The Purpose of Conflict: Chapter Four- The Vatican Conference II
18/09/1924/ Rome, Kingdom of Ildoa / The Vatican, Apostolic Palace / 13:59
Gabriel held the small box in his hand, purple wrapping paper tied up with a matching bow. A pristine little item without an evident flaw in its design or inner contents. A gift intended for him. The only stain came from the recipient, a blight unfit for the perfect item contained within.
Of course, he was not supposed to know what was hidden in the palm of his hand; that was the intent of a gift. A tradition within the dynasty was to be bestowed a crest of the royal coat of arms when they reached adulthood. Every member of the bloodline proudly wore the purple dragon and lions on their chest; kings, queens, economists, philosophers, soldiers, every single one of them able to reach better heights than him. A representation of the best the Commonwealth could produce, the ones who sent ambassadors under the Macartney Embassy to Daqin and founded the Invicta Alliance, men, and women he could call ancestors that would pity their descendant.
Now that symbol of power and prestige was bestowed upon him: Gabriel, the forgettable mage with no worth to his name or the right to be a Prince.
He put the box back on the desk of his private quarters, next to the small collection of items that were granted to royalty and officers. What right did he have to own such luxuries or a private room in such a sacred place? He was not of the proper age to receive the crest, but Mother believed it would be prominent for his meeting with the Germanic Princess later that day.
"Regina." Gabriel chuckled at the name.
Taking a seat in his desk chair he continued laughing. He might have fought in the most recent war but his worth still paled in comparison to her. Endless charity work across her Empire and a spotless record. A proper God-fearing noblewoman who was forced onto him, it was beneath her to socialize with the likes of him. A petty officer whose greatest achievement was getting by Major Hanover's appraisal.
There was a knock at the door, followed immediately by its opening. In came James, a jacket bag slung over his back.
"Good, you're dressed." He sounded uninterested, disdainful to speak to the disappointment he had to call family. A mutual feeling for both parties. "Mostly anyway."
He moved past Gabriel without looking at him a second time. Instead laying the bag out on the neatly made bed and unzipped it to reveal the dress uniform.
"Miss Sanders had it readjusted."
Gabriel turned in his chair to look at the item. Like his gift, he already knew the contents, the dark blue dress tunic, green sash, and several ornamental details yet to be attached.
James walked to the window, closing it, and drawing in the curtains. Gabriel felt the responsibility to fill the vacant air. Hesitantly standing to stand in front of the uniform being discussed. "I haven't had to wear this in years."
"Not much use to you in Afrika or Arabia is it?" James turned back around, finally facing his younger, barely a man brother. "Just makes you a target for the Turks."
Gabriel muttered out an apology, the only response he felt adequate as he looked down to the floor for an escape from the situation. James took a small step closer, bringing his dominating presence closer to Gabriel. "Better to get it now than never, best to start getting comfortable in it. It wasn't the right time after Jerusalem."
Gabriel understood the reasoning but had no interest in the topic.
"I didn't see either of you at morning mass today." His hand roaming the front of his neck while James spoke.
"We were sitting in with the Republic and Empire. Another waste of our time. They're meeting again this afternoon but…" James shook his head, uncrossing his arms and playing with his cufflinks. "I'm not a gambling man, but I would know where to play my cards."
"I already know, don't need to remind me." Gabriel ran the sash through his fingers.
"You haven't opened it yet?" James snatched the purple box from the desk before its technical owner could justify himself. Sighing and muttering an expression of annoyance as he tore at the ribbon.
"I know its officially early, very early, but you can't always be so stubborn with that tradition of ours." He unwrapped and held out the crest for Gabriel.
General James Stuart was far from the ideal man, but even the arrogant Prince was worthy of his birthright. While Gabriel was busy making frivolous work in the sky, James was waging the logistic war in the Afrikan campaign and had been involved in worthy politics since the fall of Albion. What shame could he bring to their ancestors?
The Crown Prince swore at Gabriel when he neglected to grab the package, putting it back on the desk next to the assorted items. The medallion sat in its box reflecting the light, immaculate without a blemish or shame yet upon it
"It'll look nice for that girl today right. Like Mother said."
"Do you really think that?" How could such a woman carry any interest in a low life such as him?
"I do." Gabriel looked away again, but James called him back. "Hey, look at me."
Gabriel complied, seeing the General pointing a stern finger at the junior.
"Listen, you're not going to mess this up. Understand? I forbid it."
The finger turned into a palm that patted against Gabriel's shoulder. He smiled but made little effort to hide his frustration.
"Now, grab the bag." James put the crest along with the other items on the desk required for his presentation back into the box and went onto the door. "Let's get you ready for your date."
Gabriel swallowed his fear, James had little patience for him, and this day was no exception. This was an important task and under threat, he was not to fail this mission. At Jerusalem, the consequence of failure was death to his person, now it was the failure of the Commonwealth and the honour of his family. He followed his elders bidding and carried his outfit out the door.
"One more thing."
Gabriel jolted slightly, not expecting James to speak until a mistake had been made.
"A piece of advice. It's best to let the women lead for the first time." He chuckled as they continued down the hallway, James slowing until his sibling was by his side.
"Women like to feel that type of power. It's all about that control. Just do not let them grow accustomed to it, makes marriage difficult."
"Are you sure about that?"
Gabriel regretted verbally questioning his familial superior. James' face contorting into some form of amusement before mellowing out as quickly as it changed.
"I didn't realize you were married, Lieutenant." Then he continued down the corridor to the impromptu dressing room. Satisfied with whatever rebellion he had quelled in his youngest sibling.
18/09/1924/ Rome, Kingdom of Ildoa / The Vatican / 14:57
The Salaryman would never have described himself as a typical catch. That was not to imply he was unappealing to women nor unsuccessful. In high school and post-secondary education, he could have found himself in the companionship of the fairer sex if he wanted it. The company he did keep was short term along with their benefits, but there was little need to keep a hold of something for nonpractical reasons such as fleeting sentiments. He never had a long-term need for them, and any pain felt at their eventual loss was minimal.
But despite the lackluster resume on the topic, the Salaryman could run laps around the miserable pair Tanya had the misfortune of witnessing today.
The Salaryman might not have known all the right phrases, but he had a vague idea of when to speak. After accounting in the cultural differences of the time periods, Tanya could confidently conclude it was simply incompetence at play for the royal children.
The two had maintained idle chatter about the preceding day's ceremony but when that topic dried up by the time they reached the obelisk in Saint Peter's Square. The photographers arranged for by both countries, while surprised at the early arrival, swiftly got into their work.
