• Closed • Operational Excellence (Charlotte)

[Virikai Talius]

21st Trial of Ymiden, 718

Pacing his office, Virikai’s eyes trailed over to the liquor cabinet, a small wooden framed box with a glass front. Inside it was stored whiskies from most Rynish distilleries, as well as a few gifts from the Aranaz Estate, lighter wines. There was more at home, his father’s own stock, but this was a small selection of what Virikai himself owned. He very much wanted to open it and pour himself a drink. It was late, he should have long been home by now.

He had made plans with his fiancée, and was keen not to disappoint her. Or maybe he wouldn’t disappoint her? Their relationship was... well Virikai was not sure where they stood with each other.

Regardless, duty would always come before personal plans, and duty dictated he wait for he arrival of one Charlotte Vale, a ‘Mage Hunter’ who had travelled here from Rynmere, presumably chasing a bounty on some Mage or another. It was not a problem for Viden - mages were allowed in the city, and a good number had sought refuge from Viden in the past few seasons. Most were welcome, depending in the magic. But if they were chased, Viden had not stood in the way of the official business of their allies.

Charlotte Vale was no official emissary from Rynmere, however. She had been left to her own devices anyway, watched closely by the Intelligence Authority. In the time she had been here, Miss Vale had stolen Ito the Prime Atheneum, caused injury to a librarian, and lifted restricted books on arcana... not to mention the general unease she had left in her wake as she continued her haphazard hunt through the city. Initially only the Intelligence Authority had noticed her presence, and had quietly kept tabs on her, curious as to what she would do.

In Viden, where crime rates were so low, there was rarely any need to act preventatively. Instead, it was only when Charlotte’s actions became truly a risk to the city that they acted. They went to the Directorate, who dismissed it as unimportant, relative to other affairs in the city. It had been passed down to a junior politician, Virikai. That same day, he had sent four Agents to retrieve the Hunter, and return her to him.

At a knock at the door, the young lordling spared a sideways glance from the window he stared out of, onto the glistening white plains of the tundra. “Enter.” The door opened as Virikai stepped away, adjusting his shirt, “Ah, Miss Vale, Lord Virikai Talius at your service. I am so pleased you could join me. Please, take a seat.”

The Ice Prince-

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[Charlotte Vale]

21st of Ymiden 718

Late Evening | Lord Talius' Office

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S

he was just a girl. She remembered the feeling of shame she felt when the Iron Hand approached her, told her to stop making such a scene in public. Her ears burned red, her face drooped... She was just doing what she thought she was supposed to, her job. That was then.

Now, she felt no shame. She'd come to Viden a hunter, and a hunter she would be. Essa had evaded her thus far, the opportune time to strike still not presenting itself. Charlotte wasn't patient, but her Mistress was, and she would stalk the mage until the trill came to bury a dagger in her chest. Until then, she was in Viden, doing as she needed, as the job necessitated. The Lord Arbiter had made the journey difficult, a mouth on him that would shame a sailor and kill a monk, but he had authority she didn't have. He was the official side of her mission, a bandage for the inevitable festering wound her presence would leave on the once-peaceful city of Viden. He was necessary, and she hated that.

And the only thing that Charlotte hated more than admitting she needed Caius was admitting she'd been careless. The last time she'd been careless, a Husk gnawed on her corpse as she lied bleeding, caught in the twilight of death and resurrection. Then, Famula had intervened, placing a hand on her soul, guiding her back to the world with a directive. It was simple: Eradicate magic. And where better to have been than in the cesspool of mediocre magic that was Rynmere, with its newly-formed Order of the Mantis bringing panic and dread to mages throughout the kingdom. She'd wandered far from home, far from the dark-haired wildness of her youth into the calculated and measured steps of a hunter. And she'd been careless.

The four men who'd arrived at the Devil's Advocate had only proven that the city itself had noticed her. She had remained undetected by her quarry, but her presence in the library and the black market had drawn the wrong kind of attention. She cursed Caius silently, she cursed the Lady in the library, and now she cursed Lord Virikai Talius. At the insistence of the men, she was escorted to the man, the lateness boding unpleasant for her. Not that she slept much as it was, but because the only things that happened around those breaks were crimes and punishments, and she was in the mood for neither at the moment. Instructed to leave her weapons and things, she bundled herself in her coat and allowed the men to form a diamond around her, herself in the middle.

