Log:Icelantic Holiday, Scene 2

Icelantic Holiday 2014/04/10 	 Ghost Titan

2

Undermoon Portal
''(editor's note: This scene follows Princesses' Guard Revived, Scene 12). It occurs during the period the adventure tourists are unpacking and settling in at the hotel prior to the tour of Reykjavik.''

Ghost steps through the portal to Earth and thanks the world-walker who opened the portal for her. She brings out her PDA and checks a map seeing how far Iceland is. That far...? For a moment common sense wars with desire. She ought to contact Johnathan by phone. But that's so impersonal and she's already missing him. She'll have to sacrifice a sleep period. Probably not the wisest decision but if she does she'll be able to see Johanthan in person. And since the trip will be personal she can't use the Firebird Carriage. So it will be her own flight.

Ghost heads to the Embassy first to collect a bottle of wine and a PG communicator. And to wrap up warm. Then she lifts off and with her PDA as a navigation aid starts flying to Iceland.

Reykjavik, Iceland
It's thirty minutes later that she's over the city of Reykjavik. And places a call on her PDA to Johnathan. Not with the team communicators as they are open channel to every communicator. If she used that means to contact Johnathan everyone in the team can listen in.

Titan answers his PDA, "Hello?" He's currently in his hotel room, lounging for the time being.

Ghost is visible in the screen, "Hello, Johanthan. I'm overhead." She doesn't look wind swept. The benefits of having a spacesuit setting on her space armor belt. "If you're free I'd love to see you."

Titan smiles. "Umm...sure. You're welcome to stop in. Do you need me to open the window?"

Ghost smiles, "Yes, please. Which room are you in, Johnathan? I can see the hotel. Google maps are wonderful."

Titan heads to the window, and opens it. "328. So...third floor." He waves his arm out the window to help Ghost spot it.

Ghost flies down and straight into Johnathan's arms. "I've missed you." She says.

Titan smiles and hugs Ghost, "I've missed you too." He pulls back slowly, "Everything okay? Something must have come up if you're coming here personally."

Ghost smiles up at you, "Yes, something is up. But I could have called on my PDA. I wasn't willing to let an excuse to come and see you in person escape me even if I'll have to give up a sleep period to pay for it."

Titan chuckles. "Ah. Well...I guess it can't be too much of an emergency, if you could have contacted me instantly via PDA. So...what's the problem?"

Ghost pulls out her PDA and brings Pelana's image to the screen. "I interviewed a Earth meta for the team, Johnathan. She impressed me and subject to Harlequin's and your vetos, I offered her a place in the team. I... I should have thought through the implications a bit more thoroughly though." She shows you the image of Pelana, the half dragon lady.

Titan raises a brow again as he looks at the photo. "I think I missed the problem. Is it because you're adding another good looking female to the team?" He smiles, "I suspect that's not the problem."

Titan apparently doesn't know much of the history involved.

Ghost says, "Johnathan, what is the single most traumatic event in fae history. The event that resulted in more deaths among the fae than any other cause, that drove them off their home dimensions and ended their so called Golden Age?"

Titan shrugs, "I...have no idea? I'm good with human history, or at least some of it. Fae history, not so much."

Ghost nods and taps the image on the screen. "It was the Dragon Wars." She taps the image again. "Dragon... Wars."

Titan looks at the image again, "Ohhhh. Hmm. So, the Fae nobles might be a bit upset with a dragon or...part dragon on the team." He nods slowly, "Did you already speak to the princess?"

Ghost nods, "Yes, Johnathan. Yes to both those questions. Although I think a bit upset might be somewhat of an understatement. The Princess was very kind in not dismissing me instantly. I failed her, Johnathan. Not only will the presence of Pelana, that's her name, on the team impact on fae attitudes to the team, the timing could not be worse. Since that attitude shift may grow to include the Princess. And the last thing we want is a reduction in acceptance of the Princess at this particular time."

Titan shakes his head, "How long ago was this? Thousands of years, right?" He mulls it over, "Well...I'm certainly not going to veto her being on the team."

