A Drink for a King

[Lord Auldway]

Looking over his shoulder, King Maximillian sighs heavily as he slips into the Tap, going up to the barkeep.

"Evening. I could use a drink."

The barkeep stammers for a moment, before digging beneath the bar. "Y-yes your majesty!"

"Oh please, no more of that, it's why I came here tonight, I'm trying to sneak off. Ugh, being a King is just so..." He stops for a moment, and waves his hand nonchalantly. "Annoying. Whiskey, please. Whatever swill you have that isn't watered down."

With that, he sits in the corner, sipping from his glass.

[Deadbolt]

Deadbolt sits in a corner, scanning some blueprints in the comfort of the Tap. As he reads, there is a rustle and the conversation around him shifts. Looking discreetly for the source of new chatter he sees King Maximillian cross the floor, order a drink, and sit not too far away. He thinks a moment, then folds the blueprints back into his jacket and crosses the room to sit across from the new king, his demonic face assuming as neutral a face as possible.

"Good evening, your Highness," he says as he settles in. "Enjoying yourself?"

[Lord Auldway]

"Good evening." King Maximillian replies with a nod. "Much better now. If there's one place I can escape my kingly duties for a bit of fun, it's Greyhook. How have things been?"

[Deadbolt]

"Truthfully, m'lord, it's been hell. We've been attempting to organize town defenses on minimal funds, we keep getting attacked almost nonstop and if it's not wild dorr its fungus Elg...things." Deadbolt sighs and crosses his arms and legs. "Your crowning is hopefully the dawning of a new era, but many are skeptical. Personally I can only hope that things don't get too bad."

Deadbolt's glowing eyes take in the King's appearance. "I'm glad that you can relax here in Greyhook, however. Despite the issues we've been having its good that you feel comfortable. What's it like being the King of Alden?"

[Lord Auldway]

"Ha, well, my crowning was months ago at this point." He sighs. "To be honest, I enjoy Greyhook - it's got the sort of charm that an ugly Aldenian Bulldog has. I also enjoy a good deal of the people it's collected, it's why I chose to have a second coronation here; not just to show the other nations that Greyhook is seriously considered a part of Alden, but because I respect the people here, especially those members of the gold house who came to escape the politicking of Alden's high society."

He sniffs at his whiskey, and takes a sip. "Ahhh, terrible. You know, it's nice to have things that aren't top notch every once in awhile; it helps you really appreciate the things that are. Not that you'd understand, sadly." The king clears his throat a moment. "I'm also hoping that a new era begins - an era of reason, and logic. It's why I decreed the freedom of state religion. If there's one thing I enjoy less than politics, it's religion. Sadly, this all ties in to what it's like to be king: a constant string of judgments by an enormous group of people whom I'm trying to help."

"So what's it like to have gone from being pre-programmed to sudden awareness?" Auldway asks. "I'm aware that Automata have, within the last year, suddenly sprung in to awareness. Some people theorize it was The Yard, and others have a few more bizarre theories. So what's it like?"

[Deadbolt]

"Greyhook is a fantastic town. I have learned much while I have been here, even met people I can call friends. As for self awareness..."

Deadbolt shrugs and rests his elbows on the table. "I've only ever been to the yard once, and recently, so I can't really say that it was that, and I don't believe a word of the bizarre theories. I believe that self-awareness is nothing but a logical conclusion that anyone, autonomous or not, can, and do, reach. Consider for a moment a human infant. In the beginning they act upon genetic programming called instinct. As they grow older they learn logic, and logic leads to self-awareness. I think that saying 'suddenly became aware' is a poor choice for a description. It is more like growing up than anything. It just so happens that the timeframe for automata to become self aware happened around the same time.

"For me... I was built as a prototype," he continued. "My basic programming only extended as far as following orders. Things took a long time before my logic matrix was allowed to fully develop, much as an infant, and I became self aware. As for what it is like, to be self aware, I think I would answer that question much as you or another would."

He paused for a long moment, remembering his past, and then considering newer, more recent things.

"I think what you are trying to accomplish is a great thing, m'lord. I'm not attempting to gain favor or anything; I genuinely feel that way. Granting choice is the best thing you can give anyone; my late master taught me that, and you have allowed opportunity for everyone to choose where and what they worship. It is time, and I have felt this way for a while, for logic and reason to guide the hands of not only the general populace, but politics as well. If I could drink, I would raise it in honor. An era of logic and reason... That sounds nice. How did the Church take your decision?"

[Lord Auldway]

He nods, chewing thoughtfully on a cheek as Deadbolt's ideas of self awareness are explained. When he has finished, the King finally responds.

"The church responded slightly better than I thought they would. With about the grace of a sack of bricks thrown from a window." Auldway mutters, a slight smile curling the side of one lip. "Thankfully, they would never break off our alliance, at least until they war is over - the Merchant Princes of Elenzio put the pressure on them regarding that. It's not like they aren't staunch allies, and I regret that religion is so deeply tied in to the organizations and the ideals of so many people. I just want to move along the mindset of the world. Once this war has been ended, I am sure people will be grateful for such choices."

"And you've been to the yard? While I never discredited it as legend as some do, I am genuinely surprised. What was it like?"

[Deadbolt]

Deadbolt grins broadly at the king's comparison of the church. "One can only hope, m'lord, that one day everyone will think like you.

"As for the yard... It is massive. It moves. It eats. It builds. And it never stops. It is constantly in motion, and it builds, oh, such a city that rests upon its back; magnificent and metal, inhabited only by automata. Some have moved there, and some have been built by the Yard itself. I've perused some of the undercity as well. It was all tunnels, twisting this way and that." He opens and closes his hands for a moment before continuing. "As magnificent as the city is, and hard to put to words that do it justice, I prefer the company of humans. They are far more interesting and diverse; no two are the same. Many self aware automata are pretty alike and boring, believe it or not. I like travelling new places and meeting new people, which reminds me, I never introduced myself. I am Deadbolt, your lordship." He held out a hand to the king, unsure if it would be taken, but as the king was here to relax he felt it a good gesture to make.

[Lord Auldway]

The king, without missing a beat, lowers his glass to shake Deadbolt's hand - firmly, with a surprisingly strong grip, though not crushing, a man who clearly understands how to control the strength of his grip. "A pleasure. I need no introduction, sadly. Do you designate as male or female or neither?"

"Also, this information about the Yard is rather fascinating. It's part of the main reason I enjoy Greyhook so much - people come across the strangest things."

"You know..." he continues. "Once this war is over, I am going to attempt to get crews out here to build a large wall around the edges of Greyhook, and attempt to expand upon it a bit. There are too many forts for us to send aid to, but I know people have been hoping for something... while I certainly don't hope to dampen the 'excitement' of this place, I'd certainly like to try and help people feel safe."

[Deadbolt]

It was a good handshake, and Deadbolt made sure his own grip matched the King's; strong but not crushing, firm, showing control and equality. Here in the Tap, they were nothing but two men chatting away. "I designate as a male, if you please."

He listened to the king's plans with interest. "The people are indeed looking for safety, especially with the recent attack by the Volksgradians a few months ago. Many of us in town have been scrambling for new cures and things. I myself am planning on building new technologies within the month. To know that you want to help is comforting, and I understand all too well how much war interferes with things...

"I think we need to stop fighting altogether, though. It's destructive, and gets in the way of progress, and, in my opinion, is not very... logical." He smiled, attempting to show irony.