The Day Hugo Abandoned All Hope - RPLOG
Participants
Date
23/9/478
Log
It's late in the afternoon, and several beings are going home from LongTech Industries right now, while others are just arriving for theirs. LongTech Industries is nowadays housed in the old LongTail manor, and every being that passes its gates is given a security-check, no matter in which direction they are moving...
And today, the head of the company - and the House that it supports - is expecting guests.
Hugo swaggers confidently down the street, his beautifully ornate cane tapping along ahead of him with his overly long tail draped artfully over one arm, while his lovely escort is artfully draped over the other. The snow white lion stops at the gate, frowning at the LongTech employees walking in and out of the front gate. He turns his attention to the gate itself and taps it with his cane. "These are the orginal gates," he says, ostensibly to his lovely escort, "Still strong and solid and beautiful even after years of neglect. I do hope to find the same of this beautiful old manor."
Terry follows along with Lord Hugo, listening to him intently. As requested, 'she' is wearing a rather elegant dress, all black apart for a single line of faintly floral-themed embroidery on the right side. The ocelot walks efficiently on his high heels, a new skill which he had been practicing the entire week in preparation for this. He nods at Hugo's words. "As I understand Lord Hugo the family's fortune is still strong. Surely the new head of the house maintains the house to an appropriate degree."
As Hugo taps the wrought iron gates, a guard moves up to the duo, raising a brow. "You two have any business 'round here?" he asks, the harrier keeping a friendly, if stern face, eyes focused on the two felines coming up from the outside. "If so, names and reason of visit, please."
"Hugo Snowmane and escort to see Highlady Flora Longtail," Hugo says imperiously, just a touch of a northern accent showing through, "I believe we are expected. I am here to purchase some antiques and to discuss some possible future investments."
Terry stays exactly where he is, hanging from Lord Hugo's side like the arm candy he is supposed to be. He spares a brief glance and smile at the guard before looking away towards the manor itself, admiring it from a distance. Do not speak unless spoken to, he reminded himself, brushing a strand of hair from his forehead.
"Right, one moment," the harrier mumbles, looking towards something within the guardhouse, before nodding once. "Any weapons you might carry will have to be left here, and will be waiting for you upon return. The Lady has given us permission to search visitors, if we deem it necessary," he adds, still keeping up his friendly demeanor.
"I'm sure you understand, considering the... Circumstances."
Hugo raises an eyebrow. "I am not certain to what circumstances you are referring," he says, "But it is always prudent to be cautious." The Lion divests himself of his small pistol and black bladed kukri knife, passing them to the guard. The sturdy lion then raises his cane with a questioning look. "Will you require me to leave behind my cane as well?" he asks, seeming to not care much either way.
Terry doesn't even look at the guard at the mention of weapons. Naturally a proper lady isn't carrying any weapons.. although he is carrying the tools in a small pouch at the small of his back, held in place by a belt. He smiles at one of the employees walking past them as he exits the premises, but keeps himself by Hugo's side and clinging to his arm.
"Please hand it over for a moment," the guard notes, intent on studying the piece of wood for any hidden blades in the design, carefully tapping it at a select few points, before pulling on the top of the cane, sliding it open just far enough to reveal a glistening metal blade, subtly pushing it down again. "Yes... This will have to stay right here as well. If you require a cane to walk, we'll be happy to provide one of our own."
Meanwhile, he signs something to the guard inside the guardhouse, even though it doesn't seem to be anything in standard sign-language.
Hugo shrugs, then waves off the guard, dismissing him completely. "Come along, my dear," he says to Terry, "Let us not keep the High Lady waiting." Her security at least was up to snuff. He would have been disappointed if they had not found the sword. The lion ignores any other servants, treating them like furniture, only useful as long as they fulfill their normal use.
Terry smiles up at Lord Hugo, nodding at him. He briefly adjusts the hem of his dress. He follows along, gesturing up at the manor. "Very beautiful, this home." One short comment. He follows the Lord's lead, not glancing at the help for but the briefest moment to note their position, and nothing else.
"Hold up there. It is mandatory for guests to be accompanied by a guard. Anna will guide you to the Lady," the harrier notes, gesturing at a short, graceful-clanned fennec exiting the guardhouse.
Soon enough, the fennec is silently guiding the two felines towards the manor proper, where there is a large bustling of various beings, moving around, heading towards some downstairs area, or to one of the many areas further to the north, most notably the library, dining hall and courtyard. And of course, they are treated to the sight of the rather large piece of modern 'art' at the center of the foyer.
