[SE] We're in the Middle of a Hostile Government Takeover

KAISEL

So, you wanna start a war?
Bang, shots fired

Kaisel cracked a smile at Hadama's attempt to stifle his well-practiced court mannerisms. "I cannot accept that, sir." Kaisel was not attempting to be a pain in the ass, for once. As eager as he normally was to drop formalities, he did not know Hadama well, and he would not be one caught acting too unceremonious around such a figure. Unlike Flora, who Kaisel barely treated like a queen, Hadama did not have the benefit of growing up with him. "It's my understanding the crown remains, even when you take it off. Tourist might be why you're in these waters sir, but it doesn't change who you are, or what that means." It was one of the downsides to such a mantle of power. It wasn't a job you could really clock out from, at least not with those who weren't of similar rank. Perhaps others, whom Hadama trusted and they in turn, he could finally strip himself down to nothing more than his name, but Kaisel could not pretend the mer-man was anything other the Tidebraker, King of Torchline.

Kaisel hopped up onto the bank, next to his pack. He pulled out a towel and rubbed it against his wet hair, part of which had already begun to dry as he'd kept his neck above the water after the first dunk. He kept his calves and feet in the warm water, but he was starting to prune. "Sounds like Koa," Kaisel admitted with a huff of a laugh. "He has a lot of pride in the position, and he'd want to help strengthen everyone he could." After drying his hair as best he could, he let the cloth hang around his shoulders. "We might be able to find an officer on the tour. They could tell you a lot more about the orders and how we decide who is assigned what. I can show you the sights, but I'm too low ranking to know a lot of the details of operation."

Pain is what you desire
So, you wanna be immortal?

Steel-silver brows rose a few fractions at the polite but steadfast refusal, and Kaisel had the Tidebreaker's full - and curious - attention. He listened with solemn courtesy to the young man's reasoning, and then inclined his head in acceptance of it. "There is truth to that," he agreed, the words chosen with care. Emerald eyes gleamed with that hint of amusement again as he raised his head to consider the Dragoon with approval. "You are quick with languages. A useful talent." In these waters, was it? Rare, for a landwalker to slip so quickly into the mindset of the Mer. He appreciated the effort.

And he appreciated Kaisel's willingness to cut his soak short to play tour guide. He stood - yes, on two legs - and stretched, quietly enjoying the supple slide of muscles given a chance to warm to the point of relaxation. He pulled himself out of the water and began to wipe the wetness from his skin, listening to the young man's pride in his cousin with silent serenity. "Sights will be enough. And hearing what a Dragoon of your rank does." Those like Kaisel would be the ones trained and stationed in other regions, after all.

For the higher details of the operation, he would ask Koa himself when the opportunity arose again.

His skin was still damp as he pulled on his clothes, but the former-Mer did not seem to mind as he inclined his head to Kaisel and gestured towards the exit from the Eye. "Please. Lead the way."

~Fin