Justine or who ever else is in the room can hear a light knock at the door.
Justine lies in her bed, wearing a white, silk nightgown with a square neckline. A bandage is attached to her chest, just above her left breast but now, you also notice other little patches strategically placed about her chest, neck and arms. Her skin is pale, dark circles are under her eyes, yet despite her weakened state, she seems to be resting comfortably and quietly.
One of the guards opens the door a crack to see who's there and quietly asks, "Yes?"
Ornia smiles at the guard "Is Justine takeing any freinds to see?"
The guard looks back to Justine, who is beginning to stir, and then back to Ornia saying, "She's resting now but it looks like she's starting to wake up. I guess you can come in, just as long as you don't upset her. I have my orders and I don't feel like losing my head this evening."
Ornia frowns at the guard "Well Really you have little choice as I see it." she moves intot he room and then appraoches Justine slowly.
Through the open door the sound of several people coming down the hall can be heard. Dominic enters the room flanked by two guards dressed in black with a red eagle on their uniform. He bows to Ornia. "My lady, it is good to see you once again. Let me congratulate you on your recent wedding. I am sorry I was unavailable to attend."
Ornia turns about and smiles at Dominic "Thank you Dominci, I wish you could have, but right now I am worried for Justine." she turns about some to look at justine again
Dominic nods the the two guards and they nod and quietly exit the room. He looks toward Justine with concern. "What has happened to Lady Justine?".
Ornia sighs "Well it seems just is unhappy with Steffan."
Justine moans quietly and stirs once again, nuzzling her cheek against the pillow.
Dominic looks at Ornia. "How did this injury occur to her?"
Ornia looks to you now "She did it to her self. I do not knwo exactly why."
Dominic shakes his head. "I had heard that the Marquis and Lady Justine had married, but I heard nothing of her being injured."
Ornia sighs and then loosk at you as she keeps her voice down "Well according to Justine this was forced on her." she looks down "I would be unhappy too."
Dominic looks with surprise at Ornia. "I had not heard that fact, my lady. That seems unlike the Marquis, forcing her to marry him."
Ornia moves to pull you aside and then whispers to Dominic
Ornia mutters to Dominic, "... emperor... them both."
Dominic looks curiously at Ornia. "Why would he do something like that?"
Justine moans louder now and begins to stretch in her bed but stops quickly when the sharp pain tells her to. She sucks in a breath and mutters, "ow!" with a heavy sigh. Her eyes slowly blink open and she groggily asks, "Why would who do what?"
Ornia frowns and jus shrugs as she moves to Justine and kneels near her "Nobody Justine." she then smiles "Are we feeling better I hope?"
Justine is still pretty groggy but nods a bit and says, "Yes, I think so." She then looks confused and asks, "What day is it?"
Dominic smiles at Justine. "Good evening, my lady. How are you feeling?"
Ornia giggles somewhat "It does not matter, I am just gald to see you are getting better." she then stands up and lets Dominic near.
Justine's eyes flicker to Dominic and just stare at him, blankly for a moment. Finally, recognition hits her as she gasps and tries to sit up, "Dominic??" For the second time since she's been here, she actually smiles, although, it quickly fades as her quick movement forces her to lay back down again. She looks to Dominic and asks, "Is it really you? Or am I hallucinating again?"
Dominic smiles gently at Justine. "Yes, it is really me, my lady. I have returned from the homeworld and I am here to stay."
Justine reaches her hand out to Dominic, tears of happiness fill her eyes, "Oh Dominic, I've missed you so much. I'm so glad you're back."
Ornia paces a bit and loosk to the door as if she expects someone to charge through and take her away
Dominic pats her hand for a moment and then lays it back on the bed. "I am glad to be here. But you must rest, my lady. Do not strain yourself too much."
Ornia looks at the two of you and sighs muttering some to herself as she paces again
Justine's smile slowly fades at the reaction of Dominic, his coldness reminding her of Steffan. She nods once and quietly says, "Very well." Her eyes then shift to Ornia, looking confused and asks, "Ornia...what day is it? How long have I been asleep?"
Ornia mutters to herself, "... Steffan... to... for..."
