Diplomacy

[20:56] Lea began to sway back and forth in the seat while humming to herself, only to realize that-

Oh.

Right.

She was the one talking.

She cleared her throat, focused, and began speaking. She didn't internally rehearse this much, though, so it'd probably come out a bit... unrefined. She decided to not beat around the bush, either, and was as blunt as she could be about it.

"I want to talk about finding common ground between Aurum and Levengard so we can either form an alliance or make just Aurum and its citizens a part of Levengard."

"What do you feel you guys are lacking, right now?"

She knew the answer to this, but wanted to hear it from Ariel, first.
(Lea Elisheva)
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[21:00] Arlei sat down on her chair, a grim look on her face; she really, really did not like being outnumbered, especially when she did not know the intentions of the people outnumbering her.

As Lea opened her mouth, she went to reach for her flask, honestly preparing to be taken in for whatever hogwash reason someone in a larger city had invented, even though she'd done nothing; if Arlei was anything, she was exceptionally paranoid.

However, as Lea spoke, her hand withdrew from her cloak, her face lighting up like a Krausmaus tree!

"A--An alliance? With Levengard?! Spirits, that would be spectacular!"

"The two things we're lacking the most out of anything, currently, would be housing and protection. Given our neutrality, we hope that nobody finds any form of reason to attack us, but you never know with some of the people in this world." she finishes, mentally going through the faces of Briar leadership. Unpredictable lot. .

"Definitely housing and protection. What of our people, however? I thought you would hate us purely because of the. . freedoms we allow to certain. . crass individuals." she muttered, sniffing the air. She could almost smell Aldrahs necromantic odour from here.

"And. . my family." she finishes, thinking of Ascalon and her three children, all green-lined Oscuri, though if the inquisitive children continued on their path, they might not keep their lines for long. .
(Arlei Zanders)
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[21:01] Caira Vindict says, "..."
[21:01] Arlei Zanders says, "Look, I want the singular necromancer we have here dead more than the next person. Trust me."
[21:01] Adrian Rowan whispers: You should offer them circumstances with the laws, while telling them that Levengard has plenty of houses that could be used.
[21:02] Adrian Rowan whispers: What we spoke about with Necromancers and Oscuri.
[21:02] Lea Elisheva whispers: Thank you for the advice you give me after you had already left all this up to me.
[21:03] Adrian Rowan whispers: You can tag me in at any moment... Don't put it like that.
[21:03] Adrian Rowan whispers: They probably prefer hearing it from you, is all.
[21:03] At the risk of sounding like a cynic, as Siegfried hears about all of this, he struggles to understand how it could fathomably happen. The primary issue, in his eyes, would be Levengard's close alliance with Huangzhou...undead, necromancers, a nethradin, a vampire. There were some unsavory folks who called Aurum home, that he'd encountered.

To be inducted into the alliance formed between the nations...a lot of people would have to be excommunicated from the place, he was fairly sure. But then, that was all just his opinion.

"Well, look at you, Lea. Tryin' to unite the world an' shit."

The instrumentalist plucks at his lute thoughtfully, like he was trying to invent a song for the occasion.
(Siegfried)
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[21:09] Mertaisyl whispers something.
[21:09] Mertaisyl whispers something.
[21:09] Lea smiled playfully in Adrian's direction as a result of that whisper, signifying that her little quip wasn't mean-spirited in the slightest.

"I don't hate anyone. I'm little miss sunshine and rainbows who wants everyone and everything to be happy."

She shot a thumbs up and a smile in Ariel's direction, but her expression quickly took a turn for the more solemn. She didn't necessarily have any good news about that, just optimistic news.

"Above all else, I wanna give you guys a sense of legitimacy that you haven't had up until now. Legitimacy and safety."

"Necromancers and Oscuri make this a little more complicated, but I think we can reconcile that with how things are now. You know how it goes; every paradox can be reconciled, right?"

"You'd have to talk it over with the Oscuri here, though, but we did come up with an idea or two for what to do with them."

