[ It's telling how Ange doesn't even react to him first going into all of that. There's definitely some people she would chew out for it, especially if she was in a bad mood, but she just seems to take it when it's coming from Claude of all people. ]
Technically there was one the other month, you know.
[ .. she's about to say more, but Ange stops herself. Otherwise she knows they'll just get into that entire thing. And while it'd be good and productive, sometimes a girl just want to complain.
To someone she can trust with said complaints, that is. ]
People are talking about forming an army. Even though they're denying that it's an army. They can't fool me though.
[ It had been a lot easier than he had expected, dealing with the doppelgangers. It does admittedly help that he successfully poisoned one and is blissfully unaware of his own friend and colleague's death. What you don't know can't hurt you!
But he quickly sobers at the next point. ]
An army? Hold on, I can't multitask on this thing, I -- ugh, damned machine.
[ ...it's okay, though. He's calling back! He's calling back right now! And even if Ange scolds him about it, he'll barrel right through the whole thing to keep on talking as though he'd never hung up on her in the first place. ]
Why in the gods' names are they even bothering to deny it? [ He sounds well and truly mystified. ] I can't say I haven't flirted with the possibility myself - [ which would be better, on account of the fact that it'd be him doing it ] - but you gain little from keeping things muddled.
[ Ange is definitely protesting the way Claude suddenly hung up on her a moment ago when he's calling back. At first she doesn't seem to back down either, still piping up with can't believes and how rude, to an innocent girls throughout his first statement, up to the 'deny it' part.
That's when she realizes that he's not going to address it, so she grows quiet again. Claude 1 - Ange 0.. This time..
But he says something else that immediately feels offensive to her all over again, so Ange can still keep on going with the exasperation, even if it's about a slightly different thing. ]
Claude, you can't seriously tell me you were thinking of making an army here!
Of course I was! You remember that whole business where the trees came to life and tried to kill all of us, don't you? Think about how much more effective we'd be as a martial force with some actual organization and strategy behind us! Led by yours truly, of course.
[ She can probably hear his grin. ]
But people here have no reason to follow me, so I just equipped everyone and taught them how to protect themselves instead.
[ That's how they met, in fact. She had just been some determined, petulant girl with a bow. He'd liked her right away. ]
That's the entire problem. People in this place shouldn't have a reason to follow anyone.
[ She at least won't deny that Claude did make that effort, considering he's the one who tried to help her with the whole archery thing, even though it still feels like she's wildly unsuccessful with regular weapons.. ]
And yet there's so many people going along with this. Like no one can see what I see. [ Okay, maybe it's not a proven theory, but Ange "noted conspiracy theorist" Ushiromiya can't help but see this like it's some sort of certainty at this point. ] I'd trust even your intentions more than that guy's.
[ "Even" your intentions, huh, Ange...
T-Tsun.. ]
It's going to end up being some huge problem, mark my words.
The lack of proper governance here drives me mad. You remember how much everyone argued until they were blue in the face about what to do with the people from the neighbouring village? I looked into whether or not there were any books on law, and...
[ He sounds genuinely aggravated. The people need to follow someone, Ange!! Governance is important!!!! And it should be him!!!!!! ]
Ugh. In any case, I don't think that this is the solution. There needs to be measures put in to balance things, especially with such a... volatile population.
[ They've had two City Hall bombings, which Claude still considers to be excessive. ]
You know, I've been reading a lot about democracy lately.
[ He says this like it's something conspiratorial, something exciting! Please humour him, Ange. He can't help it. ]
[ Although Ange is definitely still frustrated here - about the situation, though, not necessarily Claude himself - she does seem to go along with what he's doing at the end there.
Even if it's with a dramatic sigh, followed up by an entirely unconvinced: ]
Uh-huh.
[ She can see where you're going, Claude. ]
So are you going to run for prime minister of Aldrip?
Oh, heavens no. I quite enjoy my own monarchy, thank you very much.
[ Claude laughs as though he's made a very funny joke. He's not actually opposed to democracy and has in fact been considering how best to implement it, but his population needs a little more work before they can be trusted with that.
Very paternalistic of him. He doesn't care. ]
You wouldn't be so bad at it, though. I certainly trust your common sense. In that you've actually got some. I do think our leadership ought to be voted on... though I have very little trust that they would make a responsible decision for themselves.
[ Ange seems to consider it for a moment, before saying: ]
It'd just turn into a popularity contest in this sort of place. [ Partially because she agrees with them. There are some people here who really like thinking about things, but.. there are also some people who indeed seem to lack any common sense whatsoever.
