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Post by Retrograde on Jan 3, 2018 2:12:48 GMT
The city of Pyracle had undergone a change. The sounds of music coursed through the air and a joviality uncommon to the people there rang from every street corner. Great flashes of colour came from banners and the gaudy clothing of its citizens, a change from the normally plain capital. A great crowd gathered in the town square, normally home to markets in the mornings and afternoons but now full of all kinds of entertainers and fried food stalls in the place of produce sellers and fishmongers. Standing at the centre behind a podium was King Arno, dressed not in his usual black robes but the ceremonial green and whites that had come to symbolize the Revolution within the Commonwealth of Routaille. On all sides, his family and closest supporters flanked him as he peered out into the great mass of people, the dying light of sunset casting its glow upon them all.
The chattering that went on amongst the grouped masses suddenly silenced as their king raised his hand, showing he was finally ready to speak.
"People of Routaille," he said, his voice cutting through the crowd and carrying on the wind. "Two years ago, you, the people of this Commonwealth stood victorious against a great and terrible evil, united in the belief that all men were equal and that oppression should never be tolerated. Today, I am proud to say that I see a nation that has committed itself to the ideals of liberty, brotherhood and equality. We all lost much in the Revolution. We all lost someone to the Blackguard forces. Some of us lost even more. Homes were burned, properties seized. Yet never did we stoop to the brutality of the enemy, never did we give into the cynicism that so characterized the old regime. Instead, we banded together and said enough! Enough brutality, enough cruelty. We made a decision ten years ago that we would be better than our enemies. I can safely say we have kept to that decision.
"I am proud of Routaille, it is a country I am glad to serve. Looking out at all of you, I can see that all of you are proud too. Good. The Commonwealth is so much more than a government or a piece of land. It is a statement that men can band together and make something greater than simple despotism, that one can respect the rights of all without being weak. Indeed, our equality is a source of strength, for everyone Routais, Tlem and Osais can rest assured that they live within a nation that respects and values them, each and every one. I know that so long as we keep to our ideals our Commonwealth can last a thousand years, overseen by Artis and his Glory."
"I know all of you are very eager to begin the celebrations, and so I will not keep you all much longer. I would just ask that all of you remember the sacrifices we have made to make it this far, and let that make your celebration all the more sincere. You have earned your freedoms, every one of you, and let no one tell you different."
He paused, looking out at his citizens.
"May Artis bless all of you. May Artis bless Routaille."
The crowd erupted into cheers, the sound of music swelling, but Arno raised his hand and things quiet once more took hold over the crowd.
"I do have one announcement to make. It is my pleasure to let you all know that I have made marriage plans. I shall be marrying Luzana Vyre of Luska. She is a thoroughly wonderful woman and I am more than happy to be welcoming her into my family as my wife. The wedding will be coming after Revolution Week, and I invite all of you to come and attend if you are able. Thank you, and enjoy the celebrations!"
Once more, the cheers came ripping through the crowds.
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Post by Zoilus on Jan 3, 2018 3:49:48 GMT
Almas Wildeye, Master of the Guild of Brewers, cheered and clapped as loud as he could! This is it. What we wanted, what we fought for, what every Artis-damned person in the world deserves. Almas had to stop and stand still for a second, dealing with a pain in his throat. There were worse ways to throw your voice out, right? His wife, standing next to him and celebrating just as hard, gave him a quizzical look. He gave her a smile: everything's fine. She shook her head and went back to cheering.
Almas felt a tear going down his face, looking around, hearing the thunder of it all. They can't take this away. No one can, not ever.
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Carline Bruya was thinking similar thoughts, though her reaction to the speech was unfortunately limited by her overly-complex ensemble. Still, such finely crafted beauty was its own celebration, no? Her fellows in the Guild of Courtesans were similarly restricted but very well placed, near the front, and this gave Carline the perfect opportunity to get an unrestricted look at the crowd. She could see jubilant Tlem, jovial merchants, some obvious and proud veterans, and the thing was, they were all mixed together: one people. Still...looking at the raised podium with the king and his guests, some of the people were still rather separated, no?
