Cherubplay

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"Ah, hm...Well, I trust that you all know what you are doing," The clerk seemed particularly concerned and this, naturally, caused some anxiety in Tavros, who had been trying to escape the horror of whatever it was that would happen upon their arrival in Starnette, "Tell us, then. What is so frightening about the West?"

The clerk shook his head, "It's not the West in its entirety, of course. Things are better closer to the mountains, where it begins to bleed into Eastern territory. The coast, unsurprisingly, is fucking risky. The West, because of its rural nature and overall lack of sophisticated defense mechanisms like Rial or Starnette, the cities are ransacked by anyone and everyone. Pockets of humans will burn down whole villages to force trolls from their homes, then capture them and sell them overseas. The mass burnings by the Knights is over, but the humans have taken their place. The only problem is, there are plenty of trolls that are too poor to sustain themselves, and side with the humans just to get some food on the table. Lots of our citizens are refugees from the West," He shook his head again, a saddened look occupying his thin eyes, "Separated lovers and matesprits, lonely kids or childless parents. There was a rumor going around there were these Contrasting Humans that were actually helping, but it really is impossible to tell who's who."

2014-11-22 20:39:36
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"I'm going to guess that the islands are just as dangerous as the coastal areas," Gamzee had to sigh at the news. He'd been kind of excited to go for selfish reasons as well as potentially getting more Alice mission stuff done. "If you still wanna go we could stick to the mountains," he suggested to his companion, gazing down at him a little mournfully. That group of humans might be interesting to investigate if they really were real. Maybe there would be more support... unless slavery was a common practice. He wondered how the Rabbit was essentially the Queen's man and how that came about if there was just the opposite on the human half of the world.

He had a sudden thought, though, and turned back to the clerk. "Do you all get news from Starnette and other cities out here? There might be some sorta reason we don't want to go back, and knowing what's going on there might help, if they've put anything in the papers." Maybe Tavros's worry would be supported by the news coming out of one of their possible post-Rial destinations.

"Uh, please and thank you." Gamzee continued. Maybe being direct was being rude. He couldn't tell if he was being impolite or if Tavros was just overly polite in these situations. Actually he felt overwhelmed. But he had to be here for his darling and be supportive, so tried not to look tired.

2014-11-22 21:05:16
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"Oh, yeah, definitely! Lots of the bigger shops and the train station have newspaper stands in front of 'em, a couple bronze for each one paper." He tapped his chin in thought, "We get, let's see here...Starnetian news, Kymball Town's news, the Island of Helesfa...And a few miscellaneous smaller towns like Gartana and Urven. I haven't brushed up on the news lately, but last week it said the Queen was in a rage and was going to take the Knights back in early from their winter training for optimal protection." He shrugged, "I dunno what good that's going to do if they haven't finished their formal training. I think it's hogwash."

Tavros, eager to see what the papers said, and to sate his curiosity, gave a quick nod to the clerk and thanked him once more before making his way to the door. He stopped, figuring he should probably ask if Gamzee was up for perusing the town for Starnetian opinions, and he returned to his matesprit questioningly, "Would you like to go find those newspapers, then? I suppose while we are out, uh, we can go to the City Hall, too. If you are up for it, at least."

2014-11-22 21:35:28
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The purple had wandered toward the door with Tavros, just following along. The news about the knights was disturbing and immediately it brought up the worst thoughts. Unlike the clerk he though it was distinctly possible that the Queen would indeed recall the knights. Maybe they hadn't completed formal training but their opposition was not well armed and few in number. It would be easy to overwhelm the small band and then do who knows what with them.

He was taken out of his reverie by Tavros's question. Nodding, he took the copperblood's hand again and smiled. "Sure, Tav, I could go for a walk." That wouldn't be bad, to wander some and see more of the town. He could always leave the talking to Tavros, he thought, since he assumed they'd want to hear more from the Alice than an accomplice. And who knew better what Tavros was concerned about than Tavros? So he opened the door politely for his matesprit and followed him out to go accomplish their tasks.

2014-11-22 21:44:58
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Taking hold of Gamzee's hand, Tavros made his way back towards the train station to take a look at the newspapers. Surely the station itself would have a wide range of news coverage, and he could take a look at what not just Starnette was saying, but whatever other towns were experiencing.

