RP:A Changeling's Contingency Plan

Summary: Quintessa and Rumiko have a chance encounter in Magikrios' treehouse, and always the diligent one, the changeling takes this moment to feel the nymph out for potential support. Satisfied with Rumiko's convictions regarding Vailkrin, Quintessa asks for her aid in the future if the worst comes to pass and those that are left holding the pieces have to take drastic action to maintain stability themselves.

Treehouse D'Chath

Peeking through the elven camp, you stumble upon a simple wooden staircase spiraling up an old oak tree. Built against the tree and next to the base of stairs is a simple but sturdy looking building that smells of horse and hay. The stairs lead to a rickety shack barely secured to the branches around it. On the roof of the shack is a makeshift weathervane made of twigs and leaves. A flimsy door can be pushed aside to reveal a wall of pure shadow that obscures the interior no matter how bright the daylight. A silhouette of a phoenix emerges from the shadow and opens its beak in a threatening manner. Should you pass the bird's judgement, the shadows will dissipate into black smoke to reveal the massive foyer room behind it with two wings extending to the east and west. Two large yet simple couches are positioned in front of an impressive stone fireplace set into the northern wall. Upon the ornate mantle constructed with various shades of wood, are what would appear to be small statues. Each crafted with skill and care, though some would recognize the intended poser, a name is engraved near the bottom of each in an elegant flowing script. Magik with newborn Mirshann, Azalea, Laeli, and the final one reads Fynor. Above the fireplace hangs a beautifully framed moment captured by the resident artist, Meri. The black and white drawing shows two Lyastri siblings reuniting. Rumiko is shown leaping off of a barstool and into an open-armed Magik. Not far from the lounge area sits an open kitchen and dining area. The long cherrywood rectangular table is fully equipped with the necessary plates, bowls, and cutlery. The east wing hosts the bar and pool area. A phoenix shaped pool sits in the middle of the massive room with its head raised onto a platform to host a hot tub.The bar stretches the whole length of the pool with a huge variety of Lithrydel's finest wines and spirits. High-backed stools await any welcomed guests. Forever frosted beer mugs are available should a guest prefer to pour themselves a beer from Magik's personal collection. If one were to look behind the bar, they might see a single sword, and a crossbow strapped underneath. Just in case. The west wing hosts a long hallway with numerous guest bedrooms and a spiral staircase leading up to a locked master bedroom. In case you are able to gain access to the locked master bedroom, the first thing one would notice upon walking through the door is a large bed set in the middle of the far wall. A mysterious chest covered in foreign etchings sits at the foot of the bed. There's apparently not enough alcohol in the house so a small table is set up with a few fine wines to accent the room.

Rumiko || The barest shift in energy came from the room that had been made Rumiko's some time ago, and the soft click of heels on the floorboards was the only sign someone was inside. Odd, considering the nymph hadn't been staying there. Last she'd spoken the Magik, she had been staying in Vailkrin which was more or less a ghost-town when it came to friendly faces. It was why she was here now, and also why her face was so grim when she pushed the door open and exited into the hall. It had taken the last of her strength to teleport into the only place she knew would always be safe, and once the door was closed behind her, the red head leaned back against the door with a heavy sigh. She needed a vacation.

Quintessa || It wasn’t due to any planning or scheming on Quintessa’s behalf when it comes to the timing of this encounter, but it is an odd coincidence all the same when the changeling pushes the door to her own room open to discover Rumiko in the hall. A cool darkness drifts from Quintessa’s room, bringing with it the faint scent of her clove and lavender cigarette which hangs lazily from her pale lips as she slips out of the room to silently join the nymph, her bare feet quiet against the wood. “That’s about how I feel too,” She jokes, just catching the sigh as she slowly wanders down the hall, “You look like you could use a drink… Would you like to join me?” Quintessa doesn’t stop for an answer, instead turning around and walking backwards as she passes, mismatched eyes still awaiting an answer as she heads for Magik’s bar.

Rumiko jumped slightly at the sound of a voice, though there was no defensive action taken for the startle. Her attention focused on the changeling for a moment, silently contemplating the idea of a drink. Her head nodded as she started after Quintessa, her verbal reply coming on a delay as she found a comfortable seat, "Why not." Fingers ran lightly over her face in an attempt to wake herself up before she'd push crimson locks back and out of her face. "How are... things?" Small talk was not her specialty.

