[quote=Kittenpox]
Q: Who has been the most interesting person (or group of people) you’ve encountered since arriving in the Neath?[/quote]
All are interesting! Although as a member of homo sapiens one most confess that meeting those not of our species shattered one’s worldview.
What do you look for in a patron?
Power. In matters of patronage, always look to power. Until recently, I thought this was the only quality that mattered.
(It turned out that "not ordering a hit on my immediate family" is also an important factor)
In your opinion, what kind of governance does Port Carnelian really need?
Power. In matters of patronage, always look to power. Until recently, I thought this was the only quality that mattered.
(It turned out that "not ordering a hit on my immediate family" is also an important factor)
In your opinion, what kind of governance does Port Carnelian really need?[/quote]
Someone who can outshine Millicent Clathermont - out there on the Carnelian Coast, are big fluffy tigers and young muscular Khaganians.
How do you treat your henchmen, minions and what-not?
[quote=Estelle Knoht]
How do you treat your henchmen, minions and what-not?[/quote]
I believe firmly that one catches more flies with honey than with vinegar, so I begin with kindness. One can go a very long way by being liked.
Of course, that does not mean that I do not have… other methods at my disposal if kindness does not work, but that is where I begin.
Tell me about your clothes. (I do so love clothes.) What item of clothing do you value most - either for what it says about you, or for what you had to do to get it?
Passionario launches into a well-rehearsed speech about the relative merits of Parabola-Linen suits and bespoke Ivory Organza shirts.
The Celebrated Artist’s Model rolls her eyes and whispers in your ear:
"I’ll tell you what his real favorite item of clothing is. It’s stockings. Ones that are as scarlet as his conscience."
What do you think of Velocipede Squad?
[quote=Passionario]
What do you think of Velocipede Squad?[/quote]
Disappointingly lacking in charm, stamina, morality, intelligence, manners and hairs.
What would be your legacy to the Carnelian Coast?
I haven’t started my term yet, but I should like to establish two major ones. First would be the greater integration of the society of London proper with the pre-existing cultures on the coast, though that would require greater effort from the Admiralty in securing routes between Port Carnelian and Wolfstack,
If we’re speaking personally, however, I should like to create a center of learning in the Colonies, which would in turn serve as a survey base for expeditions to the Mountain of Light, and the Garden…
But I wonder if I should tell you more, now that I look at you. Were you on that expedition, to find the source of deathlessness, what would you aim to do should that expedition succeed?
My first instinct would be to share it. To take the vitality of the Neath to the Surface once more, so that none need to die a premature death.
But learning has tempered my impulses somewhat. I should like to find out, first, what is the cause of our Neathy resistance to death. Some prices are too high to pay, and if a certain dark suspicion is right, I would not inflict such a price on the Surface.
Then again, if my worst fears are unfounded, and deathlessness is an easy, painless and consequenceless process, well then I must say, immortality for all!
My next question is a hypothetical situation. If you could grant all power in the Neath to one person - or a group, let’s say - but would die to do so, to whom would you grant it? Would you grant it?
I would prefer not to grant it. There is a lot of power in the Neath and most of it (especially that which lies beyond the zee) is exceedingly dangerous. The only saving grace is that it is currently dispersed among many competing forces, factions, individuals and sentient phenomena - and I would like to keep it this way.
That said, if I was facing a particularly humilating variety of certain final death at the hand of a victorious foe, I would use my last spiteful breath to bequeath all of Neath’s power unto [color=#cc0000]Captivating Princess[/color]. And then I would be dead and everyone else would envy me that.
What is your favorite attraction at Mrs. Plenty’s Carnival?
edited by Passionario on 6/9/2015
That place where you can watch Rubbery Men melt away to nothing and Tomb-Colonist burn to death. Did you know the Soft-Hearted Widow turned that into some sort of training ground for fire safety?
What do you think of your neighbors?
The Bazaar is a most accommodating host/neighbour.
I am thinking of acquiring a wolf pup. Have you any advice for me?
Yes, if you have a kitten of any sort, make sure they get along before taking it home. And if you have a Starveling Cat… get rid of it first.
Speaking of which; if you are an unfortunate host of such a thing, why do you still keep it? I personally have never been able to turn away a cat, no matter how wretched.
