| Logs |
2000-07-30
| Starfall |
| Realms |
Retired
| Reality Fault |
General Info
 |
If you can keep your head when
all about you,
Are losing theirs...
The bell for first watch has just finished its tolling when there is a knock on Carroll's door. It matches the rhythm of the watch bell perfectly, with a sharp, military precision. A pause then, a heartbeat, and then the dark fox quietly speaks. "Captain... a moment of your time? Carroll, it's me. Please."
Carroll is inside his cabin, nearly out the door. At the knock he looks over and murrs, "Come in, Dimitri," and resumes tying his boot.
Taking a step in, Dimitri shuts the door behind him. He rubs his eyes once; they are a bit hollow this morning; no sparkle or fire there. But his gaze and pace are even and silent as he sets a small bucket on the table. Taking off the wooden top lets loose the smell of hot coffee and a couple of morning bread rolls. There is a serving for one, and Dimitri doesn't really drink coffee. "Breakfast, Carroll, and some news. Two pieces actually..." The darkling sibling takes a deep breath.
Carroll's nose works at the scent of coffee, whiskers twitching. He stands and pads over to the table and murrs, "That's very kind, Dimitri, thank you." Sitting at the table, he gestures to another chair and murrs, "Please, Dimitri, sit." Only then does he cock his head and listen attentively.
"Last night I met with Bryn. Natasha and I. First and most important, I think. Pravinchandra has been dealing with the Bharat assassins. Bryn was listening in on a meeting between them." Dimitri sits down and places his arms loosely on the table. "Mostly it was Pravinchandra thugs and the Bharat representatives, but there was one other furson present. A raven. A raven wearing the uniform of a Commander of the Starfall Navy." Dimitri pauses before he continues. "There's not many ravens in the Navy, much less Commanders, and much less in port five weeks ago. Finding out who he is would be a simple question for m'ladyship Blackpool or her staff."
Carroll raises his eyebrows and murrs, "Yes, that's probably true, and a very interesting piece of information. It would have to be done very carefully, so as not to offend Lady Blackpool or make her feel as if we're accusing one of her commanders." Carroll picks up the mug of coffee, sniffsniffing at it appreciatively, and murring, "What we'll do when we know who it is I don't know, but it's very interesting." He adds, "I'll have to think about that. Go on."
Dimitri nods quietly, looking across to his brother. "That's why I'm here, Carroll. How are we going to ask? Because if you need to speak with her Ladyship I could introduce you. The Countess, the Countess is very strict on protocol and such; you should know that before speaking with her... and second..." Dimitri rubs his whiskers. "Second, I wouldn't recommend anyone leaving the ship alone, and even pairs might not be enough. Bryn also told me that Pravinchandra hasn't just been hiring a handful of thugs... they've been hiring as many as they can get their hands on."
Carroll reacts to the latter news, blinking in surprise, and as soon as he's finished his sip of coffee murring, "Oh my, that bad?" He nods, and murrs, "Until we're needed officially we shouldn't probably leave the ship at all. Then we'll take a large guard, of both our staff and staff from the Twin Mountains." He sips the coffee again and adds, "Perhaps I will ask the Council for additional guards, to prevent mishap." He considers, "Perhaps we will invite Councilman al Khali aboard before the meeting and he can conveniently escort us to the meeting. With his own staff."
Dimitri shrugs his shoulders. "They are very spooked. The fact that they would even question Countess Blackpool on the docks bothers me, Carroll. They seem to be on edge. And that's a very dangerous place to be, for both sides... and I don't want to see you hurt."
Carroll sets the coffee down and murrs, "As to meeting the Countess, I fully expect to be formally introduced to her in the course of arranging this trip to Council for our official visit. I don't expect there will be any problem asking her a question or two, even within the framework protocol allows."
"That, Carroll, sounds -- at least to me -- like a good way to approach it... not... not that my judgement has been too sound lately." Dimitri takes a deeper breath, his ears falling back along his head. "Do you have a moment more... brother?"
