J'Renn calms herself after a few deep breaths, (I am familiar with a few species where my telepathy isn't compatible, but it's still startling when someone seems to appear out of nowhere.) she admits.  She bows politely to Darkthorne, as well as the mini Prism.  (Could you convey my greetings, Doug?  I believe I can make myself heard to the Prisim group.)  she nods towards Prisim again, (Greetings.).

In the meanwhile she explains, (I intend to gather a bit more information about the local politics to avoid running afoul of them.  Since there seems to be a lockdown I decided to start here as I have no urgent need to leave the planet, nor do I need to antagonize the local athorities.  I was going to start by aquiring local currency, but...  I'm afaid I have no real experience with currency based commerce.) she admits to Doug and Prisim.  Darkthorne, unfortunately only watches her blink, occasionally glance at the bartender, and nod towards the outside.

Paula smiles happily at Miranda's recommendation, taking the blouse and paying for it. Though not wealthy, she doesn't seem to have too much of a problem paying for a small indulgence like this, especially when with a friend.

Having the blouse put into a bag for her, she looks over to Miranda sadly, "I haven't been to the Nation of Order in some time, though I do remember it having strict control over most things... Still, it's sad that he's not able to join you in your journey, Miranda. Is it because of his position in there that he's not allowed to go out?" She tilts her head in honest curiosity.

Thanking the merchant and smiling at him, she takes her bag and rejoins her new friend, staying close to her, "I don't know what I would do if I weren't allowed to travel... My master always told me that my growth depended upon my seeing different parts of this universe." She frowns, looking around, "Though, with this lock-down, it seems as if neither of us will be seeing too much more than the Fire Kingdom, at least for now."

Cham continues shoving forkfuls of food into his mouth on a measured basis, looking perfectly stoic as he does so and staring straight ahead through his sunglasses.

As Mittens talks about her varying thoughts on her position and the war at hand, Cham partially listens here and there, wiggling his ears to and fro occasionally. However, as the explanation goes on, he gets somewhat bored and can't help but let his eyes wander to the TV.

Frank's image is fizzled out in favor of a Frank-like cartoon cowboy riding through the desert on a spindly horse. For absolutely no reason at all, a raccoon in a bandit mask rides by on a black horse and tosses a black bomb into Cowboy Frank's hands. The bomb explodes loudly, complete with a 'KABOOM!' sound effect flashing on the screen and Cowboy Frank appearing in a puff of soot, his eyes wide with surprise. Shaking off the dust, he shouts "Hiyo, Silver! Awaaaay!" upon which he holds up a silver dollar and hails a taxi cab, which both he and the horse get into to chase the raccoon bandit down. But the bandit is too crafty! He-

"Ready to go live yet?"

Cham stops suddenly slurping on the movie-theater soda that's somehow come into his possession on the table, wiping his mouth with a deadpan expression fit for the secret service. He gives a singular nod in response to Mittens' question, folding his hands on the table.

Without any fan-fare, the TV goes back to showing its regularly scheduled program of the real Mr. Frank.

Timothius doesn't answer Mittens since she is busy talking and ends all that talking with addressing the news crews. Besides... her advisers and such will probably answer her questions regarding forced combat a lot clearer than he would have.

The news crews nod in response and go live. "Greetings! This is Harrison with International Burning News! We bring you LIVE today to the Queen and her guests Raichel (ex-queen of Thunder), Timothius (King of Life) and ALEXIS (Queen of the Nature Kingdom and current enemy of all Fire People). The queen has assembled a meeting with the three and is live so that there would be no doubt that this is what happened in the news today. Your highness?"

The cameras point at Mittens.


----

With astounding expertise, Doug lets everything after J'Renn's request flow through his mouth as though J'Renn were speaking through it. As though Doug's mouth was actually J'Renn's. It's like Doug's done this sort of thing thousands of times. As soon as J'Renn is done talking, though, Doug says, "I'll be able to help with the financial end of things."

