Reception Court -- Bajazet Embassy (Kaitain)

 

������� Hushed, yet bursting with activity at the same time, the reception court of the Bajazet household is a vast tile paved space, lined with majestic palms that shade it's perimeter. The refreshing babbling of water rings out across the walkways, it's source, a large fountain sitting squarely in the center of the court. Ornately embellished benches are placed around the fountain offering a quiet resting spot to the weary. Roses, lavender, and other fragrant flowers are planted in low copper edged flowerbeds, that hug the contours of the tiled pool. Tucked along the eastern side of the court is a small private stable, large openings in it's facade allowing glimpses of the magnificent steeds housed within. A broad avenue leads from the stables to around the southern walls of the forecourt, the occasional horse being trotted along it. At the south end of the court, the Embassy itself looms up over it's surroundings.

 

Players:

�Muradin������������������������������������������

Objects:

�Ginaz Limousine����� �����������������������������

Exits:

�Carved Gate <W> leads to Negara II Plaza -- Embassy District (Kaitain)

�Tiled Avenue <T> leads to Riding Grounds -- Bajazet Embassy (Kaitain)

�Wide Archway <E> leads to Stables -- Bajazet Embassy (Kaitain)

�Bronze Door� <S> leads to The Adrianopol -- Bajazet Embassy (Kaitain)

 

Muradin is standing, flanked by two sets of guards, on either side of him. They stand rigidly at attention, as Muradin's hands rest comfortably behind his back. He nods, with neither a smile, nor a frown, at the new arrival. "To what do we owe this visit, Lady?"

 

Sisay climbs down of the limo, after two ginaz guards open the door for her. They take standing position behind her, near the limo as she approaches and then curtseys deeply. Initially she smiled broadly, apprently quite happy to have arrived, but then her smile slowly fades... wondering. "Young Master... I bear warm greetings on behalf of my uncle. It has been too long since I was blessed by your hospitality, yet I understand if this is not a good time?" Her look definitely gets quiestioning, looking at Muradin and at the set of guards. It is true she bears her dagger with her, but it is only there to protect, not attack.

 

Muradin glances at the guards, then back to the Lady. "They are a formality, I'm certain I can take care of myself, and there is no need for alarm." His tone is cold, neutral, and unfeeling at this point. "Yes, it is good to hear from House Ginaz, after all this time. I had begun to wonder if the last conversation I had with your Noble Marquis had gone forgotten."

 

Sisay underlines a blink. Caught offguard, she thinks a moment wether that would have been a good or a bad conversation, but says neutrally: "I am certain he didn't My Lord." Then she just stands there, rocking a bit up and down her toes, looking around. Did the air around just get an idea hotter?

 

Muradin nods once, taking a step closer, towards the lady, letting his height, bear fully upon her, even if it is not completely obtrusive. "Yes, of course not. I'm sure he has just been busy, with all that I have heard, and of course, you have been busy as well Lady. The demands of being friends with House Harkonnen are many, are they not?" Again, no hint of emotion, save that of cold neutrality.

 

Sisay feels quite small in the man's shadow and dares half a step backwards, on her toes. She places herhands behind her back and then says: "House Harkonnen, my Lord? Oh, it would merely be the Lady Ulricke and the Earl of Skaya who would count that much to me. The rest are unknown or even enemies." She pauses a little, lifting her gaze upwards. Wide, black glimmering eyes look at you with an innocent yet concerned gaze. "I thought Your Lordship was my friend also..." she echoes.

 

Muradin breaths deeply, licking his lips slightly for a moment, before speaking, with that same dull tone. He does not press forward, but stays where he is. "Lady, if you should count your friends as Ulricke and Fahahd of Harkonnen, then I think we have little in common, and even less to build a lasting friendship upon. I wish you, nor your house, no ill will, in fact, I would like to see your house return to its senses, but I have other matters to attend to as well, namely those friends I count true, like Lord Mintor." He does frown, just slightly now, "I think you know him well."

 

Sisay doesn't break eye contact nor does she comment on the first part of Muradin's saying. "Yes, Young Master, I know him quite well." A blink. "If you condamn our recent breakup, then know that it doesn't bring me much joy either. But my relationship with him is of our concern and I wouldn't see the logic of anyone else except our houses to comment or take sides on the matter. We both had our reasons..." Her voice trails off in a clearly saddened tone and her gaze drops equally to the ground. In the mild wind a few of the Lady's black hairlocks flutter around as they seems to strangely reach towards Muradin.

 

Muradin frowns a little, as his eyes do in fact, follow the hair, as it blows for a moment. "I did not say I condemn your recent breakup, so much as I condemn the rumors that I hear about it. But as you say, it is a matter for you and he. I only mention it because I could him as a true friend, one who's companionship I value, and found it difficult to see why anyone would not savor a relationship with him, especially replacing such with what appears to be a Harkonnen. But again...insults do not become me, nor you Lady, so again, we are left with House Ginaz, and again, its claims of disgust, as it always has had, towards Harkonnen, yet more and more, I see your blood with theirs...why is that?"

 

Sisay listens intently to the man, but does not rise her gaze again as she simply says: "My Lord, were you ever in love?" her tone is gentle, and flows as silky as the surrounding breeze of the wind. Nothing moves but the few locks of hair, like tiny hands trying to blindly grab forwards.

 

Muradin lets out a sudden, loud, deep chuckle, growing into obvious laughter, before he calms himself. "What sort of question is that, in response to my statement?" He waves his hand, "Nevermind...I shall answer, and you may find it cryptic..I have never been in love, before these last few months, now I find myself in greater depths of emotion than I ever thought possible, and indeed, I will be with her, for all my days...does that answer your question?"