"I think that may have been why I was so scared," He mused quietly after a few minutes of walking, "Perhaps, if we had chosen to go back to Starnette after our time here, we would have been apprehended by, uh, those Knights, and who knows what they would have done." Tavros and Sollux were virtually untouchable, but Tavros could not say the same thing about the rest of his friends. "I think it really would be better to, uh, lay low outside of Starnette for a good long while..."

2014-11-23 01:46:47
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Gamzee wandered along beside him, walking a little closer than normal just because he felt like being a little extra affectionate. The rest of the news might be interesting depending on where the towns were located and if they might pass through them, but other than that curiosity he was only really interested in seeing what Starnette had to say.

"That makes sense. I was thinkin' the same sort of thing. They took Hatter and Hare that one time, I don't really wanna know what would happen to any of the rest of us." Karkat would probably end up in that cell again or somewhere else, and he really didn't want to dwell on what could be done to him. As for the other three, well, anything would be pretty awful, and it was just as mysterious. Once they were there, he wandered over to the stands with Tavros to investigate the news.

2014-11-23 01:59:59
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First, he rummaged around in his pocket to pay the small fee for a newspaper and scanned the front page for Starnette. The Queen was still working to take back the Knights, but they were still in transit; likely not to return for another couple of days. Tavros figured that was going to coincide with himself and his friends returning to Starnette as well, and he frowned somewhat. It was good that they were not going to do that, but if there was anything they needed in Starnette, it was probably best to take action before the meeting.

"Well, the knights will return to the capital, within the time frame we would have returned to Starnette ourselves," Tavros murmured as he read on, "The Queen is still attempting to save face with us, it seems. And the White Rabbit has disappeared?" That was surprising; Tavros had always thought that the Rabbit would try to appear as close to the Queen as possible, but the human knew such an incredible amount that it was beginning to make sense to Tavros why he would leave. The royals were beginning to fall apart, and without the omniscience of the White Rabbit, surely the palace would be unable to stop the Alice mission. "Starnette is in a tizzy because of it. It says, 'if the White Rabbit falls into the wrong hands, all of Wonderland could be in danger.' "

2014-11-23 17:23:13
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The tall purple read over his shoulder quickly as they stood there. "That's nasty, talkin' like he's just some object or other." Gamzee wasn't too sold on the guy, he was kind of off-putting with the omniscience and all, but geez. "I wonder where that motherfucker would go. Maybe he wants to give you more riddles," he chuckled a little. All in all it seemed like a pretty good thing that the Rabbit was gone, and Gamzee didn't think that he'd have much trouble staying out of danger.

"Well, I never met a knight before, but I dunno if I wanna." Gamzee put an arm around Tavros as he continued glancing over the paper. "Off to the town hall then?" It was quite nice out so the walk at least would be refreshing. And with his darling matesprit by his side it was always pretty nice. He began to wonder how they would navigate the west. Find some map and travel themselves? Or could they take Borina along somehow or maybe even Carala... he wasn't sure if she would be up for it but he knew she used to live and travel around the area.

2014-11-23 19:53:52
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A riddle would be nice," He admitted, folding the paper back up with a mental promise to read it in further detail. "Sometimes I feel a tad aimless." The riddles always pointed him in the right direction and assisted him in feeling as though he was making the correct decision. All Tavros could be sure of now was that going to Starnette again was not a good idea if the knights were coming soon.

Tavros leaned into his touch, laying his head against Gamzee's shoulder with his horn tucked neatly behind him, brows furrowed a tiny bit. "I really wonder what the Rabbit is up to. Occasionally, he is infuriating, but there are still things I wish to ask him. Well. Whatever would not result in a doomed timeline..." He held up the directions for the City Hall, making his way back to the hotel to use as a starting point before moving off from there. The City Hall was relatively close, a ten minute brisk walk that Tavros actually enjoyed, and once they were in front of the three story building, he wondered just what went on within the Hall.

The building was made more of solid white brick with sturdy columns, the constellations of the twelve beings of the religion nearly long lost engraved within them. He walked up the few steps, listening to his shoes click against the smooth white stone that was freckled with black pieces of sediment, and he realized then that it was actually sandstone. It resembled the sand at the Screechlands, and he wondered if the beaches there and here were alike.

