[ If Set could sparkle, he would. Instead, his more woodsy traits flourish as Felwinter joins him — petals unfurling in pretty layers across his throat and shoulders like pauldrons, the long willow branches spreading as if taking in the sun. His eyes roam across Felwinter's face, and a hand so very, very boldly seeks to touch him as soon as he draws near.
#rude #curious ]
Why could it not be both? Either option could be supported with careful review of Karterian goals — war might be required to halt the dangers that threaten this world, and our own. I never would do so lightly, though.
[ He's far too inquisitive, far too willing to learn and seek wisdom to wield his weapons haphazardly — even if he will shed blood as wickedly as a beast. ]
Here. Look. I have taken sole ownership of the militia, but would ask the thoughts of all Augmented. I am thinking of outposts — to be established in each city we reach anew. Staffed by militia members, to provide us advance warning if there comes danger. Not just from within the city, but from their surroundings.
[Perhaps surprisingly, Fel doesn't seem concerned by the touch. He lives with Gojo, after all, who has no concept of personal space... But even before that, there was Lord Timur, with his... intense interest in Exotech. He's developed a tolerance for such invasions.
It does draw his attention, however. His eyes linger on the strange, floral display, before drifting upwards to find Set studying him in turn. That's when he wavers. Set is a beautiful creature, isn't he? It's not as though he had never noticed it before, but the stronger the influence of his Aves soul becomes, the more he finds himself appreciating such beauty.
Set is still talking, he realises suddenly, and wrests his attention away again, back to the notes.]
I saw your announcement. [He hadn't replied because he'd been too busy trying to sort through his own feelings on the matter.] I think teaching people to defend themselves is wise. But I also have my concerns.
Provided that your concerns are not banal protests such as "war is bad" and "I dislike it", I would hear them out.
[ Set's expression shutters briefly, ornery and tempestuous at the memory of the general protesting that had been performed on his public announcement. He'd done it mostly to provide a means for Augmented and Karterians alike to review the intent and principle behind a group viewed as — well, increasingly useless. He, in turn, was proud of the security forces. Prouder still of the militia, because they were volunteers under an Augmented.
Since he's not being stopped, he curiously explores Felwinter's face with the flats of his fingers. Tracing the plates and seams of him, the hollow dip of his cheeks, the illumination of his eyes. It's a casual gesture, rather than an intimate one, as he tips his head and finally asks. ]
I would also hear our your origins. They are different from many, in appearance alone. It must be difficult, to be Augmented and who you are. I know I feel that way.
My concerns are that a division of power in the city could cause in-fighting. It strengthens our position, certainly, but there will undoubtedly be those who see it as a threat, or an opportunity.
[Casual those touches may be, but they are incredibly distracting. Felwinter gives up on reading notes, looking back to Set instead. He wonders, briefly, if he is allowed to touch in the same way, his hands twitching upwards as though to do so, but he finds himself increasingly uncertain about whether he is reading this situation correctly. Set surely wouldn't have invited him to the library, of all places, if he had amorous intentions.]
Outposts, as well, are sensible in theory, but I fear the movement of militia forces onto foreign territory may be taken as hostile. And while so far we've only made contact with Kelesis and Phantasia, placing an outpost in every city we reach risks overextension. It will be harder to react efficiently to threats if our forces are stretched thin. Particularly in Karteria proper, if in-fighting does become an issue.
[In the end, he reaches up to Set's hand, and covers it with his own as though to still it. He pauses, then, feeling awkward and strangely off-balance. Set seemed more interested in hearing about him and his experience here. Deeply personal things. He just... needs a moment to gather his thoughts, and decide where to begin.]
My counterpoint: I am drawing from an establishment that already existed in Karteria prior to our arrival. I am not creating this from nothing, I am including native Karterians in our labors and providing new opportunities for an occupation that has been largely left to decay.
[ He does not deny that it is opportunistic, there's no doubting that it's precisely that. However, it is not Augmented that he is outfitting with weapons and asking to patrol, asking to form a new militia under the gaze of the government. It is Karterians he hopes to provide a life for, in a way. Even as he speaks, his eyes do not wander from the other; his hands are bold things, unwavering in the way he rests his palms over the places he thinks will give off the most heat. Intimate touches, perhaps, but his clinical neutrality suggests he's not trying to come onto Felwinter at all.
It's a bit like a cat that's decided it needs to rub itself all over a new arrival, shedding bits of fur ( aka a willow leaf or two ) in an effort to familiarize itself. ]
And their revivification and openness might give the lower citizens a place to go for work.
[ As an aside.
