The Emperor Arrives! [Open]

The ship seemed to take offense that Azoth and Mel had never been inside a living ship before. The emperor felt a little bad for this seemingly sentient construct, but he could not trust someone just because it seems he hurt their feeling, even if he did feel bad for it. He could, however, probably speak to the thing. Not wanting to shout at it from afar, Azoth turned to his communication device, which would first send a series of radio waves, until the frequency aligned with something the ship would understand. Then, it would transfer his voice over to the ship, as to make him part of the conversation.

'' I'm sorry if our words wound you, just know that sentient technology is a part of my empire, and they have rights just as anything else. I judge you on the same scale I judge any being in the universe.''

Very practical thing his device was, he had that worked on for quite a while, and it came very handily, especially to pay for things on Earth without having to trade a bunch of galactic currency for Earth's own... even if the ratio from Arcosian to Earth's money was quite advantageous because of this.

Then, Alaistair responded to his counter-accusation, with something that confused Azoth at first. So he outright told him that his people are zealous and obsessive, and then right after that, he told HIM about stereotypes and myths of a certain species? Oh yeah, that felt really fair. Azoth felt that Alaistair was taking how Azoth treated him personally, but not how he treated Azoth, which created a paradox where they could not understand each other. The emperor would take the high road, and change his approach.

'' I apologize for what your people went through. I personally hold no grudge or hard feelings for demons... as a matter of fact...''

Yeah, that was a LITTLE false, but the kind of 'hard feelings' he meant did not apply to Zerori. The arcosian reached for his communication device on his wrist and opened a small space where he got a coin out.

'' This is a devil coin. A token of friendship from a demon. It might not mean much to you, but I wanted you to know.''

He put the coin back where it was... it had been a while since it had seen use... or since he had news of the demon pair... he felt a little sadness within him, which he tried to schoo away... to later, surely.

'' I won't interfere in your election, or with Earth's politics in general... well... as long as the elected candidate doesn't start a dictatorship and crush the people with his boots, then I will intervene, but if your boss is not like that, then you have nothing to worry about.''

Of course, there was a limit to the neutral stance Azoth wanted to take, he would protect the people of Earth if needed.

'' But I suggest you forget that prebuilt idea of my people being obsessive and zealous. It is an image vehicle through the universe by the worst of us, a principle I had to fight for the throne in the person of my opposing candidate. ''

There, a lot of things were said, and hopefully, it would prevent this conversation from going worst.

---

Adaptative Technology used
The Freezing Horizon's AI connected to Azoth's communicator can communicate with most technology in the known world, adapting its language.

Watching these two go back and forth Tarine was finding it harder to inject himself into the conversation. Sure, hearing the ship actually confirm his assumptions was a little surprising but he’d already accepted it was possible so it wasn’t shocking to hear.

With Alaistair yet again going into why he was so defensive, Tarine’s irritation with him didn’t fade but was replaced with a mix of confusion and then apathy over getting a straight answer out of him. Alaistair’s story just didn’t add up; if a bunch of red-skinned people showed up on Earth about a hundred years ago, wouldn’t it be common knowledge by now that they lived here? And if he didn’t want to be associated with “demons”, why did he keep calling himself one when he could have just given his race’s actual name?

To be honest at this point it was remarkably easy for him to check out of the conversation. Despite being the one who wanted to bring politics up he wasn’t actually that interested in the finer details, aside from a slightly obsessive interest in Plant. And with them making no effort to drag him back in, despite being able to gain some potentially useful insight, his mind was wandering elsewhere. The only time he properly paid attention was a quizzical glance when the “devil coin” was mentioned, was Azoth really calling it that? Did that mean Alaistair was right about the superstition? Or were his species, despite not wanting to be associated with demons, deliberately naming stuff after them? He just shook his head at that one, he wasn’t going to waste his time figuring out all the contradictions.

Maybe he was just tired of hearing the same things repeated over and over again but they were becoming little more than background noise. Damn, this was boring. While Alaistair continued to talk about the presidency Tarine appeared to be checking his nails, which wasn’t unusual until bits of light ran up his fingers to form a small orb at the end that he was examining with mild interest. There was also a small amount of energy being given off by the light, far below anything that would remotely pose a threat but it may have been noticeable given the user was still unable to be sensed.

Antisense still on
That orb is technically his Solar Flare variant, sort of looks like a much smaller version of the magelight/candlelight spells from Skyrim.
Not planning on starting a fight though so don’t worry about listing combat information.
Should make a UT out of it if I keep using it non-mechanically like this.
WC - 396
Total - 4757


Azoth was misunderstanding what Alaistair meant. The Demon was being blunt about how people acted and they proceeded to dismiss it to the side, thinking that Alaistair was intending to piss him off! The Demon was gathering information on this man, but he was also being genuine. His question about having an advisor was dismissed, with comments about Azoth's presence being threatening to the Demon's. It was funny, seeing that same rhetoric Alaistair dealt with being tossed at someone who'd become Emperor!

