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gilded_justice (gilded_justice) wrote in bizarre_city,
@ 2013-07-30 20:55:00

Entry tags:

andrew moreau, avalynn dubhghail, mikino alcaeyn

December 1
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A Gala at the Palace

It had all gone better than they could have hoped. Azyebel Salicar literally turned the tide of the war with the Danaan by simply being what she was. A Chaldean had always been a symbol of Sidhe strength, and care was taken that she never seem frail to the public, no matter the occasional truth of it. Morale was everything and with their leaders united, for a time at least, there was a shared sense of hope among the fae inhabiting this side of the Veil. By December, there were no more full-on battles taking place. There were still skirmishes here and there, pockets of resistance, but it seemed the end was within sight. The Danaan were a tribal folk, so victory would not come with a single surrender, but the most powerful of their own leaders had been taken, killed in action, or forced to retreat.

It had been months since the palace hosted a gala, a think which it had once boasted each and every month. Mikino insisted it was overdue and Queen Salicar consented to him seeing it done. This was a chance to show off the renovations to the palace and gardens, a display of Sidhe prosperity and perseverance. And more than that, it was a time to emphasize that unity they still enjoyed. Two ballrooms were opened for the duration of the night, but of course the gardens were a part of it as well, with no portion of them restricted. The theme was, in a sense, that there was no theme.

House colors were discouraged, as were insignia, though neither was outright forbidden. Tonight, there were to be no titles for any save the Queen herself. The nobility was to enjoy the novelty of a night playing at being anyone they liked, and the commoners were expected to do the same. Dukes would dance with tavern maids and no one would bat an eye. Some were more recognizable than most, as was always the case. No matter what shade he wore, no one was likely to mistake Mikino Alcaeyn. He was not the only notable figure in attendance, either. But for the majority, there was an exciting sense anonymity.

There was an area dedicated to each region as well, with food and entertainment suited to their particular culture. A guest could enjoy a glass of Galicia’s famed wines while dancing in the soft fall of snowflakes where the gardens had been adapted to mimic the climate of the north (though notably milder than a true winter). The lack of insignia bore by the rest also served to emphasize the splendor of a Queen who had spent her whole life feeling the burden of being “plain”. Mikino had insisted she stand out, and unless she had gone against his suggestion, she would be symbolic in all the ways he believed a Queen should. He may not have forgotten about Sidonie de la Sidra, but he saw to it that the rest of the world may as well have. This new young Queen would be made into something more dangerous than she already was: an ideal. It was not destined to make her life any easier, but the people would always love her for it, and they would never forget her.

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Re: { ... }

gilded_justice
2013-08-01 09:33 pm UTC (link)

His observational skills were a gift and a curse for her. He would be more attentive now than he ever would have been capable of in his youth, but she would also get by with less when it came to having him overlook something. Now he did take note of that disappointment, and delighted in how unusual it was to witness in her. Brief as it was, it was encouraging. “The purple is not so terribly far from pink. And in a dress like that, you are not going to fool anyone into thinking you are less than feminine.”

He led the way for them, though it wasn’t far by that time. He had danced at every Gala since he was old enough to know how, which meant he was accustomed to compensating for any inexperience in his partner. No doubt she had been tutored as diligently as he had been, of course, which made the experience more than agreeable. There was no fear of missteps or crushed toes. The only care he had to take was that his wings were not jostled by anyone in their vicinity, and everyone knew enough to avoid them. Maybe a night of dancing wasn’t what she would have dreamed up for herself, but if she had to spend her evening at the gala, she could scarcely have done better for partners. Typically at these events, he divided his time as far as he could. She was granted a dance, a drink together perhaps, but then he was whisked away to someone else. Tonight was different in that he did not seem inclined to leave her side. There was no rush or consideration of what came next.

He held her close and for the duration of one song, and nothing else existed for them. And when that one song faded into the next, the music slowing, his touch trailed against the inside of her wrist, guiding her hands to rest upon his shoulders as his found their way to settle against her waist.

