As much as she didn't like it, the Outcast spoke the truth. The captain intends to dive through into potentially Council territory to help out a losing battle. If she were to die, or worse, get captured by the Council, who would release Charlotte, or keep up the fight? But that means making an even bigger risk of trusting Loyola, who has made it clear she's doing this for her own reasons as opposed to loyalty. What is she planning to gain? Two DeFrances? The questions kept coming and coming, but the answers were nowhere to be found.
"I suppose you're right, but I'd sooner like to hear where would this place be." she replied after much deliberation. "The capitaine and his men want to return home, and I lost both my aide and the trust of people I thought I knew. It's more than likely I'll end up going alone. I trust you would be able to steer the Outcasts' attention away from me long enough to go elsewhere, oui?" she asked with an awkward expression, realising the irony.
Music certainly hasn't been something that was common on the ship aside from the on-board bar, which she rarely frequented as it was a place for commoners. Bringing up the console once more, she selected a random track, and sound soon started flowing through the less-than-great speakers of the room at relatively low volume.
"And what of Charlotte, then? How is she doing, what state is she in?" Claire asked.
— Still try to talk to some of them, I'd not prefer you going outright alone. This will be much harder, you need people you trust for the first period until you are convinced in my honest intentions.
Slow phased and rather sad music is quite fitting the situation. Still observing Claire's emotional struggle to accept the reality she lives in now. Enma decides that it's better to help her to move on as fast and easy as possible. She indeed is failing to find a reason to get a second DeFrance girl under her protection, considering the first one appeared to be quite useless in the end. And now, when the Kingdom is collapsing, getting something than moral satisfaction from this situation is next to impossible.
— The place? There are a lot of options. I assume you have never been outside of Gallia a lot, not counting the military campaign, right? There are a lot of places to visit, like Heaven's Gate in Kusari is quite a sight. You shouldn't be worried about the other Outcasts, it's the time of power shifts again and I will be taking not the last position. Naturally, about 3 years ago I would have a much better position, but we will work with what we have.
Loyola moves her hands under the table to help herself and pull the boots off to help her feet to rest. This conversation is likely to go on, so Enma starts to get comfortable around here. Maybe it's not very polite, but the way she was met by Gallic officers wasn't too police either. As soon as she got back to the normal position, she resumed.
— Excuse moi... So yes, it can be a place in one of the Outcast systems, then again not too many people would dare to touch something that is mine. You will be my guest, maybe I will figure something out and we will make you Donna. You can of crouse, choose to leave, but Outcast operation lines lie close to Gallia. Some of us are flying there regularly, I assume it's where you would want to be.
Enma sighs, and looking to the side, as her hand is touching a forehead. It's not clear if she got a headache or just thinking. Then she seems to remember something, turning back to Claire.
— Oh right, Charlotte. She's fine really. As I said she's at mountain residence of mine, being served by the personnel captured from that liner. No one is really touching her, but she's kind of isolated. In any way, I am trying to make her life as easy as possible.
Maybe removing boots wasn't the best idea, as her feet are getting colder than she expected.
— We will just need to observe what happens, contact the right people when the situation will be more clear. But if there something else that is concerning you about me or anything, you can talk freely.
Enma takes a glass with water again, taking a rather short sip. She wants to save it, as getting a second one may be more problematic.
Claire stared confused at the Outcast removing her shoes, wondering if this was some sort of barbaric tradition. While it was clear she wasn't happy and quite disgusted with the sight, she kept quiet as to avoid causing conflict with her lifeline.
"I'd like to retrieve her as a first priority, after that we'll see what the best option forward would be."
She sighed as she figured there's no better time than now to work out the concern that's concerning her the most.
"I'm not sure if I would be either welcome in Outcast systems, nor do I want to get addicted to your drug which I've heard is literally everywhere you live. Charlotte must be in bad enough shape..." she paused, thinking of the best way to word the question. "I need a guarantee I won't be subjected to it, is that something you can provide?"
Enma then lifts her feet up at the chair, while moving her knees a bit to the side. Her back is diving deep into the chair to get even more comfortable, she wouldn't mind a blanket really. She clearly getting way too relaxed in here, while Claire seems to be still quite intense and worrying. Maybe looking generally too cheerful for this grim next-to-a-ghostship. Though, she clearly realizing that and trying to make herself look less relaxed, which is quite hard to do considering pose on the chair that she is just taken. Her empathy for Claire and her situation is real, but En is not really taking it too close. Knowing that if she was in similar situations, this royal person, in particular, would likely not pay attention or be happy about bad things happening to some Outcast.
