tushanshu | 003 ♛ video

Good morning, Keeliai.

[ Monet's seated, her clothes neatly pressed, colours deliberately chosen to contrast the comfortable seat in front of her console, one leg crossed over the other. She hasn't found any nail polish a-turtle yet, or she'd be wearing that as well. Her tone is pleasantly pitched, and even-keeled. ]

My name is Monet Saint-Croix, and I'm acquainted with several kedan who're willing to accept temporary assistance from Foreigners for tasks our gifts are more suited to handling [ i.e., with superpowers ]. This is an excellent opportunity to get more involved with the local community, and perhaps improve relations. [ a polite smile to punctuate ]

If you're interested in helping, kindly come to the office [ a location ping in the Metal Sector ] provide your name, the types of cases you're accustomed to handling, and where we can reach you if a suitable match turns up. Should you wish to be a part of the venture but under a [ her nose wrinkles, just barely: she can't believe she's about to say this ] superhero identity, that can be negotiated. Payment will be by commission, depending on how satisfactorily you complete your task.

If you have any questions you may direct them to this console. [ A short pause, for another smile. ] We look forward to working with you.

[ And with that, she turns off the feed. ]

[ooc: feel free to jump straight to action, she'll be at the office all day. ooc planning post is here, job list is here, and do fill out telepathy permissions if you have time, thank you.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Making life difficult for me?

[She uses people where she can; there's those she can't bribe, bully, or sway to her own side, Monet doesn't mind seeking them out. She'd vastly prefer their goals aligned with hers.]

How long have you been here, anyway?

One year... give or take.

[Said without much hesitation. Of course, he doesn't feel the need to bring up that his lamenting a one-year anniversary with metaphors was what led to them meeting in the first place. No one needs to know that.]

One ye—

[The shock is out before she can disguise it, and she does her best to be a bit more restrained.]

I'm sorry.

[Her reaction earns a wry smile from Leo. He hadn't been expecting her sympathy, but it doesn't surprise him, and it's pleasant to hear from her.]

I only wish I'd been able to spend more of it being useful... but it's all the more reason to keep things moving. I'll help you out wherever I can.

Being away from family isn't easy, and frankly there's not much we do know about the summoning process. Now that the former Emperor is dead, I doubt we'll get much information about it.

[She thinks it's the key to going home, and she trails off, uncertain where to go next.]

[It's Leo's turn to let his reaction run away before he can control it; his face sours, jaw shifting as it clenches. It lasts only a moment before his expression smooths out, but his voice nonetheless carries a strained note when he responds.]

People are still being summoned here thanks to her failsafes. There has to be something that keeps it going.

[Instructions, charms, magical tools, whatever. A whole system can't just survive off of nothing forever, right?]

[She didn't expect her words to trigger something that deep in Leo - her expression and body language both soften.]

My sources say our opponent uses blood magic; it's possible she did too. It appears particularly potent in this world.

[It's certainly not her fault - Leo's had a brother come back recently, and neither of them are entirely happy about the circumstances under which it happened. But he leaves it behind quickly, and at her next statement, he raises an eye ridge that is not at all approving of the concept.]

Can't say I've ever had the pleasure of running into blood magic in my world. Mind giving me a crash course?

[Even if it sounds pretty self-explanatory. And very very ominous.]

[She laughs, more because she's a bit tired and exasperated by the whole concept at this point.]

I would if I knew anything about it, [shaking her head] but we can't go wrong if we guess that blood or sacrifices are involved with the spells - I don't know if they'd use circles or symbols. Before we arrived they probably used kedan. Now... those dead clones have to go somewhere. A mutant's blood? Or a metahuman's? Who knows what that does to the process?

...and who knows what our enemy could do with it. [He leans forward again, eyes narrowing.] Okay. We're obviously out of our element here, but you've got the right idea. The kedan are the only window we have into this world... and apparently, the Foreigners are the only ones with the power to change it.

[Gently, she corrects:] Is doing with it - kedan blood, anyway. There was some nasty business with a few cults about half a year ago, [she had to stalk a few kedan for some weeks but it was information well worth it. She sighs, softly.] I spoke to Messieurs Temeraire and Enjolras. From what they said [and she read their minds, or tried as much as she could, but she has no clue whether Leo would necessarily suspect her of that or not] it needs something from us. Fear, or turbulence.

Edited 2014-02-23 10:41 (UTC)

[He nods his agreement, because he had indeed followed the train of thought to its inevitable destination: their blood. If Foreigner blood could be used for more powerful magic, as their pet theory went, then it's unfathomable what their enemy would be able to do if he got his hands on it. Leonardo has never been particularly adept when it comes to magic, but he does know that this is something that is bad.]

And they're friends of yours? [He recognizes Temeraire's name, at least, but the secondary question is still clear: does she view them as trustworthy?]

[She gives him a smile that says oh you sweet summer child.]

Do you think I'm the sort to have friends?

[Okay, he set himself up for that one.]

Point taken.

[He could call her out, say she's befriending him now; she's glad he doesn't.]

That said, their information is accurate.

All right then. [If she says it's accurate, he believes her.] So we're at a standstill... for now.

Up until this [she taps the desk] kicks into action. Fortunately they aren't too suspicious of us, but they also don't know our full abilities.

[He re-crosses his arms, tapping a finger against his bicep.]

And I take it we're planning to keep it that way?

Edited 2014-03-02 04:03 (UTC)

[Hm nicely defined biceps.]

I certainly am. You?

I wouldn't be much of a ninja otherwise. [Which he is, by the way. If the whole...window thing didn't make it obvious.]

[A teasing smile.]

Careful, you'll put yourself into a box with that kind of thinking.

I've been in tighter spots. [He returns the tone, sensing that the conversation's taken them as far as it can go under present circumstances.] But I'll keep that in mind.

[She nods, sensing a natural end as well.]

My window's open.

[You can come here any time.]

003 ♛ video

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