(Logged 4/1/01-4/7/01)
It appears this section of Dazil is rather crowded this afternoon, since the GA-GS is out in Bledavik, Dazil enjoys this time as one of freedom for a while. It is also the perfect time for spreading lies and confusion! As it appears, the crowd has their attention focused on a cloaked individual standing on the water tower bridge. A male voice rings out to the crowd from this person, almost like a politician delivering an opening speech. "People of Dazil! As your next king, it is only fair that I begin thinking of the good of our country, beautiful Aveh!"
Ah, what a pleasant day for confusing the masses. Dirah stands beside the lecturing man, trying to keep his smirk to a smile. This is not a time to find amusement in those you so easily, so utterly confuse- no, not at all- but instead, a time to show just how wonderfully you can hold a role. Keeping near enough to Tifa to be some protection in case some whacko- or worse, a Gebler- jumps out in attack, and enough to stand in association. And he smiles. No need to interupt a good introduction speech quite yet.
Ah, what a pleasant day for confusing the masses. Dirah stands beside the lecturing man, trying to keep his smirk to a smile. This is not a time to find amusement in those you so easily, so utterly confuse- no, not at all- but instead, a time to show just how wonderfully you can hold a role. Keeping near enough to Tifa to be some protection in case some whacko- or worse, a Gebler- jumps out in attack, and enough to stand in association. And he smiles. No need to interupt a good introduction speech quite yet.
Whacko? Last she checked, Khiea wasn't one of those. Although with things like that, one could never be too sure- the little princess wasn't exactly redeemed for her great grasp on reality. And she hums while she walks, some cheerful, but not particularly melodical, little song, enough of a skip in her step to look happy, and not quite enough to trip and slide fully in the sand at the very attempt of such an action. And look, she's learned a bit of sense! Well, halfway so, at least. For this time, Khiea was apparently bright enough to not wear her heavy jacket through the desert, and instead has slung it over her arms. She still wears dark colors she shouldn't, of course, but.. Well, Khiea can't be entirely enlightened of common sense in one fell swoop, after all! But at that voice, she stumbles to a stop, glancing up curiously at the mass of people. That.. Voice? With a befuddled glance, Khiea walks over to the crowd of people, and tries to find a place to squeeze through so she can get closer to see.
"...As you know, we've been warring against the country of Kislev for as long as we possibly could. I wish to put an end to this war," the man smiles, brushing his blonde hair back for a moment. "...The only way to end it, however, is to fight. That's a problem we all must face. So i've made it my duty, as your next king...," a smile crosses his face, "...to unite the world under the Aveh banner! There will be no more war if there is only Aveh!" some murmuring goes through the crowd at this, and some exhilerated people shout something unintelligible in the confusing mass of sound.
Hm, so that doesn't win over the full interest of the crowd? Ah, no fault in that- Tifa has far more to say to amuse or confuse the crowds than just that. After all, their complete support was not exactly what they required- just confusing and getting these people to thinking was more than charming fun enough. And so Dirah smiles, trying to make it seem more kind and supportive than outright amused, glancing mildly over the crowd with his one uncovered pale blue eye. Mildly, drawing as little attention to himself as he can, he murmers, "Perhaps Shakhan bashing would get them more riled up.."
With a litany of 'Pardon me!', 'Excuse me!' and 'Very sorry, Mister!'s, Khiea worms her way through the crowds, using her smaller size to move her way through them as quickly and painlessly as possible. That voice.. it sounded like Mister Bart's. But.. How much sense did -that- make? Him, out in the middle of Aveh, collecting crowds and making such a fuss... Of course, Khiea was never one for being educated enough to realize how any of those words were relevant, but.. Still! With a blurt of about three different apolgizes rolled into one, she squeezes to the front of the crowd. And she stares, gray-blue eyes wide in surprise, "Mister -Bart-?" She notes, but a squeak of noise- easily missed, but high enough in pitch to be noted, at least.