Ghost says, "The fae live forever, Johnathan. There are fae living today who fought in the Dragon Wars. But I wouldn't dream of asking you to veto her, Johnathan. She expressed an interest in joining the team, and in the long run her presence may well be of benefit to the fae culture. Which is complacent and static and going nowhere. The Sercians are as high-tec as the human worlds and space faring. Whereas the fae are little different than they were 1200 years ago. They need to be shaken out of their smugness. But it's the timing that's the problem... The Princess suggested a couple of possible solutions, Johanthan."

Titan nods. "Alright. So, what did she suggest?"

Ghost says, "First, and the prefered option if Pelana agrees, is to control fae reactions by having Pelana play along as being a - tame - dragon. So she will, hopefully, be viewed as a testament to fae superiority rather than a threat from the past. The other suggestion was to keep her - hidden - until after the wedding. Have her remain on Earth out of sight."

Titan jaw sets at the mention of the first option. Clearly he's not a fan of that one. "Yeah, because they need their prejudices reinforced." He shakes his head slowly. "They need to be woken up."

Ghost nods, "I fully agree with you, Johnathan. But the Princess doesn't need a reaction againt her because of the presence of Pelana on the team at this time. Not during the engagement and wedding period. That's what I meant by the timing being bad. And while the idea of Pelana having to play along as the -tame- dragon is distasteful... her presence will, if she works out as a member of the team, point out the stupidity of those prejudices by her ongoing actions."

Titan sighs. "If...you want to go that route, I won't stop you. But please don't ask me to make the request of her." He pauses for a long moment, "If for no other reason than that I think the idea feels...wrong. I might have trouble selling it."

Ghost says, "Have you any better idea, Johnathan? I don't want to hide her away on Earth. That would be at least equally insulting to her. She deserves the chance to be a full member of the team."

Titan shakes his head, "Not one that will keep the nobles from declaring a scandal, no. But given my druthers, they can choke on it." He rubs the back of his neck, thinking. "If I were in Pelana's shoes...a person who is 'hated' or 'feared' by the Fae, I'd make a point of being myself. To spite them. I have no idea what she's like. But if she's stubborn like I am, it's going to be a problem, either way."

Ghost says, "Johnathan, I think you're underestimating the intensity of the reaction. I fear even the progressive fae will react strongly. This could, very likely, prevent the wedding from taking place."

Titan chuckles. "No, I'm not underestimating it, I assure you. The only reason I care at all is because it would mess things up. If it wasn't for the wedding, I'd be more than happy to tell the nobles to shove off, despite the strong reaction."

Ghost says, "In this matter our personal opinions have to take second place to the needs of the Princess. I agree with you. Completely. That is why I accepted Pelana as a potential team member. But the PG team is charged among other things with the safety and well-being of the Princess. However distasteful, and I agree it is intensely distasteful, our duty as members of the team comes first."

Titan grimaces, "I've had to swallow my own feelings more times than I care to count already. Believe me. I know very well that duty comes before personal feelings."

Ghost says, "I didn't mean... I know, Johnathan. I hate this. Hate it. The fae of Undermoon, some of them, disgust me. They're so wrapped up in their sense of superiority they have no idea how far behind they have fallen. But right now is not the time to rock the boat. There is a progressive fraction, small as it is, with the Princess as their figurehead. Damage to the Princess will damage the progressives as well. And they are the only hope the fae have of ever breaking free of the cold iron chains of outdated traditions."

Titan nods, taking a couple of deep breaths before speaking again, "I don't intend to 'rock the boat', I assure you. Even if I really, really want to. As I said...go ahead and make the suggestion to Pelana."

Ghost nods. "I'll.. stay, until she gets here. And offer her the alternatives. She should be on a flight now. I brought a communicator for her with me. I wish I could be with you and the team, Johnathan. You're on your first mission, and I'm not with you. That feels so wrong to me." She wipes away a tear.

Titan's features change from looking annoyed to concerned in a flash. He goes to hug Ghost again, "I didn't realize she was on her way out here. If you...really need me to, I can ask her. But I suspect you know what you mean by 'tame' better than I do."

