[voicetest-mways] Barsoom: Breakfast with the Jeddak

[dejah_thoris]

Dejah enjoyed her morning briefings with Jedwar Kan, far more than some thought appropriate.  There were many who wondered why they had not married in the last few decades, wondered why she had not given the cloak to him, but she had her reasons.  The Jeddak would be respected as a ruler in her own right.  And she still had the metal to back up that position.

Instead, she preferred his easy manner and his companionship as a friend and adviser.  Also, he was a damned fine chess player.  He knew her, knew her life.  He knew who she was and what she wanted for Helium.  For Barsoom.  He was brilliant, in his own way.  Despite the vague air of intoxication he cultivated.

She felt at ease with him.  That was a rare privilege for a Jeddak.

Comments

[barsoom_npcs]

What Kantos likes best about morning briefings with the Jeddak is that the day's just starting: morning muster completed, the sun not an hour in the sky yet, the shape of the day ahead starting to unfold. Usually he can tell by this time whether it's going to be a good one, in which case who better to share it with than his oldest friend -- or a turdstorm, in which case it's good to know that his Jeddak has his back, and that she knows he's got hers.

... Okay, the other thing Kantos likes best about morning briefings is that Dejah has a really excellent cook.

"Fair morning, my Jeddak," he calls out from the doorway, already on his way in.

[dejah_thoris]

"And to you, my Jedwar." Dejah sets her notebook aside and stands to receive him. Salutes exchanged, she leans in to kiss his cheek, a gentle smile on her features.

"How stands the day?" She gestures for him to take his seat opposite her. "I heard there is a new herd of zitidar calves ready to begin their training."

Dejah heard them arriving. Everyone in the southern quarter heard. Zitidar calves are loud.

[barsoom_npcs]

"Oh yes," he says, dropping into the offered seat, "came in with the sunrise, bawling like the enormous infants they are. I hope no one was planning on sleeping in today."

He peers under the lid of a serving dish, makes an approving noise, and scoops out a generous helping of fried meat.

[dejah_thoris]

Dejah sits back herself, watching as he feeds himself. It is her greatest pleasure to be able to extend such to him and to all her household.

"Nonsense, such a bountiful round up is good luck. I think they know that. There might even be enough for a second caravan to Thark, don't you think?"

[barsoom_npcs]

"If all those wailing lumps out there can be trained into good draught-beasts, I think there well might be."

He grins, pouring himself a cup of tea, and gestures with the pot and a head-tilt to inquire wordlessly if she would like a refill.

[dejah_thoris]

She smiles, nods. "Please."

She licks her lips, not touching her food.

"So I was thinking..."

[barsoom_npcs]

Kantos finishes pouring her more tea, sets down the pot, and raises his eyebrows. "Yes, my Jeddak?"

[dejah_thoris]

Dejah's hand waves, telling him silently to stand down.

"I don't want Curtis's first visit here to be under cover of darkness. I want to bring him here with all due respect. He is -- he is very special to me, and I want the people of Helium to welcome him with open arms. So -- no secrets. I need your help in figuring out how to do this."

[barsoom_npcs]

"Hmm." He sits back in his seat, and takes a thoughtful swallow of tea.

"Are you thinking we organize some kind of formal reception, or just put the word about that he's coming and see what the people do?"

[dejah_thoris]

"No. No formal reception," she's quick to respond. "He is from a place where such a display of wealth and opulence would make him recoil in disgust. Something simple. He will have to be introduced to the Court, I realize. But as -- a military man, perhaps. A simple soldier."

She looks to her friend, something soft around her eyes. "You remember how John was when he first came to us? He is very much like that. Only his war was fought in a series of cages, never seeing the outside world. He saw the same kinds of horrors, experienced torment at the hands of his keepers. He deserves our compassion. Our patience. Our grace. I want him to see this city as I do. As John came to see it."

[barsoom_npcs]

His face goes a little sober as she describes Curtis's war, and lightens again as she finishes.

"Well," he says, snagging a flat biscuit and juggling it idly between his fingers, "since we haven't got a bloody war with Zodanga right now to help sort of ease him into things, make him feel properly at home, you know ..."

[dejah_thoris]

That gets a fond laugh, and she shakes her head. "Issus, no. Please don't go out and start a war just to make him feel at home. I was thinking more of limiting his exposure to the crush of the Court. Facing my father is going to be intimidating enough. And he'll only be here for a few days. We don't want to overwhelm him."

[barsoom_npcs]

He nibbles at the edge of the biscuit. "Huh. We could do that, no trouble ... D'you think he'll want to see the rest of the City, or --" gesturing with the biscuit at the room around them, and by extension the building -- "just the Palace for the first visit?"

[dejah_thoris]

"I think we should be prepared for all eventualities. I do not want him to feel like a prisoner here, regardless of whether our intent is for his own good. He is -- very much like John in that regard. I want him to be able to move freely, wherever he wishes to go."

She takes a sip of her tea, frowning.

"Also, there's the issue of his strength. He will need time to adjust to the change."

[barsoom_npcs]

Kantos's eyes go wide. "Oh Issus," he says, sitting forward with a thump, "I hadn't thought of that yet. Does he know?"

[dejah_thoris]

"Yes, yes of course. That would be a hell of a detail to leave out," she chuckles, pointing a finger at him. "Can you imagine?"

[barsoom_npcs]

He snorts a laugh. "The words incredibly dangerous come to mind, somehow. All right, that means I'll be picking his bodyguard for things other than strength; they won't need to fight anyone for him, but we'll want men who can keep a crowd off him and act as guides if need be, yes? And with some grasp of tact around a stranger."

[dejah_thoris]

"Yes, the last part there is vital. I need men and women who can keep at arm's length and understand, he is to be treated with the utmost respect. But not coddled. If -- that makes any sense?"

[barsoom_npcs]

"Mmh," he says affirmatively, around another bite of biscuit. And then, after swallowing: "I'll talk to the ones who do best with foreigners. Especially with the Thark, they're least likely to think 'different ways' means 'stupid.' Maybe some of them who remember John from the earliest days, although ..."

He trails off, frowning.