[LOG] How to Win Friends and Influence Patrons
Summary: Celeste stops by Miranda's house in search of advice. Methods of information extraction are discussed. Miranda makes her usual attempt to avoid sounding remotely critical.
The house is even more immaculate than usual today, and the staff are specially pleasant and accommodating. A footman answers the door promptly, and of course nothing could please him more than to show the Proxy in to the receiving room, if she would be so kind as to wait a few moments for the Viscountess. Who is not long in arriving, coming down the steps from above. "Good afternoon, Proxy."
Celeste pauses and is eyeing everything attentively, small frown tugging her features. On a hunch, one trivial detail has been slightly altered to be less than perfect. Perhaps something drapes over the edge of an end table, a picture frame is only slightly askew. Something most people would easily miss, is just slightly off though Celeste is waiting patiently when Miranda arrives, "Good afternoon, Viscountess. I apologize for the intrusion, I hope today finds you well?"
Although she may be exacting in her requirements, Miranda isn't perfect, and she doesn't catch that detail -- at least, not right away. "Apologies are entirely unnecessary, Proxy; it is always a pleasure to have you as a guest, and it is certainly no intrusion. I am well, aye, and I hope that matters have not treated you too ill of late?"
Celeste looks wry, "No more so than usual." She assures before admitting, "You are not, perhaps, the person to speak to but I was uncertain who else I might approach." She looks wry and admits, "I believe I require perhaps some education and some guidance, if you should have the time speak?"
Miranda says, ruefully, "I very much doubt, Proxy, that I have aught to teach to your ladyship, but certainly I am always glad to be of service in the event that I am mistaken." She crosses to the sideboard, asking, "May I offer your ladyship some refreshment?"
Celeste says, "Anything you are having shall be fine, thank you"
Selecting a pair of crystal tumblers, Miranda pours clear water from a matching decanter into one and then the other. She crosses back toward Celeste, offering a glass, and gesturing to the various seats at hand. "Please! Now, how may I be of aid, Proxy?"
Celeste accepts the glass and offers a weak smile, "It should be no surprise that I am a bad Childe. Having this pointed out to me by our patron is a bit distressing and upon reviewing some things, I've decided knocking myself down a few pegs might not be out of order. Thing is, it's something I've tried-and failed-on my own.
"I am dismayed to learn that your ladyship has suffered some difficulty," Miranda says, sounding a little surprised as well. She of course politely passes over the whole notion of failure or unsatisfactoryness, thus neatly avoiding both seeming to argue with her guest /or/ seeming to criticize her. "I find that I have much to be humble about; certainly much more than your ladyship does, I am certain, and yet still I have difficulty avoiding excessive pride."
Celeste sips her water and looks wry, "I don't think I could ever aspire to humility, and it's not just about pride. Attitude, perhaps."
Miranda says, sounding uncertain, "I am not sure that I entirely understand your meaning, Proxy. Attitude in what sense, if you will permit me to inquire?"
Celeste seems frustrated, "I'm not sure. I'm not certain what expectations are, so I figured I'd start with the typical expectations of a fledging. I know what that is for the military but not say, officers, knights, or nobles. I might get mouthy and irreverent and there's...things that people don't know about why I do what I do, but...the implication I am failing in some way is driving me insane. I simply cannot stand it. If I am a bad childe, I endeavor to become a good one. I won't ever be you or Taleyn but surely there's a way to adjust my attitude without assimulating."
"It speaks well of your ladyship, if I may say so," Miranda says, nodding, "that your ladyship is distressed to be found wanting. This, in my own no doubt imperfect opinion, is the most important aspect of correcting any errors one may have inadvertantly made. I divine, however, that your ladyship is not speaking in regard to /manners/ when your ladyship is so kind as to refer to me, but to some other quality."
Celeste says, "I don't know. I don't know what's expected, I reckon manners wouldn't hurt. I am a lady. I don't have to be a pain in the ass though the ability to be so on occasion is more of an asset than some might think. Still, I don't know what expectations might be and it's not something Benedict is likely to outline."