Very important person, my ass, she thought as the five trudged through the frozen streets of Viden. Faint glimmers danced on the edges of her vision, the glow of souls lost and wandering, and they called out to Charlotte. Save me, they said. Free me, they begged. Kill me.

If only they knew that they were already dead.

As they approached the Lord's chamber, the four guards posted themselves outside the hallway, barring her means of escape, but affording her privacy for the first time since they'd strong-armed their way into the room she paid for. Her heart thumped against her chest, beating a tattoo of dread and fear against her ribs. She raised a hand, confidently rapping her knuckles on the heavy door three times. After just a moment, Lord Talius bade her enter, and she thought she ought to heed his instruction.

She defied one Lord, two was playing with fire.

"A pleasure, I'm sure, my Lord," she said, falsely sweet. She knew it was moot to try and play this man, but it was her instinct to push away and stonewall. He'd found her, despite her best efforts to stay hidden. She doubted there was much he didn't already know. She made sure to keep her sleeves down, just in case.

"To what do I owe this late appointment?" She asked the question innocently, but the razor's edge in her eye told Lord Talius that she expected him to berate her, or worse.

It never occurred to her that he called her Miss Vale. Did he know her first name? She'd made sure to only give her surname in Viden. Perhaps he thought she only had the one name? Like that bard from Ne'haer, Shar.

The former was far more likely.

Fear cuts deeper than swords.

- Arya Stark

[Virikai Talius]

Oh, Viden’s newest little terror could play the game too. This meeting just became substantially more interesting. A girl of good breeding, perhaps? Or had she just lied her way through enough confidence scenarios and tricks with nobility to know her way around a conversation? Beyond her exploits in Viden, there was little the Intelligence Authority had been able to dig up about the girl in the relatively short timeframe she had been in Viden. They would continue to investigate, of course, but it meant that Virikia was conducting this meeting very much blind.

It was not a position he appreciated being pushed into.

She didn’t sit. If this annoyed Virikai in any way, it would not be displayed on his ever-impassive face. The fledgeling lord remained standing too, though rounded the desk. If she was going to attempt to play him, he may as well enjoy the show with the drink he was so desperately craving. “Whisky? I myself am partial to the Venora varieties, but I have a few others, if you would prefer?” The look in the girl’s eye indicated certain expectations from this meeting, and he strongly doubted being offered imported liquor was one of them.

If she agreed, he would pour her one alongside his own and pass it over. “Do you know what circumspect means, Miss Vale?” Virikai asked as he lifted his tumbler to the light and inspected it. The dark amber colour indicated its age, the red tinge suggested the liquid had spend some time maturing in a port or burgundy cask. Delightful. “Indulge me a moment on a, ah, dilemma that recently crawled across my desk. The Prime Atheneum, Viden’s - nay Idalos’ - largest collection of written knowledge, is worth more nels than any of us can fathom. The third level in particular houses arcane knowledge dating back as far as the foundation of the Seekers.”

The Talius scion had since lowered his glass and was now nosing his drink, seemingly far more focused on stimulating his senses, given the dry, disinterested way he spoke. “I’m sure you can appreciate that such stores are rare and invaluable?” He finally met the girl’s gaze with a hard stare of his own, eyebrow raised to indicate his question was not rhetorical. “As a result, the Academy has funnelled a certain amount of funds through the Directorate to ensure the Atheneum’s protection. To, ah, avoid any accidents.”

Now, the politician, who was so new to the role and had never conducted a meeting like this himself, took a small sip of the whisky and swilled it around his mouth before swallowing. Personally, he thought he was doing a fine job. “So, when an unsuspecting librarian breaks a leg as a result of a stack of shelves falling on him, I would say that is a pretty big accident.” He gently placed the half-finished tumbler down on his desk after a second sip and swill.

“Not to mention how dangerously close that stack came to falling on an open fire. All of which, to me, seems to be the opposite of a circumspect operation.” Virikai prowled the room, stopping a more foot away from the Mage Hunter as he paused, allowing the Essence of the message to sink in. “If you didn’t know before, would you care to venture a guess at the meaning of the word now?”

