AmberCourtThreadMartinEarlyRoyalCatchesTheGossipEarly Royal Catches the GossipWith Martin now dressed for Court, and Godfrey readied for his first debut, Martin can progress from his quarters to the cattle call that is the pre-Court period without incident. ~~ The timeline of Court in Amber has remained much the same throughout its reign of three kings, one Regent, and one defacto ruler (Corwin). Participants, invitees and other attendees assemble in the forehall before the Throne Room/Great Hall, talking, schmoozing, and networking in the diplomatic and political equivalent of a cocktail party. This period extends from around an hour before to about twenty minutes before the official start of Court. The only Royals who come to this are the more politically motivated ones--Flora and her daughter, Pollux, Noys are the most commonly seen. At that twenty minute mark, the doors to the Hall open, and the attendees are vetted and admitted. The attendees can arrange themselves, talk some more and get a full sense of the situation. It is usually only at this point that the non-political Royals, if they are attending, actually show up. Court starts with the appearance of the King, usually coming into the chamber from his office, which is announced by a herald. All present bow or curtsey, the King sits on the throne, and then the Court gets to business. ~~ Thusly, Martin arrives in the forehall of the Throne Room before the twenty minute mark, to find that there is a gaggle of Amberian and Golden Circle nobles, and diplomats. While Martin's appearance is surprising enough, it is the fact that a clockwork man stands three paces behind him that draws surprise, shock and even a little trepidation from the assembled group. "You're going to get this reaction a lot," Martin says to Godfrey- quietly- when the opportunity presents itself. "Especially at first. Surprise and fear. It will detract from your learning experience, but being seen with me will do a lot to reduce it. When Dad addresses you, and you're royally vetted, then even more." "Affirmative." Godfrey says, a slow whirr of gears as his head takes in the room and its assembly of personages. "My dear, talented, cousin." comes the familiar voice of Florimel's daughter, smoothly slipping out of a close conversation with the Begman Ambassador and coming into view. She's wearing her Court best, in a sea-green dress accented with antique white. Asteria waves a perfectly manicured hand in the direction of Godfrey. "I'm certain that this is a portent of something more than pre-Court entertainment?" "Princess Asteria," Martin says, taking her hand for a kiss. He even goes so far as to not sniff for bitter almonds before doing so. "Ravishing, as ever." Martin proves he cleans up good, too: breaking a little from tradition, he's wearing a slashed doublet and breeches and high boots, all with the style of a captain in Amber's Navy, all in indigo and black. He's also wearing a serviceable sword with a sapphire on the pommel. The militaristic cut works well with Godfrey, whose design already looks like he's wearing a uniform. Slight dimples appear from Martin's compliment, and she withdraws her hand with a small smile. "Far more than entertainment, yes. Allow me to present Godfrey, my new guard and assistant and, dare I say, Amber's first mechanical person. Godfrey, meet Princess Asteria, daughter of Florimel." He waits, seeing if Godfrey remembers his preparation speech. Godfrey turns and bows at the waist to Asteria. "Bonjour, La Princesse Asteria. "Votre beauté dépasse le soleil" Asteria blushes slightly, and looks a little flustered. For about a second and three quarters. Martin grins. "Merci." she says to Godfrey. She then turns to Martin, her momentary discomfort completely gone. "Well, cousin, I must admit that he is somewhat more charming than The Turk. Still...I had not thought that you were interested in automata of such a ..." Asteria pauses to carefully choose a word "*Clockpunk* sensibility of design. A new direction for you?" "Nice. Nice term," Martin says. "Definitely a new direction, yes. I was in Paris, you see, and tussled with a Prussian named Albrecht there... his clockwork designs were fantastic. It's as much art as it is science, and I wanted to try it myself." "I see." Asteria purses her lips and regards Godfrey again. "So you've decided a change in aesthetic, for the nonce I imagine." she smiles slightly to Martin and returns to her scrutiny of Godfrey. "While I would not want to meet any Prussian that had the temerity to oppose a Royal Prince of Amber, it is pleasing that the more positive aspects of his design can see light." Godfrey does not say anything, but he executes a bow. Asteria rewards him with a slight smile. "I take it..." Asteria turns to regard Martin "that we might soon see more designs of other things in this aesthetic?" "Depends on how much sleep I get," Martin says. "I built