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===================== Ginaz Limousine The vehicle has been appointed with every luxury that can be installed and still provide seating for six with room to spare. Two sets of three seats face each other across a small, solid mahogany table. The sides of the table have recessed handles for access to the compartments within. A circular light over the table bathes the inside of the limousine in a soft light. The driver nods. Clearance is required for that destination. Send a request with 'msg <message>'. There is a sense of acceleration as the limousine picks up speed. The limousine continues quickly to its destination. Numerous vehicles can be seen darting through the avenues. Numerous vehicles can be seen darting through the avenues. <<In reply on why Sisay was so interested in Harkonnens.>> You paged Andrei with 'Sisay wants to see how much the Atreides care about the person and not the rumor... :)'. You paged Andrei with 'And she likes Uli pretty much, as a friend atm...:)'. The driver turns to the passenger area, "Clearance has been granted." The limousine decelerates steadily and comes to a smooth stop. Traffic Loop -- Harkonnen Embassy (Kaitain)(#644RntJ) A wide plascrete roadway loops in a semicircle before the front gate of the Harkonnen Embassy where ten slender flagpoles, each flying a large blue banner, tower over the drive. A three-meter-high, spiked wall surrounds the embassy grounds and, set into the wall, are two massive, embossed fanmetal gates, topped by short spikes. The entrance to the embassy is guarded by four Harkonnen troopers in blue and silver dress uniforms, maula pistols held at port arms. Ground traffic busily fills the loop, picking up and discharging passengers. In the center of the loop is a huge granite statue of a springing ram. Objects: Ginaz Limousine Nestor walks in from Garden of Bitterblooms through the Fanmetal Gate. Nestor stands just inside the gates of the Harkonen Embassy as the limousine comes to a stop. "To what do we owe the pleasure, My Lady," he asks without a tone that suggests he gets no pleasure himself from such meetings. A young Lady descends the Ginaz limousine. She quickly motions to someone inside, maybe her guards, to remain inside, while she approaches: "Hello, Sir". Sisay curtseys gracefully as she continues, looking curiously at the Embassy. "I was hoping to catch a glimpse of Lady Harkonnen..." Nestor bows slightly, a necessary politeness. "The Lady Harkonnen is otherwise encumbered at the moment, My Lady. Was there any subject in particular that you wished to discuss with the Lady?" He doesn't budge from his spot, not offering entrance to the guest as of yet. Sisay smiles pleasantly, a cheerful smile on her young face. She moves casually around, inspecting the Harkonnen guards and looking at the huge statue. She says: "Oh, no particullar reason... I just wanted to thank her Ladyship for the great time we spent together a couple of days ago..." She sighs innocently as she turns around looking at Nestor. Nestor A thin man, not especially muscular though he looks to be somewhat toned, and of average height. He walks with a noble gait, his head held high usually, a walk that betrays the self-confidence and subtle arrogance in himself. His eyes are green and always seem to be probing something or someone with a look of curiosity or determination about them. His black hair is short, around a centimeter long at all points, and is always kept meticulously clean and neat. His lips are thin and expressive and show the staining on and around them that are indicative of a user of the Juice of Sapho. Notable is that his left hand is most obviously Ixian in origin (+inspect Nestor=hand). He wears a dark-green longcoat, buttoned closed from the neckline down to just above the waist. Black pants are neatly pressed and tucked into a pair of high-glossed calf-high boots. Nestor purses his lips slightly as it now occurs to him that he must greet this child. "My name is Master Alexi Nestor - I am House Harkonnen's head Mentat and Master of Assassins. Perhaps My Lady would like to enter the Embassy grounds where we might better protect her?" He now stands to one side and gestures inwards. Sisay smiles again, a full smile revealing her perfectly while teeth, while her obsidian black eyes glimmer in the light. "Lady Sisay Ginaz" she says simply, offering you her hand. Nestor -- HAND: His left hand is obviously an Ixian device. It is the perfect imitation of a hand, without skin and with each individual muscle being replaced by grey metal of some sort. In the center of the palm, if this is even noticeable to you, is a round lense of some sort exactly a centimeter in diameter. The hand itself makes no obvious sounds normally, but every now and again some sound, probably associated with calibration can be heard distinctly from it. Nestor clasps his hands together in front of himself. "It is impolite for a Master of Assassins to touch another person - a touch is all my kind requires to kill...if that," he says by way of explaination before turning to enter the gate himself. Sisay smiles as she withdraws her hand, seemingly amused. She says: "Oh, but we are not in a battle-area, are we now..." as she slowly follows the Mentat into the embassy. While walking she curiously looks around, trying to figure out the hude discrepancy between the Harkonnen style and the Ginaz one. Guards just within the gate can now be seen as the Lady enters - Nestor was not alone in greeting the Ginaz noble. "If My Lady thinks that she is not on the battlefield, she is incorrect. A noble should always be wary, even on Kaitain. I am surprised your Mentat has not instructed you better in such things," Nestor says as he walks. As the gates close behind them, a guard approaches with a poison-snooper in hand, apparently to snoop the guest. Nestor nods approvingly, though the guard awaits the Ginaz's reaction. Andrei walks in from Garden of Bitterblooms through the Fanmetal Gate. Sisay looks very surprised as she notices the poison-snooper approaching her. She says: "Thank you, but I'm pretty sure I'm not poisoned." maybe understanding the gesture wrong on purpose. Noticing Andrei coming in she curtseys: "Lord Harkonenn..." Nestor raises an eyebrow as he too notes the Na-Baron's approach. "Excuse the necessity, My Lady, but all guests must undergo a poison-snoop to assure me that they carry no poison with them. Will you submit?" Andrei strolls in with his hands behind his back, grinning at Nestor. "Ah, mentat..it's been a while since we've seen you. and you brought me a present. How nice of you." His lecherous gaze moves to Sisay and scans her more thorough than any poisonsnooper. "You even remembered my tastes." Sisay hmms thoughtfully for a moment. She then nods the the poison snooper, as if it would be living and says: "Ah, if I carry poisons... Now i see... Well, if this is the coustom... go ahead." She then turns to the Na-Baron and a sweet smile crosses he young face: "Lady Sisay Ginaz. Pleased to meet your Lordship." Andrei can't help but laugh. Looking at Nestor as he points at he her. "You think she means it?" The guard runs the snooper wand rather unobtrusively, though with slow and trained movement, as he scans the woman. Nestor purses his lips and steeples his fingers now. "Such is not for me to say, Young Master." He turns toward Sisay. "Security is a necessity, not a custom, My Lady. Do you not do the same at your own Embassy?" The young Lady looks at the snooper and his bearer with a curious look rather than an embarassed one. She replies to the Mentat: "I have no clue, Sir. But I think our methods are... " she pauses "a bit different..." She turns her head to Andrei and asks with a very puzzled tone: "What would you mean by that, your Lordship?" The guard stands to his full height, the snooper finding its way back to his utility belt before fading into the background again. Andrei shakes his head in disbelief. "The innocence of the naive....how sweet and touching..." He has trouble keeping his amusement in check, adding a mock-sigh. "Okay...that means we won't go directly to my bedchambers." Nestor says, "My Lady will find Harkonnens to be more bluntly honest than she is, perhaps, used to. This effects everything that we do - from obtrusive as