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From: GuildMail
Date: Tue Aug 29 11:54:39 2000 Folder: 0 Message: 15
Status: Unread
Subject: Audience
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Lady Justine Garamond-Ginaz,
You are hereby summoned to the palace at the wish of His Imperial Highness, the Na-Emperor Erich Ladislas Corrino. His Highness desires to speak with you concerning a matter of great import which he is not at liberty to divulge over such insecure methods of communication. Please find enclosed a security pass for the palace, which will grant you safe entry through the public transportation dropoffs.
--Count Albinus Cephalus
Notary and Secretary to His Highness the Na-Emperor
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Salon of Wallach I -- Imperial Palace (Kaitain)
This elegant salon is the sedate picture of tranquillity. It's positioning, on the West wing of the palace, makes it ideal for an afternoon tea, or an early evening meeting, when the sun pours through the picture windows and bathes the hardwood floors in brilliant gold light. The ceiling is adorned with silver trappings and engraving, underlit by, of all things, soft incandescent lighting. Several comfortable lounge chairs and benches adorn the room and would easily suit any social combination under 15 persons.
Players:
Erich Justine
Exits:
Lapis Lazuli Archway <W> leads to Celestial Hall -- Imperial Palace (Kaitain)
Copper Double Doors <N> leads to The Saudir I Memorial Grand Library of the Imperium -- Imperial Palace (Kaitain)
Guilded Doors <E> leads to Reception Foyer -- Imperial Palace (Kaitain)
Erich is seated at the far end of the salon, the Na-Emperor placidly bathed in the rays of the shining sun as he stares out into the placid gardens, one hand nursing a glass of iced spice tea. There are of course the requisite ten Sardaukar posted throughout the room, but the former Commandant of Salusa Secundus is too used to them to be bothered by their presence.
Justine is escorted in by a couple of guards. While the two guards bow and Justine dips into a short curtsey, one of the guards loudly announces, "The Lady Justine Garamond-Lear, your Majesty!"
Erich cracks a smile, not a full one but then he rarely shows such mirth. The Na-Emperor rises politely and nods to the arriving Lady. "Lady Garamond, how nice of you to answer my summons with such swiftness. Please, by all means, come join me for tea."
Justine bows slightly from the waist, in acceptance and says, "Thank you, My....Your Majesty. I would be honored. And please, forgive me for not lowering myself more properly in your most humble presence, but I am afraid that I still have not fully recovered and have only recently been able to regain use of my legs." Her eyes keep shifting from your face to the floor and back again, as she's not used to someone else being the Emperor. You probably notice the slip in her address to you, another slip she must be more careful of in the future. She slowly moves to a nearby chair and lowers herself into it carefully, awaiting for you.
Erich seems all the more pleased by the little 'slip', not minding in the least when someone strokes his ego. The Na-Emperor reaches out for the caraffe and pours another tall glass of the tea, ice tinkling against the glass as he sets it down before you, the cool beverage smelling of fragrant tea leaves and the slightest cinnamon tinge of melange. Retaking his own seat, the Na-Emperor takes a sip from his own glass and then inquires, "And how are you and your Marquis recovering? I did hear of your rather unfortunate accident, but understood that you had attended the Harkonnen fete some nights past, thinking therefore that it would be no great matter for you to arrange transportation to the palace."
Justine reaches over and clasps the glass, moving cautiously back to her upright position as to not spill the tea upon herself. T'would be a bad first impression indeed. She brings the glass to her lips and takes a small sip before lowering it into her other, cupped hand and smiles softly to you, "We are both recovering very well, thank you. I was not injured as badly as the Marquis, but we both expect a full recovery very soon. Your concern is greatly appreciated and thanked." Her smile fades a bit and her eyes lower to her glass as she softly adds, "House Ginaz offers it's condolences to you on the most unfortunate fate of your uncle." Her sad eyes lift back to you, her face showing genuine pain as she continues, "He was a great man and will be missed by many." She offers a small smile at the end, "But his replacement, I hear, will be an excellent Emperor as well."