Godfrey, here, in one night. I'll see how Dad warms up to him before I essay something else." Asteria clucks her tongue good naturedly. "Good cousin, if you are not going to spend your nights in slumber, there are far *better* ways to spend your time than in construction and design. Even with such fine results as a result of you doing so." "Kinda depends on what you're building..." She steps back a pace and regards Godfrey and Martin. "Is Godfrey intended to be a surprise for his Majesty, cousin?" She pauses, in thought "Indeed, am I the first of the family to see..." she looks at Godfrey for a pregnant pause. "him?" "Yah... well, almost," Martin says. "You're the first to see him in a debutante kind of way, though. Hadn't thought of it in that light." "Of course you didn't." Asteria shakes her head slightly, blond coiffed curls shaking slightly as if in mild disapproval. "But I forgive you the shortcoming. I'm delighted to be first." Martin goes quiet, and suddenly is very hard to read. "If we had time." Asteria steps forward and extends a finger to run along the unicorn and the gold trilobite engraved on his front. "I could give you some ideas for slightly improving the couture of your new companion." "Now" Asteria says. "You came here early to show off yourself and Godfrey. Whom do you want to be introduced to. I've always thought you needed someone to manage your social needs. Unless Godfrey does that, *too*?" she adds. "Not yet," Martin says. "But he'll be my personal assistant here in Amber. Godfrey will be most effective the more he learns, so after Dad, of course, I'm planning to introduce him to castle staff and the military. That's where he'll be seen most often. A few jaunts into Shadow too, and there's always experimenting with Trump..." He stops himself. "But here and now, we were just planning to mingle and make introductions." Martin smiles suddenly. "I was thinking staff, and you're thinking nobility. Whom did you have in mind?" "Aside from the rest of the family of course..." Asteria says casually with a smile. "If you are going to keep him around as a personal assistant..." Asteria continues. "you should probably start with the Ambassadors and Ambassadresses in residence from the Golden Circle Shadows. "Ambassador Quist, over there, from Begma, for example." Asteria indicates a dark haired woman chatting with an older man. "Then I would deal with the Amber noble families." Asteria continues "The heads of Karm, Feldane, and Chandris, for starters. They are here right now in any event and are the most important, politically speaking." "If Rebma had a new Ambassadress." Asteria muses. "an introduction to her would be a must." "Assimilating data." Godfrey says slowly. Asteria blinks her eyes and continues to regard Martin. Martin blinks once. "One way or another, we'll meet what family is here. Either tonight or later. Begma sounds like the best choice... Godfrey? Problem?" "Negative, Martin" Godfrey replies. "Assimilating data provided by Princess Asteria. Request input on Golden Circle shadow of Begma, and political structure of Amber." "I almost think." Asteria says amused "that you should have constructed him in the form of a sponge." Asteria looks over Martin, and Godfrey a little more carefully. "Are you acquainted with Ambassador Quist, Martin?" she asks with a smile "Shall I facilitate the introduction?" Martin shakes his head at Asteria. "Yes, I need an introduction. Please. In just a minute." He turns back to Godfrey and says, "Amber politics will take longer than this party to explain to you, Godfrey. It has a lot to do with that 'reality' thing I mentioned before. But in a nutshell, all power and goodness and light and mercy and fluffy little bunnies comes from King Random, who decrees who's noble and who's a favored trade partner. As Martin explains to Godfrey, Asteria blinks her eyes in slight surprise at Martin's patter. The Golden Circle are those kingdoms who _are_ favored, and also the easiest to reach from here. Lots of other places aren't so easy to get to. Begma is Golden Circle, and they have all kinds of political aspirations with the royal family. In fact, we just extricated ourselves from a complex political snafu with them, involving Merlin and Kashfa and us. Currently, no pun intended, Rebma is arguing that whole light and mercy thing with Dad right now. That's why we don't have an ambassador. Yet." "Future request of information on Amber and Golden Circle Politics requested." Godfrey says, gears whirring. "Confirming data. Rebma seeks favored trading status with Amber. Compute based on limited data that the subject will be broached by the King during Court. Further computations indicate that Begma will likely oppose this status. Establishing positive rapport with Ambassador Quist would be useful in confirming computations." "Perhaps your companion's forthrightness might be stilled when I bring Ferla over here." Asteria