thehometree | The Royal Court

The Queen watches them as they speak, intelligent eyes telling that she knows exactly what they're saying. There's pride in her strange face, every bit royalty as she follows their introductions.

Then comes Saber with the gift, and she reaches out a hand for one of her smaller attendants to bring it forward. The ant picks up the tithe and brings it before the Queen, who picks up the vial with a thoughtful look. There's a long, pregnant pause before she nods, gesturing to another attendant to bring something.

It proves to be a clear marble, the kind used to play with. She put her hand on it, and it fills with swirls of lights - and then she speaks.

"Greetings, representatives of the Guardian. Your arrival has caused concern among my people, but We understand the predicament." Her voice now comes from the marble rather than the moving mandibles in her face, sharp and demanding.

"What does the Guardian wish of Us? We have served Our Purpose."

A shock of relief follows the sound of human words. Oh, he never thought he’d be so happy to hear his own language! Orcelito rises swiftly to his feet and steps forward, indicating he’ll relay the request. As is his preference in diplomatic relations, he’ll leap right to the point. (But first some acknowledgement.)

“Your Majesty, the efforts of the Builders are indeed greatly appreciated.” He bows again, but just from the waist this time. His voice is clear and calmly confident. When he straightens, his attention is focused only on the Queen.

“A month ago, we released the second seal and freed one of the Guardian’s servants. Since then, we have been faced with another barrier - one like lightning. The Mirror guided us to seek out your colony. Its’ precise words were, ‘Those who came before you hold a key. Find them.’ We’ve come in hopes you understand this request.”

Orcelito searches the Queen’s movements for any sign of understanding, or reaction, negative or positive. He has more cards up his sleeve yet, but there should be no reason to play them if she understands the request.

Arj holds his paw over his face at Owain's declaration. This is it. They may as well leave now. Fortunately, Saber is better prepared.

He watches the marble, the swirling lights within reminding him of his own lost magic, but it's soon obvious this isn't the same.

"With all respect," he says, "this Guardian has not decided to let us know who they are. All we can do is act as it asks."

So it appeared that the marble was a translation device. How useful! Fuu wondered if there was anything similar in the Tree itself--she knew that not everyone could be speaking Japanese.

In line with her previous concerns, she simply bowed and remained silent, allowing Saber and Orcelito to speak first. Fuu briefly covered her mouth with a hand to hide her smile at Owain's so-promising contribution to their salutation. Thank goodness for Saber's thought in bringing a gift.

She darted her eyes over to Arj as he said the Guardian's identity was a mystery--right. She and Orcelito had discovered that it was the Tree, but hadn't told everyone. "Sir Guardian seems to speak to us through riddles," she said, to clarify. "We've been told he can speak through his own language, but we either cannot hear or understand it."

The Queen watches them with a thoughtful look on her face, eyes narrowing slightly at Arj's words and then Fuu's as well. She leans back a bit in her throne, resting one hand on the marble.

"The Guardian does not speak with you? How curious." There's a bit of amusement in those black eyes and she almost seems pleased, like she's gotten a juicy secret to hold. "How unfortunate, that the new Adventurers are so unworthy."

Her gaze fall on Orcelito again, and she picks up the vial of fairy dust once more. "Yet you have still managed to come this far. Perhaps not so unworthy." She gestures to another attendant, who disappears down the tunnel.

"Now, then. Let us discuss this key. We are willing to hear your offers."

In public, his expression of emotion is limited, but he sneaks an inquiring glance at his two comrades. A cold feeling settles in his chest at the Queen’s response, but it’s far too late for regrets. He’ll deal with that later. For now, he doesn’t give the satisfaction of a reaction.

After she's finished speaking, Orcelito raises his eyebrows, affecting an expression of modest surprise. The gesture has a rather innocent quality to it, as though whatever he’s caught is so obvious he’s amazed the Queen could have missed it.