When he's stopped, he stops. Hand hovering below Felwinter's with an irritated twitch ( despite being a Terra, his natural behaviors are very cat-like ). ]
Monitoring outposts. Scouting, rather. They'd be to keep eyes on the cities, rather than fight there. Call them... an advance warning system, if anything. Rotating shifts, financial bonuses, social credit. Rewards for them, of course.
[ And then he pauses, because Felwinter seems to be working up to something, and it is something he's curious about. ]
I understand that. [All of that. That the militia is made up of Karterians (hence his approval of teaching them to defend themselves) and also that the outposts weren't intended to be combat forces.] But... mm. There's no guarantee that that's how things will be perceived. If someone is looking for an excuse to spark conflict—
[He pauses, and shakes his head.] I don't need to tell you this.
[If Set is indeed a god of war, he already knows. Felwinter half wonders if he's counting on it.
Carefully, cautiously, he wraps his fingers round that errant hand, drawing it around so that he can press the seam of his metal mouth against Set's knuckles.]
I had thought to offer myself to train them, but I am... not good with people. Especially here, being what I am. You're right, it's difficult.
[ In a way, Set is counting on it, Felwinter isn't wrong about that. In another way, he's hoping it does not come to that — the Augmented are not prepared to go against the restrictions Patho-Gen has embedded within them. There's a fine line to walk between being perceived as allies and being perceived as threats, and his pride is on the line as a god of war — wielder of might and strategy both. ]
My efforts are not designed to be palatable, they are designed to be effective. If I hinged everything on being liked by people, I would get nothing done. Instead, I accept my role as a wicked, difficult thing and I accomplish my goals.
[ There's a mild hurt in his tone, as his posture and voice stiffen. Prideful, resolute. He's known since the day he took on the mantle of war that his was the worst lot, the most hated and reviled of duties — his blade the sharpest, and also the one that choked him with the responsibility of bearing it alone. Felwinter's mouth across his knuckles is — not unwanted, but it is surprising. He startles like a cat that's heard a stray noise, nostrils flaring and eyes widening.
It's difficult. ]
It alienates you, does it not. Before even your Natural Soul, you are who you are — [ Not "what". Appearances rarely cause Set to judge, being that his kin are skies and lands, formless entities and giant forces all alike. ] It is unlike those of flesh and blood. A man of metal. As I am of sand.
[A wicked, difficult thing. Those words twist something in Felwinter's chest, because they're so terribly familiar. A student on his mountain. A lover here, in this world. People who have resigned themselves to never being seen for who they are beneath their challenging personalities.
Not something he expected from Set, oddly enough.]
I happen to be fond of difficult things.
[The kiss (such as it was) against Set's knuckles seems to have been enough of an apology, or enough of a distraction, that his irritation has softened. Felwinter lowers the hand slowly away from his face... but he keeps hold of it, for now.]
People have their own notion of what I am and what role I should play, the citizens of Karteria more than most. They assume I'm as dull as their ServiTrons, and expect me to be subservient. I've found it easier to avoid them.
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no subject
#rude #curious ]
Why could it not be both? Either option could be supported with careful review of Karterian goals — war might be required to halt the dangers that threaten this world, and our own. I never would do so lightly, though.
[ He's far too inquisitive, far too willing to learn and seek wisdom to wield his weapons haphazardly — even if he will shed blood as wickedly as a beast. ]
Here. Look. I have taken sole ownership of the militia, but would ask the thoughts of all Augmented. I am thinking of outposts — to be established in each city we reach anew. Staffed by militia members, to provide us advance warning if there comes danger. Not just from within the city, but from their surroundings.
no subject
It does draw his attention, however. His eyes linger on the strange, floral display, before drifting upwards to find Set studying him in turn. That's when he wavers. Set is a beautiful creature, isn't he? It's not as though he had never noticed it before, but the stronger the influence of his Aves soul becomes, the more he finds himself appreciating such beauty.
Set is still talking, he realises suddenly, and wrests his attention away again, back to the notes.]
I saw your announcement. [He hadn't replied because he'd been too busy trying to sort through his own feelings on the matter.] I think teaching people to defend themselves is wise. But I also have my concerns.
no subject
[ Set's expression shutters briefly, ornery and tempestuous at the memory of the general protesting that had been performed on his public announcement. He'd done it mostly to provide a means for Augmented and Karterians alike to review the intent and principle behind a group viewed as — well, increasingly useless. He, in turn, was proud of the security forces. Prouder still of the militia, because they were volunteers under an Augmented.
