Kal nods politely from the side of Sora, "As was said before, you have allies here." His eyes blue, tinged with green.

Moira

Persuasion : 24 If advantage or disadvantage applies 8

Khorzik studies each person room carefully before addressing the queen. "We do not seek to ingratiate ourselves to the throne beyond employment. It seems to me that instead of accusing us of.." Khorzik makes a face of disgust at having to quote such a banal term.."worming our way into your good graces that you should offer recompense for the service we have already provided. What value does the throne place on the life of the princess?"

The Queen listened to everyone's words carefully, and for a moment seemed to calm and warm up to the group. She seemed as though she might say something to that effect, but at Khorzik's request for payment her face almost immediately became a cold, hard mask. "Oh, so only interested in payment? Then allow me to answer you in kind. The payment for saving the Princess's life is that you are all not being arrested and tossed in a dungeon for trespassing into the Castle. If you're only after gold, then we are finished here. I need allies, not mercenaries. I dare not trust you when you can just as easily be bought by my enemies."

Moira

”Please pardon Khorzik? Of course we expect no payment for simply doing the right thing. And of course we understand that you have little reason to trust us. We know that some of our actions leave the wrong impression. Some of us sneaking into parts of the castle we did not belong, our having been paid by Hakon, my own choice to use magic where it was not allowed. Rest assured we are not just in it for the coin. Or else we would have simply agreed to Hakon’s terms to come after you and Konor. We truly do wish to see justice done here and are convinced for now that means seeing you on throne. All that said. Khorzik does have a point that we also need to be able to live and will be putting ourselves in danger. This does usually dictate payment for our services. But those to come not past acts.”

Persuasion : 23

Nemeia has remained quiet as she often does when situations get tense. She was thankful that the meeting had been arranged and had grown more comfortable with everything until the queen became upset at the mention of payment. 

She wasn't sure how to calm the rising tension. Cali could sense Nemia's discomfort and nestled against her leg. 

Moira

”Whether you decide to trust us or not we plan on investigating Linthe and continuing to look for the truth of what happened to your mother.”

I suppose it's quite difficult to trust us, Witt says quietly.  After all, some of us don't really know each other very well yet, and we're all sort of new at this.  But I'm very sorry that your family is in danger, and I promise that I really do want to help, and I think the others do too.  If it makes any difference, I tried to come and speak to you at the palace, he says to Konor, but, well, I'm not very good at sneaking or telling lies so I couldn't think of a way to reach you. 

But I did spend some time in the kitchens talking to your servants.  They care a lot about you, you know.  And that's important, because you can learn a lot about people from how they treat those with less power.  I wanted to help you before, but I learned that you're good and kind people and that makes me want to help you more.  The offer is there.  Please do consider it.

He looks a little embarrassed.  Oh, sorry, I think I'm supposed to call you 'Your Majesty'?  , he says to the Queen.  Or maybe 'Your Grace'?  I'm not very good with titles, you see.  

"To clarify what my companion is trying to say." Sora said trying not to sound too frustrated while eyeing Khorzik with a look that he would hopefully interpret as 'Just go with it.', "He simply meant to confirm that we're just not interested in the throne. We're not here to play you for some political advantage, in fact we're very much trying to avoid exactly that. But you're right, we shouldn't be expecting paying for doing the right thing. I'm sorry about that. Given the choices you gave us, I'd much rather be the ally you're looking for. ... So long as it's not a political one." She paused for a moment as she considered the best way to proceed. "We're here to work with you, and as a show of good faith we're bringing you some valuable information. That fake 'Duke' Hakon is after your throne, that much is obvious, but you've probably been trying to figure out how he plans to take it. Us being here is a piece of that puzzle, he wants you distracted looking out for us. Which means his actual move will be coming from somewhere else. That's what you need to watch out for. I have a hunch the assassination attempt was part of that. That whole mess stunk of a setup. Hakon really wanted us at that party which was coincidentally the same time the assassin went after the princess. That's why we want to be there when you interrogate the assassin. We need to make sure what the connection is, if any."

Kal nods politely to Konor and gives a greeting in giant, "Well met from shared interests." He continues in common, "If it is not out of turn, may I ask Sir Konor's assessment? A warrior can often tell another's intent better from watching than listening. The Goliath's I have grown up with have keen insights on when to trust and when to attack." 

The Eladrin pulls his hood and cowl away to expose his neck. His skin is mottled with pale grey and vibrant patches of green. The colors seemingly shifting at war with each other over claim of the whole. Similarly his hair seems to be half inky black and half forest green, the stands randomly interwoven. Kal pulls his scimitars from their sheaths and holds them as if presenting then to Konor. At the same time he drops to a knee and bows his head in a position of submission. 

"If you believe us to be simple mercenaries with intent to harm this most beau," He stops himself as if warring internally, "... our Lady then strike me down. But promise my blades be returned to my people."

