TRAVEL ♔ breaking down the walls to the impossible

[everyredcent]

♬ Impossible - Kelly Clarkson

WHO || Thomas, Christos, Francesca, Luthir, Arthur, Merlin, Katniss, Ethan [Closed]
WHAT || The Flight to Russia
WHERE || IN THE AIR.  ON A STEALTH JET
WHEN || Monday evening, Mar 5th
HOW || Actionspam

[This log is for any in-flight interactions on the Knight's SUPER STEALTHY X-JET jet plane ride to the mission site. Feel free to make your own threads/threadjack, etc. The flight time is approx nine and a half hours. Get to know your teammates, talk about the mission, ask questions, etc. etc.]

Comments

[socialgraces]

[She reaches into her bag and pulls out a small stack of papers, briefly shuffling the pages for effect.] I managed to find a small amount of information on the city itself, and a bit about their history, but this sudden shift of interests leaves most of this obsolete. [She sets them down in her lap, to illustrate their futility. Long sigh.]

Their fears are logical, so I suppose the first order of business would be to somehow convince them that their resources are not the drow's main objective. Especially as neither imposing species is interested in assimilating into the present economic trade. Quite the task, though, to assure someone that no one is attempting to steal their gold.

Regardless, perhaps if I manage to do that, it might ease their minds just a little. Although, I have no idea how to do this. [There's just a tinge of frustration on the tips of her words.]

[luthir]

[His eyes slide over to the papers, but only for a moment]

They're inclined to believe the worst, currently. And it's almost entirely impossible to prove that anyone has no interest in gold. Perhaps if they offered both villages a monetary settlement to leave, they'd see that they weren't inclined to take it, but that might not prove anything to their eyes: perhaps they'd simply choose to believe the drow or elves saw more to gain from the land than was offered.

[socialgraces]

Right. [Let's just pile more impossible things onto this mission.] I suppose we'll just have to see what can come up with, once we're actually there. At the very least, we'll walk away with a better idea of the situation, and the possibilities.

[luthir]

I imagine you're right. The situation may have changed since the last time I was there.

[socialgraces]

Or there might be aspects you weren't able to uncover, which is more what I was referring to.

Have the drow been attacking the human city regularly? Or just the humans who venture towards the mines?

[luthir]

I wouldn't call it 'regularly'. It seems that fights between them and the elves have spilled over into the actual city on occasion, but that seems more of a happenstance than an attack on the humans.

[socialgraces]

Why do you think the drow haven't advanced towards the human city?

[luthir]

I don't think they're foolish enough to invite a two-pronged war before they've dealt with the elves.

[socialgraces]

I suppose not. I'm sure the humans are a lesser threat to them, all things considered.

I know Arthur mentioned something about the humans perhaps moving on to eliminate, or at least push out, the elves after this ordeal with the drow had been settled. But do you think the elves may have similar motives? Would they seek to push their boundaries closer to Magadan?

I don't know if this would coincide with any of their social or cultural motivations, but that's why I'm asking.

[luthir]

They might not enjoy co-existing with humans, but they'll prefer to keep to their own land and what they perceive as their boundaries. It's highly unlikely they'll encroach upon Magadan territory in such a way.

[socialgraces]

[She pauses for the moment, trying to reel all those taunting unanswered questions floating around her head in to form actual queries.] Did you have any questions for me? Or any advice? [She raises her eyebrows hopefully.]

[luthir]

Don't try to move mountains. [He casts her an amused glance] We need to focus on what's achievable for us, which is, chiefly buying time, when it comes to the humans, and leaving them with a favorable impression of the situation.

[socialgraces]

[She grins slyly at his pun. She's such a sucker for them, after all.] Right. We're just here for distraction and not to actually make a moral stand. [There's a hint of sarcasm in her tone.] I'm not sure how all of this lines up with my personal ethics to begin with.

[luthir]

Do you have a better solution? [He's not trying to be condescending. Maybe. He's an elf, it's hard to tell D:]

[socialgraces]

I'm here, on board with this plan, aren't I? So, apparently I don't.

[luthir]

Then I'm afraid we'll have to settle for a morality that saves a small number of lives, at least.

[socialgraces]

If all goes so well. [She sighs.] But you're right. It's definitely better than doing nothing.

[luthir]

Unfortunately, treading on the sun elves' pride might end up being dangerous than crossing the dark elves.

[socialgraces]

Do you believe they'll perceive our actions as a threat to their pride?

[luthir]

They will if we overstep what we've set out to do here. This is one reason Thomas means to focus on blocking the passageway below ground without their knowledge. They need to believe they've won this battle that will ensue with their own methods, and they refuse to see what lies in front of them.

[socialgraces]

[Francesca is actually quite familiar with this tactic of manipulation, although she usually operated on a far smaller scale.] On missions like this, I think it would be much more effective of Wynn to just be blunt about his objectives.

Although I am curious to see how some of the squire will perceive and interpret our expected actions. [She pointedly sweeps her gaze across the lot of them.]

[luthir]

Perhaps he wished to see if they were perceptive enough to pick up on them.

[socialgraces]

Well I don't plan to leave them all in the dark. That's just asking for trouble. [She fixes her gaze on Ethan.] I think I'll bring my squire along for my part. His expertise in military tactics will be quite useful in discerning some of their intentions.

[luthir]

I trust your judgment, of course.

[socialgraces]

Thank you, Luthir. [She gives him a small smile.] That means a lot to me at this point.