[Soirée] Humoring Family

Darcy and Tristan, please.

The seven Duchies of Central Rynmere and their respective baronies, cities, towns, villages, and landmarks each overseen by a Duke of one of the seven noble families and ultimately controlled by the King of Rynmere.
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Caius Gawyne
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[Soirée] Humoring Family

49 Zi'da 717


The musicians had faded their tune in a way to indicate they would be taking a break, giving those who'd been dancing the indication that they were free to find other things to do with themselves for a bit or two. Caius was still grinning, only slightly disappointed to have to stop the motions he felt as though he'd finally gotten the hang of. Pulse still ringing in his ears, the northern noble kept his hold on Darcyanna's hand, entangling their fingers instead of just offering his arm to lead them away from the dance floor and back into the crowd of those who'd just been watching. Leaning to whisper with heated amusement,

"Well, that should've sarding satisfied everyone for a while, I'd hope." Shameless, it was obvious by his expression he didn't give a second thought to the fires he'd set by dancing and enjoying the company of the Ivory Rose, "And I'd say, my Lady Venora, a drink is now very much in order."

The young Gawyne announced his intentions with the same sort of declarative voice he used when he'd asked the delicate pianist to dance. Provided she agreed, he'd lead them away from the music and the crowd they'd danced near and toward the tables laden with all the impressive array of refreshments the staff of Bellesoir had so painstakingly created for the Gala. Caius really hadn't been to enough social gatherings and paid enough attention to everything in order to rightfully compare, and yet he was sure that since everything had been handcrafted here in the Barony, it was by far the most amazing spread of goodies he'd willingly experienced.

Not that he was at all hungry, thrill of Darcy's lips and proximity, regardless of how sarding terrible he knew his dancing was kept the young Gawyne from eying any of the food. As they approached the table, however, his sharp blue eyes caught sight of a familiar face. Well, familiar to both of them but for different reasons. Squeezing the delicate pianist's hand warmly, he changed their course, grinning with all the intention of catching the Duke of Oakleigh's attention,

"Tristan—er—Your Grace. It's good to see you here." Caius hadn't seen the Duke since his art opening in Andaris in Vhalar, and while he'd been there with another blonde because of her persistent begging and empty promises, Fern Llewellyn from the Rynmere Gazette, he'd still enjoyed the other man's sculptures and creative commentary, "Are you here all the way from the Eastern Settlements for the Venora Charity Soirée or were you in town for more artistic ventures?"

Aware that Tristan and Darcyanna were family, cousins he guessed, he didn't release the comfort of her hand so much as offer a curt bow of greeting and allow the two Venoras their moment of conversation as well.
word count: 501
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Tristan Venora
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[Soirée] Humoring Family

The man that the familiar face that Caius had just caught the sight of belonged to was currently standing in front of one of the tables, dressed in an exquisite dark suit that was the height of fashion and sampling all the delicious goodies that his cousin Oliver had so generously provided. The food was, as far as he was concerned, the best part of the gala that was otherwise a pretty big disappointment because there really wasn’t going on much in the ways of entertainment, and the guests were, for the most part, so self-absorbed that they wouldn’t have noticed him taking off his clothes and racing across the room naked!

Since he was a well-behaved and respectable duke for the most part now and not the insignificant son of a baron anymore, Tristan didn’t eat all the food even though he really wanted to, but left some for the others. He just ate a little while he watched his fellow nobles, holding a glass of the finest Venoran wine in his hand and wondered what he could do to improve the gala a little. Maybe he should show them how you really danced and what real music sounded like!

It was just as he was about to come to a decision, when he noticed Caius Gawyne walk his way. He had met the man before. He was one of the more bearable nobles, and he had appreciated his art which made him like him even more. What more, he was being accompanied by his cousin Darcyanna!

“It’s good to see you as well, Lord Gawyne”, he remarked and smiled. “I had already given up hope that I would meet any interesting people here! Hello, cousin!” He turned to Darcy. “How are you? It’s been a while since we last talked. When was it? I don’t quite remember!” It had probably been a while. He had spent the majority of the past seasons in Oakleigh, trying to get to know his new duchy and being tormented by evil Immortals such as Aelig, Syroa and Lisirra which hadn’t been a particularly pleasant experience.