Inside, he found a bustling building with a pair of elevators in the very back with two trolls just outside them and a circular desk for the secretary in the middle of the entire lobby. People of all ages and bloods were standing about in the lobby and Tavros came to the slow realization, when a weak sea dwelling man holding twins wrigglers asked for his ticket, that they were refugees from the west. All the people swarming the lobby and slowly shuffling into the elevators when an assortment of numbers and letters were called. The man, apparently had first priority, as well as an elderly blueblood and a green with a prosthetic right arm and missing right eye, and they made their way into one elevator that one troll told them to go to the third floor. Tavros waited by the door, looking to Gamzee, "I think we should wait until, they have finished calling numbers."

2014-11-25 16:33:53
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It was an awfully pretty building and Gamzee walked along beside Tavros and marveled at the architecture. He liked the carvings, and wondered how prevalent the twelve were around here and if it was a lo of the influence from the western part of Wonderland from the migrants and refugees. Once they were inside he was a little startled by all the people around, and held close to Tavros as they went.

At first he wondered if the numbers system was just a way they did things around here to keep orderly, but since they seemed to prioritize who got to move when, he thought it was good to wait instead of seeing about the numbers system. So Gamzee looked around, finding a small alcove away from some of the hustle and bustle that was out of the way. "Sounds good, let's head over there to wait." Careful not to jostle anyone, he moved them over and sat them down, sitting close to give others room if they needed it.

He was glad that someone at least was willing to take care of these people, even if the general situation was quite sad. There were so many that needed help in Wonderland and not nearly enough resources even if it looked like they were doing there best. It was enough to make anyone a little angry. The government should have been taking care of their own instead of wasting time on power plays and petty hemospectrist crap. Gamzee didn't really have the energy to be angry though, just kind of sad instead.

2014-11-26 00:55:01
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Tavros nodded, shuffling over to sit down and give everybody else the room the needed. Eventually, the lobby was cleared out, but Tavros stayed behind for a few minutes to give the secretary, a middle aged green blood with her hair in a neat bun atop her head. Then, he stood and approached her a bit timidly, hoping that she wasn't as worn out as she looked after managing all those people.

"Um, yes, hello, my name is Tavros Nitram and this is my matesprit-"

"Gamzee Makara?" She looked amused even in her fatigue, her reading glasses balanced on her sharp nose, "All the government workers know about your coming, but you're a little early! Something the matter?"

Tavros shook his head, hands raised some, "Gosh, no! Nothing too pressing, really! We just wanted to, talk to the local government for a little bit...it is like, um. A bit of social issue."

"Well," She folded her hands nearly on the edge of her desk, "The Social Director is handling all the refugees upstairs and redirecting them with his staff so they can go off to Immigration House next door." As she said so, the man with the twins and a couple others came out of an elevator and out the building, "Each case is different, so it could take quite a while. You could talk to our mayor, if you'd like. That may be easier. I believe she is handling a very special guest from Starnette at the moment, but I can send her a message stating that the lovely couple is here, yeah?"

2014-11-26 01:19:38
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Oh good lord, 'the lovely couple'? And they knew who they were... well that was to be expected. It didn't really matter at that point how much Gamzee loved Tavros, he was still embarrassed as hell at the attention. He turned quite lilac in the face and around the ears and shuffled his feet self-consciously. The visitor from Starnette, though, that sounded like it could be trouble or something unexpectedly nice. His curiosity was peaked. So in his nicest, probably most formal tone he spoke up.

"Not to pry or anything, but is this guest cool or should we avoid them, maybe? I'm gonna assume you know the kind of attention we're getting from people." He hoped that went over well. Damn, it was actually kind of nerve-wracking to sort of be at the center and have people know them like this. Gamzee tried his best not to be too uncomfortable with the unfamiliar as he continued holding Tavros's hand and squeezing gently just to reassure himself whenever he felt too nervous. It was kind of funny. Tavros didn't seem to feel like he was confident and his tone bespoke timidity, but the purpleblood thought he was pretty brave doing all this and just going up to people with little fear. Where as he just felt cowardly with all his avoiding trouble and wanting to keep out of the lime light as much as he could.

