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« Last post by paralipomena on March 27, 2024, 09:07:37 PM »
Okros Baghebi Villa, Ktsatskuri
Orivegza Mgaloblishvili arrived to the mountainous style palace. A young woman welcomed him. "Good afternoon, Your Excellency. Madame is awaiting in the Autumn greenhouse. If you don't mind, I will take you there".
"Sure", Orivegza replied. He silently observed the gardens, the architecture of the place, including the solitary tower, as they walked through the stone pavement which led there.
When they arrived, the doors of the Autumn greenhouse were open. Inside, there were stone columns and walls, inside the glass structure, with a large number of flowers and small plants. Finally, they arrived at the center, where there was a wide space, in a circle. There, sat down in a comfortable chair along a metallic table was the host, Ketilshobili Shengelaia, considered the matriarch of the Ertviani clan.
How are you, spokesman?", Shengelaia welcomed him. "I hope you don't mind to receive you here. However, I find this place very comfy, particularly in sunny days at this time of the year, even more than my best hall inside. If one doesn't mind the humidity, of course".
"No, it's fine", Orivegza replied.
"Excellent!", Shengelaia said. "Would you like to drink anything? Maybe a hot and sweet tea? Those are at least my favourite at this hour. Sopho, why wouldn't you bring a selection from this home?".
"Yes, thank you", Orivegza replied. The young woman left, leaving them alone.
"It was pleased when I heard the news about your election", Shengelaia said. "It was disappointed that it didn't result in a real understanding and a better outcome, of course".
"It was not easy", Orivegza replied. "We were willing to make a compromise but the offer of the Conservative Party was not simply realistic. At the end, it came too early. Once it was too late for an agreement for the presidency, we were in a dead end".
"You seem to have a longer path in mind", Shengelaia added. "I was never, of course, interested in politics. It is not clearly my field. However, such failure, or if you prefer, lack of initiative, is already having an effect on all of us".
"It is complicated to reach an agreement against the clock when they, as we can see now", Orivegza continued, "were still doubting as they were pondering what they can obtain in both direction. I was also, of course, under pressure by my own side. It was a new scenario for all of us and therefore it was difficult to predict. I am confident that things will move to our direction, and we will move so the damage can be reduced in the meantime".
"I'm afraid it already started", Shengelaia said with a bitter smile as they were served their team. "I am having the black with berries today", she demanded.
"I will follow then", Orivegza said.
"Still, I found as amusing as offensive that the Rokkenjimans thought they could find my in the ranks of the government than being declared their official enemy", Shengelaia added. "I sm not so confident as yourself. Many share the concern that this could easily spread too quickly and dissolve everything we have build and connect through so many years. But I have to trust your initiative. I am not planning, of course, to be involved personally, that has never been our style, but I can recognize which card we have left".
"I'm glad and honoured to hear that", Orivegza replied. "I did not, of course, expect otherwise. It is better to keep a distance, but it will be helpful that it will be an understanding on what really matters".
"I am hopeful that is the case", Shengelaia said. "Let's hope we are not all wrong".