What followed was a trial of getting two people to stand next to each other and appear presentable. Tanya sympathised due to her experience of humiliation at the hands of the propaganda department. Back then she had been made a fool of; if she had been given a respectable uniform and pretty companion at her side, it would be an easier task.
She failed to notice the few prideful tin trinkets on the Prince earlier. The two standing marks of status he had affixed to him being some enlarged purple medallion and a white cockade, a flower she overheard was necessary for his dynasty. His expression hardening whenever one of the Commonwealth photographers drew attention to either item. It must have been important to him for some reason. The Princess by comparison was more plain in her, while visibly expensive, normal clothes. She did already have enough of a reputation that she perhaps did not feel the necessity to promote her bloodline with metal. Or she just wanted to look pretty for Gabriel.
Herself and Visha lingered back but could not enjoy their break. The observation of the architecture was interrupted by the admittedly patient photographers, filling each breath with criticism and vailed complaints. Instead of the lifeless stone structures, she served witness to lifeless bodies failing to imitate stone.
"I remember your photo session being much simpler Major." Visha commented, her eyes still on the male royal.
"I was just thinking something similar."
Gabriel once again failed to break the distance of a metre between himself and Regina. Both remained quiet as they failed to be adjustable props with the obelisk and basilica as their backdrop. It would make another ideal postcard for the Princess' public works, that was its intended fate if she could take a decent photo.
Seeing how the pair continued to fail in the simplest of cooperation, Tanya predicted it would not be shown to small children in the future explaining when Mother and Father first met.
Tanya knew she was not the best people person, but it seemed impossible to build up a disdain for another person in such a short time. So, it must have been the situation that drove Gabriel to display such ire. She was confident having a partner chosen for you was demeaning on a personal level and disrespectful to one's agency. The ever-important denial of ones freewill. She just hoped Being X was not watching at that moment, pondering more methods to further torment her. At least in the hierarchical societies of the two nations she would be seen as an orphan first and undesirable for political marriages.
"At this rate, we'll never get to the museums." Tanya rolled her eyes as a photographer asked for another retry. She looked up and saw Visha was still leering intently at the couple, her expression was unreadable, but at a guess she too was growing frustrated with their assignment.
"Second Lieutenant." Tanya had to call out again before catching her attention. Repeating the statement along with a reminder to stay alert. They were still bodyguards to a valuable government figure, even if in name only. Visha apologized before adding her own remark on top of Tanya's
"I'm sure it's just a bump in the road Major. It has to be overwhelming to do something like this with someone you just met."
Tanya wondered if her Adjutant was reflecting her experience at all.
Gabriel took a hesitant step closer to his companion's side, in time for a gust of wind to blow his cape into Regina's face. Resulting in a red-faced Prince jumping back to his previous position and restarting the process.
If the hunch was true, then Visha did a better job managing her emotions than the Prince.
For someone who supposedly prioritized manners and good behaviour enough to lecture a child on it-Gabriel seemed to lack his own. With people she detested like Doctor von Schugel she was able to maintain an aura of professionalism, not sulking and jumping at the slightest provocation. Visha verbally continued her thought process, finally taking her eyes off the couple.
"Perhaps things will pick up once they're done with the photos." She patted down some of her brown hair down that was blown around in the wind. "They're both royalty after all. Maybe His Highness isn't good in front of cameras. Remember the Prince's family photo we looked at?"
"Yes. He seemed more in line with the background than any of his family members." Tanya agreed.
Gabriel began stuttering out another loud apology to Regina. Tanya saw how he seemed to shrink down despite his figure remaining taller than all three women in his company. Even if it was a single inch above the Germanic and her half Russy escort.
The session ended with satisfying results. Gabriel was able to control himself and maintain another painful-looking smile for the cameras. Tanya wondered to Visha if their higher powers envisioned the final product to be of two people looking mildly pleased while coincidentally sharing the same space. She could not separate the final product as an independent entity from the idiocy witnessed today.
Despite being early to the initiating event they were already behind the arbitrary schedule but there day continued as planned. Most likely to the relief of all parties. Finally, Tanya could let the supposed love birds flutter together while she enjoyed her allotted time to stand guard and enjoy the scenery. Luck might return to her and the wind in Gabriel's metaphorical sails now the paparazzi had been removed. Now it was time to test if Visha's hypothesis was accurate.
First, a brief stop on their way through the basilica for Gabriel to waste time with prayer. Apparently, couples-first prayer had worked its way onto Gabriel's wish list, and he had Regina join him on her knees in a pew with little persuasion. It would have been tolerable if she could stand guard and enjoy the architecture once again. Yet, the dedication she caught a glimpse of at the Dardanelles returned. Their guards followed, needing mutual royal pressure for Tanya and the first word uttered word from the Albion for Visha.
Her Adjutant was an actual sheep for Being X's flock, she likely needed little incentive to be good livestock.
It would be in poor taste to deny your benefactors without good reason. The existing guards dotted throughout the facility had unintentionally worked against her this time. At least Tanya could curse Being X in his own house while Gabriel slowly spoke in Germanic and Latin. Few words related to prayer stuck with her, but it seemed her acquaintance lacked hesitation during his leading of the prayer. Albion, Germanic, Latin were already impressive. Plus, any other yet unheard tongues used in the Invicta Alliance. He failed to take a photograph but could grasp the complexities of language. She was not the only one to notice, Regina being the first to speak once the Prince finished with the sign of the cross. Complimenting his vocabulary that admittedly outmatched her own. Gabriel's voice was able to reply with timid thanks as he turned a rosery to his pocket and walking off with his black cape pulled along forcefully; not waiting for his supposed date to walk with him.
Tanya had warned her of the Prince's humility.
Silence resumed after the group left the church together. Groups of guards, young and elderly church officials, suited diplomats, and more photographers shared the outdoors with them; the royal couples remaining silent. It was not ideal, but they were in close proximity and able to walk along the pathways without drawing much attention to themselves. The biggest onlooker was what she believed to be a Cardinal smiling at the sight of the two love birds before returning to his own group's conversation. If the wider public only saw the superficial image of a royal bound then there was still hope for this vanity project. This false image was acceptable to Tanya, unfortunately, the Second Lieutenant decided to prod the Prince.
"Do you know any other languages, Your Highness?"
Herself and Visha were still following close behind so they missed her initial reaction to her Adjutant. It took much of her available will power to not immediately bite Visha's hand off, but that would only imprint herself as cruel to a wider audience of politicians and priests. It was better the pair saw her apparently lose grip on her subordinate rather than the whole Vatican branded her as a beast.
