( NPC LOG ) WORLD JUMP # 1: EL MINHA.

[kathashun]

𝚔𝚊𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚜𝚑𝚞𝚗
𝚜𝚘𝚕𝚎 𝚜𝚘𝚗 𝚘𝚏 𝚕𝚊𝚝𝚎 𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚔𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚊𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚛
𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚓𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚕 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚛𝚎𝚍 𝚍𝚎𝚜𝚎𝚛𝚝
𝚋𝚎𝚑𝚘𝚕𝚍𝚎𝚛 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚋𝚕𝚎𝚜𝚜𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚙𝚑𝚘𝚎𝚗𝚒𝚡
𝚠𝚒𝚎𝚕𝚍𝚎𝚛 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚙𝚘𝚠𝚎𝚛𝚜 𝚘𝚏 𝚘𝚕𝚍
𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚛𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚏𝚞𝚕 𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚐𝚞𝚊𝚛𝚍𝚒𝚊𝚗 𝚝𝚘 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚕𝚊𝚗𝚍𝚜 𝚘𝚏 𝚎𝚕 𝚖𝚒𝚗𝚑𝚊.

[ kathashun, throughout the duration of your stay in el minha, can be found in a plethora of locations in the city. whether he approaches you is a luck of the odds, apparently . . . but if you approach him, he certainly won't turn you away.

additionally, it may also be hard to spot him, because while he is very easy to place near the palace, in his deep purple robes and constant crown guard presence, he is not so easy to place elsewhere . . . mostly because, for the sake of some amount of privacy, he ditches the royal colors and instead wanders around in a loose outfit with a white linen hooded cloak, much like the rest of his people, to blend in.

some opportunities to see him, though (and some information to gather, should you ask the guard), are as follows: ]

( A ) The Palace:

[ king kathashun does not allow people inside the royal palace. should you ask the crown guard why, they will explain (in terse terms, as the king has instructed the guard to answer questions reasonably) that the late king was murdered, and security is on high alert. no one is allowed inside the palace without express written permission from king kathashun himself, and if you don't have that? piss off.

however, king kathashun can be found on the grounds (with constant guard presence). conversations here will likely be short, as the guard is protective and unwilling to allow you too close to the king. after a few minutes or so, they will likely tell you to fuck off. but you're welcome to try! ]

( B ) The Fight Ring:

[ should you wander to the fight ring, you can find kathashun dressed in (still nice, but not super nice) linens with a cloak, watching the fighting and sparring below. he seems to be scanning the crowd with his eyes, and should you approach him, he will happily speak with you. but he may also approach you first, with a knowing smile, and a finger to his lips, should you recognize him. his hood is still up, but quietly: ]

Are you here to challenge the Champion?

[ judging from the look in his eyes, kathashun seems 100% prepared to encourage your entrance into the contest, but who knows? you might be misreading him. ]

(C) The Casino/Syndicate Territory:

[ the one place you will not find kathashun is the casino, due to the rampant syndicate presence here, and the current war between the two.

that being said, you may find a man wandering through the streets in syndicate territory asking people of their needs. he is dressed in dark clothing, atypical for the desert heat, but doesn't seem to be bothered by the sun. instead, he is asking the citizens questions.

do they have enough food? what do you want the crown to provide more of? are you safe here?

and should you approach this man, he appears to be in his late-forties, but he won't be interested in speaking with you. ]

Later, later, enough --

[ absent dismissals when you approach him, and he brushes past you, heading down a nearby alley.

do you want to follow him? ]

Comments

[kathashun]

"Were you?"

It definitely piques Kathashun's interest, as he takes half a step closer, to keep their conversation relatively private. But as he looks back over at the ring, he seems to hum in agreement with Shiro's next statement.

"Plenty of people come to watch and learn and hope the Champion steps out of the shadows to face down someone who has won a plethora of bouts." Kathashun pauses for a moment before he slides his hands into the pockets of his robes. "I am not built for something like this, but if I were, I would go for the knees."

It's said with a modicum of experience. A hint, or a joke? The world may never know.

[spaceforged]

"The knees is a good one. But I was talking about how the ring is handled." He turns to face it, a dark shadow passing over his face. Shiro keeps his voice low so the conversation remains private. He hasn't advertised any of his past and the only one reason it's coming up now is it matters to the situation. "It's all voluntary. No one ill-suited enters and everyone is mostly on equal footing." When he'd heard this city had a ring he had to see it. He would never support anyone who let people be forced onto the sand. "I wouldn't have minded wearing the title in a place like this."

It would have been his choice to have it. He leans back, rolling his shoulders back. "But you have my curiosity. What is the Champion like?"

[kathashun]

Kathashun listens, genuinely curious about otherwolders, whenever they arrive . . . but at the question, he offers a slight roll of his eyes toward the Ring once more. A Crowned Royal, Kathashun is still only twenty-three, at the most. Occasionally, he acts it.

"Not much is known about them to the general public, but I have the misfortune of knowing them -- him, personally." Kathashun pauses, rolling those words around on his tongue for a moment or two. "He is beloved by the lower ends of society, and is responsible for whipping up quite an amount of contention against the Crown, and my Throne."

Kathashun pauses again before he allows a sigh to escape through his teeth. He doesn't sound exceptionally bothered or offended or aggravated of this so-called Champion; it's something of an exasperated fondness, but only barely there, peeking around the edges of someone who is extraordinarily in control of every word and emotion he shows and says.

"But he is a good person, albeit naive. Impulsive and rash, with good intentions. I imagine that is why he is so good at what he does, in this place. He tends to just do it without thinking, much like everything else."

[spaceforged]

He raises an eyebrow but doesn't push. There's something there. He's only slightly older than this king and just as meticulous about controlling every word he says or emotion he shows. He's just not sure that's what is going on here. When in doubt, focus on the words. He crosses his arms over his chest.