Carline's eye fell in particular on the Alendronian delegation. They must've loved the speech, no?
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The Alendronian delegation's response to the speech varied, but on average, it had been muted.
The highest ranking member of the delegation and the celebration's guest of honor, Queen Aelin, was smiling. Seeing Arno like this, proud and confident and royal, well, it was inspiring. Arno had been like a brother to her, growing up, and now it seemed like he was playing the big brother to an entire nation, and doing a damn fine job of it too. All this pride and happiness was good, because it was distracting Aelin from her much more immediate worries: he rapidly expanding stomach, and the child within. This commotion could not be good for pregnant woman, just like the boat ride from Aladeen hadn't been, but for Arno, she could bear it just a little longer.
Oblivious, Aelin's husband, and the reason for her current predicament, was standing and cheering himself. Prince-Consort Maximilian Cassian had sympathized with the revolutionaries of Routaille for years, and here was the culmination and sealing off of it all. Still, it all seemed rather *limited*, didn't it? They'd made their little corner of the world better, but what about the rest? Maximilian imagined every city in Trevast celebrating Revolution Week, and maybe beyond. Wasn't that a dream worth striving for?
The most restrained of the Alendronians was Iudicael Cadeyrn, Duke of Tyraxis. He forced himself into some restrained clapping, but left it at that. The one admirable thing about this Revolution was the military innovation that allowed it to succeed in the first place, and learning about that was how he was planning to spend his time here (though a few bouts of pleasure couldn't hurt). Looking around on the royal platform, he saw her: Grand Marshal Marielle Tenderheart: the only truly revolutionary thing to come out of the war here was her mind...and hell, she was fine looking too.
Not that that was an entirely uncommon trait in Routaille, he thought, looking at the crowd.
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Post by Fyremage on Jan 3, 2018 20:08:59 GMT
'And so this is how a dynasty dies.' Margerethe intoned. 'To the cheers of the multitudes, and to thunderous applause.' The Queen Mother felt a sickening feeling in her stomach as her son finished his speech, and the crowd erupted in a clamour so intense, one could barely even hear their own thoughts. But not Margie. Her thoughts were so crystal clear in her mind, that no one could drown them out. She always carried a resolve and determination of purpose within herself. Perhaps that's where her son got it from. She found her hands clapping together; joining in on the applause which surrounded her, with her lips creasing in a forced but well practiced smile. She may have felt differently than everyone else here, but she at least supported her son. She had to really, as the alternative was... well, rather unpleasant to think about. She couldn't help but wonder what her fate would be if the radical fools her son surrounded himself with were able to do as they wished to her as she watched noble men and women being strung upon the battlements of the capital. Their eyes were devoid of everything. Everything save one thing in particular. They were devoid of life, happiness, comfort, joy, and instead replaced with fear. Innocent men, women, and children, who granted; were complicit to some degree in supporting a monster of a King - but did not deserve the treatment they suffered at the hands of a 'liberated' people. She had to fight the impulse to gag as her son made the statement that his people did not commit the same atrocities that his predecessor did. To truly fight a monster, one had to in a sense become a monster. It was all too easy to forget the methods employed by the 'glorious revolution' when the eyes of guilt were buried under six feet of dirt.
Although the revolution was several years old on this day, it was on this day of days every year that Margie felt the pangs and horrors of this celebrated revolution. And it was because of that, that she resigned herself to drinking her fill of her private stock of Rjillish wine. It was the thought of that which kept her smiling, and kept her putting up the mask of happiness in support of her son. She loved her dear son - her dear Arno, and in a way the applause was sincere as she genuinely was proud of where he stood. But deep inside, where the Cassian in her always was and always would be - she hated everything that this day represented. As the applause continued and began to die down, Margie locked eyes with one of the dukes of Alendron who stood off to the side, giving him a kind smile in greeting (Iudicael), and gave a cold, distant nod to her cousin Maxmillian who stood near his wife, Aelin. Thereafter she walked up to Arno and placed a hand on his back while simultaneously giving him a soft and dignified kiss on his cheek. She was still proud of her son, despite everything she felt and hated about this day. So for her, this day was more about him than about the faulty institution in which her son supported. She said nothing, allowing her smile to do her talking for her as she gave her son a warm embrace and returned to her place, in the hopes of finding a seat to begin enjoying her libations.
