Estinien Wyrmblood (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
coerthantorment) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
abraxaslogs2021-11-19 05:09 pm
coerthantorment) wrote in abraxaslogs2021-11-19 05:09 pm
Entry tags:
[CLOSED] lived a lot of different lives
WHO: Estinien Wyrmblood, Winnifred Bordeaux, and the Solvunn Council
WHAT: Estinien meets with the council in hopes of driving them towards action... or at least in hopes of finding out what Solvunn wants out of this conflict in the first place.
WHERE: Primary Settlement, Solvunn
WHEN: Mid to Late Novemberish
Six months prior, Estinien never could have imagined himself willingly subjecting himself to this. To playing the diplomat, to making appeals, to trying to gather favour... it was work left to better men, in his opinion. Yet, with an absence of those he had unknowingly relied on, he has few other options. From the sounds of things, this effort very well may be dependant on him.
Few others were willing to make a move, at least from all he had observed - and of those that were, not all of them were prepared. In his case, though, he was built to fight. Everything he saw, he saw through that lens.
And so, this is what he brought to the council's attention: that, at least to him, the situation with Thorne was something that needed to be fought against, and that he was prepared to do it in whatever way they thought best. They had the experience, he said, they had lived in this place for much longer than him. Yet, at the same time, his limited experience with their world made him think that time was of the essence.
"You have my thanks for seeing me today," he says. It's the sort of formality that chafes against him, but he bears it regardless. Despite how rebellious he became after taking on the mantle of Azure Dragoon, there had been a time when he needed to play along enough that he could be granted the position by the Holy See in the first place, even if his skill had done most of the speaking. He can do this if he must, he reminds himself.
"Since coming to Solvunn some months ago, it has ever been mine intent to take on the cause of your people. I would not shirk the responsibility placed on me by my presence here, whether it be through circumstances or fate... if the world of Abraxas has need of my kind to resolve the issue of the Singularity, then so be it. Yet, I find myself adrift, and with little idea of what Solvunn herself seeks to accomplish. I know that your people see the tamperings of the Free Cities and Thorne as dire threats to this world and all others, but I have found myself wondering, what they hope to do to stop it?
"Were it in my hands, I know that I would not tarry, knowing that Thorne may have what they need to meddle with the Singularity more effectively than they have before. Does the Council of Solvunn disagree? If so, I would benefit from hearing your reasoning for such delay. You are, after all, the ones with a history in this place, and with an understanding of what has come before. I cannot claim to be as knowledgeable, though 'tis not from disinterest. I've done what reading I can to learn Solvunn's intent, but I am still unclear on the way forward.
"You have a willing soldier in me, and I had hoped to show you as much with the information offered upon our first meeting. And now that you have had time to see my measure, I would simply ask that you make use of me. Tell me what Solvunn wants and what it needs, and how I might aid you and your people. If you see Thorne as a threat, I would ask what can be done to stop them. Pray, understand me. There is much I have left behind to be in this world. Dire causes I have been forced to abandon, and that's consequences are still unknown to me. It weighs heavily on me for my presence here to be put to waste, when all that I loved before has been put at risk in turn.
"...And I have seen that you have taken it upon yourself to bring more here alongside me. If circumstances are as dire as they seem, I understand your need. But, if you would follow in Thorne's footsteps, you must see some divine purpose for our presence here. 'Tis no longer a matter of refugees stumbling upon your doorsteps - we are being called upon."
Estinien bows his head slightly, signaling the end of his appeal.
"Pray, tell me how I might yet strike against your enemies."
WHAT: Estinien meets with the council in hopes of driving them towards action... or at least in hopes of finding out what Solvunn wants out of this conflict in the first place.
WHERE: Primary Settlement, Solvunn
WHEN: Mid to Late Novemberish
Six months prior, Estinien never could have imagined himself willingly subjecting himself to this. To playing the diplomat, to making appeals, to trying to gather favour... it was work left to better men, in his opinion. Yet, with an absence of those he had unknowingly relied on, he has few other options. From the sounds of things, this effort very well may be dependant on him.
Few others were willing to make a move, at least from all he had observed - and of those that were, not all of them were prepared. In his case, though, he was built to fight. Everything he saw, he saw through that lens.
