|
Returns
Aug 26, 2012 0:04:33 GMT -5
Post by Ladorak on Aug 26, 2012 0:04:33 GMT -5
Boneparte shook his head, looking out at the Seine. He sighed. "Well... it was a first, I'll say that. Never had my notes questioned before... until now. He said the doctor wasn't 'competent' to write the sick note, since he'd never heard of her and she wasn't the army's physician. SO... that's a new one on me." Boneparte shrugged, and spreads his paws a little in a helpless gesture.
"I uh... refused. So he fired me. And I'm now not going to be making any money. However... I thought of something. What about..." he raised a claw here, as if making a point, which he was. "Paul Barras?" he asked now. "I mean that guy has a LOT of clout and pull... so maybe he can help find me work where I can KEEP my rank. I'm sure he has more influence at this point than Carnot does. I mean sure... it means I'd be owing him quite a lot, and probably have to pull a few dirty return favors for him but..." he frowned, and shrugged again.
"What other choice do I have? Starve in the streets, or keep my rank and keep going. Seems pretty straight forward to me. I should use Barras while he uses me. Become his supporter while I also make my own career. But he's thinking like a politician... what he's forgetting is that in the end, when it comes down to a soldier or a politician..." Boneparte cracked a smile here. "The soldier will always win. He's the one with the guns after all." He chuckled a little.
"If Barras wants to play with fire, I'll let him. Right now I NEED his help. But I won't consider myself as being forever in his debt. I'll do him a few favors here and there so long as it helps me as well... but who knows? I may be able to turn the tables yet." the meerkat stated.
"I think a visit to his manorial estates is in order." He looked over at the squirrel now. "Throw myself on his mercy, and beg him to help me. Hopefully Thérésa has influenced him enough by this point... though I think he'll look upon helping me favorably too. He needs me just as much as I need him, I think, or so it seems." He smiled again. "I'm sure he can use his pull to get me a job somewhere in the Ministry or the front lines, Carnot be damned. So what do you say?"
The meerkat stood now, and stretched a little, a small smile on his features. "Feel like taking a walk down to Monsieur Barras's?" he asked.
|
|
|
Returns
Aug 27, 2012 18:45:25 GMT -5
Post by Carrow on Aug 27, 2012 18:45:25 GMT -5
Sciurus's blue eyes widened to saucer-like proportions at this remark. "He said that...?," he almost whispered. He had to take a moment to process what had actually happened. He felt as though he had been kicked full-force in the stomach. A close friend of his who had pulled him back from the brink of despair was being dismissed as incompetent. Not just by anybeast, though - by the same creature who had just delivered a crushing blow to his best friend's aspirations. He clenched his paws into fists, trying to control the anger that was surging through him, but there was nothing that could hold it back. "HE SAID THAT?!?!," he suddenly exploded, leaping to his paws, his face a mask of fury.
"Well, he should damn well talk! Is this the same useless waste of air who just dropped your career into the rubbish bin because you had the gall to hold on to your principles? Is this the same creature who's picking on those smaller than himself just because he doesn't want to give up that large pay packet of his, sitting around and doing damn-all while he expects others to fight and die in the name of their country in some hopeless backwater, killing and being killed in all manner of horrible ways in what is not war, but endless acts of sheer barbarism? Why, OF COURSE IT IS! Incompetent, eh? Well, takes one to know one!" He had to catch his breath before he spoke again. "If something happens to him - and I really hope that it does - he'll be doing well if he should be so LUCKY to be treated by a creature as skilled as Anitha Gelippos! He doesn't know her, is that it? I very much doubt she would want to know HIM, that clueless, stick-in-the-mud...!" His voice failed him before he could finish that sentence, and he needed a little while to compose himself.
Once he had calmed down and felt well enough to start listening to Boneparte again, the rodent apologised. "Er... sorry." He coughed. "That had been inside for a while and I just had to let it out. Carnot can go to hell for all I care, but you do NOT take shots at my friends like that and expect me to stay silent. If he would bother listening to me, I'd tell him that to his face." He sighed heavily, before perking up slightly as his meerkat friend mentioned Barras again. "Oh, so we've come back to this, have we? Well, you've got nothing to lose, and you seem quite mindful of the fact that he may well be out to screw you over. I said it before, and I'm saying it now - go for it. You should take any opportunity offered to you; I know I would.
"Now, it does seem a little risky to be getting involved with a creature like him; you know I have reservations about him, and I've made them clear in the past, but now that one door's be en shut on you, why not see if there's another you could open? You have to try and forge your own path - it's not as though you're fated to remain this way forever, and Barras's patronage is a springboard you could use to move on to better things. You have the advantage of knowing what you're getting yourself into, or at least being prepared for it. He, on the other paw, does not, and he's likely to get burned if he tries to take advantage of you. You're a step ahead of him, after all!," he remarked, smiling himself.
"That's exactly what I'd do if I were in your situation - try and turn things to your advantage, but as soon as it stops being useful for you, or you feel like you're in too deep, get out of there while you still have the chance. You're not getting into this to end up in debt to him, either literally or figuratively; you want to see if you can still make a career of things and get back on your paws after all these setbacks that have been inflicted upon you; and that's the long and short of it. As long as you can remain mindful of what's at stake, and try to keep on top of him, you'll do just fine. That's how I see it, at least," he advised his friend.
