Daybreak:Volume 4 Chapter 10 - Revision history

Aorii at 17:12, 8 March 2025

2025-03-08T17:12:03Z

Aorii at 21:02, 29 July 2023

2023-07-29T21:02:49Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:02, 29 July 2023
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	Nevertheless, Reynaud hadn't finished speaking as he wiped the tears from his eyes and continued.		Nevertheless, Reynaud hadn't finished speaking as he wiped the tears from his eyes and continued.

	"I'm not raising this topic to blame myself or ask for sympathy. I'm past that now," he stated. "I bring it up because I want to warn you, Pascal -- ''Don't. Be. ~~Like~~. Me.''" He ~~spoke~~ one ~~syllable~~ at a time as he passed down the costly lesson from one veteran to another. "Don't let one regret drag you down to the point you make another mistake."		"I'm not raising this topic to blame myself or ask for sympathy. I'm past that now," he stated. "I bring it up because I want to warn you, Pascal -- ''Don't. Make. My. Mistake.''" He emphasized one word at a time as he passed down the costly lesson from one veteran to another. "Don't let one regret drag you down to the point you make another mistake."

	The depth of sincerity in Reynaud's warning helped them slip past Pascal's defensive mindset. And in that moment Pascal realized why he'd been feeling a growing sense of similarity between their experiences. After all, was there really much difference between Reynaud's unwillingness to dive into melee and his own hesitation to pick up a new challenge?		The depth of sincerity in Reynaud's warning helped them slip past Pascal's defensive mindset. And in that moment Pascal realized why he'd been feeling a growing sense of similarity between their experiences. After all, was there really much difference between Reynaud's unwillingness to dive into melee and his own hesitation to pick up a new challenge?

Aorii at 15:51, 11 March 2023

2023-03-11T15:51:14Z

Aorii at 16:22, 7 March 2023

2023-03-07T16:22:35Z

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Aorii at 18:08, 18 February 2023

2023-02-18T18:08:30Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:08, 18 February 2023
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	"Your Majesty, My Ladies and Lords." Pascal began as he stood up with a tilt. His physical recovery was clearly inadequate as he had to use his cane to hold himself up straight.		"Your Majesty, My Ladies and Lords." Pascal began as he stood up with a tilt. His physical recovery was clearly inadequate as he had to use his cane to hold himself up straight.

			He knew that he wasn't back up to mental standards either. Part of him still felt inadequately prepared for this meeting, too uncertain about how his ideas might be received. But time waited on no one, and the next stage of conflicts loomed ever closer regardless of his readiness to take another step. Therefore, he had taken Reynaud's advice to heart -- to act now instead of leaving potential regrets.

	"Today I wish to talk to you about a topic that I have discussed many times with Her Highness as well as His Majesty, the late Emperor Geoffroi." The Landgrave announced. "It is a subject dear to His Majesty, one that will bring significant strategic advantage to Rhin-Lotharingie in the conflicts to come. But it is also a difficult path, one that the late Emperor has always cautioned to delay until an appropriate time."		"Today I wish to talk to you about a topic that I have discussed many times with Her Highness as well as His Majesty, the late Emperor Geoffroi." The Landgrave announced. "It is a subject dear to His Majesty, one that will bring significant strategic advantage to Rhin-Lotharingie in the conflicts to come. But it is also a difficult path, one that the late Emperor has always cautioned to delay until an appropriate time."
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	Even as the current proposal stood, plans could still go wrong if they did not be careful of where the changes could be pushed. But the losses suffered by the Avorican nobility has made the kingdom a ripe testing ground -- it was a mercy, and not appropriation, to relief a fourteen year-old heir of his obligation to military service, as his family had already paid the numbers demanded by the new laws.		Even as the current proposal stood, plans could still go wrong if they did not be careful of where the changes could be pushed. But the losses suffered by the Avorican nobility has made the kingdom a ripe testing ground -- it was a mercy, and not appropriation, to relief a fourteen year-old heir of his obligation to military service, as his family had already paid the numbers demanded by the new laws.

	"Your Majesty, Ladies, and Lords," Pascal reiterated once more before ~~finishing~~. "The topic I wish to bring before the Council today is the legal reformation and centralization of the armies of Rhin-Lotharingie."		"Your Majesty, Ladies, and Lords," Pascal reiterated once more before. He then finished with a forced smirk that mimicked the domineering confidence that he had once projected with ease:

			"The topic I wish to bring before the Council today is the legal reformation and centralization of the armies of Rhin-Lotharingie."

