Sir Guy - RPLOG
Participants
Date
17/8/477
Log
Lucasiel slowly turns and twists before moving to follow after the others. With careful movements, she eases herself onto one of the nearby benches and stares blankly ahead into the extinguished fire. At least, that's what she seems to be doing. That armour is really great at hiding subtle movements, like the attentive nature of her features as she listens over the conversation. All the same, she remains a woman a no words, content to just listen and wait, to ensure there are no problems. The idle twitch of her tail under her cape at least shows she's not gone and fallen asleep.
Sara makes her way to the center of the camp, following close behind Flora as the group moves, though rather than seat herself down on one of the slabs the lizard woman chooses instead to stand behind her employer, her crimson gaze focusing closely on Guy as the two converse, being the simple quiet guard that she is. Eventually however she does break the silence with, "If you mind my saying, Guy. You seem to be an excellent teacher. You're just the thing this new fledgling house needs, more than ever, a person capable of directing the guards." turning to Flora she whispers, "No offense, Lady Flora." before looking to Guy once more, "We arent asking you to go out on a limb, solely that you offer us what aid you are willing to give."
Sara makes her way to the center of the camp, following close behind Flora as the group moves, though rather than seat herself down on one of the slabs the lizard woman chooses instead to stand behind her employer, her crimson gaze focusing closely on Guy as the two converse, being the simple quiet guard that she is. Eventually however she does break the silence with, "If you don't mind my saying, Guy. We arent asking you to go out on a limb, solely that you offer us what aid you are willing to give."
Guy rests his cheek on a fist as he listens in to the cat's reasoning. "Mm-hm. why bother coming all the way out here for something like that, then? Some help I'd be out here, and I don't fancy Firmament very much." He replies, eyes half-lidded as he takes a significantly more serious tone. "If you're just here for politics then you're better off not wasting your time."
Another small smile, another shake of the head. "Flora... Wishes to know about the state of the house. Its members. Things Flora, or LongTech Industries can do for those whom still wish to be a part of it. Records only tell so much, and every Longtail has a different story," she rumbles softly, looking every bit as serious as Guy does. "The records tell Flora about lineage, about great acts of old. But they tell nothing about the current state of affairs. Flora's experience in these matters is low, and although Flora has... Some beings that support her, some part of the family as well... The picture is far from complete."
"IF there is a way to bring the House back to glory, it will require more than one being. And as such, Flora will be visiting with any Longtail Flora can find, provided there is... Some measure of safety in doing so. Guy is the first Flora has sought out, yes."
"So... Politics." The cat sighs heavily, shaking his head. "Do you know how many beings here have time for Sweetwater politics? None." For a brief moment, Guy looks about ready to simply walk off, muttering under his breath - something about taking long enough for people to not care about his name - "...Bad enough you're asking me about that. What are you expecting, a brief history of Reginald's coup or how someone's half-brother married a 'commoner'? This is my life here, and there aren't any other Longtails around camp."
"No, not politics. Talk," Flora rumbles, almost stubbornly. "Flora does not... Enjoy politics. Or particularly care about it, unless required. Flora has made only a single appearance in court, for that matter. And that was because Flora was practically summoned, yes."
"What Flora however cares about are the attempt on Flora's life, and the attempt on the life of several employees of LongTech Industries by other Longtails who HAVE made their choice. Flora does not care about terms like 'noble' or 'commoner'. A being is a being, yes," she rumbles, her tails trashing about lightly. "And the most important thing Flora cares about is building something that will last. Creating a better future. Not just for Flora, not just for the current beings, but for later beings as well," she rumbles, her hand on her abdomen, almost as if trying to emphasize something to the other feline.
"However, it is not a thing Flora can achieve on her own. Flora needs help. Help from friends, and help from family, however scarce."
"But for now... Flora cannot expect such. And as such, Flora will simply ask... What does Guy want from the house? For himself? For others Guy cares about? Family? Friends? Something else?"
