conflictresolution

[It didn't take Silco long to realize that the pig already had a better grasp of navigating the city than most of the Chosen, and he hadn't seen Richard with a pig before now. This had to be a new addition, which made the beast an even greater curiosity in light of the written missive. He followed, using narrow alleys that he usually did to make his way around the city for both the shortest distance possible and to avoid observation as much as possible.

He could tell they were leaving the hustle and bustle of Aldrip soon, and he expected that they would be heading to the outskirts. Richard seemed to have a particular fondness for the forest he had observed, and it wasn't a wonder if the younger man would simply claim a plot of land and build a house way out amid the trees. It wasn't Silco's style, but he wouldn't step on anyone's choices for living. After all, Jinx had a tree house out here somewhere and was probably living out here to avoid him as much as she humanly could when not causing trouble at the docks with her little gang.

Spotting Richard, he tucked his hands into his jacket as he was forced to leave the city behind once more and walk in nature. Oh how he missed the city of iron and glass, his nation of Zaun.]

I assume this one is a new addition for you? [He nodded his chin towards the albino pig.] And I see you never miss an opportunity to practice with your weapons. Is this where you might live?

[Once Richard's figure swims to their view the pig picks up its pace, trotting gleefully towards the man it seems to view as its' master of sorts.

Richard, meanwhile, begins to draw his bow. His feet are slightly spread and planted firmly on the ground, back straight and head held up high. It's seemingly perfect form when he raises the bow and draws the tight string along with the arrow. He takes a deep breath and focuses his eyes at the painted target in front of him. A beat, and he's just about to release the arrow and---]

Meep! [The pig call out as it runs up to Richard, making the duke to stop and lower his bow. There's almost something fond reflected in his eyes as he looks down at the loyal animal -- but it disappears immediately once he notices that it hadn't arrived alone.] Oi, Whitey. [He mutters at the pig, a hint of scold in his tone.

Then he looks up from the beast to greet Silco.]

Mind stays sharp in well trained body, Silco. It would not do good for me for neglect my training and allow my skills go soft even during these days of peace. [Also. He's bit of a sword himbo, ok??] I see that Whitey successfully delivered my letter.

[Bows were not too common in the Undercity, not with the clutter of buildings. He knew of other places that frequently made use of them, of course, but that was all in books and discussions while sharing a drink with traders. From his amateur assessment, it seemed to him that Richard knew how to handle the weapon effectively, even if an arrow never flew upon his approach.

He also had never seen that expression on Richard's face before, he noted. It seemed the pig and the duke were rather fond of each other, and he expected that could be a weakness exploited by those wanting to take advantage of the situation. It was one reason he had never dared have a pet; it would end up a victim of early Shimmer experimentation anyway.]

You expect that we won't be at peace for long then. [Good. There was always room for battles in this place, though how those on the level of 'normal' would do against some of those they had here remained to be seen. A cunning mind might even the score.]

Is that the animal's name? Very creative. It seemed you are in the market for a place of your own, and I happen to know more than a few opportunities. If you're interested, of course.

I do not expect anything. Not war or peace.

[Whitey truly was an anomaly to Richard's life. His older brothers had looked at the thing with confused amusement, not quite sure why would Richard keep such thing around. After all, boars were wild and timid creatures, nearly impossible to tame. And yet here Whitey is, walking up to lean on Richard's legs like a pampered lapdog. When it had first arrived Richard hadn't been all that surprised if he was honest. The animal had always known how to find him, appearing before him and guiding him to the safety when he needed it the most. Really. Seeing that their lives were entangled together it only made sense that Whitey would find his way to this world as well.]

Whitey can't stay at the inn. [While the staff didn't seem to mind the boar that much it still was hardly an appropriate location for such animal.

Though the offer does make him smile a bit.] Yet another act of your neverending generosity. Unfortunately I have not been able to gather funds for an entire house just let, which does limit my options.

Edited 2024-06-19 10:01 (UTC)

This place doesn't allow peace for long; there always seems to be some event or another to stir people up.

