RP:Faith in Politics?
Summary: Immediately after hosting a recruitment event for the Adventurer’s Guild, the Kelay-Sage leaders meet with the Rynvale leaders to talk politics and speculate how the upcoming World Leader’s Summit will go.
Sage’s Archery Range
Leoxander had just enough sarcasm withheld to pass for a quip. “Congratulations on yer new crop.” Even though Joel’s bit of information was meant for Mr. and Mrs. D’Chath, it was stored away before his focus shifted to the pair and he followed them at Lita’s side - not unfamiliar with Sage and benefited from feral instincts but he couldn’t recall ever being in their home. Up the stairs with an ever-present awareness of his surroundings, he ushered Lita ahead to watch her back. Though it wasn’t either lycan he didn’t necessarily trust.
Magikrios leaves his muddy boots just outside of the door to the weirdly huge treehouse then allows the guests to follow him and Meri in. Once past the foyer and into the main room, he gives quick directions, "Living room and kitchen here," He points to the west bedrooms, guest rooms, etc over there, " then to the east, "And I'll be at the bar.." Where's the fuzzy slippers? Oh. Right at the doorway before entering the bar and pool area. Magikrios takes his spot behind the bar counter and waits for the others to join him. He asks everyone at the same time, "What's everyone want?"
Lita has been here before. Once, maybe twice. There were lots of critters and usually she'd brought something for Fleur. Paints or sweets, probably much to Meri's dismay. All the same, she's patient for Sushi's introductions to the home and will follow him towards the bar area for a drink. "Whiskey, please." She says, and she'll glad take a glass to find a comfy seat and turn to eye Leo to await whatever news it is he has to share.
Meri manages to kick off her own boots, if only so that she does not have to hear her darling husband nag her about tracking mud into the house. Once she had mud-free feet, she’d follow the crowd toward the bar area. Sure, there was plenty of comfortable seating around the fireplace but the bar was where the booze was at…and let’s face it, everyone here has a problem. She does not place her order with Magikrios, instead leaning over the bar and reaching for one of her preferred bottles of whiskey. Now as for all those animals Lita was curious about? The dogs are about, all three of them…but Fleur was not making her presence known today, not in the form of a wolf nor in the form of a growing girl. Don’t worry, Meri and Magikrios are usually responsible parents and have probably left her in the care of someone capable. Mountain, Mr. Weanie, and Shadow all want Lita to pay attention to them though. It’s like they’ve met before and remember her or something.
Lita has no problem paying attention to the pups. She might miss her own on occasion. She's got head scratches and pats enough for everyone. She's used to the fact that the home is entirely too big for the space it should be in, bigger than it should be from the outside at least. It had thrown her for a loop the first time she'd visited, for sure. Now it's just how it is.
Leoxander only took his boots off for Khitti, but he did the courtesy of scraping them off before he entered. They weren’t caked in mud as the governor’s was. Shrugging off his bow to leave it somewhere convenient and close and still armed under that pirate-esque armoring coat with blades. The bar was tempting enough that he would be following the other male into that specified area with a low whistle and an soft spoken, “Fancy digs, mate. Double Fireball, straight.” Might as well have a fancy drink to go with it, even if it was just spiced rum. Once he settled into a seat he looked toward Meri with the hopes of bumming one of her cigarettes. If there was an ashtray on the bar counter a tap of knuckle might hint. “Considerin’ yer neighbors of the Dark lands I’ll assume you’ve got a missive comin’ yer way, if you haven’t already got it.”
Meri has her hand swatted. “Why do you want me to have manners. Just let me a be a heathen.” Said as she pours herself a glass…and Lita a glass. Since we are on the topic of Meri needing to be a better hostess. Normally has her tarnished cigarette case somewhere on her person, but today she left it at home due to the mudrun. Thankfully, it was conveniently left behind the bar area so Meri is once again leaning over it to grab it. She does not take one for herself, rather she slides it down the bar toward Leo. There is a slight wrinkle of her nose at the mention of the missive sent by the Dark Lands. “The one being painted as the World Leader’s Summit? Even though I suspect that is hardly the agenda?”
Lita murmurs a thanks at Meri for the drink, hiding a grin behind the rim of her glass as she glances between the pair. They were sometimes disgustingly cute. She lofts a brow at Leo and then back to Magik and Meri. "Okay, somebody catch me up, apparently I'm out of the loop? What was this missive about?" She's already eyeing the page Magik has produced and if he's willing to share it, she'll peruse at her leisure before taking a long drink. "Does that mean you won't be in attendance or will be?" She asks of Meri then.
Leoxander took the time to take one of the rolled smokes from the case, closing it and passing it back to Meri, but if there was a convenient firestarter in there he’d use that first. Otherwise it was a search for matches in one of many pockets since he didn’t seem to have his gnomish, Fox-enhanced device. “I already made it known you’d be with me. I ain’t goin’ to that ****hole on my own, even under new leadership.” He glanced at Lita before removing the folded parchment to reveal Kasyr’s script with all the ‘et’s. “He’s wantin’ peace, or so he claims, but Kasyr damn well knows that place is cursed.” At some point Magik got a nod, too, for the drink he'd enjoy once he found some fire.
