Breindel: *smiles, almost mischievously* Oh, from what I've seen of Kaida, I don't doubt it...

Mordir: *Gingerly touches his cheek* That's not all I'll throw if you keep being snippy.

Ivy: *Attention is diverted from her father's predicament* *Giggles* Eww. It looks funny, though. It's coming from its tail. *Pokes tail*

Tynx: *To Carter* Yovak hit him!

Yovak: *Glares at Abi* I'll do as I please. He is in my service. I do what must be done to keep it that way until his contract with me is finished. *To Kaida* Yes, indeed, look at you. A homeless rebel. Worthless street scum pretending to be a warrior.

Chayn: *Nudges Hank's shoulder in hello* Just talk to people. I would advise avoiding those in heated discussion, though.

Mordir: Leave her alone, Yovak- *Is slapped again*

Yovak: Do not disrespect me, boy. You ought to know your place. *Looks at the scorpion briefly, then at Kaida*

Boy, I'm glad Iluna's not here now. O.O

Kaida: And successfully getting you to waste time talking to me just as you said you wouldn't. Checkmate.

Tanner: *smirks and laughs a bit* He walked into that one...

Carter: I get the feeling this Yovak character won't let you throw anything unless he wants you to...*smirks*

Lajh: *readjusts his grip as the scorpion clicks its claws and wiggles* are you sure it's the tail? I didn't know bugs had tails...*puts it back on his hand*

Irritated scorpion: *stings him*

Lajh: *drops it* Ow! *shakes his hand out* maybe that's its mouth...

Oh, Yovak...poor, deceived fool that you are...

Breindel: *smiles a little bit, as well*

Goodness, I've missed a lot of action!

Selaria: I will try my best then, Miss Abigail. *stares back*

Iliren: I expected as much. How much is Lady Abigail's doing and how much is yours? *grins at Tinsley* Well, then. I am pleased to take the place of your deceased schizophrenia.

Selaria: *Watches Yovak, Mordir, and Kaida* Hmm... No, I believe I must be mistaken, Yovak. You cannot be a true king. If you were, would not lose your temper so quickly, resort to name-calling, or use physical force when so lightly provoked. A true king ought to have a calm bearing and with gentle words disprove any accusations against his person. No, I have certainly been mistaken in you.

Alace: mmm...well, most of it is Lady Abigail.

*debates borrowing one of Aris's infamous books to hurl at him* -_-

Tinsley: *grins in spite of herself* Should be a very eenterestingk trayd.

*officially likes Selaria for telling Yovak off*

Yovak: *Scowls at Kaida* *Shoots a ball of fire her way* *Glares at Selaria* You degrade my status, girl. I am an emperor, not a lower king.

Chayn: *Snaps her jaws over the fire ball* No fighting here.

*Whacks Yovak lightly* I let you abuse my characters here, but everybody else's are off limits. I don't have time for more dueling.

Mordir: *Smirks* He would probably just talk the entire time. *Tenses when Yovak whips around*

Yovak: You are on thin ice, boy. Remember how I found you. I can put you right back.

Mordir: *Glares at Carter* I don't defy my employer. I don't follow the request, I don't get paid.

Gooseberries, can you find something more cheerful to talk about?

Yovak: *Looks at Abi* Deceived fool? I am not deceived. I learned the lies and the secrets the politicians of Allare keep from their subjects, and I set about to change that. No more will the people be kept in the dark about how their taxes are being used for bribery and gambling debts than be used to rebuild damaged homes and businesses.

(The bribery and gambling bit is a work in progress. We don't know quite yet what's being kept secret. That just sounded like a good example.)

Ivy: *Squeals* Are you okay? *Looks at his hand, then at the scorpion* Bad buggy! Bad! We don't bite people! *Pats it sharply as a reprimand.*

Yovak: *Glances their way and flicks his hand at the scorpion*

Scorpion: *Grows to the size of a dog*

*Gives Abi a book*

Kaida: *boredly blows her bangs out of here eyes as the fireball appears and disappears. Tsk tsk, such a temper... If you keep that up, you'll always be just a lowly emperor. *looks over at the scorpion* And it's no wonder houses need repairing... What is the world coming to?

