Ornia's education TP part 2(2)

[coon.27@osu.edu]

quickly as she says, "That is not true! I am promised to noone!"

Ornia looks between steffan and Dominic "Please lets not jump to
conclusions." she seems suddenly really wourried abotu things.

Dominic says nothing. He merely walks over and stands by Steffan's side.

Dominic leans toward Steffan and murmurs something.

Ornia shakes her head a good bit and seems to just grow upset as she starts
to stomp off for the pond, obviously annoyed at all this now as she mutters
"... anything ... right ..."

Justine's body shakes even more now then before. A mixture of confusion,
fear and anger is read on her face...more confusion then anything else. She
wobbles slightly, taking a few steps but recovers, keeping her eyes on
Steffan and Dominic.

Steffan curls up the report, his brow still abit furrowed, "I see.... we of
course will need to continue to investigate this...someone is lying and I
want to find out who and of course why. Unless it is conpletely
investigated, no one here will trust you her Lady Justine. I will not draw
conclusions as of yet, because I know you better than anyone. Perhaps you
can tell me who would spread such lies?"

Ornia pauses on her way tot he pond and then suddenly turns and looks at
Steffan "Brother!" she seems quiet upset at this "What would you say if I
knew soemthing that would prove that that... That thing a lie?" she walks
towards steffan in a hurried mannor now and seems rather intent to have
herself heard at any cost.

Justine's head just slowly shakes back and forth in disbelief, trying to
figure that out herself. Finally she asks, "Who wrote that report? Who said
that I am promised to the Moritani? The only thing I admit to is that my
brother is friends with the Count Moritani and set up a 'chance' meeting
with him in the Lounge one night, but it was very obvious to everyone there
that I knew nothing of it and I was greatly displeased with Jans about it. I
even refused to take a trip with the Count when he asked and my brother
encouraging me. That is the only meeting that I have had with the Count and
I have made things VERY clear to my dear /brother/ that I will /not/ be
pawned off to whomever he wishes and that I will marry whomever /I/ choose.
I have never lied to you and I am not about to begin now. The only person
that I am concerned with at the moment is Colonel Sartori. Perhaps he is the
one with the forked tongue, after all, it would greatly benefit his grand
plan to be sure that noone in the land wants me. However, it will greatly
backfire in his face because his plan will cause distrust, as it is right
now."

Steffan leans back in his chair puzzled, "And Satori would benefit how from
all this?..... " He then looks at Ornia, "and how could you prove this
wrong, Sister...if you know...please tell me.."

Dominic continues to stand next to Steffan, his hands crossed behind his
back.

Ornia smiles as she now stands right before Steffan, her fists balled
"Simply Brother because Justine fears the same thign I do." she sighs "I
fear that I am being played like a chess piece and will be married off with
out my own say so and I know that Justine like I will not allow such." she
seems very confident in what she says "If I am so wrong then feel free to
test the waters yourself, I am sure you want no more headachs."

Justine lowers her head slightly as she raises a hand to her head. Her body
still shakes and her coloring is slowly fading from her as she closes her
eyes to regain strength. She slowly inhales a very deep breath and then
looks to Steffan and Dominic with sadness, "If you cannot trust me, then I
cannot trust you with my explaination. For you will tell him what I tell you
and that will only place me in greater danger. I can only tell you that I am
not lieing to you and I know of the reason why the Colonel would lie to you.
I am sorry that you feel this way, I am sorry that you cannot trust me but I
am not promised to anyone. You of all people should know this. My father
still rules the House and he's far too ill to be making any sorts of
promises and my brother is in no position to be making promises."

Dominic speaks with an icy calm to Justine. "If you are implying that we are
lackeys of the Sardaukar, I am forced to remind you that it is YOUR brother
that is pursuing Lady Jenaa Corrino. So, perhaps it is we who should be
worried."

Ornia looks towards justine as she speaks and seems to be very concerned
now.

