Frosty relations are better than none...

["Pers Eskilsen" <house_alvstad@hotmail.com>]

Yet another log from Pers's point of view.  Use the mailing list!! =]

-Pers



*JACOB*
Jacob is a giant of a man. He stands nearly seven feet tall and has lean 
muscles packed onto a wiry frame. Most of the time he moves with a sort of 
self-conscious awkwardness as if attempting to minimize any impression of 
size that he might convey. He prefers to dress in the uniform of a 
Swordmaster, with only his signet ring and subtle military markings 
indicating his position as Marquis. He looks older than his age, wrinkles 
and creases already entrenching themselves around his eyes and mouth. His 
eyes are almond in shape and a very deep brown. His skin is a medium olive 
tone, and he appears to be curiously hairless (including his head and face).

*PERS*
        Light seems to be pulled from afar onto this imposing figure, 
illumining every crisp crease on his uniform, every facet of the decorations 
he wears on his left breast, and crowning his brightly blonde hair with a 
straw golden halo. The creases on his face surrounding green and grey eyes, 
the marks of age and the merciless Alvsgaard air, add to his stately 
presence.

        Turning away from the striking sharpness of this man, you begin to 
notice the mundane. Despite his commanding air, you would wager that the man 
is a shade under six feet in height. Beneath the uniform, you notice that 
this man's muscles have that stringy look that sets a sailor apart from any 
other. If his weatherbeaten, leathery skin is any indication, you would not 
be surprised to hear that he had lived on the waves all of his life.

        Pers is wearing a crisply pressed uniform, the blue jacket and gray 
slacks of the Noble Alvst Navy. A high collared cape, teal-green on the 
inside with a gray whalefur exterior, flows in crisp pleats from his neck. 
Fisherman's boots of dull black thump across the floor as he walks, 
announcing his presence long before he enters a room.





Visitors' Lounge -- Alvstad Embassy (Kaitain)(#484RtJ)
This room is a waiting area for more distinguished visitors. Overstuffed 
sofas line each wall, and a glass table sits in the center of the room, 
surrounded by comfortable chairs. On the table sit several decks of cards, a 
Cheops set, and a Fish Tarot. A bookcase on the south wall proudly displays 
the masterworks of Alvst literature. Tasteful ink-and-watercolor silk 
hangings adorn each wall. A large fan built into the ceiling cools the room 
down and drowns out the bustle of the adjoining rooms.
Objects:
Fish Tarot
Exits:
Folding Screen <N> leads to Diplomats' Lounge -- Alvstad Embassy (Kaitain)
Heavy Curtain <W> leads to Main Audience Chamber -- Alvstad Embassy 
(Kaitain)
Narrow Doorway <SW> leads to Foyer -- Alvstad Embassy (Kaitain)

Jacob walks in from Foyer through the Narrow Doorway.

Jacob enters the room, looking around, curiously. He nods in thanks to his 
escorting guards, and bows formally to Pers. "Lord Admiral Eskilsen, my 
thanks for meeting with me."

Pers is standing by the large bookcase on the southern wall of the lounge. 
He returns your bow stiffly, accompanied by a solemn, "Good morning, Lord 
Marquis. It is my pleasure to be your host. What warrants m'Lord's visit on 
this day?" His manner is blunt, but not rude per se.

Jacob nods crisply, looking relieved to not be burdened by the trivialities 
of the typical small talk usually necessary in these situations. He strides 
closer, his long legs taking him rapidly towards the bookcase. "I wish 
simply to formally re-open relations with your noble House, and to get to 
know the Regent himself a bit better." He smiles lightly, but the smile is 
genuine rather than political in nature, and seems to stem from the lack of 
pretensions in the room.

Pers's eyebrow arches as his eyes grow distant in thought. "Lord Marquis," 
he begins slowly, "If I am correct, 'relations' have not existed between our 
Houses for several generations. Since the death of Galeazzo VII, in fact." 
He tilts his head. "Of course, House Alvstad remains relatively neutral 
amongst the alliances and kanlies of the Landsraad. And perhaps, with the 
near-conclusion of your own vendetta against the Moritani, long-time friends 
of the Viscounts Alvstad, relations should be considered," he muses. "Do be 
seated," he adds belatedly. "May I offer you any refreshments or 
comestibles?"

Jacob selects a nearby sofa and unceremoniously settles his large frame into 
it. "You are correct, Lord Admiral. I know of your longstanding relationship 
with the Moritani, but given that their quarrel was with the Lear family, 
those hostilities have already begun to come to a close. Of course, several 
millenia of bad blood makes it difficult to simply become friends, let alone 
cease hostilities, but the process has been started. As such, it seems 
foolish to continue the uneasiness between our houses ... unofficial though 
it may have been."

