The crossing paths of a bee and a flower

[drack]

here
http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x322/sensenman/invading%20the%20bees_zps5egnuagm.png
OOC

Sorry mate, I split my attacking army to meet with other nations, so since you joined late I won't be sending thousands of fairies and personally attending with my PC, I'll instead just be sending you a messenger-fairy. :smallwink:

The little silver man flew with a sense of gentle merriness, singing softly as he flew despite the foreboding clouds overhead. Somewhere around here there were supposed to be giant bees as large as mountains who would suck a whole field of flowers dry all on their own and could crush a full grown man with naught but a single leg... or at least that's how his people spoke of them. In truth they were probably only about as large as a normal human, but to a little fairy like he, certainly they would be behemoths.

...now all he had to do was find one of them... Looking to and fro the little fairy set across the fields in search of these strange creatures.

[NineOfSpades]

The grasslands were low and flat, stretching out in all directions. Flowerbeds dotted the countryside, growing wild and unkempt as the high grass. Occasionally, the landscape was broken by a small stream, which brought nourishing waters to the beasts who called this domain their home. Deer were common, as were smaller mammals who burrowed into the loose topsoil. There was a stillness to this land, save perhaps for the gusting of winds which swept inland from the still-distant seas which lay further south.

The calm of the day was broken, not suddenly, but with a distant noise which did not blend to the ambiance of the plains. It began as a high pitched whistle from beyond the horizon, barely audible. But the sound grew, lowering in pitch as it did, becoming a reverberating thrumm which carried on endlessly, soon dwarfing all other sounds.

High overhead, a black dot crossed the sky. Than another, and more still. Hundreds of them, moving in formation, flying from the southwest, heading northward. Clad in armor, weapons drawn, these warriors of the sky droned with a bass rumble as they darted overhead.

To them, the landscape below was unbroken, and a single fairy was not likely to be noticed, unless it did something to draw attention to itself.

Were one to trace their flight path backwards, an unnaturally rounded hill seemed to be poking just over the horizon in the distance. A shimmer, brought about by the rising heat? Perhaps, but it lingered there none the less.

[drack]

OOC

They look like they're gonna be following the hills or heading into the killing fields? If it's the latter I'm obligued to grab their attention and warn them with a big ol' flashy illusion, else I guess I'll be running for the hill. :smalltongue:

[NineOfSpades]

The Former, They're heading up to the hills. I had some troops moving through that territory this week, so I figured I'd tie that together with a little continuity-bow. Heading towards the Hill (Read:Hive City) Would be best If we're going diplomatic.

[drack]

OOC

Bel gave me a heads up that since he wants to roll on along to week 2, this action is being hunted into week 2, so I'll hold off on my post until he finishes up with week 1. :smallsmile:

[drack]

The little fairy quickly returns home and mere days later a large army of several thousand fairies swarm across the lands. Like a field of flowers come to life they slide across the weaving plains and arrive at the entrance to the hive-city. Tens of thousands of little men and women fly like buzzing gnats about a single man. The man is garbed in rather plain furs but he wears upon his head a stag skull mask beneath which an inhuman fanged mouth smiles gleefully, the blood lust in his eyes apparent for all to see. "Who is it that rules over these lands!? Take me to them so we may speak." His voice, like thunder, cuts across the sound of beating wings, clearly announcing his presence for all to see.

I suspect we should both take a standard action to disable our passive abilities least we both knock each other out before anything can be said only to end up waiting for both our characters to wake up only to knock each other out again. :smalltongue:

[NineOfSpades]

The storming of the plains was not an act taken lightly. The Hive-City had rallied itself, with armed vassals upon the ramparts and walls of the domed super-structure. Garrisoned forces stood by at the ready. No words were exchanged amongst them, they did not discuss among themselves, sharing words of comfort or worry in the face of invasion. No, each Abiel manned their post, with weapons ready. Even so, as before, their rhythmic wing-beats created a slow-melody which connected the entire forces.

The Stag-masked speaker was approached by one warrior. Though from a distance the Bee-people appeared much the same, up close, it could be seen that this breed was noticeably larger, with a greater bulk to their limbs. Fittingly, their armor was more robust, cast from steel plating, rather than chain mail and leather. "Your question is unclear, stranger. When you ask for our leader, do you speak of Queen Vennezz, who oversees this Hive-City, or are you referring to High-Queen Melizza, who resides in the Central Hive City of Ambezz? One is very near, but the other is still several days travel from here. For both, however, it is a rare privilege to be granted an audience in person, one that is not customarily given to a stranger who rides into our lands with an army at their back." The Warrior looked over the amassed horde of fey. "Our scouts witnessed your arrival from the north. From what nation do you hail, and what business do you have in the south lands?"

