[color=red]"Really." Angus turns to look directly at Sloane, standing a little straighter. [color=red]"Do you not want him there?" he says without taking his eyes off the smaller giant.
"Me? Oh, no. He's fine. I just didn't want to offend you and yours by simply accepting that they could stay. I can't say that my first instinct wasn't to fire their camp, but then I thought that might seem to be an attack, and at the time I considered it, I didn't know if they were the giants with whom we had an agreement. After we investigated, we found they weren't, and well, here we are. They seemed to think that you were protected because of the giant witch, to use their term, Fiona. I indicated that our agreement was still in force, whether she was present at the covenant or not. It would appear that Sloan has, for reasons he has not shared, decided to act provocatively towards you. He may not have known that setting up camp where he is was a provocation to Insula Canaria, also, but here we are. My goal here, is to parley, to come to some common agreement among all of us, so I don't have to constantly deal with giants coming 'round, interrupting my studies and the studies of my sodales." Talia isn't really interested in staying, if she doesn't have to do so. She merely wants to prevent a battle, or side with Mac Ossian, due to Insula Canaria's agreement should it become necessary.
Leadership roll of 10.
[color=red]"We've been roaming that side of the loch for years," Angus says, [color=red]"and mac Lingus has always roamed the hills to the west. Maybe they thought that we had relied on our cousin, that made us weak. Maybe we should set up something more permanent around the loch to keep them from sneaking in when our backs are turned. Or do we simply need to show them that we're not as weak as he thinks we are?"
Angus is looking at Sloan the whole time he's speaking, and his voice is loud enough that he seems to be talking as much to the other giant as he is to Talia.
"So, you have no interest in peace between your clans?" Talia pushes further, "I came her with the idea that there would be some discussion that would lead to a longstanding peace between your clans. It was, perhaps, overambitious. I can certainly understand the desire to stomp their clan into dust, and you certainly have that right, since they invaded your, our, territory. And we, Insula Canaria, will support you in that endeavor, should you find it necessary. But that's a lot of wasted effort. We have an opportunity here, if everyone is willing. I have the sense that mac Lingus is interested in some sort of discussion. Now that you've made your case that you and your clan are not weak, are you interested in discussion? Is there something that each clan can get from the other? My goal is to have this matter decided for the long term. We can do that through force and violence, or we can do that through discussion and diplomacy."
Angus looks at Sloane, then down at Talia. [color=red]"It would be nice to not have to worry about another clan muscling in on our territory. Beating them into the ground every couple of years gets boring. I'm willing to talk to him about borders."
"Are agreements typically sealed with an exchange of women to ensure the cooperation of both sides?" Talia drops that as a hint, that she would like this to be a permanent and peaceful solution.
[color=red]"Not really, no," Angus says, looking thoughtfully at Sloane. [color=red]"Maybe we should try something new, if we want to stop fighting all the time."
Sloane nods in agreement. [color=red]"I have sons and daughters both."
[color=red]"So do I."
[color=red]"My oldest son and one of your daughters will live with us, and your oldest and my daughter live with you."
[color=red]"Oh, and I choose my son's wife," Sloane finishes.
[color=red]"What? Why should I let you choose which of my daughters goes with you?"
"While Sloane thinks he is being clever, he should consider that he could be manipulated into choosing the daughter of your choosing. Of course, now that I've said that, he'll think that whatever is presented to him as the most desirable choice is actually the least desirable choice from his perspective. But, a clever giant will also recognize that could be a feint. So, no matter what daughter is chosen, there will always be some uncertainty that the best giantess was chosen by Sloane.
The two chieftains look at each other, their hands flexing as though waiting for the other to make the first move. It's plain to see that all this talk of scheming is making their heads hurt.
After a moment, first Sloane, then Angus look down at Talia. They look at each other and back down at Talia.
[color=red]"You choose," Sloane says. [color=red]"That way I know it's not one of mac Ossian's tricks."
Any info can be provided about the giantesses and giants who will be matched?
Sloane only has one daughter to give to Angus's eldest, so that's fairly easy.
Angus has three daughters. The oldest (who, if human, would look to be about 15ish) looks the most demure of the three. The middle one (about 12 or 13?) is the best-looking of the lot (but then again, she's a giantess, so take that as you will) and has been watching everything with surprising interest. The youngest (10, maybe?) looks like a tomboy.
"I'll need to interview the prospective mates to find the best fit," talia says considering the possibilities. "Sloane, how old is your boy?"
Sloane looks surprised at the question, then starts muttering to himself, his brow furrowed in concentration. (He's trying to figure it out, Paolo relays to Talia).
[color=red]"Um...Sixteen? Seventeen?" he finally hazards.
"I've changed my mind. No interviews necessary. Middle daughter from Angus. Let's make this work, and have ourselves a wedding or two!"
[color=red]"What wedding?" Angus says. [color=red]"We just throw them into a tent, post guards outside, and wait for the ruckus to die down."
"That'll work. We done here? I have to see to some men..."
[color=red]"Aye, that we are." Angus says. Sloane nods his agreement, and the two head into the giant encampment more or less together.
((So, can she say that she made a giant her bitch?))
((Maybe not to their faces, but yeah 
))
Trimalchio: 6 xp, 1 Confidence Point
Talia: 8 xp, 2 Confidence Points.