RP: Dealing With Dead Issues

Part of the Welcome To The End Of Eras Arc

Summary: Khitti arrives in Vailkrin to provide Kasyr with a status report on current events, and to make sure he hasn't spontaneously collapsed beneath the weight of responsibility and day-to-day inanity. Along the way, she finds the time to pose a potential vassaldom to House Azakhaer- before she's unceremoniously provided the rule of representative for its human denizens.

Vailkrin Council Room

As the highest point of the castle, this room has the best view of Vailkrin one can achieve without taking flight. With that in mind, the room's walls are panes of stained glass. Through some magical means, the glass doesn't discolor the view for individuals within the room, but it doesn't allow for those that manage to fly up to the windows from the outside to peer in. Similar to the chandelier in the great hall, lanterns float high overhead near the ceiling, their light produced by glowing stones encased within. As is common with many rooms for planning and strategy, the largest and primary table is the focal point of the council room, and a map of Vailkrin with lands beyond it is burned into the surface rather than carved. The markings on the round table are a bit crude, but they're kept up to date by swapping the rounded panel the map is burned into out for a fresh map as needed. In the interest of maintaining clear lines of sight from every wall of windows, the large table doubles as a bookshelf., with the entire stone base of the table doubling as shelving for so many books and paperwork that what don't fit in the shelves are piled neatly either on the table or underneath it. Smaller tables are set at the four cardinal directions, but all seats are pulled to the main table for meetings. Here the sound of music within the castle is clearest, as if the sounds of the City of Undead have travelled and transformed into melodies that can only be heard within the room.

Kasyr can't help but wonder about the lingering pressure in his chest, a tension that never seemed to alleviate, regardless of how many new trade agreements were being smoothed out, or what concessions he's able to eke out for the various disenfranchised denizens in the dead city. Plus, there were the efforts being made towards Trist'oths reclamation- something which also required a fair bit of co-ordinating with the undead Quarters, and the necromancers guild- due to the ongoing efforts of rooting out those mindless or virulent undead left behind in the wake of the initial attack. It's no small wonder that the Kensai's desk is beginning to clink from the sheer array of whiskey bottles stashed within- though his nature prevents them from having the desired effect. Then again, that may be for the best, given that he was scheduled for an imminent meeting with Khitt(i). A meeting which he was grateful for, given it allowed him to sport his more casual day-to-day outfit, rather than something 'befitting' his station.

||The shorter of the two redheads was the one that showed up for Kasyr’s summons, the aforementioned red hair pulled back into a messy braid, the Cenril humidity having made the already wavy mess nearly untameable. She made her way through the portal, across the bridge, and down the main street of Vailkrin, casually speaking to herself in hushed tones, gaining herself a few confused looks by those that somehow didn’t know of Khitti’s weirdness at this point. Eventually, she’d find herself at the castle, wherein she’d seek out the revenant himself. The pregnant twilight witch reached out a hand and knocked on the door of the room he was in, regardless of whether it was open or not. Where there once had been hesitation around the kensai, there was no longer now as she patiently awaited an answer from him.

Kasyrs' initial acknowledgement of Khitt's presence is somewhat subtle, as a few hummed bars are all it takes for the doors to lurch open, to reveal the necromancer. While the effect is certainly dramatic, he's more than willing to curtail it with a weary smile aimed in her direction, and a faint gesture to one of the seats near this desk, "Sorry for the disorder. I'm currently going over the repair efforts et necropolis expansions. Normally, The lady Aza-" He pauses at the weirdness of using the title she'd been granted by extension of being in the ruling house, before simply gesturing off towards the castle, "Inks would be handling finances, but this might be the one area I can match her." A decade of fiddling with shell companies initially used by Ginger to funnel money, and whose legitimacy as construction companies had been solidified through work on the city (and whose serves were essentially on permanent retainer codified into law) certainly helped. "That's neither here nor there. You had business you wanted to discuss, madamoiselle?"

