Nissa begins with one simple question. “Why?”
She isn’t sure if the implication is obvious. She lets the one word linger.
“Why did you kill Nurse Patton and Dr. Zimmer?”
There are follow-ups. There are questions Nissa will ask anyway. But she wants to hear this first.
As usual, Charles stays in the background during the negotations, watching and listening. He pays particular attention to Eleu and Keleini, trying to catch any signs of openings that they could take advantage of.
He's less than certain about bringing the Warlock in now, but... he still stays silent. It had to happen sooner or later. At least the influence of the Sword would help here.
"Who?" the evil monster asks.
When you explain, he replies, "They would have tried to stop me from leaving. I heard what they said about my weapons being brought to me and I decided to take back what was mine. They simply were in the way."
He thinks for a second and then adds ... "Besides, they disrespected me."
Nissa somehow conceals her feelings of murderous rage.
“Right. In the way of returning your belongings. So you just proved my claim we were gonna give your stuff back. Thank you for that.
“But tell me something. The technology comes from several other worlds. So, how is any of that stuff yours?”
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Theo quickly laughs uproariously.
"Oh! They disrespected me! Boo hoo! Look at me! I'm a little baby who can't take the whole great big multiverse been [u]indifferent[/u] to me!! I have the blood of gods running through my veins, but I can't handle someone who's trying to help me! Boo hoo! I don't wanna look weak, despite the fact I've been temperal-locked for untold eons. Boo hoo! Boo hoo hoo!"
The Olympian stands up from the table and stares down The Prince.
"I KNEW AS SOON AS YOUR 'SCIENTISTS' STUDIED THESE DEVICES THAT YOU WOULD STEAL THEM FROM ME!" the Prince shouts, standing. The sword clangs to the floor. He's visibly shaking as he does.
"Quiet!" shouts Gilladhand
"You said you would ask questions, not mock and insult the Prince!" shouts Eleu.
"Quiet!" shouts Gilladhand again.
When the Prince sits again, Gilladhand places the sword on his lap again.
"Do you have any more questions for this man?" he asks.
Theo matches The Prince's movement and sits down, not taking his steely eyes of him. "Two people who tried to help you died at your hand. Because you were inconvenienced."
Nissa remains exactly as composed as before the outburst. Of course she approves of Theo’s mockery, but she can’t show it at this time.
“I have plenty of questions. But I’d rather not move forward until my second question is answered. I’ll repeat it. Prince, you already admitted we were going to give you back your stuff. But how is all of this magitech from other worlds yours?”
Theo matches The Prince's movement and sits down, not taking his steely eyes of him. "Two people who tried to help you died at your hand. Because you were inconvenienced."
Nodding along; having been startled and a little alarmed at the outburst-THeo is one scary tangential demigod. "Low impulse control is bad for business, and for the business partner." Zellgato quietly inputs prior to Nissa continuing. Leaving that lingering thought towards the other deligation-about how easily he killed, how bad it is for the wallet, and how easily he'd kill any "partners" who he does not deem equal.
Kai agrees that the warlock's insecurities and propensity to kill for the slightest offense would be liabilities for anyone trying to use him, and hopes that Keileni will see that as well. However, Theo's outburst, as effective as it may have been, was also counterproductive. They could not afford to lower themselves to the prince's level.
[dice=Bluff (composure)]d20+14
Nissa remains exactly as composed as before the outburst. Of course she approves of Theo’s mockery, but she can’t show it at this time.
“I have plenty of questions. But I’d rather not move forward until my second question is answered. I’ll repeat it. Prince, you already admitted we were going to give you back your stuff. But how is all of this magitech from other worlds yours?”
"These things were given to me by my father, by his friends, all Atlantean Princes, gathered from Atlantean colonies on worlds they ruled," replies the Prince. "How could they not be mine?"
"Many worlds in the TAROTverse," says Keleini, "are led by nations that colonized other nations, extracting rich resources and demanding trade deals that benefited those in power while impoverishing those who already had little. Does your world not have such a history? It would be in the minority from what I have seen."
Eleu gives Keleini a nod as if to say 'argument well-made.'
