It's always nice to have a little help writing a Rollover. Usually I write Blahking's lines in these myself, but on this occasion, I was lucky enough to get the actual handler involved in things. It helped the piece.

It worked well, since Blahking is the focus of this mission, which saw no debuts, but did see a decent amount of KOKOL adventurers. This has the story where Vixen joins KOKOL (unofficially) and features a four character roleplay starring Sebastian Dash, Catrina Whiteclaw, Riko and Feena. Speaking of the two, this mission sadly marks their last apperance in AIL as their handler had unfortunately gotten sick of the constant delays in AIL's finales, something which only got worse in the very next mission, due to my own stubbornness. But more on that next mission!

Also worth noting; The Mission Finale marked the writing return of Funki, handler for Konall (and later Kadlin) Bearsmasher. He and I helped Catrina with the first part of her mission finale! (In the second part of that Finale, we get a fun little run-in with an Elite 7!)

Oh, and both missions are, of course, lifted from the Kingdom of Loathing, which inspired AIL in the first place. Enjoy!

At the heart of Seaside Town sat the shining gem, as the tour guides would one day call it. The epicenter of the Kingdom of Loathing. The head of its political world, and the heart of its business lied in the domed building in the center of The Council Plaza.

Railroads, prototypes for a new type of travel that might someday revolutionize the world, had been placed from the Kingdom, leading out of the town, where they came to an abrupt stop just a half mile before the northern border of the Kingdom of Loathing. Vines grew on the sections of the railroad outside of the Kingdom to ensure the world around it remembered it was a years long abandoned project.

For the moment, anyway. The Council had convinced the King to cut funds to the project over the summer, four years ago. Funding was never resumed. Public interest, which was lukewarm when the project started and consistently fell until it was abandoned, evaporated almost as fast as funding for the project.

Such were the whims and decisions of the ruling body of the Kingdom of Loathing.

Blahking had a pretty good idea what he was up against when he arrived at the bustling Council hall.

In another time, he might have come in with diplomatic fire and brimstone in his step. As of late, the fire was gone.. so Blahking entered and quickly got regulated to a waiting line for a number to the waiting line to the secretary who would assign him to the 'proper' line to wait in.. or something. Nevermind that Blahking represented a top clan as it's crowned prince... and knew exactly what he wanted- a council with the King.

Blahking half heartedly tried to point that out. He insisted she got his name, and simply accepted her offer to pass it along. Then she sent him to sit down in the Council's main area.

Blahking let out a dejected sigh and went to do just that....

 
=-=-=-=-=-

 
"Ahh, there you are," a fleetfooted Citizen of Loathing proclaimed as she spotted Prince Blahking sitting on a fine leather sofa in the main waiting area of the Council Lobby. "Prince Blahking, correct?"

There was a slight pause, as if he had not heard the call, then Blahking looked up and at the Citizen. "Yes?"

"You had submitted a petition to meet His Ralphiness, King Ralph XI." She looked him over, scrutinizing him. "Is this correct?"

The Prince's mind snapped back to attention as he stood. "Yes, I did request an audience."

She shook her head, wondering if this was really the "Prince" she'd heard so much about.. "Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, sweetie, but the King's going to be busy under a monument of paperwork for some time to come. I don't think he'll be able to meet with anyone who isn't a diplomat, or who's already spoke with him, for some months."

"hmm...Indeed." He turned to go, then turned back again. "Is there anyone who CAN speak to a lowly Prince?" He tried to hold his sarcasm in check, but probably failed miserably.

She cocked her head, surprised he hadn't simply given up. "Well, I guess that depends on what the 'lowly Prince' wants, doesn't it?"

Blahking considered just how much he needed to tell this Citizen. "hmm..well. I had wanted to seek the support of the Kingdom at large for our clans current struggle against the Goblins."

"Ah," she responded. "I can't help you there."

Any other person would roll heir eyes and huff with annoyance. Blahking smiled and persevered... barely. "Could you.-"

She interrupted. "I can't help you, like I said, but I'm pretty sure I know who can. Mind staying here for a spell, Prince? I'll round up what I can round up in a Goblin's eye.. but I gotta handle a few quick things first!"

Blahking shrugged and sat back down while the Citizen bustled off.. "P- R- I- N- C- E!"

(Well, she *had* asked him to 'stay for a spell.')

It was a good twenty minutes, maybe half an hour before he was finally motioned into a small side room, past the dozens (and dozens). Blahking found himself standing in a well lit room, with three others who seemed to be discussing the latest plans for nearby construction.

Blahking cleared his throat to announce his presence- but his heart wasn't in it, so it went unnoticed. Something about an antique shop, and being surprised that a tux would be running the counter, and something about needing to take precautions with the plans for the museum, just as preventive measures.

Museums and antiques.. far too dry material for Blahking's tastes. Blahking was considering a more forceful announcement of his presence when one of the Council members noticed him. "Ahh... let's hold off on this discussion for later, gents. I see company."

