Yes, Magnus is still alive :). Here is a small scene between Tat'iana and him, relevant to several developing events which are discussed. Enjoy :).
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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.
Players:
Tat'iana Magnus
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)
A blue-clad young woman stands next to the fountain, pondering the jewel-lined pool of water intently. She takes a hesitant step forward, then slowly circles the fountain before sitting at its edge to dangle her fingertips into the cool water.
Tat'iana Rastanyev smiles serenely, her attention clearly directed inwards to her thoughts, as she watches water drip from her fingers when she lifts her hand from the basin.
Hands clasped behind his back, an older man stands holding a cane. His soft grey eyes move past several passers-by to notice the Lady Tat'iana. Cape following behind him obediently, Count Palatine Magnus makes his way over to the young lady with a warm smile on his face.
Tat'iana does not look up as the man approaches, so lost in her thoughts is she that she does not hear him. She leans further over the fountain's basin, looking into its depths, as she tries to make out all the different jewels within.
Magnus gently stands behind the young woman, looking in the same direction as her own eyes and smiles as his reflection stands over hers. Gently reaching into his pocket he takes out a small gold coin and places it on the side of the fountain, not saying a word.
Tat'iana's smile brightens as she recognizes the reflection behind hers, and she turns to face the Count Palatine with a small sound of pleasure. As she gets to her feet, she bobs a curtsey, and exclaims, "Your Excellency! What a surprise! It has been so long... all is well, I hope?"
Magnus chuckles, somewhat amused by the young girl's enthusiasm and proffers a small bow in return, replying to her question, "Yes, m'lady, all is quite well on my end. And yourself? You seem very happy today, anything special about the elation?" he smiles and sits down on the fountain's edge, patting a small area, "I hope you have some time to sit and talk to me, eh?"
Tat'iana tries to reign in her spirits, but fails, and her bright smile remains in place as she sits at the fountain's edge once more. She picks up the coin left there, pondering it for just a moment, but offers it back to the Count. "I now have my heart's greatest wish, Excellency... you toss it."
Magnus smiles and balances the coin on the thumb of his closed fist, flicking it into the water and watching the small ripple created as the coin sinks slowly to the bottom. He turns back to face the lady and smiles, "And my only wishes are now for the joys of others," he tilts his head inquisitively, "Would I be intruding if I questioned what your heart's greatest wish was, m'lady?"
"I... I do not know if I have leave to discuss it, yet...." Tat'iana says with some hesitancy, frowning for but a moment. "I suppose it would not hurt, but please, keep it between us until... something is announced. I can trust you, can't I, Excellency?"
Magnus nods and motions his hand in a small X across his heart with a grin, "Cross my heart. You have my word as an Atreides and a gentleman."
Tat'iana's gaze drops to her hands, as she smooths the velvet of her skirts and fidgets with them slightly. "I am being courted..." she says softly, a blush rising to her cheeks, "We... discussed it last evening. I am being courted by his Imperial Majesty."
Magnus smiles softly, "Congratulations are in order then, m'lady," he pats her hand, "Hopefully you will be able to hang onto the lithe young Emperor, eh?" chuckling he adds, "Will you two be attending Director Tsukasa's wedding together?"
Tat'iana shrugs slightly, though the smile does not leave her face. "I do not yet know... I've not received an invite. Has your House received theirs yet?"
Magnus turns the palms of his hands up, "I know not of any House invite, though a personal invite was sent to me," he places his hands once more in his lap, clasping them, "Director Bahattin and I are close friends."
Tat'iana nods slowly, then sighs. "Perhaps I will not be invited then..." With another shrug, she turns to look where the coin disappeared into the fountain's water, "You must do me a favor, Excellency. I cannot... I cannot be the one to tell Mintor. He should know, so that should he return to Kaitain he not be surprised by it. Will you tell him of this, the courtship? He should know..."
Magnus raises his brows at the young woman, "Pardon me?" he blinks rather surprised at the statement, "I didn't have any idea your relationship with the Na-Duke was truly that close, m'lady."
Tat'iana shakes her head quickly, noting the reaction and the surprise. "No... it wasn't... but had he stayed, it might have been. Oh, I don't know. He sent me a message by you, I remember, saying he would write. But he hasn't. I don't know what thoughts he is harboring towards me, but I do not want him to have another thing to hold against His Imperial Majesty. I just... don't want any problems. Does that make any sense? Am I being silly?"
