Once more with feeling/Logs/Small Group/In Denandsor/Anshu, De`aneir`a, Lilijana, Solitary Talon's Faction, and Ziyad (Ministry of Defence & Logistics Arrangements)

This log has been retconned out. A different version will be taking it's place when the scene is replayed.

(24/10/09 08:53:44) Solitary Talon: "Great. More humiliation, I take it?"
(24/10/09 08:54:59) Anshu: "No, I believe Ziyad wants to discuss the military situation."
(24/10/09 08:58:19) Solitary Talon: "...Fine."
(24/10/09 08:59:19) De`aneir`a is silent with a look of concern at the young woman.
(24/10/09 09:07:22) Ziyad: "I want to discuss reorganising Denandsor's military. Preferably away from just personal forces if that is agreeable"
(24/10/09 09:07:46) Ziyad: "As the one providing most of the City's troops at the moment though the decision mostly rest with Solitary Talon"
(24/10/09 09:08:33) Solitary Talon looks sullen. "I don't see how that's a good idea. I obviously need my own troops to protect myself from idiots like Crow."
(24/10/09 09:08:45) Ziyad: "I would have your forces and Anshu forces form the army of Denandsor and continue to recruit. While myself and De'aneir'a form the navy as we both have some knowledge of ships."
(24/10/09 09:10:34) Ziyad: "Anshu may well have to also be part of the Navy as he does own part of the Skyreme he and I found."
(24/10/09 09:10:57) Anshu: "I have no objection to giving up personal command of my troops, such as they are, although they will be less effective without me - or a Solar with the same ability - leading them."
(24/10/09 09:11:36) Ziyad: "In war personal command is still an option. I would prefer to design a joint armed forces with ourselves at the top."
(24/10/09 09:12:41) De`aneir`a: "Miss Solitary Talon, I want to assure you that if you are threatened by others wrongly then we, those of us of in this City, should very work to ensure that you are not threatened." She though nods to the others. "A joint unification of the forces could lend an easier control of forces in an emergency."
(24/10/09 09:13:18) Anshu: "Not to mention that will help reduce feuds all around if none of us have to worry about the others leading their personal troops in a rebellion or coup."
(24/10/09 09:13:33) De`aneir`a nods.
(24/10/09 09:13:37) Ziyad: "That was in fact my worry"
(24/10/09 09:13:57) Solitary Talon snorts. "Pretty words are meaningless when I haven't seen you defending me against the constant persecution."
(24/10/09 09:14:40) Ziyad: "Ms. Talon, Crow is the sort you do not need an army to defend yourself from. After all he is a Night Caste. They defend you as well as a fortifications of paper. He is the sort to come for you personally"
(24/10/09 09:15:04) Ziyad's demeanor softens. "And besides as long as I am in charge there will be no violence between members of the council. Of that I give you my word."
(24/10/09 09:16:29) De`aneir`a nods with a smile.
(24/10/09 09:16:50) De`aneir`a: "So please trust at least us." Even if she knows not the reason behind most of the anquish in this circle.
(24/10/09 09:17:52) Anshu: "And though I may act harshly toward you, I do not wish you any harm."
(24/10/09 09:18:13) De`aneir`a: "I believe though your protection lies already in the care of the Lunars you have gained with Loyalty and ... L, Love."
(24/10/09 09:19:24) Ziyad gives De'aneir'a a quickly puzzled look and then returns to matters at hand
(24/10/09 09:20:19) De`aneir`a clears her throat nervously.
(24/10/09 09:20:56) Solitary Talon seems rather bitter. "No, you just keep attacking me."
(24/10/09 09:23:58) De`aneir`a sighs a little sadly.
(24/10/09 09:26:30) Anshu shrugs. "I attack you with words because I see much that you could be, that you are not. I do not want you to be harmed, rather I wish to see you grow."
(24/10/09 09:34:50) Solitary Talon snickers. "Right. That's why you keep allowing Dhiren to threaten to kill me. You want me to grow. Sol, how could I have been so wrong." The sixteen year old says sarcastically.
