Scene #9677: The Hot Seat

Owner	Pose
Angela	At this point, Sarracenia is just kind of accepted amongst the Liu. There's still teasing, especially the more she acts like a princess. There's still nicknames and jokes but it's less hostile and more a sense of, well, everybody gives each other shit sometimes in the Liu and that's one of the ways that maintain the bonds between its members and keeps them strong. Since the big battle at The Saint's Warehouse, it has been pretty easy for the Liu. They are still clashing with The Thumb, Index, and other Syndicates in District 12 but it's pretty clear that was a big loss for the Fingers. Ying and Lian continue to support Sarracenia in their patrols, make sure she wakes up on time, and so on for as long as Sarracenia needs it but hopefully Sarracenia has gotten used to the routine even through all the times she's left to deal with other Elite matters or to return home. If Sarracenia confided to Lian and Ying about Geoffrey, they were maybe a bit confused but sympathetic and comforted her to the best of their ability which is a bit awkward, but sincere. Xiao has remained distant, leaving most matters of training and discipline to Miris but Sarracenia might have noticed her occasional gaze as cold as the iron in her moniker. Ever since the battle at the Saint's Warehouse, despite the work getting easier, there is this quiet unease amongst the members of the Liu Association. Like a certain Backstreets Preacher, both Lilian and the 'Mad Father' Berislav made direct statements against The Head and while bitching about the government isn't exactly unusual, so formally and from the leader of an Association still unnerves them, even with the assurances that The Head doesn't care. That their bosses don't care. And maybe they don't need to care when they can just quietly snip them from the budget sheet and blacklist them from future Fixer work. In short, even if everything so far seems to be fine, the future that once seemed secure and planned out and inevitable so long as they didn't fuck up, now feels like it's on shaky ground. The fact that Xiao hadn't immediately denounced Lilian isn't helping matters. Xiao runs a tight ship with her Section--it's only the fact that she has such an impressive reputation amongst her own people that they've kept their mouths shut as Xiao looks into whether or not she can bring Lowell's Section along with her, should they abandon their current posts. So for now, work continues as normal. Expectations are as normal. Orders from the head office are obeyed as normal. But one day Miris approaches Sarracenia during lunch and says, "Sarracenia. Hurry up and finish your lunch and come with me." "Sounds serious." Lian murmurs. "We'll take care of your leftovers for you." Ying winks. Miris doesn't seem inclined to take no for an answer. If Sarracenia doesn't move and move quickly, he takes her arm and drags her. If she does, he'll just let her move under her own power. He doesn't answer any questions, instead leaning to the office building that the Liu are using as their main operating office while they're in The District. Lanterns have been hung up to provide light and the Liu's banners hang off of the walls, their emblem of the burning flame emblazoned upon them. Sarracenia is taken to Xiao in a private chamber and Miris pulls a seat out for her and will wait for her to get into it before moving off to the side. Behind the desk, there, is Xiao, whom sets a folder down in front of Sarracenia. "Take a look." Xiao says. Inside the folder are pretty simple orders: Investigate the Library. Bring back information about it. It's signed by the president of the Association. "I know you know what happened at Lobotomy Corp that day. I know that Lilian says we decided it was for our own good not to know. I was content not to know before, but now--I need to know."
