Sturmbannführer Veronika Dresdner moved with a fluidity and grace that few people in this world could claim.  Her presence was strong...though perhaps some of that was due to the aura that seemingly surrounded her.....another portion due to the patches that adorned her grey uniform jacket.  Her rank insignia graced her left side collar tab while a blank, black tab with silver piping surrounding it graced the right.  Down on her left sleeve was another patch...this one a black diamond, outlined in silver with the letters SD embroidered on it.  This told those observant enough to see it that not only was she a member of the Schutzstaffel or SS....but was assigned to the Sicherheitsdienst, which was the Security Division of the SS.<br/><br/>It came off of her in waves.....an energy that told people she was somehow dangerous.  It was cold and controlled.  Some of the male officers in her division had dubbed her The Ice Princess because they were certain that there was nothing but a block of ice where her heart should have been.  Her entire world was German and it's needs.  Veronika had proven she was willing and able to take on the missions that no one else wanted.  She could kill in a myriad very creative ways without giving it a second thought no matter how grisly.  She was the SD's fixer....and she was very good at it.<br/><br/>But right at this particular moment.....she had a young woman square in her sights.  The young woman that had just come from a meeting with General Eckhart.  The whole reason Dresdner was in France at the moment was to root out the annoyance that was the French Resistance.  While Eckhart was merely  using this girl to screw with one of his staff members.....Veronika had taken notice of her for different reasons.  While many civilians were nervous in the presence of German Officers, this girl seemed even more so than most.  As if she was somehow expecting something.  As if she were hiding something.  Dresdner knew young Marie-Élise had something of a reputation among the security personnel as being quite timid.....but what Veronika had witnessed tonight went beyond that.  The girl was petrified.....as if she felt her life might be at stake.  But why would she think that?  What reason would a seamstress have to fear for her life?<br/><br/>All of that made Veronika very curious. It set instincts off inside her that had been quite reliable for her in the past.  This instinct told her that perhaps this was the in she'd been looking for.  Maybe Marie-Élise was the weak link?  Perhaps not.  But it was certainly worth checking out.  Leave no stone unturned....until you found the right stone....then kill everything found underneath it.<br/><br/>It would certainly be a pity if the little seamstress had to die.  She was really quite cute.<br/><br/>If anyone had been watching, they would have claimed a miracle had occurred based simply in the change that came over Veronika as she neared Marie-Élise.  The Ice Princess melted away and a smile actually formed on her lips.  Her eyes softened too.....and the blonde woman whom a moment ago would have terrified small children seemed quite affable and approachable.  Just prior to her reaching the woman though, a soft<em>snick</em>was heard as a knife blade popped free.  Without breaking stride, Veronika deftly cut the thread at the bottom of the seam of her uniform skirt...then folded the knife away and made it disappear.  A few tugs made the seam come loose about an inch up from the bottom.<br/><br/>Stopping behind the young frenchwoman, Veronika spoke...her french nearly flawless, her tone as friendly as she could manage, "Excusez-moi, Mademoiselle.....est-ce que mais je comprends que vous êtes une ouvrière couturière? J'ai attrapé ma jupe sur quelque chose et la couture s'est détachée. Pourriez-vous la fixer pour moi?" (Excuse me, Miss....but I understand you are a seamstress? I caught my skirt on something and torn the seam.  Could you fix it for me?)<br/><br/>She offered her an embarrassed smile, "Je ne peux pas laisser le général me voir comme ceci. Il aurait un ajustement. Je serais si reconnaissant si vous aideriez." (I cannot let the General see me like this.  He would have a fit.  I would be so grateful if you would help.)<br/><br/><br/><br/>