NationStates Jolt Archive

She ran her hand through her short, tomboyish hair and sighed again,
"I dunno," She smiled, "There are people who would like to point out that I am not yet 30." She shrugged, "I will have to prove myself to them then. As I always have had to"

Krystal nodded in understanding. Being so young, and a Halfbreed nonetheless, was surely taxing. Krystal knew only too well the rigors of facing those far older and more experienced than ones self, being only just past the age of Xiscapian adulthood, younger than Ashe. But she had already fought and won three wars, and these aged her many years, evident by the constant rings under her eyes, the strain in her voice and the look in her eyes.
The look of one who had had too much thrust upon her too fast, too early.
"There will always be those who question your decisions and commands, no matter how old or experienced you may be." she intoned. While not looking it, Sasha was listening intently, and Krystal was aware of it.

"I know" She gave a small smile, "I'll have to fill some big shoes and I have no doubt that I can" She gave another sigh, looking as though there was something she badly wanted to say. A few moments later, she could not contain herself,
"I'm so sorry I didn't come to help you earlier" She blurted out, "I should have been there earlier but I wasn't, I hope you can forgive me" She lowered her head in shame.

Time to use what the Emperor taught me.
"It wasn't your fault. I'm not going to lie to you, there's a lot of good kitsune who won't be going home to their families because the Fleet was late. But you had no control, no idea the mines were there, or that the asteroids would be spaced so closely.* Even the Alumina weren't able to make it though. The blame is spread where is falls, to you and me. It's not anyone's singular mistake. Sometimes things just don't work out, a combination of bad luck and good planning from the other side."
OOC: * Asteroid fields are actually quite spaced out and easily navigatable. Nothing like you saw in Star Wars: Empire Strikes Back or similar movies.

OOC: I know they're spaced out but the fleet was hardly compact, and there were strings of mines between each one.

Ashe just gave a sad sigh, then straightened herself up,
"In that case, Head Admiral, I must return to my Flagship. We'll join you to Xiscapia with the Prisoners. After that, we head to Alversia and I become the most Senior Officer in the APN" There were a hint of nerves in her voice as she turned to Sasha
"Ready to go?" She asked.

"Head Admiral," Sasha nodded to Krystal. "Affirmative." Krystal just smiled somewhat wistfully. "The fleet will be moving out in about twenty minutes, once the repairs are completed and the last of our soldiers and the prisoners are aboard."

"Very well" She gave a bow, "See you there" With that, she turned and headed out to beam to her own ship.

As Krystal had promised the remainder of the Fleet was ready to go in twenty. Situated with cargo prison ships dispersed thoughout, they jumped to Xiscapia. Onboard the Pride of the Empire Krystal stood on the bridge once again, hands behind her back, with the Emperor behind her. She gazed out into the blue-and-white void streaming by, wondering about the future. The crisis was over, the Empire was safe. But there were so many other things happening. The two bekko, new neice and nephew to the Emperor and Empress, the Greal-Imitator conflict, this recent mining operation blow into a full-out military operation named Terracropolis, and other events and persons. As long as the Empire dosen't get majorly involved in any more wars, Krystal decided, we should be safe.

Behind them came the Alversian section of the fleet with Ashe at the bridge of the Light of Hope. Sasha was with her,
"Ready to go?" She asked. Looking over the Prisoner fleet and battered Xiscapian fleet.

"Yes Ma'am," said Sasha, nodding as she looked out over the Prison fleet. "Head Admiral, excuse me for asking, but now that you've been promoted, what does that make me?" she inquired, arching an eyebrow. Sasha's position mattered greatly to her. It insured that she was respected in the APN and not treated like the Rebel she had been and put on that Prison fleet.

"From what I have been told by Admiral Reynolds, you are to be my right hand lady" She smiled although she didn't turn around, "My aide, for want of a better word" She said as she watched the ships assemble for the jump, "Prepare for the jump, Vice-Admiral" She smiled again.

Sasha blinked, uncomprehending for a moment. Then he face split into a wide grin. "Aye, Head Admiral," she said, and began barking orders to the Ensigns on the bridge.
Xiscapian Fleet...
"Jump on my mark," commanded Krystal.
"Yes Head Admiral."
"Three...two...one..."

Ashe watched as the Xiscapian fleet jumped into hyperspace and she nodded to an Ensign sitting in front of her,
He pulled a lever and the Alversian fleet leapt into hyperspace to join the Xiscapians.

The trip was neither short nor long, but it was uneventful. Across the fleet there were mixed feelings and reactions. Many soldiers and spacers celebrated the Allied victory, throwing parties that lasted well into the "night" as shown on ship chrono's. Others seemed depressed, enough so to withdraw to their quarters and sleep, or stare blankly at the deck or bunkhead. Some, those who had lost family or friends, wept openly.

On the prison ships the Korr were greatly subdued, knowing that they faced execution or life imprisonment. The remaining SR hoped for a quick, painless death, by decapitation with a sword rather than the long, agonizing process of hanging or firing squad. The Death Squads that carried out executions were slowly being phased out in favor of merely placing the condemed under starship engines and firing them, turning the sentiant to ash instantly.
OOC: TG.

OOC: Responded

Ashe watched as Xiscapia loomed up close then suddenly seemed to stop as the fleet exited Hyperspace. She did not take her eyes off the planet and people nearby, Sasha included, would see small beads of sweat starting to appear on her forehead. Ashe still had an intense fear of Xiscapia following her abduction there.
She turned to Sasha
"Prepare to disembark for the surface, Vice-Admiral" She ordered.

Sasha nodded without a word and turned to the control panel before her. Her superior's irrational fear of Xiscapia worried her. After all, Sasha had been though a similar experience on a different planet, and she did not shudder with fear every time she saw it.
Then again, she had not gone though what Ashe had.
Likely no one ever had.
Frowning, she leaned closer to the panel. Her expression of puzzlement turned to realization, and then abruptly to fear.
"Head Admiral, we've lost two prison ships from the fleet," she reported. "They're gone like they were never here."
Xiscapan Fleet...
Krystal smiled when she saw Xiscapia come into view, as did the Emperor. The two bekko who had accompinied the Head Admiral and Emperor, however, were less than impressed. They merely shifted slightly and had thoughts relating to food and warm baths. These thoughts were dashed, however, as a Bridge Officer reported to Krystal. "Head Admiral, we've lost two prison ships from the convoy."
Krystal turned her head to look directly at him. "In what way?"
The Officer shook his head. "No debries, no residual energy signitures, bio signs, nothing. Like they vanished out of the fleet."
Krystal growled in her throat. Somewhere along their path someone had somehow managed to use an Indirector to cleanly cut the two ships out of the fleet. Gods knew who or why, but this wasn't good.
OOC: We'll wait for NC to arrive until we RP the prison ships.

"What?" Ashe turned to Sasha in horror, "What do you mean We've lost two ships? How? Send the Amphibious and the Independence to the back of the fleet. They can scan the area and see if there is any evidence of an attack at all"
Ashe may have been unsettled by the presence of Xiscapia but she knew what she was doing when it came to fleet action.

Sasha did as ordered, but the two ships found nothing. No debries of any kind, no bodies, not a single clue. It was as though they'd been lifted cleanly out of the stream of the Universe by some god somewhere.
Pride of the Empire...
Knowing they couldn't afford to hang around looking for the ships, Krystal ordered on the vast majority of the fleet to Xiscapia to dock and initate repairs, keeping behind her own ship, the Destroyer Night and the Cruiser Contact. She chose them so because they were relatively undamaged with few casualties, and thus free to patrol and search the area.
Transmission to Light of Hope:
I trust you too have noticed our missing vessels?

Ashe sent the rest of the fleet on while she remained with the Destroyer and Cruiser. A Strato-Dreadnought would be able to out gun anything they would face. They were still scanning the area and finding nothing,
"How can they have just vanished?" Ashe was asking her Bridge Crew in disbelief,
Then the message came through and she replied,

TO: Head Admiral Krystal.

I had happened to notice it, yes. Do you know what happened to them?
We cannot find a scrap of evidence as to what happened to them

Both Captains of the respective ships brought back negative reports. There simply wasn't anything to be found.
TO: Head Admiral Ashe
My theory is some kind of gravitational disruptor ship or device. We have such, designed to pull ships out of FTL travel, but the ones of our caliber would have yanked the entire fleet out, not just two ships. Someone was at the battle site, pinpointed the locations of the prison ships, transmitted to ships lying in wait en route, which targeted the ships and pulled them out as they passed by. Who or why I cannot say.

TO: Head Admiral Krystal

Sounds reasonable but, likewise, our own Disruptors would
pull an entire fleet out of FTL and not just two ships. How
could we find them short of retracing our steps.

TO: Head Admiral Ashe
There's no way we know of. The ship's I.D. tags are off our screens, and they're out of any transmission range. Even if we did backtrack, the people, probably slavers, are probably already gone.
Privatly, Krystal almost felt sorry for any slavers that tried to take a prison ship. Even while they were submissive to the Xiscapians, those on board were still Rebels, soldiers, and they knew how to fight. Still, slavers and Rebels deserved each other, and it got them off Xiscapian hands. Still, she didn't like having ships randomly yanked out from under her. But there was nothing she could do about it.

Ashe sighed and looked around,
"We'll have one more scan. Then we need to catch up with the rest of the fleet"
She was annoyed, not because of the Rebel's lost, they were going to be executed anyway. It was more a pride thing. She was the Head Admiral and two vessels had been stolen from under her nose. That annoyed her, it always annoyed her.

The scan, like all the others, found nothing. Probes and scanning stations in the next system over reported no signitures. The stealing had probably come early on into the voyage, making it that much more difficult to track. There wasn't any hope of finding them now.
With a huff Krystal ordered the other two ships back to Xiscapa before, with a parting message to the Alversians, withdrew too.
TO Head Admiral Ashe:
I have injured kitsune to see to. I regret that we cannot triangulate the position of the prison ships, but I am convinced they will show up in due time. Speaking of such, the Emperor congratulates you on your victory and promotion and asks for you to relay a message asking the Prime Minister to meet him at the Palace in two hours.

OOC: In Person?

Ashe nodded as the message came through and let a small smile slip at the congratulations. She was finished with Xiscapia and finished with battle for a while. It was time for her to return to APNHQ, get set up in her Office and start to work of a Leader.
She turned to Sasha and gave a small grin,
"Relay the message to the Prime Minister and set a course for Alversia. We're going home"

OOC: Aye
IC:
Sasha saluted and contacted the Communications Ensign, then plotted a course for Alversia. Message sent, the Light of Hope jumped away.
Xiscapia...
The Pride of the Empire berthed at a military Rio Casa docking port. The Fleet had spread out to all the cities, distributed evenly across Xiscapia. Even as the ship settled in the repairs began, ramps lowering to admit technicians and mantenance teams even as crew filed out past them. From here the soldiers and spacers would go home to their families after being debriefed. After reporting all systems nominal and a successful docking procedure, the Bridge crew left, leaving only Krystal, Foxfire Rose, Silvertooth and Nightshade. The Emperor bowed. "I will need to leave, to prepare for the Prime Ministers arrival, my address to the people and debriefing of my commanders. Head Admiral," he nodded, and he and the bekko exited the ship. Krystal bowed back and finally sank into the command chair, alone at last.

Two Hours Later.

There was a small ripple in space as a vessel left hyperspace and arrived in the Xiscapian System. It was an Alversian Dreadnought, the new APS Crossfire. Apart from her normal compliment, she was carrying 2 dozen Democratic Guards and three special VIP's. One of whom was not happy to be there.
Prime Minister Aiden Mallon himself along with Grand Admiral Ashe and Admiral Reynolds. All headed for the Protector.

PRISON SHIPS SPACE

They indeed had been taken, they were surrounded by an Triangle ambush of Three Nova class warships, one scavenger, and five shredders. They had this bag of rebels snachted, now what to do with them was there next goal. The Imitators were a clever people, and there losses in the war meant nothing to them as a whole.

"Sir, Alversian C-class approaching."
"Ah, that must be the Prime Minister. Send a message."
TO: APS Crossfire
You have station permission to dock in Bay Four, berth nine. A shuttle and delegation will be waiting to take you to the surface.
Prison Ships...
Each ship was manned by a pilot and four Marines, one ship Alversian crewed, the other Xiscapian. The choices of prisoners, however, varied widely, ranging from mercenaries to APA to ANLA to SR to Korr. Both ships had some five thousand Rebels inside, kept under lock and key by an extensive array of computer-operated technology like force fields, blast doors, automated turrets, gas vents, stunning fields and the like. The Marines were there only to subdue unruly prisoners if needed, to show their power. Now they were in a different situation entirely. The prison ships were meant, designed and built, to keep the captives from escaping, containing them. It had no weapons of any kind except for those on the inside. They were not supposed to withstand any kind of boarding assault. The pilots hovered the ships close to each other in the middle while the Marines grimly prepared to give their lives for their nations, to go down fighting.

The fleet hailed the prisoner ships and sent the following message to be viewd by there catch.

" You are members of the Rebellion, you are corned and have no hope, you may kill a few of us, but you will fail. We offer you a chance to be free from our unity. Help us attack Greal outposts and you will be let free back to create your rebellion over again. To the guards and soldiers aboard, you may return to your homes."

This sounded very good to the Rebels. Come and not get infected? Strike back at an ally of the Empire's? Great! The Marines and pilots, however, were not so convinced. One messaged to the Imitators:
And how exactly, pray tell, are we going to get home?

The Alliance replyed to the Xscapian hail.

" You will get back one way or another. You are at our will, you might as well take a chance at getting home, instead of death."

How about this: You can come aboard and take all the prisoners you want. We won't stop you. However, we keep the ships and use them to fly home on. Deal?
About four thousand of the prisoners were Korr, with two hundred ANLA/APA, five hundred SR and three hundred mercenaries, the last being of a wide range of species, Rodians and Gran and Weequey and humans and other thuggish types.

" Why should we let you go home, just to use your knowledge to harm us, telling them that you were almost kidnapped by AIW forces in an ambush but got away by selling off the lives of others. We think that you should stay with us and become freinds."

The Dreadnought drifted easily into it's berth and settled there comfortably. At the same time, the three VIP's disembarked from the vessel with their Escort. They waited happily for their shuttle to arrive, well two of them did.

"Why should we let you go home, just to use your knowledge to harm us, telling them that you were almost kidnapped by AIW forces in an ambush but got away by selling off the lives of others. We think that you should stay with us and become friends."
You said you would let us leave. We will leave if you will permit it. If you try to take us, we will fight back, we will not be assimilated. Take the prisoners and let us go, like you said you would. No further words be needed.
Protector...
Awaiting them was Chief Ambassador Vanadict, Commander Durc of the Space Station, and two Marines. Vanadict bowed, as she was the only one of true importance. Commander Durc and the Marines were for show, although if pressed the Commander would be happy to tell the delegates what he knew or engage in small talk. In the bay were ranks upon ranks of crack Marines, standing in ranks making a clear path from the Dreadnought to the exit.
"Prime Minister, Grand Admiral, Admiral," Vanadict smiled warmly as Durc bowed behind her, "welcome to the Protector, and back again to Xiscapia. We are glad you could make it here."

Aidan gave his own small bow while Reynolds and Ashe did the same behind him. They were impressed by the Marines as ever and now one of them looked distinctly nervous while the other two looked as though they were enjoying themselves,
"It's good to be back Vanadict," Aidan said, "Tell me, what is so important that I had to board a Dreadnought immediately to come here?" He raised his eyebrows at the question.

The Alliance mind had made another decision, this decision was not made out of cowardnece, out of loss, out of death. This decision was made out of survival, under any means neccessary. The triangle fleet now had a new message to the prisoners.


" We will provide escort for your to your homeworld, we have other issues to attend to. We are sorry for your inconvience."

OCC: I may tg you soon, idk yet i may have something ill tell you if i do.

"Tell me, what is so important that I had to board a Dreadnought immediately to come here?"
"This way, please," Vanadict turned on heel, waiting for them to fall into step, and walked abreast with the Prime Minister, Durc walking with Admiral Reynolds with the two Marines behind the group. "The Emperor wishes to give an address to the people, and he would like you by his side as he relates the events of the Rebellion. There is a great many things to be revealed, and any backup sounds so much the better. I understand he has also contacted the Alumina and Danaversian Empire for their bits of the story. The Emperor also wishes to speak with both you and the newly appointed Grand Admiral after the speech."
Space...
The pilots and Marines were perplexed. The Imitators yank them out of hyperspace only to back down and offer them escort home?
Very well.
OOC: TG, NC.

"You've asked the Danaversians for information?" Aidan was amused, "I wouldn't expect a reply. Nor one from the Alumina either, come to think of it" He gave a small chuckle, "Will we be sufficient?" he asked in a friendly, sarcastic tone.
At the mention of meeting afterwards, Aidan nodded,
"Very well"

"Will we be sufficient?"
Vanadict laughed lightly. "Incidentally, we haven't received word from either, so you will have to do. Besides, aside from the Commander Nigripes assistance with the assassination of Jorga, her kidnapping and the end of the orbital battle, the Alumina actually had very little to do with the Rebellion. Same with the Danaversians. In addition, the Emperor also wants to forge a new pact with Alversia, as he feels the GDA Treaty is no longer sufficent."

"The Alumina rarely have very little to do with anyone so you should consider the P. Commander's interference as a blessing" he smiled, then gave an approving nod, "Yes, I think an up-to-date Pact may be needed"

OCC: TG Xscapia.

The Fleet escorted the prison ships through hyperspace towards Xscapia, they still stayed on high-alert, they could be fire upon once they broke from hyperspace and rested within Xscapian territory.

The trio were led to a waiting shuttle, which they boarded, along with Vanadict. It broke the atmosphere quickly and in now time had set down in the inner courtyard of the Imperial Palace. The ramp lowered at the back to reveal two Black Guards waiting patiently to escort the VIPs inside.
Space...
The Imitators were stopped just outside Xiscapian boarders by the defenses set up, the two prison ships speeding away as automated drones and weapons platforms began firing shells, lasers and missiles at the fleet.

The three Alversians nodded a greeting to the Black Guards and waited patiently for them to be escorted to the Emperor himself. Two were patient and calm, the other was fidgeting nervously and sweating.

If the Guards noticed Ashe's nerves they showed no sign, leading the Alversians across the grass and up the stone steps to the huge wood double doors that marked the main entrance to the Palace. Already the three had been scanned, recorded, marked and tagged, a kitsune on the Protector, a kitsune in the Palace, and a kitsune in a base in an undisclosed location all knowing the precise locations and biological status of Admiral Reynolds, Grand Admiral Ashe, and the Prime Minister.

It was early afternoon outside but cool, Rio Casa locked in a permanent state of windy, steely skies and dropping temperature. Inside the Palace in was warmer but no lights burned, long shafts of sunlight illuminating from the windows the otherwise shadowed and dim interior. To the left was a plain, unmarked metal door, and it was though here that they entered. Inside was a long, onyx colored table with seating for two dozen, stretching nearly the entire length of the room. On the walls were various oil paintings of famous moments in Xiscapian history, as well as portraits of important Xiscapian heroes and leaders. At the very end of the table sat Foxfire Rose. Unlike every other time they had seen him in recent months, he wore dark blue robes, rather than the accustomed red.

He smiled at them as they came in, indicating that they should take their seats near him as the Black Guards exited to mantain posts outside the door. "Prime Minister, Grand Admiral, Admiral," he stood and bowed, "please, sit." Vanadict silently and almost invisibly bowed herself out.

The fleet was being torn apart it quickly hailed the Xscapian military forces.

" We seek a truce between our peoples, cease fire, cease fire."

"We seek a truce between our peoples, cease fire, cease fire."
The message was logged into the databases of the A.I. controlling the weapons, but the fire did not stop. Machines don't understand the meaning of "cease fire" when said by the enemy. However, the message made it's way to the officer on a tiny outpost near the defenses, who ordered the defenses to stand down but keep online.
What is it you want?

" We want peace between our people, may we present terms for peace and non aggression?"

"We want peace between our people, may we present terms for peace and non aggression?"
The reply back was as cold as the space it bridged between the ships and the outposts:
Negative. You are abominations, xenophobic destroyers of life, baby-murderers and thieves of the lowest kind. There can be no peace: Only the total eradication of Imitator lifeforms from this galaxy.
With that the defenses opened fire once again.

The fleet turned and ran for it, hitting hyperspace. The defenses had taken three Shredders into the Abyss and damaged the scavenger. This war was a headahce to no end.

The fleet turned and ran for it, hitting hyperspace. The defenses had taken three Shredders into the Abyss and damaged the scavenger. This war was a headahce to no end.

"Please, sit."

Aidan gave a smile and settled down in the seat nearest to the Emperor, Reynolds and Ashe took up seats on either side of him. Ashe was still fidgeting nervously.
"Greetings Emperor," Aidan said respectfully, "It is nice to see you again"

"It is nice to see you again"
"And the same to you," said Foxfire Rose softly. He seemed to be staring at Ashe. "Can I offer you drinks, refreshment?" he inquired, speaking to all three but looking directly as Ashe. If she looked him in the eye he would try and communicate a sense of safety to the newly appointed Grand Admiral. Otherwise all he could do was make her as comfortable as possible.

"No, thank you" Aidan shook his head, "But I assume you summoned us for a reason?" He asked, raising his eyebrows,
Ashe gave her own weak smile and shook her head,
"I'm okay" Even from her expression it was obvious she was not alright.

"But I assume you summoned us for a reason?"
The Emperor nodded solemnly, both to the Prime Ministers question and Ashe's statement. "Of course," he said, turning his attention to the man now. "I have been scheduled to give a speech today, and would like the three of you present. That is not for another two hours, and in them is the real reason you are here. You all have experience with the Danaversians and Alumina, as they are. The Rebellion almost turned into something very ugly, involving both those races. I need to know everything you know about them. Everything." he empathised on this last word. "There is also the GDA Treaty between our two nations, which is to expire soon. Since the GDA has become a defunct organization, most of the members have dropped out, vanished or been destroyed, a new pact, simply between the Empire and the Republic, must be made. Prime Minister, I need you to assist me in drafting the Treaty."

Aidan nodded,
"Nothing would please my people more than a treaty with the Xiscapian Empire," He said honestly, "And we would be delighted to stand with you at your speech. As for information on our allies and enemies," He shrugged and indicated to the two sitting on either side of him,
"I am but a civilian, these are the people, you need to ask"

"I am but a civilian, these are the people, you need to ask"
The Emperor nodded, looking from Reynolds to Ashe. He knew Reynolds had extensively worked with the Alumina and was reputed to know the Danaversians better than they knew themselves. Ashe was not nearly as experienced, but she had a sharp mind, keen eye and the Emperor trusted her judgement.
"Well?" he asked.
OOC: Gotta go.

Both looked at each and shrugged,
"There's a lot to tell, your excellency" Reynolds reasoned calmly, "More than we could tell you in two hours. Are there any specific points you would like us to go over?" He asked politely, Ashe nodded in agreement. She decided she would let the more experienced Admiral do the talking for now.

"Are there any specific points you would like us to go over?"
"Yes," the Emperor nodded. "Xiscapia cannot afford a war with Danaversia, nor can we trust the Alumina as our allies. What I need to know is this: What are the weak points of Danaversia as a whole, socially, economically and militarily, and how to deal appropriatly with the Alumina. With them there seems to be much talk and little getting done. I need to know, basically," and here a slight pain entered his voice, "how to get them to take me seriously. Same with the Danaversians."

Reynolds thought about the question for few moments, formulating the answer in his head. When he was done he shrugged,
"I'm afraid we know as much about the Danaversian Empire as you do. All of our wars have been in our own space. As to making them take you seriously," He gave another shrug,
"The Danaversians take no one seriously, not even us. They think we are nothing but a useless little fly to their Empire. That one is not too serious. The Alumina," he hesitated,
"The Alumina cannot just be forced to like a race. One has to earn their trust in some way, perhaps help one of their own or fight beside them in a war. Like I said, earn their trust" He sighed, "Sorry I can't be much help but neither Species likes to open up specially to anyone. Even their allies."

"Xiscapia dosen't need to be liked by the Alumina," sighed the Emperor, "just respected. I understand about the Danaversians. But anything you can tell me on them would be helpful. Every race, species, nation and people has it's own weakness, somewhere. It Xiscapia is ever forced to fight Danaversia, we must pinpoint that weakness and use it to our advantage."
Privately the Emperor was thinking about what Reynolds had said about the Alumina. One has to earn their trust in some way, perhaps help one of their own or fight beside them in a war. The Emperor had just risked his own life and a significiant portion of the Imperial Treasury for an Alumina. They had fought alongside them in this last battle, against SR, Danaversian and Korr ships. Unless Reynolds was wrong, these fit the bill, so to speak. Perhaps, the Emperor mused, they just liked the Alversians better.

"Personally speaking Your Excellency" Reynolds stated, "The Alumina not only abandoned their position on the DMZ but they also fought alongside the Danaversians to come to your aide. If I know them like I think I do, I would say you have their respect" Reynolds concluded decisively.

"The Danaversians do have one main weakness" Ashe stated, sweating, "They always underestimate their opponents. If you manage to get the jump on them, they will not have the time to react"

The Emperor did not speak for a moment, staring in silence at the ceiling as he sometimes did. "Underestimation..." he said quietly, fiddling with a tiny, silver ring on his left hand. "I cannot help but wonder how useful that might be now that they have seen us in battle. Still," he sat up fully now, looking at them all, "that is something. This new treaty, this pact you may call it, between our nations...I must confess I have invited several others. Are any of you familiar with the Muri clan of Ordo Drakul or the Empire of Tanara?"

Aidan thought for a moment,
"The Muri Clan, we do not know although we do have strong relations with the Empire of Tanara yes," he smiled, "We have a young Diplomat performing sterling work out there on our behalf. I would be delighted to welcome them to our Treaty Arrangement, in fact, I think it could be beneficial" He was nodding his head at this statement.

Six hundred million Light Years away the Shadow Dancer (http://www.atddm.com/shado1.jpg) prepared to enter DeSitter space, and make the roughly one and a half minute transit to Xiscapia.

"Has every one packed enough socks and clean underwear" Sha'do, the starcraft's Avatar asked deadpan. It wasn't as if she couldn't make more of anything they needed, what with multiple replicators aboard, but then again two of them were dedicated solely to missile production. Sha'do believed in being very well armed, though her weapons systems were also well hidden. She might be acting as a diplomatic vessel at the moment, but in her heart - arms and armor - she was a warship. One whose sentience had been 'born' under Nietzschean aegis and that made her very survival oriented indeed.

"Yes old mother" Marisol a' kier'a Lune, the youngest of the foursome headed to Xiscapia to participate in the diplomatic endeavor, chuckled at the implied tartness in the Avatar's tone. She was making sure that her ceremonial armor and weapons were clean, polished to a high shine and ready to be donned, should the need arise.. Unfortunately her ornate armor couldn’t be placed on a hanger but instead was girded on to a life size body double in its own alcove off her suites dressing room. “But what are socks?” She asked innocently as she fanned her gleaming white wings gently. She hid a grin, she knew what they were, for she was one of the Phoenix Empires finest cultural historians, and the Senior Curator for the Tanaran Imperial Museum. A high honor seeing as she was only thirty five.

Richard Albert Cromwell, better known to one and all as Race, just shook his head as he sipped the nearly eternal tea mug in his hands. He was a roving sort by nature and a immensely powerful Jedi Master with too much Sith in him to make his fellow Jedi anything but nervous...he'd learned to pack compact and light long ago.

"If I missed anything Sha'do I know you will be well able to provide it" Ambassadeur Extraordinaire et Plénipotentiaire - Dowager Empress Michiko Sierra Jones was the current Empress's personal representative - replied softly, almost placatingly, as she once again reviewed the information on the Xiscapian situation in the comfort of the spacious sitting room of her suite.