Doug then looks at Prism Jr. "I'm translating due to this man's incompatability with psyonics. Speak freely."

Miranda says, "My friend is in a respected position. Personally, I think it's because he's so peaceful that the Nation of Order is afraid to let him go anywhere. After all, since he doesn't like violence, the nation sees that as an opportunity for the other nations to kidnap him. He says he'd port me out of here, but that I should stay on his behalf to make sure things go peacefully."

Raichel waits her turn to speak now that the news crews are set up.

Alexis doesn't say anything yet. It's not her turn. She has plenty of retorts to Mittens' example, but reminds herself that Mittens isn't trying to antagonize anyone and is simply trying to make a point that she's NEW here. Yet not stupid. Alexis still figures it best to speak her mind when her turn comes.

Mittens eyes practically pop out of their sockets and she almost chokes on her drink when she sees the hilarious antics displayed on the TV screen sitting next to her.  To add to the silliness, by the time she manages to tilt the TV for the others to watch with her, it's returned to the rather boring image of her top adviser Frank.

She blink-blinks, and finally puts two-and-two together.

"Cham?!" she asks Agent Superball.

But it's already time to answer the news anchor.  Mittens puts the TV back, laces her fingers together on the table in front of her, and smiles at the cameras.

"Thank you, Mr. Harrison," she says, "You're quite right to identify my new friend Raichel as the ex-queen of Thunder.  I'd say she removed any doubt of who she is yesterday when she vaporized that super-powered boulder-tossing zombie Blake, whom I suspect we haven't seen the last of.  After seeing what she's capable of, I'm just BURNING to have a match with her myself, but that will have to wait."

She gives a friendly grin to Raichel.

"Given that so far I've only heard the Fire Palace version of the Fire Kingdom's history, I'm very curious to have a fresh perspective.  Raichel.  I would like you to tell us all your take on the events that led to the war between my nation and the Nature Kingdom.  Then, I would like for his highness Timothius give us his two cents, then Queen Alexis, and finally Mr. Frank here.  I'm sure your tech guys can figure out how to make it so Frank won't be a tiny face next to me when he gives his answer.  Also, I've requested that Queen Alexis be given a means of contacting her home so she can have whatever adviser she chooses handy."

Not to mention so she can make sure the broadcast is not being tampered with by the time it reaches the Nature Kingdom.  Mittens then gives a nod in Cham's direction.

"And by the way, I have given this man permission to interject at any time."

She blink-blinks again, as if remembering something.

"Oh yeah.  And by the way.  About this lock-down.  I'm told that it's for the safety of my people."

She skews her lips to the side and shrugs her left shoulder.

"I'm going to have to admit that while I'm not at all fond of this lock-down, the way it was explained to me makes sense, and I'm going to allow it to remain in place for at least as long as these talks are being held."

Prism Sr. rejoices that they were not included in any way!  As much as they like Alexis, they do NOT want to be included in politics.  Especially nerve-wracking life-or-death talks where the fate of tens of thousands of lives hang in the balance.  Ironically, they would likely make for a great politician because they would wind up saying a whole lot of nothing.

"We strongly support coming to a consensus, and agree that open discussions are an excellent way to keep the lines of communication open leading to mutual understanding and arriving at a common perspective.  Bla bla bla bipartisanship.  Yadda yadda yadda hope in change.  Etc. Etc."

Not that they don't have opinions.  They're beginning to be more convinced that Queen Mittens is crazy like a fox.  It isn't lost on them that the Fire Nation will have the final say in the pose order.  They also notice how she keeps saying she can't wait to fight the goddess who can vaporize the Hulk.  And stuff like "I've killed my tens of thousands," and "I can pull a Jesus and raise myself from the dead no prob," and other dropped hints that she's not to be trifled with.