Hugo frowns in distaste at the large gears taking a place of promenence in the main hall. Though he witholds comment in the presence of the help. In fact, he does not seem to much approve of anything he sees. Particularly all of the LongTech staff bustling about, as if this were some common market or factory! Perhaps Katrina's summation of the High Lady was not so far off as he had thought.
Terry regards the sculpture with.. confusion. He knows what those things are, but why are they littering the front of what's clearly such a beautiful, upmarket manor? He doesn't voice his thoughts however, and simply walks alongside Hugo, his high heels click-clacking on the ground with each step.
"Milady? Your guests are here," the fennec offers, seemingly out of nowhere, as a fiery-orange-haired tigress moves by in a rather simple outfit. A leather outfit, much like the brown ones worn by the various different beings around, emblazoned with the emblem of LongTech Industries... Pretty much the only defining mark is the curious colorscheme of her fur and hair, really.
"Hmm? Guests? Oh, yes. Flora's guests. Follow Flora, yes. Have mister Snowmane and his lady eaten yet?"
Hugo is doing his very best to contain his displeasure at the state in which he has found the old manor. "It is a pleasure, Highlady," Hugo starts, rather put out by the Highlady's flippant manner, "No, my lady, we have not eaten. Perhaps we can discuss business over tea?"
Terry offers his best smile at Highlady Flora, even if he is very nervous at meeting her. He offers his best curtsy in greeting, but doesn't speak up. He looks up at Lord Hugo when they are asked about food, and smiles at his words.
"Tea? Yes. Though, Flora was thinking dinner. Also, Flora would prefer Flora, not High Lady. Flora is 'High Lady' in the courts. Just Flora here, yes," the she-cat notes, her tails flitting about lazily behind her as she sets off towards the dining-room, which has been transformed into, well... It practically looks like the lower levels of an inn, though there is a distinct lack of barmaids. Above, a single chandelier hangs, almost as if left there to mock the room's original grandeur, though the she-cat seems to pay it absolutely no mind, simply gesturing for the furthest, most secluded table in the room, practically hidden-away from the rest of the area. "Flora's table, yes. Flora will get the tea. Anything else?" she notes, waiting for an answer, before ducking into a room to what must undoubtedly be the kitchen...
Hugo has gone from disdainful to almost sick with the way the manor has been altered. "Just tea," he says through gritted teeth, "I fear that I do not have much free time. I hope that we can come to a swift agreement over the artifacts that I contacted you about."
Terry replies. "Just tea will be fine, Highlady." He blinks as Flora takes their 'order' and ducks into the kitchen, the ocelot peering up at Hugo and half expecting him to be drawing a weapon at this point. He peers around, trying to figure out where more private area of the manor will be. Surely the signet rings will be secure in some vault, or at least in the Highlady's own bedchamber...
Soon enough, Flora returns with all the requisites to make tea. A pot of tea leaves, a pot of sugar. and a pot of hot water, as well as a simple, spoon-shaped infuser. "Tea, yes. And... Flora was a bit confused about that, yes... Flora doesn't quite get why mister Snowmane would want the rings, yes."
One could almost hear Hugo's teeth grinding as Flora arrives carrying HER OWN TEA. The white lion loudly pops his neck and focuses. "They are a historical artifact, my lady," the lion says, his norhtern accent becoming much more evident in his distress, "I am only interested in adding such a treasure to my own collection where it can be preserved. I am willing to offer you the sum we discussed for the artifacts in question."
Terry squeezes Hugo's arm supportingly, looking at him briefly. He glances back at Flora and smiles at her. She stands to quietly prepare and serve the tea to Lord Hugo, continuing to listen to them as he busies himself. He glances towards the staircase that leads from the foyer, deciding to keep an eye on it for now.
Flora nods and scratches behind her head. "Refresh Flora's memory, yes. Flora doesn't recall agreeing upon a price yet... Or even agreeing on selling them, yes. Flora invited mister Snowmane to understand the why and how, yes. Business-talk comes after, yes," she notes, tail flicking behind her idly as she takes a sip of the tea she's poured herself.
Hugo nods, doing his best to relax his jaw. "I have offered a sum of 30,000 crowns for the artifacts," he says, giving Terry an acknowledging nod, "I think that you will agree that it is a generous sum for the seal of a House that is no longer representative of your own interests. I would keep them as a historical trust. They will be something of a museum piece."
Terry sits back down after pouring himself and Hugo some tea, taking a gentle sip of his own tea after sweetening it. He sticks to the plan for now, showing no interest in the negotiations themselves so much as just being there as Hugo's escort.
