[Voice]

[faterecanted]

[ Filtered to Abysscast // 100% ]

I've a proposition to make.

I've considered the situatuon, and believe that a truce would be to our mutual benefit. I don't have personal quarrels with any of you, so I see no reason to continue fighting over a matter that we presently have no means to change.. [...Dist and Asch excluded. You're on notice, traitors.] All of our energy would be better spent searching for means to deal with the current situation. I would also like to remind you that I've been here for some length of time, and have not done harm to any of you, despite being assaulted more than once. [Asch.] Take it as a measure of my sincerity.

However, if you reject me now, I will not be offering again; and the next person among you to attack me [Asch.] will be dealt with severely and without mercy. I don't know what you could hope to accomplish with such actions, apart from uselessly antagonizing me. I am still entitled to defend myself.

My suggestion is to consider this offer carefully. I can be a valuable ally to you, or a dangerous enemy. The choice will be your own.

[ end filter ]

[ Filtered to clinic staff // 100% ]

Are there any doctors here with specialist knowledge of toxins?

[ end filter ]

If a man wanted to find productive employment in this village, where might he begin looking? Pay is obviously impossible, but I'm willing to work for personal satisfaction and perhaps a favor or two later.

I have twelve years of service as a military officer, and a decade of experience in sword instruction. I've been told I'm also a fair cook, and a talented musician. I can play the piano; and the pipe organ, though I doubt this village has one available.

Comments

[Voice // Filtered to Abysscast 100%]

[distressedude]

...I see no reason why we shouldn't be able to agree to such terms. You're right in that it would serve us mutual benefit. Particularly in a place like Luceti, where we share a common enemy in the Malnosso and the Third-Party. I believe it would be unwise to ignore an attempt at negotiating some form of peace between us.

[But Ion's not quite accepting it just yet. It's a good deal, and the most logical if both sides hope to have any semblance of peace while trapped here in Luceti... but this is still Van. And while Ion can't think of anything Van could gain from forming a truce aside from what is laid out in the truce itself, that doesn't rule out the possibility that there's more to Van's offer than meets the eye. Nor does it rule out the possibility that Van won't be sticking to his word... but, be that as it may, would there truly be any more harm in accepting the truce than there would be in out-right rejecting it?]

[Well. At the very least, it'd be best to wait and hear how the others feel before rushing into a descision. Van isn't the only person his words are directed at right now.]

[Voice // Filtered to Abysscast 100%]

[faterecanted]

[Van is quite aware that "I see no reason we shouldn't" is still a long way from "yes, let's", but also of how the current Fon Master has thrown himself fully into negotiating peace wherever possible. He's cautiously optimistic.

But perhaps it wouldn't hurt to broaden his terms, just a little.]

I don't demand that you agree to this as a group, though another split among us would be unfortunate. [-ly easy for him to take advantage of.]

All I ask is that you understand I can't endlessly spare those who would draw a weapon on me without provocation. If one of your fellows refuses this offer and attacks, they chose their fate fully warned of the consequences. [So don't blame him when someone ends up dead or maimed. He warned them.]

[Filter]

[dissonates]

[There is so much directed at him in this that he could've seen it from a mile away. After the humiliation of last week - the one saving grace that he'd seen neither hide nor hair of his former master, and thus he hadn't been seen either - he's in even less of a mood to deal with Van than usual.

This isn't something that can be ignored, however, especially with the all-too-likely chance for another confrontation to end up like the last one did. Which, while having been outrageously satisfying, could probably have ended very badly for him.

...Either of them, though, and he is steadfast in his belief of that. For all of Van's taunting, Asch is certain that at his present level of skill, he could certainly give Van a run for his money. Still, this should be handled delicately.

Which is why he's the worst person to be replying to this, clearly. And thus, his eventual response is:]

I don't see anything mutually beneficial about trusting you.

[Filter]

[faterecanted]

Convenient, then, that I am not asking you to trust me. Only to be civil. [For once, you overdramatic ungrateful brat.]

voice

[falenandawn]

Twelve years of military service? [He had gotten that vibe from the older man, but to hear it stated was more then enough to make him curious.]

voice

[faterecanted]

Is that surprising?

[Voice]

[ima-greywarden.livejournal.com]

I... think there are a few groups of warriors and such that work together for hired jobs and that sort of thing. Something like a mercenary group. Not quite sure what it is they do, but it's a start perhaps. There's a little bit about them in the guide for New Feathers, if I'm not mistaken, if you wanted to contact them anyway. Although, they may just contact you on their own.

