Just for some light reading
Michael James Watson
Entering the library she sees a small number of people going about normal business, and Old Crispy up on a ladder as usual. He looks more angry then normal. Seeing Alex he thinks he an elite and nods, then remembers, Scowls. "If you are looking for Arlo, go to the keg room then follow that awful fraking noise. Fraking Regorians."
Amber Bronkhorst
Alex looks up at the man her usual smile fades for a moment. She then nods. Alex wanted to ho ask Arlo for some books... but if he is in fact with the Regorians she has doubts if she wants to find him... But on the other hand. If she shows hessitation or that she might be intimidated it would not be good either. Always dare to look others jn the eyes. It's as if that elite and militairy training will never leave her. But then again would she want to. A deep inhale and exhale straightening her posture she walks to the kegroom. Of course not barging in but more in the way of searching for Arlo... just ask him what you need and go.... When arriving at the keg room she peaks her head around the corner to see if she can spot Arlo.
Michael James Watson
Ahead she sees a bright blue light coming from a door and noise and light poppin g out of it. Walking down she sees a row of Arcade gmaes brigth pinging away. Alexi and Arlo stand at one. Bleys at another. Darcy and another elite each play one. Mydoris is standing back, quietly, watching. He catcches Alex's eye as she looks into the room. He taps his brow in recognition
Amber Bronkhorst
Seeing the arcades and the blue lights she thinks bagk to the loud and dark but very colorful lights concert. A soft chuckle as Alex does realize she must get out more... not being used to these kind of things. Her eyes go over those present spotting Arlo she plots a route to get there fastest. Making eyecontact with Mydoris she gives a short nod And a "hello." Then turns to walk over to Arlo.
Michael James Watson
Arlo howls as he loses and lets Alexei step in for his turns.. Arlo steps back and tugs a flask, lights a cig. "Alex!! You look...very clean.... What do you think of this crazy thing the Regorians gave the King? A royal gift. These are Urath/Earth arcade games.. They are magicked to mimic the electrical actions. I suspect this room will be popular. It fits in the Library but i think Crispy is going to have actual kittens if it stays here.. Have to find a vacant hall someplace."
Amber Bronkhorst
Alex frowns at Arlo "And being clean is bad? A gift... it is very.... bright. But very kind to gift it." Looking back to where she came from a slight chuckle "Yes he is less then pleased was almost of the idea he was angry with me.... though that still might be the case.... who knows... Anyway." Looking back she actively avoids eye contact with anyone other then Arlo. Alex straightens herself again and asked in a more quiet tone. "I wanted to ask if you are okey with me looking up some books and taking them out... if i get your okey i am sure it's fine. I wanted to read up on some current... events."
Michael James Watson
Arlo looks at Alexi's score and groans. "Is this all you do with wedded life? Practice Time Pilot?" He laughs, turns and lightly takes Alex by the shoulder, leading out to the Keg Room. "Crispy is mad at anyone he thinks is on the way to see me. Nothing personal. So...what current events do you want to read about? Term Marriage? Dragons? Regorian politics?"
Amber Bronkhorst
Alex let herself be lead outside by Arlo. She waits till they are out of hearing range glancing one time back to be sure not to see any eavesdroppers. In a hushed tone she continues "Regorian politics. I have some worries about what the Czarina said... just wanting to read up on it. " She glances quickly back... "And perhaps talk to Bleys about something he said before the wedding started. But that can wait." "The subjects Term Marriage i don't dare touch for then i'll just try and make sense of the marriage of my parents... although.. third times a charm? And i am sure the subject Dragons will soon enough be clear."
Michael James Watson
"Neither is clear... But mind if i attack the first in a brief comment over a pastrami and peppers plate?" He takes a seat at a table near the kegs. "Pastrami and pepper, two tankards of the stout." The platers appear. He pulls up a flat jar of calrabon pepper sauce.
