thehometree | The Royal Court

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

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