blown over, leaving clear blue skies, though even in Phoenix valley the temperature remained brisk, chilly winds leaving anyone duped by the bright sunshine and azure panorama to freeze until they bundled up for warmth. This was particularly true for Dame Eloise Fortney as she posed stoically on one of the Imperial Palace’s many landing platforms, hands clasped behind her back and feet set apart, a lavender scarf tied tightly around her neck over the white and blue uniform of a Knight of St. Gabriel, her cape fluttering in the wind behind her. The Palace, towering as it was above the rest of Pendragon, was buffeted by heavy gusts of wind, and though she was prepared to wait however long it took, she was indeed freezing on the platform, surveying the city beneath her like a hawk.

Her transfer to Pendragon had been a surprising one, to say the least. Though she was rightfully a skilled warrior and soldier, her promotion from novice to knight had come only through the deaths of many comrades as their monastery in Area 6 had come under increasingly heavy fire from the communistic rebels, forcing every man and woman, from knight to nurse to novice, to take up arms and fight back against their attackers until help from the 3rd Royal Panzer Division, 5th battalion, arrived to drive off the peasants. Eloise’s valor and ability had seen her appointed a knighthood a full year before the normal minimum age of sixteen, a move lauded by some and decried by others as a rash decision. Prince Oliver himself had pinned her Distinguished Service Cross and Memorial Medal in Port-au-Prince, preceding a much-needed week of R&R in the Caribbean, paid for by the Crown. Despite being an ascetic order after such a harrowing battle the survivors needed a small vacation. After that, though, political maneuvers from those opposed to her rise through the ranks had seen Eloise shunted off to a cathedral in California to do clerical work for a Knight-Chaplain and watch over the training of new novices, necessary but boring work after the adventurous campaign of months past.

All of this changed, however, when a letter arrived bearing the seal of the Royal Family, a personal request from Prince Lemark van Britannia for her immediate transferal to Pendragon, a request that the Knights of St. Gabriel could not easily refuse without casting a shadow on their relationship with the capital. Thusly, Eloise’s few belongings were packed and shipped off and she was put on the first plane to Pendragon, where Lemark’s personal assistant, a willowy man named Fairwood, had informed her of her new duties: Lemark’s younger sister, the Princess Leyna, was being brought back from an elite and prestigious preparatory school in Boston to be with the family. This was partially so Lemark could keep a closer eye on her and partially so that she could be a companion for the twin sons of the deceased Crown Prince Ignatius, the young Charles and Vance zi Britannia, who were reportedly locked away in their home at Aquarius Villa with few visitors and stuck in a melancholic mood since the death of their parents. Eloise’s sole responsibility was to watch after Leyna and make sure no harm came to her and that her needs were met. Lemark had become an extremely busy person since the beginning of the murders, taking more and more administrative duties upon himself to maintain the empire’s massive machine, and had not yet taken the time to meet Eloise personally. Today, after Leyna arrived, would be the first time they sat down face-to-face.

She squinted and shielded her eyes as her sharp eyes caught the glint of metal on the horizon, a large military transport craft flying over the city towards her. Lemark had commissioned his own Royal Guard detachment, though resources were scarce as the nobles drew back their reserve forces to retain stability in their territories and lines began to be drawn between the three top contenders for the throne – Zelinda, Jaeger, and Oliver. As the transport came closer, she could make out the standard of the van Britannia family, the Imperial Lion and Snake emblazoned on a setting sun. The jets of the transport battered Eloise with a turbulent squall, forcing her to push her short purple hair back into position and regain her poise as the engines whined to silence, a landing ramp descending from the belly of the large aircraft. Much to her surprise, a sharp yipping emanated from inside the transport, followed by a small Yorkshire terrier running at full gallop outside, delighted to be free from its confinement within the roaring metal bowels.

“Godwin, wait!” A feminine voice shouted, a younger girl in a white dress running out of the ship after the dog, followed by panicking guardsman who were pleading with the girl to take her safety into mind. There was some risk, though, as the safety rails on the landing platform were not designed with dogs in mind, and the dizzying fall would certainly turn it into a red smear if it mistook the gap for freedom. One man, ranking on his shoulder allowing Eloise to determine the man as Captain of the Guard, scooped up the dog firmly, turning to Eloise with a frazzled expression as the girl ran up behind him, snatching the dog from his grasp.

“Ooooh Godwin, you naughty boy! You should know better than that!” She scolded, squeezing the miniscule hound to her bosom. The captain sighed, saluting Eloise.

“Milady, may I present her Royal Highness, Princess Leyna van Britannia.” He recited in strained tones, examining his replacement curiously. “I now commit her into your fully capable hands.”

Princess Leyna turned to Eloise, curtsying with one hand as she held Godwin with another. “How do you do? It is a pleasure to make your acquaint-eeeEEEE!” She squealed as a gust of wind lifted her dress, blasting her with cold air and giving a rather improper view to her embarrassed staff.

Eira

GRMM (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBo-YxCM1xU&index=7&list=PL3F40DB415E57E79E)

The first thing she felt was a flash of pain.

Had someone just slammed a railroad spike into her head? She groaned loudly, but that only made the pain worse, accompanied now by a growing pain like someone was slowly filling her skull with pins and needles. Her mouth was dry, her limbs moved sluggishly, and the overhead fluorescent lighting added new dimensions to her pain as her eyelids cracked open, searching for the source of her ultimate discomfort. There was another loud banging on her door, corresponding with three new whacks on the head of the railroad spike in her skull.

Grumbling in pain, she thrashed about to push herself up, sending cans of energy drinks clattering to the ground loudly, multiplying her levels of discomfort exponentially as she swore under her breath, clutching her palms to her ears to shield her eardrums as the world spiraled around her. What had she imbibed last night? She vaguely recalled a hazy mixture of chemicals as she was on the verge of a breakthrough, but most of the evening was a blur. Her stomach lurched awfully as nausea and vertigo wracked her. Waiting until the axis of the world went back on it’s normal tilt, she peeked out of one eye as her door finally opened, her doctoral advisor, Dr. Hanson, walking in hurriedly with a disapproving expression and a stack of paperwork and files stuffed under his arm.

“Finally awake, eh?” He grunts, walking past and slamming the files down beside Eira Spear, causing her to wince and retreat with mumbled protests. “I got complaints from the night janitors. I’m not sure what you were working on-” He picks up a half-finished prototype of a bionic foot, toes twitching as electrical currents coursed through their systems. “-But you blew a fuse and half the campus lost power.”

He had reluctantly taken her as his advisee a year ago when she had begun her research, and the two had a tense relationship because of his desire to avoid overlong scrutiny into his background, his rather traditionalist ideas, and her radical departure from anything he considered normal or sane. Her work, however, was moderately intriguing to him, factoring into his own work on prosthetics for wounded veterans. Some more altruistic souls in Britannia sought to restore veterans to a semblance of some normal life, while more ambitious minds sought a return to full combat ability. Hanson thought Eira’s work could pay off in dividends in this regard. He often looked the other way on her behalf and helped deal with the rest of the faculty, scientific community, and Britannian society that thought her a complete lunatic. He was her ally, her shield, her parasite, and her slavedriver.

As Eira slowly regained her faculties, she noticed beneath her several newspaper clippings related to the murders in the royal family, with bits and pieces underlined, scribbled out, or annotated with unintelligible notes. Sometimes her binges did not result in any effective work and went off into rambling journeys into the thicket of wasted effort. Something about the mess seemed vaguely important to her, though, but right now she had to focus on Hanson, who was now standing over her with his hands on his hips, attentive glower demanding attention.

Fisher

GRMM (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEvJ36DuaZ8&list=PLA72F488302CC2660&index=8)

The sun peeked through small straits in the fog that blanketed Golden Gate university, the damp, cool environment causing Fisher Hartman to shiver slightly and pull her coat collar closer to her neck, wandering down the narrow sidewalks between old dormitories and academic halls built in the timeworn Imperial Baroque style of architecture, which did little to improve upon the general gloominess of the morning.

She passed by a small group of students holding signs and mildly protesting the treatment of prisoners of war in the civil conflict in Area 6, decrying the predatory nature of feudalism and Britannia’s vaguely capitalistic system, but not going so far as to condemn the Royal family or the nobility itself – Before, such talk would be frowned upon, but in these troubled times it could lead to a keenly unwanted visit from men in black suits with sour dispositions. Protest against the Liberation War was publicly unpopular anyhow, as most citizens of the Homeland were not particularly sympathetic to native serfs of conquered territories buying into radical European philosophies. With these combined factors and the general environmental unpleasantness, the protestors were quite subdued as Fisher passed by, grousing morosely amongst themselves and trying to hand out pamphlets.

Attendance policies at Golden Gate were remarkably liberal for the era, with classes not starting until midday in order to encourage restful mornings and periods of study and introspection before the beginning of classes, as well as a last minute grace period for the lazy to finish their work in time to hand it in. Fisher knew of several choice spots for her to spend the morning, such as The Clubroom in Walton Hall, the Musicbox outside the conservatory, or on the edge of campus a small pub that served an excellently prepared menu at affordable rates. Since her heightened intellect had allowed her to come to GGU with almost all of her tuition paid in scholarships and grants, Fisher had a sizable sum of money collected from her monthly allowance, spent shrewdly to make sure she had a good surplus in case of emergencies. As such, she was able to enjoy a few of the finer things in life from time to time, despite being a commoner. It also made it much easier for her to blend in as just another normal person.

She passed a sign highlighting a debate that evening between various luminaries amongst the faculty and student body regarding the matter of succession, a hotly debated issue across the empire since Audric had been laid to rest. With the Crown Prince dead and half the royal family similarly indisposed, there were debates whether the crown should pass to the next generation or skip over to the twin brothers, Charles and Vance. But if it went to the twins, which would be crowned? And if not them, who amongst the three top contenders might prove suitable based on merit alone? With the nobles sharply divided in loyalties and there being no sign of a reasonable solution anytime soon, the picture looked bleak. Until a quorum of nobles could be convinced to sit down and negotiate, Baldwin Kaiser had been appointed Regent by majority vote until a successor was named.

The mysteriousness of the murders had intrigued Fisher, by the sheer impossibility of each successive assassination, the murderers slipping through unnoticed and uncaught despite increasing levels of security. It was almost as if they were ghosts. There was a certain energy to the affair, one she could not describe but whispered invitingly to her to waste countless hours chasing down a rabbit hole on a crime not even the government’s best investigators could figure out. There were no real leads… Just hearsay and baseless suspicions.

[Space Lawyer]

Eira Spear lifts her lanky frame off the overstuffed and oversized couch that often served as her bed when she didn't make it back to studio apartment that was her official residence. That had been happening more often that not the last few months. Eira knew she was on the verge of a breakthrough. . . or at least thought she was, though a series of spectacular failures had cast some doubts on that. Still, the data that had come out of those mistakes had been helpful, and she was getting ever closer to success.

She throws the thin cotton blanket that had covered her to the side, and ambles over to the counter that holds a coffee-maker of her own design. The thing was beauty, a shining industrial behemoth that gobbled down beans and released a boiling blackness that some among the faculty joked would be what any cyborgs that Eira's theories created would be required to drink in order to drive their bioelectrical energy high enough to use the machinery. She dumps a large measure of sugar into the steaming mug and runs a hand through her hair to manage the mess. "It's the school's fault," she grumbles. "What the hell did they think I was upgrading the capacity of the power systems around here for, more lightbulbs or something? Plus, I ran the experiments during the night; it is their problem if their shoddy systems can't handle the demands." She wasn't always so grumpy or outright hostile, but the throbbing pain in her head was getting to her.

Eira flops back down on the couch. She sweeps the newspaper clippings into a convenient notebook. "And would you put that thing down, please? It's a prototype; I just managed to get global z-axis to align naturally and I don't want you throwing off the balance." Dr. Hanson wasn't the type one had to worry about handling such equipment too roughly, but that particular model had proven especially sensitive.

She glances at the stack of papers and folders. "So, what do you have for me today?" She notices a suspicious stack of several stapled papers, all of roughly equal thickness. Her face drops, and the pounding in her head intensifies. "Don't tell me I have to grade more mechanical engineering papers. I was totally fair last time! You said, and I quote "If you're fair and reasonable given what the students are actually expected to know at this point, then you don't have to do any grading for three weeks." That was 19 days ago, I counted!"

[Jellyfish]

Fisher

Fisher stifles a yawn and pulls her mini tablet from a pocket of her trench coat. A cute cartoon character winks out from her unlock screen, which she swipes past before scrolling through her notes. She has hours until her first class. She's already done all her homework. Every project she has to work on is far too boring for her to pay any attention to until the night before they're due. She folds the tablet shut and tucks it back in her pocket. Looks like it's time to do precisely what any normal college student would do: get coffee and pretend to study.

As she heads toward the Musicbox, a chilly breeze brushes her dark hair over her shoulders. She'd pulled it back in two low pigtails, the way she'd seen several girls in her class style theirs in the past few weeks. It was a childish look, but rather suited for a freshman, and she found it made her appear more friendly and approachable. And as she pushes through the doors of the Musicbox, friendly and approachable is certainly her game.

...As she trips over the doorstep and crashes right into another student before rebounding onto the ground. "Oh no! I'm so, so sorry!" She tries to use the student's arm as a means of pulling herself up, which succeeds only if the goal was to give the floor a splash of free coffee. Fisher looks at the puddle, then buries her face in her hands. "I am such a dunce."

[delta639]

Eloise

The young knight waits with muted apprehension atop the windy platform, sword hand flexing unconsciously as she scans the skies for her charge's arrival. It was a great honor for a girl like her to be summoned by the royal family, of course. She'd been told that incessantly enough by the chaplain Sir Pelinor in the last few harried hours before her departure, along with how tremendously surprised everyone was that someone like Dame Fortney would be appointed to a role of such importance, but how they were all sure, haha, that she would only give Princess Leyna the best impression of their order and that there certainly wouldn't be any more incidents like back in Baltimore (a story that seemed doomed to follow Eloise no matter what medals she won).

It was the sort of thing that made her want to shove a stack of that bloody paperwork down his throat to shut him up, if that wouldn't needlessly endanger her newfound job prospects. And prove his passive-aggressive point.

Maybe a change of scene wouldn't be a bad thing, Eloise reflects with a shiver. Even if it did involve working for a royal...As if on cue, she catches sight of the military transport, holding herself sharply at attention and trying to will away the cold, to make a good impression on whoever first exited the ship.

She, admittedly, isn't counting on it being a dog. Head tilted in confusion, at that and the pink-haired girl who runs out heedlessly afterward, Eloise watches warily as the lass continues acting distinctly less royal than expected. She shakes her head slightly and pushes off from the railing, approaching the group. "Your men don't need to worry about safety- we ensured the landing area's perfectly secure, and I certainly wouldn't let her fall off the edge," she mutters to the captain of the guard, crisply returning his salute and looking with some confusion at the princess. She does her best to look professional under his gaze once they start with the formalities.

Uniform thankfully lacking in skirts to hold, she bows deeply to the princess instead of curtsying. "It's my honor to..." She glances up at the squeal, realizing the poor timing of this an instant later. For a moment she's not sure how to react, apart from blinking, before it comes to her. It's kind of a pain, but meeting the princess's needs should include her modesty, right? So she dashes forward, grasping the fluttering hem of Leyna's dress and yanking it back down. "Don't worry, your highness, I've got-"

rrrrrrip

"-it," she finishes in a suddenly much less assured tone. Her gaze drops instinctively to her hands, now holding a rather sizable piece of torn white fabric, which she drops with eyes widening. "Gh- um, I, ah." she flounders, cheeks flushing crimson as she looks away from Leyna instantly. "Sorry, I'm sorry- here!" she offers, pulling the cape off her back and quickly wrapping it around the girl (and her terrier), before taking a hasty step back and hanging her head stiffly. "I- my apologies, your highness, I was just trying to help..." Not that she expects it to count for much. "Y-you can feel free to take that out of my salary. Do I get a salary? I'm not actually sure, uh..." She swallows. "Anyway, i-it's my pleasure as well, to see you. I mean, meet...be acquainted with you." Wincing, she turns back to the captain of Lemark's guard.

"Ahem. I, Eloise Fortney, do hereby accept Princess Leyna van Britannia into my protection." she recites, taking a deep breath. "...And I swear that my hands are more capable than it...probably seems right now." she tells the captain with gritted teeth, wondering how strong a gust it would take to blow her out of everyone's sight.

[Julian84]

Eira:

“Well, your ‘improvements’ were insufficient for your needs.” Hanson replies brusquely, setting down the prosthetic and folding his arms. “And your needs are apparently astronomical compared to half the university.” He taps the large stack of paperwork. “Some of this is just forms I have to sign saying who is responsible, why it happened, which budget is going to be slashed to make room for the rest of the student body. However, my signature isn’t yet on some of these forms.” His eyes narrow. “So unless you want to be working with shoestring and chewing gum, keep a lid on it.” He snatches up part of the stack, but leaves the rest.

“...” The P.H.D. stares at her for a moment. “The rest is… A homework assignment for you.” He walks over to the coffee machine, pouring himself a cup. “I work often on projects at Goodyear, those are some forms I… Ah… Decided to take home from the office.” He sips the coffee gingerly. “No one knows that I have them. Requisition forms, TOE charts, and inventories for the past two months. I noticed… A few discrepancies, but I want a fresh pair of eyes to look over them, just to be sure.”

Eira glances at the stack briefly. Goodyear was a colloquial term for where the Royal Military High Command kept their massive administrative complex and was also a massive hub for lower rank and file duties, the Pendragon Garrison, and a key launch point for training in the Mojave desert to the northwest. It made a certain degree of sense less sensitive R&D was being performed there as well, under the direct supervision of the brass. These documents were also most likely entirely illegal to be outside their sensitive compartmented information facility. Hanson wouldn’t remove secure documents over the matter of a few discrepancies.

“Also, I want you to clean up this mess.” Hanson grunts, surveying her lab. “We’re going to be having a special VIP soon and I want to make an excellent impression.” When Eira makes a questioning look, he elaborates. “Prince Jaegar has taken an interest into our research.”

Fisher:

A gloved hand claps on Fisher’s shoulder, followed by an amused voice. “Yeah, you really are, Fishy.” The young woman grasping her shoulder was her roommate and friend, Nadia Valentine. She flashed a winning grin at the male student whose coffee had been sent flying to the ground. “Hey bud, sorry about my friend here. How about I buy you another cup, eh?” She says smoothly.

He sniffed, folding his arms and taking a cocky stance, a rather unfitting look for someone as reedy and unappealing as he. “How about you ladies give me your phone numbers instead and we forget all about it?” He said with more nerve than he probably felt.

“Ha!” Nadia throws an arm around Fisher’s shoulders, steering her away. “Nooooooooooo thank you. Forget my offer, dude, that was just creepy.” The girl shook her head with a wide grin after they had put enough distance between themselves and the overconfident boy, her thick brown hair shaking with her laughter. “Man, what a cad! And you, Fishy! How many times do I gotta tell you to watch where you are going?” She shook her naïve, younger roommate playfully.

The two had met at the beginning of the previous semester as they were both moving in. Nadia claimed to have been born in the southern bayous and reared in the backwoods of the Appalachians, had experienced adventure in the tundras of the north, and gone on a spiritual journey in the Rocky Mountains before finding her true self at the bottom of a bottle in Seattle. She was a lover of tall tales, each more fantastic than the last, but for the most part her heart seemed to be in the right place. She had come to GGU to study art history, she had said, but seemed to spend more time in theatre courses making fun of Shakespeare or making out with hot seniors.

She ruffles Fisher’s hair. “Hey, why don’t we go up to the Clubroom? I know this really cute guy there that’ll probably give us a discount if we smile just right.”

Eloise:

A stunned, fragile silence follows Eloise’s attempts to salvage the situation, Leyna’s face shining like a tomato as the Captain of the Guard struggles to maintain his composure before the two of them. After Eloise recites her part of the procedure, he speaks, barely cracking a wry grin. “Yes, I can see that.” He says quickly, clamping his mouth shut.

“I- It is alright, D-Dame Fortney.” Leyna says with forced calm, tripping over her words and turning back to the aircraft. “I have some things still inside. Let me just… Go get changed quickly. It is… Cold.” She wanders back into the aircraft with a daze, shooing out the guards inside picking up her luggage. A moment of hush passes until Godwin bolts back out of the transport, followed by his owner’s wail, “Godwin, nooooooooooooo!”

The Captain of the Guard bursts into uncontrollable laughter.



Once changed out of the ruined dress, Leyna returns and enters the palace, flanked on her left by Eloise and followed by a small retinue of staff, some taking her things away to be sent to her room. She was now dressed in a thicker dress of navy blue crushed velvet, which Eloise felt matched her pinkish-orange hair quite well. Tension hangs thick between the two young woman, Leyna determinately studying the trimming on the ceiling and humming to herself. She was easily a head shorter than the knight, her hair springing with every step she took as if they had a life their very own. Godwin was clutched fiercely in her hands, the dog whining softly from the confinement in such a wide open space as the grand corridors of the palace.

“So…” Leyna says softly, glancing at Eloise. “Tell me about yourself, Dame Fortney. I’d like…” She pulls her shoulders back, adopting a more regal stance and tone. “I wish to know more of the young lady in whose hands my life has been entrusted to.”

[Space Lawyer]

Eira grumbles a bit, but keeps her mouth shut on the subject of budgets. She could recognize her own strengths and weaknesses, and campus politics definitely fell into the latter category. Hanson seemed to be a master of such things though, and Eira counted on him to shield her from many of the small inconveniences.

That made it even clearer that whatever was contained in the Goodyear papers was extremely unusual. Hanson wouldn't go out of his way to piss off the higher-ups. It also meant that he was getting to know her too well; she couldn't resist an interesting problem, the thrill of disentangling the knot of confusion and misinformation. Not to mention that he knew just how much she owed him for getting this position and keeping her funded. Either way, she'd be burying her head into papers tonight.

The most interesting news though was a visit of any sort, but by a royal? "Wait, what!? Prince Jaegar, as in the 4th Prince?" It wasn't surprising that such a military-minded prince had at least caught word of what Hanson and Eira were doing, but it was incredible that he would actually personally show up here. "I mean, this is a good thing, right? If he was upset, he'd just send a nasty letter or make a speech. Wow, what if we get a royal commendation, or EVEN A ROYAL SEAL!?" She flings open a closet door and pulls out a box of trashbags, whipping one out and hastily sweeping the accumulated cans in. She was almost giddy with the possibilities.

[Jellyfish]

Fisher

Fisher bites her lip and offers an apologetic smile as her friend comes to the rescue in her usual Nadia way. Then, upon hearing the boy's response, her smile freezes. She calmly reaches for the pepper spray in her backpack, but just as her fingers brush it she finds herself physically dragged away from the scene, blinking. Then she starts laughing, mirroring her friend's reaction. "Stop teasing, I did watch where I was going! I was just so busy looking ahead that I forgot to look down..."

Then she hears Nadia's next suggestion, and she rolls her head back with an exaggerated groan. "Really, the Clubroom? I only just got here! I need my Musicbox coffee, Nadia!" ...Slowly, two dimples pull at her cheeks. "How cute?"

[delta639]

Eloise

Fidgeting throughout the awkward silence that ensues as they enter the palace, Eloise scrutinizes their surroundings, half-hoping that some assassins will pop out of the chandelier if only to break the tension. She starts at the sound of Leyna's voice, looking down at the princess. "About myself?" she parrots, frowning briefly at the request and the girl's shift in tone. "Aha, well. I don't think you'd find me all that interesting..." Eloise realizes after a second that if she avoids the question Leyna might try digging up behavioral reports from her time with the Knights of St. Gabriel, which would be sure to prove interesting in all the wrong ways. "I mean. As you command, your highness." she says reluctantly, putting a finger to her lips. "Let's see...I grew up in Maryland, my favorite food is crab cakes. I like doing tricks on motorcycles, not that I've...technically ever had one. I wanted to be a trapeze artist when I was little, but my mother said it was too dangerous so I joined the military instead."

"And I kind of have-" She bites her tongue. 'Anger issues' weren't the sort of thing she wanted to bring up, actually. And she'd been working on them, so it wasn't necessary to mention, right? She hadn't broken anybody's bones in weeks! Months, even, if you didn't count that squire Kevin but honestly he'd had it coming anyway. Freaking Kevin. "I've been told I'm a...rather emotional person." she says instead. "Uh, you know the whole 'stoic, silent guardian' thing? I can do it, but I get distracted pretty easily if I'm not careful." Like if I cause a wardrobe malfunction, she leaves unsaid. "I'm...still getting the hang of being a knight, if you can't tell." Eloise admits, tugging at her hair. "I've been training to be one for years, but my teachers said there was something off about my mindset." A troubled look crosses her face for a moment. "Ah, but I definitely know how to handle myself!" she asserts quickly. "And how to protect someone, too- once I had to defend a room of our wounded from a couple dozen peasants with assault rifles, and another time I had to bodyguard a bishop through a battlefield. Would've been easier if he'd just let me take him in a straight line to safety." she adds under her breath. "So don't worry about your life being, uh, entrusted into my hands. They'll take good care of it." She flashes a self-assured smile at Leyna.

"Also, um." Her smile fades. "This probably isn't my place to say, but if you could call me something besides Dame Fortney I'd...appreciate it." Eloise pauses, grimacing. "My being knighted early was kind of controversial, and since then most people who've gone out of their way to call me that have..." She grasps for a moment. "Do you know how some people can sorta sneer with their words? Yeah." Eloise realizes the question's needlessness a second later. Members of the royal family were probably taught to condescend before they could walk.

"Not to mention, I don't see why there needs to be a separate title for girls. Couldn't I just be Sir Fortney?" She asks, raising her hands as if addressing the world for an answer. "...well, I'm probably not dashing enough for that," she admits after a moment, looking down at herself with pursed lips. "Would be nice if I was though, don't you think?- wait, I shouldn't ask you that sort of thing." She bites her lip. "A-anyway. I'm used to people just yelling 'Fortney' at me, if you'd want to do that. Or 'Lady Fortney' would be fine, although I...haven't actually been a noblewoman for a few years." Her voice drops off at the end. "Sooo, are we...going to go meet your brother soon?" she asks after another moment of awkward silence. "...You could tell me about yourself too if you want. Or not. I mean, you're the princess, it's up to you what we talk about or whether I should just shut up because I'm kind of feeling that way right now."

[Julian84]

Eira:

Hanson shrugs indifferently at Eira’s enthusiasm, picking up a short stack of paper from off the top he had planted on her desk, turning away. “I’ll just be happy if he gives us more funding.” He grunts. “Or at least invites us to a few fancy parties, been a few decades since I last had to… Borrow a tux.” He says, a wry grin tugging at his lips, reliving old memories. “Anyhow, let me know what you find on those papers. I included an access code to online copies so you can… Investigate further, if you wish.”

After Eira putters around for a bit, sipping coffee, cleaning up, and tweaking experiments and projects, she finally collapses onto her couch with a gruff sigh, the stack of papers on her lap. She glances over the access codes briefly before launching into the main task, the awful crunching of numbers.

This process takes several hours and multiple pots of coffee as she pores over the various forms and documents Hanson left for her, her interest slowly becoming more piqued the further along she went. At first, the changes were innocuous, a few missing pieces of equipment… But after a week or two, wholesale crates of microscopes, electromagnetic rail equipment, advanced medical supplies, metallurgist tools, and other rather expensive pieces were being ordered but not showing up on any TOE sheets or requisition forms, disappearing before they even arrived, it seemed. With the supplies being skimmed off the top, whoever was stealing them could be creating a small, state of the art hospital, war room… Or weapons factory. This suggested a criminal enterprise beyond just simple gunrunning and drug smuggling, this was tantamount to mass produced contraband, a black market production of weapons and medicine.

On a hunch, she punches in the access codes to see if she can find any relevant data on the requisition forms, finding that some unregistered user had entered the system at the last minute and changed all the forms right before they were sent, adding on the additional cargo. The only question was… Who was doing it, how did they get the access codes, and how were they stealing the equipment so quickly and easily? Eira attempts to trace the unregistered user… And after an hour of tedious labor, pinpoints it to an address she recognizes to being within Pendragon itself, she notes with curiosity. Pulling up a search engine, she punches in the address to find who might be living there…

It seems to be the summer home of Archduchess Roxanne Miller.

Fisher:

Fisher and Nadia enter Beatrice Hall, climbing up creaking wooden stairs and passing through dusty corridors to find the Clubroom, a renovated music room that now acted as the top destination for the more cultural and affluent members of Golden Gate’s student body to have their taste buds titillated by the coffee concoctions and tea temptations devised by the Clubroom’s rather eccentric main staff. It served as neutral territory as well between the social clubs, which each had their own private cloakroom hidden away on campus or nearby, funded by membership dues and populated only by very select clientele. This was a place of conjoined merriment, business, and scheming for the future of the empire.

Nadia hooked her arm through Fisher’s elbow, leading her over to the espresso bar with a wink. There they found a rather lanky young man with glasses slipping down his nose, rather uncontrollable green hair, dressed in the normal clubroom uniform for the service staff, a periwinkle blue vest with red rosebud in its lapel. Despite his rather wild appearance, he bears a certain quirky charm about him, and its obvious he is comfortable within his own skin, within his domain. Also curious, Fisher catches him giving her an over-long glance before his gaze flicks back to Nadia with a polite smile. “What can I get you ladies?” He asks briskly, planting his hands on the counter. “I can make just about anything you can think up.” He flashes Fisher a wink, which causes Nadia to frown in slight consternation.

After taking their orders and ringing them up, he gives Fisher back some change. “I like the hair, by the way.” He says, counting out some pounds for her and handing her the money. “One would normally think preparatory schoolgirl, but you give it… I dunno.” He blushes. “Er, I mean it suits you.”

Eloise:

Leyna listens to Eloise verbally dig herself a hole to the Chinese Federation, shadows of girlish amusement warring with a princess’s desire to appear austere and aloof. “I see. Well, I suppose that given the nature of our relationship, it would be necessary to move beyond the normal formalities. I shall call you Lady Fortney in normal occasions, Eloise when I am cross. You may refer to me as… Princess, your royal highness, your radiance, or in the matter of utmost peril, Leyna.” She pauses, weighing her words. “Yes, Lady Fortney, I do believe that shall do quite well.”

They walk forward a few more yards before she resumes conversation. “As for my older brother, yes, we will… Be meeting him.” She says awkwardly, stroking Godwin’s ear. “Shortly, I should hope. It’s been… Quite some time since we last saw each other.”

