Ginaz/Corrino Dinner: Another Perspective

["Christian Gilmore" <cgilmore@research.att.com>]

This log is virtually the same as the one Morgen kindly sent in earlier. It
has some additional RP at the end among the Emperor and his remaining staff
and also is a bit easier to read (side note: Logedit rocks).

Please note that all logs sent to this list are considered OOC information
only unless otherwise stated. Please RP to catch up on events covered in
this and other logs sent to this list.

Regards,
Christian
Broncalo@DuneIII
Fredhrick@DuneIII

Log edited with Logedit 2.6.9pl on Wed Sep 16 10:34:13 EDT 1998
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Banquet Hall -- Imperial Palace (Kaitain)

A long table is the centerpiece of this room, but there's plenty of
  room on all sides for the servers to manoeuver. The room is replete
  with right angles. The walls are hardwood, with painted-white panes.
  The eastern end of the room is filled with windows, with a
  magnificent view of the lake and surrounding countryside.
Players:
  Sidney Patrick Morgen Darvin Leandra Steffan Aleksandar Cato
Exits:
  Low Arch <SW> leads to Reception Hall -- Imperial Palace (Kaitain)

Patrick dips cordially, "Welcome to the Palace Marquis Ginaz."

Darvin nods to the Corrino Mentat.

Leandra smiles politely and nods her head at Patrick as he enters.

Steffan strolls over to the window and peers out at the lake,
  "Magnificent.." he mutters.

Cato stands beside a seat at the table that he seems to have
  gravitated to naturally, perhaps used to this dining room (and his
  place in it). His eyes, however, do not admire the extravagance of
  the place setting, but rather skip between studying the door for
  signs of the Imperial entrance, and glancing to his superiors for
  possible orders.

Morgen returns the 'dip' and says "The pleasure is ours Sir, and we
  thank you and your lord for your hospitality"
Morgen looked around a bit admiring the emptiness of the room when he
  said hospitality.

Aleksandar forces himself to pay more attention to the things around
  him, as he walks closer to the rest of the party.

Darvin shifts the two boxes he is holding, and tries to stand at ease.

Patrick clasps his hands together and inclines his head, "The Lord
  Emperor will be with us momentarily, CHOAM matters demand His
  attention."

Morgen appraises patrick and then asks "How is our Lord Emperor on
  this day?"

Darvin moves away from the group while trying to suppress a smile.

Aleksandar looks even more nervous than when he entered, obviously
  trying to calm himself.

Morgen adjusts his collar discretely as if there were an iching behind
  his throat.

Patrick cocks his head thoughfully, "Indeed well, better perhaps than
  even my own projections."

"Marquis Ginaz," the mentat interjects, "Protocol forces me to inquire
  as to your knowledge of Imperial etiquette. The Lord Emperor wishes
  to make formal introductions."

Morgen grins just a bit, but it looks like the grin knocks off his
  delicate balance and he coughs several muffled times, he brings a
  hand up to his mouth to cover it.

The mentat allows his hands to fall to his side.

Cato edges forward a step, glancing to Darvin with a look that begs
  permission to intercede at this delicate point.

Leandra glances up at her husband with a concerned frown.

Morgen looks up from his coughing and says "A refresher course for
  myself could not hurt..." he falls silent for a second then says "It
  has been so long since I last seen his highness."

Darvin shakes his head at Cato is if to say 'Not to worry.'

Aleksandar relaxes a bit as his gaze wanders over the ceiling, with
  only a distant look of anticipation in his eyes.

Cato nods slowly, reservations wiped from his face even before fully
  forming there.

Darvin flashes a handsignal at Cato.

Steffan silently turns his attention to Patrick.

Patrick nods graciously, "Very Well Marquis Ginaz, I am honored to
  offer the service."
Patrick motions to the door, "As the Lord Emperor enters, it is
  customary to bow until recognized, making way for the Imperial
  Person to reach His destination." With a mechanical motion Achilles
  gestures to the table, "The Emperor will take his seat at the Head
  of the Table. His mood dictates as to whether or not he will desire
  for you to join him there or ask you to join your wife at the
  honored side. It is generally best to wait for His guidance."

