#seat of the triumvirate

[offdensen]

James "Heart Eyes" Kirk

[felassan]

The Art of Dragon Age: The Veilguard - more preview pages, under a cut due to spoilers. Preview pages come from Amazon.

( Other batches of preview pages, spoiler warning for links:

[Foreword]

Google Books pages [Part One]

Google Books pages [Part Two] )

Antiva We wanted the city of assassins to be opulent, seductive, and theatrical. The tongue-in-cheek design concept was 24/7 Batman opera: dark roofs to perch on, rich interiors with daggers behind every curtain. Antivan designs worked best in high contrast with rich colors. It increased the overall drama. We made the rooftops the domain of the Crows. Above the city they move freely, striking bold silhouettes for the population to thrill at. Some parts of the city have sunk deeper into the sea.

Antivan Crow Costumes The Antivan Crows are murderers, yes, but they are wealthy, flashy, stylish, sophisticated murderers. They are not a goon squad killing innocent, helpless people. They are what Antiva has instead of an army to (for a price) protect the nation from threats both foreign and domestic. While outsiders may see them as swords for hire with delusions of grandeur, the Crows are a celebrated and integral part of Antivan culture. This is you working alongside Antonio Banderas in Desperado, not Steve Buscemi in Fargo. They may not be nice, and it is totally reasonable for a player to be opposed to working with assassins, but this specific group is not intended to be uniformly grim. Crows aren’t shy about displaying their wealth. [Center] Originally designed as a seasonal Halloween costume, this Crow was too good not to build. Costume design for a faction that’s all about theatricality gave us a chance to go big.

There are still a lot of different archetypes within each faction.   For the Crows, they can range from ominous to bombastic. It was fun to explore the range of Crows, from the elegant to the scoundrels. We briefly explored giving Crows functional grappling hooks. While the Crows were mostly about leather and silver, we still wanted to have some heavy armor in their lineup.

Furniture tells you a lot about a region. In the case of the Deep Roads, we went for as many single-cut stones as possible. Paragon sculptures celebrate prominent figures in every profession. [top right] A tongue-in-cheek design for a dwarven mining suit. Bas-reliefs, sculptures and signs all speak about what life was like in the Deep Roads before they were abandoned.

[top center] A mobile crucible. [center left] Crane powered by a walking wheel. [center right] A walking wheel-powered pile driver. [center bottom] Industrial-level blacksmithing equipment, including a trip hammer, a grinding stone, and bellows. [bottom right] An industrial-grade blast furnace where tons of metal are smelted and poured out into giant molds.

Rivain Castaways making new lives. The majority are human, descended from Tevinters and their longstanding trading partners. There are ethnicities here who don’t seem to match the currently documented list of nations, hinting at shores not visited in living memory, and there are also Qunari. Some fleeing the Qun. Some not fleeing, but reinterpreting. There is a sizable Qunari community, and it is finding converts and alarming both Tevinter and the Qunari triumvirate. Rivain is a mix of outcast people making something new. Life beneath Rivain is just as varied. Banners of conquerors over buildings touched by many cultures, smuggler tunnels, Tevinter public works, the bones of conquered cities and even deeper infrastructure, elven ruins, deep roads, and deeper roads. Rivain was a great palate cleanser between dense urban regions, midnight swamps, and vast caverns. It may be beautiful, but it’s no less dangerous to navigate. From the earliest sketches, we wanted a land of tropical colors, infested with dragons.

Arlathan Forest Arlathan Forest, once the seat of power for the ancient elven empire, is now a realm where magic runs wild and twists reality itself into new and terrifying shapes. Artifacts from that long-ago time have begun to activate. Infused with the powerful magic that saturates the very ground in the forest, they have made what was already a dangerous place far stranger and more deadly. [right] [there is one more caption in this image that I cannot make out the text of]

Book art credits:

BioWare art: Matt Rhodes, Ramil Sunga, Albert Urmanov, Christopher Scoles, Nick Thornborrow, Steve Klit

Volta art: Gui Guimaraes, Stéphanie Bouchard, Akim Kaliberda, Alejandro Olmedo, Alexey Zaryuta, Julien Carrasco, Maksim Marenkov, Marianne Martin, Mariia Istomina, Marion Kivits, Matti Marttinen, Mélanie Bourgeois, Pablo Hurtado De Mendoza, Rael Lyra, Rodrigo Ramos, Thomas Schaffer, Tiago Sousa, Tristan Kang, Vladimir Mokry, Yintion J, Joseph Meehan, Stefan Atanasov, Julien Carrasco

Additional art: Marc Holmes, Thomas Scholes

[mymultiverse00]

Detention

It was a quiet Friday afternoon in Volterra Castle, and as Marcus signed his name on the day’s last edict, he couldn’t help but smile. Friday meant the end of the work week under the new Volturi work/life balance guidelines, instituted five years ago by his beautiful mate, Y/N, thank you very much, and it also meant the end of the school week. Marcus always looked forward to Friday, now that he was a father, as he could not wait to spend the weekend doing normal human activities with his wonderful wife and darling daughter. They had been with him for just under a decade now, and every second spent with them filled in the cracks from a millennium of hurts, and he cherished every single one.

He looked down at his watch with a small frown, noticing the hour was later than normal, but it was quickly erased as the air around him shifted, and the light, airy scent of oranges and vanilla filled his senses. His daughter had just arrived home from school, and as was her custom, she was making her way to the King’s study to greet her father and uncles. She was moving quickly - too quickly - he thought, and suddenly he had a feeling that something wasn’t right. The intensity of the feeling actually scared him a little, and he had just risen from his chair to go meet her when he heard his daughter arrive.

Wham!! The door to the study was flung open heavily, causing it to bounce off the wall behind it. He could see his daughter was extremely angry, and her eyes blazed with rage.

“Uncle Aro!” She shouted, her eyes scanning the room in fury. “Where are you?”

Marcus looked to his right, noticing that his brother had indeed abandoned his desk, and was forced to hold back a smile as the man in question casually reentered the room from the adjoining balcony. Aro was doing his best to appear surprised to see the girl, but Marcus knew better than to believe the act.

“Ah, principessa! You are home!” Aro enthused, greeting the girl with a wide, happy smile. “How was your day?”

“You know how it was, Uncle,” she hissed. “You promised you would stop doing that!”

“Doing what, my heart?” Marcus asked, coming to stand next to his daughter, offering her a careful hug. “What has Aro done?”

The girl sighed, leaning heavily into her father’s embrace. “He helped me with my homework again!”

“Aro!” Marcus chided. “We’ve discussed this, brother.”

Aro said nothing for a moment, looking down to brush an imaginary piece of lint away from his jacket. “I had to do it darling, your essay was incomplete. I was only thinking of your grades,” he explained.

“Incomplete!!” The girl screeched. “It was fine before you tampered with it!”

“There, there, little mouse.” Marcus patted his daughter’s back in a comforting gesture. “Do you have the essay with you? May I see it?”

