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Link	LATE AFTERNOON OST: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlVGt97ZLMQ& The warpgate to Zora's Domain is not inside the city proper. It is outside it, along a long and winding river trail, to the lake it connects to. Large cliff walls watch over them, grass underfoot and a well-maintained road. Merchants travel across with the group, as does an escort of Zora - fish-like men and women with skin primarily shades of blue and green, possessing long head-fins and gills. Their guards wield spears entirely, not a single sword among them. The sun is high over the path, giving plenty of light and time for chatter as anyone heading there together travels. The city itself is one of a kind. It is not on the shores of the lake. It is inside of the massive lake, partially submerged, with open air plazas made of glass and metal, colorful visages of various hues, especially scarlet. It's a kaleidoscope, as glass bridges show many fish deep underfoot, and the city could easily contain thousands of people. The cliffs surround the lake, showing tall dams at the very top of the cliff. Farther back is a clear raised cliff, heavily guarded, but too far to see exactly what's up there, and any pathways to that area are not clearly accesible. The 'entrance' to the city leads into what is clearly a tourist district, after they get past the guards with their escort, who direct them to the palace but notes that it will be a bit, so they can explore on their own. The buildings in this tourist district tower higher than in other areas, with Hylians and Gorons alike milling about, shopping, chatting with Zora, and hanging out. Shops sell colorful water-resistant silks, water-resistant bags, and honestly, water-resistant everything that can be water-resistant. Weapon shops sell artisan spears with jewels embedded into them, at high prices. The cuisine is primarily seafood, both freshwater and saltwater due to the Zora being the most fitted to have outposts on the coast, though other meats and fruits can be bought at a high price. Once you get past the tourist district, the city becomes even more unique. The buildings become shorter, with the glass underfoot revealing that they are actually partially submerged for the Zora who live here, who are obviously more comfortable in the water. The business district is necessarily taller than most, but even then, there's no skyscrapers. The residential district tends to meanwhile have much more depth to it. The palace is in the center of it all, both submerged and tall, and is like a sparkling jewel of glass and silver, with tall conical pillars and many, many guards. They still have time before the meeting, but if they want to be weird, they can visit it early - they're allowed on the grounds due to Sidon's instructions - though Sidon himself is apparently in the middle of 'second lunch', not that he'd probably mind seeing visitors early. There's easy water access all over the place - some Zora are actually swimming underneath, while others are taking side entrances through the submerged parts of buildings to get inside. A bunch of Zoran children are kicking around an inflatable ball in a street corner, near a prominent orphanage that seems well-taken care of, called Lulu's. One of them is trying to get attention from visitors, if they'll listen, but he's also charging people for whatever it is he has to say, so none of the tourists are paying him any mind. There's a strange undercurrent to the city, though. Outside the tourist district, the Zora tend to avoid tourists, or look at them with suspicion. Worry. It's enough to make you feel unwelcome. Link is here. He's standing with Fi near the palace, the blue sword-woman hovering around him, as he looks at a city map he bought from the tourist district. Fi speaks up, that melodic but simultaneously robotic voice. "Master. There is an 87% chance that your hunger levels will lead to nausea and dizziness during the meeting. You should rectify this immediately."
Revali	Revali lands directly in the city, joining the group when they reach it. "Zora's Domain," he says, to the group. "There's not really any place like it." "And ordinarily I'd say that's a good thing, but I've been seeing some of what else is out there in the other worlds..." he adds. He looks around and decides to approach the child who's trying to get their attention. He also gets a 5-rupee piece out, because he knows how this works.
Mordred	After hearing about the land inhabited by people with pointy ears, people that eat rocks, and people that are fish, Mordred's finally had enough of just hearing about the bizarre place. Today, she's here to see it for herself and the rulers of the fish!     Naturally, she's not going to be shy about staring at their escorts. The helmet helps to hide the gaze from being too obvious, at least, although having the face of it turned towards the escort is a bit of a giveaway. It's not until they're brought to the tourist district that Mordred has finally tired of staring at the Zora, although that's just in time to come face to face with the Hylian and Goron shoppers next.      At least the scent of food helps distract the swordsman, and she doesn't balk at buying a few more snacks than she should to consume on the way through the district. It keeps her mouth full and stops her from asking the REALLY stupid questions for a while, although it does make staring at the Goron less subtle.      By the time Mordred reaches the palace proper, she's there just in time to hear Fi addressing Link's lack of food. Sizing the pair up, she stares at Link skeptically while tossing a fish skewer at him. Not lightly lobbing it or anything, either, but more of an overhand flick from the wrist. "Oi. If you're gonna meet royalty, better not have your stomach growling like some kinda thug."
Sylvi	The Tourist district. Home of shops! Colorful people! Games! Absurd challenges of skill for children! Delightful fish people! Not a hint of songs about fish heads because it'd be very disrespectful to their enormous king, King Fish-Head. That's... probably not his real name. Besides an EXTREMELY shady alley is a very colorful sign featuring an arrow besides a slot machine with a strange handle that looks like an archery target. Below which are a variety of UNIQUE PRIZES!!! (depicted with disclaimer that limited quantities available...) 1) A wonderful QUIVER! It's lined with colorful fish scales in a beautiful rainbow. It's probably the best quiver you could POSSIBLY get before the last dungeon. 2) There's a beautiful diamondlike heart, with a dollop of red in the center, some heart-shaped container about a quarter filled with crimso. 3) A small pile of WEIRD COMBS with pictures on them. They're colorful! 4) Some weird spikey-chainey thing. 5) A large sphere also on a chain with big sharp teeth and googly eyes. This picture is painted over on the sign with a big red X. An extremely generic green zora crouches near the sign painting over the HEART CONTAINER and the QUIVER with more red X's. "Sheesh. Bird-guy cleaned me out." "Step up, heroic adventurers! I've got a game of skill AND chance here! Only one player at a time, and five rupees a shot - the great Slotchery challenge! I've still got..." The proprietor-zora stands next to the sign. "The weird COMBS and the chainey-winchy thing left? Come one, come all! Hey! You! Over there! With the blue girl!" The Zora waves Link down. "You look like the second or third best archer in town, want to try your luck at... Slotchery?!"
Tetra	"Indeed not," replies Princess Zelda from her spot near Link, clad in a rather regal travel dress. She tilts her head at Revali, "Hm. What do you mean by that, though?" the princess asks curiously.     Hearing Fi's note to Link, after Mordred tosses him a skewer, the princess opens a pouch on her belt and hands Link a few 20-rupee pieces. "Here, fill your stomach. Can't have the Hero make a showing like that here," she remarks, her tone casual and not totally serious. "It wouldn't do."     Gracefully stepping closer to the newly-arrived group, the princess bows, her right hand over her heart, the mark of the Triforce visible. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintances. I am Princess Zelda Rhoam Hyrule."
Staren	Staren's shorts and shirt actually double as swimwear, but he's left the coat behind and added webbing for carrying pouches. It doesn't look as dignified, but he suspects almost any alternative would look worse.     Noplace like it? "I bet." Staren agrees. He takes in some sights, tries some seafood, and... as with Revali, finds his curiousity drawn to the kid calling people over and then trying to sell them information. He doesn't have rupees, but he does have some gold and silver coins from other worlds, so he can probably work something out.
Sarracenia	Through the warpgate comes a grand wooden airship, and any who have been around Sarracenia probably recognize it immediately, or at least recognize the design. It looks much like a Spanish galleon, but with horizontal propellers where the sails would usually go. Noticing the group headed toward the bridge, it makes its way down and lowers its ramp to let Princess Sarracenia disembark. She quickly joins the merchants, escort, and others headed across and takes the time to introduce herself in the process. "Greetings all! I am Princess Sarracenia, Crown Princess of the Sundew Kingdom! A pleasure, I'm sure~"      The trip into town leaves her dazzled! The architecture, the view down into the water, all the glittering and sparkling! "Oh my! This is amazing! I shall have to inquire about bringing some of this architecture to my palace!"      Once in the tourist district, Sarracenia is in heaven! So much shopping to be done! The spears catch her eye first, and remembering the tastes of the princess of Hyrule she purchases an extravagant one to be given as a gift at some point. She tries to hide it of course by slipping it into her bottomless purse, but it is easily spotted before that. She also inspects the silks and other items and samples the seafood from street vendors. Walking with a shrimp skewer in one hand, a fish on a stick in her other hand, and a scallop in her mouth, Sarracenia seems quite cheerful and not at all annoyed for once!      Revali approaches the child, and she blinks in surprise. "You aren'f goin' to fay thah urchin, are 'ou?" she says to Revali and Staren before thinking about it, causing her words to be skewed by her mouth being full. She blinks then swallows and blushes a bit in embarrassment. "He is obviously running some sort of scam. If he needed help he would not charge for the information."      When Zelda introduces herself, Sarracenia tries to curtsey gracefully while still holding two food items. "Hello again, Princess Zelda! I do hope things have improved for your land since last we met?"
