Politics. Bastila echoes the word too, barely resisting the urge to roll her eyes. ] That is always what it comes down to, isn't it? Plans within plans, moves and countermoves.
[ Alliances, connections, marriages for political reasons... That seems to be the way of life among houses like House Atreides. It must be even worse the higher up in rank people go. ] I don't like it, but it doesn't matter what I like. It doesn't matter what any of us like.
[ Bastila is rarely petulant, and only the barest hint of that sounds in her voice, but she really does not like the direction things are taking.
Paul thinks that this may be a trap, and she would have to agree with him, but as far as she can tell, they have no choice but to keep walking forward. House Atreides can't afford to lose power any more than it can afford to lose what it has in CHOAM. Bastila knows this, and she knows Paul does too, but that does not mean that they have to like it.
She really would roll her eyes at the notion that the things they can change include what they wear, if not for the fact that it would be poor manners. To her, such a thing is not all that significant, but then again, it all comes down to keeping up appearances. And, of course, she can hardly defy Jessica so blatantly. She would not, because she does respect her, and she listens to her when she gives directions.
Sometimes the directions lean more towards orders, and still Bastila chooses to listen rather than be defiant. She keeps the defiance inside, only letting it out when she feels as though she is not being observed or examined.
Perhaps later, when there is time- if there is time, some of her defiance concerning this situation will work itself out. She hears Paul say her name and she turns to look at him, but Jessica intervenes first, sending Paul on his way and causing Bastila to feel as though that separation between them has just grown a little bit wider.
Is that what Jessica wants? Bastila wonders to herself even as Paul leaves the table and his footsteps fade into the distance as he goes to do as he was told. Once she can no longer hear him, she looks back at Jessica finally, waiting for her to give her orders. ]
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[ Alliances, connections, marriages for political reasons... That seems to be the way of life among houses like House Atreides. It must be even worse the higher up in rank people go. ] I don't like it, but it doesn't matter what I like. It doesn't matter what any of us like.
[ Bastila is rarely petulant, and only the barest hint of that sounds in her voice, but she really does not like the direction things are taking.
Paul thinks that this may be a trap, and she would have to agree with him, but as far as she can tell, they have no choice but to keep walking forward. House Atreides can't afford to lose power any more than it can afford to lose what it has in CHOAM. Bastila knows this, and she knows Paul does too, but that does not mean that they have to like it.
She really would roll her eyes at the notion that the things they can change include what they wear, if not for the fact that it would be poor manners. To her, such a thing is not all that significant, but then again, it all comes down to keeping up appearances. And, of course, she can hardly defy Jessica so blatantly. She would not, because she does respect her, and she listens to her when she gives directions.
Sometimes the directions lean more towards orders, and still Bastila chooses to listen rather than be defiant. She keeps the defiance inside, only letting it out when she feels as though she is not being observed or examined.
Perhaps later, when there is time- if there is time, some of her defiance concerning this situation will work itself out. She hears Paul say her name and she turns to look at him, but Jessica intervenes first, sending Paul on his way and causing Bastila to feel as though that separation between them has just grown a little bit wider.
Is that what Jessica wants? Bastila wonders to herself even as Paul leaves the table and his footsteps fade into the distance as he goes to do as he was told. Once she can no longer hear him, she looks back at Jessica finally, waiting for her to give her orders. ]