Erich bows his head in thanks and appreciation. "Your condolences are accepted and appreciated, Lady Garamond. The mantle of imperium is a heavy one, but someone must bear it. We all have our duty. The Imperium and House Corrino will survive this, as we have every other obstacle which has presented itself in our illustrious history."
Justine nods a little to this and replies softly, "Yes, I'm sure it will. The Corrino's are very strong people with a deep sense of their duties. I have no doubt that the House will shine through as it has in the past. I am honored to be a part of such a great House." She takes a sip of her tea and then freezes as the statement she just made actually sinks in. Is she still part of the house now that Jeon is gone? The glass slowly moves from her lips, her face begins to show signs of slight concern and confusion. She can't help but lift her eyes to you as she meakly asks, "Am I still part of House Corrino, Your Majesty?"
Erich smiles from around the lip of his glass, taking a long, langorous, silent sip, teasing out the moment before finally making reply. "Of course you are, my lady." His dark green eyes gaze at you measuringly. "That is, if you so desire to still be a part of our House."
Justine sighs heavier then she meant to, obviously greatly relieved by the news. She nods quickly with a smile and says, "I would be most honored to remain a part of your great House, Your Majesty. Thank you, so very much."
Erich settles back into his chair, having laid the bait, the hook swallowed. "Wonderful. Then you will not mind doing a service for your House."
Justine's head shakes, "Not at all, My.....Your Majesty. I am but yours to serve. How can I help thee?"
Erich states carefully, his tone thoughtful and measured to be courteous and concerned, "The Lady Ceile is ... understandably distraught over the death of her lover and son. She's begun to exhibit suicidal tendencies, and I am considering having the Imperial Suk evaluate her for placement into an institution for therapy. However, I wanted to offer you, as her friend, the opportunity to speak with her first."
Justine blinks in surprise at the mention of the institution and comes close to interrupting you and objecting, but luckily, she's able to maintain herself until you're finished. She sighs softly in relief and nods her head, "Yes, Your Majesty, I will speak with her. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity and I will do my best. However, as I'm sure you are fully aware of, grief takes time for a woman to muster through. She is not used to death as you and I are, Your Majesty."
Erich nods with solemnity. "I am quite aware of that, yes. However, now is not the time for her to lose her head over it. Too much is riding on the next few days. She is one of the prime targets for another assassination should anyone attempt it."
Justine nods again, "Yes, Your Majesty, I am fully aware of that and I will do everything I can to keep her as sane as possible. Is there anything else His Majesty would like from me?"
Erich shakes his head, green eyes glinting with curiosity. "No, I do not think so. However ... is there anything I may do for you, Lady Garamond?"
Justine seems caught by surprise at that, blinking and rearing back slightly. Her head tilts to the side as her eyes furrow in confusion as she asks, "For me, My...Your Majesty?"
Erich nods intently. "Yes, indeed. Is everything perfectly happy and content in House Ginaz?" A slight wry grin crosses his lips, indeed all of Kaitain's upper crust, even the Commandant of Salusa Secundus, have heard of the rather infamous marital problems between Lady Garamond-Lear and her august husband.
Justine's eyes and head lowers from you, to her lap. Her voice is very quiet and cautious as she speaks, "Yes, Your Majesty. As well as can be expected after the recent travesty." She silently prays that this man does not dig any further. Jeon worked to help the marriage but this man...who knows what he is willing to do.
Erich states in a tone of blitheness, full of dry sentiment, "You do not sound very convincing, m'lady. I don't believe I've ever seen a woman well and truly in love act so timidly in proclaming it."
Justine's head lifts to you again, a sad smile on her face, "Not all marriages are perfect, Your Majesty." She decides to try to change the subject and asks, "Please forgive me if it is improper for me to ask this, but the former Emperor had something of mine that I hold quite dear to me. Would it be possible to have it back?"
