Garviel nods his head a fraction, not breaking eye contact, but acknowledging her questions as good ones. He inhales, taking a moment to muster up his self-control and his thoughts as best he can.
"I call myself dictator because I will never presume to call myself an Emperor. I am not of noble blood, nor was I designated a Princeps, or Imperator by the Senate. I was designated by Nero herself in extremis, and found the title of a man given sole power during an emergency... for a limited time period. I have no desire for dynastic rule, simply to safeguard Rome. Thus, I went to the old codexes, and found a title I could bear, without making myself into a pretender."
He pauses. The implication being clear enough. Garviel sees himself as a protector of Rome, a ruler for a time. Therefore.... at some point he will be choosing a successor. Whether that complicates or simplifies things for Taryn and Awen is up to her.
"I am not a man of personal religion, though I honor and acknowledge it as part of Dagaria." It seems to have been like eating nails for Garviel to say that sentence, bitterness and anger roiling off him in nigh-visible waves. "I do, however, have an allegiance to the Master of Mankind, as he was once known. But he trusts my judgement, and will allow me to rule Rome as I wish. Humanity would not be benefitted by a war between Rome and Awen, nor would... Nature." He ventures a guess that she reveres Viridi in some manner, though she calls it Gaia, and that thoroughly confuses him.
"If you speak of Viridi, I have.... had words with her. I will admit I often disagree with her dictates, and her demands, but we are able to at least speak with one another. You will note Rome does not ravage the world in the way that Amestris does, and what industry we have tends to be magical, rather than overtly destructive. We're a nation of scholar, warriors, and stone-masons, rather than the great forges and mills that cast a pall to the south of us both."
He frowns, obviously trying to balance his words. "We both have our allegiances to our masters. I would say that cooperation, rather than blades and claws to the throat, will serve us both. This continent, indeed, this world, sees enough of war and corruption from the Rift. For that is anathema to us all. We are but servants, though. You cannot disobey your lord, and cast aside your honor any more than I could. I think it is incumbent on us as rulers to find a way to stand back to back with honor, and convince our lords this is the best route by example, rather than argument."
no subject
"I call myself dictator because I will never presume to call myself an Emperor. I am not of noble blood, nor was I designated a Princeps, or Imperator by the Senate. I was designated by Nero herself in extremis, and found the title of a man given sole power during an emergency... for a limited time period. I have no desire for dynastic rule, simply to safeguard Rome. Thus, I went to the old codexes, and found a title I could bear, without making myself into a pretender."
He pauses. The implication being clear enough. Garviel sees himself as a protector of Rome, a ruler for a time. Therefore.... at some point he will be choosing a successor. Whether that complicates or simplifies things for Taryn and Awen is up to her.
"I am not a man of personal religion, though I honor and acknowledge it as part of Dagaria." It seems to have been like eating nails for Garviel to say that sentence, bitterness and anger roiling off him in nigh-visible waves. "I do, however, have an allegiance to the Master of Mankind, as he was once known. But he trusts my judgement, and will allow me to rule Rome as I wish. Humanity would not be benefitted by a war between Rome and Awen, nor would... Nature." He ventures a guess that she reveres Viridi in some manner, though she calls it Gaia, and that thoroughly confuses him.
"If you speak of Viridi, I have.... had words with her. I will admit I often disagree with her dictates, and her demands, but we are able to at least speak with one another. You will note Rome does not ravage the world in the way that Amestris does, and what industry we have tends to be magical, rather than overtly destructive. We're a nation of scholar, warriors, and stone-masons, rather than the great forges and mills that cast a pall to the south of us both."
He frowns, obviously trying to balance his words. "We both have our allegiances to our masters. I would say that cooperation, rather than blades and claws to the throat, will serve us both. This continent, indeed, this world, sees enough of war and corruption from the Rift. For that is anathema to us all. We are but servants, though. You cannot disobey your lord, and cast aside your honor any more than I could. I think it is incumbent on us as rulers to find a way to stand back to back with honor, and convince our lords this is the best route by example, rather than argument."