RP log: Aurelia and Cesare..

["A. Nonymous" <eeekapuma@hotmail.com>]

        Report to Archives - Chapterhouse Wallachia IX
             From: Sister Helen Mirotim, Chapterhouse Kaitain
             Security clearance: minimal
             Title: Social Call by Siridar-Count Moritan to Alvstad Embassy 
- Kaitain.


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Grand Steps -- Alvstad Embassy (Kaitain)
Fifty-three stone steps lead from the cobbled walk to the plate-glass front 
of the Alvstad Embassy. At the top of the steps, uniformed guards survey the 
neighborhood. The Alvstad Embassy is a large, rectangular building of blue 
stone and thick glass, three stories tall and built to the proportions of 
the golden rectangle. The facade consists of twelve panes of thick plate 
glass, each with a slight greenish tint. The stairs are flanked with statues 
of aquatic organisms: the stealthy BRINESQUID, the hardy PACKWHALE, the 
delicate FISHIMANDER, and the dexterous DODECAPUS.
Players:
Aurelia
Exits:
Revolving Door <N> leads to Foyer -- Alvstad Embassy (Kaitain)
Cobbled Walk <S> leads to Sheuset Square -- Embassy District (Kaitain)
Cesare comes from the Sheuset Square.
Cesare has arrived.
Cesare(#452POVenACF)
Count Cesare is a tall man, with extremely striking reddish-brown hair, 
described by one man as being "like orange juice mixed with blood." His eyes 
are of a very disturbing blue, the colour of the sky at midnight. His facial 
features are well-chiseled with a very sharp jawline and aquiline nose, sure 
signs of noble birth. You judge his age to be in the late twenties or early 
thirties. The Count seems to be in excellent physical shape, quite trim and 
muscular. The Count is wearing full military dress: a crimson tunic trimmed 
in gold, jet black pants with a gold stripe down the leg, perfectly-shined 
black dress shoes, a ceremonial sword at his side in a bejeweled scabbard, 
and a magnificent full length cloak of cloth-of-gold. On his tunic are 
numerous medals and military honours, including the Order of Grumman, a 
medal shaped like a planetoid, shaped out of the top facet of an immense 
pale blue diamond, and encircled by a planetary ring of red gold. Cesare 
radiates a look of severity coupled with lavishness, elegance and power 
simply screaming from every stitch.

The Count Moritan is for the time being seated in a suspensor-borne 
invalid's chair, its unadorned metal surface slopes up the front of his legs 
and abruptly turns at a right angle towards his torso, allowing for a 
suitable writing surface. The back of the chair is cushioned with plush 
velvet to give him some small amount of comfort.
Cesare departs from a Moritani limousine, quite adept now with his 
suspensor-borne invalid chair, no difficulty in departing the vehicle and 
alighting it upon the ground.

