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| Only the strong have a say in this world. The rest can take their place in the dirt! |
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Post by Bellona Battaglia on May 29, 2015 2:08:56 GMT
Ahh, so Samantha understood what Bellona meant. The idea of recruiting her to her own forces seemed a little more likely, now. Time would tell if she was capable enough, but she had the right sort of attitude, at least. Then came a surprising question. Well, it wasn't actually surprising, but few people actually saw that. "Do you really want to know?" Bellona asked, her voice suddenly taking a turn to a more sinister tone. "It's because if I ever turn my troops on the Emperor, I want to be in a position to take over from."
She let that hang over them for just a moment before returning to a normal tone and expression. "I'm joking, of course. I have neither the inclination nor the ability to take the Emperor's place, even as a councilwoman. The truth is that accepting the position is a decision I have come to regret. I appreciate the power it offers me, but many times I have found myself preferring to be on the battlefield. Even so, I do always strive to be on top."
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| Dark skies are falling, the reaper is calling. |
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Post by Athena Delacroix on May 29, 2015 2:26:57 GMT
"Samantha" gave a surprised expression, her mouth moving a bit as if attempting to communicate. In reality though, there was... something interesting in her words. It was not entirely a lie. Even as Bellona adopted her normal expression, she could feel that something was off in Bellona's tone. While the regret was certainly true enough, that "lie" about turning on the Emperor still felt as if it contained a kernel of truth. Perhaps Bellona Battalgia did have some desire to turn her sword upon the Emperor himself and create a bloody coup. But still, Athena could not see her as an Empress of all things. Rather, it was a lack of desire to administrate and rule and more a desire to create a new and dramatic battleground. Nonetheless, the false soldier gave a slightly conflicted look before seemingly accepting that Bellona was simply lying about the first comment before telling the entire truth quickly after. "Ah... hahaha... You got me there. I almost believed you for a second." She adopted a slightly embarrassed expression before starting to respond again. "Well, I suppose I get what you mean though. Administration's pretty boring. Not all that often I have to do it, but it's practically soul draining." She then looked slightly off to the side. "If you don't mind me saying so, I really do admire your drive to be the best. It's kinda inspiring really." The blonde soldier chuckled a bit. --- Tags: Bellona Battaglia |
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| Only the strong have a say in this world. The rest can take their place in the dirt! |
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Post by Bellona Battaglia on May 29, 2015 3:19:04 GMT
Bellona watched Samantha's expression shift to surprise for a moment, then back to embarrassment after she revealed the 'truth'. She wondered just how much the soldier believed. It was true, Bellona would gladly stage a coup if the Emperor ever proved undeserving of the position. But she had no desire for the politics of the position. The power, yes, but there was no denying that she would be in it, if at all, for the fighting involved. Perhaps if that day ever came, she would simply take her fight somewhere else once she run, and leave the survivors to pick up the pieces of Loros.
"Thank you," Bellona said, once Samantha admitted to admiring her drive. "Believe it or not, I do strive to be someone who can be admired, at least in a fashion." She was under no delusions that common soldiers admired her desire to influct as much violence as possible and utterly dominate her opponents. But there were other things about her that could be admired, as Samantha had just said. And it was those that she used to win over her subordinates.
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| Dark skies are falling, the reaper is calling. |
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Post by Athena Delacroix on May 29, 2015 4:23:44 GMT
Hmm. Seemed that her last remarks had found a certain way into Bellona's graces after all. She had a feeling that playing to the Councilor's ego would work. It always did for everyone else. At any rate, the conversation was continuing steadily along. "Ah, while I'm thinking about it. Would you like something to drink as well, ma'am?" Her expression brightened up from the previous look of nervousness, a grin crossing her face once more. "I'd love to hear some of your stories if you're willing to share them. I've certainly heard the rumors, but there's nothing like hearing it from the War Goddess herself."--- Tags: Bellona Battaglia |
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| Only the strong have a say in this world. The rest can take their place in the dirt! |
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Post by Bellona Battaglia on May 29, 2015 20:24:53 GMT
"If you would, please," Bellona said when offered a drink. This whole 'mingling' thing was going a lot easier now. It was certainly less forced when she could interact with soldiers or other kindred spirits rather than nobles more interested in money or political power than battle. While the Battaglia family was hardly unique in their own priorities, the more typical brand of decadent nobility seemed to be much more common.