The squirrel nodded once his companion had finished speaking. "Yes, I do indeed. I'm much more fond of Madame Tallien than I am of the binturong himself," he said, sniffing a little, "but hopefully she's worked on him since we last met. I wouldn't trust Barras as far as I could throw him, but I'll go along with pretty much anything if it lets you get ahead in life. You've been pushed too hard for too long by Carnot, and if he doesn't need you anymore, then screw him! You don't need him either. It's time for you to start moving up the ladder again, my meerkat friend, and even if the eforts of that accursed badger mean you have to start at the bottom, well, we all have to start somewhere. Let's do this thing!," he exclaimed, grinning and gesturing to Boneparte to lead the way.
|
|
|
Returns
Aug 27, 2012 21:46:42 GMT -5
Post by Ladorak on Aug 27, 2012 21:46:42 GMT -5
Boneparte was a little surprised at first by Sciurus's outburst. He rocked back some, looking up to watch the squirrel go off on Carnot. Well, well... where had this come from all of a sudden? This... might have its uses. As a matter of fact, it was more than useful... it was impassioned and emblazoned with a side of Sciurus that the meerkat just hadn't been privy to before.
"Wow... um... no... that's quite all right." Boneparte said reassuringly. Hmm... it seemed when those he cared about were threatened, Sciurus could go off... but by the blasted hell gates! If only he'd known about this bottled up passion! Sciurus had a fire inside him! The only problem was that the squirrel didn't seem to know how to fully take advantage of it... or rather, didn't want to let it out all that often. But still... perhaps with some proper coaxing, the squirrel could make use of this more often.
He sat there, thinking as Sciurus went on. He was only half paying attention at this rate to what the squirrel was saying. He clasped his paws together, and rested his chin on them as he continued sitting upon the steps of the Louvre, still looking out at the Seine as the river drifted by them.
"Hm? Ah yes... of course." Boneparte stood up now, nodding. "Yes... we can't let Barras stay ahead of us... well by default he WILL be but... we can at least try to keep our heads above water with him... and I'll just be biding my time... seeing what he can do for me. I'm sure I can do things for him but yes... we'll see." Boneparte commented, narrowing his eyes.
"Right... let's head over there, then!" the meerkat exclaimed, nodding now. "By the way, Sciurus... you really brought out a side to you that I've never seen before back there." the meerkat noted. "You have passion and drive... but I'll have to discuss this with you more later. His estate isn't too far from here, and I'd like to take some time to talk more in depth with you about this once we've taken care of this unpleasant business... although one correction I think you should be made aware of: If I'm going to keep my uniform and rank, I'm going to have to deal with Carnot either way. As the Minister of War, he's unavoidable as he's at the top of the army. So if Barras can keep me instated, I'll have to deal with Carnot regardless... I'm just hoping to have a powerful binturong backing me up on this, is all." he told the squirrel with a wink.
"Something tells me that if I can obtain his patronage... Carnot won't be able to throw many more obstacles in my path."
Some time later, they were seated in Barras's luxuriant parlor, the binturong having served them drinks. Said binturong was currently standing by an elaborate mantle piece, tapping a claw on the stonework and frowning after Boneparte had relayed his story to him. "That rotten badger!" Barras spat. "Did I ever mention I hate him?" he asked the two of them, raising a brow as he looked at either of them.
"So he's proving a nuisance again, is he? Ack! He's one of the ones who will get elected Director... along with myself! We're too influential not to be! But still... he's proven to be a thorn in my side as well!" Barras exclaimed. "Too much of an idiot blue blood! He's a patriot, sure... but he's not an administrator. Just got lucky is all..."
"Don't they all?" Boneparte asked. "Look, Monsieur, if there's ANYTHING at all you can find for me at the Ministry... any kind of job opening or place you can slot me in... preferably where I get to keep my current rank... I'd be most grateful to you."
"Would you now?" Barras asked, eying him. "Yes... I've no doubt that you would be. Look... I like you General Lantzer. Thérésa likes you. There's much we can do for each other, of that I am sure. I can't really ask anyone else at this juncture after all. Jourdan is too much of a blue blood, like Carnot. Pichegru is far too expensive to maintain. Perignon is out of work, Kellermann was relieved of command, I know nothing about his replacement Scherer, and Hoche well... Hoche is ambitious. A dangerous kind of ambitious. He's not one to make a deal with someone like me. Not interested in advancing the causes of others."
"I got that impression from him, yes." Boneparte nodded in agreeance. "Is there any way at all you can help me? Anything you can do?" he reiterated.
"Hmmm... I can start poking around my contacts at the Ministry... putting feelers out and such. There are many there who owe me favors... I'll see what job openings they have, and I can lean on them in ways Carnot can't, so if I call in a few favors... I might be able to get you something." He regarded the meerkat now with a knowing smile. "Listen, I do expect you won't forget this favor though, General Lantzer. I don't take favors lightly, after all." He fixed the meerkat with his eyes, giving him a stern look.
"Of course not, Monsieur. You scratch my back, I scratch yours, after all. Get me a position of influence... you won't regret it." the meerkat replied, looking back at Barras with an equally stern look.
"Oh I'm sure I won't!" Barras stated. "You did wonders for Dugommier's career, after all! And Dumerbion didn't do too poorly when he listened to you either. I know for a fact that you don't lack that drive I've been seeking. I've seen it in you... down at Toulon you were the most energetic and capable officer there, even though you were an unknown at the time!" he said, nodding. "That's what was so impressive about you. You were surrounded by a sea of names, yet you had more personality than all of them combined! Forget Carteaux, Lapoype, and Doppet. Who the hell remembers them? No... they remember Lantzer and Dugommier, that's who!"
"Thank you, sir;. you know my motivations and my drive. I do what I can for my country sir. It's all I can do."
"Yes... well let's add your friends to that as well. Do all you can for your friends, heheh." Barras chuckled here, patting his rather rotund belly. "Now then... what time is it? A little after noon? I think I'll head down to the Ministry and start putting my feelers out; see what pops for me. You should head back to your hotel... enjoy the coming weekend. Don't worry about your financial situation. If I have anything to say about it, you'll soon be drawing full pay. Put your mind at ease and forget all about this. Just enjoy the next few days, as said. Spend your money how you please... I'll get back to you when I've heard something." he reassured the meerkat.
