RP Log

[KMKool1986@aol.com]

Lord Laadislas and Master of Assassins Alexi Nestor discuss the influence the 
marriage of Count Cesare Moritani will have on their House...and the Imperium.
Mentat's Office -- Harkonnen Embassy (Kaitain)
The office of the Harkonnen Mentat is a circular chamber, with walls of 
thick, soundproofed gray plasteel, the low ceiling hanging oppressively 
overhead. A single glowglobe floats near the door, providing a dingy light to 
the rest of the chamber and throwing everything into sharp relief. A large 
crescent-shaped desk dominates the center of the room, with three metal seats 
arrayed before it. On the wall behind the desk are two glass-fronted racks.
Players:
 Nestor                                            
Exits:
 Metal Door  leads to Security Nexus -- Harkonnen Embassy (Kaitain)
Nestor sits behind as desk, as usual, but appears that he is expecting 
someone as he sits watching the door.
Laadislas enters wearing a black uniform - different from his usual 
extravagant robes and such. He moves towards the desk smoothly, bows 
shallowly. "Good day, Master. Who do you await?" he asks courteously.
Nestor says simply. "Yourself, of course, My Lord."
Laadislas sits down smoothly. "Of course. I have come to discuss the events 
of last night's meeting with the Lady Valentina...and Lady Nadira."
He says the last words with great resentment.
Nestor nods. "As would be expected. Which part of said event would you care 
to discuss?"
Nestor just looked at you.
Laadislas looks away, speaks in a low growl. "Mainly, the part where Lady 
Nadira used her damnable witch powers on me." He looks down at the ground, 
then up again.
Nestor shrugs slightly. "You overreacted...that is all. If she used any of 
her Bene Gesserit skills on My Lord, then I am unaware of it.
Laadislas raises an eyebrow and leans towards Nestor in confusion. "Did you 
not...of course, you wouldn't. She used her...her witch voice. I'm not quite 
sure why...out of anger, I suppose. It won't keep me from speaking to the 
Baron about this, however...with your assistance, of course."
Nestor raises an eyebrow. "Are you certain that you are not overreacting? I 
am told that even when the Voice is used on one they are not aware..."
Laadislas brings his eyebrows together and looks at Nestor intently. "I could 
tell she was aware, there was no way she couldn't have been. The witches use 
their powers consciously, there is no question."
Nestor says, "And what did she cause you to do then?"
Laadislas looks down and shakes his head, a look of confusion on his face. "I 
don't know," he says softly. He looks up again, his voice more clear now. "I 
felt this overwhelming sense of...I don't know...incompetence. There was no 
question. I now know it was partially my fault for patronizing her so 
mercilessly. Nevertheless, we were in the middle of a crucial meeting and I 
really think it would have been best if she wouldn't have done that." He 
pauses, then says quietly. "She is only a girl."
Nestor nods. "This is true. Let the matter pass...such a complaint can only 
anger her more and cause the Count to react badly to any suggestions we may 
make. But that goes without saying."
Laadislas nods solemnly. "It is a trifling matter, no use making a large fuss 
out of it. Nevertheless, I think it would be best if you and I spoke to the 
Baron about this - it seems fitting that he should talk to the Count and try 
to...persuade him into reconsidering this marriage. You know as I do that it 
will only result in making the Count look foolish in the eyes of the 
Landsraad, something that will be bad for both our house and for theirs. We 
must explain to the Baron the enormous weight this matter carries...if the 
Count marries this girl, well..." he sighs.
Nestor nods. "We must also plan for if the Count is married to her...plan for 
the worst. But, yes, the Baron is the one who should speak to the Count."
Laadislas rests his head in his right hand. "I suspect we should make a plan 
now to prepare to propose to the Baron. It should definitely be taken into 
consideration that Lady Nadira is a Bene Gesserit. As you know, the 
sisterhood has always had a great interest in House Harkonnen...if these 
intentions are...how should I say...negative, then this could influence House 
Harkonnen in very negative ways. If they do marry, I believe that we should 
do everything we can to diminish Lady Nadira's influence upon house relations 
as possible, otherwise a very powerful alliance could crumble."
Nestor says, "A generally wise conclusion. And how would you propose to 
diminish Lady Nadira's influence?"