Would those people really think through what someone who would want to be a leader here has to offer? Probably not. ]
They would only think about whether they like the person they're voting for or not. And I guess that's always part of it [ - Ange Ushiromiya would never vote for someone she dislikes, even if they'd be the most suited for the job, sue her - ] it's not supposed to be the whole story.
[ .. she sighs. ]
Hey, Claude, do you think you're popular enough? You're a pretty popular guy, right? I prefer not having a leader here at all, but if it would become inevitable at some point, I need to make sure it doesn't end up being some idiot.
I'd be shocked if that wasn't the case even in functional democracies, [ Claude points out, a pensive lilt to his voice. Still, the appeal to his popularity makes him smile; she can probably hear it even just over the phone. ]
I think I'm too good at my job to be popular, [ he says bluntly. ] I certainly wouldn't be popular after they heard me open my big mouth about the kinds of things I'd want to change! Not that I don't appreciate your confidence in me. I do! But popularity's never been my strong suit.
Maybe Ethlyn could do something. Nothing like a lady sewing you up to engender a certain level of faith in her.
.. you know, that's actually not a bad suggestion.
[ Which shouldn't be a surprise, since Ange does think Claude is generally smart. Other than when it comes to a few very specific things. But still!! ]
I mean, who could dislike Ethlyn? And she's one of the very few people in this place I would trust with something like that. There's no way she'd be all weird and power hungry about it.
In a just world, she would have been Queen of her land for many, many years. She's been trained to govern through thick and through thin, has led her people through wartime, has run our sole Clinic out of nothing but grit and the goodness of her own heart, and has the sort of grasp on organization that most people could never grasp.
[ It doesn't sound like he's praising a friend, the way he says it. It sounds more like he's assessing a political candidate's objective strengths. ]
She'd make a fine ruler, if it came to that. And I'd think she'd garner plenty of votes, don't you? She's stitched up half of our population, and she's sweet as pie. [ There's a smile in his voice. ] On the surface, anyway. We're all our best selves after a glass of wine.
And with the two of us on her side, how could she possibly lose?
[ Maybe because she hasn't signed up for this!!!!!!!! ]
[ You would think that the first thing Ange would pick up on here is the fact that they are absolutely hypothetically volunteering a friend who may not be up for this idea whatsoever, no matter how hypothetical.
And yet that's not what comes out of her mouth. No, that's instead-- ]
Us two? With that kind of talk, it's clear that you are going to be her campaign coordinator. [ Please, Claude. You're already talking like one. It's always at moments like these that Ange realizes just how seriously Claude takes politics-- a topic Ange had never even really thought of in her life up until this place and these very specific circumstances. ] I don't think there's much left for me to do in that scenario.
[ It sounds like Claude has got everything covered already, honestly!! ]
Come now, Ange, don't underestimate yourself! There would be plenty for you to do. People know and like you too, you know, and you can reach the -- the youth vote in ways I can't!
[ Probably. Claude has no idea. Would what he has to say even appeal to anyone? ]
You're the one who came to me worried in the first place, so clearly you're more civic-minded than you might think.
[ ...sorry, Ange. He cares a lot about politics - too much, really - and he's going to drag you down with him, kicking and screaming if he has to. ]
Correction: I'm more refuse-to-tolerate-annoying-people-in-positions-of-power than you think.
[ It's a crucial difference to her, okay. Ange doesn't care about politics whatsoever until it's going to personally annoy her. And this feels like the sort of thing that could start to personally annoy her in ways real soon!
Though that's not the main point here. No, the correction is important, but not quite as important as asking: ]
Besides, why are you saying youth vote like you're some sort of grandfather? [ You're hardly older than her, Claude!!
Sure, even Ange views him as older than her, rather than on the same level as her, age-wise. But.. you know. Not that old. Not old enough that he should be at this weird how do you do, fellow kids level. ]
Good. We can partake in a little light assassination, should the need take us. Joking, joking!
[ ...kind of. There's nobody here he'd assassinate, but it's not out of the question should things lapse into a dictatorship, which probably won't happen considering the general temperament of the Chosen. They'd rather burn the whole damn city down than to answer to even the most well-meaning and well-founded orders. ]
And I'm saying it because you actually hang out with them, don't you? The only ones who talk to me are the ones who work for me! And I'm pretty sure they all think I'm at least thirty.