Another short silence filled with their footsteps. “There’s not a great deal to say about me, and I really don’t think you’d find it all that terribly interesting, to tell you the truth, Lady Fortney.” Leyna says with a degree of vulnerability. “I am a princess. I enjoy horseback riding, sewing, playing the flute, I’ve… Attempted to paint.” She flushes slightly, inadvertently squeezing Godwin into her chest. Eloise could almost swear that when the princess grew embarrassed, her hair seemed to take a life of its own. “I’ve attempted a great many things, really, as I have unprecedented access to avenues others may not and… A great deal of free time. But there’s nothing really special about me, just another schoolgirl from St. James’ School.”

They are led down slightly narrower corridors until arriving in a stuffy drawing room, the temperature far too high, even for the winter months, Eloise’s uniform far too stiff as she struggled to breath the swampy atmosphere.

“Good lord.” Leyna muttered, pulling on the collar of her dress, her fair skin quickly becoming flushed. “Lemark is as averse to the cold as ever, I see.”

A lanky middle-aged man that Eloise recognized as Fairwood came through a set of doors on the far side of the room. “Ah, your highness.” He bowed his head slightly. “It is a great pleasure, as always.”

“Fairwood!” Leyna said enthusiastically, stuffing Godwin into his arms with a devilish grin. “Turn down the heat before we all die, please? The family suffers enough as it is.”

He pauses, affixing her with a slightly stern gaze. “Your highness, despite the distance from your family, such humor is unseemly and crude. Your father the Emperor is dead, as are many of your brothers and sisters.”

Leyna pauses, somewhat stung. “… R-right.” She says softly. “Of course.”

Fairwood takes a few moments to let the tension settle. “Your brother the Prince is en route as we speak, he had a meeting with Prince Oliver, the Regent, and the Chancellor. In the meantime, I have brewed a pot of tea for you all as you wait, and I shall do something about this heat.” He passes by the princess without another word, nodding to Eloise. “Dame Fortney.” He says in salutation.

Eloise and Leyna are now alone in the room, the princess standing silently in the center, her hands clenching and unclenching from fists.

“Eloise.” She says in strained tones. “Fetch me a cup of tea. Please.”

[Space Lawyer]

Well bugger. Can't very well go knock on an archduchess' door and ask "Would you by any chance be stealing enough high-grade equipment to build and supply your own private army?" Well, maybe if the answer is "I sure am! Do you want to join the conspiracy?" That seems unlikely though. Eira's head flops down on the desk with a muffled thunk. What would someone, especially someone like an archduchess, need this stuff for? Such people could just buy it if they wanted it anyways; they didn't need to bother stealing it. Then it hit Eira harder than the hangover of a three-day bender.

Of course she would want this stuff! You can always count on the nobles to protect their own interests and make sure nobody else knows about it. Any idiot can see the tension rising around the royal family, and she wants to make sure that whoever becomes emperor, she stays archduchess. Damn brilliant, actually, if rather sloppily executed.

At this point, Eira is grinning from ear to ear. The puzzle had its first piece; so what if that piece had legions of guards, insurmountable power, and more money than the entire university? This was going to be fun.

An ugly growling sound snaps Eira's attention back to the here and now. "Fine, fine, I'll feed you." she says to her stomach. Eira quickly rifles through her closet, finding a clean t-shirt and hoody. She heads out into the hallway, stopping into the bathroom to wash her face and otherwise make herself presentable. Eira didn't hugely care about the opinions of the others around this place, but Hanson had pointed out that there was no good reason for people to start rumoring about the troll in the basement.

By the time she arrives at the dining hall, the place is already noisy and crowded. The undergrads acted like boisterous herd animals at the watering hole, while the grad students and beyond zipped about in their usual harried panic. Eira fought her way to a counter, loading up on enough food to feed at least two or three people with normal appetites. Successfully navigating the crush of chattering bodies, she makes her way out to the tables, scanning for a familiar face.

"Yoohooo, Eira!" a voice call out. Eira looks over to see a hand waving over lilac hair. Both belonged to Shea Simin (http://safebooru.org//samples/1186/sample_ade9b3feb9b4689c6fa698212458a5bb21227dcf.jp g?1236094), a political science grad student and Eira's closest friend, certainly around here at least. As usual, Shea looked irritatingly well-groomed, fashionably dressed, and cheerful. Eira would have gladly shaved off a few IQ points to be able to handle life as easily as Shea did.

"You look wired! Come on, sit down and eat that mountain of food and tell me all about it." Eira bonelessly flops into the chair. "Sorry, can't." she says in between mouthfuls. "Gotta make sure I actually know whats going on before I talk about it. It's one of those sorts of things that I can't really afford to be wrong about. You I would tell you if I could." Shea nods sagely. "Yeah, yeah, I know. Super-secret, can't talk about it or the university might try to cut your funding again. I understand."

Out of the corner of her eye, Eira notices a boy approaching the table. He was tall, vaguely handsome, and had a confident look on his face. Oh no, not this again. The boy strides up with a swagger and places a hand on the table, leaning in towards Shea.

"Hey Shea, so I'm guessing you've heard about that big masquerade the Alpha house is throwing on Saturday? Now, I'm guessing you were just waiting for someone worth your time to ask you to it. So, how about it? You, me, and a few bottles of nice wine? I know you can't say no to that." He places his other hand on top of Shea's.

Shea glances towards Eira, who sighs and waves her hand. This idiot had earned it. Shea smiles faintly . . . then the grin turns malicious, her eyes taking on a cruel cast. "You know what? I was waiting on someone worth my time. Unfortunately, you aren't it, Kevin. In fact, you've now wasted my time. No, it's worse, you've wasted my air. You've wasted a precious bit of the finite energy of this universe. I want you to go apologize to the people who made your food, to the people who transported it, and to the people who grew it. I want you to apologize to your parents, your grandparents, and all the way back, as far as you can go. I want you to apologize to them for having taken up resources that could have been better spent on anything else. Now, take your hand off me, or I'll make sure the only thing you ever get to touch with it again is your own colon." The boy's face, which had been growing paler with every word, was now a ghastly white. "U-uu-ummm y-yeah, sure, s-sorry about that. I'll, ahhhh, I'll j-just be going now." He scurries away, with Shea's eyes digging into his retreating back.

Shea turns to face Eira, a honey-sweet look back on her face. Eira just laughs and shakes her head. "You'd think one of them would have figured how to talk to a lady by now."

[Jellyfish]

Fisher

As Fisher approaches the young man, she gets pricked by curiosity. She'd studied social conventions before, and the unspoken law said that spectacles, hair like an untamed botanical organism, and the build of someone who'd been fed through a taffy-stretcher as a child, all added up to the word "unappealing". But as she looks at him, she doesn't even think about pepper-spray. "Holy drachmas, he is cute," she mutters. "I thought you were lying so you could drag me up here for your wacky concoctions you like to pretend are coffee, but for once this is the real thing." She comes up to the counter side-by-side with Nadia, smiling in a way that she hopes is "just right". "How 'bout a banana latte with a shot of coconut milk and a sprinkle of cinnamon?" She sees Nadia frowning and shrugs innocently, then turns back and leans on the counter to watch Green Boy work.

When she's handed her change, she counts it and feels a pang of disappointment. Not a penny extra. Ah well, she'd work on the smile. When she looks up, however, she notices that he's... blushing. Her own cheeks don't climb up the thermometer a single degree, but they do gain a few new dimples. "How would you know?" she says playfully, tilting her head slightly. "I could say wild, green, and crazy suits you, but how could I really tell, not having gotten to know you?"

[delta639]

Eloise

"Wow, if I still haven't managed to make you cross you must be a saint, your princess." Eloise chews on her words for a moment, their positivity leaving something of a bad taste in her mouth, before wincing as the verbal misstep sinks in. "I mean- ergh. Anyway, um, thank you for obliging me. I know the formalities must mean a lot to someone like you." She smiles tentatively down at Leyna, letting her take the conversation's reins with some relief and walking silently until her Awkwardness Sense pings at the mention of painting.

"Oh, I tried learning to paint portraiture when I was younger." she reminisces, watching Leyna's hair die back down with eyebrows raised. "Somehow got the idea in my head that I was good at it, and tried to practice by depicting a baron my mother was hosting." She pauses, smiling ruefully. "In retrospect, maybe I should have realized his nose was a sensitive subject. And not painted it to be the size of his head..."

She looks away, flushing a bit herself. "Anyhow...in my experience there's something special about nearly everyone, whether it's good or bad." she says after a moment, mulling over her charge's words. "Even if you've had a lot of...free time to try things-" Something about the way she said that makes Eloise feel a reluctant twinge of kinship- "Maybe you just haven't realized yet what your specialty is. Your, ah, radiance." Suddenly self-conscious, she goes quiet again until they enter the drawing room.

"Aah, this is normal for him? Reminds me of Brasília all over again," she mutters, squirming at the atmosphere. Though thankfully it was missing a few particular aspects, which Eloise tries her best not to think about too hard. She watches the interplay between Leyna and Lemark's assistant, smirking at the pinkette's request before stilling her expression at the man's admonishment, averting her gaze in the quiet moment that follows. She twitches slightly at Fairwood's greeting but nods stiffly back at him, barely managing to catch herself from replying "Dame Fairwood".

"Oh- yes, Princess." she says quickly, looking around for the teapot and pouring out two cupfuls. She sniffs at one and takes an experimental sip, placing the other on a saucer and proffering it wordlessly to Leyna. "Permission to speak?" Eloise asks after a moment- there, she can remember her courtesies too. "Personally...I don't see anything wrong with using jokes to cope with difficult situations." she says quietly, assuming permission is granted. "If it helps you out, then that's good, right? Doesn't mean you're being disrespectful." At least she hopes not, given how often she does it- has done it just that day, in fact- herself.

[Julian84]

Eira:

Shea exhales loudly through her nose, the barest sign of amusement towards the hapless individual who had attempted to woo her, unaware he was stumbling like many before him into the web of a creature with a smile that bore down on you like fangs and words like venom. With a little more time, she would be well-suited to joining some public policy firm or joining a ministerial office.

She took a lady-like sip from her cup, settling it down on the saucer with the softest clink muffled by her pinkie, clearing her throat demurely. “So, naturally, I’ve been writing a paper on the various options presented to us, the citizenry of the empire, on who the next possible monarch could be… Until the assassinations are stopped, Ehrlichmann won’t hear of a vote to name the successor… Too high chance of losing another royal by giving them fame and notoriety.” She explains. Ehrlichmann was the chancellor and prime minister of the state, nominated by the Emperor years ago and confirmed by the Parliament of Nobility and Proletariat to lead the civilian government of the empire, a very taxing and arduous job. While the legislations could pass laws, it was the sole right of the monarch to sign them into being, and the monarch could also issue executive decrees that were legally binding as soon as they were written. Though various measures existed to protect the nobles and citizens from a tyrant, the monarch was the supreme authority in most matters of Britannia. In parliament, Ehrlichmann’s position gave him the ability to block a vote of succession, instead choosing to maintain Baldwin Kaiser as the regent until the matter of the murders was finally put to rest.

“Anyhow~” Shea said. “I was looking through the geneaologies and found an older edition from a while ago and found this…” She pulls out a dusty looking book and pulls it open to reveal the royal family tree up to Ignatius, before his marriage to the soldier Cydonia. She points to a solitary name tucked into one corner under Audric’s line, a Calcifer zar Britannia. “This guy isn’t in the newest editions.” She murmurs. “I’ve not figured out who he is, but he was stricken some ten or so years ago. I looked up all the birth announcements and public debuts of the other princes and princesses, but there isn’t any mention of a Calcifer. Any edition prior to this one doesn’t have him, and neither does any edition after it.”

Fisher:

“Eheh.” The green-haired barista “Well… I’m Thaddeus.” He replies, grinning cheekily. “But I’d say you don’t really need to know someone to have an idea of what you think looks good on them… Aesthetics are subjective, and all…”

“Mhm, that’s nice, thanks.” Nadia says, hooking her arm through Fisher’s and dragging her away resolutely. “That’s disappointing, I was hoping Chauncey would be here.” She grumbles, plopping down in a booth. “And don’t encourage him! You could do so much better than that guy, he’s too…” She glances at him as he gets back to work, looking somewhat dejected. “Unkempt.”

Nadia could be like this at times, too. While she never really attacked Fisher on her looks or personality, she did get vexed often when she was passed over by guys, a wound to her apparently fragile self-esteem. She meant well, and looked out for Fisher often, but sometimes was prone to fits of green-eyed envy if she didn’t get her way. She was like a fairy, cheerful, spritely, and mischievous, but prone to pettiness and jealous spite if crossed.

Eloise:

Leyna sits heavily in an armchair as the temperature blessedly begins to drop several degrees. Eloise prepares a cup of tea for her charge as the girl stares moodily out at the ice-blue skies, her own blue eyes dark and murky. “It’s unfair.” She says loudly, though it seems as if she is speaking to herself. “Fairwood has ideas of what being a princess is all about without ever having to have been an actual princess, and he thinks he can lecture me on… On… Etiquette, and decorum, and a dozen other rubbish things.” She accepts the cup from Eloise, taking a quick sip and suddenly gasping, having forgotten to cool it a little and burning her tongue as a result.

“Ow… Mah tongue…” She says dismally, staring down as best she could to assess the damage and looking rather silly trying to stick her tongue out far enough to see. She glances at Eloise, and realizing how ridiculous she looks, regains her poise quickly, clearing her throat gently behind one satin-gloved hand. “He doesn’t know what it’s like.” She reiterates softly, blowing on her tea. “And he doesn’t know what… We’re going through.”

[Space Lawyer]

"Soooo, he was, what, a prince that was born to some out-of-favor mistress or something? Probably died or got shuffled out to the Areas and forgotten? That happens, right?" Eira ponders the idea for a bit. The way the nobility acted seemed so strange sometimes. Obviously, they would do anything to protect their own power, but sometimes that seemed to devolve into pointless and petty schemes. What if this was just one of those times, with one of the other imperial children having Calcifer stricken just because they could?

That reminded Eira of her own interesting news. "Oh! Guess is personally coming to see the work Hanson and I have been doing?"

"The university's budgetary committee." Shea deadpans.

"No! Not this time at least. Prince Jaeger! Apparently we somehow caught his notice."

Made a 21 on a Knowledge(Civics) roll to see if I knew anything about royal politics. The main intent was to see if I could get a nat 20 to activate Conspiracy Theorist.

[Jellyfish]

Fisher

"I'm Fisher. And that's true, but what suits someone aesthetically may or may not suit them personality...ly." She drops eye-contact and nibbles her lip, then smiles, pretending the verbal blunder didn't happen. She opens her mouth to say more when she feels a tug on her arm, and she stumbles away, desperately trying to look at Thaddeus but helpless in Nadia's clutches.

Then she stops struggling, and her eyes widen. She sits down across from Nadia. "Wait, that wasn't the guy? Ah, I'm such an idiot! No wonder he didn't give me cheap coffee..." She appears to be stricken by a revelation. "And that's why you were frowning, wasn't it? I thought it was because you were jealous or something!" She meets Nadia's eyes, then laughs and pulls out her tablet.

"Still, I kind of like the unkempt look," she says casually, flicking her finger across the screen. "It suits him."

[delta639]

Eloise

Breathing out in relief as the room's resemblance to an oven fades, Eloise looks on from behind as Leyna speaks aloud, rolling her eyes as she pours the tea out. Her charge was sounding rather petulant, which was a change from the continued austerity but not exactly a step in an ideal direction.
"Seems like you do pay a lot of attention to those 'rubbish things', still." she says, though a smile flickers on her face as she hands the teacup over. "Not that I'd argue with you calling them that."

Eloise blinks at Leyna's gasp, watching as she sticks her tongue out and sighing to herself. Trying to dislike someone so helpless is more effort than it's worth. "Do I need to make sure your tongue's all right, Princess?" she asks with a wry smile, leaning in towards Leyna briefly but backing off as the girl regathers herself. A bit of color rises to her cheeks a second later, though she makes to hide it with a careful sip from her own cup.

"...Well, what are you going through then?" Eloise asks with attempted gentleness, seating herself in a chair across from Leyna and spinning her teacup in its saucer. She doesn't much care to ask what princess life is like in general- she'd rather pour the teapot over her head than ask, in fact- but these circumstances would be enough to cause anyone hardships. "You and...your family, if that's what you mean. I mean I could guess, but I wouldn't want to pull a Fairwood and just make baseless assumptions about you," she adds with a distinct lack of irony.

[Julian84]

Eira:

As Eira ruminates over the mystery that is Calcifer zar Britannia, but as she dwells on the subject she realizes the bigger question lies not in who removed Calcifer… But who had a hand in his being placed in the genealogies to begin with. If Audric’s other children even knew of him, he was no strong threat to their position as he was not even recognized as Audric’s legitimate child.

Audric was not known for being a cruel man, just stern and uncompromising. For him to acknowledge an illegitimate heir in such a manner struck more as appeasing someone he truly cared, most likely Calcifer’s mother. It was no strange phenomenon for an emperor or an empress to take a lover, but this was apparently someone he valued so much that he was not willing to show even the slightest hint of their relationship.

Eira’s venomous friend raises her eyebrows, leaning back in her seat. “Wow. That’s impressive to have gotten the attention of a prince. Hmm…” She strokes her chin, grinning slyly. “Think I could steal him for fifteen minutes? With five I could get a heck of a quote for my paper, and with the other ten…” She slurps loudly on her soda. “Just think about it.” Shea says with a wink. “When is he supposed to arrive in Pendragon? I’d say I was surprised he didn’t make his father’s funeral… But given his reputation, he was probably somewhere deep in the Congo… Fighting guerillas, long marches through the jungle… Covered in battle scars and old war wounds, no one to comfort the rigors of leadership…” She got a faraway look in her eye, tracing a small circle beneath her lips.

Fisher:

“MEH.” Nadia grunts loudly, shooting glares like daggers at the boy. “He’s no Chauncey, all blond and rugged and stuff.” She loudly sips her coffee, impervious to the frowns and discontented looks she was gathering from the other patrons of the Clubroom and Thaddeus himself, caught up in the ongoing Wagnerian opera that was her life. Nadia had little room for the consideration of others, and her energetic and hyperbolic attitude did not mesh well with the generally somber attitude reigning oppressively over them. While she was engaged in her own microcosm, the world span on, and the disturbing news of the past two months was beginning to weigh heavily. A lack of hard evidence and leads into the crimes had caused discontent amongst the plebian masses against the people responsible for the investigation, putting more pressure on the state media to attempt to string things along until a breakthrough came down the pipeline.

But with the continuing drama beginning to unfold between Oliver, Zelinda, and Jaegar, everyone was waiting for the other shoe to drop… Everyone except Nadia, for whom the world passed by as if it wasn’t even there.

Eloise:

Leyna glances away, blowing on her tea to cool it. “… These attacks aren’t bring the family together, it’s tearing us further apart… I’ve only met Jaegar once or twice before, and I never liked Oliver or Zelinda.” She says quietly. “And now they’re moving to take the throne, and our father…” She pauses, gather herself. “He’s barely been in the cemetery for a couple of weeks… I mean… I cannot say I knew him all that well either, but… A little decorum…” She pauses, reflecting on herself, and shakes her head. “Never mind. It’s not… An important matter.”

The room is silent for several minutes, and any further attempts by Eloise to draw the princess out are rebuffed by terse, monosyllabic replies. Fairwood’s harsh rebuke had crushed that glib exterior, revealing a moody, frustrated girl who seemed much farther outside of her comfort zone than one might expect… Then again, if she had been in Boston going to school, it begged the question of whether or not she really had been given much experience, if any, of how to deal with the austerity of royalty.

Eloise was distracted from her thoughts as the doors swing wide open again, a young man older yet than herself striding in busily, with Fairwood and a few other staffers following behind. Though youthful and in the prime of his life, Prince Lemark was beginning to show the signs of great strain, his dark blue hair hanging limply about his face, his clothes looking very lived-in, and morose lines crisscrossing beneath his fiery orange eyes that despite his appearance still glittered and roved across the room with intelligence. He paused in the midst of the room as Leyna leapt up, grinning widely now.

“Brother!” She shouted, rather unnecessary for the small room, abandoning her tea and leaping to her feet to tackle Lemark in a warm hug.

Lemark glanced down at her in surprise as Fairwood made an upset grumbling noise, the prince patting his sister lightly on the shoulders until she released him, moving then to take her hands in his own, regarding her with a happy but restrained smile. “It’s good to see you, Leyna.” He said gently, “I had hoped, though, that I might have a little more time after Yule before I saw your awful face again.”

The princess grinned widely at the brotherly jab, so excited she was almost hopping up and down where she stood, eager to seize him in another embrace. “It’s so wonderful to see you again! I can’t wait for us to have some time together-”

“Ah…” Lemark looked away, frowning in embarrassment. “Actually, Leyna, I am… A little busier than usual these days.” He smiles at Eloise. “Dame Fortney. Thank you for your speedy arrival. The Order of St. Gabriel has my deepest thanks. Now…” He pushed his sister away gently. “Let’s go into my office, shall we? Much to discuss.”

[Jellyfish]

Fisher

"Mhm. I'm sure you'll be very happy together." She figures she'd better drop the subject of guys before she has the whole student body gathered around their table sharpening knives at them. "So, pick up anything new on the royal murders?" she asks a little louder than normal, figuring the surrounding public would only be appeased if they talked about things as morbid as their moods.

As she talks she taps at her tablet, scanning the internet for anything new on the royal murders.

[delta639]

Eloise

The knight's amber eyes flash at the mention of Jaegar, fingers clenching on the handle of her teacup before she takes a soft breath in, counting in her head as Leyna speaks. "Well, that's royal politics for you," Eloise says with a too-casual shrug. "If they see a chance for personal gain, what do things like decency...or decorum...matter? Those are ideas for lesser people to worry about." she says bitterly, seeming to look through Leyna for a moment before she refocuses on her charge. "...It sounds rather important," Eloise puts forward, only to be met with terseness in response. She taps her heels on the chair, watching Leyna silently. "Those three might end up causing a civil war, for one thing. I think most people would find that kind of noteworthy?" she says, before realizing that might not be the best way to cheer Leyna up. She decides to give up on conversation after a moment, letting the two girls be alone with their thoughts until the doors open again.

Eloise finds herself staring at the young blue-haired man who enters the room, gaze roving over his hair and face and clothes for several times longer than is strictly necessary. She blushes as Lemark's eyes meet hers briefly, taking a hasty gulp of tea and letting Leyna provide a distraction with her excited greeting. Watching her charge and coincidentally her charge's brother's reactions, Eloise wonders if Lemark's just not a hugger. And then wonders what could be done to fix that. Perhaps in a more private setting, after she'd just singlehandedly saved his life from the mystery killers (and Leyna's too, for good measure), and then he'd look deep into her eyes wondering how he could possibly thank her and she could move in with a smile and suggestion...

Eloise shakes her head quickly with her eyes squeezed shut, forcefully reminding herself that he's a bloody prince and he hired her here and those should be much more important factors than how unexpectedly pretty he is.
...then she takes a quick look around to make sure she didn't say that out loud, silently fist-pumping when the coast seems clear.

"Surely you can make some time for...your sister, right, your highness?" she asks brightly, thinking there might be perks to keeping Leyna company after all, before thinking becomes suddenly more complicated as Lemark smiles at her. "Y-you're very welcome. Uh, thank you for meeting us quickly yourself." She pauses. "I mean, there was a little bit of a wait, but that's perfectly fine! You've obviously been very busy, doing things like princeing with Meet Archduke and Oliver Kaiser." Eloise nods confidently. "Um, hopefully that went well?- oh, right. Your office. Should I bring the tea?" she offers. "I'd be pleased if I- if it could help you relax..."

[Space Lawyer]

Eira

Eira raises an eyebrow precipitously.Careful, Shea. I don't think Jaeger will be so kind as Audric apparently was if things go wrong. Eh, on the other hand, you might get lucky and snag a prince. Who am I to deny the possibility?

She takes a gulp of her own tea, with a quite a bit more clinking than Shea had produced. "I'll see what I can do. I'm not sure how long he'll be here though. He might just be rolling through with a massive entourage, looking at the lab, then leaving." Eira then realizes what this might actually be, and her face falls. I-it might even be just a photo-op. What if he doesn't even care about what we're doing, and he just wants to look good for cameras? He might just be coming back here to make a stronger claim to the throne. . ." Eira hangs her head, a dark cloud about her.

[Julian84]

Fisher:

“Anything new? Pssh, since when do have I started watching the news?” Nadia says with a wave of her hand. “Besides, it’s the same old tune – They don’t know who did it, or why, or even how. Nobody has figured it out, and nobody will.”

As Fisher swipes through her tablet, an email message appears from Dean Shelby, opening with a swipe of her finger.


Ms. Hartman

If you could come by my office early today, I have a special extracurricular assignment to bring to your attention. I’ll give you all the details I can when you have arrived. See you soon.

Regards,

Dr. Shelby
Dean of History
Golden Gate University
415-932-6140-15
[email protected]

Eloise:

The three step into Lemark’s office, a cozy little room with a single window on the left side, sunlight highlighting the dusty atmosphere. All the walls are lined with bookshelves filled with treatises and tomes on war and peace, a single desk overflowing with paperwork dominating the center of the room. “Tea would be good, thank you.” Lemark says to Eloise. “Cream, no sugar.”

Once the knight has gotten the requested cup of tea, she returns to find Lemark sitting across the desk, with Leyna in one of the two guest chairs on her side. “Please, Dame Fortney, if you would.” Lemark gestures to the empty chair. “We have much to discuss.” He takes the cup from Eloise’s hands, taking a sip and wincing as he burns his tongue. “Ow.” He mutters, staring at the cup. “I guess the cream wasn’t as cool as I had thought.”

“You’re lucky it isn’t curdled from how hot you had these rooms.” Leyna replies brusquely. “It was like a jungle in here when we arrived, Fairwood turned down the heat for us.”

“I did notice it was less than the ideal climate in here when I entered.” Lemark notes, looking around the room with a slightly disappointed expression. “Oh well.” He pushes the tea into a nook between stacks of paperwork. “I, er, apologize for the mess. It’s been a busy couple of months now. Having to take over more and more administrative duties, don’t you know.” He clears his throat. “I’m certain I do not need t reiterate in lengthy detail why you are here. Sister, I want to keep a closer eye on you, and I can’t do that if you are in Boston. Dame Fortney has been brought on staff as your bodyguard and basic maidservant, but you are not to abuse her like you did poor Mrs. Todd.” He gives her a stern glare. “No defenestrations.”

“THAT WAS AN ACCIDENT!” Leyna shouts, looking absolutely mortified. “I DIDN’T KNOW THE DESSERT CART’S WHEELS WEREN’T LOCKED!”

Lemark winces, holding a hand up. “I expect you to be on your best behavior, nonetheless.” After giving his little sister a moment to collect herself, he settles back into his chair, looking poised to say something unpleasant.

GRMM (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYDGsZuJi4c&index=5&list=PLA72F488302CC2660)

“There’s another reason for all of this.” He says quietly. “You’re going to Aquarius Villa to visit our nephews, Vance and Charles.”

“The villa? But that’s in California!” Leyna replies. “And what was that about wanting to keep an eye on me! You’re not coming with me, are you?”

“I will have my eyes and ears alongside you.” He gives a pointed look at Eloise. “Besides, this is more than just a family visit. This is important.” Lemark rises, clasping his hands behind his back and walking over to the window. “The boys are traumatized, barely speaking to anyone beyond each other. Vance spends all his days in the library, Charles out wandering the woods around the villa alone, though his security detail assures me he is safe.” He pauses. “But there is reason to believe Charles saw his parents’ assassin the morning of their death, a vital clue to solving these murders. I need you, Leyna, to go there and help him find his way out of what dark place he is in so that he can help us.”

“… You want my help?” Leyna asks softly.

He turns to his sister, smiling softly. “Yes, Leyna. You’re the only one I trust to get this done.”

Eira:

“There, there, relax.” Shea pats her on the shoulder lightly, smiling matronly. “You’re a Britannian, dear. If there is an unfavorable opportunity, make it favorable. Short the locks on the doors and trap him inside the lab for a few hours if necessary while they fetch a handyman to fix the doors.” She sips the last of her tea. “Or something suitably devious. Just don’t forget my… Proposal.” She winks.

She stands, collecting her dishes and silverware onto a tray. “I must be getting back to work, dear. Have a lovely day, let me know when the prince is arriving so I can be suitably prepared.”

She takes her leave, dropping her things off at a bussers table to be brought back to the kitchens for cleaning, a boy in a sharp uniform discreetly snatching them up as soon as she sets them down, then polishing the table for good measure. Eira, alone, finishes the rest of her meal and returns to the lab to find her boss sitting inside, toying with a gyroscope.

“So… Any progress?” He asks innocently, flicking the simple toy in his hand.

[Jellyfish]

Fisher

"Oh, lighten up, will you? I'm sure there must be someone out there smart enough to... Aww shoot!" She stares at her tablet, then up at Nadia. "I'm so so sorry, Nad, but I gotta go. Dean Shelby wants to see me, some kind of extra assignment thing." She rolls her eyes a little, clearly expressing that she would much rather stick around chatting than get assigned more schoolwork. She tucks her tablet away and stands up. "Enjoy your coffee. Hope Chauncey shows up soon." She winks, then spins around and walks to the counter. "Hey Thaddeus, is that my coffee? Could I get it to go? Thaaank you, I'll leave an extra large tip next time. Bye!"

[Space Lawyer]

Eira

Eira flops on to the couch and throws her long legs up the table, for once free of detritus thanks to her cleaning spree that morning. "Maaaybe. It depends. Specifically, it depends on whether or not you could get my friend Shea on to the approved guest list for when the prince stops by." Hanson immediately throws a glowering look, full of impatience. "Alright, alright. We can talk about that later. You were right. Somebody has been siphoning off equipment, and a lot of it. Orders were changed at the last minute, right before they were sent out so nobody would have looked at them. I'm not sure yet who is doing it, or how they got access, but I know where they're doing it from, and presumably who it could be or anybody looking is supposed to think it is."

She picks up a tablet from the table. She swipes over to the maps. "The access point is here, the summer house of one Archduchess Roxanne Filler." The geotag links to a basic search on the Archduchess. "As far as I can tell, the only reason for somebody that rich and powerful to be taking this kind of equipment is to build a private army or research lab of some sort without anybody else knowing. And with this stuff, it could be one excellently provisioned force."

