milliways_bar | (no subject)

Entry tags:

(no subject)

Draco's been around, keeping a low profile to avoid Blodwen as much as possible. Certainly not taking any chances with his Animagus form for the time being. He hoped his ruddier skin, white-blond hair, and Persian styled wizard robes would be enough to hide him some. The dagger was sheathed, and stuck in his mint colored sash, along with his purse, and a bag with potion ingredients. He was seeing about transfiguring some of the Bar's silverware into more daggers or other possible weapons in a booth toward the Back Door, out of sight of most of the Bar. Though he still had a fair view for observing as well.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Draco scoffed at that bitterly, "Can't imagine any good death. And who else? The Dark Lord wants me dead."

He slunked down in his seat some, his grey eyes directed toward the table.

"" And his mother might not be spared either.

"Well, if one is going to have a death," the Ranger says, only half-jokingly, "one might as well put it to good use."

He ponders this new bit of information. All that he's seen of Draco has pointed to a demanding parent who viewed offspring as an ego-extension more than an independant individual. But, of course, there are seeds of good...of redeemption...mixed into even the darkest soul.
The news that the father refuses to kill his son even at the cost of his life shows some hope for the man, whoever he is.

"I can certainly see why you contemplate this Dark Lord's downfall," he says. "And, although one person can make a difference, allies do help matters. Is there anyone who would stand with your familiy against him?"

He somehow doubts it...the Malfoys seem to have a "me first and last" attitude. Not condusive to making allies that will stick with you in the dark times.

At first, Draco stared at him like he was insane.

But then at the rest of it, he snorted, "That's a laugh. There's plenty who hate him, but they're the same who hate us. They'd never believe us. There's no one." He's still hoping to somehow buy some leverage with those who are close to the fence who might be flexible, but it was a long shot at best.

"Perhaps I am a hopeless romantic," the Ranger says dryly. "But I cannot believe that it is impossible for you to perhaps turn those that hate you into allies...and perhaps even friends eventually."

He gives Draco a measuring look, then stands. "If you will keep an eye on Cai for a moment, I think Bar can provide something you may find...educational."

As the Ranger moves off, the filly wickers a little and steps closer to the boy.

"Right. Going to be best mates with the Gryffindors, and have happy tea parties with Potter, Weasley and that Mud...muggle-born know-it-all Granger. That's never going to happen!" Draco snorted, and yelled after him derishively.

Cai takes that as an invitation to step up and sniff his sleeve. The garment smells just as interesting as his hands.

But, before she can start tasting, the Ranger returns with a book in his hand.

"Well, if two men of races who were at war with each other for generations, one of whom decimated the other's homeworld through his actions, could become allies and friends, I think bridging the gap between you and those people may be within your capabilities."

He places the book on the table. The cover is plain with simple lettering.

The author's name is written almost minisculely in the bottom corner - Vir Cotto

Draco blinked at that, and then noticed the filly eyeing his sleeve.

"I told you to get away!" He yelled at her angrily.

He huffed, and then picked up the book.

"This was that one with the snake features?" Well, that's how he remembered the sight of G'Kar.

He opened the book to peer at it some.

The book is printed in English. However, the font is unusual. It somehow gives the impression of being handwritten instead of printed. It falls open to the forward.

The human Abraham Lincoln once said "I destroy my enemy when I make him my friend." How wise a saying this is, and how often disregarded. Most choose the path of destroying enemies by killing them, disgracing them or trying to render them powerless. It is the simpler path, and, in the end, a futile one. For in trying to destroy your enemy in this way, you shatter your soul, wound innocents around you and, more often than not, create even more enemies.

Rare is the being who is willing to take the risk by choosing the path of victory by reconcilliation. It is a hard path. A long and painful one path. But it is the one that gives life instead of death. Hope instead of despair.

Here lies the story of two such beings. They did not start this path willingly - the Universe thrust them onto it. But it was their choice to continue the path. Lando and G'kar - children of races steeped in hatred for each other, each with a thousand cherished grievences to be avenged. Fate forced them to become allies of convenience, but they chose the path that led to cooperation, respect and finally a friendship that defied their pasts.

It was my honor to know these two. They were not perfect. Valen bear witness, I have suffered from their actions as well as being blessed by them and all the galaxy with me. But, when all is said and done, they were honorable. And I was honored to have known them. Emperor Cotto has undertaken the difficult task of telling their story.

He has done well.

~Delenn

"Maybe they can. But for myself? No. It's not going to happen. I don't like them, and they don't like me. End of argument," Draco remarked, and then went back to reading.

Potter had his chance to be friends, and he turned him down. Well, fine, let the Dark Lord have him, if they take each other out. So much the better all around really.

"Don't be so quick to judge," the Ranger says. "Londo and G'kar were far beyond simply not liking each other at the beginning. In fact each of them tried to kill the other several times."

Cai wanders back to him works her neck under his arm. He scratches her absently.

"Read it. I think you'll find it interesting at least. Vir Cotto had to investigate a great deal of the history of the Narn-Centauri conflict. There is a fair amount of detail of the military actions, government intrigues, resistance cabals and secret operations involved. That as well may be useful to you in the time to come."

Draco did glance up with interest on that part.

He then admitted, "Been reading up on military history of late. Including that of muggles."

He added, "No wonder we wanted to stay away from them. What they can do vs. what we can do."

"They possess tools," he says. "Ones that are vastly different from yours, but can accomplish much the same things. Remember my parable about the rich man, the poor man and their houses? It is just as applicable to muggles as to wizards. They do not hold a monopoly on evil any more than you do."

"Knew a little of that. Just not how much." World War II was especially frightening.

Perhaps he senses some of Draco's unease. The Ranger reaches over to touch his hand.

"In the end, both of you - muggle and wizard - are simply human. Made 'just a little lower than the angels' and faced with the choice of being angelic, demonic or beastial. Realizing how much you are the same, whether you deal with a muggle or a fellow wizard, is the first step toward bridging the gap between you."

Draco didn't really understand the part about angels that much. Only thing resembling them were wizards with transfiguration skills. Demons got slight mention in DADA and Dark Arts, but not much.

He jerked his hand away, still leery of contact usually.

He then shook his head and read again. He felt the Ranger just didn't understand. They were too different. And would never understand one other.

But the Ranger does understand. Maybe someday Draco will see how much he does. Cai nudges his arm. If he doesn't want her to poop on the floor, she needs to go out now.

"After you've read a few chapters, perhaps we can discuss it," he suggests as he stands. "Good night, Kenaz."

And I pray that I may somehow find a way to give you hope, he thinks behind a tight shield.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only