Instead of demanding any disciplinary action, Gabriel turned around to answer the question, walking backwards for several seconds with his hands behind his back pulling on his cape.
"Polish, Francoisian and Muscavian are my best. Then enough of Abyssinian and Daqin for conversation. Mostly countries in the Pact for politics."
"That's an impressive list." Regina perked up from interest. "I must say, you outdo my father."
Gabriel denied eye contact, nodding along before responding. Trying to find the answer he should have already known. "Cleopatra could speak nine languages fluently; I can barely manage the five. Besides, she had more use for them than I ever will."
"That doesn't mean you never will Gabriel, I make a fair point." Regina insisted herself to be correct. Visha shuffled in her walk beside Tanya. She agreed, this was an uneasy set up of what could be flirting.
Gabriel shied away, returning to a normal walking pattern. Part of his black fabric still gripped in his hands, slightly being pulled on as he continued on in their little pack. Looking at his polished boots before off to the distance rather than Regina. Stuttering out a question backtracking, not wanting to make assumptions.
"How many languages can you speak?"
Regina giggled for him rather than be scorned by him. Tanya wondered if things were finally starting to pick up after an extended rocky start.
"Not as many as you. I have trouble with all the Empire's languages." While Germanic was the dominant language, large minorities still maintained their customs and tongues, accepted rather than crushed. Polish the most dominant and more widespread the closer one went to the Federations boarder.
Regina leaned in closer followed by a vague request from her younger companion "Maybe I can learn even more than Cleopatra today."
The couple chuckled. Tanya let out a breath she did not realize was being held in.
"Would that make me Mark Antony then?" Gabriel attempted at humour. Bringing in the opposite effect and confusion to his face.
"Who's that?"
Gabriel resumed his seemingly shrivelled posture once again, still upright but without a presence beyond his physical existence. The Salaryman vaguely knew what Gabriel had referred to, a Roman general who wedded the Egyptian Queen, or was he the Sicilian who stuffed her in a laundry bag and presented her to Caesar? But beyond what was likely an intended light joke seemed to take the spirit out of Gabriel. Tanya listened to him stutter out half of an explanation before stopping himself abruptly, realizing Regina was disinterested in the history lesson.
Could such anger be explained at the annoyance of the reference or did it only remind the Prince of why Regina was on the hill in the first place.
The tense silence remained back into the Belvedere Courtyard and into the attached museums. If they could not stimulate conversation on their own a distraction could help maintain it. Then they could entertain each other while Tanya stood on unnecessary guard duty and drowned out their ramblings. At the very least it would allow her to stop fretting over their compatibility. If Gabriel made himself out to be outwardly hostile to Regina, it might warp her perspective of herself. Her position allowed her to do nothing but stand by as she might lose two of her powerful allies simultaneously.
Predictably, the assumption of existing competence in the couple was premature. Gabriel would make a comment on an art piece to try and take the initiative but could not expand his repertoire beyond history. Regina would make the same mistake, swooning over artistic elements or techniques in paintings that her partner failed to understand. Or as Tanya suspected, was too frustrated to listen intently. Twice Regina asked her guards for agreement over some format of painting being the best for a specific painting; both times surprising Visha staring off into space and both times having the Major validate her. All her love for the visual arts would fall on the deaf ears around her.
Meanwhile, herself and Visha stood on the perimeter of an evolving disaster. Gabriel's apparent annoyance with his unchosen companion continued with silence after each exclamation on how the artist decided to put oil paints on the canvas. Tanya was admittedly a novice in the arts but found sympathy in Gabriel's silence. The most pleased he had looked all afternoon was when he recognized her. Perhaps it was best not to linger on the reasoning; preferable to live in the present, with an angry Prince and dullard Princess. In the span of a year, she had surpassed him in rank and was leading her own until. All the while, he was no more than a second in command to his own superiors. It could be pride, envy or more likely, resentment. But as she said, it was best not to dwell on it.
It was during another lengthy period of silence Tanya made the mistake of taking her eyes off Visha; proving to be an independent dog when not held by a leash.
"Why don't you tell Her Highness about the Rumeli campaign?"
Prompted by the insubordinate subordinate, Regina transitioned into asking questions to veterans once again. It was another breach in protocol, increasingly becoming more severe and more infuriating to Tanya. The only positive outcome was they were conversing as a result of Visha's interference.
He continued answering in as few words as possible after they graduated from the museum, moving onto taint the garden pathways with their rambling. Tanya was relieved he had put his annoyance in check. He still looked away from Regina but that was preferable to his head bent down towards his shoes. The topics revolved around the theatre of war but changed schizophrenically, one minute would pass and the talk of food went onto the proper care for horses in the desert sun.
Unsurprisingly, the topic of heroics and promoted figures were the most popular to trace over. The leading Albion insurgent Indy of Arabia had received the most romanticized attention and was a minor celebrity in Europa, no doubt in the Invicta Alliances territories he would be the equivalent of a Tokyo celebrity in the Salaryman's world. As Gabriel explained from the safety of his cape, in a stroke of cathartic genius, the Commonwealth had let the behind the lines struggle ferment until its peak was reached, that was when the war of reconquest was prompted, and his mages sent in. It was a bad outcome for a spy's career but perfect for someone transitioning into the war of politics. Regina swanned that the exploits of a man over twelve years her senior being one of the most impressive and attractive figures she had read about from recent memory.
Tanya could have imagined a small part of Gabriel dying on the inside.
"Can I ask you something?" Regina cut in as Gabriel was winding down a more appropriate soldiers' tale relating to her inquiry about horse care. He hesitantly nodded affirmation. "Were you at the sack of Jerusalem?"
Gabriel and by consequence the procession stopped at the question. The answer was clear if not written on his face. He muttered out conformation, the corners of his cape tugged on absentmindedly towards his person.
"I was."
There was a stiffness to the air, unbroken by Gabriel continuing the walk through the gardens and making the Imperials sprint in pursuit. Regina continued to push her point with airable caution. The news of that day's events shocked her and much of Europa. Now her Princess casually prodded about such calamity without recognizing any problems with her actions. For a moment, Tanya sympathised with the idea Visha acted upon. Devoid of religious significance to Tanya, all she could do was watch Regina bully the Prince unless he pled for their intervention.
"The dogs of the 6th Rumelian army were divided, cornered; one half of them fled east and the other was trapped in an ever-shrinking pocket along the coastline. We were ordered after the ones fleeing in towards Jerusalem." He paused, looking around at his guards and date, lingering his gaze on Tanya before he continued.
"They dug in at every stronghold they could reach. Each river, every hill, city, they dug in and held on to the last man. Command got into the habit of using mages and air support to pin them down while horses or tanks closed the distance. Not much else you can do in a desert."
