4
"Are they happy?" Jack asked with a sarcastic sniff and Ianto rolled his eyes as he closed the door to the War Room and leaned against it.
"They are as always" he replied calmly, "But they think I am a slave."
"What?" Alexander bristled as he rose from the chair and he was shushed back down by his father, the old baron reaching out to pat his arm.
"They will learn" Jackson said as he soothed, "He does not need your help."
Ianto smiled and then cleared his throat, "They are imbibing, then will come here. Best you have the beverages ready."
Two servants bowed, then began to prepare as he started to scold, demanding to know who decided they would bow to him today and the giggles told him nothing as they repeatedly did so, "You are all horrible and will die a horrible death with fingernails nailed on the keep windows!"
Laughter as they pranced from the room to tell the others he was annoyed, Ianto smiled and sighed as he shook his head, "See that? No respect."
Jack smiled, the tension gone for a moment as he pulled Ianto into his arms and requested affection the kiss sweet and fulfilling.
"You will stay?"
"Must I?"
Jack pouted, "You know I will hate them. Sit by me and pinch me when I frown, you know I shall."
"Alright, but I require a good long bubble bath afterwards and you had better do my toes" Ianto said with mock severity as Jack crooned and kissed him again. Then a servant entered to hiss that they were coming…actually he said 'wafting this way' then did a silly dance to show the way they walk.
"Stop that, the children will copy" Ianto sniggered, shoving the servant out the other door as they began to enter.
They did sort of swish their clothing like they were on display and Jack saw the ego of these people as the servants did, he had never noticed before and now he had to struggle not to laugh. The Brollit Delegation chose seats and Ianto settled next to Jack in the large chair that accommodated them both, the Brollit Delegation raising eyebrows.
"Ianto is my mate, in such as he is my partner in all things" Jack said, "He sits with me and has an ear. Also a voice. My beloved mate teaches our children and the future ruler of this realm suckled at his breast. This is his Realm too."
Ianto smiled sweetly knowing they were horrified, his obvious H 4.0 breeding showing in his features, also the slightly melodic voice of his kind. Accent. They called it a Slaver accent.
"A slave? At the table?" one bristled.
"No, I see no slave" Alexander said as he settled in his own chair beside his son, his face showing his anger as the old man chose to walk the perimeter.
"You come to negotiate the water" Ianto said, breaking the silence, "Let us negotiate. We have water, you need it. The true question is, what do you have that we want?"
Gaping.
Then one spoke, "We have Berilliam and Adamanthiaum."
"Yes, obtainable on five different planets in this sector" Ianto said with the same calm smile, their bristling now obvious.
"What my son-in-law asks is why do we choose you?" Alexander said as he enjoyed their discomfort.
"We give a third more per ship" came the reply and Ianto held his tongue knowing they really did need the water, their planet dry and those around them refusing any more aid due to their ability to insult.
Pinch.
"I see" Jack cleared his throat and removed the scowl, "Things to consider. Our previous treaty fell by the way when you killed my uncle."
"We did not, a ship with our colours may have blown his from the black but that was not done with our approval" came the reply and Alexander frowned.
"My brother-in-law probably asked for it, don't tell my dear wife I said that son, look. Let us speak plain. You re-neg. Have before, shall again. Therefore it is payment on delivery. Each ship that comes to collect water must bring the payment with them or we do not release the flow." Alexander said as he glanced at his father who nodded that he agreed.
"Rude"
"Obnoxious"
"Yes, this is" Ianto agreed loudly, "Yet it is the day we find ourselves sharing gentlemen. And dear lady"
We will retire to consider."
"Then we will see you at the evening meal, perhaps some time to reflect and tomorrow we shall meet again. Feel free to walk the halls and see the beauty of my home" Jack said as he rose and bowed slightly, Ianto remaining seated as he was adamant he would never bow to them again, the greeting one only done out of tradition to any visitor entering the walls.
They left and Jack swung to look at him, "Went well?"
Ianto smiled softly.