Spirits of the Earth

OOC: This Thread has come from: The Dessert Table (http://www.spiritsoftheearth.net/smf/index.php?topic=15587.msg156752#msg156752). See Rules of the Table before joining! Thanks!

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Lord Edward Draven could never decide on anything, especially where liquor or desserts were of concerned- and even less so about his choice to return to society. This was an illustrious event, after all, and quite a big deal. He felt his hands sweating, this was also the first time he left his baby daughter, Britta, home alone with the servants. He made sure she had enough toys to last her to next spring, and instructed to the maid to give her a hot bath..

Even still, as he stared across the dessert table, a glass of champagne in his other hand, he found  himself sighing exhaustedly.
"I keep staring through at the Spumoni, remembering all of Britta's colorful clothing," he said, picking at it with a dessert fork before sighing again and turning to some apple strudel, and then beside, his eyes glanced past the sweet potato pie.

"Audric.... I honestly don't know if I'm ready for such an event. And this costume is stifling." Pulling at the collar of his shirt, he was decked out in royal blue all over- a fancy suit fitted with feathers on his arm,a nd a mask to match iwth a black hooked beak- for he was what he always fancied, a blue bird.

"I don't think anyone's ready for a party like this," the Duke of Allar answered as he surveyed the room.  His own outfit had been chosen by his wife upon hearing his plans to attend as the Masked Mordecai.  He had thought it a rather good idea, assuming Leif was willing to play the part of the Shrouded Swordsman...  But, instead, Nera had insisted he wear this outfit...which wasn't bad, per se...

To complement his wife's swan outfit, he wore that of a masked prince.  A crossbow, disabled, of course, hung over his shoulder.  It was from a story, apparently...and he was grateful to his wife for her choice.

Bringing all that up, however, would only remind the man of what he had lost.

"Have a drink and just..."  Audric made a vague motion with his hand.  "Stick your toes in the water a bit before you jump in headfirst."

Edward sighed and lifted up the mask, beak first as he peered over at Audric.
"That's easy for you to say. Your wife is a water bird." Though his joke was a bit lame, he afforded AUdric a grin before wiping the sweat from his nose, then resetting the mask upon his face. Then he sighed.
"I know it's just... I know it's been over a year but I just... I don't know. I still think it's too soon..." Especially considering coming back to society meant, well, that he might be possibly looking for a wife. And although he should, he definitely was not, for his heart ached too much for his late wife.
Sighing again, he lifted his drinking glass weakly to his friend.
"Here's to a new year, new begnnings, and more...parties... like this, I guess." And he gave a gesture of his arm, but ended up spilling wine on it as he sighed.

It didn't matter that the joke was lame.  After Audric had processed the joke for a second, his grin stretched out, and he laughed.  "Just because my wife can swim hardly means I can."

Which was true on two levels!  Audric remained a bit awkward, socially.  While he could be an absolute gentleman and often was, he sometimes forgot himself and fell back on old habits...like using the wrong fork, taking too many hors d'oeuvres, or letting slip a word that a gentleman should never know, let alone speak.  But, old habits...

"You'll have fun.  And, if you aren't having fun, you're doing it wrong.  First thing's first, if you pretend you're having a good time, maybe you'll forget you aren't."

Seemed like a reasonable theory!

Edward smiled at his friend through a smile.
"There might be some method to your madness, Audric. But I guess I could always retire early for the night." And as he lifted his drink to his lips, he nearly choked on it when he caught sight of a woman off into the corner. She was surrounded by many people, but somehow, the sight of her made him do a double take.

But even as he stared, he simply replied off the cuff...
"Some interesting costumes tonight..."

Audric half-turned, expecting to see...  Well, he wasn't at all sure what he expected to see, truth be told...

"Nera wouldn't let me leave the house in the costume I wanted to wear."  He sighed dramatically.  "I thought it would be hilarious to attend as the Masked Mordecai."  His grin, charming though the ladies found it, promised trouble to anyone who knew him well.  "Just to see people's faces."

Riley was not proving to be the best escort. It was no surprise that he'd wanted to make a b-line to the dessert table as soon as they arrived. No doubt fancy cakes would be one of the highlights of the night for him. But Dahlia was not excused from social convention in the same way a ten year old boy was and she was soon snatched into a  knot of party-goers by an older woman who was an old friend of 'dear Helen,' a she insisted upon calling Dahlia's mother-in-law. The woman was dressed in a truly terrifying costume that she claimed was a unicorn. The idea was perhaps better than the execution and the result – a giant, white crinoline skirt and bodice laced with gold, and a mask that somewhat resembled a wide horse-like horned mask – left her looking more like the bride of a hippopotamus than the desired unicorn. The rest of the costumes – dragons and fairies and even one man who managed to be a knight and horse in one – left Dahlia looking rather understated. Her red-winged blackbird attire consisted simply of a strapless black dress and long black gloves, adorned only by bright sheets of red and yellow silk that looped from the dress's bodice to her wrists and a black feather mask that covered her eyes.

When she got a break from nodding politely and saying 'hm,' 'mhm,' and 'oh!' as the gargantuan old woman held court about this thing or that, Dahlia shot a glare at her son. Riley, piling tarts and cream puffs onto his fancy little plate, gave her a sheepish grin in response. She was on her own. Once upon a time, Dahlia would have enjoyed this interaction. At things like this, her and Kerry used to keep careful track of all the ridiculous stories and self-flattery told by people like the unicorn woman, and then share their jokes when they got home, sending each other into stitches. Kerry was exceptionally good at it and always knew what questions to ask, ever-so-charmingly, to egg the person on.

"Dear? Dear?"

Dahlia's attention was snapped back as a spindly old woman dressed as some sort of flower called repeatedly to her. It seemed the woman had asked her a question, and eyes were expectantly on her. "Sorry, what was that?"

"I was saying," the woman repeated pointedly, "how sad it is to see a pretty thing like you here all alone. What a waste! Surely, you must be looking for a man?" she asked in that sweet voice that meant what she really wanted was gossip.

Dahlia just stared at her for a beat before pointing to Riley and responding diplomatically, "Oh no. My escort is that tiny little falcon over there stuffing his beak with cream puffs."

When Edward noted the child nearby, nearly stepping on his boots in order to get to a pile of cream puffs, he found himself smiling and, with some nonchalance, reached across the table and pushed it nearer to him.Then he pushed another serving plate even closer to the child and whispered, so that only he could hear (though since Audric was nearby, his friend could probably hear it too,)

"The ones in the back are really good- filled with vanilla truffle. Though the ones in front, with the red sprinkles, are filled with cherry. I heard they are both excellent choices." And he grinned down at the child to let him know it was ok to add more to his already towering plate. Might as well let him enjoy it. He recalled being younger at such occasions and being stifled by adults at every corner. One vow he had made as a father, was never to be that dad.