The Ice Prince-

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[Charlotte Vale]

21st of Ymiden 718

Late Evening | Lord Talius' Office

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I

t was clear, the Lord Talius thought her a simpleton or a child, and she wasn't sure which she would be more insulted by. She kept a stoic visage though, allowing Virikai to go through the rigmarole that his station and office afforded him. There was no sense in needlessly insulting the Lord, especially when he so clearly knew about her time in the frozen city.

"No whisky, thank you, my lord," she declined, curtsying ever so slightly. Though she were not born noble in Rynmere, her family was wealthy enough to pay for a decent girls' education.

And then her suspicions were confirmed. When Lord Talius asked her what 'circumspect' meant, she just watched warily. Whether she did or did not, and she did not, it appeared he was going to use her recent exploits to explain the meaning of the word. Giving an almost imperceptible tilt of her head, she tried to remain as emotionless as she could. She didn't know, though, the marbled smoky gray of doubt that wafted across her skin, the lenses of emotion affording Virikai the ability to see how she was feeling. She was at a disadvantage, and she wasn't even aware.

"No, my lord, I don't know the meaning," she confirmed, watching with growing suspicion as he seemed to be able to anticipate her next move. The blue of suspicion, light like the sky, blended into the crawling tendrils of grey Lord Talius could see. Her cold eyes met with his as he stared, and it took her the briefest trill before she realized he expected an answer.

"I understand, my lord," she said lightly, though her emotions betrayed her. She was not, at all, light or breezy. In fact, she felt the weight of the stone of consequence pressing down on her. If Lord Talius was connecting her to the library, then she was likely to be imprisoned... Or worse. And she hadn't even killed the mage yet.

"Though, if I may... Who are the Seekers?" She thought to distract the Lord, to perhaps throw him from his course. Some politicians and academics could be misguided from their original point by piquing their interests, and though she knew it was a long shot, she had to hope that something would distract him from meting out a sentence that would bar her from finishing her mission. The sunburst yellow of hope now mingled with the colours shrouding her. She still didn't display a single emotion outwardly.

The condescension set her teeth on edge, and she had to bite her tongue to stop herself from retorting sarcastically. This was not Caius, so far from home with only a title as authority. No, this was a lord of Viden, and it appeared he had some power. If only enough to screw her in the long run. Taking a deep breath, the fiery red of annoyance replaced the yellow of hope on her skin.

"If you'd like, my lord. I would hazard to say that circumspect means to be careful," she affirmed, studying his features for his approval. She needed to turn him from wanting to punish her.

"Forgive me, Lord Talius, but you seem to have already made up your mind. Is this meeting to inform me? Or intimidate me?" She asked the question coolly, gaze not belying the anxious feeling growing within. She stared at him, a razor's glare, before looking around his office.

"Because if it's the second, consider me intimidated. Wealth and power outplay skill every time. I learned that in the Kingdom," she explained. She sat on the arm of the chair she had been offered, crossing her arms over her chest.

"What would you like from me, my lord?" Direct and to the point. That was Vale's way.

Fear cuts deeper than swords.

- Arya Stark

[Virikai Talius]

This little Mage Hunter was significantly more closed off than his fiancée, whom Virikai had had the most opportunity to practice and understand his gifts given from Yvithia. The sociopath had slowly come to understand what most colours meant, though he sometimes forgot, and he definitely didn’t always understand the context and reasoning behind the emotions,

Nevertheless, Yvithia was infallible, and her gifts were much the same. Unfortunately, this trial was one of those trials where he didn’t quite understand most of the swirling colours. All he did know was that Charlotte Vale was speaking words which did not along with her feelings. She would have made a good politician, had she decided to pursue a respectable career.

At the very least, despite her calm exterior, Virikai could see - with concealed satisfaction - that she seemed to be taking his words on board. The scion sipped his whisky again. as he remained silent, examining her like he would one of his subjects in the Facility for Retrospective Analysis for a long moment, Virikai decided that one of the emotions, at least, was fear. If that was all, it would be enough to bring her into line.

