Kanly TP part 1

[The Holtgrefe Family <holtgrf4@swbell.net> (by way of coon.27@osu.edu)]

 Hello folks,





This is a meeting between House Ginaz and House Moritani


This is the first TP as part of the Kanly TP of House Ginaz and House Moritani.
This is the first installment since Steffan took over as Head.






Ulrich walks in from Foyer through the Sliding Glass Doors.
Ulrich has arrived.
Bernh nods to Ulrich, saying, "Well are you ready to meet our opponent?"
Ulrich glances at Bernh, "well, yes sir."
Bernh looks to the waiting staffcar, "Let's go then shall we?"
Ginaz Staffcar
The soft leather seat can sit three comfortably and molds perfectly to the
form of the occupants. Tinted meta-glass windows help keep out the glare of
the sun and lights coming off the many buildings of the Imperial City.

The driver nods.
There is a sense of acceleration as the staffcar picks up speed.
Ulrich appears slightly anxious, as he drums his fingers against his knees.
Lights from the numerous buildings and walkways outline the roadway.
Bernh seems to half close his eyes and meditate.
The staffcar is buffeted slightly by a large gust of wind.
Lights from the numerous buildings and walkways outline the roadway.
The staffcar decelerates steadily and comes to a smooth stop.
Bernh opens the door and hops out.

City Center -- Central District (Kaitain)

A 200-meter tall statue of a lion dominates the City Center. The lion,
rearing up on its hind legs and roaring toward the north, appears to be
made of polished gold. A narrow road passes under the statue and directly
through the small park surrounding the lion's feet. Around that is a
multi-lane traffic circle, with wide tree-lined avenues leading to the four
corners of the city... and the Universe.
Ulrich exits the Ginaz Staffcar.
Ulrich has arrived.
The Ginaz Staffcar departs the area.

GuildMail
Subject: CONFIDENTIAL
------------------------------------------------------------------------
This message is for your eyes only Mentatkanzler Herr Bernh.
 I agree to meet you on these following terms.
 No one is to know of this meeting other then ourselves.
 We are to meet in a mutually safe, and private enviroment.
 As long as these conditions are agreed to, I will be happy to meet you at
the Imperial Hotal in Kaitain. I await your repy.
--
Juhren Salanti
Mentat/Master of Assassins
House Moritani
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ulrich appears to relax as he takes in the scenery around him.

You pass the Via Astra.

Circle of Stars -- Central District (Kaitain)
A tree-lined roadway opens into a similiarly lined cul-de-sac. Consuming
the whole back half is a large off-yellow brick building. In front of the
building, before the main entrance, is a pair of golden lions, resting as
they watch over all who passes. Several different flags float above the
main entrance and extend the length of the building. In the middle of the
cul-de-sac is a marble archway sitting on an island in the middle of a
shallow pool of water.

Ulrich comes from the City Center.
Ulrich has arrived.
You enter the Imperial Hotel.

Lobby -- Imperial Hotel (Kaitain)

Upturned lamps line the walls of the spacious room at regular intervals
bathing the room in a subdued light. A gold pattern of lions runs through
the deep burgundy carpet. Near the center of the room a settee surrounds a
marble fountain. Attendants are placed throughout the lobby, waiting on the
pleasure of the hotel patrons.
   (See 'hhelp' for a list of hotel commands.)

Ulrich enters the lobby through the marble doors.
Ulrich has arrived.
Juhren enters the lobby through the marble doors.
Juhren has arrived.
Juhren enters the lobby, followed by two guards in Moritani uniform. He
seems rather stooped, and carries a cane. The cane seems to be used more
for standing then for walking however.
Bernh nods to Jurhen as he enters.

Juhren nods to the man, "Mentat Bernh I assume?"

Ulrich glances at the two guards, then fixes his attention on Juhren, whom
he nods his head to.
Bernh half bows, "May I present, my aide, Ulrich Harek."

