News is brought, and a conflict begun

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

Does anyone else want to see Jacob and Erich get into a hockey-style brawl? 
I think that would be cool.

Here's the scene with Jacob, Erich, and Tat'iana, which occurred a couple 
hours before Jacob sent official announcements of Jenaa's death. Something 
tells me that this conflict has only just begun. Enjoy!

Jacob
------------------------------------------------

The Leonine Chamber -- Imperial Palace (Kaitain)

        This chamber, one of the smaller audience chambers in the palace, is 
meant for more informal and private audiences. Its vast expanse reflects the 
leonine might and strength of House Corrino, their character perfectly 
personified in that most noble of animals. Floors of white marble are set 
with breath-taking frescoes of expertly-cut fireopal tesserae, their gentle 
orange glint causing the scenes of lions, several of which are devouring 
people and small children, to glint and seem to move. Walls of blackest onyx 
are engraved with majestic frescoes depicting scenes of Corrino history, its 
most noble exploits and rulers from the Battle of Corrin to the auspicious 
reign of Fredhrick XIX. The vaulted ceiling, rising high overhead, is a mesh 
of the other two themes, checkered in slabs of the same white marble and 
black onyx of floor and ceiling. Immense chandeliers are hung from its lofty 
height, their Hagal crystal shards chosen for lucidity and efficiency in 
diffusing light throughout the large chamber. In the centre of this all sits 
a dais and upon it rests a throne carved from one immense ruby, a fiery 
setting for a mighty Emperor. The brilliant royal seat glints in shades of 
vermillion and bright orange, strategically set to catch light from the 
chandeliers. Some smaller high-backed chairs are set upon the floor a few 
feet from the dais, this truly an informal and casual audience chamber in 
that it affords the greatest amount of convenience found in the entire 
palace ... the rare opportunity to be seated in the presence of the Padishah 
Emperor of the Known Universe.

Players:
Erich
Exits:
Golden Doors <SW> leads to Imperial Selamlik -- Imperial Palace (Kaitain)

Erich sits quietly upon his ruby throne, leaning slightly askew as he 
listens to the whispered words of an advisor. He nods, without comment, at 
the man's words, then turns his attention to you, a single raised eyebrow 
noting your entry.

Jacob strides confidently in, his posture unstooped and his pace stately. 
Upon reaching his destination her performs the low and sweeping bow that is 
required, and does so with quite a delicate flourish. He does, however, wait 
to be addressed before spilling the tidings that his message hinted at.

Erich pauses as he looks down upon the Marquis from his throne, then speaks 
quietly and quite calmly, "You have news, cousine?"

Jacob speaks now, in a delicate boom, the sound of far-off thunder. "My 
meager diplomatic training did not equip me with the knowledge of the proper 
way to deliver such a message, and for that I most humbly apologize. I bring 
news, Your Majesty, that Her Highness, the na-Empress, is dead." His gaze 
flits upwards and comes to rest casually on the shoulder-clasp on the 
Emperor's robes.

Erich blinks and sits back slightly, his left eyebrow quirking and lifting 
almost imperceptibly. He swallows, his face rather difficult to read, and he 
speaks slowly, though there is a forced undercurrent to his tone, "You ... 
speak truth, my Lord?"

Jacob also wears an inscrutable expression. It's not devoid of emotion but 
rather a curious amalgam of several conflicting emotions, including grief, 
rage, disbelief, and keen inquisition. "I am afraid that I do speak the 
truth, Your Majesty. Considering the import of my news, I will not be 
offended if Your Majesty insists on reviewing my statement with the Imperial 
Truthsayer."

Erich seems a bit taken aback by this remark and he furrows his brow 
intently now, leaning back. He seems rather surprised at this whole 
development -- or if he is not, his skill at portraying surprise is 
well-honed. "Your statement?" he asks, "W-what is your statement, my lord? 
Perhaps you would share it with me now? If the need for a truthsayer should 
arise, then I will take advantage of your kind offer, but first I would hear 
the ...... manner of my beloved sister's death."

Jacob purses his lips slightly and his expression hardens, whether because 
of some perceived slight or simply because of the difficulty of recounting 
these details. "Her Highness was found in the Gardens at my Embassy, hunched 
over a small blade and surrounded by her own blood. By the time she was 
found she had been dead too long to revive." He pauses for a moment, perhaps 
overcome, though not willing to show this outwardly.

Erich leans forward intently, "A struggle? I presume there were signs of a 
struggle?"

Jacob's mask falls for a moment, and his expression is nakedly horrified. 
But only for a flash, easily missed if you weren't looking straight at him. 
His gaze never deviates from the large shoulder-clasp as he intones: "At 
this point in the investigation we have seen no signs of a struggle. Our 
investigations are far from complete, however."

