Igraine looks almost delighted by Boris' hostility. In fact she seems almost nostalgic. "Indeed." She then ahh's. "Introductions will have to wait til we arrive, then." she looks to Andrei. "Do be a dashing young na-Baron and escort an old woman, my dear? My, but you do have the look of your mother about you. She was quite a remarkable woman."
<<Andrei thinks: deep in...deep out...remember why you're here...fake drinking the tea, smile polite...be nice...argh this isn't going to work!>>
Pers's expression becomes distantly pleased as he turns and leads on to Clerestory, carefully sidestepping the black water that flows over tile. Some forms of entertainment never cease to amuse.
Pers walks to the north and passes through the Heavy Double Doors.
Pers has left.
Andrei looks at the bene gesserit mother and cracks out a polite smile. "Normally I would be honoured by your request miladyt, however, given the fact I am to meet the woman I will be courting me escorting you might give off the wrong signal. I hope you can understand and do not take offense?"
Igraine says promptly, "I do take offense, dear boy - as escorting a woman old enough to be your mother is the duty of a gentleman, which you are plainly not." She looks to Boris. "What /are/ you teaching him, Boris?" a soft tsk, and then she grins, as if to challenge. "Do your duty by your son and show him how a proper Siridar behaves, Lord Baron."
<<Andrei thinks: hrmmmm...worked out surprisingly well that move.>>
Boris watches Andrei and Igraine with impatience. He throws up his hands, snorts and offers an elbow to Igraine with what little gallantry he still remembers. His eyes, narrowed, never leave her, as if she bears a thoroughly poisoned knife.
Andrei's face flares up for a second but then he calms down again, getting to grip with his temper. He's faked a tantrum so many times in his life faking restraint of a tantrum comes as second nature to him.
Fahahd dares a momentarily scornful glance at the Na-Baron, there and gone again.
<<Boris thinks: Fingers around the neck, a quick twist and crunch the little bones...No. Too many witnesses. Damn!>>
Igraine says placidly to Andrei, "Your father knows the wisdom of being civil...or even appreciating an enemy. Do you attend on him, as you obviously take him for granted." She smiles sidelong at Boris, murmuring to him as they move into the next room.
Boris senses, "Igraine singsongs softly, "I know what you're thinking, my dear. Let us not forget that it is far more likely for the situation to end up the other way around. But truely, my dear...had I known you were coming, I'd have at least worn a lower neckline for you.""
You walk through the Heavy Double Doors.
Clerestory -- Alvstad Estate (Kaitain)
Perched atop the Estate, the clerestory presents multiple faces to those who frequent it; stunningly bright on sunny days, quietly glittering during the night, and thunderously drenched during rainfall. About one and a half meters from the floor, four giant panes of glass slope towards the room's center to form a truncated pyramid. Stone girders form a square brace a few feet from the apex, supported by four columns carved in the forms of beautiful Alvst men and women.
Hallways run off in various directions, and gaping holes surrounded by short bannisters in the corners of the room lead to four spiral staircases. Scattered about on soft and springy floor mats of woven reeds are a number of diverse seating areas, fitting numerous tastes and needs. Servants await outside, leaving the room almost entirely empty save guests, furnishings, and the view.
Players:
Pers Caeciliah
Ophelia
Exits:
Hallway <N> leads to Hostelry -- Alvstad Estate (Kaitain)
Spiral Staircases <D> leads to Grand Balcony -- Alvstad Estate (Kaitain)
Heavy Double Doors <S> leads to Aejir's Hall -- Alvstad Estate (Kaitain)
Boris walks in from Aejir's Hall through the Heavy Double Doors.
Boris has arrived.
Andrei walks in from Aejir's Hall through the Heavy Double Doors.
Andrei has arrived.
Pers nods fluidly. "Indeed. He has brought a small retinue with him, as well, including his son." Caeciliah is given a brief but pointed look at this. Turning, he observes Igraine's entrance. "Ah, here they are now."
Igraine steps in, of all things - on Boris' arm. She's smiling with placid dignity, though there's a spark of mischief in her eyes.
All the windows in the Clerestory have been opened, creating a marvelous cross-breeze that silently ripples through the sparsley furnished room. Ophelia, Pers, and Caeciliah sit at a pair of couches near a window overlooking the Estate grounds, a Moritani page attending the Countess.
Fahahd walks in from Aejir's Hall through the Heavy Double Doors.
Fahahd has arrived.
You sense: Boris colors slightly, about to rejoin angrily. Then he bellows out a laugh of honest mirth. "At least you harpies are easy to look at, aye."
Boris gives a good natured laugh at something Igraine said to him, shaking his head at her and grinning as if an old friend reminded him of something long forgotten.