Miranda thinks about this question for a few moments, taking a sip of water while she does so. "I am inclined to agree with your ladyship that having persons of a variety of demeanors available is an asset," she says, slowly. There she goes again -- not arguing with Celeste, and also not saying she thinks Celeste can be a pain in the ass. "And whilst his Majesty has many fine qualities, his Majesty is not always given to verbosity. I am inclined to think, upon consideration, that what your ladyship seeks is more in the nature of one's attitude toward one's tasks and one's performance of them, perhaps?"
Celeste looks wry and rubs the back of her neck. She nods, "No doubt you're right, viscountess."
"I have tried, not always with success, to make it my practice," Miranda says, picking her words carefully and with considerable thought, "always to at first presume that I am mistaken in my assessment of a situation. Thus I may ask myself, /since/ I am mistaken, what might I find valuable in learning the actuality of the situation? Sometimes, though infrequently, I am led back to my initial conclusion, and then I may be more confident of its value. More often, I discover a more suitable way to appraise the issue."
Celeste chuckles softly, "I do not mean to put you in an awkward position, and it seems as if I may have. I'm not certain I understand what you mean but I've an inkling, I believe." Maybe."
Miranda says, shaking her head, "Oh, not at all, Proxy; I do not consider the matter to be an awkward one. On the contrary, it is quite an interesting question. I am not by nature introspective, and so it is sometimes difficult for me to see precisely /what/ it is that I do, much less /why/."
Celeste tilts her head, "But you always speak so carefully. You always tapdance along that thin line of speaking fluidly and actually saying very little, but it seems to pacify folks."
"Oh, but that is habit, no more, Proxy," Miranda says, surprised (and also not apparently offended). "It is not something to which I give any particular thought, except perhaps in the most difficult of situations. It is as if you were to ask me how precisely I walk -- I /do/ walk, and I pay little more attention to it than that. So far as speaking is concerned, however, I think that what people most desire in conversation is /understanding/, more than agreement, if that is sensible to your ladyship?"
Celeste considers, "This makes sense, aye." she allows.
"When I speak to someone," Miranda continues, "I wish them to feel that I understand their point of view; that I have carefully considered it; and that I should like to agree with them, to the extent that duty and good sense permits. I do not /wish/ to disagree with them. If I must do so it is not because I dislike them! Certainly not. It is not even because my viewpoint differs from theirs. It is something I regret greatly, and I shall certainly strive to be certain to find something to agree with them on at the earliest opportunity. In the very same breath in which I disagree, if at all possible."
Celeste's eyebrows knit, "Why?"
Miranda sounds genuinely surprised by this question. It's as if someone's asked her why she breathes. "Why, if they feel that I am their ally, or better still their friend, I shall have the benefit of their best efforts, Proxy, and they shall feel no compunction in sharing their thoughts with me. If they feel that I am a rival or an enemy -- well; surely your ladyship does not share her thoughts freely with her enemies!"
Celeste grins crookedly, "Sure I do." She shrugs and notes, "Not always, of course, and not always in full detail, but think of this: sitting around the poker table one only sees faces likewise looking around as if trying to discern who holds what. It is not until that first hand is shown that you know what the other players are holding. Information you just sit on-it wholly worthless. Assuming you've considered the implications, the positions, the influences-and the inevitably that anything juicy gets out sooner or later, there's often-though perhaps not a majority-just causes to blab. You track how information travels, what one's interests, associates, and so on are-and of course it is you controlling the flow of information so you know who knows what. Inaccuracies are also fairly handy."
Celeste says, "Hiding information is for people who don't know what to do with what they've learned. If you're good, you just make sure you're among the first to learn so when everyone else does-you're already a step ahead. Two people can keep a secret-if one is dead-isn't that the saying?"
"Why, if your ladyship says so," Miranda admits; "I myself am not known for my expertise in keeping secrets, or in finding them out, so I should not like to venture speculation."
Celeste eyes Miranda, "Not known doesn't rule out being an expert or sleuthing."
Miranda laughs merrily, at that, but she nods her agreement, saying, "Indeed it does not, my lady; though I fear that in my case the two travel together, much as I might desire it to be otherwise."
Celeste shrugs and notes, "You've given me much to consider. I like your method of making points."
"It is most gracious of your ladyship to say so," Miranda says, "and, if I have been of some small assistance in this matter, why, I am most grateful for the opportunity to do so."
