The Banquet [EE1]

[Rima Birawi]

"They aren't really fashionable, are they? I prefer to earn enough to be able to afford the water I need and stay dressed like a lady should." She raised a brow. "But I am sure that among the girls in my employ there must be one proficient with it. Perhaps there's a way to bring her to your room despite the curfew. If you want my presence, my assistance in the process of fitting is negotiable, Dorian." There was a wandering smile. "Would you pour me some wine? I think we can now."

[Claudius Reins]

She smiles "Trust me I understand, I hope we won't disrupt you too much, its mostly comparing the books to actual inventory to make sure the numbers match. Also to track trends. Have you had much disruption from these terrorists lately?"

"Ain't to sound willy-wally, but there's been too much. The desert folk and their razzias, then the Harkonnen pogroms, dust off, repeat. A lot of back and forth, never a calm day. We put lasguns on spotters these days. We lose one-two harvesters every week, and only only half to the worms."

Addison goes into full data analysis mode, "Do the terrorists primarily target full or empty harvesters? Would you say the Harkonen investigations and security measures cause more, or less production restrictions then the attacks themselves? How do you deal with Shielded terrorists? How do you know they aren't wearing shields when turning Lasguns on them? Have the Harkonnens made any breaks into the source of the terrorism? Or the reasons? "

[Mares Aveti]

Mares carefully sips his drink, eyeing the banquet. It was been a rough delivery, but sharp eyes are now flitting around the room, trying to take in who is gathering with who.

[Dorian Drake]

"They aren't really fashionable, are they? I prefer to earn enough to be able to afford the water I need and stay dressed like a lady should." She raised a brow. "But I am sure that among the girls in my employ there must be one proficient with it. Perhaps there's a way to bring her to your room despite the curfew. If you want my presence, my assistance in the process of fitting is negotiable, Dorian." There was a wandering smile. "Would you pour me some wine? I think we can now."

"I wouldn't want to endanger any of your employees, the Harkonnens can be quite inflexible. They even dared to stop our vehicle with diplomatic clearance and a Sardaukar escort." He didn't feel the need to bring up the indiscriminate violence of the Harkonnen patrols that he had witnessed.

"And then there's the threat of getting caught up in an attack like the explosion near our convoy. Has that become a common occurrence here?"

[Abad Nejhre]

Mares carefully sips his drink, eyeing the banquet. It was been a rough delivery, but sharp eyes are now flitting around the room, trying to take in who is gathering with who.

"An observant one, I see." A man with the Guild pin gestured toward the Ixian helix Mares had on display. "I suppose I could as well ask: how is business going on Ix?" The tone was sly.

[Rima Birawi]

"I wouldn't want to endanger any of your employees, the Harkonnens can be quite inflexible. They even dared to stop our vehicle with diplomatic clearance and a Sardaukar escort." He didn't feel the need to bring up the indiscriminate violence of the Harkonnen patrols that he had witnessed.

"And then there's the threat of getting caught up in an attack like the explosion near our convoy. Has that become a common occurrence here?"

"I've been hearing of raids, but this is the first time it happened here, in Arrakeen." She actually frowned a bit. "I hope it's a one-time thing and the Harkonnen can push back against the riffraff that's behind it. Terrorism so close to home is bad for business. For a moment I was worried it's the spaceport and that my own establishment there could be affected."

[Genevieve Wallach]

There was wine, but yet unpoured; the exquisite wine glasses that couldn't have been originating from anywhere else than the glassmasters of Balut were filled with crystal-clear water, but at a distance from the seated that indicated they were meant for a toast.

"This planet teaches you to live with the prospect of your death more than any other I have known. Those whose business is death on demand don't strike the same fear on Arrakis as elsewhere in the Imperium. At least not without additional effort." The man called Wey smiled thinly. "I am a businessman, Lady Gene. Of the versatile kind. I trade in many things that are needed for functioning here."