Michael James Watson
"Ok. Term Marriage first since its on my mind. Elayne proposed.. Its part of Family Law. Taught in the Royal Rights. Its a cultural thing among immortal races. A couple pair bond. IN shadow they uses the term "Till death do us part." That implies death is inevitable. With us it isn't. With people living in places like Amber or Thelusia life continues as long as there is enthusiasm. So a couple agrees they to bond and years go by. But are they expected to be a couple forever? At some point a couple agrees to a Term Marriage. This allows them to transition into ending a pair bond respectably, honorably, politely. At the end they have agreed on seperation of assets, powers, and all bond elements. At the end they shake hands a d walk away without guilt. Or decide to stay together... Marriage has certain magical effects.. You were born under a 6 or so hour term so that you were born legitimate. Brand and Fres took a Term marriage to honorably end they bonding and preserve certain magical stuff."
Amber Bronkhorst
Alex shakes her head. "Please eat if you're hungry. It seemed you were in quite the competition in there." She gestures back with her head to the door they had went through. And sits down herself. She takes out her little sketch/note book and her writing and drawing tools. Alex slowly starts to doodle which she often does while listening to information. Alex nods "Oh? Recently proposed? Congratulations! Right and in the case of the 6 hour or so marriage till i was born was to prevent trouble with the abyssal mark and that i am not a bastard child.. i get that. Why they are married now. I have no clue came as quite a surprise.... just hope.mom is not pregnant." A slight chuckle escapes her. Alex mindlessly starts doodling swaddled babies.
Michael James Watson
"It is part of his rejuvenation of his reputation. Fres is respectable. The more people looking over him the better his reputation is. He still spends 6 hours a day in the cell. " "So... Regor... What do you want to know..I have been given permission to visit and copy the Imperial Library. Crispy is annoyed because something he has been pissed about since i got here finally happened. I have been given an official position in the Library:Librarian and Public Access Director. Chaps his hide, pour Crispy. Hey... you could go to Regor with me.. I have Donovan helping create the Azcalan wing. Had you heard of that?"
Amber Bronkhorst
Alex moved from doodling swaddled babies to flowers again. "Well done, congrats on the official position to that which you already kind of were " she adds with a wink. Alex almost drops her pencil as Arlo invites her to Regor. "I think that won't be smart. To go to Regor....i mean... although it peaked my curiosity and all, mom and dad on seperate accounts warned me not to go near there or it's people." She falls silent for a bit. "I mean... you know. I am second warden as well and have responsibilities .. to fulfill duty. And you know i am a stickler for that... But no the Azcalan wing, have not heard of it. Please enlighten me."
Michael James Watson
"Well., first things first. Alvah, the daughter of Delwin, accidentally did combat with an Azcalan lord,Xoxtl. In doing so, quite without planning, she was blasted out of a chamber with a shadow of the pattern and took it to a place that belongs to Vek. In doing so a chain of dungeons under a mountain range collapsed. Donovan, looking for a artifact, discovered Xoxtl's library. A million books. He contacted me and we made deals with Dufiro to rebuild parts of the chamber and confescate all the books. Hence the Azcala wing. " "As for Regor, its a diplomatic mission. Regor has officially opened diplomatic relations with Amber. That didn't even happen when Clarissa was Queen. Anyway, part of the deal is exchange of information. I have a pass to copy about 30% of the library in the Imperial capital. Should be interesting"
Amber Bronkhorst
Alex looks up surprised. "Took a pattern with her... in an accident.. alright yah sure. stranger things have happened i am sure. But when the wing would be here i would love to read some of it. Know practically nothing of Azcalan lore. " Looking at her white pseudodragon flying up she smiles. Playing with her pencil she taps on her sketchbook. "How long would you be going to Regor? Or staying there? Like i have to ask if i could join you... i did make a commitment to Duncan and King Random of course. But under the name of diplomatic relations... i think i'll be alot safer there then i would be before.. and i do love libraries."