— As you wish, it's very natural that you want to meet with your sister first. I am pretty sure that she will be happy to see you as well. Don't worry about her health, you must be getting a wrong impression while looking at me. Your highness, be sure that my case is entirely different. I am pure-blooded Outcast who have spent some time in exile, we cannot quite stay away from Malta for long, and I had to. Charlotte herself has taken the small initial dose and then she was moved to a high mountain region with an extremely low concentration of Cardamine. She may be felt some light euphoria at first, but by now she barely is noticing anything. She will notice something when she will get off Malta. Her children may or may not inherit some light mutations, which is not good for the Royal line, I am very sorry for that.
Taking a short, but a deep breath, Enma is getting ready to say things that Claire likely won't like to hear. But she's in strong enough position, to be honest, and there's no need for lies. At the end of the day, Claire will play by her rules in one way or another. With her being generally cooperative and agreeing on Enma's conditions, there's no need for harsh moves. She would arch her back lightly, as it's getting tired from the long sitting, first at the chair of the pilot and now here. Her face has expressed clear discomfort.
— I have to admit that Charlotte's addition was not an accident, but a planned move. And I am personally responsible for this. Don't get me wrong, this is how we deal with things. I am accepting your rules, I am under oath and technically a loyal subject of your family. And as such, I am doing my part and I am here to help you. At the same time, at Malta, we are used to ensuring friendliness by other means. It's part of our culture, it's a part of our lives, it's a part of us. I clearly imagined Charlotte to be a duchess of Malta, after the war is won. This would ensure Malta taking a much higher position than other conquered planets. You wouldn't dare to destroy it, knowing that your family member is now depending on Cardamine and that there's a potential future brunch of DeFrance that is going to partly live in our way. I know that you despise me and my people, I respect your right on that. But I want you to understand that just like you we are not having friends in Sirius and that we have our own point of view and way of doing things.
Enma pauses, taking a sip of water, checking if there are no new messages at her tablet. She soon proceeds to explain to Claire how things do really work.
— While I would like you to take Cardamine to ensure that you won't backstab me when it suits you... I will consider the option of passing on that. Charlotte is already some sort of guarantee but in any event, I shall see how your highness will act in the future. If we shall have a natural understanding, and hopefully friendship, there won't be a need for anything like it. Maybe it's unwise to be so honest with you, but it's such a life of being an agent of the Crown.
Loyola pauses with wide smile at her face, she's still looking tired, but clearly enjoying herself. While she feels a natural attraction to power and status of DeFrance family, something that she actually dreams to be..., this is as close as she gets to it. A friendly forced friendship at the dependent princess. Enma feels naturally jealous that she needs to work for years just to get as close, while she actually will never becoming anything like them. She knows that for well, and this is why in the end her smile becomes a little bit more bitter. Slowly she's developing a different point of view at those girls, but that will come up a little bit later.
— I've always wanted a friend like you, your highness. Maybe we should get to know each other a little bit better than that.
The sound of a desk being slammed reverberated across the room as the Outcast said her last sentence. Claire had heard enough, and the offer of friendship made her blood boil.
"A friend? You'll consider it? You've ruined my sister's life, and now you're offering friendship?" she asked rhetorically, her voice raised. "I don't think you understand what loyalty means, nor are you an agent of the Crown if you're intentionally sabotaging the royal family and interfering with the Roi's plans. What you've just told me.. these actions would have led you to a guillotine very swiftly, and yet you dare impose conditions on me?"
In hindsight, slamming the metal desk wasn't the brightest idea that's ever crossed her mind. She fought to ignore the pain as she continued to tear into Loyola, who was slouching on the chair.
"I don't think you understand what ship we're on. I invited you here requesting help as you've sworn fealty to the Kingdom, yet you've come with nothing but disappointment and ambiguous promises. The capitaine was right, after all. It was foolish of me to think I could rely on someone who doesn't understand any Gallic virtues."
With what was pent up now fully out of her, she took a few seconds to ponder. It didn't seem like it would be reasonable to go with the woman, so the only option left was to stay the course and return to Gallia, no matter who was waiting for them.
Enma is meeting this rather emotional rant with silence. She really couldn't wait until she stops this, because Enma is not a fan of loud sounds. Especially when it's a bit annoying, her feet would slowly slide down into her boots, Loyola is generally disappointed that it's developing in this way. She has decided to swing the momentum back. Loyola leans forward and placing an index finger at Claire's lips, to make her stop. Her fingertip is rather cold, and skin texture feels somewhat weird. She then grins, with her eyebrows up, as she isn't sure from which angle to approach it.
