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Post by Elvander on Jul 29, 2019 19:42:10 GMT
"I would like you to work with Bram to come up with a plan outlining this law, that allows magic-users to practice their crafts, but only after they have registered with the kingdom and have their papers signed off. Criminal past and mental stability should be decided by Bram and two other appointed members. Bram can assess the risk level of these individuals' power. For the other two, one should be a doctor of some pedigree in assessing mental stability, and I would like Talion, our general, to sit in on this as well in order to cover criminal tendencies. If you can bring me a draft a law, and a plan, I will consider this. I want an assessment plan for each of the aforementioned areas, as well as consequences for breaking the law. This could include instances of someone practicing without the proper papers or practicing after being denied use of their powers." He watched Roman for his reaction, wondering what his adviser would think of that. Unlike many kings, Alister was actually competent, and well groomed to manage a kingdom. He was not reckless with his laws, and he did not rush to trample the people or push down others. Alister's tactics were always based on gentle manipulation, whenever possible. A plan such as he was suggesting would appeal to the common folk without abilities, as it would level the playing field, and it would allow the kingdom to monitor it's assets and threats from within.
"I also want a clause in this law to state that every being with an ability who is denied the use of their powers, or is sanctioned in some way, to have one chance at an appeal. At this appeal, an additional expert in each category will be brought in for a more... objective assessment. I want the people to feel they have a right to be heard. This will also mitigate feelings of unease or anger over the changes in regulation. I want this to also apply to every member of our courts and armies."
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Post by Elvander on Jul 29, 2019 19:42:35 GMT
Roman didn't bother to hide much of displeasure as Alister watered down his plan. Both he and Alister knew that ultimately they had very different ideas on how to rule a kingdom, but they both also knew that Roman had too much respect to go behind Alister's back. The change was a step in the right direction, and he could live with that for the moment. The thought of interacting with Bram, though, was unpleasant. It wasn't that Roman disliked Bram, but Roman just didn't care for the company of most people. He only ever interacted with those outside a select few out of absolute necessity, and usually prefaced by a shot of something strong to help take the edge off. Roman usually didn't indulge in the practice of drinking but he had found that sometimes, the only way to get through a conversation with someone was with the help of some whiskey.
He leaned his head back, closing his eyes again. Roman had an excellent memory and was attentive to details, even details he didn't agree with, and he would be sure to discuss them with Bram later. Perhaps on a different day, he would have argued a little more or even tried to use his persuasion, but today he just felt drained. "I will work with him and get it back to you shortly,"
"Where is your Queen?" He broke the silence after a moment, even though every conversation about the Queen just seemed to be source of contention between them. It drove him mad that the King could not see what he saw.
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Post by Elvander on Jul 29, 2019 19:42:56 GMT
"I'm not sure. Most likely out with her handmaiden," Alister mused, not at all concerned that he didn't know where Yasmin was. He knew she was unhappy here, he knew she distrusted him. And for good reason, to be honest. Alister's heart had strayed to Nadia, the aforementioned handmaiden of his queen. "I often lose track of Yasmin, to be honest. She loathes being here and her need for validation grows tiring." The king leaned his head back and closed his eyes, content to have someone to talk to who wasn't a female he was trying to manage.
"What do you think of her?" Alister inquired, genuinely interested. While he believed the arrangement was a beneficial one, he was open to hearing a small degree of criticism.
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Post by Elvander on Jul 29, 2019 19:43:15 GMT
Roman paid very close attention to the smallest details, and he hadn't missed the way the King looked at the Queen's handmaiden. Alister's choice in women was beyond the understanding of Roman. But it did make him feel slightly better knowing that the marriage was not romantic. Romance was somewhat of a foreign concept for Roman - he had never been with a woman, but also had almost no desire to be with one either. Most people and all bodily fluids disgusted him, and the whole idea of being with someone romantically and sex just seemed troublesome and disgusting.
"She is a poor Queen. A Queen should love her kingdom. I believe there are better suited women out there, ones who are not so..." He knew he needed to choose his words carefully, "poisonous to the kingdom. Poisonous to you. I do not think this marriage will be beneficial for much longer, not with her behavior,"
He was tempted to used his suggestive ability but decided against it. For better or worse, he respected Alister. If his answer angered him, then he would use his ability to soothe the King.
"Does she know about you and the handmaiden?" The question was brazen, but they didn't have moments like this too often - and this moment was the closest Roman would come to in which asking that question would be acceptable.
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Post by Elvander on Jul 29, 2019 19:43:58 GMT
Alister listened, and only lifted his head and opened his eyes when Roman asked about Nadia. He studied Roman quietly for a moment, the water growing slightly cold around them both as Alister's powers flared with his sudden increase in emotion. But it faded rapidly, and there was nothing more but the faintest hint of steel in the king's eyes as he remained level headed.