Riley stopped when the man stooped to talk to him. He was something of a frank child and he paused to look Edward over. Rather than sticking to the topic of desserts, he stated matter-of-factly, "I suppose you're a blue bird. I'm a falcon. I'm actually a peregrine falcon," he corrected, and now reached over the table for the various desserts Edward had suggested. One of each. "Peregrine falcons are the fastest falcons on earth. When they're diving during a hunt, they're one of the fastest animals in the world. Maybe there are some dragons faster than them, I don't know. I'm not really interested in dragons. You can't hunt with dragons, can you? You can hunt with falcons. I have a kestrel at home. They're smaller than a peregrine falcon. They're better for hunting with, though, because they hunt small land critters. But peregrine falcons," with his plate full again, Riley turned back to Edward and continued talking with a mouth half full of the vanilla cream puff, "hunt mostly other birds. Pigeons and songbirds like," he gave Edward an impish grin, smudging some frosting from his face, "blue birds."

Edward hadn't expected the child's dialogue, and his smile twitched into something bigger. And, not feeling the need to go back and comment on the child's commentary on birds, he stooped down even further so that he was more nearer to Riley's eye level and looked at him- bird to bird.

"Should I be worried?" he whispered, catching the boy's grin on his frosted smudged face, and returning it with an equally playful grin of his own.

Why oh why had his mother thought this would be a good idea? Realistically, he knew she'd wanted a united front for Braxton's sake, or maybe just as many good examples at the party as possible - though how she'd said that with a straight face, he'd never know. He knew this on an intellectual level, but he still despaired of how she expected them to achieve that objective.

No sooner had he arrived than he was swept up by what seemed to be a crowd of his mothers friends, judging by their age and the fact that they were about three seconds from pinching his cheeks. Hadn't he grown? How were his studies? Had he made acquaintance with any of the ladies here yet? Out of the loop of nobility as he was, the questions soon became repetitive, and judging by the rather fixed smile beneath his mask, even he was struggling to come up with something other than pleasant banalities. Granted, he was good at them, twittering away reasonably well at first, but after a while it petered out to be replaced by answers of a few words and fervent nods where appropriate. Goodness gracious, he was just no good at this schmoozing lark. He'd much rather be in the common room with the other lads his age, or reading in the college solar as the stars came out - something infinitely more fulfilling. Instead, he'd been trying to inch over to the dessert table without straight-up abandoning them for about ten minutes, but it wasn't going all that well.

"And you look so handsome in that costume, my dear boy." A woman dressed as what was either a weasel or an elongated cat reached out to adjust his lions mane, either forgetting or not caring that it was growing out of his head and not the mask. He set his smile against the tugging, and waited for the tirade to subside. "How you can hide yourself away in that college when so many young ladies simply cry out for lads like you! It's such a shame!"

I am twenty five God-damned years old, woman. Rang a little voice in his head, far more catty and acidic than he would ever be aloud. It wasn't polite, and it certainly wasn't pleasant, but it calmed him down to at least think it. On the outside, he shrugged, re-adjusting everything she'd upset when she finally stepped away. He turned to survey the room - still looking for an opportunity to grab something to eat - when his eye caught a flash of black and yellow. Dearest Dahlia stood in what looked like a similar predicament to him, lorded over by a woman in a monstrous... was that a narwhal costume? He'd seen those in a bestiary once. Whatever it was, he could see his poor sister wilting from here. He begged the ladies pardon, escaping before one of them could play with his hair again. Looked to be a case of saved by the siblings, in more ways than one.

"I doubt anyone here could beat our Riley in the escort stakes." He chimed in, stepping to his sisters elbow. He grinned from underneath the gold of his mask, nodding a hello. "Dahlia love, how are you? I've been meaning to say a proper hello since we arrived!" It was a lie, of course, since they had all arrived together, but what was a lie when his poor sister was being threatened with a narwhal-thing?

"Probably not," Riley answered, the grin being replaced by the same earnest expression he'd started out with, "you're much bigger than me."

He bit into the cherry-filled puff and looked over to see how his mother was faring. He'd been thinking that he probably ought to rescue her soon – it was his responsibility, after all! - but just then Oscar showed up and swooped in. Excellent. Riley could spend awhile longer with the desserts!

That settled, he turned back to Edward and looked him over again before asking with all the magnificent bluntness of a child, "So why are you hiding by the dessert table? I'm too short to dance properly with any of the ladies. I have to wait until they've all had a bit more to drink. Then they won't mind and everyone will want to dance with me." Riley shot a glance back in his mother's direction. Though delivered deadpan, he knew this last remark was cheeky and would probably earn him a swat on the head if she'd heard it. But she was still in the grips of that social knot, so he was safe. He took another cake and looked back to Edward. "So I may as well eat cakes until then."


"Well, isn't he just darling," cooed the spindly flower woman.

Dahlia looked sidelong at her younger brother. Her first feeling was gratitude that he'd throw himself into the pit with her. But it only lasted a minute. If Dahlia needed anything to pull her out of sad memories of parties she'd attended with Kerry, it was the opportunity to have a bit of fun with one of her siblings. By which she meant, throw her brother under the bus. ((Or medieval equivalent of a bus. It's late!))

She turned to Oscar with a loud tut. "Dahlia? Who's this Dahlia you speak of? The whole point of this evening is that anyone could be anyone." She laughed off his faux pas in a performance for the others and put her arms around Oscar. "Did you know," she asked animatedly to the Narwhal and the Spindly Flower, "that this young man is still unmarried? He isn't even betrothed to anyone. He told me before we left," she told the women in high confidentiality, still holding onto him, "just how much he's hoping to meet someone tonight. You don't know any nice young ladies unspoken for, do you?"

This set all the women, not just the Narwhal and Flower, into a titter. How could such a handsome young man still be single? Wasn't Lord So-and-So's daughter still unbetrothed? Which did this lion prefer, blondes or burnets? Lady Narwhal had a grand-niece that was just a little peach of a thing! Would Oscar like to meet her?

While the women chattered excitedly, Dahlia gave Oscar a squeeze and a smirk. You're welcome! it said.

Well, wasn't this child a charming little rascal! Boys will be boys! Though boys like him, he knew he'd have to be careful for when his daughter became of age. For now, she was nothing more than an infant, but give the child a few years and he just knew she'd be as beautiful as her mother.

"You know, when I was your age, I also liked dancing. Though I was fortunate enough to have a partner in almost every event." After all, he and his wife had been sweet since they were young, though as they got older, these sorts of events were used as excuses to hide away to sneak in a kiss or two!  He smiled a bit more at the memory.

"Just be wary of those cream puffs. If you eat too many, you might get sick before you get a chance to dance."

Riley didn't respond to Edward's comments about the number of cream puffs he was eating, but when he finished the one currently in his hand, he didn't pick up another.

Instead, he looked frankly at Edward and insisted, "You didn't actually answer my question." Then, thinking that this might have been a little rude, he added hastily, "Sir."

How poor Oscar hadn't seen this one coming, he had no idea. The word 'unmarried' was like a lure to these women, and his own sister had thrown him in! Though, to be honest, that part he definitely should have seen coming.

He twisted in Dahlia's grasp, eyes wide with horror behind his mask. "You traitor!" He hissed, but it was too late: for all his good intentions, he now found himself in an even worse situation than he'd been before. Not just the gossiping Narwhal or the elongated cat-weasel from before, but now all of them converged on him as though they were sharks and he were bloody meat, wittering ten to the dozen.

