Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Panis zi’Ulthlis]

"This is just a 'getting to know you' meeting. See if you have any questions, get a feel for your policies and character and generally try to ensure you have as easy a transition as possible. It's an informal thing, just a tradition I started since my taking the Lord Hand position." Rising to his feet, Panis heads over to the side board to pour himself a glass of pale amber fluid.

[GamesMaster]

The Lord Hand. Wants to get to know me. Great, because that puts me at ease. He smiles, aggressively polite. "Well, my name is Adonis Naodi. My father is Keeper of the Traditions, and until the day before yesterday, I assumed I would be the same."

[Panis zi’Ulthlis]

That gets a soft chuckle. "Life can be surprising, yes. My, the current Keeper is Cadmus, correct? Dev's boy?  I wonder if he ever learned how to pick a ten tumbler in ten? He was still learning when Dev was made Keeper and I Light. Alas duty is a demanding burden and we lost touch."

[GamesMaster]

Adonis bristles slightly at the familiar term, but he eases off as it becomes apparent that the Lord Hand did, apparently, know his grandparent. "What were you doing in Coalside?" He asks politely. "Surely someone of your stature had more productive diversions?"

[Panis zi’Ulthlis]

"Stealing. Well, learning how anyway." He grins broadly. "People seem to prefer to forget but I was born in Coalside. The nicer half perhaps, but that didn't mean much back then."

[GamesMaster]

"What, you?" He blurts, though he reigns in his tone at least. "Coalside must have changed." Don't be a fool, he chides himself .it was always different for skins 

[Panis zi’Ulthlis]

"No as much as I would like," Panis replies, coming back to his seat. "I am pleased with the wards and very pleased with Captain Vallen's work but there's still much to be done. I must admit I am hopeful that you will be a part of that."

[GamesMaster]

Ah. Here's the thrust of it. He smiles. "I'm always happy to help my birthplace." Let's see what he wants.

[Panis zi’Ulthlis]

"Commendable. Not everyone remembers from whence they came." Panis leans in a little. "I am not expecting details, you've had precious little time to consider since your appointment but what kinds of projects would be accepted, needed and feasible for the wall side of Coalside?" That being the poorer half, furthest from the other districts.

[GamesMaster]

"The catfolk could use better housing," he says, then freezes, his tendency to speak earnestly, even flippantly, to Beth backfiring. 

[Panis zi’Ulthlis]

"I imagine most in that area do," he agrees. "No reason not to start in Cattown and work outward."

[GamesMaster]

"We'll just-- no, my apologies. You are correct, of course, your Lordship."

[Panis zi’Ulthlis]

"No, go on," Panis encourages him.

[GamesMaster]

"It's just... When the Baker building was renovated, the catfolk were... Relocated. Now it's a mostly human building. We need to own the buildings or we will be forced out."

[Panis zi’Ulthlis]

Panis's eyes narrow. "Did they now?" he asks in a soft voice. "If you could leave the address with my assistant when you leave, I'd like to follow up on that."  He pauses a moment, then resumes the previous topic. "City funds can't be used to gift private citizens, but you could use your own. Carefully, I would suggest. And city funds could be used to improve the infrastructure- streets, sewers and water lines of course but perhaps also schools and clincs?"