epidemiology | EVENT ▸ DIPLOMACY

EVENT ▸ DIPLOMACY

DIPLOMACY

As the skirmishes between wandering Mountain and Sea Clan groups continue in the Flowerlands, by this point enough attackers have been interrogated by Guild Ophelia to paint a compelling picture of unorganized chaos. Each time a skirmish is interrupted, both sides blame the other for starting the impromptu fight, claiming no knowledge of or participation in an organized cabal; the conflicts are entirely coincidental, they say, just a situation where enemies clash in neutral territory.

The Flowerlands are suffering, crops trampled and livestock traumatized, and more and more Mountain and Sea Clan people are terrified to leave their cities, lest they be set upon by warriors from the opposing clan. Under this type of political strain, Hanabira threatens to erupt into full-out civil war at any moment, with or without the sanction of the empresses.

Two weeks after Ophelia's arrival in the Empire of the Crashing Wave, Doro sends word: Empress Nama and Empress Youmi have agreed to meet and discuss the term of an alliance. Doro's castle will serve as a meeting place, but the difficult part is bringing the empresses there safely. You foreigners have already proven yourselves to be capable and invested in seeing the conflict to a peaceful conclusion, so Doro contracts Ophelia to act as escorts and guards.

This might just be the perfect opportunity to whisper proposed solutions to advisors or, if you're lucky, to the empresses themselves.

▸ THE RETINUE

Ophelia has a few different options if they choose to take Doro's contract: escort Nama or escort Youmi and/or guard the Flowerlands castle.

ESCORT ▸ EMPRESS NAMA.
It's a week's worth of travel to return to the Land of Celestial Mountains from the Empire of the Crashing Wave, so the sooner Ophelia starts out, the better. Skirmishes between clans still dot the forests and farms of the Flowerlands, and each time the retinue encounters one, they must decide if they have the time to interfere or if they must push on. After all, the longer there is no peace in Hanabira, the more dire the situation becomes.

When the group finally reaches the Land of Celestial Mountains, they'll find that the entire city is locked down. Guards bar the gates, but upon seeing Doro's seal, they'll let the guild members inside and explain the situation:

Mountain Clan rebels have stormed Heavenly Summit, cutting a large swath through the castle. Much of Nama's court and guards lay dead inside, with the rebels holding the remainder hostage -- including Empress Nama herself -- unless war is declared against the Sea Clan. The city guards are afraid to approach, worried that this will only anger the rebels further and cause Nama's death, and have directed all townsfolk to stay in their homes until the situation has been resolved.

The guards caution Ophelia not to try any rescue efforts themselves, and instead ask them to either find a building to barricade themselves in or leave the city. Of course, it's not like they're keeping a close watch on everyone.

Those who choose to slip into Heavenly Summit Castle will find guards surrounding it, trying to stop anyone from coming in as well as keeping arrows trained on all windows in case a rebel shows her face. Stealth is the name of the game, or at least enough brute strength to knock a guard out in one blow before she sounds the alarm.

Inside the castle, rebels stalk the halls of every floor, masked in the green color of the Mountain Clan. Some are heavily armored and some only wear peasants' clothes, carrying farmers' sickles; it seems as though the attack on the castle was planned very quickly, too quickly to evenly distribute armor and weapons. There are corpses left where they were killed, with splashes of bright red blood beside them; there are hostages huddled in the corners of rooms, wide-eyed but silent at the sight of foreigners ostensibly here to save them; and, in the heavily-guarded throne room, Empress Nama herself.

Fight through the rebel guards with Nama's help, or find a back door and snatch her up before the rebels notice. Either way, once Ophelia lays eyes on her, the magitek will project words in front of them that only they can see:

» EMPRESS NAMA
Leader of the LAND OF CELESTIAL MOUNTAINS. 23 years old. SPECIES: Human. MEDICAL CONCERNS: Lactose intolerant, recent blow to the head.