"Yasmin loves her kingdom, and she is trying to love mine. I believe she is, anyway. I have yet to see anything alarming, aside from her strong will. Have you observed anything to the contrary? What behaviors do you mean?" As far as Alister knew, Yasmin had been mingling with the common folk and trying to get to know the members of his court. Her only real transgression, so far, that he knew of, was when she had interrupted him while he'd been holding court. The move had asserted her place in the palace as queen, though they were not yet married and Alister did not believe it had been appropriate. On some level, though, he had admired her gusto. But if there was something else going on, Alister wanted to know about it. And he could trust Roman to tell him.
"As for Nadia... I believe she has told the queen. I have yet to speak with her since this revelation, but I am not concerned. If I am cordial with Yasmin and cooperative to her ideas, I believe she will willingly bear an heir to both our kingdoms, and will let me have her handmaiden in peace. If she wants a consort too, so be it." Alister trailed his fingers through the water, surprising himself with the bold declaration. But why shouldn't she have someone too? So long as Alister had one or two proper heirs that he knew were his blood, he didn't have to care what she did.
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Post by starrea on Jul 30, 2019 15:27:01 GMT
Roman hesitated before answering. Besides her constant disappearing acts, there was nothing concrete as to why he didn't like her - which made him dislike her all the more. She just gave him bad vibes. Not that Roman would ever admit it, even to himself, but another reason he disliked her was because he simply didn't like anyone else who was close to the King.
He shrugged, "She is constantly disappearing, and not to get to know her new kingdom. No one knows where she goes, and when she does reappear, she never seems to have a good explanation as to where she was," This time, he willed his suggestive abilities in with his words. There was no tell to when he was using his abilities - his tone, expression, or word choice never changed. It was almost as if the more he wanted people to believe him, the more energy he pushed into his words, the more people blindly believed him. Even though he wouldn't admit it, his ability was also tied in with his emotions. But since he hardly ever showed his emotions, even when they were raging inside, it was even harder to figure out if he was using his suggestive abilities.
Roman mulled over the rest of the King's words. Another spike of jealousy reared at the thought of Yasmin having a lover, one he squashed immediately. He couldn't understand the King's want for someone as lowly as Nadia, especially since she wasn't even from their kingdom. But then again, Roman did not desire women in the same way the King did.
"You should be careful. Her loyalties are with her Queen," Roman warned. He could see the attraction of being with a King, especially for a handmaiden, but he didn't trust the situation.
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Post by rightasrain19 on Jul 30, 2019 19:56:50 GMT
That was a good point, Alister realized as Roman spoke. And he was completely unaware of any of Roman's persuasiveness. The logic was sound. Alister had allowed Yasmin to roam simply because it was easier on him not to have to worry about her. When she as off on her own, the king was free to pursue his own desires. "You have my permission to get someone to follow her. I want to know what she's doing and if it's of any concern." Alister began to rise from the water, grabbing a linen to wrap around his waist.
"I know Nadia is loyal to Yasmin, but she loves me regardless. I doubt she'll work against me, she cannot resist me." The man grinned a bit arrogantly at Roman, "Unlike some, I don't need special powers of suggestion to get what I want," he teased, but it was also a bit of a veiled threat. If Alister ever found out, ever had an inkling that Roman used his powers on him, it would lead to severe consequences. Luckily, Alister had never felt that from Roman, though he often wondered.
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Post by starrea on Aug 8, 2019 2:44:45 GMT
It was a small win, one that was immensely satisfying for Roman. He would follow her himself, and when he wasn't, he would be sure to assign someone else to do it. Now that he had been given permission, he was determined to find a flaw in the Queen - something large enough to get her sent back to whatever wasteland she came from. The very idea of it excited Roman and he had to force his attention back onto the King before he got lost in the fantasy of personally kicking the Queen out.
Roman almost rolled his eyes at Alister's misguided confidence. It didn't matter how good he was in bed, Roman highly doubted that Nadia would be loyal to him over the Queen. The culture of men thinking their cocks were be-all-end-all was mystifying to him. Women needed to be sexually satisfied, yes, but how the King could expect the loyalty of a foreigner over a good lay was unwise. He watched the King wrap a towel around him, his eyes lingering on his body - but how could he not, he was right in front of him - and raised an eyebrow at his quip. They both knew he hadn't been with anyone, at least not nearly as many as the King had.
"How many women do you think you'd get if you weren't King?" He quipped right back. The threat was not missed, just ignored. He knew that Alister needed to assert himself and he respected that. For now.
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Post by rightasrain19 on Aug 8, 2019 16:07:08 GMT
He chuckled at Roman's quick response. "Oh, probably enough to keep me in trouble," he grinned, running a hand through his hair. "I'm not an ugly man, I know that much." Alister began to dress, mulling over the conversation as his smile faded. "Remember, I want that proposal soon. Looking forward to seeing your great work," he nodded to his adviser and strolled from the baths, in search of his queen.
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