Cold and Calculating [Azoth]

Rime was not too surprised that Azoth's family had a great deal of land; someone who had been born into his position was not a mere 'landowner', but a ruler over domains. That was the way that it had worked on Arcose for milennia, and he was curious to see the way his planet would develop as it changed. What did it mean for this world? Whether or not people approved of Azoth's changes wasn't really what concerned him now, and he doubted they could do anything even if they didn't. What made him wonder was how the planet would be in centuries to come, or at least those centuries he would live for; what would new generations think, and how would they act?

He suppposed that was a foolish thing to dwell on now. There was so much time before they had to concern themselves with that. "A new district, you say? Hm. I would advise you recruit a great deal of architects, and someone to steward over the construction. City planning is a highly complicated affair. If you wish to make an impression of change on Arcose, perhaps being more open to other species, it could be an idea to bring off-world architects. Having alien designs could make the new district different. That, and having off-world workers around would allow some of our people to get used to them."

Rime was aware that not an insignificant amount of the population had never seen an alien or interacted with one, which was part of what carried the general anti-alien sentiment amongst some. That, and the imperialist viewpoint that their previous rulers had. He supposed if the objective was to make an Arcose that had its arms outstretched, so to speak, that may be a decent first step, at least in his view.

"I'm looking forward to it, your majesty. Truth be told, I had never expected to be in any history book. It isn't often one such as me appears in them, at least, not someone without a last name." He had rarely seen any commoner with a surname, and as far as he was aware, it was mostly a noble tradition. There were some, of course, and it was true that some nobles didn't go by their house name at all, whether due to not feeling it necessary or wanting to attain personal glory over that gathered for their dynasty.

Dynasty. Hm, a curious thought. Here he was, having just questioned Azoth about heirs, childre and the like, and yet he had no idea about his own family's future. If it even had one, that was.

WC: 438
TWC: 3808

Rime nodded his head emphatically in response to Azoth, seemingly pleased that the Emperor had the locals of the planets in mind. He couldn't fault the idea of prioritising Arcosian architects first for a project in the city, and there was little anyone could really object to, in his opinion. Anyone opposing the new Emperor would want to look for areas where he seemed to be putting aliens over his own kind, and would try to paint him as a puppet of off-world influence, that all his support comes from foreign powers, and that his sitting upon the throne was just a symbolic occupation. At least, if he were one of those who still carried Hibernal's torch, that's what he would do. It was best they worked against that wherever possible.

"I agree. If you wish me to handle any of our deals and affairs with those other worlds on your behalf, do let me know. I was used for diplomacy more often than one might think, and with the volatile situations on some other worlds, especially between the Saiyans and the Tuffles, we'll certainly need to use a softer hand." He was the type to usually advocate for safter, more cautious options, especially when it came to the Saiyans, and that was no different here.

Confusion spread across his face at first as Azoth started complimenting him, and his brow was raised on one side when the Emperor suddenly placed a hand on his shoulder. He felt that he was simply doing his job, but he hadn't really considered how other members of 'the help' had been with Emperor Icepeak. He supposed it was possible that him actually carrying out his role and giving advice when in a discussion was a high bar amongst the royal servants and highly ranked of Arcose. It wouldn't surprise him.

When the offer came, he remembered to let a wave of momentary surprise appear on his face before disappearing again, seemingly struck by the opportunity at all. He cleared his throat, quickly moving to a bow, taking a formal stance that he knew was more appropriate for acceptance. Those old traditions still lived within him, and perhaps to some degree, he respected the ways of his ancestors, even if he had not yet had the chance to live at a station where those traditions truly mattered.

Eventually, he stood up straight again, his hands behind his back. "I am honoured, your majesty, and I gladly accept. I suppose I'd have to think of a name for my house and family, and I will need to inform my relatives. My parents only own a small plot of land that our house sits on, and I'm not sure if they would want to leave it to any descendants of mine, as our relationship is a little...strained, at the moment. Still, I'm sure they'll be happy to consider it under royal protection, one way or another."

It was an odd feeling that struck him in that moment. He had never considered actual nobility for himself, but he was in at the bottom level. Thankfully, there were plenty of stairs to climb, and he had all the time in the world. All he would have to do is keep proving himself, and he was sure his station would improve further, and perhaps his prospects for truly ruling over land as he'd once fantasised, as a small boy.

WC: 572
TWC: 4380