Edward Blackwell	The acrid stink of cigarettes trails him like a stalker. There's one between those thin lips now. He reeks of the alien called 'fire' in a seafoam kingdom. Smoke flows like a factory chimney around scalpel-sharp chin, through apathy's light stubble. Eyes like dead earth stare ahead through muddy bangs. Lanky feet move sluggishly behind the guards. He's taking a look around.      Tourist.      The labcoat hangs over a wiry frame. Coat's clean and new. Thank God. So's the blue scrub shirt. The black slacks. The tennis shoes. Not a fleck of blood to be seen. No ragged holes. No unsightly tears.      Edward's asked his business.      "Pleasure," he says, tapping the guard on the chest with one hand, "Apparently I'm a pimp now."      He doesn't bother to explain. Ed just walks past. The guard won't even remember him. He's just a smartass tourist. The guard won't remember Edward Blackwell.      In a few minutes he'll realize he's breathing easier now. Something undone in his throat. Gills unblocked. Simple procedure.      Edward lingers for a moment near the entryway, taking in the sights. Plazas of scarlet glass dancing with kaleidoscopic windows. Dams bigger than buildings. Fish all over the place. Briefly, he wonders if they're cousins. Then he wonders if that's racist. Then he stops caring and starts walking.      The doctor isn't really the type to stop in stores, but he does. It's the tourist thing. You go, you stop, you look at souveneirs. Along the way he pats an old Zora on the shoulder hard enough to knock him into the water. The crick in the fishman's neck is gone.      The seafood gets a dark chuckle from Edward. It draws stares more than the cigarette-smoke does. You can ignore the cigarette smoke, pretend it's just a nuisance. Guy laughing at food? Much more insulting. Zorans mutter. In the end he buys a simple seared fish on a stick just to have a taste. Sharp, crunchy. Cheap.      When he walks out he stomps on a Goron's foot and smashes into his chest with his shoulder. The Goron's about to chide Edward for being rude when he notices his spine's straightened out. All the travelling must've made his wares heavier than he thought.      Edward makes his way over to the rest of the party as he discards a live fish into the water. God knows where he got it. He mutters to a Zoran woman in passing, "'He didn't mean to break it. And things aren't worth breaking a relationship over.'"      She smiles. She didn't really hear him. But she'll feel better tomorrow.      Edward stops nearby. He's almost out of cigarette. His eyebrows furrow. God dammit. No ashtrays.      "Hey."      He doesn't say anything else. Instead he fishes out another smoke and thinks himself very clever for the joke. The lit butt disappears into his coat pocket. A silver monogrammed lighter clicks in his hand. Fire in the seafoam city.      A deep drag.      No further introduction.
Amelris Belthrone	Now, this is way more like it. Amelris Belthrone loves reaching new locales like this, even if this one reminds him somewhat of Limsa Lominsa with both being coastal unusual cities but that's about where the similarities ends.      The Red Mage, wearing his, well, red usual outfit is strolling along the main path of this 'touristic district', taking the time to see the sights, talking to people and, very importantly, browsing the local specialties. The 'water resistant' fabrics, in particular, are of interest to him. Thus, it is with lugging a package beneath his arm that he meets up with the rest of this impromptu group.      And what a group this seems to be. A Princess. Link, his floating sword helper, Revali, that... knight that player the Black Knight, Staren, ANOTHER Princess... and town fair minigame person.      "A bit lively, ainnit?" The Miqo'te comments, adjusting his feathered hat on his hat, tapping his wrapped up fabric package that vanishes in a puff of particles. "Princess' right, get some food in you. I saw some great stuff on that third shop over there, looks nice and spicy."
Lilian Rook	Lilian has filled out all the proper steps of meeting royalty. As in actual royalty. Royalty to be shown formal respect. Not one eighth royalty or adventure royalty or royalty in exile. This necessitates a bag, albeit in the 'fashionable hard-messenger' style since purses have apparently gone out of fashion.     It also necessitates not dressing in blue, because she'd just vanish all the water, nor straight red, due to the liability of blending into the architecture, but instead balancing some sunsets and deep violets on a more summery sort of dress with short(ish) sleeves and those cross-strap heels that pretend to be sandals in a sort of excessively feminine romanticized Roman way. Sun hats are for tourists. Long hair up fancy, orichalcum jewelry, emeralds and lilies. Done.     But lastly, it entails radiating a certain, uncanny kind of passive charm. Not 'charming' charm. An almost tangible, yet completely indistinct, sense of 'gravity'. One glance and anyone knows she is someone special. Someone who knows exactly what anyone wants and who can get anything at all. A sense of storybook fairy queen significance and (more than usual) attractiveness. By now it's an effortless, invisible glow, starting to mimic a certain someone.     Which is part of why she is a little bit miffed at being kept waiting. Even if it's technically something to do to assert station, she has a *schedule*, and showing up late to take advantage of that common behaviour is impolite. Good thing she's made sure to hit the currency exchange previously. Because she immediately *utterly loathes* the local currency being little pointy bits of crystal though, she's opted for the highest denominations possible. This results in the third most terrible phrase to be commonly uttered in a marketplace: Do you have change for one hundred?     Edward shows up. "Blackwell. Good to . . . finally see you." Lilian replies. She never hides sizing anyone up. "You look like an ass." she says, about as openly. "Actually, you look like fresh rubbish simmering on a summer sidewalk. Please tell me you're just here to look around, not negotiate." She's more polite to Link. There is no reason for her to be, because he is a literal random farm hand chosen by destiny, but she is *unduly* respectful anyways. "It's been a while! Good to see you in good health again. And you really should listen to your sword. If your stomach makes any sound in a royal audience, you'll never live it down. You have to look resolute. Stoic." she says. Lilian reaches out and claps both sides of his upper arms, straightening him up and squaring his shoulders. "Stoic." she repeats.     Walking around the group, she gets to the princess. "Oh my, I hadn't heard ahead of time that you'd be here, your highness. Should I apologize in someone's stead for the . . . well, menagerie? I sincerely hope the Zora Family aren't forcing you to share floor time with, well, anyone. You're a foreign princess. Please don't allow them to shuffle you into a time slot for their convenience. It's an indignity, and it shows you consider your pressing matters less important than their own."     After that she is busy fiddling with . . . something. Something kind of official looking with holographic windows in place of a PDA. It'll matter later.
Edward Blackwell	"That's good," Edward says, "I am an ass."      He takes a deep drag of his cigarette. Those dead-earth eyes just fixate on her. As clinical as hers. "But I am a clean ass, god dammit. These clothes are brand new. Someone left them in the medbay and everything."      He waves his hand dismissively. "Nope. Just an obnoxious tourist. You're good with your tongue, you go deal with the King. I'm just gonna look around. See the sights. Soak in the local culture." Another drag. He apparently thinks that was funny, too. "I'll come in and say hi. Not often you get to meet King Fish. Then I'll get out of your way."
Link	Revali joins the group, and then approaches the child. He hands over a fiver, and Staren hands over several coins, and the kid considers, before taking them. "Lemme just cycle my dialogue!" The kid jokes, and the other kids laugh, before he speaks. "The adults are getting more and more fearful of the royals and foreigners. But apparently the General will fix it He always takes care of us, y'know." A pause. "You didn't hear that from me, though!" And then, he runs off to his friends, who start heading back into the orphanage. Link is offered fish skewers. He quickly grabs them, thanks Mordred as he catches it, and then starts scarfing it down like a rabid animal. Once it's down, he's reluctant to take the Princess's rupees, and bows to her in greeting at the same time, but does so anyways. You don't refuse the royalty. It's clear why she's here - diplomacy, right? Lilian straightenshim and tells him to be stoic. "Stoic. ...right." He's affirming it, at least. And then a green Zora at an archery game flags Link down. He steps over towards the Zora...and turns to the others. "Go on without me. I'll find some food and group back up." He waits, and then heads down the SHADY ALLEY, and then thinks. Money, money... Oh, Zelda gave him rupees, that'll do. Gambling addiction must be sated. He nods, and moves to start pulling out his bow, before he stops half-way. "What's Slotchery?" Meanwhile, a guard scoffs at Edward, lets him in, and then a bit later, starts patting his chest. That was weird. An old fisherman almost curses at him, craning his head in ways he normally can't. And the Goron, well, a working spine is nice. It seems that this isn't /exactly/ weird to the Zora, though, if they even realize what happened. Edward gets a brief thought that is like 'did Princess Mipha just bestow her grace on me from afar?' from the Zora who were helped. Huh. Amelris gets water resistant fabrics. They're very nice - they're probably magically treated. The Zoran he bought them from mentions how the Zora's natural magic is solely related to the water, so while it's useful for them, it doesn't have much marketing usages. Lilian is that rude shopper, but she is also Extremely Rich, so the shopkeepers smile and take her money, giving her whatever she asks for. She also looks proper and respectful, like someone 'who is expected to be at the palace' instead of random Multiversals. This leads into hesitance and avoidance. Someone mutters 'but she didn't have pointed ears?', which Lilian's keen hearing picks up. But once the group crowds, it gets worse, with other Zora just passing them by, or giving them looks. Once they notice that Princess Zelda is there, they actually seem...more agitated, not less. Some bow their head in respect, but most try to rush back home or to wherever they're going. There's something in the metaphorical water. And whatever it is, there's an unusual aversion to strangers - one not common towards the Zora. The palace guards tell them it'll be just a few more minutes - he just finished up, and is getting out of his lunchwear. They offer to bring people to the foyer if they'd like.
Revali	"It's how some youth make their way - hear interesting things, sell the information onward," says Revali. "It's also why you be *very* careful what you say on the streets - those listening are not always the ones nearby to hear," he adds, flexing his two-pip tactics skill. Thus he saves his commentary on the implications of the new information... and instead he heads over towards other members of the group, stopping to buy some street food on the way. "Ah... Princess Zelda," he says, stopping in front of her. "A pleasure." He bows. "I'd like you to know, whatever else may come... the Rito remain steadfast allies of Hyrule."
