I saw rise in the heat settle soft and as pure as snow

[reunionize]

[This, honestly, took a lot of work. More work than some of the battleplans, but admittedly the machinations of the Victorian nobles are predictable. The only thing Talulah knows about the northern territories is what she's gleaned from her father's journals.

Edward Artorius apparently had a decent enough relationship with the ruler when he'd been alive, and since the wendigo race of Sarkaz live for a very, very long time, perhaps any goodwill towards her parent might be extended to her.

She has also gleaned the northerners are not unreasonable; they've crossed paths during various skirmishes at the border, and they ignore all rebel forces once their own task is complete. Talulah has made it very clear no one from her side is to engage with any other party that isn't either obviously Victorian, or strikes first, and it seems the courtesy is returned.

That said, isolationist policy is hard to overcome, and what she's asking isn't a mere favor. To be embroiled in civil war in another country is an idea most people would scoff at, but...the north has undoubtedly seen the writing on the wall for what will transpire after the dust settles. Victoria's appetite is ever unsatiable.

The Gaulish castle she walks through is a testament to that. It's nothing but ruins now, good for little else besides neutral territory. She's brought two members of the rebels with her, two with a calm rationality suited to negotiations. She'd be fine going in alone, but, well...if Talulah saw another group's leader sitting all alone during a meeting that was meant to be a peaceful talk, she'd think there was an ambush waiting.

Still, no matter how rational one is, curiosity tends to win out, and she can hear her escort party gossiping even behind their masks. They're wondering if the northern princess is as beautiful and strong as the rumors say. If she's half as strong as that Cautus she'd seen once during a border skirmish, then her alliance would be more than a boon.

By her estimation, the meeting time is near, so she supposes she'll find out soon enough.]

Comments

[reunionize]

It's in the same wing, yes.

[There are other sitting rooms and offices, ones not nearly so large or with the same view, that she'd found in the same area.]

And I was only thinking. I don't mind sharing, if that's fine with you.

[hypothermy]

[ Yelena hesitates, lips pursing as she considers the offer. working on state affairs in front of someone who is, at this point, still considered a visiting foreign-power is generally frowned upon. on the other hand, the stack of paperwork she has tucked under one arm can hardly be called confidential, and she hasn't spoken one-on-one with Talulah in a while. she should probably check in, given how many of the generals and ministers are looking to her while considering their own positions on the alliance. ]

Sure.

[ she steps in, closing the door behind her before making her way to couch across from Talulah, sitting on the side nearest the window. she sets her paper work down on the coffee table— a set of binders, to be precise. when she takes on from the stop and opens it, Talulah can catch a carefully designed front page with several drawings attached; some kind of presentation. ]

Do you have any more meetings today?

[reunionize]

That's...unclear.

[Besides the initial glance when Frostnova sets the folios and paper on the table, Talulah isn't interested in peering at her work. All information is valuable, but it would be incomprehensible to risk any goodwill from a potential ally just to sneak a peek at whatever intel they may or may not have.

If things go well, there won't be a need for that, and Talulah is still trying to be somewhat optimistic, if only for the other rebels.

She hesitates slightly before she speaks up again, wondering if she'll come off as fishing for something. But, if anyone knows how to give her a hint about her current problem, it's Frostnova.]

Your father's hard to read.

[hypothermy]

The mask will do that.

[ Yelena's tone is bone dry, but the statement itself is hard to read as anything other than a joke. ]

Diplomats focus on his opinion too much. They get distracted by his reputation and it makes them think his vote overrules the generals and councils.

[ she frowns a little as she flips the page on her hands to a brightly colored illustration, clearly meant to be a mascot character to appeal to children. ]

That's not untrue. But my father doesn't have it in him to be a tyrant.

[reunionize]

I can tell that much.

[Even with the mask, it's obvious Buldrokkas'tee isn't interested in browbeating anyone else into following his opinion. That hadn't ever really been the issue, or why Talulah is interested in getting him somewhat more on her side.

She's about to speak again when she pauses, taken slightly off guard by what she sees Frostnova holding in her periphery. A mascot character?]

...it would help to know what exactly he finds fault with, is all.

[hypothermy]

[ Frostnvoa fishes out a pen from her pocket to scribble a note on the illustration in Ursan before flipping to the next page. it seems for a moment like she's switched her attention entirely to the proposal, but she glances up at Talulah after her eyes have scanned the first paragraph. ]

The logistics and strategies you've presented are good, and the only objections I've been hearing are the ones I expected to.

[ impressive she'd heard touted around more than once, but she's not hear to soothe Talulah's ego like a fussy maid. ]

Knowing him, though, it's probably not too different from the issue I still have with you.

[reunionize]

Oh?

[Talulah doesn't need her ego coddled--Frostnova should have gotten the impression by now that she prefers straightforwardness to any kind of flattery.

She's a little surprised, and intrigued, to hear that Frostnova still has some misgivings. Not ones that are bad enough she had felt bringing Talulah before the generals and her father would be a waste of time, obviously, which is good information on its own.]

