As You Wish

[rassafraggin]

Martin's office is strewn with trunks. Old trunks that have been at the bottom of the sea for a very long time it appears. The kind with stuff in them, not the kind you wear. There's a pile in the corner of 'trinkets and baubles' probably from the trunks but nothing that is extremely valuable and most mismatched stuff as though he probably didn't pick the right trunks. He's been terribly busy the past few days for various reasons and there has been a steady stream of officials in and out of the office. Rumors are rampant and everyone rushing to and fro. Someone set the Palace on it's ear.

A guard announces Llewella. She enters wearing a gauzy jade green dress that is intended for shadow and should imply that the rumor mill hit her up with questions and sent her coming immediately to Martin for answers (for when in Rebma, she tends to dress or not dress) as a Rebman. The light material has properties that allow it to withstand the underwater treatment and flows in ways that makes her movement through water easy. "Martin."

Merrisol appears in the doorway, leaning in to survey the next candidate for a special Rebman episode of Hoarders. He looks between the occupants and bows his head to Llewella, "..Highness. Martin.." he pauses. "there's better places in the palace to hold treasure. I think one of them is even called The Treasury." He waits until beckoned to enter, then drifts over a cask and sifts through the baubles for a clear place to stand.

The questions lead to further questions. No mention of who or why yet has people speculating like crazy. Martin just simply told people to get prepared for guests and gave them a list of tasks and apparently sent the Master Architect out to survey stable, empty buildings in the city and bring back a report to him in two days. "I'm not done sorting through it for...Oh yes..." He smiles brightly at the both of them. "Just the people I've been wanting to see." He doesn't bother with introductions, been there done that. "Come in, come in. close the door."

Llewella dismisses her guard and lets her close the door. She grins and swims into the room avoiding the chess of treasure. "I see you still have a flare for the dramatic, Martin." She nods her head to Merrisol but seems to be more interested in answers than formality at the moment.

Merrisol nudges something skittering into the shadows, hope that wasn't the Ultimate MacGuffin, 'cause it's gone now. He clasps one wrist to anchor his arms in front of him. "I heard something interesting from Maggie. I know we delivered your offer to the Minos Ambassador in good faith, but I didn't think she would take you up on it."

Martin clears his throat, grins widely at his Aunt. "I try to keep everyone on their toes. Minos." He nods to Merrisol. "She did and not just that..." He straightens but try as he might, he'll never be taller than Merrisol. "Thanks to your diligence in working on this situation with Minos it has resulted in the ability of myself and Captain Midnight to eventually broker a treaty between Minos and Rebma. The first step is the acceptance of Minosian Refugees who wish to come to Rebma and the offer of Amnesty for all past blood depts and crimes. This will lead to a treaty and Armistice between our two lands as we move forward." He pauses for a moment in order to let that sink in. With a swish of a hand he continues, "The situation in Minos is forcing many to abandon Minos because of the Goddess causing turmoil there and they have very few options. In any case.." He crosses both arms. "Regarding the Goddess." A look is passed between Merrisol and Llewella. "Captain Midnight and I had a discussion. There is an option you did not explore yet, and she felt it a viable opportunity to get the information needed for you all to move forward on dealing with her. That and given her past with Princess Llewella she is willing to assist however she can. However, LLewella cannot blindly look into the past to the point in time that is needed to get a clue on how you can proceed. She requires help for this to succeed if I am not mistaken, Aunt."

"Not just a point of time," Llewella clarifies. "I need a location. If not the exact location, something close enough that I can find it. Or someplace to go in time that would have that information. A scholar, a library. But, if it comes to stepping into a mirror of Minosian past, I hope you realize that I cannot and will not go on my own. It can be dangerous and difficult and I am already an outsider to the situation."

Merrisol listens, unmoved by any praise prior to the main point. Being both Minosian and Rebman, one might assume this dawning of understanding between the two nations would be particularly welcome news, but the submariner looks skeptical throughout. Glancing at the Princess when Maereina's past association with her comes to light, he considers the mystical mission in silence for a minute. "The Goddess's origins extend so far into the past, by her own admission, they predate Oberon's shenanigans in Minos." He nods to Llew's caveats. "You have both Maggie and myself at your disposal. Miss Ruby, too. I think in terms of The Sundering, the cataclysmic event that shattered Minos, the likely point of origin would be the center of the Sea between all the island masses, where The Maw resides. If you would seek scholarly research, there are ancient ruins of cities deep in the mainland, which have been unreachable due to the overwhelming undead presence." He looks back to Martin, lifting his brows. "If Maereina wants more options than the current plan to give into Stormy's wishes? The Wave Dancer is currently within the Stormbelt. We can get to work on finding what," nodding to Princess Llewella directly, "you require to conduct your investigation."

"Aunt, you will not go alone if there is a need. There are many helping in this mission. I assure you." Martin nods at Merrisol. "I think that it is at least an avenue of gleaning information not yet explored. You might find the missing pieces you need to stop Stormy. It is never easy, but nothing worthwhile ever is. I want to say that I know how frustrating it can be sometimes to keep prodding at something and to not have any options. Believe me... I know. If this doesn't work, I don't think there are any others and I think she knows that too." He looks grave.