Iliren: Most assuredly, Miss Tinsley.

Selaria: *Raises eyebrow* Girl? I am the sister of a king. And if you are what an emperor is like, then I can thank heavens that there is no emperor in Narunin. Now excuse me, I have a country to care for.

Hmm... Amaron and Melendir have hardly been on here... Let's see what I can do about that.

Amaron: *quietly slips into General Conversations*

Yovak: I don't care what you think, foreigner. Fear of my "temper" is what keeps my country from rebellion.

Mordir: *Snorts*

Yovak: Do you have something to say, assassin?

Mordir: No, Your Highness.

Yovak: Good. *Makes the scorpion grow a little more* I would have hated to do your little girl harm.

Ivy: Ooh, Lajh, lookit! It's a big boy now! I didn't know these buggies could do that!

Mordir: Ivy! Get away from it!

Yovak: *Smirks at Mordir's distress* *Turns to Selaria* Are you indeed? Why are caring for your country, rather than your brother? Is he incapable of leading? I know some leaders - myself, of course, not among them - who are quite taken with rich wines and liquors.

*Face/palm* Honestly, I don't know how you've survived in here this long.

Yovak: They haven't attacked me. Fear keeps them in place.

Mordir: No, the rules of this world do. No fighting in this area here- *Is slapped again*

Yovak: I would remind you, assassin, that giving me any your sass will come with consequences. You may be able to get away with it with our author and with the other ladies you fraternize with, but I will not tolerate such disrespect.

Mordir: *Remains silent, having fallen to his knees, off balance*

Emeer: Hello Amaron and Melendir! Where do you two hail from?

Kaida: Is that really as big as it can get? Pity... *tries to egg Yovak into making it bigger so the bug will be too heavy to support itself and it's own exoskeleton will crush it*

Yovak: *Smiles* Oh, no, it can get bigger. Of course, it also gets more dangerous. *Makes the scorpion grow to the size of a Saint Bernard.*

Mordir: Ivy-

Yovak: Do not interfere. She has sufficient protection with her, I think.

Ivy: *Unaware of her father's distress* *Claps gleefully* Oh! It's like a horse now! Can I ride him?

*smiles evilly at Yovak* None decieved believe they are so. That's the beauty of it.

Lajh: *looks at his hand* yeah, I'm okay. It doesn't hurt, really... *blinks at large scorpion*

Alastair:

*accepts book* *flings it at Alace*

Alastair: -.< Ow...

Breindel: *slips a necklace off her neck and holds the charm in one hand, critically watching Yovak and Ivy*

Kaida: *knows just a little bit more will kill the scorpion* *shrugs* Mmh. Not really impressed.

Tanner: *looks a bit worriedly at everything and thinks to himself that Kaida better have a darned good reason for all of this*

Yovak: *Crosses arms* If you think I'm so obviously being deceived, enlighten me. *Glares at Kaida*

Scorpion: *Grows to the size of a horse*

Tynx: *Watches Breindel* What's that?

Kaida: *watches the scorpion and waits for it to collapse* *smirks*

Ivy: Ooh, it's so big now! Lajh, can you put me on it's back so I can ride-

Scorpion: *Shakes, then collapses with a huge thud, its limbs going limp.* *A tiny trickle of something liquid oozes from a joint at its leg and body*

Ivy: What happened? Did it fall asleep? *Nudges scorpion* Wake up, buggy. *Pushes harder* ... Buggy? *Lip starts to tremble.* Buggy? Are you okay?

Mordir: *Gets to his feet* Ivy...

Yovak: *Eyebrow lift, unperturbed*

my dear coward of an emperor, don't you know that the first rule is to never give out all the information?

