Video ❖ 5 || Filtered 98%

[knightmare_hime]

[Filtered to only those who have met her in canon and in Demeleier.]

[A soft, melodious giggle can be heard over the network. It is a sound that is feminine and uncharacteristically dainty for the Britannian princess that slowly comes into view. She looks exactly like Cornelia li Britannia save for the yellow, glowing eyes, which squint shut as

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[Video | Private - 80% Hackability]

[a_la_turk]

[ The first thing one might notice after the feed begins playing is that Valeria is staring rather intensely at the woman presently visible on her communicator -- more intensely than she likely intends, if the faint blush on her cheeks is any indication. Not that she realizes it, she really doesn't, for the concern that is prevalent in her expression is great in comparison. That same concern is rich in her tone, in her voice. ]

Cornelia...

[ She knits her brows, opening her mouth and closing it just as quickly. For some reason, it hurts. Even though they aren't very close and they've hardly spoken outside of the professional matters, she feels like she should have known, like she should have noticed and done something. ]

Is this really what you think of yourself?

[ Why didn't you say anything? You... you're not -- ]

[Video | Private - 80% Hackability 1/2]

[knightmare_hime]

[Another voice. And another face. Someone not quite as familiar. Glowing eyes glance down at the screen, watching the other woman for a moment, her expression unreadable. All things that she might expect are obvious in the other woman's countenance. Concern. Worry. Regret.]

[Video | Private - 80% Hackability]

[knightmare_hime]

[It's delicious~

As is the subtle change in color across the bridge of Valeria's nose and cheeks.]

Valeria. My brother's most trusted emissary. [She cocks a brow, intrigued.] Are you blushing?

[Like she's going to answer dull questions. She's in much too good of a mood for it to turn sour. The angle of the view changes as she grabs the communication device, moving toward the cot and displaying a full view of herself again. One hand moves to her shoulder, where she begins to push a single strap down her arm.]

You don't mind if I change, do you?

[Video | Private - 80% Hackability]

[a_la_turk]

[ No sooner than the first question is posed does Valeria quite literally, reflexively slap against one cheek for verification. To her horror, Cornelia -- or rather, Cornelia's Shadow -- is right, but that, it doesn't make sense. It doesn't make sense at all until she catches the descent of the strap and she feels the heat spread rapidly through her face. Then, it really doesn't make any sense and logic, logic gives way to instinct. ]

C-Cornelia, don't do that! Why would you do that?!

[ The instinct of a young woman from a pitifully backwater town, that is. That instinct dictates that undressing is a personal, private matter, not something you do in front of others unless they're family or it's absolutely necessary and -- and that rule really doesn't apply here, but -- ]

Y-you shouldn't be wearing so little anyway! You're going to catch a cold!

[Video | Private - 80% Hackability]

[knightmare_hime]

[She chuckles at the slap, her hand halting on the thin string of material, which has now slipped all the way down her arm. She makes no move to fix it, nor does she continue to undress. At least, not for the moment.]

How charming you are~ [Her lips settle into a bemused smile.] So caring. So... dutiful. I see why my brother has found you so useful.

A pity that I can't have you all to myself...

[Video | Private - 80% Hackability]

[a_la_turk]

[ And Valeria was all set to breathe, to take a step back and regain her composure before she said anything else... until, of course, Cornelia went and said that. Except, and she has to remind herself, that this isn't Cornelia, but her Shadow, which means that --

OhdearsweetShivawhat, why...!? ]

You don't mean that. You don't!

[ The words are out of her mouth before she can consider if saying them is truly a good idea. In truth, she isn't entirely why she's acting the way she is, why her pulse is racing and her her heart is thundering in her ears and there are one thousand and one butterflies fluttering in her stomach. She hasn't felt this way since she was a teenager under rather specific circumstances and she doesn't like it, the feeling or the conclusions she's trying so hard to avoid and weave around.

There's no way they're true. ]

And I meant it when I said you should put some clothes on, too! I don't want either of you, either of you catching a cold!

[ Funny how insisting upon this isn't making her feel any better or more

[Video | Private - 80% Hackability]

[knightmare_hime]

Ahhh, but I do~ I meant every word.

[This woman is even more entertaining than she could have hoped for. Still ignoring the clothing bit. She settles back into her seat comfortably, long legs and shapely thighs now visible as she props them up in front of her.]

You seem to care so much about my brother. But, really, I wonder just how much he cares about you.

[Video | Private - 80% Hackability]

[a_la_turk]

[ Sobering, those words, and while Valeria's first instinct is to draw back for the additional sight provided, she doesn't. Her focus has been has shaken and forcibly redirected to Cornelia's words, which have the gears in her head turning despite the heat coming off her cheeks in waves. Her tone cools, her eyes narrowing marginally, almost defensively. She doesn't like the turn this conversation is taking and it shows in the little ways. ]

I care about a lot of people, Cornelia, and your brother is not the focus of this conversation. You are.