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Post by Tahliya Carystian on Jan 6, 2016 21:10:52 GMT -5
{ Enter Tahliya and Keretheriel from The 100th Balcony }
The lift wouldn’t take very long to go from the 100th to 97th floors, giving Tahliya no real time to answer all of Keretheriel’s questions. As the doors opened onto the 97th floor, however, and its open, marble-floored antechamber, the Operative did sneak in a quick observation before getting back to the business at hand.
“Wait until you meet Søren before you judge anyone’s ability to be diplomatic with her.”
The young Operative smirked slightly before stepping out of the lift and moving toward the small desk set to the side of the lift bay. Behind the pristinely-clean, wood-paneled desk was a tall, spindly, pale man who was clearly older, his head more than half bald, leaving a ring of white hair running around the back of his head from the line of his ears. He smiled pleasantly at Tahliya, who nodded in greeting but skipped right to the point, avoiding basic pleasantries in the name of efficiency.
“I am here for the penthouse requested by the Tower?”
The man smiled and nodded, checking something on his desk before producing a set of ornate, complicated-looking keys that were seemingly made of iron.
“Of course – Miss Keretheriel, is it?” The man looked immediately past Tahliya to the Siren, clearly understanding the Operative’s role in respect to her charge. “Room two will be yours. I certainly hope the accommodations are to your liking – if they are not, please let me know and I will ensure any issues are immediately rectified.”
The man pointed to a set of double-doors just down the hall behind him and to the left and handed the set of Keys to Tahliya.
“Also, we have a dedicated protection detail on this floor, so please inform us if you are in need of protection when venturing out – we will be happy to provide it. Have a pleasant stay.”
The man was pleasant, but kept a very professional demeanor as he spoke – if he was effected by the force of Kereth’s presence, he didn’t display any sign of it. Nodding in thanks, Tahliya would take the keys and step around the desk, heading to the indicated door and slipping one key in the lock. A slight whirring sound emitted from the metal door lock as the key slid in, and after a few seconds, and audible click signaled the opening of the door – holding the heavy wooden door wide open, Tahliya would wait for Kereth to enter before going in also, closing and locking the door behind her and slipping both keys carefully into one of her jacket pockets.
Once inside, Kereth would see the enormity of her new, if temporary, lodgings. The entire visible bottom floor, containing a very large, spacious living room and open kitchen unit with a cooling structure, a cooking surface, and an island with wine glasses and a venting system suspended above it, was tiled in rich, dark woods, and there was a rectangle of plush, dark-colored, modern couches surrounding a glass-top table set atop a deep, grey fur-style rug that covered the majority of the living space. The kitchen unit was situated to the right of the huge room, and where the kitchen ended so too did the ceiling, leaving the living room with a second story worth of vertical space, allowing the far wall to be a set of solid, two-story tall tinted windows, giving residents a fantastic view of the Airdock below and the mountain range behind it. An ornate crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling, and the walls were part wood paneling that was darker than the floors and part deep, green paint. A hallway to the left hand side of the room led to a bathroom, office, and second bedroom, with an iron-rout, black spiral staircase situated in the corner where the living room and kitchen met, leading up to a loft set above the kitchen that acted as the primary bedroom. It contained a very large bed, and continued the windows and the view from the living room, with a bathroom attached at one corner with a bathtub that was large enough for several people to sit in it comfortable.
The entire penthouse was well decorated and filled with many pieces of finery, from local art pieces adorning free wall space to a small bar situated in one corner of the living room that came fully stocked. Past the large, rectangular space occupied by the couches was a large, six person dining table made of deep mahogany, outfitted with place settings and a tasteful crystal and wood centerpiece. Each of the rooms, including the loft, had spacious closets, and a coat closet sat just to the side of the double-doored entrance just before the right turn into the kitchen area.
Tahliya stood carefully near the door and clasped her hands behind her back in her typical at-ease position while she judged Kereth’s reaction. Responding to the Siren’s comments, the Operative gestured to the expansive space with a small, knowing smile.
“Unfortunately, right now we got this place at a discount – the trouble in Seventh lately has caused such a trade slowdown these rooms aren’t in high demand. Usually it’s much harder to procure one – this floor, and the two above it, are favorites of Azalethan dignitaries and businessmen.”
Tahliya would allow Keretheriel to look around while she carefully removed her coat and stashed the garment in the front coat closet, leaving her clad in her boots, gloves, and tactical bodysuit. Once she got settled, the woman’s gloves would likely come off to, but for now she waited to see what Kereth would be wishing to do.
“I have lodging in the Tower, but I believe it makes the most sense for me to stay at your side while you get acclimated, at least for now. I’ll take the secondary bedroom, or one of the sofas if you have need of that room for something else. As for dinner, the cooling unit and pantry are fully stocked, so I can make something, or we can have something sent up from the hotel’s kitchens, which I hear are quite good. There is also a full bar, if you want something to drink.”
