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Despite being within the crux of the den of deceivers, she was content. Oddly, undisturbed or unthreatened. In her point of view, she had the advantage of causing harm to him, should she desire it. It would have struck more of a below to Bretonia. Yet. It was far from her intentions. There was nothing for her to gain through breaking him.
His smile brought an inquisitive intrigue, pondering what his psyche may be thinking. Did he still have romantic interests within her? Or perhaps he was deceiving her? Regardless. She knew there was duty to be done. Both or Humanity, and, contradictorily, Harbinger. As well as a bit of herself. Mostly herself. But the concept of extinction tends to go against her own beliefs. She was thorough about that intent with their private meeting in Baffin.
"Up to you, I can go retrieve it... I would have imagined a man such as yourself had ample time to drink, what with your desk job. Or are you more adventurous than anticipated? I did not expect you to be so brazen to return to Kusari after their warnings... Such an interesting way of you to approach to an invitation to a drink, hmm?"
His smile grew wider for a moment, before settling back to it's normal length. Now here was a woman with a razor sharp mind and a tongue to announce it. While he was sure that not every move of hers held an intent or hidden motive, any move could. Perhaps she felt comfortable in his company, which would surprise him only a little. He had sat across the room from the Queen, Dagon, Henrich, Belen, Selim, Loyola and now her. Not to mention the dozens of others who had it out for him. While it was an impressive list, none were harder to read than her. She knew how to charm and flatter to fight and hide to lie and deceive. Perhaps that is why he was attracted to her, perhaps he preferred to see her let her hair down, if only for a moment. There was something about her he couldn't quite explain away as a simple 'quirk', maybe it was the truth that below all the stories about her, sitting here in front of him, she was....human.
As I told you yesterday my dear. He said cocking his head slightly to the side still holding his smile. I'm full of surprises. As I am sure, so are you. Let us go and find out what surprises we have with a little merriment in us, shall we?
He did enjoy learning about people, so often there was no time to talk and intelligence reports of mission briefings offer nothing in the way of a personal touch. Exploring someone through conversation, regardless of who they were was something he loved. Now, she of all people asked him if she wished to share a drink with her. How could he say anything other than 'Yes'?
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Her expression remained unchanged, that confidence still radiated from her. Yet the curiosity lingered about him, his personality, what did he find as entertainment? Or was this all a test to gauge each other? So many thoughts swirled within her mind, always calculating, always tiring herself.
"Oh? Very well then. Allow me to retrieve the bottle... If I find the way there. "
Pushing herself up, she straightened her jacket, adjusting her posture as she walked out of the room, exploring off to find the personal quarters in question. Find the bag, get the bottle, go back to him - and do not compromise yourself. That is all she could think of. But yet. Did he have a hidden scanner? Why was he so trusting? Something was wrong, but so unusually entertaining.
Eventually, she would find the room in question, retrieving the bottle. A moment came across her mind, remembering her recent operation from Holliday a few days ago. Was it wise to indulge within the drink? Perhaps not. But she could not allow it to leave her sight, it was her secret medication to the affliction at night. For whatever reason, it provided that soothing ailment, dulling down the threshold of the psychic attack. But for now, she was content that such episode did not spike, it would certainly arouse suspicion.
Returning to the room with the bottle in hand,
"Are you usually a drinker? Suppose so... It's a common theme amongst many in Bretonia. Alcohol. I was never a large fan of such, but I have found my fine interests within Wine. There is something... enlightening about it. But... Tell me something. You've had every opportunity to turn on me, or kill me, yet you did not take it. Why? "
For now, she kept the bottle in hand, until he invited her over to a suitable location.
Left alone with his thoughts for a short while, he pondered this whole situation and his role in it. He concluded she was comfortable enough here, if she was not she would never have come, or left long before now. Trying to figure out why would be an exercise in pointlessness, so he decided not to push the matter. Yet the memory of what she had said about Leviathan sprang out of his consciousness rather suddenly and the realization that followed was something different entirely. It was likely she was still deeply upset over what had happened to him and if she had a family through him....well.
Victor concluded she was enjoying his company because perhaps it offered a break from everything else, especially leviathan's untimely demise and he scolded himself internally for thinking otherwise. No, if that was his role to play then he would. No ulterior motives with her, by her own admission she was not well. There would be no good in trying anything with her for that was not what she was intending, or at least that was his thinking. He could be wrong, but he had some faith that beneath the myths and legends about her, she was still a woman with a heart, a broken one perhaps, but better that than a heart made of ice.
When she returned he was still lost in his thoughts, snapping back into reality when she spoke. His smile returned at her presence but her question surprised him Why would I want to harm you? My dear I gave you my word I would not harm you until I heard you out. I listened, I saw and I believe I understood as best I could. But more importantly, this is my home. You are my guest and therefore you are under my protection. Turn your nose up at the thought if you will, but so long as you are here, in this house, you are safe. Besides He smiled, a playful look crossing is face for a moment The loss of such a beauty would be unacceptable in my humble opinion
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Still holding the bottle in hand, awaiting for him to give some direction - or even an offer - to obtaining some glasses. Remaining moderately inquisitive, she spoke in return
"Majority of individuals who have sought me have also attempted to kill me in some form or another... Safe in this house, hm? Are you sure the Government does not keep watch of your property? Are you not my enemy, Master Victor?"
She took the statement almost literal, keeping a mental note of it in paranoia. Rolling her eyes at his compliment, though admittedly to herself, it was odd having the false eye back in, the second felt a bit delayed, lazy.
"How crazy you must be to see me as such. But I believe beauty in the eye of the beholder. Perhaps you're not that far off from I in terms of supposed madness."
A light chuckle was had once more. Though, the caution regarding outsiders always remained.
