|
Post by Rudolf on May 31, 2008 11:13:40 GMT -5
*He sighed*
"I wish I could say, 'yes', but...there are a lot of problems. It was in decline when my father was Emperor, and despite my best efforts it's worsening. I don't know what to do, and it breaks my heart."
You could marry Becca. The people would love her and she'd kick all the politicians' pansy asses into gear.
|
|
|
Post by Rebecca on May 31, 2008 12:10:32 GMT -5
"Does Austria know that?" *she asked quietly.* "Rudolf, if the people do not feel confidence in their emperor how can they feel confidence at all? You must show them the passion of the nation, the hope and belief for the future, even if you do not truly feel it yourself. They will follow you in that."
|
|
|
Post by Rudolf on May 31, 2008 12:45:19 GMT -5
*The smile he gave her was more along the lines of his usual self.*
"You're right. You should tell that to the other leaders, as well. They don't listen to me, they might listen to you."
|
|
|
Post by Rebecca on May 31, 2008 12:49:07 GMT -5
*She demurred with a chuckle, shaking her head.*
"I'm a woman of little consequence in the eyes of the world--why would they listen to me? You are an emperor." *She sighed.*
"Rudolf, the point is that you must make yourself worth listening to, and then they will listen--do not wait for them to turn their eyes and ears to you. You must draw them, deserve them."
|
|
|
Post by Rudolf on May 31, 2008 13:04:51 GMT -5
*He nodded, wishing, not for the first time, that he could talk with his father on these matters*
"When I return, I will show them that I am worth listening to."
*He turned fond eyes in her direction*
"I wouldn't call you of little consequence. You mean the world to many people, I would say."
|
|
|
Post by Rebecca on May 31, 2008 13:10:36 GMT -5
*She smiled quietly to herself.*
"I do...I suppose. But nothing on so grand a scale as your meaning to others."
|
|
|
Post by Rudolf on May 31, 2008 13:32:26 GMT -5
"I don't know if they'd ever love me as you are loved." He said softly.
|
|
|
Post by Rebecca on May 31, 2008 13:53:29 GMT -5
"Well I'm sure if you--" *she stopped, the import of his gentle tone slamming into her like a gust of wind. She swallowed heavily.* "--you...respect them...they...will."
*She awkwardly tucked a stray curl back behind her ear.*
"How many years has it been?" *she said vaguely.* "Two or three, realistically, but Stefan is somehow eleven and at school."
|
|
|
Post by Rudolf on May 31, 2008 14:01:26 GMT -5
Timewarps: not for the faint of heart
"Too long."
|
|
|
Post by Rebecca on May 31, 2008 14:04:15 GMT -5
Or the overly-logically-focused.
"Too late?"
|
|
|
Post by Rudolf on May 31, 2008 14:12:20 GMT -5
"No...I could wait forever, if I had to."
|
|
|
Post by Rebecca on May 31, 2008 14:19:20 GMT -5
*She turned her head towards him, softly frowning with confusion.*
"What are you waiting for, Rudolf?"
|
|
|
Post by Rudolf on May 31, 2008 14:25:21 GMT -5
"The right time. I'm not sure if this is it, though I'd like it to be."
|
|
|
Post by Rebecca on May 31, 2008 14:35:37 GMT -5
*She smiled ruefully.*
"I can never seem to find the right time. Time goes by at a gallop and I'm lost."
*She turned her dark eyes to the distance down the road, towards home and the estate and her children and what was left of her life.*
"I'm lost. I'm so small."
|
|
|
Post by Rudolf on May 31, 2008 14:47:23 GMT -5
*Hesitantly, he took her hand in his*
"Maybe you're found."
|
|