Heading to Imperial Saga, Eventually.

[in_a_nest_of_vipers]

1

[You've just been assigned as Kushana's assistant, with the added orders of "And be sure to keep an eye on her. If she so much as sneezes treasonously, I want to know about it." by some other high ranking official, and are meeting her for the first time.]

So you're my latest watchdog, hm? You're not welcome here, but I acknowledge your posting at least. What do I call you?

2

[You're in an arranged marriage with Kushana, but neither of you are particularly enthusiastic about it. This is the first time you've ever met.]

Well, no getting around it I guess. Naturally, I don't mind if you keep a mistress of some sort. I trust you'll extend me the same courtesy.

3

[Planning out the defense of a castle under seige]

They have half their heavy guns pointed at our main gate and outnumber us two to one. Relief is coming, but it won't be here for a week and as things having been going we won't last two days. Did I miss anything?

Comments

[dairokutenmaou]

[Nobunaga has married, of course, for the sake of politics. But even then as with any other Sengoku lord, he isn't one who backs out on the idea of keeping mistresses. He'll probably take up Kushana's offer.]

... Ah? Haha... Fine, suit yourself. You already know well that a king of greed like me can't help but indulge.

Didn't think a hardass like you cared about other men that way, Kushana.

[in_a_nest_of_vipers]

I have no specific lovers right now, but I'm not carved of stone. Despite what the rumor say.

[dairokutenmaou]

No kidding? It seemed pretty accurate from what I know about you. Hey, if you lightened up a little, maybe I wouldn't want to find other mistresses.

[in_a_nest_of_vipers]

Please, this is purely political. You need a stronger connection to the throne, I need the military and political power your forces bring to bear.

[dairokutenmaou]

And once we all get what we want, we'll just try to throw each other way like the good ol' days, eh, Kushy?

[in_a_nest_of_vipers]

[She gives him a kind of exasperated grimace at "Kushy", but doesn't push it.]

As soon as it's no longer in our best interests to work together. I can't imagine staying with you just for the pleasure of your company.

[dairokutenmaou]

Hah! Least you're more honest about it than Nohime was. Go ahead, you think I'm not used to traitors and betrayals? Fool! I've gone through it more years than you've lived.

[in_a_nest_of_vipers]

I look forwards to it. For now, though, I can play nice.

[dairokutenmaou]

Then the only option left is to savor this union as much as we can.

[in_a_nest_of_vipers]

Hmf, the marriage itself is a formality. I have better things to be doing than following you around playing wife.

[dairokutenmaou]

I never expected you to. However.

[And the man reaches an arm out to clutch at Kushana's breast.]

[in_a_nest_of_vipers]

[Not really much you can feel there, at least not through the scalemail she's got on under her tunic. She slaps his hand away anyway.]

I suppose you want an heir too. Out of the question.

[dairokutenmaou]

Hah! I'm already too old for that, Kushy. My thanks go to whatever god or gods are looking down on us from high that you don't want any.

[And by now, most if not all of his children have been killed in battle. Some, he had to fight on the battlefield...]

Not that I wouldn't want a pretty face beside me, but I'm happy enough with you, my dear.

[in_a_nest_of_vipers]

To think Dagaria's most infamous general is also a romantic.

[dairokutenmaou]

Are you calling the Devil King of the Sixth Heaven a romantic? I said I'm "happy enough with you". I'd like to do better. Fool.

[in_a_nest_of_vipers]

Consider me put in my place.

3

[armstronger]

Our tank fuel is running low, even if we could find a way to safely deploy them.

[in_a_nest_of_vipers]

How low? Enough for one sortie?

[armstronger]

It will be pushing it, but my men are more than efficient enough to do so.

[in_a_nest_of_vipers]

Good, because I have a plan.

[She gestures to the map between them.]

They're pointing all their heavy guns at our front gate because that's the only place we can sally from. However, if we blow a hole in our own wall here, it's practically a straight shot to their siege guns. We can use our light cannons to make a smoke screen to hide it.

[armstronger]

[ Olivier thinks it over for a moment, then nods. ]

We'd never last if we used them defensively... I like the way you think. As long as we can cover the hole in our wall and make sure that their guns go down before they can capitalize, it will work.

[in_a_nest_of_vipers]

Get your men ready, My engineers will have a sally port prepared in four minutes. Strike while the iron is hot.

[armstronger]

It seems that your men are nearly as capable as my own, if they can prepare that quickly.

We'll be ready and waiting.

[in_a_nest_of_vipers]

Glad to hear it, I was worried you riftguard types would be too used to a static defense.

[armstronger]

Hmph. I'd be embarrassed if that's all that we could do.