Michael James Watson
He shrugs, "Its just a thought. Its not like i have my bags packed. Random is still dealing with Clarissa.. "
Amber Bronkhorst
Alex nods. "Well gives me time to think about it. Right? " Starting to draw again she starts to draw faces... faces of family of those present at the wedding... of Mydoris who seemed so into staring into their direction. "But until then. I wanted to check some books on Dikost.. Clarissa said something about that.. i want to check if it's true. "
Michael James Watson
"Dikost....Thats the religious center of Regor. There are churches of hundeds of demonstrations but the main one of course is the Church of the Tiger. There is a powerful oracle there as well. There are many magical schools. And probably a version of the Squiggle of Regor.." "Sure. Mythology and religion. I know the one. Its the religious center for a lot of Regorian religions but principally the Church of the Tiger. All the religons sort of acknowladge the Tiger . There are lots of magical schools each with its own initiations. There is probably a version of the Squiggle of Regor there. There is also a extremely powerful ORacle with its own huge following. "
Amber Bronkhorst
"Right... so what do you know of it? I know the Tiger is not present there. It had travelldd with Borlak i think. But after a defeat left him. But the Tiger is very important there. " Alex scribbles some words between her drawings. "And what kind of Oracle? Like one of the Oracle places i've read about. Or is it in fact a person. Or several people? Clarissa said something about a body growing at Dikost... what is that? Like figuratively or literally? " Alex just spews out her questions... curiosity aside. It would.be good knowledge to have. And after she had walked the pattern that Osric had so kindly pushed her on. She had met eith Former Queen Harla discussinb the importance of knowing this. Perhaps it is time to know more. Alex is furiously scribbling drawings in her book as she asks her questions and remembers her talk with Harla.
Amber Bronkhorst
"Tiger. Dikost. Oracles.... Frigid cold And wintery weather.... " Alex lays down her pencil and looks up. "Why do you think Clarissa agreed with the ambassador from here and an embassy in Amber? What changed i wonder."
Michael James Watson
Eating is about the only time Arlo forgets to chain smoke and Alex notices he is eating a lot, even for an Amberite. "That is the question of the hour, isn't it? Random asked me that right after Mydoris brought the arcade. Two imperial princes bearing gifts, one a rebel trying to buy his way back into his family. 3 cadet Princes from great families all eager to accept ancient offers to sit in on naval, legionary, and of all things, the fire department councils. A duke with no less then 50 requests for entrance into Rasak, 2 being for Mydoris there, and an interestingly reluctant Alexei. A duke with 100 troops wanting to attend the Colfi Fire School. And a duke with an imperial legion of 5000 requesting Amber military basic training, which since they are set to be embassy security, they will get. And one insane czarina and ex- queen of Amber. So....why do you think she is here?"
Amber Bronkhorst
Alex leans back twirling her pencil between her fingers. She watches Arlo eat and listens to the list of events and requests. A moment silence to think. "If you do not know. And Random doesn't.... Then there is only speculations. Though to speculate on the motivations of the insane.... does that not proof insanity of oneself? " Alex starts to doodle again her eyes focussed on her paper. "My guess.. hmm difficult, i have not enough knowledge and know how of Regorian politics and motivations. And of the inner politics of Amber. But for me it does feel like the Czarina waited for an oppertune and dramatic moment to announce her ,probably while ago made, decision. It feels she would go for the most dramatic and flair type of ways. Perhaps they do want to join forces more. Solidify the relations between two.... Is there perhaps a new enemy or force active whicj threatenes Regor?" Alex glances up quick and does a light shrug. "That comes to mind for me at first thought"
Michael James Watson
Arlo says, "Its not public knowledge but Borlak is in a regeneration tank on Vulsara. A brother of Borlak and Random's, so an Uncle of ours, named Jacques, brought him to Vulsar. Random spoke to this Jacques briefly soon after becoming King. In the creation of the KRD Dworkin helped make contact with every child of Oberon he could. At the time Random gave him a King Random's Deck. ” “Jacques is apparently in service to Borlak. The deal is that Borlak has, regardless of his war crimes across shadow, kept his deal with Oberon not to bring his troops into the third of shadow near Amber. Not to make war on Amber. He has mainly ravaged Regor since his exile from Amber. Amber however, has made war on him, if not officially, when Regor was involved in the Hagalta, Azcala, Regor, Adagalasck crises. Borlak's son Hiroaki was ass deep in warfare then and was captured, taken to Vulsar and interrogated. Then Relmapator slit his throat, the charming vampire. " He lights a urala cig and takes a break from eating. Looks up, in surprise. "Why did I tell you that? Its a state secret.. Well, in for a penny in for a goldwing. Realmer slit his throat in front of me, Julian, Caine, Nina, Emily, Hagalta, Vance, Emily, Dworkin, and a whole Star Fleet medical staff. It was a total clusterfuck. I took Hiroaki and had him healed in Nu Yark but not before he got off a death curse and Dworkin put his foot down like the son of chaos he is. He stripped everyone's powers and cleared magic enchantments and shit went sideways for the Julian, Caine, Nina, Emily. Anyway, Amber had attacked Borlak in a meaningful way and he could rightfully claim the pact with Oberon broken but he didn't. " "So when he and Alexandir Kos Korag fought he was nearly decapitated and ended up in Vulsar." "I think Clarissa is here to work a deal for Amber to turn over Borlak to them for execution and the elimination of the Flowing Horde once and for all."
