nakesnakecobracobra

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012

[ Video ]

[ Medusa sets the camera so that she fills the screen. A bit of framing does wonders for a girl's image. And unlike most of her previous videos there isn't much malice in either her voice or her face. She's had centuries to practice.

She lounges in a comfortable looking chair in her room (although you can't see anything much behind it) wearing a black silk robe over her usual dress, a glass of wine in her hand, a dusty and ancient looking book in her lap.

She got Christmas presents. Suckers.

She flips through the book with one hand, as though referencing pages for the speech she's about to give. ]

Tomorrow is New Year's Eve, by the Gregorian calendar. Considering the other holidays celebrated on the barge I assume that's the one we're going by. It was such a strange time when they instated that. Popes and their decrees. It took some time, as I recall, to get everyone on board. A few centuries later and everyone hears word after a day or two. The Romans had been using it for as long as anyone could remember. So little changes in the world of humans. The world controlled by Death.

It's an odd date, don't you think? Only a few weeks after the Solstice. It's as though the days started getting longer again and nobody noticed until now.

[ She gives the screen a smile and closes the book in her lap. ]

It would seem some of you were kind enough to give presents to every barge resident. It's a nice thought, and I do appreciate the gifts. Thank you. And, I suppose, a happy new year.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

It isn't fun to be left out when others are celebrating.

I've never cared much one way or another. Witches are solitary sorts. I presume you were one that did just that?

You're a witch?

I did. I gave everyone I didn't specify a candle and slippers. I can see that for some people I should have made a better effort to generalize.

I am.

Ah, so those were yours. There are plenty of good uses for a candle.

Not for everyone, apparently, but I am glad you liked it.

I would gladly take the extras, although my powers have been removed for the time being.

I'll check around. You may want to ask people.

Candles can be a comfort as well, in their own right.

They're quite handy in spellwork as well.

I wouldn't know about that. The Psalms work entirely differently.

I assume you aren't speaking of the books.

The words come from the book in the Catholic Bible, but no, it is an entirely different use of them.

Holy magic. I'm familiar with the idea, but I've never seen it used successfully. Most who would try it don't have the right spirit, I suppose.

I had a special qualification that made me particularly adept at it.

Oh? Do tell.

I have royal blood. [Not just noble blood, like her ~~half-~~brother, D'Eon]

French royalty. Now this is a pleasure.

Only by half. [And, as they say, on the wrong side of the blanket.]

[ Royalty born on the right side wouldn't mention the wrong half. So. ]

So you're hardly worth anything at all. A pity. The bloodline does tend to get spread around a bit, doesn't it?

My actions made me someone of note. Notable enough to murder.

That is the way of politics, isn't it? Kill whoever stands in your way.

[ She does the same herself, but she manages to make it sound as though she's disgusted. ]

I didn't think I was. [But she kind of thinks she understands where the king was coming from. Maybe, if she squinted.]

I only meant to stop Maximilien. Oh, but you don't know that. My apologies. It's hard to remember my death.

[ There's a discarded calendar behind him, slightly crumpled, but he's chinhandsing at the camera like he doesn't know it's there. ]

"The world controlled by Death." [ Curious, marveling. ] Do you miss that?

Miss it? Heavens no. I did everything in my power to put an end to his work.

[ She talks about Death as though it were a person because, well, he is. ]

His world is stagnant.

How do you put an end to Death's work? [ He smiles. ] Do you kill him? One murder to end them all?

I was going to have my sister do it. They could kill each other off and save me the trouble.

Of course, there were going to be a great deal more murders to follow, once the madness took hold. Humans become so vicious when order is removed.

[ He sits up. ] Don't they? It's beautiful.

"Beautiful" isn't the word I would use. [ Animal. Pathetic. Foolish. Insane. But insane was sort of what she was going for. ]

They needed a change. My only regret is that I didn't live to see it.

[ And who says insane isn't beautiful? ]

What word would you use? They create their own chaos and hurt themselves, if you remove one little bit of structure.

You must have lived a very long time.

Perhaps... small.

I would have lived much longer if I hadn't been murdered.

Oh, very. That's why you make a big bang.

Very unfortunate. Did you deserve it?

Of course not. That nasty little brat had a personal grudge against me. And she seemed to think that my death would prevent the end of her world.

She was wrong, of course.

At least something good came out of it, then.

[wow now she feels super guilty for ignoring Medusa, even if she kind of brought it on herself by going on a mini murder spree, but knows she really shouldn't apologize. It'll only encourage her.]

So how long have you been around? About.

When you get to be a certain age you stop keeping track. A few millenia, perhaps?

I'd heard stories about another you, from a long time ago.

The Greek monster who turned men to stone, slain by the brave Perseus. I am no more she than my sister Arachne is the weaver who challenged Athena.

If you don't believe in coincidence, perhaps you'll believe in the power of rumor.

Living here long enough makes you believe just how much rumors can do.

Not to say that I couldn't turn a man to stone, if I wanted. But it hardly seems worth the effort.

There are easier ways to do it.

Much easier ways.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

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