— Shush, shush, shush, I get it, Votre Altesse...
As En made sure that the princess is silent, she leans back. She wanted to make things work smooth and nicely, but it's not her fault and Claire is no appreciating the move. In any event, it looked like Claire just gave out everything she has got already.
— Loyalty means that I am doing everything that is possible in my position to make your life better. Do you say that I've broken her sister's life? Mind you, she's most likely would end up being sold to some rich far and old slaver. As a very glorified and expensive toy. Meanwhile, I spend a lot of money to uphold an estate where she's still a princess. Now, at your call, I've dropped all of my business and brought my best people to your aid. Nothing gets appreciated.
Enma takes her inhaler and other things from the table, getting ready to stand up. She's not a hurry, doing everything in a calm and even lazy manner. With an intentionally loud noise, Enma pushes the chair back, as she's standing up. Enma walks up behind Claire, placing her hands at the gaul's shoulders. Making very slow and kind of relaxing quasi-massage movements.
— You shouldn't be so nervous, your highness. I know that facing death at your young age is kind of terrible, but it's war and people are dying. I will make sure to tell Charlotte a story of how you remained strong and brave until the very end. Pretty sure that she will be very proud of you. I will have a hard time explaining how that happened that I didn't get you out of here... Really shameful turn of events.
Enma bends down to Claire's ear, switching to a soft and nice-sounding whisper. Her lips would sometimes even touch the edges of the Royal ear.
— Especially shameful turn of events if all the Outcast ships around will for some reason get angry and you won't even make it to the gates. You know, them pesky pirates with antimatter and torpedoes.
Enma then moves a little bit forward to see her face, while her hand is getting into the pocket and placing Cardamine inhaler at the table right before Claire. With an amused smile, she's getting her back to a pseudo-massaging position.
— I understand your emotional state your highness, but as I am your loyal servant and a good friend, I will act like it didn't happen. Don't worry, your stress will come by, and after that, we will have a lot of work to do. Am I right?
Enma asks, as she massage parody moves became slightly painful for a moment.
Claire listened in disbelief, stunned. All of the stress over Gallia, and the journey to it, had made her blind to the fact that she had invited a wolf into the ship. Only now did she realise she signed the ship's death warrant by letting this woman know their location. Shivers went all the way down her spine, and her expression changed to shock.
She winced in pain as Loyola "massaged" her shoulders, sulking about the situation she's caused. Her condescending attitude made Claire want to hit the woman, but she knew that would mean the Outcast ships surrounding the Belisama would eventually attack the destroyer. Losing all the people that have trusted her, and the capitaine, would be completely unforgivable, even if she managed to live through the ordeal.
The royal looked at the inhaler in front of her, orange gas seen floating through the glass window inside of it. Red flags were blasting in her mind, hoping she wouldn't end up having to be dependent on that device.
"Oui..." she said quietly as tears started welling up in her eyes.
That is the answer Enma likes better, naturally, Claire is not amused with the situation. But Loyola is totally convinced with absolute correctness of the things she does. She could've lied about things, and get her on board much easier. Being a liar is quite normal for her, but that's still a royal person and she pledged the honor of her family to help and serve Claire's family. And she did try to convince her much more softly, but DeFrance is too stubborn and too pride to give up a single inch of their powerplay ground. The girl will have to see a different life, a real life. And Enma sees herself as the one who does anything to ensure the survivability of this girl in the long run.
But she's not a white knight by any means and will try to abuse the situation in various ways. She's dropping thoughts about consequences that may await her at Malta and feel engaged with this Gallic game. Her fantasize are already running deep down into restoring DeFrance's rule over Gallia and being put in a very high position. Looking back at the idiots who hate her with an amused hooked smile. That would have been gold. But now she still needs to keep communicating with Claire, or she will run into a deep depression.
Enma slides from her shoulders down to her arms, lightly lifting her up, so Claire figures out that she needs to stand up. Enma is turning Claire to herself, looking at the tears rolling down at her cheeks. While keeping a left hand at Claire's side, En is rising up her chin with a right hand. While keeping a long look at her face.
— You are a look-beautiful-when-crying type.
Enma makes a compliment, with a low and calm voice. Her face isn't expressing anything special, she's like any other person who's making observations. Not making much more manipulations with Claire's body, Enma would still hold her. Maybe her own firmness and calmness would somehow help Claire to stop this.