She nodded, untangling herself from their hug, and reached down into her discarded backpack. “Here. Read it, and you’ll see, Daddy.”

He took the papers from her hand and moved back over to his desk, turning on his reading lamp as he took a seat. He read aloud to the room.

Julius Caesar was a Roman general and statesman. A member of the First Triumvirate, Caesar led the Roman armies in the Gallic Wars before defeating his political rival Pompey in a civil war.

“A fine start, darling, well done.” Marcus praised her.

“Skip down to the last paragraph, Daddy. That’s where you see a last minute edit someone added.” She glared at Aro as she spoke.

Marcus looked down again and flipped to the last page of the report, focusing on the final lines, mysteriously written in flourishing red ink. The penmanship was familiar to Marcus. After having to read it for the last several thousand years, he would recognize it anywhere. He grimaced and read aloud again.

In conclusion, Julius Caesar was a pompous bastard who got what he deserved. He was an uncultured swine and a blight on society. Shakespeare’s play is nothing but gross exaggeration and, frankly, not worth the paper it’s printed on. The Italian school system needs to do better.

“Aro!” Marcus scolded, setting down the paper and giving the dark-haired man a disapproving look. “Shame on you, brother.”

“What?” Aro questioned. “Tell me which part of my statement is untrue, Marcus. You hated that asshole as much as I did!”

“Maybe so, but you cannot put those things in her homework. What will the teacher think?”

“She’ll think I’m being insolent and give me detention, that’s what!” The girl cried. “I had to write lines about not using inappropriate language in my reports and I have to read Romeo and Juliet as extra homework now!”

“Ah! How delightful!” Aro rejoiced, clapping his hands in excitement. “Now the Montague family, there was a family that understood diplomacy!”

“Daddy! Please make him stop!” The girl begged her father. “Tell him he can’t help me with my homework anymore, please?”

“Aro, brother, I have to agree. As much as you want to share your first-hand knowledge of historical events with our princess, you cannot do so by changing her homework. I want you to give your word; you won’t tamper with her work again.”

Aro considered Marcus’s words for a moment, looking into his niece’s pleading eyes before silently acquiescing. “I am sorry, little dove. I should not have changed your paper and I will not do it again. I was only trying to help, but I can see my help was not needed. Forgive me?”

The girl smiled at Aro, moving to his side to embrace him in a hug. “I forgive you, Uncle. And I’m sorry I shouted at you. I was just upset about getting detention.”

“Well, I’ll find a way to make it up to you eventually, love. “Do you want me to have your teacher killed?” He asked innocently.

“Aro!” Marcus scolded. “You will do no such thing!”

“We can discuss it later,” Aro whispered to the girl, smiling at the giggles spilling from her lips.

“Ok, Uncle Aro.” She kissed his cheek and then crossed back to her father to do the same for him. “I’ve got to go talk to Mama about our plans for the weekend, so I’ll see you two later. Love you!” She called as she darted out of the room, backpack in hand.

Marcus shook his head as he returned to his desk, packing away his books and ledgers, chuckling all the while. He looked over at his brother and gave him a wry smile. “He was a pompous bastard, Aro. You were right about that.”

“Of course I was, Marcus. Wait until she sees what I wrote in her report about Henry VIII.”

The End

[talonabraxas]

Lord Brahma Talon Abraxas

Brahma is the Creator God in Hinduism. He is the first created being, along with the other gods, Vishnu and Mahesh. Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh (Trimurti) are associated with creation, preservation, and destruction. The most essential Hindu philosophical concept attributed to him is that of Brahmavidya (divine knowledge). Brahma is also considered the Supreme God - The Creator and destroyer of the universe. He is often depicted as having four faces and four arms, holding a sacred scripture in one hand. Brahma is usually shown as being seated on a lotus flower in full bloom. Brahma has four heads and is often depicted as having four arms, holding a rosary in one hand and a book in another. He also holds an axe, which is said to be used for creation, preservation, or destruction, depending on the context. He is also known as the "Supreme Being" and the "Benevolent Creator." The four heads of Brahma are faced in each of the cardinal directions, representing his knowledge of the past, present, and future.

[ravkanfoxprince]

Chaos had errupted in the meeting room and Nikolai leaned back in his chair, watching. With Zoya and the Triumvirate being occupied with Second Army issues that needed immediate attention, he took it upon himself to meet with their cabinet. Weeks ago they had worked out documents for that meeting, which had been put off far too long and after his latest discoveries, he had altered some of the conditions last night. There had been no time to counsel with the others, but he doubted one of the Grisha would object to increasing their living conditions. Much due to his own doing, he'd been and felt rather abandoned by the people closest to him, which led to a long free fall into what seemed a bottomless void of self-doubt, despair, rage and guilt; the hard crashing however had shaken some sense back into him, filled him with new clarity and motivation, like a broken compass needle coming to a halt for the right direction. He couldn't change what happened in the past, but he could try and make sure it didn't happen again. Or minimalise the risk at least. Nikolai pressed his gloved fingertips together, giving the heated arguments another minute, noting who was for and against his suggestions. People being against them was ridiculous anyway. With a shake of his head, he raised his voice: "May we all calm down now! I find that I'm rather appalled by how many of our members are against better treatment of Ravka's people. We are, collectively, supposed to protect them. All of them." From his seat at the head of the table, he gave the cabinet members a long, hard look. Some of them at least had the decency to look embarrassed. He continued to talk: "We have not done enough to protect our vulnerable Grisha-" "Vulnerable!", one of the cabinet members snorted, "they kill without ever laying hands on us and you call them vulnerable?" Nikolai looked at him rather coolly: "Most of them had and have to turn to actions like this to survive. You'd point the end of a rifle at everyone who threatens you life too, wouldn't you? What gives us otkazat'sya more right to protect ourselves than Grisha?" He was met with silence; he couldn't quite tell if it was grim disagreement or rueful agreement, but as he looked into their faces, it depended on the person. What gave him the right to speak for a group of people he didn't belong to? The question had pestered him this morning. It had been Tamar who reassured him that, having an otkazat'sya speaking for them might be an advantage. He still wished Zoya would be here next to him, Genya or David too. He'd even appreciate Aleksander's ghostly apparition, though it might look as if he'd lost his mind talking to himself for outsiders. But, he chose to do this and he was standing behind this decision.

