Date: Sun Nov 19, 2000 3:25am Subject: Dinner with the Corrinos Just some interesting gossip to be gleaned from this. 11/18/00 Logfile from DuneIII -----Alixana----- Alixana carries herself with the bearing of a noble and a Bene Gesserit both. Standing 5'11, her tall form is a noticable and exquisite presence. Her Sisterhood training has refined her movement, making her the picture of economy of motion and fluid grace. Beneath arched brows, eyes of a most unusual color are set: rich hazel with flecks of green and gold - eyes that gaze about her with unusual intensity and appraisal. Her upswept chestnut hair accentuates her refined profile and chiseled Etruscan features. Whispering as she moves the long skirts of Alixana's dress reach the floor, multiple layers of delicate silk falling in ripping verdant waves from where they gather at her waist. The deep shade of green the gown is dyed is rich, the colour saturated and resplendant. The shaped bodice of the gown hugs her form, long fitted sleeves reaching her wrists. Her upswept hair and the dipping neckline of the gown accentuate her profile; a choker of velvet the same colour as the dress adorns her throat. Piled artfully atop her head, Alixana's tresses are wound with gold thread and tiny sparkling emeralds. A few errant locks are left free, curled in loose spirals to frame her face. -----Davir----- Davir looks with bright jade colored eyes lined with long lashes that hint at youth, and a soft curve to his light brown eyebrows. His short, sandy blonde hair has a bit of natural curl to it, which he combs forward meticulously in Roman style. His oval face is smooth, used to smiling, accented by a long, thin nose and midset cheekbones. His carefully cropped mustache and goatee match his hair, framing full lips and a set of straight white teeth when he shows them. He is a tall man, even amongst the Sardaukar, his frame of average build, but with a long chest, and large of hand and foot. He is dressed formally in a black jacket with small silver lion buttons lining up the front, leading up to a high collar that barely touches at the back of his hair. An elegant azure sash with a diamond encrusted silver star displayed on it descends from beneath the grey shoulderboard of the jacket to cross his chest, ending at his waist by the hilt of his ceremonial sabre. A white shirt can be seen beneath the opening in his jacket by his throat, and crisp pants of the same sable as his other attire cover his legs. Shiny black shoes adorn his feet, and he wears but a single ring, the platinum and sapphire of his Baronial signet. A silver chain hangs from his neck over his jacket, the pendant sparkling in the light, bearing the scales of justice. -----Erich----- Before you stands a true lion amongst Corrinos. Tall and muscular, his lithe and impressive form stands just over six feet in height. He is perhaps of thirty standard years, but at the very cusp of physical prowess and form. Finely tanned skin frames aristocratic and strong facial structure. An impressive jawline is offset by a regal aquiline nose. These features are slightly marred by a mild dimple in his right cheek which shows whenever he might deign to smile, adding a bit of rakishness to his character and further accenting his handsome appearance. Hair of a deep, dark brown is kept close cropped and parted to the right, slightly pommaded in the suave style favoured by men of the upper circles of society. Eyes of a deep serpentine look out with quiet scrutiny at the world and its particulars, drinking in all features and people with a careful analytic flair honed only in the Sardaukar. His trim form is dressed in a crisp tunic and pants of immaculate black silk trimmed in gold as a short cape of cloth of gold is pinned to one shoulder with a golden lion, a slightly martial flair offset by unflappable good taste and a body like mortal sin. Medals of various Sardaukar rank and title are pinned on his right breast, dominated by the Hagal crystal and black onyx disc which denotes him as a Commandant and member of the Hegemony, the Imperium's highest military body. He walks with a definite sense of import, a man who knows his station in the world and is careful to ensure that others know it as well. There is no mistaking this man as a member of the Imperial family, that quiet arrogance and self-import bred in a dynasty which has sat upon the Golden Lion Throne for ten thousand years. Yes, this is a Lion who bows for none, and expects what roars he may issue to be feared ... and obeyed. -----Jenaa----- Jenaa is a young woman of average stature, though she carries herself with an dignity that is plainly apparent. Dark brown hair has been drawn back, clasped behind her head, and allowed to fall in gentle waves to just below her shoulers. Large expressive eyes dominate the features of her face and are very dark, making it almost impossible to distinguish her pupils in the dim light of the chamber. Their darkness is set off starkly by her fair complexion, still graced by the smooth softness of youth and unblemished save for a long scar that draws a jagged arc across the left half of her neck. The princess wears no jewelry of any sort, and it appears as though her face is untouched by cosmetic enhancements. She wears a simple dress of a deep, rich green. Its raw silk skirt is full -- brushing lightly across the floor when she walks -- and of a slightly darker shade than the bodice, though it bears a certain luster, and catches the light, reflecting it warmly to your eyes. The bodice continues the simple lines of the skirt and is unadorned with any patterns or inlay. It rises to just above her breasts, allowing her shoulders and upper arms to remain bare. -----Tat'iana----- Of average height for a woman, Tat'iana carries herself as though she were taller than she actually is. Her chin is angled proudly, her ivory complexion smooth and flawless. Thick, dark lashes ring steely- gray eyes, which tilt upwards at the corners. Though they are the color of stormclouds, her eyes do catch the light, giving them more of a silvery quality. The sparkle is aided by a hint of mischievousness in her personality, though hidden in her facial