Edward Blackwell	Huh.      Edward chews on the little white smokestack. Mipha. Healer. Neat. He'll remember that. See what she's like sometime. She's probably nice. Most of these healers seem nice. Kind of surprising.      Surface tension everywhere. Something swimming in the salt water. Shadows under the stream. Something to look for. Tourists can look in places other people can't.      They offer to guide him into the foyer. Of course he's going into the foyer. He just said as much. Can't pass up an opportunity to meet King Fish.
Staren	Cycle his dialogue? Why is a kid here even saying that... "Wait, General who?" But the kid is gone. He grunts agreement to Revali, and then...     Zelda's here too! "It's good to see you again, Princess." He bows slightly, and also nods hello to the other Princess.     Then he looks around at how the Zora are acting, now that she's called attention to it. It's... strange. He's encountered the occasional xenophobe back home, of course, but he's never gone somwhere where everyone acted like this. Even in Ishpeming, the people are only /pretending/, when the Coalition is watching.     It's unsettling. "Do you think it might have anything to do with that 'General' the kid mentioned? Perhaps he's a political figure with an... anti-outsider message." He looks around. "Do they have anything like newspapers here? How does the zora on the street get his news?"
Mordred	When Zelda introduces herself as the Princess, Mordred steps up with a more reserved, almost regal smile that, combined with her voice and armor, makes it kind of hard to tell that she's a she. "Mordred, future King of Britain. Milady." Dipping into a bow, Mordred almost immediately drops the royal act to observe Sarracenia's sharp contrast in demeanor from Zelda.     "All types coming in today, huh? Wouldn't mind getting one of those flying ships for myself, though..." Sounding more like her usual self, Mordred strokes her chin a few times before shrugging and glancing towards Amelris. "It's not as hot as it looks, but it ain't bad. Remind me to grab some more on the way back."     Lilian arrives, and her rapid shifts in everything between Edward, Link, and Tetra aren't missed by the knight. "Expert at this, aren't ya? Hm... Got a point there, though. What's with having us wait even more? Hell. How much does he even need to change out of?"     As they're lead into the foyer, Mordred doesn't actually stop to just wait in there. She keeps moving towards the biggest, fanciest looking door under the assumption that it's the throne room. "And what's with everyone giving us the side eye?" She sounds rather annoyed at that, and the closest guard is the unlucky one that gets Mordred's attention right ont hem. "It's like we ate one of you or something. So what is it?"
Sylvi	The generic green fishperson slides an arm around Link, leading them into the SHADY ALLEY. "Oh, yeah, you seem the sort! See, I got this idea from seeing a strange human machine: You pull a lever, and sometimes, a prize comes out! Sometimes you get more than it costs to pull!" As a totally nonsinister and totally nonshady and quiet parenthetical addition, the fishperson adds a 'and most of the time you get less' but that's DEFINITELY besides the point. "So I set up an archery trial! You know, standard shoot-the-targets stuff. This bird guy cleaned out the two grand prizes but you look like a soul lusting for completion! And I've got this cool chainey-winchey-thing that's definitely useful!" "It's five rupees to play. Wanna try? Ha! Course you do! First three shots on the house. If you hit a target but don't get anything, I'll give you a kinstone! Those are cool, right? You can match them with people and they'll give you cool prizes too!" Link has no hope of escape. The Rito's voice carries down the hall as a tarp is shoved out of the way to loud casino sounds and flashing lights down the alley. "Come on, clear out the prize wall! I garuntee every prize is definitely... worth money!"
Amelris Belthrone	"Absolutely nothing wrong with encouraging the youth like this." Amelris comments at Revali, adjusting his jacket's collar, popping it before folding it back. He's going to have to check this later, it's been a little tighter than usual. "Ah, really? I'll have to grab some more myself, then. I do like my hot, spicy food." However, he DID feel the... tense stiffness in the atmosphere of the town. It is somewhat visible in how people are looking at them, now.      "The Foyer will be just fine, thanks you." Amelris replies, walking on and taking time to look around, squinting at the art and decorations that lies within them. Somewhere along the way, they sure as well lost track of THE YOUTH rushing for the MINIGAME. "I don't know. But it... certainly feels /tense/."
Tetra	Zelda makes note of the Zoras' agitation, particularly toward her. She frowns, looking at them, and at her companions. This is not normal. The Zora are a fairly nationalistic people, seeing themselves as apart and superior to the rest of the region, but... xenophobia and anything less than cordiality to Hyrule is bizarre. While she doesn't explain this openly, it's plain to see by her puzzlement that something is off.     "I am afraid things continue apace, Lady Sarracenia," she explains, "But your well wishes are greatly appreciated." To Lilian, she shakes her head. "No apologies are necessary from you. It is odd that I'm simply grouped with the rest of you. And though I don't mind, I do worry about their behavior. Their disdain toward me, their avoidance of the rest of you... this is not normal. We've had little news, but... something has changed here. I don't yet know what."     Revali gets a warm welcome, and another bow. "The pleasure is mine, Champion Revali..." She smiles brightly as she stands up, "And I thank you. Hearing such assurances from the Postmaster of the Rito himself... in times such as these, they mean more than I can tell you." Postmaster. Zelda's voice is nothing less than sincere, speaking the title as one worthy of respect, but... given the Rito's state, it would be easy to take it as a snipe regardless.
Revali	Revali's expression cracks when Zelda calls him 'postmaster'. Just for one half of a single moment. You'd have to be watching closely to see it. The diplomatic smile turns into a *scowl*.
Sarracenia	Sarracenia always looks amazing (at least in her opinion), but even she is a bit awestruck by Lilian. "...have you...always presented such a striking appearance?" she asks. When she realizes she is staring, the princess coughs lightly into her hand before finishing off her shrimp skewer. She hears the complaints from the others and giggles. "It is quite normal for a royal to be fashionably late. It builds suspense and adds more impact when they do arrive." she says with a haughty tone.      She also notices the looks from the Zora and sticks a bit closer to the group. Mordred speaks up and Sarracenia can't help but nod lightly. She wouldn't have used such blunt wording but she does agree. "Indeed. We are merely here to offer our help. It is quite rude to treat your visitors with such suspicion." she says, crossing her arms over her chest and watching them.      Sarra then looks toward the rest of the group. "Have non-Zora caused these people trouble, or are they just naturally xenophobic? I suppose it is good I did not bring Gregory on this trip."      When Revali is called the Postmaster, Sarracenia blinks. "While I agree that smooth operation of the mail service is quite important, I am not sure how that qualifies one to attend a gathering such as this." Her tone isn't taunting or condescending, more like she is just stating a fact as she sees it. She joins the others in the foyer when it is opened to them.
Lilian Rook	Things are going well enough. Lilian absolutely wouldn't tolerate getting Askance Looks like the rest. People having to put up with a certain amount of bullshit to get her loads of money while shopping is just common practice. The degree to which they graciously oblige is the key to how much they get 'tipped'. 'Pointed ears' though. Are Hylians considered a higher class than regular humans in particular? She'd heart that the Rito don't particularly value the Hylians very highly, though they share the composite territory of Hyrule, and the Gorons sort of just get along with everyone. She skims the collective consciousness for that one as she goes, especially regarding this General.     She resists the urge to roll her eyes a little at Edward. He's not all that offensive (yet), so he's give that dignity. "Just make sure you don't actually call him that. I'm sure you're perfectly capable at sticking your fingers up in the business of strangers so I'll let you go about that. And do 'keep your ears open'." She says that last bit with the slightest of knowing emphasis.     "I'll be patient with this, so as to at least respect your station as a knight." Lilian says to Mordred, deep grey neutral in tone. "Royals don't like showing in people the minute they ask. It sends the message that their time is easily accessible, and thus not more valuable than anyone else's. By making people work on their schedule, it asserts that other people bend to their needs, not the opposite. It's a traditional form of asserting station. You wait for them to show a degree of respect. By politely humouring the delay, they can be more assured that you came to them for a reason worth waiting around to discuss. Don't worry too much about it. It's all basic social ritual. Busy royals tend to run behind as a matter of course, so it's perfectly deniable."     "The side eye might have to do with you clonking around in full mail though. Please learn to dress for the occasion."     Though, she is remarkably 'free' with Princess Zelda. "It is a little inconvenient, but nothing I can't account for. If you have no confidence in the rest of these, place it all in me. If nothing else, I'm fully committed to seeing your hero there succeed, and this whole 'King of Evil' business squashed quickly and decisively. I've come more than prepared."     She'd flip her hair if it weren't all tied up with a glittering lily comb. "It's like I said. You dress for the occasion~" she remarks offhandedly to Sarracenia. "First impressions are everything. These adventuring types *always* underestimate the impact of tailoring one."     She then hits her radio for something whispered and quick.
Tetra	Zelda spots it, and realizes she's made a mistake. Possibly a grave one. Her eyes widen, and for a moment... her regal air drops. "I... please accept my deepest apologies, Champion. I meant it with the utmost respect, and with the intent to make right the wrongs my my grandfather made against your nation." She closes her eyes, and bows her head.
Revali	Oops. "Sorry, mistake? What mistake?" Damn it, damn it. "While our peoples may have had a... long history, we are still united in recent events, are we not? Come on, perk up, have some seafood on a stick."