Bloody Dahlia.

"I... I..." Oscar's smile was wide and brittle, stammering in his attempt to keep up with them all. Did he like the look of this daughter, or that niece, or how did he think another young lady had been getting along - very nice, wasn't she? He tried desperately to deflect, to be diplomatic. "I-I really couldn't say, everyone's hidden under their masks and I'd hate to be improper..." But that just made it worse, because if there was one thing better than a single young man, it was a single young man with manners. He caught his sisters smirk, sending back a rare glare of his own. Oh, he was going to get her back for this one, just see if he didn't.

Edward's brows raised at the boys question before his lips turned up into a quirky, leftward smile.
"Well, I, that is to say," he began, clearing his throat and moving a hand to ruffle Riley's hair "That not only children like desserts. I, myself, am a connoisseur of desserts, and thus felt it my duty to remain here... all night." He said with a wink to the boy. "Besides, if you must know, " he added with a playful laugh. "I am dreadfully awkward at these events. Not all of us adults are perfect."

Riley frowned as Edward ruffled his hair, but since this was a Best Behavior affair, he managed not to recoil. He took a moment to un-ruffle his hair (and feathers!) and asked, "Which adults are 'perfect?'"

Repreened and somewhat recovered from the indignity of the ruffled hair, Riley straightened again. "I actually am escorting someone," he said with an airy importance, "but I'm hoping she finds someone else to dance with her."


"You'll have to forgive him," Dahlia told the assorted crowd as Oscar stammered, "he spends all his time at the university with books and scrolls and charts, so he's awfully shy."

This illicited a round of cooing sympathy from the women. What could be more adorable than a shy, handsome, polite young man dressed as a lion?

"What's that you're studying, darling brother? Stars or some such?" Dahlia knew full well what Oscar's work was, of course, but this allowed her to turn to the women and add, "He spends all these long nights alone, gazing up at the night sky and tracking its celestial bodies. Very romantic, isn't it? But it doesn't make him very good at talking to women."

One of the men chimed in now. A large man, if not tall, with an impressive handlebar mustache dressed as a badger. "Harumph! That's what shutting yourself up in a university will do for you, boy! You need to get yourself in the army. Nothing raises confidence like a uniform and a proper weapon!"

Another man, the one dressed as a knight on his horse, gave a hearty laugh. "Oh-ho! The army is a fine career, to be sure, but for a spindly star-gazer like this one? Oh, no offense intended, of course, lad," he added hastily to Oscar. "All the boy really needs is some liquid courage! Does the trick every time. I know I wouldn't have my darling here without it." At this remark, he pinched the 'tail feathers' of a plump little woman dressed rather comically as a damsel in distress. "Let me get you something, lad," he said with another booming laugh and returned a moment later with a glass of champagne filled to the brim for Oscar. "There you are! Drink three or four of those and you'll have the ladies falling at your feet, I'm sure of it!"

Dahlia smiled sweetly at Oscar, scrunching her nose and eyes. "See, baby brother? And I'm sure once you pluck up some courage everyone here would be happy to help introduce you to all the fine young ladies here tonight."

This was met with a chorus of eager agreement from the women. Dahlia was, finally, enjoying herself!

"Oh?" Edward said curiously, giving the boy an even warmer smile as he assumed.. "Having come here with your mother?"
After all.. he was too young to have brought any one else!


OOC: Sorry, short post is short D:

"Yes," Riley answered. If he was meant to be embarrassed by this, he showed no sign of it. "My older brother just left for the army, so I'm here even though I'm the youngest." The boy looked back in the direction of Dahlia, Oscar, and the small group of terrifyingly-clad party-goers and frowned. "I'm not doing the best job," he admitted, "but that unicorn woman was terrifying. And my uncle's there now so..."

Suddenly, Riley realized what Edward might have meant in his question and turned back at the man. "Oh! I don't mind dancing with her," he corrected. "I just think she needs to dance with someone else." Hm. Riley looked at Edward anew, clearly scrutinizing him, and asked, rather bluntly, "Who are you here with?"

"Ah, I see.." and his eyes followed Riley's over to..
Oh... the lovely woman in the bird costume from earlier. The others were just decorations to him in that moment, he, not caring how garish the narwhal looked or how terrifying the cat-thing really was. He just saw people having fun.
And a swan..
er! Red bird! Red bird! Yes.. he saw a red bird, a pretty little red bird and somehow, it reminded him of his wife. His eyes visibly showed a glow that quickly softened into something sadder, and at that, he almost missed the poor child's question. But naturally, he turned to him with haste, blushing a bit so as to respond and not be rude.

"Oh, I'm here with the Duke of Allar-" and when he turned to make his point- Audric was gone. Blinking, he gave a sheepish look. "Though it seems apparently I am now here with no one. He was kind enough to escort me, as you see, I am dateless this evening."

Riley watched the hints of Edward's changing expression from beneath his mask carefully. The boy had become something of an expert at reading momentary flashes of sadness on people who were pretending to be happy. He felt a pang for the man, and then a pang of sadness himself. He took a moment to perform what had become his most frequent task: he made himself remember what his father looked like. In the past few years since his death, Riley's real, albeit childhood, memories of his flesh and blood father were already starting to transform into the still, lifeless painting of him that his mother kept. His greatest fear was that, one day, that picture would be all he could remember.

But tonight wasn't about Riley being sad, it was about making Dahlia happy, so he refocused on the task at hand.

"Are you a duke?" he asked, reconsidering Edward a little. "But you aren't going to dance with the Duke of Allar, are you?"

"Me? A duke? Hardly. Well, not yet, but some day. I am the only heir to the Duchy of Highheart." he added, staring up thoughtfully as he touched a finger to his chin. But at the last question, he made a face, then a laugh. "I should hope not! The pair of us would look quite silly on the dance floor!"

Riley looked him over, scrutinizing again, clearly considering some point. A duke wasn't ideal. Anyone really in the government, he knew, made his mother too angry. But maybe hardly-a-duke-but-maybe-someday was okay. At least for a dance or two.

"Okay, then I'll introduce you to my mother and you can dance with her. Your costumes kind of match, anyway," Riley stated, the matter settled as far as he was concerned. He looked over to the group his mother was in and frowned. "Well, maybe in a minute. I don't think I can safely go back over there with that crowd without getting my cheeks pinched."

Like an adult, Edward laughed at Riley's statement, but then once what he said actually caught up to him, his face fell as he asked, "Beg your pardon?" Then his eyes went wide, he laughed again, cheeks red, (though it was a pleasant laugh- albeit, a nervous one!)

"Oh, I could not impose on your mother. What would your father think? I wouldn't want to cut in on any of his dances," he said in earnest, then proceeded to ask. " I don't think I caught your name..... nor you mine."
ANd he extended his gloved hand out for Riley to shake as he lifted his mask to reveal his face, a handsome one with warm brown eyes. "I'm Edward Draven. Er, Lord Edward Draven, if you want to be more correct." Politically.

Edward's innocent question hit Riley like a ton of bricks and the boy just stared at him for several moments. Inwardly, in order to not think about the hurt that was probably plain on his face – or would be, if it weren't for the falcon mask – Riley thought how stupid Edward must be. Hadn't he been listening to anything Riley had said? What married woman with a living husband has to be escorted to a ball by her ten-year-old son?

