“I see,” Guiomar said. Modest jewelry jangled as she put her hands on the table and rose with no small amount of deliberation from her seat. “I shall attend my personal business for those who might make better use of me.”
Costanca only barely kept her eyebrows from winging upwards. Sarita made some sort of not-quite-apology, not-quite-entreaty, but the old bird had made her play and she was leaving the table in some sort of huff. Costanca noted she hadn’t eaten much; while Guiomar’s contemporaries faltered in their health as they aged, Guiomar had always been robust. At least when it came to apetite. It wasn’t like her to forgo a meal in lieu of some perceived slight. Costanca was rather privately surprised the old biddy would let go a bone once she’d engaged in chewing on it – or perhaps she had another plan she intended to deal out. Not that she was the sort to so obviously telegraph her movements.
Still, as Sarita hastily rallied servants to see Guiomar to comfort (it would take a movement of the planes to get Guiomar to come back to the table once she’d left it, Costanca knew that much), Costanca turned to Diego with an artfully curious expression on her face. She did wait until both Sarita and Guiomar was out of ear shot before she gave voice to her thoughts.
“How dreadful, cousin Diego!”
It wasn’t dreadful, of course. That was what made it all the more fun.
Bad Reputation
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Costanca Ana
- Outsider
- Posts: 48
- Joined: Tue Jul 16, 2013 12:45 am
- Name: Costanca de Morua Riestra
- Race: Human
Re: Bad Reputation
Diego watched Guiomar's egress whilst wearing the appropriate expression for 'concerned over a relative's health'. It took a substantial amount of effort to ensure his outward demeanour didn't alter as he responded to Costanca. "Just ghastly, Dona Costanca. But I suppose it is what comes of surviving to Guiomar's age. There is a lamentable tendency for the mind and body to suffer from decay. And this breakfast should have roused the appetite of even the dead. Quite worrying." And he hoped the old she-goat suffered like that for the rest of the day.
Still, there was no time to gloat over such a petty victory. With the room reduced to just the three of them, Diego stated "While on the topic of worrying things, Dona Sarita: I looked into some possibilities last night. Fortunately, the kitchen staff are wonderful gossips with the right encouragement. The guard Sancho beats further investigation, as does the cleaning girl Mencia. The former has been borrowing money, the latter behaving in an uncharacteristically subdued and withdrawn fashion. Whilst not evidence of betrayal as such, learning the cause behind these behaviours may lead to more fruitful avenues of enquiry."
Still, there was no time to gloat over such a petty victory. With the room reduced to just the three of them, Diego stated "While on the topic of worrying things, Dona Sarita: I looked into some possibilities last night. Fortunately, the kitchen staff are wonderful gossips with the right encouragement. The guard Sancho beats further investigation, as does the cleaning girl Mencia. The former has been borrowing money, the latter behaving in an uncharacteristically subdued and withdrawn fashion. Whilst not evidence of betrayal as such, learning the cause behind these behaviours may lead to more fruitful avenues of enquiry."
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Costanca Ana
- Outsider
- Posts: 48
- Joined: Tue Jul 16, 2013 12:45 am
- Name: Costanca de Morua Riestra
- Race: Human
Re: Bad Reputation
"I have some things for you to look at when we return," Sarita said. Costanca knew from that look that Sarita didn't plan on dropping even a hint of more information while she was in. How interesting! Except not. It didn't involve Costanca, and that was the extent of her interest in the matter. It didn't matter whether or not she cared, either; Sarita was all too concerned about what he position meant and all that fuss. She was really too uptight. No wonder her husband hardly ever came home. Though, in Sarita's place, Costanca might have obsessed over her work to drive the man off, too. He was a boor, and unquestionably boring.
"For now, once we have finished here we shall be on our way. If we do not get to an early start we shall be late, and small gods save us then."
______
Despite the millennium of magical development, not much had been done to improve the tedium of long distance travel. True, there was some teleportation about, if you were willing to spend a great deal of money and had reason enough to trust the wizard who would be sending you somewhere, but there was nothing commonplace. Carriage and horses and by foot it remained, which put something of a damper on Costanca's mood. Though there were charms in the carriage to make the ride smooth and comfortable, nothing could alter the amount of time that had to be spent beside two people who did not quite make the list of Costanca's favorites. No, she hadn't been in that select company for at least a month.
The arrival at the Most Illustrious Dona Eluira's manor, therefore, was not exactly met with jubilation. Eluira had nothing of interest for Costanca, certainly, and she had some small idea that it would be her of all people forced to act like a toady before their time was through. Of course, she'd no doubt Sarita and Diego would be at home, since they spent enough time as it was closeted with the woman. Beyond that, she truly didn't care. None of them were particularly interesting to her mind, and none of them had ever overtly attempted to end her life.
But, if one thing could be said for the manor house, it was that the estate grounds it sat upon were immaculately kept. It was out of the way enough that deciduous trees of all sorts pressed close in thick forestland outside of the immaculately kept lawn. There was a lovely garden just off the front of the manor, planted with flowering plants of all kinds as well as decorative trees. Pretty things meant to be looked at, though as far as Costanca knew no precipitously important society events had ever been held at the place during any Season she was aware of.
The manor house itself was built of white stone and kept white. It had been quarried in large, regular blocks whose uniformity lent to the neat appearance of the grand building. Added to that were pointed arches into which windows were set, their frames gilded with beautiful traceries. Complementing those were numerous pinnacles that culminated on the single tower on the north side of the building; the front-facing facade faced east. Add to that stylized repeating patterns carved into the white stone, and it was a beauty to behold. As neatly done as any dress Costanca had ever worn, though the building was a testament to how much longer lived the architect's trade over a dressmaker's.
She made a point of yawning as their carriage approached the front door, though she daren't complain given Sarita's tightly held countenance. It was when her sister looked least irate that Costanca worried most. She didn't plan on having her head snapped off by the irrationality of others. Still, her yawn caught herself a cool look that did serve to remind her to stand very straight and very proper as the carriage drew to a close.
There was a welcoming party awaiting them. It was to be expected, of course: any form of gentry wouldn't leave their fellows to wallow at the door like some commonfolk. They were above that. They were better than that. The footman came around to let them out of the stuffy little carriage, and Costanca set herself to a sweet, simple expression as they formed up to meet the Dona Eluira.
"For now, once we have finished here we shall be on our way. If we do not get to an early start we shall be late, and small gods save us then."
______
Despite the millennium of magical development, not much had been done to improve the tedium of long distance travel. True, there was some teleportation about, if you were willing to spend a great deal of money and had reason enough to trust the wizard who would be sending you somewhere, but there was nothing commonplace. Carriage and horses and by foot it remained, which put something of a damper on Costanca's mood. Though there were charms in the carriage to make the ride smooth and comfortable, nothing could alter the amount of time that had to be spent beside two people who did not quite make the list of Costanca's favorites. No, she hadn't been in that select company for at least a month.
The arrival at the Most Illustrious Dona Eluira's manor, therefore, was not exactly met with jubilation. Eluira had nothing of interest for Costanca, certainly, and she had some small idea that it would be her of all people forced to act like a toady before their time was through. Of course, she'd no doubt Sarita and Diego would be at home, since they spent enough time as it was closeted with the woman. Beyond that, she truly didn't care. None of them were particularly interesting to her mind, and none of them had ever overtly attempted to end her life.
But, if one thing could be said for the manor house, it was that the estate grounds it sat upon were immaculately kept. It was out of the way enough that deciduous trees of all sorts pressed close in thick forestland outside of the immaculately kept lawn. There was a lovely garden just off the front of the manor, planted with flowering plants of all kinds as well as decorative trees. Pretty things meant to be looked at, though as far as Costanca knew no precipitously important society events had ever been held at the place during any Season she was aware of.
The manor house itself was built of white stone and kept white. It had been quarried in large, regular blocks whose uniformity lent to the neat appearance of the grand building. Added to that were pointed arches into which windows were set, their frames gilded with beautiful traceries. Complementing those were numerous pinnacles that culminated on the single tower on the north side of the building; the front-facing facade faced east. Add to that stylized repeating patterns carved into the white stone, and it was a beauty to behold. As neatly done as any dress Costanca had ever worn, though the building was a testament to how much longer lived the architect's trade over a dressmaker's.
She made a point of yawning as their carriage approached the front door, though she daren't complain given Sarita's tightly held countenance. It was when her sister looked least irate that Costanca worried most. She didn't plan on having her head snapped off by the irrationality of others. Still, her yawn caught herself a cool look that did serve to remind her to stand very straight and very proper as the carriage drew to a close.
