(no subject)

[get_off_my_lawn]

Who: Taryn Shadow-Walker, Athrun Zala | Revan, Raisa, Skrimir
Where: Lerrian - Ringfort
What: End of the Siege/Negotiations
When: We'll say... about a week ago.
Warnings: violence
Moon Phase: Waning Crescent

The Zeon commander's request for negotiations couldn't have come at a better time. With Spring Court approaching, Taryn was looking to end the siege at Ringfort soon and without burning the fort to the ground. She'd been under the full moon's sway when she'd written those messages to her allies and let more of her rage out than she generally liked. Whereas this wasn't the absolute best conditions for her to conduct negotiations, it made it very unlikely she would take things as insults. The moon prompted her to seek answers, and so she would seek an answer to this conflict between Luna's Call and Zeon.

With the lion prince in her care, Taryn would use this as a teaching tool. She was far more reasonable than the laguz and his first lesson would be in understanding compromise and how to handle humans, especially honorable humans. So the Rhya sent Skrimir to join Revan and Raisa - those that had been conducting the siege - while she handled the Zeon commander.

Stepping out into the middle of the clearing before Ringfort's gates, the seven foot tall grey werewolf with the large two-handed sword and two-handed crystalline hammer across her back called out to the ramparts in a clear, commanding voice.

"Colonel Athrun Zala, I am Taryn Shadow-Walker, Rhya of Luna's Call. You have requested words, so we will have words. Come and speak now."

Comments

Taryn and Athrun

[get_off_my_lawn]

[infinitejustice]

It was definitely loud enough for Athrun to hear from within the fort. In response to the message, the front door to the fort opened, and two soldiers emerged, taking positions on either side of the door. A few seconds later, Athrun himself emerged into the open.

He was not wearing his armor, but instead his military uniform. The insignia on his uniform indicated that he was indeed a colonel, but anyone who was meeting him for the first time would most likely be surprised by his youth -- he didn't look any older than eighteen. Most of his peers would be either rank-and-file or cadets.

Once he was within speaking range -- about five feet away -- he offered Taryn a military bow. "I am Colonel Athrun Zala of the Zeon 7th Regiment. I wish to negotiate a settlement in our conflict."

[get_off_my_lawn]

The soldiers emerging from the gates first were to be expected; she'd considered having a couple of her own with her, but ultimately decided against it. She didn't need their presence or their protection, and their absence spoke to her strength as a leader and as a warrior. What wasn't expected was the Athrun's youth. He must be new to his command, marking this as his Rite of Passage, or Zeon was a kingdom of pups.

Not once did Taryn's eyes move from Athrun's. She held his gaze steadily and calmly. "What do you propose? You are not in the best position to negotiate from Colonel. Reinforcements will not be arriving for you and the forest is of no advantage to you. I do hope you've been getting enough sleep."

At that last bit, Taryn's lip curled up a bit in slight amusement, knowing how the nights have been filled with the cries of her men meant to prevent rest.

"But I am a reasonable wolf, so I will listen."

[infinitejustice]

Athrun did not let any emotion show up on his face. "At the same time, we still have our own advantages. We have the advantage of numbers, and our supplies can last us some time still. From where I stand, I see a stalemate. Continuing this conflict won't benefit either of us.

"However, based on my initial exchange with your general, I can offer you something you want. I have received authority from Prince Char himself to offer our full withdrawal from this province."

[get_off_my_lawn]

"You're right that continuing this is of no benefit," Taryn agreed. "We have a greater enemy in the Rift that I would rather turn our attention toward, but this is our land, so forgive me for being less than reverent toward politics."

She knew there was more to this than it looked, but her words were true. She saw no strategic advantage to Zeon being in Lerrian given how far the islands were from it unless the kingdom was looking to flank either of the allied kingdoms of Britain and Rome. With Luna's Call currently having a vested interest in Britain and Rome's continued existence, Taryn was going to have to be a little stubborn.

"Then by all means, withdraw. I assure you, my men will not impede any passage out of Lerrian and my healers will tend to your wounded with their arts to see them safely back to their families."

[infinitejustice]

"That is appreciated. However, I must ask for something in return."

He closed his eyes for a few seconds, to consider his options. "Would an alliance to be called upon in times of Riftspawn activity be possible?"

[get_off_my_lawn]

There was no hesitation in Taryn's response.

"Those of the Rift must be crushed and destroyed. Should Zeon need the strength of Luna's Call to deal with the Riftspawn, I will extend our aid. If you get off my land and don't try to revisit this notion of controlling Lerrian again. You are far from your islands."

[infinitejustice]

Athrun bowed again, letting a smile crack. "Then we have our arrangement. Now let's take care of the paperwork."

[get_off_my_lawn]

"Paperwork?" Taryn raised an eyebrow. "My word is my honor, young Colonel. Is not yours the same?"

[infinitejustice]

"Er." Athrun's lack of experience showed itself just a bit here. He looked surprised. "For me personally? Yes. But officials may require something more...concrete."

