Called to a meeting (Raz0r) - Alterations While U Wait

The back door is propped open; Porter can be seen inside, sweeping out the back room. There's a scent of cinnamon in the air.

She slips inside and shuts the door, locking it.

"Oh, you didn't have to clean up just for me."

"It was overdue, I'm afraid." he said, leaning the broom against the wall.

"I took a bit of a drive, scouting locations worth casing for this King Raven character."

She smiled.

"And I got you a note."

She pulled the paper from her pocket. It was a written order from the Prince, stating that Porter was not to harm Cassiel Vella in any way, be it physical, powers of the blood, or taking her back to Jennica. It was ended with Follow the Six Traditions and signed by the Prince.

He took the note and read it quickly with a smile.

"I appreciate that - doing it in person would have been embarrassing for all involved, I suspect. Better this way." Porter folded the note and slid it into his pocket.

She nodded.

"I thought so. And hopefully now Cass will be better about your presence here. Tomorrow, we take you to the Harpy and get the reigns of power fully transferred."

"I'm a-tremble with anticipation, of course."

"And I do sincerely hope that Miss Vella will rest easier. History cannot be undone, only seen a new light. And besides - she has other issues to deal with amongst her own family."

She nodded.

"I thought so, too. Which is why I was so happy when your story turned out to be the one we would go with. So much easier that way."

"My version and Miss Vella's are not wholly incompatible, I imagine. I trust in His Majesty to see that objective truth lies somewhere in the overlap. And, of course, he is indubitably wise enough to know that his subjects need not all get along to be effective."

She smiled.

"Very true. He just doesn't want huge problems. And I'm sure Cass was pitching a fit about you being here.."

She moved to a shelf and dropped her bag on it.

"But enough about that. I want to get to know you."

"I am, as they say, an open book."

She found the stool from earlier and perched on it.

"So, tell me about yourself. I'm mostly curious in these bad things that might possibly make me not trust you that you mentioned earlier. If you weren't just being coy."

"A little coy, I confess. But I have found in the past that some of our kind, regardless of age, find certain levels of brutality or deviancy off-putting, to say the least. I prefer not to discuss dismemberment and the like in polite company, of course."

She laughed.

"I'm not one of those people. Granted, I'm a tad on the humane side, but whatever floats your boat. Just don't expect me to participate in anything I don't want to, and we're all good."

"Your request is reasonable, certainly. 'Dirty work' is not for everyone, and yet it must be done."

She nodded.

"And even just the stuff people do for fun. I mean hell, I have plans to create my own race of Borg. That's going to require people to experiment on."

"I should think you'd have a ready supply of volunteers. 'Early adopters', as it were. But if not, there are plenty of people who gave their lives away years ago and have yet to realize it. No doubt your proposed modifications would be a boon to their existence."

She laughed.

"I'm so glad you agree."

"I'm an agreeable fellow. To most, anyway. I'm not having very good luck with Port St. Lucie's Toreador, but that's minor. I never should have opened my mouth to that man, but I found I could not help myself."

She frowned.

"Which man? I might be able to help."

"He was introduced to me as 'Luke'; I was not given a surname. A base and reprehensible scoundrel, and I had little difficulty in telling him so."

At that, she got a curious look.

"Oh, do tell."

Porter leans against a wall.

"I chanced upon this Luke, strolling along the beach, holding hands with Miss Vella. She greeted me upon my approach, and there were pleasantries. I apologized for interrupting a romantic moment - at which point a look of realization crept over Miss Vella's face, as though she'd previously had no idea she had been in the hunter's crosshairs. She excused herself, and the gentleman protested that his interests were platonic. I suggested otherwise - not that there be any crime in that, mind - and caught him in the lie, telling him so. And more besides, I told him what I saw in him - which wasn't much. He grew offended and responded in sophomoric fashion."

"I invited him to prove my assertions incorrect, and continued on my way. I should not have said anything in the first place, but something about his demeanour rankled me so."

She snorted.

"That man. He tried to get away with flirting with our Scourge. She broke his finger. He frenzied. I have it all on tape."

Porter grinned. "I like her already."

"But I do worry about making poor impressions - especially if I am to represent the family. I am no brash youth, but on occasion I must remind myself of the virtue of self-containment."