Video ❖ 5 || Filtered 98%

[knightmare_hime]

[Filtered to only those who have met her in canon and in Demeleier.]

[A soft, melodious giggle can be heard over the network. It is a sound that is feminine and uncharacteristically dainty for the Britannian princess that slowly comes into view. She looks exactly like Cornelia li Britannia save for the yellow, glowing eyes, which squint shut as

Comments

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[akingmuststand]

[As with Clovis, this is as anticipated. The clothing, the pose, the cant of the head; he'd known his sister sought to hide all this. Her 'weaker' attributes... he could almost laugh. The spectacle is anything but weak. He knows his sister is beautiful - stunning, radiant, resplendent, he has thought all of these things in abundance time and again. His faith in her has been unfaltering since they were children.

And even here, even now - ah, but he looks at her and feels... what? Sadness? Not quite, though it is saddenning to see this so hidden. Worrying. He worries about his sister. Can she face this?

His faith has been unfaltering, but he thinks this might just catch her out.]

Cornelia...

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[akingmuststand]

[And then he smiles, small and fond and warm, as if so very little was amiss.]

It's been so long since I've heard you sing, sister.

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[knightmare_hime]

[She tilts her head, glancing back down at the device, and the lingering smile grows fond, teasing.]

I couldn't agree more, Brother. Likewise, it has been quite awhile since I heard you play.

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[akingmuststand]

[He knows that look. He's seen it before, but it's grown more seldom over the years. Once, it wasn't a rare thing. Now, it can be months without seeing those lips curve in that oh-so-familiar way.]

Unfortunately, I have no means to do so.

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[ofrebelling]

[How interesting to see all of the things he'd always assumed to be true actually manifesting themselves. It was humorous, really, to sit back and watch all of her weaknesses being revealed for everybody to see. His lip curls into a sneer as he listens to her song.

He knows that something is amiss, though. Cornelia would never openly say such things or dress in such a provocative manner. But he was content and not at all bothered by the sudden change, as it has satisfied his curiosity, answering questions he'd always had about his lovely older sister.]

Cornelia.

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[ofrebelling]

[A smile slowly spreads across his face, a tinge of haughtiness in his voice.]

I'm rather disappointed that I've been in Demeleier for over a month and you haven't greeted me yet. However, that is neither here nor there at this point. The events transpiring right now are what is important, correct? And, I must say, I was not expecting to see you in such a manner.

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[knightmare_hime]

[If she is surprised to see him, it doesn't show. After all, she created this filter herself, didn't she?

She snorts, her amusement obvious in her tone.] Lelouuuch. Well well~ We have a terrorist in our midst. What a predicament.

Indeed. What an unfortunate turn of events. But I fear that a month was not long enough, dear Brother~

How have you fared in your new home?

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[ofrebelling]

A terrorist? [A small laugh] Cornelia, you flatter me! You should know that I'm far more than a mere terrorist when it comes to the history of Britannia. But that is neither here nor there in Demeleier, is it?

[He pauses, the smile never leaving his face.]

I've fared quite well, actually, and I appreciate you asking. Though, I'm not interested in talking about myself, but about you. I can't say as if I've ever seen you like this before, my dear sister.

[Video | Private - 80% Hackability]

[a_la_turk]

[ The first thing one might notice after the feed begins playing is that Valeria is staring rather intensely at the woman presently visible on her communicator -- more intensely than she likely intends, if the faint blush on her cheeks is any indication. Not that she realizes it, she really doesn't, for the concern that is prevalent in her expression is great in comparison. That same concern is rich in her tone, in her voice. ]

Cornelia...

[ She knits her brows, opening her mouth and closing it just as quickly. For some reason, it hurts. Even though they aren't very close and they've hardly spoken outside of the professional matters, she feels like she should have known, like she should have noticed and done something. ]

Is this really what you think of yourself?

[ Why didn't you say anything? You... you're not -- ]

[Video | Private - 80% Hackability 1/2]

[knightmare_hime]

[Another voice. And another face. Someone not quite as familiar. Glowing eyes glance down at the screen, watching the other woman for a moment, her expression unreadable. All things that she might expect are obvious in the other woman's countenance. Concern. Worry. Regret.]