Carroll murrs, "Of course, Dimitri," and continues listening.
"I've... I've made a real mess of things, Carroll. I have." The tall fox just looks down, quiet for a long, long time. "I'm sorry. I just want you to know that first off. Truth. I'm going to lose the most important person in my life... and I can't let that happen. I'm going to lose all I value with my family, with you... and I won't let that happen. I need help, Carroll. I need your help. Where do I start... to put the pieces back together again... where do I start, what can I do, to be trusted again... without qualifications."
Carroll looks at the dark fox and picks up the second roll, nibbling it contemplatively, thinking. He passes the nibbled bread from hand to hand and chews, carefully building words. Finally he answers, "First, you start by being trusted again with qualifications. As time goes by the trust will grow, and the limits will shrink. Trust can be lost very quickly, and takes a long time to mend, perhaps like a broken bone."
Dimitri looks to Carroll and shrugs quietly. "That all depends if you have a mage in your troop... and I'm not skilled in magic, I guess."
Carroll smiles and murrs, "With this, no one is. It'll take time. And if it's to work at all no more damage must occur." He sips at his coffee, adding, "It would help too, to stop being sullen and angry if you can. It's unbecoming, and makes you appear thoughtless and childish. It would also help immensely for you to take advice you've asked for, and to trust the rest of us. When we suggest something you may not understand it, and there may not be time to explain it right then, but you need to assume we're trying to help you, for we are." Carroll adds, "I promise, we are."
Dimitri nods, "I know. Long time. Long time..." He just rolls the words on his tongue, still looking away. "I wish there was something I could do to show an earnest of intent..."
Carroll murrs, "Dimitri, my brother, there isn't. Patience and determination is all I can offer." He sets the mug down and continues, "If you don't understand something, ask later, when the heat of the moment has passed."
Dimitri stops then and looks back quietly. His words are soft, a seriously concerned inquiry. "Carroll... what happens when there's a conflict? Between all I have been taught and trained to do... and a suggestion from you and Alex, with no time or place to discuss it? If something went wrong... you could be hurt, or even killed."
Carroll murrs, "What happens when there's a conflict and you're hurt or killed in defending the family or myself?" He looks probingly at Dimitri, adding, "Don't think that Alex or Horatio or I wouldn't be tremendously upset if that happened." Pausing, he continues, "To answer your question, you do what you can do, and have to know that what happened happened because of a decision Alex or I made, and that we are ultimately responsible for that decision." He adds, "And, if it's me who is fool enough to get killed, you step up and do your best to be the heir to the family."
Dimitri shakes his head, "Getting killed for the family isn't in my job description, Carroll. Alex, Horatio, Father, and you deserve the very best... and that's not someone who will fail you by dying. That's my job, Carroll. Yours is heir. You always were the wisest of us. But thank you for your answer." He takes a deep, deep breath. "I need you to do me a favor, Carroll. If Natasha asks... tell her she has my heart." Pushing himself back from the table, Dimitri slowly stands. He takes a step to the door, pausing, his paw upon the handle. "I've taken up enough of your time. Thank you. I'm going to go talk to Father for a bit."
Carroll watches his brother leave, murring, "I will, Dimitri, but I suggest you tell her yourself."
Dimitri nods quietly. "Just in case..."
Carroll frowns and asks, "Dimitri, what are you going to do?"
Dimitri pauses, looking back to Carroll. His head tilts, one ear up, one ear askew. "I'm going to talk to Father about tactics."
Carroll nods and murrs, somewhat mollified, "All right, Dimitri. You're doing good work as the master of the marines. Keep at it."
At Carroll's request, Captain Winthrop sets up a meeting the next afternoon with Admiral von Rostock, officially to discuss Maidstone's differing attitudes toward privateers and pirates and to clarify the difference. The siblings are included in Maidstone's official party, since unofficially the meeting is also intended to provide an opportunity to discuss a few other items. The Admiralty furnishings are fine, but old-fashioned and a bit worn, as if they are past due for replacement. The official part of the meeting proceeds uneventfully, almost boring in its details, but eventually the participants take a break.
