Post by Master Claramae St. Laurence on Jan 2, 2011 23:00:24 GMT -6
Dinner at Northampton: Part I
Countess Evangeline O'Cathsaigh
It was a strange time. Asleep far earlier than any other person she had awoken to the night time when one year was straddling the edges of another. The old with the new. Stars that were old alongside those who had yet to break the black. Perhaps it was time, she thought, ah yes. Time to go out in the world to find meaning to contradict the smallness of their household, the smallness of how many of her household said to feel in the Griffin capital.Were they representing anything? It was a small thing, fame, when it was never used. Small and paltry by comparison to the opportunity to live. Imagine the face of the Countess of Leinster when on the steps of the Inn came a messanger in the red, green, and white livery of a famliar entity. She had recieved word of their arrival, and in waiting so long to send reply apologized..but: "It would be their pleasure to have you," he said "If you and yours would be willing to make the journey but a little to the country. It seems very wrong to her grace that her kinsmen should lodge only within an inn, and remain there without introduction." Evangeline looked to Faolan, a few of their retainers who oft sat with them with ever watchful eyes. A court of them. There was a court of others there on the hill. It was a commandment they didn't have to answer, winter assembly, but a chance. Ah well. "We can gae then, you can go tell yer lady to expect us." (d)
Earl Faolan O'Cathasaigh
Once the liveried messenger had gone his way, Faolan chuckled quietly and shook his head. "I can already be tellin' tha' yer cousin tis angry wit' us....." There was a soft smile, "We 'ave missed tha' Yule an' now we 'ave nae greeted 'er upon our way 'ere?" There was another soft smile, a chuckle. "When shall we be gaein' tae yer cousins?" (D)
Countess Evangeline O'Cathasaigh
"Well we are nay so horrible as tha', my lord. E'en when we wrote to the Campbell in Drynoch, we said we may come about just at Ephiphany. We be early. Let us go now. Tis better than stayin here 'bout. Dina...please, help me to put on m'better overgown.This one is to plain fer the likes o' a visit." The livereied messanger would await them below where he would, with a guide, lead the party through the city to the first leg of country surrounding. In the interrim the curtain was drawn while she went with her lady's maid, joined by another, to be laced in to one of the better creations ordered of thefabrics that came when the Griffin could penetrate the heart of a place finally ready to recieve it. --
Duchess Evangeline O'Cathasaigh
"It isn't Epiphany, but the people of Leinster are already here. I wonder why they did not seek sooner a better place, it won't do to have them in an suite within an inn, no matter how fashionable.." She recollected this aloud to one and another, whomever stood about . Silk damask trailed behind her quiet steps some three feet behind. It wasn't an intriguing time. It was winter in the lands of the Griffin, and the nations congregated in varying places, their elite and lesser to herald the Christ's child birth and his twelve nights. When last she saw her cousin, she couldn't help but to feel a sense of longing radiating for the woman, a sense of fear even in the knight at her side. His disproval was as thick as English heat in summer but still he stayed. They had all stayed, hadn't they? Now with a fall apart it was interesting to think on seeing them again (d)
Master Julian Monroe
"Not that you would ever see your family stay at an inn." Julian chided along side her, his nose down in a book though his steps nearly flawless. "No matter how distant the relation." It was a tease of course, as he pretended to think her anything other. He was excited to meet the cousin, and her husband, after hearing so much of England while his time was in Spain. However, for formality sake he was schooled not to bring up topics of business while in the home of his Master. Here, they were but two people in the court.