"Oh thank you, sir! Thank you very much!" Boneparte rose to shake his paw. "I won't forget this sir... I really won't!"
"Yes..." Barras said, shaking the meerkat's paw and eying him again. "Be sure you don't. Well then! Enjoy the rest of your afternoon, gentlemammals." Barras told them, showing them to the door now as he grabbed a hat and stuck it on his head.
"Thank you, once again! For your hospitality AND the drinks! It was very kind of you." Boneparte said, bowing a little as he stepped out into the bright sunlight with Sciurus and the binturong.
"Think nothing of it. Adieu for now." Barras nodded at them, and started off in the direction of the Ministry.
"Well! That went well!" Boneparte said, breathing a sigh of relief. "I'm glad he agreed to help. Hopefully he can find something... even if it's a desk job. I'll take anything right now if it means keeping my rank. When are you getting back into the Convention then, Sciurus?" Boneparte asked, starting off on his own way back to his hotel.
|
|
|
Returns
Aug 30, 2012 21:17:45 GMT -5
Post by Carrow on Aug 30, 2012 21:17:45 GMT -5
Sciurus was quite unsure where that outburst had come from. He'd told Boneparte that it had been inside for a while and waiting to get out, but the truth was that he wasn't fully convinced of that. He hadn't realised that he had the ability to make such passionate statements. If only he'd been able to tap into this a few years previously, then his first stint in the Convention would most likely have gone a lot better. He'd been far too passive for most of his life, but Carnot's comment about his good friend the zorilla had irked Sciurus so much that he'd been compelled to speak up about it. He usually kept such things inside, but, well, there was no way he could deny that letting them out felt rather good.
"The way I see it, mate," he said once he had started to calm down properly (as the rush of adrenaline that had swept over him after he went off on Carnot had taken a moment to subside fully), "is that you have an advantage over him now. In a way, it's levelled out by the fact that, if things go to plan, you'll be working for him, but you're already wise to his ways, and he can't really say the same about you, now can he?," he said, with a smile. "I imagine you'll be well capable of keeping your head above water with him. I didn't know you well enough to see your shrewd nature properly, a few years ago, but it's as clear as day to me now. I've told you to be careful, and I'll no doubt say it again, but when dealing with a creature like Barras, caution would be urged regardless.
"My point still stands, though," the squirrel responded to Boneparte's correction, after brushing off his comment about his passion and drive with a small, bashful nod, still unable to fully process what had occurred, "you don't NEED Carnot anymore. You've been hoping he'll ease off on his persecution of you for a few months, but if you start working for Barras, Carnot won't be able to get to you without going through him first - and for all his faults, I see Paul Barras as an influential creature that few would relish coming to blows with, even somebeast as stubborn as Carnot. I was hoping that badger would at least throw you a lifeline, but I was, somewhat foolishly, not betting on his remaining true to form. You're not alone anymore - well, you never were, but as far as your job has been concerned, it's really been you against the world as of late, and that should stop today. You'll have a powerful binturong to back you up, hopefully," the rodent told him, agreeing with the meerkat's assessment of the situation.
--
Later, they were welcomed into Barras's home, and as Sciurus sat down with a drink in his paw, he was finally able to start taking stock of what the next while would mean for both of them. He hadn't told Boneparte yet, but he was planning on returning to the Convention on August 20th. He needed a few days to get his things in order, but there was no point putting it off any longer as he had heard rumours about the Rosferian Constitution being signed into law soon. He wanted to be present when that occurred, for the simple reason that he didn't want to miss another momentous political event because he was too afraid to show his face. That's what had happened when he'd missed Dragonis's execution after all.
He wasn't sure now which had been worse at the time: the crushing despair he'd felt at losing his two best friends and fiancée within days of each other, or the paralysing fear that he would soon end up as they had. He'd been quite reluctant to venture out of his house around that time; he'd only come out when he'd absolutely had to. It was more than simple paranoia that had made him that way - the instability that gripped Cosnair had made him so unsure which way the tide was going to turn that he'd needed to play it safe for a while. He wasn't going to make that mistake again; even as it was, he realised that he'd put this off for far too long. It was time for him to bite the bullet.
He chuckled as Barras mentioned his hatred of Carnot, and was unable to resist a quip, the more relaxed atmosphee helping to lift his spirits. "Well, that makes three of us! You say he's not an administrator - that's putting it mildly, in my opinion; everything I've heard about him over these last few months has suggested that he doesn't have much of a clue how to do his job and is only really in it for self-preservation. The fact that he's cut ties with a creature who's far more competent than he's presented himself to be, just because he wants to keep raking in money for doing a sub-par job - that tells me everything I need to know about him. That reputation badgers have for being unsociable... well, it's certainly true in his case!," he exclaimed.
Boneparte and Barras then got to talking about the meerkat's position, and the red squirrel simply listened, not wanting to interrupt proceedings at this juncture, particularly so because it was a rather important meeting for his friend and he wanted to see things concluded as swiftly as possible. The signs were promising enough, though, and as they went on - Sciurus sipping his drink every so often until it was emptied - and it became clear that Barras was going to, as he put it, 'starting putting his feelers out'. That was a rather odd turn of phrase, but it seemed appropriate considering the kind of creature Barras had already presented himself to be. Sciurus was being cordial enough with him, but there was still that feeling of mistrust with which he regarded him.