Enalie seems at first to be fairly receptive to most everyone's words. Or at the very least she's not further upset by anything else being said. However it is with Witt's genuine sincerity and heartfelt words of kindness that the queen's features truly begin warming up. She unconsciously smiles slightly as she responds to the halfling, "Like I said, you don't need to worry about titles. I appreciate the effort though. And ... thank you. It's nice to be reminded that people still care. That was ... actually something my mother instilled in me. She was always kind to everyone she could be. Always wanted to make life better for her people."

As the queen falls silent and Kal addresses the Goliath in the room, there is a very obvious wave of recognition passed over Konor's eyes when he looks over the blades presented before him. "So you are Kal'dorath? Good. I recognize your honor, warrior. There is no need to bare your neck to me. You ask for my assessment, I say I agree with your words. You are no mere simple mercenaries. But you have proven your resolve to me, and I am confident none of you care to lay a hand on the throne. I cannot say that I fully trust you, however, that is a mountain that is far more difficult to climb. If it wasn't then it would not be worthwhile."

Moira

Moira tries to continue the path Witt started and also remind the Queen of whatever her friends had said to make her believe this meeting worth the risk. ”Yes everyone we have spoken to had positive things to say of your mother. And your friends are very loyal to you and worried as well. We have told what we know and what our current plans are. Is there something more you wish us to know? Or another course of action you...recommend? Or any other aid you can give to our hunt?”

Kal let's a small reserved smile cross his lips, "I would not believe you if you said you trusted us. Not yet at least."

The swordsman stands in the same motion of storing his weaponry. As the bold move seems to have won some favor,  a battle for his current state also seems to settle. The hue of his skin settles into a rich golden color, the green from earlier accenting the shadowed areas of his features. His hair also turns a bright golden with dark highlights of forest green. Finally his eyes settle to vibrant glowing green. 

Gosh, says Witt to Kal.  That's absolutely fascinating.  The eyes and hair, I mean.  Do you control it?  Or does it just reflect how you are feeling?  

Khorzik listens to the exchange carefully, displaying no emotion at the queen's response. "I do not rescind my request for payment. However, I will abide by the decisions of my superiors. I remain confused about the nature of our relationship. How can you secure allies if, as you stated originally, they cannot desire your good will and, as your response indicates, you will not pay them?"

Edges of 9’s lips begin to raise as she hears Khorzik speak once again, before she forces herself to stop smiling. It seems to her that the situation is swinging and the Queen’s initial position has not dramatically shifted. She raises an eyebrow at Kal’s colourful transformation, wondering if that is something all elves can do. 

 “I think what we are trying to say is that we are all in agreement regarding our position as your allies, and we are perfectly willing to help bring jusctice to whoever hired this assassin and is responsible for the initial assassination, be it this woman, or Hakon, or otherwise. That much is clear. As we established just now, none of us sees the throne as a target. In actuality, some of us just want to gain more knowledge, some of us just want to kill that woman, and some of us want justice to be executed. This meeting was a risk for you, but you already are here, and you are alive, and we are willing to help. Of course, you decide if you need allies as us is after you. But I don’t see many other options for you.”, 9 spoke when she found a convenient period of silence, trying to speak directly to the Queen and express that 9 understands how she feels, and this is how 9 thinks Enalie should approach this. Her tone is less suggestive and friendly, and more addictive and neutral. 

Kal looks at Witt quizzically, then looks down to his hand and a little realization crosses his features. With a warm smile he explains quietly, "It is a reflection of my connection with the Fey. My people share an emotional bond with the seasons. So much so that it changes our actual physical nature." He flexes his hands giving a curious tilt to his head and then a lingering glance at the Queen. "Certain stimuli can force a change in season."

 The queen eventually levels her gaze over at 9 as she thoughtfully considers everything said thus far, "Very well, should we decide to move forward with your assistance, what exactly would you need from us at the moment? I think it would be to both our benefits if we leave any investigation on your part as unofficial and disconnected from Royal sanction, at least to the public eye. Even ignoring the issue of trust, it also avoids dealing with certain political implications. Right now everyone will think you are working on behalf of Count Hakon on an independent investigation. Should people discover you're working towards our favor then our enemies will all become yours. If this Linthe is the villain you say she is then we can begin to investigate her on our end as well. But you seem already headed in that direction, so I'm not sure what else you would need from us."

Moira

"I think what might be most helpful to us is information. What ever you might know about Linthe and what she is capable of. She has some arcane abilities at least. And is in league with Count Hakon. But this is all we know. What does she say she is here for? What if anything have your investigators discovered about her? And if I am sorry as I understand this will be a difficult subject...Know the details of your mothers death might be useful."

"Also the other thing we'll need is what we've already asked for. We'll need to talk to that assassin. Or at least we should be present during the investigation. But the more access you can provide the better our investigation will go."