That was what she was interested in speaking about first, as her experiences with Godfrey made the fate of the Oscuri a much higher priority than it otherwise would be.
(Lea Elisheva)
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[21:16] Arleis smile kept on beaming. That was -all- good news. Being recognised as a 'legitimate' settlement may give them some protection under the laws of the land, and safety? Safety was good for -everyone- in Aurum.

Arlei shot a thumbs up right back at Lea, her teeth shining in the soft lighting of the tavern.

"Ah, I'm the exact same; I want ninety nine point nine percent of the people of this land to be happy. Everyone but, well, one person."

"Aldrah Leverd."

"That man is the only necromancer in Aurum right now, and I'm just waiting for him to be 'removed' so to speak. He's done. . truly horrific things. Kah Zam heard about it and honour duelled him. Demolished his sternum for it. Kind of wish he'd finished the job. . " she muttered, her eyes darkening. Her distaste for that. . creature, was exceptionally evident.

But, onto happier talks.

"Sorry about that. I've got a personal vendetta against the man for the things he's done in the past. To me and my family. Being a necromancer just helps me validate my loathing."

"But, the Oscuri. The current Oscuri in this settlement are Ascalon Zanders, Lirien Zanders, Prodotis Zanders, Tilia Zanders, Lupo Buckers, Oskar Aime and on very, very rare occasions, Feth Grauhimmel and Dylerun Grauhimmel wander in. I've not seen Feth for almost a year though. I think he's building snowmen with Dylerun or something. Dyle hasn't been here for a long time either. Not since the, uh, masculinity presentation in the tavern." she chuckles, thinking to what she'd heard from the others. Artaghh, his brother, Saba, Dylerun and one other she couldn't remember the name of, all ripping off their shirts and activating their auras to try and find out who was manliest.

"I can vouch for the rest of the Zanders, as well as Lupo. Lupo just sits there thinking about Gehennan Hoops all day. Oskar is. . shifty. I need to pull him aside and have a chat with him. The Grauhimmels barely ever roam in and I don't know them in the slightest, so I'll have to speak with Artaghh about that one."

"If it is possible to guarantee the safety of the Zanders' and Lupo at bare minimum, I'll do what you ask, unless that's blacklining them. I dislike Azrael as much as the next person, but its a major part of who they are. It'd be taking a large chunk of them away, leaving them wrecks of people. People come first, religion comes after." she finishes, nodding to all of them.
(Arlei Zanders)
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[21:19] Adrian Rowan says, "If you like, I can honor duel Aldrah and put an end to him."
[21:19] Adrian Rowan says, "If that's what it takes to sway you"
[21:20] Aldrah.

Siegfried had heard that name...that was the old man, then, who'd fixed him up only a short while ago. His brows furrow. That was a wicked man? A man who'd done despicable, deplorable things?

"Let me do it," he interrupts.
(Siegfried)
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[21:20] Arlei Zanders says, "I'd love to be a part of the alliance, as long as my family and Lupo at least are protected from the Greenline rules of the concordat."
[21:20] Arlei Zanders says, "Killing Aldrah would just be the cherry on top for me."
[21:20] Adrian Rowan says, "We have come up with a conclusion for Necromancy and... Oscuri alike. Lea will present them to you."
[21:20] Siegfried asks, "What'd he do to your family?"
[21:20] Adrian Rowan says, "And sure, Siegfried. It might be overkill if I fight him."
[21:21] Arlei Zanders says, "Most of it I keep to myself, but I'll tell you one thing. When my little brother was twelve or so, he was captured by Dawn. Allowed to run about, but captured. Soon as Syracuse died, Aldrah tossed him in a cell. He was gunna experiment upon 'im. Probably kill 'im. I signed up to the Legion as an Initiate in return for lettin' my brother free. Next thing I know, my lil' bro has Stockholm Syndrome and is wearing a maid dress and a leash with 'Property of Aldrah Leverd' written on it. He was thirteen."
[21:21] Lea Elisheva says, "what the fuck"
[21:22] Lea Elisheva says, "Er, *cough*, right, the next part."
[21:22] Arlei Zanders says, "--Ah, welcome, Ascalon."
[21:22] Siegfried says, "...................................................................................................................."
[21:22] Adrian Rowan whispers: bruh moment
[21:23] Ascalon gave a nod, the Oscuri seemed particularly dour. Silent.
(Ascalon Zanders)
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[21:24] Caira Vindict asks, "What the fuck?"
[21:25] Caira Vindict says, "I'm sick to my stomach."
[21:25] "Oscuri won't have to lose their lines."

