Disppointing, but expected turn of events. Enma was prepared for that. The only thing Outcast is stunned with is how direct and demanding that sounds. She is wasting the timing of reply and looking lost once more. Of course, all cards are in her head, maybe it is the time to send everything to hell and go missing elsewhere for another big period of time and wasting for another Don to call her a traitor and hope that they can hold her back if she decides to return back and tell what is hers.
— I understand that. I cannot blame you for hating me and this place and possibly hating the whole world at this point. As you already figure out I have had contacts with Royalist command and let's put that way... By working here you would not be working against your kind, or well, what's left of it that is. I would not rush with the decision until you fully catch up and get the full picture since I wasn't quite done with the news.
They are supposed to reach the lake soon, Enma is losing her breath again. She is forced to stop and take some time to recover, she's not speaking at that moment.
— You have lived here for three years, Cardamine here is in the very air and by that point spending a long time outside of this planet may be taxing. You don't feel it now, but shall you leave the surface and some time will pass, you will curse everything and this place will seem the sweetest. Why do you think I and some other very rich people keeping living in this hellhole? I guess you will feel the line. Naturally, I will take you elsewhere from this residence since you must be hating it a lot, if you want you can blow it up.
Taking up the communicator and finding Claire's contact, she would then put it back into her pocked in uncertainty.
— With Claire it's that easy, I am a little afraid to contact her because there is the problem of... The Kusari invasion of Gallia, Claire is supposed to be the border of the two in Tau-53. I am really afraid that transmission might be intercepted and both intels are obviously on high alert. Forces of the new Gallic government were rolled and Kusari fleets are advancing deep into Gallic core worlds. Different Gallic forces are at war with 3 houses at the moment and position could not be more disgusting than it is. I understand that you want to rush into the action, but you may miss a lot of opportunities and an ally that loyalists desperately need.
Loyola curiously looked up into the gray cloudy skies as some snowflakes started to fall down. She hoped that it won't turn into any kind of storm.
Walking side-by-side with Enma herself, Charlotte's boots crunched along the gravel pathway, listening to the Dona's reply. Her eyes flicked to the communicator as Enma withdrew it, following it back into the pocket with a slightly narrowed gaze.
"I have no desire to work on Malta in the near future," she reaffirmed, her tone a little harsher than she'd perhaps intended. "I've been stuck here on this world of yours for years; I don't intend to stay a day longer than I have to. I know about the Cardamine as well, damn it -- I've had more than enough time to read up on its effects. I'll be certain to bring some with me; no doubt you or some of your retinue will be happy to help show me how."
Her gloved hands shoved into her pockets, the princess cut an almost petulant figure as she rounded on the resting Loyola again, blocking the path forwards to take a final stand.
"I appreciate that-- that we find ourselves in a complicated situation, both politically and personally, but I won't become a piece in Malta's politics while my own people -- my family, too -- need me as well. That can wait -- this whole world can wait. If things are as you say, and your position in Maltese politics has changed to the point where I can roam more freely, then yes; I've had more than my fill of this villa, to say the least."
Charlotte pursed her lips one more time, her expression softening a little as the snow began to fall in earnest.
"The one thing I want back more than anything again, Enma, is my freedom. If you can't give that to me in good faith, then you'll be coercing me to work with you -- and then we are no longer working together in good faith. If I'm still to be your prisoner and kept at your beck and call, just say so -- but if you're truly looking to help me and mine, then while I appreciate your advice, you need to recognise that I should be as free to make my own mistakes as my dear uncle was."
A rueful smile flickered across her features for the briefest of seconds, before being replaced by a somewhat strained look. The Sirian invasion had been such a curiosity for such a long time -- but, she reflected, curiosities had a habit of killing the proverbial cat. It certainly hadn't improved her own situation -- in the end, the war had been a bitter, deadly pill to swallow for them all.
They finally have reached the small house with a covered terrace. The previous owner of the villa sometimes wanted to stick around here for at least a couple of days without having a need to return back to the main building. Despite modest size, the house is having rather expensive furniture and is fully autonomous in terms of energy generation and storage. It is something that looks like the palm trees, as the snow keeps falling down and covering the leafs the sight becomes more and more surreal. The lake is covered in crystal clear and shining somewhat heavenly ice. It might have something to do with additional chemicals in that water, but no sign of any birds, animals or fish ever been around here is seen. If there's a lonely, but charming place at that same time, that for sure is this lake.
Biometry checks were done relatively quickly and doors have opened, after dropping her backpack into the corner, En is proceeding to take off Charlotte's coat.
— Allow me.
