The obvious eye-roll said just how much Max believed Kura's assessment that she'd been any type of monster. Monster to other politicians that faced her on the floor? Sure. Monster to enemies who met her on a battlefield? No doubt. Between Idalos gutter-rat and Immortal offspring? Not quite so much, in Maxine's opinion. They got different starts in life with different opportunities. One was cultivated for greatness. Another was sown for chaos. Kura had over a hundred arcs to grow, mature, and evolve into what she was now. Max didn't need a time machine to believe, with certainty, the blessing of youthful age after a century would yield no such similar results.
"Drunk?" Max guffawed at the accusation. Then she turned her gaze toward the rowdy dog-creature with a tsk. "Light-weight. We'll fix that maybe." She let her hand drop to give Good another scratch, amused to find the animal so welcoming to her touch. The disapproving cloud of her expression never lifted as she listened to Karem and Kura's exchange.
She had to admit she did not envy the Councilor's position. As much as Max loathed Scalvoris' rulers, she knew the woman's undertaking to preserve both friends and state was no small task. The desires to save both were literally pulling her in opposite ends of Idalos. She frowned. There was no point in interjecting her opinion. Kura knew it already. Max's position was firm. The Councilor could bend and bend and bend, trying to enact her will, all she wanted. Eventually, she would spread herself too thin. Something would snap. And like a wooden block tower, it would all come crashing down.
Max was determined to avoid those falling blocks.
"Or, offer those kids up to trade," she murmured bitterly, absently despite herself. Her brow furrowed at mention of someone named Ela. She'd thought she'd heard Kura mention her before. Her sister? Mild curiosity ignited. For whatever reason, she recalled the Councilor suggesting Max reminded her of such a sister. She wasn't sure she was getting the connection, with the fangs and claws and all. And this...Kirei. That was a new name Max didn't know at all. Her head tilted slightly. How convenient the mystery woman was right here in Scalvoris, too.
Another name on the list.
Max pinched the bridge of her nose. Another point to connect on the board. Another life to shield, and by the sounds of it, no resource would be spared to protect it. Corrupt Elements. Corrupt politicians. Red Ravens. Ellasin. All right here on the same island. Karem's third child, newly re-discovered Kirei, was another card Kura would have to play close to the vest. Everyone had a lot of chips on the table. The stakes were growing ever-higher.
"Well shit. When's the family reunion? With your war with the Coven hanging over everyone's head, I'd suggest sooner rather than later."
Thanks for the thread.