☆ A Special Delegation Arrives

[moustre]

It's unmistakable, how a ship rolls into the harbor one day bearing a flag unlike that of Aefenglom's, with triple stars sewn bright gold against the dark blue of its fabric, and Captain Heuf clears the way for three figures as they move down the gangplank: A tall, thin woman with the same symbol pinned at her breast, a shorter, plumper woman with it shining proudly in her hair, and the last is a hooded figure who follows with a limp in their step, hands black and distinctly pointed.

The paper rings out hours after with a headline that's bold and practically screaming in its delight: Dorchacht's Ambassadors Arrive By Sea, and the Coven opens its doors to their biggest audience hall they can afford to give up at the time of day on request of the ambassadors themselves. Once all who wish to attend have attended, a gradual hush is put upon the crowd and the shortest of the trio climbs upon stairs offered up to the podium stationed in the middle of the heightened stage, round, heart-shaped face beaming as she speaks with a quick tongue.

"My oh my oh my, if this isn't just far too exciting! Hello hello hello, thank you all for comin' to welcome us here today! I'm Dorchacht's shining star, most brilliant inventor--"

"And humble beyond words," the tallest speaks dryly, evidently the oldest from the tremble of her voice. Her face is far more angular, sharp in every way, with a coolness to her gaze. "Really, Hilda, have you no sense of decorum? We are ambassadors here today."

Hilda giggles and waves her hand. "Oh, you're just far too uptight, Bryn. We're ambassadors, yes, but more than that we are here as friends, now aren't we? Hm? Don't you agree?"

Bryn rolls her eyes and motions her on, crossing her arms.

"Right! Now then, as Bryn says, we're ambassadors from Dorchacht -- the new Dorchacht, change brought on by the love of her people. We'd like to extend our hands, palms open and sleeves drawn back, to Aefenglom's people, in thanks for taking care of our wayward refugees... and as thanks for those who assisted, in their own ways, in helping us be rid of Dorchacht's former Coven head, Morgana Drummond."

A murmur goes across the crowd, Witch, non-Witch, and Monster alike, and Bryn steps forward more prominently.

"I can imagine the questions some or most of you may have in regards to the current state of Dorchacht, and we will answer the specifics later. For the moment, we are able to confirm that in place of a central leader which heads the Coven and city itself we have established a Circle of Three, with those three being ourselves. Hilda here, despite her flighty tone, was the Resistance's prime inventor, and some of you may recognize her as such from your time there."

"Bryn's the mother of the section leader whom you helped as well, may his soul rest easy." Bryn dips her head at Hilda's words, smile pursed. "She's taken up his cause as her own, and we thank her for it."

There's a pause as the women look at each other, and Bryn raises an eyebrow. Hilda glances at their hooded companion, who seems content to stay at the back where they stood in the first place, and then clears her throat.

"And, ah, our shy companion here the former Bonded of Drummond, who is currently without a name, so we've-- I've taken to calling them Starlight, and Bryn's simply been referring to them as The Dragon. Whichever is fine, they don't seem to care too much about things like that.

"Nonetheless! Nonetheless," Hilda's quick to continue, leaning across the podium with a large smile, "things have changed and are ever changing in Dorchacht, and for the better -- we strive to repair the bridge torn asunder by Drummond and those before her, to see each other as equals, and to assist with the reformation of this world, starting with the Wilde at our doorstep, just as Aefenglom has done. We've heard such wonderful things, and we're eager to have all the hands we can take."

Bryn nods, raising her voice to strike clear. "We have managed to find a safe enough path to the teleportation device a good handful of you entered Dorchacht through, and are currently doing our best to get it up in working order. With the assistance of the Coven here, we will manage to do so by the week's end, and we welcome you all to come to Dorchacht, old and new alike, to see our changes and to cleanse the surrounding areas of the Cwyld."

It's with this finality of their announcements, it'd seem, that they open the floor to all those who'd like to speak, be they with question, congratulation, or offer to help.

All questions, comments, etc can be done with IC words or as summarizations should that please you, simply make note of it in the comment! Both Bryn and Hilda may be spoken with, either together or as separate people, but please note that Fafnir/Starlight/The Dragon will not be available for questioning, no matter who asks.

Please feel free to use this post to mingle with each other as well if any discussions arise!

Comments

[moustre]

Hilda is delighted and wooed by Everett's manners and charm, and while she's quick to agree to the tea at his place Byrn handles the more diplomatic portion of the talk, asking if he'd like a residence in Dorchacht as well for when he visits, and if there were others of his sort (the Aefenglom Resistance, she clarifies after a moment, in clear reference to the Mirrorbound) that would be appropriate to look into for the same function, as she believes it prudent to have helping hands in all areas and walks of life.

As for the more hushed tones, even The Dragon steps forward to hear, though there's a growl low in their throat at the mention of anything Drummond related versus spoken tongue. Bryn speaks softly, in tone as well, that they were able to rescue only a few, and even now they weren't in the fairest of conditions -- alive, yes, but living... There's currently a debate in their new administration as to the fates of those rescued, be it more merciful to kill them or to hope they revive fully.

