Scene #1397:

Owner	Pose
Gakupo Kamui	A strange sound can be heard outside the forest of Mirkwood. It's a sound that's different enough to garner attention! Though it's not the bellowing of a horrible monster or the roaring of a monsterous beast. Such things would mean ill tidings for the Silvan elves within. No, this is a different kind of sound. It's a sound that's as bright and happy as the forest is dark and ominous. It's... a song? Chasing, chasing the fading vapor trails It hasn't changed since the day we crossed that hill, and never will So that we will always have it We'll guard the strength of a sea god, surely The blades of the windmill that turn in the sky Always have the same dream The dream of a bird, her wish kept to herself, Gazing at the place she can't reach What the...? Who would come to the edge of Mirkwood and sing? Not only that, but it sounds as though an entire troupe of musicians have come to the edge of the dark woods to perform their craft. Drums, stringed instruments, and a strange, ghostly not-quite voice singing in wordless tones. All meshing together for the song. But... there is an inconsistency. That inconsistency is... that there is only one man there. An odd-looking fellow to be sure, his hair a blueish shade of purple, done up in a topknot. There's so much hair that even in the topknot it almost pools behind him where he sits. He wears an odd style of wrapped robe-like garment, a thin light blue inner robe with a thicker royal blue outer robe, and a purple garment much like a cloak but with sleeves over that. It's worn mostly open, but the two sides of the coat are bound together loosely by a lavender cord tied in a thick knot. He wears white trousers, loose and pleated, and the sheath of a sword sticks through the band holding them closed. Glimpses of a light blue garment that's probably tight on him can be seen at his neck, it's the same color as the boots he wears. And he has an odd black-and-red contraption covering his ears. From it a small device protrudes, in front of his mouth as he sings. There is no campfire or other traveler's preparations before him. But these are not the only odd things here. The song itself is... strange. Not bad wholesale though, so there is that. The singer is not off-key, neither does the voice scratch or skip. Nothing so blatant. It just has an odd metallic undertone that an elf's keener hearing is sure to pick up on. A being of lesser hearing would probably miss it entirely.
Thranduil	Thranduil is lurking near the border of the sickly forest, having just returned after a diplomatic mission. Riding astride his majestic elk, he enjoys the quiet as the birds chirp softly and there are a bunch of butterflies scattering as he rides through the high grass. "A Bard. What brings you to the borders of this forest?"
Gakupo Kamui	Suddenly there's a fellow on an elk approaching! Mid-song Gakupo stops to regard him. The melody also comes to a halt too. So he must have somehow been the one somehow producing it, even though he wasn't noticeably playing any instruments! Quickly Gakupo stands, so he can move quicker in case the fellow means him harm. He bows politely. "Forgive me, I did not mean to intrude." Gakupo speaks in archaic Japanese, since through none of his travels in this world has he seen a single major piece of technology. Which probably meant his wifi wasn't receiving signals, either! "I was merely exploring, and I have not made preparations to go into such a forest, so I thought t'would be better if I did not enter." So, at least ONE person obviously from outside who has the sense-- and politeness-- enough not to go into Mirkwood! As Gakupo straightens, he pauses to look at the man mounted on the elk again. And something odd happens. He seems to freeze, not even breathing. And the catch lights in his eyes begin to sweep from one side to the other. Why? It wouldn't be readily apparent. But Gakupo is comparing the features of this man. Those ears. The elk-riding one has pointed ears. And the shape of his face... human features aren't that chiseled. The cheekbones are too high, the chin too pointed. But it's not in an unpleasant way. It's the kind of features that fantasy actors spend hours in the makeup chair for a pale imitation of. After a moment Gakupo unfreezes, and blinks. "Er... I do beg your pardon, I mean no disrespect in asking..." He bows once more, in apology. "But might you be an elf, good sir? I have never seen one before."
Thranduil	The Multiversal Effect translates most of what people say into Sindaran, but some words don't have an equal. "You display good sense by not venturing into the forest. It is quite ill and suffering several enchantments. It can drive one quite mad. " The Elvenking bows slightly in return, lowering his eyes with his fist going across his chest. "I am Thranduil, king of the Woodland Realm. These woods are know as Mirkwood, though at some point in the past they were once known as Greenwood The Great. I admire your common sense. I cannot measure how many strangers to Middle Earth have run into the woods with no knowledge and found themselves in mortal danger."
