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Post by Christi on Dec 30, 2008 21:34:11 GMT -5
Mira made her way back to the palace after a while, exhausted from the events and yearning for a soothing hot bath before bed. She would have her hands full tomorrow as the nobles would, no doubt, see fit to reaffirm alliances and workings.
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Post by White-Jet on Dec 30, 2008 22:22:00 GMT -5
The next morning, parts of the floating lands were visited by a few more unfamiliar species wandering around and observing everything around them to get a good view of the planet for themselves. Kayman and Lila were among them, followed by a couple more visitors; another dhamphir, a year older than Kayman, with dark blue hair and wearing an identical outfit, only buttoned and bearing a 2ft, silver cross on the belt, as well as a bible-like book on the back with a rusted, metal cross on it, the other a female Tort, no younger than 60, wearing a simple, blue tanktop and loose jeans.
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Post by Christi on Dec 31, 2008 13:58:47 GMT -5
Mira sat at the head of the table within one of the chambers of the palace, massaging her temples against the oncoming headache while thinking on how to deal best with the noble families that were currently in a heated argument over her suggestion of opening up their alliances beyond the planet so as to build a better trade.
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Post by White-Jet on Dec 31, 2008 17:22:43 GMT -5
After a couple hours of touring, the quad come upon a square on one of the floating lands. Lila and the Tort began whispering something before the Ny-Bold pokes the holographic square hovering over her palm, causing a blanket to appear below them and a pile of odds and ends from the four empires and other nations to warp down on top of it, in rows of appearance, size, and value.
"What're you doing now?" Kayman asked.
"What do you think?" Lila purrs, "If we're going to figure out everything about this nation, we need to be more open to them! Sell a few trinkets, make some money, maybe it'll help them open up to other nations in the universe."
"But they just got a new ruler! Isn't it a little soon to be exposing this planet to other parts of the nation!?"
"When Lila and Kru make up their minds, it's hard to stop them," Mose said while flicking the long bangs hanging over his right eye.
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Post by Christi on Dec 31, 2008 17:53:59 GMT -5
"That's quite enough!" Mira said finally, slamming her hand down onto the table with a bang and causing a few of the nobles to jump and stare at her. "Either way, I am opening up an alliance outside of Thearin. For all we know, there may even be someone that could help to piece the planet back together, but unless we open our gates to more then just the D'Vatar, then we'll never know. Now I either have your support or I'll chose others to take your place among the council. This is no time to be playing petty games of power, especially not when I've heard word of war breaking out amongst the galaxies." She truly disliked having to start out with an iron fist, but she couldn't stand their selfish tones when there were larger things to be dealt with.
The people passed by with curious glances at first, a bit wary about approaching these new strangers, but they were soon drawn by the prospect of owning foreign items to add to their homes and belongings.
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Post by White-Jet on Dec 31, 2008 18:11:00 GMT -5
"We sell for money," Lila purrs.
"Anything you can afford," Kru said, "We even sell them for a single coin. Just step right up, take your pick and pay whatever you want."
Kayman bends down to Kru, "Do you really want to do that? We don't want these people getting greedy, you know."
"So what?" Kru chimes, "It's not like we're going to sell an entire warehouse. And it's not like they're dumb enough to assume all planets sell for cheap."
"Somehow, I can't help but disagree with you," Mose said while studying the people observing the foreign stuff they brought down.
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Post by Christi on Dec 31, 2008 18:27:14 GMT -5
"This is ridiculous. Are you claiming that we should become involved in a war that is not our own? We are neutral to such things, as we've been for years," one of the noblemen spoke up, daring her to dispute it.
"Be that as it may, it would be wisest to prepare as a precaution. It may not involve us at this moment, but who is to say that it will not in a week... or month," Mira claimed, staring him down, "Unless, of course, you would rather to sit in obliviousness and be hunted down like a duck for dinner."
The man pursed his lips, "You will not have my support in this princess. you worry for nothing. We have never been bothered before."
Mira stood from her chair, lifting her chin as she narrowed her eyes at him, "Yes, before, as in the past. There is no knowing what the future will bring and if these wars are involving as many as I've heard them to be, then it would be wisest to be prepared so that we are not all slaughtered in our sleep! Even my brother Nicholas agrees with such. You can either join me in this, or sit on your own, but we will not expend our resources to help a fool that cared only about his standing rather then the province he is suppose to be caring for!"
The man paled slightly at her insinuation, seating himself again and remaining silent. Mira turned her attention to the others, "Does any one else have a problem with this?" Upon having silence meet her, she seated herself again, "I do not wish to force any into this. We will be requesting volunteers only for the time being. I will be contacting the Magi about their apprentices and request that they double up the training so that they will be competent in the use of magic should trouble arise in the near future."
"And should we find ourselves in war?" One of the others asked, studying her, "What are your plans then?"
"We will defend our people to the last man. If there is great need, we will relocate entire cities into one area so as to better guard them. Do not be so naive as to think that I will not be involved myself," Mira said before answering upon the look he gave, "Yes, if need arises I too will join in battle. I would not send my men out to do what I myself would not do, nor would I needlessly send them to slaughter."
The people bartered over a few objects that caught their eye, being quite fair in the pricing if they could.
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Post by White-Jet on Dec 31, 2008 18:33:29 GMT -5
Lila and Kru thanked those who bought the trinkets while Mose and Kayman stood in the background and watched, still finding this a bit much for a nation that is starting a new chapter in its life.
Within a couple hours, all the trinkets have been sold.
