(2/24/02)
Is it not pleasant when things go all according to plan? When the so-called ambassador can sit back and smile, surrounded by a not-quite truth, and play through things as easily as can be? The pirates were suspicious: She expected as much. But they were starved for information, of anything that could fuel them to decide.
And who would think to interrupt the great peace talks?
Apparently, the Prince. But he was shooed aside neatly. And that leaves nothing left to do but continue as if it had never happened at all. Yui enters the room that the Holy Mother was asked to stay in with only a gentle rapping on the door a moment before, warning more than request to enter. Pushing the door open slowly, she walks but a few feet in. And smiles, so calm, so quiet.
"Good morning, Holy Mother. I hope you are having a pleasant day?"
As if nothing were odd at all in the world.
As if nothing were wrong at all in the world, indeed. The Holy Mother is not -nearly- so naive as to suspect something of that sort. The Cathedral is empty of all but her and the ambassador, and has been kept that way since Margie came here. Margie had been given a possitively baffling issue to ponder, and given no grace to ask anyone else about it.. And never, in all her life, had she felt more trapped. In her own Cathedral, no less. The entire issue brings a frown to the young teenager's expressions, as she sits by a small, decorative table in the room--This was something of an offshoot of the library room, after all--her hands folded on her lap as she puzzled over just what to -do-. Ugh. She nearly leaps as Yui enters, missing that knock for a minute, throwing the frown off her face and leaving nothing but unease in her eyes. Even as she tries to offer a polite smile of greeting. Nothing else. "Good morning, ambassador.." If that is what you are. So far this seems more like bullying than politics. "I am fine, thank you. What was all that ruckus last night?" She had tried to peek out and see, but Yui had been out in the halls, looking down at the first floor below. But Margie had sworn she heard a familiar voice downstairs...
It is almost a blur, an extension of Yui's outfit that enters the hall behind the ambassador, and quickly falls in step to the side of Yui facing away from the Nisan mother. Into step, and almost covert in her approach, Midori half-follows, half-accompanies her mother into the hall, still refusing to leave her side for very long since she was regained these few weeks ago. A silent whisper blinding into the shadows of the cathedral and the walking woman.
"Nothing but a troublemaker. Far below being worthy of your notice, I'm certain."
Nothing at all but the Prince of Aveh, sneaking in intent on finding Margie and discovering if everything was well with her. But what Yui responds with is not technically incorrect. That is the charm of it, isn't it?
It is not professional, by any accounts, to bring a child into the heart of what is basically an act of underhanded politics. But just as much as the child does not wish to stray from Yui's side these days, Yui is very wary of letting her stray far away since she reclaimed her after so long, so much. It might not be professional, no. But as important as Duty is to Yui, her daughter is moreso.
Besides. Midori would know, in a way or another, what Yui was doing and what was going on. So why not let her be near, where she can make sure she is happy and safe? So, let her watch. While Yui walks through formality undisturbed, even while the Holy Mother looks all means of upset. So soft that it is barely noticeable, she rests a hand on Midori's shoulder, some softest reminder that she is /there/, that she is well. Subconciously. For her focus is on Margie, as she continues speaking to her.
"I am glad to find you well, however. Have you given my proposal any thought? I would be glad to discuss it further, if you had any questions."
Questions? Ha! How about 'What is going on' or 'Why are you keeping me here'? What about 'What do you -really- want out of this'? Margie has a dozen such questions to ask, and not the heart to politely ask any of them. Isn't this just charming? Everything outwardly is being held and seems just like a formal peace discussion, even though she knows, she -knows- that it really is much, much more and nothing of peace. Margie knows this. But she has no real way to point it out, no means to find the glaring flaw and call their bluff. And that is so unendingly -frustrating-. So watch Margie hide her discontent while Yui smiles and smiles on, so dismissively brushing away the issue of Bart being in the Cathedral last night. Even while Margie frowns and murmers, "A troublemaker...?" So vague! No! Give Margie some leeway to ask further, so she can find out -why- you had the guards throw Bart out! But while frustration brews dark within her, all she can think to do is numbly respond. "I admit I am a little confused as to why this is so important to you.. Especially since you must be aware that Nisan would never be outwardly agressive towards you or your country, regardless of politics." And why this requires so much security, so much secrecy.. Something is wrong. She knows it. Margie is just waiting for the trip, the slip, so she can address it. But she is distracted by the presence of... another? She blinks, breaking eye contact with Yui for a moment to tilt her head lightly at the little silent form besides her. And she is a mite bit.. Confused. "Who is this?" A child. Despite the question, Margie's voice is soft, honestly simply questioning.
