Essek is grateful for the darkness of his laboratory for many reasons. One is that it helps to hide the way his cheeks have turned the color of a well shined plum as heat rises to his face. His husband only has a human's eyes, which means limited vision even with Essek's magelights illuminating the room. He draws the hand Percival had so gallantly kissed back to himself, and hardly realizes that he's cradling it to his chest.
"Yes, we are in agreement once again." Thankfully his voice remains steady, at least. "It is not my intent to do anything out of character. I...do not think it will be difficult to act convincingly fond of you, Percival."
That is certainly the clearest statement he's made about his personal feelings regarding their relationship, and instantly he feels nervous about it, even though Percy has just expressed a similar sentiment. But he has so little experience in being close to other people, and though he can look at their relationship objectively through a political lens and see it clearly, navigating the bond itself is so much more fraught. This matters to him, and not just because it concerns his future livelihood. Percival matters to him in a much more intimate way, similar to his friends. It's wonderful, but also confusing and nerve-wracking. He doesn't want to fuck this up the way he had with the Mighty Nein--with Caleb, particularly. He can't afford to.
The resolve he feels is powerful. He hopes it will be enough.
"Do you have any questions for me?" he wonders, at least partially to change the subject. "I may be new to this continent, but I am experienced in politics, which tends to be a somewhat universal language."
"We all received some education in political maneuvering. This title wasn't exactly my birthright, but it's mine now and I have endeavored to ensure that Whitestone will never be so isolated again."
Percy looks down for a moment, brows drawn together. He wonders--no. There is no point in looking backwards.
"It has been my continuing goal to ensure solid ties with the Republic. Things are good and I should like to keep them that way. But I also will not have anyone trying to take advantage of our resources. You know what we mine here, and you of all people know its worth."
Whitestone is isolated in terms of geography, though no longer so isolated politically. But it is known for its major export, the stone for which the city is named. Magic users from Xhorhas to Marquet seek it out, never mind the uses for the less magically inclined.
"That is part of our mission. To strengthen the ties we have, both economically and politically. I am not sure that I have any questions to pose, only... a hope that you will lend your expertise in this matter wherever you feel it relevant."
Essek's experience is a boon that Percival could not have anticipated, and he wants to believe that his new spouse is truly as dedicated to his new position as he seems to be. He is aware that the trust he is showing Essek could put him in a precarious position. But the only way to test it is to give it, and... Essek hasn't let the side down yet. Percival doesn't believe that he will, regardless of the concerns of others.
Essek understands, deeply, the trust that Percy is placing in him. He has every intention of proving worthy of it, and not only for his own sake.
It is still strange to think about the way the Mighty Nein altered him inexorably in less than a year when he had lived more than a century of his life as a stagnant, selfish being. Now that his heart has been opened, he finds it impossible to close again. That, he reasons, must be how Percival has gotten in. How all of Whitestone has, really. Essek feels a sense of duty to these people in a way that he rarely ever had to his own. It's a responsibility that derives not from the promise of self-advancement, but the simple desire to help, to improve the world around him after he spent so long disregarding the catastrophic consequences of his own actions.
He's glad for it. He doesn't think Percival would have liked the man he was before. Even aside from his treason and its effects, the Shadowhand was not a good person. But Essek, Essek as he is now, has the potential to be, or at least to do good with the time he has. And in life as in dunamancy, time and potential are the cornerstones from which everything is built.
"You can be assured that I will do just that," he says, and the way his smile reaches his eyes is almost soft. "Not only do I have a vested interest in our success, but I intend to make the value of my knowledge and experience very clear."
Essek reaches between them for Percival's nearest hand to clasp it with his, squeezing gently. A united front. "I am confident that together, we will have little to worry about. Truly, a smarter match could not have been arranged."
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"Yes, we are in agreement once again." Thankfully his voice remains steady, at least. "It is not my intent to do anything out of character. I...do not think it will be difficult to act convincingly fond of you, Percival."
That is certainly the clearest statement he's made about his personal feelings regarding their relationship, and instantly he feels nervous about it, even though Percy has just expressed a similar sentiment. But he has so little experience in being close to other people, and though he can look at their relationship objectively through a political lens and see it clearly, navigating the bond itself is so much more fraught. This matters to him, and not just because it concerns his future livelihood. Percival matters to him in a much more intimate way, similar to his friends. It's wonderful, but also confusing and nerve-wracking. He doesn't want to fuck this up the way he had with the Mighty Nein--with Caleb, particularly. He can't afford to.
The resolve he feels is powerful. He hopes it will be enough.
"Do you have any questions for me?" he wonders, at least partially to change the subject. "I may be new to this continent, but I am experienced in politics, which tends to be a somewhat universal language."
no subject
Percy looks down for a moment, brows drawn together. He wonders--no. There is no point in looking backwards.
"It has been my continuing goal to ensure solid ties with the Republic. Things are good and I should like to keep them that way. But I also will not have anyone trying to take advantage of our resources. You know what we mine here, and you of all people know its worth."
Whitestone is isolated in terms of geography, though no longer so isolated politically. But it is known for its major export, the stone for which the city is named. Magic users from Xhorhas to Marquet seek it out, never mind the uses for the less magically inclined.
"That is part of our mission. To strengthen the ties we have, both economically and politically. I am not sure that I have any questions to pose, only... a hope that you will lend your expertise in this matter wherever you feel it relevant."
Essek's experience is a boon that Percival could not have anticipated, and he wants to believe that his new spouse is truly as dedicated to his new position as he seems to be. He is aware that the trust he is showing Essek could put him in a precarious position. But the only way to test it is to give it, and... Essek hasn't let the side down yet. Percival doesn't believe that he will, regardless of the concerns of others.
no subject
It is still strange to think about the way the Mighty Nein altered him inexorably in less than a year when he had lived more than a century of his life as a stagnant, selfish being. Now that his heart has been opened, he finds it impossible to close again. That, he reasons, must be how Percival has gotten in. How all of Whitestone has, really. Essek feels a sense of duty to these people in a way that he rarely ever had to his own. It's a responsibility that derives not from the promise of self-advancement, but the simple desire to help, to improve the world around him after he spent so long disregarding the catastrophic consequences of his own actions.
He's glad for it. He doesn't think Percival would have liked the man he was before. Even aside from his treason and its effects, the Shadowhand was not a good person. But Essek, Essek as he is now, has the potential to be, or at least to do good with the time he has. And in life as in dunamancy, time and potential are the cornerstones from which everything is built.
"You can be assured that I will do just that," he says, and the way his smile reaches his eyes is almost soft. "Not only do I have a vested interest in our success, but I intend to make the value of my knowledge and experience very clear."
Essek reaches between them for Percival's nearest hand to clasp it with his, squeezing gently. A united front. "I am confident that together, we will have little to worry about. Truly, a smarter match could not have been arranged."