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Yuri, Constance enter the scene
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Constance
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Remember when you mentioned briefly that you'd been in conference with some nobles?
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Constance
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Did the topic of conversation happen to be...me?
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Yuri
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I haven't the foggiest idea what you're talking about.
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Constance
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Don't be coy with me. I recently received an offer of support from the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
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Constance
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Don't be coy with me. I recently received an offer of support from Count Charon.
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Yuri
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Bravo. Your dream of restoring your house is that much closer now, isn't it?
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Constance
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We shall see. My response is on hold until I could confirm something first.
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Yuri
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Hm?
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Constance
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You sound as befuddled as I feel! These are events you set in motion, are they not?
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Constance
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I want only the truth from you! Lie to me, and you shall be incinerated!
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Yuri
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That doesn't leave me much wiggle room, does it?
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Yuri
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All right, I'll tell you. So yeah, I might have been negotiating with some nobles. Maybe. Possibly.
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Constance
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You do recall that I have nothing I can offer you in return, yes?
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Yuri
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Pfft, of course I know that. I just did what I needed to get what I wanted. Like always.
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Constance
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Explain.
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Yuri
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All my life, I've known how to angle to get everything I've ever wanted. Money, social standing, the whole kit and caboodle.
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Yuri
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See, that's how the Savage Mockingbird lives. Ever since I was a kid, it's how I've done things.
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Constance
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What does that have to do with— Wait! Are you admitting to being the Savage Mockingbird?!
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Yuri
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And I find myself wanting in on this house of yours. The one you've yet to rebuild.
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Constance
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What?! No. No, wait. You haven't yet answered my question about the Savage—
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Yuri
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Preened as this bird might be, his only home is a dark, wet back alley. As long as I'm me, nothing can change that.
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Yuri
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So I figured, if I could leave that "home" of mine and live simply as Yuri, even if only for a while...
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Yuri
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You know, I might like somewhere proper to return to. Somewhere cozy. Comfy, even. Better than House Rowe, where last I leapt from.
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Constance
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I'm not sure what you're insinuating here.
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Yuri
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I'll get your house back for you, and I only ask for one thing as payment...
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Yuri
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Once House Nuvelle is back in good standing, I want a home there.
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Constance
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You mean...you wish to join House Nuvelle? But the only way to do that—
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Yuri
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Marriage. Bingo. Quick, easy, simple.
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Constance
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You and I? Spouses?!
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Yuri
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You heard me. It's a fine enough trade. What's the problem?
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Constance
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I mentioned nothing about a problem. Where did you get that notion?
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Constance
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I've always found you very useful. Though I could do with less—much less—of your backtalk.
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Yuri
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I suppose "milady" doesn't want a rogue for a husband. Hahaha, can't handle all that is Yuri, hm?
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Constance
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No, no. But there is a procedure to this sort of thing. How can you join my house when I have none?
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Yuri
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What? You want to do things in order? How boring. I suppose we'll be lovers for now.
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Constance
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Ugh! You mock me! You mock me—and I will not have it!
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Yuri
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Me? Mock? I'm being sincere. I'd never live out another dull day with you by my side.
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Constance
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That is my only fear—a life spent by your side may be more taxing than I could stand!
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Constance leaves the scene
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Yuri
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Seeing you so flustered provides endless entertainment, heh heh...