Well, better late than never I suppose. I blame research.
That's what I call MGS3:Subsistence these days. That's what it is for Enders' Game, anyway.
Hey, I said I had an excuse. I didn't say it was a good excuse.
It was far more ostentatious a residence than the Grand Duke of Artai had at his disposal back in his country, which he had to admit made him just a little bit jealous, but his own seat of power served its purpose well enough. It sufficed.
Then again, Artai _had_ been nothing but a bunch of loosely associated fiefdoms at constant odds with one-another before he'd taken things in hand. The remnants of a violent past were still there, as was a military that was both more experienced and likely better equipped than that of most other, far larger, countries.
Annam, on the other hand, hadn't been involved in serious conflict since the Dragon King War, and had grown plump and, ah, 'aesthetic', with its amassed wealth.
This little show of confidence from the newly established Regency was something that needed to happen, which Nagi dai Artai understood more than well enough.
Then again, he was a political animal, more so perhaps than any other. He'd clawed his way to the top from being a near-nonentity, fascinated with olden tomes and records of what ancient technology had once upon a time made possible.
There was no place for emotions in this particular game, and certainly no place for things like honor, or honesty. There was only power, and its various applications.
"An impressive display, your Highness," Nagi commented, stepping into the Regent's little circle of sycophants. Albrecht Ho was certainly a charismatic enough man, with enough force of personality and political clout - not to mention social prestige that his house had gained in supplying Annam with ready defenders since before the war fifty years ago - to make him a sure candidate in their little rat-race.
After all, who better to assure the kingdom's stability than one of its staunchest defenders.
The Grand Duke had to admit, the move had been done efficiently and without needless fanfare. Enough so that he considered it an admirable example of a terminal phase to long-term political maneuvering.
For all of that, though, the salt and pepper haired head of the Ho family, and current Regent of Annam, wasn't really one to keep his point of view on the bigger picture.
"Your Highness the Grand Duke, you honor us with your presence," the Regent already had the imperious tones Nagi had all but expected from him down pat.
"One does as one must, after all," the boy-ruler shrugged casually. "Basic human decency demands we pay our respects, after all, especially in the wake of such a terrible tragedy."
"I would that his Highness Argos could attend, but he shows respect in his own ways," Albrecht commented.
'And he hates being upstaged,' neither said, but Nagi at least thought it. 'The man's worst fault is something he's let become his greatest asset. Well, it's still an asset to us, that ego of his.'
After all, once Aswad was implicated in the murders of the Royal Family of Annam, it was an only too willing Argos XIV that set an oddly well planned operation towards the elimination of the problem those of the Black Valley posed.
He'd bowed out of attending the festivities, citing the need to oversee the military action on either 'front', though only the clash with Aries could be truly called such.
"Speaking of which, I note part of your usual entourage is missing?"
"Yes, well," Nagi responded, "this matter hardly deserves an ambassador's presence, and there were other matters he was far better suited at seeing to requesting our attention. Last we've heard from him, the good Major's peacekeeping efforts were bearing fruit."
He sipped at the glass of amber liquid he'd picked up a few tables back, not really noticing the taste - something that would have scandalized the host, had he been aware of it.
"It's such a pity when a country tears itself apart like that, isn't it?" he offered with one of his patented 'don't mind me, I'm just thinking of something amusing' expressions. "A stable and strong government is so much better."
The Regent would later realize that it was one which left him vaguely disturbed.
Which, he would also note, was not a new experience when dealing with the Grand Duke.
Nate:
Logan:
Unfortunately, there were no available experienced agents to instruct newly inducted ones at the time ... so the administration, in their all-knowing wisdom, decided to pull someone from a temp file for the job. Somehow not noticing that said file was marked with 'hazard', 'approach with caution' and 'warning, clearly unstable' right at the top.
Which was how the Angel Monica ended up with a new supervisor. And a far wider scope of duty than she'd signed up for.
The offending paper-pusher was summarily dismissed to purgatory.
As for the results ... well, they weren't _bad_, exactly.
*Monica walks past the screen, dressed in Early Gunsmoke, with a huge friggin' cross slung over one shoulder and smoking a ciggie*
Yup. Just full of mercy.
Sirroco:
-Griever
When tact is required, use brute force. When force is required, use greater force.
When the greatest force is required, use your head. Surprise is everything. - The Book of Cataclysm
That's what I call MGS3:Subsistence these days. That's what it is for Enders' Game, anyway.
Hey, I said I had an excuse. I didn't say it was a good excuse.
It was far more ostentatious a residence than the Grand Duke of Artai had at his disposal back in his country, which he had to admit made him just a little bit jealous, but his own seat of power served its purpose well enough. It sufficed.
