POOHEAD189

Frokane's Mildly Politcal Hangout Thread

<Snipped quote by POOHEAD189>

Thank God for the electoral college, without it we really would be a closer to a true democracy which is basically the same thing as mob rule. Real democracies are always a bad idea and very quickly fall to ruin since all minority groups quickly get trampled underfoot by the majority. Gays would never have gotten the rights they do have in a democracy for example.

Electoral college is messy, but it is there to ensure mod rule is not the way to decide things. Also voting really needs to be handled better to make sure fraud is at an absolute minimum. Too many examples of questionable voting to say there isn't a serious case of election fraud and illegal votes being done in quite a few states.

@IceHeart

It was more a jab at how the electoral college is run than my criticizing a republic. Though a few democracies have done well over history, at least for a time. I don't think you can argue that America is Great again at the moment.

Frokane's Mildly Politcal Hangout Thread

There's been so many porn stars that Trump was with/molested, I can't recall if Stormy Daniels was the one he was with while he was married to someone else.

Grim Galaxy: Shots and Chances

It was all about owning the moment, Neil knew. The spotlight didn't always need to be on you if you took it for a ride everytime it was, even if it was with something as simple as some swagger. The charming pilot stepped forward after Junebug as introduced herself, and he gave another bow. "Neil Edwards, your highness." He said, and inclined his head to his wife. "My Que-...your?...Misses Queen." He bowed again, and the King actually chuckled along with his wife.

Next was Taya, and she needed encouragement by the King's waving hand before she would step forward. "Taya of Fornax, your Highness and My Queen. I'm honored to be here. Prince Amalric has been so good loo-...good to us! He...has been great." Her face was as red as a cherry, and she hastily skittered back with a small peep of noise.

"You have our deepest gratitude, and we invite you to stay with us for as long as you like while. You're to be commended and rewarded." The King said, and though he seemed quite charismatic, it almost seemed as if even this entire scene of welcoming taxed his stamina. The Queen placed a hand on his shoulder as the King have a tired wheeze, and with that he inclined his head toward the exit. "Come. We shall show you your rooms."

---

The halls were resplendent and the tapestries of the planet's mythos swayed overhead. Busts of ancient heroes and artwork transported from across the systems were planted and hung around every corner. Neil felt the air was very clean in the palace, as if it had its own life support system. Perhaps it had one in case a catastrophe ever occured on the planet? The Palace could certainly fit a large population.

To the Highlander group's surprise, the guest suite was actually an entire wing of the Palace. A great hall was at the center of each lavish room, the hall as tall as sevent stories and filled with comfortable furniture, a large dining table and an electronic hearth, along with a vast vid-caster screen for them to view at their leisure.

"Holy shit." Neil breathed.
@Penny

Dogs of War: Old World Mercenaries

Her comforting hand squeeze calmed him down somewhat, but he hardened his resolve and clenched his jaw when he saw the mob and the writing on the wall. As soon as Camilla stepped back, his hand curled into a fist. The ugly man that was talking to him drew his baleful gaze.

"First tell me your business here." Cyrdic replied, to which the man seemed confused until he screeched. "Chaos lovers deserve cleansing by fire!"

"I agree." Cyrdic said. "Good thing there's no Chaos worshipers here. Now step aside. I have business within."

Cyrdic towered over the man, but to the fanatic's credit, he didn't step back in fear. He merely grinned wickedly, taking a step forward as the crowd around him grew bolder and began throwing whatever they had on hand that wasn't a hand weapon. The leader spoke next. "Are you threatening me? A newcomer and his foreign whore come to visit a witch. Perhaps I shouldn't bother the Justicar. Say I take care of you MYSELF."

Within the blink of an eye, a dagger appeared out of the folds of his furs and he struck, quick as a viper. It was too quick and too unannounced for Cyrdic to block with his sword, so instead as the man drew back his knife, Cyrdic simply punched forward with his free hand. His fist connected with the man's face, and his head snapped back.

