APrivateConversationSB: Meriel/Fiona: A private conversationTwisting the ring does activate the A.I., which has been apparently quiescent all of this time. Alternatively, if it has been awake and active, it (she?) has taken great pains not to be proactive. "I will connect you with the Princess" comes the mental voice of the A.I. "Ah, Meriel. I had wondered if Martin had counseled you to dispose of the Vicky. I see that this is not the case, or that his argument did not prevail..* There is a pleased tone in her mental voice. "Mmmm," responds Meriel, not willing to commit her thoughts about Martin to her aunt - and not entirely sure how much of her Fiona can read through the ring. Then she draws a deep (mental) breath. "We may have a problem here. With something ... erm ... golden." She releases a vision of that figure she saw standing in the Court. For a brief, shining moment, there is unbridled displeasure--no, anger that comes through the connection. Clearly, in addition to voice, strong emotions are transmitted through this arcane link. That anger dissipates, and when Fiona does speak, it is with a clear tone in her mental voice. "I want you and Martin to learn what you can without excessive risk" Fiona says. "This could be anything from a shadow to Jayson, escaped from Paris. Amber and Rebma need to know, and since you and Martin are there, I count on the two of you to get that information." "Tell Martin I want the two of you to take any appropriate measures you are capable of, once the situation is assessed." she adds. For oine wild moment, Meriel wonders what her aunt would consider inappropriate measures (swearing fealty to the Godthing? Inviting him/it home to Amber?) and then responds, "Yes, of course, aunt. And do you have any ... erm ... practical advice on how to deal with him/it?" "Words were Jayson and Apollo's greatest weapons but women were their greatest weaknesses." Fiona responds. "Even if it shows enormous power and ability, it still filters that through the lens of being a man of lusts. I rely on it to treat Martin as a deadly threat, and you as a prize to be won. He will berate and belittle Martin, but try to woo and win you." "*Let* it underestimate you while it focuses on Martin, to its destruction." "If the shadow is of no consequence, destroying the shadow to destroy it would be justified" Fiona adds coldly. "Of course," says Meriel, a faint surprise in her tone, as though cela va sans dire. "And I will follow your advice with ... the Godthing. Thank you, Aunt." She pauses, in case Fiona wants to say anything else, before taking a mental step backwards. "In omnia paratus." Fiona says, and the contact ends. Backlinks |
