Antagonism is only fun if you're being oppressed

[14:10] Glade says, "Bruno."
[14:10] Glade says, "We need to talk."
[14:10] Bruno pyr Aertas says, "Commander."
[14:10] Anastasia pyr Aertas says, "I'll leave the two of you to it."
[14:10] Bruno pyr Aertas asks, "Regarding?"
[14:16] "Last nights council meeting." She spoke, tone both flat and musical in one. "The topic of traitorous actions came up, and your name was listed. It was decided that your past actions involving Lyndis and attempted power seizure went unpunished, and would not remain so."

Glade seemed slightly uncomfortable, anxious as she delivered the news. "It was agreed by a unanimous council decision that you would not be attending the second expedition to the Primordial Dungeon, and that your rank would be reduced to Corporal, from Sergeant."
(Glade)
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[14:27] Bruno allowed the Commander to say her piece completely before an answer came from him, swiftly, too.

"That is false. The actions went punished, a warrant was issued and questioning was had. The Council decided that the time spent locked up was enough punishment. Councilman Luca himself freed me and stated as much. Matryona was a witness, too.

Furthermore, my actions towards Lyndis were a mere maneuver to put order in the ranks where an otherwise defective Synthetic was going to pointlessly throw her life away; the request made for control was temporary and explicitely stated to be nulled the moment we stepped away from Silverwall.

The decision and punishment for the infractions were not appealed by myself, thus, the council has no authority to visit their decision once more."

It was unlike Bruno to dispute orders and a decision from above, though in this case? There was much more at stake. There was a... wonder. Aneed to pursue that expedition. No matter what.

"As far as the pursue of traitorous actions goes I maintain that Nathaniel should be investigated after his subsequent attempt to have me executed by feeding Councilwoman Freda false information. Councilman Luca's actions during the first expedition were also left without investigation.

For you to pursue an illegal punishment rather than looking at the current issues is most inappropriate.

Thus, I am afraid I cannot accept the decision that was issued."
(Bruno pyr Aertas)
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[15:32] A brow was raised. The action was already punished? With... Time imprisoned. Mere days in prison hardly qualified a proper punishment compared to the actions taken. "I do not believe that was a sufficient punishment, myself, mere days in prison without even demotion. I said as much when it was brought up in the council meeting."

And then, justification. Always the justification. Her head shook. "The council has the authority to revisit punishments and revise them as they wish. There is nothing that says otherwise." A moment of irritation, quickly suppressed with an audible crackle of electricity.

"As for Nathaniel, he is being investigated for his continued actions. Taking one action does not prevent another. I'm sorry Bruno, but the council voted, and the decision stands.

Perhaps bring it up to others, to Luca, Anastasia or Wolfgang."
(Glade)
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[15:42] "I was perplexed by the punishment myself. I pointed that it hardly served as a punishment to Councilman Luca when he freed me. He re-affirmed that it was the decision they've made and not to make him regret it." Bruno stated. For despite his boiling feelings he knew that the truth could not be denied. It was clear that he was no satisfied by the decision taken. It wasn't like him to oppose them, so much so that he even spoke to Glade in a manner all too reminiscent of their difference in experience.

"It is a shame that you've only decided to demote me after the council pushed for it. I trusted your analysis to be greater than any human could produce. If you saw no issue in my rank — or at least spoke of none until now — then it comes clear to me that you've allowed others to do your duty in your stead."

He shifted - moving past Glade without having her dismiss him. His lack of manners was all too telling of his emotions, even if he showed no frown.

"Ironic, is it not? For a Synthetic's decisions to be momentarily controlled by mankind in order to punish the same."
(Bruno pyr Aertas)
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[15:42] Glade says, "There were plans to demote you before the council meeting, Bruno."
[15:43] Glade says, "I had, ultimately, decided not to pursue them after Alpha's death."
[15:43] Bruno pyr Aertas says, "My words stand, then."
[15:43] Bruno pyr Aertas says, "It was not your decision to pursue this."
[15:44] Bruno pyr Aertas says, "Good day, Commander."





