|  Author | Topic: Noli Me Tangere (Read 129 times) |
Lord Dante
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|  | Noli Me Tangere
« Thread Started on Jun 24, 2007, 1:51pm » | ![[Quote]](http://img03.picoodle.com/img/img03/8/4/28/dylaness/f_quotem_6820ece.gif) |
On the last of the month Zenata, Sayidi Dante Barthanes Hornen, popularly known as the Lord Barthanes, gave a dinner. Inspite of the fact that, contrary to his usual custom, he had made the announcement only that afternoon, it was already the sole topic of conversation in the central Hornen district. This could be because Lord Barthanes was considered to be one of the most hospitable of men. It was also well known that his house shut its doors against nothing except commerce and all new or bold ideas.
Like an electric shock, the announcement ran through the world of parasites, bores, and freeloaders - the sort of people that multiply so profusely in Hornen land. Some looked at once for shoe polish, others for buttons and cravats, but all were especially concerned about how to greet the master of the house in the most familiar tone, in order to create an atmosphere of ancient friendship or, perhaps, to excuse a late arrival.
Lord Barthanes's house is a rather large building, in the style of many in the country, and fronts the arm of the Kervai, which is known to some as the Kagayhaan River, and which plays the varied roles of bath, sewer, laundry, fishery, means of transportation and communication, and even drinking water for the truly desperate.
The house is somewhat low and not exactly correct in all its lines: whether the architect who built it was afflicted with poor eyesight or whether the earthquakes and typhoons have twisted it out of shape, no one can say with certainty. Up the stairs, there is a spacious hallway which ostentatiously affords a place for an orchestra. In the dining hall, there sits a large table at the center. It is profusely and expensively decorated and seems to offer sweet promises to the free-loaders, while it threatens the bashful maiden with two mortal hours in the company of strangers whose language and conversation usually have a very restricted and formal tone.
On the walls are paintings representing religious matters of the planet Earth (of which the host seems to have a weird fanaticism for). They exhibit themes such as "Purgatory", "Hell", "The Last Judgment", "The Death of the Just", and "The Death of the Sinner."
Looking at these pictures, which excite the appetite and inspire gay bucolic ideas, one might conclude that the malicious host is well acquainted with the characters of the majority of those who are to sit at his table. Perhaps, in order to conceal his own way of thinking, he has hung from the ceiling: costly lanterns; birdcages without birds; red, green, and blue globes of frosted glass; faded air plants, and dried and inflated fish.
In another hall, amongst massive mirrors and gleaming chandeliers, the guests are assembled. Here, on a raised platform, stands a grand piano of great price, which tonight has the additional virtue of not being played upon. Hanging on the wall is an oil-painting of a handsome man in full dress, rigid, erect, and with a back as straight as the cane he holds in his stiff, ring-covered fingers - the whole seeming to say, "Ahem! See how well dressed and how dignified I am!" The furnishings of the room are elegant and, at the same time, uncomfortable and unhealthy. The master of the house does not consider so much the comfort and health of his guests as his own ostentation.
A terrible thing is dysentery, the Lord would say to his guests, but you are sitting in Saacese chairs, and that is something you don't find every day.
This room is almost filled with people, the men being separated from the women as was practised in the old times when a Hornen sat on the throne. The women consist of a number of Saacese, Asimovian, and Hornen maidens, who, when they open their mouths to yawn, instantly cover them with their fans. They murmur only a few words to each other - any conversation that was ventured upon died out in monosyllables like the sounds heard in a house at night, sounds made by lizards and mice.
A cousin of Lord Barthanes, a sweet-faced old woman, is the only one receiving the ladies. She offers the Hornen ladies a glass of champagne and extends her hand to the Asimovians to be kissed. This is the sum of her courtesy.
Soon enough, the poor old lady became bored. She took advantage of the noise of a plate breaking and rushed away, muttering, Krist! Just wait you incompetents! She failed to reappear after that.
