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Post by Micaela Vaenys on Dec 16, 2018 9:35:22 GMT
After her evening out on the town, Micaela headed to the Salt Palace to visit Lord Aenys. She dressed in one of her better gowns, a dark green silk that was modest yet becoming, and had her hair piled high atop her head. She wanted to present the appearance of being both serious and highborn. Her small palanquin was borne by two of her household slaves and she was accompanied by her sworn shield, Daerion, and by her dragon, Byka, reasoning that this small entourage would influence her chances of being admitted.
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A Visit
Dec 16, 2018 20:47:10 GMT
via mobile
Post by The Terror on Dec 16, 2018 20:47:10 GMT
The Salt Palace was nearly the size of the rest of the Valyrian quarter put together, which was even more impressive when one recalls Aenys Maltalos had paid for both out of his pocket. As there were so few Valyrians of the old blood, it was a short affair for Micaela to be allowed inside. She was brought to a rather lavish chamber that her own home could probably fit inside. And then she waited. And waited. She had plenty to admire the various works of art scattered all over the room. (Micaela INT: 111) Lord Maltalos is clearly a great collector of relics from Old Valyria. Her eyes are quickly drawn to a pair of stone dragon eggs, placed in an exhibit surrounded by a large steel cage and an armed guard at all times. He lets her stand as close to the cage as she likes though.
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Post by Micaela Vaenys on Dec 16, 2018 20:56:06 GMT
"Look, Byka," she said to the dragon perched on her shoulder. "You came from an egg just like these ones. Perhaps Lord Maltalos will have a dragon of his own, one day. I wonder if he's ever tried to hatch them?"
She turned to Daerion, reluctantly tearing her eyes away from the precious eggs. "This is a beautiful place. Even in Volantis I don't believe I ever visited any mansion as large as this palace. I imagine it would be easy to get very lost here. Oh gods, can you imagine if my sisters were here? They'd be in raptures." She giggled.
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A Visit
Dec 17, 2018 9:32:07 GMT
via mobile
Post by The Horror on Dec 17, 2018 9:32:07 GMT
The wait was a drawn out one, Maltalos took his time before sending a slave to announce that Micaela would be allowed to enter his office.
When she was invited in, Micaela was taken aghat by the Maltalos' office. A room all of marble, with dragon carvings adorning the massive pillars that rose to the ceiling, one so high that made anyone that came in feel a little... Suppressed. All that splendour and grandeur was likely an attempt at over compensation, for the Lord that sat on the exquisite cedar table before her was noting but a rat faced fat little man.
"Lady... Vaenys, is that right?" Maltalos said in his heavy Volantene accent. He had a very wide smile under his thin, well kept, moustache. "I do not recall we having ever met before. Do you happen to be new in town? If we have met before, than I must apologize for my mind is always rushing with the Salt business and I'm not very good at remembering names."
His tone sounded genuinely nice in Micaela's, however she noticed that every couple words the man's gaze would turn towards Byka.
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Post by Micaela Vaenys on Dec 17, 2018 18:36:33 GMT
Micaela was surprised the merchant didn't recognise her but quickly realised that she hadn't exactly gone out of her way to meet him or his family in the past. She'd seen him about now and then but not in close proximity.
"I've been here three years, my lord, but I don't go out into society much. I'm a scholar, you see, and then my husband died so I was in mourning. It would hardly have been proper for me to attend social functions in the months after Jace's death, even if I'd wanted to. Jace always meant to initiate a relationship between our households when we first arrived, but we spent so much time with our books that he quite forgot. I loved him dearly, but he was terribly absent-minded." She smiled sadly and tried to push away the memories that threatened to spill into her thoughts.
"This is Byka, my lord." She patted the little dragon's head, and Byka arched her neck in pleasure. "She's my comfort and joy now. I note that you are yourself in possession of two dragon eggs."
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A Visit
Dec 18, 2018 9:30:40 GMT
via mobile
Post by The Horror on Dec 18, 2018 9:30:40 GMT
"Jace... Jace... Oh yes, of course. Jace Vaenys, great man. My condolences, my Lady. It is a terrible shame that he has passed." As unseasoned as Micaela was in the world of intrigue and politics, it was clear that the Salt King was lying. From his tone it was clear that he didn't have any recollection of the name.
"What a beautiful little creature she is..." Now the Lord didn't even bother to look at Micaela while he spoke, his attention was solely focused on Byka. He reached to pet the dragon's serpentine head, but was received by loud hissing and some snapping jaws. "Oh and she's dangerous too. She will do great once she has grown past being Byka."
"She doesn't happen to be for sale, does she?" Aenys asked nonchalantly, he was the type of man who was used to buying whatever he wanted.
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Post by Micaela Vaenys on Dec 18, 2018 18:37:31 GMT
Clearly Lord Maltalos knew nothing about Micaela or her husband since he'd even gotten Jace's name wrong. But she wisely kept that bit of information to herself, for now.
