A5G

Sovereign's Will: A Fantasy Roleplaying Game. [CONCLUDED]

[NPC Post]

"All understandable, Master Cedar. Nothing is set in stone yet, but you wouldn't need to do anything you dont want." Still placating the bear, but Theodore felt like he's making good progress. He only need to reconvene with Mother later, set a few things rolling... then they can contact Cedar with a better-thought plan on the board.

Reaching into a pocket, Theodore produced an insignia made out of dull-grey metal depiciting the Steinwall's stone tower in front of a backdrop of snow-capped mountains. It's oddly smooth and weightier than expected, little "XVI" inscribed at the back. He double-checked the inscription before offering the token to Cedar, ensuring that he wouldn't mix up the numbering.

"For communication. A paired token exist, each can be used as anchor to direct scrying at. And it should keep you out of most trouble within the kingdom's border, just flash it at the constabulary. While I know you likely wouldn't, please dont abuse the fact." Theo paused, glancing at the direction of the party as if he could sense something. About time, huh? Speak of timing, he's just about finished. "Ah, I see your tail's coming. You can ask them to lead you to your room. Until next time, Master Cedar."

Rubbing the ring with a finger, Theodore stepped to the side of the hallway as a strange sensation coated him... as if the mind tried to say that he's there and he's not at the same time. Yet as he stepped away, a maid turned the corner before promptly ignoring the mage like he didn't exist and beelining straight for the bear sticking out like a sore thumb a couple steps away.

"Sir bear, I've finally found you! The King have said some words in your favor earlier-"

Sovereign's Will: A Fantasy Roleplaying Game. [CONCLUDED]

[NPC Post]

The bear was as straightforward as the initial assessment said. Which means he's so terribly simple to recruit, but to that end if Theodore can see it then so did anyone else. It's a good thing that he seemed to be the first one to come up with the offer. The mage inwardly uttered some apology to the king, but this was the one individual that the Steinwall wouldn't let go.

"Of course. We are trying to befriend you, because we hope that you will help us in the near future." This was actually rather refreshing. No need for cutthroat negotiation or beating around the bushes, just simple trade. It's rare to find such opportunity outside the family.

"No dungeon visit." Theo smiled wryly, showing both his palms ahead for reassurance. "Details is not yet in the plan, but there'll likely be public speeches and spell demonstration. Maybe talk to a few people. But you'll have enough time to prepare and practice, unlike what went under tonight."

Sovereign's Will: A Fantasy Roleplaying Game. [CONCLUDED]

The bear's whole debacle ended just like that, with a few sentences from Freddy. Poor guy, but he'll probably need the alone time anyway. Yvonne will offer a few words of affirmation later when they meet again. They will meet again, right? Only reason to stay this long was to see the king later. So... it's probably fine!

"I'll be joining you soon, Sparky!" Yvonne waved the elf away, still carrying some expectations in her chest despite having been rejected once. Then, back to Silas. Eyeing the princely man thoroughly, it's almost too easy to forget that his family practically committed treason. Now, it's probably almost entirely Jonas, and Yvonne herself knew how terrible it was to have a garbage family, but still. The perfect idol in her mind have been tarnished.

"Girls grow up faster than you realize! Do watch out or one day she may flee the estate with nothing but a sword and a little bit of money." Said the mercenary with a slightly embarrased grin, mostly due to the unexpected use of her childhood nickname. "There's always more rumor surrounding me, but pray tell. I'm curious what novelties they've come up with this time."

"It's not anything novel, unfortunately. I heard that your family, after hearing that you are finally acting like a true heir and working to restore the glory of the family, are looking for you." The admiral's eyes flickered to a corner of the hall, the elephant in the room that Yvonne had been studiously ignoring for the past half an hour. "In fact, they're probably talking about it right this moment."

If it's outside, Yvonne may had spat in a decidedly unladylike manner. As it stood, her visage broke into a scowl for a moment before returning into a neutral one. "Bah. They're still trying, aren't they? Even after they ran out of men to send after." Being unkind in her treatment ensured that the next batch ask for higher compensation, and eventually her parents ran out of the means to pay. Serve them right, miserable pricks.

