[hider=secret police] Collab with [@Enkryption] [color=Crimson]“Oh. Chuunitrixx. It’s lovely to see you“[/color] Kaldora replied with a hint of surprise when the Mistress of mimics approached her about a deal. She visibly shook of that surprise within meet moments however and turned her full attention upon the young woman with curiosity flashing in her eyes. [color=Crimson]“What, prey tell, do you have in mind?“[/color] Chuunitrixx stiffened for a moment, as she caught Kaldorna’s attention. All she had to do was play it cool, stay calm, and she could probably win the reasonably [color=red][s][b]attractive[/b][/s][/color] even-minded woman to her cause. “[color=forestgreen]Walk with me,[/color]” she offered, gesturing for her to go forward, despite the fact that it was she was to lead the walk. The vampire nodded and obliged her request to joined Chuunitrixx for a stroll. Chuuntrixx held a general silence, as if she were sense for bodies; her [Stalker] and [Assassin] Classes afforded her immense perception, and her mastery over Mimics offers her eyes in many places, but she wasn’t omnipresent nor perfect -- even she would admit that... in closed quarters... on her deathbed... before whatever Divinity governed them. That wasn’t... entirely... the point, which is what she had to make a case of to Kaldorna. Snapping her booted heels together, Chuunitrixx turned with a firm expression, “[color=forestgreen]I’d like you to create an alliance with me,[/color]” she says, “[color=forestgreen]I would align your Vampires and Thralls with my Sentries and Proxies, and create what the Supreme Beings called, “a police force,” -- a body of individuals that serve and protect a people and place with the mission of subduing troublemakers, hostile forces, and uphold a sense of law and order.[/color]” Chuunitrixx cleared her throat. “[color=forestgreen]There are three reasons I ask you, and not another Minion Keeper, like Ashara or Graft. The first is because of your even-mindedness and cool temperament. You will listen to reason and concept without preconceived notions,[/color]” she says, looking at as she praised the Vampiress, “[color=forestgreen]The second reason is to bring order and stability to the Chateau, as Lord Rodias send us in and out, we leave ourselves unguarded to strife and some of us overstep our boundaries; myself included, albeit, through middlemen. And, you saw what that cat bastard did to Zouyu, in spite of the poor kitten showing undeserved fealty.[/color]” Looking back to Kaldorna with her firmest expression, she got to the meat of her proposal. “[color=forestgreen]The third reason,[/color]” she says, “[color=forestgreen]I’m sure, you haven’t missed my machinations, since we arrived. I’m building up and out the Chateau, and my endgame is to build a Necropolis, and convert it into a Nation under Lord Rodias. For that, I would need an unsleeping, well-trained force to defend its and its citizens. To that, I looked to you. Strength and Durability greater that Graft’s creations, with Agility and Speed beyond Ashara’s Maidens, and your Leadership to bring them together.[/color]” “[color=forestgreen]Oh, and, of course, your troubles will be compensated,[/color]” Chuunitrixx says. “[color=forestgreen]A Mimic is a creature of trade. I’m sure, since we arrived, you and yourself have been without a steady supply of blood. So, in return for service, you are welcome to the body of Survivors at whatever required number. They are all designed with Human blood, but can be... flavored... if need be. I ramble, however. Please, your thoughts?[/color]” Kaldora walked beside her in silence after she finished speaking, a silence that lingered just long enough for it to become uncomfortable before the vampire finally replied. [color=Crimson]“I fear“[/color] Kaldora said, her tone one of disappointment above all else [color=Crimson]“That you may have misjudged me. There are so many things I could say here, but I think I can boil it all down rather succinctly. I look after my own, miss Chuunitrixx, and have little interest in getting embroiled in this ‘overstep’ of yours. Good lord woman a police force of all things. You might as well declare yourself empress while you are at it.“[/color] Kaldora shook her head before continuing [color=Crimson]“Now I can’t say that your power-play won’t be interesting to watch, but I do have my priorities, my responsibilities and my distaste both for your aims and your bribe. Human blood. Really? Such a… plebeian and frankly barbaric vintage.