Laadislas ponders for a moment. "First of all, when the Baron does talk to 
the Count, we should make sure that he addresses the topic of the Bene 
Gesserit interest in us. He must explain to the Count, without being 
insulting, of course, that if Lady Nadira does act as a kind of agent for the 
sisterhood, there could be serious consequences, and we must make sure that 
he, as the person closest to Nadira, makes an effort to keep her as far away 
from House relations as he can. His petty romances cannot overshadow this 
much more important matter no matter how much he is swept off his feet by 
this woman."
Nestor nods. "Continue..."
You say, "This matter must be resolved quickly also. The wedding draws near. 
From what I have seen of this woman, she can be very manipulative. So much 
that even if she was a mere concubine, her influence over the Count could be 
enormous. She could somehow convince to sever the strong ties with House 
Harkonnen, and then everything would plunge into chaos. Not only House 
Harkonnen and House Moritani - the Landsraad, the Imperium...everything. We 
must explain to both the Baron and the Count that this decision cannot be 
made lightly. They must both understand the serious consequences of the 
Count's potential actions and that if he follows through with them, some very 
serious problems could arise.""
Nestor says, "Agreed then. I am certain that the Baron will do what he can. 
He hates the Bene Gesserit witches with a passion which goes beyond his 
normal passions."
Laadislas raises an eyebrow. "I am aware of his hatred. When I was helping 
him fight his father on Giedi Prime back when I was still in the service of 
the Emperor I...there were some matters with the sisterhood. No need to talk 
about them now, very trivial. Do you have any other ideas as to what we 
should do concerning this matter?
Nestor sits back in his seat. "I am certain that your plan will be 
sufficient. If it succeeds or fails it is the best that we can do."
Laadislas leans back in his chair. "I should also inform you that I have 
enlisted the help of Oberkapitan Jakkar. I believe that he shall be most 
helpful in this matter."
Nestor raises an eyebrow. "And how might a bodyguard be helpful in this 
instance?"
Laadislas smiles slightly and raises his right hand. "Now, now, I only intend 
on using him as a bodyguard, nothing more. I only feel that the greater the 
Harkonnen presence the better in this case."
Nestor says, "The Moritani will not be intimidated by our guards. I would 
recommend, rather, a small contingent of guards...perhaps the Oberkapitan 
alone as a show of good faith."
Laadislas nods. "Exactly. Is there anything else you wish to discuss?"
Nestor nods. "Yes. Your actions at the 'negotiations' last evening. You were 
the furthest thing from a diplomat that I have ever seen demonstrated. And 
what that situation required was a diplomat.
Laadislas leans forward. "I assure you I was being as diplomatic as I could 
be until the damnable witch came along. The Lady Valentina was being most 
irritating. You must admit, her fascination with you was very disruptive and 
she didn't treat me with the slightest iota of courtesy."
Nestor sighs. "A diplomat does not become irritated or insulted. A diplomat 
makes insinuation, not threats. The Lady Valentina was toying with 
you...working you up into a fever so that such things would happen. And, like 
a fly, you fell into her sticky web. A diplomat would have acted otherwise."
Laadislas shakes his head. "I did not threaten or insult Lady Valentina. I 
was as courteous as one can be to a woman like that."
Nestor shakes his head. "'As courteous as one can be' is not enough. Complete 
courtesy was required...up until a point, and that point had not been arrived 
at. And, yes, you insulted both Ladies. It was something that they goaded you 
into doing. Were I to make a full report to the Baron, he would most likely 
have your tongue cut out...but I have no interest in that. You are an 
intelligent man, but your strength does not lie in negotiation or diplomacy.
Laadislas looks down in frustration. "Nevertheless, I am the one who began 
this negotiation and rest assured that I will not give up pursuing this with 
everything that I can put into it. I will work on this matter until my House 
is in a sufficient position. I will enlist the help of as many people as I 
possibly can, and I assure you that I will prove myself to be a much better 
diplomat in the near future. You yourself will bear witness to it. Now...is 
there anything else?"
Nestor says, "No. Nothing other than a bit of advice - there is a time to sit 
on your pride...and these negotiations are that time. You once told me that 
you were willing to sacrifice anything for the safety of the House. And I now 
ask you to sacrifice some modicum of pride if that is what will win the day 
for the House."
Laadislas nods. "You may rest assured that I will. Good day." He strides out 
the door briskly, running a hand through his black hair as he does.
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