expression it shows clearly through her eyes. Lips that are a touch too thin are pulled at the corners into a perpetual soft smile. A hint of a maidenly blush creeps all too easily across her cheeks, giving proof that this woman is indeed real and alive, and not just the masterpiece creation of an artist. Her deep ebony hair shines, the color so deep it almost casts a blue tint. An intricate twist, held in place by a few jeweled pins, crowns her head, but a majority of her hair spills freely down her back in a dark curtain to her waist. Her over-gown is of deep, dark midnight blue velvet, shot through with intricate hand-worked silver embroidery. False sleeves fall from her shoulders, also worked with the delicate silver stitching. A high collar rises at the back of her neck, but the front of the gown's neckline plunges low, though not immodestly so. The over-gown's stiff skirts split in the middle, to reveal an underdress of silver silk. ------- Grand Banquet Room -- Imperial Palace (Kaitain) Formality is the essence of the Grand Dining Room. The room is dominated by the dining table, a massive affair and most remarkably constructed from a single slab of unpolished white marble which seats as many as 102 when called for. The head of the table seats a gilded chair of massive proportions, clearly reserved for His Majesty the Emperor. Quick observation shows that the servants here have been selected for their elegance and grace, and the decor for its imposing formality. The floors are solid wood, but manage by some magic of engineering, to be entirely absent of the squeaks and groans most hardwood is prone to emit when trod upon. The effect is forgiving to the servants, who can glide silently across the room without any notice. Several FOOTMEN stand ready with quills and silver trays to deliver written messages discretely among the guests, so as to make conversation along the length of the massive table easier. Players: Jenaa Alixana Davir Erich Exits: Paneled Doors leads to Ezhar VII's Patio -- Imperial Palace (Kaitain) Double Doors leads to Platinum Ballroom -- Imperial Palace (Kaitain) Davir walks in through the double doors with his lady, Alixana, beside him, her arm wrapped loosely about his as they walk. Upon entering, Davir's eyes travel over the length of the table, and they begin to walk toward the far end, toward the Emperor's chair. As they near Erich, Davir places his hand on his chest and offers a deep bow, while Alixana dips into an elegant curtsey, her eyes downcast. Erich is apparently already seated at the head of the table, the Emperor reading over a report he clutches in one hand. As the erstwhile Baron and his consort enter, an amiable smile alights his lips, and he nods to both, greeting in kind, "Good evening, m'lady ... m'lord." The Grand Banquet hall is warmly lit, it's vast size made more intimate in that a pool of yellow glowglobe light illuminates and ancient teak table, the rest of the chamber shrouded in darkness. Attendants stand quietly around the table as the guests arrive. Davir smiles softly, his eyes alight as he says, "And a good evening to you, Majesty. What a lovely setting that has been placed before us." He gestures with his hand to the lady at his side, "I believe you have met my bound concubine, the Lady Alixana Adar'Naryth?" At the doorway, a dark-haired lady gowned in blue velvet pauses, her eyes traveling the length of the room for a moment before she steps in. With skirts raised a fraction, Tat'iana steps across the threshold and begins to make her way down the length of the table, her eyes falling on the Baron and the Lady with him, then to where the Emperor is seated. When she draws near enough, she pauses, sinking into a deep, graceful curtsey. Jenaa enters quietly just a few moments after the Lady Rastanyev. She steps into the island of light surrounding the table, a slight, diplomatic smile lifting her lips as her eyes greet each of the guests, and come to rest finally upon her brother. She dips into a full, formal curtsey and speaks softly, "Majesty..." Erich nods to his friend, looking briefly upon Alixana and smiling to her affably before his attentions are distracted by the raven-tressed beauty of Tat'iana, the Emperor rising as she and his sister enter, the Emperor making his way towards the Lady Rastanyev and offering her a courtly hand. "M'lady, I am quite glad you could make our little repast this evening." Davir guides Alixana a few steps back from Erich as the other guests arrive. He turns to whisper something to her, his eyes looking over at Tat'iana and Jenaa with an arched eyebrow and a casual smile. Tat'iana slips her hand into the one offered her as she rises from her curtsey, her smile brightening instantly. "I am quite glad to have been invited, Your Majesty," she says, then glances to Jenaa, "Highness... this was such a wonderful idea. I can't thank you enough lately, it seems." Alixana inclines her head towards Davir, her eyes sweeping over the assembled guests. She nods slightly, smiling towards him. Erich offers his other hand to Jenaa with a mishevious wink as he addresses both her and Tat'iana, "Well, ladies, may I help you to your seats?" Jenaa nods to Erich, "Of course, Majesty... but I do not wish to be impolite, I must properly greet our esteemed guests." She takes a step toward Davir and Alixana. Tat'iana hesitates a moment before answering, peering beyond the Emperor to the Baron and his guest beyond. "Ehrm... M'lord Baron, do you intend to keep your Lady's identity a secret all evening?" Though chiding, her tone is light and teasing, and she gives the Emperor a grin, slightly apologetic. Alixana dips into a second elegant curtsey as Jenaa approaches, saying softly, "Your Highness." Erich gently leads Tat'iana and Jenaa to seats on either side of his own, the Emperor smiling as he looks between the various guests and letting them have their chit-chatting, though he's never been one for chewing the proverbial fat. Davir offers a respectful bow first to Jenaa, then to Tat'iana, and favors both ladies with a flash of his smile, then shrugs as Erich leads them. His voice is gentle as he mentions to Alixana, "Ahh, my dear, it would