Denoutment, or, Her Majesty's a Pretty Nice Girl

[aureliaofarista]

And soon, early that evening, Phoenix is at the palace, about to depart but discussing the case a little with Aurelia and Erasmus, surrounded by their respective security details, and one or two secretaries

Comments

[aureliaofarista]

"So good to meet you as well, Mr. Wright. I've been briefed. Very unusual idea, Aurelia dear. Well done. Well done on everything, and I'm not surprised at all that you managed." The women in the matching blue dresses hug, too, once the Empress weakly steps over to Aurelia. Then she turns back towards Phoenix, clutching at Erasmus's hand.
"I of course can't thank you enough for your helping my son, Mr. Wright, or your assistance in bringing the real threat to light. But I certainly don't intend to encourage prolonged awkwardness Pat?"

"Majesty?" Pat dashes forward rather gleefully, gets a reasonably long set of whispered instructions, and dashes off with a nod.

"Mother," Erasmus say, not quite frowning because OMGMommy!, but concerned, "I have every intention of--"

"Erasmus," she says interrupts sweetly, with just a little rasp of weakness. "In certain circumstances, things need to be done a certain way. Now, Mr. Wright," She smiles at him, oozing poise and dignity as much as one can while leaning a little on someone else's arm. "I of course realize you haven't seen Our Island at its best, but I suppose you must be reasonably used to such unpleasantness in your line of work."

[wright_idea]

Phoenix blinks as Pat runs off, wondering what that was about, then turns back to the Empress. "Ah, well, it is an unfortunate side effect to the job, yes. The truth tends to be kind of ugly." He finds himself wondering briefly how well the prosecutor is going to handle this overall turn of events. It can't be easy to find out your sister is an attempted murderer.

"Anyway, I'm glad to have been of assistance. Especially with a politically tricky case like this."

[aureliaofarista]

"Indeed, I should definitely think that an outsider's perspective was extremely helpful in some ways; in keeping a reasonably level head about matters if nothing else," says the Empress. "And touching upon cross-cultural issues, I have an unusual question. I realize that some things, for instance, metals, have different availability and different industrial, scientific, and cultural significance in different places. And so I am curious, Mr. Wright: do they have silver where you come from?"

[wright_idea]

He nods, then blinks at the question. "Ah, yes, they do. It's used in jewelry a lot."

[Wait, what?]

[aureliaofarista]

"I'm quite glad to hear it. We have something of a tradition in Arista, Mr. Wright. While it would of course be offensive to assume that a gentleman serving as an advocate needed money for it, it's customary nevertheless to give some sort of token of appreciation." She smiles as Pat wanders back in with a rather large cloth-covered bundle. "Thank you, Pat. And I am sure everyone would agree -- if for no other reason, admittedly, than that I'm saying it right now and everyone's glad to have me talking again-- that the best gift in such a situation would be practical from a cross-cultural standpoint."

Pat brings the slightly-clinking bundle over to Phoenix and sits it down effortlessly and cheerily. But one might want to keep in mind that she has preternatural strength.

"So before you go," the Empress says pleasantly, "We certainly hope you'll accept this.

[wright_idea]

Phoenix visibly sags a bit as the bundle is passed over to him. It's HEAVY. And... silver.

He's honestly at a loss for words. So few of his clients actually pay him anything without having a bill waved in front of them, let alone... something like THIS.

"Ah, you didn't really... have to gimme something this nice... 'm honored..." he mumbles, unsure of what else to say.

[aureliaofarista]

The Empress just smiles. "We really did, Mr. Wright. In our own opinions. Well, with so much going on, it's probably best if Pat sees you home now. Perhaps, depending on circumstances, we'll see you again in better times."

And after polite goodbyes, Pat will indeed see him home. And carry the bundle of silver for him. Because he doesn't look like he can handle it in a healthy fashion.