[15:48] Bruno's entrance in the room was not a quiet one. It was unusual of him and by the vile energies already filling the air it was obvious that he was far, far from happy in the current moment. Eyes laid upon Anastasia and nigh-instantly would his words come.

"You lied to me. You've betrayed me. You broke the very promise we had together."
(Bruno pyr Aertas)
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[15:50] Anna frowned and turned towards Bruno. "What are you talking about?"
(Anastasia pyr Aertas)
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[15:53] "A vote without opposition. One with the full agreement from the council to not only demote me but remove me from the expedition?" He stated, stepping closer, actually bearing a frown upon his brows. He had never quite been this angry, save for when he lost his left arm.

"Did you think I wouldn't find out? That I would be just fine with leaving you to go along with everyone else to accomplish our destiny? Was I nothing more than a quick way to power for you, Anna?"
(Bruno pyr Aertas)
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[16:13] Pain.. She had known this was coming eventually. And yet, she had simply waited.. Instead of telling him about it beforehand.

"No.. You were never just a quick way to power. I tried to convince them that they were wrong about you, but their minds were already made up."

"I tried, Bruno. They threw their belief that you were out to kill them and I realized that I wouldn't be able to convince them of anything. So I couldn't do anything except try to limit the damage against you."

She looked up towards him from her place in the chair, unable to meet his gaze directly.

Guilty, ashamed.

"I was thrown into the fire during my very first session as a councilwoman, with a group of people who already held a predisposition against you."

"It was unfair of them to do that, but I tried to limit it to just the demotion, only for that old rat to toss in the part about the expedition, and Luca jumped at it like lightning. He wasn't letting go of it Bruno."
(Anastasia pyr Aertas)
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[16:19] Volume was of no concern at a time like this, and despite her apologies and the words that attempted to calm his mind the young man would have none of it.

"I promised I'd always protect you from the flames!"

It was a metaphor right up against hers, but in a way it carried a message that was greater than mere wordplay.

"Twice punished. Rank is something I can earn back, but this? This is unacceptable. They're robbing us of our destiny, Anastasia. They're robbing us of our future.

And you let them. You agreed with them.

You let fear become more important than me."

His right hand slowly rose up, as if he was about to take action in some sort of way before it came to a clench.

And was brought back down to his side. The waters welling up into his eyes would remain ignored as a few last words preceded his whole body turning around.

"I'll never forgive you for this."

He was already stepping away. His own mental state in decay, ready for the next step.
(Bruno pyr Aertas)
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[16:40] Anna trembled before his proclamation. Light brown hues widening as she struggled to her feet and around the chair. Her hand reached out to attempt taking hold of his arm and she tried to gently pull him towards her.

"Wait, Bruno please. I did not agree with them! They dismissed my words entirely! They believed I was lying to them, or covering for you. There was nothing I could do or say!" She says towards him, her voice breaking into panic at the sight of him turning away from her, of saying that..

"I'm not perfect Bruno, and maybe I did let my fears get the better of me." Struggling to keep her head above water. "Please, Bruno. Don't walk away from me. I need you. I love you. I will try to fix it, I can still talk to the Don about it, see about getting the matter overturned regarding the expedition."
(Anastasia pyr Aertas)
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[16:48] His arm pried itself away from her grasp in a manner all too reminiscing of their less intimate days, of their more hesitant proximity. It was a reaction that Bruno didn't even have to think about.

One that was followed with a step forward. Away from her. Though it remained but a single step; her words, her plea, her offer were not disregarded.

"I would not leave you for being weak. Humanity is... weak by nature. Flawed. Full of mistakes. Your only betrayal was failing to make them understand I was served a punishment already. One you saw for yourself. One the Don confirmed had been cast when I thought otherwise."