Morgen listens intently to Patrick awaiting.

Patrick continues, "When walking, please remain one-half a pace behind
  the Lord Emperor unless motioned to join Him. We are honored to have
  you at the Imperial Palace, but the Forms must be obeyed."

Morgen nods to Patrick his knuckles whitening a bit as he grips his
  cane.

Aleksandar listens with great concetration, in attempt to memorize
  everything.

Patrick dips his head and allows a ripple of a smile to appear at the
  corner of the mouth, "The Lord Emperor would be honored to receive
  introductions to your companions, Marquis Ginaz."

Morgen tap taps his cane and says "I appriciate your services. You
  serve our Emperor with the greatest destinction."

Patrick responds in a softer tone, glancing briefly to the Minister of
  State, "The Emperor wishes that I adhere to the Forms."

Sidney walks in from Reception Hall through the Low Arch.

Darvin ignores the Mentat.

Fredhrick walks in from Reception Hall through the Low Arch.

Morgen frowns at Patrick, and upon seeing the Emperor he bows.

Darvin bows to the Emperor.

Steffan bows deeply

Patrick turns to the door, bowing immediately.

Aleksandar bows to the Emperor, completely motionless, not daring to
  breathe.

As the Emperor enters, Sardaukar guards quietly move to positions at
  the arch.

Cato joins his Siridar in making a path for the Emperor while bowing.

Leandra curtseies as the emperor enters, keeping her eyes lowered.

Morgen leans heavily on his cane his joints cracking as he inches his
  way down to suplication.

Fredhrick surveys the banquet hall, stopping briefly upon the face of
  each present.

Noticing Morgen, Fredhrick states, "Rise, Marquis Ginaz. Welcome to my
  home."

Fredhrick's face remains emotionless. "Care you to introduce me to
  your staff, Lear?"

Morgen rises placing both hands on his cane in a vane attempt to rise
  quickly. He rises slowly again those audible cracks that speak
  volumes about arthritis are present.

Patrick lifts from his bow, gesturing to the Sardaukar poised at the
  arch.

Sidney lifts his bow.

Serving staff enter from the kitchen and take positions along the
  eastern and western walls.

Morgen nods to his emperor and says "It is my pleasure to be in the
  House of the Emperor." he motions first to his wife and says "This
  is my wife The Marquise Leandra...."
Morgen says, "Allison Lear."

Leandra raises her gaze only breiefly to meet that of the emperor
  before lowering her eyes respectfully once more.

Fredhrick takes Leandra's left hand in his right. He nods: "My lady."

Leandra smiles politely,the faintest of blushes touching upon her
  cheeks, "Your highness. It is an honor."
Leandra just looked at you.

Fredhrick releases Leandra's hand and looks back to Morgen
  expectantly.

Morgen motions next toward Steffan "And your Highness here is my son
  and Na-Marquis Steffan...
Morgen says, "Lear"

Steffan smiles breifly, "It is a great honor your Majesty.."

Fredhrick corrects Morgen. "We have not yet confirmed Steffan as your
  successor, Lear." He gives a short nod to Steffan.

Morgen looks at Frehdrick like he could have swore it was the opposite
  of the truth but bows his head "Your highness is correct as always.
  My age must be getting to me."
Morgen looks next to Darvin "This is my other son and Minister of
  State Darvin Otto Myakinin."

Darvin snaps to attention, then half bows saying, "Its more than an
  Honor Your Highness."
Darvin holds the two gifts in rigid attention.

Morgen gaze falls next on Sidney "And this is the House Ginaz
  Chamberlain and Mentat, Sidney Malcolm Gandhi."

Sidney bows and rises. "An honor, your Majesty."

Fredhrick stiffens at Darvin's actions. After a moment, he returns to
  his original demeanor without giving a nod, turning his attention to
  Sidney.

Morgen takes out a peice of cloth from his pocket, the cloth familiar
  to the members of HOuse Ginaz, and he coughs into it.

Fredhrick looks over Sidney, cocks his chin slightly to the right
  while inclining his head.