“If you do not know about them, you will not discover anything more from me,” the lordling almost sneered in response to the girl’s question. In truth, the scholar knew very little about them, but he wasn’t going to let her know that. Nor would he fall into a web of bullshit that could easily fall apart. “You must, at least know, they are a global organisation of Magupi seeking deeper understanding about arcana? There is a Cell in Viden.”

But he would not be distracted any further than that. “I am pleased you have grasped the essence of the conversation without the need for... repetition.” The lordling replied with a small smile, though he had every urge to strike her for her insolence. Wealth, power and skill indeed. “Though if threats are what you need to keep you in line, rather than calm and civilised conversation, then I would be most happy to oblige.”

It wasn’t really Viden’s way, though, nor Virikai’s. The whole city was build upon the rocky foundation that people were safe here. They were good and obedient citizens, with rarely any need to do anything as mundane as threatening them. “I might suggest then, that you learn to slow down and think before acting, there should be no whims, no flights of fancy. Not in Viden. That is what I would like from you. Are we free of misunderstanding, Miss Vale?”

The Ice Prince-

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[Banshee]

The matter of Charlotte Vale had gone to the Directorate via the Intelligence Agency and they had deemed it too trivial a matter for their personal attention. That didn't mean that Verity Talius hadn't had a mild interest in the matter. He'd ensured that the case was passed onto his son, deeming him suitably trained to handle what he gathered was a mere child, but he'd also chosen to do a little investigation of his own. The IA had established a neat little file on her. It didn't just detail her apparent crimes but also traced some of her movements, detailing a particular mage that she appeared to be tracking; they had a file on the mage too. What interested Verity was her mark. She was blessed by Famula, Favoured as far as could be determined, and given Famula's opinion of mages, it was likely that the girl had received a mission from her to deal with what she viewed as a scourge.

The Immortal's desire to eradicate all mages was somewhat inconvenient, especially in Viden, removing valuable resources from his Lady's sphere of influence. If the girl killed mages indiscriminately within the city then it was likely she would take out some of their own, not just mages that had wandered in from abroad. She might take out a member of the Seekers or a Ranger, a Reaver who helped maintained their frozen infrastructure or those mages that allowed the FRA to run certain tests on them. If she could be channelled though then she could be of immense use. The Champion Xypha had certain ideas that he carried to his Lady in person, cautiously interrupting her investigations before he broached the matter.

By the time he left, he had a mission and one that meant he would be paying his son and his guest a little visit.

When he reached Virikai's office, the Delegate simply walked in, closing the door softly behind him before he glided forward, testing the emotions in the room to gain a sense of what exactly he'd walked into. His heir might resent the intrusion but he was used to the younger politician's anger and it didn't bother him. Besides, these trials, the young man was usually quick to bury it, knowing full well that his father could read too much of his inner being.

"A good evening to you, Lord Virikai, Miss Vale," he greeted, inclining his head to his son and offering a slight bow to the young woman, kissing her hand if she'd permit it. The Eídisi plastered a polite smile on his features. "I'm Lord Verity Talius, Delegate of Viden and Champion of Yvithia. I apologise for my lateness, I had a sudden engagement pop up, although I trust that my son has been treating you favourably in my absence?"

He'd noted the unease lingering around the young woman and assumed that Virikai had given her reason to fear. It might work to his advantage. His son had begun with vinegar and now he would offer honey in an attempt to ensnare the girl and place them exactly where he wanted her.

"We have an offer for the girl, act accordingly. Yvithia Herself approves," he informed his son telepathically.

"Now Miss Vale, I shall be direct. I am a more senior politician than my son and an emissary for those of us who oversee Viden. As such, I am qualified to make you a certain offer," he explained, his Xypha-enhanced Orator abilities sure to make his words fall perfectly, his audience certain to listen with rapt attention. "You serve Famula, this we know, and for one of your youth, it speaks a great deal about your character and abilities. As such, we wish to treat you appropriately while you are here. Your previous disruptions... well, they can be forgotten about with the understanding that such things won't happen in the future. Discretion is of great importance to us, Miss Vale and while here, we would like you to respect that. In return, we will not only allow you but aid you in removing the stain of magic that your Patron considers imperative. You would have a wage, suitable accommodation, access to magical knowledge and information about those in the city you wish to hunt. We will help you find certain targets and will tidy away your victims when you're finished."

