Beyond the Sky - Session 19.7

-21st of Autumn's Second-
The day after their official counsel, Adrian requests and receives a private meeting with the Queen to discuss matters.
Queen Rozeal: "Welcome Adrian, I was told you wished to discuss plans regarding diplomacy?"
Adrian: "Indeed. I suspect my knowledge is somewhat out of date from the time away, and I imagine you could fill me in on the details of current relations with Ashdale more quickly and accurately than I could learn on my own."
Queen Rozeal: "Of course~ Please, sit down, Adrian."
Adrian takes a seat at the large table.
Queen Rozeal: "Hmm, where to start..."
Queen Rozeal rests an elegant finger on her chin in thought.
Queen Rozeal: "The country of Ashdale is not ruled over by a monarch, but instead, elected officials, members of their parliament, governed by a High Minister."
"You will likely need to speak to the High Minister, rather than the entire of parliament, but... due to the number of people required for anything to pass, it may take a little time."
Adrian: "It sounds like a dreadfully inefficient system."
Queen Rozeal: "But it is a system where the people can choose who rules over them, rather than not getting a say in a monarch."
"Like ours, it isn't perfect... just another way of performing things."
Adrian: "Popular decisions are not always wise ones."
Queen Rozeal: "I imagine after people like Beldyr and Korin, they would rather go with an option they can control better, even if it is... much slower."
Adrian: "I suppose so."
"So, it's possible we could be there for some time."
Queen Rozeal: "It's possible. I hope you are not, but you should be warned."
"Another point, their High Minister, is a rather stalwart man by the name of Yarnham Fitcher."
"I have met with him, and he is... quite a stubborn and cautious man. Though after the recent hostilities, and after Beldyr, I do not think we can blame him."
"Just expect to have some difficulty with him, though perhaps a more charismatic man like you will have more skill in finding common ground than I..."
Adrian sighs, resting his hands on the table.
Adrian: "How conciliatory a stance are we taking?"
Queen Rozeal: "Well, as we are the aggressors, I would recommend extending a formal apology and explaining what is going on with the attacks, and what we are going to be able to do to aid or stop them."
"After that, any sort of peace treaty you may be able to suggest, or a non-aggression pact, would be very beneficial to maintain unity."
Adrian: "Understood."
"This... Fitcher. I'll have some research to do. Anything about his background would be valuable."
Queen Rozeal: "Of course."
"Is there anything concerning your journey left that you want to ask about?"
Adrian: "Whether it concerns my journey is uncertain, but there is one other thing you should know."
"This man Kincaid has provided me with a certain amount of knowledge regarding Eribe's role in these affairs."
Queen Rozeal: "Kincaid?"
Adrian: "The fellow Goring hired. He's surprisingly useful for my own purposes."
Queen Rozeal: "Oh. He is an Eriban?"
Adrian: "Yes, and a former rebel, as I understand it."
Queen Rozeal: "Hmm... is there anything notable about him that can give some sort of solid ground to his claims?"
Adrian: "No proof, and he's more than shown himself to be capable of wrongdoing, even if grudgingly so. I'm confident of his honesty in this instance, but that's all I can say."
Queen Rozeal: "Hmm..."
Queen Rozeal looks at Adrian, thoughtfully.
Queen Rozeal: "I'll try to trust you on this."
Adrian: "Thank you. I know it's asking a lot this time."
Queen Rozeal: "Don't let him make you do anything stupid."
Adrian: "Based on what he and Dhaltra have said, I suspect the emperor was involved in some way in Sorean's death. The timing lines up, and he assures me it could have been done."
"I don't plan on doing anything stupid, not until I have more information at least, but I am going to try to learn more."
Queen Rozeal: "The Emperor being involved in Sorean's...?"
Queen Rozeal shakes her head.
Queen Rozeal: "I don't think this is a conversation for now."
Adrian: "Very well. My apologies."
Queen Rozeal: "It's okay, Adrian. It's just we'll have more times to discuss that. I thought I'd use this time to catch up on things with you, now~"
"It's been almost half a year and I've barely had you around to talk to. Don't neglect your Queen."
Queen Rozeal pouts a little.
Adrian: "Heh. Of course I didn't mean it that way. Whatever my concerns are, that can wait."
Queen Rozeal: "So, Adrian, how have you been in this half year you've been away?"
"I've heard of what you've accomplished, but I want to know what it's been like out there, travelling and discovering people and places."
Adrian: "Fascinating, if often rather a source of discomfort. Bad weather and worse food. It's much nicer to be back."
Queen Rozeal: "And speaking of people... how did you find the ones you've been travelling with?"
Adrian: "They're an interesting group. Even the imp is clever in his way, although it only shows at the strangest times."
Queen Rozeal: "What about the auburn haired, one... Arkune, was she? And that Dhaltra woman, what do you think of either of them?"
"They both seem to be rather nice company, I think~"
Adrian: "Arkune is one of the more interesting ones. I'd like to find some way to help with her aspirations of knighthood, if I can. She's got a good heart, even if she does wear it on her sleeve a bit too plainly."
