Party at Revelers, Part II

["House Ginaz" <house_ginaz@hotmail.com>]

(without further ado, part two)

Jacob approaches the Queen of Hearts and bows sharply, clearly absorbed in 
playing some role. He practically grunts, "My Lady."

Lucia backs away a step or two before turning and making her way back to the 
table where Angelos is passed out. She checks on him, reassuring herself 
that he's all right and retrieving the drink the waiter brought while she 
was away.

She is new to this world of intrigue... but Ekaterina Rastanyev does not 
seem to be much lagging, or lost. One foot before the other, and an inward 
spin. A flawless smile, a smile of a pursuing shark decorates her young 
features. The silks fan out around her as she switches between the city and 
country versions of the dance... to confuse, perhaps-- almost leading, but 
just shy.

Jereth walks up quielty to Lucia.. he treis not to startle her.."Good 
evening, Lieutenant.."

It is while she happens to be watching that the warrior reveals himself... 
and the rest of his body. The red lips of the Queen of Hearts curve again 
upwards, her eyes not leaving the form of the loin-cloth clad gladiator. She 
waves her sceptre, then turns and passes it off to a passing servant, 
clearly tired of its presence. And when she turns back to the man, she 
extends her ringed hand for him to take, and kiss.

Satyavrat's footwork stumbles briefly, and his attention is trained 
downwards at his feet for a moment as he arights himself. Not quite so deft 
as the Lady, it would seem...at least, not when she's changing the rules so. 
He falls quickly into the somewhat more lively country-style of their dance, 
leaning into his steps more to provide a more satisfying 
rumble-shuffle-tap-drag-skip as he continues to move about the floor.

Jereth says, "We've not formally met.. I am Jereth Crane.. Swordmaster to 
House Venhei.."

Serpent chuckles at Varota, and this time responds in a murmured whisper.

Lucia glances at Jereth over the rim of her glass. As she lowers the drink, 
she smiles, "Nice outfit. Did you want to sit down?"

        Bah. Dispatched so quickly by the lovely girl - no love for the 
spirit of the fiery sands, no doubt. But his goal he has fulfilled and thus 
does the mountainous being wanders off with tray in hand and cuffed arm 
swinging at the other side. "Hail, Highness!" he does call from half a floor 
away from the woman with that most remarkable corset. "I return, with your 
wish fulfilled." With strident legs does the shaven mountain close on the 
lovely girl.

        And seeing that his Queen is slightly occupied the towering being 
does frown - but only slightly, for again the serving kind has not the 
luxury of argument. Contempt, surely, but not of raising voice in complaint.

Jacob bows his entire body forward and takes the proffered hand. He kisses 
it gently, this being his only concession that breaks character, and holds 
the hand for yet a moment more as he straightens. He moves slightly closer 
to her, "How does this evening find you, my Queen? It has been a while, 
after all."

Anakiel tangles his fingers gently in the Lynx's hair, and has himself 
another frostberry.

Scaurus reaches for another glass from the trays passed around and then 
begins to make his way toward the Serpent and co. He does remember her from 
the hotel the other night...but he's /sure/ that she didn't look 
so...appetizing...then. With a lick of his lips, he reaches their table and 
exercises an incline of the head, "I do hope you're not too full to take up 
a somewhat hopeless social refugee?" Wow. What a pick up line. At least it 
wasn't his usual 'My name's Scaurus. I'm sitting here. Now.'

Blue_Phoenix mutters to Paladin, "... Darling... have... would... had... 
beg.... not... to them,... travels."

Serpent then focuses on Dracula. "Thank you." she says simply, and gestures 
over to Anakiel - she wants a frostberry. Fed to her properly mind you. A 
glint of thought, and her hand motion indicates the young man should give 
the berry to Varota.

Paladin grins brightly back at the Phoenix, a light sheen appearing on his 
forehead from exertion on the dancefloor.

Dracula smiles a toothy grin and turns to Conium.

Paladin mutters to Blue_Phoenix, "... do... my... <the word is given an 
indulgent pronunciation...so appropriate for the locale >... keep from... 
your own House?"

Serpent lets her gaze slide over to Scaurus. "Temptation welcomes all to her 
table." she smiles.

Blue_Phoenix swings about, mindful of the dances to her back. She keeps what 
pace she can, rolling with the steps. Again the looping overstep to allow 
close passage. Another whisper, at a proprietous distance.

Lynx looks up at Ana, petulantly....the look that cats give their owners 
when the owner refuses to share dinner.