says dryly. "Speaking of which, I'll shuttle her over to you now. I think she's done with Ambassador Videssos anyway. You'll have a minute to further clarify matters with Godfrey." Like a graceful dolphin, or perhaps a sleek shark, Asteria melts away from Martin in the direction of Ambassador Quist. "Maybe, maybe not. There are other factors, such as Rebma wanting to become independent even though the city is an underwater reflection... copy... of Amber. What happens here also happens there to some degree. If Quist is smart, she'll keep her mouth shut on this issue, 'cause Begma really has no business trying to interfere. And speaking of, keep the computations quiet until after Court... we can talk about them later at length. If you say the wrong thing to the wrong person at the right time, we'll never get you integrated into Amber society." The sound of whirring gears, and a blinking of Godfrey's eyes precede his answer by twenty seconds. He nods his head just before he begins to speak. "Acknowledged, Martin. I surmise that undue expression of computations would be detrimental to integration into Amber social stratum. Henceforth, computations will not be expressed in the presence of Ambassador Quist or any other subject save by your prompting. Does this meet with your approval?" "Affirmative, Martin." Godfrey responds. His gears whirr and it appears he is about to say more. However, the brown-black haired woman is being shepherded over by Asteria even at this moment. Asteria smiles and smoothly moves into introductions. "Martin, allow me to introduce to you her grace, Ambassador Ferla Quist of Begma." (OOC: Played in the movie by Mary McDonnell) "Ambassador, this is Royal Prince Martin, son of his Majesty Random, King of Amber. And may I have the honor and privilege of introducing his man-servant, Godfrey." Ferla dips her head in the direction of Martin and speaks in a typically perfect, dry Begman accent. She offers him her hand. "Prince Martin, I don't believe that I've ever had the privilege of meeting the Rebman son of the King of Amber. And had not realized that he is a connoisseur of matters technological." "Ambassador Quist," Martin says, bowing to kiss her hand. "The pleasure is all mine. Yes, I'm all about technology and engineering... do you have an interest?" "Why, I am sure your grace knows that my father rose from the position of a tinkerer and clockmaker to advise the Council of Begma, and thus gave me the opportunity and education to become an Ambassador." Ferla responds, once Martin releases her hand. "I have inherited some of my father's old interests, if not quite his..." she looks at Godfrey. "skill. Certainly not to the level of your grace." Behind her, and seen only by Martin and Godfrey, Asteria gives just the slightest of self-satisfied smiles. Martin's answering smile is purely for the ambassador's benefit. "We should get together and talk shop sometime. Or even talk shop with Godfrey- he's perfectly capable. That's why I wanted to introduce him tonight. Would you enjoy a talk on mechanical engineering with Ambassador Quist, Godfrey?" Godfrey turns his head from Martin to Ambassador Quist. He bows his head and the gears whirr as he speaks to her. "Good Morning, Ambassdor Quist. It is a pleasure to meet you. A discussion on mechanical engineering with you, with or without the company of Prince Martin would be pleasant and welcomed." "It's a pleasure to meet you, Godfrey." the Ambassador responds, easily accepting Godfrey as if he were an ordinary human being. "I should think that a conversation, with yourself, and perhaps your progenitor as well, would be both interesting as well as fruitful." Ferla turns back at Martin. "You implied that you are introducing Godfrey here. Have you made many others in his vein before, milord Prince?" Martin shakes his head. "None like Godfrey. He's one of a kind. I've designed virtual programs, positronic robots, emetic poly-alloy androids, even a silica-based thinking machine once, but never clockwork. That's an advantage, really, if we go travelling in Shadow. Heh. Not bad for ten hours' work." Behind Ferla, Asteria, subtly, mouths the words "too much jargon" in Martin's direction. She gives a shake of the head, and turns to speak to the approaching Krispos Videssos. Martin shakes his head back once, considers sticking out his tongue, but holds back. "Your knowledge of mechanical engineering is that of a Prince of Amber, of course." Ferla says, easily. "And your knowledge of materials and methods are far beyond anything that I might have encountered in Begma. Still, I think I would like to hear more of your exploits and discuss my own efforts, even if you might find tinkering with escapements, pendulums, balance wheels and gear trains commonplace and beneath you." "Although perhaps not so much with Godfrey here, nein?" Godfrey responds with a bow of the head. "Heh," Martin says. "Hardly