A Three Hour Tour

["Emylie Fenring" <emylie@law.com>]

Duchess of Orange -- Lake Corrin (Kaitain)
The main deck of the Imperial yacht, the Duchess of Orange, is set 
high above the waterline, at the top of the superstructure. The 
height gives a view of the lake that is unmatched. 

Luxury is the keyword here. The Emperor has spared no expense to give 
his guests only the best. The finest white woods form a glorious deck 
floor, surmounted by gold railings. A sunshade shelters the 
passengers from the Kaitain sun. The deck furnishings are opulent, 
tables, chairs and stuffed chaises scattered about. Servants bustle 
about, seeing to the needs of the Emperor's guests.

Saud arrives, a leather portfolio under one arm. He peers about the 
deck.

Adrian steps over the gangplank and onto the deck of the yacht, 
breathing in deep of the invigorating air over the lake, a smile 
crossing his lips at the novelty of actually having water. Such 
things are rather lacking on Salusa Secundus, but atomic holocaust 
will do that, yes.

Justine steps onto the boat, wearing her 'leisure suit' along with a 
couple of filmbooks. Depending on how close one looks, they might see 
that at least one deals with military tactics. Odd reading material. 
She nods briefly to those she sees and makes her way towards the bow, 
finding a place to get comfortable.

Loyal to the last, Emylie is still wearing her mourning clothing. 
Nevertheless, she can barely contain her excitement at the thought of 
a water voyage. She bounds down the gangplank, skirts a'flying, and 
bounces onto the boat looking about eagerly.

Even on a yacht, it doesn't seem as though Scaurus can manage to part 
with those robes which are, undoubtedly, terribly hot. Strange 
though, that the bland Treasurer would even consider going out into 
the sun and the sea air with his delicate, pale skin and natural 
tendency toward the indoors and all things boring. However, he does 
indeed step onto the yacht, two filmbooks in hand, one of poetry from 
the 5th millennium, and the other regarding an ecological study of 
Arrakis.

Yvgenie saunters on last of all, wearing that odd 'fur collar' around 
his neck, which clashes absurdly with the rest of his attire. HE 
looks entirely at his ease, humming something cheerful under his 
breath.

Adrian looks rather smug and enthused at the arrival of the bouncy 
women, and affords generous winks to both Lady Garamond and Lady 
Fenring. Yo ho ho, indeed.

The ships bells ring signaling the imminent departure of the boat. 
Emylie drops quick curtsies all around then scrambles to the bow to 
watch the boat set sail.

Saud finally settles on a spot at the rail, though water does not 
seem to be the only liquid on his mind, as he flags down a passing 
servant.

Justine seems to be the only one smart enough to 'dress for the 
occasion', then again, Justine has always been one to do things her 
own away...which isn't the same way as everyone else. Noticing the 
winks from Adrian, she offers a half smile out of politeness, but 
once her head is turned out of view, she rolls her 
eyes....typical...she thinks.

Adrian makes his way with long strides to the bow to watch the 
embarkation of the yacht, and equally with chatting up Lady 
Fenring. "M'lady," he inquires dryly, drawing near to Emylie, "I see 
you have forgotten your shadows today, hrmm?"

Yvgenie pads up to the bow more sedately, idly scratching the ears of 
the furry he wears.

Scaurus takes a seat in one of the chaises, offering far less praise 
to the radiant Justine. The Treasurer nods slightly to the woman, 
then pats the seat next to him in offer, but there's something more 
on his brow. A look of seriousness in his eye that is slightly 
different from normal, and he sets the filmbooks aside for the 
moment, gesturing a servant over.

Emylie blushes, looking towards the shore. "I think he figured I was 
well-protected already." She lurches unsteadily as the ship begins to 
move forward. Clasping the railing, she steadies herself, leaning 
over to watch the wake and grinning brightly. "I got your note," she 
says, "I'm really flabbergasted. I like don't really know what to 
say."

Saud turns his back on the water to attend to his glass. Thin lips 
stretch taut at the sight of the robed Treasure on his sunny perch.

