Sophronia regarded the messenger silently, her expression unreadable. Just as the silence started to go from awkward to outright uncomfortable, she burst into peals of laughter. "Oh wow, that was really good!" She gasped for breath and wiped away a tear. "I'm sorry, I still haven't really gotten used to this whole thing." Sophronia gestured vaguely at the rest of the room. "I mean, don't get me wrong, I do get a thrill out of it all, but I can't help but feel a little silly now and again." Her smile faded. "I suppose I'll get used to it in time." She stepped forward and took the scroll, running her fingers across the rough texture of the papyrus. "Impressive."<br/><br/>Sophronia stared off into the middle distance wistfully. "I always wanted to get into politics you know." She confided. "Reform the system, fix the jerrymandered districts, reduce the power of money in politics.<em>'Restore the Democracy!'</em>" She intoned dramatically. "But that's all pointless now. Most people don't know it yet, but democracy, republics? They're dead. Governments like that can't exist any more." She took a few steps, pacing without thought. "At least until someone finds a way to keep people like me in check, assuming that's even possible."<br/><br/>She sighed and returned to her position facing him, one step away. "Thank you good sir for your service in delivering this to me. You may consider your charge well disposed." She dipped her head graciously and gave a wave of dismissal. Once he was gone, she returned to her desk to open the scroll and see what message it contained.