There was a welcoming party awaiting them. It was to be expected, of course: any form of gentry wouldn't leave their fellows to wallow at the door like some commonfolk. They were above that. They were better than that. The footman came around to let them out of the stuffy little carriage, and Costanca set herself to a sweet, simple expression as they formed up to meet the Dona Eluira.
Re: Bad Reputation
It was a pleasant and serene day at the Pazo de Palancia, right up until the clatter of carriage wheels reached the balcony outside Eluira's study. The dissonant ruckus disrupted her focus for a moment, leaving her standing motionless before the elevated mahogany writing desk and the letter upon it. It was Eluira's opinion that sitting down made a person lazy, whereas the discomfort of standing kept one's mind sharply focused on the task at hand. That it also induced less discomfort via the whaleboned corsetry Eluira preferred might have also had some influence on her preferences. The Marquesa deliberated a moment, pen poised like a dart ready to pierce her next target, examining the document before her. Yet though the letter was incomplete, Eluira put down her pen: the slow and quiet downfall of Miguel Andrés Postigo Ruiz would have to be postponed for a short while in the name of hospitality. In terse tones, like a riding crop landing a blow, Eluira gave out her orders "Sabastia, Yolant. Attend me."
Her successor Sarita had recently requested an audience on a matter of the utmost delicacy, as such matters typically were, and that alone had the potential to be diverting. Assuming it wasn't a petty waste of time. At any rate it would be worth the gamble. After all, everyone had their vicious pleasures: Young men had fencing, young women had fashion; old men had politics, and old women had intrigue. A subtle distinction, the latter, but it was understanding that distinction which lead to the tradition of female spymistresses in Morua. Men tended to be a bit too direct in their thoughts to handle the finer intrigues, apart from a few rare exceptions.
Flanked by her maid Yolant, and valet Sabastia, Eluira swept through the corridors. Even now, Eluira knew, her majordomo Gilabert would be conducting his inspection to ensure the ground floor reception had been suitably prepared by the housekeeper Dalfina's parlour maids. Eluira was confident it had been: she ran her estate with military precision, and paid her staff generously for adhering to her high standards. If timed properly, she would arrive in the reception parlour within moments of the guests making themselves comfortable.
At the traveller's gate, where Sarita, Diego, and Costanca were alighting from their carriage, the footmen were being managed by the estate's butler Bernabeu Amador Berenguer de Altura. Once the visitors were free of the carriage, the footmen began the task of collecting luggage while the impeccably attired butler offered a deep bow "It is with joy that Dona Eluira Mari de Morua de Morua, Marquesa of Palancia, extends the warmest of greetings to her beloved relatives: Dona Sarita Terceira de Morua Riestra, Condesa of Morveres and Badeva; Dona Costanca Ana de Morua Riestra, Vizcondesa of Salduie and Castellan of Burgos; and Senor Diego de Morua." Bowing again, the butler added "Please, Donas and Senor, follow me through the vestibule to the parlour where you may take a moment to recover from the rigours of travel. The Marquesa will be joining you shortly."
The butler Bernabeu led them to a large parlour featuring several divans, upholstered chairs and side tables arranged to encourage conversation and discourse "Please, make yourselves comfortable. If you require refreshments of any kind, please ring one of the bells on the side tables, and the maids will attend to your needs. I shall alert the kitchen to be on standby in case you desire a late lunch." With a final bow, the butler made his exit. Diego, as part of an ongoing code between himself and Eluira, had contrived to undo the upper two catches on his doublet and let his hair 'accidentally' become ruffled 'by the rigours of travel'
Eluira entered the room, her dress a corseted splash of ruby, burgundy, and sable against the pale patterned stucco of the parlour walls. The twins, Yolant and Sabastia, took up unobtrusive positions in the recesses of the room as Eluira approached her guests. In contrast to the butler's earlier words, Eluira's greeting was perfunctory: a brief kiss on the cheeks and a murmured "It is good of you to visit." With the formalities taken care of, Eluira asked bluntly "Are you in need of refreshments before we get down to business?" The Marquesa carefully ignored the loosened doublet and ruffled hair on Diego, but made a mental note of the message it sent as she turned her attention to Sarita.
Diego had always liked that Eluira's preference for blunt speech often obscured her complicated thinking. Diego used the moment of conversation to catch Sabastia's eye. The assassin scratched his jawline, and made a slight motion with his forefingers. The valet Sabastia, another of Salvador's more recent graduates, blinked acknowledgement and clasped his hands together. Diego was satisfied. Salvador had received his message, and no doubt he'd obtain the full response soon. Diego waited for Sarita and Costanca, deciding to take his cue on the topic of refreshments from them.
Her successor Sarita had recently requested an audience on a matter of the utmost delicacy, as such matters typically were, and that alone had the potential to be diverting. Assuming it wasn't a petty waste of time. At any rate it would be worth the gamble. After all, everyone had their vicious pleasures: Young men had fencing, young women had fashion; old men had politics, and old women had intrigue. A subtle distinction, the latter, but it was understanding that distinction which lead to the tradition of female spymistresses in Morua. Men tended to be a bit too direct in their thoughts to handle the finer intrigues, apart from a few rare exceptions.
Flanked by her maid Yolant, and valet Sabastia, Eluira swept through the corridors. Even now, Eluira knew, her majordomo Gilabert would be conducting his inspection to ensure the ground floor reception had been suitably prepared by the housekeeper Dalfina's parlour maids. Eluira was confident it had been: she ran her estate with military precision, and paid her staff generously for adhering to her high standards. If timed properly, she would arrive in the reception parlour within moments of the guests making themselves comfortable.
At the traveller's gate, where Sarita, Diego, and Costanca were alighting from their carriage, the footmen were being managed by the estate's butler Bernabeu Amador Berenguer de Altura. Once the visitors were free of the carriage, the footmen began the task of collecting luggage while the impeccably attired butler offered a deep bow "It is with joy that Dona Eluira Mari de Morua de Morua, Marquesa of Palancia, extends the warmest of greetings to her beloved relatives: Dona Sarita Terceira de Morua Riestra, Condesa of Morveres and Badeva; Dona Costanca Ana de Morua Riestra, Vizcondesa of Salduie and Castellan of Burgos; and Senor Diego de Morua." Bowing again, the butler added "Please, Donas and Senor, follow me through the vestibule to the parlour where you may take a moment to recover from the rigours of travel. The Marquesa will be joining you shortly."
The butler Bernabeu led them to a large parlour featuring several divans, upholstered chairs and side tables arranged to encourage conversation and discourse "Please, make yourselves comfortable. If you require refreshments of any kind, please ring one of the bells on the side tables, and the maids will attend to your needs. I shall alert the kitchen to be on standby in case you desire a late lunch." With a final bow, the butler made his exit. Diego, as part of an ongoing code between himself and Eluira, had contrived to undo the upper two catches on his doublet and let his hair 'accidentally' become ruffled 'by the rigours of travel'
Eluira entered the room, her dress a corseted splash of ruby, burgundy, and sable against the pale patterned stucco of the parlour walls. The twins, Yolant and Sabastia, took up unobtrusive positions in the recesses of the room as Eluira approached her guests. In contrast to the butler's earlier words, Eluira's greeting was perfunctory: a brief kiss on the cheeks and a murmured "It is good of you to visit." With the formalities taken care of, Eluira asked bluntly "Are you in need of refreshments before we get down to business?" The Marquesa carefully ignored the loosened doublet and ruffled hair on Diego, but made a mental note of the message it sent as she turned her attention to Sarita.
Diego had always liked that Eluira's preference for blunt speech often obscured her complicated thinking. Diego used the moment of conversation to catch Sabastia's eye. The assassin scratched his jawline, and made a slight motion with his forefingers. The valet Sabastia, another of Salvador's more recent graduates, blinked acknowledgement and clasped his hands together. Diego was satisfied. Salvador had received his message, and no doubt he'd obtain the full response soon. Diego waited for Sarita and Costanca, deciding to take his cue on the topic of refreshments from them.
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Costanca Ana
- Outsider
- Posts: 48
- Joined: Tue Jul 16, 2013 12:45 am
- Name: Costanca de Morua Riestra
- Race: Human
Re: Bad Reputation
Diego really was clueless. He was much too old to play dashing courtier. Costanca found the affectations to be disgusting. She almost took out her fan to show her distaste, but knew better than that. Sarita didn't bat an eye at the fashion faux pas, though Costanca was sure she'd noticed. Behind that pleasant demeanor, Sarita became moodier about something as they entered Eluira's sitting room, though what was something she couldn't quite fathom. Not Diego's attempts to look younger, certainly?
