If You Build It - RPLOG
Participants
Date
28/6/476
Log
A somewhat drizzly summer day. The drops wash away the dust and leave the statues before the church gleaming and the cobbles clean. Beings move carefully across the potentially trecherous footing up into the church proper to see this exceptional mass. Above and further towards the sea, the great light tower and church ball tolls, calling the faithful to service.
The king isn't the only unusual arrival at church today. The lizard clan that Liss belongs to showed up as well all dressed in their best church clothes, four brothers, a sister, and a mother, all of them talking to each other constantly about this and that, rarely finishing a thought before jumping to another conversation with another family member making the constant stream of chatter incomprehensible unless you are very, very fast and able to sort it all out.
The family showed up early in case there was free food and tried to meet as many new people as they could meet which was awkward for some people as the gang of lizards would hone in on anyone who acknowledged them in any way and include them into the mass-conversation that never seemed to stop unless someone asks the non-family member an interesting question then they just stop and stair silently at the stranger with wide, excited eyes waiting for an answer before the mass conversation once more begins bombarding the poor souls nice enough to pay the group of farmers attention.
When church is ready to begin the lizards move to a seat near the front with one of the church elders who was lucky(?) enough to become their collective new friend and wait surprisingly quietly. They can be quiet when they need to.. really.. they can. So that's where they can be found, at the front of the crowd where the good view is sitting there like little green children gleefully happy to be around so many people and glad they got to the church early.
Lillian is strong in faith, so of course she comes when the bells call her to service. She steps slowly and stays towards the edge of the traffic moving into the square, as a courtesy towards folk smaller than herself, though her proudly worn vestments earn her relatively unhindered movement into the press of the crowd. She smiles constantly, making quiet small talk on the way in, waving and greeting frequently.
Food is to be found, set out on short tables designed to be plucked from while chatting amiably. As service gets closer to actually getting underway, they are pulled back and away from the main proceedings, giving more room for latecomers to filter in and get places, even if standing.
Sveta arrives in time for the mass - at least she's taken the time to clean off her usual soot-speckled feathers. Noonday mass isn't exactly her strong suit - the sheer density of people tends to spook something in her hindbrain - but one needs to stretch and get some fresh air from time to time.
Lottie rolls her shoulders as she makes her way up the hill. Not quite as devout as her sister, she does at least make appearances. And her sister's easy to spot so she picks through the crowd murmuring, "Pardon, excuse me, watch out" and various other things. Always polite though. Slipping in alongside her sister after a bit, she murmurs, "What's this all on now?"
'All this' appears to be the Good King, the large hippo monarch, standing where the priest(ess) usually stands. He opens the First Text, and the room starts to quiet down in a hurry. "My children," he reads from it, "I know your future will be full of bright possibility, but also grave danger. Never forget the strength of one another, and to stand firm against adversity. We built you well, and with every victory, you make us prouder to call you our creation. We have set you in motion, but it is only through your will that you can prevail."
Lillian beams at the other skunk, sidling over and giving her a brief, but firm, hug. "It's mass! Is that not a good enough reason?" she looks up as the king ascends to the podium, going quiet and clasping her hands as he begins to read from the Text.
The lizards in the seats all seem to be behaving pretty well unless you pay close attention the youngest of the brothers is still eating and the mother of the group at the other end of reptiles leans forward to look down the row as her child tries to stealth-snack. She nudges the oldest brother who nudges the next youngest and so forth and so on with a series of forceful nudges that end with the youngest being elbowed hard in his sides. He hides the raisins he was eating and leans forward to look down the row.
The glare from the clan's mother is such that the child leans back and makes himself very small while putting the handfull of raisins in his coat pocket for later. All of this might be missed if you are not paying attention.
When the king comes out the family all look on in wonder having never seen a King before, well, not in person... only in really wide paintings.
Sveta eventually manages to find a seat, although not without considerable difficulty, and leans back to listen to the Good King's speech. Sure, his mouth is moving, but he doesn't seem to be saying a lot, and the goshawk resists the impulse to frown. Would he cut the chaff and get to the meat already.
Lottie leans over and murmurs, "Yeah well, most meetings like this don't involve the Good King'n all. I know I spend too much time buried in books, but really, what's going on?" She then stands up straight and holds her hands behind her back, standing on her toes to see over the crowd.
The king's large hand closes the book, the traditional reading of a verse complete, "It is good to see you all, my people," he speaks, looking directly into the crowd, his sword gleaming on his back as he looks from left to right, taking the time to give each person the impression he acknowledges them, "It has been too long, with sieges and shadowy invasions, since our last, city wide, event. It's not good, for our spirits, for the economy. I am here to let you know that I have not become a reclusive king, and to hear your thoughts. Who better than my people to speak of what grand event we shall hold? How long has it been," he says with a dramatic pause, "Since the last lowball tournament? With the Creators here, perhaps we should invite them. What spectacle would that be, to demonstrate our fitness, and our sportsmanship. I'm told the sport was not even invented before we reached Promise, so it will be a fresh experience to them entirely."