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Post by Asinity on Jan 3, 2018 20:14:56 GMT
Standing next to Marielle was Emre Brightsail, her batman and general assistant of sorts. Over the past few weeks he'd done everything from shadowing her every step, meeting her "friends", learning the tricks of his new trade, and becoming a lot more conscious of his manners and behavior. It had been a lot, and it was still a lot. There were many times the teenage boy thought he messed up, but he was beginning to take his mistakes more easily as time passed, and started to look at them more as a part of learning. Not that he didn't feel guilty about them, of course, but he was gradually taking less pity on himself for them.
As cheers erupted around him, the dark-skinned Tlem allowed himself to smile broadly in spite of his emotions.
Not a year had passed where Emre didn't think about his father during Revolution Week. How the man who'd raised him had died defending the shop of Brightsail Ships against Odo's relentless forces. The boy had been there, with the rest of his family. Rebel lines had stood in stark, unwavering lines upon the road, ready to hold against the crushing charges of the Blackguard Knights. As their hooves had thundered along the beaten pathway, the Brightsail family had been ushered out of the shop and were being led to an escape route. Emre's father, however, did not follow them. Emre remembered being brought into a tight embrace, along with his mother. From that day on, he would never forget the love in his father's eyes as the man ordered his brother to escort the family to safety. He'd taken no argument. Emre's mother had cried, but there was no time for anything. His father's sacrifice had bought them life.
And now the dark-haired Tlem boy had become a teenager in his father's absence. He served as the Grand Marshal's batman, and as an role model for his peers. Emre's mother had told him probably twenty times already that she was proud of him, and that his pa would be proud as well. That thought is what made him smile, as he looked over at Marielle.
"Happy Revolution Day," he said offhandedly, probably smiling more than he had since the woman had met him. "Are we going to some kind of party, now?"
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Anaese stood with her fellow Shipmaster guild members, near the rest of the Golds. Dressed in yellow-laced maroon, black, and cream robes of celebration, she felt a measure of Tlem pride that nearly reverberated like an aura from the woman's form.
"Routaille!" she cheered along with the crowd, and held her fist in the air.
Her motherly eyes caught sight of her son as he stood next to the Grand Marshall, and she saw him smile. Anaese's lips curled up in her own feelings of joy, and she started a chain of embraces that took over the crowd around her.
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Post by Grim on Jan 4, 2018 18:26:05 GMT
Even though they had arrived early Arturas and his sisters had been surprised by how ready it seemed the population were for the festivities. Many of the peoples stalls were already packed with various foods, traditional or from other regions. Banners seemed to be everywhere as well as a general excitement from just about everyone from the all the various guilds. Now however they found themselves in the large commons to hear the speech of King Arno.
Arturas didn't really have an opinion on the revolution, to most they were just a common family even though they had been given a title in the past. Having come from sellswords he understood the general ideas others might have of Arno. From what he understood, the previous king had it coming to him.
Arturas looked around the crowed and noticed who appeared to be the queen of Alendron though they did not seem to share the same excitement that the rest of the crowd did. He applouded with the crowd though admittedly without the same the cheer as the rest but it was an impressive speech one way or another. Though the next statement set a stone in his stomach.
He couldn't really be mad as he felt he should have been more forward, though he didn't even get a chance to think to himself before he felt a elbow dig into his side as he winces he sees his Athena looking up at him, her bright green eyes saying it all. I know I know, I should have was his thought before he got an elbow dig into his other side from Andy, grunting a bit as she really dug in her elbow. Her green eyes saying I told you so. He glanced to his usual body guards to do or say something as he was getting death stares from his sisters. All the guards just looked away like they didn't see anything. playfully he thought, traitors all of them.