Perhaps that was just her view from the top, though. Bellona wondered if it would benefit her to interact more with her fellow nobles in a different setting.
She chuckled when Samantha asked her to share some of her stories. "Indeed. Rumors rarely do a true story justice. Let's see...ah, since Spectre's rebellion is fresh on most people's minds, how about I tell you of another one? They crop up here and there often, although no rebel groups have been as notable or as elusive thus far. The leader of this one was a smuggler, who got a big head after he acquired a Medicham and defeated the soldiers who came to arrest him. He started gathering up common folk as well as his fellow criminals, and preached freedom from oppression as though he had somehow gained the right." Bellona gave the young soldier a sinister smile as she continued. "His rebellion barely lasted a week before I showed up. I made him beg for mercy before Fimbulvetr here froze him solid." She inclined her head towards her Froslass.
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| Dark skies are falling, the reaper is calling. |
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Post by Athena Delacroix on May 29, 2015 21:14:13 GMT
"Samantha" moved to retrieve one of the remaining empty glasses nearby the punch bowl. She then proceeded to fill the glass for Bellona before handing it to her. Bellona then began her story of a previous rebellion that had popped up before Spectre. Come to think of it, Athena had heard of the matter after the fact. Though at the time, she was quite involved in hunting down a serial killer that ran rampant in Whitecoast. The Goldsmiths were particularly vocal about having the matter dealt with. "Ah, I think I heard about that. But my, my. You definitely sound like someone I wouldn't want to fight against." Okay, Athena had to laugh inwardly after saying that line. "Your Fimulvetr sounds truly impressive as well. I've heard that Ice Pokemon can freeze a person in ice, but I've yet to see it done. That part of the rumor definitely holds true." She nodded solemnly. "But surely you've had something that's given you a challenge, right? I don't mean to sound rude, of course. But it almost sounds like you were bored with that uprising."--- Tags: Bellona Battaglia |
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| Only the strong have a say in this world. The rest can take their place in the dirt! |
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Post by Bellona Battaglia on May 29, 2015 23:53:55 GMT
"Most people don't," Bellona said, chuckling. "The ones who do, or will fight me anyway, if necessary, they're the interesting ones." She let out a small, almost wistful sigh, remembering one particular case from over a year ago now. A certain assassin who no doubt didn't care to challenge her (her type rarely did, when it wasn't necessary) but still did so without question when Bellona 'asked' to spar. "You are correct, though. No one involved in that incident proved much of a challenge. The only one even worth my time was his Medicham, and she fights at my side now." Ivaldi was certainly a strange one. The pacifistic Pokemon had unleashed a truly glorious onslaught when pushed into fighting, but when all was said and done she had no problem joining up with Bellona. Perhaps she understood on some level what the alternative would have been.
"Truth be told, it's very rare that I come across an actual challenge. Most of the ones worth noting came from sparring with other soldiers."
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| Dark skies are falling, the reaper is calling. |
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Post by Athena Delacroix on May 30, 2015 0:16:01 GMT
Sparring, hm? Hahaha... Well, the next fight Bellona would have would not be a spar. And Athena would not be holding back as she had before. Nor would it be the same tactics or even fighting style. No, it was well over a year later and Athena had developed some new tricks in regards to both. Bellona Battaglia may be able to put up a fight, but when it came down to the brass tacks... Well, that was for awhile from now. Not the current. Patience, patience and timing. Those two qualities were everything for a proper killer. This Athena knew well. "I see. Were there any that put a particularly good fight? I have a hard time imagining anyone getting the better of you." The false soldier asked curiously after taking another sip of her drink. --- Tags: Bellona Battaglia |
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| Only the strong have a say in this world. The rest can take their place in the dirt! |
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Post by Bellona Battaglia on May 30, 2015 6:46:11 GMT
Bellona took a sip of her own drink, pausing a moment as she did. It was...decent, she supposed. A ball like this should have had champagne, but when attendance was mandatory for the entire city...
"There were a few. Most of them were my own soldiers, of course. But there was one other in particular I remember. An assassin, commonly known as the Nightblade. Her existence was something of a closely-guarded secret, so I doubt you'd know her by anything else. I challenged her out of curiosity and she defied all expectations. But, she went rogue not too long after that and I'm not sure where she's ended up since. I'm looking forward to meeting her again, though." Once again, a sinister smile crossed her lips as she finished. She hadn't forgotten. One way or another, she was going to make Athena hers.
