A Line in the Sand (Finished)

[titania]

The meeting was not particularly pleasant. The court, for obvious reasons, was upset the King of the Gerudo was staying within the Fairy Palace. Of course, he was injured and in need of medical attention, and had come to a place of both physical and spiritual healing in order to obtain just that. But it was more complicated than that. The fairy ideal to remain neutral to conflict, pioneered by Lucretia, Titania's mother, was allegedly in peril, because some in the Hylian ranks may see this as taking a side. Titania insisted that they were still a neutral power, and that she would make sure that was known throughout Hyrule.

However, that also made it her responsibility to enforce that ruling, something she was more than prepared to do. The meeting was adjourned, and many of the court members left shaking their heads. Titania didn't care much for their looking down upon her decisions. She did, however, want to get at least one opinion, from one of the younger members.

"Vittorio, wait up." She called to the junior court member, one she held in high regard. He was the future of the court, along with the other younger members.

[Vittorio Rainero]

[atrb=cellspacing,0,true][atrb=cellpadding,5px,true][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,400,true][atrb=style, text-align: justify;]       Ah, what a dilemma this was. Everything that he had on his mind had been vehemently declared during the meeting, and upon adjournment he could only release the softest of sighs. There was much to this story that he was unaware of, and for that, he deemed it necessary that he should seek it out once the time allowed. Even as the other members of the Court left, however, the younger man remained, swimming in a pool of thoughts, before a voice returned him to the present.       "Yes, milady?" Vittorio turned slowly on his heels with a polite nod of his head, having already recognized Titania's voice. He could easily fathom what might be approaching next. The Grove was now sheltering an injured Merik Dragmire, a man whose head was wanted by many. He needed not a good nose to sniff out the danger in this action alone, but at the same time, turning him away would be a stain upon their reputation. Still, he waited intently, for the words of his Queen, because he believed in her capabilities.

[titania]

Titania walked up to Vittorio and nodded her head with acknowledgment.

"Thanks for coming to the meeting on such short notice. I know I've caused a lot of commotion with bringing in an unpopular figure. I just wanted to get the thoughts of one of the younger court members, since the senior members did most of the speaking. A face-to-face would work better than asking you during the session." Titania gave him a smile and a pat on the shoulder.

[Vittorio Rainero]

[atrb=cellspacing,0,true][atrb=cellpadding,5px,true][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,400,true][atrb=style, text-align: justify;]       The lieutenant returned the smile and shook his head, as if to say it was no big deal. "All in a day's work," He had to throw in the joke, for whatever reason, although if his fellow Court members heard, he probably would have been scorned for making light of the situation. "As for the ordeal at hand, I hold no outright objections to your decisions, as I'm trust you are aware of the possible consequences." And even if she hadn't, they were so violently pointed out during the meeting anyways.       "There remains the question, though, of how exactly you intend to relay the message of neutrality." He was already quite aware that the Fairies of the Grove would remain neutral, and that no one, Titania included, had taken any side by simply taking in an injured man. The Queen had pointed that out herself in the midst of the conference, sounding as though she had a means of proving it to the world, but it would be more convincing to him to hear what she had in mind.

[titania]

Titania knew her job wasn't going to be simple or easy. She had asserted that it was her responsibility to relay neutrality to the other races, and she was prepared to do so.

"I appreciate your input. However, if I know Zenethil, he will be coming to us. It's likely he'll be sending a request for us to give him Merik or he'll come here personally to arrest the man. Of course it is then I will be forced to assert neutrality, though I doubt he will take it well. But such is the situation we face right now." She was going to have difficulty denying Zenethil his desires, but she had to. It was her duty.

"Tell me Vittorio, what are your own opinions on the Gerudo King? Would you be one to simply cast him to the wolves like some were suggesting?" Of course the question had a level of bias to it. Throwing him to the wolves was a strong sentiment. To take the action to throw him to the wolves would have been more evil than to simply leave him to his own devices, not knowing and not caring whether he lived or died.

[Vittorio Rainero]

[atrb=cellspacing,0,true][atrb=cellpadding,5px,true][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,400,true][atrb=style, text-align: justify;]       Nothing was clear except for the fact that there was imminent conflict, if not from one side, then the other, and in a worse case scenario, both. He sorely hoped that they would be physically prepared for it, being that they were more of a supporting race than offensive. In the very least, it was his duty to ensure the Queen's safety, and that he would. Or try to, without being too much of a naggy, overprotective annoyance.       At her question, he paused in thought. "Like with any leader, I hold the utmost respect," It was only natural for him to do so, even if he wasn't a member of the Court. "Since I have yet to personally meet him, I have harbored no other thoughts." Likewise, there were also multiple sides to a story.       "As it stands, I would say we have greater relations with the Hylians. It would be a shame for those relations to deteriorate, however, we cannot just candidly throw out the wounded to fend for himself." Additionally, if they ended up doing so, the Gerudo would then be after them. Though they would be able to fight against them with the assistance of the Hylians, that would destroy their intention of remaining neutral.

[titania]

Titania was impressed with this calm judgment. Already some of the court had him branded a criminal and was ready to hand him over.

