Title: Future Outlook
Author: Karina
Rating: PG
Pairing: Wu Fei
Notes: Challenge 209. Baby Series 4 #85. Takes place following Past and Future.
Spoilers: None
Warnings: Extended Length
Many thanks to ShenLong Deb for her work betaing this set of fics.
Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing or the Characters from the series but the baby is mine.
Title: Future Outlook
It was frustrating, but... One more time. He would explain it just one more time. How many times had he already explained? Was he at fault, so utterly hopeless at explaining his thought processes? Was he so abysmal at getting such a simple concept across? Perhaps they needed something more... basic.
"Perhaps you will better understand my decision to retain my position if I spell out the connotations to you in more simplified terms."
Terms a toddler would understand, he mused, but they were not idiots, they were intelligent people, so what was the problem? It was simple enough, they were just being... Well... dense? Pig headed? Stubborn? Deliberately obtuse? All of these and more, but really he had to exercise patience when dealing with them. Other than the Elder none of them had any real political background.
"In my current position as Liaison, I have the King's ear. In my future elevation to the rank of Duke I will walk freely amidst the nobility of Europe and few, if any, doors will be closed to me." Surely that was plain and simple enough for anyone to understand? "Do you not think that this is a good thing for the Clan? I will have a plethora of contacts in influential circles which could be of the greatest benefit to the clan in its early stages of settlement in Sanc, and into the future. The clan will be brought into the hereditary circle of European nobles, which will lead to opportunities and considerably brighten the future outlook of our people. Is that not worth my absence from daily trivialities other people are more than qualified to manage?"
It made it sound so... so... mercenary.
But couched in such terminology if it gave them some understanding it was worth it. He would apologise to Milliardo when he saw him for the necessity of explaining matters in such simplified and inaccurate terminology. He did not doubt the man would understand the need to use such deplorable terms of reference, but it was still distressing to have the need to do so. It appeared the representatives were less versed in politics than he had thought, and that meant they would have to make a few changes amidst their numbers. They would need some basic grounding in their midst. The Elder alone could not carry the political weight into the future. The man would need assistance during his absence to handle daily events.
"I will be available on a daily basis, with a few rare exceptions, for a briefing and consultation period for a synopsis of the day's events; with a longer meeting at the conclusion of every week. This time has already been factored into my schedule. I am not about to bring you here and then abandon you to the vagaries of a foreign culture. That was not, and never has been, my intent. I intend to extend every effort on my part to secure a home for the Clan. A home that includes employment opportunities, cultural growth, integration with those resident in Sanc and a future that is viable for our children. Is this now understood?"
He heard the faintest snort from behind him, Duo's sub vocal estimation of the entire business, and could only silently agree. It was not the way he had hoped to spend this session. They would be working late tonight to catch up on the agenda he had wanted to cover and needed settled before he returned to the palace and to the work he enjoyed.
End
Karina Robertson 2013