Justine's eyes flicker to Dominic, weakness now taking over any emotion she
might have and quietly speaks in a quivering voice, "I am not implying
anything, I am simply stating that The Colonel has his own agenda. And might
I remind YOU that I have no control over what my brother does nor whom he
sleeps with anymore then I do anyone else. Just because my brother thinks or
feels a certain way does not mean that I do. So if you are concerned, then I
feel sorry for you. Sorry that you cannot see the truth for what it is and
see me for who I am." She looks to Steffan and says, "I know that you have
met with Colonel Sartori before, he has told me himself."

Justine quietly adds, "How do you think I knew of your situation? Did it not
surprise you the other night when we met that I knew what condition your
House is in?"

Dominic smiles without warmth. "Our situation is well known amongst the
Landsraad. If this Sartori thought he was imparting some great secret to
you, then I think that the Imperial intelligence machine has been vastly
overrated."

Ornia just looks to steffan with a pleading look to end this on a good note.
She shivvers now as her concerns get the better of her

Steffan furrows his brow even more now at Ornia, but remains seated, "I know
that we are brother and sister,and I do grant you alot because of that, but
you will NOT speak to me in that tone of voice in the future....I am the
destined leader of the Ginaz and I will not be told by another of this house
what to do. Is this clear? This is indeed what you need to learn and that is
respect. And you WILL do what is required of you as the Lady and a noble of
this house. No matter what that may be. As for Sartori, " He then leans back
again, "I don't trust him....not at the moment....He seems to be telling me
...just what I want to hear....and that troubles me..."

Justine's eyes shift to Dominic, "Is it well known that the Sardaukar backs
your house against the war about to be raged against the Moritani? Is it
well known that Steffan met with the Colonel not long ago and learned this
information? And that the reason why Ginaz has this backing is because they
wish to support the side who holds the blade best and because 'someone likes
Steffan'?" She looks to Steffan, "There is a witness to this."

Steffan smiles thinly, "Yea right, a war with the Moritani....when civil war
rages on our planet. Who dreamed this up?"

Justine keeps her look to Steffan and simply says, "Colonel Sartori"

Ornia exhales now as she looks at steffan and just rolls her eyes now, both
fists balled as she stamps her foot much like a stubborn child that she much
is and moves to walk off not seeming to care what kind of light this sheds
on her now, she is far to frustrated.

Justine's eyes close as she takes a couple of quick steps backwards, losing
her balance again. Her skin is pale and taking on an ill tone, but Justine
holds her ground and opens her eyes again, blinking a few times to regain
focus on Steffan. Determined to hold her ground and strength.

Steffan hrms ignoring Ornia for the moment, "The Corrino's couldn't back us
up even if they wanted to. It is against the Great Convention and the
Brigadier would not risk that ever, especially now when he is trying to
claim the throne.."

Steffan sighs "and he's trying to placate the whole Landsraad for votes, so
I doubt he would side with anyone against any house at the moment."

Justine's head shakes, "He did not say that the House supported you, only
the Sardaukar. Myself and another swore our lives that this information
would never be repeated but at this moment, my life is of no concern any
longer. Personally, I do not wish to know of any plans nor do I care about
them. However, this just proves to me that the Colonel's plans are far more
sinister then I first thought."

Justine nods, "You are correct, Steffan. And I know why he is trying to get
votes, he wishes to control a certain House in Landsraad."

Ornia walks now for the foyer and does not even look back as she breaths in
a frustrated rage and even shoves a servent out of the way of her as she
nears the doors.

Dominic appears to be contemplating Justine's words.

Steffan hrms, "Nevertheless, it would be construed as support from Jeon...."
He then blinks, "..control a certain house...which one...certainly not
Ginaz..."

Justine sighs heavily, shaking her head a bit, "Steffan, can't you see what
he is doing? He is getting you to distrust me because he is scared. He knows
that you and I once had a past, just like a great many people in Landsraad
do. He has made it very clear to many people that he wishes my favor and he
cannot have this if he believes that by my being here means that you and I
might once again be together. And if we are together, then he cannot have me
and he cannot have what is /rightfully/ mine. That's all he wants."

Steffan sighs and shakes his head, "This does not please me...not at all..."

