quicksmart | (no subject)

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caesar,
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[ Agnes is tidying up Caesar's room while he's not around, appearing to be in some sort of distressed state again as she moves objects loudly and actually curses at things in frustration when they don't do as she wishes. She's in the process of de-cluttering his desk when she ends up knocking a stack of papers off, at which point she wearily stares at them in their mess on the floor and collapses in a heap alongside with them, possibly starting to cry. ]

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[ She falls into a short-lived daze at his question, but then straightens after a few moments. ]

... The latter is something I cannot change no matter how much I wish it, but the former is something that can be rectified.

[ She looks at him now, imploringly. ]

Caesar, that man is a murderer and war-monger. I am not suggesting he be killed, but...

You're not suggesting it, but it would suit you fine, wouldn't it? I mean, how else do you rectify an accidental survival?

Or is just a little bit of pain enough? How much do you think is enough?

[ She shoots him an icy glare, not having expected this reaction from him. ]

At no point did I-- how dare you!? If you think I would be happy with him dead now I wouldn't have stopped Hervey.

I was really worried, even if for a second...

[ He shakes his head apologetically. ] Forgive me. That was the mentor in me talking. Apple said that great strategists don't wish for war... and I certainly feel that way, too. If we can find a way for him to peacefully pay for his crimes, if that is truly what you are asking, then I swear to you as a Silverberg that I'll see it through.

...
I.. need to believe in redemption.

[ Her body shifts away from him now, not consciously, but the sudden distance is noticeable. ]

... All I ask is that you keep some sort of watch on him. Guards, mercenaries, I do not care. Whoever he is now, and whoever he was then... Something was already there. The Rune must have drawn on something. He can act as apologetic as he wants, but he tore the country apart and caused thousands to die for his own selfish desires and nothing will change that.

[ She moves to push herself up off the ground now. ]

[ He falls silent, still sitting on the ground, her description of Cray's selfish ambitions and cost of lives definitely sounds a lot like someone he knows. ]

...Do you think I don't trust what you're feeling? I will personally watch him if I have to, but will that really abate your anger? If you don't accept the past for what it is, you're just going to cry again.

How can I accept the past when it appears the past isn't done accepting itself?

[ She makes her way to the door, turning to look at Caesar in the mess she's created. ]

... Had I known that the dead could walk again, perhaps I would've accounted for that in my first mourning of Lady Elenor.

[ He stands up as well, dusting off his pants before facing her. ]

I'm only telling you what any mentor would, Agnes. ... Wars happen all the time, and they eventually come to an end. Building relations with the enemy is part of moving forward, those are the ideals that I live by.

I trust you more than anyone here, you know that... I don't like seeing you in pain.

[ She hesitates by the door before taking a stab in the dark, her face expressionless. ]

... Could you really accept your brother after all he has done?

[ That's not a hard question for him at all, he answers without skipping a beat. ]

He is my brother, of course I would. But I know he would never be sorry for his actions.

His beliefs are as strong as mine - that is why we'll never see eye to eye. That fool...

...

Then you are more forgiving than I, Caesar.

Nobody is asking you to forgive...

This castle was built on common ground between two opposing nations. Perhaps you can just find a way to coexist now? If he... tries to do anything to you, I will run him to the ground myself.

... He won't.

[ She seems angry at the fact that Graham Cray is playing the repentant man so well, in fact. This would be much easier to bear if he had been violent and power-hungry again. ]

You can rest assured that I will attempt to... coexist. I advised Hervey to do much the same prior to our talk.

... This would have been much easier if this man was simply that of an opposing nation, Caesar. Even the Commander of Kooluk's first fleet I would welcome and break bread with.

[ He sighs, feeling sad for her pain, and yet powerless to do anything about the situation. He walks up to the door and stands in her way, wanting to read her expression one more time before she inevitably retires to her room. ]

...Are you going to be alright?

[ She bites her lip, taking note of his obstruction of her path. After a few moments of looking at his face properly now, she remembers that he isn't the enemy and it's no use being angry at him. Her angry expression fades and is replaced by a sad smile instead. ]

... I will have to be.

Edited 2014-04-15 04:44 (UTC)

...
[ He takes the back of her head with his hand, and gently pushes her face into his chest until it's quiet enough to hear the loud sounds of a beating heart. ]

Do you hear that?

I'm still alive. ... I will never choose death. So... remember to think about the present once in a while, too.

[ His words may have possibly set off some tears again, because she's burying her face into his chest now. ]

D-don't make promises... you cannot keep.

[ The words are completely muffled in his clothes. ]

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