He allowed his words to sink in, for the attractive aspects of his offer to appeal to her before he added. "It would be regrettable if you were unwilling to be cooperative. If you cannot be discreet and continue along your current path then we will be forced to take certain steps for the good of our citizens. Not only would we have to ban you from the Prime Atheneum but if you were to commit a very public murder - which is certainly where you're heading - then we might have to expel you from the city. It would be regrettable for all involved but utterly necessary. If you cannot work well than us then we cannot protect you," Verity added, the threat laid, hopefully nudging her to accept his offer.

He turned to his son, raising an eyebrow. "We wouldn't want to cause any undue suffering, would we, Lord Virikai? Of course, our offer is just that, an offer, and not one that you must accept. There is nothing to stop her living quietly within Viden, is there? Not that she could interfere with any mages in that scenario, of course, but otherwise, we would do nothing to impede your actions while you remain here. I'm sure the Devil's Advocate is a... pleasant place to say."

[Charlotte Vale]

21st of Ymiden 718

Late Evening | Lord Talius' Office

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C

harlotte had known men like Virikai before, those who used veiled threats to try and project civility into an otherwise hostile conversation. She maintained a stoic persona still, staring into the Lord's eyes as he made himself clear. She wanted to smile, to break the tension with a sarcastic comment, but she got the impression that the Lord Talius likely wouldn't respond in kind. She leaned back against the chair, full lips tight against her teeth as she nodded a strict nod.

"We are free of misunderstandings, my lord," she said, making to rise from her adapted seat. Her ice blue eyes stayed on Virikai, examining the cold mark over his eye. She knew the stories about the Xypha, about those who could send and receive thoughts. She sighed, hoping that Virikai had not read her thoughts... It was likely he caught her swearing at his smugness. Turning to leave, without being dismissed, she stopped in her tracks when an older Eidisi entered, the Xypha mark over his eye poignant and powerful. She was awed immediately by his entrance, though he made no grandiose gestures.

He introduced himself as Lord Talius as well, but Verity instead of Virikai. Caught buffering, processing for just a moment, understanding dawned on Charlotte. She turned to look at Virikai, who himself may have looked stunned, and it took all her considerable discipline to keep from breaking out in a smug grin of her own. She stared at him, and he didn't need to read her mind to know that she was thinking:

You brought your father? Instead, though, she turned her attention to the Lord Verity, whose introduction prompted a hasty and improper curtsy from the girl. She stared ahead, silently, as he explained his position. But more importantly, she stared when he mentioned her relationship with Famula.

How much did they know about her? How long had they observed her? How? Suddenly, she felt extremely vulnerable, aware exactly how powerful and penetrating Yvithia's gaze could be. She wanted to cover herself, her breasts, but she didn't. She just remained still and silent, listening to the Lord's offer. A look of incredulity followed.

"You wish to arm and aid me? Forgive me, my lord, but I was always taught that when something seems too good to be true, it often is," she said, her cynical nature keeping her hopes in check. "What does the Directorate or Yvithia get out of it?"

She watched as the man continued, speaking of her ability to decline. It wasn't much of a choice, she knew, and that the offer was carefully calculated by the group that Verity represented. Perhaps even Yvithia herself. And honestly, just like Caius and his Order, Charlotte owed her allegiance to Famula above all. All else was just making her job easier or harder.

"I'd need to know the restrictions that are inevitable, but I'll accept your offer, my lords. I doubt the opposite choice would bode well for me, especially since you already know so much about me," Charlotte said simply, without accusation.

Fear cuts deeper than swords.

- Arya Stark

[Virikai Talius]

Of course his father would show up. Despite handing this over, it seemed the man was incapable of trust - or, at least, trusting him - to complete a task. “Lord Talius,” he replied with his own, more courteous and deeper, bow. Then he took another sip of the whisky (so what if his father made a comment, it was late and he was supposed to be home with his fiancée). After all, the insufferable girl’s fleeting look of incredulity in his direction was enough for him to want to down the entire dram.

