(1875-11-16) Hostage Courtesy
Hostage Courtesy
Summary: Elian and Jasmina spend some time talking over a meal.
Date: 16th Nov 2019
Related: 1875-11-10-robbed-of-a-dream, aequorcivilwar
NPCs: None
Players:
Jasmina  Elian  

The Command Tent, 6th Argent Legio Camp
A pavilion with a simple table, a couple of chairs, a desk, chest and simple bed.
1875-11-16

Ever since Jasmina was taken captive she has been treated as something inbetween an honorable noble hostage and a prisoner. She has a guard at all times and her movements are heavily curtailed but she has her own tent within the military encampment and she has been given food, water and everything else necessary to maintain a modicum of comfort. Its been a while now since she was last given an opportunity to get out and do anything but today one of the guards offers a bit of potential boredom relief. If she wants it. You see Elian has invited her to join him for a meal.

-

Jasmina and her men have been… polite, in that they really haven’t spoken to anyone, quiet save for the times they’ve been pressed into answering questions. Even then, what answers that have been given have been kept brief, to the point and mostly useless. No sense in giving Elian or anyone else anything worth while, after all.

When invited to eat she joins him, the queen looking a bit gaunt. Not trusting anyone save her guards, Jasmina has taken to eating very little. Casting an angry look his way, she asks, “What is it you want,” the control she has on her emotion gone.

-
Truthfully Elian’s men have asked very little and Elian himself has been absent entirely until today. Busy elsewhere. He’s gained a few more bruises which are well into the yellowing phase by this point and the cut on his cheek shows little sign of going away but otherwise looks vigorous, healthy and groomed.
“I have been a poor host.” Elian tells her when she settles. “I felt it only appropriate to share dinner whilst I was here. I am sorry that we haven’t been able to provide you with better accomodations but it has been trying.”

-

“Trying. That is putting it mildly,” comes a dry response. Jasmina is looking Elian straight in the eye as she says that, no doubt noticing those marks upon his face. She can’t help but to take a bit of satisfaction in that but does not let her pleasure show on her face. “Am I to trust you, Elian? How do I know you don’t plan on poisoning me?”

Hands resting upon her lap, now, she asks of her ‘host’, “Tell me. Was Lord Ivo also in on your scheme?” She doesn’t believe Elian will answer her truthfully, if he bothers to answer her at all, but she’s curious as to whom else might be involved in the plot against her.

-
Elian’s response to the first question is delivered with blunt honesty. “It would be cheaper, and easier, to use a knife if I wanted you dead.” He takes his time to fill two plates with food before giving her one and keeping the other for himself. “I find it curious how important you find that.” He lifts a water jug and moves to pour a cup out for her. “You seemed to consider him a friend. Is that why?”

-

Normally Jasmina would have her food taster check if the fare offered to her was safe but she doesn’t have that luxury at the moment. She instead waits to see if Elian eats before doing so herself. “I do not know Lord Ivo well enough to consider him a friend,” is murmured, the subject of the way he’d kill her ignored. “I was friendly to him, as I had been with you, as that’s simply my nature.” Until provoked. Then she’s a bear. “I was simply curious as to whether or not he is also a party to this. Surely you can understand why I am.”

-

Elian doesn’t even seem to notice that she is hanging back. Lifting his cutlery and cutting off a slice of the roast meat as he listens to her answer. “Ivo is not involved.” he intersperses his words with small bites of his meal. Not hurrying at all. “It was my plan and you can put all the blame squarely onto my shoulders if it makes you happy.”

-

That’s good to learn. It helps Jasmina feel a little better although not so much that it puts her at ease. Seeing Elian eat, Jasmina starts to do so as well, taking small bites that are consumed at a measured pace, only pausing when she speaks. “I see. Well. I won’t say I am happy.” Because why would anything save for being allowed to return to Rhone make her happy,” but I will say that I am relieved to hear he isn’t.” And with that she returns to eating.

-
Elian explains. “It is important that you are hidden. If word spreads that I have you then I will have to hand you over to the King.” He doesn’t have to explain why that is bad. “And that would be Inconvenient for me.” He looks to her “But disastrous for you.” he sets his fork down so that he can instead take a drink from his cup and then conversationally asks “Have you given much thought to what you are going to do when you meet Princess Atreis?”

-

Jasmina lifts a shoulder indifferently, a half-shrug she hopes will serve to annoy her host. “I am surprised you do not plan to hand me over to him,” comes an easy shrug. “I am sure he’d reward you handsome for the cunning way you have captured the evil vitch.” As for the last question? She’s quiet for a moment before, with a sigh, she says evenly, :”I will not align with her, Elian, as I refuse to bow down to anyone who tries to sway others to their cause by threatening them. It was that kind of nonsense that cause me to leave Aequor, after all So, that said, I’ll probably be put to death, solving everyone’s perceived problems.”
-

Elian gives Jasmina a contemplative look. “So what you are saying.” he says. “Is that it does not matter who I hand you over to because all three options will result in you stubbornly going to the gibbet.”