Ghost says, "I... I won't ask you to do that, Johnathan. I wish I didn't have to myself. It's not fair on her. It wouldn't be fair on you to ask you to speak to her." She looks up inrto your face, "We have time, Johanthan. We won't, we can't, do it all at once. But between us and the Princess we'll drag the fae kicking and screaming into the century of the dingbat or die trying."

Titan laughs quietly, "This...brings up something I wanted to ask about. The Duke's cousin is here. The Fae I asked you about? She's been wanting to talk to me, since I translated between Fae and English for her at the airport. I'm sure she's curious about where the spell came from. I've been cagey up to this point, not wanting to let her know about the mission. But I suspect she'll pry a bit."

Ghost nods. "I looked into her background when I got your message. She's lived in Westmarch all her life. In Sorrysgate in fact. She is a healer, oh, and is young. Not much more than a century in age. She worked her healer's craft amid the fighting at Sorrysgate. She's not officially a progressive, because such political maneuverings are mostly confined to the nobility and the city and Palace of Undermoon. But her leanings are definitely in that direction. I doubt if she would recognise you, Johanthan. She's never been to the capital until her visit to Earth. And she was not of noble birth. She is Lady Nienna only because her cousin was appointed to the Duchy of Westmarch by the King."

Titan nods. "She'll recognize me sooner or later, though. Even if it's at the wedding. I just wanted to let you know there's a potential 'leak' as to what's going on here. I'll likely let her know what's up, without details about the kids, after it's over."

Ghost nods, "Use your own judgement, Johnathan. Apparently she's come to Earth to learn about Earth ways because her cousin is marrying the Princess, who of couse comes from Earth. Traditionally, and not all traditions are bad, she'll be one of the Princesses companions when the Princess moves to Westmarch. Actually her actions seem to suggest she's one of the fae who isn't hidebound and insular."

Titan smiles. "I'll be sure to make sure I make a good impression. I just wanted you to be aware of what was up, really."

Ghost smiles, "Don't make too good an impression. I'm not willing to share you."

Titan laughs. "Fair enough."

Ghost rests back in your arms, "How is the mission going. Is everyone working together? Was the briefing adequate? I was a bit surprised when the Princess agreed to let one of the Markhams ask the team for assistance. Although I suppose it's a compliment. Oh, by the way, the truth about the encounter between Lord Elrohir of Greyfells and the Markhams has spead throughout the city. Johnathan, you know them don't you. Lord Eleohir is said to be a noted swordsman. How did one of the Markhams defeat him empty handed?"

Titan smiles. "That's a lot of rapid-fire questions. Um....so far everyone seems to be working together just fine. I think the briefing was more than enough, honestly." He nods to himself, trying to mentally list your questions. "I know the Markhams because I was on a team with them, albeit briefly. And they really are that good in hand to hand combat. There are few who are their equal. Sable, perhaps?"

Ghost smiles as you tell her the team is working well together. "Sable? I don't think I've met her. Unless I have and those memories have been downloaded to storage. Maybe we should try to recruit all of them if they are that good."

Titan nods. "Sable helps run the meta gym in Bridgend. She's used other names too. I'm not sure what she's going by right now."

Ghost says, "I'll run a check on her. Although I think the team is a suitable size now." She smiles, "I'll want a full description of everything the team does, Johnathan. If I can't be here with you I can pester you for all the details when you get back."

Titan nods. "I...probably dont' have enough of an attention to detail for your tastes, but I'll do what I can for you."

Ghost nods and smiles, "I'm going to take a nap until Pelana gets here. I'm minus on sleep. Sufficiently so I think it may be affecting my judgement." She looks up at you, "You don't have to let go of me." she says.

Titan smiles slightly, "You're welcome to crash here. I'll be right beside you."

Ghost nods, already starting to look sleepy. "I love you." she whispers, snuggling into your arms.

Titan pauses a moment, thinking about how to respond. Finally, he says, "I love you too." He then lifts Ghost up, and settles her down on the bed before lying down next to her.

(editor's note: The conversation between Pelana and Ghost is logged in Forget it!)