+- Discovery Gaming Community (https://discoverygc.com/forums)
+-- Forum: Role-Playing (https://discoverygc.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?fid=9)
+--- Forum: Stories and Biographies (https://discoverygc.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?fid=56)
+--- Thread: Under the Maltese Skies (/showthread.php?tid=174820)
Under the Maltese Skies - Loyola - 11-09-2019
Under the Maltese Skies
A group of Outcast fighters has entered the atmosphere at planet Malta. Without any specific flight order, they are in a rush for something, the atmosphere would burn around their ships. Some of them would do dangerous maneuvers just for fun, making them look like dancing stars from the surface. Those Outcasts are heading to a distant low populated mountain region of Euskal Herria. The group is led by infamous Dona Enma, accompanied by her loyal lancers: Lelia Mione, Canalla, Serpentes, Angel Aparicio, and Heraklion. In spite of her wingman having fun, Enma is worried a lot. Only she knows why they are here and what kind of conversation she is supposed to have. Euskal Herria is the region where Enma's family has the most support, as she's originated from here. Loyola at least does not expect for someone to spy on them here. Yes, this is a distant place at a distant planet with mostly a loyal population, but they still need to stay cautious.
Enma has great reasons to worry, as she's going to visit one very important person. It's been years since they have met the last time and that conversation is promising to be even more complicated. The beautiful sight of the mountain peaks and the valleys below somehow made her feel calmer for some moments. But then troubling thought would make a new round of stress for her to handle. To shake off the stress, she makes a barrel roll on her Sabre and discharges its power core by shooting tachyons into random the random directions. Enma sighs, it didn't help a lot... Maybe hitting something with her first will? Feeling a bit sorry for her ship control panel, she still punches it. Now when hand hurts, it is a little bit easier. But now she has to shake her hand a little. En is looking closely at her hand later, no blood, just a little red, it will be fine.
They are heading to the least known residence belonging to the Loyola family. Residencia de Lirio Blanco is a high mountain residence, which is not quite a popular setup for the Dons of Malta. In high mountain regions concentration of Cardamine is little to non-existent. Making it not the most attractive place for the true born Outcasts, unless for the ones who want to suffer. However, it proved to be a good place to host some non-Outcast guests of Enma. Charlotte DeFrance was moved here shortly after her last meeting with Enma at Corsica, by Enma's own executive order. All records have been erased and even traitorous members of the National Council had a little idea where the Gallic Princess is gone to. The place itself, in fact, wasn't heavily guarded to not attract unwanted attention. If the fact of Charlotte's presence at Residencia de Lirio Blanco was discovered, loyalists could do little in terms of stopping opposing Dons with force during the Enma's exile. Now when her opponents at Malta are mostly gone, she's a little bit less concerned about potential conflict in terms of the outcome.
![[Image: 6dUgCkB.jpg]](https://i.imgur.com/6dUgCkB.jpg)
Residencia de Lirio Blanco
Gallic servants that were captured with the liner were also moved to the residence to make Charlotte's mode of life as close to what she used to as possible. In fact, only guards are the Outcasts and they would rarely interact with the princess herself. It is, in fact, a really tiny Gallic Royal Enclave has hidden between the mountains of Malta. Enma would chuckle thinking about it, as they were slowly closing to their destination. She gives an inspiring order to her wing, trying to sound confident, friendly and relaxed.
— Alright, I will land, you guys are to patrol and have fun. If someone closes by the land or air, turn them the fuck around. You know the drill.
Landing a Sabre in the wild without a spaceport takes skill, and Enma almost has it. With a number of clunky maneuvers, she managed to get it on the surface with the forcefield beneath the ship holding it established successfully. Now it only takes to get out of the ship with the ladder and she's almost there. The most complicated part in terms of landing is done, now it's just a matter not falling off the ladder. And as expected from the "Outcast Queen", she succeeds at that. Now thinking about how to approach that better, since the residence is not warned about her visit and Charlotte might be not quite prepared. She would look at her people flying in the skies with a smile and walks into the residence territory. Greeting guards, she approaches the guest room and calls the residence administrator, who used to be the administrator of the liner that is most likely scrapped by the Outcasts now.
— Please inform Son Altesse Royale that Dona Enma is here and asks for an audience. I will wait in the guest room until Son Altesse is read--... until she wishes to see me.
Trying to follow etiquette the best of her ability, En would sometimes nearly fail. The residence was cut out from the news this whole time, and Charlotte doesn't know what happened to her House, her family, and her beloved Royal Navy. It will be a painful scene to watch her reacting. But now Enma sees this as her duty of some sort. After all, she has sworn allegiance to Charlotte's father and promised a lot of things to her sister Claire as well. She is being called 'traitor' quite often, however, she has an incredible feeling of personal loyalty to the people, rather than organizations. And in spite of the drastic situation for the Gallic Crown, Enma is fully intending to stay true to her word. Keeping Charlotte safe and well that is.
Sitting down comfortable at one of the chairs in the guest room, Enma would enjoy a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice. It will be the time of waiting, but now she thinks that it's her own fault to remain herself at the mercy of Son Altesse. She would drum at the table with her nails and even check her PDA for new messages. Only now noticing that she's worried again, she realised that her palms are all sweaty. But why is she even worried, she could sell Charlotte back to new Gallic authorities if she wanted. But sadly for Enma, her feelings are not always followed by the reason. Now thinking what Charlotte is doing at the moment when the administrator reaches her with the news that Dona Enma is here.
A group of Outcast fighters has entered the atmosphere at planet Malta. Without any specific flight order, they are in a rush for something, the atmosphere would burn around their ships. Some of them would do dangerous maneuvers just for fun, making them look like dancing stars from the surface. Those Outcasts are heading to a distant low populated mountain region of Euskal Herria. The group is led by infamous Dona Enma, accompanied by her loyal lancers: Lelia Mione, Canalla, Serpentes, Angel Aparicio, and Heraklion. In spite of her wingman having fun, Enma is worried a lot. Only she knows why they are here and what kind of conversation she is supposed to have. Euskal Herria is the region where Enma's family has the most support, as she's originated from here. Loyola at least does not expect for someone to spy on them here. Yes, this is a distant place at a distant planet with mostly a loyal population, but they still need to stay cautious.
Enma has great reasons to worry, as she's going to visit one very important person. It's been years since they have met the last time and that conversation is promising to be even more complicated. The beautiful sight of the mountain peaks and the valleys below somehow made her feel calmer for some moments. But then troubling thought would make a new round of stress for her to handle. To shake off the stress, she makes a barrel roll on her Sabre and discharges its power core by shooting tachyons into random the random directions. Enma sighs, it didn't help a lot... Maybe hitting something with her first will? Feeling a bit sorry for her ship control panel, she still punches it. Now when hand hurts, it is a little bit easier. But now she has to shake her hand a little. En is looking closely at her hand later, no blood, just a little red, it will be fine.
