RP:Wolves and Politics

Summary: Meri, Magikrios, and Leoxander discuss their thoughts on a certain political meeting that occurred in Vailkrin.

The Syndicate Grand Council Hall

Meri :: Was not yet in the headquarters yet, though she was very close to making her way into the space. Meri was currently standing out on the streets of Kelay, slowly making her way in the direction of the Syndicate of Shadow’s meeting space. The blonde was currently on a mission to find out where her husband was for the evening, maybe she was missing some juicy meeting amongst clan members? Probably not, they would not leave her out like that. Meri comes to stand just outside of Kelay tavern, taking a moment to survey her surroundings to see how many people might just be passing by right now….What is the point of a secret headquarters if everyone is seen coming and going from it? But if Leo times things correctly, he’ll catch Meri on the street level…waiting. Leoxander might notice that there is something different about this area now, an entrance is available to him that was not visible before. Prior to joining the Syndicate, this entrance was nothing more than shadows and darkness, nothing for people to even think twice of.

Leoxander decided to work on some older skills of stealth lately. He could hide in pitch black about four or five feet away before the lycanthropy heat became noticeable. So in accompanied to being cloaked, he would have been hard to miss, and with the medallion working almost impossible. But he was sure the wolves would pick him up that way. He’d been prowling - assisting his clan members but unbeknownst, patrolling and keeping a side-eye to the glow of the portal and the lights from a few windows Larket; there weren’t many that night. So after watching Meri pace a while, hovering like a bee around that very hive, he spoke unseen unless the ring had a magical property for that. “First time in a while I seen you lookin’ lost.”

Magikrios quietly walks out of the tavern with a pale female elf right behind him almost matching the much taller Lyastri step for step. She brushes her long black hair out of her face before returning to her journal, jotting some things down in mid stride. She doesn't look up from her journal. She trusts her father, Magikrios, to clear the path for her should it be necessary. As the two are just about even with Meri in her own steps towards the SoS hideout, she will quietly hear a "Hi honey," and a simple "Meri," from the pair. Upon Leo making himself known there was also a simple, "Leo," muttered quietly. Magikrios and Mirshann head towards the darkness and seem to almost disappear right into it. One step through is all it takes and they are looking down into the headquarters of the Syndicate of Shadows. Magikrios turns into his black smoke form only to reappear leaning against the large round table. Mirshann looks up just long enough to take a step onto the levitating platform. She waits for any others to join before tapping the platform with her leather boot causing it to carefully lower towards the floor. Mirshann takes a step off and heads right into the armory towards the east. She walks with purpose and shuts the door behind her.

Meri stops her pacing to regard Leo with a smirk, or at least…she is smirking in the general direction that she believes Leo to be in the last she heard his voice. “Am I lost? Or do I know exactly where I am?” The question was a rhetorical one but before Leo can take the chance to answer, the tavern doors swing open and out step Mirshann and Magikrios. The two of them will be greeted with a soft smile before Meri turns and follows them into the direction of the headquarters. Magikrios may have fancier means of entering, but Meri simply joins Mirshann on the platform. “Will you be joining us?” Mirshann would of course wait for Leo to make his decision before doing her little foot stomp on the platform. Presumably everyone descend, unless Leo opts to decline the invitation. “That was Magikrios’ daughter, by the way. Quite protective of her. Also one of us, clearly.” This is said after Mirshann takes her leave. The space that the adults are left in is rather lavish, has a stocked bar, and plenty of comfortable seating for conversing. The most notable is the round table, which Meri takes a seat on. Yup. On. Right on the edge of the table, legs dangling.

Leoxander waited until whoever was below to make their way to ground level before a ripple of shadow and Leo appears as though emerging from black, vaporous curtains. He didn’t care for the show of it but it -was- handy. “I’m here for the tour.“ He stated plainly, despite that it was obviously a bad time. The solemn expression on rugged features might register as urgent to his type of people, to least his very kind. Eyes on Magikrios as sealing the trust there, he willingly moved toward the platform. “You better hope those fermin don’t get too curious.” And so they just happened to be. Very much so.

Magikrios, assuming Meri took a seat right next to him, gently bumps his shoulder into her as he looks towards Leo, "Aye. That's Mirshann. She tends to keep to herself, usually. And, well, she's on her own little mission at the moment with everything unfolding." Right on cue, there's a loud thump from the east with a quiet, "Oops," followed soon after. Leo mentioning he's here for the tour causes the Lyastri to stretch his arms to the sides, "Well, this is it. Had to do a bit of renovating a while back. I think it came along nicely. Plenty of drinks for all, seating. Or just a place to escape when you need some quiet." The various desks should make that obvious. the HQ was a lounge, bar, and meeting spot all in one. This is where important matters get handled. On the flip side, it's a space for the members to let loose a bit. Mag then quickly waves off the thought of fermin making their way into the headquarters, "Haven't had an issue with outsiders of any type yet. We have our protections in place."

Meri was of course seated next to her husband, just not properly as Meri does not always see fit to have manners. Especially in company she is comfortable with. However, today the woman was not keen on trying to ramble on about some random topic. There was one subject plaguing her mind, “We got any news after the Summit? Inks sent out a letter to us, it does not strike me that she is on Kasyr’s side very much. Did you get one too?”

