|
Post by Tahliya Carystian on Nov 23, 2014 10:35:50 GMT -5
Dorya and Keretheriel strode quickly through the wall-sized front doors of the Tower and into the open, multi-leveled Atrium. The Peacekeepers at the entrance nodded politely to Dorya as she passed, an acknowledgement which the Operative returned in kind as she led Kereth into the middle of the white-marble floors of the giant space.
The Atrium made up the first five floors of the tower and was built primarily to be a public face for the Tower’s style and approachability. A bank of five central lifts rose through the center of the open space towards the ceiling five-stories above them, and as one’s eyes flowed their rise the multiple outer-lofts of the Atrium came into view, ringing the giant round space at specific intervals that made each platform staggered and able to look down to the entire space below. In front of the central lifts were standing map directories and convenience desks, with each desk attended by a government receptionist who was there to help civilians navigate the giant structure in order to find the right department and floor to attend to their personal business. Ringing the ground level and the first loft of the Atrium were various restaurants, café’s, and shops, and each one had more than ten people standing in line in order to purchase something.
In fact, all throughout the Atrium there were people. Some wore small badges that denoted them as Tower employees who were taking a break by either standing in line for a beverage of meal or collecting in small groups near the large, green, indoor bushes placed strategically throughout the Atrium to give it a more natural, welcoming feel. Many more were obviously tourists, who wandered through the wide open spaces in pairs or groups, pointing to one grand architectural display or one-of-a-kind shop or another as the moved around. Still more looked lost; likely in need of a particular governmental office or another, they loitered near the information desks, waiting for the next free attendant in order to help them navigate the imposing structure that rose over their heads.
Dorya cut a path near to to the side wall, following the ring of the Atrium around past the center and towards the rear of the structure. The Operative’s path had obviously been used numerous times, and it would have been a quick excursion were it not for her cargo’s effect on the people nearby: as Dorya and Keretheriel would pass by coffee shops and restaurants, people had a strange tendency to get out of line in order to come close enough to gawk at Kereth, whispering to those nearby in hushed tones with various degrees of personal class as to their take on the woman’s beauty. Dorya kept them moving at a quick pace and kept her annoyance from being in any way displayed on her features, though she quickly made a point to stay at Kereth’s side rather than walking in front of her in order to be sure no one tried to sweep in and obstruct the woman’s path. Eventually, dependent on how fast they could move through the gathering crowd, Kereth and Dorya would reach a bank of four lifts located at the Atrium’s rear and the Operative would swiftly press her palm against a panel recessed on the left-most contraption. After a moment of waiting, the lift would open, and Dorya would carefully usher Keretheriel in the large, round lift before stepping in herself as the doors closed behind her.
The sudden cut of sound inside the lift was startling. Dorya hadn’t even realized how loud the din of so many voices talking at once in a wide-open space was until it was gone, replaced by only the slight hum of the lift’s inner workings. The Operative didn’t press on the internal panel immediately; she took a moment instead to glance over to the woman she was escorting to gauge her reaction to the space they just left behind, and also to see whether the woman was in any way surprised by the amount of attention she had caused. People had gawked, called out, and tried to approach Kereth throughout their entire trip to the Tower as well, but Dorya had kept them smoothly on-track and diverted the more bold passers-by away from interacting with them through a combination of stern looks and tight-gripped bodily redirections. Magic wasn’t something that the Operative had a great amount of understanding of, but it was clear that Keretheriel was somehow radiating with it.
Carefully, Dorya made a selection on the internal panel and sent the lift rocketing upward towards the 100th floor, the numbers counting up faster than one could count the seconds. Her dark eyes fixed on Kereth’s as she chose to explain part of where they were going.
“Until the Magistrate is done with the Council meeting, I have been instructed to take you to a waiting area in the Column.”
