The Second.... Thingy

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Welcome, outlanders, to the throne room of (presently unconscious) King Alxis of Glazingstoke. The lilac-colored eyes of the sorcerous Prince Joffrey fix with unnerving penetration upon the party of outlanders as he clasps his beloved father to his breast. Limned he is by the last of his flames; their low ebb purples the face of the slumbering king. The echoes of deep magic swirl in the room and color the sunlight that streams through the windows.

"Explain yourselves." He commands. It is the tone of someone who is used to being obeyed immediately.

Behind him, about him, a few guards are coming around from their poisonous nap. Groggy blinking; clumsy, sleep-swollen hands fumbling to check upturned helmets, or grasp weapons, or smooth ruffled feathers. A muffled "wut happnd" slurs from someone's numb lips. Two piles of black ash smoulder silently upon the dais.

(Free-for-all response)

Comments

Wow I am a winner. REPLIES TO THE OPENING SCENE GO HERE

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RIGHT HERE!

SECOND STEP

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At Joffrey's manly breast, the king stirs. His hands clutch at his son's robes. Just as Joffrey begins to speak to him, to tend to him, Alxis yawns tremendously. The leathery lids of his eyes prop open.

"...Joffrey..." He smiles in a hitching halfassed way. "My boy...."

Joffrey smiles back as warmly, relief plain upon his features. "I'm here, father. You're safe now."

"Safe?... We're in the throne room..." The color drains from his face. "Danger? Assassins? Assassins?!" He begins to rouse himself, struggling free of Joffrey's embrace. "Thieves! Regicide!"

Joffrey starts to explain, but gets no further than "The Outlanders," before the king's dark glare falls - quite literally, as his chin flops down on his breast - upon those at the end of the room.

"Get them... Seize them! Don't let them get away! Guards!"

If there is a delay in the pursuit of this order it's because only three fourths of the guards have come around and all of them are still groggy and half-sedated. Joffrey attempts to protest but the king bellows for capture with ever-waxing wakefulness! Nor are the awakening members of the audience and court nobles still - they have seen the Outlanders, and the bolder among them will even start pressing in.

There are two guards at the door that leads to the king's quarters, both sleeping still. The antechamber door is closer. At the door to the antechamber, there are two guards awake on the throne-room side - and six in the antechamber beyond. If there's any fighting, it is likely that Joffrey will be forced to join the fray

(Free for all response, though the team may wish to plan amongst itself)

FOR THE GUYS WHO SUBMITTED

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Joffrey's quarters.

The prince maintains a regal suite of rooms: aside from the bedroom and parlor (the latter of which is the one into which the prisoners are hustled,) a splendid library lays off to the east, and a commanding view of the sea absorbs the entire western wall of the parlor.

The parlor is tiled in alternating tiles of white marble and malachite, walled in stained oak, and an assortment of fancy, comfortable-looking furniture (couches, chairs, etc.) in carved oak and maroon leather are cozily placed with an eye to the view.

Joffrey himself is not far behind. Indeed when he sweeps into the room, handing off his staff to one guard and his gloves, signatory scarf, and signet of office upon his chain to another guard, he at once smiles kindly at his "guests."

"Please, sit. I do not share my father's... zeal. Perhaps some refreshments?"

He looks different when he's not scowling - a striking face, beautiful and sharp. Not very like his father's.