8786/Undercurrents: The Missles Matter

Undercurrents: The Missles Matter
Date of Scene:	13 August 2019
Location:	Atlantis Poseidonis Embassy, Oyster Bay
Synopsis:	Polaris pleads Genosha's case to Atlantis. King Orin II and Princess Mera warn Polaris of the danger to her people and present her with a difficult choice.
Thanks to:	Polaris, Mera
Cast of Characters:	Aquaman, Polaris, Aquawoman
Tinyplot:	Undercurrents

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Aquaman has posed:
At the appointed time that day, an Atlantean woman wearing a water mask and blue dress of distinctly Atlantean cut from the Atlantis Embassy is at the Oyster Bay embassy dock to meet Lorna. She is greeted with great courtesy. Lorna is led aboard a sleek Atlantean vessel, which takes takes her across the rolling waters of Oyster Bay to the floating, half-submerged Embassy without a pitch or roll.

On arrival, Lorna's escort leads her into the main entrance of the Embassy, telling her politely about the architecture and symbolism since it is her first visit. The walls are white and gold, with lines of flowing water inset and kept in place invisibly. She is taken up a lift, which is really a pedestal of water that is somehow hard underfoot.

She is shown into to the throne room on the third floor. The room is a nearly glowing white pearl with gold inset in delicate patterns on most of the floor. But the strip of floor leading from then entrance to the dais is a strip of dark seawater that roils just beneath an invisible field one's feet cannot distinguish from the rest of the floor. The stormy waters flow from beneath the King's throne, form part of the dais steps and right to the entrance to the hall where they disappear abruptly. Beside the King's throne a second throne is set, just slightly lower. The hall's roof is a glass dome clean enough to be difficult to see, held up by curving white pillars that are set into and support the roof. The walls are glass as well which lets the sunlight from the summer day to colour the room.

There are ornate chairs set in two columns along the length of the hall on either side of the throne. Today the chairs are empty.

"His Majesty King Orin II of Atlantis and her highness Princess Y'Mera Xebella Challa of Xebel," Lorna's escort tells her.

"Her Highness Princess Lorna Dane of Genosha," Lorna's escort announces to the King. Then the woman bows toward the King and leaves.

Arthur is seated in the dais in his green and gold armour. His hair is tied back behind his head. He leans to one side, resting his elbow on the arm of his throne. The other hand holds the Trident of Poseidon. He watches Lorna from under dark brows.

Polaris has posed:
Formal meetings had been something Lorna had tried and practiced over the past year or so since she'd moved to Genosha. She had had lessons, practiced and researched and tested herself over and over. Yet nothing in practice was enough to prepare her fully for meeting someone of royal stature in all diplomatic seriousness. No other countries had had their leaders meet with her, or were rather, willing to meet with her. Despite her pleas for aid against the Sentinel threat, or even trade deals, most of her attempts had been met with cold, if not polite silence.

The young Princess had donned her most formal attire for the affair, her hair combed back into a high ponytail wreathed in shiny, metallic combs that fanned out around her in a halo, nearly a crown, but not quite. She wore a romper of shimmering, deep sea green, with a plunging 'v' neckline. More metal, almost to the point that it would appear gaudy on anyone else, but was more of a silent show on the magnokinetic, was draped around her wrists, neck, and ears. All of which was painted gold, but was likely ferrous in scope. Over all of this, she wore a loose fitting, thin and gauzy, nearly translucent cape of a softer silver color, pinned at her shoulders with matching pauldrons.

Otherwise, she appeared unarmed, and unarmored.

As difficult as it was for Lorna not to gape at her surroundings, she restrained herself, though just barely at the achingly lovely sight of the otherworldly architecture. Her green eyes traveled about, searching the glittering throne room, to land on the King and consort. At least in comparison, it seemed Lorna matched the general decore, and ascetic of the Atlanteans rather than matching the usual of surface dwellers. Perhaps it was all on purpose. Perhaps not.