“I’m mostly here for the soirée”, he replied to Caius’ question. “Although I did briefly meet with Baroness Celeste Andaris to talk politics. She’s quite an interesting woman, although I’m more familiar with her older brother Peake who unfortunately passed away.” He paused, furrowed his brow and looked around.

“Where is the beautiful Fern by the way, if you don’t mind me asking, Lord Gawyne?” he wanted to know, completely oblivious to the fact that Darcyanna might have feelings for Caius. “I thought that she would be accompanying you again, but I don’t see her anywhere!”
word count: 464
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Darcyanna Venora
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[Soirée] Humoring Family

49th Zi’da, 717


If human’s were able to fly, Darcyanna would be pretty certain she would be floating, unable to wipe the dreamy grin from her face or calm the rush of blood racing through her veins. Following the Gawyne away from the dancing with entirely improperly tangled hands, the pale skinned Venora giggled like a child.

“Yes, uh, yes let’s do that. Drinking, I mean. A drink.” Finding her words slowly, the musician wafted towards the refreshments that Jirele had personally overseen, eyeing a glass of the pink wine she’d grown suddenly fond, making a sound of audible disappointment when Caius altered their course.

She could really do with a cool drink.

Following her partner, Darcy turned her lime eyes on the familiar man before them with a surprised grin. Tristan Venora, the Duke of Oakleigh. Smiling warmly, she curtsied to her cousin.

“Well met, Your Grace. It has been many arcs, too many I’m loathe to admit. I’m well thank you! How are you? I heard you’ve recently held an exhibition, I’m terribly sorry to have missed it. Perhaps I can make the next opening.” Looking between the northener and the Duke as they exchanged familiar pleasentaries, the blonde was still riding the delightful high of their dancing when she caught the tail end of Tristan’s comment to Caius.

Come again?

“Sorry who? Accompanying? Fern?” The lime green shifted with inky swirls of indigo, Darcy turning her eyes slowly on the Lord who held her hand with a cooly raised eyebrow and a dangerously strange smile.

“Yes tell us, Lord Gawyne, where is the beautiful Fern? I’m afraid I’ve not yet had the pleasure of meeting her.” There was a hint of edge to her voice, maybe not entirely noticeable to those who didn’t know her, but for Caius it would be entirely unfamiliar on the blonde.

She waited though, almost patiently, giving the snow-born noble a chance to explain before she drew conclusions.

Almost patiently.
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Caius Gawyne
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[Soirée] Humoring Family

"Ah—who? Oh, Fern Llewellyn the gossip columnist from the Gazette? Bogs! Together? Us? No."

Caius chuckled, shaking his head despite the blush that rose to his cheeks at Darcyanna's questioning glance and Tristan's eager concern. He ran a thumb over her hand and cleared his throat, "My Grace, if I may be so crass in front of you, as distracting as Fern played herself to be with me at your lovely art opening last season, she's not at all into our kind, you and I. She much prefers the company of her own kind. So, no. We're just friends from work."

His grin bordered on the wicked, but there was an embarrassed edge to the tone of his voice, if only because he was aware he'd allowed himself to be played the evening of the Duke of Oakleigh's art opening. Fern had begged for trials for Caius to take her to see the sculptures, smiling and plying him with promises of a good time in exchange for the juiciest of noble gossip that his name as an escort could provide. She was plenty of fun to be around, for the blonde writer had gotten her start at the Gazette as a printer's apprentice under Basilius, but her peculiar way with people eventually drew her from ink and metal type and into the gossip columnist position.

And what a gossip she was. Even now, it seemed.

"She'd hounded me to take her to your art opening for trials, Tristan, but trust me when I say she made more eyes at your bodyguard Lianne than she ever did at me all evening, no matter how convincing she made it look. Besides,"

Caius' expression softened and he tilted his head toward the delicate pianist whose hand he still held, the Duke's cousin,

"I'm accompanying the lovely and talented Ivory Rose this evening. Darcyanna and I have, well—what's the right turn of phrase here?—been seen with each other since the end of last season. To be honest, I don't see us not being seen with each other anytime in the foreseeable future, either, without saying anything official, of course."

Yes, he sarding did.

