6853/A Guest In The Archives

A Guest In The Archives
Date of Scene:	26 September 2019
Location:	Duke's Archives
Synopsis:	Sarracenia gets to meet her new captor. And a friend.
Cast of Characters:	Lezard Valeth, Sarracenia, 7002

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Lezard Valeth has posed:
Sarracenia is finally kidnapped! Maybe she has some good dreams.

    When she wakes up, it's in an average but comfortable bed, surrounded by curtains. When she pulls them back, she sees...

    Well, books. Lots and lots of books. Bookshelves line the walls of the room, stacked up to a second floor in the small room. There is a globe on a stand nearby, more books neatly arranged on the floor near the stacks. A desk is also covered in more books, the entire room lit with sconces. There is a single door out of the room, that appears to actually be a secret door of some kind, as it seems to be a hinged bookcase of some kind.

    Beyond her... 'room'... Is an even more massive library. The vaulted room is four, maybe six floors high, completely stuffed with innumerable books inset into the walls. The floors shines with marble and granite in complicated patterns, the railings and stairs burnished mahogany. Desks are neatly lined up with chairs, several two-story bookshelves dividing the room up. There are other exits from the main room, but the most pertinent detail might be the large balcony to one side that looks out over a misty forest valley, mountains surrounding the deep, peaceful forest. One portion of it is covered in large crystals, a cave inset into it as it gleams with refracted light.

A burning bonfire is upon the balcony, a twisted blade thrust into it as it smoulders with a warm, eternal light on... oh, that's not wood. It's bones.

    But to one side is a table with several chairs around it. There, Lezard Valeth is currently sitting, paging through a tome while the smell of tea wafts through the air to accompany the rich smell of the mountain-woods below.

Sarracenia has posed:
     Sarracenia yawns rather loudly as she wakes up, then smacks her lips a few times. Her mouth feels so dry. "Gregory! Please bring me some..." She blinks as her sleepy vision clears. "...water?" She looks around. This is not her bed. But...she also is not in a dungeon. Did Lezard do something weird like take her to a hotel? She pushes the curtains open and looks around, then slips out of bed. And realizes...she is in a proper sleeping gown rather than the tattered battle dress she had been in when kidnapped. Which means -someone- saw her in her unmentionables! It better not have been him!

     The princess pushes that door open, her cheeks red with embarrassment at the idea of having someone other than her servants dress her. But, whatever yelling she might have been ready to do is forgotten at the sight of that library. "My goodness...I suppose this proves that wizards and warlocks are always people of letters." she says to herself as she looks around. She runs a hand over one of those desks, inspecting the craftsmanship, then looks toward the balcony.

     Balconies are one of her favorite things, and so she makes her way toward it. But, the bonfire and the burning bones give her quite a moment of pause before she proceeds. She steps through the door and immediately her head snaps around to Lezard. She reaches toward her purse almost instinctively...only to find it is not there. She blinks and looks down, then mmphs softly and looks toward him again. "So...what now? I have only been kidnapped once before, and that lasted only a few hours before someone who was not even a hero came for me. Unfortunately, at this time I do not believe there is anyone obsessed with me who might come for me, hero or otherwise." She doesn't approach yet, instead looking ready to dash back inside if Lezard makes some kind of threatening move.

Mikoto Shimizu (7002) has posed:
A hand falls on Sarra's shoulder.  

"I mean, we could hang you upside down over a fire for some reason.  Wouldn't be comfortable, and really not my sort of thing, but I don't judge," Came Mikoto's voice.  Moving passed the princess to sit down at the table she placed her hands on her lap and gave a polite bow to Lezard before actually sitting.  

"Also, I'd be very careful going out in this land.  Scaaaaaary stuff," Mikoto says, more or less used to the path she had to take to get here, but the rest of this land...well, it's inhabitants kind, this land peaceful.  

"Sit, drink, talk.  Not like you got much of a choice, and I figured I should give any prospective heroes a chance at rescuing you first.  Also, it'd send the wrong signal if I did, ya know?  Alsoooooo sort of having to repay a debt."

Lezard Valeth has posed:
Lezard doesn't make any threatening moves towards Sarracenia. He barely looks up from his book, in fact, as he pauses in his paging. The writing inside seems full of fairly ominous-looking stuff, anyway. "What happens is you make yourself comfortable. I have no desire or interest in tormenting you. I will not be harming you further. Behave yourself and you might even have an enjoyable time of it."