The lodgings were extensive, and huge – a decision made by Tahliya herself using the fairly expansive operational authority Alpha had given her on this assignment.
“I hope you are pleased.”
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Post by Keretheriel on Jan 13, 2016 23:35:11 GMT -5
Keretheriel kept her thoughts to herself at Tahliya's aside about Søren's apparent inability to be diplomatic. Instead she chose to follow her Aide out of the lift and toward the desk and the man behind it. The Siren watched the interaction between the two of them, her brow raising slightly at the keys produced before her pale gaze met that of the man's at the mention of her name. If she was surprised by the dynamic and his direct addressing of her it didn’t show: Keretheriel's smirk merely shifted into a smile that showed teeth, her chin dropping slightly in acknowledgement.
"I'm certain everything will be wonderful." And she believed every word she said or, at least, her tone was sincere.
Those pale, pale eyes tracked the movement of the keys as they were handed to Tahliya, who promptly moved toward the door the gatekeeper indicated. The Siren's head tilted a touch as her gaze returned to the older man― though he wasn't really older than she, was he? The corners of her mouth relaxed, returning to the tease of a smirk that seemed to be a default expression for the vixen of a woman. The tips of delicate fingers slid along the edge of the reception desk as her body turned to slide after the other woman in a long, liquid motion. Her face turned to watch the progress of her hand's trek against the wood of the desk and just before she released its edge her eyes found that of the gatekeeper and she paused.
"Enjoy your night, Lovely. I certainly will.'"
Her smirk stretched wider before a few clicks of stiletto heels had her sauntering after Tahliya and into what was apparently her living space for the foreseeable future. As the door closed behind them, Keretheriel couldn't quite keep herself from snickering. Her head shook, rustling voluminous midnight tresses as she immediately walked to stand before the windows and look out over the City. She stared for a moment or two before turning to her Aide, her mirth lessening somewhat. The remark about the slowdown of Seventh District was tucked away: another piece of valuable information she needed to remember when dealing with Mirr and probably Khestralicht. The Siren remained silent as Tahliya put away her coat, and then continued to speak.
"You'll have the bedroom if that is what you prefer." Kereth smirked.
"Are you pleased, Tah-lee-hah?"
The Siren watched her intently, her expression becoming more or less unreadable.
"Or would you prefer to return to the Tower?"
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Post by Tahliya Carystian on Jan 15, 2016 18:49:18 GMT -5
Tahliya locked eyes with Keretheriel and somehow managed to totally hide her exasperation. Seemingly nothing would distract the woman from trying to play mind games with her – to ‘figure her out’ or ‘read her motives.’ It wasn’t that Tahliya was totally unused to being felt out in such a way, considering that as an Operative, she often had to slip past individuals probing questions and gain their trust. With Kereth, though, the woman’s single-mindedness when it came to dissecting Tahliya’s motives was somewhat grating.
Replaying their evening so far in her mind, the Operative briefly searched for some indication as to why Keretheriel seemed so fixated. Boredom, while potentially part of the woman’s need to focus on her companion, definitely couldn’t be the only answer. In all of her other interactions, save for the one with Alpha, the Siren had seemed to know instantly how to influence and manipulate the perceptions of the people she encountered, sometimes on a mass scale. Was that why she seemed so interested in the Operative? Because she hadn’t figured out the ins-and-outs of affecting her yet?
Tahliya almost blinked – that explanation made the most sense, but it also came with a catch: if Kereth actually did figure out what she wanted to know about the Operative, there was a chance she would become disinterested, and her sudden inspiration to help Tahliya advance her aspirations would likely disappear along with the Siren’s level of interest. Assuming that was the case, Tahliya had to walk the very fine line of being honest enough to give Kereth needed information, but mysterious enough so that she would not be able to be read openly by the chain-clad vixen. Manipulation of that kind had never exactly been Tahliya’s preference, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t capable of it. Making her decision on tact and finishing her processing in a matter of short seconds that, to Kereth, would likely seem like just enough pause for the woman to put her thoughts in order, Tahliya smirked and slowly began to peel off her gloves, pulling each finger in smooth, practiced series as she spoke.
“It’s the most practical decision. Truthfully, I don’t have a preference as to where I sleep – I’ll stay wherever makes you comfortable. I’d have offered to stand watch over your room instead of sleeping if I thought you were paranoid or if there might be a need for it, but this set of lodgings is reasonably safe, especially since you haven’t yet made your presence too widely known in the city.”
Tahliya walked a few steps to carefully set her gloves down on the corner of the island countertop in the eating area, keeping her face turned away from the Siren, but keeping watch on her through her peripheral vision.
