501-11-18 The Emperor sends his fleet off
From Crossroads Wiki
November 18th, 501
Upon the docks on the northern tip of Gateway Isle, many gather to see off those who will take the historic journey through the barrier, the first people of the Empire to leave it in over a hundred years.
Vincente lifts a hand to tap it under Asha's chin. "Keep an eye on my cousin. He'll get into trouble if I'm not here to get into it for him."
Emperor Rourke enters the area with Mena and four knights. His gaze finds Vincente and Asha as he approaches, "Good day. All ready?"
Emperor Rourke says, "I heard that."
Mena nods to Rourke, then smiles at the others, looking cheerful. "Hello!"
"Oh, is that how it happens?" Asha asks with a small, wry smile, starting to lean up for a kiss when Rourke and Mena arrive. Clearing her throat, she lets her hand fall from Vincente's cheek, reluctantly stepping back to bow. "Just farewells, your majesties," she says quietly.
Vincente turns towards the arrivals and sweeps a deep bow. "Majesties."
Emperor Rourke chuckles, "It is... so, now I will have to get into trouble all by myself." He winks at Asha, "So, keep a wary eye out on me."
Mena chuckles, looking from Vincente and Asha toward the ships for a moment before focusing on Rourke. "I wonder if Mogur is on ship already."
"Oh, I always do, your majesty," Asha replies to Rourke, reaching for Vincente's hand after he bows, trying to hold on just a little bit longer. Her wan smile fades at the mention of the Mogur, jaw setting slightly, though she doesn't say anything.
Emperor Rourke's eyes find his cousin, studying the man with an arched brow.
Vincente's hand links with Asha's, giving a squeeze to hers. At Rourke's look he shrugs. "Beats me, I'm not watching what our dear Mogur Imperius does."
Emperor Rourke hums, "If he is not, Mena... he will be." Rourke's gaze moves over the fleet. "Others should be here shortly."
"Someone should," Asha mumbles after Vincente's words about watching the Mogur, though she doesn't press the topic, forcing out a long breath and putting her smile back on with a squeeze of Vincente's hand. "I suppose it's time to head to the fleet, then."
Emperor Rourke's green eyes shift to the fleet then back to Vincente, "I'll have to stay here on shore."
Mena nods, her gaze moving toward the ships again. "Suppose it is," she agrees with a nod.
Phineas escorts his wife along, their quiet words not entirely peaceful.
Etienne heads toward the fleet, a pack over one shoulder and two men carrying a large chest between them. He does spot those on the docks, slowing to bow to the imperials and duchess and company.
Aileana walks to the docks with her hand on her husband's arm, easily noted tension surrounding the couple. She does pause to lower into a curtsey for the Royalty and incline her head to the other Duchess and her Lord Master.
Emperor Rourke inclines his head to the arriving couple, "Here to see the ships off?"
Asha nods to Phineas and Aileana as they pass, watching more trunks on their way to the ships with a carefully guarded expression.
Mena stands next to Rourke, just looking around for the moment. She gives Etienne a cheerful wave, some of her cheer fading upon seeing the Duchess and Phineas together and surrounded by such tension.
Etienne waves to the Empress, slowing as he's not sure if they are ready to sail or not.
Phineas bows stiffly towards the crowd at large. "Of course, Emperor," Phineas says in subdued tones. He glances briefly at his littlest sister before looking off at the ships and sky.
Emperor Rourke turns to his wife, lowering his head a bit to murmur to her. "I'll see you in a few days. Enjoy yourself and don't worry. I've got the babies in hand."
"Wish you were coming, Your Grace," Vincente says to Asha with some comfort. He gives a merry wave towards Etienne and a bow when Aileana arrives.
Mena turns her attention to Rourke and nods, giving him a small smile. "I trust that. And... thanks. Right good of you to let me go."
Valairre shows up on the dock after getting released from the Infirmary and takes up his place behind the Imperail pair.