appear His Majesty is in no mood to be denied the first course, shall we find a seat?" Jenaa nods as she looks upon Alixana for several moments before being led to the table. Finally, she says softly, "My Lady. A distinct pleasure to have your company this evening." She turns and nods formally to Davir's bow. "My Lord." Alixana's eyebrows rise slightly, but her face is otherwise impassive. To Davir she nods, saying softly, "Indeed." Davir guides Alixana over to a seat next to Jenaa, pulling the chair for her and smiling as he waits for her to sit. Jenaa arrives at the table, escorted by His Majesty. She gestures across the intimate table to the other end, "I thought that we would be better able to attend to our guests if I sat opposite you, Majesty... if you have no objections?" Erich nods obligingly to his sister and gestures towards the aforementioned seat. "By all means." Tat'iana falls silent for a moment, until she reaches her chair. And then remains silent, watching with a slight bit of amusement as seating is re-arranged. Jenaa moves to the other end of the table, a servant pulling the chair at the bottom of the table back for her. She looks at the guests surrounding the table, smiles fractionally and takes her seat. Servants quickly and quietly move to stand behind each of the guests' chairs. Erich looks to the other two women, the Emperor clasping his hands behind his back and politely waiting for them to be seated. Davir smiles over at his friend as he holds the chair for Alixana, obviously waiting for Erich to take his place before he and his concubine sit. Tat'iana slips into her chair, taking the cue from both Jenaa and Erich. As she settles herself, she arranges her skirts quickly, then glances to Davir with a hint of sheepishness. Alixana takes the seat held for her, taking her place at the table. Erich grins a bit wryly at the discomfort caused, promptly following suit and sitting down. You sense: Jenaa is distinctly serious this evening. Her face is not stern, but is without the pleasant smile you've seen on occasion. Davir sits next to Alixana, adjusting the ceremonial blade at his hip as he sits, moving the chair a bit closer, then smiling to all at the intimate table. Jenaa speaks softly, but her voice easily carries in this intimate setting, "Thank you all for attending this evening. It is a distinct honor to see you all gathered here this evening. Please allow His Majesty and I to welcome you to this gathering... of friends." Erich nods approvingly to Jenaa's words, the Emperor turning his green-eyed gaze to look over the varied guests quietly, letting his sister dispense with the pleasantries. Tat'iana smiles down the table to Jenaa, then glances back to Erich. She rests her hands in her lap, folded neatly, as she looks back to Jenaa with a lingering gaze. An eyebrow twitches slightly, but any other change in expression she might have made, she hides behind her warm smile which stays firmly in place. Alixana's eyes turn toward the Princess, a smile gracing her features. Her gaze moves over the Emperor, pausing briefly on the Lady Rastanyev, who is new to her. Davir gazes at Jenaa as she speaks, inclining his head to her slightly upon her finish. His hand gestures from himself to Alixana and to the others at the table as he says, "My sincere thanks to you and His Majesty for inviting us to this lovely evening, Your Highness. I hope the food matches the wonderful company we all share at this table." He looks over at Tat'iana, answering an earlier question, "And to answer you, my lady, this is vision of lovliness at my side is Lady Alixana Adar'Naryth, Bene Gesserit Sister and my bound concubine." Alixana inclines her head towards Tat'iana, her voice rich and low as she says, "My Lady Rastanyev, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance." Servants move silently beside the guests, expertly filling tall crystal flutes with pale yellow champagne. The princess speaks quietly to Davir, "My chef, Frederic, has assured me personally that we will not be disappointed with his culinary creations tonight." Erich lifts his fluted glass, gesturing for a toast. "To an anticipatory evening of good food and conversation between friends and family, then." Tat'iana inclines her head in turn deeply to Alixana. "Ah... mystery solved. My thanks, M'lord Baron. And I am honored, M'Lady, to meet you." She turns to Erich, lifting her own glass as he speaks. Jenaa lifts her glass as well, her eyes fixing upon her brother. Alixana raises her glass accordingly. Erich smiles faintly and drinks of his champagne, letting the conversation resume as it will. Davir raises his flute toward Erich's, then brings it to his lips to take a light sip. Alixana sips from her glass, replacing it upon the table after doing so. Tat'iana sips from her champagne, then sets the glass back upon the table as she turns to Erich with a soft smile. "It has been a while since we last spoke.. How have you been?" she asks him quietly, resting an elbow lightly on the edge of the table, her fingertips still lightly on the rim of the fluted glass. Davir looks back to Jenaa with a slight nod, his eyebrow arched and an assured smile on his lips, "Ah, I am certain that we will only experience the very finest cuisine this evening, Highness." He glances over at Alixana, mentioning, "How did your champagne taste, my dear? I will rely on your opinion of these things." Erich turns towards Tat'iana, setting aside his glass and answering intently, "It certainly has. Things have been quite busy of late, naturally so perhaps with the mess of the Venhei succession, and now the restructuring of the Sardaukar under new guidelines and regulations. It is no small task, returning the Imperium to where it needs to be after the destructive reigns of Jeon and Fredhrick, but it is slowly but surely being accomplished." Jenaa nods to Davir, her face remaining pleasant but without a smile, "For Frederic's case, I should certainly hope so, Lord Baron." Tat'iana's expression sours slightly at the mention of the Venhei, and absently she touches her wrist. Though, she dismisses the thoughts of that house with a slight shake of her head, and politely