"No, you wouldn't be," Riley answered eventually. His voice was quieter and a bit strained and his matter-of-fact composure compromised. "My father isn't here. Anymore. That's why I came."

Suddenly Riley wondered, what would his father think? And he felt horribly guilty. As though trying to take some small measures for his mother's happiness was some sort of betrayal of his father. Again, he forced himself to remember his face. His real face. And he wondered if they all had to remain sad to stay true to him. It was like a losing game, no matter how you played it, and Riley found he wanted to cry, something he rarely did. He wished he was old enough to run away to the army, like Milo, and feel that he was doing the right thing, no matter whose heart it broke.

It took several more moments for Riley to compose himself, and a few more to lift his own mask and reveal his freckle-dusted face and bright blue eyes. Then he took Edward's hand and shook it as firmly as he could and when he spoke it was with the distinct tone of someone trying to put on a brave face. "I'm Riley Gray. Master Riley Gray, if we're being correct. It's my brother who's Lord Gray, I suppose. But like I said, he just joined the army and couldn't come." 

((young boys are called 'master,' right? did I make that up?))

At the boy's expression change, Edward looked at him curiously until the obvious was revealed. He felt himself pale in color, his expression fading from the warmth of formality to the understanding of grief. He flattened his lips, his eyes never leaving Riley's as he said,
"I'm sorry to hear that, Riley." He said with a slight nod, but then more warmly he corrected, "I mean, Master Riley." His lips afforded him a rare but genuine smile,  letting him know he understood. And he understood far too well. "I suppose we have a bit in common. You see, my wife too, is no longer with us either." And the pain from his grief was clear on his face, but still, he kept himself reserved and smiled to the child before nodding again. "But perhaps if you think a dance might make your mother feel better, I'd be happy to oblige."



And someone else was thinking about dancing.
And champagne.
ANd wine.
And anything inbetween. Valia Coleridge, once Valia Chandos, also, she was sister to the Grand Duchess, was making a bit of a spectacle of herself (albeit, semi-in private). As usual, she and her husband had been arguing, and she, took to drink and huffed off to who own devices at the ball. She couldn't let her husband ruin all of her fun! So what if she enjoyed a soldier or two looking at her cleavage, or even striking up a moment just for a harmless flirt? She always adored being beneath men's administrations, and well.. having a husband meant it was a tough pill to swallow that she'd have to stick to the affections of just one.

She was still young, after all, and at her age she wasn't at all happy she had a child (which she ignored) and the frilliness of responsibilities.
No, no, she'd rather remain young and ignorant forever, and she was already nicely drunk on her fourth drink by the time she passed a narwhal and mongoose-rat.. thing. Turning to observe, she noted them fawning over a young gentleman in the center- and she, as she passed, scoffed at most obviously, sparing only one pink eyed gaze their way before she, in her elegant and (a bit too low cut) Goddess of beauty costume (which of course, consisted of layersa nd layers of pink..) strolled on by without a care in the world as she continued to sip at her drink.

Haha! That fool! It was hilarious to see others being tormented worse than her! And as Valia walked away, the narwhal and weasel-cat gasped.
"That's Lady Valia," one of them whispered. "You've heard about that one, I'm sure."
"Yes, never a good thing either." This was the cat lady responding with a sneer.
"Yes, and to think, she thinks she's so well off in this world, with her sister as the Grand Duchess and all.. but gossip will be gossip, and many could slander her for being so wretched to her poor husband!"
"I heard, despite them having a baby, their relationship is on the outs."
"Oh, my! A separation you think?"
"Maybe."
"Oh my. How scandalous!" And the woman pinched Oscar's arm. "Do be wise and find a woman who is not like that for yourself! And save yourself from all that gossip and grief!"

"I know," was Riley's response, said plainly but quietly. He hadn't really known, but he had been fairly certain from the man's earlier expression. Taking some courage from Edward's smile, he grinned expounded with feigned nonchalance (deciding that, since they shared the same tragedy, he could joke around a little), "You're too old to just be single. But also," he added, his expression softening, "I could just tell. When you said the Duke of Allar was your 'date.'"

Riley gave a little sigh and looked at his feet. Though Edward had brought up his spirits a bit, he wasn't as certain that he liked this game anymore. Maybe it wasn't a good idea...

"Well," he said solemnly, looking back up at Edward, "not if you don't want to. But she can't think I put you up to it," he looked earnestly to convey the seriousness of this part. "She wouldn't like that at all."

Oh Angsar help him, but this was embarrassing... Oscar would have liked nothing better than to shrink to the floor and disappear, but with his sister at his elbow and the flock of hens surrounding him, the cooing was not something he could easily escape. The irony of his costume was, at this point, not lost on him. Even the glare he sent his sister was far from ferocious, but he did the best he could with the face he had.

"Astronomy and Mathematics." He corrected her, looking round at the gathered guests as though his clarification would do any good. He had the overwhelming urge to defend his choices as something useful, not the overly romantic tripe his sister had painted it to be, especially towards the mustachioed badger, whose manner he found particularly grating. At least the knight had some joviality to him. "Oh, none taken at all!" He fought the urge to grit his teeth and laughed, ever the sweet, self-effacing sort. "There are two ways to solve a problem after all: either hit it until it goes away, or talk it to death!"

Ordinarily, Oscar was indifferent to champagne, the lads in the common room shunning the stuff like it was poison, but he could have wrung the would-be knight's hand for the drink pressed upon him. He took it politely, nodding along with his sister and the clucking hens and fighting the urge to down the whole thing in one. "Well, wasn't that kind? Here's hoping, dear sister." He fixed another smile on his face, nodding his thanks as he raised his glass to take a sip. "To your health, ladies."

It still wasn't enough. The drink may have warmed him on the way down, but the company was still decidedly chilly. Not to mention stinging. He gasped at the pinch, taking a step back. What on earth had that been for!? "I- I shall keep it in mind, ma'am..." He mumbled, though in truth he'd never heard of the object of their gossip before now. Presumably they meant the pink puffball that had just swooshed past them all, not troubling to hide her derision. Being rather more well-mannered than she was, Oscar's reaction was to eye his drink a second time, and after a moments hesitation, to down the lot.

Edward's cheeks rosied at the young boys comment, but he smiled none the less. Honesty was a good quality, and the boy was of good caliber. His mother raised him well (even if he had abandoned her for sweets!) Patting his shoulder, he leaned down, "I'd very much like to dance for her. No sense for either of us to be bored. Perhaps we will have fun, though I must say, I have not been introduced to her yet. Master Riley, would you do me the honors and introduce me to your mother, Lady Gray?"

"What? Weren't you listening? No!" Riley shook his head, looking at Edward with that time-honored expression that only children can give to adults when they have no idea what's going on. "If she thought I was looking for single, appropriately aged men for her to dance with and bring them back to her, she would not be impressed. With either of us." Again Riley shook his head at Edward. "You'll have to do it on your own. And don't call her Lady Gray; she said the only good part of this party would be that no one would know who anyone was. And whatever you do, don't talk about the war."