"I would admire their dedication if not for the savagery. We had them cornered on all sides and when their supplies began to dwindle, they turned on the civilians. We were able to get to some cities and villages before they did and were seen as liberators, their protectors more or less. But that just had the enemy turn on the civilians themselves, not just their grain and olive trees."
Gabriel chuckled lowly, he was leading their procession now, but Tanya wondered if he knew where. He had stopped but Regina resumed in pressuring him into divulging in the details. If Visha had not spoiled their VIP's with her unauthorized interruptions then she might have stepped in. But she had to bite at her tongue for the sake of appearances and let the Prince continue on.
"We had broken a portion of their lines and had our cavalry filling in the gap. The next notable defence was the Holy City, for more than just the symbolism of it all, one less city to rat hole through. The Rumelians had their divisions closer so we had to act against the clock." He looked to his side to Regina, likely hoping she would let the topic be dropped, reluctantly going on. "My mage squadron was sent with an air wing to secure a foothold in the city for the ground forces. When they saw who we were they threw open their doors to us; right in time for the 6th to show up."
He continued to drip feed the story out, using his hands for further expressions. Regina started to clue in that she was pushing into something she had no business in. Tanya saw firsthand soldiers on the Rhine front barely able to comprehend the things that happened to them. The Salaryman had grown up seeing veterans who survived the war in China and Manchukuo as no more than shells of men. This world was going to have a painful learning experience about shellshock once the war concluded. She hoped to fortify her mind to protect it from shattering in the process of this dreadful war. She both pitied and reserved caution for those who submitted themselves to that creature's will ahead of their own.
It would be preferable if her subordinates and human shields appealed to rationality more than the fictitious deity. Yet she recognized her own inability to stop them, lest she lose more credibility as a commander already lost upon her due to this child's body.
She could tolerate her powerful friends needing Being X to keep their wits, it was their souls to sell.
"We fought off their advance and any planes they threw at us for a while, I thought we might have been able to do it. But God had different plans for that day. Well, you know what followed. It was before the rainy season but in came a storm, essentially a hurricane throwing everyone in the air awry. It was a challenge to stay upright, never mind fighting anything on the ground. We tried…we tired to-"
Gabriel denied further comment. Regina seemed to regret her questioning, sulking away and waiting for Gabriel to inevitably stop. Her knowledge so far not expanded further than the publicized media recounting the sacking. Gabriel seemed to grab for his neck, rubbing over his black collar. Tanya thought back to the Dardanelles, Gabriel had a cross he was holding onto while they shared their stories; an ugly wooden thing if memory served her well. The boy seemed to be missing his jewellery.
"The chain of command broke down, the planes pulled back or had to bail out and be carried down by a mage. I know its shallow but I'm just glad we didn't lose anyone in our ranks that day. After that, the war was over. The 6th fell apart soon after and surrendered on mass along with their allies in the east. Mages were assigned to mopping up the last strongholds that refused the Sultans initial amnesty. Nothing more than flying east into Mesopotamia and organizing groups of prisoners on my end."
Another pause was held. No one dared to challenge it.
"Worst part is just watching, powerless."
Their party was quiet after the tale. Regina had her curiosity satisfied but was visibly overwhelmed by the consequences of war spoken of. Tanya had no interest in the works of Being X but it was a crime of a disproportionate scale. The Empire's report, free from propaganda put the results on par with the Rape of Nanking from her first world. Unmatched by any crusade inflicted upon God's city.
Visha decided to break the extended length of silence again, taking attention away from wherever the Prince was leading them, likely absentmindedly. Tanya made a mental note when they were finished with this assignment to find a muzzle for her yappy assistant.
"Rome is a beautiful city, isn't it Ma'am?" Regina answered, accepting the new topic.
"It is, I do wish we could see more of the city. If not for our policy." Visha motioned for Gabriel's input; one would think he was tired of one woman insisting him to talk. Instead, he perked up a little bit.
"Personally, I would have liked to have gone to the Flavian Amphitheatre."
"Pardon." Regina fell back into her natural role of what could politely be called ignorance. Tanya allowed her eyes to roll; here came another history lesson. Maybe if the topic was less obscure he could find success. "The Colosseum. It's bittersweet, it's within our reach, but they can't have any royalty leave the hilltop."
Gabriel had been leading them through a series of arches and back into a courtyard. The obelisk in the centre of the open space gave away the identity at a second glance. Had he led them back to where they had started with a purpose or was this just his polished boots becoming tired of garden pathways. Intentional or otherwise, he pointed in the general direction of the structure, blocked by newer structures in the way of his subject.
"It was built by the Emperor Vespasian I believe, correct?" Regina commented, shifting Gabriel into a state of moderate joy. "After the first Jewish war? Right."
"Very right." Gabriel turned around again. "Have you seen it before Major?"
She was startled to be called on but answered like the model soldier she was impressed upon to be. Leadership by example and only speaking when spoken to, something she would need to continue with Visha's current state of disobedience.
"Yes sir."
They stopped at the opening in the courtyard, the only separation between the Vatican and Ildoans territory a metal fence with Waldstätte guards on either end. Too far and without orders to interfere with the royals. Tanya peeked at them during the photo session and determined their only practical purpose being to stop tourists from jumping the fence.
"The Flavian dynasty helped build up Rome. Our newest aircraft carrier class is named after them. They helped conquer and build up Albion back when it was still just a province. Given current circumstances it only seemed fair they should get special treatment." Gabriel leaned on the chest-high fence, waiting for Regina to offer her insight.
"You Albions put too much faith in airpower. They have their strengths but what can an aircraft carrier do against a direct hit from a battleship?" It took no imagination to determine she was talking about the Empire's navy.
A magical flyboy and glorified model talking as if they understood the complexities escaping their mouths. The one-sided polite bickering over how the Imperial High Seas Fleet could sink the HMS Vespasian and her sister ships of the Flavian class got their planes off the deck over their view of the city.
At least only Regina's rhetoric and not her patriotism could be called into question by the endeavour.
Magic was employed in a bid to find non-existent enemies among the rooftops and windows. Tanya attempted to keep it subtle so she would not be bombarded by the Princess again. She refused to demean herself into behaving like a magician with a bag of tricks; let her boyfriend put on a show for her. Her efforts did pick up on the sound of multiple voices: a small group of mixed dialects, the most prevalent one belonging to the man checking his pocket watch.