Then again, Artai _had_ been nothing but a bunch of loosely associated fiefdoms at constant odds with one-another before he'd taken things in hand. The remnants of a violent past were still there, as was a military that was both more experienced and likely better equipped than that of most other, far larger, countries.
Annam, on the other hand, hadn't been involved in serious conflict since the Dragon King War, and had grown plump and, ah, 'aesthetic', with its amassed wealth.
This little show of confidence from the newly established Regency was something that needed to happen, which Nagi dai Artai understood more than well enough.
Then again, he was a political animal, more so perhaps than any other. He'd clawed his way to the top from being a near-nonentity, fascinated with olden tomes and records of what ancient technology had once upon a time made possible.
There was no place for emotions in this particular game, and certainly no place for things like honor, or honesty. There was only power, and its various applications.
"An impressive display, your Highness," Nagi commented, stepping into the Regent's little circle of sycophants. Albrecht Ho was certainly a charismatic enough man, with enough force of personality and political clout - not to mention social prestige that his house had gained in supplying Annam with ready defenders since before the war fifty years ago - to make him a sure candidate in their little rat-race.
After all, who better to assure the kingdom's stability than one of its staunchest defenders.
The Grand Duke had to admit, the move had been done efficiently and without needless fanfare. Enough so that he considered it an admirable example of a terminal phase to long-term political maneuvering.
For all of that, though, the salt and pepper haired head of the Ho family, and current Regent of Annam, wasn't really one to keep his point of view on the bigger picture.
"Your Highness the Grand Duke, you honor us with your presence," the Regent already had the imperious tones Nagi had all but expected from him down pat.
"One does as one must, after all," the boy-ruler shrugged casually. "Basic human decency demands we pay our respects, after all, especially in the wake of such a terrible tragedy."
"I would that his Highness Argos could attend, but he shows respect in his own ways," Albrecht commented.
'And he hates being upstaged,' neither said, but Nagi at least thought it. 'The man's worst fault is something he's let become his greatest asset. Well, it's still an asset to us, that ego of his.'
After all, once Aswad was implicated in the murders of the Royal Family of Annam, it was an only too willing Argos XIV that set an oddly well planned operation towards the elimination of the problem those of the Black Valley posed.
He'd bowed out of attending the festivities, citing the need to oversee the military action on either 'front', though only the clash with Aries could be truly called such.
"Speaking of which, I note part of your usual entourage is missing?"
"Yes, well," Nagi responded, "this matter hardly deserves an ambassador's presence, and there were other matters he was far better suited at seeing to requesting our attention. Last we've heard from him, the good Major's peacekeeping efforts were bearing fruit."
He sipped at the glass of amber liquid he'd picked up a few tables back, not really noticing the taste - something that would have scandalized the host, had he been aware of it.
"It's such a pity when a country tears itself apart like that, isn't it?" he offered with one of his patented 'don't mind me, I'm just thinking of something amusing' expressions. "A stable and strong government is so much better."
The Regent would later realize that it was one which left him vaguely disturbed.
Which, he would also note, was not a new experience when dealing with the Grand Duke.
Nate:
Quote:I can see it ... just not sure whether or not I can write it. Thanks for the reference material, in any case.
Possibly significant clue to Shizuru's behavior in the -HiME anime.
If you allow for her self-control and social skills, this sounds exactly up her alley.
Logan:
Quote:... now you're giving me ideas.
"Dang it Monica! Don't TOUCH ME!"
Unfortunately, there were no available experienced agents to instruct newly inducted ones at the time ... so the administration, in their all-knowing wisdom, decided to pull someone from a temp file for the job. Somehow not noticing that said file was marked with 'hazard', 'approach with caution' and 'warning, clearly unstable' right at the top.
Which was how the Angel Monica ended up with a new supervisor. And a far wider scope of duty than she'd signed up for.
The offending paper-pusher was summarily dismissed to purgatory.
As for the results ... well, they weren't _bad_, exactly.
*Monica walks past the screen, dressed in Early Gunsmoke, with a huge friggin' cross slung over one shoulder and smoking a ciggie*
Yup. Just full of mercy.
Sirroco:
Quote:Vey.
I'd personally be more worried that they might force him to fight little miniature battles for the amusement of schoolchildren
Quote:Hmm. You know what? You're absolutely right! I shall make a conscious effort to include at least one 'attack Tokyo' subplot in a future work. *sage nod*
well Griever-sama everyone attacks Tokyo or Tokyo Tower at least once. It wouldn't be right otherwise. So if that is the only thing stopping you...
-Griever
When tact is required, use brute force. When force is required, use greater force.
When the greatest force is required, use your head. Surprise is everything. - The Book of Cataclysm