"Her Kiss is Violence" [Lyra]

[Brenner Dornkirk]

"Her Kiss is Violence"

1 Glade, 122

A gentle knock and a few beats preceded a boistrous:

"Happy New Year!" Which Brenner proclaimed as he burst into the suite of rooms presently housing Lyra at Dornkirk Manor. Behind him marched a footman pushing a brass serving cart upon which two champagne flutes and a bottle of bubbly in an ice bucket were prominent. As he pushed the cart further in, a tray of various shellfish, also on ice, came into a view: Shrimp, oysters, clams, crab legs and lobster with little ramekins of different coloured sauces symmetrically arranged across the tray of shaved ice.

It was late in the evening- long after dinner had been served, but it was, after all, a holiday and Brenner's preoccupation with the ongoing coup had kept him from committing to any broader social engagements. It seemed a shame not to celebrate what promised to be a landmark year for Karnor, and so he decided to attempt to celebrate with Lyra. Florian, too, was staying at Dornkirk Manor albeit in rooms in the opposite wing of the building, but the mopey Lysanrin still didn't seem to be in any sort of mood to socialise, let alone celebrate.

"I promise you, I am working to sort out this issue, it is only that we returned at rather an unusual moment for the State of Zaichaer, and so a lot of the administrative offices are, shall we say, preoccupied at the moment. Pour." He didn't even glance to the footman, as he delivered his instruction, but the man seemed accustomed enough with his master to comply promptly.

"Sparkling Grüner Veltliner." The Air Commander announced, punctuated by the pop of the bottle's cork. "I know you must be growing tired of the accommodations, but soon we'll have you out and about, I promise." Two glasses were poured and delivered by the footman, as Brenner claimed a seat on one of the chaise longues in the sitting area. "How fare thee?"

[Lyra]

Lyra looked up from her book when Brenner burst into her rooms, but despite the hour she smiled.

"Happy New Year." Lyra agreed, closing her book and sitting up from her lounging posture in one of the the plush armchairs. She accepted the glass when it was offered, still smiling as she sipped, a bit surprised at the fizz that tickled her nose. Since they had returned Brenner had been different. Relaxed was not the right word, but perhaps comfortable? It made sense she supposed given they were now in his home city, and in his family's manor. Lyra rather liked the man in this state, preferable to his usual dour and reserved demeanor.

"You and your family have been more than hospitable. If I were to pick my prison, such lavish rooms as these would be preferred." She laughed, "I am well. It is a bit boring, but this time has been needed I think. I cannot remember when I last read a book for pleasure."

The book in question was still held in her hand, one finger marking her page. The cover was a simple brown color, but on its spine was a title that read "Histories and Figures of Prominence in Zaichaer". It was a rather simplistic history of the city itself, but Lyra found that it did provide a bit of relevant background and context to the place she would call home for the foreseeable future.

"Is there any word when I will be officially released? You promised to show me the best the city has to offer, and thus far I have only seen your bedchambers." Lyra looked over the rim of her glass as she said these words, amusement in her eyes.

[Brenner Dornkirk]

“Leave it to we of ‘New Money’ to go to the most lavish of extremes.” Brenner jested with a wry smirk as he crossed his legs and repositioned a throw pillow to support his lower back. Indeed, Dornkirk Manor was among the newer structures on Zaichaer’s West End. As such, it hadn’t been saddled with the limitations of earlier ages. It had been built with all the modern amenities in mind, even if they were framed by an archaic façade. Many of the older estates had to be compromised in one way or another to be modernised, and many of the families that owned them hadn’t the wealth to complement the names they’d inherited from storied ancestors.

“Ought I be offended that my bedchambers don’t rate under such a designation?” He inquired with a playful pout, but it was promptly dismissed as he responded in earnest.

“I was being cagey, but in point of fact we’re in the midst of a coup d’etat. House Dornkirk has taken a side- brazen gamblers that we are- and thus far that side is on a path to victory, but I’d be a fool to count my chickens now.

“That said, I’ve been cleared to escort you about. I could potentially give you a tour as earlier as tomorrow, though I fear we’ll have to steer clear of the embattled Presidium for a spell. Further clearances will have to wait until such time as the government is less, shall we say… preoccupied.” The air commander glanced to Lyra’s book and arched an eyebrow.

“Anyway.” He gestures toward the tray of food. “I do hope you enjoy shellfish. It is hardly an inexpensive import at the best of times, and these are not those.” Though Brenner Dornkirk certainly sounded spritely in so saying.

[Lyra]

"The first tour was exhilarating." Lyra smirked, "After the fourth or fifth a woman seeks for a change of pace."

