| Logs |
2001-04-08
| Starfall |
| Realms |
Retired
| Reality Fault |
General Info
 |
"Goin' Courtin'!"
Early the next morning, a messenger brings a letter for
Carroll. It is formally addressed in a florid handwriting style, and
bears a wax seal with a coat of arms.
Carroll examines the letter, and asks Alex and Horatio, "Do either of you two know this seal?" Alex studies the coat of arms curiously. Horatio comes up beside Carroll opposite Alex, also looking curiously at the seal.
Alex hms thoughtfully... then says hesitantly, "Could it be... from Boveya?"
Horatio murmurs, "Looks like something from Costa Yermo..."
Alex nods slowly, "Yeah... that seems right." She looks up with a curious grin at Carroll, "Open it!" then blinks, "No, wait..." and scans it for magic. Then she nods, looking relieved, "Okay, no magic. Go ahead!"
Carroll nods, "Yes, or perhaps Hamasura." He adds, "Thank you, Alex. One sure way to find out who it's from," and breaks open the seal, opening the message and letting both his siblings look on if they like. Alex puts a hand on Carroll's shoulder so she can eagerly read over it! Horatio almost, but not quite, leans on Carroll's arm to read as well.
The message is addressed 'To His Excellency, Captain the Baron Carroll St. Genevieve:'
Horatio says, "A good start..." Alex giggles softly, glancing sideways at Horatio, then greedily turns back to reading.
Captain: I fear that I have started on the wrong foot with your sister. As our duties have put us on opposite sides of a serious issue this is perhaps understandable, but I would like a chance to set things right.
Alex blinks startledly! -then murmurs half-under her breath, "What foot did he want to start on? ...and... why does he care?"
I would ask your permission, as the local head of your family, to court your sister. I understand that your permission does not presuppose her approval, but I assure you I have no dishonorable attentions and would like your understanding if I were to court her.
Alex gapes speechlessly over Carroll's shoulder! Horatio blinks, and his jaw drops. "Oh, my..." Carroll considers trying not to let Alex see the rest, but decides it would be foolish and futile. She's always been faster than he is.
Alex makes a strangled, sort of half-growling, half-incredulous sound... then finally manages to yelp out, "WHAT?!" She grrs... then snaps, "Who does that fluffy popinjay think he is!?"
Carroll certainly was not expecting this. He says, "Be calm, Alex," and finishes reading the letter. Alex opens her mouth to continue holding forth on the general awfulness of the poor don -- then realizes there's still more! -and hastily leans back over Carroll's shoulder to continue reading!
She is a delightful young woman, intelligent and spirited as she is beautiful, in all respects worthy of the highest standards of nobility. I find her far more attractive than the, perhaps, less self-reliant women of my homeland. If she refuses me as a suitor, I would at least like to learn to behave as a friend should to her.
Alex's jaw drops... she pauses, thinking... did Don Carlos just say something... intelligent about women? Hm... maybe she read it wrong. She hastily goes back and re-reads slowly... incredible! He did! She straightens, frowning thoughtfully and suspiciously... could this all be some dastardly plot on his part? Horatio blinks, continuing to read. "This is... rather fascinating. It's different from what we knew about Costa Yermo's culture."
Alex blinks slowly at Horatio, nodding absently as she bemusedly thinks, rather convoluted if it is actually a plot...? In a strange sounding tone she says, "It... is rather different... isn't it?"
The letter is signed Don Carlos Chavez e Altimara, Conde de Punta del Fuego. Carroll comments dryly, "I think you've made quite the impression on Don Carlos, Alex. What would you expect of his culture, Horatio?"
Horatio says, "I'm not sure, Carroll. We've always been told that they have a very... uhm... male-dominated culture..."
Alex's tone is still rather bemused as she adds, "Wonder where Punta del Fuego is... and... and what condition his people are in..." She just blinks slowly again for a few seconds, then suddenly shakes her head sharply, earrings jingling. "This is... this is nonsense! It would be stupid of him to want to court someone that wouldn't be a uh... what did he call it? -a 'good and dutiful wife'?" She shudders slightly, still frowning.
Carroll shrugs and says, "Shall I tell him that, Alex? Is it useless for him to even try?"
Alex nods to Horatio, still looking bemused... then suddenly ah!s, "Well, let's see if he can handle being friends with us first, yes?" She blinks at Carroll, "Uh... Cara, I really don't know. I mean, will he take a no to mean maybe? I've heard men there think that's what women mean when they say that, y'know?"
Horatio says, "I find it interesting he notes that the women of Costa Yermo are 'less self-reliant.' Has that been ingrained into them so much over the decades?"
Alex tilts her head thoughtfully, considering, then says to Horatio, "Well... I can see how it might happen...?"
Carroll murrs, "If I tell him no, Alex, he'd best take it as no, especially after having so formally asked. And, if he's never met a woman who aspired to something besides being someone's wife, he may not have realized how rewarding they really are." He adds, "I have to wonder if the audience with the room full of powerful women opened his eyes a little bit. It seemed to sink in."