[delta639]

Eloise

Stifling a giggle at the imagined scene Leyna's shout inspires, Eloise wonders if she could get the whole story out of someone later, though it would probably remain a mystery for the ages. "I think I can handle whatever her highness throws at me. Or throws me out of." she says lightly with a glance at Leyna. "Besides, she probably owes me an accident as payback for a...mishap earlier. Eheh."

Her face falls at the mention of the upcoming trip, but she sits up straighter in her chair at the prince's look and bobs her head energetically. "Right! I can be your eyes, ears, tongue, nose, or whatever else you ask for, your highness," Eloise says with a smile, which freezes somewhat once her brain catches up to her mouth. Oh lord, I sound like an idiot. She swallows, refocusing to properly listen to the things Lemark's saying and see what she can do to make a better impression. As she watches the two siblings share a moment of closeness, a thought crystallizes in her head.

"Uh, pardon me." she says with a pensive look. "But if Prince Charles might have seen the assassin, why don't you know for sure? Shouldn't he have told someone already?" She raps her knuckles on the chair arm unconsciously. "Or if he didn't think he could tell anyone, that might mean something itself. But his brother, maybe...you said they've just been talking to each other, and if I was him I'd be dying to- um, be desperate to confide in someone about that." She pauses. "Actually, if I was him I'd probably have tried to fight off the assassin and ended up dead, buuut let's ignore that." she says, running a hand through her hair. "Of course I don't know either of the princes, but- maybe it'd be worth trying to ask Vance as well as Charles? Just...just an idea."

[Julian84]

Fisher:

Nadia blithely waves as Fisher dashes out of the Clubroom, sipping her own drink peacefully whilst staring out the window. “C-Come again soon!” Thaddeus shouts out the door as Fisher rushes away, clutching her hot cup of coffee. It doesn’t take her long to navigate out of the dusty old building and back out onto the damp pathways of the university, walking hastily to the Sharpton School for History, Archaeology, and Anthropology.

GRMM (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TS1o5USSnk4&index=13&list=PLA72F488302CC2660)

Commodore Cornelius Sharpton had been, according to the spiel they gave to all freshmen at the school, a member of the Imperial Navy who embarked on a trip to the Antarctic to uncover clues he said pointed to an ancient civilization undiscovered by any before him. Considered mad by his peers, he and his crew came back quite insane from the expedition, but had somehow acquired a mysterious obelisk carved from black quartz. With most of their charts, maps, and journals destroyed in the course of the journey and the whole crew unable to relate their experiences, the entire thing was written off as a horrible tragedy and the obelisk as an unexplainable mystery. Rose Sharpton, the commodore’s daughter, later married the founder of Golden Gate University and had the department of history named after her late father. The obelisk, towering over any man at sixteen feet high, was displayed with dubious pride in the lobby that Fisher was briskly walking through, nodding to the sleeping security guard by his desk as she took an elevator up to the professors’ offices.

Maneuvering through the cramped corridors and around other students with nothing better to do than homework or schmoozing with the professors, she finally found Dean Shelby’s office, knocking once lightly before allowing herself inside to find him in the midst of what seemed like a rather serious conversation with a man in a dark trenchcoat. He glanced at his pupil in surprise, clearing his throat loudly. “Oh, Ms. Hartman, sooner than I anticipated… Please come in, take a seat.” He glanced at the mysterious individual, who was gazing at Fisher with a look of dubiousness. “If you could give us a minute, sir, I’ll explain what is necessary to the girl.” Shelby insists.

The man nods, retreating from the room and closing the door behind him. “So… Yes.” Shelby clasps his hands, tapping them against his desk. “Right. The extracurricular assignment. It’s… Very simple, actually.” He takes a piece of paper with a diagram drawn on it and slides it over to her. “Do you recognize this?” It was a series of concentric circles with three isosceles triangles pointing into the center, evenly spaced apart from each other around the ring.

Eloise:

GRMM (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHsgf8gkHPk&list=PLC65C07C35396F6C9&index=19)

“We suspect, but we don’t know for sure.” Lemark replies in an exasperated tone, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Hence why we’re sending someone they trust to try and find out for us, so we can get to the bottom of it. The boy is traumatized, barely spoken a word, so we just don’t know whether not he’s told Vance anything, or if Vance is in any emotional position to speak of it either. When the investigation interviewed them, neither was particularly inclined to speak.”

“You want us to get them to talk about it…” Leyna says softly.

“Precisely.” Lemark sighs. “If there’s any clues, any details we missed in the investigation that can help… Well. It will help.”

“I understand.” His sister replies solemnly. “I’ll do what I can.”

He nods thankfully. “I appreciate it. And… For what it’s worth, I appreciate you coming out here… I know you made friends in Boston, who you might not see in a while.” He rubs the grain of his desk, sighing heavily. “I feel like I’ve not seen even the light of day in weeks. All this work is taking its toll on me.”

“Why don’t you go relax?” Leyna asks. “Surely you can take a break for just a little while.”

“Perhaps.” He replies with a tired smile. “At any rate, you’ll be in Pendragon for the next couple days. Tomorrow Jaegar returns home to much pomp and circumstance with tours and ceremonies and what have you. You’re both expected to attend the dinner that night.” He says sternly. “I know you don’t appreciate formal events such as these, Leyna, but it’s important to portray unity for the sake of the country.”

She nods, though with an expression of reluctance. “Of course.”

“Alright.” He inhales sharply, pushing himself out of his chair. “Have a good day, then, I’ll see you for supper tonight hopefully.”

Leyna blinks. “What? That’s it?”

Lemark stares at her blankly. “…Yes? I’ve got work to do.”

Storm clouds brew over Leyna’s face as she stares back at her brother.

Eira:

Hanson rolls his eyes. “I’ll get her onto the list, though it’ll be tough…” He sighs, leaning heavily against the wall. “Word just came down from on high – The tour is tomorrow afternoon. Jaegar’s arrival was a matter of strict security it seems due to the… You know.”

“Hmm…” He scratches his chin as she reveals his suspicions to be correct. “Yes, I was afraid of that. The only problem is the Archduchess already has a sizable military force as part of her office, I’m not sure why she’d feel the need to reinforce her position in such a way…”

“… I suppose the only way to find out would be to look further into the matter… Or provoke a scandal by turning our findings over to the proper authorities.” He mutters darkly. “Either way, we’re painting a target on ourselves, but if the people behind this are the vindictive sort and we’re wrong about it being the archduchess…” He gulps.

[delta639]

Eloise

"A-ah, of course. Sorry, you've obviously thought it through way more than I have." Eloise backtracks, cringing a bit at Lemark's exasperation. She listens to the siblings talk without interrupting further, kicking her legs against the seat until her whole body tenses as Prince Jaegar's name is mentioned. She doesn't notice until faint cracking sounds start coming from her teacup and she hastily puts it down, adopting a teeth-bared smile meant to show that a dinner with Jaegar would be her absolute favorite thing that she could possibly think of. (It might be up there, actually, but only if there were much fewer witnesses and she had free rein to do some inventive things with the cutlery.)

Darn it, Leyna, you're supposed to enjoy formal events and etiquette and all those princess-y things. Stop making me want to like you, she thinks to herself, frowning at the seeming end to the conversation. Eloise takes in her charge's stormy expression with a glance and chews on her lip. On the one hand, Eloise instinctively feels that she should take Lemark's side in whatever it is he's saying and admonish Leyna for trying to drag him away from his work. On the other hand, it seems like siding with him would keep him busy and limit her opportunities to stare at his face, a prospect which she finds thoroughly unacceptable. Accordingly, she tries to think of a good, subtle, way to bring up and defend...Leyna's...interests.

"Your sister's annoyed that you're not willing to see her more, your highness." she says, having remembered that thinking is hard. "We are only going to be here for a couple days, who knows when you'll next have time to see each other?" And she would very much like to know when. Ideally in as much detail as possible. "And if you're making her leave her friends, it doesn't seem fair to make her hang around here with me as her only company." Eloise considers that for a moment. "Oh, though Godwin would make it better I suppose. But anyway, couldn't you at least take a short break to do...um, sibling things? If Leyna needs to show unity it seems like you should be willing to...unite...with her too." She pauses. "...that got away from me a little at the end, there. And the beginning. And the middle."

[Space Lawyer]

Eira

Eira hangs her head, downcast. "You're right; there really isn't any good solution for us. If we turn this over to the authorities, then we either make an innocent archduchess angry, or make a criminally-inclined archduchess with a private and public military angry. If we investigate it ourselves, we still run the risk of the previous outcomes, along with actually discovering who did this and pissing off the kinds of people who acquire this sort of equipment for nefarious purposes." She looks up and shurgs. "Well, either way, I suppose we're into it now. Unless whoever is behind this is supremely arrogant and oblivious, they'll eventually catch on that you took those files and that someone later looked around in the system at those same files. I could try and erase any trace of those files and our interest in them, but that might prove impossible, and it would absolutely inform whoever is behind this that someone is investigating if they were at all suspicious before."

She ponders for a moment. "The prince visiting tomorrow gives us a good opportunity though. If we can make a good impression, then we can get his ear and his protection. Yes. . ." She glances over to the secured doors to the other parts of the lab, which contained the more sensitive and dangerous experiments, along with the testing rooms. "Any suggestions on what to show him? I could definitely have the combat drones ready, maybe even the walker prototypes."

[Jellyfish]

Fisher

Fisher stands in the doorway, holding the coffee she hadn't bothered to try yet. "You contacted me, so I came," she states simply.

She notices the other man's suspicious look and re-gifts it, shooting him a sideways glance as she slowly sips her drink. Then she yelps and barely avoids spilling it on her coat. Why are drinks never a civilized temperature these days?

She walks over and takes the man's now vacant seat, watching Dean Shelby like a cat watches a hand on the latch of a birdcage. When he slides the paper across, she refrains from pouncing on it, instead maintaining a slow, dignified lifting motion as she raises the paper up to eye-level.

...Then lowers it again, peering quizzically over the paper. "You never told me you were interested in demons."

She leaps from her seat and takes long, brisk strides to the door. "Yes, I do recognize it. It's an occult symbol from the middle east associated with a demonic figure. I... can't recall the details," she admits a little grudgingly, "but as luck would have it, we're at a university." She pulls open the door and stuffs her coffee into the hands of the man in the trench coat, then continues on her way without so much as a glance to make sure she's being followed.

She's on the first floor in no time, sweeping through the library like a spirit of knowledge possessed. She makes it nigh impossible for the two men to keep up; ducking into one aisle, pulling out a book, flipping through it, and suddenly pushing it at the dean and dashing around a corner. "That symbol is the mark of Jenuun," she says. "He was a very obscure demonic entity only known from three parables told in the 7th century by a man called... called... son of a motherless goat, what is that name..." She kneels down and pulls out three books at once, scanning their tables of contents. "No... No... Here! Al-Talib." She stands and drops all three tomes on Dean Shelby's stack, then the next moment she's two aisles away.

"Human sacrifices, death cults, horrific wasting diseases... It's like a fairy-tale." She pulls out volume as wide as her head, fans through its pages, frowns, and tosses it over her shoulder. "Not even the third edition," she mutters. Then her eyes alight on a small leather tome, and they gain a glimmering, hungry look. "Now that's more like it." She rifles through it, eyes flitting across the pages much, much quicker than her mouth can move. "'Jenuun's followers established death-cults that thrived on ritualistic sacrifice and killing. They had a penchant for living isolated from most civilization,'" she reads. "'They were known as witches, sorcerers, and warlocks, with access to dark arts and a marked dislike for authority figures.'" She turns a few more pages. "It says here that looking at the demon's darkness caused visions of horror and doom, and men have been driven mad just by hearing his name. There have been attempts at ritualistic remedies to ward him off, but there was never any definitive proof of their legitimacy." She eyes the professor and his companion. "Or of the demon's existence at all."

She slams the book shut and places it as a final addition to the pile in Dean Shelby's arms. "So yes, I know a thing or two about that symbol. Why do you ask?"

[Julian84]

Fisher:

Shelby and the mysterious individual glance at each other surreptitiously, the dean placing the stack of his books on a bookshelf with a heavy sigh. “Ms. Hartman, I-” He begins to explain, before the other man raises his hand, cutting the academic off.

“Dr. Shelby, if you’ll allow me to explain…” Fisher’s mentor pauses, before nodding slowly. “We’re interested… We’re asking about this symbol, Ms. Hartman, because it was found carved into the foreheads of each and every one of the victims in the royal murders. We’ve… So far been unable to figure out what the symbol meant, so as to avoid unnecessary speculation and rumor we did not disclose the existence of these… Marks.” He pauses before opening his jacket and pulling out a badge emblazoned with an authoritative symbol. “I’m Special Agent Isaac Redding from the Imperial Bureau of Intelligence, Office of Special Services. We’ve been tasked with plumbing the more… Esoteric depths of this case.”

“They’ve been scouring the homeland for weeks trying to find somebody who recognized those symbols…” Shelby smiles faintly. “Good work, Ms. Hartman.”

“Yes, extremely good work.” Redding says. “In fact, I’d like to make you an offer – If there is an element of religious extremism involved, then it’s only a matter of time before our assassins show up again… There might even be a process behind who gets picked to be assassinated, I don’t know.” He shakes his head. “The simple fact is this: I need a consultant on these matters to come with me to Pendragon to join our investigative team and try to give us some insight into the minds of whoever is doing this, whether these are religious terrorists or its simply a cunning ruse to deflect suspicion… And I think that consultant might be you, Ms. Hartman.”

Eira:

“Cover our tracks if you can, and please give me the paperwork so I can return it.” Hanson then nods at both suggestions. “I’d roll out everything, show him as much as you can… If this is an opportunity for funding, I want to have everything ready to go when he arrives, to put on a show. Heck, file out the prosthetics too, he might like those.” He shrugs. “My main projects will be in the show room, if there’s any free space cram your stuff in there too. If you want live demonstrations, do them outside. I’ll get you clearance with the facilities people to move the test models and prototypes when you’re ready if you want.”

He snaps his fingers. “Oh! There’s also a young woman from the northwest coast close to Seattle visiting, delivering a lecture on sakuradite tech development tonight, talking about a super-conductor concept. Nobility too, might be someone you want to be friends with. If you get your work done on time, head over to Newton Hall, in room 1113 where the guest lectures are normally held, you might like what she has to say.”

He waves over his shoulder as he bounds up the stairs out of her lab. “Don’t work too hard now!”

Eloise:

The room is silent as Leyna glances at Eloise, the knight having made her case for the princess. Lemark stares down at his desk, calmly sipping his tea before glancing up to lock eyes with Eloise, her dusky skin doing little to hide the blush that rises to her cheeks as her aurum-colored eyes meet the fading sunsets of his own, his resolve wavering slightly as he contemplated her argument. Finally, he sighs, shaking his head.

“No.” He says with a note of resolute finality. “The business of running this empire is a burden that cannot be shirked.” Lemark rises, planting his hands firmly on the desk. “I wish we could spend some time together, I truly do, but I have a duty to our people.” He walks around the desk, briefly placing a hand on her shoulder. “I hope you understand.”

He walks out of the room, the door opening as Fairwood lets him out, the two walking out of the room with the prince’s entourage.

“…Let’s just go to my bedchambers.” Leyna says sullenly, rising from her seat and following after her brother.

[Jellyfish]

Fisher

Fisher glances between the two men, trying to read their expressions. A consultant on an investigative team? They're offering to involve her in the case? And... She glances at the paper with the symbol on it, now lightly crumpled in her hand. Really, they'd been searching for weeks, and nobody had figured this out?

She frowns, brain starting to itch just looking at the symbol. Am I really considering going back into this stuff? The thought makes her eye twitch. And yet... Redding's offer presents her with a unique opportunity. This could be challenging. This could be interesting. And she'd have access to information on the case that no gossip column or news broadcast or gaggle of chatty college students could ever know. Even so, she feels a twinge of regret. She was just starting to enjoy the academic game...

Until it occurs to her: Who says you have to stop playing it? A smile tugs at her cheeks. Just because there's a new playing field doesn't mean she can't keep going.

She makes up her mind. Fisher Hartman is on the case.

"I..." she squeaks, then clears her throat. "I don't know what to say! What should I say? This is all so... so..." She shakes herself, straightens up, and clasps Redding's hand in hers. There's a crunching noise as the paper gets crushed between them. "I humbly accept the position offered to me and promise to serve my Empire and its beloved leaders to the best of my abilities."

When she releases the handshake, the paper slips from her fingers. She watches it fall, then laughs at herself and stoops to pick it up. "I'm honestly shocked that you chose me of all people, I'm just a simple college girl who watches a lot of TV. The only reason I recognized Jenuun's symbol in the first place is because he's a secondary villain in something I watched a few weeks ago, and the library did the rest of the work, really. But... maybe I shouldn't be telling you that." She looks up with embarrassed amusement. "I'm not making a very good first impression, am I?" She stands. "I'm sorry, I really am a dunce, and not just when it comes to navigating over raised thresholds. Or drinking coffee. Or shaking hands... Still, I know a thing or two about arcane lore, and my researching skills aren't half bad. I would gladly be your consultant if you'll have me, and I promise to give my all to the investigation so we can catch this wacko before we have a nationwide debacle with no hot princes left to inspire us through the aftermath."

"...Kidding."

[Space Lawyer]

Eira

"Yeah, yeah.

Eira pulls out the big mug this time. It was going to be a long night. She makes her way over to the door to the secured section of the lab, keying in her code and retina scan. She considered it a bit overkill, but the university and various security agencies had insisted on it. With a whoosh of positively pressured air (unlike the bio labs, the main concern here was keeping things out), the door opens to the dressing room airlock. She changes into cleanroom gear and enters through the second door. Unlike the main room of the lab, this area was sterile and spotless, full of gleaming metal in various forms.

Two drone models currently occupied pride of place. The first was a UAV, designed to be able to switch out modular mission packs for anything from recon to urban assault. It was probably her greatest success. Depending on the hardware and software loadouts, mission completion was ranging from 65% to 90%, and that was without human interaction.

The other was a scaled up version of Eira's cybernetics research, a walker, little more than a cockpit with legs. It was actually turning out be easier than the cybernetics; nobody cared if the legs on a drone looked artificial, and it didn't have the same problems with interfacing with a biological system. The real problem was the power consumption. It did fine when it was just legs, but adding arms to it just made the thing too power-intensive. The intent was to make something useful in construction or the like, something that could nimbly carry and lift loads while being able to navigate treacherous terrain.

She spends the next few hours loading the UAVs with various packages. Live ammo, good idea or bad idea? Good idea; Jaeger will definitely want to see what these things can do. Gotta make sure to get some targets set up. When they're ready, she carries them to the roof one by one, setting them in the covered launch. She grabs the leg Hanson had been fiddling with earlier, and after checking to make sure the balance is still intact, loads it into its foam-lined case, along with a few of the other more promising prototypes. These would go to the exhibit hall. The walker presents the largest problem, literally. She elects to leave it where it is. She could show pictures and schematics of it; if the group wanted to see it, they could just come here.

With those preparations complete, she utilizes the access codes Hanson gave her to go back into the system. She carefully erases any trace of her snooping. For extra thoroughness, she erases any record of Hanson ever having received the papers.

When she checks the clock, it is nearing time to get ready for the lecture Hanson had mentioned. Eira grabs a pair of jeans, some decent shoes, and a top that came with Shea's approval. She rushes up the stairs to the faculty bathroom. Recognizing the need for the building occupants to sometimes stay overnight, the university had thoughtfully installed a shower. Within a few minutes, Eira emerges fresh, clean, and ready to socialize. Another look at the clock confirms there is just enough time to drop the cybernetics hall. She could have facilities do that, but the last time she had relied on them they had thought the pieces to be some sort of modern art and sent them to the art building.

Eira loads up a dolly, and makes her way across campus with the heavy cases. It was a somewhat incongruous sight, a woman dressed for mingling shoving cases that looked to be from the direst imaginings of industry. Her keycard unlocks the hall. With no time to spare, she leaves the cases stacked in the corner. The set up wouldn't take too long tomorrow morning. She rushes over to Newton Hall, just in time to grab a seat.

[delta639]

Eloise

Watching Lemark hopefully as the prince thinks over her oh-so-carefully chosen words, Eloise squirms a bit as he turns his gaze on her, feeling her cheeks heat up as they stare into each others' eyes. A...Are we having a moment? She gets an answer to that an instant later, sagging as he turns down her suggestion. Oh, come on! What did the people ever do for you? she thinks, before inwardly reprimanding herself. "That's very...noble of you," she admits quietly, starting to doubt whether she should be disappointed. "-er, or should I say royal?" No, she can't help thinking that the latter should never be used as a term of praise.

Pondering that, her eyes widen at the sudden feeling of a hand on her shoulder, and she reddens further, looking up at Lemark. She bobs her head to show she does understand, even if she's disappointed, seeing as her throat seems to have closed up and is inhibiting any words to that effect. I never knew that love was so much like an allergic reaction.

Lemark exits shortly, and Eloise's gaze lingers on his retreating back for a few seconds until Leyna's voice distracts her. Well, Leyna's voice combined with Lemark's assistants assembling to block her view. "What? Oh. Um, yes, your highness." she says, jumping up and heading after the shorter girl.
----------------
Tick.

Tick.

Tick.

Eloise groans softly and makes herself look away from an ornate clock on the wall of Leyna's bedchamber, grinding a hand against her forehead. The princess's mood had not been improved by returning to these rooms, in spite of the luxurious decor and ocean-sized featherbed looking like half a dozen bird species had been sacrificed for it. But for all you'd know from the peach-haired girl's glowering, it might as well have been made out of spikes.

Eloise had made some half-hearted attempts to engage Leyna in conversation after realizing the princess had no inclination to break the silence first, but to little avail, the princess responding with sullen monosyllables at most. Once it had reached the point of asking "Do you mind if I go set the kitchen on fire?" being replied to with "Sure", Eloise had started to suspect that Leyna might not be listening too closely. Or she was in a radically worse mood than it appeared. Or maybe she just wanted an excuse to order pizza.

She taps her shoes on the floor, looking down. That was how the last half hour had gone, and Eloise has been growing increasingly, unerringly bored. If she'd realized that being a Knight of Honor would involve this much waiting around and doing nothing...well, she couldn't really have turned down the job, but at least she would have brought along a book or something. A heavy one, which she could hit people with. At this point she's trying to hold out until they're called for dinner, assuming Leyna doesn't try and boycott meals until Lemark notices. Eloise glances back at the clock in a bid for salvation, and finds that it hasn't been twenty seconds since she last looked.

Eloise twitches. "AaaaAAAHH!" the knight shouts, throwing up her hands in an eruption of frustrated energy and charging over to Leyna's side. "Are you seriously just going to lie around like this all day? Geez!" she huffs, sinking her hands down into the bed and leaning over to stare the girl down. "I know it sucks that your brother's busy and Fairmont's stupid and your family's tearing itself apart-" She pauses briefly, it only now occurring to her that Leyna's mood might be justified, but she quickly rallies again. "But if you just sit here wallowing about it you're never gonna feel any better! You're back home for the first time in ages, there must be things you'd rather do to get your mind off this!"

"I was botherI mean asking the servants earlier about what kinds of things are going on, and there's tons to do in this city! Like Gryphon, the Gryphon is having a concert today, and part of being royalty is being able to get in anywhere you want, right? Maybe we could even meet the band...Oh, oh, or there's a bunch of fancy nightclubs that we could sneak into, I've always wanted to go to one of those! You might not look as...erm, tall as their normal clientele but we could get around that! Or there's this symposium...thingy..." She frowns. "I kinda zoned out about the details, developments in soccer or whatever, but if that's what you're into we could go to the university for that too. Let's just get out of the palace... seriously, it doesn't look like you actually want to be here right now. So come ooon, Princess, let's-go-do-something!" she implores, bouncing on her heels and staring earnestly at Leyna.

[Julian84]

Fisher:

The two men stare at Fisher in stunned silence after her rambling, stream-of-consciousness response to what they had considered to be a rather serious topic. “Right…” Redding says, measuring his words carefully. “And just to make sure we stay on focus, Dr. Shelby here will also be accompanying us back to Pendragon through the course of the investigation. We thank you for your time and your service to this nation, miss.” He nods stiffly, turning away and leaving the student and teacher in the stacks in somewhat awkward silence.

Shelby clears his throat. “Nervousness is explainable for many things, Ms. Hartman. Nevertheless, try to curb those feelings in the future.” He sighs. “I’ll book us a flight to Pendragon, hopefully we can get a last-minute seating tomorrow. I’ll email you with my results, in the meantime you should go pack up your things. I’ll arrange for you to have permission to skip classes and have homework forwarded to your email for the length of our time abroad.”

Eira:

The overhead lights shut down right as Eira sinks into the plush seat, the chatter in the auditorium dying down as a projector and single spotlight come on. A single person walks out onto the stage, her heels clicking softly as she stands under the spotlight, pausing to survey the audience of engineering students and a few professors arrayed before her.

“Hello and good evening, everyone.” She says firmly, pushing glasses up the bridge of her nose. “As you all know, my name is Dr. Rebecca Ashford. Thank you all for coming out tonight to hear me speak on my research into the field of constructing higher yield Sakuradite superconductors.” She clicks a button on her small remote, switching the presentation to a highly technical blueprint of a theoretical superconductor. As Rebecca moves into her presentation, explaining the years of work behind the prototype blueprint, Eira notes the woman moves with grace and poise, an accomplished speaker who knew how to use her body language and voice to best sway an audience. Most likely a noble too, based on her cultured accent and clothes. It probably helped as well that she was rather gorgeous, her blonde tresses tied back in a wavy ponytail that fell over one shoulder. For a bunch of shut-in young men with their heads stuck in books, there was no hope.

She was more than just a pretty face, though, and Eira soon found that her research showed promising results, this new design possibly even an answer for Eira’s own power consumption difficulties with the walker design. Before she even knew it, the lecture was over, two dozen nerds rushing the stage to speak to Dr. Ashford directly.

Eloise:

The young princess gawks at Eloise, her mouth opening and closing dumbly as she processes the young knight’s rather forward manner of addressing royalty. Her sour mood put her in half a mind to shut the girl down, perhaps even sack her for such rudeness and general lack of decorum… But in a way, Leyla couldn’t help but see that Eloise had a point.

There was more to life than just lying about and feeling sorry for oneself.

“I-” She starts, trying to string together a sentence, blushing slightly at the slightly older, far more experienced person leaning inches from her face. “I, um, that is… I guess we could go out… And… Have fun?” She hadn’t really had much experience in going out to have fun. Most of the princes and princesses kept their own company, remaining in their manors, villas, or the palace and spending time with each other or those of the highest nobility. She was still too young to even go to a ball, her own debut just a couple years away. She remembered one time when she and Lemark had arranged for an entire theme park to be shut down for them to go ride on all the rides, but that hadn’t garnered great press and their father had forbidden them from abusing their authority like that…

Her heart dipped slightly, remembering her father wasn’t even alive anymore, dead now for two weeks. They’d had a distant relationship but… It still hurt. Something came alive inside her, uncoiling in her chest and growling with pent-up frustration. Her life wasn’t fair, she was a princess and it was the worst thing in the world and why not just try to enjoy it a little before someone came in the night and…

She tries a smile. “Y-yeah, let’s go have some fun. Gryphon’s concert… That’d be fun.”

---

It was also exceptionally loud.

For the past hour Eloise had stood close to Leyla as they stood in a sea of young woman shrieking hysterically as the young pop star ran out onto the stage shirtless, tattoos across his skin bearing messages obscene and nonsensical. A brief intermission now over, the freshened lad winked to the camera, his visage blast atop a massive screen behind him as fireworks shot out from hidden points on the stage.

He held up a hand, pulling the mic out simultaneously and flipping his hair back. “This next song goes out to a very special girl out there in the crowd tonight… You know who you are, princess.” He gives a cheeky grin as many girls shriek in delight, the young actual princess’s face glowing red in the neon-lit dark.

[Jellyfish]

Fisher

Fisher bites the inside of her lip, frozen solid by the silence. Alright, maybe that was a little overkill. She narrows the spooked hare look from her eyes and straightens her spine until you could graph lines with it. "I thank you as well, Agent Redding. I look forward to working with you. I have one request, however. May I... have my coffee back, please? Thank you. Goodbye."

Redding leaves, allowing an awkward pause to stretch between Fisher and Shelby. She sips her coffee, which comes out uncomfortably loud in the silence.

Then the professor speaks, and Fisher's shoulders slump. "I'm sorry, Professor, I just get so flustered, and I've never handled anything even remotely like this before. I'll try to do better in the future, I promise." She starts heading for the exit, walking backwards as she talks. "For now, though, I should get packing! Thank you, Dr. Shelby! I'll see you tomorrow!"

[Space Lawyer]

The presentation was rather incredible. Eira hadn't even noticed any flaws in the theories. Dr. Ashford had certainly lived up to her reputation.

Eira makes her own way up to the stage. A few individuals from the chemistry department hurried out of the way, clearly reluctant to be seen around her after the palladium incident. She waits for a turn to speak to Ashford, as patiently as she can. The coffee was starting to put a bit of pressure on her bladder, after all.

When she gets towards the front of the crowd, Eira uses her superior height to reach over and around one of the rock-jockeys from the geology department. "Hi, Dr. Ashford, so nice to meet you. I'm Eira Spear, from engineering and applied physics. Really great work. I think you might have solved a problem I've been having with some of my systems. Anything that provides enough power is either too heavy and bulky or severely limits mobility. How well do you think your designs could be integrated into a robotics system? What sort of waste heat are you looking at?"

[delta639]

Eloise

More awestruck than she wanted to show by the concert's surroundings, Eloise had looked around with wide eyes as she and Leyna had found themselves in the new environment, moving energetically to the beat of the music and probably bumping into Leyna a few more times than she strictly meant to. It was an easy temptation to be swept up in the tide of screaming from the starstruck audience, but Eloise knew it was important to maintain some dignity in times like this. So she did not scream. She merely shouted, in an excited manner.

"I THINK MY EARDRUMS RUPTURED! ISN'T THIS GREAT?" she yelled to Leyna at one point, grinning widely. Though Eloise hadn't had the opportunity for fun like this during the last few years of cloistered upbringing, the girl seemed to act more alive in the charged atmosphere of the concert, constantly dancing and shaking and...well, at least attempting to sing along. It might have been for the best that most people couldn't hear the results, a few winces and dirty looks from the girls in front of them notwithstanding.

