After the Banquet [LE1]

[Weyer Paymon]

''It seems we are in the same position as Rabban then: do something or lose ground.'' he reflected on the situation. He frowned then smiled ''I will see what I can do and give you a call when I get something we can work with. What do you need the most at the moment?''

"I'll get you a list. Some all-time favourites, construction prefabs and replacement parts mostly, but also something new I've heard you are making..."

[Ahmina]

"I'll get you a list. Some all-time favourites, construction prefabs and replacement parts mostly, but also something new I've heard you are making..."

He raised an eyebrow

''Well informed are you? I should not have expected anything less''

[Weyer Paymon]

"I am pleased not to disappoint then." Weyer smiled briefly. "At one point I thought you were going to join me here, as a resident importer. I was asked about you after you got back to Richese."

[Ahmina]

Cybilus paused and pondered the situation

''I would not lie...I had been thinking about it for a while but circumstances changed suddenly.'' he took a deep breath ''I may consider it again...we shall see"

[Weyer Paymon]

"Once we shall see that, I may offer you a partnership of sorts, depending on other circumstances. Just keep that in mind." Weyer patted Cybillus on the arm. "Enjoy the banquet, at least what's left of it?"

[Ahmina]

He smirked, unsure on how to interpret the gesture

''I will try, have a nice evening Weyer. I will await you invoice''

[Bomilcar Thorvald]

"Paradoxes are best resolved by doing." She maintained her smile. "A pity the Fenrings didn't provide music this time. I would dance."

He takes a small sip of his drink. "Another time then," he states, more like a promise than a rain check, taking her words to mean she'd be up for dancing with him. And he clearly did not consider it a bad idea. "If you'd like."

He looks around the room at everyone, but returns his focus to Rima. And finally offering a more formal introduction. "Bomilcar Thorvald." He gives a nod to her.

[Cuyler Gray]

"Did you have any trouble with Harkonnen patrols? We were stopped by one citing a curfew. There's a Harkonnen liaison here, a Captain Kryubi, I need to have a word with him about this curfew and its interference with our mission."

"Our biggest challenge was a man running away." she answered. "We chased him down, but things didn't go as smoothly as we would have liked."

[Dorian Drake]

"Our biggest challenge was a man running away." she answered. "We chased him down, but things didn't go as smoothly as we would have liked."

"Hmmm, I'm very interested to hear more about that later, but first we should speak with Captain Kryubi before he is unavailable. I doubt the curfew will effect him, so he may well leave the Residency tonight."

Dorian moves through the room, looking for the distinctive blue Harkonnen uniform.

[Captain Kryubi]

Kryubi was there, by the window, watching the city. He didn't even pretend to be interested in the auditors as if whatever they were up to didn't concern him, and he was there just for the forms to be obeyed, so House Harkonnen would not be charged with non-cooperation with CHOAM, Landsraad, and the Throne.

[Rima Birawi]

He looks around the room at everyone, but returns his focus to Rima. And finally offering a more formal introduction. "Bomilcar Thorvald." He gives a nod to her.

"Rima Birawi." She didn't seem surprised by his identity, but welcomed the introduction, and even added a curtsy. "I am looking forward to it, my lord."

[Dorian Drake]

Kryubi was there, by the window, watching the city. He didn't even pretend to be interested in the auditors as if whatever they were up to didn't concern him, and he was there just for the forms to be obeyed, so House Harkonnen would not be charged with non-cooperation with CHOAM, Landsraad, and the Throne.

Dorian approached the man and got his attention, "Captain Kryubi, may I introduce myself, I am Dorian Drake, Swordmaster of House Mutelli. I had a question about the curfew. I certainly understand the necessity given the earlier events. What I am curious about is how long it will go on for and how this will effect the CHOAM representatives. We were stopped by a patrol on our way here."

[Captain Kryubi]

"This is an emergency, Mr Drake. We should be done by morning. If it is extended, you shall be notified. In worst case, you'll be escorted out of the city and asked to perform your functions elsewhere, for the time being." The man replied in even tone.

[Dorian Drake]

"This is an emergency, Mr Drake. We should be done by morning. If it is extended, you shall be notified. In worst case, you'll be escorted out of the city and asked to perform your functions elsewhere, for the time being." The man replied in even tone.

Dorian stares at the man a moment before answering, "I suppose if it is done by morning there will be no hindrance to our purpose. However, I don't believe House Harkonnen would want to be seen as impeding or trying to direct the CHOAM audit."

He adds in a friendly tone. "Now to be clear, I'm not making any accusations here, I fully appreciate the need for security and the fact that we all have masters to whom we must answer. Just offering an outsider's look at what perceptions may be."

[Captain Kryubi]

"If you're eager to go out now I can issue you a clearance. Just sign a waiver." Kryubi replied after a scoff. "Arrakis is a hellhole. Maybe you haven't gone through your filmbooks on the route here, but this planet is out to kill you and leave no trace of your existence. The very fact that we provide security is the proof of our cooperation. Disregard it at your own peril."