Quintessa was used to startling people- she was a spooky girl who always popped up when people least expected it, it was a fact of life for her. When Rumiko agrees to join her, however, her mouth twists into a half smile as she moves behind the bar to play tender for once. “Things aren’t great,” she answers honestly, abandoning the last of her cigarette in an ashtray before she reaches for a pair of glasses and a bottle of whiskey, the drink a habit she had gained hanging out with Leo’s pack too much lately. She sets the glasses down before she taps each once, sending a wave of chilling magic through them and causing the surface to cover in frost. “Is whiskey fine?” she asks before she pours herself one, the mouth of the bottle hovering over the glass she had designated for Rumiko hesitantly. If the nymph confirms then Quintessa would pour it for the woman before she speaks again, this time her tone carrying an eerie sense of suspicion. “I’ve noticed you hanging around Vailkrin lately. You’ve seen how bad things have gotten.” Quintessa wasn’t exactly good at small talk either, preferring to just speak what was on her mind for better or worse.

Rumiko had that in common with the other woman, and might have mentioned something about it, were she not so utterly drained. Again, her head bobbed, this time in agreement with Quintessa's assessment, even if they were not thinking of the same things. The selection of whiskey brought a small smile to the nymph's lips- it wasn't her first choice, but seemed fitting to go a little harder tonight, all things considered. The addition of a chilled glass only curved that smile more, and once the beverage was poured Rumi wasted no time in pulling it to her lips. Mention of Vailkrin had her going still, and the tumbler was lowered to rest on the counter before her as she tilted her head subtly, "I have. On both accounts." Was Tessa the eyes she could feel on her at times? "That is why I am there." Partly, anyway. "I have not seen you about, though." A brow arched then, "Keeping busy here?" In Sage, she'd meant, not the treehouse specifically.

Quintessa also takes a drink,a long one, one that causes the woman to immediately refill it to the brim before she continues. “You won’t see much of me in Vailkrin,” she admits, “I said some things I should not have and I stoked the flames of mutiny… And for such King Kasyr has exiled me until I can prove myself loyal, so yes, I have been keeping myself busy.” Quintessa slowly moves back around the bar to find a seat next to Rumiko, her hands already reaching into her cloak for her silver cigarette case. “Here, and everywhere else. This situation with Larket has not made my job any easier either.” she places one of the cigarettes in her mouth before she offers one to the nymph.

Rumiko waved a hand in refusal, she didn't smoke. "Yet you have noticed my presence?" Her tone was more curious than accusatory. Another sip, much slower than her companions, came before she added "Was it before, or after the Summit?" Her exile. "He has been rather short, and I have not been able to pin down whether it is because of the Summit, because he is growing bitter in his position or if he is trying so desperately to push everyone away." The latter came quieter, and her glass was again brought to her lips though she did not drink. "I worry for him." She had been in similar positions before, and with the pressure ever mounting it was only a matter of time before the damn broke. The only question was which one would break first, the cities or the kings?

Quintessa snaps closed her cigarette tin before she puts it back in her cloak, giving the nymph a cheeky smirk. “I noticed you at the summit… and then after. You lingered and so did I… I tend to notice people even if they don’t realize it.” With a flick of her wrists the changeling produces a lime green flame which she uses to light her cigarette. “Kasyr exiled me before the summit. Had I still had his ear as a powerful vassal I could have saved him from what a blunder it became but…” Quintessa sighs, a bittersweet feeling rising inside of her when Rumiko admits to worrying about him. “I’m worried about him too,” she admits, a sad tone in her voice, “I’m worried about my homeland. I’m worried for the Unseelie that I can no longer advocate for. I’m worried about the future of Vailkrin as a whole.” She takes another drink, this one much more shallow. “And you’re right, he’s pushing everyone away. Self-destructing- And all I can do is struggle from the outside trying to stop it.”

Rumiko went quiet once more, her position never changing as she held that glass to her lips. Whatever she'd been expecting by coming here, it had not been to find common ground. Her own ideals matched everything that Quintessa expressed worry for, and it was for that reason the nymph downed her glass and set it down away from her. "Not everyone. At least, not successfully." She shifted slightly, her attention focusing on the changeling fully as she turned to face her, "I have been staying at the castle. I arrived before the summit and offered my assistance in setting the wandering souls to rest." Which had a huge part in why she was so worn out. "Vailkrin is my home too. Whatever our differences, I will do what I can to help him."