Adrian chuckles, looking intently at the Lady, his eyes shining in 
bemusement, lake forgotten for a moment. "I take it, then, that I am 
forgiven?"

Yvgenie is listening idly, observing the Caid and the young lady.

Taking care to annunciate each word very carefully, Emylie nods, 
saying, "Oh yes quite. Don't mention it. But really I don't think I 
can accept it. I have to ask Her Grace, Duchess Wensicia, first. It 
mightn't be appropriate, you know."

Saud motions to a passing servant. Whispered words and a gesture and 
the man is gone.

Adrian quirks an eyebrow and cants his head to one 
side. "Inappropriate? I sincerely hope not. The gift was sent to you 
in the most chaste of friendship, I assure you," he suggests with 
just the slightest upturn of lip.

Emylie looks at the Sardaukar, blinking several times, unsure of what 
to reply. Failing to come up with something, she steps up on the 
bottom rail and leaning over, watches the waves.

Yvgenie just shakes his head faintly. The man's about as subtle as a 
tank division.

Justine takes note of Scaurus' offer and nods once to him, gathering 
up her things before standing and moving over to where he is. She 
sits next to him with a small smile, "Good afternoon, Lord Scaurus."

A neatly pressed servant comes bearing a gift for the Lord Treasurer. 
A silver tray contains a brightly colored ice drink, pink umbrella 
and all. An inclined head, "Lord Treasurer, courtesy of Viscount 
Corrino."

Adrian just shrugs his broad shoulders and joins in the examination 
of the choppy waves ... only for a moment. "You ... did like it, 
didn't you?" he inquires, keeping his eyes upon the parting waters, 
the persistent Baron apparently not yet willing to let the matter 
rest.

Scaurus looks over to Justine as she sits and offers her a minor 
smile, the best he can summon, "Good afternoon, Lady Garamond. You're 
looking...positively radiant, today, as usual." He offers, blinking 
momentarily as he looks over to the Sardaukar. His lips upturn 
cruelly at the man's nature, and he murmurs to himself something 
about castration, before crossing his legs and looking out to the 
waves. The Treasurer's head dips back, and he blinks again, looking 
at the servant curiously and stretching his hand out to receive the 
ice drink, with complimentary fun-size pink umbrella. He looks over 
to the Viscount and nods his head thankfully in his direction, 
spinning the umbrella and taking a sip of the cocktail. His head then 
lilts to the side for the moment, and he whispers something to 
Justine.

Emylie's hair is whipped by the wind. She grins against the bright 
sunshine. "Well, yes, I did, actually." She admits, a cloud passing 
across her face, "Although I daren't wear it right now because with 
my father and all, I don't think reminding anyone I'm a Fenring is 
such a terrific idea." She looks over at the group of adults, 
watching them.

Saud inclines his head in return to the Lord Treasurer. His 
attentions shift elsewhere.

Adrian tsks and shakes his head, melancholy effecting a brief 
frown. "Well I hope it allowed you at least a moment's forgetfulness 
 from all of that, m'lady. If so, then my intent was accomplished."

Justine chuckles at the compliment that Scaurus has given to 
her, "Your words are very kind, Lord Scaurus, too kind." She eyes his 
wardrobe and asks, with a quirked brow, "Aren't you hot in that, my 
Lord? Tis a rather warm afternoon."

Justine leans over slightly when Scaurus whispers to her, listening 
to what he has to say. With a light nod, she offers a warm smile and 
quietly replies, "Of course."

Scaurus looks over to Emylie for a moment again, and leans forward in 
his place, one of those listening adults, "Is your father ill, Lady 
Fenring?" he asks, brows furrowed a little. The question seems 
strangely genuine - Scaurus seems not to know what has happened. 
While waiting for Emylie's comment, he turns to Justine momentarily, 
and whispers something more.

Saud's attention is centered now.

Emylie nods, squinting at the Sardaukar. "Oh it was deliciously 
thoughtful and very kind. It must have been so terribly expens--" She 
stops mid-sentence looking at the Treasurer in horror. Her lower lip 
begins to quiver. She sniffles.