With a slight roll of her eyes, Guy reiterates one more time - "Talk about Longtails is politics no matter how you say it. If you ARE a Longtail at all, then you should probably know already that there's always someone interested in someone else's business, especially with 'family matters'."
"Not to mention, you're after me for the wrong reasons 'Flora'. I have a job here, friends here, family here. Not some 'longtail' family that'd be glad to bribe or backstab, and I don't have to worry about being chased up by the Sweetwater guard."
Standing up from his place, the cat tsks quietly. "You sound the same as any other idealistic being to me. As far as I'm concerned, unless you have a real proposition for me then I'm not sticking my neck out on your behalf." gesturing to the cats stomach - "I have my own family to worry about, and here is a lot safer for them than Firmament would be. Much less Firmament with the House Longtail I remember. I will not and can not go back there for something vague as that."
"Flora is... Very much aware of the issues. Flora is trying to solve them. One problem at a time," the she-cat rumbles, sighing lightly. "As for idealism... Maybe Guy is right... However, Flora has managed to achieve some results. The manor has been renovated, Longtail square is... Slowly being repaired, and LongTech Industries is turning a profit," she notes, before shaking her own head.
"There is nothing concrete and long-term Flora can ask, or offer, not yet, because if LongTech opens up a full war with the family right now, there is no chance of success. Like you say, the family is all too likely to bribe or backstab. There are very few Flora knows Flora can trust."
"However, there are several things Flora can ask right now. Keep an eye out for the family. There is no need to move, simply to watch carefully... Something Flora figures would already be happening... If any Longtails make a move in the area, Flora would like to know... If Guy has any parts of the family-records, Flora would like to have them... Or Flora can send someone to transcribe them. And if there is anything Flora can do in return, Flora would like to know, yes," the cat rumbles again.
"Flora is not expecting anyone to stick their hands in the fire of this conflict, but if FLora doesn't ask, the fight is already lost."
"Flora will not force anyone to move, or do things against their will. Flora will not force anyone to pick a side. Flora will not and can not expect anyone to drop their life because 'the High Lady asks'," the growls with a small scoff, before shaking her head once more. "But most importantly, Flora is not fighting a battle to win, Flora is fighting a battle to survive. And to survive, we must bide our time, build up strength, and come out of the small encounters we've had so far with as few losses as possible."
Guy stands in place as he's spoken to, the same unimpressed expression never leaving his face for the duration of the noble's speech. "Congratulations, then. Come back when you have something concrete." the cat deadpans, spreading his hands apart. "I don't have any of House Longtail's records, and you've just said yourself that you have nothing to offer me."
"For all your speech, Lady Longtail, all you have told me is the same thing I could hear if I asked a fortune teller. You can't ask every being for favors and offer them a promise in return and you clearly have no idea what you've got yourself into. You want information on Longtails, then find an information broker or someone with connections to your family that can tell you just how dangerous handing out that kind of information can be."
"Then what exactly /do/ you want for your cooperation?" Sara asks, finally breaking her long silence, and barging infront of Flora, "What? Crowns? Armour? Weapons? I ain't the best smith, but can whip something up for you or your trainees.." she adds a nod in the training yards direction. "I ain't here to beat around the bush, I'm not one of the Longtails, far from it, just another scruffy guard with no claim to fame, but I am not going to sit idly by while those I've worked alongside risk getting killed every time they leave their homes." The lizard then breathes a soft sigh of discontentment, and raises both hands, "Look, I can understand you've got a life here, family too, but can your conscience really handle the blood of an innocent, guilty of little more than being caught in the crossfire of a fued between a family stuck in its dark past, and another simply trying to rebuild itself into something better?" After taking a step closer, Sara states again, "You mentioned you don't have records, but surely you can remember something that might be useful. Anything we can turn to our advantage. As I said, I'd give anything to make sure those that put their faith in this company can remain safe and secure. I would be a failure at my job if I had done anything less."
