Jacob's Gardens -- Ginaz Embassy (Kaitain)

 

������� More of a rock garden than a traditional garden, the floor of this room is covered with sand, interrupted by various groupings of highly polished rocks. Several patches of soil host three smaller trees, as well as a collection of dark purple orchids. A small waterfall whispers softly from the north wall, tumbling three feet into a small pond filled with large gold and silver fish. A tiny, gnarled tree clings to the mossy rocks just above this manmade waterfall. A smooth cobblestone path wanders lazily through the room. A large sandy clearing near the western wall is the only open area; here several large swords rest in a rack against the wall. There appear to be several smaller animals inhabiting this room. Two brightly-colored birds flit amongst the branches, and small furry creatures scurry along the undergrowth. These animals are tame, however, and inquisitive enough that they often investigate anybody who remains in the room for more than a minute or two. Two stone benches sit next to the path; one next to the pond and one at the edge of the sandy clearing. The clean scent of foliage and the light splashing of the waterfall contribute to a peaceful and cleansing atmosphere.

 

Players:

�Jacob��������������������������������������������

Exits:

�Small Arch <N> leads to Clio's Atelier -- Ginaz Embassy (Kaitain)

�Small Arch <W> leads to Jenaa's Room -- Ginaz Embassy (Kaitain)

�Small Arch <E> leads to Jacob's Bedroom -- Ginaz Embassy (Kaitain)

�Small Arch <S> leads to Sitting Room -- Ginaz Embassy (Kaitain)

 

 

Jacob stands by himself, in his loose casual clothes, and judging by the sword driven point-down into the sand near him, he's either been training, or was about to start. He's facing away from the entrance, broodingly watching the small waterfall.

 

Jacob   Two things about this man are instantly striking. First, he towers over most normal folk, clearing seven feet in height with several inches to spare. Second, and equally unsettling, he appears to be completely and utterly hairless. His clean pate shines dully and his face is similarly smooth. A very faint scar traces a line from his right temple down across his cheek to end a couple inches above his jawline. ������� His face is mostly unexceptional, but his large eyes are sharp and attentive. From underneath the hairless ridges that serve for eyebrows, they emote fiercely, their color seeming to shift between dark, stormy gray and rich, deep brown. ������� His height further accentuated by a wiry frame. Lean muscles are packed tightly onto his bones, as if a sculptor had taken handfuls of clay and pressed them onto the appropriate places without bothering to smooth them out. His fluid motions are offset by his stooped posture, as if he seeks (futilely) to minimize the impression of size conveyed to any onlookers. ������� He is dressed casually, for an evening in which he will not be leaving the residential area of his Embassy. A loose black shirt of a soft fabric hangs over his wiry frame, with the inverted triangular Ginaz logo stitched over one breast. His pants are long, loose, and flowy, and deepest black as well. They are secured with a drawstring, tied in a neat bow. He is barefoot, currently.

 

 

Sisay pads in slowly, dressed her cute blue outfit, seemingly just arrived home from her daily wandering. About her shoulder hands a cloth bag from which some green leaves poke outwards and behind her right arm a couple of books are nestled. Disposing of the bag near one of the rocks, she walks towards her uncle and stops a few paces behind him, gaze settled also on the waterfall. "A relaxing view..." she voice echoes softly.

 

Sisay   ������� Sisay is a tall woman, with gentle features which delicately mark her fresh out of her teen years. Long curls of black hair flows down around her shoulders and her black with a couple of rebel hairlocks lingering seductively around her cheeks, masking two small dimples which would be plainly visible would she laugh. White, silky skin contrasts heavily with the deep, obsidian black gaze of her eyes and the delicate pink of her lips outlines this striking difference. ������� Leaving her arms and upper chest bare, a flowing dress of deep-blue silken material covers her body, tightened by her waist with a broad belt, outlining the generous forms of this young woman. Motives of clear Ginaz origin depict dozens of small dragonflies trying to catch each other's tails, embroided in silvery threads across her chest and downwards, on the sides of her long skirt which stops a few centimeters above her ankles. ������� The silvery medalion at her chest is delicately devised in form of a cross inside a thicker circle and in the middle shines a small emerald which reflects the surrounding light in greenish sparkles of light, catching the eye of those who might gaze in the Lady's direction. At her belt, a sheathed dagger can be noticed with it's hilt made of a doe's foot. Wether it is just for appearance or it actually has a sharp blade attached remains an open question...

