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Post by Dungeon Master on Dec 19, 2018 4:14:30 GMT -8
Rabbit’s eyes never stop scanning the room, but there is a surprised jerk to her face when Key mentions marriage.
Kalil's eyes get larger, he is obviously impressed and/or intimidated by the Empress. "Empress, I am sure that would be a beneficial arrangement, we would strive to find you someone who is worthy or at least out of my people as worthy as possible, but that is something we can work out.” He obviously does not believe she would marry him due to his social station.
"Our people are not as united as the elven kingdoms though, and we thought to start out with trade and a possible small alliance to see if we are compatible to working with you."
He looks up at Keyleth, "Our people live in various tribes, and clans, with both tribes and clans interwoven. It is a complicated situation, one that other elves from this part of the world have never bothered to learn or understand. I think that is why they have always found it easier to invade than negotiate. We are very rarely united ourselves as a people, and I can't see our people swearing fealty to a single ruler, although to be honest some of our blood ties makes us as close as that intertribal wise as people sworn to you. Has anyone ever taught you about our people?"
KALIL
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Post by Keyleth on Dec 19, 2018 6:11:46 GMT -8
Key puts her quill down and motions to a serving girl to bring water. She sits forward in her chair ready to take in the information Kalil is about to impart.
“Im glad I clarified that. Im sorry to say that my education was remiss when it comes to your people. I know that your culture is centered around the magnificent horses you breed. Also that you are tribal and are governed by a council. I would love to learn more.” She pauses to take a drink of water.
“As far as trade goes Im still in the process of bringing my empire together so we may have to wait on that. If there is something that your in need of you should say so and I think we may be able to work something out. Maybe in trade for your beautiful horses? A treaty we can definitely discuss.”
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Post by Dungeon Master on Dec 19, 2018 6:26:11 GMT -8
Rabbit makes no movement except to take a drink while the two talk.
Kalil seems to relax some, a worried smile becomes a real one. "Empress, our culture is quite complex and I am happy to teach it to you in my limited capacity. As for the negotiations, right now we need a port on this side of the sea that we can establish ourselves and be safe. Kokand is bought out by other merchant cartels that won't share and what they do share is both too expensive and not safe, we can't use Arborlon's ports without having to engage with politics that I am not qualified to enter and our people are unsure of doing to begin with. We know however you have declared yourself not part of the old squabbles, you and your group were well respected after your trip to our land and we are told you do have a port you personally own.”
KALIL
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Post by Keyleth on Dec 19, 2018 6:50:58 GMT -8
She nods and leans back in her chair taking another sip of water.
“We do have a port of our own and I would be more than happy to negotiate term for its use. Why don’t you tell me the terms your looking for, then I will do the same and we can meet in the middle.” Her eyes dart around the room as if looking for someone then come back and rest on Kalil.
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Post by Dungeon Master on Dec 19, 2018 6:59:32 GMT -8
Rabbit remains silent, drinking quietly in the corner.
Kalil's eyes follow Key's gaze and back. "We were hoping to negotiate use of the port, and housing facilities there at the port for crews and guards. We would give you a straight percentage of everything we trade and you can take it in money or in-kind trade. At your facility we request that we are allowed to live by our rules, we realize that in the city proper that is not possible, but in your port it is not unheard of that such things are allowed.”
Kalil looks back around the tent, "Were you waiting for someone Empress? Should I talk with you about this later?"
KALIL
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Post by Keyleth on Dec 19, 2018 7:15:24 GMT -8
Key smiles.
“No, Im sorry I didn’t mean to appear rude.” She pauses for a moment struggling with what to say. Finally she lets out a breath and leans forward so she can speak more quietly.
“I have to be honest, Ive little experience negotiating like this. I was looking around for my brother, I was hoping he could lend me his experience.” She leans back in her chair and as she does so she calls up a bit of her regal bearing.
“As Ive stated before I know little of your culture and laws so as long as they dont conflict with my major tenents then that seems reasonable. I will need you to either teach me or provide me with a written copy of said laws. As far as the percentage, 20% of each shipment in either coin or goods to be determined upon each ships arrival in port.” She raises an eyebrow in challenge but a smike still graces her lips.
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Post by Dungeon Master on Dec 19, 2018 11:39:31 GMT -8
Rabbit is now more interested in the conversation, she is curious how her sister negotiates.
