| Logs |
2000-06-14
| Starfall |
| Realms |
Retired
| Reality Fault |
General Info
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"The Heart Treasures Secrets..."
Alex drifts back to her post on the quarterdeck, Natasha and Dimitri head down the gangplank, and the rest of the crew moves discreetly away from the corner occupied by Horatio and Jessie. Alone, or at least as alone as they are likely to get on the ship, the two sit silently for a while.Jessie smiles, recognizing Horatio's habitual shyness reasserting itself. "It's a truly unique flower, Horatio. What made you think of getting it for me?"
Horatio is gratefully pulled out of the way of the onrushing shell that predictably sneaks up on him so often. He smiles warmly. "Its color, it... stood out from everything else at the florist's." Horatio hesitates for a moment, his ear tips starting to blush more than a bit. "Very ah... very much like you. That is, I mean... you've... you stand out. In er... in my life." Mental note: the student in him thinks casually, suggest poetry or literature or something other than nothing but science as part of the Academy curriculum. The rest of his mind unanimously shushes the student in him.
The mink grins. "Aww, that's sweet of you to say. But surely a handsome young nobleman like yourself has all the ladies trying to entice him... what makes me stand out, I'm just an archer and a woodsgirl."
Horatio blinks in honest surprise. "Er... actually, they haven't." He grins softly. "I think we've been lucky that way for the most part." He sighs softly. "This journey's changed a lot of things that I used to know." He looks to Jessie, the smile returning. "I was glad that one of the first changes after we began was when we arrived at Ettore. That, out of the blue, you came to me and... well... words aren't my strong point, Jessie... but I imagine that someone trying to 'entice' me wouldn't have bothered to do much more than that. But you... well... you seemed to look deeper than that, you seemed to reach deeper than that. I... never got the impression that I was just a noble's son to you." He shakes his head. "And... 'Just an archer?' 'Just a woodsgirl?' You are those, and rightly you should be proud of them! But speaking for myself... you're much more than that." He adjusts his collar as an internal debate begins as to where the blazes he learned to talk like this. "You're..." He takes a bit of a shaky breath. "I'm sorry, er, words are failing me, badly..."
The mink blushes a little herself. "Well... I am proud of what I do, but it's nae that special. You understand so many things, and you're so clever with the ship an' the potions an' all, but you still care about people."
Horatio shakes his head, smiling quietly. "'Not that special?' I can't fire a bow nearly as good as you do, and if I was put into the depths of a forest I might be able to shout loud enough for someone to hear me. Maybe. You say I'm clever-" The image from the first battle the Saucy Mare took part in comes to his mind unbidden, with the ballista bolts ripping through the barge's crew, and he winces, briefly pained. "-but I don't have nearly the freedom you do, you know. This journey... it's changed some things for me, and maybe I'm not the hapless Academy student I was when I started." His smile becomes gently wry. "But I still envy you, all that you can do on your own." He tilts his head to the side. "And... no matter what it is that I've done or tried to do or, well, attempted and seen blow up... well, erm... it, ah... hasn't, won't change how I... er... how I feel..." Jessie waits, as still as she ever is in a hunting blind, waiting for the next few words... almost holding her breath. Horatio gulps almost audibly. "Ahh... er, I mean nothing that we've done on this voyage... nothing from the docks of Maidstone to the shores of Mt. Kali has changed how I feel for you, Jessie." He mentally (and mildly) berates his Muse for being late to this little meeting. His expression is sheepish but warm as he looks to her. "Even... even if we haven't been... together as much as ah... as I would have hoped we could, it... that doesn't change that I... er..." He now regrets berating his Muse, and ponders trying to lure it back with sweets. "That doesn't change how I have... come to feel for you, how I've come to feel how... how much I look forward to spending time, any time, with you, and that... I hope and pray... thata when this is over, thata we... might... if you wish... spend... more time... er, together." He sighs softly. "I'm sorry, I know I'm not being terribly coherent," he says with a small laugh. "It's just... that I've never felt this way towards... towards anyone before."
The mink just - flows - to Horatio's side, brushing against him in the first physical contact they've had since the Solstice. She churrs, her voice husky. "Oh... yes. I'd like that a lot. D'you think your father would mind, though? That he'd want someone more... appropriate for you?"
Horatio takes in a bit of a breath at her touch. There's no more analyzing, no more internal debate, no more pondering imponderables. "New feelings?" More to the point, he's almost floored. "I... I can't see how he would...?" The worry that Father might not approve of this tickles his mind, even if he is the third son. He'd heard some stories in the Academy; of second, third, and fourth sons leaving classes due to... other arrangements, made for them by their noble parents. He won't worry about that now though. As it stands now, after all, there's not much to the St. Genevieve estates. It might even be doubtful if they'll ever be allowed to see Starfall ever again, even with Father confronting Pravinchandra. Many horrible things could still happen. He shakes his head and says with more confidence, "You've risked your life with us, with all of us, on this voyage," he says quietly. And it will be an even greater risk if we run into Starfall's Navy and they've orders to sink us...! "Jessie... if it ever becomes an issue, I'll --" You've got to be kidding, do you know what you're about to say?! "-I'll talk with Father. I'll explain it to him. But... I don't think it will come to that." *sigh* You mean you hope it won't come to that. You're the son of a Count, Horatio. And not only can Father still scare you as ever... he's still Father, still Count St. Genevieve. If the family is ever reinstated to our estate... his word will be law. 'Talk to Father,' indeed! More like be talked at by Father. He ignores the thoughts though. Now isn't the time; for all he knows they'll be fired upon by Starfall's Navy the moment they're spotted, Father or diplomatic courier or not, and Pravinchandra will win. Sort this out later... when there's time to sort it out. For now... for now... Horatio will live as he can, cherishing the days, the hours, the moments he may have left with Jezebel.
Jessie sighs happily at the few words Horatio speaks, and then just sits with him in companionable silence as he wrestles with his thoughts. Her hand steals toward his, her grip strong but gentle, comforting each other as they both worry in their own way about the Count's reaction. Horatio's ear tips turn perhaps their deepest red yet, and yet his hand is steady for once as his own hand finds hers, squeezing back, his smile for her warm and quiet.
