5343/Those Who Fought For Freedom And Those Who Fight For Themselves Come To An Accord

Those Who Fought For Freedom And Those Who Fight For Themselves Come To An Accord
Date of Scene:	30 June 2017
Location:	The Quilt
Synopsis:	The Concord strikes a deal with the rebel rulers of Chapter; the heads of the loyalist movement in exchange for the Opera Bibliotheca.
Cast of Characters:	Starlight Bandits, Count Kord, Sanary Rondel, Priscilla, 1094, Sombra

---

Starlight Bandits has posed:
    The kingdom of Chapter has had some ups and downs since the auction. Several people were less-than-pleased to lose out on the book, and took it out on whatever was convenient. Several were wounded, but those in the crowd who were more merciful ensured no deaths occured.

    However, those with a glimpse at the future so close at hand, only to be lost in exchange for some pigs have a lot of sorrows to drown. Thus, the local economy enjoyed a bit of an upswing as taverns were flooded with people, now with too much cash to carry around.

    However, that time has passed, and those of the Concord walk past people trying get back to their abnormal lives. Living under a new regime has everyone on edge, and the streets are mostly quiet and empty, everyone hunkering down until things are more certain.

    The palace gates open for the guests, guarded by more farmers with more calluses on their hands than sense. One of them has his sword sidearm over the back instead of at the waist, and the other has sharpened the bottom of his spear so he can have two points. Perplex meets everyone here and says, "Greetings and welcome. We are convening in the New Council Room. This way."

    The New Council Room, as it turns out, is the former throne room. Said throne, a once-handsome thing carved from marble, is now on its side and in pieces. The centre of the room is now dominated by rows of wooden tables, clashing hard with the carved stone surroundings. It is here that the council convenes, many swarthy men from the farm and mines. They all turn to stare at the arrivals, measuring them up with slight scowls on their faces.

Count Kord has posed:
    Kord is, as usual, silent.

    This doesn't mean it's hard to read his reaction to the town that he's walking through with the other members of the Concord. His head turns, and he focuses on various points here and there. Those few that are outside, but likely performing some chore or another, get the most attention from him as he tries to get a feel for the local mentality.

    Reaching the former throne room has Kord give a soft 'heh' when he espies the shattered throne. It is a visual representation of a destroyed former government and he enjoys such imagery more than people probably should.

    Those that measure up Kord will find he can meet their gazes with an unblinking indifference. The 'working men' appearance of the council warms the Count's heart, though none would see him smiling behind that bizarre helmet of his. He seeks out an empty seat that might be appropriate for a guest, so he isn't standing around, but doesn't wait to be invited to sit down.

    Once he's settled in, his silent, glowing eyes scan the council members one at a time. He makes a mental map of their professions, and gauges what sorts of trials they might deal with and how their expressions, ages and current apparent health might shape their decisions. They didn't seem happy to see the Concord here, which factors into this.

    "You would think we came here to deliver bad news," he says, his near-Romanian accent cut together with a deep tone to give him a cutting faux-friendly quality to his voice. "By the looks we were just given."

Sanary Rondel has posed:
It's not only the Concord that's shown up at Chapter's palace today. After hearing about all the conflict surrounding the kingdom since her last visit, Sanary's taken it upon herself to do a bit of investigation into the place herself! Of course, with so many people likely wanting her head for the last stunt, surely she'd try to look inconspicuous!

     Sort of. Gone is the healer's usual white coat that she had worn at the auction that had driven so many to drink. Instead, she's in a black coat, and she's wearing SHADES over her eyepatch. She doesn't try very hard to sneak in or anything like that, though, and she's even pausing every few seconds to look over the guards with the occasional frown. If she's not stopped by the guards, she'll eventually head for the palace as well upon spotting some distinctly non-locals heading that way. She remains quiet for the time being, though, as if trying to blend in to an extent.

Priscilla has posed:
    "In fairness, those sent to meet this new regime of formerly oppressed peasantry currently include a Count and a Queen." Priscilla remarks, walking alongside and slightly behind Kord. Despite her natural tone of voice, it's neither hushed nor apologetic to say so. She can't really afford to whisper conspiratorially at a height that places Kord's head below her hips. She's taken to doing that, recently. Not hiding her natural hugeness, that is. That's normally a rare thing to ever see outside of Anor Londo. One could wonder why.

    That said, 'peasantry' isn't exactly within Priscilla's primary domain of experience. Unlike for Kord, her subjects don't lean on living off the land. The goofy attempts at self-taught military prowess, however, are endlessly endearing in a way she is at a loss to really describe, and so she is in (as close as it ever gets to) good humour when she enters the smashed up throne room. The tables are going to be far too small to sit at, but that's a choice she's willing to make.