 

Sisay lifts up her gaze and underneath furrowed brows, the black glimmering of totally upset eyes beam their sad light upon you. "If the Young Master would try and immagine _her_ being so close to you that you would feel her breath upon your neck, yet a powerfull, invisible shield would deny you all contact to her, let alone marriage, then yes, you would understand my question as it would asnwer yours." Blinking fast as tears gather up the corners of her eyes, she just stands there, hands behind herself, looking straight at you.

 

Muradin sighs a little, and shakes his head, "I fail to see the connection, Lady. You want another then? Someone other than Lord Mintor? That much seems clear at this point...but do you know what you give up, to have that breath?"

 

Sisay shakes her head and says: "I know in your culture there is not a habbit of taking into account a woman's feelings. But I was raised to respect my heart, aswell as my Marquis. Yes, I failed in developing 'love' for Mintor as my heart chose someone else. And would have done my _duty_ to him, if he would not have reacted as he did. I understand that he was hurt, but he allowed that to come in the way of the 'business' our marriage supported. What have I given up, my lord? A husband to be at his hand at a dinner? To raise children for his heritage? I might have done that, but my heart is mine to gift it to whom I wish." Her tone remains, strangely, quite even and she desperately tries to hide the obvious tears in her eyes.

 

Muradin nods once, his eyes slightly less cold now, "I understand...still, your love, if it is given to whom I think it is, then you will only know hurt. You cannot chose whom you love, I am a perfect example of that, but I think, you will find, that your Lord of choice, only thinks with but one organ, and it is not his heart..." He frowns a little now, at this comment, "As for what my house feels for its women, perhaps you should spend less time atop a Moritani lap, and more time talking with those who have morals, and may still enjoy pleasure...then you may judge my house, and its customs."

 

Sisay sniffs, then clears her eyes with her hand. But in the next instant more tears appear, cloudling the Lady's vision. She breath rapidly and shudders as she begins to cry, tears dripping quickly on her cheek. Trying to take a step backwards, she looses balance and falls flat on her bum.

 

Muradin sighs, resigned to being, at least, a good gentleman at this moment. He extends a hand, towards Sisay, offering to help her up. "Are you alright, Lady? I did not mean to upset you so...I just grow tired of being lectured on my customs, by one who consorts with those you seem to choose to keep close." Despite his criticisms, he adds, "Let me help you up."

 

First she clears her eyes of tears, then she quickly runs her hands through her hair before taking the ofered hand and jumping quickly to her feet. "I... I'm s... orry." she whispers, breaking into crying again, turning sideways in respect to Muradin. "I j...just came to... get s...ome of th...ose ch..chocolate swe..ets and now th...this whole ch... charade pppops uh... up again.. I'm ssso tired of t..this... Why c...a... can't I jjjust die!" The last word is actually a yell as she violently gestures with her hands.

 

 

Muradin sighs, shaking his head, "That will be enough of that, Lady. There will be no talk of death, especially self inflicted death, on these grounds, or in my presence. Stop being silly..." He lets go of her hand, as he continues, "I am good friends with Lord Mintor, and his well being, is of importance to me. So is the well being of my house, and your's, I thought I could consider a true friend, which time has shown, that not neccesarily to be the case. Now I worry for you, letting your base instincts get the best of you, to the point where you seem guiltstricken, and acting like a woman possessed. Do you realize, what you are doing to yourself?"

 

Sisay doesn't answer at first. She wipes her tears clear with the back of her hands, as the outburst seems to have passed, sniffing a few times. Then she rubs her hands together before running them through her hair once again. A scruffy looking girl turns and utters: "I am trying to live... my life... in an alien world. I am deeply sorry you disconsider my friendship. It is sincere and based on the man you are, not your position, title or wife. But as you wish, My Lord... as you wish... Only know that I will always remain your friend! And one in need, my Lord, not of convenience." She backs a step. "But again, this might be another cultural difference between us, where friendship means different." Again a step backwards. "My friends save lives on Marcinko, and their feelings to one another last a lifetime." Another step backwards.

 

Muradin sighs a little, he does not push forward, but its clear he does not want her leaving like this. He seems, almost frustrated.... "I did not say I disconsidered it, or discounted it. Merely I question it, Lady. You find yourself, finding solace in the very arms and lessons of those who oppose me directly. Those who take it as their solemn duty to push every button I have, to tease and prod me, and to attempt to rile me to violence, at every turn. They try to disgrace my relationship, and indeed, succeed at times, or have succeeded in the past, and these people are the ones you value now, clearly, above all others...Lady, listen to me. I have no wish to push you away, but neither can I cling to someone, and hold them close as a friend, when they would pull themselves towards those I can have no relationship with, save one built upon hatred."

 

Sisay looks upwards as if invoking whtever god she might believe in and then looks back at you, quite puzzled. "I do not understand, My Lord and please forgive my stupidity. But _they_ never told me what you said. They never forced me not to talk to you anymore, nor did they force any image of yourselves over me. I don't agree to the Harkonnen way in its entirety you know? But if the three of us cannot be at the same time in the same place, does this mean you and I cannot talk? Does the fact that I don't usually drink wine mean that I cannot drink water at the Harkonnen Embassy? Your quarrels with the Harkonnens are of no concern to me, my Lord. If I can help you from the position I'm in, I'd gladly do. But I will not give up my friends... ever. Not even you." She sighs and adds: "I think I should go now."

 

Muradin nods, sighing, turning away, "Yes, I think it best, if you go now. I have much to deal with, and think upon. Good day Lady...and give my best to the Marquis. We should speak soon. I trust, that someone like you could arrange such a meeting, a favor, between friends..." And with that, he retreats into his embassy.