Varota cocks his head, eyes blinking madly at the Serpent's whispered words.

Anakiel locates a nice plump berry and proffers it to his noble Serpent 
Queen, placing it deftly between her lips once she's ready to accept it. The 
kitten is petted, delicately, until he can dispense his current payload, 
pluck another sweet, and feed it to the poor starving kitty.

Blue_Phoenix mutters to Paladin, "... you..."

Jereth shrugs.."If you care to, ma'am.."

Dracula looks for a more quieter place to chat. The balcony looks nice. "How 
about the balcony?"

Serpent tsks, and indicates for Anakiel to give the berry to the now 
shellshocked Varota.

Satyavrat stumbles once more on the dancefloor, though he seems to be 
quicker on the recovery than before.

Conium nods at Dracula finding all this commotion rather overwhelming. "Yes, 
that would be good."

Lucia sits down in her former seat, the one beside the snoring Angelos, 
"Please join me."

Dracula climbs the stairs to the balcony.

The Queen turns as she is hailed, finding herself now caught between not 
one, but two mountains. "Ah.. my wine..." she murmurs, reluctantly taking 
her hand back from the gladiator which held it.

Lucia sits down at one of the tables on the raised patio.

Conium climbs the stairs to the balcony.

Jereth sits and motions towards the sleeping Admiral.."How is he these days? 
We had a lovely conversation at the Atreides party not long ago.."

There's a faint snicker from the menagerie in the corner. Atreides. Party. 
The two words, in the same sentance.

Scaurus blinks for a moment, then chuckles, not a single blush on his face. 
Does he even understand what she said? With a gentle slip into one of the 
chairs, he sips from his wine and tilts his head, "None of the men have 
asked you to dance, temptation?" He asks lightly, the voice still betraying 
a bit of that arrogance, but smoothed over like a river rock with diplomatic 
tongue. He's trying hard, is this one.

Lucia leans back comfortably in her chair, sipping her drink, an arm draped 
over the Admiral's shoulders, "He's as hale and hearty as a man half his 
age."

Serpent looks at him. "I don't care for the rather stiff backed dances of 
the Landsraad." Oh, how the double meanings fly.

Is she laughing at the Paladin? No, only smiling prettily. Her crest-ring 
worn on her wedding finger sparkles beneath the festive lighting as it 
passes away from his fingers, where a spin would have brought their hands 
together again. She ceases to dance, gesturing off the floor. "Take a turn 
with me," she requests.

Serpent says, "If you can dance to another tune...one more suited to the 
festival we are celebrating, then you may have the first honor."

        Yes, poor Highness - caught between a rock and a hard place twice 
over, if you will. "Here you are, my Queen," the djinn rumbles, and offers 
to her the full span of the silver tray and all its goblets and their 
variable volumes of content. A bow then, and the burlier of the two beasts 
awaits his regent to make selection.

Angelos wakes momentarily, just enough to smile up at Lucia before he 
recedes again on the silky waves of slumber.

Paladin, still smiling prettily, offers a knightly bow and follows the Lady 
off of the dance floor. He touches her arm lightly and leans in to whisper 
something lightly to her, indicating that she should follow him up the 
staircase.

Scaurus, however, seems to take that as a rebuke, and just nods. How else 
could he take it, being the flat faced man that he usually is. The Treasurer 
sips from his wine for a moment, then stops in the middle of his glass, and 
lowers it gently, "Would you care to...uh...show...me?" The plucked black 
brow raises a tad, then lowers again at the question. As if this bumbling 
fool could know anything but the most boring of dances.

Paladin mutters to Blue_Phoenix, "Mmmm....most enjoyable,... to Revelers... 
bear..."

Blue_Phoenix falls into step at the side of the Paladin, nodding so that the 
curls of her reddish-blonde hair swing like pendulums. She makes no answer.

Paladin climbs the stairs to the balcony.

Jereth nods.."Quite good to hear.. i've been wishing to meet with him at a 
less formal occasion.. to have a lengthier discussion. Wisdom and experience 
make a great teacher.. Something I larned on Marcinko.."

Blue_Phoenix climbs the stairs to the balcony.

Serpent snorts at the comment about Marcinko. For a reptile, she's sure got 
good ears.

Jacob lets the hand go without any delay. He turns to watch the other giant 
make his way over, and he grins fiercely. He looks the djinn up and down 
casually but blatantly, making a show of playing the callous and brash 
gladiator. He speaks again, nearly barking this time. "It seems that this 
djinn has taken it upon himself to procure enough drinks to make you pass 
out twenty times over." He grins, exposing many white teeth. "I prefer to 
rely on my charms, myself." Burlier, the other man is, but Jacob makes a 
show of peering down at the man ever so slightly. He looks amused, perhaps 
as it is rare he meets a person anywhere near his size.

