A Party

[ACanadianCraft (Nate) 682]

Jullius who has stopped wandering by this time and has had a few drinks looks around the area. Upon noticing Chrestienne having suddenly taken a position beside him he flinches painfully, not having known she was there. He quickly composes himself, straitening out his jacket and goes about speaking to Chrestienne in a relieved tone.

"Thank The Creator you're here! I have no idea what I should be up to, but I know now that you're here, Rose isn't far behind. Let it be known that she is not to threaten, order or address any of The White Roses in any way shape or form aside from myself and Bran. She has ruffled quite enough feathers as it is."

Sighs with a curt nod having blurted out most of what he had said, before sipping his wine again and continuing.

"Look, I don't know whether or not I should be on duty. Can I stand nearby you and look important so that hopefully nobody tries to put me on duty? I'd rather enjoy the festivities with Isabella then sit around with the men playing cards in the guard tower."

[Stevie 1598]

The band of troubadours pluck at strings on lutes, blow into flutes and pipes, and tap their feet to the calm music they create. It echoes throughout the main hall, and a roaming bard meanders about the guests in the courtyard, stringing his fine Elven lute and giving winks and smirks to every woman he passes. Thomas Chivay sits at his throne, smiling and nodding to each arriving guest, noting the lady Elene address him, he replies with equal enthusiasm.

 

"I must say, the Keep looks fantastic Lord Chivays. I am delighted Uthor and I could make it."

 

"Fank you, Lady Elene. I share in yer delight, an' 'ope the good Grand Knight doesn't make too much of a fuss about 'is lack of armor..."

 

He smirks to her, giving a light chuckle as he rises from his throne, giving her a low bow as he excuses himself from her company, setting himself to shuffle about the many guests, giving smiles and nods as greetings, and exchanging handshakes with the few more familiar guests. His outfit is one he truly adores; a long open coat, with extravagant furs lining it. Underneath, a black doublet with yellow-gold buttons is tightened with the help of a belt, a large sparrow for its buckle. Around his neck lie two necklaces, one simple, and one decorated with a wonderful pendant, that same sparrow showing, only this time it holds a rose in its beak, and its wings are spread majestically. His hair is folded back as usual, and his warming smile complements the neatly trimmed beard.

 

 

He continues his shuffling and light conversation with the few guests, jumping from circle to circle and ensuring everyone is enjoying themselves. Grabbing a fine goblet of wine from a passing servant, he steps over to Lanon, taking a gentle sip as he smiles to the woman he converses with, involving himself in their small talk and keeping that air of easiness high, truly enjoying himself. This was a Chivay party, his party. How could he not enjoy it?

 

He remains in light conversation with Lanon and the lady, giving occasional glances towards the door, awaiting the arrival of one of his most important guests and interests. In the meantime, he occupies himself and opens himself for others wishing to make his company.

 

[Ventraux- King of the Rose 60]

Troen stands by the Chivay’s chair in the White Rose ceremonial clothing, a red armband around his arm, his eyes shooting from one guest to the next. He stands silent and still, the hilt of his arming sword seen above his shoulder.

[ski_king3 0]

​After a few minutes of mingling with unfamiliar party-goers and a brief discussion between Bran and one of his fellow Order members, Rose spots her sister. She nudges Bran gently with her elbow and points at Chrestienne. "It seems like my sister has arrived. Let's go and say hello." Bran nods his assent, and the two begin to cross the room and make their way towards her.

 

As the pair come close, however, she notices that Chrestienne stands beside another figure, an evidently nervous Jullius. She stops only a few paces away from the pair, intending to do so momentarily. However, Rose maintains her nearby position, giggling quietly at Jullius' reaction as he realizes Chrestienne's proximity to him. As Jullius begins to speak, Rose listens, relatively uninterested at first. However, Rose pricks her ears at the mention of her name, focusing on Jullius' words. An observant bystander would see Rose's facial expression shifting from one of subdued shock to an amused smile, and then to a mischievous grin.

 

After the completion of his statements, Rose squeezes Bran's hand lightly, taking the opportunity to approach the pair, first addressing her sister. "Ah, hello Chrestienne, it's a pleasure to see you here." Rose turns her head to Jullius, a seemingly sincere smile on her face. "Ah, and you too Jullius. I thought I might be seeing you in uniform tonight, but I suppose I was mistaken." She pauses briefly, maintaining her innocent smile as she watches for any reaction from Jullius. Before any have the chance to speak, she continues, "I'm sorry that Bran and I did not find you sooner. I had a rather unfortunate mishap with my pillow back at the manor. I accidentally tore it open you see. There were feathers everywhere, all ruffled and whatnot, and I thought it be best that I not leave a mess behind me. Nevertheless, we're here now. How are you two enjoying the festivities?"

