Reception Foyer -- Imperial Palace (Kaitain)(#2481RtJ)
There can be no doubt that the architects of the Imperial Palace recognized that the first interior impression a visitor would have would be the Reception Foyer. The foyer is adorned with the most opulent and shameless decor of any space in the Imperium. Decorated in a soft-Baroque style, the massive, domed chamber, which reaches no less than 20 meters high, is masterfully designed -- and with inestimable precision -- to attenuate any echos or harsh sounds, despite the fact that the stark white marble floor is dressed with neither rug or carpet and the walls with not a single tapestry. The DOME itself bears a remarkable MURAL, the largest such self-supporting structure on Kaitain. Without exception, every noteworthy piece of furniture appears to be an original, priceless antique. The CHAIRS which line the walls at strategic points appear to be originals from the 7th millennium, flawlessly preserved. Two large gold framed MIRRORS adorn the north wall. Several PORTRAITS line the east and west walls. Honor GUARDS in dress uniform watch visitors motionlessly with penetrating gazes while Imperial servants mill about quietly on various errands.
Players:
Assaf Steffan
Exits:
Dark Granite Stairs <U> leads to Halls of the Royal Residence -- Imperial Palace (Kaitain)
French Doors <NW> leads to Platinum Ballroom -- Imperial Palace (Kaitain)
Marble Archway <N> leads to Hall of Emperors -- Imperial Palace (Kaitain)
Gilded Doors <W> leads to Salon of Wallach I -- Imperial Palace (Kaitain)
Grand Entrance <S> leads to Cannon Green -- Imperial Palace (Kaitain)
Justine slowly enters the foyer with a thoughtful smile on her face and her hands behind her back. Surprisingly, there are no guards with her.
Steffan bows slowly as Justine enters. He then places his hands behind his back and smiles faintly.
Assaf nods at Justine as she enteres, a wide grin on his face but he says nothing.
Justine stops quickly in her tracks and blinks in surprise as she sees the both of you standing there. Her brow rises suspeciously, her head tilting slightly to one side and says slowly, "Helllo?"
Steffan looks about the Palace and then smiles at Justine, "Hi, we are awaiting an audience with His Majesty..."
Assaf just stands a step behind and to the left of Steffan, not saying anything and trying to look dignified
Steffan takes and interest again as he continues to look around, " I have not been here since the remodeling was completed. Quite nice..."
Justine nods in understanding now, still looking a bit confused though. Her eyes roam about the area and nods again, "Yes, it is." She motions towards the marble archway and asks, "He knows that you both are waiting, correct?"
Assaf looks at Steffan with a puzzled look and then shrugs, returning his gaze at some of the gaurds and the serveants in the room
Steffan nods slowly, "Yes, it is regarding the wedding of my Sister and Lord Kuppershmid. A personal invitation for His Majesty..."
Justine's eyes then move to Assaf, frowning slightly, but looks back to Steffan with a small smile, "I see. Well, I'm sure that His Majesty will be pleased indeed." She looks to Assaf once more and dips her head to him, "My congratulations on the wedding, My Lord. I'm sure it will be a lovely ceremony."
Assaf bows, "Thank you, Lady Garamond, I'm sure it will. Will you be attending?"
Steffan hrms, "We must not keep the Emperor waiting....Lord Kuppershmid, this way. Lady Justine, I wish to speak to you privately afterwards if you don't mind.."
Assaf nods and starts walking
Justine's head shakes with a sad frown and quietly replies, "No, I don't think that would be wise." She smirks a little, "Seeing as how I am no longer trusted by the Bajazets.." and her eyes move to Steffan and begins to continue but stops when he makes his request. She nods a little and says, "If you wish."
Steffan nods, "it shouldn't take long.." He turns and hurries away.
Steffan is passed by the imposing Honor Guard before the Marble Archway.
Steffan has left.
Assaf is passed by the imposing Honor Guard before the Marble Archway.
Assaf has left.