"A good to man to know on this place; someone who can get things if needed." Genevieve gives a wide grin, but lets the the two do their speech and raises up their glass of water, giving them their proper respects as they um...uhh...hmmm...ah... say their lines. "Perhaps another time we may discuss it further, but I think such talk should be tabled for the evening. You seem to know much about this planet, at least; the natives seem rather upset over everything, as I've just experienced. Not to mention this suit...stillsuits. Odd name, really. Suppose I could use someone to show me how to wear and use one this evening, if you're not busy."

She said those words casually, nothing indicating anything further in her words.

[Omri B'rrican]

Addison goes into full data analysis mode, "Do the terrorists primarily target full or empty harvesters? Would you say the Harkonen investigations and security measures cause more, or less production restrictions then the attacks themselves? How do you deal with Shielded terrorists? How do you know they aren't wearing shields when turning Lasguns on them? Have the Harkonnens made any breaks into the source of the terrorism? Or the reasons? "

"Now, now, lassie, that's too many queries, wrong time, wrong place." He shook his head at where it was going, and glanced at Kryubi, who was also looking back at him. "Those are some mentat questions, besides, and the only ones here with a real mentat is Rabban, the Guild, and the Count."

He waited for his glass to be refilled. "My Dune Men don't deal with those attacks, unless they attack us directly. Then we try to gun them down, but that rarely works. They stage their attacks well and they know how to fight in the desert, so unless our men flee on a carryall soon enough or have military-grade thopter support, they stand little chance. In the end, we sometimes don't know what hit the harvester and the crew, only that it's lost. The Fremen have a saying that four things cannot be hidden: love, smoke, a pillar of fire and a man stridin' across the open bled. But in the end, the desert has a way of makin' all things vanish without trace, completely. One worm, one storm, one Fremen razzia - it's all gone.”

Omri clicked his tongue. "Dinye think of takin' shields into open desert. Storms make them useless, we all use lasguns there, but the most important thing is they enrage the worms. Turn on a shield on the sand and there's going to be a mayhem like ye've never seen."

[Weyer Paymon]

"A good to man to know on this place; someone who can get things if needed." Genevieve gives a wide grin, but lets the the two do their speech and raises up their glass of water, giving them their proper respects as they um...uhh...hmmm...ah... say their lines. "Perhaps another time we may discuss it further, but I think such talk should be tabled for the evening. You seem to know much about this planet, at least; the natives seem rather upset over everything, as I've just experienced. Not to mention this suit...stillsuits. Odd name, really. Suppose I could use someone to show me how to wear and use one this evening, if you're not busy."

She said those words casually, nothing indicating anything further in her words.

The man hesitated, but nodded in the end, as if deciding on making an investment. "They come in different designs even if the basic idea is the same: they de-still whatever moisture your body excretes and process it back into drinkable water; the chemistry of it acts as a coolant. I don't know what you've been given, but in the end it's tech so I can figure it out."

[The Shadout Mapes]

There was a quiet serving girl in the corner of the room...almost indistinguishable from the other as her eyes and head were down cast and did not react to this...blasphemy...yet

-----
Wasting water?! Discipline plus justice, tn 13, self-control, crit 6: 2#1d20 16 3

"It's time to collect water." Mapes whispered, handling Ahmina a big bowl for the scattered wet towels. "After you're done, bring them down to a the kitchen. There's a small huanui there. We won't give it out tonight because of the curfew, but I know families that wait for water. We'll be able to bring it out in the morning."

To the excess amid the water-fat offworlders that was happening just to their side she said nothing, as if she had walled off all her disgust of it long ago.

[Dorian Drake]

"I've been hearing of raids, but this is the first time it happened here, in Arrakeen." She actually frowned a bit. "I hope it's a one-time thing and the Harkonnen can push back against the riffraff that's behind it. Terrorism so close to home is bad for business. For a moment I was worried it's the spaceport and that my own establishment there could be affected."

