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 Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2017 6:23 pm
✺Forgotten Son EC: 100
Dixon accepted the glass without ceremony, looking a little dazed as his eyes failed to snap to it immediately.
"That's right," he confirmed with a small nod. "If they knew, I'd be dead before our tea comes up." The count finally found it in him to stand face to face with. "--Mind you," he jumped in with something of a snarl, lips curling over the rim of his glass, "I reckon I have a lot of work to do before then and I'd rather do it with a pulse." The snap didn't seem to leave him. Rather, it was there only when he allowed himself these moments of candor.
"Bernard knows. He's one of the few I could trust not to run their mouths." Sure was pointed for the count, but he needed to be certain he was received loud and clear. After a sip, he continued with another: "Youkimi our regent knows." Dixon allowed his shoulders to drop, feeling that this tension was more draining than lifting that sword could ever be.
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Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2017 9:26 pm
Ali Ababva, Lord Xerseis 
Gone's the wisdom
Of a thousand years
A world in fire and chains and fear
The answer was clear that very few knew. And for good reason. If there were raids at the fire, the panic and mob that killed priests because of a fire going out, what would the public do if the full truth were made known? Or if the truth pointed a hooked finger at the Count? Indeed, it was wise that only a few knew, if any, though it was an interesting situation to be in, to be counted among the rare few trusted with such a potent truth and piece of information.
Indeed.... if properly aimed, that shred of knowledge could rend the nation apart.
Fortunately for them both, this particular dragon of Phoebos was a bit too fond of his investment in the budding nation of Ethe, his affiliation with it, and also preferred having at least one sane person he could share a drink with, regardless of the state of their feathers or scales. There were few whose company he enjoyed these days.
However, the dragon had questions still. He wasn't sure if he had brought this up before, and he suspected that he had asked similar questions, but considering the situation and the story that was shared, it struck the dragon peculiarly to hear that the regent herself knew. To what extent did she know the truth? By account or by witness?
And then again... "You address her very familiarly.... It might lead a man to believe that the two of you have an understanding."
There had been tales, of course, that the regent was raising the late queen's children, but as of late, there were other rumors the ears of his spies caught concerning another child... much to old to be one of the royal twins. It made an outsider wonder.
Leads me to a place so far
Deep down it lies my secret vision
I better keep it safe
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Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2017 10:19 pm
✺Forgotten SonEC: 100
"You'd call it that," nodded the count, finally setting his sword to the side. It dig unto the ground with authority."Youkimi taught me everything I know about politics and how to conduct myself as a noble... I couldn't just turn my back on her, even if I did betray her." Something--was it a tear?--glinted and pulled the count's head to the side.
"She loved the goddess--like a mother she was to her! ... Makes a man feel like a devil," sighed the count, appearing to pull himself together rather quickly, these things considered.
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Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2017 10:52 pm
Ali Ababva, Lord Xerseis
Gone's the wisdom
Of a thousand years
A world in fire and chains and fear
The crystalline dragon's eyebrows lifted slightly. That the count and baroness had a history wasn't secret information. Anyone with a good ear could find this information. There was also honest regret here.
Perhaps the count had slightly misunderstood what Xerseis had been implying. He wondered this quietly as he studied the crestfallen phoenix. To his credit, he recovered well. If he hadn't noticed the emotion, the dragon might have been quick to excuse it as a trick of the imagination.
It was very clear, though, that on this matter, Dixon had been quite serious. Though none seemed to have asked concerning it, it wasn't hard to root out the depth of care this man had for the current leader of his country.
"She knows your crime.... Has not ordered your execution. On the contrary, she keeps your secret also..." The dragon pondered and thought aloud. How curious he was! How could he ask? Perhaps as boldly and upfront as Dixon was prone to being. "You have the look of a man in love."
Hard to forget the way a man looked when he cared deeply enough to have his heart pierced through by his own failings. Yes... that was the weakness of true men. When they cared, they fell apart not from without, but from within.
