[ silverash's fingers drum across his knee. it seems very much like an unconscious motion, a flicker of thought made movement, though kaveh doesn't know him well enough to gauge if it's performative or otherwise. but he seems to take kaveh's request seriously, which is more than what kaveh can ask for.
kaveh takes a sip of his wine, his eyes glinting. ]
Oh? [ he leans in, because kaveh has always spoken with his body. ] Tell me of them. And do they have any opinions on Lungmen dye-mixing techniques?
[does kaveh have an idea already? they'll just have to see.]
Some have attempted such techniques back in the day-- in fact, many of our techniques have overlap with Lungmen and Yan's styles, and are capable of producing brighter hues, especially when used with plant-based dyes.
Unfortunately, many techniques don't get used nowadays, when neutral colours dominate Kjerag. But many overseas styles don't compare.
Ah, you speak of the textile industry. [ he warms to this with a smile- ] But when I speak of pigment, I mean construction - I mean clay. Lungmen has a rich history of kaolin-based clay mixing that incorporates pigment directly into the casting process. The reds they can produce-
[ ... wait. kaveh closes his mouth. ] That was your opinion - Mister Silverash, you intend on accompanying me yourself? Really?
[enciodes smirks down at kaveh, and raises his wine glass at the liberi.]
You asked for a guard who has an appreciation for art as well-- there's only one person who has knowledge and experience in both in Kjerag, and you are sitting right beside him.
[ the instinct to match silverash, wine-glass to wine-glass, is a reflexive one. kaveh's already lifting his own, even as the radiant mosaic of his face refract into a frown. ]
Take no offense - it is an honour beyond words for you to be my companion in this. But isn't your time and business of the utmost value to your realm? You won't be anywhere near the mainstay of your business if you need to follow me up some mountain to observe the joinery of a temple roof, down into some snow drift to uncover some building's foundation.
[ not pictured: any concern regarding silverash's safety. kaveh has, after all, been briefed. ]
Karlan Trade is a well-oiled machine that knows how to work without me pulling the lever. I could be in hospital for weeks on end, and it will continue operations. [all right, perhaps that's a tad too hyperbolic, but what is enciodes but dramatic? he's allowed to be, especially when his secretary can direct things in his stead.]
Besides, I would argue that this, too, is valuable enough to invest my time into. Kjerag needs better infrastructure, and the best guards must be allotted to you.
After all... [he smirks at kaveh over the rim of his glass.]
Wherever I go, so do my bodyguards. Thus, you have a proper contingent of protectors at hand.
[ well, that's that, kaveh supposes. ultimately, it's a balanceing act. silverash and his appreciation, versus a lowkey solo guard without it. but it's probably a worthwhile trade-off; he will have to see at the first construction site if having an entire contingent would get underfoot, but there is time to argue and make adjustments after collecting facts.
that silverash himself would follow him around and offer thoughts on artistic measures is a whetstone that the scalpel of kaveh's mind could not possibly turn down. it's exciting, is the thing. it makes the prospect of an entire bodyguard train far more palatable. silverash smirks at him from across his wine glass, and, kaveh thinks - oh, archons, i shouldn't be pushing it, but i'm going to push it. this is how i got myself into trouble in the backwards of leithanien that last time, but i'm not going to be able to stop myself.
before his self-preservation can get the better of him, he draws himself up. ]
Then, you had best read up on joinery, Mister Silverash. [ is what kaveh says, and the arrogant glint of his red eyes is a challenge in of itself. ] While all buildings can be repaired, some are built to be repaired, and some are not. The seamless joinery of Kjerag architecture has an interesting catch-22: they were not built to be repaired. The architects, engineers and craftsmen built these buildings to last forever; they were also built to never last. If the buildings stand for two hundred years, those who built them would have already died, and what do the dead care if a building catches a hole? To them, two hundred years is forever, but to us, it's four hundred years overdue.
[ his wine glass hangs from his fingers. kaveh thinks of temple murals, and the beautiful sloped rooves of little chimney-stacked households. his eyes harden as he leans in - ] I will be repairing buildings that weren't built to be repaired. I will not advocate for tearing your buildings down until I've had a proper look at them. If even I can't find a way to have them retain their beauty and value for another five hundred years - then fine, but the very style of traditional Kjerag architecture lies in its reflection of the land's culture. I will need a cultural consultant; that will be you.
I am a Master Architect, and no building will ever stand the test of erosion; but I will build Kjerag until no other nation can afford to look away. You will be hearing my opinions on the matter. Will you be able to handle it?
