On Jacob's Honor

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

Jacob and Margot meet to discuss the Sisay-Harkonnen incident and its 
implications for Sisay's betrothal to Mintor.
Enjoy!
Jacob

Courtyard -- Ginaz Embassy (Kaitain)

        Iron gates open onto a broad, flat courtyard. White Marcinko Pines 
dot the grassy landscape, and men and women in purple and black Ginaz livery 
can be seen strolling along several long paths through it. A straight path 
leads up to the entrance of the Embassy proper, ending at two broad wooden 
doors. The Embassy itself practically gleams in any sunlight, the outer 
walls crafted of a simple dark blue granite flecked with silver, native to 
Marcinko. At night, dramatic uplighting along the walls of the Embassy 
accentuates its beauty, and the paths are all well-lit with functional but 
attractive lampposts. The Embassy appears to be square in design, with 
little embellishment save the natural beauty of the materials from which it 
was constructed. The effect is austere and elegant without being flashy. 
Ornithopters can be seen flitting around one corner of the roof. The only 
truly ornate thing about the courtyard is the intricately crafted fence that 
surrounds the whole of it.

Exits:
Heavy Wooden Doors <N> leads to Foyer -- Ginaz Embassy (Kaitain)
Iron Gates <E> leads to Negara II Plaza -- Embassy District (Kaitain)

Over your communicator's secure frequency, a man's voice says, "Message from 
vehicle 364, bound for Ginaz Embassy, requesting clearance, "The duchess 
Atreides coming for a talk with the marquis""

You clear the vehicle over your communicator.

An Atreides Limousine pulls in and comes to a smooth stop.

Margot exits the Atreides Limousine.

The Atreides Limousine departs the area.

Jacob stands in front of the broad gates of the Ginaz Embassy, watching the 
limo pull up, stop, and emit its passenger. He smiles warmly and bows 
fluidly. "Duchess, a pleasure as always to see you on this fine day."

Margot steps out of the limosine with a troubled face. Still she manages a 
plit smile, aknowledging the bow. "The pleasure is all mine my dear cousin. 
I thank you for being able to meet me at such short notice." she replies 
covering the distance between her disembarkment and the Marquis' position.

Jacob nods briefly, still smiling. "Shall we adjourn to a more comfortable 
location?"

Margot nods quietly. "perhaps we should. It seems we have a lot of talking 
to do..." she says softly, waiting for you to lead the way.
Jacob motions to one of the guards to hold the grand doors open, and leads 
Margot into the Embassy proper.

[OOC note: travel omitted]

You walk through the Sliding Glass Doors.

Formal Reception Room -- Ginaz Embassy (Kaitain)

        Dark wood and minimal but comfortable accommodations seem to be the 
hallmark of this gathering place. Comfortable-looking chairs are scattered 
in small clumps around the room, and a small bar hosts a comprehensive drink 
and snack service. The floor is of a soft, padded gray carpet and the walls 
are simple, exposed dark wood, with several abstract paintings providing the 
only ornamentation. The lighting is easily adjustable, and a retractable 
screen and projector setup sit in the corner, out of the way.

Exits:
Sliding Glass Doors <S> leads to Foyer -- Ginaz Embassy (Kaitain)

Margot walks in from Foyer through the Sliding Glass Doors.

Jacob flows into the reception room, indicating the many chairs with a sweep 
of his arm. "Would you care for a drink, Your Grace?"

Margot settles herself in one of the proferred chairs and nodding quietly on 
your ask. "Tea please. I always enjoy the blends your housemaster offers."

Jacob fetches a teacup from behind the small bar, and fiddles around behind 
it for a brief moment. When he moves out from behind the bar, one hand holds 
a steaming cup of a dark tea on a saucer. The cup and saucer are of a very 
delicate china, white but nearly transparent. His other hand holds a larger 
tumbler mostly filled with a clear liquid. He places the tea on a table very 
close to you, where the appropriate condiments are already located.

He seats himself, facing you, and sips lightly at his glass. "There, now. If 
I may inquire, what brings you here today? I gather this is not a purely 
social visit." His smile is warm.

Margot quietly steeples her fingers, letting the tea stand for a while 
longer. "There's some...rumours that caught my ear...rumours concerning 
Ginaz..." Quietly she produces a transcript of the rumour that circulates 
currently and places it on the table, shocing it towards you. "Is there any 
truth in this?"