Alex nods quietly to Carroll, then looks seriously at both her brothers, "Well... what do you guys think? If he's going to be polite then I don't have a problem with him hanging around sometimes... but I don't know what courtship means to a Costa Yermo man. Do they expect to just dump a ton of flowers on her, or kidnap her, and then it's off to the altar?" She blinks at Carroll's rather sweet comment regarding "rewarding"... then grins, her eyes dancing, "You're cute, Carya -- you and Arianna!"
Carroll looks terribly embarrassed, saying, "What?"
Alex turns a little pink around the eyes and mouth, pleased at having been included in the category of "powerful women"... then giggles delightedly at her eldest brother! Airily she waves a paw, "Ohhh... nothing!"
Horatio straightens and taps his chin. "Very possible, Carroll." Courtship... I honestly hope that this pause in our adventures means I can court Jessie properly, the way she deserves... not just an occasional nice plant from exotic ports, and not with random assassins interrupting us...
Carroll uhs and looks back at the letter, his own ears a little pink, trying to answer his sister's latest question, "Regarding what Costa Yermo courtship entails, I don't know." He adds, "I can find out, though."
Alex grins, cheerfully ruffling her elder brother's ears, "You blush cute, Carya!" She pauses, then nods more seriously, "Um... could you, please? I'd rather find out ahead of time if he's going to be trying something stupid that I'll need to poke him with a dagger over... than to actually have to do that?" Horatio blinks, looking to Alex, then grins a little. Alex grins a little sheepishly at Horatio, "Well? Wouldn't you also rather not have to offend a foreign ambassador by um... by sticking a dagger in his rump to get him to keep his paws off you?"
Horatio blinks to Alex. "Well, that would be rather extreme to do that..."
Carroll asks, "Shall I tell him that he may, on the condition that he respect your decision completely, whenever it may come?"
Alex frowns thoughtfully, thinking... then nods decisively, "If he can't handle that sort of arrangement, then we should gently shove him off right away... good point, Cara. Yes, could you do that, please?" She adds a little fiercely, "He'd better respect it, too, if he agrees to that -- or I will stick him in the rump!"
Carroll smiles and nods. "I shall see to it, Alex." He withdraws to his cabin to write a response and to suggest a meeting.
The Queen and her advisors consult with the Starfallers on a few occasions over the next week, with the Queen deciding in the end that the situation with Costa Yermo is heating up enough to warrant a League Council meeting to decide on a united course of action. Messages are sent and a conference is arranged for early the next month. Most of the southern cities intend to send special delegations for the conference, as will Starfall and St. Avery -- the rest are content to be represented by their ambassadors.
Alex finds the whole situations fascinating... she wonders happily if their father will be the Starfall ambassador, and (more excitingly) if there will be a dance?! Carroll has sent a message to Don Carlos, suggesting they meet. Messages between them work out a time and place, with Carroll happy to meet at Don Carlos' Maidstone residence (as he trusts him to host something like this), or someplace neutral. The reply comes with a suggestion to meet at a restaurant, which Carroll is happy to do, keeping all the prying ears from both staffs away. He makes sure the establishment the Don suggested is appropriate, and that he can have a reasonable number of guards on hand, yet remain unobtrusive. Only then does he accept the Don's suggestion, and consider the meeting arranged.
Alex grumbles, but not publicly so... it worries her for vague and indefinable reasons that Carroll's letting the don arrange anything! Carroll tchs, and says, "I sent someone to check the place out. It will be fine."
Alex hmfs, folding her arms, her ears back in worry, "Well... at least let someone at the palace know as well, so they don't think you're conspiring or anything stupid!"
Carroll says to Alex, "But I am conspiring -- only against you..." and only narrowly dodges her good-natured swipe. He adds, "I'll let Father know, too. He'll be thrilled."
Alex stomps off in huffy amusement, muttering something about, "...men!"
The restaurant the Don has suggested is a Hannish one, the exotic food prepared and served by some rather spectacularly patterned black-and-white bears. Most of the guards remain outside watching each other. Carroll is attended by MacKenzie, and the Don by a skinny but incredibly fast ferret. Carroll smiles, "Good afternoon, Don Carlos. I must say that I found the reason for your letter quite startling."
The coyote shrugs rather eloquently. "Thees ees not a surprise, Capitán. I find eet rather startling myself. But... there ees sometheeng about her that I find I cannot eegnore."
Carroll nods. "That, I can understand. I do have a couple of questions for you, though. How long do you expect to be courting Alexandra?"
Don Carlos looks thoughtful. "As long as eet takes, unteel she says si or no. She ees no blushing flower to be deespensed at her father's wheem, after all. My Maria was an arranged marriage, and we were happy enough unteel she... took eell. But... there was never a camaraderie of equals. I have seen true partnerships of marriage here in the League. It was sometheeng that I had not realized I was meesseeng unteel I knew it could be."
