Visiting the Chrysanthemum Throne

Lei'Ahree had arranged for one of the ships of Astraea's navy to carry the two of them with some of her servants and guards to Eremaki. She still had no idea how this meeting between Advocat and the Emperor was going to go, but she had to do this. If there was any hope for peace between the Nations, she had to be the one to see that contact was made.

Still, it made for a nervous journey as the vessel, one of those powered by a magical engine, passed over the waves and then took to the skies above the land as they traveled to the Imperial city where they would meet with the Emperor. Leia wasn't certain what made her more nervous, the thought of Advocat meeting with Masurao, or the thought of seeing him again herself.

They approached the city and Leia hid herself in her cabin for several hours with a maid. When she emerged she was wearing Eremaki clothing and had her long hair bound up in a traditional style for the oriental Nation. She didn't know if it was required or not, but she knew that they were walking, potentially, into a full-blown Situation and she didn't want to cause any issues if she could help it.

She still wasn't certain of her position in relation to the society and their cultural norms.

This had such potential to go either way, and go that way dramatically. She closed her eyes for a moment, hoping that everything worked out in the best possible way.

All too soon they were at the Imperial Palace and Leia asked as politely as she could that someone inform the Emperor that she had come to see him and had brought a visitor of some importance.

No sooner did they land than an advisor came to greet the two.

the garb was standard enough. Green kimono and hakama, and the black, spire-like hat characteristic of the Eremakian ruling class. With a smile, he bowed before Leia, with great respect.

"*tenhogosho-sama! It's an honor to have you here with us! What brings you to..."

...With a harsh glare, his eyes met those of Advocat. Eyes filled with pure, scathing hatred bored into his very spirit. A spirit of pure rage seemed to overtake the man, though he made no move against the Death-Dealer.

"Glaisne. ...Welcome. YOU will enter around the side. A guard will escort you. A simple formality. You understand, I trust."

Leading Leia away, he looked disgusted. Not at her, but the situation.

"Allowing cast-off like him on the sacred ground of the Imperial Palace... Emperor Yamato must be turning in his grave!"

Advocat was enjoying the trip by simply sitting on the deck of the ship and reading an novel but all the while Bloodletter was standing guard right beside him to keep him safe, all the while he allowed the sun to touch his skin but no matter how long he was out there no sunburn or tan even started to form on him. His flesh was just too consumed with darkness to get such things, part of why any dark skinned person who becomes a Death Dealer tends to get lighter in coloration. He then heard how they were coming close and so when he saw the royal palace his body became a bit ill, the holy energies that coursed through the area was rather sickening and even Bloodletter was having a hard time with it.

As the ship landed he got up and followed Leia with Bloodletter right behind him, he said to her "It might be rude to them and bother them, but my demon is a long time companion and will not leave my side while in such a location." he then saw the Advisor that came toward them and when he was given a harsh glare, he returned with a look that showed utter indifference toward the man as his eyes were almost black holes of emotions that showed no anger, hate, happiness, or joy. He heard how he would enter and simply gave a slight shrug before heading toward where he would enter, he would not allow some pompous windbag to bother him. Though Bloodletter let out a low growl toward the man before following his master, the demon showing that he would and COULD protect his master from these egotistical beings.

Leia sighed. Those very attitudes were what she wanted so desperately to change, but she knew that it wasn't something she could force on anyone. People would believe what they wanted to believe. She just hoped that Masurao were more willing to look beyond appearances.

She didn't even know if it would do any good to correct him. Advocat was the ruler of Glaisne, but he was not *of* Glaisne. Still, she knew that he had arrived in the one Nation most receptive to his particular energies, and that those energies still gave her problems. She wished that it weren't the case, that she could be truly neutral where he and his Nation was concerned.

But for good or ill, the past would haunt all of them. It was simply up to all of them to look beyond the past and try to leave it there. For a moment she wondered if she were really the best one to try to work through the miles of preconceptions and deep-seated hatreds towards some sort of neutrality at least.

"Please," she murmured, "I would not have accompanied him here if the matter were not important. I need to speak to the Emperor if possible."

She had to do this. She was the only one who could. And she was not going to pull away from conflicts between the Nations as her predecessor did.

