# Ch. 28: Strategic seating
F1 was shook after reading ten percent of the book.
F6: Are you fine? You're shivering a bit.
F1: To be h-honest, not really.
J: What a loser, you didn't even finish!
F1: H-how about we go back to the inn?
G: Yeah, sure thing.
After returning to the inn, F1 sat on F6's lap.
F6: Shhh, it's ok.
J: I want you to think long and hard about it, then make your own conclusions.
F1: Can I conclude that nothing occurred?
Z: Do not make us answer that.
F3: At least what I see is that Freya would be a good mother.
F6: I just like hugging vulnerable people. It reminds of me.
F5: More like a good smother, amirite?
Crickets.
Not literally of course, as it wasn't the right season.
F3: Just in case, what would be our next mission?
G: You can relax for now. Strip bare if you want.
F4: Really?
J: Yes, just wait a few days while we infiltrate the commission.
F5: Don't mind if I do then.
F5 started pulling off his clothes.
G: First close the curtains, man!
They all stripped down.
F2: Wow, it's kinda hot in here.
Z: Since it gets more sun that the island, it should be.
F6: How didn't we notice earlier?
Z: Active suit refrigeration?
F5: And what in damnation is that supposed to mean!?
Z: *sigh*
After a bit of discussion, the furry creatures got AC.
Z: You should eventually adapt and shed your fur.
J: And leave a mess on the carpet? They're good like this.
F6: So, I saw some fox-people, but they were super tiny. Why's that?
J: Because you're tall as fuck.
Z: You are about half a metre taller than an average man,
while even more so with fox-people.
F4: But aren't we the same species?
G: Not really. You're more like cousins.
Z: Remember we derived you from literal foxes,
while normal fox-people are just born that way.
J: I'm pretty sure that normal fox-folk don't smell for example,
Or at least not as bad as you.
F2: I didn't see anyone run away...
J: That's because the suits are airtight.
Now they aren't renting this room to anyone else.
G: I guess that's a strategical advantage though.
After training around for a day or two, (They weren't NEETs)
The featherless bipeds did some infiltration too.
J: Alright, finally! The day has come!
F6: Friday has come?
J: That's beside the point!
J: A managed to get a hold on a mole who could talk directly with the king,
and I gave you a very good referral.
F5: Sounds nice.
J: you will be going to the capital for some
disgusting tea with the disgusting king.
G: By the way, are you OK, Faber?
F1: Yes. I finished reading too.
J: What if I told you it wasn't a work of fiction?
F1: I wouldn't know what to answer.
F6: When are we going anyways?
G: Apparently, we should be on our way in about ten minutes.
F4: How?
Z: News travel fast when you are important.
There should be a carriage in front of that building.
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F4: And why didn't you tell us earlier!?
J: It was five minutes ago, cut me some slack.
G: They can wait a bit, but please dress up fast.
J: And before that, you have get some supplies we left at the beach.
F2: So we just go to the beach naked?
J: UGH!
Miraculously,
they managed to get everything done while making the
carriage wait only a slightly insulting amount of time.
After that, they went on their way.
The carriage went surprisingly fast. Car fast.
F2: How do the horses go so fast?
14: I'm afraid that's a trade secret, miss.
F3: And how do we not feel the bumps in the road?
14: That's also a trade secret, mister.
Z: Such secrecy is an insult to science.
J: Calm your tits! No one cares about science in here.
Also, you foxes remember that we don't exist, and nobody likes questions,
so shut the fuck up.
F2: :-(
G: Don't be so mean.
J: I just say what they need to hear.
G: Have you explained the plan to them?
J: Uhhh...
Master strategist forgets to tell the plan to his followers.
The requirements of such a statement are not fulfilled.
G: You'll need the supplies we gave you at the beach.
First, there is a bottle filled with a "special cocktail".
Z: It's harder than two-hundred proof because of the opioids.
G: You'll offer some drinks to the king,
since being drunk will make his defenses go down.
G: So as to not fall with him,
you'll eat some antitoxin snacks before leaving the carriage.
Z: They have naltrexone, thiamine and caffeine in them.
G: Apparently his place is fitted out with altered matter,
so no one will see what we did as long as nothing goes wrong.
J: With emphasis on the "If you don't fuck it up".
Just keep up the small-talk while I do my job and we should be fine.
G: If you understood please nod-
J: You fool! We can read their minds!
They later went to the king's room for a casual meeting.
Nominally tall, with some gold, and a presence that unintentionally appalled.
At least for people who didn't like royalty, that is.
K306: Good evening, sirs!
F1,F3-5: Good evening.
K306: Hahaha! And ladies too!
F2&6: Good evening.
K306: *sits down* A fellow man of me recommended you,
and as I can already tell, you don't disappoint.
F1: Of course sir, how could good servants fail?
K306: Nay, for they would stop being good.
F3: A most astute observation.
K306: He said you would bring me some "exotic gift"
F5: But again of course sir. Here it is, a drink from our lands.
F4: It would be most honourable if you were to share it with us.
K306: And I definitely will, but before let me ask from where you are.
F6: Oh, his majesty, we are from far up north,
raised from the lands around the great lake of yore.
K306: Ah, the far north, such a far away place.
Most will say that we are enemies with the great expanse,
but the truth is that we only mind those who attack us.
K306: Wouldn't it be mad to blame infinities of men for the folly of the few?
F3: But of course, his wise majesty. May we share a drink?
K306: Cheers. *clink*
May I then ask, why have you come here?
F2: It's very simple sir,
our king wanted to make sure that we would be on good terms with you.
K306: Why then, didn't he come to see me?
F3: As you know, the travel here is long and risky.
Even with his powers, he could not leave the land nor risk his life.
K306: The more powerful you are, the more people will rely on you.
K306: It makes sense then, to place the load on those down below.
F1: I must say, you're a very sharp man. Another drink?
K306: But of course! *drinks another shot* Mmmm... This is very strong.
F2: Does his majesty find something wrong with the royal gift?
K306: No, of course not!
As a royal life is more relied upon, it must not risk itself.
F3: We are glad that you could understand, your majesty.
F4: We have this one all the time on our place.
K306: In that case, you can hold your drinks really well.
F2: Another drink?
K306: Sure.
K306: As I can see, your land has some rather exotic and beautiful people.
Would any of these be interested in a diner with me?
F6 looked to the side.
K306: Of course, I jest! Where would my manners be in such a case?
F4: Uhh, by the way, you haven't told us your name, his majesty.
K306: I have many names, yet you may know me as Gallant Dale.
Then they got him really drunk.