He set his own glass down and wandered over to a small cabinet behind the piano where he rummaged through for a few moments. I am not the 'majority of individuals' my dear. I am something else entirely. I am the eyes and ears of the the Queen. The government knows what it knows because I possess some level of competence in keeping my people safe. He produced a pair of crystal wine glasses before walking toward her.
Standing in front of her, her looked down toward her eyes and drank in their mystifying beauty for a moment , his expression changed to one of seriousness but also one that was deliberate and calm. He was aware of what he was saying, even if it made no sense to him either. Today, sweet Sapphire, you are anything but my enemy. And while you mightn't understand my attraction, know that it is there regardless. I am an honest fool if nothing else. He stepped around her, motioning for her to follow as he led her through the house.
Eventually they reached the great hall. A large room with a second story added above which ringed the bottom was connected to the floor via duel stairway which joined at the second floor as a balcony. The seal of House Steiner at the center of the back wall loomed over the whole room. Flanked by an Old Imperial Rheinland banner and a Bretonian one the setup displayed both the origins of the family as well as their allegiance. Below the pair, just under the seal was a recent addition, the coat of arms of Lord Edmund Steiner. The rest of the room was largely empty, a space designed to be filled when the need arose, but as of late there had been few things to cause such a celebration. Their footsteps echoed throughout the hall as Victor led his guest up the stairway and then on to an outside balcony overlooking the landscape. A small glass table and two chairs inhabited their viewing place and Victor placed the two glasses he was holding on the table, before pulling out a chair for her. I thought you might prefer the view. He said, obviously a great admirer of the landscape.
Before them lay the vast and open estate green, the village of Warwick and it's surrounding fields could be seen some distance away off to the left while the great alpine Forrest which bordered the estate grounds turned into a dark green cloak as it opened up as the country expanded. Beyond, in the background, an imposing mountain range erupted from the landscape and screeched on for miles in either direction. Telltale snow falls on the peaks indicated which was the wind was blowing.
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She had no interest in him beyond curious fascination. What his angle may have been. Curiously peering at him as he mentioned being the Queen's underdog,
"And would that not place you under a tighter watch with such power?"
It rubbed off onto her as suspicious, why would he retain such feelings after so many years? What answers was he looking for? No doubt. He was looking to learn. He is still operating for the Queen.
"How curious, how you can operate for the Queen - to stand with someone who broke her very will of the realms as a grave insult. To be fascinated in me, raises many questions in itself - particularly after so much time. Me? Sweet? Oh no. My bitterness is a unique indulgence. A very acquired taste that appeals to few. "
Following him along, the intrigue was still captivated within the state. Yet a sense of pompousness brushed off from the pride. Torn between disgust and appreciation for their preservation of historical values, there was still a certain sour taste for the Imperial loyalty. How can someone be so proud, so content, with the subjuguation and slaughter of millions of innocents?
She did well to hide such disdain, for such emotions had no place here. Bringing the bottle to the table, she sat down as he offered out the chair oh-so-chivalrously, sitting quietly as she gazed out to the landscape. There was a great sense of nostalgia. Even though she had rejected her Bretonian past, it was still a major part of her life. Those rugged memories resurfaced broken shards of the past, vaguely remembering her home town with such familiar views.
Sighing, she slowly blinked, eyeing the landscape before turning to look at him, asking to the point of this whole investment, her tone loosened up, dropping a moderate amount of the accent,
"...What is it that you want with me, really, Victor? Are you trying to figure me out?"
The sun had all the signs of starting to make it's slow decent behind the mountains. The wind rushed through the trees and the birds sang sweetly, it was an unusually perfect evening, but for the two figures sitting atop the older estate. Her questioning amused him, was she really so concerned? Did it really matter what he said? He strongly doubted she would believe anything he said, eventually she would inevitably make up her own mind about him, regardless or not it was actually true, it would be true for her. He smiled at her as he reached into his pocket and pulled out his pipe. No my dear, I am not. I believe so many have tried and failed already. He lit the bowl and it began to burn, the sweet scent of tobacco drifting away into the sky as he exhaled. But I do not expect you to believe me. No, you will inevitably come to your own conclusion about what I want, true or not, but by then it won't really matter. So, for the time being I want only to enjoy your company He closed his eyes and enjoyed the sun on his face while a soft memory of music resonated through his soul, it was a happy memory for him and although she could neither hear nor see what he recalled, he did wish she could.
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Surely that could not be it. Company? After his people tried to kill her for so long? Was he in trouble at home to warrant this distraction? So many thoughts could be held. The environment held no greater impact on her beyond the distant recalls of her previous self. Slowly, she returned the tone, still interested in finding out his angle. She opened up the bottle, pouring a serving to both of the glasses, sliding her own to sip on quietly, keeping the glass finely in her palm,
"Perhaps I will come to a conclusion. Perhaps I won't... Enjoying my company. Ho-oh. You act as if this is the last time you will see me, hm? " - briefly, she hooted lightly in amusement.
There was a moment of relief that he had the decency to smoke outside, taking another slow sip on the wine. Her senses did not enjoy the scent of the tobacco, mentally putting up with the stench for now.
He smiled, she was a flirt indeed, to be fair so was he and he was hardly in a position to be critical of her, much rather he enjoyed the playfulness of her, although he did wonder if it masked something deeper. Allow me to ask then, why are you so concerned? Surely you are no stranger to betray or attempts on your life yet you have survived. So you can obviously handle yourself, does this situation strike you as one where I could just pull out a gun and shoot you? On that note he remembered that he hadn't even bothered to arm himself, his service pistol was in his room and it was only now that he realized that he didn't want to arm himself around her, for whatever reason. Perhaps he should spend more time analyzing himself, as Alfred would say Speak less and watch more.