video | un: wooden sword & un: widow

[vdovy]

[ It is late in the night when the video feed goes live. The scene: a spacious, gilded room in one of the lux summer villas where Messalina's infiltrators have been stationed. Warm candlelight illuminates Yelena, standing with her hands on her hips in front of Natasha, who is seated (if you can call it sitting) in a large, ornate chair with her legs hanging over one of the chair's intricately carved arms.

The pair of them have looked better. Yelena's crisp patrician attire is wrinkled and in some places torn and Natasha only seems presentable because her clothes are dark enough to mask bloodstains. Their faces are smudged with dirt and their hair, once carefully braided back, now resembles a bird nest, complete with loose leaves and small twigs. ]

We've just finished cleaning up after Alir. Again. [ Natasha runs a hand through her hair and makes a face when her palm comes back streaked with blood. Next to her, it's Yelena's turn to address the network. ]

He could have been exposed tonight, or any other night, the way we've all had to cover for him.

He's a problem. So the question is, what are we prepared to do about it?

(OOC: Default color dialogue is Natasha, red dialogue is Yelena. Tag around, threadjack at will. Alir is the shapeshifting demon impersonating Senator Maximus Faustus. Nat and Yelena are opening discussion up between Messalina's infiltrators, most of whom have had to pick up after Alir's appetites, but other party members are welcome to chime in.)

Comments

[somebadnews]

Taming is out of the question. We need him managed. [ He's not for allowing more murders than necessary, but he also thinks there's more at stake. ]

If we do get a leash on him, we need to make sure the right person is holding the reins.

private.

[redhourglass]

And you think Vanessa isn't the right person.

( it's not a question. )

private.

[somebadnews]

I have reservations. [ That he hasn't told anyone about. It's a messy story, and he let her live. ]

She's very capable, but she's also not always the one in control.

[redhourglass]

How serious are these reservations?

( once she might have pressed for more details. now... well. those in glass houses, etc. )

private forever nothing to see here

[somebadnews]

She seems to be stable now, but I've seen her when she wasn't. I'm not sure how much we want to tempt her with something... potentially demonic.

[ Honestly, this whole thing has been distracting him from keeping a closer eye on her. She's already assigned to Messalina, she could side with her more than they expect. ]

[redhourglass]

( well, that sounds serious. )

I'm keeping options open. We may not have a choice.

[somebadnews]

[ To be fair, he didn't hold up his end of the deal. He promised he'd kill her if she got out of hand. ]

Maybe it'd work, but it's another risk to prepare for. [ To say nothing about her reading minds. ] I wouldn't leave her to her own devices. Keep the dogs nearby.

[redhourglass]

( record scratch )

You think we can trust the dogs?

[somebadnews]

[ Don't throw out that 'trust' word with him... he just thinks they're neat. ]

They haven't attacked me yet.

[redhourglass]

Is that list that short?

[somebadnews]

[ Of the two, he can't say the same of Vanessa. Granted she's not alone. Which is definitely not his fault. ]

There aren't that many perks that come along with the job, I don't see the harm in taking advantage of one.

We're only doing what they asked.

[redhourglass]

The dogs are a little conspicuous for what I'm being asked to do. But I'll keep that in mind.

[somebadnews]

[ Look, he's seen too much and they have to work with what they've got. She'll want supernatural backup. ]

If all else fails, you have my number.

[redhourglass]

Right. Your number.

( what are you, like 13 on a good day? )

I'll make sure not to lose that.