    She isn't here as a sympathetic equal or a peer in government, like a member of the Watch or Paladins might be. She wants to make clear that the Concord's power and authority vastly outstrips the scrappy, fairweather sympathizers these men had dealt with recently, and thus keep it obviously in mind that they are an outsider group, with no visible intent to integrate or push politics.

    "If I may ask, which one of thee in attendance is Sir Perplex?" she decides to open with, not keen on waiting around to be spoken to first.

Flamel Parsons (1094) has posed:
    Mr. Parsons is here. Here, in a post-apocalyptic neo-feudal land, where Men in Black aren't an applicable visual trope. Last time, he had decided that 'agent of a vague yet menacing government agency' means something that looks very Dementor-like, or maybe a little bit Ringwraith, a heavy cloak with his classic sunglasses glinting under the hood. Today, that's stayed the same. His invisibility is left on a sort of low-energy partial level, as is his levitation, giving him an obscured, ominous look as he glides on in.

    Weirdly, it kind of works really well with Sanary's aesthetic.

    He's far more friendly than this aesthetic suggests. Count Kord gets a snap there. "Well, see! For one, there's some iffy history with one of the Concord's subsidiaries! And for two, they know that we know the difficulties about the Opera Bibliotheca and using it as a bargaining chip, since it's probably still not excavated properly. And for three, I'm guessing that every time they have to deal with being bureaucrats and diplomats and politicians, it's stupidly frustrating, so this is enough of all three to make them hate whatever we do, no matter what."

    He turns that cheery demeanor on the council. "Hi there! I'm told you're looking for help dealing with that Loyalist faction, 'Index'!" He feels like it's fairly canny to demonstrate his gathered intelligence. "I'm Agent Parsons, Psychonauts Multiversal Operations Bureau. I think I could help with something like that." The big smile totally fails to match up with the image of someone who might be about to use old League connections to betray a local faction. Or might not? It's confusing who he intends to play here.

Sombra has posed:
    It's the first time that a certain Talon agent is here, but she made sure to find intel on what happened when members of the Concord were invited here for business. It's interesting how the populace reacts the same all over in most cases. Then again, unfit rulers need to be put down and learn their place. For that matter, it would be interesting to see who will rise to power here. And just maybe they can be useful in their own way...

    Trailing behind the people in front, Sombra seems rather occupied as she walks, her eyes mostly on one of her screens as she scrolls down it, eyes quickly reading the information there. Yes, she knows that she might stand out the most with her being from a technologically advanced world, especially with how she's dressed. Does it bother her? Apparently not. The state of the guards doesn't escape her though, and she looks them over briefly, an amused smirk playing at her lips. Untrained guards... that doesn't speak well for the state of things, now does it? The council itself doesn't appear to be much either, but then again they don't seem to like the Concord members. Not that she blames them. Kord and Priscilla are right in their own ways she supposes, and the hacker shrugs briefly as she sits down right next to Kord. "El Conde, el comandante is right. You have to realise that people like these feel they have been done wrong by people in your position before. Until you can prove yourself different than them, they will will assume you are alike." All this is said as she continues reading over the files that Concord has on this world and former operations here. For now she'll observe and let the others talk to the council.

Starlight Bandits has posed:
    It is certainly a motley crew that walks into the former throne room, of which Sanary manages to blend in with well. One of the men, a fellow with a greying beard, spits into a bucket at his side and says, "Don't trust those that ain't around me on principle. Show your worth and maybe we'll be warmer," he grumbles with a voice like gravel in a blender. He looks to Sombra and nods, gesturing at the woman. "She has the right of it."

    The man who guided them here steps up and bows his head to Priscilla. "I am Perplex. Thank you all for coming." Looking around proves he's the youngest guy on the council, but he's also built and comes with intense eyes and a sonorous voice. It's easy to see how he became the face of the revolution and the 'leader' once it succeeded.

    Thankfully, Parsons is here to keep things on track. The Council nods, vaguely impressed that he's already in the know. "Index, yes," says a middle-aged woman who's bunned hair is going prematurely gray. "Headed by Dion, an aristocrat close to the throne. They've been creeping about, getting Multiversal help. They made a play for the book and got it, before those two lunatics spirited it away. They want to put things back to the way they were, and I won't live in a world where my kids go into those mines." She says this softly, with a backbeat of grinding teeth.

    Perplex and the rest of the Council nod in agreement. "I already offered terms, but I shall repeat them. If you would help us in getting rid of these loyalists, we offer you the Opera Bibliotheca. It contains many books on all subjects, written by the Predecessors. Much of it is in a tongue as of yet undeciphered, but I expect the Concord has the means. The only cavet I demand is that you do not rope us into continuing the excavation project. You will be free to come and go for it, and locals may choose to work for it as they like, but it can /not/ be mandatory. Is that clear?" He's young, but he knows how to play hardball.

