Changing of the Guard

["Amit J. Sabnis" <ajsabnis@stanford.edu>]

In which a Sister of the Bene Gesserit withdraws from a concluded
assignment.

==

Viscount's Stateroom -- Alvstad Embassy (Kaitain)(#1853Rnt)

        Soft white light spreads out from twin wall sconces, creating a pool
of light towards one end of the stone-walled private study and casting long
shadows about its deeper corners. Nonetheless, the Stateroom manages to
boast a pleasantly cozy feel as the light dimly picks out the outlines of
bookshelves and what few knick-knacks the Siridar indulges in.

        A metal console appears to serve as a desk for the Viscount, its
buff-polished face offering dim reflections of everything about it like a
hazy mirror. A black screen set into its surface flickers now and again with
readouts from inserted shigawire reels and filmbooks. Only two chairs are
visible and neither appears to face the other; clearly, this is a room for
only the most private conference.

        A wooden frame behind the desk can be slid away to reveal a humble
sleeping area. A simple cot is built into the wall, a wash basin installed
near its head. Two drawers underneath the bed are presumably for private
use, and a third light source is revealed in the form of a narrow glowstrip
to read by.

Exits:
 Shielded Door <S> leads to Main Audience Chamber -- Alvstad Embassy
(Kaitain)

Ariane walks in from Main Audience Chamber through the Shielded Door.

Seated before the shipman's console-turned-desk, Pers rests with his chin
propped up on his knuckles, resting one elbow on the console's surface. With
his right hand, he absently runs a finger across one of the many controls
before him.

A soft rap sounds on the door before the office as the Reverend Mother
announces her presence. "Lord Viscount", she says, inclining her head,
"might I speak with you?"

Pers lifts his head up and collapses his arms, folding them flat before him.
"Your Reverence," he says with a sagely nod of his head. "Of course." He is
a moment recovering from his momentary state of thoughtful repose. "Be
seated if you so wish; I have been expecting you."

Ariane inclines her head again as she is recognized, moving into the room as
she has been invited. She hesitates for a moment, but decides on seating
herself. She contemplates pleasantries, but decides against it almost
instantaneously. It would be an insult to the Viscount and do a disservice
to the straightforward dealings she has had thus far with him. "Lord
Viscount, I received word from the Sisterhood on the night the Lady Garamond
paid her visit to the embassy." This explains the Reverend Mother's sudden
departure. "I have been recalled to Wallach IX."

Pers moves backwards in his seat, inhaling audibly, as if he were suddenly
threatened by some unseen force. Rarely does the Viscount let such visible
reactions pass unnoticed. "I had known that you had received some word, Your
Reverence," he murmers quietly, brows knit, "Though I had no idea that..."
He looks up, arching an eyebrow. "You'll be returning, then, and I suppose
there is little recourse of action?"

"Were there a choice," Ariane replies honestly, "I would not return."
Indeed, she appears tired, despite her training for prolonged periods of
alertness. "The Sisterhood will, of course, see to an equitable settlement
or...replacement." There's hesitation there which surprises even her. Really
Ariane! Are you so attached? "But this I'm sure you know, Lord Viscount."

Pers's lips turn distinctly downwards, following the drop of his gaze. What
could possibly be so interesting in those monitor readouts that his
attention returns to them continuously? "The Lady Ordos," he says, his
attention still focused on the console beneath his arms, "once spoke to me
of every day bringing change. Your Sisters aren't terribly different from
one another in many respects, are they?" There is a healthy dose of doubt in
the Viscount's voice, disconcerting coming from a man who has otherwise
placed explicit trust in the Bene Gesserit.

And what can I possibly say to that, Ariane wonders. "Her Reverence showed
great insight in saying so, Lord Viscount. Her own position in the
Sisterhood has shifted, along with my own. If my services have been
satisfactory to the House and yourself, then it should be known that
Marsilius Ysanne Dambria has taken over Mother Superiorship of the Kaitain
Chapterhouse. It is with her that all future negotiations will be made."