At least Aunt Eluira knew what she was doing. Costanca gave Sarita a meaningful look, sweeping her elder sister up and down to indicate how very close to the edge of tawdry she skirted. Really, Sarita was always so boring and predictable. At least Aunt Eluira, out of the two failures beside Costanca, knew what real color was. Perfectly suited for her age, too, without crossing the line into frumpy.
"Tea, please, for myself and my younger sister," Sarita ordered, before Costanca could respond to Eluira.
It wasn't as if she would have done something terrible. And would it kill Eluira'd kitchen staff to prepare a small snack? Costanca didn't glare at Sarita for her presumption, but she did smile at Aunt Eluira. Sarita needed Costanca, after all. The indication of where the power lay, however, was completely lost upon Sarita.
"That will be all, excepting any refreshments the Senor Diego would like, thank you." Sarita's voice was very firm.
And that, apparently, was as far as Sarita was willing to go. Costanca had not sat at the bargaining table often with Sarita, but she knew her sister well enough that the older woman was playing passive. She was giving Eluira control to set the tempo of this negotiation, biding her time for a ripe opportunity. Thank the Changers. Maybe this lack of tongue-twisting would mean they would just spill what they had to say without keeping her tied up for hours with pointless pleasantries and side talk. Not that Costanca minded either, but it was such a strain when otherwise capable adults forgot what it was they wanted to say.
At least Aunt Eluira knew what she was doing. Costanca gave Sarita a meaningful look, sweeping her elder sister up and down to indicate how very close to the edge of tawdry she skirted. Really, Sarita was always so boring and predictable. At least Aunt Eluira, out of the two failures beside Costanca, knew what real color was. Perfectly suited for her age, too, without crossing the line into frumpy.
"Tea, please, for myself and my younger sister," Sarita ordered, before Costanca could respond to Eluira.
It wasn't as if she would have done something terrible. And would it kill Eluira'd kitchen staff to prepare a small snack? Costanca didn't glare at Sarita for her presumption, but she did smile at Aunt Eluira. Sarita needed Costanca, after all. The indication of where the power lay, however, was completely lost upon Sarita.
"That will be all, excepting any refreshments the Senor Diego would like, thank you." Sarita's voice was very firm.
And that, apparently, was as far as Sarita was willing to go. Costanca had not sat at the bargaining table often with Sarita, but she knew her sister well enough that the older woman was playing passive. She was giving Eluira control to set the tempo of this negotiation, biding her time for a ripe opportunity. Thank the Changers. Maybe this lack of tongue-twisting would mean they would just spill what they had to say without keeping her tied up for hours with pointless pleasantries and side talk. Not that Costanca minded either, but it was such a strain when otherwise capable adults forgot what it was they wanted to say.
Re: Bad Reputation
Diego added "Coffee please, Marquesa." The assassin relaxed into his present role of Sarita's lackey, and followed her lead. He'd given Eluira his message already, and needed to add no further words until instructed.
Eluira did not resent this intrusion into her schedule. It was a pleasant excuse to indulge in family politics. The tableau before her proved most interesting. The Marquesa rang a bell and one of Dalfina's maids promptly appeared. While Eluira passed on her guests requests, she was rapidly processing the information presented in the tableau before her.
First, Diego. Two catches, ruffled hair. An urgent matter then, on two fronts. Next, Sarita. She was being very reserved, rather than getting to the point, which suggested she was unsure of this meeting's outcome. How delightful. And Costanca, well, from her impeccable smile and demeanor she seemed unconcerned and bored with the entire thing. Not another assassination attempt, then. A relief, really: those were getting tiresome in the lack of originality of recent attempts.
With the maid leaving, Eluira calculated five minutes grace to speak openly before the next interruption when the refreshments arrived. The Marquesa gave her own coded reply to Diego "Now, while we wait for those, I hope Senor Diego will do me the favour of adjusting his doublet before I prepare him the least comfortable of my guest rooms." Diego's eyes glinted with amusement as he complied, though the smile did not reach his lips.
With that done, Eluira gave her personal assistants their instructions "Sabastia, Yolant, keep the doors free from prying ears." The sibling servants glided with graceful steps to the room's two entrances and took up position. Eluira smiled brightly at her guests "Well, my dears, I know this isn't a social visit. How bad is it, that you seek an old woman's counsel?" The fate of Miguel Andrés Postigo Ruiz would definitely have to wait a small while.
Diego almost smirked. The kindly old lady routine never ceased to amuse him, especially as she wasn't that old: barely seven years his senior. Her act was like sheathing a dagger in lace and ribbons. Still, at least she was willing to get down to business without fussing about. One of her many charming features.
Eluira did not resent this intrusion into her schedule. It was a pleasant excuse to indulge in family politics. The tableau before her proved most interesting. The Marquesa rang a bell and one of Dalfina's maids promptly appeared. While Eluira passed on her guests requests, she was rapidly processing the information presented in the tableau before her.
First, Diego. Two catches, ruffled hair. An urgent matter then, on two fronts. Next, Sarita. She was being very reserved, rather than getting to the point, which suggested she was unsure of this meeting's outcome. How delightful. And Costanca, well, from her impeccable smile and demeanor she seemed unconcerned and bored with the entire thing. Not another assassination attempt, then. A relief, really: those were getting tiresome in the lack of originality of recent attempts.
With the maid leaving, Eluira calculated five minutes grace to speak openly before the next interruption when the refreshments arrived. The Marquesa gave her own coded reply to Diego "Now, while we wait for those, I hope Senor Diego will do me the favour of adjusting his doublet before I prepare him the least comfortable of my guest rooms." Diego's eyes glinted with amusement as he complied, though the smile did not reach his lips.
With that done, Eluira gave her personal assistants their instructions "Sabastia, Yolant, keep the doors free from prying ears." The sibling servants glided with graceful steps to the room's two entrances and took up position. Eluira smiled brightly at her guests "Well, my dears, I know this isn't a social visit. How bad is it, that you seek an old woman's counsel?" The fate of Miguel Andrés Postigo Ruiz would definitely have to wait a small while.
Diego almost smirked. The kindly old lady routine never ceased to amuse him, especially as she wasn't that old: barely seven years his senior. Her act was like sheathing a dagger in lace and ribbons. Still, at least she was willing to get down to business without fussing about. One of her many charming features.
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Costanca Ana
- Outsider
- Posts: 48
- Joined: Tue Jul 16, 2013 12:45 am
- Name: Costanca de Morua Riestra
- Race: Human
Re: Bad Reputation
"I thank you for seeing us on such short notice," Sarita began. "I have come to see you about a potential oversight during a past investigation involving -- "
"My dearest sister wants her pet back," Costanca said, cheerfully interrupting Sarita as if she had never spoken.
Sarita stiffened in Costanca's peripheral vision. Good.
"Her bargaining chip is that the poor woman was apparently set up before she could feed us important information regarding Don Ramiro Guiate de Morua. Ghastly business really, can you imagine? If I was her, I would have rationed off the information she'd found before getting caught. Quite greedy, don't you agree?"
Costanca folded her hands primly, sitting perfectly upright as her lady's maid had always taught her, so the bulk of her body was not "displeasing to the eye", as so many of her maids were apt to put it. That was a good thing. Costanca couldn't abide poorly trained servants, or those who were too stupid to catch their tongues before the incessant flapping strangled them.
This was much more fun than the boring weeks Costanca had spent at Morveres.
"Oh! Please forgive me, Auntie, for my intent wasn't to be rude. You cannot imagine the tedium I have languished within during this preliminary investigation. Be at ease! I have no intent of boring you with the retelling."
Costanca leaned forward slightly to create a tenser atmosphere, despite the eagle stare being sent her way. Well, tenser than the one Sarita was projecting. She lowered the volume of her voice. "My majordomo -- Gavriel, I'm certain you remember him -- bid me to relay this tidbit of gossip to you when we were informed of this little trip to Morveres: Guter's bastard was on Senor Ricart de Morua de Morua's orders. He has proof, and would be delighted to share it with you should all this fuss be settled amicably."
She leaned back, smiling as if Eluira had noticed and complimented some new trinket. Then she looked sideways at Sarita, who had since regained her composure. "Did I interrupt you, sister dearest? I am ever so sorry!"