Sen comes in from the Ladies' Lounge.

Lucia finishes off this latest glass of whiskey and nods in response to 
Jereth's comment, "You're looking for...experience, are you?"

Ignoring the less full glasses, the Queen of Hearts studies the glasses 
arrayed on the tray before her, and selects a particularly full-looking red 
wine. Lifting it to her nose, she inhales deeply, then nods. "Yes... a 
Grumman vintage. My first wish granted this evening!" She chuckles at the 
gladiator's comment, shaking her head slightly. "I don't intend to pass out 
from wine tonight, my dears. Pleasure, perhaps... but not wine," she 
murmurs, glancing from one to the other once more.

Serpent looks to Varota, who has not reacted to her quiet statement, nor has 
he fed her a frostberry. "I require some more appropriate music to be 
played, good host. Something more appropriate to the occasion."

Sen rustles softly as she slips through the clouds towards the other winged 
figure. She gives him a complex hand gesture with a curious sort of motion 
in the wrist, and glides up to him like a mist.

Jereth shrugs.."I've just recently graduated the Academy... Haven't exactly 
been in too many battles..

        Jacob's presence is, for the most part, summarily ignored - after 
all, the Queen is the djinn's priority tonight. A nod is given the other man 
very briefly before he turns his eyes back to the Countess, who then makes 
her decision. The tray is offloaded onto another slave the moment its 
utility has passed.

Anakiel, on the other hand, has a berry poised and waiting to follow its 
stem-brother into that serpentine maw. But he waits, nonetheless, for the 
Serpent to turn to him to accept it...doesn't do to be pushy.

Clouds in this case being metaphoric for crowds, and as much as she seems to 
take note of them at the moment they could just as well be a haze or fog.

Lynx is half-crouched between the Serpent and the black angel, looking 
drowsy and content - whatever was in that berry was enough to make the green 
eyes dilate slightly.

Serpent finally does turn and take the berry from Anakiel's fingers. And 
thoughtfully licks them to collect any of the juice that might have slid 
down.

Lucia leans close to Jereth, whispering to him.

Scaurus looks about the room, gulping a little. He's not in the best of form 
at the moment, and physically looks quite intimidated by anything that might 
happen in the next little while. Reminding himself that somehow, in his mind 
somewhere, he is doing good for himself and his House, the Treasurer 
attempts to get up a little courage before the dance.

Jereth smirks and returns Lucia's whisper..

Jacob nods sharply, and, draining the glass he holds, places it lightly on 
the Djinn's discarded tray. Not awaiting any further flirtations or 
indecision on the part of the Queen of Hearts, he simply nods and bows 
shallowly to her, and wordlessly turns to leave. His smirk seems to indicate 
some small victory that he feels.

Lucia laughs and leans back again, "Good for you, Swordmaster."

Serpent rises sinuously, and then puts a hand against Scaurus' chest, 
shaking her head ever so slightly. "Watch." she suggests, and then leans 
forward to whisper in his ear, "Learn." She strides out to the dance floor, 
defiantly bare in this expansive sea of cloth. Her hand extends out torward 
the Lynx, patiently.

Sen raps Anakiel lightly on the wrist and stands on tiptoe to whisper 
something to him, wings flexing to counterbalance her.

The cat rises in one fluid motion to accept the Serpent's offered hand. He 
bows over it, then looks back up, awaiting her instruction. A tiny grin 
plays over his lips.

        Yes, well. Men often score victories - whether they are claimed 
merely by ego or by real virtue is quite another story entirely. The djinn 
stands by his regent, awaiting her address now that her first wish of the 
evening has been fulfilled.

Anakiel blinks placidly at the sharp tap on his wrist, turning to note the 
Swordmaster's presence. He responds to her in hushed tones, his boneless 
frame seeming to shift to something more 'at attention'.

One of the black brows raises again in interest toward the Serpent, before 
turning his attentions toward the dancefloor. Delicious indeed, she is. What 
a marvellous dessert...er...woman...she would be to have at his side. And he 
knows all too well the necessity to have one. 48 and not yet one single 
child to carry on any legacy. Why else would he try and do anything? He 
doesn't know the meaning of the word love and social so he has to try and 
get by at least on the latter, by doing precisely what the serpent said. 
Watch and Learn.
(OOC) Scaurus says, "er that was mine, sorry."