Carroll nods, apparently satisfied with that answer, and believing from it he knows the answer to the next question. "That is very good. I presume there will be no objecting to Alexandra's decision once she has made it? I would worry about continuing, unwanted attention." He adds, "Mostly for your own safety in that event, but I would worry."
The coyote chuckles. "A very good point, Don Carroll. Eef eet ees a thoughtful refusal, then certainly. Eef she seemply refuses to see me, I would prefer to have some time to change her mind before geeveeng up?"
Carroll nods slowly. He says, "There is a difference between those things. I assure you that Alexandra understands that difference, and will make herself completely clear." He leans back in his chair and sips from his drink before saying, "Considering that you do seem willing to engage in this for the time it will take, and that you will respect her decisions, I can grant you permission to court my sister, Don Carlos." He smiles and adds, "I must admit, I'm terribly curious to hear how you plan on courting her? I don't know that she is particularly traditional in many of her pleasures."
Don Carlos nods. "I felt sure that she would understand the deeference. I thank you, sir. Now..." The coyote manages to look a bit embarrassed. "Now... what does she like? She enjoys danceeng, thees I know, and she takes pride een her swordsmansheep. Rightly so, eef she has earned the title of Companion to the Queen. I am otherwise at a loss to know what to do."
Carroll smiles and says, "She enjoys dancing and swordsmanship. To spar with her would make her quite pleased, unless she finds out you are letting her win. She would rather lose and learn from it, than to win from courtesy. She would consider that a form of lying." Carroll cautions, "Never lie to my sister."
The coyote nods thoughtfully. "I see. Eet ees easy to deny such a theeng, and eet ees een fact a deeshonor to do so. Eet ees also generally a less useful theeng to attempt in deeplomacy than ees widely understood.
Carroll continues, "She likes many physical things; horseback riding, camping, and sailing. I cannot see her living a sequestered, pampered life. In fact, I can't see her being anything but the Captain of a ship. She has worked towards that goal for a very long time, and won't let anything stand in the way of it."
Don Carlos brightens at the mention of riding. "Thees ees a good thought, yes. And she ees a seafarer at heart? I believe it, yes. She ees wild and untamed and lovely, like the ocean. Eef that ees how it must be, then eet must be so. She could sail her sheeps from Punta del Fuego and return when she could."
Carroll smiles at the Don's description, "I think, once you get to know her a little, she might enjoy hearing that you thought of her that way. If you should do that right away though, she may write you off as yet-another flatterer who wants something immediately. Go slowly. I don't believe she quite trusts you yet. I also would suggest getting to know her, as you would want to know any other friend. That is a terribly important part of any truly equal marriage, regardless of whom it is between. You must both respect each other's strengths, and know and understand each other's weaknesses. Only then can you help cover for the other."
Don Carlos nods. "Thees much I understood. She ees truly the equal of any man, and deserves the respect of any warrior for another."
Carroll hmms. He says, "When you do begin to try and give her gifts, I would suggest avoiding anything terribly feminine or, er..." He pauses, looking for a word before settling on, "Frilly." Brightening, he adds, "Weapons are almost always good, though."
The coyote sighs and looks introspective. "I theenk... thees may be our problem writ in miniature. We assume too much that quality ees born eento a furr, wheech may be true, and that eet ees born only into one type of furr -- wheech, I have seen here, eet ees definitely not.
Carroll nods and says, "A very wise observation, Don Carlos."
Don Carlos looks as though the comment about weapons is both unsurprising and disquieting. "Weapons... she favors a light blade, si?"
Carroll smiles, "She uses a heavy rapier most of the time, but is willing to experiment. She seems to have developed a taste for daggers lately, too."
The coyote looks like he's considering something. "Daggers are difficult to geeft... balance ees a very personal theeng. A rapier ees easier to guess at. Perhaps a horse would be better?"
Carroll considers, and says, "If you can make the commitment to keeping it here, until the time our family has its own residence here, and it is a warrior's horse -- no ponies! -then I am certain Alex would be quite pleased. It would probably be too much of a gift at this point." He smiles and adds, "As far as daggers, take her out shopping and let her admire some. Remember the ones she liked, and buy those later. It's worked for me for years."
Don Carlos laughs, then. "Indeed, so. She has some theengs een common weeth other women after all."
Carroll smiles, "She does. Mostly though, she wants to be respected for who she is, and her abilities and skills." He says, "Oh! Thinking of skills, I know a way you might be able to get to know her a little better, if you would be interested."
Don Carlos looks a bit put out. "Of course I am eenterested. That ees the whole point of thees deenner, si?"
Carroll answers, "Well, the first thing to do is to have a socially-acceptable way to spend a little time talking to her. If you were to offer to teach Boveyan to us, you would have a chance to do so with few who would have any odd feelings about it. I expect if you offer to teach just her, not only would she be instantly suspicious, but others might wonder what goes on between yourself and the young lady."
