[GP] A Game of Politics

[Nephtys]

"I'm sorry I'm late, many apologies to you sir Dean. There was an overturned cart that held up my coachman, so I had to walk some blocks the rest of the way."

The man who enters is incredibly handsome in an exotic sort of way, wearing a dashing cut of stylish charcoal black with a distinctively Velan-blue cravat pin holding that kerchief close to his neck. His eyes pass over the group with an open, friendly manner smiling and nodding at everyone in turn. Though his hair is as blonde as anyone native to Farnese, the almond hue of his perfect skin and the slight tilt of his eyes betrays a more complex lineage.

"I'm here to represent House Vela, and good day to each of you. My name is Urgas, Urgas Alem, but I don't stand much upon formalities really. What is this order of business we're squabbling about already?" he asks with an amused-looking smile.

He sweeps off his hat and uses it to knock some of the dust from the road off of his fine linens and listens to the answers, nodding thoughtfully.

"Oh, a spokesman. Yes, of course. We shall need something like, shouldn't we?"

"If it's all the same to you all that have had more time to meet with each other already, I'd like to have some consideration for the position if there's some sort of disagreement. We Velans are well known for things other than our coin after all, and I've spent no mean amount of time in front of people representing them like a poorly paid barrister myself. Or not - Like I've mentioned, you all seem to have formed opinions of each other if I read yea aright. If there's some trustworthy champion already announced then I'll simply offer my services to them?"

"Despite our different backgrounds I can already tell that we're all going to be the best of allies," he concludes, nodding sincerely.

Alessa looks at the new arrival, momentarily stunned by his beautiful appearance and oily manners. Inwardly shaking herself she's reminded why she's there. Oh, this one is dangerous. I if those looks could kill I'm sure the death would be exquisit. I could drown in those eyes, gasping of pleasure as I'm gasping for breath. Pity I cannot afford to indulge myself.

"I am sure you would be competent," She replies in a perfectly polite and polished tone, "Confident at the very least. And though you are late the issue is still undecided. You should be aware, though, that the person we are currently selecting will only lead for a short time, until our first assignment has been completed. After that we will hold another election for a permanent leader of the committe."

 

[James Heard]

"I am sure you would be competent," She replies in a perfectly polite and polished tone, "Confident at the very least. And though you are late the issue is still undecided. You should be aware, though, that the person we are currently selecting will only lead for a short time, until our first assignment has been completed. After that we will hold another election for a permanent leader of the committe."

He nods pleasantly in agreement.

"Of course! And," he adds conspiratorily, "Don't be confusing this face I put on with confidence either! " he laughs.

"I'm just tossing my gloves into the ring because I'm worried that everyone will fall upon each other with daggers drawn if someone doesn't step forward that people can compromise on. We need to all be able to work together if we're going to be able to succeed at our tasks, and everyone should know that I've been promised a bed in the gutters if we fail" he says with the air of a joke.

"But seriously, all kidding aside, ego has nothing to do with it. I just noticed some of the other people that seem to be put forth don't seem to keen upon it, and decided to show some mercy. I might not be the wisest among you or the most comely," he says to everyone," but I've got little nervousness about presenting reports to people in public." he says sheepishly.

"And that's what the position is about mainly, correct? Writing reports and giving briefings before the peers of the Committee? I'm sure that everyone here would perform as gracefully in that as in any other endeavor that they strive for, but if I could lay my neck in the noose to spare any of you then why should I not? After all, I'm certain that it's no less than I will come to expect of any of you to do for me in the coming weeks."

 

[Nephtys]

"Ah, but you do not have to make such a heroic sacrifice, merely to spare us a little debate. Castration fears aside," she smiles in Julius' direction, "the situation is really quite pleasant.
I'm sure it will not come to violence, and if it does the outcome is hardly in question. It wouldn't serve the interests of any of us, and since we all all more or less rational I doubt this will come to bloodshed."

"As for my personal merits," she shrugs, "I have a solid education in politics and law as well as sustantial practical experience. I also, perhaps most importantly, enjoy it immensely. As boring and meaningless as it might seem to you I find it a worthwhile use of my time. I would consider the position an honour, not a sacrifice."