Nissa nods. “We do.
“We also have a history of taking by force. My family’s land, through no fault of my family, was taken from its rightful owners.”
To the prince, “You said people of our world rejected your rule. I saw the vision of humans and your servants in battle. I was saddened by it… at the time, I thought you were the victim, but… ‘rejected my rule’ were your words to me after the murder. It was under the Sword of Truth’s power, so I don’t question the sincerity.
“Just, in your opinion, what made you think you were in charge of my world?”
"Your world was granted to me by my grandfather, who himself sat on the knee of his grandfather Atlas, son of Poseidon. It's oceans were mine to rule, and its land, my right to subdue. My subjects were ungrateful," he says matter of factly. "I have done nothing that is against Atlantean law and I demand to be freed."
Pah's big fishy eyes are staring at Zellgato imploringly.
“You were defeated,” Nissa replies. “If my world’s history’s gonna be brought into this. We have a history of overthrowing conquerers. You lost to our world two thousand years ago, and you lost again two days ago, to us.
“You own nothing.
“You should be held to your own words of surrender—to accept whatever punishment our world gives. They were insincere, or you wouldn’t demand to opposite now, but the declaration was your idea. It was your term of surrender and is the reason you still live.
“Does violating your own term of surrender constitute a violation of Atlantean law?”
Regardless of the answer, Nissa will give Zellgato the floor.
The Atlanteans seem surprised at the idea that breaking a promise to surrender would violate the law. Eleu and Keleini mutter about it, but you can hear the words "... never surrender ...".
"An Atlantean never stops fighting," the would-be Prince says.
“So your people’s saying goes, I guess, or how else did the sword let you say that? You DID stop fighting. Like a coward, on your knees when you know you can’t win. Am I lying? Or is it true that you dropped to your knee and surrendered?
“Do you admit that you told Theo you would make any declaration he wanted you to?
“Whether or not you were sincere is irrelevant.” Nissa plays the recording on her comm.
"I declare that neither the Atlantean Nation nor its individual citizens should perform any action against this world on my behalf, aggression or otherwise."
“Are these the words from your mouth, spoken as your own term of surrender: to make any declaration Theo wanted you to?”
To the Atlanteans, she replays—
"—if my words have weight, I declare that neither the Atlantean Nation nor its individual citizens should perform any action against this world on my behalf, aggression or otherwise."
“Do these words have any weight? After all—”
"Atlanteans are more honest. We are warriors and conquerors and don't pretend to be weak—"
Speaking as she selects another recording on her Comm, she goes on, “So surely, if you would not dishonor him for surrendering or pretending to be weak, you’ll honor his own words.”
<I no longer have a right to fair treatment or legal protection. Atlantis has nothing to avenge. I submit myself to this technologically rich world for punishment as they see appropriate.>
To the Prince, “You really said all that, right? Were you being honest, or pretending to be weak so you can kill us later?”
"I surrendered to them," he says to Eleu and Keleini.
"What is your point?" Keleini asks Nissa. "He was your prisoner. Atlantis demands the return of this citizen."
"Citizen?" snorts the 'Prince,' clearly not thinking of himself as a mere citizen.
"The Prince," corrects Eleu. "It is clear that he is from Atlantis. You do not have the protection of Atlantis' treaty with the TAROTverse. He has committed no crime on Tarokh or against a citizen of the TAROTverse. Return him at once!"
Shuffles in, "As for the particular of that there." Turning to address the Pirate Prince, "While on our world, after you took your hostage-and we were trying to rescue her. You acted and used your power to attempt to force me to attack Charles. Did you not?"
Zellgato is unsure if it shows up on the cameras at all, but he lets the prince answer.
The Prince agrees, "I have already admitted I attempted to escape. If I had my weapons, I would have succeeded, by my patron, who lies sleeping beneath the oceans, grants me some powers. I used them on you."
Eleu is excited about the Prince's dark powers.
"I would like to note. I am not from the same world as these" Zellgato gestures to his coworkers, "I am from I believe the designation you use is World 12. You assaulted me. I request the terms of the treaty be observed. This...unpleasant fellow commited a crime against a citizen of the TAROTverse. He cares not for the verse, nor the Atlantean's, Business is business, and he continues to cost us in terms of life, time and potential profits. Frankly, I'm tired of him."