Sighs quietly as Sara pushes in front of Flora and begins speaking, hint of a smile creasing his lips at her propositions before his visage returns to stoic seriousness. "You're speaking my language." He muses. "My conscience has gone through a lot worse than someone dying because of something that wasn't my fault. Do you feel a burden on yourself every time someone dies when they could've been protected by a guard had they chosen to hire one? My conscience would be hurt far more if someone here died because I wasn't here to teach them. Beings that have done something for me." The cat reaches around to his side, revealing a sheathed weapon of some kind as the lizard steps in further. "Watch your temper, though. I don't want a fight."
"You're going to pardon any crimes I'm wanted for in Sweetwater, grant immunity if one of our neighbors petitions for extradition. You will extend these gestures to my wife and child. You will provide legal protection for this settlement. If you do that, then I will help you from here. If you want me in Firmament, then we need a place to stay, preferably not in the Longtail manor. You will send a qualified combat instructor here to teach the children how to fight for themselves. You will provide my family with a comfortable living or a job to provide it."
"Flora will look into these matters, yes. And of course, such acts would expand to the direct family, yes. For now, Flora will look into these matters... As for here or Firmament... Flora would prefer here, for now. Flora has some eyes in firmament, but none in the rest of the country, no. We cannot merely watch Firmament... Preferably, Flora would've eyes around the world, but we start small, yes."
"Flora shall look into these things, and send word once decissions have been made, yes. As for the manor... The manor is off-limits without an invitation, since LongTech Industries currently operates from there."
"Of course, if Flora has to provide this settlement with... Legal status, there are matters to discuss... Pardons from the law may be realized... Immunities thereof... Not."
As the weapon is shown, Sara takes a step back, "I apologize if I had overstepped my bounds." her voice sounding calm and collected, "You want a house? I'm not sure if I can assist, but I'll try. I only make what my job, and the work I get through the Freeswords offer, probably not enough to get a fancy house, but hopefully enough." Afterwhich the lizard makes her way to another of the stone 'benches' and eases herself down, "The rest however? I don't know about. I'm no big-shot when it comes to laws, pardonings, and what have you. I'm just another Gifted.. Souless.. or whathave you that had crawled out of Shanty Town and is trying to make her way through life." speaking as if it had been a common thing. "But.. in my time, I've dealt with those that call themselves Spyguards. I don't know if they owe me any favours, for all I know we had been settled as soon as the payment had been offered, but it's worth a try." looking to Flora next as she talks Sara gives a few brief nods as she mentions her plans, "It will be difficult," she says as she looks to Guy next, ".. but ultimately given time, and your cooperation it might be done."
Guy shrugs nonchalantly, easing his arm back as Sara moves away. "No house until she's got me a reply on the first few matters. I wouldn't want you to waste your time and money." The cat replies flatly. "That won't be easy. And as for you..." he rumbles, taking on a bemused tone. "I'm sure Papa Longtail would be overjoyed to hear THAT. Having spies across Promise? Do yourself a favor - just ask the church for recent messages or make some real friends. They're far lower maintenance." He replies, waving the cat off. "I'm not interested in painting a target on my back by joining you in your manor. I shouldn't have to make that clear. If things are as you say, then affiliating myself with you in any way is more likely to to get me killed than silencing you would. Now I do have to get back to training; I'll be waiting for that reply." The cat says. And with that, he makes his way back through the camp to the training grounds.
Flora smiles softly, before shaking her head. "Flora will investigate... As for the church... Flora is already discussing different matters with the church... There's only so much Flora can ask of one group."
"Miss Sara? We're leaving, yes. Sir guy? Flora will send a messenger from LongTech Industries the moment we are making progress, yes."
"Right behind you, Flora." Sara answers as she rises to her feet and makes her way behind both Flora, and Lucasiel, becoming just another faceless addition to the guard detail moving behind the two Longtails.