They speculate on who to believe when it comes to Raichel's reputation.  She's either the worst tyrant or the most even handed monarch depending on who you believe.  Is she out for revenge or does she simply want to rescue her people from an impostor?  Either way she'll likely try to settle the dispute between Fire and Nature in order to get what she wants.  Timothius too, but more out of a desire to undermine death.  Alexis is hard to predict given that she's given to fits of rage... depending on who you believe.  As for Cham...  Why oh why does Mittens put up with him?!  Worse!  She encourages him!  Perhaps fire really is naturally aligned with chaos.

---

Prism Jr. thanks Doug for offering to translate then points out the live news broadcast on the ubiquitous bar TV.  They request that the volume be turned up.

((I may put more detail into part two of prism's post when time allows.))
This message was last edited by the player at 16:29, Wed 10 Mar 2010.

  Darkthorne adjusts to the translation service well enough.  "Thanks for the help.  What she said is similar to my situation, aside from the degree of familiarity with currency."  Darkthorne had a feeling about just what method they had employed to get piles of soft metals.  They again wondered at some of the logic behind the minimalist approach to Kasketon Recon, but most of the important stuff was being used for things a bit more significant than sightseeing with low to moderate risk.

  "Anything in particular I'd be willing to help with that you need?  Freetime is one of the benefits of exploration." they say to J'Renn.  Just because they can't hold a regular conversation doesn't mean he's going to talk past them.

Looks back and forth as everyone seems to put out a helping hand.  In order to show each of them what she's up to she hands uot a platinum ingot to each of them, in Prism Jr's case, just sets it down next to them.  (My most immediate concern is establishing a medium of trade with the local merchants.  Afterwards I will be investigating the universe's core area.  Is this a metal that is considered valuble here?  It is a commonly used Hydrogen catalyst, and a fairly good plasma conductor. I will be glad to share a portion of the proceeds if I can establish trade.) she explains.

Paula tilts her head honestly at Miranda's words, "Make sure that things go peacefully? ... Oh! You mean with all that's going on with the Fire Kingdom right now?  You must have quite an impressive means of communication if you could tell him about that already! That certainly must make long trips away much more bearable." She smiles hopefully at that.

Taking her bag, Paula goes on walking with Miranda, fully intending to peruse the rest of the vendors around them and window shop as they talk and wait for the lock-down to lift. However, one of the shops has a television sitting on a stand, displaying the impromptu conference that Mittens is giving. Upon seeing this, Paula stops and watches curiously.

"That's... the Queen of Fire, isn't it? Is something happening?"
This message was last edited by the player at 04:40, Fri 02 Apr 2010.

At Mittens' introduction of him, Cham promptly interjects, "Play ball, sir."

Somehow, he keeps his deadpan tone up, even when he takes a loud, long slurp of his soda through a swirly straw. For now, he's otherwise, and surprisingly, silent, waiting to see what everyone else is going to say about all of this... and how he can get the most fun out it.

Harrison points the cameras at Raichel since she was who Mittens requested go first. "To keep this from blowing out of proportion or getting off topic, please let the person who is to speak say their piece. Each person takes a turn."

Raichel says, "Far as the lock-down is concerned, your decision is the wisest given your position. As for the history of your war with the Nature Kingdom, here's how I understand it. One of the Nature Kingdom's villages caught fire and burned down one day. Supposedly it spontaneously combusted, or so the reports said once it reached the ears of the Fire Nation. You have a group under your power known everywhere as The Zealots. They saw this burning as a sign that it was time for Nature to burn. Especially since their emperor encouraged such a belief. He played it like it wasn't his idea and said it was the "will of the flame" so that The Zealots would fight without concern of morality. Most of the attacks since then have been lead by the Zealots. It is my personal belief that the first fire was not an accident or fate, but that someone set that first village on fire to start all this. However, there is no remaining proof. Since then, the Nature Kingdom has done nothing to provoke fights. Only defending and fighting back against their aggressors.