"So you are close to the spaceport. Then perhaps we can have a more intimate conversation in the near future. For now, let us enjoy the hospitality of out hosts." he pours them each a glass of wine and raises his for a small, personal toast, "To prosperity here on Arrakis and to the entrepreneurs who drive it."

[Ahmina]

"It's time to collect water." Mapes whispered, handling Ahmina a big bowl for the scattered wet towels. "After you're done, bring them down to a the kitchen. There's a small huanui there. We won't give it out tonight because of the curfew, but I know families that wait for water. We'll be able to bring it out in the morning."

To the excess amid the water-fat offworlders that was happening just to their side she said nothing, as if she had walled off all her disgust of it long ago.

The more she observed the more Ahmina understood the well of the Shadout's strength

She nodded as she took the large bowl ''Ai, Shadout''

She began moving towards the towels trying to do so without attracting too much attention

[Claudius Reins]

"Now, now, lassie, that's too many queries, wrong time, wrong place." He shook his head at where it was going, and glanced at Kryubi, who was also looking back at him. "Those are some mentat questions, besides, and the only ones here with a real mentat is Rabban, the Guild, and the Count."

He waited for his glass to be refilled. "My Dune Men don't deal with those attacks, unless they attack us directly. Then we try to gun them down, but that rarely works. They stage their attacks well and they know how to fight in the desert, so unless our men flee on a carryall soon enough or have military-grade thopter support, they stand little chance. In the end, we sometimes don't know what hit the harvester and the crew, only that it's lost. The Fremen have a saying that four things cannot be hidden: love, smoke, a pillar of fire and a man stridin' across the open bled. But in the end, the desert has a way of makin' all things vanish without trace, completely. One worm, one storm, one Fremen razzia - it's all gone.”

Omri clicked his tongue. "Dinye think of takin' shields into open desert. Storms make them useless, we all use lasguns there, but the most important thing is they enrage the worms. Turn on a shield on the sand and there's going to be a mayhem like ye've never seen."

She licks her lips nervously, "I am not a mentat, but sometimes you need a similar skill set but can not afford one, I do the same kind of analysis but I do it long hand on paper, in hours what a mentat could do in seconds in his head, I know its not very efficient." She looks down, " That's good to know about the shields, and based on that it sounds like you are not sure how many lost harvesters are terrorist and how many are worms, I take it not all harvesters come with aerial scouts? I am curious what percentage of harvesters don't come back, roughly?"

[Bomilcar Thorvald]

"I run some mining and distribution of water around here." Bewt said, having drained the glass after a salute to the hosts, becoming the king of understatement. "You, sir?"

"Bodyguard to the Thorvald heirs, most days," he says, clearly not entirely certain what he'll be doing around here. He has the look of a man tossed in the deep end who might be able to tread water forever but is definitely no swimmer.

[Omri B'rrican]

"I'd have to check that." That was probably a fat lie, but the miner was cringing under the gaze of the Harkonnen commander. Omri looked at Addison's lips as she licked them. "Nah, I ken mentat yer not. They have their lips stained all over with that Ecazi drug, sapho, that makes their minds race like you've described. Yours are well and bonny, lassie." He grinned, perhaps satisfied to have changed the subject.

[Genevieve Wallach]

The man hesitated, but nodded in the end, as if deciding on making an investment. "They come in different designs even if the basic idea is the same: they de-still whatever moisture your body excretes and process it back into drinkable water; the chemistry of it acts as a coolant. I don't know what you've been given, but in the end it's tech so I can figure it out."

She gave a short stare at him in his response, keeping her response to it well within herself. "Very good to know. I am grateful that I have met someone with such knowledge." She sipped more of her water and continued to stare at him for a moment longer. "Have you had any business with the others around here, then?" He motions to the others, but lingers on Captain Kryubi for a moment before looking back at Weyer. "Just not familiar with these faces."

