RP:Moral Codes and Machiavellian Masks

From HollowWiki

Part of the The Most Dangerous Game Arc


Frozen Throne

Hildegarde had delivered the letter by hand to one of the Queen's Guard, acting somewhat sheepish around them on the basis that they were far more impressive than her! The knight wandered the circular room with interest, keeping her distance from the guards as she wandered around; clinking and clanking with each step, followed by the heavy thunk of her halberd. She eyed their armour with a hint of envy: yearning to have armour akin to that. Hilde wanted her own armour bestowed to her by a liege, one with a crest and with tokens of servitude and gratitude. The Silver wandered around, appearing somewhat aimless in her wandering as she awaited the Queen, but her mind was at work. Considering tactics and approaches in dealing with the feral dragon who was appearing and disappearing around Frostmaw.


Satoshi eventually enters through the double doors, her stride a peculiar mixture of dignified and springy, as if the queen's mindset is competing for dominance over youthful vigor. When the magus spots a pacing Hildegarde, her grip tightens around the letter in hand and her steps slow to a more appropriate pace, allowing her time to hail the knight. "Mithril~, you waited here this whole time? Do remind me to give you a swifter means of contacting me, after we talk, hm?" Satoshi doesn't approach her throne but instead stops to stand before the Silver and lower her head in greeting. She intends to speak to Hildegarde on level ground, as equals, rather than as royalty and knight. Nonetheless, there is an anxious gleam in the kit's eyes when she speaks, her tone not unlike a mother worried for her child, "What did your letter mean, exactly?" Tension is prevalent in all the vulpine's bodylines, most especially her tails as they writhe like so many provoked vipers behind her. Protecting Frostmaw rests above most everything, for this Eidolon.


Hildegarde turned as she heard the doors open, smiling immediately at the sight of Satoshi, even though their meeting was about less than happy issues. As she was addressed, she offered a nod of her head, "Indeed, m'lady, I did not wish to risk the chance of missing you while you visit the throne room. I thought it might be best to find you here," she then added, "but perhaps a quicker means of contact would not be unwise!" While she is not surprised by Satoshi's decision to speak as equals, she cannot cease herself from bowing at the waist in respect and out of her honour-bound code. "M'lady, there is a feral dragon roaming around Frostmaw. His appearances have been few and far between, but when he has gone hunting... he has hunted with spite. He and I have crossed paths a few times, m'lady," that would explain that pale line slicing down her eyebrow, missing her eye by a decided inch or so. "I..." she frowned, unsure of how to word what she wanted, "I am unable to best him alone, as much as I have tried. Out of foolish pride, I thought it weak of me to call upon others for aid. But I have seen the error of my ways, m'lady, I have learned that I cannot rely solely upon my own strength to take down the threats to these lands." She now made long avoided eye contact with the woman, "This is where you come in, m'lady. I need someone who is... adept... in the knowledge of dragons and their weaknesses. I know the weaknesses of my species, but I have never hunted one of my own kin."


Satoshi's expression grows thoughtful as she silently listens to Hildegarde's words, only offering nods whenever the Silver pauses. After a time, she nods once more, this time to herself, face turning grave before speaking. When her words come, there are no pauses or falterings, she's certain of what she's saying. "We've another Ishataulak on our hands then, it would seem. You do right, seeking assistance in this, Mithril. I can understand why you wouldn't have at first, however. For me as well, it is a new concept to rely on the aid of others. But I've learned that when it is offered by those you trust, it is a gift you shouldn't throw away, pride or no pride. I," a short, sighing laugh escapes the magus as she glances toward the ceiling far above, "have come to realize life is not worth having, if it's managed entirely alone. But I'm rambling. Yes, of course, I would be happy to help you in this matter. Not simply because it is a threat to Frostmaw, but because it is of importance to you." Here, Satoshi's expression shifts and brightens, gaining an impish smirk as she leans toward the knight to whisper conspiratorially, "Besides, Emielle wouldn't let me live it done, if I refused to help her brother's partner, y'know~?"


Hildegarde 's attention was caught at the mention of 'another', wondering what had happened before. "M'lady, forgive me for bringing up the past, but who is this Ishataulak?" Indeed, the Silver could agree with the words of Satoshi, finding great wisdom in them; wisdom that took her a long time to even consider, let alone accept and incorporate. "I am grateful for your assistance, m'lady," she said with a smile, happy to have the assistance she sought out. At the almost conspiratorial whisper, she grinned, nodding her head in agreement and obvious amusement, "The young Master has often told me that while he would love to spend more time with his siblings, he is simply 'much too busy with his training'."