Athena was rather excited to head to country, her brother had promised her and Andy a nice trip away from the boredom of the castle. Though she was hoping that maybe he would finally bump into someone that he would feel like talking to. A nice lovely noblewoman, who wasn't some shrew or an empty headed fool who couldn't hold a conversation. Hopefully it would be a woman he could love, unlike their parents. While her parents did have respect for one another the just didn't have the love that some families had. I know its rare for noble families to have actual love like you could see with commoner's and some of the lower lords.
She had to admit the speech was okay and much like her brother she had no real opinion one way or the other on the revolution that happened in this country. She did like to see the excitement that seemed to be running through the crowd. It was energizing to her to see such excitement for something, The young king gave a bit dramatic speech for her tastes but Athena was overall impressed and applauded along with her siblings. The ending bit of his speech, speaking about his new wife her name was known to her, her brother would always mention when he was back at the capital he found himself enchanted by her. Of course her brother would stand against an army and not be afraid but put him in a room with a beautiful woman and he would call a retreat immediately. It seemed yet again he lost out because despite her urging he had again not tried to even see if he could court her. Idiot, is all she thought as she instinctively dug her elbow in his side and gave him a look that says, your an idiot.
Andromeda was estatic, she had spent most of her time locked away in the castle by her mother and when her brother asked to come along after his stop in Alandeen she is fairly certin she might have ruined his hearing just a bit and Arturas said she just about hugged the life out of him. In all fairness she was excited and might have been a little carried away. She was was enchanted by the island, the people were all beautiful, the charge in the air was contagious to her since she was away from her mother she could finally let free and practically dance as her siblings and their enterage of guards walked through the streets.
As they entered the main commons to hear the address from King Arno she had stopped by one carts and pleaded to get some sort of fried bread covered in butter and honey. She was muching on it as the addres was given. She was young and doesn't really remember too much about it. She was just happy that the people around her were happy. She couldn't help be be caught up in it all and clapped along and cheered with the crowd as the king finished his speech. Though she slowed down some when she heard the king state he was getting married to Luzana. Her brother had metioned her on occasion when she had forced him to dance with her. Andy seen her brother look to her other sister and she could see her sister was digging her elbow into his sides. She knew why as well, her sister wanted to see him get happily married. Andy herself however wanted to just have some nieces and newphews to play with.
She had actually told him several times if he didn't act someone else would, so like her sister she dug her elbows into him and gave him a little "I told you so smile".
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Post by Retrograde on Jan 8, 2018 5:05:44 GMT
Arno smiled as his mother kissed him, and watcher her depart. His eyes then wandered back to the crowd. So many people had fought for the day that they were celebrating here today. He wondered how many more of these he would have, and if the fire shown here would be the same in 50 years. He had worked so hard, they had all worked so hard to set all of this up. Would their children remember that? Their grandchildren?
He hoped so.
"Alright," he said, looking to his family and friends. "We're all off the clock. I'm going to go get reacquainted with Aelin and Max. All of you have fun." He waved at the them, heading on over to the Alendronian delegation.
He smiled as he saw all of them. It had been many years since he was able to interact with Aelin on a more relaxed level. He wondered how much she had really changed since her youth. Clearly, her impetuousness still remained, but he wondered as to the rest of her.
"Your majesty," he said, his face twisting into a wry grin. "It's been some time."
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Marielle looked to her batman, and ruffled his hair. "Yeah, bud, we're off the clock now. Which means you don't hafta spend all night doing my bidding." She giggled, and smiled at Emre. The boy had been doing so much to improve in his job and she was becoming fond of him. She had never had a protege since the girls back at the Sunshine House, and it was nice to have someone to teach and look out for.
"Here, take a bonus," she said, handing him some coins. "You know, go and have fun." She grinned at him. "'Less you wanna spend your time off with your boss."