Khitti tilted her head at the title Inks had been given and smirked somewhat. The way he’d said it almost made it sound like the two had gotten married, but Khitti knew better. The seamstress’ heart still belonged to Odhranos, even if he’d still not returned to the realm of the living yet. After he finished speaking, she hesitated, casting her olive-green gaze elsewhere in the room for a moment. “I suppose I was just coming to check on you and how things have been going with…” She vaguely gestured at the air to signify the word ‘everything’. There was something else, but she hesitated again. “And… we were wondering if you’d be interested in having Khitt and I as vassals for your house.” The redheaded witch paused for a moment to gauge his reaction, then continued. “We had meant to bring it up a while ago, but then you had your disappearing act,” she said with a smirk. “We also had been thinking that, in the event that we ever decide that we want to return to the world of undeath--” Well, really, Khitt hadn’t ever been undead, but still. “--we’d like either you or Inks to do it. Seeing as how the sole reason why I got rid of my own undeath has given up on our marriage, and it is entirely likely that we may not find another partner again in the future, then what’s even the point in growing old when we’ve a lot to do and not enough time to do it in?” She shrugged and shook her head. “But, that’s not a decision we’ve totally come to yet. Being vassals, if you’ll have us, is.”

Kasyr grants the necromancer time to gather her thoughts, with a surprising lack of fidgeting on his part. When she offers the first part of his business, he nods faintly- but doesn't offer a reply yet, because he can sense that something remains unspoken. It's only when she makes her offer of fealty, that he finally tilts his head off to one side- his gaze more studious than anything. Once she's finished providing her reasons, he finally offers his thoughts, "I don't deny that your help would be appreciated. My house es among one of the smallest in Vailkrin, despite the influence that's been wielded, historically et otherwise." His tongue clicks, an accompaniment to the brief bout of pensivity that besets him, before he continues forward, "I suppose this works neatly enough with what I had been meaning to ask you, once the burden of office, and the looming threats of disasters stopped being an issue. Before this, I had meant to ask if you'd be willing to serve as a Liason with the necromancers guild in an official capacity. A diplomatic role would certainly fit insofar as the duties of a vassal. Moreover, If you -do- wish to be a part of my house, I certainly won't deny you. I consider you a friend, et your constant efforts to help haven't gone unnoticed. That said, I had also meant to ask you if you might be willing to serve as a representative for the human quarters in Vailkrin. If you believe you'd be of better service to the city in my house, I suppose my first request would be to find a successor for that task- as I do not wish to leave myself open to accusations of nepotism, or stacking a court favourable to my whims." He pauses now, allowing her to process everything that he'd said. While there were still a few details to touch upon, such as the state of the city and certain preparations- this seemed the most prudent starting point.

Khitti stood there long enough to hear what Kasyr had to say before she’s on the move again, this time to find a seat near to where he is. Pale arms crossed over her chest in vague annoyance, her lips pursed outward just slightly as she chewed the inside of her cheek. “To be perfectly honest, I’m not sure who I’d trust with that sort of responsibility. There’s not very many humans, or even half-humans, here and so not only would my choice be extremely limited, but I’d also constantly wonder if I’d made the wrong decision when I could take care of the task myself.” The pregnant redhead adjusted herself in her seat a little better, then fixed her attention more fully on the revenant. “That being said, if Khitt and I chose to do both and someone tried to claim nepotism, I’d challenge them on it. I have not toiled endlessly in my research and built up all that I own both here and in Cenril just to get my image tore down by baseless claims from those that can’t help but project their own problems and insecurities onto others.” She had enough of her own problems and insecurities, after all. She didn’t need anyone else’s. “I am confident in our ability to deal with things properly and be both a liaison for the guild and the human quarter, while also being in your house. But, if you truly don’t wish to deal with any of the aforementioned issues, then it might be better for -you- to choose what it is that we do.”

