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Post by XuLiang on Apr 23, 2023 6:22:05 GMT
Xu Liang nods with her statements while thinking through the implications of what she has shared. “Then we will have to make the most of the time we have. Aside from the portrait of Tug, is there anything else you would wish of me?”
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Post by Admin on Apr 23, 2023 7:45:02 GMT
#s://i~ibb~co/j5FLskF/Florimel~jpg "Tug is your priority. The image of the man we don't know is of greater importance than the whereabouts of those who are missing. Once Dante has all the information he will need then there is the matter of the disappearance of your fashionable cousin, his demonic assassin paramour, and her warder. Maeve might be a fine person but she does have issues with cartography and architecture; I was clear about her need to stay in the South Wing but she seems to have gotten herself lost."
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Post by XuLiang on Apr 23, 2023 8:15:57 GMT
“My path is clear then. After getting the information to … Dante for painting the portrait I will gather what information I can about the unexcused excessive walk about the kingdom.” He raises an eyebrow at the last attempt at diplomatic tongue in cheek. “May I be excused to clean up. Will there be a formal dinner tonight?” (OOC – What time is it? For some reason I was thinking early afternoon but it could just as easily be some other time.)
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Post by Admin on Apr 25, 2023 4:06:21 GMT
#s://i~ibb~co/j5FLskF/Florimel~jpg [OOC: not sure about the time. Same time as for Lorelei and Ovid out in the gardens.] "Nothing prestigious is on the docket for tonight. Groups are champing at the bit to attend a state dinner with me, but it is sometimes good to keep them hungry for a few days longer. Lord Rexin will protest my taking a night off, but he must accept it today. I have some serious thinking about the latest schism in the Church to work through and will need to choose a side soon. Those things always work out better when one faction completely wipes out the other. It makes my job easier. This time both sides have survived and are strong. Rexin will have the time of his life digging around in their dirty laundry once we have admitted their delegations.
"Remember that Maeve is a key piece in our struggles these days. Once you find her be sure to ensure her interest in returning here."
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Post by XuLiang on Apr 26, 2023 2:27:48 GMT
“Not knowing the nature of the schism, it is difficult to offer suggestions. Information on this schism will be added to my list of things to listen for but be noncommittal on.”
“Lady Maeve is not known to me so I will have to gather some information about her before I set out to find her and convince her that she should return.”
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Post by Admin on Apr 26, 2023 5:03:58 GMT
"There are portraits of her hanging about the castle. At least there was before the explosions. The arts and antiquities group probably have a few others stashed away somewhere safe until they can find the time to hang them in the halls.
"Remember that we do not want her running back to the Courts of Chaos or to Rebma."
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Post by XuLiang on Apr 27, 2023 7:45:23 GMT
”That is very clear. Some investigation will be necessary before setting out after them. The results of that investigation will be passed to you, or Lord Rexin if haste is needed and you are not available. If the why of her leaving can be determined, perhaps the key to getting her to return will also be revealed.”
He pauses a moment and looks out the window in thought. Softly more to himself than the Regent he says, “What if it were possible to get ahead of them? To a place they had to traverse or could be drawn to? We normally travel to things we want, what if we could do the reverse and pull them to us instead?”
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Post by Admin on Apr 30, 2023 6:16:50 GMT
#s://i~ibb~co/j5FLskF/Florimel~jpg "There are rumours, but no one saw the ladies leave the castle. You can bet they are with Dirk on that boat of his."
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Post by XuLiang on May 1, 2023 8:47:39 GMT
”Then after getting the information to Dante so he can begin work on the painting, I will see if Prince (Lord? Admiral? Xu Liang would know and use the proper title!) Calvera would have time for a chat over tea. Perhaps following the ship will be easier than the people.”
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Post by Admin on May 4, 2023 6:06:17 GMT
#s://i~ibb~co/j5FLskF/Florimel~jpg [OOC: Prince and Admiral! Admerince? Prinmiral? Let's stick with Prince for stuff in Amber, Admiral for stuff on the seas.] "Do so. Calvera has hosted many guests in his fortress these last few weeks. He should have mastered pouring tea and cutting finger sandwiches by now. He may even know something important about Dirk's ship."
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Post by XuLiang on May 5, 2023 4:03:08 GMT
Xu Liang files away the information that Calvera is being very social of late. “Then perhaps one more visitor will not stand out from the crowd. But is that displeasure in your voice? Is there more to these meetings than being a Prince in good standing? Are you concerned that he might come to be at cross purposes to yourself?”
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Post by Admin on May 5, 2023 4:45:26 GMT
#s://i~ibb~co/j5FLskF/Florimel~jpg "In these troubled times, I suspect everyone has an eye for the throne, especially our haughty son of King Eric. One must hope his boats will keep him preoccupied for a while; same for Rinaldo in Arden."
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Post by XuLiang on May 8, 2023 2:34:55 GMT
“When talking with him I shall attempt to discern his mood. Perhaps with a bit of luck and charm he can be persuaded to help track down our errant Lady. A hunt for a clever quarry would surely be more interesting to such a man of action than filling out paperwork and approving work orders.”
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Post by Admin on May 10, 2023 4:20:27 GMT
#s://i~ibb~co/j5FLskF/Florimel~jpg "Possibly, but the man has really taken to his new role and doesn't seem to shirk his duties. All the more reason for me to distrust his motives."
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Post by XuLiang on May 10, 2023 5:30:14 GMT
“Then it should be an excellent test. Shirking his duty is not something I would expect of a Son of Eric but perhaps a creative way to accomplish both tasks might be found. Leading people to become the best that they can be is an admirable goal. If he wishes to pursue the throne, to become worthy of such an honour he must be able to achieve multiple objectives at the same time. If he is unsuccessful, then that should show that he has some learning to do before he should consider positions higher than his current one. If he is successful, then he has you to thank for the opportunity, correct?”
“Though perhaps a similar quest for Prince Rinaldo might be in order to balance the two against each other.”
“Even in Zhong Guo we heard legends of what King Oberon sent his Princes and Princesses to accomplish. Powerful as he was, he relied on all of you to enforce and maintain the kingdom. Some bluntly and some more subtlety. Surely, I should learn something from this?”
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