Nama doesn't ask questions, recognizing the foreigners of Ophelia as those who were meddling after the festival attack and trusting they're here to help her escape. Longbow in hand, she leads the group through secret passageways in the castle, insisting they rescue the nobility on the way out. From there, Nama suggests stealthily escaping the castle and quickly riding out of the city to the safety of Doro's castle, unsure who she can still trust in her own empire.

With Empress Nama and her surviving courtiers added to the retinue, it's time to ride back to the Flowerlands -- and hope you aren't chased by rebels along the way.

ESCORT ▸ EMPRESS YOUMI.
It takes half a week to travel from the Empire of the Crashing Wave to Doro's castle in the Flowerlands. Youmi and two advisors ride in a carriage, with an entourage of royal guards on horseback in front and behind; those in Ophelia who choose to escort this group will either be on foot or must find a mount themselves.

The journey is peaceful, allowing for time to make camp by forested hot springs and in farmhouses (in which case Ophelia might need to sleep outside, depending on the size) along the way. The Sea Clan guards are open to idle chatter with the foreigners, curiously discussing cultural differences and indulging in quick lessons in archery.

Everything seems to be going smoothly until the entourage enters Flowerlands territory and is confronted by a winged spirit of the forest, angered by all the recent bloodshed in his home. There is no time to talk; the spirit does not wish to negotiate, only to stop the crew from moving any further into his territory by any means possible.

The spirit calls the creatures of the forest to his aid, controlling them as if they are under some sort of spell. Ogres, imps, bears, and wolves are the most worrisome among his helpers. His own attacks come from the sky, diving down to slash at his victims with exceptional speed. Those archery lessons will come in handy here, because ranged weapons are most effective against him as long as he remains in flight. He can take an astounding amount of hits, and once he is weakened, will land on the ground to fight in close quarters.

Once he is finally defeated, his spell on the forest animals is broken, and even the most aggressive of them scatter. His feathers are black, but up close, seem iridescent in the light, differentiating them from a common bird's. Youmi's guards suggest everyone take a feather to prove they felled a legendary beast.

GUARD ▸ FLOWERLANDS CASTLE.
Until the empresses and their escorts arrive, it's very uneventful at Doro's castle. It's a smart idea to keep an eye out in case someone hears about the summit and tries to interfere, but so far, things seem to be peaceful. Take the time to bolster defenses, relieve a guildmate of guard duty, or explore the castle.

▸ THE SUMMIT

Youmi and her entourage reach Doro's castle first, her royal guards immediately making a sweep of the castle and the grounds to ensure there is no danger lying in wait. Once the castle is cleared, Doro and Youmi disappear into a guarded room to begin discussions. Youmi's advisors are left out of this initial meeting, making now the perfect time to start some discussions of your own.

Days later, Nama's retinue arrives, and Doro and Youmi (and the rest of her entourage) meet her at the castle gates. The two empresses step cautiously forward to meet each other, bowing politely. Moments later, Doro steps forward to gather Nama into a hug, which she gladly returns, giggling like the young girl she is. She's had a rough time, which she quickly explains to Doro, and asks if she can first have a bath and a moment to breathe. Doro and Youmi are more than willing to give it to her after hearing her experience.

Doro tells Ophelia they have their run of the castle until dinner tonight, when Doro, Youmi, and Nama will all be together in the same room with the team. Sounds like the perfect time to propose a plan, so you'd better finish up discussions about what to do! There's a bit of a time limit.

▸ OOC NOTES

If you have questions about this log or the overall mission, please ask them on the dossier. Questions about Futurology in general should be directed to the FAQ.

▸ Up now:

Proposal submissions and voting, due 21 February 23:59 UTC.
Uniform Design Contest, submissions due 28 February 23:59 UTC. Gamewide voting will be in March.

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Formal proposal arguments begin 22 February.
March calendar on 24 February.
February AC begins 1 March and lasts through 5 March. Please review our activity requirements to ensure you have the correct amount of proofs!