Tifa doesen't even notice the high pitched squeak, only Dirah's murmur. "Indeed," she notes back in a very low tone. After clearing his throat, he calls out, "Now, come on! World Peace has got to mean something?! Would you rather be under Shakhan's shiny bald headed "light", or would you rather enter my darkness? I promise you Aveh will be the only country we ever will know. What does Shakhan promise?! One of you enlighten me!" he crosses his arms. THere is silence. Shakhan...never really promised too much. "Hah! You see? What does this tell you? Shakhan doesen't care! I am the only one who cares, apparently. You all are puppets to him, and how he makes you people dance!" THIS catches their attention by far, more murmuring goes through the crowd, mostly surprised and shocked murmuring.
Dirah resists all urges to have him smile brighten at that. Aha. See how pulling the right string gets them all to startlment? These 'puppets' are indeed just that- only they are pulled along by the far more banal cords of simple emotional manipulation. Resisting the urge to brush his bangs from his face- that is more your habit than anything learned, after all. And discrepancy, even on Dirah's minor part, is not necessary in this moment. Only watch, to see how well these fools play to this scene. Dirah is here to make sure all goes perfectly to plan.. And to mind that Tifa doesn't get hurt. He casts a momentary glance down as a young woman pushes her way through the crowds to gawk, oddly dressed as she is.. But Dirah's seen stranger. And she does not pass her another moment's attention.
Wait! This doesn't sound right. Khiea, a little dumbfounded at this scene, finally draws all her crowd-weaving momentum to a stop, to stumble to a halt right before the one who is talking. Shifting the weight of her jacket idly across her arms, she narrows her eyes on Tifa strangely. Hm, the voice sounds right.. And this person certainly looks a lot like Bart... So, does that mean.. This has to be Bart? Blinking in utter confusion, she glances up, doe-eyed at 'Bart', before daring to say, only a slight bit louder over the noise of the crowd, "Mister Bart? What.. what are you doing?" She hadn't known he was into dictation! Wow, you learn something new every day!
Tifa blinks. What was that? A light voice he thought said something about him? He looks over the crowd...but sees noone he recognizes. Hmph. He might as well make sure he's ignoring noone. The best show must be put on. "Don't you see? I'm actually making promises! I'm promising you, the people, something for once! As for this peace with Solaris deal...might I remind you exactly what Solaris has done to us in years past?! They've enslaved us! Not only with their lies, but they've literally enslaved many poor civilians of Aveh for their country in mind, body and soul! What would peace between us do? Give them the incentive to stop doing so? And do tell me exactly why they should stop? How dumb!" more murmuring through the crowd. It appears he's definetely caught their attention, that's for sure.
Dirah nods mildly, a faint action as dismissable as it can be. Watch the crowd rise up in interest, huddle closer to hear these simple, simple words. And how easy they fall to them! Dirah's unblocked eye just glints with this quiet little pride. And now the crowd is even as far as to throwing questions! Well, all the more use for that. Not bothering to find the holder of that little voice- what does it matter, with a crowd full of puppets before them?- Dirah merely murmers, ever just as quiet, "Nicely said. Keep it up, your words seem to be catching on..."
What on earth... Did Khiea just hear what she thought she heard? She breaks into a gasp, clamping her free hand over her mouth in such a likeness of surprise, those silver eyes wide, wide, wide. Did Mister Bart.. -Bart-, whom she went to such a trouble to get -to- the Jasper, to get -to- the peace talks... Just say that they were all for naught? After all the work they did! After everything done! After how nice Luka was! Hardly before she can catch herself, she drops her hand and cries, "That's not TRUE!"
Tifa laughs, "Did I just hear someone say it's not true? Tell me what's not true, i've BEEN to Solaris! They've enslaved many of my allies! It is so bad that their own princess has even risen up against it!" what is this? (OOC: Yes, i'm still acting like Daniel exists for the moment, though ICly we still haven't found him after the tourney). The princess herself is disgusted with the actions of her own country! Does that not tell you something? Solaris is only out for itself, it will destroy you all!" he looks out over the crowd, as a gasp goes across it.