She asked after she already started, taking if off relatively quickly, putting it on the hanger. Some snow would meltdown from it by the time they entered the house, making coats a little wet. Outcast looks around if there's a dryer somewhere, not able to spot it instantly, En decided to drop the idea and just leave it as it is. Taking her own coat would not take a lot of time, as it followed the Charlottes. Shortly looking into the mirror, she would notice how her cheeks ran red from negative temperatures. Collapsing at one of the chairs around that table in front of the thick glassed wall that is opening sight at the frozen lake, En sighs and finally keeps up with the conversation.
— I understand what you are saying, I really do. I want to do the right things, but I don't want to be an idiot. Forgive me for saying that, but you haven't been useful and mostly brought a lot of problems on my head. In addition, you probably still hate me and will turn against me at the nearest opportunity. You are the best of three DeFrance's I've had the honor to converse and it would be a shame to just let you go to discover that you are not replying to my comms and dreaming of how to avenge yourself or something. That's one thing, you don't trust me, and I cannot trust you because of that.
En is checking her nails, after drumming them on the table. She is trying to remind herself what else it was she wanted to say.
— The family motive is what I can understand, in Malta, we have very strong and close family clans, family comes first and most of the internal conflicts happen because of the conflicts between the families. What I cannot understand and where you might be lying to me is love to your people after what happened? Really? My dear, they betrayed you and your family, they betrayed the country. Most of the people, of course, sat there and did nothing. Explain to me why would you want to rush and save them from incompetent leadership. Let them reap what they sow.
Loyola leans back into the chair, crossing her legs and seemingly finally returns her confidence after Charlotte's outburst.
— It's very questionable to keep oaths to people without honor. As I said, you should really read up the NN and see, Gallia is really not the same as you remember it. I really value your qualities as the person and blood that is streaming in your veins. Hundreds of millions of people, rising space force, and economy, I will throw my money at you so you could have a fresh start, acquiring a very high position around here. The option is letting you go is not declined, but I will have an incredibly hard time making this decision if I ever shall do so. And thus you would have to be I don't know... convincing?
Subsiding into a silence of her own, Charlotte barely seemed to take in her expensive, ornate surroundings. The technological might and architectural beauty of the house itself was lost on her single-minded focus, and no amount of Malta's beauty seemed to be able to shake it. Shucking her coat off, she found Enma already there to take it from her -- something to which she acquiesced with only a slight bit of hesitation.
Moving ahead of her counterpart, she remained standing while Enma moved to seat herself behind her, keeping her eyes on the frozen lake beyond the window. As the Outcast began to speak, though, Charlotte's countenance grew ever more strained-looking, a new look of irritation flaring on her features. Before she could help herself, she once again rounded on the Maltese noble, sputtering her way through Loyola's diatribe as if the possibility of being denied had never even crossed her mind.
"I didn't ask to come here!" she hissed, sweeping one arm around to indicate her immediate surroundings. "Being "useful" was never my concern -- is it ever a concern for a prisoner of war? All the opportunity you've afforded me involves languishing here in perpetuity, living out my days in a gilded enclosure while you fight an unseen battle and my world revolves on without me."
She shook her head vehemently to accentuate her point, sounding more bitter than ever.
"It's rich of you to offer me anything on the sole condition I remain on this poisoned rock, when I'd happily give you the same just to leave it behind. I don't want to be a part of your society -- slavers playing at being nobles, few of whom would even accept an off-worlder in any position of power, if I imagine it correctly. I have a home world already -- Orléans -- and a sister to look out for. Those are my priorities -- a tranquil world that never deserved the war my uncle foisted upon it, and the one true element of my family I have left."
The raven-haired woman pinched the bridge of her nose in a visible display of frustration, gathering herself for just a second before forging onwards.
"You know what I want, then, but I'm still clueless as to what exactly you want with me. I can't negotiate with someone who won't open clear dialogue. Tell me what it is you want in exchange for my freedom to leave Malta and see my sister again, face to face -- or leave me be. Don't ask me to convince you when, as near as I see it, you have this nation and all its vast resources in the palm of your hand already."
En could not help but wonder why exactly Charlotte is behaving like she got nothing left to lose. There are a lot of horrible things that could be applied to her before selling her off to the enemies for a good reward. In the end, she can be executed among other things. Or forced to live in horrible conditions until the end of her days. What that for she's risking? Or maybe she doesn't simply consider Loyola a threat in the end and thinks that it's all just a game. But most likely she thinks that treatment she has got is normal and that she's perfectly in position to demand more. she is actually very curious about what is going on inside her head now.
— I didn't ask to capture your highness either. Have to admit that I am sometimes very sorry that I didn't let the others deal with you in the way that they see fit, but hey, here we are. Now I feel invested and have some personal sympathies so it cannot be dealt with that easily. I quite frankly do not see the ground for negotiations or deal on your side. All you have is your name and your blood which some people, including me, value. It all has potential that I can allow or disallow to shine. I don't think too many people believe you are alive, it doesn't matter if you exist or not if nobody knows about it.
