Space Oddity

[Bjorn]

"Eh," Bjorn replies, "fuck that.  I'm not interested in who they think should be doing the talking.  We're getting in control, let's stay that way." He cracks his neck, confidence palpable.

[Halbarad]

"I'm certainly not prepared to talk," Tim replies, shaking his head as he tries to figure out what to do with the monocle. "About the only thing I'm in a position to explain is who we are, and I don't think that's a good call."

[Brian]

This is when Holmes returns, showing himself quietly into the room, then surveying the assembled.  "We have an appointment with His Majesty shortly; I'd like you to be prepared.  As much as possible, at any rate.  But to keep things simple, just follow these three instructions:

"Firstly, His Majesty is genial enough, but any interview with him by necessity includes some amount of the court looking on.  This means that until we receive a private audience, it would be untoward to be anything less than respectful towards him.  When in doubt, apologize.

"Secondly," and here, he pauses to look at Tim, "Madame Maus usually does the speaking in these situations, so you can probably politely defer to her.  Being a cousin, you have the distinct right to cough loudly and change the subject, should it be required.

"Finally," and this, he says turning to Bjorn, Tom, Phil and, Quincy, "being outsiders gives you some leeway in expected behavior, but do not threaten or become short with His Majesty at any point.  Are there any questions?"

Quincy hesitantly raises a hand.  "S...sir?" he asks in a timid squeak.  "W...where's the washroom?"

Holmes blinks, then points to the door in question; Quincy scurries off instantly.  "Any other questions?"

[Rezantis]

"Don't I get any hints?" Nathan says plaintively, "I have -no- idea where I stand in the greater scheme of things."

[Brian]

"You're still recovering from your ordeal," Holmes reminds Nathan, almost apologetically.  "I shouldn't expect too much pressure from His Majesty on that front; he has been made aware of the conditions of your return.  That is why he hasn't requested a meeting with you previously."

[Bjorn]

Bjorn makes a dismissive noise.  "Enough with the talking," he says, "at least here.  Let's go meet this King."

[Brian]

Holmes checks his pocketwatch, then nods.  "This way," he says, gesturing for everyone to follow him.  After that, he leads the way through the palace, pausing only to collect Madame Maus.

She, of course, is wearing some staggeringly extravagant piece of silk and lace in what's presumably the current style.  The bonnet looks a bit silly, but she carries herself with calm decorum, sliding into place next to Nathan and wordlessly offering an elbow for him to take.

And it is palatial.  Much larger than the downright cozy fortress in the Earth Dream, for those who remember that; this place is all vaulted ceilings, echoing hallways, and bright, airy drawing rooms.  The place is also always brightly lit, even though the walls fluctuate between being crystal or high-quality well-treated wood, depending on where in the palace one is.

As the center of the palace is approached, however, all the building material tends towards crystal; even the little chairs and end-tables lining the hallways are fashioned from (large) pieces of crystal.  The vast majority of the crystal is blue, tending towards clear as glass.  Occasionally, smaller bits -- like candle-holders -- are made of different colors, but green is the most common of these, and there's no red or yellow crystal in sight anywhere.  Just blue, green, and the rare purple or brown.

The throne room has a massive door of crystal panels, secured together by sheets of steel.  The crystal can be seen into, but not through, creating an eerie effect when it opens and reveals the throne room itself.  The room is at least ten meters high, and forty wide, by eighty deep.  There are well-dressed people everywhere, though at a glance, none of the women look any better-dressed than Madame Maus, and none of the men are any better-dressed than anyone in the group -- except for Tom, who wears his shirt unbuttoned like his red skin is a banner to display proudly.

Aliester is distantly visible at the end of the hall, before the great throne itself.  The throne seems to be made of the same blue crystal that everything but the carpet and clothing in this room is made from; guards line the walls every handful of paces, wearing dress uniforms and carrying spears.  A few -- every fifth one, it looks like -- are also carrying those anabaric energy pistols with the glass canisters of lightning ... though, at a closer glance, they're probably not glass, they're crystal.

This thought becomes emphasized when Aliester clears his throat, and the flash of anabaric energy can be seen traveling through the crystal of the palace.  "Your majesty," he says, stepping slightly to one side, to allow the indicated royal to view his guests.  "May I present the royal cousins, Sir and Madame Maus; her affianced, Professor Nathaniel Shuker; Lieutenant Westley Riggins, from H.M.S. Starflare."

Nathan is momentarily at a loss when Catherine releases his arm to curtsy, and manages a reflexive bow to the king at the same time.  Tim takes a moment to catch on, but no horrified murmurs ring out from the court; it seems cousins of royalty have a little leeway.

"From Windhurst, we are also favored by providence and virtue to be granted the presence of Bjorn, a representative of his people from the lands neighboring Anabara; Tom, his assistant, and a rebel against the church's injustice."  Aliester pauses here, considering, but smoothly goes on, "With him, and part of the expedition are two churchmen who wished to visit our lands and learn of our culture themselves."

