A Meeting with the Chancellor [Closed]

[rivechancellor]

WHO: Chancellor Nachitah and those approved on the list
WHAT: Meetings to decide council members
WHERE: The Castle
WHEN: Day 58 (May 16) -- noonish

Comments

[necroshmancer]

Jade arrived scrupulously on time. Not one minute early, but not one minute late either.
He strode through the halls with his hands in his pockets and the look of a cat that had gotten the cream, or the mouse, or something equally delightful.

Truth be told, he didn't even really notice the guards. As long as they were armed with conventional weapons, and not those long range guns he considered them inconsequential.

"I'm here to meet with the chancellor, yes", he answered while making his way to the closest bench, sitting down and crossing his legs casually.

[rivechancellor]

"You are not the type to indulge in casual conversation to pass the time, are you? At least, you do not seem that way to me." She walked over and leaned against the wall next to the bench. "A military man, correct? Are you the type to seek out a problem and deal with it in the most direct and efficient manner possible?"

[necroshmancer]

"That's why they pay me a sizable salary."

He turned towards the woman and smiled, a smile that did not reach his eyes.
"I assume you are the Chancellor? I am Colonel Jade Curtiss, 3rd Malkuth Army Division. But you know this already and I am only going through the motions of amiability because they are expected in such situations. What I am currently interested in is what you might not know about some of the people who came to see you today."

(ooc: Apologies for the late reply, I just returned from hiatus.)

[rivechancellor]

Well, that made things easier if not a little awkward; no one else had seen through her so quickly.

She nodded and smiled pleasantly, outwardly appearing quite unruffled. "I am indeed the Chancellor. As for the other people I have and will be interviewing... what is it you wish to tell me about them?"

His word was as good as anyone else's, but it would certainly reflect on him what it was that he chose to tell her.

[necroshmancer]

"I wouldn't really say I am going to tell you anything, Chancellor. Telling has a rather unsavory connotation to it. I am not a man interested in hearsay and fairy tales, so I would much rather show you."

Jade patted the diary he took out of his pocket and laid next to him on the bench.

"My only goal is to make sure that the council will be made up of trustworthy allies. Which I assume would also please the Queen. Now, I wouldn't want to step on any toes when it comes to your investigative forces, but if I may..."

[rivechancellor]

"By all means, show me, Colonel Curtiss. That goal is indeed mine as well, or I would not have taken such painstaking measures to interview each potential Council member individually."

She decided to sit down on the edge of the bench that was still open on the other side of where he'd placed the journal, that way she could see what he was pointing out.

[necroshmancer]

Jade moved a little closer, so that the journal was be between him and the chancellor, readable to both.

"Some of the Council hopefuls have openly mentioned the fact that they consider themselves as part of the Resistance, and have even started to organise meetings. I am well versed in some of their plans, as I have a spy feeding me information. But even disregarding that, they have been quite careless."

He pointed to a particular page, then continued, "Here, for example, Zexion is calling for people to join the Resistance. It's easy to pick out the sympathisers from their comments. You can see more here. And here..."

He flips a few pages, then points out a feminine handwriting, "You can see Claire Bennet actively recruiting neutral residents of Rivelata. Now since she has also given her location, I was going to pay her a little visit myself but then decided that the Queen might frown over such vigilante behavior... and that she might have them watched already."

[rivechancellor]

"I am quite aware of the young lady's other activities and will be taking it into consideration when I decide upon who is fit to sit at the Queen's Council. Are there other things you wish to show me or might we speak more about yourself and what you might bring to the Council, Colonel?" She was pretty much matching him in his speaking tone, all the while smiling down at the journal and not looking at him.

[necroshmancer]

Jade smiled. But the smile didn't warm up his features, and the cool crimson gaze fixed on the Chancellor did not waver.

"I have no interest in narrating a charming little biography, or in convincing you of whether or not I have a place on the Council. Because based on your comments and on my assessment of your personality, you know all about the residents of the city and have already decided on who you will choose.."

Jade got up, and stuffed his hands in his pockets.

"This was as much a test for me as it was for you. I'm positively curious, waiting to see if you will let some of these people leave the palace. Or do you have another plan? Personally, I like to keep my enemies where I can see them."

He gave a short, jaunty, little bow, his hands still in his pockets, "I heard a rumor about the Resistance planning a masqued ball. Perhaps we should attend together to see what they are planning?"

[rivechancellor]

At first the Chancellor was simply nodding politely, smiling as the Colonel well... it was a compliment in her book, really.

Then that last question.

She gave a short bark of laughter - amused and stunned all at once. She took her head for a moment, bit her lip, and then smiled back up at him with a knowing grin. "Actually... I think that is a positively marvelous idea, Colonel Curtiss. I shall attend as myself - Ashire - unless it becomes absolutely necessary that I reveal myself. Naturally, the other potential Council-members will already know who I am. I simply do not wish to make a large show of it."

[necroshmancer]

"I completely understand, which is why a masked ball is a perfect opportunity to mingle without rousing suspicion."

Jade nodded towards the guards in the garden.

"And as you also know, I am sure, you do not require your entourage. I would gladly ensure your security", the smile on his face grew wider, there were few things he was prouder of than his prowess with fonic artes, "I'm worth at least a dozen of those men of yours."

[rivechancellor]

"I suppose all that is left to wonder then is how we shall arrive there. Naturally I also do not know where it is being held nor when though I do believe I will be able to find a costume in time. Any thoughts, Colonel Curtiss?" She left un-debated the question of her personal protection.

[necroshmancer]

Jade slipped a hand out of his pocket, and pushed his glasses back up his nose. "I do believe that I should meet you in a neutral location, not the palace, before we make our way to the ball. It would be better, in order hide your identity. I shall investigate and find the time and date, then have a note delivered to your guards. Does this sound acceptable to you?"

[rivechancellor]

She smiled in return. "It sounds fabulous. I await your letter. I will be dressed in white with a swan mask, as I have just decided that at this moment."

[[As of [this comment] the thread is taking place as a secondary meeting on DAY 67.]]