(Advocat)

the Death-Dealer was led through countless back halls, all opulently decorated. When the guard finally ushered Advocat into a room, it looked like a tailor's workshop.

"Come out of here in anything other than what the tailor provides and I will END YOU."

Outright ShOVING him into the room, he slammed the door shut. the meek-looking tailor laughed.

"I apologize for the way my fellows are treating you. they don't like people from Glaisne, not since the Kurofune arrived from your lands. ...Let's get you kitted out, then."

the tailor already had the outfit selected. Starting with maroon pants, socks, and shirt, a maroon kimono and hakama were set nearby. however, for his body, the legs and sleeves both were tWICE the needed length.

(Lei'Ahree)

Gesturing off to a hall beyond the main gates, the advisor smiled.

"Of course you may, my lady! I trust you know the way to the Chrysanthemum throne. I would escort you myself, but I've much to attend to."

With all the swiftness of a field mouse, the political man scruuied off in the way you'd expect of a lower-level politician.

Advocat walked through the hallways and did not pay much mind to anything in particular, so when he was then so rudely shoved into the room he just ignored the man. Though Bloodletter let out such a growl that if it wasn't for Advocat strictly forbidding him from attacking people, that Guard's blood would be used to paint the walls. Advocat looked at the tailor and shook his head as he said "I know already due to how Madam Lei'Ahree told me, I came here without any form of protection other than my own as a show of good will. At least you are not like the rest and so it is a refreshing change, and being hated is a rather common thing for my race....and no you don't know what my race is." Advocat walked over to the clothing and took them for only a few moments before his clothes replaced them and he was wearing the outfit perfectly, though two small slits were in the back to allow his black feathered wings to get out. He then said "Thank you for the clothes and the un-hostile words. I wish you well sir." with that Advocat turned and walked out as he saw Bloodletter was growling and glaring at the guard, he gave his clothes to Bloodletter and said "Take care of those for me my friend, I rather not be forced to wear this more than I have to."


He walked pass the guard but then stopped as he said "Lead the way sir." even though this outfit was hard to walk in he didn't stumble or trip, a knack he learned in hell when he was bound up in chains that made walking difficult because of tripping. One thing else that was still on Advocat was his little black book that was attached to the clothing by its sliver chain, that thing NEVER came off of Advocat no matter what one tried to do as it was his most important object.

Leia sighed as she turned to face towards her goal and quietly walked the rest of the way towards the throne room with her heart hammering away in her chest. She didn't know whether it was nervousness or something akin to excitement. She was incredibly worried about the situation and the potential situations with Advocat . . . but there was some part of her mind that was practically giddy with excitement.

She started to reach the doors and wondered if she was going to need to push them open herself. Her heart was pounding so loudly in her ears that she didn't know if she was going to be able to hear her own voice.

She was grateful, though, that she arrived at the doors to find doormen waiting. They moved to open the doors for her and she walked through into the throne room, where Masurao, who was also Emperor Kakumei, waited with the Crystal of Eremaki.

She'd been here before, a year and more before, when she had gone to the Crystals of each Nation to see them and to connect with them so that she would be able to become the Keeper of Astraea. It was an ancient tradition, one intended to ensure that the Great Keeper was familiar with each Nation in turn. It was supposed to make the Great Keeper sympathetic to each land.

In her predecessor's case it made him more apathetic as time went on. He interpreted neutrality as non-interference and allowed Glaisne to force brutally unfair treaties on Eremaki, which was the source of much of the current conflict. If he had not been so withdrawn, perhaps much of the current hostility could have been avoided.

Now it was simply up to Leia to face the situation and work towards a future neutrality that included her participation in world events. She had no choice. She was the Summoner who was called by the Great Crystal. Whether she liked it or not.

It was at this point that Kakumei entered, the very same advisor at his side. And the young Emperor did NOt look happy.

"Okay, I can understand the visitor's kimono, but, ARMED GUARDS!?! REALLY!"

Poor guy looked like he was staring death itself in the face. Shaking in his sandals, he managed to stammer out a response.

"T-T-T-Tennou-sama... He's of Glaisne... He reeks of the Dark!"