She sipped on the drink as she listened to Brenner, her interest piqued at the news of a coup in progress. That was unexpected, but fortuitous for her she thought. Whichever side the Dornkirk's took would inevitably hold a strong position if the exploits in Kalzasi were any indication as to the power and cunning of the Dornkirk line.

"A bit of light reading." said Lyra in response to the raised eyebrow at her book. She opened the page she was on to memorize its page number before closing and setting the tome aside to focus on Brenner, "You feed me well Commander, but no matter how delectable the shellfish I would still rather taste the foods available elsewhere in the city."

Her smile was eager as she leaned forward, "If it has been cleared, then I will allow you to treat me to some of the finer things Zaichaer has to offer. Limited though it may be, I long for the freedom of any kind." She paused as if considering before she continued, "I would allow you to leash me if it would mean even a day in the sun."

She said this with a serious tone, but her expression was playful.

[Brenner Dornkirk]

"Ah, yes..." Brenner pursed his lips and glanced askance of his guest, "I suppose, for one accustomed to the wanton, unregulated liberality of Kalzasi, Zaichaer must seem quite stifling. You'll get used to it. And please let me know if there are further diversions I might offer." His eyes darted back to meet hers.

He could understand Lyra's concerns and her frustrations. He hated to be idle himself, but with the way they left things in Kalzasi and now this news of a regime change in their immediate surroundings, obviously her host was prone to be preoccupied for a spell. He hoped she could see outside herself and understand, but he knew firsthand that umbrage germinates in dark, quiet places. He would have to highlight the asset she would represent to the State, once the State was in any position to think ahead.

* * *

It was weeks before Brenner was able to secure the venue Lyra so coveted. He'd consulted with his brother and, by then, Chief Science Officer of the State about setting her up at a site in a Dornkirk Windworks facility, but he noted that a Reconcilator-run venue would be more appropriate. Brenner had to agree.

At this point, Brenner was First Minister and didn't have a ton of surplus time out of the office, but he felt it appropriate to escort Lyra to the site for her first tour of the facility. He owed her that much in addition to fulfilling the promise owed. He said he'd try and he wanted to be there to confirm that he'd succeeded.

"Here we are." He said, using two fingers to part the curtain over the carriage window to peek out at the street without.

[Lyra]

If Lyra were a younger woman she might have been prone to outbursts of excitement and joy upon receiving what she had so long desired. Lyra was not a young woman, however, so her expression was one of contentment as she looked out the carriage window. She absently played with the end of her braided hair, fingers seeming restless as they had not stopped their motions since they left the manor.

"It seems so long now." Lyra said softly, inching toward the edge of her seat as she looked at Brenner, eyes now alight with excitement unbeknownst to her, "I feel like a bird in a cage that has just been opened."

She couldn't help it. For all her years, for all her proper pride and dignity, Lyra could not continue to suppress the eagerness she felt. Brenner would either need to quickly step out and offer her down, or she would simply do it herself. Once outside she paused and glanced back at Brenner, "Is it really ok? Do I have permission to be here?"

[Brenner Dornkirk]

“Regrettably long…” Brenner agreed, with a slight sigh of vexation. He’d offered what felt like a thousand mea culpas and excuses, for what he believed to be perfectly understandable delays. But he hadn’t been the one cooped up and idle- two circumstances that he himself loathed, and so he was able to empathise with Lyra’s plight and offer what consolations he could while the government settled enough to get the wheels of bureaucracy turning once more. Fortunately, Zaichaer was an efficient, exacting state so their red tape was cleared faster than it would be in most governments of which Brenner was aware, but still not fast enough for a veritable ‘caged bird’, as she’d taken to calling herself.

As the carriage drew to a stop, sensing Lyra’s eagerness, Brenner elected not to wait for their chauffeur to step round to see them out. He pushed the door open himself and stepped down, offering a hand up to Lyra as he held the other behind his back with a closed fist.

“It is allowed.” He conceded. “But this is an Order-run facility, so the oversight will be exacting.” He offered a vaguely apologetic smile, “To earn the trust of one man is a simple thing, but the faith of the State is hard-earned, albeit well worth the rewards it affords, as my current station might well betoken.” He gestured to the door.

“Let’s get your credentials and clearances in order. Once that’s squared away, you’ll have proper papers to move about freely in Greater Zaichaer. If you’ve reason to leave our borders, that will be another matter but if you let me know I can coordinate travel documents with the foreign office.” Stepping inside, he approached the reception and gestured.

“May I present Lyra-…” Brenner pauses and knitted his brow, and glanced over his shoulder to the aforementioned witch, “It suddenly occurs to me that I’m not familiar with your surname. You’re going to need one or those for valid documents to be lodged with the State.”

[Lyra]

What lay beyond that door was freedom, limited as it was, and Lyra craved it. A lab of her own, one properly sanctioned by the local government and overseen by the Order. It was a step in the right directly, a foothold for her to begin building something within the city. This lab represented everything she had worked toward until now, so dealing with some oversight was well and truly worth it.

