Synopsis: Blossom approaches Walker's forces, and the plot is afoot.

Location: Near Walker's Marching Army

Recorded: Sunday, June 07, 2009

Cast: Forbidden Blossom, Stilled Silence

        The great behemoth that is Walker in Darkness' army leaves a blight upon the countryside as it slowly rolls along. As the sun begins setting on another long day scouts, advanced and otherwise, slowly make their way back to the main camp. One such individual, Stilled Silence, rides upon a horse of bone and sinew, her grand daiklaive strapped to her back and her eyes scanning the countryside for any threat, sport, or both.

        For a change, Forbidden Blossom walks with no disguise, no deception, save that which she carries in her heart. Spotting the path of the army isn't hard, even if the walk to it has been awfully hard on her feet as she walks over a hill and out of the dark grove atop it. Her blonde hair glints to a fiery shade in the light of the setting sun as she raises her dark eyes to the scouts. The one with the daiklaive stands out, and she fixes her attention on her after a moment, and brings her hand to her brow to shut out the sun's rays. "Well, then, come and see.", she says softly to herself.

        Stilled Silence's hawkish eyes catch the silhouette of the figure and curiosity gets the better of her. It is not often one of the weakwilled humans gets the courage to view upon the the Black Psychopomp's majesty even from a distance, perhaps this one will make a fine ghost she thinks to herself, turning to ride toward the figure, stopping some 15 feet away. "What business have you with the Walker in Darkness, waif?" she asks in a rather gruff tone.

        Looking up to the deathknight's eyes, Forbidden Blossom looks quizzical. "Why, I had heard that an army was bound and marching, but... I just couldn't help but see for myself." She gestures aside. "As for your Lord, certainly I am beneath his notice, I imagine. But your notice... I am honored by the attention of a deathknight, then?"

        "The army of my liege has ridden a month or more by now, and by the contention we've encountered you might think the heavens and all the corners of creations had nothing to do but come bother us," Stilled says, sounding a bit annoyed. "Which leaves us with you. It is not our place to be an amusing sideshow for gawkers and lookers on."

        Bowing a little, Forbidden Blossom says, "I hope I can offer a little more than being simply a bother." She looks after the sight of the trail. "And I like to think myself a bit more than a gawker, but I'm not really involved here..." Turning back to the deathknight, she adds, "... at least not yet. But I'm afraid there doesn't seem to be a means of introduction that isn't at least a bit troublesome."

        "Who are you, then?" Stilled Silence says relaxing her agression just a little, but parlay is clearly not her strong suit at this particular moment.

        With a more proper curtesy, though almost comical given the scenery, she says, "Forbidden Blossom, of the Green Sun Princes." She rises, smiling politely.

        "I...see," Stilled Silence says, eyeing the creature in front of her with now more of a critical look. She offers a curt nod, "Stilled Silence, Deathknight, Vanguard of the Walker in Darkness. So what does Malfeas want with the Walker?"

        "I certainly cannot speak to Malfeas' intentions. He is, as they say, his own god." Forbidden Blossom says, tilting her head slightly. "More personally, I was considering offering my aid, if you would have it."

        "That seems an awfully generous thing to do out of the kindess of your heart," Stilled Silence says a bit dubiously. "What terms do you proffer? Know that I cannot fully accept you aid myself, The Psychopomp prefers to deal with allies with as much sway as yourself personally. Do walk with me though back to the camp. Sufficient lodging will be provided if you so wish it."

        "The kindness of my heart? I don't know if I've done anything to earn such an insult, deathknight.", Forbidden Blossom says, a little taken aback as she starts to walk. "But don't be mistaken, I'm not a mercenary or a warrior. And, honestly, with those such as you at his side... so that's hardly what I seek to offer."

        "My apologies, Forbidden Blossom, it was not my place to be so rude," Stilled Silence says, her speech taking an unexpected turn. "We have been beset by those who misunderstand our purpose. Surely, then, there is something in Densandor of interest to you? What is it you seek to offer?"

        "Oh, no, I would have no interest in stopping your lord's crusade. If one can unlock the mysteries of Densandor, they are welcome to its treasures.", Forbidden Blossom replies, and then looks up to Silence again. "But before I answer than, what is your purpose, precisely? The tales that travel across the land were bent and twisted long before they reached my ears."

        "What my master imparts to me, which is only part of his grand design I can believe to the core of my being, is to open that which has stood closes for eons past, imparting the treasures of Densandor to the East and reclaiming a higher first age," Stilled Silence says, sounding completely serious. "Yet the actions of his brethren hath tainted and twisted the views of Creation. Very sad, really."

        "Oh, the First Age... remembered well enough to be desired, but not enough to be feared.", replies Blossom, and laughs gently. "And mortals will never sit easy with death, no matter how noble, I'm afraid. But that brings me to the answer, then." She gestures before her. "After you have claimed the city, I am certain there are those who will not be satisfied, who fear him like they feared the Mask.

