The Sydney Games 2066 Session 7

Princess Guard - The New Era 2015/02/12 	 Lorelei Titan Caleb 7

Reinforcements
Caleb, having returned from the exciting events to be chronicled in his own _Nexus_ miniseries and not otherwise discussed, receives a message to join Lorelei & company. He appears as promptly as one can after a several-month delay and listens uncharacteristically quietly as the situation is explained.

With Lorelei and Titan are Lord Elrohir, a partially reformed Fae supremacist, and the Lady Nienna Surion, a female Fae healer related to Lorelei by marriage.

Lorelei's daughter, Princess Meleryniel, is also present.

...and also the kid clones, Catlin and Marko. Catlin is a slim blond girl and Marko a stocky black boy. Lord Elrohir seems to have taken the two kids under his wing.

[To Caleb] Lorelei says, "It's great to see you again! I was meaning to visit, but I was busy with Undermoon politics, and then you seemed to disappear again..."

Caleb greets the Fae in their own tongue, albeit with obvious assistance from a magical pendant, and regards the not-quite-Wolfguard children with a touch of suspicion but no outright hostility. "So, where do we find this Morlock?"

Lord Elrohir comes to Lorelei early in the morning, "Highness, May I ask for a favor? The final is later this morning. Would you consider delaying your visit to this Morlock until the afternoon. If you could be in attendance it would mean a lot to me."

...and Caleb nods to Lorelei. "Yeah, it got pretty crazy for a few months there."

Titan remains quiet for the time being, out of the way.

Lorelei says, "I don't see why not.... it's not like a few hours will make much difference. I mean - unless," she says to Caleb and Titan, "either of you short on time?"

Titan shakes his head. "I don't have to be back for another shoot until a couple of days from now."

Caleb shakes his head. "Nah, I'm good. Besides, I'm guessing you've scored some pretty good seats."

Lorelei grins. "There are advantages to being royalty. So a morning at the Games it is."

Up to now Lorelei and party have been in the VIP boxes. For the final though Ghost has secured front row seats, possibly on the basis of having Lorelei as close to the hot headed Lord Elrohir as possible.

Titan can't help but wonder if Elrohir is going to get himself disqualified.

Lorelei thinks. o O (Come on, Elrohir, hold it together. If you can keep your temper in check this should all go well....)

Caleb is psyched about the front-row seats. Remote viewing portals aren't nearly as much fun as actually being there.

The playoffs for the semi-finals take place. Lord Elrohir easily wins his spot in the final. Throughout the event he's clearly out classed the human contestants... but has been polite and respectful as per Lorelei's advice.

Elrohir's opponent is a Hungarian named Geza Lengyel.

Meleryniel has little interest in the fencing. Mostly because, let's face it, humans aren't very good at it. She spends most of the time watching the humans in the crowds, still something of a novelty to her.

Titan doesn't have a ton of interest in the fencing, either...but for different reasons. It's not like a rapier could really hurt him. He keeps an eye on the crowd as well.

Caleb has developed some appreciation for good swordplay since starting to hang out in Undermoon more, but mostly gets bored with the highly stylized and constrained forms on display here. Still, he admires athletic skill where he finds it, and mostly pays attention to the fencing match.

The contestants are called forward and introduced, as if there was anyone in the hall who didn't already know. There's a buzz of conversation as Elrohir takes his place and some boos and catcalls. A certain degree of his superciliousness returns to his face as he pointedly ignores the boos. The final starts and Elrohir disdainfully advances and lunges seeking to make a point with quick victory. And as he slightly overextends himself Geza Lengyel slips in and scores the first point in the match. The entire hall goes quiet.

Caleb can't help but chuckle. In the quiet hall it's perhaps more noticeable than he intended.

Lorelei is careful not to show bias for either contestant, but to acknowledge the skill of both. She's well aware that she, as well as Elrohir, could make this a diplomatic mess if she's not careful.

Titan smiles slightly as Elrohir might have to show at least a little humility. He taps the arm of his chair, "I met Mr. Lengyel once, at the ESPN 75 awards. He seemed like a nice guy."

Elrohir stalks back to the starting point swishing his blade angrily in the unoffensive air. The signal is given for the second pass and both advance. Elrohir is more cautious this time and the two are well matched. The knowledgeable members of the crowd remain silent as a superb display of swordsmanship takes place. Elrohir is faster and the second point goes to him. One all. The next point will be the decider.

Lorelei is glad there is a point either way. It means neither party is totally humiliated.

Caleb whispers back to Titan: "Is he baseline human?"

Titan nods to Caleb, and whispers, "As far as I know..yeah. Just quick."

Caleb nods, and returns his attention to the match.

Even Meleryniel begins to pay attention now there seems to be an actual challenge to Elrohir!

The signal is given to start the third and deciding pass. You could hear a pin drop in the hall as the contestants exchange trusts and parries. Elrohir is the faster and Geza Lengyel has to defend desperately on a number of occasions - but he stays the course. The pass goes on, and on, longer by far than any previous match. Then Geza Lengyel deflects Lord Elrohir's sword tip and drops into a crouch to pass his blade under Elrohir's and strikes up to impact against the Fae's chest. The hall erupts into applause.

Titan claps loudly. "Very impressive."

Lorelei joins the applause, but keep her eye fixed on Elrohir, lest his temper get the better of him.

Caleb was actually engrossed by the match, and joins the applauding crowd... that was admittedly impressive. It takes him a moment to remember there's a potential for hotheaded outrage here... something he admittedly has some experience with, when he was younger and shorter-tempered... and return his attention to Elrohir.

