SoS B1 C1 X5: Plans?
Tskhan grabbed a chair and pulled it near Ulysses, spinning it around to sit in it backwards. "Not to criticize you for sticking up for Allarah, but try not to pick a fight when there are too many variables." Tskhan scooped up the bottle of wine Allarah left behind and beckoned to Immuena "Hey you want some before I drink from it."
"Thanks, but no. I need to think clearly. And Ulysses, I agree with Tskhan, but appreciate you sticking up for Allarah nonetheless." She smiled gingerly at Tskhan and Ulysses in turn, but the tension on her face remained. "We are in need of a battle plan. Anyone bothered by aligning ourselves with the Hedon envoy should speak up. I'm going to need your input as much as anyone's for this." She only looked at them when speaking; otherwise, she kept pacing to and fro. "While we wait for dinner, do you want my full disclosure on how I believe things will play out? I only believe it's fair to inform you all."
After gesturing to Quigley for a piping hot cuppa, Donald began monologuing in response to Immuena's query "I would rather not ally ourselves with Hedon. Sure, the representatives from the Church of the Somnolent may be ready to wage war and talk big, but without actually doing anything, they're just blowing smoke. You may wish to cooperate with your Hedon pals, but I strongly disapprove of this course of action. Even if we edge out The Somnolent's envoy, we're still left with the other groups vying for Saumai." he concluded, mixing cream and sugar into his tea.
Contemplating Donald's words, Immuena hmm-ed to herself. "Maybe I should share how I think things will play out, and see if your opinion changes. Not to say you're wrong, but I see more pressing concerns than simply winning Saumai's allegiance."
Tskhan sighed at the back and forth bickering. He rubbed his brow, took a deep breath, and looked over at Immuena. "Maybe you should try to have a private conversation with Lady Venistasia about what she wants to do; whatever we decide to do would be much easier if she's supporting it. Besides there's no need to provoke any reaction from Hedon or the Somnolent if she's gonna back either of them instead of us. Also you probably should bring up the Somnolent's ploy to Venistasia" Tskhan chuckled, "I'm sure our little Feacha could get into her private quarters with little effort." He gave a Cheshire smile.
Immuena turned to Tskhan, pondering his words for a second while she grabbed a seat. "Do you two also think this is a good course of action?" she gestured at Ulysses and Don, "Personally, Tskhan, I think you have a valid point. Except for the chambers bit." She gave him a cold look; now wasn't the time for teasing. "I'll move by the majority, and if there's a tie, I'm sure we can find Allarah. Hell, she may have another opinion." Immuena started massaging her ears to relax.
Ulysses leaned against the wall and sighed heavily. "To me it looks like they want to start something. The best chance is to gather backup and be ready for them when they do, but you do bring up a point we should not do anything until they do something."
Immuena nodded at Ulysses, waiting on more input.
Allarah, now sobered and changed, rounded the corner into the room. “I think pursuing any form of military action, be it for Saumai or not, at this point is a bad. That includes getting backup. I am aware of the Somnancy’s presence and the danger they pose, but that’s our problem. This is ultimately a diplomatic mission, and we have to handle it in a way that makes the people trust us. Violence, even implied violence in the form of armor, makes these people uncomfortable.
"The Somnulent envoy arrived in heavy armor, and that may work in our favor. It made them look bad, just like their projections, so they are effectively provoking the general populace as much as they are us. If they can make themselves, even in their armor, look less violent and unpredictable than us, we’ve already lost. Going to Venistasia and asking to bring in reinforcements may only further their goals, whatever those may be... Not to mention that they were invited here by the people of Saumai. It would look strange were you to approach Venistasia about another envoy, perhaps insulting this early on…
"For now, I think we shouldn’t take any action. We’ve only been here a few hours, and that really isn’t long enough for her to form an opinion of us. I think we should wait it out, watch the Somnancy, and try not to be provoked into action. I know I was foolish enough to fail there, but I will not allow a repeat of today on my part. If Lady Vanistasia has any concerns about the Somnancy’s presence, let her come to us. We just need to apply caution right now, and if things become too dangerous, then we voice our opinions for her to consider. Today we need look presentable and civilized. I don’t think the Somnancy will do anything to jeopardize their shot at Saumai, diplomatically speaking. I’m sure if they wanted to take it by force, they would have done that by now.” She paused to look directly at Immuena.
