Zephy
Zephyr mused quietly "Perhaps in a few months we should consider calling for some elections. Our positions are already fairly firm, but it would be a good time to more openly declare our intent."
Printable View
Zephy
Zephyr mused quietly "Perhaps in a few months we should consider calling for some elections. Our positions are already fairly firm, but it would be a good time to more openly declare our intent."
Echo shakes his head at Rata-ji's words. "The idea that might makes right is not one I would prefer to espouse in Lotus. Against it's enemies, yes, but not here in Lotus. I think that in the next few days we'll begin proceedings for the elections."
Captain Baldric turns to Zephyr, speaking in his clipped Western accent. "Sir, the people won't be surprised if you were to go unseen for a few days. What with Captain Transval's seclusion, I think they almost suspect us in command to stay in the shadows. Your wounds are...perhaps a bit more difficult to explain. It might be to your advantage to spend a few days lying low."
Zephyr
Nodding in agreement, Zephry spoke. Aye, sounds like a plan. I'll drop out of sight for a few days. Anyone have anything else what needs addressing, or are we done for the evening?
Echo shakes his head. "I don't, except... Ivory, will you continue to help with the classes for the next few days, or do you want to stop for a while? I can continue on with my classes if you'd rather some time to yourself."
Speaking of such things, you head back to your homes, exhausted by your adventures subterrain. Though the days is still young, your wounds and battle-exhaustion are wearying, and your offices still must be attended to. As Zephyr slips into one of the beds aboard Bronzeheart, Rising Echo shuffles into his office, newly furnished. Ivory Eyes still has to attend to the caterers of the festival, seeing to it that all of them receive their payment, while Yomiko desperately struggles to find out who all performed at the festival–couldn't one of her pathetic, noticeably-not-invincible subordinates have collected a list of names? And Watcher slinks into the shadows, ensuring the streets of Lotus are safe.
The next few days pass without much distress, five days of solace and rest. Zephyr heals quickly, the blessings of Luna triumphing over the she-demon's wrath. Minister Echo pores over the city's electoral codes, trying to find out how to actually hold an election in between teaching classes on basic literacy. Ivory Eyes and Yomiko collaborate, seeing what resources the new Ministries of Capital Improvement and Culture can actually lay hands on. Watcher is little heard from by the rest, though he drops in from time to time, typically leaving, unnoticed, through a window.
Five days pass, and you are all once more assembled in the mayoral palace. A frantic messenger, short of breath, has managed to alert all of you–a visitor has come calling, and he is angry. After a brief audience with the mayor, this visitor apparently grew very, very frustrated, and demanded that whoever is really in charge of Lotus come meet with him. And so the five of you assemble in one of the palace's smaller meeting rooms, reclining as you wait for this visitor to show for himself.
And eventually, he does. Without the courtesy of a knock, he thrusts the doors open, striding in brusquely. He is a short man, but the redness of his face, the glint of sweat on his shaven head, the pulsing of veins in his meaty neck all show his anger to tower above even Tyrant Lizards. His face is vaguely reminiscent of a rat's, a resemblance not helped by his slight overbite. He is wrapped in officious robes of cherry-blossom pink, and adorned with gently-clinking jewelry: silver chains, jade rings, even cowries hung around his neck.
He sits down, grabbing a chair, and glowers at you. "Just what the hell is this?" he demands, nearly exploding.
Echo, who had been practicing with his blades for the past few days, had set them aside on a shelf in the room before the meeting began.
Looking over the small, angry, rat-like man he almost chuckled, but held it back. No need to get off on a worse foot than it already seemed this man was on.
"The meaning would depend on what 'this' is. May I ask who you are, and if you possibly represent anyone or thing?" Echo smiled at the man, trying to calm him down a bit, being as pleasant as he could with him. "If you don't tell us what the problem is, we cannot fix it for you."
SpoilerMastery of Small manners.