[Silco continued to approach slowly to where Richard had set up, but his steps stuttered uncharacteristically at the statement of his generosity. He liked to think of himself as fair, in a sense of the word when it came to Zaun where if he received something, he would give in return. Zaun was a nation of promises, favours and handshake deals, and there was much credit put to someone honouring their word.

So it called into question why he went out of his way to show Richard places or simply showed up. There was a strangeness to their conversations, an intrigue that nudged the deep unsettled sensation inside of him. Perhaps it was that they were both monsters? Why did he handled Richard like he handled his daughter? Was that all there was? A similarity to the deep unsettled nature of a person afflicted with voice or...? Thinking of Jinx's current rejection stung just a touch, but he pushed it away. He was not filling that void with this man.

He made a point to look between Richard and the pig again as if trying to examine a problem that required solving.] The apartments are quaint enough I'm told. There are other accommodations as well such as bunking with a friend, sleeping in the woods - not particularly recommended - and stealing your way into abandoned places. I see many chosen have roommate situations, but you seem to enjoy your privacy.

Like the tower had been.

[Richard had been told the tales of the time The Chosen defeated and slayed a monstrous creature from the depths of ocean. The trials that they faced at the Tower could not hold a candle to previous adventures. But yet, Richard was rather interested in seeing what else this world had to offer. Just what kind of punishments and tribulations were waiting for this group of sinners. He'd welcome them all.

Whitey lets outs a soft grunt when Silco begin to list all the possible solutions, as if to give out his on input on the matter. In return, Richard kneels down on the ground and places his weapon down so that he can scratch the pig behind its ears.

Last time they had met at the opening of Last Drop the man had made a vague promise to help him out if he needed something. It had been partially the reason why he had send the letter to him in the first place. While he did not want to rely on Silco more than he had already, Richard did feel like it was only proper for him to inform the other about the change in his living arrangements. They had spoken of a covenant, hadn't they? It wasn't still set in motion but Richard could see the potential bond growing between them. Only time would reveal what kind shape it will take.]

Aye. Sharing living quarters with someone is out of question. Whitey can be handful. [There is another "meep" coming from the pig in protest. Because yeah.. Avoiding sharing rooms with someone is more for his own sake than for Whitey's. He did not only value privacy but rather saw it essential for his survival. The last thing he wants is to risk his own demons being discovered and his secret being let out.]

I do not intend to become a hermit and run off to woods either. But a house from somewhere around here would be ideal, I suppose. Quiet, calm and open path to both city and forest.

Edited (oop) 2024-06-19 21:56 (UTC)

[Silco suddenly found the tree with the target painted on it to be the most interesting part of the forest for a few seconds after processing the reference to the Tower. That place had been set up to be fine, but it had ended up being disastrous for him in particular. He was still dealing with the repercussions, and it didn't appear as if the storm was going to be ending any time soon.] It does seem that the Tower was a complication.

[His mismatched gaze to the pig now known to him as 'Whitey', and he dealt with animals with sentience. It was obvious this creature knew some language, maybe all of it. No wonder Richard was willing to dedicate so much time and effort to finding a place to accommodate the pair of them. Animals of all shapes and sizes lived with their humanoid bond, so this wasn't unusual to see.

Discussion of the house was far safer than the Tower. He'd prefer to put it behind him.]

That knocks the option off then. [He would not pursue it further.] And what amenities would you require in your abode? One bedroom, two bedroom, multiple bathrooms?

[He didn't think location would be a problem, but it would more be what interior would work best. He didn't know what kind of homes Dukes lived in where Richard was from.]

[The Tower had truly been underwhelming experience for Richard himself that he didn't even think of looking for any signs of distress or alike in Silco. And he hadn't exactly heard anyone talk much about the events that happened there, almost as if it had been one, big collective dream.

But then there is the question of the house, which honestly suited him better, too. Richard casts his gaze down at Whitey as he mulls over his thoughts. The apartment, houses and other living quarters were very different from those from his own world... Just like everything else. It had taken him a week to learn properly how to walk through an automatic doors or figure out how to use light switch. It did bring him some anxiety to think that he would soon be all alone with these random gadgets and unnatural furniture.]