Pushing the advisor away, Masurao poke with pure disgust in his voice.

"A nation cannot be held responsible for the action of a single man. Your prejudice disgusts me. Remove yourself from my presence, or I will remove you myself."

...Now, most people wouldn't take that seriously. But, Masurao could so separate his emotions from his duties, that things were a different way with him. So offending a foreign official could cause a war, and, the person responsible for the offense could be charged with treason, a crime IMMEDIAtELY punishable by death. Is it any wonder he fled for his life? Of course, no sooner had he fled than Masurao saw his dear friend.

"I'm sorry you had to see that." Said them Emperor, as he approached. "Sometime one simply has to be heavy-handed."

With a wide smile, he quickly embraced his fellow Keeper.

"It's been too long, Leia. how've you been?"

Leia smiled at Masurao and ran to embrace her friend. "I'm well enough for the circumstances. Astraea is peaceful enough at the moment, but matters are complicated." She took a deep breath. "Yes, I brought the Keeper of Glaisne to meet you personally. I did this because I do not want to have the hatreds of the past to mar the future. He might Keep Glaisne's Crystal; he might rule Glaisne's land; but he is not OF Glaisne."

She sighed. It was a very narrow distinction, but it was one that made a great deal of difference to her.

"My friend, his is an attitude that at once frightens me and yet that I can understand. He is unlike anyone else I have ever met and he might very well be the best hope that Eremaki and Glaisne have for at least reaching some neutrality of attitude."

She didn't know how to explain what she had learned as they had walked the streets of her city in Astraea, why she was so worried for the future, and concerned about the past. She sighed. "And there is the matter of Brimlad's Keeper and the rumors I have heard emerging from that land. I will need to journey personally to meet with him if possible and I dare not do that if I must worry that someone will restart the conflict between your two nations."

She didn't want to admit that she had wanted a reason to return here, to see him again. That would be saying too much . . . perhaps.

Advocat had been walking with the rather rude guard for only a few minutes till he was shown to the large door that lead to the throne room and the crystal, he could feel his flesh start to heat up from the pain of being so near something so holy but at the moment it just felt like something mildly warm nothing more. He turned to look at the guard and said "Thank you for the escort, I can handle myself from here on." With that he then turned to look at Bloodletter who himself looked a little bothered by the holy energies, he then said "I want you to wait out here and do not enter no matter what, I might feel some pain but only from the crystal. Now stay.......oh and don't eat anyone's soul or body, I will be very cross with you if you cause me to have deal with such trouble." The demon just grumbled before finding a place to wait for his friend/master to return, with that Advocat turned to the doormen and nodded his head for them to open it.

When it was opened it was almost like walking into a flame due to how the crystal affected him, his wings quickly wrapped around him shielding him from some of the holy energies. He walked into the room with a calm steady pace and when he was inside the doors were closed and he saw Leia and Masurao, he saw how close they were and simply smiled a bit as he thought *Well at least some of us........are enjoying themselves.....* Advocat gave a bow to them both as he said "Hello again Leia, and it is good to meet you Emperor Masurao. I am pleased you allowed me to visit, even though I am sure you had to deal with many of your people complaining about such a choice." Advocat chuckled a bit but he would not move any closer to the two as he said "My apologies but that crystal of yours seems to be almost a poison.......didn't expect it to be........divine light when I first heard about it.....so I must stay back here...." Advocat winced a bit as he backed away from it. If this didn't let the Emperor figure out that Advocat was not no normal being on this planet, well being here for a few minutes would force Advocat into his reaper form at the very least.

...At that precise moment, the entire room went dead silent. the assembled guards stared incredulously at Advocat. Masurao, for his part, groaned into his hand.

"Oh, here we go..." Obviously, whatever Advocat had done was something all three would live to regret. And, soon, as one of the guards began to shout.

"YOU! hOW DARE YOU BLASPhEME AGAINSt thE PERFECtION thAt IS thE EMPEROR! DIE FOR YOUR DIShONOR!" And no sooner did he make his threat that he intended to make good on it. With a mighty kiai, he dashed forward, aiming to cut down Glaisne's Keeper.