That.. Was the same voice again, wasn't it? Dirah does not yet give such a protest much consideration- so there's someone in the crowd who is fond of Solaris? Interesting. But skimming over the masses reveals no lady Gebler, nor anything even vaguely hinting at such. And yet... There -is- that surprised looking girl who squeezed her way to the front of the crowd. Strange looking, yes, but... Is it -her- that is crying such things? Well, no matter. As Dirah's attention is drawn aside by the gasps of horror that rise among the crowds. Nice. Very nice. At least the little protester isn't affecting the attention of those around her, either.
Has Bart gone -insane-? What's this about a Solarian princess rebelling against her nation? About one being disgusted with Solaris? What is Bart -saying-?! Khiea hadn't gone against another soul, and was upset with her father, yes, but not Solaris.. Never Luka or Lukev or Hyuga or any of her other friends... Maybe there is another Solarian Princess? "No, I.." She catches herself mid-yell on that one, literally biting her tounge to do so. And its hard enough for her to clench a fist with her free hand, with a tiny snap of ether that buzzes at the pain. Nothing much, barely palpable.. And yet it still makes a few people back away a step from her. And she tries again, expressions twisted into a very noticeable pout, "Did someone drop you on your -head-, Mister Bart? You know none of that is true! Those are all lies! Stop spreading lies!" Ah, ever a child. But that is perfectly proper for Khiea to resort to, considering who she is. And her words are high, high in surprise and childlike offence.
Tifa finally notices the child, as some people begin to leave her a bit more isolated. "Hmm...," he looks at her, the blue eyes shining from the darkness of the cloak. "...What reason do I have to spread lies? If you noticed, my whole point of this little publicized speech is to SHOW that LIES ARE BEING SPREAD. Am I lying about lies? That's funny. You're so fond of Solaris, tell me why their princess refuses to return? Why does she join us, and plan to fight alongside us as we unite all nations under one banner?!"
Now that -is- interesting. Dirah blinks, expressions held in a momentary surprise, as the girl continues her pro-Solaris tirade, enough for those about her to shift so softly away. And in such swift surprise, too. Dirah fixes the child with an even glance, narrowing his eye in qusetion.. But no matter how he looks at her, no name or title comes to mind. Is this just some... remarkably poorly dressed Gebler? But she's so young, and screaming such.. Uncultured things. In perplexed wonder, he murmers, "Who's the girl?" Let Tifa answer if it can be done without attention caught. And let her not if that is how it will go. But for the moment, Dirah's quizzical glance is focused on that screaming young woman.
Remarkably poorly dressed? Well, maybe the excess of lace, frill, puff, and bows might seem like that... But they're all so pretty! But, with hardly enough patience to grant herself enough dignity to prove that, Khiea only grants a protesting sniffle as she gathers her thoughts. Pouting, pouting, she stomps her foot, and raises her voice high once more, in a tone more suited to a kindergartner who just realized she wasn't getting her way. And in such a mood, she apparently loses that precious thing called 'tact', "Their princess did NOT! She helped you because she wanted to get you to the peace talks so everyone could be happy again and she -could- go home because otherwise her father wouldn't let her do so, but she really really did -want- to go back! And you know that!" Wow, that's not inconspicuous at all! And Khiea finally pauses, glancing about at the terribly odd looks she's getting now, not all of them friendly... And she wonders if this is really such a good time to be looking like she's supporting Solaris, since she's surrounded by what could very easily slip to a mob. Swallowing mildly, she turns those wide, uneased eyes back up towards Tifa with a look more than confused, adding more quietly, "Why don't you recognize who I am, Mister Bart?"
A smile crosses Tifa's face. The Solarian princess herself. How quaint. So Daniel still isn't around? They still have an ace in their hole. He mutters to Dirah. "...I think I have an idea. Mind if we have the company of the little one for a while?" a cough escapes him. "You must be one of the people sent to retrieve her. She wanted us to defend her in case that someone like you came!" he nods to Dirah. Maybe this will coax her to follow them, he plans on jumping off the bridge in the confusion.
