private: Claire

[prospitian]

you provide the rumors and i'll provide the spite.

Comments

[refinedlady]

Well, you'll be my stand-in, of course. I can't just sit back and let these little darlings run the show, can I? [ She beams down at the Monokyuma in her lap, with an expression of almost motherly pride on her face. ] If anything goes wrong, I'll need someone on-scene immediately. Someone a little bigger than this.

[ Displaying the sudden carelessness again, Ritsu tosses the stuffed animal to one side, letting it bounce off the headboard of the bed. ]

Opposable thumbs help too, I suppose.

[nightlocked]

[She quirks an eyebrow at her explanation, and is in the middle of giving that beam on Ritsu's face a sidelong glance when she tosses it away. Finch is completely still, and it doesn't hit her anyway, even as it rebounds. Her focus turns to it, briefly—she still isn't sure whether or not she likes it—and then down to her thumbs.]

Your stand-in. As in...what, a substitute? Is there a problem with sending me in as myself?

[refinedlady]

Well, considering your... background, the others might find you a little suspicious in a worrisome situation, hm? [ There's an almost mocking smile on her face as she regards Finch, tilting her head as she does so. ]

"Super High School Level Heiress" sounds much better than "Super High School Level Traitor", yes? Or how about "Super High School Level Spy"?

I'm flexable.

[nightlocked]

[She doesn't answer that immediately; the corner of her mouth twitches into a scowl and she takes a slow breath in through her teeth. Finch is a master of disguise, certainly, but Ritsu and Ritsu alone has always known which buttons to push. Keeping up her facade for her has long since proven futile.]

I'd watch what I called skills being used to your benefit. [She says that slowly, teeth still gritted, but doesn't argue.] Are you going to make me wear a wig and call myself 'Madame Namine' on top of it all, princess? [The last word gets spat out like it's a slur.]

[refinedlady]

[ Ritsu laughs; it starts off elegant and lady-like then becomes harsh and almost threatening before she covers her mouth delicately with one hand and calms herself. ]

There's no need to get upset. You know I'm only teasing, yes? [ Ritsu's eyes are sly and there's mischief in her smile but she says nothing more and simply rests her chin in her hand. ]

Perhaps that would be a little much. I'm sure with your, ah... skills... you could pull this off with ease.

[nightlocked]

[Teasing—with intense deliberateness, Finch resists the urge to spin around and sock Ritsu in the face. It's something about despair for her (she'd be the last to admit that she doesn't understand, not really), that barking laughter and all, and she will absolutely not admit that it's completely effective.]

Yes. Of course. So then is the idea to turn Finch into a Super High School Level Heiress, for all intents and purposes? [The word heiress still sounds bitter; why does she have to be reduced to a goddamn peacock?]