Yeah, it's weird that they would think you're thirty when you're actually a fifty-five year old man.
[ She likes Claude. It's just also very easy to make fun of him in this regard, especially when he's only confirming the stereotype as he's speaking! He practically put the ball right in front of the goal for her, and she just had to shoot it in there! ]
No wonder you act like the other people my age around here are an alien species. Are you sure you do like talking to a youthful girl like me, or am I just a convenient person to discuss politics with? [ This is not a genuine concern, okay, Claude, she's just being dumb and deadpan!!! ]
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2024-12-19 07:10 pm (UTC)Technically there was one the other month, you know.
[ .. she's about to say more, but Ange stops herself. Otherwise she knows they'll just get into that entire thing. And while it'd be good and productive, sometimes a girl just want to complain.
To someone she can trust with said complaints, that is. ]
People are talking about forming an army. Even though they're denying that it's an army. They can't fool me though.
no subject
Date: 2025-01-07 11:11 am (UTC)[ It had been a lot easier than he had expected, dealing with the doppelgangers. It does admittedly help that he successfully poisoned one and is blissfully unaware of his own friend and colleague's death. What you don't know can't hurt you!
But he quickly sobers at the next point. ]
An army? Hold on, I can't multitask on this thing, I -- ugh, damned machine.
[ And then he outright hangs up on Ange. ]
no subject
Date: 2025-01-07 11:13 am (UTC)Why in the gods' names are they even bothering to deny it? [ He sounds well and truly mystified. ] I can't say I haven't flirted with the possibility myself - [ which would be better, on account of the fact that it'd be him doing it ] - but you gain little from keeping things muddled.
no subject
Date: 2025-01-08 07:05 pm (UTC)That's when she realizes that he's not going to address it, so she grows quiet again. Claude 1 - Ange 0.. This time..
But he says something else that immediately feels offensive to her all over again, so Ange can still keep on going with the exasperation, even if it's about a slightly different thing. ]
Claude, you can't seriously tell me you were thinking of making an army here!
no subject
Date: 2025-01-16 09:11 am (UTC)[ She can probably hear his grin. ]
But people here have no reason to follow me, so I just equipped everyone and taught them how to protect themselves instead.
[ That's how they met, in fact. She had just been some determined, petulant girl with a bow. He'd liked her right away. ]
no subject
Date: 2025-01-19 11:47 am (UTC)[ She at least won't deny that Claude did make that effort, considering he's the one who tried to help her with the whole archery thing, even though it still feels like she's wildly unsuccessful with regular weapons.. ]
And yet there's so many people going along with this. Like no one can see what I see. [ Okay, maybe it's not a proven theory, but Ange "noted conspiracy theorist" Ushiromiya can't help but see this like it's some sort of certainty at this point. ] I'd trust even your intentions more than that guy's.
[ "Even" your intentions, huh, Ange...
T-Tsun.. ]
It's going to end up being some huge problem, mark my words.
no subject
Date: 2025-01-27 04:27 am (UTC)[ He sounds genuinely aggravated. The people need to follow someone, Ange!! Governance is important!!!! And it should be him!!!!!! ]
Ugh. In any case, I don't think that this is the solution. There needs to be measures put in to balance things, especially with such a... volatile population.
[ They've had two City Hall bombings, which Claude still considers to be excessive. ]
You know, I've been reading a lot about democracy lately.
[ He says this like it's something conspiratorial, something exciting! Please humour him, Ange. He can't help it. ]
no subject
Date: 2025-02-04 07:02 pm (UTC)Even if it's with a dramatic sigh, followed up by an entirely unconvinced: ]
Uh-huh.
[ She can see where you're going, Claude. ]
So are you going to run for prime minister of Aldrip?
no subject
Date: 2025-02-21 03:57 am (UTC)[ Claude laughs as though he's made a very funny joke. He's not actually opposed to democracy and has in fact been considering how best to implement it, but his population needs a little more work before they can be trusted with that.
Very paternalistic of him. He doesn't care. ]
You wouldn't be so bad at it, though. I certainly trust your common sense. In that you've actually got some. I do think our leadership ought to be voted on... though I have very little trust that they would make a responsible decision for themselves.
no subject
Date: 2025-03-01 05:06 pm (UTC)It'd just turn into a popularity contest in this sort of place. [ Partially because she agrees with them. There are some people here who really like thinking about things, but.. there are also some people who indeed seem to lack any common sense whatsoever.
