Fou-lu (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
thefirstemperor) wrote2021-01-31 11:34 am
thefirstemperor) wrote2021-01-31 11:34 am
IC Inbox
[Absolute silence. Fou-Lu does not know what an inbox is.]
[The first thing Tesla tries, after the pairing announcements go up (and after taking a brief moment to do the mental equivalent of going 'here we go again') is to reach out of the network. It's only when it becomes obvious that isn't going to get him anywhere that he sets about tracking his inmate down in person. Admittedly, he might not have much of an idea of the sorts of places that Fou-Lu tends to be, but his item helps, at least and he's willing to be patient besides.]
[Fou-Lu spends a great deal of time just wandering. It's beginning to wear on him, but his lack of purpose with no worshippers screaming inside his mind, his lack of recourse without his power, every aspect of his imprisonment... More importantly, he's never had to decide what to do with himself.
At the moment, he's strolling the deck, considering the pretty spread of stars he still believes is an impressive but ultimately uninteresting magical illusion. At least something here is pretty.
He isn't in a mood to pay attention to his surroundings. Tesla's approach gets no acknowledgement from him.]
At the moment, he's strolling the deck, considering the pretty spread of stars he still believes is an impressive but ultimately uninteresting magical illusion. At least something here is pretty.
He isn't in a mood to pay attention to his surroundings. Tesla's approach gets no acknowledgement from him.]
[It wouldn't be the first time Tesla has been all but ignored by someone, regardless of the reason. And to be perfectly fair, the stars going by is a fairly reasonable thing to be distracted by. Still, they aren't going to get anywhere if he doesn't speak up, and so it is that after a brief moment of silence, he does exactly that.]
You arrived here not that long ago, right?
You arrived here not that long ago, right?
[Nadja barely has time to reorient herself in light of her little fledgling leaving the nest before she's being given someone new.
Fuck it; fine. If the Admiral wishes for her to meet with this first emperor, she will.
She finds his cabin easily enough and knocks, settling her hands down. She's never even met this one before; what could he be like?]
Fuck it; fine. If the Admiral wishes for her to meet with this first emperor, she will.
She finds his cabin easily enough and knocks, settling her hands down. She's never even met this one before; what could he be like?]
[The cabin is quite a spectacle all on its own. The door is green marble covered in inscrutable carvings, and it does not look like it was ever intended to be opened. He doesn't spend too much time here--he doesn't actually enjoy the place, and he needs much less sleep than a human. But sometimes the dark and quiet is nice.
He's had visitors turn up before, so he drags the massive door open laboriously. It should open at a thought from him, but lots of things should happen. There's no light source inside, only what comes from the hall, which falls upon more spooky carved stone and a body-sized plinth in the middle.
He looks a bit nonplussed. New person. He's been ambushed before over certain strangulation-related choices he's made, and his posture grows wary.]
Madam. We have not been introduced?
He's had visitors turn up before, so he drags the massive door open laboriously. It should open at a thought from him, but lots of things should happen. There's no light source inside, only what comes from the hall, which falls upon more spooky carved stone and a body-sized plinth in the middle.
He looks a bit nonplussed. New person. He's been ambushed before over certain strangulation-related choices he's made, and his posture grows wary.]
Madam. We have not been introduced?
[Nadja greatly approves. She grew up poor and only after several centuries of extended long life has she begun to cultivate a more lavish image of herself. She dresses to impress, in old Victorian clothing despite being from 2018 modern Earth, and comes in this garb to meet her new temporary inmate.
She addresses him formally and politely, used to switching between that and her more 'common' language in more familiar company]
No; please forgive me for intruding, I will not disturb you long.
I am called Nadja. I'm looking for the man who calls himself Fou-Lu.
She addresses him formally and politely, used to switching between that and her more 'common' language in more familiar company]
No; please forgive me for intruding, I will not disturb you long.
I am called Nadja. I'm looking for the man who calls himself Fou-Lu.
[He wouldn't really rank formality among the things he really misses. His courtiers and generals and throngs of his people were nice, but he's learned to be fond of people with far more ordinary manners. And been hunted by extremely obsequious souls, at that. Still. This is pleasant. Even if she's here to stab him, he can appreciate the effort.