Amber Bronkhorst
Alex leans back as Arlo seems surprised he is talking about such state secrets. A light and friendly smile on her face. "I do not know why you tell me, i must have one of those faces...." She says with a wink. "But i will keep it to myself. I feel jt is wisdom to not to interfere with this horde and Borlak thing... But i do believe that you can be right about that. If Borlak did such to Regor the Czarina might wish revenge or retribution...." Alex twirls her pencil between her fingers again... thinking. "Well it might be an opportunity for me to learn more about that side of my heritage.... It did peak my curiosity... but then again so does my Abyssal Mark... but i shouldn't get to busy with that.... though i do want to one day experiment with trumps and the mark...... anyway. " Alex taps her pen down in a rythm. "Curious situations.... so any literature you advice me? And could i ask you something to which Bleys didn't answer me?"
Michael James Watson
He gets up and picks through some books, "Ok.. Geography, Royal lines. Wars... These will do to start. " He puts down about a dozen books. Then goes to another section and returns. Putting a book with tiger stripe on the cover. "This is the Book of the Tiger. Like the Book of the Unicorn and the Tome of the Serpent. One thing about the Church of the Tiger. They encourage hunting tigers. Its considered a rite of nobility. Anyone who kills a tiger in Regor can claim a rank of Lord of Regor. Anyone. The book is filled with stories of people who killed a tiger and became a lord. They present the hide and a fang and the church gives them a small lodging till they leave the realm. The faithful tithe to the church. A Tiger Lord, can go to a temple once a week, put their hand on the alter, and get 10 silver coins. called silverclaws. The entire stagnant economy in Regor is based on a person being able to live on 10 silverclaws. The exchange rate to Amber money will certainly be one to one. But keep that in mind. The Faith of the Tiger venerates Tigers. But it also advocates killing them. Irony? Cynasism? Insanity? Bloodthirstiness? Your call. Oh... Most of Regor is cold." “As for asking me questions Bleys wouldn't answer, well,... i like a challenge. " He grabs a bowl of beef jerky rom the food trays near the kegs.
Amber Bronkhorst
Alex looks at the growing stack of books with a certain twinkle in her eyes, for all that she is a soldier a ranger... she loves books. Seeing the striped book she can't resist but touch the cover. "Right. Tigers... venerating and killing... And that Regor is cold my mom warned me about it. And she also said the weather is a bit freezing." Alex takes up the book of the Tiger and smiles. "So this is a good start. Thank you. Figure it is smart to read up. I have the feeling whichever way i turn Regor will come on my path either way..." Putting the striped cover book down. She smiles up. "Well then. At the moment Bleys pulled me through the trump shortly after we discussed my appearance. And we came to the point of my hair... he mentioned something about it was linked to the abyssal mark... what do you know about it? I want to get more control over that... the mark... and i think of going to my original haircolor. Heard red heads have more fun." She says with a wink
Michael James Watson
"More fun? Considering the day you have had, what constitutes as 'More Fun'? " He raises a small hand sized sigil that looks like a glowing roller coasteer in movement on a silvery track. He moves his hand into it and sets up a spell. Afterwards he casts its a a foam comers her hair and quickly bubbles away
Amber Bronkhorst
Alex laughs amused "Well i don't know... and this day hasn't been bad... confusing... and pretty exciting... bad for my sleep... but not bad... and you know perhaps embracing that part of me can help me grow..." She shrugs. "Honestly i am just trying out what feels more like me... all since this me being family thing i feel a bit disconnected to my life and i try and regain some grasp on it... and to be fair. The abyss mark and the Regorian blood are all parts of me." After the effect of the spell bubbles away Alex automatically grasps her hair. Wondering what Arlo has done specifically. Alex looks at him with a questioning look.