“I don’t have a Starveling Cat. Whatever that is.
Got a plant, though. Grows nice. Green. Eats rats trying to get in. It’s nice. Gives me something to stare at, get my head back together, when I wake up. Sleep is always too complicated. Too many things shining, too many things reaching.”
It’s not uncommon knowledge that most households, offices, vaults, prisons, are not perfectly secure. A most determined and notably stealthy individual could rob a jeweller blind before the Constables could collect two leads to rub together.
Knowing this, what do you do to secure your valuables and your secrets?
I put them on display. Wide open. Where anyone can see them. Even the stupidest of thieves think it a trap. And they’d be right too - I was able to convince my Ghostly Presence to guard them. It does not stop those with a clear intent of purpose like the master’s servants, but I find such people are often undeterred by traps and hiding places.
If you have reached it, how went your governorship of Port Carnelian? If you have not reached, how would you rule such a place?
Right, I don’t know whether you’ve been reading the Formerly Known Magazine or the Gazette, but all that stuff about the ‘mad butcher of Port Carnelian’ and ‘innumerable crimes against London and the natural order’ is nothing but slander and they will both be hearing from my lawyers.
Let it be known that I conducted myself as a perfect gentleman at all times, always keeping in mind that I was there as a representative of our Enduring Majesty. In the darkest moments of indecision, I did not look to the Wicked Books, but instead asked myself: "what would the Empress do?". So what if the answer turned out to be ‘betray my countrymen to hungry monsters for a fleeting pittance’? That’s the price of greatness and I pay it gladly!
Speaking of places beyond the zee, which of your possessions would you never, under any circumstances, take with you to Polythreme?
edited by Passionario on 6/16/2015
[quote=Passionario]
Speaking of places beyond the zee, which of your possessions would you never, under any circumstances, take with you to Polythreme?
edited by Passionario on 6/16/2015[/quote]
I would think this delightful souvenir of Newgate, an old Prison Shiv. I keep it for sentimental reasons, but I shudder to think what it would say if it could speak. It was well used before I was given it, and I need not be told of its long and bloody history in excruciating detail.
What is your favorite recurring dream?
edited by Mr. Zane on 6/19/2015[li]
edited by Mr. Zane on 6/19/2015
[quote=Mr. Zane]
What is your favorite recurring dream?[/quote]
[li]
[/li][li]Dreams can be deeply personal things. Perhaps that is why noone has yet answered your question, Mr Zane.[/li][li]
[/li][li]Or perhaps many people are like me. My dreams are fleeting, and rarely stay with me - the good ones, anyway. The ones that scare me into startling awake are the ones that I tend to remember.[/li][li]
[/li][li]Although, having said that, I did have one recent dream which I still recall. I was standing on a cliff-top, a knife in my hand, and there was a girl behind me who was bound and blind-folded. I untied her, and she thanked me, but refused to let me remove her blindfold. She said she didn’t want to be seen by the storm. I remember it quite clearly. Not that she didn’t want to see the storm, but that she didn’t want to be seen by it.[/li][li]
[/li][li]Funny, what one remembers from a dream.[/li][li]
[/li][li]What do you think of the fashion for bustles and other such… posterior padding?
[/li]
A menace to public safety! I have encountered and heard of many incidents in which inappropriate materials are used for bustles, resulting in explosions during duels, dinners, debates, and debaucheries in the bedroom (no, not with me, I don’t go for people with bustles).
Even when they do not explode, most still look terrible - a Thristy Bombazine bustle leads to clouds of darkness in unfortunate position, and Puzzle-Damask… try wearing that and go to the Nadir.
What would be your ideal ship?
It would be a flying one, except that my wife and airships are not compatible. Aside from that, I would say that my Zubmarine (the Psubmersible!) fits the bill of being on the cutting edge of the innovative and unusual. What else would an artist go to zee in?
On that note, what do you think of flying machines?
The dirigibles are great! I was taken on one by a Once-Dashing Tomb-Colonist. The views are simply amazing, being able to look at London from above. I also liked getting closer to the roof and having a bit of a look. Not that we were amazingly close or anything.
That is, of course, the only time I have been on a dirigible…
What is something that’s made you happy lately?