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 Posted: Thu Jun 15, 2017 3:27 pm
✺Forgotten Son Outfit EC: 100 And now they were in the thick of it; two dragons sitting alone, unmolested in power, free and resolute in design; married, let's say, in honestly, to forces all the same outside this impregnable enclave.
This is what decided what would happen in the world--they were hurried along, Dixon could feel, by the urgency of the situation; it was their duty to come to a conclusion quickly in this space, away from the demanding public, before the same people changed their needs...
The count took a drink of the fine spirit in front of him and set his face like stone, watching the dragon with reciprocal severity; it was simply the thing to do. He thought of how it would be so nice to see...
"That b*****d raped my queen!" he exploded. His eyes had shifted down, fist clenched, ambient temperature rising quickly. It plateaued; the count came to see exactly what Lord Xerseis had seen in the current situation.
"... Right," he rejoined. "I had the opportunity to kill him myself, but the time simply wasn't right--nor would there have been any honor in striking down a sick man." He seemed to hold the duke's gaze firmly. "Do you know what I mean? I won't be the one--yet another--to stoop to the level of such filth. May irony strike me down if I believe that isn't what a nobleman should do." He closed his eyes, leaned back, exhaled. The room cooled ever-so-slightly.
"I'm sure the time will be right soon. Let me be straight with you, my friend: we're going to have to do this by the books; no longer will it do to simply stage a coup and indoctrinate a people afterward. This is something we'll have to finesse: a preserved justness." He spoke in neither his uppity noblesse-esque tongue nor his cogney gittery, but instead as a man whose intellect was his conviction (and vice versa).
"I have a political enemy," he continued. "Roland Bellris. This should not be ignored--" index finger to the lamp overhead: "we are not enemies in the least; the leaders of both our nations must go on thinking so, though, so we can move freely. I will not tolerate the trend of Ethe's Bellrisianation, nor will I wait to act because of leadership that will have me 'play nice.' Understand: the deals I am making with the man will benefit both nations--all, really--but it must be done so with a bit of, erm, show." He waved his hand, fishing out a cigarette with the other. His finger was sufficient to light the tip, and its cherry dullness was blinked orange for a brief moment upon its awakening. "It seems like nothing, a trifle, but this is paramount if we are to work together. We the fog clears, I'd very much like to have you speak to my people," he confided. "I'll stage a conference to clear my plans. You should know, above all else, that my people are they pulse of my decision-making; everything I do they know and approve of, because I am as much brother to them as I am a father."
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Posted: Thu Jun 15, 2017 10:30 pm
Gone's the wisdom
Of a thousand years
A world in fire and chains and fear
The outburst was unexpected, and the content of the declaration expelled positive emotion from the expression of the dragon of Phobos. He was less surprised at the content then the clear honesty of the words, the loyalty that his tone was evidence of. Yet still... the emperor was rumored to be a b*****d of behavior. That he was so uncouth as to incite the wrath of Ethe's true nobility in this way.... Small wonder that he had no friends in Ethe.
The dragon almost forgot that he had a drink on hand. No... he needed his mind fairly clear at this point. He held his tongue and absorbed this information. Then.... his sources were not to be believed? Indeed, an impressive ruse. And what was more, he knew for certain where the Count believed his motivation to be. And what was more, to have this dragon speak to his people? What would he speak of?
"When the time comes, what would you have me say to your people?"
Now that the dragon thought about it.... the passion for the people was a unique trait of the lower lords of Ethe... a baron in particular.... Was this where his philosophy came from? Or was it still rooted in how he was raised in the country and away from politics? Even so... a fascinating consideration. That charisma, that drive, and that he was making these unexpected connections further impressed the dragon. Yes, he dared to think that he would like this phoenix.