Ornia now moves on out from the gardens.

Justine frowns heavily, "Steffan, he wishes to revive House Garamond. He was
borderline mad the other evening when I saw him. He was demanding to know if
I can defend myself and if I carried a blade. He got me so upset that I left
the lounge, you can ask your sister. I went back to the Embassy and he later
followed me there. He made aggressive advances to me, a wild look in his
eyes as he kept rambling on and on about House Garamond must be revived and
how I must learn to protect myself an he insisted on instructing me. I wound
up having to call security to get him to leave and then Guenter arrived. He
admitted to Guenter of his plans and wishes for me but we both told him no."

Dominic looks at Justine, his eyes narrowing slightly. "I trust you have
informed your brother the Na-Viscount of this Sartori's behavior?"

Justine staggers back again and then almost falls into a bench. She manages
to keep herself upright but lowers her head, bringing a hand to her head.
Her body is trembling again but not in fear nor anger this time. Once more
she inhales deeply and then looks to Steffan, "I swear on my life that I am
not lieing to you." She looks to Dominic and shakes her head, "I have not
seen my brother to tell him and this only happened 2 nights ago."

Steffan leans back again in his chair, abit annoyed, "I see.......I will
need to speak again with the Colonel....I didn't have much to say at first.
Now we have something to talk about. If you are being so pestered by this
Colonel...you must not go around unescorted....as I have said, you could be
in danger and not realize it. "

Steffan then rises and walks over slowly to sit on the bench next to
Justine, "I believe you....the Lady Justine that I once knew would not lie
about such things...not to me anyway. You must tell the na-Viscount about
this, this is quite a serious matter...one that I personally have little
control over..."

Steffan takes Justine's hand firmly, "Why does the Colonel want you and
Garamond so much? of what value is it to him?"

Justine's head shakes a little, dizziness starting to take over her, "I did
not realize it was this serious until he called me on the communicator. And
I do not have say over being escorted, you should know this. I thought that
since Guenter knows of his plans that he would speak to Jans. He warned me
that it would be suicidal to think of reviving my House, so I know that Jans
would not approve. But the problem is that I have not seen Jans except that
one time in the Lounge for weeks. He is never home and when he is, he does
not wish to speak to me."

Justine's head shakes again as she quietly replies, "I do not know, I do not
understand it either. I asked him, but he did not answer me. Him and Guenter
nearly became physical over it. Guenter told him that the house is dead and
that I am Alvstad now and Sartori became nearly enraged and said that it is
not dead because I am still alive and as long as I am alive, so is the
House. He told Guenter that he cannot say who I can and cannot marry, that
it is my choice."

Dominic looks at Justine." Perhaps you should report this man to Lord Jeon
Corrino. I am sure that this is not how he wants his Sardaukar acting."

Justine's sick eyes turn to Dominic, a sullen expression lies behind her now
pastey complexion. Her voice is quiet and calm as she replies, "You do not
believe me, why should Lord Corrino?" Her head then slowly turns back to
Steffan.

Steffan hrms, "yes....Im sure the Brigadier would want to know, yet....he
too would be skeptical unless there was a reason for such behavior. We must
find out what it is...before any of us go to him. If we have proof...that
would make Jeon act..."

Dominic seems to think for a moment before replying. "What did you expect us
to think after the Na-Marquis said he had found out you were promised in
marriage to a Moritani? With the death of their Mentat, things are extremely
bad between our Houses right now. In addition, you tell us you have spoken
to a Sardaukar, when it is known the Moritani are strong allies of the
Corrino's. Can you blame us for our initial reaction?"

Once again Justine looks to Dominic with great hurt and pain as she quietly
replies, "I expected the both of you to know who I am and know better. Tis
one thing to ask, tis a completely other to accuse and cast blame. You both
have stated that you do not trust me before you even gave me a chance to
explain. I would have expected more but now see that I was very wrong. And
to think, I spoke so highly of you last night, Dominic. I'm sorry to see
that my perception of you was so wrong."

