2017-03-06: Royal Visit

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  • Log: Royal Visit
  • Cast: Fargo Foobach, Kahm Yugh, Myyah, King Justin of Adlehyde
  • Where: Adlehyde Castle
  • Date: March 6, 2017
  • Summary: Kahm, with Myyah and Fargo Foobach of the Black Ties at his side, pays a visit to King Justin of Adlehyde.

<Pose Tracker> King Justin has posed.

It isn't hard for a Solarian to get an audience with a king. King Justin has ruled for decades and he can still only count these meetings on two hands. Interactions with Solaris are, for him, a thing to be survived. He can't well refuse -- and he always fears what may be requested of him. He has to get through them, though, for the sake of his people.

If Kahm hasn't done this before, it doesn't register with King Justin. He didn't choose the throne room; instead, the king selected a more discreet parlor that has a table with enough chairs for everyone -- and bookshelves with some of his personal library. He is also without his usual regalia. Instead, he has a dark blue shirt, black pants, and a red sash across his chest. A simple, silver circlet is the mark of his office.

When Kahm arrives, his entourage in tow, King Justin stands when the door opens. He is in his early fifties, with a short beard and a balding head. He nods, once, to them. "Welcome. I can have refreshments brought, if you would like it."

<Pose Tracker> Kahm Yugh has posed.

Although Kahm was not particularly accustomed to how business was done in Adlehyde, he had been on the surface long enough that he knew the basics when dealing with the lamb kingdoms. Once the meeting was established, he'd sent word back to HQ-it was only appropriate to involve the higher-ups when dealing with matters of state.

The Gebler party arrived in comfortable, albeit covert means-with Kahm driving a modestly equipped stagecoach past the castle gates where it would receive proper attention. He enters the lobby with his retinue shortly after, dressed in a black hat, vest, and boots with the requisite accompaniment. A scrutinizing eye surveyed the King's meeting room without discernible judgement.

"Thank you." He said, to Justin's offer of refreshment, though he elected to take none himself. Instead, the Captain motioned to his female companion to sit or stand before he took further action.

<Pose Tracker> Myyah Hawwa has posed.

Myyah Hawwa does not look like a Solarian right now. That is, she is at very least not dressed as one: she is wearing a white cotton dress with an a-line silhouette and bateau neckline, embellished with a dark blue ribbon around the waist for definition, along with white leggings to keep out the dust and square-heeled ankle boots with silver buckles. She forgoes jewelry and other decoration.

But there is no dust to keep out. Wearing this much clean white is a statement. The same kind of statement that someone who has experience with Solarians can, perhaps with too much imagination, extrapolate from physical traits. Pale, unblemished skin. White teeth. Good hair, of course.

Myyah uses a parasol to keep out the sun between the coach and the building, and she keeps a small satchel bag with her. She is silent as she follows Kaham into the room. Her preferred response to the king (and to Kahm's questioning look) is a faint smile and a small bow of her head to indicate demurral from refreshments and a seat.

It seems like Kahm is in charge, since she does not speak up.

<Pose Tracker> Fargo Foobach has posed.

Interestingly, Myyah Hawwa isn't the only one in the group wearing nearly pure white. Gebler is accompanied by one who could be spotted as a surface dweller fairly easily, given his tanned complexion and unusual narrow eyes - though with the Badlands not particularly far away, people with exotic appearances blow in with a fair frequency.

Fargo Foobach is a man of average height and build dressed in a fine white suit with brass buttons a few iterations behind the edge of local men's fashion. The collar of his shirt, the lining of his coat, the ribbon around his bowler hat and the precisely-perched bow tie at his neck are the only black breaks from the nearly oppressive whiteness.

He is not quite so adept at keeping the dust away, because he has to live down here with it, but he's still shockingly fastidious. Silently, he removes his hat once he's in the King's presence, pressing it to his chest as he bows politely, because he is the only member of the Black Ties that knows how to behave himself. Fargo seems uncomfortable, but he always seems uncomfortable.

He places his hat upon the table, but will seat himself last. He'd like a glass of water, but as that would require calling attention to himself, he'll be fine.