"That aside, some bird tells me that your family is filing a lawsuit to seek compensation for 'years of material and immaterial losses' you caused and demand the court to deduct a portion of your reward." Silas continued smoothly, as if the veins now popping at Yvonne's forehead wasn't visible at all. Oh, she's pissed. Too bad that she couldn't afford to start yet another commotion now... but then the anger evaporated as she giggled and then broke into a slightly deranged cackle that attracted the nearest few people. It died down quickly enough, but not before a few people discreetly distanced themselves.

"The sheer fucking audacity." Every single words were laced with thinly concealed wrath. 'Well, they ain't gonna see a single penny of it. I'll make sure of that. Do you have any other upsetting news, perhaps? Get it out of the way so I can start drinking it away."

Sovereign's Will: A Fantasy Roleplaying Game. [CONCLUDED]

[NPC Post]

"...I see. Must be difficult navigating this place with bad eyesight. Which room was yours?" Theo spoke rather awkwardly, not really used to deal with crying children. While he wasn't sure if Cedar was one, the bear certainly was at that age by human standard. Something to keep in mind later.

"Anyway." He coughed to clear his throat. "The Royal Magus, my Mother, have a major project planned. The event at Fanghorn had inadvertently pushed the timetable forward, and you are in a unique position to assist it tremendously. Are you perhaps open for a cooperation, Master Cedar? In return, we can offer much help for you where you're less suited to make a move. Among other things." Like the soiree earlier, for example. Theo kept it unsaid, but the implication was there. "As a gesture of goodwill, we will ensure that Fanghorn and the late baron's family are well-cared for."

Sovereign's Will: A Fantasy Roleplaying Game. [CONCLUDED]

[NPC Post]

There's countermeasures for unauthorized spellcasting in the hall, but as the one who oversaw the entire thing Antigone naturally left a few minor loopholes to her advantage. And as Mother's most trusted second, Theodore had the privilege of perusing some of those. A minor cantrip built into a ring that temporarily shunt the user to the edge of someone's perception if they're not paying full attention to him, allowing discreet maneuverability for someone otherwise constantly under scrutiny. He had taken the moment when the king's servant attracted all eyes, where no one was the wiser to his disappearance.

Mother's brilliance made it difficult for her to act discreetly, but on the other hand she draw the lion's share of observation from their enemies. It would be foolish not to take advantage of this little fact, and thus Theodore tend to take subtler tasks that didn't necessarily require her presence.

"A moment of your time, Master Cedar."

Theodore had pictured this going a bit differently, but he had underestimated how fast an upset bear can move. If not for how the latter seemed to be at loss with the castle's architechture he probably wouldn't have caught up. As it stood, a slightly out of breath Theo paused nearby to gather his bearings before he could continue speaking.

"Theodore Steinwall, if you recall. Our first meeting was at a less fortunate circumstances, but I hope you wouldn't hold a grudge over it." After all, he's the one who was present to confirm what the... jailor had gotten out of Cedar shortly after the bear was summarily bagged and beaten for "suspicious behavior". "A moment of your time, before your tails caught up to you or someone notices I'm no longer present in the party?"

The Steinwall fully supported Fredricus' reform plan, yes. But that didn't mean they'll not do anything to prepare for it. While some houses decided to take the seditious path, there's other ways to retain power even when the nobility titles were gutted. And to that end, the bear before him was a highly valuable piece to have.

Sovereign's Will: A Fantasy Roleplaying Game. [CONCLUDED]

[NPC Post]

Commotion was inevitable this evening, what's with how that old bastard Jonas - may there be a special place in hell reserved for that man - undoubtedly seeded his chess pieces here. The spark already flew before Fredricus even finished opening the soiree. And it's not like the guests of honor were free of any issues either, what's with Crystalspark's enigmatic personality or Rosenving possibly coming into contact with her estranged parents or the bear-man being way out of his depth. When it did happen, however, was a much larger matter than expected.

