mission ♔ can't rise above this place

[behindcloseddoors]

WHO || Francesca, Arthur, Ethan, Mayor Vladimir Kotko [closed]
WHAT || The mayor's kept them waiting forEVER, but finally arrived to talk to the Knights about this conflict
WHERE || The Municipal Building / Private offices of the mayor, Magadan, Russia
WHEN || Thurs, March 29th.
HOW || Actionspam, don't sweat tag order.

An endless parade of excuses has kept the Knights waiting patiently (or not so patiently) within the confines of the municipal building, for when the Mayor "returns" - a date that's been pushed off and pushed off. At least it's given Sir Bancroft's team more time to search the seemingly endless tunnels below the city and mountains - and discover what Thomas and Christos believe to be the linking points necessary for the drow to enter Magadan, or the sun elf city. It's only a matter of preparing their demolition, and as of yet, the humans have not made a move.

Of course now that the mayor's returned, possibly with plans from higher up to take care of the problem, it's all the more crucial to have this meeting, and ensure the Russians don't ignite a bloodbath.

Mayor Vladimir Kotko is a stocky man of middling height and middling hairline, with a circumference of wiry black hair picked out along his jawline. His eyes are dark and quick, though his smile comes easily as he removes his gloves and places them on the desk, rising to receive the Knights. It's telling, perhaps, that he holds out his hand towards Ethan, with an eye on Arthur, however, rather than directing it onto Francesca, the actual diplomat in charge here.

"I cannot express enough how sorry I am for the waiting," he effuses in incredibly thickly accented Russian. It's apparent that English isn't exactly a strong point for him. "Many important matters of state called, and I could not return at an earlier convenience."

Comments

[socialgraces]

[Francesca makes sure she is the first to speak up, hoping it will clearly signify her role here as negotiator. She offers him a polite smile as she addresses him, her hands folded neatly in front of her.] We most certainly appreciate you taking time out of your busy schedule to meet with us.

[behindcloseddoors]

[The Mayor's smile tightens a bit, his hand hanging there, but he turns his body in her direction after a moment instead.]

It's been a mess recently, as you might imagine. [His expression sours a bit] I suppose you know all about our situation.

[socialgraces]

That's why we're here. We have hopes that our outside knowledge and perspective might assist in bringing this situation to more peaceful solution.

[behindcloseddoors]

Your... perspective. [There's an unmistakable sense of disdain in the way he says the word, when combined with the way his eyes linger on Francesca, giving her the quickest of once overs.] Well. [An even tighter smile than before.] I'm not certain how much more perspective this situation needs. I think if anything, we're suffering from an overdose of them.

[socialgraces]

[Francesca stands firm, outwardly unaffected by his insulting tone.] But you've yet to make any sort of diplomatic relations with the Elven community nearby, a perspective that would prove most beneficial to your city. You share a common enemy, one they are skilled at deterring.

[behindcloseddoors]

You think we haven't tried talking to them? They won't respond to any of our summons, written or otherwise. They're every bit as dangerous and wild as those -- [He gets hung up on the word, and it's unclear whether it's because he had some slang term he was going to use, or whether he's just suffering from an awkward 'you people' moment with Francesca here] As the dark elves.

[socialgraces]

[Bluff check 29 (if needed), Diplomacy check 34]

I understand your frustration. We've also been attempting negotiations with all sides and met our own resistance. But believe me when I say, the elves mean your city no harm. They are merely reluctant to assimilate, and we're trying to reason with them. As for the dark elves, we fear that without an alliance with the sun elves, your forces will be under-prepared and overwhelmed for the battle they will face.

[behindcloseddoors]

Battle? [The man's eyebrows, wired with gray, climb up his face, and his eyes skid across the assembled] You expect the drow will attack the city directly, then?

[socialgraces]

I doubt they'll initiate an attack, but if you make a move against them, they will come. I was merely attempting to caution you against any offensive action. As of now, we believe they are preoccupied with their elven cousins, and we're hoping they elves will be able to push them back for good. However, we feel a partnership between your city and theirs will provide more protection for your people, and are fervently pursuing cooperation from the elves. Our principal concern is saving lives and conserving peace.

[behindcloseddoors]

And what do you imagine they might feel constitutes a 'move' against them, when our people are already being killed in the crossfire? Taking down those scouts who find their way into the city and threaten innocents, perhaps?