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| Dark skies are falling, the reaper is calling. |
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Post by Athena Delacroix on May 30, 2015 7:01:04 GMT
"Samantha" adopted an appropriately confused expression at the mention of an assassin. Inwardly however, it did kind of amuse Athena to see how much of an impression was left upon the Councilor. And yet... perhaps unnervingly so, even. A tone of desire practically oozed from the way that Bellona spoke about the encounter. Were she any lesser of a professional, a shiver might have run up Athena's spine with the way that Bellona smiled at the end. Like a predator bearing down on it's prey. The false soldier did not know what Bellona actually desired, but it was enough to unnerve her slightly. "I-I see..." She briefly stuttered, albeit falsely. "She really sounds like something. Hope she's not amongst the Spectre ranks though. Could cause us some severe trouble if so." Samantha hummed in thought for a moment. "Maybe I should tell the Lady we should double the guards outside. What do you think, ma'am? Do you believe she'd be here? You definitely know her better than I do."Just what did the good Councilor expect, hm? --- Tags: Bellona Battaglia |
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| Only the strong have a say in this world. The rest can take their place in the dirt! |
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Post by Bellona Battaglia on May 30, 2015 7:12:12 GMT
'Hope'? No, on the contrary, Bellona hoped that she was among Spectre now. Athena was already a rogue agent, an enemy of the empire. Finding her among this latest threat would make challenging them all the sweeter. After all, it would mean there were people among Spectre who were worth fighting, something that to this point she could only hope for. As for Athena herself...well, it didn't matter where she was now. Bellona would find and claim her all the same. Her being among Spectre just meant that she wouldn't have to deviate from her current duties to do so.
She shook her head. "I doubt that guards would be capable of keeping someone like her out. It's better to have increased vigilance on the inside. I don't know if she's joined up with Spectre, but if she has...there's no question that she'd be here."
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| Dark skies are falling, the reaper is calling. |
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Post by Athena Delacroix on May 30, 2015 7:23:14 GMT
The false Captain nodded solemnly, a troubled expression still on her face. "I thank you for your time, ma'am. It's truly been an honor to meet you and talk like we have. But now that you've brought this to my attention, I need to make sure the Lady knows about it." The blonde snapped a respectful salute before turning around and walking off towards the crowds of people. After a moment though, her head turned to look back at Bellona, the peaked cap she wore covering her eyes in shadow. "Have a good evening, Madam Bellona."There was only one person who called her that. And then they were gone amongst the crowd. It was the last time that anyone saw Captain Samantha Lutz that night. --- Tags: Bellona Battaglia |
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| Only the strong have a say in this world. The rest can take their place in the dirt! |
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Post by Bellona Battaglia on May 31, 2015 15:02:58 GMT
"Of course." Bellona nodded, waiting and watching for the captain to go. Liliana would have to know about this, and while Bellona had said that posting more guards outside would be meaningless, more soldiers on the lookout inside may well help them. Although, any assassins worth their salt would either be in disguise, or not yet be known well enough to pick out until they took action. Perhaps she should go to Liliana with her own recommendations, then. There were certainly some Pokemon that could probe at a person's mind. If nothing else she'd seen a soldier she knew owned a Beheeyem, somewhere.
Then, Captain Samantha Lutz looked back at her as she left, hiding her eyes but still addressing her. Not as Councilor but as Madam. No one did that. Except...
'What is it that you desire of me, Madam Bellona?'
'Your sword, madam.'
"Right in front of me..." Bellona said. "Hah...ahahaha..." A smile crossed Bellona's face once more. Though it was just as sinister as when she had expressed hope at meeting Miss Nightblade again, she was delighted. The 'captain' was already gone amongst the crowd, but Bellona had already seen her face. She'd remember this disguise, and she knew what it meant. Athena Delacroix was either with Spectre or working towards the same goals. She was here. And she had made contact. Either she simply wished to speak with her, or that meant that Bellona was her intended target. Curious, since she had suspected Spectre would want to bring down the leaders of Newhaven first, but it was something Bellona welcomed nonetheless.
"Yes...come and get me, Athena Delacroix," she said, too quiet for anyone to hear. "I'll be waiting."
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