Leads me to a place so far
Deep down it lies my secret vision
I better keep it safe
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Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2017 10:05 am
✺Forgotten SonEC: 100
For whatever reason, this seemed to stun the count most of all, like he'd been stricken again by the hot spiral of molten rock ushered forth by the goddess. Her nearly jumped, almost clutching at some invisible blade at his chest. He stirred a bit, coming to stand as normally as he could in that moment. "Perhaps you're right," admitted the count with a somewhat sheepish smile. "... But I don't think any feelings are shared: we have no understanding."
Something about this poisoned the count's mind, making him just a tad slow in responding to the call from Bernard that tea was ready.
Tea, of course, meant it was time to read letters and address things in his land and beyond. So much to be done! Dixon insisted that he had the dragon with him however, but it wasn't until several moments of minutia had gone by (thank goodness for spirits!) that the count would say for what.
Dixon, flipping through leaves of an account of the building of his newest and greatest project--in conjunction with the state, of course--"...terrrible time I had convincing those at the hall to let me build it, this new capital," muttered the count with hand already working ink onto a page of notes--seemed to be easily lost in the thought but aware enough to say what needed to be said: "--and I don't pretend that it doesn't make me look like a traitor, my friend; this is to be the new capital of Ethe: one centered around progress, science, art..." And finally, "This is Tomorrow's Ethe, and we need a capital."
In that it was clear that when he was talking about business the count was his old self again. The scar had long left him, suggesting the thoughts coming to him were enough to sweep out the old clutter of emotions--bah! who needs 'em?--and replaced his melancholy with a fiery mien of self-contained fury--it was the only way to describe his approach to conquering his goals.
"...I'd like your opinion on some things going forward," leveled the count with his face up from the page for the first time in an age, "and I'd like to have your thoughts on military as well." This was brass tacks. The nitty-gritty.
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Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2017 11:44 am
Ali Ababva, Lord Xerseis
Gone's the wisdom
Of a thousand years
A world in fire and chains and fear
Another piece of dangerous proof that a man could have and hold was knowing the object of another's affection. Threatening that source was a means convince action, whether for ransom as many common criminals preferred, for coercion, persuasion, or a variety of other options. Yes, love was dangerous in the hands of one who knew how to utilize it.
Fortunately for them both, the dragon favored their current status quo and had no reason to use this information against the phoenix. It provided him a rare insight amidst all the information that the unique phoenix shared. Besides, they still had common goals. Why remove someone who was effective in their place and who had the unique ability to rally his people in a state of chaos? It would be desperately important in the future.
How strange to consider.... Though the count thought there was no understanding, there was something very telling in his choice of words. He said that he felt like a criminal for his actions, and also particularly mentioned the regent's feelings for the one that was now resting in peace. It was impressively telling to the crystal dragon that the regent, with her newfound power, had left Dixon alone, in his position, and still seemed to maintain the same political relation that she had always had. It led a person to think that feelings were not entirely abandoned.... Yes, perhaps there were other reasons, political reasons, that the last of the Kai family left the Count Titanus alive and assisting the affairs of the nation.... but for the family whose history was built on honor...
The crystal dragon smiled.
He walked with the count and his attention turned from his musings to the count and the current conversation. Tomorrow's Ethe. New capital. At least the count knew how he looked to others. Though, the point that again seemed to unconscious highlight Xerseis suspicion was how the capital had been allowed. Perhaps there was a higher hand that helped to facilitate this also? The extent of this needed additional research and study.
He moved to the side of the room, ready to sit down again. He asked for a new glass, so that he might continue to enjoy the tasty drink that had been provided.
"Ask away." For so much information, the dragon was happy to trade and offer his insights.
Leads me to a place so far
Deep down it lies my secret vision
I better keep it safe
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Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2017 1:54 pm
✺Forgotten SonEC: 100
For a moment, the count had folded down into his work again. It was impressive just how many letters the man would crank out daily now, being that he wasn't very good at writing at all a little over a year ago. He'd expected the dragon to jump into his explanation, but the wry grin appearing in some stratus-cloud, phantasmal form suggested he wasn't bothered enough to say much about it as he took the cue: "What I need to know from you is your exact reasoning behind the merits or war: how much you can profit from it, what you plan to do when the Emperor is laid to waste, your ambitions at large--standards, I'm sure, but these are things I'm not familiar with..." he seemed to calculate something--or was his transmitting that secret message: 'trust is earned in its upkeep?'--"It wouldn't do to have misunderstandings between us," and a familiar analogy, "lions who would split the kill among themselves before the rest of the pride.