Horatio himself wanders towards the buffet, looking hopefully for anything with the right herbs in it to keep him awake. Finding that he'd actually started falling asleep with his eyes open towards the end of the meeting was embarrassing, but fortunately nobody -- well, except perhaps Alex, but most likely nobody else -- noticed it. Still, better to be safe... Carroll smiles, and makes idle conversation with the others, leaving his sister to ask the Countess her questions. He makes a point of introducing Dimitri and Horatio when they're close by. Dimitri stands quietly at Carroll's right shoulder, a half pace behind, a quiet and silent shadow throughout the tangled meeting. The otter and the coatimundi draw off to one side at the break, leaving their aides to their own devices, scattered in small groups around the meeting room. Captain Winthrop notices Alex on her way to the buffet and waves her over to where she is talking to the Admiral, "...tell you about it herself, your Excellency. I didn't witness it myself."
Alex paces up when Winthrop nods to her and bows gracefully to both women, then says politely, "Countess Blackpool, Captain Winthrop. How may I be of assistance?"
The Admiral looks the young vixen over critically, but not disapprovingly. "The Baroness was telling me about your elevation to Knight Companion, Dame Alexandra. You seem a bit young for the honor... can you tell me what happened?"
Alex grins, then nods quietly, "Certainly, Excellency." She describes quickly and concisely the attempted assassination and how it was foiled. Alex is careful not to let her ears fall back... she's not sure how the countess will react to the silver earring, but she certainly won't imply by her ear carriage that she's anything less than proud of it, and determined to do right by the honor.
The otter nods, definitely a bit more approvingly this time. "Ah... so that's how it happened. I'm glad you and Sir Dimitri were there. A disruption of that magnitude in a League government is never a happy thing." She glances around, almost making sure that no one else is close by before continuing. "She also indicated that you had a question or two for me?"
Alex's small mask brightens slightly, although she doesn't show in any other way that she might be talking privately to the countess. She beams and says hopefully, "Please, yes, your Excellency! If it would not be a bother, I was hoping that I might ask for a bit of advice?" She takes a breath, then adds carefully, "I know there must be a procedure for doing things like changing dishonorable discharges into honorable ones, but I don't know how one might go about doing that. Might I ask you what the procedure is, and what steps I should follow?"
The otter raises an eyebrow at that question. "The exact procedure, milady, would depend on the exact nature of the dishonor." Her eyes flick towards Dimitri, almost too fast to notice. "In some cases, it might need new evidence to review a court martial judgement. In others, there may be... external considerations that would need to be dealt with before any changes could be made."
Alex nods gravely, "I... think I understand, Excellency. Well... it is my hope then to be able to present you with such evidence and considerations in the near future, if you will permit me." She nods once to herself, then smiles, looking relieved, "Thank you so much, Excellency. Please believe me, my family and I greatly appreciate your kindness." She makes a small, polite bow of thanks, then continues, "The other thing I wanted to ask you about was... for a name, if I might so trouble you. I know that there was a raven commander of the Starfall Navy here in Starfall five weeks ago. Might I ask you who that was, Excellency?"
The otter's eyes narrow a bit at that question. "Indeed. That would be Commander McTavish, Dame Alexandra. I'm afraid you can't meet with him right now, though. He was assigned to command of the Tempest and left port about two weeks ago." She pauses for a moment. "May I ask why you are interested in him?"
Alex hesitates for a moment... then simply nods courteously, "Certainly, Excellency... it would be wrong to do otherwise, considering your great kindness today. Permit me, please, to fill in some back story..." She pauses, collecting her thoughts, then starts... after reminding the countess of the assassination attempt on Queen Arianna and the virulently poisoned dart, she tells about the attempted magical attack on the Saucy Mare and the captured individual who was of Viscount Westmark's household -- the same Viscount who alone of the Great Houses of Maidstone has a steady trade route to Bharat, who is currently under suspicion by Queen Arianna of collaborating with the Starfall ambassador improperly and of complicity in the assassination attempt; then she describes how the truth potion caused the captured individual to die.
