talk with ryker

There is something on Marcel's mind.

Doubts? One could call it that- but it's something that he approaches with a definite thought on his mind. There are matters that should be discussed.

"Take a seat. Feel like a guest."

Much like Amelia, Marcel had already prepared several high-tech servants about; they serve drinks and snacks, should Ryker require any, but..

"I already know what happened."

"I'll begin by saying that we're all hurt by it, and we'll do anything in our power to get justice for it."

But...
How exactly it came to be?

When Marcel takes a seat, he continues- brief and to the point, as the man usually is.

"I could not be there for that ceremony."

"I was on the task- the one funded by Don Docro, and supported by entire Iron Chambers." Naturally he refers to the project he was assigned.

"On the other sideof Esshar. Quite literally." A mere remark as to why he wasn't there, but..

"So I will not pretend that I know everything. I've had... many voices speak different versions."

"But I want the truth, Ryker."

He was a worldly man. There's no doubt that he even came across the New World Order at this point- that he might've crossed his weapons with one of them too.

"How did it happen?"

"Who raised the weapon first? For what?"
(Marcel Delisle)

She stood off to one side quietly, more in support of her boss himself. - Wide eyes constantly surveying the room and a cigarette dangling from the corner of her mouth.. That tail? Idly dragging itself from side to side on the carpet, merely cause of the texture.

A first mention made to Marcel as the man should be well aware.. - Especially asking the new Commander about it.

Niffty wanted to be here for this.
(Niffty)

Ryker nearly collapsed onto the cushioned seat, not opting to take any drinks. Instead? He got right down to it.

"Bruno was speaking of blessings. Of collecting people loyal to him. Matryona told him to cease and he refused. He openly challenged her, questioning whether she'd stop family." He explained, his teeth gritting briefly.

"So she aimed to stop him by force. She wasn't aiming to kill him. Just to reign him in, as his Occultism clearly was unhinging him further and further." It was the truth. She'd never have killed him. Occult rotted the mind, naturally, but they could fix him. Make him better.

"But when he won? He leveled his gun at her, and looked me in the eye and declared he'd free her from me. So I rushed in, and Isana tried to get in my way. I dispatched her easily enough, and then against Bruno? I was...

A split second too slow, and failed to save her."

His tone hit remorse. Regret. How else could he possibly feel? He hadn't truly spoken of it since it happened, but given Marcel wasn't present it was the best he knew.

"Many years ago, we all ventured to track down Achlys. You know this. A few of us? Sold our souls in exchange for him giving us his power to not only power ADAM, but also to exact the Empire's will on Esshar. Matryona's soul was destined for Hel; Bruno thought he'd save her by killing her."

He shook his head.

"Amelia saved her soul, at the last possible second. So we did that much at least."
(Ryker pyr Docro)

He could see why Ryker would think about it that way.

The words that were given to him during another confrontation are mulled over in his mind. By now, when he thinks of it, the whole situation was stupid.

It's almost like a huge lack of understanding.
One that resulted in a precious life being lost.

That no matter what either side says, by now, it's too late to retract the fact that Matryona was killed - and justice is to be had for her death. But..

The truth was important nonetheless. At least, to him.

"Ryker."

Calmly, he takes a sip of his drink; the time of high emotion and rising worries was over, and trying to think it over with a calm, collected mind, he remarks further.

"Have any of you ever spoke to him as to what exactly he's trying to make, or an order was issued right away?"

There could be numerous assumptions why he asks that, and still..

"That is not what he said when I confronted him."

The confrontation between Bruno and Marcel could be assumed to be anything but peaceful- while he searches for the truth, one thing remained clear.

The Empire remains his family.

"His crime remains clear. He killed Matryona. For that, there is no escaping the consequences."

And he makes that clear, too.

"But this decision you took-"

"Do you think it was truly the best course of action for us all?"

"For her?"

Had it been different.. then perhaps, Matryona could still be alive - and Bruno could serve the Empire, still.

Albeit, with indirect means. Just what does Marcel know anyway?
(Marcel Delisle)

"Bruno hardly spoke to me anymore."

That was factual. The truth. Instead of drinking, the Commander himself sat back within the chair and smoked; but at the rate he was going his cigarette was gone in no time. Only to be replaced, as it always was.