Restlessness getting the best of him, he had to get up from his chair and started walking around the table while he continued to talk: "We've always deemed Fjerda with their drüskelle to be the most hostile towards Grisha, but what have we done to treat them better? They're persecuted here too, just not as loudly. Many still live in hiding. Even here at the Palaces, many still see Grisha as nothing more but weapons. Having a Grisha queen seemed to have the opposite effect of what we hoped for." Bitterness swung in his words. Many Grisha of the nation had celebrated having a queen of their own rows. But her power, her unpredictability and her dragon made those wary of the group outright fearful. And fear caused hate and violence. He thought Zoya was what Ravka needed. He wondered if he had miscalculated so heavily or if it just needed more time. "And that's surprising? The last Grisha in power aimlessly killed thousands of people", a sceptical voice from the other end of the table. He could not have this conversation again. It was tiring. But he inclined his head in some sort of agreement: "That is true. But it also started out as trying to protect our people. It went terribly wrong at one point, yet it all comes back to the same point." It actually emphasized his point; although he knew not many in this room would believe the Darkling had good intentions. "We have reached a point where Grisha feel so unsafe in their own home that they've turned to horrible experiments to increase their chances of survival", he dropped the bomb, "this including their own people as well as otkazat'sya. It should've never needed to come to this. Or any of what happened in the past. We need to make sure that it's not necessary. You aren't Grisha, but you should still care. And if it's beyond your empathy, than care for your own kind. What we're aiming for isn't too much to ask." The silence in the room stretched out as he came to stand behind his chair. This time it wasn't disdain, but thoughtfulness. The door had been unlocked. Now it just needed to be opened.

[appleciderjulie]

i have more rambles for you guyysss~

i just got back from my fall break vacation to universal studios, and i had a lot of fun!! the highlight of my trip was definitely nintendo world, but i was very disappointed to find that it was all mario stuff. i mean, dont get me wrong, i love the mario franchise, but splatoon will always have my heart

so today i just wanted to talk about what i think some sort of “splatoon world” theme park thing would look like! just a note: i dont actually expect any of this to actually happen, (god forbid nintendo has any sort of splatoon-related stuff available to north america-) but its fun to think about, isn’t it?

first of all, the aesthetic and vibes. i think any of the hubs could work, but splatoon 3’s would probably work the best shape and structure wise. also its my favorite city out of the three and this is my post so i get the final and only say ok

one thing i noticed is that instead of traditional roller coasters, its all “experience rides” which are like the 3d glasses where your seat is shaking to mimic as though you were actually there. having a salmon run ride would be really cool, i think. you can be a salmon run worker, working with a team of 4 to defeat salmonids and collect golden eggs, with a triumvirate battle at the end ofc.

i want the shops to be like the actual in-game stores, like the merch store is hotlantis, and you can get food at a little booth like you do in-game, like a marigold cafe or something along those lines.

anyways i hope you guys dont mind me being delusional about all this, i just got a bunch of ideas in my head and needed to get them out so i could function like a normal person again (nintendo should hire me)

[the-better-kazoo]

Furina and Julius Caesar Parallels

I know we already established that Furina is both Jesus and Marie Antoinette, but istfg I am gonna shove my Julius Caesar Furina agenda in here somewhere because I swear I make perfect sense. 1. The infamous backstabbing. If we really think about it, Furina's friends can count as the equivalent of Julius Caesar's senators, mostly with half of them technically having some involvement with leadership/government. Though Julius Caesar's was a literal backstabbing and I know we all still have mixed opinions about the entire putting Furina on trial thing, the entire process leading up to the trial can count as a more metaphorical emotional backstabbing for Furina because even if we can all argue about its necessity, there's no doubt Furina felt really betrayed by the entire thing.

2. Julius Caesar conquered France back then. Do I even need to explain it in detail? 3. This is gonna be the most detailed point because my mind is still rotting with this, but there's the Triumvirate that existed before Caesar officially rose to dictatorship. If we follow the timeline and apply it to Egeria, Focalors, and Furina's two sides, I swear it fits.

The Triumvirate back then was comprised of Crassus (Egeria), Pompey (Furina's Ousia Side), and Julius Caesar himself (Furina's Pneuma side). For this, we also have to keep in mind that Furina's Ousia Side is the real Furina herself (the actor), and Furina's Pneuma Side is the "archon" (her role).

As all, it starts with Crassus dying in battle (Egeria's death). Soon after, the Senate (Focalors) endorsed Pompey (the real Furina) as the new leader (the acting hydro archon). And because of this, Julius Caesar had to defeat Pompey's forces to take his seat as the leader of Rome (The real Furina had to die inside little by little so "the hydro archon" Furina can properly take her place as the archon that the citizens wanted.)

I know all of this is a stretch but my Furina brainrot combined with my history lesson and my tiredness is still making all of this make perfect sense for me and I need to make this everyone's problem.

[cheshire-castle-library]

Joining Snippet Sunday!

Everyone thank @tracle0 for the brilliant idea! (And reblog their post while you're at it!!)

But it was also that 72 hours that made ignoring things I didn't want to deal with sound like a normal idea, instead of questioning whether the station was about to cave in, or - more relevantly - if I had company.

I turned down the last corridor to the "surface access lift".  Caught something in the corner of my eye, glanced half-heartedly and shrugged.  More rattling, but really what didn't in Earth Central.  The "up" button was already lit on the lift panel, which was less the gravlift it should have been, and more so an elevator system some extremely driven agents managed to "procure" the night before a local hotel demolition, sometime in the 80's.  My head slowly started questioning, through the murk of exhaustion, as the elevator made its sharp, echoing 'ding'.  The sound set my sluggish nervous system on fire, hair on end, banishing any thoughts that tried to form as the florescent light poured out of the elevator into the dark hallway, illuminating me and the flood of dust and lint in the air as I stood somewhat dumbly before it.  The dawning anxiety you get when you realize you're dreaming washed over me as I squinted into the light.  Slow thoughts percolating poorly through exhausted synapses and pseudo-cells, as I tried to either decide I'd already passed out and was dreaming, or if what I'd seen was real.

The elevator door shut without anything leaving the car, my eyes still locked on where the 4-or-so foot tall figure stood behind the door.  Was it even a figure?  A street sign?  A diamond-shaped head on a stick-like body with a single eye seated off-center of the face that managed to blink at me once before the door shut between us.

Another moment passed with me squinting at the elevator door.  "Autex, proximity bio scan."  My voice echoed back to me metallically off the deck plating of the dark, empty hallway.

["Attention: Insufficient Host Intracellular Energy."]

"Shit."

The interface voice of the Autex slurred in my head as it read off a litany of diagnostics and repairs it was initiating on my body, as my consciousness fell out of my grasps, and my body fell to the ground.  Half-thought questions about the blinking street sign, the Autex, and my impending concussion floated lazily in the dimming murk between my eyes.

"Belvedere Thurston, you are Summoned by the Triumvirate of Founders," a voice like tar and leather echoed in the hallways, and the last thing I saw, squinting through fading vision, was a "Road Work Ahead" sign with a mustache and one, off-center, eye leaning over me.

[celinamarniss]

The Triumvirate finale will start posting this week!

Padmé has a little cameo in Thrones, Dominions, and she's on better terms with Mara now.

Mara sat up and wished she hadn’t. 

“Do you want to throw up?” Padmé reached across the bed and pressed the back of her hand to Mara’s arm and then to her forehead. Her fingers were cool. 

