The Mountain Comes to the Moritani

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

Rhedek
        Behold, the fighting man! He whose arm is born to the flashing
rapier and whose eyes are like that steel itself. If this be the image of
the stalwart lad, then this one be a monster.

        He is massive, his body's every line like that of a stout klevek:
his torso is a mountain's heart, craggy and powerful, and its peaks are
found in shoulders packed with brawn and sinew. The traces of many borne
loads can be seen in the man's form, from the bunching, bursting curves of
his torso to the thickness of his trunkish legs. This is a man who has seen
truth in exertion, and reveled in it. Despite the impressiveness of his
form, however, the most striking feature can be identified in his eyes:
discs of dull fanmetal they seem, grey-silver tarnished by flecks of green,
and in those leaden pools a certain gravitas is evident - almost magnetic,
they are, but the forces pooling there promise only downward pull. These
baleful pools, set in a rugged, handsome face piled with close-cropped inky
curls, only further the image of depthful gravity, as though within that
stony body energies unnamed burbled in their endless circulatory coil.
Baleful, yes. An excellent term of description.

        It is, perhaps, only fitting that this towering man wear the azure
uniform of a Harkonnen warrior. This too is severe in existence, with jacket
taut over burly chest, jodphurs starched crisply as they flow into
high-mouthed boots polished the exact seeming of onyx. A spout of silver
braid coils at one brawny shoulder, and epaulets each bearing a sextet of
platinum stars that denote a Colonel's rank. Broad hands, ungloved, flow
from cuffs as sharp as a lasbeam, and the shift of the white blouse beneath
is impeccable. At his waist is a belt of rich black leather, buckled with
the ram's head of his illustrious House, and from it hangs the customary
shield generator, kindjal, and maula pistol - though these actually bear the
signs of constant use not even the finest klethani polish may dismiss. But
of all signs of his craft none are as prominent - or as greivous - as the
ram's head pin that shines at his breast beside a small gauntlet of black
iron affixed by a navy ribbon. The orbs of glittering ruby that set in that
silver charger's skull give it almost daemonaic countenance

-------

Ophelia
Of average height, she carries the olive-toned complexion known to her
mother's side, though not as dark as most. Her lips are full, her nose
rounded and smallish. But her eyes are rimmed in thick lashes, and the
irises so darkly colored as to nearly be indistinguishable from the pupils.
Overall, her oval-shaped face is neither one of classic beauty, nor is it
hard on the eyes.

Her thick, black hair is absolutely straight, resisting any and all efforts
to hold the curls so stylish and luxurious to have. So instead, she wears it
pulled back and plaited into several braids which are gathered at the nape
of her neck. Though simple, the coif is very elegant.

She does not have the small waistline, either, of the fine young ladies who
favor the waif look. Ample in bosom, her figure surely depends on rigid
corsetry to contain that hourglass shape. The tightness of her very low-cut
bodice threatens disaster momentarily with every breath, yet, amazingly,
everything remains held together. Her long-sleeved gown is of black silk,
edged in delicate hand-worked black lace. A long strand of pearls is looped
around close to her neck, and then a second much longer loop hangs nearly to
her waist. Several of her fingers, long and thin despite her not-so-svelt
waistline, are adorned by heavy jeweled rings.

--------------------------

Grumman Hall -- Moritani Embassy (Kaitain)

        Constructed with a single purpose in mind, to illustrate the wealth
and influence of House Moritani, this magnificent hall accomplishes its
goal. Colonnaded hallways make up the eastern and western boundaries of the
vast three story hall. Immense marble columns support the arches that rise
nearly one hundred fifty feet above. Resting upon the four arches is a huge
golden dome with small windows ringing its base. Set in the top of the
rotunda in gold filigree is the symbol of the Lion Throne serving of a
constant reminder to all of House Moritani's service and loyalty to the
Padishah Emperor. Directly opposite this magnificent golden lion, inlaid in
the floor, is an exquisite Fleur-de-Lis, worked in deep burgundy marble.
Easily two hundred feet from top to bottom, the symbol of House Moritani is
surrounded by white alabaster that blazes brightly when caught by the light
from the windows of the dome.