“My staying here, bedroom or otherwise, does present the issue of clothing, though. Since, as you indicated earlier, I should change my style of dress to better suite you and my new position, I’ll need to send out for a few things. Luckily, there is a full-service clothier and stylist department in Tower 67, since it’s a common request from wealthy business clients.”
The Operative caught a glance at herself in one of the wall mirrors, and her eyes instantly flashed: the woman staring back at her looked like Dorya, not Tahliya, and suddenly that fact was intensely relevant. Turning away from her own image after a few seconds, the Operative’s dark eyes would meet back with the Siren’s as she let her expression fall neutral.
“Since I’m not yet perfectly acquainted with your tastes and preferences, perhaps you would give me guidelines or recommendations on what to have sent? I can have food brought as well, or make something while you settle in.”
Glancing back at her reflection briefly, Tahliya made the fast decision that she was going to cut her hair, but resolved to actually handle the logistics of the act at a later time, given the complexity of performing it. However, she was instantly pleased with her decision, and therefore turned back to Kereth with a slight smile in order to answer her earlier question.
“I’m pleased. Now – dinner?”
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Post by Keretheriel on Jan 23, 2016 17:42:30 GMT -5
Of course nothing would distract Kereth. The Siren was virtually single-minded when there was something or someone she was interested in. Though what Tahliya would have to learn for herself was whether or not her estimation of the vixen's attention span was accurate.
After her Aide spoke of her lack of preference Keretheriel's head tilted to the side as she regarded the other woman.
"Even if your choice is basely solely on convenience or efficiency, my Love, then it is still a preference."
Her posture straightened.
"Now then, yes. Wardrobe changes. Speaking of. . ."
Her voice trailed off only for a moment as the delicate chains adorning her body melted down, shifting from icy silver to deep, intense purple and from metal to silk. It was a simple dress― far less elaborate than anything she'd donned thus far― but that did not mean it was in any way unflattering. Long, billowing sleeves gave the silhouette more of a loungewear feel. Clearly the Siren meant to be comfortable. Nimble fingers tightened the wide sash at her waist as she stepped forward, gesturing for them to claim seats on the plush couches.
"I would suggest you think carefully about colors that appeal to you, choose two or three and keep to that range. As far as style goes, what you wear should make you feel yourself." Her already-heavy accent thickened on her tongue. "You desire power and so you should wear that which makes you feel powerful. The style is not so important as how well anything you wear fits. . . If you look to have a seat on the Council I would think wearing things that cause an onlooker to believe you are one of them would be ideal."
"As for dinner, let us send for something. I know nothing of Vascxious Sigma's cuisine. Do you have any favorites?"
The corners of the Siren's mouth curled into a small smile.
Now they were getting somewhere.
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Post by Tahliya Carystian on Jan 24, 2016 8:31:19 GMT -5
Tahliya didn’t respond to Keretheriel when the Siren attempted to make her point about preferences and decisions. The woman struck Tahliya as some strange breed of the ‘I am always right’ type of personality, and so the Operative let her have the last word rather than start a bickering contest over semantics. Tahliya smirked slightly as the Siren changed her clothes using some form of illusionary magic; having no real basis for understanding the mystical, the Operative wasn’t highly concerned on how the woman was doing what she was. The fact that she did, and more importantly could do the types of supernatural things she managed, however, was worth noting.
“That must come in handy – I wish it were so easy for me.”
Tahliya expected a smooth, carefully-crafted and witty comeback from the Siren, but would only smile in response – the dig was intended to let the woman have the ‘last word’ as Tahliya thought on what she said about clothing choices. Color choice had never been something the Operative had considered very highly, and therefore she didn’t have a good concept of ‘favorites,’ or particular associations between colors and perceptions or emotive responses for that matter. She knew what she didn’t like, however – the dark blue of her coat, and the dogged attachment to black were both indicative of her Operative status, and therefore Tahliya decided immediately not to choose either again, if possible.
As far as colors or styles that Tahliya actually preferred, the Operative had always had a liking for grey, silver, and teal, of all things. Grey and silver reminded Tahliya of Alpha, and therefore her most poignant example of ‘power’ in the sense by which Kereth was using it. Teal, on the other hand, was more of a personal preference – Tahliya couldn’t explain why she liked the color, but it had strangely always appealed to her.
Tahliya kept those colors in mind as she contemplated potential wardrobe choices, but the Operative quickly realized she would do far better to be given option than to try to invent a ‘look’ inside her own head, from scratch. Therefore, as Kereth went to sit, the Operative instead stepped to a matte-black panel set into the wall near the door and carefully tapped on its corner, engaging the accommodation pane’s operation. Orange writing appeared on the screen, and the Operative quickly navigated through several menus before reaching the clothier accommodation. Choosing a wide berth of choices, Tahliya signaled the hotel to send a selection of clothing in her given color ranges and appropriate sizes for the Operative to try – anything chosen would automatically be charged to the Tower’s account.