I will make sure nothing of the sort takes place

[drack]

The creature spoke with power and command, undaunted by the large soldier, but rather elated as the vary air he breathed seemed to call challenge to all around him. "I am Jack, Lord of the Fey, I will speak with High-Queen Melizza, point me the way and I will yet make great time. I come with an army yes, but a paltry one by our standards, and if it may serve as excuse to resist an audience then it could as easily an excuse make to have one."

[NineOfSpades]

Upon her throne, the Hive-Queen Sat, her wings giving a momentary twitch of annoyance. A small gesture, but one which reverberated through her realm, a instantaneous sensation of tension spreading from Abiel to Abiel, the feeling of her distaste towards the words of the Fey Lord called Jack. The pride of the Fairy-kind was as robust as was told in legend, their abject certainty in their own importance. Such an attitude would not win them many favors in these lands, nor would marching a force into the capital, even if they claimed it was but a tiny escort.

Melizza turned the matter over in her thoughts. The Fairy's indignation and bravado did little to sway her. Even with their supposed might, Melizza had supreme doubts that her Hives would falter. So the issue to contemplate was not one of military strength. No, her thoughts revolved, as they often did, on the resources at her disposal. Like a miser coveting his gold, Melizza set her scales to weight the costs of the choices she had before her. Was it worthwhile to snub the Fey from the North and execute their messenger and his horde, for the sin of trespassing and discourtesy? Hardly. Though there ever remained the possibility that this was some play in a larger stratagem that she could not foresee, she had doubts. Such a small force would be unable to render a true threat against her or her people, and would die where they stood if she decreed it to be so.

The Warrior Abiel recieved his marching orders, and relayed the High-Queen's Message. "Travel East. There are no roads to follow, so a guide will be arranged. Out of respect from the Feylands, High-Queen Melizza has granted you an Audience, my lord" the Soldier stumbled a bit over the last two words, having never previously needed to speak such a term. "However, the High-Queen would advise that in the future, such a show of force upon entering our territory will not be granted the same privileged, especially when its arrival is unannounced."

A worker-Vassal detatched from the Ramparts and flew down to join the Commander. "This is Juzztn, he will accompany you and answer any questions you have on your journey. The High-Queen is eager to hear your words, Lord Jack, and hopes that what you have to say is worth the time that she must now wait to hear it in person"

[drack]

Though there ever remained the possibility that this was some play in a larger stratagem that she could not foresee, she had doubts. Such a small force would be unable to render a true threat against her or her people, and would die where they stood if she decreed it to be so.
This, always this. :smallbiggrin:

In the end, while it's easy IC to have read hundreds of third hand reports on each other and know plenty, OOCly I find it's best to get a feel for how each others sovereigns and nations are and how they interact before forming judgements. :smallsmile: So at the very least it's meant for us to try just that.

Meanwhile I'm still in the market for a nation to destroy, and nobody so far has made the decision for me, so it might be one I'll be making late season 2 or so.
Jack nods respectfully, but without pause, as if he had expected that. "We will defer to your guidance then." Snatching a fairy out of the air, Jack instructs it "Fly ahead to announce our arrival as per our host's requests." Turning back to the soldier Jack concludes "Almost everything said with the voice of a nation is worth hearing in person, even the most trivial details. Supposing you're able to contact your ultimate queen, but doubtless that means her mind's eye is filled with the droning of hundreds of thousands of thoughts. Thus one likely need stand before her to distinguish oneself among the clamorous drone of thoughts."

Throughout the flight Jack asked of the bee-people's culture, sharing his own tales of slaughter in the killing fields, speaking quite highly of the sacred frosted lands of the Fey, and leaving a standing invitation that they might visit some time, though with it comes a warning of the rat people, a rather territorial warrior race that claimed the whole of the mountain as their own.

[NineOfSpades]

The Warrior-Guard did not endevor to reply to Jack's speculation onto the nature of their communal thoughts. He was wrong, of course. In Hive Hazznomm & Cazzadorrzz, the workers and warriors shared a chuckle at the idea that their network of thoughts and experiences could somehow become distracting, or that any one voice needed to struggle to be heard over the others. We're that the case, the entire structure their world was built on would crumble. But there was no need to correct this oversight; let the fairy believe whatever he wished.

For the flight to the capital, Juzztn polietly indulged Jack's desire for conversation, though in truth, Juzztn had very little to say himself. By trade, he was a brick-layer, working to maintain the walls which guarded their cities. He shared his home with two score other vassals. Juzztn had no real insight to the greater workings of the nation, though of course he underestood his role within the wheels and gears that kept their great society in motion. But Juzztn had not been chosen for this task because he was some great intellectual. He was chosen because at present, his services as a brick-layer were not needed at his home-hive, and he would not be missed for the duration of the trip to the capital.