Erich cocks his head to one side in interest. "And what would that be?"
Justine's cheeks turn a bit red as she's embarrassed to ask this, her voice quiet when she speaks, "A book of poetry, Your Majesty. Poetry that I have written. I'd appreciate having it back, it's not meant for public viewing."
Erich grimaces in distaste, starting to finish off his tea but putting the glass aside as he gets a definite bad taste in his mouth. "Lady Garamond, please, have some respect for the dead. I have no need to know of any ... liaisons you may have had with the late Emperor."
Justine gasps as her eyes widen at the mere thought of that. Her head shakes, slowly at first, but builds up speed and she forcefully speaks, "No!!! Never!! I would never...!! Why would you think such a thing?"
Erich blinks surprisedly. "My lady, you say His Majesty had a book of illicit writings not meant for public view. I might wonder why else he would have it? You'll pardon if I jumped to conclusions, but why else would he have it if it were not meant for him?"
Justine's head shakes quickly, "That's not what I said! I said that he had a book of poetry that I have written. That I wrote for my husband, the Marquis Steffan Lear! I showed it to His Majesty at one point and he loved my writing. He asked for a copy and even though I did not wish him to have one, I could not say no, so I made a copy." Her body is shaking now, upset that anyone would think that she would betray her friend as such, "The poems in that book were meant for my husband's eyes only. They are the feelings that I have had for him all of the years I've known him and been with him. I would be embarrased if anyone else read them, is all." Her head shakes, "I have not slept with another man while with my husband, before and after our marriage. I do not plan to do so either while we are still wed. I am a good wife, Your Majesty. I would never do anything to bring shame to the Ginaz nor Corrino name."
Erich nods, a frown either of thoughtfulness or perhaps a bit of disappointment. "Very good, very good. It isn't my place to pry in other people's affairs, unless of course they are in House Corrino in which it affects me very much."
Justine is confused by the frown but isn't about to ask about it, she doesn't know him well enough to ask about his feelings. She nods a little to your words, feeling a bit relieved that you believe her, "I understand and agree fully, Your Majesty but I assure you that I have not had any sort of improper relations with the previous Emperor. He thought of me as his daughter and I thought of him as my father, but even then, I always spoke to him in the formal and never familiar. The most informal that I've ever been is my addressing of him. I would call him 'My Majesty', out of respect and affection. I have slipped a few times in this meeting with you and for that, I apologize. It will take getting used to."
Erich is hardly pressing the point, and nods quickly. "Very good. Well then, my concerns are assuaged, and I'll leave you to your no easy task with speaking with the distraught widow, hrmm?"
Justine nods to the man before her, taking the hint well enough. She sets down her drink, stands and dips a small curtsey while lowering her head, "Yes, your Majesty. Good day to you."
Erich rises from his seat out of courtesy and nods. "And to you, Lady Garamond. I hope that you can talk some sense into our grieving acquaintance. There will be time enough to grieve later, but we all need our wits about us until the crisis has fully passed."
Justine nods in agreement, "Yes, your Majesty. I understand, agree and will do my best to serve you. Will there be anything else?"
Erich shakes his head with genial decline. "No, not of now. I do trust that you will be present for my coronation in a few days?"
Justine nods with a smile, "But of course, Your Majesty. I have no reason to miss it, I am looking forward to the celebration. I'm sure it will be a grand event. Begging your pardon, but I have experience with hosting Palace events in the past. If you should ever find yourself in need of assistance, I would be most honored to do so."
Erich files away that bit of information for future reference. "I will do that, yes. Well then, until later and hopefully more joyful a time, good day."
Justine dips a curtsey once more and bows her head, "And to you, Your Majesty." With that, she turns and walks out of the room very glad that the meeting went better then she thought it would.
Erich goes back to his tea, a particularly broad grin on the prince's face for some reason or another.