“Your Majesty, I’m afraid we will find it rather difficult to discuss this without knowing what it is we are considering.” He smiles, all charm. “As you have an understanding of what the Mirror requests, will you enlighten us?”

Does she think they are ignorant servants of the Guardian? Excellent! She can continue believing that. Meanwhile, he’s going to pry for information.

She has remained silent for Orcelito and Fuu have already answered the Queen's questions. She does not appreciated to be judged as unworthy, though her expression does not changed. She remains distant and cordial.

Her interest on the vial of fairy dust is noted. Of course, she has guessed that would have been a good addition to the offered presents. Because of its uses, she knows any ruler would find strength on magic. She has lorded over fairies, dragons, giants, dead apostles, and all sort of magical creatures, after all. She has been blessed by the magical world with gifts to increase the strength of her soldiers.

"As we said earlier, we seek to establish diplomatic relations with your kingdom, Your Majesty," Arturia adds smoothly after Orcelito finishes his questions. The Queen wants to hear offers, she will give her one. "We brought you these presents as example of what we might have available to offer. Is there anything of your liking?"

The queen's words are like a little stab in Arj's chest, as if she looked deep inside him and knew what to say. Worse, he has the distinct feeling that everyone else knows what is going on. He looks over at Fuu, wondering what is is that nobody seems to be telling him.

And what does he have to offer? He has no physical goods to trade with, and they don't need his magic. A regular Desert could have made themselves useful, but what good is a light show to the ants?

He turns his gaze away and licks a few stray hairs on his shoulders, where his wings would be, if he'd been allowed to keep them.

Owain was mostly content to let others handle the specific details of the negotiations, because frankly, that part was a little boring. He was far more interested in the queen's mysterious Orb of Deciphering--as he had already dubbed it in his head--and he watched its swirling display of lights with poorly-contained awe, letting everything else fade into the background.

But the words that now emanated from that orb, or rather one word in particular, snapped him abruptly back to himself.

"U-unworthy?!" he spluttered in disbelief... but he was very quick to recover his usual bravado, standing straight and proud with his hands on his hips.

"HA! If the Guardian thinks us unworthy, I fear it is gravely mistaken! We have overcome tremendous trials of mental and physical might! Hmm, yes, surely the cause for its silence rests elsewhere. It's probably just awed and intimidated by the sheer magnitude of our heroism." He gave a self-assured nod. "Tell us, Your Majesty, how might we prove our worthiness? A great act of valour? A quest for knowledge and enlightenment? A rooftop duel to the death? ...Some more fairy dust?"

Fuu didn't particularly like that gleam in the Queen's eye, and hoped that maybe it meant something different in ants and she was only misinterpreting it. (Not hoping very hard, though.) But Orcelito and Saber seemed like they were trying to use it to their advantage. Yes, indeed, a perception of being weak could be quite helpful.

She took note of Arj's glance with a twinge of guilt and decided that she would make sure to discuss things they knew with her fellow fairies from now on, along with the brainstorming over riddles. And then--oh dear, Owain decided to speak up again, and not in a way likely to give advantage. Fuu decided to intercede before the others could yell at him, and took a grip of his elbow that was a touch more firm than it perhaps needed to be.

"Her Majesty has lived in this forest and known the Guardian far longer than we," she said, with a smile that didn't go all the way to the eyes. New Adventurers. "As well as those Adventurers who came before. I think we must humbly bow to her wisdom."

Edited 2015-10-12 18:57 (UTC)

"It's simple," the Queen says with a little shake of the vial. "We have a key to the next floor. You desire this key." She puts it down again and shifts slightly in her seat, studying them.

"The Guardian seems to have lost much of its powers, if those of Night and Day are not connected well enough to hear." There's a pause, and she rests her eyes on Owain, like he's either annoying or amusing her. It's hard to tell with that insect face.