It was almost like a title the man didn't deserve. Alaistair did not say anything to that, though. He looked to the man, noting the accusations being tossed at him, despite not at all accusing him of such!

"No objections, Lord Azoth," Alaistair replied, gesturing to the interviewer, who was fiddling with light formed from... 'Something.' No energy touched the Demon's Awareness, though. Perhaps it was magical, or something to do with what they were? Regardless, the Demon continued, "Please enjoy your time here once more on the Earth. You may send the bills over to my room at this hotel, Grand Fischer, suite 552. I will take care of your expenses while you are in the city today. Yours as well, Mel!"

Alaistair looked back towards the Cayenne Shako, still seated on the ledge, and told them, "Hey, you should head back to the port, Shako. Cannot have you lingering this long in the city! It'll disrupt the traffic for too long."

Shako huffed, but then complied stating, "Sure boss. I'll see you later today."

The Cayenne Shako lowered a bit before flying away, rocketing above the city before coming back down to the space ship port, located ten miles away from them! Alaistair, meanwhile, stood up and bowed lowly to the two, stating, "Gentlemen, have a good day. May our next meeting not be so irritable for you both!"

He'd walk around the two, after hearing what each had to say to him. Once more, he would step into the stair case located in the rooftop entrance several yards behind the two, his energy signature snuffing away to nothing at all! The Devil opened the door, and as he did, he sent a telepathic message to Derrick, saying, 'Hey Derry. Got some interesting information on Azoth you may want to know about... I just spoke to the very Emperor of Arcose just now, as well as some strange red headed man with a masked energy signature.'

Final Wordcount- 4,777

Alaistair bids the two farewell and wishes for a better time meeting with them! He then walks away, while the ship flies back to the spaceport several miles away from them. He finally sends out a telepathic message to Derry, talking about what he notes about Azoth and Tarine/Mel via Planetary Telepathy! He also initiated the Antisense trait once more as he enters his hotel once more!

This was a fun thread guys! My apologies for the repeated tardiness. Trying to get my life in order on my side of things.

Azoth was annoyed at how Alaistair spoke. He had no counter-argument or rather did not speak them, and when called out on his bigotry, he chose to bury his head in the sand. Hopefully, if this 'Derry' guy was really the only candidate for President so far, then he would be a different man. What the emperor got out of this waste of time was that this particular person could not be trusted, and was obviously trying tactics to make people feel guilty, so that they would give away information to justify themselves, while there was no need for such a thing.

'' I must decline your offer. I am Emperor, and I cannot have random citizens from other planets pay for my expense, that would be absurd. I thank you for the offer though, it is most kind of you.''

Of course, staying polite now that the discussion was over, much easier than keeping his cool while whoever Alaistair was supposed to be was one step away from openly mocking him.

Turning his back now on the demonic humanoid, he looked at Mel, who seems to be quite confused as to what was happening. He seemed surprised even at Azoth, although the arcosian was not too sure why, so he just stood there, waiting for his response. When he answered positive, the emperor smiled as the Nimbus got back to them and slipped under his legs, then advancing towards Mel.

'' Goodbye? Surely. Although, with your interest in what's happening on Plant, I doubt this is goodbye forever. If you ever need a lift to Plant, don't be afraid to ask, it is on my to-do list to go there, and I have a big ship. ''

He would give Mel a side-smirk. Nothing malicious, just, he was trying to create some complicity... he could appreciate having a Tuffle not completely doubtful of him, although it was more than possible that Mel distrusted him as well.

When and If Mel got onto the Nimbus, it would then go to the edge of the building, and simply as as an elevator, lowering itself until they reached the ground. Azoth had a chuckle before saying.

'' This your floor? ''

He asked in a somewhat mocking tone before getting off the cloud-like being.

'' It was a pleasure Mel, I'm sorry I got you wrapped up in this strange man's odd web of whatever...''

He would extend his hand for a shake, a formal one of course.

Upon the refusal of Mel, Azoth would not push more. In the last part about 'current events' he wasn't too sure how it played with him, maybe Mel did not want to go back to Plant while the war was on? He was a civilian after all, so it was not too farfetched to believe it to be the case. He would simply politely nod to the Tuffle's words, and as they lowered themselves at the base of the hotel, and a crowd quickly started to gather, the arcosian would step off the cloud, giving it a gentle pat on the top part.

'' Well then, I'm glad we can part on a positive note. I think I'll return to the crowd if you have everything you need for that article of yours? In summary, as far as Plant is concerned, Arcose is seeking to bring a peaceful solution, but will side with whoever is attacked should the conflict erupt or diplomacy failed.''

He smiled at Mel, even gave him a wink. It was probably that the journalist, like many people who came to meet the emperor, was startled by his nice nature. Hopefully, this one would realize this was no facade, but just how he was as a person.

If he was not interrupted, after a polite nod to Mel, Azoth would turn to the crowd and continue the day he was having. The idea of Derry and Alaistair would be put on the sideline for now, but he would have to inform himself soon.

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Thread Exit
TWCL 6,528