Post by andycd on Mar 17, 2021 17:10:30 GMT
“Kithrin’s got to take it”
“Why? Just because the lady sparkles and calls herself the Twilight Incarnate?”
“She’s not called that, she is the embodiment of twilight. Everything we stand for, she does too. She’s the only one who can hold a candle to Sarastra, may-she-return-to-Corellon’s-side.”
“More of the same? Don’t get me wrong, the old Queen was great, but now’s the chance to breathe a bit of life into the court. Old Honey Paws there in the palace will build something magnificent with the Twilight realm.”
“The Bear King can barely walk around the palace without breaking it - he’s completely unsuitable!”
“Oh once he’s king they’ll redecorate - you know they shape the land around them - there’ll be a balance. The Twilight Court will shape him and he’ll shape the court. I don’t know what that’ll mean but I’ll tell you this much - mead will be much cheaper.”
“That… that’s a good point. Regardless, things are about to change in the court, just as soon as the nobles vote next moon.”
“Can a Shadow Elf even become an Archfey? Isn’t that like, an oxymoron?”
“Hell if I know. But they aren’t kicking him out, so’must be possible.”
“I hear he doesn’t even go outside.”
“How often did Sarastra, may-her-road-go-ever-on, get out of that there castle? S’not a requirement, to my mind. He’s a smart one, an’ he cares, as much as a Shadar-Kai can. If he’s king next month, I won’t mind a bit.”
“Did you hear the rumour he used to be her lover? It’s… salacious.”
“Don’t know, don’t care.”
“You’re infuriating.”
“Who in the Abyss is the Lady of Caelur?”
“Oh, you haven’t heard? She’s near the top of the spy ring for the late Queen, very smart, very well connected.”
“Well then why haven’t I encountered her before?”
“She’s a spy by trade, my friend. Either you already have and didn’t know it, or you haven’t and that’s probably for the best for you. Corellon knows I wouldn’t vote for someone like her in normal circumstances, but -”
“Hold on, you’re voting for her? Over the Twilight Incarnate?”
“Yes, *cough*, well sometimes you just see the potential in someone, you know? She really could be something special.”
“I don’t believe it, you’ve known Kithrin for years, but you’ll not vote for her when she could become queen?”
“Look, it’s just - oh is that the time? Afraid I’ve got to run!”
“All right, Bear King vs Umbral Earl.”
“Ok ok, are we talking as rulers or in a straight fight?”
“The fight is obvious, Mesikammen would devour that shadowy wisp. No, as kings.”
“Fine, then it’s gotta be Alassar.”
“Who?”
“That’s the Umbral Earl’s name, you fool.”
“...I knew that. Why him then? The Bear King already rules a kingdom pretty well from what I hear.”
“Sure, but are you a bear? Do you want to be? Do you want the whole Court to turn into another Bear Kingdom all aggression and bees? This is the Twilight Court, we don’t hibernate in winter.”
“...I wouldn’t mind being a bear.”
“What was that?”
“Nothing. Well what’s so good about the Earl then?”
“Alassar may be from the Shadowfell, but if there’s a court that fits well with shadows, it’s us. He knows how to be quiet, how to listen, which is something Mesikammen couldn’t manage without magical aid. We’ll have peace with the Earl.”
“I think we’ll just turn into another Winter Court - all cold and emotionless.”
“You’ve never seen the Snow Queen angry if you think the Winter Court is emotionless.”
“Have you seen her angry?”
“Well… no… shut up.”
“Hmmm… Kithrin’s return to the fray is troubling.”
“Do you think she’s a threat to Miandra’s chances?”
“I think anyone who weaseled out of Miandra’s schemes is a problem. We’ve spread enough rumours about various reasons she had ducked out of the political scene for the last moon that her reputation is tarnished, but without proof it’s just rumours - they won’t last.”
“They don’t need to, just a few more weeks and Miandra takes the throne. She’s the only choice - her understanding of strategy and politics is second to none. Kithrin is powerful in her own right, and she’s capable enough, but she won’t drive the hard bargains the Lady of Caelur will.”
“Mmm… the Twilight Incarnate as a second choice isn’t the worst, that’s to be sure. She can convince anyone of anything - if she sets her battles up as conversations, Kithrin Harthlas will win every time. And she believes in the same values as Sarastra, may-she-rest-until-she’s-good-and-ready.”
“Yes, let’s speak to some of our friends, let’s keep the Prince of Sadness and the King of Hair off the throne at all costs. The court doesn’t need any of that.”
“Are you ready, Lady Harthlas?”
