>"Ah, you m--"

Normally people would respond with "yes, that's me". She sounded like she was about to say "Ah, you mean..." or "Ah, you met...".
Maybe K'miele is a name she shares with a family member.
Maybe the advisors interrupted us because she's a replacement for the real matriarch and they need to keep up appearances.
Maybe I'm guessing too much.

>>224553
I applaud you; you're smarter than the rest of us ):

Muschio 2010/09/10(Fri)18:57 No. 229265 ID: 05dd93
File 128417026238.gif - (7.86KB , 800x600 , 1171.gif )

You're absolutely right. The court is no place for the insolence of such meddling advisers.

"You'll excuse me for being blunt, but I was addressing the Matriarch, not yourselves. Perhaps in this Court you hold little respect for your superiors but where I come from it was a grave misstep to ever speak over your esteemed ruler. This discussion is between myself and the Matriarch. And if you dare speak over your Queen again I will have to request you leave the room. My matters are urgent, and I have no time for those who do now know when to hold their tongues."

Hell yeah.

>>229266
Maintain glare.

oh man, they are so shocked, good job!

>>229265
Continue looking as hard-boiled as you can.

Say "...sorry, it's been a hard week." it'll soften the impact of your previous speech without impeding the point.

Muschio 2010/09/10(Fri)19:15 No. 229278 ID: 05dd93
File 12841713208.gif - (16.11KB , 800x600 , 1173.gif )

>"What insolence!"
...I suddenly get the feeling that didn't go over so well.

>"This man is an absolute brute!"
>"A presumptuous ogre!"
>"Did you hear how he addressed our Queen?!"
>"I've never seen such rudeness!"
>"Throw the brute out!"
>"Your grace, we demand you sort this fool out!"
>"Yes! Lay the hammer down, your majesty!"
>"Your honor demands it!"

>>229278

Just look at her.

With any luck she'll know what to do.

HA, you are fine, THEY want to throw you out but the queen is the one in charge. she just has to say no and you are golden.

Maintain your p-p-pokerface.

>>229278
Stay true to your word. Request that they leave the room.

"Thoughts, Your Majesty?"

>>229278
Brush the one holding you off.

"If the QUEEN wishes it, I shall leave. But you advisors hold no command over me, only your ruler."

They are probably just testing whether you can be intimidated that easily. They are searching for a ruthless man, so push that guard nearby away, making a disgusted face.

"Is she not her own person?! I was addressing YOU in that comment, if you cannot shut up and let her speak, you are speaking for her. You are advisers meant to help the queen, not be the queen."

>>229278
I don't think the advisors know that you're royalty, Muschio.

Perhaps the Matriarch has figured it out by now though...

Muschio 2010/09/10(Fri)19:31 No. 229289 ID: 05dd93
File 128417228027.gif - (12.25KB , 800x600 , 1174.gif )

Everyone in the room turns to the Matriarch, myself included.

She rises, an expression of harsh but controlled anger on her face.
>"Sir, I don't know who you think you are, but no one may speak to me that way in my own court."

A small round of approval circles the table. The advisers murmur their agreement and support of their Queen.

The Matriarch glances once to them, then to me. She rises from her throne, pacing back toward a heavy black steel door set in the back of the room. The advisers hush themselves and their murmurs quiet, but this gesture means nothing to me. One of the advisers speaks up softly.
>"Your majesty, with all respect... are you sure this is deserved?"

She glances coldly back at me as she steps toward the door.
>"As you said, I should bring the hammer down. I'm going to see this comes to justice myself. Sir. Come with me, or I'll have the guards bring you by force."

Welp... lets get going.

>>229289
Gosh, she is really afraid of her advisors.
Go with her willingly, of course. We'll get to be with her in private.
Don't take your dick out unless she asks you to.

oh, she wants to talk to you alone but is putting on a show. follow.

"Yes your majesty"

>>229289
Seems like there's something she doesn't want the advisors to see. Better follow her.

>>229289

Follow the queen. Sounds like she has some important stuff to tell.

