Larissa in the Hot SeatIndex | Time Under Chaos | Player Characters | Larissa Rohl | Larissa's Hotseat We have had dealings for some decades now, both in the Court of Amber, and in the circuit of Golden Circle Shadows about it. In some ways, I feel that, of all of the scions of Amber, I know you the best. And yet, as you keep your own counsel, with a soft, diplomatic smile and voice, I perhaps do not know you at all. Your time in TradeSpace has shaped you, as has your time in the Time Under Chaos in Amber. You know summat of the Houses of Chaos. If you were to make a diplomatic envoy on behalf of Amber to one of the Houses in Chaos, with the choice entirely yours, to which one would you go, and why? "I do smile, don't I?" said Larissa, demonstrating. "I would visit House Hendrake. It would be...refreshing." Her smile changed without the slightest movement of her face. Perhaps it was something in the eyes. Your father died trying to defend Amber against the very people who now occupy it by force. Have you ever thought about exacting revenge against the parties specifically responsible for the Black Road? "Of course." Larissa once again smiled, and it was not a comforting expression. Most consider you either very brave or very foolish. How do you see yourself? "I am the protagonist, of course. One hopes one is well-written, but one takes what one can get." Larissa grinned over folded hands. A century on, you are still called a collaborator by many in Amber. Do you ever think that there might have been something that could have been done differently, to prevent the fall of Amber? "There are many things that could have been done differently," Larissa said, raising an eyebrow. "I presume the questioner means 'is there anything you, Larissa, could have done differently?' and, assuming absolute knowledge, yes. Had I known, or been willing to gamble that the armies of Amber were in Shadow returning home from their victory in Chaos, I could almost certainly have held the city that long, even factoring in the Shadowstorms and resulting...disruptions. It would have come at great cost, but it would have been possible--the high ground is not to be underestimated." This time, Larissa's smile is for herself as she appreciates some unshared thought. What would you consider your greatest triumph? "Learning to ride one of those infernal beasts called 'horses.'" It was clear that was all the answer Larissa felt like giving, and this time, there was no smile. How has being vegetarian challenged you in Amber? "It's a misperception that I'm a vegetarian, though that's largely my fault." Larissa leaned back and steepled her fingers. "It's simpler to say that than 'for reasons of personal taste, I only eat meat products cultured in a bioreactor.' Especially since the average Amberite has no idea what a bioreactor is. "It has made banquets an interesting experience, and I spent an unhappy evening in my rooms after Islain took me aside a few months after my arrival and explained where gelatin came from." Here, a calculatedly self-deprecating smile. "My home Shadow largely uses high energy density plant and fungal foodstuffs and various synthetics, so I had not considered the degree to which animal corpses--hmm, perhaps that's inflammatory--animal products pervade food production in less technologically-oriented universes, like Amber. "I've gradually become used to eating eggs and dairy. It's cheesecake that broke me," she said conspiratorially. Why stay in Amber when you could go back into space? "Amber is the only game worth playing," Larissa said with a smile she must have learned from the weir. "That said, though, don't think I don't ask myself that regularly. Perhaps in a century or two. I miss sleeping in freefall." Was your father burning out his brother's eyes justified or an evil act? "Corwin forgave him. I'll do no less." Larissa's face revealed nothing. Can you describe your relationship with your sister Islain? "Problematic," she said, with a faint half-smile. What is your role now under the Occupation? Are you still only a diplomat to the GC, or do you work with the Chaosian government in Amber as well? Larissa deployed the most diplomatic of her smiles. "I do a little of everything. Much of it is dissipating the heat that comes of resistance--that was an electricity joke. I shouldn't make those." She spread her hands. "I am a diplomat. The skillset is widely applicable. And I am Merlin's loan officer." What are your thoughts on the Resistance? "Chaos should have known better than to think it would be easy." Larissa shook her head. "They expect us to change who we are without themselves changing, and that is not how history unfolds. What we are seeing is the inevitable reaction to inflexibility on the Chaosian side. Once they accept that we influence them even as they influence us, the friction will lessen. One would think shapeshifters more accustomed to such things, really," Larissa said sardonically. "Besides, I know better than to speak ill of my Uncle Caine. He might be listening." She smirked. You seem an intriguing mix of realism and naïveté. Do you truly believe that Eric was more ruthless than the man you now work with (Mandor)? "Oh, yes. I just happened to be on Eric's side. Accident of birth. Mandor hasn't been around nearly long enough to cultivate the single-minded intensity Father had. "We of the Blood are not a gentle bunch--except me, of course." Larissa's smile was frankly mocking now. "Any other accounting is posthumous whitewashing--posthumous, because living, we make it completely unbelievable. "'Naïveté.'" Larissa laughed. "Is that really how it looks from the outside? If you'll excuse me, I have an appointment." |