"Oh, hell. ALEX!"

"Yosh."

Of course, Masurao was quick to act, as well. Alexander himself blinked into existence. Mere moments after, the Divine Being ran at the overzealous samurai, delivering a running punt to his side, sending the (obviously fired) guard sailing into, and through, the wall.

"...For future reference, its probably best just to call me 'Emperor'."

that insanity aside, Masurao could focus on what Advocat had said. Strife was something he was accustomed to, as of late. Laughter took him, for a moment.

"Sure, there was some eyebrows lifted, but we're closing out a civil war! Believe you me, there aren't enough people interested in foreign affairs to raise arms against you, not now."

Leia felt herself wince when Advocat said Masurao's name. She didn't know where he'd learned it, unless it was included in the record when he searched out the details of what had happened to her. She had been very careful not to speak it because she knew at least that much about Eremaki culture.

She might be blind as anything where much was concerned, but she knew enough to know that his true name was reserved for times when there was no one else present.

And just as she was afraid, the guards took offense at the familiarity of address and moved to strike him down for it, and the implied insult. But that was before Alexander's appearance and then his disappearance as he followed the guardsman out of the room to continue the chastisement.

Lei'Ahree forced herself to relax as her friend's laughter was heard. At least someone found this funny.

"That might be a problem, my friend, I do not think that the outside world will leave Eremaki alone. The Keeper of Brimlad . . . rumors say that he could be very dangerous. He has all but outlawed Summoners within his Nation. Those with the talent have been forced to flee or risk their very lives."

Advocat knew this was going to happen by saying the man's first name but he did not care, he was not going to treat this man like he was superior to himself as no mortal was. So he just looked at the other guard with little to no worry, he simply lifted up a hand which even though was cover soon started to form death magic. It wasn't being affected by the holy energies like his dark powers, but then when Alexander shot out and attacked the man the spell was lost though the energy was not. Advocat jerked his hand close to his body as if he had moved a bit too close to the sun, his hand now had darkness floating off of it like fire as he couldn't sustain this form.

Soon darkness formed around Advocat before disappear deep into his chest as now Death magic was the main magical energy that could be sensed from him, his head was covered by a black hood and the rest of the outfit was hidden under the clothing he was forced to wear. Advocat looked up at the group and they now only saw a skull which was devoid of any flesh, and not even an eye was left in his head. He then said in a voice that head a cold chilling tone yet did not sound evil at all "Well........that was not pleasant at all........this holy energy forced my dark powers deep inside of me to hide behind my fire and death powers. Oh how annoying.......well now I suppose everyone can guess what I look like at the very least......."

He cracked his neck and you could even see the bones in his neck that did that, he then said "Very well Emperor it is." Advocat could now come closer to the two as his dark powers were being shielded by his other powers, he then heard the comment about the man of Brimlad and said "Yes yes I can confirm that with what my people have been gathering from that nation, if anything I say an alliance of sorts between your nation and mine would be a good action to ensure this madman doesn't try to wipe out all summoners." Advocat was of course talking to the Emperor as Leia couldn't do that as her nation was to stay Neutral. He then said "To do that I will be more than willing to hear what conditions your nation would want, I know that you will want some territory back. Which I will give back as long as it doesn't cause my people to suffer."

...Curiouser and curiouser. At the very same moment that Advocat revealed his Reaper form, the remaining guards all made a mass exodus, no doubt to alert the priests to this breach in the purity of this land. Masurao groaned out loud, his hand cradling his face.

"...If I didn't know better, I'd say you were trying to raise the ire of my attendants."

Now, for those that don't know, the main religion of Eremaki is much like real-life Shinto. Being a religion of ritual purity, revolving around the myriad spirits of the world, an affront to purity was quickly addressed. And, among all things, death is believed to be the most corrupting of all forces. So, you can imagine what being in the presence of a spirit made to administer death did to them.

"Well,I won't have to worry about any more surprises; they'll be steeping themselves in hot springs for an hour, at least." he thought to himself.

"I would like to apologize for the behavior of my people. It's not every day they see a shinigami and live to tell about it."