And indeed, a strain of swaying strings begins to play, offset by a 
throbbing rhythm that begins slow, but promises to speed up, begins to play. 
The serpent dances, at first at a distance to the lynx. Mirroring him, she 
moves - muscles ripple under scale flecked skin, her body arching in ways 
that no softly bred Landsraad noblewoman could manage.

Sen nods crisply up at the kohl'd cherub and turns her attention back to the 
Tempter. Or Temptress as the case may be.

"Oh, gladiator..." the Queen calls to the retreating man, "Leaving so soon, 
without so much as a dance? Tsk tsk..." The music changes, and her attention 
is drawn to the dancefloor for the moment. She watches, as many others do, 
and no doubt no small number of ideas circulate through her head.

Jereth says, "And what brings you to such an occasion? I mean, you seem to 
be without costume..""

        Bah. The djinn leans in to whisper to his lady.

Anakiel is left alone at his table, save for the pale angel beside him. He 
picks up the bowl of frostberries still residing on the table and offers it 
to her, a holy offering to the fierce Seraph of the blade.

Ali-Hamal mutters to Queen_of_Hearts, "... let... escort... to a... You... 
you... fed... my... to be... I would so... eat... with... beautiful..."

Lucia looks down at her empty glass and over at Angelos before answering 
Jereth, "I wasn't aware of the...occasion when I came in earlier. It's an 
accident that I'm here at all."

The lynx's movement is sinuous and deliberate, demonstrating an equal 
precision of muscle control. His few pieces of jewelry glint in the light of 
the glowglobes, as he whirls like a dervish...or a mystic attempting to 
conjure a spirit. But his entire focus is on the Serpent, a planet in the 
thrall of a dark star.

Jereth looks oddly.."Accident? how so?"

Sen's flourescent eyes swing over ponderously to settle on the berry.

Scaurus almost laughs as the two dance. Him? Dance like that? That /is/ a 
good joke. Returning to his wine, he keeps enough of an eye on the serpent 
to 'watch and learn' though it's fairly doubtful that he'll be able to learn 
anything of that nature.

Jacob turns again on his heel, this time facing the queen and the djinn. He 
speaks: "My queen, you seemed to be occupied at the moment, so I wished to 
afford you some measure of privacy with the man who accompanies you." He 
still smirks slightly, as if he knows something that the other giant 
doesn't.

Closer and closer come the pair, feline and reptile. Finally they are near 
enough in orbit for them to almost touch, to feel each other's breath on the 
opposite's skin. Still they continue to mirror each other in movement, even 
when the reptile's back is to the front of the feline, and a hand is draped 
back leisurely, fingers brushing the back of the lynx's neck.

With red lips pouting earnestly at the gladiator, the Queen of Hearts sighs 
deeply. She steps back a pace, leaning against the djinn behind her - very 
nearly draping herself against him, in fact. "So be it," she murmurs. "Be 
that way. There's plenty of me to share, so your loss."

Lucia smiles but doesn't answer Jereth's question. Instead, she glances over 
the room for the Admiral's aides and beckons them over as she gets to her 
feet. With a bow to the Venhei she says, "Come to the Atreides Embassy some 
time. We'll spar."

Lynx bends his head, lips poised just above the ophidian's throat, eyes 
dreaming and enraptured. But the bare distance is maintained, as he rests 
one hand on her waist. Again, there's no inkling that he's aware of anyone 
else in the room, as the pair sways gracefully to the music.

Jereth stands nodding.."I most certainly will.. thank you Lieutenant.."

Anakiel tips his head slightly, watching Sen. "Would you care for 
refreshment, Swordmaster?" he inquires. Helpful creature, isn't he.

        Ahh, and brawny arms, slide around the queen's delicate waist to 
squeeze her gently; more words are whispered as the djinn plays loving 
anchor to the woman draped upon his bulk.

Lucia bows politely and turns for the exit without further pleasantries.

Sen takes the frostberry finally and sets it on her tongue. "My usual," she 
replies, glancing over Varota. Ahh, I recall you from the garden.

Jereth returns the bow and then looks around..

Serpent slowly rotates, now dancing with the lynx face to face, as it were, 
the rhythm speeding up. Fingers barely glide over arms, bodies arch and 
glide. The music builds.

Anakiel nods, stepping back to place the bowl at a convenient distance 
before moving to accost a serving boy. The youth scuttles off after being 
given an order by the vinyl-clad angel.