Satoshi grins quickly at the retort concerning Kenway. It'd seem he's found his proper place with the knight. But couatl hatchlings and their antics aren't the focus of this meeting, and so Satoshi pulls the conversation back around to address Hildegarde's question. "Ishataulak was a grey dragon that attacked Frostmaw repeatedly not so long ago. Her targets specifically were Kirien's family, which includes myself, my husband, and the wizard Svilfon, although she was so hellbent on spite that she'd harm anything that got in her way. Including Kasyr's and my daughter." Eyes narrowed and voice icy, the magus stares ahead at Frostmaw's emblem on the wall, rather than look at the knight. Satoshi's anger is not an animated one, it lies low and quiet, the still tension of a storm brewing but not yet breaking. Even her normally active tails lie dormant. It is an anger born as much from bitter rage at her failure and at having something dear stolen away, as from the fact that Satoshi will never have the chance to replace what was lost, not when she and her mate are undead. The Grey struck deep on a nerve Satoshi has carried since her siring years ago. "You likely saw her head mounted in the main hall when you entered the fort. Kasyr and I brought her down for what she did. We will stop this Feral before it can do as Ishataulak did." She will not ask why this Silver is on a rampage, in the same why she refused to ask the details of what set Ishataulak off. She does not want to know that side of the story, lest mercy stay the killing blow. Satoshi distrusts mercy, as each time she's shown it, it has returned to bite her, and teach her the bitter taste of regret.


Hildegarde had nodded partway through the explanation, only to fall rigid and silent at the mention of loss. Loss was not something the Silver could bear to comprehend; she loved her family dearly, even the smallest thought of misfortune befalling them had her running home to check on them. The knight did not think of her actions, as she laid a - poorly mended - gloved hand upon Satoshi's shoulder, attempting to offer some kind of comfort or solidarity. "I am sorry for your loss, m'lady, truly, I am." The words left her without thinking. She withdrew her hand after an awkward lingering moment of uncertainty, "Forgive me, m'lady," she murmured, obviously unsure if that was an acceptable course of action amongst the nobility. If it wasn't, she would have to have words with Kirien and tell him to stop letting her hug him! At the mention of a mounted head, she merely gave a nod. It was no secret that Hilde hated to see the mutilation or death of her kin, even if it was warranted. "Indeed, m'lady. I... While I do not enjoy the mere thought of harming my own kind, it is a necessary evil. We should, perhaps, get straight to tactics, hm? Put our focus to something."


Satoshi regards the hand on her shoulder with an unreadable expression. It is the same gesture Svilfon gives to express affection and reassurance, something the kit's found she takes a sort of quiet comfort in. Kirien's love of physical contact has somewhat rubbed off on a kit that used to avoid touching others in any form--after all, most people shrink away from the touch of ice, which stings a cryomancer's pride. Satoshi doesn't know Hildegarde half as well as Svilfon, although she understands the contact is meant kindly and thus allows it for that simple comfort. A comfort made into amusement when the Silver appears slightly awkward after the fact. Dipping her head in a nod meant to hide a smirk, the magus agrees with Hildegarde's comment and readily seizes on the subject shift. "Aye, while I've killed plenty of dragons, they've all been in self defense or against ones gone feral, otherwise I'd not be agreeing to help you stop a Silver. I've never been at odds with a Silver before, your lot are usually very level-headed and peaceful, and we share a kinship with the ice. While I know a fair bit about Silvers, fighting one with the intent to kill is a first for me. Tell me what you know about him, anything distinct that we can build off of, mayhaps. Does he fight in saurian shape or humanoid? Preference for aerial or ground combat? Favors physical or magical offenses? As fun as it is to go into a fight blind, I'd rather not in this matter. I'd prefer this quick and clean."


Hildegarde being a Silver, shared that love of ice and that icy touch to her flesh. So contact with Satoshi was not off-putting, it was just a bit colder than her family. "Indeed, my kind are generally very peaceful. But I understand many come to these high ranges to nest. Your lands are rich with game, as I am sure you are aware," she said, attempting to hypothesise why the feral would be here in the first place. "From what I have encountered, this feral is missing his heart scales, so... he has either been in a terrible scrap or something else has happened to him. I am sure you understand the value of the heart scales, m'lady," any dragon or dragon hunter did. "Saurian shape, m'lady, and mostly aerial combat. He avoids areas where there are plenty of things to get in the way, like trees or crevices. Mostly physical, but there are the occasion of breath attacks. Of course, his did little to me, and mine did little to him."