Loyola suspects that it's something that Charlotte would not love to hear, Outcast then extends her head towards the princess, lifting up her chin a little and turning her face to see her eyes.
— I don't believe that actual investment into the Royal cause will ever pay off monetarily. It's more about the moral pleasure of doing something that is great since you ask for my motives... I've reached a lot, I can buy things I want, now I simply want to do my mission in this world, which I don't know what it is. If fate so decided that you are here maybe that's the one. I know I may sound like a maniac or someone crazed, but I am totally fine. There's just a roof at Malta that is not allowing me to grow, so I need another playground. Because quite frankly, I am not a big fan of my people either. They have broken faith with me many times before.
En then lets her chin go, assume that she got her attention for now,
— I have a wonderful bird in the cage, it makes me feel good. After all this time I feel like it's my bird by now, and then she asks to open the cage and fly away. As you understand doing that is not very rational because birds may fly away and not ever return. That would be very sad, at the same time, I would enjoy watching it, Or since this bird got a lot of problems I should just fly with her and help her solve them? That should be alright if she's not planning anything ill? And I will probably find something to entertain myself as opposed to losing my mind on this godforsaken planet.
Charlotte would have taken a step backwards when Enma rose from her chair to take her by the chin, but the window behind her would brook no further movement. She underwent a quick reassessment of her situation; poking the bear had, eventually, broken through that genial facade. It had been dangerous to provoke the Dona, but somehow part of her preferred this new honesty. At least Enma wasn't trying to bullshit her anymore.
"Look--" she began, a little caught off guard by the change of tack. "I didn't mean to offend you. I'm-- an exchange is how things are done, after all. I don't see what you'd get out of--" Charlotte resolved to choose her words carefully "--ah, accompanying me on my way to look for Claire, but if that's what you'll take in exchange for my freedom to fly a ship again and go beyond Malta, then I'm in no position to refuse."
Brushing her clothes down to compose herself a little, the princess raised a single hand in a gesture of apology.
"It was never my aim to antagonise you," she said smoothly. "I want both of us to get what we want -- you've dealt fairly by me, if nothing else. I doubt there's ever been a Sirian prisoner of Gallia treated as well as I've been, despite the circumstances. That, in and of itself, is something worth my favour -- and together with my sister's help, I could have the influence necessary to pay you back for your hospitality tenfold or more."
It was something of a gambit, to say the least. The dark-haired woman's eyes held Enma's own, betraying nothing of her emotions despite the tension evident in the room. The galactic map could have changed well beyond Charlotte's limited understanding of it, relegated to knowledge that was years out of date and some guessing based off what Enma had already told her, but she had to appeal to either a desire for power, influence, or maybe just the Dona's sheer irrationality.
"Alternatively, it would be sure to be an interesting journey and series of negotiations, if the thrill itself really is enough for you." She said that last bit with the merest ghost of a smile, her lips twitching up ever so slightly for effect, trying not to let the very real nervousness she felt inside show on her features. If she was to be returned to that godforsaken villa again...
Loyola meets Charlotte's short and not confident smile with a wide smile of her own, It looks like she's genuinely happy to see it for whatever reason she might have. Maybe still a little bit annoyed on how Charlotte is trying to press her minor point and possibly not seeing the greater picture. Loyola is becoming much more relaxed and friendly as Charlotte decided to play along, She would tone her tone down to informal.
— It's sweet. You are still forced to accept it, which I don't like very much. I am not playing games and trying to be as honest as it gets. Can't blame you for seeing me as some evil person who captured and held you for three years for no reason. You were to leave this residence in, either way, I came to pick you up. The only question standing was what happens next. As you see I did not police Claire very much and she pretty much roams firmly out there somewhere. I value you a little more since your personality suits more for my vision of the future.
Loyola runs fingers through Charlotte's hair, not noticing herself how she started to do it but openly enjoying it nevertheless.
— Since you already addicted then I considered you to become the Grand Duchess of Malta as I and Joseph outlined. DeFrance is the powerful dynasty and despite being a foreign one, is feared and respected. In the end, it could serve well my people for uniting them politically. Some family unions could bring some fresh blood to both parties. While my people have turned out to be best lucky, we are still successors of Hispania and our nobility is fully legitimate by any law, what we share in common is looking down at other Houses as unworthy and rightfully so. I will show you the Hispania, it's not too far from Malta.
Outcast got overly excited by talking about her plans that sound wild at the very least. She would turn back down soon enough,
— I am sorry, I hate politics, not that I think that chances of implementing it are high. I am ready to do enough for you and it's very sad for me to realize that you might think that I am still your enemy or wanted to do any harm. I might be an idiot for having such plans for someone like you who wishes to have no faith with me at all, which insults me, even more, is that even the dire conditions are not changing your point of view whatsoever. But I also understand that family comes first and I am still willing to help you to sort out your problems, maybe this will prove my honest intentions and we could be back to these little projects of mine. I suppose you now want to send a message to your sister?
