Date: September 14, 2000 (Aether: February 4, 3907)
Place: Spirit-Whisperer's Suite - Delphic Citadel - Haven
Cast: Amasa (emitted by Izak, primarily), Izak, Spirit-Whisperer
Scene: Spirit-Whisperer and Izak, the Najada Najskor, meet to discuss binding the Najada to the same terms of truce to which the Aesir are bound.

Spirit Whisperer's Suite - Delphic Citadel - Haven:
      The outer door opens into a short, narrow entranceway which in turn opens into a spacious, two-room suite. The first room is almost twice as wide as it is long, the hall door positioned near one of the room's corners. Its walls are the same shaped white stone that makes up the outer tower, vaulted gracefully to form an elegant peak that stretches lengthwise across the center of the ceiling. Directly opposite the door, there is a window fitted with two panes of glass, the inner pane opening inward like a set of double doors and the upper portion of the outer pane swinging upwards and out. When the window is closed, the room is insulated, causing its temperature to be usually less extreme than the outside climate.
      Though handsome, the room's furnishings are somehow lacking. The smooth, white walls are bare and the floor has no covering. A fine wooden writing desk, cluttered by papers, with a comfortably constructed chair is positioned just to the side of the window. There are four additional seats across the room from the desk, as well. One is a cushioned stool, two are solidy-shaped wooden chairs, and the last is a lavishly-cushioned armchair. A simple wooden door at the far end of the room leads to the adjoining bedroom.

Spirit-Whisperer's office is a busy place right now. The Estrel sits behind a desk littered with parchments and rolled scrolls. Behind him and to his right stands a Sylvan man wearing a grey kaftan with a green trim and bearing the rank insignia of an Adept. His fingers fidget apprehensively.

In front of the desk and to one side sits an Atlantean Mystai Adept, hands clasped together on her lap and expression blank of any emotion. A pair of Hounds stands guard outside the door, and another pair are stationed just inside.

The halfbreed is busy scribbling notes with a quill, and there is an air of tension here.

A sonorous knock sounds upon the door, ringing out three times. And when it is opened, Izak passes through, flanked on either side by two Hound escorts. The one to his right, bearing a higher rank than his Soldat counterpart, announces in a grim tone of voice, "Estrel Spirit-Whisperer, we have brought the Najada's Najskor, as you requested."

As for the man in question, he simply glances about him, noting the presence of all the guards. Then he looks down at the halfling Estrel. If he is thinking anything, he keeps it to himself, and no emotion seems to be present upon his face.

Spirit-Whisperer looks up as the man is introduced, face expressionless. A hint of irritation might be detected by a telepath, but that's all that escapes.

Waiting for the Hounds to close the door, the halfbreed lets a thin smile grow on his lips. "Greetings, Najskor." He looks to the woman seated in front of the desk. "We will communicate with one another through Amasa, here. You may be seated if you choose." His sentences are direct, if choppy, and it's clear that his intent is to set the tone for this meeting.

The Hounds withdraw rather quickly, though they will remain waiting outside the door to take Izak back to the Practice Room. The Najskor himself merely glances from the Estrel to Amasa, without a twitch of a muscle in his face. He remains standing, content to give the impression of looming over the seated halfbreed.

The Mystic blinks and looks up at the Najada momentarily, and roughly smooths down the folds of her aquamarine kaftan. "He says 'Greetings, Estrel.'"

Spirit-Whisperer settles backwards in his chair, tapping the loose ink from the tip of his quill and setting it aside. From his half-reclined position, he takes a moment to study the strange Najada. Then he speaks: "It has come to my attention that you do not recognize the truce established between the Aesir and Delphi. Is this true?" Straight and to the point. There are times to be tactful, and there are times to be direct. Spirit-Whisperer chooses directness with this man.

Directness is what the Najada are used to. Nothing seems to change in Izak's demeanor, but again, Amasa twitches. Silent words are thrown back and forth between them, and the Mystic replies, "He says, 'No. No promises were exchanged between Delphi and the Najada.'"

Though icy-white before, the Najada's skin slowly seems to be darkening, gaining a bluish-grey hue. There is also the scent of cold and ice surrounding him, long having permeated his entire being. There is no fear scent upon the Najada, though suppressed nervousness and tension are evident in the Mystic.

Spirit-Whisperer gives a smile that has just a hint of a sneer buried in it. "So Thorvald did not speak for the Najada when he treated for temporary peace. You attacked our city, and we now allow you a limited freedom until a formal treaty is finalized, and you do not consider yourself bound to peace?"