Mara wanted to throw up very badly. “No,” she said. Moving gingerly, she eased back against the head of the bed. She had no memory of returning to the Chimaera or of changing into a nightdress and being put to bed. 

“You should eat if you think you can keep something down,” Padmé said softly. She twisted around in her seat to reach a service table topped with a silver dome. Lifting the dome, she retrieved a bowl and spoon. 

“The glitterstim they drugged you with was potent,” Padmé said, placing a tray across Mara’s lap and offering her the spoon. “Luke did something with the Force to neutralize the effects of the drug in your system, but you might still feel unwell.” 

Nodding in agreement would only make her head swim and Mara wasn’t going to throw up. 

[youngster-monster]

For the Spotify wrapped game, if I may be so bold – 23 with the Silvermoon Triumvirate? <:3c

23. Waxahatchee, MJ Lenderman - Right Back to It

Rommath has been burned countless times before: it has not made him prone to trust. If anything, it has made him prone to subterfuge, to scheming, to keeping his plans under wrap so no one may throw a wrench in them, to studying his allies like pieces on the opposite side of the chessboard. It has kept him alive this long.

Sometimes, he gets too deep into his own shadow and starts to wonder: why bother with the rest of them? Why not drive this plan like a blade through their hearts, since they would stand in his path anyway? (These thoughts most often happen when he has not slept for a very long time).

He approaches their meeting room with clenched teeth, his eyes sharp like he might need to see a hidden dagger coming. He throws his legislature on the table like a challenge or a duel.

Lor'themar riffles through the pile of paper with interest, nodding as he does. Halduron reads over his shoulder and comments aloud, puntuated by Lor'themar's wordless noises of agreement:

"This is really clever. What do you propose we do about the Merchant Guild, though?"

Lor'themar points at a line, a small crease between his eyebrows. "The wording there leaves some clear loopholes--here, Halduron, pass me the quill. Rommath, we can make notes on this, yes?"

His shoulders slump as he lets out a sigh, faint enough they will not hear it (but know it anyway for what it is: relief).

He forgets this. That they are on his side and he on theirs--that they will be there as long as he lets them, waiting for him halfway.

"Don't you dare, Lor'themar," he deadpans, taking a seat. "Don't force me to squint at your interline chickenscratch later on--take another page, for Light's sake."

[tobiasdrake]

I guess we're at war now. Sure, I can take a detour.

So we have two plates that both need to be held down and five people in our group. I feel like we could probably solve this without climbing any further in the tower....

But maybe there's something worth stealing further up. Let's keep going.

My persistence has been rewarded with more work.

That's on me. I should have known better. *sigh*

Genuinely unsure what to make of these statues. Decapitated figures holding a helmet in one hand and a staff with a bird skull in the other. Given that these are birdfolk, I assume the skull on the staff is meant to be their own?

They're all over the place, too. The Triumvirate seems to be super fond of this art. I bet you a one of them (or a relative) made the original, so now they're being distributed everywhere even though nobody's really sure what the artistic intent was supposed to be.

Good news, we found Estrid. Bad news, we're embroiled in a political conflict and will have to come back to this. See you soon, Estrid. I have a cult to destabilize out of spite.

Okay, team. The sign on the wall clearly labeled this place "Seat of the Triumvirate" so we should be getting close to...

...to, uh....

...

Are you guys having a meeting without me? ._. That's hurtful.

Pay attention to me

I don't even remember what I was going to say now. Thanks, everyone. Just... expect to have to fight them all at once but don't stress over it because it's five against three and we are, each of us, worth ten.

This is going to be an easy in-and-out and then we're back to doing god stuff.

Also, the statues up here are even uglier. I don't know why that was important to bring up. But they are, and I hate them for it.

Hey, Wabbit Season over there declared war on us so now my crew and I have to turn you guys into a human centipede of regret. No hard feelings, nothing personal.

Fine, we can try diplomacy again. But if I see buttons pushed or switches pulled, I'm gonna start swinging. I don't know when I'll stop.

Well, this is going well. There's nothing religious people love more than having outsiders trample all over their sacred territories.

I'm sorry, were you saying something? We were too busy being way above your pay grade.

Come on, team. We're done he--

You know this dipshit, Resh'an?

Yeah, I'm both confused and alarmed too. You keep saying you've never been to this world. Is this something that happened pre-fracturing of the timelines?

Hold up, Aephorul pulled off a seemingly impossible feat of magic to give you that form, didn't explain how, and you've just... never questioned it? To this day? Even after everything with Aephorul went so horribly sour?

I've been wondering this for a while but, Resh'an? Do we have a conflict of interest? Because we're here to commit a murder. I made that very clear in my Statement of Intent speech. Are you too emotionally invested in Aephorul to carry that out?

I just. I need to be sure you're committed to this, man. And I'm not.

Shit, I want to try that. You've been with us for how long now and never even brought it up? Not even one "check out this cool drink I can make"?

Now my feelings are hurt. ._.

"I'm going to kill countless members of your population for a powerful enchantment and in exchange, you can have some neat elevators and I'll let you worship this rock with a face on it."

I don't see the bargain there. Pretty sure you were just being used. This sounds like revisionist dogma to try and whitewash over a historic catastrophe by pretending it was secretly good actually.

In any case, I need to go visit a rock with a face on it, if we're done here. We are done here, right?

...Resh'an?

[valamirx]

@ofromulan location: the STREETS notes: greasy

Valamir had history in Rome, but that wasn't the only reason he'd come back here. Romulus had been in this city when the lycan had returned, which meant that Xerxes wasn't far behind him. Word was that one of the Triumvir's sat in on their meetings with a booster seat - really there weren't many vampires that drew that sort of mental image. He expected to run into Xerxes eventually, but in all likelihood the Pluto vampire had his head too far up Romulus' ass to realize that Valamir was even in Rome. Or care, for that matter.

The skull of a man with an unpaid debt hit the stone wall, Valamir's hand encompassed most of it as he held the man in place. "This is your last warning." A second extension was more than the gambler deserved, but the lycan was in an uncharacteristically good mood as of late. Something about a dead magister. He could smell the blood as it spilled down the man's temple, could hear it as it trickled against the stones before Valamir's grip loosened and he let the witch scamper to his feet. "Three days." Mumbled, frantic gratitudes fell from his lips as he scurried off, making it past the source of a very distinct, pungent scent.

"You're far from your estate." Valamir pointed out as he turned cerulean eyes towards the vampire, they were near what used to be Arno territory: a place for rats and vermin like the petty excuse for a man that had just ran off. "Let me guess, daddy sent you out here to do his dirty work?" He wondered if Xerxes would know that Romulus was dead, if he'd accept it - if his compulsion had broken.

[druidx]

OC 15 Questions Tag

Tagged by @blind-the-winds

Open tag! Because I need to refresh by tag list again... (qs 1 onwards are the normal ones for this tag, I just wanted to add some extra ones for background)

Doing this one for Elowyn O'Toreguarde.