She presented the good news first, but it didn't take long for her to get to the but... part.

"They will, however, have to have their lines recolored. We have some ideas that can do just that. It'll similar to Dhampirism, in a sense. The details are still a bit fuzzy because it's currently in the works, but they'll be able to change how they see Azrael and act based on his precepts without losing their lines."

"It'll free them from servitude and their hereditary indoctrination, and they'll be able to live with the rest of Agartha without much issue.."

Hopefully, that'd solve the Oscuri problem.

"Now, for the necromancer issue... how many of them do you have that you know of?"
(Lea Elisheva)
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[21:28] Siegfried is still reeling from that nauseating tale that's been spun from Arlei. This man...had abducted a thirteen year old boy, and branded him? Used him as some sort of...strange...sick, pawn?

And then had the audacity to walk around like he'd never done anything wrong?

Who did he think he was, Ethan Hawke?

"Killin' ain't something I'm ever glad to do, but in this case, I don't think I'll shed any tears," he says bluntly, putting down the bottle he was about to bring up to his lips. How had a man who'd done something like that even gotten this far? Walked around this long? Been able to get away with something like that?

He supposed, then, that the answer was that nobody had done anything.

That just meant he would have to.
(Siegfried)
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[21:30] Arlei blinked rapidly. Recolouring. . lines? Wait, would that. .

"Would that help them follow the White Winged variant of Azrael, before he got all. . corrupted and murdery? I'll let Ascalon decide what to do on that one, but if it stops Oscuri from being mass-murdered and to be able to live as people, personally? I'm down with it. I think Ascalon will want more details on it though." she nods, easily shifting to the topic of necromancers.

"We have one. Aldrah Leverd, as I previously mentioned. I've done all I can to fuck him over at every possible moment. There's not a person on Agartha I loathe more than that man. We also have one undead, Loretta. She's a scholar, mostly. Stuck in the body of a ten year old for around fifty years. She wants to grow and. . well, not melt after five years. She's a repository of knowledge, possibly the greatest repository of it on Agartha."

"I understand that undead harm the lifestream, but I'm looking into ways of fixing the damage that Loretta specifically can cause by existing. I'm a Ryujinite, it disgusts me to see it happen. However, I met Loretta as a person, not an undead. I had no idea of my religion at the time. If I can patch up the damage she causes somehow without having to Lighthouse her, I'll do it." she nodded, resting back in her chair.

It was very, very hard to stay politically minded with Ascalon in the room, but she was going to have to.
(Arlei Zanders)
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[21:32] Percival Kang whispers something.
[21:32] Lea Elisheva whispers: Did we ever talk about what we'd do for undead? Or just necromancers? I just kinda spaced out at the sciency talk.
[21:33] Adrian Rowan whispers: Undead are allowed.
[21:33] Adrian Rowan whispers: It's the person who controls them that should be judged.
[21:33] Adrian Rowan whispers: As long as undead pursue life a second time, then I think we have no problem allowing them.
[21:33] Arlei Zanders whispers something.
[21:35] Adrian Rowan whispers: Wait, let me ask Eiphraem.
[21:35] Adrian Rowan whispers: I have the Transceiver.
[21:36] There was a long moment where the Oscuri just stared at the meeting. A flush of reika rushed through their mana lines as they heard what amounted to being experimented on and having their mind twisted.