(24/10/09 09:46:59) De`aneir`a looks between Anshu and Solitary.
(24/10/09 09:49:15) De`aneir`a: "I'd ask about this but I am not a part of the Justice Ministry. Truly though why is the harshness of threat directed at one another? Though I admit a lack of information in this. Dhiren is not Anshu's to influence is he?"
(24/10/09 09:50:13) Anshu: "He hasn't threatened you since we were on the barge flying to Great Forks," Anshu says.
(24/10/09 09:50:37) Anshu: "There have been disagreements since then, certainly, but I can't recall him threatening you the way he did then."
(24/10/09 09:54:06) Solitary Talon: "Oh, I think he has."
(24/10/09 09:55:03) Anshu: "Dhiren comes from a village I took under my protection. For a time I was responsible for him, and he looks up to me," Anshu explains to De'aneir'a.
(24/10/09 09:55:05) De`aneir`a frowns.
(24/10/09 09:55:14) Anshu: "When?" Anshu asks Solitary.
(24/10/09 09:55:19) De`aneir`a: "I see."
(24/10/09 09:55:28) Solitary Talon: "Several times."
(24/10/09 09:57:23) Ziyad: "Are you sure? I know that both of you have let this emnity between you grow, but I recall neither of you pushing the issue since we arrived here. Certainly I would have stepped in, had I known about them."
(24/10/09 09:57:38) Ziyad looks thoughtful.
(24/10/09 10:00:40) Solitary Talon snorts. "Yeah, like you stepped in when he was throwing accusations at me during the council?"
(24/10/09 10:02:09) Ziyad: "The council is different. Accusations abounded on all sides and unproven they are only words. Had they been more so I would have taken steps."
(24/10/09 10:02:34) De`aneir`a: "Its hard isn't it? To keep the order as it is? How to be impartial at the same time protective. Even I cannot see the head or the tail of the annimosity between you and others."
(24/10/09 10:03:31) Anshu: "Well, I will speak to him anyway. Even if he has not, the reminder should not do him any harm."
(24/10/09 10:03:33) Ziyad sighs. "It is incredibly difficult. One most toe the line so very much. Especially with this circle."
(24/10/09 10:04:05) Solitary Talon: "...Fine."
(24/10/09 10:23:14) Ziyad: "Anyway if that is dealt with or at least settled for the moment. This way the city should be more secure and allows each of us to expand the city's armed forces."
(24/10/09 10:23:46) Solitary Talon: "...Fine."
(24/10/09 10:24:50) Ziyad: "Any ideas you wish to present? After all this ministry is jointly ours."
(24/10/09 10:25:36) De`aneir`a glances to Solitary.
(24/10/09 10:26:05) Solitary Talon: "Well, I think I should have total control over the Army side, as I'm contributing all of the useful troops."
(24/10/09 10:28:13) Ziyad: "At the end though you only have 1 Legion. That will not be sufficient in the long run. At the moment Anshu is more capable than you of training more troops of that caliber."
(24/10/09 10:31:54) De`aneir`a thinks about this a moment.
(24/10/09 10:33:02) Anshu: "Giving you total control over the army defeats the purpose of preventing others from worrying about what you might do with it."
(24/10/09 10:34:12) Solitary Talon: "And? I'm still contributing all of the useful troops."
(24/10/09 10:34:35) De`aneir`a: "Perhaps a louder voice in how to deploy those forces when required. In a joint outfit, if harm does befall you," she quickly adds, "not that any of us here wish that, but if it were to happen by an enemy having more than one commander at any time will grant the ground forces a greater amount of ability."
(24/10/09 10:35:26) De`aneir`a: "Uh.. more leeway ... I know there is a term there for what I'm trying to get... but it would give it more power, I would think."
(24/10/09 10:35:40) Anshu: "More flexibility."
(24/10/09 10:35:50) Solitary Talon shakes her head. "Not needed. The line of command if I die is quite clear."