Don Carlos sighs. "I suspect there would be those who wondered more eef eet was all of you than eef eet was just her. The Inquisitors are used to the idea of my being eenterested een the ladies, after all. Steell," he brightens, "I could tell them eet was a ploy to get close to her, at least. She would not be upset eef I was less than truthful to them, would she?"
Carroll frowns and says, "If she finds out, she will question how she has been lied to, too, even if she has not. It is not a good idea to lie to her."
Don Carlos shakes his head. "I am not planning to lie to her Capitán. I would plan to tell her what I was saying to my own... observers."
Carroll thinks for a moment, then smiles and says, "If the environment were right, I think you could teach just her. If there were no question of any impropriety while it were on-going, I think she would be all right with that. You would have to, say, come and teach her on the deck of our ship. Or, I could lie to you. She would be all right with that."
The coyote nods. "Een that case, then... we shall have to see about arrangements. Would she be eenterested een attending an embassy party? I am sure there would be danceeng eef she would come."
Carroll smiles, "If there is dancing, she will come." He adds, "If I go back to the ship and tell her the Don has offered to teach her Boveyan, and that I have accepted, except we will all go and stay, it will be me who is lying to you, not the other way around. You could have several lessons with us, I am certain."
Don Carlos grins. "Een either event. Chaperonage ees an accepted theeng een our country."
Carroll nods. "This way, it's me who is doing the manipulating, and she is used to that. And, you may appear gracious and kind by responding well." He smiles, "And... dancing is always good."
The coyote nods. "I noteeced. I weell have the staff send you eenveetations, then. Is there anytheeng else you can theenk of?"
Carroll smiles and says, "No, Don Carlos, not that I can think of. As long as you are keeping Alex's happiness in mind, I truly wish you the very best of luck."
The invitations arrive in two days, one each for Carroll, Alex, and Horatio, each including 'and guest' along with the primary person invited. Checking with the palace, it is discovered that Baroness Morgana has been invited in her own right, as well as the three dukes and a sampling of other nobles and administrators.
Alex hms at her brothers as she studies the invitation with a mix of anticipation and suspicion... "Do you suppose the Boveyan dress would be appropriate or no, guys?"
Carroll murrs, "I'm not certain, Alex. Why don't you send a note to the Don and ask?" He adds, smiling, "I'm sure he'd be pleased to hear from you."
Horatio blinks to Alex and taps his chin. "Perhaps... it's probably similar to Costa Yerman fashion..."
Alex narrows her eyes suspiciously at Carroll... then grins, "Hmf. Maybe I'll send it from the family, not just me." She sticks her tongue out cheerfully at Carroll, then patters off to quickly dash off a note to include with the RSVP.
Pablo, asked the same question later, is fascinated by Alex's Hamasuran party dress, but is pretty sure that the noblewomen of Costa Yermo wouldn't wear anything quite like it. "They wear longer skirts, milady."
Alex looks faintly disappointed, but then just nods, "Very well then... we'll go with the local styles." Alex wonders quietly to herself though, as she unpacks dresses... if Pablo, a former serf, can tell her what court ladies wear... then why doesn't she just learn Boveyan from Rosita, and sidestep having to potentially deal with Don Carlos up close completely?
The night of the embassy party arrives. Horatio brings Jessie, and Carroll brings his friend 'Rana' along, this time in the dress uniform of a naval lieutenant. Arianna was quite interested in attending a party as an ordinary person, instead of having her time budgeted to the last minute as the guest of honor, and actually shouted down Ludmilla's vociferous objections. The tigress was even more put out when she discovered there was no way for her to attend in lion-skin. Instead she vowed to surround the embassy with so many guards and wards that even a cockroach couldn't get through undetected. Alex, on the other hand, leaves the 'guest' spot on her invitation unfilled.
Alex is a bit concerned... it bothers her that the queen is actually shouting about this issue. She will politely and quietly inform Ludmilla that she doesn't know if it helps any, but she also will be keeping a close eye on the queen... and that she is armed. Ludmilla may be able to tell, in fact, by Alex' demeanor that this worries her somewhat also.
- Costa Yermo Embassy -- Grand Ballroom
A bright and cheerful room, with white stucco walls up to the heavy wooden beams that support the ceiling nearly two stories above. The musicians are seated on a balcony to one side of the room, out of the way of the dancers, while another balcony opposite them is available for quiet talks. A buffet table is set up under the musician's balcony and a bar under the other, while most of the beautifully inlaid parquet floor is available for dancing and conversation. Magelight chandeliers keep the room well lit.
The furnishings are expensive and elaborate, but in a style that minimizes the amount of wood used for each. Coats of arms and tapestries with desert and mountain scenes hang from the walls. The festive atmosphere of the important guests is marred only by the dark presence of the embassy's staff Inquisitor, a black-uniformed coati.
