here comes the new boss, definitely not the same as the old boss

[ipseite]

FORM: Crystal.
SENDER: Petrana de Cedoux.
RECIPIENT: Everyone.
WHAT: New boss introduces herself.
WHEN: Now
WHERE: Kirkwall
NOTES: division page!

Good evening - my name is Madame de Cedoux, ( she is not in the habit of giving out her first name, given the blithe tendency of so many to casually throw those around when they have them, ) and henceforth I shall be taking over as head of division for diplomacy from Mssr Trask. All affairs that were previously passing through him, I will now be overseeing; please speak with me if any matters are pressing. I am, as some of you may be aware, from beyond the rifts; I can only allow my work to speak for itself on my readiness for this position.

( She'd considered making this message for the division alone, but given the work - and the fact she's relatively sure at least one of her project leaders is seconded from another division - it's probably better to broadly introduce herself and narrow it down as necessary from there. )

At earliest convenience I would also like to speak with Mademoiselle Bonaventura and Mssr Elris. If I am not in my office, please contact me by crystal to arrange a meeting.

Comments

[ipseite]

( Fewer than there might have been, if Petrana hadn't yet had the opportunity to see of Araceli what she has - her capability, her competence. In Leandra's position, she imagines she might have done similar; set upon the throne that Marius had in mind for her, she imagines she will try to do exactly that, in fact, and can only envy the other woman for what a jewel she'd found.

The jewel is here before her, though, and she is never going to sit upon that throne. She need feel no envy, only appreciate the opportunity. )

She chose well, ( is what she settles on. ) You have been marvelously trained. I believe that you're quite right - I see no reason for this conversation to leave this room.

( Better that Araceli be able to work as she does - forcing people to see her another way, when that other way may not benefit them, that is unnecessary. It is useful for Petrana to understand the tool in her hands, but preferable - quite frankly - if others do not.

There is a pause. )

Where I am from, I am two people. I am la reine soleile; Princesse Petrana de Lamorraine, Imperatrix-in-waiting, wife of l'Duc who rides on Lamorre, his regent and his right hand. La princesse rebelle. L'Duc leads from the front, and so I rule in his stead, at his back. Where we go, so does change - so does war, I suppose.

Illegally, in the opinion of the empire which stripped me of all my rights and entitlements. There, I am the exile's whore, a traitor to the throne and church both, living only on stolen time under a death sentence for witchcraft and treason. Had I been the dutiful daughter of Lamorre that was expected of me, let him go and carried my Marquise's title to a more suitable marriage - had I remained, when he went. Our daughter would have been forfeit. They would have killed her, for what he had done. And none but those nearest me would have ever known she lived at all.

They would like very much to make an example of me. The witch. I will be blamed, always, for Marius's magic.

( Nevermind that by her own account it was her husband that taught her- )

It is much more convenient, that way.

( It is both her story and - a neat dovetailing with Araceli's own, with her logic: here is a woman who understands perception. )

[foxsays]

She would be proud to hear you say it, as would my parents. [Teach a little girl lessons when she's very small and watch how she'll manage to do those same as breathing.] Gracias, even now I can still count those who know on one hand and one of those has departed back to his own home once more.

[Again that moment where whore is used to hurt. Another world where women more than men are labelled with it and it's meant to mean something that has her stomach lurching, cheeks heating. That she does and doesn't understand it never seems to make it any easier.]

A child. [Her voice is small, that sticks and catches because she knows. She does know that bad things happen to children, no one can be so naive but it doesn't make it any less abhorrent.] Forgive me, none of that is a small or easy thing to live with even by choice. When given to us by others...

I understand. And now that we know more of one another, I hope to be better able to use the skills that I have to help. [Those that the Inquisition doesn't necessarily know about.] Same as my queen, as my fellow guards, as any lady or one in need would, you have my blade as well if ever required.