Michael James Watson
"The foam is a Almond spell for removing magically implanted hair color." He produces a towel. "Here dry it off. And don't panic"
Amber Bronkhorst
Alex takes the towel and carefully dabs her hair dry though kind of expecting it to fall out of her head now... It is not that her hair has ever behaved like she wanted to.
Michael James Watson
As clumps of hair falls out Arlo says, "Its only hair. The follicles are enspelled. They will grow normally. But I'm going to stimulate them to grow bows
Amber Bronkhorst
It is one thing to expect it... another to actually see the clumps of hair in the towel. A sloght shiver goes through her as her fingers touch her now bald head. A deep inhale and release of breath makes her ensuing panic fade again. She looks at Arlo... "Grow..... bows? " Alex looks slightly worried. "So you mean with shape-shifting? Dad taught me some basics." A nervous chuckle "Wouldn't it be funny if my original haircolor was blonde? Though mom already said it wasn't. "
Michael James Watson
Arlo puts his palm on her scalp and looks into her eyes. She is aware of the scent of smoke, sweat, and alcohol about him as he speaks in almost a priestly soft voice; " We are blood and bone born of man and woman but our origin is from Chaos. We are by nature creatures of many forms." She feels warmth spread throughout her. The hair on her grows, soft, bright red. In her mind she sees a thin red fur red elven form with giant red feathered wings but the images fades, almost but not quite forgotten, as her mind clears. She feels long red hair cascading below her shoulders as Arlo leans back. "Oh...well...that's quite lovely...."
Amber Bronkhorst
Looking up at Arlo she then closes her eyes... she does that not often only with a few she trusts. Seeing the creature in her mind her curiosity is peaked she tries to cling tk the image she wants to draw it. Feeling her hair grow back she ope s carefully one eye seeing the red hair she beams and then looks up with a almost childlike enthusiasm and glint in her eyes. Her fingers carefully touching it she pounces ip to hug Arlo. Not caring of his heavy sweat smoke and alcohol scent. "Thank you!!!! I love it. " She releases Arlo from her hug and takes a step back doing a twirl. "Does it suit me? "
Michael James Watson
"It does. It is your nature. You'll have to learn focus to change it all the same. " He reaches and pulls a small hand full of hair and she feels skillfull fingers braid it. Letting it go, she pulls it up to see the braid is her blond hair.
Amber Bronkhorst
Alex smiles up at Arlo. Seeing the blonde braid she frowns a bit but her smile quickly returns. "Focus, yes i have to learn that for multiple things. Any advice on that? I have to learn that for trumps. For shapechanging... for that mark.... though using it seems easy enough so far. " Twirling her braid around a finger she nods "Lots to learn. Oh dad gave me something to check on the Abyssal Mark. He said i would know when it was ready."
