[There was a patience that came with age but also with years of waiting and watching for unique opportunities. This was a moment where he simply stood next to Richard and waited, aware that this moment would be one of great importance to the younger man. He had already spied how Richard had reacted with a simple brush of his fingers over the crate.
Now was not the time for hasty action. No, he turned his head and watched Richard rather than the crate, and he was not disappointed with the complex emotions that paraded across the younger man's expression even as the metal lock was opened and the crate open.
Slowly, he turned his mismatched eyes onto the item that Richard had hedged his future on, the item that the entire family had gone to war over. It was... impressive, he supposed. From a metal work and gemstone perspective, it was glamourous and sparkled even sitting peacefully in the blue velvet. He had never been up close to a crown before, and he held off even daring to lean forward to examine it. The price such an item could fetch in Zaun was significant.]
And now your crown or will be soon, yes?
[He returned his gaze to Richard, watching the emotions twist the younger man's face. Now if only they could direct that rage towards the Council completely, not that it would matter as he wasn't convinced any longer that the Council itself had any manner of physical bodies. Still, he tightened his grip around Richard's back.]
Of course they would. They believe they are doing what is best when they clearly don't understand what such an item means to you and you family. The battles engaged, the blood spilt, the lives lost in obtaining. Have you noticed any ill effects thus far in refusing to renounce it?
Hah! [The laughter erupts from him as a sardonic sneer before Richard can catch it. But really now? Wouldn't that just be grand? Parade around this forsaken land with a crown on his head? Nay, that would only earn mockery and taint the memory of his father. There's a reason why Richard did refrain from telling people out in public his true status in the hierarchy.] You'd want me to try establish myself as a king to these people? In a place like this where I have no claim to the lands or authority. Doing so would not earn me respect of the people.
[these people did not want a king nor bow down to one, let alone show him respect. Least of all Silco.
But the tightening of arm against the small of his back is enough to quell some of the anger inside Richard, keeping the storm from toppling the trees and ripping them out of the ground with roots and all. His breathing was still heavy, the air moving in and out through his nostrils as he regarded the question.
Now, Richard had heard of the horrific punishments that some of the chosen endured at the hands of the council if they proved to be resilient with completing their tasks. He, luckily, had not encountered anything harrowing.. except for.]
People stare at me wherever I go. I can feel their eyes on my back and hear them whispering about me, some have even tried to follow me around. [While Richard wouldn't say it was the worst thing out there, it was still distracting - feeding more into his doubts and fears.
Richard run his fingers alongside the edges of the crate, not daring to dip them inside now that the crown was exposed. For a brief second he wondered his next words, trying to decide whether it was worthy of bringing it up.]
Other than that it has been quiet. I haven't seen Joan nor her demonic minions.
I don't think the people here would accept that, and yet, according to you, you are king. What you do with that knowledge and with this crown is for you to decide alone. [It was true that Silco had no interest in being ruled, that he would buck against anyone that tried to put him under their thumb by claiming to be his ruler. He had pulled down people from their apparent high seats before, and he would again if the opportunity presented.
However, this crown and all that it represented was supposed to be a punishment for a crime that the council deemed worthy of their attention. Such items were always given with a purpose, and he had no doubt that something of value would be taken away if Richard didn't bend to the Council's silly whims.
He found himself staring at the crown where it lay in its crate. He noted that Richard didn't reach in and take it out or touch it. He knew it would be unwise to do such a thing himself as well.]
Those behaviours will grow more invasive and constant the longer you don't do as the Council demands. If you won't, I expect you can weather that storm for as long as you need to. [He nearly scoffed at the Council, but he thought for Richard it was a fitting pressure to endure. The younger man was self-conscious after all.] After a time, the effects will abate. People fail the requirements of the Council often.
[He turned his head to regard the younger man a moment, considering.]
[Funny. They had talked about power before with Silco. But most of time their conversations had focused on all the atrocities that they were willing to commit to remove the obstacles on their ways and climb up the ladder to reach the top. Never had they stopped to talk truly what the power meant to each other. Or well, Richard had given Silco his usual answer, one that he doubted that his lover understood fully.
To him the Light was same as the power. Once obtained it would grant him the ability to make his each dream come true, erase all of the sadness and give him the keys to paradise. Something that would make him equal to God himself. And the golden, shining object in front of them was a proof of that overwhelming power. As for Silco? Well, if Richard had to take a wild guess it would mean either control or freedom. Or both, considering his past and goal to build an empire. Or something alike that, and Richard thinks he can understand it to some extend, at least.
But whatever the differences in their point of views were, there was one shared fact: only one could stand on the top. Silco would not tolerate a king, and Richard would not tolerate another leader above him. And eventually two monsters would have to face each other, he suspected.
But right now? Despite his blood boiling hot and anger rushing in his veins at the audacity of their captors to drag his father's crown into this world, rob it from its light in mockery, he felt... relief that he could share this with the other man - rather than allowing it to drive him to madness in the solitude.
