Pussycat, pussycat, where have you been?

[alley_kit]

Who: Kit, her new Chocobo, and you
Where: Anywhere around the streets of Saeng Seong
When: August 1st. afternoon
What: Kit is taking her Chocobo out for a ride, since Salali needs the exercise and Kit needs the time to think about recent happenings. Anybody want to talk to her?
Warnings: Probably none? Will update if that changes.

Salali loped at an easy pace through the city streets. Kit knew she could go faster, but until they got to a more open area, that probably wasn't a good idea. The chocobo was a lot bigger than her, after all, and running into someone at speed could really hurt them.

Also, the easy pace, gave her some much needed time to think. What the leader of the Ragnar had said disturbed her. From the way he'd described things, it sounded like things here were similar to how they had been back home between the Cats and the Lizards. If that was so, then the Ragnar had a right to be angry. And something needed to be done before things got as bad as they had been back home; the lizards had destroyed Thundara as soon as Mumm-Ra had given them the technology to do so, and a great many innocent people had been killed, including very nearly Kat and herself. Whatever those in charge of Saeng Seong might be up to, the regular people who lived there didn't deserve to be punished for it.

But on the other hand, the leader of the Ragnar hadn't exactly presented himself in a way that inspired a whole lot of trust, what with the spooky messages, power failures, creepy candles, and a message over the terminals where he refused to really show his face. And aside from the whole sorta-kidnapping thing- which Kit felt was somewhat understandable, under the circumstances- the people of Saeng Seong had been nothing but kind to them. They'd given them money, a place to live while they were there, and had included them in their festivals and daily lives. Living here was the first time in a long time Kit had really felt secure, even if she still missed her brother and her friends. What if he'd been lying?

But then, the way those in charge had taken down the message... Why did they do that? Were they just mad at the Ragnar for trying to cause trouble, like they'd said? Or were they afraid that people would find out that they hadn't been told the whole truth?

Kit didn't know. The smart thing to do would probably be to go and ask Rhea about it. The leader of the Ragnar didn't seem to have a problem with her, and she was important around here. If anybody knew what was really going on and would be willing to tell them, it would be her. Kit had even kept the remaining stub of her candle, in case Rhea could tell her anything about it. But would that get Rhea into trouble? Rhea was nice, and the last thing Kit wanted was to do something that might cause her serious problems.

She sighed. That message had sure made things a lot more complicated.

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[alley_kit]

Kit smiles. The story is exciting, though not quite in the same way a big battle scene would be. Suspenseful, she thought the word was. But in any case, it's her turn again and after a moment's thought, she picks up the story again.

"Lionell smiled slightly at his brother, grateful for his support. The crowd seemed to have taken the words to heart as well, their previously agitated state settling into one of acceptance, though they still murmured uneasily among themselves.

It was almost a surprise when King Claudius spoke again, cutting through the tension in the air. 'Lionell isn't king yet, Tigon,' the King reminded him. 'And hopefully he will not need to be for some years yet.'

'However,' the King said, stepping forward and resting a hand heavily on Lionell's shoulder, the Prince obeying the unspoken command to look at his father, 'I hope this convinces you to take your responsibilities as prince more seriously.' He gazed pointedly at Lionell until his son nodded his agreement.

He returned the nod, then looked up to address the crowd. 'You may all return to your business,' he said. 'You've all seen what there is to see here today.' Though it was phrased as a suggestion, the tone clearly made it an order. Even those who may have wished to stay, to ask more questions, reluctantly began to shuffle off, returning to their interrupted tasks.

He turned back to his sons and the Seer. He, like Lionell, had determined that the details of the vision were best discussed behind closed doors. 'Join me in the Council Chamber,' he said to them. 'If the situation is to be as dire as Lionell predicted, we must discuss it further without so many curious ears around. You will join us as well, old man. I'm uncertain how you planned all this, but it appears we may require your presence for the time being.'

'As Your Majesty wishes,' the Seer replied, bowing respectfully. The King turned and headed back inside without another word, the Seer and the two Princes hanging back for a moment before following.

'I don't understand,' Lionell said to the Seer as they walked. 'Did you know all along that I'd be able to use the Sword?'

'Did I know?', the Seer repeated. 'No. Though I had a strong feeling that you could. Though the Sword's power allows us to See some things, the future is rarely set in stone, and Seeing something that specific is rare. The truth, however, is that it could have been either of you.'