A corner of the little girl's mouth twists up as the hand is rested on her shoulder. So many times she had thought this was something she could only imagine, and now she is back. Mother is attending to less esoteric things as being a housewife, but it is, in essence, the same as before. The hidden agendas. Duty. But, strangely, this person is not an enemy, so it is slightly less then a frown and a blank stare that is afforded to the holy mother, as Midori simply regards her with a nonchalance that is practiced in its inoffensiveness. Her parents have trained her well not to stare, and she has better sense than to say anything. So, she simply reamins at her mother's side, silent, watching, waiting.
This is true. Before, it was playing the housewife while her mind ran with duties and obligations. Now, she is playing the ambassador while doing the same. She means no malevolance to Margie, so much is obvious. There is really no need for her to even be so frustrated, so upset. This was an inconvenice to her and nothing more. A token discussion to keep minds and focuses away from what Shevat was truly doing. Just business, just duty. No harm done.
"This is my daughter." Yui offers simply, that perpetually calm and even voice hinting with an edge of brightness. Too happy, too content she is to have Midori back, after all. Even if it is muted in her voice, limited to the guarded quiet of her mind, "Do you mind if she is here?" Even if it is not quite formal? Yui is willing to break a few rules to keep Midori near.
She flows from that subject to the next with ease, that calm and even smile ever present as she nods, "A valid question. But one not too complicated, either. Do not fear: We never suspected that you would be so brash as to have Nisan turn its back upon anyone. We simply forsaw that things were leading down a dark path: Solaris is digging it's claws deeper into this world, and with the Prince giving Solaris full reign over his own kingdom.. Can you see why we worry? All that Shevat requests of this meeting is that Nisan stay as it is: Neutral. That it does not let this shift in politics turn it's religion against it's practitioners and followers in Shevat, nor turn its back upon us. It would be unfortunate to allow this to degrade into war, into violence. Does that clarify anything for you?"
As if war was not omnipresent when Shevat and Solaris were considered. But brush that aside.
But that's too simple, you see. That sounds like it should make sense, when things obviously do not. Alright, so you want peace. Why did this require isolating me in the church, making sure none of the Yggdrasil crew could get near me, and generally giving her minimal information and vague answers to everything that she would really rather need to know? You're -lying-, Yui. Margie knows this. But Margie can not find a way to say it, no way to shout it clear out. So instead she simply responds. Ever polite, ever formal, ever quiet, as if this were honest peaceful discussion. Even while she wants to scream. "I don't mind at all. It's nice to meet you." A brief smile to the silent child, before Margie skips back to the issue at hand. Trying not to frown. Trying not to sound as impatient as she's becoming. There's only so long one can play along, after all.. "That makes quite a lot of sense. And Nisan would be more than glad to make sure that it keeps its doors open to Shevat, as long as such a privilage is not used for reasons not pertaining to Nisan's religion, or used to harm Nisan or, for that matter, anyone. This is a city of peace. We wouldn't rely on hostility against -anyone-. Is all you want out of Nisan a promise? I can give you that here and now and be done with it, if that is all."
The Holy Mother is getting impatient. Anxious. It takes no great skill to watch this decline in tolerance, to watch as the poor teenager becomes more and more frustrated in her ignorance and confusion. And while Yui can regret that the child is so upset, it is not too great a distress: No harm shall come to her or her friends from it. As detached as necessity, clean cut as duty. That's it.
Although Margie is likely to only get more unsettled when she realizes that they can not let her out quite yet. Or.. At least out of Nisan. Yui's mind is swiftly dashing through oportunities, posibilities. Even if she is outwardly nothing but calm.
"Now, there is no reason to rush this." Yui answers, calmly as ever. As simply as if she were addressing a child who wanted to rush out and do everything nownownow. Even now, Yui's answers are nearly maternal, even as they are covert guards. "I'm afraid a promise will not do. Please do not think that we distrust you. But we are looking for something a little more solid than intentions of goodwill."
A small pause is given for this to settle in, before Yui concludes this thought. "We need this to be between Shevat and Nisan. Only. Other politics, other groups should have no hand in influencing your decision. The unnecessary antipathy pointed towards Shevat these days is threatening to say the least. We need something more solid, more concrete. Could we not take a hint from the trend of things lately and make a formal pact to solidify this? All the time needed to decide upon it's details could be left to you, if you would be more comfortable in such, and we could review the decision afterwards?"
