[color=fff79a][center][h2]Edmund Silvaine[/h2][hr][/center][/color]

Edmund's gaze turned between the varying conversations as the debate over war continued. His eye twitched slightly at the prolonged debate. Justinian seemed to have an even enough understanding of the situation, keeping his opinion on the matter subtle... and quite frankly, attempting to move the conversation to its true purpose. While some were royals in the room, only one of them held real sway. The other two acted like children, and one of them had an excuse to. The Templar of Gravity's attention was diverted to Theobald when he chose to weigh in. His argument was the closest to persuasive, but he could see past the metaphor. Underestimating others was a strength of his: failing to understand the point seemed to be as well.

The newest Scion's arrival soured an already unpleasant mood for Edmund. He found his teeth gritting slightly, his hands flexing into balled fists at his side. An apostate in all but name, chosen by the goddess herself. Edmund silenced the growing chorus in his head screaming that there must be some mistake: but the goddess doesn't make mistakes. Somehow, Renault fit into her plan... just like Lucas and Maya. But a man of the church like the Templar of Gravity was not going to dare trust Renault as far as he could throw him. It was even more disgusting when Renault dared to agree with postponing the war, planting a semblance of doubt in his mind. Tyler had already speculated these heretics could steal the powers of Scions... was Renault one of them? Was he a plant to take them all down? Background checks had shown him clearly rooted in Doumercene politics, and a brief chat with a newer recruit in the security team who worked for a former noble in Doumerc confirmed that Renault was a menace.

It wasn't until Belle and Sonia's disagreement that he was able to snap from his stupor. His eyes locked onto Belle, and then Sonia. More bickering, more idle chatter about how sending others to their death would keep them safe. He nodded at Sonia's words, but turned his gaze back to Theobald as he spoke loud enough for those gathered to hear. [color=fff79a]"I believe your metaphor is either abhorent or mistaken... you are not a hunter this time, your holiness... you are prey. By methods we are still trying to wrap our heads around, they managed to corner all of us at once and abscond with a Scion. This is not a cunning fox we are hunting, we are chasing ghosts."[/color] His gaze briefly turned towards Belle and Sonia, before turning his gaze back to Theobald. [color=fff79a]"Sending others to die in your place to create an illusion of strength does not change that you are prey, and that we still do not understand what we are fighting. Sending forces to fight the Kaudians would leave us weak."[/color] Edmund's blood was hot, his voice low and biting in unexpected indignation... and a surprising confidence. He had been worried that he had been the most fearful and paranoid of the church's chosen, but now that they were all gathered together and speaking about the deaths of thousands like it was good for their image, the first of many walls cracked slightly. He looked briefly down at Maya in her seat, before looking up with a scowl to Belle.

[color=fff79a]"We are here for the divinely appointed of Incepta to hide behind: that is our purpose. From what I remember of that night, it seems that some of the most open to war here were the ones who cowered the most."[/color]
[hr][right][@Xiro Zean][@Hero][@Obscene Symphony][/right]