>>229289
"Of course, your majesty." Respectful, while implying that we would never have desired to go against what she said, thus causing us to not appear cowed, while still appearing (and, in fact, being) entirely respectful.

Maybe she's just a fake queen and only now you are allowed to see the real one.

We'd better go along with it.

Follow her, try not to say anything.

Muschio 2010/09/10(Fri)19:48 No. 229303 ID: 05dd93
File 128417328233.gif - (17.38KB , 800x600 , 1175.gif )

At the Matriarch's behest, I follow her into the dark metal door, leaving Finesse behind. Thankfully, the advisers don't seem to mind her.

As my eyes adjust to the dark chamber beyond, its walls of smoothed, solid stone, reinforced at set points and set with steel joists which separate marked cages and cells, a slow but palpable feeling of apprehension crosses over me.

This is not, in fact, a private meeting room. It is a prison.
By all appearances, one where political prisoners are kept.

roll with it, you can probably escape should you need to.

you are gonna have to trust her. why would she take you in here alone?

>>229303
Oh dear... this could get real bad real fast. Remember your wristdarter if things start looking grim.

>>229303
I think right about now is when we explain who we are, and apologize if we offended her.

She just wants you to meet somebody who is down here. Why else would she lead you there alone?

>>229303
Don't shoot her, you can probably fuck your way out of this if it goes bad.

If she wanted anything but privacy, there'd be some guards here. Prepare for an informative info dump.

You want to avoid violence if at all possible, but be ready to fight if you have to!

Either she can fight like hell, in which case she doesn't NEED guards, or she's taking you to see someone. Go with her, but if she takes you to a completely bare cell it might not be a good idea to go in it just yet...

>>229303

The queen wishes to make sweet sweet insect love to you.

Sweat uncontrollably.

>>229303

Time for some more confidence. If she wanted to imprison you, she would have had the guards follow you. It's pretty likely that this is a show for the others, and that she wants to talk alone.

Let her speak first. Don't start babbling apologies though. That would be wimpy, especially since you don't know if you should apologize yet or not.

Also, >>229318

Seriously, don't go into an empty cell.

Muschio 2010/09/10(Fri)20:08 No. 229321 ID: 05dd93
File 128417449931.gif - (16.91KB , 800x600 , 1176.gif )

"Your majesty, I do hope that when-mmh!"

oh wow, yeah, i think you just got an ally. kiss her back, she is a queen.

>>229321
Oh great, it's one of those rape things, isn't it?

>>229321
Woah, try not to let her mandibles too far down your throat.

>>229321
Use tongue.

Just relax and let her do her thing.

>>229321
...proceed.

>>229321
You must be polite and return the gesture. But don't allow this to get out of hand, it could impede our goals.

>>229321
uuuh.... score!


I guess....

I guess return the gesture, but dont get too into it. You have to remain catious. And remember Finesse...

It is possible she's always wanted someone to say that to her advisers...

obviously that's just a friendly royal kiss on the lips, and due to our poor chrono-sense it looks like a longer kiss...

or if its not, see, backbone is sexy! although I had assumed your being dragged here was for a chat, not a kiss.

>>229334
Her eyes are closed, that indicates that she's into it. So does the way she's holding her body relative to him, and that one's not likely to be faked.

>>229338
oh, I know. I just like being contrarian at times. It could be more innocent then we know anyways.

By the way, boss, it seems that these people practice Rishathra. Sorry for not warning you ahead of time, but you're going to have to indulge her a little to establish trust.

Err you probably don't this to go anywhere even more awkward. Going along with this and turning her down are both dangerous options, lets get her to stop without offending:

"I know I was seeking diplomatic relations, but this isn't quite what I intended. May I... ask for an explanation, your highness?"

>>229321
Well don't be rude, now. Let her finish! And would it kill ya to at least make it a nice kiss?

This might be one of those 'bug culture' things. (Heh heh heh)

>>229321
I get the feeling she rather appreciated that.
Go on! Kiss her back!

>>229379
Me likes this dialouge.

>>229321

"It's good to see you too, K'miele."

It must be some form of bug greeting tradition... don't get any ideas.

Make love to her and have unimaginably hideous children.