“[/color] the vampire tisked at the very thought. Chuunitrixx paused, and looked up; a thoughtful expression on her face, as she compartmentalized what Kaldorna had brought up. [color=forestgreen][i]So, are there other things at play here? How curious. A power-play? I don’t even know what that implies. Empress? I don’t even need such novelty.[/i][/color] Chuunitrixx looked down, studying her boots, as she hummed. [color=forestgreen][i]Just what strikes incorrect about such a thing? Another layer of protection? Is there something I’m missing? My sole task is to protect Lord Rodias. Am I incorrect in assuming that everyone else has the same task?[/i][/color] Chuunitrixx tilted her head, and closed her eyes. [color=forestgreen][i]I must be. That must be it. Everyone else must be tasked to protect their Supreme Being, who doesn’t exist, so they aren’t protecting Lord Rodias, but following his orders. If defenses will exist, then I have to do it.[/i][/color] “[color=forestgreen]I see,[/color]” Chuunitrixx says, opening her eyes. “[color=forestgreen]Then, we are so adjourned. Farewell, Madame Kaldorna,[/color]” she says, with a small, curt bow, “[color=forestgreen]I have research to undertake. Pray, your mission goes without err.[/color]” The vampire blinked a few times in surprise and then flatly refused to end the conversation on that note [color=Crimson]“Ah, now it seems it is I who have misjudged you. Perhaps. But surely you have to see how… suspicious and conspiratorial this all looks? Doing as you suggest, seizing and asserting authority over others is bound to cause resentment at least or active infighting at worst. Lord Rodias has his lordly legitimacy backing up his claim to power while showing degrees of humility, competence and concern for others that make his words worth listening too and his life worth protecting even if it is not our imperative. It might be wise to ask yourself: why should others entrust you with authority over them? What have you done to earn that power other than the application of power itself?“[/color] she said, clearly concerned both for Chuunitrixx herself as someone might be for a child and highly concerned about the consequences of what Chuunitrixx was proposing to do. Chuunitrixx hummed, as she leaned down, and started to untie her bootlaces. “[color=forestgreen]I believe, I concluded our talks, Madame,[/color]” she says, as she worked the left boot free, and set her bare foot on the floor, “[color=forestgreen]I don’t need to ask myself such questions. Do you question your existence? Do you question your purpose? I don’t,[/color]” she started on the right boot, “[color=forestgreen]Do you ask why you are the Beast Keeper, and not Zouyu? Do you ask why you are the highest among your rank unquestioned? I doubt you feel you must,[/color]” she unbooted her right foot, and planted it. “[color=forestgreen]I am... unsure about things. I do not doubt the reasoning. Merely, the effort put forth,[/color]” Chuunitrixx looked at Kaldorna, and tilted her head. “[color=forestgreen]Mimics are a tricky breed. All our life, we never keep our feet covered. I’m sure you don’t know why,[/color]” she says, as she stood a step back, “[color=forestgreen]As I said, farewell, and may your mission go without err,[/color]” and fell into a pile of Sentries and Proxies, as her foot planted. It was a type of [Teleportation] Magic, only found in Mimics, to move from hunting ground to hunting ground without raising alarm. Chuunitrixx rarely performed the Racial Spell, but she found her time short. Kaldorna had said her piece, denied her, and, like all others, questioned her sense of self and understanding of the role she played. Chuunitrixx was the one who played the role of Intervention. Nothing more. Nothing less. Here or There, nothing had changed but the playing field. Except, perhaps, everyone else around her. [/hider] [color=Crimson]“Well then. That was highly alarming.“[/color] Kaldora said to herself after Chuunitrixx decided to leave their conversation. She stood there for a few more moments with a hand on her temple before taking a deep breath, steadying her emotions and set off for the Beast Pens at a brisk walking pace. [hr] [color=Crimson]“Ever so sorry about the delay my Darlings”[/color] Kaldora apologized to Zouyu and her vampiric kin once she arrived. [color=Crimson]“I was having a conversation with Chuunitrixx and, well, I’m sorry to say that things look like the times will getting a tad more interesting than they already are”[/color] Kaldora then proceeded to quickly describe the conversation she had had, where the Mimic had attempted to convince her to secretly form a police force consisting of Sun200’s vampires and her own mimics that would keep the peace. Kaldora aired this without opinion and without the attached insult that they would be paid for this labor in