"Captain?" Millicent calls, after knocking on the door to the office. "There's a Ms Bilton, from the temple of Olidammara, to see you." Elo looks over the abacus on her desk. "Right?" "She's an archivist, here to interview you as part of her Apprenticeship studies. She was booked in three weeks ago." "Right." Elo sighs. "Show her in then."

Millicent backs out, and is replaced by a dark-haired human in yellow vestments. "Julie Bilton, Ms O'Toreguarde," the woman holds out a hand to shake. "It's Captain," Elo says as they shake. She gestures to the couch. "Have a seat."

"Now, to begin," Julie says after they've settled,

a. Could you explain a bit more about what it is the Wiggy Wardens do?

The official term is the Special Recondite Unit, or SRU. Our role here is a cross of the regular Watchhouses, with the Wizard's Tower and the Temple of Pelor. So for example, if your neighbour keeps throwing loud parties every night keeping you up, your call your regular Watchhouse. But if they discovered that actually that party was your neighbour trying to summon a demon from the Pit, well that's where we get involved.

b. What exactly do you do as the Captain of the Wigg-- Special Recondite Unit?

*Laughs* Paperwork! There is an endless stream of requisitions forms to review, rotas to arrange, reports to summarize for the Triumvirate. I'm pretty much tied to my desk all day. The only time I'm directly involved in fieldwork is for particularly sensitive or dangerous matters.

Are you named after anyone? Hm, not after a person. However, I am named for the giant elm in the woods outside the city. 'Elowyn' is the translation of 'elm' into the woodling tongue.

When was the last time you cried? I may have been on the verge of shedding a tear when I found out that my best friend's husband had been murdered. It was only temporary, fortunately.

Do you have kids? No. Even without directly engaging in fieldwork, my line of work is just too dangerous and unpredictable. I wouldn't want to subject a spouse or child to that.

Do you use sarcasm? It is a very unfortunate habit, but yes, I do dabble when the occasion warrants.

What's the first thing you notice about others? Body language. You can read a lot about a person from the way they hold themselves, particularly if they're about to become a threat to yourself or others.

What's your eye color? Green. *Bilton leans closer and scribbles down: Bright, spring green.*

Scary stories or happy endings? Happy endings. Scary stories have their place with morals and lessons, but a happy ending is better for everyone.

Any special talents? *Snort laughs* Yeah, you could say I have a few. Being the Marked Chosen of no less than 5...7?...An amount of Gods certainly has its perks. The most useful is being able to see people's aura of intent, but my favourite is being able to cure diseases.

Where were you born? In the Forest of Night, in a village called Arath.

What are your hobbies? When I have chance, I sing in the choir at the Gardens of Galana. But mostly it's sampling new tea flavours and spending time with my loved ones.

Do you have any pets? Hmmm... *Elo grins* No, I shan't be mean. No, I have no pets.

What sports do you play/have played? The goblins have this game call Heksoth, which uses a ball of moss and a big, flat rock. The aim is take the ball from one end of the play area and smash it against the rock. I've been playing for four years and I still don't know how it's scored, and as far as I can tell, the only rules are 'no incendiaries' and 'no biting'. It's great fun though. Really keeps you on your toes. Aside from that, I practice my martial forms and spar.

How tall are you? 3'3". Remarkably average for my race.

Favorite subject in school? I didn't really get what one would now consider a conventional schooling. I suppose Culture was my favourite. I liked learning about all the different cultural practices that mesh in the city, and how while some are common across all peoples, every one has something unique to only them.

Dream job? Sometimes I think it would be nice to be able to hand all the paperwork to someone else, and go back on the beat for a week.

"Thanks you for letting me interview you," Julie says. "My pleasure." Elo shakes her hand again, and ushers her out of the office. "How did it go?" Millicent asks as they watch the woman leave. "Well enough. Millie?" Elo turns to look at her secretary. "Next time you book one of these, can you make sure it's within a few days of me agreeing? That way I might have a chance to remember that I agreed to it..." "Of course, Captain," Millicent says with a grin.

[amberthefantasy]

Nitimur in Vetitum

chapter fourteen: ligatus (bound)

9th Day Before the Kalends of Iulius (23rd June)

Lucretia let out a loud huff as she leant back against Agrippa. The messenger that had just arrived from Brundisium was stumbling over his words as he relayed the message that Antonius had sent to Gaius. For the past three months the two Triumvirs had been sending messages back and forth, on some odd attempt to avoid a war.

Why they couldn't just come to terms over this petty conflict, Lucretia didn't understand. This back and forth did nothing but weaken them both in the eyes of Rome. It was foolish and it made her blood boil. "Gods this is foolish," Lucretia snapped. Her annoyance with the stuttering fool of a messenger finally boiling over. "Just settle this now Gaius"

"I'll look weak if I give in first," Gaius glared at her.

"You look weak now," Lucretia snapped. She stood quickly, striding across the room to stand before her brother. "You look like a foolish child who cannot solve a petty disagreement with your ally."

"If he looks foolish then Antonius will too," Agippa said from behind her.

"Yes," Lucretia agreed, she took a few more steps forward to lean against the table. "But Gaius has only been active in Rome's politics for four years, he has begun to establish himself but is still seen as young and inexperienced. His inability to handle this disagreement reflects worse on him than it does on a seasoned general and politician."

Gaius gritted his teeth. Lucretia could see his thoughts running through his head as he tried to find a flaw in her argument. "I have been nothing cordial, offering actual solutions to this issue. It is Antonius who is being obstinate," Gaius finally said.

Lucretia raised a brow. "Antonius is being obstinate," she repeated. Lucretia tapped her hands against the wood of the table. "I shall go and speak with Antonius," she declared.

"No!" Gaius and Agrippa almost yelled as one. Lucretia glared sideways at them. Then, noticing that the messenger was still standing near the door, she waved him out. 

"I have known Antonius since I was a child, he would not harm me," Lucretia said. "Besides, to cause me harm could cause a war of blood instead of papyrus."

Agrippa let out a noise of complaint but Gaius was staring at her with narrowed eyes. "You truly believe that?"

"I do," she gave a decisive nod.

Gaius swallowed. "You cannot actually be considering this?" Agrippa snapped.

"She's right," Gaius said softly. "We need to solve this now and she is the only person who Antonius may speak to."

"You have to be fucking joking," Agrippa hissed lowly. "I will not let my wife risk-"

"-I am going," Lucretia cut him off. "And that is final." She snapped turning to one of the slaves near the edge of the room. "Gather my things I shall leave at once."

--

5th Day Before the Ides of Iulius (11th July)

The city of Brundisium was beautiful. Lucretai had seen quite a few cities in Italia throughout her life, travelling with her mother when she was young and her father after her mother passed, but she had never seen Brundisium. It was not nearly as large as Rome but bigger than Ardea was. 

Antonius had set up an encampment on the outside of the city but himself was living in the house of some ally inside the walls.