Fists remained clench and his expression being a mix of anger and sadness was, without a doubt, still present upon his features. Even so, his heart in turmoil and his single-minded goal left him conceding more than he would normally have after Anna's vote had been revealed to him.

"I'll forgive you if you overturn their decision on the expedition's matter."

So quick to betray his own word.
So unlike him.

It was clear by the feeling in the air and his words that occult madness was sunken deeper into his very mind with those news.
(Bruno pyr Aertas)
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[16:55] Anna leaned away from him once he pried himself away from her, the guilty knife already plunged into her heart slowly began to twist.

"I'll try, Bruno." She says towards him, her tone now having grown heavy with the burden of guilt. "Did the Don actually confirm that however? When he released you before, did he actually say that your punishment was fulfilled?"
(Anastasia pyr Aertas)
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[16:59] A question that actually needed him to calm down a bit before answering. His words were still rough, but he slowly seemed to managed. It was a better option for her to bring up the case than for him to face the Don himself. That could only end badly.

"He opened the door to my cell. I told him he had hardly given me a proper sentence. He stated that this was what had been decided on the matter and to not making him regret it."

A few more steps were taken, these ones actually bringing him towards the exit.

"Glade knew not I had been punished previously, either. It's clear that this was sabotage from the Don following upon the words of a senile old rat."

And more steps.

".. I'm going."

Where?

Who knows.
(Bruno pyr Aertas)
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[17:00] Anastasia pyr Aertas says, "I can use that. I'll talk to him."
[17:01] Bruno pyr Aertas says, "Departure nears."




[17:04] After a few back and forths around the square Bruno finally settles, locking in upon the only other occultist in the vicinity.

"Obnoxious woman. Come with me."
(Bruno pyr Aertas)
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[17:06] Imogen Oshikawa asks, "Hm?"
[17:06] Imogen Oshikawa says, "Alright."
[17:09] A few paces away from the square were taken before Bruno spoke up. For him to request her presence it must have been important. He did everything in his power to avoid her, after all.

"How far have you lost your mind?" He asked outright. There was no way to go around it; he wished to understand and gauge how much time he had at this rate before he'd perish in madness. She was pretty insane, but had she always been this way?
(Bruno pyr Aertas)
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[17:14] The question was very odd, as well as this whole situation. Since when did Bruno have interest in talking with Imogen? The woman who eats spiders, and the one who makes fun of her and calls her obnoxious? On that normally cold and composed visage, she was openly looking puzzled.

"My mind is only lost if I allow it to be." Multicolored hues look at him, squinting at him...Though she doesn't seem to be wary of him, more so maybe even the slightest bits...Concerned?

"I've focused my negative feelings on a cause, and my ….Specific needs..It helps with control..."

She eyes him still.

"Why, Bruno? Are you struggling?"
(Imogen Oshikawa)
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[17:17] "Of course not." He lied. Admitting that he was having trouble keeping his mind clear would be to give into the madness fully. The harder he fought and denied it, the better off he was. He was no simpleton. No weak man. No average magi. His grandmother had never turned mad even after decades of using occult magic.

He would not fail that legacy.

"What cause have you taken as your focus? What allows your to pour negativity in such a way that it does not get in your way?" He asked.
(Bruno pyr Aertas)
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[17:23] "You think of something you want."

It's said simply, though she pauses to give it some thought. Perhaps how to word what she wanted to say correctly, so that she could make enough sense for him to understand, without giving too much of her personal life away to him. After all, he didn't like her and was very outward about such.

Her personal life was reserved for those she trusted.

"I don't just mean material things. I mean dig deep to someone who has hurt you deeply, or a group of people who have offended you beyond forgiveness."

The words continue, small fingers tapping on the side railing before them, as she places her hands onto it.

"Focus on the hate and bitterness you feel for them, and how angry you were during those moments....Then? Focus on destroying that one thing. Everything you do will have intent, and it will help keep the occult on the backburner. Though eventually, it will still burst through..."

