Imperial Interrogation #1

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

Office of the Imperial Mentat -- Imperial Palace (Kaitain)(#3122RatM)

        The Imperial Mentat's office is a study in elegance and 
utilitarian design. A plenicenta plant, giving off a sweet aroma, 
resides in an opaline pot seated to the left of the door. An immense 
shigawire reel case fashioned from rich Ecazian mahogany stands to 
the right of the mentat's desk, encompassing the north wall. In the 
southwest corner of the office is a locked display case constructed 
of metaglass and ebony.

        A large, smoky grey metaglass desk commands the room from the 
east, an elegant cheops pyramid inhabiting its lower left-hand side. 
On the lower right-hand side of the desk is a worn, but well-
maintained mnemonic view flasher.

        A large leather suspensor chair sits behind the desk. Behind 
the chair along the east wall sits a small cooling unit with a box of 
empty sapho vials placed in an orderly manner on its top surface. 
Above, and on the wall is an ego-likeness of His Imperial Majesty, 
Erich I. Two suspensor chairs for guests rest in front of the 
metaglass desk, and the entire area is illuminated by a glowglobe 
which hovers above, the light somewhat obscuring a cone of silence 
embedded in the ceiling.

                   (OOC NOTE: Type '+places/help')
Players:
 Adrick                                            
Exits:
 Painted Door <NW> leads to Chambers of the Imperial Chancery - 
Imperial Palace (Kaitain)
Adrian emerges through the painted door from the Chambers of the 
Chancery.
Adrian has arrived.

Adrick sits behind his desk barely aware of those who have just 
entered. He sits reading a piece of mail, the broken emblem of the 
Lion Throne visibly stamped on the front. On either side of him, 
stacks of folders and filmbooks are piled high. "Ah, Lady Fenring, 
Baron... please have a seat. His Majesty, the Padishah Emperor has 
asked me to look into the incident with the Empress. It is time, Lady 
Fenring that we had a serious talk."

Emylie Fenring enters the room, affably enough considering the mood 
of the Palace these days. She carries a small jar of amber colored 
liquid in her hands. "Master Manjit," she begins, "I received your 
request for a meet--" She trails off as Adrick addresses her. She 
blinks once, nodding.

Adrian quirks an eyebrow as he enters and so swiftly addressed, but 
leave it to a human computer of all people to be ever a step ahead. 
He flashes an amiable enough smile and looks over to the Lady 
Fenring, brow knitting as the subject is broached, concern evident 
which he manages to hide behind a cough, gesturing to a seat for 
Emylie to precede him in sitting. "Master Manjit," he returns 
attentions to the Mentat, "I trust precautions have been taken to 
assure that there are no ... ah ... eyes and ears which could 
possibly be eavesdropping?"

Emylie begins to look slightly concerned. Nevertheless, she slips 
into the indicated chair, trying to keep composed.

Adrick folds the letter and places it to the side. "Security has told 
me that they have checked the room thoroughly. But because of the 
recent breaches, I checked and did a sweep of my own. We may speak 
privately." Adrick fidgets in his chair. He then folds his hands and 
props them on the table. "I need you to tell me the truth of what you 
know of this incident with the Empress. What did you witness during 
this alleged attack?"

Emylie folds her hands demurely in her lap, her eyes darting from 
Adrick to Adrian, a question hovering there. "Did-Do you mean me or 
him?" she asks, her voice cracking.

Adrian chuckles, injecting some measure of levity into an otherwise 
tense and grim situation, as he himself follows suit in taking a 
seat. "I believe he meant you, Lady Fenring, seeing how I was still 
on Salusa Secundus at the time, I could hardly have witnessed the 
incident."

Adrick looks at Emylie with a concerned look on his face. "yes, 
indeed Lady Fenring, please tell me what you remember."

"Oh." Emylie rubs at her left eye. "I don't know what I witnessed. I 
brought tea to Her Majesty. We drank it. Then she became ill and 
started bleeding. Then My Father came in." She pauses, forcibly 
steadying her breath before continuing. "He was very horrible and say 
very cruel things and said that he did it to her because she deserved 
it." She breaks off again, looking askance, hiding her face. Still 
unable to look up, she says, her voice laden with emotion. "I ran for 
the Hegemon and then for the Suk."

Adrian cannot disguise the wince which creases his handsome features 
as he listens to the story. Things certainly do not look good for the 
good Chancellor. "Lady Fenring, did your father state -why- the 
Empress apparently deserved this cruel and unfortunate consequence?"

