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After the meeting, after his walk, Maximus tried to circle back around and catch up to Triton and Chloe before they disappear totally. He even /jogs/…which is not something one usually sees out of Maximus!
*
Triton seemed to send Chloe on ahead with Nick. The fish was taking advantage of the dark and having a look about and stopped. The Family had a great many talents, and Triton's seemed to lie more in jsut being situationally aware. Just a man in a coat withthe hood pulled up. He regarded Max carefully as they were out in the open, but gave him a sober nod. He stayed with max in those ten years of his reign, not because he supported the idea or the exile, but because he didn't want to leave a family member stranded. This… was going to be hard on everyone.
*
Maximus kept moving until he was right up in Triton's personal space. Close. Easy to speak without anyone else hearing. The royal seemed to be holding it together pretty well, but something in his manner seemed off. "I know…that the family all prefers him. And I know that there is likely to be no one left on the council that cares. If I have my way, now, it will seem as if those that tried to have me killed will have won. I need to know who they are. I need to make sure that these…rebels…aren't around to harm the rest of you." A beat. "Well, not likely you. I trust you to slip away."
*
Triton would argue that somehting in Maximus' manner was always off. It's how he knew he wasn't a Skrull. The fish kept his voice down and nodded for Max to follow him off where there was no earshot to speak quietly. The assessment that the fish would get away won an agreeable nod. "Dying is not something I'm really good at nor fond of." He had a bit of pride in this though his assessment was on his cousin and curious. "I was always a fan of the war haiku that the Samurai wrote before the Meiji Era ended them. Still, I never cared to live in one and this?" The fish shook his head. The irony was boundless really. "They didn't just try to kill you. They took action that undermines the very peace of our city. It subverts our justice system, and sets a terrible precident that open rebellion instead of trust is somehow an option now? First you then who? Your brother? Gorgon? The council? For what it is worth I am relieved that they failed. Have you anything that was left off the report?"
*
"They are all likey to be family members of, or actual, former exiles. That could narrow things. I know that most people believe that /all/ the exiles were for political reasons, but that is not the case. There were some who were truly dangerous. I do not remember everything, but I could imagine myself exiling someone who was /invisible/." Yeah pretty big security risk, there. Maximus tightens and loosens his fingers, at his sides.
*
Triton offered with that very faint, dry humor of his, "Yeah, I don't remember you doing that when I was there either, or maybe we didn't see em. Or… it's possible and more likely they were affected indirectly. Invisible's not common unless they're using some manner of other aspect of their skill to do this. Either ways houldn't be hard to track down." He knew exile was one things and being sentanced to live in New York another but this was diffrent by a bit. Triton offered, "You now I don't like any of this. You have what you need?"
*
Maximus nods faintly. "I will…when the time comes. I just don't want these traitors to win. That's all. Though, I think Blackagar has no choice except publically sentence me…to see if there are traitors in Attilan. I will manage." Max rubs at his forehead. "We will all manage."
*
Triton nodded slowly and assured, "They won't, Maximus. But this should be done ahead of time. The problem iswhile they are wrong, they could be used to leverage all case against you too." They might be teh gorup primed for helping sell that ruse. The fish sighed and grabbed Max by the shoulders and hugged him. Likely it was goodbye as his cousin was about to be scapegoat and outcast for perhaps the rest of his life. It was no way to live, but he was doing this for the rest of them, or so the Fish truly wanted to believe. "Give me two days. We'll have a name within that time."
*
The royal leaned into the fishy grasp. No one hugs him except Kaleb. He knows it must be serious if Triton is. "I am…difficult to get rid of, Triton. After it is all done, I will …receive Blackagar's 'mercy' and live, guarded, in the palace." It almost sounds like a demand. "Do not doubt it."
*
Triton didn't overstay it. He made reservations for family and gave Max a pat on the shoulder with a slightly amused tone, "Well at least I know my things will remain safe where I left them for the time being." He still ahdn't solved that box but was now half debating if he ought to. "I doubt nothing, cousin, I just lay in wait."
*
Maximus stares at Triton for a moment. "You want me to come back in favor? To be able to live in the palace again?" His eyes are keen to determine the truth from his cousin.
*
Triton shrugged not expecting to be believed in anything but stated the facts as they were to him. "I didn't have to stay with you eleven years ago Max. For whatever other reasons for me being there you're still my family. Innacurate accusation never sits well with me. I travel alone and get to see everyone's family but my own. It still means something to me."
*
Maximus nods faintly. "Then…I will make you another puzzle box, and do not bother solving it unless I die. But if I do, then…you will need what is in it."
*
Triton chuckled and offered ruefully, "I appreciate that. Just would rather it not come to that. Until then, let us take forever to the shadows so that our people can live in the light. I promise you, in the end, we will make it worth it. I'll get the information to you directly or indirectly if need be."
*
Maximus reaches out to grip Triton's forearm. "Very well. I will see you soon. I have some…things to attend to here in the city, before I return to enjoy home."
*
Triton watched his cousin for a moment longer and let the gesture stand before the spy nodded. "Take care of yourself." And with that he popped the hook further up and headed not for the sidewalks but the storm system to take the under route across the city.