They are heading to the least known residence belonging to the Loyola family. Residencia de Lirio Blanco is a high mountain residence, which is not quite a popular setup for the Dons of Malta. In high mountain regions concentration of Cardamine is little to non-existent. Making it not the most attractive place for the true born Outcasts, unless for the ones who want to suffer. However, it proved to be a good place to host some non-Outcast guests of Enma. Charlotte DeFrance was moved here shortly after her last meeting with Enma at Corsica, by Enma's own executive order. All records have been erased and even traitorous members of the National Council had a little idea where the Gallic Princess is gone to. The place itself, in fact, wasn't heavily guarded to not attract unwanted attention. If the fact of Charlotte's presence at Residencia de Lirio Blanco was discovered, loyalists could do little in terms of stopping opposing Dons with force during the Enma's exile. Now when her opponents at Malta are mostly gone, she's a little bit less concerned about potential conflict in terms of the outcome.
Residencia de Lirio Blanco
Gallic servants that were captured with the liner were also moved to the residence to make Charlotte's mode of life as close to what she used to as possible. In fact, only guards are the Outcasts and they would rarely interact with the princess herself. It is, in fact, a really tiny Gallic Royal Enclave has hidden between the mountains of Malta. Enma would chuckle thinking about it, as they were slowly closing to their destination. She gives an inspiring order to her wing, trying to sound confident, friendly and relaxed.
— Alright, I will land, you guys are to patrol and have fun. If someone closes by the land or air, turn them the fuck around. You know the drill.
Landing a Sabre in the wild without a spaceport takes skill, and Enma almost has it. With a number of clunky maneuvers, she managed to get it on the surface with the forcefield beneath the ship holding it established successfully. Now it only takes to get out of the ship with the ladder and she's almost there. The most complicated part in terms of landing is done, now it's just a matter not falling off the ladder. And as expected from the "Outcast Queen", she succeeds at that. Now thinking about how to approach that better, since the residence is not warned about her visit and Charlotte might be not quite prepared. She would look at her people flying in the skies with a smile and walks into the residence territory. Greeting guards, she approaches the guest room and calls the residence administrator, who used to be the administrator of the liner that is most likely scrapped by the Outcasts now.
— Please inform Son Altesse Royale that Dona Enma is here and asks for an audience. I will wait in the guest room until Son Altesse is read--... until she wishes to see me.
Trying to follow etiquette the best of her ability, En would sometimes nearly fail. The residence was cut out from the news this whole time, and Charlotte doesn't know what happened to her House, her family, and her beloved Royal Navy. It will be a painful scene to watch her reacting. But now Enma sees this as her duty of some sort. After all, she has sworn allegiance to Charlotte's father and promised a lot of things to her sister Claire as well. She is being called 'traitor' quite often, however, she has an incredible feeling of personal loyalty to the people, rather than organizations. And in spite of the drastic situation for the Gallic Crown, Enma is fully intending to stay true to her word. Keeping Charlotte safe and well that is.
Sitting down comfortable at one of the chairs in the guest room, Enma would enjoy a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice. It will be the time of waiting, but now she thinks that it's her own fault to remain herself at the mercy of Son Altesse. She would drum at the table with her nails and even check her PDA for new messages. Only now noticing that she's worried again, she realised that her palms are all sweaty. But why is she even worried, she could sell Charlotte back to new Gallic authorities if she wanted. But sadly for Enma, her feelings are not always followed by the reason. Now thinking what Charlotte is doing at the moment when the administrator reaches her with the news that Dona Enma is here.
RE: Under the Maltese Skies - Omi - 07-20-2020
Meanwhile, Charlotte was doing what she'd more or less become accustomed to doing all these long weeks, months, and even years since her initial capture. At first, her confinement had left her bitter, caustic, and frightened in equal measure -- everything from the twisted aristocracy of the Maltese themselves to the invisible poison laced in every breath of air seemed to conspire against her. It had taken considerable effort on the part of Loyola and her considerable network of support staff to pry the princess out of her shell, bit by bit -- and now, years later, the sharp-eyed Gallic scion has long since subsided into a torpor-like apathy. Now, even the poison was as much a part of her as anything else.
She had long since given up on requesting news from the outside world -- those inquiries were always met with a polite brush-off. Other than that, though, Charlotte found it difficult to fault her hosts for anything; her requests for anything other than contact with the outside world and a way off Malta itself were granted with a nonchalance that had been surprising at first. Now, though, it was just par for the course -- and while her mountain villa was as beautiful as ever, with its sweeping vistas and snow-capped peaks dominating the surrounding landscape, the days had long since began to blur into one endless haze. At least she'd had plenty of time to read -- one of precious few things available to her without the neural net at her disposal. Piles of books were, by now, strewn all across her living quarters, with the latest volume held delicately in one hand of the woman reclining in her chair.
The princess cut as distinctive a figure as ever, despite the years of incarceration. Shoulder-length, straight black hair framed her deep brown eyes, her fringe sweeping across one side of her forehead. Her clothing was relatively casual, yet finely made in its own right; an almost perfect replica of a Gallia-made jumpsuit, complete with the seal of the Gallic Crown inset at chest height. She perused her book with the same languid level of interest as ever -- finely balanced between a sort of neverending boredom and vague engagement. Life was, after all, not very full of surprises anymore, and today looked to be no different. Malta would never be home, that much was certain, and she was under no illusions as to her status here. As long as she wasn't allowed to set foot beyond the villa itself or its immediate fenced-off surroundings, she was a prisoner here -- even if, at times, she almost managed to forget that fact.
She was a million miles away, daydreaming, when the sound of a buzzer chiming interrupted her reverie. The unusual sound caught her attention instantly, the book forgotten as she rose to her feet.
"What is it?" she called, trusting on the villa's administrative intelligence to relay her speech. There were microphones everywhere, after all.
"Your presence is requested in the guest room," came the reply -- a man's voice. Charlotte had come to know him as the residence's administrator, but that was it. "Dona Enma is here and awaits your arrival -- when you are ready, of course."
The voice was as clipped, careful, and well-cultured as ever, delivering the news as if it were nothing more than a comment on the weather outside -- but they left Charlotte stunned. Enma was back? The enigmatic Maltese noble had kept herself to herself all these last couple of years, and although Charlotte was certain that frequent reports of her own wellbeing and goings-ons had made their way to the Dona's ears, she had heard very little of the woman keeping her here in return. Until now.
It took her a few seconds to compose herself enough to reply, her mind already racing with a million questions. They found themselves suppressed for now, though, buried under a layer of determination and gritted teeth.
