M12: Meanwhile... Hindsight

Shadows are beginning to creep through the throne room’s windows as the sun sets outside, held back only by the tall candlesticks set up along the walls. Only two occupants are in the room, though, and neither of them are paying much attention to the lack of light. Alaric sits on the throne, listening to Bál as he recounts the recent events in Kalka… and judging by the tightening of the snake’s jaw, he doesn’t like what he’s hearing.
: … Th’n Cecil an’ th’ boys came straight back home an’ told me ev’ryth’n I just told you. (shrugs) Not exact’y a success, but not a complete failure either.
: Not exactly?! You and I have very different definitions of success!
: We did stop th’ jungle from bein’ burn’d, and a peace treaty was establish’d between th’ plain an’ jungle tribes, thanks to us. Tha’ was priority numb’r one for--
: YOU sent an assassin to KILL a ‘mon!
: Yes, that I did. As I explain’d before, th’ plan was for Umbra to remain in disguise until he was ready to silence th’ Oranguru. He’d th’n disguise himself as him an’ spy on his superiors who threat’n our peacekeep’n efforts in Avalon after one of his subordinates helped ‘im escape after killin’ th’ Oranguru.
: Did you HONESTLY think that would work?
: Umbra’s track record has be’n impeccable.
: … Unbelieveable. To think that you would just wipe your problem away with a single knife flick--
: This ape deserv’d it, I assure ya.
: Don’t forg’t, he arranged th’ murder of th’ rightful leader of that tribe; giv’n yer recent experience wit’ th’ death of innocents, I believe you should be grateful he would’ve gotten his just reward. Besides, you hav’ no idea wha’ else he’s stuck his sticky hands into, wha’ issues he’s caused for others.
: Exactly. (stretching taller on the throne, casting a long shadow in front of Bál) You and the rest of the International Guild have not been forthcoming with me. Keeping vital information to yourselves does not inspire confidence in your abilities to assist us.
: (with an eye roll) You haven’t exactly giv’n us much to go ‘ffa either.
: Haven’t--? My citizens have traveled with your people every step of the way!
: And it appears that it wasn’t my citizens who caused your precious plan to fail, but your own errand boy!
: Yes, I will have to have... words wit’ ‘im. But you must understand, just follow’n th’ Guild ‘round ain’t enough, you need to forge bonds on yer own.
: We shall -- without your presence. The next mission we go on will be of our own volition, and I will not be sending any of your members with us.
: And I am confident that my people will complete the mission with flying colors.
: … I’m sure that will work out well for you. Iffn that’s all, yer highness?
: (waving his tail tip in dismissal) Yes, that is all for now. I will let Gaius know of your “success” for his records.
Bál bows stiffly at the waist, hiding his grimace as he does, then backs out of the throne room, trudging through the hallways towards the exit. The sun has fully dipped into the horizon by the time he arrives outside, only the barest hints of orange in the sky with deep purples and blues staining the rest, and Bál pauses by one of the guard towers, staring upward with paws clasped behind his back.
: Yer gett’n sloppy. Could sense you a mile-‘way.
: (emerging from the shadows near the tower) If I had wanted to stay hidden, I would have… How did the meeting fare?
: ‘Bout as well as you’d expect.
: … Then our relationship with the Aetherian kingdom has become more tumultuous as a result of our actions.
: I wouldn’t call it a “relationship.” More of a “somewha’ beneficial partnership.” (starting to walk towards the Guild headquarters, Cecil close behind) An’ to be frank, it wasn’t our actions tha’ made His Royal Snakeskin mad; he’s jus’ ticked tha’ he’s bein’ kept in th’ dark.
: Can you truly blame him for feeling this way? We have arrived, practically unwanted, into his kingdom, building our own facility, and our primary contribution has been limited to requiring his people to assist us in our endeavors across the continent. If we wish to maintain our “partnership” with them, we should consider a little more transparency.
: You know as well as I do that th’ less they know, th’ better off they’ll be when th’ngs git’ rough. 
: Nightmares are made easier to comprehend when one is prepared to receive them.
: (huffing) Tha’ one of yer philosophical quotes? Who said tha’?
: I did.
: Cheeky.
: It is unfortunate that the mission in Kalka was unsuccessful. We would have learned much from the Oranguru’s capture. If only I had--
: There’s nothin’ you could’ve done, Cecil. Th’ bloody ape has escaped us for now, but we’ll get ‘im yet.
: I only wish Klutz had kept his big mouth shut.
: Agreed… And what reason will you give the others as to why you won’t expel him? I assume it will be his general good spirit and enthusiasm?
: Yeah, somethin’ like tha’.
Having reached the headquarters, Bál and Cecil head inside -- and are immediately confronted with Mindaugus, floating towards them irately.
: It is about time you returned, this situation has gotten most egregious!
: Wha’ is it now?
: That rapscallion Umbra has not ceased kvetching in regards to the burning aberrations he received in Kalka since you left! I cannot concentrate on my experiments when he insists on barging into my office to grouse about his misfortune!
: I also would recommend locating that hovering nincompoop Klutz, as Umbra has made it quite clear that he desires to terminate him and his idiotic tendencies.
: Umbra’s temper will someday get the better of him.
: This is no time for your pontification, my work suffers while you delay!
: Ugh, wha’ a day...
Category:Meanwhiles
Category:Arc 2
Category:Aether