This all happened while I was still Ruler of the People of Thunder. My people and yours were still allies and thus expected support in this blood bath. I refused. Within the same day, I was attacked and killed. Then replaced. Since then, the Ruler of Thunder was a "yes man" to the Emperor of Fire and did everything he said.

However, in recent history, just before you showed up, Queen Alexis had enough and began plans that I believe could very well wipe out the Fires of your Nation for generations. I do not wish to discuss these plans because they may still be necessary and I personally side with the Nature Kingdom. With you coming to power, though, the rumor I've heard is that your nation and the Nature Kingdom might stop this war and make some kind of amends."

She then looks at Harrison and nods. He responds by turning to interview Timothius.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:52, Sat 03 Apr 2010.

Timothius says, "What Raichel mentioned is the gist of it. As for me and my people, our part in the war was simple. We aided the Nature Kingdom with healing. I should point out, however, that while Raichel was busy ruling her people, my people were kept busy trying to prevent any other spontaneous fires. And, after Raichel's dethroning, prevent any more assassinations. There were certain key assassination attempts that happened shortly after Raichel was killed. There were the obvious attempts on King Maximus Urser and Supreme Organizer Martin Garwin."

One of Mittens advisers leans over and explains out loud, "The rulers of the Water Kingdom and the People of Order respectively."

Timothius continues, "...yes. Sorry. I take some knowledge for granted that you may still be learning. But while those attempts were obvious choices for the Fire Nation to go for, I too was targeted. My people were neutral with the Fire Nation and we never "officially" changed that status. But then there was the assassination attempt on Murla, Queen of Darkness. She survived, but it became painfully clear what was going on. While most of this was being kept from the media for reasons I won't go into for now, it became obvious to those in the know that the Emperor of the Fire Nation was ambitious enough to want to conquer everyone. But he's gone now. And you are here."

He nods to Harrison.
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:53, Sat 03 Apr 2010.

Harrison seems both excited about and fearful of turning towards Alexis. But he does his job and points the cameras at her.

Alexis says, "Five years of Hell. Fire everywhere in places that used to be dominated by beauty. Families torn asunder. Those "Zealots" attacked without regard and killed even defenseless people. Infants met the swords and flames of those Zealots in the name of this "Will of the Flame". All I've seen from this war is life ending everywhere around me while the Life Kingdom did their best to keep who they could from dying. Raichel covered the history. Timothius covered the politics. All I can tell you is how personal it is. This war is not between you and me, Mittens. It is between my people and your people. You and I are just caught in the middle as their arbiters, trusted to command them and direct their passions. Whether the passion is hate, a desire to fulfill some meaningless will, or revenge."

She's burning with hate. Burning. More than fire people. And in tears. The media is eating this allll up.

"You say you have no illusions about being a good person. That you're a realistic person. That the only choices are come to an agreement or slaughter the hell out of your foe. Well I'll turn this back around on you: I came here because you're new. This is true. But because I think you stupid? No. Because my people are desparate enough, I didn't care how unwelcome I was. I was willing to gamble my life on you. On YOU. And you just make light of my situation like I don't know what I'm doing? Well I can tell you this, while death would be a welcome release from what I've been having to see and endure, I will draw every breath for my people. Be warned, though; whoever kills me will be responsible for the entire downfall of the Fire Nation. Not a threat to you in particular, Mittens, but a threat nonetheless. I am so *sick* of being pushed around."

She whipes her arm across her eyes to rub the tears away. "Despite popular belief, I do not want to see your people dead, Mittens. Just the ones responsible for all the death in my Nation. Find them. Punish them appropriately. Do these things and you will achieve peace with my people. I will listen for a counter-offer, of course, but I doubt it will be something pheasable."

Harrison then signals for the news crew to get Frank up on the screen.