    Finally, he looks up and towards Sarracenia. "This /is/ what you wanted, correct?" He gestures to the chairs. "Have a seat. Enjoy some tea if you like. Select books to read if you wish, I care not. Just... do not damage anything."

He pauses. "I have been instructed to deliver you to Lady Priscilla for decapitation if you do."

Sarracenia has posed:
     Sarracenia nearly jumps out of her skin when that hand falls on her shoulder. If she were a cat she's be all puffed up after that. "M-mikoto?!" she exclaims, then seems to droop a bit. She listens to Mikoto and follows her over to the table before taking a seat. She just sits there and listens for a few moments, but when both seem done talking for a moment she does take some tea. "So...it really was for nothing." she says, then looks at Mikoto. "You are obviously still working with him." She looks at Lezard. "You managed to defeat me quite decisively in front of basically everyone who's opinion I actually care about." She looks down into her cup of tea. "And, apparently even Lady Priscilla is fine with all of your activities." She takes a sip, then sighs. "She saved my life once, a few years ago now."

     She sips of her tea again, then looks between the two, then peers at Lezard. "...did she really instruct you to deliver me for beheading if I were to cause trouble? She has never struck me as that type."

Mikoto Shimizu (7002) has posed:
"I told you not to do this over my sake, and to do it for yours," Mikoto says, neutrally as she takes her own tea, and looks up towards Sarracenia.  "I'm with the Concord, they've given me some good offers, and some people who have an actual interest in my development. 'Sides, Magical Girl of Envy, wouldn't sit right if I wasn't trying to get all that I can."

She takes a sip, "The issue wasn't Lezard's help, the issue was that I was ducking my problems again.  Trying to find the easy way out.  I wanted...needed hope after the revelation was made about our powers.  So either I was resigning myself to my fate or looking for an easy way out of it."

"It wasn't like Lezard knew what would happen.  I willingly accepted the offer and closed my eyes to the reality to it.  Those girls and I paid the price.  It's as simple as that, so if you are going to seek vengeance on someone for it, stop trying to blame people other than me and take it out on me."

Lezard Valeth has posed:
    The Sorceror shrugs. "I provide the Concord with a number of valuable and rare services. Very fer people seem to have the facility with souls that I possess. I also am more than willing to assist my Concord allies as needed. Mikoto is now one of them, of course."

    He reaches out and picks up his tea, takes a drink, and sets the cup back down before gesturing. "This library is technically Lady Priscilla's. It belonged to her sire and I am making use of it as we had... somewhat parallel investigations. As such the location has great personal significance to her."

    "To be fair, it was less the 'easy way out' and more that we did not simply dispose of the vessels before they transformed." Lezard comments laconically. "Chalk another complication up to the greater pain of mercy." There is a little wave of his hand, and he gestures. "I suppose the details at this point are mostly irrelevant. Either way, I gained valuable insight into Witches. At this point I am mostly wondering if Miss Rook's will might falter and she might experience a spiritual collapse event, but that will mostly be something to watch out for in the near future."

Sarracenia has posed:
     Sarracenia hmphs and smirks lightly before looking up into the sky. "I did it for you, but also for other reasons. Even now he has no remorse for the lives that were ruined because of his experiment. You at least I know to be suffering from the knowledge that you had a hand in their corruption and destruction. But I have no doubt that even if he had known what would happen to them he would have still performed the procedure." she says to Mikoto, then turns to Lezard again. "The details are not irrelevant. The details are what contributed to my actions." she says, then pauses a moment. "That and your taunts. I could not let that go unanswered. But, I suppose since the details are important to me I should ask. -Did- you perform the procedure without the victims knowing or against their will?" She looks to Mikoto once more. "And were you aware fully of just what he was doing?"

     She sips her tea again. "There is really nothing wrong with taking the easy way until it starts costing others their livelyhood. And I can sympathize somewhat with having to contend with a fate you do not like. I for instance am a princess that seems fated to be shunned by her subjects and avoided by most royalty because I refuse to simply be a prim and proper princess who remains in her castle and does not go on adventures."

Mikoto Shimizu (7002) has posed:
"I knew, but pretended not to see it," Mikoto says, probably taking more than her shoulder of the blame, but well.  As far as Rook's potential collapse was made to be a thing.  Mikoto shakes her head, "I think she's strong enough, and without the inherent weakness built into us magical girls.  Though it does...inspire something."

