Markus Peregris
Markus forced his demeanor to remain amicable. The last time he'd someone this arrogant and tactless, it had been his own parents- a memory he fought quite hard to not dwell on, lest he lose himself in it. He was known to be polite at all times, but by the goddesses even he had limits, and this noble brat was testing them. And now he seemed to think he could simply order Markus around. Markus would never understand some nobility's compulsive need to do that, and in truth he found it quite ridiculous... but there was no particular reason to let this particular noble know that. So, rather than call a maid, Markus simply ignored the request in favor of listening more on the conversation.
If the man had any tact or esteem for any of them, it was indiscernible. He simply hand waved any objections to his grand master plan as if the objectors were ignorant schoolchildren. The attendant at least had some civility, but it was a small port in a very frustrating storm.
"It would seem to me," Markus interjected,
"That perhaps part of the lack of confidence stems from certain Lords who seem to carry nought but contempt from the Order. To the point where they value only Captain Danbalion in a critical operation, and only as a figurehead." He furrowed his brow in thought for a moment. Something else was at play here. There was no reason in his mind to try and disguise them all as a mere mercenary band, especially if Fanilly herself was going to be in plain sight. It was almost as if- ah, he thought suddenly, of course.
"If the goal is to paint the Order as a credible force, I would think having us in full colors would be more effective rather than disguised as mercenaries. But then I suppose that would paint a picture of a unit that is considered to be, how was it? 'Incompetent to the point of hilarity' I believe, doing what a local Lord's forces were unable to accomplish. I can see how that would be quite unacceptable to some." A commotion from the front of the hall drew his attention, and he knew that could only mean one thing. One look at the entering party, however, put him on alert.
"It seems," he said to Vizer in a lower tone so Livius couldn't hear,
"That the decision will shortly be out of our hands. It doesn't look like the Captain's in sorts to be, ah... entertaining the likes of your charge just right now, so if you've a way to convince him to give her a minute, I'd kindly request you make use of it."
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AlteredTundra