Grand opening!

[avibusraris]

[As soon as it's 7:00 am, there is a loud beep that echoes through the corridors of the prison. It's time for an announcement as the intercom comes on.]

Good morning my wonderful criminals, how are you all feeling? Don't worry, I can assure you that dizzy spell will wear off as soon as you get up and stretch those legs of yours. Be careful of your collar as well, as you might have guessed it has all sorts of functions! Also, today is December 8th, Sunday, and it's currently 7 am.

Now, it would be in your best interest to read your manuals that we've given you, just so you can get nice and settled in.

I'm afraid it's a little cold outside, if you have time to check the courtyards then you'll most likely feel that winter's breeze on your rosy little cheeks! Do be careful, I don't want any of you getting frostbite on your first day, that would be tragic.

Since it's the grand opening for you new comers, we are currently holding a small party in the cafeteria! Grab your soon-to-be-friends and head on down. We have tables set up and food as well!

Thank you and have a wonderful day!

[With that being said, the doors to the cells now slide open, allowing the inmates to leave their rooms.

In the cafeteria majority of the tables have been cleared away, and the ones that remain have red tablecloths on them, nice and fancy! The spread consists of luxurious food, even sweets of all kinds. Since it's December, it seems that the warden is in a rather giving mood, aren't you all lucky! ]

Comments

[impureheart]

[ In the world of business, there's one thing that Anastasia learned quite well: Never trust anyone. She assumed it would certainly hold true in prison. This man was charming, and she appreciated that, but the man had to do something to end up in here. ]

Anyone's gods having much to do with Wonderland would surprise me.

[vaframenti]

[ Ah, if only Loki could know her thoughts. He would have been impressed. ]

You are right, most certainly. I can't help but fear what wretched things are in our future.

[impureheart]

I don't intend to meet any wretched things I can't handle.

[ That doesn't mean that she isn't scared, of course, but lacking confidence gets you nowhere. And fear has never been a motivation for her actions so much as a drive for more. ]

Do you have a name or do you try to sneak up on ladies for anonymous conversation often?

[vaframenti]

Then you are very brave.

[ Her assertiveness was surprising, but certainly an amusement. He had done well in choosing to speak with her. ]

I do, but isn't anonymity much more fun?

[ Loki placed his arms behind his back and smiled. He was jesting, of course. There was no benefit in withholding his name in a place like this. ]

Loki. And what could your name be?

[impureheart]

The Red Queen.

[ She clearly doesn't have a problem with that nickname. In fact.. ]

Just "Queen" is fine if you'd rather save time. Very few people call me by my real name anymore. This one is so much more fitting.

[vaframenti]

There has be some kind of story behind a name like that.

[ She thought herself a queen, did she? That definitely thickened the plot. ]

Ah, but what is my place to argue? If that is what you wish to be called, I won't deny you the pleasure.

[ Of course, he fully expected to learn her real name eventually, even if it wasn't from her own lips. ]

[impureheart]

[ Her lips twist up into a smile. The pleasure indeed, though it simply has a lot to do with her identity as "Anastasia" being something she more or less associates with older days. The person she used to be, so full of love and hope for a future centered around it. Anastasia was a deluded figure of her past, the Red Queen was the person she wanted to be, regardless of how it would look here. ]

There's a story to everything, darling. Doesn't mean I'd like to spend my time telling it to strangers when the internet makes news so public these days.

[ Yes, she is telling him to waste his very limited time on the internet looking her up if he wants to know. ]

[vaframenti]

But are we truly strangers, dear Queen? We have exchanged proper introductions, after all.

[ If Loki had taken a moment to be truthful with himself, he would have found himself wishing for this conversation to never end. It was much too rare of a thing to find anyone worth having an intelligent discussion with. ]

Then you must be hopelessly famous, I imagine?

[ He may or may not be taking the bait. ]

[impureheart]

I wouldn't say hopelessly but enough that it wouldn't be too much to ask.

[ Always make people work for you, not the other way around. That's how power works, after all, and if she's going to maintain some semblance of her old stature, she'll have to keep some of it-- starting with Loki. ]

And believe me, I have no problem asking for too much. Consider it a kindness, Loki.

[vaframenti]

[ A grin crept its way onto Loki's face as she presented the gift of her supposed kindness. Surely the Queen was attempting to manipulate him, what with her words filled high with authority and her eyes that burned conviction. It was an absolute that she had seized the chance of their meeting and was already beginning to weave him a role in the game that she was sowing.

He had never expected a stay in prison to be so fun. ]

A kindness from the Queen herself? And what have I done to deserve your favor?

[impureheart]

I'd like to get all the good pieces on my side of the playing field before the games begin. I'd suggest you don't prove that judgment to be a mistake.

[ She's not even going to deny it. Frankly, she views a lot in terms of a game. Most things in the world fit to a game's design, as much as others would claim it to be open and free and unique. If everything was so fresh and new all the time they wouldn't have statistics and probabilities, would they? Anyone willing to approach her, engage her in a bit of banter, and seems willing enough to cooperate is someone she would statistically like to keep on her side.. even if she doesn't trust him as far as she could throw him. If she could gain him on her side, it just came down to how useful a piece he was. ]

[vaframenti]

If I didn't know better, I would think you were proposing some type of alliance, Queen.

