Rundown Bar -

"Trust me, you wouldn't have gone half as far in life if you weren't born an Arcosian," Taori replied as Blizzard insisted he was merely defending his honor. Did Arcosians even have honor, actually? They certainly seemed to have few qualms engaging those who stood no chance against them in combat. Taori at least had the decency to stop fighting whenever his opponent no longer wanted to keep fighting. Otherwise, he'd still be slugging the Arcosian in the face. Maybe he should just do that, actually. ...Eh, not worth it. A battle between powers that high in such a densely populated area was a recipe for disaster.

Still, he was getting sick of the Arcosian's high and mightiness. And, he was still drunk, so it wasn't the easiest thing in the world to hold himself back from clocking Blizzard across his weird, misshapen jaw. And then came the offer. Help Taori take the throne in exchange for an alliance with the Arcosian Empire. Good grief. "You think I want your help?" Taori asked, incredulously. "We're completely capable of dealing with our own problems. You don't need to meddle."

He knew where this would go - even if he accepted the help of an Arcosian, he'd always be in the palm of their hand. No, if he was going to defeat Rosemary and ascend to the throne, he was going to do it with the use of his own might. Blizzard would have no part in it. Still... Maybe he shouldn't make enemies, if he really was going to do this. As much as it pained Taori, he realized he may have to swallow his pride, just a tad.

"...But if it's peace you're really after, then you can relax. I want to end this war, and that's what I plan to do. But you must understand, having a new leader at the behest of an Arcosian is even more of an insult to my people than having a Demon as one. If a new leader is going to arise, it has to be by their own power."