Herald: "The Court doth acknowledge the advent of Duchess Katiana Ariel Aiko of Great Spire Garden! Pray, advance forthwith; His Majesty anticipateth thy esteemed presence."

Kate- Don't see Gwen... an actual fucking court with a throne and all the shit... !!! No magnetism in here to keep us from bouncing? And there he is, the AR King. gotta 'dmit though, crown's a nice touch.

Cere- They seem to aim at creating a fairy court theme. Natural ivies, columns and statues made from imported marble from Earth, metallic drapery accents.

Kate- That's some obscene wealth, straight out of a VR. Not sure I would go for the fae decore if I were an autocrat though.

Cere- A spectacle of wealth indeed. Rivals ancient Earthly kings, or so the historical databases suggest. A spectacle of wealth and contentment, yet one wonders at its social cost.

Kate- Bet Gwen can't wait to be queen and redecorate. She never liked fantasy stuff much if I recall.

Cere- She was always more interested in wealth, fame and power.

Kate- Probably wants to be invited to all the rich kid's toga parties top side or have her own. That would be more her speed.

Arthur- Arthur: "Duchess Aiko, we are most heartened by thine arrival at our celebratory congregation. How didst thou fare on thy journey hither?"

Kate- Heartened, thine hither? What? That's some kind of arcane fuckery right there.

Cere- Think we need an inquisition to burn a witch?

Kate- Good one.

Arthur- "I trust our unique conveyance hath delivered thee with both swiftness and a scent most... fragrant?"

Kate- Fragrant? T's one way to describe unicorn farts.

"... Hum? Yes err... quite uneventful and hum... fragrant. You have an interesting place going on here."

Shit, I put my foot in it!

Arthur: "Mine domain is but a modest fief..."

Kate- Modest fief, my ass. Place screams look at me, 'm rich, louder than a freaking AR billboard.

Arthur- "yet 'tis with immense pride that I bear witness to my people's felicity. Thy mother..."

Kate- Called it, he's going to try to rope me in some alliance... Fuck!

Arthur: "...endeavoureth to cultivate the same, doth she not? Perchance, 'tis time our houses parleyed, wouldst thou not agree?"

Kate- Parley? This an old pirate VR now?

"House? I live in an underground apartment, your Majesty. But sure, if you want to connect the net between my crapy dome and here, that's up to you and the Council of Hundred and One though. Not exactly my department."

Chew on that idiotic answer for a while.

Arthur: "Ah, Lady Aiko, thy jest doth amuse, yet my words tread a path more solemn. When two houses of noble stature, such as ours, find their stars aligned, 'tis oft prudent that their matriarchs and patriarchs, in cordial concord, meet and parley. 'Tis not the merging of mere abodes I speak, but the intertwining of destinies."

Kate: "You could try to call her or go yourself, the Asstronaughty is quite safe."

And then she'll tell you to fuck yourself I bet... your majesty.

Arthur: "A monarch venturing forth alone wouldst invite certain... critiques. 'Tis not seemly."

Kate: Here we go, good enough for an alliance partnership, not good enough for basic respect as a human being.

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

Kate: "I'm not quite sure what Your Majesty means, I'm not educated in the affairs of governs. I'm just a humble gunslinger for hire."

Arthur: Sigh! "Mayhaps... I had presumed Lady Cherry had imparted the wisdom of statecraft unto thee, given her esteemed position... and thine. Guinevere hath spoken of such."

Kate: Gotta change the subject... Gwen, where you hiding?

"Where is Gwen, your Majesty?"

Arthur: "Fret not, thou shalt see her anon. She's presently engaged with the stylist, preparing for the nuptials."

Kate: Good, managed to manoeuvre away from that one.

"I wanted to thank you for the gift your majesty, though I'm unsure I'm worthy. An arcology and a title are quite a lot for someone like me. Are you sure this is proper?"

Arthur: "Nonsense, thou art Guinevere's last... active kinswoman and Lady Cherry's progeny. What is a mere arcology and duchy to the future sister-in-law of a king?"

Kate: Persistent bastard ain't he? His gift... All gift that glitters is Greek if you know what I mean. Noticed the change of tone?

Cere: He's getting fed up with the run-around already. Not a patient man.

Marcel: Small nudge

Kate: "Your Majesty, might I introduce to you my... friend, Sir Marcel Champagne? He's worked with me under fire."

Arthur: "Sir? Art thou bestowing upon him knighthood as thy vassal? Sir Marcel, is he thy man?"

Kate: "Errrrr, nope to both your Majesty, I'm sorry I'm not used to all that court stuff yet."

Arthur: "Merlin, my courtly sorcerer and friend, do we know this 'Sir' Champagne in our database? Does he have a reputation worthy of the title?"

Kate: Here's our wizard... looks like the image of a bony old man was right.

Cere: I'm not so sure Kate, this is a telepresence compandroid. I can tell a human is piloting it, but it isn't a cyborg, the infrared spectrum is off, and there is no brain case or other organic in it.

Merlin: "Yea, Your Majesty, he is a skilled warrior, serving under the banner of a legendary tactician known as Harold McNeil."

Arthur- "A warrior of repute, say you? The tales of your valour must be quite the sagas."

Marcel- "I'll be happy to share them with your Majezty, it would be an 'onneur. The battlefield 'az its own rulez, but in thiz court, I am but a humble barbarian."

Kate- Dude seems a bit too happy about the attention...

Cere- Like a dog getting a bone really.

Kate- Hope it won't become an issue.

Arthur: "Interesting, mayhaps I could entice thee to serve under mine own banner then, Sir Champagne? I will soon be in need of more knights and generals."

Merlin: "Sire, if I may interject, 'tis crucial I see them in my sanctum ere you speak further of such matters. We must exorcise the corporate demons lurking within their Cere! Lest they reveal our secrets to their infernal masters. And who knows what other truths might spill forth in the process."

Arthur: "Verily, Merlin, thy counsel is sage as ever. Proceed as thou must, for once again thy wisdom doth shield us. I shan't detain thee further. Pray, follow the sorcerer to his sanctum, Duchess."

Kate: *Nods* "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Merlin: "Pray, follow me."

Cere: Thou hast received a quest from the King: Trap thine daemon. Objective: Follow the wizard Merlin to his lair to banish the evil spirit from thy assistant brain implant and purify thine soul. Reward: A cleansed soul. Penalty: Imprisonment. Accept/Decline?

Kate: "Accept"