The crowd grew silent for a moment, before they surged forward with an assortment of farming impliments as weapons, even with fear in the eyes. That is, until Cyrdic knelt down and picked up the prone leader, hauling him up and tossing him into half a dozen of them and drawing his sword in the same fluid motion. Behind him, he heard Camilla cock a pistol.

They drew back, muttering among themselves. Some still looked to be debating on if attacking was the right thing, but as the other drifted away, they felt it was too risky. Cyrdic held his sword out until they all left, and then sheathed it once more, glancing to Camilla to make sure she was ok.

"Cyrdic?" A voice called from the house, disbelief evident. He turned to see the Golden haired Eloise, as petite and kind hearted as ever, a bruise on the side of her face. "I didn't think you'd come."
@Penny

Frokane's Mildly Politcal Hangout Thread

@Penny Thank God for the electoral college! Without the good men and women voting against the nation's interests, we'd be in some kind of a...a...DEMOCRACY!

Grim Galaxy: Shots and Chances

Next in line behind the Prince and the Captain was the Councilman, followed by Neil who somehow got from the cockpit to the very opposite side of the ship in the blink of an eyes, wearing his trademark dark shades and winning grin, hands made into guns as he gave the vid-cams something to think about. He stepped off the ship, not even wearing anything formal in the occasion. It was his usual attire, though his shirt was black this time with a curious phrase on it. He got it at a thrift station a few years back and felt it was appropriate.

He slid up next to Sayeeda and placed a finger atop his shades, lowering the glasses to eye the younger siblings of the King and Queen. After he realized the royals were in fact the royals, he actually was respectful enough to take the glasses off and slipped them into his pocket, before giving a bow. This wasn't the first time he had run into high planetary government, but this was the first time he'd met a King or Queen.

"Have you ever seen anything like this?" Sayeeda asked, gesturing to the crowds. Neil looked out at the throng of men and women. He gave a few of the girls a wink, and waved to the rest. "Once back on Fortus." He said. "Though it wasn't directed at me specifically. More my faction...still, why not enjoy it for a bit? We're here after all." He shrugged.

"Aiden," the King said, his hair a mane of grey and his beard was carefully trimmed. He strode forward and placed a hand on his son's shoulder. Neil suspected he wanted to embrace his son, but it wasn't formal for the crowds. Maybe favoritism was frowned upon by the royal succession? The King continued. "Let's discuss things later. As of now, I'm glad you're safe."

Behind Neil, men ran to and fro from the Highlander's bay, and soon they escorted the injured men out on stretchers. Neil blinked and saw Taya hiding inside, obviously shy. Neil shook his head and waved her out here. Like a stray cat, she inched forward bit by bit until she gained the confidence to walk into the eyes of the crowd. Neil winked to her, giving a nod of approval. Then the King's voice rose.

"These must be the valiant heroes that helped you, yes?" The King asked. "And who might they be? Introduce yourselves so I know who to thank."

"Husband, come now." The Queen said, nudging his shoulder. "What's the rush? They must be tired."
@Penny

Dogs of War: Old World Mercenaries

"His charm was no match for yours though." The ex-sergeant remarked. A grin curved on Cyrdic's face at Camilla's snappy dismissal of the Justicar. If Cyrdic had gotten him to leave, it probably would have devolved into something with fists and that didn't seem prudent here. But as always, she solved things with a more delicate touch.

Cyrdic finished his eggs, and grabbed his ale and drained the flagon in three short gulps, before ordering another that he planned on savoring for a time.

The plump woman that served them looked a bit taken aback, and even somewhat marveled at how they treated The Justicar. "You best not be keeping that tone with Thaddeus, lassie." She said in hushed tones, looking back and forth. Cyrdic raised an eyebrow as she continued. "Round here, you argue with him and you might go hungry in the winter. Geoff gave him some lip, and he was sent out on a'countin Thaddeus says he was getting mutations."

"Could that not have been true?"

The woman placed another ale down, her face resolute. "Geoff was a good boy. Sigmar blessed he'd be one o' them mutants. You best hush yourself and you'll need another place to stay."

"I'm sorry, Fraulien." The rugged man said, and he meant it. It was a hard fact of life that men grew mutations and were cast out within the Empire. If it didn't need to be true, why claim it as such? "But we'll get out of your hair after a day or two. Soon as we find a friend of mine."