Aorii at 17:41, 18 February 2023

2023-02-18T17:41:05Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:41, 18 February 2023
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	"It's also not a weapon you're likely to encounter from our enemies." Elspeth said. "The meteor was mostly known as a novelty of House Martel, at least before my late sister taught its use to Her Highness. The clan historians claim it was brought back by ancestors who fought as part of Leslie's campaigns in the Grand Republic. But even within my house, mastering the meteor was a ''really tricky'' endeavor that made it a sure way to stand out from amongst the crowd." The girl stated as she pressed her hands to her waist and buffed up her small chest with pride.		"It's also not a weapon you're likely to encounter from our enemies." Elspeth said. "The meteor was mostly known as a novelty of House Martel, at least before my late sister taught its use to Her Highness. The clan historians claim it was brought back by ancestors who fought as part of Leslie's campaigns in the Grand Republic. But even within my house, mastering the meteor was a ''really tricky'' endeavor that made it a sure way to stand out from amongst the crowd." The girl stated as she pressed her hands to her waist and buffed up her small chest with pride.

	It reminded Kaede that House Mackay-Martel -- in addition to being one of the most ~~influence~~ families in Rhin-Lotharingie -- was also one of the largest. Their dynasty included everyone from the Kings of the Glens to lesser nobles who lived in the Lotharin Heartlands. And as most elite families go, there would be tremendous pressure on its scions to perform and outshine the rest.		It reminded Kaede that House Mackay-Martel -- in addition to being one of the most influential families in Rhin-Lotharingie -- was also one of the largest. Their dynasty included everyone from the Kings of the Glens to lesser nobles who lived in the Lotharin Heartlands. And as most elite families go, there would be tremendous pressure on its scions to perform and outshine the rest.

	"Still, I think you're actually faster than me, if only by a wee bit." The petite armiger tilted her head as she made a pinching gesture with her left hand. "Though neither of us hold a candle compared to Saint Estellise when it comes to precision and speed."		"Still, I think you're actually faster than me, if only by a wee bit." The petite armiger tilted her head as she made a pinching gesture with her left hand. "Though neither of us hold a candle compared to Saint Estellise when it comes to precision and speed."

Aorii: Created page with "===Chapter 10 - Dread Motivation=== Kaede let out a deep exhale that cleared her lungs of air. Her eyes closed as she lowered the asymmetric bow that was taller than she was..."

2023-02-18T17:39:23Z

Created page with "===Chapter 10 - Dread Motivation=== Kaede let out a deep exhale that cleared her lungs of air. Her eyes closed as she lowered the asymmetric bow that was taller than she was..."

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← Older revision		Revision as of 15:51, 11 March 2023
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	"Are you waiting for someone, Dame Elspeth?" Kaede asked in a friendly, if slightly forced tone as she approached.		"Are you waiting for someone, Dame Elspeth?" Kaede asked in a friendly, if slightly forced tone as she approached.

	"Yes. That ~~pipsqueak~~ Reynaud!" The petite, scowling armiger replied sharply without even looking back.		"Yes. That nincompoop Reynaud!" The petite, scowling armiger replied sharply without even looking back.

	Her demeanor was completely different from the cute and charming expression she usually wore before the Princess. Gone was the innocent and infectious smile that she often wore, although her voice retained her sweet, schoolgirl soprano.		Her demeanor was completely different from the cute and charming expression she usually wore before the Princess. Gone was the innocent and infectious smile that she often wore, although her voice retained her sweet, schoolgirl soprano.
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	However, the royal armiger glanced towards Kaede like the familiar was an uncultured peasant.		However, the royal armiger glanced towards Kaede like the familiar was an uncultured peasant.

	"Fatigue is not something that comes naturally to us Summerborn," Elspeth said. "As long as it's interesting, ~~I doubt~~ I will ~~ever~~ tire of doing it. Acting cute is certainly fun in its own way, though it does make me seem naive and bit of an airhead..."		"Fatigue is not something that comes naturally to us Summerborn," Elspeth said. "As long as it's interesting, I will never tire of doing it. Acting cute is certainly fun in its own way, though it does make me seem naive and bit of an airhead..."