Charisma+Presence: [roll0]
Personal: 14/15
Peripheral: 26/36 (Solar Glory: 10/10)
Zephyr
Zephyr stood, as usual, just behind Ivory Eyes, looming like a guardian statue over the girl-seeming Solar. His new guardsman's uniform fit exquisitely - the tailor's work was more than suitable. The new, pink skin beneath the cloth and armor, however, was itching as it healed, and that minor irritation did not help Zephyr's attitude when the rude little man burst in pre-emptorily. His massive hands twitched as he contemplated how many steps it would take before he could put his hands on the man's neck. But, in a show of self-restraint that was truly heroic, considering Zephyr's temper, he continued to smile. Though, if the man had any brains and was paying any attention, it was the sort of "smile" that a wolf might give to someone who was yanking repeatedly on its tail. His voice remained even, however, as he spoke.
"First of all, sir, I believe that you should introduce yourself. Secondly, what is "this" and why does it irritate you so much that you show us such astounding rudeness?"
The Invincible Maiden stands from her chair, not wearing her golden armor or swords, but a black, gold-lined robe. As one might expect, her daughter sits in the chair directly to her right. She takes a few steps closer to the very rat-like man with a smile on her face and bows. "I am The Invincible Maiden Yomiko, the Minister Of Culture of the City of Lotus. What is your name and title O' auspicious guest?"
SpoilerCha+Presence, also using 4 motes for Presence Excellency.
[roll0]
"Yomiko always seems to have better manners than I. I am Rising Echo, Minister of Trade."
The man pauses for a moment his scowl dissipating into a mere frown. "All right, I suppose you wouldn't know. Forgive me for your rudeness, but I think you'll understand. You see, today is Tax Day. So naturally, I rides down to Lotus, all the way from Qisanti. Now, I've never been terribly fond of riding through the hellhole jungles you have out here, but I deal with it, because I'm working for Satrap V'neef, and he's always been a good uncle to me, so I does it without complaining. So I come down to this excuse for a city, go to talk to my boys, get the jade, and leave as fast as I can." His calm attitude is a mere veneer of civility, failing to conceal his anger.
"Now, imagine how I feel when I find out that my boys are no longer down here. Frustrating, you know? But what's worse, the people who's replaced them tells me that I can't just take the jade out of the treasury. They have rules now, can you imagine that? Now, I know your mayor has all the wits of a yeddim, but I still go and talk to him, see if we can maybe work out this little misunderstanding. But, you know what? The little bastard seems to have gotten himself a spine! So here we are. I'm guessing you guys are the ones really in charge here, 'cause you's who the mayor's little messenger got. So that must mean that you're the ones who think you can make little rules and talk back to the Satrapy. So let me just tell you this. My name is V'neef Enzo, and I am here to collect the taxes. So you guys is going to open up the vault, and let me take however much jade I says you owe. Got it?
Zephyr
Zephyr had to clamp his mouth shut and virtually lock his muscles. He wanted - so very, very badly - to kill the man where he stood. It would be so easy... soft, fat, weak... He could snap the man's spine in half with his hands. His jaw was clenched, and he no longer even smiled, his expression stony, resolute. This quivvering little blob of flesh was everything he hated about civilized folk - everything he had hated in the men and women of gem. Unfit to rule, parasites who claimed position by right of blood alone, with no will, skill, or strength to back it up. Petty tyrants who bullied those weaker than they, and fawned like beaten dogs over those above them. It took every ounce of self-control in the Lunar's body to stop himself from tearing the man apart where he stood. If looks could kill, Enzo would be nothing more than a fine red smear.
Yomiko's smile never faded, always wearing her beautiful face in the presence of such greed and vileness. She closed her eyes a moment and took a breath, putting her hands together, fingers intertwined. She opened them again and looked right into the man's eyes... her voice was clear and pristine as she spoke her one simple sentence, "...Your journey has been arduous, so let us get right to the matter at hand. O' Tax Collecter V'neef Enzo... let us talk."
Enzo cannot help but smile, lechery staining his exposed teeth like tobacco juice. "Oh, how cute. You want to talk. Very well then, I'll give you that. It's more than most of these worthless rice-towns get, so consider yourselves very lucky. But just this once, as a special favor, I'll let you guys negotiate a deal with me. And then I'll draw up a contract, and you'll hold to it, right? Hopefully that'll keep any more of these little misunderstandings from happenings, understand? All right then. Let's talk." He leans back in his chair, clearly prepared for a long battle of words.
Debate Joined!
Spoiler
Tick 0: Rising Echo, Zephyr, Enzo
Tick 1: Yomiko, Ivory Eyes
Tick 2: Watcher
SpoilerYou're making me look these rules up? *boggle* Oh well.