Dimitri and Natasha walk down the pier toward the city, quietly thinking while remaining habitually alert for dangers. Natasha finally pauses at the end of the pier. "So... vere ve are goink?"
The tall black fox continues to walk a step, his arm reaching back to Natasha's paw in his paw. He shrugs his shoulders, his cloak rustling, his ears perked. Odd he looks without his greatsword, his dark eyes shadows against his black fur. "Not sure... but to start, this way, yes?" And turns, heading towards the market.
Natasha follows, a lean, gray wolf. "Nichyevo." After a pause she continues. "T'ank you for t'e note. I vas hopink ve vould have chance to talk again."
Walking slowly, Dimitri looks back. "Thank you... and one day you'll have to tell me what that means. Nichi-ehvo." For once not in a rush as he lazes past the stalls. Perhaps it is obvious, the slower they walk perhaps the longer he might get to hold a gray-furred paw. "I didn't know, you see. Couldn't tell..." He tarries at a little stall, where some meat pies are bought, a pair, and coin exchanged. A bit further down a bit of gingham cloth, and two stalls more away a pair of small pottery cups. "I think I would like that too." A bottle of dandelion wine found hidden among finer, more expensive wares. Some roast beast, some bread, a bit of cheese, a random sampling of the Maidstone markets, until the cloth bulges like a makeshift orphan's kit. Hefting it, satisfied, Dimitri steers out of the market, making an odd trail back seaside, but beyond the docks, where broken stone and sand meets the sea. There finally he sets his impromptu picnic down upon the sand, spreading the cloth, until he can offer Natasha a small cup of wine. His muzzle ducks a bit, his words quiet and simple. "For you."
The wolf grins, taking the offered cup and letting Dimitri set up the picnic, since he seems to want to. "Spacebo." She takes an appreciative sip. "Nichyevo is meanink... depends. It doesn't matter, or sometimes not'ink can be done. Today it meant vereever you go, I follow. Very useful vord, da?"
Dimitri listens quietly, pouring a bit of wine for himself, settling down not across from Natasha but next to her. "Truth? I'd rather it if you walked with me rather than followed."
Natasha chuckles. "But you vere knowink vhere lunch vas." She looks up more seriously. "You mean t'is? To be..." She gropes for the words, or at least the translation. "To be more t'an battle companions, Sir Dimitri?"
Dimitri shrugs his shoulders quietly. "We would have found lunch either way." And then he pauses, looking across to Natasha. One long heartbeat, then two. "Dimitri. Just Dimitri." But to answer her question he does just offer her his paw.
Natasha reaches across the picnic to take the offered paw. "I vould be honored, Dimitri. T'ank you." She looks at him more seriously. "You and your family 'ave much to do yet. Vould be honor merely to 'elp." The wolf sits back, looking at the food and getting a sly grin on her face. "So. Vhat 'appen vit' qveen?"
Dimitri looks down quietly for a long, long moment. "But I'm not asking for my Family, Natasha..." He looks up, his fingers curling around her paw, held tight and not letting go. "I'm asking for me. For the simple fox you danced with on Solstice. For the swordsman who might stand by your side. Not for Carroll, not for Father, but for me, Natasha. I want the chance to know you better."
Natasha smiles, but oddly lopsided. "I know you ask for yourself, Dimitri. Am not sayink t'is vell... vould be honor to 'elp. Is doubly honor to be ask for yourself alone. Must varn, t'ough... not everyt'ink about me you might like."
Dimitri shrugs. "I am certainly not a perfect fox. But I'll never know if I never take the chance. In some ways..." The black fox matches her lopsided grin, "I think facing down a full deck of Imperial mercenaries is less scary than this. But Natasha... have you ever thought that from this fox's point of view, that perhaps just holding your paw in mine is even more of an honor?
Natasha shakes her head. "P'jalst. Am failink to see 'ow." But she grins at the thought of how Imperials, even a full deck of them, could be scary to competent warriors.
Dimitri looks back quietly. "To I have to tell you? Smart. Sure. Calm. Cool. A princess with a blade of steel in her hand. Honest. And one who would understand."
The wolf nods. "So Alex told me. And she vas... intrigued vit you, da? You vould really prefer me to a qveen?"
Dimitri blinks, "I was not talking about Arianna, Natasha, I was talking about you." He turns her paw over in his, looking back. "She's very nice. I like her. And I could have been with her right now. But I chose to be with you.
The warrior-wolf's ears do blush now. "Shto... I t'ought you meant Arianna. You t'ink of me t'at vay? A princess vit a sword?" She looks terribly embarrassed.
Dimitri leans down and gently presses his lips to her paw, a soft kiss. "I sait it. I nefer say somet'ing I ton't mean, Natasha."
Natasha leans forward to touch noses with Dimitri. "Hmph. Now you make fun of my accent." She grins as she says this though, taking the sting out of the words.
Dimitri smiles softly, his eyes crossing for a bit. "I wanted to try. I'm usually not good at things like that. To see how I would have sounded, if we grew up together... but it is true." He leans forward so their muzzles might brush, slow and soft. "I wouldn't have said it if I didn't mean it."
Natasha smiles, brushing muzzles with the dark fox. "If ve grow up toget'er, ve not speakink t'is language to each ot'er, am t'inkink." She gives Dimitri's paw another squeeze, then leans back. "But for now, you are still beink my superior officer. Ve perhaps not need to be... unprofessional, da?"
Dimitri closes his eyes for a moment, and then he swallows, leaning back. "Natasha... not only did I chose you over a queen this afternoon... I left my sword behind." He swallows once again, and nods. "But I understand. Here. We should eat before the flies have a feast."
Natasha grins and takes one of the meat pies. "I notice t'at. It's... how you say, not like you?" Dimitri puts a piece of beast upon a piece of bread and manages a small, slow bite. He just shrugs. Natasha twitches an ear, but doesn't comment directly on Dimitri's apparent lack of appetite. "So. Somt'ink yet, am thinkink. Out vit it."
Dimitri sets his sandwich down half-eaten, rolling it into a corner of the picnic cloth for later. "It's fine, Natasha. Proper. Professional. I'm sorry. I probably should be getting back to the ship. To my... duties."