She seems placated by the flattery from Fuu, leaning forward a bit. "We did not seal the Tree. It was made to protect the forest, but the Canopy Crew grew corrupted, and it was closed off until new Adventurers were brought to serve."

Finally, she seems to mull over Saber's words. "What would our hive benefit from opening trade with you?"

Orcelito curbs his frustration, though his jaw tightens when the Queen dodges his question. It seems she wants them to make offers for the key based solely on the wishes of the Guardian – not on what the key actually is. This puts them in a difficult position.

The shake of the vial answers another question. Now that he considers, he hasn’t seen many signs of magic since they arrived. The Queen has an interest in magical power. Why? While her attention is on Owain and Fuu, Orcelito allows himself a discreet look around. She has an army, heirs, weapons, and food… what is left? How big is their territory? Agitha said a colony can go ten feet down. How wide though, and how high?

At this point, he’s beginning to suspect a trap. It doesn’t help that Saber seems ready to bargain with magical resources they do not technically own, or that Owain just volunteered them for peril while they are bereft of their powers and confirmed the offering of magic. Orcelito has never dealt in magic – it’s not something his world can barter. But he has come to understand that magic is the power to do the improbable and impossible. And that is terribly dangerous.

He looks up intently when the Queen leans forward to address the seals. Canopy Crew… that was the second title in the riddle. What does she mean by corrupted? And what happened to the previous Adventurers? The questions pile in his mind, but he restrains himself. He doesn’t want to appear even more ‘unworthy.’ Not when he’s here first and foremost for diplomacy.

“How would an alliance not benefit both our people? Surely the health of the Guardian is a concern to all who live in this forest.” There’s not a hint of challenge in the words, but there is curiosity as to where the Ant Court’s allegiance lies.

This 'Guardian' has entrusted them this mission as its representatives; they are free to use their resources, as far as she's concerned. He had brought them here for a reason, so she sees no harm with negotiating the little they possess in order to strike a bargain. The other option is to fail the quest.

The Canopy Crew? Is that how the 'adventures' are supposed to be addressed? Knowing this doesn't solved why this spirit has dismissed many of them. She wouldn't call Shirou, Rin and many others like Korra as corrupted or unworthy. Perhaps it's a consequence of this Guardian's waning powers.

"Your Majesty, you know the Guardian better than we do," she continues after Orcelito asks his sound question. She wishes to know too, although she has assumed that every creature in this forest would respect the guardian. "There must be benefits you can think of by establishing trade and an alliance. Do you not desire to assist that Tree?"

She knows a few though she prefers if the Ant Queen lists them.

Mika's been watching the exchange silently, if perhaps not as stoically as he'd prefer. Apparently, it's much easier to keep a straight face when you're genuinely disinterested in the outcome of a conversation. Still, though, he's behaving himself and letting the people who seem to know what they're doing do the talking.

... Though he may have shot Owain a bit of a glare at his outburst; even Mika knows that's not the way one goes about negotiations, after all.

"We have served our Purpose. What happens to the tree, now, is not our concern," the Queen says, glancing at Orcelito and Saber. "We have already lost much in the name of the Guardian with Our hive's workers suffering for it. If you want Our key, We want compensation."

It seemed that simple for her, not swayed by sweet words and offers. The Queen wanted a trade of equal worth.

"Then we can discuss further alliances."

Those words incite a cautious silence from Orcelito. The Queen is too vague for his liking, but he understands her message on the surface level. He might even agree if he knew more, as he already bears resentment against the Tree. But personal feelings aside, they are faced with a new obstacle.

After meeting Blue Rose, he assumed the forest had some sort of reliance on the Guardian – the way people rely on their ruling lord for protection and prosperity. If the Queen’s words are to be accepted, that does not appear to be the case. In fact, considering what they have witnessed so far of the ant colony, it appears to be a budding empire.

He withholds a scoff under his breath. Absurd, to think of insects creating a separatist movement! Did this come about because the Guardian is perceived as weak?