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Giaume wandered through the crowd, two cups of mead in his hands. He respected his brother, naturally, but frankly he found the whole kingship business entirely boring. He understood that he had achieved great things, but politics were not something that interested Giaume very much at all. What did interest Giaume was that this was a ten day party that meant it was a great time to cut loose, especially after he was forced to sit through those incredibly boring conference talks. Yet there was one good thing to politics. It had brought out some very interesting personalities that he was much more interested in getting to know.
He approached her, a smile on his face. Anaese Brightsail, a particularly fascinating guildwoman who had a lot of influence in the Shipmakers' Guild. She was a bit on the older side, but he had heard she was a hard dealer and a dedicated worker, which were exactly the sort of things that made Giaume interested in a woman.
"Hello there," he said as he moved in beside her. "That's your son, right?" He asked, then looked down at the other drink in his hand, offering it to her.
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Sabelle sat quietly, watching as her mother approached. She had never particularly been a fan of parties, but she did her best to tolerate it for Arno and the country's sake. She recognized that Revolution Week was important, so she tried to show it the proper amount of respect. Still, she had sat through his speech and now was wanting to get out of there as much as she could. Now the only problem was the whole party that came after it.
"Mommy," she said, approaching Margarethe. "Do I really have to stay for the whole party?" She clutched a glass of red wine in her hands. She almost never drank, but she found it calmed her nerves and it was a special occasion.
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Post by Zoilus on Jan 8, 2018 18:57:02 GMT
Aelin gave Arno a warm smile. "It has. Too long, look what's been done to me!" she said, gesturing to her obviously pregnant belly. "But it sounds like you might be having the same problem soon? Or, your wife will."
There was a brief pause, as Aelin seemed to be considering something, and it was all the opportunity Maximilian needed. "King Arno, it is a pleasure and an honor, especially after that speech! I've been reading about your Revolution since its inception, but to see it firsthand like this? A dream come true! Whatever children you may have, being one the Fathers of this new nation- what more could you want?"
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Iudicael watched Marielle dismiss her servant. Good, wouldn't want any interruptions. He approached her and began with, "Greetings, Grand Marshal," and offered a slight bow. "Iudicael Cadeyrn, of the Alendronian delegation. I was wondering if you had some time to discuss your tactical and strategic theory with me? We at the Imperial Academy have been most interested in opening a dialogue with the Revolutionary generals, you especially."
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Post by Asinity on Jan 9, 2018 19:45:06 GMT
Emre looked down at the coins in his hand, and widened his eyes. He bit his lip as he tried to keep his emotions in check, but couldn't stop himself from hugging Marielle in a very quick, awkward motion before shouting "Thank you!", and running off.
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Anaese had just got done hugging an associate in the Shipmasters Guild when Giaume had approached her. To say that there was shock evident on her face would have been an understatement; she practically stood still for a moment as she evaluated the situation. Her hands hung in the air as she looked toward the drink being offered to her, then back to the man she knew only as Prince Giaume of House Merov. For the briefest moment it was difficult for her to even speak, but finally she managed a hesitant smile and followed the man's finger to see Emre hurrying toward her with the biggest smile she'd ever seen.
“I...Yes, Your Gr…” she started.
"Mom, she g-..." Emre interrupted her, before slowing down and catching his breath. He also noticed his surroundings and lowered his voice a bit. "She gave me a bonus! Can I go to the markets? I want to get something.”
The mother eyed her son for a moment, who seemed oblivious to Giaume’s presence, and smirked at his excitement.
“You’re a grown boy,” she enthused, and shooed him off with her hands. “Go, do what you want!”
As the teenage boy took off toward the festival markets, Anaese turned back toward Giaume, and finally accepted the drink he’d offered her. She quickly looked over herself, as if making sure she was presetable. Why in Artis’ name was a prince of Merov coming to give her a drink, out of everyone here? Was this Marielle’s doing? Was it about Emre? Hopefully it wasn’t bad news of any kind.