For a handful of moments the Oscuri looked like they where going to say something. Something violent, rude, and perhaps even aggressive. Yet, perhaps it was the fact they where still drenched in blood and damaged equipment that caused them to glance to Arlei.

The Sheriff of Aurum would choose to remain silent. Allowing his wife to speak instead. Though, perhaps the grinding of their jaw could be heard.

Though their focus shifted to Siegried for a few moments. Then he'd just Emerald hues settled upon the man they'd deputized. Then towards the visitors, strangers who'd showed disgust at Aldrah. Not surprising considering the man's actions. They'd leave the decision of Aurum's direction to their wife. The fate of Aldrah? It was his and his alone.

"Aldrah Leverd is a man whose been left to live so that he may suffer. Long ago he was broken for his actions, left a shallow hated shell of his former self by my master Freya Vishkar. When he dies it will be by my hands and I will relish in it."

It seemed that Arlei was leaving the call to him? Well, there was no other Oscuri who where of influence that could speak for the race. Those emerald hues shifted, his mouth opening for a moment before hearing a whisper.

"I will... Think about it. If I can learn more I will speak to the Other Oscuri. Though do not be surprised at the hesitation to trust those who burned our homes to the ground."
(Ascalon Zanders)
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[21:38] Adrian Rowan whispers: Offering undead homunculi, fresh bodies, potential resuscitation through the lighthouse and offering to work with those that need to be treated.
[21:38] Adrian Rowan whispers: Promise htem, we will do our best to assure their quality of life, not kill them.
[21:39] Adrian Rowan whispers: Exalt that we value them as ensoulled, sapient beings... And we want to see them prosper.
[21:43] Lea had a feeling that the burn people to the ground part would be brought up. However, she knew what to say for that, or at least, had an idea.

"I'm not like them at all, don't worry."

"I just want to treat all of you with compassion and understanding. I want to give you all the kindness nobody else ever has."

"If I can make Godfrey feel welcome and at home, enough to save his life, I can do the same for you. All of you."

"Our home will be your home, and I won't let anybody hurt you as long as you don't hurt anybody."

"Can you trust me, Ascalon?"

This time, her smile was directed at Ascalon, hoping to put his heart at ease the best she could.

The part about the undead would have to wait a bit.
(Lea Elisheva)
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[21:44] Arlei leant over a little to slide her fingers into Ascalons grip, looking up at him with a warm smile. A pleading smile.
(Arlei Zanders)
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[21:45] Adrian Rowan says, "In the end, we do not want to weaken you or turn your deity away. We would much rather focus on your own progression, and focus on that need to create immortality fairly."
[21:45] Adrian Rowan whispers: I'll let you mention the things I whispered about undead.
[21:49] * You have been awarded 1 Roleplay Points! *
[21:50] Ascalon's natural frown was quick to settle upon his features. A life-time of war was hard to move past, very hard. They'd cast a glance down towards Arlei for a moment. Then back upwards towards the Levengarder.

"Godfrey told me a bit of his time in Levengard. Not a lot but enough to know that it was by no means a home to him. More like a cage or a petting zoo."

The Oscuri didn't seem to quite buy in that Godfrey had enjoyed his time in Levengard. When the boy had been taken they'd been happy. When they returned it'd been as a wrath-filled young man. Yet, this wasn't about what Godfrey suffered. They'd wait just a moment before asking a simple question.

"Where you there watching when Lirien Zanders was put to death by Ilui Elisheva?"

A glance shifted towards Adrian, so they where trying to achieve immortality? "A noble goal."