Kalil's eyes grow huge as he loudly yells. "Why don't you take my first born while you are at it?!.” He exclaims loudly as if he was insulted, "The Empress thinks I must be new and surely she is just jesting with me, 5% is what I offer, and that is a more than generous offer. I am sure she doesn't intend for my people to starve, or work for free."
Kalil's face is indignant as if Key had accused him of something horrible or shameful.
KALIL
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Post by Keyleth on Dec 19, 2018 11:54:15 GMT -8
Key takes another long drink waiting for the man in front on her to gain some composure. She straightens her back even more and the aura of the empress that was on the fringes of her dementor come rushing in and take over her features. She sets her wayer cup down gently and leans forward again, looking him straight in the eye.
“Remember who you are speaking to. Your not negotiating with one of yoir brotheren, I would take it as a curtousy if you would not raise your voice again.” She leans back and most of the harshness leaves her features.
“If 20 percent is to steep then how is 15? I have an Empire to run as well. Remember you’ll also be getting lodging and protection with the bargain. I assume your not objecting to the fact that we will decide how we take payment when the ship arrives?”
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Post by Dungeon Master on Dec 19, 2018 12:57:34 GMT -8
Multiple things occur at the same time as Key says her words. The room had become interested in the desert's elf words, and then went stock still with Key's words back to him. Rabbit's head momentarily seems to lower as if she heard something bad before it comes back up watching Kalil incredibly carefully, full handmaiden countenance as she sits like death beside Kalil as she waits for him to reply.
A coldness creeps into Kalil's eyes, and his haggling upset features melt away as quickly as it appeared, becoming apparent he wasn't really angry, but they were for effect, a practiced negotiation technique. It also becomes clear as real anger seeps into his eyes, harsher than the sun of the desert of his homeland. His body shivers momentarily as he seems to control his movement.
Kalil's stands up slowly, not making a quick move aware that Rabbit is sitting beside him. Ensuring she knows he is not meaning an attack he keeps his hands away from his sidearm. Anger still flashing in his eyes he begins speaking through clenched teeth as he starts backing away from the table. "No Empress, you forget who you are talking to. You are not my empress and I am a free elf of the Tasm Tribe. I have not bent my knee to you, I will not be chided as if by a parent or told how to behave as if you have authority over me. I do not need to treat you differently then any other free person, and as you are "aljana alghazii" I have done nothing but treat you better then many of my people believe I should."
Kalil's face twitches as he obviously resists the urge to say more, a coolness coming over him he gives her a slight bow, and as he begins to turn around he does say a few more words, "My people are very conscious of being told what to do, and to use it so easily in conversation and to try and enforce the power of your title on another with the first response is something our people had done to them for a long time. That would not be tolerated by most. I would warn you Keyleth of the Broken Forest elves," He seems to be leaving her titles out of her name on purpose, "You have not earned titles from my people, and many would have took direct insult at a forest elf telling us how to behave, especially in a time honored negotiation. We heard that kind of talk and worse from your people for almost two hundred years when your people controlled the desert and attempted to enslave us. Many would not tolerate those words from you without tashih alsharaf ." He stops momentarily to catch his breath as he is half turned around. //aljana alghazii = elven invader - term used by horse masters on the invading elven kingdoms and the people from them. //tashih alsharaf = honor correction - term used by horse masters when one feels insulted and challenges someone to regain the disrespect they were given. KALIL
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Post by Keyleth on Dec 19, 2018 13:10:56 GMT -8
Key takes in Kalil’s body posture. The only thing that moves is her eyes as the move over him absorbing the situation. She doesn’t raise her voice as she speaks.
“Now that we have obviously insulted one another. Would you be so kind as to stay and I’ll explain what it was that offended me and you can do the same so that we don’t end up back here in the future?” She raises any eyebrow in question a stoic expression on her face. She poors a glass of water and pushes it in his direction.
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Post by Dungeon Master on Dec 19, 2018 13:45:55 GMT -8
Kalil remains stock still and a disbelieving smile crosses his face momentarily then disappears as Key mentions they have both been insulted. Keeping his hands in the open and clear of his belt where both his dagger and firearm hang his eyes glance at Rabbit ensuring she isn't moving on him.