(24/10/09 10:36:57) Ziyad: "For the moment we are not taking away your troops. Just making sure when the army is not just your troops others amongst us have the ability to command them but it is also not possible for you to be in all places at once. Say perhaps when we have 10 Legions, you cannot be in charge of all of them at once."
(24/10/09 10:37:15) Ziyad: "For curiousities sake what is that Line of Command?"
(24/10/09 10:38:15) Solitary Talon: "In order? Li, Silveria, Sakura, Aesin, then down to my Dragonlords. I can enumerate it in full, but that would take longer than we really have time for."
(24/10/09 10:43:27) Solitary Talon: "And you want to take away my sole control. Tell me, how exactly are you *not* taking my troops away?"
(24/10/09 10:47:27) Ziyad: "Then let us say that for the moment you will keep control of your troops. But you will be required to work with Anshu to train further legions of that standard and of those you will share command. And perhaps in time you can share command of all the legions. Can you agree to that?"
(24/10/09 10:48:11) Ziyad slides a look to his mates and with a flourish pulls a rose from nowhere and presents it to Solitary with a flourish
(24/10/09 10:48:54) Solitary Talon: "Why should I work with him? I can train my troops just as well as he can, if not better."
(24/10/09 10:51:41) Ziyad: "Because if you can do it better then teach him to do so. If he can teach better than you then he can teach you to. Two after all of enormous skill are better than one. And you will not be teaching your troops, you will be teaching our troops. Your troops are already a model example."
(24/10/09 10:52:26) Anshu: "Any new troops would have to be loyal to Denandsor first, of course."
(24/10/09 10:52:59) Lilijana sidles over to Solitary and whispers to her "It is a good offer mistress, you sacrifice nothing and gain much"
(24/10/09 10:55:22) Solitary Talon: "No. Any new legions should first be loyal to their commander, and only then to Denandsor."
(24/10/09 10:56:23) Anshu: "Again defeating the purpose of alleviating worries of coup or rebellion."
(24/10/09 10:56:32) Ziyad: "I disagree they should be loyal to the government first and then the commander. It stops such troops following their commander should he or she decide to turn against us. Unless of course you are considering such a thing?"
(24/10/09 10:56:55) Ziyad: "Haven't the Realm had problems with that in the past. Saloy Him or whatever his name was?"
(24/10/09 10:59:40) Ziyad: "Do you really want to lose armies to those more loyal to commanders under you if they suddenly take umbrage to you? Why they would do such a thing is purely fantasy of course."
(24/10/09 11:00:26) Ziyad's voice is perfectly calm. There is not a hint of sarcasm.
(24/10/09 11:04:56) Solitary Talon: "Say rather that I fear others turning on me."
(24/10/09 11:06:23) Ziyad: "Others such as whom?"
(24/10/09 11:07:01) Solitary Talon pointedly does not look at Anshu.
(24/10/09 11:08:48) Ziyad sighs and in a kindly voice says "Have I not already said I will do everything in my power to prevent this circle from turning on one another."
(24/10/09 11:10:06) Ziyad: "Especially when they are using the resources of the city on one another. This is why they should be loyal to the city not their commander. As Anshu will have his own troops loyal to him in the end. If they are loyal to the city such stupidity shouldn't happen."
(24/10/09 11:10:41) Ziyad: "The troops will refuse to fight against their own fellows and thus defeat your worries."
(24/10/09 11:10:47) Anshu: "Exactly. If we each have troops loyal to ourselves first, then we will constantly be suspcious of each other."
(24/10/09 11:12:21) Lilijana: "Yet even if they are loyal to the city, their commanders are exalted and can easily sway mortals. Will you Oathbound the soldiers to the city?"
(24/10/09 11:12:21) Silveria nods as she nears Solitary resting her slender hands on the younger woman. "Fear not those of city, it is good to focus energy on a foe and not a possible ally, no?"
(24/10/09 11:13:16) Ziyad: "I would prefer it that our troops are competent at every level and dedicated instead to the ideals of the city and hopefully OUR future Empire. That way even at the smallest of units they will be capable of preventing stupid or poorly thought out decisions."
