A Simple Meeting - Post of the Month competitor
Feb 26, 2013 23:57:03 GMT -5
Post by Archer Zero on Feb 26, 2013 23:57:03 GMT -5
The Crimson Guard. A force created by a coalition of the Empire of Eternity, the Void Faction, and the Dominion of Light. They were composed of the best of the best of each faction, and the Guard itself was led by the leaders of each one in a joint duty. However, it was a very difficult affair. They three factions had been at war for a long time, and the ill feelings stirred by the war were not so easily quelled by a simple ceasefire to deal with an interdimensional threat they had caused. This was especially evident for the three faction leaders: Kenji Chan, Anastasia Chan, and Matthias Teren.
All three were seated in the main meeting room - a simple chamber with a large round table, one designed by technicians of the Void Faction to display holograms as necessary. Kenji did not look at either of the tow, simply staring down at the table as if pondering something. Anastasia yawned and inspected her nails. Matthias was reviewing some data with his internal AI. The meeting wasn't technically supposed to start yet - they had a minute left - and none of them wished to talked to each other unless it was necessary.
Thirty seconds... twenty... ten...
The clock soon struck the hour. All three looked at the clock, then settled into position. Kenji and Matthias were stoical, showing no expression. Anastasia's expression was almost casual and laid-back, but it was clear there were no openings for her either. The meeting was supposedly a simple one: A simple discussion of money, distribution of forces, equipment, and the like. Tedious, but necessary work. Still, every meeting was a great challenge, considering the relations of not only the factions, but of the leaders themselves.
With that, the talks began. All three of them used the least amount of emotion possible in their voices - easy to do, considering the dullness of the topics and the considerable amount of times that they've had these meetings. Matthias was the most relieved that the meeting would soon be over. Because of very personal reasons, both Kenji and Anastasia hated him. And that hatred still hadn't diminished. They were just wrapping up the meeting when all of a sudden, Kenji said, "I've had a few recent reports of fighting breaking out within the Guard." He summoned up some papers and slid them over to the other two, who read them. "Well, come on, Kenji," said Anastasia, her voice still light. "It's not like we need to interfere with this - the lower ranks can handle it. Unless you got something you wanna say?"
Kenji sat back in his chair, his arms crossed."We cannot allow discipline to fall apart in this army. I believe we all need to take steps to curtail this. Particularly yours, Atarath." Kenji's emerald eyes flashed toward Matthias, who had imperceptibly cringed at the name. Both Kenji and Anastasia still referred to him as Atarath rather than Matthias - a definite sign that neither of them had forgiven him. "The Void Faction soldiers - or the Harbinger Division, if you prefer - have a rather high record of getting into fights and provoking them. I suggest you discipline your soldiers more thoroughly, Atarath." There was no doubt that Kenji was insulting Matthias in an indirect manner, but Matthias composed himself, and nothing showed in either his face nor tone.
"With all due respect, Kenji," began Matthias. "Most of those fights as I saw were not caused by my soldiers. They were either caused by yours or Anastasia's. My men were simply defending themselves as necessary." Anastasia smirked here. "Ah, playing the blame game, are we?" she asked, her tone taking on a slightly mocking edge. She leaned forward on the table, her sapphire eyes not reflecting the smile on her face, but rather were as sharp as Kenji's own. "Of course you would say that, Atarath. And both of us would claim the same exact thing had we been in your position. The testimony of each party of the fight is of coursed biased in the author's favor, while the witness reports aren't exactly helpful either. So, what can be done? Hm?"
Matthias turned to Anastasia. "It does not help that your own soldiers, Anastasia, are of a more bestial nature," he replied, calm as ever. "Most of the fights provoked are by your own troops. If anything, your own forces needs to be kept under better control." Kenji sighed. "Atarath has a point," he conceded - with hidden yet obvious reluctance. "The Dominion's forces need to better suppress their instincts. Annie -" Kenji stopped himself while Anastasia raised an eyebrow and Matthias's face remained impassive. Annie was what Kenji used to call his older sister, back when they were much closer, when they had each other's backs.
But times had changed. Familial relations had no place here.
"Anastasia," Kenji resumed. "you need to keep a better reign on your troops. Otherwise, more fights will break out, and we might as well split up and disband the Guard." Anastasia laughed at this part - a clear, mocking sound that was impossible to mistake. "Like that would make any difference, Kenji," she replied. "Admit it, every one of us - in this room, and in this fortress - wants to more or less tear out each other's throats. We got our reasons, and damn good ones too. But..." She relaxed back in her chair put her hands behind her head in a makeshift pillow. "Since the Guard is pretty much necessary for now, sure. I'll do what I can." Kenji nodded, and Matthias took a small breath. "Since we have nothing else to address," he said. "This meeting is adjourned. We all have our own duties to attend to. Kenji. Anastasia." With that, Matthias stepped and left, doing his best to ignore the cold looks that both Kenji and Anastasia were shooting him.
Once he left, Anastasia sighed and got up. "Well, better get back to taking care of my 'monsters' as everyone calls them. Seeya later, Kenji." Kenji looked up and rapidly stood.
"Wait..."