2014-11-26 01:36:44
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Truth be told, Tavros was quite often nervous in front of others and his timidity was genuine, but he swallowed it down because of his responsibility as Alice. He felt that there were so many other things that he had to take care of and worry himself about that he couldn't hinder himself or his friends with his own nervousness. When he spoke or was just generally in a disagreeable position, Tavros felt the familiar tension of anxiety, but he couldn't let it stop him from achieving the task at hand. So he squeezed Gamzee's hand reassuringly, even if he, himself, was in a similar boat. He was never important in Alternia, just some low blood gardener, but here, he was recognized quite often and held in some cross between high esteem and great risk. It was strange and he definitely preferred being alone with just those he cared about, but he did enjoy helping anyone he could.

The secretary shook her head, " 'Fraid not. Because of the nature of this person, I cannot say who they are or what they are doing here. You'll end up passing them upstairs, though. " She picked up a telephone receiver, dialing numbers as she did, "A moment, please." The phone rang for a few moments before the mayor picked up and the secretary spoke, "Pardon the interruption, Mayor. But Alice and Mr. Makara are here to see you briefly. Spare some time? Mm hmm...alright, they'll be up in a second." The receiver was put down, and she gestured to the elevators, "Up to the third floor with you both! The mayor's office is the very last room down the left hallway, okay? It's a violet glass door, can't miss it."

Thanking her for her kindness, Tavros gave a polite curtsey and trotted to the elevators before going in one and up to the third floor. Many of the same refugees were lingering in the hallways, moved from different rooms for different purposes before being sent downstairs again. Tavros wandered to the left hallway, spotted the violet glass door, then looked to Gamzee, murmuring, "I am nervous.."

2014-11-26 02:34:11
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"You and me both, Tavbro," Gamzee murmured back. Wow, violet glass, that seemed pretty damn fancy. He'd been a little disappointed, though, that the secretary couldn't at least tell them if they would be better off remaining unnoticed from whoever was in the office. He was still next to Tavros, worried about going in and honestly a little rattled. Rial was still so new. Even if he did feel more comfortable in his own skin and around the others, how could he really ever completely relax in a city? It would take a long long time for him to manage that after so long of knowing just the opposite.

"So we just gotta wait until she's ready for us, huh?" He supposed they weren't just supposed to go in, instead wait for whoever their guest was to come out first. He looked down at Tavros, putting some possible pieces together though he thought it was pretty improbable. "You don't suppose it could be the Rabbit, do you?"

2014-11-26 03:04:40
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"Sounds about right. " he paused, then looked up at Gamzee inquisitively. "You think so? I suppose it could explain why the secretary did not give us an actual name." With the White Rabbit out on the run like this, it seemed likely that he would show up where they all were, but for what reason? Tavros couldn't imagine any real concrete logic behind going to Rial, besides for his friends and himself. While he pondered that notion, the glass door suddenly opened, and the White Rabbit, as previously established, stood on the other side. "Afternoon, gents," He greeted, stepping to the side to allow them entry. "Your assumptions were correct."

Tavros, feeling slightly weird for him appearing so abruptly, even with their conjecture, walked in, the Mayor standing beside her desk. She was a tall lady, taller than Gamzee, it seemed, a navy blooded regal type with a monocle and a sleek pantsuit. Her hair was a long fishtail braid reaching her back, her bangs pinned back neatly and her claws, long and painted, tapping against the desk. Her features were sharp, almost exotic and much like Borina's, and she welcomed her guests with a polite smile, "Hello, my dearest company. What is the issue you came to discuss?"

Tavros was, clearly, taken aback. The Queen was one thing - he knew he would have to deal with her at some point, so facing her was less nerve wracking than he thought. She was identical to the remainder of the high bloods, snobbish and condescending, but the mayor was like the royalty he expected. Clean cut, straightened posture, genuinely interested in those around her but firm and authoritative. He shrunk in on himself a little, even as she encouraged him to come forward and make use of the coffee machine on a little table to the side.

The White Rabbit shut the door, his hands sliding into his pockets, "The usual, Mayor Irelie," The human smiled thinly. "The state of Zodiac, of course."

"Yes," Tavros nodded, quietly declining the coffee as he looked to Gamzee briefly, then elaborated, "I do not think Zodiac and ourselves match when it comes to goals and procedures.."