She shrugged, not all plans were fool proof, after all.

"For instance, I am immediately hostile with Ookami. There can be triggers."

Was there any real answer for his troubles?
(Imogen Oshikawa)
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[17:31] To find a goal, an obsession. To tear down at those who have gotten in the way of that obsession and allow them to fall bit by bit, planning to destroy them in a manner that would allow for life to go on while extracting revenge in its fullest.

To bring a terrible end upon those who deserved naught but it. Bruno's hands tightened around the railings before them, gripping them harder than he had been as the realization of what he already possessed, aimed for, and worked towards were the same solution Imogen herself had come up with.

There was no way to avoid it. His own unstable mind was spilling out more and more with each offense that man brought upon him. His heart was in turmoil and it would not be long before the land under his feet would be devastated at this rate.

There seemed to be but a single solution: To take this vengeance, this hatred upon his shoulder, burden the weight of it all and... execute what had to be done.

A precise plan. A way to draw things in his favor and bring down death in a manner that could never paint him as the one who did it. So many paths were available ahead of him, yet, only one could be taken.

Only one could be successful. Any mistake would spell his end.

To all of Imogen's words came but a few words despite how much Bruno thought.

"I see. Then you really are of no help."

An insult ought to have her depart soon enough, despite how little new knowledge she offered it helped. A lack of substance was plenty for Bruno to realize he had been doing things right all along.

This was but the next step.
(Bruno pyr Aertas)
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[17:38] Those monochromatic eyes gave Bruno a hard stare. The ever observant, she was taking note of his inner turmoil. Something was going on with the Aertas, that was evident. Her words seemed to bring both anger and...Sorrow? Frustration? Things she knew all too well.

This was a man who had to do something that he didn't want to. Whoever Bruno was about to bring harm to? Imogen just nailed their coffin shut.

He insults her, yet she takes no real effort to move. She merely shifts.

"Listen, Bruno. I know you and I don't quite see eye to eye, but your wife is a friend of mine. Therefore, I am here for you if you need me, unfortunately."

Her lips twitched, she seemed amused by her own words.

"Don't be an idiot, because whatever you do? Anna will ultimately be effected as well. Don't let the occult do all of the thinking for you. Allow it to aid in the thoughts and emotions you already have, but don't allow it to create it's own thought."

With that, a small hand would pat stiffly onto the Aertas back. She'd then turn to leave, unless otherwise stopped.
(Imogen Oshikawa)
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[17:44] Had he become so easy to read? He never was one to let his own thoughts appear upon his countenance, let alone allow others to reach deep into his tattered mind to find the truth. Thankfully enough the one who'd wronged him would never have proof of Bruno's own intent. Thoughts, perhaps. Fears. Paranoia.

It was all coming down eventually, though there would never been any certainty of the young Aertas' intent. Only fears. Nothing but fears.

And yet, Imogen's own words mirrored Anna's when she was scared, terrified that Bruno would do something that would bring harm to their family, to the four of them. It's the pat upon his back that finally drew him out of that descending spiral of thoughts, leading to his response.

"Do not touch me."