"Tell her I'll be there in a moment," she eventually replied, her tone deliberately flat. It took her only a moment to decide she was happy to go as she was, her pace quickening as she made her way across the room to the hallway beyond. Her questions needed answering, and she'd be damned if she wasn't going to get any after all this time.
She had long since given up on requesting news from the outside world -- those inquiries were always met with a polite brush-off. Other than that, though, Charlotte found it difficult to fault her hosts for anything; her requests for anything other than contact with the outside world and a way off Malta itself were granted with a nonchalance that had been surprising at first. Now, though, it was just par for the course -- and while her mountain villa was as beautiful as ever, with its sweeping vistas and snow-capped peaks dominating the surrounding landscape, the days had long since began to blur into one endless haze. At least she'd had plenty of time to read -- one of precious few things available to her without the neural net at her disposal. Piles of books were, by now, strewn all across her living quarters, with the latest volume held delicately in one hand of the woman reclining in her chair.
The princess cut as distinctive a figure as ever, despite the years of incarceration. Shoulder-length, straight black hair framed her deep brown eyes, her fringe sweeping across one side of her forehead. Her clothing was relatively casual, yet finely made in its own right; an almost perfect replica of a Gallia-made jumpsuit, complete with the seal of the Gallic Crown inset at chest height. She perused her book with the same languid level of interest as ever -- finely balanced between a sort of neverending boredom and vague engagement. Life was, after all, not very full of surprises anymore, and today looked to be no different. Malta would never be home, that much was certain, and she was under no illusions as to her status here. As long as she wasn't allowed to set foot beyond the villa itself or its immediate fenced-off surroundings, she was a prisoner here -- even if, at times, she almost managed to forget that fact.
She was a million miles away, daydreaming, when the sound of a buzzer chiming interrupted her reverie. The unusual sound caught her attention instantly, the book forgotten as she rose to her feet.
"What is it?" she called, trusting on the villa's administrative intelligence to relay her speech. There were microphones everywhere, after all.
"Your presence is requested in the guest room," came the reply -- a man's voice. Charlotte had come to know him as the residence's administrator, but that was it. "Dona Enma is here and awaits your arrival -- when you are ready, of course."
The voice was as clipped, careful, and well-cultured as ever, delivering the news as if it were nothing more than a comment on the weather outside -- but they left Charlotte stunned. Enma was back? The enigmatic Maltese noble had kept herself to herself all these last couple of years, and although Charlotte was certain that frequent reports of her own wellbeing and goings-ons had made their way to the Dona's ears, she had heard very little of the woman keeping her here in return. Until now.
It took her a few seconds to compose herself enough to reply, her mind already racing with a million questions. They found themselves suppressed for now, though, buried under a layer of determination and gritted teeth.
"Tell her I'll be there in a moment," she eventually replied, her tone deliberately flat. It took her only a moment to decide she was happy to go as she was, her pace quickening as she made her way across the room to the hallway beyond. Her questions needed answering, and she'd be damned if she wasn't going to get any after all this time.
RE: Under the Maltese Skies - Loyola - 07-21-2020
Administrator would want to notify Loyola that Charlotte will be arriving soon, but her highness has rushed a little bit too fast for him to react. The man just decided that it's not quite worth to try and outrun her highness. He just hoped that Charlotte arriving without notification would not make his employer angry and won't end up with him losing this job. While he had a natural desire to be around that meeting and probably hear something interesting since life around here has been quite boring and uneventful, he had to go and oversee the repair of heating systems. Without much amusement and a certain fear for his own future, the administrator just carried on to his duties.
Loyola had her time to think about all sorts of things in relative calmness, and even relaxing. Keeping a lot of things in mind, Outcast is trying to process ongoing business and operations. Now it's more obvious that Loyola is a little bit has worn out, some would even say exhausted. For a moment she even has forgotten why she's here and nearly closed her eyes to have a little nap. She would not pay attention to definitely closing in the sound of footsteps in one of the corridors leading to the guest room. It did not sound like administrator from before and it cannot be Charlotte who would not come this fast and of course administrator would warn her. Lirio Blanco is a very quiet place and any sound is usually well heard, some noises of clanking metal and plastic were coming from the opposite side of the residence, where the heating system is being repaired. But footsteps were closing and when the sound got as loud as it could get the door have opened...
Not expecting to see Charlotte outright, Loyola couldn't help but shudder a little, hoping that her Gallic counterpart wouldn't notice. En is attempting to regain self-control in the very next moment since she was overly relaxed in that chair, she decided that she should keep posing this way until this light wave of shock caused by the sudden appearance of Charlotte passes. Outcast takes a deep breath and sighs, then again, trying to make it not very noticeable. She will now have to bring a lot of bad news and then probably offer more things that Charlotte might not quite like.
Enma is making the short gesture, inviting Charlotte to take a seat while leaning her head forward a little. That's not how you greet the Gallic princess normally, but En's mind is now heavily occupied with other thoughts. When she's actually noticing her gesture, she's closing her eyes for a moment, admitting mistake that she just made. It may only complicate things and she's intended to stop speaking now, hopefully, her verbal skills won't fail her this hard. En starts with a little low and even suppressed voice, not quite knowing with what to even begin. It's not because of her, but her highness has spent years in captivity, and naturally, she will demand explanations. She waits until Charlotte will take her seat.
— I am very pleased to see that your highness...
Loyola would question her own fake manners and if they will hope her to sound sincere. It was obvious that she's questioning her own tone when she pronounced 'your highness', she nearly sounded like the question.
— Charlotte, I understand how hard it is and I am very happy to see that you are holding up well. There are a lot of things that I have to explain.
After picking between Charlotte and Charly, En decided to go with the full name for now, rather than making it outright informal. Making long pauses and picking up words carefully appeared to be the correct choice as of now.
— Soon after you were... taken, I was forced into exile and I had to hide you, People who came to replace me on the field of Malta's politics were heavily pro-Bretonian and my best bet was to move you somewhere quiet and safe. That's the reason behind the lack of communication either. I wasn't sure what they would do with you, it could be anything from transferring you to the enemy or running you as a glorified slave. That could not be allowed.
En takes a sip of juice to wet up to her throat and resumes speaking shortly, trying to track Charlotte's facial reactions.
— I have managed to destroy pro-Bretonian wing and come back to power, as you would expect it took some time and effort, now it's much safer and that means you could go public again...
Being confused with what to say after, Outcast has made pause long enough that would allow Charlotte to answer without looking rude or appear as someone who's interrupting the other person's speech.
