LogFAQs > #883355334

Macina sighed as politely as she could and tried to pretend that Sen didn't exist.
It really annoyed her that he had used her 'why not' catchphrase, as well.
Even though he was probably too dumb to have done it on purpose.

"I wouldn't do this for Arland," Macina cut in, bluntly, killing the mood.
"But I would gladly fight on your behalf, My Queen."

The scholar who had come here from High Point was the only one who hadn't really given his opinion yet.
It could be assumed that the others here must have spoken to Lana in private before.
It made sense, because most of them were her friends who stayed in or near the palace at most times.
Aster Crawford put a finger in his mouth and began chewing on it absentmindedly.
He leaned back in his chair and even put his foot up on the table.
It seemed he was aware that others were staring at him, waiting for him to speak.
But it also was apparent that he wasn't going to talk until he had formulated all of his thoughts.

Macina tried to read his face but it was too complicated.
Trying to predict a man who had this much intelligence was like trying to do calculus in her head.
Macina subdued her instinct to throw something at him.
After all, she was still a Lady. She had chosen that path as well.
"Mr. Crawford," Macina said in a sweet voice. "Your thoughts?"

"Mm mm mm..." He had an odd, hollow, quiet laugh that he kept to himself.
His eyes held a far off and distant expression. Was he thinking? Or fantasizing about something?
"Everyone in this room, can you all do me a favor then? My answer will depend on it."

The people here looked at each other.
No one said anything.

"At once, without discussing it. If you have an opinion, I want to hear them."
Aster's chair THUMPED as he let it fall and he sat up straight.
Then he looked each of them in the eye one by one.
"Remember this. I'll know if you're lying."
"But don't worry about speaking over each other."
"I'll record every single reply." He tapped his head. "My mind is capable of that."

"So, tell me, between everyone in this Council of Esland."
Aster took a deep breath. He closed his eyes.
It was as if he was really mentally preparing to absorb all of their answers at once.
Then, his eyes snapped open.

"Who here thinks it is possible to capture a Fairy alive?!"

The replies came as such:

"Heck, I dunno."
"..."

"Sounds dangerous."
"..Hm."
"I have no thought on it."
"By the Gods!"
"Aster, you-"
"No."
"Perhaps."
"Why should we?"
"It should be possible."
And Macina's own "Why not?"

Overwhelmingly, they seemed to think it was possible.
Aster slowly looked to the Queen. "With that reply it sounds as if you do not approve?"

"In war there are always prisoners," Lana replied tactfully.

"And if I request that we capture a Fairy so that I may-"

"I will not let you perform experiments on a prisoner," Lana cut him off.
She could be fierce when she needed to, that Queen.
---

Embodiment of Scarlet Devil
http://i.imgur.com/1KnydFa.jpg