The men, for their part, are making more of a stir. Some Reprian cadets in one corner are conversing in a lively manner but in low tones. They look around now and then to point out different persons in the room while they laugh, more or less, openly amongst themselves. Two foreigners dressed in white are promenading silently from one end of the room to the other with their hands crossed behind their backs, like the bored passengers on the deck of a ship. But the most interest and the greatest animation came from a group composed of two Harethist priests, two civilians, and a Reprian lieutenant who are seated around a small table on which are seen bottles of wine and biscuits.
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So the great affair is over but whoever would have guessed
it would leave us all so vacant and so deeply unimpressed
It's like our visit to the moon or to that other star
I guess you go for nothing if you really want to go that far. |
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Ziare Su
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| | Re: Noli Me Tangere
« Reply #1 on Jun 24, 2007, 6:49pm » | |
One of the benefits of arriving fashionably late is that one is given less time for putting up with the tedious nonsense that is called etiquette. Of course, Ziare Su is well versed in the demands of proper society. Still, that does not mean that she enjoys it.
The luxury of being frank was the one thing that she envied of the lower classes.
Nevertheless, Ziare Su is known for turning lip service into an art. It is due to this that she has few genuine friends, if any. But who needs friends , when you can have power? Ambitious minds have the tendency to step on the rest of the world's toes often.
Upon her arrival (and to her dismay) a reprian lieutenant had stepped on the train of her gown.
Haven't you any eyes? she demanded.
Yes, my lady. Two better than yours. But the fact is that I was admiring your frizzes. Was the reply of the rather ungallant soldier as he moved away from her.
Ziare smiled. That boy will be on his knees and bowing in front of her later. She had ways of guaranteeing it.
She turned her nose up with disdain at the obvious separation of the two sexes that was going on inside the room. Ignoring the imaginary line of demarcation, she went towards the group of men that were engaged in debate.
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You are swearing now that some day you will destroy me. Remember: far better women than you have sworn to do the same. Go and look for them now. |
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titus
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| | Re: Noli Me Tangere
« Reply #2 on Jun 25, 2007, 8:27am » | |
One of the priests, a Harethist, talks much and gesticulates plenty. He is dressed in the official robes of his rank and he carries these clothes with a sort of absurd pride. Like a Roman noble walking haughtily amongst the commoners. He is comical in appearance, a fat blob of a man but when he sets his eyes on you he can bestow a rather disquieting gaze.
Titus Dane is not as mysterious as he attempts to be. He is full of merriment. He has a rough tone in his voice, one that implies that he is a man who has never had occasion to correct himself and who believes that whatever he says is holy. Still, his frank and merry laugh wipes out this disagreeable impression. It even wipes out the fact that he comes in the room with bare feet.
He was talking to one of the civilians, a young man who is unsuccessfully trying to get a word into the conversation.
You'll see, Titus was saying, when you've been here a few months you'll be convinced of what I say.
But-
I, for example, continued the Harethist, raising his voice higher to prevent the other from speaking, I, for example, who can look back over twenty-three years of stay here. I know of what I speak. Do not come at me with theories and fine speech, I know these masses.
But-
But I stayed in the city center and it has been only a few months since I left it. He sighed.
Twenty years, no one can deny, are more than sufficient to get acquainted with a district. That certain area had a population of six thousand souls and I knew every inhabitant as well as if I had been his mother and wet-nurse. I knew who had a lame foot, who was courting which woman, who was the real father of a child... Our host, Barthanes, will tell you I am speaking the truth. You will see what the andin1 is. When I left I was escorted by only a few old women and some of the tertiary brethren. That, after I had been there twenty years!
But I don't see what that has to do with the abolition of Maltahil, the youth was finally able to interject.
Titus Dane was so greatly surprised that he almost dropped his glass. For a few moments he stood there staring fixedly at the young man.
What? he was finally able to exclaim with the tone of great wonderment in his voice, How can you not see it? Don't you see, my son, that all this proves plainly that whatever reforms they make will be to no avail?
It was the youth's turn to look perplexed. Is that so?
Yes! It is true. The andin is ignorant and indolent.
The youth glanced about nervously. Sir, he whispered, I believe that we are in the presence of andins here. Those young ladies...