Master Jean-Claude deAquitaine
Jean-Claude all but sprinkled the path with petals he was giddy to see the fair haired version of his darling friend. Passing through the open foyer he would be schooling the doorman how to stand, appalled at how the man's shoulder's slumped, "Like pruning roses." He often laughed knowing he picked over images just the same. (d)
Earl Faolan O'Cathasaigh
Fao would smile quietly, as he watched Eva rise and go behind her dressing screen with her lady's maids. There was a soft smile, as he got up and went to change as well. Did he hesitate to pause and sneak a glance around the silk screen? There was a quiet, suggestive smile to his wife before he went to dress in his one of his new outfits: a leather pair of trousers and a padded doublet bearing the crest of the O'Caseys. As he stood, studying himself in the mirror, he was struck by just how far they had risen. The looking glass was proof enough of that! Once they had been impoverished nobility, barely able to provide for the upkeep of Dublin Castle -- and now? Now they were able to afford a looking glass! It was a long for an armorer's son to rise. There was a soft smile, as he finished dressing and waited upon his wife. (D)
Duchess Claramae Vincere St. Laurence
A looking glass to view the reflection of triumph, was it? Success measured by matierial possesion was a strange indicator for someone who had emassed more things than any one person could use in the entire world. "What are you doing, deAquitaine? She is an Irish countess and her husband an Irish earl, I do not think they walk on roses often unless they are petals from the garden? Cease in your harrasment of my servants. Poor men," she looked at Julian with a face soft enough to move fluid from one emotion to the next "You are right, Monroe, no matter how distant the relation it would not do for the sake of manners to allow your blood to be away from what is another link in the line of familial estates. Though this relation is by no means distant, she is the daughter of my mother's sister, " she corrected, looking to the side with a cant of her head in the direction of an old painting, done in the sense of realism not the period style so often done "The woman beside my mother, my lady-aunt, and the younger golden haired courtier is her daughter, that would be the Lady of Dublin a year before she came to majority," Before she was married to a man none ever spoke of without cringing, without wishing that things had been different. Paths. They traveled them together now and it was what counted"You will enjoy them a great deal, I think. You met them for but a moment before you left for spain, at the supper we had before you to the lands of Warmth and us to England."
Countess Evangeline O'Cathasaigh
Falon's smile had a mirror not in polished glass, but on the lady's face. So strange, once he waited beyond the screens never to know what was behind..that was until boundaries were crossed for the journey to commence. It took them some years to become as they were now,but love was sooner realized. No matter distance or time, bonds could be forever. It amazed her to see him wearing the crest of her family. That crest on an honorable man, a man whom no one despised, who brought no attack.They came from the wonder of an unbloody Dublin in order to cross to the carriage waiting for them. She suspected it might be horses, the night was fine enough for a ride! "The carriage has yer standards, m'lord," she muttered to her husband with a grin. "shall we?" (d)
Master Julian Monroe
Julian tried his hardest to remember, but he thought her mistaken for Jean-Claude spoke often of their first meeting in the great halls of the English castle. However, he knew his Master to often be blinded by sight until the thought someone beautiful, but then again it started to come back to him. Quietly he let Claramae get onto Jean-Claude for the moment, but would lean into whisper, "You can't imagine what he put me through today." Holding up his hand the thin silk glove was white in color matching the deep blue of his suit. "He's very fond of your cousin, and is trying his hardest to move my wedding closer." Julian mused folding his hands behind his back as they walked.
NocturneSansFin 8:17 pm
"I am not trying to move your wedding along, Julian. Just simply..if you are to court properly, then you are to attend everything as an escort, and today you are to escort one of your own." Jean-Claude was not standing far from a very petite little blonde who was dressed up in white, her hair in curls and the ribbons to match. She was to sing at dinner, and was beyond nervous. Everything about her spoke of the life Julian left behind from the harsh ends of her fingers, and the overworked bones beneath. Yet, all it took was a single song and the Master was hooked. "And please," He waved his hand at Claramae, "I'll soon be retired, it is all I have to do is to pick at these little things." Though he was fascinated suddenly with the book Julian tucked away, the binding was easy to roll up inside his breast pocket. "I should scold you, but when I was your age I had drawings of the insides of human bodies while I dined with Kings." (d
Earl Faolan O'Cathasaigh
"Sae it daes," Fao marveled. There was a smile a bit of a laugh, as he murmured to his wife, "I may knae what ta dae wit' meself.....I cannae remember tha last time tha' we were sae privileged as ta ride in a carriage...." There was a broad smile, as he opened the carriage door for his wife - poor footman, Fao was ever the armorer's son at heart - and then offered his hand to assist her into the carriage. There was little doubting that Fao had the stance of an experinced ride, for he had countless time ridden across the moorlands of Ireland in the service of both the Lady O'Casey and the Lord-Admiral. (D)
Countess Evangeline O'Cathasaigh
"The last time we had a carriage, my love was within England. Before tha', when the Lord Paul had impressions tae make," They had Dublin Castle and the estate home where she had grown, making two houses in one city thus one county with nothing more besides. To see the standard emblazened on the door was like seeing the blood spilled come to be realized: it was all for honor. All for the honor of a name not being torn through the dirt. They knew, didn't they?Knew what it was like to be damned for faults not your own? Both of them on a horse would have been erect, proud, and errorless, but to relax within the inside of a thing closed away was marvelous strange. She smoothed the soft, richly embroidere fabric over her thighs to look over the image. "Who seeks tae spoil more? The Count o' Leinster to his wife or the Duchess o' Northampton to her kin?"