-

“What I am saying,” Jasmina says with a faint sneer, “is that, save for one outcome, is that I’m going to die no matter what, no matter who you hand me over to. And yes. I am being stubborn about this..” She looks like she might say more but hushes and looks down at her plate.

-

“Hmm.” Elian murmurs under his breath. “That does complicate things. I had hoped that you would swear fealty, thus bringing the wars one step closer to being done with. Your pride is going to result in a lot of deaths beyond your own you know? If I can not use you to end the war I will have to do it with the sword.”

-
That was the wrong thing to say to Jasmina. Patience frayed to the point of snapping, she rises to her feet, her hands slammed, palms down, upon the table. “This is not about my pride, you fool! This is about keeping my people safe. And if you are too narrow-sighted to see why I am doing this then there’s no hope for you.” Leaning over, she adds with a hiss through clenched teeth, “And do not think that you or anyone you love is safe, Elian. As soon as you do something to upset one, or both, of them you will be put to death.”

-

“I am aware just how unstable the current royals are.” Elian seems unperturbed by her anger. As impossible to truly read as ever. “But I am neither a sorcerer nor a many worshipper. I am as safe as anyone in the kingdom. For now.” He lifts another bottle. This one the rich red of wine and offers to fill her cup before pouring his own. “How does dying make your people safe Jasmina?” Curiosity in his eyes. “Right now I can only assume you are being stubborn and prideful. Make me understand your plan.”

-

An indellicate snort is given to Elian, Jasmina not caring as to how rude her doing so is. “So because your safe you can turn a blind eye to the plight of others, hmm? To hell with those who are in need of help because you, yourself, are just fine?” Jasmina sets down her eating implements and rises, moving as far away from the table, and Elian, as possible. “Why? No matter what I say you’ll just sit there and try to pick it apart, after all, and I am not in the mood for a long debate. And, besides, I do not trust you. So… no. I will not tell you anything of the sort.”

-
“Very well.” Elian says “I will continue assuming you can’t.” He gives a little shrug towards her insults. “A man, or woman, who does nothing in their own self interest never gets anywhere. Is that not right.” His next part is delivered rather sardonically. “Your Highness.”

-

Jasmina grits her teeth, her eyes narrowing. “I am doing what I am doing so others may live. It is not a selfish act, although I do get the satisfaction that I can provide those who need a safe haven such a place. Are things as peaceful as I had hoped they’d be?” Her hands slip behind her, fingers interlaced at the small of her back. “No. Do I believe that they someday will be? Absolutely.” Having said all she has the heart to say, she turns towards the opposite wall, not quite turning her back on Elian but close. “I am growing tired.”

-
“You wish to go back to your tent and give up then?” Elian asks her. “Rather than putting in the effort it takes to attempt to convince me that you are, in fact, capable of doing what you say.” He takes a slow drink from his cup, watching her for a long moment, and then moves to his feet. “As you wish.”
He lifts his voice just enough to call the guards in from outside.

-

“I meant that I am tired of having to explain myself to you and others like you. People who do not care.” Jasmina turns again, watching as he stands. “Tell me something. What if the Princess winds up being like her father? What if she wishes for nothing more than to continue the bloodshed and the fighting and the torturing? Will you still wish to follow her, Elian? Or will you be brave enough to stand up against her as you apparently are brave enough to do so against me?” She holds her gaze to his, her eyes narrowed.

-

“That is the thing Jasmina.” Elian says “You keep telling me how your freedom and kingdom will lead to a better world but you will not offer me any reason to believe you actually have a plan that might accomplish it. I am not pressing you to be difficult. I am pressing you because you suggest there is another way.”
He lifts his cup again as she turns the question around. Settling back down at the table and leaving the guard to take up position on the inside of the large tents exit flap for now.
“I am technically standing up against the King.” he points out. “But in truth. I can not say for sure what I will do in such a hypothetical situation. So much depends on information I do not have. I can say this. She is the easiest and cleanest route to replacing the royal family. Since she already has a solid claim on the title.”

-

“And why should I tell you anything? Anything I say in regards to what it is that I am hoping to accomplish will just be reported to Atreis. I might not be the most military-minded person in the world, but I am not a fool.” Jasmina glances away, looking at the flap of the tent, her hands falling back to rest before her. “Are my men uninjured?”

-
“Because it is the only way you might accomplish what you want Jasmina.” Elian says “Unless you can somehow persuade me that your path is worth it. Or you change your mind about stubborn pride. You are going to die. Eosphora will return to Aequor. Perhaps even under my control. And you will have failed.”
He settles his hands onto the tabletop. “I have no reason to hurt your guards.”

-

And just like that, it starts to dawn on Jasmina just why Elian has chosen to get involved. “I think I understand, now.” Chuckling humorlessly, she moves towards the flap, indicating that she is now ready to depart. “We will speak again but, for now, I should rest. Thank you for taking such good care of my men.” As almost always, the well-being of others gets placed well before her own.

-

Elian gestures to the guard. “Escort her back to her tent”

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