Lucretia had not expected to be instantly invited inside after her arrival, but it seemed some scout must have seen her coming because there were already men waiting to escort her to Antonius when he reached the city gate. 

They led her through a few small streets and to a large villa. Antonius was waiting inside for her. Seated on a klinai, reading a letter. "Lucretia Julia!" He called with a smile that did not reach his eyes when she entered the room. 

"Marcus Antonius," Lucretia responded with her own fake smile. 

"To what do I owe this visit?" Antonius asked.

"My brother sent me," Lucretia said bluntly as she took a seat on the klinai opposite him. "He wishes to finally resolve this petty disagreement."

"Petty disagreement..." Antonius repeated. "He fought my wife."

"Your wife attacked us," Lucretia raised her brow. "And when the war was over both her and your brother were pardoned for their uprising. It was you who sent her away." Lucretia paused, "I hear she recently passed, I am sorry for your loss." She added.

Antonius clicked his tongue, "thank you." There was a moment of silence. "What does your brother want?"

"All he asks is that his occupation of Gaul be recognised as a legitimate action, and that he gain control of Illyricum. In return he will confirm your control of the east and support any military actions you wish to take there," Lucretia told him the terms that she and Gaius had discussed before she left.

Antonius stared at her with narrowed eyes for a moment. "Italia remains neutral."

"Of course," Lucretia nodded.

Her father's old friend clicked his tongue again. "I will agree on the condition that Gaius comes to an agreement with Sextus Pompeius too."

"He already has plans for one," Lucretia nodded. 

"Then I am amiable to these terms," Antonius nodded. 

"There is one more thing," Lucretia leant forward. "Due to the recent death of your wife... my brother is willing to offer you a marriage to seal this peace."

"A marriage? With who?" Antonius raised a brow.

"Octavia. She is a widow and not currently pregnant."

"From my knowledge she has not yet completed her mourning period. Nor have I," Antonius said.

That was true, she was not even halfway through it but she was the only female member of the family through which this peace could be sealed. "The pontiffs would be willing to offer an exception."

Antonius tapped his fingers against the side of the klinai. "I would be honoured to marry Gaius' sister."

--

6th Day Before the Kalends of Sextilis (27th July)

Lucretia pushed off the wall she had been leaning on to watch the builders when Scribonia entered the room. "Get Octavia," she ordered one of the slaves standing beside her. 

Scribonia turned to look at her. "Hello Lucretia," she greeted.

"Hello Scribonia," Lucretia smiled. She walked over to hug the other woman in greeting. 

Footsteps came from behind them and the two women turned to see Octavia walking towards them with her two youngest children. "Uh Octavia!" Scribonia called. "The Gods. Give me one of those." She reached for one of the children. A slave was following behind Octavia with Fabia in her arms and Lucretia reached out to take her daughter as well. 

"Take Marcellus. He's such a lump," Octavia held her son out for Scribonia to take. "I can mange Marcellina," Octavia fixed the cloth wrapped around her youngest. 

Fabia grabbed Lucretia's hair and she had to push the little one's hand away. Replacing her hair with the gems around her neck in her daughter's hand. The three women began to slowly walk out of the atrium. "Wow. How much did this cost?" Scribonia asked.

"Our brother came into some money, as you know," Lucretia explained. 

"Excuse the mess. Gaius has only just got back to Rome from signing the agreement with Antonius," Octavia moved her hand in the direction of the builders.

"He's too busy to bully the builders so we offered to help," Lucretia joked.

"It helps take my mind off everything," Octavia said softly. "Do you like it?" She suddenly asked Scribonia, looking up at her.

"I...I do," Scribonia laughed slightly.

"That's good," Octavia locked eyes with Lucretia for a moment. "Because you'll be living here soon." Scribonia furrowed her brows slightly. "Our brother's proposing a marriage to you as part of the treaty with Sextus."

Scribonia's eyes widened in shock and joy. Lucretia felt her stomach turn. Marcellina began to cry. Octavia smiled down at her and then began to walk over to one of the seats against a wall behind them. Lucretia followed her.

Scribonia let out a slight laugh again as she placed Marcellus down and turned to face them. "I told you you'd find my family useful," she smiled.

"Of course, negotiations are bound to drag on for months," Octavia said as she pulled one of her sleeves off to feed Marcella.

"That's what Gaius says anyway," Lucretia added.

Octavia looked down at her feeding daughter, face filled with emotion. "What?" Scribonia asked. "Aren't you happy for me?" Lucretia almost rolled her eyes at the oblivious selfishness of the woman, Octavia was obviously upset.

"Yes," Octavia looked at her. "Yes. But I am to marry Marcus Antonius to seal the peace between him and my brother," she revealed. "The latest one anyway."

"You're not even halfway through your mourning period," Scribonia said, her voice a mix of shock and care.

"I could hardly say no to Gaius," Octavia looked sideways at Lucretia who blinked and looked away.

--

On the Ides of Sextilis (13th August)

Lucretia shifted her dress slightly as more people entered the villa. Even Antonius would be here today, and Lucretia caught sight of him pushing his way to the front of the crowd. Gaius was already standing to the left of her, with Agrippa at his side. Her brother caught her eyes and gave a small smile, Lucretia responding with her own tight one. 

There was the sound of movement behind her and Lucretia glanced up to see Scribonia and her father, Lucius Scribonius Libo, walking down the stairs. Lucretia raised her hands to politely clap as Scribonia reached the bottom of the stairs. She had to admit that the woman looked beautiful in her white and yellow dress. 

Agrippa stepped forward to stand closer to the dais where Lucretia was waiting. "Welcome, to the marriage of Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus and Scribonia Liba," Agrippa began. The two named people came closer together to stand beside Lucretia. She looked forward when she saw some men leading forward a goat for the sacrifice. "Great Juno, Goddess of Marriage and Fertility, accept this gift of life and blood from this great house of Lucius Scribonius Libo." Agrippa halted to let the sacrifice take place.

"Scribonia Liba, are you ready?" He asked the woman.

"Yes," Scribonia said softly.

"Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus, do you agree?"

"I do," Gaius' voice was strong.

"Then she is yours," Agrippa nodded.

Lucretia held out her hands and placed Gaius and Scribonia's together in front if her. Cheers and clapping broke out amongst the watching crowd and Lucretia smiled tightly at the newly married couple. --

On the Nones of September (5th September)

Lucretia did not know whether she preferred to be watching or participating in this wedding. Maybe it was the fact that Lucius and his wife were the ones officiating that made her displeased. She may have recommended that they pardon the man but that did not make her like him anymore.

Lucretia had to contain a scoff when Scribonia started playing with the ends of her sleeves. Even a month into their marriage Scribonia was still clinging to Gaius like he would disappear and it made Lucretia's skin crawl.

Her thoughts were derailed by Octavia and Gaius entering the room. Octavia was gorgeous, she always had been. She was wearing a slightly darker white than other brides often did. Even though she had received a dispensation to marry it did not make her mourning for her late husband any less potent.