comments, "Yes.. the Venhei. Quite a mess indeed. But one which can be cleaned up... eventually. As all things might be." Alixana's eyes turn towards Davir, saying, "I found it highly refreshing, my lord. A light flavour..." she looks towards the Princess, saying, "...Was the selection yours, Your Highness?" Erich nods readily. "Quite right, and it has been about as much as it can be." Jenaa nods to Alixana slightly, "It was, my Lady. I do hope it was acceptable to you." Tat'iana lifts her glass once more, taking a small sip of the champagne. To Jenaa, she nods, adding her own comment, "A wonderful selection, Highness. Not too dry, nor too sweet. Very enjoyable." Jenaa nods to Tat'iana, her face still placid, "It is the diplomatic choice, yes. I'm happy to hear that it meets with your approval, my Lady." Davir lets his eyes glance over to Tat'iana nodding in agreement with her assessment, then back to Jenaa as he lets his fingertips toy with the stem of his glass. He mentions casually, a slight grin on his face, "I have heard that the horses have been getting a fair bit of use of late. I would assume that no blade of grass on the hunting grounds is safe?" Erich chuckles at Jenaa's reply. "The diplomatic choice ... In all things, that reigns supreme here in the palace." Servants move efficiently between the guests, sliding small plates of appetizer before each of them. Each plate contains a delicate array of items arranged artfully in a starburst pattern. Razor thin slices of pickled ginger root roll like gentle waves over tiny curls of a crisped starch and laid atop strips of game fowl spiced with a slightly smoky brown sauce. Jenaa glances down at the plate then up to Davir, only the faintest smile touching her lips briefly -- though it's unclear whether it is Erich's or Davir's comment which provokes it, "Indeed. The reserve hasn't been used for very much hunting of late, and I have very much enjoyed its serenity." Tat'iana chuckles quietly at Davir's statement, nodding to Jenaa. "It's too lovely of a spot to let it go to waste." Davir tilts his head as he looks over at Erich, nodding with amusement, and raises his glass in a bit of a salute, and takes another drink. He places the flute down as he watches the appetizers appear. Erich sets with methodical insistency upon the fowl, grinning as he chews and noting after he's washed down the first bite, "We do have some wonderful wild ducks, however. I am pleased to see Frederic made good use of them." Jenaa nods in agreement with her brother, "I believe game is his forte..." Alixana looks at the food before her and then towards the Princess who seems to have taken up the active role of hostess. She says, "This looks lovely, Your Highness. A plate laid out with taste and distinction." Tat'iana picks up her fork to take a small taste of the game, then nods in agreement. "Frederic makes it seem such an art form, truly. It looks almost too nicely arranged to mess it up by eating, but... it tastes even better than it looks." Erich is hardly averse to ruining the clever presentation of the food, eating his course with relish. Jenaa draws a slow breath as she glances to Tat'iana and then to Davir and Alixana, "Thank you my Lady. I believe he manages to channel the wildness of the flavors in interesting directions without taming them too much... Despite their refinement, his dishes tend to flair to the dramatic and the ... bold." Davir slips his fork into his fingertips, intent on verifying his cousin's claim. He chews thoughtfully for a few moments, leaning back as the spices slide over his tongue. Suddenly he nods, his eyebrows raised, and he takes a quick drink of champagne before mentioning, "Yes, that is most succulent." He then proceeds to deal with more of the fowl. Tat'iana loses some of her hesitancy in marring the artistic arrangement, and sets into her fowl more earnestly, though still with less gusto than the men. Erich polishes off his appetizer, raising his napkin to dab at his mouth before taking another sip of the champagne. "Damn that Frederic. If he keeps cooking like that, I'm going to get as rotund as the Baron Harkonnen." Jenaa watches the guests eat, hardly glancing at her plate. She turns to Alixana and asks, "So tell me, my Lady. How are you adjusting to life in the palace?" Davir grins over at Erich after his plate is mostly cleared, mentioning to his friend with a wink, "Ah yes, Majesty, I cannot imagine you and I hearing such discussions on culinary display in our days on SS, eh?" Erich chortles at the very thought. "Ah, yes ... the pleasant subtleties of protein rations." Tat'iana finishes most of her plate before setting aside her fork in favor of her champage again. She grins wryly, her shoulders shaking with a quiet laugh, "My dressmaker has already given me a hard time... But I'm sure, now, with Shishka I will be able to stay in form." Alixana's lips curve into a smile at the Emperor's remark, her eyes going to the Princess as she speaks. She responds, "The palace is becoming more familiar to me, Your Highness, both its rooms and its inhabitants. The Baron has been so good as to escort me about these vast grounds." Servants fill voluminous glasses with slightly blue-tinted water. Wine glasses are set in front of everyone and filled with a deep red elixir that pours almost like blood out of the decanters. Jenaa watches, a slight grin flashing to her lips, but only momentarily, "Ahh good. An end to the diplomatic..." she says softly as she watches the wine pour into the glasses. Jenaa returns her attention to Alixana, glancing to Davir briefly, "How good of him to do so. I suppose he's become more refined than the rake I knew in my youth." She looks him over briefly then adds, deadpan, "Or not..." Erich remarks dryly, "I can personally vouch for Davir that he hasn't changed any of his ways." He winks with wryness. "But then we wouldn't have it any other way." Tat'iana grins at Davir, watching as he becomes the target of the teasing, then joins in quietly. "He was so kind as to offer me a tour as well... Perhaps that is just his way of earning our trust, and then, look out - he will show us what he really is." Davir places his hand against his chest, his face suggesting mock surprise, "Ahh, wounded by my own family..." He chuckles softly, then winks at Alixana, mentioning, "Don't the Bene Gesserit have a saying about this, my dear? 