Square windows line the front of the room allowing the bright Kaitain sun to pour in during the day, and the soft glow of moonlight to seep through during the night. A set of large ornately carved elacca wood doors to the north lead to the main areas of the embassy. To either side of the doors, two small alcoves each with a small marbled topped table and couch are tucked away allowing for private conversation even when a large crowd is present. A raised marble dais rests in the exact centre of the room, and upon it sit three ornately carved chairs.
Players:
Steffan Mikhail
Exits:
Heavy Bronze Doors <W> leads to Hall of Boyars -- Rastanyev Embassy (Kaitain)
Rose Wood Stairway <U> leads to Second Floor Hallway -- Rastanyev Embassy (Kaitain)
Elacca Wood Doors <N> leads to The Hall of Portraits -- Rastanyev Embassy (Kaitain)
Arched Doors <S> leads to Courtyard -- Rastanyev Embassy (Kaitain)
The Earl Rastanyev sits on the lowest step of the stairs leading to the second floor. He appears to be rather bored, perhaps waiting for someone. He rises and begins pacing back and forth in front of the stairs, his boots strike the polished marble of the floors causing an echo throughout the room.
Steffan enters, hands clasped behind his back, with a few of his personal guards. He looks about curiously at the furnishings and then he bows slowly, "Earl Rastanyev, it has been too long since we have last met. There are many things we need to discuss.." He turns and motions his guards to remain near the door.
The Earl stops his pacing, turning to face Steffan. "Aye it has." He says softly. "Too long indeed. Though my dear Marquis tonight we discuss a matter far more important than any political matter." He gestures to the stairs, "The reception hall is not the place for such a discussion, if you will accompany me?"
Steffan acknowledges with a nod, "yes....perhaps, politics is not all that is on my mind..."
Mikhail climbs the Rose Wood Stairway.
Mikhail has left.
Balcony of the Phoenix -- Rastanyev Embassy (Kaitain)(#2321Rnt)
The Balcony curves in a semi-circle around the third floor of the Embassy, and allows its occupants a breath taking view of the embassy grounds. The railing of the balcony has been crafted from flawless white marble, carved to imitate small corinthian columns. The floor of the balcony is constructed of pale hued oak beams which look strong enough to support even the heaviest of loads.
Tulips and roses of all different colours have been planted in beds of smooth azure marble, their sweet scent fills the air. The chirping of birds can be heard from the gardens high above. Two marble benches have been placed facing one another on either side of the balcony, the perfect spot to sit and converse. Small leaf shaped cisterns wrought from delicate platinum line the northern facade of the balcony to catch the water that falls in small streams from the gardens.
Players:
Mikhail
Exits:
Etched Doors <S> leads to Oak Salon -- Rastanyev Embassy (Kaitain)
Steffan walks in from Oak Salon through the Etched Doors.
Steffan has arrived.
Mikhail smiles again as he seats himself on a bench, gesturing for Steffan to occupy the one opposite him. "Marquis, I will be blunt with you and will not take up a moment more of your time than is needed. I would discuss your wife with you, for she has long been a friend of mine and I do not enjoy seeing her in her current state."
Steffan looks about curiously at the room. His faint smile disappears as the Earl speaks, he stares down at the bench momentarily before sitting down. He leans back a little, his eye's narrowed abit, "With all due respect Earl, as you say, she is MY wife. I don't tend to discuss such personal things with.....anyone. I didn't come here necessarily to discuss her, but since you have brought it up. Lets do, and be done with it. To be honest, Im sure she has many friends, yet how they feel about what her "current state" is as you say Im not sure is of their concern.."
Mikhail sighs shaking his head. "Marquis Lear... As I said I will be blunt with you. As you have said she is your wife. But do you treat her as such? It is obvious that you do not." The smile fades from his face, replaced with a scowl. "Do you even know half of what she has done for you? She has kept your house in His Majesty's favour after your man Dominic voted in the congress for you... There are a great many things that your wife has done for you, and there have been a great many times when she has come to me in tears because she fears you have no love for her."