(Ascalon Zanders)
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[21:50] Lea Elisheva says, "It wasn't good. I didn't make him happy. I just prevented him from killing himself."
[21:50] Lea Elisheva says, "I made him feel like everything is gonna be okay, for once."
[21:50] Percival Kang says, "So many people tried to save Lirien, and instead.. She lashed out, and begged to be killed."
[21:50] Lea Elisheva says, "Even if it didn't..."
[21:51] Lea Elisheva says, "The people who did that to him are gone, now."
[21:51] Lea Elisheva says, "They left."
[21:51] Adrian Rowan says, "Before, we had no control over these things. And all we can do is apologize. I was hard on Godfrey, but he was adopted by my uncle. In the end, if he had lived... And didn't fall to a craze. I would have helped him like I plan to help others, and happily called him a brother... Alongside Siegfried."
[21:52] Adrian Rowan says, "Lirien had spoken out harshly towards someone when laws were strict, there was nothing we could do to stop that outcome. Lirien was a good friend of mine... And I miss her, but in the end... Now we have the power to prevent these things."
[21:53] Ascalon remained silent as they listened to what was being said. Levengard's laws had failed it the same way that Dawn's own had. That helped to put things a little into perspective at-least.
(Ascalon Zanders)
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[21:53] Arlei looked up towards Ascalon, a frown forming on her face in tandem.

"Mm. While Godfrey was allowed to live there, he told me he wasn't exactly. . treated well by the residents. Beatings and the like. But, Miss Bluehaired Person I don't know the name of, thank you for keeping him alive. Godfrey was. . a good kid." she sighed, turning pensive for a moment.

"I heard Thera ordered it to happen, hun. And. . Lirien was boneheaded. It was within her personality to lash out. I just wish it didn't have to happen. . " she mumbled, reaching again for her flask. This time, she took a light swig. And that was all she'd take during this meeting.

"Hopefully, things like this won't happen now. We're out of war. We're not constantly tense. We can't. . undo the mistakes of the past, even if we so desperately wish to. We can only move on towards the future, and do what is right. We can try and atone for our past actions."
(Arlei Zanders)
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[21:55] Ascalon Zanders whispers something.
[21:56] Arlei Zanders whispers something.
[21:56] Arlei Zanders whispers something.
[21:56] Arlei Zanders whispers something.
[21:56] Lea Elisheva says, "My name is Lea."
[21:56] He doesn't have much to say in the way of politics, only explanations for the past; the Kang was never there to stop it, because he couldn't, but he could do his best to remember.

"Lirien.. I remember.

She returned one day, undead. We wanted to heal her, and bring her to the lighthouse to be reborn, but she refused it. Instead, she insisted on battling Ilui to the death.

..and She fought, and refused, until her last breath. Even when I tried to help her. I can't excuse Ilui's actions, but.. There wasn't much else in the way of options at that point."
(Percival Kang)
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[21:56] Ascalon Zanders whispers something.
[21:56] Siegfried bites his lip. This was a bit of a rough patch - could they potentially hope to fix a problem so long-running? To alter the course of fate? To look at the undead, and Oscuri, and the natural order that had been to slaughter them on sight...and somehow manage to unravel the tangled web that had been weaved over the course of all of these years?

Genuine confusion rang through him at the possibility. It simply didn't even make sense to him that people would even try really. It's...refreshing, in a sense. After he'd spent all of that time sitting beside Godfrey in that cell, praying for him, with people hoping for his death?

Man.

On the subject of that, though, that is another concern he has.

He knows damn well there are people that don't even hang around Levengard anymore who would come back up in arms about Oscuri.

