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Post by Keretheriel on Dec 26, 2014 0:55:48 GMT -5
Nothing changed except that the Siren's intensity eased somewhat. She was no less engaged, but somehow more calm than she'd been thus far.
”Is that a betrayal of your objective? To allow someone to lead you off reporting everything to your Magistrate? Even if you determine there is no threat, would you feel complete confidence in making that decision for your Master?”
It would be incredibly difficult at this point to nail down Keretheriel's expectations much less her motivation.
”I was there because he invited me to be there. As far as his connection to her? He's fucking her, I'm sure. His connection to me? A similar status that was more past tense: your interruption kept it from becoming more current. I'm still deciding if I should thank you or demand that you take his place. . .”
Keretheriel let the ghost of a smile play at her mouth.
”Do you see a pattern?”
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Post by Tahliya Carystian on Dec 26, 2014 1:09:58 GMT -5
Were the Operative prone to any sort of telling displays, she might have snorted at Kereth’s question.
“Betrayal would be withholding information when asked, and I certainly have no intention of doing any such thing. However, interpreting information before relaying its key points to my superior is simply taking initiative.”
The information that the Siren was choosing to impart on Dorya with regards to her male companion was shallow, and comprised of conclusions that the Variance had already come to. Her dark eyes watched woman carefully.
“I see the pattern. Yet, I hardly believe it is all just a coincidence. Perhaps it is an overreach of imagination, but I think you have more control over your friend’s actions than Floraelia could hope to. If he brought you there, you must have known where he was taking you. It sounds like a setup.”
It wasn’t a large stretch of the imagination to consider that Keretheriel had planted the man in Floraelia’s bed for some particular purpose, and was simply reaping the rewards of his infiltration by enjoying herself in her target’s sheets. Kereth would likely see where Dorya’s mind had gone, but the woman clearly didn’t seem to be imparting judgment, and she certainly hadn’t seemed to decide anything yet. She was collecting information.
“I am beginning to think I’d be a poor substitute. After all, I’m just a messenger girl, and am not fucking an influential Counselor.”
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Post by Keretheriel on Dec 26, 2014 1:29:45 GMT -5
Both brows raised nearly imperceptibly and Keretheriel offered an actual albeit small smile.
”Then perhaps by simply suggesting you leave my companion out of your initial report is tantamount to tipping you off that he really is of some threat to Alpha's precious offspring.”
Though it might seem like the Siren was conceding the point, Keretheriel was remarkably dismissive of the possible implications. Her expression turned thoughtful.
”I knew where he was inviting me, yes. Who wouldn't be curious to see what the residence of Alpha's daughter is like? I can admit a certain desire to make him prove his grandiose claims. Hearing him talk about getting between the thighs of a woman of status was somewhat dull: the prospect of showing him to be a liar was entertaining.” That pale stare slid past the Escort and the Siren turned, moving to cast her watchful gaze over the City once more.
”I should be so flattered that you suspect my hand in it to be as dastardly as that. If I cared to create any such setup, I'd undertake the laying of the foundation myself.” The words poured out as if there was no thought to how they might be interpreted: if Dorya wanted to collect information, she'd get the chance. If she expected any of it to be useful she might be disappointed.
”Of course you would think so. You have no understanding of what is desirable to me.” The corner of her mouth quirked upward.
”Is she influential? I suppose that makes sense, her familial connections and all.”
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Post by Tahliya Carystian on Dec 26, 2014 1:46:22 GMT -5
Dorya listened carefully, but somewhat skeptically, to Keretheriel’s recounting of how she had ended up in Floraelia Devinian’s apartment with her male friend’s head between her legs. Clearly there was more to the story, and nothing the Siren had recounted so far had convinced the Operative that the man was nothing more than a simple philanderer.
“I sincerely doubt I’ve flattered you. Even if it was just a coincidence, the fact that this single man has such a connection to the Magistrate’s interests makes him worthy of investigation. And while I may be ignorant of what you personally find desirable, something about this person managed to spread both your and Ms. Devinian’s legs. That alone speaks of considerable talent, if not necessarily planned malicious intent. Perhaps I should have taken more time to see what all the fuss was about before I let him scamper away.”
Dorya’s head cocked to the side again, still regarding Kereth carefully even as the other woman turned away from meeting her gaze directly.