Lucius began the ceremony with a smile, and Lucretia let her thoughts wander again as she gazed around at the guests. Many were people she knew but were not close with. Horatia was here, with Lucius Fabius, and she caught her eye and gave a small smile. Agrippa placed a hand on Lucretia's back to bring her back to the present just as Antonius said the words that would confirm the marriage. She began to clap with the others, glancing sideways Lucretia locked eyes with Gaius who gave her a small triumphant smile.

Their peace with Antonius was sealed and soon the negotiations with Sextus would come to an end. Peace would rule Rome. 

NiV masterlist / post masterlist

[talonabraxas]

Lord Brahma Talon Abraxas

Brahma is the Creator God in Hinduism. He is the first created being, along with the other gods, Vishnu and Mahesh. Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh (Trimurti) are associated with creation, preservation, and destruction. The most essential Hindu philosophical concept attributed to him is that of Brahmavidya (divine knowledge). Brahma is also considered the Supreme God - The Creator and destroyer of the universe. He is often depicted as having four faces and four arms, holding a sacred scripture in one hand. Brahma is usually shown as being seated on a lotus flower in full bloom. Brahma has four heads and is often depicted as having four arms, holding a rosary in one hand and a book in another. He also holds an axe, which is said to be used for creation, preservation, or destruction, depending on the context. He is also known as the "Supreme Being" and the "Benevolent Creator." The four heads of Brahma are faced in each of the cardinal directions, representing his knowledge of the past, present, and future.

[mythriteshah]

Brilliance Born from Activity

Another brilliant day within the vibrant terraces of great Radz-at-Han as commerce begins to run rampant throughout the streets once more.  But amidst the hustle and bustle of this melting pot of mercantilism is the Higuri Regalia’s Main Branch, tucked deep within the residential district of Kama.  Within this mythril-blue palace lied the Servants’ Lounge, where an extravagant feast was being held.

Much revelry was had as Regalia workers, Near Eastern citizens, associates, and adventurers alike enjoyed the many sights and sounds of Thavnair within this opulent hall.  Every party-goer within this meyhane-in-disguise wore festive masks with myriad faces of men and beasts alike.  These were worn in homage to the Manusya and the Mrga - the deific beings who once warred in ancient times, but eventually sought for peace by trading their heads and limbs and were created anew as creatures of might and wisdom.

Atop the balcony which overlooked the lounge proper were three Lalafellin women garbed in matching robes - also masked, but upon which bore the likenesses of the greatest deities worshiped in Thavnair - the Magus Sisters, patron deities of Thavnair.  The one in golden robes bore the mask of Sanduruva - the Sister of Prosperity, and stood in the center.  To her left was a Lalafell dressed in silver, bearing the mask of Minduruva, Sister of Ingenuity. Which left only Cinduruva, Sister of Wisdom, to the lass opposite of her.  She was adorned in bronze, and with glasses of Bacchus Wine in hand, each of them toasted to their audience below after a riveting speech was given by each of them - a toast to the revitalization of commerce.

“Is it not wonderful, my sisters?” spoke the golden-clad Lalafell.  “This is what we have fought so hard for, and even now, our coffers flourish - our profits soar... And everyone benefits from it.  Truly, were we any richer, our tears may as well turn to gold!”

“Indeed, Baroness,” chimed the silver-clad one.  “If we so willed it, Etheirys would be ours.  Not even the Syndicate can compare to us.  But even they have their uses.  After all, we ourselves had humble beginnings in the sea of sand known as the Sagolii.  And now look at us: at the forefront of fashion, and the proliferation of profit.”  The bronze-clad Lalafell chuckled before nodding in approval.

“It is humbling, truly, to recall our start,” she said.  “But through us - the D.B.M. - the Duchess, Baroness, and Marquess - enacting our lord’s will - we ensured that nary a soul was left unaccounted for in our everlasting quest of profit.  Truly, a job well done throughout the summers.”

As they danced and feasted below, the trio would unmask themselves:  Duchess von Sena, the Bronzed; Marquess von Sona, the Silvered, and Baroness von Suna, the Gilded.  These three special agents comprised the financial triumvirate of the Higuri Regalia, answerable only to House Higuri.  It is through their actions that their prime directives are fulfilled, which they would utter in unison:

“To make our statement known; to bless all within our presence with riches.  By our authority shall none ever dispute the veracity of the Higuri Regalia’s financial strength.”

The festivities proceeded apace, with little end in sight.  After a good bell’s worth of time had passed, they would receive a call from their linkpearls...

Further eastward lied the Higuri Regalia’s Othard Branch Headquarters: the Mythrite Suites Hotel.  This castle-like established was the seat of power for Head Secretary Yuanji Yuji, whom had just recently opened up her own commercial leg of the Regalia which she had dubbed the Mythril Treasury.  This expansive Far Eastern shop located in the hotel’s basement quickly attracted the attention of locals and Ijin alike, and the rare and exotic items displayed would be coveted by many.  Koban lined the fountains and ponds strewn about the market, and on the far end sat the Yuanji, reclining on her White Tiger-inspired throne as she gazed upon the massive phasmascapes before her.

Staring at the center one, she was awaiting the call of the Regalia’s agents.  Before too long, they would appear on-screen as the proximity feed was projected directly from the linkpearls they were given, allowing anyone on the same frequency to see what they saw on the phasmascape.

“Baroness!  Duchess!  Marquess!” she greeted as she rose her pipe in greeting.  “Full glad am I to receive you!  The Mythril Treasury flourishes and the kogane flows into a venerable river.  Much profit has been gained... and many secrets have been learned.  I owe it all to you, whom had taught me the finer points of mercantilism.  Arigatou!”

“Oh, think none of it, darling,” the Baroness replied, taking the lead.  “You know as well as any that those who serve the Regalia are destined for great things - from the newest employee to the most seasoned of models - and you are of no exception, Miss Yuanji!  Far gone are your days serving tea, for you are now a merchant worthy of renown!  The Dunesfolk blood runs in you as well, and by the Traders and Sisters, we saw fit to awaken that thirst - that drive to amass coin.”

“And it feels amazing!” Yuanji replied, spinning in her seat in delight.  “Such potential I never knew existed from within!”

Some moments later would Yuanji and the others receive another call from their linkpearl.  The frequency was familiar to them, and thus would they answer.  The phasmascape to the left would then flip over to the sight of what appeared to be a lush garden against a mountainous backdrop.  Some individuals were chatting amongst themselves in the background, but a few familiar faces were seen escorting some Garleans of significant import.  Himmeya, Kaori, and Swoztu were seen waving in the background.