At the sound of his name, though, he blanches a bit. It's hard to see, as his natural complexion is approximately that of a marshmallow in a snowstorm. But he certainly looks more uncomfortable.]
The mere utterance of that name produces magical ripples such that may attract fell attention. I wouldst warn you away from it.
[He's fucked himself over too many times with his own name not to be very leery of it.]
At the sound of his name, though, he blanches a bit. It's hard to see, as his natural complexion is approximately that of a marshmallow in a snowstorm. But he certainly looks more uncomfortable.]
The mere utterance of that name produces magical ripples such that may attract fell attention. I wouldst warn you away from it.
[He's fucked himself over too many times with his own name not to be very leery of it.]
[She is already the most reasonable person he's met here. This is pleasant.]
Ryong will do for ordinary use. And thou?
Ryong will do for ordinary use. And thou?
[It is, and for Nadja too; she's had at least one temporary inmate who murdered her so anyone is a step up from Dancy]
You may call me Nadja.
The Admiral has paired us together for this month. I wished to know who you are and if you are settling in all right?
You may call me Nadja.
The Admiral has paired us together for this month. I wished to know who you are and if you are settling in all right?
[He is far from anti-murder, but just as far from any compulsion to harm polite, straightforward people with good fashion sense in particular.
His long-standing cover story is there, but it feels a bit absurd to someone who has called him by name already Buying himself a moment to debate the question of who he is, he addresses her second point. Having decided he's definitely in this conversation now, he stands at something resembling parade rest in the doorway. He'd offer hospitality, but he has, in fact, several fancy rocks as nearly the sum total of his possessions.]
Far be it from us to suggest it impossible that one might settle well in prison. Nothing that might likely be attained is lacking.
His long-standing cover story is there, but it feels a bit absurd to someone who has called him by name already Buying himself a moment to debate the question of who he is, he addresses her second point. Having decided he's definitely in this conversation now, he stands at something resembling parade rest in the doorway. He'd offer hospitality, but he has, in fact, several fancy rocks as nearly the sum total of his possessions.]
Far be it from us to suggest it impossible that one might settle well in prison. Nothing that might likely be attained is lacking.
[Nadja in turn doesn't try to enter. She physically can't, at any rate. Still, she nods, sympathetic]
I know, I am sorry. My husband is a prisoner here too. I wish only to know if you are being bothered by any of the little pigshits here, and if I can't make you more comfortable while we are together.
I know, I am sorry. My husband is a prisoner here too. I wish only to know if you are being bothered by any of the little pigshits here, and if I can't make you more comfortable while we are together.
We are quite confident in...
[Only here does he realize he's slipped back into his royal we, which was the first thing he learned not to do on the lam. Curses. Well, not much help for it now.]
Our ability to manage... certain upstarts.
[He's actually rather amused. The language has quite a bit more impact coming from one of her stamp than the roughness he's grown used to. But he can't bring himself to match it. Blushing isn't really something he's ever done, or he might here.]
Confinement, we know, must be outside thy power to undo. The place be unrelentingly dull and the company uncouth, but little can be done for either.
[Only here does he realize he's slipped back into his royal we, which was the first thing he learned not to do on the lam. Curses. Well, not much help for it now.]
Our ability to manage... certain upstarts.
[He's actually rather amused. The language has quite a bit more impact coming from one of her stamp than the roughness he's grown used to. But he can't bring himself to match it. Blushing isn't really something he's ever done, or he might here.]
Confinement, we know, must be outside thy power to undo. The place be unrelentingly dull and the company uncouth, but little can be done for either.
[Emperors do not bow, but the nod he gives her manages to be quite formal anyway. He has a slightly undignified job of pulling the door closed again behind him. He's stronger than a human, but the seal on his tomb was simply not meant to be dragged back and forth all the time. He's already noticed damage to the stone. Marble is fragile stuff without the magic of a god to sustain it.