Satoshi nods. "Right then. Our first objective should be to bring him to ground. Unless you'd prefer to be in the air against him? I'll admit, this is the first time I've been accompanied by a dragon to fight a dragon. It calls for a rethinking of the usual tactics." Satoshi shrugs, knowing social tact calls for her to feel awkward about killing kinfolk of Hildegarde's, while feeling not an ounce of it. Life is survival, and she won't tiptoe around the feelings of others when such a thing risks the lives and livelihoods of her people. Besides, Hildegarde approached her about this subject, no doubt the knight knows some awkwardness is going to arise. The kit carries on, plunging right into the matter. "Typically, I go for the wings first. A downed dragon isn't any less dangerous, naturally, but distance makes my spells far more tedious. My spells won't be overly effective against a Silver anyway, so the closer the better for me, if I want to manage -anything-. And the closer I am, the quicker I can get on its back and up its neck. Asorial tends to take care of the rest at that point." By having its supernaturally keen blade buried into the base of the dragon's skull. Thick scale armor does little to stop the piercing powers of Asorial, something Satoshi's found to be a quick, effective end to a fight.


Hildegarde nodded along with Satoshi, the business of tactics calling for it. "I joined this Eyrie as a dragon, m'lady, and more often than not I tend to hide away from that fact. Not out of shame, of course, out of a sense of fairness. But I believe, it would be fair to fight a dragon as one," she smiled somewhat, "it may give us an advantage, after all. I am somewhat smaller than him, given the age difference, so I could take out his flight capabilities and drive him to the ground. I..." she frowned, feeling somewhat hesitant, "I would like, if possible, to be able to try and preserve the body, m'lady. I would like to give him a clean death."


Satoshi said to Hildegarde, "If we can manage it, we shall do so." There is a certain degree of emphasis she places on the word 'if'. An unspoken note that she will, should the encounter become too dangerous, do whatever she must to stop the Feral. However, it's Satoshi's aim as much as Hildegarde's to end the fight quickly. Satoshi is not generally a predator that slowly pulls apart her opponents, preferring things done swift with a single blow. Unless, of course, Asorial or Bozrah are whispering malicious things in her head, encouraging her to torment cruelly before killing, that is. She'll be sure to take along Ko'tar, in hopes it, Hildegarde, and her respect for Silvers will serve as a barrier to such insidious influences. "Tell me, Mithril, do you want me along for this as an aid or a partner? Are we going into this side by side, both giving our all? Or do you wish me there to catch you--figuratively--should you falter? You..." The kit gestures in the air with her hands, searching for the right words, "give off the air of one who follows a strong internal code of honor and such. I do not wish to overstep my bounds, if this is meant to be a showdown between yourself and the Feral."


Hildegarde could not hide the little smile at the words offered by Satoshi, happy that there is - no matter how slim - a chance of offering the feral a clean and honourable death. "Thank you, m'lady. It means a great deal to me that we try and make this death a clean one," she said with a very respectful dip of her head offered. Even though this feral had near killed her on two occasions, she would still rather offer a clean death; something respectful. At the final words, she felt a little niggle of her pride: her pride telling her that the Queen was merely a little insurance plan, that she could handle things by herself if she really needed to! But she shook those thoughts from her mind, reminding herself that pride often did come before the fall. "As partners, m'lady," she said with a broad smile - always smiling in the face of adversity - and little nod, "My Oath tells me I must protect the people of the realm. If that means I must kill to do so, then so be it. I am not happy to send someone to their End, but it is my burden to carry their soul until I meet my own End. This is the price I pay in taking their life, m'lady, it is not a choice I make easily. I stay my hand when I can and strike only if needs be. And, m'lady, needs be." At this point, the Silver drops herself a careful knee, "It would be my great honour to fight by your side, as an equal."


Satoshi, for all of Hildegarde's words, says simply, "And it would be my honor to fight by your side as well, Hildegarde." Where the knight kneels, the queen bows, bending deeply at the waist in as respectful a gesture as she can muster. "When do you plan to see this through? And do you have a means of luring out this Feral? If so, it might be best to persuade him to fight out in the ruins' battlefield. There, no one else can be hurt, we will have space in plenty, and other advantages, especially if I am granted a few days' time." What these advantages are exactly, Satoshi doesn't say, instead adopting an almost cryptic smile. The ruins hold many secrets she doesn't need to divulge to the world.


