Quietly taking it all in, Falke has sunk into a nearby chair and pays close attention to the faces of the assembled men and women of the Order. He has his own thoughts about Cian and his plans, but in the bloodless face of the late Eye’s death, it does no good to criticize or re-examine them now. What’s done is done. “I’m sure he did have a plan,” Falke utters, in an attempt to soothe the agitated Priest. “But even the best laid plans… and Cian was only human.” And fallible.
They all are. And for once, he agrees with Gideon. It’s a strange place to be, but as his glance flits about the room, all he sees is despair, dismay, and anxiety. Fixer mode starts to kick in, despite his own worries and fears. Ronin had asked what they want to do, so... with another deep breath and a minute of worrying into his hands, Falke raises his head.
“I think we ought to assume the worst, for now - that the Ascended have the book. Unless someone wants to go to the Draig to see if the body is still there…” Trailing off, he looks at Ronin and Noah, because they’re the ones most likely to be able to do that successfully, “We should consider it lost. Which means we need some direction for the Gods.” His gaze focuses on Noah, the newest demigod. “Perhaps Vi can offer some insight on the best way forward.” Flashing the Halovian a tight-lipped, but hopeful expression, the Fixer does his best to keep some optimism in the room.
That still leaves the problem of the rudderless Order, though. Quite frankly, he thinks Tobi to be the most level-headed and able to lead, but he knows she isn’t prepared for it and it isn’t her calling. Finn is… questionable and mentally fragile. He, himself, doesn’t want it. Sera would rather play in her workroom. Gideon wouldn’t be able to separate church and state. The demigods… maybe, but… “I don’t think any one of us is prepared to take Cian’s place, so maybe a joint leadership would be good for now. Just to project some stability and take the pressure off a singular person. No book, no Eye. So instead we have… co-leaders or a council or something of that ilk.” Finishing off with a helpless shrug, Falke honestly isn’t even sure it would work. But these are unprecedented times and they need to be flexible.
The bough that cannot bend will break.
