@MODERATUS | voice + attached image

[bloodings]

[ It's time. Mordred's in full armour, but without her helmet — just like her father would be during these moments. That way, her voice is clear when it rings out, clearly speaking towards her network audience as much as Kebechet. The BCE's can't transmit video, so this is the next best option. ]

I told you then, didn't I? You could never hope to stand against my father. Now face the judgment of the King of Knights. [ Always him. Always him, even as she wields the blade, hands down the decision. ] The punishment for rebellion— is death. It's time for your execution, Regency dog.

[ She'd know. It's quick, at least: Agravain was the torturer, not her, and they won't get anything else out of Kebechet now regardless. The doomed woman says some final words, translated over the BCE: Be unwearied, unceasing, alive; let not the heart be troubled during your sickly sojourn on this rotting Earth— until the vicious sound of a blade cutting through flesh interrupts her, and then a dull thud. Even without video, it's obvious what just happened. ]

The fool Kebechet is dead. Of course, you don't have to merely take my word for it.

[ Attached is a photo of the woman's head, bald with numbers tattooed along it, and complete with Mordred's armoured boot resting atop it. It's not as grisly as it could be (the neck is out of shot), but it's still... well, a severed head. Don't worry: she's not sorry at all for this.

Still part of the recording, but aimed towards those she's with: ]

Ensure her corpse is disposed of properly. I won't have her return to be a nuisance again. [ Then, more generally— ] This was the wish of our Commander as well. The dragon woman has proof of that, so speak to her about such matters. Oh, and give her all your complaints, too. I have no use for the wailing of soft-hearted idiots.

Comments

[dorzalta]

You did well, [ she says, after a pregnant pause. Weighing her options between bolstering a child-knight's ego, versus reprimanding her. ] Both at their compound, and here.

[ She meant it: one of them should have sentenced and executed Kebechet. Rey was preoccupied, Kylo was missing, and Ashitaka was... not interested in killing. Which left her, or Mordred, and she was far less equipped to behead someone than most. ]

I'm not surprised. Her mind was fractured when we used Arthur's PASIV. I imagine it might've been the same thing your Master witnessed.

[bloodings]

... It feels weird being praised like that. Not a bad feeling, though.

[ Kairi and Ryuji had both praised her skill as well, but neither of them were royalty. Given her tumultuous relationship with the crown, she's torn on how to feel, but settles on 'pleased' after a moment. ]

So she was completely broken. We wasted our time even trying to get stuff out of her. [ She grimaces. ] Next time, I'll kill her fair and square in her sleep. That's way easier than all this formality. [ That's not what 'fair and square' means. ]

[dorzalta]

Does it?

[ That makes her heart ache a bit to hear. It was so easy to focus on the negatives of Mordred, to quarrel and make snide remarks between one another. But how often did she receive praise for the good she's done in this place?

She lifts her chin, suddenly stubborn in saying: ]

None other could have accomplished what you had, and no other should have taken Kebechet's head. [ As for Kebechet being completely broken, Dany sighs. ] I don't know if it was a complete waste of time. We've further understanding of the extensiveness to the Regency's manipulations. Some of our allies have softer hearts, but that won't win us this war.

You think she'll come back?

[bloodings]

Anything's possible.

[ Mordred doesn't think she will, but she's being pragmatic. Even if Kebechet herself doesn't return, there will be others like her, in motivations if not appearance. ]

I'll kill her again and again. If that's the only way to be sure, then I'll do it as many times as I have to. Such is the fate of any who insult my father.

[ ... The father she killed, yes. She huffs. ]

But, no matter. Your words have improved my mood somewhat. As a Queen possessing some amount of wisdom, I entrust you with things from here on out. My role is that of knight and executor, not one who worries about consequences or events. [ More laziness. But she means the compliment. ]

[dorzalta]

We should continue to be thorough with her body, then, [ she murmurs, looking down and to Mordred's right. Kebechet's corpse remains immobile. ] I don't know where her BCE would be, but--tala.

[ Louder now. A moment's pause. Irriella drops beside them, having grown far taller from the battles she's won and the feasts she's had. Those black eyes remain unblinking, regarding Mordred quietly. ]

Take care with the body, we don't know what might be on or in her.

As you please, Lady Mother, [ Irriella says, mandibles clicking. She's respectful enough in not brushing past Mordred as she might a male. Soon, the ripping sounds of fabric and flesh are heard. ]

You should take what rest you need, then, fierce knight. [ Is that a tease? Hard to tell. ] Mind the head, at least. It--what's it doing? Is it melting?