Michael James Watson
"Focus. Concentration. Single mindedness. Memory. Precision. All skills for a sorceress. The Red Mark is showing off letting you use it. It plans to use you if you learn to depend on it without knowing how to control it. My advice is to take time to study. You are Second Warden and I bet if you ask Duncan what that means he will say a lot of down time. Yes the Rangers have to be rebuilt after their loss of manpower. A third went with Julian, and a third transfered to other forces or retired. A third remained. Promot everyone who stayed a rank up. Recruit hard. Train hard. But like any soldier knows those kinds of things are a lot of Hurry Up And Wait. Spend that waiting time wisely. " Darcy comes over, notes Arlo's look. "Hey boss, this is one of those time. I'm overruling you. " He tosses a poker chip on the table. Arlo picks it up and looks at him. "I'm busy oh my elite." He nods, "I know. Go to Rasak. Get a weeks sleep. I'll have Doria look in on you there. Don't make me call Random and tell him you are refusing a pokerchip." Arlo stands, withdraws a trump, "Sorry Alex, a deals a deal. We'll talk later today if you like but its been a busy couple days for me.." He stepos through the trump. Darcy says, "Sorry..He's hit the wall. I can tell by the food and the sloppy magic. Hey, sorry to eavesdrop, you know a lot of rangers left the service because they couldn't under Julian. Boredom is a problem with long service. The third who stayed did so out of duty. But boredom hit them too. Julian never diversified a soldiers experience. Look at the Elites. We never do a detail for more then a couple years before being rotated. Guard duty in Shadow, investigative service for the police, training gigs, protective service, we are a more rounded service. Suggest to Duncan that he let Rangers take other trainings, Afkir, Bandtar, Thelusian Guard, Rebman Waterman.. hell, send them to shadow universities. Let them stretch their legs and a lot of the grumbling will go away." He starts cleaning up Arlo's mess. "You know, the fanatics went with Julian. Everyone who didn't had a reason for not being part of Julian's cult. Duty, boredom, stagnation, even family. Let them stretch their legs, live on a looser leash, they will serve you better."
Amber Bronkhorst
Alex nods to Arlo as he talks. Agreeing with him so far. "I know... it can be boring... and don't worry it'll never use me.... i won't be dependent of it." Looking up at Darcy she raises her eyebrow and waits to talk until Arlo left through the trump. Hearing Darcy's suggestions she nods "You are right. I am thinkjng of ways yo better things and these suggestions crossed my mind... give room to learn and experience and it keeps the mind and body active... And yeah.. we don't talk about Julian at the Rangers." She stands up.running her hands through her now mostly red hair and smiles. "Well i have loads to read up on." She points to the stack of books. "Duncan is probably still in meeting. So i'll go drink a bit more read and draw..." She looks behind Darcy to the door of the arcade and grins... "Might try that later"
Michael James Watson
"Can I give you a suggestion since i have you here?"
Amber Bronkhorst
Alex nods while she takes up one of the books deciding which tk go for first. "You always Darcy, you know i value your advice and suggestions."
Michael James Watson
HE steps in close and speaks softly. "My position with Arlo is sort of an exception from the rule as Elites go you know. We are friends as well as prince and protector. You were an Elite and you should know blood or not, the Elites think of you as one of their own more then a lot of the royals. Gods of might they may be but none of them walked night duty in the dungeons. None of them did the breakfast watch at Sea View or stood post on the Foppish prisses in Diaga. You have eyes and ears for the calling. " He picks up Arlos sandwich and takes a bite. "Secondly, you know the King has started this group, the Kolvir Musketeers? Discipline cases from the Elite, the Army, the Navy. people whose loyalty isn't questioned but their manners are worthless. They are tasked with protection places on the Mountain and are getting attention from civilians. They have Police Powers, did you know? They can arrest people. They are acting like they are hot shit. The Rangers need to keep an eye on them. Just my opinion. I think you should request Rangers do protective services for location. They are archers, so put them in the rafters;In the Courthall, cathedral, chapel, places they can provide overwatch. Don't frame it to the king as a turf war but as working together, with the Musketters taking the ground and the Rangers taking overwatch. A Ranger is better with a bow at range then those powerful short range guns the Mousketeers use."
Amber Bronkhorst
Alex looks up, her fingers tracing thoughtfully the cover with the tigerstripes. "I think i will always see myself more as an elite then royal... i find it still odd Karieeena is there now for my protection while i not even a year ago was the protection of another royal... Anyway... the musketeers, yes i have heard of it. I have my opinions about it. And i certainly do like your suggestion. And like you suggested earlier the Rangers need to stretch their legs get to do different things. I'll suggest it to Duncan and Random when i can get them together and with time to talk. But i like it. And i think i can sell it. "
Michael James Watson
"One last thing..Dame Fres....She is the Patron of the CCC. A lot of people laugh at the CCC. But you and I know how important it is. For the people. The ones who laugh at it are mostly these mus\kety mucks we protect. There is a reason so many Elites play in the CCC. You should push for the Patron or the commnader of the CCC to be a member of the King's Privy Council. It will make the gentry feel the King looks after their interests"
Amber Bronkhorst
Alex looks at Darcy and with a friendly smile she folds her fingers together and calmly speaks. "Darcy i will try... but my position is fresh and new and i have to relay on alot of others to get these, very good, suggestions done... " Alex sighs "I have the feeling not everyone is as happy with me... be it due to my parents, or that i've always been here... that mark.... But i will try and advocate for us... the elites and the CCC. "
Michael James Watson
"Nothing here gets done in a day, hell a year even. But it certainly won't happen if no one mentions it. Oh hey.. Come get drunk with the Elites some time. Bring a few of the friendlier rangers. Get some camaraderie going. Both groups are being openly, if playfully insulted by the Musketeers. They like dueling, its one of their things. We need to be ready to duel their arses off."