[Video | Private - 80% Hackability]

[knightmare_hime]

[It's delicious~

As is the subtle change in color across the bridge of Valeria's nose and cheeks.]

Valeria. My brother's most trusted emissary. [She cocks a brow, intrigued.] Are you blushing?

[Like she's going to answer dull questions. She's in much too good of a mood for it to turn sour. The angle of the view changes as she grabs the communication device, moving toward the cot and displaying a full view of herself again. One hand moves to her shoulder, where she begins to push a single strap down her arm.]

You don't mind if I change, do you?

[Video | Private - 80% Hackability]

[a_la_turk]

[ No sooner than the first question is posed does Valeria quite literally, reflexively slap against one cheek for verification. To her horror, Cornelia -- or rather, Cornelia's Shadow -- is right, but that, it doesn't make sense. It doesn't make sense at all until she catches the descent of the strap and she feels the heat spread rapidly through her face. Then, it really doesn't make any sense and logic, logic gives way to instinct. ]

C-Cornelia, don't do that! Why would you do that?!

[ The instinct of a young woman from a pitifully backwater town, that is. That instinct dictates that undressing is a personal, private matter, not something you do in front of others unless they're family or it's absolutely necessary and -- and that rule really doesn't apply here, but -- ]

Y-you shouldn't be wearing so little anyway! You're going to catch a cold!

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[justsopretty]

[His hands were set over his ears to ignore his literally crying Shadow. It continued to want to talk to him on such embarrassing topics that he went into the closet to sit rather than deal with it -- though now it was pounding lightly on the door between its obnoxious sobbings. Clovis would always add, 'Sorry, I'm very busy with a conversation and can't be bothered at the moment. Please, go away.' The Shadow had brought up something rather interesting of a Belial that would be willing to make him into Schneizel, but he wasn't going to believe something like that until after the damnable thing disappeared

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[knightmare_hime]

[She's unfazed by his outburst. Perhaps a bit disappointed that her brother, who is always leading her to believe that she should act more feminine, would dare lecture her, but otherwise, her amusement has wavered little.]

A duel? [And she snorts.] With what? A pencil? Your paintbrush? A needle and thread? [That just makes her laugh.] I am no more a shapeshifter than you are, Clovis.

She and I are one and the same.

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[justsopretty]

[Holding the door shut as the banging increases. He hits the door in return to silence his Shadow. 'Really, could you please go away?']

No more a ... [Annoyed at being talked down to, but still give pause for it is his sister's voice.]

Cornelia is far lovelier and well-spoken than you could hope to be.

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[knightmare_hime]

Having a domestic dispute, Brother? [Chuckling.] I see that you're finding it quite difficult to face yourself as well.

[She tsks tsks.] Such a child~

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[as_you_command]

[ Hi there, gold-eyes. Have a matching set... except these look far too disappointed. ] Is this any way to show yourself, Princess? [ He knows their purpose but... the respectable, upstanding part of himself cannot bear to witness this. ]

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[knightmare_hime]

Ahhh~ Well if it isn't my most loyal companion and former knight, Guilford.

[There is a laugh that settles into her words as she goes on.]

Prude, even in your repressed state, are you? [Her lips curve upward and she arches a thin brow at the screen.] Perhaps she should give up on you, after all.

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[as_you_command]

[ He bristles at the use of that title. It should not offend him -- it is the truth, after all. But having her throw it in his face like that did not sit well with him at all. ] I thought you would have more dignity, even at your core.

[ His eyes narrow. ] She would do no such thing. You should know this, most of all. There were plenty of chances to do just that, after all. [ Calling her bluff? ]

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[knightmare_hime]

[Her finger skims the rim of another glass of wine that has been freshly poured, and then the finger raises to her mouth, lips parting to suck on it thoughtfully for a moment.]

More dignity? [A snort.] She pretends to have so much of it already. Why should I be forced to put on a farce when this... [And the hand moves from her jaw then, a finger seductively trailing over her skin, down to her exposed cleavage.] ...is what she really wants.

[She laughs again, glowing eyes closing briefly as she takes another sip.]

Mmn. Yes. There was a time when she would have gone to the ends of the earth just for you. [Her head tilts.] But now that you have moved on; now that you have a new life; a new future... well, perhaps her affections for you were a waste.