[Temp 2006]

Sitting atop the gatehouse, Temp fanned over the names of the guests as they entered. Taking note of those present, and keeping a careful eye for those not intended to make an appearance.  He'd chosen to maintain his standard gear, full plate, crossbow, longsword, and a skinning knife. Everything had gone smoothly, and judging from the sounds above, pretty well.

[cruzazul 2815]

As Chrestienne looks to Jullius, about ready to reply she sees Rose, listening intently to what she has to say. Keeping an eye on Jullius and giving him a sideways glance of confusion before she turns, letting in a deep, long winded breath. Looking down slightly at Rose she nods, giving her one of her trademark Chrestienne smiles. "This is lovely sister, I am glad you could make it. I'm sure you will be on your best behavior, right?" She asks, showing her an almost mother like look of seriousness.

 

Once finished speaking to her sister, not really caring for a reply she turns back to Jullius, taking a rather large sip of wine and sighs, moving in to whisper to where only he can hear her, keeping it at a cool, almost silent tone, "Keep an eye on Rose, I don't want her making a fool out of herself."

[Jarkarll 314]

Bran for the most part was oblivious to the conversation Rose and Chrestienne were having, instead he gazed aimlessly at the crowd, pondering over the patter coming from every group. Murmuring under his breath with a final remark he turned his attention to Chrestienne as she spoke to Rose, only hearing the end of her sentence. Arching a brow inquisitively as Chrestienne whispers to Jullius, and tilting his head forward before his curious expression fades into a smile.  
“Why o’course Rose will be on her finest behaviour.” he relaxes his posture and squeezes Rose’s hand absent mindedly.  “Though I’m not really sure why ye’d need to remind her.” He chuckles as he looks about again before nodding in a friendly way to Chrestienne and Jullius, “The party is going well, ja?”

A servant trudging through the various groups offering wine and ale eventually reaches Bran and company. Taking a glass from the silver platter he gestures his head to the glasses. “Cheers.”

[ACanadianCraft (Nate) 682]

Jullius takes several deep breaths in order to calm himself down after Roses discrete threats. Watching Rose like a hawk with furrowed brow as she prances through the party, he leans slightly closer to Chrestienne to hear her words. Listening intently without removing his gaze from the troublesome Countess he nods solemnly and whispers back.

"Tch. It seems that even when I am off duty, there is still work to be done. Nevertheless, I will make sure that Miss Rose does not make a fool out of herself, moreover, a fool of House Valois as a whole. After all, it has become my obligation outside of The White Rose to maintain family affairs. Also, please take it easy on the wine. You and I both know how you get, and were Henry to arrive on time for a change, he would only egg you on- and I don't think I would be able to hand you, Rose and Alexander all in one place."

Jullius blinks, and suddenly, Rose appears to have disappeared into thin air. His body tenses as his eyes dart all about in desperation as they attempt to locate The Countess to no avail. With an aggravated sigh Jullius rubs the bridge of his nose. He tips the remnants of his wine into his mouth and readies himself for whatever mischief Rose has gotten herself into in the fifteen seconds that she has been gone.

"I will be speaking to you later Chrestienne to update you on the situation  If I have not reported to you in a few hours, send the dogs."

Jullius sends Bran a meaningful nod, suggesting that the party is coming along nicely. He then sets off into the crowd at a brisk pace after setting his empty glass on the Halfling Butlers head, an ambitious fire and mild panic burning in his eyes.

[problematic z 477]

Adeon cursed as he entered the room and quickly straightened out his black blazer, he hastily brushed past the guests and stood near the thrones on the opposite side of Troen, giving him a quick nod before sliding one hand down to the hilt of his bastard sword and keeping an ever watchful eye over the Chivays, if anything happened, he'd be ready.

[Esterlen 4499]

Every now and again the speeding carriage hit a bump in the road or a pothole, the horses pulling it cantering along the roads of Elysium, the coachman flicking the reins with excessive fervor. 

 

 

Inside the exorbitantly decorated sable coach, the Baron de Sarkozy narrowed his eyes in suspicion as he so commonly did. In actual fact, it was not suspicion as much as it was skepticism. In his right hand he held a long letter written in clear and distinct handwriting. Scowling, he discarded the missive, pushing it to the back of his pile of envelopes until he found his invitation to the Chivay's festivity. Eagerly looking out the small window in the door, he saw that he had almost reached his destination. The famed Chivay Party Palace was in sight - and Sarkozy had heard that Thomas had the place renovated. Tapping his foot impatiently until the carriage ground to a halt, he looked out the window yet again only to see a valet bearing the gold and black of the Grand Marshal's house rapidly approaching. He sat down quickly, eager to maintain some semblance of a cool countenance. 