Etienne motions to the men with him, paying them for their assistance before they board the ship to deliver the chest to its place aboard the chosen ship.
Asha looks quickly over to Mena at the Keeper's words, and for a moment, the bare 'SO UNFAIR!' look is clear in her eyes. Just a moment, and then she's looking at the cobblestones.
Aileana nods to the Emperor, "It's a historical moment, after all." She does slip her hand away from Phineas's arm as her gaze shifts to the waiting ships.
Phineas links his hands before himself as Aileana releases her light grip upon him.
Emperor Rourke laughs, "Ohhh, I can be kind once in awhile." Rourke doesn't note the look from Asha, "Okay..." He then lifts his gaze again to Aileana, "And here I had a speech prepared but it appears everyone is on board already. Avoiding me, I expect."
The Mogur Imperius enters. He has four trunks floating in the air behind him.
Etienne spots Mogur, offering a slight bow to the man.
Emperor Rourke too spots the mage, "Mogur, we wondering where you'd got off to." He escorts Mena forward, "And so, I turn my lady over to you for safekeeping. Bring her back safely."
Valairre stand behind an the Emperor just looking around and being alert, moving when the Imperial couple do but otherwise remaining quite.
Glyph follows Red shortly off the boat at a quick pace with her twin nearby. She comes to a sudden halt at the crowd, and dips into a curtsey for nobility sake -- since she doesn't know most of them but knows they some are probably in the group. She pulls up from the curtsey and moves off to the side slightly.
Relic bows to everyone in greeting, just to be on the safe side and keeps in the background then, at his sister's side.
Asha takes a deep breath, letting it out slowly before she looks up again. "Keep an eye out for Adrian, too," she adds quietly to Vincente, giving his hand a squeeze. "Don't let him do anything stupid." The Mogur's arrival is noted, but met with nothing more than a flat look.
The Mogur Imperius stops to bow to the Emperor. "I will be certain that she returns in good health, Majesty." He nods to Etienne in greeting.
Red pauses to give a slight bow to those present, then grins, movign around the crowd towards the Empress.
Mena nods to the Mogur, giving the old mage a small smile before looking around at the crowd gathering. Upon spotting Red, she waves. "All ready now?"
Vincente gives a bow to the Mogur. "The Marquis is coming? I didn't know that! That will be interesting."
Emperor Rourke's brows furrow as he is alerted to this fact as well. His attention locks on Asha.
Phineas speaks in low tones with his wife while watching the comings and goings.
Red moves through the crowd, grinning from ear to ear as she gains the Empress's side, hooking her arm with hers. "Yup!" she declares cheerfully, attention turning out to look about the crowd.
"He's not Marquis anymore, Marcus is," Asha replies absently to Vincente, before quirking a brow at Rourke. "Hey, don't look at me. I told Xander to run it past you. He was saying something about First Mate. I told him I gave my two names, but if Xander wanted to put him forward for himself, that was his choice."
Valairre allows his eyes to stop for an instant on two of those gahtered, longer than usual and then quickly averts them to be ever vigilant again.
Vincente gives a look to the Emperor.
Glyph archs a brow at the slight confusion passing. She does smile and wave to the Mogur in the crowd, noticing the man. She clasps her hands behind her back, and bounces lightly on her feet idly.
Aileana looks between Asha, the Emperor and Vincente, her brows lifting in slight question of who will come out victor in this interesting twist.
Emperor Rourke isn't pleased with having this dropped on him. "I see..." He glances toward Red's arrival, "Red, would you be so kind as to tell Prince Xander I would have a moment of his time." He drawls back to Asha, "I see I will need to make certain that any change in heirs is... made formal and I know of it before it actually is thrown out there."
Red whispers: Wuh-oh," she murmurs. "And here comes Adrian, too... looks like we're about to start off the voyage with one hell of a fight...
"Greetings, Mage Glyph." The Mogur bids salutations to Glyph and waits beside Mena. His four floating trunks wait, too.