Leoxander gave a raise of his chin to acknowledge Magik’s daughter before he stepped onto the platform with her. “Evenin’.” He gave her a glance over out of habit. It wasn’t so much the curves and appeal that glance afforded, but any subtle tension or flash of a blade. “Mirshann.” Fortunately, he kept his hands to himself, too. For the most part. The sudden bump darted his attention to it but he didn’t flinch or forget his back, though Magikrios’ explanation caused a lofted brow that the magic user might glimpse. “I see you’ve quite a connection. Leo sat down at one of those chairs or tables (on it, if necessary) and picked up a couple of cheese onion bites. “Oh these are the (*#%)...” We all know what the pirate said for a compliment before he rested his boots someone convenient, or just tilted the chair in a balanced pose on two legs. “Can you lock up an’ do what you gotta do to keep this us an’ Princess Sage?”

Magikrios starts to lift his chin to immediately drop it, but a wild Mirshann appears from the armory. She's dragging a bow and looks up towards the crew. Magik shoots her a quick look with a shake of his head. There's a knowing nod and she returns to the armory. Magik looks back at Leo with a smirk, "Just a sec.." He has this neat trick that he's only done a couple of times. Times when privacy is needed. He turns to the side just a tad and closes his eyes. Suddenly, the table is surrounded by pulsating heat waves and the immediate area goes quiet yet remains relatively cool. The Lyastri opens his eyes, "Outsiders can't hear what we're saying and we'll be blurred from their point of view.." No lip reading from the outside either. "Please continue." There's also a wink to Meri. She knows this little trick for when things get...Nevermind. Your post, Meri.

Meri’s mind is spinning when Leo mentions the want for privacy. It was obviously not something that either would deny him, they had no reason to. But it definitely had Meri wondering what else was about to be said that required they make sure it remain just this trio. Meri scoots off the edge of the table, opting to lean against it rather than sit on it. Her blue-eyed gaze remains pinned on Leo as she waits for him to get to the heart of why he is here. There was obviously something.

Leoxander was a little waivered by the sudden silence when so many things were normally an ambiance of the world clock. Waves, clangs, bangs, trees swaying, even the wind: off. The rogue privately wished he had some way of creating that - or could afford to. “If you trust your daughter I’ll respect it…” Yet it came with that heads-up, or some look that what he was here to say was heavy. He finished his onion cheese snacks as set the place side, shifting the chair from two back legs to a plant of four firmly to the ground. His slouch followed forward, twisting the raven ring on the middle fingers tattooed with a heat for cards. “I want to get rid of Macon.”

Magikrios arches a brow for a moment then stands erect, holding his hands behind his back. He might have also scratched a little itch back there as well. Maybe. The fire within the Lyastri's eyes seems to blaze happily, but his composure remained. "I bet more than half of the world wants to get rid of him. But then what?" Magikrios was in no way objecting to Leo's statement. "What of the prince? He'll be next in line.." Magik's mind was already beginning to turn..

Meri :: Some might have assumed that Meri might be frothing at the mouth at the prospect of murdering Macon, it is not like she has made secret of her hate for the King. Nor will she start. The blonde is quiet for a moment before she speaks and when she does her tone is a calculating one, “More than half of the world might say that they do but I think that if this is going to be a successful endeavor, it will need to be played close to the chest and the agents will need to be selected carefully. I have often turned a blind eye on where Quintessa had sourced her building materials while still in Vailkrin, for example.” That Hard Larketian Stone, the same material that goaded Kasyr based on what everyone heard at the Summit. “Greed is a powerful force and Macon does have the resources to promise power and curry favor back to his side…” As for the kid, “We can’t kill the kid though. He’s still a kid. Besides, is royalty in Larket familial? Was Macon related to who came before? I think the kid won’t matter as long as we can find a suitable replacement before he’s of ruling age. What might be of more concern is if Macon’s darling wife. She is still alive, right?”

Leoxander frowned deeply in his brow as he replied, “My brother was in that throne far beyond Macon stamped his ass into luxury.” He answered Meri. “If anythin’... my child is the rightful heir, Parsithius has it in words. An’ bein’ she isn’t here…. I don’ particularly think I’ll have a problem justifyin’ my cause. If anyone even cares ‘r finds out. Even if Macon’s son is one that throne, that just gives the right blokes a chance to help the kid. Get ‘em some watcher guards an’ a decent tutor. Either way, you an’ I both know that city would be better off with a fish in a goddamn boot running it. We’re tryin’ to bring back some life to a world we killed and Larket’s suffocating back there.” That was when he started to look for a drink, and knew how to gain Magik’s approval. “You got any of the Kelay brew about? Oh- An’ to clear it up,” He looked between the two. “I don’t want it. But we can find someone, and there’re ways around laws.”