Sarita hadn't even the decency to pale at Costanca's little theatrics. Really. Was it so hard to appreciate her?
"We believe," Sarita recovered the shattered attempt at diplomacy with the most lovely determination. She spoke quite conversationally (was that a small tic at the corner of her mouth?), "Senora Querida Solana Beraza de Morua may hold the key to unraveling treason conducted at Don Ramiro's behest. However, due to a betrayal by one of her staff -- one which I am still looking into -- she was falsibly accused of treason herself and sold to the southern provinces. I humbly request your blessing to send Senor Diego south to find and bring her back to close this matter."
That wasn't so hard, was it? Even Sarita could be straightforward with the proper encouragement.
Costanca beamed her approval around the room.
"My dearest sister wants her pet back," Costanca said, cheerfully interrupting Sarita as if she had never spoken.
Sarita stiffened in Costanca's peripheral vision. Good.
"Her bargaining chip is that the poor woman was apparently set up before she could feed us important information regarding Don Ramiro Guiate de Morua. Ghastly business really, can you imagine? If I was her, I would have rationed off the information she'd found before getting caught. Quite greedy, don't you agree?"
Costanca folded her hands primly, sitting perfectly upright as her lady's maid had always taught her, so the bulk of her body was not "displeasing to the eye", as so many of her maids were apt to put it. That was a good thing. Costanca couldn't abide poorly trained servants, or those who were too stupid to catch their tongues before the incessant flapping strangled them.
This was much more fun than the boring weeks Costanca had spent at Morveres.
"Oh! Please forgive me, Auntie, for my intent wasn't to be rude. You cannot imagine the tedium I have languished within during this preliminary investigation. Be at ease! I have no intent of boring you with the retelling."
Costanca leaned forward slightly to create a tenser atmosphere, despite the eagle stare being sent her way. Well, tenser than the one Sarita was projecting. She lowered the volume of her voice. "My majordomo -- Gavriel, I'm certain you remember him -- bid me to relay this tidbit of gossip to you when we were informed of this little trip to Morveres: Guter's bastard was on Senor Ricart de Morua de Morua's orders. He has proof, and would be delighted to share it with you should all this fuss be settled amicably."
She leaned back, smiling as if Eluira had noticed and complimented some new trinket. Then she looked sideways at Sarita, who had since regained her composure. "Did I interrupt you, sister dearest? I am ever so sorry!"
Sarita hadn't even the decency to pale at Costanca's little theatrics. Really. Was it so hard to appreciate her?
"We believe," Sarita recovered the shattered attempt at diplomacy with the most lovely determination. She spoke quite conversationally (was that a small tic at the corner of her mouth?), "Senora Querida Solana Beraza de Morua may hold the key to unraveling treason conducted at Don Ramiro's behest. However, due to a betrayal by one of her staff -- one which I am still looking into -- she was falsibly accused of treason herself and sold to the southern provinces. I humbly request your blessing to send Senor Diego south to find and bring her back to close this matter."
That wasn't so hard, was it? Even Sarita could be straightforward with the proper encouragement.
Costanca beamed her approval around the room.
Re: Bad Reputation
Eluira had resigned herself to enduring another one of Sarita's dry reports. The young woman was brilliant, unquestionably: she had the organised mind of an accountant and a nearly heroic level of self restraint. But she was also as dry as a desert, and her measured discourse made even the most interesting of intrigues have all the glamour of a mouldy stone. But then Costanca jumped in. Timing that perfect had to be deliberate, and Eluira noted the subtle result of the young woman's efforts. It was, she felt, a well played trump. Eluira rewarded Costanca with an encouraging smile and a brief "Oh my, do continue."
The Marquesa took in the information carefully. So the Guiate might be moving with more aggression than expected. And the possibility of leverage over Ricart could offer certain advantages in three months time. Eluira noted "I'm sure, if circumstances permit, my Gilabert and your Gavriel can meet on business matters, but perhaps Sarita can share some more details regarding her ...pet?" Eluira nodded to Sarita and listened carefully to her successor's statement. Before she could speak, however, a quiet cough from Sabastia alerted the room to the return of the parlour maids with the refreshments.
"Robles black tea was your preference, if I recall? Their blend with a hint of lavender?" Eluira was certain Sarita hadn't changed her habits in that regard. And Diego provided her with a supply of his own preferred blend of coffee, so no need for guesswork there. The maids swiftly served the beverages and made themselves scarce.
Eluira used the intermission to gather her thoughts. The primary motivation behind the visit was regarding the traitorous Solana. Or, Eluira corrected herself, the tragically incompetent Solana, if what Sarita said was true. No wonder the woman was nervous. Pascual had made something of a moral lesson out of Solana's sentence. A fate worse than death, as it were. All knew the miserable lot of most female slaves, and Semerkhet was rumoured to be far worse than Corezo in that regard. Eluira examined her three guests carefully. Costanca looked like she had discovered a goldmine, Sarita looked strained and perhaps somewhat uncomfortable, and Diego was lounging around as if he was entirely uninvolved. Which meant he was confident about the basic details, and Sarita was probably agonising over the politics of it.
All in all, the entire circumstances were quite delightful. Not that she would let on to that. Instead, Eluira spoke in reserved tones, designed to indicate a healthy amount of skepticism. "That's an interesting theory, Sarita dear, but do you really miss Querida Solana that much? Do you have enough evidence to exonerate her, and thus avoid hanging yourself in an attempt to reverse the sentence of a convicted traitor? Not to mention the risks involved in accusing the head of a successful family, such as the Guiate, of treason?" And did she really want to have Diego, or any other talented agent for that matter, all the way down in Semerkhet with Belleza getting so obnoxiously belligerent of late? Eluira waited for someone to fill in the gaps while she mulled over the possible ramifications if Sarita did have such evidence.
The Marquesa took in the information carefully. So the Guiate might be moving with more aggression than expected. And the possibility of leverage over Ricart could offer certain advantages in three months time. Eluira noted "I'm sure, if circumstances permit, my Gilabert and your Gavriel can meet on business matters, but perhaps Sarita can share some more details regarding her ...pet?" Eluira nodded to Sarita and listened carefully to her successor's statement. Before she could speak, however, a quiet cough from Sabastia alerted the room to the return of the parlour maids with the refreshments.
"Robles black tea was your preference, if I recall? Their blend with a hint of lavender?" Eluira was certain Sarita hadn't changed her habits in that regard. And Diego provided her with a supply of his own preferred blend of coffee, so no need for guesswork there. The maids swiftly served the beverages and made themselves scarce.
Eluira used the intermission to gather her thoughts. The primary motivation behind the visit was regarding the traitorous Solana. Or, Eluira corrected herself, the tragically incompetent Solana, if what Sarita said was true. No wonder the woman was nervous. Pascual had made something of a moral lesson out of Solana's sentence. A fate worse than death, as it were. All knew the miserable lot of most female slaves, and Semerkhet was rumoured to be far worse than Corezo in that regard. Eluira examined her three guests carefully. Costanca looked like she had discovered a goldmine, Sarita looked strained and perhaps somewhat uncomfortable, and Diego was lounging around as if he was entirely uninvolved. Which meant he was confident about the basic details, and Sarita was probably agonising over the politics of it.
All in all, the entire circumstances were quite delightful. Not that she would let on to that. Instead, Eluira spoke in reserved tones, designed to indicate a healthy amount of skepticism. "That's an interesting theory, Sarita dear, but do you really miss Querida Solana that much? Do you have enough evidence to exonerate her, and thus avoid hanging yourself in an attempt to reverse the sentence of a convicted traitor? Not to mention the risks involved in accusing the head of a successful family, such as the Guiate, of treason?" And did she really want to have Diego, or any other talented agent for that matter, all the way down in Semerkhet with Belleza getting so obnoxiously belligerent of late? Eluira waited for someone to fill in the gaps while she mulled over the possible ramifications if Sarita did have such evidence.
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Costanca Ana
- Outsider
- Posts: 48
- Joined: Tue Jul 16, 2013 12:45 am
- Name: Costanca de Morua Riestra
- Race: Human
Re: Bad Reputation
"Yes, please," Sarita said.
Costanca would have been better pleased with Sarita's composure if it hadn't completely just ignored her own performance. She supposed she should expect nothing less from her outwardly perfect (except regarding fashionable choices) sister, but that was not what her pettiness required. At the least, she hoped, she might have earned herself some temper by day's end. Such outbursts kept Costanca entertained for weeks. Oh, truly, she wasn't out to get Sarita. The differences they'd had growing up had been put behind them. Mostly.