'Beware those who have indulged in champagne' or something along those lines?" Jenaa says abruptly, "They have sayings for everything, Lord Baron..." Alixana smiles, her eyes reflecting her amusement. Her eyes shift to the Princess as she speaks, eyebrows rising slightly. She says, "Indeed that is true, Your Highness. Although in this case..." and here she turns towards Davir "...it may be more appropriate to warn a lord of what his concubine may learn from his family." Erich sips his wine glass, a broad grin rising from around its lip as he surveys the conversation with green eyes glinting in amusement. Davir nods and smiles, "Why of course, Your Highness. I am only curious as to what wisdom the situation would offer." As he hears Alixana's response, he adds dryly, "And apparently said wisdom is not in favor of me at the moment." He clears his throat and grins around the table. Tat'iana shifts in her chair, gaining a more relaxed poise as she lifts her wineglass from the table. Her own grin is hidden behind the glass as she sips from it briefly. Jenaa turns her eyes to Alixana, "Oh you will no doubt learn very much from us tonight, my Lady. You are taught to dissect and examine us are you not? To shine your stark light of observation upon us?" Alixana nods slightly, her head dipping in acceptance of the words. She says mildly, "Your Highness knows this to be true, though light need not always be stark. Often times it illuminates without harsh inflection." Servants draw the empty appetizer plates away from the guests quietly. The princess keeps her eyes fixed upon Alixana as she gestures for the servant to take her untouched plate from her. "It was too salty," she says bluntly. Davir judiciously uses the moment away from the attention to finish his glass of champagne, then upon setting it down he muses casually to nobody in particular as if nothing happened, "I hear Alvstad has been looking for the attentions of a lady again recently. I wonder if he has found one that has an interest." Tat'iana glances over the rim of her glass to the Princess, her own eyes studious and observing. While obscured by the glass, her smile slips slightly, and then she looks to Alixana. She takes another sip from the glass before setting it down, but makes no comment in response to Davir's musings. Jenaa responds under her breath as she turns her focus back to the center of the table, "If you are saying that beauty will remain beautiful under close examination, then it must be quite distressing for you to be living within the walls of this palace..." Erich coughs insistently. "The amorous intentions of the Viscount Alvstad have never been consequential ... nor will they be in the foreseeable future," he states firmly. Davir looks over to Erich, his eyebrows raised in curiosity, but he says, "Indeed, Majesty. I should not have brought it up, given the lack of impact upon anyone at this table." His eyes turn to examine the two liquids that were recently brought before him as if he has some interest in them. "His 'amorous' intentions did not seem so amorous, to me... I think that rumor has it incorrect, m'lord Baron. Politics seemed more to be his drive," Tat'iana adds quietly. Jenaa lifts her glass of wine to sip from it, her voice slightly tense -- though it seems to be a leftover from her exchange with Alixana, "The Viscount has invited me to attend dinner at his embassy, Majesty. I do hope my staff has not neglected to inform you of this. I am certain his intentions in this case are purely political, of course." Erich suggests a bit softly, "The Viscount Alvstad does have quite the reputation for impotence ... err ... impudence." Davir smiles slightly at Tat'iana, a bit of amusement in his eyes, and he shakes his head a bit. His voice is casual as he replies, "Ah, my lady, I only referred to 'attention', of which we all know there are many kinds." He then turns to nod at Erich, asking, "Deservedly, Your Majesty?" Tat'iana barely stifles a small chuckle, reaching for her wine once more. "He was most courteous and gentlemanly while we dined. Of course, I had our new Mentat, Master Raschid, fairly breathing down his neck the whole time. He'd not have dared to be anything but..." Alixana smiles at the interplay of conversation, her eyes moving from one speaker to the next. She lifts her wine glass to sip from it, then replaces it upon the table. The red wine is bold. Strong, multilayered, complex. Very old, no doubt, and of a truly magnificent vintage. Servants slip salad plates before each of the guests. On each plate, thick purple and green leaves have been woven together inticrately into voluminous baskets. Within the chambers of the complex weave are roasted pecans and small delicate crumbles of a variety of fresh-milk cheeses. The entire creation is set gently upon a bed of roasted peppers in a balsamic vinaigrette, their heady aromas rising to fill your nostrils. Erich doesn't seem very impressed with the salad, and takes few, sparse bites of it. Servants standing in the shadows behind the emperor exchange nervous glances as he picks unenthusiastically at his salad. Tat'iana replaces her wineglass on the table, and picks up a fork, spearing a piece of roasted pecan which she chews on thoughtfully for a moment. Davir looks down at the vegetation before him, taking his salad fork and testing it with a few bites experimentally. His eyebrow is arched all the while, as if he is trying to figure it out. Eventually he shrugs and continues to eat it, his conversation falling silent, choosing instead to reflect while partaking. Jenaa smiles very faintly as she glances to her brother and to Tat'iana, "Tell me if you will, Majesty... will you permit us to make this dinner a celebration of you... and the Lady Rastanyev here?" Erich frowns disapprovingly and sits back in his chair, letting one of the servants take away the plate. His eyebrows quirk, however, at Jenaa's question, and he inquires, looking to the Lady Rastanyev. "How do you mean?" Davir