Closed The More You Know (Si'Kara, Kai)

[Edmund Morealis]

7th of Autumn, 514AV
Blacksugar Manor

Of all the things Edmund was required to do, talking with people was by far the activity that was the most enjoyable and soothing. Nearly anything that Edmund could think of in a conversation with another person entertained him: politics were exciting, cordial visits were relaxing, meeting new people was interesting, visiting old friends was pleasant. Even exchanges with those who despised him were morbidly fascinating, and often entertaining in their own way. Not that there were many that despised him, at least openly. He was not important enough yet to be despised.

Edmund was working on that.

This afternoon, Edmund was preparing for a particular guest whom he had invited somewhat spontaneously. That was not true, Edmund rarely acted spontaneously. Rather, it was an invitation that, to an outside observer, might appear confusing. The person who had received the invitation had been a dynast for less than a year, and before then had been a slave - not even a Freeborn married into a family. She was Zulaca, though, so that was an expected part of her history. If it had only been that she was a recent addition to the dynasty of undead, then Edmund would not have enough interest to send an invitation. What he had heard of her chosen profession, however, was indeed worth extending an invitation for, at least for an afternoon tea.

To his shame, Edmund's knowledge of the Nuit was disturbingly little. All the Dynasties of Kenash were subjects of study for the Morealis growing up, and this extended to the races - or sub-races, as it were - from which they descended. The Svefra, the Vantha, the Drykas for the special humans, and then reaching into the non-humans like the Akalaks, Konti, and even the Dhani. Unfortunately, the Nuit were figures of lots of myth and suspicion, undead stories brought to life by their prominence in the city. There was undoubtedly knowledge within the many books which the Morealis Dynasty owned, but it was all second or even third hand account of the Nuit themselves.

The woman whom had received Edmund's invitation, as he had the opportunity to hear through rumor and inquiries, worked in close proximity to the dynasty. Even better, her profession concerned itself with corpses. For a race - a Dynasty - entirely of undead, that had to be important.

The Caretaker took a final lap of the room, making sure that all his preparations were complete. A gilded window stretched across nearly an entire wall of the room, with the curtains parted and the window itself open, allowing a welcome breeze to waft into the room. An afternoon Kenashian sun shone through the window into Blacksugar, illuminating the small tea room with a bright clear light that dispelled any shadows that could have gathered.

His legs carried himself toward where they would be eating. Cushioned white chairs ringed with golden thread and a finely carved mahogany table were positioned in the center of the room, surrounded by fine pieces of art both painting and sculpture. Upon the table was a colored vase holding a bouquet of flowers of all kinds, arranged perfectly to catch the eye in just the right ways. The lips of the vase were frilled in waves that stretched all the way to the base, a fine example of Inartan glasswork. Also on the table were fine plates and teacups, all ornamented and designed.

Everything was positioned and arranged just right. Edmund was proud of it.

Satisfied, the Caretaker walked toward the door of the room, nodding to the house slave attending the door as he exited. His legs carried him quickly through the long halls of the manor, eventually taking him to the front of the massive building at the top of the dual staircase which led to the ground, resting his arms on the stone rail.

It was here he would wait for the arrival of his guest, intent on making the best first impression he could. Some dynasts, he knew, would wait inside for their guest to come to them either out of self-importance or the need to be seen prepared. However, Edmund's role as Caretaker also included welcoming strangers to the estate, and this Zulaca most certainly would not have had the opportunity to visit previously. Besides, Edmund was confident that he was ready and was assured of himself enough to greet his guests personally. If he was to gain a reputation, it would be a good one. He would make sure of that.

[Si'Kara Zulaca]

Godstouch. Such a strange name for the plantation of the dead. Especially since it was bright and warm, welcoming to those that came towards the house. For a family of bodies reanimated with the promise of eternity, it seemed strange to be so lively. In the beginning, when Si’Kara had first come to Godstouch as a slave, it had all seemed curious to her. The masters were cold and dead, but they went through the motions of hosting banquets and dressing up in gaudy clothing to keep their name from being tarnished. Now, here she was, dressed up in gaudy clothing to prevent tarnishing her new name. She was now Si’Kara Zulaca, and had been for almost two whole seasons. A different body, a different surname, and all around, a different life. It was rather invigorating, in a non-emotional way.

Days before, a servant had brought her a sealed letter of summons. Having barely set foot outside of the plantation in these two seasons, she found it odd that someone would know of her existence. It seemed that rumors would quick to spread, and the other Dynasties made it their business to know the secrets of their competitors. This summons had come from one Edmund Morealis, caretaker of the Morealis Dynasty. After dwelling on why he was interested in her, Si’Kara had gone about the plantation asking after the Morealis family. Any information she could get she wanted. Being ignorant and setting foot on another plantation sounded like the perfect recipe for catastrophe.

What she had found out was simple. The Morealis plantation grew sugar, and took great pride in their plantation. Not many knew what that meant as this particular family seemed to invite others infrequently unless it benefited them. This piqued her interest even further. What about her interested this caretaker so? Aside from the minimal basics she learned, it seemed no one really knew much else. Were they business oriented or politically oriented? How far did their reach go into the city and in the authorities? As always, there were more questions than answers. This left only one choice: she would have to accept this invitation and do some investigation herself.

Today, Si’Kara had taken great care in her physical appearance. Of her few brocade dresses, she chose the fanciest of them. It seemed a little too much for tea with another Dynast, but this was her first outing. She wanted to make an impression that would last. Then everything was picked to match, from the pair of shoes to her Zulaca necklace. The last thing she grabbed as she was leaving her room was a parasol. In what way this accessory was useful, she would never be able to fathom. Yet there was something about it that she very much enjoyed. Besides, it would keep the sun off her face for the long ride to Blacksugar. Just before she closed her door, she patted the pools of fabric. With an annoying yip and a jingle from the bell she had was wearing, Momma came hopping along. Reaching down to pick up the yappy handbag, she deemed herself ready to make an appearance.

-----

Approximately 3 bells later and the carriage was pulling up the lane that led to Blacksugar. What little she had been told about did not seem to compare to what laid before her eyes now. It was vast and seemingly perfect. The servant she had drive her even looked on wide-eyed. Clearly he had not been to another plantation before, for outright amazement was not highly valued in a slave. Quietly, Si’Kara made a mental note to say something about it on their ride home. They slowed down, Momma on her lap lifting her head lazily as they came to a stop. Scooping the pooch up, Si’Kara exited the carriage with the servant’s hand as a rail. Once she was down, she briskly walked up the steps and through the massive front doors.

What Edmund would find was the top of her parasol at first. It gave her moment to look around. It was grand, polished, and clean. The stairs that curved down to greet her were exquisite. There was a different charm about Blacksugar. She imagined that every family had their own style when it came to the house. Ducking her head, she swept the parasol down and shut it, handing it to the servant to keep until she had gotten back. It was then that she looked up. The black and purple dress was an extreme contrast to her pale, dull skin. For a lady that had spent so much time primping herself, she could have done with a bit of make-up. Yet, she prided herself in being a Nuit. She was an immortal, and given time, would outlive many of the Dynasts she would encounter.

She saw Edmund about the same time as Momma, who yipped and wagged her tail. Politely, she gave an awkward curtsy. Si’Kara had a long way to go when it came to etiquette and finesse. ”You must be Sir Edmund Morealis. I am Si’Kara Zulaca, and I am honored to make your acquaintance.”

[Edmund Morealis]

At the start, Edmund could only see the parasol with which the Nuit used to shield herself from the sun. Whether it was intentional to keep him waiting for her full appearance or not was difficult to determine, but if it was planned then the Caretaker would have to commend the action. The more suspenseful the situation, the more a practiced plan could fall to pieces.

This might have been the case if Edmund were an amateur, but he was not. He was patient. As the carriage pulled up along the long dirt road leading to Blacksugar (the Morealis enjoyed letting people take in the view of their home before they arrived), Edmund likewise approached where they would meet, stepping lightly down the stairs with a hand on the railing.

His guest removed her parasol just as he descended the last few steps onto the intermediary platform. As she did, Edmund's eyes were treated to a rather stylized mixture of in-fashion patterns out out-of-fashion colors. It was the mark of a person who prized to be known for their reputation rather than their trendiness, and such people Edmund had a history of befriending quite easily. It could not be said that the dress was not fanciful, though, and suddenly the caretaker became aware of his own relatively straightforward clothes. His trousers were dyed black and his shirt was dyed a dark green, with his only patterned cloth being the lightly colored brocade vest which he wore. Perhaps it was for the best that most of his business did not carry him into the city proper.

The last few steps carried him to the ground upon which Blacksugar was built, on even footing with his guest. He was about to speak first, as was polite for a host, but a sudden yipping noise threw him off slightly. Quickly scanning for the source of the noise, Edmund's eyes fell onto the little dog within his guest's arms. A pet. He had not anticipated this, as there had been nothing in the woman's reply that suggested she would be bringing something, but it was still manageable. He did not know what to feed it, but one of the cooks must. During his return, Edmund would have to tell one of the house slaves to quickly prepare something.

While she was clearly not born a dynast, she was not nearly as uncouth as Edmund had feared she might be. This exchange was beginning to look even more pleasant with each passing tick.

With a bright smile and a dignified posture, Edmund lifted one arm and brought it down to his hip as he bowed, an extravagant gesture that he rarely used anymore. As this was their first meeting, and given her background, it seemed fitting to be as extravagant as was comfortable. "The pleasure is mine, madame. If you would please follow me, luncheon has been prepared. We may seat ourselves and begin our meal shortly."

Following his introduction, Edmund turned around and took a gentle lead as he guided them up the stairs and into the manor proper. He was careful to keep the distance between them short, so that they could still converse. Taking a far lead was for larger groups, and he only had one guest for this afternoon.

"I hope you had a pleasant journey," the caretaker ventured, easing into some conversation. He had objectives, but knowledge was better pried from loose fingers. "Traveling for that long without an opportunity for rest must be taxing, but I assure you that we have prepared a relaxing afternoon. Please feel free to relax here in our care."

Through the doors of Blacksugar Edmund led them, guiding Si'Kara through the mildly complex hallways of the manor. Beneath their feet were rugs of only the most intricate and vibrant designs, and to either side of their path stood works of art of all sorts. Sculptures and paintings were only the beginnings of the decorations the Morealis used to adorn their home - fantastical furniture of rare dyes and gold trim, chairs and tables and sofas, chandeliers and braziers, shelves of delicate glassware and only the finest jewelry on display. As eclectic as it was, it was utterly impressive. And to Edmund, it was so much show. None of it was in use, not even the furniture, and though it was all rather impressive its only purpose was to be impressive. To that end, they were useful, but not for much more. Edmund would have like to use some of it to impress their guests beyond a mere showcase, but it was not his place.

"I imagine that Blacksugar must be very different from Godstouch," Edmund spoke up once more, turning to face his guest and walking beside her. "Here we have been amassing a collection of fine work since before construction of this manor began. But you have not come for a lesson on the history of our home. Please, right this way."

It might have been considered a sly move, directing the topic of their future conversation away from his own family. Edmund did not know whether she was interested or not, but she came here for a reason, just as he sent her the invitation for a reason. Neither were taking time out of their day for mere pleasure. They each wanted something. Finding out what that was while keeping their own intentions as shrouded as possible would be key for maintaining an advantage in the political scene. An ally would be a powerful advantage, however, so the trick would soon become how little he would have to give in order to secure their relationship.

As they approached, Edmund was pleased to see that Kaitanu had arrived and was standing beside the slave attending the doors, who opened them at the approach of his master and his guest. With a bright smile, the caretaker turned around fully and beckoned for Si'Kara to enter the room ahead of him, taking whichever of the two seats she chose. When she was inside, Edmund beckoned Kaitanu close and whispered him some instructions.

"Go tell the cooks to quickly prepare something for her pet, then lead the slaves in with the beginning of the meal. Do so quickly, and once we have the beginning of our meal bring in the pet's food as soon as it is prepared."

Then Edmund followed his guest in, the house slave closing the doors behind him.

Taking his seat opposite Si'Kara, the Morealis caretaker eased into the cushioned chair and rested his posture against it. Through the door opposite which the two dynasts entered came in another house slave, also dressed impeccably, carrying with him two bottles of wine which were brought to the table for the dynasts to inspect. Edmund made a gesture with one hand, a gentle offering with his palm upturned.

"Red or white?" he asked politely. Once Si'Kara made her preference known, the slave set the bottles on the table and uncorked that which the guest had selected, beginning to pour a moderate amount into both dyansts' glasses to start with.

"You have my gratitude for accepting my invitation on such short notice. I was surprised to see you had replied so soon. It is my sincere hope I have not pulled you away from anything important.," said Edmund, waving off the slave as he finished pouring. The man retreated to the side table at the edge of the room, waiting there at attendance for a gesture from either the Morealis or the Zulaca.

Edmund took a single sip before setting the glass back down on the table. If only it were rum. "So how is your new family? I hope things are going well over at Godstouch."

[Si'Kara Zulaca]

He was definitely polite to say the least, as was expected of a Morealis. If she had gathered anything from her investigation the last few days, it had been that they were always about the look of things. That included the outward appearance. They could have been voracious dogs or even Dhani beneath, but no one would have known. Not to mention, he was rather attractive for a human. At least, in his rather plain state. The green did bring out his eyes, she had to admit. Maybe if she were human, she would be able to play a better girlish attitude, but the need for romance was not far out of her grasp. Just like the thought of lunch. He missed her look of astonishment when he turned around to lead the way to lunch. When had been the last time she ate? Seasons ago it seemed. The Zulaca were good at faking a meal when guests around, and boy could they put on a banquet, but suddenly she did not know what to do. So, she followed with dog in one hand and skirts in the other.

”The journey was pleasant, if not a bit uninteresting. After a while, each field begins to blur with one another. As for taxing, when one does not need to sleep, how can anything be taxing anymore?” He was a wise one, but seemed to know very little about the Zulaca. Misgivings she would have to forgive. She doubted the others got out very much except to tend to businesses and soirees.

For a few chimes she occupied herself with taking in the scenery as they walked. It was all impeccably clean and well kept. Nothing was out of place, and she wondered if anyone even lived here or if the estate was just for show. Maybe this gentleman slept elsewhere to keep their property in such a state. ”To each their own I suppose. Godstouch is most certainly different in a less…” She trailed off for a moment, wondering what word would be right. ”…ostentatious way. Don’t get me wrong, you have a wonderful manor. I’m just not used to it all.”

As they grew closer to the door, she kept an intellectual eye on him. His manservant, also well dressed for a house slave, was beckoned quickly and given orders. Orders that she could no hear, and if she had, would have found peculiar. Momma was a dog and did not require special services. Well, at least most of the time she did not require anything special. Si’Kara just treated her like she was the only beast worth treating extremely well in this world. Sweeping past her host, she took the chair that offered her the most light. If there was one thing that she would have loved to see more of in the Morealis home, it was windows. Sunlight made it warm and welcoming in Godstouch. Even if she could no longer understand the warmth, she liked to have it on her skin. Besides, it made her look a shade less pale with the golden glow vibrating off her dead body. Momma made herself at home on the black and purple skirts, settling down for an easy nap.

”White.” As if she actually knew what kind of wine she preferred. She was dead and had been a slave prior to her undeath. Wine was not something that was commonly offered to the slaves. She took the glass that was offered to her, touching the liquid to her lips and going through the motion of swallowing. There was no point in drinking it, but she was a Dynast. It was all about the illusion. Fake it until you make it right?

”Of course Sir Morealis. Honestly, in my short time having the Zulaca name, I have not yet been summoned to have lunch with a family as prestigious as your own. The gesture was a welcomed change in my life.” She had not been pulled away as she had nothing to be pulled away from, but that seemed like a temporary weakness she did not want to share. ”Godstouch is as lively as ever. The cotton grows in its various colors and the tobacco always smells sweet. My father has made it his life to support the family business. Even his slaves and servants can respect that. I know I did.”

Now that had been a little slip of the tongue of her life prior to being a Dynast. Taking a deep breath she smiled, touching her necklace. It was a nervous tick that she had had since she was a small child, and now it carried over to her unlife. ”But enough about me. I am but a small blip in the dynasty world in comparison to your footprint. What do you do? You must have a reason to request my company.”

Right to business.

[Edmund Morealis]

Appearances were not everything. This woman whom Edmund had invited to Blacksugar this afternoon had all the appearances of a proper dynast, but she was not yet. In name, yes, but not in being. It was in the way she regarded and perceived Blacksugar's multitude of display pieces, in the way she spoke and then amended her words. If Edmund's suspicions were correct, this would be the first time she'd been in such an intimate setting in any other manor besides Godstouch without any event to distract her from the home itself. While she may have seen the political power struggles of Kenash, he sincerely doubted she had yet the ability to swim around the circles of the Dynasties. She was not raised in these waters.

It was somewhat reassuring to see that the dog seemed content to spend its time napping rather than causing potential mischief. He would rather not face the liability of having a pet running about the place. Still, Edmund hoped that the cooks could cook up something to keep it occupied when it woke up.

As prestigious, hm? Perhaps she was not quite as unfamiliar with politics as Edmund had first believed. Setting Morealis apart from the other dynasties was a clever thing to do, but it was bold to declare without having much experience with the dynasty itself. So, more likely, Si'Kara had picked up that ruling class tendency to treat only who they were conversing with in the utmost respect while disregarding the other dynasties. Another might have avoided such a bold declaration without realizing that only the Morealis were present. Edmund would have to see what else this woman picked up.

After the requisite chatter about Zulaca crops, as if Edmund did not already know, she culminated her ruminations with a word toward Carthrys' dedication to his craft. More interestingly, her hand left her glass and went to her necklace. A tick of sorts? Perhaps she did not mean to let loose her perception of the Zulaca dynasty head. Edmund filed the information away for later, but currently could not see a use for it beyond knowing that she would be completely unlikely to go behind Carthrys' back. Not that Edmund would ever intend such an extreme measure. To the contrary, his long term plans for Kenash might actually benefit from someone who respected their family leader enough to try to earn their mutual respect.

And now the focus returned to him.

Straightforwardness and craftiness were mutually exclusive. One could switch between the two, but it was much more difficult to go from the former to the latter than the other way around. Once someone knew something, there was no way to take away that knowledge. At least, there was no method available to Edmund yet. "Oh, I am merely a glorified steward here at Blacksugar. I had not a head for business, so instead I made myself useful by organizing the household matters. Blacksugar is my ward, and I am charged with its upkeep until I am no longer able to meet its demands."

Suitably dramatic, Edmund thought. There was no reason for anyone to be skeptical what he was saying, except that this was Kenash and they had every reason to be skeptical. He had not lied, though, and whether his answer was enough to satisfy Si'Kara he would soon see.

Perhaps some mood-setting would be of benefit?

Reaching down into the wellspring within him, Edmund pulled forth a substantial amount of djed and poured it into his throat, letting it stir and pool there for the short ticks before he spoke, and continue to do so as he continued to answer.

"I would hardly call the footprint I leave behind impressive. To the contrary, I believe we are in similar positions, which is why I invited you here." The release of the djed was messy, but at least it was continuous. Practicing the flow of djed from his organ was something Edmund would need to do sometime, but at least he had improved marginally from his last usage.

The mood Edmund chose for this afternoon was curiosity, at least for now. There was no way of knowing her current mood behind her polite veneer, so Edmund's first order of business was to gently push her in one direction or another. Of course, the feeling was nowhere near overpowering and served more as a subconscious hint than an over emotion, but it gave Edmund something to work with.

"You and I are both new to this scene," Edmund continued, his face smiling at his guest as he leaned back against his seat. "We are both challenged to understand the climate of Kenashian politics by our nature as the ruling class, yet how can we do that without the full picture? I believe we can help each other in that respect."

This release was steadier, much to the caretaker's relief. Though uneven, his djed did not switch between gushing and trickling. It had various fluctuations on a steady stream, emptying that which he had gathered in his throat previously. This time, understanding was what Edmund had layered into his voice, in regards to Si'Kara's earlier curiosity. This was why she was here, or at least so it would feel to her. Any skepticism would not be allayed entirely, but if there were any thoughts of cynicism in her head then they would most likely shrink to some extent. This afternoon was dedicated to getting Si'Kara and Edmund on what appeared to be the same page, even if one or both did not need to be entirely forthcoming about it.

"It is difficult for me to find time like this," Edmund mused, changing tracks as he sipped from his glass. "As you might have seen, this manor is large, and as such there is always much for me to do. No rest for the weary, however."

[Kaitanu]

A Nuit. A Nuit of Zulaca. Kaitanu had been in Kenash long enough to hear of that Dynasty, but he still could not wrap his brain around the idea of a slave becoming a freeborn in the manner of the Zulaca. While he had certainly heard of high-ranking slaves in Ravok, where he had spent all his life up to this point, that was an entirely different kettle of fish. Why his master should choose such company was beyond him. Not that he truly questioned Edmund's judgment, he simply didn't understand his master's motives. Perhaps it was nothing more than curiosity. Were Kaitanu in more possession of a native sense of self, he might have felt curious for the sake of it. At present, his interest extended only as far as his master's, his knowledge of this new guest meant only to serve his master's needs. Beyond that his mind and memory would prove faulty at best.

In spite of this rather narrow focus on his master's concerns, Kaitanu couldn't help feeling a sense of unease in the presence of the Nuit. Vague though they were he still retained flashes of memory involving such creatures. In his horse form he had been especially uncomfortable when having to deal with them, and that extended somewhat to his human form as well. There was just something….unsettling about the feel of them, and the one now sitting with his master both looked and felt like the recently-dead. To the heightened senses of any animal it was an unnerving reality to deal with. To a kelvic, always so closely linked with their animal selves, the sense of wrongness was particularly difficult to overcome.

Nevertheless, like any slave who knew their place, Kaitanu showed nothing of what he felt. He didn't really deserve to have such independent emotions, and if his master was comfortable enough in the Nuit's presence that was the end of it. At least he was in human form- it would have been harder to hide the trembling expanse of skin on his withers, even if he could keep his hooves still. The benefits of clothing and all that, he supposed.

In any case, his master's wish to build up a reputation with the Dynasties was not going to be thwarted by his slave. Kaitanu stood at his post, unflinching, alert to his master's needs and whims. Whatever was going on in his head or heart he looked for all the world as calm as a summer's morning. There would be nothing in his physical appearance to shame his master, either. Whatever else he had learned in Ravok, he at least knew how to be well turned-out. Done properly he would go unnoticed, matching the room in spotless elegance like a piece of sometimes-moving furniture. Furniture with ears, it must be said, as he intended to keep in mind anything that could be useful to his master.

Kaitanu waited and watched, ready to be useful but keeping to himself as was proper. A shudder ran down his spine when the Nuit woman entered, her skirt brushing his well-polished boots. Kaitanu kept his head inclined, of course, and so did not see her face until she had moved on, and he could catch it out of the corner of his eye. He did see her dog, however, which was no surprise. Such yapping ornaments were common enough back in Ravok. At least it took little notice of him, probably as aware of his rank as he was, and deigning not to grace him with so much as a yip.

As the woman and her dog passed on into the room, Kaitanu was not surprised at his master's whispered instructions. Edmund was just as surprised about the animal's appearance as he was, but not about to make his guest aware of the fact. If Kaitanu had learned nothing else about his master in the past weeks, he had come to know that Edmund was a social politician.

"As you wish, my master." Kaitanu bowed at the waist, then turned quickly to fulfill Edmund's commands, glad in his heart to step away from the Nuit woman's presence.

The kelvic's steps were light and brisk, carrying him to the nearby kitchens in a matter of moments. It was strange to have any authority over others, even if said authority was just his master's word. As Edmund's personal slave Kaitanu was tasked with relaying orders, and seeing that his master's will was done. This sometimes meant that he was left to direct smaller matters within the scope of Edmund's instructions. Such a thing had never come easy, shy as he was, and mistrustful of even tiny portions of power. Nevertheless, Kaitanu never let his desire to disappear get in the way of doing his job.

The cooks were given their orders in a calm, concise manner, and Kaitanu led the serving slaves back to the elegant parlor. As they proceeded with the established protocols involved in waiting on Morealis masters and their guests, Kaitanu slipped back out into the hall to get the dog's food.

When he returned, Kaitanu was carrying two silver bowls on a tray of the same. In one was fresh water for the dog, and the other was full of choice cuts of meat, liver, and assorted tender morsels all soaking in a rich gravy. Kaitanu was not in the least surprised to see that a dog ate much better than many slaves. He wondered in his brief, vague way if the Nuit woman noticed that irony, then the thought vanished.

His more pressing concern was whether Edmund would rather the tray be set on the floor, or on the table. Either way, if the animal was messy in its eating there would be stains to deal with. Kaitanu merely wondered whether or not Edmund was more concerned with the plush rugs or the highly-polished mahogany. As he was not supposed to speak unless spoken to, other than on matters of great urgency, Kaitanu stood by his master's guest, tray perched on his pale fingers, looking to him for a wordless signal. In the dangerous realm of the slave, not being able to read a master's mind was a terrible offense. Even if Edmund had not been prone to punish him for such shortcomings, Kaitanu did feel his chest tighten with fear from not knowing what to do already. He had not been in the house long enough to have to deal with a visitor's pet, and the protocols for tray placement. His other masters would have let fly already at his hesitation.

[Si'Kara Zulaca]

Just a glorified steward. She highly doubted that any steward of any dynasty were humble stewards content with making sure the tables were stocked and the plantation remained functional. They may not have the head for new business, but the plantation was a business. Edmund knew what he knew, and that was much more than what he was selling himself as. It brought a curl to her lip, a gentle smile of amusement. It was going to be harder to get him to open up to her. Then again, what fun would it be if he humored her so early on? Of course, his statement of their similar position interested her greatly. Si’Kara did not understand that, which meant further questions. How were they the same? She was dead, he was alive for one. She was young Dynasty blood, and he was old. How on earth could they be similar?

She listened intently, trying to sift through the fox that was now placed thickly on her mind. It was like an itch she could not scratch. Of course, his intent seemed to make it all the way through, and although she did not understand how she was going to be helpful to him, she did understand how he could be helpful to her. A rather one-sided understanding, but at least it would work to his favor. ”I see…” Si’Kara found herself trailing off, turning to look out the nearby window. Like a security blanket, she lifted the wine glass to her lips to go through the motion of drinking. It gave her a moment to collect her thoughts. He continued on, just as his manservant came in.

”No rest for the weary indeed. Go ahead and set that right here,” Si’Kara commanded, patting the table in front of her. While the slave did as she asked, she took a moment to watch him. Well dressed, well groomed, he seemed to be well taken care of. Having formerly been a slave herself, poor treatment of slaves would lead to poor favor in her eyes. Yes, they were slaves, and one day she would get used to the idea that they were property, but until then she saw them as people in a position to complete a job for housing and food. ”What is your name servant? Do you enjoy working and living here with Master Morealis?”

She expected that the servant would be conservative with his answers, especially in front of his master. Si’Kara would have done the same thing as a six-armed slave. Reaching for the lids of the tin, she revealed the meaty bits drowning in warm gravy. Momma perked up at this, and Si’Kara gave her precious pet a pat on the head before reaching into the dish for a strip of liver. Once it dripped into the bowl, she brought it over to the dog, catching any excess fluid in her other hand. Momma opened her mouth like a baby bird, wolfing down the sliver of friable meat. Once it was gone, Momma licked the Nuit’s hands clean before giving a look back at the bowl. ”Your cooks have my gratitude. Momma clearly loves this dish.”

Not that she wouldn’t. Momma was a pampered dog. Since Si’Kara did not eat, the dog often got whatever meat was on her plate. Vegetables were only devoured if they were coated in meat gravy, and Si’Kara had always been surprised that the dog snubbed bread. That had been a staple in her life as a slave. Doing the same motion with a piece of beef, Si’Kara looked up Kaitanu, expecting to have already been answered. She smiled before waving her hand. That was all she needed for now. ”May I call you Edmund, or would you prefer Sir Morealis? In any case, I can see how you can help me with your extensive knowledge about Kenash, but I have very little to offer. I’m not well known in the city as I have left the plantation infrequently. My interest is in bodies and preparing them for my family. I work with the dead, not with the living.”

[Kaitanu]

This close to the Nuit Kaitanu's pulse began to quicken slightly. He had dealt with such beings back in Ravok and had never been able to get used to them, though his opinions were partly formed by things he had heard off-hand. Though the Nuit were tolerated there, it was acceptance of an uneasy sort. There were still whispered horror stories and nightmarish rumors. For Kaitanu there was also the memory of being near them as a horse, of the physical sensations that accompanied a Nuit's presence. No breath, no pulse of warm blood; his heightened senses told him there was no life as he understood it.

Unfortunately, remembering how he felt as a horse affected how he felt at present. Though Kaitanu was too well-trained to show it, he would have liked nothing more than to exit the room speedily. How the dog in the woman's lap could stand being near her he did not understand. Perhaps only kelvics felt such muted horror being near the Nuit? Or maybe he had come to associate the Nuit with Rhysol and all his shadowy works? He had masters who dealt frequently with the undead creatures, and such beings had always seemed, to Kaitanu, to be something the dark god would create in his spare time. It could have been that he was the only one here who minded the woman's presence at all, though it was also probable that the other slaves were as good as he was at hiding their true emotions. At the very least, he could almost count on no one seeing his nervousness since he was only a slave, after all. There was a certain blissful invisibility in that.

Until said invisibility was suddenly lifted, leaving him horribly exposed. Just as Kaitanu had set down the tray where the woman had indicated, her question hit him right between the eyes. It wasn't just that she made him nervous because she was Nuit, but her query was totally unexpected. No one had ever asked his opinion before, or rather, not as she put it. Slaves were applied to only when one was seeking parroting agreement. The woman seemed to want his actual, honest opinion… or to be somewhat interested, anyway. She had looked at him for a moment, expectantly, almost like what he said mattered. Which was nonsense, of course- one wouldn't ask a sofa for an opinion. Being applied to in such a way therefore quite unnerved the kelvic, almost as much as being near her. The slave suffered a brief moment of more obvious shock than he meant to show, straightened up slowly, and averted his gaze to the ground.

"I am called Kaitanu, my lady." Here, he gave a slight and graceful bow, partly to buy time to think of the correct response. What he 'liked' or 'didn't like' was so completely irrelevant that it took him a moment. Luckily, he was able to pull himself together in time. "My master provides well for all under his care, and all are treated fairly."

With that, he drew back quietly, signaling to the slaves to rotate, presenting Edmund and his guest with sweets after the saltier starters. Yet Kaitanu's mind was taken with what had just happened, innocuous as it might have seemed to any free-born. It occurred to him then that the woman might once have been a slave herself, if rumors about the Zulaca were true. Was that why she had asked him such a question? Other masters and mistresses would have found it pointless, if they thought of it at all. Kaitanu started to wonder if she had been a slave, and how she had been freed…

However, this train of thought didn't get far. Anything that wasn't his master's business tended to melt away or retreat to some dark corner in the back of his mind. Being distracted with one's own suppositions could be dangerous. Still, what he had said about Edmund was true. For a master he was even-handed, and treated the slaves with a surprising lack of brutality. Kaitanu might not be punished for his momentary hesitation in answering Edmund's guest, or for being caught briefly thinking his own thoughts.