Turning to to the mediator Gilladhand,
"In this case, what is the punishment per treaty? He has admitted to his actions. Proud even. He cares not for any treaty-simply his own narccisism. What are my victim rights?"
Nissa turns to Eleu, and rephrases his own words. “It’s clear that your citizen has committed a crime against a citizen of the TAROTverse.”
Nissa plays it…
…not overly smug, not too wordy. Professional. She won’t win Eleu over, she’s pretty sure, but she wears this victory well. Maybe Keleini sees it by now. Maybe the two followers will beat him to it. In any case, Zellgato’s bombshell is effective. Nissa’s statement is simply the icing on his cake.
Turning to to the mediator Gilladhand,"In this case, what is the punishment per treaty? He has admitted to his actions. Proud even. He cares not for any treaty-simply his own narccisism. What are my victim rights?"
"Well," begins Gilladhand, "This is a negotiation, not a trial. A punishment would need to be determined by the Royals during a trial. Each side could present their arguments ..."
"There is also the option of a trial by combat," Pah adds nonchalantly.
Eleu perks up, as does the Prince.
"It may seem barbaric," says Gilladhand a little embarrassed, "But, when we negotiated this treaty single combatants settling scores seemed like a much better solution than nations settling scores. Personally, I was opposed to allowing this option in the treaty."
The Prince smiles fiercely and points at Zellgato, "I demand a trial by combat!"
Pah tries to play it cool like this wasn't his plan all along.
He's positively inscrutable.
Behind his mask, Zellgato shifts his head slightly; But does not hide his energy well, harkening back to earlier in the stairwell the day before.
"What are the rules for combat? So its Trial or Combat or both?"
"I really we could resolve these issues using our words," says Gilladhand mortified by the direction things are going.
"Atlantean Princes do not haggle," says the Prince. Eleu glows with fanboy love.
Gilladhand recites from memory the text he reluctantly wrote before most present were born, "(1) As part of any adjudication or dispute, in order to avoid a war between worlds, an individual may challenge, in combat, another single individual. (1a) The individual challenged may select someone to be their stand-in. (1b) If all parties agree, then the combat takes place before a Royal witness. (1c) If one party declines the combat, the facts of the matter as they are currently known to the adjudication are sent to a Royal to issue a summary judgement with no further facts being entered into evidence."
Zellgato's' energy and quiver in th voice shows several things; excitement and dread. Fear for the unknown but there is elation held within-it would be a clear mission, a clear purpose. and Zellgato still has the urge to kill him for his choices. Bubbling emotions simliar to the speech started to give yesterday.
"I see. Ultimately I am employed by them. Unlike this coward, I don't renegotate or ignore my word. Nor do I arbitrarily take control of everything. So, let me ask them- I am fine with combating the coward -I am fine with sending to the judgement with this negotiation half finished. The ones I failed to help were of your world."
Looking at his coworkers-although his eyes behind the mask does not linger long on Kai a non-combatant.
"Kai, Theo, Charles, Nissa, Would you prefer the judgement of the Royal as it stands now-Or did one of you want to take revenge for your loses? Or I if the preference is there."
Kai takes a step back at Zellgato's question, hands up in a gesture of refusal. The idea of Kai fighting the warlock was ridiculous - the entire idea of trial by combat was, in fact.
"Er, who are the Royals?"
Nissa is beyond livid. “I knew we wouldn’t get justice here. I knew I should have split at atom in his brain. Because when you accept surrender from a remorseless killer, they just kill again.
“Gilladhand, I understand you opposed this idiocy, but I gotta tell you, I’m disappointed in Tarokh. Here we were, following all the tests to become part of this TAROTverse, and now when two of our people are murdered in cold blood by this sleaze, he—the murderer—calls the shots.
“So…” She turns to the prince. “I’ll let one of the men end you. I hope you kneel. Surrender. Beg. And then die. Because this time there will be no changing the game when you’re losing.”
