004 ❀ Invisible words explode with scorn

[floreatnoctem]

[Hey there tower- you know this face? She doesn't make it a point to use the network often, but when she does, it's usually for a good reason. Today's reason seems to be making announcements, settled in the library with tea beside her and her sketchbook in hand as ever.]

Strega- we will have breakfast tomorrow. All of us. Please don't make me have to come and bring you down. It would assuredly not be worth the trouble.

[Don't make her do it boys. It'll be ugly. Or at the very least, unpleasant.]

Willow- I have more things ready for you, if you would care to come try them on. I feel I may need to request a few more types of fabric from the tower if I am to continue, however. I would like to get the rest of these done properly or not at all.

[Because so many projects, so little of the necessary fabric to use- but half-assing things isn't her style.]

There is one more matter I'd care to bring up, if I may. Her Imperious Condescension, if I might request your attention a moment.

[She picks up her tea then, fingers curling delicately around the cup. It's not an actual request of course, because she takes another sip and continues on regardless-]

It has come to my attention that you have taken issue with the fact that one of your subjects is in a moirallegiance with me. While I am certain you have nothing but his best interests at heart- [she's absolutely sure of the opposite, actually]- I feel I must implore you to kindly mind your own quadrants. Presuming of course, there are any more of your subjects here loyal or willing enough to enter into them with you. If not, perhaps you should look into finding a quadrant-mate outside of the limited number of your people- it seems to be working out just fine for some of the rest of them, after all.

[She takes another sip of her tea, then sets it aside and reaches forward toward the console.]

Ah- and if you should hurt him again like you did before, I believe you will find that not everyone is quite so willing to let you do as you please, Highness.

[Chidori out, yo.]

Comments

[Filtered/Voice]

[benigncancer]

[Worriedly watching this]

Chidori... Be careful.

[Filtered/Voice]

[floreatnoctem]

'Careful' with that woman gets one seemingly broken ribs and a bruised face.

She may do her worst- I will not fear the likes of her.

[Filtered/Voice]

[benigncancer]

Did she hurt you?

[miseris_socios]

Fine. I'll be there.

[floreatnoctem]

Would you care to help me get things ready, Ken?

[miseris_socios]

[... Oh. Well.]

Sure. I'd be glad to help. I can help with the cooking too, if you really want...

[orphans]

[his life



is over



brb joining darkleer in exile]

[floreatnoctem]

[at least you'll have good company


no, she doesn't mean Darkleer you drama queen]

[Action...?]

[benigncancer]

[Signless is out looking for you, Dualscar]

[Action]

[orphans]

[and dualscar, quite the opposite.

signless will eventually find him in his room, sitting on his bed with head in hands. but if he knocks before entering, there won't be any answering.]

[video]

[guiltapalooza]

[Oh. This means she needs to leave her room, which she should probably do anyway. Willow doesn't really want to have the I-died-and-Eridan-died-and-I-lost-my-magic conversation again, but it'll probably come up, and she can't ignore Chidori. She likes her. They're friends.

Clothes are probably a good distraction, anyway.] Okay. I'll-- come up? Where do you want me? Thank you for everything again, by the way.

[Yeah, she's not looking her usual self today. Very much worn out and withdrawn.]

Be careful if you ask for anything from the tower. Be incredibly specific. And... be careful with the Empress, too.

[video]

[floreatnoctem]

If you would like to come to my room, I am in 1-19. It is likely to be much quieter than most other places.

[The quietness doesn't escape her, but she's not going to ask about it where just about anyone can worm their way into the conversation. She has a little more respect for delicate subjects than that. Usually, at least.]

I will be wary. Of both things, I assure you.

[video]

[guiltapalooza]

Your room sounds good. Okay. [An exhale as she gathers herself.] I'll come down soon.

[Willow appreciates her not prying. It's going to take her a bit to work herself up to going through the whole song and dance one more time. Too bad she couldn't just make one big PSA, but that was about the opposite of hiding how powerless she was.]

Yeah, I probably don't have to tell you that, huh? You're a lot more calm and capable than I am. And it's about time someone told her what they were really thinking, anyway.

[entropied]

Idi0t.

[floreatnoctem]

I do not believe your opinion was requested, whoever you are.

[entropied]

I d0n't care.
The 0nly thing y0u are g0ing t0 acc0mplish is getting y0urself killed.

[Voice]

[cullionfish]

[Sorry Chidori, all you get is really condescending laughter.]

Really. Well then, little girl, if you are so interested in Alterian custom, then you won't mind settling this my way.

[She snorts.]

As for the Orphaner, he is good as dead to me, squandering my rare and gracious gift of mercy. I will not be making that mistake again.

[Voice]

[floreatnoctem]

[Honestly, she was expecting either that or some serious Imperial Rage. She's honestly not sure which is worse.]

And what way would that be?

[A pause.]

You would truly throw someone so loyal to you away so easily?

[Voice]

[benigncancer]

One by one, they abandon you, Condesce, or you throw them away.

When will you realize that the problem's not with them?

[Voice]

[miseris_socios]

['Scuse me but -]

Don't. Touch. Chidori.

[Video] Public he doesn't give a shit who sees/hears what

[fractus_animus]

[ You know... he was going to say something in anger, but after listening to everything that's happened... well.

He's surprisingly calm. Human he may be, but they've no fear of death or repercussions. Why should he not talk to her? ]

... I feel sorry for you.

You don't have anyone you truly care for, do you? All you can do is murder, backstab, and discard anyone who's ever cared about you. You don't try to talk to people at all, except to be condescending, because you can't afford to be weak.

... I know your type.

They usually end up sad and alone. So, how long are you going to keep the charade up? That you're this all-powerful, uncaring ruler who people had better not cross?

I'd be careful if I were you, though--it would be unwise to make enemies of the entire Tower at large. You know, you have a chance here, to change that. Are you going to take it, I wonder?

[morituramfides]

Breakfast? Are we going to Church in the morning too?

[Leaning back in the computer chair, no fucks given!]

[floreatnoctem]

We might catch fire, Jin.

[Calm as hell, even if she looks a little gaunt.]

[fractus_animus]

... I guess it can't be avoided, can it? Do you want help?

[ A pause. He knows it's probably not worth asking, but... ]

Hey... I know this is your choice, but... are you sure you want to do this?

[floreatnoctem]

It cannot. And as much as I will likely need it- this is between her and I.

[A sigh.]

Yes, but even if I did not, she would not make it difficult to go through with. But no matter what happens, her victory will be a hollow one.