Marius interactions with this odd being can only be described as a child trying to converse with a rather interesting bit of wall and for a moment he figured he was being flat out ignored, which wasn't even the being's fault. If it was some kind of sophisticated automaton or vastly intricate undead, the implications of it could be utterly vast. Maybe the beastkin had made their own automaton's as spies. Maybe this was a kind of weapon seeking out weaknesses in the city. An assassin that currently was on a mission. In any case, Marius could be utterly ignored, he wasn't part of the creation's programming.
In typical fashion, Marius' paranoia and gut instincts were utterly eclipsed by the ever present desire to develop several encyclopedias on the subject and quite possible dissect it to see how it works.
The actual speech was a quite a shock. 'NO.' Io might as well smacked an ice cream cone out of his hands for how disappointed Marius seemed. But then continued to speak. The way he did, getting information about him, presumably by reading his correspondence cause Marius to hold the note flush to his chest and turn away slightly as if IO had been caught trying to cheat on a test.
However he did agree to come along.
"Oooo-kay?" Having dealt with logic circuits before Marius did know how to, 'speak robot' as some of his peers liked to call it. But he just gave IO a warm smile.
"Thank you for the opportunity! I will most assuredly make this worth your time. I might even be able to give you a tune up. Maybe even help on whatever prerogative you're on. It'll be so much fun!" He said getting back into a simply sunny mood. He walked towards his men.
"Captain! Captain, I'll be off! Other fires to put out!"
KINA CITY
Light District: Emissary Quarter
A carriage ride of the same questions to IO concerning his make, model, name, origin, power source, reason for visiting, favorite color, what they eat, could they eat, how they did that cool thing with their eyes; would make up the trip through Kina City. Marius talked... alot, even without answers.
"He-eh-she-eh, they are a guest to our city under my personal admittance. Hence why they are escorting me." As a state sponsored Artificer there were few places Marius could not go, and particularly cause his correspondence granted him the seal of his colleague from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Him getting into the part of the city dedicated to non humans, visiting dignitaries, important merchants, and ambassadors was not the problem. The odd inhuman that the guards hadnt recognized and without proper paperwork had the trouble. It was a minor inconvenience at worst.
Stopping before the embassy for Port Mizu, Marius walked out, and it was a quick walk and a number of questions later and his explanation for filling in for Lieutenant Florence when it came to reasons of diplomacy. He was given a folder with some of the correspondence between Mizu and Kina concerning.
"Trade disputes?" The letter he got from Florence seemed like a much more dire need, but this was just Florence asking for a favor, carefully disguised as something much worse then it was. Marius sighed feeling suddenly tired all of a sudden.
He then met his first Naga of the day, one of Lady Amira's retinue. The story changed about why IO was following, now Marius claimed him to be his attendant. It made for less questions. Most Diplomats had attendants. And of course, Marius was asked to relieve himself of weaponry. He almost forgot he was still in his field uniform and probably looked a wreck. He quickly tried to fix his hair, a futile effort as would be getting the smootz off from the Dark District on his lapel.
"Lady Amira is currently in private garden." Advised her attendant as Marius was brought to a simple waiting room with luxurious couches nearby.
"I can wait if she needs." He stated, not wanting to rush anyone.
"I will go announce you. Please make yourself comfortable."He nodded, a happy smile behind his glasses before he looked to IO.
"I'm sorry, this must all seem very dull."
Out in the garden after the fiasco with the sudden Harpy, Amira's attendant would inform that
"Lord Artificer Marius Hierophox, has arrived." Guess it would be time to get to work, or let the humans wait. They often times did not give Port Mizu the same courtesy.
Vixere
