Prepare for the #LodanRespawn2024 Existing characters may choose to be displace from/have memories of different timelines, thereby allowing returning members the option to retcon their whole character. These changes are the result of the "Unnatural Fog" plot device that is running between now and the Respawn. The plot is simple: no matter where your character is, that place is shrouded in a thick fog that suspends time, but not thoughts or memories, so even if they're repeating the same day over and over again, they continue to remember, so each time feels like a new day. For those retconning OCs; this is where new versions of themselves have the opportunity to replace the old versions. Official lore and tree updates will be announced asap
Skye looked up from his work. He considered telling her that he was busy, but she sounded like she had something she urgently needed to talk about. Lorraine always seemed the squared away sort, so if it was something she couldn't go to her superior over, it had to be important. Otherwise he'd need to explain to her how things functioned. "Come in Ensign," he said, loud enough so she could hear it. It was about time he take a break anyway, and besides, he liked her fox. He wanted to just hug the thing, though that would be a bit inappropriate.
Post by Lorraine Blackmoore on Oct 22, 2014 2:33:56 GMT
Allowing herself into the room after the invitation, she is greeted by the man at work at his desk. Felix slips into the room and hesitates a moment to sniff at the air before making further into the room to stand by the seats where his master and Roy had sat long ago. "Sir," she says as she closes the door behind her then approaches her fox. "I am not certain how to say this so I will just do so. On my way to the barracks I overheard a conversation I should not have and perhaps it is nothing but I do not think threats should be taken lightly. I believe you are in danger or at least EIRAL will be divided. There was talk between two men that the way you run this lot is not what it should be and that things needed change. Perhaps I am over thinking this but it sounded like Alistair and a man I have not heard before. I am afraid something is taking place within our ranks that will need caution."
Post by Alistair Malak on Oct 22, 2014 10:37:29 GMT
Alistair shook his head. "Sorry, but there are some regulations that even I can't ignore. Standard uniforms are always to be worn during day to day operations. Though I may have a mission soon which may require your armors foreboding appearance." he waited for the man's acknowledgement and watched as he took a knee and began the recitation of the oath. When Andronikos was finished, Alistair drew his sword and tapped both his shoulders in progression. "By the power vested in me, as an officer of the EIRAL, I accept your vow and induct you into the EIRAL. Remember that oath. We are here to light the way, and protect Lodan from all who would threaten her, both foreign and domestic. Even if the thread is inside the walls of our own Barracks. Follow me, I'll show you to where you can get your uniform and get you an assigned room." He could already envision the trouble this man could cause in his armor, especially if he never wore it in the charge of his duties. They would never be able to tie the big man back to the EIRAL, but they might suspect. It would keep the Queen off his back. Yes, Andronikos could become a specter for the Anders to fear; a demon in black armor.
Andronikos took another bite out of his peach and held it in his cheek as he followed Alistair to get his uniform and be shown to his room. He was weary of taking of his armor around others, and certainly hoped that he would not be required to go without it outside the barracks. However, he was grateful, although he would never admit it, that he was allowed to stay here and was now a member. He was also anticipating training and getting out on the field, however, he did also know the real reason for his joining and he would not ignore that. Feeling as if he may as well get it done sooner as opposed to later, as much as he disliked the idea, he threw away the remaining pit of his piece of fruit in a nearby trash bin and grabbed his helmet on both sides, then proceeded to lift it off his head. The upper half of his face was badly scarred, but luckily no wound ran close to either of his eyes, and through his skin the a faint pink blush crept through. He didn't like this.
Skye blinked a few times, registering her accusations a few moments after she'd spoken. His eyes moved from Lorraine, to her fox, which appeared to be sitting there stoically, and back to the woman again. He opened his mouth, as if to speak, but couldn't think of what to say. He ended up closing his mouth again and sitting back in his chair. He and Alistair disagreed constantly on the direction of the EIRALs, but Skye had always considered him a friend. Would he really attempt to move against him. Everything was changing now that this war was on the horizon.
"That is a heavy allegation," he spoke finally, leveling his gaze back at her. He knew her well enough to understand that she wouldn't be here if she didn't think it was the right thing to do. He'd followed her career closely so far. He'd followed all of the careers of those who he had initiated himself. She had nothing here to gain from making up false claims against one of her commanding officers.