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Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ 'Use the Force,' he says. Like it's that easy to pin down a specific person and his huddled hostages for Rey, who can't get a teacher if her life depends on it. Her prowess is selective and lame compared to an actual Jedi. Urahara has been a great help, but only in the areas in which his universe translates. And Ben …

But the west wing, she can find that, and from there, she can isolate the feelings of fear. It's pungent, in an intangible way that Rey knows isn't really smell at all. She follows it, relying primarily on her own sneaking skills. She remembers Ben's warning, about overexerting herself. She needs to make sure that she saves any mind-affecting efforts for the way out with the hostages.

Except, of course, that there are two guards in the corridor between her and Thrawn's rescued hostages.

Karabast.

She presses her back against the wall, waits a few moments, drawing shallow breaths. The two 'guards' — inasmuch as gangly rebels with blades they aren't used to using can be called that — talk animatedly about Nama and the war, but do not appear to be going anywhere.

On the one hand, it means they don't realize yet that the castle has been invaded. On the other hand … There's no way around them.

She slips out, much to their alarm. The mountain clan insignia on her cuirass gets them to approach rather than attack, which serves for the best. Cool and even, and loud and clear enough to be heard through the door, she says, ]

There's nothing to see in this wing. Your efforts are better spent in the dining hall. [ And they repeat it back to her, glance at each other, then excuse themselves with the sudden urge to head to the dining hall. Rey slips past where they were and opens the door a crack. ] It's me.

[He could hear her— hear the guards as they dazedly agreed to depart against all reason— and so by the time Rey pries the door open, Thrawn doesn't jolt or tense alongside the servants huddled nearby. In fact he's almost quick about it, reaching across to finish sliding the door open until it's left wide enough for her to slip inside.

The former hostages buckle when they see the emblem Rey wears in spite of themselves, though they're far enough away that it's little more than distant tension.] You did well.

[His voice is low and even in contrast, watching the corridor at her back from over her shoulder.]

Have you found any others?

No.

[ She slips inside and does a quick head count. It's a reasonable number. Nothing they can't get away with.

Feeling the tension puts Rey ill at ease. She isn't used to people being afraid of her. Immediately she decides that she doesn't care for the feeling and heads over with a prompt kind of focus. ]

It's alright. I'm here to help. [ She turns over her shoulder to indicate that this is for Thrawn, too. ] I've been scouting. I think there's a way out through the servant's entrance, if we can get them there without being seen.

Most are already dead, it would seem.

[Comforting words from the world's most comforting creature.

Still, it's Rey's reassurance that seems to ease their fears. Perhaps it's cultural: the word of an armored human woman versus that of a foreign, inhuman male. More likely it's simply her presence. The way she moves to console them— and the lack of intensity in her stare.]

There is a path along the rafters in the great hall, but I do not believe our allies capable of making that climb in their current condition. Better that you take point and retrace your steps.

Are you capable of making the climb? [ The way she regards him is entirely designed to take measure of him and re-evaluate. No. He's still prim. ] Seems undignified. [ Which isn't meant to be insulting, it's clear, but rather that it's just so at odds with her image of him to picture him climbing anything.

She holds out one hand and waves with the other to start ushering the hostages towards the door. Some of them grab her hand to squeeze it for comfort as they go past, like they need both the human warmth and the reassurance that this rescue is real and not more of the same. ]

We should go through the throne room to help the others free Nama. [ Obviously not the way she had come, but an important point. ] It will help them to see her alive. [ This remark, of course, assumes that she is alive. Rey leaves no room for alternative. ]

[He makes no attempt to discourage her assumptions in regards to his preferences, instead allowing the group of now-rekindled hostages to slip past, their faces painted with hope. It is only whey Rey moves to follow suit that Thrawn lifts one azure hand in a universally understood gesture to halt.

A moment, please. [He keeps his voice lower than before, addressing her directly. The hand not currently in use sliding the partition shut by a number of inches.]

You speak from a place of compassion, not of logic. Consider for a moment that we lead these people undetected to the throne room. Escape is a simple matter in smaller numbers— but once our group becomes large and cumbersome, defense is less a matter of strategy than luck or risk.

In such a situation we would be placing the Empress's life in danger, inadvertently arming these rebels with all that they would need to justify her death.