“She would theoretically be as influential as any other Counselor. More so given her connection to the Magistrate. But you already knew that. And while I don’t hazard much care for who Lady Floraelia keeps in her bed, that there is a connection between you two is curious.”
The more she considered the situation, the more it seemed as though it might be prudent, given enough free time, for Dorya to track down Keretheriel’s gentleman caller and ask him a few questions personally. The consideration, however, lie in whether she decided to ask the Magistrate for a sanctioned assignment, or chose to investigate more on her own.
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Post by Keretheriel on Dec 26, 2014 2:06:36 GMT -5
”There's always that. I can admit the circumstances may appear rather suspect.” The Siren shrugged, but didn't turn back toward her Escort. ”Is that a common occurrence for your Lady Floraelia? Does she keep men to warm her bed? Only men?” Perhaps it was a little uncouth to ask about such things, but Dorya might be led to suspect the Siren was playing with her even though her expression had returned to impassiveness.
”Perhaps you should have taken the time to find out what his appeal is: I daresay you'd not be so incredulous now.”
There was a pause before she spoke, her words carefully chosen─ more so than those that came before them.
”I could arrange a meeting. You could still find out for yourself. . .”
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Post by Tahliya Carystian on Dec 26, 2014 2:15:27 GMT -5
Dorya crossed her arms back over her chest, stepping to the window at Kereth’s side to look out across the city view.
“No. In fact, it’s a severe anomaly for her to be sharing her bed with anyone.” The Operative kept what she knew about Floraelia and Aeorex’s potential relationship to herself – no need to complicate the issue. She didn’t specifically address the question as to Ms. Devinian’s sexual preferences: Dorya didn’t know or care either way.
Finally, Dorya let a small smirk curl onto her lips, just briefly at the insinuation.
“He might be downright magical to you and Ms. Devinian, but I can assure you that he does not fit my preferences, no matter his talents. Nor would I likely fit his. However, I do have a few questions for him. Perhaps his answers would be more informative than yours, and could help me decide how much is relevant to the Magistrate’s interests.”
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Post by Keretheriel on Dec 26, 2014 2:38:32 GMT -5
Keretheriel's exterior suffered no alteration, but the energy in the room suddenly changed when Dorya claimed the space next to her, presumably to look out over the Cityscape as well.
”I can't speak for your Lady, but I wouldn't call my experience with him magical, so to speak. You'd have to ask her about why she lets him touch her.”
She offered Dorya a sidelong glance, just in time to catch her change in expression.
”I wouldn't be so quick to decide his tastes. . . Though I'll admit I'm much more curious about your own preferences. If talent would not matter in his case, then there must be something else─ something more conventional or even shallow that excludes him from your tastes.”
The Siren turned to face the other woman more directly, closing more of the space between them as she did so.
”Is it his height? His promiscuity? Or is it more fundamental than that? That he is male? Fever-bright eyes watched her closely.
”My answers could be plenty informative. You are simply unskilled at negotiation.”
With that, Keretheriel turned and moved to cross the room, pausing only to stand before one of the plush couches that formed a semicircle in the core of the waiting area. She took a moment to remove the lilac cloak and let it settle over the arm before sweeping her skirts around her and allowing her form to melt into a very comfortable sitting position. . .
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Post by Tahliya Carystian on Dec 26, 2014 3:00:52 GMT -5
Dorya turned as Keretheriel did, her body facing their other woman’s even as her arms remained crossed, her posture closed.
“If he is less talented than I was led to believe, then it seems strange for you to have such low standards as to allow him to touch you as he was when I arrived. Unless you were proving some sort of point: and since I will certainly not be asking Ms. Devinian about it: why?”
Dorya narrowed her eyes slightly, though whether it was due to the tone of Kereth’s questioning or her intense interest would be impossible to determine.
“Pick any of the traits you just listed: none make him seem appealing.“
The Operative would watch as Kereth stepped away, turning after her but not following from her spot at the window.
“I wasn’t aware of any negotiating taking place. Seemingly, if you had information that would dissuade me from feeling that this man might be a threat to the Counselor, you would share it in order to protect your as-yet-unknown interest in him. Thus far, you’ve told me nothing that has made me reconsider my initial assessment, either because there is none, or you do not feel as though you have to share it. In either case, my position on what should be done about the situation has not changed. I have no need to negotiate with you, especially seeing as you seemingly have nothing of value to offer.”