Echo smiles, putting a hand into his robes and pulling out a fairly large scroll. It looked like those advanced literacy classes actually were coming in handy here, as he'd been using the largest written document in town, the new tax and law code, as the advanced primer.
Setting it in front of him, Echo smiled thinly at the man. "You see, there are new taxation codes in effect. Lotus will pay a fair and equitable amount for any services that it requests or is rendered to it by outside forces. Such as trade in foreign cities, soldiers given to Lotus to bolster our ranks, so on and so forth."
Echo pushes the copy forward to Enzo. "As I have yet to see anything Lotus gets, could you explain to me what the Satrapy gives to Lotus in return for it's tax money?" Echo leans forward himself at this, allowing his easy smile to crook just slightly as he lets the looming presence of Zephyr add to the weight of his argument.
Spoiler
Assuming I can call this a Charisma+Presence. Activating Mastery of Small Manners for 1 Personal mote.
[roll0]
Dodge MDV: 6
Parry MDV: 4
Social Attack drops DV by 2. Speed is 4.
Will: 6/6
Zephyr
Zephyr looked down at the weasly little man, trying to calm his surging anger. The temptation was there... it would be easy. So very, very easy. Not to mention pleasurable... He drew in his breath, forcing control upon himself. As towering as his anger was, Zephyr's will was adamant strong, and he was not about to let his personal feelings endanger his duty or his comrades. Still, perhaps he could play a role in this little drama, after all.
Indeed. After all, the work we are undertaking here is designed to improve the infrastructure and the livelihood of the people. Surely such improvements will benefit the Satrapy as a whole with booming revenues and greater prestige. In addition, I, Zephyr, co-captain of the guard, will be personally overseeing the audit of both private and public citizens suspected of corruption. I'm sure my investigations will improve efficiency and revenues even further. Who knows? I might be able to ferret out some details even your august Uncle might find interesting.
Zephyr still grinned as a wolf, but now it was the wolf who scents the bloodied deer... or, rather, the stinking weasel. Surely a little rat like this had some under-the-table dealings he wouldn't like his uncle to find out about?
Spoiler
Charisma + Presence. Adding 2 successes for 4m.
[roll0]
The fatted tax collector can scarcely help but laugh as he listens to Rising Echo's speech. "Ah, you must be new in town, then. Perfectly understandable, the only way this city will ever get any talent. So let me explain. You pay your taxes, and in turn the Satrapy sees to it that the Realm doesn't crush you like an ant under its heels. You see, if your little city doesn't decide to pay what it owes, I'm going to have to tell good old Uncle V'Neef. And Uncle V'Neef–don't get me wrong, he's a perfectly nice guy, but if I tell him you isn't paying, then he has to tell the Realm you isn't paying. And then the Realm is going to reconsider how much independence it lets places like Lotus have out in the Threshold. Don't get me wrong, it's a lovely city. It'd be a shame if a legion of warstriders rode right up into it, ripped the government down brick by brick, and set it up under direct Imperial control. So surely you can see just how important your tax obols are, right?"
Zephyr's words, though, prove harder to ignore. "Oh...well, I'm sure that'll be great. Go ahead with that." He clearly fears Zephyr's implicit threat, struggling to suppress any outward signs of it. But for all his efforts, any outward appearance of calm has been lost–his overconfidence is broken. "But my point remains, you see. Before you can start carrying out all sorts of little investigations, you have to pay your taxes. It's the law, you know. And isn't that what you coppers do? Enforce the law?" The beads of sweat welling up on his brow betray a certain lack of confidence in that last statement.
But then, he puffs himself up, mustering what confidence he has. "Now, let us get down to business. You must pay your taxes, that is unquestionable. It keeps the peace between the Realm and your city, and it's the law. Why push the issue? It's easier just to do it. Now, what you really want to argue about is what's in it for you. I'm not stupid, I know you guys has your own interests to take care of. So how about this–you pay your taxes, and I see if I can work out a little deal for you. It doesn't have to be torture, you know? You might even come out on top." He addresses each and every one of you, hoping to play on pragmatism or baser motives.