pauses before he takes another bite as the question hangs in the air, and his eyes glance between the three involved. Tat'iana's own fork lowers, as she looks to Jenaa, and then to Erich. She picks up her napkin, dabbing at her lips, but remains silent for the moment. Alixana tries the salad, moving aside the cheeses to reach the peppers beneath. Her focus is towards the dialogue as she chews slowly. Jenaa sits back herself, looking at her brother for a long moment before glancing to Tat'iana then returning her eyes to Erich, "Perhaps not," she says quietly, sipping from her glass. Erich frowns at his sister, a deep, unamused glower he normally reserves for those who displease him in court. "I think perhaps you should drink more of the water and less of the wine, hrmmm?" Alixana eyes go to neither the princess nor the emperor, but instead to the other lady at the table. She says, "Lady Rastanyev, forgive me...it is our first meeting and I have not even offered a word beyond a greeting. I understand we are both recent arrivals upon the Imperial planet, how has your stay been?" Davir takes the bite of his salad he had intended to, then washes it down with some of the blue tinted water. As he sets the glass down, he smiles at Erich, changing the subject by asking, "So Majesty, what duties will Burseg DeMourn be assuming now, if it is conversation that is open to being heard?" Jenaa's face remains placid as she watches her brother's expression sour, "Yes Majesty." she says, a servant removing her wine glass at her beckoning, "Perhaps, Majesty... Her Highness refers to an announcement... of formal courtship," Tat'iana supplies very quietly, glancing from Jenaa, to Erich once more. "There are sufficient rumors flying at this point, and given the amount of negative events of late - the Venhei issue, etc., it would do us all well to have a bit of good news." Alixana's question reaches her ears, and Tat'iana nods to the lady. "My stay has been busy, and productive. My brother, the Lord Earl, keeps me quite busy with the household, and diplomatic affairs for the House." Alixana nods towards the lady, saying, "Busy is a term much understood, my lady. Diplomacy is not a state of rest." Tat'iana leaving the previous topic well behind, Tat'iana's attention remains on the Lady Alixana, as she nods in kind. "And aside from settling into life within the Palace... how has your stay been? Are you finding everything to your satisfaction?" Erich nods intently to Davir. "Indeed, m'lord, it is. The Burseg has been dispatched to Salusa Secundus to personally oversee the changes in Sardaukar regimen and structure." Alixana nods, her eyes upon the Lady Rastanyev. "My stay, much like yours my lady, has been busy. There are as yet still many people who I have yet to meet." Servants supply the main course now. An array of game meats is sliced thinly into medallions and arranged like a sprawling fan upon the large warm plates. A small tower of vegetables garnish the meats, a sumptuous collection of richly saturated colors and scents. Greens, oranges and whites stand out strikingly against the reds and browns of the meats, which rest upon a savory reduction and are spiced with small but rich cracked pepper. Davir nods slightly at Alixana, leaning back, leaving the salad half finished. He says casually, "Indeed, my dear." He looks to the others at the table, though mainly Tat'iana, as he adds, "My Lady has been making efforts to meet with representatives of the Great Houses. It has allowed me to establish relations as well, which I must admit has been lacking on my part to some degree before coming to serve as Justiciar. But I will let her elaborate on that..." He nods with approval at Erich, and asks, "A bit of a return to the old ways, Majesty?" Erich smiles a bit grimly. "It most certainly is, Davir," he notes, using the familiar, "I found my Imperium too lax ... to weak. To weather the storms to come, we must return to the strength of the past." Jenaa lifts her water glass and takes a long drink from it. "It was my intention to have such meetings as well.. but... there are Houses who wish to take more of my attention than my schedule allows, so I have yet to complete all of the meetings I had originally set out to do," Tat'iana smiles, picking up her dinner fork and absently prodding at the meat on her plate. Alixana smiles, saying, "Perhaps if there are two of us," she inclines her head towards Davir, "we will be able to keep a schedule. I have experienced many of the same problems, my lady and as always, there is much to be done." Jenaa leans back and says quietly, "A shame I cannot lend you some of my time. I seem to posess it in great quantities." Davir looks over at Erich, his jaw set firmly and his eyes clear and observant, glancing at the Sardaukar insignia that the other man wears, before replying with, "Indeed, Majesty. And we all know where the strength of the Imperium lies." He turns to look at the dish laid before him, his lips pressed together. Tat'iana looks down the table to Jenaa, her expression thoughtful, and her food still neglected. She places her fork back down, then carefully says, "Actually.... come to think of it, Highness, I do have a project which could certainly benefit from your expertise, and assistance." Alixana turns her attention toward the platter before her, but decides instead to sip from her wineglass. Her eyes rise as Tat'iana speaks, her attention upon the lady. Jenaa turns to regard Tat'iana. She pauses for a fraction of a second, then says, flatly, "I have no expertise, my Lady. But any assistance I may offer you is yours to take; you have but to ask." Erich listens on to the various conversations, the Emperor still in a rather dour mood and not entirely jumping to join in on the joviality. Tat'iana purses her lips for a fraction of a second before answering, gesturing to the meal still spread upon the table before them all, "Your expertise in arranging for events such as this speaks for itself. And don't blame your staff for it, Highness, I know you too well. I've been charged with making the arrangements for my brother's wedding, to happen in just a few short weeks. If nothing else, then, your