Dorya would wait for any inevitable questions as they rose, carefully playing through her orders in her mind as she did so. The amount of attention Kereth elicited made Dorya uncomfortable enough that she was greatly looking forward to unloading her cargo at Alpha’s feet . . .
|
|
|
Post by Keretheriel on Nov 23, 2014 13:29:32 GMT -5
The Siren did create quite a stir as she moved smoothly in time with her petite Escort. There was no longer a reason to be anything but what she was─ at least to her Blood-Altered mind. Virianus had her in his crosshairs and Keretheriel wasn't especially interested in escaping Dorya. While there was hardly any fear to be found in the Betrayer to begin with, the way she carried herself on the streets of the Trade City spoke of specifically blatant recklessness. She was a creature of Magic─ not that the denizens of Vascxious Sigma were bright enough to understand that her irresistible draw had that origin─ and the only entities it mattered to already knew she was coming: she was ensuring the show would be worthwhile. Why the Siren had chosen to take on the role of the Entertainer was anyone's guess, but what was clear was that she'd discovered what it was the people craved. It made sense that an unreal spectacle would draw the masses: what else did the Northern City's citizens have to look forward to? Permanently greyed skies with the only glimpses of the sun accessible from the greatest heights? The pervasive scent of warmed vanilla and the sharp twinge of spice intoxicated those they encountered and Keretheriel did nothing to mitigate her effect. For the most part she moved through the swelling crowd with all the poise and regalement of foreign nobility, though there were expertly-timed instances where a particularly awestruck countenance would draw her burning stare and be gifted with the smallest curve of a smile─ and to great effect. The Siren never paused when those closest reached for her, their soft noises of appreciation like music when fur and silk and coldly perfect flesh brushed past them. . .
There was a moment when they waited for the lift, followed by the most easily swayed of her audience, that threatened to overwhelm and prevent them from continuing forward, a quality in their entry to the lift that spoke of escape from hungry hands and eyes that wanted more than what was given.
In the pause Dorya claimed for herself she might come to the conclusion the Siren understood her discomfort so thoroughly that she would be led to suspect the show wasn't for Keretheriel's benefit but for hers. Those impossibly thick, jet lashes would rise and searing, fever-bright eyes pinned the Escort with a penetrating stare as full lips crafted for much darker pursuits spread into a knowing smirk. Slowly, but before the Escort was able to make her floor selection, the Siren invaded her space, moving so that she was partially in front of Dorya, and brought her face only a hair's breadth from their mouths meeting.
”They could look to you that way, Lovely.”
The rich tones poured from her like darkened honey.
”You could be their center,” she continued cryptically, dropping her gaze to the outline of Dorya's lips before blazing a deliberate path back up to dark eyes.
|
|
|
Post by Tahliya Carystian on Nov 23, 2014 14:36:29 GMT -5
As the Siren stepped between Dorya and her ability to send them on their way, the Operative kept any hint of her annoyance with the woman from showing. The truth was, there was no real chance of visible emotion peeking through Dorya’s cool, calm, business-first exterior – the Variance’s unique construction allowed her conscious personality to be literally subdivided from her operation persona, an ability that the Operative took full advantage of as soon as she met Kereth. Dorya had quickly realized the reason that Alpha had chosen her to bring in Keretheriel upon first seeing her, and while Dorya’s state as a metaphysical void made her immune to the radiating effect the Siren seemed to have on others, the woman’s behavior and personality were also extremely-well designed to manipulate and entice emotional states, making the fact that the Operative effectively had no emotional state whatsoever uniquely suited for dealing with her. In the back of her mind, where her true personality was walled off behind her working persona, Dorya might have been annoyed, but the woman to whom Kereth was speaking was entirely unphased by the Siren’s actions.
Dorya let her hand fall to her side as she non-committedly stared back at Kereth. Dorya knew Alpha would still be in his meeting with the other Counselors, so she was not highly concerned about being on-time. The Siren could have her fun, if that was what was required to keep her compliant. The stone like Operative responded to her glowing female counterpart in a deadpanned tone.
“While you may enjoy the attention, I assure you that it would be incredibly hindering to have in my line of work.”