Initiative
Spoiler
Tick 1: Yomiko, Ivory Eyes
Tick 2: Watcher
Tick 4: Rising Echo, Zephyr
Tick 6: Enzo
Rising Echo
Spoiler
You can't help but think Enzo has a point...it may not sit well with you, but paying the taxes would let you have enough time to build up a suitable force, to grow stronger before you have to face the Empire head on. (Spend 1 willpower to disagree)
-2 DV
Zephyr
Spoiler
You find Enzo's argument almost compelling, miserable little wretch that he is. The man is a craven parasite, but the government he represents is the only legitimate authority in the Threshold. You're also not entirely sure if you could justify war with the Empire over a few obols of jade...but at the same time, you can barely stand the man. (Spend 1 willpower to disagree)
One-die stunt, two motes
-2 DV
Yomiko
Spoiler
The man is sickening! He asks you to betray the greater good of Lotus for your own personal gain? You could never do such a thing!
Ivory Eyes
Spoiler
You can't believe the audacity of the man...to march in here, and proclaim that not only is he going to rob you, but that he has the moral high ground to do it from. You could never agree to such a thing.
Watcher
Spoiler
The man is a piece of vermin, but nevertheless, his words bear some pragmatic truth. Pay him off, and you don't have to deal with the Empire...the bargain is almost worth making. In fact, you almost feel like speaking up for it, strange as the notion is. (Spend one willpower to disagree)
Tick 1: Yomiko, Ivory Eyes
Ivory Eyes is physically, visibly livid. Her very composure betrays her anger: hands tucked neatly into her lap begin to wring one another if only to keep from going for his neck. She considers, quietly, in her mind: is it worth going along? Her conscience screams back in the negative, and so so she speaks:
"You foul, wraithsome little trog of a man. You come in here, make threats of force in excess of your capability, hoping desperately in your little sweat-stained world that we're just the same sort of ignorant farmers you've grown so fat on? Do you know why the system of Satrapys exists?" she asks to the room in general, turning from companion to companion with a school mistress' voice. "Because the Realm could possibly take the Threshold, but could never hold it. Not for a day. Too far away from all those pleasures, all those luxuries. Honest work is too far removed from decadence to ever attract dynastic favor."
As if to punctuate her sentence, she arcs to her side, revealing the white jade handle of one of her Lightning Torment Cleavers sheathed and tied to her waistsash.
Spoiler
Ivory's turning her full Presence against this man. She's spending 8 motes of her personal essence to buy 4 successes.
Charisma + Presence
[roll0] + 4 Successes
SpoilerGo Ivory. Also stunting a rejevtion. Spend a willpower if that doesn't work.
Echo shakes his head. "With the empress missing and the Houses in disarray, they're bot going to field one warstrider, much less armies of them to go after one city."
For once, the smug bureaucrat seems to break down. Zephyr's veiled threats of investigation he could shrug off, but to be berated and physically threatened–and by a child, no less–are more than he can deal with. "I never....look, this is for your own good! As he speaks, Zephyr feels a shimmering chill across his spine for just the quickest of moments–the man lies. "I know, I know. The satrapies are...necessary. But please, you must understand! I'm only doing my job! And believe me, the Realm might not be able to rule, they can still destroy. So you understand? Everyone benefits, right? Right? Please don't hurt me..."
Ivory Eyes
Spoiler
One-die stunt, 2 motes.
MDV -2
Tick 1: Yomiko, Ivory Eyes
SpoilerREJECTION! Like Rising Echo, stunting a rejection and spending a willpower if that doesn't work.
Zephyr looked down at the fat little toad with that same predatory smile. "A mere time-server might just enforce the law. What I serve is something higher. I serve justice. I make sure that not only is the law applied, but that the right laws are applied, for the good of the people both high and low. I will make sure the laws are enforced exactly as they should be."
Yomiko stares at the man in shock, barely able to contain her livid disgust for the little rat of a bureaucrat. She clenches her fists instead of glaring at him-or worse-and goes back to sit down in her chair with her eyes closed again, opening them a moment after sitting down, looking at him with cold eyes. "Perhaps you think we are as corrupt as you, and would so willingly abandon value in favor of monetary value, hm? I assure you-Enzo was it? I assure you that Lotus is far less than that level of corrupt. What good would taxation bring Lotus? Is there something the jade will be spent on that will go into aiding the education of the youth? The benefits of the elderly and the sick? If so I expect to see every jade spent put back into Lotus... If not, take your greedy hands away from here and leave us be! If you won't I will not hesitate to keep you out myself!" Her eyes went from cold to furious, never blinking, never moving her gaze from Enzo's eyes. "...Idle threats are no good here, either. There is a reason I am called Invincible."
