fade to w h i t e [adell]

I WON'T RUN AWAY 'CAUSE I'M ALREADY HOME

Due to the way he learned things, Adell would probably have to stroll through the streets himself to form a complete mental picture, but the description was enough for Adell to form a crude mental map.He would still need to work out such things as escape routes and the like, just in case, so it seemed that a good many days of wandering the streets and observing and talking to the locals was in the works. There were worse things to do, but Adell would be lying if he said that he was looking forward to it.

And there was actually a commonality between him and Fayt, which was a little surprising. Of course, the inheritance Adell was not receiving was more than a humble inn, and his alternative prospects much more illustrious than becoming a simple blacksmith's assistant. But, to be perfectly honest, Adell was only half-listening to the minor details. While it was certainly useful to know about the general store and the eating establishments in the area, he didn't really care about the personalities or temperaments of their managers. Unless Fayt was going to accuse them of having a nationalistic agenda, Adell didn't really have the desire to pay too much attention.

Still, the stiff-necked facade grew weaker when Adell was not in the presence of those who demanded it, and Adell's posture relaxed, if only slightly. He almost apologized for Lycoris' demands, but thought better of it. Best not to talk behind her back, even with good intent.
"Thank you for your assistance, Fayt Devanti." He wasn't sure what the appropriate modes of address were in Ilusia from a noble to a commoner, so keeping to the full name seemed like the safest bet. His current survey of the town complete, Adell turned to face him properly. "I do have a question, however; would you say that people here are discontent with the current state of affairs? Heim's dominion of Ilusia, specifically." It was a blunt and inelegant way to learn things, but Adell had never been one for carefully measured words and hidden agendas. He may be answered with lies or deflections, but that was a risk he was willing to take.

I WON'T RUN AWAY 'CAUSE I'M ALREADY HOME

Well, it was not as though Adell had expected a warm reception. He was a Heimite, and one rather directly representing the government. The oppressors, to see it from an Ilusian perspective for a moment. And while Adell was not about to start a conspiracy to attain Ilusian independence, he could see why they would harbour feelings of dicontent. Was the conquest justified? Adell was too young to really remember anything about it, and certainly too young and too far removed to care.

Despite all of that, Fayt was doing well to remain cordial, though it was exceedingly clear that he thought he had better things to do than educate a noble on the motivations and desires of his fellow countrymen. Perhaps he was even right.
"Nevertheless, her highness's safety is my primary concern. Forgive me if I cannot be as trusting of your countrymen as you." It was not a mocking statement, but neither was it overly sincere. Something said to soften the blow of the accusation that he thought Ilusians capable of planting a dagger in her back, and Adell would be tasting the food and drink offered, at least at first. Time would tell if the habit would stick, or if Lycoris found it overly intrusive. "Your understanding is admirable. Were the princess, or even I, to die here... it would bring nothing but strife to Ilusia. I assure you, I have every wish to avoid that outcome as well." War was an ugly thing. An odd thing for a warrior to think, but the only sane conclusion of any soldier. A good soldier prepared for war, and prayed for peace. Or something like that.

A deep breath was taken, Adell closing his eyes momentarily before looking back upon Asgard. Not exactly how he thought he'd be spending this time. He was meant to be climbing the ranks, achieving some semblance of glory and prestige for his family, despite the fact that his name would ever be a footnote in the family lineage, barring some bizarre rash of deaths in the family. "Also, if you insist on formal titles, you should know that I am no knight." Insignificant he may be, but Adell had spent too long in that house to suffer incorrect address from strangers. "I will not press the point, but I am nobility. Lord Windsor, not sir." Did he really care if he was called simply Windsor, or Adell? Not particularly. After all, it would be better to try to keep something of a low profile, but there was a limit to what he could do. At the end of the day, he still needed to be able to throw his weight around, and to command with the weight of his heritage, as well as with the weight of his sword.

"Is there anything else I need to know about Asgard?" Adell knew well enough that neither of them probably had much desire to continue this discussion longer than needed, so he would offer the diplomatic exit.