The thin smile on Steffan's face starts to reappear. "I am quite aware of what she has done. Quite aware, in fact, and she has acted finnally as she should, as leader of my people. I was quite surprised by her actions lately, I never though her interested in such things. "
Mikhail sighs shaking his head, "Marquis, that says it all right there. You think of her first as a leader of your people and not as your wife. She is your wife first Lear, not your errand woman. She has indeed helped you out of many situations, and on more than one ocassion has quieted my fears about your house. You asked the Emperor to wed her to you, he did so only under the condition that you would treat Justine first as a _wife_ not a leader."
Steffan takes a deep breath, taking a moment to think about what to say. He first smiles even a bit more, " I see. Nevertheless, his Majesty can ask such things but cannot think of anyone else who would have a right to. Besides, how the marriage works, is not totally up to me anyway....." He leans forward now, his smile all but evaporated, and says in a slight irritated voice , "So ....do you intend to sequester her until I change my behavior?"
The Earl laughs, it is a bitter harsh laugh with not a hint of mirth. "_Me_ sequester her?" A wry grin forces itself onto his lips, "Oh my dear Marquis sometimes you are almost too much! She asked me if she could visit my homeworld to get away from things for awhile. I extended the offer to her some time ago. She is free to come and go as she pleases. She will return to you when _she_ feels ready. A heighliner leaves Kaitain for Garrashu in three days time, Lear. Myself and my family will be aboard it, you are most welcome to accompany us and see your wife. Perhaps she has had enough of her vacation."
Steffan raises a brow and ponders for a moment. He stands and walks over to edge of the balcony and looks over the side. He sighs, resting his arms on the edge. After a few moments, he turns to walk back. "Very well, if what you are saying is true, you can imagine, that it becomes difficult to carry on any kind of relationship with her from this distance. Whenever, things go wrong she leaves, expecting me to follow and I will not beg her to return. You have heard her side of the story, yet you must understand that you cannot know the whole story without hearing from all parties. She is your friend, ok, fine and your relationship to me is less personal. Yet I would suggest to you to be more objective before you make any hasty conclusions..."
Mikhail arches an eyebrow, "Hasty conclusion, eh? You said it yourself, you see her as a leader before you see her as your wife. There lies your problem, Lear." He brushes imaginary lint from his tunic. "Marquis Lear... Did you not notice that she stayed with you for the longest of times before returning to the palace. She left because she felt that she could no longer stand to be constantly brushed aside. But please do tell me your side of things, I would be quite interested in hearing it."
Steffan senses a tone of sarcasm from the Earl. "Perhaps you take your personal life as being more important than your duty as Earl, but I do not and nor will any Ginaz Marquise either. She takes her position lightly and when I do not include her in my every thought, it upsets her. She tries perhaps, but she does not understand the strain and the burden upon me. What I need a wife who will stand by me during these times, and instead when things get tough, she runs off....on ...vacation, whatever you want to call it. "
Mikhail rises from the bench, the anger you've caused is evident now. His hands are clenched in tight fists at his sides, his face flushing red. "You have gone too far Ginaz... Too far... How DARE you ever suggest that I would forsake my duty to my house for anything. I treat my Lady as she should be treated Lear, for she is as much a duty to me as my house is. This day a rift has opened between our two houses, for you have offered to me a greater offence than you've ever before managed."
Steffan's expression changes little. He clasps his hands behind his back, a thin smile again forming, "sooooo....you do understand I how I feel. Very good. The Lady Justine implies and desires just what I have said. My duties have prevented and distracted me. Even recently, we had to excute several of the housestaff for treason. And even now, this is the calm before a great storm as well, as you know our Judge of the Change will soon be announced. I don't have a the time or the desire for love and any fun. YOU do understand these things Im sure. My duties HAVE to come first, for if they don't our house will fall. Our conflict with the Moritani is coming to a head, and soon only one house will remain." He folds his hands in front of him, "If I offended you, I apologize but where the Lady Justine is concerned, Im quite upset as well.."
Mikhail shakes his head again. "We could argue this all night, Marquis, but I do not have time to do so. Point being, your wife needs you now more than ever. Your house will not falter if you spend a few hours alone with her." Rising from his seat he says, "Good eve to you, Marquis, I pray that I will see you again in three days time." As he aproaches the doors, guards hold them open allowing him to pass though.
Steffan sighs and looks as if he is going to reply. He stops and ponders a moment, "3 days....perhaps. We shall see.." He starts to walk out.