Ornia pauses and loosk strait at Justine and shrugs lightly "I am not really sure." she giggles "Me and Assaf had left the reception and not left where we stayed for a while."
Ornia says something into her communicator.
Justine nods a little, offering a sad smile while quietly replying, "Then it's been some time. But I am glad to hear that you did not miss your honeymoon on my account."
Dominic looks at Justine. "How are you feeling, my lady?"
Justine's sad eyes flicker to Dominic just before she answers, "Do you want the truth or what you want to hear?"
Assaf walks in from Residential Wing through the Arch.
Assaf has arrived.
Assaf enters the room, a bit suprised to see all of the people there. He smiles at Ornia and nods at Dominic, not mentally ready to see him.
Dominic seems taken aback for a moment. "The truth, of course my lady." His eyes flicker to the side at the movement of someone entering the room.
Dominic nods to Assaf. "Greetings and congratulations, my lord."
Ornia smiles at seeing Assaf, but then still looks at Justine
Ornia is a few paces from Dom and Justine
Justine's eyes move to Assaf briefly and then back to Dominic and answers him, "Physically, I'm very tired, very sore and in mild pain. Emotionally, however, is far graver a situation."
Assaf takes a step into the room and bows at Justine, "My Lady," he then turns his head to Dominic, "It is a pleseant suprise seeing you again, my friend." He walks over to the two.
Assaf then turns to Ornia and grins, "And what are you doing out of bed in your honeymoon? I guess your husband is lacking in his job!"
Dominic looks at Justine, still not quite understanding. "I am sorry to hear that, my lady." He grins slightly at Assaf's comment.
Justine mutters to Assaf's comment, "her's isn't the only husband lacking." She then nods a bit to Dominic and says, "I'm sure but it's not your concern. Thank you though."
Dominic nods to Justine. "As you wish, my lady."
Ornia rolls her eyes and sighs deeply "Well if you were in bed when I last woke I may have still been there." Ornia then looks at Justine and frowns deeply and actually then moves for the door with out much more of as word.
Justine's head shakes to Dominic, "I don't get wishes around here, at least, none that come true."
Assaf walks after Ornia, trying to stop her as she walks, he mutters softly to her, "Dear, I have something to discuss with Justine and I'm waiting forward a chat with Lord Valerian, please, bear with me."
Dominic shakes his head. "I am sorry to see you are in such poor spirits, my lady."
Ornia pauses and smiles "Well I was just going to let you talk as you needed while I went to start packing a lot of my things since my living here is now going to be at and end."
Justine's brow rises at Dominic and then softly asks, "Are you? Forgive me for finding that so hard to believe, but last I recalled, we were on a more familiar basis yet now, you seem insistant on being formal and well....cold."
Assaf turns back to Dominic and Justine, letting Ornia leave. He walks over there slowly, listening to Justine.
Dominic chuckles slightly and smiles. "I apologize if I seem that way, my lady. I have been busy of late and still seem to be thinking of work it seems."
Ornia glances at Justine as she says that and just seems deeply saddened but says "Justine I will come by and see you each day as you are and allways will be a friend."
Justine looks to Ornia and smiles softly with a gentle nod, "I know you will, Ornia and I thank you. But don't worry about me, you have a new life now, go enjoy it. Take the time to appreciate what you have, I will be here later."
Justine turns her attention back to Dominic and nods to him, "I understand, however, I would very much like it if you would stop calling me 'my lady' and call me Justine, like you used to." She offers a gentle smile.
Dominic nods. "I think perhaps I can manage that, Justine."
Dominic looks at Assaf. "And how have you been, Lord Assaf?"
Justine's smile spreads, "Thank you." She then looks to Assaf, wondering if he was there simply because Ornia is or if there's something else on his mind.
Assaf smiles and lets himself to release tension, "Married."
Ornia lingers now just outside the doorway and seems just very disappointed in what Justine had just said to her.
Dominic looks at Justine again. "Well, I must leave you for now my lady. As I have just returned, I have several matters I must attend too. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to make you and your stay more comfortable."
Assaf smiles at Justine and says, "I have something to discuss with you Justine. Do you have time now?"