opposed to hidden security and our yearnings. It is our way." He bows to Andrei. "Perhaps the Young Master is more...equipped to entertain My Lady. You will find the Young Master quite knowledgeable of the Embassy grounds."" Andrei grins wolfish, walking over to Sisay, taking her hand and gentlemanly kissing it. "Ah..we only have to remember one particular route..." Sisay gets an amused smile on her face as she says sharply, yet with no ill intention in her voice: "We will go nowhere _near_ your bedrooms, my Lord." Pausing a second she says: "I found Lady Harkonnen to be a very pleasant person... I hope this will be the same for her relatives aswell..." She giggles as her hand is gently kissed. Nestor nods slighlty. "The women of Giedi Prime find the Young Master to be a gentleman and a charmer...or so my mother tells me." Sisay smiles pleasantly and swiftly withdraws her hand from the Na-Baron's kiss. She beams delightedly and says: "Would I be too much of a trouble if I'd ask for a cup of tea?" Andrei grins at Sisay retorting. "We shall see about that my pet...Not many women have been able to withstand the Harkonnen charms." Bringing it with a wink it all seems more boastful than anything else, but then you never know with Andrei. Hearing Nestor's response he can't help launch a barb in the mentat's direction. "And as for the mentat's mother's claims...she should know...she can wring the life from a man with the tighs..even at her age..." Nestor nods, and says matter-of-factly, "Yes," in response to Andrei. Sisay gets a real interested smile on her face: "Really? Well, that must be impressive then..." She chuckles as if holding somthing back for herself... <<Sisay thinks: And I could kill you both in the neck of a second... THAT is the intruction OUR mentat gave me...>> Andrei blahs. "Tea? who drinks tea at this time of day...certainly no Harkonnen /I/ know." Sisay looks Andrei bluntly in the face while saying sharply: "I drink tea and I am no Haronnen." The smile on her face is still perfectly in place yet the start of a blush can be noticed on her cheeks. Andrei tsk tsk tsks turning his face to Nestor. "When do they ever learn when visiting you adopt the customs of the house you visit." he shakes his head again letting sisay's hand drop. "But I figure a cook can heat up some water and dump some leaves in it for taste..." a dissapointed look goes to Nestor. "You mind leading her to the salon mentat? I will be down in a second. Nestor bows to Andrei. "Certainly, Young Master." With that, hands still folded, he nods in the direction of the Embassy itself. "Please accompany me, My Lady." And without further ado, he starts walking again. <<Andrei thinks: Another person Uli has put her hooks in...I figure if i hit her to an inch of her life she'll see the error of her ways...then again..why beat her when there's a lot more fun ways...I wonder if she's a virgin...>> Nestor walks to the southwest and passes through the Fanmetal Gate. You walk through the Fanmetal Gate. Garden of Bitterblooms -- Harkonnen Embassy (Kaitain) The roughly circular outline of the vast embassy garden is hidden beyond a wild tangle of flowers and plants. A stone path snakes from the outer walls of the embassy grounds, past a chain of lilyponds and hedges, up to the doors of the embassy itself. Other footpaths stray deeper into the garden, amid the white bitterblooms of Giedi Prime that lend the garden its name. One trail leads the way to a gently sloping hill topped by a folly of Giedi marble columns. Moss-covered stone steps reach up the hill in a zig-zag pattern, bordered at every turn by marble statues and plascrete urns overflowing with inkvine and translucent roses. An artful fountain, fashioned to resemble a natural brook spilling over smooth stones, is set into the side of the hill. A dense profusion of flora from many worlds creates intimate arbors and bowers where vines and tree boughs are twined together and harbor small grassy areas or benches. Elacca trees shade the lilyponds where miniature alligators swim. A stand of Caladanian dogwoods shelter the bloom of fragrant black lotus. Topiary hedges form living partitions throughout the garden. A bridle path for horseback riding follows the curve of the surrounding wall, provided with a variety of terrains ranging from smooth, grassy field to steep, rocky slopes. The main building of the embassy is visible through the foliage from almost everywhere in the garden: a squat, ponderous structure built of white plascrete, with black ribbed buttresses supporting the weight of the whole structure. Players: Nestor You paged Andrei with 'Yes, she _is_ a virgin...:P'. Andrei pages: not for long :P You paged Andrei with 'You'd wish:)'. Nestor continues walking, his retinue of guards formerly at the gate following at a polite distance behind. "I myself have experienced the likes of My Lady's House. I was even briefly a prisoner of your House. Ah, Bernh - one of your former Mentats - how I miss his style." Andrei pages: you bet..and if I fail, Uli will succeed Sisay walks by, sincerely admiring the garden she passes by. "Oh? A prisoner of the Ginaz? I'm afraid I didn't know that..." she says, the blush on her face acentuating. Sisay keeps her hands tightly clasped behind her. <<Sisay thinks: A wise choice for my dagger is accompanying me. This might turn out bad...>> Andrei pages: and if we manage to gross you out then there'll probably be a ginaz or atreides on the prowl. Long distance to Andrei: Sisay smiles secretly. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- _____________________Dune III Player Data Sheet: Andrei______________________ Fullname: Andrei Borivich Harkonnen Faction: Harkonnen Title: Lord Position: Na-Baron Address: Lord Harkonnen Age: 33 Background: The oldest son of Baron Boris Harkonnen. He is known to be proud and arrogant. Not a man you'd want to cross. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Nestor continues walking at a metered pace toward the Embassy doors. "Yes, when the Lady Ornia Lear was captured by MRB forces, while under my protection, I infiltrated their camp and kept the young woman safe until Ginaz forces could arrive. When they did arrive, even having watched me defend the girl and kill several MRB they put me under arrest as an enemy of the state. I was beaten liberally, but Bernh knew that it would be foolish and emberrassing to keep me. I have yet to receive my Medal of Valor from your Siridar." You paged Andrei with 'Well, each advantage has its drawbacks, hasn't it? But I'm pretty sure you wouldn't want a joint Atreides/Ginaz army on your neck...'. Andrei pages: harkonnen army is bigger than the 2 combined :) You paged Andrei with 'Really? Numbers can be outwitted by cunning, you know...:)'. Andrei pages: I know, but both ginaz and atreides are political powers..they got no economic backing and have small armies...harkonnen is a military/economic powerhouse. Sides...neither margot nor Jacob will risk a war over a mere niece. Sisay walks close the the Harkonnen Mentat. She listens to the story, seemingly captivated by it. She says: "Oh, is that so... I'm truly sorry for your incarceration and I'm sure my uncle will reward you as soon as the time is right for both parties... I'm sure you were posted by my uncle's recent victory over those pesky bandits..." You think you notice a tiny sparkle crossing the little Lady's eyes as she speaks of the Marcinko rebellion. You paged Andrei with 'Would you gain anything by killing a cute and otherwise insignifficant Lady?'