Loyola had her time to think about all sorts of things in relative calmness, and even relaxing. Keeping a lot of things in mind, Outcast is trying to process ongoing business and operations. Now it's more obvious that Loyola is a little bit has worn out, some would even say exhausted. For a moment she even has forgotten why she's here and nearly closed her eyes to have a little nap. She would not pay attention to definitely closing in the sound of footsteps in one of the corridors leading to the guest room. It did not sound like administrator from before and it cannot be Charlotte who would not come this fast and of course administrator would warn her. Lirio Blanco is a very quiet place and any sound is usually well heard, some noises of clanking metal and plastic were coming from the opposite side of the residence, where the heating system is being repaired. But footsteps were closing and when the sound got as loud as it could get the door have opened...
Not expecting to see Charlotte outright, Loyola couldn't help but shudder a little, hoping that her Gallic counterpart wouldn't notice. En is attempting to regain self-control in the very next moment since she was overly relaxed in that chair, she decided that she should keep posing this way until this light wave of shock caused by the sudden appearance of Charlotte passes. Outcast takes a deep breath and sighs, then again, trying to make it not very noticeable. She will now have to bring a lot of bad news and then probably offer more things that Charlotte might not quite like.
Enma is making the short gesture, inviting Charlotte to take a seat while leaning her head forward a little. That's not how you greet the Gallic princess normally, but En's mind is now heavily occupied with other thoughts. When she's actually noticing her gesture, she's closing her eyes for a moment, admitting mistake that she just made. It may only complicate things and she's intended to stop speaking now, hopefully, her verbal skills won't fail her this hard. En starts with a little low and even suppressed voice, not quite knowing with what to even begin. It's not because of her, but her highness has spent years in captivity, and naturally, she will demand explanations. She waits until Charlotte will take her seat.
— I am very pleased to see that your highness...
Loyola would question her own fake manners and if they will hope her to sound sincere. It was obvious that she's questioning her own tone when she pronounced 'your highness', she nearly sounded like the question.
— Charlotte, I understand how hard it is and I am very happy to see that you are holding up well. There are a lot of things that I have to explain.
After picking between Charlotte and Charly, En decided to go with the full name for now, rather than making it outright informal. Making long pauses and picking up words carefully appeared to be the correct choice as of now.
— Soon after you were... taken, I was forced into exile and I had to hide you, People who came to replace me on the field of Malta's politics were heavily pro-Bretonian and my best bet was to move you somewhere quiet and safe. That's the reason behind the lack of communication either. I wasn't sure what they would do with you, it could be anything from transferring you to the enemy or running you as a glorified slave. That could not be allowed.
En takes a sip of juice to wet up to her throat and resumes speaking shortly, trying to track Charlotte's facial reactions.
— I have managed to destroy pro-Bretonian wing and come back to power, as you would expect it took some time and effort, now it's much safer and that means you could go public again...
Being confused with what to say after, Outcast has made pause long enough that would allow Charlotte to answer without looking rude or appear as someone who's interrupting the other person's speech.
RE: Under the Maltese Skies - Omi - 07-21-2020
Charlotte swept through the door without so much as a shred of hesitation or intimidation, staring at the seated Dona opposite with an unreadable expression. She didn't say anything, of course -- she was under the impression she didn't need to, and watching the visible effect that her sudden appearance had had on Loyola herself brought her a tiny glimmer of satisfaction. She'd seen her father exert the same kind of silent, almost innate pressure with just a look during her childhood -- to say nothing of the terror her infamous uncle could wield simply by striding into a war council. Evidently, that same power was something she'd managed to inherit.
She held Loyola's gaze for a few seconds, her eyes narrowing almost imperceptibly as she moved towards the offered seat, lowering herself into it in a slow, deliberate manner. After all, she herself had nothing to explain, nothing to say -- only demands to make, but she'd save those for after Loyola was done explaining herself. She hadn't known what to expect from this meeting, but something about the other woman's almost nervous demeanour set her mind racing. There was something more to this than just a social call or a routine checking-in -- not least because this was the first such meeting in two years.
Loyola's explanation wound its way out bit by bit, interrupted only by a brief sip of orange juice before Charlotte found herself being allowed to speak. Her eyebrow had begun a slow climb up her forehead, higher and higher, with each new word she heard, and her lack of satisfaction with what she was offered was clearly visible before she even began to reply.
"Is that it?" she asked, her tone flat and quavering slightly. "Two years for me to -- to 'go public' again? You're taking me to the capital for a-- public appearance, then, or something?" There was a quiet fury building in her voice, word by word, but she held herself in check for now. "What about the war -- what about my family? What about my sister, and what about the Kingdom? It's been years, Enma, and I haven't heard a thing about what's happened beyond these walls."
Steadying herself against the arms of her chair, Charlotte leaned forwards ever so slightly, trying to suppress the frustration boiling inside her. This news wasn't news -- it was just noise, something she couldn't have cared less about.
"I want to know, Enma -- if you can't give me neural net access, at least give me that much."
She held Loyola's gaze for a few seconds, her eyes narrowing almost imperceptibly as she moved towards the offered seat, lowering herself into it in a slow, deliberate manner. After all, she herself had nothing to explain, nothing to say -- only demands to make, but she'd save those for after Loyola was done explaining herself. She hadn't known what to expect from this meeting, but something about the other woman's almost nervous demeanour set her mind racing. There was something more to this than just a social call or a routine checking-in -- not least because this was the first such meeting in two years.
Loyola's explanation wound its way out bit by bit, interrupted only by a brief sip of orange juice before Charlotte found herself being allowed to speak. Her eyebrow had begun a slow climb up her forehead, higher and higher, with each new word she heard, and her lack of satisfaction with what she was offered was clearly visible before she even began to reply.
"Is that it?" she asked, her tone flat and quavering slightly. "Two years for me to -- to 'go public' again? You're taking me to the capital for a-- public appearance, then, or something?" There was a quiet fury building in her voice, word by word, but she held herself in check for now. "What about the war -- what about my family? What about my sister, and what about the Kingdom? It's been years, Enma, and I haven't heard a thing about what's happened beyond these walls."
Steadying herself against the arms of her chair, Charlotte leaned forwards ever so slightly, trying to suppress the frustration boiling inside her. This news wasn't news -- it was just noise, something she couldn't have cared less about.
"I want to know, Enma -- if you can't give me neural net access, at least give me that much."
RE: Under the Maltese Skies - Loyola - 07-21-2020
Loyola perfectly understood what Charlotte is feeling and why she behaves this way. Outcast could respect that this primal royal spirit is not bent or broken to the slightest. She listens to Charlotte very carefully, Loyola's facial expressions are clearly indicating that she calmed down and now is a little sad. And while Charlotte could think that her going hard on Outcast noble might be the reason, it really wasn't. Enma turns her head to look at the window and enjoy the sight of beautiful mountain peaks. The white light would outline her pale, exhausted face, her lips tensed and then her eyes expressed even more pity. She sighed, hoping to relieve the wave of mental pressure that was covering her again.