Count Kord has posed:
    Kord makes a subtle sighing noise, because he was just trying to gauge how people may react to him, but the exchange between his companions here and the council itself gives him a fine understanding as well. He focuses on the gravelly voice of that one over there, and gives him a respectful nod, just the once. Then he reaches up with both hands and carefully removes his helmet so his young visage can be seen. He appears human, or as human as he can with those weird eyes of his, and young, with a strong jaw but otherwise youthful skin and the faintest hint of red fuzz on his face like he can't quite keep up with shaving. It matches the tired frown he has.

    "You do not wish to be put into slavery to dig this ancient library out," he paraphrases, creasing the corners of his mouth in a thoughtful way. His claw-tipped gauntlet rises so he can scratch his cheek. Scritch scratch.

    "Seems reasonable to me," he decides, as if it even needed any thought at all. "All we have to do is 'get rid' of these loyalists. I can't think of any objections."

    He looks around at the others, particularly to Priscilla, his red brows lifted.

Priscilla has posed:
    "Our position?" Priscilla responds with a hint of amusement skating on the edge of her perpetually frosty voice. "I believeth their experience lieth with those born into power and riches through no effort of their own, and likewise possessing understanding of neither. Though I no longer look it, one wouldst be wise to remember that I obtained mine through the forceful subjugation of such an old order as well." She certainly doesn't look like a peasant, that's for sure, wearing all that white and gold, but Priscilla never really was able to shed that posture and aura of a cautious and ready killer, even when at ease.

    "Fear not, then." she responds to Perplex. "However 'well earned' the old regime believeth itself to be, their position is not our concern. They were deposed, and thus thou art our clients of interest, and the Concord's word is final." Priscilla is careful to keep her tone about as neutral and politically dispassionate as possible (which really isn't hard for her). "Likewise, allow this further knowledge to suffice. Those of the Concord taketh pride in their ability, and hath no need to lean on the backs of the common folk as a luxury to accomplish their aims. There shalt be no call for thine assistance in working with our own payment." It /is/, at least for her, as much a matter of pride as a bargaining chip.

    "Whilst I doubt any of us here hath issues with the task itself, such, so far, is more easily said than done. If thou hast information as to where one wouldst best start with dealing with these loyalists, or any relating to their numbers, their habits, or their strength, it wouldst suit thee to share it now."

Sombra has posed:
    Of course she's right. Then again, she's seen situations like this before. People who are pushed to the brink on a daily basis, bullied by those in power... they will do something about it. Especially if they get a little help. At least that's true for what happened in Dorado. Certainly it's true elsewhere as well.

    The terms that Perplex offers seem reasonable to Sombra, who glances at Priscilla. "Deciphering it should prove no problem, el comandante," she offers. Hacking, deciphering... those are the things that Sombra does best, after all. She nods in agreement with Kord's words. Slavery is something she can understand that they don't want. Not an unreasonable term. Regarding the loyalists... "They were unfit to rule in the first place, so I have no objections on taking them out. Do you have any information on these people? Just a name would help," she inquires, her eyes glancing towards Perplex. It's such a hassle to deal with less developed worlds... But she knows how to get information at least, even if they don't have handy computers to hack into here. It will just take her a little bit longer.

Sanary Rondel has posed:
With the hard part done, Sanary's more than content to loiter slightly off to the side of the group of Concordites. With all the attention being directed on the people actually talking, it's much easier for her to try and digest everything that's actually being said.

     It's still pretty hard. Did the locals think she was actually with the Loyalists or something? From the sounds of it, it does seem as though the Loyalists enjoy mining or sending other people to mine or mines as a general means of... Something or another.

     What's just as interesting is the Concord's stance on the matter. Despite Kord's armor, his tone is a lot more controlled than Sanary would expect from his appearance. Priscilla's statements also get an approving glance from the healer, although she still refrains from saying anything just yet.

     In fact, she hasn't said a damn thing this whole time. It's actually starting to feel a little awkward. Sombra's prodding for information also has the barely-disguised healer shifting around a bit, although the more curious side of her has her sticking around just to see where this is all going.

Flamel Parsons (1094) has posed:
    Mr. Parsons gives a little nod. "Well, if the boss says that's how it'll be, that's how it'll be!" He says. Then his hood pops open with telekinetic motion... And somehow, HE'S one of the ones to answer Priscilla's question, while he chats to the Council too! "Dion, that's right!" He declares. "About this high, scarred cheek, looking on the old side. I met him a while back! You guys sure are lucky, I've got a lead on his position to work with too. It'll probably put us at odds with some Watch types though."