(OOC) Jacob says, "The Harkonnen business, I assume?"
(OOC) Margot nods.
(OOC) Margot says, "it's a literal transcript of what's on the rumourboard"

Jacob glances at it briefly, his jaw set in a line of determination. Without 
finishing the transcript he looks up and speaks plainly. "Some of it true, 
some no doubt false. I have been personally working with my mentat and my 
head of security to discern exactly what actually occurred, and our 
investigation is not yet complete. Perhaps it would be best to summon 
someone who was actually there? The Lady Sisay is currently confined to the 
Embassy, so she will be available for summons."

Margot nods quietly. "I'm on a factfinding mission and hoped for some 
answers. What parts are true if I may ask?"

Jacob nods solemnly. "Perhaps a question best posed to my niece. Unless you 
have an objection, I would like to summon her here."

Margot shakes her head. "I've no objections...Let it be a good sign to see 
how she can handle herself.."

Jacob nods again and mutters softly into his communicator. He looks up, then 
simply: "She is summoned."

Margot nods quietly, only now relaxing and taking her tea, sweetening it 
with some sugar and a twist of lime.

From Foyer -- Ginaz Embassy (Kaitain), a feminine voice shouts, "You hear a 
knock on the Formal reception room, and a guard announces: "Lady Sisay Ginaz 
requests permission to enter.""

Sisay walks in from Foyer through the Sliding Glass Doors.

Jacob grants permission to enter and watches his niece come in. He gestures 
her to an open chair between himself and the Duchess.

Sisay enters the room, nodding at the guard who let her pass in. She has a 
serious look on her face. No smile, no grunt, nothing. Just her natural 
self. She curtseys: "Your Grace, Marquis..." and approaches the chair and 
takes a seat.

Jacob stands, approaching the bar, and places his own drink down on it with 
a clink. "First, let's all get nice and comfortable. Would you care for a 
drink, Sisay?"

Sisay nods to her uncle, the tiniest of smiles appearing at the corners of 
her lips. "A tomato juice would fit me fine, thank you." she says in an even 
and clear voice as she reajusts her position on the chair to a more 
comfortable one.
Margot is sitting in her chair sipping some tea. she smiles politely as 
sisay enters, nodding at her. "Ah...our great little adventurer arrives..."

Jacob smiles and rummages around behind the bar, the tomato juice apparently 
residing near the back of its shelf. Finally, he fishes it out and pours a 
tall, glass tumbler full of the thick, red-orange fluid. He retrieves his 
own glass, and ferries the tomato juice to his niece before returning to his 
own seat.

Sisay takes the glass in her hands, an apparent cover for the nervosity of 
the young Lady. She obviously needs something to clutch lest her hands would 
start their iminent shivers as they do when the Lady is nervous. She beams 
and embarrased smile n her face as she quickly sips from her juice, 
remaining silent. What could she say more? The dices have already be thrown.

Jacob offers a brief but reassuring smile to his niece and then sips at his 
water. He appears content to allow the two ladies to run the conversation, 
at least for the time being.

Margot quietly takes a sip of her tea. "Now my dear, there's beena great 
many rumours going around about you at this point in time. Are they true?"
Sisay holds her glass tightly grasped in her hands, resting on her lap as 
she leans backwards. She turns towards Her Grace, looking her not directly 
in the eyes, put at a point fixed somewhere behind her. She says: "Your 
Grace, that depends greatly on what you heard and fromo whom you've heard 
it. I do carry my guilt, if that is what you've asked..."

Margot sets the china aside. "So you killed a person...in cold blood...to 
show you could keep pace with a Harkonnen...." Her voice keeps calm but it 
has an icy, disapproving undertone.

Sisay says in a saddened tone: "No!... Yes... No! I mean..." she pauses for 
a chuckle and continues: "Yes, I did actions which lead to the death of a 
person. It was not in my intentions to do that." A deep uneasy pause but she 
continues: "I tried to show off, yes, Your Grace. But the cold blooded 
murder was not carried out by me. I woould... never kill a person..." her 
voice is now a bare whisper as her gaze slowly loops downwards townards her 
glass.

Margot quietly looks at sisay. "My dear. Let me tell you one thing about the 
Harkonnen. They will not acredit a death to someone else if that person did 
not make sure death was unavoidable...It is in their twisted honourcode not 
to steal eachother's kills..."

Jacob watches the conversation intently, expression unreadable. He appears 
ready to jump in if necessary but for now apparently wants to let Sisay 
handle this on her own ... as much as possible, at least.

Sisay continues her whispering, loud enough for everyone seated to hear it: 
"I lost my temper and the control of my emotions. I was insulted and even, I 
think, threatened. I knew if I wouldn't do something, anything, the... 
Harkonnens would look down on me..." She breathes air to continue but 
nothing comes out from the lips of the Lady, just a shake of her head.