Either way, she dropped into a curtsey, just as she had practiced a million times over. She was //not// an equal to the King in the least, but neither was she of no standing at all. It was a polite bob, bent at her knee and straight up. She waited to be addressed, her gaze politely aimed at the two before her and her hands clasped before her.

Aquaman has posed:
"The Kingdom of Atlantis welcomes you, Princess," Arthur says after Lorna curtsies. "The protection of the sea is over you."

The water under Lorna's feet brightens and calms to a miniature windy chop over sea green waters.

"This is a first, we have never had the honour of receiving your royal family," Arthur says and smiles a bit lopsidedly. "Though we did meet your sister on other matters in her other capacities."

Arthur tilts his head curiously. His casual, arrogant posture is a sharp contrast to the perfect poise of the Atlantean Princess seated beside him.

"What brings you before the King?" Mera inquires.

Polaris has posed:
Lorna ventured a soft exhale from her lips as Arthur greets her, her gaze remaining on him even as her attention shifted half to the calming waters beneath her feet. She was not her father, had to remind herself, not there to threaten or posture. She had quite literally, no ground to stand on here. The nerves that spun her spine straight and kept her posture stiff, remained even as a smile curved at the corners of her lips at the mention of Wanda.

"I thank you for your hospitality and your willingness to meet with me." She spoke, and at least to her own ears, sounded even and polite. Even if her heartbeat hammered wildly in her chest.

"It always seems people meet my sister first in her other capacities. It would seem to be prerogative as the elder of us." A slow, measured inhale and exhaled followed as Lorna attempted the vague humor and continued onward at the prompting from Mera. She nodded and shifted her weight upon her heels.

"I realize that my business here comes unduly late. I should have made attempt to contact you, and meet with you both at an earlier time. Before my father acted and pushed the world to such a state." She paused, taking measure of how her words were regarded before she spoke again. "I wish to speak in to you regarding the missiles that landed near to Genosha."

Aquaman has posed:
Arthur smiles at the comment about the elder sibling's perogatives, but otherwise his expression changes little from the curiousity he showed earlier. He spins the Trident of Poseidon slowly in his hand.

"Of course," Arthur says and seems to ignore Lorna's apology for not coming sooner. "We welcome a dialogue with Genosha. "

Polaris has posed:
Lorna stifled the urge to fidget, to shift and squirm under Arthur's gaze. She maintained her posture, straight backed with her shoulders firmly held in line, but her hands were a network of nerves as she shifted her grip on one hand in a tight clutch in front of her. Her throat was dry, but she spoke her words with care and clarity.

"It would be my dream, and my country's honor, if you and yours might consider an alliance of some measure. Be it in trade, or a mutual agreement of peace between us. I speak on behalf of Genosha's people, and council. My father's actions do not speak for Genosha, or her people. We were ignorant of his plans, or his intentions."

Aquawoman has posed:
"His actions may not reflect the desires of the people of Genosha, or the council. But his actions remain an act of those people, if by association only. It must be extremely difficult for you to garner diplomacy with other nations for this fact alone." Mera, clad in a bodysuit of what appears to be modified iridescent turquoise scales, and a golden tiara bearing a chevron akin to the one at the yoke of her waist, looks pensively toward Lorna, her brow slightly furrowed, but she continues, in her distinct and unique accent, harkening toward not only another place, but perhaps another time.

"The complication arises in that such actions, continuing unchecked and unopposed in any manner other than words, may still pose a threat to any nation or people to whom you have appealed."

Aquaman has posed:
Arthur's eyes narrow at Lorna's offer. He continues watching the young, green-haired mutant when Mera speaks the exact thoughts on his mind.

"Unless you are telling us your father is no longer King," Arthur adds. "He is Genosha. Or he is not."

