[center][h2]Discussions of a Revolution[/h2][/center] [hr][center]Collab with Dorothea [@jasbraq] [i]Hugo Hunghorasz's study. Shortly before mission commencement.[/i][/center][hr] Carmillia smiled inwardly upon watching her magic work it’s effects on Dorothea. She seemed receptive enough. Though they shared both Statecraft and Business electives, they had never actually held a proper conversation before. [color=ab0000][i]Though I don’t know what to make of that smile…[/i][/color] she thought. It was only for a brief moment, but a sinister smirk had flashed across the Feskan’s face. It was unlikely that it was directed towards her but Carmillia raised her guard. [color=ab0000]“To formally introduce myself, I’m Carmillia of House Carbonneau,”[/color] she said. [color=ab0000]“Merchant caste. Perhaps you’ve heard of our textiles? We’re quite prominent in Perrence.”[/color] [color=86608E]“My father has said something about that name a long time ago. Can’t say I remember too much about it, apologies.”[/color] It seems that the smirk had already faded from her face, now being filled with a rather apologetic look instead. Seeing as Dorothea knew little of her, Carmillia went on to explain briefly about her family business—though her ‘family’ basically only consisted of her. It was necessary to hint at her influence since there was a caste difference between the two girls. Carmillia took particular care to make it come off as ‘sharing’ as opposed to bragging. She wanted Dorothea to view her as an equal and it wouldn’t do if all she achieved was appearing as a poser. [color=86608E]“But it’s a pleasure to finally meet you nonetheless! I guess I should introduce myself properly as well. I’m Dorothea of House Hohnstein… Our house is a branch of the Albesatz Family, specifically the Danzau branch.” [/color] [color=86608E][i]You finally introduced yourself properly! You make the family proud, Dory.[/i][/color] Moments after introducing herself a soft chuckle came out of her mouth. [color=ab0000]“Oh please, the pleasure should be mine,”[/color] she responded. [color=ab0000]“I’ve seen how you’ve carried yourself during Statecraft with Zeno Serra. You’re an inspiration. We should pair up during the mock debates. I have much to learn from you.”[/color] Pleasantries were constantly exchanged between the two as they talked amongst themselves. Carmillia shared about her business dealings and the travels and experiences that came with them. Dorothea talked about the Spratz and how it linked back to Feska, thinking that it might be some nice information for the mission. Carmillia had been planning on steering the conversation back to the mission once Dorothea was comfortable enough but the young woman had done the deed herself. [color=ab0000]“It still feels a little bit crazy, doesn’t it?”[/color] asked Carmillia. [color=ab0000]“I wasn’t exactly expecting Ersand’Enise to be a normal school but to think we’d be personally selected by the Paradigm himself for secret missions?”[/color] [color=ab0000]“Well, it is a school that managed to stay neutral through all of this. I did not expect to be chosen for any sort of mission though.”[/color] Dorothea knew how bad she was in general magic, thinking that would’ve been the reason why she shouldn’t be chosen. With her attention hooked, Carmillia went in for the kill. [color=ab0000]“The Lorentine Queen… Truth be told, the riots don’t come as a surprise to me. I’ve heard some…”[/color]—Carmillia broke into a whisper—[color=ab0000]“nasty rumours regarding the noble regime there.”[/color] Carmillia pretended to look around to see if others were listening in on their conversation before continueing. [color=ab0000]“Particularly about the House of Rheinsburg, the House of Benrath and the House of Rednitz.”[/color] Dorothea tried her best to keep a rational mind around those names. [color=86608E]“What have you heard about them…? Anything out of the ordinary?”[/color] [color=ab0000]“You mentioned Feskan Spratz earlier, right? I’ve heard from fellow merchants that local taxes have been raised multiple times. Perhaps with all the trouble that the Traveler has been stirring up, they wanted to pad their financial reserves. “It’s a prudent decision—if you don't care about the moral implications. I may be a merchant but even I believe there are lines that shouldn’t be crossed. What ever happened to Noblesse Oblige?”[/color] [color=86608E]“Don’t bother trying to rationalise their actions. They’re filth that will do anything to stay in charge of the other dog houses. If need be they’ll bring another house to near extinction. If only we expected such a betrayal… People wouldn’t be suffering this much for all those years…”[/color] A pained expression would show on her face, this was something she’d only ever told Manfred about. Carmillia had envisioned Dorothea’s desire for vengeance to be sealed in a vault but it was clear it was closer to an unlocked door. All Carmillia had to do was open it. Whether it was ultimately due to her feeling comfortable around Carmillia herself or that it was simply impossible for her rage to be kept under wraps; it didn’t matter, the cogs of fate were now turning. [color=ab0000]“Betrayal…?”