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"It is mine." Alli stepped forward from shadows that nobody had seen her slip into. The noise died down once more as the diplomats awaited instruction.
Or at least it did for a split second.
"What is this travesty of a diplomatic mission?" demanded Angawen coldly. "We were informed that we would be negotiating a treaty pertaining to immigration laws. I do not know why are you wasting our time with such trivial matters as these."
Alli met the woman's glare calmly, smiling at her with infuriating politeness.
"Lady Tupsè, I assure you that these matters are of the utmost importance. Just because you are ignorant of their cruciality to these proceedings means nothing of the truth of it. Have you ever seen oxygen, and yet do you breathe it? I suspect that if our world were comprised of only what you know, it would fit within this room and perhaps need to wear a helmet lest it hurt itself."
Alli stood straight, an amused glint dancing in her eyes. She shouldn't have said it, but she couldn't resist. She'd just received news that shook her calm. How could she expect these talented, if often disagreeable, people to do their job when they were still uncertain of what it was? And more importantly, how could Alli do the same?
Roggie had come to her moments ago in a rage, ranting over the latest group of Mordorians to escape. They had been spotted crossing the border and when followed, they were seen joining an armed guard of Gondorian soldiers. Short-staffed, Roggie's guardians of Cirith Ungol had been unable to pursue and reclaim the illegals. Roggie had recieved the message only this morning. Sixty-seven escapees. Sixty-seven. Intolerable, and that Mardil was helping them!
He'd come to Alli, telling her to call off the discussions that had only just begun, informing her harshly that her new assignment was to augment her Gondorian spy network, imprison the delegates, and perhaps torture them, though not necessarily in that order. She was at a loss for what to do. Yet she must do something, and so she had slipped quietly through a back entrance to the deliberating chambers and listened to each person speak, holding back laughter over Skittles's antics.
Now... now something must be done to calm Roggie.
"It is my turn." she repeated. "There has been a new development. Discussion that, I will admit, has not exactly begun, has been stalled. Gondorian delegates are as of right now confined to their quarters with the exception of Malfoidacil." She continued loudly, interrupting several cries of outrage. "He has already been allowed free passage between countries. He is not a visiter, he is a dual citizen. Ergo, he is well suited for the favor I am about to ask him; one that I am certain none of you will feel any jealousy over.
"It is for your own safety that you have been restricted to the level of the castle in which your suites are located. You may freely move between them, however you will be met by guards should you try to leave the general area. I do not suggest it. Malfoidacil, please stay. Skittles, Maika, and of course Ms. Martinet, please stay as well. Everyone else is dismissed. Mordorians, go on your way; have adventures should you feel the need. You will be summoned when you are needed. Gondorians, you will be escorted upstairs to your rooms. Talk, complain, interact... do what you will. But do not stray far."
Alli watched several angry diplomats stand and gather their belongings. The door opened and an armed guard stood to escort them. When they were gone, the Mordorians also dispersed, presumably to have a good time somewhere. When Alli turned back from the door, Dracomir, Maika, and Skittles looked at her curiously and even Ms. Martinet seemed slightly less austere than usual. Alli cut to the clichèd chase.
"Roggie just got word of a large number of escapees. He is not happy. He's called off negotiations and forbade me from trying to convince him to restart them. However he did not remember to forbid me from getting other people to talk to him. I want the three of you to talk him around. You are free to refuse. Ms. Martinet will preside to guarantee safety and to take notes. What say you all?"
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