Once the intermission ends, Eloise blinks and laughs at the pop star's announcement, not that anyone's likely to hear it over the chorus of shrieking. So she nudges Leyna with an elbow to get her attention, eyebrows raising knowingly. "Hey, did ya hear that?" she says into the princess's ear. "Sounds like he found out about the guest of honor- ohh?" She smirks, deducing from Leyna's expression that she heard indeed. "Is someone blushing~?" she teases, gently poking at Leyna's heated cheek. "Hehe, that's a cute look on you, princess- oh, let's try and find Gryphon after the concert's over! I don't think either of you'd miiind..."

[Julian84]

Fisher:

GRMM (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJ-yskiiLII&list=PLA72F488302CC2660&index=7)

The young Ms. Hartman dashes back across the narrow sidewalks of the university, brushing past the late-risers and rushing forward, her heels clopping against the cobblestone, sleepy students jumping out of her way and yelping at her high-speed passing. She arrives at her dormitory and quickly ascends the stairs to her hall, wasting no time to find her room and throw all her things into a duffel bag hastily.

It’s still a process that takes her some time, and by the time she’s finished she notes that the first period of classes has already ended, her door swinging open as Nadia walks in, throwing her bookbag onto her own bed with a heavy sigh. She pauses at the sight of Fisher packing, raising an eyebrow.

“Alright.” She says quietly, reaching over to her desk and unscrewing a metal thermos. “I’ll bite: What’s all this about?”

Eira:

Rebecca smiles cordially at Eira’s introduction, shaking her hand firmly. “Thank you for attending my lecture.” She replies. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Spear.” Rebecca listens to Eira’s explanation of her findings, nodding thoughtfully. “Yes, yes, I have met some very bright minds at MIT who you may have heard of, they have ideas similar to your own.” She taps her chin. “I am drawing a blank on the name of the group off the top of my head, I think they’re calling themselves Stonehenge, but I’m not sure.”

She clears her throat, getting back on topic. “But yes, I have the fervent belief and hope that my designs could be incorporated into advanced robotics systems, especially to provide answers to slow hydraulics systems. Waste heat is negligible, rarely rising over 15% and we’re researching new methods of pushing it down.”

Eloise:

Leyna flushes at Eloise’s teasing. “I- Erm… I suppose we could…” She says, a playful grin growing across her face as she realizes she really could secure an audience with the shirtless pop star on stage. “Yeah, sure!”

After the concert is over and most of the exhausted young women shuffled slowly out of the cramped stadium floor, Eloise and Leyna muscled their way to the front, Leyna actually pulling her bodyguard along by the hand until they’re stopped by a bouncer. “Sorry ladies, show’s over. Gryphon doesn’t take groupies after a concert.”

the princess gasps in shock. "B-b-but we just wanted... We were just going to... I mean... I wasn't..."

He sniggers. "And good lord, they get younger by the year. Listen, come back when you've had your first period, ok?"

Leyna’s face turns a bright shade of red as she musters all her authority and stature, barely even half as tall as the hulking mountain staring down at them fairly unimpressed. “How dare you?!” She hisses. “I am Leyna van Britannia, the Eighth Princess of the Holy Britannian Empire, daughter of the late Emperor Audric rin Britannia! I am not some brainless trollop here to melt all over your employer, I am a distinguished, if unexpected, guest of the highest honor and I will be treated as such.”

The bouncer puts a knuckle to his brow, shaking his head slowly and chuckling. “Pfft… Sweetheart, you’ve noooo idea how many times I’ve heard that one before. Now move along before I have security eject you from the premises.”

The princess stares at him for a moment before pulling out her phone, showing off a little red button at the top. “You see this, my good man?” Waiting for his confused affirmation, she continues. “That’s my panic button, sending out a signal across a dozen different systems that I am in need of aid and within ten minutes a crack squad from the Royal Air Corps 1st Division will be here to answer the call. I wonder how defiant you will be staring down the barrels of a Nighthawk’s twin Gatling cannons?”

She holds his gaze for a few moments before he steps to the side, bowing hastily. “My apologies, your highness. Please forgive my mistake.” Cold sweat drips down his brow as she steps past him daintily, hands clasped behind her back.

“I’ll overlook the slight, this time.” She says authoritatively. “But next time, watch your tone.” He mumbles another apology as Eloise follows Leyna, and once they’re out of earshot the younger girl leans heavily against the wall, wheezing and laughing. “D-d-do you think I overdid it?” She asks between guffaws.

[Jellyfish]

Fisher

Fisher glances over her shoulder, midway through rolling up a poster. She drops the colorful print and turns as it unrolls behind her. "Oh, I haven't told you yet, have I? Silly me, I should've let you know first thing... Well, as of tomorrow, I'm going on a trip to Pendragon." She spreads her fingers. "So, surprise!"

She turns her back to Nadia and fiddles with the buckles on her bag, which are already, the trained eye might notice, quite secure. "I, uh, don't know how long I'll be gone. It might be quite a while, by the looks of things." She slumps a little. "Sorry I couldn't have told you sooner, I only found out earlier today. But hey, at least you got Chauncey to keep you company, right?"

[Space Lawyer]

In Eira's vision, schematics begin to dance in the air behind Lady Rebecca. Numbers dissolve into designs, redesigned parts take shape, and a whole new realm of possibilities opens. "If you have the time, feel free to stop by my lab. I would love to show you my designs. You seem so much more open to the possibilities of robotics than most of your class! I mean, uhh, you don't seem so limited by conventional thinking. Errr, wait, that isn't what I meant to say either. . ." Eira looks away sheepishly. "I mean everything as a compliment, and would love for you to stop by. We're having a very important guest tomorrow, if you would be interested."

[delta639]

Eloise

Surprised at Leyna's energy in pulling her along but cheered at her mood's improvement, Eloise lets out a contented sigh and lightly squeezes Leyna's hand before they find themselves stopped by what appears to be a uniformed gorilla. "Hey, we're not-" she complains to the bouncer before glancing at Leyna and reconsidering in light of certain blushes. "-well, I can say for sure that we're not both groupies, at least..." Eloise adds to herself, before her gaze narrows at the bouncer's ageist remark and she levels a glare at him. Or at least inclines a glare up at him. He really is far too tall. Okay, I know she's not too developed but that was definitely out of line, Eloise thinks, rolling up her sleeves and proceeding to deliver a lesson in politeness right to the man's solar plexus.

At least, that's what she's about to do before Leyna blindsides Eloise by deciding to speak up for herself. "...um." Eloise blinks, wind knocked out of her sails, and ends up just looking on quietly as the princess announces herself, deciding not to interrupt. Though she does let out an appreciative "ooohhh" on the tail of Leyna's threat, somewhat ruining the tension of the moment. As she passes by on Leyna's heels, Eloise gives the bouncer a shove which could be technically argued to be accidental, just for the principle of the thing.

"Overdid-? No way, are you kidding? That was awesome!" she says with a grin, clapping her hands together and wrapping her arms around the princess in an unthinking hug. "Ahaha, the look on that guy's face when you threatened him with the gatling cannons, it was great..." She suddenly goes quiet, face falling. Is...that actually the sort of thing I should be applauding, though? Well. If it's Leyna, it should be fine. Even so, Eloise detaches herself from Leyna in a moment of renewed self-consciousness. "Sorry, that- um, that was pretty surprising though!" she adds, smiling again to try and mask her sudden mood-swing. "I mean, obviously you wanted to get by, I just kind of thought you'd let him...walk all over you." She frowns. "Not literally, obviously, if he'd tried that I would've broken his legs. But I was still about to stand up for you anyway, defend your honor and all that, I just...y'know, guess I didn't have to." Eloise pauses, then smiles again a bit wanly. "Which is...good! Yeah! If you can handle things by yourself then you might as well, right? That's what I think, at least." She smiles wider, not having disliked the glimpse of confidence from the girl. "Anyway, let's go find Gryphon so you can melt all over him. Your highness."

[Julian84]

Fisher:

Nadia’s eyes widen with surprise at Fisher’s announcement, standing beside Fisher quickly with a hand on her shoulder. “Whoa whoa whoa there, slow down.” She interrupts. “Pendragon? What on earth are you taking a trip to Pendragon for? And what do you mean when you say you’re going to be gone for a while, you don’t even know when you’re coming back?” Nadia hesitates. “B-but what about school? Or that… What’s his name, that guy at the- It really seemed like you two could really hit it off!” She gives a faltering smile. “… Why do you have to go?”

Eira:

Rebecca smiles broadly. “I’d be delighted to visit your lab, Ms. Spear. Though I don’t know how much help I’d be, to be candid I’m mostly just a theoretician, I’ve only really dabbled in actually constructing any of my designs.” She chuckles sheepishly. “And yes, I heard Prince Jaegar is making his triumphant return to Pendragon tomorrow… I’m sure the more youthful ladies of the metropolis will die many happy deaths at the end of his steely gaze.” She remarks with an odd sort of smug amusement, leading Eira out of the lecture hall.

“Personally, I’ve never seen the appeal. I can understand your excitement though, this is a great opportunity for you to gain more funding.” She observes. “Or at least prestige and recognition, at the very least. If you’re giving any demonstrations, I shall be sure to pay a visit.”

Eloise:

The Princess and her Knight quickly traverse a series of narrow hallways and corridors backstage of the show, passing by technicians, roadies, managers, costume designers, back-up dancers, caterers, and sycophants in their search for the tattooed pop performer. Eventually, they find him in a dressing room slumped on a couch with a crowd of fawning minions and friends, two rather salacious young women pressed against either side. A rather ritzy spread of delicacies and fine alcohol was arrayed on two tables off to the side, with food who delightful tastes Eloise could only imagine, her stomach grumbling softly. Life in the Knights of St. Gabriel eschewed such luxury, but the temptations were there all the same.

Leyna cleared her throat daintily at the door, but it was barely audible even to her bodyguard over the dull roar of other people talking. Looking a little put-out, the Princess nudged Eloise and nodded to the crowd, obviously expecting some basic protocol to be enforced here.

[Space Lawyer]

"Oh, I very much intend to give a demonstration. Nobody ever seems to take my work seriously until they see that it is actually functional."

Eira looks slyly sidelong. This might be a good chance to get some better information on the Archduchess. "And how exactly did you know that Prince Jaeger was coming tomorrow, if I may ask my lady? I was under the impression his visit was being treated like a state secret. There are all those, ahem, interesting members of your class that would surely try to flood into the university and try to assure their own position with a possible heir to the throne. There is that one archduchess, oh what is her name? Miller, right, Archduchess Roxanne Miller. I've heard she is trying to keep out of the whole thing and make sure she is friendly with all of the royals, both at the same time."

[Jellyfish]

Fisher

Fisher's lips press tighter and tighter together with every word Nadia says. Then she turns around, eyes skimming the floor. "Because Britannia needs me?" she murmurs. "...Ugh, this is tough to explain." She shoves her duffel bag aside and drops onto the bed, then pats the spot next to her.

"Okay, so you know how I left the club in such a hurry earlier? That's because I was meeting Dean Shelby and a man named Agent Redding. Apparently there's this... thing pertaining to the royal murders. And the thing just so happens to be a clue that nobody else could figure out. But... well, you know me. I always seem to know the most random things at the most convenient times. I guess I'm just lucky like that..." She absent-mindedly rubs a four-leafed clover pendant around her neck. "And it seems like this talent of mine is just what they need to make sense of the case."

She straightens up, her tone lifting with suppressed pride. "Which is why Agent Redding asked me to accompany him and Dean Shelby to Pendragon, where I will continue to offer my weird knowledge to the cause of solving these murders. And that, Nadia... is why I have to go."

Her eyebrows tilt up, as if saying the words out loud suddenly gave them meaning. She swings her feet, kicking the side of the bed. "It's not like this is easy. I'll miss you like crazy. And I'll miss Thaddeus too; last I checked, there weren't many green-haired bespectacled cheeky baristas in the sea..." She laughs a little. "But it's not like I'm dying or anything, right? I'll come back as soon as the case is closed. Maybe he won't be married by then. And you and I can chat online all the time! You can tell me wild stories about school, and I can spill coffee on my keyboard, and it'll be just like being here!" She nudges Nadia with her shoulder. "What do you say?"

[delta639]

Eloise

After catching sight of Gryphon and pointing out the dressing room to Leyna, Eloise peers inside over the other girl's head, curiously taking stock of the surroundings. Her gaze lingers on the two girls pressed up against the pop star and she frowns in their direction. So that was the sort of person he liked fawning over him? Seemed awfully shameless, how they were draped over him and practically seemed to be drooling, not to mention those...outfits... She coughs and averts her gaze, quickly finding herself distracted instead by the mouthwatering display of refreshments. She stares, wondering if she could sneak over and raid the tables while Leyna was busy with the young performer. Surely no one would notice if just a couple items of food went missing, right? Or a couple plates. Or tables.

Some bodyguard's sixth sense interrupts her oncoming food-fugue and alerts her to Leyna's cleared throat, and she looks back at the princess, blinking in confusion and wondering what the girl's waiting for. After a few seconds of blank staring light dawns and Eloise nods quickly, mouth forming a small 'o'. Oh, she's expecting me to herald her! Well. Uh. I...can do that. It's just like what they do on TV whenever the Emperor addresses everyone, right? Definitely not something I need to have done before...

Eloise takes a deep breath and slams the dressing room door open, striding inside. "NOW ANNOUNCING," she bellows at the crowd inside, gaze fixed on Gryphon as she steadfastly tries to avoid noticing the others' stares. "HER ROYAL HIGHNESS- okay wow it got quiet in here fast, erk- a-ahem, her highness Princess Leyna van Britannia of the Holy Britannian Empire," Oh great job Loie I'm sure they would have thought she was the princess of Australia otherwise- "Here to see the star after his...um, dazzling performance!" she finishes hastily, feeling color rising to her cheeks as she steps to one side and gestures to the princess in the doorway, desperately hoping Leyna hasn't chose that moment to run off.

(Charisma check: 13)

[Julian84]

Eira:

Lady Rebecca raises an eyebrow at Eira’s peculiar behavior. “I must confess I think you are mistaken, Ms. Spear – The Prince’s return to Pendragon, while not highly publicized, is no state secret. If anything, I think the Mad Wolf is quite eager to attract… Attention.” She says delicately. “Your dean in fact told me that he’d be visiting the university, though, which I didn’t know previously. I think that’s a move conceived by his chief-of-staff, Sir Kyrie, rather than his highness. Not exactly his style.”

She clears her throat. “As for the Archduchess, well, I’d assume she might be here as well. Rumor is that she is more interested in consolidating her position than making any dramatic moves at the current time… But rumors are all I’ve heard, the daughter of a baron doesn’t exactly run in the same circles as an archduchess.”

Fisher:

Nadia is quiet for a moment, hands clasped behind her back as she processes Fisher’s response, but she smiles quietly, nudging her friend back with her shoulder. “Don’t be a stranger.” She murmurs, wrapping Fisher in a warm hug. “It’ll be a lot more boring without you around.”

When finished with their parting and the last of Fisher’s packing, the young student reconnects with the dour-faced Dean Shelby. “Ms. Hartman.” He says formally as she steps into his office, hurriedly stuffing paperwork into an attaché case. “Great timing… I just got off the phone with Agent Redding, who has informed me we will not be requiring commercial airfare… The OSS is sending us to Pendragon tonight via a private jet.”

He pauses, gazing steadily at his pupil. “I hope you understand, Ms. Hartman, that this tremendous opportunity is one you shouldn’t share with others… We are investigating some of the most notorious murderers in the history of our nation. Confidentiality is what will keep us safe.”

Eloise:

Gryphon’s eyes widen at Eloise’s bellowed announcement, the performer quickly bouncing off his couch and shoving the two girls away, pasting a gracious smile onto his host. “Princess!” He exclaims, quickly standing before Leyna, her nose level with his tattooed chest. He bowed deeply and kissed her knuckle, causing the young royal to blush deeply. “I heard you attended my concert.” He said with an appreciative smile. His voice was polished Britannian with a tinge of New Zealander mixed in. “I am humbled to have performed for you. I hope you got my message.” He says with a wink.

“Y-yes.” Leyna stuttered, trying very hard to maintain her composure. “Quite so, I am gratified by your regard, good sir… I mean… Um…” She floundered, glancing desperately at Eloise.

“Just Gryphon if you will, your highness.” He replied with mild amusement. “You should have let me know you were coming backstage, I’d have prepared a more sophisticated reception for you!”

“Hahaha…” Leyna laughed distantly. “Well, we had originally planned to do… A thing, but to change one’s mind is a woman’s prerogative after all…”

“Quite so.” Gryphon replied, stepping back. “Please, come in, make yourself at home. Your maidservant is most welcome too.” He adds, winking at Eloise.

[Jellyfish]

Fisher

Fisher gives Nadia a squeeze. "Don't you know it," she whispers back. Then she pulls away with a soft smile. "Thanks for looking out for me. And if you ever need anything, like help with your homework or someone to talk to or a souvenir Prince Jaeger bobblehead... you know who to call."

After bidding Nadia a final farewell and heading to Dean Shelby's office, she folds her hands into her pockets. "Dean Shelby," she greets back. Then her eyebrows lift. "A private jet? Wow, I've never flown in one of those before! And we're heading out tonight, you say?" She pulls out her tablet to make a few alterations to her notes, but she pauses with her fingers hovering over the screen, feeling the heat of Shelby's gaze. Her eyes flit up. Then blink. A split-second later she nods, pigtails bobbing earnestly. "Oh, of course, Mr. Shelby! I wouldn't tell a soul; these lips are sealed."

She smiles and swipes open a messaging app.


Recipient: Nadia
Side-note. Dont tell anyone about me n the investigation, kay?

[delta639]

Eloise

The knight winces despite herself as Gryphon's hangers-on get shoved away unceremoniously, starting to feel distinctly less starstruck towards the performer than she had when he was just a faceless singing voice instead of a grinning presence right there in front of her and kissing her princess's hand. She shrugs at Leyna's mute appeal before she can think about that too hard, not exactly feeling qualified to help her charge. "Talk a little less courtly, maybe?" she whispers, grinning a bit at the girl's flusteredness and watching from the sidelines, fine with attention being on the princess for the moment.

She's doing better than I expected, Eloise thinks, blinking as a wink from the musician interrupts her idle search for popcorn. Contrary to blushing or possibly swooning as he might expect, Eloise bristles as Gryphon addresses her. "Hey, I'm not her maidservant! I'm a-" The word 'knight' catches in her throat and makes her hesitate, the title one given to her but not one that she can confidently say that she deserves, at least right now. Especially after the things she'd done to earn that knighthood, the oaths of honor and chivalry she'd sworn seeming like so many hollow words for ever after...
"-her bodyguard," she finishes on a more subdued note, swiftly quashing the odd feelings and focusing on Gryphon with a frown. Yeah I'll bet you want us to feel 'welcome', mister "I'm-too-cool-for-my-shirt", Eloise grumbles internally, not having liked the look of that wink. What, worried that your other arm will get lonely if you only have Leyna? "You don't need to welcome me, though. Her highness was the one falling over herself to see you after that...message," she says without thinking, feeling a surge of annoyed regret a moment afterward but not being quite sure why. Well, hopefully that would discourage any ideas Gryphon might have for her and then everything would be great for him and Leyna, right?

[Space Lawyer]

Eira

Eira's face turns bright red. "I-I'm sorry, my lady. I don't really know much about the royal family, or really anyone of your social class, honestly. Sometimes, from the perspective people like me are looking from, you all seem to a homogenous group. As for the prince's visit, well, I hadn't heard earlier, and he is coming to visit my lab, so I just assumed that there had to be some degree of secrecy for there to have not been more forewarning." She looks down and shuffles awkwardly."Sometimes. . . well, almost all the time, my mind and mouth get out in front of my good sense. I've been told it's a problem."

[Julian84]

Fisher

“Good.” Shelby replies, gathering his own things. “I’ve taken the liberty of summoning a taxicab to pick us up in a little while. Feel free to make yourself comfortable in the meantime.” He nods to his pupil and walks out the door. Fisher waits in relative tedium until he returns with news that their car is arrived, and the two depart for the airport.

The taxi is allowed to drive out onto the runway itself, where a dark navy imperial aircraft (http://fc06.deviantart.net/fs43/i/2011/192/3/5/double_helix__final__details_by_bartoleum-d218u2c.jpg) waits for them, Agent Redding standing outside as they drag their bags along. The late afternoon sun casts long shadows across the tarmac as they come to a stop before him, two attendants rushing forward to take the bags to the cargo bay.


GRMM (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHsgf8gkHPk&index=19&list=PLC65C07C35396F6C9)

“Dr. Shelby, Ms. Hartman, glad to see you both. Sorry about the swift departure, but this matter is of the utmost importance as you must understand. It’s only a two hour flight to Pendragon, and we should be arriving at roughly 10 PM. The city is going to be a little turbulent tomorrow, Prince Jaegar is returning from his campaign in Africa.”

Shelby nods as they ascend the stairs to enter the cabin of the aircraft. “That’s alright, good opportunity to get caught up on the case… Or some sleep.” He winks at his pupil. They get settled in for the flight and head southeast to Pendragon…

Eloise

Leyna shoots Eloise a glare after her poorly worded response to the pop singer, but said nothing, merely hooking her arm gingerly around his and walking further into the room. “I-I enjoyed your concert quite a bit. Such spectacles ever so rarely come out to the region where I get my schooling.” She explains as cheerfully as she can muster.

Gryphon at least knew to clean up his act around the princess, especially under the watchful eye of her bodyguard, who alternated between conversing briefly with the two and intermittently raiding the refreshments. The evening passes without much concern, though some feeling in Eloise’s gut tells her that the singer was definitely not the most wholesome of characters… Though it may have been the extremely rich dark chocolate truffles she had scarfed down when she hoped no one was looking.

Nevertheless, at the end of the day the Princess and Knight departed amiably from his backstage room with a promise that he would visit the palace someday soon so that he and the princess could get more properly acquainted.

Eira

Rebecca stifles a chuckle as Eira backpedals quickly. “It’s… Quite all right. I understand the nobility can appear as one nameless mass of humanity, but in reality there’s so many of us of such differing social rank that even someone of my stature is but small fry compared to an archduchess.” She blushes faintly. “I appreciate the unintended compliment, though.”

She checks her watch, eyes widening slightly. “Oh my, it’s getting late.” Lady Ashford glances back up at Eira. “We both need our rest. I suppose I shall see you tomorrow, Ms. Spear. I look forward to seeing your designs in action.”

The noble steps away, waving to her fellow scientist as she leaves the lecture hall.

---

GRMM (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfntscuDB5Y&list=PLC65C07C35396F6C9&index=15)

The cheers of the gathered thousands intermixed with the chiming of a thousand bells and cascading showers of confetti and rose petals, a cacophony of sound and color that declared jubilation – Jaegar, a hero of Britannia, had returned home! Baldwin Kaiser, Regent of Britannia, declared it a day of thanksgiving, a much needed breath of fresh air following the dour months of doubt and fear. The streets and sidewalks teemed with humanity, held back a massive ensemble of foot and mounted policemen, many summoned from outlying provinces to support the overextended Pendragon police force.

The parade had begun!

The ranks passed playing bombastic tunes on trumpet and drum, decorated with honors from the military for valor and courage and adulation from the crowds around. They were Jaegar’s personal forces, the 88th New York Regiment. Dressed in his colors of stormy grey and crimson red, they marched down the causeways of Pendragon, bound for the Imperial Palace where the warrior prince would be given a laurel wreath in recognition of his efforts for the empire.

At the end of the column came their commander, the volume amongst the crowds swelling so much as if to shake the skyscrapers. Jaegar stood in an open car, smiling and waving to the crowds. This parade was his triumph, like a Roman general of old, and he seemed larger than life… For indeed, he was a gigantic man, his mane of pure white hair flowing in the wind, golden eyes glinting in the sunlight. He was a mighty man, and no assassin in the night would leave him cowering in fear.

But his return might strike fear into the hearts of any who might oppose him…

---

Fisher:

All of this spectacle Fisher Hartman observed from a television screen in a secure facility at the Imperial Bureau of Intelligence dedicated to the Office of Special Services. She and Dr. Shelby sat at a steel desk poring over case files and intelligence analysis papers related to the murders of those in the royal family…

Apart from Fisher’s own recognition of the religious bent of the murders, there was little light shed on the case so far… The murders were always done with either knives or the killer’s bare hands it seemed, but all attempts to get positive matches on any DNA evidence left behind had led to false leads, red herrings, and other tricks… The killers were toying with the investigators. What was clear was that they had to have some form of special access that implied a close relationship to the victims, but no one could figure out how exactly the murderers had gotten through unseen, unheard, and unsuspected.

It was, in many ways, a conundrum. One analyst, however, a man connected to some minor intelligence function within the greater whole of the machine by the name of Z. Montgomery had made one daring statement – One of the killers had to be a royal.

The only question was, if he was correct, which member of the royal family could it be?

Shelby set his large binder of paperwork down on the desk with a sigh, rubbing the bridge of his nose. “Another false trail.” He groans. “This is torture… But we only started this morning, I guess no revolutionary leads would be gained this quickly.”

Eloise:

GRMM (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYDGsZuJi4c&list=PLA72F488302CC2660&index=5)

In the aftermath of the parade, Eloise watched from a balcony, observing the streets from the high walls of the palace, the distant thunder of the crowd reaching her ears. This was not the first time she had seen one of Jaegar’s triumphs, indeed she remembered his return from Area 6 and crushing the populist rebellions there…

“ALL FORCES TO THE WALLS!” Brother Crichton roared, shouldering an assault rifle whilst dragging a crate of ammunition behind him. The sharp cracks of gunfire overlapped with the screaming of wounded men and the rumbling explosions of artillery as the Knights of St. Gabriel desperately held La Abadía de Nuestra Esperanza, San Eduardo against the rebel forces outside, armed with cheap euro-made weapons, farming tools, and anything they could steal from their military victories. If they forced their way inside, they would butcher the men, enslave the women, and throw the officers into mock trials with vicious penalties for being found guilty… Which they always were.

In the midst of this hell knelt Eloise, hands clutched against the chest of a comrade who had taken some sort of flechette shot that tore through his armor. Despite her ministrations he was slowly slipping away, gasping through blood that there was no rescue coming, no hope for them, they were all going to die, this was the end...

And he was gone, stiff and still on the warm brick courtyard, his blood splattered all across her arms. "ALL FORCES TO THE WALLS!" Crichton roared again, rushing past her with several other men as they clambered up ladders. Eloise's gaze followed them up for a moment before dropping down to the carbine her fallen comrade had dropped beside him...


Eloise shook her head, dispelling the memory. She turned away from the balcony and re-entered Leyna’s suite, the princess currently in the middle of a digital tutoring session brushing her up on the etiquette of the aristocracy for the upcoming banquet. Entangled in that, she wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon, leaving Eloise free to wander about as she pleased, frankly unworried that anybody would make an attempt on her life when Jaegar the high and mighty was making himself an easy target.

As she wandered, she turned a corner and found herself standing before Oliver phi Britannia and Grandmaster Peter Nazarov, the leader of her knightly order, sitting in a rose-colored room drinking tea. The two middle-aged men stared at the girl blankly, unsure of what to make of the intrusion, as she still wore the uniform of the Knights of St. Gabriel.

“…Yes?” Nazarov asked. “Are you delivering a message?”

Oliver tugged on his goatee, eyes narrowing in curiosity as they beheld the young knight.

Eira:

GRMM (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cm4QpXevKO8&index=10&list=PLA72F488302CC2660)

Eira stood uncomfortably in the beaming sunlight, visibly jittery as she lined up with her peers and superiors outside the main academic hall of the University of Pendragon, awaiting the arrival of Prince Jaegar and his retinue. Nearby, amongst a crush of students and other onlookers, she could see Lady Rebecca with two family bodyguards standing nearby, observing in a cordoned off portion for nobility. Eira wasn’t Jaegar’s first stop of the visit, unfortunately, but she was at least on the itinerary. She just had to make an impression.

After a few minutes, the prince’s motorcade arrived, the assembled crowd bowing in deference to the giant that stepped out, his golden eyes roving over the gathered throng. Beside him stood a shorter man with cropped black hair and green eyes, speaking in low tones only they could hear. Jaegar glared sternly forward before allowing a broad smile to stretch across his features, doing little to make him any less feral as he strode forward to greet the chancellor, board of regents, and other officials of the school, towering over them all. Oddly, he took the time to greet each and every faculty and administration member assembled before him, individually shaking their hands and murmuring a word of greeting, despite his attaches’ body language that spoke volumes of discomfort with this practice. Finally, Jaegar stood before Eira, dwarfing her in his shadow as he stared down at her.

“… I recognize your face.” He rumbles softly. “Eira Spear – Your research looked to be most interesting from the brief on your department I was given. I look forward to your demonstration.”

[Space Lawyer]

Eira

EEEEEEEEEPPPPPPPP

Eira screams internally, and her eyes go wide. Holy **** Eira, this a prince, no, not just any prince, Prince Jaeger, and he is talking to to you. Ok, keep calm. Don't put your foot in your mouth like you did last night. He is just making the rounds, greeting everyone and making nice. Just think of something clever and polite to say.

She contorts her face into her best smile (Don't look like a crazy person, don't look like a crazy person.) and tries a small bow, a curtsy being entirely impossible in her current clothes. "Good morning, your royal highness. T-thank you for taking note of my work. I likewise look forward to the demonstration. I think you'll find it quite exciting."

Way to go.

[Jellyfish]

Fisher

"Patience is key," Fisher responds, peering studiously at a report from the top of her stack of papers. Then she glances up. "Wait, you're the wise mentor figure. Aren't you supposed to be lecturing me about that stuff?"

She sighs and drops the sheaf of papers on the table, sinking forward onto her elbows to massage a crick in her neck. "I did at least expect to find out something by now, though. Can't we just have some sort of montage and skip all the hours of skull-numbing tedium?" She notes Dean Shelby's expression. "Right. Didn't think so."

She pushes her chair back and stands, cracking three vertebrae in the process. "You think they have a coffee machine around here? I could really use a shot of caffeine."

[delta639]

Eloise

The balcony's handrail creaks underneath Eloise's hands as she hears the crowd's cheers from afar, staring down at the streets now thankfully devoid of any princes. After a moment she sighs. God. What did I expect from coming out here, anyway?... She turns away and passes by Leyna with a glance, absently feeling glad the princess doesn't see her face as she tries to distract herself with thoughts about the less objectionable royal. Eloise had felt some reservations last night after their return from the concert, peppering Leyna with the occasional question like "So Gryphon didn't actually seem like boyfriend material, right?" or "Do you think he couldn't find a shirt or he just thinks he's too good for one?" or "Did you ever hear about how gryphons eat their mates and make the leftovers into these tacky headdresses? I mean, I'm just saying."

