Aboard the Invincible: Head of State Meeting

[tidesnpcs.livejournal.com]

[Come one, come all. It's time for what Regent Cid expects to be the final council meeting before Garland is defeated. A good thing the airship is so enormous, because there are a lot of people here, all picked up the day before.

He stands up at the head of the table to greet everyone. There isn't sitting room for everyone, but the room is big enough for his audience. The meeting has now begun...]


[ooc: Party-style tagging! Please don't establish a posting order - tag in as you please to keep the discussion moving.]

Comments

[lordofpotions.livejournal.com]

[ After the meeting, Larsa takes the opportunity to explore the Invincible. He's always been overly curious, after all. ]

[petalwhirlwind.livejournal.com]

[At some point during his exploration, he can come across Ursula. The princess is staring outward, troubled as she was before the meeting. The fact that they now have a plan of action does not change that she will not be able to return home, and that brings a melancholy that's hard to shake, even for her.]

[lordofpotions.livejournal.com]

[ Larsa stops a few feet away, politely. ]

Ursula, isn't it? I hope I am not interrupting your thoughts.

[petalwhirlwind.livejournal.com]

[Ursula perks up, sheepish after having been startled out of her haze.]

No, not at all. In fact, I'm grateful. You're Larsa, right?

[lordofpotions.livejournal.com]

[ He smiles softly. He doesn't quite bow, but he does incline his head. ]

Yes, I am. You were governing Narshe until quite recently, or so I had heard. I am sorry we've not had more opportunity to speak.

[petalwhirlwind.livejournal.com]

[She nods, managing a small smile.]

So am I, though I seem to have had terrible luck in matters of timing. I'm glad you were able to resume duties in Narshe. The people there spoke very highly of you.

[lordofpotions.livejournal.com]

Did they?

[ He brightens very slightly at that. ]

I must admit, I've barely had any time to talk to the citizens as I should like. The aftermath of the Lunar Cry has been felt by all.

I am sorry if I was stepping on your toes. If you were to ask it, I would grant control to you and Ceodore once more.

[petalwhirlwind.livejournal.com]

[Ursula shakes her head.]

No, it's alright. You were there first, anyway. I was filling in for you after you vanished, so it seems fitting that you help them again. Besides, I think Regent Cid wants me elsewhere.

[lordofpotions.livejournal.com]

I suppose that is true, whether I remember it or no.

[ He looks curious. ]

Where does Regent Cid wish you to go?

[petalwhirlwind.livejournal.com]

The Skysea, I believe. A man named Ondore aided the area, before he vanished.

[Is she feeling like a substitute teacher? Maybe a little, but she doesn't mind.]

I still want to help retaking the shrines and whatnot, but it will take some time to plan that...and until then, there is always daily life that needs tending to.

[lordofpotions.livejournal.com]

Marquis Ondore, truly? I was unaware that he is here.

And yet...he is not here, any more?

[ Larsa has never quite known where he stands with Ondore, so he is not sure how to react to any of this. ]

[mademyresolve.livejournal.com]

[In a quiet corridor, Ashe has taken to staring out of a large window, arms wrapped around herself as she looks down upon the land below. It isn't difficult for one who knows her to realise where her thoughts lie. After Rasler's return, she had made a subconscious agreement with herself to stay in Gaia; not willing to risk losing her husband and son, not for anything. However, the meeting had brought this firm finality to mind - she would never again see Dalmasca.]

[lordofpotions.livejournal.com]

[ Larsa has had a similar revelation. He could have chosen to return to the Empire, but those few left that he can count as friend are here, in this world. It would seem selfish to him to return simply to be Emperor, when that title was never something he had wished for himself. ]

Lady Ashe?

[mademyresolve.livejournal.com]

[The sudden address catches her by surprise; Ashe turning to look upon the young Archadian Lord. She isn't displeased to see him, yet her concerns prevent any form of a smile. However, it isn't until now that she considers he isn't in a dissimilar position to herself, and she nods toward him.]

I... was thinking of the meeting.

[lordofpotions.livejournal.com]

Yes. There is much to think on, is there not?

[ He pauses for a moment. ]

I assume you will not be leaving this place?

[mademyresolve.livejournal.com]

[She, too, pauses, sighing softly.]

My duty is to Dalmasca; yet my heart... It is my choice to stay.

[lordofpotions.livejournal.com]

I understand. I feel much the same. It is...a selfish desire to stay here, and I am aware of such. But to go...seems selfish in a different way.

[mademyresolve.livejournal.com]

... I could not bring myself to leave my child, not even for Dalmasca.

[She looks at him intently, then.]

You will not be returning, yourself?

[lordofpotions.livejournal.com]

[ He looks off in the distance for a minute. ]

Everyone that I care about is here. Back home, there is the Senate, and Archadia. Things I should live for.

But I find myself wishing to stay here. With...

[ he looks back at her, and offers a small smile ]

With friends.

[crowned-jewel.livejournal.com]

[Garnet is very distracted. After everything that was brought up in the meeting, she's got a lot to think about. She's suddenly not feeling well, but it's hard to say whether it's from emotional, or physical causes. She's sure at least a handful of people question why she even attended the meeting so far into her pregnancy. Still, as she's walking, she catches sight of Larsa, and pauses. She hasn't spoken to him, really, since his return.]

...Larsa? [she can't help it. She wants to speak to him, at least once.]

[lordofpotions.livejournal.com]

[ He turns, hearing his name. He feels like he's supposed to know this girl. He knows her name, because he has bothered to learn such things, but he does not know her personally. And yet, she knows him? He thought he was done being surprised at such encounters. ]

Yes, forgive me. I know who you are, but I do not remember you. I am sure we must have spoken...previously.

[crowned-jewel.livejournal.com]

[She pauses.] I would have been surprised, if you had remembered me. We weren't exactly close before. But we had something in common. Or, someone rather. Your brother was a good friend of mine.

[lordofpotions.livejournal.com]

My...brother? Is that so?

I do hope that he treated you fairly.

[ He purposefully does not say "kindly," as he knows that Vayne and kindness were not always good bedfellows. ]

[crowned-jewel.livejournal.com]

[She looks a bit confused, but nods] He was very good to me, and to Alexandria. I understand there were some who didn't care for him, but he was never anything but helpful, and a good leader, in his time here. [she looks... Distinct sad]. It's been over a year since his assassination, and I know we will never be able to find the one who did it. Especially with things as they are now.

[lordofpotions.livejournal.com]

Assassination?

[ Larsa has no idea what to do with this news. ]

Forgive me, I have not heard much of Vayne, other than that he was here at all. It is good, to hear that he was good to you. He was never a bad leader, it is just that his methods were not...

[ He sighs. ]

He thought he was doing what was best, but I could not agree with him.