The Prince nodded, forcing himself into 'business mode.' There was so much riding on the line, and on him, that at times, it could get hard to breath. Blahking cleared his throat slightly.. Peering to read the plaques that held the councilmen's names. "Council men Dewey, Cheetham and Howe." He began, "I come to you today to seek the support and succor of the Kingdom in our clan's fight against the Knob Goblins."

After a slight pause, another of the two responded. "We've heard about your un-sanctioned 'war' with them. What provoked this public spectacle?"

Blahking nodded. "If you recall, this' un-sanctioned war' began with an attack upon our clanhall, where we suffered greatly at their hands. "

"How do we know you didn't provoke them?" Another asked. "After all, you had some controversial moments with Degrassi Knoll some months back."

Blahking spread his arms, palm up. "We intervened at the behest of their government. We were invited to monitor the situation. Some of the members of the army we had recruited for the job got... exuberant in their work." Of course, it more or less worked out to the designs Blahking, King Mtiger, Fluffy Hamster and the others had come up with.. but there was no need to mention that at all. Degrassi Knoll hit Blahking like sour aftertaste; KOKOL still had a long way to go to establishing freedom for both the Knoll, and it's cousin town, South Degrassi.

The three turned, eyeing one another and considering the weight of his words. "What of the rumors of your un-provoked attack on an unidentified location in the 'The Big Mountains' area?"

"Unprovo...OH! You mean the Goblin attack on the Penguin base? Yes, I know rumors have spread of our involvement- and some of our...associates...were said to have been seen in the area. But I can assure you that the Clan had no involvement in that attack at all!"

They didn't seem sold on it.. still.. "Maybe we should cut to the chase here. As you know, being a Prince doesn't help any when it comes to seeing the King."

Blahking nodded, and started to respond.

"However," another member interjected, "I'm sure we can agree someone in your position could prove most.. useful.. to the Council."

"True," his partner chimed in. "And someone in that position of being useful to us.. and of course, the King, could very likely command his attention easier. Wouldn't you think?"

"I suppose that might be true," the third answered. The one seemingly ready to dismiss Blahking's presence at the first excuse. "IF he were to prove himself.."

"Maybe with a few favors?" one of his comrades suggested.

He considered their remarks. "And what, perhaps, would be the 'favors' used in this 'proving?"

They turned to each other, smiling slightly. One spoke for all three. "There *is* the matter of the Crypt, I suppose."

"Oh yes," another chimed in. "Something about an 'extreme aura' of spookiness?"

The one who spoke of it turned to Blahking. "Would you be so good as to send some of your colleagues out to investigate it? You'll find the Cyrpt near the Misspelled Cemetary. We fear that some horrible monster has taken up residence there, and begun to rile up the local undead."

Blahking nodded. It seemed an easy enough quest. "I will consider our options and send our best man for the job.:"

"Excellent news! Be on your way, then," one of them announced.

Blahking nodded and started to force himself to thank them for the opportunity, when another of them spoke. "Oh.. one thing.. A nice associate of ours is in need of a mosquito larva. Fetch us one from the Spooky Forest while you're at the other thing? I'm sure absolutely nothing will go horrifically wrong while you're down there!"

Blahking opened his mouth, about to tell them that these two quests were, in fact, in two entirely different areas of the Kingdom, but stopped. He had no choice but to do as they bid- although he could do it his own way." Of course, gentlemen."

"And you might want to make it hasty," another added. "We'll gladly reward whichever clan comes out on top of this one."

"Whichever...?"

"Huh?" One of them asked.

"Wha?" Another asked, before catching the question. "Ah, yes. Well, as you know, the council of loathing services the entire Kingdom of Loathing, not just one clan.. and there are many who'd seek our favor."

Blahking thought for a moment. "And this other clan is? Perhaps we could coordinate our efforts."

The three looked at each other. "What other clan?"

"No other clan yet."

"Would you like to nominate one?"

Blahking blinked, but hid his annoyance well. "Hmm... I'm sure any of the clans would be more than happy to aid you. When you find one please inform them of our offer of aid."

"Find who?" One asked.

"We'll be glad to!" another offered.

"Welcome to the Council of Loathing, may we help you?" The third asked. He then corrected himself. "Er.. are you sure you want to work with them?"

Blahking raised an eyebrow at this response. "Our clan has no enmity with another clan. I'm sure no matter who you find, we can work with them."

"Have fun with that!" another answered with a fake smile on his face. "Making allies is great."

"We're making some powerful allies for the Kingdom as we speak," another answered. He was cut off from a glare by the third.

"We'll have our secretary coordinate with you, of course," the other answered. "And we'll send you a sentient pigeon with official permission, top secret information, and of course the list of rewards."

"Once we think of them," the other said.

"Oh, I know what they'll be," the other answered.

"Really?"

"If the pigeon doesn't arrive, just check the bellies of any nearby predators," the first said.

"I thank you, your Honors...and my clan thanks you, as well. I will return to you when our tasks are completed." With this Blahking turned and left the hall, shaking his head and hoping he had something for the headache he'd just gotten back at his office.

----- Mission and Task information here