SEOUL ♔ NOW THE SUN IS UP AND I'M GOING BLIND

[hacker]

delilah - florence + the machine

WHO || Anastasia, Jeanne, Doyle, Skye, Ward, Abbie
WHAT || The Knights are assigned to protect South Korea's President-Elect from assassination attempts.
WHERE || Seoul, South Korea
WHEN || End of April, 2016
HOW || Actionspam

Four days after the briefing, President Kim sends a plane for the team of Knights dispatched by Wynn, and their flight to Seoul—what could have been a grueling 12-hour affair—is spent in the most comfort that can be afforded by a highly regarded politician. The seats are roomy, the staff is attentive, and no one shouts at them to return to their seats.

They're put up in a hotel near the Blue House, the seat of the executive powers of South Korea, where the President-Elect has asked to meet them to go over the security plans for the inauguration.

Comments

[hacker]

Worth it, though. [ She leans against the window and peers up at the skyscrapers beyond. ] Think we'll get to do any sight-seeing?

[arretez]

The presidential museum is nearby, I believe, as well as the war memorial.

[scorekeeper]

Sounds like a good sight t' see if you ask me.

[heavensend]

I imagine we'll have a bit of downtime now and again.

[hacker]

[ Once everyone's in the car, the driver drops the partition to ask if that's everyone. Skye gives the nod and they pull away from the hotel. She doesn't budge from her window spot. ]

What about the dream palaces? Changdeokgung?

[leftenants]

Sign me up. I didn't come all the way to Seoul not to see any of it.

[scorekeeper]

I'm right there with you. I'd not mind seein' around a bit. [ Even if its just bars.]

[hacker]

Maybe while the background checks are running we can head out.

[ She settles back into her seat. ]

I can't believe President Elect Kim has reason to look over her shoulder already. Her approval numbers coming out of the election were crazy high: I've been tracking it.

[silvermaid]

[ anastacia looks a little more serious, glancing out the window ] The more acceptance Shadowkind receive from society, the more hateful the opposition tends to become.

[hacker]

[ she sobers up as well, frowning deeply as she searches for signs of discord in the streets. it's deceptively peaceful out there. ]

I heard in Italy, some places still have different schools for Shadowkind kids. Is that true?

[scorekeeper]

That's kinda backwards.

[ Doyle responded hearing what she asked about Italy.]

[leftenants]

Backwards, but not surprising. People have a long, long history of fearing anything that's different.

[silvermaid]

There are still places in this world where Shadowkind slavery is legal. [ her eyes seem to dull a bit at the words as she looks down, flexing her hand closed ] But there's progress being made everywhere.

[hacker]

Yeah, but wars aren't won in miles, right? Inches at a time. I mean, I doubt anyone thought South Korea was gonna see a Shadowkind elected to office this soon. [ granted, it's easy for her to say that from where she's sitting as a human, but she's trying to be the optimist. ]

[ The car eases to a stop outside the Blue House; the car shifts into park, and the driver moves to open the door for them on the side that leads up to the doors where a number of security officers stand outside. ]

[arretez]

[ as everyone piles out, jeanne glances around. it's more of an idle glance than any real effort to pick anything up, but she still has sharp eyes. (spot 20 total) ]

[leftenants]

[Abbie briefly tugs on her jacket to straighten it as she climbs out behind Jeanne, folding her arms across her chest as she, too, surveys the area (Spot 22).]

[heavensend]

[ anastacia lets the others do the scoping, focusing on adopting a flawlessly regal posture as they approach, offering a warm smile to the officers that they pass (diplomacy with charm 45) ]

[hacker]

[ Jeanne and Abbie both count a half dozen security officers—male, female, human, shadowkind alike—and notice that, as Anastacia passes, they react differently. The male officers seem to straighten and puff up somewhat, while the female officers mostly appear to relax, as if they don't consider the arrivals a threat. Two of them open the doorway for the visitors.

Just inside, an attendant comes to greet them; shorter than even Skye and unsmiling, she says, "The President-Elect is this way, already waiting. None of you speak Korean?" The assumption drains some of Skye's enthusiasm for the 'stupid foreigners' attitude that it reflects, but she gapes for a minute in an inability to muster a reasonable defense.

Finally, lamely, ] Just haven't had the time.

[scorekeeper]

[ Doyle stepped out after the rest, looking around (Spot 18) arching a brow when the little woman spoke. He shook his head, he certainly didn't but, that didn't really matter much. He was ready to follow the crowd.]

[leftenants]

[Abbie grimaces politely, shaking her head slightly. She doesn't speak Korean, but she's pretty sure they'll get by.]

Afraid not.

[Really, is there a response to that assumption that isn't lame?]

[arretez]

Regrettably, no. [ as english already sounds like jeanne's second language, she feels like she should get a pass, ok. she speaks undercommon? give her a break. (diplomacy 35) ] I am sure the language barrier will not be too insurmountable of a problem, though my apologies for any disrespect it may seem to offer as it was not our intention.

[silvermaid]

[ with time to prepare, anastacia has prepped comprehend languages and tongues for today, so she'll say, in korean: ] I believe I could manage, but I think it might be rather difficult for my companions to follow then. However, whatever you feel is best.

[hacker]

[ While Jeanne's efforts make a tiny bit of headway, Anastacia's willingness to transition smoothly piques the aide's interest, and she looks stunned by the consideration, but ultimately pleased. She nods to Ana and, in Korean, acknowledges, "Very well." She switches back to English for the rest of them and waves them on, "This way, please." She turns and strides down the hallway with the expectation that they will follow.

Skye does, at the very least.

The aide brings them up through two large, gilded double-doors in the already wide, echoing hallway of hardwood. Opening them, the aide steps in, all deference and respect. "President-Elect Kim, your guests from the Karthur Institute have arrived." Outside of their view, a feminine voice invites the aide to send them in. The aide straightens, turns back towards them, and steps out of the way of the door to wave them through. ]

[silvermaid]

[ anastacia will make her way in with another little smile to the aide, copying her motions to bow respectfully. ] It's an honor, President-Elect.

Anastacia O'Keefe.

[leftenants]

[Abbie falls into step with Skye as they follow, and once they've been admitted to see the President-Elect, she keeps a careful eye on Ana in order to follow her lead. Most of Abbie's experience in diplomacy has been with her own constituents, not foreign politicians.

She, too, bows, accompanied by a solemn nod, though it comes out a little awkward (Diplomacy 13).]

Abigail Mills. Thank you for calling us in to assist.