Queen Rozeal: "I've noticed. She reminds me of Raikov, when he was... less ancient."
Adrian: "They are good company, certainly."
Queen Rozeal: "And Dhaltra, what of her? She doesn't seem particularly talkative..."
Adrian: "Perhaps because she's one of the only ones with any sense of formality. She's... interesting."
Queen Rozeal: "Interesting?"
Adrian tries to not show any sign of discomfort. [Bluff: 27]
Adrian: "She's clever, and reliable, and seems to have led an interesting life, even if one she isn't able to speak of."
Queen Rozeal: "Oh, what sort of an interesting life?"
"Adrian... are you hiding something from me?"
Adrian: "...I'm not sure what to say about her, to be honest."
Queen Rozeal: "Is she that strange or something else?"
Adrian: "She's not that strange. Well, I suppose she is, but... I don't know, I'm becoming rather fond of her."
Queen Rozeal smiles.
Queen Rozeal: "Aww, that's sweet of you, no need to say any more~"
Adrian smiles, slightly relieved.
Adrian: "What of life here? Kallian certainly seems to have grown up quite a bit since I last saw him."
Queen Rozeal: "Indeed, and in recent days he seems a lot more lively and wanting to talk to me."
"Aside from his normal arcane ramblings, he's been talking rather excitedly about your new retainer, too, Valaire."
Adrian: "Yes, they appear to be getting along well. I think she'll be a good influence on him, she has a sense for people that it seems he... does not, yet."
Queen Rozeal: "Yes, they go rather well together, don't they?"
Adrian: "He needs more company besides books and troublemakers."
Queen Rozeal: "Though it's a bit unusual he seems to be courting a courtesan... it's nice to see our family looking outside nobles for companions."
Adrian: "Indeed. You and I both know blood isn't everything."
Queen Rozeal: "Though that does bring me to the question of why you decided to make her your retainer so quickly. I didn't even see her with you a few days ago, but she already looks like she's one of your allies."
"I suppose that's just the power of the gifted tongue you have."
Adrian: "She's proven herself quite useful. And I expect to need allies. It may not be the armies the others have, but I'd like to think I've chosen them well."
"Now if I could only earn Kallian's trust myself."
Queen Rozeal: "At least your retainer seems to have done that~ It's quite a start."
Adrian: "That it is."
Queen Rozeal: "Ah, it is nice to have these sorts of gossips and talks. Be sure to spend some time with me when you can, okay?"
Adrian: "Gladly. It really is good to be back."
Queen Rozeal: "Yours, the Generals, and the Ivandis family are all I really have for friendly chats."
Adrian: "Leadership is a lonely burden. I'll make sure I have time for a few more of these talks before I leave."
Queen Rozeal: "It's really a pity you already have to leave soon. Perhaps, in my free time, I may try to walk down to my old theatre, catch up with collegues."
"Now, would you mind passing me my, er, walking stick? It's over there in the corner."
Adrian stands up, retrieving the walking stick and handing it to her with a bow.
Adrian: "Whatever I can do to help, as ever."
Queen Rozeal: "I might need a little help getting up, I, er... I've been stuck here all afternoon, actually, writing."
Queen Rozeal takes her walking stick, holding out a hand for Adrian.
Adrian takes Rozeal's hand, helping her to her feet.
Adrian: "I am going to worry about both of you in my absence. Please, take care."
Queen Rozeal gets up, straining, and steadying herself with her walking stick.
Queen Rozeal: "I'm not that feeble, Adrian."
Adrian: "That's not why I'm going to worry."
Queen Rozeal: "Oh?"
Adrian: "So few people to trust. And I pride myself on being the one I trust most out of all of them, after all."
Queen Rozeal: "Don't worry, I have the Ivandises to trust, and Freyja to scare off anyone unsavory~"
"Though there is a lot of talk about your Mulvery..."
"Apparently word has come in that she's... wanted?"
Adrian: "...I hadn't thought Lunar Isle concerns would extend this far."
Queen Rozeal: "It seems the Generals are currently not pursuing her purely because I requested they didn't, but..."
Adrian: "Yes, she is. She's told me of it herself, another sign of reliability. She had a rather less honest past, and it led up to her being framed. Hence my consideration of how to help her restore her standing."
Queen Rozeal: "We've heard rumors that there's a very famous, very dangerous bounty hunter after her. They've only just come in recently,but you should probably tell her to be careful."
Adrian: "I see. Thank you for telling me, I'll make sure she knows to lie low."
Adrian: "There's nothing more direct to do about the charges against her, I suppose, not without traveling all the way there."
Queen Rozeal: "She is not under arrest here, but if people catch word that Mulvery is here and active in Zeltria, it may have problems."
"Now..."
Queen Rozeal stands up straight, wobbling a little, and holding out her arm.
Queen Rozeal: "Are you going to escort your Queen out or not~?"
Adrian: "I hadn't thought an accusation of a single murder would travel halfway across the continent! I'm going to have to ask her just whose death she was framed for..."
Adrian sighs, smiling, and offers the queen his arm.
The two walk out together, Adrian escorting the Queen to her room, before going about his business.