Letter Bee

~ Phantom Thieves of London: The Calling ~

Mikhail Chekhov

Mikhail felt a burst of respect for Merja as he saw her defend his actions and give Alex the Dense a reinforcing explanation that confirmed what he himself had said. He also felt a slight feeling of warmth at Romani as he saw that despite the latter's skepticism, he was willing to help Merja.

"Nice, nice, coffee boy." he said to the other foriegn-born student. He was French, right? Or actual Romani? "Thanks for the help - You can now go -"

Then everything went to hell in a handbasket again, with Alex the Dense Snob opening his wide big bouth to express his doubt. Gritting his teeth, Mikhail said to Alex, "I am Mikhail Chekhov. That part is - " Then he was taken aback by Merja's kindness and attempt to settle things between them.

Sincerely surprised, he gave a slight bow to the Finnish girl before saying, "Thank you. This means a lot and I appreciate your kindness." There was a firmness to his tone that was lacking before, a firmness that implied genuine respect. "Goodbye for now, both of you, and... Thanks." Then he glanced at Philip, waiting for the older boy's reply to darken the day once more.

And Philip tore through him like a knife through butter. Mikhail looked away from the other young man, saying, "I approached you because we're both kids - Because we are both part of the same age group."

He then recovered his nerve, and said, "You aren't as honest as you think, if you believe that adults don't deserve any resentment. Tell me, if you had full trust in the establishment, scientific or otherwise, you'd be following your father's footsteps in a University already - You're that smart. Instead, you're studying at either Evergreen or St. Paul's."

Mikhail presses on, "And why is that? I don't presume your parents would approve of you 'lowering yourself' or being percieved as lowering yourself, so I think you did this against their wishes. So I think you have your own rebellious streak as well."

Then to Philip's genuine points regarding the antidote. "And okay, true, the antidote probably already exists, but how are we supposed to know the adults will produce it in enough amounts to be useful? And how do we know that they won't just forget about it if the Russian Government shifts to a different poison? Too many variables left in the hands of an establishment that is deaf-mute to the grievances of those below it. At the very least, redundancy is important. And finally, peer-review is a problem, but I can swallow my distrust long enough to secure at least nominal recognition."

A pause. "And as for my obsession with politics, well, what do you recommend instead? That I go on with my life? Or wait for a day that might never come?"

@LetMeDoStuff@FalloutJack@Conscripts

[ASOIAF]: Before the Dragons Danced

Draknoz mo Rarahl - The Road to Yunkai

The host reached Yunkai territory at dawn - Emmisaries had been sent ahead demanding that Yunkai subordinate itself to 'their liege', King Grazdan the Chainbringer of New Ghis, the rightful heir to the Ghiscari Empire. Said emissaries, of course, had their heads and only their heads returned, but that just meant that General Draknoz mo Rarahl now had a signal to begin the raiding of Yunkai's hinterland.

As the army marched at full speed towards Yunkai, cavalry moving to sieze goods and burn farmsteads, as well as ward off Yunkai's counter-raids, Draknoz made sure to wear at least a set of lamellar armor under his robes in order to deter assassins - The Wise Masters might attempt to employ them.

Draknoz planned to set up his main supply base base south of Yunkai, on a birchwood forest near a slanting sandstone ridge. This forest would provide wood for siege towers and ladders, and animals for meat and hides that can be used to protect said siege towers from arrows. It would also deny precious resources to their enemy. Note that in order to maintain his troops' allegiance, Draknoz would have to pick a 'true' headquarters closer to the walls of Yunkai. That, unless the enemy sent troops to burn the birchwood first - Which is why he was going to lead the scouting force that would sieze the area himself.

Draknoz mo Rarahl - South of Yunkai

The General was right - He had just reached the birchwood to find a company of slave soldiers setting up kindling and torches, escorted by a small band of Highborn Yunkai warriors. He gestured with his free hand to split his battalion - Half of his horsemen were to scatter the slave soldiers, while he and his bodyguards were to charge the Highborn. He was counting on superior steel and superior organization to win this round.

Surprised, the Highborn were only able to mount their horses at the last minute - A few had camels, but those were quickly caught before they can mount them. Otherwise, the battle might have gone differently due to the effectiveness of camels against horses.

Draknoz and his bodyguards cut through the now-mounted enemy, with the General himself having the pleasure of unhorsing the opposing commander, a noble with more eagerness than sense. That was what happened when one allowed the martial spirit of Old Ghis to falter.

Now, the birchwood and its precious building materials were theirs', an important step in the upcoming conquest.

