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Grendyne groans and starts pulling on her boots when the alarm goes off. Again. She quick-marches to the broom hangar, sits on her machine and is handed a plethora of loaded weapons by attentive corporals.
"Two flyers in one day? They're getting way too common."
"It's worse," the commander informs them, "South Karlsland got hit with three at once. We're taking Lytee's express and sleeping there. You can sit out if you absolutely need to, but Freya's still recovering so we could use you as a comms relay."
"No, I'll come. I just reserve the right to complain about it."
The 42nd United Forces Witch Wing takes off, bracing to fight yet another city-destroying monster, and assembles into a perfect synchronized formation as Lytee charges her teleport power.
...This is not South Karlsland wilderness.
Near the Golden Coven capital, in Aurum
Near Savarasse, in Thilanushinyel
Near Whately Academy
With Unbitwise
+ Show First Post
witchwatcher
luminous_regnant
"Do you want someone to go with you? It's not likely that you'll encounter anyone around here, but it's not impossible and there are enough wolves around that Alice isn't a guarantee against it."
witchwatcher
There is an uneventful trip though the woods.
When the group is regrouped, Lytee asks, "You two coming with us?"
When the group is regrouped, Lytee asks, "You two coming with us?"
luminous_regnant
"No thanks," says Alice. "Negotiations on this end. Probably until Bella can hire an interdimensional teleporter who reports direct to her."
witchwatcher
She shrugs. "I wouldn't mind working for vampires if you pay me. You can probably buy out my enlistment contract. Later."
Ignoring the looks from her squad, she disappears.
Seven and a half hours later, she's back with Morgana, Yvette, one unfamiliar witch, and a bunch of older, diplomat-looking people in the designated landing spot.
Ignoring the looks from her squad, she disappears.
Seven and a half hours later, she's back with Morgana, Yvette, one unfamiliar witch, and a bunch of older, diplomat-looking people in the designated landing spot.
her_imperial_radiance
Bella, Elspeth, Alice, Jasper, and Jacob are waiting, along with Gren and Shawn.
witchwatcher
The diplomats introduce themselves with only medium amounts of self-importance. They are apparently empowered to make short term agreements, but do not have final say on long term treaties.
The extra Witch is Lina. She can change a person's physical sex and might be able to alter species in a similar way. Gren looks at her and announces, "Yeah, she has a good chance of managing it, and she can undo anything she screws up."
The extra Witch is Lina. She can change a person's physical sex and might be able to alter species in a similar way. Gren looks at her and announces, "Yeah, she has a good chance of managing it, and she can undo anything she screws up."
luminous_regnant
How much to buy out your enlistment contract? inquires Elspeth of Lytee alone.
"Hello, Lina. Please be advised that if you turn anyone into a vampire when they are not expecting it - and they should not be expecting it - they will probably eat you before they have a chance to think twice, in addition to all the other reasons you shouldn't do it."
"Hello, Lina. Please be advised that if you turn anyone into a vampire when they are not expecting it - and they should not be expecting it - they will probably eat you before they have a chance to think twice, in addition to all the other reasons you shouldn't do it."
witchwatcher
Lina looks young, even for a Witch. She might be 13 or 14. "I won't. They gaesed me not to use it anymore, unless I'm told. Even though Lisa said she wanted to see what being a boy is like. Didn't know she'd lose her magic."
The diplomats are mildly annoyed that they're being ignored for a criminal, and say so. They also say she's lying. Gren has Lina repeat herself, and finds Lina lying about consent but telling the truth about everything else. Lina scowls at her.
(Lytee makes a 'wait' motion at Elspeth.)
The diplomats are mildly annoyed that they're being ignored for a criminal, and say so. They also say she's lying. Gren has Lina repeat herself, and finds Lina lying about consent but telling the truth about everything else. Lina scowls at her.
(Lytee makes a 'wait' motion at Elspeth.)
luminous_regnant
"Well, the advice applies to your handlers, as well, who might have been well advised to mention up front that they were bringing a geased convict to interdimensional negotiations. I don't object in principle from a safety perspective as long as the geas is sound."
witchwatcher
The lead diplomat steps forward. "My apologies. This whole thing was... Hastily planned. Captain McAllister said you had a copier, and that this magic would be useful here. And she is under a gaes. Considering your claim of governance over all vampires we have no plans to introduce them to our world until a permanent treaty can be worked out."
luminous_regnant
"Of course."
Treaty negotiations ensue. Elspeth pitches in explanations of various local things as footnotes to everything said; Jasper monitors the emotional situation and Alice checks future possibilities on an as-needed basis as much as she can around Elspeth and the wolves; Shawn hovers near Gren protectively and Jacob does the same with his imprint much less conspicuously.
