[Blessed Isle] Nobody Puts Tepet In A Corner

V'Neef - the woman, not the house - tended to take direct action when it came to get children. Partly because her House was young and new, and partly because her brood was a small one. Even with every child (thus far) Exalting, their numbers were still small enough that micromanagement was feasible where Cathak Cainan would likely struggle to name over half of his grandchildren. So, in a way, today she'd done both and neither - it was not V'neef herself that greeted the fiery Tepet at the door, flanked by guards/servants, but one of her grandsons well suited to the task.

'Charm the Tepet.' He'd been instructed. 'We still want to be allies, but our position is delicate right now - we can afford no lost love.' The Tepet would expect to speak with the woman in charge - and naturally, she would - but until then, it was his duty to delight their honored guests.

Kerbim gracefully slid forward, greeting Tepet Nischa with a warm, respectful smile and bowed deeply. "It is an honour to receive you, Tepet Nischa - The tales of your beauty and powerful presence fail to do the reality justice." He complimented easily, earnestly, keeping his hands visible and his posture relaxed as a show of respect. "I'm afraid my grandmother asks that you forgive her for being delayed - might I offer you and your men refreshment and rest for the hour until she is able to speak with you?" Kerbim offered, gesturing into the manse with an outstretched arm.

"I am V'neef Kerbim, honored guest - though in the interest brevity and friendship, you may call me whatever pleases you most." Kerbim replied with a coy smile - Perhaps it was a little bold of him, but this was the fun part where decisions and the like were made. Impressions. He swept into a seat near, but not beside or across from, his guest. The insinuation? That this was a meeting between friends, that they were on the same side, without forcing the subject.

Blood had been spilled over seating arrangements. They were important. Besides, the Sun was shining in that spot, and he liked better in the Sun. Showed off the green and red.

"You need not worry about your lieutenants, either - I trust you, after all, and so does my grandmother." Kerbim promised with an earnest smile, meeting the eyes of one of Nischa's entourage for a moment. The big, handsome one. He flashed a flirty smile, as sure as a wink among the court. Never hurt to have people like you, after all. "Perhaps I am mistaken, but does it not say that a commander's troops are as her arms and legs? I could not ask you to part from either. Rest assured that my cooks are already at work - hospitality is the sincerest form of admiration, your men will leave with full bellies today." Charm charm charm. Look at how generous and gorgeous I am, wouldn't grandmother be proud?

His prestige in his house - and by extension, his career - relied upon Kerbim's charm, his looks, and his breeding. If V'neef wanted to solidify her mildly truncated alliance with house Tepet with a marriage, and if she called upon him to charm the talented young general, then he would. Happily. There were worse wives to have than Tepet Nischa, after all - adequate breeding, sterling education, promising career, dutiful reputation. Kerbim fancied himself the ideal husband of such a woman: connected, wealthy, and low-maintenance, with a peerless pedigree. A pretty thing to charm her contemporaries with and leave at home while at war. Granted, most of Kerbim's understanding of such things was based upon literary instruction and observation, but still.

Notice me, Tepet. I am displaying my feathers for you.

Honestly.



If Nischa were biting her tongue any harder, there'd be blood on the floor. Soldiers. 


"I wouldn't place the blame for that sad consequence anywhere close to squarely on your shoulders, honored guest." Kerbim promised with what was supposed to be a reassuring smile. Was Nischa to blame? Maybe a little. V'Neef didn't want her children being wed off to Legionnaires or Soldiers, and Nischa was absolutely one or both of those things. She wasn't the cause of conflict, nor was she anywhere near the biggest or baddest name swept up in it, but that didn't stop her from being a part of the process regardless. In a way, everyone was. Even so.

If he had a fan, he'd be fanning himself out of habit. Instead, Kerbim allowed himself the appearance of relaxing, resting ankle on knee and adjusting his sleeves so he could more comfortably put his hands on the arms of his seat. "If there is a reason you've been dispatched for this task, I'm sure it must be a good one - a pragmatic woman such as yourself is far too valuable an asset to be wasting the time of." He pointed out with a coy smile, raising a hand from his knee to use to prop his head up. Casual poster, head tilted. Perfect. 

"That said, I am thankful for the opportunity to meet you, and even more so for the honor of a conversation." Kerbim complimented with a cheerful smile. "Your career is most fascinating, to say the least - and I've a friend in your graduating class who colors your academic and military abilities as the very stuff legends are made from." He added. Hey, look - I've got connections and friends. Witness me, Sempai. "In truth, I admire your ability to command respect in all environments. It is a quality I sometimes wish I could emulate, although I fear I'd be but a pale imitation compared to the real thing."