Kasyr can feel himself getting a headache. On one hand, he had faith she'd tell him exactly where to stick it, or to at least try and reason with him if an overall course of action seemed tyrannical, or unhinged. At the same time, the optics both internally and otherwise were another matter. "I would be remiss if I didn't have you take on the post of representative, and Liason if there was no one else fit for it. That said, I can only take you on as a Vassal unofficially. You'll have my protection, et I would require your loyalty- but for now, the affiliation needs to remain discreet." There's a pause there, before he finally allows himself a sigh, "In part, because there are more than a few militant individuals who would likely use it as proof of Vailkrin being a dictatorship, et moi a Tyrant. Daedria Above, I'm not even joking when I say they've been using rumours of Undead concentration camps in an effort to rally members of the populace towards more radical, violent measures." He pinches the bridge of his nose. "Which es one of the points I wanted to address with you. Somehow my backing of the necromancer Guild, et my overall support for the city es being suppressed- possibly a faction within the city trying to cover up any news of it, or possibly some underground papers trying their best to disseminate misinformation. If at all possible- feel free to publically disclose any and all finances you've already requested and received from the state insofar as organizing, et even from house Azakhaer itself during the long months leading up to this." Making people eat craw was sometimes a reward in and of itself. "And, if you need any further funds in order to help Xalious install et maintain the enchantments meant to sort out the dangerous, feral undead- again, feel free to request it, approval won't be denied." There's a pause there, "Lastly, Make sure that any of those ferals are publically dealt with et catalogued, the last thing we need es someone running off et making a mess of things. Ideally, work with members of the Necropolis. We can't have them feeling lorded over, or like they have no say in the matter." And he would have looked fine to leave it there, were it not for, "Ah. Et while I've likely said this, feel free to use anyone employed as a census taker. Getting real numbers on just how bad this all was, and our rapid handling of it will likely go far, in helping to restore faith in-" There's a sort of shrugging gesture towards the castle. It was politics, on a scale that made the misery of the Warriors guild pale. "Honetement, even with the, er, peculiarities of my vampiric lineage- that's still probably less trouble. But we'll burn that bridge if we get to it."

Khitti sighed. “No. If you think it’s bad enough to go to those lengths, then let’s not even do it secretively. Things could be even worse if people found out that you’ve secretly had the liaison of far too many things wrapped around your finger, doing your evil bidding.” There was a hint of sarcasm there, but not towards him specifically. She knew precisely the sort of thing he was talking about--which was one of many reasons why she hated politics in the first place--and she didn’t want him to be in any more of a position to be at the mercy of the masses than he might already be. “Liaison for the Necromancer’s Guild and the human district it is, then. But I will still welcome the funds to take care of things. I -had- considered suggesting maybe you should expand on that contract you’ve had out on the other ferals that’s been roaming about Lithrydel and Rynvale, but I suppose that could be viewed as a bad idea too, considering some of the particulars of what was agreed upon--especially considering -these- ferals were not originally that.” A pensive look crossed her pale features as she thought things over. “I wonder if maybe we should do a round two of the ritual that Valrae, Kanna, Lanlan, and Khitt did in Cenril, on all the undead that had been rounded up there. While many here have been slain as well, it would look good for you if there were some we could save.” There’s another pause, then another sigh, and a shrug. “Regardless, what you ask will be done, of course. The cataloging and all that.” The redhead made no further mention of the future with regards to a possible second siring.

Kasyr might have grinned, if only slightly, when his 'evil bidding' was invoked. "I think I've done more evil as the Warrior Guild leader, than ruler of Vailkrin, enfin." Plenty of time to play catch up, however. "I can make the announcement at the next press conference that occurs then. Et I appreciate your willingness to take up these mantles, madamoiselle." That said, that impending title meant he had to put more serious consideration towards her words, "I -think- if the hostile undead are found abroad, dealing with them in an expeditious manner -would- still be prudent, since they represent an inter-regional incident waiting to happen. That said, if you think you can purify some of the undead within Vailkrin, et restore them to sanity- that avenue should be implemented. Just make sure those manning the undead quarters are made aware. That said, I imagine they'll be quite amenable to the process. Enough so to forgive the necessity of dealing with whatever leftovers, what Caluss tainted things, remain." That did seem to be the bulk of what business remained between them for the moment, and so he finally leans back in his seat- and affords himself a brief moment of eschewing his professional mask. "Thank you, in all of this. I consider you a good friend, et I'm grateful to have you as a colleague. Feel free to yell at me, if I let either this, or leading the warrior's guild start to eat me alive. Et should all these duties ever overwhelm you, et you need to step down- well, I was not averse to what you proposed." There was a lopsided smile to accompany it, though his attention soon drifts back to the desk, "The work never stops, does it." Less a question, more a statement of fact.