Eloise smirks slightly as she remembers, and has almost managed to put all thoughts of knightly troubles and interfering princes out of her head before she turns a corner and comes face to face with Prince Oliver and Grandmaster Nazarov. She stares back at the men for a moment, a choice few less-than-knightly words exploding in her head. "Oh, uh, no." Eloise quickly answers the chivalric leader, shaking her head and putting on a strained smile. "I'm not a..." She looks down at herself and shrugs. "The uniform's outdated. Er, I mean I'm sure it's still suitably fashion-forward and all that, I just-" She clears her throat. "Ahem! Even though I might not be dressed for it yet, I'm here as Princess Leyna's Knight of Honor. Not with the Knights of St. Gabriel, well, not anymore at least."

"Though, of course it's still a great honor to see you here, Grandmaster." Eloise acknowledges, bowing deeply to Nazarov and closing her eyes to keep him from seeing them roll. "And kind of a surprise, ahaha..." Big freakin' surprise. I thought I would have gotten away from all that, here. "Si-" she pauses and growls softly. "Ugh, I mean Dame Eloise Fortney, at your service. But I'm sure such important people wouldn't have heard of me, eheh." She readies an excuse to dash away if that turns out to not be true. Needing to iron Leyna's dog would probably sound suitable.

Eloise blinks suddenly, the thought occuring that she might have given the impression of coming there on Leyna's business. Her initial thought is distancing herself from royal politics with every force at her disposal. But...she looks harder at Prince Oliver, recalling him from the medal ceremony in Port-au-Prince. He hadn't made a particularly bad impression on her there...And I know he's not the worst option out there, at any rate. "Um, your highness, I don't have a...specific message. But my lady was feeling some, um, uncertainty about the matters of succession." She pauses in what she hopes to be a significant manner. "Prince Jaegar seems to be very popular, judging by all that with the parade." -did those sentences actually make sense together? I dunno how real nobles do this doubletalk...screw it. "Say..." She crosses her feet, looking sidelong at the goateed man. "Seems like a lot of people think he's gonna become Emperor. You're not really going to let that happen, are you, your highness?"

[Julian84]

Eira:

Jaegar nods decisively. “Very well. Until then, Ms. Spear.” He rumbles, walking past her to greet the next fellow of the department. Ahead of her, Hanson turned slowly to lock eyes, his face pale and beaded with sweat. Jaegar was dashing and imposing on camera, but in person he evoked a more terrified response from those who fell under his gaze.

Once he had met and exchanged pleasantries with the gathered faculty and administration, the tour and demonstrations began, a tedious and lengthy venture that lasted well into the afternoon. Eira was nervous she’d be pushed out of the schedule altogether, hearing rumors of a state dinner that evening that might cut the entire event short.

As one of her fellows explained their research to Jaegar, though, the titanic man heaved a mighty sigh, a vein in his temple beginning to pound as he struggled to contain his temper. Eira found Rebecca at her side, the noblewoman making a face. “He’s beginning to tire of this… Jaegar’s a man of action, not-”

“Enough.” Jaegar says over the people speaking to him. “I grow bored.” He points to his right, the crowd parting before him to provide a clear channel to his target: Eira.

“You will begin your presentation now.” He said, eyes fixing on her. “Then this business shall be concluded.”

Fisher:

“I think I saw one down the hall.” Shelby replies without looking up from the cherry-red binder he had opened. “Take a right out the door, go to the end of the corridor, take another… Right, and…” He pauses, eyes roving across the page. “Um… Third door on the left should be the break room.” He turns the page and is engrossed in whatever report he had unearthed.

Following his directions, Fisher goes down the hall, carefully tracing her way past bemused case workers and special agents before successfully finding herself in the copy room, her back to a small maze of cubicles that Shelby had definitely not mentioned as an important landmark. Inside were several copy machines, a supply closet, and the entrance to a different cubicle hive, as well as a young woman in what appeared to be rather expensive and tasteful clothes busily copying something from a purple folder. She glanced at Fisher in a casual fashion before making a double-take, surprised to see so young of a girl in so secure a facility. “Er.” The woman says, suddenly and oddly on edge. “Who are you? Do you…” She stutters. “Do you have access to this facility?”

Before Fisher can answer, she hears her name shouted from her right. “Ms. Hartman!” Agent Redding said formally, followed by a man with raven hair and sparkling green eyes as well as a brown-haired fellow in military regalia. “I didn’t expect to find you out here – Did you get lost?” He asks sheepishly, drawing closer. “Ah, excuse me, this is my direct superior, Count Devereaux, and Captain Banner, senior officer in command of the late Prince Ignace’s Royal Guard, I was bringing them in to discuss the case with you and Dr. Shelby and get everyone up to speed.

Fisher glances back into the copy room one last time, but the young woman inside is gone.

Eloise:

A strained silence fills the rose room as Oliver and Nazarov stare at Eloise in incredulous silence, stunned by her audacity and lack of subtlety in outright stating a matter of extreme delicacy. However, before she could begin reciting apologies, oaths of silence, and vows of self-exile, Oliver reacts first.

“Pfft.” He claps a hand over his mouth, shaking with barely-controlled laughter, tears streaming down his reddening cheeks as Nazarov spins to behold the prince in paroxysms of laughter.

“Y-your highness!” The Grandmaster gasped, uncertain of how to best react.

“BAHAHAHAHAHA!” The goateed prince bursts, slapping his knee. “I like this girl! She’s got moxie.” He grins, waving her inside. “You are either very brave or very stupid, and considering you’re my half-sister’s knight I sincerely hope it’s the former… Dame Fortney.” He gestured to a chair for her to sit. “I presume you have no fondness for my half-brother, Jaegar. An understandable reaction, but I would encourage you to exercise more tact, especially when speaking to royalty. That sort of talk can lead to… Consequences.”

Oliver sits back, sipping his tea with pinkie finger extended. “Leyna didn’t send you at all, did she.” He murmurs. “No, you decided to dabble with politics on the highest level, in front of your grandmaster no less.”

[Space Lawyer]

Eira

Once again, EEEEEEEEEEPPPPPPP.

Ok, no pressure. If you screw up, Lady Rebecca will just think you're an idiot and won't let you near her tech, and then Jaeger will have you sent to a shack in the wilderness of a conquered area for wasting his time. Eira steadies herself with a breath.

"Your Royal Highness, my lady, I would like to inform you that the demonstration has begun. In fact, in began this morning."

She pulls a remote out of her pocket. With a bush of a button, a screen lights up. It displays a scene, a large group of people milling about, surrounding a car. Then shot suddenly zooms in though, and it is clear what is being shown is Jaeger's arrival that morning. "A reconnaissance version of my airborne model was deployed an hour before your arrival. I uploaded every image of you I could find, along with available biometric data. Utilizing this information in conjunction with an image recognition program, my drone identified your Royal Highness from a kilometer up. With its small size, quiet operation, and low-observability construction, it went unnoticed by your guards for all four hours of its operation. For your Highness' safety, I of course erased the data in which the drone identified the positions and movements of your uniformed guards."

With another click of the button, the scene switches a grassy field, seen from the air. Three round targets are set up at varying distances. "I would now like to demonstrate the capabilities of the armed model. This is a live feed of a testing field, from the camera mounted on the drone." Eira settles into a chair, surrounded by screens, and grabs hold of a joystick. "For ease of use, I've made the controls similar to usual flight controls." She presses a red button on the side. Warnings appear.

[Mission Start]
[Target recognition engaged]
[Targets identified]
[3 PRACTICE_TARGET]
[Weapons are live]

The targets are highlighted by red outlines. "I've used the same recognition technology to allow the drones to find and highlight potential targets. It can't fire on its own though; the identification isn't perfect yet, and the drone sometimes thinks an oddly-shaped boulder is tank." With a push of the stick, the drone begins its attack run. Eira thumbs a red button on top of the drone twice, then holds a trigger. Two of the targets explode in flames, struck by missiles, while the last is shredded by machine gun fire.

[No targets identified]
[Weapons locked]

Eira has a gleeful grin on her face, a combination of sadism and wonder. She always felt best when showing off what her work could do. Really getting into it, she she turns and walks to a cloth-covered table. "As one last demonstration, I'll present the pinnacle of my work!" With a flourish, she pulls off the cloth, revealing her latest cybernetics. A hand and lower leg have pride of place. "Each of these is at least as good as flesh-and-blood. The hand exerts force beyond what a human hand is capable of, while simultaneously having a much finer degree of dexterity. The foot enhances grip beyond the finest shoe, and automatically adjusts itself to provide maximum downward force, allowing for enhanced mobility. While admittedly, these have not yet been tested on human subjects, the same principles have been applied in limited animal testing to great effect."

Eira stands, beaming and just a bit sweaty. With a word, Jaeger would either make her the pride of the university or doom her entire career.

[delta639]

Eloise

Face shifting from a frozen smile to a quizzical stare as Oliver bursts into laughter, Eloise finds herself unsure whether to feel relieved, offended, or a confusing muddle of them both. Wait, what? He likes me? Okay, not what I was expecting there at all, but...yay? I guess? "People have called me both before plenty of times." Eloise admits with a half-laugh of her own, hesitating before hop-stepping through the doorway and sitting down in the proferred chair. A saucer clatters in her wake as she shifts in her seat and looks between the two men, trying not to look as uncomfortable as she feels. Can I pretend he's not a royal?...no, then I'd just shove my foot back in my mouth. Try to imagine he's like Leyna? Or Lemark? -okay ew ew no not going there he's old enough to be my father, eurrrgh. "I'll, uh, try to remember that, your highness." she says with a shudder that could hopefully be attributed to worries about capital-C Consequences. Let's just play this by ear and not imagine anything. Ever.

Eloise stiffens at the prince's accurate deduction, but refuses to let herself look ashamed as she meets his gaze. "Maybe. ...Yeah. I didn't actually lie about anything, but the dabbling was my own idea, not L- Princess Leyna's. But what else was I supposed to do?" Eloise asks, crossing her legs and looking stubbornly at Oliver. "Just say, 'Grandmaster, sir, I know you're my superior and way more influential and important than I'll ever be but could you bugger off so I can talk politics with the prince?' See, even I can tell how stupid that'd be, but I did need to...try asking you, at least," she says, absently bracing her face against a hand.

"I mean, you can tell I'm not exactly an expert at political tact, or talking to royalty-" Or y'know, people in general- "But it's like you said. I'm your half-sister's knight, and that means I'm involved in this now one way or the other. If I want to protect her properly, I need to know more than how to fight." Something dark and regretful flashes in her eyes as she says that, but an instant later she's tilting her head with a wide grin. "Sooo, no time for learning like the present, right?" she says with a laugh in her voice, swinging her legs under the table. "Not to mention that Jaegar would be a godawful-" She catches herself. "Sorry. I mean, I...have no fondness for a certain claimant who we both know. And would have even less if they actually managed to take the throne. Maybe I can't do too much to prevent that, but...I'd rather take a risk trying to do something than just cover my ears and wait for catastrophe to strike."

"And..." Eloise actually thinks before choosing her words this time, glancing over at Nazarov as she halts her idle movements. "I guess this tea I'm interrupting could have just been a social call, but to me it looked like I wouldn't be the only one taking an...interest in the political situation," she says more carefully. "I apologize if that was a misunderstanding, of course."

[Jellyfish]

Fisher

"Agent Redding!" Fisher says, mirroring his official tone. "Lost? I guess you could say that. I was questing for coffee, but apparently I need to work on my enunciation, since destiny seems to think I was requesting a 'copy' instead..." She exits the caffeine-forsaken wasteland, surveying the newcomers as they're introduced. "Hi," she chirps without thinking. Then frowns. "Er, I mean, greetings, Count Devereaux; Captain. I am honored to make your acquaintance, I'm Fisher Hartman." She curtsies, but stops herself halfway into the motion. Are people supposed to curtsy in these circumstances? Do they curtsy in any circumstances these days?

She totters on her crossed feet a moment, then swings a hand out to catch herself on the wall. "Whoops! Ah, slippery floors you got here, ha ha," she says. She rights herself, straightening her coat. "You may consider reporting that, sir. Could be highly hazardous to the well-being of our fellow coworkers and all that. In any case, carry on! The professor and I would quite appreciate the briefing, seeing as how we've been attempting to fill ourselves in by way of the case files... all morning... without coffee..." She sticks her lower lip out a little, glancing over her shoulder at the lack of hot beverages, then also notes the lack of young women of enviable fashion taste. She shrugs and turns back, cheeks dimpling as she watches the men expectantly.

[Julian84]

Eira:

Jaegar’s expressions are subdued as he watches Eira go through her opening spiel, his eyes narrowing only slightly as she reveals her surveillance operations throughout the tour, shifting to glare at his sparsely distributed security forces, who sheepishly stood back to avoid his wrath.

His interest seemed partially piqued when she mentioned the prosthetics she had developed, but again he kept his reactions strictly under control. Once she finished her demonstration, whiffs of gunpowder and vaporized concrete still heavy on the air, the prince stepped forward, his cloak rustling in the wind behind him.

“One last demonstration, if you would.” He says quietly, transfixing Eira with his golden eyes. “I merely wish to test…” He reaches into his cloak, drawing a long-barreled pistol with an ivory handle that matched his own developing grin. “… Your drone’s ability against a real target.”

GRMM (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0N9cFFcl4Q&index=12&list=PL1C5A5C8D352096DD)

The gathered crowd gasps in alarm and begin swiftly backing up as Jaegar unclasps his cloak, striding forward with weapon at the ready. His aid and second in command, Sir Kyrie, comes alongside him, alarmed at this development. “Your highness, you can’t possibly-” He begins to say before Jaegar turns on him, pulling him up to his own eye level by the collar.

“Advent.” He thunders as his subordinate’s legs dangle helplessly above the ground. “Don’t presume to tell me what I can or cannot do.” With a contemptuous growl, Jaegar throws his knight to the side, turning back to Eira.

“Miss Spear!” He bellows over the wind. “Cry havoc, if you would, and let slip the dogs of war!”

Eloise:

Oliver props his chin on one hand as Eloise speaks, his eyebrows and the corner of his mouth twitching every so often, usually in response to one of her more brash statements. Nazarov was obviously caught between a desire to satisfy the Prince’s mild curiosity in the young knight and an impulse to cast her out of his order there and then.

Instead, he was forced to sit and listen in impotent silence as a teenage girl calling herself a knight bumbled through a political discussion with one of the foremost tacticians of the time, and a prince of Britannia at that.

Oliver clears his throat to interrupt Eloise, raising his hand as well. “Bear with me for a moment, my dear, as I play devil’s advocate: Why not Jaegar?” He asks. “In your experience, which you admit to be less than ideal, what makes you think I’d be a better king than my half-brother?” He was quietly prodding the conversation away from his own interactions with Nazarov, instead tacitly focusing on Eloise herself. He couldn’t be held responsible for a neophyte in the palace voicing her blunt opinions.

Fisher:

“I’ll order us some coffee.” Redding replies, flagging down a young man in a black vest and red bowtie and quickly rattling off an order – A pot of coffee, cream, sugar, and cups for five to room 7043 C. While he does that, though, Count Devereaux addresses Fisher directly.

“Agent Redding informed me of the breakthrough you made on the case. I’m excited to see how far this will take us.” He says in cultured tones, gesturing for her to walk with him and the captain as they return to the workroom. “The faster we can uncover the identities of the perpetrators, the happier everyone will be…” He says quietly. “I’ve brought Captain Banner along today because of his personal connection to the murders as well as his knowledge of the young Twin Princes.”

They arrive at 7043 C, where they find Shelby in the midst of his work. “Ah, Ms. Hartman, I don’t suppose…” He glances up. “Oh. We have visitors. Eheh, I’m afraid we’ve not made much headway, I just sent… Ms. Hartman to get some coffee.” He explains.

“We’re aware.” The nobleman replies tonelessly, stepping inside to allow the other three to follow behind. “Coffee will be along presently, for now, let us discuss business.”

After a quick explanation from Fisher of what occurred just minutes previously, Shelby chuckles sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head. “Aha, my apologies. I must be getting scatterbrained in my old age, eh?” He sobers quickly. “I apologize, Lord Devereaux, but again, we’ve found little to give any headway into this investigation.”

The Count waves his hand. “No matter. I wish to explore another avenue.” He sits across from the mentor-pupil duo, crossing his legs somewhat effeminately. “I would expect you read the controversial analysis and hypothesis put forward by Mr. Montgomery. He mans a domestic intelligence desk, though also runs liaison work for other bureaus, which gives him a wide range of experience belying his rather simple position.” He explains. “The hypothesis that a member of the royal family, or extremely close to them, is behind the murders is not without controversy facing it… But I personally believe that he is correct in his assessment.” The coffee arrives, and Devereaux spends a few minutes preparing himself a cup. “The question is, who could it be, and how can we ascertain their identity? I believe if we sent in a figurative hound to sniff out the prey, we could discover the identity of the killer… Especially if they are indeed a cultist.” He murmurs.

“That said, there’s other possibilities.” Redding interjects. “A member of the royal family could be using a cult as hired killers to help throw the scent off themselves.”

“Nevertheless…” The Count replies. “We need to get a lead. I’d like Ms. Hartman to infiltrate the Royal Palace with out blessing and search for clues that only someone familiar with the superstition in question might find.”

[Jellyfish]

Fisher

Fisher pours herself a cup of coffee and stirs in sugar and cream, bobbing her head to show she's listening. She sinks back in her chair and starts to take a sip...

Then ends up with searing hot liquid up her nose. She squeaks and struggles to swallow, then begins coughing violently. She grabs a napkin and presses it to her mouth, pain stabbing at her throat and sinuses. After a moment the coughing recedes, and she straightens up, crumpling the napkin in her lap. She clears her throat one last time, then places a dignified smile on her lips. "I'm sorry, I'm fine now. So ah, where were we? Oh yes, me infiltrating the palace." Her voice cracks a little. "What would be the, ah, the details of this operation? Not that I'm objecting or anything. I'm just curious as to how you envision this working. What we me being a college student, rather than a spy or some such individual."

[Space Lawyer]

Eira

“Errrrm, sure, I can do that,” says Eira. “If you wouldn’t mind, your Royal Higness, please step out into the testing field. I’d really rather not fire into this crowd.”

I’d really rather not fire at a prince either, but he did give the command to do so.

Jaeger gives a bit of growl, and stalks out into the field. “Now get on with it!”

Eira locates recognition files for Jaeger and uploads them to the combat drones. Activating the general category for “people” could have disastrous consequences. A second drone that had been on display, cordoned off for safety but loaded with live ammunition nonetheless, starts up and aligns itself for takeoff. In seconds, it is in the air.

[Mission start]
[Target recognition engaged]
[Targets identified]
[3 PRACTICE_TARGET]
[1 PRINCE_JAEGER]
[PRACTICE_TARGET destroyed; no further action required]
[Warning: PRINCE_JAEGER identified as friendly target. Proceed Y/N?]
[Y]
[Challenge and reauthorization overridden per account permissions]
[Weapons live]
[Target is armed. Initiating automated avoidance.]

Jaeger's red highlighted form was suddenly joined by shaded red cone. It was scarlet in the center, fading to a slight shading on the outskirts as the damage probability decreased. Were the central scarlet column to go over the drone for more than a split second and the operator not respond, the drone would activate its own programming, a distillation of the maneuvers of the greatest aces and dogfighters in Brittanian aerial history.

Oh, please don't let me kill the prince. But I want to hit him. But not kill him, no that definitely would be bad. A graze would do it. Ok, hopefully I'll graze him. Or I blow him up and I'm executed by the end of the day. But hopefully not.

Eira begins her attack run, first firing the autocannon. The missiles were expensive, and had too high of chance of resulting in barbecued royal.

[delta639]

Eloise

Having at least a vague sense of propriety somewhere buried inside her, Eloise quickly shuts up as Oliver clears his throat, sitting up straighter in her chair. Then she blinks a couple times at the question asked of her. "Why do...I think you'd be better? Um. Well." She surmises that 'you literally could not be worse if you tried' isn't quite the sort of answer Oliver's looking for, and calling him the lesser of two evils might not win her any points either. Eloise scrutinizes the older prince for a moment, tapping her heels softly on the floor as a clearer focus glimmers in her bright eyes.

"I'm more familiar with Jaegar than you...only ever seen you once before, your highness. But, from what I've seen just now..." she says, tapping her fingers together. "I could probably sum it up as...he's a warrior, and you're a politician. Doesn't take a genius to see which one's better suited to rule." She smiles, though there's an odd look in her eyes. "And a lot of things go along with that, of course. You actually seem good with people. Seem to be way more even-tempered too, even dealing with pesky teenage girls..." she says with a half-smile, glancing down. I'm sure you only are indulging me here because you see a use for me...but, I can work with that.

"Oh, and I know you're a general too, not trying to just ignore the martial parts of your...royal personage. And it should help your case- knowing war's definitely important, especially if you'll be leading a land like ours. But still. There's a hell of a difference between a general and a 'Mad Wolf'." she says grimly, all mirth having vanished from her face. "Your half-brother is...good at what he does. Really good, I know that perfectly well. But that's exactly what makes him the wrong sort of person to rule, to be in charge of so many people's lives-" Her voice catches, just for an instant, before she continues on. "I think that a leader should know how to treat foes with something different than brutality."

"So...you're probably just a better person than him," Though I'm really not so sure of that yet. "But I can definitely say that you're more...controlled. And that's just as important if not more, in my opinion." Eloise is silent for a second, and then she stretches her arms and smiles. "But anyway, you've gotta be getting tired of hearing me babble by now, eheh. Would you mind if I ask you a question now, your highness? Such as...is there anything you want from me?"

[Julian84]

Eira:

Jaegar stands clear of any unfortunate bystanders, steely-eyed and calmly gripping his odd long-barreled pistol in one hand, his cloak dangling from the other. Despite the tension in the air, Eira cannot help but feel that the prince isn’t attempting to be calm and collected… No, he’s eager for this.

“Begin the test.” He growls impatiently.

GRMM (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QlI8Gl9kanY&index=10&list=PL3F40DB415E57E79E)

Eira complies, launching the program. The drone ascends into the air, tracking his location and arming its autocannons to fire, a trail of live rounds ricocheting off the ground before him. The crowd groans in apprehension, but Jaegar is undeterred.

With a flash of speed, he throws his cloak between himself and the drone, diving to the side as the garment is torn to shreds and rolling to bring the pistol to bear. He fires off two rounds in response that the drone barely manages to evade, juking right and getting pinged off the left side by a stray bullet. Jaegar takes off into a spring, running towards the drone, forcing it to move backwards and gain altitude to re-aim its autocannons, locking in on him for sure.

A single bullet punches through the center of the drone, blowing a hole the size of a tea saucer out the other side. The drone sparks and smokes, slowly circling to the ground as the engines die, until it smashes into the pavement. In the split second the drone took to adjust its aim, Jaegar had switched the pistol to his left hand and put a round right on its mark.

“So he’s naturally left-handed…” Rebecca murmurs, watching the display closely.

Hanson shakes his head. “He’s almost impossibly fast…”

Elsewhere in the crowd, Shea grins appreciatively.

The Prince lowers his weapon. “… I’m impressed.” Jaegar says softly, barely audible over the wind. “At the utter waste of valuable resources displayed here.” He turns to Eira, golden eyes almost hypnotic in intensity. “I’m sure you can build another one.”

Jaegar holsters his pistol and begins striding towards the crowd past Eira. “You’ll have plenty of resources to do so under my patronage. Your talents are grossly wasted here. Come with me.” He commands.

Fisher:

GRMM (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMuvXXYtSEc&index=4&list=PL3F40DB415E57E79E)

“Allow me to explain.” Devereaux raises a hand, motioning for Fisher to retake her seat. “I’m more than aware of your background, Ms. Hartman, and I understand that this is an incredibly difficult thing to ask of you.” His green eyes bore into her, and despite her trepidation she sees notes of blue and grey within those depths as well, the tone shifting and changing with the light.

“You bloody well better!” Dean Shelby says with outrage. “That’s too much to ask, too much I say!”

The count fixes the academic with a steely gaze. “Control yourself, Dr. Shelby.” He says quietly, turning back to Fisher. “Yes, it’s a hard thing to ask, but I’m not asking you to be a spy… I’m asking you to just be a simple observer without tipping anyone off to your real objectives. If indeed one of the Royal Family is responsible, then the threat is greater than you can possibly imagine… This cult you speak of could have reach much broader than we can face and we could have enemies at every turn.” He stares at her intensely. “Such a heinous person as well cannot be allowed to sit upon the throne.”

“Revenge must be gained as well, for those lost.” Cpt. Banner says bitterly.

Devereaux nods. “Indeed. I simply ask, Ms. Hartman, that you enter the Royal Palace under false pretenses and search for clues, any clues, of the mastermind’s identity.” He pauses for a moment, then smiles. “In fact, I know exactly the cover we shall give you… A royal tutor. Princess Leyna has returned to Pendragon and I know Prince Lemark has been working with us in our investigation and intends to send her to the twin princes Charles and Vance in the countryside to uncover any clues from the boys, they’re traumatized by the loss of their parents. You will become their teacher and governess, not exactly an uncommon trade for a girl your age for two adolescent boys.”

He pauses for breath. “Further, you must practice vigilance at trying to root out any other clues you can think of, any suspicious individuals, so that we can begin to untangle this mystery.”

He clasps his hands behind his back, standing resolutely. “I may be grasping at strings, but I shall grasp all the same. This horror must be brought to an end, before any more people die.”

Eloise:

GRMM (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtzpheG8aAQ&index=6&list=PL1C5A5C8D352096DD)

Nazarov seems to have settled into an attitude of quiet outrage, clearly displeased with the course of the conversation despite Oliver’s attempts to keep everything diplomatic and at arms length. Whoever had let the young upstart become a knight was obviously mentally disturbed.

Oliver, for his part, listened to Eloise’s response with measured aplomb, nodding at certain parts and chuckling good-naturedly at others. As she finished, though, he sighed wistfully. “Unfortunately, Dame Fortney, I do not think you know as much about my half-brother as you like to think you do.” He remarks with enigmatic smile. “For he would not have the popular support he does without some qualities to back them up.”

He leans back in the sofa, finishing his cup of tea and staring intently at the young girl for a moment before bursting into laughter. “I know who she reminds me of, Peter! It was on the tip of my tongue and now I’ve got it.” He snaps his fingers. “She’s just like Ada.”

It took Eloise a moment to process this, but she was familiar with the name: Ada Hayden, the only female general of the Royal Mechanized Cavalry Corps. She had gone to the same military academy as Oliver and the two had been lifelong friends ever since, having campaigned together on the African front. She was currently on the Ivory Coast, her 3rd Brigade “Rough Riders” venturing into the gold and salt kingdoms of West Africa to loot and plunder. The comparison was quite the compliment… Though for Oliver, it potentially could have some more embarrassing subtexts.

Nazarov frowned. “I hardly see how-”

“You don’t know her like I do.” Oliver replies with a cheeky grin, stroking his goatee. “Anyhow, to answer your question, Dame Fortney.” He rises from his position, standing over her. “I ask that you do nothing more than your duty, that you remember your oaths to your creed, your order, the crown, and your country. I’m sure you shall be an excellent knight some day.”

A compliment and a backhanded dismissal in one breath… Oh yes, Oliver was smooth.

[Space Lawyer]

Eira

Eira is crestfallen. That bastard shot my drone! She had expected him to maybe put a round through a rotor or something, but he had blasted her baby right through its CPU!

Still, if what Jaeger was offering was what Eira thought it was, this could be her big moment. With royal patronage, she could expand her work beyond anything she had been able to so far. Instead of fighting with the university for every scrap of power and material, she could just put a royal stamp on her requisition forms and make it so. If she could incorporate Rebecca's tech into her drones, and truly secure the backing of Jaeger, there would be no stopping her!

She turns her head, finding Shea in the crowd and matches her fashionable friend's grin.

First thing I'm doing is tweaking the target tracking.

[Jellyfish]

Fisher

Fisher stares at Devereaux. He is aware what he's asking me to do, right? The dangerous game he'd have me step into; the masquerade dance with Death. Yes, of course he's aware. He knows the stakes better than I do. And he knows I'm not an idiot, otherwise he would never suggest this. Why, then, would he expect me to consent to play into the hands of the most dangerous killers in the world?

Say no, Fisher. It's gone too far. This isn't worth it.

But as she opens her mouth, the words falter before they can reach her tongue. Isn't it? She pulls back. Can you really be that selfish? This is the fate of Britannia. Thousands of people could be affected by the outcome of your actions right now. Do you even care? "Shut up," she says, too quiet for anyone to hear. But the voice continues. You were never good at this, Fisher. I always thought you would change someday, but I guess you couldn't. I'm sorry I expected too much from you.

Fisher stands abruptly. "I'll go."

She turns to Shelby, her gaze steady and resolute. "Thank you for speaking up for me, but I can speak for myself, Dean Shelby. This is my decision, and mine alone." She addresses the others. "Nothing is too much to ask, when you consider what's at stake, and I have. I will go to the twin princes and do everything I can to stop these murders for good."

[delta639]

Eloise

Eloise's smile turns rather brittle at Oliver's first response, the prince's own smirk rubbing her the wrong way. Okay, I definitely don't like him. Might be better at hiding it than some other nobles, but he's just the same. "Stupid little girl, you don't really know anything about Jaegar..." I have seen what he can do in politics, sir. It's just... She blinks in confusion at the comparison to General Hayden, lips turning up to acknowledge what seems, at least, like a compliment. But she hardly needs to hear the rest after 'do nothing more' - the message is clear that she should stay out of this, that politics were no place for her inept fumblings, that all she should do is know her place and hold to her oaths.

And when those oaths come to clash, your highness? What then? Eloise almost asks Oliver, before her body goes unnaturally still as the words 'excellent knight' escape his lips, and she stares blankly through him for a moment. Remembering the red-tinged remnants of a town, not a soul left alive but a bloodstained girl and the smiling paladin before her, the shameful touch of a bright blade on her left shoulder-
"...gone far beyond what anyone would ask. You have undoubtedly proven yourself a true knight of Britannia this day. Rise, Dame Eloise Fortney..."

An ironic smile touches Eloise's lips just briefly, one that comes nowhere near her eyes. 'Shall be an excellent knight some day'...ah, but haven't you heard, Prince Oliver? I already am. "...Well, if that's all you have to ask of me, your highness." she says, taking a deep breath and forcing herself to smile at the royal. "I guess I shouldn't impose for any longer, right?" Eloise laughs lightly and stands up from her chair, bowing quickly to both men. "Since, you know, I obviously don't have any place here. Enjoy the rest of your...tea, sir. Prince." Eloise steps quickly over to the exit and slams the door hard behind her, fighting down the urge to scream.