 

The valet opened the door to the carriage with a click, and Hadrien gave him a quick nod of acknowledgement before stepping out. The servant, who Hadrien just barely remembered being named Anastasios or something of the like, began to speak.

 

"The Baron Hadrien of House de Sarkozy, Baron of Aldersberg, Lord of House de Sarkozy, Conseiller of the Order of the White Rose, Archon of House Basileus and heir to the dynasty of the White Eagle and the Crescent Moon of the Rhenyar!"

 

 

Tipping his violet plumed hat and putting on his best attempt at a smile, Hadrien began to ascend the steps to the 'palace' as it was called, arriving at the gatehouse.

[Jarkarll 314]

Bran's gaze was transfixed on Jullius as he stormed off, blinking and turning to Rose and Chrestienne whom are standing beside himself. "What's the matter with him?" He takes another sip from the glass, frowning at the pungent taste of the wine, quickly wiping his mustache. Soon after hearing the decree of Hadrien's arrival his expression sours, raising his head and searching where Hadrien might be amongst the crowd.

[Leric 1097]

Leric looks around the grand room, observing the other Roses and cursing as he realizes he hadn't brought a single fragment of weaponry with him. He quickly stumbles towards one of the guardsmen and rather rudely takes the guards arming sword and sheath, leaving him with only a pollaxe and a small dagger. Leric shrugs, knowing the human blade is much to small for his height. He shrugs again, feeling rather awkward with the small blade as he fastens the sheath to his side and returns to the section of wall he was previously at. Gazes around from an angle, seeing the tops of everyones head as he looks over them, keeping his eye out for any disturbances within the party, or a far too drunk noble.

[Esterlen 4499]

Hadrien looks up to the gatehouse expectantly, furrowing his brow upon realizing it was unmanned. Taking off his plumed hat and handing it to a servant on his right, he strides purposefully through the archway and under the portcullis, his stance oozing both pomp and grandeur. Sarkozy gave nods and smiles to the White Rose guards before making his way into the bustling crowd of the nobility, giving people he had met before sidelong glances of approval. 

 

Upon searching around the crowds for the particular figure he was looking for - to no avail - he saw the grand mongol Bran Volsung walking around with a disapproving look plastered upon his fair face. Evidently, the norseman was not enjoying the festivities. Hadrien reached out, grasping Bran by the shoulder, his frilled sleeve as regal as ever. The dark-haired man gives a jubilant smile.

 

"Not enjoying the festivities, my friend Bran?"

[Stevie 1598]

Thomas, upon another encirclement of the cliques of guests, comes across Bran and Hadrien. With a large grin and a gulp of wine from his goblet he approaches the two, placing a wrist on Bran's shoulder and a hand on Hadrien's, jutting his head between the two as he chuckles, "I see our illustrious guest 'as finally arrived. An' in anuvah outfit of eloquent taste!" He grins widely to him, patting the Baron on the shoulder, ruffling it a bit as he steps back to a more comfortable position from the two, taking a more gentle, appropriate sip from his goblet, rising it towards Hadrien as he smacks his lips a bit at the wine's aftertaste.

 

"I'll say, 'adrien. There's somefink about this Leuvaarden Noir that I can't get ovah. I normally 'ate wines, but this 'as a unique taste... a Gaekrin taste, I guess." He licks his lips a moment, getting whatever residue drops of the foreign wine quenched by his protruding tongue. With a gentle sway of his wrist he moves the goblet clockwise, the rich, dark red liquid swirling about in a light whirlpool within the confines of the ornate cup. With a slight angling of his head he looks to other two in the small clique, bowing his head and smiling as he greets the Valois women.

 

"The Lady Duchess Chrestienne Valois, as wonderfulleh elegant as evah. I trust 'enry is well? I don't see 'im around." He says with a warm smile.

 

"An' the Lady Countess Rose Valois, a lady I'm afraid I 'aven't made the propah acquaintance wiff yet."  He says, giving a more formal bow of his head to her.

 

He awaits the response of the three he initiated conversation with, smiling vibrantly and showing signs of actual enjoyment. The lofty easiness of the party something he was intending for.

 

[Temp 2006]

Temp had peered over the edge of the gatehouse, striking Hadrien's name from the list as his servant began to spew his titles. For a moment, he'd considered tossing an object as he passed, but judgement deemed it unwise. Instead, he spoke a harsh nearly whispered curse as he passed. As Hadrien carried on, entirely ignorant of not only his presence, but his remark, he smirks to himself before shaking his head and looking back to the passage below.