07-20-2018, 05:00 PM
(This post was last modified: 07-20-2018, 05:00 PM by Jaixe Furiael.)
“An alliance of convenience.” Jaixe muttered, turning to stare into the fire, the flames dancing and reflecting in his eyes.
He weighed the benefits and costs in regards to all of the potential outcomes. A strong ally would be useful, but a treacherous one would instead be lethal, a knife to one’s back. Would the risk of betrayal and abandonment be worthwhile for the chance at the gains? Would he be forced to do the same to these convenient allies instead, simply to recuperate costs and lost time?
He thought for some few moments longer. The prolonging was unnecessary, of course, merely a ploy to add to the ambassador’s anticipation of his reply.
“Those same sentiments were offered to me by another before you. A skeleton of a man, commanding similar vestiges of the deceased. You speak much as he did, with alike reasonings.” The Seeker turned to the ambassador once again, meeting her even gaze.
She was difficult to read. She offered little beyond those golden eyes and stoic face, only choosing to show emotion when it was convenient to emphasize her words. In that way, she danced with diplomacy well, though he found her presumptuousness due to mere association rather unfortunate.
“Very well,” he finally stated, uncertain if he saw a flicker of relief or satisfaction in the woman’s eyes. Perhaps both.
“When your Queen has returned from her tournamental escapade, I will accept a meeting with her to hear of these promises and plans in further detail. Beyond that, I can only promise avoid seeking your kind further, should you also continue to reciprocate.”
Truthfully, that promise annoyed him. The creatures that constituted this “Zerg Swarm,” as she called them, were fascinating. Intricate and yet seemingly random and reckless in their design; a careful balance that could be exploited to make truly powerful Heartless. It was a travesty to see them go to waste.
The ambassador stood and bowed with an exaggerated flourish, “The Queen of Blades will be pleased to hear that you have seen things our way.”
“Hm. Your subtle, sharp tongue and prevaricating words are only amusing for so long, ambassador, and my patience for it is wearing thin. You have your reply. Now leave.”
Jaixe watched her depart, subduing a smile of smug satisfaction as he noted the haste in which she exited the office. Moments later, his Heartless registered that she had departed the building with her Zerg entourage.
Another alliance… Jaixe mused, standing up, grabbing hold of the datapad on the table, its screen lighting up at his touch, and then peering outside the window at nothing in particular. In such an empty, decrepit part of the city, there was little to see.
If this Queen of Blades proves to be worthwhile and at least tolerably haughty, perhaps I'll agree to it. Jaixe chuckled to himself, returning to watch the tournament on his datapad. I rather doubt it.
He weighed the benefits and costs in regards to all of the potential outcomes. A strong ally would be useful, but a treacherous one would instead be lethal, a knife to one’s back. Would the risk of betrayal and abandonment be worthwhile for the chance at the gains? Would he be forced to do the same to these convenient allies instead, simply to recuperate costs and lost time?
He thought for some few moments longer. The prolonging was unnecessary, of course, merely a ploy to add to the ambassador’s anticipation of his reply.
“Those same sentiments were offered to me by another before you. A skeleton of a man, commanding similar vestiges of the deceased. You speak much as he did, with alike reasonings.” The Seeker turned to the ambassador once again, meeting her even gaze.
She was difficult to read. She offered little beyond those golden eyes and stoic face, only choosing to show emotion when it was convenient to emphasize her words. In that way, she danced with diplomacy well, though he found her presumptuousness due to mere association rather unfortunate.
“Very well,” he finally stated, uncertain if he saw a flicker of relief or satisfaction in the woman’s eyes. Perhaps both.
“When your Queen has returned from her tournamental escapade, I will accept a meeting with her to hear of these promises and plans in further detail. Beyond that, I can only promise avoid seeking your kind further, should you also continue to reciprocate.”
Truthfully, that promise annoyed him. The creatures that constituted this “Zerg Swarm,” as she called them, were fascinating. Intricate and yet seemingly random and reckless in their design; a careful balance that could be exploited to make truly powerful Heartless. It was a travesty to see them go to waste.
The ambassador stood and bowed with an exaggerated flourish, “The Queen of Blades will be pleased to hear that you have seen things our way.”
“Hm. Your subtle, sharp tongue and prevaricating words are only amusing for so long, ambassador, and my patience for it is wearing thin. You have your reply. Now leave.”
Jaixe watched her depart, subduing a smile of smug satisfaction as he noted the haste in which she exited the office. Moments later, his Heartless registered that she had departed the building with her Zerg entourage.
Another alliance… Jaixe mused, standing up, grabbing hold of the datapad on the table, its screen lighting up at his touch, and then peering outside the window at nothing in particular. In such an empty, decrepit part of the city, there was little to see.
If this Queen of Blades proves to be worthwhile and at least tolerably haughty, perhaps I'll agree to it. Jaixe chuckled to himself, returning to watch the tournament on his datapad. I rather doubt it.