(24/10/09 11:13:29) Solitary Talon: "And if you do, are not they then bound to the Binder, and not the city?"
(24/10/09 11:13:48) Anshu: "Not if the oath is worded properly."
(24/10/09 11:13:52) Ziyad: "Unfortunately it would be more efficient to get the Commander's to not force the will of their soldiers anyway."
(24/10/09 11:14:01) Anshu: "That too."
(24/10/09 11:14:12) De`aneir`a nods.
(24/10/09 11:15:17) Ziyad: "I wish to see an armed forces that is as capable of making good decisions at the lowest levels as well as the highest. An army that needs a minimum of supervision as they know as well as you what should be done. An army unlike Creation has ever seen. Where competence is the word and the deed."
(24/10/09 11:15:35) Solitary Talon: "...So one like mine, then?"
(24/10/09 11:15:59) Ziyad: And for some reason after the last words, Ziyad shudders slightly his face going completely blank
(24/10/09 11:16:33) De`aneir`a looks to those that have known each other more with a concerned look.
(24/10/09 11:19:04) Lilijana: "Such a force would be something to be reckoned with. To many rely on supposedly copetent officers, but surely such a force would take much time and cost to train and equip"
(24/10/09 11:20:33) Silveria: "Assuredly quite a bit of time and resources. But it would be worthwhile, no?"
(24/10/09 11:20:41) Ziyad: "We are Exalted such a force could be created in mere Seasons. But for the moment we must rely on what we have."
(24/10/09 11:22:40) Anshu: "We must rely on what we have, and reliance means that we must trust what we have."
(24/10/09 11:23:17) Solitary Talon: "So why are you trying to take away control of the completely reliable army I already have?"
(24/10/09 11:23:23) Anshu: "And for that to happen we must unify our forces and ensure that they are not loyal to any particular faction in the city, but to the city itself."
(24/10/09 11:24:09) Lilijana: "Yet you ask much of Mistress Solitary and seem to offer little in return perhaps a gesture of good faith on your parts is needed?"
(24/10/09 11:24:39) Anshu: "You can rely on it, yes. But your army is currently loyal to you, and you alone."
(24/10/09 11:24:53) Anshu: "And I have made such a gesture."
(24/10/09 11:25:05) Solitary Talon: "And that is why I can rely on it."
(24/10/09 11:26:06) Anshu: "I have already said that I am willing to give up personal command of my Auxiliaries."
(24/10/09 11:26:20) Ziyad: "Are you saying you are afraid to rely on an army that is loyal to you AND the city?"
(24/10/09 11:26:58) Solitary Talon: "Yes. If they are also loyal to the city, then they can be turned against me and mine."
(24/10/09 11:28:12) Anshu: "And if they are loyal only to you, then they can be turned against us and ours."
(24/10/09 11:28:30) Ziyad: "Which is what some of the others are afraid of."
(24/10/09 11:28:50) Anshu thinks This is a waste of time. This brat obviously has no intention of negotiating in good faith.
(24/10/09 11:29:20) Ziyad: "The fact that both of you seem to forget is armies would not save any of us against one another. They are only useful in protecting the mortals in our care."
(24/10/09 11:29:45) Lilijana: "And we have come full circle. Perhaps a recess is required to allow people time to consider there postions"
(24/10/09 11:30:34) Ziyad: "More so while I AM willing to permit a personal guard that is loyal to the commander above the city but I am not happy with the current situation of that guard being the majority of the army."
(24/10/09 11:30:55) Ziyad: "Not because I fear it but because of the unease it creates with our fellows."
(24/10/09 11:31:26) Solitary Talon: "Name one."
(24/10/09 11:37:23) Ziyad: "Shining, though he has an Army of Demon's to oppose you if such should things should come to a head."
(24/10/09 11:37:50) Solitary Talon: "And Shining is opposed to me because of his bondmate's actions."
(24/10/09 11:38:19) Ziyad: "Strange then that he voiced this opinion before this erstwhile deal with his bond mate."
