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DM-Gibbon
(Gibbon)
1/31/2009 9:32:36 AM
PostID: 270810
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Caterina makes a number of suggestions - a burgundy gown of the latest style, fashionable in the court of Queen Sigmae of Lorraine, a dark green dress of thin Aegyptian cotton and a blue gown of Palmyrian silk trimmed with satin of a darker shade of blue. The last two are very delicately crafted, designed to draw attention to the wearer but not provocative enough to cause offence in the court.
"I am sure that whichever one you pick, the prince will not fail to notice you" Caterina smiles.
This post last edited on 1/31/2009 9:32:57 AM 
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Illian The Silent
(Meilandru)
1/31/2009 9:41:17 AM
PostID: 270811
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Assuming there is a mirror in here as there was in the room she is staying in, Illian holds up each dress to her face and thinks about them.
The burgundy brings out the red highlights in my hair, but lightens my eyes instead of brightening them. The blue brightens my eyes but makes my hair look dull. The green is perfect!
Having chosen the green, she bows her thanks to Caterina.
She will spend the rest of the afternoon time before the banquet, unless something else happens, with Caterina, doing girly things and getting ready.
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DM-Gibbon
(Gibbon)
1/31/2009 10:51:31 AM
PostID: 270827
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Caterina is a good companion - intelligent and well educated. She does not mention her betrothal to Sir Guy again, and the afternoon passes quickly in conversation and laughter. Caterina insists that Illian teaches her a few words of her sign language - at first, their communication is slow, as Illian has to write everything down. But by the end of the afternoon Caterina has learned a few phrases and words.
Soon enough it is dusk, and the servants arrive to help Caterina make her final preparations for her arrival at the banquet. Illian's maidservant is with them. Caterina sighs at the reminder of her betrothal, and there is a sign of the melancholy Illian saw on her in the arbor.
"I shall see you tonight" she says to Illian with a sad smile, then signs Goodbye, one of the words she has just learned.
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Illian The Silent
(Meilandru)
1/31/2009 11:22:56 AM
PostID: 270832
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[ooc: I'll assume Illian isn't dressed yet.]
Illian watches Caterina become enveloped in business and thoughts, and thinks some thoughts of her own.
She follows her own maidservant back to her room. First, she casts on herself Clean to wipe away the grime from being in the bailey gardens. Then she takes the time to undo every single braid she had put in her hair only hours earlier, revealing a head of ringlets and curls. She carefully pulls back a piece from each side at the temple, rolls them, and attaches them in the back as if wearing a circlet of her own dark hair, letting everything else fall down below. It is shorter than normal because of the curls, resting just below her shoulders.
Lastly, she puts on the dark green dress, lamenting that she hadn't any proper shoes. Then, in a flash of thought, she digs into her bag and pulls out her old dancing sandals.
She glances for a moment in the mirror. And just what, exactly, am I trying to tell him? What should I tell him? Either way, I want to walk into the banquet hall and completely knock him off guard.
When she is sufficiently ready, she grabs her staff, and nods her maidservant to lead the way.
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DM-Gibbon
(Gibbon)
1/31/2009 1:11:28 PM
PostID: 270838
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The maidservant leads Illian towards the Great Hall of the castle, but not into it. The doors to the hall are open and Illian can see a number of long tables stretching down the room, with many people sitting at them. But the high table at the other end of the hall is still empty.
The servant opens a door to a small room adjoining the hall. Several people whom Illian does not recognise are standing around, in small groups of two or three. Illian sees Edward immediately, in conversation with the seneschal Prasutagus. He is dressed in his court finery, a black doublet and trews trimmed with gold thread and emblazoned with the three lions of his House. Freshly bathed, he looks every inch a prince of the royal House of Plantagenet.
When he sees her, his eyes go wide and his mouth falls open. For once, words fail him.
"Illian - you look...I have never seen you...I mean..."
For a few seconds he just stares at her, then he remembers his manners. Walking over to her, he bows deeply.