He glances back over his shoulder at the Sylvan before continuing. "And the Rusalki, are they bound by Thorvald's truce?"

Another look exchanged, and the Mystic is quick to reply, "He says, 'I do not concern myself with what the Rusalki do. What truces they keep are their business.'"

Amasa concludes with a glance directed at the Estrel, then blinks and turns to look back at Izak. "He... he says, 'Thorvald Drengsen meant to do well when negotiating for peace. I would prefer to be dead. However, it is not my time, nor is it time for my remaining warriors. The Najada have abided by this peace, despite the lack of our word given. We will continue to abide, for Vodyanoi demands we come to view you as equals. If a promise is what you require for this, I will give it to you now.'"

Spirit-Whisperer narrows his misty blue eyes. He avoids looking at Amasa, preferring to maintain the illusion that he's speaking directly with Izak. Tapping his fingers against the surface of the desk, the Estrel's mind is turning, running dozens of possible angles and trying to guess the strange man's motivations. "Who, then, would you speak for, should you give your word to abide by the terms of the truce? All the Najada?"

There is an audible snort at that, but Izak says nothing vocally. Instead, it is Amasa who is quick with a reply, "He says, 'Our ways are not yours, Estrel Spirit-Whisperer. The Najada are not one nation, but many clans. I speak for Krvakovyklan.'"

That's a name worth remembering. Assuming that he could learn to pronounce it. Spirit-Whisperer dips his head once. Better the terms be explicitly understood by all parties than to risk revisiting this selfsame situation. "Then you speak for your clan. Are there any Najada here in Haven who are not members of that clan?"

"He says, 'No,'" replies Amasa, who now settles back a little into her chair as well. The woman's shoulders are still set in tense lines. Apparently, communication with this man is not the most pleasant of tasks.

Izak himself has hardly moved, hardly stopped staring at the Estrel before him. Nothing rests in his gaze, no hint of his actual motivations. Nothing. By now, though, his skin has mostly turned dark, his body making a rather futile attempt to blend in with the colorful hues surrounding him.

The Sylvan behind Spirit-Whisperer takes a step forward and then bends over to whisper in the Estrel's ear. Pausing for a short moment to listen, the halfbreed nods his head before refocusing his attention on the Najskor. He seems to be making a concerted effort to remain relaxed, and the result isn't exactly an appearance of relaxation.

"Good, then," he begins. "The Estrella would appreciate your swearing your people to the terms of the temporary truce. Doing so now would be acceptable." Yes, there's tension in his demeanor.

The Sylvan does not seem to be noted by the Najada. Rather, a look is given to Amasa, and the woman begins speaking, "He says, 'As Najskor of Krvakovyklan, I swear that I and my own will not attack the Tower of Delphi and her land. We will abide by the terms set between Thorvald Drengsen and the Estrella.'"

There is a distinct pause where Izak turns his attention back to Spirit-Whisperer. "He asks, 'Do you require blood to seal the oath?'"

"I require an assurance," comes the reply, quickly after Amasa finishes. Spirit-Whisperer's eyes do not break contact with Izak's. "If your word is no good without blood, then I require blood. There will be no excuse should you or your people break these terms. If that means blood here, then so be it." He exhales and chuckles very slightly. With one corner of his mouth turned upward in a wry expression of a smile, he adds, "But if your word stands by itself, there's no need to stain my decor."

Amasa hesitates yet again, studying Izak. She then turns back and says, "He says, 'My word is enough.'"

The man's face remains a mask of impassive stoicism. If he appreciated the attempt at humor, he gives no sign of it. Silence is not given a chance to linger long before Amasa is again translating, "He says, 'If you are finished now, I have other matters to tend.'"

After a momentary pause, Spirit-Whisperer nods his head once, and one of the Hounds pulls the door open behind Izak. "Then we are done here for now."

He slides the chair backwards and brings himself to his feet, continuing to meet the Najada's gaze directly. Spirit-Whisperer says no more, remaining still and leaving the next action squarely in the Najskor's hands.

The look that Izak gives Spirit-Whisperer changes, but only subtly. Where before there might have been nothing, there is now a curious speculation. He manages to hide the hostility, however, the Ferine might detect the keen scent of adrenaline that courses through the Atlantean's veins when the Estrel comes to a stand. Another moment passes, then without a word spoken, he smoothly pivots on his heel and strides out to meet the waiting contingent of escorts.

Amasa says nothing as well, though she falls back against her chair with relief.

FIN  

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