He had to reassure Regina that it was just a normal watch and not his computation orb but cut off his explanation when the source of the voices came into proper view. Such a crowd of tourists started to immerge into view as Regina finished her turn to school Gabriel on the complex science and nobility of putting guns on boats.
"Would you look at that." Gabriel put his watch away.
The tourists were of the soldiery variety, twenty to thirty in size and mostly of the Hellenic and Gabriel's commonwealth variety. Tanya looked and saw some were her fellow Imperials among the unorganized herd. All likely there to stand at the fence and gawk at the same structure she learned to tolerate.
"Would you like to meet some of the Commonwealth's finest?" Gabriel had already jumped the metal fence before receiving an answer. Visha protested while Tanya practically jumped out of her skin. By his own admission, the Invicta royal was not to leave the arbitrary limit but earned no reaction from the Waldstätte guardsmen.
Tanya doubted there were any threats on the street, but the action was still a breach of principals. Not the first intentional neglection of the rules that day but she thought for the sake of honour if nothing else, the Prince would be on his best behaviour.
Gabriel approached the group already wandering loosely in the courtyard's direction. A Commonwealth officer leading the pack saluted at the Prince but was dismissed back into a laxed posture. They were too far away to make out the spoken words, but Tanya could tell it was a pilot in the dark blue suit uniform, a spot in the sea of the khaki and green of the Invicta's and Empire's mages. More of her men were revealed as they drew closer recognizable faces in between Hellenic beards or khaki forage caps. Neumann and Grantz conversing amongst themselves in the rear the only ones clearly identifiable.
It looked like Weiss kept his word about the battalion's behaviour. The worst detractors minimal and most at the fault of their new acquaintances. Her Vice Commander quickly joined the procession, a black bundle of hair stealing Gabriel's attention along running behind Weiss.
Why is she here? Tanya wondered to herself.
That amber skinned lacky, what was her name again? Hours ago, she was laxly holding down the Vatican's furniture, now she was mingling with her men. The allure of young men to drink with and alcohol must have made her runoff the instant Gabriel was out of her control and into Tanya's. The abusive habits remained idle once at his side, perhaps a symptom of the public setting. Her mages started to straighten up when they recognized the nice Princess that sent them boxes of meat as congratulations for surviving the 203rd training. The others followed in time for Gabriel to stand next to his date and present her from the other side of the fence. The ethnic Germanic men bowed to their overlord while the Invicta soldiers stirred between a submissive bend or salute. They formed a half circle around the figures of worth Gabriel returning to his shallow posture, edging closer to the perimeter
"I believe Pilot officer William Brown can tell you of the Flavian class in greater detail. He almost crashed into the deck of one after all."
"This again?" This pilot seemed to posses the same ignorance for the rank of who he was talking too, sounding more chipper than reserved. "If you insist sir. But I will need Captain Weiss to help me demonstrate."
Weiss looked over to Tanya for approval, something she could not refuse. Regina looked more than pleased she would have someone other than her partner and guards to talk with for a moment.
William accepted the task, a performers smile interrupted only when he passed on his hat to the female mage. Only then ready to take the centre stage to tell his tale. The nimble pilot drew every eye onto him as his enthusiastic tone outshined that of his superior. Tanya was going to refocus her attention back to guard duty when Gabriel jumped the fence onto the arbitrary safe side. A flash of colours following him drew her attention back, the troublesome mage had followed him and were both making a hasty exit; unnoticed by the group or Regina who seemed more infatuated with Weiss who just started to take on a speaking role. Her final orders were to protect the Princess, but this development could be of interest. One of her benefactors could not lose his credibility just yet. She whispered for Visha to be alert, herself surprised at the news of Gabriel's departure. That shock dismissed by Tanya the moment it immerged. There was no time for this
The Aquilonain accent faded as Tanya sprinted after the defecting pair, themselves speed walking until confident in the distance between their respective parties.
"How's the date?" Gabriel openly laughed at her.
They were just exiting the courtyard when Tanya activated a formula to listen in. Mages could detect mana if using their own appropriate formula, but the audio enhancement spell was a worthwhile risk. From such a distance it was a necessity.
"Would you believe me if I said it wasn't a date?" Now in the seemingly familiar company his timidness loosened, dared for his comment with an added sarcastic tone.
"Nope. So, get on with it."
"It doesn't feel like one."
"That bad huh."
"I-" They turned around a wall, breaking the line of sight needed for the formula. Tanya ran to the stone wall and peeked around the corner at the pair, still absentmindedly chatting in the path in the shadow of the larger stone buildings. There was little purpose in running off this far if they just wanted the privacy to talk, or in continuing to walk on. They had to have a purpose specific to their route and most likely time of departure.
Tanya peeked to see an item switching hands, a small rectangle put back out of sight as the warmth from the mana bled into her fingertips and reactivated the spell.
"So, you can be trusted with my stuff."
"How much damage could I do in a handful of hours?"
"I've seen you nearly burn down a mess tent Peggie."
"That was an accident, and a book is much smaller."
"It takes less time to burn, that and I don't need to worry about being inside a book."
Tanya doubted the Prince would harbour explosives or anything destructive while in his god's beloved ground. But why did he need a book smuggled onto the secure zone? He abruptly paused, the girl taking more steps before realizing her escort had stopped. Tanya inched back just in case, but she would be too far away to be heard, the Prince likely had some heavy thought to finish. Without exchanging any words, they continued walking, neither acknowledging what had just occurred. She resumed following them when she felt safe with the extensive distance apart.
"Is it that bad?" The girl asked the question, Tanya assumed it was on the topic of Regina judging by how Gabriel responded.
"Her record speaks for itself. She's like Sulla: no better friend, no worse enemy."
"Guess that's me sorted then. I can't shake the impression she's staring daggers at me."
"It'll work out." Gabriel played up his voice for a moment. "Wait until she learns to work with you, then she'll actually hate you."
The girl wavered the insult with humour.
"And what of Her Highness?" Who were they talking about before? Tanya's own question had to be put on hold as the conversation continued. "I know I didn't handle myself properly."
Obviously, Tanya knew dripping with disdain was the worst way to secure a job position or promotion, romantic interests followed the same logic.
"I knew you we're going to say that but why, what's the problem."
They stopped int heir tracks again, a mutual action this time. They looked on from the hidden safety of a building's corner at the Domes Sanctae Morthae, a fancied-up guesthouse to Tanya's understanding. The neutral lowlands and Invicta members were stationed in the palace while the at war Republicans were housed here. Maybe it was the Pope's version of the doghouse. Mild but dismissed paranoia flared up. The Prince would not act so rashly as to attempt anything on ill advised emotions against a nation not at war with his faction. Her efforts would be better-spent hiding and eavesdropping.