..I do not require much. Two bedrooms with separate areas for dining, kitchen and washing is enough.

[It was for the best no one was talking about it, and they could just move on from the trouble that it had caused. This was yet another sign that they were in some kind of purgatory, and they all likely deserved everything coming to them from the Council. After all, no one actually seemed to be obeying whatever rudimentary rules there were in this place.

Richard and Saralegui were the epitome of fish-out-of-water, but they did both seem to be handling it well enough. He hadn't seen any cries for assistance on the network. Of course, he couldn't guarantee either of them hadn't just buried the tablet.]

That isn't a complicated home then. That will be easy enough to have built for you. Do you want a shower and a bathtub or just one of those? [He was, after all, making mental notes.] And does your companion have specific needs inside or out of a property?

[Richard was a firm believer of doing things on his own and hated the idea of being dependent on someone else. Never in his life had he been given anything for free, having always to work himself double the amount anyone else. When he was still a mere child he had endlessly trained his small body so that he would be able to catch up with his brothers, filling his days with exercise, lessons in sword, archery and military tactics. All so that he could one day prove himself worthy of standing next to his father in battlefield. And once the age of boyhood had passed? Well, after that he had craved the power to himself through victories in war, and playing the social game of the court just right.

So, asking for help out in public like that went against the foundation of his own belief. That power was something you carved out for yourself, rather than wait for it to happen or to be given. Which is also why his opinion of the young king had faltered when he had seen him in the network. While the humility had been inspiring to some degree but the contract that the king had spoken of made Richard lose his belief in him. But then again, Saralegui wasn't like him. He was young and beautiful, shining that light which only of those with divine blessing could.]

You may think of me as one of the royals who sleep in their high castles, surrounded by gold and luxury. But the truth is that I do not require much. ['A hunter's cabin in middle of woods. Keeping you two safe from the rain.' A distant memory echoes in his mind. Mocking him with the moments of peace and tranquility that had been unknowingly to him been built on blood and betrayal.

Whitey seems to catch on the direction that Richard's thoughts were threatening to slip, and makes a small grunt to snap him out of it.]

I'm not one for luxuries. Just the standard will do. As for Whitey, he knows how to look after himself. All I want need is to provide him a warm place to sleep during the cold weather and rain.

[Silco was similar in that he preferred his independence and making his own way and creating his own opportunities. He had set himself up well and early in Aldrip, of course, and he had no reason to look back on how he had managed to get this far either. He kept his dealings tight because it was necessary, unlike in Zaun where he could buy certain people off to have them cover him as he acquired more and more. It was, of course, a survival tactic even if it put a target on his back at the same time.

He had relied on someone before and that betrayal still stung. Of course, the recent one was still fresh enough that he hadn't bothered to deal with it; a treacherous weak part of him had always known the answer to the question of who Jinx would choose in a contest and it was reiterated yet again. He still loved and would care for her, yet her silence towards him felt different. He didn't have Zaun to fall back on until she had forgiven him for one thing or another.

Maybe that was why he was out here in the first place. Richard seemed to have a relatively positive opinion of him, and their dealings had been such an oddity that it stole his attention when he was distracted from conquering Aldrip.]

I've met a few who call themselves royalty, and you do not behave as they do. [Well, a little. There was still the idea that Silco was some kind of unworthy mutt with dirty blood; he'd endured that since the day he was born. Richard had tamed the rhetoric down.] I imagine you'll need a place with peace and quiet to keep your witch from bothering you too much. Absolute quiet or blasting music are what my daughter tends to require.

[He looked at the pig again, and then he simply shrugged his shoulders. None of these requests were abnormal or even odd.] You can request a house built for you through the natives of Aldrip. [He listed off a name and the location to find this person.] More people will likely be coming soon, so I would advise putting in your request within the next week.

[The hand scratching Whitey's head stills as Silco makes the mention of the witch. His breathing stills for a moment and he can feel a cold wave washing over him, making his bones shiver. It still so disorienting to hear anyone address his curse so directly, without any fear or prejudice. He swallows air, keeping his eyes locked on the white fur of the pig and just hoping that Silco's bold words won't summon her. The day had been going so well so far...]

