9206/Castle Amethyst: Prelude to Rebellion

Castle Amethyst: Prelude to Rebellion
Date of Scene:	21 December 2021
Location:	Throne Room, Castle Amethyst
Synopsis:	Our heroes meet Citrina and Granch, gain some items, discuss the current situation... and oh yeah Cass got broken, oops.
Cast of Characters:	Amy Winston, Tim Drake, Daniel Ketch, Victor Stone, Kaida Connolly, Cassandra Cain

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Amy Winston has posed:
When we last left our intrepid band of would be Rebels, they had just made the crossing through the space between worlds and arrived before the glittering, if cracked and battle worn, Castle Amethyst.

There is a rumbling of mechanical mechanisms and clanking of great chains as the drawbridge comes down, spanning the sparkling moat, and allowing entrance in the castle proper. The castle guards in shining purple armor snap to attention as Princess Amethyst leads her new entourage across and through the castle gatehouse. Murder holes are visible above as they pass through the gatehouse and ever watchful archers can be seen in the towers and perched on the walls. This is not a place that takes its defenses lightly, that is for certain.

Princess Amethysts pegasus is lead away to the stables once they reach the courtyard, before everyone is lead through massive shimmering purple opalescent doors and into the keep proper and eventually the throne room, lined by many more members of the Royal Guard.

Upon the throne sits the Regent. Not a member of the royal family, Amaya being the only surviving member currently, Citrina has been a trusted advisor to generations of the House of Amethyst and someone needs to run things while Amethyst is off playing hero. It was also Citrina who secreted Amethyst away to Earth and Citrina who kept things together during the dark times awaiting her return. She is a woman whose age is difficult to pin down, somewhere between old and ancient dressed in yellow robes with a head piece that wouldn't have been out of place among the European courts of the high medieval era.

To the left of the throne stands a mountain of a man, though man seems like something of a stretch. His appearance is twisted and beastial, not too far removed from the orc and ogre looking humanoids Dark Opal has been seen to employ and he easily towers over all present, over two feet taller than Amethyst who is nearly six foot herself.

"Citrina! I have returned!" Princess Amethyst calls out triumphantly as she enters the throne room. As she does, the Royal Guards lining the room draw and salute with their weapons. "And look, I have brought heroes of Earth to turn the time."

The wizzened elderly woman on the throne smiles at Amethyst with a familial affection like a grandmother might. "Welcome home, Princess Amethyst. It is good that you are back. There is much to discuss." Her eyes stray over the assembled 'Earth Heroes', seemingly taking their measure. It almost seems like she is peering into their souls, maybe she is, or maybe she just has a lot of experience judging character at her age, though knowing this world it is probably both.

Tim Drake has posed:
    This is... extremely colorful. Red Robin, in his predominantly black-and-crimson getup, feels almost hilariously out of place.

    He's like a goth at a Build-A-Bear.

    But he did offer to help--with the caveat that Carnelian, or Carl Nelian (or whoever he is) is Tim's to deal with, when the time comes--and the Bats seem to be able to cause a faint shift into greyscale just by their brooding presence, anyway, so he'll manage.

    He doesn't step forward to introduce himself, however. Instead he lingers in the background, the gaze hidden behind the blank lenses of his domino mask assessing as he considers the castle. Its guards, its security measures. Looking for any potential weak point he might be able to assist in shoring up.

Daniel Ketch has posed:
Daniel studies the castle briefly and follows Amy with his hands on the coat's pockets. He should probably be far more interested in a medieval castle in a fantasy world, but his single comment comes in a somewhat laconic, "this place is pretty nice," which mean it is much better than the fantastic but usually horrible places he has visited in recent years.

Archers and swordsmen, uh? It makes him wonder if Amethyst shouldn't have invested in some modern weaponry for the soldiers instead of 'heroes'. Because really, they don't look much like Superman and Captain America.

Okay, maaaaybe Cyborg does. A little. But not him.

Peering into his soul? Not the best idea. The Abyss gazes back and all that jazz.

Victor Stone has posed:
    Cyborg follows the Princess into the castle, looking around with a broad smile. This was very much what he was expecting when he heard about this place, and even if he's not super into the fantasy stuff outside of video games it's still pretty great. And the beauty of the place just underscores what they're doing here--trying to help fight tyranny and help the people take back their home.

    Seeing as none of the rest of them have said much, Vic steps forward to give a sort of bow to Citrina. That's what you do, right? You bow. A little. "We're honored to come help you fight Dark Opal." He waves a hand. "We're from disparate groups--I represent the Titans," and with this the hand encompasses Kaida and the other Titans with them, "but everyone here is up to the task, I'm sure."

    Vic's been taking Donna lessons. Except, he's been trying to make sure the speeches are /short/.

