dark is the new black

[imperious]

ooc; okay, so I figured the easiest way for me to do this was to set up the post and then set up two different threads: one for canon-alignment shifted Peony, one for AUDark!Peony, so...yes. :|b

Comments

canon alignment shift go

[imperiator.livejournal.com]

[Peony is walking down the corridors of the Palace, a snotty nosed rappig quick on his heels. Peony looks down at the rappig, annoyed and almost disgusted]

You're more annoying than your namesake. Pretty soon we'll have to start tossing you into icy lakes, too.

[Saphir stares at him, and Peony stares back, until his expression softens a little]

Ugh, whatever.

[clinical]

[Jade was going to talk to Sesemann in one of the meeting halls, and he inclines his head politely towards Peony--before wondering. He's fairly good at reading Peony's moods, after all.]

Catching another cold, Your Majesty?

[imperiator.livejournal.com]

Just the guy I was looking for!

[Peony drapes an arm over Jade's shoulder, and begins to drag him down the hall.]

I was actually thinking about those military proposals that keep getting thrown at me, and I thought who better to talk to than my most trusted military officer.

[he nudges Saphir out of the way with his foot, as he pulls Jade along]

[clinical]

[If Peony is dragging him along, then he can't be feeling that off.] If you like, Your Majesty. I had intended on going to a meeting with Chief of Staff Sesemann. He may be unhappy if I don't show up. Why, he might even fire me.

[imperiator.livejournal.com]

Oh, I've been meaning to talk to him, too. I'll come to the meeting with you. I've been thinking about our military policy lately. Maybe those critics were right about us cutting the military budgets too much.

[clinical]

Perhaps if a war with Kimlasca seemed more likely, but it's peacetime. Our resources are better spent on researching the energy problem.

[imperiator.livejournal.com]

Seriously? When the hell hasn't a war with Kimlasca been likely, even if it is peacetime?

[explains]

[That is a weird thing to see when climbing the stairs with a stack of reports under one arm. Peony must be having the worst day.]

Your Majesty?

[imperiator.livejournal.com]

Gailardia.

[walks over to the stairs and leans against the wall at the top as he looks down at Guy]

What've you got there?

[explains]

[He looks up, not really used to being several steps shorter.]

Military reports, diplomatic details. Things for you to sign or reject mostly.

[imperiator.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah, then we better sit down and take a look at those.

[Peony heads towards his office, assuming Guy is following behind.]

[explains]

[Guy follows, though he does pause to try and steer the rappig gently with them, when it stops a moment. Once they get to the office he sets the documents down, arranges them in the correct order and urgency. Peony's being unusually eager to work, but it's just something to note.]

Here's the summary report, and here's the border reports.

[imperiator.livejournal.com]

[when they get to the office, Peony slams the door in Saphir's face before sitting down to look over the documents]

How about you tell me what you think, Gailardia? You know all about these things first hand, so your opinion would be invaluable.

let's alternate this universe

[imperiator.livejournal.com]

[Peony appears on the Plane, a rappig in his arms. He looks like he'd been cuddling the rappig warmly, but as soon as he realizes he's on the Plane and thinks no one else is around, his expression turns colder and he drops the rappig. He starts walking away from the rappig, who scrambles to get up and chase after him.]

[clinical]

[What. What. What the hell is this.]

You'll break Aslan's heart that way, Your Majesty.

[imperiator.livejournal.com]

It's a shame it's not his neck, right?

[Peony laughs, and then squats down to pick up the rappig and pet him]

He knows I'm just kidding, don't you?

[the rappig squeals in reply, and then burrows it's head into Peony's shoulder as Peony pets him]

[clinical]

[Jade's mouth opens in surprise, even with Peony's follow-up comment. He tries to think of a reply and he fails completely.]

[Jade Curtiss has actually been shocked into speechlessness.]

[imperiator.livejournal.com]

Don't keep your mouth open like that. You're going to make me look bad by association.

[Peony squints at Jade before putting the rappig down - not dropping - and walks over to Jade looking almost concerned. His voice drops lower in case anyone might be listening]

Everything all right?

[clinical]

I'm fine. [Jade knows that he wants to ask something along the lines of 'What's wrong with you?' but he is having difficulty finding the exact way to put it.] Your Majesty. It... is not like you to treat Aslan like that.

[Sure, he was grumpy enough when he wasn't feeling well, and he insulted the intelligence of the Cute Jade with trolltastic vengeance. But this is very different, and it's unsettling Jade.]

[imperiator.livejournal.com]

[Peony looks more amused than anything else] Oh? I didn't realize you cared so much.

[he picks up Aslan, holding him out to Jade] Why don't you show me how I usually treat Aslan?

[explains]

[What was that? Guy steps out of the library to raise a hand in greeting.]

I think you forgot someone, sir.

[imperiator.livejournal.com]

Huh?

[Peony turns around, and then smiles a politician's smile before turning around and scooping up Aslan]

I could never forget my Aslan. He's just so squirmy sometimes he must've slipped. Poor, stupid thing.

[Peony pets Aslan and coos at him in a comforting way.]

[explains]

[Stupid? Guy actually mouths the word, surprised. He steps closer, looking at Peony in surprise.]

Are you alright?

[imperiator.livejournal.com]

[he laughs at Guy's reaction]

I should be asking you that. You didn't fall and hit your head or something, did you? Keep that up, and I'll have to start calling this guy Gailardia instead.

[explains]

[Maybe he was just imagining it.]

I think that'd be more than enough confusion for everyone. I'm fine.