RP:A Second Chance at Humiliation

Part of the Larketian Fault Lines Arc

Summary: Queens don't have much to do and Josleen's idle mind turns to Valrae, aka the thorn in Alvina's heart, that mistress, that witch. The Queen decides to bully Valrae into submitting herself to Muzo and Valen's witchcraft research at the Academy of Larket, which she is sure will be humiliating and undignified and therefore perfect. Valrae resists.

Hudson's Witch-Run Nail Salon, Larket

Valrae is standing outside of Hudson's witch-run nail salon, her current place of employment despite some pretty impressive odds, with her hands on her hips. Her golden head is tucked away in a Cenril Cubs ball cap, the long glossy strands of it in a waving pony's tail that sways lazily in the soft afternoon breeze. Her eyes are lined sootily in kohl, her typical dark eyed look, and her lips are stained pink to match her flower patterned tunic dress. The back was low enough to show the black inked lines of the filigree crescent moon tattooed between her shoulder blades and a fashionable leather cord belt was tied loosely around her too-thin waist. Crystals and charms of various mystical symbolism hung from her neck and her wrists on glittering golden chains and marked her as a witch. The helm of her dress bobbed around her ankles as the wind picked up and she eyed the decorative pot of snapdragons in their position on a bright yellow table. It was purely decorative, almost uselessly small, as were the little chairs that went with it. She bent down to move the lavender, in it's re-purposed and distressed dresser drawer, to a chair before putting the snapdragons on the ground by the chalkboard that boasted a mani/pedi sale and a free eyebrow wax. The thrills never stopped in the taxing and exciting life of a nail salon worker.

Josleen has been thinking about Valrae more than is healthy as of late, because a Queen has an excess of everything, including "nothing better to do." Idle hands are indeed the devil's playthings and these playthings have devised a new and imaginative way to humiliate Valrae. Everytime the Queen has seen Alvina as of late the redhead has been a mess. That emotional wreckage lies at both Hudson and Valrae's feet, but the latter target is easier than the former, even for a Queen. What can she do to Hudson? Or more to the point, what does she want to do to Hudson? It's easy to hold a grudge for now, but she and Hudson have been friends for years and the philandering werewolf has helped her out of some rough spots in the past. And besides, he is the father of Harper and Luna, and a local man of wealth. And what is Valrae? By the look of her now, a cheap witch wearing a Cubs cap just like Hudson. It makes Josleen's blood boil to see it. They don't even make a pretense of hiding their affair! (The notion that Valrae is independently a Cubs fan does not suit Josleen's meddling hero narrative about herself, and thus is discarded.) "Valrae," Josleen smiles falsely. "I believe we may have gotten off on the wrong foot. Do you have a moment?" Of course she does, it's the Queen, and Josleen knows this and with her body language tries to skirt Valrae to one side. "Let's forget about that mess with the manicure. There is something else you could help me, and Larket, with." A second chance! How generous.

Valrae nearly leaps out of her own skin at the sound of the Queen's voice. The pot of thyme she'd just lifted slipped and dropped the small distance between her hands and the table. There was a mess of dirt and a few shed leaves but no major damage. Not that the witch had much time to assess, as she was being cornered by Josleen and herded like cattle away from her latest busy work. "Oh, Josleen," She probably shouldn't address her so informally and Val was already wincing internally at the slip. "Of course your highness. Always time for a Queen." She tried to amend, her voice tight with feigned politeness. It was difficult for her to remember herself after all the gossip that was shared around the salon and learning from Hudson that Alvina and the Queen were the very best of pals. The latter of this information she'd been armed with is what made her instantly suspicious of Josleen's sudden and apparently gracious reappearance. It was all Valrae could do to paint a confused smile on her lips and keep her misgivings from her face. The Cubs hat felt too hot and too heavy on her head and her fingers itched to remove it. (It had in fact been Hudson's before he'd given to her to 'help with a disguise' and keep her better hidden from anyone who might notice a Cenril fugitive.) "Ah, very gracious of you. Even so, I would like to apologize. I was upset and may have said some things that were a little untoward and untrue." It sounded like she meant it when she said it but secretly Valrae wasn't sure she did. Who was this woman anyway? If she were such good friends with Alvina there was no way her friendliness here was born of sincerity. The proverbial shoe was bound to drop, she would just have to be patient and play along. The witch was beginning to think of Josleen like she might a very deadly snake. A pretty, poised and spoiled snake that had decided to play with its food. "What can I do for you?"

Valrae's metaphor is apt. Josleen pauses as if waiting for Valrae to bow. Behind the Queen, a guard indicates to Valrae that she should bow. If Valrae bows, Josleen flashes that venomous smile and nods to release Valrae of her bow. If Valrae does not, no matter, Josleen's plans for Valrae don't depend on that particular formality. Besides, who can expect a mistress to have any class. The snake plays with Valrae by tut-tutting the apology. "Think nothing of it. These things happen." The false smile peels back. "I don't know if you've heard, but the Academy of Magic has opened a Witchcraft Research Department. They're looking for volunteers to perform a little witchcraft for them to study. I immediately thought of you. It's a purely academic study. The Academy is testing a theory that witchcraft is different from arcane, druidic, and divine magic. What do you say? Will you help Larket lead the world in this research?"