Justine nods to Dominic and says, "Thank you, but unless you can change your Marquis then I'm afraid that will be impossible." Her eyes linger to the guards and then back to Dominic, "Also getting rid of the guards would be a great asset. I would kill for some privacy right about now. Whom I will kill is debateable at this point."
Hearing Dominic, Assaf nods and says, "We must meet some time, Lord Valerian, and talk about the ventures of the last few months."
Dominic smiles at Justine. "I will see what I can do about that in the next few days, Justine." He nods to Assaf. "Of course, my lord. I would be more than happy to accommadate you."
Justine nods to you both and then seems surprised as she gets a message. She gasps and smiles, "Cesare is coming!"
You hear a knocking coming from the Residential Wing -- Ginaz Embassay (Kaitain).
Dominic looks sharply at Justine.
Justine shouts, "Come in!"
Cesare walks in from Residential Wing through the Arch.
Cesare has arrived.
Assaf looks suprised, his hand jumps to his Kindjal as a reflex
Justine looks over to the door and smiles brightly, "Cesare!"
Cesare opens the door once he's bidden enter, eyes immediately going to Justine as he enters, handsome face lighting with a brilliant smile. "M'lady Justine."
Dominic looks coolly at Cesare. His communicator beeps and he listens to it a moment. He murmurs something to one of the guards and quietly slips out of the room.
Justine is lieing in her bed, with a silk nightgown on and a bandage over her left breast. She also has small pads strategically placed about her chest, neck and arms. She smiles to Cesare, tears forming in her eyes and asks, "What are you doing here? Have you lost your mind?"
Justine's voice is gentle and with surprise, she isn't fussing or bitching, just happy and curious.
Assaf looks at Cesare and his gaurds, he seems to recall his face faintly but he does not show any sign of alarm, "I take it that you are Count Moritani, My Lord?"
Cesare cants a brief and annoyed glance back to the guards who have entered with him and those in the room, a brief nod to Assaf both in way of reply and of recognition before returning back to more important attentions. He keeps his smile despite Justine's obviously distress, but seems only mildly annoyed by the general stench of Ginaz scum. "Lost my mind? I hardly think so. Besides, your actions rather behooved that I come, did they not?"
Justine's brows furrow in confusion as she asks, "Which actions are those?"
Misha has arrived.
Assaf looks at Misha and then at Cesare, he smiles and takes a step back, waiting for his chance to talk to Justine alone.
Cesare chuckles lightly and wheels his chair towards the bed, grimace-smiling at the guards in an almost smug look before returning to Justine. "Your apparent ... incarceration, Justine. I felt you might want a friendly face, hrmm? Rather like I needed on that eve of return to Kaitain."
One of the guards tries to put himself in between Cesare and Justine, giving Cesare a glaring scowl but Justine pushes at his him and snaps, "Get out of my way! Can't you see I'm trying to have a conversation here?"
He keeps his eyes on Cesare and states, "My Lady, my job is to protect you from vile such as him. I am not moving."
Justine uses most of her strength to whap the guard on his hip and snaps, "The only protection needed around here is from yourself! Remove thyself out of my way or I'll get up and move you myself!"
Cesare looks up at the guard. "Protection from a man in a wheelchair? You cad and craven coward! What am I going to do, roll over her?"
Justine frowns and looks to Cesare, pleading with him, "Cesare, please...don't make it worse. I know you shouldn't be treated like this and I am so very sorry but you are their sworn enemy and I'm sure if the situation were reversed, you'd want your guards to do the same." She then sits up a bit and pushes the guard from behind, causing him to take a few steps forward, stumbling and moving out of the way. She smiles back to
Cesare and says, "There, all better."
Assaf looks a bit amused by all of this, he remains a step behind the entire deal and watches.
Cesare heaves with heavy sigh and nods, relenting for the moment to lower his scowl to a mere mild sneer. "I don't know about all better, Justine. I have heard ... rumours about what has happened to you, but desired to come hear from you personally. Whatever is going on?" he inquires worriedly, brow furrowing.
Justine frowns sadly and lowers her eyes as she whispers, "I was married off to the Marquis and I am not....happy." Her eyes lift to you, showing that there is more to tell but she's withholding, "I just wanted to make the pain go away."