. Andrei pages: lots of pleasure? You paged Andrei with 'u're sick!!!! :))'. From afar, Andrei didn't deserve the nick house phychopath for nothing :P Long distance to Andrei: Sisay grins and you bet she believes that now... Nestor shakes his head slighlty as he proceeds. "The Lears are all but forgotten - the new regime could care less, excepting the fact of their common enemy in their own people - the Marcinko Republican Brotherhood." From afar, Andrei notes BTW that Andy is but an act...so don't be frightened Sisay nods quickly as she says: "In deed. And I am so very proud those barbarians are no longer a threat." A faint shigh escapes her lips. She walks quietly by the Mentat for a while untill asking, in a shy voice: "What happened to your hand, Sir?" You paged Andrei with 'I'm not _that_ frightened:)'. Andrei pages: oh...but andy hasn't been warmed up yet. Nestor steps up to the main door of the Embassy, which opens silently before them. "I offended the Guild whilst carrying out My Lord Baron's will, and to avoid retribution against the House severed the hand from my body and sent it as a gift to the Guild Legate. No further action against House Harkonnen was taken." Long distance to Andrei: Sisay rolls her eyes to the ceiling and sighs: "Oh, my god, Harkonnens!" Andrei pages: yup...but when we're warmed up you'll say the same thing but then scream it out in terror. Sisay gasps loudly as she gets a frightened look on her face. "R... R... Really? How ... mean!" she pauses for a second, her feet wouldn't buldge from the spot she's in. Regaining some of her balance she continues: "Then I'd better not try to snoop for another guildman if I ever travel again...". She chuckles and continues: "I hope that..." she points to your artificial arm "replacement is ... satisfactory?" Nestor enters the Embassy, bringing the Ixian hand up to shoulder height on him. Thin blades flick momentarily from his fingertips, hiding themselves as quickly as they had appeared. "Quite." Nestor walks to the south and passes through the Burnished Doors. You walk through the Burnished Doors. Giedi Hall -- Harkonnen Embassy (Kaitain)(#492RatJ) The imposing domed hall is a tribute to the Harkonnen homeworld. Directly overhead, a star-shaped skylight filters daylight through thick red glass, casting an iron red radiance into the room like that of Giedi's muted, red sun. At night, a myriad of tiny glowglobes form constellations against the backdrop of the dark blue and silver dome. Underfoot, a mosaic of tiny floor tiles creates an intricate, spiraling pattern, like a river of azure and teal. Deep niches along the polished bluestone walls are lit by floating glowglobes and filled with bronze statuary depicting famous Harkonnen victories. Alternating with the niches are doors leading off into various chambers and, on the east side of the room, a broad majestic staircase leads up to a wide circular landing of white marble trimmed in gold. At the south end of the Hall, twin scantily-clad, blonde slave girls stand on either side of a pair of carved ivory doors. The lady's face gets a pale tone. She only manages to say: "I see..." her black eyes opened widelyin surprise, maybe shock. Nestor continues walking, taking a quick turn. Guards at each point in the trip come to attention as Nestor passes, several wearing black with silver trim and the insignia of a gray opened hand on their caps. "I will show you the Salon, My Lady. If the Lady Harkonnen has entertained you, you have undoubtedly visited it before, however." Fahahd walks in from Garden of Bitterblooms through the Burnished Doors. Nestor is walking Sisay toward the Salon. Sisay manages only a quick shake of her head. "No, Sir. This is the first time at your ... Embassy." she pauses, studying the guards she encounters. Tall men, with an imposing figure. She thinks they might take one's life in a heartbeat without even blinking. She continues, her pale figure getting a haunted look. "We... I mean Lady Harkonnen and I... only met at... *ahem* our Embassy and in town..." She notices Fahahd and a brief flicker of a smile crosses her face: "Fahahd, how nice to see you!" Her eyes look desperately at the guard as he is the only one whom she knows and trusts a little. Fahahd appears from the stairwell that descends into the depths of the Embassy, clad in his uniform. He, too, heads for the Salon. "My lady." Andrei walks in from Garden of Bitterblooms through the Burnished Doors. Nestor makes his way into the salon, the Ginaz and guard in tow, it would seem. Nestor enters the Salon as twin slave girls hold the ivory doors open. Fahahd patters along softly behind Nestor, Sisay, and his guards. Fahahd enters the Salon as twin slave girls hold the ivory doors open. The twin slave girls hold the ivory doors open for you as you enter. Salon -- Harkonnen Embassy (Kaitain) Dark wood panelling and a low, beamed ceiling impart a close feel to this long chamber, but the mood is lightened by well-placed freefloating suspensor lamps and the small indoor fountain that bubbles in the center of the room. The fountain is a six foot column of greenish water splashing freely in a broad metaglass basin with a wide, bench-like rim. Along the western wall, a sideboard is arrayed with a wealth of food and drink for every taste. The buffet is repleneshed frequently by attentive slaves, eager to please. On the east side of the room, a low dais is lush with leafy potted plants and a spacious chaise lounge is hidden in the intimate shadows of the foliage. The rest of the room is furnished for relaxation and quiet conversation. There are two tables: a round-table for dining and a secluded-table placed off by itself in a dark corner. There is also a large, overstuffed couch, and a matching pair of suspensor-chairs. The floor is covered with thick rugs of dark blue and silver, and a heady blend of sweet-smelling smoke and exotic perfume fills the air. Andrei enters the Salon from Giedi Hall. Sisay smells the air and says: "A nice perfume...". She still has that pale look on her face. Nestor remains next to the door as the others enter. Andrei gives Nestor a knowing glance and a grin as he shuffles over to the liquor cabinet, pouring himself a brandy. "You sure you want tea, um, whatever your name was again?" he asks. Fahahd takes up his accustomed place at the doorpost's side, hands behind him, and pokerface firmly in place. Sisay looks around, admiring the view. She strolls towards the fountain towards which she gazes for a couple of moments. Hearing the Harknonnen's rude impoliteness, she answers: "Yes, I'd like a tea, thank you." She pauses a second and quickly continues: "Or whatever non-alcoholic drink you might have..." She then turns around on her feet, encompassing the room once again untill her gaze rests on Fahahd. <<She thinks: The only, nearest to decent person in here...>> Nestor remains silent in his spot, still standing of course, happy to observe both the Ginaz and Lord Andrei for the moment. Andrei sighs resigned snapping to a slavegirl to fetch some tea or else. In the mean time he pours himself a double on top of what he already poured himself, sinking into the couch as if he's home, which, of course, he is. "So...you got to tell me um...thingie...what brings a sheep like you to the lair of the wolf?" Sisay takes a seat near the fountain, crossing one feet above the other's kee. She softly caresses her wolfskin high-boots as if saying 'Look what i do with wolves. I wear them. And proudly even.' But she only returns the question: "Why would you think of me as a sheep, my Lord?" <<Sisay thinks: He's no tougher than the bear i bested in our woods. But let him think of me as an innocent little spoiled girl if that pleases him. Little Sisay's got a surprise for you too, dear.>> Andrei looks you over again. "Because you give me these looks as if you can best me without really knowing who or what you have in front of you. And paying attention to the least dangerous person in this room save the slaves. It makes you a sheep...overconfident in your own capabilities and ignorant to where the real threat lies." he grins taking a sip of his brandy and pointing at Fahahd. "See the leutnant over there? say I would try something at you and you would strike...he would move against you..not because he loves me but because he knows the mentat'll have him for breakfast, lunch and dinner if he doesn't..and he's only the puppet because the mentat'll have you down even before you can blink..." he grins and leans foward almost whispering "or did you really think those snooping sessions were just to see what you were carrying?" Sisay gets all white and her hands start a very slight and unperceptible shiver. She leans back as if seeking support. Her black obsidian eyes glimmer. Fury? Fear? Hatered? Disperation? You cannot realy tell, just the pale look on her face seems to indicate the state of alarm in her soul and mind. With a trembling voice she replies softly: "You talk of threats, my Lord. Yet I see no threat to you here. You talk about striking yet all weapons are still sheated." She pauses knitting her hands on her lap. "I came here in peace, as Lady Harkonnens friend. I expect to leave in peace even if I won't win your friendship, My Lord." Her pale look give the young Ginaz an even more childish look than in normal circumstances. Fahahd hasn't flicker...he might be the only person in the room, for all he acknowledges the others there. Nestor squints his eyes slightly as he focuses on the young Ginaz. A microscope would miss more details than these eyes presently. Deirdre enters the Salon from Giedi Hall. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- _____________________Dune III Player Data Sheet: Deirdre_____________________ Fullname: Deirdre Konrad Faction: Harkonnen Title: Lady Position: Minister of Finance Address: Age: 34 Background: House Minor Konrad began life as a wealthy slave-trade dynasty and has been rewarded over the millennia for their continued service to the Barons Harkonnen. An honorary post in the Ministry of Finance was among these boons and Deirdre was educated specifically for this position, given general mentat training and schooling in politics, economics, and business. She was recently promoted and transferred to Kaitain, after certain successes brought her to the attention of the current Baron. She is, perhaps not so coincidentally, a cousine of the Harkonnen family. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Nestor stands near the door, not that distant from Fahahd. Deirdre Her thick brown hair is worn straight, parted in the middle, framing a face with high cheekbones and full, impossibly red lips. Unbound, her hair reaches to her waist. Her eyes are wide, fringed with dark lashes, and dark brown. She stands about five feet and ten inches tall, and is very thin, with delicate bone structure and a willowy figure that is emphasized by the gauzy dress that clings to her body. The midnight blue gown has three-quarter-length sleeves, silver piping, and a vee neckline. The hem reaches to the floor and, underneath, a pair of black demi-boots add a couple of inches to her height. Unadorned by jewelry or makeup, her pale skin contrasts sharply, but not unpleasantly, with her simple yet elegant clothes. Deirdre enters the room and pauses to take in the occupants of the room. She curtsies to Andrei, murmuring, "My Lord." and then looks to Nestor curiously. Sisay sits, very tense and pale, near the fountain, eyes sharply looking at Andrei. Andrei leans forward, clearly enjoying this game when he sees Deirdre enter. As snow for the sun his farocious play of words stops, just smiling. "But of course, all weapons are sheathed, but I heed you, in the game of politics and ascension sibling does not love sibling unless it's etched on the dagger you're holding. the lady Harkonnen as you call her is manipulative and sly and will try to make sure that she remains in my father's favour, as do I, as does our mutual brother because it i Baron's favour who decides who will be his heir." with a sly smile he sists back on the couch. "So if you came here expecting friends, you were mistaken my dear lady Ginaz...the heritage is still not decided here....there are no friends here if the lady Harkonnen calls you friend...just...polite people..." Fahahd stands in parade-rest by the door, eyes half-lidded. Deirdre's gaze turns back to Andrei and she asks softly, though her voice hints at something less than calm beneath the surface, "Won't you please introduce me to your guest, My Lord?" Andrei looks up at Deirdre with a smile that caries a fondness that is genuine. "But of course..." he says getting to his feet and taking Deirdre's hand, kissing her fingers. "My dear, this is the lady sisay Ginaz, niece to the siridar-Marquis Jacob Ginaz and, if my information is correct, bethrothed to Mintor Atreides." he then turns to sisay giving her the 'see how you underestimate me?' look. "Milady Ginaz, let me introduce to you my friend and confidante, the Lady Deirdre Konrad, our minister of finance." Fahahd barely refrains from rolling his eyes. So, rumor is right, and the Heir has picked the bean counter as the possible vessel for a male heir. Deirdre inclines her head politely, "So nice to meet you, My Lady." She checks to see if Sisay has been given a drink, thinking that the teenager looks in need of one. Sisay stands, statue-like at the fountain. The relative distance to the Na-Baron gives her at least some space to breathe. She shakes her head in a small gesture and says: "I am deeply sorry that your House encounters... inner problems. It is not my wish to interfere in any way, not that I even could." She pauses, taking a deep breath. She looks at the newly arrived 'wolf' and smiles. A forced, pleasant smile on the young girl's pale face in a silent yet polite gesture of greeting. She adds: "I see you remembered both my name and my title, my Lord." turning towards Lady Konrad she says: "I real pleasure in meeting you, I'm sure." <<Sisay thinks: I wonder if she's like him or not...>> Nestor remains quiet near the door, his gaze shifting only slightly toward the Minister of Finance. Deirdre smiles, not in the least wolf-ishly, and asks Sisay quietly, "Would you care for a glass of sherry, My Lady?" Andrei shrugs quietly as he helps Deirdre sit next to him asking another slave to see if the first one he sent for tea went off to. Only then he returns his atention to Sisay, letting Deirdre steer the conversation into a more gentle pace and setting so he can pounce Sisay again when she has her guard down. Deirdre turns in her seat and asks Nestor, "Won't you join us?" Nestor raises an eyebrow. He does step away from his position, but remains at a polite distance from the small gathering. "I never sit while we have guests," he answers simply. Sisay allows herself a little genuine smile. That looks so much better on the young girl's face than the cold, forced emotions from before. She says: "Thank you, my Lady but I don't drink alcohol..." a slight chuckle " not anymore..." She pauses a second while studying the Lady. <<Sisay thinks: The ladies of the family are far more pleasant than those pheromone-overstuffed males. Except Fahahd, of course>> Sisay allows herself a smile towards Fahahd's direction regardless of Andrei's earlier comments. Deirdre nods in response to Nestor's comment, "As you wish, Master...perhaps we might have a private meeting sometime soon?" Nestor nods ominously. "Oh, but we will, Madame..." Deirdre's gaze flickers before the ominous pronouncement, but she shows no other reaction. Instead, she turns back to the guest and asks, "When is the wedding to be celebrated, My Lady?" Finally a profusely apologizing slave returns with a cup of tea for sisay, setting it in front of her and then kneeling next to her, head bowed to the floor, awaiting punishment. Sisay sighs deeply. Wedding. Why does everyone chatter about my god-damned wedding. Yet she says simply "We do not know yet exactly. As soon as it will fit into both Ginaz and Atreides agenda's I suppose...". Her genuine smile slowly conquering the still cold and crisped parts of the girl's face. She receives her tea, thanking the slave, as she knows it would be propper, but remails stunned, jaw to the floor when the slave kneels. She aks softly, knowing all the Harkonen eyes pointed towards her: "W... What is it, girl?" she says to the slave. The girl whimpers. "I..I am sorry...I didn't bring your tea back in time..." the girl sobs. "Please punish me...you must..." Nestor nods as he sees the look on the Ginaz's face - one he has seen many times in his entertainment of guests. "She took quite some time getting My Lady's tea. Inefficiency is punished here - she knows better." Deirdre leans back and observes the mini-drama with a neutral expression. Andrei looks very interested now, wondering about Sisay's reaction. "As the mentat says it is custom here..." Sisay conceals a gasp behind her small hand. This must be some sort of a test, right? Oh my god, Oh poor girl. The emotions play on the Ginaz girl's face as if she were transparent. She whispers to the slave: "You did nothing wrong, girl. Really, it's okay." Her eyes express sincere and deep comfort while looking at the poor frightened slave. Still she does not bulge. She looks really strange with the cup of tea clutched tightly in her hand, looking down at the slave. Finally she raises her gaze, true fury written all over her face. She mumbles: "What am I supposed to do now, My Lord? She did bring me the tea after all..." Andrei sighs softly. "Well, the rules are the rules.. Of course if you feel you're not capable of exacting punishment you can always leave it to me..." he ventures. Sisay asks again: "What punishment would that be, my Lord? I'm not accustomed to your rules nor do I know them..." Andrei looks surprised. "Exacting punishment yourself...hmmm." he looks at Nestor for a second. "what do you say mentat. Inkvine whipping? 