[ She draws up almost defensively short when he holds his hand up to stop her, scrutinizing him as he gets her alone in a time like this. It seems counter to her entire approach, that they should plan instead of just charging forward with what sounds like the best idea at the time. But no, of course, Thrawn wants to weigh options.

It's … probably a smart thing to do.

The confusion and defensiveness fade away a little bit as he acknowledges her compassion as a good instinct (implicitly). But she still glances past him towards where the hostages are like she'd rather just be moving forward with Plan Compassion and— No. Right. She'd wanted to learn. She refocuses on Thrawn. ]

The Force is on our side.

[ Not just because she's a Jedi, but because she said so, and she thinks that's how the Force works. It's luck. That's literally her argument.

Help her. ]

[A few years later, and her argument might actually hold meaning— for now, he shakes his head, thinning out the edges of his stoic frown.] Was the Force not also on the side of the Jedi Council? Or the Emperor himself?

Was it on General Skywalker's side when he died?

Do you believe they felt it, their end, as it came rushing towards them— or did they truly think their abilities to be a King's Lane: unbeatable.

[ General Skywalker … died? A flicker of surprise traces Rey's expression, and she stows that away for later. Again: she's the 'deal with the task in front of us' type. It'll be a good topic to revisit. For now, though, she relents if only because … there are plenty of people going for the Empress. She'll be fine. ]

I don't know what a King's Lane is.

[ People who don't play cards: scavengers on Jakku. ]

But I take your meaning. Let's go.

[A pity. Perhaps he will teach her sometime, as Vanto had once taught him— she could use the lesson in strategic play.]

Agreed.

[But as they turn towards the exit, someone else is already waiting for them huddled against the still-open doorway: one of the former hostages— the first Rey had reached for, in fact, an index finger already raised to his lips. Apparently he'd heard their conversation (not difficult, when Thrawn had opted only to superficially slide the door shut), but the look on his face is no longer fearful. No longer conflicted.

Over his shoulder, another of the servants is sliding a hand behind a large, beautifully painted mural: a low click preceding the shifting of heavy wood as the painting suddenly dislodges from the wall, revealing a perfectly concealed pathway. A rare, hidden secret, likely intended only for use in the most dire of circumstances.

The safety of a few servants and outsiders would fail to justify revealing its existence. The Empress's, on the other hand...]

[ Rey marvels over it in silence, her eyes wide with wonder. There was some magic in the world, after all, even if not all the fairytales she had been told had panned out. She's visibly delighted by it, even at a time like this.

But where did it lead? She hadn't been able to scout any of the pathways beyond for patrols or rebels, which meant there was every possibility of running into a group too large for her to affect with the Force. She exchanges a wary look with Thrawn before descending into the tunnels. ]

None of those who turned against the Empress worked inside the castle, then. [ She says it only once inside, hoping that the tunnel dampens the sound. ]

[A back door. A middle path sorely needed in order to avoid direct confrontation with the bulk of the insurgents.

Despite the risks, a fleeting smile cuts its way across the Admiral's frigid features— quickly dismissed the moment he strides back into Rey's line of vision.]

We cannot know for certain. [Perhaps a number of them did, and were killed in the initial uprising; perhaps they lacked the necessary trust, or were not deemed worthy of such information.] For the sake of the Empress, let us proceed with caution.

For the sake of all our skins, I'd think.

[ Welcome to Jakku where everyone's life is equally worthless and ergo equally worthwhile. That is to say, if you develop compassion in a place like that instead of writing everything off as some nihilistic hell, you still value each life equally. There's no hierarchy in that for Rey.

It doesn't occur to her that maybe he's not saying it for her benefit. After all, he's talking to her. ]

I'll be able to feel someone coming. [ That'll help them feel more secure in their movements. ] But I'd need to read their thoughts to know which side of this they're on. That requires more effort.

Effort you are willing to expend? [He asks, his broad shoulders locked with tension as he slips into that narrow walkway with a careful gesture towards one of the closest servants— an invitation for them to act as a guide: the tunnel is little more than a series of winding gaps between walls and support structures, it'd be easy to get lost.