"I know you saw first hand what Sveden is preparing for us," he spoke calmly and evenly, "enough to know that we can not stand against them on our own. We need help from the other guilds, and we need the Anders most of all. However this is the EIRAL. We have traditionally stood against the Anders and the MI. The EIRAL stands for humanity and as such we pride ourselves on being of pure blood. It's all based on generations of anger, hatred, and persecution. I suppose it's human nature. We once persecuted women and blacks, yet now we fight side by side." He waved his hand, dismissing the whole thing. He wasn't even sure why he was telling her this.
"It doesn't really matter in the end. Alistair can have his little plots, but only the Queen can remove me from my position. Short of treason, she won't do that." he sat forward and folded his arms on his desk. "What do you think of all this Miss Blackmoore. You have come forward, but where will you stand when the ball eventually drops?"
Post by Lorraine Blackmoore on Oct 25, 2014 8:22:10 GMT
The brown haired woman listened to his words calmly and quietly until the very end. Perhaps she truly was overreacting. Felix craned his head to look up at the two then tilts his head to the side in a curious manner but otherwise seems content to remain where he settled down. "Sir," she speaks softly as she looks to the High Commander with a subtle frown. "It is not that I fear the removal of your rank. There are more than one way to remove someone from power if someone desperately wanted it, but it is your health I am concerned about. Going back to what you said, I agree with you that we may need the Anders' help. We've fought them for so long but they have resources we may need--no, we do need. Allow me to be your ambassador with these people if need be but you must be careful. Please."
He suppressed a smile as she spoke of his well being. It was nice to know that someone cared. He wasn't about to let her put her career on the line, though. She'd come here of her own free will, wanting to a be a soldier. Letting her act on his behalf was the surest way for her to end up on the street or at worse in a cell. This was his mess, he would clean it up. At least her warning would allow him to stay out in front of whatever Alistair was planning. If he knew an attack on his character was coming, he could prepare.
"Thank you, Miss Blackmore, but this is something I need to do on my own. I appreciate your offer, but I need you to stay where you are." He considered what else to say. There was always a possibility that he could wind up exactly where the spy master wanted him, and what would happen then? What would happen to the EIRAL under his reign? Alistair wasn't a bad man, he just had his own ideas on how things should be run, and he was apparently just as willing to put his entire life and reputation on the line for them. Skye needed a contingency.
"I want you to promise me something, if anything should come to pass where you have to choose a side, take Alistair's. Don't follow me down. I'll need someone on the inside that's willing to do what's best for the people of Lodan. All the people of Lodan." he tilted his head, giving her a questioning glance. She certainly wouldn't be happy about what he was proposing, but he needed her to be on the inside if he ended up outside.
Post by Lorraine Blackmoore on Oct 28, 2014 7:57:20 GMT
Skye was right to think she would not be happy with this request and it shows by the sudden surprise that flashes over her features. "I will not! I do not wish to! I will not follow a man who I cannot respect," she states stubbornly, speaking without thinking first. Of course, after she speaks,s he presses her lips into a thin line and closes her eyes momentarily. "I will do it... but only to change the outcome. He is not a man I think should be in charge of that much power," she finally says after. "Sir, remember the oath you made us take? We are all supposed to be brothers and sisters. That includes you. Should you suffer a burden, we all do. Allow your men and women to help you."
"I remember the oath," he said sounding a bit sad at the whole notion, "but I will not have the EIRAL fractured in the face of the coming war. We all have our parts to play. If it turns out that my part is no longer at the head of this organization, I will accept that. Still, I think it more than likely that this whole thing is a bit blown out of proportion. Alistair has always had his little plots. That's why he's such a great spymaster. Never let it be said I'm not prepared, though. If things go bad you do your duty without question or hesitation and then you find the ones you trust the most. Like I said, I'll need people on the inside I can trust to still work for me while appearing to be good little soldiers. Do I make myself clear?" He raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms as if to make the point. He needed them to be above board. If Alistair told them to arrest him they needed to be the first up there with the handcuffs. It felt wrong to be plotting in this manner, but he knew better than to be ignorant of the dangers of rank.