The Tanaran Laureate Emeteritus of the Empire for Science, and currently Ambassador at large, Scholar Lady Mm'rr'll's tail looped with laughter for a moment and she replied equally deadpan. “What and be caught aboard a Nietzschean craft unprepared for any eventuality? Heavens forefend” She was sitting in the ‘admirals’ seat on the battle bridge for the time being. The Xa Cz’inni liked having access to the large tactical hologram that occupied some seventy five percent if this secondary bridge, being a full three meters across. The detailing was incredible and she enjoyed watching it.

A faintest shimmer, more imagined than consciously acknowledged then ninety seconds later another ghost of a shimmer and they were in the Xiscapian home system and transmitting greetings to the Xiscapian main system command.

Normal space transit to Xiscapia itself would take far longer, but then again in 'normal' space one had to obey the laws of physics...usually...

http://www.atddm.com/tandip.jpg

Michiko Jones; Mm'rr'lll; Race; Marisol ( without her wings manifested )

"I would be delighted to welcome them to our Treaty Arrangement, in fact, I think it could be beneficial"
"Excellent," the Emperor smiled. "Vanadict just attended the Crowning recently with one of our Ambassadors, and they seem like a fine people. The Muri...well, be warned, I should think. They are, shall we say, radically different from anything you've ever encountered."
Shadow Dancer, you have been authorized to make planet fall at port Rio Casa, docking bay 12, berth 84. If you wish you could instead send a shuttle directly to the Palace.

"Yes? Well, no one can be as bad as the Alumina surely" He gave a small laugh, "And I think meeting new species is essential to promote peace throughout the Galaxy no?"

"Yes? Well, no one can be as bad as the Alumina surely. And I think meeting new species is essential to promote peace throughout the Galaxy no?"
"Not like the Alumina in that way, per se. More cultural differences than anything else," the Emperor cautioned. "As for meeting new species, the ones you meet may mean, in the future, that many more you don't have to fight, or at least come to a, ah, disagreement with."

"Ah, I see what you mean" Aidan stated, still thinking of the Alumina and smiling, "And I know that other Species and Friends will help promote peace in this part of the Galaxy"

OOC: Bah, humbug, I am obviously blind today...correcting now...

Shadow Dancer, you have been authorized to make planet fall at port Rio Casa, docking berth 12, berth 84. If you wish you could instead send a shuttle directly to the Palace.

"Thank you Protector. I'll stay in space and send a shuttle down." The Avatar replied, remembering that the Xiscapians did not seem to have transporter technology.

And besides if she sent a shuttle down she had the perfect excuse for making sure the Ambassadors took some guards with them. That argument had been going on for days. And while every one knew that the honored Ambassador Lady Scholar Mm'rr'll carried a full three swords at all times - she had long ago earned the status of Kensai, and was as formidable a weapons master as she was anything she undertook - still she shouldn't have to worry about body guarding herself. And the Dowager Empress... Sha'Do had been told, personally, by the Empress that the Lady Michiko was not to be unguarded. Fortunately her favorite Cadre were with her and they could be tasked to cover both the Ambassadors and their two aides.

“Please advise the Palace that the Tanaran diplomatic party is comprised of the Dowager Empress, the Lady Michiko acting as Ambassadeur Extraordinaire et Plénipotentiaire, The Lady Scholar Mm’rr’ll as Ambassador at Large, Lord Richard Albert Cromwell as his mother’s Aide De Camp, and Lady Marisol a' kier'a Lune as Aide de Camp to the Ambassador Mm’rr’ll. They will have six Cadre with them to act as a security detail.”

Once that had been received she informed her passengers that she would be shuttling them directly down to the palace.

And shortly a trim black and gold shuttle – very discretely armed and armored –descended to the Emperor’s Palace.

Marisol has spent the time plastered to one of the view ports, eager to see Vorn’s home world. She missed him more than she believed possible. They had felt a nearly instant attraction to one another and she had found herself becoming closer to him than any other man she had ever met. Her vast snow white wings curved about her to give her the privacy to think about the Kitsune .

Michiko and Mm’rr’ll smiled at one another – correctly guessing Marisol’s thoughts. Race just chuckled to himself. He’d managed to stay footloose and fancy free, despite him being a notable catch.

Then they were landing…

OOC: Perhaps post #1067 was missed?

Pamaltela (The Lunar Heartlands, Palace of the Voivode)
--He what?--
--The Emperor Foxfire Rose has invited us to join the Federation, Sir.--
--HA! Not good enough to assist in a war with the Eternal Enemy, but good enough to bow and scrape and follow his orders, huh?--the Voivode was in a particularly bad mood, having had a trophy mosura flit off as his aide fetched him for this.--I should meet him between wands for the insult. You know, the Sultan of Doraddi even sent Lord Morga there, and he wasn't even consulted?--
--You know how the Young Races are, Sir-running off willy-nilly at the drop of a hat. I'm certain his Federation isn't going to ask us to yield sovereignty...--
The Voivode interrupted.--You're far too young to remember the Empire of Wyrm Friends. Promises were made mainly to be broken, but we still joined. Then, "It's not cool to eat sentients", "Displaying the heads of offenders at traffic stops isn't civilized", and a thousand other shrill recriminations. It was like being nibbled to death by-what are those creatures from the Heart of Chaos? Feathers, webbed feet, goes "QUACK!"?--
The aide thought before responding--Cats, Sir.--
--PRECISELY! It was like being nibbled to death by cats--the Voivode fumed. --Still, our great-grandson and Heir Presumptive has a high opinion of this Foxfire Rose fellow, so I'd best see to it that boy doesn't take it upon himself to attend and give away the homeworld. Prepare my personal cruiser (http://img505.imageshack.us/my.php?image=shadowcale0.png) and inform the crew we're going to the Pax Pacis station.--
--The meeting is at Rio Casa, Sir.--
--Not Pax Pacis? Traditional to formalize peace there, so odd...--the Voivode thought briefly--We're still going to Pax Pacis. That little blub there makes the best egg creme in Known Space, and his stand's next to that delightful woman from South Carolina in the Heart of Chaos who deep-fries everything. I could use a fine egg creme and a deep-fried everything before continuing. If I'm in a better mood, we might walk out of it with some hefty trade agreements and mutual defense pacts. Tell the Only Old One I'll want his best girl, and get Muritan onboard before we take off. Contact the Vulture Legion, and tell them I'll want an honor guard-six or eight should do it. Make it twenty-four total, indefinite duration, round-the-clock protection, double pay bonus if I make it home alive--
--So let it be woven, so let it be done, Sir.--

Contrary to the beleifs of the Avatar, the Xiscapians did indeed have beaming technology, but it was rather more grand to decend in a shuttle, as it were, than to be shot down to the planet in a stream of matter. Most undignified. At the Inner Courtyard, where the shuttle would be landing, stood half a dozen Black Guards, standing abreast on either side of where the shuttle would land. Behind them was a small army of servants, to cater to the partie's every need before going to the meeting. Standing behind the Guards but in front of the servants was Vorn, dark chocolate skin accented by his purple and black robes with a big grin on his face. He was to meet the party and escort them to the Imperial Conference Rooms.
"And I know that other Species and Friends will help promote peace in this part of the Galaxy"
"Of course, of course," murmured the Emperor, having received word that the Tanarans had landed. Privatly he knew that neither nation would have peace as long as there was still Chaos in the universe, but that was hardly the Prime Ministers concern. Certainly, the more insubstatial realms to the Alversians could take care of themselves. They dealed in ships and blasters, after all, not mages and magic.

OOC: laughs self silly over those lines.
OOC the second...*than to be shot down*..oh I don't know... potential for being shot down being the operative concern in useing shuttles...:p

The eight Cadre exited first, fanning out on either side of the shuttles exit ramp. Other than the fact that all eight, five men and three women, were perfect physical specimens they didn't look very impressive. They weren't designed to though and to all appearances they weren't wearing armor, just well tailored uniforms. But they were Cadre, which meant that they were never unready, unarmed or unarmored.

After a long second pause the Dowager Empress appeared with Mm'rr'll at her side, and then Race, with Marisol last of all. It was not due to her lack of importance. But it was more comfortable to let her wings spread slightly when she moved- and at full span they covered fully fifteen feet in width- and that meant she often went last in line on narrow walkways.

"Ambassador Vorn, what a pleasure to see you." Lady Michiko's smile was warm as she greeted the young diplomat.

"Yes, your Emperor has excellent taste in welcoming committies and you are looking well." Mm'rr'll rumbled as her long elegant tail uncolied from about her waist to loop upright. It was a tail fully long as she was tall, and so the tip ended well over her ears - and her ears took her over seven and a half feet- but it was a jaunty movement that almost looped in Xa silent laughter, but had not quite - she was trying to be formal. That wasn't easy for any Xa Cz'inni.

The Black Guards sized up the Cadre, warriors-to-warriors. While they did not at all appear to look at any of the Tanaran party, if the Cadre were perceptive enough they would know they were being watched. However, looking directly at them would be unprofessional, it was felt.

Vorn chuckled in his deep, rich voice at the Xa's comment, giving her a low bow. "Scholar Lady," he said as he rose, not daring to use her actual name because it was quite impossible for him to pronounce, "you are looking equally fine, if I may say so. Lady Michiko," he bowed to her as well, "I trust you are in good health?" His gaze passed over Race suddenly as he heard that familiar noise of wings unfolding slightly. He stared at Marisol for a long moment, mouth slightly opening as it had when he first saw her. However, by now the young Ambassador knew to control himself, and it shut almost as quickly as it had opened. "Master, I presume?" he addressed Race, bowing, then finally turning his attention to Marisol. "Lady Marisol," he bowed a final time and spoke it formal tones, but these could not hide the sparkling joy and excitement in his sun-colored eyes.

Bessie Mae Renfrew was a gullah from St. James' Island-brought to the stars by the man she loved fiercely, she had managed to use the pension allowed by his death in one of the numerous interstellar conflicts to set up shop on the Pax Pacis station, where she desperately desired to return home.
She had encountered many races and odd ways of seeing the world in her time there, but none struck her so odd as the muri-great hulking brutes with horse-sized heads like a warthog's who were so deferential to her that when their lord and master offered her enough gold to return home with a sizable fortune to accompany him on a diplomatic mission, she leaped on the opportunity.
The muri were odd-they invited her to dine with them at every occasion, and while she first thought it was to act as a poison-taster, she soon realized they would ape her every action, even down to dusting her hands of flour as she sat, as a means of honoring her-here, she was a guest, despite her being a mere cook, and the digestive tract of the muri did not allow for poisons to be effective, something she later discovered, as toxins were brought in to flavor certain dishes. She soon realized her status, as she could safely pluck a choice morsel from even the plate of their leader without repercussions other than his waiting for her opinion to continue eating, when such from their own would lead to a broken hand or arm. They had provided her with a small stone mask they called a bolongo, which translated their words-here, she was "Mistress of the Kitchens" and "Goddess of Hospitality", and her word was law-she could bar even their leader from partaking of food should she state "I shouldn't even feed you, that's SO rude."
Profuse apologies and offerings would follow until she had forgiven the individual, who would again begin eating.
She was wondering why they had brought her, on what was a diplomatic envoy to Xiscapia, when the great cruiser parked itself in orbit about the homeworld of the kitsune.
--Bring us low enough to release the mantises--came the order from the captain of this vessel, whom the muri dubbed "Voivode", a term that translated as "Warrior Prince" despite other muri referring to their captains as "Shipmother"--Let them know we are here, and let them know our approach--
The Voivode turned to her, and asked--Would you like to ride a mantis down, or would you prefer a shuttle? I could not suffer kitsune cuisine unless I knew it came from your hands. You will ride down with me, on my own steed, for nothing less befits you--
She flushed darker, as the concerns of the muri were touching-several had offered to conquer her homeworld to see she was well-treated there as befit what they saw as her status. "Them bugs scare the hell out me, Mister Voivode. I'll take a shuttle if'n y'all don't mind."
--Very well, we shall inform the Xiscapians--this word was spat out like a curse, making her wonder if this adventure were ill-advised--and I shall lead the guard about your vessel myself. For your sake, Goddess of Hospitality, I shall ensure no ill-will mars this mission."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The message was sent forth as space shimmered and parted to allow the muri cruiser:"We have come in peace, and at your invitation-our warriors shall escort down a shuttle, and we require a flight plan-our goal is the Imperial Compound at Rio Casa."

"We have come in peace, and at your invitation-our warriors shall escort down a shuttle, and we require a flight plan-our goal is the Imperial Compound at Rio Casa."
Muri representatives, you have been authorized to proceed to coordinates 0.038. That will put you exactly above the Imperial Palace. Take a route straight down and land in the Inner Courtyard. Please do not deviate from the course we have given you, because doing so would cause planetary defenses to destroy your craft. Control out.

And besides the best vision for capturing any movement was peripheral vision anyways. The Cadre had given the Balck Guards, and the others waiting, a discrete, brief, but thorough once over as they disembarked and that was all they needed. But yes they were well aware of being watched. It was so good to be among professionals.

"you are looking equally fine, if I may say so. Lady Michiko, I trust you are in good health?"

Michiko and Mm'rr'll returned the bows - Mm'rr'll allowing that she'd accept all the compiments he wished to give, her long whiskers twitching forward in her species equivallent of a pleased smile, and Michiko replieing that she was in excellent health.

"Master, I presume?"

Race hid a grin as he noted Vorn's reaction to Marisol's appearance. He'd known her all her life, having returned to the Phoenix Empire just before before her birth. She was like a younger cousin to him, but he'd seen Vorn and Marisol together at the Coronation.

"Yes but please Race, just Race. Master I get from the Jedi Council when, as usual, they are upset at me." Race chuckled, waving away the title and returning the bow.

"Lady Marisol,"

"Ambassador Vorn" Outwardly fomral she couldn't hide a carole of happiness and her wings colored a pale rose with her blush. Marisol hadn't expected to see him, and she couldn't take her dark eyes off of him, even during her deep curtsey

"Have you been keeping up with your dance practise?" She silently wondered, hopeing that he had and that they might have a chance to dance together. At the recent coronation of the Phoenix Empire's new Empress, he'd admitted to not knowing how to dance and she'd taken it upon herself to rememdy that. Vorn had proved an exceptionally adept pupil.

Space side Shadow Dancer noted the arrival of the Nuri cruiser and passed that along to the Cadre team leader, through his implanted commo, so that they would not be caught off guard. *They have a shuttle and something that look like...Prying Mantis's?" Sha'do did an internal blink then chuckled..."Yep giant Manti, and if my sensors aren't misleading me, I think most if not all of them are ...lets just say that their biotelemetry doesn't match much of anything in my databases."

"Yes but please Race, just Race. Master I get from the Jedi Council when, as usual, they are upset at me."
"Race, then, so honored are we by your presence," he gazed around at everyone. "By the presence of all, a Jedi Master, a Scholar, a great historian, and, of course, the Dowager Empress herself. If you would please follow me to the Conference Room, and allow the servants to cater to your every need." He turned and led them though the throng of white and silver robed servants, who eagerly came forward to provide the Tanaran party with anything they desired. Vorn wished to go directly to Marisol, to confess how he'd missed her since the coronation, but certain behavior was to be expected from a diplomat, and doing such was not among them.
He would have to get her alone after the Treaty conference.

Muri representatives, you have been authorized to proceed to coordinates 0.038. That will put you exactly above the Imperial Palace. Take a route straight down and land in the Inner Courtyard. Please do not deviate from the course we have given you, because doing so would cause planetary defenses to destroy your craft. Control out.

--One lousy coordinate? The f*cking Tanaarans got two berths, and I'd bet even the Divine One got a complete set.--
--Perhaps we should have stated we were here to kidnap their Empress. I understand that gets one straight to the Palace.--
--Yah, yah, but this time of year, there's always a line.--a claw tapped irritably at a string of ships circling customs.--You'd think they'd make enough to keep up with demand.--
--Empresses are cost-prohibitive, why do you think the British could only afford a queen?--
--Wasn't she Empress of India?--
--Yeah, but that and a buck-fifty gets you a cup of coffee. Quiet, the boss is speaking--
--Bruce Springsteen's here?--
The Voivode ordered his troops sharply, knowing there was but a beat's width to either side on the coordinate they were allowed access to, but he was intent on showing these upstarts what the muri could do with even but a beat's space. The mantises poured out in tight formation, circling the craft shaped like a piece of black coral that held the Voivode's personal cook.
The mantises plummeted from the hatch, weaving intricate patterns as they descended to Rio Casa.

Like with the Tanaran party, six Black Guards stood in two opposite lines of three in what was supposed to be the landing pad, across from the Tanarans. The same servants now with the Tanarans would break off once the Tanaran's needs were satisfied to attend to the Muri. Vorn would be their Ambassador simulatiously. After all, Ambassadors like Vorn were in short supply, and one certainly needed a particular kind of person to deal with the Muri. Preferably a non-edible one, although it was told that the trolls could eat almost anything.

The Neo Kirisuban's were represented by Vice Admiral Ari Nagata. She was a confident looking woman in her mid 30's and represented the defence fleet. she was still good looking as well.

Her own Samurai class cruiser, the 'Shadow Warrior' was acompanied by another sister ship the 'Chiang Lung'.

Arriving with her two samurai guards she also wore the twin swords with a dark red kimono. There was business to discuss and she was in the mood to strike a deal.

OOC: NK has my permission to be here as a member of the Treaty, guys. Introductions all around soon enough.
IC:
Neo Kirisubon craft, you have been authorized to make planet fall at Rio Casa, bay 12, berth 86. A maximum of ten guards is allowed to accompany your delegate.
There was no question as to the intent of the ships. Obviously they were here for the Conference.
OOC2:
OD, I just noticed your troll saying that bit about the Tanarans getting two berths. That was my mistake, I meant Bay 12, berth 84, not double berths. Apologies.

Both cruisers docked at bay 12 and the Vice Admiral left her ship with two female samurai.

Their uniform was slightly different being in the defence fleet and it was a green wrap over jacket with the black skirt and tall black boots.

They also had a holstered hand phaser each as well. Normally two guards was enough for most N-K officers and since this was a diplomatic occasion two would be enough here.

OOC: No problem-muri helmsmen figured out long ago they can just crash the ship if the Captain gets annoying, and they tend to be lippy due to this knowledge. The bitching of the helmsmen should be taken as nothing more than standard gripes at ship duty.
IC:The mantises spun in tight formation about the small shuttle, weaving an elaborate, almost hypnotic pattern about their escort. The six members of the Vulture Legion assigned to guard set down first, their red-and-black armor meticulously shined and polished to a high gleam, their weapons appearing new as they raised their lances in salute, a sharp contrast to their withered pale faces.
Three mantises landed in the center of the circle formed by the Vulture Legionnaires, and one of the riders leaped down, his lithe form flowing like water as he walked over to assist the rider on his right, who was dressed in the plain grey robes the Vanadict reported as belonging to the Ordo Argan Argari, the traders and merchants of the muri. The rider of the third mantis wore the robes of the Ordo Annilla, a blue so dark as to appear black, and his face was bleached near-white, with blue crescents marked over his eyelids, bifurcating his eyes.
Once these three had dismounted, the first rider headed to the shuttle, where a small black woman in a gingham dress was escorted out. The four stood in the center of the mounted Vulture Legionnaires, as if waiting, while another eighteen Legionnaires hovered above them, flying in lazy arcs that did not wander beyond the landing coordinate provided.
--Wish I'd worn my hat--the Voivode whispered to Muritan--Sun here's bright. You want to translate for me, or should I attempt their language?--
--Allow me to translate, as their tongue is strange and difficult for us.--Muritan nodded, his eyes taking in the assembly.--I see the Tanarans have arrived, but Morga seems suspiciously absent.--

"Muri?"

"Yes, and most of them seem to be of..." Mm'rr'll wasn't the Xa Cz'inni
Mother of Memory for naught "The Novan's listed them as a Muri military unit...'The Vulture Legion' animated dead" The big Xas shuddered a little at that. Xa died much like Muri did - not of old age, save when they willed it. When they did die, though, a Xa Cz'inni's body dissolved into a fall of stardust that vanished almost instantly. But racial memory - of a race that had been created longer ago than the life span of your average galaxy -held all they had done and experienced.

That said they both fell silent, appreciating the skill and grace the Muri were displaying. and continueing their conversation mentally

Nari said they were touchy. We need to remember how old their culture is. Back in the Home Universe, beings like them existed only in fairy tales. Michiko commented in her faint mental voice. She was an Empath and her telepahy was all but unusable without the Matrix she wore about her neck under her simple but elegant gown (http://www.atddm.com/Michigwn.jpg)

Their Gods War didn't affect us since we don't have gods, save that which our creators wished to be and the Xas's eyes flicked dark, knowing that if they had been thrust into that ancient conflict they would have been required to be on what every Xa Cz'inni considered the wrong side. At that time they had been but their creators useful constructs and unable to do but what had been demanded of them...now they were what they wished to be, and never forgot what they had been. She shifted slightly to settle the trio of blades she was never without a bit more comfortably.

"A magnificant ballet, though but played for anger's and affront's sake. The Voivode is seriously angry Race's calm mind voice joined in the conversation. One of the multitude of Palace Servants had oblidged him with a steaming mug of fragrant tea. He sipped at it contentedly after thanking the Servant for their kind thoughtfulness.

Yes I can feel it Michiko strengthened her shields a bit more, letting the fire comfort and soothe her.

Marisol did not join in their conversation. She took the oppertunity to inform the Palace Servants of the various small needs of the others in the part, such as Mm'rr'll's and her's higher than might be suspected caloric need, to Lady Michiko's fondness for white chocolate mocha coffee.

She hadn't paid attention to the new arrivals at first, then their status smote her like a club and she whirled about, going pale. It took all her training not to manifest arms and armor. Stricken she looked sharply at Michioko and Mm'rr'll and both of them gave her warning glances. Drawing a deep breath she very firmly took hold of herself, though her wings had gone from white to an almost most mirror finished silver, as had her eyes.

"Ah, the delegates of Neo Kirisubo," Vorn bowed to the Vice Admiral and her guard. "So pleased you could join us. And," he turned on heel to where the Muri were just landing, "the Muri. Welcome to Xiscapia, representatives of Ordo Argan Argari, Ordo Annilla, Legionnaires, and..." he paused as he took in the human in fine gingham robes. "Lady," he cocked his head, waiting for an answer, his tail moving about ever so slightly behind him, as though it possessed a life of it's own.

Over by the Tanarans Palace Servants took orders, recommendations, requests and anything else thrown at them. One, who identified himself as head of the Guild of Servants, looked curiously at Marisol, not unwise to her reaction. "Is there a problem, milady?" he asked politely.

Is there a problem, milady?"

Marisol tore her eyes away from the Vulture Legionnaires "No" She swallowed hard tamping down on her impulse "Nothing at all. Just an unexpectedness. And thank you Guild Master for getting Race a mug of tea. Some times it seems to be all he lives on." She made herself smile at him, before turning her attention to the other arrivals. She looked the Neo Kirisubo over discretely. She knew very little about them and was eager to learn more.

Mm'rr'll and Michiko both bowed genially to the newly arrived Neo Kirisuboan Vice Admiral and quitely introduced themselves. "Vice Admiral Nagata, its a pleasure to meet you. I am Michiko Jones, Ambassadeur Extraordinaire et Plénipotentiaire,And this is the Lady Scholar Mm’rr’ll acting as Ambassador at Large." She then turned to the other two of their group making sure that she introduced both of them as well. "This is my Aide de Camp, Master Richard Albert Cromwellm whom every one calls Race, and lastly but certainly not least Lady Marisol a' kier'a Lune is Aide de Camp to Mm’rr’ll."

Race bowed deeply and allowed that he was honoered to meet the Vice Admiral as Marisol, secretly glad for the distraction, chimed in with her own welcomes.

They would introduce themselves to the Muri shortly. They didn't wish to barge in on Vorns welcome of the Pamaltelans.

The Voivode seemed about to say something, when Bessie Mae tapped him lightly on the wrist and gave him a sharp look.--Introduce her--he grunted--and make arrangements for our quarters. Sooner she gets into the kitchen, the better these talks will go--
Muritan turned to Vorn, and gave a stately dip at the hips, keeping his foreclaws in his sleeves. His bolongo spoke in perfect, clipped tones:"Your greetings are accepted in the spirit with which they were offered. May I present Mistress Bessie Mae Renfrew, of the Heart of Chaos-she is the Voivode's personal cook, and once she is situated, we may begin. I can supply you with the communications frequency where our people await to convey the tools of her craft to your facilities.
"Our troops above will require some sepulcher to rest-the Voivode insists on an honor guard of six while here, but the others shall only emerge from their crypts to spell those six, or to perform the Rites of Rage-if a field near their resting place could be reserved, we would be most appreciative, for the Rites of Rage are a sacred matter, and we will rent or purchase the place set aside for them. Stables for our steeds will likewise be required, but this will be a matter we would provide ourselves, and if suitable territory is available, our price will be commensurate with the market standard.
"We would not keep you overlong from your other duties, and hope to ease the difficulties of our presence as we can."

The servant bowed himself away from the Tanarans, murmuring thanks, to go with the rest of his fellows to the Muri. Vorn bowed as Muritan did, listening carefully. "If you would have your vox seek communications in the Palace area, it will find the kitchens to transmit to, where smiths can craft your cook's tools to her liking. As to your guard and steeds, the Palace owns many acres of countryside to the north, entirely uninhabited, that may be put to use at your leisure."
The cooks, and indeed the gardeners who looked after the entire Palace grounds, would be unhappy about this, and Vorn knew the Head Chef of the Palace would probably fly into a rage when he heard the Muri had brought their own cook rather than use his services, but even, or indeed especially, in times of peace and diplomacy, sacrifices had to be made, no?

Vice Admiral Nagata smiled and bowed in return as tradition and honour demanded and replied in a soft slightly accented voice.

"I'm pleased to meet all of you and I hope we can make a lot of progress. My Empresses government has high hopes that we can cement relations further given our common experiences and problems with hostile forces.

The Alliance of Imitated Worlds for example."

The AIW was the N-K Federation's main worry right now given they'd lost a training ship and live crew members to them. The loss of the crew was kept secret and the ship reported as destroyed although it was still intact.

Muritan gave a curt nod to the Voivode, who stopped his solicitous hovering over Bessie Mae and mounted his mantis, spurring it into the air.
--To the North!--he called, signaling those airborne guards who wheeled and followed him.
Once they had passed from the skies, Muritan bowed again to Vorn, and his bolongo spoke:"Merchant-Prince Chuma of the Ordo Argan Argari is anxious to begin negotiations, and as we have removed our unnecessary members to their place of waiting, perhaps I may review our quarters so our entourage may rest and bathe prior to meeting our fellows.
"While such things as appearances are irrelevant to the true purpose of our gathering, I find the diplomats enjoy showing their finery to each other, and Mistress Renfrew would doubtless enjoy freshening up before beginning her duties."

Vorn nodded. "Diplomats are like peacocks, strutting and showing off all their silk and shine. We have already prepared quarters inside the Palace for you. If you would all, now," he called, speaking to the group at large, "follow me into the Palace. I can direct you either to quarters, should you wish them, or to the conference room."
The servants now moved in on the Muri and the Neo Kirisubons, asking them of their wishes and promising whatever comfort they could provide.

Ari smiled slightly and replied "we won't need much. Just quarters for my samurai since they can share and a room for myself.

I'm used to cramped quarters anyway being onboard a ship most of the time."

She could get more things from her own cabin if she needed them a change of clothes being one of them.

The Alliance of Imitated Worlds for example."

"We don't know much about the AIW, they have no holdings near the Empire, but we'll gladly study any documentation you have. From what little we do know though we are sure that we will have problems with them eventually though. And allies made in advance are always stronger than those made at the last minute when the fur has fouled...oh how did Lord H of the Ctan put it...ah yes..."the rotary air circulation motivator" he termed it" Mm'rr'll's tail looped in a Xa' Cz'inni chuckle, but her tone was serious. The Xa as well as the Phoenix Empire was about to come out of isolation, and the Universe had just better watch out.

"Diplomats are like peacocks, strutting and showing off all their silk and shine. We have already prepared quarters inside the Palace for you. If you would all, now,"

"Then tis a good thing that we are ambassadors not diplomats" Michiko smiled mischievously "otherwise I might have to take insult to that comment, Vorn." There was just the faintest edge to her voice.