Quintessa gives a weak smile to the nymph, pushing back the mix of emotions that was starting to overwhelm her. “No, not everyone.” She agrees, “It’s good to know not everyone has turned their back on him. He makes very poor decisions sometimes but he is not a tyrant. He has, on several occasions dismissed my solutions for Vailkrin as being too extreme. If he was a tyrant he would have done what I suggested and more. No, I believe he has a plan. I have to believe that… But if he doesn’t and things do implode then there needs to be another plan,” Quintessa pauses here, her tone hesitant as if she was about to suggest something dangerous. “Perhaps *our* plan? If things fail there has to be someone to pick up the pieces, right?”

Rumiko slipped from her seat, soft steps carrying the short woman around to that bottle of whiskey to refill her glass. It was held up to offer the same to Quintessa, should she desire another. "He vowed to kill me once. Has had many opportunities to do so and has never even attempted." Though the idea that he didn't remember had crossed her mind, she chose to not dwell on it. "That is enough in itself, to me, to prove he isn't a tyrant." That, and he could have tossed her out into the streets instead of twice inviting her to stay. "I do hope he has a plan, though I do not think he is willing to share such with me." Nor was she going to come right out and ask. The thought of another plan had her head tilting to the side, sending crimson tendrils over a shoulder as she reclaimed her chair. "Preferably he would be able to regain control of this spiral... though what do you have in mind?"

Quintessa accepts the bottle, watching carefully as it refills her tumbler. “Yes, preferably he can escape this spiral, but if the worst happens, he abdicates again- or even worse, the spiral destroys him… There needs to be a contingency plan.” She pauses to take a drink before gesturing to herself, getting to the point of her tangent. “I have claims on the Dark Forest, even as an exile. If the crown falls it is my intention to press those claims and take back everything east of the Bridge Across the Void. From there House Blackwell and my allies can stage an effort to retain stability. My only question now is, if this happens would I have your support? Whatever offer King Kasyr has made will be honored to the best of my ability, I assure you.”

Rumiko 's fingers tapped along the edges of her glass as she contemplated. It would be a lie to say she did not feel relief that Quintessa had not asked -her- to rise to that station. "If," there was a heavy emphasis on that singular word, "he cannot right this mess. If, he abdicates, or worse..." Another pause came then, lasting a few beats of her heart before green eyes found mismatched ones, "Then yes. You would have my support." The whiskey was half drained after it was lifted in a silent promise. "I believe you have the best interest of Vailkrin at heart." A small smile came then, "Though he has offered me nothing more than a place to stay. Presumably for as long as I can be of some service."

Quintessa || “If.” Quintessa assures. This was not a scheme to take Kasyr’s crown from him, nor a plot to usurp him. This was honestly a plan to provide some sort of safety net for the people when the city fell into chaos. When Rumiko agrees to support Quintessa, the changeling smiles back. “Thank you,” It felt good to hear that people trusted her intentions when it came to Vailkrin and the young woman could not hide it. “You will always have a home if it is in my power to provide, regardless of how useful you are to me. If you are Magik’s family then you are my family too.”

Rumiko dipped her head, glad that she was understood. "I appreciate it. Vailkrin is special to me, and regardless of who is at the helm, I would see it thrive to the best of my abilities." A hesitation then, if only because she knew what she was about to say could go in many directions. "He does not trust me, not that he has any reason to." It wasn't as if she and Kasyr knew one another particularly well. "Can you think of anything I can do, to prove that I am genuinely trying to help?"

Quintessa holds her smile. “Vailkrin is special to me too. It makes me happy to hear you feel the same about it as I do,” Her smile fades in the silence of Rumiko’s hesitation, replaced by a wary frown before she drains the rest of her glass to buy herself time to think how to answer the woman’s question. “Only the gods know how to get a man like him to trust you, as paranoid as he’s become but… The only thing you can do is continue to serve Vailkrin as best as you can. Try to keep the undead from rioting, try to keep the city from burning, and please,” Quintessa rises, relights her cigarette, and begins to head for the front door, “For me, don’t let Kasyr drag himself down into oblivion. I still…” She doesn’t finish that sentence, instead swinging the door open. “Just be careful. Be safe- and don’t try to kill anybody. It’s not time for that just yet.” She gives a final salute to Rumiko before she exits into the night. “Goodnight. We should talk again soon.”