Otto walks in from Reception Hall through the Low Arch.

Morgen replaces the peice of cloth and then looks to Cato saying "This
  your majesty is House GInaz's Senior Diplomat to the Landsraad Mikio
  Emmanuel Cato.." his gaze quickly follows to Aleksandar and says
  "And this is House Ginaz's Senior Diplomat to the Imperium."
Morgen says, "Aleksandar Peitrov"

Fredhrick turns to see the arrival of Otto. "Ah, Our Minister of State
  has arrived. I trust you have fully met the entirety of the Ginaz
  party."

Patrick gestures again to the Sardaukar stationed at the arch, pausing
  to bow at the entrace of the Grand Duke.

(OOC) Cato says, "Morgen got me and Alek's job backwards, by the way.
  :)"
(OOC) Morgen says, "For the record I didn't do that on purpose."

Fredhrick nods and gives a hand gesture to the lead servant.

Morgen nods to Otto.

Cato rises from his bow only after his full name has been completed,
  and waits the emminent person to address him before filling the void
  with unwanted noise.

A stir at the door as the guards make bows to the man entering. The
  Grand Duke stalls there for a moment, nodding to Patrick and then
  bowing to the Emperor. His soft baritone carries easily, "Your
  Majesty ... my apologies for my late arrival." He looks towards
  those gathered as if including them in this as he begins to make his
  way towards the head of the table, where an empty seat near the
  Emperor is located.

Aleksandar follows Cato's motions soon after, with a lot of respect
  for the elder Diplomat.

Sidney walks to the southwest and passes through the Low Arch.

The servants step forth to guide the assembled guests to their
  assigned seats. Morgen is seated to the left of His Majesty near the
  head of the table. Otto is seated to the right with Patrick to the
  right of him.

Cato just looked at you.

Fredhrick takes his seat at the head of the table. After adjusting to
  the chair, Fredhrick carefully places a napkin in his lap, and
  clutches the knobs at the end of the arm rests.

Otto seats himself after the Emperor, handing his rod of office to a
  nearby servant and adjusting himself. He looks across the table at
  the Marquis and smiles, "You are well, Lord-Marquis?" His tone is
  rather more pleasant than it usually is.

Leandra moves over to the seat prepared for her and sits gracefully
  after the emperor has been seated.

Morgen takes his seat using the armrest to brace himself a s he sits,
  and gives the cane to a servant.

As everyone sits, the servants begin to bring in the first course,
  consisting of delicacies from across the Imperium, focussing on
  those of the Ginaz homeworld.

Morgen nods to Otto and says "I am well," he smiles warmly to Otto
  "Thank you for your concern. The Kaitain air has cleared up many of
  my ailments."

As everyone begins to sit Darvin looks perplexed as to what he should
  do with the gifts he is carrying.

Cato practically materializes behind Darvin, and murmurs words of
  protocol into his ear.

Steffan takes the seat shown to him by the servants and places a
  napkin in his lap.

Otto nods to this, looking for a moment at the first course, before
  continuing, "I have just arrived from Marcinko myself ... I find its
  air does wonders as well. Lady Helena offers her greetings."

Morgen looks to Darvin a dumbfounded look on his face and says to
  Darvin "I appologize," then looks to the Emperor "We haave brought
  some gifts for you your highness. I appologize for being lax."

Patrick motions to the Sardaukar Guards behind the Emperor.

Darvin waits to hand the gifts off to the Guards.

Fredhrick leans back in his chair: "Indeed?" He motions for the gifts
  to be taken by a Sardaukar guard. The guard moves quickly through
  the arch and down the hall. "How thoughtful of you, cousin."

Morgen nods to Darvin to present the gifts both physically and
  verbally.

Darvin relieved of his responsibilities sits at his appointed place.

Leandra watches Darvin expectantly.

Darvin waits for permission to speak to the Padishah Emperor.

A servant brings a plate of food before the Emperor and places it on
  the table. Bringing a morsel toward his mouth the Emperor asks
  matter-of-factly: "Why did you choose to not have my mentat oversee
  your Kanly against House Moritani as the Judge of Change, cousin?"

