Private Conversations with the Lady

[soulspice]

[Welcome to the Lady's...not home far from home, but it's a place she tolerates. The moment you enter it's clear she did her best to make this office in the bookstore a place she approves.

Outfitted with an overly plush chair on a rather elaborate rug, the desk is overflowing with countless books stacked everywhere, with everything serving as a makeshift bookshelf including an errant fax machine. The Lady seems to have tried her best to make the amenities up to her standards: there’s a tray with a teapot, notes everywhere written with confusing ciphers, and what seems to be an attempt to make a generator, but wasn’t completed.

Where the Lady sits it’s far more orderly, facing the door and giving her the high ground against anyone who enters. On the far wall hangs a large portrait of the Lady, adding character and additional charm. Truly, this is the office of someone who wants you to feel small before her presence.

And, there on her chair, there she is. When the door opened she turned her head towards you, seeing who it was. Invariably of who it is, she sighs like this is a big interruption of her work, and keeps writing and drawing]

Don't touch anything and make sure you don't track mud in. If you have any complaints go see Rembrandt.

[She didn't even look up while saying that. So, what brings you to her office today?]

Comments

[soulspice]

[The Lady's visible eye narrows for a moment, gesture she tries to pretend didn't happen. Looks like she recognizes the name, after all]

I'm aware of her existence, but naturally it is because I took my time to find out about all of the worlds you all came from. I don't think I know more than you do.

[The Lady sounds rather curt about this, like saying this much is already something she'd have preferred not to say]

[raventhaw]

That's about what I'd expected.

[ she pauses, looking at the lady with more nonchalance than expected. ]

Do you think you'd be capable of stopping her if you faced her yourself?

[soulspice]

...

[Her silence may speak louder than words. It's not often the Lady actually has to think her words carefully.]

I believe I'm well aware of some of her methods, so I would at least be able to counter her without much damage.

[raventhaw]

Hm. Interesting. Not that it matters here, but I must say I'm impressed.

[ she smirks a little, not really indicative of anything in particular other than the fact she's amused. ]

I wouldn't expect less from someone of your caliber.

[soulspice]

It's due to familiarity. The Salem from your world sounds a lot like someone from my world.

[raventhaw]

[ !! ]

Dare I ask in what ways?

[soulspice]

Oh, the usual. A person with powers and abilities beyond everyone else who could even dream having as many as hers, leading groups of followers, manipulating legions of people for their own goals. They may not even be human anymore.

[The Lady shrugs]

That kind of people are not to be taken lightly. As much as I'd have loved to subject her to my own plans, I judged it'd be better to leave her alone.

[raventhaw]

Just like Salem.

[ like, pretty much to a t. raven narrows her eyes at the lady's explanation, scoffing when she herself mentions salem's name. ]

It's unfortunate, isn't it? Watching people lose their humanity for the sake of power.

[soulspice]

[The Lady's face gets really serious]

Isn't the pursuit of something higher than that a trait inherent to humanity? That person I'm talking about is not the first person to push the limits of humanity and the fabric of reality. Some back down after a success, others like that person keep pushing until they turn into something beyond humanity.

It was the natural consequence of such actions.

[Looks like this is something she has thought about before]

[raventhaw]

[ hm. ]

...While I don't entirely disagree, where does the threshold between being human and being "beyond human" exist?

[soulspice]

When they gain clearly inhuman traits is a good indication they're past the point of no return. The one I'm talking about hardly has human form anymore. Their very existence and identity is shrouded in mystery.

[raventhaw]

Again; she sounds exactly like Salem. A perfect example of what losing one's humanity looks like.

[soulspice]

[If it turns out Salem exists under different names in all worlds and is always successful at this all the Lady will find it so amusing]

While I know about what this Salem has been doing in the present, I do not know how she got to this point. Perhaps you'd like to talk about it?

[Because the Lady is curious, really]

[raventhaw]

[ god if that were the case raven would short circuit ]

...I would if I knew the details. All I know is that Salem once was human, and in her conquest for power she turned into a monster.

[ because ozpin didn't tell her shit about his history with salem. and boy oh boy is it extensive. ]

[soulspice]

The one I know didn't start searching for power. I'm aware she was trying to get revenge over everything and everyone.

[The Lady leans her head against the headrest of her seat]

This Salem may have motivations other than power. Doing everything just for the sake of power is...that'd be so trite.

[raventhaw]

... That wouldn't surprise me.

[ her eyes narrow and her hands around her tea cup tighten. ]

What motive does the person from your world have?

[soulspice]

I heard she was trying to rule the continent, making the place as peaceful as possible. How that fits her motivation of revenge is a mystery. [She shook her head] But if others didn't agree with her methods, she wouldn't have followers. There must be something to her philosophy.