With his lips still curled down in a disapproving frown, Richard kept staring down at the crown, considering Silco's question. Under normal circumstances he would be nothing but grateful to be rid of Joan and the other demons. But here? He found the idea somewhat conflicting. The witch might be his tormentor, but at the same time he had strangely become to trust her presence, finding her less threatening. Having her nonsensical presence around might as well be the one thing that made sense in this chaotic world.]
She'll be back, I know it. [There was no doubt about it.] The only thing I do not understand is why now? She has never yielded in front of the crown before.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
traumaticus) wrote2022-08-15 11:44 pm
no subject
Now was not the time for hasty action. No, he turned his head and watched Richard rather than the crate, and he was not disappointed with the complex emotions that paraded across the younger man's expression even as the metal lock was opened and the crate open.
Slowly, he turned his mismatched eyes onto the item that Richard had hedged his future on, the item that the entire family had gone to war over. It was... impressive, he supposed. From a metal work and gemstone perspective, it was glamourous and sparkled even sitting peacefully in the blue velvet. He had never been up close to a crown before, and he held off even daring to lean forward to examine it. The price such an item could fetch in Zaun was significant.]
And now your crown or will be soon, yes?
[He returned his gaze to Richard, watching the emotions twist the younger man's face. Now if only they could direct that rage towards the Council completely, not that it would matter as he wasn't convinced any longer that the Council itself had any manner of physical bodies. Still, he tightened his grip around Richard's back.]
Of course they would. They believe they are doing what is best when they clearly don't understand what such an item means to you and you family. The battles engaged, the blood spilt, the lives lost in obtaining. Have you noticed any ill effects thus far in refusing to renounce it?
no subject
[these people did not want a king nor bow down to one, let alone show him respect. Least of all Silco.
But the tightening of arm against the small of his back is enough to quell some of the anger inside Richard, keeping the storm from toppling the trees and ripping them out of the ground with roots and all. His breathing was still heavy, the air moving in and out through his nostrils as he regarded the question.
Now, Richard had heard of the horrific punishments that some of the chosen endured at the hands of the council if they proved to be resilient with completing their tasks. He, luckily, had not encountered anything harrowing.. except for.]
People stare at me wherever I go. I can feel their eyes on my back and hear them whispering about me, some have even tried to follow me around. [While Richard wouldn't say it was the worst thing out there, it was still distracting - feeding more into his doubts and fears.
Richard run his fingers alongside the edges of the crate, not daring to dip them inside now that the crown was exposed. For a brief second he wondered his next words, trying to decide whether it was worthy of bringing it up.]
Other than that it has been quiet. I haven't seen Joan nor her demonic minions.
no subject
However, this crown and all that it represented was supposed to be a punishment for a crime that the council deemed worthy of their attention. Such items were always given with a purpose, and he had no doubt that something of value would be taken away if Richard didn't bend to the Council's silly whims.
He found himself staring at the crown where it lay in its crate. He noted that Richard didn't reach in and take it out or touch it. He knew it would be unwise to do such a thing himself as well.]
Those behaviours will grow more invasive and constant the longer you don't do as the Council demands. If you won't, I expect you can weather that storm for as long as you need to. [He nearly scoffed at the Council, but he thought for Richard it was a fitting pressure to endure. The younger man was self-conscious after all.] After a time, the effects will abate. People fail the requirements of the Council often.
[He turned his head to regard the younger man a moment, considering.]
Is the quiet unnerving to you?
no subject
To him the Light was same as the power. Once obtained it would grant him the ability to make his each dream come true, erase all of the sadness and give him the keys to paradise. Something that would make him equal to God himself. And the golden, shining object in front of them was a proof of that overwhelming power. As for Silco? Well, if Richard had to take a wild guess it would mean either control or freedom. Or both, considering his past and goal to build an empire. Or something alike that, and Richard thinks he can understand it to some extend, at least.
But whatever the differences in their point of views were, there was one shared fact: only one could stand on the top. Silco would not tolerate a king, and Richard would not tolerate another leader above him. And eventually two monsters would have to face each other, he suspected.
But right now? Despite his blood boiling hot and anger rushing in his veins at the audacity of their captors to drag his father's crown into this world, rob it from its light in mockery, he felt... relief that he could share this with the other man - rather than allowing it to drive him to madness in the solitude.
With his lips still curled down in a disapproving frown, Richard kept staring down at the crown, considering Silco's question. Under normal circumstances he would be nothing but grateful to be rid of Joan and the other demons. But here? He found the idea somewhat conflicting. The witch might be his tormentor, but at the same time he had strangely become to trust her presence, finding her less threatening. Having her nonsensical presence around might as well be the one thing that made sense in this chaotic world.]
She'll be back, I know it. [There was no doubt about it.] The only thing I do not understand is why now? She has never yielded in front of the crown before.