 

[James Heard]

"Ah, but you do not have to make such a heroic sacrifice, merely to spare us a little debate. Castration fears aside," she smiles in Julius' direction, "the situation is really quite pleasant.
I'm sure it will not come to violence, and if it does the outcome is hardly in question. It wouldn't serve the interests of any of us, and since we all all more or less rational I doubt this will come to bloodshed."

"As for my personal merits," she shrugs, "I have a solid education in politics and law as well as sustantial practical experience. I also, perhaps most importantly, enjoy it immensely. As boring and meaningless as it might seem to you I find it a worthwhile use of my time. I would consider the position an honour, not a sacrifice."

"You misunderstand me. I have no doubts of anyone's abilities, honor, or the position's value - I'm merely noting that the debate as I come upon it seems to be of a competitive nature not particularly in your favor or liking. So while you'd definitely be a most attractive choice, if I understand you aright partially your own concerns stave from some conflict with the others. I cannot aid in that conflict, nor can I hope to convince you how much each of you personally mean to me on such short notice. I can, however, present myself as a median choice - a choice that might not suit everyone imperfectly but that I assure you shall neglect no one's voice or concerns."

"I'm certain that everyone present has a top notch education and is the absolute best example of their respective Houses has to offer, except perhaps myself -" he says self-depreciatingly. " If you must know, I think they chose me just because I was born with a prettier face than a sly tongue or greased palm. Who knows?"

"I pray thee then, do not look upon my presentation of myself as a confrontation but as a proposal of alliance - an alliance between the whole of us, that we can work to achieve our goals without the castration of our principles or failing because we acted as a Committee of individuals and not siblings united in the spirit of a common family. We can afford to have our differences, ladies and gentlemen; we cannot afford to let our purposes by sidelined by our failure to recognize the virtues in each other than we see in ourselves."

 

[Ringmereth]

Rolling his eyes at the long-winded exchange between Alessa and Urgas, Seguith speaks up. "While I would be willing to act as a temporary or permanant chairman, both of you are clearly worthy of filling the position. I will promise little regarding my leadership; I will not pledge to fairly represent every interest or viewpoint. I will only guarantee that my considerable knowledge will be put to use. In any case, who is selected for the temporary position is of little consequence," the wizard says, pausing for a moment before turning to the newcomer. "I would, however, like to know who you are, Mr. Alem. You have told us much of what you are not, but very little about what you are. Despite your humble demeanor, we're all perfectly aware that this is an elite gathering. Might you enlighten us in regard to the skills and abilities you bring to this table?"

 

[James Heard]

"Me? I'm just a humble servant of our great nation - the same as I assume the rest of you are. There's not much to tell really, beyond that." He pauses, "It's good that you're willing to work though, sir - I imagine that all of our talents shall be tested."

 

[Rino]

" I imagine that all of our talents shall be tested."

"i'm quite sure that will be done. but i still dont have any idea about the assignements we are going to get. the dean was very brief, and looked to me like he was in a hurry. but first thinks first: who is going to be the first one as chairman? it seems that i already got one vote in the matter. and Alessa and Urgas, you are also going for this position?"

 

[Ringmereth]

"A humble servant, indeed, but in what manner do you serve?" inquires the wizard with a trace of exasperation. "You predict that all of our talents shall be put to the test, and undoubtedly you are correct. What, then, are your talents?" Seguith asks.

 

[James Heard]

"I'm not sure I've earned your tone, but I'll answer you still. I'm a businessman. I don't own a shop currently, nor do I peddle any specific sort of wares. I bring people together who need each other's services for a price, make my services available to those who need negotiations to go more smoothly, gather information on products to see what price they should fetch, and basically make other people's businesses run smoothly."

"And what skills do you possess besides eye-rolling and bad manners? Is that what they teach you at the children's tables of House Monoceros?"

 

[Ringmereth]

OOC: Argh, I spent 15 minutes making a perfect response to that... and then you edit it down. Oh well.

"I am well-versed in many aspects of arcane spellcasting, as one would expect of a representative of Monoceros. In addition, I bring an extensive knowledge of the city and it's notables and power structure, as well as some expertise in the study of history and religions, fluency in several tongues, and training in leadership and buisness," the wizard replies.