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Re: { ... }

dubhghail
2013-08-01 10:27 pm UTC (link)

There was sure to be plenty of things he would witness in her that he was unfamiliar with now that she had chosen to let their relationship evolve past what it had been limited to in the past. A visual sign of disappointment caused by a lack of touch was but one new experience he could enjoy, where are before she would have made an effort to control such indulgences as he could not have afforded them then. "Deep purple," she corrected, deciding that there was a quite the difference between the two, "is not the same as the pale shades of pink that should only be associated with those of Shayleiah's age. It should also never be associated with the particular shade of my wings." She laughed softly, as they reached a suitable place among the others who had sought to enjoy a dance themselves, "not that I'm going to believe you're all that interested in color coordination."

It seemed a useless thing to be aware of, but appearance was always important, even for those who would otherwise not concern themselves with it. A skill, like dancing, that she had indeed learned in time. Dancing, however, was a skill she had never indulged in to the extent that others had, but it was one that was difficult to let diminish. His toes would, indeed, be safe enough in her company for as long as he wished to be. As that first dance smoothly transitioned into a second, leaving her to remain within the circle of his arms, it was clear he had no intention just then to depart. Another desire she was happy enough to give into.

If they had already acquired an audience with their proximity, Ava failed to notice. The weight of his hands at her waist a pleasant distraction from what she might find around them.

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Re: { ... }

gilded_justice
2013-08-02 11:16 am UTC (link)

Everything was going smoothly, almost too much so. Her visit to Galicia in the previous months had gone as well as either could have hoped. It gave them time together before he was called away again, which itself was reflective of the life before them, and Shayleiah had treated Avalynn with a curious sort of distance. She enjoyed the presence of someone new and she was always delighted with the prospect of female role models, which were always a novelty, as most women who visited the Alcaeyn estate were not kept about for more than an evening. Still, she wasn’t so sure about Avalynn, whose interest seemed to lie with her father. Her entire life, Shayleiah had been his one and only to dote on, and she was naturally possessive of him and their limited time together. When he was home, which was admittedly not enough lately, he dedicated all his spare time to his daughter. Now he was spending some of it alone with Avalynn Dubhghail, and Shayleiah was feeling the beginnings of jealousy. Nonetheless, there had been no outbursts yet. Now and then she would narrow those eerie amber eyes at the pair and simply watch them, her young mind piecing together what this all meant and weighing her own options.

Shay was the key to the whole thing in some ways. Some women had certainly realized as much over the years, but the second he sensed anyone was using the girl as a means to reach him, he cut all ties. His daughter would face enough of her life with people seeking to use her for political gain. He would not allow her to face it now as well.

At galas, she had better things to do than follow her father around. She was too bold for anyone’s good and so Miki relented and left her to her poor guards and to Melisande when it suited her. It left him free to pursue the usual endeavor that a gala demanded of him—making and strengthening social ties. It was very much a part of his work, and that he was spending so much time with Avalynn was odd. She was a known entity and their relationship had never required such maintenance before. No matter what she may have refused him over the years, he had always had her support. It left his reasoning now up for interpretation. Perhaps he was doing this for her, but just as likely it was a more selfish motivation. Neither option was terribly unflattering.

His words broke through the reverie their dance invited, quiet but clear against the lovely imperfection of her hair. “Tonight is a test. Without their colors or their arms to mark them, everyone believes they can blend in. But you hardly need it to be spelled out. Every one I greet by name is a point in my favor. And even those whose titles I do not recall, it is plain enough in how they hold themselves who is nobility and who is not. They will recall who approaches them with the respect they suppose they are entitled to tonight, and who overlooks them. So who do you suppose we should pay a visit first?”

It really was a game to him at times like this, and he enjoyed the little twists that changed the rules from time to time.

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Re: { ... }

dubhghail
2013-08-02 07:36 pm UTC (link)

Ava would not deny feeling a certain sense of trepidation when it came to the Mikino's daughter. It was trepidation not based on a dislike of being around her. Far from it. Shayleiah was very intelligent underneath those blonde curls and cute smiles. She had only spent a limited time in her presence, but it wasn't difficult to see the ease with which she could maneuver her way through any situation. Like her Father, she would do well in time. The trepidation she felt had more to do with the inevitable confrontation. Ava's experience with children was limited, at the very best. If nothing else, it would be an experience she would be forced to learn from.