Natasha snorts. "Nonsense. You're not beink on duty t'is afternoon. Enjoy yourself for once." She reaches across the cloth again, trapping Dimitri's right paw between both of hers. "Am sorry I said anyt'ink about unprofessional. T'at you never beink. Now, please... sit and eat vit me."
Dimitri starts just a bit as his paw is trapped. He looks down, balanced, paused, on the edge of a dagger. "I just wanted to have lunch with a lovely lady, one who I can't not help but watch all these weeks at sea. Not this stranger, Major of marines Sir Dimitri Timothy St. Genevieve meeting with Armsman Natasha Zhukov. Just me. Dimitri. And this stranger I don't know but wanted to. Natasha. I danced with her once, you know."
Natasha sighs. "Da... and she enjoyed it. Very, very much. Please... stay. Give Natasha a chance to be findink 'er vay out of 'er own long 'abits of duty." She lets go with one paw, letting Dimitri's rest on hers but not drawing back. "Ve are bot' needink practice for t'is. Too many years beink private, da?" Dimitri looks down for a long, long while... or at least it seems like forever. Then he curls his fingers about her paw and doesn't sit down across from her, but next to her, close enough for shoulders to touch. He doesn't say a word, but just looks down at her fingers entwined with his. Natasha holds her breath, then exhales in relief as Dimitri sits down next to her instead of leaving. She leans into his shoulder just a little and squeezes his paw, just a touch. "Spacebo. Bolshoy'e spacebo." She sighs. "So 'ard to do t'is after so many years. I vant to, and cannot remember right vay."
Dimitri gently squeezes back, looking to Natasha, his eyes always finding it hard to turn from her. "I grew up with Alex, Natasha... I am a very patient fox." But then he is quiet for a very long while, looking out into the sea. He finally glances down, raising their paws again so he can once again gaze upon her paw in his. He smiles. "I... like... this. Very much."
The wolf giggles, probably the first time that Dimitri has ever heard her do that, at the image of Dimitri being patient with a young Alex. "Am hopink I am not quite as... excitable as t'at." She calms down and happily sits, gazing out at the water and nibbling on the picnic now and again.
Dimitri shrugs himself quietly. His ears perk at the bright sound. He can't help but smile. "Yes, but if I can survive my sister, I can survive anything, I believe." He too looks out across the water, watching it sparkle. "I liked dancing with you too."
Natasha sighs and leans up against the fox, the contact with her athletic leanness more pronounced. "Am glad you did. Not 'ad so much fun since before I left Karaganda."
Dimitri softly growls, "What was it like there? Is the Queen's bodyguard your sister, perhaps?" His questions are simple, quiet, but so intensely curious. About her. "Do you have a family... and how did you end up so far out here?" An then he pauses. "I had never danced in a festival before, not with anyone except Alex."
Natasha grows quiet, tensing a little while thinking about her homeland. "Arianna's bodyguard is from Karaganda? Did not know t'at..." She straightens herself. "And yes, I have family t'ere. Ve... did not agree about career choice, so I left. Drifted around for while, learned my trade. T'ey practically kidnapped me back, so I jumped on first ship leavink city. Ended up here."
Dimitri shrugs quietly, and looks down and strengthens his grip on her paw. "Well, they'd have to get through me first to try it again. No. That's not right. If they tried that again they'd find us fighting side by side against them."
Natasha nods, quite wolfishly this time. "Da. Am 'avink no more desire to 'ave my life dictated by my birt' t'an you do."
Dimitri smiles quietly... and then he just draws his paw up to once again kiss the tips of her fingers. "My Princess with a sword..."
Alex watches Natasha and Dimitri return from their little tete-a-tete, walking hand-in-hand until they reached the end of the pier, where they somewhat reluctantly go back to their 'professional' demeanors. The young fox makes a note to talk to Natasha sometime soon... her chance comes a few hours later, while Natasha is working on her armor and Alex is relieved by Jared for the evening watch.
Alex patters quietly over and sits next to Natasha to clean her sword. She works quietly for a while, nodding and smiling to Natasha when she first seats herself. The wolf nods politely to Alex, then twitches an ear in her direction when she sits down. She doesn't really look up from what she is doing, but she does notice. Alex finishes cleaning her sword (it doesn't take as long as repairing armor, after all) and puts it away, then brings her knees up and wraps her arms around them, quietly watching Natasha with the armor. After a moment she murmurs casually, "Natasha... have you ever seen a... white tiger before?"
Natasha looks up. "Da. Many times." She grins. "Did not see orange tiger until I was fifteen." The wolf frowns after a few more seconds. "Vhy you ask?"
Alex's earringed ear flicks and she nods thoughtfully, then adds, "The queen's bodyguard is a white tiger. She has an accent like yours. Would you like to come along when we go see the queen? Or... would this be uncomfortable for you?"
Natasha's ears go flat. "Vould... prefer not."
Alex nods, oddly unsurprised, "That's fine. I was thinking of asking you, but it suddenly hit me the other day that..." she hesitates, trying to think how to say something politely, then carefully continues, "...that ah... perhaps things were for you how they were for Mitya and Daddy for a while." She gazes with bright-eyed curiosity at Natasha, adding, "Do you want to talk about it? I know how to keep secrets, if so... Mitya taught me -- and if not..." she smiles and shrugs, "-if not... that's your choice, of course."
Natasha sighs. "I vould rat'er tell your brot'er first vhen time comes for tellink. I owe him t'at. And in meantime vould like to stay chust Natasha. Not risk someone lettink, vhat is phrase... cats out of sack?"
Alex grins cheerfully, brushing a stray strand of hair out of her face, "The cat out of the bag? Sure, Natasha... that's fine." She tilts her head, smiling, then adds impulsively, "I'm glad you like Dimitri -- like Dimitri, not the color of his fur." She beams quietly.
The wolf grins. "But I do like t'e color of his fur."
Alex laughs! "Yah, but that's not all you like... you're taking the time to get to know the person as well, y'know?" She's too polite to name names, but her eyes sparkle mischievously at her thoughts!
Natasha looks quite serious now. "Shto. As long as not makink final decisions on first impression, is not bad t'ing. Vun needs to start lookink somevhere."
