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[conflictresolution]

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.]

Is the quiet unnerving to you?

[traumaticus]

[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.