Wendy
*Allowing the Queen access to his mind was a dangerous prospect. A spy might search for years in records and documents, creating cover stories and identities, weaving a web of lies and falsehoods just for a pale imitation of a sliver of the knowledge inside his head - for were she to read it, every plan he had made, every strategy he had ever employed on the battlefield, every gaze at a woman, every vision sent from the thrumming beat of the god of war's drum would be laid bare.

And would she find two minds staring back at her, he wondered, or only one? The mask of a god in a horned helmet, eyes burning in malice, over the face of a man who could not keep his secrets close to his chest? 

He was determined that she should see neither, if he could help it. Even if she could do so without his acquiescence, it was better that he refuse - if it were out of his hands, there was nothing he could do, but if she by some miracle were to actually keep her word, it would save state secrets and personal memories alike from the clutches of the enemy.*

"I believe it better that you describe what you saw, Your Majesty." *His eyes narrowed in suspicion.* "Though I am very much flattered by your desire to show me, I am sure words will do well to communicate your meaning." *There was some force behind his statement, as if a smith's press had stamped out the words **Communicate** And **Describe** Into a slab of orange-glowing steel, ready for molding into shape.

They had to cooperate, yes, but there was no reason to give up the game so soon and begin trusting each other - 'know your enemy' was an old adage for a reason, and he knew of her magics the same way she had known about his. They were public figures, heads of state - and host to many informants who no doubt could sell information for a penny or two of good money.*
Maria
It could not be said that she did not try. Ashira was unfazed by his refusal, perhaps a touch vexed by the delay. To share their visions via her abilities would have been a great deal quicker, the chatter between the entire group would no doubt drag this out. She could easily manipulate each mind to think they heard their stories told, snatching the memories from their heads and sharing them with ease. 

"Very well," Her lids fell briefly shut as the queen acknowledged his decision with a subtle nod, eyes finding his once more before she continued, "Though I'd prefer to wait for the rest of our party, I do not wish to repeat myself." Telling the story twice was unnecessary, the words would be the same regardless of who heard them. 

It seemed the pair had little else to say to one another. The queen would not make herself vulnerable once more, she had tested the water and filed her findings away. Her gaze broke from his, permitting Ashira to observe the ballroom through her portal. As Lysanthir and Caleesi gathered themselves to step through she watched them, features finally showing some hint of emotion: Confusion. It was fleeting, but there nonetheless. Their relationship was quite perplexing, the suddenness with which it seemed to progress puzzled her. She felt as though she was missing a great deal, but the issue fell low on her present list of priorities.

"I'm glad your Grandmistress has recovered, Your Majesty," Though it was another perplexity that she had been affected, "I gather you, myself and Princess Delsandra suffered variations of the same experience?" Ashira turned to him once more, the question twisting her expression into one of polite inquiry. The three were royalty, but Caleesi was merely a councilor. Queen Runacri pondered what made her so important, why she had been tormented more than all others combined. The words that had plagued them all echoed in her mind.
Wendy
*Good that she had not tried to force the issue - though he did not know if telepathy was detectable by those that were being ensorcelled. Whatever the case, he could not act on what he did not know, and though it was less efficient to talk, it was more secure. There were items in his mind that he did not wish to spread around. He followed her gaze towards the gateway, a small spark of irritation flickering into being as he beheld what she was looking at - the rest of them dallying instead of moving.*

"My apologies. It would have been irresponsible of me to expedite the process in that way." *He stated briefly, his head shaking as he found himself once again wanting for knowledge in spite of the necessary precautions. There was so much they did not know about the red eye that had appeared, the vision that had come, the gut-wrenching voice that had appeared in his mind.

She seemed tired, he noted - exhausted, almost as if she was in pain. The closing eyes, the general mannerisms - all led to what he assumed was a large workload, or a symptom of falling off a balcony. The deep fatigue of ruling was one he had become acquainted with, and perhaps it was the cause here. Leadership weighed heavy on the shoulders of those who bore the mantle.

In any case, she was asking the right questions, and making the right comments.*

"As am I." *He remarked, eyeing the pair through the portal.* "It would have been a great loss if something were to happen to her - there are so few good people one can trust, and she is, as far as I know, one of them." *That might have changed, he thought to himself, given that she had made the startling move of changing her opinions on the vampire that she had been terrified of so quickly. Was it a vampiric compulsion of some sort? He had no idea - but she was mistress of magic, and knew how to shield her mind. There was nothing he could say in defense of it, other than she had somehow made a strange reversal of judgment.*

_ _
"On the subject of the vision I had, that is exactly what I intend to find out." *He confirmed.* "None of us know what exactly transpired in the other's brief unconsciousness, and whether it is corroborated between us will tell us much about the event. If the experiences are unique, then perhaps it is more powerful - tailoring a vision to the mind of the individual is much more involved than broadcasting the same signal to the four of us."

"And on that count," *He gestured to Caleesi.* "The evidence would seem to suggest we experienced different things. When they enter, we shall lay down the facts, and see what conclusions we can draw."