Dorya kept her gaze fixated on the woman as she sat. They had danced around the topic, but the Siren had seemed more interested in being cryptic and probing Dorya’s interest than convincing the Operative to keep her mouth shut. The Variance could only assume that the woman wasn’t highly concerned about her man friend’s presence being indicated to the Magistrate.
“While I am certain Ms. Devinian would not be pleased to have her tryst revealed to her father, in the interest of her safety that would seem the most appropriate course of action.”
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Post by Keretheriel on Dec 26, 2014 11:39:15 GMT -5
”Actually, it was your conjecture that attached the word 'talent' to him─ those were never my words. And to be sure, everyone has some measure of talent. Even him, and even you. Whatever my standards are, it speaks clearly of him that he was able to bed a woman who, by your own admission, does not typically take lovers. Her status and lineage aside, I know him well enough to consider that her solitary nature alone would draw him to her. As for my reasons?”
Her accent became more heavy with each word and she leveled an unfiltered stare in Dorya's direction.
”You asked before what I would do in your position and, as it seems, you do not clearly understand what that position is, my Love. For one who claims to field security threats for someone as important as the Magistrate─ let's not forget his treasured daughter─ you are without the ruthlessness such a role requires. I'm going to suggest that perhaps you've already come to the conclusion that my promiscuous friend is no threat to either the Magistrate or your Lady, but you want more information. There is always a negotiation when you face someone who can give you something you want for yourself, Lovely.”
It was then the Siren's knowing smirk spread easily across her tempting mouth, her form relaxing as she draped across one end of the couch imperiously.
”If I harbored knowledge of something you deemed a true threat there is nothing that would stop you from attempting to secure it from me. . . You can't be so confident in the Tower's defenses against an actual unknown variable. So then, I may conclude─ and I welcome your critique─ that your interest in him and in me and our history is more recreational than it is professional. As it is, you can't even bring yourself to think of me as a threat to the Tower, given my unique invitation to meet with Alpha, and anyone associated with me may just be an ally by proxy. . .”
Keretheriel's smirk turned satisfied then.
”Now, if we can drop the pretense that you are looking for information in the Magistrate's name, perhaps I can be more forthcoming. . . “ That burning stare intensified.
”If you reach while wearing his strings, it must be more convincing, Lovely. . .”
I want to know what it is you want. . .
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Post by Tahliya Carystian on Dec 26, 2014 12:25:49 GMT -5
Dorya’s long, languid periods of silence in the wake of Keretheriel’s speeches had become a thing of the past – the Operative no longer took her time in responding, and instead moved in a swift, but still militaristically controlled manner, from her spot at the window to cross the room and stand directly in front of where Kereth was sitting, her hands falling to her sides rather than returning to her at-ease position. The Variance looked down at the Siren evenly, but didn’t hesitate to let her low-toned voice form clear, concise words.
“I’ve concluded you are more interested in my motives than protecting your friend at this particular moment. You’re trying to decide whether I would be more useful to you than he is, and while you’d prefer he remain unattached and potentially helpful to you, you might be willing to give him up if I prove more helpful.”
The Operative leaned over Kereth ever-so slightly as she continued, her voice dropping in volume to edge on a husky whisper.
“You are a threat, but not to Alpha. I may not know your exact relationship with the Magistrate, but I can hazard an accurate guess as to why he had you brought here, and it signals change in this Tower. Change means opportunity.”
Dorya knew now that Alpha had chosen her to bring in Kereth for more reasons than her immunity to the Siren’s magical influence. He was giving the Operative an opportunity, just as he had when she had been allowed to see his interaction with Søren earlier that same day. The Variance cursed herself that she hadn’t seen the connection before, but over her conversation with Kereth she had been able to put two and two together.
“I am interested in opportunity. And I’m willing to go to whatever lengths is necessary to make sure I take full advantage of it. So, feel free to factor that in to your calculations of who is more useful.”