Draknoz mo Rarahl - Just Outside Yunkai

A few more days and the host reached seeing distance of Yunkai's walls, and detachments of the Iron Legions were then sent to construct siege lines, while slaves would be tasked to work in the direction of the siege engineers as they unpacked the catapults, ballistae, and trebuchets that were needed to destroy the city walls. More heralds - recruited from the prisoners taken in the birchwood - were sent to deliver a message to the slave-soldiers of Yunkai, simply saying, "Those who swear loyalty to the New Ghiscari Empire will be freed. Those who do not will be made slaves themselves. Make your choice."

[ASOIAF]: Before the Dragons Danced

Draknoz mo Rarahl - The Road to Yunkai

"You may pass," said the Astapori commander in charge of their southern border's defenses. "Yunkai is as much our enemy as they are yours'."

Despite the honeyed words, Draknoz mo Rarahl, General of the army sent to take Yunkai, knew that the Astapori were getting suspicious of his intentions, which made it more imperative that he get through their territory as soon as possible. Despite the Astapori military being small, Draknoz did not want to fight the Unsullied in the mountain passses leading to their territory - Even in the plains beyond, the Unsullied were terrifying. There will be time to deal with them once Yunkai was completely taken.

There were no incidents in the first weeks of the march. Provisions were brought out in each Astapori village, to be bought at a fair price, while still more were brought in from the south. Every time they made camp, Draknoz made sure that the troops trained and drilled for two hours before they were given time to eat and sleep - Then in the mornings, the men were allowed to amuse themselves with bed slaves and eat a quick breakfast, before the march began again. But it was clear that the Astapori were shadowing the larger force with cavalry and camelry, waiting for this army to depart from their lands.

As the march continued, Draknoz's feeling of resentment towards the weakness of the Astapori grew - Were the Unsullied thier only point of pride? Why did they cling on to their independence, when the unity of the Ghiscari and the revival of their Empire was more important? He couldn't wait to reach Yunkai's territory, to begin the raiding and pillaging that all strong men were entitled to. Even with the strange orders given by the King to enslave those who were free and free those enslaved if they pledged alleginace to him - Draknoz was probably one of the few people who saw the practical dimension in the King's orders...

King Grazdan the Chainbringer - New Ghis

King Grazdan oversaw the departure of the fleet sent to blockade Yunkai, all the while thinking about his household matters. He regarded himself lucky that he was the dominant figure in his own court, that no one, not even his own children by his wives, concubines, and lowborn women were able to even conceive of going against him. He had cemented a reputation for brutality long before, a requirement to present a strong front. However, such brutality had to be tempered with reason - meaningless brutality will just alienate his supporters and leave opponents with nothing to lose. That cannot be allowed.

As he looked at the docks of New Ghis, his Queen, Dizmano Zhao, walked beside him. A beautiful woman he had married for political reasons, Dizmano was one of the few people he regarded with any softness. As she leaned against him affectionately, the King patted her oiled and curled hair, before saying, "My Queen, I long for the day I can call you Empress."

She smiled, her smooth brown face free of even the slightest blemish. "Our sons and daugthers will be heirs of the true glory of the Ghiscari. You will conquer Slaver's Bay for them, and they will conquer the World as your legacy."

~ Phantom Thieves of London: The Calling ~

Mikhail Chekhov

"I could, but I don't trust them -" was Mikhail's answer to Laurence's words about collaborating with the police and forensics before the literature student just departed, "Hey, I'm talking to you!"

Note that the exclamation part was not too loud, more of a sudden halt in the sentence than a shout. Mikhail respected libraries, after all. Speaking of respecting libraries, it seemed the heavens had opened up and given Mikhail a new opportunity in the form of Philip Leonheart, an actual a fellow genius. Putting on his best game-winning smile, Mikhail ignored Philip's tone and words and instead tried for charm.

"Philip Leonheart, just the man I wanted to see!" Mikhail said. "Despite your skepticism, as well as the fact that my large ambitions are high enough to warrant a judgement of 'insanity', there are things here that warrant an intellectual titan like you." A smile. "I should have known someone who had gotten the silver medal at the International Physics Olympiad would gravitate to this subject, despite their already-expressed skepticism."

Mikhail paused. "As I said, I don't trust the Police, forensic scientists, or most adult authority figures in general. They failed my father and they will fail me. But we are of a different caliber, although I will admit that you are my better."

A calculated admission before Mikhail looked at Philip's face and realized he was probably unmoved by the subtle attempt at flattery. Sighing, he said, "Okay, perhaps what I said earlier doesn't work. That went too far even for me. But I do need your help, Philip Leonheart. You are one of the people I am looking for and much as I hate to admit it, one of the few with the intellectual chops to make a serious try at what I want. I know in my heart that I am not as capable as I puff myself out to be, but the fact remains: I want to decipher the chemical code for the toxin that killed my father. That much is true. Same for me mistrusting the failures in the police force - That's also true."

