Dancing With the Mentat in the Pale Moonlight...kinda

[SCohen2020@aol.com]

Dining Room -- Imperial Hotel (Kaitain)
Lining opposite walls of the dining room are several booths, each containing 
its own table. Above each table is a dim glowglobe with a conical ray of 
light downwards. Set apart from these, at the back of the room, is the long 
table designated as Imperial. Open entrances let in the brighter light of the 
lounge and lobby. The room is carpeted in a dark emerald color that matches 
the verticle stripes that run down the white walls.
Players:
 Justine (green-booth)                 Nestor                               
Exits:
 Corridor <SW> leads to Lounge -- Imperial Hotel (Kaitain) 
 Arch  leads to Lobby -- Imperial Hotel (Kaitain)

Nestor steps into the dining room, a single guard wearing black with silver 
trim and an insignia of a hand on his cap a pace behind him. Hands clasped 
lightly in front of him, he scans the room slowly, obviously not in any hurry.

Justine sits in the green booth, nursing a drink and looking at it 
thoughtfully. She glances over towards you, as your movement has caught her 
eye and a brow rises questioningly. Her mind races to place the man and after 
a moment, she asks, "Master of Assassins Nestor, is it not? Mentat for the 
Harkonnens?"

Nestor's gaze turns slowly toward the voice, his guard already changing his 
stance slightly. He raises an eyebrow as he sees the source of it. "That is 
indeed who I am, My Lady. My reputation apparently precedes me in more venues 
than I was aware," he says as he strides toward the woman at a casual pace.

Justine's lips curl up into an amused grin and states, "Perhaps or it might 
be because I recall our meeting sometime ago, as you apparently do not. But I 
will not hold that against you. After all, I'm not worth a memory to you, I'm 
not of any real concern nor threat." She motions for the space across from 
her and asks, "Would you care to join me, oh Master of Assassins?"

Nestor raises an eyebrow. "Oh, I do not think that I would be worth much to 
My Lord Baron if I did not recognize the face of the Lady Garamond...lately 
of House Ginaz." He does indeed take the offered seat, though. With a quick 
hand-signal to his guard, the man gives him some space, remaining nearer to 
the exit. "I so rarely receive such invitations," he notes, "since most find 
danger in who I am and what I do."

Justine's brow rises again and her grin widening at the recognition. She nods 
a reply to it and watches you take your seat. She chuckles lightly to your 
last statement and comments, "I am not a threat to you and last I checked, I 
was not deemed to be on bad terms with the Harkonnens, therefore, I do not 
fear you as most probably would in my situation. Although, I must admit, I 
have shared company with those who are deemed more of a danger to me then 
you. But, enough of that. Can I have the waiter bring you a drink?" She 
smiles pleasantly as she places a hand on her chest and adds, "My treat, of 
course."

"Most tend to find it unnerving to sit within arms reach of someone who can 
kill them in thirteen ways with their place-setting alone, regardless of 
their standing with that person," says Nestor. "But My Lady is apparently not 
most people. The waiter may bring me a small glass of Giedi Red."

Justine nods as she snaps her fingers to call a waiter and then turns to him 
saying, "Two Giedi Reds please." The waiter nods and then leaves to get said 
drinks. Once gone, she looks back to Nestor with a light chuckle, "My dear 
Mentat, nearly everyone I speak to has the capability to kill me. Since you 
know who I am, I'm sure you know of my past as well. Dwelling on my demise, 
as I have found the hard way, is a waste of time. Besides, you are an 
intelligent man. You wouldn't kill me in public, it wouldn't be a very wise 
move. Not only would you have the anger of several Houses to contend with, 
but the Imperium as well." She grins and looks to the waiter as he returns 
and serves the glasses, bows and then leaves again.

Nestor simply shrugs. "An amicable evaluation, My Lady...but it is obvious 
that the Lady lacks a certain education in methods of assassination, else she 
would still find danger. I could go on with the lesson, but I do my best to 
make it a point not to seem as if I am threatening my hosts as seems to be my 
natural inclination. I have been attempting to improve my diplomatic skills, 
after all...with little success unfortunately. Then again, I try not to 
dabble in the affairs of experts in such things...or to attempt to appear as 
expert as they."

Justine's brow rises and asks, "Are you referring to the art of poisoning?" 
She grins as she snaps her fingers twice and a Ginaz guard comes from the 
booth behind ours and uses a snooper to check her wine, "Been there and done 
that, a couple of times, actually. Even died once, that was an interesting 
experience, I must say." The guard nods to Justine and says, "It is safe, 
Marquise." Justine nods in return and picks up the glass, sniffing it lightly 
before taking a sip, her eyes never leaving Nestor.