Though she manages to keep quiet, Eloise can't help swinging a fist at empty air, teeth gritted. Gah...Stupid, stupid Loie. What was I even trying to do? She punches nothing again, hissing out a breath. I'm not a politician. Just a w...a knight, for all that that entails. It's how I was trained and why I was hired here, so nobody's gonna expect me to be anything different. Why even bother trying, right? Eloise takes a shallow breath, closing her eyes briefly. Then she waits with her back to the door for a few moments, trying to overhear anything from Oliver and Nazarov that might make this intermission worthwhile. A knight of St. Gabriel keeping watch for the Grandmaster shouldn't look too suspicious, she thinks idly. But i's not long before restlessness overcomes her and she pushes off into the hall, wandering away with a hand grasping her sword hilt. I need to go find a place to train...must be somewhere in this massive palace that'll do. Probably not the best way of coping, but. All I really know.

[Julian84]

Eira:

Jaegar glances over his shoulder as he walks away. “I said, come with me.” He remarks during his brisk egress. “That means you, Ms. Spear.” Provided the young scientist quickly begins following, he speaks to her clearly. “I will be in the Homeland for the next several months as my men get acclimated to performing desert warfare in the Mojave. I believe your drones would be a useful addition in our northward expansion across Africa as we begin to confront the Arab Federations over the years. For now, though, I think national interest will turn decidedly to domestic concerns…” His aide, Sir Kyrie, comes alongside him.

“Your Highness, that was extremely reckless…” The officer says with a pained look, shooting a glare at Eira quickly for attacking the prince. A simple gesture from Jaegar prompts him to hand the royal a hand-held tablet, which Jaegar begins typing on quickly. “At any rate, please warn me next time you wish to field-test such equipment, so at least you will be properly armored and there won’t be…” He sighs. “Unnecessary destruction.”

“Warfare is life or death, Advent.” Jaegar says dismissively. “You won’t always find yourself on a battlefield with the luxury of battle armor.” He hands the tablet to Eira. “Submit your measurements and home address, you will receive a rough fit by this afternoon – You’ll be sitting at my table at tonight’s banquet.” He turns his attention once more to Kyrie. “Armor would have slowed me down – A second of hesitation, a misstep of any kind, and that machine would have killed me. I’m greatly impressed.”

A car pulls up in front of the three, a driver hurriedly opening a door as Jaegar takes the tablet back from Eira once she has finished her task. “I will see you at the banquet.” He states brusquely. “I’ll have them send a driver for you. Don’t be late.”

Eira is left on the side of the road as the prince and his advisor drive off, Hanson, Shea, and Rebecca walking up slowly behind her as she slowly absorbs everything that just happened.

Fisher:

“Excellent.” Count Devereaux smiles softly. “I understand what I’m asking of you, and I’m grateful for your willingness to help us. Rest assured, we shall make every effort to avoid you coming to any harm.” He checks his watch. “The day is still young, so I shall leave you to your work, but… Princess Leyna leaves for El Valle tomorrow, it may do you well to be introduced if you’ll be traveling with her party to meet the princes. I shall try to arrange a meeting before then.”

“I’ll help you two with your work.” Agent Redding says. “Unless you’d like to take a break?”

Eloise:

The young knight eavesdrops on the prince and the grandmaster, quietly collecting her thoughts as she listened in on theirs. Thankfully, no one seemed to be coming down the corridor from either direction, so she could listen for a few seconds before arousing any suspicion.

“She’s a fiery one, that girl.” Oliver chortles. “That exit though, she certainly seemed offended. She should be glad she didn’t walk in on Zelinda, the poor child would have been cut to ribbons. My half-sister isn’t nearly as polite as I am.”

“I apologize for her audacity, your highness.” Nazarov growls under his breath. “I shall make sure she is punished for her impudence and disrespectful tone.”

“Don’t bother, she isn’t yours anymore, not really. Lemark chose her and she’s still a knight by the dint of the badge she wears on her chest as much as her history with your Order, though whether she’s been put through an official knighting ceremony with Leyna is… Unknown to me.” Oliver sighs. “God help her if she encounters Jaegar, he may cut her to literal ribbons. Or maybe decide he likes her for being such a brat. You never can know with him…” He pauses for a moment. “I do wonder though why Lemark chose her.”

“I am not aware, your highness.” The grandmaster replies. “If you wish to know, I could investigate the matter.”

“Not necessary.” Oliver dismisses that thought. “Back to business at hand, though…”

Eloise’s ability to eavesdrop begins to fade as their words become oddly distorted and faint, as if something were interfering with her ability to hear. Possibly some sort of anti-surveillance device she had never encountered before… Thwarted, she goes to find a gym to train in, wandering for another hour before finally locating a gym… Which she finds to be empty apart from two other people, an older gentleman with waist-length grey and black hair and a young blonde woman whose posture with a rapier he was adjusting in a very hands-on manner. Before Eloise could excuse herself without being noticed, however, the man noticed her with shark-like black eyes, stepping back from the woman quickly and smiling politely. “Well, Cassandra, perhaps we should…” He clears his throat. “Conclude our lesson for today. Same time tomorrow?”

“Hm? Uh, what?” Cassandra turns about in confusion, her cheeks slightly flushed. The man nods slightly in Eloise’s direction, causing the blonde to squeak with embarrassment and quickly flee the room, muttering apologies to Eloise as she passes by on her way to the lockers.

The man sighs softly, leaning against a weight-lifting machine and staring at the ceiling as if in silent prayer.

[Space Lawyer]

Eira barely had time to input her measurements, or at least what Shea had said Eira's measurements were. Even with her long legs, she could barely keep up with the pace Jaeger set, especially not while focusing on the tablet. The task managed though, she stands by the road, mouth the tiniest bit open. "What the hell just happened?"

"You just made a good impression on a PRINCE, thats what!" Shea throws herself at Eira with a squeal and wraps her arms around her much-taller friend. "And you're going to a BANQUET and you get to sit at the prince's own table! Omhmygoshheisendingadriverforyouandadressandeveryt hing!" Shea is only quieted by the need to breathe, huffing lightly.

"Why is he inviting me to a banquet though!? I nearly killed him, not to mention I'm not a banquet person! You remember the last big party I went to, right? I ended up, um. . ." She trails off, remembering that her doctoral advisor and a noble who had some very exciting tech were standing quite close. "Not having a very good time, and had to quickly leave." Strictly speaking, that was true.

"So what! This is a prince! Think about all the glamorous people that will be there! Plus, he likes your drones. With him standing behind you, none of the people there can say anything bad about your work. You can get so much support!"

"I. . . I guess you're right." She crosses one arm over her chest, looking down and lightly grasping her upper arm. She turns to Rebecca. "I know you said that you don't run in some of the higher circles, Lady Ashford, but will you be there?"

[delta639]

Eloise

After wandering for close to an hour through the palace halls and losing track of how many times the thought this place is too bloody big has run through her head, Eloise finds that the edge has been worn off her temper, though the passing servants who meet her eyes still end up scurrying in the opposite direction. Sighing out as she finally locates a place to train, Eloise walks into the room, blinks a couple times at the nearly intertwined man and woman, and is about to back out quietly before it ends up being unneeded. She looks darkly between the man and 'Cassandra' as the latter flees. Well, good. With how freakin' long it took to find this place, didn't exactly want to leave for their sake... That guy sure is jumpy, though.

It occurs that she should consider apologizing for the interruption, but mood keeps her from feeling up to it. She grasps the hilt of her longsword, hesitates, and shakes her head lightly, glancing around to locate a practice blade. Not like it helped that much back at the monastery, but...still an improvement. Anyway, I won't be fighting anyone right now. Testing the weight of a training sword in her hands, she takes a couple vicious swipes at mid-air, around where she imagines Nazarov's neck would be. She takes another stab at an imagined Oliver, and over a dozen strikes in rapid succession at a fantasized Prince Jaegar, pausing once she's done and breathing hard. If anyone gets cut to ribbons around here, it's not going to be me. After a moment Eloise sighs softly and adjusts her stance to one of a traditional fencing form, trying to clear her head and focus on precision over aggression.

"I could've just left, you know. I didn't really see anything." Eloise finally comments, watching the long-haired man out of the corner of her eye as she lunges at the wall. "Isn't she, like...half your age, though? Maybe a third?" she asks after a moment, words flowing out without consulting her brain in keeping with tradition. Little creepy...but on the other hand, she didn't seem to mind with how she was blushing. But on the other hand he's old. Ew. "Well, not my business, anyway." she thinks out loud, flicking her wrist in a parry and practiced riposte. "I'm guessing you're an experienced swordsman, ah, sir? You're probably someone I should know but I'm new here, so I don't actually have any idea who you or your pretty student were."

[Jellyfish]

Fisher

Fisher smiles a dimple-free smile. "Eheh. I would be very interested to hear about those efforts when you have the time, Count Devereaux." She then pulls out her tablet and starts tapping away, nodding along with Devereaux's words to show she's listening. Then her fingers suddenly stop moving. She looks up. "Oh! It's in El Valle? What a coincidence, that's where I grew up!" The corners of her mouth twitch a little. "I would love a meeting with the princess though, yes. I've never been within four hundred feet of royalty before! Guess that's going to change pretty darn soon though, eh?"

She folds her tablet shut, waving off Agent Redding's question. "No break for me. I have coffee; that's like the revitalizing power of a break compressed into supercharged liquid form. Combine that with the determination of a woman on a mission and I'm a flippin' juggernaut. Hand me those folders, won't you Dean Shelby? What do you mean which ones? All of them."

[Julian84]

Fisher:

Agent Redding laughs nervously at Fisher’s energy as she tackles the next few binders of information. “I guess you can’t fault her work ethic, look at her go.” He pulls up his tablet, scheduling out the rest of the day as Shelby also joins his pupil in attacking their work. The special agent walks over to Devereaux, speaking in low tones. “…Should I mention to her who else is involved in this investigation?”

Devereaux watches as Fisher pores over a red-backed booklet containing records of special ID access in the palace. “…No. Better for her to think it was random chance that we came across her. Hopefully, they won’t discover they’re working the same case.”

“As you wish.” Redding replies with a nod. “Do you really think she can do it?”

“… She has no idea what her limitations are… Or is so engrossed, she is forgetting to hide her true abilities from us. Nobody is that fast.” Devereaux replies. “I thought it was a long shot at best to try and see what she was capable of… But I think she’s going to do it.”

“I hope so…” Redding says with a frown as his mentor leaves.

---

Over the course of the next few hours, Fisher finds an interesting tidbit of information. Earlier on the night of their murder, Ignace and Cydonia had denied the entry of man named Simon Vickers onto their property in Pendragon.

He later pops up in the backlog of Pendragon’s security system in the middle of the night after the murders took place… And he gained entry into the Imperial Palace with the aid of an Order of St. Gabriel pass. Further investigation shows he is a member of the staff of Grandmaster Nazarov, the leader of that organization, who is now currently in Pendragon.

Eloise:

The young knight quietly moves from form to form, parrying invisible thrusts and counter-attacking with ferocity, her speed and power only hindered by the off-balance growth of a teenager rowing through puberty. Through it all, the man watches her out of the corner of his eye, following her movements with keen observation. He blinks slowly as Eloise addresses him, stretching out his full length lazily as he begins to walk towards her.

“Age… Is no obstacle to love.” He purrs roguishly, an easy grin splitting his features. “…Though legality is of course an obvious retort, Cassandra is old enough to know what she wants and chase after it as she likes.” The swordsman’s nose twitches. “Can you say the same?”

He pulls out a practice sword, casually swinging it in arcs through the air. Eloise can see he is experienced with swordsmanship, his languid pace and posture not entirely hiding his poise and skill, the quick switches of the sword from hand to hand that she can barely follow with the naked eye.

“My name, dear girl, is Sir Senemore van Kleiss, hailing from a branch of the Noble House of Waldstein.” He crosses one leg in front of the other, bowing deeply and extending his arms out to the sides. “I am one of the Royal Instructors, tasked with teaching the art of swordsmanship to the Royal family and key members of the Imperial Guard. I also run a fencing academy in the city, where nobles pay me a pretty shilling for my lessons.” He rises fluidly, brushing one long lock of hair behind his ear. “As for Cassandra, she is just a student of mine. No need for you to bother yourself thinking of her.”

Eira:

Rebecca doesn’t answer Eira immediately, lost in thought for a moment. “Hm?” She says, realizing someone was speaking to her. “Oh, I’m sorry!” She hastily apologizes. “Yes, I’ll be in attendance… Though I doubt I’ll have a good table, aha…”

“Well, don’t forget us little people on your meteoric rise to the top.” Hanson growls half-heartedly. “And see if you can nick a few pieces of silverware from the banquet, I’m sure that stuff is the real deal.”

Rebecca clears her throat. “I am… happy… for your good fortune, Ms. Spear…” The scientist says haltingly. “But I’d warn you not to let yourself be too easily swayed by the Jaegar you saw today… He has somewhat of a negative reputation amongst the nobility for his rash and… Aggressive behavior.” She looks away. “Try not to fail him. His moods are mercurial, at best, and you don’t want to be on his bad side when he loses his temper.”

[Space Lawyer]

Eira

Eira nods somberly at Rebecca's evaluation of Jaeger. "I'm sure he is rash and aggressive. That was on full display today; nobody who is generally calm and collected steps out onto the field against a fully-armed military-grade drone to get shot at. I'm probably just the latest in a long list of side projects though. I'll produce some work then get forgotten as the shine wears off.

Rebecca frowns, saying ominously "I wouldn't be so sure about that. . ."


Later that evening

For once, Eira was at her apartment, along with Shea. It was what one would expect a student microapartment (http://tinyhousetalk.com/wp-content/uploads/240-sf-micro-apartment-nyc-04-600x400.jpg) to be. Most of the surfaces were covered with discarded clothing, various bits of electronics and metal, and the accumulated detritus of Eira's haphazard life. Shea finds a chair and shoves the clothing off of it on to the floor. "Ok, time to show it off!"

Eira's muffled cry comes from the restroom, the only room in the apartment with a mirror. "You can't be serious! This isn't how people, well, me, are supposed to look!"

"Those measurements were exact, a dress from that designer costs more than your rent for the year, and you're going to look great! I saw that dress before you put it on, remember?"

With a grumble, Eira comes tottering out of the bathroom on the shoes that Shea had made her buy, a pair of strappy leather stilettos. "Eeeeeep! You look amazing! He even made it look good with your tattoos!"

Eira did not feel like she looked amazing. In fact, she felt rather ridiculous. Her black dress was was beautiful, admittedly, but that slit went way too high, and it showed way too much of her chest. "Is it even legal for me to wear something like this in public? I'm not going to get arrested for indecent exposure or something, am I?"

"Eh, you probably won't get arrested for indecent exposure, but I'm sure that some noble will think of some sort of trumped-up charge to have you arrested on when they fall in love with you and you shoot them down."

Eira crosses her arms in front of her chest with a harumph. "Thanks, great. I'm looking forward to spending the night in some dungeon in this dress."

"Well, if that happens, just seduce the guard and get out of there! Now, sit down and let me do your hair and makeup."

Makeover montage!

After an hour of hair-pulling, various brushes and pots, and all manner of mysterious devices Shea pulls out of her bag, Eira barely looks like herself. Or rather, she looks like a wholly different version of herself. "There! All done!"

Eira pulls out a lighter and some rolling papers, and is reaching for something else when Shea slaps her hand down. "No! I spent all this time making you smell nice, and you are not going to mess that up!" The glowering look from the shorter girl, now at eye height thanks to Eira's seated position, convinces Eira that she best comply.

There is a knock at the door. "Ms. Eira Spear? I'm here to escort you to the banquet."

"Just in time!"

Eira summons her courage and walks out the door.

[Jellyfish]

Fisher

Fisher stares at a packet of paper. Compares it with another one. Narrows her eyes.

"AHA!"

She slams the pages down in front of Agent Redding. But after such a long silence, the combination of her vocal outburst and the rattling of the table prove to be louder than anticipated, causing her to jump. She pulls back to her side of the table with an embarrassed smile. "I uh, I stumbled across this. That's important, right? This Vickers person seems awful suspicious. I don't know if he's still in Pendragon or where you could find him, but even if you can't, this Nazarov might be worth having a chat with."

[delta639]

Eloise

Still more focused on her invisible enemies than the long-haired man, Eloise hmphs softly at his assured reply. However you defend it, 'love' with someone that much younger still makes you seem like a creeper, sir. Her sword slows for a moment at his question, focus disrupted. "Huhwhat, me? Oh, uh..." Images of Lemark unwittingly flash through her head, and she stumbles moving between stances, a half-laugh escaping her. "Well, chasing's nooot exactly what I'm trying to go for- not that I'm worried about seeming too forward or unladylike or a 'public menace' like last time, ahaha- but I'm old enough to know what I want, yeah!" Eloise replies before frowning.

"Or I think I am, at least...can anyone really say they know what they want? Meh." She swipes hard at the air with her practice sword, grimacing. "Was always better at fighting than philosophy...anyway, there's other obstacles to love apart from age, I think. Class divides and politics and annoying things like that." And then you get into personal issues, but I'm not about to mention those. -Wait, maybe I shouldn't have mentioned that stuff either. "I want to be a knight for my princess, at least." she admits, dropping the sword to her side and breathing hard. "Love's too complicated and...unlikely, in the grand scheme of things, for me to think about."

Shoving that thought away, Eloise consciously notices what her subconscious has been telling her about Kleiss's swordsmanship- namely, how good he is, even in this casual setting. "Anyway, I guess it's an honor to meet you, Sir Senemore. I'm Dame Eloise Fortney. You might've known some older more famous people in my family, but I'm just Princess Leyna's knight." She bows back, a few seconds later than she should. See, saying there's no need to think of your student just makes me more curious... "So, did you train Prince Oliver and Prince Jaegar? Maybe Prince Lemark, too?" she asks. "You've probably had a good chance to see who's the best of them."

[Julian84]

Eloise:

Van Kleiss smirks as he approaches Eloise slowly. “You’re not the first young lady I’ve met with such an attitude. All work and no play rarely went the way they expected.” He leans heavily on the practice blade in his hands. “If you catch my drift.”

He examines Eloise closely. “I worked with a Ned Fortney, once upon a time. You’ve got the same nose. Might be a family relation?” He shrugs. “Who you’re related to doesn’t matter in the long run, it’s who you are, what you can do. That’s how Oliver, Lemark, and Jaegar all made their mark.” Kleiss grins over his shoulder at Eloise. “And yes, I trained each of them.”

His watch begins to beep, the swordsman casually glancing at it. “If you’re Leyna’s knight indeed, why’re you here? Don’t you have a function to be attending? It starts in only a little bit.”

Fisher:

Agent Redding jumps out of his chair at Fisher’s sudden outburst, a much more dignified reaction than Dean Shelby, who falls out of his chair cursing a storm. “Wha- Let me see.” Redding says, rubbing his eyes tiredly. He pores over the documents, connecting the dots… Fisher watches him as the clock on the wall ticks impatiently… To her, he seemed a terribly slow reader.

“So… This Vickers character…” He nods slowly. “Alright. Yes. I see what you’re driving at. Nazarov will be at the banquet today, we’ll see about bringing this Vickers in for questioning.” He glances at the wall. “The banquet is soon. If you could both change into something a little more… Formal, we’ll arrange to have you brought to the palace.”

Eira:

GRMM (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25YUFnZbOUE&index=16&list=PLC65C07C35396F6C9)

Eira’s motor coach arrives at the steps of the monolithic imperial palace, where she is met by Jaegar’s assistant, Sir Advent Kyrie, who bows his head slightly. “Good evening. If you will, Ms. Spear, I’ll lead you to the banquet.” He offers his arm to her.

Whether or not she relents, he leads her all the same, following the crowd of nobility and aristocracy into the palace and taking a confusing series of corridors, elevators, and stairs to arrive at the Great Hall, a massive room bathed in soft, yellow light from enormous crystal chandeliers. Banners hung from columns surrounding the room, each with the standard of the empire proudly displayed. At the far end was several doors leading out to a wide balcony, though few felt brave enough to endure the weather, preferring the warm interior of the hall. Waiters moved silently through the crowds bearing trays of hors d’oeuvres, champagne, and other delicacies. There were tables as well, but most of the guests were content to wander about, socializing amongst their peers.

“Presenting the honorable Captain Advent Kyrie, Knight of Honor to his highness, Prince Jaegar nil Britannia!” The herald at the door uselessly shouted over the din he paused, looking at the listings hesitantly before glancing at Eira. “And the honorable Miss Eira Spear!”

“Commoners with no credentials don’t come to these events terribly often.” Advent murmurs, any trace of humor or condescension carefully removed from his voice. “Maybe in a few years he’ll make you an Earl.”

[Space Lawyer]

Right, these events aren't for commoners like me. They're for pompous blowhards who had an ancestor who was really good at being a bully and waving a sword around.

That thought carefully buried, Eira smiles and waves off the suggestion. "No, no, of course he wouldn't do that. Just imagine the sort of uproar naming me a noble would cause."

She notices a few waifish girls staring at her arms and whispering behind raised hands. Eira raises her head and keeps proudly walking forward. Sorry for having a purpose in life beyond getting married off to cement a family alliance, you gossiping twits.

Still, she was rather uncomfortable at all the attention, and the company. She recognized a few of the guests. There was Sir Martin Watson, his corpulent frame and magnificent beard the proper look for the CEO of one of the largest construction and heavy industry firms in the Empire. Over there was Baron Savriel, who Eira distinctly wanted to avoid if the rumors about his family's role in the Empire were true.

Looking around though, she can't find one of the only nobles she had hoped to spot, Lady Rebecca. Looks like Advent would have to do the job for now. "So, umm, what exactly am I supposed to do here?"

[delta639]

Eloise

"All work and- excuse me, I might have attitude problems but I know how to play too!" Eloise defends herself, affronted. "Get me a trapeze, a feather boa and a saxophone and I will blow your mind, sir, let me tell you that." Deigning not to mention the possibility of blowing out eardrums or metaphorical swords, Eloise perks up at the results of his examination. "Oh, you knew uncle Ned? That must have been before he broke his nose, heh, though Mother always said I was too young for that story. I never did find out what a Herzensbrecher was..." she laments, before her gaze hardens at Van Kleiss's words of wisdom. Well, I do think that it matters some. But... "I plan on showing what I can do." she says more calmly. "Just as soon as I get a chance." A second chance.

She tilts her head at the beeping. "Function? Oh, the thing- the banquet, right, I remembered that. But that doesn't start for another couple hou-" Her mouth snaps shut and her eyes widen upon catching a glimpse of his watch. "Itakeitbacknicemeetingyougottagobye!" she shouts over her shoulder, halfway out the door by the end of the sentence. After an expedited trip through the palace and the shaking down of a few innocent servants for directions, Eloise makes it back to Leyna's suite, trying to locate the princess while simultaneously trying to look less like she'd just run a marathon.

"L- your highness, I'm ready for the banquet! If, um, you ignore any and all standards of respectability..." she pants out assuming she finds her charge. "This might not be the...most convincing time to ask, but is there anything of yours I could wear on my uniform, van Britannia crest or something? So people will know I'm yours. Your knight, I mean." she adds. "...Also, would it be better to be fashionably late or to show up looking embarrassing? You look pretty enough to make up the difference, but...I mean, I don't want to reflect badly on you if possible." she finishes in a mumble.

[Jellyfish]

Fisher

Fisher's mouth drops open. "Oh! The... the palace! So that royal banquet everyone's talking about, with the Prince Jeagar thing and the... wow, alright. I will... get dressed then." She flashes a refined smile, floats out of her chair, and hustles away, risking an excited little hop before disappearing around the corner.

...Only to find herself, after snaking through several hallways, squarely in the middle of the breakroom. She facepalms. "Ah, hello there. I'm sorry, but I can't seem to locate the exit. Could you- what? Yes, I work here. ...Eighteen! Hey, I'll have you know women of all ages wear pigtails these days! Now could you kindly- Oh look, Dr. Shelby, I'll just follow him. Enjoy your coffee."

She joins the professor, they ride back to their hotel, and with one final, "See you in a few, Dean Shelby!" Fisher hops through her door, kicking off her shoes. The second it's closed, focus-mode kicks in. Dress. She hangs several options up, considers them for one second, then grabs one off its hanger and changes into it. Makeup. The materials clatter across the bathroom counter and she begins re-crafting her features. Different eyeshadow, touch-up eyeliner, more lipstick... She blinks at her strikingly radiant reflection. No no, less lipstick. Too much eyeliner. She wipes it clean and starts again. Better. Hair. She undoes her deep red pigtails, brushes the part out, and sets to work with a curling iron.

Soon, she emerges from her room, crimson curls brushing her bare shoulders, a light pink dress flowing a little past her knees. And, of course, her tablet tucked in a purse at her side. She pulls it out to check the time, then frowns. That only took 20 minutes. By female law, she was supposed to take at least 30. She retreats back to her room to find something to do with the extra ten minutes. She twists her hair up, takes it down, re-curls it, then checks the time again. A second later the door to the hallway bursts open. "I'm ready!"

[Julian84]

Eira:

Advent snatches a glass of champagne from a tray, sipping it lightly while carefully surveying the crowd. “That’s up to you to decide, Ms. Spear. Ostensibly, you’re here because the Prince wants to discuss the more… Informal arrangements of your business with him. But his highness is… Unpredictable. He may have a different use in mind for you.” He sniffs daintily. “If it makes you feel better, I highly doubt you’re here as a trophy to dangle from his arm.”

“Eira!” Rebecca finds her way through the crowd, coming alongside her new colleague breathlessly. “There you are.” She smiles sweetly at the knight at Eira’s side. “I shall take care of your charge, Sir Kyrie, you are relieved of duty.”

The knight snorts. “Are all the Ashfords so amusing with their jests? Not likely, Lady Ashford. I am to deliver Ms. Spear to Jaegar’s side, and so I shall.”

“… Well fine then.” Rebecca retorts. “I shall just accompany you.”

“As you wish, my lady.” Advent replies caustically.

Eloise:

Leyna takes in the sight of her knight gasping for air and babbling out some winded monologue, arms dangling limply at her sides. She is dressed in a dark blue dress that matches her eyes, lighter blue hairpins holding back her coral locks. “I think your dress uniform shall do for now, Eloise.” She replies quickly. “Um…” She walks over to her dresser, opening an alabaster box.

When she returns, she holds a winged badge in her hands. “This is a little… Unceremonious, but this is your official symbol of rank. Normally there’d be a special service and ceremony and I’d knight you… Again, I guess.” She stutters. “But… Um. Here you go. This means you’re mine. My knight, I mean.”

The princess glances at the clock. “We can afford to be fashionably late… Lemark might give me a lecture later, but…” She smiles tightly. “We wouldn’t want you to embarrass yourself.”

Fisher:

The young student arrives to find Dean Shelby wearing a rather drab suit, pacing and checking his watch. “Finally.” He mutters. “I understand it’s a woman’s prerogative, but could you have been a little faster?” The man shakes his head. “Come on, the driver is waiting. Let’s go.”

They are ushered into a rather ornate motor coach, finding a small fridge with fizzy refreshments and a television broadcasting international news. Fisher notes quietly that there seemed to be some sort of political disturbance in the EU between a new populist movement and what were deemed oligarchical groups that consolidated power amongst those with inherited wealth and power. Such a thing would have been unthinkable in Britannia.

The duo arrive at a side entrance to the palace, quickly and quietly ferried up to the Great Hall, kept out of sight of the upper class nobility and aristocracy. A man in a crisp suit comes to speak to their driver as waiters push past Shelby and Fisher in the tight hallway they were occupying, the swinging door giving the girl short glimpses of the pomp and circumstance outside. “You’ll have to wait for a moment.” The driver murmurs. “Prince Lemark and Princess Leyna have not yet arrived.”

[Space Lawyer]

Eira gives a grimace at the back of Advent's head, but allows him to continue escorting her. The man might be as sour as vinegar, but he was her patron's right-hand man. Eira had been able to get away with angering the higher-ups at the university, protected as she was by Hanson, but there wasn't much that could shield her from an irate prince.

Smug-faced snob. I bet your sword is so firmly is so firmly lodged up your ass you can't even sit properly.

She deliberately turns from Advent to Rebecca, excluding him from the conversation with her body. "It really would be poor form if a knight managed to lose me between the entrance and the prince," Eira says, nodding with a faux-serious look on her face.

If Jaeger didn't show up soon though, Eira probably was going to have to wrench herself away from the knight in sour armor and go outside for a smoke break.

[Jellyfish]

Fisher

"Sorry, Dr. Shelby, my hair simply would not behave," Fisher says, hurriedly checking herself over while she walks. She adjusts her trademark clover necklace, then a thought hits her and she reaches into her purse. Her fingers close around something small and cylindrical, and, reassured, she skips to the hotel lobby's exit. Never show up to a party without pepper-spray, she thinks with a smile, and pushes through the doors. She quickly tugs her shawl around her shoulders as the outdoor chill hits her.

A short while later, she finds herself not quite so enthusiastic, attempting to obtain a 2-dimensional quality just to avoid getting beamed by hors d'oeuvre trays. Her stomach gives a hollow groan as the dishes pass mere inches from her nose.

"Well, I can honestly say this isn't how I pictured the start of this evening," she mutters. Then she brightens. "I guess a little time for preparations couldn't hurt, though. After all, this is sort of our first undercover mission, isn't it?" She takes on a dramatic tone. "I'll be masquerading as the fresh-faced royal tutor; youthful, fair, and curious of the family she will be serving so dutifully. Little do they suspect the truth behind the mask, the wolf in sheep's very tasteful clothing endeavoring to sniff out the other well-dressed canine that plots to devour the most impeccably-garbed creatures of all!" She's so excited she forgets to cling to the wall, and an ill-timed gesture sends a tray clattering to the ground. "Ah! I'm so very sorry! See, this is why they keep me back here. I'm too hazardous to be allowed near the rest of the public." She giggles in embarrassment, picking an assortment of shattered chocolate fragments and setting them back on the tray. "Let me just brush these off, and I think this piece fits here, and... You know what, maybe I should just eat them. Would that be alright?"

She munches on the pieces of ruined chocolates, careful to hug the wall. "So what's your cover, professor?"