What to ask? Well. "From your words...this person is high up in the syndicate if not the head of it?" He ventures, cautiously. He could have made the wrong assumption but this is good information none the less. "How do you know each other if you don't mind my asking. If you do, you don't have to answer me." Friends? Maybe they had been allies before everything happened.

[kathashun]

There's a slight pursing of Kathashun's lips, at the question, and he frowns at Shiro -- clearly weighing out how much to say, and how much to hide. But after a moment or two, he exhales, and replies, "I am not sure of his role in the Syndicate; you would have to ask him. He does not tell me such things."

Certainly a level of familiarity, in the statement, and perhaps a hint of bitterness.

"We grew up together, he and I. But we had very different paths, from the start. Perhaps that is why he has chosen the life that he has. The people certainly seem to love him all the more for it."

[spaceforged]

Shiro glances at him, weighing what he just heard. This is a complicated situation. Former friends that separated paths. Two factions. And a city caught in the middle. "He doesn't talk to you are all these days?" It could be they still talk but that hint of bitterness in his tone.

He hears a sound below and turns his head to see what it is. Ah. The previous bout has come to a close. His gaze sweeps over the fighters. "I'm assuming I have to prove my worth down there to get a meeting with him. Is that right?" Back on the sand.

He'd do what he must.

[kathashun]

"He'll likely be more inclined to meet you if you succeed in the Ring."

It's in quiet agreement, as Kathashun glances towards Shiro. He's skipped over his first question, but only temporarily. He's simply weighing out how much he wants to say.

"We talk." It's not short and terse on purpose, but Shiro can likely imagine how the conversations are. But his tone shifts to something a little more dry, as he continues. "I try to see his point of view, he refuses to see mine. A typical stand-off of perspective."

[spaceforged]

He faces the ring. It doesn't take much to imagine it bigger, with pillars, and the crowd roaring for death instead of who they favor. Go back into the ring and convince a Champion to talk with him by proving his worth.

Again.

But they can't make accurate calls of judgment if he doesn't see both sides of this. He lets out a slow breath. He looks down at his metal hand and sighs. "I imagine that's really frustrating. It's a shame he won't see your point or at least try to compromise?"

[kathashun]

"Something like that."

Kathashun pauses before he takes a few steps closer, to get a better look into the Ring.

"He's a worthy opponent, the Champion, and he generally doesn't approach people outside of the Ring. But that might change, given the state of the city. He tends to hang around here, though you won't know who he is until he introduces himself as such."

The Champion likes his secrets.

[spaceforged]

He nods, his voice lower. "That's how I'd do it. I'll be sure to give my best in there." He crosses his arms over his chest and studies the Ring itself. The ground gives no advantage to anyone. Good.

He pauses and turns to Kathashun. Despite how tense he feels at the idea of fighting again, he's grateful and it shows on his face. "Thank you for all you've told me. I promise I'm not here to cause any sort of trouble." His gaze sweeps the entire arena and he says, quieter yet just for the two of them. "I'm trying to understand what I walked into. I'm Shiro, by the way. And I know how it is to deal with a best friend who is stubborn."

The last is a bit serious and a bit of a joke. Keith isn't as much trouble as he appears to be but that guy has a hard head.

[kathashun]

"I wish it was so simple," the King replies, a bit tiredly as he keeps his eyes trained on the Ring, watching the individuals straying in and out of the fighting arena -- some being carried out, some leaping in to attempt to fight to victory. "But I will heed your words."

Kathashun pauses before glancing toward Shiro.

"Kathashun." The introduction is unnecessary, at this point, but Kathashun feels it's only appropriate to return the favor, as Shiro has given his name. "I appreciate your candor."

didn't realize i forgot to hit send

[spaceforged]

"You've done a lot to accommodate to us. Least I could is be honest with you." He smiles just a bit. "I know nothing is simple. Especially for one in your position. And he in his. ...but maybe, we can all find a better way."

He spots a flash of black in the crowds and his expression softens a hair. "Speaking of friends, I should go locate my best friend. Again thank you, I hope we get to talk like this again some time soon."

it happens!

[kathashun]

There's a slight pause, at Shiro's departing words, and he almost seems to want to ask a question . . . but Kathashun seems to think better of it, and he inclines his head in a slight bow, with half a smile.

"Of course. You know where to find me."

He inclines his head slightly, toward the direction of the Palace.

"If the Guard is in a good mood that day, anyway."

[spaceforged]

He pauses at that a question of his own forming. He decides to ask. "Is there a way they'd allow me through to speak to you even if they weren't?" He could just soar over the walls but that as he has always said when that kind of suggestion comes up, will not work or build good relations.

"...and if you have any questions of me I don't mind sticking around longer. My friend and I are sharing a room. I can always talk to him later." Yet he does want to make sure Keith didn't knee jerk at the sight of an Arena. He has less control over his brakes than Shiro does.

[kathashun]

"The Guard has been on edge, since the death of the late King. I'm afraid sneaking past them is something only I am capable of."

But Kathashun raises a hand, waving a few fingers, almost dismissing Shiro's suggestion.

"No, seek your friend. This is a new city, for you all. You should stick together, in these times. Particularly if you plan to enter the ring."

[spaceforged]

Shiro nods and steps back. He does intend to walk into the Ring. That's exactly why he needs to find Keith first. He can easily see how fast he'd flip if he saw him fighting before he knew why.

"Alright." He nods and gives a small wave of his own. "I hope you run into yours today too." He adds, as he turns and departs scanning the crowds for the familiar lines of one Keith, former Paladin of Voltron.