Next she tells of learning of the assassins of Bharat, how they dressed, the strange weapons they used, and their specialties in poison, especially the poison that reacts with the truth potion to cause death. She then speaks of the meeting that was seen here in Starfall by a loyal retainer of House St. Genevieve, describing the assassins present, the Pravinchandran employees... and then the raven in Starfall Navy commander's clothing. She concludes, "I apologize that I have no proof of this raven being there, excellency, only this peculiar weapon our retainer took from the body of the individual assassin that hunted and tried to kill her when they realized she was there..." she opens her small paw, revealing the odd throwing star, "-but at worst, excellency, my family and I would like to know the names and faces of our enemies."
Alex lifts her small chin proudly, "We of House St. Genevieve try to keep our honor bright, Excellency. We do not condone or use assassins." She says the word as if it is something vile, then continues politely, "I would ask your aid, Excellency, that we may recognize all those that mean us harm but are too craven to face us honorably."
Captain Winthrop's face is completely neutral through this story -- she's controlling her reactions, but at the cost of freezing her face down completely. The Admiral continues nodding at appropriate times, her face that of someone listening to an interesting but not particularly important story. When Alex finishes, she smiles, but her expression is at odds with her words. "That would indeed explain certain things about him. Interesting. Most interesting." She holds out a hand to the young vixen. "We shall have a long talk about that when he returns to port."
Dimitri's ears just flicker, once... Alex tucks the peculiar weapon into her pouch casually, and just for a moment there is the cool glitter of relief in her eyes -- and then she's just an exuberant young woman again, her small mask alight with excitement -- just as a very young knight being honored so by the countess would look, in fact. She bows politely after the countess shakes her hand, beaming, "Thank you, your Excellency! I'd be honored!"
The admiral bows politely as well, though not as deeply as Alex. As her mouth comes close to the vixen's ears she whispers "Be very cautious, Dame Alex. And say nothing to anyone you are not sure of. There are spies everywhere."
Alex is still beaming exuberantly, but once again it doesn't reach her eyes, which are quietly, observantly wary. She nods once, then politely excuses herself so the captain and the countess can speak uninterrupted again. After that she'll swiftly trot over to the buffet for a nibble or two, and apparently happily compare flavors with her brothers... and incidentally making sure they all have some food! Alex is also careful to tell her brothers those very interesting bits of info... but later, in private, and with all the warning the countess gave her.
The meeting is called back to order shortly after Alex finishes chatting with the two senior officers, and the boring part of the meeting continues until dinner.
Another two days pass before the Council finishes its wrangling. Rumor has it that Chandra was livid when he finally realized that he didn't have the votes to expel the embarrassing envoys, and his signature is conspicuously missing from the invitation to address the Council that finally reaches the St. Genevieves. In the meantime, Farwing sends a cryptic note: "...and I am pleased to report that my inquiries, as we discussed at our last meeting, are bearing fruit..." and Bryn reports no sign of Shifty.
Sir Alexandra is an emerald-eyed young vixen with fiery
scarlet fur, proud carriage, and a quietly thoughtful demeanor. She wears
with calm assurance high leather boots and dagged rust-colored breeches
gathered at the knee. There are hints of soft yellow hosen showing through
the multiple decorative dags and slashes, and an antique gold undertunic
glows similarly from within the wide, full sleeves of her gold-buttoned
and -embroidered, dashingly scarlet, rich velvet vest. About her neck
depends the gold crescent and tree medallion, on a green-and-green
ribbon, which signifies she is a Knight and Royal Companion of the
Queen of Maidstone. She wears her full feathered, rust velvet, rolled
hat at an angle to free one silver-ringed ear, and her obviously-worn,
practical heavy rapier depends from the same sturdy leather belt she's
tucked her gloves into.