Muritan snapped his claws together, rapidly, and the Vulture Legionnaires as one let their steeds rise and fly to the North, along with his and Merchant-Prince Chuma's mounts. Surrounded by the honor guard, the two waited patiently to lead to the quarters prepared.
--I've never seen him so upset.--Chuma whispered.
--Shut up, fool--Muritan replied calmly, his expression yielding not the slightest clue as to his words.--The Sultan has reported there are those in the Palace that have learned Shadowspeech, and another word on the subject will force me to kill you. Attend your duties, instead--
Chuma nodded, his expression taking on the same practiced blandness as he nodded at the remarks of the Xas'Czinni, his bolongo offering:"I believe it is simply the nature of our duties that forces us to put forth the finest our cultures have to offer, and that includes dress. One only gets one chance at a first impression, after all..."

I believe it is simply the nature of our duties that forces us to put forth the finest our cultures have to offer, and that includes dress. One only gets one chance at a first impression, after all..."

Michiko gave a bell peal of laughter at that as Vorn led them though the spectacular Palace to the suites reserved for them. "I am afraid honored Chuma, and Muritan? Yes? I am Michiko, this is Lady Scholar Mm'rr'llm our Ambassador at Large. The tea sipper is Master Race, and lastly but certainly not leastly Lady Marisol." She introduced her party to the Muri as they moved through the Palace. It was easy to see that Michikop had a warm and generous nature.

Mm'rr'll's tail looped many times, the Xas enjoying the laugh at her races expense. The Xa'Cz'inni were notorious for the massiveness of their informality, and the minimalness of their dress. Indeed other than a brief kilt snugged low about her hips, all that Mm'rr'll wore was an elaborate weapons harness. Though the leather was of the finest quality and it was lavishly decorated with careful tooling as well as inlays of precious metals and rare gems. The rest of her glorious pelt was all the attire she needed.

Oh Muri, if you only knew. Mm'rr'll's luxurious whiskers twitched forward and her bright copper gold eyes were knowing. "Sadly Merchant-Prince Chuma I am about the most decorative my people have to offer." Courtesy would keep her from claiming to be the best the Xa had to offer, but only that.

"Race, don't you dare laugh at that. Not even your Mother can get you out of those deathly plain Jedi robes (http://www.atddm.com/rrobe.jpg)." Marisol teased Race, looking him over and shaking her head.

Michiko came to her son's defense, not that he needed it "Well I am the one who sent him off for training so he'd be his own person, not some spoiled clone of others expectations"

"She did let me go do what I needed and wanted to do." Race said "and I know it wasn't easy with her being both a single mother and Empress. Besides, I like my robes thank you, if one takes me at clothes value then they have the problem not I. And besides Mari' you look resplendent enough for othe of us, nothing out does wings."

Marisol just laughed at his deflection of her criticism, though she flushed a pale rose down to the tips of her wings. "Oh you!"

"Mistress Renfrew, the "Heart of Chaos" wouldn't happen to be Earth would it?" Race asked "I just spent a few weeks there, and not sadly at all gained five pounds from indulging in enchaladas." He certainly didn't look like five pound hurt his trim figure in the least. "I tried programming a replicator to make them, but what I got out of it was completely inedible. I have absolutely no skill as a cook." He laughed wrily.

We don't know much about the AIW, they have no holdings near the Empire, but we'll gladly study any documentation you have. From what little we do know though we are sure that we will have problems with them eventually though. And allies made in advance are always stronger than those made at the last minute when the fur has fouled...oh how did Lord H of the Ctan put it...ah yes..."the rotary air circulation motivator" he termed it"


Ari smiled again and said "I'll give you what we have which isn't much so far. They took a liking to the crew of the 'NKS Empress Keiko' and we had to engage them in combat in space and on the ground to stop us becoming part of their unity. We did have Xiscapian and Alversian allies to help us out as well.

"Then tis a good thing that we are ambassadors not diplomats, otherwise I might have to take insult to that comment, Vorn."
"Ah, but my good Lady, there are diplomats, and then there are diplomats, if you know what I am saying. Forgive me for my bluntness, obviously my training here has taught me not enough to keep from offending the guests," Vorn said lightly. He thought nothing of his comment, any more than any kitsune would think of one made a generalization about fur. Besides, it was mostly true.

"Sadly Merchant-Prince Chuma I am about the most decorative my people have to offer."
Chuma bowed, his bolongo stating:"Then it is as well, milady, for you are dazzling and anything more should blind the mortal eye that beheld it. Please, as a favor, shall you accept this humble offering?"
He held up a t'krell, a simple clear crystal orb, but when you turned it this way and that, would reveal glimpses of the heart's truest desire. Those spiritually powerful could invoke a communion with the gods when they deciphered it's ways, usually resulting in a half hour or so of ecstasy. (OOC: as the Tas'Cz'inni has no gods, this may invoke the gods of their creators-I apologize for any difficulties as result)

Bessie Mae looked up at Race, her smile amazingly disarming. "Why, Suh, ever'body calls dey planet Earth, less'n dey colonists. So's I don't rightly know-but I do knows enchiladas, an' I'll whip you up some right fine ones, soonest my kitchen's up. Ain't no machine can cook--cookin' comes from the heart." she smiled again, and patted his cheek. "But don't you worry none-Bessie Mae make you some fine enchiladas, just for you, Boo-boo."

Muritan bowed, and his bolongo intoned:"If you will forgive me, I have some rather pedestrian matters of no interest to those assembled to which I must attend." He kept his foreclaws in his robes, but hissed to Chuma--Bear in mind, one more death on my claws means nothing to me-but could mean everything to you.--
Having excused himself, he strode calmly to the Neo Kirisubo delegation, where his bolongo whispered to Ari(OOC:in perfect Neo Kirosuban-the bolongos are telepathic translators) "Forgive this intrusion, my Lord, but I could not help overhearing, and hope my indiscretion makes no ill-will between my people and yours, but I must ask-is this name the 'Alliance of Imitated Worlds' a name these things have chosen for themselves, or a name you have given them?"

Ari smiled hearing her own language and replied in it saying "I'm not sure who named them but we knew about them through our Xiscapian allies prior to encountering them in person.

You do not want to be captured by them and they prefer a ships crew to the ship itself."

She looked up at the tall large troll and there couldn't have been a more severe contrast if they tried. The small slender asian was dwarfed very easily.

Ari smiled hearing her own language and replied in it saying "I'm not sure who named them but we knew about them through our Xiscapian allies prior to encountering them in person.

You do not want to be captured by them and they prefer a ships crew to the ship itself."

She looked up at the tall large troll and there couldn't have been a more severe contrast if they tried. The small slender asian was dwarfed very easily.

The tone of Muritan's bolongo grew conspiritorial as it whispered:"The enemy has known many names, many faces-we call them the Children of Ranga, but a time not long past, we called them the Swarm-intelligent parasites, who infect the body as a virus and take over their foes. As the Infected, they allied with and betrayed even our hosts. Here--" the troll hnded over a thin sliver of crystal--"This is what we know of them, even the antibodies needed to withstand them, if you are not knowledgeable of the Old Ways and can face them on the Spirit Plane, you will need this. If your people do not use data crystals, inform me of your means of storing information, and I will supply this knowledge in a form acceptable to your systems. You face a terrible foe, one of the Unholy Trio, one who wields the New Power in ways it was never intended. I shall find time between my duties to speak to the Voivode on your behalf, for you need troops and arms, not trade and support, and this must be addressed. If you have knowledge of the data crystals, any intelligence would be appreciated, but if not, we shall strive to make our systems compatible, that your people shall know what they face, for the muri know all the Faces of the Eternal Enemy, save those yet to come, and who may know these?"
Muritan bowed low, and his bolongo spoke: "I do not advocate the way of Paranoia, but the Children of Ranga make it a necessity."

"Thank you so much for the information and your assistance. If we pool what we know then we will all be forewarned and forearmed" Ari said accepting the data crystal.

"I'll also make sure my science dept gets this as well. Knowing theres anti-bodies which will defend us from infection is very good news."

Now the alliance had another name. She did know Xiscapia, Alversia and the Greal Empire were fighting them in their own back yard but so far only two N-K ships had faced them in battle.

She would have to speak to her Xiscapian opposite number about helping out in some way. They were already enemies of the AIW since a Pioneer class crusier had been attacked first.

Muritan bowed, his claws sweeping downwards and apart, his motions constrained, in the troll gesture of passivity.--We live to fight the Eternal Enemy, no matter which of it's servants should appear. This face is particularly hated by the Order of Xiola Umbar, and if the Voivode permits, the Sisters will supply aid willingly, and begin a bridge between our peoples.--
He tucked his claws back into his sleeves, folding them over his chest.--I hope that information is useful, and look forward to aiding your people against the Children of Ranga--

Ari could see how the trolls could make good warriors in the fight against the AIW. She was wasn't sure if they had ships of their own or not but space ships could always be supplied to them.

Ari returned the bow as respect dictated and she passed the crystal to one of her guards.

Take this to the science labs on my ship immediately she ordered in her own language as the female samurai headed back to the docking port with the information.

"I'm sure we'll end up fighting side by side against a common foe" Ari replied in the universal language.

"I only pray it is one we expect." Muritan wryly observed through his bolongo, producing a slip of paper he handed over to Ari, his bolongo
explaining:"This book (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=537021) is in the Imperial Libraries, here at Rio Casa, unless the Emperor has ordered it destroyed. It may help you in your dealings with my people, should the Emperor deign to allow you access. If not, simply send me a note and I shall supply you with your own copy. I also believe a copy of a report written by the Sultan of Doraddi is kept here, or in the archives of the Academy of the Rose, concerning much of our etiquette, but am uncertain as to access-it may aid you, as well."
(OOC:if I can dig up the link, I should probably put Gerrak's extra-credit report somewhere easy to find as a guide to muri etiquette)
Muritan bowed again, deeply. "Forgive my rudeness, my Lord: I am Muritan of-well, my order is minor and of no consequence, but my name may open doors for you. You may freely visit the Lord Morga, our advisor here, and petition him for a delegate to your own world using that name-Morga has a liking for me. If the Voivode permits, such will be dispatched immediately, once our bureaucratic processes have been circumvented."

Ari matched the deep bow accepting the slip of paper.

"I'll look forward to dealing with you again Muritan of-well and Lord Morga" she replied.

She'd be busy at this meeting but a flag officer could do a lot of diplomatic work of her own bat. She'd only have to involve her government towards the end of the process. They had a lot of common ground already and she thought diplomatic relations would happen sooner rather than later.

OOC:
Gerrak's Extra-credit report. (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13133965&postcount=30)

Then it is as well, milady, for you are dazzling and anything more should blind the mortal eye that beheld it. Please, as a favor, shall you accept this humble offering?"

Mm'rr'll took the crystal daintily as her whiskers flicked forward and her ears perked. "You sirr aree a flatter of uncommon skill" She allowed as she turmed the t'krell for a better glimpse of it's interior.

Then every single fur on her body stood on end, her tail going straight up, it too bristled out - few had ever seen a Xa'Cz'inni in full threat dispaly ere now - but her magnificent claws were fully extended, her ears flat against her skull and she appeared to all senses, physical and mental, as much much larger than she had a second ago. Danger coiled about her in almost a physical manifestation as the orb floated in midair.

Her voice was a basso thob, a subsonic growl that affected every one about, sending shivers down spines and taunting nerves to the singing point. Clouds seemed coalsece in a previously empty sky and the sharp smell of ozone rose to tangle the nose.

"There Chuma" And in the blink of an eye where had floated the orb stood an image of a being. Not flat and lifeless but appeareing fully real. "None have seen Them since We took our freedom, but We know that Chaos waits eternal, and some day We will find Them again" Cold and implacable with the concerted, indominitable Will of her race, down though space and time, a Vow that none had ever broken, though may had given their lives to keep it.

Then both were gone, and ever so slowly the storm rumbling subsided.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"But don't you worry none-Bessie Mae make you some fine enchiladas, just for you, Boo-boo."

Races eyes twinkled "I am certain they shall be spectacular." He smiled boyishly down at Bessie Mae " And I shall be singing your praises forever."

He broke off as Mm'rr'll reacted to the t'krell, the Force reacting to his unspoken request, sweeping out to envelope the Xa' Cz'inni in a protective sphere, keeping all outside, and inside, safe. He, like the others of the Tanaran delegation, trusted her implicitly but her reaction was one they had never witnessed - though Race strongly suspected that Michiko had seen a Xa in full force attack mode before - and he did not want the outsiders here to make an ...unfortuante mistake. So the Xa so have a trigger. And it's definitely not flight, but fight He thought to himself. Conventional wisdom said that the Xa didn't have triggers, but then again, no one other than the Xa, had an accurate assessment of what the Xa'Cz'inni's Creators had looked like. He fiked it all away in his editic memory.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Michiko stumbled slightly as the subsonic rumble of a Xa growl swept ovcer her completely unexpectedly where she walked by Vorn's and Marisol's side. She spun about and took half a step backwards, then held her ground, though the growl was most unnerving.

Marisol had moved up to greet the Xiscapian with a soft smile and an equally soft "You look magnificant as always Vorn. I hadn't any hope of seeing you..." She broke off as the sensations emanatinging from Mm'rr'll tsunamied over her. Her protective aura haloed her in a warm golden light as she spun about, her eyes wide with shock. Then she saw the image, and knew that it was something powerfully upsetting to the Xas but unsure as to exactly why. She stood tense as the image faded and Mm'rr'll calmed herself, then her aura faded back within her again. But other than the soft sharp wordless exclaimation she gave at first she said nothing, Mm'rr'll would explain in her own good time.

Vorn did not think himself a cowardly kitsune, and he was not, but he flinched as he detected the Force energies steaming and roaring in the direction of the Xa. Only once they subsided did he straighten completly and was able to answer Marisol. "Nor I, you, but there are duties that must be attended to..." He nodded forward as they reached the Palace Guest Suites, fine, thick wooden doors, engraved with names in gold for each respective party member of all delegations, just like when Gerrak, Indigo and Pat had seen them, except now with different names...and considerably different interiors.
"Farewell, my love," whispered Vorn, "for I am need elsewhere. But I suspect it would not be hard to arrange a meeting after the conference...?"
With a wink to Marisol and a low bow to the others after pointing each to his or her respective rooms, Vorn vanished.
In his place a white and silver robed servant appeared, a short kitsune with the ususal rust-colored fur and black hair, a thin mustace showing under his high nose. He spoke with an accented Common that one almost wanted to associate with French, but not quite.
"Veetings, madames, good gentlebeings, and velcome to ze Paleze suites," he bowed, "inside vor suites zou vill find cloth bellcords. Pull on zees and servonts vill come to you, to provide whatever zou desire. Please zo not 'esitate to call, for ve are vat your service, honored guests."

Chuma watched Mm'rlll with amusement, until she brought forth the horrid image. So fast he thought, hissing--Tanar!--
--Silence, Chuma!--Muritan barked, picking up the dropped t'krell.--Remember we are guests, and the lady's reaction hardly shows affection. I always wondered what they did with Yelm's remains.--
Tucking away the sphere quietly, his bolongo calmly stated,"This must have malfunctioned-one of the problems with modern craftsmanship. The lady will forgive us our folly? I shall try to find a suitable replacement token."
When Vorn lead them to their quarters, he calmly hrooned the three chambers set aside, noting microphones and cameras before placing the Vulture Legionnaires-four within the Voivode's chambers and two without.
--You may stay and perform your duties-I shall attend to mine.--he bowed to Chuma, then to those assembled, and entered the room to the left of the Voivode's.
Chuma was rumbling high in his throat at the image, but calmed himself so it subsided. His bolongo gave not a quaver as it spoke:"Perhaps we should all follow Muritan's example, and retire to freshen up. The trip from Pamaltela was more tiring than I believed."

But I suspect it would not be hard to arrange a meeting after the conference...?"

"Beloved" Marisol's whisper was for him only as she demurely returned his wink "I will see thee then should the fates bless us" Her blush returned for he had never used that endearment before and it brought a special glow to her whole being.

The lady will forgive us our folly? I shall try to find a suitable replacement token."

"No offense taken." Mm'rr'll managed to soothe her voice, as much as a nearly eight foot tall, seven humdred plus pound being could. "Your trinket gave me something ...invaluable" But the tone of her voice made the gift - not the giver - no good thing.

Mm'rr'll's fur subsuded slowly as did her growl. Her ears remianed flat.That was no memory image, plucked from the Xa racial memory. No that was a living being and her nose, normally a warm rust hue blanched white. She had to get word to the home system as quickly as possible.

[u]"Michiko, Marisol, Race forgive the intrusion, but I have need of your help" She spoke to them in the utter privacy of the mind.

"Without hesitation" Came the reply from all three, and they entered her named suite as a group.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
OOC: I finally got the redone info on Mm'rr'll and the Xa up and running (http://atddm.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=2845#2845)

Chuma splashed water on his face, his heart racing. The insults of the ambassador were one thing-aliens were frequently rude-but the image of a Tanar! His poor nerves were frazzled, and he needed...
Trembling claws cased in sheaths of True Lead reached for the pullcord.
"Milord?" the polite kitsune servant bowed at the door almost before Chuma had pulled.
"Yes...I should like some mamosa while I bathe-and a massage after, if it's no trouble. Make sure the masseur is powerful-our bodies are a bit denser than yours-and see to it he is willing to perform additional duties. The trip has tired me."
"Yes, milord."the servant bowed and left.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Muritan pondered over the t'krell. A child's toy on Pamaltela, it was used to hone and sharpen the ability to channel magic, and commune with the gods. It should not have shown a Tanar-they were long dead, destroyed in the Second Reality by an experiment involving the corpse of Yelm.
"The maggots of Yelm rise to slay their makers." Annilla had spoken, so it must be true-Annilla had not the mind to lie, nor to categorize her ravings. These were duties of the Order, who had scribes record that sad broken goddess's every pronouncement and file them carefully away.
The t'krell was in perfect working order, which left but one explanation. A Tanar lived, and the Order would have to locate it-he would have to convince Mm'rrlll to call forth her creator again, and this time pay close enough attention to track it. The woman had been terrified by the image, and would need to be befriended first to conduct such an experiment-and even then, she might not agree. Fear was a powerful motivator. Perhaps the leaping houses of Tenfour had a Xas'Cz'inni or two...

I knew they weren't as invincible as they looked.
The kitsune smiled grimly at the clearly hassled Muri running water of his face and ordering a hot bath and masseur. There were plenty of things the kitsune did well, and baths were one of them. The Palace had it's own bath house, for the servants and guards and Imperial Family, such as it was. There was all manner of hidden observation devices there, too. Tiny cameras, nanobots in the form of odorless, colorless gas, scanners, sensors, a special breed of worm that would burrow into the carpet or linens that absorbed noises as food, particularly speech, and could give all the audio they had "recorded" back out though several hundred tiny holes in their skin on command.

On the more supernatural level a number of spirits prowled the rooms and halls, watchers and observers. Some insects and small animals out in the gardens and grounds were actually shapeshifters or tiny robots, and these would attach themselves to the glass on windows and air vents, to listen and watch. No room or nook or cranny or hall was spared, there were even spies in the Imperial Chambers. Similarly were above the Palace in the sky, and below it underground. The best way to prevent those in the Palace from being spied on, it was reasoned, was to place your own spies to detect the spies that were not your and expel them in a most violent manner.

Indeed, a squad of Guards could be called on to any point inside the Palace in an instant, much like the servants. While it was not expected, every guard was informed of how best to immobilize, disable or kill any guest in the Palace according to their anatomy and biological make-up. Naturally, the Guards almost never knew everything about an alien race, but they generally knew enough to know where to hit them to make them stay down.

Everyone was watched at all times, from the lowest servant to the guards to the guests to the Emperor himself. One got used to the constant eyes watching you, the ears hearing every noise you made and word you said. Xiscapians were not bred with a natural sense of modesty, but took it upon themselves to make other races more comfortable when communicating with them. The security was probably the best in this sector of space, but it was not advertised as such. Most of the guests, servants and guards who went about their duties did not know about the extensive surveillance system, and it was intended to be kept that way. All the data went to one of three hidden bases across Xiscapia: One for visual, one for audio, and one for both. The three would compare notes made off of the results for best accuracy, and filed away. None of the information, excepting if it was a matter of national security or the data had been declassified for military purposes, was shared with anyone. Those who collected it would sooner kill themselves than reveal even the smallest detail, and the kitsune were a special branch of the Shadow Operations, trained and conditioned to withstand even the most terrible physical and psychological torture, as well as resistant to mind-reading techniques possessed or developed by some races.

Yes, it was security to the point of paranoia. But this was the Imperial Family, the leader and soul of the people, the Palace a symbol of Xiscapia's power, after all.

Mm'rr'll looked at her three friends as the doors closed behind them and chuffed "Closed doors don't mean privacy here, so I am going to Side Stepus out of this reality for a bit." She said firmly letting their hosts know why their guests were disappearing of their scanners so to speak.

"Please, be comfortable" she gestured to the soft carpets softening the floor and they quickly did so, forming a loose circle about her. "Marisol, you'll act as our monitor, that’s the extent of your training yes?"

The young Celestial nodded, she was barely adult by her races standards and until her physical self had developed more, additional training was too dangerous for her. The Celestials were slow to mature, but that was offset by the abilities they gained as they 'rounded out'. Her job here would be to just 'keep an eye' on the others physiologies, and keep them stable should they falter. It required a delicate and careful touch.

Mm'rr'll nodded to Michiko, the Dowager Empress was an extraordinarily powerful Empath, but her other psionic donas were very were very weak, save when her mutancy was active. She made an excellent 'battery' and the Xas would need every bit of power she could draw on for what she intended.

Finally she looked at Race "I know you are not Tower trained but you know the basics and have the wherewithal to act as Tenerezu. I shall entrust you to place the sphere and wards once I Step us."

Then she joined them on the floor, curling up in a Xa Cz'inni's odd half sitting, half laying meditation position. Taking a deep breath she let it out slowly… then the four of them were in a sidereal realm, rather like mini universe set 90° from everything else, and assured of utter privacy.

”Still to turn loose my peoples greatest secrets… here so far from home, in the midst of those not my own…Yes that was one of our Creators, and no, not some memory image. One lives in this Universe” The Xas raised her head opening her eyes and meeting their gazes. “All know that we sit on many, many secrets, and you all have been gracious and trusting enough never to probe past politeness, and for that - but not that alone – we gave trust in return. And you have earned it. You know that we move through time and spaces as you would a room in your dwelling, and you have long suspected that we move just as easily across the face and facets of the Multiverse. This is true.”

“And if we can do it as a simple act of Will, think you not that our Creators could not?” She watched realization dawn on their faces. And nodded slowly empathizing with the horror dawning within each, though it was but a feeble ghost of a knowing for the Xa Cz’inni’s Creators had been gone too long to be but little more than the barest outlines of myths to any other than the Xa….. “None in this universe has ever been granted leave to enter the space we the Xa have laid claim to. And the reason is not trust, but concealment. There are no more than five million of us in this universe. All save a handful of us leave at our maturity, to join the greater bulk of our forces as they cross the various Realms and layers of the Multiverse ever seeking out, sussing out the revenants of our Creators.”

“We had believed, for a time longer even that the Muri remember, that all of our Creators in this Universe were destroyed, obliterated thoroughly, but thanks to their weirding toy, I now know differently. How such a One managed to elude us I know not. But that mean here, in this Universe, the hunt must begin anew, and we are terribly few” She shot both Michiko and Race a sharp look “Yes we Xa Cz’inni are too few to fully combat even one of them, not unless we want to throw our entire people, and risk ending ourselves as a people. And I have a duty to my Race; I must contact them across the myriad ways and gain their thoughts on that issue, for while I may be the Mother of Memory, I can not condemn my people to that fate on my Will alone.”

Her tail thumped once and now she looked down not meeting their eyes. “Michiko, did your people ever wonder how they came to be, in this Universe not their own?” Then she answered her question for she knew that answer “No you did not, accepting from the first that it was but random chance.” She fell silent for a space, reinforcing the bubble of otherness the group currently inhabited.

“It wasn’t though was it?” Race said softly as subconsciously he monitored his wards and shielding, please to find them operating perfectly.

“It was accidental enough at first, for your colony ships ran afoul of a battle between one of our Fleets and those of a race subjugated by our Creators in your universe of origin. We rescued your ships; and were studying them to see how best we could fix the problem when we discovered something unique to your people.”

“We made a conscious decision to interfere because of what we found”

Muritan pulled on the bellcord.
"Sir?" the servant was slightly anxious. Gerrak had warned the staff against addressing a muri as "Master", and while Morga was a lord in muri society, the staff knew only that Muritan had greeted the Vanadict on her trip to Pamaltela, and he had been known to carry out the Voivode's orders on other worlds. They were intensely curious about the mysterious and apparently high-ranking muri who bore no known title and seemed terribly closed mouthed.
"Is the Emperor permitting us access to the libraries?" his bolongo asked politely. "I should like a bit to read in private-the oldest copy of The Book of Qonn I should be allowed preferred, but whatever you should deem appropriate will be acceptable."
"The old copies aren't in Galactic Common."
"I shouldn't expect them to be." The bolongo's tone was calm. "As I said, while I have stated my preferences, I will accept whatever you provide."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Voivode looked over the field. Lots of game, water nearby...it would be good enough. He set himself to erecting a stable for the mantises-after, he would dig cairns for the Vulture Legionnaires. A muri was raised as a Stone Age hunter, and living off the land second nature to them. He would make the mantises comfortable first-the Legionnaires would begin the Rites of Wrath, and he would dig their cairns next-there was much to do, and he but one muri...

“We made a conscious decision to interfere because of what we found”

"It was the X factor in the colonists wasn't it?" Race nodded then broke into a wey smile at his mothers sharp look "Mom, You're a mutant, I'm one too even if I haven't bothered to activate it. But I studdied our ancestors rather more than you were aware of." He looked back at the Xa' Cz'inni "Something not native to this your home universe"

"Yes. It makes you invulnerable to manipulations of our Creators. And now through over eighteen hundred years some ninety eight percent of the humans of Tanara can't be Turned. And, no thats not natural." Mm'rr'll admitted.

"We held your ships in stasis while we worked out the projections and figured out exactly how far back in time we needed to place you to reach that percentage at this time. And no I don't know why they said 'now' was important " Her voice was beyond troubled "for that was not Remembered" She shudderedc, distressed beyond even what she had been earlier...for a Xa to Forget was a terrible thing and the number of times it had happened in Xa' Cz' inni memory - memory that reached back well over ten billion years -could be counted on less than the padds of one hand.

"But now I need your aid as I reach out across the Ways to let the Fleets know."

Those about her may well have wnted further discussion and many more answers, but there was no denying the importance of the information Mm'rr'll had to impart, and so they set aside more paltry concerns...

To the outside universe, the Xiscapian Holy Book was known simply as the Book of Qonn. The Xiscapians called it the Sacred Texts, and it was full of prophecy, legend and kitsune lore, mythical and not so insubstantial beasts, demons and gods, but most importantly what little the Xiscapians knew of their life between Old and New Xiscapia. The time before what was referred to as the Novo, or the change from Xiscapians from humans to kitsune, was well-documented by the Book, both from a historical, economic, political and many personal perspectives. The Sacred Texts were not so much a Bible as a diary of the Xiscapians as a race, but it was entirely attributed to Qonn, praising him for the creation of themselves. Qonn did not demand worship, and it was more or less voluntary to praise or not to, but enough did so to make it a true religion, both from a sense of duty and genuine love.

The interesting thing about the Book of Qonn was the fact that it actually grew longer as the years progressed. The most ancient addition in the Palace, some two thousand nine hundred and fifty three years old, was actually incomplete. Much had been discovered since then about the nature of Qonn and the Universe, not to mention the discovery of Old Xiscapia many years ago and the more recent claiming of Terracropolis from the Imitators. Such shed more light on theories printed in earlier versions. So, in actuality, the troll would be much better off picking up the latest copy, printed mere days ago, for more modern and probably more interesting readings.

