#devil's

Faye silently lingered nearby, waiting for a lull in the couple’s conversation so that she might politely interrupt and drop off the tray of tea and treats she held in her hands.” “Huh? Oh, no, not really. I just mean the Empire wasn’t that bad, right?” “What? Of course they were,” the woman retorted, her expression of rapt interest now edging toward annoyance. “Just--think about it, you know? I’m not saying they’re good. But maybe there’s something to it? You just have to look at it from a different point of view. All those places that got conquered, they obviously didn’t hold their own very well. Just look at Ala Mhigo. They were crumbling and no better under the mad king. At least the Empire is educating people, teaching them to fight, letting them join their armies… I wouldn’t want them to take over Eorzea, obviously, but wouldn’t it be nice if they really could do something about all the beastmen and Primals? Is any of that really so bad?” “You can’t be serious right now.” “What? You know I don’t, like, really believe any of that. I’m just being the devil’s advocate here.” Clearing her throat softly to announce her presence, Faye stepped up to the table, carefully placing the tray down between the two. “Pray pardon my intrusion. Here’s your order.” She moved away to leave the couple to their food and drink, but paused. “You know… ‘devil’s advocate’ is a phrase cowards say when they lack the courage to stand behind their own foul opinions, yes?”