Which is...?

[hypothermy]

You're too lucky.

[ Yelena doesn't look away as she says it. she'd brought Talulah to the capital because she'd upheld her part of the bargain, delivering a boon to Ursus that Frostnova had only half-hoped to receive.

joining in Talulah's campaign would be the most obviously beneficial military venture Ursus has undertaken in decades. the logistics and numbers always look good before the actual fighting starts, however, and once their alliance with the rebel becomes public knowledge, there's no turning back from that. ]

You've won more skirmishes than you've lost, and the ones where you were routed have had minimal casualties. That's the sort of record you want, if you're trying to get us to lend you our army, but right now we only know how you lead when things are going well. When you finally step into hell, how hard is it going to be for me to drag you and your people out of it?

[reunionize]

I see.

[So it had been out of concern for the army and the Ursus people, but not in the way Talulah had thought. She doesn't flinch under Frostnova's stare, or words, or even under the implication of how much luck instead of skill has played a part. She had been lucky, in many ways, and she's not going to shy away from that. The ideal is to lessen the times she has to be, but that's also not a guarantee.

Frostnova's concerns, and by extension her father's, are now clear. But the problem remains.]

I do owe some of that to luck...and the talent and fortitude of my fellow rebels. So I understand your concerns, but it's a bit of a conundrum, isn't it? I can tell you all I'd like about the struggles when we first started, but without seeing, I doubt you'll be convinced. The only solution is another trial run, so to speak. And I might have an answer to that, but it's not something as simple as recovery or recon.

[hypothermy]

[ the comment about Talulah getting lucky in her campaign this far was intended to be a slight toward her— not one with any weight behind it, anyway. maybe Talulah's a military genius, but even prodigies can't fully overcome a truly dire situation. the conflict hasn't been going on for that long, and while the while the rebels aren't entirely fresh meat at this point, they're hardly veterans either.

Yelena's head cocks to the side at Talulah's words, though the movement is minimal. cautus are known for being clearly expressive with their emotions, but Frostnova seems to be an exception to that rule. ]

You think there's a way to test that? How?

[reunionize]

"Test" isn't quite right. It will likely be closer to the hell that you mentioned.

[Talulah has wondered if Frostnova's general stocism is a product of her innate personality, or being raised by Buldrokkas'tee. She has a feeling even if she could see the wendigo's face under the mask, he wouldn't be any more expressive.]

I hadn't mentioned this before because it's technically still conjecture, but I'm all but certain Victoria is building or preparing something. It's why they've gotten so bold recently, I think. My immediate plans are to find out what it is and sabotage it, because this is obviously something Kashchey whispered in their ears. But because it's a complete unknown...it's not going to be the same as every battle up until now. It's risky, and not something I'd normally ask a new ally to consider, but if there's anything that can give you the answer about me you want, it's probably tagging along for that.

[hypothermy]

That just sounds like a good excuse to make your allies sign on to a dangerous operation as soon as the ink on our pledge is dry.

[ her tone is dismissive, but there's an undercurrent of something else in it. Victoria developing another unknown method of attack— it would certainly line up with what little they knew of their plans for the blade they'd retrieved. the powers in that country can't be trusted with any kind of super weapon, and if their alliance does become official, they'll be dealing with it sooner or later. Yelena's not entirely disinterested. ]

How you react under pressure isn't what my father wants to test. It's not the sort of thing you can test at all, if you ask me, and I don't expect you to be able to prove it. If things start to fall apart and you lose it, as long you can nod and follow my orders, I don't have an issue with taking control.

[reunionize]

Mm. I was thinking more like a very small group would join.

[She isn't actually interested on sending everyone into a meat grinder.

At Frostnova's other statement, she blinks a little, lips turning down into a slightly puzzled frown.]

If we're allied and I'm incapacitated in any way, I already assumed that would happen. I'm not more important than a mission, or getting everyone out alive, if it comes to that.

[hypothermy]

[ there's a minute quirk of Frostnova's lips as she continues to look at Talulah, contemplating something for a moment before she opens her mouth to speak again. ]

I'm saying that if you mess up and lose your head for commanding, I'd seize control of your forces and demote you to a figurehead to serve Ursus' best interests.

[ Yelena's not hoping it comes to that, unlike many more power hungry commanders who would jump at the opportunity, but it's a very real possibility. Talulah seems capable, but Frostnova doesn't know her well enough to comfortably say she trusts her entirely. ]

[reunionize]

[The thing about rebels is that they tended to be so because of a cause, and barring that, they had no reason to follow the orders of another party. Not without Talulah.

So how does she say "I'm not sure some of my people would listen to you in that scenario, no matter what I told them" diplomatically?]

It won't come to that.

[Or she could gloss over it, since she's certain she won't crumple like Frostnova is implying, no matter the pressure. Not with Kashchey dead, and unable to pull at her strings anymore.]

But if you need the reassurance, fine.

[hypothermy]

It's not like I want it to.

