07-28-2020, 05:14 PM
(Joint Post with [nation]Xiomera[/nation])
The grand bedroom that had been reserved for the Crown Prince was decorated in the same centuries-old style as the rest of the château. The modern medical equipment clustered around his bed was a stark contrast to the elegant if dated surroundings.
Texōccoatl sighed softly as he woke up. His body hurt, and his throat was dry. He was given water by a nurse while another helped him to sit up. “How is Nōlinyauh?” was the first thing he asked.
The doctor who was treating him shook his head slowly. “The Secretary did not survive his injuries, your Majesty. I am deeply sorry.”
Texōccoatl’s fists clenched at the news, digging into the sheets on his bed. “Thank you, doctor. I am sure everyone did everything they could for him,” he said quietly. The doctor nodded, excusing himself.
The door to the bedroom shifted slightly, with soft knocking echoing over the beeping and whirring of the medical devices. Emily Rouchard slipped in, closing the door behind her. She was wearing a black shirt and dark jeans, which was more casual for her. She nodded at Texōccoatl. "You're awake. How are you feeling?".
”I have been better.” Texōccoatl sighed and sat up. “Things could be worse, certainly. I could have ended up like Nōlinyauh. I told him to stay behind me.” Texōccoatl’s expression grew pained at that, as he blamed himself for Nōlinyauh’s death.
Rouchard's expression darkened, face pulled back in a grim, sad mask. "I'm very sorry about Nōlinyauh. I tried everything I could to protect you both. I failed. You are not to blame for his death, however. That bastard Xochiuhue is. He also tried to assasinate Chancellor Lancaster, a Senator, and the Minister of Defense. Midgard likely had a hand in it as well. I think the 'Emperor' is getting desperate. It's stupid, because it'll only add fuel to the fire. And he'll get burned."
Texōccoatl nodded. “You’re right. Neither of us is to blame for this. Xochiuhue is. And I will make sure he is held to account for it. For everyone who’s been hurt.” The Crown Prince paused. “This is the first I have heard about attacks in Eiria. Is everyone there okay?”
"Yeah. The Chancellor was unharmed, the Minister of Defense's house burned down without him in it, and Dukov is at Compassion Hospital recovering. Senators have started to send him flowers, including his main Rival Legrand". She shook her head. "The Emperor is somehow uniting our politicians. As someone who has lived in Eiria my entire life, it's fascinating to watch." She shrugged, examining her clothing. "I don't usually wear anything without a weapon attached. These are some of the few clothes I own without a hidden pocket or detachable knife."
”I know the feeling,” Texōccoatl replied. “I am not used to not having a weapon on me, but I now have plenty of guards, at least.” The contingent of heavily armed Jaguar Warriors in the room was testament to the new emphasis on security.
"Yeah, about that...." She looked down torwads the floor and back at him. "I'm not just a diplomat. They sent me here to both aid you and protect you. It was Alice Lancaster's idea. I have a lot more than just diplomatic training. I'm sorry for hiding this from you, but it was meant to keep you safer."
”Trust me, I’m not complaining. I might not be here right now without your help.” Texōccoatl managed a smile. “Please let her know I am grateful.”
"Of Course. I'm sure she wishes you a fast recovery. So do I. What kind of poison was on the blade? I'm not familiar with Xiomeran natural toxins."
”Tlumala. It’s a plant native to Manauia Island and Cenotillo Island. The plant is used to make a fast acting poison derived from the toxic alkaloids of the plant. It causes unconsciousness, paralysis and eventual cardiac arrest if not treated immediately. It’s been used by Xiomeran assassins for centuries. I’m just lucky we had an antidote for it.”
"Huh. Startling. Eiria only has a few select plants and flowers that are poisonous, so I guess we got lucky." She sat down next to the bed. "Personally, I find the purpose of poison used in a blatant attack a bit pointless. I mean, you have top-tier Laeralite and Xiomeran medical staff, plus you knew it was poisoned. Eiria has a much different style than Xiomera when it comes to operations, it seems."
”Poison is traditional, and Xiomerans love tradition. Not to mention, poison on the blade is meant as a a backup if just stabbing someone doesn’t kill them. If nothing else, ASI does like to be thorough,” Texōccoatl laughed grimly.
"It appears so, unfortunately." Rouchard shifted in her chair. "Eiria is an odd mix of old traditions and modern technology and tactics. Eiria has always been clandestine in nature. We rely on that and our Diplomatic services to keep us out of trouble."
”Xiomerans, by contrast, don’t tend to be very clandestine. We have always relied on being scarier than the other guy to deter people,” the Crown Prince replied wryly. “That may be why ASI and its allies are great at overt actions but fairly lousy at covert ones.”
"Interesting. Eiria's clandestine nature is almost overlooked, because our diplomats paint the picture of an innocent, 'Bleeding Heart', moralistic Democracy. Maybe it's better that way, though. If our covert capabilities were revealed, I don't think our enemies would be able to trust anything they drink." Rouchard said with a playful wink.
”I am perfectly fine with keeping those capabilities secret for now,” Texōccoatl laughed. “We may need use of them again. Please let the Lancasters, the Minister of Defense and Senator Dukov know that I hope they remain safe and well. And hopefully, I will recover quickly myself, because I intend to return the favor to Xochiuhue. Soon.”
"I'm sure my boss will be glad to hear that. May I ask how you intend to return the favor, so Eiria can assist you?"
”I intend to be a bit more overt in my displeasure than Xochiuhue was. An air-to-ground missile aimed at his motorcade some day would convey the message, I think,” Texōccoatl said calmly.
"....That would certainly make a message clear."
