One Side
A slamming of strong fists strikes the table. "NO!"
"I'm sorry, the plan failed, the Viletto wasn't the right one to send."
"The more time this takes the harder it will be."
"We do have a report Sir Leroy was stood up by someone which spurred him and his actions."
"Damn that arrogant bastard…give me the report…a human? Since when do humans have the nerve?"
'He drives you crazy…'
If Victor's subconscious had a voice, it would be from his past.
Too distracted by his thoughts filling his head, Victor set down the book he was reading, pushed his hair away from his face, leaned back on his chair, and sighed.
'He reminds you of someone…of me.'
Victor shook to dismiss the intrusive thought.
'You will lose him…like you lost me.'
Victor shook his head harder. "Enough!"
A knock on the door took Victor away from his piling thoughts; much relieved, Victor called the knocker in.
Victor's eyes widened. 'Yuri…'
The young man walked in and closed the door behind him. Yuri stood at the doorway and stared at the Colbran, waiting for something. It didn't help the Colbran was doing the same thing, staring back, waiting too. It had been four days and they hadn't seen much of each other.
'I feel we keep walking three spaces forward just to take two back…' Victor thought.
"Lady Mila sends her regards…" Victor cleared his throat, breaking the silence.
Yuri tilted his head. "Oh? How is she?"
"She can't stop asking about you."
Yuri smirked. "What, jealous?"
"Don't think I didn't see how you looked at us skating."
Yuri gawked, but kept his mouth shut.
Victor smiled. "In her thank you, she couldn't stop talking about how brave you were. What's more, in her circle of friends, they all are still impressed in how you handled yourself as my butler.
"You have got to be kidding. I was just-"
"Acting brave?" Victor interrupted in low tones.
"I -er- well-, I don't know, yes?" Yuri stammered. "I just-"
Victor waved a dismissive hand. "Never mind. Whether you were acting or not, you impressed quite a number of people since the dinner party. In a couple short months, a fair share of the Colbran Nobility has already altered their expectations and treatment to the male servants of their households. I know this for I have been inundated with letters filled with compliments and or questions." He gestured to a sizeable stack of envelopes yet to be opened on his desk.
"Wow…me and my big mouth…"
Victor rubbed his temples. "A gift I'm sure…Sweet Declotes that came out wrong."
Yuri caught himself from sniggering.
Victor buried his head in his hands. "No, no, by all means, that was horrible."
Yuri sniggered away. It was horrible.
Victor slid his hands back down. "But yes, while I find this line of query annoying, I can't help but be pleased for this helps prove my theory."
Yuri cocked an eyebrow. "Your...theory?"
Victor took in a deep breath, leaned back on his chair and sighed, placing his hands behind his head. "I've always wondered how a prideful Colbran race has bothered to adapt so many human customs and yet insist they put humans under their thumbs. To be frank, there isn't much chance for a rebellion if one were to compare physical prowess alone. Plus, no one can deny it was us who came to Earth when your race was in need. With this fact alone something doesn't add up. The Colbran race wanted to help an underdeveloped world where the inhabitants were, physically, hardly better than the exiled Unwanted? Why did we bother? How and when did our relationship between our two cultures start to clash? And why?"
"Th-That's some dangerous talk and thinking," Yuri stammered, already starting to sweat. "B-But what about the other Nobles? Are there others who think like you do?"
"A few, well several, do, but I won't go into names. In fact, I'm rather shocked I spilled so much information with you so easily," Victor admitted with a sigh, pressing his left temple.
"Butler's Privilege," Yuri bluntly remarked.
"Really? Again with that?"
Yuri scratched the back of his head. "Yes, well, anyway, I read any history book I can get my hands on…though I can't say its much, however, I've been curious too."
"Well most, untainted, information is in the halls of the Imperial library I don't have access too." Victor strummed the table. "Let me guess, your self-taught adventure only added to your resentment."
'Well you're not wrong…now that I've been here.' Yuri thought.
