Ivanova & Dominic

[House Rastanyev <rastanyev@yahoo.com>]

Dominic comes to House Rastanyev's Embassy in hopes to
open relations.  He runs into Ivanova, the ex-Regent
and now slightly... changed half-sister to Lord Josef.

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Courtyard -- Rastanyev Embassy (Kaitain)(#662RLtJ)

Players:
 Dominic                                           

Dominic looks at Ivanova "I was wondering if perhaps you could help me, 
  my lady."

Dominic continues with a smile "I am looking to speak to a 
  representative of House Rastanyev, if possible?"

Seated in the midday sun is Lady Ivanova. Despite the warmth and 
  sunshine, she wears her jacket buttoned to the collar and long 
  sleeves. Her arms are wrapped about her body as if trying to keep 
  warm. Behind her is a tall woman, stern in expression and stance. As 
  the voice of the newcomer drifts over to her location, Iva turns a 
  weary eye. She blinks a couple of times, the blankness of her 
  expression tells it all, and then responds, "I am a representative of 
  House Rastanyev." She pauses to look at the woman at her side and 
  then back to the man, "Can I help you?"

Dominic bows to Ivanova"Yes, my lady. I am Staatkanzler Dominic 
  Valerian of House Ginaz. I am here to open a channel of diplomacy to 
  House Rastanyev. It seems that our two Houses have had little 
  contact, and I am here to hopefully change that for the better."He 
  smiles at her.

"Staatkanzler?" Ivanova mouthes the words lightly, an 'o' forming with 
  her lips as she listens. The stern woman behind her leans forward and 
  whispers something into her ear. A glint of realization entering her 
  eyes, "Oh... oh!" Ivanova stands up, brushing down her dress from 
  some invisible dirt upon it, "Forgive me... I..." She pauses to look 
  back at the other woman and then steps forward again, "Won't you join 
  us for some tea?"

Dominic nods at Ivanova" It would be my pleasure, my lady. I welcome 
  any chance to experience House Rastanyev hospitality."

Dominic face breaks into a slight grin"Please my lady.....lead the 
  way."

The woman behind Ivanova claps her hands together, summoning the 
  servants. Ivanova shows a noticeable cringe at the loud noise. She 
  recovers as she brushes a hand against one of her ears. The strings 
  of a smile appearing on her face, "We have tea outside you know. The 
  sun here isn't as warm as it is back home....." her voice trails at 
  the end into nothingness.

Dominic looks at Ivanova "If I may be so bold as to inquire of your 
  name , my lady? I am sure it would make our conversation much more 
  meaningful." He relaxes into a casual stance a few feet from Ivanova.
  
"Name?" Ivanova's voice jumps slightly with the tinge of paranoia. Her 
  eyes grow wide for a second. She bites down upon the edge of her 
  bottom lip and turns again to look at the larger woman. The other 
  woman steps in behind Ivanova and gives her a nod of her head.

"Lady Ivanova Rastanyev... at your... service." Ivanova finally makes a 
  curtsy towards the other man.

Dominic bows again "I am honored by your presence, my lady. I did not 
  know I would get the opportunity to meet a member of the Rastanyev 
  family on my first visit to your Embassy. I hope that this will be 
  the beginning of a good relationship between our two Great Houses."
 
A weak smile spreads upon Ivanova's face. "Two Great Houses..." She 
  pauses, a slight furrowing of her brow before inquiring, "... and you 
  said you were from which house again?" as she leans forward a bit, 
  almost whispering the question in apology.

Dominic smiles gently at Ivanova "House Ginaz, my lady. I have only 
  recently been appointed to my position and I am making my diplomatic 
  rounds of the embassies in order to open channels to the other 
  Houses."

"Oh... oh yes." Ivanova's eyes seem to focus beyond the person speaking 
  before her, almost as if she were looking through him. "I had meet 
  the Marquis of Ginaz. I gave his daughter a very nice birthday gift 
  once... now what was it that I gave her?" Her lips pulled down into a 
  disappointed frown as the frustration began to distort her face.

Dominic gazes at Ivanova with a look of patience on his face. "I am 
  sure that whatever it was, it was excellent, my lady. Although, it is 
  the Na-Marquis Steffan Lear that I am taking my orders from 
  currently. The Marquis is currently on the homeworld of Marcinko." He 
  pauses for a moment before continuing on."I do not wish to take up 
  too much of My Lady's time this evening. Perhaps My Lady could tell 
  me who I would speak to in House Rastanyev if I wished to speak of 
  diplomatic matters?"

"Lear? Steffan." The confusion on Ivanova's face doesn't seem to clear 
  at all from this. The stern lady behind her leans forward and mutters 
  something. Slowly, the young woman's face relaxes, "Oh... yes. The 
  nice man who wanted to give me som lemonade." She smiles, falling 
  into contentment as she answers, "You will probably wish to speak 
  with...." a pause followed by an insistant nudge from the other lady, 
  "Lord Josef." Could it be? A flash of life enters her face as she 
  pronounces the name. The fire, long dead in her eyes, suddenly 
  flickers, like the quick dying embers of a spark set free.

Dominic smiles at Ivanova "I will then make sure to contact Lord Josef 
  and arrange a meeting at his earliest convenience. I appreciate your 
  help in this matter." He bows in front of Ivanova, taking her hand to 
  his lips and kissing it briefly. "It has been a distinct pleasure to 
  speak with you this evening. I hope we can continue our conversation 
  at a later date."

"You will not stay for tea?" The voice of a child, a small girl 
  watching the disappointment as the adults went off on their business.

Dominic smiles sadly at Ivanova "Sadly, my duties at the Embassy 
  require my return. Perhaps on my next visit we can have tea and you 
  can tell me more of House Rastanyev. I would be most interested to 
  hear its history."

"Oh..." A whine enters her voice and is quickly stopped by the 
  commanding hand of her nurse upon her shoulder. She gulps lightly, 
  fear setting into her eyes as she answers. "Of course... I look 
  forward to seeing you again." The lines were delivered like something 
  rehersed and mechanical.

Dominic nods "Then I will be on my way. I hope my lady has a pleasant 
  evening. I bid you goodnight, my Lady Rastanyev." He turns and heads 
  off down the street.