That takes time. More time. Always, always more time! How many more delays are going to be thrown at poor Margie before this is finally concluded? Of course she's getting anxious. Of course she's getting impatient. There's nothing in the world quite like being royally screwed over, knowing that it's happening, and being completely powerless to take a solid stance against any of it. But Margie has to find -some- way to work against this. And thus.. Well. She can try to be just as quiet about her wills, can't she? If all she can be is formal.. Then she might as well find a formal way to plead her way out of this. Hopefully. "A formalized statement of Nisan's neutrality, then?" No, not specific to Shevat. Margie isn't about to be forced into anything like that. "To make sure that outward politics do not mar the peace and open faith of this town? I would be more than glad to consider such an offer. But may I discuss this with the others, perhaps? It would be hasty for me to make such a decision for all of Nisan lightly. Wouldn't you agree that this is a large issue for me to take on without discussion with others?"
It is a little of an overwhelming experience, this cathedral, for those that might not have entered it before. The streaming light through the exquisite ornateness of the windows, tracing patterns on the floor, and letting the haze and dust draw patterns int he air. Midori turns away from the Holy mother, seeming at best uninterested, yet still turning an ear, as she silently and morosely marvels at the massiveness and the splendour of it all. This is...religion? So, this is what people seem to generate those feelings of awestruckedness, that people bow and kneel before. It is more then impressive, as Midori regards the entire room around, ever silent, never changing her expression. It is easy to be awestruck by this.
"Is it really so grave an issue for Nisan to be fair to all of it's faithful?"
Yui's responce is so simple, so light, her tone unchanging from before. Even as it is a little cruel. But a smile crosses her expressions then, kind despite it's quietly mocking nature. No maliciousness to it. Simply. Although her responce is unexpected, to say the least.
"But I understand that this must seem like a large amount to handle all at once. Certainly, I can not deny you the council of those who this decision may affect, and who might have valuable insight in how to make this work out to the best. I shall discuss matters with my own people, and then we can come to a consensus upon what would be ideal for everyone. Is that acceptable to you?"
A little specific, yes, since Yui is specifying that it would be ideal for Margie to speak to Nisanites: The nuns and such. Not to the Yggdrasil. Although Yui is not quite so dim as to realize this will not happen. Thus.. She plans. As always. "All that I ask is that you remain unaffected by politics outside that would mean ill for this decision simply because of personal distaste for Shevat."
She can leave the Cathedral. With rules applied.
Margie falls completely silent at that. Did she just hear what she thought she did? Did Yui just say that she could talk to other people, leave the Cathedral, and decide upon this with other people's help? Margie just stares, more than a little dazed, until she blink rapidly. As she immediately wonders whether she should beam or simply peer and demand to know what the catch is. There's a catch, right? What's the catch? But once again, it's something she can not request to know. "Really? That would be.. perfect, actually. And I can have Nisan's draft of what we believe would work best out as soon as we are sure that we are happy with it." Huh, yes, Yui was being a little specific there.. But Margie -does- intend to make a fair draft. And she nods simply, "Of course. You have my word that Nisan will not take a prejudiced stance on this. We'll do our best to make this as fair as possible to everyone." Everyone.
Midori finishes her circumnavigation of the room, and returns her stare to the conversation, listening into the last of thenegotiations. Not understanding a lot of the specifics, she can only guage the nervous and determined opinions on how it is going. As Margie speaks, she senses great relief, and a sense of accomplishment, perhaps, from mother? Either way, it can only be good, yes? Midori doesnot pretend to understand, and just fixes her gaze onto Margie, breaking into a sweet little smile.
Accomplishment? It is certainly nice to be able to make the Holy Mother more comfortable while basically not changing a thing in her plans. It's simply a matter of making sure that when Margie leaves the Cathedral, the Yggdrasil crew is.. Not there. There is a certain pride that comes in having everything fit neatly into place.
"That is wonderful then. Please do not feel rushed in this. Be thorough, and so shall we. I only hope that this shall work out to the outright best. And if you have any questions, anything at all, please feel free to talk to me at any time."
So sweet. So well meaning. And yet, still, Yui is not done with her tricks quite yet, "If you would like, I could have one of my attendants lead you to where the sisters have been staying while these talks proceeded for the last few days? I'm certain they are curious as to how things have gone."
One more sidetracking delay? Bah, Margie can deal with that. She's not too surprised by it, either. But the first chance she's given.. She's out of there and into the streets of Nisan, to track down Bart, Sigurd and Gabriel and blurt this entire thing out to them. She's rather curious as to where the sisters were being held.. Since that is more the case than 'where they were staying willingly', most likely... And to their well being as well. So she simply nods, an honest smile upon her features. "That would be perfect. Thank you for your help and offers, Misses Uzuki. I'll be sure to remember them. I, too, hope that this works out for the good of all." Everyone and all. Margie does mean well. Even if she knows, somehow, that there is so much more to this that has nothing to do at all with peace. Still. Things seem somehow more.. manageable with this.