Meria/Bata - Interview

Batachikhan Dalamiq gave a small bow at the new arrival at the house, smiling as she moved a bit more towards the desk. "I apologize, I hope you weren't waiting long on me. You are Meria, yes?"
Meria Boucher has, for the past five minutes or so, been standing in the foyer, stiffly awaiting the arrival of her new employer. She's a small girl, plain in dress, with the most ornate thing about her appearance being the astroglabe hovering at her back - an intricate, well-maintained marvel. She shakes her head lightly at Batachikhan's words, then bows stiffly, giving herself a proper introduction. "Yes. I am Meria Boucher." Her right sleeve seems to be entirely empty.
Meria Boucher: It is a pleasure to meet you.
Batachikhan Dalamiq smiles at this, moving to take a document that had been placed on the desk next to her by the Ananta. "Wonderful. I am Batachikhan, or simply Bata if you prefer." She pauses a moment to look over the paper in her hands before her gaze moved back to Meria. "And I oversee the entirety of this company, so I like to be the one to meet any interested parties."
Meria Boucher gives this another nod. "Understandable," is her simple reply. Her tone, muffled slightly by the mask, is soft and resoundingly devoid of emotion.
Batachikhan Dalamiq nodded as well before gesturing to the stairs. "If you don't mind, I'd love to talk with you a bit more about what was sent to us on your application."
Meria Boucher nods, taking a single step forward to follow Batachikhan wherever she may lead them.
Meria Boucher seems to be waiting for overt permission before she takes a seat.
Batachikhan Dalamiq took a seat at the table, placing the document next to her. She gestures to the chair in front of her. "Please, sit." She stated in a soft voice, a lingering smile remaining on her features.
Meria Boucher does so, but only after she's given the room a final, sweeping glance, as if assessing something about its layout or character before settling into the chair.
Batachikhan Dalamiq remained silent a moment as if studying Meria, eventually she rested more comfortably in her chair. "So, I see you know Isaudorel and he seems to be the reason you wish to join with us? I'm interested in how you two know each other, if that isn't too personal to ask of course."
Meria Boucher gives the woman a slight nod; this was not an unexected question. "I was eight when our fathers introduced us; at the time, his ninth nameday had just about passed. We grew up together. Then came the Calamity, following that, my participation in the war. I promised to return. I am late, and the circumstances are not what they once were, but I did manage to return."
Batachikhan Dalamiq: "I see, it would seem you also share the similar habit of wearing a mask. I am not one to judge of course, if you find it a source of comfort I would not ask you to remove it. Though I do like to see the faces of those with us, at least once." She closes her eyes for a moment while speaking. "It can tell me much that you might not need share." Slowly she opened her eyes once more, waving a hand dismissively after. "I wont force you, however."
Meria Boucher takes the mask off without any hesitation, revealing a soft-featured face whose right side has been marred quite obviously by the claws of a dragon. "I wear it so he does not feel so out of place, and for the sensibilities of those I interact with."
Meria Boucher: I do not mind.
Batachikhan Dalamiq looked upon her with a smile and nod. "I have no qualms, though I deal with so many faces throughout this business; I do try to memorize them all." She glaces back down to the paper, skimming what had been written. "You say your 'social graces are beyond unsalvagable". I am curious what has caused such a thought?"
Meria Boucher gives her another simple nod. Like her voice, her face is similarly unexpressive, and she speaks clearly and without hesitation. "My demeanor has earned me little in the way of friendship. Isaudorel has always been the exception. I say the wrong things. I do not understand points of social decorum that others consider to be obvious. It was a point of contention in my family, as initially I was deemed to sickly to be trained for warfare, but the other honorary professions of my house -
Meria Boucher: required an understanding of people that I have always seemed to lack. That one line was a particular quote said to me. I wished it to be abundantly clear what tasks I am, and am not, capable of performing.
Batachikhan Dalamiq gave a soft hum as a response. "Another comes to mind..." She smiles and shakes her head. "Do not worry, however. Given understanding, many of our associates would be welcoming to you none the less. But your strengths greatly outweigh the negative in my opinion." She takes note of something before asking another question. "What type of combat do you often find yourself using, magic? Or more physical?"
Meria Boucher reaches underneath her poncho with her single hand, laying out two objects on the table. One is a deck of cards, highly ornate in their design, and the other is a rather plain dagger. If Batachikhan is an observant sort, she may also note that this is one of at least twenty such blades that Meria has stashed among her person. "Both. Fate is malleable. Some seek to ask the stars for their favor, to tilt fortune towards their allies and adjust probability to ensure their victory." Meria flips-
Meria Boucher - over the top card of the stack. The Lady of Irons. "I work in the reverse," she explains, rotating the card as she speaks. "I call upon the judgements of the stars to bring the worst fate imaginable on my foes, and then ensure it is carried out in the most efficient matter possible." From there, she tilts her palm, and the dagger rises, levitating above her hand. "My aim is very good, and I've practiced extensively with knives. How many I can maintain active control over is determined by -
Meria Boucher: numerous factors, including distance, angle, current distractions, and the like. I am happy to provide a demonstration.
Batachikhan Dalamiq couldn't help but raise a brow at her words, then gestured for Meria to continue. "I would love to see. I cannot deny I am quite intrigued now." Her gaze goes between the floating dagger and Meria, curious to see what else could be shown to her.
Meria Boucher looks around. Then - "For this demonstration, do you mind if I use a few of the flowers from that vase?" Meria turns, pointing to her left at the pinkish blossoms sprouting from the planter by the bar.
Batachikhan Dalamiq glanced towards the flowers and smiled. "By all means, flowers are easy enough to replace should something happen."