Frank gets a confident smile and says, "Well as Alexis just pointed out, it is popular belief that Alexis and her people want to see the Fire Nation dead. The history behind the war was, as Raichel stated, pretty much started by the burning village and the Zealots seeing it as a sign. However, to call it a "war" is still an exaggeration. The Zealots acted of their own accord without any official orders from the emperor. The Nature Kingdom never officially declared war on the Fire Nation. There were no weapons of mass destruction and all of these battles were fought on the Nature Kingdom's soil, as if the point needed further proving that the Nature Kingdom never declared war. If they had, it was neither reported on the news nor acted upon with any assault on our soil. As for these recent events Raichel speaks of, our intel is aware of recent attempts to get the Water Nation to "wash us out" so to speak. And Timothius speaks of assassinations, but the fact is there are attempts on the lives of the rulers all the time. My condolences for the losses, but this is really not as much a war as an unfortunate incident."


----

As per Prism Jr's request, the news is turned up. For Prism, of course, the sound would seem to echo since Prism Sr is broadcasting it at the same time.

Doug is watching the news which is now being broadcast where he's at. But being who he is, he is simultaneously paying attention to the conversation being had by Prism Jr, J'Renn and Darkthorne. Doug answers in a very calm tone, "Platinum is valuable. Too valuable. To sling it around like currency around here can get you killed or kidnapped and held for ransom. The People of Order on constant look out for an imbalance in the currency. If there is more currency flowing than normal, they hunt down the culprit as a suspect for counterfeit. So it would be wisest to obtain a job to keep the currency exactly as-is."
This message was last edited by the player at 12:53, Sat 03 Apr 2010.

In reply to Paula's comment about communication, Miranda says, "It does. And the communication he and I share is through an invention of his that allows instantaneous communication. He hopes to share it with everyone some day, but sadly has to be very careful what inventions he allows other people to have."

Her attention drawn to the TV, Miranda nods. "Yes... that's her." And as the other royalty there is introduced, it becomes quickly apparent how big a deal this could be. "...oh dear..." Miranda says quietly, watching.

As soon as Raichel begins giving her speech, something becomes very apparent to Mittens.  The lack of a chat log pen and paper!  She snatches the bottle of ketchup and uses it to scrawl notes on her plate and napkin:

TY.  Will O flames.  No proof.  Yes man.  Big water.  Gank attempts.  Conquest.  Make light.  Your people.  (underline big water)  Punish zealots.  Not war.  (underline big water).

Mittens clears her throat to have the news guys point the camera at her and takes a deep breath.

"Someone get this woman a tissue," she says, indicating the tearful Nature Queen, staring at her notes with a serious face, "And get us all pen and paper."

"Ok.  Now.  Thank you for the compliment, Raichel.  I welcome the current ruler of the Thunder Kingdom to come here, look you in the eye, and refute what you've said about him.  Next point.  Big Water.  Three of you made mention of the Big Water."

She holds out her hands, palms up, and summons a pair of watery orbs above them, trying to look as dramatic as possible.

"I'm no stranger to the power of water.  I myself am a master of water magic.  I welcome water.  Namely, Maximus, King of the Water Kingdom.  I invite him to come here and talk with me openly about how he is expected to kill for others.  I invite him to open the doors of his kingdom for me to talk with him face to face about how he is being used as a threat."

She closes her hands and the orbs vanish.

"Next point.  Conquest.  For those more interested in truth than hate, I will say this about the former King of Fire.  My meeting with him was brief, but in the short time we fought together, and then against each other, he did not strike me as a power-mad conqueror.  He was rational, practical, and most importantly, conceded defeat.  If he were out to conquer everyone, he would have had his body guards swarm me to try and take what he wanted by force.  Instead he congratulated me.

"A conqueror would have left evidence at the destroyed Nature Village that it was some rival nation that started things - to divide his enemies.  A conqueror would have left evidence that the attempted assassinations were the work of rival nations - to divide his enemies.  If this really is all his doing, he sure doesn't fit the part.  Sounds to me like that he, and consequently the entire Fire Nation, was being framed.  My guess is that when he learned I was strong enough to lead, he willingly gave me his crown so he would evade this trap being set for him by his enemies, and free himself up to uncover the truth and clear his name.