"I appreciate it, Sarracenia...but really, please don't.  I knew what I was getting into, and anything to the contrary was self-delusion at best," she comments.  The least she could do is help send those girls to the next life and end their suffering.

Though Sarra compares their fates.  Mikoto's tone becomes a bit icy, and flat.  "The difference, Sarra is that you can change that.  You can choose to accept one fate or the other.  Of course, what is to say that is the reason.  Have you asked your citizens why they dislike you?  They obviously don't hate you enough to rebel."

"My fate, there is no escape from.  The fate of us Magical Girls are a two-sided coin.  On the one end, we defeat the witch, restore our power and return the seed to the one who set this up only for the cycle to start over again.  On the other, I fail and become a witch, hurt others and maybe one day am defeated and become a grief seed.  Either way, the game is rigged..."

"But I hate games where there are only two options."

Lezard Valeth has posed:
    Lezard leans back in his chair and sighs. "Spare me the moralizing, Princess. Why do you even pretend to care? These people meant nothing to you. They were not part of your kingdom. They were not your friends. They are simply faces. A couple dozen faces amongst infinite beings in the Multiverse, beings without power. You could replace them in a heartbeat. Staren has done so for some of them."

    He waves a hand again, dismissively. "You have already made your assumptions, have you not? I would have used elves, but they would have been useless for this purpose. Do you really want to compare and contrast our purposes at this point?" He chuckles. "But then, you already have."

    "You are shunned and ignored but you do what you like anyway. Your only law is that what you decide to follow. How are you truly any different than I? All that separates us is the intention of our goals. We have all chosen our fates here."

Sarracenia has posed:
     Sarracenia nods lightly at Mikoto's answer to her question. "And I suppose I was probably in denial about just how much responsibility rested with you." she says, then takes in a slow, deep breath before letting it out in a long sigh. "But, that does not mean I am going to like him."

     The icy tone when Mikoto talks of fate makes Sarracenia frown just slightly. "Yes...therefor the use of 'somewhat' and 'sympathize'. I do not pretend to know what it is like to have one's very survival visibly controlled by a gem granted by a mysterious otherworldly creature. And yes, I am well aware why my citizens do not care for my presence. It is because I do not speak softly, am not afraid to speak my mind, do not simply let transgressions pass, and perhaps most agregious of all...am not content to simply be a figurehead in a castle like the other princesses of my world. I go on adventures, I assist my allies, and am not afraid to get my hands dirty." Pause. "I..may complain about the dirt once I have, but I am not afraid."

     The princess raises an eyebrow at Lezard. "Pretend? What makes you so sure that I do not care? Just because I did not know them personally does not mean they are not worth attention. And yes, I have made some assumptions. But, you have also done nothing to prove them wrong, intentionally or otherwise. In fact, you seem like you could not care less one way or the other if I have made correct or incorrect assumptions."

     She leans toward him a bit. "And as for our differences...there is also our straightforwardness. You seem to delight in witholding as much information as possible, releasing only enough to tease and mislead. I do not play such games."

     She leans back again. "I also do not like games where there are only two options. The third and fourth options are often much harder, however. Like, trying to be oneself and still garner the adoration of one's subjects."

Mikoto Shimizu (7002) has posed:
Mikoto's expression lightens somewhat, she doesn't WANT to be bitter.  It's just something that happens because of the bad deal, and the trying to find a way out.  After some time, she just goes back to drinking.  She listens to the two go around their differences and similarities.

"Of course, you could sit there and focus on how you are different.  It's easy to find that out.  Common ground is a lot harder.  Don't have to like the other person, but not at least establishing common ground just makes sure every interaction you have is conflict."

"It will cause fewer people to try and run over your stuff so easily, or at least without thinking.  It will, at least, be less inane for you.." she turns towards Sarracenia, "Others will think less of you for at least trying, and maybe even your people will get over what you consider what they hate about you if they can see you ARE capable of listening to them."

"Or maybe not, who knows."