Riley looked back over to his mother, considering if there was any other vital information Edward should know. Similarly to how he hadn't paused to consider whether the man was interested in the flight speed of peregrine falcons, Riley gave no thought now to whether this slew of information would make Edward uncomfortable or not.

"Wait," he said suddenly. "Are you saying that I've been boring you?"

Edward hadn't considered the boy's earlier suggestion- because well, how else was he to be more rightfully introduced? Besides the fact, he was feeling a bit... shy. Oh, Angsar help him! And then the poor child though he had been bored!

"Oh!" Edward perked up. "That's not what I meant. I was referring to the dance floor but I can see what you mean. Though I don't know how to go about being so.. discrete without seeming obvious. ANd don't you think she'd notice us speaking and come to the same conclusion anyways after I might approach her soon after you and I had been speaking at the dessert table but a moment ago? But I do think we're in a predicament, perhaps though, we could figure something out together?"

Dahlia tightened her grip on Oscar, grinning happily at him, to let him know that he was going nowhere! She turned to the knight-and-horse, gesturing with a tilt of her head to Oscar's finished glass, and said confidentially to him, "I think he needs another. Maybe something a wee bit stronger."

The man gave another booming laugh and went jovially back to the drink table. This was when Valia Coolridge wandered past, sending all the women into a storm of gossip. Dahlia's eyes followed the object of their attention. Unlike Oscar, Dahlia had been socially active for long enough (if not recently) that she did know who the young lady was. She considered whether or not she should try to get the young woman's attention and shove Riley in what looked to be her drunken path. But... well, maybe that was a step too far. So instead she turned back to the women, resting her head affectionately on her brother's shoulder. "Oh don't worry. Our poor dear lion wouldn't even know what to do with a girl like that! You need someone sweet and demure and domestic to tend to you, don't you, you shy little mathematician?"

"Well, didn't I see Bryony Carwick here earlier?" the Spindly Flower asked. "She's just the most darling little thing. Do you know her?"

At this, Elonged Cat and Narwhal exchanged very knowing and rather haughty looks. "Well, I don't know about Bryony," Narwhal said seriously. "Her brother is going to be a duke and... well..." She looked meaningfully at Oscar. Her look clearly said what her mouth, for once, did not: The Treyburns are not sister-of-a-duke material!

Elongated cat nodded in agreement. Spindly Flower, in her defense, looked disappointed.

Dahlia almost choked and had to momentarily bury her face in Oscar's arm, biting her lip to keep from bursting out in laughter. This was fantastic. For the first time in ages, Dahlia felt like her old self. This was what she loved about fancy, stuffy events!

Before the situation could get too awkward, the knight-and-horse returned with what looked like a double glass of something clear. It looked very stiff. He handed it good-naturedly to the boy. "There you go, lad!" he boomed. "That'll help you with the ladies!"


Meanwhile, Riley gave Edward an incredulous look. "Aren't you supposed to know how to do this?" He sighed exasperatedly. What would this man have done with his night if Riley hadn't shown up? He couldn't do anything for himself! "Well, it looks like she's teasing Uncle Oscar, that's good. But she probably isn't keeping track of me, then. I'm a pretty good kid, so she knows she doesn't have to worry about me getting into trouble. But just to be safe, you should probably stand back up and turn around like you're people watching."

In his own turn, Riley turned back to the dessert table and made a big show of looking at all the cream puffs. He had his back to Edward when he continued, "So what do you want to do if you can't introduce yourself to a group of people at a party? I guess I could pretend to choke, and you could save me," he offered, but it was clear from his tone of voice that he thought this was an extremely lame idea.

Oscar had a feeling there'd be a lot of drinks tonight. He could feel his sister's grip on him tighten, a little attention thankfully taken away from him by the pink tide of gossip that was Valia Whatshername. Thankfully, she didn't seem to be joining their little soiree, and despite being far from impressed with her at that moment, he felt a flash of gratitude as Dahlia waved the possibility away. He nodded along, eager to hammer that particular point home. "Oh yes, I daresay I'd bore her anyway. She seems a more energetic sort."

Well, at least he'd dodged that volley. After that things settled back into wittering amongst Flower, Weasel and Narwhal, the latter two not troubling to hide their disdain at Flower's suggestion. He wasn't sure whether that was supposed to be a hidden insult, but Narwhal's attempts at subtlety were as effective as her costume design, and even then she missed. Rather than feel put out by the slight, Oscar's mouth twitched in genuine mirth. Neither was he the only one. Peering down at the shock of black feathers now hiding in his arm, he felt a brief pang of alarm and concern, mouth falling open to fret and question... but she wasn't crying as he first thought. Crying laughing, possibly, but nothing as he feared.

In spite of himself, he felt a warm smile of his own creep onto his face, giving his sister a conspiratorial nudge with his elbow. He couldn't bring himself to feel dismay at how much she enjoyed his predicament - seeing her laughing like that, Oscar just didn't have the heart.

Not that it stopped him accepting the second drink, thanking the knight-and-horse with a geniality that could actually have been genuine. "Oh, you wonderful man! Thank you so much!" This lasted for approximately five seconds, before he took the first sip and broke into an immediate coughing fit, the fumes close to choking.

Dahlia had better appreciate this farce...

Edward did as the boy suggested, finding it very amusing indeed to 'pretend' to be people watching.
"So am I doing this right?" he asked, smiling as he tried to avoid eye contact, hands clasped tidily behind his back. "People watching, I mean. Though it is a rather interesting sport. And now, I really do feel like a bird, perched on a tower top, or tree, looking in on all the people masquerading below..."

He drew in a breath, which made his chest puff out before he continued.
"And I must admit, it has been a while since I've been in any social affairs. Awkward as it may seem, Master Riley, some of us can get rusty over the implications of propriety." Here he sighed and mulled things over, trying too look around to something interesting when a drunken Lady Valia Coleridge stormed past.

Edward politely stepped out of the way as the woman moved behind him and he turned to Riley with a shrug. "Maybe, we can play off a nonchalant routine... though I don't know.. what would your kestrel do in such a predicament? Those birds are rather sharp..."

Though perhaps he wouldn't have to do much as far as gaining attention, for the drunken Valia Coleridge topped all- and was soon topped herself as she had turned the dessert table too sharply, not noticing one of the servers carrying a heavy tray load of strawberry cheese puffs so when she turned the table-.. so did he and..

WHAM the lovely lady in pink was on the floor, the tray tumbling over her and gooping her dress and hair in it's debris. The cheese puffs were everywhere- and for a moment, Valia sat there in shock- the entire room going quiet, even long after the rattling tray had settled beside her lap.

And Edward whirled around and gaped in horror. Not wasting a moment, as no gentleman should, he stood before her and offered a hand asking, "Lady Valia, are you alright?"
And at that comment, she stomped her foot-
"Of course I'm not alright! Do I bloody look alright!? I'm covered in cream puffs!"she shouted, taking his hair and yanking herself to her feet, but nearly taking down Lord Edward Draven  in the process. Luckily, he was able to steady himself, as he frowned.
"Perhaps a kerchief.." Edward began to say, moving to take his from his breast coat pocket when her pink eyes flared like flames towards him at such an idea.