Sarracenia	Sarracenia would...possibly be in a bit of trouble after Gregory. She would have gone AWOL, sending no communication for several days after. When she did finally return, Ying and Lian if not the entire camp would have seen a very different Sarracenia. Quiet, barely complaining about anything or even speaking at all. She would just as quietly accept any punishment. She would not volunteer the information, but if asked where she had been she would have explained that Gregory had been killed in action, which might have confused them since she would have introduced him as her most faithful butler and friend. Ying and Lian would have eventually received the entire story, and it would be clear she felt she failed him completely. It would also be obvious through training and patrols that she was punishing herself for the first few weeks back. Pushing herself harder than was safe or healthy, caring even less how much she got hurt during missions and patrols. This day though, she has recovered for the most part. She has been much better about taking the jokes and teasing in stride, and has been unafraid to return as much as she is given. She isn't alert enough to put together that the coldness and unease is due to Lilian denouncing the Head, though. To her, it is an obvious thing that everyone should be doing so why would people be upset about that? Miris becoming cold surprises her, but she chalks it up to her absence. It was pretty unprofessional, even if she had good reason. She would have asked Ying and Lian about it eventually. Today, she is in decent spirits as they share lunch. When approached by Miris, Sarra blinks a few times at the order before nodding with a, "Yes, sir." Scarfing down a meal is not exactly something Sarracenia does, though. She eats faster, but probably not fast enough. When she is grabbed by the arm and dragged away she protests and asks questions that do not get answered. Sarra manages to restrain the indignant huff to a soft one as she is released in the private room. She takes the seat, then looks at the folder. She opens it, raises an eyebrow in confusion. She starts to say something, but Xiao gets to the point pretty quickly. Sarra's expression goes from confusion to realization, then...she goes quiet. She closes the folder and leaves her hand resting on it for a minute while she considers. Her one visible eye closes and she takes a deep breath, then lets it out slowly before opening her eye again and looking at the Director. "...I could get in quite a bit of trouble from Director Lilian and...other outsiders if I divulge information. Trideag was put in danger because I was not careful with information before." She leans forward, hands clasping, and rests her face against them so that just her eyes are peeking over, that one good eye regarding the folder. "...and if I tell you what happened and just what the Library actually is, it could put you and everyone here in danger. But...from what I have heard, if the other Associations do not start getting answers they will start sending fixer squads in. Which would be...very bad, in my opinion." Sarra goes quiet again as she weighs the options.
Angela	''I could get in quite a bit of trouble from Director Lilian and...other outsiders if I divulge information.'' Xiao and Miris exchange a look. Then Xiao closes her eyes, cupping her chin as she thinks Sarracenia's words here through, and what she said after as well. "...Then your estimation, Sarracenia, is that even we are not strong or capable enough to face The Library and come through, even when a small group of hand selected Outsiders from Trídéag and one Grade 8 Fixer were able to successfully bring someone back from the Library. You must understand how that feels." She opens her eyes back up and kneads her fingers together, resting her chin on them as she looks into Sarracenia's singular eye unflinchingly. "I have heard of The Black Silence's assault though little of the details. I won't insist that you go against your Director's orders. But." Xiao exhales, her index finger running across the top of her other hand. "If I do not get any information, I will have to send people to the Library to get that information. I cannot simply ignore the orders entirely. I may be moving to be her ally, but my movements are under scrutiny. Largely out of envy rather than suspicion, but even the slightest bit of weakness I show will be used against me and my people." She leans back in her chair. "Lilian does not have to hear about it. I'd have to tell my superiors, of course, but she does not need to know the 'leak' was you." That is a bit strange hearing that from XIao, perhaps, but her gaze betrays nothing. All it shows is that she's carefully observing and reading Sarracenia not unlike a hawk. "You are correct that if we do not get answers, the sanctity of our lives will not be something that holds off our superiors from making demands of us all the same."