===============================================================================================
(I'm OOC at this point)
Imperial Selamlik -- Imperial Palace (Kaitain)
The Imperial Selamlik, the throne room of His Majesty the Emperor of the Known Universe, is a massive, elongated hall in the baroque style. The gold leafed walls to the East and West slope gently upwards, forming a gentle set of delicately detailed arches with triangular recesses. Inside one of these, along the East wall, is the black desk of the Emperor's personal secretary. The ceiling, culmination of the arches is a rectangular enclave filled with carvings of the finest detail. A soft golden light drifts downward, filling the chamber with a warm golden-red hue. The floor is of bare, sheer black granite, polished to perfection, absorbing light and throwing only a subtle reflection. Against the oval shaped, far North wall, atop a 5 foot dais sits the imposing Golden Lion Throne, housed under an enclosing cowl, 7 meters tall and 6 meters wide. Two narrow, golden pillars seem to support the cowl from either side of The Lion Throne. Behind the Throne, to the rear of the dais dozens of elegant, golden pillars line the north wall. High Imperial Noukker Honor GUARDS stand at intervals in the chamber, leaving the dais itself a respectful distance.
Players:
Assaf Lochinvar
Jeon Steffan
Objects:
The Lion Throne
Exits:
Low Archway <NW> leads to Hall of Forbin II -- Imperial Palace (Kaitain)
Vaulted Arch <S> leads to Hall of Emperors -- Imperial Palace (Kaitain)
Lochinvar nods to Steffan and Assaf.
Jeon smiles benevolently at his guests waiting for them to impart their news.
Assaf turns his glance to Steffan, waiting for him to tell the news.
Steffan nods his head slowly, "Of course your Majesty, I wanted to personally invite you to the wedding of my Sister, the Lady Ornia Lear, and the Lord Assaf Kuppershmid of the Great House Bajazet. It is to take place on 11 Siidarazai at the Bajazet Embassay..."
Lochinvar remains stoic and scans to two behind the tinted oil lenes.
Assaf nods solemnly. Looking past Jeon and at Lochnivar he smiles slightly.
Jeon smiles, although privately he pities poor poor Assaf. What the hell is that poor schmuck getting his butt into? However, his visage is warm and cordial. He holds his hand out to Assaf, "Congratulations."
Assaf reaches his hand to Jeon and says, "That you, your Majesty."
Lochinvar 's body tenses as he touches the Emperor.
Jeon is always touching people, he's the friggin touchy fr9iggin feely emperor. he gives Assaf's arm a good hardy (dislocating?) pump.
Steffan bows slowly again as the Emperor approaches, "it shall be a very festive occasion. Many of the Landsraad are invited. We wanted to extend our invitation personally to you..."
Assaf returns the squeeze and releases the grip of the hands.
Jeon smiles, and seems genuinely impressed, "Well, I am glad you did me this small courtesy." He smiles at Assaf and thinks that marriage is about the worst way to ruin a perfectly decent guy.
Assaf smiles back and thinks that Jeon is probably bursting from laughter deep inside.
Steffan smiles proudly as he looks at Assaf, "Such a marriage shall benefit both our Great Houses. I feel if my father was still alive, he would be very happy."
Lochinvar raises his left eyebrow over the gold wire frames.
Jeon smiles, "Well, again, my congratulations. Steffan, I need to see you on a related matter"
Steffan lowers his head in acknowledgement, "Certainly....as you wish, your Majesty.."
Assaf looks at Jeon and then at Steffan and says, "Then I shall leave you to your business. My Lord, Your Majesty."
Steffan nods to Assaf and smiles.
Jeon smiles, "Steffan, follow me."
Assaf bows and waits for release from Jeon
Steffan nods to the Emperor and walks behind him.
Jeon smiles, "Assaf, go out drink lots of booze and savour freedom while you have it."
Assaf smirks, "As you order, your majesty."
Assaf stands and starts walking towards the Arch
Lochinvar thinks to himself, 'Ahh, booze'.
Assaf passes the Vaulted Arch and departs.
Assaf has left.
Jeon passes the Vaulted Arch and departs.
Jeon has left.
Steffan passes the Vaulted Arch and departs.
Steffan has left.
Imperial Conference Room -- Imperial Palace (Kaitain)
The Imperial Conference room is elongated North to South. It is centered by a long, cherry conference table which easily sits 22. Comfortable chairs, without the distraction of swivels, line both sides of the table itself. At the head a larger, high backed chair warns bystanders that it is for His Majesty The Emperor only. The walls are wood paneled, giving the room a "gentleman's club" feel. It is an ideal environment for transacting business of all sorts, particularly negotiations and staff meetings.
