On Matters of Protocol

Writers: Avery, Eimi
Date Posted: 26th May 2006

Characters: Ishek, Kiomo
Description: Ishek asks Kiomo for assistance with matters of protocol.
Location: Garnet Valley Hold
Date: month 12, day 8 of Turn 3

Teaching Ishek the ways of protocol and decorum sounded like something Kiomo was more than qualified for. After all, it had been drilled into him from a small child. He pulled a bottle of wine from his shelf and whistled as he walked down the corridor towards Ishek's office. "You're having a bit of trouble with the finer points, I hear," he smiled as he strode into the room upon invitation. "I received your note. Did something happen at the dinner?"

"I think Penryn and Miralani wanted to strangle me." Ishek confessed. "I HATE protocol." he muttered unhappily. "Why do you have to go through all these formal procedures? Can't men just meet, and have dinner, and talk and get things DONE?" he burst out. "That's what I wanted to do.
I'm a man of action." he complained. "Why should I have to stand and make courtesies and be removed when I could be myself, welcoming and pacing and freely talking, not _dancing_ verbally because of _protocol_."

"Because, unfortunately, not many men like you rise to any position of authority," Kiomo said with a sigh as he set the bottle on the desk in front of them. He flopped back on the chair. This was going to be harder than he thought. "You have to understand, Ishek, that diplomacy is not the meeting of plain men who are trying to make a fair deal. Men with power are often men of ambition, and whether it is fair or not, they are out there trying to get the best deal they can for themself and their own, and if it means screwing you out of everything you have, there are men out there who will do it. Protocol and all that 'verbal dancing' is your only protection from men like that. And the ones you think are the safest are usually the most dangerous. It's not pretty, but it is how the world works."

"And you think the Weyrleader was like that?" Ishek shook his head.
Maybe he just had romantic notions, but he thought dragonriders would be above that- at least, bronze ones, or why would they be chosen? "I suppose you're right, but...it's hard." He knew the world worked that way with other Holds- he'd heard unscrupulous tales- but somehow...he'd thought it would be different.

"The Weyrleader might not be ambitious, but there is still dealing to be done. We give our tithes willingly and for good reason, but you never know when a Weyrleader will demand too much of you. Besides, you're not the only Lord Holder the Weyrleader will meet. His opinion of you will be carried to other Lord Holders, Harpers, Hallmasters, for good and for bad." Kiomo sighed. The Lord Warder seemed to be in way over his head.
"Here in this Hold among your friends you can be who you like, Ishek, but out there in the real world, you are the only one standing between all of Pern and your people."

Ishek nodded slightly. He saw Kiomo's logic, but it didn't mean that he'd have to agree with it. **Agree, no...but, Ishek, this is the world that you live in now.** He knew Miralani would say much the same thing.
Or Shama. "And that's why you need to teach me how to best represent the people of my Hold?"

"Yes. You can be a fair man, a _good_ man, and a good diplomat, Ishek.
Don't worry," Kiomo reassured the Lord Warder with a nod. "My father was such a man."

Ishek nodded, convinced now. "Then that is what I ask you to teach me. I must say, I'm glad you chose to come to Garnet Valley Hold- I feel I might be lost without your help."

"It's just lucky chance I'm here at the right time. You would have figured it out on your own eventually I'm sure," Kiomo shrugged. "But I might be able to save you a lot of time and embarrassment. Well, the first part of diplomacy is courtesy. Let's pretend we are equals, that I'm the Lord Holder of Ancient Stones and I'm here to discuss trade agreements. You can start by offering me a drink and we can go from there."

"Right." Ishek said, nodding. "Welcome to Garnet Valley Hold, Lord. Can I offer you anything to drink?" That should be simple and courteous enough, right "Ah, just a moment, let's start again." Kiomo stood and walked back to the door. He paused for a moment and then strode across the room, looking every bit the Lord Holder, walking in with a shrewd eye that took in every detail of the man before him, measuring him up with polite curiosity. "Lord Ishek, thank you for inviting me here today."

Ishek nodded back to him, privately impressed by the change in Kiomo's attitude. **He'd do a better job than I.** he thought for a brief moment before approaching Kiomo and offering his hand. "Lord Kiomo, welcome to Garnet Valley Hold. I am pleased to have you here today. Can I interest you in a drink?"

"Ah, don't be so hasty," Kiomo reminded him, breaking out of character momentarily. "Shake the man's hand first and look him squarely in the eye and make brief small talk before you offer the drink. Here let me show you. Let's say you've just come to _my_ Hold."

"Alright." Ishek said. "Why is being hasty bad, though? Isn't it easier to make small talk over drinks?" A lot of questions, perhaps, but he desired to understand.

"If you're too hasty the man might think you're nervous or hurried or not willing to look him in the eye for some reason. You need to be calm and relaxed and establish that _you_ are in control of this visit.
After all this is your home Hold. And conversely, he needs the opportunity to come into a strange Hold and establish that you might be in control here, but you do not control _him_. Its part of the game of measuring up the competition. It is important. First impressions are _vital_, Ishek. Remember that."

Ishek listened and absorbed it. Of course it was his home... and he was in control. Yes...he could do this. He could make a good impression. He took a few steps back to let Kiomo he would be playing, then strode forward again, deliberately but unhurried. "Good day, Lord Kiomo." he began. Shards, it was funny to call the man that! "Thank you for inviting me to your lovely Hold.

"You are most welcome to Ancient Stones, Lord Ishek," Kiomo replied with a smile of greeting, taking his hand firmly in both of his and looking him straight in the eye. "How was the journey over? Not too bumpy, I hope."

Ishek made sure to maintain eye contact. "I quite enjoyed it. The opportunity to travel is rare enough for busy men, and thus should be enjoyed whenever possible. Your Hold and the surroundings are lovely."
There, polite enough- and true, as well! Ishek enjoyed the chance to travel.

"Thank you," Kiomo nodded as he gave Ishek's hand one final shake and released it. "Won't you have a seat?"

Ishek took a seat and smiled, briefly at a loss of anything to say.
They'd covered the trip, and the weather was always an awful topic...
but finally he found he couldn't think of anything. He felt slightly ignorant for a moment, then decided the weather would work. "I notice the climate here is different- that surely must affect what you need to trade for, correct?" There, work and small talk in one sentence.
Hopefully Kiomo would approve.

Kiomo sighed as he opened the bottle. "'Affect what you need to trade for'? Ishek..." he said shaking his head. "That can be taken in so many negative ways. You have to be careful about the words you chose.
'Affect what you need to trade for' can make it sound like what you're really saying is 'you're desperate', or 'you're not self-suffient enough to be a proper Hold'. He'll be trying to figure out just what exactly is the meaning behind the words. Besides, I haven't even offered you the drink yet and you're slipping into business? Ask about my Lady.
Ask about my family. Ask about my trade goods in a round about sort of way. 'How was your redfruit crop this turn?' 'I saw some mighty fine runners on my way in.' 'Were those rice fields I flew over?' Show a little curiosity in their Hold, but make sure you don't _insult_ it along the way."

Ishek shook his head slightly. "This is probably why my sister wanted to strangle me." he muttered dryly, shaking his head. "But you think taking interest in the Hold is definitely a good idea, right?"

"Yes. But of course, not too _keen_ an interest or the Holder may wonder what you have in mind. Diplomacy is all about not saying everything your thinking, and thinking about what all is not being said.
Now," he said as he poured them both a glass. "Let's you and I have a drink, and then we'll start again." Faranth knew they were both going to need it...

Last updated on the May 28th 2006

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On Matters of Protocol