Sarracenia	When Xiao looks into Sarra's eye, Sarra holds that gaze just as unflinchingly. Her hands cover her mouth, making it harder to see her expression, but she certainly doesn't seem happy about the situation. '...Then your estimation Sarracenia...' Sarra is quiet for a few moments, then she lowers her hands to reveal her unhappy frown. "It is my estimation that anyone who goes in without the support of a Star or several Colors will likely not return, yes. Lulu fought well, but she had me supporting her with my off-world items and drawing fire as much as I could. And, the Library brought only...something around a tenth of its full power to bear in that battle, in my estimation. And even then it was only..." Sarra starts to say more, then hesitates before sighing again. She leans back in her chair and covers her face with her hands, rubbing her cheeks in frustration. "Nnnng! I honestly wish I could tell you more!" she exclaims, then slumps in her chair. 'If I do not get any information, I will have to send people to the Library to get that information..." 'Lilian does not have to hear about it.' Sarra blinks in surprise, then her unhappy frown returns. "Director Xiao...I respect you greatly for giving me such hospitable and fair treatment, as well as for your honor in dealing with things in this City. So, I hope you will understand that I cannot go against my word. It is something that neither a heroine nor a princess would do, much less a representative of Trideag or the Liu." she says, then after a moment adds, "...at least, that is my impression of the Liu. I am not wrong, am I?" She then leans forward and holds Xiao's gaze again. While still holding it, she speaks again. "My suggestion is to petition Lilian..." Sarra mmphs softly. "...Director Lilian...for information. Quietly. She is already unlikely to say yes, but she will definitely not divulge anything if it is known she is divulging it only to one Association." Sarra leans back once more. "The only other information I can give you freely is this. Attacking the Library or even visiting it only strengthens it. I -strongly- suggest you do everything in your power to head off scouting, exploratory, or assault missions as long as you can. Trideag will have to move against the Library eventually, and I have no doubt Director Lilian will want you beside her in such actions." Sarra's gaze drifts to the side, and her expression darkens. "You and the rest of the City have no idea the horrors and dangers that await in that place..."
Angela	"Several Colors..." Miris's eyes widen. "I understand that The Library is likely ... underestimated with its current threat designation, but the way you speak of it suggests that even calling it a Star of the City would be an underestimation." "Calm yourself, Miris." Xiao says. "We asked for her estimation and she gave it." This is the first time someone suggested that The Library wasn't fighting Trídéag with its full strength. That certainly could explain why Lulu survived, but it's a bitter pill to swallow for sure. That victory emboldened other Fixer organizations to go after the Library. After all, if the Streetlight Office could pull through with Trídéag's help, that suggests more established offices ought to be able to push forward "Perhaps the Library allowed a victory in order to lure in bigger offices. For a time, Fixer offices were avoiding the Library per Lilian's direction." ''I honestly wish I could tell you more!'' Xiao's fingers tense against her hand. "If you truly wish it, you would." ''I am not wrong, am I?'' "You best remember your place." Miris says. "I won't allow you to suggest Lady Xiao has dishonored herself." But Xiao seems unbothered herself, even if she doesn't tell Miris to quiet himself this time. She's taking more time between each statement than earlier in this interrogation. "Mm... This puts me in a difficult position, Sarracenia. One of my Fixers is refusing to tell me information when I asked for it." She stands herself up and walks away from Sarracenia to look at the Liu banner on her wall. "Normally the punishment for this would be severe, but it is your personal vow that prevents you from answering me. Not your loyalty to your Director, is that correct? This is the first I heard that Trídéag even considers the Library as an enemy it must, one day, face. Certainly, if I had Director Lilian's vow that we would march together, that would be something I could use. But I do not have that yet." Another little twitch in her fingers at the mention of Lilian wanting her to be beside her. "My first responsibility is to the people who have fought for me, bled for me, died for me. Though accepting a blight upon my soul is not to be taken lightly, my responsibility to those under my banner come first." She turns the rest of the way to look Sarracenia directly on. "As a leader yourself, you should understand that should be the same for you. Is that not so? To protect my own honor while those under me die ignobly to some fog-shrouded aberration--that would be spitting in the face of my responsibilities and their trust." "You will still not speak?"