beneath me. Let's get together sometime and talk. Anytime I happen to be in residence, just stop by my labs, I'd be happy to give the nickel tour." "I believe, Prince Martin; Godfrey." Ferla offers Martin her hand. "that we have an agreement and a bargain." Martin grins as he takes the proffered hand. There is a murmur from the crowd a few moments later, as more guests have apparently arrived. It is difficult to mistake Gerard, and his son Castor given their height and girth. Castor's brother Pollux does not seem to be with them, however. While Castor is not the smooth diplomat that Martin has teamed up within the personage of his brother, he starts greeting nobles and emissaries along with his father. Neither as yet have made it through the maze of people to see where Martin, Godfrey and Ambassador Quist stand. "Ahh," Martin says. "Gerard and Castor are here. I bet we see lots more Family arriving soon." Ferla turns to look at the two Amberites making their way through the crowd. "Well, then, it would seem that the opening of the Hall will be nigh, as well." she says. She nods to Martin and Godfrey. "And so I will finish my own social greetings, then, and leave you to the tender mercies of your family. Until later, milord Prince." "See you later," Martin says, nodding. "Cheerio..." "Martin." booms the voice of Gerard enthusiastically as he spots Martin. He begins moving his way through the crowd toward him. Castor for his part has found some noble or another to speak to instead. "Request input." Godfrey states. Martin's head barely turns toward Godfrey as he smiles in the direction of Gerard. "That's Gerard, son of Oberon and and Rilga," he says. "Just like I described to you in the lab. He's here with his son, Castor- I don't see Pollux. He knows what you are, but he hadn't seen you activated. It might suprise him." Gears whirr Godfrey's head turns toward Gerard even as the automaton turns to face the approaching Gerard. "Acknowledged. This is the relation to whom you spoke through the trump connection. He will be greeted with mild familiarity to acknowledge the prior connection." As Gerard steps into view, Godfrey experimentally takes the lead, giving a bow in his direction. "Greetings, Prince Admiral Gerard of Amber, son of Oberon and Rilga. I am Godfrey, of whom my creator spoke to you this morning." Gerard blinks his eyes briefly. However, his hesitancy is short lived. He gives a nod in Godfrey's direction. "Greetings to you, Godfrey." Gerard then turns to Martin. "Seeing your creation through a trump call does not quite do it justice, now that you have him active and responsive, Martin." "I think he'll have a very bright future, Uncle," Martin says. "Godfrey's tough, and he can learn. I'm looking forward to seeing just what he can do." "That is the most interesting thing about his creation, of course, but I think we discussed that." Gerard replies with a smile. "The fact that his creation was a creative act whose full provenance is unknown." The gears of Godfrey whirr and buzz and he looks at Martin and Gerard. "I estimate that 11% of my potential capabilities are currently known." he says, with a buzz of gears. "Well, we could always ship you and Godfrey out with my son." Gerard says, giving a glance over toward Castor. "That would fill some of your potentialities." Gerard says to Godfrey and then at Martin and chuckles. "Both of yours." "You know that wouldn't hurt." Martin's head tilts. "Assuming that Dad doesn't have something planned for me already... where's Castor going?" Godfrey turns his head to better listen to Gerard's answer. "Nowhere certain, yet, although I may have him play backup on a project that the King has in mind for William. And actually at the moment." Gerard grins. "It's more where he has been. As I was saying to William the other day, until last night, I didn't know where any of my sons had gone off to. And then, suddenly, my Twins have returned from their adventures." "Which involved you, as I recall." he adds. "Amongst a motley set of other relations and friends, he said. He promised me the story in depth at some point, but said you would understand and explain it all more effectively." "You mean when we were all trapped in the folding universe inside the chest?" Martin says with a grin. " 'Cause if you're referring to that incident with the dragon, I was barely involved..." Gerard laughs and shakes his head. "I have read that book. My sister brought it from that shadow of hers. A proper Thari translation of it would be most welcome. No, I meant your adventures in the river-dominated shadow where Pollux and the King's new daughter were imprisoned. Never mind." Gerard waves a hand, kindly. He then sobers slightly. "If I don't have Castor backing up William's project, the King is likely to find another use for his talents. And as it so happens, perhaps the talents of yourself, and what does my brother call it..." He looks at