You think everything is going great
"You always think everything is going great" Dana reminded you--which is true you suppose--she tugged at one of the sleeves of her cassock as she waited at the docks. "You're not the one who has to handle three groups who all want something from us."
"But the important thing is that they have to come to us" You point out, your image hovering before her. "They'd be rather silly to Break the Peace here and now, wouldn't they?"
"You'd think that, but while the specific measures you're taking are new--it's not the first time people have had to deal with weird magic nonsense in their day to day business." Dana cautions you. You pout while checking on the other members of your Chosen. Niamh was moving the Sithe-folk into the forests closer to the capital and preparing to respond to any shenanigans, Elliot was managing the lower levels of the World Tree, Layla had the Moby Ark and its two sister-ships warmed up and ready to respond, and Amelia was handling the mobilization of the security detail.
Just because this place was safe didn't mean you should come off as weak, right?
Surprisingly, it's the vessel of the Brilliant Sequence that makes it in first--apparently the damage observed earlier doesn't extend to the engine assembly because goodness that big thing moves fast when put up to it! Of course, stopping almost turns out to be a problem, and it needs to bleed off some of its speed on approach through some really complicated looking maneuver, but once it does (And the retrothrusters kick in), it coasts in to 'Dock'.
And proceeds to give off sparks and shut down. Whoops?
The Sendai vessel is a close second--while at this range you can feel it bristling with all manner of spooky energies and power, they seem peaceable enough for a bunch of guys who claimed they wanted an epic challenge anyway. That's a good sign! The smallest vessel in the middle of this mess, it's arguably one of the more dangerous members.
Nothing goes horribly wrong as it docks, which you supposed makes sense.
The final group is a fleet of all things. The hulking behemoth leading it... Not docking, but instead lining up in orbit well above the canopy and sending shuttles across instead. You suppose you can't complain--though the fact the broadside its presented to you and your people is somewhat concerning--you make sure to keep a few scraps of your attention on the World Tree's defenses, just in case.
It's that whole 'We need to negotiate from a position of strength' thing talking you think.
Still, the shuttle rolls in--and that you can feel a sense of attention fixed to it by something fairly scary feeling originating from the flagship, in the end, the shuttle docks successfully and oh goodness he's fat
Seriously!
The shuttle just pops open, and four excessively sculpted looking ladies wearing far too little march out, each carrying one handle of the litter bearing a throne with that... Thing lounging upon it. The decadence actually stings a little to look on it, as does the man's disinterested look at all of the parties going along.
Oh boy, you can already tell he's going to be trouble.
But you can persevere just fine! Four weirdly powerful lewd looking ladies aren't going to scare you or feel like you're in competition or anything! You have a perfectly fine figure and you don't need to look like a literal hourglass with watermelons strapped to the front!
Why would anyone even want that anyway, that's not cute at all!
"Your priorities seem to be a little skewed" Dana mumbles, arms crossed behind her as the guests walk up along the branches. The Aliens... Are shaped a bit like the flayers honestly, just with funny looking grey skin and a stooped form and...
You resist a wince as you look at their spirits--oh goodness they're just awful to look at! Scorched spirit, stubborn roots even in spite of it, sipping from poison because they know no other means to survive even as it kills them--and yet they're just marching up--power held in minds so great that the material realm has no choice but to bend the knee.
It'd be amazing if you didn't want to throw up. So you think you'll just delegate to the others on dealing with these people. You think you'd probably let something impolite slip so you turn your attention to the last guy.
He's... Well, there's no getting around it he's a weedy guy, buried in more white and blue material than you thought actually existed. His eyes had perpetual bags under them--and he was carrying a stave of forged metal wrapped around all manner of fancy stuff you can't wrap your head around!
And next to him was a little hovering ball of power, serving--if you're not mistaken--as the other entity's vessel here!
No other supporters that you can see though, huh, you're not sure if that's arrogance or if there's something you can't see here.
Dana seems to be putting on an air of nonchalance at this though. "Welcome to Equinox" She greeted the groups as they merged onto the main chamber of the Canopy. "While we were not expecting so many... Guests." She let that ride as she looked across the eclectic group, as unimpressed looking as she could. "We are nonetheless prepared to provide suitable entertainments."
The Publicani snorted, and withdrew a plasma pistol. "No, I think not." He pulls the trigger.
Power raises, and fizzles out. He blinks, and stares down at the weapon.
You can feel the other Entity preening at something, even if their Vessel appears to be bobbing nonchalantly. A quick sabotage of the weapon, causing a misfire... When combined with the strength of your Elysium field...
Oh goodness, that was entirely too reckless.
"No, I rather think so" Dana interrupts any chain of thought that might be coming along. She taps the floor with the base of her bell, and from the center, a circular table springs from the base of the Canopy. Chairs coming along to match it as she settles herself down.
"Now that we're done with such an amateurish show." She dismisses the bristling pig on his litter. "We should speak like civilized folk, shall we?"
[Despite his best efforts, the Publicani failed to disrupt negotiations with plasma fire. He will suffer a penalty on discussions from a triggered Elysium effect.]
[The Azure Magus gets a chance to reassert themselves, their morale has gotten better]
[Prince Sendai finds this show amusing]
More to come, chipping away at this whenever I can