Sarracenia	'Several Colors...I understand that The Library is likely ... underestimated with its current threat designation, but the way you speak of it suggests that even calling it a Star of the City would be an underestimation. Sarra turns her eye, though not quite her head, toward Miris, then back to Xiao. "The Library also has outsider support, in addition to what powers it already commands. But, yes, I think even if only the power native to the Library was brought to bear it would rival or even surpass a Star." 'Mm... This puts me in a difficult position, Sarracenia. One of my Fixers is refusing to tell me information when I asked for it. Normally the punishment for this would be severe, but it is your personal vow that prevents you from answering me. Not your loyalty to your Director, is that correct?' Sarra mms as she thinks on that. "It is my personal vow, yes. But, it is also an order from my primary Director. To break either would be unacceptable. So, it is not as easy as simply fulfilling my own wish. If punishments are to follow, so be it." 'You best remember your place. I won't allow you to suggest Lady Xiao has dishonored herself.' 'My first responsibility is to the people who have fought for me, bled for me, died for me. Though accepting a blight upon my soul is not to be taken lightly, my responsibility to those under my banner come first. As a leader yourself, you should understand that should be the same for you. Is that not so? To protect my own honor while those under me die ignobly to some fog-shrouded aberration--that would be spitting in the face of my responsibilities and their trust.' Sarra again looks up with just her eye at Miris, then back to Xiao as she considers Xiao's position and what is at stake on both her end and the Liu's. And the implications for herself regarding honor and pride in relation to lives. "Honor versus the lives of one's men..." Sarra sighs heavily. 'You will still not speak?' Sarra is quiet for a long moment, then finally speaks. "Let me ask you this. Do you think whatever I might say would stop them from sending people into the Library, whether it is you and the Liu or someone else? And I mean, stop for good. My suspicion is no considering Li-..Director Lilian, recognized as one of the most powerful and trustworthy people in the City, along with anyone else who has returned from the Library have said to stay away and they are still intent on sending people in. Not to mention how many people have been disappearing into it since it appeared with few returning. If you can guarantee me that what I say will be worth destroying the very tenuous peace I have finally achieved between myself and my Director, then..." Sarra pauses suddenly, then hmms. "Have you, by chance, come across any of the Library's invitations?" she says, then just lets the question hang in the air.
Angela	The Library has Outsider support, Xiao thinks, this is pretty much to be expected. Did Sarracenia intend to let that slip? Probably not, but it is also something that any group that has been working with the Outsiders would probably suspect. It's technically spilling information, but... ''If punishments are to follow, so be it.'' It's the sort of thing that Xiao would love to imagine her own people saying if under a similar position. She feels she's getting something of a perception of the sort of person that Sarracenia is, but what does she do with this? The Liu have managed to teach Sarracenia how to act when part of the Liu, but that isn't exactly her assignment either. The order is real, after all, and that means there's an invisible timer counting down now that she's received it. Miris tenses when Sarracenia turns questions back on Xiao. That's not how interrogations are supposed to go, after all, but Xiao doesn't seem inclined to be the one policing what Sarracenia says today and she speaks before Miris can jump in. "So long as the Library stands, there will be those sent to eradicate it--or plunder it--depending on the views of where we get our orders from." Xiao says."Information can only delay this inevitability in the hopes that it will resolve itself. Either through an alliance with Lilian, or some other method. Personally, I would have preferred to cut the Library down before it gained any extra power from those it consumes but, certainly, the idea of two Colors working together is rare enough, let alone three or more." At first, she presumes that she has Sarracenia on the ropes ready to tell if all she says that it'll be worth destroying that 'tenuous peace'. But before she can comment, Sarracenia asks HER something. "One of our subsidiaries has access to an invitation." Xiao says. "Why do you ask?"
Sarracenia	Sarra is trying her best to skirt the line between what is information about the Library and what happened there, and information that has already been (or should have been) discovered somewhere is fair game as far as she's concerned. 'So long as the Library stands, there will be those sent to eradicate it--or plunder it--depending on the views of where we get our orders from. Information can only delay this inevitability in the hopes that it will resolve itself. Either through an alliance with Lilian, or some other method. Personally, I would have preferred to cut the Library down before it gained any extra power from those it consumes but, certainly, the idea of two Colors working together is rare enough, let alone three or more.' Sarra mmphs and crosses her arms. "...I would also have preferred that..." Sarra says unhappily. "But, there are many powers at play here. So much so that even Director Lilian did not act against it even in a minor capacity for so long." 'Why do you ask?' Sarra ponders a moment. "...I think I can tell you this without repercussion. After all, Angela..." Sarra blinks as she realizes she said the name, seems to reconsider if she should say more, then mmphs. "...the person signing the invitations, sent them out in the first place. With her signature. I cannot guarantee whoever goes in will return or even remain alive, but...it is your best chance to get an agent inside. Perhaps that would be enough to delay any action against the Library until further notice." Sarra huffs softly after. "It is quite a longshot, though. Whoever goes must be a very capable combatant if you wish them to have even a small chance of returning." Sarra takes a deep breath. "And ask Director Lilian for the information you seek. I would even be willing to relay the request. She may not respect me in the slightest, but she respects you and respects those who use proper channels and chains of command. As liason, relaying such a thing seems like it would be within my duties, and it would keep the lines of communication private so as not to provoke the other Associations and such."