Pers inclines his head in a nod and a brief, suprisingly cold smile alights 
on his face. "I may also remind the Lord Marquis that the Alvstad-Moritani 
friendship was based primarily around the relations of men such as the 
former Count Cesare and the late Viscount Jans II. Things change." He turns 
to a curtain and pronounces, "Refreshments." A rustling is heard behind it 
as a servant scuttles off. Pers takes a seat on the sofa next to your own, 
leaning over it. "How fare the Ginaz under their new Family?" he asks.

Jacob nods as his eyes glaze for just a second. "Yes, things do indeed 
change," he intones softly. He snaps out of it quickly, however, his tone 
becoming more businesslike. "The Ginaz fare well. I'm afraid that Steffan 
Lear left the house in disarray, although I suppose that is not surprising, 
given that he kept the house in that state during his brief reign. Although 
I managed to keep the military in good shape, despite his best efforts, I 
now find myself piecing back together the house's political and economic 
ties." He pauses for a second, as if unsure of the wiseness of continuing 
this train of thought, but goes on. "Truth be told, the financial situation 
was a mess. We're already well on our way to recovery, but I'm not sure how 
the man did so much damage to his own house." Curiously, his inflection 
indicates much more disdain for Steffan Lear than for the Moritani, his 
ancient enemies.

"I found the Alvstad in a completely analogous situation," Pers replies 
smoothly. "Although our economic strength has not slagged at all, our 
political ties were...disturbingly few. You may not have known the late 
Viscount, but his brash style insulted many outfreyn, and angered many 
Alvst. Our own military was rather neglected during his brief reign, despite 
his own Officer's training." His brow furrows a bit in either consternation, 
anger, or disappointment...possibly all three.

At that moment, a servant with the thin, fine hair characteristic of ethnic 
Alvst enters bearing a large stainless steel platter of bottles and glasses 
of all shapes and sizes, followed by a second servant whose platter carries 
various snacks, mostly with an aquarian theme...crab cakes, fried kelp, and 
some form of calimari. Pers leans over the drinks platter whilst the food is 
set on the table. "May I prepare a drink for you, Lord Marquis? I recommend 
the crab juice."

Jacob carefully considers the trays, looking mildly bewildered. He looks up 
at Pers, "It appears I am at your mercy, being unfamiliar with the majority 
of these items. Whatever you recommend, Lord Admiral." He doesn't look 
totally thrilled at the prospect of slurping down crab juice, but when in 
Rome...

He straightens up while watching the food preparations, "If I may be so bold 
as to suggest, Lord Admiral, I believe that our houses could both benefit 
from certain ... considerations."

Pers withdraws two glasses: one a tall flagon, the other a short tumbler. A 
disturbingly red bottle is uncapped and poured into fully into the flagon; 
it looks briny and swirls ominously. A small bit of it is poured into the 
second glass before it is capped. Some pale yellow juice is poured from a 
clear glass bottle to fill the small tumbler up, and then three teaspoons of 
sugar are dumped into it as well. Pers withdraws the tall glass of crab 
juice, setting it down beside him, and stirs the crab cocktail to dissolve 
the sugar before offering it to you. "An intermediary," he says, a bit of 
amusement on his face. "Speak of these 'considerations' you wished to 
discuss, Lord Marquis."

Jacob considers the cocktail as he receives it, but apparently decides to 
speak before sampling it, unsure of its effects on his well-being. He cocks 
his head to one side, inquisitively. "You seem a man similar to myself, in 
that you do not require excessive verbiage solely for the sake of formality, 
so I will be blunt. Alvstad weilds economic power unparalled by any save the 
Corrinos." This is said matter-of-factly, and is clearly not intended as 
flattery. "Ginaz controls political connections that could aid your house as 
you attempt to rebuild your connections. Your house, in return, could help 
my house achieve a more stable economic base. An even trade, benefitting 
both houses, strength for strength, weakness for weakness."

Offer on the table, Jacob looks now at the oddly swirling beverage in his 
hand. He brings it up to his lips and takes a tentative slurp, and a very 
... confused look comes across his face. He considers the salty-yet-sweet 
libation, and finally swallows it. "An interesting beverage. Perhaps a tad 
too sweet for my tastes, but it is complex and interesting."

