ooX ✘ and i- i took the one less traveled by [ location: gatas castle | visual ]

[herquietude]

As she stirs, it's almost immediately clear to Petrana that she isn't where she belongs. This is not Riva, nor any of the bedchambers she's most accustomed to occupying there or elsewhere. She considers this new development in her situation with slightly more tranquility than might be expected of her, her hands folded on her stomach as she regards

Comments

[ location :: countess's chamber ]

[oneofthequick]

Doul is very good at doing what he's told and it shows in how he follows instructions without hesitation. However, it is worth noting that he has examined this new Petrana with a critical eye. Similar, but definitely not the same woman

[ location :: countess's chamber ]

[oneofthequick]

"Until my arrival, I hadn't either," he admits. "I don't know if those who leave retain their memories of this place, but I've heard that when those who have left are called back, they don't usually remember Taxon or the people of this place."

[ location :: countess's chamber ]

[herquietude]

"So I might well not remember any of this," she surmises, pausing over the thought. "It's a dream, then."

[ location :: countess's chamber ]

[oneofthequick]

Doul is quiet and still for a moment before speaking, "Consider this a holiday. A few days without consequence."

[ location :: countess's chamber ]

[herquietude]

"Without consequence." She laughs, suddenly, pressing her hands to her stomach. "Well, I will enjoy them while they last. You know how politicians are, Doul- or I suspect very heavily that you do."

[ location :: countess's chamber ]

[oneofthequick]

"Very well." There's a quiet sound that might be his own laugh. "I know them well enough to avoid them, at nearly all cost."

[ location :: countess's chamber ]

[herquietude]

"I'm sorry to make you break your streak," she says carelessly, brushing her hand 'apologetically' over his shoulder as she passes by him to peer through the doorway behind him that leads to the Countess's dressing room.

(Petra has her doubts that they share the same taste in clothes, and this robe hangs oddly enough that she doesn't think they're the same size, but what else is she going to do?)

"You'll have to forgive me."

[ location :: countess's chamber ]

[oneofthequick]

Now Doul laughs in earnest and shakes his head before replying, "Already forgiven, Lady. You are far more polite and less likely to throw me from a great height than most politicians I know."

[ location :: countess's chamber ]

[herquietude]

"A lady never throws a man out of the window if she can pay another one to do it for her- and since you seem to be my own personal bringer of violence, it'd be dreadfully impractical on my part to take a dislike to you. Wouldn't it?"

The witch of Riva is not a fool.

[ location :: countess's chamber ]

[oneofthequick]

"A very good answer. Do you need to know my qualifications or will you trust your alternate's choice?" It's only fair that he asks -- after all, she only has his word on who and what he is.

[ location :: countess's chamber ]

[herquietude]

"I do trust her choice, but I'd like to hear why she made it all the same. Tell me about yourself while I rummage through her things, would you?"

[ location :: countess's chamber ]

[oneofthequick]

"Of course, and should you require anything, there are 'hatches' throughout the castle. You picture the piece you want, place your hand on the metal plate, and the item appears." Isn't Doul useful to have about the house?

"I was born and raised in the necrocracy of High Cromlech. Until my mother had herself put down and raised from the dead, my family was of middle to low standing. After that, I devoted myself to my studies, which took me in an unexpected direction," he says, neatly glossing over the more unpleasant aspects of his work. "I found my sword, the Might Sword, so called because it acts both as a weapon and as a probability device, and was press-ganged into service. I spent the next decade at sea, serving the Lovers aboard the great, floating city of Armada. I can fight in a variety of styles, and did so in holy gladiatorial combat."

[ location :: countess's chamber ]

[herquietude]

Petra's head emerges from the dressing room's open doorway again when he says 'necrocracy' and she's leaning there against the frame by the time he's finished. "I was right," she laughs, with a little edge in it, "you do remind me of Martel. The more things change...I wouldn't repeat my observation to your Countess, if I were you. That's a very interesting tale, Doul."

[ location :: countess's chamber ]

[oneofthequick]

"Any particular reason that I shouldn't repeat it?" Forewarned is forearmed, or something equally trite. "I hope that it's not too great a slight on my character."

[ location :: countess's chamber ]

[herquietude]

"Oh, no...my husband was a great man. A madman and a murderer, but a great man. Suffice to say it's complicated."

[ location :: countess's chamber ]

[oneofthequick]

"I'm sorry that he's passed." Clearly, that's the most appropriate response.