She would turn her look back on Charlotta as she finished speaking, that tone wasn't exactly pleasing as she got even more pressure on top what she was already feeling. Enma takes an unreasonably long pause, which would just raise the tension, but Loyola needs her time to think about how to approach this best. She did not realize it would be that hard. Charlotta still lives in the world where Gallia reigns supreme and mightly fleet is about to arrive and free her from this captivity. She now thinks that it probably would be a better idea to get someone else to tell her, but that would be unfair. After all, it's her fault that Charlotte was captured and put under this isolation. She finally spoke, her voice is still being low and not very confident, but now it's warm and more caring, but can this Outcast really feel any empathy?
— Now, when I am here, you will have neural net access and many things that you desire, but... Right, about the war.
Loyola knelt in front of her, but not as a vassal would, but as someone who wishes to calm someone down and begging not to be overly emotional. She would cover Charlotte's hand with her own. Princess would notice a minor and irrelevant detail of Loyola's fingertips feeling cold, and skin actually felt drier than it should have been at En's age. Still being nervous, she would lick her tips, looking right into Charlotte's eyes, as she is to bring a number of harsh and devastating mental blows to confident and objectively beautiful noble sitting in front of her.
Then Enma's lips would open, hammering down the first terrible news out of the list.
— The Royal Navy was... defeated at the battle for New London by Libertorians and was forced to hastily retreat to Leeds...
Loyola stopped, swallowing her own saliva, and taking a deep breath, trying to find powers to proceed.
— Supply lines in Tau-31 were cut out, someone ordered to glass Leeds... the planet. And that order was executed, now everyone is denying responsibility. The war was in fact, well, it was lost.
Enma really hoped that she won't get hit with that glass of orange juice or another manifestation of rage that she naturally expected to come out... Loyola now really wished that it was the end of the story, but it will only get worse.
She would turn her look back on Charlotta as she finished speaking, that tone wasn't exactly pleasing as she got even more pressure on top what she was already feeling. Enma takes an unreasonably long pause, which would just raise the tension, but Loyola needs her time to think about how to approach this best. She did not realize it would be that hard. Charlotta still lives in the world where Gallia reigns supreme and mightly fleet is about to arrive and free her from this captivity. She now thinks that it probably would be a better idea to get someone else to tell her, but that would be unfair. After all, it's her fault that Charlotte was captured and put under this isolation. She finally spoke, her voice is still being low and not very confident, but now it's warm and more caring, but can this Outcast really feel any empathy?
— Now, when I am here, you will have neural net access and many things that you desire, but... Right, about the war.
Loyola knelt in front of her, but not as a vassal would, but as someone who wishes to calm someone down and begging not to be overly emotional. She would cover Charlotte's hand with her own. Princess would notice a minor and irrelevant detail of Loyola's fingertips feeling cold, and skin actually felt drier than it should have been at En's age. Still being nervous, she would lick her tips, looking right into Charlotte's eyes, as she is to bring a number of harsh and devastating mental blows to confident and objectively beautiful noble sitting in front of her.
Then Enma's lips would open, hammering down the first terrible news out of the list.
— The Royal Navy was... defeated at the battle for New London by Libertorians and was forced to hastily retreat to Leeds...
Loyola stopped, swallowing her own saliva, and taking a deep breath, trying to find powers to proceed.
— Supply lines in Tau-31 were cut out, someone ordered to glass Leeds... the planet. And that order was executed, now everyone is denying responsibility. The war was in fact, well, it was lost.
Enma really hoped that she won't get hit with that glass of orange juice or another manifestation of rage that she naturally expected to come out... Loyola now really wished that it was the end of the story, but it will only get worse.
RE: Under the Maltese Skies - Omi - 07-22-2020
The news washed over Charlotte with no visible reaction at first, those deep brown eyes boring into Loyola's own all the while. Eventually, though, she withdrew her hand from beneath Enma's, her tone much lower than it had been previously.
"Don't touch me," she all but snapped, recoiling as if she'd been stung. She said nothing else for a few long seconds, her gaze slipping from Loyola's face to stare somewhere off into the distance, as if being ripped from reality into a nightmarish new daydream.
Defeated. The Royal Navy, of all things -- defeated. Her world was already threatening to crumble at the edges, the idea of coming to grips with a Kingdom pushed to its knees rising inside her like ice in her veins.
"How lost is 'lost', then?" asked Charlotte eventually, tension visible all throughout her frame. A thousand possibilities raced through her mind, distracting her from the here and now -- a stalemate in the Taus, a return to the status-quo; New Paris stormed by an anti-Gallic coalition force, Ile-du-Palais shelled from orbit; or even a continuing, bloody conflict that hadn't yet died down, with her homeland certain to lose but clinging to life. "Tell me!"
Her voice rose to a higher pitch at last, although in her heart of hearts she felt as if she already knew the answer. If the more outlandish possibilities were ruled out, she knew any loss on the Kingdom's part would likely have been a catastrophic one. She'd seen the battle lines firsthand, after all -- stretched taut and thin, almost to breaking point. The offensive had reached the borders of Liberty itself, yes, but the front had continued to elongate all while being pressured at every turn. If even the tip of the spear, inches from Bretonia's beating heart, had shattered on its final thrust, then there was no hope for the rest of it to have survived intact at all.
Despite the logical conclusion she'd come to, though, she still needed to hear it. As long as there was hope for some other outcome--
"Tell me!" she demanded again, having scarcely even waited for a response. She stormed to her feet, rising out of the chair in a sudden display of emotion, her gaze twisted in cold, disbelieving fury. "No-- no, you'll show me, or else I shan't believe it," she affirmed with a snarl, regarding her blonde-haired counterpart with a new wariness. "Give me access to the neural net, or some other form or proof, but I won't take you at your word." It was a final gambit on Charlotte's part -- a desperate doubling-down on the merest shred of the possibility of this insidious Maltese woman trying to feed her a pack of lies. She'd come to terms with her detention here long ago, even coming to regard the Maltese people and their way of life in a favourable light -- but even so, it was easier to hope that they were working against her in unison than it was to accept the possibility of-- of this. Eight centuries of the greatest Kingdom the galaxy had ever known, laid to waste...
"Don't touch me," she all but snapped, recoiling as if she'd been stung. She said nothing else for a few long seconds, her gaze slipping from Loyola's face to stare somewhere off into the distance, as if being ripped from reality into a nightmarish new daydream.
Defeated. The Royal Navy, of all things -- defeated. Her world was already threatening to crumble at the edges, the idea of coming to grips with a Kingdom pushed to its knees rising inside her like ice in her veins.
"How lost is 'lost', then?" asked Charlotte eventually, tension visible all throughout her frame. A thousand possibilities raced through her mind, distracting her from the here and now -- a stalemate in the Taus, a return to the status-quo; New Paris stormed by an anti-Gallic coalition force, Ile-du-Palais shelled from orbit; or even a continuing, bloody conflict that hadn't yet died down, with her homeland certain to lose but clinging to life. "Tell me!"