Post by Lorraine Blackmoore on Oct 31, 2014 2:30:09 GMT
With a contained sigh, she nods. "Alright. As you wish, Commander," she replies and bows her head as her hands went to clasp behind her back. "I am sorry to have intruded on your work. That is all I wished to communicate to you. May I take my leave," she asks, not wishing to disrespect the man who held leadership by simply exiting the room even if she was bitter with the fact that she felt there was nothing to be done about this threat he so rightfully thought was blown out of proportion. The fox looked between the two before rising onto his little black legs and then pads over to her side.
Post by Alistair Malak on Oct 31, 2014 12:09:18 GMT
"Colonel, The High Commander would like to see you," A LT said from the entrance. He stayed only long enough for Alistair to nod in recognition.
"Looks like I'll have to leave you here," he said. If he saw the boys scars he made no indication. He'd seen so much in his life that a little scarring was nothing out of the ordinary. "Get yourself squared away and we'll be in communication." He turned and exited the room wondering what Skye could possibly want. Had someone overheard his conversation with Andronikos, and if so, what was he going to do about it. He wasn't too worried, after all, Skye couldn't act on anything anyone might have revealed to him. He was too sure of what was right and wrong. In his world there was black and white, but Alistair operated in a grey area, he always had.
"What's on your mind Skye?" he said as he entered the man's office and took his usual seat.
For the first time Skye felt a slight annoyance at the man's familiar use of his last time. If what Lorraine had said was true, and he had no reason to doubt her, then this man was far from being his friend. Which made his blatant disregard of Skye's title more of a challenge than anything.
"I've heard some disturbing rumors lately," Skye said, folding his hands on the desk again. It was his stern look, though he doubted Alistair would feel even the slightest deference.
"Oh, please do tell, I am quite the fan of rumors, as you know." Alistair countered, sitting back comfortably in the chair and crossing his legs.
"Apparently you are plotting to overthrow me and become High Commander." he countered, choosing the direct approach.
Alistair laughed, but it was not the laugh of one who is denying anything, more the laugh of someone who found the question he was being asked a ridiculous one. "Of course I am, my friend, we both know you aren't cut out for what is coming."
Skye tried to stay calm in the face of such blatant disrespect. It wouldn't do to fall into a shouting match with the other man. "Well, I had no idea your opinion of my leadership ability was so low. It's a good thing I don't answer to you, and we both know the Queen is not likely to replace me based on your word alone." He leaned forward and eyed the other man sitting just out of reach. He considered throwing something heavy at him, but that would also be beneath him.
"On my word? No, not likely. I was never one to let a little thing like that stop me, however, and my opinion of your abilities has not wavered. Don't get me wrong here, Faolan, you are a fine Commander and a man I have been proud to serve under, but you are the equivalent of a police chief. Your skills lie in maintaining peace and fostering a sense of cooperation between the guilds. That's why her Majesty gave the position to you, instead of me. You are not, however, the right man to lead us in war. You must know that to be the truth, deep down. Do us all a favor and step down. Spend the rest of your days carousing with that dollymop of yours or become Baron. I could care less, but one way or the other I will be sitting behind that desk when Sveden comes knocking."
He had such a smug look on his face, Faolan wanted to help the man by knocking it off, and Alistair's comment concerning Caitlin only caused his whole body to tighten in anger. Still, he did not react. It wouldn't do to give the man fuel he could use. "Do as you will Alistair. I value your opinions, but you are wrong this time. You think we can fight this war alone, but we need the help of the other guilds, even the Anders."
"Anders? Do you hear yourself? The Anders nearly destroyed this city and killed your family. Have you forgotten that? They might help us in the short term, but what would their price be? Equal rights? Military Service? No, we can't risk such a thing, and the fact that you would suggest it shows just how far gone you are." Alistair stood and brushed his uniform strait again. "Thank you for this little chat, but I have duties to attend to." He shook his head and walked from the office, not even waiting to be dismissed. It was one last smack in the face.
With the man gone, Faolan sank back in his seat. He felt drained and betrayed, and there was no one he could go to and talk about this. For the first time in a very long time, he felt alone.
Andronikos stood there aloofly, unsure of what to do next and of where to go. He watched as Alistair ascended the stairs towards, apparently to where the High Commander's office was located. Walking down these same stairs, however, seemed to be a woman with a small animal at her heels, and Andronikos moved his brown eyes to look at her for a short moment. It never crossed his mind to try and listen in on the conversation between Alistair and the Commander, but if he had tried to, he probably would not have been stealthy enough to anyway. He had been instructed to get himself in order, but he was not quite sure what to do.
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