Adrian turns, frowning faintly at Scaurus and coughing in 
interjection. "Considering this is one of few opportunities for all 
of us to enjoy ourselves, what say we leave discussions like that on 
the shore, hrmm?" he suggests with a light-hearted wink.

Yvgenie turns on Scaurus abruptly, obviously not believing the man's 
feigned ignorance. "As the Caid says, it is a subject better left for 
shore, and less pleasant occasions. Though one might advise that my 
Lord Treasurer pay better heed to what goes on in the Palace outside 
his department, busy as he no doubt is with fiscal affairs." The 
phrasing is polite enough, but Yv's tone is acid.

Saud raises a brow, eyes now on the Lord Treasurer.

Emylie turns looks of gratitude first to the Sardaukar, then to the 
Hunt Master. She turns her reddening face out to the lake, letting 
the warm breeze still her emotions.

Scaurus' brow furrows further, and he stands up very slowly from the 
chaise, putting his drink down on a nearby table, "My apologies, my 
lady, did I offend?" He looks to Saud, and then Yvgenie, perhaps for 
assistance. It may have been noticed that since the Princess' death, 
the Treasurer has isolated himself in his office. He looks to Adrian 
momentarily, "Perhaps...if I understood what difficulties the 
discussion caused. However, it doesn't seem as though this matter has 
been privy to me," he turns to look at Yvgenie, and blandly 
states, "Unlike our most esteemed hunter, I have little time for idle 
gossip and chit-chat, other than briefings with the Privy Council and 
my own informers. Clearly, those who have more than ample time for 
such social riff-raff are more informed on these matters than I," he 
then retakes his seat, glaring icily at Yvgenie for his tone of 
voice, "Clearly I had not anticipated such an adverse reaction to the 
Chancellor being ill. If I had known it to be such a serious matter, 
then certainly the question would not have been raised. Nor would it 
have been raised if I had known the -answer- to the question." He 
says, in a little bit of a huff. For once, he believes himself 
innocent of causing any harm.

Her back still to the group, facing out towards the lake, Emylie 
shakes her head. "No offense, My Lord."

Adrian attempts to disarm the situation with a broad smile. "Well 
let's all enjoy ourselves if only for a little while, shall we? I for 
one could do with a nice, stiff drink." He looks courteously towards 
the Lady Fenring. "M'lady, would you care for anything?"

Yvgenie notes, very coldly, enunciating, "It's merely Palace gossip 
that her father, the Lord Fenring has been held in relation to the 
Empress' illness? You did notice that Her Majesty had not been 
around. And if your informers had not bothered to mention it, you 
might consider finding new ones."

Saud's hazel eyes harden, though his tone stays even and fair, "Lord 
von Ritter, it is clear the Lord Treasurer meant no harm."

Scaurus sips from the fruity drink from Saud and does not deign to 
look up at 
Yvgenie when answering his question, "You tend to animals, my lord. 
Let the rest of us handle the difficult matters," he then takes 
another sip of his drink, tone carrying a sharp edge to it. As Saud 
speaks, the Treasurer nods his way, "Thank you my lord. And my 
apologies in general to you all for being somewhat defensive. I am 
rather taken aback by the sudden..." he pauses, waving his hand, "No 
matter. We'll speak of happier things."

Swallowing, Emylie turns back to the group, forcing a gay 
smile. "Yes, please," she says to Adrian. "Melange milk please with 
chocolate sauce." She takes the few steps to cross to Yvgenie and 
sits down in one of the recliners. Closing her eyes she basks in the 
warm glow of the bright Kaitain sun.

Yvgenie couches his terms as an apology, though there's no real 
regret evident in his voice. "Indeed. When you notice the difficult 
matters, assuming you do. Of course, my lord," he continues, 
addressing himself to Saud. "Forgive me. I merely found it disturbing 
that one of the Imperium's high officials was..ignorant of such an 
urgent matter, near at hand."

Adrian looks to a servant and insists upon Lady Fenring's drink, as 
well as a tiny triple of Scotch for himself, no ice, nodding in 
approval when they at length arrive. He wastes no time in taking a 
large swig of the alcohol and grunting in satisfaction as it burns 
down his throat.