Kaida Connolly has posed:
Joining the others, Kaida walks around at the level of everyone's feet. She is far beyond used to it. She honestly isn't really keen on approaching a castle on someone's shoulder or the like. She keeps to the floor, walking across and perhaps is the only one that really looks the part if you look past her size. At her hip is a katana like sword and on her back is a large shield. Her cloak and scarf combo float about as she moves. Finally they are introduced and she looks to the leader.

She watches Victor do his bowing thing. She eyes him and then steps forward when she is gestured at. She puts her hands on her hips and doesn't bow. She's low enough and is the most powerful mouse Earth has to offer, as it were.

"You have nothing to fear! I, Kaida of the Titans and of Earth, am here! All evil shall tremble and all darkness shall fade before my light." She nods her head and puts her hand on the butt of her sword.

Cassandra Cain has posed:
Cassandra's been taking Phoebe lessons. She comes in, head bared and smiling. It's such a soft entrance that you might be forgiven for underestimating her abilities. She's just 'some lady', compared to the rest of these amazing heroes that have been brought forward.

She looks at Citrina, her head tilting curiously, and then pauses. She pauses, then begins to approach Granch. She glances at Amy for permission...and then at Granch himself. No words, she wouldn't do such a thing as -speak-, but she seems curious.

And she offers the huge gentleman a little friendly wave.

Amy Winston has posed:
"This is Red Robin." Princess Amethyst begins to introduce those assembled and then pauses. How does one really explain what the Bats are to someone without Batman for a point of reference? "A skilled tactician and infiltrator."

"And he," She gestures to Daniel next. "They call Ghostrider. A demon burns within him, but one that demands Justice and would see tyranny end."

Then it is Victor's turn to be introduced. "The metal man they call Cyborg, he does with technology what we can only accomplish with magic, I've never seen anything like it outside of Lord Garnet's domain."

And then there is Kaida. Princess Amethyst can't help but smile when Kaida gives her own introduction. "As she says, what she lacks in stature she more than makes up for in heart and ferocity."

And then there is Cassandra. Princess Amethyst turns, watching her approach Granch without fear. That is a rare sight and for his part Granch seems just as surprised. "She," Amethyst begins. Cassandra never speaks and for the first time Amethyst realizes she doesn't have a name to call her. "is like the shadows of House Onyx and likely a match for them even without magic."

Amy looks to Granch and then back to Cassandra and nods to her as if to say he is safe. "This is Granch. He was," She pauses and looks to Granch again but the giant nods his ascent to some unspoken question. "He was the first born son of Lord Opal. However that villains twisted dealings with dark powers left his seed twisted. Opal is exceedingly vain and cast Granch out and tried to have him killed many times for the way he looks, regarding him like a stain upon his person to be cleaned away. He has since become one of our fiercest allies and greatest warriors in the resistance again Dark Opal."

"And," Amethyst turns to the throne. "This is Citrina, perhaps the wisest individual in all of Nilaa who has been advising the House of Amethyst for as long as anyone can remember."

Introductions made, she turns back towards Citrina and the old woman smiles. "You have returned none too soon, Princess. Opal has increased his crackdowns on anything even resembling dissent. The will of the people to resist is crumbling daily, the Rebellion hangs by a thread. I truly hope these heroes you have brought can turn the tide."

Tim Drake has posed:
    From the back, Red Robin takes the pause as the Princess deliberates over how precisely to introduce Cassandra to interrupt. "Her codename is Orphan," he says as he steps forward, his body language making it obvious that his true focus is aimed towards his fellow Bat despite the fact he's looking to Citrina upon the throne. "If you need a way to refer to her." Not address her. That seems an important distinction, the way he phrases it.

    His head tilts, aiming an unseen but considering glance Granch's way, before he folds his arms over his chest.

    Amethyst's brief summary of his skills is enough for Tim. Whatever opinions he has formed thus far, he keeps close to his chest, his mouth set in a thin line.

Daniel Ketch has posed:
"Pleased to meet you, miss Cintrine," greets Daniel. Maybe it should have been 'lady Citrina'. Oh well. Chances are high there will be worse protocol gaffes if he is forced to interact with the nobility. "I... hmm, yes," demon, whatever, "well, the sooner this Opal wizard meets the Rider the better for everyone." He manages a thin smile.

Then he glances up at the giant at Amaya's introduction, offering him a polite nod. He does seem pretty formidable, and his story helps confirm Dark Opal really deserves a chat with the Ghost Rider.

Victor Stone has posed:
    Cyborg grins at his fellow Titan. He knows better than to underestimate Kaida by her size. If her stature matched her prowess, she'd surely be as tall as Victor himself.