I met your daughter. [Richard says, drawing his hand away from Whitey. He grabs his bow again and stands back up. Meeting Jinx... had been interesting, let's say. The girl really did not resemble her father in anyway. Not in appearance or behavior. But then again. Richard himself had been different from rest of his family, dark sheep among the white lambs. And none of that had affected the deep bond that he shared with his father. Which he could only assume to be the same with this parent-child couple.]

How do you know when new people are going being summoned.

[He could watch the way that Richard reacted to casual mention of the witch, and he didn't find it unusual given how the younger man seemed to fear her presence. Jinx was the same, but he found the voices would be quieter when they were confronted openly and without fear. It was one of the few methods that calmed Jinx when she had first come to his care, and he wondered if Richard had ever had anyone ever simply accept this as what it was.

He raised his eyebrow at the mention of Richard having met Jinx. There was likely only one of two ways such an introduction could have gone, and depending on where it was, he could eliminate one instantly.] Did you? How badly did she interrogate you or insult you?

[Silco accepted Jinx as she was and defended much of her behavior. He understood that she was not for everyone's taste, and she could be... difficult to have a conversation with. Yet, a part of him was curious how Richard had experienced his only child.]

It seems to run on a cycle every two months thus far. New people will show up in seemingly random places. I washed up out of the ocean, and yet others appeared in the forest.

[Richard raises a matching eye brow at Silco and his lips curl up in amused grin. It is quite interesting that he didn't mince his words about her. Normally he'd hear fathers try to appeal to their children's more positive traits, to their wits and bravery if the child was a boy, and to their beauty and grace if it was girl.]

Neither, actually. [Jinx hadn't exactly been the most polite encounter, and she had certainly tried to get under his skin but she hadn't really posed as a threat to Richard. More than she had came across as a brat who lacked manners.] She merely seemed to be quite worried for you.

[So, there was a pattern to this world's workings? He supposes it only makes sense. Just like clear weather after a stormy night.]

Does that mean that people will be let out as well?

[He knew what Jinx was like on first encounters, and he had no reason to think anyone would appreciate her mannerisms as much as he did. She was perfect as she was in his eyes, though yes she did drive him mental at times. The fact that she wasn't on speaking terms with him currently did dull his enthusiasm for discussing an encounter, since he actually couldn't guarantee when she would decide to speak again.]

Did she? That isn't unusual normally. [He looked back at the target painted and shifted his shoulders, shaking his head a little.] Currently she is in a mood of not speaking to me, so I doubt you have to concern yourself with any possessive behavior for awhile.

[He cleared his throat as he moved to the far more impartial topic of conversation.]

No. There does not appear to be a rhythm or specific time frame to people leaving. They come every two months, but they leave on a whim at times.

[Huh... Richard has seen his own fair amount of troubled family life. Hell, his own had been rather stormy one between the three brothers. He also knew that there could be disagreements between sons and fathers, and sometimes even mother would shun her child -- like his had done. But to have disobedient daughter?

Yeah, no. That sounds just weird. It is daughter's role to be obedient and listen to their father -- at least until she's married off.]

You are her father. It is in your right to approach her despite her mood. [And as far as he knew, the same rules applied to even peasants. Daughters ought to respect the authority of their father.

Richard frowns at that explanation. Well, it would be too much to ask of sinners to redeem themselves that quickly. But yet, it did feel suspicious that people were to appear here on periodically like that and not when their sins out-weighted their good deeds.]

Hm. You must be pleased, then. It ought to bring you more customers and business opportunities.

[It was his right, was it? The corner of his lips tugged in a sardonic smile, finding no humour in the misconstrued idea. The people of Zaun - men and women - were supposed to be equals, and it was as much his duty to protect his daughter as it was his daughter's duty to protect him. It was not a concept he had entertained until Jinx, despite having used, spent and traded children for many years through gangs and mining operations. She had wormed her way in so fast he hadn't considered the implications of initially pledging to take her in as he had.

