1791/Girl Talk

Girl Talk
Date of Scene:	12 March 2015
Location:	Castlevania
Synopsis:	Serori invites Taylita over to talk saiyan politics, and to start plotting regicide.
Cast of Characters:	37, 83, 180
Tinyplot:	A Wish for the Future

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Serori (37) has posed:
The window to Serori's hidden bedroom stands wide open to admit both the spring sunshine and the cool mountain breeze. Gauzy, semi-opaque curtain liners do little to filter the sunlight, but each time the wind gusts, they billow and flow above the room's carpets like ephemeral spirits. Given the setting, it wouldn't be too weird for those spirits to be more literal than metaphorical, but these chambers seem to exist apart from Castlevania's usual traits, so it's not too likely any /real/ haunting'll happen.

Serori's seated on her bed. It's a big, fancy bed, complete with posts and canopy and sun-blocking drapes and giant pillows -- the kind of thing which belongs in a romance movie. It's not in good shape, though. At least, it's not all neat and put-together. Hell, it's not even neatly rumpled in that fun kind of way. The covers are lumped up near the bed's foot, the pillows are sort of in chaos, one pillow's split in half and shedding feathers --

Guess that's what happens when you bring your unruly demon-dog-bird upstairs to visit.

Kabu's chewing on the busted-open pillow. His back serves as a rest for Serori as she scrolls through a tablet with an expression of annoyance on her face. Not for Kabu -- she tolerates his shit -- but for whatever she's looking at and thinking about. Her eyes are a little red-rimmed and puffy, her casual clothing a bit rumpled. This is Serori in her most natural gives-no-fucks form.

Taylita must still be pretty trusted if she gets to come by and find Serori like this.

Dracula Vlad Tepes (83) has posed:
    Sunlight pours in through the windows in casual defiance of the eternal night surrounding Castlevania. A spring breeze rolls in from outside, spared from the odor of age and stone that lingers around the castle's damned towers. The room is vibrant and colorful, from the blue roses growing along the edge where the floor meets the wall to the stained glass of the windows that shifts with the course of the day. It seems like it doesn't really belong in the castle at all...and someone who clearly doesn't belong /here/, in turn, looms in the corner.

    With the tall windows and the rolling sunlight, there's not really a place for the Lord of Darkness to stand comfortably, aside from a few corners where the light doesn't directly stand. But, regardless, Dracula is here, leaning with his back against one of those very corners, his arms folded over his chest, and one leg casually crossed over the other. His cape is set aside, but his outfit is still rather fine, and certainly as dark as usual. His presence, while foreboding by its very nature, isn't much more than a strange, towering shadow among all this brightness.

    Kabu is given a /look/ now and then, as if he strongly doubts the wisdom of having that hellhoundbird ruining such incredible finery, but Dracula doesn't say anything about the situation. Some noble opinions simply never fade away. For the most part, he's silent, looking to Serori here and there and otherwise gazing out the window at the strange sight of Castlevania's towers appearing to be graced by the afternoon sun.

Taylita (180) has posed:
     Taylita meanwhile is thinking 'Why does Serori have a room here?' as she flies through the Castlevania skies toward the castle. She has exchanged her white armor for her usual outfit, so she is enjoying the sunlight on her skin. When she reaches Serori's room, she floats up to the window and peeks inside. "Serori?" she asks before hopping down onto the floor. "Nice place." she says as she walks toward the bed. She keeps an eye on that demon dog thing, but she trusts Serori enough that she doesn't think it a threat.

     "So, what did you want to talk about?" she asks, smirking lightly at seeing Serori like this. Then, she realizes...they are not alone. Her gaze snaps quickly toward Dracula, and she becomes more tense and alert. She watches him a few moments, then looks back to Serori, relaxing again. "You didn't say you'd have a man over." she says teasingly.

Serori (37) has posed:
"Oh, he goes where he wants."

Wait, the man, or the dog?

Kabu's eagle-like head swivels around to regard Taylita. There isn't any aggression in his posture, though he does give a sharp 'AWP' kind of alarm noise that's cut short by his need to swipe a feather from his beaky mouth.

Serori reaches behind her to pet the beast's furry hide. "I've been living here awhile. Since I was General, at least, though at the time, it was an act of convenience more than anything else. Now I'm just used to it, and the castle is used to me, so why change anything?" A shrug, and she pushes the tablet away, freeing up her hands to rub at her eyes a little. "Welcome, anyway. No more armor? Too bad. Last night's outfit looked good. You can sit down, if you want. Don't mind Lord Dracula. He and I have had a lot to talk about."

She lowers her hands, blinks a few times, then squints at the shadowed corner to smirk. "Look at you, hiding over there. I only opened the window for Taylita's comfort."

Serori shakes out her hair, and looks back to Taylita. "So, what do /you/ think about King Kakarot?"

