The End of an Era and The Beginning of a New (235 members)

[Sir Galahad]

Ramses smiled and nodded at the two who spoke.

"That all is indeed accurate."

He would say, then he would turn around and walk over to Rai's desk.

"I've got a few notes from him before his untimely demise. I've also found a few papers on his desk. And all of this has lead me to an understanding. The King wanted the new ruler to rule from their own heart and make their own choices. He was worried about leading people to the same grave he himself found. But he left me a few notes so I could be an... adviser of sorts. For I have no interest in the throne myself. I much enjoy my current position and would rather not give that up to anyone else."

Ramses would say with a smile.

"But all you need to do is say the word M'Lady and we can get started."

[Cecelia Riddel]

"I see." Cecelia contemplated what was said with a serious expression, giving a slow nod as it was mentioned how the previous king wanted a rule who would follow their heart while protecting the people. Someone who wanted the best. It would be a tough order to fill, but she would find someone to do it. So the other two were special interests, regardless of the how or why. She doubted Dime would have much for her, but perhaps Jericho would? Then again, perhaps the other woman was a peacekeeper in her own way.

"I would be happy to take a look at what he has prepared and left behind." Her gaze went to the other two, wondering what training they expected.

"I would be happy to get sooner rather than later, if that is acceptable. I'm sure we all would." She nodded at Ramses, wondering at his decision to decline the seat of power.

"Might I see the notes?"

[Dime Price]

Dime would stand in silence to wait the results

[Jericho]

Jericho would stand in silence, listening to all that happened in the room but watching intently the funeral area.

[Sir Galahad]

The smile on Ramses face never wavered even as he scratched his chin.

"Hmmm... about that. I don't mind showing you his notes... However... Well, I'll just show you."

Ramses made his way to Rai's desk, most notably with his cane tucked under his arm not being used. After a moment he would return with some a few pieces of paper. Upon inspection Cecelia would notice immediately that all the notes seemed to be written in a strange language!

"You see, the king wrote all his notes in the language of the Dragons. However, during a period of time in my younger years I picked up a thing or two here and there and, one of the things I just so happen to pick up was how to speak Dragon. Thus, I am able to read his notes..."

Ramses would chuckle for a moment before continuing.

"Honestly the most difficult task isn't the language he choose to write with, but rather the atrocious handwriting that the king had. I find myself spending more time deciphering his hand writing and not the Dragon Speech."

He would continue to chuckle for a moment.

[Cecelia Riddel]

Celia tilted her head slightly at the implication of complications, slight wisps of hair falling in her face. She didn't expect much of the cane: to her, it could be an assistance, but could also be a mark of station or birthright. Nodding, she would look over the notes, brows furrowing together at the strange language that swarmed before her.

"I see..." Thankfully, Ramses was able to provide a solution to the problem, evoking a relieved smile from her as she nodded. She woudln't insult the king's handwriting, but she did hold on to the paper.

"It's most fortuitous, then, that we have the means to decipher what he meant." She wondered who else might know, but perhaps that was why Ramses was an adivsor and liked it that way.

[Dime Price]

She buried her face behind a hand a rush of thoughts somewhere between "Gods damn it Raikotsu, why do you do this?" and "This is just what that Gods damned Raikotsu would do." It was not just to hide her furrowed brow but to hide her smile as well. Another emotion snuck up on her as all this just felt as it did and her eyes began to well up as they would if she wasn't keeping tabs on them. A moment of release and she turned her back to Ramses and Cecelia to wipe her eyes.

Still, she would speak her voice cracking slightly. "So what does he say Ramses?"

[Jericho]

Jericho continued watching the funeral area, standing eerily still and blinking a little too seldom if anyone were to watch intently. This stillness would continue as he spoke plainly to the whole room

"Why should we trust you read what it truly says?"

Normally such a comment would be very directed and possibly even aggressive, but it was said equal to every other sentence that came from Jericho's mouth. Not even his body language suggested aggression. To him, it was merely a valid question.

[Sir Galahad]

Just as Ramses was about to read for the ladies he was interrupted by Jericho's question. Ramses' ever present fox grin never wavered as he turned towards Jericho.

