Introducing: Babartus, Kael, and Seiz

[Brian]

The lands of the demon realm hold within them an ellegance and beauty that's usually only visible to the eyes of a demon.  However, the Lady Madide creates beauty that was said to beguile even non-demonic enemies.

Of course, times have changed since the War, and she is not what she was ... but she is nothing if not observant, and very methodical.  If anyone could fashion a plan to unify the demons, it would be her.  At least, that's what she thinks, and any demons who plan on working under her should probably at least pretend to thing the same.

Her castle is a circular fortress with multiple walls rising concentric rings, until the keep itself, which is a massive tower.  The keep is made of a stone that is linked with Madide herself ... so that she can change the makeup of the walls at a whim.  Black iron ... pearly white ... clear glass ... the effect is impressive, and would be even more so if Madide remembered that the walls of the castle changed with her mood.

The castle is staffed by a small army of clockwork soldiers.  A group of fourty will be active at any given time, similarly sized groups of soldiers (in matching outfits) held in reserve for when they are needed to match the ever-changing decor.

Additionally, Madide is served by K'thosis, a mighty purple-blue humanoid demon standing about twelve feet high at the shoulder, with sharp claws, teeth, and brutal horns.  He's usually dressed in an immaculate black tuxedo and armed with a stack of handkerchiefs to avoid touching anything 'dirty'.

The only other non-clockwork residents of the castle are Arthos, the slightly reddish, four-armed cook, and Sarric, a thin, tall, reedy looking man in a dark suit (one which would match K'thosis's suit, if Sarric were about four feet taller).

Currently, all of the players are waiting in the audience chamber, while Sarric stands by.  The room is circular, large black silk banners with gold stiching in ancient runes hanging from five equidistant points about the perimeter of the room.  The cieling above them has five beams converging from above each banner, to create a rough five-pointed star.

From between two of the 'points' of the star, a plush red carpet runs across the black marble floor to an imposing (but currently empty) throne made of the same black marble.

"The lady will be here shortly," Sarric says in a wheezy, frail voice.

[Carthrat]

Seiz's eyes flicker across at his 'companions', before flicking back to Sarric, and then at the big-ass throne.

Ah, what's that they say? The first art of kings is to Make People Wait. Typical.

It's hard to resist the tempation to tap his foot or look incredibly bored, but somehow Seiz maintains control over his more smart-alec urges, and remains relatively still.

[Yuthirin]

Babartus stands with a semi-regal bearing, trying to look important while discreetly sizing up those surrounding him.

I sincerely hope this is worth my time.

He waits patiently, remembering what his father had once told him about the importance of a 'proper entrance.'

[StormDragon]

Kael stands quietly, arms folded. He briefly wondered what the Lady looked like and gazed at the other two who were waiting out of the corner of his eye. Pushing his spectacles up his nose he shifted to another stance and waited.

[Brian]

A door to one side of the room creaks open, a pair of clockword soldiers advancing for a distance before producing trumpets from ... somewhere ... and playing fanfare.

As they do so, Medide herself strolls through, followed immediately by K'thosis.  The lady looks like a human with pale skin.  She's actually moderately attractive, both by human and demonic standards, and is slightly over five feet tall.

Currently, she's wearing an outfit with a collar that rises behind her, dark and elaborate robes which trail across the floor behind her (K'thosis needs to keep his distance to avoid stepping on them), and a multitude of glinting rings on her fingers.  Her hair is black, and bound in a rather severe looking bun at the moment.

Striding into the room, she pauses, surveying the newly arrived demons for a moment before frowning, and saying, "Well, matching outfits can be aquired."

[Carthrat]

A happy, glorious feeling arises in Seiz's chest, feeling him with glee and wonderment. Could it be true? Of course, it was a little early to judge, but if this was a sign of what was to come, then he could accurately say...

...that his current lord was an idiot, who had some silly priorities.

While this would doubtless cause a few headaches early on-

No, Seiz! Never judge by first impressions! This could be a cunning ploy!

That being said, Seiz pulled his red jacket tighter to his chest.