Get out of her grip so you can point dramatically and shout "OBJECTION!"

>>229441
They are both different race, No children could be produced as they have too much genetic variation. It's basically natures condom, so have fun brosef.

>>229326
Proceed.

>>229458

It must be great to be rawdoggin' all the time in fictional universes.

>>229475
Except when you get herpes.

>>229321
Awww yeah, nobody can resist that good old malto charm.

Don't disappoint her now Mushio, make sweet sweet love to her. Good enough that she's willing to just hand over her crown to you.

>>229488
Good thing healing magic exists in this setting.

Muschio 2010/09/11(Sat)13:36 No. 229579 ID: 05dd93
File 128423738330.gif - (17.29KB , 800x600 , 1177.gif )

After a moment, she breaks the surprisingly powerful kiss and quickly turns away. A million thoughts run through my head, but before I can decide on what to say, she speaks up, quietly:
>"...I'm sorry. I hope you'll excuse me. It's just..."
She removes her tiara gently, staring into the dark room.
>"...it's been so long."

My mind is astir with strange thoughts.
>"I'm grateful for a chance to speak away from the Consul. Please, speak freely here."

It'd be polite to inquire how she's been and what's happened to her since you last met.

>>229579
Still frozen to the spot? I bet you made for a lousy kiss.

Snap out of it and give her a proper sweep-her-off-her-feet one. Dramatic conventions require it.

>>229579
"Why does the council hold such power over you that we must speak in private? Can you not exert your status and cease their childish prattle?"

>>229579
Tell her that it was no imposition, it was in fact rather nice. And you did come to offer your services to her cause, you just didn't expect that one.

Ok, time to tell her why you're there and stuff as well. And ask he why she allows her advisors to run roughshood all over her, they should damn well serve her, and if they don't then one or two might have to met the headsman for a height reducement.

>>229579
She's just... lonely, then. Say nothing else of it, and explain who you are and what you're about and all that.

I can think of a few things...

-What started your war?
-What will end your war?
-Who the heck is K'miele?

Muschio 2010/09/11(Sat)13:55 No. 229592 ID: 05dd93
File 128423855511.gif - (16.22KB , 800x600 , 1178.gif )

"Please, don't worry about it. To be honest, I'm more surprised by other developments since last we met. You said that you used to be a princess once... I expected exile or perhaps usurpation was the reason you no longer held the title. I never expected it was because you had ascended to Queen."
>"And I believed you were a Monk, but evidently I misjudged you as well. First impressions can be quite deceiving sometimes, can't they?"
"Perhaps. Perhaps not. I remember thinking that you reminded me of the nobility I knew in my better days. And so I must ask -- how is it your consulate is allowed to hold such power over you? I confess I know little of this region but I was under the impression the King and Queen held absolute rule."

She sighs softly. Even this has that smooth, almost melodious quality to it. Her appearance is so drastically different from her lyrical voice, it would be jarring if it weren't so beautiful.

>"Muschio... it is a sad and complex state of affairs you need not be tangled up in. Please, tell me why you've come."
"The truth is, K'miele, that is why I've come. I traveled here to offer any help I can provide, in return for the same. Consider it a sort of allegiance, founded on goodwill and mutual assistance."

She pauses again, not turning.
>"Do you really wish to know?"

>>229592
Go over there and look her in the eyes and simply say yes.

>>229595

"Certainly"

>>229592
NAH LET'S JUST CALL IT A DAY AND HEAD HOME

>>229592

Wait, SHE'S K'miele?!

Anyways, say yes. You need to know, and more importantly, WE need to know.

Heck yeah, we really want to know! She can't just tease us with an intro to an interesting backstory!

>>229579
Why do you let your council rule over you. You obviously do not like them, yet you fake to have their favor.

Why are you afraid of your advisors when you are the queen?

Muschio 2010/09/11(Sat)14:23 No. 229604 ID: 05dd93
File 128424021523.gif - (8.59KB , 800x600 , 1179.gif )

"I didn't come all this way just to give up. I want to help you, K'miele. You helped me sort things out, and I want to return the favor."

