genessia | Tea > Parties [Action

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Tea > Parties [Action | Closed]

[While half the cities’ citizens were off at Reinhart’s poor excuse for a party, Jacques had decided that he should probably acknowledge his other daughter at some point, and knowing her, she would see the foolishness for what it was and refuse to go as well. So he’d invited her to come over and have a hopefully civil reunion with this one. He’s had the deck set up for them with a fresh pot of peppermint tea and a selection of dainty finger sandwiches and fancy-schmancy desserts.

He’s wearing one of his casual suits and giving himself a once over in the mirror while he awaits her arrival.]

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[She's honestly a little surprised that he remembered Winter's favorite tea. It could be coincidence, but she'll give him the benefit of the doubt. There's a part of him, she believes, that does care for his children. He's just completely inept at showing it more often than not.]

[Winter herself is wearing a refined pantsuit, not exactly casual or frilly, but better than showing up in her usual military attire. What she thinks of the party in Nova City, she doesn't say, but what else is new?]

[After being shown to the balcony, she greets her father with a formal and practiced embrace that lasts exactly two seconds before she withdraws.]

It seems you've managed to make yourself quite comfortable in this world.

[Not a judgment; merely an observation to break the ice.]

You are well, I trust?

[He has to admit, he's a little nervous about tonight. While he and Winter have been able to keep things civil in the past, he's not sure how much she's been talking to Weiss to know how much trouble he's been causing for her. Their standard hug is a good sign, though, and he can feel himself relaxing slightly as she leads them into their usual small talk routine.]

Yes, I am doing quite well over here. You know me; never one to sit back and follow.

[He lifts the ornate teapot and fills her teacup before filling his own.]

And what of yourself? From what I've heard you're settling in as well.

[Settling in, reprimanding people, same thing.]

[To be fair, it's perfectly normal to feel nervous around Winter. Most people do.]

That does seem to be a hereditary trait for our family.

[Other than following the general's orders, but even then, she commands far more people than she obeys. She seats herself primly with a polite 'thank you' for the tea as she brings the cup and saucer to cool in front of her.]

Oh? And what is it that you've heard? I wasn't aware that rumors had already begun to circulate.

[They deserved every rebuke, and far more in her opinion; she thinks she was being fairly restrained with her criticism considering how negligent the majority of the guardians were in a time of crisis. Harumph.]

Yes, well, you know how office chatter can be.

[...Maybe. He actually has no idea how much time she spends in an office being Ironwood's pet, but she'd probably spent enough time growing up with the white-collar types to know how much they loved a good gossip.]

I've heard that you've been reprimanding the city guardians, though some of the topics seemed justified enough to me; it's their job to keep the city safe and yet most of them did not even think to put a sign up on the border of their territory. [He scoffs and takes a sip of his tea.] Really, I might have said something myself were I not in such a prestigious position. [Can't yell at the leaders in public, and he just knows Weiss probably spoke to them about him; they're all far too critical of him.] Should I expect to see your name on the ballot this December?

[He reaches out and picks an open-faced dill smoked salmon sandwich.]

I also hear you're looking to train an army? [He raises an eyebrow skeptically. That one didn't seem fully her style.]

Preventative measures should have been taken. It would have cost them little in resources and effort, yet they still saw fit to take umbrage when I pointed this out. How such novices managed to become elected at all astounds me.

[Such gross incompetence. She can't find it within herself to feel at all regretful for her words, especially since they were only that: words. Winter sips at her tea calmly.]

Certainly not. I have little interest in leadership. I have the qualifications, but considering the type of Guardians they've elected this far, they care more for charisma than competence. Running for such a position would be a waste of time.

[Sip. Her eyes flick up at the mention of an army, and there's a brief puzzled flicker of her brow.]

An army? No. That's an exaggeration to be sure. I offer training to those who seek it, nothing more. Until we have an enemy that can truly be fought with steel and slings, there's no need for an organized unit of significant size and might. I harbor strong doubts that those responsible for our placement in this world can be persuaded to send us home under the threat of a blade.

[But enough about her, surely there are matters he's concerned with that he's itching to discuss.]

What of your own endeavors, Father? I admit that I do hold some curiosity as to just what it is a mayor may do in one of the cities that a Guardian does not. Do you have any pet projects of interest?

[Jacques doesn't deny the fact that the Guardianship is a popularity contest. Really, there's a reason he dropped out and opted to become mayor instead.]

