@rafael_romeiro: @la_espada:
Her "safety seat" within the Hellfire Club secured as contingency, it was time to enact the next phase of her plan. More direct, more difficult, and carrying higher stakes, most of her thoughts moving forward revolved around its potential failure. Or at least the presence of setbacks. But this kind of planning seemed, in her mind, the best possible way to proceed.
Having flown over immediately after New York and her appointment, Nastya threw a large black trench coat over herself to cover her clothing, once again to appear marginally more appropriate for the setting. She paused briefly, marvelling at the building Newsweek labelled "the Pride of Los Angeles."
Avalon's clandestine princess had returned home.
{Your story, it is clear, yes?}
"No. But I like to think I'm pretty good at improvising. Besides, the Antonia Dain was my mentor. I think I should know deception."
You can help me, you know."
{That is precisely why, knowing your intent, I will not engage the building's defenses immediately upon your entry. I will aid your entry and prevent immediate detection, particularly in light of your...extra appendages. However, you will handle the deception yourself, querida. 'Tis what Nia would want. A worthy test to prove yourself, no?}
"Hijo de puta," she muttered, smirking, as she entered the building.
{Technically my madre is your madre too.}
"Whatever."
"Welcome to Avalon. How may I assist the quest for your Holy Grail today?" the woman at one of the desks chirped as Nastya approached.
You can start by not saying that to anyone ever again.
Well, at least she took her job seriously, even if a bit excessively so. In any case, it was leagues better to have workers buying into their profession enough to project a bit of themselves into it. Better than a Cecily, as Antonia had often referred to slackers before cutting them. Besides, it was kinda funny.
She leaned in and tapped her hands impatiently on the counter. Her manner was frank, hurried, indicative of an emergency. "I need to speak to Santiago Porthos. Key phrase: Marie Antoinette approaches the gallows." Whether or Antonia passed similar codes to him as she had with Nastya's early learning, the clone never knew. But, she figured, people panic in the face of a perceived emergency. They think fast and are more inclined to agree without critical thinking when placed under pressure. And of course, obscure phrases make you sound important - like you know things.
"Ah-I-I'll see if he's in and tell him there's someone here for him."
[I was nervous so no judgement!]
Log in to comment