RP:Collusion
Part of the What Dreams May Come Arc
Summary: The King and Queen of Larket call a meeting with Hudson, the kingpin of Cenril and long time friend. They lay a counter offer on the table, an untested mage barrier, and lean into it with a few carefully phrased threats. Hudson, seeing this as all the perks of a barrier without the price of one dead trouble making witch, agrees to pull the plug on Uma's ritual and Valrae's second chance at life.
Witchcraft Research Department
The Larketian Academy of Magic leads Lithrydel on the obscure subject of witchcraft. The Witchcraft Research Department is arranged on the ground floor of an Academy turret that was once primary used for lycanthropy research. The space has been re-purposed for more modern concerns. In the center of the circular floor is a spacious, clean laboratory filled with witchcraft artifacts, both items that aid in witchcraft spells, and items already enchanted by witches. Mage researchers perform tests on these items to discover how witchcraft differs from arcane, druidic, and divine magic. Encircling the laboratory are several offices, a topical library, and three smaller observation rooms for witchcraft in action with appropriate wards to prevent catastrophic accidents. A staircase tucked against the wall descends to the witchcraft detection radar room.
Macon and Josleen await their guest inside an office in the Witchcraft Research wing of the Academy of Magics. Normally the king would fly solo on an errand such as this, where the game plan relies at least in part on intimidation, but in this case the other end of the table is occupied by someone the half-elf knows personally, so she is here and the tactics are altered somewhat. The wing has been cleared out and Kingsguard are positioned intermittently from the bridge leading into The Hard City to the Academy to direct the guest of The Crown upon his arrival. But why Hudson and why all the secrecy? It begins two weeks prior when a magical skull being researched at this location was stolen, and the researchers attacked by a group led by at least two witches. One of the lead researchers is still in critical condition with a stab wound to the chest. Alvina, with knowledge of the attack on the Larketian Academy and the skulls, including their intended purpose is, came to Josleen with this information, but did not disclose the true goal; resurrecting the terrorist Red Witch. The Queen, suspicious of the information given by Alvina, tattled to Macon, who responded by sending agents of Larket on a mission to Cenril to uncover the truth. Some bean spilling that ‘Hudson holds the puppet strings in Cenril’ later and the werewolf is invited to The Academy of Magic to meet with The King and Queen of Larket to discuss an ‘alternative’ to bringing Valrae The Witch back to life...
Josleen insisted, in her coy way, on being here tonight, in part because she knows her husband’s rage can at times be counter productive to his goals, and in part because she knows Hudson better than the king. Hudson and Josleen were friends before either of them grew close to Alvina, and in the small ways that people tell you about themselves, Hudson has over the course of years let on that he doesn’t respond well to threats (incidentally, Macon’s favorite diplomatic tactic), and also that he has a familial side which can be appealed to. And appeal to it she shall via her precious son, Prince Guillem, who is with the King and Queen as they wait. Because his father spends most of the day attending kingly duties, Guillem is possessive of his time with Macon. He sits on the edge of a table and yammers on inanely about sharks, a new favorite subject of his, and one encouraged by Augusta who told the young prince that his father, as a child, was also really into sharks (like *really* into sharks). “Did you know that sharks don’t sleep?” Shark fact # 38. None have been very interesting so far, but Guillem waits for Macon to react to each one. As soon as Hudson arrives, Josleen will make introductions, swap air-kisses, ‘so-glad-you-could-make-its’ etc. Guillem will ask, inevitably, “How do you fight?” He’s come to understand that nearly all men fight, and few women do. He’s collecting idols, so answer wisely, Hudson. Once the Prince’s curiosity has been satisfied, Josleen sends him away with a handmaiden and the trio are finally alone. “He’s obsessed with the tournament in Frostmaw. How time flies, to think it’s only been 7 months since he was born.” And yet Guillem looks to be about 7.
