That works for me. They're sending a friend of theirs to get in touch and collect me, probably from the Crossing. [ Yikes. ] I can meet you there ahead of time if that suits.
[ A minute or so passes, and then the video flickers on to a view of his new surrounds. A stall of maps and trinkets to his left, jugs and dishes to his right. ]
I'll be around here, one of the halls nearest the main gates. Come whenever you can.
[ He supposes a busy place is a good one to blend it, but it still sets his nerves on edge. ]
I'll see you there. We've met before.
[ Then, as a reminder. ]
I commented on the rune in your unusual structurally-challenged friend.
[ What happened to blob, anyway? Wrathion makes his way down, anyway, in his best attempt at dressing down -- which is a plain black cloak that doesn't really blend him in because he has the stage presence of someone who naturally loves attention.
[ Ah. Met before they most certainly have. (A decent reminder to check on blob, alive and well in a stolen crate tucked away in the corner of the southern tower, where - he hopes - it hasn't yet seen and tried to emulate any of their more daring feats of dragon battle.) And so when Wrathion makes his appearance, Stephen doesn't need a second glance to recognise him.
He himself is largely unchanged since that first meeting, though the desert suit's been replaced not with the struggling garments of Alem but his own robes. He's yet to try on anything here that he's found any warmer.
A raised hand in greeting at his approach, and once they're in comfortable enough earshot of one another for Stephen to talk at a volume that'll disappear into the hubbub for anyone stood further away: ]
I don't how long until we're collected, but we should have some time.
[ To talk. And to prepare, just in case. On which note... ]
I assume their willingness to meet shows a lack of ill will. But if things go badly, I can get us out of the way quickly.
[ The mild response of an overconfident person who can turn into a dragon, and thus assumes they will win all potential battles.
He folds his arms, frowns at Strange. ]
Do you think their information is true, or that they were fed it as part of a strategy?
[ There are other potential options, of course. Halfway points between those two, strategies with partial truths, misunderstandings leading to them saying this. Something isn't quite right here, but Wrathion cannot put his finger on it currently. ]
I think there's enough truth in it to make the misinterpretation possible.
I spoke to Deimar. He was surprised to hear what he's allegedly done. He's done something, he admits that much, enough to make room for misinterpretation - but not what he's accused of. I'm inclined to believe him, but I need the detail of the message to fill in the gaps. He was too irate to give me more than a denial.
[ Not that he's one to blindly trust a near-stranger with his life, but the king has already spared it once. That's enough reason to gift him at the very least the benefit of the doubt. ]
He has to keep his voice incredibly measured here, low as he lays out his points. Deimar's given him an ultimatum where this is concerned, he can't risk being overheard and understood by anyone outside of their number. ]
Leak what? It's a secret meeting only because the informant would rather Alem not know who they are. Either the information's true, my previous puppeteer planted the false information, or it's court gossip - meaning he either already knows or is unlikely to care about the intricacies so long as they result in trouble behind enemy lines.
What could I tell him that would matter, even if it were to happen again?
I'm not sure, given we haven't had the meeting yet, but there may be something. Likely we have leaks already, to some degree, but it's never good to make them worse in a war. It loses us any element of surprise.
[ Either against Alem, their local undead lord, or both. Or someone else, if a third party is steering this. ]
I'm more concerned about getting enough information to circumvent an insurrection than I am the hypothetical risk I pose to an as yet unidentified element of surprise, but your concerns are noted and I can assure you I don't have any plans to play pawn again.
[ Beyond that, Stephen doesn't appear to be going anywhere, so the noting of his concerns would appear to be as good as it gets. ]
Of our number, maybe not. But the people in this place aren't all convinced of their king's right to his crown, and the more understanding we have between ourselves the less likelihood of misinformation being used to turn an internal tide.
[ Oh. Confidence is easy to portray when you've lived your life with it, when more recently an air of certainty in your own decisions is all that's got you and others through some of the stickier situations you've found yourself in. But as the truth of it so often is - betrayed by that total failure to recognise what Wrathion had been referring to, blocking it out and latching onto something else entirely - he's terrified. He knows exactly what he's capable of, and to have that power in somebody else's hands...
For a moment it looks as though he might bristle, come back with a retort. Then the wind goes out of his sails and his shoulders sag a little. The concern is fair, and the reality is this: ]
I've heard a frying pan helps. [ Wry, but it's earnest too: he'll put himself out of the running with steeper measures than that if he starts to suspect Rathakku's trying for him again. Failing that... ] And I have an associate who's agreed to handle me if I become a problem.
[ 'Associate'. That's one word for Wanda, found in a pinch. ]
If it happens, I won't make it out of this castle.
[ A pause, a hesitation -- Wrathion and Strange have something in common here. They'd both much rather entirely ignore the things that frighten them, and move on from them once they're over. Still, after a moment he allows this much: ]
This one has no power over me, but a previous member of their family did. When the risk came, I moved myself as far out of range as I could and made sure a limited number of people knew where I secured myself. I managed to stay clear, but if I hadn't I'd have been in a similarly explosive situation to you.
[ He's quiet for a moment, contemplating the kindness that's just been extended to him. Finally a nod, silent gratitude and comprehension in one. ]
If it weren't for Irenia I'd try for the same. As it is... [ As it is, he hopes for the best and prepares for the worst, jumping at shadows and rumours in the meantime. The change of subject is marked by only the slightest pause, and then he leaves their moment of sharing behind them and brings them back full circle to the point. A little more honest this time. ] Deimar won't help himself. Until we have a confirmed reason to doubt him, I want to do what I can to keep us off his plate.