SpoilerCha+Presence, expending 5 motes for my Presence Excellency.
6/6 Willpower
12/12 Personal
20/29 Peripheral
[roll0]
Flustered as he is by Ivory Eyes's threat, Enzo still tries to maintain a firm position. "Look, you don't understand. You're local, not that there's anything wrong with that. I have to think on a much bigger level, see a much bigger picture. Of course not every obol goes back into Lotus, because we have to run a whole Satrapy–do you think we can just reach down into our chamberpots and pull out white jade? I wish. The blood of dragons flows through me, but apparently dragons aren't worth two shekels when it comes to national administration. Try, just for a moment, to stop thinking about yourselves, and think about the Satrapy. The issue isn't whether the jade is going to get payed, because it just plain has to. Cities start deciding they can just refuse to pay taxes, the whole satrapy system is going to fall apart. That falls apart, the Empire gets no taxes, and the Realm falls, and then the effing fairies come across the Bordermarches and kill us all. So we need to bargain. Tell me what I have to do to get you on our terms. I'll see what I can do to put jade back into Lotus–no promises, I don't have that authority, but I can try."
Initiative
Spoiler
Tick 2: Watcher
Tick 4: Rising Echo, Zephyr
Tick 5: Yomiko, Ivory Eyes
Tick 6: Enzo
Yomiko
Spoiler
DV -2
Rising Echo and Zephyr
Spoiler
Neither of your stunts succeeded, so spend that willpower.
Tick 2: Watcher
SpoilerWatcher give in? Never! Stunting a rejection, spending a willpower if it's not good enough.
"Thinking about ourselves? How dare you even suggest such a thing! Watcher says angrily, standing up. The need for discretion being the only thing keeping him from flaring his anima and showing this pitiful creature just who he was talking to. "It has been too long that this city has been stepped on by the Dynasty. Bending to their will while its people have lived in poverty. No more, I say! Lotus' people will know freedom. Freedom from oppression. Freedom from worms like you. Worms who wish only to better their own lives while others suffer!"
"Taxes? Taxes imply giving back to the government. But what has the Empire ever done to help those that bow to it? Whipping himself into an even heightened anger, he strides towards the man, whipping his golden blade out and pointing it at him. "Take your threats and talk of protection money back to your master, and tell him that Lotus owes nothing. For we will hear no more of it! You want jade? Then offer something to the farmers that produce it. Something that is worth the sweat off their backs."
SpoilerSpending 10 peripheral motes on my first presence excellency + 1 extra to keep my anima from flaring.
[roll0]
Enzo bows in concession, wilting in the face of Watcher's verbal onslaught. "We'll let that be the first term, then. There are...certain forms that are, shall we say, less than well known. Applications for satrapy subsidies. I'll have the requisite applications drawn up for you, and make sure they go through. Each and every farmer will have have a stipend of jade, no matter how the harvest goes. And I can help with selling, so the farmers aren't trapped at Guild prices. There are small agricultural cooperatives on the Blessed Isle that I could arrange exclusive rights of sale for. A wide open market that pays in advance, all going to the farmers. There. How does that sound?"
Initiative
Spoiler
Tick 4: Rising Echo, Zephyr
Tick 5: Yomiko, Ivory Eyes
Tick 6: Enzo, Watcher
Watcher
Spoiler
One-die stunt, 2 motes.
DV -2
Tick 4: Rising Echo, Zephyr
Echo smiles and nods. "That is quite well for the farmers. In fact, does quite a bit of what we were hoping to set up with other townships as well. I think we've now covered the reasonable, set taxes that you would draw from the farmers, with favorable trade agreements such as that."