Business was soon concluded, and the rodent shook the binturong's paw before they left. "Thank you for your hospitality, Monsieur - I enjoyed your company and hope you're able to find work for my friend. I'll be going off on a different path soon, at least for a while, but perhaps ours will cross again sometime. Goodbye for now," he told Barras before departing with his friend. It could be noted that his tail was erect, indicating that he was in high spirits. He was going to accompany his companion back to his hotel before returning to his workplace and starting his day. It was only a little after midday, so he could work on his normal schedule. "It did indeed - tell me if he does find anything, because I want to see you back at work soon! Would make me feel better about this situation, that's for sure." His ears twitched as Boneparte asked him when he would be returning to the Convention, and he smiled. "I've decided to return on August 20th - I have things to take care of before then, but I can't keep putting it off or the Convention itself will cease to exist before I make up my mind!," he said, chuckling.
|
|
|
Returns
Aug 31, 2012 17:20:33 GMT -5
Post by Ladorak on Aug 31, 2012 17:20:33 GMT -5
"August 20th? Really?" Boneparte asked, raising his brows. "Wow! That's the final date of discussion and vote for the new constitution, from what I know. You'll be getting right into the tail end of that then, I suppose! May as well get involved at the last minute if you can, and prevent yourself from getting completely shut out of that. For once the constitution is passed, well, the Convention will be a rump government at that point, and be giving way to the new one by the fall. So yes! Get on that while you can! Exercise your right to vote on our new government before it expires!"
The meerkat was encouraging him primarily because his old Jacobin sentiments were slightly reappearing... though by now, he was probably as reactionary as Barras. Still though, he believed in a republic, and the right to exercise choice by vote, even if he felt most creatures were not very capable themselves of sitting in positions of authority. Regardless, it was better than having the monarchy come back, and he would oppose that to the bitter end, if he could. The Bourbons would not be permitted to return so long as the current government's philosophy was carried on.
"Well... I think we've done all we can, for now. I'll do what he says: enjoy the next few days and hopefully come away all the better for it by the time he's done with the War Ministry." The meerkat clapped the squirrel on the arm. "Good luck yourself... I think we BOTH want to see me back in work." Boneparte chuckled here, smiling and shaking his head. "Well, I'll check in with you again soon. Maybe we'll get dinner or something tonight." Boneparte suggested. Dinner was being pushed back later and later in Cosnair, being replaced altogether by a new meal called "lunch" these days, which was of lighter fare than dinner typically was. It was the latest of many trends that Cosnair was setting, though of course this trend had yet to spread to the exterior of Rosferia.
Thanking the squirrel once again for seeing him back to the hotel, the meerkat entered, and only hoped that things would indeed start turning around for him, and that he could start "owing" Paul Barras from here on out.
August 20th arrived, the weather still hot but not excruciatingly so; typical summer day in Cosnair. Boneparte Lantzer was in a hurry, however. He needed to catch Sciurus before the squirrel departed for the Convention.
Huffing as he jogged over to the rodent's residence (still dressed in his uniform of course), Boneparte stopped, knocked, waited for the squirrel to answer, and then spread his arms wide, grinning. "Good! I caught you before you left! You're looking at the newest of the FOUR generals that sit on the Bureau of Topography!" he exclaimed. "Sort of like... general advisers to the War Minister. We formulate overall plans for campaigns in our respective theaters. Barras came through! He found out that they've recently fired the general in charge of the Calgarian theater planning, due to the recent reversals we've been suffering down there, and who knows the Calgarian theater better than myself?" he asked, still grinning.
"So! Barras managed to get me appointed to the post, despite Carnot's objections! So now I'm the fourth general sitting on the Bureau of Topography! It's a desk job... so hopefully I'll be able to get something else later on, as I'm more of a battlefield meerkat myself, but hey... it's a start, right? Oh! And speaking of which... BAD timing, but my transfer FINALLY came through! Idiot clerks at the Ministry ended up losing it for weeks and weeks, wouldn't you know? Bad timing as I said... because my fellow generals at the Bureau were NOT happy to learn that I was getting transferred before I even started working with them! You can imagine the trouble it caused... made me seem kind of dishonest in their eyes, and while yes, I probably should've told them about it, I just never assumed that it would ACTUALLY go through!" he said, shaking his head and folding his arms now.
"So of course... they rejected my transfer... but that's OK. It's a tradeoff I suppose. Just wish I had known about it several weeks ago, you know?" he asked, grimacing. "Well... enough about that... I start working proper tomorrow, but I think I'm going to head down there and introduce myself at least. Since I'm heading to the Louvre and you're heading to the Spectacles, I figured maybe we could head down there together?" the meerkat suggested.
"Assuming you're heading down there of course... I'm guessing that hasn't changed." Boneparte smiled again, nodding at his squirrel friend.
|
|
|
Returns
Sept 1, 2012 14:23:29 GMT -5
Post by Carrow on Sept 1, 2012 14:23:29 GMT -5
Sciurus's brows rose also; he was amazed at this latest revelation from his meerkat companion. "You're absolutely positive?! I'd heard rumours that the vote might possibly be on that date, but I'd never really believed them to be true. I was always going to return on that date, anyway, at least once I'd gotten everything else in order and decided to stop putting things off. Granted, I've been working as hard as I have because I'm continuing to save up for something - whether that's a trip to Constantinople or not, I obviously don't know, as you're still waiting for your transfer to come through, but hopefully we'll see what comes of that soon. It's fortunate I'm returning on that date, though; this time, I'm going to get involved properly, you can be sure of that!
"Last time, I was entirely too passive in there - I've said that before, of course, and I'm saying it again because I've decided I want to make a few changes in my philosophy. I'm not going to get anywhere in there if I don't make those changes, after all - it'll be exactly like last time and I'll probably quit by Christmas if I start feeling like I may as well not be present in the Spectacles for all the good I'm doing. I needed to step aside when I did. Even if all that... other stuff hadn't happened," he said with a small grimace, "I probably would have left anyway because I didn't really feel as though I were getting to grips with it properly. I'm ready to give things another go now, and hopefully they'll be different than last time," he told his friend.