And so, this is what he brought to the council's attention: that, at least to him, the situation with Thorne was something that needed to be fought against, and that he was prepared to do it in whatever way they thought best. They had the experience, he said, they had lived in this place for much longer than him. Yet, at the same time, his limited experience with their world made him think that time was of the essence.
"You have my thanks for seeing me today," he says. It's the sort of formality that chafes against him, but he bears it regardless. Despite how rebellious he became after taking on the mantle of Azure Dragoon, there had been a time when he needed to play along enough that he could be granted the position by the Holy See in the first place, even if his skill had done most of the speaking. He can do this if he must, he reminds himself.
"Since coming to Solvunn some months ago, it has ever been mine intent to take on the cause of your people. I would not shirk the responsibility placed on me by my presence here, whether it be through circumstances or fate... if the world of Abraxas has need of my kind to resolve the issue of the Singularity, then so be it. Yet, I find myself adrift, and with little idea of what Solvunn herself seeks to accomplish. I know that your people see the tamperings of the Free Cities and Thorne as dire threats to this world and all others, but I have found myself wondering, what they hope to do to stop it?
"Were it in my hands, I know that I would not tarry, knowing that Thorne may have what they need to meddle with the Singularity more effectively than they have before. Does the Council of Solvunn disagree? If so, I would benefit from hearing your reasoning for such delay. You are, after all, the ones with a history in this place, and with an understanding of what has come before. I cannot claim to be as knowledgeable, though 'tis not from disinterest. I've done what reading I can to learn Solvunn's intent, but I am still unclear on the way forward.
"You have a willing soldier in me, and I had hoped to show you as much with the information offered upon our first meeting. And now that you have had time to see my measure, I would simply ask that you make use of me. Tell me what Solvunn wants and what it needs, and how I might aid you and your people. If you see Thorne as a threat, I would ask what can be done to stop them. Pray, understand me. There is much I have left behind to be in this world. Dire causes I have been forced to abandon, and that's consequences are still unknown to me. It weighs heavily on me for my presence here to be put to waste, when all that I loved before has been put at risk in turn.
"...And I have seen that you have taken it upon yourself to bring more here alongside me. If circumstances are as dire as they seem, I understand your need. But, if you would follow in Thorne's footsteps, you must see some divine purpose for our presence here. 'Tis no longer a matter of refugees stumbling upon your doorsteps - we are being called upon."
Estinien bows his head slightly, signaling the end of his appeal.
"Pray, tell me how I might yet strike against your enemies."
no subject
"Are you being deliberately difficult with me?"
She shakes her head.
"You know exactly why we have begun Summoning, Estinien. You and your companions are the ones who made it possible, even down to the details of how such magic might be accomplished! A clear sign from the Gods if there ever was one. You made it all very clear, when you told the Council of your experiences. The Summoned are our concern. Not Thorne, or even the Free Cities, who I have heard you speak very little about despite their desire to destroy the Singularity entirely. The Summoned. And they are where I would direct your attention, if you are honestly interested in steering a course away from calamity and not simply thirsty for the familiar comforts of war."
no subject
What staggers him, though, is what he considers to be an unnecessarily low blow, right at the end of her explanation. He could not expect anyone to know his history without being told, but it strikes differently when she has spoken to him thus far as if his heart and mind were hers to know.
"I assure you, lady Bordeaux, war is of no comfort to me," he says, with a subtle edge of trembling tension that could be clear to those inclined to read it. "I have lost everything to war... my parents... my little brother... my home, and all who lived in it. All years before I could be considered grown.
"We fought an insatiable enemy... one who waged a war of a thousand years to cause us suffering, and nothing more complicated than that. I trained my entire life to defeat that which spurred our war onward, and it was only when he had at last left our world that we achieved any semblance of peace.
"And our war was not the only one. In the days since then, I have seen people suffer at the hands of many would-be tyrants... some for power, some for wealth, and some because they saw themselves the arbiters of the way they world should be, at the expense of all others. The ones that would wield godlike powers to purge all that seems unworthy to them. This is a battle that plagues my world still... one that I have been forced to leave behind in order to partake in this world's conflicts."
This isn't just a speech he's giving to make a point. There's emotions behind it - the genuine strain that the last several months and a life of pain have brought upon him.