Biting on her lower lid, eyes troubled, Emylie nods.

Adrick nods slowly, his expression showing little signs of sympathy. 
He dismounts the chair with great difficulty and then walks around to 
the front of the desk. Leaning against it, he nods as Adrian 
speaks,"Tell me then his reason for this heinous attack. "

Emylie stares down at her hands as she speaks. Her voice is so low, 
only those with good hearing could possibly understand her 
words, "It's because of me. My fault."

Adrick stares down at the floor for a clear moment of thought. "Where 
did you get the tea from Lady Fenring? Perhaps you poisoned it 
yourself?"
You paged Adrian with 'technically that's what I am. his assistant. 
the rest is just a schoolgirl crush of Emylie's based on the fact she 
needs a real father figure'.

Emylie's head whips up and she glares at the Mentat. "I did no such 
thing," she announces angrily.

Erich emerges through the painted door from the Chambers of the 
Chancery.

Adrian frowns at the Mentat. "Come, Master, let us not make 
accusations here. The Lady should be given chance to acquit herself, 
shouldn't she?"

Adrick stares up at Emylie not yet noticing the Emperor's arrival. He 
begins to nearly shout, "You hated your father for bringing you here, 
for not being there for you. For making your life here misarable and 
intolerable. No matter what your father may have said its not 
criminal. NOW you have a way to get rid of him, and perhaps even 
return home. YOU brought the intrument of this heinous attack. WHERE 
exactly did you get this tea from, Lady Fenring?"

Erich purses his lips slightly, eyes keen upon the mentat as he 
speaks his piece.

As Adrick looks up, he sees the Emperor standing near the doorway. He 
bows very deeply, "Majesty, please come and sit down. Please sit in 
my chair if you wish."

Emylie's gaze follows Adrick's. Looking over her shoulder she sees 
Erich and quickly rises to her feet. The small jar she was carrying 
rolls off her lap hitting the floor with a loud clunk. She starts to 
pick it up, thinks better of it and starts to curtsy awkwardly 
instead. Proper curtsy completed, she stoops down retrieving the jaw. 
Annoyed at the Mentat, she thrusts the jar at him, arm 
extended. "This is for you," she says holding out a jar of honey made 
 from her own beehives.

Adrian quickly rises at the entrance of the Emperor, smiling faintly 
and snapping to a perfectly-executed salute. "Your Majesty."

Erich simply shakes his head at the mentat's offer. He allows a 
slight half-grin at Adrian, as though some sort of unspoken bit of 
humor passes between them, but then resumes his brusque 
manner, "Carry on, mentat."

Adrick takes the honey from Emylie and places the jar on the desk. He 
makes his way back around to his chair. Gasping, he manages to climb 
back into it. He leans over as much as he can and stares down at the 
woman. "I am going to have you arrested as well Lady Fenring if I 
don't get answers. I will ask again, where did the tea come from? If 
your father is soley responsible, explain how did he manage to poison 
it?"

Once the Mentat has taken the honey, she drops her arm, avoiding 
looking at him though anger burns brightly in her eyes. "I went to 
the kitchens," she says in a sulky tone. "I asked which tray was for 
Her Majesty. I've done just that dozens of times before. I picked it 
up and took it to Her. I didn't know. I wish I had known because if I 
had I woulda tossed the whole thing in My Father's face instead." 
Appealing to the Emperor, she pleads, "I really didn't know, Majesty. 
Truly."

Adrian blinks blithely at the Mentat's grilling. "With all due 
respect, Master Adrick, I think the Imperial Truthsayer is all that 
is required to assure the veracity of Lady Fenring's statements. Is 
there really any need for these tactics?"

Erich's look is stony, and he chooses to comment on neither Lady 
Fenring's denial nor Adrian's protestations. Instead, he simply holds 
his silence as though watching for something... something in 
particular, perhaps?

Adrick leans back into his chair, "If it is His Majesty's desire, so 
be it. Call the truthsayer. It is not within my perview. But my 
calculations so far predict that the Chancellor is not acting alone, 
and perhaps not at all. Some piece of the puzzle is missing, and 
calcuated odds are that Lady Fenring knows of it. Whether she 
realizes it or not remains to be see. She MAY be an inocent pawn in 
this game. She may not. I have not concluded assimilating data as of 
yet."