Otto halts his eating for a moment, his silver-glass eye is toward the
  Emperor though. He then continues.

Darvin stiffles a smile.

Leandra takes a sip from whatever beverage has been placed in front of
  her to cover her momentary discomfort. She glances quickly between
  Darvin and her husband.

Morgen looks to Darvin then back to the Emperor and says "The gifts
  your highness are A Ginaz made claymore used by a Ginaz at the
  battle of Corrin and the book your highness is by an ancient Terran
  author named Elie Wiesel it's called Night."

Cato dabs at the corners of his mouth with his napkin (though he's
  hardly started eating yet), and his eyes focus on the figure of
  Darvin, seated beside him.

Patrick lifts the goblet from the table, takes a sip, returing the
  goblet to its precise position.

Darvin looks bemused at everyone's discomfort, as if all this doesn't
  phase him.

Morgen nods to Darvin to sit.

Morgen's gnarled fingers wrap around a glass and he sips it.

Fredhrick fingers another morsel on the plate, and does not turn to
  Morgen. Rather he looks at him through the corners of his eyes. "We
  accept your gift as a sign of respect, Marquis, but that does not
  answer Our question."

Steffan sips a bit of the beverage placed before him, smiles thinly
  and listens intently.

Otto stops eating and sits back a moment, looking at the Marquis.

Morgen sets the glass down and looks to the Emperor saying calmly "In
  light of House Ginaz traditional stance we thought it be best to not
  waste your highnesses time with such matters as our quarrel with the
  Moritani."

Cato bends to murmur something to the Ginaz Minister of State, but his
  eyes flicker between the person of the Emperor, _his_ Minister of
  State, and the Corrino Mentat.

Otto's voice answers Morgen, "You do not believe that the long
  standing Kanly between Moritani and Ginaz is of importance to the
  Imperium, Lord-Marquis?"

Otto offers a quick nod to the Emperor after he speaks.

Patrick leans forward to rest his hands on the table, his chair
  creaking in the vacuum of the unanswered question.

Darvin responds to Otto, "The Affairs of two houses do not take
  presidence over an Empire."

Isabel walks in from Reception Hall through the Low Arch.

Morgen nods to Darvin

Leandra looks several times as if she is almost going to speak but
  then wisely refrians from doing so.

Isabel enters the room and pauses briefly to curtsy to those present.

Morgen finishes his glass of water to quickly and nods to a servant
  for another.

Steffan 's thin smile becomes broader at Otto's remarks. He silently
  takes a bit of food from the plate sitting in front of him.

Isabel smiles and takes a seat beside Patrick, looking a bit lost and
  shy. Otto's eyebrow over his glass eye arches slightly at Darvin's
  remark, "Agreed, sir. But the repercussions of the Moritani-Ginaz
  Kanly effect the Empire as a whole." He tone is quick and sharp. He
  has lost what pleasant attitude, though rare, he had when he first
  entered.

Fredhrick surveys Darvin momentarily, then returns his side-stare to
  Morgen. "You sent this... child of barely... 30 standard years to
  represent your interests in this age-old Kanly before the High
  Council, cousin? We take offense at Darvin's remarks that he
  presumes to know how best to allot my retainer's time."

Servants, apparently completely ignoring the conversation, clear the
  first course and prepare to serve the second.

Leandra glances up at the Emperor after smiling at Isabel, "Actually,
  your highness, he sent me in his stead. Darvin accompanied me. But
  due to the .. nature of the summons to speak at the High Council, I
  felt best that he step forward in my place."

Fredhrick smiles momentarily at Leandra, his demeanor lightening
  somewhat.

Morgen attempts a smile but his face is reddening quite a bit, he
  finishes off another glass of water and quickly requests another.

The servants place a scoop of lemon sorbert in front of each person at
  the table, then return to the kitchen.

Leandra slips one hand over her husband's as she takes another sip of
  her wine. Her gaze remains politely on the emperor.

Otto tilts his head, glancing for a moment at the sorbet, "I would be
  most interested, Lord-Marquis ... as His Majesty's discretion, to
  hear a response to Our initial question."