Alex nods quietly, "True. It's when someone seems to be completely overwhelmed by the first impression that I'm uncomfortable and worried." She rests her chin on her knees, watching Natasha, and adds with a grin, "'Sides... you're a swordswoman."
The wolf looks very introspective for a moment, and mutters almost too soft to hear. "Much vorse t'ings to base a marriage on... much vorse."
Alex's ears tilt interestedly at Natasha and she grins, "Did your daddy want you to not be a swordswoman too?"
The wolf's ears lay flat again. "Ve had... disagreements over my career, da."
Alex giggles softly at Natasha's response, then grins apologetically at Natasha's inquiring glance, "Sorry... I was just feeling sorry for all those confused daddies that don't understand their daughters are really going to be what they want to be!"
Natasha grins in spite of herself; the young vixen's enthusiasm is contagious. "Da. But you had your chance vhen your fat'er disappeared. I needed to do my own disappearink."
Alex smiles and shakes her head, "It works out. Daddy didn't know it, but I was still practicing my sword-work while he was there and Mitya was gone." She explains simply, "I had to, don't you know, even though Daddy didn't want that -- I'd promised Mitya I would. So..." she thinks a moment, then smiles, "-so... it works out, even if you have to disappear to do it." She smiles, adding with quiet happiness, "'Sides, if you and Mitya decide you like each other bunches and want to stay together..." she beams happily at the thought, then continues, "-you'll be part of the family. You'll always have a place with us then... I know Dimitri would love to have you on any ship I was captaining!"
Natasha just grins and shakes her head fondly. "Ve vill see. Much yet to do before ve get to t'at point."
Alex nods calmly, "Yup. But I'm glad it's you he likes." She grins, bouncing lightly to her feet, "Well... I'll leave you be -- I can see you have work to do. Thanks!" She grins, waves, and patters happily off.
The day after Natasha and Dimitri have their heart-to-heart talk, Alex decides that she wants to visit the markets as well, and suggests to Dimitri that he bring Natasha along as bodyguard. The dark fox doesn't really object to that, and so the three set out. At lunchtime they stop in one of the taverns along the edge of the main Market Square.
Alex chats cheerfully with Natasha and her brother, about the market, about her small purchases, about their upcoming visit to the royal levee... about the queen's white tigress bodyguard. Alex pauses at that point, thinking, her ears swiveling between Dimitri and Natasha. Then she nods firmly to herself and leans across the table to lay one small paw lightly on Natasha's. Gently she says, "Natasha... would you like to tell Dimitri and me about your reasons for not going to the palace, now?" She smiles encouragingly. The tall black fox settles in across from Natasha. At Alex's words he stops. He pauses. Dimitri gives his sister a long, long look. Until, finally, he turns back to Natasha, and with a true and honest smile he offers the wolf his paw, open and inviting.
Natasha looks very nervous at that request. "Vould like? Nyet. Must I?" She looks at Dimitri, searching his face for answers...
Alex thinks a bit, her ears swiveling back and forth a moment more... then nods, "No, Natasha, you don't have to, of course not. But... I know Mitya always taught me that being scrupulously honest with the folks you care about is important." She studies Dimitri's face for a moment, how he watches Natasha... then smiles at Natasha and doesn't say anything more.
Dimitri shakes his head back and forth, his paw tightening about Natasha's, his eyes never leaving hers. "No. Never. You never have to with me, 'Tasha." His muzzle ducks, acknowledging Alex. "But Alex is right. Always the truth you shall get from me. And there... there... there is nothing you cannot ask."
The wolf looks at Dimitri in silence for some little time. Then she sighs. "Am not wantink to be recognized. Dimitri... ve more alike t'an you know." Alex nods, looking unsurprised... at both comments.
Natasha smiles at Dimitri. "Am knowink, Mitya. And am thankink you." She stares off into the middle distance again for a bit. "I... left to escape... vat is beink vord... dinastovye .. arranged marriage." Alex nods encouragingly again. Natasha says, "Otetsye... Fat'er vantink to revard vun of chief vassals vit... vit me." She degenerates into mutterings in her native language, none of which sound particularly friendly.
Alex looks faintly shocked, her ears going straight up! Dimitri listens... intently, and then a reflex, quicker than even Alex has ever seen -- his lips curl, sharp canines suddenly bared, a moment's growl deep in his throat. And then he stops, starts, and shakes his head, his black ruff flying. He looks about the tavern and then shrugs. "Apologies... did I do that? No. Yes. Tcha."
Alex thinks about that for a bit... then nods calmly, "Then... if your father had vassals high-ranking enough that he was willing to marry you to one of them, you must be quite high-ranking indeed, and he must have had several children besides you." She tilts her head curiously, "Are you a princess?" Alex does not, of course, speak loudly... her voice is pitched just for her brother and Natasha.
Dimitri looks at Natasha, and then Alex. "She's my Princess with a sword..." Alex grins cheerfully at Dimitri, then looks back at Natasha with continued interest.
The wolf matches Dimitri's growl with one of her own. "Disgustink old boar, and rumor sayink not... good reason vas vidowed tvice." She starts at Alex's remark, then grins. "Nyet. Fat'er is... Gertsog Vlastevya. You sayink... Duke."
Alex nods interestedly, then wrinkles her nose, "Can't say as I'd be thrilled at those prospects either, Natasha." She falls silent for a bit, thinking and staring at her plate... then looks up a touch puzzledly, "So... what did you want to keep quiet from us, Natasha? And... how do white tigers come into this?"
Natasha reaches across the table to take Dimitri's hand in hers. "Not so bad you knowink. Dimitri... is understandink, da? But vould be problems if vas found again. Rat'er not be recognized."
Alex nods again, "Makes sense. Still... I get the impression that the baroness is... probably permanently relocated here." She smiles at Natasha, "I'd guess, unless you threatened the queen, that she might not care even if she did know you."
The wolf grins. "Mayhaps. But is old habits now. Vhy risk it if not needink?" She returns Dimitri's gaze. "Mitya... am sorry I misleadink you. But... 'ave been 'appy as vorkink varrior. Am really vorkink furr, chust as you."