No. Now is not the time to worry about specifics. This does not bode well for them. They should leave soon.

Orcelito can’t begin to understand the worth of magic. To him, it is beyond price. He looks to Saber, waiting for her to make an offer.

Arj has been silent for a while, letting the others handle the negotiations. He fills the awkard silences by twisting like the housecats he resembles and licking at his shoulder, the spot where his wings would be, if the gems still worked out here. Their lack is almost as strange as the loss of his innate magic, and it serves only to remind him of how little he has to offer.

But now, he's growing more and more conscious that the team are in danger of losing the deal. He looks back at his fellows, silently pleading for help. "What does everyone have?" he says. The complexities of ant politics are of no interest to him - they only make so much sense. What he knows is that the mission must be a success. "Maybe something from one of our own worlds?"

Edited 2015-10-21 19:10 (UTC)

Owain knew exactly what Fuu's less-than-gentle grip on his elbow meant; he'd been on the receiving end of similar ones from his mother ever since he was little, and later from Lucina. Stop talking right now was how it usually translated. But what had he said? He was trying his best to help, so why were his comrades giving him that look? He hadn't screwed anything up, had he?

Well, if they didn't want his help, he could keep his mouth shut. He was capable of doing so when he put his mind to it, despite popular belief. Although when the queen spoke of compensation and Arj suggested something from their own worlds, Owain scowled and bit his lip to hold back the protest that threatened to spill out as his hand drifted protectively over his sword's scabbard.

The ants were not getting Mystletainn. No key was worth that; Owain didn't care if it was made of a hundred swords.

Arturia waits until some of her colleagues speak up, but only Arj asks a question. She has no answer for him because she has already given up what she could surrender as gifts. There is no time to consult, and she doubts the Queen will let them speak of this matter privately though she knows a way that may ensure negotiation and involve set them free to fulfill their part.

"What about those golden vials, Your Majesty?" she asks, "At the time being, we do not carry more with us. Though, if my companions agree, we can secure more for you, and use the water current to carry them to the other side of the mist barrier in exchange of the key."

If she mistrusts them, they could do the trade like this as a proof of good faith.

The Queen seems more pleased with this, nodding slightly as she watches them with a hint of sharpness in those black eyes. "Bring Us twenty vials worth of dust, and We will give you Our key." She demands, snapping her fingers. The retainer that had left earlier comes back with a roughly-made glass bottle with a shimmering mint-green flame in it.

"Our soldiers will leave the key with you once We have Our dust."

Edited 2015-10-29 21:56 (UTC)

Orcelito listens to the offers, considering them for present and future reference. Arj’s suggestion intrigues him – it may be worth pursuing later. But right now, it feels like they’re being herded into a pre-decided outcome. As soon as Saber makes her offer, he feels the atmosphere in the room change.

Until now, Orcelito has been careful to keep his focus only on the queen. When the servant returns, he allows his gaze to drift and take note. He tries not to look surprised. ‘The key’ was not a terribly descriptive phrase, but he did expect something material… perhaps another weapon? This looks magical. A spell, perhaps?

His gaze is back to the Queen’s now. The figures work themselves out in his head. There aren’t many spare vials left in the Tree – they’ll have to contribute from their daily allotment. Even if only a few are open to participating, it should take no more than ten days. As Tone provides new arrivals with their own vials, supply is likely not an issue. Ideally, he would have liked to discuss this with everyone beforehand… but Her Majesty has spoken, and he hesitates to contradict her will when he has a team to see safely back to the Tree.

He glances behind him to observe the others’ reactions. If they appear to agree with this proposal, he quietly addresses Saber. “We could fulfill this request within two weeks.” He drops his voice lower. “Though, not all at once.”

The Royal Court

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I'm so sorry someone please feel free to smack him

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Don’t worry about posting order, everyone. Just hop in if you want - let’s get this wrapped up!

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