“Ahh!  Our Enforcers!” chimed the Baroness.  “Which could only mean -”

“Yes.  My apologies for my tardiness, Angels,” spoke a voice.  The feed (which was being broadcasted from a magitek bit) panned over to reveal a voluptuous and bespectacled Duskwight in a winged clockwork gown.  Beside her was a tall Hyur of a woman with blonde tresses held back by a white hairband.  She wore armored gauntlets which stopped at her shoulders; sabatons and greaves protected her legs, and she bore a large tower shield upon her back and a gunblade sheathed at her left hip.  She wore a dress of vanilla yellow which maintained an air of refinement.

“You’re never late, Telphie-Hime!” Yuanji reassured.  “Besides, I see that operations in Ilsabard are proceeding apace!”

“Well, lest you forget,” the Duskwight explained, “I owe much and more to this nation of Garlemald - even more so to the Regalia and House Higuri.  I had been conscripted into servitude for my technological know-how, but Lord Fafastima won my freedom so long ago when he realized just how young I was.  And now, so many summers hence, I have helped contribute to this nation’s return to greatness.  With trade re-established between it and Radz-at-Han, Garlemald will finally be able to stand on its own feet.  So thank you, dearest Angels, for taking this silly nerd of a Princess under your wing.”

"If anyone is to be grateful, Princess Higuri, it is I,” spoke the Hyur.

“Oh!  Is this who I think it is?” the Baroness asked.  The Hyuran female lowered her head into a flowing bow and smiled.

“I am Youmei dus Kyria, quondam Hoplomachus Optio of the IVth Imperial Legion, 2nd Cohort.  With conflicts finally dying down I can finally assume my place among my fellow House members.”

“House Kyria...?  I am afraid I am unaware of such,” Yuanji pondered with a furrowed brow.  After a long swig of her wine, the Baroness would chime in once more with: “It is no surprise, Miss Yuanji, that you are unaware of her clan.  But it is best you hear the story from the lady herself!”

“Thank you, O Gilded Baroness,” Youmei said with another bow.  “House Kyria was around since the time before the Imperialization of Garlemald.  Before we were accepted into the royal family as Palātīna, we were but humble merchants.  Trade and commerce were our lifeblood, and it would not be long until we would come upon that blessed nation of Thavnair to the south, where we conducted numerous agreements prior to, and even during, the non-aggression treaty.  When Lord Fafastima headed the Regalia, he had his own ambitions to create an Ilsabardian branch closer to our capital, and we had strong ties to the Populares to help ensure such relations were possible.  While unsuccessful sometime after its creation, Lord Fafastima’s generosity and drive for international collaboration ever lingered in the minds of House Kyria.  Thus did we try to maintain as much communication as possible with House Higuri, keeping them apprised of imperial matters as time passed.  It was difficult at first, but - loathe as I am to admit - as Garlemald’s grip upon the realm began to waver, such talks became easier.”

“After much deliberation, we have finally brought Youmei into our fold, making her an official Angel, and the first Garlean to do so!” Telphie declared, which gave everyone in the call reason to cheer.  Youmei could not help but blush in embarrassment, though she was no less honored to be welcomed so enthusiastically.  “She still has duties she would like to fulfill in Garlemald proper, so she will remain with the other Enforcers --”

The Duskwight damsel would find herself being cut off mid-sentence as the Baroness, Marquess, Duchess, and even Yuanji began to debate amongst one another as to which branch Youmei would be assigned.

“It is only right she join our Lord Sultan in the Main Branch!” The Baroness stated.

“With all due respect, Baroness,  the Aldenard Branch is the most logical!” interjected a new voice.  It was Shishira Shira, Advisor to the Head Secretary of the Aldenard Branch.  She would come into view on Yuanji’s right, pointing her finger authoritatively.  “They are already in Gyr Abania anyway, and our airships are bound to receive them shortly to give her her new garments!”

“It is certainly a delight to see you, Miss Shishira, but I must apologize!  The Othard Branch is her destiny!” Yuanji retorted.  “The Garlean and Thavnairian Consulates would benefit much from a Garlean Palatina’s presence!”

This friendly bickering over Youmei only made the Garlean turn redder than a rolanberry as Telphie could only shrug and spectate.  While it was fun to participate in an Angel’s discussion, there was still work to be done amidst the revelry.  Telphie and Youmei spotted a hooded figure amidst the crowd of Ala Mhigan Resistance Fighters, whose gaze would meet with hers before she slowly approached the two.

Himmeya and her fellow Enforcers would rush to Telphie’s side to defend her, which alarmed the onlookers present, but she stretched an arm out to them, gesturing her fellow Angels to stand down.  After closer inspection, they recognized the symbol on the hooded figure’s mask.  It was similar to the same ones they saw during the Ilsabard Contingent’s initial push into the capital, and as before, this individual - a Raen female - presented before them a magicked mythril case.

“It is all right, everyone.  She is a friend,” Telphie reassured the crowd, which eased any tensions that may have risen and deflected their interest.  With the coast now clear, the individual bowed in thanks and slowly opened the chest to reveal its contents, which left everyone’s eyes wide in awe.  “Angels, you may want to see this.”

The ladies’ argument would end abruptly as the feed would be changed to share Telphie’s vision.  Shishira was able to view it from her monitor in her office, whilst the D.B.M. looked at it from their Tomestones of Frivolity.  What they beheld was a chest filled to the brim with inky stones of red, blue, and green hues, brimming with an ominous yet familiar energy.  Strewn about it were also fist-sized pearls that housed elemental might, as well as a motley assortment of other dark-looking materials that seemed as though they were absorbing light.

“By the Sisters, what is this?” the Baroness gasped.  Youmei simply looked on in wonderment, unsure of what this meeting would entail.

“I recognize some of those contents...” Shishira answered.  “Studying under Queen Chichibi, I have learned enough from our Mhachi heritage that most of the contents in that chest is void matter coalesced into those stones.  The other materials, however, I’m not too sure about.”

“It seems like they are tiny pearls that hold within them a profound amount of elementally-aspected energies!  Quite a find!” Yuanji hummed, intrigued by what she is seeing.  “I should contact the Mythril Wavetraders to have some sent to us!”

“You may not have to, Miss Yuanji,” Telphie spoke, “For this lady has just informed me that a shipment will be sent to the other branches by sundown.  Our airships and submersibles have also redirected their course to accommodate this.”

“I could only imagine what this could entail!” spoke the Duchess.  “Such a discovery would make excellent additions to the Regalia’s reserve stock!”

“If only this came before the Largesse - we could’ve offered these to the public as well once we had them purified and refined,” posited the Marquess.

“Yes, yes-yes-yes, but what does it all mean?” the Baroness huffed.  Before too long, everyone would hear another voice within their ears as a new individual entered the call.

“It is simple, my dears.”

It was a calm and gentle voice like a quiet snowfall.  They knew immediately that it was none other than their lord, the Diamond Sultan, and everyone straightened themselves as though they had been called to attention by a commanding officer.  And the sentence that followed was the most tantalizing string of words that was sweeter than any lassi; spicier than any pepper, and more uplifting than any song or dance...

“It is the precursor to my latest breakthrough.”