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[h3]--The Price of Madness--[/h3]

[@ERode]

[b]“Your assessments are curious, for one rooted in pragmatism and logic such as yourself.”[/b]

Maximilien’s silverware clicked against his plate as he set it down, the young man interlacing his gloved hands and resting them upon the table. In deep shadow and harsh light, he gave off the impression of a great wall, inscrutable and domineering, incorruptible and unrepentant. Yet there was a flicker there, perhaps a trick of the light, or perhaps the faintest sign of disappointment.

He did not comment upon it, however, and instead, nodded his head once. [b]“Inti Ruq’a is indeed an enigma, but he possesses the favour of the Tawatinsuyu Emperor, and it is upon that individual’s recommendation that he gained his spot here. The boy’s ignorance may be feigned, but regardless, he is not worth considering.”[/b] Indeed, a Dynamicist may be a wartime asset, but when it came to proving one’s innocence with evidence and rhetoric, no amount of Dynamicism would save one’s neck.

[b]“I will make this clear only once, Mademoiselle Konigsmahne: I care only to see justice enacted, and if enough evidence is gathered that alleviates the burden of guilt from Mademoiselle Du Bordeaux’s shoulders, then her punishment [i]will[/i] be lessened.”[/b] The Head of the Committee of Public Safety allowed that to sink in for a long five seconds, his eyes locking onto hers. Then, a tightening of the lips, to the smallest of smiles. [b]“But of those you have named, only Monsieur Steiner possesses the qualities necessary to create a fair defense in his…friend’s name. Monopolize his attention for two days and two nights, Mademoiselle Konigsmahne, and there will be no defense.”[/b]

[color=76c0f0][b]"..."[/b][/color] Lucretia took a brief respite via enjoying her own serving of French wine, she normally didn't like talking so much, not only twas' physically tiring, they were often a waste of her time, meaningless words where instead she could make tangible progress in her projects. However, after arriving at Bermuda, the silver-haired girl found herself conversing exponentially more than ever before; from her first encounter with Franz to Robespierre and everyone in-between. The fatigue of speech was starting to affect her mood, but the petite Polymath knew that this would most likely continue due to the nature of her goals here in the artificial island. She’d have to get used to it, no two ways about it.

[color=76c0f0][b]"I will not deceive you with any notion that my antipathy for du Bordeaux contains no personal influence, Herr Robespierre,"[/b][/color] Lucy's expression hardened, slightly, but the influence of the room's only light source made that minute shift all the more ominous, [color=76c0f0][b]"I [i]despise[/i] her, and it will be beneficial to both Occidental Technologists and myself if she's to be severely condemned for her crimes.”[/b][/color] The fact that such a high-profile unrepentant psychopath managed to be officially enrolled in Bermuda spoke volumes of the French King's integrity, and Robespierre might try to exude an aura of indifference, but Lucy had no illusion that he didn't have a personal stake in the matter, what with his shared nationality with Jeanne. She knew that he wanted to see the French bitch suffer as much as Lucy did...

...or else, why would he even bother to propose this... solution. Interesting - and convenient - for her plans already involved Herr Steiner to begin with. This would simply be hunting two birds with one bullet, a state of convenience in which she would not refuse. [color=76c0f0][b]"He and I know each other personally, thus I already possess initial leverage over him. Ja, it shall be done."[/b][/color] She nodded with a sense of finality similar to a judge's verdict.

[b]“As I have been made aware,”[/b] Maxilimien responded, picking up his silverware once more. [b]“Will you stay for the remaining courses, Mademoiselle Konigsmahne?”[/b]

Now that the little collusion was over and a scheme was made, Lucretia leaned back, feeling like some amount of weight had been lifted off her shoulders. Sure, Jeanne was still out there, but at least now she could do something to change that. For now, she could do with some fine dining indeed, the last time she had a real meal was the late breakfast from earlier today, [color=76c0f0][b]"I will."[/b][/color]