Justine looks back to Steffan with the same pained look, "You know that I do
not play these political games that the rest of you do. I am nothing but a
pretty face for my brother to flaunt at meetings when he wishes to 'woo'
Houses, just as you use your sister. But if you wish proof, then I will get
you proof. Hide a listening device on me and I will meet with Colonel
Sartori and get your answers but only because I wish to know them as well
and I wish to clear my name."

Dominic looks at Justine, his face flinching slightly. "I apologize if you
thought I was accusing you, but you must understand my position. House
Alvstad is known to be a staunch Moritani ally. We have only recently
bettered relations with your House, but it is well known that Siridar Nils
is not fond of our House. Then, the Na-Marquis comes in with his information
about the Moritani. I was merely reacting to the information given."

Justine holds a hand up to Dominic, motioning for him to stop but does not
look to him. It's apparent that she is very hurt and upset by what has
happened.

Steffan lowers his head, "You see Justine, it is as I have said. The house
is quite weary of outsiders, particularly now. And few people remember you
from the old days, and those that do will still be cautious of you. It after
all has been along time......and there is still much that you need to
explain to me, personally. You have avoided telling me things...as if you
don't trust ME..."

Justine sniffs a little, holding back the tears that are welling in her eyes
and quietly speaks in a quivering voice, "YOU said that you do not trust me,
Steffan. If I did not trust you, I would not have told you everything that I
have tonight. What I have told you could very well get me killed. And pardon
me for being rude and un-ladylike but I don't give a damn what your house
thinks. This is not between your house members and myself, this is between
you, me and Dominic. Instead of asking me, as a trusted friend would and
should, you accused me and immediately labeled me not to be trusted before I
could even explain. Did you ever stop to think that perhaps the reason why I
have not spoke of my absence is because I am not allowed to speak of it?
Even moreso, because I have not /seen/ you to speak of it? The night you
came to the Embassy, you couldn't even look at me, muchless talk to me. How
could I explain anything to you? You were in too big of a hurry to leave."
Her head shakes slightly, "Just let me clear my name and you will never have
to worry about me again. You nor your House."

Steffan sighs and leans back against the bench, "I just KNEW this was going
to be a bad idea....you coming to this embassay.. " He finally smiles
looking at Justine. "..Listen, I was just furious when I learned of your
possible dealings with the Moritani. They instill such things, they likely
responsible for my father's disappearance. I loath them intensly and to
think you were to wed one brought me to a boil...probably not because of the
reason you are here...but because....well...because of the way I once felt
about you. I am sorry to have upset you..."

Justine looks sadly to Steffan, a couple of tears trickling down her cheeks
as she quietly says, "You've done far more then just upset me, Steffan." Her
eyes slide over to Dominic for a moment and then back to Steffan, "The both
of you have. You've just proven that whatever feelings that you might have
once had for me no longer exists. I'm sorry for bringing this all upon you
and your House, I only meant to help your sister and nothing more. Again,
allow me to clear my name and you will never have to deal with me again."

Justine's body ever so slightly begins to circle, a look of dizziness washes
over her for a moment. Her head lowers to her hand as her eyes close.

Dominic looks at her with concern. "Are you alright, my lady?"

Justine's hand pulls back from her face and flops back and forth at Dominic.
Her voice weak as she speaks, "Yes....I....I'm fine."

Steffan looks at Justine now with a bit of concern again, "Well, if that is
what you want, very well. But I thought you would be stronger than this.
After all, if you are to teach the Lady Ornia, you will need to be. There
will be a great deal of people quite critical of your motives, after all a
House never asks another to teach its nobles." Steffan stands and faces
Justine, "I in fact have legitimately asked you questions, but others could
and may ask questions intentionly to upset you.....you will need to be on
the defense if you wish to be an instructor. Although I will be Siridar
soon, I give my staff a great deal of latitude in order to get things done.
You must understand, your being here in this capacity is quite
extraordinary. We look for spies all the time that are quite in disguise,
for one to come into the house such as yourself is very unusual. If you were
my wife that would be different, but of course you are not...and that does
make a big difference....."


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