Valrae is slow to discern what the poor helpful guard is trying to signal to her. It took all her willpower to not let her dark eyes roll right out of her head when she finally understood. The witch dropped into a quick but polished curtsy, it was all she felt she could manage by way of formalities before she would just explode with exasperation. Her golden brows furrow at Josleen's next statement. Why would they need to study witchcraft? Of course it was different than any other kind of magic! Did they really need tests and clipboards to figure it out? And did this have something to do with whatever Valen was trying to warn her about with the letter he'd sent her warning her out of Larket? Valrae frowns at Josleen. "I'd love to help your majesty, truly, but... I'm not sure I would be comfortable being treated as an experiment." Her mouth felt dry and her mind was crowded as she tried to find an angle that the Queen might be coming from. "I'm not sure you'll find many witches who would be. Magic is sacred and to a certain degree it's private."

Josleen blinks, feigning surprise. "But it's for Larket's security. The Academy wants to make significant contributions to the literature of witchcraft, that is true, but the Crown's secondary interest in this is for security reasons. We need to know what witches are capable of. Of course, not all witches are amoral. Take the Lady Artia for example." Examples not to take: Valrae. "Besides, I believe you are friend with Professor Valen? He's heading up the research himself. He's spoken of you to me before." She leaves the content of that discussion purposefully vague to unnerve her prey. "I thought you were friends."

Valrae is clinching her teeth now to stop herself from scowling and to bite back the words that were begging to fly off her tongue. "Yes, we are friends." The frown is firmly set in her lips now. If Josleen was trying to unnerve her, it worked long before the shot she'd taken at her with Valen. And her passive insult wasn't missed. "Of course," She repeats slowly, her tone carefully conversational but edged with accusation despite her best efforts. "I suppose you'll be doing the same for other branches of magic and it's users? You can't mean to tell me you know all you'd like about the source of all things arcane or duidic? Why is it Larket is so suddenly interested in witches? I don't think there are many instances, if any at all, that the common people have needed protection from our community or it's members." A pause. "At least, not nearly to the same degree as is often the case for mages that have gone awry."

Josleen smirks as Valrae corners herself with her assumptions about witch criminality in Larket. Valrae, based on public knowledge, is right, but Josleen is privy for privileged knowledge. "Law enforcement have reason to suspect witches may be at fault for recent crimes, but that is all I am at liberty to say." What crimes? Any crimes by Valrae? Who knows! "And, yes, mages at times go awry, but they keep their numbers ordered in guilds and academies. The Academy here keeps a list of mages and their powers, so should a mage go awry, law enforcement has a place to start their investigation. Witches are hardly so well organized. Those witches interested in the safety of Larketians would be cooperative, don't you agree? But no matter, you refuse to join the research? Perhaps the security of Larket is not your primary concern as it is mine." Snake queen bite, so to speak.

Valrae pales. She'd foolishly thought she was capable of navigating this conversation and all of it's undercurrents. She even been arrogant enough to think she'd had a bit of an edge by already knowing that Josleen was Alvina's friend and aware of her past in Cenril. None of that had helped her though and she felt as stupid as a dormouse caught in the Queen's coils. "I highly doubt you'll find witches are to blame for any nefarious deed done on Larket soil," She said defensively, trying to undo any damage she'd just inflicted and to word it so that it was technically true. Not on Larket soil, just Cenril. "We don't have much by way of formal rules, or lists for that matter, because it is contradictory to our nature and our practice but there is one that happens to be universal: An it harm none, do as ye will." She shrugs. "There are some who forgo this and practice darker arts... But they are rare. I'm afraid that's as much as I can help. I'm sure you might find one or two witches who are willing to help with this research," Valrae says the word in a way that makes it clear how much she trusts that term. "And plenty more still who are concerned for Larket' safety. But no, I don't suppose I'm as concerned as a Queen might be for her people," Her tone was innocent and sweet enough to rot teeth. "You'll have to forgive me. I'm just a nail artist."

Valrae can be forgiven for not knowing the perils of Josleen, as they have only met once before, and that was brief. Hudson should perhaps have done a better job warning Valrae that Josleen can be quite cruel and difficult when she wants to be. Still, to her credit, Valrae's back doesn't snap in the grip of Josleen's coils. The witch's sugary sweet tone is as nakedly hostile as Josleen's own. To apply any more pressure would be to tip Josleen's hand, and thus the women reach an impasse. It's no matter. Josleen knows that in the near future all witches will be feeling a little pressure, and that may be enough to cause Valrae's nerve to snap. "I see. Well, the choice is yours. Far be it from me to over step. Enjoy your art." She smiles and turns to leave before Valrae may reply.