Dirah continues merely -staring- at Khiea for the duration of her rant, eye widening as he slowly comes to realize what she's actually saying. Such an over-wealth of information! And that limits this child to being, as far as Dirah can guess, just about one person. And as much as it is possible that this is a friend of the princess's... Well. Either way, she could be useful. Snapping out of this mild surprise at the instant Tifa speaks, he gives only a mild nod in response, ever not enough to catch another's attention unless they focused purely upon Dirah. And the 'prince' and Khiea are more interesting to the most of the crowd now. "No need for hypothetical questions, now. Try your idea, then." Simple enough, and as short as dignity can give. After all, holding full conversations in such a tone would be something short of curious.
Now Bart's smiling at her? Ooooh, this is making Khiea so -mad-! Clinging to her annoyance like something precious, rather than fall to the leniant cheer that she has held for the last few weeks, she merely gawks at Tifa, and crosses her arms sharply, "I certainly am -not-! What are you talking about?!" Could Bart have lost his memory? Or is he being threatened into saying this by someone? No, then he wouldn't be -smiling- so. Maybe its not Bart at all? Oh, but how silly! Anything that looks and sounds just like Bart can't be a disguise. "This is all a joke, isn't it? Some horrible cruel joke! Oh, I can't -believe- you!"
Tifa nods to Dirah, "...You wont hurt the princess, she's an ally of ours now!" he jumps down off the bridge, and makes a mad rush to the JNK Yggdrasil. Hopefully she'll follow, and fall directly into their grasp. How quaint!
Dirah seems to have been caught off-guard, just for a moment. -That- was Tifa's plan? Jump off the bridge and run like mad? Well, inspiration pure and never known before it is is not. But you can't complain with what works. Dirah collects himself rather quickly- turning to leap off the bridge as well, and drawing his cloak tight about him. And rather than run after Tifa, he edges into the unsettled and suddenly very loud crowd, hoping to pin Khiea from behind and follow her, just to make sure she goes in the right direction.
"I am not going to hurt-..." Khiea's protesting cry of responce is shut up just about as quickly as it starts, as the little princess gasps at Bart's quick leap and flight. She didn't think he would go and do -that-. Surprised to silence, then irritated into movement, she does just about every single thing is predicted of her and takes off after 'Bart', elbowing and dashing between people in an attempt to see just what direction he's going in at all. Clever? Realizing a trap when she sees one? Perhaps she does, with more clever minds at reach of Dream. But that does not stop that this scene is -wrong-, and it is curious, and it needs some sort of explanation. Let curiosity take the best of you, Khiea, and follow at a run. With hope, you can kick Bart in the shins and demand that he apologize for playing such a terrible joke and upsetting so many people in Aveh.
Tifa continues the mad rush towards the JNK Yggdrasil. She looks behind her and sees the little girl give chase past a startled crowd. "Ha...it's working! It's working!" she whispers to herself excitedly. She was actually having -fun-, and was very excited. As she neared the metal hulk, she prepares to leap onto the ladder leading on deck.
Its really a pity that Dirah can't find such amusement in this, isn't it? Taking to a run right after Khiea- really, it takes a special sort of oblivion to realize that someone is acting wierd and -still- take chase after them- Dirah holds nothing more than a glance of irritation to her expressions. Chasing down a dusty, sanded street, just to pin a girl who, if she's who he thinks she is, could just turn around and use ether on someone. Charming. But as unromantic as it is to be running through crowds, making sure a child runs towards the JNK Ygg, and choking on raised dust from all the activity about, Dirah does not do anything but run. As it always is. Business now. Grumbles later.