Her voice rose to a higher pitch at last, although in her heart of hearts she felt as if she already knew the answer. If the more outlandish possibilities were ruled out, she knew any loss on the Kingdom's part would likely have been a catastrophic one. She'd seen the battle lines firsthand, after all -- stretched taut and thin, almost to breaking point. The offensive had reached the borders of Liberty itself, yes, but the front had continued to elongate all while being pressured at every turn. If even the tip of the spear, inches from Bretonia's beating heart, had shattered on its final thrust, then there was no hope for the rest of it to have survived intact at all.
Despite the logical conclusion she'd come to, though, she still needed to hear it. As long as there was hope for some other outcome--
"Tell me!" she demanded again, having scarcely even waited for a response. She stormed to her feet, rising out of the chair in a sudden display of emotion, her gaze twisted in cold, disbelieving fury. "No-- no, you'll show me, or else I shan't believe it," she affirmed with a snarl, regarding her blonde-haired counterpart with a new wariness. "Give me access to the neural net, or some other form or proof, but I won't take you at your word." It was a final gambit on Charlotte's part -- a desperate doubling-down on the merest shred of the possibility of this insidious Maltese woman trying to feed her a pack of lies. She'd come to terms with her detention here long ago, even coming to regard the Maltese people and their way of life in a favourable light -- but even so, it was easier to hope that they were working against her in unison than it was to accept the possibility of-- of this. Eight centuries of the greatest Kingdom the galaxy had ever known, laid to waste...
RE: Under the Maltese Skies - Loyola - 07-23-2020
Reaction is slightly better than En would expect initially, but it doesn't mean anything, because the situation is still quite awful. Loyola is trying to keep herself calm, knowing that Charlotte simply has to channel her emotions at someone or something, otherwise they would eat her alive. To her own surprise, En is somehow keeping herself calm now, maybe knowing that she has no choice and already cornered with the situation, or maybe it's the fact that witnessing someone's tragedy makes her realize that her own situation is not bad at all compared to the one of Charly's. Enma had her own interests in the victory of Gallia in the war against Sirius, this defeat of the Gallic Royalists messed up all of her plans.
Now Outcast, who still attempts to hold her hands is down to cold empathy, trying to survive the mental storm that is happening in this room. She will become a punching bag for some time, of course, there's always an option of going hard at Charlotte and shut her up until everything is explained, But since for some reason her empathy is genuine and sincere she's not feeling like doing it. Or maybe she's too tired for this, unlike Charly, who's been basically at the resort for the last couple of years and had enough mental power to rampage.
Charlotte's screams echoed around the room and most likely were heard outside, Enma wasn't too happy if people actually heard that someone can talk with her with this kind of a tone. Building up the reputation of someone who's really picky and can start wars over not careful wording or lack of reply on counterpart's side and then letting such things happen, potentially publically, is not ideal by any means. Loyola actually spends a moment thinking about it, she gathered the most loyal and trustworthy people to run this place, but there are also these Gallic people around. In fear of Charlotte simply stomping her soon if she won't answer her questions, Enma levels down her paranoid thoughts and starts speaking.
— You don't have to insult me, in conditions I've been working with, there is unquestionable loyalty on my part. At least by the fact that you were not sold to Bretonians, new Gallic government, or Kusarians. I have suffered great problems because of my attempts to keep you alive and well. I am speaking of a lot of reputation and material losses.
Princess would probably question what Kusarians have to do with anything, but she's not given a chance to reply, as En proceeds speaking, after fixing the position of her knees, as she is still knelt, mainly trying to simply hold Charlotte in case of anything. It's not the best position to be in and it becomes uncomfortable really fast. While there is a threat in her words, she would not sound angry, it sounded relatively friendly, especially considering Charlotte's tone, but at the same time as something Loyola could be realistically done.
— As I said you will be provided with full neutral net access and will be able to double-check everything I say. There was a massive betrayal, your highness, I was a higher opinion of your people. After the initial retreat, Council took advantage of it and somehow overrun Orleanais. Local people did not quite resist. His majesty was forced to leave the capital. Then as it seems to me Council conspired with the Grand Duchy and Burgundy and all officers and nobles associated with the Duke have pulled out from the fronts and returned back home.
Loyola takes Charlotte's glass with juice, taking a sip, forgetting that it wasn't hers, but such minor detail most likely would not be noticed by Charlotte who has to process it all in an extremely short period of time.
— What was left of Royal Navy was forced to retreat and fortify at Gallic colonies at Hebrides, they are surrounded, outnumbered, and outgunned. The fact that his majesty was not seen or heard of after he escaped the capital there are powershifts. After Duke's betrayal and with the absence of his majesty... the officers, admirals, and generals basically rule on their own and many of them despise the nobility. The throne has been usurped by some bitch, former direction of GRI who now calls herself regent, Renée Hennequin d'Avignon. Maybe you know her, I believe she is a marquise. And there's the new government in Gallia now that peace out with Liberty and Bretonia, they gave up all conquered space.
Enma stands up from her knees and offering Charlotte her hand.
— I believe it's worth to come outside and get some fresh air, maybe walk around a bit. It's cold outside so I believe it's maybe worth calling the maids so they bring warmer clothing? Actually it's not that warm inside as well, looks like something is wrong with the heating system.
Loyola is trying to distract her a little, walking around and doing something might be more relaxing, She only hopes Charlotte would understand it too and won't let emotions to overflow her. Losing everything like that is hard, but En wants her to realize that she still has some friends, and one of them is in this room.
Now Outcast, who still attempts to hold her hands is down to cold empathy, trying to survive the mental storm that is happening in this room. She will become a punching bag for some time, of course, there's always an option of going hard at Charlotte and shut her up until everything is explained, But since for some reason her empathy is genuine and sincere she's not feeling like doing it. Or maybe she's too tired for this, unlike Charly, who's been basically at the resort for the last couple of years and had enough mental power to rampage.
Charlotte's screams echoed around the room and most likely were heard outside, Enma wasn't too happy if people actually heard that someone can talk with her with this kind of a tone. Building up the reputation of someone who's really picky and can start wars over not careful wording or lack of reply on counterpart's side and then letting such things happen, potentially publically, is not ideal by any means. Loyola actually spends a moment thinking about it, she gathered the most loyal and trustworthy people to run this place, but there are also these Gallic people around. In fear of Charlotte simply stomping her soon if she won't answer her questions, Enma levels down her paranoid thoughts and starts speaking.
— You don't have to insult me, in conditions I've been working with, there is unquestionable loyalty on my part. At least by the fact that you were not sold to Bretonians, new Gallic government, or Kusarians. I have suffered great problems because of my attempts to keep you alive and well. I am speaking of a lot of reputation and material losses.
