A double feature from Rat....

["Amit Sabnis" <ajsabnis@stanford.edu>]

This log is from an earlier meeting.  Sorry about getting it out a little
late. :)


Courtyard -- Rastanyev Embassy (Kaitain)(#662RLt)

        Solidite echoes dully underfoot as one travels across the midnight
blue stone walkways of the courtyard. Lining the walkway on both sides are
small octagonal beds of white tulips. The remainder of the courtyard is
covered with green grass, save for a small pathway to the northeast which
ends at the steps leading to the ornithopter pad.

High walls of smooth cream coloured stone stretch to the north and south,
providing the embassy with a modicum of privacy. The embassy proper, a large
three story block shaped structure looms before you, a set of fourteen white
marble steps leads to the single entrance way. Soft corinthian columns and
fireze are skillfully used to offset the severe block shape of the building.
Multipaned square windows are spaced at even intervals along the front
facade of the embassy. Bell towers stand in each of the four corners of the
embassy grounds, two on each end of the walls, and two behind the building.
Players:
 Aleksei
Exits:
 Front Gates <E> leads to Sheuset Square -- Embassy District (Kaitain)
 Arched Entrance <N> leads to Reception Hall -- Rastanyev Embassy (Kaitain)

Aleksei stands nearby to the gate, next to another Cossack, he goes about an
inspection of the soldier.

The House diplomat approaches from the Embassy proper, about to go off on
some errand or another about the local district. He pauses with some alarm
to note the significant increase in Cossacks patrolling the Embassy. He
starts to move next to the gate when he recognizes the face of the
Warmaster-Delegate. Noting his concentration, however, Satyavrat decides to
silently await the completion of the Lord General's inspection before
speaking.

Aleksei completes the inspection and gives the soldier a salute who returns
it.. he looks to Satyavrat, "Good evening, Lord Satyavrat, May I ask where
you are heading to?", the question is less of a question but is a little
more direct.
Satyavrat conceals his surprise at such a pointed remark rather well,
although his eyebrows do jump a bit. "Off to visit the Siridar-Count
Johnston, at the moment. Seeking to alleviate some...tension that other
Houses feel towards our own at the moment."

Aleksei nods and says, "Sorry to ask, the Emporer locking down the planet
has forced me to make notes of where are staff are going. it is a safety
precaution."

Satyavrat inclines his head. "Many precautions are being taken, by many
Houses. The Earl's order for more Cossacks is actually a more conservative
reaction...I've heard rumors that House Ginaz has completely banned all
traffic to and from their Embassy. Granted, of course, that they have a bit
more to worry about than most, but..." The diplomat sighs. "Interesting
times, hmm?"

Aleksei nods and says, "I really don't know why the Imperial Palace is doing
this, I know the Emporer has died but that doesn't mean we should all suffer
for it."

Satyavrat raises an eyebrow. "On the contrary, Lord General. If the Earl was
assassinated, and it was in your power, would you not aim to keep all the
potential assassins on the planet? And as dear as the Earl is to all of us,
the Emperor is far more important...to everything." The man conveys a sense
of awesome and total summation with that word. "This is not suffering, Lord
General...the real tremors have yet to begin."

Aleksei nods and says, "Perhaps I would, I guess I happen to just be in bad
position now, with Sardaukar walking the streets en masse, make some of my
men feel as if they are being invaded apon."

Satyavrat's lips twitch in a smile. "Which they have, Lord-General. On that,
you are very correct...I suspect that it shall give the Earl quite a bit to
deal with..."

Aleksei nods to Satyavrat again and then says, "I have my suspicions of the
Sardaukar, and from what I hear they could be prisoners of the Imperium who
have mindwashed, but that could be just a conspiracy.", he chuckles and then
looks back to his guards, emotion gone from his face again.

Satyavrat leans closely to the Warmaster. "Such rumors," he says quietly,
each breath whispering past the man's chin, "have a habit of giving one a
direct ticket to the prison planet."

Melodious notes ring out from the four great bell towers of the embassy.

Aleksei quiets and nods slowly realizing perhaps this wouldn't be the best
time to discuss such rumors and then turns back to the street, he nods to
guards, and they salute, he returns the salute, the guards march back into
their assigned positions.

Satyavrat looks up to the bell towers as they intone their notes. "All in
all, a most interesting situation we are in. And one which shal no doubt put
the Sardaukar...on extra guard." The impact of the last three words is
doubtless not lost on the Warmaster. "Still, it makes life interesting, no?"

Melodious notes ring out from the four great bell towers of the embassy.

Aleksei nods and says, "Life is a Battle, and Battle is always
interesting..."

Satyavrat accepts this with a slight nod and a secretive smile. "I always
found such a view of life...fascinating," he admits. "But for a
diplomat...battle is something very remote indeed." His smile fades somewhat
as he notes, "It's only when the blade is at your throat that the game truly
ends."

Aleksei looks at the street now, he remarks, "Diplomacy is a tough battle."

Satyavrat turns his head to follow Aleksei's gaze, his similarly focusing on
the distant horizon. "Sadly, it's more of a game to most of us," he
confides, his brow wrinkling slightly in a frown. "A game full of games. The
real aspect to it never truly enters the equation...for most."

Aleksei nods and watches as one patrol of Sardaukar go by, his thoughts run
about tactics if they were to engage his cossacks most of the tactics are
thought to be insufficent, a few of the more 'interesting' ones perhaps
could allow them to survive.. He looks back to
Satyavrat, "Well, I do hope that the Imperial Palace do indeed find those
responsible, I really don't want to see how they last in the long run
without closure.

Satyavrat nods gravely. "Indeed, Warmaster." He sighs audibly as the
Sardaukar patrol passes. "I didn't like living under the Sardaukar yoke
before...and I find it's even more restricting the second time around."

Aleksei sighs and says, "At least, they haven't decided to raid our embassy,
because I really do not wish to test such soldiers. The Palace is keeping a
tight reign on them even in the midst of their build up.", he looks back to
his soldiers. o O (If we had that many cossacks, I do wonder how well we
could control such a build-up)

Satyavrat nods silently for a few moments. "For now," he adds at last. "For
now." He breaks his gaze on the horizon, then, shaking his head quickly to
clear it. "Well, Warmaster, I'm afraid I must be hurrying along for
now...the Siridar Johnston awaits."

Aleksei steps out of the Diplomat's way and he motions the guards to open
the gates..

Satyavrat offers a half bow before walking beyond the gates. "Good evening,
Lord General," he calls over his shoulder. He glances back at the guards
with a slight frown before continuing on his way, already composing an
expression of sugar sweetness for the good Count Johnston.

Aleksei bows back to the Diplomat, "Have a nice chat with the Count."

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