Esther (glass) wrote in emillion, @ 2014-06-03 21:29:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, !log, esther glass, toku matsudaira |
Who: Esther Glass & Toku Matsudaira
What: A proposal to help the guild.
Where: A meeting room in the Mages' Tower.
When: 6/1 (backdated)
Rating: PG
Status: Complete
At five minutes to four on Sunday, Esther stood outside the meeting room, rocking on her heels as she waited for the clock to strike the right time so she could knock on the door. Time she took to carefully compose herself, running through her mind the different suggestions she had wanted to voice at the time of her conversation with Toku online but had not. She slightly resented being talked down for a remark that had actually been intended in playful jest to Cyrus. If there was something that Esther understood well, however, was that you have to work within the parameters of your situation, and rather than lashing out and becoming impetuous, she had ideas and thoughts (significant changes that could be made to the Guild). Esther still stumbled when dealing with politics, but she was determined to make a positive change. She was a mage, yes, but first and foremost she was a noble of Emillion with duties according to her station and the intentions to act out her convictions. Like with all things attire was important and so Esther had chosen a simple but elegant dress which was fitting for a lady without being ostentatious. It was comfortable, and it was her so it helped Esther hide her apprehensions behind silk. When the clock hit four, she raised her hand and knocked twice on the door, waiting to be acknowledged before entering the room. The answer was immediate; a deep voice called, "Come in," from inside the room. Like Esther, Toku had arrived early. The papers he had been reading while he waited were shuffled inside a folder when the knock came. As Esther walked in, he gave her a small smile and indicated one of the many chairs around the meeting table. "Thank you for coming." Despite his small smile, Esther felt apprehension grasp her (not knowing Toku well she could not discern the genuinity of his expression, familiar as she was with always doubting what could be read at face value). “Thank you for granting me this meeting, Sage.” Her eyes flicked to the many chairs, picking one which was neither too close, nor too far. She sat down, smoothed her skirts once more, cool silk that pooled comfortably around her (an armour, a shield). “Like I said before, I hope that my being here conveys the seriousness of my proposal and commitment to it. I am, as I said before, too young to consider a council seat, even if I would like to.” He nodded. During their network conversation, he had been surprised to learn her ambitions lay in politics; he had heard she had some anxiety issues on the battlefield, and had believed one who did not endure pressure well may wish to remain out of the limelight. But all obstacles, he supposed, must eventually be overcome. "It does indeed, Miss Glass," he said. "You have my full attention, if you would like to discuss your proposal." For Esther, the battlefield of magic and politics were rather different; neither was enjoyable per se, but she wanted to really make a difference and help others. Make things better — was that not one of the duties of the nobility? To Esther it was. “If I may speak freely,” she averted her eyes, words carefully chosen, “There is not a lot of trust on the Mage Guild, which is understandable. Outside parties blame us whole, and even within our guild there is a certain disquiet — some wish to understand how things happened under the council’s eyes.” Esther cleared her throat, “As I’m well aware I’m too young for a council seat, but perhaps it is a good thing that I am.” She was beginning to get nervous, “I’m young, not associated closely with the council, it may help to mend the rifts if I’m allowed.” He considered her words, trying to discern what it was she was asking permission for; then, after a moment: “It is true the Guild’s reputation has taken quite a fall,” he conceded. “Indeed, mending that rift is something we all desire, though of course it is not something so easily accomplished. Any suggestions or ideas you have to help, however, would be more than welcome.” Maybe she was not phrasing it right, the tips of her ears felt hot, but she held herself in check, “I believe that allowing a simple mage as myself, with no ties to the council can help provide a positive image. Someone who could not have been linked to what happened, who can provide the other side with the right guidance.” The term right guidance did not sit well with him; no matter her relation or lack thereof to the Guild leadership, she may well be seen as another mage trying to shift blame. His tone remained perfectly polite, however, as he asked, “What type of guidance?” At heart, Esther was still a noble, the machinations of the dinners and balls comfortably familiar even if dangerous (better the devil you know). “To keep the guild from fragmenting further — I think people are scared, they have doubts and they’re not wrong to have them but —” She gave a not-so-eloquent shrug, “Between that and the doubts of the citizens I do think a person like me could help your efforts.” “As I said, anything that could help this cause would be more than welcome; I apologize if I have appeared discouraging.” Toku nodded his head. “I am simply curious as to what you plan to do in order to achieve this goal. I cannot aid you, or even say whether I believe it advisable, if I do not have an idea what types of measures you believe would assuage the citizens’ doubts.” Encouraged by those words, Esther flashed a small smile, it felt like she had taken a step in the right direction as she struggled to gather her thoughts, “Councillor Min lets deeds speak for her, but sometimes there needs to be someone who draws attention to those details. Certainly she is not the only one who is doing their best to speak through their actions. I