Margot takes her cup again taking another quiet sip before placing back the 
delicate china again. "Answer me this milady. Was your pride worth a life?"

The Lady's eyes widen, her eyes still focused on the glass on her lap. A 
long pause in which her black eyes get a crystaline look. She want to cry, 
she tries, but no tear falls. After what seemed an eternity for the young 
girl, she simply says: "No, you Grace."

Margot regards Sisay in the same quiet manner she has adopted ever since 
Sisay's arrival. "What are we going to do with you child...what to do with 
you...." she shakes her head looking at Jacob. "Do you think she can redeem 
herself of this...blemish?"

Jacob finally seems to reanimate, blinking once, and then responding slowly 
and evenly. "I think, your grace, that she is but a young woman who got 
herself into a bad situation. The Harkonnens took advantage of that. This is 
not to say that she is without fault in this matter, of course, but I truly 
believe that she has learned a lesson. For who amongst us has a spotless 
past? Certainly not I. Every nineteen year old makes mistakes. If she learns 
from them, then I believe she will be all the better for it." Spoken softly 
all.

Sisay looks down, quiet, silent little lamb, awaiting the judgement of her 
elders. She would have to redeem herself, for if she cannot, she would be 
unworthy if her title and position.

Margot looks from Jacob to Sisay and remains quiet before turning back to 
Jacob. "If you do not mind I would like to continue the conversation under 4 
eyes my Marquis." turning to Sisay she speaks softly. "I do hope that you 
can understand this?"

(OOC) Jacob says, "As in, you and I or you and Sisay?"
(OOC) Margot wants to talk to jacob alone.

Jacob nods carefully, and smiles. "Thank you for coming in here, my niece."

Sisay takes one quick glance at her uncle. Sure she can understand that. The 
Lady raises, putting the glass on the table and walkes towards the door, 
touching her uncle's shoulder briefly. She turns around and curtseys: "Your 
Grace, Marquis..." she pauses a moment before saying: "I am really sorry..." 
and waves her hand as if encompassing the whole situation. She then turns 
around quickly and scurries out, not waiting for any reply.

Sisay walks to the south and passes through the Sliding Glass Doors.

Jacob nods and offers a wan smile to his niece as she departs. Then, he 
looks to Margot, as she wished to speak to him alone.

Margot lets out a quiet sigh. "She only cries for herself and doesn't let a 
tear for the person she helped kill..." she shakes her head. "This must be 
corrected..."

Jacob nods softly. "I wish not to defend her actions, Duchess, but I do not 
believe that she has no remorse. It seems to me that she cries more for the 
dishonor she has brought myself and this House, and also for the possibility 
that she may have offended you, Your Grace. As for the slave ... I believe 
that she is very regretful, but not yet openly so. However, I firmly believe 
that the slave's fate was sealed from the moment Lord Harkonnen ordered her 
punished, regardless of Lady Sisay's actions."

Margot takes a deep breath and sighs, nodding once. "Still..." she says 
softly. "I know it is not my position to decide but if a match is to seal 
our alliance I wish her to have no further contact with the Harkonnen. None 
whatsoever. I hope our minds are as one on this?"

Jacob pauses for a moment, lips pursed and forehead creased. He speaks 
carefully, "I agree with you for the most part, your Grace. For at least 
some time, she will not leave this Embassy at all, and is undergoing 
tutoring from my Swordmaster, the Countess Solude. However, she needs a 
female role model, one that knows the ins and outs of Kaitain society. I 
submit that the Lady Ulricke Harkonnen has been nothing but a good friend to 
her." He holds up a hand lightly, "She got Sisay out of there and returned 
her to the Embassy, and comforted her along the way. She was not present for 
the ... incident, and I believe would have helped Sisay handle it better had 
she been present. I think that the Lady Ulricke has been a positive 
influence and would not deny my niece that. I agree that she should be 
restricted from contact with all other Harkonnen."

Margot sighs quietly. "In that case....I must ask for another match to my 
brother. Atreides will not tolerate anyone that has been under Harkonnen 
influence..." she looks sternly at Jacob. "Even the Baron's youngest. I've 
met her myself. If you call her a rolemodel then I cannot guarantuee your 
niece a safe passage into my house..."

Jacob closes his eyes for a brief moment, and speaks quietly, eyes closed. 
"Your Grace, I know the Lady Ulricke better than most. We have a certain ... 
understanding regarding my niece. She has taken Sisay under her wing and 
helped introduce her to many aspects of life on Kaitain for a young 
noblewoman. She knows full well what limits I have set for my niece and 
respects them. It is true that she escorted Sisay to Revelers, but also true 
that she escorted Sisay home as soon as she became intoxicated. My niece 
will be exposed to many things like Revelers, and it is best for her to have 
a guide who is knowledgeable and will not let her get in over her head ... 
which is what happened at the Harkonnen Embassy. I give you my word of honor 
that the Lady Ulricke is trustworthy as far as my niece is concerned." His 
voice is as a distant rumble, containing power although it be quiet.