Hilda states heatedly that it's cruel to let them remain in that state, but thus far she's outweighed in the matter, so they live for now. She is more somber when she mentions they may never regain the magic taken from them, and so they themselves may feel it a fate worse than death in that case... As for the control spell, they've managed to dismantle the worst of it, and plan to repurpose the runes of certain areas to the city's needs; as a whole, Bryn speaks up, it is ever a work in progress, as Drummond was particularly good at what she did.

[rollfordiplomacy]

Everett will gladly accept the offer of a residence in Dorchacht, keen to travel at the earliest time. He will mention he's likely to travel with his bonded, another faun, so space for two would be appreciated.

He listens attentively to the further explanation. He'll inquire if there might be any sort of plant or remedy that could help their recovery? Everett would not be averse to aiding in some excursions to the Wilde if there might be something helpful. If he could find a sample of a necessary plant, he could use his magic to grow and breed more, he believes. As an extension, he'll also ask how the many plants he spread about the city during his initial stay might be doing, hoping they are aiding in making the place feel less dreary!

When the conversation winds down, he'll attempt a moment of Hilda's time aside from the others. It would be so lovely if he could tour her to his shop! Perhaps his cottage, afterward, if she might be interested in sharing a drink and more private company. Something to warm her welcome to the city, Everett is always looking to be a pleasant host. At her convenience, of course.

[moustre]

A space for two! Delightful, that won't be a problem at all -- there's very many places needing to be filled, Hilda says happily, clasping her hands together.

For plants that may assist with them, Bryn has a few ideas of what could help... but it's more of old wives' tales than anything, given the courses most focused on weren't of those sorts. She describes a particular kind of ivy that may be found in the Wilde, whose properties act functionally as medicinal smelling salts to wake the unconscious. It'd been in use once, it's said, to cure those who'd fallen under the spell of a similar ivy, so she warns him to look carefully at the coloration of the leaves -- the one he needs is the darker.

On the topic of his plants, Hilda can say they're growing wonderfully! Oh, it's taken some time for the people to get used to it and the like, and with the chill they've had to take some... interesting measures to keep them alive, but the people of Dorchacht have enjoyed the flowering bits that he and the others have placed about their city. There are those who see no point in it, of course, but generally he'll be able to see how the flora's grown when he visits.

Ooooh. Ooooh. She takes a glance back at Bryn, handling other matters, and Starlight, who seems caught between keeping an eye on Hilda herself and the conversation before them, before stepping closer and mentioning she'd be more than happy to take a tour of his shop, as well as his private residence... Given he's a Faun, and he did such work in Dorchacht, surely he has a number of beautiful flowers she'd like to admire all the same..♥

[rollfordiplomacy]

Everett will take diligent notes on anything he can about the ivy and it's counterpart. He'll inquire if smell might be a better indicator of the difference in the two ivy types? Is there any use in collecting both to bring back? Or is the spell of the latter so dangerous it should not be risked being returned with...

After gathering the information on the ivy he can, Everett is reminded of what started all this mess. He'll ask if the ivy might help waking those left comatose after the initial dream of Dorchacht. If there is something a Diplomat would do well to repair, it would be that particular wound between their cities relations. Rescuing any innocents caught in the cross fire would be ideal and any guilty of being slavers could be brought to justice in the new system. Worth a shot, if they can return with and cultivate the ivy, perhaps?

Everett will assure Hilda of the beauty and majesty of his personal garden. He has a great variety of flowers he'd enjoy showing her, including some mixed with illusion magic, courtesy of his bond with a Witch! Of course, if she visits, she'll be the prettiest thing upon his humble estate. (Wink!)

[moustre]

No one's been able to be close enough to smell a difference, or if they have it was never recorded; Bryn wonders about it herself, and replies that the flowers they hold may have a different fragrance, but there's no wives' tales about that. Returning with both would be prudent, she thinks, to further study their differences, and if there would be a benefit to keeping the more dangerous cousin around. But do be careful, Mr. Everett.

Oh, very, very much worth the shot! Both seem to like the idea (though for differing reasons, perhaps, as Hilda's practicality leans towards "they can get their dues" for the slavers while Bryn's hope is more "those caught in the crossfire can finally heal"), and the Dragon gives a nod to the suggestion themself, tugging briefly on Hilda's arm. After a moment of leaning, she turns back to Everett and asks if he won't work with others seeking to enhance the medical and agricultural fields of Dorchacht, given his (attractive) Faunish form and the like.

Ooh la la. Hilda is very much into this, thank you, she'll be well-pleased to visit.

[rollfordiplomacy]

Everett assures them he will look into this lead, see if these ivy of myth have any credibility. If they do, he'll return with them in hand. He feels overdue to search the Wilde for what rarities it might hold. He also agrees with both Bryn's and Hilda's sentiments. Slavers should wake to meet justice and any innocents should be allowed to return to their lives. Waking them should hopefully patch linger resentments with those who feel wronged by the Mirrorbound and Aefenglom.

He will not he's no proper providing druid, a term from his world for those who specialize in agriculture and growth, but he will do what he can with his powers. His number one priority is diplomatic endeavors, however, as those are his life's work and specialty. Everett hopes they will call upon him if ever they need a man of charm and cunning for diplomatic pursuits.

He also hopes Hilda will call upon him soon, so they can have their date.