Achaius found Mauja’s response to his question somehow comforting, and reassuring. So less small talk, then, more to-the-point he thought. He was himself excessively comfortable in the world of mundane conversation about the weather and the season and the best grazing, and he knew that there was much more to be learned from these simple interactions than people often realized they were letting on. Yet, it was a way of communicating that he exploited, more than he enjoyed, because people weren’t usually willing to let you see what they felt, or thought, without the pretense. Mauja didn’t seem to have that problem - that need to be seen by others and yet pretend to not be seen by deflecting with superficial pleasantry. He estimated that Mauja would probably either confess, or put up a true and unassailable wall in order to not confess, but wouldn’t betray himself with histrionic mannerisms. For a leader, in Achaius’ perspective, this was a refreshingly straightforward quality that likely served him well.
Meanwhile Tembovu’s almost overwhelming appearance was belied by the gentle and steady nature of his casual conversation with a stranger, and yet Achaius suspected there was nothing really soft about Tembovu when you got deeper into it. The diplomacy he did honestly seem to enjoy… but it was not his true calling – he was too sincere, unreservedly kind in the way he behaved toward Achaius. Tembovu was friendly in his diplomacy because he knew that he could afford to be – if it didn’t work out, he was more than capable of handling that too.
Of course, these were first impressions. He was aware that to keen observers he often appeared overly constructed, too much practice in simple movements, too much measured or decorous muting of his reactions to other people. But that was the difference, for Achaius, he reflected on how other people needed him to be before he reflected on his own natural responses. Diplomacy was armour and art for him. Not that he did not know his own mind; he did, and could call up a thoughtful opinion when he was asked for it – but he always waited to be asked for it. Long years in dangerous company teach you to look before you leap, even in casual conversation.
He took a tangent from his own deflecting pleasantries and subtly pointed questions and fell onto Mauja’s more direct spirit with directness of his own. “I like it.” He said, very simply, turning his gray-eyed, calculated gaze briefly out over the edge of the cliff before looking squarely back at Mauja. And maybe just to see how it would fly he went on; “There is some interesting juxtaposition here between the death-defying fall toward a changeable sea and the quiet, timeless placidness of a giant glass wall.” It was true on its surface but he had a deeper meaning in mind, maybe he couldn’t help a little diplomatic double-speak. Here Tembovu spoke as well, swaying briefly into his shoulder as he finished, prodded by the sudden wind. Achaius was not perturbed, in fact he reflected that Tembovu was probably sheltering him from more of the wind than he had realized was blowing their way. He swiftly re-assessed the space between his feet and the edge of the world but didn’t move, only arching his neck against the post-winter chill on the sharp, tangy breeze. It was bracing, refreshing, and novel and he was enjoying it. It was new. Novelty was worth a little suffering. The cold, almost metal bite of it found chinks in his still-thick coat as it changed directions constantly, trying to bury itself into his skin.
Achaius had pledged allegiance in a number of places before, had applied himself in service in a number of ways. When he had had the choice he tended to make it based on leadership and he therefore was glad to have met Mauja who, taciturn but working on lighthearted conversation, was making a good argument for life here. Here he turned his attention to Tembovu, who repeated his earlier question to Mauja. With keenly inquisitive eye, he too looked to the white unicorn to see what he would say, adding “Perhaps it’s a more a person – or persons – than an ideal.”
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