Llewella gives Merrisol a long appraising look. A little smile replacing her typical sad expression as his plan sounds solid. She nods at Martin when he delivers the promise of company. "Well, it sounds like we have a plan an like it may be no easy endeavor to get to the location of the binding in order to find out what we need to know about it. I leave that to the more adventurous of you, perhaps you should seek out a necromancer. Until such time, I believe I shall retreat and see what I can find in Rebma's mirrors of the past. It may be nothing, but if I find out anything, I'll let you know. Good day."

Merrisol cannot but agree with the necromancer suggestion, although having a dozen of them would be more useful. He nods to her departure, "I'll speak to the others about it and be in touch, Highness." He watches her leave before turning to regard Martin in a long idle staring contest.


---____----_____-----____----___---


To the image of Maereina, Merrisol answers promptly, like he's accustomed to trump attempts by unfamiliar sources. "Go ahead."

The image of Maereina appears to be pacing around the table in her office as she stares at the trump in her hand, "I would have called Captain Flame but she was not answering. Are you able to speak?"

To the image of Maereina, Merrisol nods, "It's quite possible she is occupied in shadow travel at the moment. I can take a message, certainly."

The image of Maereina nods, "I need someone who isn't me to check the status of the storms in Minos. The goddess really dislikes me. More than in a casual fashion and I think the storms get worse where I am as a result. Are you and Captain Flame able to do so?"

To the image of Maereina, Merrisol pauses in thought. "We can, Captain, in a pinch. I am aware that the storm has overtaken all the seas and has likely flooded out the islands, though no word on how it has affected the mainland. Is the Shadowpath still in use?"

The image of Maereina nods. "Aye. The Shadowpath is still clear. She's only savaging the islands themselves as far as I can tell. We think the storm may have begun to pull toward Saman though. I need to know for sure if that is true."

To the image of Maereina, Merrisol considers, "Meaning the severity would have lessened elsewhere? Saman's in the southwest quadrant. The Path comes out in the northeast, past the Bone Tower.. so that could be gauged right away." He frowns. "I'd also be interested in getting closer to The Maw, if it is no longer surrounded."

The image of Maereina nods, "The Maw seems to be where the calm in the center of the storm is focused. If the storm truly has weakened to the northern side, you might be able to get close to it, but I suppose that depends on what she allows you to do."

To the image of Maereina, Merrisol agrees, "That remains to be seen. The Wave Dancer had sailed throughout Minos while the stormbelt was only the wall and the two islands, and more recently during the evacuations when she covered more than half the Seas. Both times without becoming a particular target for her wrath, so we stand as good a chance as any. I may follow the Dancer in my submersible, for a look at the extent of the effects undersea."

The image of Maereina nods, "Actually that would be much appreciated. You can look to see if she's been sinking ships on us again. Also if you happen to see wreckage from buildings, I would like to know that."

To the image of Maereina, Merrisol nods to the requests. "That I can definitely do in the Solar Flare, and I expect to have help from other Rebmans such as Ryika Ygrayne." He thinks a moment before suggesting, "The fact that the storm flashed the rest of the islands and became utterly vicious only after the island evacuations were completed, would suggest a quality of mercy in the her timing. As to what became of ships that remained, I'd say that depended on the luck and skill of their captains and crew, in part."

The image of Maereina points out. "No. It flashed out to the other islands when Caine and I gave her the rest of the shells."

To the image of Maereina, Merrisol looks surprised, then curious about that. "Oh.. I see. You planted them on Cameron and Saman, as the others had been before?"

The image of Maereina nods, "Saman first, then Cameron. Saman got the foot. That's part of why I think the storm is coalescing there."

To the image of Maereina, Merrisol puzzles, "A foot-shaped shell.. yes that does sound like starting at one 'end', Captain. What did the ones that went to Cameron and Manzanil signify?"

The image of Maereina frowns, "Cameron was a hand shape, but as to Manzanil I cannot say. Remi wouldn't tell me what the bloody shell looked like. He just said he gave her back her kindess. Of course he said that just before she threw me across a room and broke my ribs puncturing a lung."

To the image of Maereina, Merrisol looks jarred out of calm thought by that, gaze sharpening, then hardening. "I heard from Maggie that her cousin had carved on himself to appeal to the goddess.. we heard nothing about him attacking others, let alone his own family. Was it motivated by her personal dislike for you, Captain?" He tilts his head a bit, glancing to once side briefly when he takes note of something in his own location.

The image of Maereina shakes her head, "He didn't. He just provoked me into being insulting to the goddess where she could hear me and she made a wind rise inside my workshop to throw me across the room. Before this he and I had gotten along quite well, but since he took up with the goddess, he has been quite stubborn and insulting toward me."

To the image of Maereina, Merrisol nods slowly over this news, new to him rather, then falls into frowning thought. "Then the animosity may not have originated with that insult.. Perhaps seeing Minos emptied of her population has displeased her. Very well, Ambassador, I will speak to Maggie and she will send a message by bird when we set out."

The image of Maereina nods, "You have my appreciation. Oh and tell Captain Flame also that as soon as the storms die off enough for me to get to my workshop, I want to get that storm orb on her ship so she can see through the storms."

To the image of Maereina, Merrisol headtilts again, this time questioningly. He smiles slightly, "...That would be terrific, I will tell her. I hope your studio has survived through all this, then."

The image of Maereina nods, "As do I. I will look forward to word from you."

To the image of Maereina, Merrisol says, "You may count on it, Captain," before he turns his attention elsewhere.

---____----_____-----____----___---