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Post by Richard Cabal on Dec 13, 2009 0:07:15 GMT
Dante's response further bothered Richard and his mind whirled to make sense of it. I do not associate with those who kill for pleasure or sport, and a good amount of the Brotherhood would fall into that category . . . and yet he was part of the guild. Before the attack, Richard had been careful with all people like this. People who's loyalties were ambiguous and thus unpredictable.
"Don't threaten me Dante, you have no notion of my abilities. An' stop tryin' ta stare me down. I'm tryin' ta work out when your word can be trusted. Since ye don't associate with those who kill for pleasure, yet are part of a guild full of those people." Richard turned his attention to Grace. She looked worried and he touched her shoulder briefly.
"I don't want a fight," he looked back at Dante. "And I would prefer to trust."
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Dante Grixis
Brotherhood
Brotherhood Assassin
There are reasons for things that a casual observer might not understand.
Posts: 310
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Post by Dante Grixis on Dec 13, 2009 20:09:05 GMT
Dante shook his head slowly and sighed. "What would you have me do to gain it?" He asked. He looked from Richard to Grace and back again. It was true, he did not have any idea of the mans skills, but he imagined that his own skills would at least match it. It was irrelivent though because he didn't want a fight. It would solve nothing and he would loose Grace's trust in the process. He didn't think that by telling the truth he would encounter so many issues but he was prepared to take some more time than expected to gain Richard's trust.
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Post by Richard Cabal on Dec 14, 2009 2:02:31 GMT
"Answer me this," this time Richard's voice was gentler. Responding to Dante's sigh and sensitive to Grace's desire for them to get along. He had a sudden vision of himself as a kid, walking along the planks of a fence, wobbling as he over or under compensated his balance.
"How can you so lightly throw aside your alliance fer people ye do not know? Indeed, why must ye stay with that guild since ye have so little loyalty to it? By so gallantry boastin' that you'd kill them to protect us, you make yourself suspect. Because when can your word be trusted? Trusted for good, not until something else catches yer fancy."
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Post by Grace de Beaumont on Dec 14, 2009 6:11:56 GMT
Grace was growing more distressed by the minute. Though she could definitely see where Richard's point was going -- after all, how COULD they trust a self-proclaimed assassin like Dante -- Grace stubbornly stuck to the fact that the younger man had saved her against all reason, against everything his Brotherhood was supposed to stand for. And because of their shared pasts.
"Richard, you haven't heard all of Dante's tale." Grace gave Dante an apologetic look for any secrets she might be divulging, but plunged on. "He's like me, you see. His family was killed when he also was a very young age, but instead of having a guardian to keep him safe, he was alone in the world!" Her voice nearly broke at the telling. "Can you imagine his pain and terror? Of course he had to fall in with whomever would take him, even if that meant a brotherhood of assassins. I lie awake at nights thinking about what would have happened to me should I have survived the massacre, but NOT had you there to guide and protect me." Grace gave Richard a soulful look. "I would have been dead.... or worse."
Putting her hand on Dante's arm, Grace still looked directly at Richard. "Dante already could have killed me, several times over, but he has not. I know what it feels like to suddenly have nothing but my word to demonstrate my worth. I trust his word; please, Richard. For me, can you not do the same?"
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Post by Richard Cabal on Dec 14, 2009 6:25:41 GMT
"As you wish." Richard's lips had compressed as Grace cast past tragedies at his feet. Painting the whole thing like he could not possibly understand the pain and confusion. As if tragedy automatically meant a person was trustworthy. Unconsciously straightening, Richard settled into his old profession. Always watchful, always suspicious. But silent.
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Dante Grixis
Brotherhood
Brotherhood Assassin
There are reasons for things that a casual observer might not understand.
Posts: 310
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Post by Dante Grixis on Dec 14, 2009 21:22:32 GMT
Dante listened to Grace's words in his favor. He smiled a little as she stood up for him. After she finished he turned again to Richard. "I am with the Brotherhood because it is the only trade I know. I would not fit in anywhere else with my certain set of skills." He paused and anticipated the next question. "I will not join the army because I have an inherent mistrust for nobility. They are the reason I am what I am now." He said. He knew that Richard would never fully trust him, but he planned to try and gain as much of his trust as possible.
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Post by Grace de Beaumont on Dec 15, 2009 3:08:55 GMT
The tension was so thick in the air, Grace could nearly see it. Richard was not happy, and most certainly, he wasn't happy with her. Dante was now wary of Richard and BOTH men were still posturing.
The hand holding the basket of spices tightened. "Somehow, this whole conversation fills me with the utmost confidence," Grace said dryly. She shrugged a shoulder as if trying to ward off a burden. "I need to return to work with these or Bush will thrash me. Why don't you two go off somewhere and either fight this out or get drunk? Is that not how men solve their disagreements?"
Flicking a long bit of hair over her shoulder in dismissal, Grace whirled on the spot and moved away through the crowd. Not even the beauty of Hagmoore Green could sooth her nerves, and as she returned to the herb shop, Grace had ample time to reflect on the foolishness of men -- ALL men.
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Post by Richard Cabal on Dec 15, 2009 12:13:15 GMT
Richard inclined his head toward Dante, acknowledging the answer. Now that made sense to him and perhaps, Dante permitting, Richard could help steer the lad towards a path better suited to him. When Grace became a lady, she would need a new court after all. And if Dante proved himself to be consistent over time . . .
Before Richard could answer Grace chimed in, her words as disapproving as his had been previously. He'd have to tell her his thoughts later, right now he grinned at her retreating back like a chastened male.
"Thank you, Dante." He said when she was gone. "She's a good lass, I'd hate ta see a dagger in her back. Especially if I grew lax. Should we go get tha' drink she suggested? I think it'd make her day if she found us stumblin' through the streets." Richard winked at Dante.
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Dante Grixis
Brotherhood
Brotherhood Assassin
There are reasons for things that a casual observer might not understand.
Posts: 310
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Post by Dante Grixis on Dec 15, 2009 19:45:30 GMT
Dante nodded to Grace as she walked away. She seemed upset but he imagined that it would pass soon enough. He turned back to Richard just as he began to talk. He smiled when Richard winked at him. "Best offer I've had all day." He replied with a small chuckle. "Where do you want to go, Ram or Bear?" He asked. The Ram was cleaner and had better ale, but the Bear was less expensive. He didn't mind either one but he figured that he should let Richard choose.
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Post by Richard Cabal on Dec 16, 2009 3:05:18 GMT
"Ram," Richard had been to the Bear before and although the ale was passable, he might be able to wrangle cheaper ale at the Ram as an employee. "I work there. Come lad, I want ta learn all about yer old homes." He could hear the memory of his mother in his ears, scolding him for being too bloody nosey fer yer own good.
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