9/24 Order Dev (Eirene)

[14:15] Ohtli says, "Right. I will try to keep this brief...I'm sorry."
[14:15] Eirene says, "No worries, my apologies.. I did not make more time to make for further talks."
[14:15] Ohtli says, "Hardly your fault."
[14:16] Ohtli says, "But there's something I'm worried about. Namely, Cruxati."
[14:16] Eirene asks, "And that is?"
[14:16] Ohtli says, "...I had honestly hoped it wouldn't need more explanation. But I'll be clear."
[14:16] Ohtli asks, "You see what they are, don't you? And don't your people?"
[14:16] Eirene asks, "The chaos that brews in their settlement?"
[14:16] Eirene says, "Yes."
[14:17] Ohtli says, "Brews? I'd say more like 'boiling over'. Which is precisely why I'm worried."
[14:17] Eirene says, "Yes, we're aware. "
[14:19] The Drakan takes a deep, bracing breath and purses her lips.

"I won't badger your people. I won't press them into anything, nor will I ask them or plead for them to fight on the Hold's behalf here, but...I think it is worth considering what will happen if Cruxati wins this war.

"And that is what worries me."
(Ohtli)
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[14:23] A sigh emitted from Eirene as she was more than aware of the conflict afoot. Knowing that Ohtli has connections with Keaka makes her at least a little more comfortable with speaking to her. She, however, kept a serene smile and confirming nod.

"It may seem that you're misguided.. Cruxati has nothing, nothing compared to what Tragedy has done. Nearly killing a hundred thousand people from Jianghu. I frown that you spend time here, as she is more of a hinderance to the world over what Cruxati has to offer.

But.. Huangzhou is to remain stationed a neutral factor in the war and not try to aid anyone. We are only seeking growth at the moment and nothing more."
(Eirene)
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[14:30] Ohtli frowns. There is a faint spark of anger in the furrow of her brow, but it is quickly dispersed.

"...I personally would not say 'nothing'," she mutters a bit darkly. But she tries to remove her personal feelings from the equation. They are not why she speaks. So, as she is wont to do, she shoves them down somewhere within.

"I know little of that. I have not met her personally. I hear whispers on both sides and little else. And I am here because I would be worse than dead if not for the people in this place. They have not done anything to -your- people yet...but I fear they will, and I hold no one in Huangzhou ill will. I try not to hold ill will against anyone, except for the vampires.

"Many people in Cruxati carry a great hatred. They enjoy harming others, in spilling blood. I know you have no love for Tragedy or the Demons, and I can't blame you.

"When I say 'I worry what will happen if Cruxati wins this war', it's not just the lives of the people of this Hold, miss Eirene. I worry what those cruel hands will do when they have the resources of Crafthold at their disposal. I am worried for everyone."
(Ohtli)
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[14:32] Ohtli says, "That worry is why I'd like to speak to your leaders. But I still understand if you refuse."
[14:39] Shaking her head, it seemed that Ohtli has been undermining an important subject.

"Whether you speak to me, whether you speak to Ikkaku, we've already had a ton of meetings about this topic. We already know what's going on, and I'm one of the officials in place in Huangzhou.

What you need to understand is that Ikkaku will never stand by a settlement that is keen on bringing a 'tragedy' back to the living. We're not happy of Cruxati's approach either and we will fare with it when the time comes.

You take worry too much. If Cruxati wins this war and Tragedy is purged, we are likely to have an easier stance in making Jianghu great again as Gaiar will not have an ally for their disposal.

Remember, we retain the if not strongest, one of the highest powers in all of Agartha and we are definitely training our forces on an everyday basis to ensure that we can defend our own.

If you wish to speak to Ikkaku in that regard, feel free.. But I'm afraid that he will be more adamant about not helping Crafthold as I'm more informative on the matter.

No one has been able to change the Lord Regent's mind. And I'm sorry to be blunt but, you won't be the first either. It's a waste of breathe."
(Eirene)
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[14:45] It is the same song she's heard. And, in a way, she had been warned of it. That makes it no less bitter a tune to hear. Talk of making 'Jianghu great again', of 'defending our own'.

Perhaps it was because of her long status as an unallied, tribeless wandering element that made her heart ache to hear these things.

The Naga had been more right than she'd thought. She hated it.

"...I fear that will not be a great approach. But these are my thoughts, and I have no place to tell your people how they should work."

Ohtli gives Eirene a solemn salute. Her fist thumps hollowly against her chest once.

"I may seek his ear regardless, but this has been...unfortunate but informative. I will take no more of your time."
(Ohtli)
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[14:46] Eirene says, "Again, you are more than free to. And I once more want to apologize about the way this panned out, but we've offered a neutrality pact with Crafthold."
[14:46] Eirene says, "However, their demands are a little too high."
[14:46] Ohtli asks, "And what are their demands?"
[14:46] Eirene says, "That is information that cannot be disclosed by me."
[14:47] Ohtli says, "I won't pry it from you then. "
[14:47] Eirene says, "And I will need to talk to Ikkaku about it still..."
[14:47] Eirene says, "But it's unlikely that we'll see a pact."
[14:47] Eirene says, "So in any effort, Crafthold will see us as an enemy."
[14:47] Ohtli asks, "If you hate them so much...then why neutrality?"
[14:47] Ohtli asks, "Why even offer that much?"
[14:48] Eirene says, "I don't hate them."
[14:48] Eirene says, "I don't hate anyone."
[14:48] Ohtli says, "The question still stands."
[14:48] Eirene says, "Because I want to see lives develop and not perish away."
[14:48] Eirene says, "I hate war."
[14:48] Eirene says, "I hate losing people that I adorn so closely to me because of it."
[14:48] Ohtli says, "And yet here it is."
[14:49] Ohtli purses her lips. She shakes her head. "There are things I should tend to. I'm sure you have things of your own."
(Ohtli)