Date: Wed Nov 29, 2000 1:45pm Subject: A little swordplay, anyone? (oops, the only desc I grabbed was Arra's!) -----Arra----- Shoulder length, thick black hair worn parted in the middle, forms a halo of loose, dark curls about a face of striking beauty. Her dark eyebrows curve in an expression of mock innocence and this knowing glance is emphasized by the dark khol that lines her slightly tilted eyes, giving her an exotic appearance. She has a straight nose and high cheekbones and a delicate chin. Her skin is smooth, a warm shade of peach, but she has painted henna designs on her body, visible on her arms and chest, but probably in other places, as well. Her lips are covered by a dark gloss that is almost black, but reflects an indigo sheen. She is thin and petite, almost frail in appearance. Her shoulders are bare and she wears a diaphanous gown of gold with black trim. The tight-fitting bodice hugs her breasts and waist, and the full skirt flares out at her hips. The sheer fabric of the skirt is almost see-through, but light reflected from the gold threads keeps the gown modest. On her feet are a pair of gold and black slippers. ----------------- Reception Hall -- Rastanyev Embassy (Kaitain)(#2775Rt) The Reception Hall is square in shape. The walls are covered with hand-polished white marble set with glit bronze sconces. A magnificent chandelier hangs from the high vaulted ceiling, shedding soft golden light around the room. Square windows line the front of the room allowing the bright Kaitain sun to pour in during the day, and the soft glow of moonlight to seep through during the night. A set of large ornately carved bronze doors to the north leads to the areas of the Embassy used for State Affairs. To either side of the doors, two small alcoves each with a small marbled topped table and couch are tucked away allowing for private conversation even when a large crowd is present. A raised marble dais rests in the exact centre of the room, and upon it sit three ornately carved chairs. Beyond the chairs are two carefully polished rosewood staircases, turning a slight spiral as they ascend to the floors above. Players: Camilla Satyavrat Raschid Arra Aleksei Exits: Rose Wood Stairway leads to Second Floor Hallway -- Rastanyev Embassy (Kaitain) Jet And Silver Doors leads to Tsar's Hall -- Rastanyev Embassy (Kaitain) Heavy Bronze Doors leads to Hall of Boyars -- Rastanyev Embassy (Kaitain) Arched Doors leads to Courtyard -- Rastanyev Embassy (Kaitain) Arra raises her sword as Aleksei's approaches her shoulder, but not enough to the side this time and fails to push it far enough wide. The blade slices across her arm lightly. Arra breathes, "Keep going." Aleksei hmms and nods quietly, "if you so wish" he says to himself, "interesting..", he decides to swing for the other shoulder deciding to not cause more harm to the other, he swings about the same speed seeing if it was just a lost of defense for a time.. Arra doesn't make the same mistake twice, and pushes the attacking sword more to the side this time and even attempts to extend her arm and return a thrust of her own to Aleksei's chest. Raschid glances up at the group descending the stairs and nods briefly before returning his attention to the scene unfolding. Camilla watches the melee from the stairs a small smile on her lips. From the staircase, there is the sound of a decidedly feminine gasp. "What in bloody blazes is going on here?" The waspish tone of Lady Tat'iana carries across the chamber, piercingly sharp, and angry. She gathers her skirts, and fairly runs down the remaining stairs, not entirely lady-like. Aleksei rolls with the return and narrowingly withdraws his sword before getting the thrust towards his chest, he backs away from the thrust and smirks, "Good improvision.. I see you go for the chest a bit." Raschid turns and holds up a hand "Sword training, Lady." Arra smiles and is about to answer but turns to smile at Tat'iana and holds the sword out to the side as she curtsies, "My Lady." It would seem that the Reeve takes a habit of following people. He can be spied in the stairwell, several footsteps behind the Lady Tat'iana. Rather than breaking out into a run, however, he merely frowns at the mentat's response from his shadowy alcove. "There is a room for such activities, Master Raschid, Warmaster." He stalks down the stairs at a measured pace, his frown becoming more evident. "Diplomats from other Houses need not see such chicanery as soon as they call upon the Earl." Aleksei blinks as he salutes Arra, his sword in the saluting hand.. "I was just providing a lesson in swordmanship for Arra, my lady." "Indeed!" Tat'iana echoes immediately after the Reeve. "There is a time, and a place for such things... and