She faces Alexis.

"Next point.  If I personally have hurt your feelings, Queen Alexis of Nature, I apologize.  I see in your eyes and your words a blazing passionate fire.  Far be it from me to wash that fire with tears.  I respect you.  I respect your Fire.  I respect Nature.  I accept your trust in me.  I'm flattered you'd put your life in my hands.  You've got guts.

"Next point.  We are not at war.  Everyone here has made this point.  The Nature Kingdom has not declared war, nor has the Fire Kingdom.  Rest assured, if this nation were to go to war, the stars would quake.  Your quarrel is not with the Crown or the Fire Nation's people, but with a specific group's interpretation of the Will of the Flames whom by your own admission never had the official sanction of the Fire Crown, nor the people of the Fire nation.  In fact it's been pointed out that they could have been manipulated into attacking.  That said, I affirm yours and any nation's right to kill the hell out of anyone on their soil who invaded unprovoked.

"Now I must correct my adviser.  If one mother loses her child, people call it a tragedy.  If hundreds or thousands die, it's an unfortunate incident?  No.  As I mentioned earlier, words cannot express the magnitude of the loss.  I have the blood of tens of thousands of killers on my hands from the war on my home world.  I've hardened my heart to that slaughter, but I will not allow such things be described as merely unfortunate.

"Last point.  The Will of the Flames...

She holds out her hands, clenches them into fists, and lights them on fire.  Her blazing eyes stare directly at the camera, looking very dramatic.

"I may not be an initiate of any specific order that you are familiar with, but I am very attuned to the Will of the Flames.  It's as universal as the stars, as familiar as the darkness between the stars.  Fire brings light.  Light exposes truth.  Fire shall bring the truth to light.  Meaning I will find out the truth of what happened the day Nature's village burned.  I will expose that truth for all to see.  I will ascend to the very Heart of the Universe and bring back this truth with me so that none will be able to refute the answer I find.  Then there be no doubt what the true Will of the Flames is."

Or I'll die trying.  Thank goodness for respawning at home points.  She extinguishes the blazing fists and faces Alexis again.

"Because of your courage, I invite you join me when I leave to face the dangers at the Heart of the Universe.  To have the justice you seek, you must first have the truth I seek."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:22, Sun 04 Apr 2010.

Millions of tiny bugs pissing in their pants.  Prism Sr. is terrified by the heavy hitters duking it out verbally.  They remain motionless, holding their collective breath, waiting for a reply from the other monarchs.  They may be predominately atheist, but a lot of them are praying Cham doesn't do something to spark a war at this very very sensitive moment.

---

Prism Jr. is also very nervous about Prism Sr.'s situation, but being more removed from it makes them able to think more clearly.  Besides the public apology blunder, and the fact that the Fire Queen didn't deny it when Alexis claims she's not a good person, and several other details, the flaming-eyes kitty made a brilliant move.  Even if the Heart is a myth, she will be working on a common goal with the Nature Queen.  This is exactly the kind of symbolic move that would prevent a war.  Not to mention in the unlikely case that if the Nature Queen turns her down, it will totally destroy her credibility.  If she's not willing to go, people will call those crocodile tears.  Win-Win for the Fire Queen by all appearances.  They consider the telepathic company present and realize the huge help they could be.

"You should join them, J'Renn," they suggest, "Your telepathy would be perfect for preventing any misunderstandings between them."

((OOC:  Went back and discovered that Prism Jr. didn't reply to J'Renn's greetings.  This is totally the fault of the player.  They would have said hello back.  ))
This message was last edited by the player at 04:23, Sun 04 Apr 2010.

  Prism Sr. was probably not doing as poorly as the narration department exaggerated on.  Prism Sr. doesn't have any pants.