Cesare cocks his head to one side ... studying ... scrutinizing with concern. "Not happy? Well with the reputation the Ginaz have with regard to treating their women I should not be surprised, but I thought perhaps Steffan a better man than his predecessors. Just goes to show that one should never overestimate a Ginaz."
Assaf clears his throat as he hears Cesare's comment, "Excuse me, My Lord but I think your information is not that true."
Cesare looks over his shoulder, jaw tensed as if expecting the remark to have come from a guard and softening upon noticing that indeed it came from a fellow human being instead. "I regret I could not attend your wedding, m'lord," is all he says in reply.
Justine's eyes quickly shift to Assaf, giving him a warning glance to keep quiet. She then looks back to Cesare with a crooked smile and quietly states, "He is a good man, Cesare and very dedicated to his House duties."
Cesare swivels back, his smile returning as he bobs his head in assent. "I do not dispute that. The good Lord Kuppershmid is a credit to his House and I am certain very dedicated, yes."
Assaf nods and returns to his small cove, as far as he cares, Justine can handle it as she pleads.
Justine's head shakes slowly as she corrects Cesare, "I was referring to Steffan, my dear." She sighs and says, "I am so very sorry, I wanted to tell you everything that happened but I was not allowed to go see you." She frowns, "It all happened so quickly, I don't even have all of my things from the Palace here."
Cesare glowers slightly at the mention of the Marquis Lear. "'That man' apparently does not know his duty, or so I understand the Emperor has remarked?"
Justine inhales deeply and then softly says, "Steffan does not consider me to be his duty. He considers his House his duty."
Assaf nods from behind, the only one that would catch his node in the room would be Justine
Cesare looks briefly around at the guards and then states, "Then he is mistaken ... no surprise in that."
Justine's eyes move about to the guards, who are all glaring at Cesare and looking rather blood thirsty but do not move otherwise, and then back to Cesare, she smiles a little and asks, "Can't we talk about something else?"
She thinks for a moment and then softly says, "I am very surprised to see you here but I am also very happy and appreciative. I know how difficult this must be for you."
Cesare looks up briefly at a particularly butch female guard who is glaring daggers his way. Ginaz women ... ech. Always so ... lacking in the proper areas. "All the more difficult with these lapdogs nipping at my heels the whole time."
Assaf looks at the gaurds and buries his face in his hands, Aren't four enough?!
Justine nods a little, replying quietly, "I know and I am sorry but there isn't anything I can do. I am constantly surrounded by them, regardless of your being here or not. Believe me, if I could be rid of them, I would be. I would love nothing more then to have a moments worth of peace."
Cesare looks back at the Lady Garamond. "Then why don't you? Steffan can hardly force you to stay here, Justine. Did you not tell me that you are a woman of independence and her own mind? Don't let him browbeat his cretinous and barbarous will on you."
Justine sighs heavily, "I have tried, Cesare! But these guards are so damned loyal and dedicated, they will not go back on his orders. I tried to leave the Embassy but I was being followed. I took the knife to my chest to try to get one of them to stop and he won't. He said that he has sworn his life to me and from what I have heard..." She looks to Assaf briefly and then back to Cesare, "He has been warned by more then just Steffan, that if anything should happen to me, then he will die. I have been forbidden to be allowed near your Embassy. I told Steffan that I wanted to go see you and he forbade me. I tried to go and was threatened to be restrained if I tried."
Cesare reddens at this. "Threatened? Have you informed the Emperor of this? Last I checked, you were still his ward and a threat on your life is effectively one on his, is it not?"
Justine's head shakes, "My life was not threatened, Cesare, merely a threat of restraint. But no, I have not seen the Emperor, however, his Mentat came to visit me and I told him of what was going on. He said he would inform the Emperor for me."
Assaf nods and finally speaks, "I have spoken to the Emperor myself, Justine."
Justine looks to Assaf with furrowed brows, "You have? When? And what did you say?"
Cesare looks with almost unabashed gratitude towards Assaf. "Well our Padishah be praised that someone has! He certainly deserves to know when his very ward is being kept prisoner in her marriage bed."
Cesare mutters under his breath, "How very kinky of the Ginaz."