Pfft, don't be so apprehensive! Those women do not consider themselves andins anyway. The empire is going to ruin. It is lost! he struck the table with force.
The other man who had been with them this whole time murmured into the ear of the youth. He's in bad humor because you haven't treated him with deference.
Fortunately for the other man, Titus Dane had not heard his conclusive remark. His attention was caught by someone else. A woman, a very seductive woman, walking towards them.
1 A person not of pure Asimovian descent.
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Ziare Su
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| | Re: Noli Me Tangere
« Reply #3 on Jun 27, 2007, 2:44pm » | |
Ziare had overheard the last part of the conversation. Who wouldn't? The men were talking loud enough for the whole Asimov to hear, especially the melodramatic harethist with the illogical arguments. She concluded that it was because he was sore at the lack of celebration of his position.
The youth and his innocence in dealing with boorish harethists had aggravated the blob (She will call him the blob every now and then for convenience. Ziare so loved to label people). The debate had now fallen into uncomfortable silence.
Men. They are always good for a laugh.
Ziare had no fan to hide her contemptuous smile behind nor did she need one. She found it tedious that women are required to hide behind such accessories. She kept that smile on her face as she reached out her hand towards the men.
Good evening, good sirs. The expression on her face screamed out the irony. I couldn't help but overhear your rather stimulating conversation. Allow me to say that I agree with you. The empire indeed is going to ruin. The structure that once made it great is crumbling. And the andins! She shook her head in dramatic disgust, The andins are allowed to run amuck. They claim rights that they do not deserve.
She eyed the blob as she spoke. The fat harethist was most likely a fat source of information although it would probably be information twisted to suit him. That didn't trouble her at all, Ziare Su was good at deciphering altered data.
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You are swearing now that some day you will destroy me. Remember: far better women than you have sworn to do the same. Go and look for them now. |
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Lord Dante
The Kaisers
Sayidi
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Posts: 50
| | Re: Noli Me Tangere
« Reply #4 on Jul 11, 2007, 10:38am » | |
Unbeknownst to the ridiculous (for ridiculous was what he thought of them all) guests that were seemingly stretching the limits of their passive-agressive social tactics, the party had already started.
Had they taken a right from the stairs, then a left down a very long corridor, they would have reached an elevator. This elevator would transport its passengers several feet below the house to the basement. Its doors opened to a dark area heavily decorated in variant shades of red. Somehow, it was reminiscent of the paintings that hung in the dining room - the ones of Earth's purgatory, hell, and The Last Judgment.
The guests here wore costumes. Apparently a costume was required if one wanted to join this fray. Masks covered each person's face, each one different from the other, yet somehow making them all look the same. Much like how a whole field of grass would seem.
One of these costumes stood out from the rest. It was that of a man in red. He had horns on his head. When asked what his costume was, he would reply, I am Lucifer.
Who is that? the ignorant guest would ask.
On the planet Earth, he is that which symbolizes evil.
Ooo. the guest would shudder. Lucifer would merely smirk.
The guest would rejoin the pit filled with bodies gyrating to the music - music that consisted of a constant beat with the whooshes and the whizzes of some sound that reminded one of speeder races and factories.
A small, bald, uncostumed man hurried within the crowd. One would wonder why an uncostumed man was allowed access to this floor. The answer was that this man is Posca, Barthanes' loyal servant. A worried expression served as Posca's mask as he weaved in and out amongst the people, looking for his master.
Posca entered the bathroom and found Lucifer inside. Apparently, the embodiment of evil was attempting to drown himself in a sink full of water. Posca tapped Lucifer's shoulder. It took a few seconds more before Lucifer relented and removed himself from what would have been his small watery grave.
Water dripped down from Dante's face, making dark red spots on his already red clothing. His devil mask had been thrown aside. It grinned up at the two of them, master and servant, who were staring each other down.
What now, Posca? Dante Barthanes growled.
Master, shouldn't we go up to the dinner? The guests are getting restless. They are looking for their host.
Dante blew his lips, spraying water into Posca's startled face. Screw them all, let them wait. The party's for Vladius anyway. Has he arrived yet?