Ali-Hamal mutters to Queen_of_Hearts, "... that... Ginaz,... my... so... 
enamored... lady? Surely you're..."

Lucia passes through the door into the Ladies' Lounge.

Varota takes a few calms steps towards Sen, stops at slightly less than 
perfectly respectful distance and says, by way of introduction, "We seem to 
be getting Orange cathechism this eve. The tempting Serpent yonder, and now 
the Angel with the Fiery Sword that turns every way..."

Jacob makes no response to what may have been perceived as baiting on the 
part of both the other giant and the Lady herself by association. He simply 
bows, smiling politely. He only whispers (albeit loudly): "I do not share, 
Ophelia." He bows appropriately, sparing little glance to the hill next to 
her, and leaves the couple. He does not turn his back nor offer any insult, 
but does leave before any further protest or baiting can be made.

The dance seems to depict the first temptation...and the lynx, as men always 
will, finally yields. He sinks down to his knees in a swirl of dark velvet.

At the height of the music, the pair stop dancing, the feline on his knees 
before the serpent. She grants him approval by the simple sweep of her hand 
along his jaw, and the brush of her thigh against his cheek as she steps 
past him.

Jacob makes his way to the dance floor, rapidly putting distance between the 
djinn and queen and himself. He appears to be making a beeline for the 
sinuous snake on the floor, although he does not gape as do most other men 
... including the djinn. He reaches her just as she leaves her partner and 
he wordlessly offers a hand to her.

Sen smiles thinly at the little joke. "Not every way." She gestures towards 
the serpentine woman. "As you can see, the Garden of Earthly Delights is 
quite open to the proper personages."

Jereth seems to try speaking with the Ginaz siridar as he seems to rush past 
him towards the serpent.. jereth just stands, watching.."

Lynx flows off the dance floor, returning to his former post by the taller 
of the seraphim.

Serpent's eyes widen slightly - the only sign of startlement noticeable by 
the perceptive. She accepts his hand, a brow quirked in inquiry.

A small sound escapes the Queen of Hearts, something more akin to a quiet 
'harumph'. She turns her head more towards the man she drapes herself 
across, smiling archly. "I think... I'm ready for my second wish," she 
murmurs. "Shall we sit then?"

Scaurus is now leaning on his seat, head in one hand, still looking at the 
serpent and lynx with interest. He isn't fooling himself into thinking he 
could ever be like that, but for once the Treasurer seems to look in 
admiration at the lady who he knows is just as cold as himself inside, yet 
manages to be such a socialite outside. Despite other opinion, Scaurus still 
has some element of being a man in him, beyond the physical sense.

Jacob leans in close to the serpent, his lips nearly brushing against her 
ear, as he whispers into the silence between songs.

Jereth shrugs.. seemingly not too impressed by the serpents dance.. he's 
seen harlots before.. he grabs another drink off of the tray passing through 
the crowd..

Anakiel has time to gently stroke the Lynx's cheek before the servant boy 
appears with a tray bearing a large, tall flute covered in frost. Colorless 
liquid resides within. The dark angel takes it and delicately proffers it to 
the white with all due reverence.

"I wouldn't have it any other way," Varota replies. "Tis better to be 
tempted than to never know what you've been missing."

Sen nods dismissively and takes the ice in hand. It doesn't seem to bother 
her any more than the tongues of flame licking off her hanging sword do. 
"I'm here now," she tells him, wings folding and settling behind her. "Enjoy 
yourself."

        "As you wish," replies the djinn, and dips to scoop the woman up - 
toting her without effort in his brawny arms the Queen is delivered to a 
divan across the room, situated at an angle that puts it more out of sight 
from the dancefloor. Deposited gracefully upon the lengthy bit of cushioned 
furniture he drops in genuflection then, awaiting her command.

As Jacob appears to the serpent, Scaurus seems to sink in his seat a little, 
his gaze moving back to the table he's at. Ah well, one can't say that he 
didn't try, at least. Yet again he's failed in even trying to be social, and 
as such, he gestures for another glass of wine, that common, bland and cold 
face that everyone knows so well returning.

Lynx looks expectantly up at the darker angel, then jerks his chin at the 
staircase up.

Anakiel nods, offering the sly feline a rather...unangelic smile. Proffering 
a hand to the cat, he starts to make his way toward the staircase in 
question, leaving his more pristine associate to her watchful duties.

Jacob peers deeply into the serpent's eyes, some spark of mutual ... 
something ... flowing between them. Without looking away, he signals to the 
band, and they strike up a loud, whirling, pounding tune. He grabs the 
serpent almost roughly around the middle and begins to lead her in a manic, 
twirling dance.

