Meeting with Prax

The Tantalon -- Atreides Embassy (Kaitain)
Of the twin meeting rooms, this is by far the more austere. The walls are finished with a beautiful lattice of varnished rattan, and the low, ovaled conference table and surrounding settees are of fine whale leather; their dark tones make the octagonal Tantalon breathe a somber, quiet air, like an old family shrine. Named after the very first Atreides fief, it is traditionally used for discussions of a more private and informal nature. It is darker here yet by no means gloomy, still and comfortable. A small fire burning in a recessed hearth gives a gentle warmth and makes the Tantalon's contents glitter in the waving light.
Players:
Praxton Magnus
Exits:
Paneled Citruswood Door <E> leads to Embassy Office -- Atreides Embassy (Kaitain)

Magnus enters, holding his cane out to the side, placing it irritably inside the hook of his belt to get it out of the way. He closes the door behind him, turns to face Praxton and bows, "Your Grace..." he says flatly.

Praxton sets down his pad and stylus, standing to greet Magnus. "Count Palatine, good evening." He gestures to the seat opposite his own. "You wished to speak to me?"

Magnus nods, "Indeed I did, and I am grateful for an audience, m'lord." He takes the offered seat, sighing slightly, "I only wish the circumstances were more preferable for us meeting, it has been a long time since we had a rest from our woes."

Praxton folds back into his chair, pulling a cup of tea into his hands as he does so. "Indeed it is, Magnus," he replies cheerily. "Let's not call this an 'audience', however... unless the matter is official..?"

Magnus smiles, "As you wish," he immediately moves into the crux of the affair, "You've no doubt been told of what happened at the Coronation, in regard to your brother, or have the details yet to reach you?"

Magnus' smile turns to seriousness and he nods, "The action was very insulting toward his Majesty. May I ask what the Duke's opinion on the matter is before stating my own?" He asks the question not to avoid displeasing the Duke, but rather because he believes they will share the same opinion on the matter.

"The Duke's opinion is that his younger brother's faux pas is a direct product of his spending more time carousing with foreign women than in brushing up on his etiquette and manners," says Prax, not without coldness.

"I agree completely," he says with a brisk nod, "I had to personally speak to the Na-Duke about the matter after he was ejected from the Coronation. I proceeded to make an apology to His Majesty about the event, as well as I could, though I was told by His Majesty that he would see you immediately about the matter," he sighs, exhaustion over the Na-Duke's youth settling in, "My Duke, the impetuousness of your brother is quickly becoming a stain on our House. The youth has to be punished, sire, before much more damage can be caused." His voice is firm about the matter.

Praxton replies quickly. "I agree, Count." A pause, as Prax sips from the tea. "Do you have any suggestions about how to handle this matter, privately and without further strain?"

Magnus sighs, "As much as it disturbs me to suggest this, I would recommend that the Na-Duke be instituted into some schooling to 'smooth out' his behaviour, so to speak. Lady Talia and I have tried many times to discipline him, but his nature is beyond our skills as teachers. I would honestly consider some higher Atreidean authority schooling him, shaping him up to be the noble he has to be."

Praxton cradles the cup in both his hands. "Count Palatine," he says gently. "There is no higher Atreidian than Minotauros, other than myself. Or is that what you meant to imply?"

Magnus shakes his head, "I meant in the line of professional teaching, though I am sure My Duke is an excellent teacher, perhaps there is a need to call in someone, anyone who may be able to teach Minotauros the behavioural skills which he is currently lacking," he sighs, "Other than this, My Duke, I have no ideas as to how to quell the boy's impetuousness."
Praxton ponders for a moment, his eyes unfocusing as his mind drifts into the long ago. "If Mother were alive, she would certainly take Mintor under her wing...." he mutters.

Praxton snaps back to the here and now, yet the shadow of a smile still lingers around his eyes. To Magnus, "It is a most delicate issue, Count. On the one hand there is a real and true need for the Atreides next-in-line to move among his peers and to earn their respect... and the real and true need of House Atreides to suffer no ill-effects from his learning processes."

Magnus purses his lips, thinking about theses two affects, "House Atreides has much at stake in this matter, sire. The Emperor is not pleased about Mintor's behaviour. We have been known to be fair and just at all times, and this is one of the times where we need to stand firm to being a Great House of the Landsraad," he strokes his chin, "There is a need for the Emperor to be satisfied on this matter, sire. I can offer punishments to Mintor, but little in the way of solutions to the overall problem. It is, however, my honest belief that he should be kept from Kaitain for a certain time, to avoid possible further embarrassment."

"That much I agree to," replies Prax. "I'll talk to my brother and ship him off to Caladan at the first opportunity. His absence will appease our new Emperor."

Magnus nods, "It will have to suffice for now. The Emperor will ask for more though, and I believe I may have found something which may appease him," he smiles, perhaps a little slyly, "I requested personally of the Emperor to have a portrait of Emperor Jeon XVI be painted and hung in the Imperial Museum as my gift to the previous reign. His current Majesty refused, saying he believed that the making of the portrait would only open old wounds and that a portrait of himself would better suit the new reign. The idea of a portrait toward him," he adds quickly, "Not now of course, it is too early in his reign," then continues, "Could bring us into better favour with House Corrino."

Magnus nods, "I took it as a great insult that he presumed on the previous Emperor's funeral, I should erect a portrait for him. The idea would sicken the other members of the Landsraad."

Praxton sets the cup carefully on the table before him, looks at the empty carafe with a baleful eye. "I think," he says with some emphasis, "that if pressured, His Majesty would admit to refusing your offer out of nothing but pique at Mintor's... error. I would not dwell overmuch on it if I were you."

Magnus blinks for a moment, considering the ramifications of an Emperor who acted in such a manner. He speaks slowly, "Is there...anything more my Duke, that there is to discuss?"

"Not for the moment, Magnus," replies Prax. "Perhaps we could meet again for tea tomorrow eve? There are a few things I'd like to go over with you, but need the compiled reports from the Office before then."