Office Hours - We Could Be

[shieldof]

[Faith's door remains closed, the brass "PRIVATE" plaque silent and unyielding. Trying to force the door yields no results, but- she said you could contact her here, so just go ahead and knock. Worst case scenario, you're no worse off than before, right?]

((OOC: Please tag your top-levels with the appropriate week and day.))

Comments

[shieldof]

I am unhurt.

[That's the same thing right.]

Is- no one- behaved rashly, after my departure, did they?

[hexalding]

No, nothing like that. They are...perhaps understandably distressed, and Kanade in particular is concerned for you.

...I take it this is a deviation from expectations, no?

[shieldof]

Lady Kanade is quite a kind soul.

[More than Faith feels she deserves at the moment, at least.]

And- yes. Perhaps it was foolish, but. I did not think Solarinace would seek to exacerbate tensions this way, especially to such extremes.

[hexalding]

If I may be a little blunt, I do not understand why sacrifice was written extensively into the rules if it was not the intended purpose of this exercise for whatever reason.

[shieldof]

Fine. It was certainly foolish, I will admit that.

[hexalding]

I did not say 'foolish'. Misguided, perhaps, but I assure you that you are in good company on that front.

[shieldof]

...Attempting to do good and losing control, yes?

[Man. Look at the two of them.]

[Maybe it's something about the pursuit of the Arcane.]

I cannot defy Solarinace, Sir Viktor. I- wish to do what I can, to ameliorate this. But I fear that will be very little.

[hexalding]

...You know who I am and what I have done, I am sure. So we both know it would be hypocrisy to say going against all of this would be simple. While I may not understand the entire situation, I...understand that much. Whether it is compulsion or something else at play here, such things are not so easily fought against.

Whatever is happening and whatever Solarinace's true nature should be...if there is anything I can do to support you in mitigating the likely damage, all you have to do is name it.

[shieldof]

It is no compulsion. I owe Solarinace a great deal.

[Which is probably worse, on balance.]

And- if you could speak to the others, try to help everyone stand together. Against myself, if you must.

[hexalding]

Even so. I think you should weigh that obligation carefully against what is being asked of you, and that is the extent of the advice I have any right to give.

[...]

I am no leader anymore--I never truly was to begin with. But I will do what I can, and...truthfully, I believe they would sooner extend a hand than raise it to you.

[shieldof]

That- is certainly true for some of them. I only hope it doesn't just serve to worsen their pain.