Jupiter cannot help but shiver, every time she sits on Seraphi's throne.
It is a necessary if upsetting evil she has to endure. Being in the same place that had killed the woman she had been was painful. Tall like my nightmares… But I'm not alone. I don't look down when I sit on this throne… I look with people I love, on the same level, pretending to be similar to what I once was to save those who are not in the same position as me. Being 'Entitled' is much the same. She doesn't mind the pretty clothes- she finds it kind of fun really, like playing dress-up, all the time, and she doubts even being a new person would ever take away her appreciation of feeling pretty in ridiculously impractical clothes. That was one of the few things that had carried over.
"Majesty," simpered Chicarney Night.
Out of the corner of her eye, she sees Caine shift, brows furrowed. And he surprises her by moving closer, just a touch closer. Actually, for a second, she can see his tension increase as he stares down at the former head of the Refinery… As if- He knows I am upset when I talk to Mr. Chicanery. He knows that I need support.
It's a small step. Just a single hint of reassurance, but it delights Jupiter all the same.
"Mr. Chicanery," she said, and she smiled.
He preened at her polite smile, while her stomach flipped in disgust.
He was a genocidal maniac. Much like the Nazi complicit in the atrocities against the people in their concentration camps, Chicanery Night was much the same. He took innocent people and processed them like a product. He had done so for most of his natural life. And just like the Nazis during the Holocaust, it wasn't because he was innately a twisted being, because he was evil, or born wrong, or twisted. That would have made everything so much more simple to understand.
It was a more horrifying reality than that.
He did it because it was his job.
He was simply following orders. Did not even pause to consider what he was really doing. There was insidiousness in compliance, in taking pleasure in his work. There is true horror in the normality of it, and unlike the Keepers across the Verse, Splices have some form of choice in the manner. Limited, perhaps, but a choice nonetheless.
"Mr. Chicanery," she said, voice neutral and careful, "I wished to inform you that your insight into the market has been insightful."
Dark eyes gleamed. She wonders, with another flip of her stomach, if Chicanery wishes to prop her up, just like he used to do Seraphi. If the little affection the queen of old had thrown his way, or the prestige that came from working for a Primary of House versus someone with the Title of a Monarch, on top of that was swaying him to be so complicit. Balem was technically in charge of House Abrasax. But Jupiter had the title of Queen and was a monarch that did not have to defer to any of the primaries of her House as a result. She was not above him technically, she was parallel, and didn't have to answer to him. In Entitled society, primaries weren't above Monarchs, however. There was prestige in rank, in titles, and that was Jupiter had above Balem. And many would rather follow her as a result, just like Chicanery Night.
Or maybe this man sensed the wind was changing. Sensed that her actions were a war with Balem-
They were.
But not in the conventional sense.
She honestly, as Stinger would say, didn't give a fuck about whatever Balem did in the aftermath of her destruction of the RegenX market. She had no doubt the son of her predecessor would, and will, attempt, to kill her. He was busy at the moment. She had purposefully acted in a way that leads the Primary of her House to take the majority of the vulnerability and ire of the rest of the Harvesting Houses.
And why the Red Hawk was being used to keep them mobile, out of reach, and alive.
"I endeavor to aid her Majesty in any way I can."
Jupiter shivered. An echo of another life flitted through her mind.
"Thank you, truly. I wished for you to work with Kiza and Grey, she is in charge of the movements of our new product, and they are behind the assertion of the quality. Both, I believe, fall under your previous job description."
The Rat Splice gave a confused look.
"I do not believe the Harvests have been officially sanctioned?"
"Harvests were not involved, Mr. Chicanery. And if I have my way, they never will again."
The entirety of the crew fell into a stunned silence. Even the impossible professional Captain whipped around mouth open in shock.
Jupiter, despite everything, beamed. Seraphi's penchant for shock had also carried over.
"Will you be willing, Mr. Chicanery?"
He blinked, rapidly.
"I don't understand. I-"
"RegenX is the product of thousands of lives. It is the rich literally bathing in the life of innocents. And it is done. Outmoded, outdated, and much too cruel to keep going. Shitty science at best. I am Jupiter Jones, Queen of House Abrasax, and I will take the RegenX form of immortality and tear it apart, swiftly and justly. The motions had already been brought up to the government of Orous who has already, for many years, wished for an excuse to tear apart as it has little regulation and little input from the government."
Horror-filled beady black eyes.
"You can't-"
"I already have. If you are unwilling to comply, Mr. Night, you will be escorted to your rooms."
"You destroy the power of the Houses- of House Abrasax!"
Jupiter smiled again, brightly and easily.
"Good."