Emylie slurps her drink daintily through a straw.

Justine was about to respond to Scaurus' whisper when the verbal 
confrontation ensues. She sits there in silence, listening to the 
exchange with a stiff back and somewhat widened eyes. Once things 
calm down, she reaches over and places a hand over Scaurus' while 
leaning over to whisper something to him.

Lightly, just lightly, Justine's hand is stroked by Scaurus' thumb, 
and he furrows his brows in that serious manner of his, listening 
intently to her and then whispering back. For now, it seems the 
Treasurer has removed himself from the group somewhat.

Saud nods slowly, and takes part himself in the movement to busy his 
mouth wordlessly.

Emylie addresses herself to Saud, "You know, My Lord, I may finally 
have leave to visit the Ecazian villa you did give to me for my 
birthday."

Justine's head shakes lightly to Scaurus, her hand not moving away 
 from his, then whispers a reply.

Adrian looks to the Lady Fenring once more, his countenance turning 
fond at the mention of Ecaz. "You've a home on Ecaz, m'lady? You're 
very lucky to be able to enjoy so unique a climate as that. One 
really cannot appreciate all the marvelous varieties of flora until 
exposed to an environment where there is virtually nothing. If you 
haven't been there yet, you're in for a treat. It's truly 
spectacular."

Scaurus raises a brow curiously, sipping again from his drink, "A 
report?" he murmurs to Justine, thumb still idly stroking her 
delicate skin. He leans a little closer now, and that robed leg of 
his is almost touching Justine's.

Saud's drink comes back to rest at the ship's rail. "It would be a 
nice change of pace, My Lady. I do hope you can leave soon. There is 
a festival at mid-month."

Emylie perks up, looking at the Sardaukar, "Is that so? I've never 
been there. Do you go a lot? Maybe you should come too and that way 
you could show me all the interesting places to go?" She bounces 
excitedly. "You should come too My Lord," she says to Saud.

Adrian hardly needs to be invited twice in such a circumstance as 
this, and happily nods in agreement. "I would be only too happy to 
accompany you, m'lady. Some of that flora is on the dangerous side, 
you know. And I know of some out-of-the-way places to visit, like a 
series of phenomenal rosate waterfalls, sheer rock cliffs hundreds of 
feet high covered in roses of hundreds of different colors. Amazing."

Saud's thin lips now slip to port.

Justine nods lightly to Scaurus as she pats one of the military 
filmbooks in her lap with a free hand. A twisted grin crosses her 
lips and her eyes take on a somewhat sadistic look as she mutters in 
return, "Yes."

Scaurus blinks for a moment, then, noticing that grin, he grins also, 
evilly. It seems sadism is contagious, at least for the Treasurer, 
and he leans in ever closer to whisper something.

Emylie stares unabashedly at the Treasurer and Justine, her naive 
eyes watching each movement, noting each touch. She wears a curious 
expression.

Adrian leans in to mutter something softly to the Lady Fenring.
Adrian mutters to you, "Pay them no mind, m'lady. Amateurs."

Saud's gaze follows that of Emylie, and his eyes widen noticeably.

Justine listens closely to Scaurus' whisper and then breaks out into 
a hearty laugh while shaking her head lightly back and forth, "Oh 
gosh no!" After her laughter subsides into a light giggle, she leans 
over, cupping her hand around his ear so that it's even harder to 
overhear the conversation, and whispers....

Scaurus blinks momentarily, shaking his head at Justine's words. He 
doesn't seem to notice, or perhaps doesn't pay attention to, Emylie's 
staring.

Confusedly, Emylie turns to the Sardaukar. Enlightenment dawning, she 
flushes a deep rosy red. "O-oh," she stammers. "I-I wouldn't know."

Adrian again tsks, in exaggerated forlorn. "That's a pity, m'lady. As 
with the flowers of Ecaz, a blush becomes you nicely," he submits 
with a grin.

Justine nods lightly to Scaurus, offering a warm smile to the 
Treasurer, "We'll discuss it when we reach shore, then. Where we can 
have more privacy." She hesitates and then adds, "If that is 
permissible with you, My Lord."