"You are mistaken Keyleth ghyr jahil. You were never insulted, to not treat you in such a way during negotiations would have indicated I don't hold respect for you as an equal, capable of giving and taking traditional jibes. By not speaking to you that way would be the insult, to assume you were a child who had thin skin and whom I had to hold your hand and therefore not someone worth entering into an agreement is the true insult. So you are wrong about how the insults lay at each others feat... at least until now."
Kalil's eyes flicker to Rabbit again, determining if she was moving forward or not after using Keyleth's name, "I would also point out the fact that you wish to just say we are even and moving on instead of addressing your insult to me shows that you do not care why something happened. You do not fall far from those like you who invaded us. You are unlike those that have spoken in your stead."
"Perhaps my fault lay in assuming you should be treated like a respected equal. I had assumed after talking to the two others that have spoken to me on your behalf in this camp that you were different. That I could treat you like one of my brethren, so yes I was speaking to a brethren but that was my error. It is becoming evident to me that you cloak yourself in words of being for the people, but the same responses and same lack of interest in taking responsibility for your honor or for respecting ours when it comes to it.
He stops momentarily when he sees Rabbit shift slightly, in a reaction indicating she didn't like where his words were going and waiting for Keyleth to find insult. He closes his mouth, considering his next words. //ghyr jahil = the clueless- term used by horse masters on people who have no idea what they are talking about. //tashih alsharaf = honor correction - term used by horse masters when one feels insulted and challenges someone to regain the disrespect they were given. Kalil
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Post by Keyleth on Dec 19, 2018 14:01:07 GMT -8
Key stands throwing off any vestages of regal bearing and shakes her head.
“I never said we were ‘even’ and I also never said that I wanted to sweep under the rug any insult that I obviously gave to you. I right my wrongs. All I was asking you to do is sit down with me and explain where you were coming from in a calm rational manor so that I could do the same. If I showed you any lack of respect unknowing than I apologize. I was clear in the beginning that I knew little of your custom and culture. If you have this little patience in dealing with someone that is ignorant of your ways then you may find that you are angry more often then you would like to be. I may not now or ever be Empress to your people but I will always expect to be treated with respect if you expect the same in kind.” Her body language is full of sadness and frustration, she heaves out a sigh and sits again resigned to whatever action Kalil decides to take.
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Post by Dungeon Master on Dec 19, 2018 14:16:27 GMT -8
Kalil sighs at Key's words.
"You give with one hand, then taketh away with the other. You finally drop your acting like royalty and apologize and I am hoping maybe we can continue to talk, only to turn around and lecture me on why people might not get along with me because of how I talk, as if I wasn't an adult and fully aware of how social interactions work. I am more aware of your customs then you are of ours, but through your words I had truly hoped you didn't act like an Empress, one that expects people to cater to what she believes is proper, but that is on me. Maybe we will talk later, I have obligation now and I will need to go discharge that obligation."
As he turns to leave he looks at Rabbit, "Maybe you can explain to your mistress the point she is missing. Even as aggressive as your people can be, they have shown more understanding of our culture and act less like lords during negotiation."
He steps out of the tent, several elves dodging quickly to not interfere...
Rabbit sits watching him like she was a stone statue as he leaves the tent, she then relaxes slightly and takes a drink.
Kalil
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Post by Keyleth on Dec 19, 2018 14:25:28 GMT -8
Key watches him leave then looks to Rabbit.
“So here’s how Im feeling about that. I can’t say one thing out of place without him flying off the handle, but he gets to insult me without repercussions and storm out.” She throws her hands in the air in frustration and pulls her project back in front of herself and begins working to help vent the frustration.
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Post by Dungeon Master on Dec 19, 2018 14:40:34 GMT -8
Rabbit looks unsure how to respond, or how to explain to her sister when she looks up and stops, immediately she gets up and steps away from the table, the same as Key has noticed other servants, Key also realizes it gives her an easier access to defend her sister.
A beautiful elven young man walks up to the table, the elf has a mace hanging at his hip, inscribed with several runes of power. It also has tassels indicating his position as heir to House Bognaer, a closely allied and trusted house of Elenren. He ignores Rabbit's movement but does shift his position in a normal position that would provide him better defense, he seems quite aware of the drow unlike the other two elven nobles with Evindal.
"Keyleth Surana? Would you mind if we joined you. We saw the interaction with the desert elf and we were hoping to see how you were doing, and maybe to get to know you better. We haven't yet met the newly found Surana heir and we would love to spend some time with you."
With that he gives her a small bow, and a bright smile.
Evindal Bognaer
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