Since he's not being stopped, he curiously explores Felwinter's face with the flats of his fingers. Tracing the plates and seams of him, the hollow dip of his cheeks, the illumination of his eyes. It's a casual gesture, rather than an intimate one, as he tips his head and finally asks. ]
I would also hear our your origins. They are different from many, in appearance alone. It must be difficult, to be Augmented and who you are. I know I feel that way.
no subject
[Casual those touches may be, but they are incredibly distracting. Felwinter gives up on reading notes, looking back to Set instead. He wonders, briefly, if he is allowed to touch in the same way, his hands twitching upwards as though to do so, but he finds himself increasingly uncertain about whether he is reading this situation correctly. Set surely wouldn't have invited him to the library, of all places, if he had amorous intentions.]
Outposts, as well, are sensible in theory, but I fear the movement of militia forces onto foreign territory may be taken as hostile. And while so far we've only made contact with Kelesis and Phantasia, placing an outpost in every city we reach risks overextension. It will be harder to react efficiently to threats if our forces are stretched thin. Particularly in Karteria proper, if in-fighting does become an issue.
[In the end, he reaches up to Set's hand, and covers it with his own as though to still it. He pauses, then, feeling awkward and strangely off-balance. Set seemed more interested in hearing about him and his experience here. Deeply personal things. He just... needs a moment to gather his thoughts, and decide where to begin.]
no subject
[ He does not deny that it is opportunistic, there's no doubting that it's precisely that. However, it is not Augmented that he is outfitting with weapons and asking to patrol, asking to form a new militia under the gaze of the government. It is Karterians he hopes to provide a life for, in a way. Even as he speaks, his eyes do not wander from the other; his hands are bold things, unwavering in the way he rests his palms over the places he thinks will give off the most heat. Intimate touches, perhaps, but his clinical neutrality suggests he's not trying to come onto Felwinter at all.
It's a bit like a cat that's decided it needs to rub itself all over a new arrival, shedding bits of fur ( aka a willow leaf or two ) in an effort to familiarize itself. ]
And their revivification and openness might give the lower citizens a place to go for work.
[ As an aside.
When he's stopped, he stops. Hand hovering below Felwinter's with an irritated twitch ( despite being a Terra, his natural behaviors are very cat-like ). ]
Monitoring outposts. Scouting, rather. They'd be to keep eyes on the cities, rather than fight there. Call them... an advance warning system, if anything. Rotating shifts, financial bonuses, social credit. Rewards for them, of course.
[ And then he pauses, because Felwinter seems to be working up to something, and it is something he's curious about. ]
no subject
[He pauses, and shakes his head.] I don't need to tell you this.
[If Set is indeed a god of war, he already knows. Felwinter half wonders if he's counting on it.
Carefully, cautiously, he wraps his fingers round that errant hand, drawing it around so that he can press the seam of his metal mouth against Set's knuckles.]
I had thought to offer myself to train them, but I am... not good with people. Especially here, being what I am. You're right, it's difficult.
no subject
[ In a way, Set is counting on it, Felwinter isn't wrong about that. In another way, he's hoping it does not come to that — the Augmented are not prepared to go against the restrictions Patho-Gen has embedded within them. There's a fine line to walk between being perceived as allies and being perceived as threats, and his pride is on the line as a god of war — wielder of might and strategy both. ]
My efforts are not designed to be palatable, they are designed to be effective. If I hinged everything on being liked by people, I would get nothing done. Instead, I accept my role as a wicked, difficult thing and I accomplish my goals.
[ There's a mild hurt in his tone, as his posture and voice stiffen. Prideful, resolute. He's known since the day he took on the mantle of war that his was the worst lot, the most hated and reviled of duties — his blade the sharpest, and also the one that choked him with the responsibility of bearing it alone. Felwinter's mouth across his knuckles is — not unwanted, but it is surprising. He startles like a cat that's heard a stray noise, nostrils flaring and eyes widening.
It's difficult. ]
It alienates you, does it not. Before even your Natural Soul, you are who you are — [ Not "what". Appearances rarely cause Set to judge, being that his kin are skies and lands, formless entities and giant forces all alike. ] It is unlike those of flesh and blood. A man of metal. As I am of sand.
no subject
Not something he expected from Set, oddly enough.]
I happen to be fond of difficult things.
[The kiss (such as it was) against Set's knuckles seems to have been enough of an apology, or enough of a distraction, that his irritation has softened. Felwinter lowers the hand slowly away from his face... but he keeps hold of it, for now.]
People have their own notion of what I am and what role I should play, the citizens of Karteria more than most. They assume I'm as dull as their ServiTrons, and expect me to be subservient. I've found it easier to avoid them.