Magikrios relaxes his composure and lets his darker side shine through a bit, "We could always dangle the prince out of a tower window and demand Macon leave these lands forever.." He then chuckles to himself, "He'd probably rather the boy fall than give up his crown." Beer? What about beer? Kelay Ale. For when you really want to kill a Macon, Kelay Ale. The Lyastri keeps talking as he ventures from the table and towards the bar area. Those pulsating waves seem to stretch out around the table and Magik as he moves about to get some drinks for the trio. "I like the way both of you are thinking, especially with getting a better voice in the prince's ear. As for your son, I wasn't aware you were tied to Larket like this..I wonder how close Quintessa has gotten with Larket.." Two Kelay Ales and a whiskey for the wife. Magik returns to the table with two mugs in one hand and a bottle of whiskey for Meri. After the bottle is placed in Meri's lap, one Kelay Ale is slide across the table to Leo. "I'm wondering if we could get a piece of the prince's thoughts on how Larket is being ruled.." It obviously wouldn't be any of the adults currently at the table. Maybe a certain black haired elven vampire in the other room? Or perhaps a member of the Unseen Hand..Magikrios takes a sip of his own beer and thinks to himself some more.

Meri gives a slight wrinkle of her nose as the two continue to talk about the boy. “I don’t know, is he really old enough to have formulated his thoughts? There was that whole drama…shortly around the time that Larket was heavily persecuting witches where the kids of Larket where just aging rapidly? Like all of them? He is younger than he looks.” Meri says with a shrug as she accepts the whiskey from her husband. “The one person who I do think that we should be trying to talk to in all of this…is actually Valrae. The one that they burned at the stake in front of an audience. We’d need allies who understand the gravity of what is being planned.”

Leoxander shook his head at Magik. “I’m not. I could give a crap what they do over that bridge but I know a few healers that nook up there, lays the place is more or less dead. Lanara pet place is empty, half the soldiers have up and quiet without much to do. I can scout the place for some good vantage points, but I need back up and we’ll expect a cut. It would be best if we could get someone playing servant on th’ inside to observe his mannerisms. I think I have just the lady to do that. Fresh face.” He drank down his whiskey to a half point trustingly, then just finished it off. “Wanna see if that little lion lives.” The last words mumbled to himself, as he stood, crossing his arms in a way that should be defensive, but with Leo it seemed to be, (I’m listening if you have ideas, plans, advice…) Meri might have seen that look in his eyes. “Let’s not forget that little detail that -he’s- a murderer, too. Easy enough to get a bounty.”

Magikrios brings his beer to his lips again to take a gulp or three then places the mug on the table. His eyes shift back and forth from Meri and Leo, "Scouting wouldn't hurt at all. However, I don't think this'll be a quick turnaround..Not with what we want to achieve. I also think we should snag Val for a chat. Leo, see about that fresh face." Magik clears his throat. He wanted to hit every point Leo was making, but time was getting short for the Guardian of Sage. "Now if you'll both excuse me, I have to meet with a few tribal leaders in the Sage." There's a kiss to Meri's cheek then a nod to Leo. However, he holds up three fingers and counts down. 3-2-1, the heat barrier is gone as quick as it was brought up. "Meri, I should be home in just a couple hours.." With that, the Lyastri takes a step back away from the table. He looks around the main room of the headquarters then falls flat onto his back, disappearing into his own shadow. Where does he pop up? At the top of the levatating platform. He giggles to himself then calls down to the other two, "I've been working on that.." It's true. He has the whole 'controlling fire/heat' thing down. Controlling shadows? He's only dabbled for too long. With what was just talked about, this elf might need to become a lot more familiar with being one with the shadows.

Meri felt comfortable enough to speak freely in this place in most cases, yet the blonde limits what she does actually say now that her husband is out of ear shot. The conversation is not dropped entirely, but it is more reserved. There is a faint smirk and a slight roll of her eyes as she hears her husband giggling from above. “He is right. If we want this to be successful, we can’t rush this. But I do think you are right. We need a fresh face to help. Ours…they are too known.” Meri gives a helpless shrug, sometimes she can’t keep her opinions about Macon to herself. It was just one of those things. “One final question before I take my own leave….from what we saw at the Summit, is Macon our only problem do you think?”

Leoxander nodded along at Magik’s advice. It was a step-by-step process. “Yeah, I need to update Baines on the world meeting, even if it was a crock and a bloody waste of my time. Can’t wait for our bash. I need some drinkin’ time.” He popped Magic a brief grasp of forearm and said mischievously to Meri just before he counted to three, “Alone at last.” Grinning to suit. Leo didn’t move from his position. “You ever ‘eard Kasyr speak like that? Or think like that, for the market. Granted their neighbor by portal but I still think somethin’s up. Larket needs a new ruler. Maybe he can be persuiaded without threats or terrifyin’ the baby. There was a lot of fighting over a plot o’ land that looks like a dragon ate a lotta thornbush and night-shade.” This was on the way up to the exit, one more nod for Mrishann if she was still around.

Meri had a lot to think about. She'd lift her glass of whiskey to Leoxander, giving him a salute with it as a goodbye, then guzzles it down. Mirshann was still in another room, but after Leo takes his leave Meri will join the young woman briefly...if only to let her know she and Magikrios have returned home for the night.