#edgemarbrand

Alenna Vaius paced the floor of her chamber, lips curled back over her too-perfect white teeth. It was bad enough that the intruders had managed to find their way into the stronghold to begin with - but, they’d nearly escaped with her prized prisoner. Such audacity, she vowed, would not go unpunished.

Her thoughts turned to the boy, and her expression soured further. She had spent considerable time and resources acquiring him, and the fact that she was having to involve herself in the efforts to keep him was very irritating indeed. And now there were even more outsiders aware of his plight...

Ashelia Riot. Alenna’s lips creased into a frown as she finished crossing the span of her room to where she kept the better brandies. She flicked the top of the decanter back with her index finger and sighed, pouring the amber liquid into a glass. She lifted the glass to her lips -- draining its contents, however, did not serve to improve her mood - it was only a matter of time before someone was unfortunate enough to come upon her and interrupt her brooding.

The woman she’d taken, the one who was with child...Upa, they had called her. Alenna’s fist clenched, air whistling out harshly between her grinding teeth. The Miqo’te had shown enormous aetheric potential, and the fact that Alenna was now down another test subject only served to outrage her further. No, those people would pay dearly for setting her back and delaying her progress.

She knew of the Riskbreakers - there weren’t many among her number who didn’t. A constant, growing nuisance, made all the more persistent during their recent run-in. Alenna was unable to suppress a smile as she recalled the look on the Grand Stewardess’ face as she’d brought her husband to his knees... the more pleasant reverie was quickly replaced with the reality that they had escaped and that they were all still alive and whole.

“Excuse me, ma’am! You’re needed in the control room.” And, there it was. Alenna whirled where she stood, eyes glinting angrily in the dim light of her chambers as she fixed her gaze on the soldier framed by her doorway. 

“I decide where I am needed,” she hissed, the now-empty glass rolling from her hand and shattering upon the floor as long strides carried her effortless across the room to place herself directly in front of the intrusion. “If you idiots are incapable of handling our prisoner - who is, need I remind you, just a child - then perhaps you’d like to trade places with him! ...No? Then get out.” 

The soldier staggered  in place, words falling from his lips in haste as he started to try and retreat backwards into the hallway. “I - no, the - the prisoner is fine, my lady! It’s just...you - you have a visitor...!” Alenna paused in her advancement, eyes narrowing as she fixed them to his.

“A visitor?” She asked, her words clipped and precise.  “Who is it?” The soldier hesitated just a fraction too long.

“Who is it?” Her voice rose to a booming crescendo, sending the soldier staggering backwards toward the doorframe to get away. “M - miss Invi --”

“GET OUT!” Alenna roared, grabbing the nearest empty glass and chucking it toward the unfortunate man. He scrambled away and left her, seething; she drew slow, long breaths, mulling over the new information.

So. She’s here. Sighing, Alenna ran a hand threw her hair and walked brusquely to the mirror to check herself. How long has it been? Pushing her thoughts aside, she crossed to the door to her chamber and retrieved her helmet, tucking it beneath her arm. A small smile curled her lips.