Lillian relaxes as the Reading finishes, and hmms a bit as the king starts to address the crowd, leaning over to murmur to her sister, "Guess that's it, he just wanted everyone here for his announcement. Doesn't seem like the most proper venue for it though, does it?"
Sveta considers the news. A lowball tournament sounds fair enough, not that she's usually kept up with the yearly Sweetwater Cup. But inviting the Creators? Last she saw of them was their ship back in Shalresta...just how does the Good King intend to invite the Creators over, if they would accept in the first place?
Lottie offers a shrug and murmurs, "Works well enough for me. Enough people will show up, makes sense really." She then murmurs, "Wait you're upset it's not a traditional mass aren't you?" She begins snickering, then shakes her head quickly and resumes her previous stance, straight, hands behind her back and watching the crowd. Those nearby might notice her muttering about being terrible at lowball though.
One of the lizard boys who is far, far to into sports says, "If they've never played before we'll kick their" mmr mrrwa mrrrm mrmmmrawha mwar! as the oldest brother muzzles the younger lizard with a large hand and continues to listen to the king. Even Liss knows better than to interrupt the King.
The Good King gives a loud guffaw at the outburst of the child, "I would not presume to challenge the Creators to a sport they have never witnessed, let alone practiced. We wish them to feel welcomed, as honored guests. If we are to do this, we will have to rally together, as a city, as a country, to prepare for it. This Sweetwater Cup will be the biggest, best, and most attended we have ever known. The play area will need to be meticulate, the seating expanded. We will need lodging and food. There will be things to do for everyone who has a hand to spare."
Lillian gives Lottie a bit of a look, saying that her sister has her pegged on that count. She stays quiet and respectful though... even if he's just politicking, this is still the king.
One of the middle lizards, the one called Liss raises a hand like he's in school, not really sure what the proper protocol is for asking questions when a King addresses a church. He has a question. It's a good question but like almost all the questions Liss asks, it's one of those questions that no one else would think is a good idea to ask.
Lottie leans over and nudges her sister, then murmurs, "Relax a bit, it won't hurt you in the short run or long. Are you going to be joining in and helping out?" With a quick adjustment of her glasses, she then tries to lean to the side for a better look, though the crowd's really not helping matters. Or the fact that she was late.
The king makes a broad gesture, "I may be king, but this is still noonday mass," he lightly chides, "If you wish to speak, speak. Simply try not to speak over your neighbor, so we can all be heard and responded to," he urges on, then looks towards Liss, "What have you in mind, good being?"
Standing up to address the King, then bowing nervously which causes his tail to fly up and smack the man in the pew behind him which makes the lizard spin to see what happened causing his tail to almost smack his brother and mother in the head but they duck smoothly under the tail and then sit back up. Liss says to the man behind him who is holding his face and grunting in pain from the tail slap, "Shhhh! I'm trying to talk tot he King." then he turns back around and his family once more ducks to avoid the tail like they are all sharing the same mind.
Liss fiddles with the hooks on his tunic and doesn't look at the king directly as he says, "Um.. should we win?" then he sits back down quickly and pulls his tail around him making himself small in case it was an uncouth question. The last thing Liss wants to seem to be in front of the King is -rude-.
"What purpose is there," speaks the king with a sudden slap of the podium, "To sports without full investment? I expect all athletes to face the challenge with all the tenacity that the Creators have imported in us. The winning at the end is secondary, though victory is indeed a sweet drink. I will shower the winning team with all the praise duly owed to them, be they from this great city, Firmament, elsewhere in Sweetwater, or even if a foreign team should prove the superior. We should expect, if Creators are attending, that other countries will send teams, lest they be left out of history."
Lillian raises a hand for attention. "I've not much skill in building, but if you need a crew to clear out trees, rocks or such for the expanded grounds, I will take part, or lead it if needs be."
Lottie looks from the king to the munchkin. Ears flicking a bit, she leans over towards her sister and murmurs, "I'll.. stay out of the clearing thing. Maybe I can find some planning materials buried in the librar-. Uh, guess I should say that out loud huh?" She raises her hand and adds after her sister, "I'll see what I can find for planning or somesuch."
"Yes, yes," agrees the Good King, "It's good to see such eager citizens." More volunteers begin to raise hands, promising to do this and that. Food here, an offer to open their house as a temporary bed and breakfast, and other things working down to simple offers of brute labor. A mouse, easy to miss as he was silent and simply writing, labors to take all this down. "Now then," speaks the Good King, "We shall extend our invitation to the Creators!"
The que given, priests emerge from deeper in the church, carrying the large device of the Creators, the only device that can hear and send messages to them, even through the void between the stars.