Celeste says, "I am a hellva project, I no doubt may come to call on you again. I don't reckon there's anything I can do for you?"
Miranda might possibly just have hesitated for the merest fraction of an instant, but she shakes her head, saying, "It is gracious of you to offer, Proxy, but I am well-provided for, and I am sure that your ladyship is very busy. Even I have spent more time than I should like telling persons that fairy tales of lost kings and returned kings are well and good, but not to be confused with the world as it is."
Celeste lifts an eyebrow, "Are you certain?" She waves a hand, "I'm less busy these days. I assume you refer to Lyonesse on that reference?
Celeste says, "Or of The lost and returned kings of Amber?"
"Oh, the tales are always carefully vague, Proxy," Miranda says, good humor still in her voice. "The sort that can be read in many ways. Certainly I would not wish to attribute any motive to their promulgators, as my opinion would be wholly uninformed."
Celeste notes, "With all due respect, I think you do them a disservice. Tales, especially depending on the location, hold significance. The telling of stories, the marking of events fictious or real. The power lays not in the opinion of the story, but in the action or retelling. If a tale influences your universe-as many do subtly influence amber, shadow, and so on-you must write, tell, or spread one more to your liking."
Miranda agrees, with a quick nod, "Oh, your ladyship need have no fear on that respect; I certainly shall ensure that the right shall prevail, as well as the wrong fail."
Celeste eyes Miranda, "Do you sincerely believe that?"
Celeste says, "And, can you be certain which side of those you stand on?"
"I suffer under no illusions, Proxy," Miranda says, "insofar as my own /abilities/ are concerned. As to the matter of right and wrong, why, I can but judge as seems best to me on the basis of what I may know at any given time. If I am in error, I am sure that time will correct me, if no person does so before it."
Celeste looks almost envious and nods with a smile, "Just so. I should be on my way, Thank you for your time." she offers the glass back, "If I may be of service, do not hesitate to ask."
Miranda accepts the glass, rising. "Certainly, Proxy. And I hope that you will not hesitate to seek me out if I may be of any service to your ladyship."
Celeste grins, "I never do. Fare thee well." she inclines her head and slips out.
The house is even more immaculate than usual today, and the staff are specially pleasant and accommodating. A footman answers the door promptly, and of course nothing could please him more than to show the Proxy in to the receiving room, if she would be so kind as to wait a few moments for the Viscountess. Who is not long in arriving, coming down the steps from above. "Good afternoon, Proxy."
Celeste pauses and is eyeing everything attentively, small frown tugging her features. On a hunch, one trivial detail has been slightly altered to be less than perfect. Perhaps something drapes over the edge of an end table, a picture frame is only slightly askew. Something most people would easily miss, is just slightly off though Celeste is waiting patiently when Miranda arrives, "Good afternoon, Viscountess. I apologize for the intrusion, I hope today finds you well?"
Although she may be exacting in her requirements, Miranda isn't perfect, and she doesn't catch that detail -- at least, not right away. "Apologies are entirely unnecessary, Proxy; it is always a pleasure to have you as a guest, and it is certainly no intrusion. I am well, aye, and I hope that matters have not treated you too ill of late?"
Celeste looks wry, "No more so than usual." She assures before admitting, "You are not, perhaps, the person to speak to but I was uncertain who else I might approach." She looks wry and admits, "I believe I require perhaps some education and some guidance, if you should have the time speak?"
Miranda says, ruefully, "I very much doubt, Proxy, that I have aught to teach to your ladyship, but certainly I am always glad to be of service in the event that I am mistaken." She crosses to the sideboard, asking, "May I offer your ladyship some refreshment?"
Celeste says, "Anything you are having shall be fine, thank you"
Selecting a pair of crystal tumblers, Miranda pours clear water from a matching decanter into one and then the other. She crosses back toward Celeste, offering a glass, and gesturing to the various seats at hand. "Please! Now, how may I be of aid, Proxy?"
Celeste accepts the glass and offers a weak smile, "It should be no surprise that I am a bad Childe. Having this pointed out to me by our patron is a bit distressing and upon reviewing some things, I've decided knocking myself down a few pegs might not be out of order. Thing is, it's something I've tried-and failed-on my own.