So many ways to get under the skin. It was a matter of finding new ways should the old ones prove less. . .adequete.
"Does this Querida creature not count as victim, accused and witness? Surely she should play a part in her own defense. She was stupid enough to get caught, wasn't she? Let her gathered evidence play a part." Costanca made sure to inject enough childish indignation into her voice to fill a flotilla of puffs.
"Senora Solana overreached herself, yes. I am partially to blame for her being compromised; I had decided to entrust the matters of border inspections up to her so that I could focus my attentions upon the threats to our immediate family." Sarita nodded towards Costanca.
Hmph. Well, if she wanted to be a bitch about it.
Sarita continued, "I did not inspect the work closely enough, it would seem. Regardless, I believe that we will recoup the expense of her retrieval in the length of time it would take us to retread what research she has already done. We have overturned evidence that those who accused her of treason were themselves conducting treason. While this does not exonerate her of the accusations, it does not condemn her either.
"If a valuable servant has been wrongfully taken from me, Dona Eluira, I want her back. I do not desire a wrong done to de Morua to stand."
"There is evidence," Costanca chimed in, the facade of her cheer having burned away during Sarita's dry, if bold, words. "I have spent nearly an entire fortnight locked up in that dreadful estate digging it out of dusty archives. The real tragedy here would for all that time spent to have been wasted." Costanca lifted one shoulder, ducking her chin into it in a move she knew made her appear simultaneously scandalized and innocent. She tilted her head slightly for good measure.
She shook her head and returned her posture straight, smoothing out her skirts with a collected calm she did not feel. How could she? She was bored. "Enough time has passed that they must think themselves safe. Sweep them off the board whilst they bask in their confidence. Isn't that how you're supposed to play all these strategy games?"
Costanca spoke the words 'strategy games' as if such a pastime was the ultimate in boorish activity; a useless pastime only the pedantic would enjoy.
Costanca would have been better pleased with Sarita's composure if it hadn't completely just ignored her own performance. She supposed she should expect nothing less from her outwardly perfect (except regarding fashionable choices) sister, but that was not what her pettiness required. At the least, she hoped, she might have earned herself some temper by day's end. Such outbursts kept Costanca entertained for weeks. Oh, truly, she wasn't out to get Sarita. The differences they'd had growing up had been put behind them. Mostly.
So many ways to get under the skin. It was a matter of finding new ways should the old ones prove less. . .adequete.
"Does this Querida creature not count as victim, accused and witness? Surely she should play a part in her own defense. She was stupid enough to get caught, wasn't she? Let her gathered evidence play a part." Costanca made sure to inject enough childish indignation into her voice to fill a flotilla of puffs.
"Senora Solana overreached herself, yes. I am partially to blame for her being compromised; I had decided to entrust the matters of border inspections up to her so that I could focus my attentions upon the threats to our immediate family." Sarita nodded towards Costanca.
Hmph. Well, if she wanted to be a bitch about it.
Sarita continued, "I did not inspect the work closely enough, it would seem. Regardless, I believe that we will recoup the expense of her retrieval in the length of time it would take us to retread what research she has already done. We have overturned evidence that those who accused her of treason were themselves conducting treason. While this does not exonerate her of the accusations, it does not condemn her either.
"If a valuable servant has been wrongfully taken from me, Dona Eluira, I want her back. I do not desire a wrong done to de Morua to stand."
"There is evidence," Costanca chimed in, the facade of her cheer having burned away during Sarita's dry, if bold, words. "I have spent nearly an entire fortnight locked up in that dreadful estate digging it out of dusty archives. The real tragedy here would for all that time spent to have been wasted." Costanca lifted one shoulder, ducking her chin into it in a move she knew made her appear simultaneously scandalized and innocent. She tilted her head slightly for good measure.
She shook her head and returned her posture straight, smoothing out her skirts with a collected calm she did not feel. How could she? She was bored. "Enough time has passed that they must think themselves safe. Sweep them off the board whilst they bask in their confidence. Isn't that how you're supposed to play all these strategy games?"
Costanca spoke the words 'strategy games' as if such a pastime was the ultimate in boorish activity; a useless pastime only the pedantic would enjoy.
Re: Bad Reputation
Eluira sighed inwardly. The two girls were distracting each other from putting together any semblence of an entertaining or convincing argument. Like a whip, the Marquesa's sharp tone put a snap to her next words "Darlings, pay attention. I asked for evidence, not assertions that there is evidence." Eluira returned to her more casual, friendly demeanour "I assume you brought some, yes?" The Marquesa's smile was as sweet as Costanca's, but she gave no time for Sarita to respond. "Just as evidence was supplied before Querida Solana's sentence was handed down, substantial evidence will be required to reverse such a decision. I should hardly have to remind you, Condesa Sarita, that there are other dangers to House Morua besides the aggressive ambitions of its own members and the neighbouring Duchies. All of our more subtle endeavours come down to a simple matter of cost and benefit. It costs to have our resources directed to distant locations, such as Semerkhet, and the benefits must outweigh the efforts in the short to mid-term to be deemed a profitable use of our resources." As Sarita and Costanca were already placed on uneven ground, and by all appearances were somewhat flustered, Eluira changed strategy and snapped "Diego, stop lounging around like this is some forgettable tertulia discussing the latest trends in poetry and make yourself useful. Everyone else has had an opinion. You wouldn't be here if Sarita didn't think you had something of benefit to say, so stop wasting my time."
Diego's transformation from 'relaxed and disinterested nobleman' to 'alert and competent remover of obstacles' occurred in the space of seconds as the man's entire posture shifted to a straight-backed, almost military, demeanour. "As you wish, Marquesa. I will start with a speculation of costs, then a speculation regarding benefits, put forward my personal opinions regarding the situation in the broad scale. Afterwards I shall cede my place to Condesa Sarita to fill in the finer details and provide evidence. Will this be acceptable?" Eluria nodded, and Diego quickly marshalled his thoughts. At least this way Sarita could regain her composure, and hopefully Costanca would come to the realisation that the time for games was now over. The assassin knew Eluira well, and when it came down to the hidden business of his kind, she liked efficiency, not fluff.
The assassin straightened his sleeves and rattled off details in an almost-bored drawl "Costs are simple enough. One ship, its crew, a healer stationed on the ship for Solana upon successful retrieval, a month's supplies to be on the safe side, additional funds if bribes prove necessary - and they always prove necessary in Semerkhet. Cost of local mercenaries to sow confusion if the matter of retrieving Solana becomes more complicated than simply buying her back. Cost of purchasing Solana if it does turn out to be that simple." Diego smiled coldy "Not a cheap endeavour, by any means. So, the benefits. I will list these as if we had just provided you with sufficient evidence to prove our claims, not to mention evidence which implicates Guiate complicity with Bellezan strategic interests." Diego forestalled Eluira with a raised hand when he noticed the subtle tell-tale twitch of her right brow which typically preceded an argument "No, no, the evidence shall be forthcoming. I should know, I retrieved it from Ramiro's secret archive myself. Patience, Marquesa, all good things shall come to those who enjoy a good story.The benefits, then."
Diego rubbed his jawline "You will have noticed a recent trend of our commercial endeavours going sour when in conflict with House Belleza, yes?" Eluira nodded, and Diego continued. "And I think you will agree that we lost quite a lot of potential profit margin because of it, hm?" Eluira's right brow twitched again and Diego took her 'Get on with it' glare as a direct order "So when we show you the evidence that Guiate collusion with Bellezan factions is the most likely cause of our loss of profits, you will see what the loss of Solana and her failure to implicate the Guiate before they got to her has caused Morua in a strictly monetary fashion. Quite a lot I imagine. I'm sure Costanca has done the maths, having been cooped up over the past fortnight in the horrendous conditions of a luxurious estate in the countryside. Or maybe Sarita has. I'm sure one of them has. Either way, house Morua faces further such losses if we cannot plug the hole in our leaking ship. And as regrettable as Solana's negligence was in letting herself get outmanoeuvred, the fact is she knew her role well, and was instrumental in many of the strategies I carried out for House Morua in Hasele so successfully. The Guiate are clever. Only with hindsight and the physical evidence of Ramiro's private ledger does the picture become clear. The benefits, to put it bluntly, are to stop Morua bleeding out financial losses in our economic battle with Belleza at every turn."
