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[The feed clicks on, revealing the face of Regina; a woman with dark, impeccably styled hair, red lips and a deeply unimpressed expression. The voice she speaks with is deep, the kind of voice that fills throne rooms and city halls.]

Well, well, well, all you... heroes. [Her tongue is unkind to the word, clearly showing her scorn.] How does it feel to be told by the world where you belong? Are you happy? Do you feel confident? I do hear there are places in this world where they fawn over your kind.

[No, Regina does not consider herself among the group, even though she too has been branded a "registered hero". The label is an ill fit, redemption be damned; too long has she been wearing the mantle of the villain and acted the part. She's rebelling against a label forced on her and rejecting a title she doesn't feel she deserves at the same time.]

And in the line of duty, do you conveniently never find yourself in a situation where you might have to kill your opponent?

[A mirthless smirk.]

Fair warning, as your newly appointed family counselor: this might be a good time to tell your children to go play outside. Do have that conversation with them at some point, though. Else they might end up calling you a liar.

Enlist my help only if you must.

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[ The cat gives a little wave of its paw - a very humanlike wave of greeting. ]

Oh - well. Hullo, then. Welcome. My name is Kitty. I've been here a rather long time, if you've got any questions or anything.

A cat named Kitty. Creative.

[It's just a fraction less biting than it would've been if she were talking to someone in human form. Even Evil Queens are mollified by kitties, apparently.]

Are you always a cat?

[ OH LIKE YOU'RE ONE TO TALK, QUEEN REGINA
Her ears flick. And a little huffily: ]

I'm often a girl, actually. Sometimes a fox or a lion or whatever I'd like. - I'll have you know, by the way, that being named Kitty actually predated looking like a cat.

[HEY IT WASN'T HER IDEA OKAY]

A shapeshifter. Not bad. It's a convenient ability.

[Regina can do it too, after all. For short periods of time. It's not one of her favorite things to do, though.]

It's really brilliant, is what it is.

[ The cat's whiskers perk up in delight. ]

It turns out that flying as a bird is completely different from flying in an airplane or something. I love it. [ And then, since she seems to be getting a little bit of friendliness out of Regina, she ventures: ] Can I ask what your abilities are? I'm never quite certain whether that's a rude question or not.

Well, that depends on who you're asking.

[She hesitates for a moment, not sure whether to reveal the extent of her abilities, but then she doesn't see much use in hiding them.]

I can do just about anything magic can do.

[ Ah. Magic, huh. Her voice remains light, cheerful, and relaxed, though - ]

Yeah? That's an awfully useful skill. Though I hope magic in your world isn't like magic in mine.