She looks me in the eyes with that same sad, quiet look she had at the lake.
>"The Patriarch -- the man I'm at war with -- the only reason he and I ever came together was to procreate. The royal lineage had to continue. Such is the way things. We ruled together for a time, but when no child came, trouble began to brew. Each of us backed by half of our shared consulate, we split into two warring sides and began this grab for power."
"And now the whole nation is consumed in this conflict?"
>"Everyone has taken a side. My consulate and all our forces are behind this war, ready to pour into it everything they have."
"Do you think you can't win?"
>"That's not it at all. Muschio, I don't want to win."
"Then what do you want?"

She looks at me softly, unable to force a smile this time.
>"I want my husband back."

Muschio 2010/09/11(Sat)14:27 No. 229606 ID: 05dd93
File 128424046336.gif - (13.18KB , 800x600 , 1180.gif )

>"All this over a marriage that began with us as strangers, and a child that never came. But I don't care, Muschio. When we met, he and I were strangers.
>But I love him.
>And I want him back.

>Nothing can change how I feel... not the consulate, not even the consensus of my own people.
>All I want is for us to have a life together again. I wish that were possible. We could just be happy together, again. We don't have to breed."

>>229606
Okay, so, Muschio, we get her to shack up with her Patriarch and either they serve us out of gratitude, or they quit politics forever and we fill the power vacuum.

>>229606
Well this shouldn't be too hard. You just have to permanently take out both sides council and overthrow an old tradition.

Easy way to get that done, win the war. That way you should get the support of the army and if you play your cards right the support of most of the common men. Then you just execute the councils, tell them that you rule now. Set up the Matriach and the Patriach as your Governors and abolish that silly old tradition.

Shouldn't be too hard. Atleast not for a man of your talents.

>>229612
Win the war, or lose the war. Maybe a way for them both to win... or both lose. Only thing we know for sure is we need to figure out what the patriarch is thinking if there will be any diplomacy at work here.

>>229606

>Do I sense foreshadowing with our own captured princess and the bug boy from Ridder's place?

Oh yes I do.jpg

>>229671

He has a name, you know. T'lear is not some random bug folk.

I have some advice for her. She needs some fucking balls and needs everyone to get in fucking gear. This adviser bullshit is well... bullshit. They overshadow authority thinking they themselves are authority and even demanded the Queen do something about you trying to stop them from interrupting her.

Man, it actually sounds like THEY instigated this whole war. Fuck them. Muschio, I think we need to assassinate the advisers on both sides. RIP THEIR THORAX'S OFF AND SHIT DOWN THEIR EXOSKELETON.

>>229606
The first step is to get rid of the consulate. The simplest way to do that is for her to march out and declare that one of them is a traitor, then confine them all to solitary confinement in the prison 'until we determine which one of you it was'.
When people ask why, she simply claims that her 'trusted allies' have determined that her attempts at having an heir were ruined by poison. Then immediately tells them that information must remain a secret, so they need to be careful who they tell.
The rumors of treason by the consulate will spread like wildfire, and people will believe it far more than if it were an official announcement.

While this is going on, Muschio goes to see the Patriarch and work things out on that end.

>>229748
This plan is brilliant. Go with it.

>>229814
>>229748
This requires the queen to go along with it, though. I don't see why she would.

>>229851
With the consulate gone she'll have unquestioned fiat control, and be able to do things they would never allow - such as letting Muschio arrange for her to meet with her husband.

Remember, everything that's happened here has been because the consulate has been acting as intermediary for the queen and deciding what she really wants.
Her: "I don't want to continue this pointless war."
Them: "Increase recruitment! We must win quickly!"
Her: "Oh, fuck you guys."
Them: "The queen demands a consort to produce an heir!"

>>229748

I support this idea in full. I also think the issue with children can be solved depending on if a compromise can be reached. For child-purposes only, a temporary lover could be given to whoever isn't infernal. If you want you can even hide this from the public, and claim the heir as yours.

Bingo, problem solved. We could also present this idea to the husband to help encourage him to make peace if nothing else works.

>>229748
...Agreed