Hudson had arrived here by shabby-looking, rented carriage - not his, too recognizable - deeming the probable nature of this meeting the sort that benefits from a little discretion. Apart from the driver, he's come alone, not come with his secretary Joanie, not because he couldn't use her (she runs his work life), but because she's a witch and he doesn't want to inflame his audience. There had been no agenda sent for this meeting, but Hudson guesses that it's political in nature. His position in Cenril is an open secret. The only question is whether it relates to Uma's plan to revive Valrae or not. Uncomfortable subject, that. After being relieved of his coat, he's shown into the office where Macon and Josleen await him. He's pleasantly surprised to see Josleen here and even more pleasantly surprised to see young Guillem. Their presence indeed has the effect of disarming him a bit. He shakes Macon's hand and openly grins at the young lad. "Looks just like you," he exclaims, before moving on to greet Josleen. "Good to see you, your graces, thank you for having me," he is telling them. He kneels before Guillem to shake his hand, and his eyebrows lift at the unorthodox greeting he receives in response. "What a question," he hard-eyeballs Josleen as if to say, Are we off script? "I try not to fight anyone, buddy, sometimes not fighting gets you more," is his answer, and with that, he rises on ceremony until the royal prince is escorted out and it's time for everyone to sit. Hudson bug-eyes belatedly at the explanation from Josleen. "No kidding, and I thought my kids grew up fast. He is growing like a weed," he answers her, before glancing between them. "So," he exhales, opening his hands. "I'm here, and I suspect we're having a political meeting."
Macon once, during this new shark phase, (that will surely be short lived), reversed the roles and told the prince a shark fact! The King was promptly met with a response of, ‘No! You can’t know that! I haven’t told you that one yet!’ Never again will Macon steal his son’s shark thunder, so shark fact #38 earns the response of, “What!? No Way!” from The Rage Knight. When Hudson arrives, Macon shakes his hand like he always shakes hands, as if he’s trying to take the other guy’s arm off, but the mobster marking the resemblance between father and son softens The Furious King a bit and earns something between a smile and a smirk. This softening is short lived though as the ‘growing like a weed’ comment brings about an eye twitch and a subtle spike of Rage Aura from the king. Hudson asks what’s up and Macon dives right in unceremoniously. “We are aware of the plot of Cenrili Witches t’revive The Red Witch, and wan’ you t’put a stop to it.”
Josleen || Guillem found that answer super boring and didn’t deign it worthy of a response. Hudson has lost his chance to be the Larketian Prince’s idol, but Josleen appreciated the answer, a consolation prize, to be sure. Josleen frowns slightly when Hudson compares Guillem’s aging to that of his daughters who age due to an explicable condition, lycanthropy, which also gives them longevity and improved health. Guillem’s curse is tragic and was put in motion (or so she believes) by the very woman Hudson’s puppet mayor wants to resurrect. Feeling her husband’s rage spike, she places a placating hand on Macon’s arm as she slides behind him to take a seat beside him, out of the way. She’s here as a chaperone, and remains silent until diplomacy begs her not to.
Hudson leans back against his chair, adopting a casual posture for this meeting despite a somewhat tense reception to his remark about Guillem growing. Hudson knows that Larket 'believes' that Valrae is responsible for the curse, but he had also thought that this was fake news disseminated to keep the peace and the people in thrall to Macon. Maybe not. Awkward. In any event, Macon comes out with the purpose of this meeting immediately, no beating around the bush. Hudson lifts his index finger and says, "Ah." As if he'd forgotten to mention the whole plot to resurrect terrorist red witch before. He sighs, his brow furrowing in a conspiratorial manner, as if they were all put upon together by Valrae. "I can't give you that," he says, as if it disappointed him. He rolls out his talking points that he'd come up with by himself, "It's a matter of city security for the barrier. It's the only way to reinforce it, because it's failing. That barrier is the only thing between my kids and Kahran." He frowns, his gaze connects with both of theirs for emphasis. He holds up a finger, he's not done. "However," he continues, "I really, really don't like it. My wife really, really doesn't like it. What we don't like, specifically," he pauses, "is the same thing you don't like. But I only need her for the barrier. Afterwards..." He opens his hand, in a gesture filling in the implication. "Maybe I'd like to make my wife happy, but I wouldn't like it to lead back to me."