Players:
Exits:
Elegant Paneled Door <N> leads to Private Offices of His Majesty The Emperor -- Imperial Palace (Kaitain)
Grand Double Doors <S> leads to The Imperial Embassies and High Imperial Offices -- Imperial Palace (Kaitain)
Jeon emerges from the North.
Jeon has arrived.
Jeon smils and sits down grinnign ear to ear, "Steffan, I have some bad news."
Steffan places his hands behind his back and nods, "bad news, I see. " A puzzled look comes over his face, as if trying to figure out what it might be. As he sees the Emperor grin, he smiles faintly "Im sure House Ginaz can handle just about anything. We will ENDURE, your Majesty.."
Jeon smiles, "Can you endure not being a schmuck and boob?"
Steffan raises a brow , his face quite tense now, "If ...If I have offended his Majesty some how...I beg forgiveness..."
Jeon shrugs, "You've done little more than is expected for the average male, but in sodoing you've made some lives pure hell." He plops onto a chair, and crosses his legs, "Namely, I speak of your newfound inability to show Justine some love and compassion. I know of many Ginaz rivals, some with a certain Grumman air that fawn over her daily in armked contrast to your actions. The thing is, only you love her, and as the Emperor it is my job to unite lovers across the Universe. heavy task, I know, but well ...."
Steffan sighs, the tension disappearing from his face. "The Lady Justine, I thought it was a more serious..." He stops, starting to think about his words "I know of her ...assocations with the Count. The Lady Justine thinks she would be happier with him, I AM quite disappointed. I don't know why she feels that I don't love her. I never would have asked her to marry me otherwise, I know she wouldn't have approved. I show her the respect she deserves, I respect her privacy as well. I try to explain to her, how she will be treated within our house. I am not certain she understands our ways. Im not even certain what she wishes from me anymore.."
Jeon scoffs, "Respect! What is she a painting or a statue? Maybe you think she's a custom or a ritual. Respect my fat hairy Corrino butt. She doesn't just want respect. hell, I respect my cat. She wants affection and tenderness. You -used- to do that. Hell, I barged into that hotel and saw it, mister."
Steffan trembles as he starts to talk, "I realize that your Majesty. " His gaze begins to fall away from the Emperor. "I don't know what to say. I had thought things were getting back to normal, I was excited at the thought of getting married. Then she gave the ring back...."
Jeon nods, "Well, I have a solution, provided you co-operate. Are you willing to sacrifice alot, work very hard and gain tremendous benefit?"
Steffan looks up at the Emperor trying to smile, "I will always do as you ask your Majesty,..."
Jeon leans forward and glares into the eyes of the Marquis, "You must disregard this foolish notion of ..." he adopts a highpitched whiney voice "...how she'll be treated, and she doesn't understand us" he returns to normal, "All bunk. You must show her genuine affection, like you used to! It was alright then, it's alright now. Hell, if you treated her like sculpted ivory, people will not think you married. If you swear with your life's blood, I will wed you two."
Steffan takes a deep breath, "I will do as you ask. I feel Justine though....she will resist. It will make such a thing difficult. "
Jeon chuckles, "Naaa. Ok, stand up and make yourself presentable." he walks over to a drawer and pulls out a priestsly stole and a Holy Book. He winks and sends for Justine.
Steffan eye's widen. He stands and straightens his uniform. "Your Majesty?..." He stops when he spots the bible.
Jeon smiles and winks, "Heh, all Sardaukar brass are Sardaukar ministers. We have a warrior religion. It'll be legit, but you might want to have a more public one anyway. If you don't live up to your end of the bargain, I'll annul the marriage and send her to ... Grumman or someplace like that."
Minutes later, Justine enters the room, asking, "You summoned for me, Your..." She suddenly stops her movement and looks to Jeon with great surprise and confusion. "Wha....what is going on??"
Steffan swallows hard and stands up straight, his nervous body twitching now and then, "Yes of course Your Majesty, I know that my people would want to witness such an event.."
Jeon beckons Justine to come in, "Come on in, come in. Steffan has a promise to make for you, that he has sworn in his own blood."