He tilts his head, looking over at Ivory. "However, there is the matter of taxes you will be wanting to draw from the artisans and crafters of Lotus. I have been working with Ivory Eyes, our Minister of Captial Improvements, to teach both basics and advanced craftmanship, and Lotus will soon be doing a great deal of it's own material work. I have full confidence that within the next few months we could produce goods equal to what comes from any other city. And I will be speaking with the Guild eventually to renegoitate a large number of obviously misconstrued trade agreements. I am very willing to cut the Guild out of trade with Lotus, if we were to have a better trading partner." Echo grins. "Think of the prestige you could get with your uncle, if you had negotiated to be a first trade partner with Lotus, when we eventually have a high number of very talented craftsmen. You could rise to a much higher position than just a tax collector for the Satrapy."
Spoiler
Mastery of Small Manners again.
Flurry between the farmers to the craftsmen.
Manip+Presence: [roll0]
Manip+Presence: [roll1]
Will 5/6
Zephyr
Zephyr stood, a slight smile on his face. It appeared that the little man had a brain under that malformed skull, and he was at least intelligent enough to see that he wouldn't win this one. However, Zephyr wondered if it would last. Threats rarely continued to work once the threatened party was beyond arm's length. And this little man was slippery. He looked at him carefully, phrasing his next words with thought to the badge glimmering on his chest.
A seemingly amenable agreement... and quite agreeable, at least to my eyes. You're sure, however, that this will not have any hidden costs? And, speaking of the Guild, how much do you know of their operations in the region? Are we likely to see reprisals if we attempt to renegotiate their obviously broken deals?
Enzo smiles, the only favorable mien he can assume in so uneven a situation. "I am but a humble Tax Collector, and certainly do not have the authority to negotiate trade deals with you, you understand. However, I'm certain I can speak on your behalf to Uncle, and see what can be worked out. Who knows? Perhaps in time I can negotiate with you directly, work out what's best for both the Satrapy and Lotus." He clearly has his own best interests at heart, but his words prove true. He is not fool enough to lie.
However, Zephyr's inquest proves less fruitful. A frown colors his fat, gelatinous lips. "The Guild is not within my bailiwick, I fear. I know backroom gossip, but nothing of substance, nothing worth wasting your time with. If you wish to renegotiate trade with them, I'd advise you send message to their nearest outpost...assuming, that is, that this city does have a courier service of some sort?" He chuckles at that last remark, as if he had single-handedly devised the Imperial Post Office. His bulk proves this a lie–the only part of him that has never been stopped by rain, nor snow, nor heat, nor gloom of night is his appetite.
Initiative
Spoiler
Tick 5: Yomiko, Ivory Eyes
Tick 6: Enzo, Watcher
Tick 8: Rising Echo
Tick 9: Zephyr
Rising Echo
Spoiler
1-die stunt, 2 motes.
DV -2
Zephyr
Spoiler
DV -2
Tick 5: Yomiko, Ivory Eyes
Yomiko looks at the man as he cleverly filters his words as to be evasive and useless. She seems a bit calmer with Watcher's blade at his throat, as such a detestable man is hardly worth her compassion, much less respect. "Perhaps you don't know what you claim you don't... but I think perhaps this is not as truthful as you suggest. You see the golden blade that is at your throat at this very moment? I have two... and they are not mere shortswords as my companion carries... they are as tall as me and I am far more skilled with them... Tell us your information or I will be forced to show you my greatest talent." Her glare is penetrating and she is unnaturally calm for the obvious fury in her words.
SpoilerSpending 5 motes for Presence Excellency.
Cha+Presence: [roll0]
6/6 Willpower
2/12 Personal
29/29 Peripheral
Ivory Eyes sets her hands on the handles of her Cleavers, but softens her posture and instead intensifies her gaze, eyes narrowing down on the soft-bellied nephew.
"She's not the only one with skills you know," Ivory says, thumbing towards Yokimo as the Maiden begins her own intimidation. "Each of us is seated here, with you, because we have done the impossible. When demons dream, do you know what haunts their nightmares? It's us. They see us, and every other mortal creature in Creation standing up, choosing what is right over what is easy. My only question for you then, Enzo," she says, her tone infinitely patronizing like a saddened mother, "will you be what the darkness fears? Or what it exults in, the same sort of coward that has brought Creation into disarray? It doesn't take the Blood of Dragons to be a hero, Enzo. All it takes is a single step, a choice to do what is harder, better."
Spoiler
Personal: 4/18
Peripheral: 31/36 (5 Invested)
Another full whammy from Charisma + Performance + full Excellency
[roll0] + 4 Successes