Lezard Valeth has posed:
Lezard, again, sighs, pushing his glasses up. "You seem to be under the mistaken impression that I require your good will. I do not. I do not bother with guilt or other useless things." There is an ominous shine to his glasses as he leans in slightly, an unsettling grin crossing his face. "Do you truly wish to know?" He asks. "No, I did not. I did not ask them. I did not get their permission. I did not require it. I specifically selected the seven donors because of their bright souls and their powerful connections to each other, which allowed me to provide the most energy for Mikoto's use and the greatest tolerances for the negative force they had to absorb." He reaches out and picks up the cup, emptying his teacup. "What of it? All you care about is having a reason to hate me, to feel justified in your anger. Do you feel better now? More /righteous/? More able to loathe me? And yet, all your indignation means precisely nothing. It will not bring them back, and you lack the power to execute any kind of vengeance upon me. I can be as straightforward as I like. It simply /does not matter/ because you will do as you like regardless. You act like I must /justify/ myself to you. I do not, so I do not bother to do so. So, now that we have that settled..."

    He shakes his head. "They will do so anyway, Mikoto. It is the lot of those with ambition. You will face the same. Have faced the same. Will again."

     Lezard leans back, then, commenting offhandedly. "You baffle me, Princess. It is clear you do not wish to be a Princess. So why be a princess? Be what you wish to be. Make the world conform to your desires instead of worrying about having to conform to those of others'. Your subjects will appreciate you if you provide a safe and efficient land for them to live within. Most people are not hard to please."

Sarracenia has posed:
     Sarracenia's frown grows as Lezard finally admits it. "Do I feel /better/?! No! Because it is just as I suspected and yet someone I consider a friend cares not! The mere act of asking their permission would display at least a basic respect for other people! Even if you are one of the strongest believers in the Concord's policy of might makes right, if you do not even give a moment's thought for the lives of others that means you would destroy any and all without a second thought if they got in your way or it could somehow help you complete your objective!"

     She takes a deep breath there, her righteous indignation getting forcefully tempered. "But...you did something during our fight which also baffled me. You did not harm my ships or crew, and if I am not mistaken took at least some care not to harm those who ended up near me during one of your attacks. This seems...rather like a paradox. You show no remorse for those lost thanks to your actions, and yet do not simply destroy without prejudice. So, what is it? Do you value lives and simply do not want others to know it? Or...would it simply be a loss of resourses that could some day be made to serve you?"

     The suggestion that she has an option in whether she is a princess or not draws a confused look from Sarracenia. "...being a princess is not a career. It is a birthright. I could perhaps leave, but I would always be a princess. And...I suppose that, despite how defiant I am of their wishes...I do care what my parents think. I may disappoint them, but they are not yet ashamed of me. Giving up my birthright would be the highest shame upon the kingdom, and there are no other heirs to the throne. The people are content under my parents' rule, and while they do not approve of my demeanor or activities, I believe they do realize I would not be an unjust ruler." Whether it is the people's attitude and whether Sarracenia would be a good ruler are both hard to say.

     She looks to Mikoto finally. "I do try to listen to them. I stopped some of my more...questionable activities in part due to public outcry. Piranha plants are still people, even if they are also soldiers. I can only surmise that it is stories of Princess Peach Toadstool that poisons their minds with what a princess -should- be and thus keeps them tilted against me."

Mikoto Shimizu (7002) has posed:
She shrugs helplessly at Lezard, one has to be willing to do something.  Though perhaps he already tried once, or perhaps he just doesn't care.  That's not really anything she can change, and would likely not want to even if she could.  It takes all kinds...

"I didn't say I didn't care, but I'm just not condemning him for something that was equally my fault in the matter."

When Sarra explains her view on her princessship, she shrugs.  "Then define what you think a Princess should be.  Not just deciding to define what you are, but also not letting the example of others poison you against them.  Cuz that's what it seems like from my point of view."

"So what if that's how THEY act?"

Lezard Valeth has posed:
    "Why would she care? I did not tell her." Lezard says. "Her emotional state was bad enough without destabilizing it with further guilt. Oh, she probably was able to put two and two together, she is a bright girl." He waves offhandedly... And then he goes quiet as Sarracenia points out something important.

    Lezard actually smiles. "Ah, you /are/ paying attention." He says, pleased. "The answer is simple: I kill for a /purpose/. There is no point to simply slaying everything present. It does nothing but cause greater irritation down the road because nothing enrages would-be heroes like a pointless slaughter. I did not harm them because it would have been counterproductive to my purpose. You are apparently incapable of understanding fear or consequences or rational thought so harming your crew or people would have simply driven you to more intensive feats of violence, and encouraged your allies to join into the battle."

