Hotel Auberge

Skarlet and Faisine would find Madame Naoki up in the suite she is sharing with Skarlet and Elizabeth Finch for the duration of their stay in Gauldin. More specifically, they would find her rounding a corner and somewhat surprised to find anyone at all standing there, much less Skarlet and the woman she was leaving to go track down. It would seem like on this occasion, Naoki is wearing the same sweater-skirt combo she was a few hours previously, in addition to her usual suite of jewelry.

“So you have,” she responds, wryly.

For a moment, Naoki flounders, unsure of how to proceed. She wasn’t quite expecting this encounter. Not right now, and not here. But in an attempt to play it off, she gestures over in the direction of the sitting room- as the suite is large enough to warrant such an extraneous affair.

“Have a seat; I’ll get some tea from… somewhere.”

Trailing off, Naoki heads back in the direction she came, figuring that it shouldn’t be too terribly difficult to find some manner of hotel staff that metaphorically spews tea from every orifice. It’s a Gauldish hotel, after all.

Only a few short minutes later, Naoki returns with a tray of tea. Though she doesn’t state where exactly she got it from, she places the whole affair down on a short table in the middle of the room- evidently expecting Faisine to serve herself, pours herself a cup, and settles back into a well-placed armchair. Silently, she eyes this guest over her first sip of tea. Camila’s words of a few days previous spring to mind, “Faisine is here in Gauldin and I only suggest that she be taken to see for herself the destruction she is blind to…”

Though Naoki does attempt to avoid coming into conversations with preconceived notions, Camilla’s opinion of Faisine is at least something interesting to keep in mind as she begins, “So! As I think we’re both already aware, you’re Lady Faisine, cousin of Camilla, and I’m High Lady Naoki of Isra. And, unaware of what context you’ve been given, allow me to state the following with the understanding that if you repeat it, you will be divulging Isran state secrets, and Isra and Gauldin have a somewhat strict extradition policy in place.”

“Two days ago, this past Monday, I spoke with your dear cousin Camilla. The topic of our discussion was the forceful removal of the Goraian government and the installation of Camilla as some manner of regent until her children come of age to continue Emarae rule that I intend to undertake some time in the coming months.”

Here, she pauses. That’s a bit of an announcement, and Naoki decides to see what all Faisine thinks of that before continuing.

She pasted a neutral expression on her face, took her time in pouring her tea so the others wouldn't see the abrupt change in her expression. She sat down, listening silently and sipping her tea plain. Her stomach chose to growl pretty loudly, already feeling somewhat uncomfortable but she seemed to ignore it even if the others heard. "I know nothing of what happened in Medan but what was told to me," she started, "I do know I made a very regretful comment to her at a luncheon a month ago and she is upset with me. I would know how she fares, at least. I do care."

There was no reason for dishonesty in that instance, so one could safely assume that she was being honest. "Regardless, it is a pleasure to meet you, m'lady." It was already too late for a curtsy, she wouldn't dare do it now. "Why do you wish to speak to me?"

After Naoki gets worked up Skarlet reached out with her gloved hand and gently places it onto Naoki's with the intention of calming her down a little. Her hand was a little warm from wearing the leather gloves and holding the hot cup of tea. After a few pets on the hand she withdraws her hand and sits up in her chair again.

Sitting there in her chair, Naoki eyes Faisine with a look that could only be described as incredulous. Twice, she’s told this woman, that Isra will be removing Goraia’s government and restoring the nation to the state it once was- at last as so much is possible with only Camilla and her children, and twice, it has failed to get any sort of rise out of Faisine. No passing comment, no look of shock plastered on her face, not even so much as a contemplative murmur of acknowledgment.

No. Just, ‘Not that any of this matters anymore,’ as if the lives of those who died and those who have yet to die are irrelevant. As if cousin- who she seems so insistent to know of, being installed as the leader of a nation is of no more importance than the time of day.

Quite frankly, Naoki find herself inclined to agree with Camilla in regards to her dear cousin, here. It would seem as if her priorities are skewed in an unhealthy way, she’s absolutely thick-headed, or hard of hearing. Perhaps all three.

