Feigning Wellness - RPLOG
Participants
Date
22/8/477
Log
A sweltering morning. It only promise to get warmer as the sun rises high above. The doors open to admit the crowd into the cooled insides of the castle as dissenting and worried chatter of the now global contagion spreads.
Selena takes a seat within the castle with a somewhat grim look on her face, setting herself down wherever she's ushered to for better or worse. It's hard to tell if she WANTS to be in court or is simply there to hear what has to be said, but either way she remains content to wait for the time being and listen to the banter and bustle as beings make their way in.
A soft rumble leaves Flora's muzzle, and the she-cat moves into the court silently, moving towards the seat she usually takes IF she is present. One can tell she is not at all thrilled to be here, and she would prefer to be elsewhere, tending to LongTech Industries and its exploit, but for now, this takes precedence over other matters.
Allista takes a seat in the commons' gllery to watch the court proceedings, patting over her vest to make sure everything is in place as she takes a seat. As she sits down and crosses her legs she pulls out a sheaf of papers and a stick of something charcoal-ish that has been wrapped with cloth, and her ears flick as she waits for proceedings to, well, proceed.
Before the proceedings can even have a chance to start up, a well-fed bear bangs on the railing in front of him with her fist, "It's already too slow getting past the gates. Now you intend to make us wait possibly days for all members of a caravan to be inspected by one of only a handful of trained beings? The only inn out there is full of shadows, SHADOWS!" she cries, "No one wants to stay there. This is unacceptable!" Loud murmurings swiftly reveal she is not the only one thinking this, despite her outright ignoring of propriety.
* him=her
Angus slips in with the others, looking for any open seat before he takes it and strethes out his legs. He stretches his arms over his head, rolling his shoulders and cracking his back as he gets ready for the long argument ahead. His ears flick as the bear speaks up, leaning back in his chair to see how the argument goes before he raises his voice to speak.
Selena glances over at the bear unimpressedly - "Would you rather being be a little uncomfortable, or dead?" She calls over to the bear - "For that matter, I'd rather not see a lapse in judgment like that open Firmament up to a disease like that so readily; it's unfortunate, but necessary. I don't think we're here to make this any more of a problem by acting indignant about it."
A small sigh, a soft rumble, and Flora simply waits for the bear to take their seat again, or be dragged off, or what-have-you. She is for the time being, merely silent, waiting for the court to be brought to order.
Her eyes cast towards Selena momentarily, before she leans back in her own chair and rummages through her pockets a little, pulling out a small disc of sorts, keeping it with her for the time being.
"Madame Lilac of the Large Clan. Please sit yourself," speaks Mione from the King's side, "We will conduct ourselves with proper decorum, even in trying times. Let us call this session of court to session. His Majesty, King Good, presides, and all members save one of the People's Council are present and ready to begin. There is no purpose in delaying the primary topic at hand, so all matters not relating to the 'Red Fever' or travel restrictions are considered shelved until the evening session."
Grumbling as she is scolded in two directions, the merchant bear settles herself back into her seat, glowering but restraining herself.
Allista scratches a few times at her paper, then gently puffs at her marks, frowns a moment, then shrugs. She looks back up and around the court room, attentively listening.
Selena sighs quietly and briefly rests her chin on a fist, furrowing her eyebrows. The council were busy people, after all, though with nothing particularly poignant to add or ask at that point in town she simply waits - taking a brief moment to scan the attendance for any familiar faces that might be there.
Angus blinks, flicking his ears a bit as he sits up straight and looks over the presiding members, wondering who was absent today as he rests his hands on his knees. This would be a curious court date it seems, his foot tapping on the ground a bit as he thinks of a question to ask.
A rare attendance of court, it seems the Queen is in the back with both of the royal children cradled against her. Now about two years of age, they have grown well. Twins technically, even if one did wait longer to emerge from their mother. The younger wears a soul pendant around her neck, gleaming with a parent soul gem that must have a portion of the Good King's own essence invested within.
The Good King strikes his gavel thrice, "I understand, my people, that this is a great burden upon you, the merchants that keep the wheels of the city moving. However, it is better that these wheels be slowed, than to watch them rot from the inside, or even to break entirely. This disease cannot be treated lightly, as it has already crippled our friends in Shralesta. Beings will wait to visit a healthy city, but few dare to travel to Shralesta, despite their assurances of safety. And what good are those assurances, now that the disease has found new home with our allies to the north?"