Juhren nods slightly to the other man, then turns back to the Mentat. "May
I ask who your companion is?" He smiles tightly, and nods at the
introduction. "Ah, I see."
Juhren smiles again, his face almost twisting in the process, "Shall we
retire somewhere in order to sit down and discuss the reason for this
meeting?"

Bernh notices the people milling in and out of the lobby, and motions
towards the Lounge, "Perhaps we should step out of the Lobby?"
Ulrich makes a short, and quick bow, directed towards juhren
You pass through the arch and enter the hotel lounge.
Lounge -- Imperial Hotel (Kaitain)

The lounge of the Imperial Hotel serves as a more casual alternative to the
prestigious dining room. Even though simply decorated everything is of the
highest quality. The tables are made of the finest dark hardwoods of the
Imperium. Exquisite paintings are spaced evenly along the walls. Portions
of a cloth tapestry lies behind glass frames behind the bar. The meta-glass
window on the south wall provides a view of the Circle of Stars. Servants
stand ready to answer the needs of patrons.

Ulrich enters from the hotel lobby.
Ulrich has arrived.
Juhren enters from the hotel lobby.
Juhren has arrived.
Juhren enters the room, and looks around him, leaning on his cane.
Bernh strolls to the corner booth.
You scoot into the corner booth.
Ulrich scoots into the corner booth.
Juhren scoots into the corner booth.
Juhren carefully sets his cane on the empty space beside him, and makes a
small hand sign to his guards.
Juhren looks over at the other gentlemen, "Would you two like anything to
drink?"
Bernh smiles, "Yes, perhaps a good Kaitain Port."
Juhren nods, and casts and inquiring glance at Ulrich.
Ulrich nods to Juhren , "my father always said, never refuse a free drink,
perhaps you'd choose for me, sir."
Juhren nods, "Very well." He makes another small hand sign to his guard,
who immediately moves off in the direction of the bar.

Bernh relaxes, waiting for his guest's inevitable questions.

Ulrich leans back into the booth. He then raises his right hand to smoothen
his mustache.

Juhren leans forward, and an intent look comes to his face. "I assume you
had a good reason for this meeting Mentat Bernh? I do not think you just
wished to have a free drink from me."

Bernh chuckles, "No, I have asked you to come here for more than a drink. I
was hoping we could discuss our Kanly, and its future, or hopefully its
lack of future."

Juhren nods slightly, and prepares to speak.
Interrupting him, Juhren's guard returns with three glasses.

Bernh looks up at the returning Moritani guard.

Juhren nods to the guard, "Thank you Felix." He removes the mug of Kaitain
Style beer, and hands the glass of Kaitain Port to Bernh. "This must leave
the other beer for you sir? " he questions of Ulrich.

Bernh pulls out his poison snooper, "I mean no offense, but these are
dangerous times for my house."
Ulrich nods and smiles, taking the mug from Juhren, "yes, thank you, sir."
Bernh waves the snooper over the glass.

Juhren nods, "I had figured you would want to, although my guards have
already taken care of that."
Juhren smiles slyly, "I do know quite a bit about you and your house
Mentat, even though I have never met you in person."

Bernh raises his glass to his lip sipping it, a wry smile on his face.

Juhren leans back slightly, as if he had made a point. "For instance, I
know that you have been meeting with people from our house already about
ending our Kanly."

Bernh shrugs, as if this was common knowledge to begin with, "Yes, the
Kanly is expensive, and right now it is not a top priority of our house,
due to previously botched security measures."

Juhren's face grows rather grim, and he merely nods in response. "Go on."

Bernh looks impassive, "When I came to Kaitain, it appeared my current post
was held by a baffoon, now it appears that our Mentat was subverted by
another house. As you must realize, this is quite a mess to clean up."

Juhren nods. "I see." His face betrays nothing of the wheels turning inside.

