Enter the amazing(ly evil!) Guy!

[guyexplains]

[Guy is seated at the bar, lounging with half an eye on the door but otherwise just smiling in bemusement as his drink, lost in his own thoughts. What's unusual is his outfit. Usually he's the type to wear some color, and nothing so overblown as the uniform he's now in, but black seems to be the theme and he wears it like it's natural. To those who

Comments

[quecaneatit]

[You cannot expect the Cosplay Emperor not to be drawn in by sudden wardrobe change. Peony is going to just come over and sit down with Guy like a boss]

What's with the new look?

[because a question like that needs to be asked right away, duh.]

[servidude]

[...What the hell is with Malkuth's higher echelons of power being all friendly with him?]

Wouldn't you say it's more like an old look? [It's been a while since he's worn the uniform.]

[quecaneatit]

Nah, I'd say it's more like you're catching Jade's disgusting fashion sense and his tasteless humor.

[servidude]

[He touches the edge of the glass to the bottom of his lips and smiles without any sincerity.]

Please don't compare me to that man, Your Majesty. You'll make me sick.

[quecaneatit]

[Peony laughs]

Man, what a relief. At least you've got some good sense buried under that get up.

[behind the laughter though, Peony is sizing Guy up, because he knows enough insincere smiles to spot one a mile away. He leans on the counter, his demeanor still laid back as he peeks at Guy's glass, tapping the side of it]

If you don't want to be compared to him, you'll have to stop picking up his bad habits.

[servidude]

I'm afraid this is my own bad habit, Emperor.

[Still formal and... Careful. He did not expect to meet Peony here and he's not sure what to do about the man. Honestly, he doesn't have anything personal against the man, but the Empire took as much from him as Kimlasca did. Peony's as much a pawn as the rest of the world. But he could be a useful pawn.]

Is there something I can do for you?

[quecaneatit]

Is it? Huh, I guess I'll have to start paying more attention. The things that go down when you're stuck in the cabinet's evil clutches.

[he looks half scandalized and half amused. The scandalized part is for show more than anything]

Whoa. That's a pretty bold way to talk to an Emperor. If I didn't know better, I'd think you were trying to get rid of me.

[servidude]

Maybe you should get out more, experience the world.

[He stands and steps around the bar to pour another drink, leaning forward to place it in front of Peony, his arms crossed on the counter as he leans right into the Emperor's personal space to set the glass down. And then doesn't lean away once he has.]

My apologies. That was rude of me. Stay and have a drink.

[quecaneatit]

[Peony looks at Guy uncertainly. He is not sure if Guy has been taking a trolling course from Jade or what, but Peony is thrown and not sure how to respond.Well done, Guy]

Yeah, I'll have to try that getting out in the world, once it's council approved.

[Peony is still not sure how to respond to whatever this is, as he waits for Guy to move out of his personal space. He's going to try complete directness and see if that has any effect]

If I'm staying, you're telling me what's going on with you. You're not yourself, Gailardia, and it's starting to creep me the hell out.

[servidude]

[Still smiling Guy just leans on his arms, not backing out of Peony's personal space, but not moving closer either.]

Waiting for someone else to give you permission? Is that any way to rule a country? Even Kimlasca's princess makes her own choices and sets her own mind, you know.

[He picks up the drink in front of Peony, movements slow and languid, and then rests there with his elbow on the counter and the glass a couple inches from Peony's lips, tilted slightly towards the man in an open invitation--more like demand--for the Emperor to take it. Or drink. Guy doesn't care, but acceptance or rejection.]

Do you really know what I'm like, I wonder? You seem to think you do, but you can't even leave your own palace without permission. What a limited view of the world you must have.

[imperiator]

[a careless shrug as he tries not to be bothered. Although, what's more bothersome aren't Guy's words, but his sudden personality change] Not everyone can afford to be that selfish. If you keep saying things like that, you're going to make me jealous I don't get to be young and impulsive like you guys.

[Peony stares at the glass for a few seconds, before stretching his arms over his head and standing up under the pretense of stretching out a little more. He's going to attempt to jump over the counter to go look at the bottles on the other side of the bar and put a little distance between him and Guy]

How about you expand my worldview. What kind of person are you, Gailardia?

[servidude]

[Guy watches Peony, but doesn't follow him. He could, at this point, insist on invading the man's personal space, make him uncomfortable without quite crossing any lines. Plenty of ways he could do that, and he considers them, and then just stays where he is and takes a sip of the glass Peony rejected.]

[It amuses him in a cruel way that his proximity has made the Emperor--so famous for his casual manner and easy ways--retreat a bit.]

I'm the kind of person I've always been, Your Majesty. I wouldn't want to bore you with such boring self-indulgence. I'm sure you have more important matters to think about.

[imperiator]

What's more important than the welfare of one of my valued citizens?

[servidude]

I'm hardly a citizen of Malkuth, Your Majesty, honored as I am you'd consider me such.

[A hand over his heart and a quick, shallow bow. His voice is mocking and his expression innocently open.]

[imperiator]

So, what are you?

[the mask of vague amusement is starting to crack, but Peony is still holding it there despite his concern and confusion. He's figured by this point this isn't the Gailardia he knows. It'e either an experiment or another universes Gailardia. Either option is worrying]

[servidude]

A member of the Oracle Knights. I thought Jade would have reported that back by now.

[Calmly taking another sip of his drink as he watches Peony with close, interested scrutiny.]