the reception court is NOT one of them!" Her cheeks flare hotly, and she fixes each of the three in the guilty party with a hard glare. Arra asks curiously, "Is a diplomat from another House coming to visit?" Camilla frowns as the melee stops. Her eyes burning holes into the young woman with the sword. Raschid nods to the Diplomat as he finally turns his back on the scene to face the group, "Aye, there is, Reeve. Truth be known I have just come upon the scene myself." He turns to look directly at Tat'iana as he says this. "It is however, -never- a wise thing to rudely interupt someone in the middle of a swing. Accidents happen that way, Lady." Aleksei looks over to the Reeve, with a narrowing of his eyes and then looks to Tat'iana with the usual wide-eyed servant look, "I am sorry my lady.. I will stop this lesson.." Satyavrat marches directly up to the young girl in the ridiculous gown, extending his hand. "Your sword, madame," he orders curtly. "Lesser diplomats are a common occurance in our House, and appearances must be maintained." He looks back at the Warmaster and sighs. "Are you so desperate for swordplay that you challenge people dressed like this?" Arra sighs and hands the sword back to Aleksei, murmuring, "Thank you. It was most enjoyable." She then looks down at the small cut on her arm with a proud smile. Aleksei looks over Arra's clothing and smirks and lies, "ooh I didn't realize she was wearing such a gown." and takes the sword and puts it into his hidden sheath in his jacket, "Well, I am sorry that I chose such a time and space, my lady." Arra explains to Satyavrat, "The sword is the Warmasters, My Lord." Satyavrat blinks twice at Arra and lets his hand fall to his side, forbearing from speech as surely a continued tirade from the Earl's sister is forthcoming. Aleksei makes a mental note that he would enjoy sparring with Satyavrat and Reeve.. at the same time if neccesary. Tat'iana's attention is drawn by Arra's quiet question, and then she sees the cut. "Blood drawn... in this house... in a 'training' session? Is this the usual? Diplomats can arrive unannounced. And how could you NOT see such a gown, Warmaster? It glares brighter than the sun!" Aleksei says, "Me lady, It is only a minor cut, she did not wish to stop after the cut, I provided one last spar before you arrived... We had no diplomats from other houses about and I was going about checking to make sure we were ready for the night.. I am sorry for my behavior." "Perhaps the Delegate-General was busy examining other features," the Reeve remarks acidly. A slight grin has returned to his face, however, and it would appear that his sense of humor has been roused at last. "I had a similar difficulty when the Earl's former Weaponsmaster was engaged in my own training." Arra says, "It was my fault...please don't be angry at him." She offers Aleksei an apologetic smile, the waves at Raschid, "I didn't see you there." Raschid smiles at Arra then shrugs as he glances at Tat'iana "It would seem many, do not." Satyavrat's grin flickers away as the mentat makes his remark. Bad enough having the damnable human computers crawling all over the place without these silly reminders. The apology is cut off, and the Mentat ignored. "Have your report of this incident on the Lord Earl's desk by morning, Warmaster. And be sure you include every detail... " Tat'iana's anger begins to fade, but only slightly. She lifts her chin, staring down the man. Aleksei sheaths his own sword and salute-bows to Tat'iana again, "I will include this incident in my report.. every detail as you ask of me." Arra speaks in a confidential tone of voice, though she has to talk loud enough for Raschid to hear her from his observation post, "He said I was a natural." She seems rather proud of herself and her 'wound'. Camilla speaks in a loud voice, "He should have cut out her black heart then just merely a scratch on her arm." She quickly turns and runs back up the stairs. Camilla climbs the Rose Wood Stairway. Camilla has left. Raschid glances at Arra, briefly, before turning his attention back to Tat'iana. "Have the Suk attend to that, dear." Arra looks up the stairs as Camilla calls out. If anyone is noticing her reaction to the woman, Arra doesn't even show a glimmer of surprise. She does, however, smile unpleasantly. Satyavrat blinks and turns around as the Lady Camilla ascends the stares, his expression rather incredulous and telling for one used to poker faces. He swivels around and looks back to Tat'iana, letting his face ask the questions he has. Tat'iana turns with great surprise at Camilla's outburst, her mouth falling open. "Cousin--!" she begins, but the woman has already darted off. She glances to the Reeve, helplessly, and turns