Interesting Revelations

[teach_them_all]

It is dark outside the room, or the appearance of a room. Softly lit by no apparent source, two high-backed chairs face one other, one empty, one seating a beautiful young-looking woman dressed all in white.

There is no sound but the suggestion of silvery rain outside the wide arched windows.

Comments

[teach_them_all]

A tall woman dressed in a severe bronze silk dress, quite high-necked. An imperious walk before sitting in the high-backed chair. A cup of wine appearing before her.

"Greetings, Lanfear."

[nights_daughter]

Lanfear inclines her head graciously as silent lightning flickers outside.

"Mesaana. It has been a while, has it not?"

[teach_them_all]

Mesaana's face twisted slightly as she picked up the cup of wine, offering this gesture in place, perhaps, of a bow. Her crystalline voice was icy. She wanted little to do with the meddlesome Lanfear if it did not involve her downfall.

"Dispense with the pleasantries, Lanfear. Why did you want to meet with me?"

[nights_daughter]

A small smile brightens Lanfear's features further and she shakes her head very slightly. She does enjoy putting Mesaana on edge.

"Ishamael," she says, after smiling sweetly for a moment or two. "I wondered if you had noticed it too."

There is no love lost between them, whether he is responsible for Mesaana's recent setbacks or no, it is a safe enough question.

[teach_them_all]

She wanted to discuss Ishamael. How... interesting. What did Lanfear want with Ishamael? Surely, she was not... No, she needed more information first. She took a long sip of her wine - extra time to think. It was best to be vague.

"What of him?"

[nights_daughter]

"His recent and uncharacteristic... distraction."

She watches the other Chosen's eyes carefully while delicate fingers toy with a silver bracelet.

[teach_them_all]

A small sniff from Mesaana. What was she getting at? Either way, she had little love for Lanfear.

"He has many distractions, a characteristic of madness."

[nights_daughter]

Lanfear raises an eyebrow.

"And you really believe I asked you to a meeting to discuss the fact that Ishamael is mad? I specified both recent and uncharacteristic. He appears to have taken a holiday."

And if Mesaana is in possession of half a brain, she will see that is wrong.

[teach_them_all]

Ah, so Lanfear was curious about Ishamael's little romantic sojourn. She too had heard of this holiday and with his little doxy gone as well, it was obvious. Now, how much did Lanfear know....

"And you are curious as to why?"

[nights_daughter]

"No, I know his reason."

Does Mesaana? Lanfear suspects she does - she is well-informed, and no fool most of the time - but how much more...

[teach_them_all]

A raised eyebrow as she slid her thumb around the rim of the wine glass. If she knew, or thought she knew, at any rate the reason, then what did she want?

"Then, what are you after?"

[nights_daughter]

"New influences are always dangerous," she says. "They can be unpredictable. I am in the process of acquiring as much information as I can to make sure it becomes less so."

But also because she wants to know.

[teach_them_all]

A tilt of her head. What was she talking about? Surely, Lanfear was not more informed than she. Surely.

"New influence?"

[nights_daughter]

Lanfear watches her coolly.

"Surely you don't believe Ishamael chose to put all his projects on hold for several days by himself?"

[teach_them_all]

Mesaana shrugged calmly and sipped her wine. This was hardly a revelation to many.

"I know that he decided to take his lover on a romantic vacation, but this is hardly news."

[nights_daughter]

Lanfear looks calmly patient.

"But it is entirely unlike him. He is a busy man, particularly now, and never inclined to waste any time available. What level of influence must the child exert that he removes himself so entirely to spend time with her?"