No, Juzztn was simply a line of communication to the rest of the Swarm, and to the Queens. They had little real interest in his talk of Glory and battle. Glory could not build walls, nor feed newborns. That much would be clear through the responses to Jack's questions. The Abeil worked for their own betterment, not for any lofty ideals or philosophies. There was exceedingly few things that they cared for which could not be measured and quantified. Music was one such indulgence, a great passion which the High-Queen enjoyed, and so was incorporated into every Hive-City. Every motion, a note in a grander song. Where others might only hear the cacophony of the days labor, that was only an extension of their limited senses. Could anyone appreciate the beauty of a symphony if they could only hear a single performer? But the Swarm was everywhere, each individual connected to the rest. They could take in the entire orchestra, and the sound of it united them.

The Journey to the east took only a few days. In that time, their travels took them through open country, never approaching near to any other hive cities. Likely, this was a deliberate choice on behalf of the guide, but Juzztn had nothing to comment on the matter. It would become clear easily enough that they were moving towards the center of the swarm. Though they never approached them, more and more cities could be seen in the distance, growing closer together as they entered into the heart of the Swarm.

At last, The capital city of Ambezz lay before them. It was of a grander scope than the Hive-City they'd left, nearly twice the size by estimate, and no less imposing for it. The Sky was all but gone, save for what fleeting glimpses could occasionally be spotted out between vassals and warriors who filled the air, buzzing to and fro, attending to their tasks without need to mind the guests. The same could not be said for the guards, however. As before, they lined the walls and ramparts, weapons at the ready. One might make the claim that they were distrustful of the fairy Lord Jack. But they'd trusted him enough to allow him to travel this far. But only a fool would leave themselves defended only by assurances that these travelers from the north meant them no harm. Doubly so after the days spent listening to stories of slaughter and death.

"An audiance chamber has been prepared for you, Lord Jack. The High-Queen awaits. However, your escort will not be permitted to accompany you past these outer gates, and are requested to wait here." Though Juzztn said it was a request, perhaps a better word would have been 'command', as it did not appear that this was a topic upon which The High-Queen was prepared to negotiate.

[drack]

Song it so happens was a shared culture between the two peoples, as particularly the little-folk that made up Jack's army seemed particularly prone to it.

With a grin Jack accepted these terms reminding his people quite casually of their duty to level the city if he either failed to return or if they found themselves subject to the aggression of the natives. Boldly Jack strode into the audience chamber, his claws clicking together faintly as he moved.

[NineOfSpades]

The interior walk to the meeting chambers was not a long one. So with that in mind, there was not an abundance of time for Jack to take in the interior of the city. The ground level was largely dedicated to maintaining the base resource needs of the city. Food, clean water, livestock were all maintained by a veritable army of worker-vassals. The upper layers were more specialized, containing larger structures, the purpose of which could only be speculated at. Their path took them by a larger central gathering chamber which was hosting some manner of organized assembly, though whether religious in nature or merely communal meeting would require more investigation.

Following their walk, Jack was brought through a large set of double doors, into the meeting hall. It was not an especially expansive room, no more than twenty feet across at its longest, and less than half that length in width. The dominant feature was a large table, polished maple from the looks of it. At the far end, seated comfortably, was the High-Queen.

At first glance, Melizza did not appear especially remarkable. Physically she resembled the female Vassals, though perhaps slightly smaller. Her manner of dress, armored in shimmering metal, displayed the fine craftsmanship of her people, yet remained utilitarian in design. She was reading at the time, though quickly set aside her book when Jack entered. A servant appeared from behind her, tray in hand, placing two cups on the table and a steaming tea-kettle, before wordlessly retreating back behind her. Melizza made a gesture for Jack to approach, offering him a seat beside her. Her posture was none one of concern, though perhaps of curiosity.

"It gladdens me to see you've made it here safe and sound, Lord Jack" She began. She spoke much more confidently than her subjects, not requiring the momentary pause in thought needed to frame the voice of their communal consciousness into actual motion of her vocal cords. "I'm not sure if your taste lean towards tea, but if they do, feel free to share a cup while we convince. If you've any specific request for food or beverage, I suspect it could be arranged without to much delay.". Pouring herself a cup, Melizza blew on the still to hot liquid, the sickly sweetened aroma rapidly filling the chamber. A strong brew, no doubt about that. She took a sip, before replacing her cup, and reclining slightly in her seat. "So than, Lord from the North...what message do you bring?"

[drack]

As he takes a seat Jack picks up the cup without delay, drinking some to wash the dust of the road form his mouth. It wasn't that he particularly disliked the dust, why some fairies even left their mouth open and full of dirt until plants took root and grew from it, instead he swallowed it to clear his throat and of course because he'd always had a fondness for teas. Setting his cup down he grinned, a strong lust for blood plain to see in his eyes. "Why it is not so much a message as a question you see, I found myself wondering when I'd heard of another nation as powerful as your own. The question is simple really, you see, I was wondering..." Jack leaned forward slightly, his claws ready at his sides, ready to pounce. "...would you prefer our people have peace or war?"

