iconoclassist | (no subject)

[He glances up for a moment from the reports he's reviewing and the laws he's ratifying, then back to his papers.]

You've got roughly two minutes to justify why I should chase them off before they get in here.

If this is your way for asking for a blowjob under the desk, sure, fine, for the love of the Hunter and the Maidens save me.

[...His sisters may have made an impression.]

I wasn't but if you're volunteering such things then who am I to say no?

[He sighs and walks over to the door behind her, opening it, and lighting the sconce in the hallway. A plain candle light that, after a moment, turns blue? Some kind of haunted castle equivalent of "Do not disturb."]

The dress looks nice on you.

I...guess. I don't even know how they got me into it.

[Well, then. Let's come and have a look at what she's working with with this desk, here.]

I'm not used to this.

Not surprising. One of them is a witch; it's said she can bend time, though honestly I suspect she simply beguiles people to her end.

[It's a rather nice desk. Decently roomy. Try not to imagine that it was built for something of this purpose by his ancestors. Konstantin looks vaguely amused that she's legitimately considering this.]

It's a dress befitting a woman of your new station.

I may make some...suggestions on the expected fashion, but it's mostly the suddenly being stripped without warning.

[She doesn't make suggestions without being willing to follow through.]

Are they always like this?

Yes. If anything, you are lucky you got away before they grew too bored. They have their own ideas, I'm certain, and no small amount of time or effort they'll want to exhaust on you before you become too regular to be interesting.

[He shrugs a bit helplessly.]

Father spoiled them, I'm afraid.

...I can't believe I'm looking forward to be boring.

[She kind of chuckles, and leans against his desk.]

Well, I was the spoiled child, so I can kind of sympathize.

Were you now? I suppose that I can see it, actually. I was obviously the eldest, so I received the brunt of things; not that my father was exceptionally strict. I just had certain expectations.

I remember...[Looking up at the ceiling, a little wistfully.]

Some of it was explained to me, when I was called to be your Guide. Not all of it, obviously...and I never could understand what he was thinking.

But as for me...I am the youngest of five, and I was the only one who really took after my father's love of plants. And with all the trouble my siblings caused...I suppose I was just a welcome reprieve.

[He smiles a bit at the idea of her being like that.]

That explains where the feral look came in, or the sleeping in trees; you're not simply a ranger, you've been living among nature since you were a child.

Mm...My father has no magic, you know. None at all...it's very unusual among the kathaan. But he loves plants...and they'll respond to that.

He was fine with me taking after it up until I brought the velociraptor eggs home, I think. Or maybe it was the manticore kitten?

[If he thinks she was feral when they met...]

...How am I going to keep this court in one piece, with you here?

[He chuckles.]

Ah, wait, yes. My sisters. I love it when the pieces fit so perfectly.

I haven't brought home monsters in decades, Konstantin.

[Sighing, and shrugging.] But wouldn't it be something? To hear that the kingdom of Aravalle is defended by beasts of myth? That seems to suit the aesthetic around here, doesn't it?

People already think we're a land of devils and the degenerate, I'm not certain that adding monsters to the castle guard would help with that...

Depends on the monster.

[Idly inspecting her fingernails.] For example, did you know you have unicorns out in the woods near here? Completely naturally, my hand to the Maidens.

I am fairly certain my nature makes me anathema to them, Shirin, but feel free to continue...

[She's taken the desk so he's leaning on the wall now.]

Not actually. We intentionally crafted the rumors about their purity to keep them from being interfered with. A unicorn doesn't give a shit if you're undead or if you're a fucking giant, so long as your morals align with theirs. And they wouldn't be settling in Aravalle at all if they didn't.

[Shrugging casually.] But, since most people don't know all that...we'd have to ask them of course. But one making an appearance of it's own volition would do much to change your reputation, no?

[When did Shirin learn how to politics. What have you done to her, Konstantin.]

[He stands back up straight, then reaches over and grabs her chin, looking her over.]

Hmm... no, it still smells like you. What got you into politics, now?

[Staring right back at him, and raising an eyebrow.]

Maybe I figured, since I'm to be queen, that I should at least learn enough to be of some use?

...You're cute when you're angry.

[Letting her chin go.]

But I am uncertain shedding my reputation is the best idea.

[Huffing, faintly.]

It's up to you. You'd know better than I how human politics works, even when I'm trying my best...

[But, she's putting her hands on his shoulders and sort of pushing him back towards his chair.]

But! Enough of that.

Let us not forget that I share in my father's cursed bloodline. There is a chance that I will have to have one of my own sons or daughters slay me... what then?

[But he's letting her push him down into his seat all the same.]

Perhaps better to be feared in such a case.

We'll see. There's nothing to say your human blood won't spare you such a fate...or that mixing elven blood into all this won't have some interesting results. Focus on the here and now...or if you insist on the future, consider what you wish them to inherit.

[Flicking his nose, some, while she's still leaned over him.]

But if you succumb to such a curse too quickly I'm going to be very peeved, you must understand. Be clear that you do...I don't intend to leave you able to be coherent about it for very much longer.

Well, the plan as I understood it hinges on having children who are old enough to understand the possible familial obligations, so, no, I have no intention yet or any time soon.

[He chuckles, settling in some in this chair.]

You may continue.