It's About the Journey (Leon-GM)

[Allison Kazim]

Face to face with s shark. A very well-mannered shark. Ali nodded at the correction and took a seat, one hand in her lap as she retrieved the seal Preston had provided her to back her position here and presenting it to Angelonia. Talking less would be a mercy and probably save her.

"My name is Allison Kazim, emissary of the High Chancellor of Ayatlan."

[Angelonia Kaizer]

"Ah yes. A very respectable position from a people of scholars, a land of study and learning. A very impressive land I wish I could visit more often."

Angelonia would say pleasantly before a non Royal Guard butler would enter with tea and a set of sugar cubes and creamer. Angelonia would accept her cup with two sugars and a tea spoon of cream. She stirred it and smelled at the aroma. Dipping her spoon in the honey before putting it back in her tea.

"Well, Emissary Kazim. You have traveled a great distance to give me your message. Please, if you will."

[Allison Kazim]

"I will be sure to pass along the sentiment." Ali observed the tea being served, accepting hers without anything else to sweeten or change the drink as it was. The warmth was a pleasant feeling, but the cup was set down once she was asked for the message she carried.

"The Conqueror is making bold moves, may lady. He has actively gone against Aurora, one of the leading territories. It survived, but it is unknown where or when he will act next.

"King Oleander would also pass on that you should look to the sky. He will tear the Conqueror's castle down for the world to see." She remembered Preston's nettling question and appraisal when she didn't have the answer he sought.

"Sooner, rather than later, given his home has survived the attack." And a warrior would not leave his home undefended or sit idly by when a threat came to their door to threaten it.

[Angelonia Kaizer]

"I see. Acts of war and aggression once again win out over talk and amiable conversation. The new King to me seems while yes... A brute like Mister Alexander Malice of Vindicta. Has a finesse to his actions, sending rather loud and proud messages. One day all of that attention is going to turn on him. Because of that his people, and many peoples will suffer needlessly. You can tell the High Chancellor or King Oleander himself, that while I do not approve of his actions, I will keep watch."

She sips at her tea.

"What do you think on this task he has given himself? Causing this enemies castle to fall as retribution for an attack that ended before you even arrived?"

[Allison Kazim]

It was pretty much what Ali expected: accepting the message and voicing disapproval as a pacifest. She nodded with the statement, but paused as Angelonia instead asked about her thoughts on the matter. The mage went still, watching her for a moment as she considered her response.

"Most are proud on some level, I would say. He acts with purpose." She picked up the cup, fingers rubbing against the shape of it.

"He is a warrior, and this is not the first attack Aurora has had by the same enemy. He gave a chance to speak peacefully before the battle began, and it wasn't accepted." Refused or otherwise, she couldn't say. "Aurora is his home, a place he has built and developed.  The Conqueror is using force.  Who wouldn't do whatever it took to protect their home and their people?" She blinked, realizing she'd said far more than she intended to and set the cup down again.

"Shouldn't the Conqueror face the consequences of his actions?"

[Angelonia Kaizer]

"Of course there should be consequences, I agree."

Angelonia nodded, mulling over what Ali had said on the matter.

"I simply do not see the merit in this form of retribution. After a battle such as that, negotiations should of been re-opened. They obviously under estimated the capability of the Auroran warrior's. With the obvious might that no doubt was on display for the battle, would you say that was sufficient to turn a talk more to your favor? Why must the reaction be to kill more people? Kill servants, women, children possibly just working, or making a living in the castle?"

Angelonia poses her question with a slight stare.

[Allison Kazim]

"No one is asking us to like it, Lady Angelonia." The words were out before Ali could stop them as she shook her head.

"After a battle such as that came after his previous attempt involved trying to wipe everyone out of the territory, including his own soldiers. They used children as weapons. Negotiations came before the second time - they tried that tactic and were denied." This time, Ali did take a sip of her tea, watching the other woman carefully.

"Given that knowledge, what would you suggest? Would you continue to negotiate with someone who clearly does not hold those same values? When people are tools? How many times would you offer to negotiate before action must be taken?"

[Angelonia Kaizer]

Angelonia would slightly raise an eye brow at the initial comment, but would listen to everything Ali had to say, nodding.

"The tactics are detestable. The reasons are likely as vile. But, I must believe that people are good. No one is truly evil, or too far gone that they can not see reason. I must be the higher person, I must value life even if they don't. We must passionately state our cause every time."

[Allison Kazim]

"And when your people suffer and die for every failed negotiation?" There was heat to her voice, passion as she leaned forward, not sassing or irate, but genuinely curious about what Angelonia would say or do when a line had to be drawn - when it could be something any of them would have to draw.

"Is hoping he is a good person deep down going to be enough to defend them? To justify losing life and loved ones? Home? Food?" She sat back for a moment.

"I'm sorry if I've offended you. But it is something that anyone under his gaze could face."

[Angelonia Kaizer]

Angelonia would lean back in her chair sipping at the tea again as Allison responded with her own passions.

"No, the end results of being squashed by a stronger power is always a possibility. I openly recognize the need for defense and protection. The Royal Guard are a measured response to that need, but it is only because everyone openly admits it is a need. If it came down to it, kill or be killed, I would die. This is why I have allies, people who may not directly believe in my ideals, believe enough in me to come to my aid; the aid of my people."

She would pause for only a moment to breath.

"If it had to be me choosing to make my people kill others and taint their hands with that kind of guilt. I will accept my death, but only after every other avenue, option, desperate cry for peace has been tried."

[Allison Kazim]

Ali's gut churned at the answer, though she nodded all the same. A leader that was willing to ensure their people's safety was one thing, but it unsettled her that Angelonia thought that such a taint was worth losing their lives for in hopes of saving them pain. Not that she couldn't understand; her own sister, for one, was someone Ali hoped would never have to experience killing someone else. But when the hope for peace pushed for that on some futile hope...

"That is noble of you to put yourself before your people." It was the safest answer she could come up with. They would agree to disagree, and arguing violence in Angelonia's own territory was, frankly, stupid.

"But, you asked for my opinion, and now you have it."

[Angelonia Kaizer]

"And I believe, I have learned a great deal about you in our short time together. I have come to respect you. You have passion in your beliefs, and your love of life and innocence is to be admired. I do not fault your opinion, as that is what it is. I thank you for being frank and honest with me. Would you care if we talked more in the future?"

Angelonia would ask smiling as she hoped to become friends with Ali.

[Allison Kazim]

Wait, what? Ali stared for a moment, blinking and thanking what manners she had that she wasn't there with her mouth hanging open. Angelonia not only respected her, but wanted to talk to her? More? This had to be a trap.

But she couldn't really say no, regardless of what she may have thought or wondered. The silence hung in the air for a moment before she would nod in acceptance, oblivious to the notion that this woman would want to be friends and not just want some kind of insight or foothold on what was happening in Ayatlan. She wanted to tell the woman to back off.

"I woudln't mind," was what came out, instead. There was no smile this time, but Ali did settle back in her chair instead of being uptight. Things had to be drawing to a close now.

[Angelonia Kaizer]

"While, I have enjoyed our time so far. This was an emergency meeting thrown together due to the official nature of your visit. If you haven't heard, a Noble has recently passed and there is much to over see when it comes to the lands switching hands and making sure everyone can grieve appropriately. Was there anything else you wished to discuss, or know while you are here?"

[Allison Kazim]

She did?

"We had heard the news, yes." She nodded. "We should leave you to it, then." The mage rose to her feet. "I appreciate the offer, but I think we are done for today. Thank you."