Duchess Claramae Vincere St. Laurence
"Soon be? Soon be retired?" Claramae looked at Julian with a shake of her head. touching the young man's gloved hand only to whisper in the shell of his ear. "I see he is still in denial." A simple dinner with a singer -Jean-Claude's want to indoctrinate to old orders those who even in a new world might not have a chance to grasp the tools necessary. One song? He trusted the man's ear though had he not said one could not train away the wild? Oh well. He would always be inspired to try. Often he would succeed. "Have no worry, your wedding will be when it is best settled twixt you and your lady, in the interim come. We have quite a bit prepared, good fish, chicken. It all is laid out..ah yes." She lifted her hand in approval to the servant who would plate in the winter dining room, a formal way of discussing a long parlor. Intimacy was what was most desired. Not length nor distance. Intimacy to repair many years where it lacked. Each of them in a way had the other at arm's length for one thing or the other, using the silence to say I love you (d)
Master Julian Monroe
"He'll always be in denial, Master. I doubt he truly knows the meaning of the word." Julian smiled then, the sort that was natural on his face with his bit of shy manners, and reluctant admittance that he favored them all greatly. "If you will excuse me, I will see to our guest." He was nervous, but this was what it was to be in a court right? Thankful for the gloves, he wondered if this was a true meaning as to why he wore them--his palms were moist with the nerves that pulsed through his veins as he closed his distance on the little wallflower who felt as though she could hide there.
NocturneSansFin 8:47 pm
Jean-Claude would watch as the little blonde would blush, and would hope it to ease the sharp edges of Julian's social life. Besides Janice who else was at his own age that he friended? "When I was that age, she would have already been naked." Such a crude thing to say, but he did say it in a whisper like a rather proud peacoke--was it really that far of a stretch to what Voltaire insisted on him? "I'm looking forward to seeing your cousin. Will she stay long?" (d
Duchess Claramae Vincere St. Laurence
"Always and forever, my dear. You needn't call me Master tonight. You're grace, my lady. My cousin is not ignorant of the nature of my life nor our uniqueness, but let us not have that tonight. It is merely about us." All of them were trying to think beyond the restraints of what made them unique. In this moment of relative normalcy she could have blanched at the Masters words. But he was him, no? "Yes, at his age you were not married." She lifted her own gloved hand. They would be removed by supper ."If the lady will be convinced she will stay long, and here. Through Epiphany at the shortest though we may convince her perhaps three weeks? It will do them well to settle within the court.They deserve a place as any. She was born to aristocracy, her husband served it, both are named of old clans of Ireland. More imporantly, they bled for it." --
Earl Faolan O'Cathasaigh
He could ask himself how long she would stay for the groom came within the center of the hall with a bow to announce "The O'Casey carriage has arrived Madame." Claramae offered him a gentle correction, that within the house it would be pronounced properly 'O'Cathasaigh,' for the family prefered the ancient spelling. The Lord disembarked first so he, not the footmen, could help his wife down. She smiled up to him and soon she would be on his arm, being allowed through the front of the doors to be announced, "The Earl and Countess of Leinster, The Lord and Lady of Dublin." (d)
Master Jean-Claude deAquitaine
"Ah, but I was promised. Does this not count? I am married..you are married, but I'm going to offer to escort you no?" With that Jean-Claude offered her his arm, the reason of it being he loved her dearly, and with it would see her to the otherside without any worry for the future. They would have dinner in peace tonight, and be serenaded by a teenage beauty with the voice of an angel. When the other would be announced Jean was quick to keep to Claramae's side, but he would doubt himself to be the first to break from their rather intimidating form. Claramae loved this woman dearly. (d
Duchess Claramae Vincere St. Laurence
"Indeed. We are all wed, as it showed be. Given unto our other halves in human form." On the arm of the rightful heir of ancient blood, he was born to a higher house than she. Still, she stood his equal in intellect and effort. Behind her the train of her gown said nothing of a whisper behind, trailing fur. Now all of them were standing together, face to face. Life to life. For Claramae, Evangeline was the other half of her unexpressed side. Why, for one who seemed as English as the old monarchy or any shire, she offered up a soft greeting in old Irish-Gaul.
