Beauty and the Beast?

["Matthew Myers" <hiddgold@hotkey.net.au>]

The Saudir I Memorial Grand Library of the Imperium -- Imperial Palace (Kaitain)

 

        The Grand Library of the Imperium, founded by Wallach I, is among the 9 great marvels of the Known Universe, and rightly so. The Library is a structure unto itself, barely contained by the Imperial Palace. Soft cherry wood paneling adorns every surface. Every manner of filmbook, holographic record, still recording and even rare bound parchment or the occasional paper works are stored here- some dating back to pre-guild authors. Five landings, each filled with stacks and stacks of volumes, rise upward to the MURAL adorned ceiling. The combined works represent a copy of nearly every volume ever published in the Known Universe since the year 2903- when it became a crime to publish a work in the Imperium without providing a copy to the Emperor's library, including several unique one-of-a-kind works.
        The ground level landing is centered by a series of oak topped desks and green-shaded reading lamps. The lights hanging from the vaulted ceilings are specially designed to emanate light at the same wavelengths as that given off by the Ixian sun, widely regarded to be the best color for ease of reading and the prevention of eyestrain. These special fixtures are actually incandescent antiques and it is well known that an entire staff of 25 maintains the lighting fulltime. Even now, scholars shift here and there, retrieving writings from every corner of the Imperium for reflection and study. Soft silence fills the ears of visitors to the library. A quieter place for reflection and intellectual pursuits would be hard to find. Indeed, scholars have been known to vanish into the library, eyes drawn ever upward, before wandering out days later, babbling to themselves with a new revelation gleaned from some obscure collection of works available nowhere else.

 

Exits:
 Carved Doors <SE> leads to Hall of Emperors -- Imperial Palace (Kaitain)
 Carved Doors <W> leads to Salon of Wallach I -- Imperial Palace (Kaitain)

Jenaa walks in from Salon of Wallach I through the Carved Doors.
Jenaa has arrived.

Sitting at one of the many desks in the library, several books placed next to him, Scaurus seems to be a concentrating hard upon his reading. He is oblivious to the movements around him for the moment, however he takes regular sips out of his cup of spice coffee.

Jenaa approaches quietly, a slight, tilted smile on her lips. She speaks softly, but her voice is clear and carries well, "Anything interesting?" she asks.

Scaurus tilts his head to the side in annoyance at first, then surprise at having the Na-Empress standing over him, and rises, dipping his head respectfully, "Your Majesty...nothing as interesting as paying my attentions to you I am sure." He looks up from his current posture and smiles lightly, "History and law. Writings of Estures in 7654 AG."

Jenaa's crooked smile remains on her youthful face as she steps around the table, looking down at what you're reading. "Highness..." she corrects softly, almost absently, as her attention is drawn to it. After a few moments she asks, "Is this business or pleasure?"

Scaurus blinks for a moment, then frowns and silently curses his stupid mistake, "Of course Your Highness. My apologies." He looks at the books again and draws a breath, "Both, really. I had a rather unpleasant interlude with the Harkonnen several days ago in which one of their diplomats decided it would be prudent to assume the reason of my visit and insinuate I had ulterior motives for what I clearly explained was a social visit. The man quite insulted me, and I was merely reading up on other cases relating to such matters. The history is for pleasure." He rises again from his chair, offering it to the young lady.

Jenaa declines the offered chair with a slight smile, instead slipping up to sit upon the table itself. She laughs lightly, "It -does- seem curious that one would make a visit to Harkonnens for purely social reasons... With all due respect, my Lord Count, I can understand their suspicions." The librarian sees the Princess sitting upon the table and shoots her a rather dirty look, but this goes unnoticed as Jenaa continues looking down at the books on the table.

