I never promised you a rose garden...

["Kathie Care" <kathie@availablelight.net>]

5/22/01
Logfile from DuneIII-Ophelia
Where the Great Houses vie for power in the Padishah Imperium....

Rose Garden -- Moritani Embassy (Kaitain)

        The walled garden is by no means small, though it is sufficient in
size to provide peace and tranquility for those who wish it. A circular path
of white stones runs the perimeter of the area, while two perpendicular
paths also intersect in the center of the immaculately clipped green. Also,
along both sides of the circular path, lies a bed of roses, their velvety
petals all in shades of deep, rich red. Against the walls, the roses have
even begun to climb their way upwards with the help of white latticework
trellises, spaced at even intervals. White marble statues, slightly larger
than life-size, stand among the roses, their smooth-featured faces facing
outwards.

        On the far side of the garden, a single willow tree stands, its
branches dipping gracefully towards the ground in a falling arc. Behind the
shadow of the thick curtain of leaves, a stone bench sits, a perfect place
for conversing in private.

Exits:

 Stone Path <W> leads to Reception Courtyard -- Moritani Embassy (Kaitain)

Margot walks in from Reception Courtyard along the Stone Path.

Margot has arrived.

On the far side of the garden, Ophelia stands, pondering one of the marble
statues in front of her, and the roses around it. A gardener or two are
nearby, their backs bent against their work as they prune and shape the
bushes. The garden is otherwise quiet, save for small bird sounds. A
peaceful, tranquil spot.

Margot is being shown in by a servant who dismisses himself as soon as
Margot spots Ophelia. Observing her for a second she smiles to herself and
approaches her. "Good day to you Ophelia. I hope I find you in good health
and good spirits?"

Ophelia looks up, a smile readily on her lips. "Margot... what a pleasant
surprise... I'm well, as well as can be... and you?" She reaches down,
plucking a budding rose from one of the bushes, and brings it to her nose to
breathe in its sweet scent.

Margot looks at you and then your roses and gives a little shrug. "About the
same." she replies. "Those are beautiful roses. Did you bring them from
Grumman or are they from here?"

Ophelia holds her hand out, offering the rose she plucked, a soft smile
curving at her lips. "They are indeed from Grumman... transported, with
soil. If you'd like, my gardeners can give you slips, which you can use to
start new plants from. It's an exacting process, but we can certainly get
some started for you."

Margot carefully accepts the rose, bringing it to her nose and drinking in
the flower's bouquet.

Ophelia continues to smile as they watch, then nods softly. "They compliment
you, my dear. I'll have some cuttings sent over.."

Margot blushes like a schoolgirl, slowly turning as crimson as the rose, her
eyes resting upon you before averting. "You flatter me Ophelia..." she
finally manages. "Do you spend a lot of time gardening?"

Ophelia chuckles, shaking her head. "I'm afraid not, no... I know some
things, though. But more about grape vines than roses, surely."

Margot nods quietly, the lone flower being slowly turned in Margot's hands.
"Quite a different field, yes. I was told on Caladan the beauty lies in it's
myriad of lilies that grow on the waterside. My chambermaid tells me stories
of lakes in bloom during springtime."

"Then you should go see them, this spring!" Ophelia declares, nodding.
"Though I've not seen them myself, I can only imagine what they must look
like. You should go see them, surely."

Margot nods slightly. "I intend to.." she replies with that ever ready smile
of hers. "Perhaps this spring you could accompany me as my guest to show my
people the strength of the bond between our house, no?"

Ophelia brightens, and nods emphatically. "Oh... an excellent idea. I'd like
that... very much. You are always so thoughtful, Margot."

Margot smiles. clearly growing unde rthe careful nurturing of your
compliments. "It is what my stepfather alsways has taught me. Be considerate
in your home, thoughtful in your lands, sharp i your profession and
rutheless on the battlefield." she smiles from behind the rose.

Ophelia's soft chuckle turns into a steady laugh, lasting a few moments
longer. "Ah, that is a good one.. Wise words to remember, indeed."

Margot nods softly. "I try to..but sometimes it is hard...I must give you
that. I'm only now becoming aware of the sacrifices one must make to hold
this position as leader of a house." the smile droops a little. "Had they
told me this before...I would've surely declined..."

Ophelia grows solemn as well, a small sigh escaping her lips. "I am sure you
are under the same pressures as I... many of them, at least. Not the least
of which is producing an heir. Every day I get communiques from this
prospective suitor, or that one... It's sickening!"