Countess Evangeline O'Cathasaigh
The Earl bowed, the Countess lowered herself before her grace only to look up from the salutation with a soft face to reply the same. Once given leave, deAquitaine and Monroe would see a rare thing: Claramae's hands would be filled first by Faolan's, the tops kissed before he gave them over to his wife. Evangeline looked at Claramae for a long, long while."We thank ye for invitin' us to your estate, cousin. M'Lord deAquitaine, we are happy to see ye again." Neither bleeding or around murder, it was different! She was bright, vibrant if only a little subdued in the soul due to the season it was, but she smiled freely where Claramae had to remember how.Both women gave way to the point that if necessary they could be as alabaster stone (d)
Master Jean-Claude deAquitaine
If anything she stood before him, the rest of the world had thought so for he let on none the different. "What difference a year has been.." He mused quietly as they made their way to where the rest stood, and Faolan would be the first to greet Claramae, Jean was to Evangeline. In French he whispered his greeting, kissing her hand with a smile, "It has been too long, and I ask forgiveness of my sudden disappearance in England." Though this one knew well why. His hand would go to her husband then with a shake, happy to see him as well and would properly thank him for his time in London. Though from there he would take a step back to pull from the light of the group as this was not his house as it would have been in the Ebony Hall, and what would happen next belonged to his Lady. Julian would touch Jean-Claude's shoulder with the little Lily of the Valley on his arm and look up to him. It was clear he did not remember the Irish Rose. "She is Evangeline, and he her Earl Husband Faolan." The rest of the name had been given at introductions. (d
Countess Evangeline O'Cathasaigh
"Nay so much a year, tis been less m'lord, but a season's full passin' twixt the summer n' now to winter. A year would be too long." Faolan was nervous but didn't show it, like a seasoned battle veteran never revealed fear to the enemy nor would he now that he belonged in this world. He in turn would thank Jean-Claude for his reception of them, and the kindness he showed to his wife. He also said in a discrete tone his express gratitude, for he knew it was his hands that stiched the Lady of Northampton together. History changed for him, he would whisper to Jean that this visit was good for all of them, and for the women especially. The smiling one of golden halo had many nightmares in this time of year he said but did not give a reason to why. Evangeline turned instead to look upon Julian"Good evenin', I recall seein' ye in the summer at my cousin's home within the city. Good meetin again my lord, to you and your lady-friend."
Duchess Claramae Vincere St. Laurence
Claramae saw that each returned to their escort "Shall we to the winter parlor? Dinner is laid out, and I wish to know more of all of our guests. My lady.." she said to the poor bird on Julian's arm. Pretty bird. He escorted them, Jean collected them like his Italian leather shoes. At least he favored Maxamillian's people for something. They had come to enlightenment far sooner than the rest of Europe. "I hear you sing, it will be a pleasure to be regailed by you I am sure. Do you enjoy music? The Countess is a skilled player of music, perhaps she might accompany you on the spinet." A variant of harpsichord, and this instrument of strings, notes, and keys were like the people that kept them ahead of their time.