    "I mean, they're involved with Index too, in a bad way. I almost got shot to death. Absolutely horrible time. Let's not start from square one about that again." He declares, his smile unbreaking even while he strongly recommends his course of action. "We can probably track him following that, if the New Council doesn't have anything. Seems to me like a waste if we can't get the labor to bring up the literature though, that's the biggest and the most important part. You sure the new Concord arrangements can cover all that excavation?"

    Yep, Parsons' obsession with preserving and gathering data is showing up there, as usual. Probably at the absolute wrong point.

Starlight Bandits has posed:
    Everyone in the room nods. No one vocalizes it, but there's a palpable sigh of relief in the air when the Concord says that the offered terms are agreeable. They know who it would come down to if they decided to just take the mine and the people.

    "We've been looking for the loyalists, but they're crafty. Best places to start would be..." the older woman says before unrolling a map of the city on the table. She first taps a building on the better side of town. "Dion's ancestral home. We already took a look, and it's empty. But maybe you all would find more." Her finger next slides to a location closer to the vast hole in the centre of the city that serves as the library entrance. "Another good place would be the excavation project headquarters. We know they're using the mines to get around, they have better maps than we do. So pretty much anywhere relating to the place would be a place to start. I don't know if trying to ambush them in the tunnels would be good though, the place is sprawling."

    She then looks to Flamel and narrows her eyes some. "You've met him? Are you planning on working both sides in this or something?" The room, which was becoming warmer, does suddenly become even more frigid than before. Seems this lot are not clued in on the Concord-League merger. The bearded fellow finally looks to Sanary, and his thick brows furrow. Storming over, he goes to remove her hood! "It's you, the girl who bought the book!"

    Oh dear. This could go bad.

Flamel Parsons (1094) has posed:
    "I just want to get to the books, really." Parsons says, shrugging vaguely. "I know people and I meet people!" He considers his usual catchphrase, and tries to rework it. "I'm an agent of vague yet menacing kingdoms! A spy! Really, as long as this is the quickest way to go from not having the library to having it, it's the way I'm going to go. I don't really mind if you guys don't want to dig, as long as someone does the digging." His upbeat and friendly ways keep strong even in spite of the tension.

    Somehow even in spite of the bearded fellow setting off a time bomb. His grin stays hard and intense. "Huh?" He asks. "What do you mean? Are you sure? I've never seen them before...!" And yet, his eyes are flickering white softly under those sunglasses.

    MEANWHILE, IN THE ASTRAL PLANE

    Parsons attempts to leap out of his own noggin, dive into the bearded man's head somewhere in the memory centers, blast through his mental walls, and surge inside with the intent to kick over and smash anything related to his memory of Sanary and her appearance. He may not really have a vested interest in their safety or anything, but he needs!! To make sure!! This doesn't get violent!! "Oh my god shut up shut up shut UUUUUUP. DON'T MAKE THIS VIOLENT, AAAAAAAAAAAHH!!!" He screams inside his head. Meanwhile, outside, he just seems quite friendly and concerned. He's not sure that sabotaging this guy's memory of Sanary will work entirely considering the mental defenses of the average self-made leader, but he's hopeful it'll at least slow things down enough to give people who are a bit more diplomatically capable some time to figure things out.

Count Kord has posed:
    Kord slowly turns in his seat to regard Flamel the moment the psychic speaks. The red-haired man's frown could not become more pronounced, and as if just to make the point, leather creeeaks from his direction as he adjusts his posture. Before he can speak up to object to what he said, he rises up to a stand in reflex when someone shouts about the person that has the book. His eyes focus intensely on Sanary even as the helmet is brought up and placed back on his head, adjusting it.

    "You should join us, and sit," he tells Sanary. "Welcome to the negotiations. I hear you have something these people want very, very badly, and it would be best if you talked to them about it, before someone gets other ideas about how to get the book from you." His tone is calm, measured, and carries a weight of menace to it. It's clear to him that she actually doesn't have as much of a choice in the matter as his words imply. He beckons her to find a spot where everyone can see her better.

    "You have a bargaining chip, and you just walked into a room with people that would like it if these talks concluded on a positive note. Everyone's attention is on you. Go ahead."

    He gives a little theatrical gesture with one hand to indicate.

    He knows this will end in violence, the flight of this girl and disruption of negotiations, or she leaves with one less book and at least benefits from having purchased it at all. He would prefer the latter outcome, because any other outcome may result in poorer circumstances for the negotiations they all came here for.