[Weyer Paymon]

"The extent of my business relationships is confidential, out of reciprocity and respect." In his mouth it sounded as if it simply carried a price to be given such information. Probably very high in some cases. "But you can probably make a rough estimate, Lady Gene, given how neither of us here is a true stranger to the Count's hospitality. If you want names and official positions, I can give you as much. The rest is for your wits to retrieve." He then briefly outlined that for her, face by face.

[Lingar Bewt]

"Bodyguard to the Thorvald heirs, most days," he says, clearly not entirely certain what he'll be doing around here. He has the look of a man tossed in the deep end who might be able to tread water forever but is definitely no swimmer.

"No Thorvald heirs here at this moment, so you probably need to repurpose, sir." Bewt remarked, keeping their conversation curt and quiet, to blend into the background of those attracting the Harkonnen liaison and the Fenrings' attention.

[Count Fenring]

The more she observed the more Ahmina understood the well of the Shadout's strength

She nodded as she took the large bowl ''Ai, Shadout''

She began moving towards the towels trying to do so without attracting too much attention

And that made her attract the Count's attention. He said nothing, he had been listening to the bustle at the table, but his small, weasel-like beads of eyes started tracking her moves as she was doing Mapes' bidding. What he saw his expression didn't betray.

[Mares Aveti]

"An observant one, I see." A man with the Guild pin gestured toward the Ixian helix Mares had on display. "I suppose I could as well ask: how is business going on Ix?" The tone was sly.

"Oh, you know how it is." Mares respond as pleasantly as he can. "The reward for good work is more work, and there is always more work to be done. Mares Aveti, at your service." Mares offers a slight bow.

[Abad Nejhre]

"Abad Nejhre of the Guild Bank. They call me 'Soo Soo' here for the water peddlers' cry because of grip I have over the water market in the cities." The man chuckled. "And I know how it is. The only reward for investment is a greater pool to invest again."

[Ahmina]

It did not take long for Ahmina to gather the towels into the large bowl. Still in her role of a servant, she was now making her way to the kitchen...

[Genevieve Wallach]

"The extent of my business relationships is confidential, out of reciprocity and respect." In his mouth it sounded as if it simply carried a price to be given such information. Probably very high in some cases. "But you can probably make a rough estimate, Lady Gene, given how neither of us here is a true stranger to the Count's hospitality. If you want names and official positions, I can give you as much. The rest is for your wits to retrieve." He then briefly outlined that for her, face by face.

She smiles at him, thinking as he begins his statement. moment. "Naturally, nor would I would even try to pry into the nature of such a thing. As a member of House Wallach, you can be assured that I understand the importance of such confidentiality and can absolutely respect your need for it. I merely ask as a means to properly introduce myself later. This is my first real chance to enjoy the Count's company, after all. My father has allowed me to represent the family in this important endeavour, and I hope to make a good impression on everyone, yourself included."

She looks at him and to the people as he talks, smiling as he explains who they are and their titles, albeit brief.

~~
Spending a motivation point to ask a question: He obviously will, unconsciously, give a tell of who he likes or dislikes as he points to them and gives a name and position. Can I pick up who those people are?

[Bomilcar Thorvald]

"No Thorvald heirs here at this moment, so you probably need to repurpose, sir." Bewt remarked, keeping their conversation curt and quiet, to blend into the background of those attracting the Harkonnen liaison and the Fenrings' attention.

He nods at that. It's something he had considered. One thing he did know was observation. Some thought his blade was the most powerful tool he used, he knew it was his eyes.

"Protect from the terrorits, observe the investigation," he says, somewhat resolutely.

[Lingar Bewt]

"Protect from the terrorists, observe the investigation," he says, somewhat resolutely.

"Ah, terrorists, yes. That would certainly make Harkonnen grateful." He spoke with both truth and irony, albeit quietly still, letting Bomilcar chew on the implications.