"She's…overbearing I guess."
"You guess?" The girl was not buying it. Crossing her arms and looking up at her taller
"Yeah, she sort of…" He was now fidgeting with his hands. "She asks a lot of questions and I choke; I don't know what I'm supposed to say after I answer."
"Because you get cold-feet whenever you have the opportunity to lead the conversation and hope she does it for you." One of the girl's hands went to her tightly woven bun of hair.
"Lucky guess."
"Lucky indeed, you want my advice?"
Gabriel chuckled again, "What do you know about picking up girls Peggie?" She scoffed and stepped back, motioning to the space around her to present herself. Gabriel continued with amusement.
"And how many relationships have survived a weekend?"
That anger Tanya remembered returned when the girl kicked Gabriel. A blow into the side of his knee and nearly sending him onto the cobblestone path. The violence followed by a silent stare at the man barely maintaining his balance. From the portrait view afforded to her, there was more said at the leering than mere disapproval. Gabriel's protective cape seemed ineffective to playground violence, idly hanging behind its owner who apologised for his transgression. What he said obviously struck a chord.
"Talk like that later, not now." The girl looked around their surroundings. The holiest place on earth seemed to make the trickster self conscious. How amusing the mental gymnastics must be, Tanya thought; there was no fear of reprisal from the power that she just committed assault against, why fear repercussions from the one who managed to get himself nailed to a cross.
The guest house was a few minutes jog away from the courtyard where they left the Princess to learn history from the pilot and ogle her Vice Commander. Yet, they felt it prudent to continuously check their time pieces. Whatever they had planned was time sensitive. The silence was filled for a moment with the apology for the strike on the knee as if the meek utterance of two words would ever be enough to defuse the crime of attacking a potential monarch. Gabriel smiling disproved that.
How he could hold obvious frustration for his date and nothing but contentment for his serial abuser rang deaf to Tanya.
"That's them." Gabriel said abruptly. Moving to turn the corner but flinching away at the last moment. The Lieutenant placed a hand on his upper back, whispering again encouragement before patting on his cape's fabric. "No backing out now Rupert." Followed by a violent push forward out of the shadows of late mid day and back into the open.
Tanya sprinted to the corner previously held by the couple seconds ago and played out the same routine. If she was about to witness something monumentally stupid it would be best for her to provide a detailed account from her orb. She ducked back when she saw what her friend was shambling towards, or to be more accurate, who. Escorted by a precession of several nonmagical riflemen, were equally nonmagical Frankish suits and military staff. She was out of sight but could be forced to retreat if a shot were fired; the shooter would determine the direction it would be in. One of the grunts leading the group called out, holding out a hand to motion the foreign pair to stop. She poured more mana into her formula, feeling the warm sensation travel from her neck down into her arms and connected fingertips. The Prince's linguistic abilities again were proven to be on point. He waved away the guards and they parted with discipline for the intruders; permitted by a tall man that rose above the pack. A man who spoke with an authentic accent from the opposite side of the Rhine.
They exchanged words and the politicians broke away, taking half the guards away. Whittling it down to a handful of grunts surrounding three figures, some muttering their strange language to each other. Tanya could only see the back of the girl's head, but she seemed fall aback into a subordinate role. Her recipient of the abuse more adept to the Frankish company, if only mildly.
Her time on the Rhine front gave her a loose understanding of the enemy's tongue. Enough to fill in the gaps of this irregular meeting.
Tanya saw the Lieutenant subtly shift to kick Gabriel in the boot and make him initiate contact. Old habits linger after all. "General de Lugo."
He outstretched a hand before retracting and reorganizing it into a salute. The Frank and his two officer companions mirrored the military education. "I feel honoured to be in your company sir, -General!"
Her spell picked up more unintelligible and unrecognizable garble of the language. Gabriel's disdain for Regina seemed only matched by his awkwardness around the Frank. That might be understandable; the country had allegedly supported the Unitary against the Commonwealth. But that would not explain why he snuck away to visit the future enemy. The much taller man hushed his visitor. Mot with the purpose to silence but to calm; both results achieved regardless. Skipping to the point after the wrapping up of the details.
"Highness, it is a pleasant surprise you have given us. Please, allow me to introduce my associates."
It was a kind, if odd, gesture. De Lugo had the reputation among the Imperials as an unapologetic nationalist, making his loyalties always first to the tri colour flag before the mechanisms of Republicanism. An ideology opposed to any hint of a monarchy. Yet, here he was, showing not only a hereditary prince with admiration but one who's clam had a warpath against his beloved nation.
"Colonel Jehan T Bart." He first introduced his own breed to the noble, another man dressed in the blue and red garment regalia. Both Franks beat Gabriel and his Lieutenant by age and likely experience, but Tanya found amusement in the adult barely able to rise above the royal child he made no effort in flattering.
Lugo gestured and Bart wordlessly stretched out a hand for the Prince. The other companion and only female followed in giving respects to the foreigner. More friendly than her counterpart that offered no compliment, Lugo introduced her as "a fellow mage", Captain Colette de Lechret. Tanya had to squint to see her face but could see the half-smile and silver tongue was dipped in venom. A disingenuous waist bow was given, the Captain lifting her red kepi and spoke for their guest. Tanya lacked the knowledge to translate the snake with the light brown ponytail but wagered it to be an appraisal by the tone. Abnormalities the Prince seemed to see for its true intention.
"Lechret?" Gabriel seemed to benefit from his status yet again, in the knowledge of circumstance and reflecting the snake's mannerisms against her. "I see the President is sending his best to the conference."
The Captain, emboldened, smirked, and bowed slightly once again. "My family has that honour, Highness. Although I would say it is my military credentials that have my brigade here today."
"Unless the Pope needs his fuse box repaired." Peggie interrupted the flow of discussion naturally. The vanity of humour failed on the Franks and Tanya would wager the same judging by the back of Gabriel's head. The member of the engineering family maintained her smirk, unfazed as she stepped closer to the offending party.
"These men follow my orders girl." She loudly whispered at the Lieutenant, alluding to the riflemen who appeared already aware of their commanding officer's reaction to stifling comments. "Don't make me demonstrate why I am here."
Gabriel stepped forward at the threat, no longer impressed with the prosperous name. "Don't speak to her like that, Ma'am."
"Captain." She bit back. Concerned with manipulating an appearance thrown to the wind in an instant.
"My apologies, Ma'am."
"Watch it." The short man went to counter but had his proverbial collar yanked on by de Lugo. "Highness. What can we do for you and your companion today?" The dominating figure that was the General ended the building quarrel.