"Who are you looking for?" She asked, suspicious.

"Eloise Hockendorf sent me a letter a few weeks back."

The Inn keeper grew pale, and then swallowed. Cyrdic tilted his head curiously, and he let her regain her composure, sharing a look with Camilla. "Oh she...she's round at her home. But the Justicar has her on watch. See her brother's a wanted man, and under suspicion of witchcraft, that he is. If you're here to see Elly, you best be ready for trouble."

"Where does she live?"

The woman sighed, seeing she wasn't going to dissuade them. "Fine, she's at the northeast end of town. But if you cause trouble, you'll find no rooms here, understand?"
@Penny

Dogs of War: Old World Mercenaries

"We'll need to find his sister first," Cyrdic replied, his mind fading back into his early years as a soldier. He knew what part of the township she was in, but he would need to see the house again to fully recognize it. The usual banter of the common room was present, but mostly a low backdrop this day. He had to guess it was because of their sudden appearance. While the men practically dropped their jaws at Camilla, a few of them looked at Cyrdic warily. His rugged face and runic sword made it clear he was either Camilla's husband, escort, or bodyguard. That and the scolding from their women folk made the Tilean a bit less appealing.

The most appealing thing in the room was the eggs and the ale, Cyrdic had to admit. As soon as his ever sensitive nose caught the scent of the blessed aroma, his mouth began to water. He'd always had a large appetite, but these days he seemed to get somewhat unruly if he didn't get a good meal, particularly good meat.

Cyrdic was halfway done inhaling the egg when he felt Camilla nudging him. He closed his mouth to chew, suddenly aware he'd left it open again. Camilla had told him that courtly men don't do that, and while she didn't care, it was good to make good impressions. He almost thought she was going to give a playful 'thwap' across his head before he saw her whisper. "Who is that man?" in a hushed tone. Cyrdic swallowed the egg and looked the man's way for a moment, finding the fellow stared back at him.

"Problem?" The Ostlander challenged after matching gazes for a few moments, drawing a surprised and somewhat frustrated look from Camilla. She had always gone for subterfuge over force, but Cyrdic was a different breed.

"None at all," the man replied, taking a drag from his pipe. He looked a grim sort, if amused by them. "You just seem odd for newcomers. Might I ask your business here?"

"Looking for work." Cyrdic replied non committal. It wasn't technically a lie, because it was always the truth. "What's it to you?"
@Penny

Frokane's Mildly Politcal Hangout Thread

Grim Galaxy: Shots and Chances

"Clearance? Oh goody," Neil remarked back. It wasn't sarcastic in an annoyed fashion. He mostly just felt like letting a bit of his silliness out to distract himself from the myriad of things occurring all at once. The Palace was indeed gorgeous. Just like one he was going to buy one day, with rooms filled with gold and women to keep him company. That is, if he ever got tired of the dangerous life. He might need to think on that possibility soon if Aiden kept them, and most notable Sayeeda, grounded for too long.

He was not entirely sure if he was jealous or not. He was somewhat wary of them sticking around too long, and then the logical part of his brain snapped him out of it, inciting the fact he was a hero about to rewarded. Why not have some fun?

On the display monitor, Neil saw a small abstract line appear on the screen which lead him directly toward the landing zone. A polished platform a few stories above the crowds, with a smooth walkway that led into the interior of the Palace's foyer, which looked bigger than the Highlander itself. Outside, a contingent of guards and a few highly decorated aristocratic looking folks awaited them, and Neil made sure to land carefully.

The landing gear bumped against the ground softly, bending lightly on its pistons before coming to a complete stop. A cheer rose among the troops and the councilors when they felt themselves landing on Dar'monad ground. Neil's voice picked up on the comm, his voice silk. "Thank you for flying Edward's Airlines, we hope you enjoyed your stay. Please make sure to keep your hands and feet away from the bay door as it opens and have a lovely day."

The bay door whistled as it opened, Aiden and Sayeeda standing before the aging King and Queen.
@Penny