10 lashes?" Sisay interrupts: "Why don;t you let me choose a punishment myslef, my Lord?" Nestor hmms. "A night with Hektor would be sufficient. She is an otherwise efficient slave - it would be a pity to loser her skillss to the whip..." Andrei shakes his head. "Oh no..we've done that before and the slave got off with a slap on the hand..." he shakes his head again as he turns to Deirdre. "Deirdre, my dear, your family has been trading slaves for aeons. Can you tell our newfound /friend/ here what happens if not the correct punishment is exacted?" He snorts hearing Nestor's suggestion. "Dear god we're looking for punishment not reward!" Deirdre shrugs, "It wouldn't do to have the slaves think their masters were getting soft, but I also agree with Master Nestor...we shouldn't ruin such valuable property. May I suggest re-education? The slavemaster certainly should be informed that this one lacks...efficiency in her duties." Nestor says, "The Young Master has obviously not seen the remnants of Hektor's lovers..." Andrei shakes his head. "No..no that won't do...I think the lady Ginaz should exact punishment herself, unless she wishes to forfeit the..honour..?" Deirdre says to Sisay, "Nobody will think less of you, My Lady, if you allow Lord Andrei to punish the slave rather than doing it yourself. We all know that our ways are not your ways." Sisay still sits in her place, not yet tasting the tea. She puts the tea to her side and raises. "I am capable of teaching lessons aswell, my Lady, even if I don't agree with them." She glances sharply about at everyone present. Suddenly, with a swift and fast movement she unsheaths a dagger hidden under her belt. A slim dagger, more a stileto, it has a hilt made of a doe's foot. COntinuing her motion, clearly the result of her Academy training she shatches the slave by the arm, rasing her in a standing position. Her movement continues as she plants her knife heep into he girl's upper abdomen. A surgical, quick and percise strike deep into the woman's kidney. The woman falls down, but exactly as she hits the ground, mouth opened to cry, Sisay's wolfskin boot hit the girl on her head, passing out. Completing her wave-like motion she stands, dagger in hand, blood flowing from it. "I took one of the kidneys. Nothing serious. She will be fine shall you give her first-aid tratment." She looks sharply into Andrei's eyes. <<Sisay thinks: You woudn't have guessed that out of a little girl, would you?>> Nestor maintains his stance, saying deadpan, "I allowed you to keep your blade because you are a noble. Draw it within three paces of the Baronial Heir again and I will cripple you at the very least, girl. Even Harkonnens have a brand of etiquette." Deirdre draws in a deep breath and lets it out slowly and murmurs, "Someone take care of that mess?" She looks around for one of the other slaves. Andrei doesn't even blink as you do that. He gets up quietly and inspects the slavegirl as she writhes on the floor, trying to hold close the deep would you inflicted. "Kidneywound...those bleed like hell." he says matter of factly. Quietly he walks to a desk near the door, rummages around and writes something down on paper. He's really taking his time. Sisay takes a handkerchief out and wipes her dagger clean, then sheats in back into place. Barely visible. She has a grim look on her face and says simply: "I know how and when to use a blade, Sir." The poor Lady. She's shivering badly. This must have been the first human blood she drew. The slavegirl's eyes look as big as saucers as she feels the warm blood gush between her fingers. her breathing turns panicky as all people do is look at her, not trying to save her. Has she not been a good slave? has she not always tried to do her best, even pleasure the baron and his family when they demanded it...slowly the colour starts fading from her face, murmering a quiet. "please....mercy..." Fahahd shakes his head very slightly..more to himself than anyone else. Nestor says, "Obviously, you do not. It is not the first time I've had to prime a Ginaz on such a thing. You do love your blades. Sheath your blade now and let it remain there." The guard then steps forward, draws one of the smaller blades from his sleeve, and thrust it home under the girl's jaw - severing the the spinal cord. She spasms briefly, then goes still. He then murmurs softly into his com, sending for a cleanup unit. Deirdre lifts her feet, curling her legs beneath her where she sits, and watches the puddle of blood spread slowly across the floor. Sisay gaps as she shouts: "Fah! No!" She looks around and mumbles "I just injured her... punishment... no need... to kill her!" She stumbles back, eyes opened wide in horror. She stops only an inch before tripping down on a chair behind her. Andrei Holds up his hand as people try to remove the body. Drawing his longsword he takes the corpse of the girl by the hair with great ease, swings the sword and severs the head in one blow, the remains thudding unceremoniously at his feet. Battlefield experience in claiming throphies have made him perfect this movement to an artform. Only then he gives the cleanup crew the order to go ahead. Tossing the head to Fahahd he says. "Make sure the Marquis gets that with this demand for compensation of the damages his nieces brought to our house." Looking at Deirdre he asks. "What do you estimate her value?" Nestor shakes his head and stage-whispers to Sisay, "Never draw a blade and advance on a person without the intent to kill - did your teachers not give you this lesson. A blade is a killing tool, not a toy whose injuries you can just take back." Sisay eyes burn wildly. "You killed her" she almost barks. "She would have lived." She points accusingly at Andrei. "She would have lived would you have given her treatment!" she takes that step backwards and falls down on the floor. Deirdre doesn't get a chance to answer Andrei before Sisay seems to swoon or something, diverting the Minister's attention back to their guest. Fahahd cleans his blade on the slave's clothing, before deftly catching the head. HE hands it off to one of the cleaning slaves who scuttles in, with orders to send that along to the Marquis. He's managed not to get any blood on his uniform, and only a spot or two on his hands. Andrei quirks a brow as he crosses his arms. "Milady Ginaz...I see that you have learned to handle a blade but apparently you have been napping in your anatomy classes. What you did was a killing blow, you did not just pierce her kidney, but also managed to hit 2 main arteries, her stomach and her liver with your thrust. In other words a septic wound. She wouldn't have recovered. If at all we showed her mercy...." he takes a few steps closer, clearly not afraid of the blade the young woman holds. with a little more malice he continues. "Perhaps I have not been taught at the swordschool as you have milady but I was taught on a battlefield...I know my wounds..I know what they can do...because I've seen half my regiment fall to such wounds..." Only then does he take a few steps back turning to both Deirdre and nestor. "12,500 solari would cover her you think?" Fahahd snorts, unable to help himself. The girl wasn'tworth half that much. Deirdre smiles, "Perhaps a gift, rather than monetary remuneration? A fine Ginaz blade for the slave's life, taken by a Ginaz blade?" Nestor responds, "Or the slave could be considered, herself, a gift to the Ginaz..." Fahahd offers, "The Lady Ulricke had offered a slave to the Lady Ginaz," Deirdre looks to Nestor and nods. Andrei's quirked brow rises even further. "Really leutnant? and did she accept that /generous/ gift?" Sisay scrambles up from the ground and runs to a wall on the far side of the room. She shivers and shakes violently and tears fall down from