[handmaiden of unsheathed swords] voice posted:

[darkeststars]

This is Darth Imperius.

Anyone interested in discussing our newfound options in person... [ or more importantly, away from prying ears on the quartz ] ...may find me in the parlor this evening. Perhaps it is genuinely time to round up that group meeting several of us keep threatening.

Comments

[darkeststars]

Perhaps a simple vote would be easiest.

With as little as we all truly know of this region, I am tempted to leave it to the one who's apparently been here long enough to be part of the traditions. But of course our real concerns lie far beyond this place. Whatever will get us out of Sa-Hareth in the cleanest fashion would certainly be the wise course.

[weifinder]

Cleanest fashion and least depending on the word of a struggling powerbase to smooth going forward.

[darkeststars]

Indeed. What are promises from a king desperate enough to solicit the help of thirty-something displaced refugees? [ snort ] They've both shown their hands more than they realize.

[weifinder]

Or they know, and can't afford to care, which is as unhelpful and really just points to our use as a knife but little else

[darkeststars]

Mm. Well, often enough in the past I've been the knife grabbing what gain I can out of the hand wielding me. Not my preferred position, but not to be dismissed entirely either -- it can have its uses.

If you object on entirely ethical grounds, though, then I suppose the point is moot. But I am not sure we're in a position to decide purely on the ethics.

[weifinder]

I'm not personally fond of being sacrificed to achieve other people's political goals, I'll admit. Not myself, not innocents, for things like that.

If that's also a moral quandary, so be it.

[darkeststars]

Fair enough. There is certainly a balancing act to be considered, whether the benefits outweigh what you must trade to someone who cares nothing for where you will end up. [ for a moment there's a bitter note in his voice that definitely sounds like personal experience. ]

But still. Using one's enemies for all they're worth is sometimes the most efficient path forward. Whether that is truly the path here, of course, remains to be determined. I am not yet decided myself.

[weifinder]

( He does chuckle at that, either way. )

When we balance them against what's offered here? Two weak positions, both grasping at what benefits them, and why us, as the imbalance that tips their scales? I don't trust it. I can't trust it, and being set up as we are right now to be here, I'm less inclined than ever toward anything Anurr related; Unhalad shouldn't be a consideration. The weakest of a group crying that us not helping will mean they'll go crying to the rest of those who know them, is that credible? Most those I know would laugh at how that highlights your own inability to hold on to what you captured. If a handful can weaken your hold, do you want to broadcast that? You lost that much control?

( aka he sees no gain and only hot air being blown on both sides. )