Meria Boucher stands. As she walks across the room, she retrieves more daggers , casually flicking them into the air, whereupon they hang, suspended around her in a circle of steel. She reaches out, selecting a few of the weaker, less-vibrant flowers before she returns, holding three stems out to Batachikan. "If you would throw them - they will be my targets." There is a pause. "I have learned from prior experience that it is inappropriate to use furniture for such a purpose, so I hope this will suffice."
Batachikhan Dalamiq gently took the flowers from Meria with a nod of her head. "Yes, perhaps so." She laughs softly before turning more in her seat. Her gaze fell to the stems of the flowers that she held before suddenly throwing them quickly, one at a time in a wide aray. Her expression filled with a determined sort of curiousity.
Meria Boucher reacts without hesitation, her fingertips flying out in a decisive slice. With it, the knives follow; the first flower is pierced with a ruthless stab, the petals severed by the brutal point of the blade and cascading to the floor. The second goes high, and Meria's second dagger seems to miss it at first, passing underneath it as her attention goes to the third, which plummets quickly to the floor. The angle she uses to cleave it is jutted sharply downwards, and in a display of control -
Meria Boucher - she prevents the metal from shrieking unpleasantly against the floor by stopping it, letting it fall with a soft clatter among a bed of soft remnants of shredded flower. Then comes the final kill - the second dagger, which had undershot previously, reverses direction, flying towards Meria. It spears the bloom, and Meria catches her weapon by the handle, summarily offering it to Batachikhan with the tip of her blade. Three other daggers remain around her, floating at the ready.
Meria Boucher: ...I am limited somewhat by distance and weight. That is why I am primarily a close-quarters fighter. I would say, however, that it is worth iut.
Batachikhan Dalamiq smiles at the display as she takes the remains of the flower that had been offered, staring at it in his palm silently before placing it on the document next to her. "That was an impressive display. Where did you learn such a skill? I imagine it did not come without much training and dedication."
Meria Boucher: The forefathers of my line earned our status through the the slaughter of beasts. However, I was not seen as worthy enough to take up the lance of a dragoon, due to my build and my constitution. Even as I grew healthier under Master Vairemont's - ...ah, Isaudorel's father - care, I did not fit into the typical martial niche of my line. So, I improvized. The Sharlayan form of astromancy has interesting, if somewhat misguided, ideals. Drawing power from the Gates, I focused my efforts on -
Meria Boucher: the direct combat applications that a control over space, gravity, and fate could provide. My... elder brother was critical in this. He is a... clever man. I studied with him, and he was interested in - unusual topics.
Meria Boucher frowns slightly, but does not say more about that topic.
Batachikhan Dalamiq nodded as she explained. "Fascinating. I have never had the privilege to meet anyone with such a talent." She taps her chin in thought a moment. "Consider me impressed with your display of skill, and to be applied to the kind of work we do in general; I cannot see a reason to deny your request to join my little family." She grins more brightly at this. "And who knows, maybe such skills deemed lost on you may yet bloom given the right circumstance."
Meria Boucher gives her another one of her stiff bows. "I endeavor to be of service, Miss Batachikhan, though I cannot promise to be anything but a wallflower. Still, perhaps in the right soil, even I cannot deny that I may display some budding talent in areas I had deemed lost on me. Such is the fruit of our labors, I suppose, and they do say that even a crocus can grow on a mountain." She delivers all of this without even the hint of a smile, and turning away, she stretches out her hand, retrieving her-
Meria Boucher - knives and, along with them, a flurry of torn petals that she collects in her hand.
Batachikhan Dalamiq seems to study Meria for a long moment, her expression only dimmingly slightly but something that was not entirely noticeable. "We will yet have to see." She says in a more serious tone, though eventually she stands and picks up the document. "Well, I believe this has been quite a pleasant exchange. It will be wonderful to have you within our ranks." She offers a curt bow of her own. "You will be notified of work, and especially if you fit said unit."
Meria Boucher: Understood. What is the procedure from here?
Meria Boucher begins to sheath her knives, returning them beneath her poncho.
Batachikhan Dalamiq: "Until there is work to be done or I have need of you, you are free to do as you wish. Do not worry about any paper work and the like, I deal with it all myself to make joining as painless as possible." She gestures her hand around the room. "You are free to explore our home, and if you so wish, aquire a room of your own and decorate it as you see fit. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask me or any of the Ananta." She smiles. "It will be a pleasure getting to know you, I am sure."
Meria Boucher stares just a bit above Batachikhan's head, and the very first expression she makes is one of very slight, quizzical thought. "I do not think anyone has ever said that to me before," she comments, but does not dwell on it. Instead, "I appreciate your dedication, Miss Batachikhan. I do have one question for you before this is concluded, though. ...There is nothing that would prevent me from accompanying Isaudorel on his field work, yes? I would like to prevent the man from making any more -
Meria Boucher: foolish choices like wearing a bright white coat on night-time engagements or keeping easily broken, unprotected vials of highly caustic acid in his coat.
Meria Boucher: ...It is highly anxiety-inducing.
Batachikhan Dalamiq placed the tips of her fingers to her mouth in an attempt to stifle her laughter. "Oh, I am sure your presence will be more then welcome. I cannot imagine anything keeping you from accompanying him. Our tasks are quite open to those who wish to prove themselves, even ones outside of your comfort or unit. So do not fret."
Meria Boucher nods firmly. "I am glad. I was always the practical one in the relationship." From there, she steps over to the table, taking her mask into her hand and affixing it to her face once more. "I thank you for your time, Miss Batachikhan. It has been an honor."
Batachikhan Dalamiq nodded as she offered another bow. "I have enjoyed our time, and I'm sure we will meet again soon enough. I will look forward to hearing future reports of your work with us."