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Post by The Horror on Dec 5, 2018 21:35:16 GMT
"We have tried Lord Aenys already, but that bufoon won't even receive us." Aelon grimaced. "After all the Society has done for him. Without Bae..." He choked on the name, it was all still too fresh for him. "Without us, he wouldn't have his precious Salt Mines."
"Indeed. We have put great faith on their arrival, as things are we won't be able to hold out much longer." Aelon's face seemed to lighten a bit. "I've heard there's a Tiger among them. A man of wealth who had been taken by wanderlust and wishes to visit the four corners of the world before he dies. So there's still hope."
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Post by Micaela Vaenys on Dec 5, 2018 21:51:28 GMT
"Oh, how exciting," she said. "Travelling sounds so much better than politics, anyway. But perhaps we'll be lucky and this man will turn out to be a friend of my family. My father's a Tiger, I think...or was it a Leopard...I never can remember. Or maybe he's an Elephant." She sighed. "Ugh, how am I supposed to remember who's who in politics? It's all so dreary! It makes my head hurt."
She thought for a moment. "Perhaps we could hold a small gathering to welcome these newcomers?"
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Post by The Horror on Dec 5, 2018 22:16:11 GMT
"Tigers, Micaela. You were right the first time." Aelon chuckled. "Politics is like any scholarly work. It's all practice, you get used to it after a while. My mother made sure to hammer every name in court into my head when I was little. I was great entertainment in her parties, he friends adored when I listed the name of every Archons of Volantis since the Doom."
"Yes! That's a great idea." He smiled briefly, before realizing something very important. "But we would need to have money for that. I'm not sure we can scrape enough to get us dinner for a week, let alone a feast for these newcomers."
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Post by Micaela Vaenys on Dec 5, 2018 22:50:22 GMT
Micaela realised that she couldn't even remember who had been Archon the day she and Jace set sail for Linyanti. Not that she cared either way.
"We don't need to provide fancy food," she said. "Wine with cheese and biscuits would suffice, and our entertainment would be poetry and music, perhaps a lecture on the local history. We can call in any favours we're owed, and strike bargains with likely performers. Wine merchants too. I'm sure one of two of the local businessmen would be willing to discuss terms."
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Post by The Horror on Dec 5, 2018 22:59:29 GMT
"That's genius!" Aelon said excitedly. "We should talk to Master Santygar. I'm sure he will love your idea."
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Post by Micaela Vaenys on Dec 6, 2018 7:55:16 GMT
"I hope so." Micaela grinned at Aelon, pleased with the success of her idea. "Where is Master Santygar, anyway?"
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Post by The Horror on Dec 6, 2018 9:19:01 GMT
"I have not seen him go out yet, so he might be upstairs." Aelon said, clearly unsure about the given information. "However, he might have slipped by while I was playing Egwu and I wouldn't have even noticed."
"Maybe Lopopo could go check upstairs...?" He looked suggestively at the summer islander.
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Post by The Terror on Dec 6, 2018 9:38:15 GMT
Lopopo stands up. Before heading upstairs, he turns to Micaela and says, "My lady, I would appreciate it if you kept an eye on this young conqueror. He may attempt a sneak attack while I am preoccupied upstairs." He pats the younger man on the back to show he is only teasing before vanishing upstairs.
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Post by The Horror on Dec 6, 2018 9:53:50 GMT
Aelon blushed, he was not expecting to be backstabbed in such a manner. "Lopopo gets really funny when he defeats me in Egwu." He gave a quick uncomfortable laugh.
"Would you enjoy some wine, my lady?" He asked, trying to change the subject but only later realized how much that offer sounded like flirting. "I don't...I mean, not necessarily wine. Maybe I could get you a tea or some cold water."
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Post by Micaela Vaenys on Dec 6, 2018 18:19:12 GMT
"Cold water is fine," she said, clearly taking the offer as a gesture of hospitality rather than flirtation. To her mother's despair that she could never tell when a man was flirting with her, anyway. "There will be wine at the celebrations, and I've no taste for drinking a lot of the stuff. Truth be told, I water it down when I'm in private. This game Egwu, where does it come from?"
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Post by The Terror on Dec 6, 2018 22:20:23 GMT
Santygar finally appears, mumbling to himself various pitches. "...and it is my most humble request, my lords... No, too generic... in tribute to the men who gave us our prosperity... in service of our continuing prosperity. Yes, that sounds better. In service to our continuing prosperity, you can donate a humble sum of..." The old man looks up at Micaela and kisses her on the forehead in greeting, before returning to his thoughts. "Consider the salt mines. Might there be more, Lord Caltarys? Perhaps more prizes for your arena?" He sighed and turned to the younger Valyrians.
"How are you this detestable day, my lady and lord?"
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Post by Micaela Vaenys on Dec 6, 2018 22:32:49 GMT
"I'm well, my lord." She smiled at him. "I'm sorry you're having a bad day. Perhaps you need to get out of the office for a little while. I was just saying to Aelon that I was hoping to attend the festivities with my Society friends. We scholars should stick together."
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Post by The Horror on Dec 6, 2018 22:58:18 GMT
"Oh madam, you shouldn't worry about our wine then." Aelon chuckled at their own misery. "It's so watered down that one can drink a whole keg and never get even get dizzy. But yes, cold water, I'll be back in a moment."
As Aelon went towards their kitchen to fetch her a drink, he passed through his Master and gave a quick respectful bow.
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Post by The Terror on Dec 7, 2018 7:10:15 GMT
"I fear I shall not be very festive this week. We are bleeding funds and I must find a few patron soon who may show interest in our escapades. I was considering that perhaps Lord Caltarys or Master Dabrezzio might be so inclined. I have heard it told that Lord Caltarys's sisters possess an adventurous spirit and Master Dabrezzio is rumored to be unafraid of venture capitalism. In addition, Lord Maegyr is not exceptionally wealthy, but he is a veteran commander and has warriors to spare. He may serve as an escort now that we can no longer rely on the Ivory Band..."
He seemed to be talking as much to himself as to Micaela. "Yes... do you think those figures might be interested? I fear you and your husband's names resound far more than mine does in current society."
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Post by Micaela Vaenys on Dec 7, 2018 8:08:09 GMT
"Perhaps," she said vaguely. "I don't have my sisters' talent for hobnobbing with high society but I can talk about the joy of learning new knowledge and how lending their support to our enterprises will benefit any who help us. Hopefully at least one of those people you name might be interested."
She paused to let her words sink in.
"I thought that the festivities would be as good a place as any to begin. Everyone should be in a pleasant mood, and if they've had a few drinks, that's even better."
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