Aurelia stands a few paces along the walk, hands clasped behind her back. A 
diplomatic aide is evidently finishing a short briefing as the Moritani 
vehicle appears. She nods to the councilor, who takes a few steps away from 
_her_, evidently to make certain the concubine does not make any faux pax. 
Where _is_ that Siridar-Viscount when you need him?
Aurelia moves a few steps towards the Count Moritani, to be polite. She 
smiles winningly, but keeps silent for now.
Cesare smiles gently as his eyes of darkest blue alight upon the Bene 
Gesserit concubine, fingers deftly maneovuering the controls on the right 
arm of his chair and sending it slowly towards her, the servomotors whirring 
and humming in their subdued harmony. "M'lady," he greets with light and 
amiable tone, "A pleasure to finally make your acquaintance."
Aurelia unclasps her hands to curtsey. "A great honor, Your Lordship. I hope 
you will forgive our poor hospitality, we regret we had but little time to 
prepare a proper reception for Your Lordship.." She smiles. "We have a small 
something prepared inside.."
Cesare chuckles lightly, seemingly amused at this. "No need to go to any 
trouble on my account, m'lady. Admittedly, my visit must prove unpropitious 
but I had rather hoped to meet you before the distant reception. Always 
difficult to have a constructive conversation when there are several other 
people trying to talk to the object of one's attentions at the same time."
Aurelia blinks once. "Your Lordship came to see _me_? This _is_ a great 
honor." She curtseys again.
Cesare cocks his head to one side in a curious manner, his smile crooking 
slightly in wryness. "I think the honour and privilege are mine, m'lady. You 
have been the talk of all Kaitain's societal circles for several days now, 
eclipsing any mere Siridar."
Aurelia lowers her head a bit. "Your Lordship is very kind.." She smiles. 
"May we repair inside, in more secure surroundings? We have only the barest 
of hospitality available, as I regretfully must report, but at least Your 
Lordship's person will be safe from harm."
Cesare nods agreeably and sends the complex mechanisms keeping his chair 
aloft to slowly follow Aurelia. "It is entirely understandable, m'lady. 
After all, your staff and servants must be preparing for something far more 
important, hrmm?"
Foyer -- Alvstad Embassy (Kaitain)
The Embassy Foyer is bright, warm, and somewhat green-tinted. The large 
green plate glass windows let in both warm sunlight and a panoramic--if 
somewhat greenish--view of Greater Kaitain. At the southern end of the room, 
four tables are ringed with comfortable chairs, where harried junior 
diplomats like to sit, drink their crab juice, chat with pretty 
receptionists, and watch the passers-by. The northern half of the room 
appears to be the Alvstad Embassy's primary waiting area. Although it is 
rather large for its function, the room still seems overcrowded--clerks 
bustle about behind their counter, petitioners queue in long lines, and 
guards check papers and pat for weapons. Against the east and west walls 
there are rows of chairs; in these wait bored supplicants, reading 
newspapers. The long marble receptionists' counter against the north wall is 
neatly bisected by the heavy oak doors. On one end of the counter sits a 
pile of reading materials: Kaitaini newspapers, Alvstad agitprop pamphlets, 
and glossy magazines in an odd alphabet. The floor is a mosaic of dark 
tiles, depicting the various sea organisms of Alvsgaard in all their murky 
blue majesty.
Players:
Aurelia
Exits:
Oak Doors <N> leads to Main Audience Chamber -- Alvstad Embassy (Kaitain)
Narrow Doorway <NE> leads to Visitors' Lounge -- Alvstad Embassy (Kaitain)
Revolving Door <S> leads to Grand Steps -- Alvstad Embassy (Kaitain)
Cesare walks in from Grand Steps through the Revolving Door.
Cesare has arrived.
Aurelia leads on through the narrow doorway to the northeast.

You walk through the Narrow Doorway.

Visitors' Lounge -- Alvstad Embassy (Kaitain)(#484RtJ)
This room is a waiting area for more distinguished visitors. Overstuffed 
sofas line each wall, and a glass TABLE sits in the center of the room, 
surrounded by comfortable chairs. On the table sit several decks of cards, a 
Cheops set, and a Fish Tarot. A BOOKCASE on the south wall proudly displays 
the masterworks of Alvst literature. Tasteful ink-and-watercolor silk 
HANGINGS adorn each wall. A large fan built into the ceiling cools the room 
down and drowns out the bustle of the adjoining rooms.
Players:
Aurelia
Objects:
Fish Tarot
Exits:
Folding Screen <NW> leads to Diplomats' Lounge -- Alvstad Embassy (Kaitain)
Narrow Doorway <SW> leads to Foyer -- Alvstad Embassy (Kaitain)
Double Doors <N> leads to Conference Room -- Alvstad Embassy (Kaitain)
Heavy Curtain <W> leads to Main Audience Chamber -- Alvstad Embassy 
(Kaitain)
Cesare walks in from Foyer through the Narrow Doorway.
Cesare has arrived.

Aurelia shows the Siridar-Count the place prepared for his machine, and when 
he seems settled, she smiles again. "Can we offer you anything, my Lord? We 
have several preparations of brineshrimp, any sort of potable Your Lordship 
desires we will do our best to provide.."
Cesare shuts off the servomotors of his chair, a slight and heavy 'thunk' 
heard as it drops the few centimeters to sit solidly upon the floor. "The 
Alvstad hospitality has long been reknowned, m'lady, and I appreciate the 
offer but just repaired from a state banquet at one of our minor houses and 
am anything /but/ hungry, I assure you."
Aurelia curtseys again. "Very well, my Lord." She turns her head to nod at 
the steward waiting near the door, he repairs to put the food on hold. She 
clasps her hands behind her back again. "Again, we are very honored to have 
Your Lordship here.. I am certain the Siridar-Viscount Alvstad will regret 
not being available to greet you himself."
Cesare tsks slightly and a frown is quite exaggerated upon his amused 
countenance. "I regret it as well, but am glad you proved available, m'lady. 
I trust you're settling in well to your new surroundings? It must be a great 
deal different from what you were accustomed to at the Chapterhouse, no?"
Aurelia nods. "Very much so.. the Sisterhood strives to be frugal, to 
stretch their meager resources as far as possible." She looks around. "Yes, 
this is quite luxurious to me.." She laughs, a musical thing. She leans 
forward a bit, conspiratorially. "In fact, the waste somewhat offends me, 
even though the Alvstad are known for their frugality.. I see so much that 
could be used for other projects.."