— Calm down, I am just no letting you commit literal suicide run.
Loyola's hand would move from the chin to the back of Claire's head, stroking it down. Her other hand moved from the side to her back, embracing her. Her moves are slow and gentle, there's no need for any sort of traumatic experience in this situation. Such close contact may be rushed, but Enma does it not without enjoyment. Weird thing of Claire being just a spoiled child comes to her mind, along with means parents usually deal with it. But that thought isn't sticking up for long enough, as she's still having a lot of complicated real things to deal with.
— You will return back to Gallia in glory, I promise you. And I will do everything that is necessary for this to happen.
Yes, something more calming, abstract in generalized. Maybe that will work?
Claire pushed herself away to break the embrace, but softly enough not to seem overly aggressive. Enma's condescending attitude irritated her to no end, but she knew she couldn't act rashly despite being treated like a complete child. She steadied herself, trying to regain composure.
"I'll come with you, to see Charlotte and see where to end up next. But the Belisama has to return to Gallia on its mission without Outcast interference. At the very least, promise me that, and I'll agree to leave." she spoke sternly, although still fighting back the desire to sulk in both shame and guilt. She wanted to make it clear she wasn't just a child for Enma to manipulate, especially after what just transpired. There was no way to recycle the situation, and if Charlotte had learnt about what Claire has just done, she would likely disown her.
"If you guarantee the ship's safety from your dogs, then I'll be willing to hear on what happens next."
Despite some attempts by Claire to push away, En would still hold her. Now more forcefully, which naturally is causing some degree of pain on the Gaul's side of things. Loyola is tired enough to deal with such nonsense waste of energy as pushing with a spoiled gallic girl. Enma is wasting enough of everything here, most importantly time and effort, risking to burn down her reputation even further and there's no appreciation whatsoever. And while Claire is trying to use force, she isn't ready mentally to hold any sort of use of force from Loyola's side. At least that's what En thinks herself while being annoyed more and more by a girl who's trying to push her away during a gentle and all friendly embracing. Disgraceful behavior from a member of the Royal family.
With some cold annoyance in her voice, Enma starts replying. Things Claire demanded were already in Enma's plans so it sounded like just yet another waste of breath.
— I don't care for this ship, it has zero interests and there are no particular reasons to waste ammo to get it down, your highness. And I've already said that you shall meet Charlotte if she wants to see you.
Eventually, she got annoyed enough, as a shade of her eyes seems to be even more gray than usual. Her lips tightened and it was a sound like her teeth just clucked. Dear God, she tried to be polite, but this girl needs to learn her place. She slightly smiles to herself to things she's about to do. Though En is kind of lost control over herself for a bit, so it may escalate even harder.
A pale hand of Enma that was trying to embrace Claire, and now just holding her moved up into the direction of princess' hair. With rush a sudden move, her hands grab's Claire's hair, pulling it just enough so Gaul stops pushing her away. Enma looks into her victim's eyes, as her hand still firmly holds Claire's hair. After reading some expected fear and hate, Enma is looking down at the girl's cheeks. Her other hand is still free and Enma is barely holding herself to get it into action. But in the end, natural aggression is taking over and she's making three rather loud slaps over princess' cheeks. To her hands, it's a rather pleasing sensation, she stops at the moment of realizing that. It must have made Claire believe that it was over, but then Enma's hand it moving for one more slap.
It's been some time as Enma did beat someone outside of the ship. In a way, she feels more alive than all this time, adrenalin and other hormones threw out in her blood now making her feel great and quite strong. At some point, she's realizing that she's slapping a girl that is especially helpless and fully depends on her. That would shake her short feeling of enjoying herself, but oh well, maybe she will apologize later.
For now, knowing that Claire might start fighting back soon after the initial shock is passing, Enma is driving her into the corner and forcing her against the wall. Only now realizing how easy it is to control one's movement by pulling their hair. Now she sighs, which makes her notice how deep and frequent is her breathing now. With burning and quite dominating look, she drills Claire's eyes, while picking up words to speak up.
— Pushing someone is not the way princess should behave, your highness. I once more understand your emotions, and I honestly think that you should apologize.
Enma would place a hand at Claire's neck, not even close to pressing, but she would still feel her very high pulse. Claire's heart must be making some insane number of beats per minute. Loyola's hands then become more gentle, rather stroking the princess rather than holding. Enma even smiles, as she finds this quite enjoyable.