Princess would probably question what Kusarians have to do with anything, but she's not given a chance to reply, as En proceeds speaking, after fixing the position of her knees, as she is still knelt, mainly trying to simply hold Charlotte in case of anything. It's not the best position to be in and it becomes uncomfortable really fast. While there is a threat in her words, she would not sound angry, it sounded relatively friendly, especially considering Charlotte's tone, but at the same time as something Loyola could be realistically done.
— As I said you will be provided with full neutral net access and will be able to double-check everything I say. There was a massive betrayal, your highness, I was a higher opinion of your people. After the initial retreat, Council took advantage of it and somehow overrun Orleanais. Local people did not quite resist. His majesty was forced to leave the capital. Then as it seems to me Council conspired with the Grand Duchy and Burgundy and all officers and nobles associated with the Duke have pulled out from the fronts and returned back home.
Loyola takes Charlotte's glass with juice, taking a sip, forgetting that it wasn't hers, but such minor detail most likely would not be noticed by Charlotte who has to process it all in an extremely short period of time.
— What was left of Royal Navy was forced to retreat and fortify at Gallic colonies at Hebrides, they are surrounded, outnumbered, and outgunned. The fact that his majesty was not seen or heard of after he escaped the capital there are powershifts. After Duke's betrayal and with the absence of his majesty... the officers, admirals, and generals basically rule on their own and many of them despise the nobility. The throne has been usurped by some bitch, former direction of GRI who now calls herself regent, Renée Hennequin d'Avignon. Maybe you know her, I believe she is a marquise. And there's the new government in Gallia now that peace out with Liberty and Bretonia, they gave up all conquered space.
Enma stands up from her knees and offering Charlotte her hand.
— I believe it's worth to come outside and get some fresh air, maybe walk around a bit. It's cold outside so I believe it's maybe worth calling the maids so they bring warmer clothing? Actually it's not that warm inside as well, looks like something is wrong with the heating system.
Loyola is trying to distract her a little, walking around and doing something might be more relaxing, She only hopes Charlotte would understand it too and won't let emotions to overflow her. Losing everything like that is hard, but En wants her to realize that she still has some friends, and one of them is in this room.
RE: Under the Maltese Skies - Omi - 07-23-2020
Charlotte took in a deep, shaky breath, closing her eyes briefly. Letting her temper get out of control wouldn't help her in either case -- antagonising your captor was rarely a good move. Instead, she took a brief mental backstep, quashing her anger under the growing numbness of such unwelcome news. It felt like she was being hollowed out from the inside, thrust into a new reality that she wanted so desperately to deny.
"Where's my sister?" was her next question, the princess pausing for a brief second before accepting the offered hand to lever herself to her feet. She broke contact soon after, though, turning slightly away from Enma herself to peer out of the window at the mountains beyond. They served as a minor distraction from the pressing issues now closing in on all sides -- and while the temptation to return Enma's small talk was great, it would have been the easy way out. "Has she been heard of at all? Is she with the Kingdom's forces? Speaking of which--"
Charlotte paused for a few seconds further, fidgeting with her hands. She looked profoundly ill-at-ease for a moment, her expression full of thought before she turned again to regard Enma full-on.
"--I don't know this marquise d'Avignon, but you cannot tell me that all royalist sentiment is gone from whatever remains of the old regime," she said, with more confidence than she truly felt. "I need to contact them -- elements of them, at least. Through proxy at first, perhaps."
For a brief moment, she continued to be lost in thought, contemplating any number of future plans and ways forwards before -- eventually -- she turned from the window once more. Her gaze met Enma's own in earnest, her jaw set and expression stern.
"Why are you here, then, Dona Loyola?" she asked, the title sounding strange in her mouth. "You know what I want already -- open communication with my sister and anyone yet sympathetic to me, and my eventual release from this glorified prison. What do you want from me in return, then, so we can get to business?" She offered no verbal response to the other woman's light suggestion that they take the conversation elsewhere, but a slight nod of her head towards the indicated doorway served to signal her acquiescence.
"Where's my sister?" was her next question, the princess pausing for a brief second before accepting the offered hand to lever herself to her feet. She broke contact soon after, though, turning slightly away from Enma herself to peer out of the window at the mountains beyond. They served as a minor distraction from the pressing issues now closing in on all sides -- and while the temptation to return Enma's small talk was great, it would have been the easy way out. "Has she been heard of at all? Is she with the Kingdom's forces? Speaking of which--"
Charlotte paused for a few seconds further, fidgeting with her hands. She looked profoundly ill-at-ease for a moment, her expression full of thought before she turned again to regard Enma full-on.
"--I don't know this marquise d'Avignon, but you cannot tell me that all royalist sentiment is gone from whatever remains of the old regime," she said, with more confidence than she truly felt. "I need to contact them -- elements of them, at least. Through proxy at first, perhaps."
For a brief moment, she continued to be lost in thought, contemplating any number of future plans and ways forwards before -- eventually -- she turned from the window once more. Her gaze met Enma's own in earnest, her jaw set and expression stern.
"Why are you here, then, Dona Loyola?" she asked, the title sounding strange in her mouth. "You know what I want already -- open communication with my sister and anyone yet sympathetic to me, and my eventual release from this glorified prison. What do you want from me in return, then, so we can get to business?" She offered no verbal response to the other woman's light suggestion that they take the conversation elsewhere, but a slight nod of her head towards the indicated doorway served to signal her acquiescence.
RE: Under the Maltese Skies - Loyola - 07-23-2020
After maids were called and arrived with warm coats, it almost looks like the situation becomes more stable from an emotional standpoint, Enms is then leading Gallic noble outside, first narrowing her eyes are bright mountain daylight slightly blinds her. Cold fresh air would slightly burn her nose as she stepped out. It would be as quiet as expected, some fighters would patrol the skies, making distant engine noise that would disturb the crystal calmness of the mountain environment. Founding the footpath that led down below the residence and eventually led to a beautiful mountain lake. Unfortunately, as most of the water resources of Malta, the lake has a high concentration of acids and normally requires neutralization to be used. It's not going to be a long way, but En still grabbed the smallest camping backpack that was prepared at the residence exit. Containing mostly basic snacks, drinks, blankets, and charging devices. She's glad that the villa's personnel is working great and everything is ready at the exit as it should be.
Taking the first steps on the footpath after making sure that no one hears then, Enma would start answering, thin mountain air would make her run out of breath pretty fast. She would quickly lose interest in the beautiful sight and concentrated and walking straight and maintaining bearable speech.
— I am very sorry that you had all this time hear, I swear to God my plans were different, and as cliche, as it might sound, it was for your own good. Because I know the people who took power back then and the best option for you was to stay hidden. I really tried to create the best conditions for you, even from afar, I am sorry if I failed, but you clearly couldn't see an attempt.
