9/4/00
Logfile from DuneIII
The players:
---------------Tat'iana---------------
Of average height for a woman, Tat'iana carries herself as though she were taller than she actually is. Her chin is angled proudly, her ivory complexion smooth and flawless. Thick, dark lashes ring steely-gray eyes, which tilt upwards at the corners. Though they are the color of stormclouds, her eyes do catch the light, giving them more of a silvery quality. The sparkle is aided by a hint of mischievousness in her personality, though hidden in her facial expression it shows clearly through her eyes. Lips that are neither too full, nor too narrow, are pulled at the corners into a perpetual soft smile. A hint of a blush creeps across her cheeks, giving proof that this woman is indeed real and alive, and not just the masterpiece creation of an artist.
The silken curls of her ebony hair are piled atop her head in an artful, and intricate arrangement, with silver combs serving to help hold it in place.
Her gown is of a deep midnight blue -- simple in its cut and style, yet, elegant. Pinned to the front of her bodice is an ornate, but obviously antique, brooch depicting a phoenix, wings outstretched gloriously. Matching velvet slippers cover her feet, the toes of which peek out from beneath her voluminous stiff skirts.
---------------Magnus---------------
As you look over to him, Magnus notices you and watches you carefully out of the corner of his deep blue eyes. He stands erect, with a full head of neatly combed grey hair. His eyes are light and humorous. While his physical appearance deems him weak, his mental abilities prove this otherwise. He wears a pure white military uniform with gold lapels and laurels on his cuffs.
The most immediate attraction of this man is his whale fur lined cape, red in nature and dripping like layers of blood down to the floor, flowing behind him graciously. The cape holds three emblems, the Gryphon of House Paldrigus in the middle, the Hawk of House Atreides above and next to it, the Lion of House Corrino. It is obvious the cape has been specially made for such occasions as these.
He turns slightly and you see the shimmer of his shining gold insignia ring, a ruby red gryphon with diamond eyes embedded in its center - the Valedan symbol. Epaulets adorn both his shoulders, with two crossed swords and a lion with laurels on his sides serving as the insignia on his collar.
His chest is lined with medals and a golden sisal sash is draped under his right arm, tightly in place. A second, red sash drapes from the right of his shoulder down to the left of his belt, held in place at his belt by a large Gryphon, which holds in its hands a laurel, the initials S.P.Q.V (Senatus Populesque Quo Valedus) can be distinguished on it. A small chain extends from the inside of his shirt to his left pocket, which holds his silver fob watch, a priceless memento of his late father.
In one hand he holds a straight cane made out of wood and elaborately decorated with battle scenes leading up to the knob at the top, which is a large diamond with two ruby red eyes carved like slits into it. And finally, he wears long trousers with a red stripe down the right side and high black military boots. His appearance gives an air of authority and a look of nobility, while his smile is warm, kind and charming, giving him a look of two worlds - friendship and leadership - however which one this man values more cannot be told with his looks only.
Carrying:
Signet Ring
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Sheuset Square -- Embassy District (Kaitain)
As the boulevard opens into the plaza, a fountain contained within a jewel encrusted pool, consumes the middle of the roadway. Several gates can be seen opening onto this road. Behind the gates are the signs of wealth, with large buildings and gardens. The boulevard continues its path beyond this plaza along the southeast shore of Lake Corrin.
Objects:
An old man
Exits:
Cobbled Walk <N> leads to Grand Steps -- Alvstad Embassy (Kaitain)
Colonnade <E> leads to Grand Foyer Euterpes -- Atreides Embassy (Kaitain)
Wrought Iron Gates <W> leads to Courtyard -- Rastanyev Embassy (Kaitain)
Jeweled Gates <S> leads to Reception Hall -- Moritani Embassy (Kaitain)
Rue Cenva <NE> leads to Central Plaza -- Embassy District (Kaitain)
Magnus walks along briskly, then notices both of them and raises his brows, "AH!" he exclaims, moving closer with hands clasped behind his back.
At the edge of the fountain, a lady gowned in blue and silver sits, trailing a hand in the water. Her expression is serene, peaceful. The sun glints off her ebony hair, and yet the light almost seems to be swallowed by it. It is Lady Tat'iana Rastanyev.
Magnus walks along the path briskly, lips pursed in thought and interest, he notices Tat'iana at the fountain, but pays no attention to the angelic scene of her. Instead, his nature is cold and aloof. He walks up to her and bows slightly, "Lady Rastanyev...." he says flatly.