Amber Bronkhorst
Alex laughs amused. "Ah yes.. I know, no changes are expected right away. But it is a good thing like you said to at least worko n the issues and let them here and there be known... hhmmm an idea.. why don't i bring soon some friendlier rangers along to join the morning run... and you at another time bring a friendly group elites along to join a hunt with us... Should be fun to mix things a bit up... and of course... in the later hours we can drink, sing, dance and... other more frivolous and fun activities." Alex thinks for a short moment and then adds. "What is the deal with the pokerchip? Why can you overrule him? Other then that you and Arlo are also friends of course.
Michael James Watson
Darcy laughs, "Oh! Well, there is a story to it. There was a time when he and I were in shadow and we got roaring drunk. Like stupidly, knocking down walls drunk. It was all well and good till he got way drunker then I and he started breaking things with the spells on his frames. Now, he has a bunch of inscriptions that have frames, plus a number of artifacts that do so at any time he has upwards of 100 spells hung. He has a technique for maintaining them that invovled eleaving Amber for about 5 minutes each Amber day to a world where he takes a couple day tweaking them, resting, eating, then returning. So I know he has skipped it when he starts over eating. " He lights his own cig, "So there we were knocking over fences and walls and he started firing off spells, to replace them with move earth spells, and it got bad out of hand. The world had wizards so they recognized spells, but Arlo's were astoundingly more powerful then anything they had seen. Within a few minutes though a whole world's magic users showed up and we had a nasty fight. A pointless one too since we had no reason to start it except intoxication. We got out of there without wholesale manslaughter but it pretty much leveled a collection of villages and town. It will go down in their history. " "Anyway, I had been trying to talk him out of everything starting in the bar when we started going past my limit and I had stopped drinking. He ignored me and a region of hamlets was flattened. We had to return disguised as wandering laborers looking for work just to pitch in to rebuild. After that we made a deal, Principal to Elite. If I throw a poker chip He has to do what I say. Stop drinking. End an argument. Give the poor girl time to rest. Whatever it was that made me throw the chip at him. He hasn't broken the Chip Rule Yet."
Amber Bronkhorst
Alex listens with great interest and where she already had great respect for Darcy with this story it only grew. "Well shit... that is quite a story and a perfect solution to something you know that can happen. It is good to see you are taking your duties still so far up and beyond. Is Arlo okey with you telling this? Not that i plan on sharing it with anyone."
Michael James Watson
"is he ok with me telling you? No he isn't. However, Random, Bleys, Rede, Vance, Agrom, Elayne, Colfi Hale, Jurt, and a dozen other people all carry pokerchips with them." He does a hand flourish slight of hand production of a pokerchip. "Here. Never know when you'll need it. Never use it unless you really need to"
Amber Bronkhorst
Alex frowns hearing Arlo is not okey with it . But after hearing who all knows and is prepared to care enough for Arlo to intervene she smiles. Alex looks at the pokerchip, gives a short nod and accepts it. "Well.lets hope he doesn't need to be called to reason by me... i would if need be. Just hope it never gets that far." Alex twists her newly red hair around her fingers and witj the other hand she looks at the pokerchip. "It is a smart system. If you ask me everyone should have a call to reason or call to break system... especially those in such high powers. " Looking a bit conflicted if she should say she then decides to trust Darcy as she usually does. Leaning a bit closer. "The more and more i learn about the royal family... and the powers. The sttengths i also notice and learn more and more about the mental instabillity.... it worries me. When will the next one stand up...ready with well intended but insanely destructive and dangerous plans... Which will harm the people the not family members more then thosein high power of the family and such....." She looks down to the pokerchip "Like my father did...."