Breindel: *starts and glances at Tynx for a moment* ... It's a gift a Friend gave me. In case things get out of hand...*watches scorpion flop* oh...

Lajh: *sits down and sulks* my hand hurts. -_-

Alace: It's okay, Ivy.

Kaida: *looks complacently at the scorpion* There it is.

Tanner: *to Briendel* Arthropods can't live when they get that big. Their shells get too heavy for their bodies.

Breindel: really? ...do you have these....anthrowpods...where you live?

Lajh: *flops dramatically*

Tynx: Oh, so like a master weapon.

Yovak: *Looks at Abi closely* I do genuinely wish to know. And I'm NOT a coward. What happened in the chat room was for my own protection. I know better than to lock swords with an author who has more power than I, as much as I hate to admit it.

Ivy: But... why did buggy die? *Pushes the scorpion again, and see the liquid* What is that? *Touches it and sees where it's coming from* It's.... It's the inside! It's buggy's blood. *Starts crying*

Chayn: *Bumps her nose on top of Lajh's stomach* I'm sure you'll live.

XD Lajh.

Emeer: *Looks at Kaida* There what is? Did you lose something?

Tanner: Arthropod is just the name for all of the insects and spiders and scorpions and things.

Kaida: Quite the opposite. I don't really lose things.

Selaria: Regretfully, yes, although he is only drunk with himself, not wine. My brother... is a dishonor to the family, as was my father before him. My grandfather, however, was a king to be revered.

Melendir: Excuse me, Celery, I can hear you, you know.

Selaria: *frowns at nickname* Can you? Well, then, perhaps the truth will do you some good. The same for you, Yovak. Let me say this, that your mind is completely, how shall I put it, deceived by itself. Trying to make the people fear you will only make them hate you more. They will rebel, and you will not be able to stop them forever.

Amaron: *walks towards Ivy and kneels down next to her* Hush, little princess, be brave.

Emeer: So, you found something? Must be nice, not losing things. I lose things a lot. I just forget where I've put them.

Yovak: *Lifts an eyebrow* *In a mocking tone* Quite the family line you have, little lady.

I apologize for him.

Yovak: There's nothing to apologize for. I'm not harming anyone, am I? The mongrel there provoked me, yes, but I haven't struck anyone.

Mordir: Excuse me?

Yovak: You don't count. Our author allowed it.

Mordir: -_-

Yovak: They rebel against me whether or not they fear me. That stupid Annor man dared defy my authority when he had no proof of his claims. I keep a strict hand, yes, but that is temporary.

... Is it bad I'm kind of sympathizing with my own villain? o.o

Mordir: Yes it is. You should stop the habit now.

Well, he's lucky no Annors were in here to hear him say that. They'd be on him faster than Abi.

Ivy: *Cries* B-but... buggy died. H-he just fell and s-stopped m-moving.

Mordir: *Starts forwards*

(Or any Scalestrides now)

Kaida: Can't have a ruler with no self-control... They're too easy to manipulate. You people should re-elect.

(You mean Scalestrides would be after him? XD)

Yovak: I have self-control. No one is without their faults. I am not ashamed to admit that I have mine.

Mm, I like him. *Said in a Mary Watson voice*

You like him? Are you out of your Vulcan mind?! *said in a doctor McCoy voice*

Lajh: *yelps when poked by Chayn* No, no I won't! *sticks his tongue out and lays a hand on his forehead*

(Yes, they probably would be.)

Kaida: Well, I wouldn't go so far as to say being easily manipulated is a fault... Not from where I'm sitting. *grins in a way that doesn't brighten her eyes*

Selaria: Fair enough, sir. I rest my case.

*cough* Selaria? You wouldn't say 'I rest my case.'

Selaria: I know. Unfortunately I was unable to think of a non-colloquial way to say it. That is, you were unable to.