her eyes. She just stands there, leaned with her back against the wall crying loudly. Fahahd looks up to meet the Na-Baron's eyes levelly, "I believe the lady declined to make a particular choice at that time, but didn't refuse the offer itself. The ladies were mostly occupied with shopping, at the time." Deirdre says, "Maybe someone should see the Lady home?" She wishes now that she'd stayed in the library, but there's nothing to be done about that now. "She seems a little upset." Nestor nods in Fahahd's direction. "Perhaps the guardsman suits My Lady?" Fahahd bows, having wiped his hands clean on a proffered rag. "I would be honored," he murmurs, moving over to assisst the sobbing girl. Andrei nods quietly at Deirdre's suggestion. "Let me finish this note first though, then the leutnant can see her off, won't you my boy?" he asks. Speaking aloud what he writes he continues "Dear Marquis, We would like to....present you with....a gift...This fine slave...she is servile, nubile and unfortunately....dead....courtesy of you niece...the lady....Sisay....enclosed you will also find a bill for....compensation and cleaning of several...priceless taperstries.....etc..etc...etc....andrei harkonnen, na-baron." he turns to Nestor with a grin. "Polite enough you think?" Nestor remains silent at the Na-Baron's question, but bows slightly. "I believe that I have duties to resume. Young Master...My Lady...Madame." Without another word he turns to leave the salon. Enough gathering of data here - best to move on to more efficient endeeavors. Sisay stands slowly, ever so slowly, against the wall. She points her shaking hand acusedly vaguely towards the Harkonnen party and mumbles, tears falling from her eyes, her voice only a faint whisper between her sighing: "No!... Don't you touch me! Don't you ever ... come close to me!... You are ... I never..." sha pauses as she chokes on her shivering and tears: "You will pay... you will... My uncle... never!" Having reached the climax of her nervous breakdown she starts running towards the door. Unfortunately she slips on the very spot the slave girl died, falling flat on her stomach. Deirdre raises her hand, as if to stop Nestor from leaving, but says nothing, and lets her hand drop without further indication of what she wanted. Fahahd paces over gravely, and simply picks the girl up off the floor, as if she were a toddler having a tantrum. "I think my lady had best return to her own Embassy," he replies, igorning her hysteria. Sisay gets grasped firmly but gently, and lifted. Nestor continues on his way. He is now a man with a mission...elsewhere. Nestor has left. Andrei nods quietly, sealing the note and handing it to Fahahd. "If the marquis wishes for the remainder of the remains we will keep them a week until we feed them to the dogs....they seem to prefer a little rot anyways." With a big beaming smile he walks over to sisay, "well, it was nice meeting you..please do drop by again...I feel so much closer in spirit to you after this meet that I must insist on meeting you again." Ulricke enters the Salon from Giedi Hall. Stonefaced, Fahd has a distraught and bloodied Sisay by the arm, and is attempting to guide her towards the door. Deirdre is sitting on the couch, her legs tucked underneath her to keep her feet out of the blood pooled on the floor. Sisay is apparently unconscious on the floor. She gets lifted by Fahahd and leaves... towards better places. Ulricke starts to meander into the salon, absently licking her fingers over a recent meal, until she espies the uhh...carnage? "What the frell happened here?" she demands. (OOC) Sisay waves and hugs Uli. She's the only CUTE harko! Andrei stands in a pool of blood that is currently being mopped up around his boots. He smiles serenely and strangely at ease as he watches Fahahd, Sisay on one arm, a severed head under the other guide the young woman out. "Ah sister dearest...you just missed all the fun. Say bye my newfound friend, the lady Sisay..." Ulricke says very slowly, "Andrei, this girl is the niece of the Marquise Ginaz, and the future wife of Mintor. I've worked -very- hard to make her amicable to the Harkonnens, and if you've ruined that..." she takes a step torward him. "-What- -did- -you- -do-?!" Deirdre says, "He didn't...she did." She gestures toward Sisay, "She killed a slave." Ulricke looks over her shoulder. "Fahahd, take her upstairs to my suite and get her cleaned up. Now!" Andrei looks at Ulricke. "Nothing my sister. For once I didn't do a thing. She just killed one of our slaves as our minister says. If you don't believe me ask master Nestor or Leutnant Auralans." he replies calmly. "Heck ,I've even been so generous not asking compensation for our loss." Ulricke looks between the pair. She takes a breath and calms down. "What happened, exactly?" Fahahd corrects, "The lady didn't kill teh slave..but wounded her beyond her worth to save. I finished her off." Deirdre says, "The slave took too long to bring the Lady's tea and Lord Andrei suggested that our guest be given the opportunity to punish the slave herself." You paged Fahahd with 'Get me outa here... pppleeeaaassee!!!! :)'. Andrei leaves the remaining Harkonnen to explain the story, knowing his sister wouldn't believe him to save his life. He stands there retrning Ulricke's stares, giving her that "see? told you so." look. Fahahd walks to the north and passes through the Ivory Doors. <<going to Ulricke's room>> Silver Suite -- Harkonnen Embassy (Kaitain) This chamber is broad and roomy, made more so by the expanses of silver metal that comprise its walls. Tall vases of fresh-cut bitterblooms stand sentinel about the walls of the room. A vast and intricate mural has been painted on the ceiling. The south wall is devoted to the display of an impressive weapons collection. Classically spartan white furniture--a plain four-poster bed, some elegant sofas and tables, is arrayed about the room. Sounds ring hollow echoes off the bare white parquet floors. Fahahd wastes no time in summoning slaves with suitably clean clothing, as well as smelling salts to revive her, and a soothing tea. Rather than Ulricke's bed, she's taken into the immense bathroom, and laid out on a broad marble slab that serves as a massage table. With the disinterest of a surgeon, her tunic and trews are stripped off, and replaced with a properly modest robe, before the guard actually bends to revive her. Sisay eyes slowly open... for a good moment she just stands there. Then she raises her arm to Fahahd's face. As her little fingers caress his face she whispers, barely audible: "Uncle... Jacob?" Fahahd doesn't brush away the touch, but merely responds flatly, "No, my lady. Leutnent Alaurans," Sisay doesn't seem to recognize nor the face nor the voice. She just says in the same whispering tone: "I ... don't ... want ... more ... training." Fahahd waves the salts under nose again - they're dreadfully harsh. "My lady willl have to discuss that with her uncle," his touch is still gentle, but his tone is not. The haze from Sisay's eyes slowly fade as the Lady regains consciousness. She chokes and sneezes loudly from the odour. After a while she puts her hand to her forehead exclaiming: "Oh my god! Where am I?" "You are in my lady Ulricke's suite, in the Harkonnen Embassy," he notes, now offering a cup of some sweetly scented tea. Sisay takes the offered cup of tea and clutches her in her small hands. The flood of memory concerning the latest events. She slowly gets up, leaning against the wall. She sips quietly for a while and then asks: "Why did you do that to me Fahahd? Why couldn't you at least warn me?" Her tone is soft, almost a whispering and you can feel the fear in side her rebuilding. The tea is very mildly narcotic. "I didn't do it to you, my lady. I did it to end the slaves' suffering. Let me be clear...in this Embassy, slaves are not people, they are property. Damaged property is disposed of...it has nothing to do with whether I like it or not." He waves over a slave, with a chair. "Now...would you like a bath? Or merely clean clothing, since you can scarcely go home in the robe." Ulricke walks in from Gallery of Portraits through the Green Doors. Ulricke enters, looking like a much-not-happy Ulricke. Sisay notices only now her recent clothing. The only reaction is a faint sigh. She says between