"That is wise Vittorio. In fact, I think we are better off not knowing many of the details. I don't want to take sides if these two sides want to fight each other." Many thought siding with the Hylians was the decision they should go with, as one would typically want their neighbors to be more...civilized.

"I do agree, though, that our relation with the Hylians and Humans is deeper than our relations with the Gerudo. Whether I would like to improve relations with the Gerudo remains to be seen. I doubt they will come knocking on our doors with spears pointed at us." To some, it remained a risky move, but Titania was confident in the restraint of the Gerudo, unless of course something were to happen to Merik.

[Vittorio Rainero]

[atrb=cellspacing,0,true][atrb=cellpadding,5px,true][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,400,true][atrb=style, text-align: justify;]       Truthfully, Vittorio was curious about the whole ordeal, but as Titania had stated, it might have been better that they not learn of the whole story. On the other hand, there was a chance that if they were to learn of its origins, it would have made things easier to decide. Or at least clear their minds a bit on the matter.       He nodded slowly, placing a hand on chin idly in thought. "Indeed. That would be determined by whether they are aware of what happened or not." If it so happened that Merik was missing from their ranks without warning, misconceptions could be easily made.

[titania]

Titania of course knew a lot more than she was willing to let on. About his previous time here masquerading with Nairore, or the fact that there was an assassination attempt. That would just complicate things even more. No, that information would be kept private, even if his departure from the desert was not unheard of and saying so would calm some of the court.

"For now, we will continue to keep him in our care. I will remain in the palace until such time as he can regain his mobility. I feel I owe a fellow leader that respect." Titania hoped this didn't turn into a nightmare situation for her people. No one ever suffered punishment for being too hospitable, and she didn't intend to start now.

[Vittorio Rainero]

[atrb=cellspacing,0,true][atrb=cellpadding,5px,true][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,400,true][atrb=style, text-align: justify;]       Minor rumination left the lieutenant in silence. It was too early to deem whether this was the best or the worst decision, but he currently did not see any major catastrophe rising from it. "As you wish," He conceded, making a note to later make an attempt to quell the senior members' worries. Whether they would even think to listen to him was a different story, but it was worth a shot.       "Have you discerned what Lord Dragmire plans to do once he has recovered?" Perhaps it was an unneeded detail, but if they ended up sheltering a man that ends up declaring war, there would only be more tension. Not to mention it was an inquiry based off of his own personal interest, for why would he not be curious?

[titania]

Titania simply shrugged in response to Vittorio's question. She hadn't asked him many questions, choosing instead to let him rest.

"I intend to ask him a few questions once he wakes up. He's been wounded pretty badly and needs to rest before anything else. As for where he goes, I'd imagine, and would probably recommend, he head back to the desert." She wasn't entirely sure what his plan was, but if possible she would guide him that way. It was better than trying to exact revenge against Nairore. Still, she understood why he asked. Typically she didn't mind where someone went after being healed, but this was a special case, that should be approached with a degree of tact.

[Vittorio Rainero]

[atrb=cellspacing,0,true][atrb=cellpadding,5px,true][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,400,true][atrb=style, text-align: justify;]       Vittorio answered with a contemplative nod. It made sense not to pester him while he was still likely disoriented. Unable to think of much else they could divulge on, he suspected that that would be the end of their discussion until there was further revelation. Unless she still had more to say, but he preferred not to pry at the moment. If they were "caught," in the least to say, standing around conversing, who knows what kind of scolding would be waiting for them both.       "Ah, also, Milady, if there is anything that I can do for you on that note, please do not hesitate to ask." He added after a moment, before letting the fact slip his mind. It would certainly be much better than sitting around doing deskwork. Not to mention that he could presume the Court would be wishing as little involvement as possible, and there would likely be bad impressions held towards Titania by others. She would be busy helping Merik in his recoveries as well.

[titania]

It was good to get to talk to one of the court in person, but the information had all been covered. There was no need to keep the conversation dragging on, especially when she wanted to make sure that Merik wasn't disobeying her "stern request".

"I will do just that, Vittorio. For now, get some rest. Things might get hairy, and I need the court at their best and brightest. Good day Vittorio." She bowed her head to him in respect before taking her leave to go check up on the palace's newest guest. Quickly she left the room to see if he had attempted an escape yet.

EXIT[/i][/u]

[Vittorio Rainero]

[atrb=cellspacing,0,true][atrb=cellpadding,5px,true][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,400,true][atrb=style, text-align: justify;]       Yes, it would be bad of him to keep her back for too long. She probably had much more important matters that needed her attention. He returned the bow respectively with a comprehensive nod, watching as she left, his nature refusing to lift his head back up until she had gone from the room completely. Once she had, he would have been lying if he didn't say a small sigh escaped from him once more.       She did tell him to get some rest, but to him nowadays, that meant he was still condemned to a life of sitting in his quarters with paperwork and being nagged by his seniors, which would no doubt worsen with his adherence to Titania's decision. Well, let them deal with that, then. He eventually told himself. I have my own things to worry about. Though he couldn't possibly imagine they were tantamount to the Queen's.       With that, Vittorio gathered what materials he had brought with him, and followed in suit after his leader, exiting the now-emptied room. ( e x e u n t )

[Nightmare Darklight]

Rewards given. Thread locked and moved.