The lizard family all start talking to each other in whispers at the sight of the creator-tech. Man, what they wouldn't give to get their hands on that! All the things they could find out! All the secrets they could unlock! Finally they would have someone for grandmother to talk to and the best part is she would think it's one of them. Man, that would be so cool to get to use that device. Of course seeing any creator tech used is exciting but the direct line to the creators?! Once in a life time!
The Good King steps aside. It's time for sacred rituals, no place for a warrior king. He perches on a comfortable looking chair, watching with everyone else as the singing begins. The priests sing out in the Old Tongue, saying what needs to be done as they do it. The choreography is practiced and untarnished by mistake. Soon the device is turned on, and the sacred phrase uttered and entered through the sacred switches located below the brilliantly glowing ghost image that the device creates. Then, the message. The priest begins to sing the message. It's all old tongue, but some of it can be picked up. A formal invitation with some numbers included, something about celebration and welcoming, and a time.
Lillian hushes up again and pays close attention as such a relic is brought out.
Lottie shifts from foot to foot with her arms crossed, watching the proceedings curiously, even if she manage sto look annoyed at the language and her lack of understanding of it. Ears flicking at the end of the message she murmurs, "So think they'll show up? Been some weird rumors out lately."
Not wanting to interrupt the King but also not wanting to pass up the opportunity, the reptile family all raise there hands and wave enthusiastically at the creators just in case they can be seen.. You never know when the creators are watching after all.
When the final word is said, a last switch is depressed. A soft, friendly, female voice issues from the device, saying something about a message and departing. The priests all seem pleased with this.
The Good King rises, moving back for his position as the device begins to be prepared for movement, "Now it is up to the Creators, may they be blessed. With hope, they will join us, and we will have a tale worth repeating for generations."
Lillian murmurs softly to her sister, "Not sure... but wouldn't it be amazing if They did?" she nudges the other skunk, "And did you catch the date they set there, ms. planning committee?"
The lizard boys whisper conspiratorially until one of them makes a joke and they all quietly laugh a hissing laugh of tsss-sss-sss-sss before the mother of the lot holds up her bag threateningly and they all go quiet.
Lottie shrugs and murmurs, "No I didn't, I'll catch it from the other person taking notes. It's a bit hard to hear and all back here. Not when you're not trying to be heard and all right? What about you?"
Just before the sacred device can be lulled properly to sleep, a soft chime interrupts them. The priests are so startled they recoil from the machine at first before conjuring up the message it is informing them of. The Good King's words go quiet, eyeing the priests and the divine technology at work.
One of the lizards, it's hard to tell them apart really as they are all brothers and sound alike says, "That's really fast for " and another brother says, "A yes" then Liss says, "But not so fast for" and the first brother says, "A no." then they collectively cross their fingers.
Lillian's ears perk as the machine chimes up, leaning in close to try and catch the message.
Lottie raises an eyebrow and murmurs, "Wonder what that's about. Maybe it's broken." Well, everyone else is guessing one way, she might as well guess the other just to cover bases.
The priest reads quickly from the hovering ancient text, then rushes to the king, whispering in an ear. The king looks at her incredulously a moment before addressing the crowd, "It seems, my people, that the Creators were waiting to be invited. They expressed surprise that it took so long for invitation to disembark and offer of lodgings to be offered. I admit, this comes as a surprise, but it does mean they are coming here, and we will be hosting them." His words drip with the building excitement. As he finishes, loud murmuring explodes. Excitement, anxiety. Creators, here, out of their vessel and mixing with the people?
Lillian lets out a loud cheer along with the multitudes, eyes shining and practcally bouncing with excitement.
Lottie runs her fingers through her hair at that and taps her fingers against her arms with them still crossed. "We should probably send a letter home. Let them know. Might need to do more than fish around for some books about planning. Might actually have to put my personal project aside. Probably." She tilts her head and asks, "How are they going to come exactly? Will they want to stay here or will it be the outskirts?"
The lizard family all look at each other as the crowd cheers. "Cellar?" one of them asks, the eldest brother says, "Won't help. Mines. " then the younger brothers seem to think about it and agree then they look at their mother who says, "We'll need supplies." standing up and starting to lead her family out of the church before the crowd gets to out of control. Yes, the creators are coming.. maybe this time they'll take out the rest of the moon?
The noise only increases as people begin to plan furiously. There's just too much to discuss. The king has the good sense to not try shouting over his excited, but harmless, subjects. He says something, probably to the effect of ending the mass. Priests move the food tables back closer, and people are free to continue being excited at their leisure.
Lillian nudges Lottie a bit. "Better go up to chat with the stenographer now. Maybe by way of the refreshment tables..."
Lottie sighs and murmurs, "If you want food just go get food, I'll go get the notes. Get me something too though please" She then slips into the crowd, mostly spotted by her tail as much as anything else before finding the mouse, hopefully. She'll just copy down the notes.