[NineOfSpades]

Melizza did not initially react, neither to the question nor to her guests behavior. While he made good show of proper etiquette, he also seemed more prone to submit to beastly urges when proper reasoning would serve better. It did not cast a positive light on the fairies, if this was the voice they'd elected to represent them. "Your question seems rather along the same lines as when you asked to speak to the ruler of these lands: Unclear" her tone remained passive and restrained, though perhaps with just a tinge of disappointment. "If I wished there to be war, than would it not follow that there would already be war? Would I have opened my doors to you and allowed you to share tea at my table? Doubtful, I think." Sipping again from her drink, the High-Queen enjoyed the taste, letting the aroma tantalize her senses. "You have traveled very far to ask your question, so I will at least permit you to return with an answer. Peace would be my preference. However, Lord of the Killing Fields, I suspect that my words are rather secondary in this matter. I am not a child who needs to be coddled and lead about by the hand, who's voice is used as a prop for your own message. And so, Fairy Lord, Allow me to be succinct" Straightening her posture, The High-Queen turned her featureless black eyes onto her guest. "You would not travel this distance to ask me a question that could have been answered without leaving the boarders of your forest. You clearly wanted to offer me a chance to answer so that you could in turn proceed with your own response, which I am all but certain is the real message your here to deliver. So proceed then, and let us hear what your nations thoughts are on the matter of Peace and War"

[drack]

Begrudgingly Jack settles back into his chair, disappointment plain on his face touched with a tinge of lingering hope. "I'd disagree almost entirely. War is an issue that effects whole nations, well worth a visit, and if you sought war you might have forces in movement already, or perhaps you might be waiting for them to have set up camp beside select targets. Additionally war can take a great many forms.... a great many..." For a moment Jack's thoughts seem to drift before he gathers them together once more. "No, that was not a leading question, but you ask me now what I think of peace and war. I think peace is tranquil, productive, filled with song, and a time when one can spread out beneath a tree and wait whilst moss and foliage envelops them. I think war is more like the hunt. It is a game of sport after which one gains nourishment from the vitality of another. In peace, sometimes people forget about war, they forget about the hunt with its thrills and its risks, but they forget too of the songs of the hunt, the celebrations of a kill, and the merriment they gather. Venturing through the lands I've found that a great many choose peace this day, that they would rather be fixed to the ground in moss the to celebrate their kill. It does not disgust me as it may some, but it saddens me, for I know then that when the time does come that they must once more hunt, that perhaps they will no longer be able to reach their spear." Staring off into his memories Jack takes another drought of tea before turning again to the queen. "In any case, I will grant you your peace, and me and mine will continue to seek a war on which to sharpen our teeth... that is, unless you want war after all...?" Jack's own maw of razor sharp teeth grins at the queen.

[NineOfSpades]

Melizza, not accustomed to surprised, was a bit taken aback by Jack's Response. It was certainly more eloquent than she'd previously observed him to communicate, particularly in his use of imagery. Though their ideology on the nature of conflict remained separate, there was still admiration that she felt for his poetic homage to the matter for which he clearly felt a great passion. Melizza smiled back at Jack, her own teeth unable to match his wolfish-grin. "I appear to have misjudged you, Lord from the North. For that, I extend my apology." Melizza bowed her head slightly, showing her sincerity. "Sadly, that does not change my stance. I've no war to offer you or your kinsmen, you'll need to seek your hunt elsewhere"

[drack]

That last glimmer of hope finally flickered out and died in the eyes of the disappointed fey lord. Stiff, from the look of him it was not a disappointment that he was unaccustomed to. "It saddens me to hear you say that, but doubtless there are many more lands in which to seek game. In any case you have played host to myself and my people, and for that we give you a gift. Every fairy in my army bears some nectar from our lands. It will be yours provided you've somewhere to keep it."

[NineOfSpades]

Melizza nodded in approval "Your gifts are most welcome. I would feel remiss if I were not to offer my own show of good faith in return, though I would not wish to unduly burden your traveling band with unneeded extra weight." Contemplating a moment, she considered what would be best to offer. Thankfully, one of her daughters provided a suggestion which Melizza found to be agreeable. "Our crops here are bountiful, grown for generations to produce fine harvests. Would you take with you a sampling of our seeds, that they may in turn yield future harvests for your celebrations?"

[drack]

"We would be delighted." Jack replies simply.

+500RP to you (in the form of nectar, resource points come in resources after all.)

[NineOfSpades]

"And to you as well. I've assigned some laborers to attend to the matter, your gift should be prepared shortly.."

and a fine 2500 RP to you, sir

[drack]

"A gift my people will much appreciate."