# 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.

  A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  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.