"Then you trust me now Commander?" Lyra returned his smile with a playful one of her own. She followed after him, content to listen as her mind idly began to wander. Travel away from Zaichaer was far from her mind, so she felt no disappointment to hear of the restrictions. She had already established contact with her people in Kalzasi, and things were running fine without her. That meant she was free to focus on her work here.

Lyra gave the receptionist a passing smile when she stepped in behind Brenner, folding her hands at her waist. She glanced at Brenner when he addressed her, but her reply was not immediate.

"Al'Fractil." Lyra said softly, and then with more confidence, "Lyra Al'Fractil."

There was a sharp pain when she spoke the name, one she had used for centuries, but she did not linger on broken memories that tried to surface, instead returning to her observation of the windworks while she waited for Brenner to complete the paperwork.

[Brenner Dornkirk]

Trust. That so simple a question should feel so complicated to answer was a queer thing, Brenner mused, as he considered his reply. They had spent a great deal of time together, by this point- She had welcomed him into her quondam home, and into her bed, but there was something cryptic about the woman. He hesitated to be poetical enough to call the quality 'arcane', but that was part of it, wasn't it? She had seemingly thrown her lot in with him, but she also resented his actions in Kalzasi... But she'd been quite plain about her vexation, so there were points for that but all in all, did he truly trust her?

"Alas, milady." He offered a slight, but genteel bow. "I am no mere man." He rose from his gesture with a wry smile, "I am the State." About as political an answer as the new-forged politician could muster, but not untrue to his mind. He could not afford to bandy about his trust as wantonly as a private citizen, now that he held his current position. There was too much at stake. If he was corruptible, it could doom the City-State in the wars to come.

He arched an eyebrow at the revelation of Lyra's name. Exotic. He might have expected as much, he thought, with a faint sneer as he leaned over the desk to speak with the receptionist and help Lyra through the mundanities that necessity required.

When that was out of the way, Lyra was accorded a visitor's pass to allow her entry today- she would need to be escorted at all times until her official paperwork was processed, but Brenner insisted that it be expedited, so that would come through on the morrow.

"Shall we have a look?" The First Minister inquired, though he didn't pause for a response knowing well what it would be. He headed through the large double doors and down the dimly-lit, high-ceilinged corridor. The building was large enough to serve as a hangar, but within it seemed to be sectioned off into rooms on either side. There was only one, exceedingly long hallway down the centre of the structure- straight and symmetrical with matching doors on either side every thirty paces or so. At the third set of doors, Brenner paused and turned right to grab the handle and admit Lyra into her new lab.

The large room was a stark pageant of grey stone walls and wrought-iron beams- some vertical, some vaulted. Plain concrete uncluttered with any sort of furnishing occupied two thirds of the floorspace, while the final third (which was to their left) housed a raised area smelted of wrought iron with lattice-style steps leading up to a large dais. As one's gaze traveled up the walls one would find scaffold walkways rounding the room and ending at a high observation deck that overlooked everything below from just below the ceiling.

"If you compile a list of your necessary supplies and furnishings, we can start to fill things out to your specifications straight away."

[Lyra]

Trust was a lie. The word was used so often it was near love in its prominence, and often the two were used synonymously. It was an unfair question for the Commander given their positions, but Lyra still found herself curious. His reply held as much weight as a feather, a perfectly political response, but Lyra smiled anyway because she could hear the war within the man. It was difficult to remain impartial with someone you had lain with night after night, and that bias warred with the man's sense of responsibility toward his home. It was a tangle of mixed emotions that gave Lyra the thrill she had come to desire from Brenner.

"Then I must ask the forgiveness of the state for pleasuring it as a man." Lyra said with a roll of her eyes and a smirk.

The paperwork is done and the visitor pass in hand Lyra was quick to nod at Brenner's words, following after just a bit more on his heels in her excitement. Through the doors, down the corridor, and finally stopping at the 3rd door on the right. She let out a breath she had not known she was holding when she entered the room. It was plain, simple grey floors and walls, and above evidence of what would be her guardians through all of her projects within the facility. Lyra spun in a circle before facing Brenner once more.

"This is wonderful." she said genuinely, no playfulness or mocking in the smile she gave. She glanced around the room while absently playing with the end of her braid, a thousand thoughts visible on her features, "I will provide a list this evening. There is no time to waste."

There was a pause and change in her expression when she looked at Brenner next, stepping close but not quite touching. She had to look up at him, which didn't bother Lyra as much as she might have thought. Searching his eyes she tilted her head and asked, "Do I have permission to thank the State?"

Then she would envelop him with a hug, despite whatever answer he gave.