'Then why me?', Lionell asked. 'If it could have worked for either of us, why did it work for me and not Tigon? It's no secret that everyone thinks he'd be the better King, even Father. Even I think so, most of the time.' Tigon said nothing, but listened closely. He was wondering the exact same thing.

'The Sword is not called the Sword of Truth simply because it allows us to See beyond the visible world,' the Seer replied. 'It will not respond to anyone who deals regularly in deception. Even self-deception.'

'In what way am I deceiving myself?', Tigon asked, becoming a bit angry now. 'Stop speaking in riddles. I didn't seek out your help just so that I could embarrass myself in front of Father and half the palace staff.' Lionell glanced at his brother in surprise at the revelation that Tigon had sought out the Seer's help, but Tigon was too focused on the Seer to notice.

The Seer, however, remained calm. 'Prince Tigon,' he said, 'you are brave, strong, stubborn, and determined. But tell me... why are you all these things? Why do you strive to follow in your father's path?'

Tigon thought a moment. Clearly the question was some sort of test, but what was the proper answer? A truthful one, he finally decided. The Seer would likely know in an instant if he was lying in any case. 'Because,' he said, 'he's taught me everything that a King should be, and he is a strong and well respected ruler because of it. Even if the throne can never be mine, I believe it is a worthy example to follow.'

The Seer nodded. 'And therein lies the problem,' he said. 'The Truth does not change, no matter what one thinks is should be. And thus the Sword will not obey one who is more concerned with who they should be than who they are. Before you know anything else, you must know yourself.'

The Seer gestured to Lionell. 'Your brother knows the truth of his own heart, and lives it, even when it runs counter to what everyone else thinks he 'should' do. That is why the Sword chose him. Because that is precisely the kind of King that will be needed when the Sword's vision comes to pass.'

Tigon frowned. 'I'm not certain I understand,' he said.

'You will,' the Seer assured him. 'In good time.'

'Did you foresee that as well?', he asked, but received no reply. They had arrived at the Council Chamber where the King was waiting for them, and their private conversation had to be paused for the moment. There were broader matters to discuss."

Kit paused there, nodding to Diarmuid to pick up the story again, hoping her explanation as to why one brother and not the other could See made sense, and waiting to see what Diarmuid came up with next.

[smallspot]

Diarmuid does understand her explanation. At least, he thinks he does. In any event, he is confident enough to pick up the story very quickly after she pauses.

'Everyone enters the Council Chambers and sits down. However, no one speaks for a long time until the King clears his throat and looked pointedly at Lionell, "Well?"

Lionell starts slightly when everyone's eyes turn to him, but after taking a deep breath, starts talking, "There are many stories that are told about good fighting evil. In most cases, good wins and then evil sleeps waiting for a chance to strike again. Why am I mentioning this?" An uncertain look crosses his face, but he continues, "It is because I can think of no other way to describe what I saw and felt. It was evil, rising from sleep and casting its shadow over this land. It wants to control all and if it cannot control everything, it will destroy it instead."

"The shadow rises and falls like a wave. Each time it rises, though, it meets and is beaten back by its reflection--those brave souls who stand for the light and the good. We are those souls and we have to prepare to fight for the shadow is ready to rise again. Soon and if we aren't ready..." His voice trails off and he shivers at the thought of what might happen to them all if that evil shadow he saw and felt won...

"Do you know the name of this evil?" It is the king who finally speaks up after Lionell falls quiet. Unfortunately, the only answer Lionell can give is a negative shake of his head.

"How do we prepare to fight evil when we don't know its name or what form it will take?" It is Tigon who speaks now, his earlier questions and doubt replaced now by concern and worry for their kingdom. "How do you fight the unknown?"

No one seems to have an answer for the prince's question and one by one everyone's eyes turn to the Seer as if they think he will have the answer. After all, he has had them all before. The only answer the Seer gives though is another question.

"How do you fight the known?"

The king and Tigon both mutter in frustration at the answer, but before they can scold the Seer for being so vague, Lionell speaks up.

"You can't fight the unknown. There is no way to plan for it, so all we can do is plan for the known--shore up our defenses, send out scouting parties, speak to our allies. We prepare the best we can and then adapt as the unknown makes itself know."

The Seer doesn't answer. Instead, he just smiles and nods at Lionell.

And they say he isn't fit to be king. It shows what they know...'

Diarmuid stops then. It almost seems like this could be a good place to end the story, but Kit might have different ideas. He will just wait and see.