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Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2017 6:28 pm
Ali Ababva, Lord Xerseis
Gone's the wisdom
Of a thousand years
A world in fire and chains and fear
The dragon took the empty glass brought by a servant with a word of thanks as he took in the question. His smile softened as he returned his focus to the plans he had, or rather, what he expected would happen in the wake of everything. Dixon was wise enough to know that this dragon was not involved merely for the sake of being on the side of the nations or opposed the emperor. He was very correct.
He glanced to the phoenix's eyes, as bright and dangerous in their warning as they would be when attentive to something that is key and important to know. Indeed, he was also very correct. It would be a terrible misfortune if they were forced to cross blades over an incorrectly dotted letter or a poorly spelled statement.
"My intentions are largely simple. I have every desire to build a house in warmer climates, but I have not decided whether I wish a home in Ethe or perhaps a decimated Lionis. Profit earned is more easily used as a weapon against those who waste, especially when they are in their haste to assert their own dominance and power." Tactics of the weak, and thus were they easy targets, especially when their means of resources were cut off and their power crumbled as they starved. "Would you prefer... perhaps more of an understanding of my philosophies or a detailed list of specific plans?"
Leads me to a place so far
Deep down it lies my secret vision
I better keep it safe
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Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2017 11:08 pm
✺Forgotten SonEC: 100
Simple enough not to scare away that smirk the count had when he asked the question. With a look equal in coldness and drive, Dixon glanced up to the powerful man with whom his secrets now rested (he had already returned to his expertly productive if expiating epistolary exercises) so as to challenge all that he said to hold to the initial qualifier:
"---...simple," he muttered to himself wryly under ink and exposed half-informations. He shook this pen off to the side of his table, finding it right to take a lean back, tea in hand, and, following the cue, choose: "Right. Why don't you just start with whatever suits you and I'll listen?" posed the count with a shrewdness that came from a life in the city. No recluse could synthesize this. On the edge of a sip, "--and I'll let you know when I've had enough."
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Posted: Wed Nov 08, 2017 12:20 am
Ali Ababva, Lord Xerseis
Gone's the wisdom
Of a thousand years
A world in fire and chains and fear
The dragon might have been an introvert, but his network of informants and the multitude of his ears certainly were not. However, yes, it was fair to say that his interpersonal skills were somewhat rougher than others. Perhaps he was so accustomed to the candor of before that he hadn't quite registered the change in tone. In any case, the dragon drew forth a map and began to look over it.
He began to detail parts of the battles that had created openings in the nation of Bellris as well as in Lionis. The courses taken by the fleeing populations were noted, most particularly where they moved into Ethe and Phobos. Numbers were placed along these lines, indicating the number of men in their numbers.
Similar lines were also made, but flowing differently. They were shorter marks, hatches on the map. "War moves money quickly. Any one of these caches can be raided and its profit taken. Manpower, trained slaves, supply, food, whatever the men need. Whatever is wanted for an army can be taken from the enemy."
Leads me to a place so far
Deep down it lies my secret vision
I better keep it safe
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Posted: Wed Nov 08, 2017 11:11 am
✺Forgotten SonEC: 100
"Very clever," noted the count with some incongruous combination of disapproval and impression. He set his pen down, honoring the conversation with its due attention. "--Am I to assume, then, that you mean to make as pirates--filthy barbarians surround you, us, as you're no doubt aware...--simply to cut slices into those formally engaged in war?" Most the time when the count spoke so clearly, he wasn't meaning to sound condescending. Some of the men milling about paused, but waved off the conversation as standard for Dixon.