[ Stephen's already very much made himself Deimar's problem, and been granted more forgiveness than he's earned. The bottom line of that is that it serves the crown better to have their new heroes remain heroic - but he's still been spared consequences that were his to bear, through no small effort from the king. It's only fair he reimburse some of that investment if he can. ]
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Simply let me know when and where in the Crossing I'm finding you.
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I'll be around here, one of the halls nearest the main gates. Come whenever you can.
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I'll see you there. We've met before.
[ Then, as a reminder. ]
I commented on the rune in your unusual structurally-challenged friend.
[ What happened to blob, anyway? Wrathion makes his way down, anyway, in his best attempt at dressing down -- which is a plain black cloak that doesn't really blend him in because he has the stage presence of someone who naturally loves attention.
... And has glowing red eyes. ]
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He himself is largely unchanged since that first meeting, though the desert suit's been replaced not with the struggling garments of Alem but his own robes. He's yet to try on anything here that he's found any warmer.
A raised hand in greeting at his approach, and once they're in comfortable enough earshot of one another for Stephen to talk at a volume that'll disappear into the hubbub for anyone stood further away: ]
I don't how long until we're collected, but we should have some time.
[ To talk. And to prepare, just in case. On which note... ]
I assume their willingness to meet shows a lack of ill will. But if things go badly, I can get us out of the way quickly.
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[ The mild response of an overconfident person who can turn into a dragon, and thus assumes they will win all potential battles.
He folds his arms, frowns at Strange. ]
Do you think their information is true, or that they were fed it as part of a strategy?
[ There are other potential options, of course. Halfway points between those two, strategies with partial truths, misunderstandings leading to them saying this. Something isn't quite right here, but Wrathion cannot put his finger on it currently. ]
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I spoke to Deimar. He was surprised to hear what he's allegedly done. He's done something, he admits that much, enough to make room for misinterpretation - but not what he's accused of. I'm inclined to believe him, but I need the detail of the message to fill in the gaps. He was too irate to give me more than a denial.
[ Not that he's one to blindly trust a near-stranger with his life, but the king has already spared it once. That's enough reason to gift him at the very least the benefit of the doubt. ]
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I see. I suspect you may be right, and misunderstandings or half truths may be at play. However, I do wonder if you should be involved.
[ Blunt, but Wrathion doesn't dress things up. He tilts his head. ]
You've been controlled once. Are you sure you won't be again? Not much of a secret meeting if we have a leak.
Bus tag this time, more ominous levitating just for you
He has to keep his voice incredibly measured here, low as he lays out his points. Deimar's given him an ultimatum where this is concerned, he can't risk being overheard and understood by anyone outside of their number. ]
Leak what? It's a secret meeting only because the informant would rather Alem not know who they are. Either the information's true, my previous puppeteer planted the false information, or it's court gossip - meaning he either already knows or is unlikely to care about the intricacies so long as they result in trouble behind enemy lines.
What could I tell him that would matter, even if it were to happen again?
Strange just showing off tbh
[ Either against Alem, their local undead lord, or both. Or someone else, if a third party is steering this. ]
finally he stops floating around
[ Beyond that, Stephen doesn't appear to be going anywhere, so the noting of his concerns would appear to be as good as it gets. ]
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[ Really. ]
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[ Strange is all confidence, but Wrathion isn't sure confidence will stop their undead lord claiming him again if he desires to. ]
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For a moment it looks as though he might bristle, come back with a retort. Then the wind goes out of his sails and his shoulders sag a little. The concern is fair, and the reality is this: ]
I've heard a frying pan helps. [ Wry, but it's earnest too: he'll put himself out of the running with steeper measures than that if he starts to suspect Rathakku's trying for him again. Failing that... ] And I have an associate who's agreed to handle me if I become a problem.
[ 'Associate'. That's one word for Wanda, found in a pinch. ]
If it happens, I won't make it out of this castle.
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[ A pause, a hesitation -- Wrathion and Strange have something in common here. They'd both much rather entirely ignore the things that frighten them, and move on from them once they're over. Still, after a moment he allows this much: ]
This one has no power over me, but a previous member of their family did. When the risk came, I moved myself as far out of range as I could and made sure a limited number of people knew where I secured myself. I managed to stay clear, but if I hadn't I'd have been in a similarly explosive situation to you.
[ So, in a round about manner: he understands. ]
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If it weren't for Irenia I'd try for the same. As it is... [ As it is, he hopes for the best and prepares for the worst, jumping at shadows and rumours in the meantime. The change of subject is marked by only the slightest pause, and then he leaves their moment of sharing behind them and brings them back full circle to the point. A little more honest this time. ] Deimar won't help himself. Until we have a confirmed reason to doubt him, I want to do what I can to keep us off his plate.
[ Stephen's already very much made himself Deimar's problem, and been granted more forgiveness than he's earned. The bottom line of that is that it serves the crown better to have their new heroes remain heroic - but he's still been spared consequences that were his to bear, through no small effort from the king. It's only fair he reimburse some of that investment if he can. ]
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I hope your faith in Deimar is rewarded.
[ And, on the same note, Wrathion hopes all of them don't find themselves subject to any more unpleasantness than the usual. ]