Both of their worlds had irrecably changed that night, and even through the tough times, he had respected her needs for space, her tantrums, her crawling into his lap to cuddle or babble about this or that. He knew the time to approach and the time to give her space; her sense of betrayal stung more as he found himself alone sorting through the traumas of a second death in less than a year.]

My subordinate taught me an important lesson about fathers and their daughters. She will come when she is ready. [Assuming she came back at all. The sister would perhaps be first choice, and he struggled to respect that notion.] Until then, I will continue as I have. The long hours don't bother me. [It was a hollow claim. He was building this empire for Jinx, despite knowing her temperament might not allow her to be a structured leader when he was gone.

...and assuming she didn't consider handing it to the sister. Oh the irony that would be.

So deep in his own thoughts that Silco didn't realize he was staring at the ground, an act of unawareness that would have likely cost him blood in Zaun. He jerked his head back up to regard Richard, and he grunted softly.]

There will always be opportunities if one knows how to look for them. This place hardly puts up a fight.

Edited 2024-06-22 22:59 (UTC)

[Richard allows Silco to have his moment, waiting for the man to reply in silence. He obviously did not know the depths of the issues that were poisoning the blood between his companion's family, nor was he one to pry. But whatever it was, it clearly affected the man's mood. He supposes he could understand that. Especially if his bond to his daughter was anything like Richard's own with his father.

He hums quietly and moves past Whitey, taking a few steps closer to Silco.]

We all want best for our children. [He says, trying to reach for a sense of solidarity. Maybe even camaraderie of sorts with the way he looks up at the man's mismatched eyes. All while he knew that he wasn't exactly the person to say that. Not when he barely knew the boy whom he had claimed to be his own. Satisfied with leaving him to Anne's care, only reaping the benefits of having a child. A heir.

But yet.. He could not stop himself thinking back to that stormy night after George's orphaned children were left to his care, when Edward had came to him all scared and teary-eyed after being tormented by a nightmare.

Children do come to you when they are ready, huh. Guess there was some truth to it.]

For now it doesn't.

[Normally he would stew on his thoughts alone in his office, and he definitely had been doing that the last few weeks too since his death and revival. The idea of doing that alone in his office had become almost as painful as the isolation of home, and he supposed that was one of the reasons that he had immediately followed the pig out to the forest. He was not the type to seek much in the way of companionship; Silco was a man he prided himself on being able to function with or without others.

His eyes followed Richard's movements, watching the distance between them close. They were not as close as they had sometimes come to be, not like at the Last Drop and not like the dark cave system. Still, the closer proximity did loosen a bit of tension to his shoulders, and he expected that was enough.]

No, not everyone does. Children are a burden we bear for the sake of the future. Some bear that well and others do not. I do want the best for her even when she couldn't care one way or another for herself. [He reached up and pinched the bridge of his nose, closing his blue eye momentarily. That was enough now, he told himself. He could not expose too much weakness; someone would be in line to take advantage of it.] Children are our legacy, hmm? A reflection of our best and worst traits made whole for another generation.

[He inclined his head, meeting Richard's gaze and then his expression twisted to being slightly annoyed. It wasn't a reasonable reaction either. He knew it wouldn't be this easy forever or even long-term.]

It will, I agree. We must be prepared for that switch. I'm preparing to fight for my place here, even if I must bring this falsity to its knees... or carry it to completion my way.

[Your weakness is open and showing, Silco. However, it is not an unusual one. Parents are expected to love their children, and vice versa. It is rare when that condition isn't met and more of a sign of weakness in ones soul more than anything. Or a curse, like was the case with him and his mother. Bound by the curse of blood and flesh that was festering like an open wound in harsh heat of sun. The hatred and pain kept them tied together, despite both parties despairing over the damned bond.

But as far as Richard could tell Silco was opposite of that. Why else would he have called a child without a trace of his blood his own? He spoke truthfully about her darkness, but unlike Richard's mother there was no sign of condemn nor disgust. Just open understanding and....even pride? That's what a love must be like, Richard decided. A pure, unfiltered love.]

