faterecanted | [Voice]

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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.

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Are there any doctors here with specialist knowledge of toxins?

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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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

...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.]

[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.]

Of course. Though I would think anyone reckless enough to attack someone else unprovoked would already be aware of the potential consequences of doing so. [Because seriously, what does that even accomplish? ~~Sorry, Asch.~~ Knowing who Van is and what he is capable of doing, antagonizing him seems like the last thing you'd want to do. Especially in a place like Luceti, where it's not as though the fighting ends when one party dies.]

I don't think either side has anything to gain from remaining enemies so long as we're here. ["Ally" might still be a bit of a stretch, though.] I can't speak for the others, but I'm willing to agree to a truce.

So one would assume... [But let's be honest, Van's spent seven years with Asch, he's not surprised the boy isn't the brightest fonstone lamp in the room.] Hopefully the others will follow your good example. Infighting now would be a waste.

[And they often do seem to follow this replica's word, for reasons Van will probably never understand; which means it's time to fake a little contrition and at least pretend to play nice.]

I know there's little reason to trust my word, Fon Master, but I am sincere. ["In my desire to make myself less of a walking target, at least until backup worth something arrives or is found."] I hope, given enough time...

You're right. There is little reason to trust you on your words alone. [Spoken somewhat harshly... for Ion, at least. A truce with Van meant keeping a delicate balance between how much they could trust him, and how much they would trust him. And neither side was very high. Perhaps, if not for his time in Luceti in addition to his fate back home, Ion might be more trusting of Van's words...]

[Relatively speaking, of course. Even for someone as agreeable as Ion, Van was a difficult case.]

But you also haven't given any reason not to trust you. In Luceti. [The distinction is important. His tone softens.] Regardless, there's no reason we can't be civil. I hope the others can at least agree with that.

[Harshness from this little Fon Master is still like being slapped on the wrist with a feather duster. Not all that intimidating, with how well Van knew his predecessor.] Then allow me to offer my actions. If you ask for my aid, you will have it; though I know not to expect the same in return yet. And please remember... However it was arrived at, a world without the Score is one I want to preserve.

...that isn't something any of us are about to forget. [As if they could.]

[His next words are chosen carefully.]

However, be that as it may, I don't believe it would be right to allow someone to suffer needlessly. Circumstances permitting, I would have no reason to deny you help if you needed it. Just as I would offer the same to anyone else in the village.

[Circumstances, of course, being Malnosso-related injury. While not something he'd be willing to make a habit of, it's not as though he would simply allow Van to bleed to death in the snow; something the Malnosso have so generously given Ion the opportunity to experience. Whether or not Van would keep his word and offer aid in the future is irrelevant; Ion wasn't cruel. Not even to those who he considers an enemy. The truce has no effect on that.]

I disagree. It's quite likely that some will focus on my methods, to the exclusion of my goal; but this is not Auldrant, and the minds of the people here are not poisoned by the Score as ours are. This could be the world I was willing to give my life for.

[So make of that what you will, Fon Master. It's certainly a potent reminder, that Van's motives are complicated and his new goals may be surprising, if of nothing else.

He'll give Ion a little time to ponder before addressing anything else.]

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