[delta639]

Eloise

"Right! Dress uniform." Eloise bobs her head, trying to control her breathing. "Got it, just as soon as I make sure I haven't lost- I mean I'll go change into it right now!" She's about to dash off to her own room before noticing Leyna's acquiescing to her request. "Or...right two minutes from now!" she amends, watching the princess's rummaging before she walks back over, and Eloise's eager hand halts in mid-air as she sees the winged badge. "Oh. That would...work." She hesitates, looking away and not accepting the token. "I-I'd do my duty to shield you from his lecture, if it came to that." she says with a faint smile, looking back down at the token for a prolonged pause. "Could you, um...hold that thought for a minute, your highness? Sorry, I'll be right back." Eloise dips her head and slips out of the room, not making eye contact with her charge.

A quick shower, a change of clothes, and some hastily applied makeup later, a freshened up Eloise re-enters the room, dress uniform's sharpness reduced by the towel that looks to be attacking her head. "Stupid thing must have shrunk since last time I wore it," she mutters, tugging at her uniform's sleeve before looking up from it to Leyna. "Sooo, uh, I know we should be off but I tried to be quick with the beautifying so I could request something about. That." She nods to the symbol of knighthood. "I really don't need a service to honor me or anything like that- honestly, going without one would be more appropriate," she adds under her breath. "But if I'm going to serve you, Princess, I don't want to just take the badge and skip the...ceremonial part of knighting. I know it might just seem like one more dumb formality, but I've still been kind of planning on it, and..." Eloise exhales. "I just really want to do this right." she says, amber eyes meeting Leyna's as she tries to wordlessly convey the need.

"So, please? If we could just take a minute to say the lines, I swear on my sword I won't make us late for anything else ever!" Eloise asserts, touching her weapon's hilt before looking down self-consciously. I think that sounded a lot better back before they invented guns. "Um. It starts with my name, and then- 'Wilt thou, upon this day, pledge thy fealty to Britannia...' " she suggests softly.

[Julian84]

Eira:

Rebecca sniggers behind one hand at her friend’s veiled jab at the knight. “Indeed, in such a treacherous environment as this you might be lost to us for days, perhaps forever!” She forcibly gets between Advent and Eira, prying the scientist loose. “I’ll make sure your charge reaches Prince Jaegar unspoiled, Sir Kyrie. Perhaps you should go get a glass of champagne, loosen up a little. This is a party after all.”

Advent looks between Rebecca and Eira for a moment before releasing her. “Fine.” He growls. “But if the Prince is displeased, the blame is on you and your family, Lady Ashford.” He turns curtly away, disappearing into the crowd.

The baron’s daughter smiles primly before uttering a sharp retort under her breath. “Well, got him to buzz off.” She says waspishly. “If the Prince asks, we’ll just say we’re two scientists discussing science and whatnot. He’ll understand, I’m sure.” She chuckles. “Or not, and be forced to go along with it to save face, I care not.”

Fisher:

Shelby glances at his pupil, flushing red. “C-cover?” He stammers. “I… Well, I honestly hadn’t given it much thought. I suppose I shall simply be your… Former teacher? Perhaps? Backing up your credentials as a governess? Or perhaps a character witness…”

“A kindly uncle?” A lilting voice suggests as a young man somewhere in his late twenties pushes past them, garbed in an odd black costume most unfit for a party. He calmly brushes one lock of light purple hair behind his ear, examining the banquet. Fisher immediately senses something… Menacing… about this man, despite his charming smile or glittering eyes.

“Er, can we help y-” Shelby begins to say.

He glances slyly at the two out of the corner of his eye. “Or perhaps her butler.” The man interrupts, daintily picking a piece of chocolate out of Fisher’s grasp and transferring it slowly to his mouth. “For a wolf hiding amongst the flock, your true pelt shows a little too much…” He stares at her for a moment too long before beaming at the two of them. “Might want to watch that waggling tongue of yours, eh?” He ruffles Fisher’s hair and steps out onto the banquet hall.

“… Well that was queer…” Shelby mutters to himself. “Wouldn’t you say?”



GRMM (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cm4QpXevKO8&list=PLA72F488302CC2660&index=10)

“Announcing the arrival of his Royal Highness, Prince Jaegar nil Britannia!” The herald cries as the intimidating prince stalks into the banquet hall to scattered applause and bows. He is followed by three officers in his retinue, as well as luminaries such as General Roland Ellis and Admiral Seamus McNair, two high-ranking officers who has served with distinction with Jaegar in the African theater of war.

“Here we go…” Rebecca mutters under her breath as crowds swarm forwards to greet the prince, shaking hands and posing for pictures with industrial magnates and dukes and duchesses. Throughout the whole process, he seems guarded and uncomfortable. Affairs of state are obviously not Jaegar’s forte. “At least he’s not having any fun either.” The lady smirks.

“Announcing the arrival of his Royal Highness, Prince Lemark van Britannia!” The blue-haired prince strides in after his older half-brother, raising an eyebrow at the commotion.

“There’s our man… Or at least one of them?” Shelby scratches his head. “At least, someone who we report to, indirectly, I should say.”



Eloise:

Leyna glances at the wall clock anxiously as Eloise explains her feelings on the matter, the young princess fidgeting and restless. They were already late because of Eloise, and now the girl was taking up yet more time when they should be leaving to reach the banquet on time. But as Eloise continues her impassioned plea, Leyna’s expression grows soft.

GRMM (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AN61Xlz01XQ&index=13&list=PL1C5A5C8D352096DD)

“Dame Fortney… Take a knee.” She orders softly, stepping closer as Eloise hastens to obey.

“Dame Eloise Fortney.” Leyna says with authority. “Wilt thou, upon this day, pledge thy fealty to Britannia and stand as a knight of the Crown? Doth thou wish to abandon thyself and be a sword and shield for the sake of the greater good?”

With Eloise’s hurried reply, she extends her hand. “Thy sword.” The knight withdraws the blade from its scabbard, holding the hilt out to her princess with the blade poised against her own heart. Leyna reaches out slowly, taking the hilt and drawing the blade back towards her, shaking hands taking the tip mere millimeters from Eloise’s chin.

The princess gulps loudly, trying to control her nerves, and places the flat of the blade on Eloise’s right shoulder. “I, Leyna van Britannia, do hereby dub thee as my knight, Dame Eloise Fortney. In you I do see the virtues of honor, honesty, loyalty, decorum, and devotion.” She hands back Eloise’s sword. “Now… Rise.”

[Space Lawyer]

Eira takes the opportunity presented by a passing tray to snag her own glass of champagne, taking a large gulp. "I don't know how anyone does it. If even half of these people are like that pompous knight, I'm surprised the empire manages to function under its own calcified weight." She slings back the remaining half of the champagne, setting the glass down on a tray moving the other way.

Jaeger's large retinue draws some interest. "Is the prince attending this party or invading it? What am I supposed to do with all those officers around? They'll say the same thing those people always do: the drones can't work, that I'm destroying our way of life, all that usual mess."

[Jellyfish]

Fisher

Fisher watches the man, her mascara-lined eyes looking especially stricken. She opens her mouth, but for all her tongue-waggling a few seconds ago, she can't seem to produce a single word.

When his disconcerting presence has finally left the room, she dumps the rest of her chocolates onto a passing tray and brushes chocolate fragments off her hands, all too eager to be rid of them. "Yes, super queer. Really unnervingly queer." She shudders and hugs her shawl around herself, pulling out her tablet to retreat into its screen. She adds under her breath, "He messed up my hair, too. Does he have any idea how much time I put into that?"

----

Fisher, who wouldn't notice giant robots crashing through the wall during one of her electronic excursions, is blissfully oblivious anything going on outside her screen, including two princes arriving and Shelby's futile attempt at communication. After several long moments of silence, however, she suddenly jumps, giving a squeak. "Um... Dean Shelby? I-isn't this the guy we just talked to?" She shows him a picture of a row of trucks lined up, innocent civilians screaming as they're dragged into the vehicles by Britannian soldiers. They're directed by a man with light purple hair.

"I don't know how I found it," she explains quickly. "I was just chatting with a college friend and I had to look something up, and I stumbled across this article on the Liberation Wars of Area 6 and that led to this picture and- That is him, right? It says those people were brought to an unlisted facility in the Caribbean and then just disappeared." She folds her arms, looking up at her professor. "Should we talk to Redding about this?"

[delta639]

Eloise

There's a moment of weighty silence following Eloise's request-slash-suggestion, and for an awful second she has to wonder if she's asked too much. But then it passes and a wave of relief washes over her, face taking on an uncharacteristically serious expression as she kneels before Leyna.

“Wilt thou, upon this day, pledge thy fealty to Britannia and stand as a knight of the Crown?"
She's briefly paused by thoughts of what she's already done in service of Britannia, but focuses on Leyna's face to push away her doubts. "Yes, your highness."
"Doth thou wish to abandon thyself and be a sword and shield for the sake of the greater good?”
That, at least, she can agree to with no hesitation. "Yes, your highness." Fulfilling it might be more difficult, but...worth it, she was sure.

Handing over the blade to her charge, Eloise takes in the princess's nervousness, and a small smile touches her lips to try and reassure the girl. She holds very still for a second, feeling the weight on her shoulders and keeping a straight face at the virtues which she's said, at least, to possess. And then it is over.

Eloise stands, taking back her sword and sheathing it in a practiced motion. "Thank you, Princess. Leyna." she stresses softly, letting out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. "I really do appreciate that." She dips her head slightly, then lets out a surprised noise as the forgotten hair-towel flops onto her face. "Oop! Ah, eheh, probably good that wasn't in front of an audience..." she comments, whipping it off her head and casting an awkward glance towards the door. Then she takes a deep breath and picks up the princess's symbol to pin on her chest, eyes sparkling at Leyna as she stands up straighter than before. "Well, the evening's not getting any younger, your highness. Shall we be off?"

[Julian84]

Eira:

“Well, you’d be surprised.” Rebecca admits. “Despite the airs the nobility puts on, inheritance is no guarantee of position, especially with the prospect of siblings and other branch families. You must be cunning, quick to take advantage of any weakness. These are the minds that keep the wheels of the empire turning.” She takes a sip of champagne. “And I would advise you against underestimating them, my dear.”

Jaegar quietly works through the crowd, doing his utmost best to be diplomatic, friendly, and courteous. A stray glance finds him making eye contact with the lanky inventor, his sharp golden eyes entrancing even from across the room as he quickly excuses himself. With quick strides, Eira finds the prince standing before her, smiling tightly. “Ms. Spear.” He says, mumbling somewhat. “I’m glad you could join with us at my banquet tonight.” Jaegar glances around quizzically. “Where is Advent? I told him to stay by your side until I arrived.”

There is a slight stir back at the entrance to the banquet hall as some girl screams delicately and Prince Lemark seems to tackle a red-headed girl to the floor.

Fisher:

Shelby’s eyebrows rise in surprise at her findings. “Well, isn’t that curious…” He puts on spectacles, peering down at the picture. “Yes indeed, that is the odd gentleman… What fortuitous timing you should find this so quickly after meeting him.” He says without a trace of sarcasm, fully believing what should have been a rather far-fetched lie. “I suppose we could mention it to Agent Redding, but I’m not sure if there’s much point… It could just end up being a total red herring in regards to the investigation at large.” He murmurs. “Ah, speak of the devil, Agent Redding how do you do.”

Redding appears out of the crowd, shaking Shelby’s hand. “Fine, fine.” He says quickly, obviously uncomfortable with their surroundings. “Count Devereaux sends his regards but couldn’t be here tonight, he has other business to attend to. Come along, I’ll introduce you to the prince.” He nods for them to follow and begins to slip through the crowds. As they follow along they find him standing abreast Prince Lemark and two Asians who appear to be a father-daughter pair, the girl a little younger than Fisher herself.

“Prince Lemark, may I introduce to you Dean Shelby and Ms. Hartman.” Redding says quickly. “This is his royal highness, Prince Lemark.”

The prince smiles politely as the two bow. “It is a pleasure to meet you both, Jasper has told me all about your work. I am most excited to see what you two can uncover with my nephews and sister.” He blinks. “Oh, almost forgot – Dean Shelby, Ms. Hartman, this is Ryuuken Sumeragi, the ambassador of Japan, and his daughter, Shiroyuki.”

Ryuuken bows. “Good evening to you both.” He intones deeply as his daughter shyly smiles at Fisher.

Somebody suddenly rams into Lemark’s back, sending him flying forward towards Fisher, wide-eyed and looking profoundly violated.

Eloise:

“Right, yes.” Leyna responds quickly, hiking up her skirt to expedite the process of getting to the banquet hall quickly. The two stride down the empty corridors as fast as they can, most of the servants either busy attending to the banquet or elsewhere in the palace. They reach the outer foyer, where Eloise quietly spies the girl she had noticed before with Senemore, and busily shove their way through the line past the herald, who is left sputtering to introduce the girls.

Eloise notices that Leyna, red-faced and staring straight ahead, has gone into auto-pilot mode. Hurriedly navigating the thick crowd at the front of the hall they run straight into the back of Lemark, shoving him forward to collapse atop of Fisher as a young Asian girl leaps back screaming “Kyyyyaaaaaa!” As Lemark’s drink goes flying into her face.

[Space Lawyer]

Eira mumbles "I'm not underestimating them . . . being clever doesn't mean that they don't make mistakes based on prejudice though. 'Sides, I know you, and I certainly wouldn't underestimate you."

What if Rebecca thinks I don't like her because she's a noble? Oh ************. No, she didn't seem to take it that way.

Luckily, eye contact with Jaeger is enough to freeze Eira's mind long enough to get her to shut up.

"Err, umm, we were discussing scientific matters and asked Advent to leave us in peace for a bit. Really, we were quite insistent."

Then the commotion sounds from the back of the hall. "Although if you would like to find him now, I suspect he'll be over there in about three seconds." Eira gives her best charming smile . . . which of course looks more like a strange rictus.

[Jellyfish]

Fisher

"Seems like I'm a very fortuitous person, doesn't it?" Fisher says absently. Then she tucks her tablet away. "Well, I guess you're right. Redding already has enough to worry about." She gives him an earnest look. "Still, I'd keep this guy on our radar, Professor. I've got a funny feeling about him, and when I get funny feelings they usually mean something."

When she soon finds herself face-to-face with the 5th Prince of Britannia, however, one of those "funny feelings" seems to be preventing her from speaking. She sees Dean Shelby bowing and quickly catches on, dipping into a sudden curtsy. "Well, we will certainly do our best, your highness," she says with a giggle she instantly regrets. She clears her throat, smoothing out her skirt and simultaneously brushing off her palms. She inclines her head toward the Sumeragis and smiles politely. "Hajimemashte."

No sooner has the word left her mouth than Lemark tackles her. Fisher squeaks, and a split second later strikes the ground with a thump. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry! Whatever I just said I take it back, I haven't studied Japanese since I was nine and I by no means intended to insult anyone! Please don't start a war because of this, most Britannians are really much better at speaking than I am, even in their native tongue, and-" She continues babbling apologies to the ambassador for an impressive length of time, still lying on the ground and taking little notice of anything else.

[delta639]

Eloise

Trying to will away the remnants of her earlier mood as she rushes down the halls at Leyna's side, Eloise does her best to mentally prepare herself for the upcoming banquet. Okay, this shouldn't be that bad...all they'll expect from me is to stand there and look vaguely menacing, right? Or wait, maybe I should go for chivalrous. Or cute? That would be good for matching Leyna, but I don't know if I can pull it off. Hrmnm. Contemplating the complications of knighthood, she idly notes a couple familiar faces on their way through the foyer, but nobody too familiar. Good.

Strong-arming some guests aside and hoping that none of them are too important, Eloise busily clears a way through the line and fully ignores the herald, faltering somewhat in her step as she catches sight of everyone assembled in the hall. "We can—" she mutters with a sideways glance to Leyna, before blinking and deciding the girl probably won't listen or even hear a suggestion to slow down. But where are we even supposed to be going...? she thinks before catching sight of a shock of blue hair, reflexively arresting her momentum to avoid embarrassment...sadly, not something that her charge follows up on. "Ah, princess, look ou—!" Eloise manages to warn before the collision, stopping short with a wince as the girl barrels into her brother's back. Someone shrieks as she grabs onto Leyna's arm to prevent them both from falling, cheeks heating up as she looks from Leyna to Lemark to the strangers to the legs poking out from under the prince. Expression flickering, she opens her mouth with a soft breath.

"Um...introducing her highness Leyna van Britannia!" Eloise says brightly, staring fixatedly into space as she gestures to the princess, quickly continuing and trying to speak over the frantic apologies coming from the floor. "I'm sure you're all acquainted with her royal brother I just knocked down...sor~ry about that, I'm a bit of a klutz, but I'm sure we can forgive and forget with no international incidents and nobody getting fired, right? Right!" She grasps the academic-looking man by his hands and shakes them vigorously, a somewhat glassy smile on her face. "Dame Eloise Fortney, knight of honor. Can I give you a hand up off Lady Whatsherface, Prince Lemark?" she whirls away from Shelby to offer, shoving a hand towards the prostrate prince. "I'm really very sorry, didn't mean to interrupt the talks with our guests from the...uh...Chinese Federation, was it?" she directs with uncertain energy at the ambassador, probably not doing much to help Fisher's point.

[Jellyfish]

Fisher

Fisher lifts her head off the floor. "I... knocked down? You mean it wasn't something I said...?" Her voice lifts with hope. Maybe this wouldn't start an international incident after all!

"...didn't mean to interrupt the talks with our guests from the...uh...Chinese Federation, was it?"

"Japanese!" she shrieks, bolting upright and probably toppling whatever footing Lemark had regained. "They're Japanese, not Chinese! I'm so so so sorry Ambassador Sumo-reggae! Uh, takusan shinimasen!"

[Julian84]

All:

Jaegar, Eira, and Rebecca watch the events unfolding before them with a mixture of confusion, awe, incredulousness, and in Jaegar’s case, barely contained amusement. “Dinner and a show.” He chuckles, folding his arms and making no effort to help. “Maybe this won’t be a waste of an evening after all.

The Japanese ambassador quietly produces a handkerchief to dry off his daughter as Lemark helps his sister and Fisher back to their feet. “Well… This was highly unexpected.” He murmurs as Fisher furiously apologizes. “My apologies, Sumeragi-san, for this most unfortunate accident. I will personally compensate you for your daughter’s dress.” He winces at Eloise’s faux pas.

Ryuuken flashes Eloise a look, but chuckles softly as his daughter furiously scrubs her dress. “It is quite alright, just an accident, yes?” He glances at Fisher as she corrects Eloise, fully absorbing her stream of thought. “You have proficient Japanese, though your pronunciation needs work. I appreciate the effort though.”

Leyna bows deeply. “I am so sorry, Ambassador Sumeragi.” She glances at his daughter. “Shiroyuki, yes? It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance…”

Shiroyuki tries her best to give a cordial smile in return, caught between frustration and social anxiety.

“Well.” Lemark claps his hands together. “I do believe my party is all together now. Leyna, this is Mr. Shelby and Ms. Hartman, they’ll be accompanying you on your trip to Charles and Vance, Ms. Hartman will be their new governess and Mr. Shelby will be managing the estate.” He explains. “This is my sister, Princess Leyna, and her escort, Dame Eloise Fortney.”

[Space Lawyer]

Eira leans over and whispers into Rebecca's ear. "Did we just see the beginning of some major international incident?"

Regardless of the political ramifications, Jaeger did have a point. It was kind of entertaining to watch.

[delta639]

Eloise

Freezing up as Fisher's correction registers in her ears, Eloise whips around to stare wide-eyed at the ambassador and promptly decides to clamp her mouth shut until she can trust it won't be mortally offensive. She follows Leyna's cue and bows deeply in continuing more-or-less silence, though she does make a strangled sound at the descriptor 'escort' and fixes Lemark with a look of hurt and betrayal.

Bouncing quietly on her heels as the prince makes introductions, Eloise reluctantly recalls that sudden muteness isn't the most socially acceptable behavior, and makes herself mutter "Pleased to meet you" with a chagrined dip of her head. She gazes more intently at those assembled for a moment, an amber-eyed stare falling on Fisher with an expression of mild confusion. "Aren't you a little young to be a governess?" she asks before blinking. "Um, that is, I'm sure you're very mature for your age! Not like I have the right to say that, anyway, or probably anything else right this minute..." she says in a rapidly diminishing voice, pulling at a few strands of her hair and glancing away. After a few seconds she looks back at Fisher, brow furrowing.

"So, Ms. Hartmann—" Eloise repositions herself rather close to Fisher, continuing a trend of intruding into personal space. "Can you tell me how to apologize in Japanese?" she whispers out of the corner of her mouth. " 'Cause it looks like you have a lot of practice doing it in Britannian, annnd I feel like that's an example I should be following with our guests right now."

[Jellyfish]

Fisher

"Huh?" Fisher glances at Ambassador Sumeragi, then gives a flustered laugh. "Oh goodness, 'proficient' is far too generous a description! I'm dreadful. But 'arigatou' all the same."

She turns and dips a curtsy to Leyna. "An honor to meet you, your highness! And... um... your dameness." She does a double-take as an alarming noise squeezes from Dame Fortney's throat, but she doesn't seem to be choking or anything, so Fisher doesn't bring it up.

Her brow furrows, however, when the princess's escort addresses her directly. "Mature for my age...?" She thinks for a second, then giggles. "Not really. I am a legal adult though, and I tend to be very fortunate in my endeavors, so I think I can handle it. That's a funny question though, coming from a teenage knight." She tilts her head, as if preparing to ask a question herself, but shuts her mouth when Miss Fortney closes the distance between them and whispers her request.

"Oh! Yes, of course!" Fisher says, matching Eloise's hushed volume. "Well, shinimasen means excuse me --or something like that. I feel like you miiight want something a little stronger than that, though, and more polite. ...A lot more polite. Like seriously every bit of politeness you can possibly pile on." She thinks for a moment. "Okay yeah, I think I've got it. Tell him, 'Kyou wa paatii o takusan bakka ogomennasai gozaimasu de kudasai.

"'...Dewa arimasen.'" She thinks for a second. "'Deshta.' And throw some samas in there, Japanese people love samas."

[delta639]

Eloise

Needing a second to tell if 'dameness' is an actual word she should know, the knight gets out the half-reply of "Just 'Eloise' would be...oh, never mind." Her expression brightens at the governess-to-be's amiable response to her request, and she nods quickly. "Yeah, politeness is good! All the politeness. I'll be as polite as a cat who's just been appointed Professor of Politeness at Oxford University." Eloise nods again, smiling, only to have the eagerness on her face wither away and die as Fisher whispers her suggestion.

"...Uhhh." Eloise stares blankly at the young woman for a moment, thinking she might stand a better chance of speaking Motorcycle than repeating that sentence. "I don't suppose you could say that ag- I mean, thanks, I...got it." She slips back over to the princess's side, looking somewhat unwell, and stands there quietly for a few moments to let the others talk. "Excuse me, Ambassador Sumeragi?" she says after waiting for a break in conversation. "I wouldn't want our nations' relations to be strained by any accidents, so—" She shoots Fisher a quick look and then takes a deep breath, launching into...something. "Go uh putty oh talk you song baka...sama... ogle mayonnaise go die moss day cooler sigh. Day- uh- worry must end. Sama. Um- geisha." Eloise stands there for a second feeling like her face is on fire and then squeezes her eyes tight, hastily continuing in Britannian English.

"I mean I'm really truly sorry for everything offensive that I said, I was trying to apologize for being an ignorant foreigner, but I know the people worth paying attention to, like Prince Lemark, aren't ignorant and do know about Japan and how fantastic it is and will gladly show the proper respect for you and your country," Eloise says in one breath. Eyes reopening, her gaze darts around briefly in search of an escape, settling on Shiroyuki. "H-has your daughter been here before? My lady could probably show her around, if that's acceptable...? I promise to say as little to them as possible."

[Jellyfish]

Fisher

Fisher's eyes are owl-wide. Then, slowly, she lifts two thumbs up. She grimaces an encouraging smile. "Nailed it."

[Space Lawyer]

Eira fishes around in her purse for her phone. Finding it, she immediately begins to take a video of the absurdity unfolding in front of her. It looked like knight who was barely old enough to actually swing a sword (much less be on the battlefield Eira had planned) and a scholar recently released from the library (Eira had little grounds to be thinking that of others) were managing to embarrass the entire empire in front of the Japanese ambassador. This would be an absolute freaking hit on the tubes.

[Julian84]

Fisher and Eloise:

GRMM (http://downloads.khinsider.com/game-soundtracks/album/code-geass-ost-1/16-stray-cat.mp3)

Ambassador Sumeragi winces through Eloise’s recitation, but gives a pained smile and accepting nod all the same.

Lemark glances between Fisher and Eloise a few times before quietly inhaling and turning back to Ambassador Sumeragi. “I thank you for your kindness and patience, Sumeragi-San.” He says with forced cheer, guiding the foreigner and his daughter into the ballroom. Shiroyuki looks backwards at Fisher with curiosity, lingering for only a moment before quickly moving to her father’s side. Perhaps Eloise and Leyna could show her around... Later.

Leyna looks at Eloise red-faced, and then curtsies to Fisher and Shelby “Ms. Hartman, Mr. Shelby.” She says quietly, reintroducing herself. “I’m Princess Leyna van Britannia and this is my knight, Dame Eloise Fortney. It is a pleasure to make both of your acquaintances.” She clears her throat slightly. “And… Thank you, Ms. Hartman, for instructing my knight on how to properly apologize, but I’m afraid I was the one at fault, it… It was my accident.” She looks at Eloise once more apologetically. “I was rushed… I should have been more careful.”

Shelby chuckles heartily. “Eheh, it’s only natural, a young girl like yourself being excited for a ball.” He pats Fisher on the shoulder. “The young lady spent quite a… Prodigious amount of time getting prepared for this evening… Though I’m afraid we were not informed in advanced for this event.”

“It’s quite alright.” Leyna replies quickly. “I’m happy to meet both of you, and I look forward to getting to know you…” She smiles timidly. “I’m very fond of my nephews, Vance and Charles. I’d like to get to know you better.”

Shelby glances awkwardly at Fisher. “Well… I’m Ms. Hartman’s uncle… On her mother’s side!” He explains. “We’ve been of service to the… Erm… Crawford noble family’s children for some time, and now we shall be aiding the royal family.”

Eira:

As the commotion by the entrance dies down, Jaegar lets out a contemptuous growl, pulling a flask out of his coat and taking a short swig. “Hnn… Guess there won’t be any fun after all.” He cracks his neck slowly, making Rebecca shudder in distaste. “I’m too used to parties in the dark heart of Africa.” He grins at Eira, revealing two metallic canines she hadn’t seen before it certainly wasn’t gold, and didn’t appear to be silver. “There, a party isn’t a party unless at least one fight has broken out.”

“Delightful.” Rebecca replies under her breath.

The prince snickers. “You disapprove? I shouldn’t be surprised, nobles rarely know how to have real fun.” He glances past her and Eira, eyes narrowing. “And speaking of folk who don’t know how to have fun…”

GRMM (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nwZdfPRFvk&list=PL1C5A5C8D352096DD&index=16)

“Your highness.” Sir Kyrie returns… With Prince Oliver and Princess Zelinda in tow, the knight stopping just short of Jaegar. “The prince and princess would like to have a word, before the festivities start.”

The statement hangs in the air and Jaegar looks between his siblings with a smug look. “Well? I’m waiting.”

“In private.” Zelinda replies, tossing her plaited green hair over one shoulder.

Jaegar laughs in response. “I don’t think so.” He points at the two of them. “You want to talk? I already know what you’ve got to say. You two think you can talk me out of my claim so one of you can have the throne, just in time to announce to all the lords and ladies gathered here that the ‘Mad Wolf’ won’t reign over the New World.” Eira can tell he’s becoming slightly more agitated. “Scheme and connive all you like, you two, but don’t insult me by thinking I’m some dumb animal you can get to do tricks for you.” He turns away, holding out his arm to Eira. “Ms. Spear, I think it’s time we find other company. I have some friends I want you to meet.”

[Space Lawyer]

Metal teeth? The hell? He has access to quite literally the finest medical care in the world, and he has metal teeth?

When the two other royals arrive, Eira can feel the air being sucked out of the room. Ok, a week ago, you'd never even seen a royal. Now a noble has called you her friend, and there are three potential heirs to the throne within a meter of you. Oh, and lets not forget whatever that archduchess is up to. Bad, bad, bad. This is how commoners end up with their heads on pikes. Ok, gotta deal with this. It was going to come to you dealing with the nobility at some point.

And then Jaeger holds out his arm. Hnnnngggg.

"O-ok. I-I mean, yes, your Highness."

Physical Science to figure out what Jaeger's teeth are made of: 19
Gather info (computer) on Oliver: 32
Gather info (computer) on Zelinda: 29

[delta639]

Eloise

Twitching somewhat under the looks from the prince, Eloise sighs not very softly in relief as the ambassador and his daughter are taken out of sight. I've probably humiliated myself enough in front of Lemark, too. Oy... She returns Leyna's look with one as apologetic as she can manage, smiling wanly before she glances back at their conversational partners...staring past them for a moment to glare at a metal-toothed prince not too far away. Eloise growls softly before catching herself, forcing her gaze away from Jaegar and reminding herself to focus on Leyna. Come on, focus, remember what's important...anyway, it's a big ballroom. We probably won't even cross paths with him.

She feels a twinge of something like cheer at the princess acknowledging her knight, at least. "Someone should have been more careful not to rush you, your highness." she says gently to Leyna with a small shrug. "Looks like you two cleaned up well enough, advance warning or not. Though er, miss Hartman, your hair's got a bit of a..." She zigzags a finger vaguely at her forehead, looking at some disheveled curls. "From getting body-slammed, I think. Oh, unless that was the look you're going for, in which case it looks great on you!"

Eloise goes back to listening quietly, looking intently at Shelby as he explains the family history. "Oh, the Crawfords? My mother was good friends with them when I was growing up." she says with a bright smile, looking between Shelby and Fisher. "Hopefully the boys have been doing well? And..." She pauses, head tilting curiously. "Have you done business with the royal family before, if they've assigned you to the Crown Princes? I mean, that's an impressive thing to have on your resumé, especially since it sounds like you're commoners. Not that there's anything wrong with that."

Bluff: 19, likely +4 for Attractive vs. Shelby.

[Jellyfish]

Fisher

"Prodigious?" Fisher rolls her eyes. "Please, you clearly don't have enough women in your life if you think that was prodigious." She thinks for a second, and the amusement drops off her face. "You really don't have enough women in your life, do you? I do declare, Mr. Shelby, we need to find you a lady!" She immediately starts searching the crowd, until her eyes fall on Eloise and go blank.