...Seeing as the Emperor was supposed to be the most spiritual of all his kind, you would wonder why it didn't affect him. Oh, it did. But, there was a time for religion, and a time for politics, and this was a time of politics.

"Of course I would have stipulations for an alliance. And, as you well suspect, they've to do with the treaties your predecessors forced upon my people. But, first..."

A simple double-clap, and the throne room was alight with activity. Men in black bodysuits and mask stormed in, carrying various items. By the time these folk were done, a small table for 3 was set up for them. Various food and drink lay upon the table, and three cushions lay on the floor. As Masurao led the three over, he talked shop with Advocat.

"Now, the Kanagawa Convention really poses no issue. It guarantees emergency quarter for Glaisne sailors, and lets you keep a consul in Shimoda. No issue there. It's a good half of the harris treaty I'm concerned over."

Leia followed the two over to the table. With Advocat's transformation, as odd and unnerving as it was, she was no longer struggling to keep from showing her discomfort with the Dark energies that he usually used to keep himself cloaked. It was a small comfort, but at least it was a comfort.

Maybe someday she would be able to leave the nightmares behind and the touch of Darkness wouldn't make her cringe in response. Until then, though, she did the best that she could.

The details of any peace accord were for the two of them to work out. All she could do was sit with them and watch as matters were resolved around her.

It was odd, feeling secondary to the event that was unfolding around her, but she didn't mind in the least. This would aid both Nations and would correct the injustices of the past, with a little luck and patience.

Advocat would of arched an eyebrow at the strange behavior of the Emperor's men but sadly he had no eyebrow to arch so he just looked at them, after he heard the comment from the young man he said "Well that was rather unfortunate, oh well I did not exactly wish to go into this form. Though at least asking for a moment of peace is just a transformation away.....*grins* to bad I promised myself to behave, I suppose I will get my entertainment from my own people at a later date." Advocat then heard the shinigami comment and shook his skeletal head.

"Well I would guess that shinigami are a close cousin to my race, I am not one of them I am a Death Dealer. We are far more powerful and dangerous than them, simply put we can grant a wish....as long as we are compensated. If you wish to learn more after work is done feel free to ask me later." Said Advocat before he watched some men come in to set up a table with food and some cushions. Advocat just now remembered that and shook his head, it was silly to sit on those things but oh well when in Rome and all that.

Advocat sat down on his cushion so that he would be across from the Emperor and Leia would be between them, a fitting arrangement due to how she is the one to get between us if we were to fight. Advocat waited for the Emperor to sit down and give the ok for him to eat, he knew it would of been rude to do otherwise. He then said "Yes the last two are a source of trouble, the last one I am abolishing completely. No fun being allies with a Nation who's economy is destroyed, if people under me don't like that then I am sad to say they will have to stay upset for all time. Also I wish for your people to be able to live in my nation as well."

Advocat started to think a bit before he finally said "But the trial one.......it is troublesome......but it could be a way we can turn this annoyance into a starting point for the old wounds to heal." Advocat wished he had a chair to sit in so he could lay back and think a bit, but this cushion forced him to sit up straight. He then said "I know your people hate my people, and my people look down on yours. So if I was to let you judge my people here, and judge your people in my nation. There would be complaints about the trial was not fair due to hate, or bias thoughts.......my idea would be for us to make a join council where half are from my nation half from yours."

Advocat rubbed the chin part of his jaw bone and started to think some more before continuing "That way the trials can be fair, and to help with the tie breaker we get someone from Leia's nation......if we do this it will be a starting point for our people to work together, even if it is working together to sentence criminals to justice. I figure it would be a better choice than having Leia's nation handle the burden, she has enough trouble without us adding onto it with her nation having to judge our criminals. What are you thoughts on my suggestions Emperor?"

Now it was Masurao's turn to be stunned. In all honesty, he'd expected this to end in a battle, justifying the wakizashi hidden in his kimono. Meeting such an amicable Keeper, from Glaisne... It wasn't something he wasn't prepared for.

"...A joint judgment sounds acceptable. I'd be willing to do that."

...he'd expected this to take much longer. With a smile, he poured his visitors each a bowl of sake.

"With that taken care of, let's eat!"