Posca shook his head. No.
Dante patted the small man's shoulder. Then you're talking to the wrong Hornen lord, Posca. Why don't you go look for Vladius, neh? He's late for his own party. It's poor behavior for the new Sayyid Rais.
Posca bowed and exited the room. Dante returned to the sink.
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So the great affair is over but whoever would have guessed
it would leave us all so vacant and so deeply unimpressed
It's like our visit to the moon or to that other star
I guess you go for nothing if you really want to go that far. |
|
Ziare Su
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Gender: Female
Posts: 48
| | Re: Noli Me Tangere
« Reply #5 on Jul 16, 2007, 3:25pm » | |
The blob was clearly dumbstruck. Ziare's eyebrow gave him a dose of contempt. He probably wasn't used to being approached by a woman who spoke her mind. Judging from his physique, he probably wasn't used to anything much either.
Tossing her hair in impatience, Ziare managed to catch sight of a short, bald man rushing across the hall. She recognized him as Dante's manservant Posca.
Posca! She called out to the serf. Come here.
Posca gave her a wide-eyed look of worry. Ziare gave a pfft of impatience, glared at him and gestured that he come near. After a moment's hesitation, Posca obliged.
Where is Barthanes? Ziare whispered to him.
Please, mistress. The Lord Barthanes is at a private party at the basement. He has sent me to look for the Lord Vladius.
Vladius? So is that what this dinner was about?
Ziare played with her lip. Posca, you will take me to Barthanes now. I wish to speak to him.
But mi... Ziare cut him off. No buts. Posca, you know how welcome I am in this household. Your master will not protest my presence. What will he say when he finds out that you haven't been accommodating his dear friend Ziare Su, hmm?
She watched the servant wipe a drop of sweat from his brow. Ziare laughed inwardly. These people did not have the brain capacity to make decisions.
Very well, Lady Su. I will take you to the master. Follow me. Posca's shiny little head bowed as he led the way.
Ziare did not say farewell to the unaccommodating group of male chauvinists. She merely walked away and followed the little man.
A few seconds later, Ziare found herself facing a closed door. Posca rubbed his hands together. My lord. He said to the door. The Lady Ziare is here. She wishes to speak to you.
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You are swearing now that some day you will destroy me. Remember: far better women than you have sworn to do the same. Go and look for them now. |
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Lord Dante
The Kaisers
Sayidi
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Gender: Male
Posts: 50
| | Re: Noli Me Tangere
« Reply #6 on Jul 16, 2007, 4:04pm » | |
Ziare Su once again. She was worse than a ghost. She was haunting him for her own enjoyment. A dangerous woman. A relentless, dangerous, annoyingly smart-ass woman.
Vladius should have had her assassinated.
Dante left his devil mask on the sink, he left his hair as it was - dripping wet - as he turned the door knob and stepped outside.
What do you want, Ziare? He didn't wait for her answer. He continued walking down the corridor towards another room. This one didn't have a sink in it. It had a table, though.
On the smooth, glasslike surface of the table lay several lines of a white, powdery substance. Dante picked up a tiny tube, held it to his nostril, and snorted a line into his nose. He felt the powder burn his nasal membranes and tears welled up in his eyes. Rubbing the bridge of his nose, Dante blinked once, then twice, then opened his eyes properly to see if Ziare had followed him.
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So the great affair is over but whoever would have guessed
it would leave us all so vacant and so deeply unimpressed
It's like our visit to the moon or to that other star
I guess you go for nothing if you really want to go that far. |
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Ziare Su
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Gender: Female
Posts: 48
| | Re: Noli Me Tangere
« Reply #7 on Jul 17, 2007, 1:06pm » | |
Well, well. Rubber mallet once more. Ziare's mouth curled in disgust at the sight before her.
She nodded at Posca to dismiss him. The small man scampered away as she walked slowly towards the...cough...Hammer. The supposed Hammer in his sordid state.
Ziare supposed she was partly to blame for this. Oh alright, she was mostly to blame. She had implied to Dante that Tash was his weakness. This had led the fool to decide to cut the woman away from his life for good. Then, of course, it led him to this. A drug-addled, pathetic excuse for a human being.