“S-sorry, Your Grace,” the dark-skinned woman apologized. “His name is Emre. Thank you for this.”
Anaese held the glass up with one hand, and smoothed down her dress with the other. The woman looked up at him expectantly, as though she were unsure how to proceed. Oh, he’s handsome up close, she thought, as she studied Giaume’s expression.
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Post by Fyremage on Jan 11, 2018 19:11:15 GMT
"Thank you, Felipe." Margerethe said in a monotone, though not unthankful manner as a servant finished pouring a golden-hued wine into his lady's goblet. She took a sip of the sweet wine, letting out a long breath from her covered seat back in the dais behind the stage as she observed the festivities taking place in front of her. Despite her personal reservations behind the purpose of today's celebrations, which harkened back to a very dark time for her, it was... good to see the people of Routaille unified in adoration of their nation, and of their King. Of course, the good will she felt at present was overshadowed by her catching sight of her son speaking to her, her being best described as the moniker Margie herself referred to the woman in private: 'The Galathion Bitch.'
Her reason behind referring to Her Majesty in such a way was deep seeded, and in a sense a personal protest by simple refusal of using her name. Of course, dignity mandated that should she ever speak to her, that she refrain from referring to the monarch of Alendron as a 'bitch.' But that didn't mean she couldn't do it in private, and whether or not Margie had to speak to her was almost entirely her prerogative. From what Margerethe knew of her, the 'Queen' of Alendron acted more like 'the Whore of Alendron' in her opinion - the first and foremost reason being that she was mother to a bastard son, and the second being the rumors of her being involved in... unnatural relations with other women of her court. The very thought of such a notion caused bile to rise in the back of her throat, much less the open fact that Aelin detested Margie's family and was quite open about how she thought of them. Needless to say, the feeling was mutual.
If she were being honest however, this animosity was likely and very largely in part due to the pretenses behind the war both Rjillund and Alendron had fought against each other, namely in the accusation that the Cassians were somehow implicated in the assassination of their late King: King Philipe. With nearly all diplomatic recourses thrown out of the window, the two nations were plunged into the depths of war, with Rjillund being forced to act in order to gain the initiative and prevent Alendronian aggression. Needless to say, some of the animosity Margie felt was likely unearned given Aelin was not necessarily part of the decision making process behind the declaration of war, but even still - it was also altogether likely that Margie didn't really need a reason. She just disliked her by principle.
She could feel her blood pumping as she observed her son conversing with her, which caused her to by necessity redirect her attentions elsewhere. She espied Giaume speaking to an older, but not unattractive woman who based on the demeanor of the young batman Marielle had introduced to Margie earlier, was likely the boy's mother. This also disturbed Margie but for completely different reasons, chief of which being her maternal instincts welling up within her to demand her son direct his interests to a more... suitable prospective partner as compared to a... commoner.
Overall, one could say Margerethe wasn't having the best time at the moment, but that ws what wine was for right? She soon extended her glass out for her servant to refill, which he in turn was quick about doing. "Thank you, Felipe."
It was in that moment that she just realized that Sabelle was speaking to her. She directed her attention to her daughter as if pulling herself out of a daze, and said with an odd, motherly warmth: "Probably not for the whole party, my dear. But for the sake of appearances, it's important we are present and visible for most of it in support of your brother."
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Post by Grim on Jan 12, 2018 2:44:47 GMT
Andy was the first to move as she spied some food cart that appeared covered in pastries and sweets of all kinds. She also spied some sort of sausage wrapped in some sort of roll. It was all she could do to not just run off. Instead she immediately hooked her arm around her brother's and pulled him as hard as she could bringing him along to the cart. What to get, what to get? she thought to herself as she looked over the cart. The owner telling her what each one had. Finally she nodded and pointed at some sort of sweet tart made with some berry she had never heard of and one of those wrapped up sausages. She greedily took them nearly drooling over them as she waited for her siblings to decide if they were going to get anything before once again dragging them along to some chairs and tables. "Thank you again brother. I haven't been so excited and had as much fun as now." She looked around and started to greedily much on the wrapped sausage. She loved the taste, it had a hint of honey or some sort of syurp, the bread or roll that was wrapped around it was rather full of butter taste and tied together they made for an amazing taste.
