Agree to Strongly Disagree

"Agree to Strongly Disagree" is a [SEASON NUMBER] thread written on [IRL DATE].
==Summary==
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==Full Text==
=== Part One ===
“Word got around…Get…Out…” Blunt snarled as he folded his arms in front of Dixie. 
His cousin, however, just sat casually at one of his tables, and sipped on some wine he had brought himself, in light of Blunt refusing to serve him. “Angry over a difference of opinion cousin?”
“Angry over you doing exactly what I told you not to do. What the Hel were you thinking?!”
“Blunt please.” Dixie said garishly. “Those in charge here will have to get used to criticism. Honestly, I can’t tell you how many times I told them I preferred and supported their leadership, despite my misgivings.”
“God above.” Blunt pinched his brow. “I’m not talking about that? Yes, Indigo got off light, but, I am oddly at peace with how Darien was handled despite what he’s done…maybe Stones and I understand what it’s like to need a second chance.” 
“Hm…yes…after you all enslaved a bunch of- oh wait…sorry, you didn’t do that.” 
Blunt pointed a finger. “I acknowledge that, but my statement stands. But, again, my issue here is the thieves. Did you hurt them?”
“Blunt.” Dixie circled his fingers dramatically. “Sven and Grey have their eyeballs on the back of my head. I can’t put a toe out of line without-”
“Did…you…hurt them?”
“By the way where is biscuit? I miss her, how’s all that going by the way?”  
“She’s busy, now answer the damn question.” 
Dixie snorted, and then huffed once. “It was only one string of coins Blunt…I’m not a psychopath.”
Blunt’s shoulders began to relax.   
“So I only broke one of their bones, each.” 
“God!” Blunt’s hands slapped to his face. “Damn! It!”
“Minus the boy Grey dealt with naturally. There was a little scaring straight after that, didn’t want to have retaliation you know. But other than that they’re basically unharmed. Not even maim worthy.”
“You are insane!” Blunt yelled at him in frustration. “You are an insane, very bad man!”
“I can’t see how it should bother you so much.” Dixie said passively. 
“That’s the problem!” Blunt exclaimed. “You don’t see how this behavior effects people around you. You don’t see how you going mob boss on petty thieves and con artists makes the people who care about you feel! You’ve prioritized monetary resources above everything else! That’s the way you’ve always been. What do you think Akkey would say if she saw-”
“Now why on earth would biscuit take exception to all this? It’s so far outside of her interests I’m sure.” 
Blunt went slack jawed as he lowered his arm. He shook his head incredulously. “As much as I think you probably did Sven a favor in what leadership would look like. And as much as I believe that you were, probably, at least half decent with your criticisms…you have to go. Before you alienate and ruin the only good things in your life that aren’t cold, lifeless coins.” 
Dixie stood up with raised eyebrows as he finished off his drink. “My…quite the shoulders I’ve gotten today. But that’s how life goes. Cyclical. Sorry dearest, I can’t leave quite this moment, and I haven’t been kicked out yet. So I better stick around…however, I feel an apology is due, Grey wasn’t wrong when she said I should have made an official statement rather than dig into her son after all.”  
“I cannot express to you enough that this has nothing to do with your disagreements with people. You have to go because you are a dangerous man who loses all control if someone tugs on the wrong rope.” Blunt said.
Dixie swept the door open as if he didn’t even hear him. “Although I am noticing a trend of us Donz’s…one I’d rather break from…but we’ll see….we’ll see. Also, who would possibly tug on that rope while still being a decent person and a friend to me? It’s not that hard not to steal Blunt. Well…toodles.”  
Blunt watched the door click in his face, and he slowly lifted a hand so it plopped down on the top of his head. “Oh boy…now I have to find a way to get my cousin banished…” 
=== Part Two ===
(I figure this takes place a few days after the Oh Dear thread, and maybe a day after that for Dixie to get to Hiligan again).
Dixie stepped into the audience room where Grey and Sven both were at the time, and swept a fine hat off his head. It was the kind of hat that was well suited to be swept off it seemed, crafted for the exact purpose even. 
“Lady Chief…Sir Sven…a word? I’ll make it brief.” 
@lbigreyhound13
Nov 1, 2020
The Chief and the Heir looked up at the man in front of them. It was one of the few days that Grey took Sven to the Great Hall for his lessons on being Chief, and today they were covering Haligan Island’s history. When Dixie spoke, the Chief straightened in her seat while Sven eyed him with slight suspicion. 
“How may we help you, Dixie?” Grey asked after a moment. 
Nov 1, 2020
Dixie tipped his head once. “I owe you both an apology for earlier. I spoke out of personal hurt and loss, which I stand by. But the righteous indignation I succumb to afterwards was entirely unnecessary and wrong of me to pit against you.”