 

 

Without taking his eyes off of the waterfall, Jacob replies softly. "It is. I've had much need of external sources of relaxation of late, you know."

 

Sisay sighs and drops down on the sand, leaning her back against another one of those rocks, squirming her feet underneath her skirt. "I immagine, dear uncle. I usually find it relaxing evenings when I go out to walk Fionna by the shore of Lake Corrin. Very relaxing the lake view..." she says, looking downwards towards the sand.

 

(OOC) Sisay says, "Fionna is the name of the kitty-pet Fah gave me."

 

Jacob speaks softly, his voice tight, a hint of sadness and resignation creeping into it. "Sisay, I want to talk to you about ... family. As you know, on Marcinko, the ultimate and most important bond is that of blood relations." He finally turns, baleful expression on his face, to regard his niece. "Have you any idea how much you've ruined your twin sister's life? And mine?"

 

Sisay doesn't raise her gaze, instead focusing it on the books on her lap. Of the topmost of them, the title could be easily read: 'Comparative Botanics. Advanced Concepts.' as she fiddles with her fingers at its side. "Ruined? I have...? Why uncle?" her voice trembles and so do her fingertips.

 

Jacob looks back to the waterfall, not wanting to pressure his niece further with his gaze. "When Delana and Ulricke fight, even if you think both are accountable, you should defend your family instead of selling them out. Even now, after Ulricke nearly killed your own twin, unprovoked ... you should finally see Ulricke for the lying, manipulative witch that she is. She's using you, Sisay. I know her."

 

Sisay's breath grows heavier and her brows furrows. "Uncle Jacob... It might look like this, but she has no reson for it. When Delana came back from Marcinko, at the Harkonnen Festival, she had no consideration whatsoever for the host... which was Uli. I was on Arrakis and had to spill water on the ground, just because it was a custom. And as much as I hated to do that, I had to honour my hosts with that custom. And since then, Deli and Uli are constantly gnawing at each other's toes. I cannot think that I am the fault for this, uncle... I really cannot!" she says, voice pleading with a hint of sadness.

 

Jacob shakes his head slowly. "You are -not- the fault for that. But Ulricke is setting you against your twin, and doing a fine job of it. Can you not see that she's a beast, based on her assault of your twin?"

 

Sisay looks upwards towards her uncle and explains: "She has told me it was not meant -that- way. She told me she'd never even consider killing my sister as Delana thinks. It is not her fault, but Delana fell in love with Calix, uncle. Now put yourself in Uli's shoes. What would you do? I surely would have killed her right then, no questions asked. I am sorry, uncle, I'm not trying to protect Uli but my sister really got herself between the ram's horns. And now she screams."

 

Jacob raises an eyebrow. "Why do you believe that Delana fell in love with Calix? Simply because Ulricke told you so?"

 

Sisay shakes her head. "No. I know Calix tried to get my sister into his bed. In doing so, she fell in love with him. Trust me in this matter for I know..."

 

Jacob speaks a little more forcefully. "How do you know? Did Delana tell you this? Did you ask her?"

 

Sisay's look saddens and her cheeks blush. "I know this from Calix and Uli who planned it. And from the way Delana looked at Calix. It's just that I know... some things cannot be put in equations father. I know my sister loves that fool and I personally told Calix to stop doing this. But it was too late..." she says, dropping her gaze back to her lap.

 

Jacob pauses. "You know that Delana loves Calix, because Calix and Ulricke -planned- it? Does this not prove that they are both fiends?"

 

Sisay sighs. "It was supposed to be a game, really. It was supposed to ... umm... 'tame' my sister. Of course I didn't like the idea and I opposed to Calix as soon as I found out. But as I said... it was too late already."

 

Jacob's voice is tightly controlled. "Tell me of this game. And then tell me what sort of person would toy with the emotions of a good woman out of boredom or spite, trying to ruin her."

