Hypatea Hype [Morning 1]

[Kannon]

Xanthe took note of Laila's return. She looked at the woman with renewed interest. So far she had not heard much from her but she might just have been the reason of Cordana's intervention on the group's behalf. She didn't speak first though.

[Laila Bridger]

She got right to the point.

"Your man Emcas and Mister Martikova are... barely communicating. I believe our purposes might actually coincide, but perhaps a more nuanced hand on the tiller might be called for before they start physically posturing beyond the social variety they're getting wound up in..."

[Hadrian Martikova]

Hadrian held up another wine bottle as Laila left.

"Where nights are warm with starry air. Where gentle winds lift standards fair. From every turret and parapet, Atreides banners are waving set. And colors green and black are seen, to linger there is like a dream." A sigh. "Ohhh, you should see it for yourself sometime Emcas."

[Kannon]

She smiled faintly.

"Alas, bi-location is not one of my gifts. Mr Martikova shall have to discover how to get along with my trusted assistant as long as he wants to suffer little trouble from the authorities for his past conduct. I presume you wield the power to convince him?"

A gentle feeler for reaction.

"I understand you have secrets. As long as their pursuit is not to the detriment of things I care about, I am willing to be disinterested in what they are. The price is that you seek convergence between your pursuits and those entrusted to Emcas."

Xanthe paused.

"You owe some of my goodwill to the Reverend Mother. She wants to see you at the races. Emcas will know how to direct you in Nikeion."

[Emcas]

''Mayhaps I should but that is unlikely to happen. What is the use of faraway dreams for a bird with clipped wings?''

[Hadrian Martikova]

Hadrian paused momentarily. His face placid.

"Well... nothing is permanent." He seemingly continued his search for broken seals or bottles before asking, "Do you like wine?"

[Emcas]

"Nothing is but death" he replied "As for wine I cannot drink but now or then or when testing for poison."

[Hadrian Martikova]

"Shame." He sighed, placing a more expensive vintage aside. "Not bad really. Only one bottle lost on the journey."

Without Laila to help him pull the next crates down he could only spot check.

"Do you think it better to be a falcon on an arm? Or a carrier pigeon?"

[Emcas]

''It is better to simply be, regardless of the shape one might need to take''

[Hadrian Martikova]

The thought occurred to him. "You're Zensunni right? Buddislamic? Alcohol is forbidden right?"

[Emcas]

''It is not encouraged, forbidden for some...it depends on your interpretation of the doctrines and your zeal to follow it. I prefer to think temperance and self-control are the virtues that are encouraged.''

[Laila Bridger]

"Alas, bi-location is not one of my gifts. Mr Martikova shall have to discover how to get along with my trusted assistant as long as he wants to suffer little trouble from the authorities for his past conduct. I presume you wield the power to convince him?"

A gentle feeler for reaction.

There may have been the ghost of an almost-smile at that.

"I understand you have secrets. As long as their pursuit is not to the detriment of things I care about, I am willing to be disinterested in what they are. The price is that you seek convergence between your pursuits and those entrusted to Emcas."

A brief nod, but no words, because there wasn't much to be said.

"You owe some of my goodwill to the Reverend Mother. She wants to see you at the races. Emcas will know how to direct you in Nikeion."

An unmistakable flash of what might best be described as baffled terror, which Laila did her best to sublimate

"I see. An audience with a Reverend Mother. What an honor..."

[Kannon]

"Whatever they want from you, Cordana is likely your best shot." Xanthe said, more at ease, glancing toward the ship. "I think I've said what needed to be said. Until later, Ms Bridger?"

[Laila Bridger]

"Whatever they want from you, Cordana is likely your best shot." Xanthe said, more at ease, glancing toward the ship. "I think I've said what needed to be said. Until later, Ms Bridger?"

"Until later, Lady Xanthe."

Guess I gotta go knock the boys' heads together.

[Hadrian Martikova]

''It is not encouraged, forbidden for some...it depends on your interpretation of the doctrines and your zeal to follow it. I prefer to think temperance and self-control are the virtues that are encouraged.''

Hadrian tilted his head before looking down at the bottle in his hand. "I see. As it happens the seal did in fact hold up."

He replaced it in the container and sealed it back.

"Almost done. Then we can finish up and head out."

[Kannon]

[Xanthe, Cordana and Shinah have left the thread.]

[Laila Bridger]

Laila strolled back in, glad it didn't sound like anyone had been stabbed, clonked with a wine bottle, or otherwise inconvenienced.

"And how are we getting along?"

[Emcas]

"I believe we are almost ready to depart"

[Hadrian Martikova]

Hadrian exchanged a brief, disapproving look, but otherwise continued as cheerfully as before. "Getting on like a house on fire. Just a few more crates to inspect and we can proceed."

________
OOC: I'm good with this thread

[Laila Bridger]

"Good. I'm given to understand that as long as our purposes aren't in conflict, this should be harmonious. I suppose we'll have the rest of the day to sort out what those purposes are."

--
OOC: Good to go here!