Margot nods quietly, icily quiet and daring to meet your authorative rumble 
with an authorative stare. "My lord Marquis." she says in a calm and neutral 
voice, like that of a trained lawyer. "My house is a union again...Only 
just. The Harkonnen were the reason disunity began in the first place. 
Nobody and I mean /nobody/ under the wing of a Harkonnen, no matter how many 
deals were closed and how many respect and praise the Harkonnen is given, 
will be trusted by...conservative powers within my house. I 
cannot....no..will not risk my house on this gamble, for do not forget, our 
alliance rests upon the fact I can maintain the unity. I beg you to 
understand this."

Jacob opens his eyes, meeting your stare placidly for a moment before 
replying, even more quietly than before. "I understand your prejudice 
against the Harkonnen, your grace. But would you rather Lord Mintor marry a 
confused, ill-adjusted teenager, or a graceful, beautiful and confident 
young woman? There will be no more incidents like this with my niece." He 
pauses, then puts a small barb into his voice. "Or do you care, your grace? 
Is my niece just a medal to you? To be polished and worn around your Lord 
Mintor's neck? I do care about how she turns out, and I will do what is best 
for her, for familial ties supercede all else, when politics cannot be 
reconciled with familial honor."

Margot seems to have been prepared for such a retort. "Had I not cared for 
your niece I woud've informed you by letter that the wedding is off my dear 
cousin. I do wish the best for her but given Mintor has courted the lady 
Harkonnen, with disastrous results you must understand how it will be 
frowned upon how his future bride will be honed by the woman who so 
tauntfully rejected him." she shakes her head. "I cannot risk this...so I 
urge, nay BEG you to find her another tutor. The lady Ulricke never travels 
alone. Expose your niece to her and you expose her to a pack."

Jacob considers quietly, and finally ventures to speak. "I believe that I 
understand you, Duchess Atreides. I am not unsympathetic to what you say, 
especially in light of the previous relationship between Lord Mintor and 
Lady Ulricke. I believe that this is a decision that is not to be taken 
lightly, and I want to wait until my emotions are more level to better and 
more fairly decide. I am sure you understand this, and why my hackles are 
raised by my niece being placed in such a situation."

Margot lets out a quiet sigh and nods. "In the light of our alliance and our 
longstanding relationship I will trust you on your words. I am quite taken 
by the lady Sisay and do not wish to see her slip down this dark path." she 
sighs. "And maybe I'm overreacting somewhat because I'm sharing your shock." 
she looks at you again, this time a lot more at ease "Let her not slip away 
Jacob..."

It's plain to see a lot of the tension suddenly drain away from the Marquis' 
face. He suddenly appears so weary, so tired and downtrodden. Spoken very 
softly now, but in a voice that quavers with emotion and is much softer than 
before: "I thank you for your understanding, Duchess ... I am afraid I will 
not be well enough to think straight for a couple days. This has taken a 
very heavy toll on me." He looks up and makes eye contact. "The pressure to 
make the correct decision is enormous and I want to be of sound mind before 
I commit myself to a course." He is slumped in the chair and looks old, so 
much older than he usually seems. Parts of his face sag that are usually 
taut, and it sounds as if his voice is about to give out. Indeed, even his 
eyes appear clouded and rheumy.

Margot carefully stands from her chair and walks over to you, placing her 
hand on your shoulder. "Do not let it get to you Jacob my friend..." she 
speaks quietly. "I am sure things will work out fine. All we need is a 
little time and fortunately time is something we do have at this point." her 
voice is soft and gentle. "Just promise me, if only to easy my own fears, 
that you'll watch over the lady Harkonnen like a hawk when it comes to your 
niece...."

Jacob is apparently too overcome with emotions and fatigue to speak, so he 
merely nods assent. His hand finds its way to yours and he squeezes it 
tightly for a brief moment.

Margot kneels lightly before you, carefully drawing yo to her shoulder and 
wrapping her arms around you. "She is still young...she will learn.." she 
speaks quietly, soothingly. "I am sure once the union is completed she will 
make us both very proud. She wil make a worthy addition to my house and a 
fine ambassador of the bond between our two houses."

Jacob returns the embrace, finding the strength to murmur quietly, "She 
will. On my honor, she will."

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