Nestor looks over the guard as he comes. "Methinks My Lady still 
overestimates her own abilities as well as her guards." He waves his Ixian 
hand over his own glass in a slow, and perhaps dramatic, gesture. A neuter 
"*Clear*" emanates from the hand after it finishes its pass. "An interesting 
assassin's trick is to wait until the food or drink is snooped and /then/ 
poison it. After all, you will snoop your drink only once, yes? You would 
never even realize it." He picks up his own class, making a point of lifting 
it with the Ixian hand with its built-in snooper. He takes only a slight sip. 
"Now what interest could a man such as I hold for a someone of My Lady's 
standing that she would ask for me to dine and drink with her?"

Justine nods slightly as she sets the glass down in front of her, near the 
edge of the table and close to her chest. "Yes, this is true. Lesson noted. 
However, just as I might overestimate myself, you underestimate me as well. 
Fair enough?" Her finger traces the rim of the glass as she shrugs a bit to 
your last question and smiles, "Why not ask you to join me? We are both 
alone, so to speak. Must I have a reason to ask you to share a few moments 
with me? You're an interesting man, just as you have proven, I could learn a 
lot from sharing your company."

Nestor chuckles slightly. "Ah, I recognize the diplomatic expertise in My 
Lady. You must first establish a table upon which we share the same level and 
then appeal to my ego. A very useful tactic." He takes another sip from his 
glass. "Or perhaps my seeming underestimation of you was to draw out data. 
Did you notice your reaction as I challenged your knowledge. All data is 
valuable to me...your actions as much as your inaction. I must admit that on 
one level or another My Lady is intriguing...but not much more. Or have I 
just scratched the surface of the Lady...the ever-lucky survivor of danger 
after danger?"

Justine grins as she picks up her wine and says, "I couldn't have survived 
this long if I didn't know a few things, my dear Mentat. Like yourself, I'm 
cautious as to how much information I share about my knowledge of matters. 
When you pressed me, I gave an answer that any schmuck off the street would 
know. Especially one that has been poisoned a few times herself would know. 
My poisonings weren't kept secret, therefore, I haven't really revealed 
anything." She takes a sip, still keeping her eyes on you over the rim of her 
glass and then sets it back where it was before, never taking a hand off of 
it and replies again with a smile, "As diplomatic as I might sound, I admit 
that I am partially stroking your ego, however, there is truth behind it. I 
enjoy talking with people, as you have just commented, you learn a great deal 
about each of them when you take the extra time in doing so." She chuckles 
quietly, "I'm glad that I intrigue you, as little as it might be. It's some 
progress, I suppose."

Nestor takes another sip from his own glass in a mirror gesture of hers. "A 
Mentat can calculate given even minutiae...again, your actions and inaction 
tell me equally as much. What My Lady perceives as deception, my calculations 
can see through. So debating your abilities in intrigue with me will earn you 
little." He licks his lips. "You will soon find that I am not nearly as 
malleable as the material that you are used to plying your trade on."

Justine smirks at that and states, "I know very well what a Mentat can and 
cannot do. However, if you wish to incorrectly perceive that what I am 
telling you is not true, then I cannot force you to do otherwise, only pity 
you for allowing your general knowledge and calculations of others to 
misguide you. As you mentioned before, I do not have to sit here with you and 
I do not have to feed you with false compliments if I choose not to. Another 
thing you're wrong about is that I am no diplomat and I have no 'trade' 
persay. Unless you wish to believe that my ability to go from one house into 
another as a trade, then so be it."

Nestor chuckles, a near amused look to his face as he shakes his head 
slightly. "And again my challenge of My Lady reaps more data. An interesting 
game we play. And yes, I do see you as a diplomat. You know when, where, and 
how to curry favor with the right people. You are able to manipulate others 
to reach a conclusion that someone above you in station wishes for them to 
conclude for their own purposes, whatever those might be. You have refined 
training people to like you into a near art form, from what I have seen. I 
would indeed say that qualifies me to dub My Lady a diplomat, if that has not 
already been done. For those talents you are to be admired, as any expert has 
a right to be. But I was raised in a world of bluntness on many levels. To 
appeal to me, My Lady, you must be blunt...for I will do so with My Lady. I 
have absolutely nothing to lose by doing so, save your company, and the same 
stands vice versa. What a position you are in to be able to speak truly as 
you will...perhaps even a unique experience." He raises an eyebrow slightly 
as he awaits her response.