[Voice]

[faterecanted]

I would hope there aren't many jobs for mercenary groups here. What do we usually have to fight but each other?

[And the odds are a good 1:1 he'll turn up as a target sooner or later, if there are and this little gambit goes south...]

[Voice]

[odastillhatesme.livejournal.com]

... How fair is fair, for cooking? I run Seventh Heaven and don't mind an extra guy for when it gets busy.

[Voice]

[faterecanted]

It would be easiest to make something and let you judge, I'd think.

[Voice]

[shadedsunlight]

I'm the manager of the night club Cloud Nine. New musicians are always welcome.

[Voice]

[faterecanted]

Is there a particular style of music played there?

[not here]

[fourteen]

[ ...

Funny. Having joined the clinic staff more or less officially, she can see that filter. And it makes her mouth draw into a thin line.

She'll be keeping an eye on any responses he receives. Of course, she already knew he was sick -- but whatever advantage she can get, if she can get one ... she'll take.

Not to mention this whole request for employment. What's he up to? Just trying to blend in? Actually looking for something to do, or looking for cover?

It's when she hears Sanji's response that she shuts her journal. She'll come back to this later.

But all at once she has a lot to think about. Please, please, please don't let Van take Sanji up on his offer... ]

[Voice // Filter]

[fabrecation]

[Luke read everything before he did anything else. Ion had a point... Asch had a point, too. Sure, he might seem irrational, but considering what he's been through... what they've been through, it seems completely logical to Luke.

Then he reads other responses, frowning more and more... Dammit, is Sanji really going to hire his master as a cook? His stomach drops at that, and he can't help rubbing his face. Luke hangs out there so much to eat and play the piano, Van is sure to notice him. And what will he do?

... He can't go there anymore. He'll have to find some other place to eat and give up piano or - Those are extreme thoughts and he knows it, but Luke just wants to stay away from Van if he can.

He spends some time just staring out the window and thinking. He has a lot of choices to weigh out. Yes, he doesn't want to associate with Van anymore. Yes, he'd rather die than be called an ally to him again. Yes, he knows that this truce is as shaky as branches on a windy day and Van will either use it for his own gain or break it when it inconveniences him. It's a carefully laid out trap and Luke knows it, just as he knows that if Van does indeed find a loophole, it's most likely that no one will be able to tell.

But... If he disagrees, then Luke could potentially be a target. And by extension, he'd paint a target on the people he's close to, and that's quite a lot of people. Not to mention that Van already knows that Xion is at least good friends with him... And Luke would do anything to keep her in particular out of his master's influence.

It's those thoughts that make him look at the journal, though he's sitting far enough to not be seen from the journal's view.]

What happens if we don't agree to the truce?

[Voice // Filter]

[faterecanted]

Then I will have to assume you intend to attack me. [And that does not bode well for a person's continued health, well being, and possession of a pulse.] What other reason is there to refuse? A truce is only an agreement to stop fighting. There's nothing to gain by it here. It would be needless and wasteful.

[He explains this quite patiently. Asch is a soldier after all. He should know better. If he's allowing his emotions to get away from him, it's his own damn fault. The replica is not a soldier. The replica can't be expected to know anything. Offering the information unasked for is the best way to ensure the situation is understood, and ensuring the situation is understood is the best way to get the result he wants.]

Avoiding unnecessary battle is a mark of skill and wisdom, Luke. I would hope at least one of my students gained a measure of both.

[Voice]

[drawnbythesword]

...You're a sword instructor?

[Voice]

[faterecanted]

It's a job I've held, yes.

[filtered]

[silversnowfall]

While I have no direct quarrel with you either, I hope you understand the likely reasons behind any attacks. In the past, residents in a similar position to yours have chosen to attack unprovoked, rather than work together; caution is preferable to vulnerability.

[Even if 'caution' means wariness for some, and attackfirst for others.]

In light of your statements being correct, I am willing to set aside the danger you pose to our home, for the time being.

[filtered]

[faterecanted]

[The way Van sees it, attackfirst means idiot, but he won't be pointing that out. And caution vs. vulnerability is exactly why he's doing this, though he's hardly going to admit that. The situation is dangerous and delicate for all sides.]

I do understand, though at this point 'unprovoked' is far from the truth. That is why I made this announcement. Misunderstanding each other's intentions will not help anyone.

voice;

[mykimlasca.livejournal.com]

It could be said of you that you are a master of timing, Van. You realize mentioning that you have not attacked means little to all of us.

I've had enough of battle. Your word is hardly comforting, but I have little interest in engaging you. We've done that far too many times and I have no interest in starting something already finished.