Dracula Vlad Tepes (83) has posed:
    Dracula just gives a flat-eyed look to Taylita when she gives that teasing remark. "I believe I am allowed to linger wherever in my home I wish," he quips, scoffing slightly. One hand lifts, however, to cast a dismissive wave through the air. "You have no reason to fear my presence today. You are a guest, after all, not only of my residence, but Serori's as well. She has had enough trouble lately."

    He doesn't mention the fact that he's probably going to have a hard time /doing/ much of anything in this situation, but that's probably obvious enough to anyone who's paying attention.

    If any of his feathers are ruffled, he settles down soon enough. Serori's smirk is returned, even, coupled with a light shrug. "I'd rather not get in the way for now. It's convenient, as well, and comfortable enough."

    He quiets down for the moment, his contemplative dragon's stare shifted back to the open window as Serori and Taylita discuss their own matters.

Taylita (180) has posed:
     Taylita takes a seat on the edge of the bed, then stretches. "Yeah, it looked pretty good, but it was just for show. I might make something like that to wear into battle." She looks over at Dracula as Serori talks about him, and offers him a little wave. "I thought vampires slept in coffins during the day?" she asks.

     Then, Kakarot is brought up. Taylita crosses her arms over her chest and lies back next to Serori. "I think he is full of it. He knows how to talk and twist words so that it sounds like he is right all the time, but I don't think he has any interest in a peaceful resolution. He wants to delay us, if you ask me. He mentioned he has more forces out there. I think he is just waiting for them to get here, then he is going to try and push both the Union and the Confederacy out of Reptillon under the guise of 'challenging himself and his warriors'."

     Taylita sighs softly. "I don't think he will agree to any resolution that does not involve a full out war. He was too insistent about his right to conquer, and too quick to try and make everyone else look bad."

Serori (37) has posed:
"Mm. Stark said about the same thing. He doesn't think Kakarot's doing anything but paying...lip service, I guess." Serori looks down at Taylita, but the longer she looks, the more her gaze slides away, until she seems to be looking at the floor in the dazed, thoughtful manner of someone who's lost awareness of the world. It takes a moment for Serori to shake her head, and to pay attention to both Dracula and Taylita. "Sorry."

"...so. It's probable we're going to war. I wanted to talk to you about what that might mean, Taylita." Serori's eyes slant toward the window. "And what it might mean for his people...and our people."

It's obviously an unhappy thing for Serori to be considering. She and Taylita might have very different philosophies when it comes to saiyan leadership and saiyan goals, but in the end, they do both want what they think is best and healthiest for everyone's survival. "If...we go to war, /if/ Kakarot doesn't come around to reason, /if/ the head of the snake isn't cut off, we're going to have to do what we can to preserve as many saiyan lives as possible. Both ours, and theirs. With Reptilon caught up in this, we may have very little control over what happens."

Dracula Vlad Tepes (83) has posed:
    Dracula listens in silence, keeping to the back of the room as he hears Serori's discussion. His gaze finally slants back toward her, a draconic stare that most would find disconcerting. There is something in it, however, that seems to make it a little less so; something mirrored in the slow sigh he releases next.

    "I would ask you to keep your forces out of the conflict if it escalates to that extent," he murmurs, still loud enough to be heard across the room. "Assuming they anger both Confederate and Union forces, there would be enough of our own resources to put against them without, hopefully, needing to resort to precious saiyan numbers. At the same time..." He frowns slightly, the expression of someone both resigned and troubled. "...I know that your people value the fight for their lives more than anything else. We will make use of whatever tactics we can to spare saiyan lives on both sides, if it comes to that."

Taylita (180) has posed:
     "Or, we could avoid a war by just taking out Kakarot. He challenged us that if we could kill him in single combat, his empire would belong to whoever that person was. Seems like the best way, if you ask me." Taylita says, stretching again. "If we want to avoid loss of life, anyway. Which, I do. I may not be all that fond of my own people, but they are still my own people. I want them to change, not be destroyed."

     Taylita sits up again, then hmms. "But, Kakarot is strong. I'm sure you've sensed it. He carries the confidence of someone who knows he is strong, and doesn't think any of us are strong enough to face him in single combat."

Serori (37) has posed:
"I wish I could guarantee our people would stay removed from the conflict, Field Marshal. If we go to war against the Neo-Saiyans...my people would be the first to volunteer for the conflict. They'd probably line up in droves days ahead of time, or start the war early, before we're even ready. Even forbidden, they'd show up to fight, because to do otherwise would go against their natures."

Serori leans back into Kabu, slumping at just the right angle to avoid the bony spurs sticking up from his spine and shoulderblades. Kabu turns away from his dead pillow to start fussing at her hair, preening it like he would preen himself. His attentions are tolerated enough that she doesn't swat him away, though she does make a face at him.