        "It is the nature of the living to fear what they do not know," Stilled Silence agrees. "I have lived, I have died, I have looked upon the mouth of Oblivion, and the wild voraciousness of the Wyld, there is little left I fear. Your propose a...Public Relations campaign?"

        Forbidden Blossom starts to say something, a "Y-" before cutting off and trying again. "Public relations, though, certainly not my choice of words. Propaganda... no, certainly awful as well. Widen their understanding, at least." She looks down to the footsteps in the ground.

        "I see, " Stilled Silence says, looking over to Forbidden Blossom. "You know, propaganda has such a nasty connotation but people use that which it refers to every day. Can I ask...why you would want to do this? Not that I am not genuinely appreciative of the offer, mind you, just a bit curious."

        "Our masters were long ago seperated by worlds and millennia, Stilled Silence, but-" Blossom's expression gets less airy, her tone more serious. "- I wish to have a greater understanding of you and your lord, a regular sort of exchange." She smiles then, gesturing upward as if giving an example. "I certainly would appreciate reward for our efforts, but what I ultimately would be interested in would be acting as... an ambassador, of sorts? There are certainly things I would have to on my side as well first, of course, but a beginning of a more long-term exchange."

        "An unexpected offer, I must admit," Stilled Silence says openly, "and the ways of Malfeas I admit are a hobby and interest of mine. "I believe, perhaps, some agreement could be reached. These things on your side, you mention?"

        "I would have to make certain that the others of my sort understand my position.", Blossom replies. "And, of course, my own master." She grins. "Not that expect any of that will be a problem."

        "Of course," Stilled Silence says with a slight smile. "Would they have reason to be...less than

pleased?"

        "Of course they do. They are bound and tortured with every breath we take. Where they find pleasure is not something I could truly concieve... but they have given me my rebirth for a reason, I am certain.", Forbidden Blossom says.

        "I see," Stilled responds. "I guess that makes them pretty unreasonable at social gatherings hmm?" she says with a chuckle.

        "Parts of them are quite winsome. Enough that Creation invites them in... though, of course, there is a reason they only bring in a piece." Forbidden Blossom grins. "For every truth I could say about them, I am certain there would be a lie within as well."

        "Curious, that," Stilled says, "I must admit I hold little love for the demons of Malfeas but those like you and I, and the other exalted...we are alltogether different, are we not?"

        Blossom looks thoughtful. "Most of them would not want our love, nor appreciate it. But we are quite divorced from our shining brethren, throwbacks to a different time."

        "Speaking metaphorically of course," Stilled corrects. "I've not felt love in a very long time," she says matter of factly, no hint of regret at all, as they draw closer to the camp.

        Forbidden Blossom looks across the camp, her eye curious to see what Walker is fielding. "Ah, that's too bad, it's quite nice, though it does always seem to die out in the end."

        "Doesn't it though," Stilled Silence agrees, cantering into the camp slowly. "Well, here we are," she says without much enthusiasm. It is a great rolling camp of, now that darkness has fallen, zombies, ghosts, mortals, and other undead machinations better left to the imagination.

        Almost involuntarily, Blossom's hand goes to her nose, though it gently recedes as she looks around. The smell has probably been about for awhile following the army, but now it is a much sharper, alarming thing. "I must certainly wonder why anybody would want to stand in your way. Imposing indeed."

        Stilled looks at Forbidden Blossom a moment, then lets out a hearty chuckle. "Yes, yes indeed. The smells of decaying life make me wish all the settlement force were ghostly, but of course that presents logistical nightmares beyond comprehension."

        "I meant that genuinely, not just the peculiar scent." Blossom says generously. "Ah, I should have arrived before sunset, I'm sure it would have been something to see. Another time, then."

        "I'm sure you will," Stilled Silence says, gesturing to a tent near the middle. "You may sleep here, if you wish. I will pass the word, and harm shall not befall you."

        Staring at a simple bedroll, Forbidden Blossom shakes her head, and then adds, "Do you mind if I have a look about in the meantime? I'll try not to wander too far, but... I'm not much in the mood for sleep just yet."

        "But of course," Stilled Silence says. "I'll have some men escort you," she says, waving over a few very brawny tough looking types with spikes going this way and that.

        Forbidden Blossom looks over to the dark and spiky sorts and nods. "Certainly." She looks to Silence and smiles. "Thank you for being so gracious."

        "And you, " Stilled Stilence says with a nod. "I will meet with Walker and discuss your proposition. We will speak again soon, I assure you."

        "Of course. Take your time.", Forbidden Blossom says, waving. "And I look forward to it, Stilled Silence. Have a good night."

        With a curt nod, Stilled heads into the largest of the tents.