Quincy blinks at this, but when named, manages a hasty, clumsy bow.  Phil is much smoother with his.

Finally, Aliester indicates Holmes, and everyone gets a good view of the king.

At first glance, everyone is pretty much stricken silent; Holmes and Aliester went on a great deal about how shaky the king's position was, and mentioned enemies.  They never bothered to mention that there could be issue with the king himself -- and there is.

While he's well dressed, dignified, and comports himself expertly, there's no getting around the fact that he's only twelve years old -- at best -- when he rises to his feet, and with a voice that breaks awkwardly twice, he says, "Welcome, guests, subjects, and we would--  we would hope, friends, to the kingdom of Anabara.  We hope that it finds you well--  well to be here, and you enjoy your stay; we would know more of Windhurst, and it is our profound joy to invite you to join us for dinner tonight, that we may learn and share more.  And perhaps, in the sharing, grow wiser."  He smiles at that, pausing to glance at the assembled court, who now is murmuring.  "We would be overjoyed should you be able to attend."  Then His Majesty pauses, and shoots a direct, challenging glance at Aliester.  "Iced-cream will be served."

Aliester's expression speaks of long suffering, but aloud he offers nothing more than a mild, "Of course."

[Bjorn]

"In the interest of full disclosure," Bjorn interjects helpfully, "I'm not actually Bjorn, I'm a spirit of war and conflict currently posessing the mortal shell of Bjorn to fulfill his wishes and guarantee the safety and properity of his people.  But iced-cream does sound good."

[Carthrat]

Tom must restrain himself from giggling. For one thing, it would hardly be proper in front of a king who is clearly having trouble with his position as it is; his visitors must show utmost respect if he's to maintain credibility (and if they're to secure his help.)

Secondly, it might ruin his tough guy image, which is pretty hard to preserve when there's an insistant nagging in the back of your mind to 'do what people tell you'.

So instead he manages a bow (and barely manages to not embarass himself again at Bjorn's words. "Er.. indeed. Anabara is a marvellous place indeed, and I hope that be both gain well from this sharing. I'm certainly looking forward to sampling your.. uh.. cuisine."

[Dracos]

Drawing upon skills more than a bit not his, Dracos kept a respectful demeanor.  "I am honored by your lordship's grace and kindness... as well as your offer of friendship and discussion."

Dracos

[Rezantis]

Nathan covers his surprise admirably.  He's been given hell from younger for longer, after all.

He also - barely - manages to restrain himself from making a comment about cuisine.  Royalty, Nathan.  Shut up.

[Brian]

"Please," the king says, smiling, "make yourselves comfortable.  Cousins, how fare you?"

Tim, separated from Catherine by Nathan, is left alone as she defers to him to answer that question.

[Halbarad]

Tim scratches the back of his head awkwardly. "A bit surprised to find myself here, to tell the truth," he replies. "Not that this is a bad thing, but it was not what I had pictured when I woke up this morning."

[Brian]

The king (and the rest of the court, once they see how the wind is blowing) chuckles at this.  "Wondrous news," he decides.  Then a chime sounds somewhere, and he looks a bit surprised -- so does some of the court.  But the king manages to hide it very quickly, as he rises from his somewhat oversized throne with dignity, and smiles to the court.

"Court is dismissed for today," he announces, nodding at the gathered nobles and suck-ups.  They murmur their farewells and line up to say goodbye to the king individually.  Aliester stays with him to watch over everything, and Holmes shakes his head.

"This way," the inspector murmurs, leading the party back through the main entrance, down the hall, and through a slightly shorter set of double-doors to a room that's only the size of a standard earth high-school gymnasium.  But it has tables scattered throughout it; it's probably a banquet hall of some kind.

Through this dining room is a much more reasonably sized one, with a table that would comfortably seat twenty.  The chair at the head of the table is extra ornate, obviously for the king, but all of them are supple and comfortable looking.

The table is bare at the moment, so Holmes directs everyone to a seat; Holmes will be seated to the king's left, Aliester to the right.  Nathan will sit in the next seat down from Holmes, and Catherine will sit next to Aliester.  Tim will sit next to her.  Westley Riggins will sit at the foot of the table, and everyone else can sit where they like -- pretty much (Quincy will try and sit next to Phil, but not near Tom or Bjorn if he can help it).

"We will likely have a few minutes," Holmes warns.

"Minutes I can use," Catherine says with a sigh, hanging her head.  "Today, of all days!"

"Oh?" Holmes queries, producing his pipe from a coat pocket.  "How is today any different from any other?"

"I...it is not important," Catherine sighs again, straightening up and looking away, towards Nathan.  "Um...."  Then, again at a loss for words, she stares at the table in front of her without raising her eyes.

[Carthrat]

"Wouldn't a better question be, 'What about today is normal?'" says Tom after a brief moment, dropping into a seat next to Riggins.

"A question, if I may, Colonel; how long have you served upon the Starflare alltogether?"