2014-11-26 03:33:55
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The human was so goddamn unsettling. Just appearing out of no where and knowing their assumptions, geez. No wonder he freaked him out some. Gamzee stuck close to Tavros, the mayor and her royal bearing only making him feel like shrinking more. This definitely would have qualified as a mushroom situation before meeting Tavros. Though it seemed they were pretty useless now. Maybe instead he could cultivate he glowing ones? Oh, but maybe he should be paying attention right now instead of zoning out.

Even though he knew he shouldn't be he was kind of terrified to leave Tavros's side and so also politely declined. Tavros looked up at him and Gamzee had to wonder if he wanted him to continue on for him. Then the question was if the purpleblood could manage to speak at all. Eventually he did manage a little something. "So we wanted to make sure we talked to the person we've heard was stationed here just so there weren't misunderstandings."

Quickly he looked over at Tavros for reassurance that that was right. He was trying to figure out why he seemed to be freaking out so bad when it just came to him. He wanted to make a good impression on these people. And he could! They weren't just going to toss him in the purple pile because there wasn't one. Then he thought on how people were reacting to them, so maybe he was already okay and he just had to keep it up... well, that made him more comfortable. It was so different, but he liked it.

2014-11-26 04:00:51
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Mayor Irelie paced in front of her desk some, her chin held in her hand, "Zodiac and Rial are quite close," She began, then looked to Tavros and Gamzee seriously. "And I think you both may have a misconstrued notion of their ultimate goal."

Tavros furrowed his brows, "Ma'am, it is to my understanding that they kill, those that get in their way. They are an extremist group with murder as a main procedure in which to achieve that goal, and that is not what, we stand for."

The White Rabbit chuckled, finding Tavros's hardened speech amusing. This Alice was certainly lively. "Alice, Alice. 'Tis strange you would say such a thing! Considering you have mind to off our beloved Queen, even when you are friends with her daughter."

The brownblood whipped around to stare at the human with a smolder in his eyes. "The Queen is vile. Zodiac is barbaric. /We/ refuse to associate with the savagery of people that grab for violence before taking action in a gentler way - there is no other way to restructure Wonderland without removing the Queen, and I highly doubt, that she will be enthusiastic to change her ways or kindly step down." This was insane; it seemed the Mayor and The Rabbit were plotting against him, trying to equate their group to the barbarism of Zodiac. "Do not get me wrong, I would, uh, love to have some assistance, some kind of alliance with like minded people, but I do not want to be associated with anyone that jumps to killing for results." Slowly, Tavros turned to look at Mayor Irelie, the tension in his shoulders lessening fractionally, "You must understand us, Mayor Irelie. Spreading equality, is our main objective. Spreading it peacefully is imperative. The result of fighting violence with more violence will be just that. We will be thrust in an endless cycle."

Mayor Irelie considered this heavily, giving a small nod of her head after a few minutes, "Alice, your views are admirable but naive, though I expect this from someone from an entirely different universe. You see," She moved to sit at her desk, legs crossing smoothly, "Wonderland is in turmoil. Those men and women you saw downstairs? Refugees. Villages burned to the ground, their families ripped at the seams, brothers and sisters and mothers and fathers shipped to human colonies and cities to be slaves. Those refugees are rape victims, remnants of murders and kidnappings, the lingering remains of someone stealing power from them. And it goes on and on - do you think just speaking to a band of criminal humans or those wretched knights will just magically make them stop? Are you under the guise that some flowery words and kind acts will suddenly make the world the way it should be? You said it yourself, the Queen will be none too happy to simply move on. " She made a tent with her fingers, closing her eyes briefly, "There are some people that will never change. Alice, you are but a young thing, barely spread your wings yet. There are people in this world that have to go, there are people that will never change. The Queen, aggressive hemoists, those types. Sometimes, the only choice is to fight back."

"The real question is," Rabbit began, "Is if you are willing to merge your views with Zodiac's to fight against the issues plaguing Wonderland."

Tavros bit his lip, quiet for a few long seconds before looking to Mayor Irelie, "Please get the Zodiac member. We wish to speak with them."

Opening the door, the White Rabbit chuckled somewhat as the person on the other side had raise their hand to knock, "I thought you may say that, Alice. I took the liberty of contacting Zodiac earlier today."

