maskormenacelogs | (no subject)

[ It entirely suits Gregor not to have this discussion right away. To be honest, he has higher priorities: he had to go through his conversations with Aral, Simon, and Mark first, in that specific order, in fulfillment of his duties and his personal interests combined. Yet he's as sensitive as ever to tasks left undone, and he realizes this is one. With sufficient time given to cool off for all involved, it's in the back of his mind to speak with Edward and Winry-- separately-- about ignoring established plans in conflict situations.

Gregor doesn't intentionally catch him in the kitchen, but when he comes in on Gregor meditatively sipping his coffee, he might as well take the chance.

He deliberately sounds neutral, even relaxed. ] Edward, do you have time for me to speak with you? [ There's something... not quite optional in his tone. ]

[Edward's been around military long enough to hear the almost-command in Gregor's tone, but he's also never been one to listen to demands that don't suit him. There's a distinct beat of hesitation, an inner debate on whether walking right back out is the better option here, but...he knows he isn't going to be able to avoid whatever this is forever. Not when they're living in the same home.

He lets out a soft, exasperated groan and slouches in the doorway.]

About what?

[ Mildly, ]

About your decision to interfere with an ongoing extraction operation. Of course, if you're too busy...

[ Ha ha. No. ]

[Edward rolls his eyes and slumps against the door frame.]

You mean the one vague order to stay put with no explanation?

[ Gregor is too practiced at this to fold his arms. He merely sips at his coffee pleasantly before continuing. This doesn't even rate very highly on his list of difficult dressing-downs to give. Edward not being his subject and therefore not technically in his chain of command does complicate things-- he doesn't react according to the script Gregor's used to at all-- but it's manageable. ]

Did you ask for one?

[ He actually doesn't know; it's a sincere question. Gregor's sincerity in general is hard to discredit. ]

No. Aral left to fast for us to have any chance to ask.

[ Pointedly, ]

You are always welcome to ask me.

[He frowns, sharp and suspicious.]

Would you really have known what was going on at the time?

[ He hitches an eyebrow at him. ]

I'm the Emperor, Edward. That's not just a word. If it's going on and I don't know about it, someone is reprimanded.

[He shoots an unimpressed look right back.]

Well, we know that for next time now.

[ Gregor's voice sharpens. ]

Clarify something for me. You describe Amestris as no less militaristic than Barrayar. What response would you expect normally for endangering a sensitive operation?

[That catches him off guard. Punishment really isn't something he ever thinks about.]

Uh... Well Lt. Ross slapped me once for it.

[ Punishment isn't Gregor's style either, but he wants to make sure this is something Edward should've known and he's not taking issue with something he was ignorant of.

He also withholds a withering comment here, because he does understand the urge to be in the thick of things, and wanting to help directly when someone he cares about is endangered. ] I see. When things are serious, we are operating under similar rules. I was personally responsible for the conduct of everyone involved that night-- Captain Illyan himself, Mark, Lord Vorkosigan, and Captain Galeni. Everyone reported to me, ultimately.

You've made a point of being outside of that chain of command, and I accept that. You're an employee, Edward. And a significant combat force in the field. Do you understand what I'm saying?

You made yourself a wildcard and you endangered people I am responsible for.

[Ed glances to the side—almost like he expects someone to be there. There isn't anyone, of course. Just Ed and his own uncertainty here.]

So...what. I'm supposed to just sit around on my ass when one of my friends is in danger?

No.

[ All of a sudden, it's very believable that Gregor is, in fact, Emperor in more than the word itself. Like flipping a switch, his carriage shifts, his diction turns crisp, his tone filters to the subtly iron-laced expectation of someone used to others listening to him for every word. Emperor Gregor is careful, deliberate, and in this moment approaching flinty-- but never cruel. ]

You request permission to participate, and accept whatever you are told.

I respect your feelings for Mark. You need to respect ours, and our judgement, and our capabilities. Or we won't be able to trust you, with anything. [ Gregor speaks as a literal we here, but he does it so smoothly it's not hard to see where it's a short leap to the Imperial We. ]

Edited 2016-08-14 04:09 (UTC)

[Ed's reminded less of emperors and more of fuhrers—unassuming and relaxed exteriors over a shockingly dangerous center. It's enough to leave him unsettled and crossing his arms uneasily.]

...We didn't know what was going on, or who to ask. We just knew Mark was in trouble and the only guy that we knew had any idea what was happening just left without a word.

[ That's not an unfair comparison at all. Classically speaking, that's exactly the sort of emperor Gregor should be. It's just that he's rerouted his priorities to be all altruistic ones, rather than selfish. ]

He did give you a word, [ he corrects. ] He told you to stay put. I appreciate your desire to be on the front lines, [ rather keenly, to be honest, as someone who's never allowed to be himself, ] but more is not always better. This was not a matter that needed additional firepower. If you'd spooked Captain Illyan, you would only have led to a worse outcome. Something Lord Vorkosigan had the vantage point to appreciate and you should have trusted him on.

So you're saying I should just trust all of you blindly. Is that it?

[ He counters smoothly. ]

What reason do you have not to?

[Ed stares for a long moment, head tilted slightly like he's waiting for the punchline to what must be a joke. The longer he waits the more incredulous his expression gets until he finally lets out a soft, vaguely confused little laugh.]

You're not my brother. You're not Winry.

[ That's the trouble with answering Gregor's questions: you fall into his trap either way. ]

It's interesting to hear you apply such a double-standard of expecting us to prove our trustworthiness, while taking it as read that we should accept yours.

Why the fuck would I want you to trust me blindly either? What the fuck, Gregor.

You mean you don't?

Then, you think I should allow you to interfere with recovering my personal liege-sworn from someone directly in my employ when I don't trust you?

[There's a sharp stiffening in his posture as Gregor's tone shifts again. He doesn't move from the doorway but turns to lean his back against the frame, conveniently giving himself a view of both the kitchen and the room behind him.]

What I don't get is why you think it has to be fucking blind. I can believe you don't want to use me and still want to know what your reasons are when you tell me to jump.

In general, I am sympathetic to that. But you are not my only concern, Edward.

[ And here, here he stops leading and starts explaining. ]

There are times when others supersede your claim on Our attention. Mark Vorkosigan swore himself personally to me, under great duress and as a great risk, and We will not have him disproven in trusting Us no matter what that demands of you. In addition, Simon Illyan has served Us relentlessly since We were five years old. If he makes a mistake, it is Ours to correct, or Regent Vorkosigan's at minimum.

I will explain to you, as I am now, after the fact where I am able. But I will not necessarily tell you the whole story, [ he says bluntly, making no pretense; yet his words are softly delivered, far from being bludgeons but rather immutable truths, the weight of a duty Gregor has finally learned how to bear up under. ] There is more here than you can appreciate, decades of history, of hurt. On all sides. Your desire to be included is only one of many factors I must weigh.