her sips: "Yes, I'd... I'd like a bath... and maybe I could abuse a moment more of this room. I'm.... I cannot... I cannot go home... like this..." The guard and Sisay are in teh bathroom, with Sisay in a borrowed robe as her bloodied clothes are being clean. Slaves hover near by, with clean clothes and bathing items. Ulricke says pointedly as she walks in, "Of course you can't. My bath runs water and sonics, use it to your preference, dear." "I imagine not," Fahd comments drily...he's gone all sour and drill-sergeantish, unimpressed with the Ginaz's tantrum. Ulricke runs a hand through her hair. "Fahahd, what happened?" Fahahd says, "I was not there for the entire affair, my lady. But it seems the lady Sisay stabbed a slave in the kidneys, for punishment. I finished her off, as is prescribed...and the lord Andrei insisted that we send a bill to the Marquis Jacob, as well as the slave's head."" Ulricke says, "Was that Nestor's idea too?" Fahahd says, "Not that I recall." Sisay starts crying again.... lonely tears falling down her cheeks... she says: "I didn't... I.... she wasn't... supposed to ... die..." Ulricke sighs, sitting down. "Sisay, haven't you ever learned how to injure someone without it being fatal?" Fahahd takes a worn handkerchief from his pocket, and wipes ungently at the girl's tears. "Never wound without intent to kill," he says, sternly. "That's what floggings are for. Blades are mankilling weapons, not for play. Now, get that robe off, and into the bath," he gestures towards the now steaming tub. Sisay shakes her head, her hear fluttering wildly as tears continue falling down her cheeks. She mumbles : "I never... never... injured... anybody... I only ... "she accepts the hankie and wipes her cheeks clean. "I only killed... beasts..." A pause and then she falls into Ulricke's arms "I never wanted to kill her! I wanted to ... show that bastard... I'm not a silly gril!" Ulricke promptly picks her up and /dumps/ her in the tub. "You /are/ a silly girl." she says a bit sharply, and then her tone softens, "But I'm going to teach you how not to be, so the Imperium doesn't chew you up and spit you out. And for the record, Andrei is the product of married parents, so he hardly qualifies as a bastard." Sisay allows herself to be blessed by the revigorating bath. In the state she's in she really doesn't care about anybody else watching. Having calmes herself down a bit, enough for her to speak clearly she says: "I didn't mean to offend you... He was so rude... and impolite.." Ulricke kneels by the tub. "Yes," she says conversationally, "He is. But he is also na-Baron of our House, and no matter how much you may dislike him, you must remember that he outranks you. You need to learn when to allow that Ginaz pride of yours to motivate you, and when it is best kept under wraps." A sad smile crosses the Lady's face. "I really goofed now, big time..." she says looking both at Ulricke and Fahahd with a questioning gaze. She knows the answer but she needs to hear it. She says: "I'll never get out of my embassy again. Not without someone I trust." Fahahd's expression softens, but only a little. Ulricke says, "That may be the case. I do plan to escort you back to your Embassy once you've cleaned up. I'm not going to route the head or the demand for compensation - though I strongly suggest that you make an offer to Jacob to pay for the dead slave out of your own allowance. He'll appreciate that you've accepted responsibility for your action, and hopefully that will give me the opportunity to calm him down about the head. I see there are things I'm going to have to share with my former master." Sisay rolls her eyes to the ceiling. "Oh no... my uncle! I'm dead." To wipe out some of the concern in her mind she takes the cup again her hands, revealing her whole wet body in the process, but she hasn't nor the time, nor the mood to care about that too. She takes a big sip from the tea and says: "Good tea. Really good." At least one good thing that happened to her in the Harkonnen Embassy. Her only true friend, the tea. Ulricke chuckles. "Finish it up, and get yourself clean. I don't know if your clothing will be laundered in time, but you can always borrow something of mine from my younger days." Fahahd doesn't seem all that terrbily interested, bare skin or no. But then, he was the one half-draped over that blonde boy at Revellers. With one big sip the tea is gone and the Ginaz lady is shifted into a more calm, contemplative mood. What tea was that, anyway? She raises and wraps herself in a towel a slave just brought. She says: "I'll be grateful in accepting any of your clothes untill I arrive home. I will see to it that they will be returned to you..." She rubs herself clean but she still cluthes the towel around her body and at her chest. Ulricke has clothing fetched - A gleaming, metallic silver poet's shirt with a draped collar and high cuffed sleeves, and a pair of tight black pants. <<In the limo>> Sisay svivers and says: "Oh God!" The limousine decelerates steadily and comes to a smooth stop. Ulricke says steadily, "Calm down, Sisay. You're a noblewoman of the Imperium. Act like it." Ulricke has left. Courtyard -- Ginaz Embassy (Kaitain) Iron gates open onto a broad, flat courtyard. White Marcinko Pines dot the grassy landscape, and men and women in purple and black Ginaz livery can be seen strolling along several long paths through it. A straight path leads up to the entrance of the Embassy proper, ending at two broad wooden doors. The Embassy itself practically gleams in any sunlight, the outer walls crafted of a simple dark blue granite flecked with silver, native to Marcinko. At night, dramatic uplighting along the walls of the Embassy accentuates its beauty, and the paths are all well-lit with functional but attractive lampposts. The Embassy appears to be square in design, with little embellishment save the natural beauty of the materials from which it was constructed. The effect is austere and elegant without being flashy. Ornithopters can be seen flitting around one corner of the roof. The only truly ornate thing about the courtyard is the intricately crafted fence that surrounds the whole of it. Players: Ulricke Jacob Chardin Chardin stands out in the courtyard, a rather grim look on the Mentat's face as he peers attentively at the arriving limousine, the usual and genial smile quite absent, replaced by a concerned and worried frown. Jacob speaks plainly. "Lady Harkonnen, Lady Ginaz. Please, do explain." No need to elaborate what he wants explained. Ulricke steps out, and assists with Sisay stepping out. The girl has the look of a recent bath, and is wearing something of what must be some of Ulricke's clothes. Ulricke shoots the Marquise a frank look. "I didn't want her arriving to you in the state she was in before." she says, and then quite bluntly, "I did not, in fact, offer Sisay a slave. And if I had, it would have been done so under my supervision. My brother did apparently grant her one, and Sisay did in fact, stab her when the girl brought her tea too slowly." a slightly reproachful look is given to Sisay, and she turns again. "I'm still finding out who's suggestion sending you the head was. If it was in fact the decision of our Mentat, I wish to make you aware that he is ignorant of certain data which may have affected his decision. And if it was Andrei, well.." she offers bluntly, "He's psychotic." Jacob nods gravely in reply, his expression betwraying a hint of concern. To his niece, in the voice of a teacher scolding a young student: "Sisay, would you care to tell me exactly what happened?" Chardin walks forward to offer an arm in support to the no doubt shell-shocked Sisay. He looks to Ulricke with muted interest. "It's not so much the vulgarity of the act, m'lady, as I think it is the shock which it must have caused the Lady Ginaz. Your consideration and assistance in the matter are quite appreciated," he makes known with a mustered smileBR> Sisay lokos downwards. Her cheeks burn with embarassment. She made a huge mistake, and she knows it. Wearing strange clothes, her hair a mess, she has the faintest of shivers. She says, eyes still looking downwards: "I'm sorry. It was all my fault. I tried to prove my superiority towards the.... towards the Na-Baron. He sayd I should punish the slave for