Alex leans her chin on her fists, her elbows on the table, and beams contentedly. Good... it wasn't anything ghastly, things worked out smoothly, and they both still seem happy with each other. Dimitri looks back and meets Natasha's gaze, firm and steady. "One thing is very different, Tasha." He shakes his head quietly. "It's you I wish to know, Natasha. Just like me. You, and not something someone else wants you to be... but I meant it, this time, different. Anyone comes after you, they will find me on your side. And where I stand, there stands Alex. With Alex comes Carroll and Horatio... and with them House St. Genevieve. And I like this particular working wolf. Very much." Alex blinks a little startledly at Dimitri... her ears tilt back and forth a bit as she thinks about it with a considering expression... then she mentally shrugs -- sure, if Natasha becomes part of the family then yes, the family would stand by her just as she has by them -- that makes sense.
Natasha's ears straighten up again, from the drooped posture they'd had while she worried about Dimitri's reaction, and her grin turns feral. "And MacKenzie, too. Vas 'im assistink me to get avay. Good to know somevun else knows, now. Spasebo, Alex."
Alex smiles at Natasha quietly, "You're welcome, Natasha." She grins, "Told you it's easier to share!"
Dimitri lets his fingers drum upon the countertop. "Does this Duke have a name?"
Natasha blinks at Alex. "My fat'er? Told you. Vlastevya. Is beink my real name too. Natasha Ivanovna Vlastevya."
Alex mouths the unfamiliar name slowly and carefully, "Vlastevya..." She looks up curiously, "And yet you want to go home again, yes? You and MacKenzie were going to help Daddy get there?"
Natasha shrugs. "Is my rodinya... my home. Vantink to visit again, at least. T'ough... not plannink to visit family, da?"
Alex laughs, then nods, still grinning, "That works."
Dimitri softly growls, "Vlastevya... " He mouths the name, trying it out and smiling. He shrugs then. "I'd like to visit it with you, if that's fine with you."
Alex chuckles, "Well, if Daddy's funding it, we'll just have to convince him it's the Mare that should go, right?" She nibbles on her lunch, thinking quietly, the merchant count's practical daughter coming to the fore, "So, Natasha... what sorts of things do we have here that you've not seen in your homeland? And what do you guys have that we don't?" Dimitri just glances to Alex, knowing it all could be answered in a single three-syllable name.
The wolf grins. "Mountains, yes? Karaganda is... steppe, forest, plains, but not mountains. Or are you meanink for trade?"
Alex grins, "Trade, definitely." She adds curiously, "How long have you and McKenzie been here? Or did he bring his wife with him?"
Natasha continues grinning, her little teasing having gone over well. "Is beink vood, food, fur there. Is not beink much metals or machine t'ings. You are not havink chai or some... vat is vord... pryanost... here. Ve not grow t'em, but ve closer to it, da? MacKenzie live here, vas on ship at port vhen I needink a quick trip. Vas 'idink me from fat'er's men."
Alex looks faintly confused, "Er... what? What's chai and... and pry anos, please? And... are you saying MacKenzie is native to your land, but lives here?" She nods quietly to herself, making mental notes as well, muttering under her breath, "Metals and machine things, got it..."
The wolf concentrates. "Chai is... plant, vit' small leaves, you boil in vater, makink hot drink. Not have vord. Pryanost -- is t'inks like pepper, cinnamon, ot'ers."
Alex's ears perk up interestedly, "Spices? Hmm... interesting!" She grins, "Daddy's right -- it sounds like a fascinating place!"
"And MacKenzie is vun of your countryfurrs. Vas at Karaganda vhen I needed 'elp, is meanink."
Dimitri nods quietly, listening to the conversations of trade and rare spices. Lost he instead places both of his paws upon Natasha's, his fingers softly exploring. Alex tilts her head, considering... while she's not spent much time learning to cook, she certainly spent time around the cook. Sweet-talking cook into little between-meal nibbles, or simply quietly hiding out where it was warm and smelled good... she mentally considers how new spices would be viewed by the nobility -- then grins. A luxury item indeed! Alex nods once, pleased, then adds to Natasha, "And machine things... what do you mean by that, please?"
Natasha says, "Machines. T'inks like clocks, telescope, such."
Alex blinks a bit startledly, "Your people don't have... clocks or telescopes?!"
The wolf scowls. "Ve havink t'em. Ve not makink t'em."
Alex nods slowly, thinking again, "So... where do they come from? From... from the people that grow your chai?"
The wolf shakes her head. "Nyet. Starfall. Is not much tradink; few ships make trip. Very, very long across ocean. So t'ey very expensive."
Alex nods slowly again, still thinking hard, "So... I see... interesting." She's silent for a bit more, quietly tapping her small claws on the table... then finally looks up with a quietly pleased expression, "Mitya, I think you're right -- after this is all taken care of with Daddy and all, we should definitely go to Karaganda with Natasha!"
Dimitri looks up from Natasha's paw. "See. I sometimes do have good ideas, yes?"
Alex laughs! "Sheesh, Mitya, I never said you didn't!" She beams cheerfully at Natasha, "Thank you for talking with us, 'tasha!"
Dimitri shakes his head, "Thank you for trusting us Tasha."
Natasha just smiles at Dimitri. "It vas... sometink I needed to be doink, da? T'ank you for vaiting for me to learn to do it, Mitya." Alex smiles quietly again.
- Maidstone: The Horn and Hart
This tavern looks like it's trying to be an up-scale establishment in a mid-level location. The signboard, a white stag bounding over a hunting horn, looks to be freshly painted and the interior is elaborate if not the most spacious. Carroll & Alex, both off duty at the same time, are eating lunch together.
Alex tears through lunch with the appetite of the young and outdoorsy, then sighs contentedly, sitting back with her mug. She grins cheerfully over the edge of her mug at Carroll's far more fastidious eating, then teases gently, "So, practicing for the palace?"
Carroll chuckles and murrs, "Ingrained habit now. It gives me a sense of quiet confidence not to be worried, on top of whatever else may have happened, that I used the wrong fork." He looks at her, setting his fork down and asking, "Why the palace particularly?"
Alex's eyes get mischievous, "Ohhh... no reason!" She doesn't look for a second, of course, like she's telling the truth... Carroll merely sits and continues to wait for an answer. Alex laughs softly, taking another sip from her mug, then grins at Carroll again. Her voice is, mercifully, pitched lower than usual, "Silly, why do you think I'd tease you about that? You fancy the queen, don't you?"