Link	Lilian's skimming finds two key information. The first is that 'pointed ears' is what's expected to be coming through, since either the Hylians - or apparently, the Gerudo - are expected by the populace, to meet with the prince. Why? That'd require more than a brief skim, since most people aren't thinking actively on that. But it's clear that they fear the Hylians right now. The 'General' refers to the leader of the Zoran military, an older man (in his middle centuries) named Mikau. He's as popular as the Royal Family used to be, and the Royal Family used to be extremely popular - but rumors have made that start to wane. He's a hero, and he's extremely talented at all of his duties. Probably a threat. Those who head into the foyer find it quite luxurious - fine silk couches, some sort of lantern overhead, colorful rugs likely imported from the desert, crystals and pictures and mirrors. There's etchings into stone - not traditional paintings - on the walls. As Sidon is getting dressed, Mordred moves to barge into his room. The guard tries to stop her, and is probably pushed away. Sidon is busy finishing putting on his sash, when he turns towards the short blonde, blinks, and then grins. "Greetings! I am Sidon, Prince Heir of the Zora. Don't be shy! You must have been excited to meet me, I understand." Sarracenia gets a response from the guard. "There's just...rumors. Please, do not worry about it. The people will return to normal." Sidon uncomfortably coughs, and approaches the group. "A knight! And - ah, Princess Zelda. It's a pleasure to see you again so soon! Please, take a seat. I would like to talk about the future of our kingdoms, after your friends introduce themselves and tell us what they seek." A pause. "Where is the Hero of Courage?" MEANWHILE, AT SLOTCHERY Link nods, and pulls out his money. This is super stupid and confusing. He's hooked, to the point he's paying ahead of his first three shots. He pulls out his bow, and focuses on shooting the targets to get the WINCHEY THING first, because Fi immediately points out 'you probably need that, Master'. After he makes his shot, he asks a question. "Is archery popular around here?" Also, his shot is extremely steadfast. Resolute. /Stoic/.
Revali	"You don't need the Hero of Courage," says Revali, pushing to the front of the group. "I do believe, in fact, that the Hero of Courage has gone off to go and gamble away the money that our dear Princess Zelda gave him. The money for, ahem..." The rito puts a hand to his forehead. "Oh dear, it is almost too embarrassing to say... the money that our dear Princess Zelda gave him so that he could have something to eat. Not a Hero of Financial Courage, as it turns out? I do hope he's saving at least some of his, ahem, gambling purse so that he won't starve on the streets of your fair city..." "In any case, he is not needed... the Hero of Courage will poke his misshapen hunk of steel into the King of Evil at the end, perhaps, but the actual heavy lifting of how we get to the final act of that predestined play is best accomplished by those here, among others." He extends a hand. "Revali, Champion of the Rito. It is a pleasure to meet your acquaintance, Prince Sidon. Now... shall we talk about our kingdoms' futures?"
Tetra	Zelda's worry, exacerbated slightly by the guard's lukewarm response to Sarracenia, is banished by the sight of Prince Sidon. She lights up, and she's obviously holding back her excitement. "Prince Sidon! And it is a joy to see you again..." She purses her lips, looking back out the door. She glares briefly at Revali. "The Hero... will be along shortly. I am sure he had to attend to something more pressing than a simple game of chance," she half-explains, half-retorts, before taking her seat.
Revali	"Oh, sure, something more pressing... perhaps the gambling came with a free buffet," says Revali. "We can only hope."
Staren	Staren hasn't said a word to Lilian. The less contact with her the better.     If only that meant he could pay no attention at all, rather than having to occasionally look around while touristing in case she's teleported over to kill him. Ironically it's almost less troublesome to be in the same room with her, since she's less likely to try something while observed. Especially in the royal foyer, she probably thinks it'd be a shame to get blood all over the expensive stonework or something.     Now, though, she's explaining something useful and he HAS to pay attention as she explains the intricacies of waiting etiquette. He still 'Hmph's reflexively at the absurdity of it all.     And still wonders if he should change clothes to make a better impression. Would that be trying too hard? Wait, Zelda's with the Concord now and SHE's an actual princess who's probably been raised with lessons on all this stuff Lilian's explaining. He can leave the impression-making to her.     Wait, did Mordred just bust in on the prince changing? Staren looks alarmed, but when he invites them in, Staren concludes he must have already finished. Awkwardness avoided! Although with how little they're wearing, changing must be a swift process indeed.     As introductions are given, Staren gives his own: "Staren Wiremu, gifted of the Concord." He bows.     Where is the Hero of Courage?     Staren looks around. Wait, where the hell IS Link?
Edward Blackwell	Well.      That.      Unexpected.      Not a friendly rivalry. Real, honest hate. Jealousy? Distaste? Not friendly. Cruel. Edward made a mistake. He sucks on the cigarette somewhat sharply. They didn't come here for that, right? That would just fuck things up, right? He wasn't sure. But it felt that way. Felt like that would cause more problems than just for Link.      The cigarette shifts to the side of his mouth.      OK.      Time to be a tourist and take the edge off.      Edward walks over to Sidon. "Hey. Prince Fish. Can I get a picture with you?"      He hooks his arm around Sidon's shoulder. "Somebody snap a shot of this. Give us a grin, huh, Prince Fish?"      "'Give us a grin.'"      The words grab onto Sidon's Disappointment. The knob is tilted downwards. Like tuning an old TV set where the antenna won't stay right. Edward puts on a big smile. His teeth are not yellow in the slightest. They should be. They are white. Starlight white.      He waits for someone to snap a photo.      Whether a photo is snapped or not he slaps Sidon on the back. He is very strong. Scary strong. Boulder-throwing strong.      "Thanks, Prince Fish. You're a stand-up guppy."      "Edward Blackwell." Edward sticks his hand out. "Nice to meet you."
Mordred	"Royalty being 'fashionably late' just means they didn't plan ahead enough. If I say I'm gonna meet someone on time, I meet 'em on time and don't jerk 'em around." Mordred replies to Sarracenia with a thoroughly nonplussed grunt, turning to Lilian as she elaborates on the mindset of royalty further. She lets out an annoyed noise after a while, cricking her neck and rubbing her shoulder after a while.      The motion is largely pointless considering the armor, but it keeps her hand busy. "That's the problem with royalty these days... They're all busy twiddling their thumbs and blowing smoke to make themselves feel important instead of getting shit done." Mordred responds to Lilian next, fully ignoring the fact that she isn't a king of anything yet. "And the armor means I'm here on business, not pleasure. I'll bring a cape next time if it makes 'em feel better."      She does not have a cape.      Upon coming across Sidon, though, Mordred's tone does shift into something a bit less rough than her usual. "Mordred, future /King/ of Britain. I've heard of you. You..."      Her expression is even, yet there's a subtle annoyance at having to look up at him. "... Have a presence I haven't seen around here yet." With the pleasantries concluded, Mordred glances towards the entrance and shrugs once. "He was with us a while ago. Anyway. You've heard about his quest, right?" She gestures at Revali with a brief nod, then turns back to Sidon. "He's going to need a hand with that. Several hands. It would look pretty good if you joined in on that, you know. Bunch of royalty from different regions, all pitching in to stop a world from being destroyed."
Lilian Rook	Lilian, immediately, obliges in taking a photo. It can only really be guessed by the projected viewfinder, since all the smart device functions are condensed into the teeny tiny wearable. This is partly because she wants to have an excuse to stand in front of Sidon and read very deeply into what it is he fears, and what it is he desires, at this moment, speaking of rumours. She's already read the portents on this one. What she needs is the context. Quickly.     Also to 'accidentally' step on Revali's foot strutting past him, giving the picturesque high society curtsy and formal greeting to the prince. The whole usual honourifics and pleased to meet you and wishing for a cooperative relationship and introductions and all. It doesn't bear full detail. "He'll be along shortly. Certain matters in your lovely city have captivated his attention. People bound by prophecy tend to work in mysterious ways. I'm sure it'll all pan out just fine."     There are large, black crows perched on some palace spires outside. "If I may ask, are you good friends with anyone here? It'd help to know."
Tetra	Link is, as it turns out, playing an archery game. For a moment, Zelda is visibly considering leaving the room and dragging him back by the ear. But then Edward makes an INCREDIBLE ass of himself, and she has had just about enough. "Sir," she says to him, in a firm and commanding tone, staring at him and pointing toward an empty chair. "You will unhand the prince of the Zora, and you will take a seat."
Edward Blackwell	"Well," Edward says, "Excuse me, Princess."      "Would you want to deprive me of this precious memory?" He grins, the grin of someone who *knows* what an absolute ass he is, and has absolutely no intention of not being one. "Not very polite of you."
Sarracenia	"Hah! That just means you have no sense of style or regality. Of course, that is obvious by the way you speak and act." Sarracenia retorts to Mordred with a smug smirk. "Granted one should not keep one's visitors waiting very long, but a minute or two is fine. It is -much- more rude to burst into someone's changing room than it is to keep a guest waiting."      Edward does things, and Sarracenia frowns lightly. "It seems there are many with terrible manners here today." she says...only to do a 180 when Edward mentions getting a photo. "Oh! I have a camera!" she says. She starts toward Edward and Sidon, only to be outpaced by Lilian. Sarracenia pouts a bit and hmphs softly. "Well, if he is allowed a picture I hope you will do me the same honor and pose for a picture with me as well, Prince Sidon." She smiles again and curtseys to the prince. "I meet so few princes, and even fewer who are as charming and cheerful as yourself. I am sure you remember me? From Princess Zelda's empowerment ceremony?"
Sylvi	AT THE SLOTCHERY GAMES The fishperson at her stall starts scraping rupees towards a bag, one blue one at a time. When the paddle-target is struck, the symbols on the slot machine begin spinning. <Silver Rupee!> <Silver Rupee!> <Ganondorf Thumbs Down> "Awww, almost got the big prize. Dang. Hey, want a roast fish?" The fishperson places a few skewered fish, fire-blackened, on the table. "The odds are made better if you hit the targets in the back, killer. Don't shoot for the lame prizes!"