Texōccoatl’s answering grin was all the response needed.
The grand bedroom that had been reserved for the Crown Prince was decorated in the same centuries-old style as the rest of the château. The modern medical equipment clustered around his bed was a stark contrast to the elegant if dated surroundings.
Texōccoatl sighed softly as he woke up. His body hurt, and his throat was dry. He was given water by a nurse while another helped him to sit up. “How is Nōlinyauh?” was the first thing he asked.
The doctor who was treating him shook his head slowly. “The Secretary did not survive his injuries, your Majesty. I am deeply sorry.”
Texōccoatl’s fists clenched at the news, digging into the sheets on his bed. “Thank you, doctor. I am sure everyone did everything they could for him,” he said quietly. The doctor nodded, excusing himself.
The door to the bedroom shifted slightly, with soft knocking echoing over the beeping and whirring of the medical devices. Emily Rouchard slipped in, closing the door behind her. She was wearing a black shirt and dark jeans, which was more casual for her. She nodded at Texōccoatl. "You're awake. How are you feeling?".
”I have been better.” Texōccoatl sighed and sat up. “Things could be worse, certainly. I could have ended up like Nōlinyauh. I told him to stay behind me.” Texōccoatl’s expression grew pained at that, as he blamed himself for Nōlinyauh’s death.
Rouchard's expression darkened, face pulled back in a grim, sad mask. "I'm very sorry about Nōlinyauh. I tried everything I could to protect you both. I failed. You are not to blame for his death, however. That bastard Xochiuhue is. He also tried to assasinate Chancellor Lancaster, a Senator, and the Minister of Defense. Midgard likely had a hand in it as well. I think the 'Emperor' is getting desperate. It's stupid, because it'll only add fuel to the fire. And he'll get burned."
Texōccoatl nodded. “You’re right. Neither of us is to blame for this. Xochiuhue is. And I will make sure he is held to account for it. For everyone who’s been hurt.” The Crown Prince paused. “This is the first I have heard about attacks in Eiria. Is everyone there okay?”
"Yeah. The Chancellor was unharmed, the Minister of Defense's house burned down without him in it, and Dukov is at Compassion Hospital recovering. Senators have started to send him flowers, including his main Rival Legrand". She shook her head. "The Emperor is somehow uniting our politicians. As someone who has lived in Eiria my entire life, it's fascinating to watch." She shrugged, examining her clothing. "I don't usually wear anything without a weapon attached. These are some of the few clothes I own without a hidden pocket or detachable knife."
”I know the feeling,” Texōccoatl replied. “I am not used to not having a weapon on me, but I now have plenty of guards, at least.” The contingent of heavily armed Jaguar Warriors in the room was testament to the new emphasis on security.
"Yeah, about that...." She looked down torwads the floor and back at him. "I'm not just a diplomat. They sent me here to both aid you and protect you. It was Alice Lancaster's idea. I have a lot more than just diplomatic training. I'm sorry for hiding this from you, but it was meant to keep you safer."
”Trust me, I’m not complaining. I might not be here right now without your help.” Texōccoatl managed a smile. “Please let her know I am grateful.”
"Of Course. I'm sure she wishes you a fast recovery. So do I. What kind of poison was on the blade? I'm not familiar with Xiomeran natural toxins."
”Tlumala. It’s a plant native to Manauia Island and Cenotillo Island. The plant is used to make a fast acting poison derived from the toxic alkaloids of the plant. It causes unconsciousness, paralysis and eventual cardiac arrest if not treated immediately. It’s been used by Xiomeran assassins for centuries. I’m just lucky we had an antidote for it.”
"Huh. Startling. Eiria only has a few select plants and flowers that are poisonous, so I guess we got lucky." She sat down next to the bed. "Personally, I find the purpose of poison used in a blatant attack a bit pointless. I mean, you have top-tier Laeralite and Xiomeran medical staff, plus you knew it was poisoned. Eiria has a much different style than Xiomera when it comes to operations, it seems."
”Poison is traditional, and Xiomerans love tradition. Not to mention, poison on the blade is meant as a a backup if just stabbing someone doesn’t kill them. If nothing else, ASI does like to be thorough,” Texōccoatl laughed grimly.
"It appears so, unfortunately." Rouchard shifted in her chair. "Eiria is an odd mix of old traditions and modern technology and tactics. Eiria has always been clandestine in nature. We rely on that and our Diplomatic services to keep us out of trouble."
”Xiomerans, by contrast, don’t tend to be very clandestine. We have always relied on being scarier than the other guy to deter people,” the Crown Prince replied wryly. “That may be why ASI and its allies are great at overt actions but fairly lousy at covert ones.”
"Interesting. Eiria's clandestine nature is almost overlooked, because our diplomats paint the picture of an innocent, 'Bleeding Heart', moralistic Democracy. Maybe it's better that way, though. If our covert capabilities were revealed, I don't think our enemies would be able to trust anything they drink." Rouchard said with a playful wink.
”I am perfectly fine with keeping those capabilities secret for now,” Texōccoatl laughed. “We may need use of them again. Please let the Lancasters, the Minister of Defense and Senator Dukov know that I hope they remain safe and well. And hopefully, I will recover quickly myself, because I intend to return the favor to Xochiuhue. Soon.”
"I'm sure my boss will be glad to hear that. May I ask how you intend to return the favor, so Eiria can assist you?"
”I intend to be a bit more overt in my displeasure than Xochiuhue was. An air-to-ground missile aimed at his motorcade some day would convey the message, I think,” Texōccoatl said calmly.
"....That would certainly make a message clear."
Texōccoatl’s answering grin was all the response needed.
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