[ visual ]herquietudeJanuary 22 2010, 09:54:30 UTC
Dawn probably remembers this voice from the last time she and Petra spoke; it's the one that all mothers know how to employ and frequently do so without prejudice. It's currently being used by a small noblewoman holding a cup of tea and still wearing a deep purple robe while she finishes waking up before facing the day. "Dawn," she says, mild, "your tablet."
...this is how she compromises on the differences between American and Elenic sensibilities and the fact that this really isn't is her business.
[ visual ]herquietudeJanuary 22 2010, 09:58:45 UTC
"I know it was, dear. You'll be more careful in the future, though, won't you?" Petra warms her hands around the teacup, sitting down in front of the tablet and letting the Extra maid take over her hair while she talks to Dawn. (The attempts to handle it herself had been abandoned fairly early on.)
[ visual ]tothelibraryJanuary 22 2010, 10:03:02 UTC
"I will. I didn't know it was recording until the whole... you know, people commenting thing. Which was awkward. But, um. Thank you." Dawn will just be babbling now.
[ visual ]herquietudeJanuary 22 2010, 10:04:58 UTC
"You're welcome," with a faint, wryly amused kind of a smile. "Now, I will have a promise out of you, little miss. You have to promise that you and I are going to have a conversation one day where I don't worry about you for an instant."
Look at her serious face, Dawn. She is magnificently serious.
[ visual ]herquietudeJanuary 22 2010, 10:22:03 UTC
"Xander," Petra commits the name to memory, holding her head still for the combs to be slid into place. "Well, it is a pleasure to meet you, young man. My name is Petrana, Countess of Gatas. I trust you're treating Dawn well?"
Respectfully? Her piercingly inquisitive gaze suggests that she is only too willing to be delighted and impressed by him, and that the alternative is finding a way to weaponize Severus Snape.
...look, Dawn responds so well, she can't help it.
Petra, you are oddly intimidating and Xander is just a little scared of you.
"The pleasure's all mine-- and wow, a Countess? That's very impressive. I have a friend who's a Count. He's less personable though." Xander, don't bring up Dracula in polite company, okay?
"And yep-- definitely treating her well. Wouldn't dream of otherwise."
[ visual ]herquietudeJanuary 22 2010, 10:40:56 UTC
Civility and sweet reason are underrated tools in the intimidation arsenal. Petra's always found that the notion of getting further with a smile has a myriad of practical applications, many more than she thinks her own mother intended when she floated it the first time.
"Well, you both must join us for dinner in Gatas soon," she decides, sipping her tea. "I insist."
[ visual ]herquietudeJanuary 22 2010, 12:28:59 UTC
"I look forward to meeting you in person," she says, blithely pleasant, and beams at Dawn. "And you, my dear. For now, you must both forgive me if I continue my preparations in private."
Her tablet clicks off; Petra has too many things to do and most of them require that she not be wearing her dressing gown.
Dawn probably remembers this voice from the last time she and Petra spoke; it's the one that all mothers know how to employ and frequently do so without prejudice. It's currently being used by a small noblewoman holding a cup of tea and still wearing a deep purple robe while she finishes waking up before facing the day. "Dawn," she says, mild, "your tablet."
...this is how she compromises on the differences between American and Elenic sensibilities and the fact that this really isn't is her business.
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"I know it was, dear. You'll be more careful in the future, though, won't you?" Petra warms her hands around the teacup, sitting down in front of the tablet and letting the Extra maid take over her hair while she talks to Dawn. (The attempts to handle it herself had been abandoned fairly early on.)
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"You're welcome," with a faint, wryly amused kind of a smile. "Now, I will have a promise out of you, little miss. You have to promise that you and I are going to have a conversation one day where I don't worry about you for an instant."
Look at her serious face, Dawn. She is magnificently serious.
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She really does kind of want to roll in Petra's mom-concern. Or maybe make a blanket out of it for bad nights.
...In the purely metaphorical non-creepy way. Of course.
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Though Petra turns her head for ease of combing, her smile is half-visible and wholly audible. "Good girl. And good morning to your beau, of course."
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"Good morning to you too, ma'am."
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"Xander," Petra commits the name to memory, holding her head still for the combs to be slid into place. "Well, it is a pleasure to meet you, young man. My name is Petrana, Countess of Gatas. I trust you're treating Dawn well?"
Respectfully? Her piercingly inquisitive gaze suggests that she is only too willing to be delighted and impressed by him, and that the alternative is finding a way to weaponize Severus Snape.
...look, Dawn responds so well, she can't help it.
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"The pleasure's all mine-- and wow, a Countess? That's very impressive. I have a friend who's a Count. He's less personable though." Xander, don't bring up Dracula in polite company, okay?
"And yep-- definitely treating her well. Wouldn't dream of otherwise."
Reply
Civility and sweet reason are underrated tools in the intimidation arsenal. Petra's always found that the notion of getting further with a smile has a myriad of practical applications, many more than she thinks her own mother intended when she floated it the first time.
"Well, you both must join us for dinner in Gatas soon," she decides, sipping her tea. "I insist."
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"Sounds great! I'd like that very much. I'm very good, with the eating."
...fail more, Xander.
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"I look forward to meeting you in person," she says, blithely pleasant, and beams at Dawn. "And you, my dear. For now, you must both forgive me if I continue my preparations in private."
Her tablet clicks off; Petra has too many things to do and most of them require that she not be wearing her dressing gown.
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