Finding no solace or forgiveness from His Majesty, Emylie sinks back 
into her chair, deflated. "I don't know how He did it. I truly don't. 
I only know that He did because He said He did." She sighs 
wearily. "If I knew I would certainly tell you. Alls I know is that I 
wish He wasn't My Father."

Adrian nods in swift agreement. "I do concur with you, Master, and 
putting together all of these intricate threads is far more your 
province than mine, but I suggest that we attempt another tack with 
this investigation." He looks to the Lady Fenring. "Do you remember 
which of the kitchen staff was on duty that day? I have an immensely 
hard time believing that the Chancellor is familiar enough with the 
Emperor's pantries to have arranged the tea service on his own. If 
nothing else, someone had to have prepared the tea."

Emylie frowns in deep concentration. "Cookie wasn't there," she 
begins, thinking intently. "Yasmine said She had gone out to get 
something special for His Majesty's supper." Her eyes flicker 
involuntarily to Erich. "Umm. OH! I know." She smiles 
brightly. "Gaspard was there too! I know because I remember thinking 
that if he was there why did My Father make me go to the kitchens 
when he could have brought it up to me."

Out of the stack of filmbooks on his desk, Adrick places one in front 
of him. "I also may have answer to that Baron. I have reviewed the 
staff records, including recent aquistions to the kitchen staff. It 
appears that when Lady Fenring moved here from her homeworld at the 
same time several of the kitchen staff were hired. Cooincidently, 
they were working on the night of this attack. Its entirely 
circumstantial, but it could mean we may have a conspiracy. I advise 
that we look again at those who were hired but do so covertly."

Adrian rubs his chin and nods. "Perhaps," he allows, "Although any 
engineering of their hiring for nefarious purposes could have been at 
the hands of her father." He looks back to Lady Fenring and allows a 
pleasant, disalarming smile. "M'lady, tell us, who is this Gaspard 
fellow, and is he connected to your father in some way?"

"He's My Father's valet." Emylie looks anxiously from one man to the 
other, certain she has found the answer you want.

Adrick places another of the filmbooks in front of him, then looks up 
suddenly. "Hmm, valet? And where is this Gispard fellow now?"

Adrian leans forward intently. "Your father's valet, is he? How long 
has he been with Lord Fenring, and how loyal would you say he is to 
your father's general desires?"

Addressing herself to Adrian, Emylie replies, "I don't really know. I 
think a long time actually, like since before I came back to Kaitain."

Adrian shoots a glance at the Mentat. "Perhaps we should have this 
Gaspard brought in for interrogation?"

Adrick nods slowly peering down at the filmbook, "yes, in fact I want 
to question the whole staff. These records do not indicate that this 
Gispard fellow was on duty that night. But, that does not mean he 
wasn't there. I want to know if anyone else saw him there that night. 
Lady's Fenring's statements will need verification."

Adrian looks measuringly at Lady Fenring. "Didn't you say that there 
was someone else in the kitchens as well? A Yasmine?"

Emylie bristles at the implication. "I'm no liar." She glares at 
Adrick before turning pointedly to Adrian. "Yes Yasmine. She's one of 
the scullery maids." Emylie swallows, looks fairly embarrassed. "I-
I've had cause to get to know them well." Her cheeks color pink.

Adrian gets a gleam in his eyes, the Baron apparently intrigued at 
this statement. "In ... what kind of way, m'lady. Pray, tell."

You hear a knocking coming from the Chambers of the Imperial 
Chancery - Imperial Palace (Kaitain).

Adrick looks up momentarily and shouts, "Enter!"

Pavel emerges through the painted door from the Chambers of the 
Chancery.

Emylie lowers her head, keeping eye contact with the Baron. Her 
embarrassed discomfiture only grows as she begins to explain. "Umm, 
well, I kinda got punished and had to scrub pots and all, see." She 
trails off, looking hopeful that this will suffice.

Erich stands silently, arms folded across his chest. He watches 
closely as Adrian and Adrick question the Lady Fenring.

Adrick looks at woman unimpressed. "Majesty, I advise that you at 
least restrict the movents of Lady Fenring, I advise that she not 
leave the Palace grounds. This information regarding the kitchen 
staff is not as of yet, exculpitory."

Pavel enters, a fairly good sized file folder stuffed under his 
arm. "Master Manjit, I have those... files..." He looks around, not 
quite sure what he's stepped in on. "Uhm... those files you asked 
for."

