[sub]in collaboration with [@Whoami][/sub]

[h1][center][i][u]"Peace Attempt Re-deux"[/u][/i][/center][/h1]

Coraline walked behind Lorelai and Elizabeth as they left the council. She was silent with one hand resting on the hilt of her longsword. Their footsteps echoed down the hallway along with the quiet conversations of passing witches who were in  greater hurry. The knight had been quiet for nearly the entire council. But her mind had been active, some of it bled over to her pactmate walking just ahead of her. Confusion, duty, and envy were but a few of the feelings travelling through her thoughts. Coraline just took a deep breath and walked on in silence while Liz and Lorelai mumbled between themselves.

Lorelai bid farewell to Elizabeth as they passed the woman's new office,  continuing towards her personal tower.  Her footsteps slowed untill she and Coraline were side by side.  [color=00aeef]"What troubles you?  I don't think it's the obvious war pending,  although that would be cause enough for some of it."[/color]  She asked simply,  breaking the silence between them.

Coraline raised a brow to Lorelai when she spoke. She figured there was no point avoiding the conversation and sighed before speaking, [color=steelblue][b]"I couldn't help but notice how I managed to attend that entire council without even being acknowledged. Perhaps it's because I'm not trusted around here, but regardless I feel... Under utilized. Wait."[/b][/color]

Coraline stopped and looked to Lorelai, [color=steelblue][b]"I feel like you're keeping me tucked away here because I wont allow you to have this sword. Almost like I'm some sort of exotic collector's item or something. Your succubus and a score of other witches watch my every move. I didn't make this pact casually, Lorelai, I sacrificed more than one thing for the greater good."[/b][/color]

The knight ran a mailed hand through her hair, [color=steelblue][b]"So Elizabeth is your general, Medusa your ally, Triss your confident, and I'm what? Your trophy? Give me a reason to stay. A reason to fight."[/b][/color]

Lorelai stopped in suit with the knight.  [color=00aeef]"You want a reason to fight?  To stay?"[/color]  She gestured to the witches passing them.  Removing a small token from her pocket she tossed it to Coraline,  on the front was engraved a portait of two very familiar little girls,  and the back bore their names; Lotte and Abby Von'Strauss.  [color=00aeef]"These are mine,  I fight for family,  I'm sure you can understand that."[/color]

[color=00aeef]"I don't know what you are to me Coraline,  I like to think of us as friends most days.  You've made no pledge to my cause,  so far the only thing we share is each other's thoughts and a mutual fear of the blade you bear."[/color]  Lorelai explained calmly.  [color=00aeef]"Tell me what you want to be.  Do you want to be my champion?  Do you want to be a simple soldier?  Or would you prefer to flee this castle before the bloodshed begins?"[/color]

[color=00aeef]"Would you bind yourself deeper into a legacy of flame and darkness Coraline?  Our enemies will be many,  and we may never know peace."[/color]  Her eyes bored into the knight's as she awaited her answer.

[color=steelblue][b]"I'm not going to leave this castle behind as long as there are children in it. If you want me to be your champion than aye, I will be. But I'm not going to put an end to [i]my[/i] goal. When those hunters come, I will turn them back. There will be no bloodshed, I swear it."[/b][/color] Coraline paused, [color=steelblue][b]"But I'll never [i]pledge[/i] myself to you, Lorelai, and here's why. This pact we've made doesn't place one above the other. You are not my master just as I am not yours. And we are bound in such a way where we should be watching over eachother to preserve ourselves. I've already made my intentions clear to fight with you, but not for you. I need to know this is going to be returned."[/b][/color]

[color=00aeef]"I understand."[/color]  Lorelai fetched a small crystal rod from her robes,  it pulsed with a deep red light as she handed it to Coraline.  [color=00aeef]"This is a psycopomp.  Go make your attempt at peace,  tell them we're no threat to them or their's.  When their hatred gets the better of them,  and they try to kill you,  break this and it will return you safe and sound to the castle."[/color]

[color=00aeef]"When you're satisfied that what we do here is neccessary I'll send you against Baga-yaga."[/color]  Lorelai offered the knight a small smile.  [color=00aeef]"I need to know that you trust me,  and that you believe that what I do,  I do for the reasons I say."[/color]

[color=steelblue][b]"I trust you, Lorelai. And if I'm going to make peace, I'm going to need your trust back. This wont be settled simply with me walking into Seren's Folly and talking to them. They're going to want something as proof that you're serious. Give them something you normally wouldn't, an artifact or information. This wouldn't be the first war I've averted, Lorelai."[/b][/color]

Lorelai thought for a moment.  [color=00aeef]"... What would you recommend?  Hector Digard's Holy Blade?  Or the location of an infamous mind witch that has managed to escape my ire,  what with multiple wars threatening."[/color]  She saw the wisdom in Coraline's words,  and while she didn't extend much hope,  satisfying the knight's wishes was reward enough for parting with either offering.