It was Diego's turn, then, to get a little of his own back in his ongoing game with dear Eluira "On that note... Sabastia! Salvador's second message please." The Marquesa's icy look was enough to make Diego shiver in anticipation. He'd stolen a trump on her, which made it a good day. Eluira, having already seen the message, now realised its import. A slight motion of the Marquesa's hand permitted Sabastia to speak. The man's quiet voice recited with precise enunciation "Note well: there is a strong correlation between the ledger dates and values, and the successful Bellezan transactions. More investigation is warranted." Diego smiled "Thank you, Sabastia." The old man Salvador's cipher was a blessing to his students, but even more so were the old man's lessons on how to say something without it meaning a damn thing except in the correct context. The assassin imagined Eluira had been poking at that message since it arrived, trying to twist some meaning out of it.
It was time to conclude, Diego decided "And now, for my humble opinion, most illustrious and perceptive Marquesa." He'd pay for that, in some small and delightful way, but that was the nature of their game "It is my view that the Guiate have been undermining the advance of Moruan economic interests to the benefit of House Belleza, in exchange for house Belleza aiding the Guiate in undercutting the Quijans, and thus advancing the Guiate interests at the expense of the main house. As to their ultimate goal, I am unwilling to speculate. But Ramiro is a man who lives and breathes trade politics and economic warfare. I think that, if we let the Guiate continue in this fashion, there is a risk of Belleza gaining a strong advantage over us. Furthermore I posit that, should our evidence prove sufficient, it is in the interests of our pride as Moruans to rectify the error to which Guiate brilliance forced our hand. Whether Solana has been broken by her experiences thus far, or whether her mind remains the sharp weapon it always was, her memories should provide us access to the avenues of investigation that will lead us to removing a rather toxic thorn from our side. I cede the floor to Sarita with regards to the evidence I gathered from Ramiro, and the inconsistencies she found with regards to the Guiate ledgers."
Diego returned to the idle sprawling posture of the bored nobleman once more. Marquesa Eluira nodded to Sarita "As entertaining as Diego's wasted theatrical talents are, it is time to get to the heart of things. The evidence. I've heard opinions from all three of you, but now I want something tangible. With alacrity, please." It was a talent of the Marquesa to make the word 'Please' sound like a general's order containing an additional caveat of 'or else there shall be dire consequences'.
Diego's transformation from 'relaxed and disinterested nobleman' to 'alert and competent remover of obstacles' occurred in the space of seconds as the man's entire posture shifted to a straight-backed, almost military, demeanour. "As you wish, Marquesa. I will start with a speculation of costs, then a speculation regarding benefits, put forward my personal opinions regarding the situation in the broad scale. Afterwards I shall cede my place to Condesa Sarita to fill in the finer details and provide evidence. Will this be acceptable?" Eluria nodded, and Diego quickly marshalled his thoughts. At least this way Sarita could regain her composure, and hopefully Costanca would come to the realisation that the time for games was now over. The assassin knew Eluira well, and when it came down to the hidden business of his kind, she liked efficiency, not fluff.
The assassin straightened his sleeves and rattled off details in an almost-bored drawl "Costs are simple enough. One ship, its crew, a healer stationed on the ship for Solana upon successful retrieval, a month's supplies to be on the safe side, additional funds if bribes prove necessary - and they always prove necessary in Semerkhet. Cost of local mercenaries to sow confusion if the matter of retrieving Solana becomes more complicated than simply buying her back. Cost of purchasing Solana if it does turn out to be that simple." Diego smiled coldy "Not a cheap endeavour, by any means. So, the benefits. I will list these as if we had just provided you with sufficient evidence to prove our claims, not to mention evidence which implicates Guiate complicity with Bellezan strategic interests." Diego forestalled Eluira with a raised hand when he noticed the subtle tell-tale twitch of her right brow which typically preceded an argument "No, no, the evidence shall be forthcoming. I should know, I retrieved it from Ramiro's secret archive myself. Patience, Marquesa, all good things shall come to those who enjoy a good story.The benefits, then."
Diego rubbed his jawline "You will have noticed a recent trend of our commercial endeavours going sour when in conflict with House Belleza, yes?" Eluira nodded, and Diego continued. "And I think you will agree that we lost quite a lot of potential profit margin because of it, hm?" Eluira's right brow twitched again and Diego took her 'Get on with it' glare as a direct order "So when we show you the evidence that Guiate collusion with Bellezan factions is the most likely cause of our loss of profits, you will see what the loss of Solana and her failure to implicate the Guiate before they got to her has caused Morua in a strictly monetary fashion. Quite a lot I imagine. I'm sure Costanca has done the maths, having been cooped up over the past fortnight in the horrendous conditions of a luxurious estate in the countryside. Or maybe Sarita has. I'm sure one of them has. Either way, house Morua faces further such losses if we cannot plug the hole in our leaking ship. And as regrettable as Solana's negligence was in letting herself get outmanoeuvred, the fact is she knew her role well, and was instrumental in many of the strategies I carried out for House Morua in Hasele so successfully. The Guiate are clever. Only with hindsight and the physical evidence of Ramiro's private ledger does the picture become clear. The benefits, to put it bluntly, are to stop Morua bleeding out financial losses in our economic battle with Belleza at every turn."
It was Diego's turn, then, to get a little of his own back in his ongoing game with dear Eluira "On that note... Sabastia! Salvador's second message please." The Marquesa's icy look was enough to make Diego shiver in anticipation. He'd stolen a trump on her, which made it a good day. Eluira, having already seen the message, now realised its import. A slight motion of the Marquesa's hand permitted Sabastia to speak. The man's quiet voice recited with precise enunciation "Note well: there is a strong correlation between the ledger dates and values, and the successful Bellezan transactions. More investigation is warranted." Diego smiled "Thank you, Sabastia." The old man Salvador's cipher was a blessing to his students, but even more so were the old man's lessons on how to say something without it meaning a damn thing except in the correct context. The assassin imagined Eluira had been poking at that message since it arrived, trying to twist some meaning out of it.
It was time to conclude, Diego decided "And now, for my humble opinion, most illustrious and perceptive Marquesa." He'd pay for that, in some small and delightful way, but that was the nature of their game "It is my view that the Guiate have been undermining the advance of Moruan economic interests to the benefit of House Belleza, in exchange for house Belleza aiding the Guiate in undercutting the Quijans, and thus advancing the Guiate interests at the expense of the main house. As to their ultimate goal, I am unwilling to speculate. But Ramiro is a man who lives and breathes trade politics and economic warfare. I think that, if we let the Guiate continue in this fashion, there is a risk of Belleza gaining a strong advantage over us. Furthermore I posit that, should our evidence prove sufficient, it is in the interests of our pride as Moruans to rectify the error to which Guiate brilliance forced our hand. Whether Solana has been broken by her experiences thus far, or whether her mind remains the sharp weapon it always was, her memories should provide us access to the avenues of investigation that will lead us to removing a rather toxic thorn from our side. I cede the floor to Sarita with regards to the evidence I gathered from Ramiro, and the inconsistencies she found with regards to the Guiate ledgers."
Diego returned to the idle sprawling posture of the bored nobleman once more. Marquesa Eluira nodded to Sarita "As entertaining as Diego's wasted theatrical talents are, it is time to get to the heart of things. The evidence. I've heard opinions from all three of you, but now I want something tangible. With alacrity, please." It was a talent of the Marquesa to make the word 'Please' sound like a general's order containing an additional caveat of 'or else there shall be dire consequences'.
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Costanca Ana
- Outsider
- Posts: 48
- Joined: Tue Jul 16, 2013 12:45 am
- Name: Costanca de Morua Riestra
- Race: Human
Re: Bad Reputation
Costanca was satisfied. She hadn't spent the last several years of her life learning how to wear down the perfect patience of her supposed betters for nothing. Stalling always brought out the best in people. It always brought out the best fun, too. There were reasons Costanca had agreed to go along with Sarita's maneuver, and none of them had to do with any charitable thoughts on her own part. Costanca had never liked Solana. The woman was a grasping bitch, and from what Costanca had understood Sarita had given her too much reach. Sarita had become complacent when it had come to Solana.
The day Solana was sold gave Costanca a certain sense of vindication. She did not desire for Solana to be brought back to Morveres or to Sarita, though she understood Sarita's presumed need for it to happen. Sarita was and had been distracted. Costanca would not pretend to understand the depth of the games caught between Sarita and Eluira, nor the frantic tarantella spun between so-called masters of intrigue. Costanca left that to them. What she did understand, however, was her sister. Sarita had grown too bold, and too impatient. She had begun to forget that just because one thought one had a pawn in hand did not mean that pawn would do what was expected. She allowed herself to concentrate too hard on some situations over others, leaving cracks open for others to exploit. It meant mistakes.