quickly back to Aleksei. "And further, Warmaster... until Miss Yebshe is wed, and fully a member of this house, I have severe reservations about her receiving any training from our hands. I will, of course, let the Lord Earl decide in this matter. Until his decision is announced, please, I would ask that we refrain from such activities." The Lady pauses once more, and sighs deeply. "Where is that decrepit Suk, anyways? Do have the wound attended to... even if it is just a small one." Arra says, "I can take care of myself, Lady. Thank you." She curtsies and moves toward the stairs, "My things are still in your office, Master, yes?" Aleksei nods, "As you wish, my lady" Tat'iana steps aside to let Arra pass, nodding. "Ah, yes, Miss Yebshe. Your healing skills are exemplary. I have seen so myself..." Raschid nod to Arra his gaze still resting directly upon Tat'iana "Yes, Arra. They are." Satyavrat shrugs and lets the matter fall. The girl has tended to the Lady Tat'iana herself, previously. Instead, he merely moves back across the floor. "M'Lady," he says to the Earl's Sister, "I believe there is some business for us in the Hall of Boyars?" Aleksei notes for his own mental record that Tat'iana need no sword, she can beat you down without one.. . Arra casts a final glance over her shoulder before ascending the stairs. Tat'iana nods, after a slight hesitation. "Yes, m'Lord... Thank you." She gathers her skirts, and begins to follow the Reeve. Arra climbs the Rose Wood Stairway. Arra has left. Satyavrat walks to the north and passes through the Heavy Bronze Doors. Satyavrat has left. Raschid calls out, quietly, "Lady? Perhaps you could fit me into your busy schedule, in the near future?" You walk through the Heavy Bronze Doors. Hall of Boyars -- Rastanyev Embassy (Kaitain)(#2886Rntu) Dim light illuminates from torches and candelabra's set in ornates brass sconces along the wall. The flickering flames cast shadows upon the room. On the southern and western walls hang two enourmous tapestries, on which images of Tsarkoe, the city of the Tsars have been carefully and painstakingly woven. Two alabaster statues stand on high marble pedastals to either side of the entrance. The statues honour the handmaidens of the Jarla Alexandra III during the battle of Neyvak. A large table cut from a white stone native to Garrashu VI sits in the centre of the room. Chairs crafted from a dark hued hardwood have been placed along either side of the stone table. Resting against the backwall, not far from the table, a throne-like chair has been placed, cushions of dark red velvet contrast the dark wood of the chair's body. Players: Satyavrat Rastanyev-Bldr Exits: Elacca Wood Door leads to Dining Hall -- Rastanyev Embassy (Kaitain) Heavy Bronze Doors leads to Reception Hall -- Rastanyev Embassy (Kaitain) Satyavrat pauses inside the doorway, leaning against one of the heavy chairs surrounding the table. "Her black heart...?" he quotes from memory, a half-grin on his face. "I'd not known the Lady Camilla to use such terms." Tat'iana claps a hand over her mouth, to stifle the explosion of giggles that threatens to happen. Wordlessly, she nods, not trusting herself to speak. Satyavrat sighs. "If this matter with the Bajazet gets any more tangled..." He lets the threat dangle off. "Are we to trust that the Lady Camilla will not take to carving black hearts out herself? Or perhaps have them removed by order of her Cousin, the Earl?" Tat'iana shakes her head quickly, letting her hands drop to her sides. "No, Satyavrat. I have not had a chance to speak with you yet... but I have the Bajazets firmly in hand. But tell me something... was I... too harsh out there?" She tilts her head to the side, her brow furrowing with concern. Satyavrat snorts. "No," he says archly, "No you were not. The Baron Deniken would never perform such an idiotic stunt in the Reception Court, and it was senseless of the mentat to allow it to continue unchecked. Had the Earl been present, there would have been drastic action taken without hesitation." "I think," Tat'iana drawls slowly, crossing her arms across her chest, "That our Mentat's judgement is perhaps a wee bit clouded just now... with one particular little Bajazet strumpet. I still don't trust her. And I like her roaming freely about this house even less. Especially *knowing* she was trained by a Mentat Master of Assassins. Did you catch the way she looked at Camilla? Our cousin, I'm afraid, is now in danger. I'll be speaking with the Baron Deniken immediately." Satyavrat nods quickly. "An excellent plan," he agrees. "I...will speak with the Lady Camilla. If she has legitimate concerns, they should be voiced. And if not...we'll see." He sighs, rubbing his eyes with a free hand. "