Gabriel returned to the defensive now his friends fictitious honour and possibly real life was no longer on the line. Tanya initial assumption of the Albion being the aggressor proved incorrect. Hesitation resumed while the spotlight of attention went back onto the royal. The book that been locked under his forearm pressed into his abdomen became mobile again; first shaking then presenting itself to de Lugo.
"I read your book, General. I don't think I've read an equal to it. I was wondering-hoping if I could, if you could."
He looked away again but the elder could read in between the lines, asking the scowling Colonel if he had a pen, answered by Gabriel's shadow holding out a utensil instantly. The General retrieved his published product and opened to an intentional blank page. Tanya vaguely knew of a book that floated around the War College with de Lugo's name attached to it; a history of his nations military if memory served her well. She had no use for it back then or in the present, but why would her Albion care for another nation's history when it so often fought against his ancestors.
The General appeared indifferent to his vanity being validated. Prescribing more untranslatable dialogue as his name was imprinted onto the paper he wrote, content with satisfaction upon his face. Gabriel mentioned some question possibly concerning the Francoisian revolution, meanwhile, the two present females continued to stare daggers at each other. Perhaps the accent aided Tanya in translation, Gabriel continuing as he picked up his end of the conversation. "I will admit I am surprised the Republic sent so many General's along for the conference."
"It should be the soldiers, not the suit and ties to know when to put the foot down. No?" The ponytailed snake answered, resuming her poisoned smirk.
"To plan war in the Lord's House is not right." Gabriel responded. "Regardless of who owns the boot." That managed to stunt the rich girl backdown. The other man seemed ready to disarm one of the soldiers and beat the Prince in. His hands gripping the belt around his waist as a distraction, lest they find a home on the nearest blunt instrument.
De Lugo touched up his penmanship despite the insubordination of his lesser ranked countrymen. Certain that his presence was what kept them in line more than any legal or moral obligations.
A final touch made to the paper ended with inadvertent disaster. The pen appeared to crack and spill onto de Lugo, taking all parties by surprise. Everyone was quick to provide a handkerchief to clean up the mess that extended as far as his palms. The Second Lieutenant was the fastest to act and had crossed the invisible barrier around the officers to press her into his hands and retrieve the offending pen. Nearly having the Captain enact her threat if not told off by the leading figure in the confusion of voices.
Gabriel's cloth following into service it was swiped from him by the ethnic Aquilonain, the space filled with the tainted book. A thumb was wedged in between the stained page in a likely vain attempt to save the signature he originally wanted. He stepped back, one of his hands holding down his cape against his side as the drama continued on longer than necessary.
The commotion ended at the General's command, having all parties and guards stand down and no longer disturbing his personal space. The mage retrieving her dirtied handkerchiefs and apologizing profusely in a stunted dialect. Lugo, while not pleased allowed the incident to pass and not cave to the vailed complaints of his subordinates.
"Tell me sir." The General planned to control the final word, no longer diverging attention to his blackened hands. "What is your faith?"
"The Church of Rome, General." Gabriel answered timidly. Tanya imagined he wore a bewildered expression, one not able to trigger annoyance but instead the amusement of Lugo.
"No no sir." He chuckled, picking more words to explain himself. "Your military faith. Where do you put your faith?" He suggested then interpretable creeds, overwhelming artillery, infantry tactics, trade interception.
"War is its own religion."
An ominous omen from a Commander Tanya was at war with. Why were all the logical officers pitted against her? The Prince looked down as he pondered the question. Tanya was divided if it was a ploy or if he needed to decide his strategy after two years of war in Afrika and another one in the Middle East.
"I think." Gabriel raised his head again, peeking at the woman silent to his side. "I would have to say it is that of the Church, General. Only Just Wars and what is approved by the Lord. With his sign alone should one conquer."
Tanya pondered the idea, it was, concerning. The idea of parameters maintained in preventing the conflict was a worthy standard, but one easily interpreted by religious fervour. Especially if it was the name and will of that dastardly Being X.
The Prince bid farewell to his new friend, hesitantly shaking the well-built man's ink-stained hand before saluting again. Their speech was again beyond Tanya's capabilities, apart from some words in between formalities, "I wish you luck" and something about meeting again "under better circumstances."
Did the fool just give good fortune to an enemy of hers and quite possibly his own.
Perhaps this was some attempt at the royal to play both sides; bed one and applaud the other. Give the Commonwealth a friend when the war concluded.
The Major General, the only one not appearing pleased to see the Albion's back turned to them. Continuing to the walk taken by their countrymen and the English speakers returning to their trodden path. Tanya decided to risk it and spy on their immediate remarks before breaking for cover.
"Not too painful?" The Second Lieutenant spoke up, breaking her silence held since the incident with Lechret.
"You're not wrong there. I don't think the engineer heiress is any warmer to our side."
"Think we-" Gabriel stunted her, prematurely stopping whatever question had materialized. His hand called up to silence the girl continued upward, itself waving back and forth. But the Franks had already departed with their blue coated escorts and to wave them off seemed more like the actions directed to a child than someone you wanted to curry favour with. The palm and half-smile were directed in front of Gabriel, not exactly on her person but too close for comfort.
"How's your Francoisian Major?"
She had been caught and instinctively ducking back behind the stone corner. But how? She had the advantage of a lower center of gravity to make herself less likely to be seen. He had not cheated with his own magic, there was no opportunity available for him and she did not detect any, she refused the possibility that she missed something. How long had they known about her? Espionage might not have been her favoured trait, but it was impossible that she was that lead-footed. But now, Gabriel was raising up his hand to greet her, either unsurprised or uninterested he was being spied on.
Tanya leaned her head out again so she could be seen again. There was no use in hiding and to run might alienate her ally, additionally leave her imminent questions unanswered.
"I suppose you're mildly curious Major." The girl spoke again, now close enough that the formula was rendered unnecessary. They continued, motioned for Tanya to follow by Gabriel who wanted her to follow. Their scheme was possibly still on the clock and sensitive to prolonged unplanned detours.
Tanya looked up at Gabriel, walking in the middle of their group that she pretended did not contain the girl. Devoid of context it would be the stage for a propaganda film, her youth used to stow the Prince's benevolence and manipulate the audience into buying war bonds.
"Go on." Gabriel started, much calmer than he was minutes ago. "I'm sure you're curious."
She had to admit, the openness was relieving, as was his taking of control so she would not need to interact with the woman that nearly killed her. If only he could be the same with Regina so she could stop fretting over chances of promotion.
"Was this ruse with your men just so you could get an autograph?" She had to respect the ingenuity but refute of its intended purpose. All the manipulation for a touch of ink; perhaps more than intended.