Magikrios clears his throat and was about to unfold his coaster for Lita to read, but Leo beats him to it, "I suppose Meri and I will be there, Guardians of the Sage and all.." It was obvious Magikrios wasn't impressed by the idea of this type of summit being held in Vailkrin. It should be held somewhere else? Where exactly? Anywhere besides the host's home area. It just didn't sit right with the Lyastri male. Leo's struggle to find some fire finally ends with a fat black ferret running across the bar top with an already lit match. The ferret slides and stops on the counter in front of Leo and waits for the pirate to take the match. Afterwards, Vhid is off again. Kind of. New people! He stops in front of Lita and lays across the bar top expecting belly rubs or head scratches. Magik shakes his head at Vhid then looks to Meri, "I mean, we'll be there if no other plans pop up." Plans? What plans? Is Mag secretly planning a trip somewhere? Probably not at the moment, but his power is in controlling fire, not in knowing what the future holds. He could always accidentally nap through the whole summit. Only the gods know.
Meri slides her gaze toward Lita, “Oh, I intend to be there. I am curious to see what this is all about.” Meri gives pause to consider Leo’s take, “Yeah? That’s what you got from your note? My take is different. I believe we are being gathered to be talked at rather than to have any of our perspectives heard. Otherwise we would have been given more insights to the intended discussions so that responses could be considered logically rather than being forced to give them on the spot. Which is why it strikes me as a political ruse for some other agenda. But maybe I will be proven wrong.” When Magikrios mentions other plans popping up, Meri lifts a curious brow. “We should be there,” she urges, even if something was clearly not sitting right about this Summit with her either. The blonde shifts her gaze back to Lita and Leo, “I can’t imagine you are coming to us about this for no reason. It there something weighing on your mind with it all?” Meri has been vocal about her thoughts, more so than she would with the averaged citizen. She trusts Leo and Lita more than that.
Leoxander didn’t bother to mention that his note was probably worded a little differently, considering how many years he had known the once-revenant gone politician. “Nothing you wouldn’t know about, jus’ seein’ some red flags on the water, savy? Between the Countess an’ him sharin’ the land – I d’know, Inks. Just got the hairs on my neck standin’...” He took down his double in a drink between drawing the smoke from the dried plant into his lungs. “When’s the last time we seen peace like this - or whatever you wanna call this - last?” Or how long since the pool’s been walled up? We’re due another tremor shakin’ up the mainland.” Maybe even Rynvale, though comparably the weather has been mild. “Even if it ain’t another ancient beast breakin’ out of the ground.” He brought that up as a metaphor, but strategically, as Kasyr had been the one to lead the defense to victory, and not without cost.
Lita taps her index finger on the paper Leo shares. Hmm. She sits back to listen for a minute. She should probably have a different conversation with Leo before interjecting her opinions just yet. "Actually, Tessa's been at the beach house a few days now. Showed up last week sometime or so. Invited her to stay with me an' Mah.”
Leoxander nodded to Lita. "She's been washin' up onto shore more oft' lately." He looked toward Magik, not only for his expression or input but a refill would be nice.
Magikrios finally takes a swig of his own drink and let's out a refreshing 'ahh' followed by his own take on the situation, "All I know is Kas can talk at us all he wants, as in towards Kelay, but my answers, if any, will remain the same to some affect. Kelay and Sage are neutral and will remain that way. If there's an underlying or alternative agenda to this summit and he's trying to pull this area or in to some type of fight, war, or whatever, the issueis, will still not be Kelay's. However, my friends, "I" will get personally involved and will cause him and Vailkrin all sorts of issues without them suspecting it's me." The elf looks to his wife and gives her a certain look. A look that does everything but actually say out loud 'the Syndicate of Shadows will be changing gears once again if need be'. Magik takes a sip of his beer and then shrugs, "Or we could all be a little too paranoid about this whole thing and maybe he's just trying to get everyone on the same page about..whatever..Maybe there's been a bunch of rainbows over Vailkrin and their whole outlook on life is changing.." Another shrug, another sip of delicious dark beer. Kelay Ale. For when Vailkrin wants to meet with the area leaders. Kelay Ale.
Meri dips her head in understanding of Leo’s meaning. It did not seem to matter which way any of them tried to analyze this gathering, it all struck them as not good. “Plenty of red flags,” Meri concurs. Mention of Tessa staying with Lita is met with a lift of the brow. “Sounds like she is sure getting around…” Lita’s point earns a shrug from Meri, “People only need to get stories straight if they have something to lie and hide about. However, just because I may be expressing this to you does not mean I will express this at the summit. As Magik said, his preference is for Kelay to remain neutral and it is likely I will manage to bite my tongue somehow and I will conduct myself accordingly. So if it is really about peace and rainbows, there won’t be trouble from us.” Meri motions between her and Magikrios. At least not publicly. Meri did catch that drift, butt even then it sounds like there would be no trouble without sufficient cause.