moral support and sharing of the serenity of the hunting grounds would be very welcome... But if you feel up to it, I would like to ask your help with the plans." Davir takes his utensils and slices a piece of meat, then forks it into his mouth, chewing carefully. His eyes wander to the ever present snooper, then glance over to Tat'iana as he follows the conversation. Jenaa draws a breath and nods slowly, "I would be happy to lend whatever assistance I can.. of course." She swallows uncomfortably and lifts her water glass once more to take another sip. "If you feel up to it," Tat'iana repeats, "If not... I am sure I can handle things on my own. I understand, if you wish to refuse. Think about it some? We can talk of it on another day." She reaches for her wine glass, letting the topic drop, and keeps the glass in hand after drinking from it. Davir lifts the wine glass up, sniffing the bouquet for a moment, then taking a deep sip. After he sets it down, he leans to his lady and whispers something softly into her ear. His eyes travel to Jenaa, and he comments while his fingertip touches the glass, "A lovely taste I am enjoying, Your Highness." Jenaa nods and forces a smile to her face. It is almost convincing. "I'm... so gratified to hear that, Lord Baron. It is a rare ... a rare wine from Gamont. From an unusual native fruit tree... it is short in stature, but bears much fruit on its many brances. In some cases they have been known to collapse under the weight of their own fruit. Crushed by their own labors." Davir smiles warmly, his face appearing quite interested, and he responds, "Ah, then it is fortunate these trees have us to both take pleasure from them as well as save them from their potential demise. A kind gesture for you to provide us with such a delight." You sense: Jenaa nods faintly in response to your suggestion, though she is clearly distressed. Alixana smiles in turn, murmuring, "Indeed." Tat'iana's jaw tightens, visibly at close range. She glances over to Erich, and tries to smile softly. "Perhaps, one afternoon next week, Majesty, you could join Her Highness and I on the hunting grounds for an hour or two, for a ride?" Erich quirks an eyebrow at Tat'iana. "What are we to hunt, m'lady?" Jenaa says, "Serenity." Tat'iana nods solemnly in agreement. "And peacefulness." Erich grimaces slightly, but manages to turn it into a tight smile. "Those are things which an Emperor never knows during his reign. There is no such thing, hence why we choose to hunt more tangible prey." Jenaa waves for a servant to withdraw her untouched plate. "Perhaps the Lady Rastanyev would enjoy accompanying you on a hunt for something else, then, Majesty?" She gestures to the plates around the table, "This feast came from the reserve. An elegant herd animal ... warrape ... they are very fast and graceful. I am ... told they are a challenge to hunt skillfully since in their exertions to avoid capture they are often willing to damage themselves extensively." "One might change events of the past, if one wished. One can create a future, more suited to his liking..." Tat'iana replies smoothly, sipping from her wine. "And if a soothing ride isn't to your liking, then I would be happy to join you in a hunt. Or... perhaps... a race." Erich seems to have his interest piqued all the more at the thought of a race. "Indeed? Well then, you can consider it penciled in my agenda already, m'lady." Davir tries a bit of each of the meats on his plate, interspersed with bites of the various vegetables. His fork points at one of the meats as he mentions to Alixana, "This one is quite good, my dear. You should try some." He smiles slightly, then gets a bit more philosophical as he says, "You know why I love an Imperium with a million worlds? One never runs out of new things to sample." Tat'iana's lips twitch into a wry grin as does her eyebrow arch. She gives the Emperor a challenging look, and comments slyly, "Consider it inked into mine, then, Majesty." Jenaa says, "Perhaps His Majesty could ride the horse I was given today by the Count Palatine. I haven't seen it yet, but I'm certain he wouldn't have dared present anything less than spectacular..." Erich looks rather amusedly at Davir. "How all themore pithy coming from you, my friend." He looks back to Jenaa and adopts a more sour face. "The Count Palatine? Not that ass Magnus, is it?" Jenaa nods and sips from her water, "The same, Majesty." Tat'iana clucks her tongue, shaking her head. "I think the saying most appropriate now... would be that one should not look a gift horse in the mouth, hmm? But I am curious, what breed is it, do you know?" Alixana tries some of the suggested meat, nodding towards Davir to indicate her accord in the taste. Her eyes move from the Emperor to the Princess. Erich hardly seems impressed. "Then I would sooner ride a horse with three legs." Davir grins over at Erich. "Now that would make interesting challenge for you, Majesty." He lifts the wine glass to his lips for another drink. Jenaa allows herself a faint smile as she answers Tat'iana, "I don't know the breed, Lady Rastanyev... I haven't even looked upon the horse yet." Erich snorts indignantly. "That is the selfsame man who encouraged Mintor Atreides in that disgraceful show of bravado he displayed at my coronation. I've half a mind to have his horse ground up into sausages and then send them to him as a culinary present from the Palace." Davir chuckles at that, and he continues to consume the contents of his plate, favoring the meats. Tat'iana lifts her chin in a slight nod of acknowledgement, then changes to a shake of her head once more. "Bravado? Majesty, you are being too kind..." Jenaa looks at her brother, her brief smile fading away abruptly as she retorts, "It is -my- horse, Erich..." then, catching herself -- a bit too late in her outburst -- she adds, "Majesty." Erich nods pointedly to Tat'iana. "I am at that, aren't it? It was the single most insolent, disrespectful, and thoroughly assenine lack of common sense I have ever witnessed." He looks to Jenaa and replies, "Then you ride it or serve it for dinner or dress the damn thing up in a dress and give it to the Count Palatine to take