eachdraidh | [video / both courts / backdated to january 7th]

[Well. Looks like Tzilan was right about the Seelie going on the offensive. It's one of those odd occasions where Saralegui wishes the vampire wasn't always right, but nothing to do about it now besides damage control. If that happens to be good for his image, then that's just bonus points.]

I'm sure everyone is aware of the upcoming fighting by now. And I'm sure there are those who, like myself, have no skill whatsoever in that area or just no interest in it.

[Just look at him. He's a twig, and that hair is absolutely not at all practical for fighting. The self-aware, slightly self-deprecating little smile he wears is only further evidence of that. And better, of course, to play up that helplessness. He prefers to be underestimated, and the knife the Brucolac had given him is very easy to keep hidden.]

So I'd like to offer up Redgate as a safe haven away from the fighting. Others have made this offer, I know, and I hate to be redundant. But I would hate myself more if I didn't make it at all, and I can at least offer a place well out of the line of fire. It's very defensible, and kinder to shardbearers than most places have been lately -- the result of having been founded by a shardbearer, I assume. The distance might seem great, but for shardbearers it isn't really that bad -- only a few days from the nearest fairy ring in Daonna.

Truthfully, I am Unseelie myself, but I make this offer to anyone who wants it, from whichever court. The politics of this world mean little to me. I only want to see those who can't defend themselves kept safe.

[Saber had asked him as the Unseelie General to take Unseelie-aligned individuals into Redgate's care, but she hadn't technically asked to only take those from their own court. If she has a problem with how he does things, then she can bring it up with him personally.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

You may need to take some of my kin, if you've the space and...the resources. I have ideas about how to provide for them, if that's a point of hesitation for you.

I'd be in your debt.

[Having a bunch of people in his debt is an appealing thought to begin with. A bunch of vampires who owe him, though? Yes.]

I'm sure I'll be able to manage regardless. But please feel free to offer whatever input you think may be valuable.

[HEY HEY HEY HE SAID HE'D OWE YOU NOT ALL THE BABY VAMPIRES :C

He licks the air, a little nervously; never know how this explanation is going to go down, really, and it's not like they have a good track record.]

When I governed, I instituted something known as a goretax. All healthy adult human citizens of my riding were taxed on a rotating basis. One pint per taxation. It evened out well enough to feed me and my lieutenants.

Whether you make it mandatory or not, up to you. Could be difficult to swing, but you know Redgate's capabilities better than I. All I suggest is that if you do take in vampir, you should consider making the donation process official and transparent. If only to avoid the refugees becoming Redgate's dirty secret.

[They wouldn't owe him officially or anything. But people are often grateful when you go out of your way to help them, and cultivating such useful goodwill is a favorite tactic of his.

True, perhaps the Brucolac has good reason to be nervous. Saralegui hasn't always taken advice very well, and many people might be repulsed by a suggestion like that. But surprisingly, the young king only looks considerate. If there's some mild surprise at the initial explanation, it's probably more because the Brucolac actually had a useful suggestion.]

That... isn't a bad idea, actually. I don't imagine making something like that mandatory would go over well, but asking for voluntary donations could work. If framed the right way, that is...

[He trails off a bit, distracted for the moment with spontaneous brainstorming.]

[Excuse you, he has some great ideas. It's just he's better at local government than, you know, other things. Like gambling and controlling his emotions and not hurting the people he cares about.

For a moment, he looks startled, then smiles faintly.]

No. The only reason I could make it mandatory was because it was one of a battery of new laws instituted the moment I came to power. Cushioned with things like accessible education, sensible economic policies, general public meetings.

I trust you to make it work, if you think it's doable.

[Saralegui only nods idly at the rest off the explanation, but that last statement seems to actually break him from his thoughts. Coming from the Brucolac, it's quite the statement, and coolly, he arches an eyebrow.]

Do you? That's new. I seem to remember you threatening to burn Redgate down when I first told you that I'd inherited it.

[Dryly:]

Do you also remember me retracting that?

Come. Let's not bitch and gnash our teeth. I've to go; war to fight.

[Very simply:]

Don't get yourself killed.

Same to you, milord.

[video / both courts / backdated to january 7th]

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