2014-11-26 16:21:30
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As all this was going on Gamzee watched, uneasy about how defensive Tavros was. He kind of agreed with what they were saying. Though he understood Tavros's point as well. Reversing the spectrum or turning so murderous as those already perpetrating vile acts would do them no good. But they wouldn't just stop either. He reflected on how many times he'd asked politely enough to be left alone or for the abusers to stop kicking the shit out of him and he couldn't remember once when they had. Perhaps Alternia really wasn't so bad as here. That was becoming more and more evident. Certainly still bad but not so cruel as Wonderland could be.

Why not fight back then? Well, in the past it had been just him and they didn't need a reason to just kill him, really. If he had they just would have unless that wasn't fun enough for them. The purple had always suspected part of the reason why they hadn't was because they got their jollies off that way, besides for the boasting. Maybe he should have told Tavros all this earlier? Would he still need to? It was starting to make him feel guilty that he hadn't told Tavros more.

The door opened, and there stood a tall troll about their age. Actually he seemed a little familiar to Gamzee... something about an olive girl from that family he traded with in Tulgey but he couldn't place where he was connected with that memory right away. The troll in question though had vibrant blue eyes still with a touch of grey, and one broken horn amid long straight hair. Most he had pulled back but his bangs hung long in front of him. At around Gamzee's height, he was much more muscular and didn't seem to mind showing it since his shirt lacked sleeves. He had gloves that seemed to be for working though they were fingerless, and goggles hanging around his neck with some cracks probably from whatever sort of work he did besides for Zodiac.

He was a little off-put by having the door so suddenly open, and seeing everyone in the office. "I do hope I am not intruding upon you Mayor," he spoke quiet and polite, and had an air of regality just like she did though not as intense. After being invited in he introduced himself to the pair unfamiliar to him. "I am Equius Zahhak, and I believe you are Alice and..." he looked at Gamzee as if he was vaguely familiar, just the same as Gamzee felt. "Makara, yes?" Nodding, Gamzee looked back at him, trying to place him just as Zahhak was doing the same.

2014-11-26 16:51:20
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The door shut, and the Mayor gave a dismissive wave of her hand, "Not at all, Equius. We were just discussing the Alice Group's mission and its conjunction to Zodiac's. The Alice Group has come into contact with one of your members, Terezi Pyrope. The White Rabbit, as per usual," She smiled thinly. "Is on his own agenda."

"We just wished to speak with you, briefly. To get something straight." Tavros had turned around now to look up at the tall, intimidating Equius, his hands by his side and his brows drawn together in concentration. "We have come to the decision that it would be helpful if we and Zodiac formed an alliance. However, it should, uh, be noted that the Alice group will resort to murder last. I understand that some people will never understand equality and will not stand for it. I also understand that jumping to aggression is not very good, either. But between ourselves and Zodiac, I think we will achieve a delicate balance that will work for us." He held out his hand for a shake, browning eyes now determined, reaching an epiphany of sorts, "Will you officially allow the Alice Group and Zodiac to work together to bring forth peace and equality?"

2014-11-26 17:10:44
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Turning back to Tavros, Equius offered his hand for a shake, being quite delicate as he always was with others. "I believe that can be accomplished easily. Though it isn't necessary to usurp either of us under one banner. I think we understand your issues with violence, it is just that we have gone past that last point. Perhaps we should talk more about this. If you are willing to be aligned with us and allow the Zodiac to conduct business mostly as we see fit, I think that the other members will be on board as well. Obviously we have the same goals, it is just methods you are worried about?"

In that case the solution was simple. They could be stated as being united but simultaneously separate. It was distinctly possible that what they had heard about the Zodiac was propagandized. Though killing was something they did the group only took out those who would otherwise cause problems. Even though this was more than Tavros was comfortable with it was logical. Just because someone was imprisoned didn't mean they couldn't make trouble. However, dead they could not create problems. Wasting an advantage for the cause was perhaps worse than a few deserving deaths.

2014-11-26 17:29:25
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He nodded, finding Equius to be surprisingly tender for someone that looked so dangerous. "Yes," Tavros said at last, "I am not entirely on board with the way Zodiac does things...perhaps I will be more willing to accept it fully." The petite troll just couldn't see how fighting would solve anything but he supposed that it was necessary when there were extremists on the other end, "We are united but separated."

The mayor, seeing that things were beginning to even out, gave a sweeping gesture to everyone in the room, "Any outlasting questions, concerns?"