Lita isn't sure she agrees with Kelay or Sage remaining neutral when they're almost literally in the middle. They're neither small nor sometimes insignificant like Switzerland, as the trope goes. But it's not her place to have an opinion on that, either. At least not out loud. And she'll attempt to politely bury whatever look she might have given Magik as she finishes her drink. She wriggles her fingers as the ferret in her arms paws at her before finally returning his little feets to the bar top so he can scurry about his business. Lita shrugs at Meri about Tessa. In truth, Lita didn't know the girl very well. "She's Mah's friend. She trusts her." And that had been enough for her. Especially since she'd double-crossed Tessa and the changeling hadn't tried to kill her for it. It wasn't personal and they'd hashed it out. She passes Leo a look but just shrugs again. There's was plenty she had to hide worth lying about. And lately, even more so concerning Kasyr. "Loyalty is messy sometimes." She says. Especially, and even more so, when it came to them. Because they weren't just are leaders here, they were guild leaders and members, clan leaders and members, and friends with extensive and twisted histories. "I'm just saying it's worth going at it with an open mind, is all."
Leoxander regarded the rest of what his fellow Rynvalian had to saw and turned his attention appropriately when Magik gave his point, snubbing out, the dark haired man earning a look from the captain with hair half veiled in his eyes. “I say it’s worth the risk, knowin’, and Selene knows I pro’lly owe him a few favors, but let’s just make sure we’re all wearin’ our blades and bells proper-like.” He could understand Magik’s desire to bring a little of that sage feeling back to the forest. Kelay was once a hive of a bored population that had nowhere else to cause trouble. At least the rogues were doing their job of fanning it out. “I trust you, she trusts her, they trust their own. It ain’t about trust as it is about action. Vailkrin’s been out’a commission for a spell in a sense an’ he ain’t one not to have a plan. Only way we’re gonna get a hint of what that is… usin’ this meeting to sit down, maybe have a look about while we’re there.”
Meri :: Was loyalty messy sometimes? Meri can only respond to this with a slight shrug of her shoulders. “I think Leo has pretty much summed up everything I am thinking. Short. Sweet. To the point.” Even if Meri didn’t bring a blade, the psion was known to get creative with her weaponry when push came to shove. It is not that Meri was trying to ignore Lita’s advice about open minds, it is just that Meri was very cynical about two things: politics and religion. Strange now that she was involved in politics? Probably. There was more at stake about that day than just Quintessa and Kasyr’s contentious relationship. Has everyone forgotten Larket’s persecution of witches? Or that they burned Valrae alive at the stake in Larket’s town center? Meri hasn’t. There was a lot to be nervous about. Still, Meri gives a tentative, “All in agreement.”
Magikrios focuses his attention between his super hot wife, Lita, and Leo as they all have their input. He finally finishes his beer and nods to himself. "So. Yeah. We'll go in expecting the best, but prepared for the worst, yeah? All in agreement there, I assume?"
Lita nods in agreement at Sushi. "Sounds like as good a plan as any."
Leoxander figured they had somewhere else to be. With Loravelle busy with her sisters or preparing to move things into the renovated estate, Lita had been his companion as she rightfully should regarding matters of ‘world leaders’, and whatnot. He had the same thoughts of Vailkrin being the place but he’d test the waters and take a nibble of the bait. “Will be interestin’ to see who shows up. Wonder if Macon’s ass cushion could use a breath by now…” A nod again to the pair and he waited for Lita to finish up so they could head out onto the next point.
Lita manages a laugh at Leo's quip about Macon
Meri dips her head in agreement. “Kelay will be there.” The blonde is more than happy to let Lita and Leo finish their drinks, they are friends and welcome in this household. “I guess we’ll see the two of you soon. But you’re also more than welcome to drop by our home whenever you would like. Be it to talk politics or just drink and hang out.” Meri and Magikrios would both linger by the bar until the two rogues made their own exit. And then Meri and Magikrios would just end up doing domestic things. Dinner. Finding the kid. Etc etc. ooc: Thanks for writing!
Lita offers a wave to the married couple as she stands with a little stretch. "Thanks for the invite." And she doesn't just mean for this little meeting of the minds, but the welcome to the guild. She'd look forward to more of that, too. Even if she's still a little disappointed at not getting to drag the pirate through some mud puddles. "Push comes to shove, none of us are alone up there." She says, offering Meri a brief hug goodbye. It's a reminder but also a promise. She might glance around briefly to see if she could bugger off with a chonky little ferret, but he seems to have read her intentions and made himself scarce. Until next time. So she'll follow Leo back out the way they'd come instead and hopefully snag him once they were outside the magic tree house.