"I am dismayed to learn that your ladyship has suffered some difficulty," Miranda says, sounding a little surprised as well. She of course politely passes over the whole notion of failure or unsatisfactoryness, thus neatly avoiding both seeming to argue with her guest /or/ seeming to criticize her. "I find that I have much to be humble about; certainly much more than your ladyship does, I am certain, and yet still I have difficulty avoiding excessive pride."
Celeste sips her water and looks wry, "I don't think I could ever aspire to humility, and it's not just about pride. Attitude, perhaps."
Miranda says, sounding uncertain, "I am not sure that I entirely understand your meaning, Proxy. Attitude in what sense, if you will permit me to inquire?"
Celeste seems frustrated, "I'm not sure. I'm not certain what expectations are, so I figured I'd start with the typical expectations of a fledging. I know what that is for the military but not say, officers, knights, or nobles. I might get mouthy and irreverent and there's...things that people don't know about why I do what I do, but...the implication I am failing in some way is driving me insane. I simply cannot stand it. If I am a bad childe, I endeavor to become a good one. I won't ever be you or Taleyn but surely there's a way to adjust my attitude without assimulating."
"It speaks well of your ladyship, if I may say so," Miranda says, nodding, "that your ladyship is distressed to be found wanting. This, in my own no doubt imperfect opinion, is the most important aspect of correcting any errors one may have inadvertantly made. I divine, however, that your ladyship is not speaking in regard to /manners/ when your ladyship is so kind as to refer to me, but to some other quality."
Celeste says, "I don't know. I don't know what's expected, I reckon manners wouldn't hurt. I am a lady. I don't have to be a pain in the ass though the ability to be so on occasion is more of an asset than some might think. Still, I don't know what expectations might be and it's not something Benedict is likely to outline."
Miranda thinks about this question for a few moments, taking a sip of water while she does so. "I am inclined to agree with your ladyship that having persons of a variety of demeanors available is an asset," she says, slowly. There she goes again -- not arguing with Celeste, and also not saying she thinks Celeste can be a pain in the ass. "And whilst his Majesty has many fine qualities, his Majesty is not always given to verbosity. I am inclined to think, upon consideration, that what your ladyship seeks is more in the nature of one's attitude toward one's tasks and one's performance of them, perhaps?"
Celeste looks wry and rubs the back of her neck. She nods, "No doubt you're right, viscountess."
"I have tried, not always with success, to make it my practice," Miranda says, picking her words carefully and with considerable thought, "always to at first presume that I am mistaken in my assessment of a situation. Thus I may ask myself, /since/ I am mistaken, what might I find valuable in learning the actuality of the situation? Sometimes, though infrequently, I am led back to my initial conclusion, and then I may be more confident of its value. More often, I discover a more suitable way to appraise the issue."
Celeste chuckles softly, "I do not mean to put you in an awkward position, and it seems as if I may have. I'm not certain I understand what you mean but I've an inkling, I believe." Maybe."
Miranda says, shaking her head, "Oh, not at all, Proxy; I do not consider the matter to be an awkward one. On the contrary, it is quite an interesting question. I am not by nature introspective, and so it is sometimes difficult for me to see precisely /what/ it is that I do, much less /why/."
Celeste tilts her head, "But you always speak so carefully. You always tapdance along that thin line of speaking fluidly and actually saying very little, but it seems to pacify folks."
"Oh, but that is habit, no more, Proxy," Miranda says, surprised (and also not apparently offended). "It is not something to which I give any particular thought, except perhaps in the most difficult of situations. It is as if you were to ask me how precisely I walk -- I /do/ walk, and I pay little more attention to it than that. So far as speaking is concerned, however, I think that what people most desire in conversation is /understanding/, more than agreement, if that is sensible to your ladyship?"
Celeste considers, "This makes sense, aye." she allows.
"When I speak to someone," Miranda continues, "I wish them to feel that I understand their point of view; that I have carefully considered it; and that I should like to agree with them, to the extent that duty and good sense permits. I do not /wish/ to disagree with them. If I must do so it is not because I dislike them! Certainly not. It is not even because my viewpoint differs from theirs. It is something I regret greatly, and I shall certainly strive to be certain to find something to agree with them on at the earliest opportunity. In the very same breath in which I disagree, if at all possible."
