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[Ariana Lenoir]

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Ariana thumbed through the recent letters and documents, her mind quietly going over the situation presented to her. It wasn't the letters that had been sent publicly, but those that had arrived by private courier that troubled her. A masculine voice whispered from one of the shadowed corners of her chambers, "What will you do now?"

Ariana pursed her lips slightly, "I will inform Lord Church t'at I will nay be handlin' the matter in question."

"He isn't going to be pleased."

"His pleasure in t'is matter is beyond my obtaining. I will nay risk my life should the conclusion go afoul because I was nay included on certain aspects."

"He still is going to not be pleased."

"Then let 'im be displeased an' may His wisdom allow 'im t'see it is nay my 'and that suffered 'im displeasure, " Ariana bit back.

The shadows were quiet for several minutes as Ariana leaned back in her chairs, her lips still pursed. The voice whispered again, although a strong air of reluctance held in his tone, "The Order will succumb to the ravages of time if it is not united."

"I know, " she said simply.

Another long pause before the voice spoke again, "Umbra and her people will be vunerable... nothing will stem the tide of self-righteous."

"I know, " she again replied.

Another pause and then, "Your sacrifice will have been for nothing..."

"I know!" she snapped, turning her head to the shadowy corner as her blue eyes narrowed slightly.

Another round of silence filled the room. The air was thick with the tension kindled by the nature of the conversation. Ariana turned back to stare at the letters upon her desk, her eyes still lit with the smoldering fire of irritation.

It was Ariana who spoke first this time, "This arrangement if provin' most dysfunctional an' inconvenient."

"You are going to have to deal with him at some point."

"His lack of respect is atrocious. It is nay by 'is 'and t'at I was given my position an' he would be good t'remember t'at. He presumes t'much an' understand even less. Jus' because I am nay as much o' a self-proclaimed relic as he, does nay mean I am nay capable. Age is meaningless. I was commissioned for this task, I dinnae' apply f'it. By disrespectin' t'at position, he calls into doubt our Lord's wisdom."

"Age often goes hand and hand with stubborness. While his came with time and disappointment, you seem to be a natural at it, " the voice whispered.

"I 'ave every reason t'be firm in t'is regard. F'as old as he claims t'be, he forgets t'at etiquette is w'at keeps us from destroyin' one another."

"I'm sure he has his reasons as well that feel equally justified."

"I don't trust him."

"You don't trust anyone."

"He laid his hands on me t'at night an'..." she trailed off, her eyes narrowing almost imperceptibly.

"Would you seek to punish him for that one act for the rest of eternity?"

"Aye. He 'as nay even attempted t'atoned f'his actions t'at night."

"He couldn't have known the pain it brought back..."

"He knew, " she whispered softly.

"You should tell him."

"Never. I'll find a way to make him atone f'it."

"At w'at cost..."

"By any means possible... we 'ave eternity f'me t'figure it out..."
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