She then swivels to the others. “After your Prince dies in a blaze of impotence, we will still need to get to the matter of the murder victims. By denying our people justice by forcing us to kill the guy we spared thinking, naively, that this was about the innocent deaths from my world, I will demand restitution.” She looks at Eleu. “Fanboy can pay it. And anyone else who supports this entitled pretender.
“Which of you support the Prince, and are so confident he’ll win that you’re willing to pay for his crimes if he falls?”
"The Royals are rulers of Tarokh, chosen by the celestials for their wisdom. The King of Coins is one. This case would most likely go to the Queen of Swords to judge. The fight need not be to the death, however. If he is defeated in combat, but not killed, you could take him back to your world as you saw fit," says Gilladhand. "I am sorry that this does not feel like justice to you, but this law comes from the cultures of both Tarokh and Atlantis and has become part of this agreement."
Pah speaks again, "Would that satisfy your claim for justice, Ms Van Donk? If the proxy Zellgato selects defeats this Atlantean citizen in combat, he can be returned to your world for justice. This is fair, is it not? We would then only have to settle the matter of the artifacts, which I have some ideas about."
Eleu glowers at the suggestion his Prince might be defeated.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Nissa replies, “The battle should be to the death, so the Prince doesn’t come up with another technically that we don’t know about. All he does is rage-quit the game of life. Hide in a time-bubble, surrender in the middle of a fight, pick a fight against the people who spared him.
“As for justice, the families of the victims will need restitution.” She looks at Eleu, “You should agree to pay it, Eleu. You seem so confident he’ll win, let’s bet the restitution to the families on it. If my guy loses, I will give all of my possessions, including every article of clothing, every weapon, and all the money I own and my ship to the families to pay for my error of letting the Prince live.
“But if the prince loses, you give all of your possessions, every article of clothing, every weapon, and all the money I own and your ship to the families—to pay for your failure to get a murderer off the hook so you can use him to f$$$ over the other Atlanteans at this table.”
She then turns to the Prince. “You know what I think? I think your number one fan won’t take the bet. He’s not sure you’ll win. I’m sure whether it’s Zellgato, Theo or Charles one-on-one with you, you’re dead. So I’ll bet all my stuff if you win. Because I know you will be dead and I won’t have to pay anything.”
She says to Eleu, “Show me your faith in the Prince. Take the bet. Pay if he loses, or let me suffer humiliation if he wins. Show me you’re not as cowardly as your prince.”
"Everything you own versus everything I own is hardly a fair wager," sniffs Eleu. "I'll bet my ship against everything you own though. You're still getting the better deal, but it will be worth it to see you naked and humiliated."
“Oh, no. You don’t get to weasel out like your Prince. If you’re gonna change the game, we meet halfway. The bet is my ship to you or your ship to me. If you want me naked, put up or shut up: add clothing, including armor, to the bet. And if you don’t put up money, I don’t. I keep my purse, you keep your wallet.
“Shall we agree to these terms using the sword of truth?”
Theo slowly rises from the table. "Zellgato. I will be your stand-in, if you choose. One thing about Olympians: we love to fight each other."
Eleu balks at the suggestion he bet his clothes, but then smirks, and gestures contemptuously at Zellgato, "There's no way this man could beat a descendant of Atlas, a warlock Prince channeling the spirits of the ocean itself. Our bet will include ships, clothing, and gear. Loser returns to their homeworld with naught but what they wore coming into this world."
Eleu pops a tiny blue fruit into his mouth.
Theo slowly rises from the table. "Zellgato. I will be your stand-in, if you choose. One thing about Olympians: we love to fight each other."
Eleu chokes on the piece of fruit he just popped into his mouth.
Nissa nods. “Very well if you include weapons as well, but I want specifics. Not the word ‘gear.’ The Sword of Truth is meaningless when we’re purposely vague.”
She says under the Sword of Truth’s power, “I wager my ship, The Bombshell, all the clothing I wear—including my clearweave armor, and my only weapons: my mercy pistol and Nordic sap—as well as any undergarment I may or may not be wearing, to become Eleu’s possessions should the trial by combat favor the Prince. Furthermore, I will make no attempt to use magical means to conceal my nakedness, under the condition the Atlanteans look but don’t touch. Since Eleu is not betting money, the only thing I will keep, whether I win or lose this wager, is my purse and its contents.