Cesare looks very thoughtfully at his hostess, silently appraising with 
perhaps a hint of appreciation and recognition in his gaze. "Yes, I thought 
as much. Some months back I was in negotiations to marry a Bene Gesserit 
myself. Unfortunately, the contract was never signed and the preparations 
aborted. Nonetheless, I did gain in the process a very healthy understanding 
of the ways of your order."
<Newbie> Fittstim says, "Hehe amen man, I'm a parrothead too"
<Alvstad> Calix has connected.
<Newbie> Calix has connected.
Aurelia lowers her head. "If it pleases Your Lordship, perhaps I might be 
able to speak with a Reverend Mother.. or.." She shrugs slightly. "It is 
said that the Alvstad are quite pragmatic.. perhaps a further deal could be 
made with the Siridar-Viscount. He may be amiable to a lease, or a sale.. 
though I could not speak for his thoughts on the matter."
Cesare quirks a reddish eyebrow and inquires, "A lease or sale on what?"
Aurelia looks up and only smiles. After a moment's pause. "I exist to serve, 
Lordship."
Cesare laughs in rapt amusement. "And your ... willingness is most 
appreciated, m'lady. The Viscount is lucky to have such wise counsel, and 
perhaps in that respect a greater man than I for having succeeded in 
obtaining it, hrmm?"
Aurelia smiles winningly. "It could only serve my Order and my Viscount. To 
have closer ties between Your Lordship's House and House Alvstad would be 
worth any price."
Cesare inclines his head in an elegant acquiescence and agreement of such a 
sentiment. "Quite so, yes. I think that my recent ... absence from Kaitain 
and the brief regime of the traitor Vittorio hurt relations between our two 
Houses. The late Viscount Nils and I had quite an amiable relationship, as 
indeed did Jans and I before I was so rudely and unduly incarcerated."
Aurelia nods again. "I am certain the Siridar-Viscount regrets the 
occurances withing Your Lordship's House. Of course, I can not speak for him 
in this matter, but I should suspect that if he it had been proper for him 
or the House to provide assistance to your Lordship, it would have been 
given freely."
Cesare sighs slightly and sits back in his chair, folding his hands in his 
lap. "And I appreciate those assurances, m'lady. I believe that perhaps now 
more than ever the ideals held by House Moritani and House Alvstad are 
harmoniously similar."
Aurelia smiles. "I regret that my conversational skills are poor, 
Lordship.."
Cesare shakes his head most emphatically. "On the contrary, I find them 
exemplary. Certainly better than the gibberish grunts of the Ginaz. The Bene 
Gesserit never cease to amaze me with their skills, seemingly in every area 
imaginable."
Aurelia smiles a bit. "We strive for perfection, my Lord. This is how we 
serve our Empire and the Houses of the Lansraad."
Cesare replies with seemingly not a moment's thought, that famed honeyed 
tongue of his in rare form, "And undeniably finding greater results in 
sisters such as yourself, m'lady."
Aurelia laughs softly. "Your Lordship's kindness reveals itself again.. for 
I fear that my 'education', as it were, has yet to begin. If I had been 
truly useful, would the Sisterhood have allowed me to leave their service?"
Cesare clucks his tongue in a soothing manner and inquires, "How better to 
serve than to give counsel and support to one of the greatest of the Great 
Houses?"
Aurelia smiles. "I am, of course, thankful to the Sisterhood for the 
opportunity to do so.. even the short time I have spent with the 
Siridar-Viscount has been most fascinating and, as you say.. educational."
Cesare bobs his head in full knowledge of such things. "Yes, I can imagine 
it would. These are very uncertain times in which we live, and the presence 
of the Bene Gesserit give some amount of stability in an increasingly 
chaotic environment..
Aurelia nods again. "So we hope, Lordship. So we hope."
Cesare asks rather candidly, "So tell me, m'lady, how did you and the 
Viscount come to be acquainted with one another?"
Aurelia smiles. "It is rather an amusing story, at least to my sense of 
humor. My Sisterhood had sent me to negotiate some minor business with the 
Viscount, and he asked if he might escort me to the Imperial Ball."
Cesare cants a broad grin. "Sometimes the best decisions are those made on 
impulse, I imagine."
Aurelia laughs. "Who would imagine the Alvstad to be 'impulsive'? But, God 
works in strange ways, they say.
Cesare laughs lightly, his pleasant tenor timbre carrying through the room. 
"That He does, and in this case for the good of all involved, I expect. As I 
said, all of Kaitain is anxiously eyeing your union. The Alvstad are 
certainly the House dominating most of the talk these days."
Aurelia nods. "I hope all will enjoy the reception."
Cesare replies warmly, "I am certain they will. In the end, the only thing 
which matters is that you and Jans are good for each other, hrmm? I hesitate 
to use the word 'love' as that is so tremendously subjective, but so long as 
your relationship proves fruitful for the both of you, critics really 
deserve no concern from you, now do they?"
Aurelia nods again. "I believe we will be.. and the Viscount would not have 
agreed to accept me if he felt otherwise."
Cesare nods in agreement and absently raising a hand to finger one of the 
medals on his tunic. "Well, that in the end is all which is truly important. 
Unavoidably you will have those who will scoff at you and malign the union, 
but if it proves an effective one then you will have nothing to complain 
about and House Alvstad will prove all the stronger for it."
Aurelia smiles. "So we hope, Lordship.. may I express your feelings to the 
Viscount? I believe he will be very moved."
Cesare bobs his head. "But of course."
Aurelia smiles again. "Thank you, again.. your Lordship honors us greatly.."
Aurelia nods. "I regret we have no entertainment available for Your 
Lordship.."
Cesare shakes with silent laughter at this and replies, "No entertainment is 
required. The conversation alone has proven quite enjoyable enough."
Aurelia smiles again. "I do try.. your Lordship is very kind."
Cesare states with affable tone, "And you, Lady Aurelia, are kind to receive 
me. Undeniably, you must be very busy getting ready for the reception."
You say, "Oh, the planning was but a trifle, and of course the great balance 
of the work will be done by the Household staff.. in fact, I feel somewhat 
useless now that I have set the plans in motion."
Cesare says, "Indeed? Well, then I'm glad if I've managed to be a suitable 
diversion from boredom for you."
Aurelia smiles again. "Your Lordship has been an excellent diversion from my 
somewhat tedious study.. I have attempted to immerse myself in the ALvstad 
records I am allowed access to.. they seem to keep very meticulous files..
Cesare sighs and nods. "Caution has never been a virtue lacking in the 
Alvstad."
Aurelia tilts her head slightly, as if trying to read something more into 
the comment. "I fear I will not be able to alter this trait.. nor should I, 
caution may be an asset if utilized in moderation." She looks at you. "Was 
there anything more, my Lord? If I may speak freely, I find it unlikely that 
someone of your rank would seek to call upon my humble person simply as a 
social nicety.."
Cesare replies, a bit of a slyness to the curve of his mouth, "Whatever 
would give you that impression, m'lady? As concubine of the Viscount 
Alvstad, you are arguably now one of the most influential women in the 
Imperium."
Aurelia nods, smiling. "One might suggest that such would support my 
hypothesis... and I have sought to be as the Alvstad, getting 'right down to 
business', as they say."
Cesare cracks his broadest grin, handsome features registering definite 
appreciation for his hostess and her canniness. "You are succeeding 
masterfully, m'lady, and have well confirmed my thoughts."
Aurelia lowers her head, pleased. "If I may serve the Viscount, I have 
succeeded."