Flora smiles softly as she wactches the going-ons, before looking towards the King, towards the court, and waiting for, well... Someone to speak up. She mostly expected this session to have a pre-prepared agenda of sorts, with the main topics of discussion already decided upon. As such, she continues looking at her disk silently, ears flicking a little as she keeps her eyes focused on the source of whatever sounds may follow.
As the king speaks up, Flora smiles faintly, before nodding along. "Flora was... Planning travels towards our allies in the north, sir... However, in light of these developments, they will, of course, be postponed. The health of any beings attending is the first priority," she rumbles, before leaning back in her seat just lightly.
In silence, she waits for beings to speak up, cry out, or pose any questions they may have.
That athes Angus' attention. "The plague has spread to Thera'dor?" He comments with a little mild shock. "....How has progress been with working on a cure?" He asks the good king, hoping that it has progressed at least some since last time the ourts had spoken about the plague.
Selena rubs her cheek, raising to her feet. "It would be remiss of me not to offer the Ironsoul's Defenders' assistance if need be. In Lady Kilsa's absence, I'm currently in charge of the unit." She states, looking over the gathering to the front before turning to Angus. "I'll consult with beings at the Academy and see if there's any relevant material. It's entirely likely there won't be anything new, but if publicizing what's known already more extensively will help, then I see no reason not to bring the suggestion to the court."
Adolphus comes a little late. Frankly he just heard the news himself, the hippo having thrown on some perfume and some actual silk. Finally looking like a royal, despite how much he hates it. However this is a serious matter, coming in to the side, to stand near his cousins, but far enough away.
The bear from before, Lilac of the Large Folk, raises her hand until called upon and raises to her feet, "That's all very well and good, but what are you doing to SOLVE the problem, rather than hiding from it! The Goods have not built a reputation for hiding from their problems. We want action!" She settles down with an angry whumph of her rump hitting her chair.
The Good King looks towards Mione, who speaks up, "In order for our physicians to study the disease, they would need an afflicted to examine. We do not wish to invite the disease in, nor can we simply demand a physician travel to afflicted lands, knowing there is good chance they will also fall ill. That is, in part, the purpose of this court." He unfurls a paper, "This is a writ of service to the throne. It is to be handed out to a physician of adequate training willing to travel to one of the city's of illness and return with answers if they are able. The reward, should you discover the cure and end this disease, is to be knighted amongst the Goods and rewarded a plot of land and modest stipend to develop it." He looks up over the crowd, "Are there any volunteers?"
Selena tsks quietly, rubbing her temples as she considers. "Medicine isn't my foremost concern, but I know my share about it." She notes. "It'd be remiss of me to do nothing. Ultimately it depends on what you would consider adequate training."
Allista nods her head as she listens along to the courtroom discussion, taking notes for herself in shorthand. The announcement of the reward nearly causes the coyote to drop her stylus as she sits bolt upright in her seat, though, tail quivering. After a few moments, she raises a hand. "Is the offer open to a non-physician who is able to produce the results the throne seeks?"
Flora shakes her head lightly. "Not Flora. However, Flora would like to offer another thing. It is... Currently being developed. Flora hopes to have it finished and capable within the week, and be able to mass-produce within two, perhaps three," the tigress rumbles, offering the disc to any whom would bring it to the king.
"This device, while unfinised, can measure... Heat. The church has offered to help in adjusting it to display proper, until LongTech has the means to do it themselves, and it will be possible to mark a normal being's level, once determined. While not a cure, they are... Not too expensive to make, allowing beings to look for fever on their own. An early warning, so to speak, and it lowers the workload for those that have to tend to potential sick," Flora rumbles.
"Of course, Flora will want this prototype back, yes."
Adolphus considers the problem, "A recent soul has been developed. The trauma mage. It is said they are stalwarts against disease and harm, prehaps beings with that soul may in fact, be able to withstand the affects of the plague." he rumbles. "A request for one, or a group of them, to ensure their saftey, to analyze and find the source and cure of this disease."
"High Lady Longtail, your offer is most generous and accepted in the spirit it is given," speaks the Good King.
Mione nods towards Selena, "The ideal candidate would be an experienced Journeyman, as well as a Machine Priest. We have secured authorization from the church to make use of some of the sacred artifacts they have that may be of use, if used in trained hands. Our primary goal is to learn. A cure is the end target. While dispensing aid and succor to the sick is, of course, ideal, it is not why you are being asked to do this. The reward is good for any being that discovers the cure to the disease and can end this disaster before it worsens."
Angus taps at his chin as he thinks, looking over to Selena before he stands up.. "I request that I go with the physician to wherever they are sent to study the disease. As a caller of the spirit Ser'ther I can help fend off the illness for those within my presence, and I may be abel to help those already afflicted by it." He states as he clasps his hands behind his back.
