675-08-16 - Nightly Visits with Family
Nightly Visits with Family | |||||||
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Summary: Adara gets a visit late from her niece. | |||||||
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It is late, yet Adara Zorich is still working at her desk by candlelight. Recent events had been hectic and she was a bit behind in what still needed to be done. If being closely linked to one such... Dubious situation wasn't bad enough, now there was two under the belt of the Mistress of Whispers.
She should have come sooner. However, one ting that people have come to learn about the Duchess of Gloomy Jungles is that she sets her own time and anyone elses is less valuable. Thus, it is very late, and Lisabette half wishes that she finds her Aunt having left the office before her arrival; however this is not the case. There is a soft knock at the door, and then the door slowly opens, the oyung Duchess standing in the doorway and stifling a small yawn. She exhales slowly and softly murmurs, "Caiman. You are still here. Such a pity, alas I guess it would serve me well to know about the last council meeting. Matters at home forbade me from attending; maters I assure you will not surface again." She does not go into any further detail and moves to sit.
ADara glances up at the unannounced intrusion and offers a soft smile saying, "Hello Your Grace. I trust the trip wasn't to unbearable?" in a polite tone as she stands, placing the quill in the inkwell and asks, "Can I get you anything?" as she steps around her desk to approach her niece without obstructions.
"Tolerable. I have had worse. At least the sea were calm and the winds favorable for a speedy return." She studies her Aunt a moment with a narrowed eye, not returning the smile; but this has come to be expected, "No Caiman, but I thank you nonethless. I suppose I should also thank you for seeing me this late. It could have probaly waited until tomorrow, but I wanted to make sure I was fully briefed on the recent Council meeting as soon as possible. I hate to be left out, and am all to curious if anything regarding myself or Gloomy Jungle was spoken of."
Adara waves dismissively and says, "I grew up watching you grow and know how my sister, or should I say our brother raised you. I know you well enough, as to the meeting nothing of particular note concerning our home no."
Taking a breath and leaning lightly on one of the chairs in front of her desk she says, "The first order of business was a request from Prince Nathan to launch an expedition into the Unknown World to the east to try and map out the lands the pirates claim, perhaps try and establish a colony too. I'll yield to the mapping, though I'm uneasy about the colony. Our alliance with the pirates might be an issue. Regardless the queen has approved of the trip the other day for other reasons. The recent rumors about members of the Cult being attacked in the streets was also brought up, as the commoners, especially members of the Cult are scared to leave their homes for the most part. That was largely it really."
The Duchess leans back in her chair before Adara's desk and sighs softly, moving a hand to brush a strand of hair back from her face. When she does speak, her words are all but murmurerd, a calm and stoic delivery, "Isn't that how things are to be done? Sail into unknown lands that a group already claims are theirs and then send in citizens to establish a colony and claim it for your lands. Well, that should go well. I look forward to discussing compensation at a futre council meeting for the slaughtered people's families. " She shakes her head once and then adds, "Scared to leave their homes? The people are afraid over some attacks in the street? You know in the jungle Adara, the weak and fearful are left to die. It's how it works." She says nothing more, but the subtle hint as to how she feels about the citizens reactions is evident.
Adara nods and says, "This is the Isle of the Crown however, and legally the Cultists are allowed to live here. Three murders tend to have that affect however, not to mention the savage beating the young woman suffered before that. On to other matters however, I assume you just got back, are you planning to retire to your quarters after this, or do you have paperwork to catch up with before you sleep?" as she continues to lean lightly on the chair next to the one Lisabette has sat in.
Lisabette tiredly turns her resting head on the chair's headrest to stare over at her Aunt, that rebellious strand of hair falling before her eyes once more, "That's a good question. I know there are a few things I need to attend to before sleeping. However, the mmore I ponder such the ore I begin to think it can wait until morning. It is not as if someone's life it at stake for what i am able to accomplish before I retire. And to tell you the truth, I grow so tired that even if there was I would seriously consider waiting until morning anyhow." She pauses a moment and then continues, "Three murders? Well, one loss of life is another life's gain ."
Adara nods and says, "Its been awhile, though I can understand you paying more mind to what is going on at Council meetings then the rumors of people on the streets. The beating was first, I believe it was a week or so after that two were killed in the same night. A bit after that another was killed and left on the steps of the Cult's own temple. Its clearly religiously motivated, but my whispers can only discover so much when so few are willing to cooperate."
"There is safety in silence Caiman. You of all people should know such. Quite often the mouth will not speak of what the eyes see; it keeps the heart beating." Her hand moves to idly tap a few fingers on the edge of her chair, "Relgious based murders, exploring unknown lands in hopes of setting up colonies; it would appear there is no sortage of ambition amongst us, is there? That is good. Do you have ambition Caiman?"
Adara says, "The only ambition I had I gained, and sooner then expected and I hold that position still. Too often personal ambition gets in the way of reason. As you know I've always been a logical and practical person."
Lisabette yawns once more and nods from her seated position, "True enough. However, sometimes reason needs a swift kick in the ass and to tbe to to let ambition bloom. You have always been logical and practical Caiman; always. It's a good quality to have. However, sometimes when you are not happy with the hand you have been dealt, you change the game."
Adara nods and says, "I am happy with the hand I've been dealt, and I have gained it by not being overly ambitious. Such is the flaw in your argument my niece." smiling softly, though not in a smug way, more of a good-natured way.
Lisabette ponders her Aunt's words a moment and then replies, her words deadpan and delivered with littles emotion or expression; eyes finding a locking glance, "Flawed? Perhaps. Yet more often than not I stared down at my own hand and found myself wanting. The only solution then is to eliominate the dealr and take which cards you desire; that's ambition."
Adara nods and says, "Hardly a matter to be worked out in one night, if it ever could. If there is nothing further I'll leave you to get some sleep. I still have things to finish up before I leave retire myself.”
Lisabette slowly rises from the chair and gives a nod as she starts for the door, "Thank you Caiman. You do know how I like to know everything. And you make it your business to know everything." With that she steps out into the hall and closes the door softly behind her.