No contest at all for Vladius.
Vladius was now to assume Wenceslaus's position. Ziare smiled at how things were going according to her plans.
She sat down on the table, facing Dante as she did. She observed him, his dripping hair and the powder that remained just outside his nostril. Crazy little freak. Freak. What were you thinking, thinking you were going to marry that ridiculous girl? That ridiculous little bouncy girl?
She leaned forward and put her mouth close to his ear. She's with Vladius now, you know. Well actually, she didn't know. Nevertheless, she enjoyed seeing Dante squirm.
Squirm some more, Dante the worm.
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You are swearing now that some day you will destroy me. Remember: far better women than you have sworn to do the same. Go and look for them now. |
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Lord Dante
The Kaisers
Sayidi
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Posts: 50
| | Re: Noli Me Tangere
« Reply #8 on Jul 18, 2007, 10:59pm » | |
You do not talk about her like that. You don't know her, you have no right to talk about her like that, His hand shot up in a flash and closed around the woman's neck. He kept it there, then tightened his grip. He watched his thumb indent itself into her skin.
You're not even worthy of speaking her name, Ziare. You better just shut your mouth. Something in the back of his mind reminded him that the two of them had been in this situation before. Does Ziare do this on purpose? But of course, she always has a purpose.
However, Dante was not in the condition to think properly. Fire shot from his eyes now. At that moment, he looked more like the devil than his mask did.
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So the great affair is over but whoever would have guessed
it would leave us all so vacant and so deeply unimpressed
It's like our visit to the moon or to that other star
I guess you go for nothing if you really want to go that far. |
|
Ziare Su
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Joined: Mar 2007
Gender: Female
Posts: 48
| | Re: Noli Me Tangere
« Reply #9 on Jul 21, 2007, 9:04pm » | |
She matched his eyes with her own. Cut the bullshit, Dante. We both know that you can't kill me. His hand was still gripping her throat but she wasn't the least bit nonplussed. Stop threatening me with these tedious choke holds. You think you'd get less boring when you're acting all manly and physical?
Ziare merely stood and allowed the man in front of her to keep his hand where it was. She did nothing to stop him. All she did was give him a contemptuous smile from her luscious lips. No man had a chance against her weapons and Dante was just a man.
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You are swearing now that some day you will destroy me. Remember: far better women than you have sworn to do the same. Go and look for them now. |
|
Lord Dante
The Kaisers
Sayidi
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Joined: Apr 2007
Gender: Male
Posts: 50
| | Re: Noli Me Tangere
« Reply #10 on Jul 25, 2007, 9:14am » | |
He loosened his hold on her neck.
But this was only so he could transfer his hand to her jaw, his fingers clawing in on both sides of her cheek. The effect made her look like a fish, 'though Dante knew Ziare was anything but comical. Nevertheless he gave her a cold smile.
You don't scare me either, Su. You think you can come here and insult me into your plots. You thought wrong. You think you know me. Well I know you just as well. He ran his index finger over her lip almost affectionately, although the look in his eyes suggested just the opposite. You are not going to win, Ziare Su.
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So the great affair is over but whoever would have guessed
it would leave us all so vacant and so deeply unimpressed
It's like our visit to the moon or to that other star
I guess you go for nothing if you really want to go that far. |
|
Ziare Su
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member is offline
Joined: Mar 2007
Gender: Female
Posts: 48
| | Re: Noli Me Tangere
« Reply #11 on Aug 8, 2007, 10:55am » | |
Enough. She had allowed him to bring on his machismo far too long. It was inflating his drug-addled paperbag of a brain.
She placed her hand on his wrist and pulled him off her. Neither are you, Dante, with the way you are carrying on. The world as you know it, will be falling apart. And I will remain standing, laughing at you.
She pushed him aside and, with a sweep of her hand, brushed off the white powder from the table.
sorry it's short, i'm sleepy and you're forcing me to post. 
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You are swearing now that some day you will destroy me. Remember: far better women than you have sworn to do the same. Go and look for them now. |
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