Venom

[caressthedarkness]

"Hmph."

[The mock battles ensue, and while most of the attention is on the TSFs and their skilled test pilots...a few may notice the presence of an individual who is VERY out of place among the spectators at Yukon Base.

This may be because said individual is a silver-haired female wearing a long, very elaborate black dress with a feather-lined collar, and is sitting on an equally eye-catching garden chair that seems to be made of carved, black marble.]


"Of all the places to be sent to! For a display of combat abilities, this isn't even remotely entertaining..."

[She crosses one leg over the other with a bored look on her face, then slowly turns a half-filled wine glass in one hand while she sighs.]

"Well... I suppose the weather is still to my liking. But, I do wonder how my foolish student can endure being surrounded this way...

Ah~ to think of how much suffering she must be going through at this very moment... perhaps she even managed to wet her bed again."


"...Um...I am right here beside you, Madame. I can also hear what you are saying..."

"...Oh, I seem to have forgotten that. Do keep reminding me periodically. I am supposed to be on my best behavior, after all. Lapses in memory simply will not do."


[Seta takes a deep breath, twitching ever so slightly.]

"...I mean no disrespect; but, in that case...I should also remind you that you are not the only spectator here..."

[And indeed, around the two is a sizable crowd. Most of them are guests from other countries and such who have promptly backed away to create distance between themselves and the pair of weirdos. Who can blame them?]

Comments

[herodrawing]

Seta managed to do... what?

[caressthedarkness]

[Seta starts to flail when she realizes you're there too, Izuru.]

U...Um, please do not mind that, Izuru. She is not being seri-


Oh, but I am. All 121 times since she was born - 80 of which I was forced to clean. Would you like to know when the most recent one happened?

[And Seta's reaction to this is just looking at Izuru, then wildly shaking her head.]

[herodrawing]

No, thank you. Are you serious? I have a hard time believing this...

[caressthedarkness]

Young man, I would not lie to you when it comes to these matters. After all, it is important for others to know that Seta has always been a handful to look after.


[While her teacher's attention is focused on Izuru, Seta is giving her a look that pretty much says: "It's mutual."]

[herodrawing]

I think she's doing a really good job. A lot of people are happy to have her around in Unity Group.

[ugyuuya]

Excuse me Madame but I believe you are creating a bit of a disturbance. I would like to ask that please not complicate matters by drawing too much unwarranted attention. [he looks pointedly at the chair and the wine glass]

We are happy to host our allies and companions but even with your unique gifts it would suit better if you restrained yourself and did not bring up such obviously inflammatory remarks or make such a show of your contempt.

[Yuuya seems oddly at ease given what he knows of the woman and her student but also makes a point of avoiding any acknowledgement Seta lest he draw the obviously incoming ire onto her as well.]

[caressthedarkness]

"How strange...what you have just mentioned is precisely what I am doing. Before arriving, I was even told not to use a number of words that I normally would to describe this environment.

I assure you, having my vocabulary restricted is apparently quite the show of good will. Why, it wasn't only the 't' word, but the 'g' word, the 'u' word, and the 'r' word, too."


[Seta is just standing by while this happens, raising an open palm to cover her own face.]

[ugyuuya]

I'm guessing that those would be trite, gaudy, ugly and ramshackle for those words you are refraining from. I will acknowledge that in several ways the current festivities may not match your aesthetics or even be on par with what you are capable of but we have assisted in cases in the past where your kind have been involved. As a matter of fact I believe we have sortied in all UG missions related to your specific purpose.

[Yuuya gives a rather pointed look towards lady Grey with that line.]

I would also ask that you not publicly humiliate members of our team so readily. You're "lapse of memory" and bringing up of certain subjects was specifically to cow your subordinate who is apparently having to escort you in your peculiarities. Perhaps if you chose to spend time with us as she has you wouldn't need someone to fulfill that duty?

[caressthedarkness]

[The woman yawns as she waits for you to finish, Yuuya.]
You certainly are a silly one if you believe that a mere two deployments against Kijin makes your group experienced. Well...I could care less.

And 'escort' is precisely the reason Seta is here, which I do not mind. I definitely wouldn't be bothered to work for a group of 'heroes' that believe they are more righteous than any other groups that exist.

[ben_dixon]

*But one person doesn't back away. On the other hand, he approaches the two.*

"I've never seen you around here before, my lady."

[caressthedarkness]

[The woman raises an eyebrow, then turns to look at Seta.]
...Who is this?


Ah...uh...this is Mr...Fumb- um...Kakizaki...

...He is one of the Unity Group's mecha pilots.

[ben_dixon]

Enchanted to meet you, Madam.

*Kakizaki attempts to pick the older woman's hand.*

[caressthedarkness]

[She certainly makes no move to resist, despite having an incredulous look on her face. Her hand feels abnormally cold, though.]
So, what is your role in combat other than...pilot? For that matter...how many victories have you achieved, compared to your losses?

[itbelongsinamuseum]

Are you actually trying to humiliate her in public?

[One girl clearly wasn't going to back away from the complaints.]

[caressthedarkness]

[Unamused Seta merely gestures at Alex not to start anything.]
...She is doing enough of that simply by being here...


[The woman, on the other hand, stifles a yawn.]
My, it's as if the two of you have no sense of humor.

Is this not what human parents do to entertain themselves? Telling others embarrassing stories about their children?

[itbelongsinamuseum]

[Alex moved to speak up, stopped and gave Seta a small smile in apology. It really did seem like it'd make it worse.]

People are watching, you shouldn't talk about humans like that.

[caressthedarkness]

...She is right, Madame...I am aware that these types of assignments are far from being your favorite, but...

[Before Seta gets to finish however, the woman raises a hand to stop her.]


Then, if I absolutely did have to speak about humans, what should I be saying about them, exactly?

[There is an almost animal-like curiosity in her expression as she turns her attention to Alex.]

[abugslife]

Seta's mistress, is it? We finally meet. I am sure I do not need to introduce myself.

[caressthedarkness]

[The older of the two Kijin starts to think for a bit. For a moment, it looks like she comes to a realization as she raises a finger, but she quickly lowers it and shakes her head.]
...Actually, I am afraid that you do.

[You can hear the heavy facepalm Seta is giving herself right now.]

[abugslife]

...

[A pause.]

I am Hetepheres, general of Gebian army and ambassador of the Pro-Earthling Party on Earth. Also someone who is interested in seeing Seta's progress.

[caressthedarkness]

[She tilts her head slightly as she considers this. Something Heph said seems to have piqued her interest.]
A General...I see. My codename is Lady Grey - I command the Gloster Foundation's combat division. Though for all intents and purposes, I also manage the Foundation's day-to-day operations.

And what about her progress?

[booty_chaser]

You know, lady, you're being kind of a jerk.

[Here's Ashe, smiling confidently but looking straight on at the older kijin. Ashe does not know the meaning of the word fear]

[caressthedarkness]

[In the face of this, she... doesn't mind.]
So I have been told many times before. Is there a point to this?


I believe that means you should actually start taking it seriously, Madame...

[booty_chaser]

You should apologize to Seta. I don't like bullies much, you know.

[caressthedarkness]

[The woman looks like she is seriously considering this for a while, complete with thinking pose.]
Hmmmmm...when I last checked, being disliked is simply another inevitable part of Earth life. If there is no use avoiding it, then I shall not waste time trying. So in short: no.


[Seta nervously watches. And as much as she appreciates you standing up for her, Ashe; she has her hands clasped together, in pleading fashion, as a way to ask you to be the mature one here.]