The young Gawyne grinned almost stupidly, pleased with himself and clearly beaming in the vicinity of the blonde Venora,

"What of yourself, my Grace? Did you come alone?"
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Tristan Venora
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[Soirée] Humoring Family

“I’m fine“, Tristan replied to Darcy because it was true. Aelig had stopped tormenting him for the time being, his subjects hadn’t sent any assassins so far, and he had begun to make sculptures again. Life was good. “You know, you could also visit me in Oakleigh. I’d give you a private tour of my studio. We are family. We should stay in contact from now on.”

His cousin seemed to be really surprised to hear about Fern – and not in a good way, he noticed. He wondered why that was the case. Was she … was she in a relationship with the printmaker? Should he apologize because he had brought the matter up? No, he decided, he hadn’t done anything wrong. Besides, he was interested in hearing what Caius had to say!

Maybe he had two girlfriends? Tristan had never had two girlfriends at the same time, although there had been the trial when he had won a night with a prostitute at that auction that had been held at the House of Roses. Faith had still been his slave (and his lover) then.

Having two girlfriends, he imagined, was probably pretty exhausting …

“No?” he asked as Caius denied that Fern and he were together. He was, he had to admit, a little disappointed even though it was probably better for Darcy that Caius didn’t have another woman - and he really wanted his cousin to be happy. “So she’s a lesbian?”

“Hmmm”, he made thoughtfully. He would ask Lianne if she was maybe a little bisexual, he decided. Maybe he could set up a date for them!

“Oh”, he made, as Caius confirmed that Darcy and he were seeing each other, and then he added another “Oh” for good measure. “Congratulations! So …” he asked and grinned. “May I be so frank and ask if we can expect an official announcement sometime?”

Caius asked if he had come alone, alone, and Tristan wondered if he should tell the truth. He felt a little inadequate – for a moment before he came to the conclusion that his being alone was only temporary. He’d find a noblewoman to spend time with, and if that didn’t work out, he’d bring Lianne or Ilaren next time – or that savage he had met in the jungle.

Besides …

“Oh no, I didn’t come alone. I brought my daughter. She is currently sleeping somewhere upstairs though because all the people here would be too much for her.”

“If you want to”,
he said to Darcy and smiled brightly. Most nobles probably hid their bastards, but he was proud of Ayla, and he wanted everybody to get to know her and love her.

“I can introduce you to each other later on. You could be her honorary aunt!”
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Darcyanna Venora
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[Soirée] Humoring Family

49th Zi’da, 717


As Caius explained his relationship with Fern, or more rather her relationship with others of the fairer sex, the blonde made a silent ‘oh’ with her mouth and her eyes shifted to a rather embarrassed shade of hazel. She brushed the moment aside as the Gawyne mentioned their own relationship before the Duke.

“Well said, my Lord.” She said with a smile, sucked right back into her previous moments of delight by saying the word out loud. To someone who wasn’t Charlie or Oliver.

Turning her smile on Tristan, the blonde felt a sudden surge of delight at his comments. Family. Of course they were, but it had been so long that she’d almost forgotten what it was like to pull the concept together.

“Of course Tristan, I would love that. I’ve not visited Oakleigh before, it would be nice to see what it’s like at your end of the world.” At the mention of official things, Darcy blushed again and laughed a little, shaking her hand as if to calm wild thoughts running rampant.

“Nothing quite that official yet cousin. We’re just...we’re courting. As it were.” Her eyes had washed with lilac as she turned them on the taller diri with another nervous laugh, lest the idea of anything further be a little to much for the Gawyne directly after they’d just agreed to some sort of officialness that wasn’t too fast for things such as parental discussions and what not.

At the brunette haired Duke’s next words, the Venora musician couldn’t hide the widening of her eyes in surprise and a sudden feeling of delight.

“A daughter?! Tristan I had no idea! How old is she, and what is her name? Fates I have so many questions! I would absolutely love to meet her!” Her free hand slipped to her chest over her heart and her eyes shifted to a bright lime green.

“Honorary Aunt?! Aww I would be so utterly happy to! How truly wonderful.” It was a genuine comment, the blonde already imagining all the Most Important Aunt Duties she could complete. Who better to give fashion advice, or to introduce to the gardens? Her mind ran rampant with ideas.