Inwardly, the princess was seething. Outwardly, she knew better than to show it -- once she was in decorum mode, it was a lot easier to suppress her anger.
"Yes, I'd like to contact her," she eventually replied, now acutely aware that she was walking on eggshells. Loyola was as changeable as the weather on Orléans, running both fiery hot and icy cold within seconds of one another. The wild excitement and veiled threats came rattling after one another like a rollercoaster gone wrong, and for a moment Charlotte wondered if she'd crossed a line permanently by antagonising her so. Maybe it was time for damage control. "I don't know what to expect from her, of course, but-- I'm, of course, happy to accept your help regarding any of it."As if I have a choice in the matter.
She took a deft step away from Enma, under the guise of turning to stare out of the window again, breaking contact as she did so.
"I'll leave it in your capable hands, then," she continued, watching the snowflakes fall in earnest. The entire mountain range would be wreathed in a white blanket soon enough. "Where are we going first, then? As long as it isn't back to that villa." Her hands were more proverbially tied than she'd realised, Charlotte had come to understand, but now that things were finally moving, perhaps soon there'd be an opportunity to assume some measure of control here. All she had to do was wait and see.
For En it looked like ice started to melt and finally some understanding is coming along between them. It felt like it took a lot of time, but mostly thanks to lack of actual contact for all those years. And while Loyola was informed about Charlotte's status and even had some video feed from time to time, there was a clear lack of opportunities to contact her directly. But she would not suspect Charlotte to be angry at that point. Everything she attempted to do was to level princesses' temper so she at least considers building nice and preferably productive relationships. And while she understood all possible prejudices towards Sirians and especially the Outcasts, she simply could not believe that it could sit so deep.
Understanding that contact with Claire would likely be the first priority, En would sit down and then one more time pull the pocket device from her pocket. With a slight sigh, she attempts to unblock it. Opening the contact list she would find Duchesse Claire Sophie DeFrance d'Orléans then handing over the device to Charlotte.
— I guess you would have to use the device of your loyal servant before we get you one of your own. It fully supports Gallic accounts and networking protocols, so it should work just fine. You can also read some of my messages and comms, meeting recordings, I don't really have much to hide. Maybe it will help to get you back to -- life.
En has some cheeky smile at her face and it's not like she's planning to change her attitude or plans anytime soon. It was quite stupid of Loyola to relax this early, but she got tired of attempting to mind games with DeFrance and just started to play it for what it is. Her lips went dry again and it made her thin smile look more sand than inspiring.
— Residence servants were supposed to start packing your things even before my arrival, I hope it won't be a major delay on their part. I have landed one Sabre not so far from the villa, it's being supported by the force fields, this place got no spaceport and logistics do not really exist around here. We will fly on my ship to the nearest spaceport where you would be able to get the ship of choice. After that, we will proceed to Claire's location -- I am sorry for the threats I've made, they were purely rhetoric to outline what could've happened if you got in hands of some other Don back then. I decided to protect and help you then and I am fully committed to my promise now.
Briefly scrolling through the device Enma offered her, Charlotte paused, her finger hovering over the 'call' button. She inclined her head slightly to indicate her gratitude, but stopped short of actually initiating anything, peering out from beneath her fringe at the now more jovial Maltese woman. She would need to choose her words carefully.
"I don't plan on reading through your things, but I'd appreciate some privacy during the call," she said delicately. No doubt it's all being recorded, anyway."It's been a while since Claire and I have spoken, to-- say the very least."
The rest, she left unsaid. Her demeanour improved noticeably at the mention of an imminent departure, though; those deep brown eyes widening slightly at the realisation.
"I see," she said, a little taken aback. This was sooner than she'd anticipated leaving. "You wouldn't, by any chance, have any of the escort Lynxes from the Calliope still among your people's holdings?" It was a long shot, but the XJ-3 was not a craft Charlotte was willing to pass up, if she should be so lucky as to find one available to her. The thoughts of them being picked apart by Maltese engineers and technicians irritated her more than she'd anticipated -- no doubt most of the captured craft had already been cannibalised to further the nation's designs and research into Gallic engineering, but perhaps one or two had survived.
"Think nothing of your, ah-- earlier discussions either, Enma. I barely consider that anything happened at all." Charlotte's smile was well-practised, years of court attendance having honed her ability to summon one on command. It didn't quite reach her eyes, though. "I appreciate your efforts to assist my sister and I. If you'll allow me a few minutes to make the call, then I'll be happy to get us underway." Her gaze drank in the sight of Enma just opposite, calculating. If Enma insisted on listening in on the call, would she force the issue or not?
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