<Pose Tracker> King Justin has posed.

That has always been something that unnerved Justin about Solarians. The way they look flawless in a way that isn't /possible/ on a planet as battered and weathered as Filgaia. Justin has had a life of privilege, and even then, his skin shows a few cracks and lines from the sun -- and he went grey ten years too early, with the earliest hint of cataracts in his kindly blue eyes. And his shirt is blue and silk, but it isn't the stark pure white that Myyah wears -- or that Fargo wears.

"Of course," he says, as he looks away from Myyah, to instead look at Justin. "We're happy to speak with you. And your associates."

He looks briefly at Fargo, a little relieved to see the hint of dust. It still finds its way to his boots; his shirt and pants, too. Justin keeps his hand on the lacquered wooden cane at his side, and he manages to avoid wobbling. "Please," he says, motioning. "Have a seat."

The king sits down, with that caution that comes from having a bad knee and not wanting to bring attention to it. "What can we do for you?"

<Pose Tracker> Kahm Yugh has posed.

Kahm will wait until the King has taken his seat to do so himself, at least, also taking removing his hat in the process. The King looks old, he thinks, keen eyes following the weathered creases in the other man's face, the careful way he took himself to the chair. It was the end result of a life lived under this planet's natural gravity, an outcome even a king could not escape.

The Solarian cleared his throat when it was time for them to speak, "First, thank you for seeing us so promptly. I am Captain Kahm Yugh, of the Gebler Special Forces." His compatriots could introduce themselves if they wished, "My associates and I have arrived to inform you of a criminal we are pursuing, who recently crossed into Adlehyde."

At that, the Captain produces a thin manila folder of passes it forward for the King's review, speaking once he has a chance to review the contents, "You are aware, I'm sure, of the incident at the village of Lahan some weeks ago."

The folder contains images of that very place, the extent and scope of the scale clear. The images have been carefully offered to remove anything that could potentially compromise or expose any Solarian presence-only cratered homes and scorched earth are on display. "The man who did this was village resident named Fei." Kahm explained, his eyes on the King's face, "He was able to do so with advanced military technology from Kislev, which he stole."

The Captain's hands clasped, and he leaned back in his chair slightly, "We have been pursuing him since then and, as I said, recently traced him to Adlehyde. We are telling you this out of a desire to have your kingdom's assistance in apprehending him, before another event like this can occur."

<Pose Tracker> Myyah Hawwa has posed.

When the king moves to sit, Myyah initially only watches. Her gaze dips down toward his knee, and then returns to his face. She does not seem to care if he notices her looking. Perhaps that is the intent.

After he is in place, Myyah moves to take her seat. She sets her bag in her lap (it lies flat, giving little hint to what is inside) and then folds her hands on top of it.

She does not introduce herself.

<Pose Tracker> Fargo Foobach has posed.

The Man in White quietly says in the space, "Fargo Foobach." He's certainly not Solarian, and as such chooses not to front: "On retainer. Relations."

He reaches up, adjusting his hair, pulling out a small clip and placing it under his hat, using his fingers to rake the hat hair loose. His hair only a little long, not enough to frame his face but enough that it needs a little help staying under the bowler.

"I have been closely assisting the pursuit of the criminal. I have some experience with tracking malicious drifters."

He glances toward Kahm after this, waiting for him to take the lead on the Adlehyde incident in particular.

<Pose Tracker> King Justin has posed.

"The pleasure is mine, Captain Yugh." Justin doesn't introduce himself further. It always becomes awkward with Solarians -- he never knows whether to insist upon his title, as would be appropriate, save that they are Solarians. He looks, instead, at Myyah -- and he seems to expect her to speak. She doesn't and the silence stretches on, awkwardly. Fargo breaks it.

He takes the manila folder and keeps the surprise mostly off his face; the folder and paper feel so much more smooth than the rougher paper that is made in Adlehyde.

He opens it, then looks down at the images of destroyed homes. His brow furrows -- and he frowns for a moment, before he nods once. "I heard, of course, of the destruction of Lahan. It was a true tragedy. These images... they only reinforce that."