Erich leans forward, his jaw tightening and face twisted, almost as though 
he's in pain. It's an odd expression that you've not seen on him before, "I 
presume you will permit my own investigators on the scene?"

Jacob nods slowly. "Permit them and welcome them, Your Majesty. As soon as 
my Mentat is done with his initial data collection, of course. I know that 
Your Majesty would never permit the perpetrator ... or perpetrators ... of 
such a heinous crime to go unpunished. The honor of House Corrino is as much 
at stake as that of House Ginaz." His mouth remains set in a grim line.

Erich sits back, frowning, "Honor? You speak of honor here, and the 
ramifications to House Corrino? Was the princess not in your care?"

Tat'iana has arrived.

Jacob's expression remains placid as he stands before the Lion Throne, eyes 
locked on Erich's shoulder-clasp as he responds to Erich's question. The 
Emperor is perched on his ruby throne, leaning backwards, apparently 
displeased about something as Jacob speaks. "Her Highness was in my care. 
But the nature of her death ... that it occurred in one small area that is 
not monitored in my gardens, due to a quirk of gardening ... that a rumor of 
her death surfaced a week beforehand, describing it all too well ... that 
she left the palace under some duress ..." He pauses, and dares a quick 
glance upwards though not quite making eye contact. "There are many who will 
claim the involvement of the Lion Throne in this debacle."

The golden doors open slowly, admitting Tat'iana. And behind her, again, 
they close just as slowly, the speed of their closing preventing sound from 
disturbing the meeting. Silently, she pauses at the back of the chamber, a 
word or two of the dialogue distracting her from her intended path towards 
the dais. Stiffly, in fact, quite stiffly, she stands.

Erich stands bolt upright, his face tightening, and voice rising, "And are 
you among those who would claim such a foul and treasonous thing?! It would 
seem that the Lion Throne has had precious little to do with Her Highness in 
her final days, though she had been repeatedly invited to return to the 
safety of the Imperial Palace."
        His eyes turn, briefly, to Tat'iana and he offers her a tiny nod 
before resuming, his voice louder still, "Further, the Lion Throne was 
granted neither invitation to attend... nor opportunity to APPROVE of this 
supposed marriage between Her Highness and yourself. No. It would seem, 
quite the contrary, that it is you, my lord who must shoulder the burden of 
my sister's blood. Right payment for having so brazenly offended Her Majesty 
and myself with your slights."

Jacob speaks softly though his eyes, lowered again to the brooch, glitter 
defiantly. "I claim nothing, Majesty. Only that those who plotted against 
Her Highness, /my wife/, will be brought to justice by my hand." He follows 
Erich's glance to Tat'iana, and seeing her for the first time, bows 
appropriately before continuing. "Her Highness feared that this event might 
come to fruition, which is why she insisted on an immediate wedding ... one 
without the pomp and circumstance that might provide an opportunity for 
those who were plotting against her. I know it pained Her Highness greatly 
to not have Your Majesties present, but she deemed it necessary."

"Horse-dermo," erupts the small vulgar exclamation from the back of the 
chamber, half-Galach and half-Russkiy. Tat'iana's footsteps re-commence, and 
she quickly crosses the small distance to step up to the dais next to Erich. 
"Do my ears hear correctly...?"

Erich clenches his jaw fiercely. His words come out stiffly, though he 
speaks more softly now. "You hear correctly, my dear. Our ... noble cousine 
here brings bad tidings."

Jacob's attention flicks back to Tat'iana as she curses, and he watches her 
curiously, unsure as to just what she was proclaiming to be equine fecal 
matter. "Her Highness made decisions that I was not privy to the reasons 
for."

"How did it happen...?" Tat'iana asks, her voice softening, though by her 
face she's completely bewildered and more than a bit off-kilter to the news.

Erich answers brusquely, "The investigation is in process right now, though 
it would seem that she has been stabbed to death."
Erich's eyes do not leave Jacob as he speaks to Tat'iana.

Jacob nods slowly, and his expression is noticeably softer. "That seems to 
most reasonable assumption so far, though there are no discernible signs of 
a struggle. But I came here as soon as I could, so the investigators haven't 
had much time to work yet."

"You were teaching Her Highness how to handle a sword, as I recall it, 
m'lord... You did not teach her how to defend herself?" Tat'iana asks 
archly. "Or... is it possible... this stabbing is really a suicide, intended 
to look like an assassination? Witnesses, other than myself, did see the 
lady harm herself when last I called upon your embassy..."