"I could never sell something so precious to me," she said, and stroked Byka's neck to calm the little dragon. "I love her as much as other men and women love their dogs and cats and horses. More, probably. Have you never tried to hatch your own eggs, my lord? It seems a shame to leave them as they are. They are beautiful, no doubt about that, but a living dragon is..." She broke off and smiled. "Priceless. And a man of your wealth...surely you could easily afford to seek assistance in this matter."
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A Visit
Dec 18, 2018 20:31:25 GMT
via mobile
Post by The Horror on Dec 18, 2018 20:31:25 GMT
"Shame." Priceless was not a word in Aenys vocabulary. Micaela noticed that after her refusal to strike a bargain with the saltmonger, his mask of kindness and politeness had somewhat cracked. His smile was not that genuine anymore and he seemed to be struggling to keep himself from frowning. "Well, maybe you could help me with that, that would be wonderful. I'm sure if you did it once, then you are able to repeat the process. I would be glad to invest pay you an interesting sum."
"But those are matters for another day." He seemed to be rushing now, since he didn't get what he want at first, Micaela guessed he wasn't that interested in her presence anymore. "What brings you to my humble Salt Palace, Lady Vaenys?"
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Post by Micaela Vaenys on Dec 18, 2018 20:55:43 GMT
Humble was the last word to describe the palace but Micaela wisely chose not to comment about that.
"I hoped we might be able to help one another, my lord. A man with your business interests clearly requires a team of people to help him keep track of his assets. I'm an educated woman, skilled in mathematics and calligraphy, I speak several languages, can sketch and am accustomed to spending my time with books. I've performed some individual commissions for private customers, but I find myself in need of more...secure employment for the time being. I hoped you might have a vacancy."
CHA 60 Aim is to persuade at the moment
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A Visit
Dec 18, 2018 21:16:56 GMT
via mobile
Post by The Horror on Dec 18, 2018 21:16:56 GMT
CHA: 130
"You're bold, I like that. There aren't many Ladies in Linyanti that would use her social status to get an attendance with me in order to ask for an employment." Lord Maltalos stated with a a that's smile on his lips. Before proceeding any further he clapped his hands and had a slave bring in two goblets filled to the brim with white wine.
"It's not that I don't trust you, you seem to be very smart having hatched a dragon and all that." His eyes once again turned towards Byka, who proceeded to hiss back at him. "But it is my son who is in charge of the management personel, Though I'm pretty sure he might be in need of a notary or clerk at the moment, his is the final decision. The best I can do for your, is out your good name on his list."
He smiled creepily, like the creepy old man he was.
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Post by Micaela Vaenys on Dec 18, 2018 21:37:34 GMT
She stroked Byka's head again, tickling under her chin in the spot she liked. "Hush, dearest," she whispered.
Then she turned her most dazzling smile upon Maltalos - though simply hoping to impress him with her earnestness.
"Oh, that is quite alright, my lord. Would it be worth my while to seek an interview with your son in person? I would so like the opportunity to prove my worth. Although, having said that, your lordship is the man in charge. I should think your son would not dare contradict his honoured father if you chose to override his wishes. Just once, of course."
CHA 60 to raise disposition this time
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A Visit
Dec 18, 2018 21:48:50 GMT
via mobile
Post by The Horror on Dec 18, 2018 21:48:50 GMT
CHA: 102 - Disposition Raised
"Hmm... Yes, of course. It's my business afterall. You can consider yourself one step closer to being hired." Maltalos' said, drinking from his goblet. "My son is currently doing a site visit in the mines, but he should be here by the end of the they. Would a meeting next morning be appropriate?"
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Post by Micaela Vaenys on Dec 18, 2018 22:15:39 GMT
"Yes, my lord, that would be perfect." She took a sip of wine. "Delicious," she murmured. "I'm much obliged to you. I would be happy to take a closer look at your dragon eggs if you wish."
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A Visit
Dec 18, 2018 22:39:33 GMT
via mobile
Post by The Horror on Dec 18, 2018 22:39:33 GMT
"You've shown me yours, so I guess it's time I show you mine, eh?" Lord Maltalos said with a chuckle... Or he was choking, Micaela wasn't quite sure. It was a nasty sound in either case.
Aenys rose to his feet and made his way towards were the dragon egg had been on display. He gently took it into his hands and brought it to her.
"Do you think you could hatch it?" He asked greedily.
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Post by Micaela Vaenys on Dec 18, 2018 23:02:32 GMT
Her fingers itched to touch the egg but she dared not do so without the lord's permission.
"With time and more research, I think it entirely possible," she said. "The difficulty is that there does not appear to be an exact science to the matter. At least, if there is, I have yet to deduce the pattern. However, I've spoken to Helaena Caltarys on numerous occasions and it seems clear that the hatching of our dragons was not achieved in exactly the same manner. I am still researching the matter, when I can get my hands on the right sort of books. In the meantime, my lord, I would strongly advise you to choose whichever of the two eggs most takes your fancy and spent as much time as you can with it in your presence. It sounds like folly, I know, but I read that the Valyrians sometimes did it, and they had a great many dragons."
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