Adrian looks over his shoulder at Pavel, inquiring dryly, "Shall I 
get fetch some more chairs?"

Emylie rolls her eyes, speaking with attitude. "Like I leave the 
Palace anyway." Her eyes dart to Pavel, expression softening 
immediately.

Adrick looks up as Pavel enters, "Lord Justiciar, ah very good. Just 
what I have been waiting for. Please..." he stretches his hand 
out. "These files may explain a great of things."

Involuntarily, Emylie starts to rise and go to Pavel. She stops 
herself, sitting back down with a *thump*. Shyly, she smiles at him.

Pavel glances around the room, offering a brief nod to Emylie, a bow 
to the Emperor. As he hands over the file, "I doubt they will answer 
as many questions as they will create. It seems that the attacker was 
augmented in some way."

Erich's expression is cold and without emotion, "Have I not already 
granted you authority to pursue this matter as you see fit, mentat? 
Any permission regarding Lady Fenring's detainment may be granted by 
the Lord Justiciar, here." His voice rings out flat and hard, like 
steel against stone.

Adrian frowns thoughtfully at the Lord Justiciar. "Augmented? In what 
fashion?"

Adrick looks at the files for a brief moment. He places them in a 
different pile on the other side of the desk. He sighs and then 
speaks to the Baron, "These matters are regarding the attack on Lady 
Jenaa. Due to great deficits in the collected data, I have been 
unable to formulate any calculations therefore no conclusions as of 
yet. Soon though, we WILL know the truth."

Erich interjects coldly, "You mean -Her Highness- Jenaa."

Erich nods to Adrian’s comment and adds, "And yes, I believe the 
matter at hand is the poisoning of the Empress. Let us not become 
derailed."

Pavel nods in agreement with Adrick and offers to Adrian, "Yes... but 
I know of very few people who can cause blunt trauma with a single 
blow, as well as move a marble bench a full six inces with the force 
of that blow." He pauses a moment to let that fact sink in, then to 
the point at hand, "What gives you cause to suggest detaining the 
Lady Fenring?"

Emylie's eyes widen at this suggestion. "Oh no," she says shaking her 
head. "I couldn't do that. That is soo scary."

Adrian shrugs his broad shoulders. "It is the Master here who is 
suggesting her detainment. I think if we allow her free range and 
give cause for the perpetrator or his assistants to feel they can 
confide in her, she will draw them out for us."

Adrick lowers his head, "My apologies, Your Majesty. But of course, 
Her Majesty Jenaa. All of those involved must remain on the grounds 
for now. I also suggest a freeze on any new employees and detailed 
manifest of all those are not employed or reside within the palace. 
For the time being restrict the movement of the general public and 
only allow those with business reasons to enter the Palace. I'm still 
unconvinced of her inocence. If she is to have free range, security 
should know of her whereabouts at all times."

Adrian suggests flatly, "I think between His Majesty's Noukkers and 
the Sardaukar that we can manage that, yes."

Erich speaks softly, but the effect is almost that of a growl, "-
Highness-. A mentat must pay attention to details..."

Erich clears his throat and opens the door. He exits without comment, 
and closes the door behind himself with a loud 'thud'.
Erich pulls open the painted door, disappearing to the Chambers of 
the Chancery.

Slade emerges through the painted door from the Chambers of the 
Chancery.
Slade has arrived.

Pavel nods in agreement with the Emperor, "Yes, Imperial Majesty... 
quite. I believe the Lady should be given range of the Palace, but 
security should not be far from hand. If she is in danger, we should 
aim to protect her as a witness. Understood?"

Emylie's eyes flit from Adrick to Adrian to Pavel and back again to 
Adrian and Adrick. "Are you saying you think I had something to do 
with the death of Her Highness Jenaa? Because I assure you I didn't." 
She appeals to Pavel. "Tell them so they know I didn't."

Adrian corrects with an exaggerated gruffness to emulate the absent 
Erich, "Her -Majesty-."

Pavel nods to Emylie, "If you did nothing, you have nothing to fear." 
Then, in a stern tone directed to Adrick and Adrian, "I will not 
prosecute anyone who cannot be proven complicit in either the matter 
of Her Highness, or Her Majesty. Understood?"