Nevertheless, the older the book the more of a sense of the age of the race and religion, so it really depended on what the reader or scholar wanted to know to dictate how old an addition they picked.

Muritan accepted the copy brought with a deep bow. "I thank you, good Sir, and hope you will prove as useful when I have digested this information in finding me a theologian to aid in my comprehension. Now, if you'll excuse me..."
He carefully unrolled the document and began to read-his Xiscapian was rusty after millenia of disuse, but passable as he compared the older copy with the modern one he'd purchased scant months before, comparing translations for errors or alternate permutations possible in the transition from Xiscapian to Galactic Common.
It was not difficult work, but allowed him to send forth his fetch to Lord Morga, that part of his intellect which resided in the Spirit Plane at all times, allowing him perception into that realm superimposed over his perception of the physical world. It traversed the distance between himself and Lord Morga in a heartbeat, manifesting within Morga's offices in Tenfour.
--Lord Morga, the Voivode has arrived and you did not greet him. Report.--
Morga looked a tad surprised.--I did not feel it necessary. The Emperor did not press my suit for protocol, and I have been so very busy here in Tenfour.
--When I first arrived, there was that dreadful business with the O'Kuni priest-that distracted the Emperor, and I believe he quite forgot all about me. He embarked on his personal crusade against the SASM, and I busied myself here, where my operatives soon uncovered evidence Tomasuza was using the Tenfour underworld to further her own schemes.--
Muritan's fetch shimmered ominously.--Tomasuza? Here? Why?--
--When I arrived, the underworld was in terrible shape. Xiscapian criminals had no code of ethics whatsoever, and were performing the most heinous acts (http://img227.imageshack.us/my.php?image=catburglarsl8.jpg) they could. I actually caught a pimp beating one of his tags. I ripped off his arm and beat him to death with it, then claimed the tags as mine, as well as his other charges.
--This allowed me access to the Xiscapian underworld, so I enlarged my collection of tags. Muri make very fine bodyguards, and the tags soon were flocking to me. This caused some consternation with the competing pimps, but my treatment of the tags and ability to devour any evidence a competitor had met with foul play soon saw me in charge of the leaping houses of Tenfour.
--This gave me a viable base for spying on the city entire, and my work began in earnest. The local police have enjoyed my aid in lightening their caseloads, and this aid only increased as I had better intelligence on the streets. Major crime families have been brought down with my assistance, and I have absorbed or discontinued their operations.
--Remote locations cultivating drugs the Xiscapians find distasteful have employed bandits who otherwise would have served as mercenaries for the SASM, and I have shipped those drugs to worlds were the trade is not regarded with the same distaste, expanding our influence outwards.
--All in all, this has been an advantageous relationship. My organization controls organized crime in Tenfour, and we feed the authorities enough information to maintain public safety. The police enjoy the ethics we have brought to the streets, and turn a blind eye to the prostitution and gambling so long as we do not perform violence on civilians nor smuggle undesirable items, and I enjoy watching the police arrest those who do these things based on information I have provided, as well as the mental challenge of outwitting kitsune murderers-they are such a clever people.--
--And the Emperor allows this?--
--The streets are safer than before, and I funnel information to him on a regular basis, sometimes taking gold to a ship captain to get him to do readings in this sector or that. The Emperor has profited greatly, uncovered spies and terrorists, and the operations that do so are funded by me for the most part. The captains know I am a guest at Rio Casa, and assume my money and orders come from the Emperor himself. I have not bothered to correct them, and they profit by uncovering my suspicions. The trade that flows through this city is a treasure trove of information on Known Space, and this is all to the good.--
--The Emperor will be calling you, possibly soon. His ambassador most grievously insulted the Voivode, and it is to the best this insult not be compounded. You will give him the best possible protocol to soothe this matter--
--Of course--Morga bowed, his claws spreading in passivity.--I am not about to slay the goose that lays leaden eggs--
Muritan's fetch returned the bow, and flew to it's master, dropping all the knowledge into his mind as he compared the two documents before him...

A signal routed itself though the machines past normal blockers to intercept unwanted visitors and arrived in the form of a beeping red light in Morga's office. Should video be enabled a Palace servant would be seen standing in a conference room, slightly nervous but it was nothing compared to his voice. "Mister...ah, Lord, Sir Morga," he stammered, fliddling with the arms of his robes. "My Lord the Emperor requests your presence at the Palace as soon as is physically possible. He tells me to inform you of a Treaty to be signed with several orders of the Muri, including Ordo Argan Argari, Ordo Annilla and the Voivode. The Emperor beleives he will need some assistance in one who knows more about Muri etiquitte and protocol than he, and as the Vanadict is currently indisposed, you are the next most viable option. Sir." His orange eyes darted from left to right.

Ari had let her guard go of duty so she could freshen up as well.

While her samurai got a shower the Admiral took of her tall boots and wrap over jacket. Relaxing on the bed she had on a black vest top and her skirt as she waited for the samurai to finish and her curves finally showed.

She felt she could even dismiss this guard back to her ship but having a samurai guard was a matter of face. Her high command would not look kindly on her dying on a diplomatic mission after all.

Still she could rest and shower later on. For now she'd relax as she ran through her head what she knew about the people she'd be dealing with later on.

"My dear, dear boy, nothing should please me more." Morga rose, baring his fangs-although he knew the display the kitsune called a smile was supposed to be reassuring, the young herald seemed more apprehensive. Morga took it upon himself to comfort the lad, and draped an arm like wrought-iron along the young kitsune's shoulders.
"You're shaking like a leaf, boy...no need to fear...your skin's as soft as a preacher's belly..."his bolongo crooned, which only made the messenger more nervous. "Come..the Emperor did state 'as soon as physically possible'?"
The young kitsune nodded, and Morga willed.
Reality spun in a grey mist, and the pair soon stood at the teleport pad, Black Guard surrounding them. While one arm caught the fainting herald, Morga raised his other, claw spread wide to show it without weapons beyond those given by his race.
"I was told to report to the Imperial Presence with all haste, gentlemen-the code is 'Eagle"-please send a runner to the Emperor for confirmation." Morga's bolongo managed to sound bored, though secretly he was pleased with the response. The Xiscapians were quick to learn, and he was proud as any teacher with a student doing well.
"How in Qonn's name did you do that?" The guard, whose name Morga knew as Go, did not lower his weapon as he asked-Morga was well-pleased.
"Now, Go-the only way to plumb the mysteries of Annilla is to tutor at the Blue Moon Plateau-should you like me to sponsor you?" He tilted his head in a way that kitsune regarded as innocent. Go would never be sponsored, nor ever ask-Morga knew his loyalty to the Emperor was absolute, and he would never leave the Blue Moon Plateau. All the Black Guard were-or Morga would have surreptitiously removed them from the deck. Annilla bound him to the Sultan of Doraddi, and the Sultan liked Foxfire Rose. Morga waited for either his acceptance or execution-either would mean he had served the Sultan well...

"The Emperor has been informed," said a guard from behind Morga, where his starship-grade rifle was still leveled at the Muri. Go seemed to stiffen slightly at Morga's offer. ""I am a servant of the People, I am a servant of the Emperor, I am the servant of honor, my life is not my own, when the people have need of it. My life is given for the People, for my Emperor, and for my honor." he said in the monotone of one who has repeated it so often the words have been engraved into his brain. It was the Warrior's Death Ritual, and while Go did not think he was going to die soon, it seemed fitting for the occasion.

Even as he spoke a certainly hassled looking servant approached from the Palace. It was the same short kitsune who had ushered the guests into their quarters, and he spoke with the exact accent, white and silver robes fluttering in the wind. "Back up, back up," he irritably waved the Black Guards away and looked down at the unconscious servant. "Fool!" he shrieked at the prone form. "Vou call vouself a serwant! Get up!" He chucked a small white rock at the servant, which bounced on his stomach and landed on his upper lip, just below the nose. The servant suddenly sat up, coughing and frantically brushing away the stone. "Get up, you stupid kit! Can vou not see ve 'ave a guest? A thousand apologies," he bowed to Morga, "it is so hard to find good vecruits from ve Servants Guild these days."

It really wasn't telepathy, but then again it wasn't not telepathy either or so said those who studied such things. The Xa didn't bother. It was a part of them, part of the original matrix, something their oneness allowed them. What it was was completely private even within a Circle, something that none but another of her race could 'hear' and reply to.

"Light in the Heart of Dakness I am" MM'rr'll had never spoken to any of the assembled in person before, and probably never would. The Myriad were scattered across fifteen thousand different universes at the moment. Counting light years would have been futile, and Time? In that Reality, time didn't count.

"As are we all." The Way Follower's many voices responded in chorus. "What presses First Daughter?"

And she told them. Her relevations were met with a collective indrawn breath and for a heartbeat profound silence.

Then one voice seperated it'self from the others. It had an air of youth about it, and it was tinged with much laughter and good humor. "I'll go. I've never seen Home and it suits my fancy. You'll need to wake the Warships though, only as tithe of my Fleet can be spared."

"It will be done." Mm'rr'll let herself fall back into reality and her body shuddered from the cold. It had taken all her reserves and now her body, even with Michiko's powerful 'battery' having augumented her, was tired and hungry.

The others too let themselves move and stretch, then Race stood and floated Mm'rr'll in to the waiting bowl bed. Marisol pulled the designated bell cord, and when a servant answered the Celestial ordered snack for herserlf, Michiko and Race, but a large, multipound slab of barely seared meat for Mm'rr'll.

Morga stooped and brushed the herald off, checking the purpling bruise on his lip before placing a foreclaw there and willing. The kit grew a week older, and the bruise vanished, all oddly quiet, for such were the ways of the Blue Moon. Morga removed a strange flower-the Blue Moon Lotus only grew on the Blue Moon Plateau in all of Komor-and placed it behind the kit's left ear, as his bolongo intoned:"A life of Service is an honor few rise up to, Kislar Aga. Not all rise to that lofty position, but this boy has done his job, and well."
The bolongo addressed the young servant:"Always remember-You are the Man. This flower marks you as my friend, and those who would befriend me will treat you well for it. Go freely into the wide world, and know that Service is the greatest honor bestowed."
As the boy headed for his next duty, Morga's highly attuned senses saw the flower reaching out with it's own subtle tendrils. If the boy were worthy, he would awaken one day on the Blue Moon Plateau, there to be taught the secrets of Annilla. Morga doubted the Imperial Martinet would even notice the boy's absence.
He rose, dusting his robes of blue so dark as to seem black, his Darksense registering hidden guns still aimed at him, and he was pleased. The Xiscapians had learned the paranoia of distrust without abandoning their finely-honed manners. "Take me to the Emperor, then, O Kislar Aga-doubtless His Imperial Majesty has enough on His Mind without waiting for the likes of me..."
(OOC:The term Morga is using-Kislar Aga-means "Master of Girls". It was the title held by the keeper of the Ottoman Sultan's harem. Since Morga knows the actual title of the servant but I do not, I'm using this title, which would have great respect and weight among the muri, but I have a sneaking suspicion Morga's being sarcastic-however, the Blue Moon never reveals anything it doesn't want you to know, and I'm not really in the loop.)

OOC: That bit about the wide-eyed servant boy with the flower is going to make for an interesting future RPG sometime...
OO2: The guy is pretty much the Master of Guests, in charge of seeing to every desire of those who visit the Palace. I suppose his title would be "Master of Guests" ahha.
IC:
The young kitsune's superior looked flustered. He straightened his already perfect robes and brushed off a bit of imaginary lint from his shoulders. "Of course, vy good sir. Vight this way, please."
He began to walk back down the path to the Palace, and two Black Guards fell into step behind Morga, out of his arm reach but close enough to blast him into a big peice of steak if needed. The Black Guards around the teleportation pad resumed their positions. If someone tried to get though to the Palace via the teleporter that the kitsune did not want there, they would find themselves a randomized stream of particles as their molecular structure was subtly altered to make them entirely insubstantial to the perceived reality.

Nevertheless, a guard was a good thing to have.
Despite the looks, snipers dotted the grounds and roof of the Palace, and hidden guards were everywhere, just like on the interior. Morga would notice a faint humming which simultaneously irritated and soothed his Darksense, a sign that the Xiscapians had wised up to that particular form of communication. In no time at all Morga was in the Palace itself, then in the Imperial Waiting Area outside the Dining Hall. The Emperor was standing there, light from the tall windows illuminating his form as he gazed into it, lost in thought.

On their approach he turned and when he saw Morga his face broke into a gentle smile. The servant quickly bowed himself away, closing the door behind him. The Emperor bowed. "Lord Morga, so glad you could make it for this monumental occasion."

(OOC: Doubtful-I included that bit mainly because no one reads the factbook, which clearly states the Ordo Annilla is not a muri-only thing. The Blue Moon considers me fortunate to have access to it's members, and would never trust me with it's inner workings-I might publicly post something, after all)
(OOC2:not a problem, as it was idle curiosity at work-what I wouldn't do to be a fly on the wall when HE realizes what Morga's calling him.)
Morga returned the bow, dipping lower as the Emperor's standing required. His bolongo offered:"It is my pleasure and duty to serve His Imperial Majesty-how may I fulfill these standards to-day?"

"Ah," began the Emperor calmly, "as I am sure you already know, Ambassadors from the Muri Orders of Ordo Argan Argari, Ordo Annilla and the Voivode are here for the signing of a Treaty. As of yet no obvious issues have presented themselves, but I fear I have upset them in some way, only added to by the fact that the Ambassador who greeted them did not recognize the Voivode as a seperate Order, and by doing so rather offended them, to put it mildly. They showed remarkable restraint and politeness in not promptly setting my Ambassador straight, but in doing so have left his ignorant of his error. All the delegates from the nations I have invited are here now, but we have yet to meet for the Treaty. I will need you, Lord Morga, by my side to assist me in navigating the trecherious waters of diplomacy with your people, specifically. As soon as problems come to light they will be addressed, but I cannot correct things if I do not know what is wrong," He smiled. "As to apologies, I do not even know where to begin."

Naturally, the Emperor was curious as to what the Muri had been doing on Xiscapia all the time he had been a guest of the Emperor's. Surely he had not been idle, but what could he possibly have been doing this entire time? The Emperor, being the Emperor, did not ask. It would be revealed, as it always was, wether though the talk of Morga himself or information from his informers and spies planted thoughout the Empire.

Morga cocked an ear upwards, a sign of puzzlement, and tilted his head sideways slightly. His bolongo spoke:"An apology begins with intention, Your Imperial Majesty-this we know to be true. As to the nature of your offense, the first would seem to be simple ignorance. The only Ambassador you mentioned is the Voivode-his Order, the Ordo Drakul, are given control of all interactions with outsiders, be it diplomacy, trade, or warfare. The Argan Argari are merchants and bankers-that one would be here to advise the Voivode in matters pertaining to their own arcanology, the reflected sound of earth elementals, which is a means of determining barter with alien coinage and comparative values of goods and services. The Ordo Annilla would be there only for purposes of security-it is one of our functions.
"Might I view the recordings taken of your interactions thus far? Perhaps I can see an answer as to the nature of your offense." Morga waited quietly as the Emperor called up the requested footage, and observed.
"Well, I can see the insult, as taken from our perspective regarding what we believe to be your perspective. Your Ambassador Vorn greeted the Merchant-Prince Chuma, Muritan, the Honor Guard, and even the Voivode's cook most graciously, but without so much as a word acknowledging the Voivode's presence, and him standing right there. Your Madame the Vanadict informed us such willful ignoring of an individual is the direst insult a Xiscapian can level at another.
"How would Your Imperial Majesty feel if he came to Pamaltela, showing good faith by bringing only a bare-bones staff, only to have every member greeted warmly without so much as a word acknowledging Your presence?" Morga's question was gentle, his manner serene, but it had an edge to it. Like all things of the Blue Moon, it was hidden, but no less effective.
"The Voivode doubtless feels he has offended you in some way, hence the insult, and retired to be among the off-duty Honor Guard as not to upset you further and possibly bring war between our peoples.
"This will not hamper any accords, as without his approval, any agreement not overseen by yet not opposed by the Voivode must be approved by the Silentium, and I am confident such approval will be forthcoming-once the five thousand year backlog of legislation is dealt with first. First come, first served, you know, but once approval is given, the muri will uphold any agreement to the letter."

The Emperor looked troubled. "I do not believe Ambassador Vorn meant such an insult. Why he overlooked the Voivode I do not know, but it would appear a most serious breech into etiquette and protocol has been observed. He will be reprimanded. However, Lord Morga, you are correct in stating that an apology must begin with intention. How, then, does one go to a Muri and proclaim ignorance and wish for him to rejoin you in such a way that he will do so with the minimal amount of humiliation and blood spilled to and by both parties involved?" he inquired.

Despite what Morga said, the un involvement of the Voivode would hinder the Muri part of the Treaty, and considerably. Obviously this Silentium was not held in high regard, with five thousand years of backlog! The Emperor only wanted a Treaty with whom he considered Xiscapia's allies, but between what had been carefully observed as the discovery of the existence of the Xa's old "masters" and this, the Emperor suspected he would have a severe headache before the blasted paper was signed.

"Well, I sincerely believe Your Imperial Majesty should distance himself from this situation. While I know it is your intention to take full responsibility to make amends, the Voivode would find this insult so grievous-well, let me elaborate from our perspective.
"The worst insult a muri will offer is to call you 'baby killer'. If a muri uses that term, we intend to kill you anyway. We save that particular term for special occasions, when nothing less than your blood will satisfy us. According to the Vanadict, this snub from your ambassador carries the same weight among your people.
"If you try to make amends, the Voivode will take the insult as coming from you, and that you would permit it as Head of State means your distaste for our kind is so great even diplomacy must take a backseat to it. However, if it is a personal insult from Ambassador Vorn himself, it can be dealt with more simply.
"Have Vorn perform the Padding Ritual, and call the Voivode out-so long as Vorn names the challenge, the Voivode will be forced to accept-drinking or marksmanship or something where he won't get hurt-on home territory, the Voivode could pick the challenge, but he is a guest here.
"If he's raging drunk, all the better-we believe inebriation makes lying impossible-he can then declare his family was slain by trolls, and demand satisfaction. By this, the Voivode will know the snub was personal, and once the challenge is over, the insult will be forgotten.
"To further distance your regime from the matter, I would erect a gallows outside Vorn's window-the Voivode will be honor bound to argue for it's removal to prove he has forgiven the matter, and it's presence will explain why Vorn did not ask for a duel to the death."

The Emperor nodded as he listened. "This satisfies me for my purposes, and I will contact the Ambassador and several servants immediatly so that things may fall into place. I take it that Vorn does not actually need to win the challenge?"

Even as the Emperor spoke orders were sent, and three servants in the outer courtyard dragged beams and panels of wood, as well as a length of sturdy rope. Vorn, like the Vanadict, the Black Guards and other non-servants who stayed in the Palace, stayed in a large building opposite from the servant's quarters. Fortunatly Vorn had a room which had a window facing the outer courtyard, and it was almost directly below it that the gallows went up in minutes.

In his room Vorn stared in horror at the device of death being constructed practically in front of him, and was about to call to the servants when he received instructions from the Emperor. At the same time the three servants also got orders, and before another minute had passed all four kitsune had vanished.
Palace Grounds...
In the area where the Voivode was working the servants were first to appear. They set up a table, a stool, a larger stool, and a large tankered of Palace Beer. On either side of the table was a fine wooden cup. They withdrew, not entirely, but backed away from the table. Vorn appeared, still in his finery, and called out to the Muri:
"Oy! Voivode troll, I challenge thee to a contest of drink! To back down brings dishonor, and here will things be decided!"

The Voivode was knee-deep in mud, setting logs in place for the mantis pens, when Vorn's sudden appearance drew his attention. He snarled, "What more dizzhonor could you heap upon me? I am a guezzt-by what right do you challenge me?"
Though covered in the results of his day's labors, the Voivode was a majestic creature, whose full height brought the top of Vorn's head to the base of the Voivode's sternum. He stood there, staring, and Vorn found himself wondering if the post of Voivode was won in combat...

OOC: Is that construction where Marisol could see it if she looked out of Mm'rr'lls window?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mm'rr'll had lost nealry twenty five pounds during the endeavor, her body having burning up calories at a prodigious rate. The other three had loss lesser amounts, just a pound or two each, but they were certainly feelihng peckish and dove into the delicious meals the Palace's servants had quickly produced.

Pnce Mm'rr'll had finished the very large portion of meat she had been brought she fell asleep almost instantly and Race said that he'd keep watch over her.

Michiko and Marisol quietly agreed and went to their own suites.

OOC: For the sake of lols, yes.
IC:
"What more dizzhonor could you heap upon me? I am a guezzt-by what right do you challenge me?"
"Under the cause of the Padding Ritual, Voivode. Come and drink, or back down. It is your choice." Vorn said calmly, but he let an edge creep into his voice, and he stared solidly, unafraid, at the Muri.
In truth, Vorn was terrified. He was just very, very good at not showing it. And part of that meant being a good actor.

Marisol wandered through her suite, examining it carefully. It was directly next door to Mm'rr'lls. The Xiscapians had been very careful to think of the 'problems' her wings could pose, and adapt furniture for them. Even the bath tub was large enough to hold them. That brought a smile to her face. She was tired but restless, and not quiet able to sleep.

There were large folding doors opening on to a spacious balcony and eventually her wandering led her out there. The young Celestial went to the railing, her first glance going upwards to the sky - only natural for she tried to fly as often as possible. And this was an entirely new planet with entirely new skies for her to explore. And maybe take Vorn along with me she thought as a warm glow lit her face. She couldn't wait to see him again, couldn't wait for the conferences to be over and both of them free to spend time together.

Eventually her eyes fell on the gardesn and other 'grounded' spaces about. She frowned as she looked at a weird construction caught her eye. It seemed to be a primitive stage, perhaps a viewing platform for a histrical reencatment she wondered. However something about it bothered her, though she couldn't quite put a finger to what exactly set her instincts to screaming.

"Zzizzcapianzzezz are renown for dey drinkin'." the Voivode tried not to laugh at the little kitsune, but his adrenergic response gave away much more than his body language or tone, and such bravery, at least, was to be respected in an ally.
He hefted the tankard, and drained it, neither spilling nor leaving a drop before slamming it down. "We'll need zzomeding to drink. You-go to my great-grandzzon'zz factor here and fetch zzome Powzie! for de challenge, an' zzome fresh bread from Bezzzzie-Mae."
As the Vulture Legionairre mounted and flew off, the Voivode gestured for Vorn to sit. "I ak-zzept. We will drink, den. You will ak-zzept me hozzpitality while we wait? I haff zzome fine rabbits from dis afternoon'zz hunt. Not near the challenge I wazz hopin' for, but zzome fine meat zztill.
"You are now my guezzt, and under me protection-he who would harm you muzzt kill me firzzt. Pleazze, eat what izz here freely, and know the Voivode of Pamaltela izz an honorable hozzt."
The Voivode set some strips of rabbit to cook at the fire six Legionnaires danced about, hooting and clacking in their strange tongue. "Dey be ready for you zzoon..."

"Good," said Vorn carefully, "and let it be known the Voivode of Pamaltela is a gracious host." He felt somewhat uneasy, the hostility from before not having disappeared, but the troll no longer looked so intimidating. Whether he looked intimidating by default, was trying not to because he was host, or merely saving it for later was the question. Or, perhaps, Vorn mused, it was all three. Unfortunately, the Xiscapians were, as the Muri put it, "renown for dey drinkin'." Frankly, they were notorious for being easy to get drunk. He only hoped he could maintain his balance and thought process after the drink, and deliver his lines understandably.

Vice Admiral Ari Nagata had then taken her chance to shower, rest and dine. On went her usual skirt uniform and boots again again and with her samurai in tow she found her way into the grounds.

The gardens would do for starters as these plants were very different to what she knew back home.

Bessie Mae had soaked and ground the dried red chili peppers into a tomato-based sauce with various seasonings, and as it simmered, she chopped the beef, mixing it carefully with diced onions and bacon before browning the whole with bananas for filling. Carefully, she dipped the corn tortillas into boiling lard to soften them, them rolled them carefully around the filling, dipping them in the savory sauce, and placing them in a casserole dish.
Once that was done, she added a layer of cheese, sour cream, and green olives , then a second layer of rolled tortilla shells, another layer of cheese, then a layer of fried eggs with a sprinkling of cheese and cilantro, before popping the whole into the oven and preparing her garnishes.
One of the Vulture Legionnaires-she couldn't tell the zombie soldiers apart, but she was a sensible woman who avoided zombies when she could-entered the kitchen.
"De Voivode wantzz bread for him and Ambazzzzador Vorn." It told her. "And Powzie!-enough for drinking challenge."
"Oh, Lan' sakes-just like a man, loading up on bread when he's drinking." she frowned. "You'll have to get Powzie! from the ship-I think it's illegal on Xiscapia-it is on most worlds. I'll whip up some fine vittles that'll sit a little better by the time you come back."
As the Legionnaire left, she made some catfish bread-Bruno loved her catfish bread and had given her a title after he first tasted it, and some apple drop-biscuits for a little sweetness.
Once these were in the oven, she saw the enchiladas were done, so set up a tray and hurried to that nice Boo-boo's room. He seemed surprised to see her as she handed the tray to him. "There you are, Boo-boo. Some fine enchiladas, just for you. I'd like to stay and visit, but Bruno's drinking Powzie! up with his men, and I have some goodies in the oven now. You take care, and let me know you want more. I know how them trolls get on Powzie!-we'll be hearing what passes for singing until sunrise."

The paths though the many plants and statues in the gardens was made of simple brick, white in color and untarnished by dirt or other debris. Behind the N-K was a rolling hill with soft grass, blocking their vision as to the other side, dotted with wild flowers. To both right and left sides the plants grew to various heights, the smallest only a few centimeters high, the tallest over ten feet. Bonsai trees seemed popular, of all sizes and shapes, lining the sides of the path until one entered a clearing. A pool, filled with rainbow carp, was in the center, surrounded by four plain white marble benches with black veins. Behind this was, as any garden was thought to ought to have, a hedge maze. To the right side of the pool, just before the maze, was a large a beautiful garden of roses. Black, white, pink, red, blue, orange, purple, yellow, all together in a single bed. What stood out was a red and white rose, two individuals, had grown around each other in the middle of the bed, stems wrapping crazily around in a strange embrace.

On the bench closest to the rose garden sat a kitsune. It was a female, and if the N-K had done any research they would recognize her as the Empress, Jade, Foxfire Rose's wife. She seemed deeply intent on the pool, her right hand resting on her blue robed knee. It was horribly criss-crossed with scars, a patchwork of ugly red and black offsetting the pale skin, and her fingers seemed stiff, moving only slightly. From their angle they could see a long, white scar running from her chin up to disappear into her short, almost boyish purple hair.

She looked up as they approached, wounded hand slipping into her robes, bowing. Soft yellow eyes appraised Vice Admiral Ari Nagata and her guard as she straightened up. "Representatives of Neo Kirisubo," she said softly, "it is a pleasure."

Voivode...
Vorn stayed quiet as the Legionnaire came back with the barrel of Powzie!, watching as the troll set it down on the table. Powzie!...now why did that sound familiar to him? Qonn, this wasn't his field. He was supposed to be working with the Tanarans, not the Muri, as much as he respected them. Still, something nagged him. Powzie!, as in...oh, yes. Pow, see! You're dead. Pow zie!
Shit.
He stood, almost knocking his chair over. "The Voivode would intend to murder me?" he asked in a mockingly loud voice, empty of hostility. "Has he perhaps forgotten that such is utterly lethal to those not of his people?"

"There you are, Boo-boo. Some fine enchiladas, just for you. I'd like to stay and visit, but Bruno's drinking Powzie! up with his men, and I have some goodies in the oven now. You take care, and let me know you want more. I know how them trolls get on Powzie!-we'll be hearing what passes for singing until sunrise."