Link	Sidon hears what Revali has to say. He bows his head towards him and the others, but as they explain that Link is gambling, he... Seems not disappointed whatsoever! "I see! Well, I hope he has fun! Our tourist amenities are quite a treat." This is while Edward's trying to take a picture, and he grins for the camera. As Zelda speaks to him, he laughs. "Do not worry, Princess. It's quite fine! I love people." As Lilian takes the photo, she reads him like an open book. He desires glory. Legend. To bring back the 'Zoran Golden Age', whatever that is, with the help of the Hylians. His fears...are the unsettling rumors about the royal family betraying the kingdom to the Gerudo. He doesn't know where they came from, but they can't be a huge deal. General Mikau is a good man, he'll understand. The steward, a woman named Evan, told him everything would be alright. Sarracenia gets a grin. "Ah! I do not recall your name, but I do recall you." Sort of. It's all a blur. Lilian gets another sentence. "I'm friends with many people! You'd have to be more specific." As the group speaks, Mordred's words catch his ear the most. "Ah, that is what I wanted to speak about. You see..." The crows perch into position. They spot it first. Over a dozen soldiers, about fifteen, each with spears. They're marching into the palace, with a man at their rear who looks like a Named Character. His armor is silver, and his spear is as well, especially special - but it's odd. It has strings on it, and is shaped oddly - like...a guitar? A spear-guitar. He's an older man, relative to '60s' in human, with scales under his chin, like a fish-beard, white and cracked. The soldiers push past the palace guards, who try to resist, and are incapable of it, knocked aside. There's too many of them. But it'll take them a bit to actually get into the foyer, with their numbers.
Amelris Belthrone	What DID happen to Link? Last he saw, he was off to eat a thing, wasn't he? Then, he turned around to look at something and last he knew, he wasn't there anymore. He WAS eating some nice little skewered fish, however--      Revali certainly seemed to know, just by how he spoke, dragging the younger man through the mud. Oh, dear.      "Prince Sidon, a pleasure." Amelris says, standing up and taking off his hat, offering a polite bow and flourish of his hat. "I am Amelris Belthrone, Red Mage, from the lands of Eorzea. It is a pleasure to be here." He adjusts his hat back on, his ears wriggling. He do feel a sort of aimability from the Prince, but it's still best to be... on the safe side. It's certainly more refreshing to see monarchs like this -- even more to be good with them.      "I've personally come as escort and aid, but I am also here for scholary pursuits to research in your people's history." As he speaks, in the chaos of the conversation and not so polite actions, a shiny, fluffy little creature pokes out of a bag, wriggles out with a silent flop, then starts trudging out upon mental commands. It barely bothers to sneak out, just strutting like a proud little cat and trotting out at a light jog to aim itself back to town. It sniffles at the ground, following the trail of VARIOUS FISHES but one in particular, leading all the way back to Link and his SKILL SHOTTING. It stands there, blinking, approaching quickly to peer over at the peddling in... it wriggles itself, sniffling around and gently adjusting the wind for his next shots.
Staren	Staren smiles as Mordred gives her own explanation of Royals And Time Allocated To And From Guests. He clearly approves.     Even he is shocked to see Edward go for a selfie with the prince. What. Well, at least HE's not the one making a mess of things... although Lilian seems surprisingly eager to snap the selfie, and it turns out Prince Fish^H^H^H^HSidon is a cool guy who doesn't seem to much care for that upper crust etiquette nonsense. Staren relaxes a bit. "Yes. It would be a wonderful show of unity if everyone worked together against the Great King of Evil! And once we all put aside our differences and stop worrying about /what/ anyone is to save all the /people/, perhaps we can even do something to help the Gerudo so that Gannondorf's like need never rise again..."
Revali	Revali bites back a strangled *squawk* as his foot gets trod upon. He powers through it. "... Well then, in any case..." "... The looming threat, we should discuss proactive measures. An initial foray into the desert isn't a bad idea..." Revali trails off, and then gives Staren a side-eye. "Sorry, 'need'?"
Link	Link is yelled at to return to the palace. But Fi yells at him to stay. Since Fi is right there and the others aren't, Fi wins. Link takes a fish (if they're free, otherwise he pulls out rupees), bites it, and starts aiming to shoot. Fi speaks up. "Master. Aim for the back, they're correct. I am 100 percent sure those are better odds." Link nods, draws the bow, and fires for a back target. Stoic. Stoic. His aim is impeccable - not as impeccable as Revali's, but he's a natural archer.
Tetra	"Of course, Prince Sidon. Forgive me, my nerves have been frayed of late." She smiles at him, and gives Edward a brief 'I'm watching you' glare. Zelda's glare then turns to Staren, whom she would really like to elbow right now, and adds, "He believes that if they're no longer beleaguered by a hell of my ancestors' making, they would feel no further need to rally against us under the banner of Ganondorf's like."
Lilian Rook	Lilian's familiars do exactly what they're supposed to. Smiling a little distantly, to Sidon, she replies only with "Wonderful, wonderful. That will make things go smoothly. If you'll excuse me a minute, I have to see to some preparations while we still have time." With a dainty little wave, she turns around and smoothly exits the room, and then skips the entire way in and out, arriving out at the palace entrance.     She is standing in the way of over a dozen armed guards, ostensibly unarmed, and yet, somehow, radiates menace. Like a slammed portcullis and fifty guards suddenly lockstepping out from behind. She doesn't do a greeting here. She stands at the top step to hold a high position.     "Excuse me, but whatever 'business' you have, you'll have to *wait your turn*." says Lilian. It echoes, a little unnaturally, hitting the row of soldiers like a stinging little physical slap. "I've been booked for a royal audience here for quite some time, and I've been waiting here for half an hour on top of it. If you think you're allowed to cut in line before I've finished my business here, you are sadly, *sadly* mistaken." There's no histrionic tone to her assertion. No indignation. The words carry like the caress of a knife's edge. They are the words of someone who is being unreasonably polite for the sole purpose of allowing someone *very* in the wrong to turn around and save face, and no other reason. A way of speaking that only someone who *expects* to be obeyed can put forth with authenticity.     "Before you even bother with 'our business is more important'; no, it isn't. Your populist hair pulling can wait for-, approximately, -ever, while I finish up doing Mikau's job for him and saving you all the embarrassment of being jackbooted by the Warlock King." She points straight down. "You can wait right here, understood? If you have a problem, you can bore me with it after."     It could be the height, the echo, her posture, her raw displeasure confidence, the precarious balance of tension and frigidity in her voice, the unsettling audacity of it, or any number of factors outside of conscious comprehension, but everything about being told what to do here --especially for soldiers-- is unnervingly serious. The sensation of being about to cross a very dangerous boundary, drawn at the palace foyer, is completely, instinctually unmistakable. An intangible sort of recognition of apex authority and apex danger, spoken silently through a supernatural presence; the kind that takes a will save to move closer to.
Staren	Staren looks to Revali blankly. "Well, there /was/ a prophecy and all. But the story could be different next time if we don't go forcing some people to live in a desert full of curses and ghosts, right?" He adds, with the earnest excitement of someone saying surely this NEXT Sonic game will be the good one.     He catches Zelda's glare and his ears splay, but then he nod-nods at her summation and looks back to Sidon.
Mordred	As annoyed as Mordred was prior to the audience, she's actually looking pretty okay with how things are going. Rather, she seems okay with Sidon's demeanor and not quite being the image of royalty that she was expecting. His interactions with Edward and And Sarracenia even have her laughing outright, but focus soon starts heading back to the business at hand. "Princess Zelda's got the right idea. From the sounds of it, having a unified front'll help everyone involved. The common folk get their feel good story, we get to show off our stuff, and everyone from around here gets to not have their heads caved in by Ganondorf."      She'd shoot Sarracenia and Lilian a 'hah I'm not that stupid' look, but the latter appears to have stepped out. That doesn't do anything to deflate Mordred's confidence, at least.      "... Anyway. All we need is to get everyone on board. You in?"
Edward Blackwell	A wink at a Princess. It'd be rakish but he's just being an ass.      And then thunder.      The thunder of jackboots. The song of angry men. The music of a people who want to be free to be xenophobic again. Their minds are open, easy. But they're not the ones he cares about. They're thugs. Nobodies. Nothings. Lilian's got them. Lilian's handling them.      Mikau, though.      Sad.      A deep drag of the smoke. He's a chimney. He doesn't bother sitting down. He just starts walking like a train out the door, a lanky, annoyed train, a trail of smoke behind him. Purposeful. Driven. Straight out the door. Not a tourist at all. Someone with a mission.      Quiet.      Lilian roars. Lilian wields knife-edge fury. Lilian wields anger. It's a storm. It pours down on their heads. It batters the walls. It hammers the ground. A preacher spitting Hellfire and Damnation at the hands of an angry god. An evil, angry god. A god who wants nothing more than to break them all. He gets there at the end. That's when he wanted to get there. With her words still ringing in their ears.      He puts the second cigarette in his pocket and walks past her. Straight up to Mikau. No interest in his own safety. No hesitation. A clean stride. A cigarette in hand. His lighter in the other.      He stops in front of Mikau. Snap, snap. Snap. That alien, flame. The white tube. The little, addicting hit. The stress-relieving hit.      Edward holds the unlit end out to Mikau.      "You've had a shitty day."      That's it. Words of empathy. Words that dig in and make Empathy a worm in the brain. No rewriting. No inserting Edward where he isn't. No anger. Just Empathy. The knowledge that Edward can be trusted. The knowledge that Edward wants to help. And just help. And nothing but help. There's nothing there but kindness. Nothing there but a willingness to listen. An outlet for sorrow. Not a friend, but a shoulder in a time of need. The kindness of a stranger.      "Here."      "Have a smoke. Calms the nerves."      A lopsided grin. "They'll kill you, but fuck it, you only live once. And you seem like you could really, really use one."      "Edward Blackwell." He sticks his other hand out at Mikau. "Nice to meet you."      "Normally I'd charge you," he says, his grin widening, "But today, for a guy with that look on his face, the cigarettes are socialist."