They don't seem to struggle with the suggestion.]

[ She looks surprised to hear that question in the first place. But then, of course he would ask it. Thrawn had come from the Empire, where people only did what would better their own opportunities for advancement. Or so she thought. More and more he was making her reevaluate that prejudice. How could the Empire produce something like him? ]

Of course I'm willing. But I don't know how long I can keep it up. The more people we encounter, the more likely it is I won't be able to keep us a secret. It's best if we can keep out of sight as long as possible, and that we avoid large groups.

[ Should she be spelling her weaknesses and limitations out to him so clearly? Probably not. Here she is though, doing it anyway. ]

I will take point, then.

[Said as he presses forward in the dark, already moving with the assistance of that lone servant, without taking Rey's opinion into account.]

If I stop and gesture towards the path ahead, you will do what you can, and proceed only when you are certain that we are not facing any additional groups of insurgents.

[ Despite her altogether positive feelings towards Thrawn, Rey looks grumpy about being put in the backseat. She likes having control and taking charge and working on her own. Listening to leadership is hard. ]

Alright.

[ As if it pains her to say so. She marches up after him, reaching out with her feelings to try and pick up on the fear of the rebels. After a few minutes' walk, she reaches out to grab Thrawn's arm. She doesn't dare speak it, in case they can be heard in the walls, but — She feels something. ]

I see them. [His voice is even and steady across the jewelcomm, away from their entourage's range of perception. Their gathered heat signatures faded, but no less apparent when so much else surrounding them is dark and dim.

He holds up a hand to block the others from pressing ahead, red eyes turning on Rey.]

Tell me what you sense.

[ She pauses, closes her eyes against the dark not to shut it out, but to focus. Yes. She can make them out. ]

Three. [ She probes deeper. ] They haven't noticed us yet, but they're on the lookout. They know that there are outsiders in the castle. They're … They're frightened.

That does not only describe the mentality of our enemies. [Unlikely as it may be that those capable of roaming throughout the castle are anything but insurgents, Thrawn has no intention of banking on an incomplete picture.

He shakes his head, the gesture only barely visible.] Attune yourself, Rey.

[ A brief furrow of annoyance twitches in her forehead, but she lets it pass. There is only room for peace, and the Force. She reaches for the Light inside of her, and searches deeper than awareness. Deeper than mere feeling.

Their thoughts become clear to her. ]

They are searching for intruders, to prevent them from taking the Empress. [ She puts a hand on Thrawn's arm, eyes opening. ] We can't cut them down. They're acting from a place of fear. Not hate.

And you believe this absolves them of guilt? Makes them less likely to pose a threat?

[He does not reject her hold on his arm, but he does not yield to it, either. Rigidness drawn tight within the muscles of his arm as he turns to face her now, his thoughts low, and edged with warning.]

Fear is a terrible motivator. Beware those whose actions are driven by it.

I can turn their minds. When the Empress returns with a solution, they will fall in line. I can feel it.

[ Never murder someone you can turn. ]

You are too generous. [Murder is not his intent. It is not his preferred method, unless there is truly no other recourse— but her beliefs are saturated with emotion, perhaps contaminated with the sensations and wants of those minds she has strained herself to reach. She is, despite herself, an unreliable advocate.]

In this moment they are a danger to us all, and to the Empress even more so. [Thrawn exhales thinly, his mouth drawing out into a taut line, though depending on how close those heated silhouettes wander, she may be right to believe a conflict can be avoided. A handful of breaths spent in silence, the bright flecks on his vision closing in—

—too close.]

You are to take the hostages ahead on your own. I will distract them.

No.

[ Rey puts her foot down on that one. She pulls her hand back from him, a scowl on her face in the dark. ]

I'll send them away. I'll use the Force. [ She's not going to just play backseat to him murdering ppl who aren't actively attacking them!!! ] You take the hostages ahead.

EVENT ▸ DIPLOMACY

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dear god my fever tags were shameful pls forgive

already forgiven bc i loved them

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'the gmail notif that my inbox ate' a horror story by Avali Martinez

puts a shame cone on your inbox

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