Michael James Watson
He nods, "Ya..you got out of the service by being outed as royal. But you know where the lunch room is. " He produces another chip, "Remember something about Arlo too. He is the son of Eric. Not a son who didn't know his father though. Eric found him in shadow when he was young. Groomed him over centuries to be a warrior but he fought to be a scholar. He father never quite accepted him a wizard till he got good at it. Then he trained him to be a king but let him train himself to be a sorcerer. He has as many daddy issues as anyone. And his daddy was in a group being driven to create cabals and rule Amber and his won. When Arlo finally came to Amber as Crown Prince he was not accepted. Eric was going to rull Amber for 10,000 years so what good was a nervous bookish crown prince? Even Oberon dismissed him out of hand. He only gave him one order; Go to the library. It messed up his head. Bear that in mind when dealing with him."
Amber Bronkhorst
Alex smiles a bit pained smile. "I do, thanks, sometimes i really envy my past days as an elite.. it was hard work but i knew the fuck i was doing... I knew what was expected... now... it feelsike that first day out of Rasak... you feel mighty powerful and accomplished that you done it and survived but the real world immediately slaps you in the face. " Hearing Darcy talk about Arlo she nods slowly. "Yeah he really didn't get it easy.... and was treated poorly. I am happy i can call Arlo a friend though even before i was outed. I hope that people like us who do care for him help him feel less... fucked over with.. But his story proves as much my worry. Where his history is really messed up... it is what i understand a common thing in this family... children appear and are already damaged before getting in touch with all that entails being of the family.... It is good Random tries to keep a check on it with regular call of the kin... but still... " Moving the pokerchip between her fingers she leans back and looks at Darcy with a dead serious face. "If you would have to choose between protecting the people and serving the royals... what would you do?..." Alex seems a bit nervous in her question... Alex mutters a quick explanation after it. "I mean. Basically what i am asking. Would you choose Amber and its people over the family?"
Michael James Watson
Darcy ponders, "A difficult ethical question to be sure. IT would have to be situational. It would depend who was involved? What the orders were? In the end, as Elites, our Protectee takes precedent. But not always. I still think its hilarious that Faroooq punched Zachery square in the gob. Some of the royals need to be reminded. So, its hard to say"
Amber Bronkhorst
Alex nods then smile cracks as she hears of Farooq punching Zach... "Yeah of course it depends on certain situationsl details. Don't have an exact example... more thinking things through. Just a.... thiught experiment i suppose. " Alex looks at her stack of books and nods "Guess it is time for me to pick up some reading... with the Regorian situation i like to be well informed. "
Michael James Watson
The white psuedodragon flies around in heaven, finds that ther are other psuedodragons in the library that never come down out of the rosters. It lands on a book high up in the rafters with the picture of a sparrow on it. The white dragon flits among the rafters, high in the peaked roof till he finds the row of shelves high above the floor. There, unseen by the twofooted dwellers below, are ancient tomes long forgotten relegated to the deepest lonely storage triangles up a rarely used nave. Here the cats and birds and ferrets and pets of the Amberites long forgotten have made a home. They venture out for plunder, knowing even the mice once had names. But below Arlo feeds them. Margot sends scraps up daily. Teague lands beside a gray cat and the two trade looks. The cat returns to sleep. The dragom pulls out the sparrow book and setles in to read, to learn the language, and sleep as well in his new home high above the notice of the people below.
Amber Bronkhorst
Alex looking up at where Teague went to she smiles. Teague has been more curious about stories and such anyway. So this would be a perfect place for him to stay. She calls up. "Teague do you want to stay here? if so can i ask you a favor?" Alex takes out two of her already full sketchbooks with scribbles drawings thoughts and ideas. "Will you keep these safe for me? i can also bring new books from travels if you want."
Michael James Watson
Teague takes the books up into the rafters to the nook shared with the gray tabby. Looking at them, hoping to someday learn to read.