Duchess Asha blinks at Rourke. "We talked about Marcus the other night," she says, clearly confused. "In the tower. You said it was all right."
Prince Xander bounds down the gangplank from his ship - HIS SHIP, yay! - with Annabelle and Adrian, all three of them carrying glasses of brandy. Xander's holding onto the bottle, actually, in case anyone else should like a drink to celebrate the trip. Just in time, it seems, too, since he hears Rourke say his name and calls out, "I'm here! Just ran through my list of last minute things to do ..." He bows towards the Emperor, fighting his way through the crowd towards him.
Emperor Rourke says, "I said it would need to be formalized."
Red straightens as she's addressed. "Yes, Your majesty," she says quickly, turning to move away from Mena towards the ships to fetch... the gentleman who just arrived.
Emperor Rourke motions toward his brother, calling him over to his side.
Adrian, too, gives a low bow to the Emperor.
Red goes /right back/ to Mena's side, hooking arms with the Empress once more.
Catherine comes with her healer's kit and two bags of personal possessions. It's it quite likely that this is all the personal possessions she owns.
Glyph grins over broadly at the trio that leaves the ship. She raises her hand up in the crowd to wave to them with a bright, friendly smile. Her harlequin gaze shining brightly with excitement.
Having been for a little tour of the Xander's ship, Annabelle as she arrives back at the docks with Xander and Adrian is... honestly a little surprised at the size of the gathering before them all. Dipping into as smooth a curtsey as she can manage, Annabelle looks to the Emperor and grows silent, stepping away from Xander to allow him to speak with his brother. To Adrian she whispers, "I... didn't realise so many people would have been here already by now." She looks a bit embarrassed, but covers it with a sip of her glass of brandy.
Mena tilts her head and listens to Red, gaze shifting between some of the faces about as well. "Hope not," she says with a shake of her head. She then looks to the Mogur. "I suppose whenever your ready, Mogur. All of my things are already on ship."
Prince Xander makes his way over to the Emperor, bending his head slightly to listen to the Keeper's quiet words. He murmurs back in response.
Asha is looking very much like she'd much prefer to throw up her hands and leave, but instead she simply tightens her grip on Vincente's hand, drawing in a few deep breaths and looking out towards the fleet.
Phineas's attention drifts to the conversation between the Imperial family. His dark eyes stay focused upon them.
Prince Xander mutters to Emperor Rourke, "... does anyone else... my... I can... Adrian... he... to know."
Emperor Rourke smiles suddenly at his brother, "Point. Alright... most everyone is gathered and ready to go?"
The Mogur inclines his head to the Empress. "Now is as good as any time, Empress." He lazily offers an elbow to Philomena.
Red bites her lip, glancing back at Mena and giving her a hug and a few murmured words.
Prince Xander grins back at Rourke, boyishly, his excitment plain to see. He nods to Rourke and then steps back to Annabelle's side, taking her hand in his and leaning down to whisper a few parting words to her.
Marcus comes with Liz to witness the departure of the fleet. He gives a bow towards the Emperor.
Emperor Rourke's gaze moves over those here and present, "If anyone has any questions or wants to back out... nows the time to say so."
Relic nods to the Emperor to indicate that he is definitely ready to go.
At those words from the Emperor, Anna leans forwards to give Adrian a tight squeeze of a hug. "I'm going to miss you. Take care of yourself, okay? And look after Xander for me." A kiss is pressed to both cheeks before she's then drawn to Xander's side once more, listening to his whispers in turn.
Mena smiles and hugs Red back in return. "It'll be great. Have a great time and don't forget to write down everything."
"Anyone checked the holds for stowaways yet?" Asha drawls dryly, still looking out at the fleet.
Glyph beams broadly and calls out from the crowd, "I am!" Hey, he asked! Behind them is the twins trunk, packed lightly they did, since they are sharing one trunk. She rubs her hands eagerly togather.
