Meeting of the Minds ((By Invitation))

Magnus doubted himself for a minute it was quite truth that Swains words carried logic but it had always been the Zaunite way to value freedom and over all capitalism…yes if you can buy it you can have it and if you don’t have money you have no rights…maybe it was the time to change that.
“I so no reason to object the project grand general.” He replied not adding anything since there was nothing to add.

Darius silently watched and listened to the exchange between the Zaunites and the Grand General with an unreadable expression that was ever present. For all their company knew, Darius could have either been really interested or fairly bored with the ordeal.

He knew Singed and Viktor “well enough” and cared little for the councilors, all though he knew quite well of their importance. In his own opinion, the most interesting of their company had been forced to depart. Singed’s guest, the young gladiatrix. However, she was entirely irrelevant to the matter at hand and proved to be nothing more than a distraction.

The technicalities between these men was not something for him to discuss but was left to Swain instead. His concerns had been brought up prior and it would not be right for him to bring up his own biased views during this talk. For now, he remained present and silent.

Viktor took another look at the blueprint as Swain spoke to him, and it became all too clear that the Grand General was intent on testing the Machine Herald's brilliance in the field of hexmechanical engineering - which, back in his College days, was practically his major! But the time for boasting was not now, as no amount of words could ever adequately prove Viktor's worth as the techmaturgical prodigy he had always been.

"Yes, Swain. I can build this technological warrior wreathed in flame, and I guarantee you the finished prototype within the next four days."

Although he claimed such a thing, in reality he only needed two days to finish this mechanical marauder that he'd been commissioned for, estimated from the moment he would receive the materials required to craft it. Viktor, in truth, promised it in four days so as to finish any other requests he had received from before this meeting.

Girard looked over the next page int he itinerary...It seemed that the Grand General wanted him to forge Zaun an army of it's own. It seemed a daunting task...But none that he could not overcome. The sergeants listed were some of his best men...Perfect fits for the job.

"It will be done, Grand General." Girard replied with a brief nod. "With my best men under my command, Zaun's military will be running at peak condition in no time." Of course, that was just an expression. Girard knew very well that it would take a long time to condition the citizens of Zaun to the strict life of a soldier, but the cunning Zaunites should adapt well, and their ingenuity will serve them well on the field of battle.

In response to Swain's request for any questions, Girard spoke up. "As Zaun does not currently have a standing military, save for mercenary forces...A recruitment drive should be in order, and I will need training supplies to raise up this militia, all of which my men and I can handle with some behind-the-scenes support on Chairman Dunderson's end. Not to mention the cooperation of the Zaunites themselves, which I trust should not be hard to obtain..." Girard glanced up from the itinerary toward the Zaunite Chairman. The transition would be...A bit jarring to a free nation such as Zaun, and he would need as much inside help as he could to keep the citizens from throwing him and his men out of the city.

"I am also concerned about how the League might see this reforging of our alliances, and what consequences it might have in store for our nations." This seemed a valid concern to Girard, as Zaun had not yet removed itself from the League and was, in fact, still under it's jurisdiction.

Viktor held no personal investment in regards to the military mobilization that Swain was ordering, his only concern being the promised materials with which to construct the pyrotechnic armor whose design he resigned to stare deeply at. As far as he was concerned, the soldiers were free to play together with their primitive instruments of war so long as they did not attempt to stifle Zaun's capacity for progress and innovation.

Even now he knew, more than ever, that there existed no force in this world that could truly impede scientific research and experimentation. Not powerful elemental beings supposedly beyond mortals, not the warriors and strategists who sought only battle and control, and not even the undead who would seek to lay claim to the souls of all who lived and breathed. In the end, Viktor had gotten what he came for, and so he took the folder in his hand as he stood rather abruptly in his seat.

"I have no interest in anything else that you might wish to discuss, so if you have nothing more for me I will take my leave."

He addressed no one in particular, but it was a bold statement nonetheless. He had no further use for this meeting, regardless of what the others might still yet wish to discuss, as he neither desired or wanted food nor cared for the others who were gathered. As far as he was concerned, they were merely associates that would, in their own little ways, bring the Glorious Evolution ever closer to fruition - whether they proved worth his time or not.

Alexis hides her sudden apprehension as she hears the General order his guest to stay. She hadn't ever planned on disobeying him, but the tone in his voice warns her against it in a more potent way than even a physical beating could have. That voice promises more than simple pain- it promises humiliation and a life crushed into dust, should the Machine Herald fail to obey.

It's a close thing, but Alex manages to not bite her lip in a nervous gesture. That would indicate she's anything more than a servant, a piece of the backdrop- and after what she's just heard, she dares not imply that.

"Oh, a rose garden! And here I thought this place was an endless, expensively decorated labyrinth. Lead on then!"

Caerys decided to be a little playful and had the girl by the arm for a few seconds, having her guide them to the gardens- though in some ways she could feel her way to open spaces. With a little prodding she would eventually get Miranda to lead them to the garden.

As befitted any lavish palace, the garden area was a wide area where inhabitants could get fresh, scented air. Orderly patches of ground were decorated with fencing to accommodate flower bushes, while benches aplenty allowed seating. Caerys takes off her high heels to feel the ground with her feet, and took in the garden, the feeling of freedom and comfort so near yet still so far.

She looked at Miranda once more. "My this is definitely much better, don't you think?" She looked about, deciding to be a bit snoopy and peek inside the windows- though if told not to do so she's stop.