“Yes, Fellow, thank you. Let’s go greet the public.”
“The boat will pull up in just a minute. I think Sarastra may-her-twilight-never-see-the-dawn would be proud of what you’re doing, if I may say, my lady.”
“Hahaha, perhaps. I can only hope I can live up to her legacy. I didn’t expect to need to take the throne for centuries longer.”
“You will have a legacy of your own soon, to be sure. The Twilight Incarnate will be a queen who forges legends daily, I have no doubt.”
“Flatterer. All right, let’s go wave at people. Perhaps I'll give them a proper show now that my magic is restored...”
“Are you ready, lord King?”
“What is it now? Ah, it’s you Euston. Thank you, yes I’m ready. It’s the unveiling of the Queen’s statue, right?”
“Indeed my lord. She will be immortalised in splendour as her immortality was so woefully cut short.”
“Mmm.”
“Your majesty?”
“Oh, nothing. I just can’t wait until this voting is done and this Court will start actually listening to me instead of treating me like a joke. They have no idea what I’m doing for them.”
“Unquestionably, sire. When you take the throne that’s rightfully yours, the castle will finally start to become something proportional for a King of your grandeur.”
“Grandeur, you call it? Ha, I like it.”
“Indeed, my liege. And perhaps you’ll be able to build stronger bridges with the Summer Court at long last, and heal some of that bitterness.”
“Hmph, maybe. It’ll be a surprise for Titania to see me next as an equal, instead of a vassal she lost centuries ago. Maybe there’ll be a statue of me outside soon.”
“You’d have to be dead for that, sire.”
“Oh... yes, good point. Let’s hold off on the statue.”
“I’ll cancel the masons immediately, your majesty.”
“Silly old bear.”
“Are you ready, Alassar?”
“No one is ready to fill Sarastra’s shoes, may-our-grief-be-a-monument. Is anyone ever ready, Hayley?”
“I doubt it, sir, but shall we go to visit the orphanage now?”
“Of course, do you think they would enjoy some music?”
“Ah… I suspect they may not fully appreciate the complexities of your melodies, my lord.”
“It’s really that bad?”
“Your playing is perhaps not ready for public consumption yet, no.”
“Ha, well, I suppose I’ll just have to make conversation then.”
“Was that a laugh, sir?”
“Oh - you know I think it was. That’s the second one this week. You must be hilarious, Hayley.”
“I doubt it, sir, but shall we go to visit the orphanage now?”
“All right all right. It’s needed. Everyone else is being seen out and about, I need to make sure to keep up appearances. The nobles won’t vote for a shut-in king, whatever other skills I can demonstrate. Do they really think any of the others could ever build meaningful relationships with the Winter Court?”
“You’d be surprised who people will vote for, sir. I hear the Lady Gleaming is gaining a lot of traction in some circles. I hear even Bunty Umberico is voting her way.”
“What? We’ve supported each other for years.”
“Indeed sir. It’s not confirmed, and I doubt they would admit it to your face, but the servants do talk.”
“Miandra and her underhanded tactics, I have no doubt.”
“Inevitably, sir.”
“It sounds like I need to visit more orphanages.”
“Was… was that a joke, sir?”
“You tell me, Hayley. You tell me.”
“Are you ready, Miandra?”
“Yes, Mother, I think I am. I’ve been working for Sarastra, may-her-soul-consume-itself, for two centuries. Ever since you… died.”
“Don’t let it trouble you, my sweet. I’ll find my rest soon enough. Once you rule the Twilight Court, all of us will rest at last.”
“No pressure, then. You know, I really must find Jack one day and thank him for this opportunity. No idea how he pulled this off, but he’s given us our chance, and I’m not holding anything back.”
“You were always so bright, dear one. I’m sorry we didn’t protect you. We should have-”
“-what? Seen it coming? I accepted a long time ago the limitations of divination, Mother. I deal in facts, in knowledge. And I’m going to use every trick and tactic I know to win. This oath to serve the Twilight Court will turn from a chain into wings.”
“I’m so proud of you. You’ll avenge us all and rise higher than I ever dreamed possible. Crush anyone who opposes you. Grind them into dust. Feed on their corpses until-”
“-Mother, you’re getting overexcited again. Let’s not spoil this reunion.”
“Ah, sorry my beloved Miandra.”
“I really owe those Dawnlanders a debt for bringing us together, you know. But no matter, Nicnevin’s support in all of this has been essential too. Having the Witching Court’s support is going to help us get back on our feet that much faster - they’ll see.”
“They’ll all see, dear, they’ll all see.”