Margot nods gravely. "I see the heir problem has also arisen in your
court..." she says. "I thought to have it covered with my younger brother
and PRaxton's daughter. Adopting her seemed to get me out of it
scott-free...but the reports that gotten to me..." she shakes her head. "I'm
not sure if either is capable of taking the reign..." she smirks at her own
words. "Look at me...the new kid on the block already making judgementcalls
about others...(small sigh)...In any case...my advisors think I sould find a
husband to ensure that after my reign, given the emperor will let me stay
on...Atreides has all options open.."

Ophelia shakes her head slightly, "Yes.. though the pressure is on me to
either produce, or declare, an heir. The latter being the preferred of those
who supported my predecessor. They think to force me into naming Rinaldo.
Then, he can have me killed, and assume my place. Well, I've got news for
them... hell will freeze over first!"

Margot nods recognising the dilemma. "And have you already decided on an
official...um...mate?"

Ophelia shakes her head once more. "No.. I've not. Only one has caught my
interest so far... and being with him would get me killed before an heir was
procured or otherwise gotten."

Margot quirks her brow curiously. "Might I inquire who or is the matter so
delicate one best no whisper his name at all?"

"I'd rather keep it my secret, Margot. I hope you understand. I don't want
him to know there is interest on my part... it would only hurt him all the
more," Ophelia murmurs, glancing back down to the roses in front of her. As
she glances back up to the statue, though, she sighs. "This one.... he is my
favorite in this garden."

The statue seems taller than the others, and the man is only clad in a small
loincloth. To his shoulder he holds a lute, the pose graceful, yet,
masculine.

Margot nods quietly admiring the statue. "A prime specimen. He reminds me of
the boulevard of victors they have on Caladan where statues of famous
athletes are being placed to honour them." she suddenly giggles. "I've even
been told my current warmaster has a statue there from his feats in his
youth...it's very funny when you see the image in his office of the old man
posing next to his youthful self."

Ophelia chuckles, nodding at the thought. "Very amusing, I'm sure.."

Margot nods with a smile. "But coming back on the subject of...mates....I
hope you will not think me rash, but I've come to the conclusion if it has
to be for the good of the house I would want to strengthen our
alliance...which means I am looking for a male of your house to become my
husband and the next lord Atreides."

Surprise crosses Ophelia's face, and she can't help but blink a time or two.
"You want someone... from my House?"

Margot nods softly. "Yes...does this surprise you?" she asks with a polite
smile. "Wouldn't it signify our alliance was more than words on paper either
of us could break at their own whim?"

Ophelia shakes her head slightly, but manages a slight smile. "I'd just not
expected it at all... Have you someone... specific in mind?"

Margot blushes and shakes her head. "No..as you know my..um...interests are
more taken by the female side of life..." there's that blush again as she
tries hard not to stare at you while saying this. "Also I do not know which
lords under our fealty are weddable..."

Ophelia crosses her arms across her ample chest, using one to support an
elbow while she absently chews a fingernail. "Hmm.. Well, there is my
cousin, Lord Anatole Ciccolini... Master Wallach Escobar..." her voice
trails off as she continues thinking.

Margot considers and quirks a brow the second Wallach is mentioned. "Squire
Escobar?" she inquires. "The mucisian?"

Ophelia nods, shaken out of her reverie. "Yes, the very same."

Margot considers it for a second. "I do not know the other man..." she
ponders aloud, "But Squire Escobar I know well...once having met him I've
taken a certain...fondness to his music..."

"Shall I speak with the man, or would you like to speak with him yourself?"
Ophelia asks quietly.

Margot looks down at her sandals. "He is sure to decline me..." she says
with a heavy sigh. "When I just arrived here I met him a few times and I had
the feeling he was trying to court me...but since they have crowned me
duchess...." she shrugs. "I guess faufreluches got in the way there...as it
should..."

Ophelia bends slightly, her head tilting to the side as she peers up at you.
"Shall I call him here, so that we both might speak with him? Perhaps he
might be willing... or we might convince him... He is a gentle man. He would
treat you well, Margot."

Margot finally looks up at you. "You think he would understand that while I
like him that the chance is slim it never develops into anything further? Do
you think he would understand this marriage is only political?" Margot asks
with an incling of doubt in her voice.

Ophelia sighs gently, shrugging her shoulders. "I don't know, honestly. But
political marriages are made every day. He would have a Bound Concubine, I
assume, though?"

Margot nods. "Yes..given he can be discreet...also full titles and powers
bestowed upon a spouse, private quarters, financial compensations, access to
all Atreides councils..."

Ophelia arches a brow. "That's quite... a list of benefits there. Are you
sure Master Escobar is the one?"

Margot shrugs. "Unless house Moritani has a more suitable candidate...or
squire Escobar is too valuable to you...I figure...might as well get hitched
to someone I like.."