Elrohir almost races towards Geza Lengyel with his sword raised. The Fae Lord speaks but the words are lost amid the clapping. The two cross swords... but it's clear after a moment they are going through the last few lunges and parries of the previous pass in slow motion. The swords dance together and the result is repeated, Geza Lengyel sword tip touches Lord Elrohir's chest. Switching his sword to his left hand Elrohir extends his now empty right hand and the two shake hands.

Caleb gets to his feet when it looks like the Fae swordsman might be being an idiot, preparing to port in to separate them if necessary... then sits down again when it turns out not to be, relieved.

Titan raises a brow, "I guess I don't understand the niceties. What was that about?"

Lorelei breathes a visible sigh of relief. Not only did Elrohir manage to keep his temper in check, but it seems yet another human has earned his respect.

Caleb shrugs. "I'm guessing that was 'How the hell did you manage that?!? Oh, hey, cool!"

Lorelei says, "I would imagine. I fear it doesn't always occur to the Fae that humans might actually know a trick they don't. But they're learning."

Caleb chuckles. "Yeah, I've noticed that. It's like they think all humans are twelve. No offense intended," he adds hastily.

Elrohir speaks to one of the officials... who then comes over to where the royal party is seated. "Princess," the official starts speaking hesitantly, "your countryman has asked if you would present the medals?"

Lorelei says, "Well, no offense, they are, relatively speaking. I'm got to be over 100 now in Earth years, Caleb. And I'm a youngster."

Lorelei says, "I would be honoured - if that is permitted."

Caleb grins and relaxes, totally not expecting anything to go horribly wrong.

Titan remains quiet, but continues to look around at the crowd.

The official looks visibly relieved the request wasn't considered presumptuous. "We would be honoured, your Highness."

Lorelei rises from her seat to present the medals. This sort of thing is all in a day's work to her now, and she does it with an easy grace, un-bothered by all the eyes on her.

Caleb continues to have trouble wrapping his brain around the fact that a girl he went to high-school with is an extradimensional princess.

The crowd applauds loudly when the announcement that the Princess will be presenting the medals. The ceremony goes smoothly, the only change from the norm being Lord Elrohir going formally down on one knee when Lorelei presents him with his medal. A sign of respect that won't go down too well with the traditionalists he has been a member of until now.

Meleryniel has lost interest again and plays with her PDA, now she's been shown how to use it.

Lorelei awards Elrohir his medal with grave Fae ceremony - with the humans she is rather less formal but every bit as courteous.

Titan watches the presentation curiously. "Looks like nothing went awry. I'm somewhat surprised."

Meleryniel looks annoyed as the descending tones indicate she's lost her game.

After the medal ceremony is concluded Elrohir and Geza Lengyel speak together and arrange to meet in the evening. Lord Elrohir is in a good mood, "Highness," he says, "his skill is remarkable." At this point a reporter pushes in and asks him, "Do you think your opponent is a meta? How else could he have beaten you?"

Caleb is suddenly paying a lot of attention to the young princess... or, more precisely, to an otherwise-unremarkable spot a few feet away from her.

Lord Elrohir looks to Lorelei, "A meta? What is that?"

Lorelei says, "A human with abilities far beyond those most humans have, like Titan." It's a simplification, but the term is loosely applied it would take ages to explain. "They are banned from competitive sports if their powers have any bearing on the sport. You are being asked if your opponent won through skill or by cheating."

Caleb tenses up at the reporter's question, then grins at Lorelei's reply. A lot more tactful than his would have been, which he supposes is why she's royalty.

Lorelei trusts that Elrohir will pick up from that that it's something of a trick question. The Fae, especially the nobility, are no novices at such wordplay.

Lord Elrohir looks back at the reporter and answers in a cold hostile voice, "He won by skill. I was faster, which is a major advantage but he spotted a pattern to my style and was able to anticipate me." Turning back to Lorelei he continues in a cheerful tone, "Next time I'll be aware of that flaw. In four Earth years time."

Caleb laughs cheerfully, joining the pair if security doesn't try to stop him. "That's the spirit! What's four years to an immortal, right?"

Titan smiles again at Elrohir's response. Perhaps the Fae noble isn't as annoying as he first believed.

Lorelei smiles. She is doubtful that the Fae will be permitted to participate next time, but that Elrohir now regards this as a genuine contest shows how much his respect for humans has grown. It's no longer about showing them up - he regards them as worthy opponents.

Lord Elrohir nods to Caleb. Then to Lorelei, "Highness, my sword is at your service. I am ready when you are. I can travel with you? Or if you wish I can stay with Lady Surion and attend the young ones while you deal with this Morlock?"

Lorelei says, "I would be obliged if you would guard them, yes... I am concerned for Princess Meleryniel's safety since the grey fae assassin appeared. Who knows if that may happen again!"

"Oh, which reminds me," Cale quietly observes to Lorelei, "is the pookah following her around supposed to be there?"

Elrohir bows formally, "I shall guard them with my life, Highness. No harm shall come to them while I draw breath." he vows.

Lorelei says, "Oh - yes. That's one of Ghost's messengers."

Caleb nods. "OK, then." He gives a thumbs-up gesture to the giant rabbit.

Lorelei says, "Then I leave them in your care, Lord Elrohir. And now, to Columbia - hm, what time is it there?"

Titan smiles and nods to Lady Surion. "It was nice seeing you again."