I do know of parent shunning their child. [His voice gains perhaps a little tighter tone when the words slip past his lips. Jane, the witch that had wrapped his King Brother around his brother, had told as much. That there were women who'd seek out to kill the baby inside their bodies. An ultimate crime against God.

Richard steps around Silco, moving back to take his position at the target practice. He draws the bow and with practiced carefulness, making the whole process look smooth and effortless.]

I wonder which traits your daughter is reflecting? [He takes aim, breathes in and releases. The arrow soars quickly through the air, landing right in middle of the painted target on tree.]

You have the work cut out for you. Tell me, how are you prepared to fight and defend your position here in case someone with similar interests and ambition arrives? A cunning devil with charisma and means to steal your goal.

[He knew it showed, and he was not currently in a state of mind to reign in his thoughts on the matter. It hadn't even been a full year since he had stood on the edge of great chasm of victory with the wings and means to fly of a lifelong dream. Instead of flying, he had fallen to the deepest, darkest parts of his life as the reality of what it would cost was too great.

His ultimate failure. The path he reviled, mocked, and dismissed as nothing more than weakness in Vander became the same path he had walked. Like Vander, it had cost him his life.

He looked at Richard, humming at the comment. He too knew of parents that shunned their children; it was more common the deeper one went in the Undercity; life was hard enough without adding another mewling burden to it.] As do I. [His own parentage had not been pleased with his inconvenient arrival.

He made a point of folding his hands behind his back, clasping one wrist in a hand as he watched Richard return to practice. He expected that their conversation was likely done, information as to where the younger man could acquire housing given. He should return to work.]

Fear of abandonment, anger at her idea that one's word was broken, and a need to punish those that hurt her. [He shrugged his shoulders. He knew her well enough to know why she was giving the cold shoulder and expanding herself on the docks.] And ambition.

[Silco stared at the arrow embedded into the tree.] Oh, the usual. Chain them in a dank basement, break some bones, perhaps remove the skin from them. I can't well kill them, so I'll make them wish they were dead instead. Otherwise, I have my ways.

[The wound left on his soul by his own complicated relationship to his parents was still fresh and painful, that Richard very much preferred to move away from the topic of unwanted parenthood and toxic bonds of family. Besides, he believes that Silco had already offered him more than enough information about himself and his daughter. Family, even when founded on love, did mean happiness. And it did seem to be partially true on the man's case.

Richard pulls out another arrow from the quiver strapped against his hip. He draws the bow again, takes an aim and releases the arrow, this time taking considerably less time than before.]

Hm. Quite fantasy you have there. [He says flatly and turns to look over his shoulder. The horrors of the torture Silco had just described did not really impress him that much, having grown up hearing the terrors happening inside the dark depths of London Tower. If anything, his people were rather creative when it came to coming up ways to inflict pain on convicts, prolonging their suffering before miserable death. But there is something almost funny in how Silco just jumped on the violence with his answer. It reminded Richard a little of himself during his youth. Hot headed, only interested in spilling the blood left and right in order to spread glory of York.]

But unfortunately, rather dangerous approach. At the end of War of Roses me and my brothers had captured Henry Sixth, the ruling Lancaster King. His existence was clear danger to my brother's claim on throne and we we're left with dilemma what to do? If we killed the man it would not inspire trust nor loyalty on the new king, painting him as nothing but a violent usurper. [And yet, the solution to their situation had been an assassination. Ugly and hushed business, one that would be fatal to their reputation if it ever became public knowledge.]

Peasants can fight. And they will rebel and look to replace the false king with one they deem worthy, given a chance. It would be unwise of you to make yourself one.

[He was used to being disparaged for his ideas, fantasy or otherwise. History thus far had provided him the ego to know when he was right even if it didn't require the utmost of creativity. There was a point and a purpose, and while he had contingencies on what to do should someone with ambition arrive here - it was inevitable - his main concern was circumventing the Council and Jerry to expand his reach as far and wide as he could. They were the ones most at risk of interfering with him.