The St. Genevieve party is announced and directed to a ballroom with architecture similar to what they had seen in Hamasura, but with far more ornate furnishings. There is a small orchestra in one corner of the large room, though the instruments include some rather odd ones to Killimaran eyes. Guitars and percussion are included as well as the usual brass and strings.
Carroll thinks to himself, I'm not happy to have caused that much worry for Ludmilla. I honestly didn't think the Queen would come. He smiles, and escorts her along, still thinking, But I'm glad she's here. Once in the Costa Yermo embassy, Alex looks around with great interest... both for fun, to remember pathways in and out, to admire it, and to scan for magic. She notices a few magical "hot spots." One of the mirror is definitely magicked, and there are a few other places in the room with similar treatment. Rishali is already present, and blazing more so than usual. Horatio enters with Jessie, taking in the architecture of the place with interest... before wryly making himself simply enjoy the room. And to resolve, of course, to simply enjoy the evening.
Alex studies the mirror a little curiously, then quietly whispers to her party where the magic is, so they don't accidentally pause by one of the spots to chat privately. Horatio blinks, perking his ears to Alex. Interesting, he thinks. Costa Yermo's foreign office must be incredibly paranoid. Carroll wordlessly acknowledges Alex's mention of it, then begins the evening's task of meeting people, and dancing with a lovely lady. A number of other guests are already present, including several of the other ambassadors and White Haven. Don Carlos eagerly detaches himself from the mink to greet the newest arrivals. "Capitán Carroll, Sir Alexandra, Sir Horatio. Welcome to our home away from home."
- Don Carlos is wearing the formal dress of his native land,
the dark brown riding breeches and frogged jacket contrasting with the
coyote's gray fur. A contrasting dark orange sash encircles his waist,
and well-shined black leather horseman's boots come up to his knees.
An elaborately ruffled white silk shirt is set off by a black string tie
caught at the neck by a silver-and-turquoise clasp sporting his house
device, a stallion rampant.
Alex curtseys politely when Carroll bows, from her spot on the
other side of her eldest brother and Lieutenant Rana, silently
studying the coyote with quiet interest. She grins... he must be on his
best behavior -- he just promoted Horatio! She doesn't say anything
though... she thinks it's kind of sweet. Instead she just grins sideways
at her 'newly-titled' brother while the don is looking at Carroll,
and winks mischievously! Horatio bows, opening his mouth to correct
Don Carlos, since he's not any sort of knight... then closes his mouth
and only smiles. At his sister's wink, Horatio grins wanly to Alex, then
flicks an ear with a surprising, sudden hint of amusement as he introduces
Jessie to Don Carlos... Carroll smiles and says, "Good evening, Don
Carlos," and makes a point to introduce everyone in his party correctly.
Before you stands Carroll Waynewright St. Genevieve, heir to the
St. Genevieve legacy. His clothes, a jacket of soft, rust-brown velvet
over a slightly lighter russet vest; a tan silk shirt; and soft suede
breeches slightly lighter and redder than his jacket which are tucked
into calf-high leather boots; are both practical for a ship captain,
yet quietly perfect in their elegance and simplicity. His russet fur
seems to glow with life, the white under his muzzle and the flash at
the end of his full tail standing out against the red-brown of his
jacket and breeches, which blend well with his own fur. He wears the
family seal at his breast, of sparkling gold and a few tiny diamonds,
the pentacle and sword of the family's crest clear and bright for all
to see. Gold cufflinks and watch-chain also sparkle from his sleeves
and vest. He smiles graciously and nods at your glance.
Don Carlos nods and offers a handshake to everyone in the group, deliberately attempting to treat each introduction to a female the same way as he would a male.. with a correct nod and a handshake, rather than the hand-kiss he usually favors. Alex raises an eyebrow, then smiles -- okay, he's definitely trying to be nice. Good for him! Carroll notes this as well, and smiles at the Don, although he already is, so it may not come to much. He also noted the Don's need to escape White Haven, and cannot help but be amused. Jessie twitches an ear at being introduced to the Don. "We've met." Carlos nods at that comment, replying, "And I was unforgeevably rude at the time, milady. Weell you forgeeve me, thees one time?"
Both Alex' eyebrows go up -- okay, looks like the don's pulling out all the stops tonight, to be nice! She's quietly impressed, so far. The mink huffs her breath out. "Perhaps. We'll see." Alex covers a small smile with her fan. Horatio glances, mildly but curiously, between Jessie and the Don. He nods quietly. That's probably about all Don Carlos will get out of Jessie, all things considered...
Carlos' smile is rather fixed as he nods, and his ears twitch just once. "As you weell, then." He turns back to the rest of the group. "You look lovely tonight, Sir Alex."
Carroll listens and watches Jessie's reaction, satisfied with both
her reply and the Don's request. He remains quiet, letting his sister
reply. Alex smiles and nods politely, although her eyes aren't as cold
as usual around the don, "You are too kind, Don Carlos... thank you."
