Breakfast in Amber: Mandor and IngreyIndex | Time Under Chaos | Game Logs | Breakfast in Amber - Mandor Among the guests, Mandor, looking sleek and serene, like a cat who's had all the cream, sought out Ingrey. It was not policy for Chaosians to trump publicly within Amber, save in an emergency and, having offered Ingrey a ride to the Queen the night before, Mandor was now clearly prepared to return him to the Embassy. Ingrey had just disengaged from saying his goodbyes to Sorcha when the Prime Minister sought him out. The Minister-Counselor looked pressed, clean, and refreshed. One might not be able to tell that he had experienced an active night, save for, despite his efforts to modulate his expression, a more than a trace of smugness upon his face. Ingrey carried this as he headed toward the disembarkation point, and, as it so happened, the Prime Minister. "Good morning, Prime Minister." Ingrey said, bobbing his head respectfully "Judging from your mien this morning, I trust that your first visit to Petra Rossi's establishment was a pleasant one." "I would say a delightful one," said Mandor. "Ripe with possibilities, you might conclude." Ingrey bobbed his head in acknowledgment. He looked around the deck, with amused satisfaction. "And a bright, fresh morning. Is Vikund disembarking with us? Or has he found other entertainment?" Ingrey looked about and gave a look of uncertainty at Mandor's question but did not answer him verbally. As he was speaking, they were approaching the gangplank, and those dressed in Ramblin' Queen livery who were saying farewells to those leaving. Mandor paused suddenly, looking at the younger of the two men stationed there. For a moment he regarded him - and then he turned to Ingrey. "Tell me," he said, "do you know who that young man is?" Ingrey turned his gaze, regarded Goran and nodded as he turned back to Mandor. "I do, sir. That's a member of the Queen's security staff. Goran. Vincenzo's star pupil, one might say." The young man glanced briefly in their direction, then returned his polite attention to the departing guests. "Well, now we'll have a chance to meet him," said Mandor. "We won't wait for Vikund, I think." He strolled forward to the head of the gangplank. Suddenly there seemed remarkably fewer people pressing to disembark. Perhaps they'd all decided simultaneously to take a stroll on the promenade deck. Mandor sometimes had that effect. Ingrey didn't comment, walking along the Prime Minister calmly. "A delightful evening, and night," said Mandor to Goran, then glanced to his companion. "Wouldn't you agree, Counselor?" "I would, but of course Goran's view of events here is quite different than the guests, or the entertainers on board the Queen." "To be sure, Ambassador," Goran smiled politely. Ingrey smoothly moved so that he stood between Goran and Mandor. He first gestured to Mandor. "Goran, this is Prime Minister Mandor of House Sawall." His hands then gestured to Goran. "Prime Minister, allow me to introduce you to the resourceful and talented Goran Vladic." Goran bowed smartly, the greeting of the ever-polite professional. "Prime Minister, it's a pleasure. I trust you enjoyed your stay with us?" "I found ir fascinating," said Mandor. "And this morning looks to be equally interesting, if not more so. Can you be spared from your duties long enough to escort us to my carriage? I must admit to being intrigued as to what a young man of your ... ah ... qualities is doing as Security on theis delightful craft." He nodded to Ingrey that they should start to descend. Ingrey nodded, and took point for Goran, Mandor and himself, positioning himself so that Goran and Mandor might converse together further, if they so wished. Ingrey descended the gangplank, looking about at the early morning of the dock briefly before setting a course on foot for Mandor's carriage. "Of course, Prime Minister," Goran answered. He glanced over at Vincenzo and with the slightest movement of his head conveyed that he had been requested to accompany Mandor. He followed the proper distance behind the man as they descended the gangplank. "There's nothing intriguing about me, sir," Goran responded to Mandor's question modestly. "I'm just a hard worker who knows how to get along with Vincenzo." From behind him, Goran and Mandor could catch the slightest shaking of the head from Ingrey at Goran's statement. Ingrey did not vocalize his disagreement, however. "Of course," said Mandor smoothly. "In which case ... perhaps you could take my cloak to the carriage for me. I should have a word with my brother before we leave." He unfastened his dark, heavy cloak and turned so that Goran could take it from his shoulders. "Perhaps, Counsellor," he said to Ingrey, "we should ourselves have breakfast here before I deliver you to the E,mbassy. Merlin's choice is a little .. outre - but I believe one can get a decent cafe au lait at the bistro on the corner. I am sure the maitre will find us a table, if you wish." "Sitting to breakfast ere returning to the Embassy suits me well." Ingrey agreed readily. Far be it from me to vocalize displeasure or dispute with his Majesty's choice of establishments to frequent." "After all, he frequents the Ramblin Queen as well, and I have been known to have breakfast at the Greasy Spoon of which you speak." Ingrey added brightly, with almost a smile. "I think, though, the proprietor would only express puzzlement at being referred to as a maitre." Ingrey turned on his heel to change his course, so that he might lead Mandor to the establishment. |