That done, Tahliya turned her attention to food – considering that Keretheriel wasn’t aware of the normal Vascxious Sigma faire, the Operative quickly picked out a selection in the culinary accommodation menu, her fingers skillfully picking through the orange lettering in order to make the appropriate selection. When she was finished, she shut the system off by tapping her fingertip at the corner again, causing the panel to fade once again to black, removing the final message on the screen regarding the length of their expected wait. Selections made, Tahliya finally stepped back into the living room to join the Siren on the sofas. The Operative took a seat near one of the corners and carefully folded one leg over the other, her hands resting onto of her superior knee. Tahliya made eye contact with the Siren and smiled carefully.
“Vascxious Sigma is a very diverse place – we eat food in a variety of styles and traditiions. We produce a lot of our own food here now since we developed hydroponic technology and learned to grow things underground and in harsh climates. I ordered a selection – it should be here shortly.”
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Post by Keretheriel on Jul 20, 2016 15:51:14 GMT -5
{ Some time later. . . }
Keretheriel inhaled slowly as she looked out at the City's flickering ocean of lights. The haze didn't exist here either: probably due to the same magic or technology that kept the skies clear for the lounge area in the 100th Balcony.
The day had been remarkably long and intense for the Siren. In fact, since she'd awakened and rejoined this new 'modern' world she couldn't say she'd experienced a week's worth of events in a single day. She'd finally found the City that saw the death of Visas Arktouros. She'd reconnected with a devilish figure from her past― a couple, actually. Both had offered their respective propositions.
The vixen idly tongued the corner where her lips met.
Her world had suddenly become very, very complicated and she'd be lying if she thought she knew what to do about it. Kereth watched her own reflection as she listened to the interior of the penthouse. If Tahliya was still in the common areas of her temporary living quarters she was dead silent and attracted none of the Siren's attention.
Pale eyes slid out of focus.
Accepting Alpha's offer and obtaining a valid reason to remain within the confines of the Trade City came with a definite collar― one Kereth hoped wouldn't effectively trap her once her stay in Vascxious Sigma needed to come to an end. Her core tightened as she began a slow exhale, gaze lifting and sharpening on what lay beyond the glass. Her impulsive nature had gotten the better of her and now that whatever mania had possessed her earlier was wearing off she was all too aware of it.
Kereth felt the pane's cold from far away as she traced a fingertip lightly over the glass.
Why had she become so manic? Was it just a high from seeing Viers again?
The same fingertips brushed across her lips― the ridges cool against her flesh.
Speaking of. . .
She searched as best as she could, looking for the mark she'd painted on her would-be lover before she'd been forced to part from his company. A delicate furrow formed in her brow when she realized she couldn't sense him at all. Had he figured out she'd tagged him that quickly? Keretheriel took a step back from the glass and crossed her arms. She knew it was trivial to be vexed over his apparent in-the-wind status, but somehow she felt that keeping him close would prove to be very useful if he meant to ally with her as he said. Perhaps Viers would be the key to unlock whatever collar Alpha tried to fix on her. She did have much more immediate priorities, but recovering Viers was certainly top-of-mind.
Kereth's teeth clenched as she rubbed her temples.
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Post by Tahliya Carystian on Aug 3, 2016 19:15:31 GMT -5
It’s amazing how much harder it is to stare at oneself in the mirror when they are not truly sure of who they are.
Tahliya sat still and silent facing the ornate, beautiful vanity in her moderate-sized, first floor room, and examined her own face as if for the first time. How many different people had she been: ten, fifteen? Had any of them really been her? Was there even a her, a true person to be found beneath whatever manufactured persona she wore at the time? Tahliya, who had been Dorya just hours prior, knew she could have claimed any of the various identities she had occupied throughout her short time living as her own, but none of them were really matched to what was inside. Her hopes, her aspirations, as long buried as the might have been, were still there: and that meant there had to be a real person to go with them.
Right?
The Operative saw her reflection’s mouth move to create a small, sad smile. Truthfully, Tahliya would never really know what of her thoughts were really hers, and which ones belonged to someone else; she would never be able to fully discern what had been implanted in her when she was created, and what had come out of her own growth as a person. Worrying about it wouldn’t solve much either: trying to suss out one’s own existence was an endless and mindlessly-philosophical loop that spun even the strongest personalities into broken personas who jumped at the shadows of reality. Tahliya had no time for any of that.
That meant deciding on herself. Even if it was wrong, the Operative had to take ownership of a self and cultivate it, create it in the coming days, weeks, and years, growing it into a whole person regardless of whether she had started out as whole or not. Tahliya would have to make her own choices – and that meant, for now, starting to define her own identity, both physically and in action. For the moment, that meant defining Tahliya as an identity that was inclusive of, but still separate from, the Operative Dorya.