He offers her an arm as he steps into the hall. Emperors don't bow because it's a matter of rank, but politeness persists irrespective.]
Forgive our own lack of hospitality.
He offers her an arm as he steps into the hall. Emperors don't bow because it's a matter of rank, but politeness persists irrespective.]
Forgive our own lack of hospitality.
[If he'd seen that a few weeks ago he'd have been bent out of shape, but he's spent enough time to recognize that the tomb is simply a copy, nothing that could or would respond to his power. He just nods back. Up close, the air around Fou-Lu is cold, and his arm moreso.]
At your disposal, Madam.
[He misses having courtiers. He hadn't realized that, among all the things now gone from his life, but mortals who could meet him as himself, at a place of social if not magical or theological equality.]
At your disposal, Madam.
[He misses having courtiers. He hadn't realized that, among all the things now gone from his life, but mortals who could meet him as himself, at a place of social if not magical or theological equality.]
[She's clearly clocked him, and in ways he's oddly reluctant to bullshit past. He's been insisting on his ruse in the face of all logic for months, but that was people pointing out the inconsistencies in his story. Simply seeing him for some small part of what he is and behaving accordingly? That hits different.
So while he's not immediately going to lay a confession at her feet, he doesn't dissemble.]
We are able, but 'tis not a pressing need.
So while he's not immediately going to lay a confession at her feet, he doesn't dissemble.]
We are able, but 'tis not a pressing need.
Mmn. Then I think you wouldn't mind if I couldn't offer you any refreshments? We don't have any in the cabin.
[She asks, hopeful that he won't take this as an insult. It's been a long time since Nadja entertained people who didn't have her particular diet]
[She asks, hopeful that he won't take this as an insult. It's been a long time since Nadja entertained people who didn't have her particular diet]
Nay, 'tis no inconvenience.
[He knows how to do a politeness duel, even a friendly one. It's been awhile, but these are deeply ingrained habits.]
We wouldst far more gladly enjoy the pleasure of thy company.
[He knows how to do a politeness duel, even a friendly one. It's been awhile, but these are deeply ingrained habits.]
We wouldst far more gladly enjoy the pleasure of thy company.
[Nadja preens, pleased with such praise, and bobs her head. They reach her cabin, and she unlocks the door to her home for the last 150 years or so. It's the image of an old house but a little...dusty and cluttered with remnants and weapons belonging to the other roommates of the house]
I apologize for the state of things. Our familiar didn't come with me to the ship.
I apologize for the state of things. Our familiar didn't come with me to the ship.
[He doesn't have a leg to stand on considering his own inability to invite her to anything but an empty copy of a decaying tomb. Besides, it has personality. He finds the barge's plain décor relentlessly dreary. Arches, polished wood, richly patterened walls and carpets, it's all foreign to his sensibilities but has the look of honest effort. He's been to the homes of allies before, and it's an easy etiquette.]
Never wouldst We be so churlish as to complain, but 'tis charming indeed. One must think our... admiral had never heard of tapestry or statuary.
Never wouldst We be so churlish as to complain, but 'tis charming indeed. One must think our... admiral had never heard of tapestry or statuary.
[She purrs at the sound of olden, out-of-date speech that, to her, is music to her ears. Nadja invites Fou-lu to take whatever seat he would like, beaming]
You are too kind. Here, sit. Enjoy whatever you like.
And yes, it's very sad, the state of this vessel. I think it could do with an overhaul but you try telling that to anyone here and see if they listen.
You are too kind. Here, sit. Enjoy whatever you like.
And yes, it's very sad, the state of this vessel. I think it could do with an overhaul but you try telling that to anyone here and see if they listen.
[He takes a plushy chair with faded upholstery that might be comfortable enough to sit in through a whole interminable house meeting.]
When one hast elaborate systems of aqueducts and unceasing light sources and not even a small troupe of musicians, one's priorities are unmistakably clear.
[Stupid admiral. So... gouache.]
When one hast elaborate systems of aqueducts and unceasing light sources and not even a small troupe of musicians, one's priorities are unmistakably clear.
[Stupid admiral. So... gouache.]
Page 1 of 8