"A good question. A question that has more than one answer, 1. Maybe you shouldn't trust me, and you should discover a way to read his notes without me, 2. Because the Late King trusted me with these notes from him to you, or 3. Maybe I've already started the Late King's wishes in determining who would be the best fit as a successor and everyone present is already being tested."

[Cecelia Riddel]

It was an entirely valid question, but one they had little information on. Celia trusted Ramses had the best intent, but it was a bit too convenient as well. Politics were politics, but if there was no one else to read the notes, there was little they could do. Even taking Ramses at his word may upset others that the King trusted him, but it was what it was and what she had to work with. Celia cleared her throat with a small nod, noting Jericho's diligence and Dime's tears. She was beginning to think that she understood, now.

"A fair point and argument." She nodded politely. "Mr. Ramses, if you would kindly continued with what the king left behind. We can proceed from there." Including if they thought it wasn't something the King would say.

[Dime Price]

When the question came up she was about ready to defend Ramses and how he can be trusted but her expression changed when Ramses himself said the word "Test". The palm that was closest to her lips balled up tensely and she inhaled deeply before releasing it onto the floor.

"He wants to put a Sword in the stone of this land? One that would be rendered useless if Lady Cecelia doesn't agree to the result?" Gods damn it all. "Ramses, you've played the neutral party I'd like to think you'd not screw any one side over. Some might have said you controlled the land, anytime either of us needed anything as long as we made our end of the bargains you never turned your back to it. Now that we are one territory and now that we are all neutral, we can still trust you as apart of this can we not? If this is true please confirm it with us, then I will not mind going forth with whatever test without a doubt."

It angered her a little to think that Raikotsu would make this happen now of all times. When we just came together and yet have not to build a sturdy foundation. There was fear and doubt that it would stand as we tried to do not else but believe it could. Always testing them and always leaving too soon. She stepped up as a leader once before, and now she didn't have an Avatar to put faith in, it was about putting faith in herself and the people of her home... Ramses included. She begged she wasn't wrong in making this decision.

[Jericho]

Jericho had no argument to offer in return. Only a thought.

I will learn Dragon language.

And with that Jericho remained in his watchful silence.

[Sir Galahad]

Ramses would turn to look at Dime, his sly smile still ever present on his face.

"Ah, it would seem I upset you. Do forgive my child. The King did not set up a test or anything of the sort, that was merely my own jest, and apparently in poor taste. For that I apologize."

Then he would turn to Cecelia.

"As for where the King left off, that would be a great place to start. For you see, the King was investigating the sudden outbreak of drugs that are granting people extraordinary powers. These two-"

Pointing to both Dime and Jericho.

"Along with the late King had a... unfortunate run in with a dealer. From the notes that were left behind. There was apparently a second, more powerful, individual that was present at that meeting. It was assumed that this second individual is the one that is in charge of these drugs being spread throughout the territory. Or at least someone high on that latter."

[Cecelia Riddel]

She blinked at Dime's metaphor, knowing of the story from the library her family had, but not how it applied here. But the more the other woman spoke, letting her passions sway her words and call potential judgement on the man who had been trusted with the last king's wishes, the more she grew concerned that Dime may not only be a non-existent option, but a problem. Questions were a sign of concern, but questioning was a sign of insolence.

Reassured that the issue was settled with Ramses's apology, Celia would nod, looking to Dime and Jericho with a small, thoughtful frown. She wasn't sure what to do with the information - women didn't deal with issues like that back home.

"Did his majesty have any other notes?" Her gaze went between the three. "Or speak with the dealer?"

[Dime Price]

She placed her thumb and first two fingers to press against the bridge of her nose and closing her eyes with a deep breath. she felt like her outburst was quite embarrassingly unnecessary

"No... Ramses, Forgive me... it is a difficult time and we are all feeling a heavy cloud. I too apologize..." she was sincere about that, she should hold back a bit with her passionate whims.

"Unless Raikotsu did anything other than what we were present for the suspected Dealer hardly gave us a chance to speak much less spoke on his own. He observed and toyed... Probably watching how effective his work with his drug would be against a Dragon. Even one of Raikotsu's level most would be hard pressed to get close enough to do anything... and yet... this group was able to knock him out cold for a long while."