Week four

[letsplayamod]

Two more of your fellow gods, your companions, your friends, have met their end together. As you turn in for the night, and a new week dawns upon you, it's starting to be a bitter experience. Just how much of this will you be forced to take?

But all isn't just despair. The morning is brighter than the last. The storm clouds that previously plagued almost every day have dissipated, and this week brings plenty of sun and a friendlier breeze. Not to mention, another floor of this strange temple has revealed itself. Whatever lies within is your domain, not Typhon's. Keep it tight in your grasp, because you never know when you'll lose it.

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Quark's Bar

Comments

[latinumsbetter]

[...ah.]

...you attacked the neighboring countries.

[markofnobility]

[ he nods, eyes screwing closed for a moment as the shame overwhelms. He gathers himself quickly to continue.]

I... had the chance to flee, once I realized the depth of her intentions. I have allies in the Alliance- they would have taken me in. But... I thought if I stayed I could soften her hand with my counsel and support. At least make the initial attack fast and brutal enough that the other leaders would surrender quickly and avoid more death.

Then things just... continued. Battles dragged and frontlines barely moved and before I knew it is has been five years and my hair is midback and I am bleeding to death under my own fucking horse!!

[ he covers his own mouth in shock, as if being angry about his own death was some grand sin. Mumbled under it:]

What a sick joke, to realize you are a villian long after it is too late.

1/2

[latinumsbetter]

[Quark blinks when Ferdinand snaps, startled, and then for a moment he feels sick at that little mumble, the shame--

He swallows, once again feeling like he's teetering at the edge of out of his depth. For a moment, he frantically tries to think of what Ezri would do. What would she say that would make this better? Unfortunately, he is not Ezri, so he comes up blank.]

2/2

[latinumsbetter]

[...but then, he's not Ezri. They don't have a counsilor here, and he can't be that. He can be only himself and hope that'll do the trick.]

...alright, kid, c'mere. [Quark shifts his grip, one hand keeping at Ferdinand's wrist while the other moves to his elbow, taking some steps towards the raised edge of the rounded plateau that the statues stand on. He means to take Ferdinand with him and sit them down on the edge there.]

C'mon. We're gonna sit down for this.

[markofnobility]

[ he goes just as passively as he alowed Quark to adust his cuffs before. Only now the panic attack that action delayed is coming back in a fresh wave. He feels like he might faint. Or vomit. But all he can say is:]

I'm sorry. I should not have yelled.

[latinumsbetter]

[Quark huffs at that] You call that yelling? Try working at the bar when the klingon fleet docks. Now, that's yelling.

[he sits them down, keeping his hand on Ferdinand's elbow.]

Alright, now I need you to look at me, because this is important.

[markofnobility]

[He looks, eyes too shiny but focused]

[latinumsbetter]

[he looks at him, seriously, each word said very deliberately and with finality]

You are not a villain.

[markofnobility]

I am a war criminal, Quark.

[latinumsbetter]

I'm aware. [frankly] So are a lot of people.

That doesn't make you a villain.

[markofnobility]

[His brow furrows. His brain is shooting too many sparks to fully follow]

[latinumsbetter]

The truth is that real villans are few and far between. Trust me, I've met one or two. Now, call me optimistic, but you're the last person I think would want to kill 27 million people on a whim.

[markofnobility]

Saints no...

[There's probably not even that many people in Fodlan tho let's be honest]

[latinumsbetter]

Didn't think so. [dryly] Now that example is a little extreme, but I did meet a guy who wanted that.

Let's get some facts straight. You stayed with that cause not out of blind loyalty, but because you thought you could temper it. Make the losses less; make it end faster.

Now, why would you want to do that?

[markofnobility]

Because our enemies did not deserve cruelty. Our goals needed a harsh hand, but that does not mean brutality is acceptable!

[latinumsbetter]

I agree. So what did you do, to try and avoid that?

[markofnobility]

I... failed to be a good example to Edelgard. I doubt she noticed my attempts at all. But at least on the battlefield and with my own soldiers I tried to be as forgiving as I could. Took captives over killing, left the fields and homes untouched. Negotiated trading of hostages...

[he shakes his head]

It seems so hollow in comparison to all the destruction though.

[latinumsbetter]

And how many people are alive because you chose to avoid brutality as much as you could?

[markofnobility]

Goddess, don't ask me that.

[He is too tired to maintain his more proper speech, rubbing his face]

Some, surely. More dead.

[latinumsbetter]

Some? C'mon, you must have some idea.

How often did you take captives, then negotiate trading of hostages instead of killing them outright? How many families had food because you left their fields alone? How many people didn't become refugees with nothing to their name because you didn't destroy their houses?

[markofnobility]

Even someone like me would not keep count.

[But he starts to think of it. The scared faces of his people, and the people of the Kingdom and Alliance on the borders who's protectors he killed. They would not sing of him, or his army. If the Empire fell they would be the boogieman for generations of children after.

But... yes, he supposes some of those children were born because he stayed his hand when he could. It's a cold comfort. But a comfort regardless. And it shows on his face]

[latinumsbetter]

A villain wouldn't have tried to spare those people.

[markofnobility]

... perhaps not.

[He sighs, staring down at his lap]

[latinumsbetter]

[he elbows him a bit at that--not hard enough to hurt, but definitely more than a nudge] Definitely not.