Still, I've no doubt that you would make an excellent Guardian should you choose to run. And who knows? Maybe you have more fans than you think. Fayren is currently Guardian-less, and that's where you've been focusing the efforts of your training project, yes? From what Ironwood told me back home you're quite a capable leader. Even if we're not about to march to war tomorrow, it's still a good idea to have the most prepared person at the head, as was evident during the last breach attack. Make that the center of your platform and the vote will be yours.

[He sips his tea, giving her a confused look at her query. How can she not know the difference?]

The duties of the mayor and of the Guardian are quite different. The mayor creates policies, and the Guardians enforce them, for starters. For example, you might be surprised to learn that I pushed for and signed off on non-organic equality laws in Nova City which granted any sentient being - including those with some or no organic parts - equal rights in the workplace. The International Human Rights laws apply to them as well, and a website and information center was set up for them, among other things. [He holds up a hand in case she plans on interrupting.] An act to appease the masses, I assure you, and gain more votes for the next election period.

The Mayor's real job is to make sure his citizens are happy. This isn't public knowledge yet but the Nova City beach is about to be reopened now that it is considered safe again, all thanks to my pushing at the workers to get it done because I know that my people want their beach back.

I have a couple of other projects that I'm working on to benefit me - and the city, of course - but they're not in the final stages yet so I don't want to divulge too much lest I jinx it.

I do not require the title of Guardian to perform my duties. Even if I were to assume the mantle, the reach of my authority would remain the same.

[She settles her cup into the saucer.]

The answer is no.

[The fact that he's trying to gild the possibility with so much praise and promise makes her strongly suspect that he only wants her to run for the job to extend his own influence through familial ties. He's certainly never been supportive about her decisions in the past, and she's not so foolish as to believe that this place could have changed him so thoroughly.]

[She laces her fingers together to rest them upon her thigh as she listens to him detail his many successes. An eyebrow arches in genuine surprise to hear that he's strangely on board with providing equal rights to those of non-organic origin. And the cynic in her suspects that he's pushed for it only because he might be able to take less sentient robots that can be programmed and fix them to vote in a way that he favors. Is that her failing to believe so little of her father, or his?]

[Perhaps both.]

Oh? You've piqued my curiosity and left it unsated. How dreadful of you.

[Winter smiles.]

I assume there must be at least one project with which you would appreciate my cooperation, or you would not have bothered to mention them at all.

Edited 2017-11-18 22:06 (UTC)

[Wow, Winter, good to see you think so highly of him. He'd have you know that he happens to think that Winter would make an excellent Guardian.

Oh course, the familial bond is an added bonus.]

Such a pity. You would have made an excellent leader. [He takes a casual sip of his tea.] You know, your sister and I made quite the team when she was the Guardian of Nova City. You and I could have accomplished much more.

[Perhaps he'd be able to convince her to run for the June election.]

[He laughs at her insinuation, dabbing his face with an embellished napkin. Her skepticism about his intents is fully justified.]

Really, now, I brought it up? [He returns the napkin to his lap and places his elbows on the table, lacing his fingers in front of him.] As I seem to recall, you were the one who asked me about my projects, begging the question as to what it is that you think I can do for you? So tell me, daughter mine: what did you have in mind?

[Jacques has trained her in the art of business dealings since she was a child. He knows every play in the book to convince someone to help you or open up to you - he wrote it. The whole "ask about their job and how I can help them to get them to see what I want" is Manipulation 101.]

[She's usually more blunt in her approach though, so either he's reading this wrong or what she wants is something awfully big. He'd be lying if he said he wasn't curious.]

[The only response he receives from Winter regarding any talk of guardianship, past and presence, is silence. She gave her answer, she sees no need to repeat herself, nor does she find it prudent to needle him by mentioning the fact that Weiss stepped down from the job because of Jacques. The subject will be dropped, for she has no desire to speak of anything further.]

A formality.

[Her hand lifts only halfway off of the other hand, palm turned out, as though to stay his train of thought from deviating any further from her original intentions.]

I asked only because I was somewhat curious as to how you decided to pass the time in this world. I imagine it must be somewhat difficult, without any of your previous resources available to you. All you had was the family name, as Weiss had personally established. That you could make use of it so earnestly must have been quite a boon.

[She smiles pleasantly, then takes her cup and sips again.]

I assure you, the only thing I want or need from my father is company, not charity.

[Winter knows better than to ask for anything from him, not unless she wants something bad enough to accept the million strings attached.]

[Jacques actually laughs when Winter brings up the fact that Weiss had made the Schnee name mean something here.]

I have to admit, I was shocked when I first saw her hear and heard that she had opened a subsidiary of the Schnee Company here. Looks like I did a better job with her than I thought.

[He takes a sip of his tea, a smirk on his face.]