    He nods at Amethyst's introduction of him. It's accurate. "I don't know much about magic," he admits, "but sounds like I ought to see this Lord Garnet's domain--maybe when we're not fighting bad guys in bad outfits. Seriously, your enemies need to get a better costume designer."

    He frowns, then adds, "Is there anything more we can offer besides our weapons?" He looks toward Tim and Cassandra. "I know we've got some /really/ fine intelligence-gathering people here, I'm sure we could try for, I don't know, supplies and things like that. Help your people however we can."

Kaida Connolly has posed:
A look over at Cassandra, Kaida hmms as she looks at the woman before looking to Granch. She seems to briefly size him up and idly stands up a little taller. He's only a little bit taller than herself, clearly. She nods before looking to Tim and looking him over. Skilled infiltrator, eh? She wonders how well he can fit through tiny spaces.

"I can offer more than a sword." Kaida seems to have a talent for projecting her tiny voice as she turns to look to Victor and nods to him before saying, "I don't know if I'm the stealthiest person here but there's certainly very few places that can keep me out." She nods her head and shifts her weight slightly, "It's hard to keep a mouse out of ya house."

She then looks over briefly at Daniel and then she suddenly is beside him, sniffing at his leg briefly before she is a blur again and she is back to where she was standing as if she didn't just zip over to him as she mutters something about Justice smelling like sulfur.

Cassandra Cain has posed:
Cassandra is looking up at Granch for a bit, her attention split between the huge ogre-like guy and the AMAZING GEMSTONE WORLD. She pauses a second when hearing her own codename, and then looks up. She blinks, she shifts. She makes a little gesture toward Tim.

Then having made that ..odd, fist inside her hand and turning..she steps within Granch's arm reach and stands there, and turns to look at the room. She's placing herself -beside- him. The comparison is almost hilarious. Yet, not impossible.

The motion she used? It's the military gesture for 'guard'. She's offering herself as bodyguard. And she clearly has no issue with the staff in this location.

Amy Winston has posed:
Citrina nods her head at Red Robin's interjection as if making a note of it. "Thank you." Because it is always useful to have a way to address people.

Citrina looks over those assembled again. The relationship between her and Princess Amethyst is an interesting one. Amethyst is the royal and nominally the highest authority but she tends to defer to Citrina like one would to a trusted guardian or parental figure. "If fighting Dark Opal's forces directly was a viable option, the resistance against him would not be in the state that it is. Three Great Houses were decimated in the original onslaught, that Amaya was able to survive and return is a great blessing, but the powers of Diamond and Ruby remain lost to us, their Heart Stones dormant." She leans back into the throne upon which she sits. "Dark Opal's dark pacts and forces pulled from realms of eldritch darkness are too much for a head on confrontation. Were it otherwise, his fortress would have been stormed long ago." Granch gives a grim nod as Citrina speaks, a man of few words. It is quite clear there are few things he would like more than to see that fortress fall.

"The will to fight of the other Great Houses must be restored." Citrina continues. "The will of the people in the villages to resist must be rekindled, and fates willing Diamond and Ruby must rise again. Anything less than a full alliance will stand little chance of breaking Dark Opal's iron grip on Nilaa."

Tim Drake has posed:
    For a moment, Tim is distracted, looking between Cassandra and the assembled royalty. He's listening to the information that Citrina is giving them, but his thoughts are already turning.

    Then, he nods once at Cass. Agreeing with her decision, or her offer, whichever.

    He turns to Citrina. "What do the villages need? Supplies, weaponry, protection? I can help with logistics. I'm not sure what the portal technology..." Pause. "...or magic used was, but if it's sustainable, we might be able to coordinate shipments from Earth too."

    It's then that he acknowledges Cass's offer to the rest of the group. "Orphan is right. The most important thing right now is keeping you all protected. By the sound of it, the resistance can't handle a blow to morality like the loss of one of their leaders. There's no one you'd rather have watching your back than her."

Victor Stone has posed:
    Cyborg's nodded in agreement with what's said, expression thoughtful. He's asked his question, and he has some idea what the Titans can provide. The Bats are probably better at infiltration and logistics, but the Titans are more used to PR and dealing with the public. He's considering information campaigns, but they don't have the internet here. But...

    He clears his throat.

    "So... back on Earth, we've had to deal with stuff like this. Tyranny, and people rising up to fight it. My, uhh... my family's dealt with it directly. Well, my grandparents. The, uhh, one suggestion I'd have? My grandfather always said the core of the movement was the food. The women who'd gather people in their homes, feed the marchers before they went out. I mean, it's a suggestion, I don't know how things work here, but I'd say maybe we start in the villages. In the inns and taverns. Gather people, feed them, talk to them. Ignite them, and maybe their leaders will follow?"