An attractive young girl with proudly graceful, formal, carriage,
she's wearing an elegantly embroidered ruby silk dress with a full
and flowing skirt. Gold beading and embroidery sparkles splendidly,
dancing across the full, flowing skirt and glowing radiantly on the snug,
sleeveless bodice. Gold ribbons spill artfully from the gathered waist
and shoulders, and from her coifed and shining scarlet hair. More gold
glitters, jewelry this time, from her throat, left ear, and slender
fingers -- even her small fan shimmers with gold tracery. She lights
up when dancing, glowing as brightly with pleasure as her golden
ornamentation.
The coyote smiles more naturally now. "I am delighted that you agreed to come, Sir Alexandra. I was afraid I had made too poor an eempression at our first meetings."
Alex tilts her head, regarding the coyote thoughtfully... then smiles, "Well... I had to come for two reasons, Don Carlos..." Is that an almost... mischievous glint in her eyes? "First, I am in your debt... you did, after all, arrive in the nick of time that night the thugs attacked... and second..." Yep, it definitely is... "I wanted to see how you acted around ladies from your country -- and from here!" Her glittering gold fan hides her wicked grin, leaving just her sparkling eyes in view.
Carroll smiles a very little bit, and wonders how the Don will take this. Carroll glances at his guest, wondering what she makes of this, too. Horatio blinks, looking to Alex, and grins softly, before looking around quickly, just taking in the decorations of the room. Don Carlos seems to have been expecting some such sally. "Deefferently, Sir Alex. The social conventions are not the same. Steell, you and your countrywomen have geeven me much to theenk about. I hope I am not too slow a pupil."
Alex grins, letting the fan sink a little to reveal a bit more of her face, "You simply must introduce me to your teacher sometime, don!" She grins again, realizing she shouldn't push the poor man too hard, and changes the subject politely, "I wanted to ask, also... will there be any tangos tonight?" There's a restrained eagerness to the way her ears perk up at that question.
Don Carlos chuckles. "I theenk we can arrange one, eef you weesh?"
Alex brightens noticeably, but replies with careful politeness, "Um... if that's all right?"
The coyote nods. "Eet ees more a dance of our neighbors across the mountains, but as they are here tonight it would be a proper gesture in any event." He nods to the armadillo chatting with another guest by the punchbowl. The party looks quite festive already, the only off-kilter note being the furrs serving drinks and food at the buffet. They look a little more nervous than they should, especially when one furr in particular comes near them, a coatimundi in a black military uniform.
Alex looks curious, wondering why the Costa Yermans wouldn't enjoy local dances too... but just nods politely again. Carroll asks, "Are there any local dances from Costa Yermo, Don Carlos?"
Alex wonders quietly at the servants being so twitchy... then suddenly
her ears tilt back disapprovingly. That black-uniformed coati... she'd
just bet that's an "Inquisitor." Horatio glances to the buffet,
arching an eyebrow at the man... and looks to Jessie. "Would you like
anything from the buffet?"
A bit shy of five and a half feet tall, Horatio is the shortest of
the St. Genevieve sons, and the youngest. He has some noble fox features
to him, though they certainly appear muted and subdued. He wears the
uniform of his family, with a pair of russet breeches tucked into a pair
of high leather boots folded down at his knees. Close across his chest is
an elegant scarlet vest, finely embroidered and buttoned in gold -- but
not expensively so. Beneath the vest he wears a pale yellow under-tunic,
also modestly embroidered but still fitting for a noble's son.
Perched snugly and evenly atop his head is a rolled russet velvet hat.
Across his chest is the dull leathern strap to his ever-present satchel,
while from his belt depends his small-sword.
Don Carlos nods as he walks with the group toward the food. "Of course, Capitán. Much of the music will be from Costa Yermo, with a few pieces in the styles of our friends and neighbors."
Horatio's ears flick slightly at the use of the term 'friends and neighbors,' but he doesn't pursue it. Alex blinks, turning her attention back to Don Carlos, and casually scans him for magic as she asks, "What sort of dances are native to Costa Yermo, er, senyor?" She pauses, then adds softly, "Did I say that right?" Carroll smiles a small smile and thinks, Thought that'd get her attention.
The coyote seems to have nothing magical in nature on him, his aura glowing perhaps a touch more brightly than average. "Perfectly, senyorita. Our dances? Various kinds. The court dances tend toward the formal, waltzes and such. Folk dances -- the samba, the mambo, and the quadrillena.
Carroll ahs, and watches Alex to see if she'll ask the next question for him. Alex hms, thinking, trying to figure out which ones she knows... well, maybe she can find a willing teacher for the ones she doesn't know. She smiles absently as she thinks, then says quietly, "Sounds nice... so, is the coati an inquisitor?"
Don Carlos carefully does not turn around. "The one een black? Si." The buffet tables are loaded with fresh fruit and other tidbits. The Costa Yerman dishes seem to lean in the direction of seafood and mutton, with various amounts of rather hot spices.