Selena raises an eyebrow. "Trauma mages aren't exactly new, but they are not as common as one would want. Further there's no evidence that they have any disease-resisting effects that any other mage skilled in fire and water cannot reproduce reliably, to my knowledge." She adds, rubbing her brow before she turns to the front. "Hm. I may be able to help somewhat. Failing that, I would be willing to collect and examine information that's been gathered on the subject and pass it out to the public with appropriate assistance. Either way, I would strongly recommend having someone handle distribution of public safety announcements to help prevent the infection from spreading."
A new being bursts into the room, panting for breath. A canine of the adaptable folk, "The councilman. He's taken ill!" The announcement of where the missing councilperson is serves about as good as proclaiming their are bombs under the chairs, and panic erupts in a sudden dizzying wave even as the Good King strikes his gavel and bellows for order.
"Within a week, these will be available for purchase at an affordable, reasonable rate... Dropping the moment we can go into mass-production. We need to be able to produce more, of course. If this is to help, we'll need to turn a modest profit to ensure we can keep helping," the cat rumbles, smiling amicably towards the king as she waits for her device to return, then tucking it away again. "In the mean time, Flora will also ensure members of LongTech Industries remain as healthy as possible. Precautions shall be taken."
She leans back in silence, only mildly alarmed by the developments.
Adolphus grunts a moment and raises a hand, "Sick with what exactly. Did he eat too much last night? There's no need to rush in and upset anyone with such a statment without context." he glares at the messanger.
Allista quickly scribbles rapid notes, only freezing when coaldust threatens to get on her vest in order to gently blow it off. "A caller?" she asks, pointing her stylus at Angus. "What is your n-" she cuts off at the announcement and the uproar, ears flattening.
The messenger tries to reply to Adolphus, but is too busy being shoved aside, almost trampled as many attendees hurry out of the room and the castle, likely heading to where they feel safest to lock all the doors.
King Good is so infuriated that his sword is drawn and he lets out a mighty war cry. This gets a few people to pause, fearing their warrior-king almost as much as any disease. "I expect my people to have some pride!" he shouts, "Sit down and handle this like adults, not mewling cubs hiding under their sheets! We will face this like any other enemy, with dignity."
Adolphus gives a firm grunt and clenchs his hand to his fist, nodding to his cousin. That's how you do it damnit! Feeling a little pleased he's not the only one that outburts when mewling lambs are bleeting their heads off.
Angus turns to give Allista an answer before the outburst happens, ears flicking back and forth as he stays rooted to the spot he had sat at. He smiles a little as he watches the good king react, crossing his arms as he waits to see if his request is denied or approved.
Order is restored, partially through the most skittish not being present anymore. Madame Lilac is still present, as is the Queen and the royal princesses. A smattering of other people, either slower, braver, or some combination of the two, remain. The messenger also collects himself from where he was shoved. "Apologies for not answering you immediately," he says, ears splayed and posture submissive to the royal, "He has the red spots. His physician fears he may not survive the day. They say he has been sick for some time and has been trying to work despite it, using makeup to disguise the symptoms. I don't know why he'd do that, m'lord."
Selena's ears perk up sharply as the king shouts out, tsking quietly. "With respect, King Good, we do not need pride to have respect for ourselves and our peers in times like this; any being with that respect for those around them should learn what they can do and put their own skills to use rather than rest on laurels that have no meaning without the people providing them. It would be negligent to hide from discomfort if there are hundreds, thousands of lives at stake. Pride can come after this has passed. Sir Mione, if you would be so kind; where would you have us go to study the disease, if anywhere specific?"
Adolphus goes a bit cold. There's been an infections administrator in the city. Dealing with nobles, sending runners, interacting with all manner of beings. Right in the heart of government. No way to track how far it's spread already. The hippo looks a little paler but he says nothing.
King Good's sword is sheathed and he returns to his seat, "It seems you will not need to travel far. The prideful fool has likely ensured the problem is much more imminent than we would have liked. Go, see to him, see what can be learned. If he can be saved, all the better. He should live to answer for his decisions." He strikes his gavel, "There is little more to discuss. The trouble is no longer one in the distance, but at our doorsteps. Walk with caution, but never forget, we are Sweetwater, and she has served us well. We will weather this, together." One more strike, "Court is adjourned."
Allista remains in her spot, seated, as court is adjourned and people begin filing out. The coyote slips her stylus into a leather holder, closes it into her book, then steeples her fingers as she relaxes back into her seat and thinks.