Bernh looks down at his hands, like the information he has been stating is
completely his fault, "Unfortuneately we have had security problems on the
homeworld as well, this of course is due to the rapidly changing
leadership, and poor security measures. It is also due to the oppressive
governmental policies that the former administration carried on."

Juhren simply leans back and replies, "Seems like you have quite a few
problems on your hands." He frowns, "However, why are you telling me this?"
He chuckles dryly, "Are you trying to convince me to help you end this
Kanly because I feel sorry for you?"

Bernh looks quizically at the Moritani Mentat, "You don't feel sorry for
me?" Smiling he then says, "Of course you don't, but that is beside the
point. The POINT is, our mutual fighting weakens us both. I wish to
negotiate a truce, so our houses can settle our internal affairs, and in
some greater sense spend time healing wounds that have been dealt by fate."

Juhren settles deeper into the booth and seems to ponder something for a moment.
Juhren leans forward his face hardening, "What, can you tell me, would be
the advantages in this for the House Moritani?" He chuckles, "I do not see
that we are in an extremely weak position at this point. Think, we have the
Bene Gesserit as our close allies, as well as the Harkonnens. We have
nothing to lose from continuing this Kanly." He glances upward and then
back at Bernh, "Can you tell me what we have to gain from ending the
conflict?"

Bernh evades the question for a moment, "Allies, allies are like bad
relations, when times are good they sit in your house, drink your beer, and
tell you that you are wonderful. When times are bad, they complain, they
rant, and eventually they leave you with a house that is messy, and devoid
of any valuables."
Bernh continues, "House Ginaz merely wishes to end this destructive
conflict, if not permenantly, at least for a little while."
Bernh sits back and waits to see what Jurhen will say.

Juhren merely laughes, "My dear Bernh, anyone knows that allies are allies
only as long as they have reason to be. Wheels within wheels, no?"

Bernh nods, "And they leave when their plans best benefit them. I am
selling a chance to be strong when this happens. House Ginaz might appear
weak, but I assure you looks are deceiving. I should not have to outline to
you how House Ginaz forces, confident in our soon to be victories, could be
used in reference to House Moritani. Besides the morale benefit, they would
aslo be battle hardened, and prepared to strike at those who our propaganda
ministers claim as our worst enemies. This is not a threat, merely a
speculation."

Juhren leans forward, elbows on the table. He takes a small sip of his
almost forgotten beer, and clears his throat. "I am going to try to aid you
in bringing this Kanly to a close, but not for the reasons you think." He
pauses.

Bernh waits showing little to no emotion, while he is waiting he takes a
small sip of port.
Juhren fiddles with his cane beside him as he speaks, "Our house is in a
dire predicament. We have the Bene Gesserit on one side, and the Harkonnen
on the other. " He glances over at Ulrich, "You have heard of the impending
wedding of our Siridar Count and one of the Bene Gessarit witches?"

Bernh twitches a small smile, "Of course."
Juhren nods, "Projecting the far reaching impact this will have upon our
house, I have come only to one conclusion, as I am sure has our allies the
Harkonnens, and perhaps even yourselves."
Juhren grimaces, "The only end I can see to this wedding is that the great
house of Moritani will become more and more the pawns of the Bene Gesserit
witches. "
Bernh looks sympathetic, "I can understand how such emasculation could
upset even the staunchest of subjects."

Juhren continues after a deep drink of beer, "Now, I can also project
fairly accurately what the response of the Harkonnen's will be to this
marriage. They, realizing what our house will become; merely a tool of
those damnable witches, will withdraw themselves from us, and perhaps even
become active enemies."

Bernh offers no comment on the Harkonnen.
Juhren sighs, slighly, "Now, you think your house is undergoing troubles,
try and deal with the Bene Gesserit for a while. " Again he chuckles dryly.
"Anyhow, the point is, at this time the house Moritani needs as much peace
on all fronts as possible. We, I, need to be able to focus all of our
energy on this situation with the Bene Gesserit." He frowns at Bernh, "I
personally have no love for the Ginaz, and would like nothing better then
to continue the Kanly." He shrugs, "But, with all that I have just said, I
think it would be wiser to consider even a short truce or something along
those lines."

