President of the Senate Isaakios Komnenos:
Isaakios sits silently in his armchair, listening to the chatter of senators. That was his task – to listen, to watch, to assess. And although he knew well that many of those assembled in Magnaura were already caught in the web woven by Dalassenos, he was still surprised by how... inexperienced most of them are. How naive are they in their understanding, how simple-minded are their ideas – and the so-called “solutions” they propose? To call them foolhardy would be too generous. These are the aristoi chosen by the Emperor to provide him with advice? Some of the Houses they are representing are not even a hundred years old!
Issakios strikes his red beard.
Do they even understand what they are debating on? Do they grasp the gravity of the situation the Imperium is after more than half of all Romaioi perished due to the Plague? Do they have any idea what force supports Anglina? Or are they so credulous that they really believe that what she accomplished in such a short time was possible without backing from a powerful patron? Of course not, he thinks to himself while watching as senators Salamis and Raoul argue with Arrius. How could they? The know nothing about honor or duty, these filthy merchants and sanctimonious upstarsts. Three generations ago most of them would not be even allowed to be a swineherds in latifundia of the truly noble Houses and today – today the mud fills these ancient halls. Still...
Isaakios glances at Red Speaker sitting on the armchair to his left.
The usurers and puppets of the Dalassenos were of no use for him - the Red ones, on the other hand, could be useful. After all, they were not only the strongest faction in the Senate but unlike the others they had people among their ranks who knew the meaning of duty and honor. They fought and killed for the Imperium, not hiding behind the walls or in praying in the chapels like the rest of them. They understand what it means to bleed for a cause they believe in.
Isaakios waves at the eunuch holding the Fasces.
Yes, it could work. But first he must show him that Komnenoi will not be restrained so easily.
Still sitting on the President's armchair, Isaakios hits the marble dais with the iron ending of the Fasces.
– Silence. Senators, I think I have heard enough. It's already midday and it is clear that the issues the Senate was convened for will not be resolved quickly. Thus I hereby move that debate be extended {{for another 24 hours}} and recess {{lasting 24 hours}} be called now {{that is 23:00 PM Warsaw time}}. As for your question, honorable White Speaker...
– I move that point 8 be added to the agenda of this session regarding resolution in which this august body shall express its great sorrow at this senseless and vicious attack at His Excellency Archbishop of Konstantinoupolis and Ecumenical Patriarch Niketas Dalassenos, as well as express its unwavering support and gratitude for the megas domestikos Nikephoros Dalassenos who, despite losing his dear brother, carried out duties of his office with utmost dilligence and dedication.
You wanted to curb the power of the most powerful House in the Imperium with a piece of paper, Dalassenos? You wanted to play this little game of yours? Let us play then.
– Vice President, honorable Speakers. Two motions have been proposed before the Praesidium, let us cast votes. Who's in favor?
{{Members of Praesidium - you vote by saying:
"<name> Speaker supports the motion for <description>"
or
"<name> Speaker votes against the motion for <description>"
to each motion separately.}}
Isaakios sits silently in his armchair, listening to the chatter of senators. That was his task – to listen, to watch, to assess. And although he knew well that many of those assembled in Magnaura were already caught in the web woven by Dalassenos, he was still surprised by how... inexperienced most of them are. How naive are they in their understanding, how simple-minded are their ideas – and the so-called “solutions” they propose? To call them foolhardy would be too generous. These are the aristoi chosen by the Emperor to provide him with advice? Some of the Houses they are representing are not even a hundred years old!
Issakios strikes his red beard.
Do they even understand what they are debating on? Do they grasp the gravity of the situation the Imperium is after more than half of all Romaioi perished due to the Plague? Do they have any idea what force supports Anglina? Or are they so credulous that they really believe that what she accomplished in such a short time was possible without backing from a powerful patron? Of course not, he thinks to himself while watching as senators Salamis and Raoul argue with Arrius. How could they? The know nothing about honor or duty, these filthy merchants and sanctimonious upstarsts. Three generations ago most of them would not be even allowed to be a swineherds in latifundia of the truly noble Houses and today – today the mud fills these ancient halls. Still...
Isaakios glances at Red Speaker sitting on the armchair to his left.
The usurers and puppets of the Dalassenos were of no use for him - the Red ones, on the other hand, could be useful. After all, they were not only the strongest faction in the Senate but unlike the others they had people among their ranks who knew the meaning of duty and honor. They fought and killed for the Imperium, not hiding behind the walls or in praying in the chapels like the rest of them. They understand what it means to bleed for a cause they believe in.
Isaakios waves at the eunuch holding the Fasces.
Yes, it could work. But first he must show him that Komnenoi will not be restrained so easily.
Still sitting on the President's armchair, Isaakios hits the marble dais with the iron ending of the Fasces.
– Silence. Senators, I think I have heard enough. It's already midday and it is clear that the issues the Senate was convened for will not be resolved quickly. Thus I hereby move that debate be extended {{for another 24 hours}} and recess {{lasting 24 hours}} be called now {{that is 23:00 PM Warsaw time}}. As for your question, honorable White Speaker...
– I move that point 8 be added to the agenda of this session regarding resolution in which this august body shall express its great sorrow at this senseless and vicious attack at His Excellency Archbishop of Konstantinoupolis and Ecumenical Patriarch Niketas Dalassenos, as well as express its unwavering support and gratitude for the megas domestikos Nikephoros Dalassenos who, despite losing his dear brother, carried out duties of his office with utmost dilligence and dedication.
You wanted to curb the power of the most powerful House in the Imperium with a piece of paper, Dalassenos? You wanted to play this little game of yours? Let us play then.
– Vice President, honorable Speakers. Two motions have been proposed before the Praesidium, let us cast votes. Who's in favor?
{{Members of Praesidium - you vote by saying:
"<name> Speaker supports the motion for <description>"
or
"<name> Speaker votes against the motion for <description>"
to each motion separately.}}
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