Celeste's eyebrows knit, "Why?"
Miranda sounds genuinely surprised by this question. It's as if someone's asked her why she breathes. "Why, if they feel that I am their ally, or better still their friend, I shall have the benefit of their best efforts, Proxy, and they shall feel no compunction in sharing their thoughts with me. If they feel that I am a rival or an enemy -- well; surely your ladyship does not share her thoughts freely with her enemies!"
Celeste grins crookedly, "Sure I do." She shrugs and notes, "Not always, of course, and not always in full detail, but think of this: sitting around the poker table one only sees faces likewise looking around as if trying to discern who holds what. It is not until that first hand is shown that you know what the other players are holding. Information you just sit on-it wholly worthless. Assuming you've considered the implications, the positions, the influences-and the inevitably that anything juicy gets out sooner or later, there's often-though perhaps not a majority-just causes to blab. You track how information travels, what one's interests, associates, and so on are-and of course it is you controlling the flow of information so you know who knows what. Inaccuracies are also fairly handy."
Celeste says, "Hiding information is for people who don't know what to do with what they've learned. If you're good, you just make sure you're among the first to learn so when everyone else does-you're already a step ahead. Two people can keep a secret-if one is dead-isn't that the saying?"
"Why, if your ladyship says so," Miranda admits; "I myself am not known for my expertise in keeping secrets, or in finding them out, so I should not like to venture speculation."
Celeste eyes Miranda, "Not known doesn't rule out being an expert or sleuthing."
Miranda laughs merrily, at that, but she nods her agreement, saying, "Indeed it does not, my lady; though I fear that in my case the two travel together, much as I might desire it to be otherwise."
Celeste shrugs and notes, "You've given me much to consider. I like your method of making points."
"It is most gracious of your ladyship to say so," Miranda says, "and, if I have been of some small assistance in this matter, why, I am most grateful for the opportunity to do so."
Celeste says, "I am a hellva project, I no doubt may come to call on you again. I don't reckon there's anything I can do for you?"
Miranda might possibly just have hesitated for the merest fraction of an instant, but she shakes her head, saying, "It is gracious of you to offer, Proxy, but I am well-provided for, and I am sure that your ladyship is very busy. Even I have spent more time than I should like telling persons that fairy tales of lost kings and returned kings are well and good, but not to be confused with the world as it is."
Celeste lifts an eyebrow, "Are you certain?" She waves a hand, "I'm less busy these days. I assume you refer to Lyonesse on that reference?
Celeste says, "Or of The lost and returned kings of Amber?"
"Oh, the tales are always carefully vague, Proxy," Miranda says, good humor still in her voice. "The sort that can be read in many ways. Certainly I would not wish to attribute any motive to their promulgators, as my opinion would be wholly uninformed."
Celeste notes, "With all due respect, I think you do them a disservice. Tales, especially depending on the location, hold significance. The telling of stories, the marking of events fictious or real. The power lays not in the opinion of the story, but in the action or retelling. If a tale influences your universe-as many do subtly influence amber, shadow, and so on-you must write, tell, or spread one more to your liking."
Miranda agrees, with a quick nod, "Oh, your ladyship need have no fear on that respect; I certainly shall ensure that the right shall prevail, as well as the wrong fail."
Celeste eyes Miranda, "Do you sincerely believe that?"
Celeste says, "And, can you be certain which side of those you stand on?"
"I suffer under no illusions, Proxy," Miranda says, "insofar as my own /abilities/ are concerned. As to the matter of right and wrong, why, I can but judge as seems best to me on the basis of what I may know at any given time. If I am in error, I am sure that time will correct me, if no person does so before it."
Celeste looks almost envious and nods with a smile, "Just so. I should be on my way, Thank you for your time." she offers the glass back, "If I may be of service, do not hesitate to ask."
Miranda accepts the glass, rising. "Certainly, Proxy. And I hope that you will not hesitate to seek me out if I may be of any service to your ladyship."
Celeste grins, "I never do. Fare thee well." she inclines her head and slips out.