See? It has to be Bart! He has a Yggdrasil! And with an irritated frown, Khiea yells, "Oh, stop it, Bart! This isn't funny anymore!" Chasing after every step of the way. She probably should be feeling awfully dumb around now, really, taking that every grain of common sense tells her to go away and leave this be. But... Its so peculiar. So utterly curious. If this isn't Bart and the Ygg, then who? Then why? And if it is, he has a lot of screaming and a kick- no, two kicks!- in the shin to look forward to. And she doesn't even seem to pause to follow, even up the ladder, even to that Ygg, "Stop running already! This is just -mean-, Mister Bart!" Tifa shouldn't be very proud with herself for confusing Khiea. She doesn't seem to have enough sense to realize even the obvious nature of what's wrong here.
Tifa ignores the little girl's pleas, yet she stops. Of course, this is right where she wants the little one. Liete is going to be VERY pleased when she sees how the bonds of pirates and solarians snap like a twig. In reality, those people are the puppets, and dance they have!
Up the ladder behind the girl- there you go, Khiea, right where everyone wants you- in such a way Dirah follows. Grateful at least for the fact that the girl is involved enough in screaming at Tifa that she doesn't bother to realize that her escape has been sealed off by another, Dirah smothers a few coughs to silence. Dust and sand in the lungs from all of that clutter and running.. Joyous. But, flinching mildly, she follows up behind. And stands, by the ladder, if just to block the exit. And watches to what the princess will do.
Khiea is used to being a puppet, to one person or another. It is what has defined her throughout the years- that unyielding trust and utter faith that placed her, time and time again, in the hands of others. And this is somewhat the same, if not perverse, in that she has followed -another- merely for the friendship with someone else. Catching her breath with several irritated huffs, Khiea stumbles out onto the deck, eyes focused on Tifa in -such- a pout, "What are you -doing-, Mister Bart?" A few more heavy breaths, and she frowns rather deeply, realizing suddenly that she has dropped her jacket somewhere along the way. Wonderful. Mister Bart better be willing to pay for another- that jacket was a -present-! And its utterly his fault that she had to run off and lose it! "Why did you say all of those things? Are you upset at me? You didn't have to hurt my feelings..."
Tifa chuckles, "I'm glad you could come, Princess," he says. A smirk crossing her face. "...but i'm afraid I was not lying in the least up there. You must understand. Even if you haven't joined us yet, you will in...but a moment's time," a sparkle in his eye, he starts advancing towards Khiea. "You see, the treaty between Solaris and Aveh...it wont work for us. Luka plans on using the alliance to smash all the nations with Solaris. This is why i've been making plans to stop her insanity." She sighs, "...Luka tricked us all, Khiea. The more I think about it...the more it pisses me off! Her sudden disappearance, everything! It was all just a gear in her grand scheme."
"Well, if you knew who I was, -why-..." Oh, of all of the irritations at hand! Has Bart gone absolutely insane? Khiea pauses to catch her breath, listening mildly to Bart's rant.. And yet at a certain, specific note, her glance snaps up to lock on Tifa. And at first.. it is surprise, utter and blank. But soon it disolves into something as hopeless, but as empowered, as only anger can be, "You can't -possibly- believe that! Mister Bart, don't SAY such things! Miss Luka did everything to make those peace talks work, you know she did! She even baked you cookies and was so much help! She was taken away against her will, can't you see that? -Everyone- worried about it! Everyone! Solarian and your crew alike!" Finally stopping to breathe, the look on Khiea's face is something akin to horror, giving herself only a pause in speech to take in enough breath to -yell-, voice high as shrill bird cry, "How can you be so -ungrateful-?!"
(Lost Tifa's pose- just more of the same, condeming Luka directly. (>_<))
"Don't you see what's happened?" Offer a few words, Dirah, and try not to look like you're just blocking the exit. Which is, ironically, all he's there to do. But look as kind as you can as you brush those bangs aside from your face, despite how they are styled to fall merely back. An odd gesture for whom he looks to be? Perhaps. But if the princess has not realized anything else about this situation, that is not likely to be the first, "The moment that everyone is in one area, Luka is kidnapped. What becomes of the peace talks when the 'good ambassador' leaves? It is not something any of us wants to believe, but it is the only thing which makes sense..."