"The only time he did so was to threaten me should I harm his sister." Another fact. So often did Bruno threaten to cut his hands off if he harmed Matryona. The irony was like a raw wound. "What was there to question? We had no idea he wished to lead a flock of people for his own goals. There was never an inkling to it."

There was the briefest twitch of his eyes when Marcel admitted it was not what Bruno told him when he was confronted. A sharp inhale could be heard from the Docro as he sat forward. The look in his eyes darkened.

"What decision are you referring to? Declaring them traitors? Because that's what they are. Fighting against Bruno in order to save my wife? Because he was going to kill her.

It's as Matryona always said.

Dissent will be crushed."
(Ryker pyr Docro)

The very little point to her being here was that.. She'd not want to leave Ryker's side, they're all dealing with it in their own sense and this was the one that held it together for her, the last Docro that stuck around and controlled the rest, to expect the Don to stick around was..

Silly.

So she's here now, now and forever. A sad look spared on the end at Marcel's words as they dig in deep and hit a soft spot, one that she can see doing far worse to the new Commander beside her..

She almost reaches out. - Though the silence is kept.

Her little foot patters on the rug, however, his twitch and her form readied all the same.
(Niffty)

twitch noted*!
(Niffty)

Did Ryker not understand what this meant?

It is something that makes him realize that Ryker is still grieving- which is understandable, but his judgment and thinking may be clouded by emotion. While he speaks of his tale about how his interactions with Bruno usually go, he eventually remarks about the decisions they took.

"No, Ryker."

"I'm not talking about that. When you all fought Bruno, it was too late to make any different decision."

"I'm talking before the violence started."

It's something that should be clearly understood here- something that he makes an emphasized point on. But to digress..

"I'm talking before that."

"Bruno claimed that he was gathering the group mostly made up of outsiders to ultimately serve the purpose of the Empire - something connected to the fact that Iron Chambers, including Matryona, all sold their souls away."

Does he not see it yet?

"I'm inclined to believe Bruno was going to do something about these Primordial Gods possessing your souls."

Perhaps it's to kill these gods, to free them- at least, from the confrontation that him and Bruno shared amidst the tense talks and threats flung about..

That's what Marcel deduced.

"Actions have consequences, Ryker. Especially from someone like you - they do not hurt just a single person, but many, and at times an entire nation as a whole."

It's a burden and responsibility he had to carry; although he figures that Ryker already knew that... perhaps, a reminder is due.

"I want you to understand that - because now, I have to kill people that used to be our comrades. I have to kill my childhood friend. I have to drench my hands in blood once more."

"Whereas it could've been different." And perhaps, Matryona would still be alive... but hedoes not say that to a grieving man.

That would be too cruel.

"It could've been taken under control through finesse, not the sword. The control that we all understand as important and vital - but one that would not hurt the Empire or its people."

Yet, one question lingers.

"Do you understand what I talk about at all?"
(Marcel Delisle)

You hear someone knocking at the door.

Before? Before the violence started? Marcel's words are listened to, even as Ryker's entire disposition darkens by the second. That haunting feeling fills the room, only strangely enough it's far more powerful than before. Darkness descends from the Docro himself, as if he was channeling Achlys' power on his own.

"He never told us." His tone was low. Somber. Did Marcel not see where Bruno made his first mistake? He never informed any of them; perhaps if he had told Matryona, this all could have been avoided. If he had told anyone outside of Anastasia and Celicia. "If that was the truth, then why didn't he tell us? Why didn't he tell her?"

That darkness fades, the dread being swallowed up once more within the body of a man who was broken.
Desperate.
Morose.

"If that was the truth why did he kill her?" His voice wasstrained, an unknown emotion welling up deep within. But he knew this feeling. He had felt it when Bruno had murdered his wife in front of him. It was heartbreak.

"I have to kill my best friend, Marcel. Because he murdered his sister in cold blood." He retorted, his voice soft. "Matryona did not know what he was planning, if she was, she wouldn't have struck at him. But when she told him to stand down he didn't even explain it then.

He openly challenged her to strike him.

He should have known she never relents."
(Ryker pyr Docro)

.. A ball of misery watches this, she looks from person to person.. And honestly? She'd never be as mentally strong as either one of these people. - All she hears is a replay of what she turned her back on that day, something she choose to sleep through.

