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Dim light struggles to illuminate each corner of the aged living room, only a few poorly placed light sources spread across the area. Tomoya makes a attempt at navigating the hazy room in a careful manner, a tea set firmly in his hardening hold, but he catches himself still slipping. He lets out a small yelp, as he observes a small creak on the floor previously unnoticed. He manages to catch himself in time, but scowls.
"Tenshouin-san, it was your idea to drink some tea." Tomoya starts in irritation, mild annoyance visible in his voice despite his usual kinder demeanor. "Can't you at least assist me with bringing the tray to the table? Thats exceptionally poor manners for a assistant of mine."
"I might be your assistant for now, but i've informed you previously that my eyesight worsens at night. I can unfortunately not reach out to you at the moment." Eichi responds in a far too amused tone for Tomoyas taste, a small smile forming on his lips.
He simply sighs in response as he puts down the tray and takes a seat before him, knowing Eichis likely just making fun of him again. As if its second nature, Eichi redirects focus to the tea set, as he starts preparing both cups for them. Tomoya simply observes as he does his work.
As the conversation the duo was about to have ran risks of being overheard, Tomoya decided upon them stopping by the vacant mansion where his family stores agricultural supplies, a quiet and solitary region of the kingdom. Lately, he couldn't help but feel like they had somehow made more enemies. While Eichis machiavellian advice and assistance was effective in gaining at least several powerful allies, it was undeniably at the expense of burning bridges for other rivaling kingdoms.
It made him feel mildly nauseous. Was it really worth it?
His body language betrays him; he picks up the cup, but the mild shaking of his hands feels far too loud. As he takes a sip for his far too dry throat, feeling slightly soothed by the aroma of the herbs, Eichi simply responds in eerily calm demeanor as if Tomoya had verbalized his thoughts all along.
"Tomoya-kun. Conflict is at the centre of all events in this twisted world, independent of the society we actually harbor. As such, we divide and destroy, as that is the most efficient way to gain power." Eichi simply says in a matter-of-fact word delivery, yet his expression at peace as he slowly takes a sip.
It's not that he didn't know it previously, but it still slowly dawns upon Tomoya that perhaps this was the norm of the intergalatic emperors past society, his everyday. The distrust, the paranoia, the sensation that no one is really sincere about their interests. A society that fully lacks noble incentives, justice, or a codex of ethics.
Somehow, it sends a mild chill down his spine. The other mans eyes looked so clouded over. And yet, Tomoya struggles to accept the truth he presents. He wants to belive theres better, even if it comes at the expense of seeming naive.
Even if it makes him look like a fool.