Hildegarde rose to her feet once the Queen at reciprocated the mark of respect, fingers curling more tightly around the shaft of the weapon as she pulled herself upright. "I will do this at your earliest convenience, m'lady. I am healed completely, so I can go to battle whenever you are ready." She smiled at the woman and gave a nod of her head, "I intend to be the bait. Whether that be in dragon form or in my current guise, we can decide. He is easily provoked and extremely territorial." At the mention of the ruins, she gave an eager and enthusiastic nod, "That is wise, m'lady. I would rather not involve any civilians or risk lives unnecessarily."


Satoshi nods again. "Very well. In a few days then, we shall do this. I will be in the ruins already, likely, tending to my own matters. When you're ready and intend to draw the Feral out, contact me with this..." A step is taken back then as Satoshi lifts her hands, palms up to capture a handful of snowflakes, coaxed from the air with a lilting whistle. Bending her face over the snow, the magus breathes gently on them, sending them into a miniature whirlwind in her palms. As the snowdust glistens and glows a pale blue, they begin to regather and shape themselves until, finally, they settle into the tiny, compact shape of a hummingbird. Its body and head are as white as the snow it's constructed of, while its chest is a shimmering blue, as translucent as ice or sapphire, and every feather is in minuscule detail. A long, thin beak is opened to voice a peep as the hummingbird is held out to Hildegarde. It flutters its glass-like wings rapidly and hovers above Satoshi's hands, little eyes peering curiously at the dragon. "Should you need it to lie still, press gently upon its head. It will shape itself into a brooch of similar appearance, that you can fasten to your cloak. Press it again to give it life once more. It will be able to find me whenever you need, as swiftly as the wind."


Hildegarde seemed to watch the woman in awe, watching as the Queen created life out of ice and snow; the elements themselves. She was very clearly impressed with the feat! Her hand cupped to take the hummingbird, so awed she had fallen silent. "Oh my... it's so beautiful," she whispered, adding without even thinking, "I think it's the most beautiful thing I have ever owned." The Silver was a woman of little means. She didn't even have a cloak to fasten the brooch form of the bird to! But nobody need know that, did they? "Thank you, m'lady. Thank you, very much." Gifts - even while made for purely tactical reasons - were not something the Silver had yet received away from her family.


Satoshi , had she known these things about Hildegarde, would be showering the Silver in presents. For the kit is one who enjoys giving gifts... unfortunately for selfish reasons such as receiving gifts and praise in return, and knowing that a certain loyalty is born in the hearts of those that have been given gifts. And of course, she takes a certain pride in seeing people pleased or impressed by her presents--and presence. Satoshi is no saint. However, even if these reasons were not part of Satoshi's methods, were she privy to the details of Hildegarde's lack of proper clothing and gear, she'd have ensured the knight were properly outfitted. What does it say about a queen, when her best knights dress in ragged clothes, wielding damaged weapons? Hildegarde will have to be careful not to mention such things to Satoshi, lest the dragon find herself buried in mountains of new clothing, armor, weapons, and knickknacks, while Kirien gets chewed out for his poor caretaking of a knight. At present, Satoshi simply thinks Hildegarde is so dedicated to her training that she hasn't bothered to clean up and change out of practice clothes before going to a meeting with the Lady of Frostmaw. And so the kit nods politely at the Silver's thanks, pleased the dragon is so pleased with it.


Hildegarde would most likely weep if she were to be given a mountainous pile of gifts. It would be more than she had ever received in her life! Alas, her pride prevented her from telling people about her lack of finance and it was often the case she was training and making up a stink in her already foul smelling clothes. Honestly, she would soon have a reputation for being a rather foul smelling knight! "Shall I leave you, m'lady? I am certain you will have other business to attend to, no need to allow a mere knight to occupy your time!"


Satoshi said to Hildegarde, "I suppose we're done, yes. It was a pleasure to speak with you, Mithril, even if the subject matter was less than ideal. But such is life, no~? With luck, we'll see each other again soon, as partners upon the battlefield. Be well until then."


Hildegarde said to Satoshi, "And you, m'lady. I hope you remain well. Should you have need of me before then, you know how to reach me. Farewell!"