Erich's eyes fall to the floor and his face becomes a mask of tight thought 
as he listens for Jacob's reply.

Jacob says, "While Her Highness proved an apt pupil, especially due to her 
previous training, she was not up to the skill level of a Swordmaster. I 
believe she could have held her own against many, long enough to sound an 
alarm ... but there were no signs of a struggle." He purses his lips 
slightly, as if the idea of suicide leaves a sour taste there. "To express 
defiance through a minor wound is a large step from suicide. I ... find it 
extremely unlikely that she would have killed herself. Your Majesties have 
known her longer than I, however, and though I believe I know my wife well, 
Your Majesties may know her better."

"Jenaa's imagination is entirely overactive," Tat'iana cuts in waspishly, 
almost before Jacob can complete his response. "I would have thought that 
obvious... leaving here, crying about being in danger, about being plotted 
against. Open your eyes, m'lord. Her Highness was surely certifiably insane. 
Suicide, it seems, is apparent." It is only then that she drops into her 
seat, her face composing into a smooth, expressionless mask.

Erich nods curtly, "The investigation must run its course. My sister was 
often troubled, and I should indeed think it possible that she would take 
her own life. It is certain that she had not been thinking clearly over 
these past few months, which is largely why I had been so eager to see her 
return to the safety of our care here in the palace." A long pause, then, 
"My Lord Marquis, I should make one point very clear in this matter: The 
Throne has been given no opportunity to review anything regarding these 
supposed nuptuals which occurred between you and Her Highness. Given her 
distressed and ... as Her Majesty puts it, 'insane' actions it would seem 
unlikely that she was fit to make such a committment, even were such a right 
granted to her by the Throne. Therefore, the Throne does not recognize your 
marriage to Her Highness the Princess, pending review of all of the facts in 
this case. Surely, we will all wish to work together to see that these 
matters are quickly and successfully resolved." He sits, eyes still fixed 
upon the Marquis.

Jacob first whirls to face Tat'iana. "Suicide is apparent! To say this 
without reveiewing any evidence whatsoever, Majesty, should be termed, as 
you so stated, 'horse-dermo'. How have you decided a matter of minutes after 
hearing any news, and only scant details?" His expression is openly 
incredulous. "It is a possibility, Majesty, that cannot be ruled out. But I 
think it highly unlikely." Then, to Erich: "If Her Highness were instable, 
as is claimed, why would she not be receiving treatment from the Imperial 
medical staff? The right was granted, and acted upon, and the marriage is 
official." He steps back slightly and bows. "My message is delivered. It is 
apparent to me that Your Majesties' minds are curiously made up already ... 
I wonder if they were so before I came?"

Erich rises once more to his feet, his expression perfectly stoic, save for 
a tiny twitch of muscle in his jaw. He speaks softly, "My Lord and Cousine. 
I will be prepared to forget such an outburst. You are clearly distraught, 
and this I understand. My mind is not yet made up as to the details in this 
matter, and am eager to learn the results of our ... joint investigation."
        He draws a deep, calming breath and continues, "To address your 
other remarks, Her Highness -was- indeed in the care of our Suks for her 
occasional episodes of disorientation and delusion. The condition was not 
debilitating, but is well documented. Should you care to, you have my leave 
to investigate her medical records yourself." Another pause, this time his 
voice lowering. Soft, but very firm, "Nothing in this Imperium is 
'official', dear Cousine, unless I say that it is, not least of all the 
marriage of my sister."

"You said so yourself, m'lord... she made decisions without consulting you 
on her reasons. It stands to chance, then, she has not told you 
everything... I am sure, had she remained here, she would even now be 
receiving the proper treatment. An unhealthy mind imagines all sorts of 
things aligned against it," Tat'iana murmurs quietly, her tone softer than 
Erich's, "... even if those things are nothing more than the care it so 
badly needs."

Jacob bows extravagantly, though the fire in his eyes doesn't subside. "You 
are most gracious, Majesty. I am certain we will soon come to agreement on 
these matters. Your Majesties' aid in unraveling this mystery is of course 
quite welcomed." His lips are pursed tightly, however.

Erich nods, and speaks evenly, "Good. I will send my investigators to your 
Embassy immediately then. You are dismissed, Cousine, and be assured that we 
share in your grief."

Tat'iana sits silently, hands folded demurely in her lap. For all outward 
appearance, this was an audience just like any other. Though, to be sure, 
it's great effort that keeps her so composed.

Jacob does his best to look assured, as he wordlessly backs out. His posture 
is more rigidly upright than it was upon his entrance, and though a trained 
reader of expressions would surmise that he's far from satisfied, he seems 
to be choosing his battles.


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