Putting her hand to Taylita's shoulder in a slight, reassuring squeeze, Serori continues. "I am not strong enough to eliminate Kakarot myself. Vegeta is determined to carry out Kakarot's murder; however, if Vegeta fails, the backlash could be incredible. Vegeta's not going to make it an honorable challenge. The next time he fights Kakarot, it'll be to Kakarot's end -- or maybe his own. I doubt you could take him." Serori's eyes narrow a little. "You can't yet reach Super Saiyan, and he's ascended to the second form. Anyway, if all of us went after Kakarot together, we'd trounce him, but that'd attract the attention of his people."

The last remark is given with a scowl. "I am not an assassin, despite having the skill."

Dracula Vlad Tepes (83) has posed:
    Dracula's frown remains, but he nods briefly in understanding once Serori asserts his concerns on saiyan eagerness. Well, that's something else to keep in mind. "Understandable. At least they are all excellent warriors, I suppose."

    Another heavy sigh is shoved through his nostrils, and he looks aside to the window again. A few more moments are spent in silence, before he speaks up again with another idle thought.

    "...I assume only a saiyan can defeat Kakarot to claim victory, hm?" He has an expected answer, of course, and it makes him give off a frustrated hiss. "Perhaps goading him into the battleground himself will be the optimal tactic."

Taylita (180) has posed:
     Taylita sighs. "Vegeta...I'm as worried about him as I am Kakarot. He talks of honor and pride and all that, but everytime he speaks it seems like he is serving only his own interests. Then, when someone calls him on it, he sweet talks and comes up with a good reason why he did what he did. He told me that everyone underestimates him. That he plans much more carefully than anyone thinks and doesn't overreact as much as it seems, but...I still feel like he would throw us all into the fire to get his vengeance."

     Taylita shakes her head, then looks up at Serori. "Both sides have saiyans, and I'm pretty sure that if the two saiyan armies clash, they will fight until no one is left. Pride and stubborness would demand they fight until only one side is left." She pauses a moment as Dracula speaks up, then shrugs. "It wouldn't be hard, I suspect, but...it would still be war, and in that situation if Kakarot was defeated I don't think his people would stop fighting. They would seek vengeance."

Serori (37) has posed:
"He has no heirs. I have no idea which of his seconds are in position to take power if he dies. It's possible some back-channeling might be able to work out a more treacherous arrangement -- we could find someone who /wants/ his spot, and put /that/ saiyan in power once Kakarot is dead -- but his death is more likely to cause upheaval." Serori makes a frustrated sound. "/Millions/, he said...there could /millions/ of saiyans in his army. Thousands, at least. His empire outnumbers ours ten or more times. If we're going to cut the head off the snake, it needs to be done in a swift and decisive manner. I don't want /chaos/. I want /peace/."

Serori's shoulders sag with her next sigh. In a quiet voice, she adds her agreement to Taylita's fears. "We /will/ destroy one another, all for the sake of pride, if we don't find some way to take out Kakarot /and/ control Vegeta..."

Dracula Vlad Tepes (83) has posed:
    Dracula gives a low mumble of understanding and lowers his head, leveling his frown to the floor. "...yes. This is a delicate situation, of course, but...I suppose it will have to be treated like one." His next remark comes in a low rumble of tension and determination. "I will not have chaos and destruction spreading among these people over something so stubborn as some fools' pride. We will come to a resolution, in one way or another. I do not care what I have to expend to come to that."

Taylita (180) has posed:
     Taylita shakes her head to Serori. "Putting some unknown on the throne could be worse. It has to be me. I might be unknown to the saiyans, but you and Vegeta both think that I am worthy and I am strong enough to keep the other saiyans under control. The only obstacle is Kakarot...if he can reach the second level of super-saiyan like you said, I will have to train hard to match him. I know I can do it, I...just don't know if I can do it before he resumes his attack on Reptillion. And even if he doesn't attack Reptillion, he will just move on to another world seeking challenge. And he won't care who the world is aligned with. He might even purposely attack one of the factions if he thinks one or the other is stronger."

     Taylita flops back down on the bed and sighs heavily. "The one solution that would make this all work out is also the one we can't do yet."

Serori (37) has posed:
/That/ claim startles the hell outta Serori. Eyes wide, she gives Taylita a look that's half incredulity, half irritation. "/You/? But I just said -- I don't think you can beat him." Serori frowns. "Besides, that's a nation of conquerors. Maybe some of them would be interested in a more peaceful or heroic lifestyle, but what'll you do when you're life's threatened by would-be usurpers? Will you /let/ our two empires unify, if it means you might be left with fewer to control?"

Now, Serori believes Taylita's capable. Taylita's proven her strength in past battles, and let's not forget last year's WMAT results. Serori's tail thumps the bed. "Let's just...let's think about all this a bit more. We have time. The ceasefire is ongoing."

Serori's hand falls back down to Taylita's shoulder. Her other hand comes up to push her hair out of her eyes before she slings her forearm across her forehead. "We'll figure out something..."

Sigh.