The Dead Dove Locker -- "I don't know what I expected."

[Mamorien]

Princess of the Void.

The Unfortunate Truth.

Context: The single biggest advantage the Taiikari have in spreading their empire across the firmament is compulsion; a Taiikari woman can control any male sentient with eye contact and conscious effort. Any male sentient, it turns out, except a male Maekyonite (Earthling). There are "anticomp" lenses that can block this effect; one of the current Empress's reforms makes these easier for males in Imperial space to get (reduces their Control Rating, in GURPS terms). Grant "Grantyde" Hyde doesn't need them, but only Sykora and a handful of others know this, so he often wears them for show... when, e.g., meeting a Black Pike supplier who's been working with Sykora's sister and rival, Princess Narika of the ZKZ Glory Banner.

He finishes the pear and licks his fingers. “Now why I’m here—it seems like there’s been some kind of forensic accounting hiccup. That’s what I’m told, anyway. That suggests there was some kind of contact between your office and Narika’s.”

“Ah.” She puts on a quizzical frown. “Really?“

“When we looked into it, there was some kind of—I think it was through an intermediary, or…” Grant scratches his beard. “Actually, hold on. I need to check my notes on this.”

He digs into the satchel on the other end of the couch and unearths a notebook, which he leafs through. He squints. “Y’know, I get these headaches when I try to read with anticomps on. Do you mind if I just turn around here and, uh—” He mimics raising his anticomps.

“Of course, Majesty. Be my guest.”

Grant swivels in his seat and raises his anticomps. He makes a show of flipping through his journal and humming in consternation.

Okay, Marquess. Here’s the bait. You gonna bite?

“Oh—Majesty. That reminds me, actually.”

Grant looks her way. “Yes?”

Flash.

“Freeze,” Shoskia says. “And be silent.”

Grant freezes. Hooked you, little traitor.

“Ahh, Majesty.” Shoskia clucks her tongue and shakes her head. “You see now, don’t you? The unfortunate truth.”

She stands up and steps to the back of the couch.

“I do so hate to be the one to reveal it to you—especially since I’m afraid you won’t remember the hard lesson. Your sex is simply not equipped for leadership. This—” Her tail brushes his cheek as she stalks past him. “This is too grave a vulnerability. And it’s rank unfairness to force you into a role you weren’t made for, and then convince you it’s progress.”

She places her face very close to his.

“Such a fine man,” she murmurs. “Such beauty, such a mild and agreeable temper. So strong. She’s wasting you on this mess. So.” She claps her hands together. “Let’s take some time and you can answer a few questions.” Her eyes flash. “Stand. Join me at the desk.”

Grant stands up. His palm brushes the holster at his waist. He follows Shoskia across the room.

Flash. “Be a gentleman and pull my chair out for me.”

He does.

She indicates the bar in the corner. Flash. “Pour me some brandy.”

He does. He rests it in front of her.

“Good boy,” she says. Flash. “Now sit.”

He takes his seat across from her.

“Now then,” Shoskia says. “I don’t believe you thanked me for that pear I gave you. It seems as though your wife still has some housebreaking to do.” Her eyes flash. “So let’s have a thank-you.”

“Thank you for the Stivian pear, Marquess Shoskia.”

“No, no. Not Marquess.” Flash. “Mistress, I think. Call me Mistress Shoskia. And smile.”

She’s so proud of herself, he thinks. She doesn’t realize that she’s doing a victory dance at the edge of a cliff.

He smiles at the woman who just strolled into his ironsights. “Yes, Mistress Shoskia.”

https://www.scribblehub.com/read/1419041...r/2049177/
https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/120617...nate-truth