"I see the seeds of such evil so vividly within Thorne's actions. 'Tis because of this that I know their plans cannot be allowed to succeed... no mere man can be allowed to reshape the world in their image. For the Free Cities, I have no knowledge of what they even hope to attain in their quest, and I have no context with which to apply to judgment. 'Tis not merely errant obsession that directs my focus towards Thorne.
"Nay, what I speak of is no thirst for war. I have only seen inaction, time and time again, lead to greater evil than what would be caused by excising such violence at the root."
no subject
"If I may offer you some advice?"
She lifts a hand, much like she had to quieten the council chamber, and continues smoothly.
"When you come to a foreign land as a refugee, and are accepted and provided for by a generous people who are accepting a risk in taking responsibility for your care, and ask to speak at a council of their leadership, and at that meeting ask them how you might best strike against their enemies... it might serve you to listen to the answers you are given and respond accordingly. Otherwise, it might seem to those kind and generous people that your offer to assist them in whatever way they deem best is less than sincere, and more likely an attempt to coerce them into assisting you."
no subject
He is silent for a moment, composing himself before he speaks again.
"'Twas not mine intent to coerce Solvunn's council into aimless violence," he says, more levelly. "If you say that there is naught to be done in the material world as things are now, I can readily believe you - as when compelled to think on it, I cannot provide any alternatives. The reason for my persistence in finding purpose is this place is, in part, for the benefit of the newly summoned among us, and for their future relations with Solvunn.
"No matter how wise or just the cause, all that we can offer to them are words, in the face of what must feel like a great loss. They have all lost something by coming here, and despite the necessity of it, it will weigh heavily on their hearts. Despite the comfort I have found in Solvunn, I myself feel it still.
"In pain comes resentment, and I would sooner see them join hands with Solvunn's people as friends than as reluctant conscripts. If they are able to see the wisdom in Solvunn's path, all the more driven will they be to work on your behalf. I would give them something to look forward to, something to be inspired towards. I see Solvunn's path as the true course, and would hope to have it be well equipped for the days to come.
"And in turn, if Solvunn's path is in the hands of the gods, I would personally endeavour to better understand them and their will."
no subject
"The gods do not give us a burden we cannot carry, or ask for more than we can bear to give," she tells him. "You, and the others brought here to our community, haven't been here long enough to feel it, perhaps, but the blessing of the gods is a gift not given to many. In time, I hope all those chosen to join us come to recognize the privilege of their position, and the price asked by the gods well worth paying.
Do you believe in fate, Estinien? That no one is brought into the world or taken from it without reason?"
no subject
It's a complicated question to him, and the ambivalence of it shows on his face. Even regarding the staunch faith of his own nation he could be considered agnostic - unwilling to fully accept or reject the love of the goddess that supposedly watched over him. Blessed him, even, if you asked his countrymen during his ascent to the office of Azure Dragoon. On some level he wants to believe, but after so many unanswered calls for mercy...
(But were they unanswered, when he was spared the death he was so convinced he was owed?)
"...I don't know," he says, hesitantly looking up to her after a long moment of casting his gaze downward. "I... understand that matters may be different in my realm, though I have seen many things there that could be attributed to destiny. Still, I have always... felt that I must press on regardless. That each step is mine own, even if it comes to serve a greater purpose."
no subject
She shakes her head, pulling the fabric of her shawl tightly around her body.
"But you, and all the others brought here, are exactly where you are meant to be. Just as all in Solvunn, and the Free Cities, and even Thorne are. It may be difficult to see why things are as they are, but eventually all things come together as they must. Can you accept this answer for now, Estinien?"
no subject
She said 'for now' after all. Those two words make a world of difference. He is not a man who could sustain himself on faith alone indefinitely, but as they are? He's been wrong about things that seemed more insane when set against his conception of the world.
In some ways it would be nice for her to be right. He would like to be where he is supposed to be... wherever that is. If it truly were here as opposed to in Eorzea, maybe he would feel less like he's abandoned his loved ones to their deaths.
"I can," he says, and it's genuine. "What I wish... is for my world and this one to be spared. To flourish." He's worried about it all, anxious in his gut that it won't be enough to simply wait, but as he already said: he has no better answers. "If the gods can bring about our salvation... then I would seek their counsel first and foremost."
He pauses, and then adds:
"Or, what part of it I can comprehend."