She was told it'd all be fine, something she very much doubts from here on..-

As much as she just let Emilee set off to her death.

…

She can contradict herself all she wants, right now the rat finds herself the front door, fight or flight settling in her own fashion as she can't bare to hear much more.

It's certain there's to be tears.
(Niffty)

Bruno's faults were as numerous.

And it's not something that Marcel denied; quite on the contrary, Bruno did a crime here - and the way how he approached it was his fault as well. If anything..

That's not exactly the point that Marcel was making. He did not protect Bruno's actions here.

"I do not absolve Bruno's actions here."

"What he did is a terrible, unforgivable crime. The way he approached his situation was also foolish, and the fact that he did not tell any of you or killed her makes no excuse for him whatsoever."

"But there's a reason why he isn't a Captain, or even a Commander - but you are."

It gave Matryona and Ryker alike a great deal of power, but responsibility as well; they were to be smarter, better than the rest of them - and capable of dissuading situation where most other would fail.

"Bruno is an asinine man caught up in Occultic madness, and whereas he's responsible for his crimes, you're meant to be better - to demand explanation, and to draw out clear answers from his words."

Is it criticizing Ryker? Not... quite. Not really. If anything, they had no better alternative going as of forward- and there's nobody else he'd actually trust with Commander's position.

"--All I want is for our homeland and our people not to fight the battles that could be avoided, when we're already fighting entire world, Ryker."

"All I want is for people not to break- their morale and ability to listen to leadership suffers due to events like these." From objective standpoint, surely he could understand.

"I want us to prosper, and I want us to be at the best we could ever be."

It's almost cruel to request something like this from a grieving man, but.. in the end, Marcel knows something all too well.

Something thatthey all knew.

"That's what Matryona would want."
(Marcel Delisle)

Eventually, the Docro sat back within the chair. Brooding. Silent. He listened to Marcel closely. The man was trying to offer advice. It was strange, as most people...

Didn't ever offer advice to Ryker.

"I will get my explanation when I confront him." He said, slowly. He was indeed still grieving, perhaps he always would be in some shape or form. And yet? "But my intent is for Achyon to prosper greatly, and be a shining beacon of what Barsburg can do for the rest of this country."

It was what Matryona always desired. To crush those underfoot and welcome those who would accept the Empire's firm but loving hand.

"So far, none has failed to listen. In fact, most of the children from the academy have signed up. I have people searching for them. For now, you can focus on those who seek to do us harm. When Anastasia gets back we can have a full meeting amongst the three of us to decide our next moves."
(Ryker pyr Docro)

It was a lot for him to take in.

And Marcel understood that. Most men would break at the fact that their loved one has died- most would wallow and grieve, and fail to ever do anything about it at all.

But Ryker isn't like most men.

A gift and burden alike that he has to carry, much like plenty of them around- for while Ryker answers with this, eventually, he gives a nod.

"I'm glad to hear that."

As for Anastasia? Marcel already had his thoughts about the Aertas family in general, especially with their patrician becoming a traitor, but..

"--Control, Ryker."

"Trust is for fools."

Even then, he takes a stand from the table, assuming that both of them would be leaving soon enough.
(Marcel Delisle)

He too rose to a stand.

"Anastasia changed her locks. She never anticipated Bruno to do something as what he did. Titus already sent me a letter from school stating he was not his father's son. Julius had no clue, and he's enlisted." He said.

"I still want an eye kept on them all however. Julian as well. I expressed this doubt to Niffty already. When we confiscated Celicia's house, most of the supply of Sylavanum I sold her was still there... So she'll be needing a hit sooner than later.

And Julian hit Alexei up for sylavanum. So Alexei forced him to take the hit then and there, and then he asked for another for the road."

His eyes squint. What else was there...? Oh.

"Also I've commissioned a cat to act as a spy. Don't ask."
(Ryker pyr Docro)

It sounded as if Ryker was truly in control, then.

He didn't need to hear anything else. Matryona's loss was a tragedy for all Empire, but that doesn't mean they'll hang their head low and just give up.

That's what their enemies would want.

"Very well."

"And... in case my aid is ever needed, you know where to find me."

Amidst this storm, he'd remain loyal to the Empire, despite many finding it an opportunity to betray their homeland.

He'll stay that way, until his last breath.
(Marcel Delisle)