Posts: 6,563
Threads: 506
Joined: Nov 2014
Staff roles: Art Developer
Glaring away for a moment. A huff of air released, still trying to assess the scenario.
"I would be killed for this... And surely, you too. Where do you want to go?"
She glared back at him, downing the remainder of her wine glass in one go, placing it on the nearby table, returning to glare at him with uncertainty, furrowing a brow, still exploring the scenario. She tested him once more on his values,
"You're still hurting me and my family too, wouldn't this be... wrong...?"
Victory? Or deceit? Impossible to tell but no longer relevant she clearly had enough of toying, something he found mildly amusing, nevertheless it was a direct question, one of the few. My intention isn't to hurt anyone. And here, in this place, as I said, you are safe. I, for one do not feel it to be 'wrong', different....unexplainable perhaps, but not wrong. Now he did throw caution to the wind, buried the voice of caution and took her hand gently, bringing to toward the center of the small table and holding it. Our families can forgive our little....indiscretion, they need not know. Tonight it is just you and I no? As you said, why worry about tomorrow?
Posts: 6,563
Threads: 506
Joined: Nov 2014
Staff roles: Art Developer
Still glaring into his eye, that passive judgement came out, still testing the boundaries, her voice lowered, being mildly inebriated,
"Tomorrow and yesterday... Two very different foundations. Am I supposed to forget that you are actively helping the Crown to commit genocide against my home for refusing subjugation? We were never thanked for our aid in the war. For helping against the Corsairs. Against the Nomads. Against the Hessians. Never once.
... Yet - it is so... easy for them to forget... I wasted so much of my life being prideful of my birth place... so much. We never asked for war. Only independence. They never offered any alternative but war. "
There was mild bitterness to it due to touching the sensitive part of life, but the idea was entertained, wondering how he'll view it.
How easy it is to just agree when what one wants is so close, how painful it is to be torn apart by vast oceans of difference when only a few short moments ago, it was almost like they were touching. You forget, I am also helping you. Should I truly wish for the destruction of your kin do you not think I would have acted already? Do you not think Edmund would have acted back when he held command of the Bretonian Fleet? Did he not entertain your family even against all advice? Have not I? How true is it really then, to say we seek your destruction? We do not agree true, we often argue. He smiled at the thought, arguing like two lovers was indeed a common pastime. Yet here you are, in my home because I think you know us to be, if nothing, reasonable. You were not thanked, neither were we. It is a thankless job, Bretonia...the Crown, they care not for lavish displays of gratitude as well you know.
He paused now, quietly contemplating his next move. Was there anything more he could add? He risked his next move, giving little consideration for the consequences You were not thanked then...if I may be so bold he leaned in and delicately kissed her on her cheek before pulling away and looking in her eyes Thank you.
Posts: 6,563
Threads: 506
Joined: Nov 2014
Staff roles: Art Developer
Listening to his argument, it never felt enough. One man may have held back, but it never excused the rest. The betrayal. The game of knives.
"Helping me...? Is it not that we are helping each other? To stop further destruction? If you wish to truly help me - work towards peace. They're still working towards destruction, no matter how your family has done. I suppose I can thank you for the restraint... but it does not excuse the betrayal, the failed negiotations, their blood lust, and Aland nor Canaria will never forget either... "
A headache emerged, her palm reached up, rubbing the bridge of her head harshly. His bold move stirred up some ire within, slowly revoking the palm from her face, slowly glaring over to him with a neutral yet cautious expression. His thanks had not held much value, for the conflicts continued, there was no true resolution. It was an insult to what she had sacrificed, how she felt used as a pawn.
Silence ensued, staring at him with a stone apathetic glare, trying to see what he was getting at. Yet, internally, there was confusion, how could he still possibly like her and yet work against her in the shadows?
Blood begets blood my dear. He said calmly The vicious cycle is hard to break once started. The betrayal was...I cannot change the past.He said, cutting himself off bluntly and releasing her hand. You are here and you are alive, no thanks to me true enough, yet in spite of me and others like me you live. A small victory in and of itself no? What of now? Here today you sit across from someone who is willing to, at least in some small way, try to atone for the mistakes of yesterday. Another small victory. I work to preserve the ideals of the state, the ideal of betterment and no, it's not a task I will win, it will consume me mind, body and soul, but for all the clamor, for all the fools in parliament and the corruption in the Services here I remain. A harsh truth but not one he would shy away from. If he wanted to at very least get along with her he had to see this for what it was.
Since we are being so honest, I ask you what it is you see in me? The enemy? Something else? Speak your mind to me, not of Bretonia not of the Crown not of Auxeisa, of me.
Posts: 6,563
Threads: 506
Joined: Nov 2014
Staff roles: Art Developer
Another exhale, taking the moment to assess once more. There was some truth in his words, blood spills blood afterall. Glaring away for a moment, she bit her lip, figuring it out. Turning back to look over to him.
"How I feel about you...? I pondered how deep you were into their web of lies. I noticed you were trailing me in Kusari, trying to find out about me - what are you hoping to find...? Tell me, does Bretonia really think I want to be their enemy? That I would wish for regression instead of progression? You were an odd one, and so it seems you still are."
There was a sense of irony in his words regarding corruption, but the realisation of the game is playing is tremendous. For now, she will hold back on the negative impulses. He was still ultimately working against her, no matter if it was behind doors or not. Careful exploration was still considered, checking the possibility of talking further, if not for her affiliation, but preservation.
Bretonia is corrupt my dear. He said sadly Whatever wisdom there was is now gone, alliances broken, economies smashed....millions dead. You and yours are...scapegoats, for lack of better term. It was a shame really, Auxesia as the organization went were untrust worthy, but not unlike a government there were those within it who's intentions were pure. Even if the execution was not.
This government has no intention of finding peace with you. They see you as....pawns to be moved at their whim because they can. A convenient political get out of jail free card. That is the real tragedy of the whole thing. It isn't about you so much as it is what they can get out of making your movement look bad.
Posts: 6,563
Threads: 506
Joined: Nov 2014
Staff roles: Art Developer
That answer surely could not be the truth. There were too many flaws in her point of view. The Bretonians were very aggressive, and she certainly remembered the suspicious presence of the Order. There was something more to this, but she would act naive to such, purposefully disregarding it.
"Scapegoat? For what? What does it achieve? There is more to lose than to gain..."
A short but simple retort of confusion. She reached over to the wine bottle, refilling her glass, placing the bottle aside as she eagerly awaited for him, staring at him.
He took a sip of his own glass, before replying Is there? Bretonia is a house on the brink of military and economic collapse, the social problem have not yet begun to surface but they will and then the political problems will unfold. Whatever we could loose, the people in power seem to think we have already lost it. The conflict with you is a convenient way to cover up their own failings, while they quietly feather their own nests.
He took another sip. The emotional rollercoaster he was subjected two moments ago now subsiding, his face resuming one of calm seriousness. This war, not that it's being called that, is to extend their legacy and their control. Of course, it's all at the House's expense, they don't care what this will do to our reputation, they only care that you...Auxesia, are....how shall I say, 'brought to heel' as it were. Which is typical of their high class attitudes. He almost choked on the words as they left his mouth. The war was won by greater men, this is what we left behind Bitterness in his voice making plain his dissatisfaction.