On my part, I shall consider it. This is a decision to be made together.

voice;

[faterecanted]

[He lets the jab about allegedly killing him go unmentioned, if not unnoticed or unresented. He is, indeed, a master of timing; and now is not the time.]

Then we are mutually uninterested. Is there any benefit in not formalizing it?

[Name one. He'd really love to hear it, Princess.]

[Filtered]

[fonon-professor.livejournal.com]

[Gelda has heard stories of Van Grants. She's been told all about the world he'd intended to create and just what it would've done to the real Auldrant. She knows what sort of things he promised one of her old students.

Though, honestly, she had never truly met him. She doesn't know what sort of person he really is. Hearsay isn't always the same as the truth. For now, she will tread with caution and pay close attention to how the others from Auldrant respond to this.]

I had no intention of challenging you either way, Sir Grants. I've been told of your past, but as it stands, I would prefer not to make an enemy out of you unless it were absolutely necessary.

[Filtered] after pondering how to answer this for entirely too long...

[faterecanted]

[It takes Van several moments to realize who he might be speaking to, out of the list of residents he was given. Well, well. This is unexpected, to say the least.]

It is absolutely not necessary. I have no desire to fight here.

[Filtered]

[its-rose-damnit.livejournal.com]

[Oh, this gets a very loud scoff from the former God-General. Not asking them to trust him? What a load. Van is indeed asking them to trust him. Trust that he will not attack first. And though Dist is aware that van is an intelligent man and calculates his actions...to trust him in any way invites misfortune. Though, unlike Asch, Dist is wiser than to engage someone like Van. He's not a battler - at least not in hand to hand combat. There's no trust when he speaks, just self-preservation.]

I'll accept, for the time being. You must understand yourself, Commandant, that I've never been quite the combatant. The actions of the riffraff do not interest me...but as others have stated, any attack, regardless of provocation, will be met with resistance.

From all sides.

[Meaning that if Nephry or the Professor...and a few of the others, come to harm, Dist will make sure you regret your actions.]

[Filtered]

[faterecanted]

[Which shouldn't be such a difficult thing to trust him about, really. He's done a great many poisonous things, but attacking first is very poorly represented among them. Why start now?]

I'm quite aware of your capabilities, having been your commander.

[Private to Dist]

The matter we first discussed is still a concerning one.

...if this doesn't work...I don't know. I quit or something.

[dun-measure-up.livejournal.com]

Last person who spent time training me with the sword said, and I'm trying to recreate it as exactly as possible, Sugar...

[Clears his throat]

'You are absolute rubbish and the Queen should be glad of the loss of the colonies because it ensured you should never once become one of her servants upon the field of battle.'

[A light laugh.]

He was prone to making grandiose statements, but if you're willing to teach someone who's apparently inept with a blade a little bit about handling one, I might be interested.

Give me something to do around here.

[faterecanted]

[...Sugar? Van is having flashbacks. Bored, bratty flashbacks.]

That isn't much of a recommendation... [But he did offer, so...] If I did agree to take you on, what might you offer in return? A skill level like that would require a lot of special attention. [Understatement.]

[deadlydebutante.livejournal.com]

Why would anyone need to work here? You don't have to pay for anything.

[faterecanted]

There are reasons to work other than money. To alleviate boredom, for one.

[Voice; no filters ever.]

[pigtailed-loli.livejournal.com]

[Anise is speaking almost before Van finishes.]

I won't ever forgive you.

[In retrospect, she should have waited and gathered her thoughts before speaking, but right now she's too angry and upset to do so.]

[Filtered :| ]

[faterecanted]

[Let him filter that for you too, Anise. A nuisance to ally and enemy alike, the mouth on this one.]

It is good, then, that I am not asking you to forgive me.

Mind who you let hear you next, Cantor. I mean no harm to these people. What might happen if your careless words gave someone the wrong impression?

[Filtered to the Abyss Cast// 100%] Apologies for the lateness. :<

[subethical.livejournal.com]

... I agree that this arrangement does appear be beneficial to both parties, in light of our current circumstance. [On the surface anyway, but this is sure to be a flimsy truce at best, and the two of them know it well. If even one of their number were to refuse and became involved in an altercation, it would not take long for it to quickly fall back into war. Not to mention the myriad of experiments that could cause a misunderstanding.]

I feel it necessary to note that your conditions would apply to you as well: We are entitled to defend both ourselves and the other residents of this village, if we so choose. Personal quarrels rarely stay private for long, especially in an enclosure of this size. [Truce or no truce, he certainly isn't going to relax.]