Justine hesitates but takes very slow steps towards the two, still looking confused. Her eyes move over Steffan and then smirks, "I don't see any."
Jeon grins, "Just hear him out."
Justine sighs with a nod and mutters, "Yes, Your Majesty." She then looks to Steffan, clasping her hands in front of her and waits for him to speak.
Nervous and tense, Steffan turns as Justine enters. His glances at Justine only momentarily. After a few moments, he looks back at Justine speaking very slowly, "I will no longer treat you the way I have. I will endeavor to show you the genuine affection that you wish." He glances at the Emperor again, "I swear on my life's blood..."
Jeon tosses Steffan his own dagger, "There now you can show her how much ya mean it."
Justine watches Steffan speak, notes the nervous nature and how he looks to Jeon when he mentions blood. She looks to Jeon and shakes her head, "I don't want his blood and I don't want some forced promises. May I leave now?"
Jeon glares at Justine, "Steffan, are you being forced to say this. Tell her what is on your heart"
Justine doesn't wait for Steffan to speak, she points a finger at him while glaring back to Jeon and snapping, "He just looked to you before he swore his life blood! This isn't the first time you've forced us together! You know as well as I do that no sane person on Kaitain is going to deny you what you declare!" She frowns heavily and pleads with Jeon as her eyes tear up, "How many times must the two of you break my heart before you're satisfied?"
Steffan stares at the dagger at first and then takes with his right hand. "Forced....Forced? well, not in the way that you mean Justine. It is not the Ginaz way to discuss matters of love in such a way, but perhaps that tradition should come to an end." He slashes the dagger accross his palm and then hands the dagger to Justine.
Jeon hmms and says, "You may not believe it. But I have given you an opportunity to look in his heart. Do so and tell me if he is forced or no?"
Justine winces as Steffan slices his hand and offers the dagger to her. She then looks to Jeon and says, "I /gave/ him my heart and my soul and what did he do with it? He took it and left me empty. Why should I do this for him? Or for you?" She looks back to Steffan, very hurt, "You can keep your so called 'ways', Steffan. And for your information, I know all about Ginaz ways and nowhere does it state that you have to be a cold hearted bastard!"
Jeon nods, "He knows. We're not asking you to do anything. Steffan is going to stop being a jerk and a schmuck, of his own free will. Why? Because his love is greater than his pigheadishness."
Justine's jaw trembles as she looks to Steffan, her own words hurting her as well as Steffan. After a moment, she turns her attention back to Jeon with tears running down her face, "If his love is so grand and overwhelming then why does he need /you/ to make such proclamations?"
Jeon smiles, "As he says it is not Ginaz custom to articulate these things. As an incurable romantic ..." he flashes her a look,"...I am."
Justine's eyes roll, "Oh /please/! I am so tired of hearing that crap! Just how stupid do the both of you think I am?" She looks back to Steffan and asks, "Do you remember right after we left the Palace, after the Emperor had us locked in here? Remember all the time I spent at your Embassy?"
Steffan looks at Justine calmly, "You do? What do you know of Ginaz? What you know, you have learned from my sister, who knows very little of our ways. That is my fault of course. His Majesty only wishes to help us, I for one will accept his graciousness and wisdom in such matters.."
Steffan hrms and then looks at Justine curiousy, "I remember those times, what of them?"
Jeon hmpfs, "Leave me out of this. Listen you two. Justine, you're stubborn. As hurt as you have been, you want to love Steffan. Steffan, stop it. You're reverting to what you promised you'd give up."
Justine folds her arms across her chest and shakes her head, "You're wrong, Steffan! I learned from the very books in your private library! Don't you remember seeing me walking around reading books all the time?" She smirks, "Ornia and Srulin cared enough to ask what I was reading, unlike yourself, and I was reading the books on YOUR history. On Ginaz history!" She looks hurt, tears still falling from her eyes, "I was trying to learn everything I could about your people, so I could transition better."
Steffan looks back at Jeon, "my apologies your Majesty. I will refrain from such things..yet it was the Lady Justine who brought such matters up.."
Jeon coughs loudly, "Hello!?"
Justine's head shakes as she motions to Steffan again but looks to Jeon, "See? Listen to his words. He is only doing this because you have forced him to."
Jeon turns to Steffan, "Steffan, you must trust that Justine -does- know these things."