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Posted: Wed Nov 08, 2017 5:58 pm
Ali Ababva, Lord Xerseis
Gone's the wisdom
Of a thousand years
A world in fire and chains and fear
The dragon smiled dryly at the tone used by the count. There were objections made by those who fancied themselves above such honorless tactics, but one couldn't deny the wisdom in the understanding that war was a practice of deception. Where will a man attack? Where can he overwhelm his opponent? The grandest display of force hinged on appearances, ambushes, and the most efficient battles were done completely under the guise of deception.
"I suppose you would prefer to take the opponent's ability to war out of commission by means of the veins instead of his stomach?" The dragon set the quill he was using into the inkwell and moved his hand over a piece of paper that had been sitting aside for his notes. He began to tear pieces out of it, each about the size of his thumbprint. He began to move these across the map, to various crossroads, both thickly marked as tradelines, and those that were not marked upon the map.
"If we do not make use of those supplies, one can be sure your enemy will, if not opportunists. Any war turns a nation into a large force of pirates. Starving soldiers will raid their surroundings and mercilessly cut down an unfamiliar face for a scrap of bread. If you want your soldiers to remain disciplined and to reduce the damage to the field in which they fight, then you must keep them supplied."
The golden eyes flicked up from the map and the pieces he newly organized across it. The count wasn't entirely incorrect, of course, this tactic had similar relations to the stratagem used by pirates and marauders. The main difference, of course, was regalia and numbers. "It begs the question, my feathered friend, do you wish a quick skirmish that buckles your opponent without need for a blade or an engagement that is mourned for years as a senseless slaughter?"
Leads me to a place so far
Deep down it lies my secret vision
I better keep it safe
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Posted: Wed Nov 08, 2017 7:01 pm
✺Forgotten SonEC: 100
So much for reasoning with the man... This says a lot about--
"The mind of a warrior is... interesting," hummed the count, half to himself. He'd been studying the map and alternately watching the dragon's face as he explained: "It's as though you've become civilised by things we see as barbaric."
But enough musing. Dixon clapped his hands together and leaned forward to get a closer look at the map. "You stand to do well, if I see this all correctly..." The proud phoenix rubbed his chin and thought of just what kind of things they might be able to accomplish. They? Well then... "--I don't suppose you've told this to many, old boy." A smirk. "If it needs to be said, I would raid no land that belongs to Roland Bellris... The rest may be tossed into a bag and slung over the shoulder of the quick, mm?" He took a sip of tea, resting his eyes on the silver-haired dragon. Shame they weren't compatriots...
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Posted: Thu Nov 09, 2017 12:52 pm
Ali Ababva, Lord Xerseis
Gone's the wisdom
Of a thousand years
A world in fire and chains and fear
The dragon's smile was slowly losing its grip on his face and began to slide into a slight frown. The objection against raiding the lands of Roland, the knight, were less of a concern as Xerseis was at least aware of the prudence in maintaining allies in opposing nations. However, the phrasing of the last part cast their conversation in a light of ire.
He finished placing the pieces of paper on the map and began to absently fold what was left of it. "Bearing in mind that these are merely plans, and plans are prone to change, in order for me to offer any helpful advice, I'm going to need to understand you more."
The dragon exhaled slowly and his eyes flicked to the paper he was folding. There didn't seem to be any particular rhyme or reason to this, as he must have been using it to keep his hands busy while they talked. Honor.... Xerseis never did understand the use of it.
"If not money, what do you want to get out of this war? Opportunity? Revenge?"
Leads me to a place so far
Deep down it lies my secret vision
I better keep it safe
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Posted: Thu Nov 09, 2017 6:37 pm
✺Forgotten SonEC: 100
His tone changed. Something he said must've not gone over so well. Dixon would recalibrate this later, but for now, with his body of reading for the week was growing beside him, the count set his hands in front of him, softly laced, and smiled to the obscured duke.
"If I must enter the war at all," he began with a certain dismissal in his voice, "I would do it just to have Titania recognised as strong--prestige, why not?" He leaned back, taking his attention skyward. "... Is a noble family still part of the peerage when they are poor? In debt?" he asked the both of them. "Give me the recognition of my place on earth--that I'm sure nothing can buy."
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