The Chosen were a mostly gamely lot that fought each other when push came to shove. They all had competing pathetic interests.

He was certain that no one in this place actually considered what he was capable of. Akechi actually might, but the hatred in the man blinded him from being too much of a real threat. Vi might have warned people about what he was capable of, but even she under-represented what he could do, what he had done, and what he was willing to do. Silco was being downright pleasant here, and sometimes it went against the grain of everything he was.]

Such a dilemma. Whatever to do with such a person... [Make them disappear. Create a narrative the people would accept or at least be too scared or indifferent to question.]

I wasn't seeking advice. [He replied coldly, his blue eye narrowing dangerously.] It may be unwise for you to look down your nose at the peasant. [Him.] I've told you what you need to know about finding accommodation.

[Anger stirred and while he had a firm grip of his temper so it would spill over, he lost the appeal of being out here. It was necessary for creating alliances, but in the end, it was best to keep things to business. Thankfully the bruises on his throat were little more than a dull yellowing, but he was still keenly aware of them. His collar and tie hide almost all of them. They reminded him that he had much work to do.]

[The tension around them has shifted, turning from previous casualness into something more tight and reserved. And like always, leave it to Whitey the Boar to pick up the subtle changes first before his master. Whitey had been sniffing on the grass and poking the dirt with his pink snout, perhaps in hopes of finding some hidden food and what not. And once the anger slips into Silco's words the pig reacts almost immediately, raising his head from the ground and letting out a nervous squeal. After that Whitey runs off, hiding somewhere in the bushes nearby as if fearing that something was going to happen.

Richard, in return, turned his attention briefly away from his practice to watch as Whitey disappeared behind the green leaves. Figures, he thinks to himself and turns his eyes back at Silco.]

I am not. The power of a king is measured by his people. They have power to take down those who they claim unworthy. [The irritation and displeasure were evident in Silco's voice and posture. Although Richard couldn't quite picture why. As far as he's concerned he's spoken no ill of those born into lesser ranks than what his own, having first hand experience in just how much power they possessed. At the end his ultimate opponent had been the hearts of peasants and his future subjects. If he could not make them believe that he was benevolent and just there would only had been another uprising as he sought to claim the throne.] And without God in this forsaken land I do not see much difference between us. We are all nothing but sinners.

[Richard had sinned, gravely so, and flown too close to the sun. Only to have his wings torn off and thrown into this unknown, bizarre land of purgatory. It's something he believed that bound him, Silco and everyone else present together.] Take it, whether you seek for my council or not. As a friendly advice from one that is interested to see how will you use that power to shape this land into your image.

[Silco's eyes also moved to the pig when the creature squealed and headed for the underbrush. That two-hundred pound beast outweighed him and could very likely gore them both, and yet, it apparently felt the urge to run for hills. Well, that made him feel a momentary sense of gratification before it was wiped clear with his previous mood returning.]

How would you know? You aren't a king. [He had seen the man called a Duke, though how the hierarchy worked where Richard was from he didn't know. He had been treated as an inconvenience at best and an object to be hated, used and abused by those in the Uppercity when they wanted some fun. It was true that such treatment created revolutionaries, and he had all been about taking heads and instilling fear in those with power over them to force change.

But he'd been smarter than that. He had learned early that he had to have something more. Hextech had forced him to change his plans from all out war to a slow, insidious gathering of power to force change.]

Even with God or whoever you worship, we are all sinners. Sinning is what we were made to do, and being made to feel guilty for enjoying our nature is the greatest lie they will tie you up in.

[Silco wasn't interested in changing who he was, and he wasn't in the mood for advice. It was hard enough not being in his head being reminded of how he had ended up here in the first place.] Is that what it is about? Friendship? [He scoffed at the idea; he didn't have friends.] I don't care to shape it in my image; I'm not doing it for me.

[It might not matter in the end, of course. Perhaps this world along with their own should just burn.]

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cw: mention of child labour and child trafficking

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Cw: mention of child death & abortion

cw: mention of confinement and torture

just cw for everything tbh...

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