Tavros looked to The White Rabbit, knowing that the human had probably seen this exact moment a thousand times, "I have questions for you. Why did you run from Starnette? And who are these 'Contrasting Humans'?"

The human, fluid in his movements, patted Tavros's shoulder on his way to getting coffee, his pale hands moving precisely, "The Queen is becoming restless, it only seemed logical that I step out briskly whilst she tries to put things together. I mean, Parliament is going to fall apart soon, I may as well get out before it becomes too compromising."

"Parliament?"

"The twenty four magicians often pull rabbits from hats, but they cannot poof and disappear when the Ram enacts fury of a billion supernovas. The snowed animal burrows deeply away, meanwhile warmth is a river in the streets."

Tavros rubbed at his temples, "The Contrasting Humans?"

"Doomed timeline. Have fun in Fouville, though."

2014-11-26 18:00:03
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Gamzee kind of smirked to himself at the Rabbit's shenanigans. He thought he understood most of it, besides for the 'warmth is a river in the streets' part. For now the purple figured that was perhaps an allusion to the highbloods/warm bloods, flooding outwards? Or perhaps she was being more violent, hence the river allusion for actual blood and not just people.

He supposed he might as well ask. "She all up and killing people or are they just leavin'? And I'm assuming that's a town we should visit, maybe," he glanced at Tavros and then back up to Equius, still not entirely sure where he'd seen him before. With the more relaxed atmosphere he felt he could maybe talk to the other troll.

"You know any olives?" he asked, since that was the only clue his mind was giving him.

"Yes," the blue replied, seemingly struck by realization. "Ah, I know where I've seen you. I see someone told you about that paint nonsense finally. Yes, you know my moirail's grandfather, I believe."

Oh, now he understood, "Yea! Oh, I thought I'd seen you, you guys left a few sweeps back, eh? Good to see you found something a hell of a lot better out here." He remembered them from a while ago, him and the smaller girl from his mushroom seller's household. They'd disappeared, though, and the old man had said his granddaughter had moved on since she was tired of the way things were in the city, especially with the way her moirail was supposed to be living.

2014-11-26 18:15:14
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There was a twinkle in his eye as the Rabbit shrugged, "Possibly. It is just a hint." He stirred his coffee, then sipped it and watched the interaction between Equius and Gamzee with mild interest. He knew what they were going to say and what their mannerisms would be, but it was still fascinating to watch it happen in real time. "As for the town, yes. It's Western country, but things there are a tad lax out, so do not fret yourselves with human shenanigans. You may want to pop into Starnette momentarily," He tapped his cup contemplatively, "Borina has a gift for you couples, too."

"Can you tell me why I can restore color with certain things?"

"Just old magic. After the first Alice's reign, the Hearts Kingdom sucked out the color of certain places. If it was not red, it was useless, hm?" He looked to the Mayor with Tavros, the former in a call, busy as ever, "Just a bit of busy work on your end, Alice. Go on, now," He shooed him like a child, "Take your matesprit with you. The remainder of us have much to discuss that you pair cannot hear."

2014-11-26 18:36:08
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Well that was strange, but okay. He wondered what she could have for them. Equius nodded in a small bow to the both of them as they left, Gamzee walking alongside Tavros and holding the door for him as always. The purple said polite goodbyes to all of them as they left with a short sort of bow of his own. Tavros always curtsied so he thought maybe he'd be so formal too.

Once they were out in the hall he took his matesprit's arm loosely as they walked together. "Well that wasn't so bad. You wanna visit anywhere else or should we head on back to the hotel?" He felt better now that they were done, and wondered how Tavros was holding up. It might have been pretty tiresome, being the center of attention like that all the time. So he led them down again to the lobby and started out of the building.

2014-11-26 18:44:36
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Curtsying, he followed with Gamzee out to the hallway, then the elevator and lobby and finally out. Just outside the City Hall, Tavros swung his and Gamzee's hands, his head laid against his shoulder as he peered around some. There was plenty whirring through his thinkpan at the moment, and he let out a quiet sigh. "Work first, play later," Tavros said, feeling a little overwhelmed but determined to get things together, "Let's go back to the hotel and, fill everyone in. Then we will form upcoming plans."

2014-11-26 19:12:45