"I am glad you are having fun, but..." Replied Arturas, "You might want to slow down, at this rate we will be paupers before we leave." He teased to his sister as he enjoyed a simpler biscuit of some sort.
Athena sat next to her sister, instead enjoying some candied fruit. It was lighter than what her siblings where eating. The candy was made to be a bit sour but once she got through that the fruit itself was sweet, quickly balancing out the flavor and leaving an enjoyable after taste. Clearly that owner was well versed in combining things, "Indeed Andy, you best slow down lest you make yourself sick again. Besides I hear that during this time anyone is allowed to approach the royal family. I think it would be great to actually at least introduce ourselves to them." Athena remarked. That wasn't her only plan, she had heard the king had a very fair sister. It wouldn't be bad to at least introduce her brother to some others, especially those of the fairer sex. "Who knows, mayhaps they will have a ball as well at some point." Athena teased to her sister. Truthfully she didn't know but she knew it would make her sisters week if they did. She had to admit, since brother had taken over her sister looked much happier, though she was very aware their mother was increasingly unhappy with her children. She never understood why though...
Arturas enjoyed the fruitspread on the plain biscuit he had, a bit of a tartberry that had a good taste even if it was tart. He listed to his sister after teasing Andy some about how much food she had already purchased today. To be fair, he had to work hard to keep himself from joining in the the excitement like Andy had. He was curious if Athena was having the problem or not. He clapped his hands after he wiped them off with his hankerchief, "Then its settled lets at least go introduce ourselves to host of this...." He paused as he tried to think of the proper term but nothing really seemed to be correct, "party." It was the best word he could think of.
Once they had finished they gathered their guards as the headed towards the royal family, Andy asking all sorts of questions about the family. Some Arturas could answer some he could not. He had only met Arno while at the conference not too long ago. Most of what he knew he had heard from others, even then that wasn't much. He took a moment to clean himself before they made their way to meet the Royal Family, their guards following them far as they could.
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Post by Grim on Jan 15, 2018 17:38:30 GMT
Arturas and his sisters entered entered the area that the king and his own family seemed to be at. King Arno seemed to be speaking with Queen Aelin It seemed they were at least deep in chatting. Since he wasn't here in any official capacity he decided for the time being he wouldn't in any hurry to interrupt them as they spoke. From across the way he could see an older woman staring daggers towards Queen Aelin, was fairly certain that was Arno's mother but he was not for sure. What he was sure was that the woman clearly didn't care for the Alendronian woman. A story for sure but not one that he would felt he needed to be privy to, in fact he didn't even want to walk between the two lest those daggers found him.
He was brought back to reality when his youngest sister nudged him as servant presented them with goblets of wine, Not the biggest drinker he decided it would be rude if he didn't take graciously accepted a goblet with his sisters.
"Brother over there, I believe that is King Arno's sister." gestured Andy faintly towards a young woman sitting next to the woman who seemed to relax some as her servant refilled her cup. He was surprised he hand't noticed her before, then again years of his fathers teachings mixed with a few of his mentors over the years had taught him to watch for the woman scorned.
"She is pretty, you should go introduce yourself brother lest history repeats again." Athena chimed in.
He gave each of his sisters a glance and an playfully fake dissatisfied smile, "Yes I know, if I don't go now our city and lands will forever be barren and pestilence shall be its new ruler." He takes a long drought of the drink, sweeter than he had hoped but he composed himself, "It's a wonder I ever made it through training and schooling without my sisters to guide me along." He quipped sarcastically as he strode towards the young woman.
"Don't worry about us, we will be around" Andy gestured to the various assorted people around.