Race answered the door and was surprized to see Bessie Mae there, but accepted the enchaladas dish with many thanks. "Oh my! This smells divine Ma'am, thank you so very much. Singing till dawn?" He chuckled " I may learn some new songs"

Holding the steaming, fragrant dish carefully he bowed deeply to her and thanked her once again. "Would it be possible, later, to come watch you cook? I'm not much good in a kitchen as you heard, and I'm sure that watching such an artist as yourself would help immensely." He asked courteously.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Marisol pulled the bell cord, still frowning. She still hadn't figured out what the construction out in the courtyard was for, and she was going to ask.

When the quickly appearing servant informed her that it was a gallows, a execution method Marisol went pale. When she was informed that it was built on the Emperor's orders for Vorn she went white.

Her vast wings flared out and went from snowiest white to mirrored silver.

In a voice as cold as wind from the depths of space, she called out in an unknown tongue and the flowing gown she had been wearing vanished, to be replaced in that eye blink with her formal golden armor, though no weapons were to be seen.

"Please escort me to the Emperor at once. It is urgent"

On the bench closest to the rose garden sat a kitsune. It was a female, and if the N-K had done any research they would recognize her as the Empress, Jade, Foxfire Rose's wife. She seemed deeply intent on the pool, her right hand resting on her blue robed knee. It was horribly criss-crossed with scars, a patchwork of ugly red and black offsetting the pale skin, and her fingers seemed stiff, moving only slightly. From their angle they could see a long, white scar running from her chin up to disappear into her short, almost boyish purple hair.

She looked up as they approached, wounded hand slipping into her robes, bowing. Soft yellow eyes appraised Vice Admiral Ari Nagata and her guard as she straightened up. "Representatives of Neo Kirisubo," she said softly, "it is a pleasure."

Ari did recognise the Empress having seen a holo of her before she left the ship.

So she bowed lower than usual along with her guard and said "Its good to meet you Empress Jade. I'm Vice Admiral Ari Nagata" in reply.

The untreated scar was a little surprise for her but this didn't show. The Xiscapians were warriors and scars weren't surprising as a result.

"Please escort me to the Emperor at once. It is urgent"
The servant bowed. "Of course, milady. This way please." He led her from her guest room down the hallway into the Waiting Hall before the Imperial Dining Room. The Emperor was there as he had been, but Morga was absent, and the Xiscapian Ruler's eyes were closed, as if in meditation. On their approach he opened them, and the servant spoke. "Lady Marisol, milord." He bowed himself out and vanished, leaving the kitsune and Tanaran alone. "Lady Marisol, I trust your stay here has been..." The Emperor trailed off, looking at her. "Is there something wrong?"
Gardens...
"Its good to meet you Empress Jade. I'm Vice Admiral Ari Nagata"
"Ah, I see you already know me," the Empress smiled. "Much pleasure in your meeting, Vice Admiral. You are here on behalf of your people for the conference, I assume? What do you think of Xiscapia?"

"Is there something wrong?"

Marisol's wings burst into heatless flames, it was safer than tears, but her emotions had to have some outlet. "Yes!" She managed a deep breath and her next words were marginally calmer. "Why are you going to execute Vorn? He is guilty of no crime!"

The Emperor was startled, seeming to simultaneously want to back up and step forward, but he did neither.
"Why are you going to execute Vorn? He is guilty of no crime!"
"Ah," said the Emperor sadly, "you are correct. You see," he beckoned her closed, eyes soft, "it is not my intention to execute Ambassador Vorn. He made a mistake when he greeted the Muri party, and the gallows structure I assume you saw is part of the plan of his redemption in their eyes. It is necessary to provide a station for the troll he offended to argue in his favor, as he believes I intend to execute him for his failing. It will also explain why Ambassador Vorn did not challenge the Muri to a duel to the death, as if the gallows were inevitable in his future.
Rest assured, Lady Marisol, Ambassador Vorn is in no danger, at least not at my hands. It was never my intention to alarm you so, and I duly apologize."

Race answered the door and was surprized to see Bessie Mae there, but accepted the enchaladas dish with many thanks. "Oh my! This smells divine Ma'am, thank you so very much. Singing till dawn?" He chuckled " I may learn some new songs"
"Well, you best get up there quick, then." Bessie Mae told him. "Jes' use the Padding Ritual, and they'll welcome you less'n they started something religious. Trolls is right touchy 'bout they gods, but if'n the food ain't there yet, they ain't a'gonna start. Trolls may love they gods, but they live by they bellies."
Holding the steaming, fragrant dish carefully he bowed deeply to her and thanked her once again. "Would it be possible, later, to come watch you cook? I'm not much good in a kitchen as you heard, and I'm sure that watching such an artist as yourself would help immensely." He asked courteously.
"Oh, Boo-boo, I even let you lick the bowl. Now let old Bessie Mae gets to her cookin', and you have you a nice night."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
So, you cannot be bothered to learn our ways and manners, nor the importance of the rituals you mock, but you have learned what is poison. The Voivode did not voice his thoughts, but tilted his head in the manner the Blue Moon told him kitsune regarded as endearing. "My mizztake. Zzinzze you cannot meet dizz challenge, let me conzzede for your honor-"he removed a ring from his pinky, stone with a jade oval set in it."-and you may haff dizz, azz proof you haff bested me. May de zzerffant of de Ring zzerve you well. Izz you honor zzatizzfied?"

"-and you may haff dizz, azz proof you haff bested me. May de zzerffant of de Ring zzerve you well. Izz you honor zzatizzfied?"
"Quite so," said Vorn stiffly, accepting the ring. He felt extremely uncomfortable, and no matter how pleasant the Voivode seemed, he could sense the troll was sneering at him in his mind. Awkwardly Vorn bowed, wanting to let the Muri know that is was not personal, but doing so would contradict his entire performance. Unsure of his place and standing now, the Ambassador remained standing, almost absentmindedly fiddling with the ring.
Qonn, just let it be over and done with...
Without saying another word, Vorn turned and left, feeling his insides being torn up by humiliation and guilt.

Well, you certainly made a botch of that, Vorn thought in a voice not his own as he slogged off towards the Palace. The snubbing could have been worked out-when the Vanadict told them ignoring an individual was the worst insult a Xiscapian would offer, they took it to mean the worst insult-a declaration of hostility.
That could have been explained, but you had to go and misuse the Padding Ritual-it only gives safe passage, not acceptance of demands. The challenge itself was poorly thought out-the Voivode knows any troll, even an imp, can out-drink a kitsune. THAT was most insulting, as well-a more even challenge-say, darts or chess-would have been seen as an attempt to settle a matter, not a rolling-over.
Of course, the worst insult was to accept the Voivode's hospitality, then accuse him of guest-murder. THAT little fiasco has ruined your ability to ever interact with them-you'll be fortunate if the Voivode doesn't declare you persona non gratis then rule you are food. Revealing you knew Powzie! was poisonous sealed it-had you remained ignorant, he would have slapped the cup from your hand and known your offenses were due to ignorance. Even I am not a challenge prize, but an insult. Vorn looked, realizing his ring was dropping thoughts into his skull. A benign smile looked up from the jade oval. I am an attendant of Argan Argar, a spirit of Harmony specializing in protocol. If a species has sentience, I know how to interact with it-it is the muri way of stating you do not know your job-if you did, I would not be necessary.

"Oh Great Qonn," Vorn closed his eyes and groaned. Just what I need. "Listen," he realized he was speaking to the ring, and closed his mouth, thinking. Listen, ring, attendent. It is my job to establish and mantain diplomatic negotiations. My failure here was so large it might be enough to expel me from the Diplomatic Corps! What use is asking for forgiveness if it is done in such a way that it only further insults the offended party? Why are you here, anyway, if I have hopelessly mangled relations? What possible use can you be, then, aside from explaining my blunders to me?
Vorn was angry. Of course he was. But more, he was ashamed, and ironically, dishonored. As he had said, it was his job to make and keep peace and friendly relations, and he had done the exact opposite of his job. Poor information and his relative recent introduction to diplomacy as a way of life were excuses, but in the Diplomatic Corps it was taught that, at least among your own, there were no excuses. It didn't matter that the Muri were not his chosen people to be a diplomat to, he had probably sabotauged the work of the one who was. Distraught, Vorn had entered the Palace itself and did not go to his superior or even the Emperor, knowing they already knew. Instead he climbed the staircase to his room, wretchedly knowing that his attempt to apologize had only made things worse.

Would you have me reorder Time for you? I could hardly advise on events before my coming into your possession. The ring still bore that benign, insipid smile. However, I have not only my innate function of knowing proper interaction to prevent you making such errors in the future, but millenia of riding the Voivode's finger and watching his diplomacy.
Back during the era the muri call "The Storm Hunt", they sought allies among the stars-races either long gone or unmet by your people as yet. Among these were the Rakasta of Patalam, energy beings with almost no interest in physical creatures whatsoever. The Voivode accepted their refusal with good grace, then proceeded to call his supplication a courtesy call, apologizing for wasting their time, and assuring them this matter would be resolved and they would receive a similar courtesy when the affair was over so they could come out of hiding.
This humiliated the Rakasta into giving aid they never intended, and secured the success of the Storm Hunt. The ring waited as Vorn processed it's information. Diplomacy has many facets, and in this arena, the ends do benefit the means.
Despite your botching of the challenge-partly due to it's terrible one-sidedness, and partly due to not explaining why you issued it-the Voivode is quite perplexed there yet-you did accept that this matter was resolved, as did the Voivode.
Interspecies relations are something like a poker game, and now you must call the Voivode's bluff. Invite him to a party-honor will compel him to come, as there is officially no bad blood between you. Once he arrives, you should ambush him with some honor.
As you have unwittingly given him the greatest insult your people offer, you should consciously award him the greatest honor a kitsune can bestow upon another, to prove there is no animosity between you.
You must be very careful here-let not nervousness lead you to make some small joke, as that is what has caused this matter to reach it's proportions. The Voivode's honor is very touchy, especially now, and using it to force him to behave as you desire will be seen as a sign of your cunning.
Now, as to his greeting-you must observe full muri custom. A large sheet or something completely opaque must be thrown over the Voivode's head with the phrase "I extend my Darkness over you"-this is how a muri welcomes you into his home, and offers his protection, so do not fear the Voivode will regard it as an attack. This must be done before he passes the threshold on his own-I cannot stress that enough.
Then, once you have lead him inside-a troll would carry you, but that's not really an option-you must walk him about, pointing out things and telling him not to touch them. The first circuit are those things you will kill for-your wife, children, the household gods, etc. The second circuit are those things you will fight over, but not to the death. The third circuit are things you will argue over. Anything not mentioned he is allowed full access to, so be careful not to leave anything out important.
As long as he stays under your roof, he is part of your family. This is important, because though he thinks you are a horse's ass, this is overlooked among family.
Once you have done these things-and I will coach you, to keep you from making a muddle of them-you must honor the Voivode in whatever method you have chosen. Once he accepts the honor, this matter is well and truly resolved, and you must do your best to avoid it in the future.
Now, to keep you from mucking this up further, what honor do you intend to bestow?

The greatest honor an Xiscapian can show to another being it to craft a sword for them. This is not a matter taken lightly, and done by hand, either by an individual or entire family network. Everything, hilt, sheath, decoration engravings and of course the blade itself demands the most careful and precise of attentions. Vorn was admittedly puzzled by the Muri greeting, but he said nothing of it. The forging of a blade takes time, selection of the correct metals and wood, creating the perfect balance and ensuring whatever ornamentation's are beautiful and relevant to the recipient. They had entered Vorn's quarters now, which was his home, the place he stayed in when not on business, and he sat down at his computer, swiftly typing away.
If I begin now, I may make it soon, but I would not put completion under twenty-four hours. By then the Treaty may be signed, and I am unsure whether the Voivode would stay afterwards or not. If I invite him here, will he be bound to stay until the date of the invitation?

Rest assured, Lady Marisol, Ambassador Vorn is in no danger, at least not at my hands. It was never my intention to alarm you so, and I duly apologize."

Marisol's wings flickered from flame back into the soft white feathers they were normally composed of as she sighed in relief. "Oh! Thank you so much for the reassurance" She blushed pink down face and wings. "I don't think I could bear it if anything happened to Vorn. He's...he's become very special to me. And I'm sorry for intruding upon you your Majesty's meditation.." She dipped a curtsey then remembered an additional task she had been given.

Fortuantely the gift had been storred in her armor for gifting at the proper time. She found the small vial in it's padded chaimail pouch and drew it forth. "You Majesty I was asked to give your Lady Wife this small 'token of repayment' by the Ambassadress Lady Kaminari Kitirchiba noh Yamato from the Celestial Imperia Nova Nippon. She asked me to convey her deepest apologies that this was not able to be completed sooner."

She held forth the rock crystal vial filled with a gently glowing liquid and stoppered with a cap of beaten gold.

Giving him a weapon would not be wise-bringing arms under a host's roof is grounds for justified guest-murder. The ring answered. Given such a short time-table, perhaps you should invite him to the Treaty negotiations. After all, the important thing is his attendance at the summit, not whether or not he likes you personally. I doubt he will remain long after the business at hand is finished, and you may then lend your hand to other races you are more adept at handling. I find it doubtful you will be given the duties of permanent liaison at Pamaltela, and if the Emperor should bestow that honor upon you, you can doubtless decline for other duties.
Simply getting the Voivode to attend will be coupe enough, and his attendance will be obligated by your request. His honor will compel him to show there is no lingering hostility.

"You Majesty I was asked to give your Lady Wife this small 'token of repayment' by the Ambassadress Lady Kaminari Kitirchiba noh Yamato from the Celestial Imperia Nova Nippon. She asked me to convey her deepest apologies that this was not able to be completed sooner."
"A thousand thanks," the Emperor reached out and took the vial between his thumb and forefinger, holding it up to the sunlight streaming though the window, examining it. "What, if you do not mind me asking, is it, Lady?"
Vorn's Quarters...
Bringing arms under a host's roof? You do not understand the significance of the katana sword. It is far, far more than a mere weapon. It is a status symbol, a testament to ones clan, it tells more about it's owner than the kitsune's face ever could. A Xiscapian without a katana is like...like... Vorn struggled. I don't know, but it's not right. You are correct, however, in saying his presence at the negotiations and signing is vital to the function. Let me spell it out: You are telling me to invite the Voivode to the Treaty agreement, and he will come on his honor, displaying to all that there is no obvious bad blood, correct?

Of a certainty, the ring smiled. He is honor-bound to display no ill-will. And if you do seek to make amends, doing so before the same group you insulted him before holds a symmetry, and trolls are orderly sorts. However, his attendance is more important than your personal relationship with him, so I would advise you to extend the invitation, and then whatever you feel warranted.
My only concern would be you use no gold in the gift you offer-Gold is the metal of Fire and the Sun, and it is reviled by the muri. They despise it for being sacred to Komosha the Butcher, as well as the hold it claims on the souls of men...

How does one go about making an invitation to a Muri? Vorn inquired of the ring. I think I can make up a suitable gift nonetheless despite time constraints, with a little research, effort and money...

Take your stationary and write out in your own hand:"Voivode of Pamaltela, Grand Master of the Order of the Dragon, you are cordially invited to partake in the summit of space powers held at Rio Casa at" whenever it's time and date is, as well as your name. Then give it to a herald and send him off. If you had a red-lacquered envelope, that would be best-it's the color of official stationary on Pamaltela, and make sure the herald is literate and has a clear speaking voice. Trolls have poor vision and will probably ask it be read.

Gardens...
"Its good to meet you Empress Jade. I'm Vice Admiral Ari Nagata"
"Ah, I see you already know me," the Empress smiled. "Much pleasure in your meeting, Vice Admiral. You are here on behalf of your people for the conference, I assume? What do you think of Xiscapia?"

"I like what I'm seen so far your majesty" she replied looking and feeling relaxed. "Its also cooler than my worlds are. Coming from a tropical world its good to have cooler weather to deal with.

I'm also here for the conference as you have guessed."

"What, if you do not mind me asking, is it, Lady?"

"From those of the High Planes of Heaven?" She looked into the radiance emitted by the silken fluid that filled the vial. "Their healing, Kami healing, made manifest."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oh, Boo-boo, I even let you lick the bowl. Now let old Bessie Mae gets to her cookin', and you have you a nice night."

He bowed to her one last time, closing the door behind her as she left. Then he settled into relishing the still steaming dish, eating slowly to enjoy every bite.

By the time he had finished the heavenly enchaladas Mm'rr'll had awoken. The Xa mostly slept in little naps, even when exhausted.

Right, right... Vorn scrambled around on his desk until he located a simple dark red envelope. A black fountain pen appeared in his hand and he wrote carefully in Common on a cream-colored peice of paper:
Voivode of Pamaltela, Grand Master of the Order of the Dragon, you are cordially invited to partake in the summit of space powers held at Rio Casa at one P.M. Year of our Lord Fourteen, Birth of the Ice Season.
Ambassador Vorn
Yanking the bellcord by his bed, he slid the paper into the envelope slot, closed it, stamped it with the silver seal of the XDC, and handed it off to the servant who appeared with strict instructions to get it to the Voivode.
"Its also cooler than my worlds are. Coming from a tropical world its good to have cooler weather to deal with.

I'm also here for the conference as you have guessed."
"Xiscapia is entering winter now, at least this side is. We'll be getting snow any day now," The Empress looked serenly on to the N-K. "Please, don't stand so stiffly," she sat and patted the bench beside her, "come, sit with me. What is your home world like, aside from being tropical?"
"Their healing, Kami healing, made manifest."
"Ah," the Emepror said, voice barely more than a whisper as he stared hungerly at the vial before placing it carefully into his robes. "I will make sure she gets it."
Jade's wounds had been rather grevious after the incident, and while technology and kitsune magics had greatly helped her, some things, like the scars, would not go away. Even now her hands hurt almost constantly, not because of the scars, but because of what lay beneth them, out of reach of any technological or magic influence known to them.

I will make sure she gets it."

Marisol caught the longing look in the Emperors eyes. "Please let me offer my own gift. I am not fully fledged, the Divine has not sent for me yet, but I have had the Healing Donas, gifts, from my earliest years. I may only be able to help a heal a little at a time, but a Celestial's Healing Dona are the type that touches the Empresse's wounds most effectively. What Chaos has twisted we can reshape, reform, and restore." There was no arrogance in her voice but a calm simple pride and knowing of ability.

If their Gift" She nodded toward the vial he had tucked away "Does not heal completely, though I in all faith believe it will, let me see if I can help her."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Race, I have to go " Mm'rr'll eased from the bowl bed and stretched. "Your mother can certainly handle things without me being here and Marilso came hoping to see Vorn" She chuckled "So she won't miss acting as my aide. And if we descide ot open an embassy," She pulled out a small rectangle embedded in an open sided silver frame work - the small item seemd oddly uncatchable by the eye, and if the eye did manage to lock in on it, the mind slithered away from looking at it. It seemed to be about three inches long by two wide and maybe three quarters of an inch thick. It weighted nearly thousand pounds - or would hve it it wasn't suspened in a tiny nul grav field generated by the silver frame work surrounding it.

Race drew a deep breath at the sight of that. " I though I sensed that." He looked at it for another moment, then blinked hard, his eyes watering. "How big?"

"Only a Light Second. It was the only one not in cold storage." Mm'rr'll twitched her whiskers and gave him a predators grin. "You'll want to open it in space of course."

Race simply nodded his throat dry. It wasn't every day that a person got handed a chunk of Xa Cz'inni restricted technology.

Mm'rr'll handed it to him then pulled the bell cord and waited for a servant to appear. Once one did she handed him the bag she had never unpacked "I need to leave, could you please take that out to the Tanaran shuttle."

"Lady Mm'rr'll?" She turned, to see Muritan standing nearby, his odd tattoing making him easy to remember. "You are leaving?"
He bowed, and produced a small crystal orb. "This is not a t'krell, but a communications device. If you would use it to contact the Voivode at your leisure, I would be most appreciative. If you will excuse me, the Xiscapian security system expects me to be studying in my room, and I should hate to disappoint it."
Once he'd passed the orb to her, he shimmered oddly and was gone-he'd only sent a projection, which somehow delivered this device to her...

If you would use it to contact the Voivode at your leisure, I would be most appreciative. If you will excuse me, the Xiscapian security system expects me to be studying in my room, and I should hate to disappoint it."

She'd simply nodded and accpeted the orb. Such abilities were not beyond Xa ability, and to see it used did not phase her. The petite for her gens Xas turned her concentration on the orb, directing it to contact the Voivide.

"Greetings good sir. How might I aide the War Prince?"

"Xiscapia is entering winter now, at least this side is. We'll be getting snow any day now," The Empress looked serenly on to the N-K. "Please, don't stand so stiffly," she sat and patted the bench beside her, "come, sit with me. What is your home world like, aside from being tropical?"

Ari sat on the bench as requested still looking like a warrior with her defence force uniform on.

"Well apart from being warm all year round we have fantastic beaches and oceans. Large parts of our worlds are still under jungle and it gets cold at night. Theres also large plains where most of our food production takes place.

We have storms to deal with from time to time usually during our slightly cooler winter but we have learned to cope. Going back to traditional building ideas helped a lot in storm areas since we can rebuild quickly as a result" Ari gently replied.

"Greetings good sir. How might I aide the War Prince?"

--Mother Mm'rr'll, let me begin by apologizing for the actions of my underling--Though the Voivode thought in Shadowspeech, the crystal thoughtfully provided a translation until Mm'rr'll's intrinsic translation ability had the gist of the odd muri tongue.--We did not know, and if we had, we would have explained before presenting you with the t'krell.
--Do to the nature of these items, we know at least one of your creators yet lives. If you would accept my hospitality, we may discuss this matter further. I intend to eliminate the survivor from Komor and would have your aid in doing so--

"Does not heal completely, though I in all faith believe it will, let me see if I can help her."
"The Empress will be most grateful for any help, and I thank her for you," the Emperor nodded. "Please, see what you can do for her. Her life has been somewhat...diminished, ever since her time in the Court."
While on the outside she put up the facade of being as strong as she ever was, Jade had left apart of her behind in the Novan Palace on the altar. With her blood had leaked out the sense confidence, of hope. It had been far too close to retain it, there, and all had almost been lost. It had shaken the kitsune to her core, and she was still trying to cope with it.
Gardens...
"I understand your home is inside the space of the nation of The Federal Union," said Jade softly, "and that your people were nearly shattered before they could find refuge there. If it is not too painful, could you explain to me the events that transpired there?"

Do to the nature of these items, we know at least one of your creators yet lives. If you would accept my hospitality, we may discuss this matter further. I intend to eliminate the survivor from Komor and would have your aid in doing so--

Mm'rr'll nodded, her ears arched forward, and her whiskers twitched foreward "I hold no grude, or anger. Indeed I am thankful" She began, only to break off for a second to contact Shadow Dancer and ask that she be transported to the Voivoide's presence. She was still a little too tired to want to make the effort herself.

Materialising at the site where the Voivode was she bowed and continued looking him over with her liquid gold eyes. "I hope now is as good a time as any And, again please let me reassure you that I am not upset at you. I am most grateful that your gift showed me that one did." She took her long tail and wrung it, a sign of both distress and making a vow.

"We had no idea. We have hunted so thoroughky and so long, even before we sent the Fleets forth, stripped ourselves of so much." She sighed heavily. There were few she would show her distress in front of but she felt the Muri would understand how she felt at this moment.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Please, see what you can do for her. Her life has been somewhat...diminished, ever since her time in the Court."


"It would be my honor Your Majesty" Marisol reassured him. For truly that is what her people did, what the Divine had created them to do.

--This is a fine time--the Voivode clapped his hands, and cushions were laid out.--Here, under the stars we will discourse, here...--
He laid out bowls of fresh rabbits, cream, and some fish he'd caught.--Enter freely and of your own will. Partake of all that is here, but when you depart, leave a bit of the joy you have brought. Please...--he settled her into a cushion before plopping down opposite her himself.
--I can have more brought up from the Palace. Bessie Mae gets offended if I don't hit her up for food fairly regularly, so ask and it will be supplied. Ah, here comes some catfish bread and apple somethings she sent up.--the Voivode slavered at the mention of the food, and Mm'rr'll got the distinct impression it was his quivering snout rather than the Darksense she'd heard so much of that informed him what was coming-the savors of delicately spiced catfish in corn batter wafted to her own nose, making her tail twitch in anticipation.(OOC:Forgive the little details there, but it was the response of my cats to the smell of fresh catfish bread. It is difficult to control one's tail when one smells fresh fish, as one of my favorite cats informed me)
He uncovered the basket and delicately plucked out several pieces of the breads to place on her plate with a pair of tongs in the basket.--Bessie Mae is an absolute treasure. I made her Marchioness of Crater Lake for these. Do you mind if I invoke privacy?--

OOC: Of course the tail reveals all especially when it comes to food...and the whiskers aren't far behind!
----------------
Her stomach rumbled as she let him seat her, appreciating his fine manners. And most definitely her tail twitched, for though the Xa Cz'inni were in no way decended from Felines, where fish was involved they had no compunctions of revelling in their similarities. Her whiskers quivered and she closed her eyes for a moment in anticipatory bliss.

Do you mind if I invoke privacy?--

"Please. I ...I would feel much fore comfortable discussing the existance of those" She allowed herself to contemplate the existance...And despite her gustatorial desires, and her pleasure in her current company, bliss fled her fur stood on end and her voice was the rumble of a great predator reacting to it's ultimate enemy. But she was the Mother of Memory, and that meant her Will ruled her and the fur flattened and her ears returmed to their normal errect facing as she let out a shuddering breath.

"Forgive me" She spoke low, her eyes meeting the Voivodes and she could only hope he understood. "Universe help me, so far removed across the gulf of time, and the response is ..." Her eyes held a universe of horror, hatred, pain and guilt.

--Muritan.--the Voivode said calmly, and a cerulean glow encompassed the Voivode, his impromptu dining hall, and Mm'rr'll herself.--A lune, an elemental spirit bound to Annilla--he explained casually.
--None outside this glow may see us clearly enough to read lips, nor hear our words. On organics, it scrambles the language center of eavesdroppers, and mechanicals get white noise, as do organic recorders--the Voivode huffed--Your creators enjoyed tampering with Life, and taught us many a harsh lesson in the Dawn Age. Fortunately, we are good students.--His last comment was highly ironic, perhaps self-deprecating in his native tongue.
--When Muritan informed me of the incident with the t'krell, I was most alarmed. We had it on good authority that the Tanar had been destroyed. Sadly, our oracle is faulty, and has no sense of Time. Her words were a prophesy, not a report-she mixes them up, and we never really know.
--But that is neither here nor there-what is important is that you have a bond whereby they can be tracked with a t'krell. Had Muritan known this, I would have it's location now, and the Ordo Boztakangi would be on their way.
--I intend to do this, but Annilla's words make it clear your people will be the ones to destroy the Tanar-mine shall merely be escorts to ensure you achieve this goal. Even a prophesy needs assistance.
--I do not know if your position as Mother of Memory allows you to do this, or if any Xas'Cz'inni can do the same, but if you will use the t'krell again, and hold your revulsion in check, the Blue Moon can track it for you, determine if it is male or female, and our combined forces can make Komor a happier place...--

Mm'rr'll listened carfully to his explaination of the Lune and was pleased. As careful a protection as she herself could set about them and better in some ways she acknowledged.

She chuffed in understanding amusement as he spoke of prophesy "Yes I know well of that. Though such tends to give me the twitches. It hasn't started happening to me yet - the dropping of such confounded things, but " She sighed "It will soon enough if my predecessors are to be believed." Her tail looped in ruefull laughter.

--I do not know if your position as Mother of Memory allows you to do this, or if any Xas'Cz'inni can do the same, but if you will use the t'krell again, and hold your revulsion in check, the Blue Moon can track it for you, determine if it is male or female, and our combined forces can make Komor a happier place...--

"I can tell you that it is female, and yes I will use the t'krell. My revulsion is nothing in the face of what we face, and your assisstance will be greatly welcome. One of our fleets comes, and I go now to wake the Warships, but the more the better when going up against" Involuntarily her pelt shuddered "that"

The Voivode breathed a sigh of relief-a female Tanar was a horror, but it would be alone. Had it been male...well, the vagaries of Tanar physiology were best left in the Dawn Age, where they had been a race rather than an individual.
--I shall summon my transport, and we shall go--he said calmly.--The Blue Moon will rendevous with us and the Ordo Boztakangi fleet, where we will confer briefly with your own people before heading out. I shall give Muritan my instructions, and we'll be off--
A lone messenger from the Palace approached, the blue glow leading him forward. The Vulture Legionnaires on duty moved to bar his path, but stopped upon seeing the Blue Moon Lotus tucked over one ear...

