Episode 6: How Long is Forever?

"I... don't know," Rainbow admits. "We could... y'know... see about an 'army' of some sort. Go to King Gaius and Queen Astrid, explain where we're going, why, and what we hope to do... we, uh, might be able to get at least... some form of support from them. I don't know. " She shakes her head. "I just... don't know. But, uh, let's go somewhere else first." She gives yet another nervous glance at the house. "Even if it's not there."

"We have a destination now. We know that something is there now. A vision, and now confirmation from the Silent Watcher," Rainbow says. "Something's there. It's not just a speculation. Not like trying to explore was."

"Bowing or curtseying, maybe, but the biggest thing is just to wait for them to speak first before speaking yourself," Rainbow says. "That's as much as I know, anyways, though I'm probably not the... best case interactions. Never had anything too bad happen, though."

And so, the pair heads north, climbing towards what was once the Space Center. It's much more overgrown now, and many of the accoutrements have broken off or worn away... but it still stands proud and tall. A symbol of what once was, a bastion of science and technology. And now a seat of power.

A steely-eyed-and-skinned man stands at the entrance, blades on his arms. "State your names and purpose," he says, tone no-nonsense.

"I am Chrysanthemum Rainbow Theodore Rosepetal na Callista Mossdeep Celibi Swiftwing," Rainbow says, "and she is Beatrice Vespa Edward Melanie na LaBrasta Fallarbor Magnezone Lorekeeper. We seek an audience with the Realmsouls, with regards to a matter of importance to them and all within it."

The guard considers. "Very well. The audience chamber is currently empty. You may have your audience." He opens the door, and a girl with flowers on her head, and a grass, leavy skirt comes to lead them through the familiar hallways... although once they reach where the thrones are, it's clear some walls were removed to make room for the audience chamber.

"Their majesties," the girl says, "Gaius Chrysaor Aurelius River Goldlily na Keaton Mossdeep Walrein Realmsoul," she gestures to a muscular, imperious looking gentleman with a very impressive moustache, "and Astrid Goldlily Emmanuel Lana Chrysaor na Keaton Mossdeep Milotic Realmsoul," she gestures towards a scaled woman with bright red hair flowing down to her feet, and a tail curling around the back of her legs.

"Chrysanthemum," King Gaius says, in a booming voice. "Why have you come before us?"

"It's... it's simple, your majesties. I have returned from the past. It... it may be hard to believe, but I have brought with me the key to heal our world. There was a vision, of an expedition into the Deadlands. If we do that, we... we can cleanse the darkness that plagues this land, once and for all. We just... request what aid can be given."

"That is... a bold claim," Lady Astrid says, skeptically, before looking at Bea. "Who are you?"

The king raises an eyebrow. "You just came from speaking... with the Silent Watcher? She has not spoken to anyone, ever. Not myself, none of my predecessors, no one in memory. I find your claim rather preposterous."

"Now, dear, we know that Chrysanthemum has... talents, though I am surprised that she was apparently able to bring someone back with her."

"I am loathe to give credence to anything that would cause me to have to send resources into such a foolhardy situation. The Deadlands have not been claimed for a reason. Few who enter ever return."

"Have you perhaps considered why, 'your Majesty'?" The last words are coated with just enough sarcasm.

"Such insolence! Who dares-" He falls into silence, though, seeing Alissa leaning against a wall, face with a bit of a disapproving look. Eyes wide open, he pales and goes "Oh."

"I have kept watch over this place for... a long time. Seen your predecessors come and go. And now is the time, I believe. To reclaim this land. Not just sit and keep the people safe. Her being here," she points at Bea, "has convinced me to act to break the status quo." It feels like now that she's actually started to use words again, they're all coming out at once, what she might have wanted to say the last however long. "And you had better, too. Because what do you think people will think if they go and succeed, and people here that you did nothing to help them? That you didn't believe them? You will be a sign of the old order, that refused to take a risk." She shakes her head.

"You insolent whelp, how dare you speak to me like that? I'll-" "Do what? Have me imprisoned? Killed? I'd like to see you try," she spits venom back at him. "I've tried to die. Many times. I spent a decade in Mount Chimney once, hoping I would get incinerated. Guess what? Still here. No pain can be worse than that, no isolation worse than seeing everyone you care about even slightly age and die before you. I have lived long enough that I've forgotten every generation of my family, the last of them died out so long ago. Nothing you can do can ever compare to that. But maybe, if this is all saved, it can be worth it."

The king seems to be in wordless anger, while the queen tries to calm him. "Dear, just... we should listen. Clearly these are unusual times," she turns to Beatrice. "You said... you were from the past. What do you hope to accomplish here, scholar? Especially with an expedition into such a place as the Deadlands?"

"I see. You bring with you the knowledge that was lost. That can be used to fix what is broken," she turns to her husband. "I think that we should do it. Send some aid, who we can spare. We have relative safety here thanks to generations of efforts, we can afford to be slightly more lax in procedures. If we send just those who can fly, it should be a relatively short journey. They would be gone... perhaps a fortnight. If all goes well. I think that we should take the risk."

"What? It's just going off fancible tales! And going into places of extreme danger! What if they all die?"

"Then they died taking a risk to make a better place for our children. We may have lost ours, but, if they were here, could you really look at them and say that you were doing all you could to make things better for them? That's what you've always tried to do. It's why you pushed so hard to clear much of the island. It was a risk, but it changed things for the better. You can do this, too. Don't let your pride be your fall, dear..."

Gaius sighs. "Very well. I shall consider it. Return here in two days at noon, and I will make my decision. I will not agree to such a decision on a whim."

"That's all I ask, dear. For you to think on it." She looks at the three others in th- two others, Alissa has disappeared again. Two others in the audience chamber. "Do either of you have anything to add before you are dismissed?"

"Not I, your majesty," Rainbow says, shaking her head. Bea can clearly see that she's nervous.

"Oh!" The queen looks surprised. "That is... certainly something." She gingerly gets up off her throne, tail swishing behind her, to come down and reach out for it. "I will... take care of it," she says, softly. "It is something more valuable than any of us. Thank you. You may go."

Once they're outside, and away, Rainbow starts breathing deeply, half talking to herself. "Okay, okay, calm down... that could have gone worse. The king was angry, and I've never really seen that before, but nobody got imprisoned or killed... so, uh, that was a success, I guess?" She's still rather pale.

"Oh, I sure hope it's all right..." Rainbow says. "I can hope. But, uh, yeah, I could see if Aurora's around, and we could see the town and all. I'm sure she'd like you. Or you can do training if you want. Could maybe look if there's someone off-duty who might be willing to tach you something about weapons. I know most people prefer their natural abilities, or ranged weapons, but, some like the additional hitting abilities. Up to you."

"Alright, the smithy should probably know who might have a sword, we can look around for them. See if they'd be willing to teach you," Rainbow says. "It's a bit of a walk, but it'll give my nerves a chance to settle."

There's some walking in the sun, wind blowing hair all over the place, until they get to the smithy - a place with a lot more smoke and stuff than most. Hammering at something metal is a woman with what looks like red and orange feathers - partially singed - all over her body.

"Uh, I don't really know how these things work," Rainbow admits, whispering to Bea. "Do we... just wait until she stops hammering?"