Sombra has posed:
    The moment Flamel speaks up and offers information, the hacker looks alert, her face brightening up in a grin. She snaps her fingers, and another screen pops up in front of her. "Dion, huh?" Her fingers quickly type away in mid air, and hexagonal buttons appear briefly as she fills in the information that he offers. "Hmmm, if we work together on this, we shouldn't have any problems figuring this out... and relajate, I've been at odds with the Watch before," she assures him. It's not like its Overwatch members are fond of her to begin with.

    Next she fills in the information that the council woman offers. Why, she even pulls out a small camera and takes a photo of the map. "We could always hire somebody to dig," she suggests, then glances up when the council woman seems to think that Flamel is going to play both sides in this matter. "Relajate... it's possible to meet people you don't agree with nor have any attention to assist." Not that she can blame them for being on edge...

    Especially not when they become aware of Sanary's presence. Sure, Sombra had noticed the woman before, but she didn't know she was this deeply involved with the issue at hand. And it appears she's in trouble. While the others do their thing, Sombra does hers... and within a second the woman shimmers, only to be gone the next second.

    A few seconds later however, she appears behind Sanary, one arm going around her throat to press up against her windpipe as she yanks her back from the man. In her other arm Sombra is holding her submachine gun, pointing it towards Sanary's head.

    "I suggest you begin talking, amiga..."

Sanary Rondel has posed:
The names going around makes it just a little hard for Sanary to keep track of who's involved here. Dion, the leader of the Loyalists. Perplex, the leader of the... The... Rebels? Didn't they have a name? The people here, at least. The book was a lot more important than Sanary expected, too, and... Well, this is going to make things rather interesting if she plays her cards right.

     Playing said cards right is proving to be difficult with the bearded man moving over to take her hood off. She doesn't fight it, though, instead just staring incredulously at him with a direct stare right at his eye. "You really want to treat the person that kept the book out of the Loyalists' hands this way?"

     It'd probably be more threatening if she wasn't wearing shades and obscuring her eye in the process. Her tone is a good mix of irritated and scowling, at least! She smirks slightly at Kord's words, turning her head his way slightly and grunting dismissively towards the bearded man. "That's more like it... And thanks for the warm welcome. N-"

     And then she's grabbed by someone else entirely! Without an opportunity to finally rest her feet and by someone that sounds vaguely familiar, even. The shades-wearing eyepatched healer tenses up for a long moment, then sighs and holds a hand up.

     "Alright, alright... Geez. You people are freaking ruthless..." Sanary sighs, then rubs her face slowly. "I... Er. Lost it. Think one of my pigs ate it when I wasn't looking, so..." She keeps rubbing her face while she talks, although she's careful to keep the shades on. THey help her look cool by obscuring her eyes!

Count Kord has posed:
    Kord slowly reaches up and places his hand over the front of his helmet, and his eyes slowly close. It's a look of exasperation.

    "If that is true, we have no reason to let you leave."

    "So you must be lying. Right?"

    He hopes she's lying. It is the most idiotic thing he's heard in a while. The girl letting a pig eat an actually accurate prophetic book seems... Hilariously dumb.

Priscilla has posed:
    Priscilla is thankful that things were that easy to smooth over from the start. These people are clearly wary, and have been burnt before, but their concerns are simple, and their wants are not complex. Having little to no experience with true politics or diplomacy, they are much easier to deal with than trained negotiators who might squeeze this exchange for more.

    "Both art tenable leads. The former wouldst best be examined by investigative professionals. The latter, well, the Concord hast those quite skilled in subterranean survey." i.e. dungeon crawlers. "What dost thou knoweth of their capabilities?"

    Further questions may have to wait a minute, though, as they latch on to Sanary's kind of doofy disguise right away. Priscilla has no clue what Parsons is doing except trying to cover his ass (because she isn't psychic (really)). Kord is demonstrating why he promoted her. Sombra surprises her a little, as she hasn't seen her in action before. Although a radical approach, she does appreciate the steps immediately taken to distance the person the rebels react so negatively towards from the Concord party.

    "I wouldst suggest thou listen to the Count, Lady Rondel." Priscilla follows up, keeping her tone stern and level. "I am not inclined to call off Lady Sombra."

Starlight Bandits has posed:
    The air in the room is tense at Famel brute-forces his way into the bearded man's mind. It's a rudimentary mindscape, all farmland and barnyard creatures, and he has zero defence. Which is a good thing too, because he was starting to spoil for a fight. In meatspace, he just stands there, over Sanary, doing nothing.

    However, everyone remains on edge. Councilers look among themselves to the Concord and Sanary, unsure who to yell at or attack first. Until finally, Perplex slams the table with his palms. "I don't think the Concord is so simple as to let that slip," he growls, drawing everyone's attention. "However, for all our sakes. Sir," he says, looking to Flamel. "Would you mind explaining how you are so familiar with Dion?"

