(1108) Ricardo and Martha

[Martha Villiers]

Martha looked up to see the intimidating Ricardo make his way over. Studying him closely to gauge his intent and motives. She leaned harder on her cane and smiled. Nodding at his polite request and trying to make sense of the geography of his accent. "Of course, sir! Do follow me, please!" she beckons to Ricardo to follow with a cheery hand gesture as she hobbles back into the meeting chamber. Her leg dragging badly as she blinks and makes her way back into the chamber.

The chamber is small and laid out for meetings. A table. Lots of sensible chairs. A flip chart board in one corner. A fire extinguisher close at hand. Martha smiles and, with a happy gesture and sweep of her simple cane, points to the table, as if inviting Ricardo to sit. "I do hope you come in peace, sir! Or...do you prefer senor? Have you travelled far this evening, sir? Do you have anywhere to stay?" she asks, clearly trying to be polite and friendly.

At this distance Ricardo might detect from her a strong aroma of minty toothpaste and lavender. Her clothes are neat, her leg stays stiff from hip to ankle.

[Martha Villiers]

Martha had tried to pick up Spanish. It seemed the right thing to do in this part of the United States. Trying to follow his words she was glad he broke into English and nodded happily to hear of his ancestry. "Thank you, Senor Reyes...I should like that very much!" eyes wide she watched him sit. Her words seem sincere and eager. Watching also his powerful body and hands. Attentive to what he is doing and where he looks. She joined him at the table, resting her cane at her side as she eased herself onto a seat.

[Martha Villiers]

Martha bashfully notes his glance to her leg: which does not seem to conceal any obvious weapon. Her limp might be a side effect of an injury of some type or congential defect. Her cane appears, at first glance, to be a standard issue cane. The sort purchased for a few dollars at any medical supplies retailer. She smiled and listened attentively to the recited lineage. Eyes widen. Impressed at the mention of Moctezuma. "My family?" she asks, happily perplexed at this sudden query and giggled happily, "You are bold for asking, senor! My lineage is not as impressive as sharing any blood with the famous Moctezuma! My family would be tedious to repeat. Though my lineage is littered with Royal Dukes and others of rank and office. Some were heroes, some were out and out rogues!" a happy laugh, "I am interested, though senor, very interested in your homeland! Do you know much of the religions and ceremonies of the ancient peoples of Meso-America, senor? I am also interested in your plans for staying in the Domain of the Alder Prince! Are you travelling through, senor, or wishing to make a more permanent home?" tiny Martha smiled happily, one hand stays on the table, the other goes under the table to rub hard at her crippled hip.

[Martha Villiers]

Martha raised her hands in friendly protest and reassurance. "Offended, senor? Not at all!" a happy smile. "I am not offended. I am facsinated by all aspects of the cultures of the Meso-American zone, senor! When time allows, you shall find me an attentive pupil to anything you wish to share! I shall relish it, in fact!" another happy and sincere smile, her words filled with enthusiasm. "Time is short tonight, however, senor. So, if I may, I daresay we should attend to the business at hand before talking of matters that might otherwise distract! While you were waiting outside, did you have an opportunity to study the Rules and Laws of the Domain?" another smile. Her hands return to their earlier postions and activity. Martha's eyes eagerly watching Ricardo now.

[Martha Villiers]

Smiling cheerfully Martha listened, nodded and fussed with her hat for a second. Thinking about the offer and the other things mentioned in the last few moments. "Goodness, senor! It would be a joy to hear you talk of such things! Truly! I hope, all things remaining equal, to be free later in the week. If you wish to return to this...one of the Elysia, I can usually be found here or on patrol elsewhere!" a smile. "Acknowledgement is founded on the principle of steadfast loyalty to the Praxis of the Alder Prince and to his appointed Officials. You may have seen some of the Officers of Court outside whilst you waited...the Reeve...the Harpy...the Deputies...There are Regents also, sir. If you wish to earn the right to Tenancy and Feeding in wider parts of the Domain beyond the communal Feeding zone, I urge you to seek out the Regants and come to some mutual arrangement and agreement with them regarding that. If that fails to satisfy, please do came back to me, senor! I would not hesitate to come to some mutual compact with you in that regard! Assuming, of course, you wish to cast your loyalty to the Alder Prince!" she smiles and gets out from a pocket of her black riding tunic a worn paper colour printout of a map of Sacramento. It is annotated with the zones of the Regents. Laying the map on the table so Ricardo can see it without any difficulty. There are no names, only colours showing maked out areas. Martha smiles as she shows Ricardo the map. "Here," she gently and carefully taps the map with a slim and delicate finger, "is the communal Feeding zone and the direct area of control of the Alder Prince...the others zones are under the direct control, in the absence of appointed Regents, of the Alder Prince. The Regents act as the direct representative of the Alder Prince. Now, I have no doubt you have many skills and qualities, senor. Your charm, cleverness and great physical power are immediately obvious to me. Aside form the noble Blood in you...I should wish to hear of your assessment of your greatest strength and corresponding weakness...if I may! The Domain is always looking to encourage prosperity and security for those within it. To ensure this, we all work closely and united in our efforts. I therefore place value in the understanding such questions can help provide, you see. I am taking nothing for granted and wish to understand you in more detail, senor...not just what I think I can guess." Martha leaned closer on her chair, as if to study Ricardo more closely. She wanted to get beyond the surface of the worldly and hardened facade. Fearsome he might be, but there were qualities that the Lords wanted: not just a capacity for violence. Another friendly smile is offered. Her hands return to the table and her leg. Leaving the map free. Her smile probably seems genuine. She had talked a while and was now only too happy to listen.