He nodded as the meerkat promised to take Barras's advice. "Well, that's one of the things I would agree with him on, although you and I both know that such things are few and far between," he said with a chuckle of his own. "You need to take a little time to yourself and simply enjoy things for what they are. You've been offered your first real lifeline in a few months, and I think that's cause for celebration." He grinned as Boneparte suggested they go out for dinner later on. "Oh, I would like that very much! We can toast the fact that the two of us should soon be getting some fresh starts!" He was still grinning as his friend thanked him for seeing back to his hotel. "Oh, it's the least I could have done. Enjoy your weekend, and I'll see you soon. I'll call in later and see if you're still interested in heading out," he told him, before returning to his own residence. The squirrel was soon hard at work.
--
They did indeed go out that night, and, as befit the celebratory mood, the food was good and the alcohol flowed freely, Sciurus seeing fit to dip into his Constantinople fund, having accumulated enough that he could afford to loosen his purse strings a little - metaphorically speaking, of course, as he didn't carry an actual purse. He treated his friend to the best night out that he could muster, an act which he found quite cathartic. There had been a lot of grief and setbacks suffered over the previous few months, but the squirrel hoped that they had both found their light at the end of the tunnel. Even the mild hangover the morning after felt like it was completely worth it. Sciurus worked hard for the next two days, and posted up a notice on his front door on the morning of the 20th explaining his new situation to any prospective clients.
As it was, the first creature to come knocking on his door was not a creature seeking relaxation, but instead one that already seemed rather content. It warmed Sciurus's heart to see Boneparte standing outside, his arms spread as wide as the grin on his face. The rodent listened as Boneparte explained his new position, and the squirrel's tail rose to stand proudly above his head as he embraced his friend warmly. "Oh, congratulations! I'm so pleased for you!," he exclaimed, smiling as widely as his companion. "We all have to start somewhere, but at least this sounds like something you'd be suited to, going on past experience! I know you're better suited to working out in the field, of course - you have plenty of experience with that - but who knows? You may return to such endeavours someday," he told him.
The rodent's enthusiasm was tempered slightly by the news that Boneparte's transfer had needed to be rejected. "Oh, if only it had come through a week ago," he murmured, shaking his head slightly. "I know you would have liked to be moving on to pastures new, as would I, but it's funny how things work out - we're both doing that same thing this week, even if it's not on as grand a scale as we would have liked. I worked so hard over the last few months that it started to take a toll on my health, you know," he revealed to his companion. "I didn't want to tell you this because the last thing I needed was for you to start worrying about me as well as all the other things you had on your plate. I've been keeping up a punishing schedule for months just so I could have a chance of moving to Constantinople, but even if things didn't turn out the way I wanted them to, it's not all bad.
"After all, I'm sitting on a good amount of money that I've pulled in from all the extra sessions I've been doing, and I won't be using most of it in one fell swoop, like I would have been doing if I'd left to travel as far afield as was my original intention. I'm better off now, in any case, and I'll be getting paid on top of that for my work in the Convention. Now I think about it, actually, it's better that I'm staying put. It's like I said - we're still getting an opportunity to try new things. Yes, I agree," he said in response to his friend, "It's a tradeoff, but at least you're feeling better than you were, and I'm particularly glad to see that!," the red squirrel said.
"I hope things go well for you when you start tomorrow, but yes... that's a good idea. It certainly won't hurt for you to introduce yourself today," he backed up his friend, nodding vigorously when it was suggested that they could make that journey together. "That's a very good idea. I'd much rather have you here than go alone," he admitted. "I'm still nervous, but there's no turning back now," he responded when Boneparte asked if he was still going to follow through with his plan. "I have to go through with this, because I've made promises about it that I intend to keep. I'm a little excited, though, I have to say!"
|
|
|
Returns
Sept 2, 2012 14:27:08 GMT -5
Post by Ladorak on Sept 2, 2012 14:27:08 GMT -5
"Ah yes... the money you've been building up." Boneparte replied. "Sorry that's not going to come to much now I'm afraid. Constantinople won't be happening now... and I know you've been looking for a change of venue but... hopefully that means you'll still be around Cosnair for a bit... as it looks like I'll be here for the foreseeable future." The meerkat raised his arms now, in a half shrug. "I mean... right now... nobody could've predicted this. I guess the Ottoman Empire just wasn't meant to be." he said.
"Though still... we're looking for opportunities to seize... but yes, let's be on our way." the motioned for Sciurus to accompany him, and they set out towards the Seine and the middle of Cosnair, heading for the heart of the city, both politically and militarily.
Sciurus had mentioned quitting around Christmas a few days ago... though at this rate, he might be leaving much sooner, as it didn't look as if the Convention would be lasting past summer at this rate. By the fall, a new government would be in place, and if Sciurus got himself elected to the new government, he'd of course have a time commitment to it, though one that was probably going to be more limited than the Convention, as that WAS supposed to be just a temporary government after all.
Boneparte wasn't sure on the term limits imposed on the legislature and executives just yet, but he knew if Sciurus DID get into the new government, it wouldn't for "indefinitely" like it had been for the Convention.
As they neared the Seine, Boneparte could see legislators heading for the Tuileries, not the Spectacles, and he frowned thoughtfully, stopping one and asking what the deal was. As it turned out, the Convention was meeting in the Tuileries today, not the Spectacles, and Boneparte relayed the information to Sciurus.
"Well... you'll be in the Tuileries today, so good luck with that." he said, clapping the squirrel on his back. "Hey... just do your best, and get us a good government, OK? We've got to keep the monarchy out of Rosferia... it's just as important now as it was six years ago. We CAN'T let them gain the upper paw. With that royalist landing at Quiberon being defeated recently... well I don't need to remind you what will happen if they win, after all. Let's get this done and keep us on top. Government for the people and by the people."