Sylvi	AT THE SLOTCHERY RANGE: Adjusting the winds doesn't do much! This far in the buildings, even if the actual range is 'open air' is pretty dead. Adjusting the WINCH, on the other hand, is moderately effective. It slows down the targets, make Link easily able to make even the most difficult 'activate your newtype powers and/or have a pixel trick to guide your slow-moving videogame arrow into the target' becuase EVERYONE knows bows have travel time but slingshots are hitscan. But, hey, what do you know? It's good to be skilled, but it's best to be lucky. The ruto rolls her eyes, fishing out a weird sack that clanks. "Oh. Wow. I never would have guessed. Such skill. Could you grab your little furry friend out of my machine before you leave, CHEAT?" She doesn't actually yell it. She just says it. Normal-like. In all capital letters. Da-da-da-daaaaaaaaa!
Sarracenia	Sarracenia is a bit surprised when Mordred doesn't take the bait she laid out, and even moreso when she actually says something reasonable. Granted, she doesn't have much experience with the King's daughter, but Mordred seemed like the explosively violent type when they last met. She shoots Sarracenia that look and Sarracenia just hmphs softly.      She blinks in surprise when Lilian suddenly leaves, but merely offers a slight wave goodbye before turning to Revali. "Foray? We have already forayed into that desert. I believe Staren, Sir Link, and myself were all part of an expedition to find some sort of mirror shard in that desert and fought an undead king."      Of course, she has no idea what is going on outside. She barely has regular sense, much less extra senses.
Link	Something was going to happen to Sidon, but player action interrupted, so he continues! "See, I agree. The Zorans, the Hylians, and the Gorons were once one empire. While I would not go as far as to say we should reunify...I do believe we should work together. A desert expedition sounds quite handy - we can provide the water, of course, and...well, we can be there at the frontlines. I'll be able to talk to General Mikau about this, get our soldiers set up immediately. We just have to talk to my steward and sign the paperwork." Staren's words don't really catch Sidon - it seems he agrees, but has no idea how to actualize on it! Lilian appears outside, stopping fifteen soldiers dead in their tracks. They don't pass their will saves - they freeze in fear, putting their spears in position, but do not charge. General Mikau succeeds on his will save. Anyone looking at him can tell - he is not a weak man, spiritually, emotionally, or physically. He might even be...a boss encounter, potentailly. And as he approaches, spear faced down, unthreateningly, towards Lilian, Edward walks out. He alters Mikau - not to change him, but to make him be willing to listen. He offers a cigarette. Mikau takes it, but he does not smoke it. He just holds it, for now. Mikau heard everything Lilian had to say. He's calm, sad, and, obvious to both of them: he's honest. This isn't a ploy. "You both stand against the Zoran people's right to justice. Who are you? The word is in the air, so it is no secret: the royal family has committed treason. They sell us out to the Gerudo. We want no part in this grudge. Move, and allow justice to pass." Edward gets a tilt of his head. "The new Council of Elders will keep us out of this bloody war. There is no happy ending for us if we return to combat." He's got another motive - it's not immediately 'negative', but it's strong, though it requires a bit of mental prying. CHEAT makes the mark. And then he's renamed. And he's shamed. He takes his prize, puts it in his bag, and moves over to the machine, grabs Carbuncle angrily, and stomps out, only an apologetic glance to the shopkeeper. He's going to start heading back to the palace soon. They don't have much time.
Lilian Rook	"The royal family has Allegedly committed treason. I'm aware. I'm not a tourist." Lilian replies to Mikau. She's accomplished the initial part, and since she'd been coordinating with Edward from the start, she is conscious not to escalate from there. "I am also completely unconvinced. And you should be too. And why is that?"     Lilian gesticulates, slowly and evenly, one palm turned up after the other. "A war is about to happen. Power players are moving on each side. What is the common sense thing you do before going to war against a greatly superior enemy?" She just leaves the rest unsaid because Mikau is a general and she gives off the sense that she expects he's competent enough to know the answer.     "Cui bono. To whose benefit is the royal family selling to the Gerudo? Being spared by the King of Evil? Because it seems people place plenty of stock in the prophecy, and that'd be a rather poor ploy, even out of desperation. Furthermore, it's what their opposition wants as well."     "Now, to whose benefit is it that the royal family, who is willing to support Hyrule, is replaced with a faction that specifically wishes to avoid involving themselves in Hyrule. Whom amongst everyone involved in this war stands to gain from the Zora 'not doing anything'? And, whom amongst those, if you consider to be more than one, has the immediate access to Gerudo resources and channels of information to create 'evidence' of this affair?"     She hardly needs to be superhuman about this. Strong, deductive reasoning, applied to 'the one person in the crowd she evinces the idea she sees as anything near an equal' in targeted exceptionalism, in absolute confidence and completely sincere conveyance that she'd foreseen this already. The fact that she radiates the unquestionable aura of an ethereal queen at her seat is merely habitual --no, a side effect.     "To whose benefit is it that you act on a heavy heart and inflict misery and disunity on your army, your people, and yourself?"
Staren	Staren is admonished over the radio, and shuts up. This particular princess DID show she cares for the Gerudo people too, or she need not have met with him earlier, so... If anyone else in this room is planning to make things better for everyone in Hyrule, it's her, so, he can let the expert do the talky stuff.     And, just as diplomacy is being conducted, of all people the /Paladins/ suddenly have to excuse themselves! Ooh, that probably makes them look baaad... but then, Sidon's a cool casual guy so maybe he won't care.     More importantly, he doesn't even look disgusted at suggestion of helping the Gerudo!     Yes, this is going pretty well, all in all.     Things are going just fine.     ...Wait a minute, what would it take for LILIAN to leave a meeting with royalty in the middle of discussion? No way is Mordred's quip about forgetting to use the facilities true. And whatever it is is KEEPING her, when no matter how far away it is she can teleport there and back in an instant.     Staren looks back at the door. Edward walked, so unless HE can teleport too it's not THAT far. Starting to look concerned, he radios Zelda to make sure that he doesn't just rudely leave or something...
Tetra	Oblivious to the accusations being levelled against her outside, Zelda nods to Sidon. "We would not ask your troops to accompany us into the desert, of course." She gives Lilian an odd glance as she leaves, and another toward Edward as he follows. "What is so difficult about /attending/ a /meeting/?" she asks quietly, to nobody in particular.     "Regardless, we would greatly appreciate the aid. Supplies and men are stretched somewhat thin, and the strain is weighing on the commoners." She sighs lightly. "Thank you, Sidon. I can't express how glad I am that you're with me on this... but I'm concerned. The people seemed hesitant around us, and extremely uncomfortable about myself in particular."
Edward Blackwell	Edward smiles at Mikau. It really is a gentle smile. He had impeccable bedside manner. "I just told you. Edward Blackwell. And I am a tourist. A shitty, entitled tourist and guy who's willing to listen to your problems."      "You put that in your mouth, by the way. Then you suck on it." Edward takes out a cigarette of his own, lights it, puts it in his mouth, and takes a drag. "The first hit tastes like shit but the second tastes worse and then by the third you're feeling like it's the best goddamn thing in the world."      Edward shakes his head. "I just got here. I'm not here to get in the way of your shit. I just came to get a picture with a famous guy, you know? And he seems real nice. And on my way out I hear you and this nice lady having an argument."      Edward shrugs. "I was gonna mind my own business, but..."      His face falls a little. "I saw the look on your face, and I thought, this guy needs a cigarette and a friend to talk to."      He sits down on the step and pats the place next to him for Mikau to sit at. Another drag. Smoke pouring out of his lips. "God damn."      And he listens, too. He listens attentively. He's exactly what you would want from a friend - someone looking you in the eye and quietly letting you unload your problems. He doesn't touch the man's mind. He doesn't reach in and fiddle, though god damned is he tempted. It'd solve a whole lot.      Be mighty fucked up, though.      So he sits, and he smokes, and he invites the Zora to join him, and he lets Lilian talk, and then he says, at last, "God damn."      "That is a shitty situation to be in."      "Your friends or your people, huh." Another drag. "I dunno. I'd stand by my friends. People are shitty. People say anything. Friends are too precious to spend on what people say."
Revali	Revali nods along. "Unfortunately... it appears that not everyone in your kingdom agrees with the need to put up a unified front." "I don't need to tell you that if you don't join as an ally... that'll be taken into consideration when it comes time to draw up what the new Hyrule will look like." Some of this seems a little more directed towards Zelda. "For example... I imagine the Hyrulean royal family may be rethinking their stances on taxation and the postal service - among other issues... trade contracts, monster bounties, land usage along the Tabanthan border, other matters..." "... But that's a different discussion," says Revali, returning his attention to Prince Sidon. "But tell me - *is* there a point to talking to you about detailed matters right now? When your own house is not in order?"