For the moment, however, it was a worry for another time as his voice broke the comfortable silence that had settled between them. As he spoke, her eyes drifted over the collection of guests in the immediate vicinity. Armed with only a brief glance, she had no need for further inspection. Subtly hidden, it was thought, there was accents of house colors and a brief flash of a house crest as the light hit a highly polished ring. There would always be those who were not entirely able to step away from that which they prided themselves on and what better to pride yourself on than their own sense of nobility.

"That depends on whose test you wish to indulge," she responded, her eyes returning to his. She knew well enough that no matter which test he, or even the Queen, had planned. Those around them would have their own. "If you choose to acknowledge the test put to you, then I suggest starting at the top. Focus first on those who are disinclined or unable to step away from the notoriety of their house. It would most certainly earn you points in your favor." If the game was strengthening social ties at a political level than she would recommended that direction.

Of course, Ava had always had strong connections to those of lower ranking houses. More so, in some cases, than the connections she held with the higher nobility. The Dubhaghail estate was not entirely self-sufficient and relied quite heavily on a healthy interaction and respect for between themselves and those houses below them. She could not deny that there was strength in building social ties outside of the political realm, which left another possible path.

"If you wish to put upon them your own test, then might I suggest starting at the bottom."

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Re: { ... }

gilded_justice
2013-08-02 07:52 pm UTC (link)

He laughed, a restrained sound that she would feel as much as hear, pressed to him the way she was. “I am at a disadvantage if I expect not to be recognized. Any of the Council is. It is men like your Lord Calmcacil who own the arena this evening. Important enough to matter, but not high profile enough to be recognizable to everyone.”

His gaze was allowed to wander past her, contemplative. Her penchant for mingling below her station would do well for him if they were to wed. It would serve him in the way that marrying Melinda should have, bringing him the support of those smaller Houses while still allowing him to maintain the supposed dignity of his own station. He hadn’t the time to see to everyone, even if he stayed to the last guests. Tonight he may have opted to dote on her, but there would be a next time. Her interactions with these others would warm them to the Alcaeyn name, and those who would have thought less of him for spending much time on them personally would instead be able to laugh over the quaint antics of a wife that, for all they cared, he had chosen for her beauty alone. He had a type, after all, and Avalynn fit it perfectly. The truth was she was the one who had established it.

“I have already begun with you.” Amusement greeted her as his attention returned where it belonged. “Which sends a different message that at least the men in attendance can respect. Political success seems a hollow victory from a cold bed, I suppose."

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Re: { ... }

dubhghail
2013-08-02 08:30 pm UTC (link)

She smiled to herself, feeling his own amusement as he laughed. The test had never been recognition of himself. They would all have to be both blind and deaf to allow him any sort of anonymity. It was better to rely on the test they had created for him simply out of a belief in their own entitlement. They would test his recognition of them. Gain was easily won in the face of suppose justification of. Irritating it might be in extended company, but still useful.

She raised a eyebrow curiously as his eyes returned to her, sharing with her his amusement. "Oh, is that the advantage you men see and respect in this?" she asked, a sense of her won amusement finding its way into the comment. "And here I was thinking it was the addition of my impeccable sense of business that they would respect." All was said in jest, of course, still finding no reason to dampen her appreciation for the time he was granting her just then.

"If it has begun with me, where then are you headed next?" she asked, her smile still lingering. She did not enjoy the game to the extent that he did, but she could not deny that there was a certain appreciation found in watching him play it.

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Re: { ... }

gilded_justice
2013-08-02 09:08 pm UTC (link)

“It is one we can all understand, anyway. It is universal. Is that what you see in me, Avalynn? I suppose I have always admired your stunning ‘intellect’.” It never seemed to be often enough he was able to tease her. Ava knew she was pretty. She had been told that all her life, he had no doubt. So drawing attention to it was something he typically did to goad her. Although, it certainly didn’t hurt to express the fact that she appealed to him in particular. As if there could be any doubt by now.

“We. Where are we headed next,” he corrected tenderly. His steps stopped then, easing back just one to grant him the space to raise curled fingers to her chin. Whatever would have come next was not to be. The hush was settling over the crowd by then and he looked away to see to the cause of it, which of course was a little bundle of trouble bearing his name. This time when he backed away from her it was to break contact entirely, and then he was forced to go and intervene. ((tbc later in the evening!))

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