Countess Evangeline O'Cathasaigh
Faolan did smile. His wife could play as preetily as she embroidered, but it seemed a family trait to keep one's hands useful. Evangeline blushed softly,turning over her cloak to the maid as well as her gloves "Only as pleasin' as the listener thinks." The dinner in the parlor was all awaiting, pages an dmaids to serve them, wine to be poured (d)
Countess Evangeline O'Cathsaigh
It was a strange time. Asleep far earlier than any other person she had awoken to the night time when one year was straddling the edges of another. The old with the new. Stars that were old alongside those who had yet to break the black. Perhaps it was time, she thought, ah yes. Time to go out in the world to find meaning to contradict the smallness of their household, the smallness of how many of her household said to feel in the Griffin capital.Were they representing anything? It was a small thing, fame, when it was never used. Small and paltry by comparison to the opportunity to live. Imagine the face of the Countess of Leinster when on the steps of the Inn came a messanger in the red, green, and white livery of a famliar entity. She had recieved word of their arrival, and in waiting so long to send reply apologized..but: "It would be their pleasure to have you," he said "If you and yours would be willing to make the journey but a little to the country. It seems very wrong to her grace that her kinsmen should lodge only within an inn, and remain there without introduction." Evangeline looked to Faolan, a few of their retainers who oft sat with them with ever watchful eyes. A court of them. There was a court of others there on the hill. It was a commandment they didn't have to answer, winter assembly, but a chance. Ah well. "We can gae then, you can go tell yer lady to expect us." (d)
Earl Faolan O'Cathasaigh
Once the liveried messenger had gone his way, Faolan chuckled quietly and shook his head. "I can already be tellin' tha' yer cousin tis angry wit' us....." There was a soft smile, "We 'ave missed tha' Yule an' now we 'ave nae greeted 'er upon our way 'ere?" There was another soft smile, a chuckle. "When shall we be gaein' tae yer cousins?" (D)
Countess Evangeline O'Cathasaigh
"Well we are nay so horrible as tha', my lord. E'en when we wrote to the Campbell in Drynoch, we said we may come about just at Ephiphany. We be early. Let us go now. Tis better than stayin here 'bout. Dina...please, help me to put on m'better overgown.This one is to plain fer the likes o' a visit." The livereied messanger would await them below where he would, with a guide, lead the party through the city to the first leg of country surrounding. In the interrim the curtain was drawn while she went with her lady's maid, joined by another, to be laced in to one of the better creations ordered of thefabrics that came when the Griffin could penetrate the heart of a place finally ready to recieve it. --
Duchess Evangeline O'Cathasaigh
"It isn't Epiphany, but the people of Leinster are already here. I wonder why they did not seek sooner a better place, it won't do to have them in an suite within an inn, no matter how fashionable.." She recollected this aloud to one and another, whomever stood about . Silk damask trailed behind her quiet steps some three feet behind. It wasn't an intriguing time. It was winter in the lands of the Griffin, and the nations congregated in varying places, their elite and lesser to herald the Christ's child birth and his twelve nights. When last she saw her cousin, she couldn't help but to feel a sense of longing radiating for the woman, a sense of fear even in the knight at her side. His disproval was as thick as English heat in summer but still he stayed. They had all stayed, hadn't they? Now with a fall apart it was interesting to think on seeing them again (d)
Master Julian Monroe
"Not that you would ever see your family stay at an inn." Julian chided along side her, his nose down in a book though his steps nearly flawless. "No matter how distant the relation." It was a tease of course, as he pretended to think her anything other. He was excited to meet the cousin, and her husband, after hearing so much of England while his time was in Spain. However, for formality sake he was schooled not to bring up topics of business while in the home of his Master. Here, they were but two people in the court.