[/color] asked Carmillia. [color=86608E]"Yeah, it was a betrayal alrighta. Those dogs turned on us. All while we gave them peace, gave them independence... Gave them our trust…"[/color] Her face didn't change much, however her eyes… Her eyes had a sense of flame inside of it. [color=86608E]"They burned and took our estate… They killed my family… My great grandfather was mockingly executed in public."[/color] [color=ab0000]“I’m so sorry for your loss,”[/color] said Carmillia. She gave Dorothea a moment to steady herself. During this period, her eyes fleeted around her other teammates. Though her conversation with Dorothea was held slightly aways from them, some might have heard the edge in her voice. [color=ab0000]“I was on the fence earlier, Dorothea. I’m not one to simply believe in rumours but hearing this directly from you—and I trust you—then the ones we should be aiding should be the common citizens and not those nobles. “Paradigm Hugo did not specify whom we were to give our aid to. I believe it was yet another test. A test to see if we could see through the smoke and shadows to find the real victims. Reihnsburg, Benrath and Rednitz are not fit to rule.”[/color] The Feskan started cheering up slowly but surely, seems like this little talk just now made up for the hate she spewed. [color=86608E]"Thank you… for believing in me. They are not fit to rule anything… They're boot licking dogs… And finally someone who gets it… Mind if I tell you a little secret?"[/color] [color=ab0000]“You can trust me with it,”[/color] said Carmillia reassuringly. [color=86608E]“I’m trying to convince the Kerreman queen to help me overthrow the Feskan nobles… Sorry if it sounds weird…”[/color] Her face would have a slight blush on her face, waiting to see if Carmillia took her seriously. In response, Carmillia slowly nodded her head whilst looking deep in thought. This was no pretence. Her inner thoughts were most likely different from what the Feskan girl was expecting though. [color=ab0000]“It’s not,”[/color] she responded. [color=ab0000]“That said, I doubt the queen would be able to overthrow them without any justification. It all depends on the scale of the riot. Too small and it will be quelled without consequence. Too large and the aid of those three houses become essential to maintain order. Either way, her hands become tied.”[/color] Carmillia went on to explain. If utilised correctly, the riot could serve as an ideal catalyst. If they could seize control of it, they could force the queen to move. They needed the riot to be the right size and cause enough damage that the queen had justification to remove the nobles from power. If the students were able to quell the riot at that point and return the Lyre, the queen would rightfully owe them. All Dorothea would have to do then would be to propose alternate noble families to help manage the state. The queen would be able to solve her issues and solve the matter of reward. The rioters would be appeased in seeing their efforts result in an actual change and Dorothea would restore renown not only to her family but as well as her own personal glory. [color=ab0000]“Well, it’s easier said than done.”[/color] [color=86608E]“I want to sow seeds of discontent in the public, making sure that the houses are beyond saving. My family’s renown should be enough for me to help them direct their anger to the noble houses. I do not care for independence any longer. I just want my people to stop suffering like this. This pain they had to go through has lasted way too long and if servitude will make it stop, then I’ll be the queen’s servant…” [/color] It really seemed like she was thinking about her nation’s interest more than her own. Was it a ploy or just the flat truth. [color=86608E]“As someone from the merchant caste this might seem absurd, doesn’t it? Why would a noble care about their people?”[/color] [color=ab0000]“It’s not as absurd as you make it out to be. I’ve met my fair share of nobles. Some fit the stereotype and are obnoxious and arrogant as they come, others… surprised me. Take me for example, do you think I’m unscrupulous and only think of profit, as most people view merchants?”[/color] [color=86608E]“My view on merchants might not be too mean thanks to my family’s dealing with them, but you don’t seem like a merchant at all… You’re way too sincere to be a merchant.”[/color] [color=ab0000]“Just as I’m different, so are you. We’re the sum of our own actions and not our labels.”[/color] [color=86608E]“That’s a different way to look at things… but I like it. Let’s make the most of this riot..”[/color] Just as she finished her sentence, Paradigm Hugo called for the students to gather. It was time.