[bloodings]

[ Mordred's no stranger to gore, but she's not about to watch Irriella take apart the body. After turning to stare for a moment or two at the scene, she scrunches her nose up and turns away, ignoring the sounds behind her.

'Fierce knight', huh... her words remain strong, but some redness dusts her cheeks, despite the brutal scene. ]

Some sort of Regency provision... no doubt to stop us keeping it as a trophy. [ ... Among other reasons, but that's where her mind goes first. ] Fortunately, her life is enough payment for me. I have no king to deliver a head to, and I doubt my Master would appreciate such a thing.

[ No kidding. Poor Ryuji. ]

I leave the disposal to you and your pet. —No, she's not a pet, is she? You speak of her as a child. [ The correction is genuine, and not patronizing at all. She just hadn't stopped to think about it before. ] ... It is strange, though, that you would care for her. Is that the role of mothers in your world?

[dorzalta]

[ She watches, because in some weird and twisted way, she thinks someone must. Just as one would oversee an execution, it would be almost cruel to leave Kebechet's body to be devoured without at least one set of eyes to behold it. But she also watches to make sure Irriella is alright.

Which means she misses Mordred's blush. ]

The only rulers I'm aware of who keep a head as a trophy are cruel and deserve death. [ Joffrey died, and though it might not've been for beheaded Eddard Stark, she thinks that's justice anyway. ] Perhaps its for the best, I wouldn't want any part of her traveling with us.

[ The talk of mothers has her finally looking to Mordred, slightly tilting her head. There's something softer to her look, as she recalls just how young the girl is beside her. Still a child, really. ]

It should be the role of them. [ She wouldn't know, as Rhaella Targaryen had died while giving birth to Dany. ] I can't have children. The dragons and Irriella are as close as I'll ever have to one, and I raised all of them from hatching.

[bloodings]

[ Better to have no mother than a monster of one. But Mordred's never known any different — the idea of one caring is genuinely new to her, though she takes Dany at her work, that it is the way things should be. ]

Hm. They are not human, nor of your blood... and yet you treat them as such. That is...

[ Kind. Daenerys speaks of fire and blood, but there is more to her than that. She suddenly feels a world away from the ghoulish scene nearby. ]

... You really are an interesting woman. It's somewhat comforting to know people like you exist after all.

[dorzalta]

My house's sigil is of a three-headed dragon. They're as essential to my people as-- [ She stops to consider this. Her people are gone, and the dragons had been gone as well. But they are hers, just as she is theirs. ] The slaves I freed from Yunkai called me their mother. It's not always about blood.

[ She considers Mordred, then takes a few steps closer until the knight is within arm's reach. Dany's a short woman, but even so, it doesn't stop her from reaching out--if Mordred will allow it--to lightly place her hands on both her shoulders. ]

Sometimes family is as much about who you choose over blood. Especially when there is no blood left to claim. You might as well be a part of mine, at this point.

[ And she means that, sincerely. ]

[bloodings]

... Eh?

[ She's far too surprised to do anything but stand there. Her armour might otherwise make her look menacing, but her face morphs from surprise, to confusion, to beet-red embarrassment in the space of a few seconds. ]

I take it back. You're not comforting, but a great fool. Saying a thing like that to someone like me... I don't understand it at all.

[ She killed her father. Killed one of her brothers. She'd kill her mother, if she got the chance. Kebechet's blood is still drying on her sword. What about that says 'family' to someone?

The moment she catches herself sniffling, she turns her head away to hide it. ]

I'm not... there's something in my eye, okay? Damn you! [ She's yelling again, as if that makes her any more believable. Nevermind that both her eyes are clearly watering when she looks at Dany again. ] Anyway, listen up! Even if it's stupid, I'll be pissed off if you change your mind about this! In fact, I'll kill you if you do! [ Thanks Mordred. ]

[dorzalta]

All the more reason to say it, [ she says, huffing lightly at being called a fool. A flash of pride; it subsides in the face of Mordred's reddened cheeks. ] You've earned my respect and loyalty.

[ It says a lot that instead of bristling over the raised voice, her lips are twisting into a faint smile. Mordred's a wretched little monster, and that may be all the reason more why Dany appreciates her. Like calls to like, and enough thought of dragons as monsters.

Which made her one as well. ]

Mn, it must be Kebechet's head. [ Playing along, glancing down at the black ooze and making a face. ] I wouldn't dare think otherwise. But really, I've enough threats on my life, do try to refrain from threatening me unnecessarily.