    He looks over and gestures to Mikoto. "As for her, the vessels died because they were selected to serve a greater cause. She is worth a thousand like them." A pause. "Though I would not likely do that. A thousand fusing into a single Witch might be excessive to deal with, considering seven nearly killed the lot of you."

    He leans back again, drumming his fingers on the table. "You are not even the current ruler? Your parents are alive?" He sighs. "No wonder why you are such a headstrong child. You have no sense of rulership." He nods to Mikoto. "She has the right of it. Carve out a kingdom for yourself and shape it in your image. The blood and pain you experience in the process will temper you into something worthy of it as well as your homeland."

Sarracenia has posed:
     Sarracenia mmphs in annoyance. "So, it was merely because it might inconvenience you later. Well...I suppose that is...something." she says, taking Mikoto's words about finding common ground into consideration but sounding somewhat forced. Then Mikoto asks why how other princesses act matters, and Sarracenia shakes her head. "I do not believe you understand. Princess Peach is the standard by which all other princesses are measured in our world. A combination of fame, traditions, and adoration makes her the most influencial princess in recent history. If you do not conduct yourself in some semblance of how she conducts herself, you are considered an abberant princess."

     Their suggestion of forming a new kingdom gives Sarra pause. She considers it. "...but, who would care for the Sundew once my parents were gone? I am not fond of the idea of regents. The more distant one is from the other high authorities in a country, the easier it is for corruption to take root. And even if they are not overly fond of me, I do wish for my subjects to remain strong and happy." She thinks for a moment more. "...although...there is a new clearing in the forst. If we acted quickly it could possibly be secured as an outpost and eventually expanded into a second city."

Mikoto Shimizu (7002) has posed:
"And?  That was how they claimed their place.  Do what you will to claim yours.  Being mad at THEM for what they did to achieve their place will not do much but sour you.  Or worse, allow you to blame them if you fail.  It's easy to not accept responsibility."

She doesn't really acknowledge or deny Lezard's synopsis.  It wasn't untrue, though she might feel slightly more responsible then she should.  "Witches are powerful, which is a question on its own...how come they can produce such strength post-transformation.  Is there something in our Gems we can not unlock fully..?"

"As for whom...well, either you could claim leadership of both, and just consolidate power...or take control when the need arises and put a trustworthy retainer in the new city."

Lezard Valeth has posed:
    As much as it might harm her argument, I again agree with Mikoto." Lezard says, gesturing to the side. A robed figure approaches bearing a tray with a bottle and wineglasses. Lezard takes one, and gestures to the others, wordlessly inviting them to do the same as the figure pops the cork.

    The more perceptive might notice the hands are invisible. So is anything under that cowl. Lezard seems to think nothing from it as the invisible thing pours red wine out into the glass, which Lezard promptly takes a sip of. "Ah, excellent." He sighs.

    Then he continues. "So exceed her. Be a greater princess. Redefine it with your own will and power. Or just conquer her country. I hear that it happens often enough." Sssssip. "As for who would care for your country? The answer is simple: Your Prince. Is that not your goal? I could not imagine anyone more loyal, and would it not be romantic to have two kingdom-cities together, ruled by you and your Prince?"

    What, just because Lezard is a psychopath doesn't mean he doesn't /understand/ romance.

    He then nods to Mikoto. "They are not limited in the way you are. If we could discover a method for you to tap into that power, you could likely grow exceedingly powerful... But it would likely be quite dangerous."

Sarracenia has posed:
     Sarracenia hesitates a moment before taking a glass of wine. She does give a curious look at the apparent lack of visible hands. She listens to both of them, then mmphs in that way someone does when someone they do not like has a good point. "I am starting to think that 'goal' is more of a pipe dream. The only person who has proven heroic, worthy of me, willing to tolerate me, and -not- a polygamist disappeared without a word. He left me only a pendant to remember him by."

     She sips her wine, then stands. "I...thank you for your hospitality. And as for the Witches, there is a reason I call it the Magical Girl Curse. It makes no sense. If the gems themselves granted magical power then they would simply disintegrate on running out of fuel. If the Witches' souls were the source of their increased magical power, they too would simply disappear after a time. It seems to me that the gems themselves are a curse that is disguised as a magical gift of power." She sips again, then starts back inside. "Well, as I am both a prisoner and an unpopular person in this castle at the moment, I believe I shall go inside and try to find a good book."