empressliu

This reassurance satisfies her that he has, in fact, taken control of this place; she does as she is bid, putting aside her blade and entering the lounge. The furniture, like the architecture of the hallway, is strange; much of it appears overstuffed, overly soft, more like what one might find in a boudoir than a public parlor. She perches on the edge of a couch. "I have news of the Empire," she offers, "but I am eager to hear how you have fared here, as well." It comes out too much like she is offering to indulge him by letting him direct the conversation; she has lost the easy pattern that used to exist between them, the unthinking way he used to lead every interaction, and she follow.