"Flora sees. However, Flora is... Not entirely interested in selling heirlooms, to be frank, yes... Flora can keep them safe herself, no?" she notes with a raise of her brow, a flick of her tail, and another sip of her tea. "Flora will think on it, yes. Unless mister Snowmane has something else to say on the subject?"
"All due respect, High Lady," Hugo says, "If you keep all of your family's heirlooms in the way you have kept the great hall, then I have some serious doubts about your interest in some of these artifacts. I am. . . less than impressed. I only offer to take on the trouble of keeping them safe. They will, of course be available for public viewing." He shakes out his mane, recomposing himself. "Perhaps you would be willing to show us the rings?" he asks.
Terry looks between flora and Hugo as they talk. This is it. He feels the weight of the compact pouch of tools tucked in the small of his back. He's going to need to evade Flora's attention somehow, after they find out where the rings are.
A shake of the head, a slight rumble, and a flick of the ears. "The manor was in shambles when Flora got it. It was this, or leaving it in shambles, yes," she notes, a brow raised. "And this way, the manor serves a purpose, other than housing a single being, yes," she notes, shaking her head lightly. "Flora will be right back. Please wait here."
Hugo sighs and sips at the tea, then frowns as Flora stands to leave. He does not answer, but by the deep frown on his face, it is evident that he is not going anywhere.
Terry perks up as he follows Flora with his eyes, watching where she is going. He turns back to Hugo eyeing him with unreserved empathy. He's taking this really hard. That only makes the little ocelot want those silly rings even more. He just needs an opportunity to excuse himself once they find out where they are.
Flora disappears into the manor, only to return a while later, her tails flicking behind her, and her paws carefully carrying a box with the coat of arms of the old House Longtail upon it. A cheetah, head facing sinister, with a spyglass and a dagger crossed beneath.
The box, carefully placed upon the table, clearly an old heirloom as well, is opened, to reveal that indeed, Flora -has- taken good care of these particular heirlooms, making sure the cushion they rest on is in a proper state, both rings separated slightly to avoid them touching one-another.
Hugo sighs, looking longingly at the rings. "May I?" he asks, a little breathlessly, his hands hovering over the box. When given the go ahead, he gently lifts one of the rings. He sighs happily, looking at the seal. "Two rings," he says reverently, "One for the public face of the family, and one for the secret head. You know that the Longtails were the driving force of the King's spyguard?"
Terry admires the rings, keeping his eyes trained on them as he inspects them. He shakes his head in response to his question, though certainly a response was not actually expected of him.
"Flora is aware, yes. And Flora would... Prefer not," she mumbles, though she doesn't seem to make any attempts to close the box just yet, even though her tails flit about agitatedly.
"This is the original signet," he says, "Two hundred years of history and heritage, all summed up in two tiny rings." He hesitantly places the ring back in its place. "If you are unwilling to sell, Highlady," he says, "Then I do not suppose we have anything more to say to one another."
Terry looks up at Flora, waiting to see her reply. He's unsure how he can excuse himself now without making it obvious what his intents are.
"Flora will have to think on it, yes. As Flora said, they are heirlooms, and Flora would prefer keeping them in the family... But Flora will give it some thought none-the-less, yes," she notes, before closing the box.
"In the family," Hugo mutters quietly, "Yes, I suppose that is important." He frowns at the Great Hall turned Cantina, "Though I think you could do more to maintain this place. Should you decide to do so, I am certainly interested in investing in the restoration of this manor. My own family is distantly related to the Longtails, you know. It would make my heart glad to see this place repaired to its former granduer."
Terry sips delicately from his tea again, peering sideways at the foyer stairwell. He returns his attention to the closed box, then up at Flora. Perhaps the best way to do is is going via the outside, a window maybe...
"We will see, yes. For now, Flora must simply think on things... And moving LongTech Industries out of the manor? Unlikely to happen at this point... Too many costs involved with moving. Equipment and buildings both, yes," she notes, before shaking her head. "It will have to do for the time being. Perhaps later," she rumbles, before gesturing at a guard. "If you will excuse Flora, Flora has other business to attend to. Sarah will show you out, yes."
Hugo gently closes the lid to the box, hiding the rings from view once more before standing. "I hope that you will keep my proposal in mind," he says, tossing his tail over his arm and holding out the other for Terry, "I am very interested in acquiring such rare and wonderful artifacts."
Terry stands and walks around to Hugo, lacing his arms around the lion's once again. He smiles politely at Flora, then looks back at the box. He tries to remember how long Flora was gone from the room while retrieving the box. Quite a bit actually.. the box is probably held on the other side of the manor, given how long it took her to walk across and back.