Jereth makes his way towards Sen.."Good evening Swordmaster.. I apologize 
for the fact that we haven't gotten the chance to talk after the last 
meeting.."

The Queen of Hearts takes a moment to compose herself and squelch her 
surprise at being swept up off her feet, in more ways than one, by the 
djinn. She laughs as he sets her down, leaning forward to brush her lips 
across his forehead, and then whisper to him.

Serpent's expression splits into one of delight, and soon she's moving to 
match the man's patterns, whirling and arching just as he does. The steps 
are intricate, dizzying, but for someone who may have set foot on Marcinko, 
tuggingly familiar....

Sen eyes Varota over her glass. "I can't say I've ever been in the latter 
position," she replies, glancing past him at the normally dour Treasurer 
and- oh, that Venhei. "Apology accepted, then."

Queen_of_Hearts mutters to Ali-Hamal, "I... like... idea of... me... 
Queen... sweetly?"

Jereth looks, watching the dance, recognizing...

Lynx trails after Anakiel, hand in hand.

Lynx climbs the stairs to the balcony.

Anakiel climbs the stairs to the balcony.

Jereth turns back to Sen and nods.."how has the evening found you?"

Queen_of_Hearts sits down at one of the tables on the raised patio.

Varota combs a stray lock of his thick hair back away from his face. To Sen, 
"You must be happier, then, than all here. Myself, I find temptation, and 
satisfaction, in the oddest places both." This last is said with an upturned 
brow and a small grin.

Scaurus finishes off his wine with a large gulp, playing with the glass in 
his hands and looking at the wall in front of him, managing to keep an 
amount of concentration upon it, but still looking as though he's listening 
to all he can around him.

Jacob pulls the serpent-woman close to him; anyone familiar with the dance 
would know that this is par for the course but other observers might think 
it quite risque. He releases her briefly and the flick of one of his long 
arms sends her spinning on her own. Another flick draws her back even more 
quickly, this time ending with her arms pinned lightly against her back, 
faces separated more by vertical space than horizontal.

The dance has indeed become more intricate, more advanced, more studied, and 
then it may suddenly dawn. How exciting for Jereth it must be - harlots a 
plenty he may have seen - but a harlot who's also a Swordmaster? Now /that/ 
you don't see every day. The dance continues...

Ali-Hamal sits down at one of the tables on the raised patio.

"Much as it always does," Sen replies, staring up at Jereth in what's 
probably a skeptical or suspicious manner, although she might just be 
puzzled considering the difficulty of reading her face.

        "Of course, my Queen," rumbles the djinn as his luscious escort 
whispers command; another slave he bids stop at his side, and from this a 
bowl of grapes - pale green masses of sugary globules - is secured. "And 
here we are." Kneeling by the woman's side he gestures that she lie back, in 
a position so that she can be fed.

Mid-dance, Jacob the gladiator motions to one of his men, who quickly 
produces two long, slighly curved swords. He swirls over and deftly grabs 
them, tossing one quickly to the temptress. Both test the heft of the 
blades, and it is clear something very unusual is about to happen. A large 
area around the two on the dancefloor is cleared.

Sen turns back to Varota. "Happier? I'm not sure that's the word. You don't 
seem un-happy."

Jereth nods to Sen and excuses himself, walking closer to the dancefloor, 
watching intently...

Serpent's hand snaps up, catching the sword firmly in hand. Her grin is 
quite marvelous, and she steps into a circular pattern of stalking her 
opponent. Yet, it's oddly cadent to the rhythms being pounded, still as much 
a dance as a duel.

Scaurus looks back over to the dancefloor, then places his glass back on the 
table and slowly rises, nodding to Sen and Varota near him, "If you'll 
pardon me." And in a slow pace, the Treasurer makes his way out to the 
Balcony, away from the majority of hustle and bustle in the ballroom.

Scaurus climbs the stairs to the balcony.

And reclining on the divan as she is bid, as comfortably as she may do so in 
the restrictive corset she wears, the red-gowned Queen of Hearts tips her 
head back to receive her rewards from her djinn. Yet grinning, she shakes 
her head slightly at him before sighing dramatically. "You'll spoil me 
wickedly, my dear, if you persist..."

Sen's wings flick in irritation as she peers past Varota's shoulder at the 
sword dance. She takes a half-step aside so that he won't be entirely in her 
way should she need to intervene.

