Hypatea Hype [Morning 1]

[Hadrian Martikova]

''So...no. You have no buyer''

Hadrian chuckled softly and gave a stoic shrug in response. Nothing so far was beyond the parameters of what he felt equipped to handle. Indeed, his business senses were tingling. There's a deal in the works and he was eagerly awaiting its arrival. Now he could only hope lady luck, and his instincts were on his side for the coming negotiations.

Deception (Plausible Deniability negates setback): 2eP+1eA+2eC+1eD 4 successes, 3 threat


Perception: 2eP+1eA+2eC+1eD+1eS 1 failure, 3 advantage



Hadrian attempted to glean something from Xanthe. A tell perhaps, or some possible insight into her motives. Instead he realized for the first time just how attractive she is. He tilted his head thoughtfully before shifting his gaze.

"My travels recently brought me to Caladan, where I had an opportunity to meet Dr. Vim and discuss some aspects of planetology, the uniqueness of each world and the evolution of its flora and fauna. I was also able to enjoy a local festival, which included some of Mr. Martikova's stock." Cuyler explained.

He gave a grin at Cuyler as she spoke. "Right place, right time. And many fine meals later."

The time for pleasantries had passed of course. At this moment, the only thing he wished to convey to Xard, Cuyler, and Laila was that he had everything under control. Or at the very least that he was calm and content with where things stood. That at least half of them weren't tarred by the same brush as he was a win in Hadrian's book.

After that, Xanthe's attention would fully move onto Hadrian.

"I left my survival knife on the lighter. The clipboard is my weapon of choice you see." He smiled.

[Sister Shinah]

Shinah followed in Cordana's wake, close by to assist were the Reverend Mother actually in need of such trivialities. Any nearby observers would expect such deference from a clearly more junior member of the Sisterhood and what mattered, as always, was appearance.

"Lady Xanthe's reaction to our arrival was not outside of what was to have been expected as the most likely outcome, Reverend Mother." Shinah restated, switching to the older language fluidly. There had been an earlier exchange prior to planetfall, probability projections were made. The Reverend Mother likely didn't care (high probability likelihood, Shinah noted at the time).

As to the rest of Cordana's statement (guidance? admonishment?), Shinah absorbed it without additional remark. Information to be processed.

Right now, she had to try to be...benevolent.

[Kannon]

"It doesn't take a mentat to realise she must be around nonetheless. Let's find her."

The Reverend Mother spoke softly and started walking. It was not a secret on Wallach IX that a congenital spinal deformity like hers would have long defeated anyone else. Cordana, ever since she had been awarded a chance to live after birth, quite against the protocol, was proving through her wise perseverance the correctness of that decision. In fact, after Ruthene's demise, she remained Mother Superior's closest advisor, with only Mohiam or the Kwisatz Mother being able to challenge that position. Getting into her good graces was a pathway to advancement.

And yet, she had a reputation of heterodoxy. Some would say empathy, compassion, soft touch... some others would say: dangerous lenience. Those notions had been clashing within the Sisterhood since the time of Valya and Tula... There were very recent rumours about how Cordana had handled Jessica, convincing Mother Superior to let her return to the Duke despite her past disobedience. Shinah's very appointment to Cordana on this mission was therefore a challenge, and indication that having internalised the rules on Buzzell in their most manifest forms she was now expected to nuance them, explore their boundaries. Perhaps preparing her for handling the ultimate art of the Sisterhood: politics. Sisters with mentat powers were nurtured more insistently, Shinah knew.

[Kannon]

[Using Threat]

Xanthe's doe eyes performed more or less the same function as Hadrian's trademark disarming smile - diversion from the true intention and an incisive mind. He wanted a game? She could enjoy one.

"Let's not focus on trivialities. Clipboard feinting, you say? If it's wine-dealing you're truly after, Mr Martikova, than I can make an unrefusable offer here and now. Within a couple of hours you could be on your way back to Caladan, with a stunning review of your product you could present to my aunt, Cassandra Lanville. Your distinguished travelling companions would enjoy their stay at their own pace. I would be free from whatever concerns I may have if I let you into the city. We've had our share of provocateurs and people with obscure agendas lately. Because you must realise that by now you have earned a record in my database?"

She ended on an honeyed note.

[Laila Bridger]

Well, she's certainly direct.

Laila kept her place. Just a mercenary hired by a wine merchant with a checkered past. Certainly not one to venture an opinion.

Whatever Hawat thought they were going to get done here, this wasn't her element.

[Cuyler Gray]

Cuyler walked with Xard away from their companions and Xanthe's scrutiny. She was a bit concerned about where that conversation might be heading, but trusted Hadrian to navigate his way through it. She noticed the disembarking Bene Gesserit, as their paths were likely to converge. Recalling his story, Cuyler glanced at Dr. Vim as they drew near the newer arrivals.

[Kannon]

Xard had noticed that too, and he turned defensive, trying to avoid the encounter by looking everywhere else than the direction from which the black abas were coming.