Alex nods, cheerfully saying only, "Oooh, strawberries!" and starts to make up a small plate to share with her brothers... oh, wait, they already have lovely ladies to do that. Well, foo. She sighs softly, then smiles to herself... no big deal, she'll just give the plate to some nice servant to tuck away for her or something, and nibble slowly off and on through the night. She makes a point to smile at any servant that comes near... she feels sorry for the poor things. The inquisitors must be truly ghastly if they cause that much fear. Horatio also, after seeing how nervous the servers were with the black-uniformed officer around, tries to put them at ease, being as courteous and polite to them as he can.
Carroll was about to ask something else, but instead says casually, "I gather that's not something to make much of a point of?"
The coyote nods. "Best not to watch them. They tend to take that as an admission of guilt."
Alex snorts in faint amusement, then stifles the tart retort that rises immediately to her lips... best not to provoke, she decides -- since it's the folks here that would take the brunt of reaction if she did. Carroll smiles and cheerfully ignores the tension, asking, "So do you think any of these dances would be simple enough to teach someone in one night?" Alex looks up in sudden interest at that!
Don Carlos smiles. "I am sure they would be to someone who wishes to do a tango. The quadrillena is a unique one, as it is done with two couples as a group. The steps are quite simple, though."
Alex brightens unwittingly! Horatio glances to Alex, and grins as he sees her expression brighten. Alex inquires interestedly, "When does the dancing start, Don Carlos?"
Carroll says, "Well, I think that if you were willing to show us, Don Carlos, Rana and I and Alex might be pleased to learn that dance." Alex beams! -then pauses, glancing at the don to see if she can gauge his reaction.
The coyote smiles. "An hour after the start of the party, Sir Alex. We must allow enough time for all the guests to arrive." The herald announces another arrival just then. "I would be honored to, Capitán. But for now... I am afraid duty calls." He turns to greet the latest guests.
Alex grins at Carroll after the don leaves, murmuring cheerfully, "Conniver!" She giggles, sticking a strawberry in his mouth to forestall his response -- at least for a second! Horatio chuckles softly.
Carroll smiles and says, "We shall look forward to it, Don Carlos." He utterly ignores his sister's accusation, until he is surprisingly fed a berry. Managing to retain his dignity, he mms thoughtfully, eating it. He then asks Rana, "I hope you don't mind. I've just volunteered you to learn a new dance," and looks a mite sheepish. Carroll also hopes Rana doesn't decide that she should get in to the 'feed-the-Captain' act and pick something too hot, but doesn't say this aloud lest he invite disaster.
Alex giggles, nibbling another strawberry, her eyes sparkling as she watches Rana... and the rest of her companions. Rana smiles. "I rather think it will be interesting. I've never been to one of these parties before. And nobody has ever offered to teach me a dance while the party is going on."
- Queen Arianna is again in disguise as a raccoon, tonight in
the blue and gold uniform of a lieutenant in the Maidstone Navy. She
stays close to Carroll, having promised her bodyguards not to risk
being caught alone while at the party. Baroness Morgana is keeping a
surreptitious eye on her, as is Ambassador Rishali.
Alex grins happily at Rana, "Actually, that's a lot of fun... and Carya's a peachy dancer!"
The raccoon sighs. "They're always so worried that I'll be offended if they pick something I don't know. This should be a lot more fun."
Carroll smiles and says, "I'm looking forward to the chance to try it with you."
Alex grins at both her brothers, "Remember... you both have to swap off with us all at some point, so we get different partners, right?" Horatio remains discretely quiet, already aware that Jessie will very likely grab him for several if not all dances... and strangely not finding that a frightening prospect at all. Alex brightens, leaning to whisper to Rana, "Get him to teach you the tango -- it's wonderfully almost-naughty!"
Carroll takes her hand, and says, "Oh, yes, a little uncertainty often is." He give his sister the look and mostly manages not to blush.
Alex giggles delightedly at her eldest brother! -then happily wanders off to chat idly with interesting folks and nibble tasty nibbles... maybe she'll try a bite or two of everything! That'd be fun. She grins... she knows Carroll will realize his little sister is being nice and not chaperoning too closely! Carroll walks with Rana, talking to people and introducing them both to those he doesn't yet know; carefully tasting things from the buffet, pausing often to offer his lady friend some tasty tidbit.
Jessie, meanwhile, has dragged Horatio over to the buffet table and is busy sampling everything in sight, occasionally saying things like, "Mmm, oo've godda try 'is one!" Horatio is certainly open to trying some of the Costa Yerman dishes -- many seem significantly different from the Hamasuran foods he thought might be here -- but once in a while one seems to have a rather higher level of spice than he had expected, and when that happens he looks quickly for an unspiced piece of bread.
Carroll notices the Starfall ambassador, and meanders idly that way. Van der Berg nods to Carroll as he approaches. "Captain. How are you this evening?"