The first crash attracted attention, but the party still went on. Accidents happen, after all. But when the screaming started, even the musicians slowly stopped playing as the mood ground to a halt. Yet when the fools, the fence-sitters, and the uninvolved set their eyes to watch the show, Fredricus scanned for the ones who hold the strings. His eyes met Jonas for a moment, undoubtedly having the same idea, inwardly picturing how great it would be to throttle the old snake until the last sign of life faded from his corpse. But Fredricus reined in his temper. That seemed to be something he had to do a lot lately. Thankfully, the two of them almost simultaneously looked away. In low tone the king sent out an order to his chamberlain, who in turn passed it to his personal servant. The man slipped closer to the site of incident, at the edge of plain sight yet nearly unnoticed. For who would notice a servant in this room, when they didn't need anything? Moreso with a dramatic moment to drink in.

The entire hall was silent after Cedar's declaration and summary departure, all attention then shifting to Fredricus like a shifting tide. He let it stew for a moment, until the now much more apparent servant returned with a short version of what happened. The room waited with bated breaths as he listened, before finally standing up to address the issue.

"It seemed that my guest have difficulty conveying his intent, moreso to someone so overtaken with grief." No chance he's letting Jonas spin this into something outrageous. Best smother it in the crib. "Tonight is a night for celebration. I shall overlook both Sir Cedar's clumsiness and Madam Kruber's outburst, and they will have a chance to straighten this up in a more private occasion with my representative present to facilitate proper communication." His gaze scanned across the room, as if challenging anyone to speak up. Nobody did. "As for Baron Kruber's untimely demise, that is a matter still under investigation. The news will be publicized at a later date once the men on site finished analyzing the scene. That is all. Continue." The last part was directed to the musicians, who hurriedly resumed playing as if their neck's depending on it. As Fredricus sat down, murmurs of gossip almost immediately suffused the room.

Some rumor will undoubtedly spread tonight, but Fredricus had a proper picture painted and ready for dissemination comes the next day. Otto von Kruber will be painted as a martyr, a treatment way too good for a treasonous wretch like him, but Fredricus will let that go. As long as that snake Jonas is snared in the end, sparing a few underlings in the process was not out of question.

Sovereign's Will: A Fantasy Roleplaying Game. [CONCLUDED]

Yvonne's smile momentarily widened, though unfortunately she didn't get her wish. A flash of disappointment briefly marred her expression, but all in all she took it rather well. It's understandable, yes, but that didn't make it sting any less. Perhaps she's been too hasty in her advances.

"Well, I suppose you're right-" Loud crash, followed by smaller crashes and yelling and cursing and sounds of glass breaking. The entire room, Yvonne included, swiveled to the source of commotion. It took a lot of self-control not to say something scathingly sarcastic at this moment, but she managed.

"Well, looks like he beat us to the commotion."

Just a little sarcastic.

"Why, it's Admiral Delving! I didn't see you earlier. Have you been well since our last meeting?" Said the mercenary, doing her best to pretend that the bear wasn't someone she's familiar with. Juuust an unrelated third party, nothing to see here.

...Freddy's gonna chew him up later, wasn't he?

Sovereign's Will: A Fantasy Roleplaying Game. [CONCLUDED]

[NPC Post]

If one were to talk about the most influential woman in Rascade, the name Antigone Steinwall will more often than not come up. Her meteoric rise and her profession led to the sprouting of countless stories and rumors, embellished even more with every passing tale. Yet it was undeniable that her existence alone raised the Steinwall into a ducal house, an effort to tie in the first archmage produced by Kindeance in a very long time. Lesson learned by generations of kings extorted in all but name in order to keep a proper Royal Magus from the outside.

At this moment the middle-aged woman sat with a well-concealed hint of impatience at the soirre, one that only those closest to her can tell. Less indulging in conversations, twitch of the fingers that usually hold the pen, and the long-cultivated gaze that gave the impression of rapt attention but in reality was an exact opposite. After all, how could she not? The recently fished out Ser Henri was a treasure trove of magical artificing, one that she couldn't wait to continue studying.

The duchess was woken from her reverie by a discreet tapping at her hand, mentally replaying the conversation on the table as her gaze fell onto the three children that had accompanied her through half her life. Longer than her late husband, who passed away so unexpectedly. Antigone smiled, three different pairs of respectful eyes looking back at her as a belated realization came into being.

Perhaps she should've cherish the present more.

"Oh dear, dont let my old bones stop you. Have fun, darlings."

