inbox.

[exsecutus]

Comments

[exsecutus]

Which you've already said. Acknowledging it over and over again does not makes a fart of a difference to anyone.

I would agree. There are patterns. Violence often plays a part in those patterns. One king is killed, another man puts on the hat and sits on the chair and starts playing the part, and nothing changes. What about the patterns that have no violence? The transition of power is paid for in coin and favors, more often than it is paid in blood.

[rathercommon]

It wouldn't be like that if there were a transition to - to representative democracy.

[exsecutus]

No. It would be worse.

Perhaps not at first, but eventually. How do you correct human greed?

[rathercommon]

In the long term - by de-emphasizing material wealth as evidence of success. Teaching people not to seek out competition, but cooperation.

[exsecutus]

How about this. I'll burn down a ruling body and raze the earth and you can move in after that and see if you can teach whoever's left to de-emphasize material wealth.

You might be right. It might be possible, to teach, eventually. But not under current circumstances. Not to those who rule, now. Try telling them to give up their riches so the lower classes can begin to seek cooperation.

[rathercommon]

Maybe you're right.

[ But she can't let that stand for too long. ]

But haven't we got to try? At the very least? To at least think about ways to make real, honest change?

[exsecutus]

Think all you want. I won't let it get in my way. Not when there is real action that can be taken, now, to make an immediate difference.

I would hope you'd see the same.

[Hope is a big word to use here, but he says it dryly and bitterly enough to denote its real meaning.]

[rathercommon]

Mm.

[ She gnaws thoughtfully on her cuticle. Finally, she decides: ]

Well - A person can work for more than one thing.

[exsecutus]

Not well. One will always have precedence over the other. A sway, a firmer hold. I cannot be loyal to Anitva if I am loyal to the people, because Antiva will always fuck the people when she has the chance. So I must choose. It is the same with anything.

[And then, abruptly--]

Are you helping or are you out.

[rathercommon]

'Course I am.

[ Perfectly self-assured. ]

But I am doing the way I think is best. I like you and all, but I'm not just going to blindly assume your way's the right way.

[exsecutus]

[There's a small pause as, somewhere, Nikos smiles. Slightly, and grimly, and not in a way that will be clear in his voice, but still.]

Good. [And one of the reasons why he actually does like her. Not that he'll share that.] How are you at seeding false information?

[rathercommon]

[ nikos you big softie ]

Never exactly done it before, but I'm pretty sure I'd be good at it.

[exsecutus]

Not encouraging. [so about that softie thing] But I don't have much choice. It will be mostly assisting anyways, if all goes as it should.

My cousin Marisol has contacts in Antiva. That's where I need the information planted, and incrimination of key supporters of Benedetta.

[rathercommon]

Got it. [ Probably Kitty should be horrified by the idea of slandering innocent people.

Probably. ]

What are we saying about 'em?

[exsecutus]

[bless her heart]

We want them to appear as vitriolic and as prone toward violence on her behalf as possible. And as opposed to Agathe as we're able. I'll have a general script to be used.

[rathercommon]

Why opposed to Agathe?

[exsecutus]

So her end will find easy blame.

[rathercommon]

Blame for what, exactly?

[exsecutus]

Her death. Of course.

[is that better and plainer]

[rathercommon]

[ Um. ]

Her - death? Is - Are you going to...?

[ kill...her...? ]

[exsecutus]

The Antivans will be killing her.

[rathercommon]

But - why her? Why not one of the others?

[exsecutus]

If this is the part where you reveal some secret soft spot for Agathe, warn me now so I can spare myself the trouble of speaking any longer.

[rathercommon]

No. But - there's a difference between not liking her and wanting her dead.

[exsecutus]

It is not a matter of liking her or not liking her. I don't give a shit about her. She might be fine. Fine is not what I strive for. Fine will get us nothing. It will win no battles and claim no ground in the battle toward true change and progress, of which the Chantry must surely and regrettably play a part, for however long as the masses cling to its authority and teachings.

Agathe does not dare enough. I don't plan this as punishment. Everything dies. With hers, we stand a greater chance to see some movement toward something real. We push her supporters toward our choice, and we winnow out those too weak or choleric to make that choice. They can't go for Benedetta if she is behind Agathe's death. They can't choose the others. Where do they go?