[ she shrugs, glancing back down to her papers as she turns over another page. Yelena's the one who provided a chance for Talulah to earn an audience with Ursus' governing bodies in the first, and if things go wrong, the bulk of the burden when it comes to righting things will fall to her.

Talulah's lack of venom toward what many would consider a slight is interesting. Frostnova wouldn't really mind more push back, despite how she might outwardly react to it— she respects people who are willing to fight to establish themselves. ]

If Ursus declares itself as your ally, we can't afford anything less than a total victory. I'll do whatever it takes to make sure my people make it out to the other side, same as you.

[reunionize]

I wouldn't have bothered if that wasn't the case.

[No matter how desperate the situation, an ally willing to forsake their people wouldn't be any better than how Victoria is currently. And she rather not fight two wars in a row.]

Interviews go both ways. We, the rebellion, are together because we share a cause. There was trust given to me that I'd find the correct allies for it, and I'm not going to squander that. Or yours, should you extend it. Your hypothetical won't happen.

[hypothermy]

[ Frostnova continues to watch her quietly, contemplative. There’s no expression of relief, like a worry being put to rest, or a critical sense of judgment. Like she said before, Yelena doesn't believe in a method that allows one to accurately test how they'd react in complete despair. There’s no practical way to put that worry to rest, so all she can go on is Talulah's word. There’s no choice but to accept that as enough.

That doesn't mean there aren't other topics to pursue. Talulah just reminded her of one she's been curious about for a while. ]

The trust they placed in you, can I ask you a question about it?

[reunionize]

[She didn't really expect the other to look relieved at her declaration. Frostnova has proven she gives actions more weight.

Although, she'd rather not face a situation where she proves herself in the face of despair in the first place.]

Sure, go ahead.

[hypothermy]

You're a noble, raised by one of worst in the country, and I heard you graduated from the military academy. Going by our intel, you're the type of person Victorian dissidents hate the most.

[ there's no judgment as she lists Talulah's faults, speaking as if it's all a simple statement of fact. ]

It doesn't seem like many of them are loyalists to your bloodline. Why are they overlooking all of that for you?

[reunionize]

...they could probably tell you better than I could. I'm still not sure myself. You have to understand, I didn't set off with the intention to become the leader of a revolution. All I wanted was to clean up the rest of Kashchey's mess. To finish what I started.

[She had killed him, but she quickly realized that only solved part of the problem. The coils of the snake held fast even if its head had been chopped off. From there, only one choice remained.]

I didn't expect any of the scattered rebel groups I ran across as I ousted some noble or sabotaged some Victorian supply line to follow me, but they did, little by little. I don't care about my bloodline or the throne, and any military training is good simply for teaching the rebels how to stay alive better. I never desired to be their leader, but they've followed and believed in me, and I won't shirk that responsibility. So I can only speculate these actions spoke louder than my background.

[hypothermy]

You really thought killing Kaschey would fix everything? Getting rid of one person?

[ it's something Yelena's been thinking about for a while but hasn't been able to pinpoint until now, the particular way Talulah tends to present her arguments and the ideas she puts forth. the leader of the rebellion undeniably competent, not to mention powerful, yet at the same time some of the thoughts she reveals are painfully naive.

that should be a red flag when considering an alliance. Frostnova's certain that it's the other part of why her father is reluctant to engage with her. she has similar reservations, but she also finds herself feeling ... envy. how anyone could survive amongst the Victorian gentry for years and come out still feeling optimistic at all is beyond her. ]

What they saw you accomplish might have been the first time they'd seen someone go up against the nobles or military and win.

[reunionize]

No. I thought it would cause more things to collapse than it did, though. And…

[Her other reasons for killing Kashchey are less altruistic. Maybe Frostnova doesn’t want to hear anything about Talulah’s personal feelings, or maybe that, too, is necessary.]

I’ve been his bargaining chip since I was a child. I wanted to stop his plans, but I couldn’t stomach the idea being his pawn for a second longer, either.

[hypothermy]

[ Yelena doesn't level Talulah with looks of judgment or pity for her comment. she has a hand resting atop the papers on her lap now, her attention clearly focused on their conversation instead of whatever she came to this room in the palace to work on. ]

It's not like waiting would've helped. Killing him is the only reason my father didn't throw out your first letter before reading it. As far as the old guard's concerned, we owe you aid just for that.

[reunionize]

No, of course not. I wouldn't even be in a position to solicit allies at all if I hadn't killed him. The fact it was an action that helped Ursus is a happy coincidence, but one I'm glad exists.

[Talulah, even wrapped up in marionette's strings at the time, knew almost instinctively that Kashchey would love nothing more than to use any earnest pleas she sent out as bait to catch enemies. Or simply those foolishly heroic enough to try in order to heap more despair onto her.

Her choices had been to run and hide for her entire life, or kill him.]

But as you said, killing one person, even one like Kashchey, doesn't solve everything. The ambitions he stoked in the Victorian nobles continue to grow.