He patted Sciurus again. "I'll see you when you get out then... and be interested in hearing just what type of government we'll be in for from here on out." he told the rodent, grinning as he moved off for the Louvre himself.
Inside the Tuileries, the grand hall was being used for the gathering of the Convention. Jean-Lambert Tallien was at the head of the assembly, as he was of course President of the Convention. Tallien was rapidly losing his influence as "most influential citizen of Rosferia." He was losing ground to those like Carnot and Barras. Tallien was an odd one whose decisions were costing him political clout. Even his own wife was becoming distant from him, as evidenced by the numerous affairs she was having with other males.
Tallien had been a bloodthirsty enforcer of the Terror before he had overthrown Dragonis, and thus the moderates distrusted him as they saw him as little better than a reformed murderer. His future wife at the time had convinced him to become a moderate, and when Dragonis had imprisoned her, she had implored her lover to help her out, and Tallien had done so, standing up to Dragonis and overthrowing him, and winning the paw of Thérésa Carrabus in marriage. His previous record of killings was marring his current running as Convention President however, and while the moderates viewed him with disgust, the radicals viewed him as a renegade.
One would think the Jacobin remnants WOULD be supporters of Tallien, save for the fact that he'd overthrown their leader, Milton Dragonis, and had thus alienated them for the most part. On top of that, there were rumors of compromises he had supposedly been trying to make with Ferlusan before they'd made peace. The negotiations were said to be in support of Augustine XVIII being made King of Rosferia, though with constitutional limits. While no one could confirm these rumors, it certainly wasn't helping Tallien's position with the Convention. Viewed as a murderer by the moderates, and a renegade by the radicals, he had few supporters left, and knew that once the new government came into effect, he would probably hold little real power.
As it was, the mongoose cleared his throat, and looked around the Convention. "So... as it stands, the new Council of Five Hundred will be meeting right here... the Tuileries. That works for me. Ahem..." Tallien cleared his throat again. "We'll be waiting a few more moments, and will begin the final proceedings for the new constitution at 9:00 sharp." he announced, still looking around the Convention, as if nervous. It was more because he knew his power was waning, and there was literally nothing he could do about that. His past was too dirty for him to remain in authority for much longer.
|
|
|
Returns
Sept 5, 2012 18:21:42 GMT -5
Post by Carrow on Sept 5, 2012 18:21:42 GMT -5
"Sure sounds like a lot of stuff's gone on in the last while that nobody could have predicted," Sciurus responded, shaking his head slightly. "At least the blow dealt by the fact that things haven't gone to plan for us has been softened considerably by the news that you're starting a new job tomorrow. I have indeed been looking for a change of venue for a while, and before you came back into my life in May, I'd lost count of the number of times I'd considered leaving for pastures new. Now that you're going to be here for the foreseeable future, though, that means I will be too, regardless of whether or not I get reelected once the new government is in place. I always have my other job to fall back on if things don't go to plan, after all," he reminded his meerkat friend.
"That money I've saved up can be used for other things now, and even though I'm going to be cutting back on my time spent at my other job regardless of what happens toward the end of the year, that's still going to be there too." That much he was sure of: Sciurus had always been one of the 'have-nots' when it came to money, and he'd been working his tail off for the last while, so was now being rewarded. The fees he'd saved could now be spent elsewhere, but he'd have to keep his spending sensible, as he wasn't used to having such a sum of money at his disposal. "Hopefully our new jobs can propel us toward better things," he agreed with his companion. "I'm sure that from now on, both of us will take whatever we can get."
As they went on, Sciurus noticed that the other legislators were headed in the direction of the Jardin des Tuileries, a place he had become quite familiar with over the previous two years. This was... odd. He had been expecting the session to be held in the Spectacles, as per usual, but Boneparte stopped to confirm his destination and it turned out that this meeting was indeed taking place not far from the area to which he had come whenever he had been seeking solitude and peace, or whenever he had needed to clear his mind. The squirrel smiled as Boneparte relayed this information to him, his tail rising as he nodded in response to the meerkat's encouragement.
"Thanks, Boneparte. While I must admit that I'm still a little anxious about things - I've been out of the game for so long, after all - there's a very important vote taking place today, and I should just do whatever I can whilst in the Tuileries. Of course I'll endeavour to get us a good government," he assured his companion when he was told to do so. "Last thing I want is for the royalists to gain the upper paw again," he said, before sighing again as he was exasperated with himself a little. It seemed no amount of self-hypnosis could help to the extent he needed it to, though he really did appreciate the pats on the back he received from Boneparte. "Thanks, mate - I hope you make a good impression at your new job, and I'll be sure to fill you in on the situation when we meet up later... you know, if I can keep up," he said sheepishly. "See you later!"
In due course, Sciurus had settled down, though he was still trying to keep his nerves under control. That sense of crippling anxiety that had used to come over him when he'd thought of returning to the Convention, with all the bad memories that his stint as a politician had saddled him with. He noticed that Jean-Lambert Tallien was present, but as the mongoose was still head of the Convention, the rodent hadn't been expecting anything different. Now, while Sciurus had quite a high opinion of his mate, he detested Jean-Lambert. He was nothing but a lowlife butcher, in the eyes of the red squirrel. He found it quite fitting that Madame Tallien was screwing around behind his back; just as Jean-Lambert had decided to switch allegiances and overthrow Dragonis instead of helping him to carry out his reign of terror, so was Therésa playing for a different team these days. Several different teams, in fact.