Justine snorts at that but doesn't say anything.
Steffan turns to Justine and looks directly at her, "I do these things not because I am obligated to..." He sighs and searches for the right thing to say. He peers back at Jeon, but only for the moment, "I am just not experienced enough to know what to say to you Justine. You expect things from me, that I don't know how to give. I only act the way my father has taught me. And I listen too to the words of our great Padishah Emperor himself." Steffan lets his hands fall by his side, drips of blood falling upon the floor.
Justine's eyes slowly move over to Steffan as he speaks, her anger beginning to drain from her, no matter how hard she tries to hold onto it. She notices the blood and fights the urge to tend to it but after a minute or two, her arms uncross and drop to her sides as she moves over to the wetbar getting a rag, wetting it with some water and then walking back over to Steffan. She holds out her hand and quietly mutters, "Give me your hand."
Steffan holds up his hand, quietly without saying a word
Justine gently takes your hand and very carefully, blots the excess blood off your palm before wrapping the towel around it tightly. She places your hand on your chest and looks up to you, quietly saying, "Keep your hand up, above your heart until you see a Suk."
Steffan looks at the hand first and nods. "Sure.." He whispers.
Jeon smiles tenderly, and waits for someone to broach the more pressing subject of actually being wed.
Justine sighs heavily and shakes her head a bit as she steps away from Steffan. After a moment, she looks to him and asks, "Did you read it?"
Steffan looks up a Justine, pulling at the towel to make it more taunt. "You mean the book you gave me?.."
Justine's lips begin to form a smirk and a nasty comeback is only seconds away but she refrains and her lips fall back into a slight frown as she nods, "Yes"
Steffan pulls back his jacket lapel, the upper part of the book showing. "I have...you wrote all of these things?"
Jeon smiles gently.
Justine seems a bit surprised that you still carry it with you and then nods, answering with a whisper, "Every word. As I told you before, it is my heart and my soul."
Steffan hrms, "I never knew you could.....write like this. I was quite moved, and I don't fancy myself a reader of such things. Why...." He stops suddenly as if thining about his words. "Hrm.."
Justine shrugs a little, "One can do anything they wish if they are inspired enough." Her brow rises, "Why what?"
Steffan shakes his head, He glances around the room momentarily, "I think I understand how you feel now, I only wish you understood my pain as clearly....perhaps it doesn't matter.."
Justine frowns heavily, "Depends on which pain you're referring to, Steffan. If you're talking about the pain of your mother's death, you keep forgetting that I understand all too well. If it's something else, then you've never told me, so how can I possibly know or how can you know if I do understand or not?"
Steffan sighs, "It is more than that, but I don't wish to talk about it now. But I can show you later if you wish, perhaps that would make it more clear.."
Justine sighs and shakes her head, "I....I don't know. Why couldn't you show me before? Why did you insist on pushing me away from you and then try to claim surprise when you finally succeeded in pushing me out of your life fully? Why couldn't you just put your trust in me and open yourself up to me? You once started doing it, but then you stopped."
Jeon folds his armsz and waits.
Steffan nods, "I have difficulty in those regards." He looks back at the Emperor, "I don't know if..." He shakes his head and sighs, "Very well, my father's most trusted Advisors betrayed him. Now he is either dead or ....who knows. I have found it difficult lately to trust anyone, and my troops found Moritani complicity in the matter as well.."
Jeon speaks for the first time in a while, "Now, you know how pained Justine must be that you even suspected her."
Justine is very pained by your words, tears forming in her eyes once again. She nods a little and then quietly says, "You still cannot trust me." Tears now spill from her eyes and looks to Jeon, "I beg of you, let me leave."
Jeon shakes his head, "I do not think Steffan is finished. You jump to hastily on his words."
Justine's head shakes, "No, I do not, Your Majesty. You have heard yourself and you also know that this is not the first time that he has said that he does not fully trust me. I'm not going to stand here and take this abuse any longer, I just can't take it."
Jeon rebukes her gently, "He said he didn't trust you, he has made no mention of his present feelings."
Justine smirks at Jeon, the tears still falling, "Like he will stand here and say otherwise in front of you?"
Jeon frowns, "He will speak the truth, or you show yourself not to be trusting either? Do not sink to the level you yourself condemn."