Justine grins slightly at that and nods slightly, "True, what a game we are 
playing. Again, I gave out no information that people do not already know 
about myself. So, in essence, I have revealed nothing new and exciting. 
Another thing, that isn't new and you probably know is that I am blunt. 
Sometimes, too blunt. My tongue has gotten me into a few sticky situations 
before. I'm being rather open, honest and blunt as we speak now. Even though, 
we aren't really speaking of anything specifically or really of grand 
importance. However, if you wish to pose a challenge to me and speak of a 
more significant topic, then by all means, feel free. We can test each 
other's bluntness and...dare I say....bulllll...well, I'm sure you know what 
I'm referring to there."

Nestor sighs. "You think on such a different level than I. Your experience 
with Mentats is possibly limited, so I will teach you." He sits forward 
slightly, hands clasped lightly together now on the table. "You see what you 
have shown me as being 'a' plus 'b' equals 'c' - that if you give me this 
data with this data, there is only so much I can gain from it. What I see 
when I observe is indeed, the 'a' and 'b'...but I also see the 'j-prime' that 
I have from past data on you, the 'c-sub-one' calculated from the 
flux-combination of 'c' and the flash-calculation of 'j2' and 'k6'. It goes 
/so/ much further than that, but it is more important that I make a point if 
I am to instruct you. When I say that your actions betray you, I mean that 
there are data and factors of which My Lady is simply not qualified to even 
be /aware/ of...and that I was trained since birth to be cognizant of. You 
are not a Mentat, so I cannot expect such things of you...it would be 
foolish. So unless our lesson is not over, and that is for you to decide, 
perhaps we could go onto other matters?"

Justine chuckles lightly at your words and nods with a sly grin, "Yes, 
perhaps it might just best be." She picks up her glass and takes another sip, 
"That is the third time you've mentioned training and/or instructing me. Is 
that your way of making an offer?"

Nestor shakes his head as he takes another sip of his Giedi Red. "No, My 
Lady. It is simply that, if we are to so much as have meaningful 
conversation, there are certain things that My Lady must be made to 
understand. I simply have given My Lady the tools with which to do so. The 
rest is up to her."
Justine nods slightly, "Yes, that part was obvious but was trying to make it 
more clear." She takes a moment to pause and think about a new topic. With a 
grin, she asks, "How are things on Malarca?"

Nestor shrugs as he lets his glass rest on the tabletop, still in hand. "War 
is war, My Lady. I advise and then let the experts do their work, as it 
should be. 'Things' on Malacra Secundus are, then, as they should be - 
bloody." He licks his lips slightly. "How is My Lady's marriage faring, 
praytell? I try not to delve into the affairs of House Ginaz, and I give 
little value to idle Imperial rumors...but this conversation gives a chance 
to dispel such things."

Justine nods to your explanation and comments, "From what I understand, 
you've done an excellent job of keeping the upper hand in the situation. I 
applaud you." Her shoulders then shrug, "As far as my marriage fairs, it does 
just that...fairs. Just as anything else in life, there are some 
complications but they are in the process of being resolved. If a resolution 
and/or compromise cannot be attained, then just as everything else in life, 
it will end."
Nestor hmms, lifting his glass once more. "And who decides when such a point 
has been reached?"

Justine chuckles at that, her lips pulling back into a wide grin, her eyes 
having a twinkle in them as she answers, "Come now, dear Mentat. One 
shouldn't ask questions they already know the answer to."

You say, "Ah, but I do not. Perhaps My Lady could enlighten me..."

Justine smirks, "I'm sure you do, if not, then I'll let your imagination run 
wild for a while." She takes another drink of her wine and then asks, "How is 
your dear diplomat fairing without her brazen Sardaukar around? I'm sure 
she's quite heartbroken over the whole matter."

Nestor responds, "She tends to her duties to the House well, as always. 
Nothing less would be expected of her by My Lord Baron. Her marriage was 
ended without offending a Great House. Would My Lady's do so if it comes to 
that end, does she think?"

Justine shrugs to that and comments with a small smile, "Your Lady wouldn't 
care if it did offend a Great House or not. The Great Houses do not have to 
live with the Marquis and put up with him, I do." She nods a bit about Etta 
and smirks as she distastefully comments, "Oh yes, I'm sure she is serving 
her duties quite well and as she always has in the past. On her back again, I 
suppose." She takes a sip of the wine, finishing it off and then snapping for 
the waiter's attention. She points to both glasses, indicating a refill as 
she awaits Nestor's comment.

Nestor grins ever so slightly as he turns his now empty glass upside down to 
indicate his feelings on a second. "I tend to admire people who will go to 
any length whatsoever to perform their duties to their House. I would rather 
have that person at my command than one with their limited principles who 
would stop short of performing their duties when going one step further would 
have accomplished it. I do not know how the Lady does what she does...but if 
that is what is required to keep the House out of jeopardy or ensure safety, 
how is it that you can see the negative in it? If, My Lady, lying on your 
back for a man or woman, and only that, would save all that you hold 
dear...would you not do it? Who and what would you be willing to sacrifice, 
given such a situation, rather than yourself?"