Hm...
(Siegfried)
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[21:56] Arlei Zanders says, "Nice to meet you, Lea. I am Arlei Zanders, Councillor of Aurum."
[21:56] Lea Elisheva says, "Lea Ariadne Elisheva."
[21:56] Arlei Zanders says, "--Percival, she returned undead because of her father. Aldrah."
[21:56] Percival Kang says, "I am aware."
[21:56] Arlei Zanders says, "She wanted to get a spire shard. To bind herself to that to keep her functioning, away from a necromancers influence."
[21:56] Arlei Zanders says, "However, she was informed that she'd end up having to feed from the life force of others if that were the case."
[21:57] Siegfried says, "........."
[21:57] Siegfried asks, "What?"
[21:57] Ascalon Zanders says, "My... Liri suffered as an undead... I believe you allin the words you've spoken."
[21:57] Arlei Zanders says, "Perhaps. . perhaps that is why. She didn't want to be controlled, even if no orders came through, but she'd have to. . feed, yeah."
[21:57] Siegfried asks, "An undead that's sustained by a Spire Shard has to feed to survive?"
[21:57] Arlei Zanders says, "According to Arthur Rowan, yes."
[21:58] Percival Kang says, "A spire shard for that purpose only has limited power, I think."
[21:58] Ascalon Zanders says, "Lea Aradne Elisheva. I am Ascalon Zanders. I will trust you."
[21:58] Adrian Rowan says, "I actually promised Lirien that I would kill Aldren."
[21:58] Adrian Rowan says, "So I would appreciate the chance."
[21:58] Siegfried asks, "Aldrah?"
[21:58] Adrian Rowan says, "Yes."
[21:58] Arlei Zanders says, "How about the three of us deal the finishing blow."
[21:58] Ascalon Zanders says, "Aldrah's mine and I will fight you for the right of his life."
[21:58] Adrian Rowan says, "You'd lose, Ascalon."
[21:58] Lea Elisheva says, "Thank you."
[21:59] Ascalon Zanders says, "You think to highly of yourself."
[21:59] Arlei Zanders says, "Lets not bicker."
[21:59] Adrian Rowan says, "Do I? I think I know my limitations."
[21:59] Arlei Zanders says, "Please."
[21:59] Lea gave Ascalon a polite bow.

"I'll do my best do not let you down, any of you."
(Lea Elisheva)
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[21:59] Adrian Rowan says, "It's fine, Ascalon can fight me if he wishes."
[22:00] Adrian Rowan whispers: I want to make sure this man is able to beat Aldrah...
[22:00] Lea Elisheva says, "From here on, you're all my friends."
[22:00] Caira Vindict says, "Don't make me clobber you bone-heads."
[22:00] Lea Elisheva says, "And I'll treat you like you are."
[22:01] Arlei offers her hand out to Lea.

"And I will do what I can to do what is best for my people. Our people. I'll speak to them on this matter, and seek you out. My personal decision is Yes, but I should meet with the rest of the council. All, well, one of us since Dogslayer vanished into the ether. I greatly appreciate your help, and I pray that we can join with you." she smiled, her viridian hues glinting in the light.
(Arlei Zanders)
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[22:02] Adrian Rowan says, "I hope you accept... And we would welcome you all into Levengard. Even the undead, as we push to help them get past that situation."
[22:02] A clink of mithril upon mithril was sounded as Ascalon returned Lea's bow with a prompt militaristic salute.

"I've already threatened the Rowan to a fight. I think we're becoming friends fast as it is."
(Ascalon Zanders)
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[22:02] Adrian Rowan asks, "Do you want to test your strength, Ascalon?"
[22:02] Siegfried says, "Levengard welcoming undead..."
[22:02] Arlei Zanders says, "I hope we accept, too."
[22:02] Siegfried says, "I'm learnin' a lot today about the place I'm an Enforcer in."
[22:02] Arlei Zanders says, "There's only a single undead in this settlement, and she's. . a genuinely nice person I care about."
[22:02] Siegfried says, "I should brush up."
[22:02] Adrian Rowan says, "It's all about progression, Seigfried."
[22:02] Adrian Rowan says, "That's what Levengard is."
[22:02] Arlei Zanders says, "I believe she sees the lighthouse as, well, being condemned to a time limit."
[22:02] Adrian Rowan says, "We would aim to make them more than undead, to bring them back... Without death."
[22:02] Ascalon Zanders says, "In time, yes. I'm currently walking off residual wounds from a Belialist."
[22:02] Lea shook Arlei's hand.

This is the first time in her life she didn't mix up a handshake with a high five.
(Lea Elisheva)