Treaty negotiations ensue. Elspeth pitches in explanations of various local things as footnotes to everything said; Jasper monitors the emotional situation and Alice checks future possibilities on an as-needed basis as much as she can around Elspeth and the wolves; Shawn hovers near Gren protectively and Jacob does the same with his imprint much less conspicuously.
witchwatcher
With all these powers, the diplomats can't exactly negotiate to their own advantage. They respond by attaching expiration dates to everything in about a year.
The end result looks a lot like 'the UDF recognizes the Golden Coven as legitimate sovereign ruler over supernatural creatures other than Strike Witches and will follow the relevant laws. The Golden Coven agrees not to invade or interfere with the UDF without good cause.' With some legal preparations for interdimensional trade on the side.
The end result looks a lot like 'the UDF recognizes the Golden Coven as legitimate sovereign ruler over supernatural creatures other than Strike Witches and will follow the relevant laws. The Golden Coven agrees not to invade or interfere with the UDF without good cause.' With some legal preparations for interdimensional trade on the side.
luminous_regnant
All of which is agreeable to both parties, that being the entire point of a treaty.
witchwatcher
And then the diplomats start asking about that foreign aid package.
During the negotiations Gren talks to Lytee and relays to Elspeth and Bella, [Buyout on enlistment contracts is half pay for the remaining term. Lytee's works out to about $28000. She wants $10000 a month and her sister considered for turning. These guys have the power to release her contract, if you want to make that a condition.]
During the negotiations Gren talks to Lytee and relays to Elspeth and Bella, [Buyout on enlistment contracts is half pay for the remaining term. Lytee's works out to about $28000. She wants $10000 a month and her sister considered for turning. These guys have the power to release her contract, if you want to make that a condition.]
luminous_regnant
[Easily doable.]
Bella brings it up after mentioning some of the technology she would be willing to part with.
Bella brings it up after mentioning some of the technology she would be willing to part with.
witchwatcher
They try to steer the technology to weapons, enphasizing how destructive the Neuroi are and how many Witches would be freed up to possibly work for her if they were defeated.
They are willing to release Lytee's contract and make a few other small concessions in exchange for a half dozen medium sized piles of tech and hopefully weapons, not necessarily immediately delivered, once they confirm Lytee wants that.
They are willing to release Lytee's contract and make a few other small concessions in exchange for a half dozen medium sized piles of tech and hopefully weapons, not necessarily immediately delivered, once they confirm Lytee wants that.
luminous_regnant
Bella is willing to supply guns - it seems like under the circumstances being able to nip a Neuroi in the right spot is more useful than being able to do a lot of surface damage. She's also willing to consider sending a detachment of her own with a nuke - a little tricky to get ahold of, but not impossible - to attack the hurricane. Assuming the beneficiaries understand the risks associated with doing that. (It will have to be her own squad. She doesn't want anyone tempted to take it apart.)
witchwatcher
She is correct about the best way to attack Neuroi.
They'll have to debate over the risks and benefits of the nuclear option, but it's definitely an interesting prospect.
Gren reports that she has a decent grasp on the gaesed convinct's magic but might lose it if she leaves.
They'll have to debate over the risks and benefits of the nuclear option, but it's definitely an interesting prospect.
Gren reports that she has a decent grasp on the gaesed convinct's magic but might lose it if she leaves.
luminous_regnant
"What is the current handling procedure for Lina? Is she under any sort of imprisonment apart from her geas?"
witchwatcher
"She is on a two year probation aimed at monitoring for misuse of the more standard Witch magics. Cooperating here was to be a good mark on her record. Gaeses and probation are standard procedure for crimes by minor Witches. The owner of the gaes is a justice department employee, Orlana Kemp. It is transferable if Kemp personally visits the one it is to be transferred to."
"Lina has been given only one exception from the gaes - reversing her crime. There are no plans to remove her gaes completely, only to relax it somewhat at the end of probation. It should be noted that gaeses can only be done if the gaesed is willing. Her other option was imprisonment."
"Lina has been given only one exception from the gaes - reversing her crime. There are no plans to remove her gaes completely, only to relax it somewhat at the end of probation. It should be noted that gaeses can only be done if the gaesed is willing. Her other option was imprisonment."
luminous_regnant
"Lina, I might be interested in hiring you. There are a number of people who want to change species, and also some who'd find the original application of your magic welcome. Does that appeal to you?"
witchwatcher
"Well, of course! Much better than a stinking courier job or something not involving magic at all. Bet you these guys have something to say about it, though."
"The young lady is correct. Either releasing her from probation or transferring her to your custody would involve a considerable amount of trust that your government will oversee her properly. It would also require her parents' permission, just as this visit did. It is a possibility if they agree, however."
"The young lady is correct. Either releasing her from probation or transferring her to your custody would involve a considerable amount of trust that your government will oversee her properly. It would also require her parents' permission, just as this visit did. It is a possibility if they agree, however."
luminous_regnant
"It being before her probation is over is not essential, and we'd need to work out an adequate replacement for the geas, ideally something other than having Alice keep an eye on her at all times. I just wanted to float the idea."