Assaf nods, "Before the wedding, I arrived to the palace and demanded an audience with the Emperor. I told him of your condition and that in my opinion it will be best of you to be released from this place. I pushed upon him to inquire on how you are treated. I hope that he will because he did not agree with my observation."
Justine's head quickly shakes at that and firmly states, "This is NOT my marriage bed! I only shared a bed with Steffan once and I assure you, nothing happened. He came to bed when I was asleep and left before I awakened. We only shared it because when I first hurt myself, the guards thought I shared a room with him but I do not. This is my own, seperate room."
Justine frowns to Assaf, quietly asking, "He didn't believe you?"
Assaf pouts, "Let me just say that he took the matter lightly."
Cesare sighs and leans back in his suspensor chair, reaching up to very consciously finger a medal showing an enameled man in Ginaz colours being trampeled by a boot of Moritani device. "It is a sad, sad state of affairs, this. Reprehensible."
Justine seems crestfallen by Assaf's words, her eyes close and her body sinks further into the bed.
Assaf cocks up, seeing Justine's reaction, "He did say he will check the matter and that he will inspect on Lord Lear."
Cesare decides to try and change the subject to one more pleasant. "Did you receive my ... wedding present?" he asks of Justine.
Justine barely nods as she doesn't believe the Emperor's words...not that she doesn't believe he said them, but he will go through with them. Her eyes open as Cesare speaks and gives him a confused expression, "Huh?" Her head shakes, "I haven't gotten anything. What are you talking about?"
Cesare nearly starts from his chair, that Moritani anger starting to simmer but he manages to merely clench his teeth angrily. "You didn't get the ring I sent?" he asks, looking very pointedly at the guards.
One of the guards looks to Cesare with a smirk and says, "It is customary that any and all packages, no matter where they come from, be inspection first. If your, so called, gift, checks out, then the Marquise shall have it."
Justine glares at the guard and says, "How dare you go through my private things? It was sent to me and I demand to have it! And I am not the Marquise!"
The guard keeps his eyes on Cesare and cooly replies, "I did not go through it, My Lady. I suggest you discuss this with the Marquis for there is nothing I can do."
Justine nods to the guard and says, "Oh, you better believe that I'll take it up with him."
Assaf grins and hopes Steffan will stay alive.
Cesare peers with the grandest amount of indignation his aristocratic features can bring to bear on the guard. "Where will this end? I thought this was a marriage my friend was entering in, not a prison sentence.'
The guard snorts and exclaims, "Friend? You have no friends here! We all know that you are only using the Lady Lear to get to the Marquis. Do you really believe us to be as stupid and naive as she?"
Justine gasps loudly, her mouth dropping down and eyes widening at the remark coming from the guard. As much as she wants to fire back at him, she can't. She doesn't have the strength to and also because deep down, she can't help but wonder if they aren't right to a degree. She looks to Cesare with sad eyes and softly says, "I am so sorry."
Assaf walks over to the gaurd that exclaimed and tapped him on the back, "Leave, now, send someone else to replace you."
Cesare certainly has no such problems as he retorts, "I do not believe a guard has any place speaking such to a Siridar. "
The guard looks to Assaf as if he's lost his mind and says, "You have no place ordering me to leave. My orders come from a higher power then you. Until I am told to leave by the Marquis, I am not leaving." He then grins smugly to Cesare and states, "Truth hurts, eh?"
Justine snaps to the Guard, "Stop it!"
Cesare retorts, "So does stupidity."
Assaf shakes his head and suddenly places his Kindjal next to his neck, "Leave, if you value your life." He then grabs him and uses him as a human shield before the rest will attack him.
Justine sighs heavily, closing her eyes and bringing a hand up to her chest as she whispers, "Cesare, I'm so sorry..."
Cesare shakes his head and looks tenderly to Justine, smiling as best he can. "You have nothing to be sorry for, Justine. The Emperor will see to this ... farce."
Without Assaf realizing it, there are a couple of guards behind him who pull their swords and lightly jab his back stating, "Release the guard and replace your weapon, My Lord. For you are about to take your leave."
Assaf bellows out, "I will release him only if he exits the Embassy with me, or at least this room. He has offended the Marquise's honour and he must answer for it!"