Picking up a pair of chopsticks, he uttered a hurried "Itadakimasu!" before digging in, starting with a particularly appetizing-looking sushi roll.

===========================================================================

By the time all three had eaten their fill, there was little left on the table, save for a mostly-empty bottle of sake. Of course, he'd made sure there was enough food to offset things. Putting his sticks down, he sighed heavily.

"Been a long time since I've been able to enjoy a meal without worrying that it was poisoned."

Leia knew enough to be careful about how much of the sake she was drinking. She wasn't a large person to begin with and the alcohol would affect her much more quickly than even a larger built elf much less either of the men she was with. The last thing she wanted to do was have it affect her to the point that she said or did something that could mar what was looking like an excellent beginning.

Still, she was nervous enough that she really didn't eat much, which was a bad thing considering the strength of the sake that was available to the Imperial household.

So she tried to keep her sips of sake as light as she could, but she still ran a risk with each one that it would be one too many and as much as she trusted Masurao on a personal level, she didn't trust this situation.

Still, Advocat's pragmatism could mean that he was the best possible Keeper for Glaisne to have during a time of potential peace, or at least a cessation of conflict for the time being. And at least she knew that he had his own sense of twisted honor.

She knew that the sake was affecting her. Her stomach unclenched slightly and she smiled a bit more. She started to worry less about keeping those sips light. At least by that point the meal was almost done.

She heard Masurao's words and her expression frowned a little in worry. "Is it truly that bad still?" She knew that matters in Eremaki were troubled, but the thought that assassins could be actively trying to kill him . . . made her heart squeeze lightly in pain.

Advocat had listened to the others talk and eat while he simply enjoyed the drinks, he was not exactly hungry at the moment and nor did he want people to see him chew up and swallow food. He still needed to eat in this form but he didn't have flesh to hide what was being chewed up, he had drank a little bit and had been watching Leia closely and knew she was being very careful about what she did drink.

After it was all said and done and the two had eaten he then stated "If you are having trouble with Assassins then I might be able to assist later on when I regain some more of my powers, lets just say......I have one power that makes it very easy to see what one is truly thinking about." Advocat was talking about his ability to see souls and well any Death Dealer could learn it, problem is his powers over death was a bit limited at the moment so he couldn't access it yet. He then said "Oh yes Emperor I heard that you had taken some of my nations technology when you helped take care of those mages and the one before me, not that I am upset at all about it as I don't mind you taking them just wondering. Have you found much use for them?"

Advocat was curious really as how often would a demonic being such as himself deal with a man who uses holy powers, and not have to kill said man out of self defense. He also didn't care about the tech as his nation has already become much better, now they had golems who could easily take care of anything thrown their way and also......what better way to invade than to drop a few of them out of an airship and into the cites.

Now, this was something Masurao knew.

"Not just the tech, but the magic as well! Besides their insane plot, the Mages of Glaisne were into just about everything. For example, those fellows in black?"

...how he kept doing this was a mystery, but the ninja-like man appeared once more. Flipping up his veil, he revealed... ...An earthenware face!

"One of my more magically-inclined Councilmen came up with this. Empowering the Kami in the clay gives it motion. 'Golems', they're called."

the Golem bowed low, its veil falling back over, and quickly left. Of course, Masurao continued.

"On top of that, what little steel we've been able to import from other countries, Ferric Steel especially, weapon technology has skyrocketed. Even now, we're opening up new weapon foundries. Not to mention the Imperial Line."

Leia smiled softly as she listened to the conversation turn to the details of magic development and related technology. Her head was more than a little fuzzy from the effects of the saki, but she didn't think that she was dangerously affected.

Not yet at least.

The magical developments in Eremaki were fascinating, she was certain. She'd always loved the ebb and play of magic. She'd never done much with magical objects of any sort, other than the bits of crystal that she worked into some of her jewelry, but still, the uses that others put the energies to were strange and wonderful.

She did her best not to look like she was simply watching Masurao's face for the joy of seeing him animated and talking. This was a time for discussions and the sharing of information. She was here as a buffer, of sorts, though she rapidly wondered if she were needed less and less in the discussion.

