Seren
Seren had not come unprepared. Many long, sleepless nights had gone into thinking up every possible objection and counter argument that might come her way, and it would seem that it was time well spent. She was grateful that there was no tension or anger visible in Hotaru - that made it so much easier. She could set aside personal sympathy and dislikes, loyalties and favoritism in exchange for pure, simple logic.
"I see," she replied, straightening with a newfound confident. Here were actual concerns she could address, and offer promises on. "Then let's begin with me. I am here today, not as your friend but as Safrin's daughter and demigod. What I ask is not for me, but in the name of my goddess, and for the benefit of the Old Gods. Halo is now a land aligned with their interests, and as such I ask you, Warden Kaito, to consider this quest in that light." The formal address was like slipping into a suit of armor - Seren quite liked the ring of it, as she secretly had enjoyed the pomp and intensity of donning her best dress and doing up her hair. It was new, and chafed a little - but perhaps it was not wholly bad.
"As for Deimos' safety, I can give him the same assurances that I offered Aurelia. That I will personally guarantee the safety of my party members against their fellows for the duration of the expedition. If anyone were to make a hostile move against another ally, I will immediately remove them from the location and end the venture then and there. I am sure that my father would agree - we have nothing to gain on internal sqabbles while we go about this, as I am sure it's not going to be uneventful regardless of what we find."
She paused for breath, in her element now; something seemed to have come alive within the girl's eyes, bright and sparkling with purpose.
"As for why you should permit Aurelia into Halo, when you are banned from Torchline - that one is simple. She has not raised a hand against this region. Her attack and killing of your companion was in direct retaliation on your destruction of property within her region. That is a personal matter. I am not, may I add, inviting her along as the Queen of Torchline, but as a mage and follower of Safrin. The same is true for Deimos - his being general of Halo is an added benefit, and with your leave, a sign of cooperation from the Wardens of Halo, but ultimately he is one of Safrin's chosen ones, and it is in that capacity he is asked to join my quest."
Seren took a moment to go over all the arguments, to make sure that she had not forgotten anything. When she was content, she nodded to Hotaru, passing over the figurative torch so that the woman could pick apart her arguments again.
"I see," she replied, straightening with a newfound confident. Here were actual concerns she could address, and offer promises on. "Then let's begin with me. I am here today, not as your friend but as Safrin's daughter and demigod. What I ask is not for me, but in the name of my goddess, and for the benefit of the Old Gods. Halo is now a land aligned with their interests, and as such I ask you, Warden Kaito, to consider this quest in that light." The formal address was like slipping into a suit of armor - Seren quite liked the ring of it, as she secretly had enjoyed the pomp and intensity of donning her best dress and doing up her hair. It was new, and chafed a little - but perhaps it was not wholly bad.
"As for Deimos' safety, I can give him the same assurances that I offered Aurelia. That I will personally guarantee the safety of my party members against their fellows for the duration of the expedition. If anyone were to make a hostile move against another ally, I will immediately remove them from the location and end the venture then and there. I am sure that my father would agree - we have nothing to gain on internal sqabbles while we go about this, as I am sure it's not going to be uneventful regardless of what we find."
She paused for breath, in her element now; something seemed to have come alive within the girl's eyes, bright and sparkling with purpose.
"As for why you should permit Aurelia into Halo, when you are banned from Torchline - that one is simple. She has not raised a hand against this region. Her attack and killing of your companion was in direct retaliation on your destruction of property within her region. That is a personal matter. I am not, may I add, inviting her along as the Queen of Torchline, but as a mage and follower of Safrin. The same is true for Deimos - his being general of Halo is an added benefit, and with your leave, a sign of cooperation from the Wardens of Halo, but ultimately he is one of Safrin's chosen ones, and it is in that capacity he is asked to join my quest."
Seren took a moment to go over all the arguments, to make sure that she had not forgotten anything. When she was content, she nodded to Hotaru, passing over the figurative torch so that the woman could pick apart her arguments again.
The torturous stars are taking every breath I wish I held
The love in my heart is never ending
The love in my heart is never ending