Would those people really think through what someone who would want to be a leader here has to offer? Probably not. ]
They would only think about whether they like the person they're voting for or not. And I guess that's always part of it [ - Ange Ushiromiya would never vote for someone she dislikes, even if they'd be the most suited for the job, sue her - ] it's not supposed to be the whole story.
[ .. she sighs. ]
Hey, Claude, do you think you're popular enough? You're a pretty popular guy, right? I prefer not having a leader here at all, but if it would become inevitable at some point, I need to make sure it doesn't end up being some idiot.
no subject
Date: 2025-03-11 02:36 am (UTC)I think I'm too good at my job to be popular, [ he says bluntly. ] I certainly wouldn't be popular after they heard me open my big mouth about the kinds of things I'd want to change! Not that I don't appreciate your confidence in me. I do! But popularity's never been my strong suit.
Maybe Ethlyn could do something. Nothing like a lady sewing you up to engender a certain level of faith in her.
no subject
Date: 2025-03-13 02:46 pm (UTC)[ Which shouldn't be a surprise, since Ange does think Claude is generally smart. Other than when it comes to a few very specific things. But still!! ]
I mean, who could dislike Ethlyn? And she's one of the very few people in this place I would trust with something like that. There's no way she'd be all weird and power hungry about it.
no subject
Date: 2025-03-17 09:00 am (UTC)[ It doesn't sound like he's praising a friend, the way he says it. It sounds more like he's assessing a political candidate's objective strengths. ]
She'd make a fine ruler, if it came to that. And I'd think she'd garner plenty of votes, don't you? She's stitched up half of our population, and she's sweet as pie. [ There's a smile in his voice. ] On the surface, anyway. We're all our best selves after a glass of wine.
And with the two of us on her side, how could she possibly lose?
[ Maybe because she hasn't signed up for this!!!!!!!! ]
no subject
Date: 2025-03-24 06:12 pm (UTC)And yet that's not what comes out of her mouth. No, that's instead-- ]
Us two? With that kind of talk, it's clear that you are going to be her campaign coordinator. [ Please, Claude. You're already talking like one. It's always at moments like these that Ange realizes just how seriously Claude takes politics-- a topic Ange had never even really thought of in her life up until this place and these very specific circumstances. ] I don't think there's much left for me to do in that scenario.
[ It sounds like Claude has got everything covered already, honestly!! ]
no subject
Date: 2025-03-26 02:15 am (UTC)[ Probably. Claude has no idea. Would what he has to say even appeal to anyone? ]
You're the one who came to me worried in the first place, so clearly you're more civic-minded than you might think.
[ ...sorry, Ange. He cares a lot about politics - too much, really - and he's going to drag you down with him, kicking and screaming if he has to. ]
no subject
Date: 2025-03-30 07:45 pm (UTC)[ It's a crucial difference to her, okay. Ange doesn't care about politics whatsoever until it's going to personally annoy her. And this feels like the sort of thing that could start to personally annoy her in ways real soon!
Though that's not the main point here. No, the correction is important, but not quite as important as asking: ]
Besides, why are you saying youth vote like you're some sort of grandfather? [ You're hardly older than her, Claude!!
Sure, even Ange views him as older than her, rather than on the same level as her, age-wise. But.. you know. Not that old. Not old enough that he should be at this weird how do you do, fellow kids level. ]
no subject
Date: 2025-04-10 01:04 am (UTC)[ ...kind of. There's nobody here he'd assassinate, but it's not out of the question should things lapse into a dictatorship, which probably won't happen considering the general temperament of the Chosen. They'd rather burn the whole damn city down than to answer to even the most well-meaning and well-founded orders. ]
And I'm saying it because you actually hang out with them, don't you? The only ones who talk to me are the ones who work for me! And I'm pretty sure they all think I'm at least thirty.
[ He sniffs. ]
It's my dignified composure, I'm telling you.
no subject
Date: 2025-04-11 06:27 pm (UTC)Yeah, it's weird that they would think you're thirty when you're actually a fifty-five year old man.
[ She likes Claude. It's just also very easy to make fun of him in this regard, especially when he's only confirming the stereotype as he's speaking! He practically put the ball right in front of the goal for her, and she just had to shoot it in there! ]
No wonder you act like the other people my age around here are an alien species. Are you sure you do like talking to a youthful girl like me, or am I just a convenient person to discuss politics with? [ This is not a genuine concern, okay, Claude, she's just being dumb and deadpan!!! ]