When the man spoke directly into the fledgling Xyph’s mind, Virikai was careful not to so much as blink at the intrusion of thoughts. He gave no outward nod of understanding, but left his mind open enough for Verity to see the silent agreement. He remained quiet as he watched the girl for any reactions as the Delegate spoke of this offer. It was well-done, Kai admitted, and more than Virikai had ever thought would be offered to the girl. He had, up until now, been under the impression that she was to be left to her devices… as long as she stopped wreaking havoc though the city.

“Delightful, I’m sure,” the heir replied dryly. Having now returned to his window, was leaning against the frame as if disinterested in the conversation. the fact of the matter was that, with Yvithia’s gifts, Kai had known before his father was half way through his offer that Charlotte would agree to it. The coloured aura did not shift dramatically in shade, rather it flared brighter for a brief moment before becoming more saturated. She was surprised, frightened - that much he could see in her eyes. But then there was something new. Acceptance, he decided.

In truth, Charlotte would have ben within her rights to decline: though Verity sandwiched his words with a thinly veiled threat to the contrary, she would have been allowed to leave and go about her time here with the very overt threat to stop damaging Yvithia’s property, or face dire consequences.

Viden did believe in freedom of choice… to an extent. As long as those choices were in the best interests of Viden. “Come now, Miss Vale, our conversation thus far has given me reason to hold your intelligence in higher regard than this show of ignorance. An intelligence woman would never deliberately waste our time.” She was not entirely responsible for the meeting at this late hour, but Kai wanted it over with. “An intelligent woman would grasp the nuances of the situation without the need for repetition.”

The Ice Prince-

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[Banshee]

Verity saw the waver in Charlotte's emotional aura and even though she questioned the offer - as seemed inevitable - he ignored her, pressing until he had all the cards that he wanted to be on the table - for now at least. When the uncertainty changed to acceptance courtesy perhaps of his thinly veiled smile, the Xypha champion smiled broadly.

"Excellent, Miss Vale, excellent! I'm quite glad that you can see sense although I assure you that the restrictions are few compared to the many benefits for you," the Delegate assured her, although his smile froze a little at his son's comments. For a moment, there was a flash of madness in the man's eyes, not rage, but pure insanity, as his mask slipped. It didn't affect the rest of his face, the skin around his blind-seeming eyes crinkling just so as he glanced the young politician's way and then it was gone.

"Do not jeopardise this, Virikai. The more positively she views this the better. She's valuable, she can open up a wealth of potential knowledge to us and she doesn't even know it. We appear as open as we can and we don't attempt to brush her off. Do you understand?" Verity snarled in Kai's head, the speech a near scream in his head; it wouldn't be surprising if he flinched a little from the abrupt violence of it.

"Now, now, Lord Virikai, Miss Vale doesn't waste our time. She's well within her rights to question what she's getting into, especially if she thinks it seems too good to be true," he remarked placidly, the smile back to full power. There was an ease to his movements now, the man seeming to convey that he had nothing to hide as he meandered to his son's collection of alcohols. "We can sit and discuss the matter at your leisure, Miss Vale. Perhaps a drink would relax you? At the very least, I'm sure you can seat yourself more comfortably than at present. You look like a prey animal that's been startled out of its hiding place; remember you're the predator, Miss Vale, and a capable one as well, I'm sure."

If she agreed to a drink, he'd bring her back one as he fetched his own. The whiskey he took was a small measure, watered down so it had the appearance of a greater amount. He didn't want his edge dulled but he had to look as if that was exactly what he was doing.

"I'm sure that you have other matters to attend to Lord Virikai and your presence is no longer strictly necessary. Feel free to leave and I'll handle this," he added in a pleasant drawl, his nonchalance making it seem as if it was little more than a gentle reassurance rather than a subtle dismissal. If he left, it would be his own loss, missing out on a chance to take part in the political manoeuvering but also not saying anything that the Delegate might find inconvenient. He saw no issue in commandeering his son's office; better to leave the girl in what was now familiar scenery rather than shifting her again.

He seated himself carefully, not wanting to appear so relaxed as to be lackadaisical but not wanting to appear edgy either, even if there was a definite giddy glee within him right now.

