Cliffsider Audience - RPLOG
Participants
Date
14/9/476
Log
Late morning in Firmament, that tenuous stretch of time in between feeling full from breakfast and the emptiness that starts with noon mass and ends with lunch. It appears that a public audience is just that - an audience meant not just for the Good King, who rests at the head of the chamber in full court regalia and the trademark sword of his line, but for all the people of Firmament as well, who are packed in the viewing galleries.
The mood is set in the grand, optulent audience chamber, the palace guards have been posted, and Mione, the royal scholar, stands in attendance by his liege. Something certainly is up, to make an understatement.
Part of the crowd this morning, Selena waits patiently off to the side. It's evident she's not too pleased with the waiting times, but there's really little to complain about. Schedules are just that for a reason, and so she's busied herself with a book.
That beings said, as more beings begin to arrive the book's closed and slipped into her bag - again, seemingly a little out of place when contrasted to her formal dress for the event.
Emmett seems he may have come directly from the church considering he's in his own formal wear. The goat priest had heard the announcement and seems very curious about what's going on. After all, it helps to be in the know about these things. Emmett offers friendly nods to those he passes as he looks for a place in the viewing gallery to stay.
Dio has never gotten to see King Good in person before. Only paintings and various physical descriptions had served to fill what he thinks of the important hippo. The lion quickly makes his way to the meeting, perhaps just a tad late, wearing his typical Dio-wear of coat and clothes that would usually be seen on a commoner just underneath. "'re we startin' soon!?" He shouts and bounces about in the crowd, obviously quite excited.
Dio's antics draw any number of stares, but is soundly ignored as far as possible. Such uncivilised behaviour is only to be expected from the unwashed masses, after all. Escorted in is a mink, looking a little terse at the crowd up in the viewing galleries, the contrast between that and the actual floor of the audience chamber quite stark. The trip down the carpeted aisle from the entrance takes a little while, but eventually the palace guard stop, salute and depart, leaving the being a comfortable distance before the Good King himself, all eyes in the room upon her as she kneels.
"For the benefit of my subjects, please introduce yourself and state your purpose for arriving upon the Sweetwater's shores."
"Of course, your Majesty," the mink replies. "I am Rhianna Goodhearth, and I represent the interests of a consortium of trade guilds in Cliffside."
Selena chuckles quietly as the lion makes a scene - as always. The wolfess's brow furrows slightly as the merchants make their way in and state their business, moving over to the familiar beings given their arrival. "I have a feeling this is going to have something to do with that smuggling vessel." She murmurs to the lion, if nobody else in particular. Though the focus of the wolfess remains intently placed on the mink and king themselves. "...And by the way, it'd be polite to keep your voice a little lower if we're going to speak during this."
Emmett glares at Dio with the disapproving sort of look a parent might give an unruly child, and thus he shuffles over to be nearer. Easier to keep an eye on him this way, perhaps. "Yes, do settle down and hush," the goat murmurs quietly too, straining to keep a smile on his face. Oh, how hard he tries! He clasps his hands together and seems to take particular interest in this mink Rhianna though, supposing this could shed some light on a few things.
Dio seems completely ignorant of his silly actions, the various stares upon his person merely bouncing off his unnaturally thick skull. Before the lion busted from his position in a ball of energy, it would seem things have finally begun to start. Though he had to wonder, would he ever do something so large of note that he'd get an audience with the king? Hopefully a meeting with good intentions, of course. "Ah! Hello there lass," he says in his normal speaking voice to Selena. "Certainly seems that way." And then another person tells him to be quiet! "Hmph! Fine then," he says, crossing his arms and quieting his voice a bit.
"That is certainly something. Mione tells me your credentials are in order, and you are indeed who you claim to be. So, please begin."
The mink clears her throat, the sound echoing off the grand audience chamber. "Yes, your Majesty. As you know, some weeks ago many coastal nations, Sweetwater and Cliffside included were ravaged by naturally-occurring weather that caused much in the way of damage. Since then, everyone has been engaged in the ardous task of rebuilding, but there are some amongst us who think otherwise."
"Please explain further."
"It behooves me to inform your Majesty that the Council of Elders is currently split into two factions: one headed by the Wirefurs, who believe that Sweetwater's current weakened state makes the time ripe for the resuming of hostilities. The other, which we trade guilds have some influence upon, is opposed to these motions, which they have nevertheless set pushed through. The recent embargo of food staples upon your kingdom, your Majesty, is only one of such hostilities planned. Our operating licenses are being held ransom to ensure our compliance, but this is too much for us to bear."
That bit of news causes murmurs to sweep through the audience chamber, but the Good King is unpeturbed, as always, instead leaning forward in his throne. "You do understand that in coming to us and giving this warning, you are likely to be committing treason against your own nation?"
Selena groans quietly at the news; not surprised, but a little more resigned than otherwise. Despite herself, the wolfess poses a question of her own, likely with an obvious answer, "I don't mean to be rude, but - Do you have any idea why they'd press for this kind of conflict? I don't want to think it's as petty as old hostilities - I'm aware of a few Wirefurs that oppose the war effort; isn't there conflict within the house itself that'd negate some of their authority? Dissent within you're own ranks used to carry some weight, I thouht... But in lieu of the Good King's statement, the forewarning is appreciated."
Having asked her piece, out of line or otherwise, she rubs the bridge of her muzzle and sighs, again with the quieter tone. "Well. It's hard not to see something like this coming with all of the events that've come to pass... Emmett, it's good to see you about; I didn't recognise you for a minute there."
Emmett puts a hand to his mouth, and his ears droop back a little as he hears the news from Rhianna. The goat shakes his head slowly and murmurs to those near him, "Seems it hasn't been so long since the last conflict either. I fear for the villages." Emmett glances at Dio once more, then nods to Selena. "Selena, good to see you again. Quite alright," he says, still trying to keep his voice low.
Dio grimaces a bit under his breath as he listens as well, letting out a gentle sigh a few moments later. "War again, is it? It'd be an awful shame to start such senseless violence again. An' what fer? Just a chance at takin' over Sweetwater fer Promise dominance?" The lion crosses his arms and huffs, but gets a small thought. If war started up again, he had to wonder if he'd manage to run into his old mercenary group again. What an interesting reunion that would end up being.