Master Jean-Claude deAquitaine
Jean-Claude all but sprinkled the path with petals he was giddy to see the fair haired version of his darling friend. Passing through the open foyer he would be schooling the doorman how to stand, appalled at how the man's shoulder's slumped, "Like pruning roses." He often laughed knowing he picked over images just the same. (d)
Earl Faolan O'Cathasaigh
Fao would smile quietly, as he watched Eva rise and go behind her dressing screen with her lady's maids. There was a soft smile, as he got up and went to change as well. Did he hesitate to pause and sneak a glance around the silk screen? There was a quiet, suggestive smile to his wife before he went to dress in his one of his new outfits: a leather pair of trousers and a padded doublet bearing the crest of the O'Caseys. As he stood, studying himself in the mirror, he was struck by just how far they had risen. The looking glass was proof enough of that! Once they had been impoverished nobility, barely able to provide for the upkeep of Dublin Castle -- and now? Now they were able to afford a looking glass! It was a long for an armorer's son to rise. There was a soft smile, as he finished dressing and waited upon his wife. (D)
Duchess Claramae Vincere St. Laurence
A looking glass to view the reflection of triumph, was it? Success measured by matierial possesion was a strange indicator for someone who had emassed more things than any one person could use in the entire world. "What are you doing, deAquitaine? She is an Irish countess and her husband an Irish earl, I do not think they walk on roses often unless they are petals from the garden? Cease in your harrasment of my servants. Poor men," she looked at Julian with a face soft enough to move fluid from one emotion to the next "You are right, Monroe, no matter how distant the relation it would not do for the sake of manners to allow your blood to be away from what is another link in the line of familial estates. Though this relation is by no means distant, she is the daughter of my mother's sister, " she corrected, looking to the side with a cant of her head in the direction of an old painting, done in the sense of realism not the period style so often done "The woman beside my mother, my lady-aunt, and the younger golden haired courtier is her daughter, that would be the Lady of Dublin a year before she came to majority," Before she was married to a man none ever spoke of without cringing, without wishing that things had been different. Paths. They traveled them together now and it was what counted"You will enjoy them a great deal, I think. You met them for but a moment before you left for spain, at the supper we had before you to the lands of Warmth and us to England."
Countess Evangeline O'Cathasaigh
Falon's smile had a mirror not in polished glass, but on the lady's face. So strange, once he waited beyond the screens never to know what was behind..that was until boundaries were crossed for the journey to commence. It took them some years to become as they were now,but love was sooner realized. No matter distance or time, bonds could be forever. It amazed her to see him wearing the crest of her family. That crest on an honorable man, a man whom no one despised, who brought no attack.They came from the wonder of an unbloody Dublin in order to cross to the carriage waiting for them. She suspected it might be horses, the night was fine enough for a ride! "The carriage has yer standards, m'lord," she muttered to her husband with a grin. "shall we?" (d)
Master Julian Monroe
Julian tried his hardest to remember, but he thought her mistaken for Jean-Claude spoke often of their first meeting in the great halls of the English castle. However, he knew his Master to often be blinded by sight until the thought someone beautiful, but then again it started to come back to him. Quietly he let Claramae get onto Jean-Claude for the moment, but would lean into whisper, "You can't imagine what he put me through today." Holding up his hand the thin silk glove was white in color matching the deep blue of his suit. "He's very fond of your cousin, and is trying his hardest to move my wedding closer." Julian mused folding his hands behind his back as they walked.
NocturneSansFin 8:17 pm
"I am not trying to move your wedding along, Julian. Just simply..if you are to court properly, then you are to attend everything as an escort, and today you are to escort one of your own." Jean-Claude was not standing far from a very petite little blonde who was dressed up in white, her hair in curls and the ribbons to match. She was to sing at dinner, and was beyond nervous. Everything about her spoke of the life Julian left behind from the harsh ends of her fingers, and the overworked bones beneath. Yet, all it took was a single song and the Master was hooked. "And please," He waved his hand at Claramae, "I'll soon be retired, it is all I have to do is to pick at these little things." Though he was fascinated suddenly with the book Julian tucked away, the binding was easy to roll up inside his breast pocket. "I should scold you, but when I was your age I had drawings of the insides of human bodies while I dined with Kings." (d
Earl Faolan O'Cathasaigh
"Sae it daes," Fao marveled. There was a smile a bit of a laugh, as he murmured to his wife, "I may knae what ta dae wit' meself.....I cannae remember tha last time tha' we were sae privileged as ta ride in a carriage...." There was a broad smile, as he opened the carriage door for his wife - poor footman, Fao was ever the armorer's son at heart - and then offered his hand to assist her into the carriage. There was little doubting that Fao had the stance of an experinced ride, for he had countless time ridden across the moorlands of Ireland in the service of both the Lady O'Casey and the Lord-Admiral. (D)
Countess Evangeline O'Cathasaigh
"The last time we had a carriage, my love was within England. Before tha', when the Lord Paul had impressions tae make," They had Dublin Castle and the estate home where she had grown, making two houses in one city thus one county with nothing more besides. To see the standard emblazened on the door was like seeing the blood spilled come to be realized: it was all for honor. All for the honor of a name not being torn through the dirt. They knew, didn't they?Knew what it was like to be damned for faults not your own? Both of them on a horse would have been erect, proud, and errorless, but to relax within the inside of a thing closed away was marvelous strange. She smoothed the soft, richly embroidere fabric over her thighs to look over the image. "Who seeks tae spoil more? The Count o' Leinster to his wife or the Duchess o' Northampton to her kin?"