Comments on the state of Emylie's reddened cheeks only serve to 
inflame them all the more. Self-consciously, she sucks at the straw, 
opting not to respond.
Scaurus pats Justine's hands, and then squeezes it, just a 
little, "Of course..." he responds, looking at her with eyes that 
seem strangely deep than their usual cold exterior.

Who says that music is the only thing that can soothe the savage 
beast? With a brilliant smile, Justine nods lightly to Scaurus and 
then asks, "Everyone seems to have been given a drink but myself. I'm 
becoming rather parched in this warm sun." Her smile turns to a grin 
as she adds, "Which, by the way, you never answered me, Lord Scaurus. 
Are you not hot in those robes?"

Adrian winks at the blushing Emylie and is not about to relent when 
he has her, yet again, in a state of fluster. "See, m'lady? That's 
far preferable to the frown you sported earlier and the time we last 
met. I'd much prefer to never see you again with anything on save 
that blush."

Scaurus raises his hand momentarily, and clicks for a servant, who, 
with usual Corrino work ethic, responds immediately. The Treasurer 
then sips his own drink and chuckles raspily, "You may have noticed 
that seldom do I ever change from these robes. They are of...great 
value to me. Deeply emotional, covered in..." he looks at Justine and 
then chuckles again, "But I bore. What drink would you like, my lady?"

Saud slips away from the rail and into one of the many lounges on the 
interior of the ship.

Justine nods lightly to Scaurus, "Yes, I have noticed that you rarely 
change. Perhaps it's time that you do. Change doesn't have to be bad, 
you know. Sometimes, it's rather refreshing." Her head then 
shakes, "Whatever you recommend, it doesn't matter to me."

"To some," Scaurus merely states, then holds up his glass, "Another 
of these thank you, for the lady." He looks to Justine for a moment, 
offering her his straw, "Do try it first, I'd hate you to have to 
drink for mere politeness. It's Ecazian, a tropical fruit drink," he 
murmurs, then, attempting to smile, "I believe the Viscount didn't 
think I knew what it was. It's the newest flavour among bars on 
Kaitain."

Emylie squirms uncomfortably under the Sardaukar's intense 
scrutiny. "Oh!" she exclaims. "Um, I-I, well, uh." She gives up, 
draining the remainder of her melange milk.

Adrian looks attentively to the Lady Fenring's ... glass. Yeah, 
that's it. "M'lady, can I get you another milk? Or would you care for 
something stronger?"

Justine's lips curl into a grin as she takes the drink with a 
nod, "Very well then." Her lips part just enough for the straw to 
enter and then close gently around it, sucking the liquid gently 
through the thin plastic tube. Her eyes roll up slightly as she 
tastes the sweetness and then back down to Scaurus, her head nodding 
in approval with a smile, "Oh yes, this is very good."

Scaurus gulps visibly at Justine's intake of the drink, then turns. 
His parlay with the lady seems to be a whole lot -less- innocent then 
the dance Emylie and Adrian are taking, and the Treasurer sips his 
own drink, a slight blush appearing on his cheeks, "Indeed...ah..an 
excellent drink." His eyes widen slightly, and his voice breaks at 
the start of the next sentence, "So ah...oh...ahem, excuse me," he 
says, coughing, and crossing his legs, "You enjoy the outdoors?"

Emylie nods quickly at Adrian, "Yes please. Another." Setting her 
glass down on the table, she shyly wraps her arms across her chest.

Adrian waves away the servants and passes to a minibar to refill the 
Lady Fenring's beverage himself (and slip a rufie into it, likely as 
not!), carefully measuring the melange milk and adding the chocolate, 
apparently familiar with the beverage. But he adds something else as 
well, a sprinkle of freshly-ground nutmeg to top it off. Bringing it 
back in a frosty glass, he grins in appreciation. "Here, m'lady. This 
is the way I always made it for my sister."

Justine's brow rises with curiosity at Scaurus' reaction, haven't 
seen it before and is intrigued. Her lips curl back into a grin as 
she says, "Yes, I do. I find that basking in the warmth of the sun's 
rays is most relaxing and soothing. Perhaps you should try it 
sometime."