    He next looks to Sanary and says, "Please be honest. I don't want the book. We will carve out the future outselves, not peek at it through some book. We only wanted it to keep the loyalists from having it. But you are here, which means you had something to gain or get from being here. Why?"

Priscilla has posed:
    "It is not the Concord's business as to whomever else wishes to meet or negotiate with thee, as a matter of principle." Priscilla sternly asserts. "Such places us as active participants and peers in thine running of government, and thus I ask that thou weigh such expectations carefully. Likewise, it is not our duty to concern ourselves with the subjugation of third parties outside the loyalists until it is specified so. Do not impugn our word nor our competance." She sounds very serious --not imperious, but clearly indicating that she is approaching her limit of lip she is willing to take from farmers who are not in a position to bargain, and have yet to formally agree to anything.

    "Admittedly, I wouldst wish to hear the same from Sir Parsons. He is an exceptionally recent acquisition of the Concord's, and so I admit we hath had little time to pry for the details of his past work, nor much professional inclination to until it became relevant. Thereon, I wouldst appreciate it if thou were to answer mine questions of continuing business."

Sanary Rondel has posed:
Okay, maybe that wasn't the best excuse. Sanary scowls slightly, shooting Kord and Priscilla a look from behind the shades before lowering her hand. "Fine, fine.. Geh. Loosen up a little, huh?" She grumbles back towards Sombra, shifting around and still seeming ready to brute force her way out of the situation if necessary. She doesn't do any of that just yet, though, looking and sounding almost as tired as Kord does while staring past the gun barrel.

     "I hid it, actually. Something like that's too dangerous to have floatin' around, especially if those Loyalists assholes are as bad as you're saying." Sanary even scoffs for good measure! "Now you gonna keep that thing pointed at me, or can we work something out here?" A pause, and then she nods her head slowly towards Priscilla slowly. "... I could still have my pigs eat it, though."

Sombra has posed:
    It's better if the council doesn't think they're in cahoots with Sanary, which is why Sombra had gone to such lengths. And with them not being familiar with tech, it's difficult for them to tell that the safety on her sub machine gun is still on. "El comandante," she offers to Priscilla, "perhaps she's speaking the truth." Here she rolls her eyes slightly. "Considering she's a thief returning to the scene of the crime, I'm not sure how bright she can be, si?" Perplex has a point however, and Sombra tilts her head a bit as she allows Sanary to move towards the bench to sit down. "You still need to tell us why you're here, niñita..." So no, she's not moving the gun just yet. But at least she allows Sanary to breathe a little easier. "If you're on our side, then you should prove it."

Flamel Parsons (1094) has posed:
    "Dion's someone who owes me a favor!" Parsons says, twisting his head to Perplex in a distracted way only long enough to SMASH through the bearded man's memory of Sanary, hopefully making him stop recognizing her as familiar. Maybe make him think he made a mistake? To call off his statement enough that nobody else will examine her...? Then he shakes his head and breaks out of his astral projection. "What I mean is, a long time ago, Dion needed some help with a little problem about that book, so I gave it to him. Didn't really help him out, but he still probably owes me. Which means I can call it in, probably! You know, if we can get word to him." Is it ethical to hurt that guy this way...? Probably not. If this were about any topic BESIDES gathering books and such, Agent Parsons would probably be far more on the heroic side of things...

    "There's an Iskandrian legion or two that also also owe me a few, same as Dion! But just like Dion, it's not like there's any real, intense political alliance there. I'm a terribly /professional/ spy, you understand." He makes waving, dismissive gestures, as if he were fending off accusations. "I have a really simple goal, I just want to see the books. Apparently, you guys are the short and simple way to get to that goal, right? So, I'll help you decapitate Index, and you'll let us take the books." There's a long pause. "I mean, if you're worried about us using you both, I don't think our First is going to sacrifice her diplomatic integrity here, but honestly, if the books are so big a deal that she would, you've got some way bigger problems on your hands than us."

    Perplex has enough force to his words that Parsons gets a /very/ distinct impression that trying astral projection on him would be far less successful. He has to dance this dance directly, and he's just not very good at it. Someone help out here, he's kind of flopping fish out of water.

Count Kord has posed:
    Kord breathes a sigh through his nose as it's revealed they don't actually want the book so much as the idea that the book isn't in the hands of the Loyalists, and right now she has it and she isn't a Loyalist as far as he knows, so he redirects his attention elsewhere. He listens to what Flamel is saying and calmly flexes one of his hands, but behind the helmet the stress is a lot clearer. It's a good thing he wears it because the psychic's phrasing of what he means is very poor, at least in his eyes.