Mordred	"Ah. So some of you guys already scoped the place out. Good. We can get the braniacs on that so folks like us-" Mordred gestures at herself, then glances around at the slowly shrinking group. "... So we can do the heavy lifting, get things set up for the hero to do his hero thing, and then we'll be on Easy Street."      The group shrinks one more person as Edward heads out. "Eh? You forget something?" She asks, straightening up in her seat with a brief uncomfortable shuffle. "... Dammit, now they got me thinking about it." The knight mutters to herself, then turns back to Sidon while still none the wiser about the goings on outside. "Reunification? Like that'd ever happen. No offense-" A complete lie. "-but I'm pretty sure most of the assholes in our shoes are too comfortable wearin' em."      She pauses briefly to look down at Sidon's feet, then back up with a confident grin. "But that's what leaving the details to retainers is for. Maybe wizards if they're not too weird." That grin widens as Sidon sounds agreeable to working together, and Mordred plants her hands on her knees while getting up. "Great. Where are they, anyway? MIght as well get this shit ironed out while nobody's hungry and they're all busy looking for the bathroom or whatever."     "Seriously, did they all just forget to go before coming in...?"
Amelris Belthrone	The Carbunckle doth protests at being picked up, wriggling it's cute little feets under CHEAT's arm. It's not a very strong resistance, mostly wriggling helplessly against Link's STRONG GRIP. It looks mostly displeased as it did what was asked of him, found the kid and now he's being treated like he did something wrong! It's not fair!      Amelris, in the meeting room, frowns at the news, shaking his head. He resolves to sort this crap out with the gamesperson that's got cheated. The carbunckle's his responsability. That's why you don't let thigns just... go out of your sight too far.      "I did notice a certain coldness in the city." Amelris adds in, nodding after the princess. "Has there been trouble, Prince Sidon?"
Sarracenia	For once, Sarracenia is thinking the same thing as Staren, and as Mordred and Zelda speak up she shakes her head. "Lilian may be many things, but improper is not one of them. If she left, I have no doubt she had a very good reason. I highly doubt she would leave simply to find the ladies' room. I cannot say the same for that Edward fellow, though."      Sarra then turns back to those still here. "The kingdom of Sundew is willing to offer aid as well. While I am not sure we can commit troops at this time until we can find out just how this war was started, we can offer arms and medicine."
Link	Mikau is a smart man. It only takes him a few seconds before Lilian gets in his mind a person who could be setting this up, but he shakes it off - and not because he disbelieves it. He believes it's a strong possibility. No, he speaks his mind. "It does not matter. What you - what Sidon seeks, is a war. Glory in battle. A return to a golden age born of blood. His mind will not be changed." He doesn't want a coup. He believes it might be necessary, even if it's false. He /despises/ that. "Do you come to our land, to fix our politics, to force us into a war that our people have no interest in, that our prince wants for himself? I am curious." He says to Lilian, though Edward gets a reply. The part about the friends gets him speaking. "I care about the royal family. But the Zora must survive. Even should we win this war, the Hylians will take advantage of it to push us under their grip once more. You know the crimes they have enacted against the Gerudo. All do. I will not allow there to be more orphans in this world for their crimes." Mikau strums his guitar-spear. The condensation shifts at it. Some kind of magic, though it's not intentional at this moment. He's simply trying to calm down. "If you believe so strongly about this, challenge it in the courts." It's an attempt to reach a middleground. There's the sense he won't challenge it if they prove him innocent. CHEAT - no, Link - returns. He stops at the soldiers, angrily holding a carbuncle, and pauses. "Wait. What's going on here?" Mikau says nothing.
Link	Sidon responds to Zelda happily. "Of course!" And then others ask about the people. "Well...I'll be honest. There's rumors that the royal family committed treason. Completely hogwash, however. But...the people seem to believe it. General Mikau will clear it up, though. I believe in him!"
Amelris Belthrone	The Carbunckle looks undignified, displeased and unhappy. It's cute little face is wriggling left and right, ears flopping and it's feet waggling in empty air.      Somehow, that might make it cuter.
Tetra	Zelda stands suddenly. "Prince Sidon. The Hero has informed me that there are *soldiers* outside the palace. Over a dozen of them." She glances at Mordred. "I believe that's why Miss Rook and Mister Blackwell left. Not to find a toilet."     She frowns at Sidon. "It seems not everyone believes so, given our welcome." She steps toward him. "Sidon... do you have any idea why there would be a contingent of angry soldiers outside the palace?" She's not accusatory. She trusts him.
Edward Blackwell	Silence. A pin could drop in front of Blackwell. All around him is noise. Link's confusion. Mikau's anger. Lilian's power. Silent. The calm in the storm. The eye in the hurricane. Nothing but the gentle breath and the cloud of noxious black.      "No," he says.      "I'm here for you."      And he means it.      He stands up. And he claps his hand on Mikau's shoulder. And he says, "If you need somebody to talk to, let me know, OK? Somebody who doesn't give a shit about this mess."      "Somebody you know gives a shit about you."      "You can keep the smoke. It's a filthy fucking habit. You seem like you could use one."      He walks down the stairs. His labcoat is a cape. It flows. It flutters. He stops in front of Link.      A hand goes into Link's hair.      He ruffles it.      "Sorry you didn't get to choose. Must make this shit a living hell. Lemme know if you need somebody to complain to. If it makes you feel better, choosing doesn't make it any easier."      And then he walks off to go do touristy shit.
Revali	Revali watches Zelda, deciding the better course of action at the moment is to let the Princess take the lead here. He's been getting a pretty good run-down of the situation on the Paladins radio, anyway. If/when Link appears in his line of sight, the Hero of Courage gets one *hell* of a side-eye, but Revali doesn't say anything (out loud).
Lilian Rook	"What reasons Prince Sidon wants for a war are immaterial." Lilian replies, slowly, gradually, more patiently, as Mikau seizes upon the point. "The fact is that a war is inevitable. It will happen, in Hyrule, whether you decide to be a part of it or not. And right now, you're banking on the rationality of a prophecized maniac who is motivated by nothing but blind revenge and a desire to burn the country to the ground to ensure your people's safety."     "And that enemy won't be marching ranks of disciplined Gerudo warriors out here. It'll be an inexhaustible horde of monsters. A plague of ancient curses. A cataclysm of uncontrollable black magic. I don't care what Sidon wants out of a war. My concern is that the war that is *going to happen* doesn't involve the complete annihilation of Hyrule and a destined hero liberating little more than ashes and bones, because that prophecy, at no point, specifies who survives."     "Now, you're a general. A well-respected one at that." she says, listing off facts on her fingertips. "I respect your patriotism. Your reputation. Your hard work. And most certainly your willingness to do what you feel must be done. However, inquiry, investigation, information control, social engineering, psyops; this isn't your domain. It's mine. I didn't come here to ask the Prince pretty please. I came here to make sure your best of intentions don't play right into the hands of a genocidal psychopath with exceedingly clever, powerful, and long-lived magical resources on his side, who committed to an asymmetrical war a hundred years ago."     "You already know I'm right. You're smart enough to tell. I can see that already. What you can't do is convince everyone else to take that on faith." Finally at this point, she flashes her Paladins icon, as well as her Card, which she in fact flicks about twenty feet into Mikau's hands. "You're the expert at war. I'm the expert on this. Respect my domain and I'll respect yours. The eager little jackboots all around you don't share your feelings; trust me, they can wait."
Mordred	Mordred's eyes light up just a bit when Sidon speaks of potential treason. "Really? Well, I don't know shit about your history, but if it was worth it..." She shrugs, not bothering to finish that thought as word of soldiers outside spreads and things stop making sense to the knight of treachery.      "Easy to say now, Princess. I figured they were just trying to be polite and doing a crappy job at it." Another shrug, and Mordred turns to leave. "Well, we've got a captive audience. Might as well see wh-"      There's a sudden pause as Mordred looks up, closing her eyes and letting out a long, pained groan. "That one wasn't on purpose." She clarifies, then heads out of Sidon's room to confront the soldiers and the General. Mordred raises an eyebrow slowly, dramatically even, while sizing up the crowd as well as Lilian and Edward.      "... Sooo. The hell's going on out here?"
Sarracenia	"Soldiers, hm?" Sarracenia says as she stands. She reaches into her satchel and pulls out...a hammer as tall as herself with a head that is likely heavier that herself. She gives it the warhammer a twirl before smirking confidently to Sidon and Zelda. "Whatever their purpose here, they would be wise not to bear arms against us." she says, then follows after Mordred. She says nothing to the soldiers or anyone else outside. She isn't in much of a position to try and present an argument. She just stands at the back of the crowd for now, but makes sure she is visible and regally intimidating. Or tries to, at least.      She also tries not to snicker at Mordred's unintended pun. And mostly fails.
Staren	Angry soldiers outside?! Staren's ears perk up in surprise, and his hand goes to his holstered sidearm reflexively, but...     ...Well, he doesn't hear the sounds of battle outside, and the talking's been going /really well/ actually.     Zelda, Mordred, and Sarracenia ask the questions on his mind, so he simply nods at each of them in turn and then looks back to Sidon, not accusingly or suspiciously, just... not knowing what to make of all this yet.
