A Conversation

[lachtara]

WHO: Abel, Eleven, Emet (And 1 looming Estinien)
WHAT: Meeting across enemy lines
WHERE: The Visionary Shrine
WHEN: 5/10, After the New Arrivals
WARNINGS: Attempted Manipulation?



The time has come to meet with a few individuals on the opposing side. Their meeting during the chaos that the new arrivals brought had been purposefully brief, spurred by the fighting at the shrines around them. Today they could speak with one another without the added burden of potentially being involved in a squabble. At least, one could hope.

He proceeds to the Visionary Shrine - an easily accessible halfway point between their two territories. It's the most amicable are for such a meeting to take place.
 
Slipping out of Achamoth with the added commotion of new arrivals is simple enough, while covering the distance between the city and the Shrine is somewhat more difficult. Emet-Selch arrives there while the shrine is still quiet and abandoned. He finds a comfortable bloom of shadows off to the side where he could wait... and carefully observe who approached. 

Would they be true to their word and entertain speaking to one another? Or would this all have been for nothing?

Comments

[inutilis]

"...Then, might I ask you a favor?"

Abel understands that there are some distances that words cannot bridge, some gaps that cannot be closed by pretty, fanciful words nor the very best of intentions. He had hoped Emet-Selch might be the sort of man who could see reason - value in the lives around him, and... it isn't as though he has given up on such an endeavor, either. This Kenoma is not the sort to burn the world to the ground for the sake of it. He has a heart that beats, longs, suffers, grieves, burns with an unbridled depth most could not fathom; one who feels so deeply cannot pretend he is incapable of learning to love anew, because love - and loss in that love's wake - is always the source of such passion. Abel truly believes that.

But it will be difficult. And it will take time.

So, until then...

...He stretches his hand outward.

"Please don't give up on me. Even if it can't be today, and even if it might not be all you hope for-- I will give you something worth your while."

[lachtara]

Emet-Selch’s piteous smirk remains in place of an answer. Ah, the foolish trappings of piety and their willingness to see good where it did not exist.

‘Giving up’ on Abel implies that he has any faith in him to begin with.

He asks a question of his own instead. “Shall we consider our business concluded for today? I am sure your comrades are exceedingly anxious to return home.”

[inutilis]

...Unsurprising, perhaps, to have his offer rebuffed. Abel cannot deny that it makes a particular something in his chest sink all the same.

His smile is only slightly more demure as he lets his unaccepted hand fall, and he gives his company a nod of agreement and assent. It's alright, Emet-Selch; even if this man cannot see a path forward that might bridge the gap between them - Abel will.

"I've taken up enough of your time; you're right... ah-- then, allow me to see you off with my thanks for humoring me, would you?"

[lachtara]

Emet-Selch gestures onward with an open palm. "By all means."

This has not been an entirely unproductive conversation. Although as far as strategic value, he would be returning to the Regent nearly empty-handed. Convincing those who were so stalwart in their beliefs would not happen in a few short meetings - he knows this.

And so they inevitably would march onward toward betrayal.