How brilliant!

“What about her mother? Is she back in Oakleigh?” The pale woman asked with a smile, noting that her cousin had only brought his daughter. Perhaps his partner was ill?
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Caius Gawyne
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[Soirée] Humoring Family

Off Topic
OMG! It's my turn! I'm so sorry. I didn't realize. D'oh. Here's something short and sweet to keep it moving. Caius doesn't know what to say anyway ... hahaha.
"After seeing all of your current sculpture in Vhalar, it would be a pleasure to see where you work." He agreed with Darcyanna, though perhaps it wasn't an invitation to himself so much as to her, as she was family and he was not.

Caius chuckled at Tristan's next question, however, shrugging his narrow shoulders in order to indicate that he'd already made his assumptions about Fern and her sexual preferences as well as decided the Gossip Columnist wasn't worth the effort of persuading. The two had worked together for most of the arc already at the Gazette, and yet the northern noble was very sure of his current preferences: Darcy. He'd made the better choice, anyway.

"Official? Well, about that—"

The young Gawyne cleared his throat and his grin turned coy, if only because this very discussion was still quite new on their lips as it was, "We met in late Vhalar somewhat by happenstance, and to be honest, I've yet to discuss matters with either of our families, Tristan, so I suppose for now this is about as official of an announcement as we can give. That said, yes," His smile for the delicate pianist was lopsided and bordered on the shy, "we are definitely courting. And it'd be my pleasure to keep you informed of wherever our state of affairs takes us."

When the Duke of Oakleigh mentioned he had a daughter, Caius was surprised into silence. It wasn't a judgmental silence so much as one of curiosity. He hadn't heard of the dark-haired Venora having children, which meant that his daughter was perhaps quite young.

While he was just as curious as Darcyanna, it was her last question or two that caused him to bite his lip and squeeze the delicate pianist's hand, aware that the Duke was unmarried and perhaps concerned that the question was a bit of an overstepping despite the blonde's genuine enthusiasm. His smile faltered a little and while Caius wasn't socially gracious nor at all adept enough to know what to say to remedy the situation, and so he just hoped that Tristan's normally ebullient nature was enough to take such a comment in stride.
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Tristan Venora
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[Soirée] Humoring Family

“Oakleigh actually isn’t the end of the world. There are a whole lot of countries behind it, although the northern half of my duchy is pretty empty. There are just mountains and forests”, Tristan told Darcyanna, laughed and – stared because her eyes had suddenly changed color. He knew that it was probably due to her Biqaj blood (plenty of nobles had married Biqaj). Most of the time he didn’t mind that he was just a plain human, but by Zanik, he really wished he could get his eyes to change color right now!

“Well, let me know when you want to make things official”, he replied as the two told him that they were just courting. “I approve of your relationship, I’ll support you, and I might even throw you a party. I’m good at that”, he added and secretly thought that he should really start courting somebody as well if he didn’t want the king to get mad at him and take away his duchy. Maybe he would travel to Rharne and ask Ilaren to marry him one of these trials!

He’d thought that everybody knew about his daughter by now, so when Darcyanna admitted that she had no idea, he stared again. “Her name’s Ayla”, he replied. “She’s a little over an arc old. As for her mother …” He paused and looked from Darcyanna to Caius and back as he wondered what he should tell them. The truth was out of the question.

If he told them that Ayla’s mother was an evil Immortal that had tricked him and that Ayla was a Mortalborn and had a few special abilities … well, they’d either call him a liar, kill Ayla because she might turn out to be evil as well or take his baby away because they thought she was magical, and magic was illegal. He could not allow any of those things to happen.

So he sighed deeply, tried to look as sad as he could and told them, “Ayla’s mother is not with us anymore. We are alone.” He hated lying about such things, but it was probably better if they thought that he had had an affair with a commoner that was dead now.

Since he didn’t want them to pity him for a death of a lover that had never existed, he decided to immediately change the topic and smiled brightly: “So what else is new? How goes the music, cousin? If I ever write another musical, you can help me. And Caius, you can print the script!”

“The last time I wrote a musical, the king attended the premiere!”
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Darcyanna Venora
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[Soirée] Humoring Family

49th Zi’da, 717


“Well Tristan, I will just have to make that assessment myself when I visit. Let’s do that sooner rather than later cousin.” She smiled as he laughed, delighted to have a formal invite to Oakleigh. It would be nice to see the duchy.