Duchess Claramae Vincere St. Laurence
"Soon be? Soon be retired?" Claramae looked at Julian with a shake of her head. touching the young man's gloved hand only to whisper in the shell of his ear. "I see he is still in denial." A simple dinner with a singer -Jean-Claude's want to indoctrinate to old orders those who even in a new world might not have a chance to grasp the tools necessary. One song? He trusted the man's ear though had he not said one could not train away the wild? Oh well. He would always be inspired to try. Often he would succeed. "Have no worry, your wedding will be when it is best settled twixt you and your lady, in the interim come. We have quite a bit prepared, good fish, chicken. It all is laid out..ah yes." She lifted her hand in approval to the servant who would plate in the winter dining room, a formal way of discussing a long parlor. Intimacy was what was most desired. Not length nor distance. Intimacy to repair many years where it lacked. Each of them in a way had the other at arm's length for one thing or the other, using the silence to say I love you (d)
Master Julian Monroe
"He'll always be in denial, Master. I doubt he truly knows the meaning of the word." Julian smiled then, the sort that was natural on his face with his bit of shy manners, and reluctant admittance that he favored them all greatly. "If you will excuse me, I will see to our guest." He was nervous, but this was what it was to be in a court right? Thankful for the gloves, he wondered if this was a true meaning as to why he wore them--his palms were moist with the nerves that pulsed through his veins as he closed his distance on the little wallflower who felt as though she could hide there.
NocturneSansFin 8:47 pm
Jean-Claude would watch as the little blonde would blush, and would hope it to ease the sharp edges of Julian's social life. Besides Janice who else was at his own age that he friended? "When I was that age, she would have already been naked." Such a crude thing to say, but he did say it in a whisper like a rather proud peacoke--was it really that far of a stretch to what Voltaire insisted on him? "I'm looking forward to seeing your cousin. Will she stay long?" (d
Duchess Claramae Vincere St. Laurence
"Always and forever, my dear. You needn't call me Master tonight. You're grace, my lady. My cousin is not ignorant of the nature of my life nor our uniqueness, but let us not have that tonight. It is merely about us." All of them were trying to think beyond the restraints of what made them unique. In this moment of relative normalcy she could have blanched at the Masters words. But he was him, no? "Yes, at his age you were not married." She lifted her own gloved hand. They would be removed by supper ."If the lady will be convinced she will stay long, and here. Through Epiphany at the shortest though we may convince her perhaps three weeks? It will do them well to settle within the court.They deserve a place as any. She was born to aristocracy, her husband served it, both are named of old clans of Ireland. More imporantly, they bled for it." --
Earl Faolan O'Cathasaigh
He could ask himself how long she would stay for the groom came within the center of the hall with a bow to announce "The O'Casey carriage has arrived Madame." Claramae offered him a gentle correction, that within the house it would be pronounced properly 'O'Cathasaigh,' for the family prefered the ancient spelling. The Lord disembarked first so he, not the footmen, could help his wife down. She smiled up to him and soon she would be on his arm, being allowed through the front of the doors to be announced, "The Earl and Countess of Leinster, The Lord and Lady of Dublin." (d)
Master Jean-Claude deAquitaine
"Ah, but I was promised. Does this not count? I am married..you are married, but I'm going to offer to escort you no?" With that Jean-Claude offered her his arm, the reason of it being he loved her dearly, and with it would see her to the otherside without any worry for the future. They would have dinner in peace tonight, and be serenaded by a teenage beauty with the voice of an angel. When the other would be announced Jean was quick to keep to Claramae's side, but he would doubt himself to be the first to break from their rather intimidating form. Claramae loved this woman dearly. (d
Duchess Claramae Vincere St. Laurence
"Indeed. We are all wed, as it showed be. Given unto our other halves in human form." On the arm of the rightful heir of ancient blood, he was born to a higher house than she. Still, she stood his equal in intellect and effort. Behind her the train of her gown said nothing of a whisper behind, trailing fur. Now all of them were standing together, face to face. Life to life. For Claramae, Evangeline was the other half of her unexpressed side. Why, for one who seemed as English as the old monarchy or any shire, she offered up a soft greeting in old Irish-Gaul.