(24/10/09 11:38:45) Solitary Talon: "...Really." Solitary Talon seems rather suspicious.
(24/10/09 11:38:50) Lilijana freezes at the mention of her and Shining.
(24/10/09 11:39:16) Ziyad: "Then of course there are those that do not trust you for the same reason you do not trust them."
(24/10/09 11:39:37) Lilijana: "I have tried to moderate Shining's actions."
(24/10/09 11:45:28) Solitary Talon: "And yet you do not seem to be doing a very good job of it, toy."
(24/10/09 11:46:23) Lilijana: "I will agree there mistress." Lilijana curses her self for drawing Solitarys attetion "It will take time for him to accept the situation."
(24/10/09 11:49:04) Ziyad: "You know he may never accept the situation and each misery you inflict upon her he will attempt to inflict upon you. The Lord strikes me as the vengeful sort. Better then not to anger him and have him as a friend rather than an enemy."
(24/10/09 11:49:36) Anshu: "Speaking as one of the latter group Ziyad mentioned, I am trying to negotiate in good faith in order to prevent matters from 'coming to a head.' I have yet to see any evidence that you have any interest in this matter apart from holding onto the power you already have and trying to seize more."
(24/10/09 11:49:52) Ziyad: "After all the more friends you have the more your enemies have to worry. Though it would be better still if you had no enemies amongst the circle, then the world would worry."
(24/10/09 11:50:00) Lilijana glances over at Ziyad and gives him a look that suggests he is not helping matters.
(24/10/09 11:51:29) Solitary Talon: "And why exactly would I want to lose any power?"
(24/10/09 11:52:56) Anshu: "Because by doing so you may be able to preserve your future safety, Dynast. I would think that one descended from those who overthrew the Solars to begin with would understand that."
(24/10/09 11:53:02) Anshu: Anshu turns to Ziyad. "Prime Minister, may I recommend that the city begin stockpiling food in the event of a siege, which seems likely. The entire harvest of our farmers would be a good start. Naturally, Solitary Talon's troops, not being a responsibility of the city, will have to find some way to fend for themselves."
(24/10/09 11:55:27) Ziyad: "That Anshu is rather foolish and does not help the situation."
(24/10/09 11:55:38) Anshu: "She does not care!"
(24/10/09 11:55:55) Anshu: "She would rather grab as much power as she possibly can and damn the consequences!"
(24/10/09 11:56:15) Anshu: "She is exactly the reason the Dragon-blooded rose up and killed us in the first place."
(24/10/09 11:56:32) Solitary Talon: "And do you want me to cut off funding for anything you want to do? I have that power, after all." Solitary Talon says coldly.
(24/10/09 11:56:36) Anshu: "Her attitude, rather."
(24/10/09 11:56:40) Ziyad's eyes light up with a untold fury.
(24/10/09 11:56:57) Lilijana: "Mistress please do not rise to his bait."
(24/10/09 11:57:17) Ziyad: "We deserved what we got Anshu. All of us, did you remember a tenth of the horror I do you would not doubt it."
(24/10/09 11:58:26) Ziyad: "Moreso some of us helped them do it. Some of us deserved our deaths that much. We had became a wasting disease on the land we had made great."
(24/10/09 11:58:45) Ziyad's voice contains a cold fury.
(24/10/09 11:59:38) Anshu: "I did not say we did not. I am saying that it is because we allowed ourselves to become arrogant. But my point is that we have been trying to negotiate with her so that we can prevent a civil war from breaking out between the factions in the Council. But SHE DOES NOT CARE that we are trying to keep her and her holdings as safe from us as we are trying to keep ours safe from her. She does not care for anything except her own power and ambition."
(24/10/09 12:00:04) Anshu: "She is as blinded by it as our past incarnations were when we were slaughtered by the Terrestrials."
(24/10/09 12:00:20) Solitary Talon: "And you have just removed any reason for me not to declare war on you and yours."
(24/10/09 12:00:35) Cerise thinks She is a frightened little girl holding tight to her security blanket. One you are trying to take away from her, to her eyes.