The woman’s fingers carefully tugged at the end of her long braid, unravelling the strands and letting the dark, wavy, waist-length expanse of of her hair free from its perpetually confines. The candle that Tahliya had been using to light her room flickered as the Operative’s fingers ran through it, her skin glowing faintly with a silver light as the arcane inscriptions lining her body activated, just slightly, to take the heat energy out of the flame and crystalize it, adding it to Tahliya’s already dense physical structure. The room plunged into darkness as the flame, and its light, vanished, its energy converting to physical matter thanks to Tahliya’s tattoos, with that matter depositing itself along the fingers of her right hand, creating silver-white, shining, bone-like claws with razor edges along the tips of Tahliya’s two most dominant fingers.
In the dark, the Operative moved by feel, carefully etching and tearing at the steel-like, reinforced fibers of her hair, slicing and cutting them into a perimeter around her shoulders that sent a great bit of dark hair plunging to the ground around the vanity chair, snaking and curling like thousands of tiny tendrils of shadow. Once she was done, Tahliya stood and walked nearer to the door to press the light panel, bathing the whole room in a pleasant, warm-yellow glow from the overhead light installations. She sat back down as her fingers shed the extra tools it had created like brushing away dust, and Tahliya looked at herself for the first time. Her dark skin, the silver-etched lines of her tattoos running across her cheeks. Her dark hair spilled in loose, feminine curls around her face, just rolling over her shoulders. Though it may have been a small change, the hair made all the difference in Tahliya’s presentation – rather than the careful, militaristic attitude of Dorya, Tahliya was more subtle and more approachable – already her features were starting to favor a variant of the coy smirk Kereth seemed so fond of rather than the careful guard of Dorya’s visage.
It may have seemed a small change, but to Tahliya, it was a large step, and she meant to carry her change through much further while she had the time to herself. The Operative stood and began shedding her clothes down to her underwear, taking the time to examine her body carefully before moving to the cart of fashionable clothing that she had wheeled into her bedroom after it had been delivered and Keretheriel chose to retire. Over the next several hours, Tahliya would pick and prod at the different pieces, slowly piecing herself together a set of outfits she felt most appropriately matched her new self. It was a slow, deliberative process, and as she made each decision, the Operative heard the same chant going through her mind, a mantra that, somehow, magically, was summoning the creation of a brand new self.
Tahliya Carystian – Vascxious District Councilor
{Some time later . . .}
Tahliya perked up as she heard the door-chimes, instantly on alert. The hour was too late for official visits to be taking place – that potentially meant that there was a problem that needed to be addressed, and that also meant that it was the Operative, not her assignment residing upstairs, who should be dealing with it.
The woman strode from her room to the door quickly and checked the viewer, only to suddenly jerk back at what she saw. The jester-like visage of the Magistrate’s mask was unmistakable, but the fact that he was there, in Seventh District, was untenably strange. The woman didn’t hesitate to open the door, of course, but once she did, she stood there for a moment without saying anything, still processing the possible meaning of a magisterial rendezvous.
The Magistrate, also, would likely be surprised by who greeted him. Gone was the militaristic Operative Dorya – in her place was a very different figure wearing very different faire, her dark hair loose in gentle curls, her black bodysuit discarded and replaced by more colorful and fashionable items. The woman’s top was made of a translucent, silver-scaled fabric, with a moderately-plunging neckline that stopped just above the woman’s nave, leaving it bare. Below was a long, though asymmetrical grey-silver skirt with a high slit on the left and a long, flowing drape on the right, leaving much of the woman’s left leg bare above her black combat boots. Over the minimalist clothing was an armless jacket – dark grey, with bright turquoise strip-detailing along the lapels and sides, which flowed into separate panels in the front and back and was clasped loosely at the woman’s waist with a silver hook. The color of the clothing matched the Operative’s tattoos so well that the designs seemed to flow out of the fabric, and the only article that seemed to have come from Dorya’s personal style were the boots. The woman might have even been wearing silver earrings, though her hair made it difficult to tell.
After a moment of pause, Tahliya finally addressed the Magistrate, bowing her head appropriately as she did.
”Magistrate Virianus: I wasn’t expecting you. Please, come in.”
Tahliya would carefully step out of the doorway to allow Alpha to enter and then close the door behind him, turning carefully to face him in the penthouse’s foyer.
”What brings you here so late?”
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Post by Keretheriel on Aug 3, 2016 20:05:24 GMT -5
In all fairness Keretheriel really tried to focus on the incredible amount of information Tah-lee-hah had given her, but found herself unable to ground herself. Already she was restless, but couldn't tell if it was because she needed to decompress or if it was just continued side effects from having slept a few centuries: there had been a couple of times directly after she'd awakened that she'd felt overwhelmed and overstimulated. Not the type for introspection Keretheriel hadn't given much thought to the possibility that something might actually be wrong with her― not when it was so much more likely that she was simply adjusting to the new world she found herself in.