Arturas shook his head a little and continued towards the women at the table. His mind working overtime trying to come up with something to say, the entire time nothing coming to mind. Cursing himself mentally as he stops finally arriving at the table nothing still to stay, so he makes it up as he goes along. How can this go wrong, he asks himself as he introduces himself. "My Ladies, I apologize if I am interrupting anything I just wanted to introduce myself to the most wonderful hosts who put this together. I am Boyar Arturas Cosella Bannerman of King Koschei of Luska, Might I have the pleasure of your names?"
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Post by Retrograde on Jan 17, 2018 21:46:20 GMT
Arno smiled at Aelin's belly. It was hard to believe the girl he had known since her infancy was now on the way with her second child. She wondered if she would be forced to suffer children as bratty as she had been. That was a date that he would never wish on anyome, however amusing it would be. And it would be very amusing in Aelin's case.
"We will see how Luzana feels about that. We aren't even married yet and she might want to wait a while after we are. I can't imagine she will just instantly adjust after moving so far from home."
There were other doubts, of course. The decision to marry had been quite suddenly, spurred on by the rather adamant urging of Luzana's mother Sofija following his music session with her daughter. He hoped that Luzana did not resent him too badly.
Then his attention was drawn to his cousin, Max. Ever the black sheep of the Cassian family, Max was something of a dreamer and bon vivant. Arno respected that, although he found himself wary of the man's enthusiasm.
"Well, Max, I am proud of everything. Having fought so hard... It is good to see it paid off. Now the only matter is keeping it all together."
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Post by Zoilus on Jan 17, 2018 22:01:20 GMT
Aelin gave her cousin a knowing smile. "All you need to do is help her settle in, feel welcome and at home. I'm sure everything will go swimmingly from there, and our children will be playmates in no time!" She gave Max a look, "I'd say I knew this from experience, but Maximilian was quite excited to leave Rjillund, and did most of the home-making legwork himself. Still, what he hasn't learned yet," her smile dropped, "is how to be polite. But that's a Cassian for you, no?"
Aelin was not going to let her husband ruin this meeting for her, but he really was trying his best, wasn't he? Best to give him a warning before more drastic measures had to be taken.
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Maximilian rolled his eyes. "What my dear wife is trying to say is that I should apologize for my over-enthusiasm, but I simply don't feel guilty at all." He gave her a smirk. "But if our thoughts must come to the children to be, I hope mine and yours will stand side by side, ushering in a new age for Trevast! Indeed, how could they not?"
Maximilian refused to let himself be intimidated by his wife, not in here, not now. What could she do, lock him in the embassy? That would hardly be a good look for her or Alendron, would it?
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Post by Retrograde on Jan 17, 2018 22:12:32 GMT
Arno snorted at Aelin. "I am half-Cassian, remember that. Actually, I technically have more Cassian blood in me than anything else. Something some members of my family are quite quick to remind me of."
He shrugged at Max. "As for our children ushering in new eras, I am really just focused ensuring they grow up happy and healthy. Andy is turning six in two months and I think she needs a little more time as a little girl before I start moulding her into the heir apparent. Then again she is always quite happy to remind people she is going to be Queen some day."
He smiled at both of them. "But it has to be terrible for your back, standing on your feet like that Cress... Want me to get you a chair? Something to eat?"
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Post by Zoilus on Jan 17, 2018 22:24:25 GMT
Maximilian gave Aelin a look of triumph, "You see, o Pearl of Avindril? Cassian chivalry, come to save your aching back. And yes, kinsman of mine, her appetite has grown by quite a bit, more than I expected...the poor chefs at the palace never get a break these days. To help spare them, I've been eating simple foods, you know?" He winked at Arno, "Which is the real reason I was looking forward to this trip, of course!"
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Aelin turned bright red. That bastard! "Well, you've been on your feet since the speech, right? Perhaps we, ah, could all sit down." She sighed. She really was hungry...."And if you could have just a few hors d'oeuvres brought out, I think we would all" she gave Max a murderous look, "appreciate it."
"And Arno, please note that Luzana will appreciate more subtle treatment, when her time comes."
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