Perhaps Kereth would be annoyed by the extreme lack of reaction from the Variance, especially considering just how pronounced the lack was at the moment. The Siren might have been used to racing heart rates and rising body temperatures, physical changes she could undoubtedly detect with her heightened senses, but Dorya’s heart rate hadn’t changed by a single bpm during the entirety of their time together, and the Operative’s body temperature did not fluctuate either, though the woman did run slightly ‘hotter’ than the average human due to the way her body functioned. If allowed, Dorya would tilt her body to the right and reach just past Keretheriel in order to stat the lift moving, but if not she would just keep her hands by her sides and wait for the woman to be done pestering her.
“The waiting area really does have a lovely view."
|
|
|
Post by Keretheriel on Nov 23, 2014 22:15:23 GMT -5
Racing heart rates and rising body temperatures were expected, but their lack was by no means irritating. If any, her stone-faced Escort was more intriguing for it: it wasn't often the Siren was in the company of someone who only viewed her as another face in the crowd. It was enticing in its own way and the thought of idly pressing buttons until Keretheriel could provoke a reaction─ any reaction─ had appeal. Those preternaturally icy eyes studied the petite woman's features openly and no move was made to stop her from reaching past her to select their destination. Quite the contrary, as Dorya's right hand reached Keretheriel's left ascended just enough to hover above Dorya's forearm and permit the tips of long fingers to caress a softly winding path to the other woman's upper arm and over the curve of her shoulder.
”Oh, undoubtedly, my Love. But you won't always be as you are now. Will you, Messenger Girl?”
Keretheriel offered an inscrutable smirk that echoed the deeper implications in her words. The silence in the lift stretched as she freely touched the other woman, even going as far as to smooth a strand or two of dark hair away from her Escort's face. They were well on their way to the waiting area Dorya spoke of, but the world outside the lift didn't exist anymore─ not for Keretheriel. . .
|
|
|
Post by Tahliya Carystian on Nov 23, 2014 22:41:11 GMT -5
Dorya let her arm fall back to her side loosely as the lift began moving, relaxing her posture and simply meeting the Sire’s gaze while making no attempt to stop the other woman from touching her. As the numbers on the lift panel ticked by, the Operative let the silence after Kereth’s words continue to stretch, waiting until the lift had already begun to slow near the 100th floor before opening her mouth to respond.
“No. But I’m still not one prone to making bets on an indefinable future.”
The lift doors smoothly slid open, and Dorya would motion with her right hand towards the hall in front of it, which led down a clean, well-decorated hallway to a set of double-doors, beyond which lay a large, plush waiting area with a broad view of the city from above the mist layer. The hallway split in several directions, each way leading to a similar anteroom setup, all of which were, at this time of day, currently unoccupied, so it didn’t matter to the Operative which set of doors Kereth decided to choose – they wouldn’t be bothered regardless.
“Shall we?”
|
|
|
Post by Keretheriel on Nov 26, 2014 10:10:30 GMT -5
The Siren let her eyes close as her body leaned into the Escort, lavender silk and tulle contrasted against rich blue. It was a whisper-soft touch that grazed the other woman's waist, as if Keretheriel debated whether to simply explore or gather her more closely. There was no fear of backlash or displeasure: Dorya would not suddenly move to separate herself from the Siren after so many opportunities to push her away. When she responded evenly, Keretheriel leaned back only enough that Dorya would be able to clearly see amusement and mirth sharpening her features.
”Ah, and there it is. . .” Her thick, wintry accent became heavier as she spoke from low in her throat, following up with a small sound of disapproval.
Her right hand cupped the side of the Escort's face, strongly encouraging her to retain steady eye contact as the lift doors opened behind them.
”You speak as one who does not understand the power she wields, as one who is resigned and complacent in her status. One day you will understand that the future is only indefinable if you are content to leave it up to others to decide it for you─ to them, your place is always known.” As the last phrase slipped from plush lips the Siren dropped her gaze and claimed a backward step, letting her hands fall away from the Escort's form.