[ The notion brought a smirk to his lips. His situation in consideration, a partnership made more than enough sense. The greater number of people he could convince he was worth forging some semblance of trust with, the more likely he would be to survive. Playing along with the Queen's twisted notions would be a small price to pay for the extra insurance. ]

I assure you that you have no reason to doubt me. I should hate to see any harm come to a woman of your standing.

[impureheart]

And I should hate to see what harm would befall anyone who I had reason to doubt.

[ Her tone seems to hold a bit of a threat before she breaks into a smile. ]

A pleasure to have you on my side, darling.

gomen for taking so long

[vaframenti]

[ Loki nodded politely and returned her smile with one of his own. Though the trace of hostility in the Queen's voice was prominent enough for him to notice, he knew it was in his best interest to act as though it had passed over his head. Playing a subtle role was what would secure his standing with her. ]

The pleasure is mine entirely. I suspect we will make an excellent team.

tis ok i can wait 8')

[impureheart]

Good. Now tell me about yourself, Loki.

[ Just like that. Despite that she told him he had to look her up for more details, she expects his responses to be upfront. After all, she can't have someone by her side that she doesn't know anything about beyond a name. ]

dey gonna rule dis prison yo

[vaframenti]

[ He chuckled shallowly, her hypocritical demand too much for him to swallow without a laugh escaping. He would certainly enjoy learning as much as he could about her later. ]

And what is it you would like to know? My life story is not particularly interesting, especially to someone like yourself.

they gon' rock this prison like it's dynamite

[impureheart]

You'd be surprised.

[ She wants to know what's important to him- or who, what his goals are, his aims, and what got him in here. Only one of those doesn't seem like she's truly trying to find his weaknesses of course. Just in case. More friendly conversation first. ]

Tell me what you like to do.

[ After all, a person's hobbies can say a lot about them. ]

yeup

[vaframenti]

[ Admittedly, he hadn't expected a question about his hobbies. Had she only now decided on attempting to be subtle? Not that he would complain, of course. It was an easy question to answer, and for once one that required no mistruth. ]

I'm very fond of books. The classics preferably, but I do venture into other genres from time to time.

[impureheart]

[ Different topics require different levels of subtlety. Asking for an alliance can be straight-forward, admitting that she wants to use the right pieces, of course. It's when you start investigating potential weaknesses of your allies that you need a lighter touch.

The classics. This man likes to look at himself as higher than others, as most people tend to, but doesn't want to be seen as someone who only looks at what makes him appear in higher status. Anastasia knows that much from being a social climber herself. ]

What genres might those be? The classics are enjoyed by most with taste, but it's the other ones that are always far more interesting to know about people.

[vaframenti]

A fair estimation.

[ He eyed her carefully as he spoke, the question of just what kind of surmisations she was making about him lingering in the back of his mind. He could tell by the look on her face alone that she was not one to easily be fooled. It was good, then, that he was able to answer her first line of questioning in pure honesty. ]

I can't say I am particularly picky. Anything that may pique my passing interest is a contender. If I did have to choose a personal bias, however, I would have to say that I do enjoy a good mystery novel on occasion.

[impureheart]

[ Mystery novels. The preference of those who prefer careful planning and thought to quick action, of those who don't mind darker themes. Not necessarily those who believe in good prevailing over all, obviously, but certainly those who enjoy wit and cunning. It's not an indication on whether or not this person is actually intelligent, but it's certainly an indication that he prefers to think he is. A person's preferences in books did tell something about what it is they like. Of course, given his preference for banter, Anastasia had no doubt he could appreciate her next bit of humor. ]

You're suffering from quite the ironic fate, darling. I hope you weren't thinking you'd benefit from such novels before this current predicament.

[vaframenti]

[ If he had not been so keen on making a good impression, Loki would have asked about the Queen's own preferences. She was certainly correct in the notion that likes and dislikes were extremely telling of a person's nature, and he was itching to know more about her. He couldn't be too outspoken yet, however. For her to think of him as complaisant above all else was the very best position he could hope to be in.

He pushed his overwhelming curiosity aside for the moment and instead smiled at her jest. Her guess was correct; he did indeed enjoy her humor. ]

Any information is useful, even if it is derived of fiction. Even so, I'm quite capable of conjuring up solutions on my own. Surely the same can be said of you.

[impureheart]

Of course. [ She smiles, though there's a hesitation in her eyes that is revealed a moment later.] I suppose neither of us conjured up solutions quite to our likings in this case.

[vaframenti]

Not quite.

[ His own smile faded slightly, but it wasn't completely gone. ]

Rather, I should say not yet.

[impureheart]

Would you prefer I assume you're not a conjurer of cheap tricks, you simply haven't planned out the right one yet?

Even tricks have their place given it's the right time in the game.