Tat'iana looks up as the man's shadow falls across her, raising a hand to shield her eyes from the glare of the sun. She notes the stiff bow, one eyebrow barely twitching, and rises slowly from her perch. Without allowing her calm demeanor to slip, she dips a perfect curtsey fitting of the man's rank, her voice smooth, "Good afternoon, Your Excellency." A small smile pulls at the corner of her mouth.
Magnus keeps his face of utter seriousness. Not at all amused by the smile, "May I have a moment of your time, m'lady?"
Tat'iana lets the smile fade in the face of the man's severe expression. "But of course," she gestures to the fountain's edge. "Would you sit with me a moment then?"
Magnus looks to the fountain coldly, then back at her, "M'lady I have to inform you of the disposition of the Na-Duke. The other night I encouraged you two, today I must inform you that the Na-Duke's position is no longer on Kaitain, rather he is being sent back to Caladan for quite a while," his voice is strung, the matter obviously having very adverse affects on him. The man you see in front of you is a changed man from the one seen the other night. The colour of the eyes have disappeared and his face remains emotionless, like a heartless statue.
Her mouth forms a small 'o', and slowly she re-takes her seat at the fountain's edge. Tat'iana remains silent some moments, then sighs quietly. "And... he has not been permitted to even say his farewells," she observes in a small voice, a thousand and one thoughts circling around behind her eyes.
Magnus remains obsolete in the matter, "The decision was not entirely mine, m'lady. The Duke and I spoke much of the matter before deciding. Some form of punishment had to be seen through."
Tat'iana nods woodenly, though her face remains blank. "Yes... of course."
"I should hope you are not -too- put out about the affair, m'lady," he emphasizes the too, knowing quite well of her relations with the Emperor. Word gets around.
"It is indeed an unfortunate ending to an awkward situation," Tat'iana notes, sympathy touching the edges of her voice. She clasps her hands together in her lap, her knuckles beginning to whiten with the pressure.
Magnus nods, "Indeed. I apologize for the inconvenience. I hope this will not affect our friendship or the relations with our Houses, though I believed you needed to be informed," he looks at her, the coldness dissipating for a moment as he considers comforting the poor girl, but the consideration is only momentary at the seriousness returns only seconds later.
Tat'iana nods her head, and leaves her gaze downcast. "I thank you for your kind consideration," she says.
Magnus reaches into his long garments, pulling out a small red rose. He places the rose down on the fountain, right next to her and looks at it, "Rememberance," he looks up at her, then bows gently, "If you need a comforting hand, I will be in the Embassy," he says this well knowing that the current state of his actions are all but comforting, though he knows that displacing himself is the most effective of methods to keep as far away as possible from the matter.
Tat'iana looks to the rose, and nods once more, slowly. Her head remains bowed, her shoulders even slump slightly.
Magnus allows himself a sigh of compassion, then picks himself up, "I am sorry, m'lady."
"He is fortunate to have such a friend as yourself," Tat'iana looks up briefly, but drops her gaze once more. "Perhaps... in time... all will be forgotten."
Magnus reaches out, finally withdrawing his cold disposition and touches her hand. Contrary to what one might think, his hand is warm and comforting. He squeezes her hand gently, then look at her, "It will be a while until he returns, m'lady. But he told me he would write to you. The night meant a lot to him, as it did to me and my memories."
Tat'iana smiles thinly, though she remains silent, pensive.
Magnus does not smile, though he squeezes her soft hand again, then bows lightly once more, "I believed you needed to be informed, m'lady. I shall leave you to your...grief..." he begins to walk off toward the Atreides Embassy.
Magnus turns slightly before he leaves, "And m'lady...it would be much appreciated if you kept this a secret until the official notices are given to the entire of Kaitain, please."
Tat'iana looks up, a small amount of surprise registering on her face. She quickly nods, "But of course..." And again, her eyes travel back to the rose next to her at the fountain's edge.
Magnus nods in return and walks off
As the man's receding footsteps echo, Tat'iana looks up from beneath the veil of her dark lashes. A small, cold smile -- one of triumph -- curves at her lips. With a rustle of her velvet skirts, she, too, gets up and departs the area of the fountain, towards her own embassy's gates.
The rose is left by the fountain, to wilt alone, in the day's sun.