"A bit of a...?" Her hands stray to her hair, then quickly tuck the offending curl behind her ear. "Oh my! Hah, that could have been embarrassing! ...Oh, would this be a good time to mention you've had a mascara smear on your eyelid this entire time...?"

Fisher nods along with Shelby's story, linking her arm through his. She smiles and tilts her head. "The boys? Oh, well, you know how they are!" Apparently. "And dear me, no! This is my first time working for royalty, and I have to say it's a ginormous honor. I'm not even sure how I wound up here; guess it's true what they say. Y'know, how it's not what you know, it's who you know? Which is sure lucky for me, since I don't even know what I'm talking about half the time!" She giggles. "I guess it's just a mix of luck and connections. My uncle and I have gotten to know some pretty influential people over the years."

[Julian84]

Eira:

Jaegar leads his newest underling through the throng, his eyes roving across the faces of men and women with the wariness of a wounded animal looking for a threat. Eira noticed, her arm resting light within the crook of his elbow, that he had a small dagger nestled within his sleeve. Who knows how many other weapons he had hidden on his person. Advent followed behind them wordlessly, the stern man an odd foil to Jaegar’s impulsiveness.

“Here we are.” Jaegar said, allowing himself a relieved grin. They came upon a small group of various colorful characters – Old high-ranking officers, scarred warriors, businessmen, all who seemed pleased to be privileged with Jaegar’s company, like the life of the party had finally arrived. “Ms. Spear, I’d like for you to meet my inner circle… General Roland the Iberian, Admiral Seamus McNair, Leopold Steiner, and Hestia Wendell. Leopold is an executive VP and board member of his family’s company Steiner Konzern, and Hestia holds a similar position in her grandfather’s company, the Bronson Group. Roland’s and Seamus’ titles speak for themselves… And these three are my knights, Sir Eisenhower, Sir Concorde, and Dame Miroir.” The assembled group greets Eira cordially.

“I’ve heard interesting rumors about your inventions.” Leopold says, sipping a glass of red wine. “You seem to have been raised in quite the countercultural environment from knights and princesses and flashing bravado.”

“Way to make a first impression.” Eisenhower laughs. “We’ve barely met the lady and you’ve already told us she probably hates at least three in our group. How will I ever win her favor if I live in knowledge that she’ll rebuff all my foolhardy attempts to win her favor?”

“Perhaps a duel?” Roland smirks. “You and Kyrie can take out your pretty swords and bash each other’s brains out for the honor of her hand.”

Jaegar gestures at them to calm down. “Enough, enough. Yes, Ms. Spear has curious ideas… But that is why I took an interest in her. New ideas, revolutionary ideas, are what will be the key to Britannia’s success tomorrow and in a hundred years.”

Fisher and Eloise:

Shelby gives a crestfallen sigh at Fisher’s ribbing. “I… Would prefer you refrain from making any commentary on my social life, my… Dear niece.” He gives a strained smile. “She has always been a… Witty child.”

Leyna smiles politely in response. “Well, it’s good to have met you two. I think Vance and Charles will be in good care and I’m sure Dame Fortney and I shall enjoy the company on the trip out there.” She gestures for them to walk with her as she moves forward into the ballroom. “If you will, please stay and join us for the banquet, I’ll make the arrangements with my brother to get you two seats, I’d love to get to know you two better.”

[Space Lawyer]

"It is fine, Your Highness. I enjoy talking about my work, at least when around those I suspect won't dismiss it out of hand. And you are quite right, Lord Steiner, I am a commoner, well-removed from," she takes a look around ". . .parties like this. I do find it quite fascinating though; however, I'll have to ask you to forgive the many, many faux paus I'm sure to make." She takes special care to make sure that her tattoos are blatantly apparent. "Is there anything you would care to know about wildly dangerous and radical work?"

[Jellyfish]

Fisher

Fisher's eyes widen, and she covers her mouth. "Oh gosh, was that rude? I certainly didn't mean any offense! I'm so sorry, Uncle, all remarks on your social life will be respectfully withheld from this point on." She bobs her head to demonstrate the depth of her sincerity.

At Leyna's words, delight seems to seize Fisher's body in a hug. "I would love that! I hope I can get to know you as well, your highness. You and Dame Fortney!" Fisher grins, falls in step next to Eloise, and lowers her voice. "Okay what can I call you other than Dame Fortney? Because a name stuffy enough to suffocate someone may be suited for a lot of people in this room, but I don't imagine a spritely lass like yourself to be one of them."

[delta639]

Eloise

Eloise stops rubbing at her eyelid and looks up at Shelby’s sigh, snickering though not quite having the laughter reach her eyes. Glancing between the two, she idly moves closer to Leyna’s side, fingers brushing unconsciously against her sword hilt- though she brings them up to brush at her bangs as Fisher replies, smiling with a surge of empathy. Somehow, she reminds me of someone… “Um, yeah, that could be fun! Miss Hartman and I can talk to each other to limit the accidental rudeness victims. Like putting us in quarantine!” she suggests on the tail of Leyna’s statement.

Turning her head at the presence approaching her, Eloise blinks at Fisher and then laughs out loud, eyes sparkling. “Well, you could keep calling me a ‘spritely lass’ if you really want, that’s definitely a new one… you’re welcome to call me Eloise, though. My title can definitely feel suffocating especially when people use it so much, heheh.” she whispers back, smiling warmly. “I mean, I’m sort-of-nobility but I totally get what you mean about stuffy names, some of them feel like you’re spitting out a mouthful of cotton. Oh, your…uncle could call me miss Fortney if he wants, or Lady Fortney, though that’s really my mother—” she hesitates for a second before continuing. “He just seems like someone that doesn’t really call people their first names, I guess.” Eloise shrugs, rolling her shoulders with a soft sigh.

"Your highness, speaking of getting to know people better- um, if I may- I've been wondering, what are your nephews like, anyway?" she asks more loudly, with a sideways look at her charge. "Mr. Shelby and Ms. Hartman have probably been briefed already about the Prin Twinces- I mean Princes, but I still don't really know what we'll be in for."

[Jellyfish]

Fisher

Fisher giggles. "Spritely Lass it is, then! Or maybe just Eloise. We'll see where my mood takes me."

She glances over, and her smile dims at Eloise's hesitation at the mention of her mother. Fisher notes that the levity from seconds before has drained from the other girl's composure. Questions push at her tongue, but she pushes them back; they probably wouldn't have great results at the moment. Instead she smiles kindly, with a glimmer of humor. "What tipped you off? The fact that the entire time we've been here, he hasn't called me anything more personal than 'my dear niece'?" She laughs lightly and pulls out her tablet, tapping at it as they walk. "I'm sure Miss Fortney will suit him just fine. And in turn you can call him Uncle Teddie Bear! But don't actually he hates it when I call him that."

She glances up at the unusually young knight. "So speaking of titles, how-" she starts to say, before being abruptly interrupted by Eloise's topic jump. She blinks. Well, at least she wastes no time with long-winded segways. This girl has some mighty time-efficient conversational techniques. She perks up when Eloise finishes her question. "Oh, yes, I'm dying to hear about the princes! I have heard a tiny bit about them, but not nearly enough."

[Julian84]

All:

GRMM (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cm4QpXevKO8&list=PLA72F488302CC2660&index=10)

The light tinkling of a spoon rapping on crystal fills the room from carefully hidden speakers, drawing the attention of the crowd to the front of the great hall, where Prince Lemark, Prince Oliver, and Princess Zelinda stand on a slightly raised platform. Standing together, one could barely make out the faintest traces of a family resemblance from their late father, the murdered Emperor Audric.

“Lords and Ladies of the Empire, please, if we could beg a moment of your time.” Oliver begins, chuckling at his own small witticism. “We would like to thank you all for attending this banquet in honor of our noble and valorous brother, Prince Jaegar nil Britannia, who has been fighting bravely on an extended tour of duty in West Africa for several months past the call of duty. He has been a true Britannian in the field, fighting for the glory of our Empire abroad.”

Zelinda steps forward. “But now he has come home, and we wish to celebrate his return with this feast, a tribute to his courage, bravery, and sacrifice.” She pauses, smirking slightly. “When we were but children, our little brother Jaegar was often most fond of the suckling pig served at Yuletide that the Royal Family enjoyed together, as a family.”

“In remembrance of those happy times in an occasion of sorrow, and as a celebration of family being brought together again, we present the main course for tonight.” Lemark announces, gesturing to the main entrance where a massive roast boar is being brought in, carried by four servants to a central table to be carved, followed by a long line of other servants bearing all manners of delicacies and other dishes. A single servant brings a tray of champagne to the assembled siblings, and Lemark takes a flute in his hand. “To our brother Jaegar, home at last!” He toasts.

“Home at last!” The assembled nobility echoes, drinking deeply and then taking their seats to be served the dinner.

Eloise and Fisher:

Seating arrangements were funny things, and in recognition of Eloise’s many gaffes and faux pas the universe had arranged a cosmic joke for her, she recognized. To allow space for mingling, the banquet tables had been packed rather tightly together, though not uncomfortably so. That didn’t erase the fact that she had been assigned a seat that put her directly back to back with Jaegar nil Britannia himself. To her left sat Leyna, who was excitedly sampling a glass of some sort of fizzy strawberry juice, and to her right sat Fisher and Mr. Shelby, who had been given placement by Lemark after the dinner service was announced. Across the table from them was a rather stuffy looking noble couple who seemed rather affronted to have been placed with a bunch of teenagers, but seemed to get along with Shelby well enough. Elsewhere in the crowd, Eloise could have sworn she saw Van Kleiss wandering around, attempting to woo the ladies.

Jaegar kept interesting company, Fisher observed, keenly noting the presence of high-ranking military, three knights who were no more than glorified bodyguards, industrialists, and a rather tall woman with prominent tattoos showing on her bare skin, talking in depth with the men and women at the table who all seemed rather interested in her.

“How would I describe Charles and Vance…?” Leyna thinks to herself out loud as she sets down her glass. “For twin brothers, they’re completely different.” She decides. “Charles is a sweet little boy, he’s very adventurous and sensitive. He loves to laugh and have fun… Though from what I’ve heard he’s become reclusive, spending a lot of time just exploring the property around the villa on his own, though we have guards keeping him under surveillance.” She takes another sip of her fizzy drink. “Vance… Is very different from his brother. He was always reclusive, keeping to the library and shunning any contact with people. He’s… Rather arrogant, for a young boy.”

“I’ve also heard that their longtime friend, Lady Juliet Spencer, will be there. She’s the same age as the boys, they’ve known each other for years.” She adds. “But she hasn’t really gotten them to come out of their shells, the servants have reported.”

Eira:

Surprisingly to Eira, the assembled group of Jaegar’s “friends” had quite a few questions for her, from her schooling to the designs of her inventions they wanted to know every last detail, showing genuine interest and attention as she explained her ideas. Jaegar smiled quietly as she hurried to answer each question, sipping from a glass of wine. Eira hadn’t seen her new friend Rebecca Ashford in a little while, though.

Leopold nodded along with Eira’s explanation of the designs she had employed in her drones. “Steiner Konzern had been asked to be a part of a major R&D initiative for the Imperial Army. Would you like if I put in a word for you to my father? I think you'd be an invaluable addition to our main team. If your busy schedule can handle the extra workload.” He jokes. “They’re looking to upgrade the standard infantryman’s ability on the field as well as creating a more integrated network with which to coordinate troops on the ground. I’ve heard there’s a lot of other research proposals coming down the pipeline.”

“It comes down to it that to keep our cutting edge in the field of warfare, we must constantly be pushing for new advances, ignoring the stuffy traditionalism of the blueblooded plutocrats and trying to find new advances for our boys in uniform.” General Roland explains. “No one likes to talk about it, but the Liberation Wars against those socialists in Area 6 was almost an utter fiasco for our military, bogged down for years in rainforests and mountains.”

“Could it be, your highness, that you recruited Ms. Spear for your special project?” Hestia asks slyly, glancing at the prince.

Jaegar silences her with a sharp glare. “We will not speak of that here.” He growls, sipping his wine. “That’s a conversation for closed doors only.”

[Jellyfish]

Fisher

"That's interesting," Fisher intones, sipping from her glass. "People often speak of isolation and aloofness as if they're interchangeable, but that's not always the case, don't you think?" She glances at the young princess and smiles. "Though a lot of times they're linked in some way, so I can see how you'd make that connection. Looks like I've got my work cut out for me, if even their childhood friend hasn't gotten through to them. Good thing I packed my lucky socks!

"But enough about the princes; I'm sure I'll learn plenty about them soon. I want to get to know the people who are here!" She gestures to Eloise, and her hand topples a salt shaker. Her eyes widen, and she tosses the spilled salt over her left shoulder—no doubt at the back of someone behind her—, then shoves her hands in her lap and smiles. "Tell me, Eloise, how did you get to be knighted so young? What's it like? It sounds so exciting, I want to know absolutely everything!"

[Space Lawyer]

Eira couldn't remember the last time a blueblood had taken an interest in her work, at least in a positive way. In fact, she didn't think it had ever happened. She was more than thrilled to give them an explanation of what she could, though the most cutting-edge information she kept to herself. After all, those theories might be wrong, and she didn't want to let these people in on that possibility.While speaking she looks around for Rebecca. Where had she gone?

She laughs nervously at Leopold's comment. "Thank you, but I have to finish my doctorate first. I've put a lot of work and effort into it at this point, so it would be shame to leave now." She turns to Roland. "Ive been saying that for years. I'd wager that your word would carry much more weight on the subject though."

She perks up at the mention of this special project. Secret government projects always got the best toys and funding, especially ones with royal patronage.

Investigation to scan the room for Rebecca: [roll0]

[delta639]

Eloise

Eloise looks up from stabbing at a helping of boar at Fisher's question, though there's a delay in her response- one might notice that the knight's been all but silent ever since sitting down at the table, glowering at her plate as if it's done her immense personal wrong and stealing the occasional look back over her shoulder. The hostility drains from her face as she looks at Fisher, though, and her eyes widen a bit as she swallows. "Everything. Right, of...course, um. Where to start?" She takes a drink from her glass lasting a few seconds longer than strictly necessary, putting it down with a sigh and starting to speak.

"Well, I mean, it wasn't that young that I got knighted, there have been plenty of people just a year older than me who had it happen. Like...uh..." She scours her memories for a moment but comes up blank, hastily continuing. "A-anyway. I started out just as a novice with the Knights of St. Gabriel, that was a fun place, I served and trained with them for a few years, and ended up stationed at one of our monasteries in Area 6. This was around the time the Liberation Wars were in full swing, and I don't know if the masters and Grand Master thought we'd be kept out of the fighting, but. We weren't." She takes another drink, then opens her mouth again but hesitates, glancing at Leyna. "The first fighting I saw was when a force of rebels attacked our monastery. That was, well, it was kind of exciting at first: I helped to keep them from overwhelming us, but when it turned into a siege things got a lot more tense."

"Eventually, reinforcements came to help us out." Eloise's expression darkens again, fork skewering the meat on her plate. "I'm...sure we could've held out longer, but most everyone appreciated being saved. Tch." Her mouth tightens. "Most of the others my age stayed at the monastery after that, once it was safe again. But I wasn't going to get written off as some scared little girl who had to be rescued, especially not-" She twitches, pointedly not looking at the one seated behind her. "So I went along with the military forces and some of our order's knights, to prove- to help out with the war. I did a lot more fighting, and it turned out that I was pretty good at it. I had to learn fast to survive, but I got some idea of what we'd have to do to win." Eloise pauses, and averts her gaze. "But I don't really know what exactly it was that got me knighted. Probably wasn't anything impressive." She takes another sip from her drink. "As for what knighthood is like...well. I'm sure you've heard the stories. Noble deeds, chivalric codes, winning glory in shining armor..." She smiles, and there's something off about her eyes before she shakes her head. "Right now, though, I just want to be a good knight for my princess. And I've been liking how that's going so far." Eloise glances over at Leyna, a bit of sparkle returning to her eyes, then looks back at Fisher. "What about you, miss Hartman? Any stories to share about yourself?"

Bluff: 15

[Jellyfish]

Fisher

Over the course of Eloise's story, Fisher's pupils have grown huge. Her fork lies forgotten on the tablecloth, juices from the boar sinking into the white. "Wow," she says quietly, after a few seconds. "Wow, that was... quite a story. I'm almost embarrassed to share mine." She laughs and twists her napkin. "Well, it's nothing exciting, really. I went to school, had friends, founded a pop culture club... Uncle Teddy helped look after me whenever Dad went off on business trips, since my brother and I were a bit of a handful for my mom, hah. He took me along on some of his tutoring jobs, and eventually I started helping out too. Not sure how that happened, I guess the kids liked me or something." She laughs, but there's prideful twinkle in her eyes. "Anyhow, word got out that the royal family was looking for a governess for the young princes, and I guess the Crawfords knew someone who knew someone, and here I am!"

She lifts her glass to sip it, then notices it's empty and sets it down. "It's a pretty boring story, compared to yours," she admits. "I had no idea I was talking to a... a war hero. You're the most gutsy person I've ever met! Well, formally, anyway. I'm sure I've seen plenty of people with some very impressive guts, but I've never been introduced..." Her eyes widen. "Oh my. Are there... others from your order here? Do you think I could meet them?"

Bluff: 25

[Julian84]

Eira:

Roland scowls at Eira’s response. “I’m not a pureblood, they wouldn’t listen to a thing I say, no matter how far up the ranks I progress. Even if I became a Knight of the Rounds I don’t know if I could effectively change the system…” He pats Seamus on the shoulder. “This old seadog might be useful, had his miserable family not disowned him. It’s why we have thrown our lot in with his highness. He appreciates our talents, regardless of blood or status.”

Jaegar sips his wine. “It’s good strategy, Roland. While blood and status are useful tools in Britannia towards getting what you want, power is power… But on the battlefield, there is no difference between a noble or a commoner, soldiers are soldiers. They all die the same, and everyone’s blood flows red in the end.”

“How ghastly, your highness.” Hestia says, pointing a piece of boar at the prince. “Can’t you think of more pleasant dinner conversation?”

He shrugs apathetically in response. “If you dislike my company, feel free to find your military contract endorsements elsewhere, my lady.” He leans on the armrest of his chair. “But this is my banquet in my honor. I shall speak how I wish.”

Hestia smiles cloyingly. “Of course, your highness. My apologies.”

All:

Jaegar frowns, bored already with the noblewoman. He turns in his seat and addresses his younger half-sister. “Princess Leyna, do you intend to ignore me all night? I’m wounded, Zelinda, Oliver, even Lemark has spoken to me, even on my behalf! Such… Lovely speeches.” His golden eyes glinted dangerously. “Are you not happy to see me?”

Leyna freezes slightly, not making eye contact with her sibling. “Had I not? My apologies, Jaegar. It must have slipped my mind. Congratulations on your victory.” She grabbed her glass, trembling hands bringing the rim to her lips to take a slow drink as a toast to him.

A single eyebrow rose in response. “Life in Massachusetts has made you feisty, my dear.” He responds quietly. “Come here, let me look at you. You’ve grown so much since I left for Africa. Don’t you want your brother to regale you with tales of victory amongst the savages?”

She paused, processing the order before signaling Eloise to stand with her, rising to step over to her brother’s side. “I haven’t much appetite for tales of war, brother.” She said weakly. “It upsets my sensibilities.”

He sniffs disdainfully. “I’d expect as much from a pampered child.” His gaze flickers towards Eloise, betraying not even a hint of recognition. He sizes the young knight up silently, taking into account her size, armament, and attitude. “And who is this?”

“My knight, Dame Eloise Fortney.” Leyna responds, hovering close to Eloise for support. “She is a member of the Order of St. Gabriel.”

“PBBTTTTT!” Eisenhower spits his wine across the table, turning incredulously to Eloise. “Eloise?! What in blue blazes are you doing here, girl?!”

“Hmmm?” Jaegar glances at his senior knight. “I presume you two know each other?”

[delta639]

Eloise

Eloise considers Fisher’s recounting for a moment, blinking owlishly at her before she nods. “And here you are, yeah. Funny how life works out that way.” She starts and laughs nervously at Fisher’s reactions to her tale. “I- I’m really not a war hero, though. I mean…if you’d call anyone here that it’d be the guest of honor, you know?” Her grip tightens briefly on her silverware. “Though I like the sound of ‘gutsy’ better than ‘too dumb to be scared’, I will admit.” She raises her eyebrows at Fisher’s question. “Others? Um, I know Grand Master Nazarov was here earlier, for one reason or another. You could probably devise some way to talk to him, but I shouldn’t be the one to introduce you, since—”

Whatever she was going to say goes forgotten as Prince Jaegar speaks up and she snaps her mouth shut. Glancing between the two royals like a cornered cat, Eloise rises quickly from her seat as she’s bidden, her own gaze zeroed in on the prince and betraying more than a hint of recognition. At the words ‘pampered child’, she places a hand on Leyna’s shoulder, eyes narrowing. “I’m not sure if you left your social graces behind in Africa, your highness, but I would thank you not to insult my lady in my presence.” Her wondering how mocking she could make a bow is interrupted by a spit-take, and she makes a rather ignoble noise of displeasure upon looking over at its source.

“Oh. Hello, Sir Eisenhower.” Eloise says, voice taking a distinct turn for the frosty. “I see the old ball and chain isn’t joining you this evening? Not that I’m surprised to see you with more important company,” she says, gaze roving across the prince’s associates and lingering with a look of confusion on the woman who seemingly views tattoos as a substitute for makeup. Her attention shifts quickly back to Jaegar’s knight, though. “And is your hearing going in your old age? I’m here because I’m Princess Leyna’s new Knight of Honor. Wasn’t a hard choice between Prince Lemark’s offer and the dreary old order Mother shipped me off to. But you should pay them a visit sometime, you’d feel right at home!” She does her best to toss her short-cropped hair, looking at Jaegar. “Ah, sorry, your highness, I didn’t mean to get in the way of your war stories. It’s just been a few years, I thought I should give a proper greeting to my dear stepfather.”

[Space Lawyer]

Eira frowns as she is unable to locate Rebecca. Where had she gone? It didn't seem like her (though admittedly Eira didn't know Rebecca very well) to just disappear. That thought though, along with Eira's attention to the spat between Jaeger and Hestia (as well as the revelation that every member of the royal family seemed to dislike the rest), is quickly banished by a highly distinguished knight doing a literal spit take. Eira's jaw clenches, and the corners of her mouth tremble as she just barely stifles a laugh.

The woman who seemed to have provoked Eisenhower's reaction gives Eira an odd look, which in and of itself is fairly normal. And then the apparent knight just lets Eisenhower have it. And then she turns out to be Eisenhower's step-daughter! This was just like the daytime shows that Shea spent so much time watching. With everyone's attention riveted on the knight who seemed to be attempting to give every hot-headed noble at the table an excuse to demand a duel, Eira slips out her phone.

First to Shea. HAHAHAHA. You are NOT going to believe what is going on here. I'd tell you now, but I don't want to miss a thing, and trust me, you will want EVERY detail. I think I'm in the middle of a soap opera.

Then, to Rebecca. Where are you? Do you see what is going on up here?

[Jellyfish]

Fisher

Fisher feels a tug of anticipation at the mention of Grandmaster Nazarov. Finally we're getting somewhere. Her eyes light up with eagerness, and then...

Then the train is blasted from the tracks. Fisher blinks and twists in her chair, finding herself with a front-row view of one of the famous royal dramas. The first time (in these particular circumstances) Fortney says something she shouldn't, Fisher lifts a finger and opens her mouth, then clamps it shut and taps her upper lip. A spat with royalty is not something she should get tangled up in, she decides.

Then again, as the depth of the young knight's "gutsyness" reveals itself, Fisher frowns a little. Fortney really is digging quite a hole for herself; if someone doesn't take the shovel away she might be six feet under before they even leave for El Valle. But... no, the girl doesn't seem like she'd react well to people fighting her battles for her --or intercepting her verbal sword, for that matter. Besides, Princess Leyna's Knight of Honor seems much less likely to face any serious consequences than, say, a meddling governess. So Fisher merely observes over the back of her chair, expression concerned, but perhaps not entirely devoid of intrigue.

[Julian84]

All

“You insolent little brat!” Eisenhower swipes droplets of wine from his chin, trembling with rage. “That is the Prince!” Jaegar’s other two knights rise as well, angrily asking Jaegar for his permission to put Eloise in her place.

Lord Steiner glowered at Eloise. “You are speaking to royalty and nobility, child. You would do better to watch your tongue.”

Sir Eisenhower rose from his chair swiftly, one hand touching the hilt of his blade. “Have you lost your mind, thinking you could speak to me like that! Who in the hell do you think you are-”

“You never told me you had a stepdaughter.” Jaegar interrupts him, staring at Eloise. He seemed to be examining her, judging her size and age against how she carried herself and the obvious disregard she had for any type of social grace.

GRMM (http://downloads.khinsider.com/game-soundtracks/album/code-geass-ost-1/16-stray-cat.mp3)

Eisenhower blinks. “Y-your highness?” He asks disbelievingly.

“You never told me you had a stepdaughter.” The prince repeats without a trace of humor, rising to tower over Leyna and Eloise. “Quite the precocious one at that. Can’t be more than what… 16? And quite brazen too.” He leans over Eloise, locking eyes with her before a broad grin splits his features. “I quite like this insolent little brat.”

“……..” Everyone stares at Jaegar incredulously.

“I… Beg your pardon, your highness?” Eisenhower asks slowly.

“She is a knight of honor.” He runs a finger along the badge on Eloise’s chest. “Either they’re really lowering their standards, or she’s incredibly stupid, or she’s incredibly brave and skilled.”

He pauses.

“Or some combination of the three. I highly doubt Lemark would lower his standards with assassins on the loose and most of our family in their graves, and she does have a remarkable ability for putting her foot in her mouth.” Jaegar smirks. “But any of you know I have little patience for wasting words on flowery compliments and other idiocy. She’s small, and scrappy, but the look in her eyes tells me she’d try to kill me no matter what.” He grins a wild, feral grin. “I quite like that look.”

He straightens, nodding to Leyna. “I doubt you had any say in who your knight would be, but at least she is more interesting than you. Maybe some of that personality will rub off on you.”

The princess blushes furiously, shamed into silence. Jaegar looks away from her dismissively. “If you want to duel me, then be my guest. I won’t hesitate to kill you, though… So you may want to reflect on what worth a dead knight is to their liege.”

Eira:

I’m over by the balcony. What’s going on?? Rebecca responds.

Shea responds next. I will have a bottle of rum and two tubs of ice cream waiting. You will tell me everything, and my life will be a little more complete. I may or may not have a problem.

Fisher:

“… I do hate to interrupt.” Shelby says, leaning in. Fisher notes his rather sour breath and rosy cheeks. “But could you be a dear and get me another glass of champagne? I don’t want to miss this.” He presses his glass into her hands. “Run along now.”

[delta639]

Eloise

Eyebrows raising as Jaegar's retinue leaps to his defense verbally and in some cases literally, Eloise pauses to reconsider how deep a grave she may have been digging with her preceding insults. She'd kept from directing them at Jaegar himself, she'd thought, and it wasn't like she'd punched the prince in the face or anything. So really, she'd been positively diplomatic compared to what could have been, right?

Eloise glares up at Jaegar as he rises before her eyes widen in shock as he gives his judgement on her. Her expression flits between surprise, redoubled anger, and a brief hint of deep-seated shame as he continues to speak, seemingly taken aback enough that she doesn't do more than twitch as he fingers the winged badge Leyna pinned on her. ...At least two of those are probably true, honestly. Two and a half? she can't help but think, despite her turbulent state of mind.

I'm only small compared to freaks of nature like you, your royal jackass. she barely manages to avoid saying out loud, and as he grins she shows her teeth briefly in response. Her face falls quickly as the prince looks back at his sister, chagrined as she refocuses on her charge. Memories of her intentions cut through the stormclouds of emotion, and she swallows.

"I'm not going to duel you," Eloise says, staring at Jaegar. "Whatever look you...may have seen in my eyes, I have a duty to defend and serve my princess. Not disregard her and pick fights with whoever I like." Or utterly dislike, for that matter. "Especially with you, your highness. Any possible outcome of fighting you would only harm or endanger her." She gives Leyna a sideways glance, blinking as a thought occurs. "...and, of course, even wanting to would be unspeakably out of line," she adds, voice tinged with irony- both of them knew what he'd seen. "Unless, of course, the day came when I'd have to duel you to defend her," she adds just loud enough for his ears, a hard smile showing briefly. "Then, things might be different...but that won't be happening tonight, I think."

"So," she grimaces, exhaling, and takes a step back to deeply bow. "I humbly apologize for my rudeness towards your royal person and any offense I may have incurred. I sought to defend my princess from what I saw as a slight to her honor, and...overreacted." She pauses. "...it was shameful, and I sincerely hope you will bear your sister no ill will for my behavior. There, flowery words over." Eloise stands upright again, and very nearly manages to hold her tongue. "I don't apologize for my insolence towards your knight, though. He's still an arse."

[Space Lawyer]

To Rebecca: One of the princesses', Leyna I thinks, knights got into with Jaeger's knight, Eisenhower. We're probably two seconds from a duel! Apparently, Eisenhower has a step-daughter that really, really dislikes him. She doesn't seem to care that much for Prince Jaeger either. Oh, wait she seems to be backing down . . . and she just called Eisenhower an arse. THIS IS TOO GOOD. You need to get in here.

To Shea: That is the absolute appropriate response to what is going on here. I have it all on video, just so we really capture the moment. I think there might be duel, and there was already a spit take. AHAHAHA.

This was so worth it. The ridiculous dress, the uncomfortable shoes, everything. It would be unfortunate if the scrappy knight got herself cut up (or bitten) by Jaeger, but she seemed to be asking for it.

[Jellyfish]

Fisher

Fisher gapes at the prince. She could honestly say she wasn't expecting that. She murmurs to Shelby behind her hand, "Did he just compliment her for wanting him dead...?"

She blinks when, instead of a reply, she receives a champagne glass. She glances between Shelby and the glass, clearly noting his inebriation, then smiles. "Oh sure, Uncle. Wouldn't want you to miss anything important." She picks up her own glass as well, excuses herself from the table, then weaves her way through the tight table arrangements.

She casts an eye around the hall while she walks, but refills slide to secondary priority for the young investigator. With Fortney preoccupied and the professor clearly a little tipsy, it's time Fisher went solo --high time, really. She'd been chatting for what felt like hours, with little to show for it. So now, instead of looking for a drink station, she scans the hall for Grandmaster Nazarov.

It's like she always says: If at first you don't succeed, stop wasting your time and try something else.

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