[hr][hr] [center][h1][color=82ca9d]Nyx Heir the Wanderer[/color][/h1] [img]https://i.ibb.co/f90Nz0V/Nyx-as-Olivia.png[/img] [sub][b][color=82ca9d]Skills:[/color][/b] Shift In Collaboration with [@ERode][/sub][/center] [hr][hr] [b]“I see that Claudia has outdone herself again.”[/b] How else could one explain the arrangement of fresh flowers and the changed drapes, the four extra shelves full of books and the plush, cobalt-patterned cushions adorning the seats? It wasn’t much more ostentatious compared to what normally occupied the bedchambers of the noble suites in Hathforth Castle, but it was undoubtedly to the taste of the Duke that occupied it. Laurent had no talent for horticulture, but he appreciated the flowers all the same. Laurent didn’t even have much time to read, but the smell of ink and parchment was a nostalgic one. And of course, Laurent had no particular musical skill, but he certainly appreciated the talents of those who dedicated themselves to such a [i]human[/i] craft. So he waited for Lady Olivia Rhys to finish her song, applauding gently once the last pluck of the lute’s strings disappeared into the walls of the chamber. There was something eternal about the art produced by the long-lived races, substituting passion and pathos with the weight of experience and history instead. The human bards sang in manners that shook heart and soul; the fey minstrels sang in manners that seared the mind and blood. But, alas, he could not afford to wait long, after all. Duke Rhinecliff had unfortunately missed the most exciting parts of the day! [b]“Well now,”[/b] the well-dressed man spoke, reclining upon his cobalt-patterned seat, [b]“Please proceed with your report, Olivia. Was this opportunity fruitful?”[/b] ‘Olivia’ performed a curtsy before she put her lute down, tucked safely out of anyone’s way. [color=82ca9d]“I fear I might not have been entirely… [i]prepared[/i] for this opportunity, Your Grace.”[/color] Despite how alarming the whole of the gala had been in the end, there was much left to be desired from the spymaster’s perspective. Alas, there was only so much one could do while playing a character that demanded such a presence such as the Duke. [color=82ca9d]“I can tell you that [i]Her Royal Majesty[/i] continues to wish for the Rhinecliff estate to settle its account with the crown.”[/color] Nyx began to pace, needing to get out some of the nervous energy of the day somehow. [color=82ca9d]“In fact, Lady Haliel deigned to call our gift to the Queen an ‘empty gesture’. She seemed rather intent to find out where the last year of tax revenue in Odonfield has ‘disappeared’ to.”[/color] Nyx paused in her pacing to look at Laurent, eyeing his relaxed stature. [color=82ca9d]“I [i]may[/i] have run away from her. My apologies, Your Grace.”[/color] She waited to see if the Duke had anything to add before she went on with both her report and her pacing. [color=82ca9d]“Unfortunately, the Duke of Nordor overindulged in spirits and picked a fight with most of the royal court.”[/color] Nyx went on to explain how Duchess Bastille had stepped in, that Lady Haliel had suggested a boon for the victor, and the inevitable fall of Duke Willowsteel. [color=82ca9d]“He faces execution in a week’s time.”[/color] [b]“Funny. On one hand, she seeks to tax me and on the other hand, she seeks to rob me. Ah, but I do wish I was there to see the expression on Lady Haliel’s face when you walked away.”[/b] There was no comment left for Duke Willowsteel; he had heard already from Duchess Agustria and made his own decision, after all. It was a kind thing, that Arthur had died during the golden years of the province. [b]“Remind me, Olivia. What do you recall of the Skybound siblings?”[/b] Nyx plopped down in one of the other seats, finally ridding herself of any pretence that she was just a loyal servant as she let herself slouch. Although she would feel more comfortable in her own skin, she would rather conserve that energy in the case of an emergency. [color=82ca9d]“The orphan twins the Queen favours?”[/color] She could picture them in her mind, but outside of her knowledge for the deeds the two carried out on behalf of the Wizard Queen, she knew little else. [color=82ca9d]“Dare I ask what you have in mind for me this time?”[/color] The Duke removed his glove, allowing his signet ring to cast its unnatural light in the room. A projection of a memory etched itself upon the opposing wall, the image of the twins as they were just hours ago. [b]“I had the honour of hosting them back home today. Their loyalty to the Wizard-Queen is self-effacing, while she treats them as one would pawns.”[/b] Of course, it wasn’t as if he was all that different in that regard. Perhaps he was colder still, considering what he had implanted in their minds. [b]“Right now, they ought to be returning back to Hathforth, to report the failure of their mission to uncover my treasury. Take your pick and replace them. At the very least, I would like to know if the Wizard-Queen will send another one of her own to claim her ‘taxes’.”[/b] Laurent stroked his moustache briefly. [b]“Mene is more loyal than Asteria. Considering how much more dangerous the situation would be, if you judge another direct encounter with Evelyn too dangerous, it would be acceptable if you simply spoke to one of the twins as the other.”[/b] Though that would entail its own risks. [b]“What say you, Olivia?”[/b] Nyx pretended to think about it as she looked at the projection and listened to the Duke’s explanation. She let loose a heavy sigh before nodding her head. [color=82ca9d]“I must confess, a child will be much easier to play than you were, Your Grace.”[/color] She shifted in her seat as she considered the next steps that would be needed. [color=82ca9d]“Are you asking me to kill the twin that I am to replace? You know my skills in a fight leave much to be desired.”[/color] It was why she made a better spy and the main reason she never tried to kill Evelyn herself. [b]“You think I’m a child-murderer?”[/b] Duke Rhinecliff gasped, exaggerating his surprise.[b] “But no, Olivia, I’ve had one of my attendants do their…work on the children. If they hear a specific phrase, they’ll fall into a deep sleep. Store either one of both of them away somewhere secure, and play your role from there. As for the patch of memory that they would be missing, just make sure to tell the Skybound what happened while they’re still asleep, and that’ll work out.”[/b] Nyx rolled her eyes at the Duke’s fake outrage but a small smile curved her lips. [color=82ca9d]“I suppose I must be off again then?”[/color] She stood from her comfortable seat and stretched, letting out some of the tension in her shoulders and neck. [b]“There’ll be a day or two yet before the twins return.”[/b] He waved her to sit again. [b]“Until that time comes, feel free to enjoy the banquet food in my stead and relax a little.”[/b] A wink. [b]“Consider it a small attempt at rehabilitating my image.”[/b] Nyx could have kissed him for letting her have some reprieve before she would be thrown into the thick of it again. However instead, the changeling fell back into the seat with a happy sigh. [color=82ca9d]“Consider your image already redeemed, Your Grace.”[/color] She says with a cheeky tone - if this was her reward for facing against the Queen in his place, she would enjoy it as much as one could. [b]“Ah, right, one more thing. How are your Sev impressions?”[/b]