Bernh sighs, "Exactly, It is wiser to strike hard at a single opponent,
rather than have many opponents who way lay you and bring you to your
knees." Looking Juhren in the eye, "I can draw up the terms of the truce,
right now even, if it is agreeable with you."

Juhren raises a hand, "But, before we even begin to set another meeting to
discuss this idea further, I would to have some of my own questions
answered." He smiles, almost politely.
Bernh looking a bit like a child who was just scolded for his impatence,
"Of course. You merely need to set a time and we can meet."

Juhren bends his head slightly. "First, what is your houses relationship
with the Bajazet?" His mouth smiles, but his eyes remain hard.

Bernh look the Moritani straight in the eye, "We have formed an alliance
primarily for support from certain Houses in the Landsraad that have taken
a direct hand in our internal mismanagement."

Juhren blinks, "Explain yourself please?"
Ulrich pulls out a pocketwatch, 'i'm sorry, but i need to be off good day
to you sirs."
Bernh nods to Ulrich as he leaves, then returning to Juhren says, "It seems
that the Maricinko Republican Brotherhood is recieving aid from another
house."

You say, "The quick assumption is that it is House Moritani that is helping
them. But any beggar in Kaitain could guess that. Therefore it could NOT be
your House."
Juhren nods and chuckles.

Bernh looks disturbed at revealing this information, "As we are to begin an
era of Truce, I suppose it might be wise to reveal to you some of my
assumptions."
Juhren stands quickly, "Very well then, why don't you prepare those terms
that you spoke of. I will be in contact with the Na-Countess, and hopefully
we will both set up a meeting with you soon."

Juhren inclines his head, "Yes?"

Bernh motions to sit, "Ill be brief, but I believe the Harkonnen are using
you in a bid to better themselves in the Landsraad."
Juhren sits again.
Juhren tilts his head sideways, "How so?"

Bernh looks embarrased, "I have estimated that there is a 1 in 10 chance
that they are involved in our internal struggle as well."

Juhren nods, "That could be possibly true. I would not know, as I do not
have your information sources."

Bernh returns to the question at hand, "If the Bene Gesserit and Moritani
unite, the Harkonnen stand to lose, thus the Harkonnen must be in a better
position should they wish to stand alone, right?"

Bernh continues, "Also should they weaken the Ginaz, it would aid them in
their bids for landsraad leadership. Weakening us allows them a better
position against the Bajazet, because a weak ally hurts the stronger
partner."

Juhren nods, "So far I see your point. However, why would they want to
weaken us? Since we are their allies, it would seem that your last point
would apply."

Bernh finishes the circle, "Yes, but it is well known of the Harkonnen
hatred of the Bene Gesserit, adding that with their actions towards our
house it would make sense that they would seek to weaken you like a
parasite, by clinging to you as tightly as possible."

Bernh emphasizes, "If the Harkonnen can subvert OUR adminstration, a house
at best neutral to them. How easily can they subvert an ally?"

Juhren chuckles, "I see your comparison. However, that is the only part of
your plans that I do not agree with. I see the Bene Gesserit more as a
impediment to the Moritani then as a help in the long run. In this, I am
sure the Harkonnen's agree with me."

Bernh looks again embarrassed, "Well I do not have all the facts, but I
sense that there shall be more facts revealed in time."

Juhren stand again, "Well, I must be on my way, but be assured, we will
meet soon." He chuckles, "Hopefully we will both have much more information
when we do."
Juhren leaves the corner booth.
Juhren bows.
Bernh stands, saying, "till we meet again."
Juhren nods, and exits, his guards following him.
Juhren passes through the arch leading into the hotel lobby.
Juhren has left.




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