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[Ardas]

He took note of her words and smiled when he heard the passage. How true are men's intentions, hidden behind a facade....

Yes, I will attend. It will be a pleasure to get to know your husband and make this relation a real one.

------------------------------------------------------------------
Whereas Garth was bit sluggish and soft when it came to enforcing the hold of the Church, Luthias' vision was clear. Resources had to be aquired and the people had to accept the higher authority. Xeno slavery was a weird practice, but a viable solution for as long as the technology remained to be backward. Luthias had no liking for the alien creatures though, and while they shared the same world, they did not share the same destiny.

Send missionaries to human lands outside of house Nova. Establish missions and shrines, as well as schools. Teach supremacy of the Church and being collecting small tithe.
Call for an assembly of all un-aligned nobles, warlords and kings in order to establish Church role in civilian rule. Blessings, indulgences and and support in education and administration available to those who grant land to Church.
Mount an expedition to explore the remaing 18% of the planet.
 

[Dwarmin]

Later at the feast..

Roim did like things old fashioned-a large communal tables stacked with food, and packed with people of every stripe-mercenaries, playwrights, technologists, alchemists, prostitutes, courtiers, priests...it was a feast, in most senses of the word. Though there's hardly a sense of watchful hostility here, many of the men and women are of the rough and tumble sort-and seem ready for anything. Weapons are carried freely and openly by nearly all.

The back of the room is taken up by the "Red" table-the King and Queen sit side by side with their cannily alert bodyguards, more or less actually having a good time. Averys and Roim seem to make a good couple-visibly enjoying each others company, flirting raucously and laughing loudly. A few times, Averys is observed to whisper something to Roim. This almost always brings a smile to both their faces.

A seat to their far left has been left empty, since Rigos Utlaga has not shown up yet, given business has taken him far. He was expected back soon, though...

The Archon is given the seat of the honor at the 'White' table-among the more or less reserved clergy of 'Avery's church'. Though there numbers are fairly small, Luthis can't help but notice many of them are heavily armed, and pay reverence to the Brother Battle sect-everyone of them carries a sword (or two), along with bolts pistols and rifles, their ammunition belts trailing under their church symbols.

While they treat him with outward respect, they do look upon the Archon with a small but noticeable amount of disdain...

Malcador has been shunted off the to back of the room, the "Black" table, the traditional post for him, and others of his ilk. He's mostly alone-most people feel a vague sense of unease about sitting with him-and his back is to the door. He gets served last.

In time, the food and drink begin to take their toll, the party slows and the music starts...

The first number is a rousing Barbarian anthem-while few understand the words, it gets almost everyone beating their chests and slamming their feet on the ground.

The second number, a Church Hymnal-though, of the more violent sort. It's mostly about killing Xenos, of course-an Archon less than Luthias might be close to spitting out his drink over-dramatically at the bombastic nature. It's quite different than what the Orthodox would usually enjoy.

The final number is an old Urth classic, one that's lasted the ages. It quiets the room with a certain sense of bittersweet melancholy-"All Around the Watch Tower", from an old Urth artist only known as 'Jimmy Hendricks'. Avery's seems to enjoy this one most of all.

Afterwards, in the good glow of food and cheer, it's time for speeches...and deal making.

((OOC: Btw, pretty much everyone can be at the party
Avery's invites the minor nobles here as well.))

[Ghazkull]

((OOC: short question i have worked out the Church Mechanics more or less now the only question that remains is whether i shall keep it "secret", aka use the mechanics via pm with Ardas, showing more less that there is something working behidn your backs, somethign which only Luthias is your connection to, or i just post it openly in the thread, besides just lol at Aeverys hate against Malcador, the poor poor advisor...or is he an advisor? ))

Malcador was content with his place at the end of the hall, after all these people all felt so...strange to him. Over all the years he had learned that he was different to them, in an alien way, it was almost as if he was a Xeno to them...and to be true he felt the same about them. His thoughts trailed off into his memories...a similiar scene, different face and he had stood guard at the red table, with his brothers...with his kind. Times long gone...he shook his head. His kind was never meant to get that old...oh yes some of them were meant, but those were created that way. He hadn't been made for this...yet the circumstances forced him to. He wearily eyed Aeverys from under his hood. A decision to be made. She had the stuff to be empress that was sure. But not that kind of Empress he wanted, the kind of empress his kind needed. Her hate for Xenos only showed her ignorance and the fury with which she had led crusades in the name of something that didn't even exist, had set his picture in stone. And yet...unkowingly he continued his stare, drifting away in his thoughts, in a way that slowly silenced the people next to him..when he finally noticed that he was staring, the Black Table had gone completely silent...not that that was a great accomplishment but still the silence was sensed in the rest of the hall.

[Ardas]

((OOC:I would consider all of Church affairs to be a secret. So far house Nova is the centrepiece here, and whie I take part and have my goals too, it would aid my intrigue if they were unaware of the background. Besides Church's main strength is diplomacy and the influence, not arms. If for example Averys managed to get her priests into my ranks or got good relations with Luthias however, she would be able to receive info and use it. ))

[Dwarmin]

Avery's could almost feel the hairs on the back of her neck stand up.

Malcador. He was like a living void in the room-people unconsciously swerved to avoid getting close to him, or otherwise fell silent when passing by.

She turned to him, and he didn't turn away. He had been staring at her, like...she was doing something offensive. Or perhaps her very existence was offensive.