Link	As Zelda reveals the coup, Sidon, who has lost his immunity to disappointment, frowns. "No...it's a coup." He moves to look out the window, confirming it with his own eyes. "That's...Mikau...he's a powerful man. He wouldn't do this if he didn't believe it...why?" Mikau lifts the cigarette to his lips. This is terrible for a fishman, but fuck it. He's going through hell right now. He coughs immediately, but he speaks to Lilian. He takes her card. "Let us reach an agreement. The royal family on /house/ arrest, for the time of your investigation. Otherwise, the people will riot - especially having seen us march here. In return...I will allow you to work your specialty." And the doctor, too, but he left. Sarracenia steps out. She's twirling a hammer. Threatening soldiers. The spears are pointed at her immediately. Mikau turns to her. "Put down the weapon, now, unless you would like to declare war." It's official. It distracts from Lilian's ploy, too.
Link	Mikau turns to Edward as he leaves, one last time. "Fine. How do I find you, Edward Blackwell?"
Edward Blackwell	Edward waves over his shoulder. "Call the Paladins. You've got her number."
Amelris Belthrone	"I guess that answers that." Amelris says, rubbing the bridge of his nose as he stands up, peering over at the window from his distance to also confirm things. "The rumors are running stronger than we thought, huh."
Tetra	"I don't know. But... I believe we should find out." replies Zelda, looking out the window beside him with a frown. "Come." She turns to the others in the room. "Do not draw your weapons," she instructs, clearly expecting them to follow as she leads the way out to the palace steps. "Friends do not draw arms unless they see no other resolution," she tells Sidon. "I can't imagine this isn't at least partially a clash between our friendship and these rumors that I'm colluding with the Gerudo..." She sighs.
Amelris Belthrone	"Agreed." Amelris nods. "I'll go first, just in case things might be more sour than we are seeing from up here."
Lilian Rook	"Terms agreed." Lilian replies to Mikau straight away. Only the amount of time needed to pretend to have thought over it once passes. "I'm aware of what'll happen if you turn around and walk away with nothing. The army can't afford to lose that much face at this point either, if things are to go correctly."     She then snaps her fingers twice vaguely in the direction of those coming out just now. "Down. I've already sorted out the situation here. I've negotiated for the royal family's house arrest while I uncover the obvious psyop here pinning alleged treason on them to keep the Zora out of the war against the King of Evil. If you object to this arrangement, too bad, you don't get a vote. I will absolutely stand aside and allow the general to skewer you if you insist on a brawl here."     She only addresses Zelda herself without the absurdly sharp and brusque professional tone. "Please tell Prince Sidon there won't be a coup today, and elucidate him to the circumstances of the ongoing effort of proving his family's innocence. Mikau doesn't want to hurt him if he can help it. I expect he'll trust you."
Revali	"I'll vouch for you," says Revali, falling in behind Zelda. Whatever other tensions are going on, she *is* the leader of the head nation of their alliance. "Hopefully our combined pull will get some results."
Staren	Staren takes his hand off his pistol when the shouting starts. It at least seems that noone really wants a fight today, although everyone wants to make it clear they're ready for one. He follows Zelda... and when she mentions that there are rumors she's colluding with the Gerudo he hangs his head a bit and his ears splay again. He hadn't thought that /she'd/ get in trouble for reaching out to the Concord after what happened with Lilian.     Lilian, who once they get outside seems to have everything in hand. He clenches his fists at having to let her take charge, but even HE can tell that starting an argument here and now about a shared investigation will look bad.     He just nods a bit after Mordred's words.
Mordred	Once things start making sense to Mordred, the Servant laughs. Somehow, it's not a mocking laugh.     It's a surprised laugh. An impressed laugh, even. "Crazy bastards... You've got guts, don't you?" She turns back to Sidon, gesturing at the soldiers and Mikau with her head. "Looks like you've already got some good folks on board, Prince. " Sounding weirdly genuine about that praise, she remains silent for a moment to glance over at Sarracenia, giving her a distinct 'what the hell' look upon spotting the hammer, then turns back to the soldiers and Mikau once the potential confusion has set in.      "Think about it. You got the Prince from here, a local-ish Princess, a Hero, a future King, a foreign Princess, a whole bunch of non-royal Elites... And these soldiers and a single general are ready to throw down and put everything on the line for everyone else."      Mordred gives Sidon a light tap on the chest, then starts following after Edward. "Work with 'em, Prince. You don't get these kinds of people every day." She stops once she gets within arms' reach of the soldiers, then turns to Mikau.      "... Of course, if you still want to fight, feel free to come after me whenever. I need to get more of that not-that-spicy stuff from before. And you..."      She turns to Lilian next, that impressed grin not quite fading. "Heh.. You Paladin types are crafty, ain't you? Keep at it, then. Someone's gotta keep these guys on their toes." And then she continues on her way, looking for more of that food from earlier.
Sarracenia	Sarracenia tries to look intimidating, and it apparently works! ...perhaps too well. She blinks at the others as they tell her to put her weapon away. "Wh-...they came here armed first!! When we were clearly -unarmed- upon arrival! We even went to their shops! I bought one of those lovely spears!" she says, exasperated.      But, it seems everyone is in agreement, so with a grumble Sarracenia slides her hammer back into her satchel. "...besides, it is not as though I would hit any of them unless they actually tried to hurt us." she says in a pouting tone. Once her hammer is put away she hmphs at the general and crosses her arms over her chest. "Paranoid, rude, ungrateful. I take back what I said about this city being dazzling. And I shall certainly not be giving you /any/ positive reviews on /any/ online rating sites."
Link	As the group leaves outside, the soldiers maintain their spear grip. It's only Mikau's voice that makes them stop. "Attention." He says, and then turns to the crowd. "Step aside. The royal family is officially under house arrest, with the accusation of high treason." Mikau takes another drag, and then coughs again. "This is awful." Sidon hears this, leaning at the door, and..."Very well, General Mikau." His voice is immensely sad. "I'll have the guards stand down. I thought...I thought you believed in us as well." Mikau replies. "I believe in the Zora. You know this." Yes, he completely ignores Sarracenia.
Tetra	Zelda turns to Lilian first, a genuine smile on her face as she thanks her. "It is... extremely unfortunate that this has happened at all. But... this is far better than most of the alternatives. I'm sure this investigation will bear out the truth."     She looks at Sidon, and reaches up to place a hand on his shoulder for support. "I hope nobody will object to me staying for an hour or two," she asks, looking at both Lilian and Mikau. Her friend needs support!
Lilian Rook	That resolved, Lilian returns to Sidon. "My apologies for the temporary inconvenience, Prince, but I hope you can recognize how much more preferable this is than what was going to happen instead, and I urge you to have the utmost confidence in my work."     She ulocks and reaches into her bag for a moment. "Oh, and most certainly my apologies for missing a proper meeting, even under the circumstances. I'd come with a gift, but missed the opportunity to deliver it." She produces a glass sphere about the size of an orange, gilded with inner swirls of silver, and trails of tiny, colourful, stylized koi. The inside is filled with water, and an extremely intricate lattice of wire thin gold ducts, rings, pressure levers, and tiny gears, revolving around a disc at its center printed with concentric circles of time signatures, star signs, lunar phases, and similar.     Given the way it's already moving, Sidon can easily intuit it's a timepiece, using exceedingly intricate hydrodynamics. It's set to the wrong time, of course, being a foreign piece, and would require an immense amount of time and delicate care to take apart and recalibrate, or else a a very high level of proficiency in water magic to do so without. That's sort of the point. She'd heard the Zora like old things, intricate craftsmanship, and natural themes, so she'd picked this up in First Circle Yamato, anticipating a royal would enjoy showing it off; the prowess necessary to calibrate it to local time is a self-evident flex and piece of prestige.     "Fortunately, I'm sure this will give you plenty to do for a while, if this kind of hobby is your thing. Do be careful with it; it's a valuable antique."
Sarracenia	Sarracenia is ignored! That annoys her. Almost as much as that she is getting used to being ignored.      But, not nearly as much as seeing Sidon's sadness at the actions of his soldiers. That strikes a chord deep within her and she actually looks /very/ angry for a few moments. "This is your prince and this is how you treat him?! I have met him only twice and I can tell he is one of pure heart and jovial spirit! That he would do most anything for his people and his friends! And you come to arrest him on mere -rumors-?!"      She makes her way over to Sidon and curtseys to him somberly. "Prince Sidon...if you are deprived of /any/ of your basic rights, privilages, or creature comforts during this time, merely send me a message and I will ensure you receive anything you need."      Zelda offers to stay, and Sarracenia is emboldened by this. "I too wish to stay for now!" she declares, taking one of Sidon's big hands in both of hers. "Do not despair. We will clear both yours and Zelda's names in no time, I am sure."
Link	Mikau actually finally responds - not to Zelda, who is given the go-ahead, but to Sarracenia. "This is not mere rumors, /miss/. There is evidence. You may not stay - you are a risk to our justice regarding the /prisoner/. Your attitude, disrespect, and willingness to threaten us shows as much." It's firm. Diplomatic relationships with Zelda? Important. With the Sundew Kingdom? Less so.
Sarracenia	Princess Sarracenia blinks a few times. "...wait, there is actual evidence?" This seems to temper her anger just a bit. She lets go of Sidon's hand, then sighs softly and nods. "Fine. I still do not believe he would do anything to harm his people, but fine." She makes her way back toward the bridge leading to the warp gate. She pauses as she passes Mikau. "I did not threaten anyone. I was merely stating that had it been required I would be quite capable of defending myself. I...apologize for any misunderstanding." she says, though her teeth clench rather hard at that last part. She doesn't like to apologize.      She curtseys to the general, then makes her way back to her airship and departs.