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Jul 18, 2009 15:35:57 GMT -5
Post by Ladorak on Jul 18, 2009 15:35:57 GMT -5
Spinfer raised his eyes in surprise to the squirrel. So the rodent WAS the messenger....right? After all....he was addressing him, though not looking right at him and continuing to walk around. Spinfer glanced about again. All the guards were in the same place as before. The shrew was at the gates on the other side of the gardens and there was only one other guard in sight, off in the distance in front of the palace-turned-prison.
"Why...I am waiting sir." was the silky response of the stoat. "I am waiting for somebeast to meet me here. We are to discuss....important things." the wise stoat said carefully, unsure if this was the messenger or not but feeling about 70% sure or so.
"What are you doing here this fine day? Care to join me for a cup of tea?" he waved his paw at his table, offering the squirrel a seat.
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Jul 18, 2009 16:23:39 GMT -5
Post by Carrow on Jul 18, 2009 16:23:39 GMT -5
"I would indeed, and while I'm at it, perhaps I could talk with you as well?," Sciurus asked, his voice light and innocent. The squirrel made sure to emphasise the word 'talk' so that he could confirmed to the stoat that he was indeed the creature that had been sent. His tail swsihed gently back and forth as he padded over to Spinfer at a leisurely pace. The squirrel sat down alongside him, his light blue eyes twinkling as though he were simply out to have a word with, say, and old friend of his. There were far more important matters at paw, though, aand the hypnotist's fertile mind was racing as he sat down and introduced himself.
"Hello there, Spinfer," he said in a low, conspiratorial tone. "My name's Sciurus Whirlpaw. I was sent here by an otter who goes by the name of Otto Kurtz. I'm assuming that you pair of mustelids know each other?"
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Jul 18, 2009 16:34:17 GMT -5
Post by Ladorak on Jul 18, 2009 16:34:17 GMT -5
The fact that the rodent knew the stoat`s name right off and his mention of the name Otto Kurtz dispelled any remaining doubts in Spinfer`s mind. This WAS his contact. Smiling politely, he raised his teacup to his lips again.
He would have to make a correction to the past statement however. "Well actually, I`ve never met this Otto Kurtz in person, but I know of him. He`s quite influential in....certain circles." Spinfer glanced about him again, taking note that no beasts were sitting near his table. He had picked out a seculded one that was tucked away between two trees. It was a quiet spot for them to discuss their dealings.
"I hear he`s a hypnotist, and previously sat on the National Constituent Assembly before it disbanded. I`m rather surprised to hear that such an otter as himself would be working as a hypnotist of all things but....ah well, whatever pleases one I suppose." the stoat said, smiling again, though it was very thin.
"So tell me then...what is it you do, Mr.....Whirlpaw was it?" he asked, pretty sure he got the name right. "You`re aptly named....at least with your first name. It comes from Latin does it not? For your species no less." Spinfer was quite well educated, having access to the King`s library on a regular basis. "As for me yes....you stated my name correctly. I am Spinfer." he would let Sciurus talk now, as he was curious as to the background of this liason and he was sure they would have several things to discuss about...future events.
It made the stoat extremely nervous, contemplating betrayal like this. He wasn`t sure he`d be able to carry it out. But still...he felt strongly enough that things had to change. He would just have to dispel these second thoughts and doubts that were whirling around in his mind about what was right and what was not. There were many things to fear if this didn`t work out after all. But they would get to that. For now Spinfer mainted his calm demeanor, and tried not to let any of his inner anxiety show through to the squirrel.
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Jul 18, 2009 17:38:58 GMT -5
Post by Carrow on Jul 18, 2009 17:38:58 GMT -5
"Otto and I have quite a few things in common, you know. You are surprised to hear that he works as a hypnotist, yet I pursue the very same career," Sciurus replied, smiling amiably at the stoat. "You have guessed correctly the origins of my first name. As for my surname, well, I was so named, because of this..."
The squirrel held his right paw out for the stoat to see. There was a white spiral of fur upon it, which stood out in stark contrast to the dark red fur that covered the rest of the hypnotist's body, save for a few white patches here and there. Furthermore, his tail-tip was snow-white, another feature that set him apart from the other squirrels he had known.
"I travelled across the Ceres Ocean when I was... hm, let's see... ten years old. I lived a solitary life, as I was well able to take care of myself. I was a creature who was quite fond of wandering, roaming thither and yon, I knew that my travels would surely lead me one day to Cosnair. It was just a question of when I would sight this fine city. I am now approaching the beginning of my seventh month in residence here, and in the time I've been here, I've gotten to know about, erm, certain events."