Apparently, that would be the end of it for now. Anything Dorya said, whether in protest or agreement, would be hollow, and they both knew it. Keretheriel was gracious enough to let her say her piece if she must, and would be quite generous behind her mocking smile. Pastel silks flowed easily as the woman who wore them turned to step out of the lift, eying the doors critically before choosing one at random to enter. Once inside Keretheriel wasted no time in stepping toward the glass to watch the night sky with no mist to obstruct her view.
|
|
|
Post by Tahliya Carystian on Dec 7, 2014 13:05:07 GMT -5
Dorya stayed extremely still as the Siren moved away, having said her little piece of ‘wisdom’, her smug and self-righteous demeanor weighing so oppressively on her words that the Operative could almost feel them strike her tangibly. Dorya didn’t show any change in expression – in a way, she couldn’t, considering how compartmentalized her thoughts and personality were at the given moment, but inwardly, the Variance gritted her teeth. Keretheriel was beginning to grate on even the impossibly-stoic Dorya, and while it would in no way interfere with the woman completing her assigned mission, the Operative had begun to look forward to unloading the Siren onto Alpha and moving on to her next job. The Magistrate undoubtedly had more than enough patience to deal with the woman’s games, and more so the authority and, in contrast to Dorya, freedom to put the Siren swiftly in her place.
After a moment of standing still, Dorya followed after Keretheriel and walked into the room she had chosen, taking a spot of window at least five feet to Kereth’s right and clasping her hands behind her back in a military resting pose. Dorya looked out over the immense landscape of the city, but also used the reflections of the massive window to keep a close eye on the Siren as well.
The woman had somehow designed herself to be impactful – Dora knew it had to have something to do with just based on how the people on the streets had responded to Kereth’s presence. Dorya herself didn’t see the world the same way without tapping very distinctly into her ability, and even if she did she would be unable to make out just what it was that the Siren was showing those around her, but the Operative understood the power it brought to Kereth’s position. There were several types of influence that could be gained over others, and apparently Kereth had chosen to employ one of the most impactful, functioning with attraction much in the same way Zenethrakarna clothed herself in terror. Dorya couldn’t help but admit it was effective, especially paired with the woman’s personality, which was more free than Dorya had seen within the business of the Tower. That unrestrained nature was appealing in and of itself, and the Variance recognized that she herself was not entirely immune.
That said, the woman definitely made Dorya uncomfortable, and the Operative gathered from a tiny bit of introspective thinking that her discomfort had to do with how much attention Kereth could focus on her, how deeply-penetrating that attention was. Dorya was used to being more or less ignored within a space, and therefore to have someone eye her so specifically was unsettling. Dorya knew she wanted to be paid attention to, to be feared or respected or desired, but she likewise had no experience or understanding of how to deal with that phenomena. In this way, the Operative knew she was a victim of her own intelligence – her ‘twin’ never had a problem being the center of attention, but Rivea was also too simple to even understand what that really meant. Dorya grimaced internally – maybe that was something she could learn from, grudgingly or not.
The Operative shifted her focus to the outer limits of the city and calmed her thinking – Dorya would have time for introspection later, but for now she needed to keep to the task at hand. She analytically went over the rest of her day’s plans after she left Kereth in Alpha’s capable hands, and basked as long as the Siren would allow her to in the momentary silence. Somehow, Dorya knew that the quiet would be fleeting . . .