Three voices of affirmation returned before the owners split, approaching their respective circles of youth. Antigone had been trying to grow the habit of asking for everything out of them, but the power she held in the household was simply too lopsided. Even the late duke was reduced to a supportive role, and the habit sort-of trickled down to their children. Much to her dismay. But oh well, they'll grow into proper adults soon enough. Hopefully. Until then, they'll be as safe as it could be underneath her wings.

Morrigan, the eldest, found her way to the more martially inclined sons and daughters of knights. Theodore, the middle child and her current right hand, seemed to have interest in the king's unusual guests. Finally, the youngest Fairen boldly approached the prince's table though she stopped in respectful distance as she awaited for an invitation in.

Antigone, for the moment, was content to observe.

Sovereign's Will: A Fantasy Roleplaying Game. [CONCLUDED]

Would you look at that, it worked! Most definitely left some beyond bad impression on the York lady, but it's not like Yvonne will be meeting them often after this. Besides, she actually did fail to recognize the couple. Eight years was enough for a lot of unimportant details to blur away after all.

Ignoring the glare, Yvonne spotted how Cedar was caught by the crazy hag from the arena back then - the audacity to even show up here -, inwardly wondering if she should go rescue the bear before deciding that nah, he had it covered... though perhaps, a conversation on how she had all but castrated a fellow man-bear probably should be had sooner than later. But not during the soirre, no. They officially weren't familiar with each other.

"You know my table, yes? Bring it there." Yvonne addressed the manservant, her smile returning as the music took a shift. Right on time. This'll probably be a conversation topic tonight, but who the fuck cares? There were people discreetly eyeing this direction already. The mercenary turned to Jazdia, extending a hand to the elf with a slight bow. "Since we're here and all - may I claim your first dance tonight?"

Sovereign's Will: A Fantasy Roleplaying Game. [CONCLUDED]

Yvonne had been drinking earlier, and the alcohol had yet to fully leave her system. Jazdia's display, however, stoked a different kind of embers within. Tall and gorgeous and just the right amount of playful, stringing her along with unsaid promises. A human's imagination was wild indeed, and the simple lack of refusal emboldened the mercenary to prod for boundaries. After all, whatever's the result, only by not trying would one wallow in regret later.

"Dead gods, ain't that the truth." Yvonne shivered at the thought of a full-blown traditional gown. Mario's dress were already quite a lot easier to wear, but even then it still had multiple layers and more buttons than a set of brigandine. Still, a confident grin quickly bloomed as she spotted where Jazdia's eyes lingered, visibly preening at the return compliment. "Credit to Mario for the dress, and the maids for making me halfway presentable! And... snacks do sounds good, aye."

Her hand twitched, wondering if she should grab Jazdia's... but the elf strode away as she battled the momentary indecision. Smiling wryly to herself, Yvonne could only follow toward the table of snacks and some pre-arranged foodstuff to peruse. Say what she would about snakes dressed in suits and gowns, but the banquets were indeed fancy. Though apparently still not varied enough for her companion, from the way Jazdia requested for other dishes.

"I-" And that was the exact moment someone decided to intrude into their peaceful little bubble. Yvonne's mood took a nosedive as she barely managed to keep a straight face, inwardly cursing at the untimely interruption. It'll happen sooner or later, an inevitability with how Freddy treated her as a guest of honor, but she had truly hoped that it'll be later.

Now, how to get rid of the pest.

"Is it? Been a while since my last, but it's not exactly memorable. Who are you again?" Answered Yvonne with a lazy drawl, a sharp turn to her manner of speech. An idea were forming already - she's not supposed to know Cedar, so if the vaguely familiar couple thought to use him as a conversation starter then that's the fastest way to send them away. That... and maybe with a healthy disregard of decorum too. Just to be safe. "I've only met master Ced earlier today, but need I remind you that he's a bear? He eats and drink as much as ten people. It's like watching someone drink beer with a shot glass." And with that, her attention was directed at the increasingly nervous manservant who witnessed the entire exchange. "Now, I'm feeling a bit peckish. Give me a selection of these stuff, you pick. A ribeye for the main course, rare, with the best cabernet you have ready on the side."

Was that enough barbs? Hopefully so. She glanced at Jazdia, wondering if the elf would add more fuel to the fire or decide that it's too much of a hassle to deal with.