“All I have said is my oath, under two conditions: one – Eleu must accept my wager under this sword’s power. Two – I must accept his under this sword’s power.”
She then says, “Wager your ship, the ship that is on this world, and all the clothing, armor and weapons you have on you, and I will accept.”
Clearly uncomfortable with the way things are turning, Eleu says, "Very well. I bet my refractor suit, my shock trident, my pulse gauntlet, all the clothes I am wearing, my ship, all the slaves aboard-"
The other Atlanteans cough. cough. cough.
He realizes his mistake and rephrases, "-SERVANTS ... the ship in the harbour and all the SERVANTS aboard the ship. Very well."
F#** yes! Freeing slaves!
Nissa is barely able to contain her pleasure.
She says to Gilladhand, “I accept Eleu’s wager, and in doing so my words have become my oath. Gilladhand, will you kindly, as neutral party, agree that no one—not you, not me, not Eleu, not my colleagues nor any Atlantean—is to prevent Eleu or myself from keeping our oaths?”
Her thought is to have everyone in the room swear it, but she ain’t telling Gilladhand how to do his job.
Gilladhand agrees.
The other Atlanteans seem delighted by this turn of events. Seeing Eleu brought down a peg would delight all of them. If that doesn't happen, they'll see Nissa in all her glory. This is a win win for them. They chime in as witnesses.
Nissa turns to Kai. She pats her little purse. “This’ll barely cover anything if I gotta walk in the buff. But immodesty would pale in comparison to the unthinkable.
“Not everything’s certain, but I have faith.”
Nissa pats her little purse, timing it to the words ‘certain’ and ‘have faith.’
It’s almost as if she’s asking Kai, Ya know what that oath’s really about, don’t ya? She seems confident she just played the Atlanteans.
"Traditionally, Gilladhand", The Olympian asked the elf. "What are the rules of such an engagement?"
"Traditionally, Gilladhand", The Olympian asked the elf. "What are the rules of such an engagement?"
"The most traditional form of trial by combat is by swords, to the death, in front of witnesses. Wrestling to submission is an option and very popular. Would you consider settling this trial by combat via wrestling? Or, first blood? Mercy pistols? There are many options that don't involve anyone dying," suggests Gilladhand. "You have options, if you both agree on them. It's not cheating if you declare it and if the option is extended to both sides."
"I would be curious to see the warlocks powers against whatever the Olympian brings," says Keleini. "I think a trial to the death, letting each side choose their weapons and unrestricted in regards to magic use, at dawn giving them both a chance to prepare, would be a very interesting fight."
When the Prince realizes some are considering having Charles fight him, he Prince stands up, "I'd rather not fight an animal like a gladiator. Choose the Olympian as your proxy, and I will take it as a sign of respect. Do that, and I will swear never to return to your world even if I win. Furthermore, even if I win, Atlantis will make no claim on the crystal wand; I will tell you from whom I stole it and to what world it belongs."
"Does The Prince choose Trial to the Death? The godling asks calmly.
"Does The Prince choose Trial to the Death? The godling asks calmly.
"Mercy is the prerogative of Princes, and you are born to rule, like me. Choose the blades, and we will use them and whatever magic our blood possesses. We will see whether a child of Zeus can best a child of Poseidon. If, in victory, you feel merciful, you can take me as your prisoner back to your world or kill me, as would be your right. I, likewise, retain the Princely prerogative to let my cousin live, if I so choose. And, again, either way, I will never set foot on your world again," the Prince says. "Is that not fair, cousin?"
"That is fair", Theo nods. "Your sycophants were shouting for Death. I just wanted to make you said it plainly, for what we discuss should not be said lightly."
Nissa watches the respectful exchange. All the taunting she did to goad others into slipping up will stop then.
S&&! got real.
"Well, that's something," says Gilladhand, "Are you choosing Theo as your proxy then, Dr. Zellgato? Or another one of your companions? You were the one challenged, so the choice is yours."