Costanca wanted Eluira to decline Sarita on the matter of Solana. She wanted Eluira to question Sarita's competency. Oh, she knew it wasn't a likely bid, not with master-arse-licker Diego about to flaunt all of his skills as an elite servant, but so long as she gave Sarita enough of a wobble it would hopefully be enough.
She arranged her expression into a suitable facade of vacuousness, though she did listen to the things Diego said. Occasionally sipping her tea, she gave the impression of a suitably bored young woman who no longer saw any games to be played. It was not hard; she was bored. She had pushed Eluira enough for the time being, and given Diego's sudden surge of boldness she questioned the wisdom of pushing him in this particular instance. There may or may not be room for another hit later on in the conversation. In the meantime, she settled herself in for waiting.
She resisted murmuring the figure Diego had implied herself or Sarita should have the knowledge of. Giving it up that easily would show well enough that she was listening. They might believe her facade or they might not -- what mattered with such things was the ability to keep it up. They could not prove she was listening, and thus her act would remain safe. Sarita kept her own mouth shut, though Costanca saw her incline her head the teeniest bit in acknowledgement.
Sarita shot her a warning look, and after a half-beat of a lack of a response Costanca turned her head just enough to offer a blank smile towards her elder sister. She turned back to Eluira and lifted her teacup towards the woman with a small nod -- quiet compliment for the tea -- before she resumed sipping it and gazing around the room with all the apparent faculties of a doddering and forgetful elder grandmother.
Sarita pulled free her toiletry bag. Costanca's attention focused on that, for while it was vogue to carry one when one was on a visit to another's estate, it was hardly appropriate to pull it out in public. Sarita began to open the bag, loosening the strings that kept its top shut. It was rather -- no. Surely not. Costanca watched with bemused horror as Sarita drew from within the bag the curled and bound papers that constituted their evidence. Tied with a ribbon, the curled papers were then held out in Costanca's direction. She stared.
"Would you be a dear and fetch these to Dona Eluira?"
Mute, Costanca did as her sister bid, returning to her chair to quietly fume at the misuse of fashion.
"You will find within those papers reports of financial gains and distributions, submitted for tax purposes. You will also find letters that then contradict those reports. In addition, there are letters to individuals reporting movements of goods, the values of which do not match up with the reported income. While it is true that even the best accountants are likely to have a small error margin, the attempt to cover it up is highly unusual and suspicious. We have resolved trade errors successfully in the past and though the process is uncomfortable for all, when properly reported we always move to conduct a fair investigation, making no hints of accusations until complete.
"However, while this is suspect on its own, but not entirely damning, the papers Senor Diego has recovered from Senor Ramiro's private office -- you'll find them beneath the correspondence -- matches up with one of the questionable amounts we discovered. He is treating with a middleman we have recently been watching after confirming him as a smuggler of Bellezan goods.
"I submit that the evidence Senora Querida had collected is irretrievable without her; what she had as physical proof may well have been destroyed. We are in need of her knowledge to quickly and accurately identify Senor Ramiro's collaborators, as well as his involved business transactions involved, as a whole, so that we may present this information properly before the Duque."
The day Solana was sold gave Costanca a certain sense of vindication. She did not desire for Solana to be brought back to Morveres or to Sarita, though she understood Sarita's presumed need for it to happen. Sarita was and had been distracted. Costanca would not pretend to understand the depth of the games caught between Sarita and Eluira, nor the frantic tarantella spun between so-called masters of intrigue. Costanca left that to them. What she did understand, however, was her sister. Sarita had grown too bold, and too impatient. She had begun to forget that just because one thought one had a pawn in hand did not mean that pawn would do what was expected. She allowed herself to concentrate too hard on some situations over others, leaving cracks open for others to exploit. It meant mistakes.
Costanca wanted Eluira to decline Sarita on the matter of Solana. She wanted Eluira to question Sarita's competency. Oh, she knew it wasn't a likely bid, not with master-arse-licker Diego about to flaunt all of his skills as an elite servant, but so long as she gave Sarita enough of a wobble it would hopefully be enough.
She arranged her expression into a suitable facade of vacuousness, though she did listen to the things Diego said. Occasionally sipping her tea, she gave the impression of a suitably bored young woman who no longer saw any games to be played. It was not hard; she was bored. She had pushed Eluira enough for the time being, and given Diego's sudden surge of boldness she questioned the wisdom of pushing him in this particular instance. There may or may not be room for another hit later on in the conversation. In the meantime, she settled herself in for waiting.
She resisted murmuring the figure Diego had implied herself or Sarita should have the knowledge of. Giving it up that easily would show well enough that she was listening. They might believe her facade or they might not -- what mattered with such things was the ability to keep it up. They could not prove she was listening, and thus her act would remain safe. Sarita kept her own mouth shut, though Costanca saw her incline her head the teeniest bit in acknowledgement.
Sarita shot her a warning look, and after a half-beat of a lack of a response Costanca turned her head just enough to offer a blank smile towards her elder sister. She turned back to Eluira and lifted her teacup towards the woman with a small nod -- quiet compliment for the tea -- before she resumed sipping it and gazing around the room with all the apparent faculties of a doddering and forgetful elder grandmother.
Sarita pulled free her toiletry bag. Costanca's attention focused on that, for while it was vogue to carry one when one was on a visit to another's estate, it was hardly appropriate to pull it out in public. Sarita began to open the bag, loosening the strings that kept its top shut. It was rather -- no. Surely not. Costanca watched with bemused horror as Sarita drew from within the bag the curled and bound papers that constituted their evidence. Tied with a ribbon, the curled papers were then held out in Costanca's direction. She stared.
"Would you be a dear and fetch these to Dona Eluira?"
Mute, Costanca did as her sister bid, returning to her chair to quietly fume at the misuse of fashion.
"You will find within those papers reports of financial gains and distributions, submitted for tax purposes. You will also find letters that then contradict those reports. In addition, there are letters to individuals reporting movements of goods, the values of which do not match up with the reported income. While it is true that even the best accountants are likely to have a small error margin, the attempt to cover it up is highly unusual and suspicious. We have resolved trade errors successfully in the past and though the process is uncomfortable for all, when properly reported we always move to conduct a fair investigation, making no hints of accusations until complete.
"However, while this is suspect on its own, but not entirely damning, the papers Senor Diego has recovered from Senor Ramiro's private office -- you'll find them beneath the correspondence -- matches up with one of the questionable amounts we discovered. He is treating with a middleman we have recently been watching after confirming him as a smuggler of Bellezan goods.
"I submit that the evidence Senora Querida had collected is irretrievable without her; what she had as physical proof may well have been destroyed. We are in need of her knowledge to quickly and accurately identify Senor Ramiro's collaborators, as well as his involved business transactions involved, as a whole, so that we may present this information properly before the Duque."
Re: Bad Reputation
The Marquesa accepted the sheaf of documents from Costanca with a graceful smile "Thank you my dear, most kind" then returned her focus to Sarita's explanations. It was worryingly plausible, and the heft of the papers in her hand gave weight to the Condesa's words. Which meant she'd have to give the papers a thorough read as a stalling tactic while she determined the best course of action. Eluira smiled "As ever, Sarita, you do not disappoint. Evidence and a summation of the points given with alacrity, as requested." Already she was mentally rearranging her scheduled tasks for the next two days, like flicking beads on an abacus "Very well. I shall provide you with my decision. I have no doubt that the papers will show what you describe, but I will need to determine how far I shall need to extend my own influence in the matter." It was, all in all, more exciting than the minor diversion surrounding Miguel Andrés Postigo Ruiz. He would keep for another day or two.
Eluira was about to call a close to the business side of things, but noticed Diego tapping his fingers while gazing at the stuccoed patterns in the wall. In anyone else, the movement might have been irrelevant and even ill-mannered, but Eluira had taught the remover of obstacles many of her favoured signals for La Mano Conquista. The unmoving little finger was a hidden trump which, outside of the context of cards, meant that there was something left to be discussed which hadn't been mentioned. "Now, while the excitement of the moment dictates I rush immediately to my office to read these documents, it would be a poor host who didn't reiterate an offer of refreshments. And if there are any other matters, which you believe might be similarly worth my attention, I am willing to grant you some more of my time to consider them."