Ophelia nods. "No... he's not overly valuable. As a diplomat, he can be
easily replaced. Far more so than Lord Ciccolini, who is my High Councillor
of the Mercature. Shall I summon Master Escobar then?"

Margot takes a deep breath, fluffs up her hair to give herself the feel she
is presentable before nodding. "Lets"

Wallach walks in from Reception Courtyard along the Stone Path.

Wallach has arrived.

Ophelia speaks into her communicator, then looks back to Margot. "We shall
soon see if he's within the embassy..."

Margot nods quietly, managing a soft smile as she again lifts that single
rose to her nose. "They truly have a wonderful bouquet Ophelia. Have you
ever thought using them to create rosewater?"

Standing side by side on the path, Ophelia and Margot are admiring the rose
bushes before them. As the Duchess Atreides examines the blossom she holds,
and poses her question, Ophelia's brow knits. "No, actually.. the thought
didn't even cross my mind... But I should."

Wallach arrives at the garden and see's the Countess and Duchess Atreides.
He faces them both, standing tall and awaiting invitation to join them.

Margot smiles her gentle smile again. "Given the proper incentives it could
grow into a lucrative industry." she states. Seeing Wallach in the corner of
her eye she turns, keeping up the smile. "I think he has found us Ophelia."

Ophelia turns as well, lifting a hand to gesture the Diplomat closer.
"Master Escobar... I trust you remember the Duchess Atreides? Come, join us,
we've much to talk about."

Wallach steps closer and nods. "Yes milady, I do remember the Duchess."

Margot smiles, extending her hand to Wallach. "I hope we find you well
Master Escobar? Still playing the concerthalls of Kaitain with your
ensemble?"

Ophelia steps back a pace, intending more to observe than participate in
this conversation.

Wallach smiles to the Duchess, "Only when I have a break from my work
milady." With a somewhat quizzical expression, he looks to the two Siridar.
"M'ladies, you needed me for something?"

Ophelia speaks up then, saying gently, "Master Escobar... the Duchess
Atreides has come to broach a subject with you, and make an offer I think
you'll be quite honored to accept. I do approve of the matter, quite
thoroughly, Master Escobar. But... let's let Her Ladyship speak, before I
give it all away." She clasps her hands before her, looking quite pleased.

Margot nods slightly at Ophelia before totally focusing upon wallach.
"I....uh....I can make this into a long story about how long I have been
looking and how honoured you should be but I feel that really is not needed.
You were the first person who was nice to me on Kaitain master Escobar, and
I remember vividly how we shared that coup of melon icecream at the imperial
hotel..." she pauses a moment to find the words. "My..house...found it wise
to find a husband and in all our wisdom the contessa and I have decided that
you would be the best match so we could strengthen the bond between house
Atreides and house Moritani." Margot gives you an honest, if what nervous
smile.

Well, that was unexpected to the young Escobar, and it shows: he looks
completely shocked, and even somewhat dumbfounded. A moment passes before he
regains his train of thought. He looks to Ophelia for a brief moment before
turning back to the Duchess. Though he can barely muster any calm (given by
his nervous facade), he nevertheless answers as sternly as he can, "Milady,
I am very honored by your proposal, but I must decline. You are a fine,
respectable lady, and for that I am grateful of your offer, but I do not
love you Your Excellecy,; I simply could not be betrothed to one I did not
love."

Stormclouds cross Ophelia's face, and she sighs deeply. "Master Escobar,
consider your answer again. Political marriages are made every day. If you
want love, you may have a Concubine. Do not forget your duties to this
House. Shall I give you a moment to think again?"

Margot shakes her head. "No Ophelia...it is...it is okay...I...I guess..."
despite the purely political nature of the proposal Margot's eyes are
brimming with tears, her voice has gotten that defeated quality and her
compsure betrays she is seconds away of seeing her facade fall down. "It was
a foolish nothin this could...would....excuse me..." Camouflaging the first
signs of rears she hurries out of the rosegarden, one hand constantly
rubbing at her eyes as she leaves, quickly escorted by a attentive servant.

Wallach stands still, pondering over the proposal for a moment. Remaining
stern, he shakes his head. His expression, though a bit uneasy, seems to
bring forth his true beliefs for the first time. No, no more masks for the
boy now, he is honestly showing himself. Serving the Mortani is a blessing
for him, and while his silence betrays him, it is obvious how his dedication
drives him to stay.

Margot walks to the west and moves along the Stone Path.

Margot has left.

Ophelia watches Margot dash off, her mouth opening and closing in utter
shock. "How could you?" she asks quietly, venomously, then storms off
herself.



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