This episode was submitted by Emperor Cartagia .

"Okay," you say to Londo, "I guess I'll go see the Emperor with you. Do I look all right?"

The Ambassador looks you up and down. "Well, you'd look better if you shaved your head... but never mind that. Come along. And whatever you do, be CAREFUL." He lowers his voice conspiratorially. "The Emperor is... shall we say... mentally unstable."

You gulp, but follow him anyway. He leads you through several rooms and hallways, all very decadent. Finally you reach a heavy double door covered with gold filigree. This one is guarded by two burly men in elaborate gold helmets and white uniforms. Upon seeing Mollari they snap to attention and open the doors.

Inside is a large circular room. Regally-crested Ministers and Lords in their brocade and ruffled finery and shaven-headed Ladies in their bejewelled headbands and low-cut flowing velvet dresses mill about laughing and chatting, a jester is cavorting about the room, and lounging on the floor are several Centauri of both genders in rather skimpy costumes; you guess they must be slaves. The only people not enjoying themselves are the guards, who are grim, efficent -- and everywhere. And in the center of the room, on a raised circular dais, is the throne.

You take your first in-person look at a member of royalty. Empe ror Cartagia< (pronounced "Kahr-TAH-zhah") is a young man of about 35 or so in human terms, average height, very slender. He has a pale complexion and dark hair, in a crest like all the other male Centauri but cut short. His features are very sharp and acquiline, with a blade-thin, beaky nose, very high cheekbones, and LARGE dark eyes with long eyelashes. He LOOKS like an in-bred pretty boy, all right. He is wearing an elegant white outfit with poofy sleeves, a red scarf and matching sash, tight white satin pants, and high black boots, and is sitting MOST informally, with one leg cocked jauntily over one arm of the throne and a wine glass in his hand.

He looks languidly up at you and Londo. "Mollari, my GOOD friend, what IS this...human" (here he wrinkles his nose as if he smells something unpleasant) doing here?" His demeanor has gone from laid-back to a towering fury within SECONDS. "You'd better have a good explanation for this!"

The omnipresent guards have moved in and now have silver daggers at both of your throats! The entire court is now absolutely silent. Even the bells on the jester's costume have stopped tinkling.

You gulp. Whatever you're going to do, it had better be QUICK!

1. Blurt out "I'm the Earth Ambassador come to make a peace treaty with Centauri Prime, Your Majesty!"
2. You figure that you can't exactly pass as a diplomat, so you keep your mouth shut and let Londo think of something.

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