Macon sits too after Josleen’s touch calms him, and isn’t nearly as flustered by Hudson’s negative answer to his first demand as he was by Guillem’s rapid aging coming up in conversation so cavalierly. Mainly this is because the werewolf seems open to the idea of betraying Valrae for Alvina’s sake and his one hang up is something that Macon and Josleen have accounted for leading up to this meeting. “And if you didn’ need ‘er t’repair the barrier? If it could be done another way, what then?” The King pauses for effect rather than waiting for a response before he continues. “We are sittin’ in Larket’s Academy of Magic. The ‘ome of the greates’ magical minds from all over Lithrydel. I ‘ave been assured tha’ the mages ‘ere could create a replacement barrier more than capable of keeping Kahran at bay and protectin’ Cenril. We are offerin’ this as an alternative t’Centil upsetting Larket by reviving a criminal tha’ was executed for attemptin’ t’kill the royal family.” He chooses his words carefully here, making sure to emphasize that this will be seen as a slight between cities, and not between Hudson and The King and Queen of Larket. We know what happened the last time someone Macon wanted executed was saved from that fate. War.
Josleen is pleasantly surprised by how Macon phrased the threat. He hadn’t performed so well in rehearsal in their bedroom. Proud of her husband and king, she remains silent.
Hudson steeples his hands, watching Macon explain how easily Larketian mages can replicate what he was told was some sort of once-in-a-lifetime witch miracle. "Huh," he says, his face giving away that he's obviously thinking it over. His posture softens, he hadn't counted on an alternative proposal. He doesn't miss the subtle threat in what Macon's offering, he'd have made the same one. They're not that different. Hudson thinks about the inside of Valrae's apartment, how her things had smelled of lavender and how everything had been slightly messy but not dirty. He thinks about how she'd cried when he gave her a diamond necklace like it had been the most valuable thing in the world. Then he thinks about her corporeal form manifesting in the shadow plane beside Lionel's. He thinks about his wife going to pieces after he'd told her. He lastly remembers sitting in Valrae's kitchen, menacingly eating cereal. There's something dark and irresistible about having the last word, no matter how 'over it' you feel. He smiles at Macon and Josleen. "Done," he says. "I'll tell Uma to put off the ritual. If your barrier's good, she'll forget all about resurrecting Valrae." He rises from his chair and approaches Macon, hand outstretched.
Macon smiles and stands, shaking Hudson’s hand in agreement. There are times when he truly loves being king of Larket, and this is one of them. Being able to say something like, ‘I have the best mages,’ and not have it be a stretch of the imagination for someone to believe you is a wonderful feeling. He’s also glad that Hudson is not Lionel or Hildegarde, refusing Larket’s help against a world-ending evil over their pride. This is refreshing.”We appreciate getting this done without unnecessary conflict.” With that, he looks to Josleen, who has some information Hudson might like to get his hands on...
Josleen hopes the mages’ barrier is as good as Headmaster Percival has promised. In truth, the promise is untested, but she has faith they can come up with something. She genuinely wants Hudson and Alvina’s family safe, as well as the Cenrili Academy of Music and Arts, her alma mater, and her great aunt who she lived with when she was a student, and all the Cenrili friends she made along the way. If it is good, then perhaps Larket should build one of its own. “Thank you, Hudson. As a show of good faith…” She slides a folder to Hudson. Inside is a profile with a portrait that Hudson might recognize, a woman who works for Uma. “She sells our agent information about your mayor.” And surely not their only eyes and ears into Cenrili’s City Hall, but nonetheless, it’s one leak fixed should Hudson want to fix it. “Let us know if you need anything from Larket’s end to ensure follow through.” A show of force, perhaps, if necessary. Realizing she may has committed a faux pas by insinuating that Uma is not completely under Hudson’s thumb, she adds with a playful yet conspiratorial smile, “We know first hand how stubborn witches can be.”
Hudson stirs the air with his hand, allows himself a smile. "Well, sometimes not fighting gets you more," he says, recalling what he'd said to Guillem. He is thinking about how he will tell his wife this news, and how happy she'll be, and he feels genuinely close to Macon and Josleen right now. He accepts the folder, glances in it and recognizes a woman who works as a scribe. She's a friendly presence around the office. He sighs. "Snitches get stitches," he says playfully, adding, "Joking," except he's not. He's thinking he'll have to decide: kill her or leverage her. Tough decision. It does tug on his heart strings a little; he hopes she doesn't have a family. She seems young, probably not. Always unpleasant in his line of work when it's women who have to be punished. He closes the folder and smiles at Josleen. Her offer of help is a gently phrased threat too. What an excellent mob wife she is. "Will do, I appreciate the offer," he says, reaching to shake both of their hands once more. "Thank you both," he says, before departing.