I'll take thee away

[cullionfish]

Characters: Her Imperious Condescension and YOU
Setting: The Art Gallery
Format: Action
Summary: Realistic gore? Terrible atrocities? That's Condesce's bread and butter.
Warnings: Condesce is always a warning

[Since arriving, Condesce found it easy to grow weary and restless. When things like that happened, she wandered up to the aquarium level or, lately, this one. Art hadn't always been something she found herself appreciating, but the tower's idea of art seemed to appeal to her. She had even found a few of her dear lusus lingering about.

That's where she's seated herself -- she's pulled a chair from who knows what level and has seated herself in the center of Alternian artform, many of which depicted the skyline, the ocean, and various lusii before they got darker, depicting images of Condesce herself and the terror of the deep that would one day be the entire planet's demise.

None of it seems to bother the Empress. In fact, she seems rather at peace, drumming her talons against a large glass bowl, which seems to be housing a single cuttlefish from the aquarium level. She's not very focused on the doorway, instead tracing a rather intricate painting of Gl'bgoylb with her eyes.]

Comments

[mamadonna]

[ There were certain sections of the gallery Dolorosa prefers to avoid. She likes looking at most of the paintings, perhaps draw some inspiration for a future project from them, but she can never imagine what the appeal of the harsher selection would be. Unfortunately, the layout of the place necessitates passing some of those halls, trying to avoid a momentary glimpse.

But some glimpses are unavoidable, and some inspirations entirely inadvisable. This is how the Dolorosa fond herself stepping into one such hall, on seeing the Empress herself. It's a mixed mood she finds herself in, somewhere between flippancy and fear. But she still stood at her full height, holding her staff straight, and glancing down at the Condesce from an elevated chin. ]

I suppose I shouldn't consider it a surprise, that your predilections would fall along such lines.

[legislacerates]

[considering her mediocre successes so far in investigating the tower, the condesce is basically the last person redglare wants to see at the moment. so it's really to her dismay that she enters the art room to find her empress seated there.

maybe if she's lucky she'll be able to back out without being noticed...but then again, she can't help the sharp intake of breath that escapes her when she enters, either. hey, a neophyte is bound to make a small mistake here or there. though, considering the two new scars on her face--a vertical stripe down each cheek--one could infer she's been making more than a few of those mistakes lately.]

[cullionfish]

[The tyrian is pulled from her momentary calm by the song of the Dolorosa's voice, which earns the jade-blood a sidelong glance of loathing before she makes the effort to turn her head to stare in her direction.]

And to think I was beginning to believe that the Tower was through with dragging rabble into my midst.

[The statement is very gentle, very quiet, very lucid. The cuttlefish in the bowl jumps every time her claw hits the glass.]

I must say, you looked so much better in shackles.

[cullionfish]

[Condesce's head turns to Redglare's direction slowly, eyelids drawn quietly in a way that would suggest that she were somehow sated by the presence in the room. For a few moments, she doesn't say anything, staring like the unhinged, bloodthirsty empress she was so well known for being.

And if her boring gaze wasn't enough, Condesce will soon speak up.]

Legislacerator. How nice of you to join me.

[The statement is dry, free of any real gratitude at her presence. Merely a formality.]

[legislacerates]

[and so the neophyte is trapped. but it would be untoward, and perhaps dangerous, not to return the formality, so she straightens and folds her hands behind her back.]

I hope I am not interrupting you, Your Highness.

[chocotits]

[ Belgium was still getting used to the place, without a warning of the art gallery.

She walked into the room and noticed the person just watching ]

Are you all right?

[capax_infiniti]

[There's so many interesting ways to learn about people without asking them. Simple observation based on location will often say more than simple words can.

Such as now, as he traverses the gallery, casting sidelong glances as those taking in the art on display. Most of them stay to what is safe and what is recognizable, as to be expected. It's really a shame... the wilder and daring pieces are still fantastic art, even if they would make the viewer uncomfortable.

They have no effect on him. There is very little that can truly disquiet him.

Finding someone else who can sit amongst the macabre and the explicit is a rare treat, indeed. He lets his footsteps echo, stopping a ways away to give an appropriate amount of space.]

Fascinating styles, don't you think?

[mamadonna]

[ She crosses one arm over her chest, hand tucked behind the elbow holding her staff. Her head tilts slightly, her brows raise, regarding the other troll with a fair lack of fondness. ]

I suppose I should find it flattering to be so remembered. That it would be in so unflattering a context, one you instigated yourself, comes with little surprise.

[cullionfish]

[The Condesce turned to eye the supposed human, her expression unchanging. If anything, there was a very subtle crease of displeasure in her browline...almost as if her concern offended her.]

Naturally.

[cullionfish]

[Even by troll standards, Condesce is very tall, so she's able to meet Xehanort's eyes evenly without having to do much more than tilt her head. The cuttlefish gets momentary relief from her tapping talons as she focuses on the man who had spoken.