"You disapprove?" The Prince seemed proud with his disregard for the rules and his own actions in disrespecting her royal family. If she were a jingo she would be too blinded to see the selfish side of his actions. Gabriel continued to explain his actions while his friend picked at the black stains on her fingers.
"William is the 27th favoured storyteller. Give him a crowd and he's the perfect distraction."
Tanya made a mental note to confirm this with Captain Weiss when she was back at the hotel. He seemed to be the sideman to the main attraction and the most interesting one to Regina.
"All that for an autograph? Forgive me for saying this but it seems wasteful." She had chosen her words with care. Truthfully, it was obnoxiously dangerous and self-centred. One trigger happy order and the conference would decent into anarchy, a reality that nearly occurred. The war expanding due to an author met and greet seemed more ridiculous than the July crisis of her old world.
"Believe me, Major. There's more in play than a mere John Handcock."
Tanya had the hunch she might not be given the full picture in this setting. She could pry from another angle when his guard was somewhere out of earshot. Possibly made null and void as Gabriel speech continued, contaminated with his newly found optimism.
"There is more than one way to interact with an opponent Major, as you know. One can either act against or with them. Lead them on a path to their own downfall."
"What downfall would that be?"
"Everyone has a vice Major; arrogance is the most common and easily exploitable; if you know how."
So that was it, the beginning or continuation of an elaborate long con. Whether it was only the Prince and his marry men of the Commonwealth or the Invicta Pact's greater minds infiltrating the Francois Republic's military remained to be seen.
"We better pick it up." The Lieutenant checked her pocket watch. "We don't want anyone else to notice we're gone."
"As you say, Peggie." Gabriel tossed the book back to his friend. Her reply coming after it was caught and shoved into her tunic. "Back to Regina, right."
Gabriel did not answer, letting the comment linger as they walked. Tossing a pair of leather gloves to his companion who needed them more than he currently did. "I trust you won't mention this to anyone Major."
"Her Highness is my sovereign sir." Now was the chance to remind her benefactor she was more than a passive observer. There would need to be incentive to earn her compliance. Right now, she could just use this incident as leverage for a small favour of equal value to her silence on this matter.
"I ask as a friend Tanya."
Overall, it was of little significance. It did display the faith he had in her, the naïve thought of just asking for something and have it bidden without question. Maybe he was a typical royal after all.
"Yes, Your Highness."
18/09/1924/ Rome, Kingdom of Ildoa / The Vatican, Apostolic Palace / 21:02
Gabriel knocked on the door before entering, familiar with his brother's tendency towards aggression if the ritual was ill performed. A growl of acknowledgement that doubled as interpretable permission for a further expedition in the room. It would be preferable to let go of the handle and walk away, to not answer who it was and disappear into the night. But that would invite further grief onto himself at the hands of his eldest sibling, only that man if he were lucky.
He opened the door to enter, neglecting to close in case an immediate escape was needed. James was as expected of the late hour, at his desk with a bottle of wine as his assistant. Any work done in this state was minimal and of questionable quality. Whatever the catalyst likely to set the General's mood would be sicken to any guests or irritating siblings that entered his domain.
"How's Mother?" Gabriel started the discussion on neutral ground. Intermixed with a genuine question; the Queen had been absent to him since the beginning of the Conference, barely in his sight during the ceremony itself. James disregarded any familial concerns, however, uninterested.
"You have something for me." It was a statement, not a question. The wine had sharpened his emotions rather than lulled them. Now, this weapon was armed at the creature that had masquerade as a family member that day.
Gabriel produced the desired objects. The book and handkerchiefs surrendered to him from Peggie in one of Rome's pubs with the Hellenics and Imperials. Walking forward to place the items on the desk, unfolding the previously pristine white to reveal the blemished black ink. "The handprints of one Pierre-Michel de Lugo, nearly perfect."
He had to admit, the invented fabric and fast-drying ink worked well for his first field use. The only casualty would end up being whatever little respect he could muster in front of a respected superior. A general who he would one day be pitted against could already see imagined cracks in the Stuart name thanks to him.
"These were due to be handed over at the off-point hours ago. What made that girl miss the first drop point?"
"Lieutenant Pierre confided that she could not safely meet Miss Mills in the allotted time." Gabriel had trouble believing the validity of the claim himself. He never doubted Peggie's capabilities under pressure, rather, it was likely another farse to justify for lack action and an abundance of distractions. The result of himself needing to return to the role of spy once again and retrieve them himself from the pub, his familiarities affording him the best chance to extract the valued items from the crowd. Although, even in cloaks for a disguise and under the discrete guard of Miss Canvel beside him, Gabriel did enjoy the walk through the eternal city in the moonlight.
"Please, spare me the excuses." James snarled, taking, and opening the book to show the pristine fingerprints to himself. "You're full of them."
Gabriel neglected to argue as James went on about the troubles given to him by this day and the conference at large, the negligence on his own part making nothing easier on the General. Indulgently complaining that the main meeting was the following day and this business with the being an inconsiderate problem caused by Gabriel. Himself just wishing he had the courage to ask if he could have his book back when they had their use of de Lugo's fingerprints.
James completed listing his grievances, petty and large. Gabriel wondered if it was the alcohol that had made James consider himself a temporary confidante or if this was mismanaged aggression.
"How did it go?" James crossed his legs on the desk, hissing out his question. "How was your date?"
Gabriel answered honestly, laconic speech best afforded to this despised reality. "Terrible, I think she hates me."
"Did you do what I told you to?"
"I tried, but she kept on with these…" Gabriel paused to contemplate a description. "These trivial matters. She was more interested in learning about horses and digging trenches than anything about me."
James shrugged, tolerating another drink from the glass to continue speaking. "I can hardly blame her when you sound like that." Gabriel could hear the shallow utterance of 'whiney' under James's breath. "Go on, get out."
Needing no further persuasion, Gabriel turned to leave his brother's room. Pleased to return to his own much smaller quarters for the night and lament the day's events. Followed out by the only roar James let out that evening.
"And close the bloody door."
A/N:
This was unfortunately delayed due to the complexities of the December holidays and end of semester responsibilities. The two to three week upload schedule is planned to resume on the usual Saturdays. This chapter was uploaded when it was finished rather than adherence to this standard.
Please let me know what you think, I expect the pacing will pick up now that the groundwork has been laid and the fun of war and politics can play out. The next chapter will wrap up the Vatican then we will visit Dacia; their canon invasion is not far off after all.
Thank you for reading, feedback, reviews and criticism are always welcome.