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Alright - so he was involved in things somehow. Regina begrudgingly reminded herself that Etturi had been deep undercover for longer than either of their lifespans - and that no one outside of the Initiative had known of their name, let alone be particularly aware of their existence. Instead of debating or denying that point, she gave the greenblood a quizzical and slightly pointed look. "Again buddy - sorry, Vidari? Talking out of your a**. I dunno what extermination fiasco you're talking about, whatever I set out to do, gets done."

Shifting in her seat, the empress couldn't help but want to smack the greenblood across the face. It wasn't out of hatred - just a desire to see if it would ruffle his seemingly endless composure. His calm and slick responses were getting a little tiring. Fingers twitching slightly against the temptation, she moved as if to stand up. "Anyway, this is starting to feel like a waste of time. Sorry - but I don't feel like assisting in self-inflicted death wishes today, so you're not gonna get culled here."

After the faintest of pauses, the empress moved. Turning back to Kursha, Regina gave the greenblood the treat of seeing her smile with absolute, unfettered, true and honest delight. Struggling against the new, possible fact, was an even stronger desire to know where this was coming from. The greenblood could have been waiting stretched out on the table, with nothing but a big bow on, and not have been offering up more to her than he was. It was almost too good to be true. Again, she hit that snag. The healthy paranoia that she attributed her continued survival to prevented the queen from fully exploring the possibilities of what this meant. First, ascertain motive, secondly, gain control. Trust and belief would come third. "Is that a mother glubbing fact?"

The queen dropped her eyes to the table, where at her palace a clean reflection would have been visible. Here, all she could see was rings, left behind from spilled glasses. Running her tongue over pointy teeth, she looked back up at the other troll again. This time, her voice was softer, more coaxing. C'mon buddy, it seemed to say, throw me a bone here. Give me a reason to play along a bit longer. "Really - you got something against grubs? I get that you're tossing s**t at me to see what'll stick, and I appreciate the gesture, really. You want to talk, I get that. About big stuff, even. But you know where I'd be if I followed every stranger around back to show me their 'secret rebel grub'?"

"Well! There we are then! You want to help. You want to get on the winning team." Regina clapped her hands together in satisfaction. It wasn't the full confession she was ultimately angling for, she knew. If Kursha really did want out of the rebels, then it was an iceberg truth. The tip floating above water, and the entire body concealed under the waves. The troll seemed adamant that she take him as an equal in intellect, after all. Nevertheless, it was more than just a vague joke about him 'surrendering'. Good enough for now. And if he was playing a long game, then the only way to find out more was to hop on the board and join in.

"That's all I was looking for, Vidari. I ain't that picky - just wanting to hear the words, right? I mean, we can both sit here and be cagey, or spit all the important stuff right out. You want my help in roasting your former chums - shockingly enough, I don't mind this idea. No need to beat about the bush." Reaching forward, the queen patted one of Kursha's knees, then sat back, beaming benevolence. "The only bit I don't bite is the fact that you want to give everything for nothing. But prices can be arranged whenever you're feeling ... like you're holdin' a few more cards. Like you just said, I'm not stupid, and you don't want me to think that you are."

Oh please. Regina inwardly rolled her eyes. Like anything she did was a partnership. Raising a hand and closing her eyes, the empress sat up straight. "I, Regina Marian, do hereby swear on my crown do formally promise to give you the aid you need in capturing the kidnapped mother grub and socking whoever gets in your way." Unless you turn on me first.

It was overkill, but as she opened one eye and smiled cherubically at Kursha, she hoped it would do the job of a verbal agreement. Holding the rigid pose for a few seconds more, the empress then slumped back down, hands spread open. "Does that sound about right t'you?"