"I have never seen you look so beautiful, my lady. If you would permit me, it would be my honour to accompany you into the Great Hall, when we are announced."
He leans over to whisper in her ear.
"I wanted us to enter the hall together. Partially a symbolic gesture, to show in what esteem I hold the Eledhrim. But mostly because I wanted you to be on my arm, and to be the envy of every man in the room."
This post last edited on 2/1/2009 11:44:51 AM
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Illian The Silent
(Meilandru)
1/31/2009 1:27:59 PM
PostID: 270839
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[ooc: how tall would Edward need to be to have to bend over to whisper in the ear of a woman who is nearly 6 feet tall?]
Illian bows her head in return. As long as you are startled by my presence, then I have accomplished what I wished for this evening. And yes, on your arm only will I be. But I do not want to be the envy of every girl here, I only want you.
As soon as the words fall from her hands, she regrets it and starts to turn away, the smile disappearing from her face. And he has me off guard enough to say that?! What am I thinking?
Excuse me. Not my place. I am sorry. She resolves to hold her thoughts to herself and keep her face composed, angry with herself for letting her thoughts slide out like that.
This post last edited on 1/31/2009 4:20:43 PM
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DM-Gibbon
(Gibbon)
2/1/2009 12:06:33 PM
PostID: 270926
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[ooc: hm, pretty tall. OK then, last post edited... ]
Edward's eyes widen as he takes in Illian's words.
"Did I read you right...I think that I did..."
A smile begins to spread over his face - not the mocking smile of one who has caught out another, but one of genuine joy. He is about to reply when a bell rings and the seneschal speaks.
"My prince, my lords and ladies. The hall is full and we are ready for you to make your entrance, at your leisure."
Behind Edward, one of the nobles approaches. He is a large man, with a full beard just beginning to grey, and has the rounded and reddened face of a man who likes his food and drink. He is wearing a blue doublet just as fine as Edward's, and the rest of his attire is similarly expensive. With a broad smile, he bows low.
"Your Highness, I do not believe I have yet been introduced to the Lady Illian."
He grins.
"Although I must say that I feel that I already know you, my lady. I have heard little else around the castle today but talk of your beauty, and now I can see why. I am Henri de Montfort, the Baron of Dunwich. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I hear that earlier you met my daughter, Cat. I hope she did not weary your ears too much, with her incessant chatter!"
Edward does not appear to have noticed the Baron approach, or hear him speak. He is just staring at Illian.
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Illian The Silent
(Meilandru)
2/1/2009 12:29:18 PM
PostID: 270934
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Illian watches Edward begin to glow with happiness and still cannot share in the joy. I should not have said that. I am sorry.
She is about to turn away when the Baron approaches, so instead she bows her head to him and nudges Edward, hoping to bring him out of his stupor enough to pay attention. And hopefully enough so that Edward is aware enough to translate for her.
[ooc: assuming that he does...]
It is an honor for me to meet you as well, and your daughter. It was rather enjoyable to spend an afternoon with someone who possesses the patience to communicate with me. I have rarely found that quality.
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DM-Gibbon
(Gibbon)
2/2/2009 1:53:02 PM
PostID: 271014
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Edward doesn't move until Illian nudges him, then starts.
"Huh? Ah...Baron Henri, I didn't hear you come over. My apologies."
He translates Illian's signing, and Baron Henri chuckles.
"I am not surprised, your Highness. I can see you were distracted."
Turning to Illian, he gives her a friendly smile.
"She is a good girl, is my Cat. And of course, the reason why we are holding this banquet tonight. Speaking of which, we are keeping the good people of Dunwich waiting. Shall we make our entrance?"
Edward nods, and offers his arm to Illian. As they make their way out of the room to the entrance to the Great Hall, Illian sees Caterina in conversation with two elderly women, both well dressed and obviously nobility themselves. She looks nervous, but manages a smile for Illian when she sees her.
A herald blows a trumpet for silence, and then announces them in a loud voice.
"His Royal Highness, Prince Edward, and the Lady Illian!"