Justine nods a little to Cesare and offers a half smile, "I know he will. Don't fret over me, my dear Cesare. Things will work out just fine."
Cesare states rather blithely, "Well someone has to, don't they?"
The two guards behind Assaf look at one another and think about that for a moment before turning their attention to Assaf and states, "We don't recall her honor being offended." They look to Justine and asks, "My Lady, do you feel that your honor has been offended?"
Justine smirks at the guards and replies, "Wouldn't you be offended if you were called stupid or are you just so used to it that it doesn't phase you anymore? Of course I'm offended!"
Cesare cannot help himself and cracks a smile at Justine's comments, the situation turning very interesting very fast.
Assaf pouts, "You see, I suggest you will take a month off and learn a little about society, I'm sure it will improve your effectivness."
The guards blink at Justine and then move their weapons to the side, yet do not sheeth them. One opens the door for Assaf and states, "Very well, but the Marquis shall hear about this!"
Assaf nods, "I hope he will!" He walks away, holding the gaurd's arm and dragging him with him, the Kindjal is back in his place.
Cesare shakes his head and chuckles, turning back to Justine as the fracas is ended before it could go anywhere colourful. "Now Justine," he notes in a slightly softer timbre, "You really should try and contact Jeon. Tell him yourself what is going on here. You are still his ward and undoubtedly His Majesty is still concerned for your welfare.'
Justine sighs heavily as Assaf drags the guard away and idly wonders if he is really going to duel the guard or was just putting on a show. She looks to Cesare and frowns while shaking her head, "No, I cannot do that. I've told you before about how I have tried to go against his wishes concerning Steffan but I was not allowed to. This wouldn't be any different."
Cesare sighs and throws his hands wide in surrender. "Very well, then. Perhaps he will listen to Assaf. I hardly think that in his present mind the Emperor would give much credence to any words from /me/, in any event."
From the outside you can hear several muffled shouts and then a few thugs.
Justine sighs at your actions and complies, "Okay, I will try my best to contact the Emperor, I promise." She then looks confused and asks, "Present mind? What do you mean?"
Cesare shakes his head, and will say nothing on the matter with guards around. "I do not mean anything, Justine."
A large noise is heard, as if someone just landed and destroyed a table.
Cesare looks out towards the doorway, blinking in more than mild indignance. "What in the seven hells are they doing out there?"
Someone is calling outloud, "Suk! Someone call a Suk!"
Justine blinks as well and shakes her head, "I...I don't know!"
A door is slammed and you can hear several people running.
Cesare tenses his jaw in annoyance, but loses it as he turns back towards you. "I had best go. Things seem to be heating up as it is with my presence here in this nest of vipers, and I for one don't desire to get bit."
Justine's head shakes, "It isn't because of you, my dear friend. As much as I hate to see you go, I must confess that it probably is best for now." She smiles softly and gently speaks, "I'm very touched that you came and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. For you have honestly lifted my spirits. I will try to send word to His Majesty and as soon as I am well again, I will see you. One way or another, I will. I promise."
Cesare brightens at such a sentiment and nods. "Do so, Justine, and I am merely returning a favour, hrmm? In any event, good evening and get some rest. The sooner you're better ... and I for that matter, we can go on our sailing jaunt."
Justine nods a bit, "I will, I promise." She then frowns, "But Steffan will not allow me, I have already told him that I promised to go and he forbade it."
Cesare shakes his head in adamance, as stubborn as any bull-headed Ginaz. "Well I insist and will tell him as much. I need something to look forward to once I get out of this confounded chair, don't I? But we'll worry about that another time. Get some rest, Justine."
Justine nods with a smile, looking very hopeful, "You too, Cesare. And again, thank you so much."
Cesare reaches out for a moment for one of your hands, but stops short, remembering the guards about, and merely waves. "Until later, then ... and hopefully with you in better spirits."
Justine reaches out as well and winds up waving, "You will, Cesare....you will."
Cesare leaves it at that and offers another pleasant smile before turning and making his way out of the room, no doubt to the relief of the guards.
Cesare walks to the south and passes through the Arch.
Cesare has left.