Players:
 Rhedek                                             Wallach
Exits:
 Grand Staircase <U> leads to Great Landing -- Moritani Embassy (Kaitain)
 Oaken Doors <W> leads to Chapel -- Moritani Embassy (Kaitain)
 Alabaster Arch <E> leads to Banquet Hall -- Moritani Embassy (Kaitain)
 Ornate Arch <S> leads to Consistory -- Moritani Embassy (Kaitain)
 Colossal Arch <N> leads to Reception Hall -- Moritani Embassy (Kaitain)


Wallach walks in from Reception Hall through the Colossal Arch.
Wallach has arrived.

Rhedek walks in from Reception Hall through the Colossal Arch.
Rhedek has arrived.

Having just descended the staircase, the Countess' path is clear -- her
footsteps lead her in the direction of the wooden doors to the Moritani
chapel, a haven of peacefulness and quietude in this embassy. Other traffic
in and through the vast hall continues as it will, though those who catch
the Siridar's eye pause in their path to give her a nod or bow as she
passes. Despite her distracted air, she returns each and every greeting in
kind, this being the sort of person she is.

Wallach enters from the reception hall, accompanied by a gigantic man. He
steps to the side as he announces the man to the Coutessa, "Your Excellency,
I present Colonel Maas-Stroheim, Warmaster of House Harkonnen."

        Upon entry, having viewed the presence of a Siridar of the Landsraad
, the mountain that is the Harkonnen general bends in half - a low, quiet
bow is offered to the lady as she quits the stairs, then again as he himself
is announced to the lady. "General...Maas-Stroheim, Your Excellency," he
rumbles as a distant thunderhead muttering in the passing breeze. "I am
honored to be brought into your presence."

Harkonnen.

The word seems to reverberate around the hall, echoing against the far-up
dome and back down again. Conversations cease, as do the Countess'
footsteps. She turns, to face the man announced, an eyebrow arching, as she
gives him a measured nod. "Warmaster? I see His Lordship the Baron has seen
fit to find one less inclined to make enemies of Houses with which House
Harkonnen is aligned. At least, I would not think our old friend so stupid
as to not do such. Congratulations, perhaps, are in order then, General."
Though the words polite, her tone is... chilly, to say the least.

Wallach steps off to the side, awaiting the Countess' order.

        "Such has been the motivations behind my ascendency, Your
Excellency. Cabal Ferrel has been arrested and detained on Geidi following
the slight upon your family's honor; thus have I been sent with a message of
formal apology bearing the seal of my Lord Baron himself." A pause. "I have
also brought the Countess a more personal statement, if it would please Her
Excellency to hear it." Rhedek bows his head anew - it is perhaps strange to
see a Warmaster, the rank itself bearing an aura of martial readiness about
it, without so much as a shield generator at his belt; indeed the General
bears no arms at all save for the single hook that extends from his left
sleeve where a hand once spread its fleshy branches.

Ophelia studies the man a moment in silence, then slowly nods. "We accept
your Lord Baron's apology with our deepest, heartfelt thanks. The matter is
quite forgiven, then..." As curiosity crosses her face, she glances to
Wallach briefly, then returns her attention to the Harkonnen Warmaster.
"This personal message, General... does it need to be delivered in private?"

        The mountain flicks his fanmetal eyes toward Wallach as well, but
for only a moment before affixing them on the grand lady of Grumman anew.
"In the name of my lord Baron and the House of the Ram itself, I thank Her
Excellency for her graciousness and patience in these times of restructure.
As for the more personal message...the Countess is of course free to
determine its audience, as it is from my own person, and not that of the
Baron Himself."

Ophelia ahs quietly, then looks to Wallach. "Thank you, Master Escobar, for
your assistance," she says in a soft voice, then lifts a hand to gesture to
a set of doors across the hall, set in an alabaster arch. "General, if you
will come with me, then... perhaps a bit of caution is not undue. My father
believed it better to have too much, than too little." She turns in the
direction of the doorway then, and begins to make her way towards it.

Though the Countess has turned from him, he nevertheless manages to bow to
her before he leaves.

        "As Her Excellency wishes," comes the General's deep reply. To
Wallach he turns, bowing too - his services, of course, brought him to the
step of the Countess. With this done, Rhedek follows the lady as she bids.