Pers sips, his manner unconcerned, from the tall ruddy glass in his hand. 
"An interesting proposal," he says, skipping over your remarks on the crab 
juice cocktail. "However, it has been my experience that political 
connections can only in the rarest of cases be entirely 'bought.' A monetary 
transfer into Ginaz coffers is much simpler, and understandably so." He 
pauses, leaning back so that his neck rests upon the whalefur collar of his 
cape. "How does m'Lord intend to use Ginaz political clout to sway any 
Houses to the Alvstad?"

Jacob nods, granting your point, although it is clear from the rapidity of 
his response that he had anticipated this question. "Right now, Ginaz can 
boast of a strong relationship with the Atreides, and perhaps the Moritani 
in the near future. However, the nature of our political clout is such that 
many other Houses come to us, wishing favors. Usually it is in the form of 
support for this referendum, or that minor vote, but in the near future I 
believe that we will hold an even more influential position. This thick web 
of favors allows us great flexibility in extracting return considerations in 
exchange for our support, and this flexibility also allows us to pass on 
these debts to allied houses." He pauses, unsure if he's being clear. 
"Simply put, if the Alvstad would benefit from something that any other 
house of the Landsraad can provide, it is likely that the Ginaz can call in 
a favor from that house and get it for you. There is little limit to the 
reach of these powers."

Pers's neck rubs against his collar idly as he considers your proposal. "At 
present," he says slowly, "House Alvstad has few political goals beyond 
regaining the general respect of the Houses Major. Being able to pass any 
resolutions will do us precious little good." He pauses for a moment before 
continuing. "However...I am told that the Alvstad seat upon the High Council 
will be given up for re-election very soon. It is not a position I would 
like to see slip out of the House's hold, Lord Marquis."

Jacob inclines his head slightly and his lips purse just a bit. He takes a 
sip of his cocktail in an attempt to cover this discomfort. "If respect is 
all you need, Lord Admiral, then the backing of one of the most respected 
houses in the Landsraad will surely be enough to secure it. If I sway the 
Atreides as well, then that is the two most respected houses, politically 
speaking. If you truly have no political aspirations, why hang onto the 
seat? There will be fierce politicking for it, and a loss would surely harm 
your image more than retaining the seat would aid it."

Pers arches a straw eyebrow. "Are you telling me, Lord Marquis," he says 
solemnly, "that you will be able to procure for Alvstad the unquestioned 
support of House Atreides and Ginaz in all matters, but that procuring votes 
in this one matter is untenable? Or are you instead suggesting that a Ginaz 
desires the seat in our place?"

Jacob smiles wanly. "I offered support in some matters, not all, and would 
not offer the support of the Atreides without their consent. I only wish to 
point out that the support of one house, no matter how respected, does not 
an election win. Especially if no other houses support your bid." He pauses 
for a second. "To be fair, I do plan to pursue one of the seats up for 
election. However, seeing as all three will be open, our goals are not 
mutually exclusive." His tone is a little colder but still very 
businesslike.

Pers remains silent, considering the options placed in front of him for a 
long moment. Presently, he says, "Lord Marquis, the Alvstad are indeed 
well-seated economically. However, a large portion of this well-being comes 
from a lack of frivolity seen in Houses such as the Moritani. I have no 
intentions of deviating from this trait, as it has brought the House success 
and renown at once." He takes another pause to drain a gulp from his crab 
juice. "Your offer grows more tenuous as you explain it; what you offer 
Alvstad could be gained just as well from oration or careful planning on the 
Landsraad floor. Therefore, I must decline to offer the fiscal assistance 
you request until such a time as more adequate recompense may be provided."

Pers drains the last of his crab juice in two convulsive swallows, tilting 
his head as he looks at you. "Is there anything else I may help you with, 
Lord Marquis?"

Jacob stands from his seat slowly, a grim smile planted firmly in place. 
"No, indeed there is not, Lord Admiral. I hope you will reconsider my offer 
later, after we have achieved a position of greater political influence. 
Perhaps then you will come to realize the full implications of the power 
that political influence grants its weilder." He places the mostly-finished 
cocktail gingerly down, and faces Pers momentarily. "Until then, frosty 
relations are better than none at all. You know where the Ginaz stand." He 
bows extravagantly, almost overdoing it, and readies to leave.

Pers rises from his seat, his glass set down against the table with a light 
'clink' of glass against glass. "If the relations we engender must be frosty 
because they lack a monetary donation, so be it, Lord Marquis. But you would 
do well to remember who first used the word." He offers a stiff bow, in 
complete contrast to Jacob's flamboyant one. "The guards shall escort you 
out. Good day."

Jacob nods solemnly. "Good day to you." He turns and walks out.
Jacob walks to the west and passes through the Heavy Curtain.
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