tampered | Log; Ongoing

Current Mood: calm

Log; Ongoing

When; May 22, in the afternoon
Rating; G
Characters; William Wordsworth

prof_wordsworth and Isaak von Kampfer

arrowofbelial
Summary; Having talked for the first time in years, William and Isaak have agreed to meet by the gazebo at Xanadu.
Log; It was a warm afternoon, William walked along at a brisk pace and took in the sights around him. Xanadu was a lovely park, he could see why Isaak had picked it, it would make it hard for anyone to spot them, not that William was worried. Lady Caterina knew about the meeting between himself and Isaak von Kampfer, he had strict orders to be careful and to report back the moment the meeting ended.

William had the feeling that he was playing devil's advocate today, two meetings with the enemy, really, it was a bit much even for him. But he was not going to start a debate with himself about the whole thing. Not when it was important that he find a way out of the City and if he could, save Sister Esther Blanchett.

Isaak von Kampfer was a man William had tried not to think about too much over the years. They had been odd friends back in their university days and now Fate had made them enemies. William always thought that Fate had an odd sense of humor, because if this meeting being set up proved anything, it was how easy William could forget that Isaak was the enemy and not just an old university friend.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

It was a lovely day really, Isaak would have to give the deities that. Though the City was chaotic and unpredictable, it was quirky in its own way. It was very much like Mein Herr, if one were to ask the magician. As a strategist, it was only natural that he had an aversion to unpredictability, but at the same time, it was the very nature of it that attracted Isaak.

This was the time when he missed Guderian, but he could not bring the wolf along with him without making the other members suspicious.

It has been some time since they last saw one another, several decades has passed since their university days. It would be most interesting to be have the chance to chat with his old friend again. It could only happen in the City.

Isaak took his time walking through the maze of flowers with a basket in hands, admiring them as he made his way to the well-hidden gazebo. It did not take him any effort to find the place at all as he has already burned the City’s layout into his mind. He could have just teleported there, but he did not see any need for it.

William found the gazebo empty when he reached it. He wasn't worried, Isaak would come, he had no doubt of that. He sat down and lit his pipe.

William had thought over things carefully. He knew that it would be hard to get Esther Blanchett back, he didn't even know from what point in the timeline she had been pulled and the fact that she was with Dietrich von Lohengrin from what appeared to be her own free will, William didn't think he could get her back. There were ways of working around that though. And Radu Barvon could come in handy. He knew for a fact that the Methuselah was having a hard time dealing with von Lohengrin.

But before he would any plan into action, he would enjoy catching up with Isaak.

Isaak arrived soon after William reached their appointed destination. He gave a small smile at his old friend.

"It is great to see you looking so well, William."

He placed down the basket at the side and seat himself opposite of William, "I had a pleasant surprise when I heard that you've appeared here."

Isaak watched the man, a neutral smile set in place. What was he up to? Wordsworth's nature and especially his affiliation with AX would only mean that he would meddle in RCO's affairs. That would not do at all.

"It's good to see you as well. It's been a while since we saw each other."

Isaak hadn't really changed over the years but there was a sense of quiet power around him now, most would miss it but not William.

"Your not looking too bad yourself." William said with a grin. "And you brought food, wonderful."

"It has. How long has it been again?"

Though Isaak posed a question, the man already knew the answer beforehand. It has almost been roughly 20 or so years since they last saw one another.

"Thank you. The years has been kind to me... and yes, I was unsure how long we would chatter so I took the liberty to prepare something for us," he said, arranging the cutleries on the small table.

William watched as Isaak set the small table, "It's been 20 years, give or take." He said.

William looked thoughtful as he spoke again, "You know, I never thought you'd join someone like Contra Mundi but you've always been able to surprise me."

"It has been awhile," Isaak echoed, placing the last napkin into place.

He smiled at the statement as he poured tea for the both of them. "A slice of lemon? Or is it milk and sugar for you?"

It did not escape Isaak that William has aged in the past 20 years, but either than that, he was just the same man Isaak knew back in the University.

"I could say the same for you. I never thought you'd join the Vatican. And 'someone' like Mein Herr?" Isaak said, raising a fine eyebrow at the words.

"Lemon is fine, I lost the taste for milk tea long ago."

The tea was nice, nothing like the kind Kate made, he was already missing her nagging him all the time.

"Joing the Vatican was my way at finding redemption after what happened at University." William sighed, he looked thoughtful for a moment. He still blamed himself for what happened with the experiment, no one was meant to have died.

He shrugged at Isaak's next words. Contra Mundi was just as powerful as Abel, who was a good friend to William, the only thing being that Abel fought for the good side.

"I have nothing against who you choose to follow, I'm not here to make you turn sides."

He placed a generous slice of lemon into William's tea before repeating the same for himself.

Redemption? The term was rather alien to Isaak. If there was anything that he regretted, it was the fact that their theory did not work out like they had planned. What is a life or two compared to the advancement of science?

"You mistake my words, William. It is just that you say 'someone' as if Mein Herr is a person to be disregarded."

William shook his head, "I don't think Contra Mundi is someone to disregard. He is powerful and it sadness me that so many people have died at the hands of his followers," he paused for a moment, then spoke again, "I always thought you'd do great things, I suppose this is your way of doing that."

The smile on his face remained unchanged as Isaak took a sip of his tea.