Leads me to a place so far
Deep down it lies my secret vision
I better keep it safe
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Posted: Fri Jun 16, 2017 6:34 am
✺Forgotten Son Outfit EC: 100
"It is important that you introduce yourself," answered the count. "No doubt my people--especially those in charge of managing laborers, who are closest to me in my decision-making--will come to know all my dealings; they simply wouldn't have--nor would I make them have--any hidden alliances; they should be expected to work twice as hard toward our goals knowing my partner is amicable." He nodded along with this last point, feeling certain that the meaning wouldn't be lost. The aura surrounding the table was as proud as it was noticeable, and as he took a sip of his drink an impression began to form in the mind of the count that the man would be of goals concurrent with his own (despite the aforementioned insurrection, Dixon knew somehow that this man was smarter than to leave the lawn un-watered, if you will).
"Trust me when I say my people have come to be very shrewd workers--all laborers are. They will give you the full strength of their backs and the blood and sweat they are worth, but only in exchange of trust. Show them that you are a man who has the growth of all peoples in mind; appeal to their altruistic inclination to work with others for the sake of mutual benefit." He wasn't lying. The people Dixon had come to work with in Etelan and Titania (now it was spreading in Antigone, but it wasn't yet fully bloomed) were willing to work with anyone...
"...Even those in Bellris, they would work with them, our nemesis, to sow a better tomorrow for both." He chuckled a little. "I'm sure they'll be delighted to hear you will have resources to help them, anyway," he confided. "They will be eager to repay you. And our land has grown fertile; we will soon have food to feed an army as well as mine and live as a leaned people; my people grow weary of their boring lives."
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Eventually, good as the evening was, the time had struck haste into the count with a spontaneity that was almost jarring. He started to pack his pockets, searching for something. "I'm sorry about this, old boy," he said as he furnished a letter, laying it in front of the dragon, "but I have yet another engagement before the day is done." He nodded to the letter. It didn't have anything important written on it, but there was... "My seal. Anything else must be disregarded. Shameful, but there are those who would go to great lengths to undermine me." The count took everything that was his and began withdrawing like the tide.
"I look forward to working with you," he said with a natural smile. "Good work may still be done." And then he bowed and allowed himself to be escorted out of the labyrinthine estate. He still had another house to meet with today.
{Exit}
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Posted: Fri Jun 16, 2017 11:19 am
Gone's the wisdom
Of a thousand years
A world in fire and chains and fear
Then this was a plume display. The dragon identified simply and found himself recognizing the idea and philosophy behind it. Proof came in seeing as well as keeping all who would be involved in the loop. To outsiders, seeing this dragon appear would be a rarity in and of itself, for he rarely favored the day and the people who walked in the light, but as proof before him, there would always be exceptions, and ones that would help keep not only the day interesting, but perhaps there was more to persuade him of the virtues of strangers.
It was better to have visible trust than insecure uncertainty. If they needed his face and to hear these words, than the dragon would let the phoenix and the people with this count have them. If it soothed their hearts and earned their help, all the better. But what this lord wished also to remember, and to keep his caution close, was that if he lied and it was discovered, that the ire and wrath of the same people he promised would come back to earn him an enemy of generations.
"Would your people so trust this dragon of phobos merely on your saying and with just my words?" Ali finally voiced an part of his concern. Fortunately, the count was able to explain, and after some more speaking, they reached an equal understanding. He acknowledged the letter and stood to see the count out safely. This was a tricky home, after all.
He made note of the seal. While he didn't have picture-memory, he would take down a hasty sketch to remember its form.
"And I with you." He bowed to the count in turn. Then, with a few guards hovering in the shadows as they walked, the lord led Dixon safely to the open air again. They would meet again at some future point and they would ensure that this dragon met with the people. Ah, but now wasn't the time, because that wall still lingered. He had his own contacts to enforce. "Fare thee well."
Leads me to a place so far
Deep down it lies my secret vision
I better keep it safe
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Posted: Sat Jul 08, 2017 9:03 pm
 Year 202
Epsilon Empire of Drosselmeyer
Second Year into the Reign of Emperor Azazel
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