(Untitled)

[milenaroew]

[At first there is only static, and silence, and then more static. And then a breath - exhale, like a sigh, and when Milena's voice begins, it is quiet, and almost gentle. Even-toned, as the screen shows only her fingers tracing lines up and down the armrest of her oversized mahogany and velvet chair.]When I was a child, I lived in a palace, in a

Comments

[immortal_shot]

Quite a gathering, I see.

Power-drunk royalty always have been difficult to deal with, though the right words and gifts do tend to make them weak-kneed.

[milenaroew]

My thoughts exactly. Though I am, myself, somewhat inclined toward the behavior of power-drunk royals.

[She doesn't sound like she's kidding. Although she may be.]

[immortal_shot]

They may tend to overindulge.

I see no shortage of flatterers around, but I do have some experience with poisonous royalty, if it's necessary.

[milenaroew]

It seems there's no shortage of such things, regardless of world. Would you be willing to accompany the procession?

[sonvisage]

[The person responsible for her sickness? For Lupin's? Scar's? Oh, you better believe she's in.]

I'll flatter her all you like. But tell me, when the poison takes effect will she be vulnerable for a moment?

[milenaroew]

[A curious pause. A bit of hesitation.]

Why do you ask?

[sonvisage]

I'd like to see her head on the floor, is all. And not from bowing in supplication, or loss of balance due to poison.

[milenaroew]

[A short, sharp laugh.]

Understandable. But a poor idea.

She is one of us, after all. And if she returns to life in three days... let us say simply that she will not be fooled twice.

No, I have another idea. A way to keep her... incapacitated.

[impossibly]

Skin as white as snow.

I can be a bannerman.

[milenaroew]

[She hesitates for a moment, and sounds a bit... nostalgic when she speaks.]

...yes. Snow was my name, when I was a child. Or, the word they used for snow, on my world. I suppose that makes us two of a kind, little river.

[impossibly]

[ a giggle ] Suppose it does.

[milenaroew]

You will be a... bannerman, then. Meet with us here:

[shh, this is absolutely a time and place.]

[popparazzi]

I can speak to her as well, if you'd like. I figure I put all that talking I do to some sort of use, yes?

[Because he learned something about flattery and bullshitting from the best in the military. Oh, and Roy.]

[milenaroew]

Yes, that does seem reasonable. In a way, it's rather unfortunate, but there can be no excess of flattery, in her case. It would be helpful, yes.

[popparazzi]

Well, I've learned a thing or two about flattery without over doing it. It's something you have to learn when dealing with the brass in the military.

[milenaroew]

Yes, I do remember something like that with my husband's militia. [there's a bit of a tone to her voice - silly people and all their wars. But she moves on quickly enough.]

Very well then. Meet with us here.

[Picture, if you will, a time and place.]

[Video]

[becoming_gau]

[He's a little beaten up, but it's nothing too bad, really! The teenager attempts a smile for the Forge.]

I would like to come along, and I'm sure I could come up with an interesting bauble of some sort. I'm quite good at bowing and scraping...

[Video]

[milenaroew]

Very good, then. Please meet with the delegation at the following location and time...

[...let us pretend one is here.]

My thanks.