[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

[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.