He knew the next admission might slightly hurt Merja, but it might also resolve a few of her worries. "In fact, had I known you'd be here, I would have talked to you first. I know you're a physicist and an engineer and not a chemist, but someone who can win the Physics Olympiad is more useful than a son of a fashion designer plus lawyer."

Yes, he couldn't help but insert another barb towards Alex there, "So please help me, Mr. Leonheart."

Or I'll continue on anyway and blunder. Or I'll continue manipulating people. I can do a lot of damage, you know. But somehow, Mikhail didn't say those words. Instead, he hoped that his rare show of honesty was recognized for what it was - A boy reaching out for help.

Because if it wasn't, then all the more reason to keep manipulating and scheming and destroying himself.

@Savo@LetMeDoStuff@Typical@FalloutJack@Conscripts

~ Phantom Thieves of London: The Calling ~

Mikhail Chekhov

Mikhail blinked at that. He was likely to hurt the Snob and Peppy Ponytail? It was more likely they'd punch him in the face if they overhear. But nevertheless, apologies were in order. "I'm sorry, Merja. I was assuming that -"

And then someone entirely unknown interrupted. Frowning, trying to lessen his rudeness for Merja's sake, Mikhail said, "Who are you?" to Laurence. Then upon realizing his subject matter of interest, he introduced himself and offered a hand to shake, "Mikhail Chekhov. Son of Vasily Chekhov, victim of poisoning. Glad to meet a fellow Simo Hayha fan."

A brief frown, "Now, what do you have to offer for this enterprise?" You some rich kid or someone with talent? Were Mikhail's thoughts. "Because, well, it's not like I can afford to reject any help right now." Not at this point, anyway.

Then of all the rotten luck, Alex decided to intrude in, and personally insult Milkhail deeper than anyone besides his father's murderer had done so. Gritting his teeth, the boy said, "How chivalrous, assuming that I 'manipulate' - I'm making airquotes - people for filthy motives like one's own libido. Alex, let me make this clear: I am not interested in romance or dating or anything of that nature right now."

He dared grin at Alex before saying, "Just so you know, I had a much nobler cause in mind when I approached Merja - I needed someone who can purchase lab rats and laboratory supplies for me, as well as someone whom the adults will take more seriously as she's eighteen."

Puffing out his chest, Mikhail continued, "I intend to avenge the [Insert Nearby District of London Here] poisoning. You know, the one in which my father died? I will do what the best doctors and 'experts' in Great Britain have failed to do and decipher the chemical code of the poison that shattered my family with only my brain and some helpers. Then I will make an antidote, prevent what happened to my father from happing to others, and gain the widespread... Notoriety I need to get a platform for curbing a certain Great Power's meddling in world affairs."

He glared at the other young man. "Don't measure me with your tiny worldview. Not everyone lacks ambiton like you."

@Savo@LetMeDoStuff@Typical@FalloutJack

NCQuest: A Mecha RP - The Relief of Cape Town (Repost!)

@Mr Irony II, Yes, actually.

Edit: Although this site might be used for some of my friends' CSes!

Kingdom Hearts - The Lights of the Multiverse (KH and Alternate History) [Full]

@Double@Gentlemanvaultboy@ShadowVentus@Nerevarine@Tenma Tendo@Shoddy McCoy@MagusDream

After talking with MagusDream, who is suffering personal problems in Real Life, I've decided to put this RP into hiatus. He is a very close friend of mine and what happened to him has made me worry so much that I can't run my existing RPs with him (although I can run those without) without being afraid that this might be my last day playing with him. So, I am sorry for any inconvenience or unfairness this may have brought you and I ask for your forgiveness.

Intrigues of Venedig - High Fantasy Mature RP

@Stern Algorithm@Aqutanama@Zoey White@Landaus Five-One@Solaris@jdh97@MagusDream:

After talking with MagusDream, who is suffering personal problems in Real Life, I've decided to put this RP into hiatus. He is a very close friend of mine and what happened to him has made me worry so much that I can't run my existing RPs with him (although I can run those without) without being afraid that this might be my last day playing with him. So, I am sorry for any inconvenience or unfairness this may have brought you and I ask for your forgiveness.

NCQuest: A Mecha RP - The Relief of Cape Town (Repost!)

@Metatrooper, Accepted.

Intrigues of Venedig - High Fantasy Mature RP

@Zoey White, Are you still available?