Her doing so actually made it easier for me to become mayor: the people trusted the Schnee name. I had a bit of a... rocky start when I first arrived, [Could be because his first post was him publicly declaring that he would be taking over the Schnee Company] but we were all able to work past that. It was actually suggested to me by several people that I run for mayor and, well, here I am!

[Another politician laugh as he dabs his mouth with his napkin.]

I hope you do know that should you desire anything, you can always come to me. I'm always happy to use my influence to lend you a hand.

[For a price, of course.]

[Winter neither confirms nor denies his claim of credit for Weiss's entrepreneurship. The man must be growing senile if he truly believes that he was solely responsible for her success. But such thoughts are not spoken aloud over tea.]

[She'd also love to know who these 'several people' truly are. He doesn't seem to have made many friends since arriving here. But then again, neither has she.]

That won't be necessary. All I desire is the company of my father tonight, I assure you.

[What will he charge her for that, she wonders.]

Did you truly have to campaign for your position? I was under the impression that one might simply apply for the job and obtain it, so long as the necessary qualifications were satisfied.

[Sharp as ever, this one. He eyes her over his teacup while he takes a sip. She's kept quiet so far, but it will be hard to pull the wool over her eyes when he does something a little less than savory.]

Campaigning for mayor is on a much smaller scale than Guardians. While pendant-wearers select their Guardian, the mayor is chosen by the residents of this world. Fitting, I suppose, so that both parties are represented. [He shrugs.] In any case, I was elected and I believe I have done a fine job so far. I have a very high approval rating and have gained even more followers in my short time in power so far.

((ooc: a player apps for mayor but they're "elected" by the NPCs))

[It's like she was raised in a society where people make a game of dancing as intricately as possible around the truth without outright lying to deceive their social contacts. Weird.]

I'm pleased to hear it. Admiration does breed a sense of loyalty and respect, after all.

[Thankfully, she only distrusts him as far as family matters are concerned. Winter doesn't believe he would be so corrupt as to villainize an entire city, so she's not particularly looking for signs of trouble from daddy dearest.]

How are you getting along with the guardians, by the way? I can't say I'm terribly pleased with the one that hails from our world, given his past.

[Eventually she'll change her mind, but she hasn't been forced to work with Mercury just yet. Soon, though.]

[He nods.] Yes, and I believe I have many loyal followers now. There are, of course, those who oppose me [Reinhart. Arc. Wukong. To name a few.], though that's unfortunately the risk of anyone with any sort of power.

[He shrugs, unconcerned as he finishes one of his sandwiches and wiped his mouth of any crumbs with his napkin. He doesn't have any plans that are too sinister - for now. Right now, he's still working on growing his power.]

I'm afraid I haven't had the pleasure of dealing with them much as of yet. Vakarian and I only had the opportunity to speak on the phone once. I think. [He frowns. He feels like he called him when something bad went down at his office, but he can't remember. Oh well. Must not have been that important then.] Black - the one from our world - and I have spoken a handful of times, though our relationship is purely a business one. I have no intentions of befriending a murderer - goodness knows what that would do for my approval ratings.

Of the rest, I've spoken to Guardian Sutcliff a couple of times. A woman of class, that one. The only one with a high enough social standing to have such a prestigious position, if you ask me. [And that should tell Winter all she needs to know, if she has Jacques' approval.] She's been a valuable informant to me.

Andor - the one Attleton - we've spoken... once, I want to say? It was rather unmemorable. I don't believe Haller and I have exchanged pleasantries yet. And who knows who's really in charge in Fayren right now? [He shrugs, shaking his head.] They're highly unorganized over there, but what else would you expect of such an undeveloped people?

[Winter can't say she approves of many of the guardians or their deputies. Haller is fine enough, she supposes, but in general they tend to be a prickly bunch with fragile egos. Not exactly the type of people she would elect, so she'll likely cast her vote against the incumbents come the next election term. A shame they can't vote for the deputies as well, since some of the guardians would likely improve without such sycophantic underlings.]

[She keeps her barbed opinions to herself, quietly drinking her tea as she listens to her father. She smiles slightly, a hint of affection reflected in her face. After all, Winter has had time to let her bitterness soften in the passing years. Jacques seems to have smoothed down the feathers she ruffled when she departed.]

[An incorrect assumption, but it's not as if Ironwood has passed on his arguments with Jacques to Winter.]

They could all stand to improve, drastically so in some cases. But I suppose the same could be said of all of us.

[One generic potshot, diplomatically altered.]

Whitley seems to be coping well with his change in situation. You must be very pleased. The boy is practically a business prodigy.

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Tea > Parties [Action | Closed]

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