Post by Athena on Aug 17, 2009 20:25:35 GMT -5
There were some things in the world that Athena hated more than plans going Very, Very Wrong. One of them included loud noises. Loud noises and lots of people were things that meant chaos, and in Athena's world, Chaos Was Bad.
She made small talk, lingered by the refreshments table, and finally found a closed door that opened at her touch. She breathed in sweet, clear air, free of the scent of people and felt around for the light, kicking the door half-closed behind her.
She had no interest at being in this part. Ridiculous. She’s an assasin, a mercenary, not a bleating politician. Not only that this blasted night of all nights, she was ordered, to go here. That order at least brought in a good fund. Good wine, too. As long as she stays alone in this room, no one should di—the door opened? She turns. “What do you want?” she states bluntly.
Athena, startled, blinks slowly up at her. "Chocolate," she answers truthfully, for at this very moment, she rather feels like it is the only thing that will calm her. "What do you want?" she adds at the end of it, feeling like she should return the inquiry.
Anouke flicks an ear at her, lifting the small, delicately designed bottle to her lips taking a swig. “Solitude, and someone to shag me. I meant, why are you here? Nobody goes in the off corridors. It’s not allowed or advised at these…fun little get togethers” Sarcasm lacing her voice with that last phrase.
"Because I walked here," replies Athena. "See, when I touched the door, it did this strange thing called opening, and, not feeling like I had anything better to do, I walked through the door and found -- you." In her last word, there was a strange mixture of curiosity and contempt.
“I –did- notice that oddly enough.” Anouke said sardonically. “It’s called, the guests are told specifically DO NOT WANDER THIS WAY, and there are guards. And yes I’m here. Me. Drinking. Clearly wanting to be alone, and you barge in with your bleeding glasses and testy little replies. It’s almost cute.” She raised an eyebrow and curled her lip derisively at Athena.
"In my defense, I didn't know you were here." Athena said, probably the most testy that she ever got. "But, as we clearly have the same purpose in mind; there is no reason for us to squabble like small children. Let us sit in silence."
Anouke snickered. "I'm well aware with both have the same intent, and I concur to that, but I have one question for you. Were you actually invited to this party? Because -everyone- gets the same instructions to not wander here, IF they're invited." She leans back against the wall, folding her arms and holding the bottle loosely in one hand, clearly waiting for an answer.
Athena blinked. "Branwen," she says quietly, to the air beside her. "I am discussing important matters here. Go fix your hair yourself." Then, apparently listening, she stomps her foot and yelps "Well, that's not my fault, is it?" Turning again to Anouke, she almost sulks "See, now you've made Branwen mad at me."
Anouke flicked an ear curiously and raised on elegant eyebrow. "Branwen?" she asked, a wry note of amusement hinted in her voice as she took another long pull at the bottle in her hand before flicking it into...what appeared to be nowhere. She took slow few steps towards Athena, trapping her between the wall and the assasin, and asked quietly, "Little mouse, little scholar, who do you serve, and what are you doing, at this party? and who, praytell, is Branwen?"
Athena shrinks back against the wall. "I serve myself, at this party I am talking to you, and Branwen doesn't like you."
Anouke smirked. "She can join the long list, but who is she, or what if you prefer. And, which faction are you loyal to, AND, yet again I ask, were you invited to this party?" The corner of her mouth pulled up in a face that was something between a smirk and a snarl, baring one fang, as she reached down and tweaked Athena's nose lightly between her claws before placing her hand back on the other side of the wall again.
"I was invited, thank you very much," says Athena, really rather put out. "Branwen is Branwen. And I am currently tied to the Silent Rose." Lowering her voice slightly, as though sharing a secret, she adds "That's the faction that makes robots, you know."
Anouke snarled fully this time, slamming her hand against the wall next to Athena's head. "That is not a WHO that is maybe a name, or a whatever, I would like to know who the flaming hell is Branwen? An air spirit? A speaker? WHAT is she, where is she from, WHO is she, not just a name, little mouse." She took a deep breath as if to rage some more, closed her eyes and composed herself, taking a step back, and turning away from Athena. "My apologies. I'm afraid this would be WHY I was in a room alone, for alcohol takes this affect on me and only gets worse. The Silent Rose you say? Interesting. I take it Scout was one of yours then, or do you not work on the robots?" all of this calmly said in a very neutral tone as Anouke flicked an ear back towards Athena, listening intently.
As if people generally pinned her to a wall when they saw her, Athena seemed relatively nonplussed by the entire incident. "Scout was created by the Court," she explains. "And no, I do not work directly work with robots. I'm the Archivist, you see."
Anouke gave a sharp nod. "And Branwen?" she asked, completely neutral in her voice.
"Branwen doesn't like you," repeats Athena.
"I might be able to understand what that would mean if I even knew who or what Branwen was. Would you please tell me, who or what she is?" Anouke asked quietly.
"Branwen is dead," snarls Athena, surprisingly fierce.