Steffan looks at Justine, a somber expression on his face. "You constantly draw the wrong conclusions from anything I say. Yet, you don't even attempt to understand how /I/ feel. It always how you feel Justine. I stand here trying to show you why I do the things I do. Perhaps I should not say anything. You wish to know these things, yet when you do, you turn it all against me, like its all my fault. What should I feel after they abducted my father?."
Justine looks sadly to Jeon, "He has said many things in front of you before, Your Majesty, that never stayed the truth. He's broken many promises. Why should I believe him?" She then looks to Steffan and rebuttles, "How am I drawing the wrong conclusions, Steffan? I can only go by what you say to me. You just stood here and said that you didn't trust me! And it's not the first time you've done so!" Her head shakes, "You have never once tried to show me how you feel nor why you do what you do. It's always me having to do that for you and it's always you ignoring me." She frowns and then softly says, "How should you feel about your father? Upset, angry, vengeful....many things. But you don't have to keep them to yourself!"
Steffan sighs, "I am Siridar, and what I say carries much weight. I can not just say whatever I want to whomever. I must be careful. " He glance moves away. "Very well then. If that is what you want, I will take you to the Homeworld. I will show you, and that make it quite clear how I feel."
Justine looks hurt by that and asks, "Am I just anyone, Steffan?" Her head shakes, "That's what your whole problem is. You think of me just like you do everyone else but I'm not!" Her head shakes again, "I don't want to go to Marcinko. I can't go. I made a promise to go with...." Her voice trails off, thinking better of mentioning it and then continues, "I just can't go right now. I have other obligations."
Jeon bellows, "Hey! You two are pissing me the hell off! You fight like a fucking married couple, so guess what. You Steffan, do you take her? Yes or no?"
Steffan turns his head toward the Emperor, "yes..."
Jeon points at Justine, "You? Take him? Only acceptable answer is hell yes"
Justine blinks in surprise and asks, "What is going on?? Take him what?"
Jeon repeats, "yes, or yes?"
Justine folds her arms across her chest and looks away from the two, defiantly stating, "No!"
Jeon nods, "Ok, she said yes." He thumps the books on your foreheads, kisses his stole and ties your hands together, "Now, I pronounce man and wife. Get the hell out of my office."
Justine gasps, "Man and wife??" Her head shakes quickly, "NO!! You can't do this!" She looks quickly back and forth between the two, shaking her head, "I am not his wife and I am not going to his Embassy!"
Steffan sighs, "We will work this out later, your Majesty."
Jeon ushers you two out, "Sort it out in the marital bed chamber. Justine, as my Ward, you can't argue. if I say yer married you better fucking believe you're married. But, if Steffan fails to live up to being a good and -affectionate- man, I'll annul the wedding. Now, I said it before, get the fucking hell out of my office."
Steffan bows deeply and slowly and makes a graceful exit. "As you wish, your Majesty.."
Jeon says, "No, as you wish."
Justine frowns heavily to Jeon, looking very hurt, "How could you do this to me?" Her head shakes, "I am not sharing a bed with this man. You might be able to force me to marry him and you could even force me to live at his Embassy, but you cannot force me to share his bed!" She looks to Steffan and then back to Jeon, "I assure you, it will be annulled." She doesn't curtsey nor bow, she just turns and heads out.
You pass through the Grand Double Doors.
The Imperial Embassies and High Imperial Offices -- Imperial Palace (Kaitain)(#2479RtJM)
These offices, paneled in dark wood tones, convey a sense of businesslike affluence. A large wrap-around reception desk confronts visitors and channels traffic to a waiting area where deep and comfortable chairs invite the visitor and filmbooks are available for viewing. These halls, effectively the Executive Offices of the Imperium, are where the work of the Imperium is done. One can only wonder at what decisions and directions have been decided within these walls. A RECEPTIONIST sits behind the reception desk, seemingly occupied with other matters.
Exits:
Wooden Door <E> leads to Office of the Imperial Chancellor -- Imperial Palace (Kaitain)
Grand Double Doors <N> leads to Imperial Conference Room -- Imperial Palace (Kaitain)
Opaque Door <W> leads to Hall of Emperors -- Imperial Palace (Kaitain)