His brow furrows. "One man did this?" he asks. "Of course... those damnable ARMs could." He looks at Fargo, then, and nods once. "We're... familiar with the trouble they can cause. Clearly, we need to insure he can't cause that sort of trouble here. Adlehyde is a peaceful kingdom."

He leans back in his chair. "What do you have in mind?"

<Pose Tracker> Kahm Yugh has posed.

Kahm tipped his head to Fargo's comment, "Where possible, we prefer to employ local resources for these matters." Cooperative natives invariably knew the land better, after all, and it gave Shakhan some positive spin to play about creating jobs and opportunities.

Although Kahm gave no indication as to exactly /what/ Fei used to cause the scope of destruction captured in those images, he nodded suitably when the King came to a conclusion on his own, "Indeed. There is a reason we have a vested interest in ensuring such objects do not fall into the wrong hands." Again, he nods to Justin's declaration of Adlehyde's peaceful agenda, "And we would like to see that it remains so. For the sake the Adlehyde people, as well as the people of Aveh."

The Captain didn't need to glance at his notes to know what he would like to ask of the King in this endeavor. "We already have some of our own agents in place to seek him out. We would appreciate awareness on the behalf of your people so that ours can operate effectively." Kahm said, "We have already been monitoring his activities to some extent, and it's only a matter of time before we find him." In this, the Captain sounded quite sure of himself.

"That said, we do not have the facilities to adequately contain him on-site. Once he is captured, it would be most helpful if he could be held within Adlehyde's own facilities, until such time as his transport and proper arrangements can be made."

<Pose Tracker> Myyah Hawwa has posed.

Myyah's expression gives no hints as to what kind of damnable ARM did the damning.

Other than hold Justin's gaze with her vaguely eerie, deep-purple eyes, Myyah continues to listen along to Kahm. Kahm speaks well. That's good to know.

<Pose Tracker> Fargo Foobach has posed.

Fargo adds, "It is imperative that there be proper cooperation," his face neutral, carefully controlling his tone so he doesn't sound like he's targetting anyone in specific. "Men like this one are adept at finding cracks in hasty plans and moving on when they feel they are becoming cornered."

He reaches out, lifting up his white hat until its shadow has moved away from the small clip under it. He then drops it. "With dangerous drifters, the trap must be complete and enveloping."

<Pose Tracker> King Justin has posed.

"We've been friends of Aveh's people for a long time," King Justin says. "Why... I remember, the late king and I had discussed a betrothal between my Cecilia and his boy. A shame, but... my love for Aveh's people is second only to my love for my own. You'll have our support, Captain."

He looks at Fargo, then -- briefly -- at Myyah. Quiet, this one. He frowns a moment, though, before he nods. "I'll be honest with you. Our military isn't much to speak of. We've avoided being pulled into the war to the west by virtue of not having manpower to tempt either side into creating an incident. What we have is busy with the dangerous drifters you mentioned, Mister Foobach."

He leans backward. "But we do have secure facilities. We have a prison half-a-day's ride outside of the city. We repurposed a local series of caverns into a prison, with some Symbological wards for good measure. We can loan it to you, after you apprehend him, until you can move him."

<Pose Tracker> Kahm Yugh has posed.

"That would more than sufficient." Kahm stated pleasantly, or at least as pleasantly as he tended to get, "He does have at least one associate we have yet to track down , so a location outside the city will give him less resources to work with in case of any further incidents, and be safer for your people besides. "

The Captain will then ask for the folder back, carefully returning it safely below the clutch of his left arm. "Thank you for assistance in this matter, your majesty. We will do our best to resolve this matter quickly and with limited impact to the daily lives of your people. As you said, Aveh and Adlehyde have a long history of friendship, which we would like to see strengthened by continued cooperation."

With that, it might seem to the King like they are done mercifully short. However, Kahm exchanged the briefest of glances with Myyah-it almost may he been a tick of his eye-and then spoke again.