the place of that ignorant sow of a wife of his, frankly I don't care so long as it stays out of my sight along with any other vestiges of that moron." Jenaa looks at her brother. Her face flushes, but she says nothing. A slight blush rises to Tat'iana's cheeks as well, as she again finds herself looking from Jenaa to Erich. She sighs inaudibly, before sipping from her wine again, emptying the glass. As she sets the empty glass back on the table, her gaze drops to her untouched plate. Servants clear away the last of the plates as the guests finish the main course. A delicate dessert is served. A light, sweet cream covered with a blackberry sauce and garnished with thin strips of pastry which rise up from the cream and return to the plate in gentle arcs, their gossamer forms seeming almost to defy gravity. Davir sets his fork down and pats at his lips with his napkin, then reaches over to finger his wine glass again. His eyes glance around at the plates of the others at the table, and he allows a bit of a grin to appear, saying casually, "Well, if nothing else Frederic can continue to serve me dinners in the future." "Shall we find out the name of the Baron Horkonnen's tailor for you then, m'lord?" Tat'iana asks lightly, surveying the new plate before her. Erich chuckles and dives into his dessert with relish, horses and Magnus not enough to dampen the Emperor's delight at the dessert. Davir responds to Tat'iana with a wink and a bite of the dessert, shrugging as if not particularly worried about that point. Alixana takes up her fork once more, and places a mouthful of the dessert into her mouth. Tat'iana's joke manages to relax Jenaa's face into a slight smile as she sits back in her chair. Tat'iana takes only a small taste of her dessert, and again, leaves this plate untouched. She picks up her water glass, and sips at it contentedly while she watches the others eat. When her gaze reaches Jenaa, she smiles softly, reassuringly. You sense: Jenaa glances at you, and smiles slightly though her eyes hold a profound sadness in them. Davir smiles softly as he looks over at Tat'iana. "So, my lady, you have a birthday approaching... have any plans solidified in regards to a celebration?" He continues to enjoy his dessert while he awaits the response. Erich polishes off the pastry and dabs his mouth with his napkin, smiling faintly and sitting back in his chair. He looks to Tat'iana in interest, head cocking slightly to one side as he perhaps even more intently than Davir awaits an answer to the Baron's question. Jenaa turns to Tat'iana, also interested in her reply. Tat'iana shakes her head in the negative, settling back in her chair. "No, m'lord. My brother's wedding takes precedence just now. Perhaps after..." She lifts a shoulder in a shrug, as she finds some invisible hair or speck of dust on her skirts to pluck at. Davir allows only the briefest of nods during a bite, then takes a drink from his water. He sounds a bit dissappointed as he answers, "Well, I would hope that perhaps something could come to fruition before it would be past the window for such celebrations." He smiles again, asking, "Forgive my ignorance, my lady, but could you attach names to the references to your brother and his future bride?" "Forgive me, m'lord, I had not realized... how rude of me..." Tat'iana says quickly, her cheeks flaring into a blush, "My brother is, formally, the Right Honourable Mikhail Rastanyev, Siridar-Earl of Garrashu VI. And his betrothed is the Lady Nerissa Langkamp." Jenaa rises to her feet and clears her throat, "Well. It has been a distinct ... pleasure and an honor to have you all in attendance this evening. Thank you all for a delightful dinner. Erich smiles faintly and follows suit, nodding to his guests in turn. "As do I. This has been a delightful evening, and one which I trust we may share in a like manner again in the near future." Lights rise slightly in the chamber, filling out the shadows enough for people to easily make their way out. Davir shakes his head, a bit of smile still on his lips, "No need to apologize, my lady. Thank you for detailing that." He rises then, his smile warm toward Jenaa as he inclines his head respectfully, "Highness, this has been an exquisite dinner, and a delight to be in such fine company. You have my genuine appreciation." He turns and bows to Erich, "Thank you, Majesty, for honoring us with your presence." With that he offers his arm to Alixana as he waits for her to thank the hosts. Alixana dips in a curtsey into each of the hosts in turn. "My thanks for a lovely evening, Your Highness, Your Majesty." Tat'iana plucks her napkin from her lap and lays it on the table, rising smoothly from her own chair. She inclines her head to the Emperor, and the Princess in turn. "It was indeed delightful," she murmurs, "I am honored to be included in such a fine gathering... I am deeply grateful to the both of you." Jenaa nods politely but somewhat curtly to Davir and Alixana, then to Tat'iana in turn. Alixana rests her hand upon Davir's arm. Erich states earnestly to Tat'iana, "Your presence has made this all the more delightful, m'lady, and I appreciate your joining us." Tat'iana absently brushes her hair back over her shoulder, turning to give Erich a warm smile. "Would a moment to have a word with you be possible, Majesty?" she asks impulsively, glancing to Davir and Alixana as they prepare to depart. Davir nods toward Tat'iana, saying, "My Lady." Upon feeling Alixana on his arm, he bows once again to Erich, then turns and guides her with him toward the exit, leaning over to whisper into her ear as they draw away from the others. Erich nods and offers his arm to the Lady Rastanyev. "Would you care to take some fresh air, m'lady?" "How wonderful, yes, please..." Tat'iana replies sincerely, placing her hand upon the offered arm. Erich winks in departure to his sister and then proceeds to escort Tat'iana out onto the patio. Tat'iana glances over her shoulder to Jenaa as she is escorted out, again smiling to her. Jenaa stands quietly at the end of the table as the guests depart. Davir heads to the Grand Ballroom. Davir has left. Alixana heads to the Grand Ballroom. Alixana has left.