Angela	Xiao says, "Well, there is little purpose in wondering what could have been. The situation before us now is what we have and if we are able to push out the major Syndicates, it's only natural that it'll be expected for us to deal with the Library after. Even if that is the harder order to proceed with." Sarracenia accidentally spills a name. It's a name that Xiao already knows because the names are on the invitations. And the rules are also on the invitations so she knows what Sarracenia says after, too. But the problem is, of course, that Sarracenia thinks she's giving out information that is...perhaps not secret, but not neccessarily known to her. She doesn't think it's just an intentional strategy to feed her useless information to keep her from pushing further. But this is about as far as she's willing to push it. Any more pushing for a guest officer is something she is not eager to entertain. "It is my hope that I can work with Director Lilian in the future. Right now, the way I am working with her is shaping you up to the best of my ability per the Liu's standards. Miris, your report?" Miris steps forward, the hostility he was showing before is all gone. "It is my estimation that Sarracenia was attempting to honor her word without breaking her vow to Director Lilian, but--" "She still revealed information and even expressed a wish that she could. Could that not just be a matter of rapport? She is working with us and she is an ally. Excess hostility to such an interrogation wouldn't exactly be proper either." "But it is important she be willing to be hostile to us and be able to stonewall us. Interrogators would be keen on relying on such a rapport to gather information, torture would be a last resort not a first one." "Mm..." Xiao turns to Sarracenia. "My apologies for the test, Sarracenia. Most of what I said was truthful. We do have orders to investigate the Library and I do hope to minimize the damage while preparing our forces to support Director Lilian. I appreciate that did not betray the Director for me, but--you expressed a desire to break your vow despite your unwillingness to do so--someone who was not an ally would certainly use that against you in an interrogation. In the future, simply reiterate your vows. There is no need to establish a running conversation." "Similarly, while you did not betray the Director, you did let information slip here and there. I do not believe you did this intentionally, but that is only academic as a matter of honor--in practice, that could be disasterous to your Association should you do so. My suggestion is to take a little longer before you speak." She closes her eyes for moment, thinking further, but only for a moment. "And finally, I cannot fault you for wishing to save lives, but even an interrogator who has no interest in doing so might say they do--they might try to guilt you into speaking up. This feels effective against you in particular. You must trust that when others commit to violence, even for good or unavoidable reasons, it is not on your heart." Xiao takes a breath, "I have heard about your lost companion. I am sorry for your loss. I cannot send people outside of The City carelessly, but though we cannot lend you our blades, we wish you the best in avenging him. I'll be delivering a report to your Director with suggestions for improvement." She dips her head once. "Dismissed."
Sarracenia	Sarra is...quite caught off guard when it is revealed that this was a test. She looks bewildered as Miris is asked to step forward and starts giving a report. At least it seems like a favorable report, even with what notes Xiao adds in. Sarra, still looking bewildered, nods lightly at each bit of advice, and at the end of the appraisal and advice Sarra mmphs in annoyance at herself. It was exactly that sort of slipping that lead to the Black Silence incident. Sarra is about to say something when Xiao takes a breath and expresses her well-wishes for avenging Gregory. Sarra's breath hitches as the director says that, and a couple of tears form and roll down her cheeks. "...th-thank you, Director Xiao. And do not worry about being unable to send aid. Much to my surprise, I have plenty of strong allies willing to assist in the matter." she says with a teary smile. "I would be happy to give you the entire story once it is settled." 'Dismissed.' Sarra stands, wipes at her face to clear the tears, then gives a sharp salute. "Thank you, Director Xiao." she says, then turns to Miris and gives the same salute. "And you, Vice-Director Miris." she says, then turns to make her way out.