[ That tidbit about Sam is noted and again with a smile, since - that's something anyone could certainly say about himself, too. Or rather it's likely been said about him several times over, so it's good to know they have that in common.
That's not as interesting as watching Steve think over this information he's decided to provide, and said observing happens even while he's still speaking. It's a choice to tell the other man this when he could have left it at what was said in the meeting, and it's one he's made in full consideration of the impacts it may have. If it does; it's not like most of that history is relevant to being here in Abraxas. Things are different. Probably. ]
The Empire was a powerful enemy since having one united banner and emperor to fight under does that. The Alliance, on the other hand - there's no one ruler since it was founded upon never swearing loyalty to an emperor or a monarch but rather the houses in it swear oaths of allegiance to each other. Letting even one of the great houses cede would've likely meant the end of the rest of us. I suppose you could say there was some strategy involved.
[ That's with a grin for Steve's benefit since that's glossing over several parts involved as he pauses to take a sip of his drink. Afterwards he takes a few seconds to consider what else to add. More information, definitely, but where to start? There are lots of paths to go down. They're all linked together in the end though in a pattern only Claude knows at the moment, so there's still more pieces to put forth first. ]
There was a lot to balance in so many moving parts even before the war added even more. I did mean what I said about having to navigate several different interests since even if I believed I could also see the end result, getting there still relied upon working with others to get the assistance needed. Whatever the Conclave ends up being when it begins, the concept is something I know well.
no subject
That's not as interesting as watching Steve think over this information he's decided to provide, and said observing happens even while he's still speaking. It's a choice to tell the other man this when he could have left it at what was said in the meeting, and it's one he's made in full consideration of the impacts it may have. If it does; it's not like most of that history is relevant to being here in Abraxas. Things are different. Probably. ]
The Empire was a powerful enemy since having one united banner and emperor to fight under does that. The Alliance, on the other hand - there's no one ruler since it was founded upon never swearing loyalty to an emperor or a monarch but rather the houses in it swear oaths of allegiance to each other. Letting even one of the great houses cede would've likely meant the end of the rest of us. I suppose you could say there was some strategy involved.
[ That's with a grin for Steve's benefit since that's glossing over several parts involved as he pauses to take a sip of his drink. Afterwards he takes a few seconds to consider what else to add. More information, definitely, but where to start? There are lots of paths to go down. They're all linked together in the end though in a pattern only Claude knows at the moment, so there's still more pieces to put forth first. ]
There was a lot to balance in so many moving parts even before the war added even more. I did mean what I said about having to navigate several different interests since even if I believed I could also see the end result, getting there still relied upon working with others to get the assistance needed. Whatever the Conclave ends up being when it begins, the concept is something I know well.