Alex smiles when Horatio walks into Carroll's cabin, "You look elegant, Horry!" She straightens his collar almost out of habit, then murmurs softly, "Let's hope you don't need to use any of the potions today, eh?" She smiles again up at him, although her eyes are a little worried.
A bit shy of five and a half feet tall, Horatio is the
shortest of the St. Genevieve sons, and the youngest. He has some noble
fox features to him, though they certainly appear muted and subdued. He
wears the uniform of his family, a pair of russet breeches tucked into a
pair of high leather boots, folded down at his knees. Close across his
chest is an elegant scarlet vest, finely embroidered and buttoned in
gold, but not expensively so. Beneath the vest he wears a pale yellow
undertunic, also modestly embroidered but still fitting for a noble's
son. Perched snugly and evenly atop his head is a rolled russet velvet
hat, and across his chest is the dull leathern strap to his ever-present
satchel, though interestingly his sword is not present.
Horatio smiles quietly. "I hope I don't, either, Alex, but just in case, I have some healing and counter-poison potions."
Alex glances over when Dimitri walks into the cabin, then does a double take, staring in astonishment... then she slowly smiles, "That... looks quite dashing, Dimitri."
The color of fire wraps the grim figure, reds and gold tunic
and surcoat falling in martial order over his rugged frame. The hints of
leather armor are a polished midnight accent, rivets and fittings shining
when the light catches them. Heavy leather boots clatter, a jingle of
spurs a fainter echo. A long cloak in the house colors fall from the
black fox's shoulders, teasing the ground, emblazoned in a pattern of
sword and pentacle. The cloak's hood is down, Dimitri's gaze sharp,
the glitter of three earrings upon one tall ear, a Maidstone companion's
pendant hung from his neck.
Dimitri looks to Alex and starts. He just nods quietly. "Thank you. We actually have four more, Alex... matching."
Alex says, "Four more er... oh! Four more people dressed so?" She nods to Horatio, looking back at him... then says gravely, "Horry... can you take one big nasty bang one? Just in case... and hopefully we won't need it."
Carroll is putting the final touches on his own outfit. As everyone enters he's adding a couple of spare throwing knives in inconspicuous places on his person. He murrs, "I see we're all in the same frame of mind as I am, today."
The fox you're looking at, Carroll Waynewright St. Genevieve,
seems completely at ease in the uniform that denotes him Captain of a
ship. His vest, a rich scarlet velvet trimmed in gold and embroidered
with the family crest, covers a yellow undertunic. He wears a pair of
rust-colored breeches, which reveal soft yellow hose through their dags
and slashes. Completing the outfit is a feathered, rust velvet rolled hat,
which he wears with style and casual elegance. His russet fur seems to
glow with life; the white under his muzzle and the flash at the end of his
full tail standing out against the red-brown of his jacket and breeches,
which blend well with his own fur. He wears a brooch at his breast of
sparkling gold and a few tiny diamonds, the pentacle and sword both the
family's crest and note of his station. Gold cufflinks and watch-chain
gleam subtly from his sleeves and vest, while his rapier hangs at his
side.
Alex grins at Carroll's throwing knives, "Yah, I did that too, Carya." She checks her father's attire also before he cloaks up, nodding quietly, "Good. We got the measurements right. I hope you like it, Father."
Horatio blinks. "Er... one big nasty bang... what?"
Alex says, "Something you could affect several people at once with, Horatio?"
Horatio says, "Oh!" He rummages through his satchel a bit. "I don't think so, Alex. That's kind of a hard think to mix, and it's not very reliable. There may be something in my cabin, but it'll be a heavy irritant to erm, everyone..."
Alex nods slowly, "Best not to then. We'll just hand out crossbows all around, I guess."
Carroll agrees, "That's probably best." He asks Dimitri, "Can you make sure that happens, please?"