And that's certainly enough to rip the old man's eyes off of his console.
They focus with astounding rapacity on your own, his surprise
and...indignation?...clear enough. "Igraine leaves Kaitain?" As an
afterthought, Pers begins to withdraw back into a stoic impassivity, but
visibly pauses. So little can be held from these Sisters anyways, and his
opinions had been made clear enough. Pressing his lips together, he shakes
his head gently. "I'd not received word from her in quite a while, of
course. But once again it is revealed that the Bene Gesserit know more about
others than we do about them." He folds his hand, clasping one over the
other on his desk. "I shall speak with this new Mother Superior as soon as
possible, then. How long are you permitted to remain with us?"

"My passage has been reserved on a guild highliner seven days hence, Lord
Viscount." She raises her eyes again, after looking away at the outburst
over the Lady Ordos. It does seem an act of poor judgment on the part of the
Sisterhood to remove the councilor and friend of this man, but there is
little to be done now.

Pers nods swiftly, his immediate dislike of these events pressed to the
background. "You will not be available, then, to update the new Sister
assigned to us," he says...at least he's not going to prematurely end the
contract, then. "I'm sure that she will be...ah, equitable enough a
replacement, but there are some insights which only time reveal. And we
Alvst are not of a common cast," he says, a dry note of humor in his voice.
"Seven days, then...and I intend to use every one of them." A look of
determination comes across Pers's face. "This Mother Superior Ysanne; do you
have any thoughts on her that you might share?"

Ariane's face does not reveal the sigh of relief that ripples through her
internally. The return to business and pragmatism is like placing her feet
on solid ground again. "A brief will be prepared and left with the Mother
Superior for the next Alvstad advisor, Lord Viscount", Ariane replies
promptly. This was clearly foremost in her mind from the moment she received
the news. "The Mother Superior Ysanne is a noted Truthsayer, Lord Viscount.
She is...far before my time, of course. But her talents in meditaion are
well known; her missions well documented. I was her pupil briefly. It was an
honour." The gravity of the statement lends weight to the advisor's
appraisal.

Indeed, and Pers reacts with a slight lifting of his head. Not that he'd
expect an incompetent sop to replace Igraine (or even to exist within the
Sisterhood at all, for that matter), but the Bene Gesserit standards of
leadership were stronger than most. "And is there any word I might send to
the new Mother Superior to indicate my extreme satisfaction in your term
with us?" There is no indication of smugness or pointless accolade in the
Viscount's term. It's a simple matter: show what you like, and you're more
likely to get something that you like once more.

Ariane accepts the compliment (and a strong one, coming from an Alvst!) with
an inclination of her head and the beginnings of a smile. "It is highly
likely that Her Reverence will meet with your lordship or your proxy
personally. If this is the case, a verbal appraisal will be more than
adequate. If she cannot, and it would be out of character for her, by all
accounts, any written correspondence will be sent to her. It may be
expressed in that fashion." It would seem that truthsayers are perhaps more
familiar with one another than sisters. But then, Ariane did say that she
trained under this new Mother Superior.

Pers tips his chin slightly to his right, the minimalist nod that Alvst
Naval Officers seem to favor so much: an indication of acknowledgement
between equals, as it were. "Of course; I'll arrange to speak with the
Mother Superior in person." Some things are best not left open to
misinterpretation, hmm? "I'm sure that the Sisterhood will produce an
excellent advisor, Your Reverence, but allow me to state presently that your
counsel has been exceptional. Your presence will be greatly missed." No
longer discouraged or caught off guard, Pers expresses his sentiments calmly
and with a factual drone: as close as he borders to genuine sentiment on
most occasions. "Should your duties ever avail you to do so, a visit to
either Kaitain or Alvsgaard would be welcome."

At this, the Reverend Mother does smile. "Lord Viscount, it has been an
honour serving with the Alvstad. Should my duties ever carry me in the
direction of Kaitain or Alvsgaard, I will be sure to take up your gracious
offer." Sensing that the meeting is drawing to a close, and realizing the
duties that both herself and the man across from her have to attend to, she
begins her request for excusal. "There is much to be done, of course, in the
next seven days. Perhaps I should excuse myself, and begin my briefing."

Pers's own cautiously warm smile serves as much as a closing as anything
else. "Of course, Your Reverence. Good evening."

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