"Exacerbate," she snaps aside at Milo, in correction, without looking away from the two men cowering before her. She has no fear, now. Others fear her. Her wrath, applied appropriately, has made her the master of this room. Mustn't let it go to my head. Let the anger empower you, but don't let it make you stupid. Stay careful. Stay observant. She straightens, going from looming to looking down her nose at the two men before her. She takes a moment to examine them, trying to decide if they're being full and truthful, but their fear clouds everything. She'll just have to hope it was enough to keep them from lying.Read the NPCs: failure
After the pause, she raises her voice again. Not screaming, but making sure the whole restaurant can hear her, "Understand this: If I ever hear of you laying a hand on a Freeholder in anger, I will take the hand," She informs them, voice full of threat and righteous confidence. It's spoken directly to Plaid and Meek, but the way she's saying it, it clearly applies to anyone and everyone. "And if I ever learn of you seizing a Freeholder or taking them somewhere under duress, I. Will. Kill you. Burn your body to ash, and salt the earth." She pauses, making sure they understand, "The Sacramento Freehold is defended. By Leaden Mirror. By Silent Arrow. By Antler Crown. And by Iron Spear." Summer comes last, obviously. The belligerent court, the vengeful court, to emphasize the threat. "To raise a hand against one is to raise a hand against all, and we will not tolerate those that infringe on our rights or safety."
Milo and whoever else who wants to can complain all they want. A highly-regarded Freeholder and former queen was snatched from the middle of a Seasonal event. That can't stand. It makes the entire Freehold look weak. Like easy pickings for any opportunistic predator to gobble up. No. It's better to be loved than feared, but if you can't be loved, then fear will do. And still, nothing about this sits right to her. If the brewer left of her own volition, why did she leave in the middle of cooking, and with such a mess behind? Why didn't she say goodbye or tell anyone she was leaving? Why didn't she take anything with her? Too much of it doesn't add up. She turns to her companions. "I'm not leaving until I have a word with Mrs. Rosemary myself," she says, and marches past them, in the direction that they came from, towards the kitchens.OOC