Coraline had felt a confidence in herself that she hadn't felt since she first arrived in Seren's Folly. When asked about what to give, Coraline responded, [color=steelblue][b]"Both. The blade would appease the Digards in the wake of Flint's death. And if this witch is that much of a problem, then it wouldn't hurt to tailor the story in such a way that she is manipulating the entire conflict. It would diver the hunters' attention. I will oversee the hunt myself to act in your presence."[/b][/color]

Coraline took a breath and looked around the corridors, [color=steelblue][b]"If this conflict is something you truly want to avoid, then no price is too great to see it done."[/b][/color]

[color=00aeef]"Unless I begin to hemorrhage vital resources to appease ever increasing demands."[/color]  Lorelai cautioned,  but they were both aware of that.  Nodding she turned towards her tower again.  [color=00aeef]"Both it is then,  should I send a letter to the Digards along with the blade?  To explain that I'm just trying to raise a family and live in peace?"[/color]

She chuckled.  [color=00aeef]"Diplomacy has never been my strong suit,  hard to bargain down from murderous intent.  I'll be leaning on your expertise in this."[/color]

Coraline nodded, [color=steelblue][b]"Aye a letter would be good idea."[/b][/color]

The knight took a step closer to Lorelai to speak in a quieter voice, [color=steelblue][b]"And between you and I, Medusa is not a trustworthy ally. Perhaps it would be a good idea to include in your letter that the Von'Strauss coven wont act alongside them if the time ever comes.[/b][/color] she paused, [color=steelblue][b]"These terms will, at the very least cause, the hunters to reevaluate the situation. If you, Lorelai Von'Strauss, are wiling to go through so much strides to stop this. Then surely there is more at stake; which you and I both know there is. A war like this isn't a good idea when the greater threat approaches."[/b][/color]

[color=00aeef]"I'll... consider selling out Medusa.  I agree with her trustworthiness,  but her supporters are my sisters too,  and I'm loathe to see them die if I don't have to."[/color]  Lorelai matched Coraline's hushed tones.  [color=00aeef]"The issue it to present it in such a light that it doesn't seem like an ill-advised bid for survival.  I think selling out a fellow would do a great deal to confirm their opinion of me as a manipulative survivor with no sense of loyalty.  If I could fight that I'd have made an appearance myself."[/color]  She chuckled bitterly.

[color=00aeef]"For now I'll ask you to read over my letter,  and ensure that it's effective."[/color]  Lorelai paused as they reached the stairs up to her study.  [color=00aeef]"I'm sure you're aware that I don't put much hope in this Coraline,  but don't mistake that for a lack of confidence in you.  I do wish you the best of luck."[/color]

Coraline agreed to her and went up the stairs at Lorelai's side. [color=steelblue][b]"I will see this through. But I have one last request, and it might hurt. If we're going to paint this witch as the one pulling the strings behind this conflict, we need to sell it. When I leave, injure me. It will make everything seem more desperate and real."[/b][/color]

[color=00aeef]"Sure,  I'd love to,  you've been driving me batty for weeks."[/color]  Lorelai winked,  giggling at her joke.  

[color=steelblue][b]"I think I've had it worse."[/b][/color] Coraline grinned, [color=steelblue][b]"Yours and Liz' activities in the bedchamber aren't exactly secret to me, and it's practically been torture since that began."[/b][/color]

Lorelai laughed.  [color=00aeef]"It's cute you think we restrict that to the bedchambers,  but I won't burst your bubble, Coraline."[/color]  She smiled mischievously.  [color=00aeef]"Besides,  you're getting all the fun with none of the work.  Although I suppose the unpredictability might be vexing.  Just consider it... training... or something."[/color]