[Cuyler Gray]

Cuyler reflexively placed herself between him and the women, offering him a comforting smile. "What would you like to do first doctor?"

[Hadrian Martikova]

He chuckled softly. "I'm quite sure I haven't the slightest idea of what you mean. But yes, at the end of the day I'm just a simple vintner & merchant. I'm always delighted to make new acquaintances, meet prospective clients, and solari above all."

Hadrian crosses his arms and shifts his weight to his back foot. "It's just..." He lets out a sigh and begins rubbing his neck sheepishly, "...I'm not quite sure my wine is worthy of such a distinguished palate as Lady Lanville's. This batch I mean." He adds quickly. "I have another trip I was planning on making in the coming months. Ohhh, let me tell you, I procured a cab that would melt the heart of a Harkonnen."

[Kannon]

"You have a curious habit of avoiding answering questions you are being asked, Mr Martikova. Do you want another chance or shall I settle on my conclusions from what you have already said, which are rather procedural?"

There was no malice in Xanthe's voice. More like a mixture of no-nonsense, irreproachable officialdom, and amusement. But there seemed to be yet another motive hidden below, else she would have already wrapped up the conversation.

"Thinking of dealing with the Harkonnen, tsk tsk. What would the people back at home say."

[Emcas]

Emcas did not like the wine seller: hiding behind a flourish of words marked him as untrustworthy in his own opinion.

At least lady Xanthe was in no direct threat. Ha could make a move

"Lady Xanthe. Might I initiate the search of the vehicle?

[Hadrian Martikova]

"And you seem to have a habit of hearing what you want to hear. Believing what you want to believe." His grin persisted but his tone had moved from the summer to the fall. "You want rid of me. But let us dispense with the unpleasantries. I've no intention of going anywhere just yet. Feel free to search to your heart's content, draw me through a bureaucratic mesh. Whatever you'd like. I'm powerless to stop your harassment."

He continued, "And while quick business is generally bad business, I'll admit I'm not untempted by your offer - especially if it's a lucrative one. Further, and while I can't figure out why, something tells me that despite our less than auspicious introduction. You and I would be better served working together, rather than finding ourselves diametrically opposed for whatever reason. After all, I'm not here to cause trouble. I love this planet!"

[Kannon]

Cuyler reflexively placed herself between him and the women, offering him a comforting smile. "What would you like to do first doctor?"

"Get out into the open, but I don't know if this is the option right now." The planetologist quietly admitted just when it was no longer possible to avoid being on collision course with the witches.

---

Xanthe raised her hand to stop Emcas once the magic words had been uttered.

"I suppose I can bear some disrespect if I can get some authenticity in return. How would you want us to work together, Mr Martikova?"

[Cuyler Gray]

"Get out into the open, but I don't know if this is the option right now." The planetologist quietly admitted just when it was no longer possible to avoid being on collision course with the witches.

"For now, it seems like it would be best not to venture too far." Cuyler nodded. "But, we can make our way toward Nikeion, for the races she suggested."

[Kannon]

It looked like the Bene Gesserit were not too interested in making contact. They just followed down the concourse. They were speaking a language between themselves that sounded utterly alien.

Xard could only nod.

[Hadrian Martikova]

Xanthe raised her hand to stop Emcas once the magic words had been uttered.

"I suppose I can bear some disrespect if I can get some authenticity in return. How would you want us to work together, Mr Martikova?"

"That is the question isn't it? Unfortunately I don't know right off." He crosses his arms. "The wine business is predominately pairing. Which price point pleases which customer. Which vintage compliments which dish... or conversation." He removes the mask for Xanthe. No doubt conscious of the Gesserits progress he would speak at the appropriate volume. "Which conversation suits your palate, Lady Ptolemaios? And, as neither myself nor my companion are fond of this bay's latest arrivals, are you sure this is the best place to have it?"

Hadrian was gambling. A gamble that could prove disastrous. But at this point, with so much on the line, he rode on his instincts and his many years of formulaic fiction. Hoping that children of Gesserits did indeed always hate their parent's order. If not, the gigue is up.

[Emcas]

"The protocols allows for inspection when deemed appropriate'' Emcas chimed in ''There could be a few exchange of words there if time permits''

[Cuyler Gray]

If she and Xard had escaped the notice of the Bene Gesserit, that was likely for the best. Cuyler was a bit curious, though. She had heard a variety of stories about the order, and had always wondered if any were true.

[Laila Bridger]

Hawat is definitely trying to get rid of us.

If the Atreides didn't have Sinsei, if Kiran wasn't still in their clutches, I'd look into options.

[Sister Shinah]

Politics.

For nineteen years, at least that much before she stopped tallying, Shinah had known reprieve from that word on Buzzell. There were the rules: an unbending law.

But now, the end of an era.

Trailing as before, Shinah had the good sense - politics - to wait until well out of earshot of Xanthe and her entourage.

"She has been found." A dry stating of obvious fact.