Loyola took more deep breaths after swallowing saliva and started to answer to the next, much more important question. Or well, she assumed it was from the tone of it.
— I have saved your sister, she had uprising onboard of her destroyer, apparently, there was a wide network of Council agents about low-ranked personnel. We already had contacts with the Royalist and even a meeting with Joseph, who was really struggling to find appreciation among supposedly royalist forces in the Hebrides. We discussed immediate plans of proclaiming Grand Duchy of Malta with DeFrance person in charge, supposedly you or Claire. The dynastic union is also to be expected, but it's complicated, let's put it that way.
Loyola paused to take off the backpack and pull the bottle of water of out it, she planned to drink it much more later, but it looks like she just overestimated her endurance. She would offer the other bottle to Charlotte, not feeling right to drink without offering one to her counterpart.
— Claire wanted to regain her destroyer so I sent her there with a freighter full of supplies and some escorts, I wonder if she's actually attempting to escape since there been no contact from her nor supply group. I knew there's such possibility, wondered what will happen if weaken control just a little. You know it's just somewhat interesting how life would flow without me trying hard. We can try and call her when we come to the lake, Neural Net cover in this area should be strong enough.
She lightly smiles, though, there is some pain and not quite pleasant experience behind it.
Taking the first steps on the footpath after making sure that no one hears then, Enma would start answering, thin mountain air would make her run out of breath pretty fast. She would quickly lose interest in the beautiful sight and concentrated and walking straight and maintaining bearable speech.
— I am very sorry that you had all this time hear, I swear to God my plans were different, and as cliche, as it might sound, it was for your own good. Because I know the people who took power back then and the best option for you was to stay hidden. I really tried to create the best conditions for you, even from afar, I am sorry if I failed, but you clearly couldn't see an attempt.
Loyola took more deep breaths after swallowing saliva and started to answer to the next, much more important question. Or well, she assumed it was from the tone of it.
— I have saved your sister, she had uprising onboard of her destroyer, apparently, there was a wide network of Council agents about low-ranked personnel. We already had contacts with the Royalist and even a meeting with Joseph, who was really struggling to find appreciation among supposedly royalist forces in the Hebrides. We discussed immediate plans of proclaiming Grand Duchy of Malta with DeFrance person in charge, supposedly you or Claire. The dynastic union is also to be expected, but it's complicated, let's put it that way.
Loyola paused to take off the backpack and pull the bottle of water of out it, she planned to drink it much more later, but it looks like she just overestimated her endurance. She would offer the other bottle to Charlotte, not feeling right to drink without offering one to her counterpart.
— Claire wanted to regain her destroyer so I sent her there with a freighter full of supplies and some escorts, I wonder if she's actually attempting to escape since there been no contact from her nor supply group. I knew there's such possibility, wondered what will happen if weaken control just a little. You know it's just somewhat interesting how life would flow without me trying hard. We can try and call her when we come to the lake, Neural Net cover in this area should be strong enough.
She lightly smiles, though, there is some pain and not quite pleasant experience behind it.
RE: Under the Maltese Skies - Omi - 07-23-2020
Swaddled in the fur coat she'd been offered, Charlotte followed the contrails of a distant pair of Rapiers, each of them swooping low over a mountaintop before disappearing into a cloud bank. The chilly mountain air barely seemed to faze her, despite the thinness of its oxygen content.
"The best option might have been to leave my liner alone in the first place," she muttered, although her tone didn't imply any real blame. It was far too late for 'what-ifs', at any rate. The Calliope had been taken, and that was that.
"I'm glad she's safe -- or, well -- as safe as can be expected," she continued, shaking her head slightly to refuse the water offered to her. "To tell the truth, I had expected a lot worse." Her expression clouded over slightly with thought, her forehead creasing a little. "The Belisama is a fine ship, as I understand. If she can recover it in any functional capacity--"
Charlotte broke off suddenly, grimacing. "Look-- I cannot stay here any longer," she said, stopping in her tracks to force Enma to follow suit, ensuring she had the other woman's attention. "I can respect that-- that you did what you had to in order to shield me from your people's... proclivities, shall we say, but if you are as much a friend to me, my sister, and my family as you profess to be, then I expect to be allowed to leave Malta on my own devices." Assuming I can make the necessary arrangements, she thought -- who knew what state the remnant Kingdom might be in, or what she might find once given the opportunity to read up on the state of Sirian affairs? "I don't mean to ask you to direct me to a starport and a fuelled transport right away, of course, but I've imposed on your hospitality long enough, I'm sure we can both agree." There was just a tiny bit of venom to that last statement, each syllable lightly etched with the frustration of month after month of no news at all.
"I'll look to establish contact with her in my own time, too," she added eventually, her tone now a little uncertain. "We need to be on the same page -- I don't wish to work against her, and together our claim to any remaining authority among Crown-aligned forces will be stronger, or so I should think. Regardless, my demands and desires stand as I've just said -- I wish to leave, even if all I can accomplish is to go to my sister's side and lend her my aid."
"The best option might have been to leave my liner alone in the first place," she muttered, although her tone didn't imply any real blame. It was far too late for 'what-ifs', at any rate. The Calliope had been taken, and that was that.
"I'm glad she's safe -- or, well -- as safe as can be expected," she continued, shaking her head slightly to refuse the water offered to her. "To tell the truth, I had expected a lot worse." Her expression clouded over slightly with thought, her forehead creasing a little. "The Belisama is a fine ship, as I understand. If she can recover it in any functional capacity--"
Charlotte broke off suddenly, grimacing. "Look-- I cannot stay here any longer," she said, stopping in her tracks to force Enma to follow suit, ensuring she had the other woman's attention. "I can respect that-- that you did what you had to in order to shield me from your people's... proclivities, shall we say, but if you are as much a friend to me, my sister, and my family as you profess to be, then I expect to be allowed to leave Malta on my own devices." Assuming I can make the necessary arrangements, she thought -- who knew what state the remnant Kingdom might be in, or what she might find once given the opportunity to read up on the state of Sirian affairs? "I don't mean to ask you to direct me to a starport and a fuelled transport right away, of course, but I've imposed on your hospitality long enough, I'm sure we can both agree." There was just a tiny bit of venom to that last statement, each syllable lightly etched with the frustration of month after month of no news at all.
"I'll look to establish contact with her in my own time, too," she added eventually, her tone now a little uncertain. "We need to be on the same page -- I don't wish to work against her, and together our claim to any remaining authority among Crown-aligned forces will be stronger, or so I should think. Regardless, my demands and desires stand as I've just said -- I wish to leave, even if all I can accomplish is to go to my sister's side and lend her my aid."