(24/10/09 12:00:56) Ziyad: "Solitary, if you do this there is no return. One or all of us will die and Creation will die with us."
(24/10/09 12:01:23) Lilijana: "Mistress, many of your circle mates would not understand. You would turn the neutrals against you do not do this please."
(24/10/09 12:01:43) Silveria: "She is a young woman, Anshu, she is not blinded, she ... doesn't mean all that she says." She says with a tone of desperation.
(24/10/09 12:02:18) Ziyad: "Anshu you knew this already you fool and still you let your anger blind you. You ARE an adult so act like one!"
(24/10/09 12:02:26) Ziyad's teeth are gritted
(24/10/09 12:02:55) Li "A war would devastate Denandsor, thereby weakening everyone's position. The price is too high."
(24/10/09 12:03:44) Sakura thinks: Caution, love. I know they are making you angry. But killing mortals won't solve that.
(24/10/09 12:05:21) Harmony and Cadence smother and take into themselves Ziyad's anger, clearing his mind by bearing the burden for him. Calmness flows between the three. Along the bond, "There must be a compromise that all accept. There must be."
(24/10/09 12:06:16) Silveria: "Please, Solitary, do not mean to do this. It would splinter and shatter this fragile union, no?" She kneels down beside Solitary, the last thing the Lunar wants is internal strife on this level.
(24/10/09 12:08:36) Lilijana: "I would humbly suggest we all take a step back, I think somethings where said in the heat of the moment that where not ment to be said. A brief pause and then apolgies are in order."
(24/10/09 12:09:51) Anshu: Anshu closes his eyes and takes several deep breaths. "You are right, I have acted, spoken in anger."
(24/10/09 12:11:02) Solitary Talon seems truly furious. "I will withdraw my declaration of war if, and only if, Anshu agrees to surrender control of his troops to me and apologises for his words in public."
(24/10/09 12:12:57) Ziyad: "Solitary Talon you are rather bringing the situation to the head. Did your mother teach you nothing of diplomacy: It is compromise not take."
(24/10/09 12:13:36) Ziyad: "He would rather see you dead than surrender his troops. And with his allies you will loose at least some of those dear to you, if not your life in the process. And that is assuming you win."
(24/10/09 12:14:00) Silveria: "Solitary," she says with a slightly stern tone. "Leave Anshu's forces be. Will you not forgive this, and let it be."
(24/10/09 12:14:09) Anshu: Anshu shakes his head.
(24/10/09 12:15:24) Silveria: "He is quick to anger, it would show you are ... better for it by forgiving it, no?" Silveria says softly and gently attempting to cool her down.
(24/10/09 12:15:25) Li lets his breath out slowly, his eyes closed. "Then we go to war against those claimed as our allies. Should I strike first in this, love? Should I kill everyone in this room that doesn't belong with you? Shall I be first sacrificed on the alter of your fury and your fear?"
(24/10/09 12:16:10) Ziyad eyes turn to Li there is thanks in them
(24/10/09 12:16:20) De`aneir`a frowns at Li and tilts her head. He is being extravagant... I hope.
(24/10/09 12:18:24) Sakura thinks He will die for you. He means it. And he knows that I would die next; to protect you from their assaults. It is your choice. You are the Priestess of the Sun. You are the sun to our moons.
(24/10/09 12:19:52) Lilijana: "Mistress, please do not force this. The avalanche once started can not be stopped."
(24/10/09 12:20:11) Li thinks It is your choice, beloved.
(24/10/09 12:23:17) Anshu: "Will you listen to the council of your bondmates?"
(24/10/09 12:23:28) Anshu: "They are wiser than either of us."
(24/10/09 12:23:53) Solitary Talon closes her eyes, and breathes slowly. "Very well. I shall accept a public apology. But make no mistake, try this again and it truly will be war."
(24/10/09 12:24:19) Lilijana sighs in relief.
(24/10/09 12:24:50) Li thinks along the bond: My offer stands. You simply must say the word and I will start killing.