Gakupo Kamui	"Thank you, good sir." To the mention of his good sense. "I would not wander in unprepared and alone, no. I had heard that some of the creatures that reside in this forest are evil and barbaric," Gakupo replies, shaking his head. Translation effect again, he understood 'fell creatures' as something completely different-- the Japanese equivalent of 'fell creature' is apparently something closer to 'barbarian' or 'outsider'! Though wait a minute... this fellow's not only an elf, but an elf KING?! Gakupo's drawn the top card on the first go, it seems! "Oh, oh..." Covering his mouth in surprise a moment, he realizes after a moment that maybe a proper greeting should be appropriate! Robots are dumb sometimes. This time it's a deep, respectful bow as he offers, "I am Gakupo Kamui, Your Majesty."
Thranduil	Thranduil bows his head again. "It has been unusual to meet someone with enough sense to not rush in and try to make a name for themselves by stirring a nest of giant spiders or a mass of Orcs. There are many foul creatures beyond these borders. The kingdom of the Silvan Elves lies along the path near the river, but to deviate from the path may prove deadly. What brings you to Middle Earth?"
Gakupo Kamui	Gakupo smiles a little. "Forever does the young adventurer seek the label of 'hero'. Admirable but... a man seeking that label returns as either a hero or a corpse. I am no hero, Your Majesty, so there is little doubt which I would return as," he says, with a slight playful note in his voice. He suppressed the chuckle behind a knuckle placed against his bottom lip. As for what brings him to Middle Earth? "Merely exploring. I must confess that when I heard of the forest and its troubles, I did come to see. But from the outside. If your kingdom is in need of assistance, I may be able to offer it. There are stronger warriors than I, but I can hold my own in a battle." And he is visibly armed, if the thing sticking out of the band of his trousers is a thin, slightly curved blade.
Thranduil	"I have met several so-called heroes. Most barely escaped with their lives. I have been attempting to decide whether we should remain neutral or if it would be beneficial to our kingdom to ally with either the Union or Confederacy. It is normally policy to not take sides, but it could help our battle against the Necromancer to have more allies."
Gakupo Kamui	Necromancer? That's a word that takes some doing to translate. It ends up being a word that has connotations of both 'priest' and 'witch'. Which is confusing to Gakupo. "... An evil priest?" Gakupo confirms. A look to the forest. "'Tis definitely a thing that would be difficult to deal with alone. I am a part of the Union myself, so my views are perhaps biased. Though it is possible that the Necromancer will look for outside help as well. Perhaps it already has." Being an android, calling a person of indeterminate gender 'it' doesn't strike him as odd. "It is possible that, were you to join one of the factions, you could send out a warning that could reach more people," he suggests. "A warning to keep out of the forest unless any who enter have protection and assistance from the dangers that lurk within. At the same time you may be able to recruit others for the battle against this Necromancer."
Thranduil	@emit The Elvenking furrows his mighty brow. "I had not considered that he would ally with the enemies. This oversight could possibly cause us to be overrun by Orcs and Undead." He turns to look back at the forest, frowning. "With whom would we speak to address this problem? Thank you for bringing it to my attention. In return is there anything I can do for you?"
Gakupo Kamui	"A man by the name of Nathan Hall should be able to tell you more," Gakupo replies. "There is also one named Paarthurnax, but..." He hedges. But not wanting to seem as though he were being untrustworthy, he admits, "You see, General Paarthurnax is a dragon. Not one of your world, though. Still, it could be... uncomfortable for you to speak to a dragon if what I have have heard is true and those of your world are evil. Hence you may wish to speak to General Hall instead" He can't possibly know about Thranduil's... PERSONAL dislike of dragons, so the mention is not made to anger the Elvenking. Further to his credit Gakupo's being forthright and up-front about the presence of a dragon there. As well as concerning himself with Thranduil's peace of mind, given what little he knows about middle Earth's dragons. Of course, getting a dwarf guffawing in your face when mentioning a 'benevolent' dragon sets opinions very quickly...