"Now to address your concerns about restrictions, Miss Vale. You must understand that we have mages in our employ who provide valuable services to the city and they are quite well behaved, I assure you. However, from time to time, one of our mages will... go rogue, shall we say. There are also mages who enter the city who we owe no protection to, mages who might not register themselves as such and who have come to cause mischief. True rogues, potentially very dangerous. What we ask is that you pursue the rogues and do not harm our own. We also ask that you don't cause undue kerfuffle," he informed her, sipping from his drink.

"So for discretion and carefully selected mage targets, you will receive a legitimate position in our society with money, accommodation, health benefits with regular checks in the Infirmary to ensure you're kept healthy, access to knowledge and certain artefacts that we have in our possession. There is one in particular, a divinely blessed blade, one of Famula's, that you would no doubt find invaluable in your dealings with practitioners of the arcane," the Eídisi commented, dangling the carrot before her although she'd already agreed. "The benefits to our fair city should be clear: peace of mind; safety for our citizens; and a talented young woman who we can help come into her own. And you of course, can guarantee the deaths of the mages that we point you toward and there will be far less running around. Is a sure thing not better than chance?"

[Charlotte Vale]

21st of Ymiden 718

Late Evening | Lord Talius' Office

[img]http://anaxasdiaries.com/images/sidebar ... ar-003.jpg[/img]

C

harlotte's cold eyes snapped instantly to Virikai, whose flippant attitude seemed to only get worse as his father arrived. Charlotte understood, she supposed, as he was supposed to appear in power but was immediately undermined in his own office. She wanted to grin at him, to let him know that she knew the gravity of the situation and that he had just been relegated to lesser diplomat at best, useless statue at worst. But she didn't, instead keeping her head and her tongue as she replied to him, albeit somewhat sarcastically.

"It's better that I know my limitations, my lord," she began, looking directly into Viriaki's milky eyes, "so that I don't act like I have too much power and require the Lord Talius here to step in and show me I don't."

The words were barbed, but the smile that followed was so sickly sweet, it could have been a Burhan pastry. She held his gaze for a moment longer, the maroon of smugness spreading across her face. She was unaware that both men could read that emotion, but at that point, she hardly would have cared.

"No drink, thank you, Lord Talius." She finally moved her eyes back to the older Eidisi, smiling politely and bowing her head. She was young, and hadn't had the time to acquire the taste for spirits. She would have smiled at that, if she wasn't sure there was a "but" coming.

She didn't move from her spot, remaining perched atop the arm of the chair. She wasn't uncomfortable, but she did see the point Lord Talius was making. She did appear very much the cornered animal, and though she begrudgingly agreed, she refused to give the man the satisfaction of dictating her actions. She knew that she didn't have much room to manouvre, nor did she have room to disagree, but she couldn't let him take from her the ability to choose how to sit.

That was too far.

She crossed her arms and moved defiant eyes back to Virikai, content in his father's subtle dismissal. She knew that he was in a hard position, and would he not have postured to intimidate her earlier in the evening, she may have even felt pity for him. Instead, though, she just stared hard at him, the faintest grin threatening to curl the edges of her lips.

"Take care, Lord Talius," she said, holding back the laughter in her voice, "Give my best to your Lady."

He had to know Maebella was in the Atheneum. Charlotte had to wonder how much he knew of Caius' presence there as well.

"How will I receive my targets?" She asked rigidly.

She was uncomfortable with knowing that Viden employed mages for their own benefits, but she understood. It wasn't illegal here, but Charlotte didn't care about legality. She knew that, if the time came, she would strike against Viden's mages as well, but for now, she would play nice. There was a long game to consider, and though she didn't have the political savvy of Verity, or even Virikai, she could understand the benefits when they were given to her.

"I still agree. I've had enough of chasing shadows," she said, smiling. She did want the sure thing, and though she knew Essa was a mage, she wasn't sure where to go after.

And that blade sounded familiar. For some reason, Cora's Light popped into her head, and she couldn't shake it. Goosebumps raised along her arms, and she rubbed them to try and massage the painful bumps back down.

"I think this will be a very mutually beneficial partnership."

Fear cuts deeper than swords.

- Arya Stark