  Darkthorne looks to J'Renn.  "Various soft metals tend to be valued for some reason, even in locations where they are unaware of their value in technological components.  As for the currency angle, She's supplying raw materials, not counterfeit currency." they take a moment to consider this.

  "However, considering the nature of this kingdom and those around it, I suspect they have gotten people who can supply valuable materials with the same method I suspect you employed.  So while what you have been waving around now shouldn't be too bad, any more even in raw materials is likely to attract notice by those order people, if for different reasons.  Or not. It really depends on if they are able to track every form of wealth across all the local worlds at all times."  Darkthorne wouldn't underestimate the lengths bookeeping someplace called 'order' would go to though.  The Kasketons had never outgrown currency.  But this was because they never had the luxury of developing their own in the first place.

  As the epic speeches start and go by on the bar provided video, Darkthorne considered Prism Jr's suggestion.  "They do know J'renn already... I'm always rather reluctant to encourage that sort of thing though.  But, I'll come along if she decides to."   They look to J'renn again.  "It's your call if you do so or not though."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:50, Sun 04 Apr 2010.

J'Renn takes the translation of the TV broadcast directly from Doug's mind.  Despite all the political posturing and showmanship there is one thing that does interest her greatly.  (They are considering going to the heart of the universal core.  Just to observe the attempt would clear up countless questions.  And also being neutral in this area of space they might actually trust me to transport them.  That alone will increase thier chances.  How would I go about making such an offer?) she asks around the small group she's with.  (There is no harm in any of you coming with me, either.) she offers.

Paula covers her mouth as she watches the proceedings on the television, shaking her head in disbelief at all that's being talked about.

When Mittens finishes talking, she puts a hand to her head softly, "She's really planning on going there? And... oh... this almost sounds bad." She looks over at Miranda cautiously, "This all sounds like it's getting crazy fast... There's so much talk about death and war... I don't know what to expect... Miranda? What do you think this all means?"

Her new purchase today is quickly forgotten in the light of all of the seriousness that's befallen the airwaves.

Upon being given a pen and paper at Mittens' request, Cham immediately turns to drawing cartoons and comic strips, making sure they have lots of explosions to mimic the talk about past war that Mittens brings up.

At her talk about the framing of the Fire Nation and the Will of Flames, Cham nods unable to help adding, "Yep! We're not at war and we don't wanna be, but, if we were, we'd totally kick your tails!"

When Mittens finishes, Cham begins a polite slow clap, going back into his quieter 'Adviser' facade. He speeds up the clap in case anyone joins him, but, even if they don't, he stops shortly after.

After Mittens is done, he tilts his head, "Hey... what if the Heart of the Universe thing tells you that you have to ask again in ten minutes, or that the prediction is hazy, or that spoons don't really exist, or that you really are supposed to go to war and blow everyone away? You've gotta do that then, right?" He takes a moment before pushing his sunglasses up and adding officially, "Sir."

Raichel listens to the words Mittens chooses. She notices the water orbs and the claim of mastery over water. Good flaunting there, but possibly over the top. Raichel knows a bit about water power too, but she considers what she knows to be nowhere near enough to claim mastery. Then again, she's so attuned to lightning, Raichel is still surprised she knows anything about water.

Raichel speaks up when Mittens offers for Alexis to go. "A trip to the Heart of the Universe? You make it sound like a picnic. I've been there once and claimed some of its secrets. I know the danger. Not just the danger of going there, but the danger of actually managing. I highly recommend you not promise your people you will pull it off, lest the Heart make you a liar."

Raichel also knows the laws of the universe and that if you say you'll do something, fate itself tends to get in your way.

Timothius says, "Due to events being what they have been, I can safely speak on the Water Kingdom's behalf that they will permit you visiting them but if any of them visit here, it will be an ambassador and not an actual member of royalty."

Frank speaks up, "Ha! Because their royalty are pansies with no power of their own. They hide behind their kingdom, unlike our queen who is an army in and of herself!"

Harrison is having a ball.