[get_off_my_lawn]

"Petty human requirements." The wolf snorted. "So be it, but as I will sign your papers, you will back your own word up with the strength of your blade."

[infinitejustice]

That expression confused Athrun, as was apparent on his face. "The strength of my blade?"

[get_off_my_lawn]

Taryn almost rolled her eyes. Almost.

"Traditional single combat. You are a soldier, correct? Don't worry; I won't kill you."

Revan, Raisa, Skrimir

[get_off_my_lawn]

[ofbloodandbone]

That was the human commander? That puny beorc?

How disappointing.

After accompanying Taryn to Ringfort and agreeing not to act without her permission, the young lion stood off to the side, looking rather displeased. He was displeased about many things; the encroaching humans, their use of the fort, hell, even the negotiations itself. Still, he kept his distances, held his tongue, and checked his temper. Even with his arms crossed, it was easy to tell that the laguz was restless. He wanted to fight. He wanted to crush these intruders so that they would never eye Lerrian again. It was so tempting to snap their necks.

But if the Rhya said to keep his distance and listen, Skrimir would listen. Very, very impatiently.

[revanisms]

If you have a problem, say it to his face. Besides, his armor is scary, see. ...scary.

Still, Revan didn't care to fight other humans if he had to. Only if they stood in the way of him commanding an army, which was currently the only thing stopping him now. Since that was being set aside, he didn't feel like prosecuting a worthless war when he needed his men for other things.

Though Skrimir, you look like and excellent Guinea Pig for a new tactic Revan has had in mind for beastmen to practice. EXCELLENT.

[canhazcookie]

Though she was a cat and thus knew patience well, Raisa...was still young by laguz standards. Young adult laguz tended to have problems sitting still no matter what they had learned before, and she couldn't help but lash her tail in aggravation as she watched from the trees. She was in her beast form, to better channel excess energy--and as a form of intimidation. Hers were not the only set of eyes glaring out from the shade of the trees.

It was much like waiting for a rabbit to emerge from its burrow, so she told herself. A rat, more like. Many rats.

Ones that had killed her comrades--not all of them, and not all even laguz, but still. The very idea made her pride bristle. Were she not so distracted, she might have been more appreciative of the lion prince's presence--thrilled, even, that he had graced them all with that presence to begin with. Or that even seated upright in her transformed state, her head barely cleared Skrimir's elbow.

"I've never liked hunting rats," the cat muttered, only partially to herself.

[ofbloodandbone]

Oh-so-very imposing, General. Frightening, even. But Skrimir's disappointment is directed more towards the enemy commander this time around.

Skrimir rumbles an agreement when his ears catch the words of the other feline. He doesn't take his eyes off the exchange in the distances. "What hunter does? Rats are poor sport, carries of disease, and nothing but thieves. They are hardly worth the effort of the kill."

[revanisms]

"You will fight what you have to fight."

This is Luna's Call. Fighting is what they do best. Though Revan was reminded to make sure to get gunpowder from someone while he had the chance.

"To be a part of this army means killing bugs if necessary."

[canhazcookie]

"Yes, yes, but it's still so very tedious."

Raisa stretched, a very catlike thing to do. She took out a further bit of energy on the dirt she raked her claws over, and then flopped down in a leonine fashion.

Her irritation wasn't gone by any means, but at the least curbed now--particularly with her commander more or less staring at her. Especially because of that.

[ofbloodandbone]

"Killing insects is what we were assembled for, isn't it?" He meant the Riftspawn, but that could be interpreted freely. Skrimir made another deep rumble in his chest to express his irritation, although it wasn't quite a growl.

"Why must we negotiate with these cowards? They intruded on our land, and tried to take it from us! They are in the wrong; they should be driven out. Why aren't we crushing them?" If Skrimir had possessed a tail like Raisa, it would be lashing also.

[revanisms]

That wasn't the point of the matter but Revan felt that explaining it would be a waste of breath.

"We negotiate with them because there are far bigger concerns than them being on our land."

He pointed over to their fort.

"First is that we save our lives and theirs. The more we weaken ourselves, the harder it will be to fight the riftspawn. Both us and them. Secondly, if that fort is not destroyed, it has quite a few more uses in the future."

[canhazcookie]

Raisa's tail finally ceased its lashing--well, for the most part. The tip still twitched occasionally. The General was right, of course--he was in many things.

...it was just a hard thing to get past that laguz pride. Medicine was not always easy to accept, even when one knew it to be wholesome.

[ofbloodandbone]

The large lion prince scoffed, his features darkening into a deep scowl. He, too, carried the racial pride Raisa did, and likely a stronger one. The implications of that fort was enough to sting. "Uses for what? Do you intend to have us hide in it, too?"

Ah, finally, the leaders were fighting. Skrimir's focus shifted to the conflict in the distance, much more attentive now. This was the good part.

[revanisms]

"Look at its location." Sheesh, Skrimir, get some tactical knowledge into your head.

"All traffic in this area has to go through this location. That means any invasion into this area can be stunted right here, even if we are caught by surprise."