Carroll picks up his fork again and just sort of holds it for a moment, considering. He murrs, "I don't know her well enough to say." He puts the piece of confused flatware down again, and adds, "I'd like the chance to get to know her that well, though."
Alex bounces slightly in her seat, beaming excitedly, then leans forward, elbows on the table and her chin in her hands, "Yeah! Good luck!" She watches Carroll hesitate over his fork again, then grins, "So... what are you looking for in a sweetheart?"
Carroll hmms... then murrs, "You know, that's a fairly difficult question." He considers, finally actually taking another bite and chewing contemplatively for a moment. After he's swallowed he murrs, "So often, when I was introduced to vixens, it was either by their family or our father, with a question very like, 'Wouldn't she make you a wonderful wife?' I always found it very difficult to answer that politely. When phrased that way a wife doesn't sound like a wonderful thing at all, but yet another burden and responsibility." Picking up his glass, he adds, "It occasionally felt more like choosing a horse than a person."
Alex giggles softly, although her glance is sympathetic. Carroll continues, after a sip or two, "And that's not remotely the kind of relationship I want." He shakes his head, adding, "So many of the girls had been so pampered and carefully sequestered from the real world, too. Certainly they were pretty, with shimmering fur and lush, full tails, but they'd never actually done anything. I wanted someone who was someone of their own, not raised and trained to be handed off to someone else for safekeeping." He murrs, "I must sound terrible." Then he sighs and adds, "I haven't met many who were very close, either."
Alex looks curious, "I don't think you sound terrible. I can't stand them either... but what do you mean by very close? Close to what you were looking for?"
Carroll nods and murrs, "I suppose so. Close to having a real personality, with drives and desires of their own. Otherwise, what's the point? If I just wanted someone to run the house and mind the details while I'm away, or even if I just wanted a pretty face... I could hire that." He shakes his head and adds, "Not what I'm looking for, and it seems to be what's being offered to me as 'perfection.'" He frowns a bit and murrs, "How do I describe what I'd like..." and has another bite or two... Alex rests her chin in her hands, watching her oldest brother curiously. Carroll ponders, finally speaking slowly, finding words, "I want to be part of this person's life, yes, but I don't want to be all of it. I want to be with someone who has their own goals and interests. I want to be able to help them reach those goals, as I hope they'd help me with the things that are important to me." He pauses again, nibbling at his meal, still obviously thinking.
Alex's ears flick forward interestedly and she opens her mouth to say something... then pauses, continuing to listen in curious fascination. Carroll looks at Alex, thinking fairly hard, before he says, "I'd like to be with someone who doesn't have to be there." He realizes that's not terribly clear, and tries to explain, "Someone who could be doing what she wanted to be, in her own life. That way I don't have to be worried that I need to be at hand every moment to entertain her, nor do I have to worry that she'll leave, because I know she's there because she wants to be there, rather than because she has to be." Alex nods slowly, thinking... then blinks as it makes more sense to her and grins and nods more emphatically. Carroll hrms and murrs, "Describing it that way, it sounds more like I'm looking for a business partner than a wife." He sips again at his drink, adding, "Although I think it fits."
Alex grins cheerfully, "Makes sense to me, actually! Why not want a partner you can trust implicitly like that?"
Carroll counters with, "Why would you want anything else?" He also adds, "Anyway... intelligence and wit ages far better than pure beauty does."
Alex tilts her head a bit, thinking... then says slowly, "I... do not think anyone would want anything else... unless perhaps they were insecure and needed to feel either in control all the time, or coddled all the time? But as far as what one's family wants..." her ears tilt back a little unhappily, "-well... that's something entirely different, I think..." She gives her eldest brother a considering look, then says slowly, "So... what are you going to do, Carroll? You know Daddy's going to start eyeing potential partners for you again...?"
Carroll rolls his eyes and murrs, "Yes, he will." He nods quietly and murrs, "Of all of us, you're the other one who has that to worry most about. I think Dimitri and Horatio could... no, I'll make sure that they don't have to cope with that." He adds, "I'll do what I can for you, but I don't know how much that is." He sounds unhappy about that.
Alex nods a little glumly, "Don't know how I'm going to tell him either..."
Carroll murrs, "Tell him the truth, honestly and plainly. And, when he blows up, don't put up with it." He adds, "If that fails, deflect his anger to me and I'll deal with him."
Alex smiles ruefully at Carroll, "That's not really fair to you, Carroll. I should handle my own messes, not foist them off on you..." she smiles again, more quietly, "-but... thank you for the offer."
Carroll smiles and murrs, "One of these days, Alex, I'll be head of the family. It's part of my responsibility to make sure that in the long term, everything is well. That's part of it."
Alex tilts her head thoughtfully... then nods, "Point. Still... if I haven't convinced Daddy by then that I'm an adult..." she grins, "-then maybe I should consider whether I really am yet or not!" She sighs softly, "That... and that I don't intend to get married..."
Carroll grins wryly and adds, "You know, it's the intense dislike of the courting belles I have that's made getting to know the Queen so tricky. I most emphatically do not want her to lump me into that same bucket of young, power or money attracted, flirting tod foxes."
Alex grins quietly, "Good luck. Me, I think I'll keep my distance. As the wise man said, I'm not a yes-furr... and I'm too proud to be mistaken for one. If she wants to be friends she'll let me know, I'm sure."
Carroll looks at his sister, then, and murrs, softly, "That's a pity. About you not planning to marry, that is. Why not?"
Alex looks a bit puzzled as the conversation jumps around a bit, then ah!s... then looks puzzled again, "Why is that a pity? Er... why not?" She chuckles softly, "Easy. There isn't anyone like what I want."
Carroll ohs, and asks, "So what is it that you want?"
Alex laughs quietly again, then stretches out on the bench, thinking, her fingers interlocked over her head and her booted feet pointing for a moment under the table... then she settles back, neatly tucking her tail over one thigh, "I want... I want someone as big and strong and as good a fighter as Mitya! -and that cuts out most guys... someone I can trust at my back in a fight, not have to keep an eye on him all the time to be sure he's not like stubbed his toe or gotten a booboo! -or whatever!"