"By the way.." He said, almost in afterthought, "It seems you're in the midst of festivities right now, an upcoming historical exhibition of some sort." It was not unknown, of course, for nations to dig up relics from time to time, "What will you be displaying, if you don't mind my asking?"

<Pose Tracker> Myyah Hawwa has posed.

By chance, Myyah happened to be already looking at Kahm when he glanced to her. Her expression is unreadable--to others, anyway.

She returns her attention to the king when the question is posed.

<Pose Tracker> Fargo Foobach has posed.

Fargo Foobach has little to say when the topic moves off of capturing Fei. But, then, that was all he needed to say to justify his presence here. He's not really here in his capacity as Drifter Hunter, a role he hasn't pursued with eagerness for a few years.

When the King lets slip that tidbit about Adlehyde's military currently being tapped, he has a small tell. His head clicks to the side almost imperceptibly like a dog hearing a new noise, and he nods. Important information.

Fargo tilts his hat up and retrieves his clip, toying with it as the conversation moves on. It may be seen as impatience, but now that he's learned something for his boss, there's a little fire in his chest now. Time to get to work, in earnest.

<Pose Tracker> King Justin has posed.

"We're happy to assist you," he says. "The caves are called the Soldiers' Graveyard. It was the site of a large battle, in the Metal Demon Wars, but it's been cleared out by our guardsmen since then. I'll have my guards show you the way to it."

The king smiles, then, and nods -- though he catches the briefest of glances at Myyah. He looks at Fargo, too; there isn't a particularly discerning glance, as he assumes Fargo simply being ready to leave. Justin raises an eyebrow, and then his face breaks out into a smile.

"I'm a scholar," he says. "By passion, if not by trade. We want to celebrate our history. Five hundred years of survival, since the Day of Collapse--I think that's worth remembering the past. We've found relics of that era. They don't function, but... ah, it would ruin the surprise."

He laughs. "But trust me, Captain, Mister Foobach, Miss..." She didn't give her name. "...Miss. It's something you've never seen before. I promise it."

<Pose Tracker> Kahm Yugh has posed.

Relics of the past, hm?

Kahm does not pry beyond that. It was, after all, not specifically why they were here-but it remained a curiosity to him. "Well then, we will make sure to redouble our efforts so that the surprise is not spoiled." He begins to stand, "If there is time, perhaps we can see it ourselves." Or even provide a modicum of protection, if Fei was still a threat by then. He could always say it was the least they could do for all the imposition, but lets the offer go unspoken."

"Well then." The Solarian said, giving their retinue a last once-over, "I shall leave it to your men provide us with a tour of the caves. We will likely move some of our own equipment and materials in to make for a better base of operations during our stay. We would appreciate if we remained undisturbed until otherwise specified."

<Pose Tracker> Myyah Hawwa has posed.

Miss... miss nothing. Myyah offers no purchase.

Kahm wraps the discussion up. Myyah stands after he does, slipping her bag onto her shoulder again.

"We continue to value your discretion in this matter," she says, finally breaking her silence. For all the build up, she sounds like a normal woman--one with excellent and graceful diction, granted.

"It would complicate matters for all parties if our involvement became apparent."

Myyah looks back to Kahm. This is her 'I am ready to depart' look.

<Pose Tracker> Fargo Foobach has posed.

Fargo Foobach stops toying with his hair and instead clips it back up before gripping the top of his bowler and rising smoothly from his seat like the martial artist he is. Once again the Man in White presses it to his chest and bows, waiting for Kent and Myyah to move before he steps into place behind them.

<Pose Tracker> King Justin has posed.

"I hope that you will," Justin says. The king has a moment of awkward shuffling, as he positions to get his feet under him -- then pushes up on his cane. It's a reminder of that bad knee that has always troubled him. He looks to the others, before he looks back at Kahm and smiles. "If you can come, all the better, Captain. And the rest of you. I'll be sure my guards do."

And then he pauses, to look at Myyah. The king tilts his head -- and then he nods, once. "Discretion. Of course, madam. I know well of discretion. Some involvements shouldn't come to light."

The door is opened for them, by a guard outside. Justin smiles, politely, before he nods. "And may the Guardians smile on you all."