Anastasia looked back at Kenji. This time, there was a mixture of sorrow and determination in her eyes. "I know what you wanna say, Kenji," she said softly. "But give up already. You've chosen your path, I've chosen mine. And I'll die for what I believe in. I know you will too. Be ready for that day, brother." With that, she left without another word. Kenji collapsed back in his chair, and put his head in his hands. Tears started to leak between them.
With that, the meeting between the three Lords of the Crimson Guard was concluded.
All three were seated in the main meeting room - a simple chamber with a large round table, one designed by technicians of the Void Faction to display holograms as necessary. Kenji did not look at either of the tow, simply staring down at the table as if pondering something. Anastasia yawned and inspected her nails. Matthias was reviewing some data with his internal AI. The meeting wasn't technically supposed to start yet - they had a minute left - and none of them wished to talked to each other unless it was necessary.
Thirty seconds... twenty... ten...
The clock soon struck the hour. All three looked at the clock, then settled into position. Kenji and Matthias were stoical, showing no expression. Anastasia's expression was almost casual and laid-back, but it was clear there were no openings for her either. The meeting was supposedly a simple one: A simple discussion of money, distribution of forces, equipment, and the like. Tedious, but necessary work. Still, every meeting was a great challenge, considering the relations of not only the factions, but of the leaders themselves.
With that, the talks began. All three of them used the least amount of emotion possible in their voices - easy to do, considering the dullness of the topics and the considerable amount of times that they've had these meetings. Matthias was the most relieved that the meeting would soon be over. Because of very personal reasons, both Kenji and Anastasia hated him. And that hatred still hadn't diminished. They were just wrapping up the meeting when all of a sudden, Kenji said, "I've had a few recent reports of fighting breaking out within the Guard." He summoned up some papers and slid them over to the other two, who read them. "Well, come on, Kenji," said Anastasia, her voice still light. "It's not like we need to interfere with this - the lower ranks can handle it. Unless you got something you wanna say?"
Kenji sat back in his chair, his arms crossed."We cannot allow discipline to fall apart in this army. I believe we all need to take steps to curtail this. Particularly yours, Atarath." Kenji's emerald eyes flashed toward Matthias, who had imperceptibly cringed at the name. Both Kenji and Anastasia still referred to him as Atarath rather than Matthias - a definite sign that neither of them had forgiven him. "The Void Faction soldiers - or the Harbinger Division, if you prefer - have a rather high record of getting into fights and provoking them. I suggest you discipline your soldiers more thoroughly, Atarath." There was no doubt that Kenji was insulting Matthias in an indirect manner, but Matthias composed himself, and nothing showed in either his face nor tone.
"With all due respect, Kenji," began Matthias. "Most of those fights as I saw were not caused by my soldiers. They were either caused by yours or Anastasia's. My men were simply defending themselves as necessary." Anastasia smirked here. "Ah, playing the blame game, are we?" she asked, her tone taking on a slightly mocking edge. She leaned forward on the table, her sapphire eyes not reflecting the smile on her face, but rather were as sharp as Kenji's own. "Of course you would say that, Atarath. And both of us would claim the same exact thing had we been in your position. The testimony of each party of the fight is of coursed biased in the author's favor, while the witness reports aren't exactly helpful either. So, what can be done? Hm?"
Matthias turned to Anastasia. "It does not help that your own soldiers, Anastasia, are of a more bestial nature," he replied, calm as ever. "Most of the fights provoked are by your own troops. If anything, your own forces needs to be kept under better control." Kenji sighed. "Atarath has a point," he conceded - with hidden yet obvious reluctance. "The Dominion's forces need to better suppress their instincts. Annie -" Kenji stopped himself while Anastasia raised an eyebrow and Matthias's face remained impassive. Annie was what Kenji used to call his older sister, back when they were much closer, when they had each other's backs.
But times had changed. Familial relations had no place here.
"Anastasia," Kenji resumed. "you need to keep a better reign on your troops. Otherwise, more fights will break out, and we might as well split up and disband the Guard." Anastasia laughed at this part - a clear, mocking sound that was impossible to mistake. "Like that would make any difference, Kenji," she replied. "Admit it, every one of us - in this room, and in this fortress - wants to more or less tear out each other's throats. We got our reasons, and damn good ones too. But..." She relaxed back in her chair put her hands behind her head in a makeshift pillow. "Since the Guard is pretty much necessary for now, sure. I'll do what I can." Kenji nodded, and Matthias took a small breath. "Since we have nothing else to address," he said. "This meeting is adjourned. We all have our own duties to attend to. Kenji. Anastasia." With that, Matthias stepped and left, doing his best to ignore the cold looks that both Kenji and Anastasia were shooting him.
Once he left, Anastasia sighed and got up. "Well, better get back to taking care of my 'monsters' as everyone calls them. Seeya later, Kenji." Kenji looked up and rapidly stood.
"Wait..."
Anastasia looked back at Kenji. This time, there was a mixture of sorrow and determination in her eyes. "I know what you wanna say, Kenji," she said softly. "But give up already. You've chosen your path, I've chosen mine. And I'll die for what I believe in. I know you will too. Be ready for that day, brother." With that, she left without another word. Kenji collapsed back in his chair, and put his head in his hands. Tears started to leak between them.
With that, the meeting between the three Lords of the Crimson Guard was concluded.