|
|
|
Post by Keretheriel on Dec 25, 2014 21:50:07 GMT -5
The Siren mentally traced the outlines of the major towers of the metropolitan sprawl and took stock of what could be seen of the icy terrain that surrounded Vascxious Sigma protectively. That she could see it at all spoke not only of the scale of this particular part of the Jiv'Undus Range but also of the height of the only tower that mattered in the Northern City: the Tower. Keretheriel could admit the City had some charm, but only because the change in altitude had afforded a perspective outside of the permanent grey fog─ she still felt the loss of natural light quite keenly though perhaps her opinion could change in the morning. Presumptuous, of course, to assume she would see the morning, but then she had no real reason to be afraid of any meeting with the Magistrate. Except that no matter how sugared the events were, Alpha had sent an agent to detain and escort her to his Tower. Those preternaturally pale eyes, still burning with the high Viers had freely given, studied the skyline while she considered her position. The Siren had already dismissed any possibility that Alpha intended her harm: if he had, she'd not be here─ any attack from Dorya would have resulted in a swift retreat from the Magistrate's playground. That Arktouros had met an end in the City told her enough about what the scale was really like; that the Tower itself was shielded, protected from outsiders peering in suggested that the Guardian had not been lured or escorted to the Tower to meet that end: Keretheriel would have never been able to sense his passing as she slept if that were the case. Really, that was a truth she could rely on only if she was willing to commit to the belief that Alpha had anything to do with the death of Arktouros. . .
She could wait and see: as impulsive as she knew herself to be there was always a chance any thoughts she entertained here in this waiting room would no longer apply the instant Alpha laid eyes on her. And, truth be told, Keretheriel wasn't the long-term planning sort─ not really. She, like any worthwhile player, would adjust her moves according to the flow of the game.
The Siren's chin lifted enough that Keretheriel could watch Dorya's reflection through her lashes. The woman cut an impressive figure and seemed beguilingly immune to the former Guardian's brand of charm. She didn't need to speculate on the Escort's heritage: it was impossible that she was human even if Keretheriel couldn't easily tell how far beyond humanity she was. She wasn't even a human derivative. Not even Akrathi or Kethirans─ as warped and mutilated and removed from humanity as they were─ could withstand a full assault when Keretheriel moved unfiltered. No, Dorya was something else, but not like her. It made her wonder what other toys Alpha had managed to gather─or fashion─ to, or for, himself over the years. The thought provoked the beginnings of a smirk.
Just as quickly as the change in expression manifested, any sign of mirth melted away, leaving her features smooth and unreadable. The Siren's stare fixated on a point beyond the City as if she could actually see what transpired there. Viers was very suddenly no longer inside of Vascxious Sigma. It was surprising enough that such a thing was true, but even more intriguing was that she could still track his location: any means he used to leave the City so quickly would have to involve use of his own magic and such use would immediately reveal to him that she'd left a mark. Either he hadn't transported himself or he hadn't bothered to wipe away what she'd left, and both scenarios were remarkably fascinating. But speaking of. . .
”Do you actually intend to forget my illustrious friend or was that a ploy to ensure his cooperation?” The question was even, stilted only by the cadence of the Siren's heavy accent.
Keretheriel kept her back to the Escort and did not look to watch her reaction through the reflections on the window. She merely waited for a response, confirming or not.
|
|
|
Post by Tahliya Carystian on Dec 25, 2014 22:31:28 GMT -5
Dorya wondered, as the Siren gazed out the window in front of her, just what it was that connected Keretheriel to the Magistrate. Clearly the woman was inhuman – the reaction of the people on the street to Kereth’s presence made it painfully obvious that the Siren was magical in nature, but where had she come from? It was true that Alpha collected ‘creatures’ more than he associated with what would be more broadly considered people, but most who stayed near the Magistrate’s side in any positive way came to him, rather than being forcibly enlisted to a meeting. Kereth gave the impression that she would have preferred not to deal with Alpha at all, but at the same time showed no fear of the Magistrate. Who would wish to stay far from Alpha, but not fear his power? The woman seemingly had a unique relationship with Virianus Devinian, and Dorya could not help but ponder what the woman’s arrival at the Tower would mean for Alpha’s designs.
The Operative caught the Siren’s eyes as she looked at Dorya in the reflective surface of the window. Likely, the woman was sizing up her escort much in the same way her escort was sizing up her – both were trying to figure out the other, though seemingly, the stakes for Kereth were potentially higher. Yet, Dorya couldn’t help but see an opportunity in her assignment to bring the Siren in: no one else on the Council knew of the particulars of her given task, and Kereth was intentionally being kept away from them, or else her instructions would have been to bring the woman upstairs to meet in in the Magistrate’s office. Alpha had a deal to offer the woman: could it have something to do with the open council seats?