Countess Evangeline O'Cathasaigh
The Earl bowed, the Countess lowered herself before her grace only to look up from the salutation with a soft face to reply the same. Once given leave, deAquitaine and Monroe would see a rare thing: Claramae's hands would be filled first by Faolan's, the tops kissed before he gave them over to his wife. Evangeline looked at Claramae for a long, long while."We thank ye for invitin' us to your estate, cousin. M'Lord deAquitaine, we are happy to see ye again." Neither bleeding or around murder, it was different! She was bright, vibrant if only a little subdued in the soul due to the season it was, but she smiled freely where Claramae had to remember how.Both women gave way to the point that if necessary they could be as alabaster stone (d)
Master Jean-Claude deAquitaine
If anything she stood before him, the rest of the world had thought so for he let on none the different. "What difference a year has been.." He mused quietly as they made their way to where the rest stood, and Faolan would be the first to greet Claramae, Jean was to Evangeline. In French he whispered his greeting, kissing her hand with a smile, "It has been too long, and I ask forgiveness of my sudden disappearance in England." Though this one knew well why. His hand would go to her husband then with a shake, happy to see him as well and would properly thank him for his time in London. Though from there he would take a step back to pull from the light of the group as this was not his house as it would have been in the Ebony Hall, and what would happen next belonged to his Lady. Julian would touch Jean-Claude's shoulder with the little Lily of the Valley on his arm and look up to him. It was clear he did not remember the Irish Rose. "She is Evangeline, and he her Earl Husband Faolan." The rest of the name had been given at introductions. (d
Countess Evangeline O'Cathasaigh
"Nay so much a year, tis been less m'lord, but a season's full passin' twixt the summer n' now to winter. A year would be too long." Faolan was nervous but didn't show it, like a seasoned battle veteran never revealed fear to the enemy nor would he now that he belonged in this world. He in turn would thank Jean-Claude for his reception of them, and the kindness he showed to his wife. He also said in a discrete tone his express gratitude, for he knew it was his hands that stiched the Lady of Northampton together. History changed for him, he would whisper to Jean that this visit was good for all of them, and for the women especially. The smiling one of golden halo had many nightmares in this time of year he said but did not give a reason to why. Evangeline turned instead to look upon Julian"Good evenin', I recall seein' ye in the summer at my cousin's home within the city. Good meetin again my lord, to you and your lady-friend."
Duchess Claramae Vincere St. Laurence
Claramae saw that each returned to their escort "Shall we to the winter parlor? Dinner is laid out, and I wish to know more of all of our guests. My lady.." she said to the poor bird on Julian's arm. Pretty bird. He escorted them, Jean collected them like his Italian leather shoes. At least he favored Maxamillian's people for something. They had come to enlightenment far sooner than the rest of Europe. "I hear you sing, it will be a pleasure to be regailed by you I am sure. Do you enjoy music? The Countess is a skilled player of music, perhaps she might accompany you on the spinet." A variant of harpsichord, and this instrument of strings, notes, and keys were like the people that kept them ahead of their time.
Countess Evangeline O'Cathasaigh
Faolan did smile. His wife could play as preetily as she embroidered, but it seemed a family trait to keep one's hands useful. Evangeline blushed softly,turning over her cloak to the maid as well as her gloves "Only as pleasin' as the listener thinks." The dinner in the parlor was all awaiting, pages an dmaids to serve them, wine to be poured (d)
