Cyberdragon

[Derek Menzies]

Mentioning Seth's usefulness, Derek replies, "Yes, there does seem to be more to him. And he is still one of my Clan. I suppose I attended for his safety as much as for risk assessment. I may have bought into some of what my Sire had said about The Movement and brought with me some misconceptions. I intend to speak with him at some point to better understand his motivations."

At her question he seems fine to go right into it. "Well I certainly felt some tension upon my arrival. Deputy Krieg and the now Keeper Wood seemed to have earned the Prince's and your ire. That appears to have passed in part. There were many new arrivals including myself, a point of tension in itself. Though some who have done quite well for themselves. Deputy Prosper and Herald Jack for instance."

"And yet I always seem to be present when some upstart decides to disrespect Her Majesty. Mr. Exlibrist. [post=14426815Mr. Kind[/post]. [post=14427203Mr. Garcia[/post]. I can see Her patience being tested. Yet she chooses mercy rather than a show of force. The elders, Twist and York, seem to allow Her Grace to handle her own disputes, though I suspect they would step in if asked."

He folds his hands together, wringing them slightly. "I admit there is still much I am not aware of. Sometimes I wonder if I am simply being paranoid and perceiving threats that aren't there. But that just means it requires more data to verify. But that is simply my assessment of internal conflicts. External is a different story. The federal guns, the gangs, Echelon. In those cases I just try to handle the task given to me. I have yet to see the larger picture."

[Derek Menzies]

Derek makes no attempt to hide that he's accepting of the information that is presented to him, seeming to place a lot of trust in Lina's assessments. He seems worried about the power dynamics between the Dragons and Invictus, but everything makes sense to him. Considering their previous conversations on that matter, it all fits. The Prince's name being used seems to induce a flinch from the Shadow.

"Yes...a lot of uncertainty," he echoes thoughtfully. "Have you spoken to the Prince about these matters? Has she offered reassurances? Or is the matter of your Regency still a point of contention between you?"

[Derek Menzies]

Derek's hands rise up to his head and grip his scalp as if to hold in the information she now presents to him. Now he saw just what she meant by walking into the smack-dab of it. "I...I had no idea...she's, Her Majesty is...but since my arrival, everyone's been...they said..."

He is panicked, feeling like he had been walking through a mine field and finding a warning sign at its center. "So there is a rivalry! Oh no, oh no...and now she'll see me as a threat too. No wonder...it all makes sense, the rising discontent, Her unwillingness to engage. She is growing distanced, detaching herself, just as my Sire did."

Had he run from one problem to another? And once this Prince had taken her slumber, what became of the rest of them? Where would the illusion of stability go?

He attempts to latch onto her final statement, taking it as a form of reassurance. "Okay...okay, um, I understand. I won't say a word. Perhaps she will still see reason... Perhaps we can hold things together until then..."

[Derek Menzies]

Perhaps it is the strangely human mannerisms and tone that help him to ignore the Beast behind them. But the rational, sensible and confident wording has the effect of subduing the inexperienced prey.

"Right. Right, yes. Of course. I, uh, dig it," he answers, forcing a weak smile and removing the hands from his head. "It just...surprised me. I suppose I will have to change my outlook going forward. I will strive to learn all I can so that I may be ready for whatever eventuality."

He looks outside, letting the moving terrain distract him. "Perhaps we may head back now? I believe a walk might help calm my nerves. And I have much to think on this evening."