You walk through the Alabaster Arch.

Banquet Hall -- Moritani Embassy (Kaitain)

        The formal dining and banquet hall of the Moritanian Embassy is a
gastronomic delight. All meals served here are required to be at least 5
courses, and some have been known to drag on to 25 or 30. The walls of the
hall are made of pure bloodstone, one of the favourite gems of the
Siridar-Countess. It is a curious blend of deep red hues with small veins of
green and blue in it, giving it a striking and quite unique look. The floors
are of white marble which has been veined with pure gold. The dining table,
easily able to seat 50 at its high-backed upholstered chairs, is mahogany
and inscribed along its edges are the names of every Padishah Emperor and
the respective Moritani who served them. The lighting for the room comes
from a most curious source: more than 500 candelabra run down the edges of
the room, and another 15 are arranged down the centre of the table. The
overall effect is one of antiquity, wealth, devotion to the Imperium, and
dignity which personifies the personality and philosophy of House Moritani.

Exits:
 Alabaster Arch <W> leads to Grumman Hall -- Moritani Embassy (Kaitain)
Rhedek walks in from Grumman Hall through the Alabaster Arch.
Rhedek has arrived.

        Following you into the sanguine, Gothic opulence of the baquet hall
the General retains his silence; arms tucked behind his thickened trunk the
flesh-strung golem of a man merely follows you, the machinery of his being
conveying him in trail.

The banquet hall being empty at this hour, the Countess closes the door
behind her guest, then crosses the floor to stand near the head of the
table, one elbow propped on the back of the chair there. She waits a moment,
her dark eyes glancing upwards at your face, before nodding her head.
"Well... this message... I will hear it now."

        "I will first apologize to Her Excellency for any lack of grace I
may display in communication," the General replies in gentle tones. "I am at
heart a soldier, and so my words tend to be at best favorably direct, at
worst naked and honestly blunt. Have I Her Excellency's understanding in
this?"


Ophelia smiles softly, then nods. "Being a woman concerned with business,
General, I tend to prefer the direct route myself, not the flowery
insinuations and hints couched in riddles that Diplomats, Ambassadors, and
courtiers find so appealing. Please, continue as you will then."

        A nod is made in return. "I am Warmaster for my house, Countess. I
served beneath the command of Ferrel Cabal for many years since I was merely
a Captain in the Feldwehr; his actions of late I cannot explain, nor will I
attempt to do so - nor will I excuse them. Nor will I attempt to draw
offense from the hostilities lodged to me by your house members; I fully
understand their outrage.

        "Moreover, I want one thing to be clear: while I served in the staff
of Ferrel Cabal, I am not him - nor have I any of his apparent aspirations
or drives. I am a soldier in the service of my Baron and my House, and I
will not see these kinds of...disturbances pushed upon your house again. Not
while I am in office."

Ophelia listens attentively, her eyes not leaving your face. The smile
remains in place, but perhaps grows in size as she listens. As the last of
the words fall from your lips, she dips her head in a deep, solemn nod. "I
can only guess that your predecessor yet had some axe to grind with me for
past events. But I do appreciate your honesty, your candor. I already see in
you a deeper sense of decorum, one which was lacking in your predecessor."


        "I cannot pretend to be a statesman, Countess. But I will speak with
honesty." The General bows deeply. "Forgive me for taking up so much of your
time. If you do not require anything, I shall be on my way - but I shall be
at your disposal."

"I require... one... very small favor," Ophelia says quietly, holding up a
finger. "Please convey to the Baron my hope that I will see him at our
fete - one week hence. Kaitain, I believe, is in need of a good party. You
can do this for me, can't you?"

        "I shall convey the words to him hence, Your Excellency. Again, I
appreciate your lending ear to our words." With this the beefy machine of
war bows again, uniform tightening at his belly, and moves to make his
departure.

Ophelia watches the General depart, her eyes studying him closely -- not as
a Siridar sizing up her allies' functionaries, no. Her eyes study the man
like a woman on the prowl for something, or perhaps, someone. She nods
slightly, to herself, as though the decision is made. This one is on her
list.




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