Sacris Solemniis

[collector]

[Teapot before him, a plate of pastries beside it, Braxiatel sits at the kitchen table with Strindberg's Ett drömspel open in front of him. Braxiatel stirs sugar into his tea, and a faint smile crosses his face as his eyes flicker to something in the seat to his left.]

[He leans forwards and pours a second cup of tea, then lifts it up to hand it over, the smile widening.] I don't know what you mean by 'ulterior motives,' Comman—

[Braxiatel's fingers tighten on the cup before he can let it go. For a moment, it hangs there, hoping for a hand that cannot take it.]

Ah.

[It is a quiet realization.]

[Braxiatel sets the cup down, away from him. He leans back in his chair and picks up a scone to eat.]

Comments

[practicalrobes.livejournal.com]

I wonder what choice they made in order to be allowed to leave.

[collector]

There's some record of multiple people being offered the same choice. There may be others.

[practicalrobes.livejournal.com]

Perhaps. Convincing anyone to come forward may be difficult, though. Especially whoever made the first choice.

[collector]

Of course. But I'm sure, if we choose to follow the rules set out for us, we can manage.

[practicalrobes.livejournal.com]

[Narvin is ever pessimistic.]

Until they decide to change the rules on us.

[collector]

Which is why it is generally advisable not to obey them.

[He pauses briefly to change tone and subject.] Have you seen Romana since this started?

[practicalrobes.livejournal.com]

I haven't, and she's not the type to remain hidden until all of this ends. Perhaps the Plane was more selective on who it brought than we thought?

[Or she could have been killed, but Narvin is wisely not mentioning that aloud.]

[collector]

[It is a possibility that hasn't escaped Braxiatel.] Perhaps she made the choice and has decided to avoid drawing attention herself. It would be a practical approach.

[A sigh escapes him, and Braxiatel rubs the bridge of his nose, compelling his frown to leave him alone.] Or maybe an unfortunate choice has led to her being taken out of the picture entirely. We haven't any way to find out something for certain, so we'll just have to let the fear eat away at us. Nice how that works out. Have you tried the chocolate mints? They're Skutloid's favourites, quite a pick-me-up. Don't confuse them for the ones with alcohol in them; those are for Bernice.

[It is with mild annoyance that Braxiatel realizes he is having a hard time staying focused and distracting himself from his hallucinations at the same time. He should be able to do this.]