"You could not expect to change things without sacrifices, William. You and I both know that... Try some of these pastries, it is Mein Herr's favorites." Isaak said, placing 2 of the aforementioned pastries onto William's plate.

"Great things? I am merely helping change the world into a better place, 'Igne natura renovateur intergra'."

William sat back, his eyes were hard as he spoke, "Through fire shall the Earth be renewed, I know it, it doesn't mean that I have to accept it." William sighed, he ran a hand through his hair, "I'm not here to argue whose wrong or right."

"Of course not, if you were, I would doubt you would take the trouble to contact me to meet for tea otherwise."

Isaak laced his fingers together and laid his chin on the entwined fingers. "So then, why do you seek me out. Now of all times."

William smiled, he took his time answering, sipping his tea, then mirroring Isaak he spoke, "I was hoping you could tell how Esther Blanchett ended up with the Orden."

So, it is about the girl after all. Isaak looked thoughtful.

"You would mean the girl that is currently living with Marionettenspieler, am I right? As far as I know, she is willingly staying with Dietrich."

William nodded, "I thought as much. Can Dietrich be trusted to look after her?"

"It would depend on what your definition of 'look after' is, William. For now, he seems satisfied with her staying with him, but who knows? But you could trust him to take care of her from other dangers, though one would say that Dietrich himself is more dangerous to her than most people here."

He took out a tin box, "I do hope you do not mind me smoking, William." It was more of a notification than the fact that Isaak was asking for permission.

William waved his hand, "Not at all, I smoke as well now." He brought out his pipe and grinned.

"I know how dangerous Dietrich is, I've read the mission reports that's why I'm worried for Esther but she did chose to stay with him, for now they appear to be getting on fine, though that could be put at risk by Radu Barvon." Smoke from his pipe danced around William's face as he spoke next, "That's why I have a proposition to put forward."

A smile replied William as Isaak took out a cigarillo and lighted it.

"Hoh? What Dietrich plans for the both of them are his concerns."

"That maybe so but Esther is my concern as well. She may not know me but I know her and I'd hate to see her fall pray to one of Dietrich's games yet again."

William sat back,"I've noticed that he's playing Esther and the Baron off each other."

A cunning look flashed across William's face. "My proposition is simple. An exchange of sorts. Since Esther is living with Dietrich, then Radu Barvon should live with me. I could use an assistant and Radu can better spy on me for the Orden, not that he'll find anything."

And what did that have to do with him? Was William trying to use their friendship? He was going to be disappointed. Isaak would rather have William's resentment than a grouchy puppet master anyday.

"Yes, but I doubt that Dietrich would allow either to kill each other. Give him more credit than that, William. Dietrich may like his little games, but I assure you that he would leave them unharmed." Well, at least nothing that Dietrich could not fix. Flammenschwert was still in their plans, but as for the nun, Isaak could not be bothered at all.

"That, you would have to ask Mein Herr. I am but a mere servant to my master."

Isaak may not care for Esther but William did, he would hate to see the girl hurt again.

"I'm going to be honest with you Isaak, I don't like Dietrich and I don't like the way he plays with people, so you'll forgive me if I don't give him the benefit of credit. Also, the next time you have one of your Orden meetings, please tell him to keep away from me, I won't be responsible for controlling myself should I lose my temper. I'm sure the last thing you want is the boy to have a taste of my sword."

William smiled and shrugged, "It was worth a try, it's just as well, the Baron has a nasty temper, I don't like that sort of thing."

He put his pipe aside and picked up a pastry, humming as he tasted how good it was, finishing it, he wiped his hands clean and sat back.

"So, now that we've got the small matters out of the way, let's talk about the big issue, how are we going to play this game of pawns and masters?"

"The boy, as you so lightly placed it is capable of making his own decisions. He rather dislike people ordering him around."

Isaak blew out a cloud of smoke as he used his free hand to life his cup to take a sip from it.

"Hoh? Whatever do you mean, William? I did not realise we were playing a game here."

William chose to ignore what Isaak said about Dietrich. William didn't give a damn if the brat didn't like to take orders, if he didn't keep away from William, he was a fool.

"A line needs to be drawn while both the RCO and AX are here. We should try to come to a non-agression agreement. Spying is all very well, even meetings between the two sides is fine but violence between us will get a lot of people hurt. I am going to be honest again, the RCO has more power, while AX is weak. In fact I'm wondering why the Orden hasn't killed Lady Caterina, Tres or his Holiness? I would think this would be the perfect chance for the Orden to get rid of all challengers in one full sweep. That's why I'm calling this a game, it feels like one to me, play with the pray before you finally get rid of it."

Seeing that William dropped the subject, Isaak did the same, he took another puff from his cigarillo.

A smile graces his face as he heard out William's words. "Are you trying to negotiate with us, William? You do realise that Mein Herr decision is final, I am merely his servant." Isaak avoided answering his friend's question.

William's sigh was tired, "Yes, a most obedient servant." he said quietly.

For a moment he didn't say anything. What a waste of time this had turned out to be. Isaak had indeed changed, into a blind and very obedient drone.

"Very well, I see that this meeting is getting us no where." he gave Isaak a grin and sat back, relaxing, no point in being rude and leaving.

"Anything you wish to ask me?"

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Log; Ongoing

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject