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    Morning Meeting

    Josh
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    Post by Josh 26/06/12, 06:31 am

    Jesseryn had broken his trance early this morning. He was used to spending even less time resting than usual for his people; his schedule allowed little time for idleness. Several pressing city matters had been attended to as he broke his fast, and an early meeting with the envoy from Tynde had afforded him some time in the lower garden. An eventful day, which, for Lord Callais, meant a good one.

    Currently, he was ensconced in his office, looking out over the waking city. The newly delivered hybrid sat in a small pot on his desk, a perfect specimen. Jesseryn read through Ms. Odanet's report on the plants' performance in various locales around Nerath. Judging from the sun, his youngest should be along shortly. Though he would likely dismiss it if asked, this meeting could prove the most important of the day.
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    Post by elanya 26/06/12, 09:09 am

    he'd risen earlier in the day than he generally preferred, but when his father had asked him to come for a morning meeting at dinner the night before he'd at least known to prepare for it. The commute to the Arbor was much longer now that he wasn't living in Overlook, and despite fortifying himself with strong coffee he had to resist the urge to doze on the carriage ride up the hill. The morning sun reflecting off the bay always seemed that much brighter at this time of year, and he took a moment to appreciate the beauty of the front garden, washed in the hues of dawn, before heading in to be announced.

    He was seen up to his father's office straight away, but held back a moment before knocking and entering. Jesseryn hadn't told him exactly what this meeting was about, and the man was almost impossible to read. His best indicator for these things was usually Minalda's mood, and his stepmother had been.... well, not pleasant, perhaps, but happy enough to fuss over Macen and ignore him, and he wasn't really sure what to make of it. Only one way to find out, he supposed.

    He knocked, entering when called, and giving Jesseryn a polite bow. "Good morning, father."
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    Post by Josh 26/06/12, 09:29 am

    "Good morning, Vedran." Jesseryn gave a formal nod in response to Vedran's bow, then gestured for him to take a seat.

    "I hope the trip up the mountain wasn't unpleasant."
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    Post by elanya 26/06/12, 09:38 am

    Well, at lest he was a little more alert than he could have been, thank the gods for coffee - it could be difficult to sort out his father's meaning at the best of times. He smiled. "Not this morning, no, thank you. The view from up here is always nice."
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    Post by Josh 26/06/12, 10:09 am

    "I'm pleased you enjoy it." Jesseryn's expression remained pleasantly neutral.

    "We enjoyed seeing you and Macen last night. He seems happy and well. Minalda is quite fond of him." He paused, reaching for his cup and taking a sip of tea.

    "I trust his new tutor is working out well?"
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    Post by elanya 26/06/12, 02:17 pm

    There was something about his stepmother's acceptance of his son that made Vedran uneasy, as though she were just waiting for him to get written out of the picture. She probably was, and he should probably just be happy that she'd decided not to extend her hostility to his son, but it made him apprehensive nonetheless.

    "Kier is working out very well. Macen likes him, Marys trusts him to care for him, and beyond that he's has some very useful insights for how to try and understand and control his dragonmark." So far, Kier hadn't yet had the experience of meeting Jesseryn, but it was probably inevitable. "I think you would approve of him - he's a long-term thinker."
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    Post by Josh 26/06/12, 11:01 pm

    Jesseryn finally gave a small, controlled smile at that.

    "An admirable quality, shamefully rare."

    He took another measured sip of tea.

    "It's good to know my grandson is in capable hands."

    Jesseryn placed his tea carefully back on its saucer. As he shuffled the papers on his desk back into a neat pile, he nodded towards the potted plant on his desk.

    "I believe I will need to get this planted quickly. I worry at its state in such conditions. Will you accompany me to the east garden?"
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    Post by elanya 26/06/12, 11:30 pm

    "Of course."

    So far he had no real idea of what his father wanted from him this morning, but it behooved him to be patient, and hope all the subtle cues coalesced into something more meaningful. The plant wasn't anything he recognized (they rarely were), but the east garden was for new projects. He felt a little uneasy, but rose with a smile. "would you like me to carry that for you?"
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    Post by Josh 26/06/12, 11:39 pm

    "Yes, thank you," Jesseryn replied, rising. Without further explanation, he took a thin folder from his desk. He walked to the door, holding it open for his son.

    Once they were in the hallway, he continued.

    "A remarkable plant, really. A somewhat random hybrid, its been growing in the wilds for sometime. I thought it time to test its potential in better soil."
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    Post by elanya 26/06/12, 11:46 pm

    The uneasiness was growing, along with a hunch, but he tried to keep it from his voice, looking down at the little plant. "Is it one of your creations?"
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    Post by Josh 27/06/12, 12:19 am

    "In a manner of speaking. I've overseen its cultivation, by proxy, of course. Ms. Odanet has been kind enough to convince her family to plant some on their lands."

    Jesseryn led the way through the house, down a few flights of steps to the middle level of the manor, out to the east wing.

    "It may prove very valuable. The plant's resilience to the Change could alter our agriculture for the better, if it is properly maintained."
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    Post by elanya 27/06/12, 12:25 am

    He nodded. Sometimes even if there was a deeper meaning in his father's words, they were interesting enough taken at face value. Finding some way to help crops resist the Change was something he knew his father, Beryl, and others had been working on for years. But the uneasiness hadn't quite passed, regardless. "Has Beryl been back in town, then? Been and gone?" He expected he'd missed her - he'd feel like a jerk if she were still in town and he hadn't been to see her, for all he owed her.
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    Post by Josh 27/06/12, 12:39 am

    "Twice, in fact. Coordinating this project has left her somewhat homeless for the moment, I fear. I've suggested she find lodging here in Highmark for the time being. Its certainly more central."

    The lighter elven architecture distinguished the Arbor from its neighbors, the woodwork simple but stylish. As usual, servants seemed precognizant in their ability to avoid the master's path unless needed.

    "Perhaps you or Ms. Cziernos might be able to assist her in such an endeavor."
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    Post by elanya 27/06/12, 12:47 am

    Vedran smiled more honestly at that - it would be good to have Beryl closer to hand, and he was sure Agyness would feel the same. He did feel a vague twinge of guilt that he wasn't really sure how things stood between Beryl and Alia these days - he;d been too wrapped up in his own problems to ask. "Of course. I'm sure Agyness would love some company, at least." Both girls had access to the great houses their families kept in town, but they might be able to work out something more private between the two of them, if they were interested.
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    Post by Josh 27/06/12, 09:39 pm

    The hallway led out to the east garden, a squared courtyard with stone pathways. Orichalcum had been mild, and Aurum showers had brought the garden into a lovely bloom. After stopping to remove his outer robe, Jesseryn led the way to the far end of the garden, up a few steps in the tiered landscaping. A trowel, pot, and other accoutrements of Jesseryn's work lay ready near a pretty, but small, cherry tree. Its blossoms were an uncomfortably familiar pink. He gestured for Vedran to place the potted plant down, kneeling to grab the trowel.

    "It is a shame to remove this tree. I had such hopes for it, but it doesn't seem to be acclimating as well as I'd like."

    He began to carefully clear away soil from the root structure of the tree.

    "I'll find a more suitable place for it, I'm sure."
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    Post by elanya 27/06/12, 09:58 pm

    It was really inevitable. He'd managed to avoid talking to his father about his separation initially because there had been more pressing matters to attend to, and if he hadn't said anything more about it afterward, well... He'd counted himself lucky, but he'd known it couldn't last.

    Vedran set the plant down. Jesseryn had turned his back to him for the moment, focused on his careful work - giving him a moment. The tree looked pretty - innocuous - but he found his gaze focusing on everything and anything else. The moment lengthened, and finally he made himself ask, "Is this about me and Jacinthe?"
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    Post by Josh 27/06/12, 10:34 pm

    Jesseryn paused, letting the question hang for a moment as he set down his trowel and turned to face his son.

    "It seems about time we discuss the matter, certainly. Tell me, what are you plans in regards to your wife?"
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    Post by elanya 27/06/12, 10:48 pm

    This, at least, he thought he had in order - certainly he'd thought about it enough. he had a plan, but whether he could make himself understood to his father was quite another matter. At least the hurt and failure he'd been feeling had had a little time to heal. The long trip away had been good for that, if at times confusing.

    "I need some time away from her right now, so that.. later, we can find a better foundation to build a partnership with."
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    Post by Josh 27/06/12, 10:52 pm

    As usual, Jesseryn's face gave no hint of his feelings on the issue.

    "Is that truly what you want? Do you think it possible for you to build an equitable and beneficial relationship together?"
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    Post by elanya 27/06/12, 11:03 pm

    What he wanted was exactly something he was trying hard not to think about - in that regard, especially, he didn't trust himself. "I don't know if it will work...She deserves better from me."
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    Post by Josh 27/06/12, 11:10 pm

    "Better is a matter of opinion, Vedran. The partnership is obviously not working as it stands."

    Jesseryn gave his son a moment to consider that statement before continuing.

    "Would you prefer an alternative?"
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    Post by elanya 27/06/12, 11:16 pm

    He nodded at his father's assessment, feeling the weight of his failure and hoping he was doing a better job of keeping it off his face, out of his voice. The question caught him off-guard. "What do you mean?"
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    Post by Josh 27/06/12, 11:32 pm

    "The situation has shifted since your marriage was negotiated. When Lady and Lord Estvaret perished in the Disaster, Jacinthe inherited the majority of their holdings and authority. She has been somewhat remiss in maintaining her parents' fine work, something I wish to correct. It is unlikely that such will occur while she is presently...distracted."

    "Likewise, you are no longer merely the son of a prominent lord and city governor. You work with the Explorers' Union has raised your stature and reflected well upon this House. You've entered into the responsibilities of your station with with laudable judgement, and it is my wish that you continue to do so, with all necessary support."

    Jesseryn sighed, folding his hands in his lap.

    "Your current popularity affords you a rare opportunity, Vedran. It might be possible to find more...suitable matches for you and Jacinthe."
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    Post by elanya 27/06/12, 11:39 pm

    The excess sun he's been exposed to on his recent trip wasn't enough to cover all the blood draining from his face. Another marriage? He looked down at his hands, folding them together, amazed they weren't shaking. Could he do that? "Do you think so?" his throat felt dry, and he choked on the words.
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    Post by Josh 27/06/12, 11:53 pm

    "Vedran, I am not so oblivious as to think this has been a happy union for you. While I am pleased with some of the results, I can recognize that the match may have been...miscalculated. Your work, your success, are allowing you to rectify the situation, should you deem it necessary."

    Jesseryn sighed, betraying a hint at the weight on his shoulders.

    "Contrary to what I believe may be the perception, the unhappiness of you and your siblings is counter to my plans for this family. I am, however much you may disbelieve, asking you what you want."

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