Emylie innocently takes the glass, sucking at it quickly. She 
wrinkles her nose, not caring for the nutmeg, but is too polite to 
comment. "Thank you, My Lord."

Adrian attends to his own refreshed glass of scotch and lifts it in a 
toast. "I hope you like it, m'lady. Never much cared for anything 
that sweet myself, but my sister to this day refuses to drink 
anything else," he informs fondly.

Emylie sits back on the recliner, bringing her knees to her chest. "I 
agree with your sister," she announces bravely, tucking her skirts 
modestly around her feet, making sure nothing inappropriate might be 
peeking out. She seems to have inherited the Empress' attitudes 
towards indecent exposure.

Scaurus mmmm's momentarily, looking out to the sun and the 
waves, "Unfortunately, such exposure to the sun has never been my 
most avid interest. Although it can be refreshing at times, I much 
prefer quieter, shady places. I enjoy the hunt, on occasion, as long 
as the game is good, intelligent. Nothing too easy to catch. Cheops 
is an interest of mine, also...however you might imagine my greatest 
interest is books and knowledge," he gestures to his 
filmbooks, "Poetry and ecology. Just two of a wide variety of 
subjects I enjoy reading. Not that I would call myself an authority 
on either," he says, with a light chuckle. The servant returns with 
the cocktail for Justine, and he looks back out to the waves.

And look where it got the Empress. The Baron is of course too polite 
to register his disappointment, and settles down on a nearby lounge 
chair himself, sighing as he stretches out his long legs. "It's 
marvelous to be able to enjoy a sun that isn't going to slough the 
skin off your bones, isn't it?" he asks plainly and levelly as you 
please.

"Pardon?" Emylie shakes her head. "What do you mean?"

Justine's brow arches at Scaurus as she looks to him with great 
intrigue, "Poetry? Really?" She offers a gentle smile to her 
companion as she replies, "I adore poetry. Would it be asking too 
much, if I asked you to read me some?" Once again, she takes the 
straw into her mouth, sucking slowly on the fruity drink.

Adrian takes a deep pull from his scotch. "I've spent more than a 
decade on a world where overexposure to the sun will pick your bones 
cleaner than any vulture, m'lady. That much radiation in the 
atmosphere will do that to you," he educates the Lady Fenring in a 
morbidly cheerful tone. "To say nothing of some of the indigenous 
wildlife. How that parasitic bird ever got in Johnson's pants, I'll 
never know ..." he muses to himself softly.

Scaurus looks down at the filmbook momentarily, then over to the Caid 
with a frown. He quietly observes to the Sardaukar's 
conversation, "It isn't usual to speak of Sardaukar training or their 
location...is it, my lord?" He says, musing more to himself. It isn't 
a direct, open threat, perhaps a form of friendly reminder, should 
the Lady Emylie prove too inquisitive, and the Baron's lips too 
eager...for one thing or another. He then turns to Justine again, "I 
would love to read you some poetry, my lady, when time permits. For 
the moment, however, I would enjoy your company and conversation far 
more than my own bland readings."

Emylie wrinkles her nose, unable to hide her distaste at the very 
thought. Swallowing she clumsily attempts to change the subject. "How 
long have you been on Kaitain, My Lord Baron?"

Circling, the yacht slowly turns, heading back in towards the 
Imperial docks. The bright sun has now shifted throwing Lady Justine 
and Lord Scaurus directly in it's light.

Adrian shoots a dry glance at Scaurus, "It would seem you have your 
hands ... full enough, m'lord," he retorts before looking back to 
Emylie. "Oh ... a few days, m'lady. And that is having been absent 
 from it for most of my life, now."

"Really? Me too." Emylie smiles shyly. "I mean, being away from 
Kaitain for most of my life. Not only having been here a few days." 
She giggles nervously. "I've been here almost two years now."

Adrian leans forward on his chair, intent in his conversation with 
Emylie. "Is that a fact? Well, it would seem you have me already at a 
disadvantage, m'lady. If I am to show you around Ecaz, maybe you 
could reintroduce me to the rest of Kaitain?"