Isabel looks over at Morgen and smiles

Patrick dips a spoon into the Sorbet, the silver form flashing in the
  light as it heads toward its destination.

Fredhrick glances momentarily at Patrick before taking up his spoon.

Darvin scowls at Otto.

Leandra shoots Darvin a warning glances as she spots his scowl.

The Grand Duke's attention does not appear to be on Darvin, as he
  looks with his one good eye at the Marquis Ginaz.

A Sardaukar soldier steps forward from his post and places an imposing
  hand upon the shoulder of Darvin. He remains for a few moments
  before returning to his post.

Morgen looks to Otto and says "My dear old friend we have been friends
  for as long as I can remember, and I'm sorry if my wife or son
  didn't state it clearly enough, for that I appologize...."

Darvin relaxes after the Sardaukar removes his hand.

Cato samples the succulent sorbet, but he continues to glance amoungst
  those at the head of the table speculatively, with an expression
  devoid of anything but simple interest.

Steffan looks inquisitively at the sorbert and then dips his spoon
  while still listening intently to the conversation.

Leandra nibbles just as lightly on the sorbet as she has the rest of
  the meal, barely touching it.

Morgen's face twitches a little bit, one eyelid fluttering he shakes
  his head and regains control "However, as they said we do not
  believe it behooves the Imperial person nor his servants to have
  thier time wasted on a Kanly that is thousands of years old in a
  universe that is stricken with stagnation."

Leandra stops eating, giving her husband a concerned frown. She
  tightens her grip ever so slightly on his hand.

Fredhrick puts down his spoon, and turns to look at Morgen squarely.
  He continues his stare without saying a word.

Darvin notices his liege's twitch, and forgets all about the Corrinos,
  for a moment.

Otto tilts his head slightly at the Marquis' last remark, opening his
  mouth as if to say something then closing it as the Imperial Mentat
  speaks...

The mentat's spoon hits the table with an audible thud, "Stagnation
  Marquis Ginaz, is the lack of progress. Does the Marquis suggest
  that the universe has not progressed under the Great Convention and
  the House Imperiale?"

Morgen grasps frantically for another glass of water.

Isabel lets her gaze drift from the dish in front of her to glance at
  those speaking curiously.

Leandra quickly hands her husband her glass of water.

Darvin looks at his father, visibly distressed.

Morgen guzzles it down swiftly ignoring whatever reaction it might
  cause.

Fredhrick gives a short hand motion to a Sardaukar soldier who
  immediately leaves the room.

Cato leans forward at his place, setting down his wine glass with an
  audible enough thud that eyes are involuntarily diverted to his end
  of the table. Raising his voice slightly, he makes himself heard all
  the way to the Emperor, "Surely the right honored Mentat does not
  presume to place words into the mouth of the Imperiale cousine?"

Leandra seems to be ignoring the rest of the table, her full attention
  on her husband.

Darvin misses what Cato says, as he is engrossed on his Liege and
  Father.

Morgen whipes his mouth almost violently with his napkin and if you
  just stare hard enough a fine red line is traced across the
  napkin... Morgen searches for another glass of water.

Patrick turns to regard the speaker, "Certainly you do not wish to do
  the same to me."

Otto raises his hand in Cato's direction, his tone softening somewhat
  as he looks to the Marquis, "Perhaps the state of the Imperium is a
  discussion best left for another time. Age I have found, and I am
  sure my good couse the Marquis would agree, tends to suggest ideas
  of this sort..." He looks nearly visibly concerned as he continues
  to look to Morgen. He offers a quick glance to the Emperor.

Fredhrick's cold stare turns into a quizical expression as he
  continues his stare. Without diverting his attention, Fredhrick
  speaks: "Perhaps you wish to retire early, cousin, from Our dinner?"

Cato smiles disarmingly back at him, but declines to answer.

The Sardaukar soldier returns from the hall and gives the Emperor a
  nod.

Leandra turns her attention to the emperor, not giving Morgen a chance
  to speak, "I believe we must, your highness. I must get my husband
  to a Suk immediately."