Avery's ruined hand twitched in sudden anger. She suddenly, and quite passionately wanted him dead. In truth, she had wanted to kill him before-but settled for humiliation. Hoping he would step out of line, and give her an excuse...but, Malcador was always careful...

Yes, so careful.

Avery's had wondered if he even knew why she reserved such ire for him. Did he know? Could he have guessed? She almost remembered. She always remembered, in a way...

...

Malcador's smoothly smiling face (which will in later years become the Demonic smirk that haunted her nightmares) looked down the younger Averys with something almost quite predatory, or so it would seem to her.

She had never liked him-not even then-but was content to more or less ignore him. His words froze her heart in her chest.

Sending me away? To the Convent? What about my Family? Avery's asks hesitantly, her voice cracking.

Malcador offered no answers, no comforts. He was merely the messenger. So he said. Her family could not face her. Malcador was the one they sent. She blamed him.

After the years of brutal training-and the steady indoctrination of pro-Pancreator beliefs, Averys was a new found person. Broken...and remade, into a tool of war, a devout worshipper. Averys liked to believe she was happy with the changes. In truth, she couldn't remember ever being any different.

But she had been different...before.

When Avery's dreams of her life before the Church-before the blood, and the horror, and death-it always ends the same. She sees is Malcador's grinning face, the death of her innocence and her joy. It scares her.

Then she wakes up.

...and Malcador...is still there.

...

Avery's doesn't process these thoughts in a cognizant fashion. She merely hates Malcador. Wants him to suffer. Forever. For what she thinks he did to her.

And she gestures to him now, her voice calling out across the hall to him-momentarily silencing all.

"Ho-Bondsman, is there something troubling you? You seem to be favoring a bitter mood tonight."

Her words ring with a practiced mocking edge that causes the men and women in the room to laugh quietly-and, to cast their own unfavorable glances on Malcador.

[Ghazkull]

Malcador suddenly realized that he was staring at her...for how long? He hadn't been careful...this was certainly not good.

Nay Mylady Aeverys, not bitter, just thoughtful an old man, lost in his memories. he offered a honest grin. He had never figured out why she hated him. Her childhood had been hard in the Convent, but yet it had been better than everything that had happened here...his thoughts trailed off to his own childhood...
he shook his head again.
If i offend you mylady i ask that i may depart your feast... silently he stood up.

[Dwarmin]

Avery's waved her-uninjured-hand dismissively.

"You are relieved, Bondsman.

Hmm-perhaps you should get some rest. You do look sort of pale and sickly.

Or maybe that's how you always look, I can never tell..." She said with an arrogant and vicious smile

Laughter hounds Malcador out of the room, eventually.

[Ghazkull]

Actually i find that color quite healthy, thank you mylady... Malcador left the hall unfazed by the laughter, uncaring for their primitive humour...

[Riccto]

(Ghaz, Im kinda left hanging with my diplomacy post awhile back.)

[Riccto]

(Ghaz, Im kinda left hanging with my diplomacy post awhile back.)

[Ghazkull]

((OOC: argh sorry...XP))

[Ardas]

She wants to talk yet she places me at the table with her fanatics.. does she really think I am her retainer? I really hope she made a faux pas, otherwise that woman is bargaining  a lot moe than she asked...

Luthais excused himself and left the white table. He motioned to servants to bring him a chair annd find him a place aat the main table, close enough to the "royal" pair.
He threw a glance at the advisor, Malcador was his name. He seemed to occupy the post of a chancellor  of sorts, bit like Luthias under Garth. Maybe the man could be probed for infomration leater on...

"Mylady, My lord, its wonderful that you have invited me here. I was just thinking that while everyone is merry and busy, we could talk over few important details."

[Dwarmin]

Avery's inclined her head politely. The room was a bit calmer now-some were beginning to excuse themselves, while others talked amongst themselves quietly. She noticed Luthias was a bit perturbed. Maybe not used to parties, she thought.

Roim looked toward Luthias sleepily.

They were holding hands, Roim running a finger over Avery's lifeline slowly. An not so overt glance passed between them.

Avery's merely smiled, and spoke.

"...Indeed.

This is the traditional time to speak of business, after the ceremonies are done. Though traditionally one is invited to sit...you are my guest, and I will allow this breach of decorum this time, due to your station.

What do you wish to discuss, Archon?"

[Ardas]

"I want to speak of the exact position of Church in your domain. You are powerful, but not all powerful. Blind might is nothing without the vision as given to us by Pancreator. As it stands now, your lands will require our help if you wish to bring them up in knowledge and faith in few years intead of few decades. I am only looking forward to fulfill my apostolic mission, but I cannot do so without your open consent to build schools and shrines as well as to use the existing ones, to support your ... zealous preachers with a corps of qualified Church priests."

Luthias hoped he did not ask for too much, and that Averys would be better than her husband if she managed to see the dire situation their land was in.

[Dwarmin]

"Zealous? Most of them would be complimented...

I merely wish your priests be ready for the rigors of this world-idle preaching wins few converts. Action inspires far more to our flocks. This is a dangerous place, as you might have guessed."

Avery's turned to Roim. He gave Luthias a hard look. Then he nodded.

"We concur then.

You may build your schools and shrines-and my Preachers will build them alongside you-and defend them, as a Shepard's will among sheep.

I will expect, that as my guests, your Church priests will support order in my Empire, correct? Support our legitimacy?

As long as we are judged to be true in the eyes of the Pancreator, of course..."