Carroll nods quietly, listening. He shoos off the waiter, murmuring, "No, I'm not done with that," and picks up his fork again to forestall them.
Alex leans her cheek into one hand, using the other to gesture as she makes her points, "I want... someone smart, someone who can keep up with me when I'm thinking, that I can talk to about anything. I want someone that either already has kids, or doesn't want any-" she flips her paw out amusedly, "I mean, who ever heard of a pregnant captain?! -and... like you, I want someone I don't always have to be there for... because if they don't want to go a-sailing all the time, well... Dimitri 'n' I have places to go, y'know?" She smiles, thinking... then adds firmly, "And I will NOT, unequivocally, marry anyone of lower rank than me." She frowns consideringly, then nods, "But they can't be of too high rank either... or they'll have enough social clout to just overrule what I want, and I won't have that." She sighs, thinking a bit, then shrugs quietly, "I want someone that loves me, that's gentle and kind and thoughtful with me, but who can stand beside me 'n' Mitya if push came to shove, y'know?"
Carroll hmms, and nibbles on the tail ends of his lunch while his little sister talks. When she's done he swallows, and then replies, "Well, yes, that's pretty specific." He sips slightly at his drink and asks, "If you did find this person... would you? Never is a long time."
Alex puts her chin back into both hands and sighs, then smiles a touch ruefully, "Find him? Please, Carroll... think about it... there isn't going to be anyone like that. Just as a single example, Duke Redtail's a nice, big, strong, handsome man and has kids and is of higher rank, true, but... he's married, I don't know him, I'd be disbelieving if anyone told me he loved me, and he's under suspicion of attempted assassination! -so it's kinda moot. See what I mean? Better that I just not worry about it, I think."
Carroll sets his drink down and leans forward, adding, "Look at the Duchess White Haven, for instance. She is certainly an energetic, independent person, who does exactly what she wants to be doing. She managed to raise a family -- a lovely family -- and keep herself, well... herself. It can be done." He leans back in his chair and adds a little less intently, "And women captains who want children usually take a winter off and have the kit. The winter runs can be hell anyway." He finishes, a little lamely, "Please, keep an open mind."
Alex grins amusedly at Carroll, "Carroll, don't take this wrong, but... I'm not really interested in the Duchess White Haven... and I don't think it's me in the family that she's interested in!" She giggles, then adds, "An open mind to what, Carroll? I know what I want... I just also know it doesn't exist. So... I don't worry about it."
Carroll rolls his eyes and murrs, "The Duchess is an example, silly." He mumbles something about, "Maybe she can keep him distracted for a while, anyway."
Alex laughs delightedly, then grins mischievously at her scheming older brother, "I thought you looked pleased at that!"
Carroll murrs, "If you meet someone, Alex, and they're right, don't say no. Don't say yes if they're not. It's a big world. Maybe there is someone like that. Who'd adore an energetic, independent person to fight by him." Carroll chuckles at her last comment, then murrs, "Maybe she'll stop looking at me that way."
Alex grins, "I'll believe it when I see it, Carroll... but don't worry, I won't settle for less than I want." She gently lays her small paw on his and adds earnestly, "Carroll... don't you settle for less than you want either... okay?"
Carroll murrs, "At some point I will." He shrugs, adding, "I hope I don't have to."
Alex says firmly, "You NEVER have to, Carroll."
Carroll shakes his head and murrs, "Eventually, I will need an heir, even as I am the heir now." He adds, "That's one reason I'm so tied up over how to talk to the Queen."
Alex nods quietly, "Just... pick her carefully. Make sure she's someone you want to live with." She smiles, "And... just be friends with the queen. If she wants more, she'll let you know."
Carroll nods to Alex contemplatively and murrs, "I know. I'm nervous about it, I guess." He chuckles and adds, "It's been a long time since I was nervous about talking to someone."
Alex grins quietly, then tilts a curious ear towards her older brother, "So... why're you, of all people, nervous about talking to her? Is it..." she speculates freely, "-is it because you actually care what she thinks?"
Carroll hmms and murrs, "I care about what a lot of people think." He picks up his glass and swings the heavy base around a bit, distractedly, making the dregs of ale swirl in it. "I am not used to not knowing what someone thinks of me, nor am I used to appearing like a fawning courtier," is what he finally says, adding, "I do not want to appear that way. Ever."
Alex nods quietly, "I believe that. It would irritate me to be seen so also." She's silent for a moment, thinking, then adds, "So... what're you going to do?" She adds thoughtfully, "The crush on Dimitri won't help any, I suspect."
Carroll sighs and murrs, "No, I don't expect it will." He adds, "I thought about giving up, actually, because of that. I decided, regardless, it would be nice to be her friend." He finishes the last drink of the dizzy ale and then murrs, "I'm not sure. I don't want to be too extravagant or do anything expensive, because that's cheap and not thoughtful. Thoughtful, I think, is important."
Alex nods firmly, "She's probably got all the expensive stuff she could want -- and then some! -but how many folks take the time to try to figure out what might make her life easier, y'know?" She adds frankly, "I suspect her life is hard enough as it is. Think about it... she has one unquestioning, unquestioned friend -- her bodyguard. That one's so straightforward it's a no-brainer -- if the bodyguard wanted her dead she would be -- so the bodyguard must be trustworthy. But... who else can she trust, unequivocally? No one... 'cause she has no way of testing that trust. And she just has TOO many folks yelling that they're her friends, reeeeally!!, to be able to believe them all!"
Carroll agrees, "Yes. What would, though?" Setting the glass down and stacking his dishes neatly at the edge of the table, he murrs, "I have these flowers, which I'm not sure how to present, but I will..." As Alex talks he pauses, listening, considering. He finally murrs, "Interesting. I wonder how she could do that. Would she believe it if they said they trusted her? How could someone show that?"
Alex frowns, staring thoughtfully into her mug. She finally looks up a little doubtfully, "Um... if you solved the assassination attempt for her, maybe? So she could either arrest Redtail if he was guilty, or forgive him and get the right guy? Um... that'd make her life easier, don't you think? Not having to worry about that any more?"
Carroll nods and murrs, "Yes, I'm sure that would help her. I'm also sure that some of the best and the brightest are on it already."