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Jul 18, 2009 18:12:17 GMT -5
Post by Ladorak on Jul 18, 2009 18:12:17 GMT -5
((Sorry, I have to keep using accent grave for the apostrophe because I can`t get the apostrophe button to work on this computer )) "You`re a hypnotist as well?" Spinfer asked, a bit surprised by this fact as his head rocked back a tad. He listened patiently to what the squirrel had to say, intensely interested in the white swirl of fur on his paw. "Why....that is indeed remarkable" the stoat commented under his breath, wondering about the significance of that spiral. So....this Sciurus was a foreigner, from across the Ceres Ocean. The New World it was called. Spinfer found it odd that anybeast from the Old World would come here but....perhaps his family had been good supporters of the Rosferians in the last war....or something like that. "Yes....quite a lot going on here you could say." Spinfer gave the squirrel a smile again, and as before it was very thin, but sincere. "I...have to admit it...this is difficult for me. I`ve been a servant of the Royal Family for a very long time. It...it`s....hard for me.....in my position to do this you realize. I not only fear what would happen if the effort....well were to fail...I fear too a decision of conscience. I have revolutionist leanings but is what I`m doing truly right?" he said, wringing his paws a bit before returning them to the table top. "At any rate....I did agree to meet and answer any questions you may have. I will be open and honest with you Mr. Whirlpaw. I will keep nothing back" Spinfer said with a sincere tone. He was very formal and businesslike, but his anxiety too occasionally came to the surface.
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Jul 18, 2009 18:20:49 GMT -5
Post by Carrow on Jul 18, 2009 18:20:49 GMT -5
"I can help calm you if you would like," Sciurus offered. "But yes, first, to business. I do have a pawful of questions to ask you, and it is good that you say you will be honest with me. You know what they say, Spinfer: honesty is the best policy. First of all, and I must admit that we have been debating this back and forth for the last while now, but why exactly has the King not tried to flee the country like he did last year? The circumstances in which he finds himself are much more grave than they were a year ago, if I'm not mistaken, and I have to say that I am curious to know why he has not turned tail again. Could you provide any insight on this, my good stoat? Apologies if I'm being, well, blunt," the squirrel said, placing his paws upon the table and looking into the stoat's eyes, his gaze somewhat searching.
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Jul 18, 2009 18:30:51 GMT -5
Post by Ladorak on Jul 18, 2009 18:30:51 GMT -5
Help him relax? Spinfer had heard of such things from hypnotists....soothing the mind and body through the use of their craft...but he wasn`t sure he believed any of it. He listened once more, his face placid, revealing nothing of his inner thoughts.
"Ah yes....an excellent question. The King is indeed in fear of his life. He seems to be suffering however from....some sort of paralysis of the mind as of late. He`s become very indecisive, and yes....he has been discussing plans on escaping the capital, in fact has been urged to do so by his advisors." Spinfer spoke in exceedingly low tones. He would not risk being heard here, even if not many beasts were around him. He wondered if Sciurus would be angry at this fact.
"However....He can`t seem to make up his mind as to HOW to go about escaping. He`s seized with a fear you see. A fear of what would happen to his family if the effort failed...just as it did last year. The King just doesn`t have himself to think about after all, he has his family too. His wife and his children. Such a large group cannot be moved easily. Oh he recognizes the great danger he is in yes...but he also fears for the safety of his family if he were to attempt to flee again. He stated quite plainly that he would not leave them behind....and so if he leaves, they would have to go with him."
He paused now, taking a sip from his cup. "Ah yes...my apologies. I have heard him say that he isn`t sure which is the greater danger. Trying to flee or staying here. He is well aware that his last escape attempt failed....and he`s concerned that if he gets caught with his family trying to flee the country again well....he thinks that perhaps the citizens won`t go so easy on him like they did last year." that thin smile was back now, a smile of knowing, of sagacity.
"Because of his indecisiveness, he has so far rejected all plans put forth for his removal from the nation. He`s become rather fatalistic as of late, and sees himself as doomed either way. I can`t imagine the burden that lays upon him." There wasn`t much sympathy in Spinfer`s tone however. He felt the monarch was being stubborn. He could just as easily abdicate his throne, and yet he refused to do so. It irked Spinfer in a way that he could easily put his paw on. Augustine worried about his safety, and yet he didn`t abdicate either. In Spinfer`s eyes, the King was either very stubborn or very foolish...or perhaps both.