Magnus laughs, "I suppose, yes, it does make some sense. I didn't know you were that worried about the Na-Duke, though. I must admit this has come as a rather unexpected surprise," he grumbles a little, "And besides, everyone has their own opinions of the Imperium and its leaders, don't they? Harbouring grudges merely shows a lack of etiquitte." Offering a tight smile, it is quite obvious to both parties that Mintor particularly lacked in this area.
Tat'iana taps her forehead quietly as she laughs softly. "I worry about many things, Excellency... many, many things." She tilts her head to the side, grinning wryly. "What is a surprise? That I worry, or.. my news?"
Magnus chuckles and dips the tip of his finger in the water, brushing it off only moments later, "Most probably the fact that you worry so much about young Mintor, more than your news about the Emperor," he grins, "Personally I expected the Emperor to consider you. You're a stunningly beautiful woman, Lady Tat'iana Rastanyev."
Quickly Magnus adds, "Not to mention intelligent and charming. You have a lot going for you, m'lady."
Tat'iana's head dips, as a bright blush spread across her cheeks at the compliment. "You are too kind, Excellency," she murmurs, chuckling quietly. Her hands spread across her skirts, smoothing them absently once more.
Magnus looks up, over to the Harkonnen Embassy and sighs, "I should just hope that if you become Empress, that your fate will be on better terms than poor Lady Ceile," he shakes his head, "That woman has lost her husband, her child and now is used as a plaything for Harkonnen enjoyment. If I had the power you would see me intervening as best I can, though I think Wensic has showed that method of action is not to be considered. I heard he has been locked away for a while."
Tat'iana's smile fades, and a small crease forms in her brow. "She was a concubine, Excellency. A mere concubine. They are... disposable, in a manner of speaking. It is His Imperial Majesty's right to dispose of the deceased Emperor's lot as he sees fit..."
Magnus grimaces visibly and speaks with a stern tone, "My Lady. Ceile was the mother of Emperor Jeon's heir. It disgusts me to even think of treating human life as if it were something to simply toy with. I cannot see how selling that poor girl to the Harkonnen's like she were a common whore is in any way correct within the morals and values of human life. She had already lost her love and her child. I see no reason to punish her more by stripping her of her dignity and freedom also."
"Excellency," Tat'iana murmurs placatingly, "We cannot know what went on behind closed doors. Have you ever known His Majesty to act without provocation, hmm? Yes, it is unfortunate for her, but we must acknowledge that the lady very likely could have brought these unfortunate circumstances upon herself."
Magnus snorts a little, "I have known many Majesty's to act without provocation, though you are true in the fact that we will never know what went on behind the scenes," he sniffs indignantly and adds, "I still believe such a harsh punishment could have been avoided. But I am not in the position to question the ways of our great Majesty."
Tat'iana nods with satisfaction at the admission, lifting her chin slightly, for a moment. She relaxes though, her feathers not so ruffled as before. "Do not judge him, Excellency, unless you have all the facts before you," she cautions, the words softened by her quiet murmur. As she gets to her feet and arranges her skirts, she glances towards the direction of the Harkonnen Embassy for a long moment. When she turns back to the fountain, her face is cool and neutral, carefully expressionless. "It was a pleasant discussion, Excellency. I am glad to hear all is well with you. Please, give my warmest regards to your family. I must bid you a good day now."
Magnus stands alongside her and replies, "I do not judge His Majesty, I state my beliefs on human enslavement. On my home planet, under my rule, things are far, far different," he nods to her, not in the least intimidated by the caution, "I shall hope to see you again soon, m'lady. And your secret shall lie with me."
"Things are different on my homeworld, too," Tat'iana says quietly, then lifts the front edge of her skirts and heads towards her own embassy.
As the young woman departs, Magnus watches her for several moments before his attention draws back to the fountain and he looks to where the coin went, gently saying to himself, "If only life was as easy as the wishes we proclaim to ourselves." With this, the older man follows in the path of the young woman and returns to his own Embassy, the light of the Kaitain sun caressing his face.
Tat'iana steps through the main gates to the Rastanyev Embassy.
Tat'iana has left.