"No, no, NO!" Khiea certainly is screaming a lot right now, as she stomps her foot once more, hard against the metal of the deck, "That's not how it is at all! You don't understand Miss Luka in the least! She isn't using anyone- she wouldn't! She doesn't want power like that...." Its -hard- to yell for long periods of time, as Khiea is discovering, the volume of her protests sliding short of breath and short of words. How can she debate? They seem so -certain-. And she turns her glance about quickly to glance at Dirah, then turns sideways to cast her glance between them.. And gives such a hopeless sigh, "How can any of you honestly believe that? She did everything she could... Its just that something bad happened and she was taken away, but that would never be planned..." And she sniffles mildly, as if hurt- by either the words of Bart or the concept itself, "Miss Luka wouldn't manipulate me. She's like my mother.."
Tifa broke down at this. She's not evil, and she can't stand to see this girl cry like this. ".....," she sighs, and walks over to Khiea. "...If that's what you believe," she says, still in her deep voice, "Then come on, get in. We're going to find out for sure then. I'll give Luka one last chance," she nods at Dirah.
Come now, Tifa. This is not the time to have flinches in any way, manner, or form, of maternalness. What does it matter if the child's going to cry- she obviously only did as much so that he would quiet on his tirade about Luka's evil. Aren't children's tears manipulative? The moment they fall and a child sniffles bright, the world shudders and apologizes and tries to find a more pleasant way to deal with things. Just guide the child down and lock her away? That is hardly as effective as winning her over. But, if that is what Tifa will do... Hmph. Well, Dirah will have plenty of time to state how he could have handled this all much better, later. For now, he only nods in return, and notes quietly, voice painfully held even and kind, despite the annoyance which hovers at its back, "If that is your decision, young master..." And turn that glance to Khiea, kind in glance but not in the emotion behind it. But let that be not noticed, that quiet distaste which sets Dirah away from his counterpart. Let it just be another quizzical wonder in this scene which is already confusing enough to Khiea.
"Of course its what I believe, Mister Bart..." Khiea notes, rather weakly now, her voice sounding a bit raw, as Tifa steps closer, from all the loud protests she had been giving. And her voice is delicate in that quiet, careful becuse it -does- hurt of yelling too much.. And careful because there is a touch of a confusion so massive at so-called Bart's decisions and words and actions and accusations that Khiea is quite near to hopelessly lost within it. And she sniffles again, weakly, all for honest confusion despite what may be thought of her, and nods mildly, walking forward towards the hatch entrance without as much a pause of consideration, noting merely, "You will? Thank you then, Mister Bart... I promise, Miss Luka -deserves- a second chance. She really, really does..."
Tifa nods slowly, "Yes...she does," she looks at Dirah. Well, it worked didn't it?
And the moment that Khiea has glanced away from Dirah, he meets Tifa with an even -frown-. It has gone perfectly well up to this point, Tifa. And yet... Now she has given in to the whines and sniffles of a little girl? Wonderful. Utterly wonderful. But, with a mild roll of the eyes that is quickly given before Dirah settles more into character, in case the girl shall turn about, he merely leaves it as such and follows them towards the entrance of the ship. Well, at least this was mostly a success- the message got out to the crowds that they wished for, and everything was properly stirred up. They even found the Solarian Princess. Of course, Tifa did not handle her -well-.. But that could be an issue of later. Merely, grudingly, Dirah follows them. Complaints are for later, always later...
This is the force which toppled kingdoms, though, the strange gift which has gotten Khiea through life. The fact that, depite phsyical age, despite all forces against her, she has always had that certain -innocence- that allowed a sniffle to shudder the hearts of others. And perhaps that is egocentric to think. Perhaps it is wrong to think that innocence is any tool at all. But to all of that, Khiea merely glances up to Tifa and -smiles-, a timid little gesture, but grateful in every obvious way, and she adds, voice yet quiet and careful, "Thank you very much, then, Mister Bart."