second

[ironlady]

 [Maine]

I apologize for how long it's taken me to get to this. I've been preoccupied with other matters. I realize this is a poor excuse. If you'll allow me to treat you to lunch tomorrow in order to make it up to you I would be very grateful.

Now to business. As I'm sure you're aware, Gunslinger is here. He doesn't remember anything as you may have guessed considering no one has tried to shoot off your head. [A beat.] I sincerely hope that is the case. You've been added to his ally filter so there won't be any trouble in the future. I would suggest you still show some caution. He can be quick to change them if given the right reason.

[In other words, behave around him.] I believe that about covers it unless you have something to add?

------

[Asano Rin]

Good evening. I am Cardinal Caterina Sforza, Duchess of Milan. You likely know me better as Abel's superior if at all. I understand you spoke with my other agent, Father Tres, earlier about the Legato situation.

I would like to offer any assistance I can should you run into any trouble. While I wasn't here for that particular uproar, I trust you are acting correctly if those people support you.   
 

 -----

[Galadriel]

I am sorry to trouble you over a simple question at this hour, but if I may? 

----

[Once all that is taken care of, Caterina shuts her journal and sighs wearily. It is a strange knowing there was so much to do and yet feel as if you were accomplishing nothing. She is not sure what to make of their situation here now. Things were so much simpler the first time she was here. All that mattered was defending Alec, managing whatever rotation of AX agents were around, and keeping obvious threats at bay. Life was somehow simpler when 01, Cair Paradisa itself, and Meta were both around giving her trouble. It distracted her from the messy state of the actual residents in the castle. Where were they as a community if they were forced to go around everyone's backs to accomplish anything? 

Caterina chews on her nails as she considers it. This would be your cue to distract your mistress, Gunslinger. She will ruin her manicure.]

Comments

Dictated/Filtered to Other Boss Lady

[brute_shot_bully]

[The idea that she wants to treat him to lunch is humbling and a little baffling. By this time he's put her up along with Carolina in terms of Power Women He Respects, and the idea that she owed him anything at all seemed a bit ridiculous to him. But, who was he to say no?] Yeah, sure.

[And oh yeah, Tres. Maine had noticed a definite lack of bullets aimed at his head (which was fine by him given his current lack of armor still) and as long as Tres behaved, he'd behave. Well, as much as Maine can be expected to behave in the first place.] No, I'm good.

Maine forever

[ironlady]

[She cracks a smile at the filter. Congratulations Maine. Also the offer doubles as a veiled reason to catch up. Caterina occasionally does that.]

I trust somewhere in town would be acceptable to you?

Other Boss Lady Forever B)

[brute_shot_bully]

Yeah, just tell me where. [Or, you know, he'll meet you int he lobby. Just don't let him offer to drive. Hint: He's a horrible driver]

[ironlady]

[Insert the name of some classy place to have lunch in the city here!]

I will ask you go on foot. [In other words, please don't drive. She had to take over last time, remember?]

[brute_shot_bully]

[Oh shit. Classy. Does this mean he has to dress up? He should probably dress up. Fuck. He was hoping for a burger joint or taco stand or something.]

Got it. [OH YEAH. That. Just. Slight disappointment, because ... okay yeah he can't really fault her for not wanting him to drive.]

[ironlady]

[Caterina is not that type of lady. She does feel a slight pang of guilt for denying him that even if it truly is for the greater good.]

Good. I will see you then.

Timeskip/Action?

[brute_shot_bully]

[Maine's arriving in the lobby, perhaps a little past the rendezvous time, fidgeting with his sleeve. He's not entirely casual, the clean dark grey t-shirt overlaid with a fairly nice black blazer and dark slacks, his customary fur coat slung over his arm as he tries to tug the blazer sleeve into place.]

Lady Sforza

[inafadingcrown]

It is no trouble. [And she means that. She was awake anyway.] Ask what you will.

Galadriel

[ironlady]

I trust you know the situation with Asano Rin and Legato. Do you truly support her decision to move him?

Lady Sforza forever

[inafadingcrown]

It is not the outcome I would have preferred, yet I believe it may in our best interest.

Are you acquainted with Zelman Clock? He made quite a compelling argument against keeping Legato imprisoned in the dungeons indefinitely. I do not trust the man, of course, but, twisted though he may be, he is intelligent and his logic is, for the most part, sound. [She takes a moment to write in a page number]

Clearly, we cannot, as he suggests, release him. We do not yet posses the ability to monitor him as would be required and to have him free to wander the castle and the town, to mingle amongst his victims- this would be as grave an injustice as it would be foolhardy.

By removing him to the Deadzone and containing him there, we give him some measure of stimulation- enough that he may not spend every waking moment plotting our downfall- and we buy time to see if he may yet be reached. We also ensure that he is no more difficult to hold captive than an ordinary man. The idea has merit, at the very least, as a temporary solution.

My greatest worries, in all honesty, stem from the fact that Rin has largely taken this undertaking upon her own shoulders. First, I am concerned that her list of allies grows thin; this will require the efforts of a number of residents, if we are to have him guarded as he should be, and Rin is not the most...politic of girls. I fear she may have damaged her own cause.

I worry also, for Rin was herself a victim of Legato. She has been hurt, and deeply so, at his hand. While I would not deny her the right to play her part in seeing justice done, I fear the depths to which anger and fear may one day push her. I would not see this project consume her mind. I have felt such rage and I have come close to the edge myself; in truth, it is because she reminds me so greatly of my youth that I have these concerns.

It seemed to me that these issues were best addressed by lending my aid where I may and monitoring both the project and those involved with a close eye- with a guiding hand, if you will.