Polaris has posed:
Lorna exhaled a shaky breath, her gaze lowering, though not completely dropping from the royal couple in front of her. Rather, she seemed to be collecting herself, or her thoughts. She paused for a beat, two, as she considered her response to frankly, exactly what she had expected. "I understand fully the complications that tie any alliance with my people, and Genosha as a result of my father's actions. He is still King, if he has not completely abandoned us to his crusade." It was something Magneto had done repeatedly throughout his life.

Wanda. Pietro. Herself. And as Lorna spoke those words, she felt it. The sense of betrayal that had been boiling in her chest since her father's announcement. A returned sense of hurt and abandonment.

"But I would beg your majesties' mercy on my people. Genosha is not at war as my father is. Genosha's people wish for nothing more than to live out their lives in peace and safety. We are a nation of refugees. Not a nation of soldiers." She murmured, her voice becoming impassioned the further she went on.

Aquawoman has posed:
"As are all people beneath a ruthless dictator, yet diplomacy with those nations benefits only those who are allowed to partake of its spoils." Mera looks to Arthur with a conflicted expression, for what seems like a long moment, and then back to Lorna. "It is clear that the people of Genosha need aid, protection, and peace of mind. Of course the decision ultimately rests with my Betrothed," she says as her glance slides to Arthur. "But you must understand that such offers come at the risk of creating an enemy state, because it would need to somehow circumvent the ruling hand, and such undermining creates a rift that cannot be undone except through complete and utter defeat of that ruler."

Aquaman has posed:
"Well said," Arthur says evenly, affirming Mera's words. Arthur lets go of the Trident, which remains up right in its place. He leans forward, arms braced against his legs.

"Atlantis has friends it /will/ help, and enemies it will demonstrate its great strength to," Arthur says sternly. "We have the means to remove the threat your King poses to world peace. No matter how noble protecting mutants is. Both of you must understand this. The sea is merciless once riled, and so am I."

Arthur straightens. "I would prefer a friendly Genosha, ruled by one I could respect. But as it stands there is nothing to discuss. Your King has been warned. The world is watching," Arthur says. He pauses a moment, as if carefully considering his next words.

"I pray to the gods further deterrence is not need, or you will find the might of Atlantis upon your shores ensuring the peace and security your King has so recklessly threatened. If that day comes, it would be wise not to resist the driving winds, but to bow before Poseidon. Those who do not will be swept away and set adrift."

Polaris has posed:
Lorna's clasped hands trembled in her grip, her grip which was white knuckled by now with the tension running through her hands. Mera's words held her breath in sway, which was only cut off completely by the King of Atlantis' own. She exhaled a rough breath, her shoulders rising and falling with it as she met his gaze evenly with her own as he leaned forward. Her own gaze was a mirror of the sea in the tropics, of electrical currents in the night's sky.

In one smooth move, Lorna's frame lowered, sweeping out the translucent cape that fluttered behind her as she lowered herself to her knees. Her hands still clasped before her in her trembling grip.

"My people already fear the skies, they watch daily for the Sentinels to wipe us out. Regardless of my father's actions of late or not.." She swallowed a lump that formed in the back of her throat and choked her breath.

"We have no safe harbor beyond Genosha's shores in any country on this planet. Please. I beg your mercy. Do not throw your wrath and anger on my people for my father's actions. Do not make us fear the seas as we do the skies. Do not drown my people in the one place they've made to call home."

Aquaman has posed:
Arthur smiles a bit and tilts his head. His look is more patient than threatening.

"None dare attack the territory of Atlantis or its armies wherever they find themselves," Arthur observes. "Your people would fear nothing from the skies under our possession, and we would not relinquish possession while Magneto remains your King. Not after the affront to our friends."

Arthur leans back. "I imagine such an invasion would be a very brief, even peaceful thing if Genosha's wise Council were to yield. We are not savages. Of course, if there is nobody ready to succeed Magneto and lead Genosha into a peaceful future," Arthur spreads his hands. "Then the whole discussion is moot. And the warning I have given stands."