As for today, certainly strange things had happened and there was suddenly quite bit of pressure that hadn't been there before. She knew eventually she'd get through it: the vixen was a survivor; she always managed to get through it. It was then that the chimes interrupted her thoughts. Ethereally pale eyes locked on the door as if they could penetrate the heavy wood and grant a view of the common area and, subsequently, the front foyer. The Siren listened for a moment for Tahliya, wondering who would be stopping by this late. Surely if any of the Councilors wished to meet her they'd have the decency to schedule for the morrow? Not that Kereth required the sleep, but etiquette had to still have a place in the world. . .
The Siren's expression froze on her alluring features when she heard Tahliya's voice through the door, one of the few distinguishable words being, "Virianus."
Keretheriel let out another slow breath, collecting herself rapidly as she did so. The Magistrate had dropped by, late in the evening, for whatever reason and Kereth intended to capitalize on the opportunity to interact with him― whatever that might mean because she didn't exactly have a plan yet. The Siren glanced down at her attire, acting quickly to do some re-shaping. . .
The door to the midnight-haired woman's bedroom opened.
"Tah-lee-hah?"
The Siren stepped out into the common area with slippered feet, her bare hands pulling the confines of a very sheer, long robe closed over a short-ish, semi-fitted garment that was clearly meant to be worn at night for sleep and was probably the only layer Kereth wore under the nearly-transparent robe.
"Oh, Magistrate. . ."
Delicate brows rose as the Siren's just-recently-folded arms relaxed and dropped to her sides, confirming that there was indeed nothing under the ivory-toned nightdress to impede her curves.
"I wasn't expecting you. . . So soon."
The faintest smirk curved her bare lips as she stared at Alpha.
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Post by Virianus Devinian on Aug 3, 2016 20:30:24 GMT -5
Virianus took the span of hesitation offered by Dorya’s answering of the door to combat his own surprise. While Alpha was certainly used to the Operative taking on different personas and looks whilst in the confines of her assignments, he nonetheless had not been prepared for the depth of physical change that the woman opposite him had undergone in the span of an evening. Even still as she ushered him in, the Magistrate did not hesitate, and spoke his own greetings as he stepped across the threshold.
”I understand that you were not, and duly apologize for my late arrival.”
As the door closed behind him, Alpha turned to carefully examine his Operative, and nearly began speaking further to answer her initial query. Yet, as he did so, the Mistress of the house came to call, her words interrupting and filling the space where the Magistrate had intended to lay his own. It was just as well that she did – Alpha quickly deduced that, along with the change in appearance, ‘Dorya’ had likewise adopted a new name, and was glad not to have yet uttered her previous moniker in greeting. Alpha was used enough to the thick accent of the Siren that he was able to sound out and restructure the name, and though he dropped his head down in a bow as Kereth arrived, seemingly not noticing the structure and function of her garments, the Magistrate first chose to address Tahliya, and answer her initial question before moving on.
”Tahliya, is it? What a lovely name – it well fits your new presentation, which is singularly striking. Have you also chosen a surname? I would very much like to inform Ms. Vaughn of the change so that she may inform the remainder of the Council and interested parties, in order to avoid any mischaracterization they might impose on you through ignorance.”
Alpha reached a gloved hand out to gingerly clasp the end of one of Tahliya’s loose curls between his thumb and forefinger, giving physical assent to his approval of the change. The gesture only took a manner of seconds, and once it was done the masked Magistrate turned to Kereth, who was descending the stairway past the kitchen, her garments flowing behind her as she descended, and spoke just loudly enough that his deep voice carried clearly across the room.
”Indeed, and as I did to dear Tahliya, I apologize to you for my late arrival, though I suspected you both might still be wakeful, hence my decision to come now, rather than to wait for morning.”
Virianus strode past Tahliya into the large kitchen of the penthouse, stopping halfway between the door and the stairway in order to allow Kereth to come the rest of the way to his location before they continued conversing. Assuming that the Operative had taken her place within the bounds of the area of conversation as well, Virianus would turn towards her first, but pivot midway through his words to focus on Keretheriel.
”I am here, in fact, to see you Tahliya, and deliver a message for you of some importance. However, since I find both of you awake, I wonder if I might not have a private word with Keretheriel before I get to the proverbial point fo my stay. I should very much like to know how you are adjusting to the city and its sights, and strategize a touch with you regarding your upcoming meetings with the Counselors. Would that be acceptable?”
The question was directed at Kereth, and she alone.
