Falling Stars Setup - RPLOG
Participants
Date
15/5/480
Log
Amar is relaxing on a pile of pillows while a pair of white-garbed servants wave large fans, keeping the room cooler than the outside. His man Gavin is close at hand with a tray of drinks and treats. The glossy wood of the raised floor shows off freshly raked sand and artistically placed stones and bamboo. It looks like the fat cat is expecting company and wants to make an impression.
"Yes? Cousin Amar wanted to talk to Flora about something?" the she-cat offers, seemingly appearing out of nowhere, despite the fact that guests are usually introduced.
She's dressed in a standard work-outfit, albeit a clean one made of white leather, rather than the usual brown. Maybe a fair-specific thing, maybe not. Who knows.
A put-upon servant in a simple, white wrap charges after Flora, but stops short once she enters the meditation garden. "I am sorry, Master," she says, bowing gracefully toward Amar, "The Highlady would not wait to be announced."
The massive, purple tiger waves a beringed hand dismissively, and the girl turns and scurries away. "Really, Flora," he says, reaching languidly out to Gavin, who puts a wide bowled wineglass in his pudgy hand, "You mustn't torment the staff like that. It is so hard to get them properly trained, and it is such a delight to see them do their jobs well." He waves toward another pile of cushions newr his own. "Would you like something to drink? A snack before we get to business?"
"Flora isn't thirsty. Or hungry. Not lunchtime yet," the she-cat offers with a smile on her lips, her tails flicking behind her. "Being announced is inefficient, yes. Especially if the apointment has already been made," the High Lady offers, shrugging lightly, before taking a quick glance at her fancy, spiritual pocketwatch. "Unless the guest is extra early or extra late. Flora is reasonably on time, Flora thinks."
Amar sighs and shakes his head. "It is not about efficiency, Flora," he says, sipping from his glass, "It is about ceremony. Honestly, one would think they would train you in this sort of thing." He takes another sip from his glass and sighs. "I don't suppose you have spent much time watching the skies of late? Seen a shooting star or two? That is what I invited you here to talk about."
"Flora is working on things. Not quite ready yet. But working on it. Saving up for some construction on the Manor. Though, with all the money being put into the fair and its construction-work, that may have to wait a while, yes. Can't be spending all the money at once," she offers. At the notion of ceremony, she shrugs. "Flora doesn't like ceremony. Ceremony is inefficient and unnecesary. Especially with family," she offers, shrugging lightly. "Unless cousin Amar thinks Flora is wrong in that? Flora much prefer speaking openly, both ways, yes."
Amar takes another swig from his drink and hands the empty glass back to Gavin. "That is neither here nor there, Flora," the fat cat says, "I am sure you can do what you like, your station certainly allows you some. . . eccentricity. Besides, that is not what I want to talk about." He waves a fat paw at Gavin, and the large (and expanding) bear unrolls a map of Sweetwater and lays it on the floor. "Come look at this," Amar says, leaning forward and holding out his hand for a servant to hurry forward and place a pointing stick in it. "Two nights ago, there was a minor meteor shower, not particularly interesting, except that one of those little shooting-stars seems to have struck Promise in the mountains just north of Firebough." He points out an area on the map.
"And mister Amar is interested in setting up an expedition with the goal of donat whatever remains to the academy for study?" Flora ventures, a smile on her lips. Seems she approves of the percieved plan, at the very least... though it's probably not the plan Amar had in mind.
"Cousin Amar. If Flora wanted a yes-being, Flora would hire one. Like Flora said, Flora prefers honesty both ways," she replies, almost, but not quite, admonishing Amar. "Lay out all the cards openly, and there is no distrust. No hidden agendas, or untold problems. That way, beings can work together on the actual issues to be solved."
Amar opens his mouth to protest, then shuts it. He had no intention of donating anything. "Eeeeyessss," he groans, "Yes, that is exactly right. Donate. To the academy. That is precisely what I planned to do." Damn.
The fat feline points out the small pass that leads to the valley where he predicts the fallen star might be found. "I only hoped to get your input, since I am unfamiliar with the area," he says, though he had honestly only meant to offer her the first chance to BUY the thing from him. Perhaps he could salvage more than one piece and still make a profit. "And as for your. . . habits," he says, "Do let the servants announce you next time. A warning is always nice." Especially where Flora Longtail is involved.
"Depending on how much there is, Flora might be interested in a piece to study. And of course, assuming there is something to be studied, Cousin Amar, or whoever decides to retrieve it, would be entitled to a small finders-fee."
"Cousin Amar seems upset at Flora's suggestion? Even if one could find a buyer, isn't it more valuable to make in-ways into the Academy? After all, there are a good number of scholars working there, and they do have specific needs and interests, yes? Rare chemicals, exotic metals or crystals... As Flora understands it, that is what Cousin Amar specializes in?"
"The way Flora sees it, such a donation could open significant doors for the future, yes? Unless, of course, Cousin Amar is satisfied with the network he has right now?"
Amar was beginning to hate how every meeting with the highlady seemed to turn into her lecturing him as if he were a child and not an incredibly successful entrepeneur.
"As you say, Highlady," he says and waves his pointing stick gently, drawing her attention once more to the map. "Unfortunately, this particular valley is not exactly an easy walk from Firmament, and I have no doubt that there are others in Sweetwater and most notably among your visiting dignitaries that are also interested in this find. I imagine that some have already sent out scouts of their own. I am hoping that getting a few locals in there will give us something of a home advantage, if you know what I mean."
"Flora sees no issues," the high lady simply offers, shrugging lightly as she leans back lightly, her tails still swaying behind her. "Why, again, was Flora needed for this?" the she-cat offers, before pausing for a moment."Unless Cousin Amar was seeking the House's approval? Flora does not employ scouts or explorers."
Amar laughs nervously, but waves a hand in dismissal. "I only wondered if you might have some insights, dear Flora," he says, "The who's who of local explorers, you know?" Again, the fat cat had honestly only planned to give Flora the first option to buy whatever he found. That, obviously, had been a tactical miscalculation on his part.
"Flora is a better contact for craftsbeings and some of the academics. Though the Freeswords guild would be a safe bet, Flora thinks," the tigress offers with a small smile, a slight shrug.
Amar gives a strained smile. "Yes," he says, "yes, that is a good idea. I will certainly send a posting to the Freeswords' guild. So good of you to stop by." He waves once more toward Gavin, "Are you sure you don't want something? I am not keeping you from something important, I hope?"
"Flora doesn't make appointments if Flora has other matters to attend to, yes. Flora will be heading to another lecture at the Hall later today. Plenty of interesting things, but nothing Flora can't miss if need be, yes."
"And like Flora said, it isn't lunch time yet, no."
Not lunch time? Amar can't even see how that is relevant. He puts on his best smile anyway. "Ah, yes," he says, "Yes, well, don't let me keep you. Mara will see you to the door." He claps his fat hands twice and the servant from earlier reappears, and bows low to first Amar, and then to Flora and waits for the Highlady to take her leave.