Thranduil	"I see. Yes, I would prefer to not speak with a dragon. There is one not far from here, so I Would use extreme caution if traveiling to the east. If you join our forces against those of Dol Guldur, you may become a great warrior. The strength of a warrior is not always measured in physical strength. Perhaps there is a place for you."
Gakupo Kamui	Again Gakupo covers his mouth in surprise. "I would not like to meet one of your world's dragons, Your Majesty. No offense to you or your world meant," he offers politely. "I will take heed of your warning, and I thank you." Now... the translation effect doesn't help much for proper names. And Gakupo's ability to speak English is... limited. True, this isn't English, but if his command of such a basic language is lacking, there really is no hope for him to be able to wrangle the phonemes of THIS language into some semblance of order. Which is proven when he tries to say the name of the place. "...D-Doru... Gaarudaa?" He shakes his head. "My apologies, Your Majesty, I realize I have very likely horribly mispronounced it. My databanks contain naught but the language of my world, and it is difficult to speak others." Speaking of other languages... would there even be a word for 'databanks' in Sindaran? Library? Possibly with the connotation that the library is quite literally inside of him somehow?
Thranduil	"I once hunted the foul serpents of the North. What are databanks?" He had never heard that word before. "I suppose it is understandable. I and my son speak Sindaran while the Silvan Elves speak primarily Naldor. If it is information you seek I must direct you to the libraries in The Last Homely House in Rivendell. Whie we do have a spacious library, but the High elves are more cerebral."
Gakupo Kamui	Oh, so he's a dragon-slayer too? Even better to keep him away from Paarthurnax, then. Maybe the dragon general could smell dragon blood on Thranduil somehow and that might put the general off dealing with him in a polite manner. There'd be tension all around, and tension is never good for negotiation. Anyway. How to explain databanks! "Er... I am an artificially-created being, Your Majesty," he explains. "An... automaton, perhaps? I have 'libraries', but not as you know them. Data banks are... 'information storage'. Not in a physical form. In the form of... memories. I retain mine artificially."
Thranduil	"You are a golem? How very interesting. The Multiverse is very strange with many strange beings within it. i suppose others would think the same of Middle Earth. It is more simplistic without its devices called telephones. We are comfortable without it. Just do not become captured or they may attempt to duplicate you."
Gakupo Kamui	Gakupo nods. "A... 'living' golem, if you will. I am under no one's direct orders but mine for the actions I take." Golems had commanders, right? Masters? Things like that? On the subject of being duplicated? "That would be unpleasant," he agrees. "Not only as I would be taken apart, but the damage a duplicate of me could do, if only to others' hearts. My purpose is music, not causing harm to others." However about Middle Earth? "I do not think Middle Earth strange. My world had a period much like this. I think of it not as 'strange' or 'backwards', but as a simpler time. A harder time, but a simpler one. In my country it was a time of honorable knights serving great kings." He looks embarrassed a moment. "Well... that's somewhat romanticized, I freely admit. But my world had a time like Middle Earth. So I do not think of it as so different."
Thranduil	Thranduil relaxes just a bit. "Music. You would perhaps be welcome in our halls. There are four races. Elves, Hobbits, Men and Dwarves. There is another potential race of which Beorn is the only known member. We are on the verge of war...on several different fronts. Perhaps your people and our people can ally against te dragon under the mountain."
Gakupo Kamui	Gakupo bows in thanks as Thrnaduil mentions 'possibly' being welcome. "I thank you for the kind words, Your Majesty." With the understanding that he did say 'perhaps'. Proving himself would be important, Gakupo figures. He listens to the information, processing it, storing it away for later use. "'Hobbit'? What is a Hobbit?" Many worlds had elves, humans, and dwarves, after all. But he's never heard of a 'Hobbit' before. As for allying? Gakupo nods. "I would be willing to assist where I could. I would hope the Union would send those who would also assist-- OH!" Suddenly he remembers something! "The Syndicate!" Translates to something like 'cartel' or 'guild'. "The Syndicate is a neutral group of mercenaries that can take up tasks posted by members."