Scaurus smiles at the Princess, tilting his head to the side and he seems to change the topic quite quickly, "I admire you, Your Highness. I think you knew that since you were a young girl at your Uncle's court and I was too wrapped in my studies to pay people the due attentions they required. However I always made time for you...and not because you were of the Royal Blood, either. Though many did suspect that." He chuckles lightly, quite obviously admiring how charming the Princess is, and also how parts of her are still untainted by the Imperium, "I wasn't there merely for social reasons, and their suspicions were well founded. However the manner in which they relayed the fact was insulting." He shrugs, "I'll not dally too much on the issue, unless they call it upon themselves to insist that I was the impolite guest. I tire so much of politics sometimes, you know."

Jenaa grins impishly at your oblique admission to your true purposes at House Harkonnen, "Well they've not been known for their social skills for quite some time, my Lord. I suppose it's not too surprising that they managed to insult you." She takes a deep breath, turning her eyes around the library as she draws in its scent. "I love the aroma of old books. Don't you?"

Scaurus looks at the library also, following the Princess' gaze, "I do, yes. It's interesting to think of how many millenia of information are contained in these millions of volumes. So much information that no one could possibly know all about. Each a single speck in a large pool." He looks back toward the Princess and holds his hand out, "If you'd like to look at the volumes nad take a walk Your Highness, I would be happy to escort you." He smiles again, so unlike him. But she would be used to his nature, and most probably know that there were two people he reserved his feelings for in this world. The first was the Lady Ceile. The second was her. And the reason for this? Aside from admiration and perhaps a never explored adventurous spirit, there is the element of being able to relate to the women, however if that element is returned he may only speculate.

Jenaa smiles and nods, taking the offered hand, "I'd love to." she says simply, hopping off the table and shooting a slight smirk back at the surly librarian -- obviously aware of the consternation she causes by sitting on one of -his- tables. Turning her eyes back to you she senses your adventurous spirit and declares brightly "Lead on!"

Scaurus grins, showing pearly white teeth, often not seen and takes the Princess' hand, walking with her along the rows of books he begins conversation, "I don't think I've ever seen the Library change at all in all the years I have studied in it." As he walks past one of the wooden pylons holding shelves together he stops and grins, pointing and whispering, "Don't tell old Roderick, but I still remember when I carved my initials there years ago. I'm almost sure you were there too, but it could have been someone else." He shakes his head, eyes sparkling at the young lady, "I was a little naughty in my youth. I suppose I still have a little of that element left in me, but most of it has been long stamped out by the economic and political intrigue I have to usually endure."

Jenaa laughs brightly at your admission, her entire face illuminated, "I remember that!" she says, half-speaking, half-whispering as she laughs. "I was only seven or eight years old then, I think, but I remember."

Scaurus nods gently, "I think your father was busy with your uncle reviewing....dear lord what was it? It must have been a celebration of some sort, I remember that I had to take care of you for the day. I can't recall a happier time...it was wonderful to see you so vibrant." He stops again and strokes his cheek gently before looking at her rather seriously, "Your Highness...perhaps I am a little out of place, please tell me if I am, but may I be so bold as to ask you to dine with me? It has been so long since I've laughed, smiled. You still manage to open that element inside of me. I would be very happy if we could see more of each other..." He seems to be a little nervous saying this, probably worried about rejection, or that he's overstepped his boundaries. Perhaps even that all she has expressed is a charade. One thing is certain to both though - asking a lady to dinner is most definitely -not- a regular occurance with this man!

Jenaa smiles brightly and nods without hesitation, "It would be a great pleasure to dine with you my Lord. And you needn't worry about any misinterpretations on my part or of overstepping any bounds, here. I've known you long enough to judge your motivations to be those of a genuine and old friend."

Scaurus smiles again, and laughs a little, relieved. He then takes the Princess' hand and kisses it softly before bowing, "I am charmed you could join me, Your Highness. It will bring me great pleasure."

Jenaa smiles back, "I am glad my Lord Count.  You must excuse me now though I am afraid that duties call for me once more."  She nods to the man lightly and moves out of the library.