Justine chuckles at your statement as her glass is refilled and the waiter 
moves away. She shrugs some and says, "I have too much integrity, too much 
self worth and probably too much pride to sacrifice my body, my soul and my 
beliefs to lowering myself to such standards. I didn't survive this long by 
having to give up myself...completely or even partially.....for it. There are 
always other ways. The problem with HER way...or even YOUR way....is that 
after a while, everyone else in Kaitain has heard of the 'ways' in which 
things are done, therefore, it's avoided. You wouldn't get nearly as much out 
of it as you would have in the beginning. It's a completely unsubtle and even 
unintelligent way of retrieving your information. Sure, men are suckers when 
it comes to sex and gratification but when they know the meaning behind it, 
it's either lost all it's glitter or they play into it just as you do and 
just as she does. And please, do not insult my intelligence by sitting there 
and feigning innocence where her 'tactics' are concerned. Everyone on Kaitain 
knows exactly how she does what she does."

Nestor seems somewhat amused by the rebuttal. "My Lady seems to think that 
the so-called 'honorable' way of doing things is somehow elusive and 
efficient where the 'dishonorable' is predictable and wasteful after a time. 
I assure My Lady that both have patterns after a sort...neither is truly more 
efficient than the other where diplomacy is concerned." He takes a moment to 
hmm. "And if 'everyone on Kaitain knows exactly how she does what she does' 
then perhaps they do because they must add spice to their own physical lives. 
Such is not out of the sphere of possibility, as Harkonnens are noted for a 
certain skill in this where others might be lacking. Is this the case for My 
Lady, or are perhaps other Ginaz heirs in our future?"

Justine laughs in amusement by this, "You know better then I how long of a 
list that your 'diplomat', as you call her, has. From what I understand, 
you're quite correct, most of Kaitain has been keeping her rather busy and 
have had their hand in the pot, so to speak." She smirks, "One does not have 
to be a Harkonnen to be able to do what she does, nor have to be good at it. 
It only means that unlike her, we aren't as experienced. Experience isn't 
always best, sometimes, it gets too worn and needs to be replaced, like an 
old shoe."

Nestor nods. "I enjoy that you underestimate the Lady Karposzev. But my 
question remains unanswered. Is My Lady performing her wifely duties for her 
erstwhile spouse...or is that yet another sacrifice that she is not willing 
to make for the sake of her self-esteem? Are you an untouched flower, an old 
shoe, or something in-between? I have an insult for each," he sighs, "but I 
see that we go back to playing our game rather than simply conversing on 
matters bluntly and without care of etiquette and loyalties. What will such a 
relationship come to except ruin in the end? I seek nothing more than an 
acquaintanceship with My Lady...and yet even for that we must cease such 
attacks. Is such a thing possible?"

Justine's brow rises, "Attacks? Have I made an attack upon you personally? 
Not that I am aware of, however, if I have insulted you in some way, then I 
do apologize, for it was not my intent. As far as your question of my sexual 
disposition, I assure you that I am not untouched, nor am I an old shoe 
either. I perform my wifely duties as the Marquis wishes me to. Define that 
as you see fit."

With a *plink*, a finger of Nestor's Ixian hand taps his overturned glass, 
tipping it over even as he stands. "I will most certainly do so," he says 
with a slight bow. "I have enjoyed this conversation...perhaps we will have 
others in the future. That depends on My Lady."

Justine's brow rises as she watches you tip over the glass and rise. In turn, 
she too rises and bows her head slightly to you, "I do not see why not, I 
too, found the conversation most interesting. Have a good evening, dear 
Mentat."

You say, "Excellent. Then the next time I will meet with and speak with My 
Lady will only be under the following circumstances: I will receive My Lady's 
personal Word Bond for a meeting wherein I will dine with her at the Ginaz 
Embassy, she will then bestow upon me a gift of her choosing, and she will 
give me a flower of her choosing which will be returned to My Baron as a 
gift. I am curious to see to what lengths My Lady is willing to go for such 
an acquaintanceship...and time will tell." He begins backing away 
deferentially, allowing himself to take in the room as he leaves with his 
guard. "Good day."

Justine's brow rises in confusion as she listens to Nestor's words. Once he 
is gone and out of the room, she can't help but chuckle and shake her head, 
"Oh please. He should be wineing and dining me." Her eyes roll a bit before 
she looks down at her glass and decides against drinking from it. Instead, 
she stands and motions to the guards as she contemplates the 'offer' laid 
before her.
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