Adrick looks at the woman unemotional. "We have a number of 
interrogations to do and other avenues to investigate. One great 
piece of the puzzle is missing. An important piece of data that makes 
calculations difficult. We will eventually get to the truth in these 
matters as well. "

The door swings open to allow the Hegemon in to the room. The beast 
does not venture far in to the office but halts shortly after 
entering in. Not to make any noise, he keeps his silence from his 
battle-wrecked lips. His stoic face holds only the coldness of his 
black heart.

Adrian looks back at the entrance of the black-hearted beast, "Ah, 
good, the Hegemon. Whatever interrogations you have, I expect his 
pain amplifier or perhaps a few hours of conversation will be 
sufficient to extract any information whatsoever."

Pavel glances to the Hegemon with a scowl, then back to the 
Mentat, "Also... I would appreciate any reports of any further 
interrogations, as I may wish to be present."

Adrian nods in agreement. "Ditto."

Emylie swallows dryly, fear in her eyes. Still she mounts a brave 
front, tossing her curls she announces, "I have absolutely no 
intention of allowing you to stick me in his pain amplifier. And if 
you think I will, you're delusional." She rises and crosses to 
Pavel's side.

Slade speaks letting his eerie deep voice spew forth as he looks to 
Adrian and Adrick. "Both of you will report what ever you find back 
to me and the Emperor...Lady Fenring knows first hand of the pain 
amplifier, and I am sure she will be helpful. Right, Lady Fenring?"

Emylie pointedly ignores the Hegemon, turning her back to him. Her 
hand creeps into that of the Justiciar, holding tight.

Adrick begins to smile, "For now, I am satisfied. But that may 
change. If you have lied to us, Lady Fenring, I will have you brought 
here again." He peers over at the Hegemon.

Adrian blinks abjectly at the Hegemon. "I sincerely hope you do not 
mean to say that you have actually used it on her. Certainly not on 
the gross lack of evidence at this point."

Pavel grimaces a bit, "The pain amplifier always has been so... 
barbaric. Why threated pain when you can just use a Truthsayer. 
Always have to take the brutish way, don't you Slade. Hrmpf."

Slade says, "I have made no such threat, Justiciar. I know that Lady 
Fenring will be cooperative with this investigation if she is truly 
sorry for what happen and really cares about the Empress. I am only 
brutal when I need to be. You can attract more flies with horse sh-
crap than you can with blood."

Adrian looks back to the beleaguered Lady. "M'lady Fenring, is there 
anything else you can tell us about the interchange betwixt yourself 
and your father that evening?"

Adrick looks at the Lord Justiciar, with a fleeting 
smile. "Truthsayers in my opinion say what they want to say. The Bene 
Gesserits I have heard have their own agendas. " His gaze slowly pans 
over to Emylie again. "As for your father, I would like to know as 
well what he said while in the company of the Empress."

Pavel pats Emylie's hand, "I need to have a word with the Emperor. 
Answer their questions, dear. Then, when they are done, which I 
assume will be soon, meet me in my office." To Adrick, "I assume you 
will deliver a full report to my office when you have compiled all 
the relevant facts?"

Adrick lowers his head in acknowledgment, "Yes, Lord Justiciar. I 
have a number of things yet to do, but full report will delivered to 
you soon."

Emylie turns her large, doe-like eyes to the Justiciar, nodding with 
complete faith and loyalty in the veracity of his every 
utterance. "I'll wait for you in your office," she repeats.

Pavel nods and exits. "Good day gentlemen, lady."
Pavel pulls open the painted door, disappearing in to the Chambers of 
the Chancery.

The Hegmon stands waiting and watching.

Adrick places the filmbooks back on the stack near him, "Lady 
Fenring, I have no more questions at this time. However it is likely 
we will speak again. If you have no more information to tell us, then 
you may go for now."

Emylie wrinkles her brow, looking confused. "Umm." She looks to 
Adrian for confirmation.

Adrian sucks in a deep breath. "I believe Her Ladyship was about to 
tell us further about her father's conduct on the evening of the 
incident."

Adrick nods, "Very good then, please continue."

Emylie takes a deep, long breath, exhaling slowly before 
continuing. "He came in after Her Majesty was ill. He said he gave 
Her something to kill Her baby." She looks at Adrian. "You knew she 
was pregnant again, right?" Shooting resentful glances at Slade, she 
continues. "And then he said that he was proud because --" She falls 
off. She takes a step and leaning over whispers in Adrian's ear.
Emylie whispers, "Does the Hegemon have to be here?" to Adrian.