He hardly stopped her from leaving.
(Bruno pyr Aertas)
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[18:00] Anastasia pyr Aertas says, "You're going on the expedition, Bruno."
[18:00] Anastasia pyr Aertas says, "I'm sorry."
[18:00] Bruno pyr Aertas says, "..."
[18:00] Bruno pyr Aertas says, "Why would you be sorry? It's good news."
[18:01] Bruno gestured for her to sit by him.
(Bruno pyr Aertas)
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[18:01] Anastasia pyr Aertas says, "Because. I also traded my spot on the expedition for you."
[18:01] Bruno pyr Aertas says, "......."
[18:01] Bruno pyr Aertas says, ".............."
[18:01] Anastasia puts a hand on his shoulder to stop whatever is coming.
(Anastasia pyr Aertas)
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[18:01] Anastasia pyr Aertas says, "However."
[18:01] Anastasia pyr Aertas says, "It's not because I was forced to."
[18:02] Anastasia pyr Aertas says, "I chose to do that."
[18:02] Anna moves a hand to rest it over her stomach. "Because of them." She says towards him, eyes moving to meet his gaze pointedly.
(Anastasia pyr Aertas)
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[18:12] The reason for her apology left him completely silent for a while, though his arm took no time to wrap around her, to pull her closer. Her statement of not being forced was one that meant she'd made a willing sacrfice just to make him happy. To ease his mind. To mend his madness. The excuse she gave was one anyone would agree with and see as valid but Bruno was... smarter. He knew she was a bit extreme at times. That while she cared, she loved adventure. She loved discoveries. That pregnancy would not stop her from living out their dream.

He held her close, blue eyes falling upon her own. The first words that escaped him after her sacrifice were the only ones allowed to.

"I love you. I will never doubt you again. Never."

Still, he had much more on his heart than just this. His volume fell back to a near whisper, his earlier anger having been mostly put under control.

"I... know you, Anna. I know that you did it for me. I wish we would not have to compromise for this. It's our future, and so are those two." He said, briefly eyeing over to her abdomen. Remaining there after a sweep up to her face.

"I won't tell you how I feel towards it. If you felt the need to tell me you were not forced, then you know exactly how I see this."

He would never forgive the Don. That old rat, either. The both of them were responsible for getting in the way of both himself and the future he'd planned out with the woman he loved. The fact that she had to sacrifice this once in a lifetime chance in order for him to take it was... disgusting. Ugly.

.. And a proof that she was the right one. The one who would help him rise up above humanity, to retake what was rightfully his. She was his wife. She was his Queen.

He held her like one.

Today was the day that changed everything. Despite the darkness surrounding them Bruno had never seen the world ahead more clearly.
(Bruno pyr Aertas)
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[18:36] He was right.

She loved adventure, loved exploring the unknown. To miss this expedition? It truly hurt her. It carved a chunk from her very soul. But she willfully guided that knife against herself for Bruno.

To ensure that he would not do anything he would regret. To stifle that vile occultism felt from him in that moment, that dripped from his mind like poison. Even if she felt that from him here and now, she would still cling to him as she does when he pulled her closer.

"You are everything to me, Bruno. I can't promise I'll be perfect from here on out, that I won't make mistakes."

He was not just a stepping path to power. She didn't even accept the position of Councilwoman because she wanted it. She accepted it because Amelia asked her to, and because she trusted Amelia's judgment that she would be the most efficient choice for the position.

"We'll see our dream through to it's completion, there will be bumps in the road, obstacles in our path. That much is obvious from this here and now."

"But my love, and my dedication to you is real, Bruno. I'm not going to leave you, ever. So.." The ever boiling curiosity within her rears upwards..

"Tell me every single detail when you get back, okay?"
(Anastasia pyr Aertas)
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[18:43] "I'll do much more than that." He answered her request. While she rose up closer to meet him he lowered himself enough to greet her lips with a kiss. One that held no care for whoever would watch, no thought about being in public, nor any mind over how improper it might seem. She deserved everything he could offer her. Her dedication and love was something that he'd never doubt. Even if she voted against him again in the future, he would hear her out.

Selfish desires born from occultism deemed her essential in his life. Vital. She was the one he could trust beyond a doubt and the woman who would keep all of his attention for ever and ever.

When a breath turned necessity blue eyes laid upon her brown own, more words whispered.

"You're..."

Too good for him? No. That wasn't right. To claim she was too good for him would put him above what he was, which was impossible.

".. the right one for me. The only one for me."

His throne above the world was not one that remained alone. She had earned hers without a doubt.
(Bruno pyr Aertas)