"And give up my designer label? I hope not. This came direct from Imp Co, you know."

[Brian]

Madide actually looks irked at this, and the walls of the castle suddenly flash, becoming austere, if somewhat less impressive looking, cement.

The clockwork guards in their matching gray/white outfits quickly scurry out of site, replaced by identical guards in black/brown.

"Imp Co?" she asks, smoothing her voice so she seems calm.  "Well, you'll wear the uniform on any missions I send you on."  Shaking her head, Medide turns towards the throne, frowning when she realizes it's concrete.  A moment of concentration later, and it reverts to its black marble form.  The guards again rotate.  Not saying anything else for the moment, Madide assumes the throne.  "Now then.  If we're to work together, we should know more of one-another, yes?  Tell me of yourselves."  After a heartbeat of pause, before anyone can reply, she crooks a finger at Seiz, "We'll start with you."

[Carthrat]

Seiz refused to be balked by this.. wanton display. After all, he'd had to put up with this sort of thing all the time...

"Seiz Ruion is my name, son of Zeiz Ruion, the now-" it was hard for Seiz to repress a snicker at this point- "-deceased general of the fourth wing of the Demonstorm.

I'm a tactician. Because my idiot father didn't have enough brains to fill a teaspoon, it was me who worked out the details for him, and him who took the credit. He didn't know I was a mage, as you now do.

Did I mention he's dead? Yup. He got skewered by an angel in the Final Battle. It was the happiest day of my life."

Seiz paused for a moment, reflecting that that wasn't true at all, but hey. Demons are as demons do.

"In short, m'lady, I can think, and I can cast. Because most demons can't do either-"

Yourself included, 'm'lady', I'll bet.

"-it already puts me above most of the rabble you could hire."

[StormDragon]

Kael smoothly disguises his snort with a quiet cough. He'd seen this sort of attitude all the time, when drunk aristocrats burst into his library thinking it was the Happy Happy Fun Pleasure Room. He wondered if Seiz could live up to his claim, but did not say anything about the matter. He would never speak up unnecessarily -- babbling was a sign of poorly educated minds.

He waited patiently for his turn.

[Brian]

Madide looks thoughtfully at Seiz, and then finally nods.  "We'll need to do something about your hair, but you'll do."  Turning to Kael next, she smiles, and asks, "And you?"

[Carthrat]

Seiz represses a cringe. By the time this woman was through with him, he was sure he'd look like some kind of mannequin.

Not to worry, really; if she bothered about appearances, she wouldn't have time for other things.

In theory.

[Yuthirin]

Babartus did his level best not to stare in total shock at Madide.

This woman...is a complete idiot. Why in the Hells is she worried about our uniforms? This could be used to my advantage, though, if I play my cards right.

He patiently waited his turn, knowing that for now, he would have to play along.

[StormDragon]

"Ma'am," said Kael, straightening slightly. "In my former Lord's castle I was the book-keeper and resident scholar. It may not be much --"

To your standards....

"--but I know that it will help your image to have someone like myself in your keep, and there are many ways in which I can be useful."

He did not tell her about what he really did. It would be likely he would never tell her, unless she found out, which he doubted.

[Brian]

"Hmm," Medide murmurs.  "A touch of sophistication would be good to have about...."  She frowns suddenly, the walls and floors of the keep turning to a darkened iron, as the guards rotated out once more.  "A scholar, hmm?" Medide purrs, a a glint of green fire deep in her eyes flashing for a moment.  "Much of what was lost might yet be recovered, and my library is vast.  I will have a use for you."  In a flash, the castle's decor shifted once more to black marble.

While the guards rotated again, Medide added, "We'll need to get you a proper robe, of course."  Turning to Babartus, she asked, "And what of you?"

[Yuthirin]

Babartus gave her a small, courtly smile and dropped into an elaborate, well-practiced bow.

"Barbartus Madrigal, at your service, my lady. I am, at current, a skilled hunter of beasts and demons alike, and have been trained to serve and speak in court and government. I offer my services to you, to do as you wish."

That ought to please her.