wish to help mediate with words but it is not my place to do so without your approval.” “By drawing attention to such good deeds,” Toku finished. He was aware (though indeed, he must be one of very few) that Peony was giving up a generous portion of her salary to reconstruction efforts, as was Merrion (and indeed, Toku himself), though he felt Peony would not have liked the fact publicised; the reason they had all kept it secret was to avoid it being seen as something other than an act of altruism. “Have you spoken to Councilor Min about this possibility?” “No, I have not — I thought it best to speak first with you. As Sage, I am sure you are more aware of the politics that come with your new position, Councillor Min is very devout to the wellbeing of the people, but perhaps too modest to accept any credit.” Either way, simple money thrown at things would not solve anything there needed to be words as well as actions. Words from someone who was not in the council and could have (conceivably) nothing to hide. “Perhaps so,” he said. “I have long believed actions speak louder than words—and this is especially true when both those words and actions come from the same source. I believe Councilor Min has not drawn attention to her contributions because she may not have felt it to be appropriate to praise her own actions.” It was indeed true that there was a shortage of good things being said about their Guild, and though they had the support of the other two guilds there were bound to be many who disagreed with the official statement of support. Esther’s intention was good―though she may well be viewed as more closely linked to the heart of the issue than she seemed to believe, being a mage herself. “I cannot deny good publicity would be unwelcome,” he said, wry. “However, as it is Councilor Min’s affairs that this plan concerns, you should speak to her about it and listen to her input before proceeding.” Toku was not wrong, Esther’ words would be taken with a pinch of salt by those outside the guild, however, she was confident that pointing things out from her position could do more good than harm. “I will not mention Councillor Min’s affairs if she prefers it so.” A quick, warm smile that faded as she spoke again, “I’m afraid though that the harm done cannot be undone. Regardless of good actions and words. Doubts exist even within our guild.” Within her. “As to who else may have been responsible. If anyone else was.” He suppressed a sigh. Indeed, he knew even within the Guild some believed the Council partly to blame for Vivian’s actions. He had however hoped that if such doubts were brought to the Guild’s leadership, it would be done clearly; he could not help feeling that Esther’s last words were fishing for insight into the issue and its investigation, still underway. “We are still looking into the possible causes of our former Sage’s rampage, as well as the nature of the beast that accompanied her. Rest assured, nobody wants light shed on this matter more than we do.” An echo of what he had told the public—what else was he supposed to say? “I do feel I have to ask, however; if you will not mention Councilor Min, then what will you say? I assure you, you will need facts to back up your words if you intend to be taken seriously by the public.” Had Esther known Toku better perhaps she would’ve spoken more directly, but she knew never to say anything directly unless she was perfectly aware of all the consequences. The variables in this conversation were too many for her to be blunt. You know that even that might not be enough. “There were and are many mages whose actions can be drawn on as example. Despite of what happened, the guild is filled with many remarkable individuals. Those who were injured during the latest fight, the Mage Task Force you created, and so on.” A small deed well spun could have more impact than a great deed misinterpreted. “That is true.” He nodded. “You have of course considered the likely possibility that, were you to proceed with this plan, you may be dismissed as an interested party?” “That is a risk, but better than doing nothing. They can say I’m interested but proof would suggest that: I have not resided within the Tower for years, nor has my family made any significant donations. My interest is seeing the resintaintments and improvements happening for the wellbeing of Emillion on the whole.” And Esther believed that, she was not just playing politics, her intentions were motivated by simple kindness. Toku wondered if the proof she listed would convince her audience completely of her lack of bias―but she appeared determined in this matter. “Very well,” he said, after a moment’s consideration. “Neither the Council nor myself will be able to officially back your efforts; your impartiality would be cast into further doubt in that case, as I’m sure you understand. However, I see no reason to stop you, though I would greatly recommend you speak to anyone whose as-of-yet unpublicised contributions you wish to disclose.” “I shall do as you advise.” Esther’s smile was bright and eager, Toku was not wrong: she was determined and not easily deterred, by giving her the go-ahead she would plunge into the plans she had been mulling over for a while now. To leave the guild or to fix it from within, the choice had now been made. Rising to her feet, she did a small courtesy, “If I may take my leave, Sage, I am very grateful for your time and thoughts on this proposal.” "Thank you for bringing it to my attention, Miss Glass," he said with a nod. "Have a good day." As she let herself out, Toku wondered what would come of her plan. He did not think she would spread private information such as Peony's donations without obtaining permission first, but even so not everything depended on her. It would be a matter of whether her public would eschew the image of mages as villains that had been predominant of late; and, if they did, whether they would consider Esther's version as an appropriate alternative. Only time would tell. |