Carroll introduces the Ambassador to his guest, "Rana, this is the Ambassador to Starfall, Frederick van der Berg. Ambassador, this is Lieutenant Rana." After the introductions, he says, "I am well. How have you been? Adjusted to the new position yet?"
The bobcat chuckles nervously. "Well, I don't wake up in the middle of the night in cold sweats anymore. And things have mostly calmed down between Starfall and Maidstone, which makes it much easier to handle things."
Carroll smiles and says, "What do you think about this upcoming League meeting?"
Van der Berg shrugs. "I have little to do with that, actually. Starfall is sending a delegation from the Council itself. Your father and Donya Margales, I believe."
Carroll nods and says, "That's what I have heard as well. It will be nice to see my Father again. Hopefully this time things will be somewhat calmer." He smiles at that comment.
The bobcat chuckles. "They could hardly be otherwise. It was neatly done, milord."
Carroll replies, "I could have done without several of the events which occurred. I would not have wished that upon Pravinchandra."
Van der Berg nods. "True. But he had to be gotten off the Council, and you accomplished that quite neatly. The fact that his backers were unwilling to accept failure is hardly your fault."
Carroll grins, a predator's grin, and says, "Oh, that showdown I was quite looking forward to, I must admit."
The bobcat echoes Carroll's toothy grin. "I can imagine."
Carroll continues to smile the foxy grin as he says to his escort, "I fear, milady, I am not always terribly nice to people who threaten my family or those I am responsible for."
Rana just grins. "I wouldn't have it any other way in an ally, Captain."
Carroll looks quite pleased at that. Rather than be too distracted, he looks back to van der Berg, and asks, "What do you think of our host?"
Van der Berg nods. "Don Carlos? A good man in an unpleasant position, I'd say. He's quite bright."
Carroll smiles, and says to van der Berg, "I believe my opinion of him is changing lately. He does seem quite bright."
Alex idly scans the inquisitor, wondering if he's carting anything magical around... or weapons. She hms silently to herself... interesting. The inquisitor has some sort of magical ward on him... protective magic, she thinks. She chuckles quietly to herself, nibbling on another hors d'oeuvres... guess Don Carlos wasn't fibbing about them being arrant cowards. She ambles slowly in Rishali's direction, wanting to compare notes. Rishali is still chatting with the military attaché from Hamasura, but nods to Alex as she comes over. "And how are you this evening?"
Alex smiles and nods politely to the Hamasuran military attaché... she can't recall the armadillo's name off the top of her head, but she knows she's danced with him, and he was quite nice! Then she grins at Rishali, "Can't wait for the dancing, of course!"
Rishali smiles indulgently. "That is because you are young and energetic, Sir Alex. You've met Colonel Juarez, I believe?"
Alex laughs and agrees, "Got to shed all that energy somehow, I guess!" She smiles and nods to the armadillo, "Oh yes, we shared a dance -- it was quite nice!"
The colonel bows politely to Alex. "Pairhaps we can share another dance thees eevening, milady?"
Alex grins happily, curtseying politely in return, "I'd love that, if you wished, senyor!"
The armadillo smiles. "Eet would be my honair, milady."
Alex beams happily -- a good dance lined up, and he didn't giggle at her pronunciation! She nibbles another hors d'oeuvres, then curiously asks, "So... what kinds of protective magic are there, do you know? Is magic at all regionally influenced?"
Rishali looks carefully at Alex, then shrugs. "That's hard to say. There are different schools of magic, and some styles are more suited to areas nearer to Nexi or leylines. The basics are the same everywhere, though, just as ships are the same everywhere."
Alex nods with quiet interest to Rishali, sipping her drink... and her tilted ear and slight inclination of the head show where her curiosity is directed -- towards the inquisitor. When she's swallowed she adds, "Interesting... so does that sort of magic protect against, say, just daggers? Poisons? All attacks?"
Rishali glances over at the Inquisitor, who is currently trying to look menacingly at a Maidstone noble and is succeeding merely in alarming a nearby waiter. "Hmm... not enough power to be a multiple protection, I'd say. Probably poison. That sort usually has bodyguards somewhere nearby to guard against more overt threats."
Alex rolls her eyes in faint amusement, then just grins, "I wonder if he knows how silly he looks doing that?" She looks a little less pleased as she adds, "Frightening to think that might be effective where he comes from..." She casually scans the room, slowly admiring it... well, more casually scanning for where one might stash bodyguards.
Rishali nods. "It's effective when they can back up the threat. The brighter ones recognize whom they can threaten, but he doesn't seem to be one of the brighter ones." Don Carlos comes up from behind the caribou just then. "Ah, there you are, Sir Alexandra. The danceeng ees about to beegeen."
Alex grins cheerfully at the coyote, wondering if it was a desire to dance with her... or a swift attempt to prevent her from staring in amusement at the inquisitor any longer! "Sounds lovely, Don Carlos."
The coyote nods to the orchestra leader, who bobs his head and quickly finishes the background music that is playing. "And now, my friends, let the dancing begin!"