She doesn't seem pleased by his expressed pleasure at the surrounding pieces, but it was a different reaction than usual, so any outright displeasure isn't visible in her expression.]

I suppose. I much prefer the quiet.

[Somewhat of a lie. Condesce was much more at ease when there was mayhem around her, rather than stillness and silence.]

[cullionfish]

Of course not.

[A lie, technically. She had interrupted her thoughts, but they hadn't been particularly important...yet.]

Have you anything to share with me?

[chocotits]

[ She notices the offended expression ]

I'm sorry... I didn't mean to upset you.

[cullionfish]

I'll leave that for you to decide.

[She speaks as if she's granting the Dolorosa a great honor and smiles unpleasantly, but she doesn't stand up just yet. Probably for the best, in Dolorosa's case.]

Tell me, how is the little mutant?

[cullionfish]

Then don't apologize.

[That's all she says on the matter. After all, she wasn't here to educate aliens on proper Alternian etiquette. Her tapping against the glass pauses long enough to allow the cuttlefish to get a better look at Belgium.

The Condesce continues to stare expectantly.]

Did you require something from me?

[mamadonna]

[ Dolorosa scoffs and shakes her head. It certainly isn't as though the Condesce could bear any genuine concern on the topic. ]

He was in the prime of his health, when last I spoke to him. Though I imagine even that would be seen as an act of defiance, in your consideration.

[cullionfish]

[A knowing smile creeps along the Condesce's features.]

Quite. But seeing as how I've recently absolved that particular issue, I can't say I see a problem here or there.

[About now is when the tyrian sets the cuttlefish down on its own chair to fold her hands neatly in her lap.]

[mamadonna]

[ The implication in that is absolutely nothing she can dare abide. Her eyes flare with anger, and she drops her folded arm to catch the other end of her staff, holding it like a spear at the ready, and its sharp point would certainly allow its use as one. ]

I. Beg. Your. Pardon?

[cullionfish]

[The Empress tilts her head and brings herself to full height.]

Surprised? My, I didn't think you were quite so naive. But then, I suppose its fitting for someone who thought they would get away with rearing a bastard null-blood in my Empire.

[Despite the implication of anger, the Condesce looks fairly pleased with herself. Her voice lowers, mocking a mothering tone.]

Or perhaps you simply need to clean your auricular sponge clots, my dear.

[mamadonna]

[ She won't go through this again. She can't, she doesn't have the strength to experience his death all over again. The only thing she could do is either take advantage of vengeance being tangible and within reach this time, or herself die in attempting to achieve it, but living without it would be too much.

But all she has is sharpened wood. It may not be enough to penetrate, but she certainly won't fail to try. She takes a wider stance and brings the point forward before wordlessly lunging the point at the Empress.

It will be regicide or death, as far as she cares. ]

[cullionfish]

[This had, of course, been the entire reason the Condesce had stood up. She knew full well that her words would inspire aggression, even in a usually gentle jade blood. Its why when Dolorosa lashes out, the tyrian sidesteps and snaps a hand around the spear to keep her from pulling it back.

Instead, the Empress will yank, seeking either to disarm the Dolorosa, or to pull her closer to knee her in the stomach.]

Rash, my dear. Far too rash.

[legislacerates]

I have been following some new leads, but my investigation is still ongoing.

[that...is likely not what the condesce wants to hear, of course, but it's the best that redglare has to offer.]

[swordofzero]

[This floor disturbed Suzaku yet it was one that attracted few visitors for that very reason and so he often came here when he wished to think.

He blinked as he came across the Condesce, noting the pictures in surprise but he supposed it would make sense that her world would have pictures of her, as she was empress.

Why they would be here though... He frowned, clenching his fists slightly.]

[chocotits]

[ Wow, talking about intimidating, she talks with little confidence now ]

No... I just wanted to see if you were all right.

[mamadonna]

[ It's the knee that gets her, and that causes her grip on the staff to slip as she falls to her knees in front of the Condesce. She balls her fists and fights the tears working their way out of her eyes. ]

You had no right! Whatever delusions you allow yourself as a result of your station, his life wasn't yours to take.

[ She stares up at her opponent, her jaw set and trails of pale green working their way down her face. ] But you might as well finish the job, then.

[orphans]

[well it'd. certainly been a while.

he hasn't been avoiding her precisely, just hasn't gone out of his way to seek her out. and well, she hadn't sought him either, but then he has to remind himself that she doesn't have to because she's the goddamn empress. thus, after having gone without crossing paths with her for such a time, he is a little surprised to find her here of all places.

it's a place he rarely visited too, after all.

once within proximity, he bows low as is customary of him; nose practically bumping the floor. to say he's uneasy, well...]

Your Highness.