-The Blue Moon will rendevous with us and the Ordo Boztakangi fleet, where we will confer briefly with your own people before heading out. I shall give Muritan my instructions, and we'll be off--

Mm'rr'll was shaking her head, a regretful expression on her face. "I thank you for the offer, but I must go to a place none but the Xa may. I must go where the Guardians on the Edge of Forever sleep. I have the use of Shadow Dancer for part of the way, but I'll be back soon enough, less than five days at best. Then we and the Fleet will hunt."

She stood after savoring one last bite of the delicious food. "Please pass my compliments on to Bessie Mae." And going on tip toe, for like a perfect host he was he had stood when she did, Mm'rr'll touched the russet padd of her nose to his.

--Then I shall await you here, and let poor Firefox stew a bit--The Voivode leered, his attention taken by the messenger.--You will excuse me?--
He bowed, and turned to the herald, who held forth the small red envelope like a shield. Opening it, he read the sheet carefully.--Well, at least I shan't be here waiting the whole time. A piece of advice, Mm'rr'll-never ply a kitsune with cheap djinn.--

--Well, at least I shan't be here waiting the whole time. A piece of advice, Mm'rr'll-never ply a kitsune with cheap djinn.--

"IYou let one go off only half baked? Or is the djinn supposed to slow roast 'em? Turn about advice. If it's the one Marisol's sweet on, just know that her temper is not as angelic as her looks. I think she's just about to the point to ask him to marry her." Mm'rr'll's whiskers arced forward and her tail looped in laughter. "Bide thee well and don't have more fun than I would. And may the pleasure I have had from our meeting wrap about thee and warm this space"

Her claws tapped a patteren on her bracer and she was gone in a faint shummer of light, Shadow Dancer having transported her aboard.

The herald gaped,wide-eyed. "Wa-was that-?"
A single claw, sharp and cold as cortosis, pressed delicately against the soft tissue beneath his chin."No." the Voivode said softly. "Me wazz alone when you come, boy-remember dat. Blue Moon or no, me would zzchluck you like bizz'getti you zzay udder.
"Now, take me to me qvarterzzez-me muzzt bayd and make ready for you Emperor's treaty. You get Muritan for me, den get you Mazzter Miyagi, tell him me wantzzez zzee. You me zzerffent while meezzez zztay, zzo you zztay in meezzez room-kapeezzh?"
"E-everthing except 'kapeezzh', Sir." the herald stammered.
"It italian, mean 'unnerzztan'." the Voivode replied. "Odd langvage-zzay 'food' when mean 'goodbye'. You zztay wid me now 'til me leafzez."
"Y-yes, Sir."
"Me no Zzir-me Ek'zzlenzzy." The Voivode corrected calmly. "Now, take me to badzzez, and you learn one more italian word-omerta."
Together, the pair wandered to Rio Casa,and the Palace...

Already, a servant had been dispatched to Muritan, bowing quickly when he found him. "His Excellency the Voivode wishes your presence at his quarters, Sir." The kitsune straightened up and looked at the troll expectantly, who had been immersed in a copy of the Book of Qonn. "Does our honored guest need an escort?" He asked carefully, eyes straying to the open volume. On it was a vivid picture of a gigantic thing (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Lostdamned.jpg), an army spread out before it. The picture bore no caption, but on the opposite page Old Tounge text gave information, mostly warnings, about it:
Beware sadness which reachs to sorrow which reaches despair, breeding decay and stagination, the disease of the Lord of Decay, Master of Plague and Pestilence. This whom you see is not he, but a servant manifesting his terrible power. Woe to he who falls into this trap, as he will be forced into servitude in a rotting body which will last to end of his days, and even there he will have no rest, as the soul always ultimatly goes to where it was pointed in Life...
Voivode's Quarters...
Mr. Miyagi stood placidly outside of the door, both hands clasped on the head of a simple, wooden unadorned walking stick. His long white beard matched his fur and hair, but deep orange eyes twinkled and reflected a bright, vibrant life.

The Voivode wore a simple black silk robe, having just stepped out of the bath. He bowed low, spreading his claws. "Miyagi-zzan, me welcome you-please, enter freely and of your own will, enjoy what is here, and when you depart, leave a bit of the joy you have brought."
Miyagi entered, seeing the Voivode had chosen a pitch-black cavern for his quarters, and a low round table about a firepit held an array of fruits and meats. The Voivode settled the old kitsune in, and prepared a tray for him. "Me hopzzez de pain kniffezzez wazz to you likin'?"
When Muritan entered, he bobbed his head and waited at the portal.--The Tanar hunt is on, Muritan. Make arrangements--
As Muritan bowed and left, the Voivode turned to the kitsune. "Zzorry-madders of Zztate. You will forgiff?"

OOC:Actually it really looked like this...'The Horror... (http://www.atddm.com/CALL.jpg)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Marisol promised the Emperor that if the Novan formulary did not work she would do her best to help the Empress. Then she had a servant take her to Vorn's apartment, for she wanted to make sure he was well. Having seen the undead that the Muri used she wanted to make sure for herself.

Knocking softly on the door she had been assured was his she dismissed the servant and hoped she wasn't breaking some Xiscapian custom.

"Me hopzzez de pain kniffezzez wazz to you likin'?"
"They were," Miyagi nodded and smiled serenly. "After the incident in my class the Academy had to be shut down for some time, but it reopened soon enough. The pain blades were quite satisfactory in the way the students responded to them, careful to avoid the sensation of being cut or stabbed, but in no threat of true danger."
"Zzorry-madders of Zztate. You will forgiff?"
"Of course. Would you rather I leave, or shall I stay here? Either is fine, as long as business is attended to."
Vorn's Quarters...
At first Vorn did not connect the knocking at the door with what it meant. For a moment he continued to hunch over his work, before the noise wandered though his ears into his brain, finally obtaining a meaning. His eyes went wide and a sheet was hastily thrown over the table before him, creases and ridges making it impossible to discern what was underneth. No sense in giving anyone a heads-up on what he was doing until the time came...except for the security which had doubtlessly already seen him at work.

Vorn rose, brushed his hands off on a cloth, and hurried to the door. Edging the heavy wood open, he had a sudden vision of an eight foot tall Muri carrying a gigantic sword coming to kill him, but the door was already halfway open and it was too late now. Instead of the troll warrior he had half been expecting, he was surprised and pleased to be greeted by Marisol.

"Oh," he seemed somewhat off-balance to her, bowing sheepishly. "Marisol! Please, come in, come in." He stepped aside to allow her enterance.

"Of course. Would you rather I leave, or shall I stay here? Either is fine, as long as business is attended to."
The Voivode waved his foreclaw idly. "No, no-it izz done now, but it izz rude to turn from a guezzt for zzuch things. I merely wizzh to zzpeak of my great-grandzzon, and extend an offer to teach on Pamaltela, but with the Academy re-opening, I azzzzume we will merely zzpeak of my great-grandzzon, and perhapzzez arrange for more pain-bladezzez in a variety of weaponzzez for your teaching. Would it offend Xizzcapian zzenzzibilities if you rezzeiffed(OOC:received) a conzzignment of pain-katanazzez?"
(OOC:Shame on you, Tanara! (http://youtube.com/watch?v=SP-33XI4frs))

OOC: Rolls out of the chair laughing helplessly - I almost linked that last night but was absolutely sure you'd already found it.

Here -to redeem myself The real horror (http://youtube.com/watch?v=ulWwFG3mPco)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Marisol! Please, come in, come in."

Marilso looked at him with keen eyes, but entered hastily so he could close the door. He also seemed - actually on quick refllection he was not just a little distracted but very much so.

"Vorn, I didn't mean to interrupt you" She blushed furiously, her wings as pink as her face "I ...I just" She wanted nothing more than to turn him about making very sure that he had suffered no injuries, but she wouldn't do that. Never would she embarrass him or diminish his honor. But the thought of him injured had had her consumed with worry for more than just a moment when he had taken so long to answer the door.

And now she stopped at a loss for words, then stammered out. "I...I'm just happy that you are well" She finished softly, aware just how lame that sounded.

Marisol knew that there could never be anything permanant between them. She wasn't a kitsune, and half breeds were looked down upon by Xiscapians. And she could no more allow a son or daughter of hers to 'pay for the sins of the parents' than she tolerate living among such.

"I merely wizzh to zzpeak of my great-grandzzon, and extend an offer to teach on Pamaltela, but with the Academy re-opening, I azzzzume we will merely zzpeak of my great-grandzzon, and perhapzzez arrange for more pain-bladezzez in a variety of weaponzzez for your teaching. Would it offend Xizzcapian zzenzzibilities if you rezzeiffed(OOC:received) a conzzignment of pain-katanazzez?"
"On the contrary, Sir Voivode, I would be greatly honored to be given a place to teach on Pamaltela. I have been thinking of retiring soon, and with this offer, well, now may be the time to do so. Of course, my work is not done until I can finally lie in my cremation fire, but if you find it agreeable I would be delighted to transfer to Pamaltela to continue to teach." Mr. Miyagi continued to smile, and the Voivode sensed that the old kitsune was not smiling because it was polite, or to put him at ease, but because he was genuinely happy. One did not realize how little people truly smile until they meet someone like Mr. Miyagi.
Vorn's Quarters...
"I...I'm just happy that you are well"
Vorn blinked in confusion, clearing his throat loudly with a fist over his mouth. "Yes, well, uh, do you..." He trailed off and left his arm hanging in the air, pointed back into the rooms. His mouth went dry and his brain locked up quite suddenly. "Do you...want something to drink?" he finished, breaking out in a sweat, dark face flushed.

To have Marisol in his own quarters was somewhat embarrassing. Generally, there were many places one could meet another, more formally, but a male and female vanishing into a private room suggested...well, that should be fairly obvious. Vorn found himself wondering what children of kitsune and one of Marisol's species would look like before mentally kicking himself. Now was neither the time nor place. All he needed to add to this mess was getting one of the chief aides of the Tanaran party pregnant.

Of course he could have done so, and no one would have batted an eye. True, while halfbreeds were new they had been badly treated by Xiscapians and the other society from whence they came, the Alversians, but now though an extensive campaign by the government, not to mention to commonly told and retold exploits of the Halfbreeds Sasha and Ashe in the Alversian People's Navy, public opinion had turned completely the other direction. But Vorn was not aware of the customs and culture of Celestials was regarding mating, and he was not entirely sure that was what Marisol wanted anyway. He had had enough culture clash to last him a lifetime, and to propose such a thing only to be rejected would be unbearable.

"Do you...want something to drink?"

Marisol could see his discomfort at her being there, and just knew she was imposing. She gave him an apologetic smile and turned back toward the door. She had been able tp see that he was uninjured and that reassured her immensely.

"Thank you but no." She declined his offer of a drink "And again, I am sorry that I intruded. You must be so busy right now and here I am taking up your free time." Marisol opened the door just enough to ease her wings though and slipped out.

"Does not heal completely, though I in all faith believe it will, let me see if I can help her."
"The Empress will be most grateful for any help, and I thank her for you," the Emperor nodded. "Please, see what you can do for her. Her life has been somewhat...diminished, ever since her time in the Court."
While on the outside she put up the facade of being as strong as she ever was, Jade had left apart of her behind in the Novan Palace on the altar. With her blood had leaked out the sense confidence, of hope. It had been far too close to retain it, there, and all had almost been lost. It had shaken the kitsune to her core, and she was still trying to cope with it.
Gardens...
"I understand your home is inside the space of the nation of The Federal Union," said Jade softly, "and that your people were nearly shattered before they could find refuge there. If it is not too painful, could you explain to me the events that transpired there?"

Ari knew the story well and had been on a mission to the world now called Unity. she'd also met her Neoman husband there.

"Well your majesty, ten years ago a communist group called Red October who aimed at a takeover of power started what they thought was a long term terror campaign. Our agents in their ranks were able to tell us most things of what they were planning so we were ready for them.

However they managed to obtain a bio weapon from still unknown sources. The city of New Edo was the test ground and millions died including the Red October rank and file in hours.

The city of the dead was sealed but the infection was spreading faster than anybody could predict. The dead didn't stay dead although and they got up and tried to kill the survivors.

Even the animals were infected and they carried the infection outside of the city. Even selective use of nuclear weapons proved ineffective as the water supply was also infected by the virus.

So it was obvious we had to leave and the Federal Union and other friends of ours helped defend the convoy of the shattered remnant of my people. Our world was also destroyed by a nova torpedo so the infecton would never get of the planet again.

When we arrived at the twin tropical worlds we call home now we called the system Neo Kirisubo and we have rebuilt. It does mean we are surrounded by the Federal Union so we have to be even more careful than before. If we ever get involved with a war against the Federal Union we'll be crushed like a bug very quickly since they have more powerful starships than we have and a lot more of them. "

It was a sad story but they had rebuilt and had a normal life again reaching out into the stars and exploring. Something that looked very unlikely after the disaster.

"Well your majesty, ten years ago a communist group called Red October who aimed at a takeover of power started what they thought was a long term terror campaign. Our agents in their ranks were able to tell us most things of what they were planning so we were ready for them.

However they managed to obtain a bio weapon from still unknown sources. The city of New Edo was the test ground and millions died including the Red October rank and file in hours.

The city of the dead was sealed but the infection was spreading faster than anybody could predict. The dead didn't stay dead although and they got up and tried to kill the survivors.

Even the animals were infected and they carried the infection outside of the city. Even selective use of nuclear weapons proved ineffective as the water supply was also infected by the virus.

So it was obvious we had to leave and the Federal Union and other friends of ours helped defend the convoy of the shattered remnant of my people. Our world was also destroyed by a nova torpedo so the infecton would never get of the planet again.

When we arrived at the twin tropical worlds we call home now we called the system Neo Kirisubo and we have rebuilt. It does mean we are surrounded by the Federal Union so we have to be even more careful than before. If we ever get involved with a war against the Federal Union we'll be crushed like a bug very quickly since they have more powerful starships than we have and a lot more of them. "

Muritan doubted the Xiscapians intended he use their security system to eavesdrop, but he hardly intended to inform them of it. The Blue Moon manipulated the Invisible Tide, and that meant using whatever was at hand to achieve their goals.
He had to get the Neo-Kirisuban Ambassador and the Voivode together, so he began writing out, in the Voivode's hand, invitations to that most sacred of muri rituals-the Kegger. He wrote out one for each Ambassador and Head of State, then rang for the servant and handed over all the invitations for delivery...

"And again, I am sorry that I intruded. You must be so busy right now and here I am taking up your free time."
"No!" Vorn half stepped, half lunged at the door, hand out to catch it and he swung it with momentum to step out into the hall before Marisol could leave. For an instant they both looked at each other, and Vorn wondered why in all the galaxy he had done that. He needed more time if he wanted to work on the gift he planned to give the Voivode and get it finished it time, but the sight of Marisol leaving had simply been too much. Vorn had not had a chance to speak with her since the Tanaran party landed, and for a long time before that they had had little contact despite his efforts.
"I..." Vorn found himself dumbstruck once again. "Marisol, I am creating a gift for the Voivode, and I'd, uh," he paused, "I'd like your opinion on it."
"When we arrived at the twin tropical worlds we call home now we called the system Neo Kirisubo and we have rebuilt. It does mean we are surrounded by the Federal Union so we have to be even more careful than before. If we ever get involved with a war against the Federal Union we'll be crushed like a bug very quickly since they have more powerful starships than we have and a lot more of them."
"Terrible," murmured Jade quietly as she listened to the tale. "To be cast from your only home by these Communists, forced to find new planets. But it worked out for you in the end, no? If your descriptions of your worlds do them any justice they sound like fine places to live. As for The Federal Union,"
she smiled as she looked into the gardens from her seat, "we have had little contact with them, but they seem like fundamentally good people, especially in light of their assistance to you in your time of tragedy."

At that moment a servant appeared, bowing to all present in turn before straightening up and holding out two red envelopes. "Messages from the most honorable Voivode, My Lady and Admiral."
Dowager Empresse's Quarters...
A servant walked up to the door of the Tanaran Empress's room. She had not been summoned, so it would be rude to simply appear inside. Rather she knocked lightly on the door and stood at attention as she waited for it to be opened. When Marisol got back to her quarters she would find an invitation slipped under her door. Invitations had already been sent to the Emperor and the Alversian Prime Minister, who had elected to retire to his room until the drafting and signings could officially commence.