A low mutter can be heard above the music as various onlookers gasp and look 
shocked at what appears to be an open duel, although Jacob's men look very 
relaxed and a few of the onlookers even smile in recognition of something 
else going on. Jacob lunges forward, his large sandaled foot slapping the 
floor percussively right on the downbeat of a change in the music. It 
becomes a little bit more intense as the two circle warily, thrust met with 
parry, the clang of blades and skitter of feet always falling miraculously 
in rhythm with the music.

Jereth begins stomping with the music, known by heart, urging the audience 
to follow..

<<Varota thinks: Sacrebleu, always these nobles and their obsession for 
swords. I wager they all dream about getting whipped and ridden by a portly 
leather-clad matron.>>

Serpent lets out a trill cry as she engages the man, blades clashing and 
clanging - yet in perfect compliment to the music. And when blades don't 
clash, kicks fly, bodies leap and twirl. The serpent beats the man back, and 
he beats her back...back and forth. Her skin gleams from the effort, yet the 
scales and slick grey color of her skin does not run.

        "Precisely my aim, my Queen." With a smile does he pluck free a 
sphere of succulent champagne hue and hoist it over her mouth, a good six 
inches from that wonderful fixture. More murmurings, and the djinn leans in, 
heedless of the duel going on behind them.

Jereth claps along with the stomping, not seeing a spectacle as such since 
his graduation...

Varota massages his temples with the fingertips of one hand, the palm of it 
shielding his eyes from the gaudy spectacle.

Jacob lets loose a similar bellow, again coinciding with a change in rhythm. 
Now the musicians are frantically trying to keep up, the pair having 
established a blistering pace. Clashing swords, pounding feet and guttural 
grunts and yells have slowly been woven into the fabric of the music, now 
clearly instrumentation to this intricate and deadly dance. The Ginaz 
guardsman now tosses a second sword to each dancer-combatant, and the 
whirring of the twin swords being spun through the thick, sweaty air 
provides yet another tone to the music.

Even those not familiar with the dance can tell that it is rapidly nearing 
an explosive climax.

Serpent continues to dance, gleeful and breakneck dangerous in both speed 
and execution. Her sword seems unjarred in her hand, wrist strong and sure 
as she clashes blades again and again and again with her former teacher from 
Marcinko.

Sen simply looks on with stern, unflagging attention.

Though the dance draws much attention from onlookers... one couple, 
ensconced in a corner with a bowl of grapes, pays it no heed. The Queen of 
Hearts receives her second wish for the evening, granted by her djinn. And 
he's keeping her sufficiently distracted to not witness the garish display 
on the dancefloor.

        Behind all the action, the djinn still tends to his queen; lowering 
a grape into her mouth where it is held, leaning down over her where the 
shadows hang in a veil around the two at the divan.

Dracula comes down the wide marble staircase.

Scaurus comes down the wide marble staircase.

Conium comes down the wide marble staircase.

Jacob, now glistening brightly with the sheen of exertion, parries a 
particularly fierce blow and vaults backwards. His large feet seem to sail 
slowly through the thick air, now above his head as he tucks his knees to 
his chest. Mid-revolution, the tips of his swords scrape very lightly across 
the ground, in sudden silence as the musicians seem to have stopped a scant 
second before. He completes this spectacular backflip, landing nimbly on his 
feet with a wet slap. Recognizing the signal, the two hurl themselves 
inward, blades first.

The blades absorb the impact of the collision, and they are pressed outwards 
to form a square as they lock securely together. With a final clang the 
swords become firmly enmeshed, and the two stand face-to-face, breathing 
heavily, nostrils flared, and glistening with fresh sweat.

Serpent grins, and then slowly slides her blade free. With a peculiar, 
sinuous bow, the snake woman tosses her blade to the Ginaz, turns, and slips 
back to her seat, where she deigns to lounge once more.

Dracula escorts Conium down the stairs. With a raised eyebrow he notes the 
event taking place. He glances to her then back out again.

Jereth claps loudly in applause.. he tries to make his way to the couple..

Sen's eyes flick up to the stairs and her wingtips flick sharply as she 
immediately switches her frosty glass from her right to her left hand.

Scaurus returns, in all his gloriousness (not) and makes his way back to the 
table of before, hands in his pockets and catches the last of the sword 
dance. He assumes the normal face of the cash register heart and looks at 
his cronometer, probably considering whether to return back to his secluded 
rooms or not.

Jacob bows as well, in the traditional fashion, allowing one of his men to 
collect the swords and hand him a glass of clear liquid, beads of 
perspiration on the glass matching his own.