There are a few cheers, and then a murmur amongst the throng as Edward and Illian make their way towards the High Table. For the most part, the murmurs are of approval. Illian sees Wulfhere on one table, seated next to Etienne. The grizzled old Yorkshireman is as enigmatic as usual, showing neither approval nor disapproval. Etienne's mouth is just wide open, staring at Illian - like most of the other squires sat at his table.
But in one section of the hall, a large group of men glare at Illian. They are all wearing a heraldic badge depicting a black horse, and their murmurs are most definitely not of approval.
"His Lordship, Baron Henri de Montfort, and the Lady Caterina!"
No doubt that the Baron is popular with his people - or at least the ones invited to the feast. Cheers and applause ring out for Henri de Montfort and his daughter.
"His Lordship, Sir Guy of Gisbourne!"
The reception is far more muted for Sir Guy, somewhere behind her. Only the men bearing the black horse badge cheer for him, although there is much murmuring and whispering at the tables.
Other lords and ladies are announced, but Illian does not recognise their names. Eventually all are seated. Baron Henri and Caterina are seated in the middle of the high table, with Edward next to Caterina, and Illian next to him. Opposite them are a number of lords and ladies, including one man who can only be Sir Guy. Dressed all in black, wearing the badge of the black horse, he is a handsome man of some twenty-five summers. He does not smile, but greets those around him with nods and polite words as they sit.
This post last edited on 2/2/2009 1:54:26 PM
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Illian The Silent
(Meilandru)
2/2/2009 2:30:47 PM
PostID: 271017
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Illian wipes her frown and her anger with herself off her face, puts up the best non-fake smile she can muster, and takes his arm. As they walk, she nods to Wulfhere and Etienne, sure that her acknowledgment of the squire will make him the envy of his table.
But spotting the men in black almost wipes the smile off her face, and she finds it difficult to hold her composure while her thoughts click off. It is as I suspected...there are those who are going to see my accompaniment of Edward negatively, as they see Eledhrim and not me. I may not be one, but as I thought, they will only see me that way. And I cannot spend my entire life trying to convince them otherwise, that I am not my people, and they are not me.
But Illian does find some comfort, as she takes her seat next to Edward. They may not approve of me, but they do of him. Although I believe I hinder him by being here with him, as long as we are near present company he should be safe. For now.
Unless someone asks her something, specifically, she watches Edward interact with those around him.
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DM-Gibbon
(Gibbon)
2/3/2009 4:20:26 PM
PostID: 271166
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The conversation at the high table is polite and formal to start with, as the lords and ladies enquire after one another's health and how their lands and people are faring. Edward is obviously well practised at this courtly small talk, appearing interested and charming while deftly sidestepping the various probes as to why he has turned up in Dunwich unannounced. His smiles are most frequently directed at Illian, and he does his best to include her in the conversation, translating her signing.
Caterina is quiet - answering questions when she is spoken to, but - like Illian - not really joining in with the conversation. Her father does not appear to notice, joking and laughing with all at the table. He is a jovial and charismatic man and Illian can see why he might be popular with his people.
Sir Guy also has little to say, but responds to questions put to him. Occasionally he glances at Illian, but his thoughts are hard to guage.
[ooc: although an Innuendo roll may help...]
The ale and wine is flowing and the conversation is far less stilted by the time the fourth course is brought out - a huge wild boar, eel and bacon pies, and roast geese stuffed with raspberries and blackberries (Illian might note that this is unusual - it is still late spring/early summer and neither rapsberries nor blackberries are yet in season). These are accompanied by bowls of vegetables - baked onions, buttered turnips and squashes, carrots and pease pudding.
At the far end of the table is seated an old man, who also glances at Illian occasionally. He is very thin and frail-looking, and Illian can see he is eating hardly at all. A walking stick is propped up by the table besides him. At one point he sees that Illian has seen him looking over at her, and he gives her a smile. Perhaps he also winked at her, but it's difficult to tell from this distance.