At any rate, the stoat stopped now to let the squirrel digest all of that.
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Jul 18, 2009 18:49:36 GMT -5
Post by Carrow on Jul 18, 2009 18:49:36 GMT -5
Sciurus nodded slowly a few times while Spinfer spoke to him. The squirrel's hearing was exceptional, and he had little, if any, difficulty in picking up on what the stoat told him. When he finished speaking, there was a brief silence as Sciurus thought of what he had been told, trying to sum it up, in a way. Then, he replied in just as soft a tone.
"Well, Augustine really does seem to be facing a dilemma. If he leaves, he runs the risk of being caught as he did last year. He would end up being apprehended, without any shadow of doubt. In a highly-strung and volatile state like the one he would be in if he were to undertake such a thing as precarious as an escape, he would not be able to stay on top of things for long, would make mistakes, and act rashly. Such actions would lead to his eventual capture."
Sciurus took a breath before he continued.
"On the other paw, if our King were to stay where he was, cooped up in his palace, we, as in, the populace of Cosnair, would soon lose our patience and descend upon him. It will happen, Spinfer, there is no doubt about it, it is just a question of when. His deposition will be brought about, and he may very well face trial for his actions if things escalate any further.
"So. these are his options: abdicate and flee, or stay and be deposed. Both would result in the same thing. He really has no choice, and is, as he himself has said, doomed no matter what he does: doomed if he does, and doomed if he doesn't, to put it in such a way."
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Jul 18, 2009 19:02:39 GMT -5
Post by Ladorak on Jul 18, 2009 19:02:39 GMT -5
Spinfer could sense the immense resolve of the squirrel`s words. It was as if the entire resolution of the citizens of Cosnair were somehow inside of him, and quite frankly, it was a bit pressing on the stoat. He fit the slightest bit stiffled and he shifted visibly as Sciurus spoke.
"Oh no, you have it wrong...partly at least. Everything you said was correct....except for he wouldn`t abdicate if he fled. He wants to flee while maintaining his crown, so that he can `rule` Rosferia in exile until either Gradvar or Kostritz are able to reinstate him on his throne you see. He wouldn`t abdicate if he fled...he`s `rule` in exile as it were." Spinfer explained this part, having heard it numerous times for the King`s mouth himself.
"As for everything else you said...yes. You are correct. He`s afraid of failing in his escape, and so has remained in his palace with his family so far, resisting all attempts to remove him without his family. He insists that they must come with him or else he won`t go. As for the foreign powers....well Augustine has in fact asked several to come to his assistance, but he is daily losing hope in them." the stoat seemed amused at this part, as if it were some joke.
"He`s afraid that either King Frederick will exploit the situation and conquer Rosferia, or that even if Frederick does reinstate Augustine, that he will ask for Rosferian lands in return for his assistance. Augustine you see...has became rather distrustful of the foreign nations` for his help, but sees it as his only real option....even if it is very small in his eyes."
Leaning back and balancing his chair on two legs, Spinfer had a rather smug look on his face, though he was far from relaxed. He was just good at acting. "I....I have been considering assisting you from the inside but....I....I have many doubts you see....are....are you sure your efforts will work? Can you give me that assurance?" the stoat asked, sounding unsure of himself. He wanted to help of course....but what if it didn`t work? What if he was found out? He waited to hear what the squirrel had to say.
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Jul 18, 2009 19:11:55 GMT -5
Post by Carrow on Jul 18, 2009 19:11:55 GMT -5
Sciurus mentally chided himself for thinking that Augustine would surrender his throne if he fled. Of course he wouldn't! An absentee monarch would be what the leopard would become if certain events transpired. Sciurus swore to himself that he would do everything in his power to stop this from happening.
"You stick with us, friend. I guarantee you that we will do our utmost to see this through. Everybeast on our side is throughly committed to our cause. I saw Otto telling them that there will be deaths to come. I expected that at least one creature would blanch and lower their eyes, but no, They all stared straight ahead, with looks of resolution upon their faces, knowing that..."
The squirrel was beginning to feel a lump in his throat. He had never seen such commitment as the kind he had witnessed not two hours ago, and it evoked an emotional response from him.
"...that anybeast among them's days could be numbered, but if you had seen the response my otter friend got! They applauded him to the rafters, they did, thinking that if creatures must die so that Rosferia can truly be free, then so be it. Rest assured that we will do all we can, friend. We will ensure that everybeast does the best that they can. I cannot give you complete assurance that our efforts will succeed, but, Spinfer, we are very well going to try."
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