Advocat looked up at the golem with little interest and when the man was finished talking he then said "Yes our technology has come a long way, as well as our magics. I am glad that you was able to make use of the magic and tech you gained from my nation, and I do know about golems quite well. My army is made up of them, as well as a few doing heavy work in the mines." With that Advocat snapped his fingers and a small fiery portal appeared, through it Leia and the Emperor could see a Steam Golem tear through rocks with is large drill then crush boulders under its feet. It even used its steam gun to shoot a rock apart so that it wouldn't have to walk over there to break it, with that the portal closed and he said "Wonderful little machines those Steam golems are, though I suppose I was needed for them to be able to work. I was able to subdue and control a large group of fire demons, their souls now live in those constructs. You can of course see how they can be useful on the battle field, though we are only able to field a limited number of them at any one time."

Advocat then turned to look at Leia and noticed she seemed........off a bit so he then said "Oh pardon us Leia, we seem to have kept you out of the conversation. Is there anything you wish to speak with the Emperor?" Advocat was only being polite but hoped she didn't, he wanted out of this throne room. It made him feel like he was near heaven again.......that was NOT a pleasant memory.

Masurao still stared at where the Portal had been. Clearly, the man was awestuck.

"Incredible. I've never seen so complex a machine before... Especially one that requires no controller!"

Pulling a scroll from his kimono, he began hurriedly sketching the behemoth while it was still fresh in his mind. Such a thing would be of incredible use to his kingdom... Of course, when Advocat had drawn attention to Leia, he took notice... And was more than a little disquieted. He'd never seen her drunk... But he had an idea that things could get very strange, VERY fast.

"It would appear some of us are more ready to return home!" He said, with a laugh.

The Golems began gathering Masurao and Lei'ahree's things, preparing for their departure.

"As much as I've enjoyed this, Advocat, I'm sure you've had quite enough of my lands. And, I believe Leia's empty cups speak for themselves!"

Leia blinked slowly several times and realized that she was being addressed. Masurao's comment about the cups made her look at what was sitting in front of her and she realized that she might have overdone it a little bit.

Not that she felt bad, just sort of lightheaded and rather pleasant. She had not been aware that she had actually emptied that many cups.

She looked up at Masurao and flushed in embarrassment. She knew that something was amiss, but she felt so warm . . . Then she realized that he was talking about her leaving and she didn't want that.

She started to say something, to explain that she didn't want to go back to Astraea when she'd just gotten to see Eremaki, to see him, again. She tried to stand, but a sudden wave of dizziness swept over her and she collapsed in a faint.

Advocat was pleased to see that the Emperor was impressed with his machines that his new found people produced though Advocat longed to show his original kingdom, he missed the swirling demonic energies that were located under his necropolis and he missed seeing the young death dealer children running with the Warp Beast pups. That alone made him realize how much he missed his realm for never did he care for anything before, he figured it was a bit of how a fish from the sea would miss it if someone was to capture it and place it in a bowl for use as a pet.

Either way he saw the Emperor copying down the image of the Golem that was in his head onto paper which Advocat said "I do hope you don't try to copy my machines exactly dear emperor. I am quite fine with you using the tech to make some type of machine of your own, just be rather....drool and boring if you to try to make an exact replica of my devices....no?" either way he did nod his head in agreement to the leaving as he wanted out of this damnable room already but for some reason he stayed and it irked him not knowing what it was. Either way he saw how Leia moved and when she fainted he summoned his scythe in an instant to quickly use the bottom end, he moved it out fast enough to get under her and use it to stop her fall before gently placing her on the ground as that was as much as he could do with only the staff part of his weapon to use.

After he placed her down the weapon disappeared as he had to force the device to appear and it was a pain to try to hold the thing with the accursed garment he had to wear, he looked at the Emperor and said "Well then, I suppose next time we meet we make sure not to allow Leia to have any to drink. Agreed?" either way he got up as well as he could with such an outfit on and looked at Leia then himself before saying "I suppose it would be best to have either yourself or one of your men carry her, it would not do well for her to be carried by me least she awaken and see my face. As I will admit it would not be enjoyable to wake up to a skull looking down at you." He glared at the crystal in the throne and cursed the fact the thing was causing him such trouble.