[socialgraces]

Of course you must hold your ground, and no one would expect any different. We're confident that the sun elves will quell the threat of the drow if they are given the time to do so. At which point we hope your community and the elven settlement will be able to coexist amiably. Until that juncture, we want to advise your government against becoming more enveloped in this dispute than has already been imposed upon it.

[behindcloseddoors]

"Quell the threat". What exactly do you believe that entails?

[socialgraces]

We hope for the best, but have considered the worst. At best, they can push the drow back with enough force that they'll choose to relocate, hopefully somewhere more remote. At worst, the drow settlement will have be destroyed, it's people along with it. Our concern is forced to be narrowed to the innocent lives caught in the crossfire. Hence, we're primarily concerned with your city's involvement in all of this.

[behindcloseddoors]

So your solution is for us to sit back until the elves decide they're willing to meet. Is that it? [His lip twitches, obviously finding that particular idea distasteful.]

[king]

[ Arthur, who has been quiet until now, speaks up, though he chooses to first defer to Francesca: ]

If I may?

[ Only when he gets the go-ahead does he address the Mayor. ]

You may have a war on your doorstep, but while a full-blown offensive could be seen as a swift end, it's fairly tactically unsound. If you fight the Drow city, the Elves will be insulted, and as you'd said, they're dangerous. If you attempt to eradicate both, you run the risk your reputation and the possibility that other Shadowkind organizations would attempt some sort of, I don't know, revenge. You're only one city, lovely as it is. I'd say your best offense is an exceedingly good defense.

[socialgraces]

[Francesca nods to Arthur to continue and switches her focus from him to the mayor as he speaks, carefully gauging the mayor's reactions.] We most definitely mean you no harm, but only wish to help your city and it's people, and this is the most rational option we can offer you. We expect a breakthrough in negotiations with the sun elves very soon and are merely asking you take caution until we receive a definite answer from them, one way or another. [Diplomacy check 32]

[behindcloseddoors]

[ The Mayor's eyes rivet onto Arthur as he speaks, and he seems surprised for a moment that anyone other than the drow is going to. It appears to throw him off a bit, and his jaw works back and forth once, a nervous sort of tic. Though Francesca's comment draws his attention again swiftly]

The sun elves have agreed to negotiate with you?

[socialgraces]

Not with me of course, but with other members of our organization, yes. The progressive attitude of your city has been very much appreciated. It is the 21st century, after all, you think the world would be able to move past such bigotry. [She's challenging him to openly admit his actions are fueled by racism, and even if that's not the reason, she's hoping the statement will throw him off a bit. After a half-second of intimidating eye contact, she shrugs breaking her gaze.] But then something like this springs up and everyone quickly forgets all the strides Shadowkind have made. [She looks and sounds s-so offended by the injustice of this whole situation (Acting check 28; Bluff check 31) and she expertly turns that outrage into sincere sympathy for the mayor.] But then again, it's not so fair to you either, is it? What a sensitive situation for a leader to be in. How do you stand strong and protect your people from the drow without creating a misguided bias against a whole race as result?

But that's why we're here. As an third party we can work as mediator in this whole dispute. Our goal is to end this crisis with as little bloodshed as possible, and we hope finding a peaceful conclusion will in turn foster progressive moves towards Shadowkind assimilation and tolerance in the near future. [We only have noble and just motivations, says her tone (and Diplomacy check of holy fuck 40). We're only looking out for your best interests ;)]

[behindcloseddoors]

[ He certainly doesn't look ready to admit any such thing, but his eyes do dart away, a slight flush creeping up his cheeks at the accusation.

With a diplomacy check that high, he would eat cat poop right here right now if she told him to. So when he raises his gaze towards them all again, there's a new light in them.]

It hardly seems possible ... that your timing would be so fortuitous, but perhaps it is some sort of miracle. Our efforts alone have been rebuffed left and right... you can't imagine the situation this places me in. [He removes a hanky from his pocket, patting sweat off his face.]

But... perhaps we have been too hasty in thinking peace still impossible to achieve.

[socialgraces]

Sometimes it helps to have an outside perspective. [She offers him an encouraging smile.] You have my word we will do what we can to protect your city and bring you some peace, if you can only give us a little time to do so. [She offers him her hand, to make an agreement.]

[behindcloseddoors]

[His eyes flash back to Arthur, and then settle on Francesca, and he relaxes into a genuine smile as he takes her hand with both of his] You'll have it. I'll do everything in my power to assist you.