“If I see any members of the Somnancy’s envoy, I do plan to apologise for my rash actions.” She put forth her opinion as If she were giving a report. Her tone and face were as fixed as the marble she appeared to be made of. “They are dangerous, but they need to look good just as much as we do. It’s much easier to take a willing planet than one that fights back.”
"I think you misunderstood how quickly I intended any of this to play out." Immuena spoke plainly. "I mean to make plans and have backup plans in an effort to anticipate the Somnency's history of cruelty. Not act tonight, act in response. If the Somnolent Envoy acts brash again, we not only have information, but another envoy vouching for us if we befriend Hedon.” Donald huffed at Immuena’s words, but she continued, unfazed.
“As for military tactics, those are definitely not something I intend to put into play or mention to anyone else, not unless the Somnolent take the aggressive actions I previously mentioned. War. And war is nothing to scoff at when the faction has a history like they do."
She paused to inhale, "Now, Allarah, there are more dangerous things to worry about when playing the diplomatic game than just the diplomatic end- simply because diplomacy is a ruse. A ruse for the more vile things everyone does in the background. I watched my home burn before my eyes because the diplomats didn't expect war. I watched neighbors, friends, and family die because of ill preparation. The only reason I lived is him." She pointed towards Tskhan, his eyes darkening as he looked away. Her tone remained rough and uneasy, but she mellowed out some as she continued,
"Now, please understand I'm not going to act rash, or quickly, or brazenly, but I'm going to ensure we don't let this planet burn from inaction. And that means planning. Planning countermeasures and allegiances. Lady Venestasia and her people are people I fully intend to show respect to and abide by their customs and laws. So, I'm asking your opinions to better develop how to go about this while abiding. Not be the aggressors, be the informants, the courtiers, and those playing by the rules." Ending on a gentler note, she attempted to recompose herself. Seeing as Allarah was right about keeping up appearances.
"We don't disagree then. I understand. Without a doubt you’re better when it comes to diplomats, so you must know I’m far from a good one. Why did you approve my application?”
Mostly baffled by Allarah's upfront question, Immuena paused. "Ah. Well... to help round out the group, I suppose. We have our brawn," she gestured to Don and Ulysses in turn, "we have our situational awareness and all around immolator," then to Tskhan, "I'm the diplomat but that doesn't mean I'm the brains,"and finally toward Allarah, "which would make you our eyes, ears, and overall our brains. I will be forward, it helps that you're a Verin. You're a better caster than I, and we need that versatility. Does that answer your question?"
Allarah's face was stone, and her voice a pleasant monotone. "More than that though. I'm not just a Varin or a caster. You could have found any other caster or scientist. The only thing that sets me apart is my blood. Ties to the Haimarchy are advantageous in these situations. I don’t know how heavily that played into the choice, of if honestly, but now there’s a greater danger at play here and I need to know if you had any ulterior motives. If you need or wish to use any influence I may have, tell me now, and I will help as much as I can. If you insist I am only a castor or your eyes and ears then it won't be too terribly hard to replace me should things become worse."
"You do know that your blood inherently makes you a better caster. That aside, you were one of the more willing candidates. If it gets you to stay, go ahead and believe I'm using you for the Haimarchy connection as oppose to your latent abilities as a caster. Your perception and attention to detail also helped you get the pick." Immuena sounded cold the way she kept a consistent tone, but not for lack of caring about Allarah.
The Faeo watched Immuena. "There is always more to it than that with diplomats and politicians. My parents left the Haimarchy when I was young, yet that didn't stop people from pursuing me and killing them when they wouldn’t fall in line. I was weary when I joined this mission because of the politics involved. So forgive me if I don't believe you are entirely innocent of ambition. It's how I was raised."
Immuena stood, thinking on how the crew was still in today's well worn clothing and the feast was rapidly approaching. "Look, Allarah, can we discuss this after dinner. I feel this requires much more time than we have before the feast starts." Without much more warning than that, she turned and left the way Allarah had come.
Allarah watched her leave with a sigh. It wasn't the first time she had been brushed aside in her life. Taking a deep breath she looked to the others and adjusted her skirts. She felt rather uncomfortable out of her regular attire. "She's right. I'll go have a word with the Somnolent. I plan on apologizing as quickly, and hopefully painlessly, as possible. I'll meet you at dinner."
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