Adrian shakes his head to Emylie's murmers and looks to the 
Mentat. "I think it would be wisest if we continued this discussion 
at a later time. The Lady informs me her ... cycle is in full bloom, 
and she must regrettably make her way to the nearest toilet," he 
informs with consumate matter-of-factness.

Slade says, "Lady Emylie."

Emylie flushes deep crimson from her ears to her toes. "I did not!" 
she protests. "That's a horrible thing to say." She stares at the 
Sardaukar in rapt horror.

Slade narrows his eye watching the pair from the back of the 
room. "What is the matter?"

Adrian looks crestfallen at the Lady Fenring. "Come now, m'lady, no 
need to be embarassed. We know all about these things, don't we?" he 
looks to the other gentlemen for confirmation. "Why don't we adjourn 
for now, gentlemen?"

Somewhat annoyed, Adrick looks at the two of them. "If you are 
keeping secrets from me Lady Fenring, I will learn of them 
eventually. If you have evidence, I strongly suggest you make it 
known to me." He then peers at the Baron. "You both may go. I will 
have questions later."

Red as a rose and staring daggers at the Sardaukar, Emylie turns and 
flees the room, narrowly avoiding the Hegemon on her way out.

Adrian rises from his seat, a hand straightening his uniform as he 
nods curtly to the Mentat and Hegemon. "Good evening, gentlemen. I 
imagine we should expect this sort of thing. After all, Her Ladyship 
is getting older, so these inappropriate and untimely woman-things 
are going to afflict her en-masse. We should all be glad to be spared 
membership in the fairer sex, eh?" and then he too takes his leave.

As Emylie goes to leave, the Hegemon steps in between her and the 
door and does not exprect to be moved any time soon. "Lady Emylie, 
did you really say something is bothering you medically?"

Emylie shakes her head in the negative, avoiding making eye contact 
with the Hegemon. She darts to the side, attempting to squeeze 
through the door.

Slade says, "What did you say?"

Archly, Emylie says, "That between he and I."

Adrian frowns at the Hegemon. "Be a good chap and let her pass, won't 
you? Suffice it to say she doesn't feel comfortable speaking further 
in these surroundings, and that rather defeats the purpose of further 
interrogation, now doesn't it?"

Slade directs his gaze from Emylie to Adrian. "What is your rank?"

Adrian stretches a thin, humourless smile across his lips. "You're 
the Hegemon ... Isn't it your job to know these things?"

Slade moves out of the way to allow Emylie leave as he looks down at 
Adrian. "Soldier, I am your superior officer. It would be in your 
best interest to remeber how to properly address one of my station 
with respect."

Adrick takes a deep breath,shaking his head, "Everyone, this 
interrogation is over, for the moment." Motioning with his right 
hand,"Take this outside. I have other work to do." He begins looking 
at the letter once more. His eyes darting back and forth as he reads 
it.

Adrian rocks leisurely upon his heels. "Well, sir, you are free to 
lodge a complaint with the Emperor if you like. As for me, duties 
call me elsewhere, so I bid you good evening," he informs with a 
salute before nodding to the Mentat. "Pardon us, Master. Thank you 
for your time, and I am certain we shall have occasion to speak again 
later," and, pleasantries dispensed with, he leaves the office 
without further adieu.

Pulling the door open, Emylie wiggles out the door, pausing to look 
over her shoulder at the Bashar. She blushes again and darts out.

You pull open the painted door to the Chambers of the Chancery.
Chambers of the Imperial Chancery - Imperial Palace (Kaitain)

Adrian emerges through the painted door from the Office of the 
Imperial Mentat.
Adrian has arrived.

Emylie darts furtively from the Mentat's office.

Adrian is fast, if less furtively, upon the heels of the Lady Fenring.

Melisande has just stepped out of her office and pauses upon seeing 
Emylie and Adrian. She smiles and curtsies, "Good day."

Still flushed, with crimson colored cheeks, Emylie forces herself to 
smile at Lady Melisande, "Your Excellency," she says with some 
effort, avoiding a backwards glance at the Bashar.

Adrian pauses in stride to offer a genteel bow to Melisande. "Good 
evening, m'lady," he greets with a broad smile.

Melisande's glance flickers from Emylie to Adrian and back, but she 
doesn't ask the question uppermost in her mind, namely what had this 
man done to make Lady Emylie blush so. Instead, she smiles, "We 
haven't met, My Lord?"

Emylie gives the Ministress of Revels another curtsy. Taking the 
opportunity, she scoots from the chamber.


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