Dimitri nods again as he adjusts the fall of his new uniform, its long formal patter also serving to conceal as well. Like a bloody wraith he is. "Four... for Mister Zhukov, Mister Jaeger, and Mister Danton from Maidstone... and Father, of course. All chose because we are all about the same size, the same stride. Hoods up, a shadow over father's features, and folks will just see the mantling and not what is hidden within. Mister MacKenzie has been instructed to guard the ship well, and co-ordinate his efforts with Captain Winthrop's men. Mister Hunter will be staying here... as well as Missus Langstrom, in case we need to be contacted fast."
Alex nods, satisfied, "Excellent." She turns to Carroll, "We're ready when you are, captain."
Carroll murrs, "If it's time, then let's go. We don't want to keep the Admiral waiting."
The Maidstone group and the Admiral's party leave almost together, the Admiral only about a minute ahead. Her outriders do break up a fight in the street as they pass -- whether it's coincidence or a planned delay is impossible to tell. Aside from this incident, the journey is uneventful.
The Trade Road widens out here to a large plaza. The Council chambers and offices line the east side of the plaza, while the main offices of the Admiralty and the Watch share the west side. The Ha'sheeran Embassy building, a tall metal and crystal spire, stands at the northwest corner of the area, diagonally opposite the Karadan Embassy's more traditional brick and wood complex. The Trade Road continues south into the Artisan's Quarter and north out of the city into the mining camps in the mountains.
A squad of Starfall marines stands guard at the Council building, the black and silver starburst flag indicating that the Council is currently in session. The Admiral leaves most of her guards behind and enters through a side door. The diplomatic legation is passed along in, their guards allowed to enter and stand watch with the Starfallers, but only a token pair is allowed to enter the Council Chamber with the diplomats.
The Council Chamber is opulent and designed to impress. Twenty seats are arranged in a U raised a few feet above the floor of the chamber. All twenty seats are filled today.
Carroll arrives, looking about coolly, refusing to appear impressed, nervous, or ruffled in any way. He remembers that he is representing the Queen of Maidstone, and that he is a Royal Companion, and that she has trusted him to be her words. He has the mongoose where he wants him to be. He is ready, calm, and nervous as can be. Alex walks with quiet pride next to Carroll, her head high. Today it comes down... today St. Genevieve reveals the mongoose for the vile creature he truly is. Until then she's alert and wary.
A tall shadow is at Carroll's right hand shoulder. Still and grim and militarily precise. Where he is supposed to be, protecting the Count to be... Horatio enters with the rest of the family, trying to remain calm, as if he were coming in front of an exam in front of the Academy's masters. Outwardly calm, at least. Inwardly he's alert, and he looks around mildly. Keep alert, Horatio, he entreats himself. Just like an exam, and the masters have changed one critical thing in the experiment. Find what that critical thing is, find what that one little change, that one critical change that makes the experiment work or fail...
The council chamberlain, an elderly marmot carrying a stylized harpoon, bangs the butt on the floor three times, calling the attention of the council and the gallery. "The delegation from Maidstone, your Honors."
Carroll's shadow haunts, a silent shadow, only the jingle of his spurs betraying him specifically. The colors of fire come to rest behind Carroll, like a bloody sunset. Behind each of his siblings stand their own personal guard. Zhukov for Alex... and their Father behind Horatio. It is Dimitri's cold gaze, however, that searches the deepest, ears up, earrings jangling, sharp for the first hints of anything not quite right.
The current Council Chairman is a jaguar in late middle age, recognizable from their briefings by the regular ambassador as Diego Allende. "We are pleased to welcome the special envoys from our sister city of Maidstone. Though we deeply regret the frictions which have brought you here, we hope to restore our friendship and look to the common interests that led our cities to form the League rather than continue in enmity..." The speech goes on for some little time, but finally runs out of energy. The Council looks at the St. Genevieve siblings with varying degrees of interest, curiosity or, in the case of Chandra and his cronies, distaste through outright hatred.