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Post by Keretheriel on Dec 26, 2014 13:39:07 GMT -5
The Siren's eyes did not leave the Escort's for moment, only dropping down to scour her form hungrily as she approached. There was no sense of decorum in the way Keretheriel sized up the other woman, very clearly taking the time to appreciate every nuance of motion Dorya's form offered─ from the set of her hips and how her stance firmed up to the swell of her breasts and how they filled out the front of her coat, marking her silhouette as unmistakably feminine. As her little Messenger Girl spoke, crafting her language for clarity and adding more punctuated tones whether she meant to or not, Keretheriel savored Dorya's intent, and relished that she'd closed the distance between them of her own volition.
It was a start.
When Dorya leaned over her, Keretheriel didn't not waste the chance and very smoothly reached with her right hand to stroke a path down the side of the other woman's face, her own expression fading to an indistinct smirk.
”Ah, yes, my Love. There is an opportunity. . .” Her gaze became exponentially more heated as it went from piercing dark eyes down to the pout of the agent's lips.
”Your Master has used his strings to maneuver you into just the right place, exactly the right time. You're bright enough to have seen it, but are you bold enough to really explore all the implications?” The palm of her hand pushed past the round of the other woman's cheek as the tips of her fingers felt for the nape of her neck, digging into her flesh solidly enough to use as an anchor and begin to slowly, but relentlessly guide the Doll closer, closer until their faces were only a hair's breadth apart.
”I will suffer no will steering you other than your own, Dorya. If you are content to remain in the shadow of those that would control you then I have no use for you. . .” She breathed those words against the Escort's flesh, pulling Dorya closer until she was forced to adjust her stance or else risk toppling into the Siren's lap, plush lips parting so that the lower lip of her quarry could fit neatly between teeth. . .
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Post by Tahliya Carystian on Dec 26, 2014 22:23:41 GMT -5
Dorya gave no reaction as the Siren’s hand slid along the smooth skin of her face. Kereth loved to push boundaries, and the Variance had few, therefore her touching rarely seemed to require any action or response from the Operative. However, the dynamic of the interaction had changed, and not slightly, and therefore, if the Siren thought her tactile whims would be forever bent to without consideration to Dorya’s own ideas, she would quickly find she was mistaken.
Keretheriel’s grip on the back of the Operative’s neck was solid, but as she exerted pressure to pull Dorya toward her, she would find her desire to bend the Variance facing the same kind of resistance a statue gives to requests to reposition itself. The Operative stood firm, like stone, and therefore her face would get no closer to Kereth’s unless the Siren herself rose to the proverbial challenge.
Further, instead of pulling her face close enough for the Siren to get her teeth around Dorya’s full bottom lip, instead the Operative would carefully straighten her back again, causing Kereth to be forced to either hyperextend her arm uncomfortably or rise after the small-statured woman herself. The amount of strength present behind Dorya’s most subtle actions would be felt under her flesh, if Kereth paid attention to the smooth, hard tension of her musculature, and even the unnaturally-comprised Kereth would be unable to create physical resistance that Dorya could not effortlessly overcome.
Perhaps the Siren would let go and forget the intimate punctuation to her words, or perhaps she would rise and attempt to do the same once she stood again on her own two feet. If she rose, Dorya wouldn’t stop her mouth’s intimate caress, but either way she would respond in low, even tones.
“I don’t experience contentment, and I likewise have no use for your platitudes. I will act as I see fit, for my own reasons, yet the particular nature of my existence makes me unable to directly disobey my given mandate. If you aren’t creative enough to find me useful, then neither of us should be wasting our time.”
Dorya’s dark eyes were as hard as diamonds as she stared down the woman opposite her, the Operative’s rigid form remaining completely unmovable to Kereth’s physical suggestions.
“So, perhaps you could go into a bit more detail as to your implications. Or, what purpose my avoidance of the topic of your male friend serves, since we only have a short time before the Magistrate will be joining us.”
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Post by Keretheriel on Dec 26, 2014 23:28:49 GMT -5
Keretheriel's words did not change but, at the first inkling of resistance from Dorya, a grin began to spread across her mouth, defining her features and─ for the first time since the Escort had met her─ reaching her eyes. The Siren wouldn't seek to force her little Messenger Girl to do anything she clearly didn't want to do, but her resistance was cause for an almost giddy response. When she found that Dorya would not be pliant to her suggestive touch Keretheriel simply let her hand slide forward, along the line of her jaw until her thumb could brush against one corner of the other woman's mouth.