	''That was my issue as well.'' Kaede almost nodded as she thought back to her days in high school. The girls ''he'' met back then often pretended to know less than they actually did. It was rather problematic for a teenage boy who cared little for pop media and preferred intellectual discussions about the world.		''That was my issue as well.'' Kaede almost nodded as she thought back to her days in high school. The girls ''he'' met back then often pretended to know less than they actually did. It was rather problematic for a teenage boy who cared little for pop media and preferred intellectual discussions about the world.
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	The young man had been pressed back to the wooden platform outside the guest wing. He stared back at Elspeth with gritted teeth before widening his arms in a more offensive stance. Then, as the petite Summerborn hurled her meteor once more towards his chest, the redheaded armiger vanished in an arcing bolt of electricity before re-materializing two steps behind Elspeth.		The young man had been pressed back to the wooden platform outside the guest wing. He stared back at Elspeth with gritted teeth before widening his arms in a more offensive stance. Then, as the petite Summerborn hurled her meteor once more towards his chest, the redheaded armiger vanished in an arcing bolt of electricity before re-materializing two steps behind Elspeth.

	Now inside the perimeter created by Elspeth's reach, Reynaud immediately closed in to launch a flurry of strikes with his twin blades. It forced Elspeth into the defensive as she dodged and parried his blows with a small buckler strapped to her forearm. Meanwhile, her right ~~arm~~ jerked on her meteor hammer's cord and sent the weight soaring back towards her from behind.		Now inside the perimeter created by Elspeth's reach, Reynaud immediately closed in to launch a flurry of strikes with his twin blades. It forced Elspeth into the defensive as she dodged and parried his blows with a small buckler strapped to her forearm. Meanwhile, her right hand jerked on her meteor hammer's cord and sent the weight soaring back towards her from behind.

	She ducked to the side at the last moment which almost sent the head flying into her opponent's face. Reynaud swerved to his left and was barely able to dodge it. Though the spikes of the hammer grazed his invisible ''Barrier Armor'' and might have drawn blood from his cheeks without it.		She ducked to the side at the last moment which almost sent the head flying into her opponent's face. Reynaud swerved to his left and was barely able to dodge it. Though the spikes of the hammer grazed his invisible ''Barrier Armor'' and might have drawn blood from his cheeks without it.
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	The vicious exchange lasted over a minute before Reynaud disappeared into another bolt of lightning. It arced away from Elspeth this time and he re-materialized halfway across the courtyard before taking a low stance with heavy breathing.		The vicious exchange lasted over a minute before Reynaud disappeared into another bolt of lightning. It arced away from Elspeth this time and he re-materialized halfway across the courtyard before taking a low stance with heavy breathing.

	Elspeth was similarly panting with exertion as ~~the gleaming steel plate~~ rose and fell over her small chest. Yet as the seconds lingered, it also became noticeable that she was making a much faster recovery than Reynaud.		Elspeth was similarly panting with exertion as her brigandine rose and fell over her small chest. Yet as the seconds lingered, it also became noticeable that she was making a much faster recovery than Reynaud.

	''Is that because she's a Summerborn?'' Kaede considered as she thought back to Elspeth's earlier comment about never really being tired.		''Is that because she's a Summerborn?'' Kaede considered as she thought back to Elspeth's earlier comment about never really being tired.
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	"A visit? That'd be great." The Samaran girl's smile returned as she began to lead the way. "Pascal hasn't been in a great mood. Some company from old friends would do him wonders."		"A visit? That'd be great." The Samaran girl's smile returned as she began to lead the way. "Pascal hasn't been in a great mood. Some company from old friends would do him wonders."

	"And that's why I suggested it." Reynauld grinned from ear to ear like a kid who just won a bet. "Perceval told us that Pascal's ~~injuries were quite extensive and that he~~'~~s been rather moody~~. ~~I don't know the details, but~~ I figured he could use some fun with a surprise visit."		"And that's why I suggested it." Reynauld grinned from ear to ear like a kid who just won a bet. "Perceval told us that Pascal's mood hasn't recovered by much. So I figured he could use some fun with a surprise visit."