Elizabeth moves with Marcus onto the docks, pale gaze dancing from face to face of those gathered. The imperial family, and the higher ups gathered, she gives a bow to.
Once the Empress releases Red from the embrace, she does take Mogur's arm. "Thank you, Mogur," she murmurs, giving a wave to Phineas and Aileana.
The Mogur Imperius displays infinite patience. He waits for the Empress to do her embracing with his arm still extended for her.
Glancing to Asha after Anna has whispered some words back to Xander, Anna quips back in a tease, "Hey, I'm here on the docks, not stowing away..."
Catherine glances back, toward gateway. With no one to see her off, she then looks around. "Where do you want me to stowe my things?"
Aileana's brows lift a bit as the Emperor seems to drop the Marquis thing, her gaze slipping to her husband briefly before she looks back to the rest of the crowd, her tension only growing a bit.
Valairre looks over at Asha and can't help but shrug his shoulders, after all he was out cold in the Infirmary all night and part of the day. He does lean over to speak to another Knight near him about that.
Adrian hugs Anna, whispering into her ear before kissing her cheek. "I'll be fine, Sis. We'll be back before you know it."
"I had a speech prepared..." Rourke smiles, "But... I'll wing it. You all know its been over 150 years since we last saw people from outside the Empire's barrier." Rourke's gaze touches on each person here. "Be careful and watch... I'll be interrogating each of you upon your return. Not escapable."
Phineas's gaze meets Aileana's and he smirks slightly, shoulders shrugging. "Not that official," he murmurs to her.
Red steps back from the Empress, squeezing her hands before turning to look back towards the Emperor.
Phaeton walks quietly into the Docks and glances about at the large assembled crowd as he squeezes through to the front to watch.
Prince Xander takes Annabelle's face in his hands and kisses her thoroughly, not seeming to care if it's unseemly. He's embarking on a dangerous mission! He's got a right! And when he releases her, he still holds her hand and turnsto look at the Emperor, to listen to his words.
Emperor Rourke reaches out for Xander and he pulls him close, "Be careful brother... I only have one of you... keep it all in one piece."
Vincente slants a grin at Asha, but he doesn't say anything with the Emperor's speech going on.
Annabelle grins into that kiss as she's thoroughly smooched, though similarly aftewards turns to listen to the Emperor, especially as he speaks to Xander once more. She remains quiet however, glancing at Adrian in that moment to give the pair of brothers a little more privacy.
Prince Xander chuckles and claps his arms around Rourke, in a manly version of the hug he gave Annabelle. "I'll bring you back something nice," he promises, waggling his brows with good humor. "Maybe a whole other country if I can find one for a good price ..."
Catherine folds her hands. Speeches first. There is lots of time for stowing gear later, she supposes
There they are... the group about to embark on a historic mission. The ships are ready and wait to be boarded as those going say their good byes.
The Mogur Imperius waits until Rourke's done speaking and the domestic moments begin. He escorts the Empress toward a craft to board a ship. His four floating trunks follow.
Marcus lifts his hand in a wave to those on board, giving a faint smile. He has already given farewells before, not so big on public shows.
Etienne spots Collins and offers the merchant guildmaster a smile and a nod. He's set to go.
Jackob heads into the docks, carrying a large trunk as he puffs heavily, "Sorry, running a bit late, last minute packing. Terribly difficult to know how to dress for the unknown, so I thought one of everything would be fitting.!"
Mena does walk along with the Mogur toward the small boat that will take them both to the ship, giving waves here and there as she does. "Bye, now!"
Emperor Rourke gives Xander a stilted hug then turning, heads for Vincente. That's it for the shows of affection.
Collins grins back to Etienne, approaching him through the crowd to offer him a hand. "Providence bless and speed you, Etienne. You have our thanks, and our pride. We'll see to the safety of your shop. never fear."
Mogur Imperius and the Empress then board the ship that will take them to the barrier and back.