He held up a rigid finger. “You have never made your people feel as though they couldn’t talk to you in a formal setting. But I still chose to make my grievances in an argumentative setting instead. I should have come to you like this first.”
He huffed a sigh as he looked at them seriously, and tapped his cane once on the ground. “I never should have even implied that the sentences you passed ought to be adjusted. Except for Darien’s, but that’s already a conversation of the past. For all I may have had misgivings about, your restraint, mercy, and forward thinking is a far better place of an error to make, than one of punitive action. And I never should have shamed you for it.”
Dixie spread his hands as he tilted his head once more as he maintained eye contact. “I heartfully apologize for it all, and please never doubt my unstrained support of your leadership, no matter what argument I may present, whether past or future.”  
Nov 1, 2020
The Chief raised her eyebrows and stole a glance at her son, who still sat at the table before looking back at Dixie. This was not what she was expecting at all, and she offered a small smile.
“Well, it’s not the first time I’ve dealt with critcism,” the Chief replied, “and I too apologize if it seemed that I wasn’t hearing you out. As much as I loved King Haddock as a friend and respected him as my boss, there were things that I wished were done differently and hoped to carry out in this Rebellion. However, sometimes, I tend to act with my emotions. Nevertheless,” she held out her hand to shake, “I accept your apology and thank you.”
Nov 1, 2020
Dixie took the hand in a steady grip. “As we all do…” He sighed as he stepped back. “I appreciate this. Truly. Although I’m absolutely certain our sailing from here won’t be smooth. In fact, I imagine this won’t be the only time we clash.” He placed a hand over his heart. “But no matter what comes, if the Rebellion remains noble, in which I have no doubts, my wares and resources always be yours to call upon. And I have plenty of representatives to help with our work together, in case I become intolerable to operate with.”   
Nov 1, 2020
“Well, one thing you should know about me,” Grey said raising an eyebrow, “I’ve never been one to back down from a challenge. No one is ever intolerable to work with unless they cause physical or verbal harm in my book, and I appreciate other opinions. I rather people be upfront with me rather than yes me to death. Besides, I’ve worked with the King of the Widerwest, and we’ve had our fair share of arguments, as did my brother and I, and even my husband and I. If we didn’t have disagreements, nothing would get done.”
Nov 1, 2020
“Well…I won’t be upfront about everything. If that counts as being upfront in itself.” Dixie said, and then tsked his tongue. “Cheery…good day to you then…I appreciate you, and what you’re doing.”
He bowed once with grace, and then swept his coat dramatically as he made for the door. 
Nov 1, 2020
“As do I appreciate your allegiance to the Rebellion,” Grey replied with a smile. “Good day to you as well, Dixie.”
=== Part Three ===
Malak’s hand rested on the windowsill as he gazed out at the frost crusted yard that surrounded his house…and the lone figure that stood in it. He drew a thin stream of air through his nose, and then grabbed his coat. “Opie…” He growled softly. “Stay near the back door…”
The young man glanced over at him from where he sat on the couch, and then carefully got up. “That’s a concerning tone of voice you got there dad.”
Malak glanced back at him, and then pulled the door open a crack. “It’ll be okay…just being cautious.” He slipped out and took a few steps off his porch before he came to a stop. The half breed pushed his hands into his pockets against the cold. “Mr. Donz…” He greeted.
“Please.” Dixie said. “Donz was…well…most of my relative’s names. Dixie…please.”
“Is my son alright?” 
Dixie blinked a few times. “Yes of course.” He assured. “Farris is a fine employee, and a good man. Not to mention, truly…the most fortunate of the lot of you.”
Malak relaxed a little. Despite his journey to resist the urges of favoritism, and his less than pleasant last encounter with Farris, Malak would always have that soft spot for his son. To know that he was well was a relief. The release of tension did not last long though, as Malak gave a light frown. “Then to what do I owe the pleasure? My son and I…we aren’t supposed to be around too many people.”
“Hm, yes…and who decided that?”
Malak set his jaw a little. “We did.”
Dixie bobbed his head. “Naturally. A meeting of erroring in caution and the moral dilemma of not being able to take it back.”
Malak’s legs began to curl tighter together around his shoulders and back. “Mr. Dixie…I can’t begin to thank you for what you’ve done for my son…but why are you here?”
There was a pause. A very grim, and tense pause between the two men. At last Dixie opened his mouth. “I’ve seen a pattern Malak. My great uncle, or whatever he was, had Darien in his hands. But chose to keep him alive to serve a greater good for his cause. My cousin had Darien in his hands, but chose to let him live for the greater good of his own morality…how many times has Darien ended up in the hands of people, and left without a scrape?”
Malak swallowed as he remembered his own encounter with Darien. He hadn’t been able to kill him. His own shortcomings had made him feel like a hypocrite for even thinking of doing so, and another part of him hadn’t wanted to upset Grey. 