    "What he is saying is that we are here for this deal, right now, and that we have no reason to betray you as we have no strong allegiance to Dion or to the Loyalists. He is a member of a faction that was recently subsumed by the Concord, and so his dealings were separate until very recently. Right now, what he is offering you is the coincidental benefit of the information he already has. He is saying that this meeting is serendipitous, because he can get you what you are looking for: A way to deal with the Loyalists. Spy or not, he has the same purpose here, and now, as the rest of us."

    "If the offer still stands as originally stated, then we can move ahead with it. We deal with the Loyalists, and the reward you offered is ours. Simple."

    He finds his seat again. Slowly. Because he was afraid the room was going to erupt into violence and it might not do that now.

Sanary Rondel has posed:
Sanary apparently isn't all too familiar with other gun's safeties despite her own weapon having one on it, and she breathes a light sigh when Sombra relents slightly.

     Very slightly. "Hey. I just wanted to see what the commiton was all about surrounding the book. Figure out what the hell's going on out here." Rubbing her neck lightly, her hand glows green for a moment to soothe some of the pressure from earlier.

     "Like I said. I don't like the sound of those Loyalists from what I've been hearing, and this place doesn't look much better than my old home." She glances around slowly at each person in turn while taking a seat, focusing a little more specifically on the council members. "... I mean, I dunno if I can trust you after trying to steal the books after the auction, either, but I'm sure as hell not giving the book to those other guys if that makes you feel any better."

     She's trying, really! Flamel's words do seem to getting the healer confused, though, and then she narrows her eye after a moment.

     "... If there's more books like this, does that mean they need to get destroyed? Because I can do that if you need a hand. Just as long as... Uh." She stares at Priscilla next, although it might not be quite too visible to anyone that she's still somewhat uneasy about her presence. "What's the Concord's plan with the mines, anyway?"

Starlight Bandits has posed:
    Finally, Flamel explains himself. It's clear that the Council is not entirely happy with working with someone with motivations so mercenary. It's something the Psychonaut might have got a glimpse of while in Mister Beard's head. When your cause is just and your zealotry burns bright, such pragmatic goals seem lesser in comparison.

    However, Priscilla's cold tone makes them back off. She's a weird monster to them, and it's clear that she is not going to put up with them a moment longer. Kord backing up the Psychonaut seems to have them placated... for now, anyway. Perplex rubs his brow and sighs in relief.

    "Very well," he says, looking to Flamel. "If you wish to try and use your prior connection to the loyalists, please do. But take care. We don't know how many eyes and ears they have, and all of you just walked right through town. If you were recognized, your cover is blown."

    He next looks to Sanary, and looks highly exasperated. "I would call that ridiculous, and accuse you of lying... but you were involved in that farce of an auction, and won with mere barnyard animals. So I can only assume your whole existence is ridiculous." He shrugs, and gestures at the Concord. "How this is handled will be up to them, if they accept. Appeal to them if you want to help. Although, that book is a part of the Opera Bibliotheca. It is quite probably they would want it for the full collection or somesuch thing. Bargain with it if you must. As I said, we have no need to peek at the future to make it."

Sombra has posed:
    "I have no intention of working with the loyalists," Sombra agrees. "They had their chance to rule, they did so poorly." Kord words the matter quite eloquently, and the latina nods her head in agreement.

    As Sanary speaks of not being on the side of the loyalists, Sombra does move her hand away from her throat, instead resting a hand on her left shoulder instead. "That's a good girl. As for what we want? We want the information, of course!" Only a fool would pass that up. Not to mention the book Sanary has in her possession... that could be extremely useful.

    Perplex earns a look from Sombra, who pats Sanary on the shoulder. "I believe her. Because she might be utterly ridiculous like some people are, si?" Winning an auction with barnyard animals... heh. With that Sombra moves to sit down next to Sanary, her arm with the gun flung around her shoulder. "That book is indeed a bargaining chip..."

Starlight Bandits has posed:
    Finally, Perplex looks to Priscilla. "As for your question, First, I apologize for letting it go unanswered." Oh, now he's all polite to get back in her good books. "During the initial acquisition of the foretelling book, they possessed arms from beyond this world. That is the first thing worth mentioning. No doubt they squirreled some of their riches away to purchase them. Once you track them, expect more than blade and shield. That is the best I can offer. Our skirmishes with them have been limited until now."

Count Kord has posed:
    Kord is not a diplomat. He is actively stressing right the hell out right now, to the point where even his tail has unraveled from his waist and is swishing around despite his attempts to reach down and calm it with one of his hands. It is not a friendly-looking appendage and it's probably best if no one gets near the five pointy claws that apparently rest at the end of it. Thankfully, his efforts are met with the needed calm and respect, and he starts to calm down in return.