	~~''Glad to see patient-physician confidentiality even in this world.'' Kaede thought as she reached the outer stairs to the castle's guest wing.~~		The petite familiar had to take a really large step to climb onto the tall stairs. They were the same set that she fell from while helping Pascal down the other day. A shiver up her spine reminded her of the faint, cold breeze that blew in the courtyard and through her legs. It made her turn around and stare at Reynaud, who waited behind her with an anxious if expectant gaze.

	The petite familiar had to take a really large step to climb onto the tall stairs. They were the same set that she fell from while helping Pascal down the other day. A shiver up her spine reminded her of the faint, cold breeze that blew in the courtyard and ~~between~~ her legs. It made her turn around and stare at Reynaud, who waited behind her with an anxious if expectant gaze.

	"You're not trying to sneak a peek up my skirt are you?"		"You're not trying to sneak a peek up my skirt are you?"
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	"Idle hands are the devil's workshop. Or idle brains in your case, as you've always been a trove of radical ideas." Perceval smiled with good humor beneath his sympathetic gaze. "All of that unused mental capacity is making your mind play tricks on you by imagining the most exaggerated implications and outcomes. It's part of why depression is so common for those in convalescence."		"Idle hands are the devil's workshop. Or idle brains in your case, as you've always been a trove of radical ideas." Perceval smiled with good humor beneath his sympathetic gaze. "All of that unused mental capacity is making your mind play tricks on you by imagining the most exaggerated implications and outcomes. It's part of why depression is so common for those in convalescence."

	"But I have started working." Pascal countered as he tapped the small stack of papers on his ~~round~~ table. "I have been going through General Macdonald's reorganization plans and filling in details."		"But I have started working." Pascal countered as he tapped the small stack of papers on his small table. "I have been going through General Macdonald's reorganization plans and filling in details."

	"He just received them this morning." Kaede added from her spot by the door.		"He just received them this morning." Kaede added from her spot by the door.
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	The depth of sincerity in Reynaud's warning helped them slip past Pascal's defensive mindset. And in that moment Pascal realized why he'd been feeling a growing sense of similarity between their experiences. After all, was there really much difference between Reynaud's unwillingness to dive into melee and his own hesitation to pick up a new challenge?		The depth of sincerity in Reynaud's warning helped them slip past Pascal's defensive mindset. And in that moment Pascal realized why he'd been feeling a growing sense of similarity between their experiences. After all, was there really much difference between Reynaud's unwillingness to dive into melee and his own hesitation to pick up a new challenge?

	Ariadne certainly seemed to see Pascal's own self-doubt as just another form of cowardice. He was hiding himself behind the work of a staff assistant and only 'going after easy tasks' that required little responsibility. The young ~~officer~~ who boldly stepped up after his commanding officer's death during the Battle of Nordkreuz seemed a lifetime ago in comparison. What would King Leopold or Princess Sylviane think of him now as he did nothing but cower and hesitate?		Ariadne certainly seemed to see Pascal's own self-doubt as just another form of cowardice. He was hiding himself behind the work of a staff assistant and only 'going after easy tasks' that required little responsibility. The young captain who boldly stepped up after his commanding officer's death during the Battle of Nordkreuz seemed a lifetime ago in comparison. What would King Leopold or Princess Sylviane think of him now as he did nothing but cower and hesitate?

	''I should have been there.'' He thought of the words that haunted Reynaud as it once did him.		''I should have been there.'' He thought of the words that haunted Reynaud as it once did him.
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	"I'm glad to see that Your Grace is active and driven once more." Edith was the first to speak as they all sat down in the conference room. "Though we would have preferred a little more context on what this meeting today is about."		"I'm glad to see that Your Grace is active and driven once more." Edith was the first to speak as they all sat down in the conference room. "Though we would have preferred a little more context on what this meeting today is about."

	"You and me both." Queen Katell commented with a curious ~~grin~~. "Her Highness simply remarked that the topic would be of great interest to me."		"You and me both." Queen Katell commented with a curious smile. "Her Highness simply remarked that the topic would be of great interest to me."

	Sylviane only smiled playfully before turning back to Pascal. All eyes around the table fell upon the young lord whose black eyepatch no longer overshadowed the light in his turquoise gaze.		Sylviane only smiled playfully before turning back to Pascal. All eyes around the table fell upon the young lord whose black eyepatch no longer overshadowed the light in his turquoise gaze.