Sisay sighs again, deeply and clenches her fists. "Persons of a different culture and different views on 'feelings' and ... things. I cannot believe this... why do you play being narrow-minded, uncle? For I know you are not! You know how Harkonnens think of love and lust being different things, and this is what Uli set Calix off to do.... enjoy other women, while loving her. It sounds propostrous, I know, but wait... let me finish..." she says, holding up her hand. "I care about Ulricke and I care much about her. One day, they had a fight because of Fahahd. And then, as I and Calix walked out, he proposed to me! Can you believe it? Yes, he actually -proposed- to me. He was a wreck and he continues to be one. But I did my best and by the end of the day, Uli and Cal got together again. And it is then I found out about their little 'game' with Lady Emylie and Delana. After she fainted at the entrance, I went with Calix to talk..." she says, pausing a bit to breathe.

 

Jacob gruffly nods. "Go on."

 

Sisay looks up, as in a prayer, then looks back at you with an upset look. "It is then he told me that he wanted my sister. You know how bad things could have turned out if Delana and Calix would have had an affair? Even only a sexual one? They both would have fallen in love and by now they'd be both dead. I think you can very well immagine Uli's wrath when someone plays with her toys. And Calix -is- her toy." she explains before a pause. With a much more darker tone, barely a whisper she says: "I offered myself to Calix." she says, pausing just a little before continuing. "It was the only way to save them both... by sister and Calix." Then she looks downwards, her cheeks completely red and sighs, as there would have been more to the story as the ending has not been told yet.

 

Jacob interrupts, quietly. "Would it have been any worse than you having an affair with her intended? Tell me, dear niece ... who on Kaitain have you -not- offered yourself to in the past months?"

 

Sisay looks up, terribly offended. "I have offered myself to nobody!" she exclaims. "I am still a virgin, uncle and I know of other ways to please a man than just by.... Calix was gentle and he did not do anything to me which I did not want and instead I gave him the much sought-after pleasure. I know I lowered myself in doing such, but I did it to save mys sister from a much worse fate. I love Delana in ways you cannot even begin to immagine!"

 

Jacob practically rolls his eyes. "You can still be considered a whore even if you are a virgin. Tell me, if you're so tied to the Harkonnen morality -- which, I might add, is narrow-minded of you -- what would you say to me selling to to the Harkonnen as a pleasure slave? If you so desperately wish you were a Harkonnen, of course."

 

Sisay rummages that in her head for a second before peering her eyes at you, the shadow of a doubt crossing her gaze. "Y... You wouldn't... As I told Master Muradin, I agree to the Harkonnen way to an extent. You know how I think of slavery and I would fight! Yes, I would fight to the death!"

 

Jacob practically bursts, he speaks so loudly and suddenly. "Then act like a Ginaz, not like a Harkonnen pawn! You are on notice, Sisay, for I am considering disowning you. Prove that you are worthy of your surname of Ginaz, or lose it forever!" He is turning red in his face, and while you've never seen him this angry, it does not look at all like he's bluffing.

 

Sisay blinks her eyes as she cannot believe what she just heard in the last minutes. The blush in her face quickly fades to a pale white, hands still clutched on her book, so tightly that one might think her entire life depended on that. Her lips part, yet nothing comes out... no sound, no cry, no words. Seems like someone's trying to melt with the rock she's leaning on.

 

Jacob turns almost away from his niece, hiding his terrifically enraged face from her, and he speaks in tense tones. "I will help you if you let me, Sisay, but you are dangerously close to being hopelessly lost. Cut your ties with Ulricke ... you've already told me she is manipulating Calix, and Delana ... if you cannot see that she is manipulating you then you are indeed lost to me."

 

For a few moments nothing can be heard from the rock behind Jacob. But then, the sound of a water-drop falling on the book can be heard, yet it is not raining. The sand makes damp noises as the girl seemingly struggles to her feet and a whimpered voice mutters: "M... may I re... retire, Y...Your Excellency?" with tears in her eyes.

 

Jacob speaks softly without turning around. "You may, my niece. At least think of what I've said." Then even softer: "I don't want to lose you, Sisay."

 

Sisay looks down as her tears fall quietly down her cheeks. She doesn't reply, but as you finish, she turns around and starts walking to the Small Arch leading to the sitting room. After a few steps she starts to run, completely forgetting about her bag contining her study for the next day's exam.

 

Jacob doesn't turn around, shielding his face still from his niece. If she could see, though, he's engaged in the unmanly and uncharacteristic act of crying, too.