o1o ♠ if you wanna play dirty darling [ visual ] [ filtered against the doctor ]

[ipseite]

"Good morning, Taxon." Crisp British diction and smooth French enunciation and it must be the Countess of Gatas, sober in dark, deep blue and holding a china teacup in both hands as she sits down at her husband's desk, dwarfed by the masculine surroundings designed for a man much, much larger than she is but soothed by the authority of it.

Some few days have passed since the bomb threat, and as the city returns to an equilibrium it seems to her eye that there's no time to waste. She sips her tea as she briefly scans the notes she's had transcribed, and then begins. "My name is Lady Petrana, and I am the Countess of Gatas. The Doctor is presently incarcerated in the Alcione dungeons of my home. We have been poorly organized here in the city, and to my eye we're now paying for it. First of all I propose that those of you most closely involved with the capture of the Doctor meet with me here at Gatas; I am his jailer and I'd appreciate being kept aware of how we will continue to handle this matter. Some of you may have seen the gates of Gatas open in the past- they are now closed. They will remain so. Visitors who are not expected will not be permitted within the grounds without a very good reason until such time as I am no longer acting as prison mistress."

A beat passes; Petra takes another sip of tea.

"A committee of some sort seems to be our best - if not our only - option, but to begin with it may be easiest to meet with those involved in smaller groups. I greatly, greatly admire how well we've all pulled together for this, but with so many involved we'll be better served having some sense of organization before we attempt to wargame the situation."

In closing, Petra looks directly at the tablet and smiles radiantly. "I am so proud of you all. The feats of bravery, kindness and keen intellect on that day are well worthy of the knights that I have given my loyalty and love; I can pay no higher compliment. Thank you."

Comments

[lanterncast.livejournal.com]

Petrana's assumption is correct; it's not a very eminent title, but Judith has decided that's the kind of information that she can keep to herself. She should be an adren by now, and she is acting sept leader, whether she likes it or not, so these are the kinds of things she has to get involved in. It might be comforting to Petrana to know that Judith is just as exhausted by the idea of all this labor as she is.

"Most of the city runs itself, doesn't it? The only things we need are people to take charge during emergencies, laws and a way of making sure they're followed, and somebody responsible for dealing with our captors. I don't want anyone on my territory asking for taxes, and I figure you don't either." She's mildly discouraged by the idea of not having a full election immediately; she's an idealist, this one, young enough and new enough to the idea of power that she doesn't like even the slightest compromise. But she's old enough and experienced enough, on the other side of the coin, to know that just because she doesn't like it isn't reason to challenge her elders. She'll keep an eye on it, that's all. "An acting council, then, so--you know, he doesn't get 'thrown to the wolves'." Judith smiles at her own private joke, and demonstrates simultaneously that she's been following the other broadcasts.

"As long as we don't hear protests about who ends up on it, and as long as they get replaced or actually elected--that should be okay. It's not like we don't know he did it, we just need to figure out what's going to happen to him--thank you for holding him, Lady Petrana."

[ipseite]

The repetition of her own words makes Petra - not precisely laugh, but she exhales in a tiredly amused huff, favouring Judith with a smile. She's taken care with cosmetics not to appear before her tablet again with the evidence of her weeping at the door down to the dungeons (she'd sent for a maid after her conversation with Doul), but she has to bite the inside of her cheek not to suggest that Judith thank her again when she hasn't strangled him herself.

She's arguing on his behalf, for due course, because she is a goddamn lady and even men like that deserve justice or there is no justice.

"I have a duty, even here. And you have a quick grasp of the reality of our situation- I'm glad. Are you willing to meet with me personally?"

[lanterncast.livejournal.com]

"I have to live here, don't I? I'd better know what's happening in my city." The kind of politics she's used to are (hopefully) more brutal and abrupt than those this place will shortly acquire, and navigating them wasn't a game, it was survival. (Maybe one day she and Petra could exchange stories, on that front.) "I'll tell you I'm one of your wolves, though, so if we could have this meeting pretty much anywhere but in front of the prisoner, I'd appreciate it."

"--Which means yes, I'm willing to meet you. When do you want to do this?"

[ipseite]

"Don't worry," Petra sighs, "I have every intention of strictly limiting anyone going in and out of the dungeons. As it is, the sooner the better- I've already spoken with Master Wayne, and I'd like to keep things moving as much as I can."

Really, she has no desire to keep the Doctor any longer than is absolutely necessary.

[lanterncast.livejournal.com]

"Now is okay? Now's a good time." Hence why Judith choose this moment to get in touch, and not any other; she's already getting to her feet and picking up - of all things - a purse, although the image of the sober and serious young woman is complicated by the gun she has strapped to her hip.

Judith would be tempted to offer up some of her space to house him (the sept basement has a very secure cell, she knows from experience) but they wouldn't get him back with his bones intact, so.

[ipseite]

"The guards at the gate will be expecting you, Fostern Judith; announce yourself and they'll see that you're shown in."

The time between her arrival and getting her to the sitting room will give Petra time to move from the study to be waiting there when she's shown in, since all her interviews are being handled in somewhat less authoritarian surroundings. It seems wise.

[ location: castle gatas ]

[lanterncast.livejournal.com]

"See you in five," Judith says, which is both inaccurate and informal, but this is her first time for this kind of thing, and the language of Garou here is a little aggressive for human sensibilities, or so Judith feels.

When Judith enters the room, the first thing she does is remove the magazine from her gun, hold both items up for Petra to see clearly, and then set them on a side table.

"I'm here peacefully," she states, "Acknowledging your claim to this land and your authority within its boundaries."

[ipseite]

While Petra may be unfamiliar with modern weaponry (the portrait behind her shows an armoured man carrying an axe and is still in its first frame), she knows when she's looking at one and the formal setting aside does a lot for her nerves. Wielding authority quite like this is still new to her, and still slightly disconcerting; she remains constantly aware of her own background and limitations. (Her attitude thus far is 'well, I have to do it anyway, so I will'.)

"For as long as I hold that authority, I'll consider you my respected equal." No, she didn't follow everything that Judith said initially in introducing herself, but she can figure out the gist of it and she vaguely recalls Judith's announcement of territory in another part of the city. It'll do, and in fairness 'respected equal' is a nice thing to say that can still cover a multitude of sins if she needs it to later. "Thank you for joining me- please, sit down."