OOC:Common sense says I am not making this ooc- the devil needs no additional information. or inspiration LOL
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Race was heading back to his room when he spied the Palace Servant at Michiko's door "I'm not certain if my mother is awake. If you will entrust that to me" He nodded to the scarlet envelope the Servant held. "I will take it into her."

~~~~~~~~~

Marisol had looked back wide eyed at Vorn's sharp reaction, the door flinging wide.

"I'd like your opinion on it."

"A gift for him? I'm sure with your talents and imagination it woll be soemthing magnificant." She stepped closer to him and asked softly "Are you sure. I don't want to intrude or distact you." She looked up at him, searching his eyes.

"But I'm honored that you'd like my opinion."

OOC: Every little bit helps

OOC: OD, you have a TG.
IC:
"I will take it into her."
The servant bowed, handed Race the letter, and spoke. "It is from the Voivode, Sir." She bowed herself out of the hall.
"Are you sure. I don't want to intrude or distact you.
But I'm honored that you'd like my opinion."
"I'm sure. Your aren't distracting me, not at all. I only hope the Muri will find it a suitable gift based on my research of the Vanadict's stay among them." Vorn stepped back though the doorway, inviting Marisol in once again.

Muritan made his way to the Voivode's chambers with only a nod to the Black Guard and Legionnaires stationed outside. Lord Morga had already taught them that if one saw a Blue Moon, he was on official business, and one only had to look out for those Blue Moons as were unseen.
The Voivode was soaking, having scrubbed himself in the showers extensively first.--What is it, Muritan?--
--These new beings, the Neo-Kirisubans, Excellency--Muritan bowed his head and continued.--They have lost a world to the Children of Ranga--
--That's not good. Send for their diplomat, and I will inform the Xiola Umbari they will reclaim this lost world.--
--I would not offend the Xiscapians by doing such, Excellency. I shall arrange a rather more sub rosa meeting in the guise of a celebration, where you may quietly make arrangements.--
--Good enough. Which of the gods will be honored? I think it's almost time for the Festival of Orani Mur...--
--I have selected a less formal occasion, more of a generic festival to meet under relaxed conditions--Muritan explained--I do not think it would be wise to bring an outsider into a true festival, but I have presented it as Holy Week--
The Voivode barked out harsh laughter.--I doubt even the Xiscapians would endure us long after a ten-day festival to all the gods--
--I doubt they are familiar enough with our ways or our calendar to know much about it--
--True enough, but call the ship and let them know I'll want fresh aldryami for the feasting, and Powzie! for us, but local potables for the guests. Set up a suitable sampling, based on their dietary limitations, and arrange shrines for each of the gods, set out with their bounty. May as well teach them something about us while we're at it. And get real Spirit Drummers, not kitsune knock-offs. And I think bellringers would be nice, but don't know if they have them locally-do you think automated ones would do?--
--The gods will understand, Excellency--
--If not, I'm sending them to you.--the Voivode huffed.--Let Bessie Mae know, and present her with a full menu. We'll have to get her a private cruiser for this, but she's worth it. Tell Morga I want a decked-out Xiscapian private yacht for her-he's making enough money here for it, and the Xiscapians need a bit of influx for their economy. Send two Vulture Legionnaires with her for shopping. I think a supply of local cuisine given her touches will be acceptable, and do invite the local Master of the Kitchens to contribute. I think Bessie Mae's presence has offended him. Invite the Palace groundskeepers as well-my tearing up the local landscape will cause more work for them, and I should extend an olive branch. Find out from Morga what acceptable placatory gifts would be, as well as favors for the other guests. Incense and offerings to the gods for them should be adequate-have those sent in from home. Have that midget Hamda whip up specialties for each of the ambassadors-peace and prosperity in a representative of each race--the Voivode sank back in his tub, staring at the ceiling.--Well?--
Muritan bowed and hurried out of the room, clacking his foreclaws at the nearest Black Guard. "I shall require an escort to the kitchens, good Sir, if it is no bother. His Excellency has rather extensive requirements, and it is best your division be involved from the start. These matters flow so much better when Security handles them."

OOC: Whimpers at the thought of a Muri kegger, oh gods he's going to get us all smashed and then propose the treaty wording...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Michiko rubbed her eyes free of sleep. The meal and nap had restored her, but she was hungry again. She'd send for something in a bit though. She wanted to look over the missive Race had brought in for her.

"A Kegger? What's that?"

"Don't know mom, but given what I know - which is really not much - but I can guess it has alcoholic beverages flowing freely."

"Oh no! given their size alone one can drink the lot of us under the proverbial treaty signing table." She stretch lazily "Thank you for watching over Mm'rr'll, I think she went farther away that I can imagine."

Race nodded "She did mom. I didn't say anything at the time, but she ws further away than I could follow. I also get the feeling that going to 'wake the warships' is not as easy as knocking on a bedroom door,"

Mother and son shared a worried look, but it was Xa Cz'inni business and not their place to interfere.

Once Michiko had showered and dressed in a gown suitable for the season she left her suite and went looking for the Voivode. She figured to ask the source exactly what a kegger would entail. And besides she'd get to meet him abit before hand.

She noted the two black guards and the two Vulture Legionares -Logically that'd be the Voivode's suite. Nodding politely to them, but otherwise ignoring them- save that one cocked eyebrow challeneged them to make much over one small, apparently all human woman, she knocked briskly on the suite's door.

"I shall require an escort to the kitchens, good Sir, if it is no bother. His Excellency has rather extensive requirements, and it is best your division be involved from the start. These matters flow so much better when Security handles them."
"Sir." said the Black Guard stiffly in acknowledgment, turning and striding down the hall with Muritan in tow. In deceptively little time they reached the Main Imperial Kitchens, and a number of sky blue robed Xiscapian food staff looked up from their baking, cooking, mixing, rolling and throwing at the Muri, though without stopping their work. A large, somewhat obese chef hurried up to the troll, bowing several times in his nervousness without seeming to realize it. "Sir Muritan, this is an unexpected pleasure. Is there something we can interest you in?"

"I'm sure. Your aren't distracting me, not at all. I only hope the Muri will find it a suitable gift based on my research of the Vanadict's stay among them."

Marisol did still feel guilty, but she so much wanted to spend time with Vorn that she'd set those feelings aside. His comment about making a gift for the Voivode caught her interest as well. She'd studied up on the Muri - the entire Tanaran delegation had studied as much as was available on all their potential allies. It was only logical, but paper knowledge only went so far when dealing with living beings.

“I asked the emperor about the gallows” She blushed pink again. “I saw it and …” Her voice vanished and she sought a safer subject “So what are you thinking would be a suitable gift for the voivode?” She asked brightly, but not sure that it was a safer subject, but it was all she could think of at the moment. For some reason her mind had a distressing tendency to go blank around Vorn. Marisol was sure it was his eyes, or maybe his magnificent tail. She could still remember how soft it was in her palm.

"Sir Muritan, this is an unexpected pleasure. Is there something we can interest you in?"
Muritan issued the eerie cackle of troll light humor as his bolongo corrected:"I am merely Muritan-I have never been honored by knighting, and it would be offensive to those who have been to put me in their august company, Master of the Kitchens.
"I fear I must press upon you greatly, Master, for the Voivode intends to celebrate Holy Week here in the hopes the gods will smile upon this gathering, and the preparation is rather complex-certain foods must adorn the altars for the gods, while other dishes, grouped by their Tribe, are left for guests to share in the bounty of the gods. I have prepared this-"Muritan, still cackling, held forth a data crystal configured for Xiscapian systems"-which will contain the recipes and traditional Tribal orientations for each altar setting. Certain of these dishes must be prepared by priests, and the chants and prayers are included in these. I believe Xiscapian priests will be acceptable, if they do not mind preparing food for foreign gods. If not, I shall have to make arrangements for our priesthoods back home to prepare these dishes and Gate them here.
"I believe each of the seven altars should have a semicircular table around it, with a divider for separating the traditional trollish display and variants for the convenience of our guests, who may not enjoy dining on the rocks and gems traditional for the Earth Tribe-or should we put them on separate tables? I'll leave that for you to decide.
"The tables will be set in the order given, in the path the moon traverses the night sky: Darkness, Water, Earth, Fire, Air,Moon, and Chaos. The foods are the bounty of the gods, and I should like dishes from each of the representative governments present on the variant area. Some traditional mushroom or insect delicacy for Darkness, seafood for Water, subterranean for Earth, perhaps a Flaming dish for Fire, though mammals are seen as Fire creatures as well, flying birds for Air, nocturnal creatures for Moon, and something truly abhorrent for Chaos-that table is to be reviled and spit upon, even smeared with dung, before it's destruction at the climax of the ceremony.
"I trust this is not too great a demand to place? I shall, of course, aid as I humbly may. I should like to surprise the guests with the dishes from their homeworlds, set at the proper tables, but if we must ask to meet the requirements, perhaps some discrete individual might be asked. There will be variants, of course-I should like to place moon-cakes at the Moon altar, but tradition insists upon Night-honey, which I'll have to send for-it will be your kitchens by the end of the day, in whatever quantity you require. (Night-honey is a troll thing-the bees are only allowed out at night to harvest certain plants, and it's only used for offerings to the Moon, and during Holy Week to represent the bounty of the Moon)
"The other question is that of potables-Holy Week demands libations of Powzie! to the gods, but as that is toxic to non-trolls, some variations must be provided in medium suitable to the various Tribes-the libation offered must be drunk by the one offering after as a show of good faith, after all. Perhaps you have some suggestions?..."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Legionnairres crossed their spears as Michiko approached, but did not hinder her knocking on the door. A few moments passed, until the Voivode opened the doors to his chamber, and eyed her warily.
"Put dozze damned dingzzez azzide." he irritatedly grunted. "Me dinkzz de Tanaranzzez won't haff an Imperial Azzzzazzzzin."
As they returned their spears to rest positions, the Voivode bowed, and pressed his snout to her rings. "Forgiff, pleazze-dey haff dey orderzzez, an' a hefty commizzzzion if I liff. How may I zzerff de Phoenix Emprezzzz? Pleazze-enter freely of your own will, enjoy what I offer, an' leave a bit of de joy you bring-Mazzter Miyagi izz zzcalping me at go while we dizzcuzzzz hizz recompenzze."

The Master of the Kitchens took the data crystal, passing it off to another chef as he listened to the troll. The chef went to the end of the kitchen and input the crystal into a data terminal, logging in. "The Palace has resident priests who will be more than happy to assist, as will we. Methinks the Imperial Dining Hall may not be large enough for your request, so perhaps the Great Hall would do better? I will see to it that suitable Xiscapian delicacies are prepared for their respective tables, and I believe we can find out what dishes would be acceptable to serve coming from the cultures of those assembled here. As to the drink, I would suggest touring the Palace stocks of liquor: We have a large quantity of fine wine, brandy, whisky, beer, tequila and others." The Master of the Kitchens cracked his knuckles, smiling in strange happiness. The Imperial Family did not require large dinners, nor did they often host large events or conferences such as this, so the Master of the Kitchens was pleased to have a chance to show his skills.
Around them the staff had been listening and were already scrambling in the huge kitchen to attend to affairs. A small group of senior chefs were gathered around the data terminal, looking over the dishes they would have to prepare. The Black Guard at the doorway, while he was not heard by any of the Kitchen Staff, muttered orders into his helmet link. Naturally, the Staff did not have all the ingredients, animals and tools they would need, not when Muri food was involved, so the right ones had to be brought from storage, bought and ordered.
“So what are you thinking would be a suitable gift for the Voivode?”
Vorn did not react to the near-comment about the gallows. Hanging was no longer popular as a way of killing criminals, decapitation by sword and firing squads were preferred now. Still, in some cases, particularly in more rural areas, the sight of the ominous gallows was still common.
"Well, see for yourself." He answered, smiling, and with some flourish whipped away the cloth from what he had been working on, exposing his creation.
It was a seven and a half foot long spear, crafted entirely out of lead. While the point had been shaped, it had yet to be honed perfectly, and Marisol would note the lack of a forge, indicating Vorn was using the Force, rather than fire, to craft the gift. The spear was plain and unadorned and quite simple when compared to your average Xiscapian katana, but Vorn did not know nor wish to run the risk of placing on incorrect symbols.
With a grunt of effort and no small amount of help from the Force, he managed to pick the dense weapon up with both hands. "Lead is revered in Muri culture, the same way gold is in many others. I also found that the spear is a symbol of leadership, that of strength and cunning, both qualities which the Voivode obviously possesses."

Mazzter Miyagi izz zzcalping me at go while we dizzcuzzzz hizz recompenzze."

Michiko grinned as she entered.. "Hopefully you are'nt letting him have the advantage at both." She loked around his suite, taking a swift inventory, - and knowing that like hers it had been designed with Muri asthetics in mind.
"And while I am not, we do have an official Imperial Assassin. Before we were an Empore, it was the CEO's 'Chief Head Hunter', but they felt that wasn't proper terminology for an Empire to use." She laughed as she took the seat that the Voivode offered.

"But the reason I am here, is that I wished to ask about your upcoming festival. We don't want to inadverntantly offend so I though I'd come and ask for you advice and wisdom."

Lead is revered in Muri culture, the same way gold is in many others. I also found that the spear is a symbol of leadership, that of strength and cunning, both qualities which the Voivode obviously possesses."

Marisol inspected the heavy spear minutely nodding at Vorns words. "You are a marvelous craftsman." The then dared a suggestion "They have the ability to hroon, a sense that ' sees within perhaps he might appreciate, embeded within the spear's shaft a saying. Perhaps such as 'Peace through superior spear power'. Thas a concept that the Muri seem to appreciate greatly." Shr gave him a wry grin.

But the truth be told it was one the Phoenix Empire lived by it's self. The Tanarans had started only one war in all their years, but they had Ended all they'd been involved in. National Service was required to become a Citizen, and by far the most popular choice was the Military.

"But the reason I am here, is that I wished to ask about your upcoming festival. We don't want to inadvertantly offend so I though I'd come and ask for you advice and wisdom."
"Advizze I can giff-wizzdom comezz only from de godzzez." the Voivode shrugged. "Azzk away, an' I'll try my bezzt."

Azzk away, an' I'll try my bezzt."

Michiko thought for a second, marshalling her thoughts as she looked over their game of Go. "What are the taboos surrounding your festival? What actions and words would offend your gods and your people? Is there any particular form or style of clothing that is suggested, or forbidden?"

"They have the ability to hroon, a sense that ' sees within perhaps he might appreciate, embedded within the spear's shaft a saying. Perhaps such as 'Peace through superior spear power'. Thas a concept that the Muri seem to appreciate greatly."
Vorn gave a deep, rich chuckle at Marisol's suggestion, eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled in mirth. "Hmm, indeed, indeed." He looked at the spear again, then spread his hands. In the manner one might peel an apple, the spear split down the middle, opening it up and making a small hollow space. He stood in contemplation for a moment, then picked up the fountain pen he used to address the invitation to the Voivode and wrote in the air. On the inside of the spear curled script appeared, carved in that of the Old Tongue. Finished, Vorn set down the pen and nodded. "Walk softly and carry a big spear." he said in amusement. "A human said that, did he not? Wise words."
Voivode's Quarters...
Mr. Miyagi rose and bowed as Michiko entered, but did not speak. Obviously the two had business to attend to.

"Where me mannerzzez?" the Voivode indicated a mat near the low table at which he and Miyagi gamed. "Pleazze-Emprezzzz Michiko, dizz Zzenzzei Miyagi. Zzenzzei, dizz Dowager Emprezzzz Michiko. You have received an invitation to our zzelebration of Holy Week, Zzenzzei? It may haff arrived when you came here." And if one were not sent, it still will be waiting for you when you get home, the Voivode thought as he poured some plum wine for the Empress.
"De zzenzzei izz kind enough to akzzept me offer to teach Karrg'zz Zzonzzez unarmed combat and taking prizzonerzzez aliffe. Me dinkzz udder orderzzez will join in, but dat for future.
"Holy Week izz de two weekzzez at de end of our year, Emprezzzz." he began as she took her first sip. "You zzee, de muri caledar izz zzeffen zzeazzonzzez off zzeffen weekzzez each, acknowledging de Element runezzez in de order of Creazzhion-but de world, Pamaltela, hazz two more weekzzez to complete hizz orbit, zzo we honor de godzzez while we waitzz for him to catch up.
"Dere izz no required garb, unlezzzz you are a priezzt-den you muzzt wearzz de Zzeremonial Robezzez dat pleazze your god. Udderwizze, you walk 'round naked an' no one care, or you wear full winter gear-it no madder, long azz your god approffe. All godzzez welcome, effen godzzez of Chaozz-but we spit on dem and make jokezzez to dey ekzzpenzze(OOC:expense), 'cauzze dey bad godzzez, you zzee?
"De first night de night of Darknezzzz-de night of Kiger Lytor an' de Tribe of Night-we honor her and her brood, but all godzzez welcome, an' no one offend if you pray your god only. We zzacrifizze to de Tribe and eat of dey bounty dizz night. Dark dingzzez izz giffen preferenzze dizz night, but it informal. Deffout wear black dizz night.
"De zzecond night de night of Water-de night of Styx, de Dark Waterzzez, an' all her children. Dizz night, we giff to de waterzzez an' eat of dem-again, no need to pray to godzzez you no like. Deffout wear blue dizz night.
"De dird night for de Tribe of Eard-Azzrelia, de goddezzzz of Deep Eard, an' her grandkids we honor. We eat of de Eard an' zzacrifizze-troll eat rock, but me dinkzz creazzhurezzez of Eard do for guezztzzez." He shrugged, nonchalantly. "We find out if Eard Tribe no like. Wear brown and green dizz night-brown under, green offer-juzzt like Eard do.
"De fourd night de night of Fire. We eat of Fire'zz bounty and giff back. Troll no eat Fire, zzo we eat what have inner fire-mammalzzez. Wear red an' yellow to pleaze Tribe of Fire-maybe burn dingzzez Fire like, zztay up to greet Zzun and giff dankzzez.
"De fifd night de night of Air-wear white, eat birdzzez, burn much inzzenzze dizz night, write poems, talk much-language created by Air, carried by Air-much play on wordzzez to pleazze Zztorm Tribe dizz night. Zztorm an' trollzzez not get along, zzo tend to make early night here, go bed before zzunrizze.
"Sikzzd (OOC:sixth) night night of Moon-we dinkzzez Qonn moon-god, zzo zzinzze him hozzt'zz god, we make big deal for him-be polite. We zzacrifizze to Moon-Moon mean knowledge, zzo gif zzcrollzzez for Moon, zzhare zzecretzzez. Wear zzilver dizz night.
"Zzeffend night for Chaoezz-it Imp Night, make jokezzez, prankzzez, to mock Chaozz. We pizzzz on Chaozz'zz bounty and fazzt dizz night. Wear formal garb, follow all rulezzez-let Chaozz know how we hate.
"Den, we do it all again, but on zzecond night of Chaozz, we burn altar, let Chaozz know we no worship, only remind zzelffzzez it dere and promizze to dezztroy.
"Each night, we feazzt and drink, we danzzez and gamblezz-eider to honor de godzzez or to mock Chaozz, zzhow it we no fear, we laugh at. Den Pamaltela catch up an' we goezz on wid year.
"You let me know your godzzez, me put on altar for right element." the Voivode winked. "Holy Week for all godzzez, zzo dey no mind company.
"Zzenzzei Miyagi, you dinkzz we right-is Qonn Moon-god? Dere any oders we zzhould put on altarzzez? Me no want offend hozzt. Me put zzilffer and bloodstone yin-and-yang on altar for him-dizz okay?"

The admiral had accepted the invitation to the 'kegger' having a slight idea of what was involved.

Fun and alcohol were two things you couldn't go wrong with as she put on a long light green silk halter neck dress.

Her arms and shoulders were free but the dagger was still at its usual place on her left hip. She also slipped on small flat shoes.

Now she was ready and left the room assigned to her.

"A human said that, did he not? Wise words."

"Yes a long time ago, and very wise words indeed" Marisol agreed "You are so skilled with the Force" She added admiringly. Celestials were aware of, sensitive to, the Force, but their other innate abilities kept them from using it.

"I remember reading that in ancient times the societies that were famed for the use of spears often tied feathers to the shafts just below the head of the spear, to make them fly true. Whether this worked I don't know but perhaps the spirit is what counted" Very carefully Marisol stretched one of her wings about and tenderly worked loose a trio of semiplumes (http://www.backyardnature.net/feathdwn.jpg). Larger than the down feathers they were a hand's length and fluffy though not as much so as her down feathers. Nor were they as long and broad as her flights, much less her primaries.

Marisol hastened to reassure Vorn "They were ready to shed anyway - see no blood, no pain." Gently she pressed them into his hand. She had never given away as many of her feathers- well she had never given away any really- as she had to him.

Now she was ready and left the room assigned to her.
"Milady, the first night of Holy Week, it is more traditional to dress in black."
She turned, and saw Muritan there. "How...?"
"I am not here." he replied. "Among my people, there is a saying-I'll try to convey it for you:'The other day upon the stair/I met a man who wasn't there/He wasn't there again to-day/I think he's Ordo Annilla'. Green is suitable for the Night of the Earth Tribe, but black is much better-trust me."
She shook her head, and found herself alone...

"Zzenzzei Miyagi, you dinkzz we right-is Qonn Moon-god? Dere any oders we zzhould put on altarzzez? Me no want offend hozzt. Me put zzilffer and bloodstone yin-and-yang on altar for him-dizz okay?"
"In the Sacred Texts it is said Qonn is all the things you described, at least where kitsune are involved. He is the elements, and nature, for us, a physical manifestation of what we hold dear. I do not think he would mind being placed where you suggest-He is modest and humble, as we all strive for." Mr. Miyagi's eyes twinkled. "Some visitors may attend the ceremony, but I cannot say who. We will have to, as the Alversians say, "Play it by ear."
Vorn's Quarters...
"You are so skilled with the Force"
Vorn cocked his head and shrugged. "I am more gifted than most, agreed, but there are many others here stronger in the Force than I. Your average blacksmith here probably could have done a better job, for they have immense power in shaping metal. Still the idea of creating such a thing is that it comes from the heart," He nodded, "of the shaper, not to be "mass produced" as a weapon."
"They were ready to shed anyway - see no blood, no pain."
Vorn's eyes widened, and for an instant he was thrown back to the time of the coronation of the Tanaran Empress, where Marisol had given him a single feather. He still remembered it, the white gift soft on his palm as the price of a ballroom dance was murmured into his ears. He still wasn't the best dancer, but these were thoughts for later...
"I am," he paused, whispering now "truly honored. If this spear does not fly true when the feathers of an angel are married with it, then nothing will make it so." But even as he spoke he let the semiplumes drift onto the spear and took a step closer to the Celestial, eyes locked with hers. These were the same yellow orbs that had enchanted her at the Palace all those months ago, and the intensity was gripping as the Xiscapian leaned closer to her, dark lips brushing her cheek with shy hunger.

"Some visitors may attend the ceremony, but I cannot say who. We will have to, as the Alversians say, "Play it by ear."
The Voivode smacked his forehead."Me needzz find out how de Alverzzian god Allmighty Dolla izz properly prezzented for de Eard altar-an', Emprezzzz, if you'd be zzo good azz to tell me how to prezzent your godzzez, plazzezzez at de altarzzez will be rezzerved for dem, too. Bezzt to put Muritan on inquiriezzez zzo no one left out-bad form."

truly honored. If this spear does not fly true when the feathers of an angel are married with it, then nothing will make it so."

Marisol couldn't breathe as he leaned towards her, and at the last moment she remembered that these Kitsune didn't kiss but nuzzled. Her eyes fell closed in pure bliss for just a instant then they flew open again and locked with his, as his lips touched her cheek. Was the heat filling her from her blushes or his touch...she wasn't sure but she knew she wanted to find out. Gently one hand came up to cup his other cheek while her lips gently returned the caress. Her wings spread wide then carefully furled about them, enveloping them as she had at the Coronation, a more personal privacy.

Her hand drifted from his cheek to his tail, delicate but strong fingers drifting feather light across the silky plume.

“Please, no titles, just Michiko” she begged.

Michiko had a servant retrieve a carry case from her suite. “Many said we lost our gods when we came here to this universe, but others disagree." She laughed softly "and still yet others disagree as to what a God is or isn't"

"When we left our home one of our major reasons for that leaving was that the two most populous religions had turned the world into a battle ground between them. Any religion that tried to appeal to peace and reasons, and tolerance was over run, genocide in fact if not in name. We who left were those that wouldn't conform, wouldn't subscribe to their dictates." Her voice went a little sad "I've read their journals, heard tapes of their thoughts and opinions. The gods didn't answer their prayer and each day the world sank deeper into darkness, and so when it became possible to leave they did. Though some said that the discoveries that allowed my ancestors to be able to leave were gifts from the Divine."

She opened the hard bodied case and pulled out many pouches- well padded and lined with silk. A crudely carved stone of deepest translucent blue with tiny points of light deep within, a goddess figurine, encompassing all; an ancient ivory Buddha, fat and jolly; a bronze faience and lapis horus eye; a delicately sculpted horse head a woman’s face rising out of it's billowing mane; a stone that as she held it seemed to morph from wolf to eagle to bear and cougar; a moonstone orb that held within it a face that waxed and waned from young to old; a miniature of a man dressed in leather and leaves, bow in hand and antlers growing from his brow, a finely detailed kachina, a polished bronze mirror, and many others.

"I carry then with me.” She said unapologetically “they are only things my father left me that I kept for myself." She explained each one and how they would match against the Muri’s pantheon. She was very knowledgeable, and her eyes sparkled as she spoke revealing a love of the subject. For first and foremost, over everything she had done and been in her life, she was a scholar.

De dird night for de Tribe of Eard-Azzrelia, de goddezzzz of Deep Eard, an' her grandkids we honor. We eat of de Eard an' zzacrifizze-troll eat rock, but me dinkzz creazzhurezzez of Eard do for guezztzzez
"And for the night of deep Earth, for non- Muri, might I suggest mushrooms. We grown them in caves and consider them very much the fruit of the 'deeper earth'. I can have some of our unique varieties brought in if you'd like. Oh and some Mead, once called the drink of the Gods, it is made of Honey and herbs."

"But if we aren't to be late I must leave your most pleasant company and go prepare. I wouldn't want to fall short in the finery catagory." She smiled and bowed to Sensei Myagi and the Voivode. "And if there is to be dancing I shall ask a dance of you both"

Vorn wrapped an arm around Marisol's neck across her shoulders, painstakingly careful not to so much a brush her delicate, fragile wings. His black cheek rubbed across her lighter, softer one, and Vorn exhaled in a rush of pleasure, top ears perking. Nuzzling activated glands within a Xiscapian kitsune's cheeks that caused a intense feeling of pleasure, speculated by scientists to be throwbacks from a long forgotten evolutionary past. As he switched to the other cheek his tail came up in her hand, velvety fur sliding though her fingers as it met the Celestial's skin.
Voivode's Quarters...
Sensei Miyagi stood and bowed as the Dowager Empress left, the old kitsune's lengthy white beard swaying to the floor as he did so.
"And if there is to be dancing I shall ask a dance of you both"
"Believe what you will," said Miyagi with a twinkle in his ancient eyes, "but many years ago I was a legend on the ballroom floor. If the Lady offers, I would be honored to accept."

"but many years ago I was a legend on the ballroom floor. If the Lady offers, I would be honored to accept."


Michiko's dimples flashed "Oh! Then it is I who must not let a legend down. I hope my poor dancing skills are up to the challenge" Her own eyes twinkled merrily. "Tonight then" She left humming a small tune under her breath.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Marisol found herself nearly purring as she tenderly returned the nuzzlings, the delicious sensations sweeping over her taking her to near swooning. The feel of the soft fur of his plume in her hand, sent alternating chills and heat waves up her arm. Nestling in closer she slipped one arm about his waist, she needed it to keep her balance. For some strange reason she kept wanting to fall into him, as she kept falling into his Sevengali gaze.

"And for the night of deep Earth, for non- Muri, might I suggest mushrooms. We grown them in caves and consider them very much the fruit of the 'deeper earth'. I can have some of our unique varieties brought in if you'd like. Oh and some Mead, once called the drink of the Gods, it is made of Honey and herbs."

"Mead be available all nightzzez." the Voivode replied. "Dizz Holy Week, after all. Muzzhroomzzez Plantzzez of Darknezzzz, but udder plantzzez good for Eard-all plantzzez grow in Eard but muzzhroomzzez, and de grain goddezzzzezz all daughterzzez of Eard. Me zzee to it Eard night hazz vegetablezzez, dough-not good hozzt, feed guezzt rock." he winked, before turning to Sensei Miyagi. "Are dere any foodzzez zzacred to de godzzez in kitzzune belief?"

Vorn's chocolate eyelids closed over his brilliant yellow eyes as he rubbed against her, simultaneously barely breathing and panting as his emotions built. The light broke and rippled as it was cast over them though the cloak of wings, creating designs and shapes on the Celestial and Kitsune as they lost themselves in each other. Careful to keep his balance, guiding her now, Vorn moved them though a wide doorway, still locked together and sheltered by the wings, to his bed. Large enough to hold four people side by side, he gently let her down onto it, all previous doubts and uncertainties forgotten. Still nuzzling he climbed onto the bed next to her, leaning close, taking her in with every sense. Her scent smothered him, and he immersed himself joyfully into it. Softer skin he had never felt as his hands explored the rest of her, skimming over clothing to massage the skin of her arms, face never leaving hers.
Voivode's Quarters...
"Are dere any foodzzez zzacred to de godzzez in kitzzune belief?"
"We like potatoes," said the old kitsune master with a mischievous smile. "There is no certain food sacred to us or our gods, so anything we can eat we will."

OOC: Can't Help (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9NNNqYohtA)

Marisol melted eagerly into Vorns embrace, her wings still a curtain about them...

Utter privacy even in a place crawling with various observation systems.

She was an angel after all ...

Michiko asked a palace servant if they had any store that sold specifically Tanaran Meade. It was made from a very potent dark honey from plants native to Midgard, the Tanaran Throne world. It would be outrageously expensive here, but it was not any sort of run of the mill meade either and it's rich complexity would give the Muri a taste of Tanara. It was slightly psychotropic and could act as the Kireseth flowers of Cottman IV did. She'd have to remember to warn them.

Once that request was given she woke Race from his nap and explained what Bruno had explained to her. She had knocked on Marisol's door, but had recieved no answer. Presuming that the young Celestial was still drained from ner monitoring earlier she resolved to let her sleep. She advise her later.

Race listened quietly and mere commented that he wasn't sure if he'd brought along enough clothes to withstand a week of Muri festivities. "I some how have the feeling that Muri ceremonies are NOT of the sort of 'process slowly around the room three time chanting then every one sit and raptly listen to the ancients ponitificate for the next ten hours'..."

Michiko laughed and agreed with hiim.

Morga groaned. Muritan would have to pick Holy Week, and leave him to foot the bill. "Glowbug, Sticks..." While Glowbug was a Korr, he had a business acumen and bloodthirstiness that elevated him to the position of Morga's second, while Sticks-Sticks was a kitsune who got the name because he liked to beat people with them, and was very good at it. "I'm going to need a selection of girls, our best and highest priced with adequate secondary tickets to match their numbers six times over, and we'll need them all for two weeks. This is going to be painstaking, and I will brook not the slightest deviation from plan."
"Sounds big, Boss." Glowbug always called Lord Morga "Boss"-"What's the plan?"
"Holy Week, my boy-Holy Week. And that means booze and hookers..."

Twilight had come and gone, finding Marisol and Vorn wrapped in one anothers arms...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Michiko had decided on a warm and very comfortable but elegant init's simplicity gown of deepest back sewn with hundreds of tiny sparkling jet bead to pick up and return glimmers of light. She'd wear flats though easier for her to dance in, she'd never learned to be really comfortable in heels, even if it meant she'd be towered over by the Muri. Even in three inch heels that would still be.

Race came to collect his mother, and to let her know that Marisol most likely wouldn't be there tonight.

That brought a laugh from Michiko. "Well I hope thay are having fun. It's a waste of time otherwise...Now you just need to meet a special lady."

"Mom! I'll find just the one soon enough, besides most can't keep up with me, or want to even try! And while they'll probably have professionals there tonight, I doubt I'll find one that interests me for even just an evening of bedsport" Prostitition was legal in the Phoenix Empire but Race generally didn't indulge in that casual of intimacies.

Michiko just shook her head and handed him the basket filled with carriers filled with stuffed baked mushroom caps and several bottle of darkly rich Tanaran Meade. "Lets go! I don't want to be late. I've promised the Voivode and Master Myagi dances."

The entry to the Great Hall was an ornate dragon worked in lead with onyx eyes that snorted wisps of pure Darkness as the guests entered before rolling to one side as the door itself rolled to another, allowing the sounds of an elaborate and ornate drum selection to be heard, while the Voivode in extreme joviality spread his arms wide, and shook the hands of male guests, pressing his snout to the rings of females, as he exhorted:"Enter freely and of your own willzz! Enjoy zzuch hozzpitality azz we offer, and all we azzk izz you leave a bit of the joy you have brought!"
As he grasped each guest's hands in his foreclaws, he left a small gift in their grasp-this night, a leaden ornament adorned with fine onyx insets in the form of a nude female troll.
"Dizz izz de night of Darknezzzz, Emprezzzz." he whispered to Michiko. "Light a bit of inzzenzze at deir altar-me greetzz a bit longer den we danzze, 'kay?"
He turned to her son, shaking his hand warmly. "Welcome, Mizzter Razze, welcome-pleazze, let Muritan guide you..."
Muritan looked at him severely. "We will begin with three circuits of the room." He spoke, as always, through his bolongo. "You may chant this mantra:
"Owa...
"Tajer...
"Kiam...
"Continue to repeat as we make our circuit, then Elder Fharangar will enlighten you as to the seven varieties of Darkness." He moved at a stately pace, pausing at the altar of Darkness to offer a stick of incense. Michiko read a greatly suppressed humor from the stoic troll, and watched as he guided Race about the room, pointing out this item or that.