Cesare raps the metal arm of his chair in finality and nods. "I have enjoyed 
our conversation, and all the more at finally meeting you, Lady Aurelia."
Aurelia nods. "I thank you, your Lordship.. the Viscount will be greatly 
disappointed he was not available to speak with you. I and our House feel 
greatly honored."
Cesare smiles gently and sets the servomotors of his chair in operation once 
more, lifting it ever so slightly off of the floor. "I think then that I 
will bid you good day and thank you again, m'lady. I look forward to the 
reception and in future conversations and cooperation between our Houses, 
hopefully made all the more smooth with your presence here now."
Aurelia nods again. "We can not thank you enough.."
Cesare brings his chair slightly forward and offers a warm hand in 
friendship. "It is I who thank you, m'lady."
Aurelia supplies her hand and smiles.
Cesare raises the hand to kiss it with chivalrous grace and flair. "Good day 
then, m'lady Alvstad."
The aide moves to show the Count out, this _concubine_ has overstepped her 
bounds quite enough for one day..
Cesare looks unapprovingly at the aid, clenching his jaw in displeasure 
before softening once more as he looks back to Aurelia. "It has been a 
pleasure."
Aurelia smiles once more. "Indeed. And an honor."
Cesare bows his head as he takes his leave, sending his chair through the 
opened doorway and sparing a final glare for the obsequious aide, who in the 
Count's eyes has overstepped /his/ bounds.
Cesare walks to the west and passes through the Heavy Curtain.
Cesare has left.

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