Board Thread:Role Play Discussion/@comment-5999656-20170619043145/@comment-5999656-20180105081658

Zanipher lowered her arms so they rested flat against the table. She watched the video recording in silence, and as she did so her expression changed from stern to scrutinizing. Her unwavering attention switched back to the matriarch as she opened her mouth to speak.

"You'll have to explain it a little more clearly to me, Mona. I assume you're suggesting that something could happen to me if I target the daughter of a former police officer?" Zanipher asked slowly, drawing invisible circles on the surface of the table.

"I'll tell you what I think you're saying, and you can tell me how close my guess is. It seems like you mean to tell me that Rufous Roads possesses the capability to reveal my identity to the public and thus topple my empire's web. That this piece of information is enough to bring me down."

Zanipher paused, and her circling hand stopped in place. When she spoke again, her voice was reproachful.

"Mona, I shouldn't have to remind you that the Mistralian police have zero authority in Vale. The only thing they have is the testimony of a teenage girl, who failed to gather any concrete evidence to support the claim she's making. I would be extremely surprised if they considered that enough to initiate a full-fledged investigation."

She paused again. Zanipher was still staring straight at Mona.

"However, I want to play things safe. What you've just shown me increases the scale of my operation. What concerns me is not what the Mistral PD will do at this time, but what could happen if the information is shared with a non-government faction. If Platinum has shared information with her father, then he should also be eliminated before the news can spread to a group that acts at its own discretion."

Zanipher pulled her arms back and frowned. Her gaze unfocused as she mused out loud.

"What I don't understand is why you consider a crippled former officer to be of any use as a resource. Nor, if you are so concerned about security, why you would release videorecording drones straight into their household, so close as to even to pick up on their conversation. Platinum is a trained sniper. I, personally, don't want to think that you failed to consider that she would be extremely sharp-eyed."

Zan took a deep breath, and focused back onto Mona. When she spoke again, she seemed to be repressing anger.

"You've delayed my operation, compromised my security, and seem to think that evil posturing is acceptable behavior among business partners. You'll need to explain to me exactly what is so special about Platinum Roads that you want to keep her alive when her very existence invites aggression from other factions."

Finished with her tirade, Zanipher leaned back, took a deep breath, and clasped her hands.