Dixie went on as he paced a little bit, his hands animated. “And I, myself, had him cornered one day…and chose to only berate him verbally. I mean…” He gave a scoff. “What kind of Donz am I?”
Malak wasn’t sure why he decided to speak his mind so plainly in that moment. But he did anyway. “To be perfectly fair sir, based on what you’ve described before that is very much like what a Donz would do.” 
Suddenly the ice under his feet wasn’t the coldest thing in the area as Dixie set his eyes on him. “I see…” He breathed, and Malak felt as though he had been dipped in ice water. Dixie’s fingers laced around his cane as he then pitched forward to lean on it heavily. “Donz’s are people of action, objectively, and justice. I’m afraid this rebellion is only used to dealing with the outliers of our family name. But…you are correct in a sense. I, like them, didn’t follow through.” Dixie gave a small laugh and shake of his head. “Oh dear Malak, I know you and your son suffered…but I also know what you did…”  
Malak felt himself take a step back. “How-?”
“Please.” Dixie practically purred. “How many people did you rape over the course of that decade of darkness? It wasn’t hard to find people still talking about it, and to find information on the survivors. Something tells me you, unlike others, are a little more aware of the impossibility of your situation.”
Malak had gone very pale. “Are any of them…are they….do they know where my sons are?”
“Farris will be protected. After all, he had no choice in the crimes he committed.” Dixie assured. “And I didn’t tell anyone anything about you and Opie. But those people are out there Malak. And as a matter of principle…” Dixie pulled back the side of his coat a little, just enough to reveal the zippleback slug thrower at his side. He studied the man in front of him. “Mercy and reform is what will build a nation Malak…but I’ve spoken to the man who’s actions are still causing the death and enslavement of  thousands. I’ve spoken to a child murderer and village burner. And I’ve spoken to you. You, all, of, you, are a little beyond a crime of passion, a swindle, or a theft don’t you think?”
Malak stood rigidly in place now, his hands balled up into tight fists.
“Tell me Malak.” Dixie went on, and this time there was a touch of passion in his otherwise cool voice. “What do they all have in common? A realization that they did something wrong? Is that all it takes? What would have happened to Rhenco if he had simply said sorry?! Look at me…I’m here ranting all of this to you just like I’ve done with everyone else? Why?! Why can’t anyone, including myself, just commit to something?!”
Malak adverted his eyes, having no idea if that weapon would be brought up, or whether it would stay at Dixie’s side. “Because…” He said, almost too quietly. “Because we made it impossible for you too…”
Dixie drew a breath at the words, and actually leaned back a little. “Wha-?”
“Our situation…is impossible.” Malak said. “But that includes you…it includes Grey…I, the Phantom, Darien…we could never atone for what we’ve done. But we can’t live in a world of retribution and blood anymore. But that applies to everyone around us too now. You can’t commit to either letting it go or doing us in yourself without it causing you pain, and having some part of it, that can’t be ignored, be terribly, terribly wrong by doing so.” He gave a shaky sigh. “And yet…life has a way I suppose. It finds us both the most fitting ends, and the most cruel. Darien is working to undo what he’s done. I’m waiting to see what life decides to do with me. And the Phantom is simply working to move on. And you’re here, doing this, and Grey is there…standing by what she chose, doubtless assaulted by the hearsay people in your position have thrown at her. Because of our actions…everyone’s situation is impossible…that’s why you’ve gone back and forth between so many without actually taking action.”    
Dixie stared at Malak in some shock, but not offence. He glanced off to the side as the realization dawned on him, and let his coat fall back into place. “Impossible…” He said. “I…too…in the impossible…” He barked a short laugh. “It’s not fair.” 
Malak lowered his head. “Yeah…”
Dixie ran a tongue over his lower lip. “This rebellion, and it’s good graces, simply can’t be something I sacrifice…and therefore I…will never be able to do ether one of these things…and live with the choice…for the rest of my mortal life…” He turned to face Malak, and his eyes were cold again. “Thank you Malak…give Opie my regards.” 
And with that, he turned on a heel, and left. Malak let out a breath he hadn’t realized he had been holding, and then hurried back inside so he could take Opie into an enormous hug of relief.
*** 
“You’re absolutely certain of this sir?” The older man sighed as he reviewed a drafted document.    
Dixie lowered a cup of tea from his lips. “Oh most certainly.” He breathed. “I may be willing to let life handle affairs for me. But I will not leave this world burdened in my death, not when I could have done something about it when I was alive…trust me, this is the only sensible middle of the road to met at.” 
The older man puffed out his cheeks as he shook his head. “Alright then…I’ll get this to the right people, and have those savings accounts stocked. Then it’ll be official. At the time of your death, whatever time that may be, the bounties will be made available. And with the prices you’ve put up, I highly doubt Darien, Phantom, or any of the others will live to see the turn of a season.”