The Queen of the Citadel

[bnw_void_npcs]

[The feed from the Warp Band flickers and focuses briefly on the face of an unhappy looking young man with his hands bound behind his back before it rotates back around. A severe looking woman is seated upon what seems to be a throne...]

What a curious device. I can see the use though. Am I speaking to the people of Union and Caldera? I am Frea, Matriarch of the Valkyrie tribes of the Citadel. Some of my girls said you gave them a run for their money. Good. It keeps them on their toes.

Anyway, here’s the deal. I've got… about twenty of your people. They’re getting a bit homesick and I don’t really want to keep them. Fact of the matter is, I've got a bit of a situation and they were ripe targets with all that food they were carrying. There’s an enormous Pokémon that’s been thrashing around our territory and burning just about everything it can get to. It’s driving the game away and has messed up a few of our tribes already. My people need food, and this sucker doesn't seem keen on leaving. So here’s my thought. First, I’ll return your people and their equipment to you. Can’t give back the food, already got eaten, sorry about that. If you can help us drive off this Pokémon, though, we can work it off. You scratch my back, I scratch yours, you know how it goes. We've got some things you guys might find interesting and valuable, but I can’t exactly part with any of it while I have an enormous monster of flame and steel beating down my door. Sound good?

[Those who have penetrated far enough into the Rolling Plains have made visual contact with something interesting. Far to the north at the end of the plains, there is a single tree, enormous in size. Frequent flocks of large flying types with mounted female riders can be seen coming to and fro, and the more keen-eyed among you can see that there appears to be an entire city built into the tree. The tree itself, clearly this “Citadel” Frea mentioned, seems to touch the sky, not even fully visible due to the cloud cover.]

Comments

[voice]

[actsmagnificent]

[ ...frankly, Haruka might be siding with the giant flame-and-steel monster right now. She's trying to control her irritation, however. ]

And how was this more effective than just asking someone?

[ See, control. She sounds bored, not irate. ]

[voice]

[bnw_void_npcs]

I just did. All I knew at first is you guys had some food trucks moving through our area so we took 'em. Your guys said some interesting things so I figured couldn't hurt.

[voice]

[actsmagnificent]

That doesn't -

[ No. You know what? She can already tell arguing the point is going to be meaningless. So Haruka drops the subject. ]

We'll need more information on this Pokémon.

[ Not that she's guaranteeing she'll assist. Take a look, though? Probably. ]

voice

[toughbender]

Taking hostages is not the best way to negotiate. Release them immediately!

voice

[bnw_void_npcs]

We never had any intention of holding them, but we didn't have any communication lines with your cities before now. When we're in a position to, we will. Unless you want us to just set them loose in the plains where they might get eaten by a giant flaming Pokemon.

voice

[toughbender]

Yet this all sounds like extortion to me and I'm sure I am not the only one.

Video

[my_father_is_a_tycoon]

Kidnapping our citizens, stealing their food, and ransoming them back to us in exchange for help fighting this Pokémon is dishonest and cowardly. If you had only contacted us peacefully in the first place, I'm sure the Council of Elders would have been more than happy to give you their aid without the need for extortion.

Video

[bnw_void_npcs]

Little girl we're not ransoming them. We'll release them as soon as you have people in the area to take them back. As a show of good faith. Or do you want us to set them loose in the plains while that Pokemon is around?

Video

[my_father_is_a_tycoon]

Good faith would have been not kidnapping them in the first place. Or do your people make a habit of attacking first and asking questions later?

[Video]

[second_destiny]

[Yeah, Asemu is more pragmatic than headstrong in a situation like this. He's going to actually not try to bite her head off in this situation.]

Can you promise that you'll return what rightfully belongs to us and to release our people?

[Video]

[bnw_void_npcs]

As soon as you come collect them they're yours.

[Video]

[second_destiny]

Then I'll help. I'll see if I can assemble a team.

[He figures that the more allies they can get, the better off they are, since Gigas is still a problem.]

[Video]

[demon_of_sforzando]

Being from Caldera, I can tell you that the people of Union would have happily offered you aid if you'd simply asked for it. They helped us when we were in need.

[But he's sure she's already hearing that from everyone and their grandmother, so he just sighs and moves on.]

That said, it's not as if we'd leave you to your fate. When this is all over though, you should probably offer a formal apology.

[Video]

[bnw_void_npcs]

If that's all it'll take I'm fine with that. We're not much for ceremony so you'll have to be a bit clearer on what a "formal apology" entails.

[Video]

[demon_of_sforzando]

I mean that you, as the leader of your tribe, should approach the councils of both Union and Caldera to offer an official apology. I think it would go a long way toward establishing goodwill.

There's no sense in having political tensions with your neighbors if they can be avoided.

[Especially considering that Gigas is still an issue...]

Plus, it will beneficial to all of us to have open communication and trade between our societies.

[He's wondering if he just sounds like his mother right now.

Yeah, he does.]

[Video]

[toxicrevenger]

[Pamela's mildly annoyed, but she can understand how a desperate situation might have driven this woman's people toward such an action and does her best to stay composed. After all, this woman's not nearly as obnoxious as Valeria from Gigas.

If she can resist the urge to tell off and slap Valeria, she can show greater restraint with this woman, who at least isn't trying to take over another community.]

My name is Pamela Isley, a researcher and noble of Union. As a show of good faith, I'd like you to show me that our people are fine. I'd also like to discuss what you plan on offering us for the things that were stolen. Then we can discuss what the people of Union will do to help you.

[Video]

[bnw_void_npcs]

Of course.

[The camera pans to show a crowd of Union caravan drivers sitting in a large pit carved into what appears to be a floor of living wood. They're a bit roughed up and looking a bit worse for wear, but otherwise fine.]

[Video]

[toxicrevenger]

[Pamela's not happy to see that the Unionites are injured. Still, she makes an effort to keep her expression neutral. The living wood gets her attention, too.]

Thank you. Now let's get down to what you're willing to offer Union, and what you know about this giant fire/steel Pokemon you'd like us to help you fend off.

[video]

[garbagedisposal]

Just let them go and we'll take care of the Pokémon. [He doesn't look happy at all though. Nor does he sound too pleased.]

But then you cannot harm the people of Caldera or Union ever again.

[video]

[bnw_void_npcs]

I'm not particularly interested in hurting Caldera or Union, but my people have needs and that is my first responsibility. If that means hurting people to get it, then that's how things go.

[video]

[garbagedisposal]

I understand having to feed your people, but surely there's another way to do it than to attack anyone.

[He doesn't care who it is, Caldera, Union, or anyone else- there's no need to go about it that way.]

[Audio]

[outtahere]

I think I can speak for all of Union when I say that we really wish you hadn't stripped that Councilor when you robbed him. We really could have done without seeing a naked, overweight old man.

[Audio]

[bnw_void_npcs]

You know, my girls expressed the exact same regret.

[Voice]

[victimlessdetails]

Piracy with Flying-types? It's brilliant. Can't believe I never thought of it.

[Voice]

[bnw_void_npcs]

What else would you use? I can't think of anything else as fast or flexible.