She stared at the wilted kerchief, then back to him, and tightened her hands into fists.
"What's a kerchief going to do! My dress is ruined! My hair is a mess!"

Blinking, Edward tried his best in hopes to calm her by saying, "Well, that much is obvious, Lady Valia but do you not want any help-"

"HELP!" she shouted, cutting him off and turning to him with a glare. "As if I'd want help by you! Just leave me alone, all of you !" and she turned to storm off, except instead of storming off, she slipped on the serving tray and the most unusual thing happened-
For the tray carried her all the way across the marble floor, arms spinning like pinwheels, mouth screaming before ...

CRASH!!!
She plowed right into Oscar Treyburn.



Wincing, Edward rushed over in order to aid the poor fool and excused himself from Riley's side. But instead f helping, he found himself merely flinching and unsure how to help, but remained nearby.. just in case as he found himself looking up at the women in their costumes, Riley's mom included as his brows raised up hopelessly as he breathed, "I.. I was just trying to help!"

"My, that's... stronger than I thought it would be." Oscar was saying, wiping his watering eyes and making a mental note to go very slowly with whatever it was he'd been given. It wouldn't do for him to turn into some tumbling fool because of a couple of-

Crash! Everyone in the room turned to see the drunken Lady Valia fall in a spectacular show of pink frills and a lot of strawberry pastry. Oscar winced in sympathy as silence fell, every eye on the woman sitting in a pile of dessert.

And then Lord Edward stuck an oar in the wheel-spokes, and everything after that was happening too fast. His efforts unappreciated, Lady Valia shrieked and demonstrated for the whole hall to hear, turning on her heel to flounce away in a huff - and she would have done, were it not for an unfortunately placed tray and an equally badly placed Oscar. There was no time to leap aside, he barely had time to shove his sister a couple of inches before-

Wham!

His glass fell from his hand and shattered as they went down with a scream and a yell respectively, both of them landing in a heap in front of the whole guest list and poor Otto swamped by pink frills. Tumbling fool, was that what he'd been thinking? Angsar had a cruel sense of humour.

"Lady Valia!" He scrambled to get out from under her without too much improper pawing or shoving, ending up on his knees beside her with both hands over his mouth. His mask was askew, his curls and the gold of his cloak smeared with strawberries. "Oh my goodness, are you alright!?"

Being caught in the center of attention, and in such disarray and in such a way where embarrassment didn't even begin to describe what she was feeling, Valia found her eyes stinging, nearly to tears as her heavy breasts heaved beneath the confines of her dress. And as she looked around from one person to another beneath her pink, sparkly mask, she did the only thing a proper lady could-
and draped a hand across her forehead, fainting resignedly into the young man's arms.

It was really too much to bear!

Dahlia was just starting to suspect that Oscar was humoring her - and thus considering extracting the young man from the knot of excited older women now that the fun was over - when Lady Valia started her little scene. She didn't have time to do anything before...

Crash!

Well, the night was certainly picking up! That's what Dahlia thought as she regained her footing after the last-minute shove from Oscar that had saved her from his fate. She was caught by Knight-and-Horse, thankfully, who even discretely offered her some of his drink to help 'steady her nerves.' Dahlia politely declined, instead taking in the scene before her. She raised a glove hand to her mouth: half out of surprise, and half to hide her amusement. On one hand, however drunk the lady might be, Dahlia felt badly for anyone who ended up at the center of a scene quite like this. On the other hand, it was hilarious that Oscar had wound up on the receiving end of the event. Just when she thought he was going to get away without being to  much more embarrassed!

And then there was this poor man who'd been the original target of Valia's ire. Staring at the aftermath like a deer in carriage lights and stammering like a broken record. As the crowd began to close in around Oscar and Valia with smothering offers of help, Dahlia decided that the situation was out of her hands and that she might as well, instead, help this poor lost-looking soul. She shot Oscar an apologetic look and little shrug when there was an opening in the crowd between them, then slipped over to the frozen Edward, taking him lightly by the arm.

"Just back slowly away," she instructed in a stage whisper, ushering him one step back, her eyes still watching the unfolding mess, "while you still can."

Inside the knot that had formed around Valia and Oscar came the dismayed cry (probably from Elongated Cat), "Oh goodness! She's fainted!"

Now, Riley had been borrowing some of Jillian's books, and they always had ladies fainting and the like in them. He knew exactly what to do. Pouring the largest glass of what-might-have-been-water he could at the nearby drinks table, he rushed to the scene of commotion, pushing his way easily through the crowd, and flung the liquid onto the unconscious Valia (and also Oscar, of course). Unfortunately, it wasn't quite water, but the strong spirit Oscar had been drinking!

Edward could have jumped from his skin when the woman approached, and turned to her, glancing into her eyes through her mask, framed and lovely in painted lashes as he finally caught her words and, although gaping a little, he found himself nodding in agreement as he silently obeyed.
Though as he took the red-winged bird by the arm, his eyes were still glued with horror to the scene, and when he noticed what Riley was doing, he let out a gasp, about to tell him to 'No! Riley! Don't do it!' but it was already too late.


OOC: I'll wait for Vivi to reply as Oscar before I post something as Valia <3

He should have known it was all too good to be true. Just when he felt he could handle the discomfort, the world decided to up the stakes, and now here he was, crouching in squashed cake and spilled drink in full view of everyone. He'd wonder how it could get any worse, but if that didn't tempt fate, then nothing would.

Of course, it happened anyway. "D-don't you worry milday," He attempted to reassure her, the lady looking very near tears. "It's all just a dreadful accident, we'll have you set right." Clearly though, she'd reached the end of her tether, as the first thing that Lady Valia did upon regaining her senses was to lose them again. He scrabbled to catch her before she struck her head on the mosaic tiles, left cradling a strange woman on the floor, an awkward position to be sure. His sister thankfully had caught Lord Edward before he could make a bad situation worse - something he was supremely grateful of - but sadly that meant that no-one was watching her son.

"No Riley, don't-!" He saw what the boy was about to do a split second before it happened, but his warning shout was drowned in a glass of alcohol. There was little he could do to shield Valia or himself from it (thank Angsar it was a glass, and not a full pitcher) so unfortunately, both of them got a faceful, the fumes making him splutter and cough. It was times like this he wished he had Braxton's vocabulary. A few good swear-words would have been great right about now.

"Oh for goodness- What's next? Shall we have the ceiling cave in?" He struggled to his feet, the superior weight of Valia (or more accurately, her dress) causing him to stagger. He looked a mess, rumpled and sodden and now stinking of those bloody spirits. He was only glad his mask was still in place, so they couldn't see the mortification on his face. Take control. He told himself, taking a shuddering breath. Calm down, don't panic. Damage control. "Can't we find somewhere to lay her down? She at least needs some air!"

Oh no. Dahlia caught what Riley had in mind and, like everyone else, opened her mouth to stop him too late. Instead, she clapped a hand to her mouth, wincing as she witnessed her son's action. After the spirits hit Oscar and Valia full on, she let out a small groan of dismay. Oh Riley...

"Sorry, you're going to have to orchestrate your own escape," she informed Edward, looking up apologetically at him. "The little feather-bag trying to swoop to the rescue is mine..."

Dahlia gave his arm a little squeeze to give him the reassurance he seemed to need, then hitched her dress with one hand and hurried over to Riley, pushing her way past Elongated Cat and Knight-and-Horse. She grabbed Riley by the cuff of his jacket and pulled him roughly to her side. This might appear to be an admonishing gesture, but really it was to remove Riley from the vindictive path of Valia should she wake up. The last thing that Dahlia wanted was the drunk young woman to exact her wrath on Dahlia's son.

Riley, for his part, looked quite guilty (and a bit confused!) in light of the shocked reactions to his efforts. Hadn't he done it right? When Dahlia gave him an incredulous What were you thinking? look, he insisted in an urgent whisper, "But that's what you're supposed to do when a lady faints! I read it in one of Illi's books."

Dahlia heaved a little sigh and shook her head at Riley. Leave it to one of Jillian's books. "This isn't a book, kiddo," and she had to stifle some amusement from her voice when she added, "and that wasn't water. You're going to have to apologize when she wakes up."

This illicited terrified expression from Riley. That woman was terrifying! All she'd done was yell... and run into things! And he'd just been trying to help her. But in reality, Dahlia was in no rush for Valia to come to, either.

While Dahlia had this exchange with her son, the Badger reappeared with a chair, carrying it high over the heads of the gathered crowd. "Okay, okay, make some room, people. This isn't a show! Here you go, lad." He set the chair down next to Oscar and helped the poor, ragged lion transfer Valia to the chair. Looking up at the horror-struck ladies, he demanded, "Surely one of you has smelling salts."

"Oh! I do!" The response came from Narwhal, and Dahlia was hardly surprised such a woman would have smelling salts on hand. She fished the satchel out of her bodice and handed them to Badger, who waved the salts under Valia's nose.

Before she could come to, Dahlia squeezed Riley's shoulder and told him quietly, "Go find one of your aunts or uncles. You can come back and apologize later when she's recovered. And don't think you'll get away without it!" Dahlia was sure Oscar needed her more now than Riley did, and once the boy scurried off, she came to Oscar's side and brushed some cake off of her brother's sleeve. There wasn't anything to say at the moment. She was just here for moral support now!


Riley hurried out of the circle of gathered people. He did not need to be told twice! But rather than finding one of his aunts or uncles, he returned to Edward. The boy was still looking rather pale and surprised by what had happened. "That," he told Edward breathlessly, "did not go as planned!"

Entrance from A Raspberry Tart (http://www.spiritsoftheearth.net/smf/index.php?topic=15588.msg157668#msg157668)

-----

Although Trev was hunting for Janette, his curiosity got the better of him upon encountering a crowd gathered near the refreshment tables.  Crowds usually meant trouble, and his Treyburn sense was tingling -- because the Treyburns had some experience with trouble.

Stepping up beside Riley, he was simultaneously relieved and disappointed to see no sign of Janette.  "What happened?"

He recognized his family, of course, as well as Lady Valia's, er, assets...  There was, after all, no finer noble pair in all of Connlaoth!  He was reluctant to leap into the fray, however; it seemed they had enough fingers in the pie, and one more could do more harm than good.  Dahlia was on hand, however, hopefully to sensibly end the matter with as little embarrassment to the Family as possible...

The alcohol should of worked- COULD have worked, had she not already been so far drunk that her body somehow seemed immune to the initial thrust- or.. perhaps it was because the water landed mostly on her 'rescuer's' face than her own, and she, only recieved a glossy dribble of the drink down her neck and breasts.

Remaining limply in Oscar's arms like some sort of a rag doll, Valia was at his complete mercy as she was given a chair and set upon it; and though she might have been spared an awakening from the alcohol from earlier, the movements of being placed into the chair began to rouse her as she gave a soft little gasp of breath, though hadn't opened her eyes.

She could hear the crowd's murmurs, but not their words, for what they were saying was too muhc of a nightmare, and the tone- intolerable at best. She'd have quite the head ache after this, as her mind was positively swimming.

But those thoughts were suddenly broken the moment smelling salts were drawn past her nose- and with a gag a gasp, she sat up so suddenly, her pretty blonde head BASHED clean into poor Oscar's chin- and she winced at the impact and lurched forward, chest heaving beneath the confines of her dress as she held a hand to it ... and.. to her surprise, found herself with a sticky, wet pair of breasts!

Making a face as she looked at her wet glove (which , the drink had seeped through when she touched herself)- she found not only was it covered in cheese puffs.. but alcohol as well! And her face paled, she could have choked on her own breath as the reality set in and her pink painted lips fell open-
and she screamed.


Her wails could be heard throughout that entire palace  as the crowds (both near and far) went silent from her sirening. And it was one long minute she let that voice shriek out as she sat there and realized, through sudden tears,

"OH MY GODS!" and her face blanched, voice echoing and tears hanging in her eyes. "WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO MY DRESS!?"



Edward, who was now reunited with Riley, had his stomach doing somersaults through this whole event an he was sweating bullets-
and then when the woman screamed- he blanched, and wished he would have been smart enough to plug up his ears, for now, they were ringing and he- too stunned to even speak!

But then, finally recalling the boy's words, he glanced down towards him and rested a hand upon his shoulder, but could, for the life of him in that moment, find no words to console him! But hten again, he was still too stunned! Seriously- what on earth was happening!?

He could almost have kissed the other party guests for how they rallied around. Valia grew heavy in his arms the longer he held her, and it was with no small relief that he let Badger help him escort her to a chair, arranging her as best they could while Narwhal (surprise, surprise) fished out her smelling salts. Heaving a quiet sigh of relief, he felt his sisters touch upon his arm and smiled, shooting her a wry little smirk as the crowd kept up their murmuring. "Not really my evening, is it?" He murmured, holding up a cake-smeared glove. "Or hers, come to think of it." He sniffed the ruined material, pulled a face. The whole thing stank. Speaking of which, it seemed Riley had retreated after his stunt with the liquor, and for good reason: Oscar would hate to be in his shoes when she woke up.

Of course, this was forgetting that he was still stuck in the eye of the stupid storm. One that was about to resume.

Yet again, he was taken by surprise. She must have already been on her way to wakefulness when they set her down, because the smelling salts brought her back to life with a jolt. Too much of a jolt, her skull cracking into his chin, sadly not cushioned enough by all that blonde hair. Already off balance leaning over the chair, the blow knocked his head back and rattled him from teeth to brain, poor Oscar reeling back with a pained groan. Dizzy, he sank to one knee among the spilled cake and spirits as above him someone started screeching. If that and his brand new headache were any indication, Valia was good and lively again.

He groaned again, his mask askew and feeling momentarily nauseous from the blow - although the screaming certainly didn't help. He really should do something about that, he thought muzzily. Yes, he'd get up in a minute, explain it all in just a minute... Just as soon as the room stopped spinning.

"Hi Trevian." Riley gave a little nod to his uncle. He still looked a bit pale, but was regaining some of his straightforward manner. "The woman in pink is making a fool of herself. I think she's drunk. And I think she's going to take Oscar down with her. I tried to help," here Riley's cheeks colored and he looked awfully sheepish, "but I didn't do a very good job."