Galadriel forever

[ironlady]

I've kept an eye on that entry. From what I understand he's a very clever troublemaker within the castle. I'm not particularly surprised he thought to do that.

[She's just grateful no one in the castle was stupid enough to let Legato go completely.]

As for Rin, sometimes the person hurt the most is the best to be involved. It is some comfort to me you're keeping an eye on this however. If she has no diplomatic skill this could easily lead to tragedy for her. Without outside support this will surely fail. No matter how dedicated she may be, Rin alone is not enough. There is no telling if he may use what happened in the past to trigger her into doing something she will later regret either.

[Caterina is quiet for a moment to gather her thoughts.] I will do what I can to help both of you.

[inafadingcrown]

We are of like minds on the matter, it seems. [This really doesn't surprise her that much.] I would be most grateful for whatever aid you may offer.

[ironlady]

I am unsure of how much would be necessary at this point. I am hoping Rin can give me a better idea of what she is up to.

Regardless, you have my word during emergencies at the very least you will have my aid.

Cardinal Sforza;

[payback]

[Well, color her astonished. I don't know what color that would be but that's what color she is.

... She's glad to hear this, though. Her whole plan is a little hackneyed and based at least in part on putting pressure on the castle that she hopes will roust support. Having it offered is a hearty relief. Still, she can't keep the surprise out of her voice:]

... Really?

Asano Rin;

[ironlady]

Really. [There's a hint of amusement before she's all business.]

While I normally don't approve of people going off and doing whatever they wish in this case you were within your rights. That is essentially what all of us do at the castle. None of us answer to an authority here. Denying you help in an emergency situation would be foolish. It would be essentially setting you up to fail. There is too much at stake for that I believe. I may not know you, but I would not see any person left abandoned with a dangerous criminal over a difference in opinion.

Cardinal Sforza;

[payback]

[Just as planned in that regard, really. Rin had hoped that her acting would galvanize others to lend support, sure as she is that her idea is at least better than turning him loose or leaving him to rot, if it's not a permanent solution.]

I appreciate that. I wouldn't mind ceding Legato to a better solution if someone came up with one, or letting him step up to be executed if the castle came to some kind of consensus on that, but... no one else seemed inclined to make a firm decision one way or another.

I really appreciate your offering support, anyway. I had hoped I would be able to find enough people to take shifts, as teams, to watch Legato. I don't want to devote my life to him, for one, and I don't think anyone should have to. It won't be so much of a burden if responsibility is shared.

Asano Rin;

[ironlady]

I highly doubt they'll ever agree to an execution. [It's the only decision she will ever fully support even if Caterina has yet to outright say it.]

Do you have any candidates in mind? Personally I would recommend any of the people who abandoned the Peace Patrol in the past. You could easily recruit them based on their dissatisfaction alone.

Cardinal Sforza;

[payback]

I doubt that as well. Sadly, though they might not want him executed, I don't see that most people are inclined to contribute to keeping him contained either - at least as far as I can tell, from trying to discuss it over the journal.

[And a small sigh.] I don't really. Or that is, I don't know. I trust my friend Stephanie, and some of the heroes she knew at home. I'll try and ask Clark at least. Going to the people who left Peace Patrol is a good idea, and hopefully they'll be willing even if they didn't speak up earlier.

Asano Rin;

[ironlady]

It is difficult situation. If no one takes responsibility, things will undoubtedly get worse. The trouble is getting something aside from ideas from everyone.

In any case, filtering to them would be a good place to start. In particular, his former guard. That person seemed perfectly capable to me.

room filter;

[tres_iqus]

[Yeah, that's not good. Nail biting is a bad habit, mistress.]

What are your orders concerning the Legato situation, Duchess Milan?

room filter forever;

[ironlady]

[Caterina lowers her hand and turns to face him.]

We will support Asano Rin in emergency situations for now. What's done is done. Truthfully the people holding him were significantly less dedicated to his containment. It may be in our best interest someone with incentive is on the job. The Dead Zone has the same effect as the room he was in as well.

Should she fail in her self appointed task, however, you are one of the best candidates to eliminate him. Deal with him then as you would any high level threat.

[After all with the Peace Patrol in complete chaos, there was no one to challenge that decision or even hold her accountable for it in that scenario. There is no reason for Caterina not to exercise her better judgment.]

[tres_iqus]

[Tres is standing diligently by the door, listening to Caterina. He nods his head in acknowledgment and makes sure to update his data on the situation.

From what ha had heard, this was a very dangerous man, and dangers should be eliminated. The fact that he had not already been dealt with did not seem fully logical.]

Affirmative. Does machinery operate at full capacity in the Dead Zone?

[ironlady]

It is my understanding it does not. However it is not our problem should he get loose in the Dead Zone. Any ordinary human could take him down there. If necessary, I will send Abel to deal with it.

Our main concern is if he makes it here where his powers can be used. We may have a slaughter on our hands if it comes to that.

[Caterina flicks her earring.] We absolutely must prevent that from happening.

[tres_iqus]

Acknowledged. If he sets a foot outside the Dead Zone, I will eliminate him.

[To the point where there was nothing left, if he had to.]

What are the extent of his powers?

[From what he had heard, it had to do with manipulating others, which was a seriously dangerous skill. If it was some form of mind control, Tres himself would be immune, but there were many powerful creatures in the Castle that could be used to a mass slaughter of civilians.

[ironlady]

My knowledge is the same as yours in that respect. He can perform mind control on a large scale.

[Which further invites the question why he was still alive.] The townspeople alone would be an issue. If he was smart enough to find a resident powerful yet unable to resist him...

He could kill countless residents who he might blame for his imprisonment in the first place if that man can be believed. It's a mess.