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Illian The Silent
(Meilandru)
2/3/2009 4:54:07 PM
PostID: 271175
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Illian watches what the others near her are eating, only nibbling on enough to be polite. She is really nervous, like she's walking on eggshells, but is attempting to absorb some calm from Edward's presence, as he is at home in the conversations bandied about the table.
The man at the end of the table makes her almost as uncomfortable, and nervously she wraps her feet around the base of her own staff at its place near her chair, and asks Edward Who is the man at the end of the table? He keeps winking at me.
Secure Rolls:
innuendo 1d20(16)+7 = 23
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DM-Gibbon
(Gibbon)
2/4/2009 5:36:38 AM
PostID: 271268
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"I believe he is the Baron's wizard" replies Edward. "His name is Custennin. He used to be the Baron's chief advisor too, although someone told me earlier that he's retired from that duty. Here, try some of this roast goose. I've never tasted one so good!"
[ooc: Illian gets the feeling that Sir Guy does not like her. He is polite enough to her, but his demeanour is cold and formal. But he says and does nothing that could back up this feeling Illian has]
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Illian The Silent
(Meilandru)
2/4/2009 6:42:19 AM
PostID: 271272
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Thank you. Don't know why he keeps winking at me, but we can find out later, I guess. As for the goose, I am glad one of us is enjoying it. I'm not really hungry.
Illian chooses instead to watch Edward and Caterina interact, instead of focusing on the people that are staring at herself.
[OOC: Not really my element. I am having a hard time coming up with anything to say here.]
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DM-Gibbon
(Gibbon)
2/4/2009 7:23:42 AM
PostID: 271275
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[ooc: ok, we'll move on. As for Custennin, he only winked at Illian once, when he realised that she'd noticed him glancing over at her]
The banquet continues for several hours, over several more courses and a considerable amount of ale and wine. It is generally good-natured, with just a couple of minor fist fights down on the main tables. Entertainment follows, in the shape of minstrels, music and dancing, but the dances are not known to Illian and do not resemble any of the Eledhrim forms she has ever learned.
A number of speeches also follow. The Baron welcomes him (and his loyal companions) to Dunwich at this most auspicious time, and then goes on to speak of the great union that will form between the north and the south - Nottingham and Anglia - once Sir Guy and Caterina are married. Caterina looks white-faced at this point, Sir Guy ever so slightly smug. Cheers greet the Baron as he finishes his speech.
Edward replies with more pleasantries, and his speech is also well received. Sir Guy does not make a speech.
Finally, with the banquet more or less over, the Baron rises. Edward and Illian lead the nobles from the hall. They are halfway down the hall, heading to the exit, when a half-eaten leg of lamb splatters on the ground in front of them, thrown from one of the tables. Some of the sauce it was baked in - redcurrants and vinegar - splatters on to the bottom of Illian's dress.
Edward stops in mid-stride, the smile on his face replaced in an instant with a look of anger. The procession halts.
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Illian The Silent
(Meilandru)
2/4/2009 7:40:11 AM
PostID: 271277
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Illian backs off away from the meat, and checks her staff, cleaning it of any juices that may have somehow splattered onto it, but is less angry about it than Edward seems to be. In fact, she is much more anxious than angry, and thoughtful.
Please, Edward, can we leave the hall now? I have received the message they are sending. I would not wish for them to send another right now.
Message received. Message confirmed. Message under consideration. I knew this was going to happen.
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DM-Gibbon
(Gibbon)
2/4/2009 11:56:29 AM
PostID: 271313
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Edward is about to reply to Illian when a voice booms out.
"WHO THREW THAT?"
It is the Baron, directly behind them, red-faced and livid.
On the table hosting the men bearing the black badge, there is some murmuring. Several men seem to be trying to restrain one other, but he shrugs them off and stands up anyway. Swaying slightly, he fixes the Baron with a glare and spits on the ground.
"This is a disgrace! You eat and drink with elves, sit them at your high table! You dishonour my lord by putting that elvish whore in front of him! She is not fit to serve my lord, let alone eat at his table!"