Melendir: *chuckles at Aris* I'm glad Lady Eliana started liking both Celery and I. At first she was to be the villain, then I, and at this point in time my adviser is the villain. I believe it will stay that way, for Brachwold (spelling may be revised) rather likes being villainous.

Yes, and I even like Brachwold. But I like him as a villain, he's just so perfect for the profession.

Not yet!

Chayn: *Laughs and rests her head on his middle* You will. It was a little thing. Now, if it had bitten you at the size it's at now... then we would have cause to worry.

Yovak: *Glares* Provoked. Not manipulated. That foreign girl's brother is manipulated. I was provoked.

You can't win with her, Yovak. Just stop now.

Yovak: *Ignores* *Glances at Selaria and smirks before turning away again*

Kaida: They look the same to the provoker. One just sounds a bit less pathetic.

Yovak: *Glowers* They only look the same to the provoker because he or she is too stupid to understand the difference.

Whoa, dude, back off now before she or someone on her side throttles you.

Yovak: I do what I like, thank you. You brought me in here to be mocked and persecuted, I will do as I please.

Kaida: *smirks and laughs to herself* Good effort. A bit cliche, but you'll learn if you're attentive.

Yovak: Attentive? P( I am attentive.

If Kaida says your not, then you're not.

Yovak: Who's side are you on?

Mordir: Typically she's on everyone else's side except for you and me.

I am not. I'm helping Yovak, aren't I?

Breindel: anthropod...scorpion...how peculiar. What's it like where you live?

Lajh: -_- you're squishing me. First I'm attacked by a foreign monster, and now a dragon smothers me. oh, the injustice...*plays dead*

Tanner: *shrugs* Trees... Cities... Houses... I dunno, it's pretty normal, I guess.

Breindel: are they like Aren's houses, or were they like ours in the mountains? What was yours like?

Tanner: I don't really know what Aren's houses are like... What are yours like?

Breindel: ours...ours were wooden buildings...usually one floor...there was always a large hearth. A few rooms, nothing fancy...And we had pens outside for the sheep.

*winged balloon flutters down from rafters and perches on Ivy's shoulder*

Tanner: Well, I guess my house was made of wood... Well, the front was stone, but I think that was just the facade and not the whole house... There's an open staircase near the front, and the living room is pretty tall... Then all of the bedrooms are upstairs.

Breindel: *closes her eyes as it is described* it sounds massive. what's it like to have an upstairs?

Why do you care so much about stairs?

Chayn: *Laughs and lifts her head up* You are... how do you humans say it? Dramatic? Emeer used to be that way sometimes.

Ivy: *Sees Lajh play dead* L-Lajh? *Lips trembles. She jumps when the winged balloon lands on her shoulder* Oh, who are you?

Mordir: *Smiles slightly, satisfied his daughter isn't crying so much anymore.*

Tanner: Well... *scratches the back of his neck* ...it's pretty much the same as the downstairs, only it looks higher when you look out the window...

Lajh: I am not dramatic! I'm fun. *blinks at Ivy* XD I'm not dead, silly girl! Well...*looks at his hand* ...yes. Yes I am. *flops*

where did this insanity come from...

Balloon: *flutters around Ivy's head like a Second-Eden companion*

Breindel: I don't think it could get higher for us....

Chayn: *Cocks head* Isn't that sometimes the same thing?

Ivy: Don't die! Please. *Pokes Lajh cautiously* *Looks up at the balloon and reaches out to touch it*

Tanner: Well, they're just higher off of the ground.

Kaida: *shakes head and look at Chayn* Ridiculously extravagant, aren't they? (meaning humans)

Chayn: *Gives a rumbling laugh* They are, yes. *Looks at Kaida curiously* You are not human?

Kaida: Hard to say... *flexes her right hand uncomfortably*

Chayn: Hard to say? You do not know what you are?

Kaida: Well, I always assumed I was, but I don't quite have that essence, do I?