"Those bearing but the necklace of their Element are part of the bounty of that Element-those dedicated to Chaos are the finest available in Tenfour, but are protected by electric taser fields-reminders Chaos is tempting but deadly..."

"Light a bit of inzzenzze at deir altar-me greetzz a bit longer den we danzze, 'kay?"
Michiko's dimples flashed as she stretched up on tiptoes - as he lowered his head to press muzzle to rings - and laid a kiss on his cheek. "I can't wait"

Her eyes twinkled and she bit down on a chuckle as Bruno turned Race over to Muritan. Lighting a stick of incense she watched her son being led around the room oh so very seriously. She couldn't help but giggle behind her hand once a servant had come to take the treats and meade away for serving. Shortly she had a large mug of it back in her hands and was quietly enjoying watching everyone enjoy themselves.

Race didn't though - once he'd very solemnly lit incense and followed Muritan about the room, listening intently - he threw back his head and laughed with uninhibited joy. "Now Muritan, teach me your language, if you would, so I can make proper sense of it all. Though I think I will leave the temptations to others."

Muritan took two small thimbles of a murky fluid from the foreigner's table at the altar of Darkness. "We have sacrificed to the Tribe of Night, now we must partake of their bounty." he said, passing one small glass to Race.
"This is mushroom wine from the Three Oaks clan-it is a mild psychotropic, but it's effects should pass within an hour or so-we think. Trolls don't stop at one sip as I expect you shall. The selection of mushrooms is edible by your species, though there are some inedibles for you on the muri table. The ham beetle is a delicacy, and I see various grubs and prepared insects and annelids from your world as well as mushrooms-these are the bounty of Darkness, Master Race, and we give thanks for the Tribe of Night and their gifts.
"Our language is difficult for non-trolls, Master Race. It is derived from the language of the Dark spirits, and our ability to hypervocalize and subvocalize permits us to perform certain necessary stresses you could not." Muritan raised his glass and drank before continuing, a twinkle in his eye:"Perhaps after you have heard the elders pontificate for ten hours-this night is to honor the gods however you feel proper."

"Perhaps after you have heard the elders pontificate for ten hours-this night is to honor the gods however you feel proper."

"Muritan, I can be a jerk at times, but I don't need ten hours of pontification." Race laughed and sipped His eyes flew wide. "Oh that is delicious, but I doubt I'll have another sip, though most psychotropes don't work on me. Thats one of the real benefits of Jedi training, we do get a rather complete control over mind and body." He heaped a plate full of the various foods. "But does the emperor know how thoroughly you've got his surveillance system under your thumb?"


Michiko had found herself a seat that had a good view of everything going on and made herself comfortable. The over sized over stuffed chair had actually been provided for a Muri so she curled up in it, tucking her feet under her and propping her chin on her fist. She had a plate of delicacies on the other arm of the chair and nibbled between sips of the Tanaran meade. She watched the goings on, utterly fascinated and enjoying herself.

"But does the emperor know how thoroughly you've got his surveillance system under your thumb?"
"Undoubtably, now that you've seen fit to mention it here." Muritan's expression was bland. "However, it is not 'under my thumb', as you put it-I could not adjust the information nor impede it in any way. I merely access it while I am here-it is the way of my Order to use what is available, and the devices and spirits here are friendly.
"Of course, it is the way of devices to be accomodating, provided one knows how to speak to them. I was rather surprised that the Xiscapians are using spirits, though-I may offer a course in shamanism to His Imperial Majesty as a boon to our host. Doubtless, he has people interested in the shaman's path, and the exchange itself may serve to bridge the gaps between our peoples.
"However, that is for later-tonight is for rejoicing. Do you gamble, Master Race? The tables await..." he gestured casually to where several games of chance were laid out, some already attracting guests.

Race grinned inwardly at the non accuastion in Muritans voice. Of course he had mentioned it. As much to see the reaction as to bring the issue to a head.

"However, that is for later-tonight is for rejoicing. Do you gamble, Master Race? The tables await..."

"I might, a little, and I promise no reading of the currents" He looked over to wwhere his mom sat and sighed. He knew better than to ask her to join him.

Following Muritans lead he moved over to one of the tables, but just watched for a while before placing his first bet. He played for the fun of it, not caring wether he won or lost, but never wageing large amounts. When he finished for the night he'd place all he had on him as an offering to the Tribe of Night.

"I might, a little, and I promise no reading of the currents" He looked over to where his mom sat and sighed. He knew better than to ask her to join him.
"Read what you like-certain of the Vulture Legion are notorious card-counters-can't help it, really, so we usually restrict them to dice, and poker-poker isn't about the cards, after all-it's all about psychology. Just always play fair against the skulls." Muritan nodded towards a skull set at the table, and Race noted each table had a skull in one of the players' positions. Random revelers would toss dice or play a hand at the skull position, then move on after a single round. "They represent the dead-I believe tonight's skull winnings will go to the Xiscapian Widows and Orphans Foundation. Back home, we would have the actual skulls of those fallen over the past year, and pass their winnings on to their families-eating the skulls on the morning of the last night to lay them to rest, often with the knowledge these two weeks have garnered more than their life's work."
"Seems odd for a festival of Life." Race commented, immediately regretting it.
"Death is a part of Life, Master Race-it seems fitting to us to honor those who have joined the gods this past year." Muritan followed Race's gaze. "Perhaps you should explain this tradition to your mother and let her wander the tables. Waiting for the Voivode to complete his host duties is polite, but doubtless dull, and this is a celebration. I think I may invite her to the festivities..."

"Perhaps you should explain this tradition to your mother and let her wander the tables. Waiting for the Voivode to complete his host duties is polite, but doubtless dull, and this is a celebration. I think I may invite her to the festivities..."

"I promise you she's not bored in the least" His smile was gentle as he looked at his mother "She's doing something she enjoys very much. Watching and having fun watching others have fun." He paused for a moment, then figured the Muri would figure it out soon enough "My mothers an Empath, she's a sight to see when playing cards" His lips twitched into a grin. "indeed, invite her, and if there is someone here who deserves a fleecing, just enlist her aid."

OOC: Bah...been away far too long...
IC:
The Emperor had been making his own way about the hall and stopped only when a servant approached at speed and whispered hurriedly into his ears. Foxfire Rose made no attempt to conceal his surprise as the news was told to him, and he looked at the servant hard for total verification. The kitsune nodded, and the Emperor glanced at the entrance to the Hall. The Palace staff and officials, with the exception of the cooks and priests, had stepped back and allowed the Muri full control over the Hall, so as to make sure their first night of the Holy Week was perfect without accidental kitsune intervention. However, various mushrooms had been placed on the appropriate tables, and it was noted that not all were edible. Some were of...more questionable sources and uses, but all equally enjoyable in use. Organic drugs, such as they were, were illegal in the Kitsune Empire, but the law was not generally heavily enforced excepting the truly harmful and dangerous drugs. Thus a light, blue fog hovered near the ceiling almost constantly, mixing with the scent of incense, perfume and food. The aroma was not unpleasing, and this was (or so the Emperor hoped) fit for the guest he had been told just barely in advance of his arrival...
Across the room...
Sensei Miyagi, dressed in traditional master's black robes with white underneath, was smoking a pipe while leaning on his knobby cane, conversing quietly with the Empress. Both blinked, and while their expressions did not change one might notice a slight perking of the ears or swish of the tails. Even the servants took notice, and word of who was soon to arrive traveled fast among the Xiscapians, whether by word-of-mouth or sensing it, leaving the non-kitsune guests thoroughly mystified.

(OOC:All mushrooms would be at the Altar of Darkness, because mushrooms and fungi are the plants of Darkness. Since all the food was prepared by the kitchen staff under the guidance of the priesthood, I can only assume this is part of the traditional troll display, and your people are taking advantage of it, though the mushroom wine is possibly also illegal.)
Muritan sat at the go table, playing a round for the skull with Master Race, who noted the muri moved with swift and sure movements, maintaining a running commentary all the while as if not paying attention to the game, though he lapsed into speaking Galactic Common instead of using his bolongo for a brief time.
At the door, the Voivode greeted Sensei Miyagi warmly. "Zzenzzei Miyagi! Enter freely and of your own will! Take from our bounty, enjoy our hozzpitality, and when you go, leave a bit of the joy you have brought!"
As Miyagi prepared to return the greeting, the Voivode suddenly seemed distracted, saying:"This Hall is Pamaltelan zzoil for the fezztiffal-read your diplomatic manual-the Vulturezzez are already wary that the otherzzez haff not our innate rezzizztanzz to such dingzzez, zzo no one will be harmed by their indulgenzz. Juzzt make a note of it, and we'll leaff dem off de tables in future." He seemingly spoke to the air, but Miyagi could sense the presence of a bolongo imp-spirit as it returned to it's owner.
"My apologeezz, Zzenzzei-apparently, your priezzthood failed to tell uzz of zzertain illegal elementzzez to our fezztiffal. If it weren't Holy Week, I'd have them all flogged for de offerzzight, but zzinzz it izz Holy Week, perhapzz you could tell me the most embarazzzzing ding to de kitsune-Imp Night izz part of de fezztiffal, too..."

Miyagi smiled stoically at these last words. "It is no oversight, Lord Voivode: Certain mushrooms and their properties, while illegal to possess in the general public, have restricted licenses that priesthoods and some sects and cults can obtain though official means. This enables them to purchase, albeit at steep prices, some mind-altering substances legally if they feel and can sufficiently prove said substances further them in their worship. No doubt they felt this festival was too good of an opportunity to pass up. As to punishment...if you slander them publicly, with their peers and superiors such as those present here, it will undoubtedly curb their enthusiasm in the future."

At that point a hush seem to fall over the entrance and sort of expand in a subtle manner until the entire room was silent with expectation. Then, rather quietly and without fanfare, a dozen orange-robed priests, hoods covering their faces down past their eyes, six to a side, entered the Hall and knelled, flanking the door. This was a cue for every kitsune in the Hall to do the same, from the lowest servant to the Emperor and Empress themselves, those around the non-Xiscapians hurriedly instructing the guests to do so as well, or if not able, to bow. Now a single, white-robed priest entered, holding a stout wooden pole before him with a yin-yang symbol inlaid with silver, head bowed, and now everyone heard the beat of a drum. It was only one, a single stick hitting in steady time, and the drummer soon revealed himself. A platform mounted on a tiny anti-grav lift, a huge drum was being beat by a heavily muscled kitsune male, shirtless, chest and back glistening with oils and sweat. Native American-Esq face paint hide and muddled his features, and one could easily see a large tattoo on his back of a black hexagram in-between his shoulder blades.

The priests who lined the right side began a sort of cross between a chant and a hum, a rising and falling of wordless voices accented by the eternal singular drumbeat. After about two minutes they ceased, and the priests on the left came in with the same kind of sound, voices revealing them to be female. The drumbeat came faster now, a series of softer beats with a single louder one, as the priestesses grew louder to match their male counterparts. Finally they too became quiet, leaving only the drum beat, as a final figure walked slowly in. This was an ancient Xiscapian, older than even Miyagi, age measured in centuries rather than mere decades. Black robes, smooth and seemingly without substance, were worn proudly, the only thing denoting the rank of this person. He walked without a cane but held a gnarled staff in his right hand like a weapon, orange eyes flicking from side to side as tawny fox ears perked amid silvered hair. Only his stance, the errant flip of the tail and the look of youth betrayed what to all appearances seemed an incredibly old, weak kitsune.

At last the drummer stopped, and for a moment all was silent. All eyes set to the Emperor as he rose and walked almost reverdy forward, eyes downcast, and bowed low: Lower than he ever had to anyone who was not a god or fellow ruler. He stayed in this position as the wizened Xiscapian bowed back, releasing only once the black robed one had straightened up. Once the Emperor stood fully straight those who had bowed did so as well and the kneelers got to their feet. Those who had studied and knew anything about Xiscapian religion knew this was the Mog-ur, the kitsune equivalent of the human Christian Caltholic Pope, Head of the Church and revered highly.

The Mog-ur cast a glance around the hall, taking in the servants, palace staff, guards, dignitaries and others as the Emperor murmured soft explanation. The Mog-ur nodded once and for the first time his staff touched the ground, wrinkled hands running along it as a look of concentration passed over the Mog-Ur's visage. He nodded again, closed his eyes, raised his arms in a Y shape, opened his eyes, and said simply in a carrying voice,
"Qonn welcomes you."
Naturally this was already well known-If Qonn didn't want someone there, he, she or it wouldn't be there. But the Mog-ur had made it official, as he should, for this was not only a singular, brief welcome: This was a lifetime welcome, an assurance that they could come to Xiscapia as friends of it's god for as long as they lived.

Michiko had moved to one of the poker tabels as Race had taken a moment to explain to her the reasoning of the skulls. She quietly commented that this particular skull felt 'desperately lonely'...and thus she was quietly busy fleecing everyone else at the table, not moving from the skull's chair and making soft comments to the skull about the other players. And she was doing it with such open high handednesss that none dared object. Though one Vulture Legionari had started too, but the look she had given him froze the words on his lips. He was only dead after all, not in the least immune to a Matriarch's wrath. Even if she did only stand five and a half foot tall - in heels - and weighed maybe one twenty dripping wet, in soaking wet heavy winter coats, with heavy boots on...

Race was enjoying playing with Muritanand he was about to comment on the search for the missing portions of Annilla when he stopped- the arrival of the Xiscapian priests and the reaction of the Xiscapians bringing almost every one to a cesation of activities. He went to one knee, honoring the arrival of the Mog-ur.

From her chair Michiko bowed, giving the ancient Xiscapian full respect.

"It is no oversight, Lord Voivode: Certain mushrooms and their properties, while illegal to possess in the general public, have restricted licenses that priesthoods and some sects and cults can obtain though official means. This enables them to purchase, albeit at steep prices, some mind-altering substances legally if they feel and can sufficiently prove said substances further them in their worship. No doubt they felt this festival was too good of an opportunity to pass up. As to punishment...if you slander them publicly, with their peers and superiors such as those present here, it will undoubtedly curb their enthusiasm in the future."
"Zzlander impliezz lying, Zzenzzei-and me will not lie before de godzzez." The Voivode replied softly. "Me zzetzz Muritan to dizzcoffer who did dizz, den pay dem for dey work on Imp Night. Who--?"
"Qonn welcomes you."
"Dank you, Holy Mog-ur, dank you ffery muzzh." The Voivode selected two glasses from the Darkness table-both the odd "Angel's Kiss" from Three Oaks Plantation, and pressed one into the Mog-ur's hands. "Pleezz-enter freely and of your own will, partake of our bounty, and leave a bit of the joy you haff brought!"
He pressed his snout to the Mog-ur's rings, something the Emperor had only seen the muri do to women before, and raised his glass:"To the friendship you bring, to Qonn, and to the Tribe of Night!"

Those in the Hall began to resume their normal activities, and voices filled the room once more. The priests generally dispersed themselves into the throng, though the drummer stayed by the Mog-ur, never conspicuous in his proximity but those who were sensitive to Force energies knew that this kitsune was the bodyguard of the old leader. As the Voivode stepped up to the Mog-ur dark yellow eyes watched the troll suspiciously from that direction even as the Xiscapian dignitary himself greeted the Muri warmly. He accepted the drink and clinked it against the Voivode's, smiling. "To all these things and the terrific job your people have done helping my good friend the Emperor here." Then he drank a conservative sip, rolling it in his mouth before swallowing with an air of satisfaction.

As a servant passed the Voivode he communicated, in a quick, quiet but easily understandable telepathic voice, You seek the Grand Vizier of the Palace Priests. And then he was gone.

You seek the Grand Vizier of the Palace Priests.
The Voivode bowed effusively before the Mog-ur, saying. "Yu Honor uzz, Holy One. De Grand Vizhier off de Palazz Priezztzzez hazz offerzzeen effery detail, zzeeing to it we no offend our hozztzzez, but it good to fferify drough a higher zzourzze.
"Pleazz, let me zzhow you, and ekzzplain our wayzzez." he extended an arm towards the altars. "Firzzt, we come to de Altar of Darknezzzz-in de Beginning, wazz de formless Ffoid we knew as Wonderhome..."
He walked the elder to the altar, carefully explaining the muri account of Creation and What followed, innocent as a lamb as he extolled the Tribe of Night and pointed them out on the altar...

Michiko went back to fleecing the other players with a smile and a kind word. Her Empathy had nearly killed her when it first activated, and she had no idea what was happening, but in the years since then she had become very skillfull with it.

Race enjoyed his round of Go with Muritan, but most of his attention was involved with listening to the Voivode's descriptions of the Muri religion to the Mog-ur.

"I shouldn't worry overmuch on that." Muritan replied conversationally to Race. "Most of the information is available in Xiscapia's Imperial Library, and the inner secrets are always held by the Cult-the Voivode was a Paladin of the Orani Mur before ascending to his current position.
"The kitsune priests have dared to use Holy Week to play politics-a time for the gods, not for Man, but Man is a political animal. The Voivode is ever so innocently setting up the treachers for a defrocking-or whatever the Priesthood of Qonn uses. The Mog-ur will probably be too polite to point out the faux pas of illegal substances on the altars-you know how the Xiscapians are-but the Voivode is rather effusively thanking him for the aid given by those responsible, and I doubt the Mog-ur will extend the same courtesies to recalcitrant priests."
Muritan shook his head as he laid out a few planks. "You'd think if you were going to play politics, you'd learn the rules first..."
Race smiled-the muri was beating him readily. "There are those who say there are no rules in politics." he observed, strengthening his position as his attention returned to the game.
"Precisely."

That brought a cheerful laugh from Race 'And thats why I don't do politics. I like at least a few rules..but more good sports manship - and that is all too often sadly lacking in politics. Mother? Mother loathes politics with a passion"

"I was more listening for the nuances on your religion, the personal views that as just as valid as Holy Writ, but no text can truly portray. I spent some time on Auld Aire, a planet colonized by a Celtic monastic order. On their home world the religion is very stern, very unforgiving, but among those poverty vowed, cloistered monk one finds the greatest sense of humor, and purest joy....and their own evolved form of martial arts that is just ...I collected bruises in places I didn't think could get bruised." He grinned and winced simultaneously at the memories. "They asked me to stay, but I'm not the monastic sort, at least not at the moment. ...Besides Mom would be heart broken if I didn't present her with a grand kid or dozen."

Michiko waved, and called a cheerful greeting to Master Miyagi and Empress Jade then went back to her card game. She had noted them arriving together and did not want to intrude on the pair. They seemed to be having an private conversation. She had never met the Empress personally, but had heard much of her from her friends among the Novans.

The Mog-ur listened quietly to the Voivode, interrupting only once or twice to ask a curious question. Muri religion was one of those things that those in the service to Qonn greatly respected, but rarely spoke about. No doubt they found it a little intimidating. The Mog-ur, however, showed no fear or apprehension, just a listening ear and a politeness you couldn't have beaten out of him, even with a large stick. The Emperor was trailing them, an to his horror spotted the mushrooms. He looked quickly at the Mog-ur to see if he had notice, but then, of course he had. The ancient Xiscapian gave the Emperor a look that seemed to say, No harm, no foul, but as he turned away the Emperor could not be certain the same held true for the Palace Priests.
Jade and Miyagi waved back at Michiko, Miyagi giving the Tanaran Empress a conspiratorial wink, reminding her of her promise of a dance. Later, of course. The Xiscapian Empress and the aged martial combat master continued their conversation, Jade looking slightly worried. After a moment Miyagi said something, smiled at her, and chuckled. Jade shook her head but there was a grudging smile on her lips as she walked over to the card table, standing rather than sitting. She didn't gamble, not because she was against it, but because she was really quite bad at it, and didn't want to take a seat away from a prospective player. "What are they playing?" she asked Muritan and Race curiously, gesturing to the card game.

The Voivode happily answered the Mog-ur's questions, though some questions were answered with a wink and "To know dat, you muzzt join de Order."
The muri, and all trolls, were ancestor worshipers with animist tendancies. Their oldest gods were all related by blood to many trolls, the muri all descended from their ancestor Moorgarki, who begat them with Lodril, the Burning God of Volcanoes and Peasants. Thus, a troll's relationship with their gods was best typified by being a member of a vast and sprawling family whose elders took pleasure in interfering with their lives. Familial ties took precedence over the standard god/worshiper relationship, and those gods as were not ancestors were still more friend and family than divinity. When the Voivode spoke of his god, Orani Mur, father of all spiders, he spoke more of an old and respected friend than an overlord or liege. Certain of his stories involved much more ribald activity than typical mythology, but the trolls treated their gods like family, and enjoyed sharing embarrassing stories that revealed nothing but the nature of the god.
"Let me tell you a tale, Holy Mog-ur:
"Azz de Zzecond Age fell upon Reality, de zzun was zzlain and dizzpatched to Wonderhome, marking the Age of Chaozz and admittance of Dead into de world. De trolls come to zzurfayzz den, and find dere all that hatezz uzz zztill, and all wizzh to zzhare the New Power wid uzz, and strive to kill uzz.
"A band of trollzzez met Gorakikki, Fadder of All Insectzzez, who drived on de Zzurfayzz wid all hizz children. Gorakikki friend of trollzzez in Wonderhome, and he renewed hizz friendzzhip. 'Help uzz!' trollzzez zzay,'All we meet triezz to kill uzz.'
"Now, Gorakikki is mazzter of camouflage, and he hazz day'zz hunt wid him, zzo he makes deal wid trolls-dey zzkinzzez for zzkinzzez in him pouch-dwarf zzkinzzez, elf zzkinzzez, orc zzkinzzez, goblin zzkinzzez, effen kitzzune zzkinzzez. All zzkinzzez he trade for troll zzkinzzez, so trollzzez remoffe dey szzkinzzez and wear zzkinzez Gorakikki haff.
Dey wander in new zzkinzzez for long time, but no find home, no find family-lost and weary, unakzzepted becauzz not know zztrange wayzzez, dey return to where dey meet Gorakikki, where dey zzee Gore and Gash haff raizzed Dakori Ingard, and try to enter, but zzentriezzez zztop-dem no trollzzez, dem elvezzez and dwarvezzez and what-haff-you.
"Zzo trollzzez zzit outzzide and cry until Xiola Umbar hearzz,Zzhe come down and ask what izz wrong, and trollzzez zzay 'Gorakikki hazz taken our zzkinzzez and not give back!'
"Xiola Umbar goddezzzz of merzzy, and heart goezz out, zzo zzhe brew zzpecial potion and zzet out honey to draw Gorakikki, zzpizzed with drugzzez to dull Gorakikki'zz zzenzzezzez.
"When Gorakikki come, she take zzmall drink and offer rezzt to Gorakikki-dizz troll greeting among brudderzzez, zzo Gorakikki drain entire mug-and head explode! Xiola Umbar take head and tell Gorakikki he get back if he giff troll zzkinzzez, but Gorakikki fed troll zzkinzzez to children long ago, and are no more. But, Gorakikki Fadder of All Insectzzez, and know zzecretzzez of tranzzformation, zzo he teach Xiola Umbar how to change like insectzzez, but change to troll inzztead. Him not know how do dizz right, zzo troll no look right, but ritual work, and troll troll again. Xiola Umbar give Gorakikki head back, and him agree it good joke."
"Zzinzz dat time, we know zzome trolls not in troll body, zzo we make all welcome. Dem who wizzh be troll again can prove demzzelffzzez troll and we make troll again, but dizz great honor. We giff welcome to all who may be troll, and Xiola Umbar open heart to all anyway, zzo we let all zztay who liff in peazz."
"Dizz our tale, and we zzhare wid you to zzhow friendzzhip." The Voivode took two glasses from the Altar of Darkness, once more the Angel's Kiss. "To de trollzzez in all of uzz!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"What game are they playing?"
Muritan glanced over. "Baccarat, your Imperial Majesty. One bids to enter, then is given two cards, and may bid for a third, then bid and counterbid to reveal their hand. The object is to get closest to 9 from the value of the cards, added together. Only the 'ones' place is considered, so a 19 beats an 8, and 27 beats a 6-in cases of ties, the greatest value on the cards is presented-face cards count as ten, and aces may count as one or ten at the hand holder's discretion, but it is better to have two kings and a nine than two aces and a nine. Five decks are held in that wooden device-I believe it's called a 'shoe', and the cards are ceremonially burned at the end of each hand.
"We use it, with treats for money, to teach our young basic mathematic skills and to calm them after the hunt but before bedtime, but it is a pleasant diversion.
"Perhaps the Empress would enjoy playing the Empress Michiko? She's rousting all the competition for the skulls, and Your Imperial Majesty's apprehension should confound her empathy. The skulls at each table represent those who have fallen in the past year, and as we have no kitsune skulls, I believe the skull pot is reserved for the Xiscapian Widow's and Orphans' Fund, so even loss is a kharmic gain.
"Or perhaps I can stop pounding poor Master Race, and trip the Light Fantastic with Your Imperial Majesty, if one does not need to duel the Emperor for the honor..."

"To de trollzzez in all of uzz!"
"Agreed, Lord Voivode, agreed," The Mog-ur chuckled, clinking the glasses together again, this time with rather more enthusiasm. "Now that you have shared some of your lore, allow me to share some of ours.

As you may or may not know, at one time we, the Xiscapians, were human. At the time of this story we still resided on Old Xiscapia, many thousands of years ago, and the technology we are so proud of today was then only about that of Mideval. This was the time of War between the various kindgoms of Old Xiscapia, and the only unification was under the Council of Elders, who strived for peace between all people. One dark day a scout from the Kingdom of Mysan, whose ruler is a direct ancestor to Empress Jade's, spotted a curious thing.

It was like the moon, but smaller, and had landed in a field not far from his village. But when he looked to the sky, he saw the moon was still there. And this moon seemed too smooth, not like the craggy, pockmarked surface they knew. He went to touch it, but the a mysterious force repelled him, throwing him back into the forest. Terrified, the scout went back and told all of the village, but by the time he had roused up some warriors to investigate, demons came from the moon. They were creatures from the depths of the Forgotten Realms, spitting fire and slaughtering all they came upon.

The village was tourched and all those who tried to stop them were killed, and the rest of the village fled to the security of the forest. The demons hunted them, but they kept well hidden and picked off the ones who went alone. Night fell and it turned the demons were not so brave to stay in the same forest at night as those who hunted them. They returned to their moon. The villagers cracked open the outer shell of one of the demons they had killed, and found inside that it was more like a insect than anything else, all soft meat and shriveled parts. They cooked and ate it, and found that it was good.

Still, the Council Of Elders called a meeting with all the chiefs and kings of the various tribes and kingdoms of Old Xiscapia. They prayed to Qonn, who was then and always will be our god. It was agreed that we could not engage the demons in open combat, but when one got close they were easily dispatched. So, using their magic granted by Qonn, in a few short days the Elders had assembled an army from all the countires, and under the cover of darkness, they infiltrated the moon.

Inside were wonders that they had never seen the like, but the warriors had no time to explore. They sought out all the demons and killed every last one while they slept. The moon was large, and before long the halls of the moon were awash with blood. In the end this unified army came out victorious, and all over Old Xiscapia there was much rejoicing. The Council of Elders called another meeting, and Qonn told them the moon and it's demons had come from the stars, and that more would follow. This worried the Elders and all the leaders, and they asked what they should do. Qonn told them to learn the ways of the moon.

So they did. It was recognized that only though unification, combining all the talents and culture of Old Xiscapia, could they hope to maximize their spoils to their full potential. From this moon they made fire weapons of their own, their made shells to protect them, but they never forgot the virtues of being unarmored, or the elegance with which a sword kills that a gun cannot match. With these they made their first starcraft, forging weapons as a united Republic under the Elders and leaders.

From there they were forced to fend off many attacks from demons, and each time they aqquired new technology and added it to their existing ships, weapons and equipment. However, it was quickly found that the starcraft they made could not breach high orbit, as doing so would kill the crew instantly, making them planet-bound. So they worked and they tinkered and they changed, but nothing worked.

Qonn said unto them that he would make them different, change them for the better. So all of those on Old Xiscapia became kitsune, and with the change we were able to travel the stars. We had not gone far before we were told we had to leave Old Xiscapia, and even the grandchildren of our grandchildren would not live to see it again. Some kitsune live for over three centuries, so this was a long time. With our technology we built vessels to carry all of our people and technology with us, to find a new home.

Just as the ships were setting out, though, a storm of the stars scattered them like leafs on a wind, and they were spread thoughout the galaxy. Three thousand years of searching it took to find Xiscapia, the right one. No other planet would do, although we have information that points that some kitsune landed on other planets. Some were killed by the natives, some established worldwide and even system-wide Empires, some, we believe, still had decendents living on today. Only a few years ago did we discover Old Xiscapia, and it was revealed to us that the storm of the stars was actually a massive invasion fleet coming to destroy Old Xiscapia, and their Warp exit into realspace tossed away the kitsune ships entirely be accident. They were men of Chaos, come to make clothing of our hides. We have found that they landed on Old Xiscapia to search for kitsune to kill, and were in turn killed and destroyed by a number of traps they sprung while they searched."

The Mog-ur smiled and took another drink. "Our history is not as long as many others, but it is full of events. Xiscapians are busy people, no matter what time they are in or technology level they possess."
"Or perhaps I can stop pounding poor Master Race, and trip the Light Fantastic with Your Imperial Majesty, if one does not need to duel the Emperor for the honor..."
"Of course not. I'm truly terrible at cards anyway, the Emperor used to joke about it." Jade grinned. "Let us see if you can dance as good as I think you can, Muritan."

The Voivode's ears perked at the Mog-ur's tale. Spherical ships were few and far between-he pressed a stud on his armband, calling a hologram (http://img262.imageshack.us/my.php?image=migoyg1.jpg) into existence above his wrist. "Me know your recordzzez are probably spotty, but are these your 'demonzzez'?"

The Mog-ur frowned at the image. "Possibly. You are correct, our records are poorly kept at that time period, and there is more than one kind of demon reported to be among the attackers. What is this species?"

"Mi-Go." the Voivode spat out the word as a curse. "An intelligent fungi from the world of Yuggod, dey haff adffanzzed technolgy garnered from de Demon Zzultan Himself. One of few razzezzez to uzze zzpherical zzhipzzez..."

"Hm." The Mog-ur stroked his bearded chin. "It is entirely possible that they were the ones who attacked us, all those millenia ago. Are they inclined to make alliances with others? We have found weapons, armor and remains on Old Xiscapia that suggest another, different race assaulted us at the same time. They still exist today, as do these Mi-Go...possibly they were clandestinly joined at some point?"

The Voivode shrugged. "De Mi-Go zzerff Chaozz-aid all in it's zzerffizz. Until Emprezzzz Jade wazz taken, we dought dem ekzztinct, but dey technology wazz uzzed to grab her.
"You encountered a zzphere-dey zzometimezz mine undeffeloped worldzzez, uzzually in de high mountainzzez. Need zzhipzzez for dat, but can fly in zzpazz widout."

"So what do you propose, Lord Voivode? If these creatures of Chaos are still alive in the universe, they must be destroyed, for the good of all those they may encounter. A hunt, perhaps, for those who aided us with their deaths? These beings must never trouble us again. The Church is peaceful, but 'peace' does not mean 'powerless.' We are able to operate outside of government restrictions and red tape, if we choose." The elderly Xiscapian gripped his staff as he looked at the Muri towering above him.

"So what do you propose, Lord Voivode? If these creatures of Chaos are still alive in the universe, they must be destroyed, for the good of all those they may encounter. A hunt, perhaps, for those who aided us with their deaths? These beings must never trouble us again. The Church is peaceful, but 'peace' does not mean 'powerless.' We are able to operate outside of government restrictions and red tape, if we choose." The elderly Xiscapian gripped his staff as he looked at the Muri towering above him.

OCC: A hunt you say ^^, how fortunate i actually have people called "Hunters"

"Dey night izz long pazzt-all dem du now izz zzupply our en'miezzez dey technology." the Voivode answered solemnly. "Me dinkzz it good to haff meanzzez of identifying dey influenzz, but me zzhare our knowledge wid Church. Not technical zzchematiczzez, or how dezze dingzzez work, but how to identify good for Church to know. You not ready for udder, yet. De Orderzzez will zzhare, but you need zzend people to Pamaltela for zzome informazzion. Zzome dingzzez we no zzend for fear zzomeone duplicate-dezze dingzzez kept by de Orderzzez, but dem zzhow your people."
He leaned down and whispered. "No go Big Rubble-we giff you welcome at Yellow Zzpringzzez-go dere. Muritan giff you flight pattern and clearanzzezzez."

"No go Big Rubble-we giff you welcome at Yellow Zzpringzzez-go dere. Muritan giff you flight pattern and clearanzzezzez."
The Mog-ur nodded in understand. "Thank you, Lord Voivode. We will dispatch people to Pamaltela as soon as they're ready."

"Perhaps the Empress would enjoy playing the Empress Michiko? She's rousting all the competition for the skulls, and Your Imperial Majesty's apprehension should confound her empathy. The skulls at each table represent those who have fallen in the past year, and as we have no kitsune skulls, I believe the skull pot is reserved for the Xiscapian Widow's and Orphans' Fund, so even loss is a kharmic gain."

Michiko laughed at Muritan's suggestion. "Don't let him buffalo you into anything. However vague apprehension is one of the best 'muddling' emotions there is. But I am going to go winnow out Master Miyagi, he owes me a dance" Her dimples flashed, as she stacked the skulls winnings tidily then stood.