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 roar does seem to startle her for a moment, if only because inhuman roars in the sanctity of her office are so out of place. She recovers quickly, if only to sneer at him some more]

Oh? Do you believe you can even return to your world by yourself? I'm literally the only connection between you all and your respective worlds.

[moonfang]

[he grumbles and backs off, folding his arms into his sleeves]

Actually, I ain't sure I buy that, either. I've never seen you do anything -- except bark orders at your pet demon to do your dirty work. ... Oh, I guess you stabbed that one guy, but anyone with a sharp stick can do that.

[soulspice]

You idiot.

[She laughs, but her laughter isn't the usual boisterous one. It's the lower laugh of someone who is getting away with something -- something big]

Small-minded idiot who believes only what's in front of him is what's going on. You have no idea.

[moonfang]

Yeah, yeah, all yer machinations in the shadows or what the fuck ever. [he waves his hand dismissively] A sly eagle hides its claws, but you at least know they have them. Right now all I see is a fluffy chicken.

[soulspice]

I believe most would associate cuckoos with me instead of eagles, anyway.

[moonfang]

Heheh. A brood parasite, huh? Well, at least you admit to being a weak coward. Clever, but weak.

[soulspice]

[She tilts her head]

Possibly. Which makes it even more embarrassing I regularly get away with the things I do. For someone who is, as you say, "weak" [She even makes the air quotes with her fingers] I'm very effective at what I do.

[moonfang]

Heheheh! Well. Those that don't have natural talents gotta make up fer it with clever tricks. It's a valid survival strategy, I s'pose.

[he turns, grinning]

So.

What did ya need the ice for.

[soulspice]

I didn't have the chance to study the ice before. I expected it to have qualities normal ice wouldn't have. It didn't.

[Her carpet was a mess for hours when it melted. Thanks a lot for that, Zangetsu]

[moonfang]

Nawp. Just normal ice. Lame, right? So thanks fer nothin', I guess.

[soulspice]

Oh, I'm truly disappointed! I thought it coming from a power would mean it'd have some qualities, but no! It's just ice. All it was good for was to ruin a perfectly good carpet.

[Which she's blaming Zangetsu for, since he was the source of the ice. The Lady conveniently ignores her part in that little problem]

Of course, of course. Now go and do what you must to get your powers back, will you, dear?

[moonfang]

I still don't believe you can do it.

[he turns, but glares at her from the corner of his eye]

Or that you would. Because if you gave me my powers back, I could kill you just by standing too close to you, and none of your little science experiments could save you.

[soulspice]

Oh my, a threat. Would you make it gory and painful?

[moonfang]

Nah. You'd be dead before you hit the ground and wouldn't even know what had happened. You'd be standing over your own body, confused, perplexed... and then I'd eat you.

[soulspice]

[It's weird: with every word Zangetsu says, the wider the Lady's grin gets. Even her visible eye gains a hopeful glint. She actually has to look away to hide her elation]

Oh, I'll have to remember that. It'd be certainly a disgrace if that were to happen to me. I better back down.

1/2

[moonfang]

[he watches her for a moment, almost puzzled]

2/2

[moonfang]

You're that kind of person, aren't you? Gross!! Grossgrossgross. Ferget I said anything! Live a long, full life, you pervert!

[soulspice]

[That actually seems to disappoint her somewhat]

No, but really, if you're itching to kill me I wouldn't mind letting you, once we're all done here in Krakow. I'm sure it'd be really cathartic for you.

[moonfang]

Not if you'd enjoy it, ya freak!

[soulspice]

[For a moment she stays silent. That's interrupted only when she sighs. Pushing any further would just make Zangetsu defy her more, she figures -- she may have been too eager about the possibility of Zangetsu taking her life, especially in the manner he described. Crud.]

You should be leaving now. Don't slam the door on your way out.

[moonfang]

Yeah, I should be.

[he looks at the door, which... may be broken? He just rolls his eyes and leaves, but not before kicking the papers on the floor]

[soulspice]

[Yeah, it probably is broken. Wow, thanks a lot, Zangetsu, you barbarian. Once he's gone, the Lady shakes her head, somewhat disappointed in herself]

...I overdid it, didn't I?

[She better go get Rembrandt to fix the door. Byyye Zangetsu, nice talking to you]