Godfrey. "A field test for your creation might be included in that." "The waters have been roiled as of late, Martin." Gerard says. "I think that his Majesty has decided to deal with those disturbing currents, decisively. Making a choice as to which problem to tackle might be much more pleasant than letting your father assign you to a task." "I'm with you there. It's rare enough that I get to do the acting than get acted upon," Martin says. "Yeah... unless Dad grabs me by the ear and drags me off to do something else, I could handle helping William and Castor out." Martin glances over at his construct. "They're gonna love Godfrey." Gerard glances at Godfrey, who rewards the attention from the Admiral of Amber with a nod of the head, the gears of his neck whirring slightly as he does so. "Indeed. You've managed to surprise, yet again." Gerard rumbles. "No mission with you on it can be accused of being dull. I will have to warn my son. Unless, of course, the King pulls out a wildcard." As if feeling eyes on the back of his neck, Gerard then turns and moves slightly to give Martin a view of what he is looking at without the necessity of developing x-ray glasses. Beyond Gerard, Martin can now see Ferla Quist, gesturing toward Martin, Godfrey and Gerard. Speaking to her is Priya and her Escort, Ostegos. "Priya Luur," Martin says to Gerard. "I figured she'd be here. Is she acting in any, er, official capacity for Rebma yet?" Gerard gives a smile, and a shake of the head. "Old Luur's daughter, isn't she?" he says, looking at the Rebman for a moment. "I'd imagine, if she's going to be acting in an official capacity for Rebma, she'll present credentials to his Majesty this morning." "'Course, you could ask her directly, but she's canny enough not to be distracted by your charm, I think." Gerard observes. "I can tell you though that she's been keeping some interesting company in the Castle here, or so the servants gossip." "Really?" Martin glances back to Gerard. "I just heard she was here. Who's she been clubbing with?" After a moment he adds, "Godfrey- none of this gets mentioned around Priya, by the way." "Confirmed." Godfrey says, with a whirr of gears and a brief note of clanging metal. "Priya Luur will not be informed of the contents of this conversation." "I would love to see if that sort of thing would work for my sister." Gerard rumbles, somewhat amused. "In any event, to answer your question, it seems that the de facto envoy from Rebma has been making a few visits to see Triton in the infirmary." "The servants also say that she's been spending time with Flora's son, too." Gerard adds. "Considering that they were on opposite sides of that duel, I find that interesting, don't you think?" "Yah, very interesting," Martin says. "Triton I can understand, but..." his eyes narrow. "Hmmm...." "Servants can be a somewhat mixed source of information, though." Gerard says in an ameliorating tone. "I also suspect the unusual number of Rebmans in the Castle...besides her majesty of course, is always a cause for additional curiosity..." Gerard stops in mid sentence, and turns and looks at the entrance. Coming into the entrance is Fiona, her daughter, Shannon, and close by to them are Deirdre, and a young dark haired woman in purple, with a purple and white lizard on her shoulder. He turns back to Martin. "I know not who the woman with Deirdre is. However, Fi is here, which means the throne room doors are about..." Gerard swings his eyes toward the doors to the main hall. As if on his command, the main doors to the Great Hall/Throne Room open from the inside. "Princes, Princesses and all attendees of Court. This session is now declared open. You may enter." comes the amplified voice of the Chamberlain, Lord Henden. The gears of Godfrey whirr and switch as his head switches from observing the entering party, to the main doors that lead to the throne room. "Good timing," Martin says with a grin. "What say we head forward? As to the other thing, well, I've obviously been remiss. Always out in Shadow and don't have enough people to do the watching. I'm sure Dad knows who's talking to whom and where all the Rebman contingent are, but why ask and look lazy?" "Indeed." Gerard says. "Perhaps the somewhat seductively dressed woman with the lizard will grace us with a spot near to where we find ourselves." Gerard pauses a beat as he heads forward toward the doors. Even in this crowded situation, people make room for Gerard. No one is dumb enough to get in his way. Godfrey starts forward,slightly behind Gerard on the opposite side from Martin. "And some might say, nephew." Gerard observes "that you *are* part of the Rebman contingent." Martin snorts. "If there's those naive enough to think my race is that big a factor in Amber politics, I'll let them go on thinking that. Serves them right. Now if Dad wants to use that, I'm okay with it, but he hasn't said anything." Backlinks |