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Post by Tahliya Carystian on Aug 3, 2016 22:39:45 GMT -5
Tahliya regarded the Magistrate evenly as he remarked on both her new look and name. That his reaction was both so accepting and so accommodating struck something within the Operative, and she filed the feeling away for later analysis. For the moment, Tahliya gave Alpha a slight, crooked smile and answered his question succinctly.
“Tahliya, yes: Tahliya Carystian.”
The Operative did not move away as Virianus moved to touch her hair, nor did she change the nature of her expression, though his actions made the earlier feeling that Tahliya was having click into sharp focus. Virianus had planned for her to change, and had set her with Kereth for the explicit reason of pushing her into a new phase of life. It was essentially the only explanation for the nature of her current assignment, and Alpha’s response to her metamorphosis confirmed Tahliya’s earlier suspicions that the Magistrate was setting her up for advancement within the Magisterium. The realization set afire a new confidence in the Operative’s breast, and that Alpha still dictated control over her with his actions bothered her less, given the context, than it had in previous times.
“I’d appreciate Raife’s assistance in notifying the others of the change; things always go smoother with her involved.”
As the Magistrate moved in to the kitchen to approach Keretheriel, Tahliya kept pace, and so when Alpha turned back to her, the Operative met his gaze head-on, her back a bit straighter and her chin a bit higher than they ever had been previously when addressing the Magistrate directly. That he had come to see her specifically was a surprise, but the Operative didn’t let her lack of foresight on the nature of his visit show on her face. If the Magistrate wanted to talk to Kereth first, so be it: Tahliya had every intention of listening in, of course, to better grasp the strange and complex relationship dynamics at play between the two, but she didn’t feel ready to insert herself, still a minnow, between these two particular circling sharks.
Tahliya would smile slightly and nod her assent to the Magistrate, taking a quick glance both to check Kereth’s opinion on the situation and, as it turned out, to take stock of what her assignment was wearing; or not wearing, more appropriately. She might be taking a few style cues and bold suggestions from Keretheriel’s wardrobe already, but the woman didn’t have the kind of confidence necessary to convey the kind of presentation that Kereth was currently constructing, so she would leave well enough alone. Still, Kereth would undoubtedly be aware that the Operative had definitely noticed her particular choices, and their objective appeal.
“If that is what you both want, I’ll retire to my room until you need me, and give you both some privacy.”
Tahliya would check to make sure that Keretheriel wouldn’t stop her from leaving for some reason. Assuming the Siren gave her okay, Tahliya would move back down the hall from whence she came, leaving the Siren and the Magistrate to battle relatively unobserved.
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Post by Keretheriel on Aug 3, 2016 23:09:46 GMT -5
The Siren hadn't allowed herself to do more than glance in Tahliya's direction, but what she saw would have brought the widest of smiles under other circumstances. While Kereth was mildly surprised by her Aide's newly budding identity she had no intention of allowing Alpha― or anyone else― to know that she was unaware of the changes. The still-longish curly hair suited the other woman and radically softened her: she'd gone from sterile Operative to Aspiring State Politician in very little time. Perhaps there was a tinge of pride in the vixen's pale gaze when she looked Tahliya's way.
Keretheriel's smirk widened just a touch when the Magistrate stepped away and apologized for calling so late. The Siren slowed to a halt once she'd completely descended the stairway and leaned slightly against the bannister, taking in the scene. There was no way to tell from her current expression that she'd been brooding darkly over her current situation. If anything Kereth seemed unperturbed― amused even― that Alpha had ventured to meet with her in her private quarters regardless that it was really Tahliya he "meant to see."
"A private word, Alpha? It must be terribly urgent to be sending you to my quarters at this hour."
The smirk on her mouth did not lessen but her chin dropped slightly, maybe issuing challenge with those staring eyes of hers. Is that all you came for, Lovely. . ?
"My door is always open for you, Magistrate." The thickness of her accent was more purr than anything. "Shall I invite you to my sanctum, then?" She gestured up the stairs, the way she'd come, placing only slightly more emphasis on "sanctum."
"Or is the common area suitable for your," she paused almost imperceptibly,"needs?"
Kereth nodded in Tahliya's direction after a moment, offering her a very brief smile.
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Post by Virianus Devinian on Aug 3, 2016 23:33:32 GMT -5
Devinian Virianus didn't hesitate to affirm Tahliya's choice of surname, tracing his tongue over the syllables carefully in order to be certain that he pronounced them correctly.
"Carystian. Lovely. I shall inform Ms. Vaughn at once."
Alpha turned his attention fully to Keretheriel as Tahliya chose to remove herself from the immediate area. He knew, of course, that the Operative would be listening, but that hardly mattered - the dance he and the Siren had entered only earlier that day was just as all dances were - an elaborate show, and meant to be observed, if in the appropriate context. The Magistrate made no move to get comfortable within Keretheriel's space - he did not advance, nor remove his gloves, and he certainly did not make any motions to remove the mask of his office to more casually interact with the Siren. Instead, he stayed in place, still in the kitchen, and carefully clasped his gloved hands before his waist.