(24/10/09 12:25:00) Sakura thinks along the bond Thank you.
(24/10/09 12:25:33) Silveria nearly deflates then and there bowing her head and sitting on the floor.
(24/10/09 12:27:53) De`aneir`a: "I gather this means the unification of forces is still at an impass?" She looks to Ziyad with a thoughtful before looking away.
(24/10/09 12:28:58) Ziyad: "I would have private words with both you De'aneir'a and you Anshu. But yes I guess this ends my dream of unifed efficient forces. To the inefficiency of personal protection."
(24/10/09 12:29:05) Ziyad shrugs.
(24/10/09 12:29:35) De`aneir`a nods.
(24/10/09 12:29:47) Anshu: "For which of my words would you like an apology, Solitary Talon?"
(24/10/09 12:29:53) Ziyad: "What will be will be. I may try to discuss this with you again Solitary." He glances at Anshu with disgust, "Though I shall not bring Anshu."
(24/10/09 12:29:59) Sakura "Inefficiency is a good thing. Too efficient, and people die before anyone has a chance to interrupt the process."
(24/10/09 12:30:06) Lilijana moves over to Silveria seeing that Solitary is distracted.
(24/10/09 12:30:22) Lilijana: "Mistress Silveria are you alright?"
(24/10/09 12:31:10) Ziyad: "You heard my reasoning as well as any other here Sakura, you know my way was right. But only if people were willing to put aside the past. Too many of us either dwell on it or imitate it."
(24/10/09 12:31:43) Ziyad: At nearly a whisper "Myself included."
(24/10/09 12:32:12) De`aneir`a: "Not to belittle the use of an army but I have always found various style of automaton for personal protection, to be better than most other things." She begins to think what kind of things she could create for the protection of another Celestial.
(24/10/09 12:32:51) Silveria: "Yes, I'm fine. A little drained perhaps. A little disappointed too," she looks to Lilijana and smiles. "But it is over with, no?"
(24/10/09 12:33:29) Solitary Talon glances at Lilijana's place, then sees where she moved to and nods approvingly. "Let's start with you apologising for the attempt to blackmail me into handing over control of my personal army and the constant insults you have directed towards me."
(24/10/09 12:33:34) Li: "Find, hire and indoctrinate enough mercenaries so that your forces are larger than hers, than my mates, and so are able to cover all the needed positions. I'm certain you have the way, if not the will."
(24/10/09 12:34:14) Lilijana: "I hope so, things do seem calmer for now at least"
(24/10/09 12:34:23) Sakura: Li! Behave.
(24/10/09 12:35:06) Solitary Talon: "Not without access to funding he doesn't. And I control the funding."
(24/10/09 12:37:08) Li: "Then to soothe his fear, allow him the funding." Li shrugs, "The city can well afford it as a special project for the smooth running of the city itself."
(24/10/09 12:37:52) Sakura: "And by smooth running, he means to avoid us Exalted arguing over it." She smiles, even as she kicks Li in the shin.
(24/10/09 12:39:02) Anshu: "I apologize for attempting to blackmail you, and for insulting you in front of your bondmates and fellow councilors."
(24/10/09 12:39:05) Ziyad remains silent. Watching the exchange with interest.
(24/10/09 12:40:57) Solitary Talon: "Apology accepted." Why should I, Li? If I control the funding, why should I not simply use it to acquire mercenaries for my own use?
(24/10/09 12:43:05) Li Because if he fears you and your army, he will continue looking for ways to get to you and to get an army of his own. Giving him the army makes your position more sure, showing confidence and generosity.
(24/10/09 12:43:20) Lilijana: "Does that conclude your business here Mistress?"
(24/10/09 12:43:50) Sakura: Fear isn't the way to make people into allies. Only into inferiors or enemies.
(24/10/09 12:47:37) Solitary Talon: But they *are* my inferiors, mine angel of the cherry blossoms. "Yes, toy, I believe it does." Solitary Talon takes hold of Lilijana's leash, before walking out. "Coming, light of my life?"