When Dorya spoke, following up her physical rebellion with stoic grit, Keretheriel relaxed, raising an elbow to rest on the arm of the couch, fingers twisting a lock of her own blue-black hair. It was clear that she was amused by the Escort, but there was something else there if Dorya wasn't incensed enough by any perceived condescension to miss it: the Siren studied her as if she'd just done something remarkable and she had no intention of stifling what another might see as a temper tantrum.
”What do you want for yourself, Dorya?” The words were calmly spoken and paired with the Siren's undivided attention, Dorya would suddenly find herself the focus of the kind of intensity that could overwhelm the lesser into stuttered replies and hastily withdrawing glances.
”You offer yourself up to be considered for my use, but you present no terms to secure what it is you want as well. I hardly believe the security of the Magistrate is your only concern─ even less so when you make such an offering without understanding what I might want of you. . . This is what negotiation is, Dorya. If you have something I want or need, you must ensure that I will give you the same.” Though the words might seem patronizing, the Siren's tones were anything but: something had sparked Keretheriel to level with the woman. Perhaps Dorya would sense that if only because she called her by name─ the inflection of which was quite pleasant to listen to in the Siren's thick, wintry accent.
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Post by Tahliya Carystian on Dec 26, 2014 23:56:10 GMT -5
Dorya’s dark eyes didn’t miss any of the Siren’s nuanced expressions, and while the Operative couldn’t sort them into their very precise meanings without more knowledge of how Keretheriel operated, she had learned enough about the woman not to misconstrue interest as condescension. The woman’s manner was taken at face value and responded to in kind, without a glimmer of emotional investment on the part of the Variance.
“I want a seat at the table.”
The Operative gave a clear, concise answer to Kereth’s question, possibly for the first time throughout their time together. The Siren could seemingly claim triumph by breaking through the woman’s resistant barriers and claiming the knowledge she had been searching for, but the truth was that the Variance simply made a choice. Alpha had positioned this opportunity before her, and the Operative realistically had very little to lose by choosing to interact with Kereth, and yet very much to gain, dependent on how the pieces were arranged by the Magistrate on the board. And while the Siren may have been unimpressed with Dorya’s level of negotiating tact, the Variance was playing her strategy carefully while she waited for the players to take their positions and for the game board itself to be revealed.
“But the mechanics and meaning of my desires will make little sense to you now, and I don’t have time to give you the proper context, at least not yet. So, as a gesture of good faith, with the understanding that the information could also be useful to me in my future dealings with one Ms. Devinian, I’m prepared to discuss what you want from me, now, in this moment, in exchange for what I want from you later, which for now can just be considered an agreement of future cooperation, and disclosure of certain specific information about your discussion with the Magistrate.”
Dorya bit her bottom lip thoughtfully as she looked down at the Siren, the barest hints of a smile forming at the edges of her mouth.
“Is that enough negotiation for now, or should I be trying to work sexual favors into the deal?”
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Post by Keretheriel on Dec 28, 2014 18:44:08 GMT -5
The Siren's brow quirked almost imperceptibly, but the breadth of her grin was not diminished: in fact, it only seemed to grow when Alpha's agent responded. She didn't speak immediately, choosing instead to let Dorya finish her thoughts. Finally her hand dropped away from her Escort and Keretheriel settled further back into the plush couch cushion, still idly wrapping a heavy lock of her own lengthy hair through her fingers. The Siren's expression was an interesting mix of serenity and thoughtful amusement before her wrist at last relaxed and the silky strands of deepest black were dropped.
”I don't care how you use your discovery about your Lady's recreational activities in your dealings with her. I'd simply prefer to keep my companion's existence out of the Magistrate's focus for the foreseeable future: when I have finished my business with him then Alpha can deal with him however he wishes.” Keretheriel made a dismissive gesture with one of her hands.
”I have no stake in what happens here. If you think I can be of some use to you after my little rendezvous with Alpha then I am willing to make this trade with you. If there is to be continued cooperation between us, there will be further negotiation, Dorya.”
Those preternaturally pale eyes burned into the other woman.
”I can appreciate lust of all types. . .”
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