Sciurus felt that this was a turn of events that was richly deserved. He remained bitter towards him, and couldn't have been happier than he was clearly losing his influence over the citizens of Cosnair. He listened, nodding as the mongoose told the assemblage that the morning's proceedings would begin in a few moments. He was revelling in those nervous glances that the mongoose was casting around the Convention. He was looking around him as well, revelling also in the grand hall's appearance. He could certainly get used to it here. New start in a new place, in a way - well, it would be if he could get into the new government in a few months.
|
|
|
Returns
Sept 6, 2012 16:19:50 GMT -5
Post by Ladorak on Sept 6, 2012 16:19:50 GMT -5
The moments ticked by, and Tallien took note of Sciurus's presence, surprised to see the squirrel here, but figuring that ever since he'd gotten into his wife's parties, his interest in politics had been reignited.
He was considering approaching him, but thought better of it, and instead waited for the assemblage to come to order. Taking a glass of rainwater from the podium, the mongoose proceeded to slake his thirst and wiped his mouth before beginning. "First off... this will be the last real legislative session we'll be having. It's been a good run... and though we may gather after this, the National Convention as a whole won't be voting on anything as big as this anymore. The elections are set for next month after all, and the new legislature should be sitting by October sometime... I anticipate the Directors will be chosen by November. So then... let's proceed with the final vote on bringing the Directory and new constitution into fruition."
The mongoose rifled through the papers in front of him, drawing one out and reading it over quickly before sweeping his eyes over the ornate room. "All right... starting off... the biggest changes between this and our previous constitution are the elimination of the right to vote of those who do not pay taxes. We used to have universal suffrage... but the new law as it stands dictates that one MUST pay taxpayers in order to be allowed to vote. The Directors, when elected, WILL have the power, in emergency situations, to curtail freedom of the press and freedom of assembly, but unless an emergency situation exists, those freedoms will remain. Forming armed assemblies is strictly illegal and forbidden by the new constitution. Freedom of religion will remain in place as restored after Dragonis's downfall. Everything else... will pretty much stay the same." the mongoose commented. "Universal health care, universal education, etc, etc. Those things are not being fundamentally changed. OK... so let's discuss the new type of government, the Directory."
He pulled another sheaf of paper out, and held it with his thin claws, donning a pair of reading spectacles as he began to go over his notes and the outlines that he had prepared for this meeting. "Firstly, the new government will consist of TWO houses of legislation, an upper and a lower house. The lower house will consist of 500 members and will be called the Council of 500. The Council of 500 will contain members no younger than 30 years of age, will be elected by popular election, and one third of them will be retired each year to be replaced by an equivalent number in elections held nationwide. The Council of 500 will be empowered with the ability to draft bills but not actually vote on whether or not they will become law. They are the creators in other words... they come up with the proposals but can not actually vote on passing them or not. In addition to this, the Council of 500 will be responsible for drafting up a list of 50 males that they feel would make good Directors, and sending this list of 50 onto the upper house... which I will now cover."
He produced another paper in his paw, running his claw down the lines as he read. "The upper house will consist of 250 members, and be called the Council of the Ancients. The Council of the Ancients will be composed of members no younger than 40 years of age and elected by popular election. Like the Council of 500, one third of them will be retired annually and replaced in the elections. The Council of Ancients will be empowered to vote on the bills sent to them by the Council of 500. They have the power to either make a bill into a law or to reject said bill. If a bill is rejected, exactly one year must pass before it can be reintroduced by the Council of 500." The mongoose held up a single claw now to indicate the length of time.
"The Council of Ancients can NOT draft bills however. They can only vote on the ones sent to them by the 500. And oh yes... I don't need to point out, but will anyway, that in addition to the age limits on each house, all members must of course be property owners. In addition to these duties, the Council of the Ancients will have the power to narrow down the list of 50 potential Directors sent to them by the 500 down to only five names. These five will become the Directors of Rosferia, which I will cover next."
Yet another paper was pulled out, the mongoose licking his claw in order to separate it from the rest. "Now... the Directors. The Directors will become the executives of Rosferia, and will have no say in legislation whatsoever. Their job will be to enforce the laws, command our military, and pawdle the general running of the country on a day to day basis to ensure the laws are obeyed and the government functions as it should. They will also deal with foreign dignitaries in international matters. They will have Ministers under them that have no real executive power, but will assist in the pawdling of running the country and act as advisers to the Directors. Each Director is subject to an impeachment vote IF a majority can be reached in both the Council of 500 and Council of the Ancients. Also, no Director may sit longer than five years. If his number STILL has not come up after his fifth year, he faces automatic retirement regardless of the lottery, and is replaced."
He paused to take another drink, and clear his throat before continuing. "Ahem. The Directors must be males at least 40 years of age, and selected for their position from a list of 50 which the Council of 500 will draft up. The Council of Ancients will narrow this list down to five and those five will become the first Directors. Each year, one Director will be up for retirement and will be retired via a lottery system. If his number is selected in this lottery, he must step down and yield his seat to a successor which will be chosen by the Council of 500, who will come up with a list of 10 suitable names, and the Council of Ancients will in turn narrow this list down to one individual to become the new Director. There are of course five Directors to prevent a deadlock when it comes to making decisions, and to avoid any one person from gaining too much power... as has happened to us in the past." Tallien didn't need to of course say that Milton Dragonis in particular had abused this to its utmost. "NO one Director will be superior to another Director, and all will be exactly equal in rank."
"Now the retirement lottery will be held in May of each year, and will not be held in 1796, as a year will not have passed since the formation of the Directory by then. The first retirement lottery for the Directors will take place in May of 1797." Tallien pointed out. "The executive offices of the Directors will be located in the Luxembourg Palace. The Council of 500 will sit here, in the Tuileries, and the Council of the Ancients will sit in the Bourbon Palace. The Directors will NOT be permitted to be present in either the Council of 500 or the Council of the Ancients when they are in session."