Regardless, Naoki begins to contemplate, chin in hand, if she should attempt to get any sign of acknowledgment out of Faisine, or if she should just toss her in a damn cell until it’s time for her to help with the war. In the meantime, Naoki supposes she can humor the poor girl.

“The last time I spoke with Camilla, she seemed to be doing reasonably well. However, pregnancy is never particularly easy, and she was less than pleased to hear what details I could offer regarding recent events.” To her credit, Naoki manages to keep the majority of her irritation out of her tone of voice.

Apparently finished contemplating, Naoki figures it fine enough to leave Faisine to go wherever the hell it is she’s going (hopefully literal hell of some variety) and to simply send someone to retrieve her later when she becomes necessary. To this end, Naoki inquires, “If you’re leaving Gauldin, where are you to be reached? I will need to speak with you in the future.”

If only Naoki knew...

"I am glad she is well. I am sorry she had to endure so much." And then there was a flicker in her eyes... Guilt... Blatantly obvious crack in her cool facade that could pimp smack a blind person... But she recovered quickly with the forced neutral. No, something else... A very obviously fake smile, stiff and forced. She was a terrible liar.

"I am going to Goraia," she said crisply, "Because my dearest cousin is likely in no position to go there herself, she looked rather ill when I saw her last. I suppose I will 'see for myself' what you and she say, no?" She could not pretend she didn't care, her voice was the last thing that gave her away, for it cracked. "Also, I'm rather hungry and I doubt my cousin wishes to see me, let alone give me a place in her household." That was said in an attempt to recover the cool attitude.

Liz chose this moment to return from her flight, St. George already tucked away in the stables with a significant portion of cow for dinner. True to form for a soldier, she entered just as they seemed to be ordering food, and she gave Skarlet a broad smile.

"Oh? Early dinner? Great idea! Skarlet, would you mind seeing if they could add a good-sized cheeseburger to that with some Gauldish Fries? Thanks! I am starving ."

It was then that Liz noticed the other woman in the room, who appeared as though she may actually require food.

"Er, not literally I suppose. I'm Liz, who might you be?"

"It is too late for me to change my mind now, as I've made an agreement. Besides, I'm not actually wanted here. You've disdain for me, I can see it. Why does it matter if I go into the thick of it? I'll not be missed. I've never been missed." She eyed the food as it came in, and she itched to grab the whole platter and squirrel it away. She pressed her hands to her abdomen and resisted the urge for the moment, for as soon as the food was in her mouth, there was no more talking. She returned her attention to Naoki after a brief nod to the newcomer...

"I am sure you know that deals are deals, legal and binding. I accepted and spent coin already, there is no going back. Besides that, I -have- to go for her... for my cousin. I've heard nothing but disgusting gossip from nobles that this whole war was her fault, or that she is one of them... No, she is much too honorable. I want to find truth, and I'm aware of the consequences. I have nothing to lose..."

Liz sat down, opting to go for a different approach. Faisine would not be able to leave, as Liz sat between her and the door, and Liz was certainly the far more experienced fighter in the room. Liz took measured bites of the cheesecake, stopping only to speak as necessary to the young noblewoman.

"Look here, Faisine is it? I understand not being able to fit in, not feeling like you are wanted anywhere. I really do. But Naoki gave me a home, helped me to become the woman I am, took a lowly guard sergeant and made her into the Griffin-riding officer you see now. I owe her my life. Yours could not be in any better hands. She does care about you, even if you don't believe her, or care about yourself for that matter. We care, we don't want to see another life thrown away at the hands of those bastards."

She paused, taking another bite of the delicious cheeseburger to allow Faisine to reply.

At the very least Faisine could have let Liz finish the cheeseburger before attempting to leave, but it would still be there when this was over. Liz was in no mood to wrestle with an irate noblewoman, so she stood up and got in Faisine's way to the door, and then punched her in the head.

"Sorry sister, but it's for your own good."

The punch would be just hard enough to knock the woman out without causing any sort of permanent injury on the noblewoman. If the punch knocked the woman out, Liz would sit back down in her chair and resume eating the cheeseburger until Naoki came back or Faisine started to wake.