tampered | Log: Incomplete

When; Sunday Evening
Rating; PG 13
Characters; Father Iquis

gunmetalhound, Duchess Sforza

milanbutterfly
Summary; A meeting between the two in order to explain the situation.
Log;

She was waiting in the parlor of her apartment, the maids had been dismissed for the afternoon lest they overhear some of hte conversation that was likely to take place. A tea setting had been laid out before they left, however, and Caterina was attempting to enjoy a cup, if only to calm her nerves before Father Iquis came for their talk.

The Duchess was not wholly looking forward to Tres knowing this secret, though she knew that it would aide him better in dealing with the RKO members and would clear up some of her more vague orders. More than anything, she wanted Father Iquis to remain safe and unharmed, but it seemed that may not be possible.

Sipping some of the warm liquid, her failing strength returned and she rose, heading towards the door, it was time, and Father Iquis was never late.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Tres Iqus had spent an adequate time in preparing himself for the meeting with Duchess Sforza. He was not yet fully aware of what his mistress would have to say, but the way she became tensed whenever her words concerned this meeting, he had been able to deduct they would discuss something of extreme importance. The Duchess had been acting rather strange during their stay in this city and so far her orders had been vague, which had disturbed his mission in protecting her from the members of the Rozen Kreuz Orden. When that was toppled with the subtle hints Isaak von Kämpfer had been more than willing to drop every now and then, the android was more than willing to obtain whatever data she wanted to inform him of.

Tres arrived at the Duchess' appartment on time, naturally. He was always accurate and distinguished himself even more around her. He kocked sternly but lightly on the door and waited for one of her maids to come and open it.

Caterina heard the purposeful knock and opened the door, "Father Iquis," She addressed, "Please enter." And held the door for him, closing and locking it after he had entered.

She turned and guided Tres into the parlor, "Please have a seat." Her demeanor was slightly tense, she knew not how he would react or if it was best for her to bring him in on such a dangerous secret.

Taking a seat herself, across from Tres, she leaned in slightly, "As you know, I have a fatal illness, Tres, but what you do not know is that this place had accelerated it. For a while, I was alone and each tick of that damnable clock tightened my breathing and drew away my strength."

She paused, taking a sip of tea and offering the cyborg some of the refreshments. "Isaak von Kampfer came to me. He knew not only of my condition, but also insinuated that he shared the goals of the AX organization, but more so. He believed that until all of the krezniks were out of the world, it would always be in danger."

Setting down the teacup, she reached out, taking one of Tres' hands, "He is very old, Tres, very old and very powerful and at first, it was blackmail. That if I did not agree to join the Orden, as well as recieve his treatments to prolong my life, that he would damage the world. So I joined. But my goals have not changed, though I have found an odd ally with him, in his want to free the world of the krezniks."

"There is much more to this, Tres, do you wish to hear it or would you prefer to stop here? I will understand if you are angry, but you must keep this seceret," Her hands were still closed over one of his, firm, yet with a slight tremor.

Tres was slightly surprised when the door was opened by his mistress herself. He greeted her sternly, before entering through the doorway. He then followed her to the parlor and took the seat she had offered him. He had come to realize that her apartment was cleansed from staff and maids and this insight had cast a dark shadow their meeting. The way she held herself revealed her nervousness as well.

Tres listened to Caterina attentively as she spoke. He could not avoid feeling the sting of guilt when she talked of her loneliness and the city's influence on her disease. She had talked very little about the time he'd been missing, but he had thought Father Nightroad would've taken care of her and knowing otherwise increased his discomfort.

Tres stirred a bit when her hand landed on his, unused to such closeness. From the moment she mentioned Kämpfer, he knew why the magician had been so eager to taunt him ever since he'd returned. His dislike for that man increased as well upon learning how he'd plotted her to join the Orden. However her unfaltering resolution gained his admiration.

He felt how her hand shivered over his and heard the fear in her voice, and suddenly felt his concern grow. How could he be angry at her? Why would he ever betray her trust?

"My loyalty lies with you, Duchess Sforza," Tres said almost instantly after she had finished talking. "It is not my place to judge you or your decisions. Your secret is safe with me."

"I am glad, Tres," She said, voice a touch softer, touch more firm. Almost as though she finally noticed that she had his hands, Caterina smiled and released him, straightening again.

"Then I shall tell you what we are planning. I believe Father Nightroad will be happier to remain in this world, after all, this is where Lady Sahl resides now, she is still dead and thusly cannot re-enter our own world," Caterina explained, then paused, "All of the krezniks are here and I intend for them to stay here. But I also intend to let them know of that portion of the plan, Seth and Father Nightroad, at least."

"Please stop me if this gets confusing, they will not know I am in the Rozen Kreuz, but they will know my plan. And as far as the Rozen Kreuz is concerned, I am spying for them now, though there is little to spy on. I find myself... saddened for the state of Abel's brother," Caterina digressed. Then half smiled to Tres.

"When we return to our world, all that we need do then, is destroy the remaining RK Order members and then things will return to peace." Her smile went sad, "I am not asking you to join with me, Tres, I would not seek to put you in that harm's way."

Log: Incomplete

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