    "The book can stay in her possession, unless the First would prefer we have it," he says, his obligate deference added, "I am of the same mind: A future is always actively shaped. Such a tome would do much to inform us of possibilities, but it could also blind us with its projections and shepherd us down a path of its design. I simply don't trust it. No, I'm just here for the library."

Priscilla has posed:
    "Hmm. Very well." Priscilla answers, letting it hang for a minute. As much of a cluster that Sanary's presence is, her allies are keeping it well under control, and their potential signees seem to be eager to get back to business. "Then it wouldst be wise to assign combat personnel as well as investigative specialists. Worthwhile information, and easily accomplished. If thou hast no objections to it, I believeth it may be in our best interests to exploir Sir Parsons' stake in this matter --with ample supervision, of course."

Sanary Rondel has posed:
"... Hey. Those pigs are my goddman pride and joy. Of course they'd win if money's not going to!" Sanary shoots Beardman a direct look, sounding more irritated about them being called 'mere' animals rather than herself being called ridiculous. Scoffing again, the healer takes a seat and glances over at Sombra's gun arm for a moment before resting her hands on the table.

     "Like I said before, though. I don't know if /anyone/ can be trusted with that book, so I'll be keeping an... /Eye/ on it." She winks from behind her shades despite having only the one eye and lets that hang for a bit, then strokes her chin lightly while turning to face the rest of the Concord members.

     Kord in particular gets another grin. "'Can'? You say that like you got a choice in what happens to it." She even breaks into a laugh for a moment, then rests her head back slowly. "... Eh. If you can think of something worth trading the book for, I might be listening. But we can sort that out later. Right now?"

     She turns to Flamel and Priscilla with a cautious gaze. "What kind of stuff is int he library that you'd get this involved with... This, anyway?"

Flamel Parsons (1094) has posed:
    "I'll find a way! Worst comes to worst, we just track them in ways they don't know we can, with the leads I have. It'll be enough, I think!" Parsons is ever a bright-eyed optimist. Sometimes literally bright-eyed. "I'm sure our First knows how to handle this." He makes a plaintive gesture. "I just get information and find people. She'll figure out the other stuff."

    He turns to Sanary, then, and says, as if it's the most obvious and self-evident thing in the world, "It's a library. A big one. It's capitalized and everything." He figures out after a long pause that it may not actually be self-evident. "High volumes of cultural information and educational writing are the core pillar of understanding society's collective psyche and therefore one of the most powerful things you can understand and have." His dysfunctional dedication to preserving information at least rationalizes well.

Sombra has posed:
    "I would be best suited for investigation myself, el comandante," Sombra offers, then nods at Flamel. "Two spies are better than one, si?" She can agree with him when it comes to information being a powerful thing to have. "The library has information on this world, which is useful considering how lacking this place is when it comes to tech." Poor peasants. Perhaps they will get it someday in their lifetime.

    For now the hacker brings up another screen, now complete with a digital version of the map that the council woman showed them earlier. "I suggest we plot in the information we have, then we can be ready to move within the next days and find these <lealista>."

Starlight Bandits has posed:
    The meeting seems to be simmering down now. Thankfully, it went much smoother than it could have. Either this lot is more suited to rule than one might think... or they're just not suited at all, which renders them easy to get along with. That's not really the Concord's problem though.

    "The sooner the better, yes," Perplex says to Sombra. "Once you have a plan of attack, let us know. We'll try and keep civilians clear so you can operate effectively." He catches on fast, at least. "If there's anything more we can offer to help, let us know."

    And with that, the meeting is adjourned. The councilers just up and leave, not ones for ceremony. Each gives the Elites a look on their way past. Some hopeful, most still a bit distrustful.

Priscilla has posed:
    "More notably, this library apparently contains such works as books that claim to predicteth the future. It wouldst be negligence to not verify if other such unusual and potentially powerful oddities art still contained further inside." Priscilla remarks, a little drily. "If these men hath no wish for the book in particular, the specifics regarding Lady Rondel, I believeth, may be worked out at leisure." She then nods to Sombra, though it doesn't look like much of one at her height. "I grant mine approval. This is thine arena of specialty, in at least a sense. I wouldst likewise wish for thee to record any further information that we encounter, especially if their maps art supposedly more detailed, and especially if Sir Parsons is able to extracteth any information of use from the weak-willed amongst their number. I knoweth well Count Kord is more than capable of handling men such as these in battle. Likewise, stealth and ambush is a favourable prospect for . . . all of us, really."