Dorya’s eyes widened almost imperceptibly at the thought. Of course – she has history with the Magistrate. He’s calling in a favor and shaking up the Council. The Variance could see how Kereth might disrupt the status quo and keep all the other Council members on their proverbial toes: she was the kind of troublemaker that set subtle traps and manipulated those around her, the kind of creature Søren thought she was, though that woman overestimated her own appeal by a factor of ten. Suddenly, Dorya couldn’t help but reexamine her previous assumptions about the Siren, and therefore when the woman suddenly asked her question, the Operative took her time in responding, letting the meaning of the words marinate in her mind momentarily before choosing to act on them.
“The latter. I’m not at license to ‘forget’ anything that might have bearing on the Tower’s affairs.”
Dorya hadn’t thought to bring it back up, but here was a place where she had some small amount of leverage with regards to the Siren’s affairs. The Operative had no idea why the woman was so interested in keeping her strange male companion a secret, but that desire represented the one clear piece of information that the Variance had managed to discover about Keretheriel. The fact that the Operative literally did not have the capacity to forget information notwithstanding, Dorya suddenly had a keen interest in Keretheriel’s reaction to the possibility of her escort sharing information about the man, and more interestingly, where they were, with the Magistrate.
“By all accounts, the Magistrate would certainly want to know about any persons being unlawfully found within his daughter’s residence. For the sake of security, if nothing else.”
Dorya’s face was as blank as it had ever been, and her tone in no way changed. She too looked out the window as she spoke, leaving her hands clasped behind her back in her standard at-ease position.
“Of course, I don’t know who he is exactly. Magistrate Virianus will undoubtedly have me locate that information quickly, however, to assess the level of threat to the Counselor.”
|
|
|
Post by Keretheriel on Dec 25, 2014 23:22:45 GMT -5
The Siren's expression didn't shift one iota when the Escort spoke, immediately confirming the offer she'd given Viers in exchange for his cooperation wasn't real. In fact, Keretheriel remained quite still as she watched the City. As unreadable as Dorya was, the former Guardian was just as uncommunicative: Keretheriel would tread very carefully. . .
”And if he was not there 'unlawfully'? If he has a connection to the Magistrate's daughter that perhaps she has no intention of disclosing to her father?”
Only then would the Siren let her stare shift to watch Alpha's agent through the glass.
”Except in the case that Alpha has a vested interest in keeping his daughter from taking lovers then he poses no threat to her. I suppose, unless her dignity counts. . .”
Keretheriel watched Dorya carefully, but betrayed nothing of her true thoughts.
”It's understandable if you don't trust my word. But perhaps you should seek the word of his daughter before you assume he wasn't a welcome guest.”
Her stare was penetrating, but held no tinge of emotion.
|
|
|
Post by Tahliya Carystian on Dec 25, 2014 23:42:35 GMT -5
The Variance turned toward Kereth, crossing her arms over her chest and staring straight at the Siren whether the other woman met her gaze directly or not.
Kereth had begun taking a different, more serious tact with this turn of conversation than anything Dorya had thus far seen from the woman’s demeanor, and the Operative’s dark eyes, while betraying nothing, locked onto Kereth with an intensity that was genuine.
“That would be of concern if I worked for the Counselor. However, my instructions come from the Magistrate only.”
Dorya was telling the truth about her mandate. Alpha was the one who gave her direction, and Alpha alone: not even Søren could assign tasks to Dorya anymore, she had risen outside the traditional power structure. What the Operative wasn’t being completely honest about, however, was the amount of leeway she was given when it came to her missions. Alpha hadn’t explicitly asked for any information regarding Kereth’s whereabouts or associates, and unless he did, Dorya was under no obligation to disclose what she had seen. However, if asked directly, lying to the Magistrate wasn’t an option – though clever omission was always a possibility.