human-esque blood and was glad to see that her own rejection of such a plan was mirrored by her kin. Most of the conversation that went on was about the lack of time and resources or a general disdain for the very concept of a police force but it was Arthanar who hit the nail on the head. “Ah knew this would happen” he insisted. A few disbelieving objections made him rectify his statement to “Ah knew something like this was gonna happen. Someone was bound to get too big for their boots or want to be in charge instead of the halfblood and cause a big mess.” Kaldora nodded [color=Crimson]“That was my analysis as well. Even without us involved such an endeavor is bound to cause upheaval and raise potentially violent objections.”[/color] “Definitely don't want no coppers sneaking around. Especially mimics. Bloody things could be anywhere spying on us. Decent folk shoulnt have to stand for their business been looked into!” Arthanar declared, receiving a chorus of ayes from the assembled hunters before the hunt’s master asked “yeh did not agree to this, did you?” [color=Crimson]“Of course not”[/color] The Vamipresse, who spent her days clad in a pirate captain's uniform, replied. [color=Crimson]“In fact when she attempted to bribe us with the blood of her human impersonators I’ll admit I got rather heated with her.”[/color] Kaldora continued. Her mention of Chuunitrixx’s suggestion that they be compensated with the blood of the survivors of the apocalypse rousing a bout of jeering and indignation at the very thought of such a thing from the beast blood drinking vampires. [color=Crimson]“Precisely.”[/color] Kalodra said once the outburst had burned itself out and it would no longer be dismissive to keep talking [color=Crimson]“Now. Some ignorance of our way can be expected and excused,”[/color] she glanced towards Zouyu, [color=Crimson]”But it was a reflection of her complete disinterest in our own circumstances when forming this plan that would involve us. All in all she came across, and you will have to forgive my language here, as an arrogant child. Simultaneously clueless and yet cock sure she knew what was best for everyone.”[/color] “Then we don't need to worry so much about this brat then. Bet she’ll piss everyone else she tries to talk into this” [color=Crimson]“If we are lucky she’ll self sabotage and make many enemies. But her talents are both uniquely suited both to subtifuge, as Arthanar already pointed out, and acquiring power via military expansion. As I learned in the meeting she already has a number of external settlements. She’s growing while we are barely staying afloat”[/color] Arthanar grimace before asking the question on all their lips “So... what’r we gonna to do about this?” “Uh, can we even afford to do anything about this” Agathina, the armored vampire woman who had overseen Rodias’s training exercise asked. “Because like you said, our food situation is still far from adequately resolved. You remember the calculations I did right? We’re far from sustainable.” [color=Crimson]“Indeed. The health of the beast pens come first.”[/color] which brought relief to the faces of the assembled beast tamers, but concern to others, mostly hunters. [color=Crimson]“But, we cannot sit idle on this either. So for one thing, Zouyu”[/color] She turned briefly to the only living person in the room [color=Crimson]“I’d be delighted to train with you once we return. In fact I have some ideas that we might allow us to synergize rather nicely.”[/color] [color=Crimson]“I think we all might be in need of brushing up on our combat capabilities, particularly in conjunction with the beast we have access to.”[/color] she then told the others [color=Crimson]“Just in case.”[/color] After receiving agreement to this plan and a few minor suggestions regarding it from the crowd she finally added [color=Crimson]“Also, Agathina, i think we should bring forward your idea to enquirer with the other departments as to what aid they can give to our current supply problem. It would be good to check that they aren't also about to cause trouble and politely enquirer about Chuunitrixx while you are at it.”[/color] the armored Vampire nodded in response and had to be politely stopped from going on at length about her ideas as to who could help and how. After a touch more discussion during which everyone was allowed time to digest what had been discussed Kaldora brought things to a close [color=Crimson]“Well I believe that's all that is all we can do on the matter for the moment. For now, we have work to do,”[/color] she said before approaching her dark unicorn mount and hoisting herself into the saddle. [color=Crimson]“So let’s go hunting.”[/color]