Alex smiles quietly, "Ah, right... people that are known to be hers?"
Carroll asks, "What do you mean?"
Alex grins with quiet mischief, gazing innocently off to some unknown vertex, "I wonder... if you decided to try to work closely with, say, Duke Redtail... I wonder if you'd find out anything interesting because no one would be watching you in regards to the queen's assassination attempt? Or alternatively... that the duke might let something important slip...?" She grins again with conspiratorial delight, "Y'think maybe we could do something like that? You're good at that kinda sneaky stuff, aren't you, Carroll? -and Mitya 'n' I could back you up if you went anyplace really icky, don'tcha think?" She says happily, "After all, we have a whole week here!" then adds mournfully, "-and NO dances scheduled, darnit!"
Carroll murrs, "I can't be that good at it if you noticed," but only quietly, while he thinks. He murrs, "I... Hmmm. Part of me says to keep my nose out of other people's problems until I have mine taken care of." He picks up his napkin and folds it neatly in to triangles, continuing, "But our problems seem to have an end in sight... and it would be really a very good thing to be able to help her with this."
Alex beams excitedly, bouncing slightly in place, "Oh, neat, Carroll! We can have an adventure!"
Carroll looks bemusedly at Alex and asks, "Isn't the one at a time enough?"
Alex exclaims happily, "Oh, they're all tied together, right? Sure! So... okay! So, what do we do first?"
Carroll hmms. "Well, Duke Redtail probably has staff looking at it, but the Queen won't trust him as far as she could spit him. The Queen probably also has staff working on it -- she'd be a fool not to. I wonder if combining what they know would produce any new leads? I wonder if the other Dukes have any information?" He ponders, unfolding the napkin and spreading it smooth, folding it in rectangular halves, murring, "I expect Duchess White Haven would talk to us about it." He grins and adds, "That might even be fun."
Alex beams, "Okay! We can do that first." She frowns thoughtfully, "Hmm, what else... and... and I can try talking to Commander van der Berg, under the guise of wanting information about when the Starfall Navy will be patrolling the Falkirk area -- he'll assume I want to find out when we should avoid the area, betcha, and when we can try hitting the Pravin ships just after the Impie ships have left! -and if he has any info about the assassination attempt that'll help too, good..." She looks up, beaming again, "-and we can try pooling all our info and see what we get, right? And we can try following that rabbit too, whatsisname?"
Carroll adds, "I don't know Duke Vortalon at all, or what he might be involved in, and I get bad feelings about that Viscount... and I don't know why."
Alex nods quietly, "I admit, I'd be quite curious as to what the Viscount's wife and daughter might say about his recent business affairs. They don't seem too pleased with him currently."
Carroll hmms and murrs, "That rabbit. I'd forgotten him." He adds, "I wonder if the Queen would be the right person to talk to, or if it might be interesting to ask Ludmilla directly." He looks at Alex and asks, "Would Ludmilla say different things in front of the Queen?"
Alex nods, "Right. Jeremy Featherstone was his name... and the guard was um... Tomasi." She thinks about Carroll's question for a bit... then nods quietly, "Bet she would, Cara... she might say something in private that she'd forbear saying near the queen, to not worry her?" She adds frankly, "I'd suggest talking to 'milla -- or maybe even Matthew? -instead of the queen for the simple reason that the queen has enough junk on her plate as it is!"
Carroll nods and murrs, "I think talking to Ludmilla might be where to start. I wonder when she had a night off was... and how we could arrange one." He considers. "I'd best not be too complicated, and just ask to see her probably."
Alex adds thoughtfully, "If you tended to talk to Matthew or Ludmilla you'd also not seem as if you were manufacturing artificial excuses to spend time with the queen -- that you were cognizant of how busy she is, and didn't want to waste her time." Then she nods, "I'd think, dealing with the baroness, that it'd be smartest to be blatantly honest with her? She has enough deceit to handle as it is." She adds with a rueful smile, "But... I could be wrong in all this... I'm just guessing here, Cara, y'know?"
Carroll mutters something about leaving that to Dimitri, but says aloud, "Yes, both of those are true," then shrugs and murrs, "Who isn't, Alex?"
Alex tilts her head amusedly at Carroll, and gently pokes him across the table with a finger, "Be nice about Mitya, Carroll... he's trying to do the right thing here -- really he is!"
Carroll's ears droop a bit; he murrs, "I'm sorry, Alex, you're right. That's petty of me." He adds, "My thought was that the Baroness might honestly enjoy a night away from the Palace, where she didn't have to worry about the Queen. She's not going to not worry unless there's someone else formidable who she trusts there instead... like a couple of the Queen's Knights who have already shown they'll do what has to be done."
Alex says, "Oh! That's what you meant." She blinks, her ears flicking a bit startledly, "Whoa... never thought of that! -but hmm..." she thinks a bit more, then looks up at Carroll and nods, "Well, I can't speak for Mitya, but I'd guess that'd be okay with him? -and I know I'd be willing to spend the time watching over the queen, if it would help you and Ludmilla figure out how to keep the queen safer, and catch the assassin?"
Carroll murrs, "I can hardly see Dimitri objecting. The person who'll likely be more skeptical is the Baroness or the Queen herself."
Alex grins cheerfully, "The baroness! I suspect the queen would droo- er, ahem!" She has a small 'coughing' fit, then carefully finishes (although there's a wicked sparkle in her eyes), "I'm sure the queen would not object to being protected for an evening by Dimitri? -and myself, of course." She adds mischievously, "Even if she never remembers that I'm there...!"
Carroll smiles and murrs, "Of course. I'm certain that she'd like to get to know both of you better." He smiles mischievously, adding, "I honestly wonder who'll be protecting who from whom." Alex's ears tilt back innocently! Carroll smiles innocently himself and murrs, "Perhaps I need to talk to your brother, and to send a note to a Baroness."
Alex beams cheerfully, "Okay! Sounds good to me!" She bounces up to her feet, "So... shall we?" She sweeps an exuberant paw towards the door, adding, "Adventure awaits!"
Carroll nods and murrs, "Yes, we should." A little more placidly than his effervescent sister he pauses, to pay for the meal and thank their server, before collecting her and finally departing.