Khitti smirked a bit at the mention of his evil doings in the Warrior’s Guild, compared to anything he’d done in or for Vailkrin. “Uh huh.” She believed him, but she still felt like poking fun at him. “You’re welcome. We’ve far more time nowadays, what with the severe lack of family now and then.” She shrugged, then gestured down at her stomach. “There’ll be a little less once these two hatch, but it’s manageable. I did just as much or more for that brother of mine when I was pregnant with the first kid.” Really, she needed something to do to keep her mind off of things. The fact that the majority of her family and friends had themselves a significant other of some sort at this point was not lost on Khitti (or Khitt for that matter) and it often made that feeling of loneliness that she’d thought long since gone come crawling back from the abyss she’d damned it to. With Kasyr lacking in this department as well (as far as she and Khitt knew anyway), it allowed her to be a bit more comfortable around him. There was no expectation to talk about that sort of thing unless it was pertinent to business.

As he spoke, she withdrew a notebook from the black satchel that was ever at her side, and summoned up her shadow ink pen with a wave of her index finger. Shadows curled up from the page like smoke as she took down notes on what had been discussed, just on the off chance that Khitt had not been listening in. He was still rather flustered after finding out that Kasyr carried him back to the castle after the fight with Caluss like he was a sack of potatoes. “Likewise,” she said, with regards to their friendship. “I’ll definitely be the first to let you know if you’re drowning under the weight of everything.” There’s another smirk but it doesn’t last long, instead shifting into a faint frown. “You may have to do the same for me though.” And then there’s that last bit about the work. “No. It doesn’t. But lately, I’m not sure if I want it too anymore.” Often times she’d wanted things to stop, even if for a little while. But now there was nothing to go home to. So what was the point?

Kasyr absent-mindedly begins to pop his knuckles in the wake of Khitti's remark about family, the Kensai's expression faltering for a moment, before he locks it into the fascimile of good humour he'd been holding. There's no breath to hold in the aftermath, but it doesn't matter- a few moments more of listening, of allowing the thought of future work to seep in- and the reminder begins to ebb away again. To slip to the back of his mind, beneath the familiar, and almost crushing weight of the tasks they needed to do, "A sense of purpose does help, en fait." Was his smile sympathetic? He can't even be sure right now, the expression still beyond his means of properly controlling. Instead, he directs his attention over towards a pack of papers, and scoops one up. "In any case, I suppose we'd best begin to catch up on things. Et, er- if I can't catch Valrae or Nortengaal, both of them are due for an initiation examination thing, if you see them before me. Er, for the warriors. Et we need to poke at all the squads about their missions." He trails off there, both grateful for the distraction all those concerns provide, though simultaneously awkward at how scattered it all was, "But we can pick that up at a later date, madamoiselle. In the interim, I really do appreciate you coming by."

The ever-perceptive redhead caught that moment when the revenant's face fell at the mention of family and then the quickness with which he tried to cover it up with mirth. Khitti winced a little, and sighed as he shifted things back to the task at hand. “Alright, well, maybe you try to meet up with Nortengaal and I’ll get Valrae? Might be easier on her to, you know, fight a human,” she said with a smirk. Well, she didn’t mean all out fight, but you know how these initiation things can get sometimes. “Which means you could probably go a little harder on the lycan if you wished, since he can take it more.” She was joking--somewhat, anyway--but it still helped to bring the necessary levity to the conversation that was sorely needed. “Regardless of who does what though, we’ll get it done. We always do.” Khitti pushed herself up off her seat and smoothed her dress out a little. “You know where to find me if you need me.”

Kasyr nods at the necromancer, his thumb tracing over the page for a moment. It's only when she mentions the work anew that he perks up, "We're a fine pair of bureaucrats, at the end of the day. But, let's hope I can at least provide you a brief break from the tide of work to do. At least for a day or few." There's a half-assed salute to follow that remark, and a wry grin, "A bien tot, cherie."