Justine sighs lightly to Scaurus, her hand waving off the other two 
lightly while saying, "My Lord, leave them be. Their conversation is 
theirs, not ours." She smiles softly to her companion, "We have all 
the time we need right now. I think it is most perfect. Please, 
indulge me?" When the warm rays of the sun casts down on her, she 
sets her filmbooks on the table nearby so that she can stretch out on 
the lounge.

Emylie pulls on her ear lobe then rubs at her eye. "Oh. Ahh, I don't 
really think you want me to do that." She squints over at 
Adrian. "I've never been anywhere but Kaitain City. My Father has all 
his estates on this planet and I've never even seen those. Only 
except, I think my parents may have taken me when I was really young, 
but obviously I wouldn't remember that. I have all these aunts that I 
don't even know, you know, mmmm."

Adrian sits up to fold a leg underneath himself casually on the 
lounge chair. "Well you know Kaitain City better than I do, 
nonetheless. It's been nearly twenty years and three emperors ago 
that I last went out into the city."

Giggling, Emylie observes, "I wasn't even born by then."

Adrian chuckles at the jibe. "I'm not all that much older than you, 
you know."

Scaurus coughs and reaches for the filmbook, "Very well." He states, 
gathering a poem which may be fitting to the situation. He spots one, 
and ah's to himself, "This one is one of my favourites. It reflects 
the changes among Kaitain and other planets in the Imperium." 

 "Once, when she was four years old,
she took the hand of her father
and stepped over the puddles left
in the potholes from the rainstorm.

One puddle was underneath an exhaust pipe.
It shone with oily colors: swirls of red, yellow, green.

"Daddy, I see a dead rainbow."

Her father clutched his heart
because it was such a beautiful thing
for her to say.

The years have gone fast.

Here she is now,
thirty-one years old, trying
to breath new life into a dead bird,
mouth to beak,
with her own small son watching
very carefully.

(OOC) Scaurus says, "As per Justine's orders. :P Since I obviously 
have to relate it to D3, I would still like to mention that the poem 
was written by Jessica Anthony, and is (C) her 2002."

Falling silent to listen to the recitation, Emylie scowls at the 
mention of fathers. Rising, she walks to the aft part of the boat, 
looking out at the wake caused by the boats journey through the water.

As the boat slowly chugs towards home, the Imperial docks grow 
larger. The crew begins the preliminary preparations for docking 
though the boat remains some distance away.

Adrian notices the Lady Fenring's discomfiture and, rising, passes 
himself after her towards the aft. His brows furrowing in concern, he 
leans in for a whisper.

Scaurus closes the filmbook very slowly, a somewhat disturbed look on 
his face as he does, "It was written for the famous planetologist, 
Dr. Kellie Tregor, and her son, who also became a planetologist, I 
believe. She actively protested against many of CHOAM's industries 
which had begun to invade various rainforests and tropical areas 
during the 6th millennium. It was, strangely, one of the few acts 
that was consented by several members of the Landsraad, and CHOAM 
agreed with the Doctor on many of her matters, though somewhat 
reluctantly. Many of the tropical rainforests and other areas she 
protested against becoming industries were saved, and remain today." 
He says this all with some greater, deep meaning, as if he feels for 
this passionate woman and her cause, "Most tragically, her and her 
son were assassinated by unknown assailants not long after CHOAM's 
decision."

Adrian mutters to you, "Remember what I said about frowns, now. They 
don't become you, m'lady."

Justine is...well....stunned by the words. If she didn't know better, 
she'd think it was written about her. She just sits there, staring 
blankly at Scaurus in silence. It's not often that Justine is 
speechless, but this is one of them.

Lifting her large green eyes to the Sardaukar, Emylie observes, "One 
doesn't always get what one desires, My Lord Baron."

Adrian exchanges a challenging if levitous glance with Emylie. "Speak 
for yourself, m'lady. A superior will realizes all desires."

Scaurus turns to his drink again, and, breaking the silence, says 
somewhat awkwardly, "We're almost at the harbor."

Emylie has no response to this so she nods politely while looking out 
across the water, watching a cormorant fishing.