Morgen stares at Patrick then back to his emperor he nods "Perhaps it
  is best that we retire.....I had hoped..." he whips his nose this
  time with his hand, the hand now discolored he continues "I had
  prayed that I could come here and be a family, with you as the head
  your highness, but apprently I was wrong." he raises slightly from
  his chair.

Leandra quickly stands as well, putting a supporting arm around her
  husband's waist as she urgently motions Darvin over to her as well.

Darvin stands to rush over and help his father.

The Imperial Doctor strides in through the entrance. Stopping at the
  arch, he inquires, "I was summoned, your Majesty?"

Morgen's face contorts as if some part of his body is trying to figure
  out what is wrong and how to work without the one par t that now
  seems to be unable to function as God had ordained it to.

Cato slides back in his seat and stands to his feet almost
  simultaneously with his betters, a wry smile of patience warring its
  way onto his face as the evening of fine dining is disrupted so
  soon.

Leandra raises her eyes gratefully to the Imperial doctor, murmering
  distractedly to Darvin, "Of course!"

Almost as if a damn has broken a long stream of blood pours out
  Morgen's left nostril painting a chaotic pattern on the sorbet.

Using Lear, Darvin says, "... ... ... ... ..."

Fredhrick looks from the Suk to Morgen. The doctor follows Fredhrick's
  eyes, and sees Morgen in visible distress. He rushes to Morgen,
  gives him a quick look, then motions to two Sardaukar. "Take this
  man to the infirmary immediately!"

Isabel frowns and half-rises from her seat, gazing at Morgen in
  concern.

Leandra turns a pleading gaze to the emperor, He is having another
  stroke."

Morgen's legs give out from under him, and he become dead weight his
  chin connecting solidly with the table as he goes down.

The Sardaukar guards snap into action and rush Morgen from the room.
  The doctor follows quickly on their heels.

Leandra supports Morgen on one side, Darvin on the other, holding him
  upright.

Morgen walks to the southwest and passes through the Low Arch.

Fredhrick, remaining calm at the head of the table, issues orders into
  Otto's ear.

Leandra moves with her husband, not waiting for permission to leave.

Otto turns to the Emperor.

Leandra walks to the southwest and passes through the Low Arch.

You whisper, "See to the Marquis' needs and escort his entourage from
  the palace immediately." to Otto.

Otto stands after Fredhrick speaks, takes his rod of office from the
  servant and after a quick bow, leaves the room.
Otto walks to the southwest and passes through the Low Arch.

Cato pays his obeisance to the Emperor (he, after all, is not of high
  enough rank to get away with the paltry excuse of being concerned
  for his master), and then turns to walk quickly for the door... a
  walk that will turn into a run once he is beyond the eyes of the
  mighty.

Fredhrick takes up his spoon and eats his sorbert.

Cato walks to the southwest and passes through the Low Arch.

Isabel settles back and glances around as things go quiet.

Servants clear the table and clean the mess that Morgen left behind.
  When complete, they serve the main course to those who remain.

Fredhrick looks up to Steffan. "Do you not wish to see after your
  father, young Lear?"

Patrick shifts his attention to the sorbet, pausing in mid-stroke to
  regard the young Lear.

Steffan nods, "Indeed your Majesty, I did not wish to be
  dishonerable...may I leave and tend my father the Marquis?"

Fredhrick gives Steffan a dismissive wave. "Indeed."

Steffan stands immediately and bows.
Steffan walks to the southwest and passes through the Low Arch.

Isabel smiles, asking Patrick softly, "Are all the dinners here like
  this?"

Patrick glances to the Emperor, the sliver spoon still plunged upright
  in the yellow mass, "At least one shows promise My Lord Emperor."
Patrick turns to the young diplomat and nods by way of answer.

As the last Ginaz leaves, Fredhrick motions for those remaining to
  fill the closer seats to him. "Indeed. That boy may be called upon
  to take up the mantle of Marquis. Investigate him immediately."

Patrick nods, "As you wish My Lord Emperor."

Fredhrick completes his dinner, then stands. "We shall retire. See to
  your duties." He turns and walks toward the arch.

---------------------LOG ENDS - STATISTICS----------------