Eluira was about to call a close to the business side of things, but noticed Diego tapping his fingers while gazing at the stuccoed patterns in the wall. In anyone else, the movement might have been irrelevant and even ill-mannered, but Eluira had taught the remover of obstacles many of her favoured signals for La Mano Conquista. The unmoving little finger was a hidden trump which, outside of the context of cards, meant that there was something left to be discussed which hadn't been mentioned. "Now, while the excitement of the moment dictates I rush immediately to my office to read these documents, it would be a poor host who didn't reiterate an offer of refreshments. And if there are any other matters, which you believe might be similarly worth my attention, I am willing to grant you some more of my time to consider them."
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Costanca Ana
- Outsider
- Posts: 48
- Joined: Tue Jul 16, 2013 12:45 am
- Name: Costanca de Morua Riestra
- Race: Human
Re: Bad Reputation
Ahh, and there it was: an opening ripe for Costanca to pluck and crush between her teeth. Though perhaps in not quite such a vulgar manner as all that; crushing things was what underlings was for. Besides, now that she'd thought of it it just sounded so messy. She was drawn out of her reverie as Sarita sat forward, which was evidence enough that something was going on Costanca was unaware of. Not that she cared about it, whatever it was, because the only intrigue she ever really saw fit to draw concern from was when it involved her or making a point to Sarita. Right then, she had plenty of points to make to Sarita, the primary being that just because she was not so trained as this murder of crows did not mean she was wholly helpless. She too sat up and waggled her fingers, knowing the movement would draw attention from Sarita's constantly restrained demeanor. The woman was so predictable when it came to formal occasions, as were most within polite society, which gave a court fluff ample opportunities to disrupt things.
"I find myself positively craving those dear little shortbread tea cakes I recall your cook being so very good at making," Costanca said, coaxing her voice into the depths of supreme thoughtfulness.
Sarita was not Guiomar. She wouldn't use the disobedience as a means to criticize Costanca, nor would she comment on her sister's weight. It would have been an effective method, if a bit awkward; Costanca knew she'd passed the line where softness of form might be considered tasteful, but she found she didn't quite care. It kept the lads away from playing pointless games. As much a tease as any young thing with a head full of daydreams, Costanca nevertheless had never been very interested in games of slap and tickle behind the curtains. If anything, she found it rather distasteful -- not that she could ever afford to say so publicly, of course. It would positively ruin her image.
Having stalled Sarita for the necessary few seconds, Costanca continued, "Of course, now that I am thinking on matters worthy of the most illustrious Dona's attentions, I think there may have been something important uncovered last night in Morveres? Oh, you know how my memory gets about these sorts of things, sister, surely you know of what I speak."
Costanca looked over at Sarita, smiling brightly.
"I cannot recall," Sarita said, staring back.
"Hmm, how strange, I'm sure it was something important. . ." Costanca trailed off, her expression filled with puzzlement. She shrugged, returning to smiles. "Perhaps I'll remember before we leave."
The threat had been received. Sarita sat back, and Costanca smiled guilelessly at Eluira.
"I find myself positively craving those dear little shortbread tea cakes I recall your cook being so very good at making," Costanca said, coaxing her voice into the depths of supreme thoughtfulness.
Sarita was not Guiomar. She wouldn't use the disobedience as a means to criticize Costanca, nor would she comment on her sister's weight. It would have been an effective method, if a bit awkward; Costanca knew she'd passed the line where softness of form might be considered tasteful, but she found she didn't quite care. It kept the lads away from playing pointless games. As much a tease as any young thing with a head full of daydreams, Costanca nevertheless had never been very interested in games of slap and tickle behind the curtains. If anything, she found it rather distasteful -- not that she could ever afford to say so publicly, of course. It would positively ruin her image.
Having stalled Sarita for the necessary few seconds, Costanca continued, "Of course, now that I am thinking on matters worthy of the most illustrious Dona's attentions, I think there may have been something important uncovered last night in Morveres? Oh, you know how my memory gets about these sorts of things, sister, surely you know of what I speak."
Costanca looked over at Sarita, smiling brightly.
"I cannot recall," Sarita said, staring back.
"Hmm, how strange, I'm sure it was something important. . ." Costanca trailed off, her expression filled with puzzlement. She shrugged, returning to smiles. "Perhaps I'll remember before we leave."
The threat had been received. Sarita sat back, and Costanca smiled guilelessly at Eluira.
Re: Bad Reputation
For a brief moment, Eluira wondered if Diego had been mistaken, or if she had misread him. "Of course, my dear. Jolant, see to it that biscuits and another round of beverages are presented" Sabastia's twin sister vacated her post briefly and in that moment Costanca rewarded the Marquesa's initial question with quite a performance. Eluira inwardly applauded the apparent social bloodletting which had just graced her parlour. A slight tickle of the ear closest to Sabastia ensured the man made a mental note of the interaction for later dissection.
It was Diego who stepped in to offer a potential chance to save face, though a slight hint of a smile suggested the assassin had delighted in the well-placed verbal thrust. The man made a show of dragging his attention away from the artworks to drawl "Oh yes, the illustrious Guiomar is paying Morveres a visit. I rather believe she's trying to cause cousin Julia a mischief. That dreary issue to do with Beatriz' old estates. Must be age setting in, but her son Ignacio is in no fit state to run those properties, and everyone knows it. Honestly, why she's decided to pester Sarita about it is beyond me. One almost gets the impression she fails to see how promising Julia's boy Silvestre is. He's young, true, but with the right advisors I think he'd do Morua proud. It must be age affecting her once sharp mind. Poor woman couldn't even stay awake for dinner."
Eluira didn't believe for a minute that such a situation could visibly put Sarita onto as defensive a footing as Costanca had achieved, but played along "Well, do tell me more, dears."
It was Diego who stepped in to offer a potential chance to save face, though a slight hint of a smile suggested the assassin had delighted in the well-placed verbal thrust. The man made a show of dragging his attention away from the artworks to drawl "Oh yes, the illustrious Guiomar is paying Morveres a visit. I rather believe she's trying to cause cousin Julia a mischief. That dreary issue to do with Beatriz' old estates. Must be age setting in, but her son Ignacio is in no fit state to run those properties, and everyone knows it. Honestly, why she's decided to pester Sarita about it is beyond me. One almost gets the impression she fails to see how promising Julia's boy Silvestre is. He's young, true, but with the right advisors I think he'd do Morua proud. It must be age affecting her once sharp mind. Poor woman couldn't even stay awake for dinner."
Eluira didn't believe for a minute that such a situation could visibly put Sarita onto as defensive a footing as Costanca had achieved, but played along "Well, do tell me more, dears."
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Costanca Ana
- Outsider
- Posts: 48
- Joined: Tue Jul 16, 2013 12:45 am
- Name: Costanca de Morua Riestra
- Race: Human
Re: Bad Reputation
Costanca looked wide-eyed to Sarita as if this were the first time she'd heard of Guiomar's schemes. Oh yes, tell us more! her expression fairly begged, achieving a level of vapid rarely seen.
"The Illustrious Dona is quite. . .unwilling to hear of any other caretaker of the Aljar and Matri estates besides Don Ignacio. I have also heard his condition is worsening."
Sarita showed no signs of discomfort or dismay at the topic presented. If anything, she appeared to be quite satisfied with the direction the conversation had gone in.
"He is yet unwed, and he has yet to produce an heir. I see no reason why the young Senor Silvestre cannot be named as heir -- it is time he is groomed for marriage with acconpanying titles and estates. It will look disfavorable to the family if he is not settled, and it is foolish enough the Dona Julia has waited so long. I question her motives."
Sarita's voice had gone terribly dry. She did not look at Diego. Costanca stifled a giggle.
"The Illustrious Dona is quite. . .unwilling to hear of any other caretaker of the Aljar and Matri estates besides Don Ignacio. I have also heard his condition is worsening."
Sarita showed no signs of discomfort or dismay at the topic presented. If anything, she appeared to be quite satisfied with the direction the conversation had gone in.
"He is yet unwed, and he has yet to produce an heir. I see no reason why the young Senor Silvestre cannot be named as heir -- it is time he is groomed for marriage with acconpanying titles and estates. It will look disfavorable to the family if he is not settled, and it is foolish enough the Dona Julia has waited so long. I question her motives."
Sarita's voice had gone terribly dry. She did not look at Diego. Costanca stifled a giggle.