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Post by Christi on Dec 31, 2008 18:41:27 GMT -5
The crowds dwindled away before long, most of them pleased with their finds.
"If there's nothing else to be said, then this meeting is over," Mira claimed, clasping her hands together upon the table as she watched for any more outbursts. The noblemen sat in a somber silence. As much as they would like to disagree, they knew that what she claimed was for the best and if anything went wrong then the blame could easily fall to her under the guise that she was young and rash.
"If you'll excuse me then, I have other matters to attend to," Mira sighed as she rose from her seat. There had been a slight problem in terms of ownership of a tailors within the city due to a misinterpretation of the late tailor's will that she would have to fix to the liking of both involved. Without further word, she swept from the room, giving a slight motion of the hand to signal the soldiers that were resting against the wall outside the chamber in wait for her to finish and to accompany her into the city afterward.
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Post by White-Jet on Dec 31, 2008 19:14:28 GMT -5
Lila and Kru began counting the currency the collected so far before storing them in a white bag with a symbol of a silver cog surrounding it, and tightening the knot around it.
"Well, currency is taken care of," Lila purrs again, "We should think about opening a trade's store somewhere on these floating Islands so we can make some more of these currencies."
"I still think we should wait a while before we dive deeper into this nation," Kayman said, "You know it's only a matter of time before that guy finds his way here to effortlessly sway this nation into turning against us despite our efforts to show we mean no harm."
"You worry about that guy too much," Kru huffs.
"Have a little faith in us, will ya?" Lila said, "For all we know, that guy is nothing but talk-"
"That's managed to turn the entire universe against each other!" Kayman nearly wails, "And once he finds out we're wandering this planet, he's going to come up with another charasmatic excuse to make this nation chase us away and never accept what we have to offer them!"
"And staying in the background is going to make things better?" Mose asked while crossing his arms, "Let's face it. Our attempts to prove our innocence to this nation is no better than whatever that man does to oversteps it and makes whatever nation he chooses to corrupt reject our aide in a hostile, violent manner. All we can do is try our hardest to save this nation from becoming another victim of this pointless war by letting them know he shouldn't be the only nation they have to rely on to keep their nation and its people safe."
Kayman looks over to Mose, thoroughly agitated, before storming off deeper into the city to cool off and straighten his thoughts.
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Post by Christi on Dec 31, 2008 19:29:07 GMT -5
Mira paused by the door to the house, bracing herself for what she knew was going to be a difficult feud to settle by the sound of the yelling inside. She sighed before heading inside, startling the two from their heated discussion as they quickly bowed to her in a respectful way, embarrassed at having been caught in their fight.
"You are the two that have been in dispute over the shop, correct?" Mira asked to ensure she had the right place.
"Yes, m'lady," one of the two replied.
Mira nearly sighed again. The fact they both wanted ownership of the shop meant that they both were interested in the business. The easiest way would be to try and convince them to run it under dual-ownership instead of deciding who should get it. "Personally, and forgive me for saying so, but if this trade is so sought by the both of you, then why not settle upon an agreement of a co-operative ownership? That way, both of you will have a say in its dealings and it may just gain you a further income with the ideas of two rather than one."
"...I had not thought of that," claimed the one man, scratching his chin in thought.
Mira gave a soft smile, "Well, now you've had a good option made clear to you, so act upon it. At the very least, you'll gain valuable insight from one another."
"It seems fair enough..." The woman said reluctantly.
Mira left them to talk it over, letting loose the sigh that she'd been holding in after shutting the door behind her. How her father had not been more stressed with all that he dealt with, she didn't know. As it was, she wouldn't mind a soothing cup of tea and one of her favourite honey cakes at that moment.
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Post by White-Jet on Dec 31, 2008 19:38:36 GMT -5
The remaining group wander through the city they had sold their trinkets on before finding an old, abandoned building near the outskirts. Lila meows with excitement as she runs over and points to it.
"Here! This' the best place to set up shop!" she mews.
"Perfect!" Kru quips in agreement, "Then let's redecorate and open for business!"
Mose sighs a bit in amusement as the two began warping some tools down and going about reparing the unstableness of the building. Within half a day, a managable, one-story, unpainted building appears with the word "Trade Shop" nailed over the door.
Both cat and turtle creatures then began discussing ideas of how to paint their new shop. Mose looks back towards the busier part of the city, contemplating how long Kayman was going to linger around before he finally cools off and comes back to apologize for his actions.
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Post by Christi on Dec 31, 2008 19:42:13 GMT -5
Mira decided upon a less crowded cafe, wishing to enjoy the peace and calm while she could before she'd have to delve back into the chaos that came with sovereignty. While she knew it may not be the best idea to stay out among the public for too long, she did have a group from the Order of Two Moons keeping a look out for her and knew that they would probably enjoy a little break themselves.
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Post by White-Jet on Dec 31, 2008 19:46:54 GMT -5
Kayman came upon a small cafe somewhere in the city. Though he shouldn't be wasting the money they had just earned, a little comfort food wouldn't hurt to get his mind off the whole subject he had been thrown into lately. Sighing reluctently, he saunters inside and takes a seat by the window, skimming through a menu to see what he can get to eat.
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Post by Christi on Dec 31, 2008 19:52:52 GMT -5
Mira sipped at the tea she'd ordered for herself as she stared off at nothing in particular in thought, her guards milling about the table and talking amongst themselves as they kept an eye on the area around them. Things were progressing far too quickly for her liking and it was beginning to feel like she was being swept up in some raging current. No matter what, she'd hold her head up and keep from being dragged under, but she could foresee many restless nights ahead for her.
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