Alex quietly marks mentally which councilfurrs' faces show their allegiance lies with Pravinchandra. Horatio discreetly grits his teeth. Almost... almost... He glances around the council quietly, inwardly tensing. If he's going to do anything... it will have to be soon... Alex lets her eyes go half closed while the jaguar drones on... and scans casually for magical auras. She nods internally... good, only the Mages' Guild rep has any sort of aura intensification up, and that's no more than usual. Horatio's satchel is glimmering faintly, but that's it that she can see in the room. Alex also quietly swishes her tail once from side to side, locating exactly where Natasha's standing. Dimitri seeks the glint of steel... or too many guards... or folks trying to be as quietly sneaky as they are... both in the noble stations... and the commons.
Carroll moves to stand before the Council, the picture of grace and prosperity; clean, well coifed, and appearing completely sure of himself. Looking out over the Council, he begins his address, "Good afternoon, honorable Council members. As the Chairman has just said we are here today to deliver a message from Her Majesty Arianna Dunbarton of Maidstone. We hope we can help resolve this recent tension to everyone's satisfaction."
Carroll continues, "Queen Arianna wishes to convey her unhappiness and discomfort with the Starfall Ambassador, Mr. Maximilian Bridgewater, who has been gregariously bypassing protocol and apparently making secret agreements with one of the local Maidstone nobles. This is the same local noble whom evidence has begun to suggest is responsible for recent attempts on the Queen's life. This connection bothers Her Majesty a great deal," notes Carroll, "-and she would like to be somehow reassured that the ambassador is not operating with the approval of the Council. Otherwise, she will have to assume that Starfall intends to abrogate the League agreements."
Pausing only a moment to let that sink in the red fox continues, "In fact, she is beginning to wonder about the trustworthiness of this Council as a whole. At this point," murrs Carroll, "-her Majesty would like both reassurance from the Council that Ambassador Bridgewater was acting on his own, without the knowledge or support of this council, and for his diplomatic immunity to be revoked, so that he may stand trial for his actions in the Maidstone legal system."
The gallery breaks out in murmurs at the end of Carroll's opening statement, quickly hushed when the chamberlain pounds for order again. Allende looks a bit taken aback. "Your Excellencies, I can assure you that Ambassador Bridgewater acted without authorization from the Council, if these suspicions you have brought to us are indeed correct. To revoke diplomatic privilege, however, is a step that would create a grave precedent and damage the principle of embassy sovereignty. The Council must consider this request, but I suspect that it will ultimately be refused. You are, of course, welcome to expel Mr. Bridgewater if the Queen so desires."
Dimitri glances to the guardsman at his left, and then to his right... with a resigned smile, Carroll murrs, "This is not a trivial issue, your Honor. I would be remiss in my duties as Ambassador if I did not ask the Council to vote on this issue, despite any expected outcome. I would ask you to take seriously the unhappiness and discomfort of the Maidstone royalty as you consider your decision."
The mongoose can no longer contain himself at this comment. "The discomfort of royalty? An outmoded concept, Ambassador. This royalty of which you speak is willing to appoint pirates as her ambassadors, and you expect us to be considerate of her feelings?" The chamberlain is pounding for order by the end of this tirade, but somehow doesn't give the impression that he thinks it will do much good.
Alex grins at the mongoose, and cheerfully thinks he looks quite the fool! Horatio blinks at the mongoose's outburst. Royalty, an outmoded concept? That... explains much, I think... especially his disdain for any noble house! Dimitri snaps his gaze in the Pravinchandra's direction... and looking to him, his lieutenants, to intercept any commands that might be made, covered by the distracting outburst.
Carroll waits patiently for the chair's gavel to do its work, or some semblance thereof, and then responds to the objection, "If I may, sir, I would disagree with you. It is the concept of royalty that provides appropriate conditions and support for their subjects. It is also royalty that has the right to correctly promote and reward those who are deserving of it, rather than the whims of economy." With nary a pause, he continues, "As to appointing pirates as ambassadors, considering the prominence and apparent acceptance on this Council of a fraud, liar, and thief, who is willing to grind his own tenants into the ground in the name of profit, as well as blacklist honest people from their life's work for reasons of vanity, and to ruthlessly eliminate all competition so that no one may realize what a truly despicable person he truly is... I would hardly see how she could appoint anyone else."