[already, enciodes is thinking of the books in his personal library that cover architecture and traditional kjerag designs. the paleroches may be known as the most traditional clan, and emphasize culture far more than the other two, but they're not the sole authority on culture and tradition in the country. as progressive as the silverashes are, they too adhere to culture.
usually when it suits them.
he'll have to double-check those books and hand them over to kaveh later, but that is for later.]
Of course. If I could not... I wouldn't have allowed you here. But... [enciodes leans in. he keeps his hands to himself, but if he had both hands free, and they were alone, he would have taken the liberi's chin by now.]
I have spent my years being the most unpopular man in Kjerag, and when you leave, I will still hold that spot. There's nothing you can do to strain or embarrass me.
[ silverash leans in, and kaveh starts. it had not been the expected outcome. there is a village in leithanien that kaveh had better not meander back to within the next three years - and he's vaguely certain that there is a shot on sight designation out for him in ursus, but it ought to be understandable why he's never verified it for himself. it shouldn't be surprising, then, that enciodes silverash would choose to find common ground between them like so. it is what kaveh would have done. but he finds himself laughing helplessly, a bright sunburst of a thing as he considers this.
the most unpopular man in kjerag. that's a way to put it. ]
I hope to never test that assertion. I've been known to make the improbable possible, given time and enough funds. But Mister Silverash, you have earned at least my favour. Let that give you at least one vote in raising your standing around these parts.
Ah, yes, the favour of a Master Architect... [how ironic, enciodes thinks.] Is it not the other way around, when you are in my home, with my permission?
[not like he's actually offended by kaveh's cocksure statements.]
But you should make sure not to truly offend anyone. Not even my clan's name will be able to save you from execution.
Might be a little too late for that. [ but it's a laughing jest regardless. kaveh stretches. the burn of alcohol is pleasantly warm. the third glass was lovely. he might be pushing it with a fourth, however. ] There were a few people who were very eager to express their displeasure with my appearance around these parts the moment I got off the train. They seemed like the religious sort - long winter coats, terrible expressions. Who were they?
Almost everyone here has long winter coats, Master Architect. It's best if you're more specific next time. [especially given what enciodes himself is known to wear around rhodes island when he's not being asked to model the latest in mens' fashions.]
But if any of them were Ursus or Anaty, and draped mostly in old furs, they might have been of the Paleroche clan. They are the most conservative of the three main houses, and the most xenophobic. As you can tell, they're not fond of outsiders, and even less of the Silverash clan.
[is enciodes surprised that they would have the temerity to ambush his guest like this? of course not.]
Best not to utter a word to them. But if you must... insulting the Kjerag faith gives them leave to take your head from your shoulders and no one will be able to refute them, not even me. [only enya can do that but she'd never do it for her big brother.]
[ silverash has surprised him, he thinks. the paleroche clan. kaveh hadn't expected an answer. he has heard of the clan; the debrief had mentioned as such. formal and religious and conservative. the head-lopping is new, though kaveh supposes that in lands locked in ice, there has to be some kind of blood-letting ritual wherever. in the snowfields of sami, at least the priestesses protected you with their lives after they bled you, but only after they ascertained you weren't better off being fed to their demons. it didn't make kaveh feel any better, but having names to put to faces helps, in a way. you knew when to dim yourself so that others will not chase.
you couldn't build a bridge without knowing who wanted it burnt down, after all. ]
You have little to worry about that. The Kjerag faith is real; I've seen it in your sister Cliffheart's eyes. I needn't more proof to believe.
Oh, whether or not you acknowledge the Kjerag faith as real is of no importance to me. [especially when his faith itself may or may not exist, depending on when he needs to fall back to it. if kjeragandr judges him, that's between him and her.
he just doesn't pray, or serve. not with what he had to sacrifice to it in order to preserve the remaining clan members after the deaths of his parents. who he was forced to sacrifice.
enciodes sighs, uncrossing his legs to put the previously lower one above, and sets his empty glass down to lace his fingers together.]
What is important to me... is that you don't do anything that they would consider an insult. Kjerag has a long way to go with tolerating other points of view about religion-- and perhaps we even took a step back, given our religious leader and political leader are one and the same. Execution is considered an acceptable recompense for any negative comments about faith.
[absolute power in a single hand is dangerous. he can only be relieved that such power is enya's.]