Justine blinks out of her 'shock' and then looks around to see what 
Scaurus is talking about. Noticing that port is nearby, she nods 
lightly with a small smile, "Yes, it appears that way, doesn't it?"

Scaurus responds blandly, as per Scaurus, "I imagine it couldn't 
appear anyway else, my lady..." and finishes his drink, putting the 
empty glass to the side.

Adrian joins in the survey of local wildlife as the yacht nears the 
docks once more, reaching out and only just missing the argent flash 
of a fish as it leaps out of the water, somersaults through the air, 
and dips again beneath the surface, its quicksilver tail whipping to 
hurtle it into the depths.

As the Captain cuts the engines, the boat finally coasts up to the 
docks completing the three hour tour. The crew scrambles to tie the 
boat down and prepare the gangplank for the noble guests. Smiling 
sweetly to the Sardaukar, Emylie turns to lean against the rail and 
watch the crew bustle about.

Adrian winks in encouragement of Emylie. "There you are, m'lady," he 
insists, "I willed for you to smile long enough, and you did, eh?"

Justine smirks wryly to Scaurus, "Come now, My Lord. Just because we 
have returned, doesn't mean that the sourness should." Her smirk 
unfolds into a warm smile, "You were beginning to enjoy yourself, 
don't stop now."

Emylie rolls her eyes having been caught smiling. "You're always 
right, mmmm, My Lord Baron?"

Adrian shakes his head and is only too swift in retorting, "Not 
always, no. There are plenty of things I'm still quite ignorant of. 
But no place for a proper education like the Imperial palace on 
Kaitain, now is there?"

Begrudgingly, Emylie admits, "Yes, I guess that is true. I learned 
like nothing when I lived on Hasrith and ever since I moved back here 
almost all my time is spent in lessons for this or that or whatever."

The gangplank has been established, linking the boat to land. 
Liveried servants stand ready to assist departure.

Adrian nods, sighing wistfully. "Even when you've finished schooling, 
the lessons go on, I'm afraid. I don't believe they ever end, but ... 
well ... at least it keeps life interesting."

Emylie's Noukkers hover on the shore, anxious to resume their duties.

Scaurus snaps out of his musing at the waves, and turns to 
Justine, "Hm? Bitter? Yes, well..." is all he states, collecting his 
filmbooks, "One can hardly rest for long around here," he says, 
blandly, before reaching out to touch Justine on the 
shoulder, "Though this has been a most interesting day...perhaps 
you'd like to join me for a drink in my office. We have...matters to 
discuss, don't we?" he questions, raising a brow.

Justine's eyes watch Scaurus stands and speaks to her. With a light 
nod, she smiles and offers her hand to him, so that he might help her 
up, "Sounds wonderful. Do I need to change first or is what I'm 
wearing acceptable?"

Adrian sighs and looks at the dour-faced Noukkers at the dock. "Well, 
here we are. Safe and sound." He offers a short and courteous bow to 
the Lady Fenring. "Thank you for a delightful afternoon, m'lady."

Spying the Noukkers, Emylie scowls. Suddenly, she's extremely 
flirtatious, resting her hand on the Sardaukar's arm. "Would you be 
so kind as to escort me off the boat, My Lord Baron?"

Scaurus takes Justine's hand lightly, helping her off the 
gangplank, "If you'd care to change, I shan't object, my lady. It 
might be wise, given the grieving period..." he notes, stepping off 
the docks with bikini lady in hand. It seems as though this -is- the 
love boat, indeed.

Adrian pats the hand across his arm fondly and nods. "Of course," he 
agrees, leading the way. "Your guards will doubtless be relieved to 
find you in such good hands, hrmm?"

Emylie nods repeatedly, "Oh quite." All the same, she glares 
surreptitiously at the Noukkers, almost triumphantly.

Adrian leads the way down the gangplank, Emylie on arm and a twinkle 
in his eyes, which the Noukkers are bound to notice.

Justine nods lightly to Scaurus with a smile, "Then I shall do so. I 
will meet you in your office in say.....30 minutes? After being out 
here for so long, I need to freshen up as well."



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