Kaida Connolly has posed:
"Whoever this jerk is, I could punch him right in the snoz. I'm tellin' ya. Bad guys always got plans till they take a mouse to the face." She nods her head and then shrugs before looking over at others and listening to what they have to say. She nods to Victor before looking ahead to Amy and her, uh, elder?

"Food is always super important! Full bellies mean happy bellies. Trust me, I should know. That bein' said, I think some strikes against jerk faces that are hurting or harassing people is a good way to make friends." She nods her head, "I mean, honestly, can ya imagine the shame on a person's face if they say no to fighting after getting saved by a mouse?" She asks and tilts her head and waggles a finger, "I have to tell ya. There's no greater morale breaker than bein' beat up by a mouse and no greater morale booster than watchin' a mouse fight your battles."

Cassandra Cain has posed:
Cassandra believes that Citrina is right. What they need isn't power, it's leadership. Confidene, to draw the forces that exist forward. Allies greater than any one person. She can see that in the people around her. She just can't say things. She isn't needed for her verbiage though.

She does however have something of an idea. During Citrina's speech, she glances at Kaida. Specifically when she's speaking of the other houses, the fallen ones. She lets her eyes flick to Tim, and back to Kaida. The subtle nod she offers is her words, then two raised fingers. She indicates kaida, and Tim. The timing can't be coincidence.

Two houses. Two infiltrators. Two secrets to be found. It's a lot of faith to have in your teammates, to send them alone.

She knows that they can do it.

Amy Winston has posed:
Citrina and Princess Amethyst both seem to be in agreement with Tim and Victor. "They need all of that." Amaya agrees. "It is difficult to ask them to stand when they have been so beaten down. They need to see that something better is possible again.

Citrina for her part makes a motion with her hand. "Speaking of travel." Two Royal Guards approach from opposite directions, one carrying a fistful of small amethyst pendants and the other carrying a glowing Citrine the size of a baseball. The Citrine is touched to the palm of each would be Rebel in turn unless they choose to pull away. It is not the most pleasant experience, a moment of intense pain as knowledge of the Nilaian language is seared into their brain. The small amethyst pendants that each is given are far more pleasant by comparison and involve no horrible pain.

"Those necklaces will allow you to travel between this world and First Home. However their power is easily exhausted and barring a place rich in magical power to recharge in will allow for a single trip in a given day." She looks back to Tim. "Larger more stable portals require a significant investment of power, but arrangements can likely be made to allow for the aquisition of additional resources and supplies."

Kaida earns a motherly smile from Citrina, "I wish it were that easy, I truly do. Your bravery is commendable, but please do not sacrifice yourself recklessly. We've lost too many good people already."

Cassandra is regarded curiously, but Citrina doesn't seem to quite catch her intent.

Tim Drake has posed:
    Some of Tim's questions have been answered. Some, but not all. He leaves the finer details of logistics and security for later, though he has a great deal to think about.

    He doesn't flinch at the mind-numbing pain that rips through his skull. There's some faint tightening around his eyes, but that's all hidden by the domino mask, and after Red Robin steps back, palming the pendant. It ends up in a secure pocket of his utility belt.

    "If I'm better used for infilitration," Tim nods towards Cass, "I'm willing to investigate what happened to one of the great houses that fell; Diamond, or Ruby." He exhales. "If that could help."

Victor Stone has posed:
    Cyborg assimilates the information of the language easily enough--it hurts, but it's not that much different than things he's already been through. He takes the pendant and drapes it around his neck for now. He nods to all Citrina says, already running through ideas for logistics and supplies.

Kaida Connolly has posed:
It's not exactly a touch to a palm for Kaida so much as it is a whole hand touch. She's small. Her palm is not so easily accessed by things. You want her palm? You get her whole hand. She tiny. All the same, she winces at the feeling and twitches some as she pulls back and then looks at the large amethyst she is given. Sure, it's small for some but for her it is big. So, she slides it into her pack.

"Cool, and hey, I still say we make sure people don't need other forms of help besides food." She nods her head, "Jerks always take advantage of these types of situations. Even ones not tied to your true enemy. Bandits and such."

Cassandra Cain has posed:
Cass takes the language into herself quietly. Pain, no big deal. She's used to being shot and being told to 'take two for flinching'. Dad was a dick. Howevs..

Her mind is unique; she has no language center for the magic to adapt. She goes tense, tight. She breathes out, her eyes dilate, as Cassandra Cain, the girl with the best stone face in history...

Falls over, on her face, and slams into the floor, out cold.

It's just possible that there may be a hiccup in this amazing plan after all.

Amy Winston has posed:
> > > > TO BE CONTINUED!!! < < < <