[ like the slow scrape of sandpaper, kaveh thinks. it is not always so coarse. at its finest, the grains upon its surface can be measured in micro-milimetres. the human skin can barely feel it at such a size, but it depends on where it is applied, and how. kaveh realises just what had scraped up against him just now with inner precision. it's of no real importance to me, silverash says, and kaveh thinks of the love in cliffheart's eyes as she speaks of her sister. he thinks of the gray-coated men with their leathery, weathered faces. he realises - that in this, the candid admission, the swerve from emotion to tactic, silverash reminds him a little of alhaitham.
drinking suddenly goes from a little inadvisable to extremely inadvisable. the urge to argue back scrapes along the back of his mouth. kaveh swallows it, and then with another mouthful of wine to make it go down smooth. and then, he smiles. ]
Consider me warned. [ with contrition: ] I apologise if my earlier actions at the train station had a trickle-down effect onto your household, Mister Silverash. You have my word that I will take care, in this and in future dealings.
I've spent years making sure that the clan's defenses against my enemies are foolproof. [physically, politically... even geographically. then he pauses-- kaveh seems to care quite a bit about enciodes' sisters, and while unneeded, he appreciates this still.]
Should a fight break out, Cliffheart is at Rhodes Island, and Pramanix is untouchable.
So, worry not, Master Architect, and just make the most of your time here.
[ it's an insular definition of untouchable. it's a definition of untouchable that divides the world in two - his family, his affairs, and the rest. it's not a perspective that kaveh would take issue to. he knows cliffheart, after all.
kaveh breathes out. ]
When Mister Silverash has put it that way, how can I not? [ whispers in the dark, warnings in front of a hearth. kaveh finally puts down his glass, and stretches. his toes curl. ] Ah, it's getting late. I shouldn't take up more of your time. Might I be excused?
[enciodes can pick up what kaveh is putting down-- and not putting down. perhaps the man is still mostly a stranger to him... but enciodes has always been quick on the uptake. not many people on rhodes island can say the same, but when they can, they're quite significant.]
I'll accompany you to your room.
[the snow leopard unfolds his legs, placing his glass down and rising to his feet in unhurried motions. very graceful, every movement effortless.]
After all, I'm your guard now. [and he smirks, as if sharing an inside joke.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
kaveh takes a sip of his wine, his eyes glinting. ]
Oh? [ he leans in, because kaveh has always spoken with his body. ] Tell me of them. And do they have any opinions on Lungmen dye-mixing techniques?
no subject
Some have attempted such techniques back in the day-- in fact, many of our techniques have overlap with Lungmen and Yan's styles, and are capable of producing brighter hues, especially when used with plant-based dyes.
Unfortunately, many techniques don't get used nowadays, when neutral colours dominate Kjerag. But many overseas styles don't compare.
no subject
[ ... wait. kaveh closes his mouth. ] That was your opinion - Mister Silverash, you intend on accompanying me yourself? Really?
no subject
You asked for a guard who has an appreciation for art as well-- there's only one person who has knowledge and experience in both in Kjerag, and you are sitting right beside him.
no subject
Take no offense - it is an honour beyond words for you to be my companion in this. But isn't your time and business of the utmost value to your realm? You won't be anywhere near the mainstay of your business if you need to follow me up some mountain to observe the joinery of a temple roof, down into some snow drift to uncover some building's foundation.
[ not pictured: any concern regarding silverash's safety. kaveh has, after all, been briefed. ]
no subject
Besides, I would argue that this, too, is valuable enough to invest my time into. Kjerag needs better infrastructure, and the best guards must be allotted to you.
After all... [he smirks at kaveh over the rim of his glass.]
Wherever I go, so do my bodyguards. Thus, you have a proper contingent of protectors at hand.
no subject
that silverash himself would follow him around and offer thoughts on artistic measures is a whetstone that the scalpel of kaveh's mind could not possibly turn down. it's exciting, is the thing. it makes the prospect of an entire bodyguard train far more palatable. silverash smirks at him from across his wine glass, and, kaveh thinks - oh, archons, i shouldn't be pushing it, but i'm going to push it. this is how i got myself into trouble in the backwards of leithanien that last time, but i'm not going to be able to stop myself.
before his self-preservation can get the better of him, he draws himself up. ]
Then, you had best read up on joinery, Mister Silverash. [ is what kaveh says, and the arrogant glint of his red eyes is a challenge in of itself. ] While all buildings can be repaired, some are built to be repaired, and some are not. The seamless joinery of Kjerag architecture has an interesting catch-22: they were not built to be repaired. The architects, engineers and craftsmen built these buildings to last forever; they were also built to never last. If the buildings stand for two hundred years, those who built them would have already died, and what do the dead care if a building catches a hole? To them, two hundred years is forever, but to us, it's four hundred years overdue.
[ his wine glass hangs from his fingers. kaveh thinks of temple murals, and the beautiful sloped rooves of little chimney-stacked households. his eyes harden as he leans in - ] I will be repairing buildings that weren't built to be repaired. I will not advocate for tearing your buildings down until I've had a proper look at them. If even I can't find a way to have them retain their beauty and value for another five hundred years - then fine, but the very style of traditional Kjerag architecture lies in its reflection of the land's culture. I will need a cultural consultant; that will be you.
I am a Master Architect, and no building will ever stand the test of erosion; but I will build Kjerag until no other nation can afford to look away. You will be hearing my opinions on the matter. Will you be able to handle it?
no subject
usually when it suits them.
he'll have to double-check those books and hand them over to kaveh later, but that is for later.]
Of course. If I could not... I wouldn't have allowed you here. But... [enciodes leans in. he keeps his hands to himself, but if he had both hands free, and they were alone, he would have taken the liberi's chin by now.]
I have spent my years being the most unpopular man in Kjerag, and when you leave, I will still hold that spot. There's nothing you can do to strain or embarrass me.
no subject
the most unpopular man in kjerag. that's a way to put it. ]
I hope to never test that assertion. I've been known to make the improbable possible, given time and enough funds. But Mister Silverash, you have earned at least my favour. Let that give you at least one vote in raising your standing around these parts.
no subject
[not like he's actually offended by kaveh's cocksure statements.]
But you should make sure not to truly offend anyone. Not even my clan's name will be able to save you from execution.
no subject
no subject
But if any of them were Ursus or Anaty, and draped mostly in old furs, they might have been of the Paleroche clan. They are the most conservative of the three main houses, and the most xenophobic. As you can tell, they're not fond of outsiders, and even less of the Silverash clan.
[is enciodes surprised that they would have the temerity to ambush his guest like this? of course not.]
Best not to utter a word to them. But if you must... insulting the Kjerag faith gives them leave to take your head from your shoulders and no one will be able to refute them, not even me. [only enya can do that but she'd never do it for her big brother.]
no subject
you couldn't build a bridge without knowing who wanted it burnt down, after all. ]
You have little to worry about that. The Kjerag faith is real; I've seen it in your sister Cliffheart's eyes. I needn't more proof to believe.
She loves Kjerag.
no subject
he just doesn't pray, or serve. not with what he had to sacrifice to it in order to preserve the remaining clan members after the deaths of his parents. who he was forced to sacrifice.
enciodes sighs, uncrossing his legs to put the previously lower one above, and sets his empty glass down to lace his fingers together.]
What is important to me... is that you don't do anything that they would consider an insult. Kjerag has a long way to go with tolerating other points of view about religion-- and perhaps we even took a step back, given our religious leader and political leader are one and the same. Execution is considered an acceptable recompense for any negative comments about faith.
[absolute power in a single hand is dangerous. he can only be relieved that such power is enya's.]
no subject
drinking suddenly goes from a little inadvisable to extremely inadvisable. the urge to argue back scrapes along the back of his mouth. kaveh swallows it, and then with another mouthful of wine to make it go down smooth. and then, he smiles. ]
Consider me warned. [ with contrition: ] I apologise if my earlier actions at the train station had a trickle-down effect onto your household, Mister Silverash. You have my word that I will take care, in this and in future dealings.
no subject
I've spent years making sure that the clan's defenses against my enemies are foolproof. [physically, politically... even geographically. then he pauses-- kaveh seems to care quite a bit about enciodes' sisters, and while unneeded, he appreciates this still.]
Should a fight break out, Cliffheart is at Rhodes Island, and Pramanix is untouchable.
So, worry not, Master Architect, and just make the most of your time here.
no subject
kaveh breathes out. ]
When Mister Silverash has put it that way, how can I not? [ whispers in the dark, warnings in front of a hearth. kaveh finally puts down his glass, and stretches. his toes curl. ] Ah, it's getting late. I shouldn't take up more of your time. Might I be excused?
no subject
I'll accompany you to your room.
[the snow leopard unfolds his legs, placing his glass down and rising to his feet in unhurried motions. very graceful, every movement effortless.]
After all, I'm your guard now. [and he smirks, as if sharing an inside joke.]