He bowed his head. "Yeah..."
"But I've added to your preconceived notions, which didn't help either…but yes, I've been trying to set up a case for years, to give reason for permission, but no luck."
"Sounds to me they really want to have us just accept what is, is what it is."
Victor sat up nodding. "To most history is just history in the end. But I guess, the means to move forward, improving the current condition is another matter entirely. So, as for that, I'm curious how my research matches yours."
Yuri took a step forward, scratching his arm. "Honestly…well, recently, I was wondering if the Colbran Nobility was all for show, to keep humans comfortable, but that can't be it, right? Heh."
Victor remained silent.
Yuri paled. "Y-You're kidding…"
Victor folded his hands on his desk and shrugged. "Humor me for a bit."
"It's about perception isn't it?" Yuri asked, prying the Colbran for answers immediately. "That's what it all comes down to, right? Loop and I were there at the party to keep up an illusion."
Nikiforov cocked an eyebrow. "An illusion? That's...an odd way of putting it. Where did you get all those books by the way?" Victor couldn't help but sidetrack their conversation.
"My family line consists of librarians and teachers and of the like," Yuri quickly informed. "Plus, luck. Anyway, what I am saying is, I feel the Colbrans adapted many human customs so they could win. Appear strictly unusual and Mankind would have kept pushing. Appear similar to us and we eventually feel more accepting of our place. That is the theory I drew back at Mila's party, but…I don't know… it's all what I've observed, but its still a guess. Plus, well...the attack that night sure didn't help…W-What?" Yuri eventually asked.
Victor was clearly impressed. "You...when did you get so smart?"
Yuri pursed his lips and then smirked. "I've always been smart, just lacked the opportunity, or opportunities, to show it. Even scholars are made out to be ignorant fools when they don't have the basic needs to support themselves."
Victor tilted his head. "I see...well then."
"Am I right? Humor me too, okay? Colbrans didn't have much in way of culture before, did they? Why else would you have such human terms to label and organize yourselves?"
"Well, close…but we've always had a monarchy. And, no, we had plenty of of our own customs, just, heh, not very entertaining ones in comparison so human integration could've been an attractive thing for us, yes. To get you to accept us, though? After a war? I doubt it."
"Ok…so now what?"
"That said, Albjora moon is becoming desolate. The more humans we bring into the fold who have been given lies…who's to say how many will act like Sara versus you?" Victor raised his hands. "You know what I mean…"
"Heh. Yes. More like her, more unrest, lies will spread like wildfire…Looks like we've taught each other something new today."
"Yes. It would appear so…I am fortunate."
"Huh?"
Victor cleared his throat. "I said I am fortunate."
Yuri turned a slightly pink. "Th-There's one thing left, I suppose."
"Yes?"
"How does me acting like -cuz hey I read- butler, or any of this, have to do with your theory?"
Victor grinned. "I've found there are some who find Mankind's resilience inspiring. Too many hold their tongue, afraid. Not you. Evidently, your little performance reminded many not to be. My theory? If Mankind had the courage and were unified and validated, a lot more change for the better could be done."
'You seem convinced you're the only one who has thought of that…" But Yuri kept his remark to himself.
Victor put his arm on his desk. "I've said a lot, but I don't think I need to tell you'd will be wise to keep what we have discussed between ourselves if we wish to keep our heads. Do you understand?"
Yuri raised his eyebrows and briskly nodded his head. "For once no arguments here…Sir."
Victor chuckled, breathing out heavily through his nose and briefly appeared relieved. "Good.
"Heh, okay, is there something you want or need me to take?" Yuri wondered. He had been summoned here after all.
"Yes. Please come here."
"All right…" Yuri replied, picking up his step.
Victor turned the desk chair towards Yuri's direction the moment the young man had arrived near enough and pulled him closer.
"O-oi!"
Though he did have some notes for Axel, Victor held fast around Yuri's torso and sighed gruffly. "Relax, I merely wanted to hold you. It's just a hug. I promise."