being too late." She pauses to catch her breath but continues, eyes down: "I stabbed the girl, trying to cause a kidney damage as I thought I knew how. Then things precipitated and someone killed the slave." She shrugs upsedtedly: "I accept the responsabilty of my act and I will pay for all the damages fro mmy allowance." Ulricke says quietly, "My brother should not have made such a suggestion, but Sisay, trained as she is, should have known not to use a killing weapon on the girl." She minimally nods her approval of the girl's choice to take responsibility, and looks to Jacob. Chardin withdraws a soft, silken handkerchief from within his robes to offer it to the distraught Sisay, leaning over to mutter something into her ear. Chardin mutters to you, "All that matters is that you were sober this time, hrmm?" Jacob takes a step towards his niece, moving to put a hand on her shoulder. Spoken softly now: "Now is not the time for me to scold you, my niece. Just relax, and know that you are safe now. Nothing irreparable has taken place today." He pulls her towards him in a warm embrace, and regards Ulricke over Sisay's shoulder. "My thanks, Lady Harkonnen, for looking after her. Any information you may have would be greatly appreciated, as I trust you infinitely more than ... other sources in your House." From afar (to Chardin, Jacob, and Sisay), Ulricke says quite bluntly, "I would ask you keep it amongst those present, Master - but our Mentat does not realize that you yourself were my primary teacher on Marcinko. That knowledge, in light of diplomacy, would have altered his data and possibly affected his decision," a brief look at Chardin, "But I am not a Mentat," she notes in deference, "And do not know for sure." she looks back at him. "Part of the reason for that is well...plainly, my brother Andrei does not know the depth of my skill. And I wish to keep it that way." Sisay thankfully takes the handkerchief from Chardin looking in his eyes. "I was sober alright, but this time I have blood on my hands." she says trying miserably to force a smile on her face, but fails. Only a dark grimace of a smile appears on the young Lady's face. "I never... I _never_ wanted that girl dead... I was set up!" As she says this she breaks again into cry as she hugs her uncle tightly. From about a foot above his niece's head, Jacob mutters softly, "One thing you must realize, my niece, is that a Harkonnen slave never lives long. If you had not killed her she would have died soon enough. It is difficult to take, but the Harkonnens are a cruel people. Once you were in that situation, the slave's fate was sealed, whatever your actions." Chardin frowns deeply, obviously quite protective of the Marquis' young niece. "M'lady, it happens to the best of us. And whatever good intentions the Lady Ulricke may have on your behalf, I can assure you there are many, many more within that House who do not. They have no loyalty to the Emperor, no loyalty to friends or even family. They hate each other, and everyone else besides. It is a sad, sad state of affairs into which the Harkonnen have fallen." Sisay between falling tears, the Lady nods a greeting towards Genevieve. She waves her hand as if saying 'Oh... many things!'. She says loudly, breaking her embrace: "He threatened me. He sayd I was ... I was a lamb... he said he'd slaughter me... So rude... he called me a... og god! He called me ... a thing!... He... He..." You paged Genevieve with 'Bah... souldn't have left... I just greeted you :))'. Chardin darkens all the more, jaw clenching in obvious irritation. "The Na-Baron Harkonnen should be quite careful. His tongue and a few other appendages might be lacking if he doesn't make use of them with more decorum." Jacob slowly strokes his niece's hair. "Shhhh. Once you are calm, we will get to the bottom of this, together. Master Klees has a knack for unearthing the truth, so that we may punish those who are truly responsible." Jacob's jaw is set in determination, his eyes darkening into a gray storm. Sisay takes a step back and points acusedly at her. A crying lady, a shivering hand. She says: "Then punish me. I'm the fault. I should have asked if Ulricke was there... I thought I had everying under control... I though I ... I..." she goes "Ooh!" as she bops her head. Chardin shakes his head and does his best to remain the center of calm. "M'lady, it is not your fault. They baited you. Knowing the Harkonnen, they had this planned all along. They should be a bit more careful, lest our alliance choose to side with the Bajazet." Jacob holds Sisay at arm's length, looks her straight in the eye, and speaks plainly. "You understand, Sisay, that there will likely be consequences for you as well? There are certain things that are expected of a House Major to retain honor in situations like this." Harsh words, perhaps, but tenderly spoken. Sisay sighs once again, takes the Mentat's hand and her uncle's hand in her own little palms and says: "I know, and as I said, I will... assume any responsabilities. Yes, uncle, including the talk with Her Grace if that needs to be. And I also solemnly promise, in the light of the past days, that I will not leave the embassy unacompanied by a trustworthy person. Exceot maybe The Atreides residence?" She shakes her head.." Or whatever..." Chardin taps his chin, the ponderous cogs of the mentat's mind ever turning. "M'lord, actually, I believe I know of a means to both salve the anger of the Harkonnen and allow for some amount of correction in this matter at the same time. Why not announce to the Siridar-Duchess Atreides that, for the time being, the engagement of the Lady Sisay and the Na-Duke Mintor is being ... suspended in punishment for her actions?" You sense: Chardin shoots you a canny wink. Jacob raises an eyebrow lightly at the mentat. "Do you think that is wise, Master Klees? I want most of all for my niece to feel safe again, but almost as importantly I want to maintain our relationship with the Atreides. Perhaps we should meet with the Duchess first to see what she thinks." He glances again at Genevieve and leands in to Chardin to mutter something quietly, pitched only for his ears. Chardin nods without reservation. "Having experienced her own fair amount of ... familial difficulties, I think the Na-Duchess would accept it as a matter of course. To the Harkonnen, it would appear a magnanimous effort to show them that the Lady Sisay is being reprimanded for her actions." Jacob nods slowly, still absently squeezing Sisay in reassurance. "And what of the Harkonnen? I will not let them sully my honor on a whim." Chardin offers a winning smile to his Marquis. "M'lord, I hardly think it would hurt to begin to make diplomatic overtures to the Bajazet. Let the Harkonnen know how it feels to be played the fools themselves." Jacob nods slowly, forehead wrinkled deeply. "There is the Lady Harkonnen to consider as well, I think she may be considered a friend to both my niece and I. I wish to recognize that fact." Sisay closes her eyes and whispers: "Gentlemen... I will do whatever you think is ... necessary." She opens them again... poor kid, she's finished for the day. "May I please be excused to my rooms. I need to drink a tea, a shower... you know..." She looks at her uncle in the eyes. Sleepy, tired, sad eyes looking into the uncle's. Yes, my Marquis, I really did it this time. Sorry. She continues: "And I think a good nights' sleep will be really helpful." Jacob nods seriously to his niece. "Yes, Sisay, please do that. If you need anything, let me know. We will have to discuss this further tomorrow, of course." His eyes emote sympathy although the rest of his face is carefully neutral. Chardin offers a sympathetic nod to Sisay. "It will do you a world of good, m'lady. Sleep, rest, and calm yourself. What matters is that you were not hurt. All other things can be dealt with." Sisay nods as she understands, or maybe tries to understand the deeper meaning of her uncle's saying. She smiles to her uncle's mentat. Yes. He's a _true_ mentat. And a true friend. Not like that Harkonnen demon. She offers a smile, a tired one for sure as she simply says: "Good night then... and ... thank you for... understanding..." she turns back and rushes into the sanctuary of her Embassy. |
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