This time it is the Baron's turn to be upstaged in his reply. Behind him, Sir Guy barks out.
"Apprehend that man and bring him here!"
Three soldiers knock the man to the ground. Sir Guy glares at him as he is dragged over, them bows to the Baron.
"Your punishment, my Lord. If left to me, I will have him hanged."
The Baron nods, still furious.
"Do it. In the square. Now."
He turns to Illian as the man is dragged out. He starts to shouts something but the Baron's men gag him into silence. The Baron turns to Illian, his face crestfallen with humiliation.
"I do not know what to say, my lady. I can only offer my sincere apologies for this. It is not enough. Under my roof, you are, and will always be welcome. My prince, I am ashamed."
"It was not your man who slighted the Lady Illian, Baron" replies Edward calmly, looking to Sir Guy.
Sir Guy's eyes flick across to Edward, and then back to Illian. His eyes are hooded as he speaks to her.
"Please accept my apologies for the behaviour of this man. It will not happen again. Certainly not from him - and nor from any other of the men under my command."
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Illian The Silent
(Meilandru)
2/4/2009 12:33:40 PM
PostID: 271315
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Illian is thoughtful, and saddened, but not angry. She watches the scene unravel before her and has regrets about being there.
She turns and faces the entire hall. Apologies aren't needed by anyone. They misunderstand. I cannot blame the human population for their anger or fear for what they don't understand, for conflicts waged between those who live such short lives and those that live forever.
I can only hope that there are those that will see me for who I am and not what I am. Yes, I look like them. I was born one of them. But I am not one anymore. They outcast me a long time ago, and do not consider me one of them. That does not make me human either. The one place in the world I call home is a home of humans.
While I am saddened that these people, that anyone, only sees what I am and not who I am, I cannot blame them for their anger, nor their actions. Nor can I blame those above them for the actions of those under their command.
Illian bows to the court, tears rolling down her cheeks, and turns and leaves the hall.
This post last edited on 2/4/2009 12:39:26 PM
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DM-Gibbon
(Gibbon)
2/4/2009 12:46:22 PM
PostID: 271317
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"Your beauty is matched only by your compassion" replies the Baron, when Edward translates Illian's signing.
"May I accompany you out of the hall?"he asks, his face still a mask of chagrin.
[ooc: assuming Illian agrees]
He offers her his arm and they complete the walk out of the Great Hall, leaving the people to discuss the events they just saw. Edward follows behind with Caterina, and Sir Guy and the rest of the nobles behind them.
More small talk follows until the Baron decides that he has socialized enough that he can make his exit without appearing rude.
"My prince, my lady - may we meet privately in my solar? My trusted advisor will join us, if you will permit it."
"By all means" replies Edward, and they depart. On the way up, out of the hearing of the Baron, Edward murmurs to Illian,
"I think I trust this Baron Henri. I think he is a good man, but nevertheless I am not sure of the wisdom of revealing too much of our purpose here to him. What do you think?"
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Illian The Silent
(Meilandru)
2/4/2009 1:34:19 PM
PostID: 271322
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Illian had hoped to leave the hall before everyone else, to make as stunning an exit as she had when she entered, for impact of her message. But Edward taking her arm and walking her out while she is in tears left a profound mark on her, and she can only guess what the people in the hall thought about the events.
When the Baron invites them to his study for discussion, she lets Edward lead her a little ways, until he asks his question, then she stops and pulls him aside for a moment. She takes the time to clear the wetness and tears from her face, to wash away her sadness and regrets, and attempts to put on a face that will be easier to pass off whatever story Edward wants to tell to explain his presence.
Perhaps we can flirt around the issue without being direct. For example, you're compiling a family history for records, or writing a book on ancestral legends. It would explain why you have a historian with you. But if you have a better idea, go with it. I will follow your lead.
And about earlier, I am sorry. If you can forgive me for my comments, I was out of line, I should not have said anything so forward. I know that it made you happy but perhaps now you see the implications, why I had been trying to hide it, why I regret telling you. So if you choose not to forgive me for that, I understand.
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