“I’m not at license to know what is or is not within the Magistrate’s interest. My job is to give him what information is relevant to his dealings – what he chooses to do with it is his prerogative alone.”
Dorya chose her words carefully, crafting her meaning in a very precise way, leaving Keretheriel free to interpret the underlying message if she was able. Somehow, Dorya didn’t think the Siren would miss the implication.
“Should the Magistrate ask directly about the circumstances of how I found you, I have no reason not to answer with every detail. Since I know nothing of your, or her, relationship with that man, I have to assume all details are relevant. Would you do differently, in my position?”
|
|
|
Post by Keretheriel on Dec 25, 2014 23:57:44 GMT -5
Slowly, but very deliberately, Keretheriel turned to face the Escort and meet her gaze, intensity for intensity. Dorya chose her steps very carefully as the tones of their conversation changed, and it would be dishonest of the Siren not to lend the Escort some credit for her composure. Her eyes narrowed subtly at her question, but her features otherwise remained unchanged.
”Do you look to me to convince you to overlook those details, and chance that they are truly unimportant, or do you present me with a sheer rock face that has no handholds? You speak of your position, but I wonder if even you see it clearly.”
|
|
|
Post by Tahliya Carystian on Dec 26, 2014 0:05:26 GMT -5
Dorya stared back carefully, taking her time to respond and measuring the weight of their locked focus in minutes rather than seconds.
“I would think it a difficult task to convince me to overlook these details, considering just how threatening they seem from my current perspective to the security of the Magistrate’s daughter. I see my position clearly enough when it comes to the security of the Magistrate’s interests.”
Slowly, the Variance tilted her head to the side just slightly, as if she were trying to examine Kereth from a different angle.
“I hardly see why you would be concerned about the Magistrate being aware of your male companion – if he is only a bed-fellow, strangely both to you and Floraelia Devinian, that is. I can say with fair certainty that you would have no difficulty finding another to satisfy you, if that was your concern. Unless there is more too it than that.”
|
|
|
Post by Keretheriel on Dec 26, 2014 0:25:32 GMT -5
”Difficult, but not impossible?” Dorya might have expected a knowing smirk to spread across the fullness of the Siren's mouth, but no smirk manifested.
The Escort was looking for information, and while she'd been fairly subtle about it to start with, she was slowly becoming more bold in her fishing. The Siren took the opportunity to close some of the distance between them in a way that wasn't remotely threatening. Strangely enough, Keretheriel didn't seem interested in leading Dorya or irritating her with the smug, self-assured quality that had defined her earlier actions.
”I do have unfinished business with him now. . . but perhaps I should consider replacing him.” Pale eyes remained locked on darker irises, but Dorya would likely perceive the sudden tension─ as if the Siren considered her as a candidate for filling the position.
”What do you need to know about him that could persuade you to overlook his presence?” The words were spaced as if the Siren had allowed them to slowly drift from her mouth. . .
|
|
|
Post by Tahliya Carystian on Dec 26, 2014 0:37:40 GMT -5
Dorya’s voice continued to filter through the room bereft of any and all emotional notation, her deadpan tone making her meanings all the more difficult to read. The spacing of her words did indicate careful, if still quite quick, thought as to what she meant to communicate to Kereth, who was quickly closing the distance between them. Dorya didn’t move back, but she did let her arms fall to her sides and then clasp them behind her back again, retaking her at-ease position over the more closed crossing of her arms.
“I can imagine that nothing is impossible. I’m not closed-minded.”
Dorya knew she had to play her cards carefully, especially considering how unpredictable Kereth had thus far managed to be.
“Considering how rapidly he made himself scarce, perhaps you would be better choosing someone who is more dependable next time. Or, at least, consistent.”
The Operative thought carefully before taking the Siren’s invitation to ask real questions: the truth was, Dorya had little interest in the man, save for his connection to both Floraelia, the Magistrate’s sheltered daughter, and Kereth herself.
“Why were you in Floraelia Devinian’s quarters? What is his connection to her? And to you?”
|
|