"Oh, I would hardly impose so handily on you as to dictate the place of our meeting within your home, Keretheriel. We should certainly meet wherever it is that you feel the most comfortable, whether that be here, within the common area, or in your chambers. I only wish to put you at ease: then, where is it that you would prefer we conduct our . . . business?"
Alpha expertly aped the Siren's nearly-imperceptible pause as he spoke, matching her innuendo with one of his own, though his inflection, undoubtedly, would seem the more benign of the two if judged by an outside observer.
"After all, I wouldn't wish to impose on a lady of your caliber's sanctum without explicit invitation."
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Post by Keretheriel on Aug 3, 2016 23:59:18 GMT -5
Oh, there it was. The razor-wire sharp tension that had been present when they'd be negotiating her terms earlier had returned. Alpha had an uncanny way of leaving the field so open that any directing he might be doing to steer the situation was infuriatingly difficult to see clearly. Would she invite him to her bedroom because it was what she wanted or because it was what she thought he wanted? They were two alpha Wolves circling each other, only Alpha seemed aloof enough that his participation might only be a projection the Siren was creating. That was, until the tiniest pause confirmed their dance.
Keretheriel's smirk shifted closer to a grin as her lips parted.
This was a man that would provoke his quarry into exposure and only watch as they fumbled for resolution to the tension. It was a tactic she'd used herself and she could admit when she admired the mastery in someone else's hand. The question was, how long would he be content to only observe? Could she provoke him? These were dangerous questions, but Kereth was unfailingly classed as a risk-taker. If his past behavior was a reliable predictor of future behavior the Siren felt fairly secure that no amount of pushing this early would land her in hot water. Perhaps an invitation to her bedroom later, when she was officially one of his Eight would carry more risk. For now, she felt it would only layer on the friction.
Good. She wanted a distraction.
"There's no place more private than my room. Come, we will talk there." She flashed him a demure smirk and gestured for him to follow her up the stairs.
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Post by Virianus Devinian on Aug 4, 2016 0:12:28 GMT -5
Virianus smiled slightly beneath his mask, but his mannerisms did not change in the slightest at her suggestion, as if either choice held the exact same level of interest for the Magistrate; he even suppressed the sly remark that might have come in other instances at the woman's assertion as to the rank of her room in the hierarchy of private places. As Kereth herself was, Alpha chose to temper the games somewhat, rather than accelerate them too readily. After all, the tension was more worthwhile than the inevitable break, at least at this stage.
Alpha would move up the stairs at a leisurely pace, following slowly in Keretheriel's wake until he reached the room she had quite recently made her own. Assuming that the woman did not stop to hold the door, but instead moved into the room on her own, Alpha himself would let the barrier click closed at his back. Once inside, the Magistrate would await the Siren's action in determining where to take up a more permanent, and possibly relaxed, station, but in the meantime, Alpha spoke casually to the woman as she found her own way to settle within the boundaries of his presence.
"I hope that your accommodations are to your liking: dear Tahliya has made an excellent choice in location. Tell me, did you dine upstairs, at the 100th Balcony? I would be most interested to hear your thoughts on the establishment, and the District it so elegantly overlooks. Few views can be treasured as highly as those presented from within this building, surely."
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Post by Keretheriel on Aug 4, 2016 9:32:48 GMT -5
Keretheriel didn't react when the click! sounded behind her, but the sound set her teeth on edge. She hadn't stopped to hold the door, choosing instead to step into the room almost in the exact position before the window she'd taken up before Alpha's arrival. Her posture relaxed and the already-loose robe around her shoulders slipped a little more. The Siren eyed her reflection on the glass for the second time that night before shifting her stare to observe the Magistrate. The urge to cross her arms now that she was in another room with a closed door and Alpha himself was fairly strong but Kereth betrayed none of her nerves. She watched him for a moment longer through the glass and when he began to speak she turned 'round to face him, silky midnight hair catching the light when she moved.
"Tahliya chose very well. I most appreciated the view of Seventh District, and the rest of the City."
The Siren paused there, taking a step with a slippered foot and closing some of the distance between them.
"Though I'm certain you care very, very deeply for how I am settling in I have my doubts about it being a driving force behind your visit. Such a busy man you are, Alpha. I'd like to think you simply looked forward to seeing me again so soon, but—alas— I don't imagine you to be driven by things like base desire."
Her smirk turned playful and though she might have wanted to move closer the vixen stayed rooted.
"Shall we discuss strategy or am I, how is it said, all business?" Alpha was given a long, measuring look. "What would the Magistrate of Vascxious Sigma do for pleasure anyway?" The distinct winter accent thickened as she held her ground, watching him through heavy lashes.
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