A knight's return home

[stupidhonor]

[Suddenly a portal opens up, and from within...]
"I am an envoy! By my honor, we come in peace!"

[A small group of Ankaian knights in their Knight's Arms step out, waving flags and banners, their weapons sheathed.]

"The Ankaian moot, most important of our gatherings, will begin in less than a week. By the given rights, Lord Anya the Champion of Ankaia, and his wife Lady Kimhone, request presence of people of Earth, those who belong to the order of 'Unity Group'. Yours will be the role of important guests. Bring arms as you wish, however rest assured as no harm will befall you. I swear, it is no trap nor deception."

[All prompts frontdated several days - way after Calvin's mission.]
[1]
[It was no trap nor deception. Passing through the portal brings you to a strange land. A world of rolling plains and huge rocky pillars, save for the howling winds its impression is... empty and quiet. Plants are present but infrequently, mostly familiar looking but scarce trees and grasses, and the buildings its people erected in the past are grandiose, huge halls and tall spires - but now, many of them lie abandoned, fallen into ruin and the artifacts stored within long since fallen into disrepair. These are just shadows of former glory, as current people of Ankaia prefer humbler housing in small villages. And yet...]


I... am home.

[At this sight, Sielje seems happy like she rarely is.]

[2]
[The Ankaian capital, where the moot will be held - possibly the only real city yet remaining on the planet, parts of its spires still occupied and surrounded by a serene lake. In this place you have a chance to visit a certain location...]

[Sielje's house - or rather, several chambers in a smaller, southern tower. They seem empty, not the ruined emptiness of most of Ankaia, but much more ordinary, impersonal emptiness of a dwelling of someone who is rarely home. Still, the large windows provide a beautiful view of the city's surroundings. Sielje herself isn't here, but...]

It has been so many years, and yet it fits. I must see!

[And there she is, entering the room - while wearing an elaborate, big fluffy dress. Sielje immediately takes to the mirror, twirling in front of it - her movement interrupted as she catches the glance of your reflection.]


Perhaps it will be not all... that bad...

... [Blush creeps up her face.]

I did not... expect you to be here.

[3]
[The moot itself will take several days - a gathering of Ankaia's finest knights and lords, in the capital's largest hall. Those gathered wear attire of differing levels of historical anachronism and practicality, and yet though they all seem to emanate strength and confidence, no one except for the common guards is armed. Also, Sielje doesn't seem to be around.

Some of the lords give you curious looks but say nothing, while others try to distance themselves or frown with outright disgust and hostility. You have a feeling you are not exactly welcome here. There is however a single exception.]


"Could it be? Yes, it must be! The guests from Earth, welcome! I am glad to to see you respond to the invitation!"

[A large man wearing golden armor notices you with his piercing gaze - the intense expression breaking into genuine smile as he approaches and offers a strong handshake.]


"Welcome. After your past experience with Ankaian people, I can hardly blame you for exercising caution and distrust. But the two of us ask you not to judge the whole by actions of few. In fact, Ankaia may need Earth's help yet. Here."

[And accompanying him is an unusual woman - one with horns and leathery wings, her stomach visibly rounded and bulging out somewhat.

Meet Ynya and Kimhone - Champion of Ankaia and his wife, both Sielje's friends. The latter holds a platter in her hands, and offers it up.]


"Would you have some? I hope it is to your taste - the ways of making it are not well known here but Ynya worked hard, and the ingredients are all genuine. He used no food table paste."


"Ha ha ha..." [The Champion scratches the back of his head in embarassment.]
"Being the leader of the Old Watch does have its advantages."

[The offered thing - is bread. Slightly misshaped and not cut, but it looks and smells like all-natural bread.]

[4]
[Whether you try to search for Sielje during the moot or just explore the area, straying from the main meeting hall has you encounter...]

"Are you lost? You would best not wonder. What gave you impression this is a friendly land? It is not."

[A young man who can't be even twenty years old yet. His long cloak obscures most of his body, and he stares in your direction with a disinterested look.]


"Not for the likes of you, anyway."

Comments

[reactorhead_russians]

"Da," Sasha replies. "Now, why don't you tell me what you really want?"

[srwu_npc4]

"How presumptuous to demand anything from me. I should not expect much more from someone from Earth, should I?"

"Walking around unwelcome as if they were the owners, acting as if Ankaia itself was theirs. In the end this is how your kind will always act."

"What I want - is to stop this."

[reactorhead_russians]

Sasha frowns, walks up to Ishin the Fated, and examines every groove and shadow in his face closely.

Finally, she chuckles a little. "We are quite alike, you and I," she says.

Now what does she mean by that?

[srwu_npc4]

"Are you trying to offend me?"

[reactorhead_russians]

"Nyet," Sasha replies. "Merely speaking a truth." She backs away and leans against the nearby railing.

"Like me, enemies have invaded your land through dimensional portals. You protect your world using giant mechanized war suits. You will die if needed to hold the line, but aim to win by striking back at the invader's homefront. And you can be quite rude when the mood strikes you."

Sasha arches an eyebrow. "We have lived very similar lives, Ishin the Fated. So why be hostile to each other? Together, we could do much for both our peoples."

[srwu_npc4]

"Would you extend the offer to the same enemies you fought against?"

[reactorhead_russians]

Sasha frowns in thought. "If the Kaiju could have talked...Da, at least once," She allows. "But we aren't your enemy yet, Ishin. We owe no loyalty to the Fumerco Group. We dislike their exploitive operations, and wish to see them stopped."

She meets Ilsin's lifeless eyes. "Will you consider my offer, at least?"

[srwu_npc4]

"This is what you say. What proof have you?"

[reactorhead_russians]

"What deed or object would you take as proof?" Sasha asks back.

[srwu_npc4]

"How about the head of Fumerco's leader?"

[reactorhead_russians]

"Does the leader of Fumerco deserve to be beheaded?" Sasha asks. "I'm not saying 'no' politely: I wish to understand what Fumerco has done to your land, in your own words."

[srwu_npc4]

"What it has done? Look down on Ankaia, see it only as a collection of naive natives sitting atop rich resources to exploit, natives that can be tricked and tossed aside, their pride trampled. Fumerco takes its own shrewd, underhanded weakness and treasures that corruption, while snarling at the pure and honorable!"

Ishin actually raised his voice, with emotion audible behind it. But he quickly calms down.

"Is it not the highest disgrace? Fumerco committed many sins. But this one is the most severe of them all."

[reactorhead_russians]

Sasha nods soberly. "I see," she says. "So the acts of violence, theft or harm Fumerco has inflicted on your people...they are less vile to you than the attitude they display?"

[srwu_npc4]

"Even on Earth you realize the difference between cause and effect, I take it? Attitude, priorities, ideals. These are the cause. Your deeds are but effects of it."

[reactorhead_russians]

Sasha nods again. "Many on earth hold that view," she agrees, taking a deep breath. "However, I do not, Ishin."

She takes a step back. "Fumerco's leaders won't get away with their crimes...but I won't help you kill them just because you think they're scum."