[Dorian Drake]

"If you're eager to go out now I can issue you a clearance. Just sign a waiver." Kryubi replied after a scoff. "Arrakis is a hellhole. Maybe you haven't gone through your filmbooks on the route here, but this planet is out to kill you and leave no trace of your existence. The very fact that we provide security is the proof of our cooperation. Disregard it at your own peril."

"I truly appreciate your concern. I have some awareness of the dangers of Arrakis, it is one of the reasons House Mutelli turned down the siridar governorship in the past. But do not underestimate the resourcefulness of a squad of Sardaukar and don't think the Landsraad sent delegates who would walk in blindly like sheep to the slaughter."

Dorian paused for a moment to let his words sink in before widening his smile, "I like you, I think we can work together just fine."

[Bomilcar Thorvald]

"Rima Birawi." She didn't seem surprised by his identity, but welcomed the introduction, and even added a curtsy. "I am looking forward to it, my lord."

He lets a rare small smile slip for a moment. "You dance often?"

[Captain Kryubi]

"I truly appreciate your concern. I have some awareness of the dangers of Arrakis, it is one of the reasons House Mutelli turned down the siridar governorship in the past. But do not underestimate the resourcefulness of a squad of Sardaukar and don't think the Landsraad sent delegates who would walk in blindly like sheep to the slaughter."

Dorian paused for a moment to let his words sink in before widening his smile, "I like you, I think we can work together just fine."

"Alas, regardless of whether I can return the sentiment, this cannot be. I am simply too busy in the Baron's service to ever marry." Kryubi answered deadpan. "I don't underestimate anyone here, Mr Drake. I attest it with my presence here rather than in Carthag or on Giedi Prime. And our troops out there are also dead serious."

[Rima Birawi]

He lets a rare small smile slip for a moment. "You dance often?"

"As often as I can find the right man to dance with." She arched one brow gently and supported her waist with her hand before taking a slow sip of wine.

[Kannon]

Reyyan attempted to keep her voice low, only speak to the man questioning her here, "With all due respect, do you feel the Harrkonen would be honest and up front with us if the explosion had been from something or someone who would be a danger to our expedition? I felt it was my duty to see what had caused an explosion so close to our intended route before their cleanup crews got there."

Tyekanik thought for a moment.

"You'll submit a report. It'll be assessed. For now, resume your duties, and take them more literally. What can compromise this mission is a death of an auditor on our watch. That's all for now, Levenbrech."

[Bomilcar Thorvald]

"As often as I can find the right man to dance with." She arched one brow gently and supported her waist with her hand before taking a slow sip of wine.

"To the right pair," he says raising his glass in a small toast, suggesting he agreed with the sentiment. He took another sip.

[Reyyan Ebrahammi]

Tyekanik thought for a moment.

"You'll submit a report. It'll be assessed. For now, resume your duties, and take them more literally. What can compromise this mission is a death of an auditor on our watch. That's all for now, Levenbrech."

Reyyan gave a crisp salute before turning and walking back for another refreshment; Really, what was one death in the scheme of things, or even two? If it meant defeating an army or organization bent on crime or terrorism against the Empire and its Houses....

Still, she didn't argue the point; Reyyan knew her place and her orders, and she would indeed be more careful about them in future, even with misgivings. Hopefully her report would let the higher ups know that there was more going on that they needed to take seriously though.

....

The thin stemmed glass nearly cracked in the grip of the Levenbrech's fingers as she downed the cold, clear water it held in one quick gulp.

[Rima Birawi]

"To the right pair," he says raising his glass in a small toast, suggesting he agreed with the sentiment. He took another sip.

She consummated the toast, slowly. "You know, my lord, Caladanian wines can be enjoyed almost exclusively here, in the Residency. The Harkonnen refuse imports from the Atreides and the Count is the only one who can make little of it. Such deep hatred, between Duke Leto and Baron Vladimir. Kanly, they say. Of course there is smuggling, but the prices make it almost not worth it."

Here was a piece of information for him, if he was careful to catch it: the smugglers were proficient enough to escape the Harkonnen control. [Understand 1] And - nothing but a mere suggestion - there might be some connection between the Count and the smugglers. [Understand 2]

[Pick one difficulty.]

[Bomilcar Thorvald]

Bomilcar nods at that. He didn't see the deeper meaning, but he at least knew where to go for the best wine selection on planet.

"Fine selection here then?"

----
Choosing second option

D1, Understand + Truth, TN 10, Crit 1: 2#1d20 18 2
1 success, failed

[Rima Birawi]

"Only the finest. The Count is a connoisseur." She agreed. "He brings fashions straight from Kaitain. I often find inspiration for my own establishments here."