"Finally... the two-thirds clause. The two-thirds clause was decided on earlier this month, and while controversial... it has been deemed necessary to preserve the Republic of Rosferia and keep democracy in the ascendancy. The clause dictates that two-thirds of the Council of 500 and Council of Ancients will be composed of us." He spread his paws here to indicate the Convention. "Two-thirds of the new government will come directly from the Convention... WITHOUT elections by the people. This is of course to ensure the continuance of our work, prevent the resurgent royalist faction from making inroads on the new Directory, and ensure a smooth transition and start to this new government. We have already decided who among us will be comprise these two-thirds. If you were not chosen, you are of course free to run in next month's election if you wish to attempt to join the Directory." Tallien of course was one of those two-thirds; he'd made it into the Council of 500, and would be sitting there in October.
The mongoose shifted his mouth a little here, exercising it before continuing. "Only one-third of the legislatures of the Directory will be voted on each year. The two-thirds who make it into the Directory will of course be retired when their time comes. These legislatures will NOT have permanent sitting members. So... I think I've covered everything about the Directory that I need to cover... I think all that's left is to bring this constitution to a vote!" He clapped his paws here, and nodded. "Right... all in favor, proceed to the galleries and seats on my right! All opposed, proceed to the galleries and seats on my left! If the constitution passes, we will submit it for popular approval among Rosferia's local assemblies. I now... OPEN the vote!" the mongoose declared, and stood at his podium, clutching the sides of the rostrum tightly, as if he were worried he might topple off.
The delegates began moving about, heading to one side of the hall or the other, and even from here, it was easy to tell that most were in favor, though that of course remained to be seen by the final tally. The noise level increased considerably, as the hubbub rose from delegates shifting their seats and scraping chairs on the floor and moving about, though it would begin to settle in a matter of moments.
|
|
|
Returns
Sept 11, 2012 12:20:02 GMT -5
Post by Carrow on Sept 11, 2012 12:20:02 GMT -5
Sciurus found it quite hard to respect a creature like Tallien, but he was well able to preside over a meeting like this. He may have been nervous - and the squirrel knew how that felt - but he was dealing with proceedings quite well. This was a rather momentous occasion for all involved, and despite his many faults, Tallien was pawdling it just fine. He was right to think that the rodent's interest in politics had been reignited; it would have been very easy for him to have become cynical, of course, but cynicism didn't suit him. He knew that now, and even if he wasn't brought back once the election results came in in about 5 or 6 weeks, he would be able to feel proud of the fact that he had been involved in what was due to occur today.
He nodded as the mongoose moved onto outlining the differences between the old model of government and the new one. Granting voting rights to only those who could afford to (or decided to) pay taxes wasn't something that had had any problem with. That sounded rather fair to him, actually. He was glad that Tallien was sensible enough to recognise that freedom of religion should remain a right of every citizen in Cosnair. The squirrel had never really swallowed the whole idea of a higher power, and while he was the last creature who would ever pour scorn upon others' personal beliefs, he was satisfied with the announcement that he would be afforded the same courtesy.
The hypocrisy of some religious creatures, on the other paw, was not something he had ever tolerated, nor would he start doing so. Claiming to be creatures of God whilst proclaiming that those who did not believe would face eternal damnation... that didn't add up at all, and while the squirrel could let most things slide in regards to religion, that was not one of them. His ears perked up when the mongoose announced that they would now discuss the form that the new government would take. It was to be called the Directory, and would consist of an Upper and Lower House of Legislation. The lower house would be the one to which he would hopefully be elected in a month: the Council of 500.
The squirrel was soon to be 32, and had planned his birthday celebrations for the following week - he'd needed to revise them on account of having saved up for Constantinople and now having quite an amount of money at his disposal, but was still aiming for something modest. Those kinds of birthday celebrations were all that he had ever known, and he saw no reason to break with tradition. In all honesty, he preferred such things. He was eligible to be elected to the Council of 500, so he would be taking part in the drafting up of new laws, as well as the list of 50 creatures that they thought would make good Directors. It was safe to say that the red squirrel already had a certain meerkat in mind.
The upper house, the Council of the Ancients, was covered next, and Sciurus tried to keep up as best he could. There was a lot of information to take in; even if most of it didn't directly concern him, this was all quite promising, and this new form of government became more attractive to the squirrel the more he listened, and the more information he soaked up. The 250 that would form the Council of the Ancients, and it seemed that while the house the squirrel was hoping to be elected to would be the 'thinkers', the Ancients (males older than 40) would be the 'doers'. As for the Directory, they would be the ones who held the most power. There would only be 5 of these, and thankfully this had been thought up to avoid the prospect of any one Director gaining too much power. The rodent had to fight hard to suppress a smirk at that comment from Tallien. He'd been just fine with Dragonis's tyrannical rule... funny how things changed.
The mongoose then mentioned the two-thirds clause. Now, this was something that the squirrel had been on the fence about recently. Why not have the whole thing thrown open to public vote? There were good points being made in its defence, and the rodent supposed that it was better to have it this way than to risk having the royalists make inroads on the Directory, something that would stop the new government dead in its tracks. It wasn't quite as democratic a system as he had been hoping for, but it was better than the alternative, because he knew that there were those who would seek to hamper the government's every move if they themselves were elected. He decided that there were pros and cons to that system, and the advantages far outweighed the drawbacks.
Sciurus had already decided that he was going to run next month, but he could still make an impact here, and so, when the mongoose opened the vote, Sciurus got up, proceeding without a sound to the galleries on the right, doing his best to find a seat. He could already see that most of those present were in favour of the new government, and the response was such that he found it difficult to get a seat, so he elected to stand instead. He was looking forward to telling Boneparte about things once he got out - assuming the vote passed. He wasn't leaving anything to chance; some things may have changed for him recently, but he still knew when to exercise caution. He looked anxiously from one side of the room to the other, waiting for things to settle and the vote to be called.
|
|