[Edmund Morealis]

So it was unveiled that Si'Kara was not entirely benighted as she had first impressed upon the Morealis host. No matter how subtle one sought to be with their facial expressions, anyone who was regarding one's face with even mild scrutiny would notice a change in countenance, from a raise of a brow to a tweak of the lip. Especially difficult was masking such changes from someone with whom one was having a private conversation with, as any transformation of any kind would be blatantly obvious. Si'Kara's amusement at Edmund's understated profession was hardly unnoticeable, as the man had grown quite used to reading expressions over the course of his training.

She had seen through him. She would be more useful than anticipated.

The subsequent departure of her amused visage, coupled with her sudden desire to avert her gaze from his own, informed Edmund that she did not think that their positions were mutually valuable, though it was difficult to tell whether it was his or hers that seemed lacking. Most likely it was her own, as her understanding of Edmund's greater than implied responsibility ruled out the alternative possibility. Well, that was something he would have to clarify forthwith, else she would be rendered a fruitless venture.

Just as he moved to continue speaking, Kaitanu returned with what was requested, also leading in behind him the other house slaves assigned to wait on the two dynasts this afternoon. Once again, Edmund was impressed with Kaitanu's performance and haste, though currently he had no right to be surprised anymore. Since Kaitanu's purchase he had proved himself a valuable, able and loyal slave for Edmund to own, something immensely pleasing considering the substantial discount he had been bought at. The dynast was beginning to suspect that he may have been a slave previously, though had neglected to ask as of yet. Perhaps someday.

Then Si'Kara proceeded to converse with Kaitanu rather than pose any questions to Edmund, who had invited her to the manor and arranged for a rather fine luncheon.

Edmund took no offense, sipping his wine while they exchanged words so as not to appear as blatantly rude as Si'Kara, chancing only a nod of permission to Kaitanu. Talking to a slave in the presence of a master was not unheard of, clearly. Rather, it was the manner in which she spoke and held herself while talking to him that threw Edmund off slightly. It was a genuine discussion, or at least the inkling smidgen of one, with the slave's name inquired as if she cared.

The Morealis had to keep this woman's slave upbringing closer in mind for future reference, as her behaviors and values would be much different than the standard fare among the ruling class. Fortunately, Edmund was more open-minded to the opinions others held, and his disapproval stemmed entirely from the fact that such behavior would be taken more grievously among other dynasts. It would not do in the slightest for her to become an outcast within the political arena - at least, any more than any other Zulaca. Did the entire Dynasty act in this manner? If so, it was of little surprise that the others found them so distasteful. Edmund's inexperience with this particular family name was beginning to open deficiencies in his original plan, and it was a necessity that he manage to compensate for the new revelations.

Little more could be expected of them though, for they were, after all, slaves elevated to the position rather than born into it. Though they shared the swamp, the dynastic predators that were born that way were far more at home commanding their power than the former slaves were theirs. Perhaps some managed to adapt to their new dominance adequately, Edmund did not know. They certainly had disadvantages to overcome.

Kaitanu answered well, and Edmund made a mental note to commend him for it as the next round of dishes were brought out. The smell was tempting to the Morealis, whose living body still sense flavor, but it was trivial in the face of the opportunity which sat across the table from him.

"You may call me whichever you prefer," Edmund replied, his smile never wavering. It pleased him that she had asked, though he truly was indifferent. "Names are but labels, after all."

Thus was reached the crux of the matter. Here was a time to be forthcoming, otherwise Edmund would never attain what he was seeking. At the very least she was apprehensive of her own position and limitations. "Which is precisely why your position will benefit me. If you were of any other Dynasty, you would not have received an invitation to today's luncheon. Likewise, if your practice was with the living rather than the dead, you would also not be here. It would be an immense lapse in judgement for me to ask someone who knows what I know for help. There is nothing to be gained in doing so."

He set his glass on the table. "It may or may not be to your curiosity that I have never in my lifetime ordained to visit Godstouch. I know very few who have, and the reason for that is simple: the Zulaca are disturbingly different in a vast number of ways. From their race to their habits to their behaviors, they are different in ways that would usually unify the majority of the Dynasties. Not least of which being that they are, in fact, dead. Just as there is much for me to tell you about the political scene in Kenash, there is much that you can tell me about the Zulaca specifically."

Then, with a radiant smile, he gestured to the food. "For now, let us eat," Edmund said, lifting his tableware in preparation of the meal. "There will be time for us to discuss such matters afterwards."