Her behavior was appalling. [ Yes, he was sparing Nuala embarrassment. But also he didn't want to validate Elizabeth's conduct with more attention by running to the headmistress's office. ] She has such hatred and fear of magic that she's convinced herself she was being forced to attend me. Perhaps because I'm a sorcerer, she could not imagine anything else. [ He exhales, not quite a sigh. In his quarters, he leans back in the small chair he liberated from a rec room. The plastic makes a small noise. ] She was combative immediately, intolerable the entire time. I'm hardly wounded, but were she a student of mine at home, she'd be spending every night all term in detention cleaning cauldrons with her toothbrush.
I underestimated her opposition, ( with a sigh. ) I must be plainer with her-
( she is a little bit embarrassed, both for elizabeth's conduct and her own misjudgment, but she's going to have to discuss this with the girl again and better she do so knowing what actually happened. )
She seems to believe I owe her respect because of her birthright. [ There is no heat or malice to his voice - Severus is merely reporting. He was not in any way affected by the exchange with Elizabeth; anyone else would be, certainly, but Severus is ... a particular person. A particular person who doesn't bother elaborating on why that point isn't going to be unsticking for him. Nuala will be well aware. ]
I thought to try again with her when I have the time. But I'm not sure she'll accept it from a peasant, to be frank. No matter how I speak to her.
[ Which really wasn't anything besides just blunt, until she started in on him. Far be it from Severus to understand the temperament of blood that blue. Even Lucius has never been so insufferable. ]
Ask a wizard to kneel to a mortal throne? Will the pyre then be lit beneath it?
( mildly incredulous. but then, elizabeth's experience is worlds away from either of theirs, and sheltered besides. she exhales. )
If she doesn't understand it's her decision, I'll try to show her - perhaps I was too brief, too confident. ( the grimace is audible; she hates to have misstepped at all. ) What decision she makes...
Well, I expect we can guess, and it'll fall to me to ensure she has no accidents. ( or to mitigate the effects thereof. it's a matter of fact thing, and likely true for a time even if elizabeth does consent to learn how to wield her own power. she won't master it in one lesson. )
[ A quiet snort of what's almost laughter, dark-hued though it is. If there's one common enemy shared amongst all magical peoples, it is the religion of a church. More than that: the mortal, muggle dynasties that would turn it to a weapon for their own benefit, and call the true children of the earth of the devil.
(It was always a little funny to watch them try and pray before someone in a silver mask killed them.) ]
Not even you could have anticipated such behavior, [ he says, not without sympathy - or humor. Because sweet fucking Mordred, girl. Reel it in. ] If you'll forgive my saying so.
Along the lines of the pavilions you've experimented with-- I had in mind something of a more permanent sort.
( she harbors no ill-will towards the elves she's shared a home with since her arrival; they are good people, and kind, and simply not her own. she came to them with her brother, and has little bonded with them in her own right in his absence. she can never quite be sure where she stands, or why, and when she would hesitate to call herself friend or ally of most, it seems simplest to find a means to live more independently, but, preferably, be able to remain in comfort within the gardens.
perhaps it will be easier to reach out to them if she is allowed to do so from a slight remove. )
[ 'Pavilions' sounds like a stretch to Severus, who's been screwing around with enchanted ceilings in little blanket-made tents. Nuala's particular stitching has helped, but more with said enchantments than actual structure. ]
For a dwelling? [ --though he can guess her meaning. ]
( she's already inclined to spend most of her time not asleep or at work occupied with those little tents, finding them comfortable places to do her sewing and feel a bit less - as if she's imposing somewhere. it's not something she feels like discussing in any great detail, her motivation, but she doubts he's so much surprised. )
I've not constructed one, ( her tone suggests he will not be terribly shocked to hear that that wasn't something she was called upon to do as a princess in the Bethmooran court ) but I've spent time enough in them to be familiar with their shape and necessities.
Perhaps, between the two of us...?
( it would be a simple thing to fashion rooms within it, she thinks, once the basic structure was achieved. )
[ It sounds like a simple thing, but it's not building a sandcastle. Severus is already leery. But certainly it's possible; he doesn't think anything like wizarding camping tents is achievable here - the bloody bags are enough of a headache to enchant - but if he gets someone to help him construct the thing. Hm. ]
If you can give me a drawing I'll see what I can do.
[ Surely he'll be able to do something besides stare at it blankly!! ]
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( she is a little bit embarrassed, both for elizabeth's conduct and her own misjudgment, but she's going to have to discuss this with the girl again and better she do so knowing what actually happened. )
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I thought to try again with her when I have the time. But I'm not sure she'll accept it from a peasant, to be frank. No matter how I speak to her.
[ Which really wasn't anything besides just blunt, until she started in on him. Far be it from Severus to understand the temperament of blood that blue. Even Lucius has never been so insufferable. ]
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( mildly incredulous. but then, elizabeth's experience is worlds away from either of theirs, and sheltered besides. she exhales. )
If she doesn't understand it's her decision, I'll try to show her - perhaps I was too brief, too confident. ( the grimace is audible; she hates to have misstepped at all. ) What decision she makes...
Well, I expect we can guess, and it'll fall to me to ensure she has no accidents. ( or to mitigate the effects thereof. it's a matter of fact thing, and likely true for a time even if elizabeth does consent to learn how to wield her own power. she won't master it in one lesson. )
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(It was always a little funny to watch them try and pray before someone in a silver mask killed them.) ]
Not even you could have anticipated such behavior, [ he says, not without sympathy - or humor. Because sweet fucking Mordred, girl. Reel it in. ] If you'll forgive my saying so.
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I will forgive you, if only for the sake of your great patience.
( rueful. )
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I'm not known for it. [ And how. He uses too much of it spying; in everyday life he can't be bothered. ] But I suspect you're being kind.
[ Indifference to the problem instead of patience. Possibly this has not helped. ]
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I'm often kind to you.
But there was something else I thought I might discuss with you, Elizabeth's stubbornness aside.
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By all means.
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( she harbors no ill-will towards the elves she's shared a home with since her arrival; they are good people, and kind, and simply not her own. she came to them with her brother, and has little bonded with them in her own right in his absence. she can never quite be sure where she stands, or why, and when she would hesitate to call herself friend or ally of most, it seems simplest to find a means to live more independently, but, preferably, be able to remain in comfort within the gardens.
perhaps it will be easier to reach out to them if she is allowed to do so from a slight remove. )
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For a dwelling? [ --though he can guess her meaning. ]
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( she's already inclined to spend most of her time not asleep or at work occupied with those little tents, finding them comfortable places to do her sewing and feel a bit less - as if she's imposing somewhere. it's not something she feels like discussing in any great detail, her motivation, but she doubts he's so much surprised. )
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Still there is some understanding. With empathy, this time. ]
Enchantments and wards are no issue for me. The construction itself is something that I've never done. You may have noticed.
[ At least one of those tent ceilings has flown away boredly. ]
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Perhaps, between the two of us...?
( it would be a simple thing to fashion rooms within it, she thinks, once the basic structure was achieved. )
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If you can give me a drawing I'll see what I can do.
[ Surely he'll be able to do something besides stare at it blankly!! ]
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