At Tristan’s supportive words on their ‘officialness’ Darcyanna felt a rush of relief, as though having at least another Venora outside of Oliver approving was a small win. If Mother and Father opposed for whatever the reason, at least they had Tristan’s backing.

Darcy felt the squeeze on her hand, glancing over at the Gawyne with a slight frown. Had she just said something wrong? Did Caius know something about Tristan’s partner that she didn’t? Sard, did she just say something wrong. Her cheeks colored slightly, readying herself to backpedal from the conversation regarding the child’s mother—Ayla’s mother.

As her cousin mentioned she was not with them anymore, the blonde pianist took it exactly as it sounded. She felt her heart sink and frowned in empathy. No wonder Caius had tried to stop her. Poor Tristan, poor Ayla. Fates, what a cruel world.

The man moved topics quickly, a gentle indication he didn’t want to dwell on the topic, and Darcy moved with politically practiced ease. Her eyes lit up, lime with delight.

“It goes well! I’ve nearly earned my Letter, just a few more units to close out. You wrote a musical?! And the King attended? By the
Seven, that is impressive. I write songs, but nothing as grand as that. And I think the only person who’s heard my work so far is Lord Gawyne here. I am writing another presently between studies, but it’s far from finished. Just a few bars of melody at the moment.”
The musician grinned.

“You know, that would be ever so fun. A theatre event for the citizens, oh like the Circus! It could be a travelling musical! Attending all the duchies. Imagine that?!” Her mind had tripped into future things, imagining just what something like that could look like. Focusing more on Tristan, the blonde grinned with genuine pleasure.

“Why haven’t we spoken sooner cousin? I had no idea you were musically inclined. I feel like I’ve missed so many opportunities. We absolutely must stay in contact now, no question!”
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[Soirée] Humoring Family

Hey, all, so - shame this thread sort of just.... stopped. It was a lovely social thread and it seemed to be going really well. I got to Darcy's last post and wanted the next reply! But I wanted that because you all write so well, even when writing slightly awkward, not sure of themselves. I love all three pcs and this thread made me want to go and read more threads of yours. Hope to see the three of you in a thread together soon!

Darcyanna

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XP: 15

Fame:+5

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None

Knowledge

Skill Knowledge:
Politics: Finding your feet before others after a moment of giddiness
Politics: Even though someone is family, doesn’t mean you forget their titles
Politics: Making commitments of visitation to allies
Sociology: Dealing with jealous thoughts
Sociology: Admitting official things to others
Sociology: The delight of family affairs

Non-Skill Knowledge:
Tristan Venora: Duke of Oakleigh
Tristan Venora: Your cousin
Tristan Venora: Has a daughter
Tristan Venora: Invited you to his estate
Tristan Venora: Wrote a musical and performed it for the King
Tristan Venora: Thinks you could be an honorary aunt

Caius Gawyne: Said official things about ‘us’ to another person
Caius Gawyne: Has a female friend who likes female...friends.
Caius Gawyne: Has previously met Tristan


Tristan

Points

XP: 15

Fame: +5

Loot

Knowledge

Skill Knowledge:
Acting: Looking sad
Deception: Lying about my daughter's mother
Etiquette: Don't eat all the food!
Etiquette: Exchanging pleasantries
Etiquette: Congratulating a couple on their relationship
Politics: If I don't get married, the king might take away my duchy!

Non-Skill Knowledge:
Caius Gawyne: In a relationship with Darcyanna Venora
Darcyanna Venora: In a relationship with Caius Gawyne
NPC (Fern): Not Caius Gawyne's girlfriend
NPC (Fern): lesbian


Caius

Points

XP:15

Fame: +5

Loot

None

Knowledge

Detection: Recognizing the hints of jealousy
Etiquette: How to breach a taboo subject
Etiquette: Polite questions
Politics: Unofficially official
Politics: The intricacies of courting
Politics: Casual conversation with a Duke
Politics: House Venora: Complicated
Politics: Eastern Settlements: Oakleigh
word count: 342
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~~Red in hoof and claw... ~~


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