[[a survey + eventual survey discussion closed post]]

[ravkanwitch]

As promised, there’s a new stack of paper on the welcome table in the main lobby; each sheet has many questions on it along with a cup of pens on the side and a brightly colored box with a large slot cut into the top of it. Nina’s ready for her new project. For most characters, if they don’t see this, a very charming and friendly Nina Zenik will be tracking them down with the sheet of questions and a pen eventually…

“MANSION SURVEY: Help us take stock and plan fun and activities!*

*answers are private to Nina and Susan only”

[[Please check out the Fun Mansion Questions tab in the Mansion Demographics spreadsheet and have your characters fill it out! Check the discord if you don’t have a link.]]

Comments

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"They're not my favorite, either." Though Susan had been pleased to find that cooking was more palatable with a partner, when she and Laertes baked together.

[ravkanwitch]

"That's fine. We don't have to sign up for a chore rotation. You can be the brains behind the operation and I can be the, um-- the charm," she grins.

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Are you suggesting I'm not charming?" Susan asks. This is a joke, but Nina would be forgiven for not realizing it - Susan's lost her touch a little, around most people.

[ravkanwitch]

Nina's eyes widen and she scrambles to stand up. "Your Majesty, I would never," she says, dropping into a curtsy -- and then ruining the act with a small laugh.

[quote_gentle_unquote]

Susan draws herself up and puts on a coldly imperious expression. She cocks a hip and raises an eyebrow. "Off with her head," she says, flapping a hand and then gesturing broadly at Nina.

[ravkanwitch]

Since they were talking about theater... Nina lets out a soul-rattling sob. "No! I have children at home-- I promise I'll never doubt your charming personality again!"

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Guards? Guards! Remove this interloper from my sight!"

[ravkanwitch]

"I'm ruined," Nina says, crumpling onto the table that they had been working on. She waits a beat, then opens one eye. Sits up a slightly, giving Susan a Look. "Well? Where are your guards?"

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Dead, I should hope," says Susan, in dire tones indeed. "To ignore their Queen so egregiously after she has been so viciously maligned?"

[ravkanwitch]

Nina laughs. "Well, I suppose you'll have to just carry on talking to me, won't you?"

[quote_gentle_unquote]

Susan rises smoothly to her feet and draws an invisible rapier. "En garde," she says, falling into a fencing stance.

[ravkanwitch]

Thrilled at putting to use the forms that Laertes had taught her, Nina raises and draws an invisible rapier as well. "Oh. So it's to be this, then?"

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"A queen must be able to defend herself," says Susan, sternly. "Even if it is against her own traitor of a protege." And she makes an opening move.

[ravkanwitch]

"Protege? Not in the world of the rapier, you'll find," Nina says grimly, deftly blocking Susan's invisible blow and sending a seeking attack of her own.

[quote_gentle_unquote]

Susan blocks it, and then counters the movement. "Is this what led you to such a betrayal? Is this why you spurn your queen?"

[ravkanwitch]

Nina tosses her hair and gives Susan a rebellious look. "No," she says, dramatically slow. "It was the suggestion of a list of chores."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Subterfuge," Susan gasps, clasping her chest, and dances forward in a half-lunge.

[ravkanwitch]

Nina's eyes widen, parrying the move. "You're faster than I expected," she admits.

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"A queen must always be prepared to defend herself, in a kingdom like this one," Susan sighs.

[ravkanwitch]

"Yes, can you defend against this?" Nina asks, making a move with a slight spin that Laertes definitely did not teach her.

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"The Geraldine offense!" Susan gasps, ducking and jabbing her invisible sword forward even as she clutches dramatically at her shoulder. "Tell me, foul girl, what is your aim here?"

[ravkanwitch]

"You were the one who challenged me, your majesty!" Nina says in shock, dropping the invisible rapier. She stands still, staring down the point of Susan's blade. "I didn't mean to injure you--"

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Only after you maligned my charm," Susan says, and takes a stumbling step forward, slumping and resting her weight against her invisible sword. It actually takes an incredible amount of core strength, to hold this sort of position, and she has to hide the look of triumph that wants to cross her face at the knowledge of her growing strength.

[ravkanwitch]

“No!” Nina cries in alarm. “How bad is the wound?”

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Mortal, I'm afraid," says Susan, collapsing further, like she no longer has the strength to hold herself up even propped by her sword. With one hand, she clutches at the spot where Nina 'stabbed' her, and then draws the hand away, trying her best to blanch at the sight of invisible blood.