Alex stands on tiptoe to whisper to Carroll, "Attempted murderer too." She grins at the Pravinchandra contingent, her teeth bared. Dimitri stands quiet and tall, and while he does not say a word the jangle of three gold earrings, as one ear flickers, might give a hint to where the unethical mongoose also strayed. Horatio looks to Carroll as he speaks, and a quiet, warm feeling fills him. This is it, he thinks, turning back to look at the mongoose. Here's where it comes down to the wire. The glove's been cast at your feet, damn you, he thinks at him, and it's time to end this. It's time to show the world what you've done. It's time for us to come home.
Carroll looks calmly at the Councilman, his worry that he's said too much and ruined every chance he's had trying to flare up and overpower him. Instead, he recalls Duchess White Haven's ire at how Miriam was treated, and the honor and concern of the three Maidstone Dukes for their estates and the people they are responsible for. Strengthened with such thoughts, his resolve returns, unshakable. He is sure he's doing what's right. His family is behind him, as are the attitudes of people he has grown to respect.
The gallery is hushed, apparently in collective shock at someone standing up to the mongoose. Chandra himself is both shocked and enraged, the combination effectively shutting him up and letting Allende step into the breach. "Gentles, please!" He glares at Carroll and at Subramayan, in turn. "These are serious charges, and the Council is not the place to discuss them. If you wish to pursue these accusations, do it in a court of law. The question before the Council is the request to revoke diplomatic immunity for Ambassador Bridgewater, and we shall ask that the chamber be cleared so that it might be discussed in closed session." He nods to Carroll. "Our decision will be transmitted to you as soon as possible, Ambassador."
Dimitri whispers quietly to Carroll. "You have my strength behind you, Carroll; Alex's heart, and Horatio's cunning. Take him down." Alex grins again, mentally counting to see how long Chandra's apoplexy keeps him from bursting out with another inappropriate bit of verbal diarrhea.
Carroll bows to the Chairman, and murrs, "Of course, sir. We shall await your word."
The mongoose recovers his voice just as the siblings turn to leave the chamber. "Insults and calumnies! You are going to be expelled even before your queen can expel our ambassador-" He's interrupted at this point by al Khali. "No they're not, Chandra. You couldn't get the votes before, and I don't think you'll get them now." The mongoose gives the horse a very black look. "Wastrels, just like their father. He lost his lands trying to be a merchant."
Alex turns to face the mongoose and hisses, "You LIE, you arrogant thief!"
"...gggggggggggggggggrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr..." is all that grumbles from the darkling fox. Horatio's expression darkens, closer to real anger than he has been in a very long time. Of all the...! He opens his mouth, not sure of what he'd say... then shuts it as Alex so very nicely sums up his feelings. Calm... calm, Horatio... no alchemist worth his essence of earth formulated a concoction while angry. He settles for seething, glancing to Carroll.
Carroll murrs, more calmly, "Again, sir, I must disagree with you. Our lands were taken from us by lying and fraud, with forged loans and bribed staff members." After a moment's pause he adds, "You had us convinced for a little while, too," rather calmly.
Alex grins coldly at the mongoose. Dimitri keeps his eyes narrowed, looking for any sign of more potent retribution. Horatio blinks, and remembers where he is. We're not really home yet, even with his power crumbling! He takes a quick look around the council chamber for anything suspicious creeping up on them. Carroll is letting others look worried and stare around him. He is standing on the Council floor, a bastion of calm amongst the upset and shock, looking steadily at Councilman Subramayan.
Count Timothy pulls the hood back from his head. "Unfortunately, Chandra, I never signed any loan papers -- so trying to have me declared dead and then stealing my children's inheritance is definitely theft. Trying to set them up with a faked cargo is fraud. Trying to have me killed is murder, even if your people were doing it in the Empire." The gallery this time breaks into almost hysterical noise, and the Councilmen themselves are in shock. The foxes... all five... turn and leave as the Council delegates begin shouting at each other.