Conium's eyes widen at the sight in front of her for only a moment. She 
quickly changes that however to an expressionless guise and looks over at 
her escort.

Scaurus sits down at one of the tables on the raised patio.

Serpent gives Sen a fluid, impish smile and indicates to a servant for a 
drink.

Jereth makes his way through the crowd.. "M'lady Harkonnen, Marquis Ginaz.. 
that was magnificent.. I must admit that I haven't seen a spectacle of such 
a kind since my days on Marcinko!"

Sen exhales softly at the serpent, but can't summon a smile at the moment 
for reasons unspecified.

Serpent senses, "Jacob seems to glow brightly as his eyes catch your own for 
a scant second."

Serpent looks up at the young man. "What kind of spectacle were you 
expecting, dear boy?"

Varota looks relieved as he drinks deep of a fragrant, bright green liquor. 
At least no blood will have to be cleaned from the carpets tonight.

Jereth looks.."I've learned not to hold any expectations.. it traps one in a 
cycle which leads to wrong conclusions.."

Jacob catches his breath quickly as Jereth approaches. He seems almost loath 
to speak, no words having been uttered since long before the dance began. 
Finally, he croaks, "Master Crane, my thanks."

Jereth says, "No.. my thanks to the both of you,, S'been a while since I've 
seen my home.. it's good to see that some traditions are still carried..""

Serpent smiles. "Indeed." she says easily. She begins looking about for 
someone, frowning absently.

Dracula looks around with his cold eyes and takes note of something very, 
very peculiar. Slowly he raises an eyebrow. Walking along with Conium he 
nears the table where the Queen and her genie are. Clearing his throat just 
a little, his cool voice pours out, "Everything alright, your Excellency?"

Scaurus raises a curious brow to Jereth, and wonders how easily the youth 
are impressed. Almost nothing seems to change the outlook this man has on 
the world, and he proceeds to watch the various conversations with little 
offer of opinion.

Conium stays on Dracula's arm, surveying the scene quietly. Her eyes betray 
the fact that she's rather amazed at the amount of commotion occurring in 
the room.

Jereth looks to Jacob.."This reminds me of an exhibition that M'Lord Setzer 
brought to my attention.. Has he returned to you about it yet? i was most 
obliged and honored to have been invited..."

Serpent looks sidelong at both Varota and Scaurus, as a server places 
another glass in her hand.

Jacob nods to Jereth. "Yes, yes, we have discussed it in some detail." He 
looks apologetic. "Master Crane, I'm afraid I must cut this conversation 
short and turn in for the night. I hope to discuss the details of the 
exhibition with you at some point, however."

Jereth nods.."Most certainly sire.. Please forgive my enthusiasm.."

The Queen moves her head away from the Djinn to peer upwards at the vampire 
looming over her. A slight smile pulls at the corners of her mouth, the 
voice recognized immediately. "Why, yes, m'lord... but... what big teeth you 
have..."

Jacob smiles softly. "Enthusiasm never need beg forgiveness, young Master 
Crane. I bid you good night."

Jereth bows deeply..

Serpent hrms. Someone /does/ owe her a refill of the drink she had 
before...well, no matter. She nods to Jereth absently, and seems content to 
relax and observe once more.

Jereth looks around.."Can i get you something, M'Lady?"

Jacob makes his way over to the sinuous lady-snake and her entourage, 
bidding her farewell wordlessly, with a kiss on the hand as he seems wont to 
do. He takes his leave of the company with a silent but graceful bow.

Serpent shakes her head. "No, I'm fine."

Jereth bows, and backs away.. finding another corner to occupy..

Jacob rapidly makes his way out of the room, flanked once more by his 
guards, still clad in black. He makes no move to see what occurs in the 
shadows where a bloodsucker, an engine of war, and the lady puppeteer dwell, 
but it seems likely that his men will have done all the snooping for him.

Sen glides up to the serpent and offers her her own frosted glass, grimly 
silent.

Dracula ahs some offering a small but present smirk. "Yes,...all the better 
to eat you with, my dear..." Seeing that everything is well enough with the 
Queen and the genie, he turns back to Conium, "Shall I get you something?"

You pass through the doorway into the Gentlemen's Lounge.

_________________________________________________________________
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Dune III Readers Mailing List (dune3-readers@fremen.org)
This list is unmoderated. To unsubscribe, email majordomo@fremen.org
with 'unsubscribe <listname>'. For help, mail majordomo@fremen.org
with 'help <listname>' in the message.