by Glenn » Mon Feb 25, 2013 2:42 pm
Bromn kept control and that was good, a good sign. It meant they could continue and that was a good thing indeed. There was much ground to cover, after all.
"Agony blames the world, Altias, and sometimes, she's right. Usually not. I wonder, though, do you fully understand the context? You say we treat Aleksei like we would Catch. That could not be further from the truth. It is as you say," and now there would be no more glancing down to papers; his focus was on the former Governor, "that he has much to offer. So much. He is an adult where Catch is a child, a scholar where Catch is a madman. They are both victims however, Aleksei by his homeland who raised and reared him to be a weapon, a tool of the state. That he has come this far is admirable beyond belief. That he has worked towards something better is endearing. He is my friend and he is my ally and truly, he is nearly invaluable considering what we face."
Words, so many, but Bromn could handle them, unlike others. He was a Governor. He knew something about oration, about framing an argument. "That is not to say i do not wish more for Catch. We hope that through kindness and consideration, through something less brutish and cruel than what others have offered, through attention and edification we can bring him back to what he might have been if things had been different. Is this noble? Perhaps, but it also a necessity. This is Myrken. Every situation is a special one." He did not mean to lecture, nor did he have to. Bromn knew that as well as anyone. He had lived it.
"Aleksei was possessed by a Thessilanian demon entity, or group to be specific, know as the eight. This is what turned Karolinger into a monster. He was Agnieszka's beau, you remember? In some ways he was her hero. You understand the emotion she must be feeling to see this happening once more. And as I said, we do not treat them the same." He did not tap or fidget. He was just a cold steady focus with a calm smile. "We do not imprison Aleksei, though others have wanted to do just that. I have missives from the last few days sent by the most reasonable, practical people. We try to work with him. I try to balance my concern for him, my friendship for him, with the needs of Myrken, just as I try to do with Catch. In the end however, with both of them, I will not compromise if it means innocent people are hurt."
Why was Aleksei being singled out? He wasn't. "He can contain it right up until the point he can not. Our tactics work with Catch right until they work no longer. Every day we face extraordinary circumstances, Altias."