Realizing that, as a proper guest at a proper ball, he might have some social obligation, Riley straightened himself up and cleared his through. "Uncle Trevian, may I introduce you to Lord Edward Draven?" His tone was perhaps a little too well-mannered, and it was likely that this performance was a touch cheeky. "Lord Draven, this is my uncle, Trevian Treyburn."

That taken care of, he looked back at the scene with some concern. "But, Trevian, don't you think you can help Oscar out?" Riley gave his uncle his best pitiful child look. He felt quite bad about making the situation with Lady Valia worse. And it was getting in the way of his plans!


Oh goodness. Dahlia was beginning to wish that she'd pulled Riley and Oscar away by the cuff and gotten everyone out of this fiasco. Especially when Valia smacked her blonde head straight into Oscar's. Acting quickly, Dahlia caught Oscar right as he dropped to his knee and steadied him.

"This really isn't your night," she agreed belatedly and hoisted him back on his feet. "Up you get, ragged little lion."

Dahlia had barely gotten Oscar back up when Valia unleashed her scream. She physically recoiled from the noise. What a charming young lady! Still holding onto Oscar, he whispered, "Do you think it's too late to make a run for it? Your head stopped spinning yet?"

While Dahlia was mostly looking out for her brother, luckily for Valia everyone else was thinking of her. Within moments, every gentleman around offered her a handkerchief! Knight-with-Horse even produced a small glass of water in which to dab the little squares of cloth.

Entrance from The Dessert Table (http://www.spiritsoftheearth.net/smf/index.php?topic=15587.msg157759#msg157759)

-----

In spite of her concern, Grand Duchess Kathryn Allarrick moved with a regal grace across the room.  She walked with her head held high and her expression cool, as befitting her rank.  But even with her measured steps, there could be only one destination to where she was headed with her husband stalwartly at her side: the knot of people gathered around her screaming sister.

Trevian grinned and reached out to shake Edward's hand, momentarily forgetting the small disaster unfolding before them.  "Edward!  It's good to see you again!  How's your daughter?  I've been meaning to write..."  He trailed off, then, adding for Riley's benefit, "Edward and I were in the same unit.  Here, hold my hat, Riley."

The floofy hat came off his head, then, and he gently shrugged out of his tabard.  Reclaiming the hat, he stuck it back on his head.  "Thank you.  Hold that thought, Edward." He moved to Oscar and Dahlia.  "While I admire your taste in women, Oscar, I didn't think you were the type to make a scene with a married one."  He grinned and held the coat out to his brother.  Let everyone else dab the girl with their handkerchiefs; he had a better idea.  "Go wrap this around Lady Valia to warm her.  Now.  Smile and be charming -- she loves charming men.  Her sister has just started this way, and you'll be sure to leave an impression on the Grand Duchess if she finds you comforting the poor girl."

(OOC: Feel free to blow him off.  <3)

Dahlia stiffened at the entrance of the Grand Duke and Duchess and her grip on Oscar momentarily tightened. Not, this time, as a gesture of affection. If there was anyone Dahlia held responsible for her husband's death, it was That Man. And now he and his stupid war had Milo, too. She felt her throat tighten along with her grip on her brother. Trevian might be interested in impressing the couple, but Dahlia certainly was not. Realizing the vice-like hold she now had on Oscar, she let him go.

"Go ahead, Oscar, it's a good idea," she said, but her voice was flat. With that, she left Oscar entrusted to Trevian and left the little group of onlookers before she'd have to be within five feet of that...that man. She retreated to a far corner of the room, where she could be alone, but still keep a eye on Riley in case the incident with the spirits came up and she needed to intercede on his behalf.

Cherie aside, Dahlia was beginning to seriously regret having come.

It was all fun and games until the Grand Duke (and Duchess!) showed up! And if the place wasn't silent before, it most certainly was now, as the pair of them walked, arm and arm, through the parting crowds. By now, the only people that dare speak were a few whispers here and there, one in particular from the narwhal.

"The Grand Duchess.." the narwahl gasped, eyes as large as millwheels (and probably her mind churning just as slow!). She pinched the woman beside her, as the two continued to whisper...
"I heard the pair were on trying terms. It's why they have no child."
"Hrm, no wonder, the Grand Duke looks dreadful. Look at those bags beneath his eyes!" but the whisper grew quiet as the pair drew nearer-

And Lord Edward grew quiet himself. His exchanged with his friend, Trevian, was brief-
A hello, goodbye, then the man was gone, leaving Riley with his hat.  But now, he turned his attention to the approaching pair...
He had met The Grand Duke before, with no small thanks to his acquaintance with Audric Molneux, the current Duke of Allar. But seeing how this small event escalated quickly, he held onto Riley's shoulder and whispered,
"You did good in trying to help." He tried to reassure the boy with a smile. "But seeing how things are quickly escalating, would you like to exit- stage left with me?"
Now seemed a good as time as ever to go and perhaps spare the child Lady Valia's wrath.

Riley watched with satisfaction as Trevian leapt off to Oscar's aid. Good, at least someone was listening to his advice! Why couldn't all adults be so sensible? But while the entrance of the Grand Duke and Duchess made no impression on him - Riley just thought they looked awfully stuffy - he did observe the effect on his mother.

"Hmm," was the only initial response he gave to Edward's suggestion, watching Dahlia carefully. Though he wasn't entirely sure what had upset her - the list of root causes was short - he did know that she'd probably rather be alone. She hated her children seeing her upset, and Riley knew it. "Alright," he agreed, nodding slowly, "that's probably a good idea. I'll stick with you, Lord Draven. Lead the way!"

Instead of finding a dancing partner, it appeared, Edward was stuck with a sidekick!

Exit to wherever Spice likes!

---

Dahlia heaved a short sigh of relief when she saw Riley exit with the stammering gentleman from before. Out of the danger zone. Anyway, they could probably both use each other's help! But more importantly, it meant Dahlia could escape what was now a suffocating room. Giving one last look to poor Oscar, Dahlia slipped out of the dessert room.

Exit to the Veranda (http://www.spiritsoftheearth.net/smf/index.php?topic=15622.0)

Oscar was glad of his sisters hands keeping him upright. Even as the dizziness subsided the headache prevailed, a sizable red mark colouring his jaw below his mask. It would bruise spectacularly by tomorrow, but it was the least of the ragged lion's worries, considering the ongoing fiasco in front of them. Not at all surprisingly, every man in the hall seemed to have converged on her, most likely for reasons too uncharitable for Oscar to admit aloud. It took the attention from him, and momentarily he even considered his sisters suggestion.

The entrance of the Grand Duke and Duchess however, meant that plan promptly went to hell.

He jumped, twisting in Dahlia's grasp with a look of wide-eyed dismay, something that turned to relief and embarrassment just as quickly on the entrance of his favourite brother. "Trevian!" He spluttered, going noticeably pink. "I- N-no! No, that's not what I- I was just trying to help, I didn't mean to be-" He swallowed. "You're teasing. You're teasing me, aren't you?" His face redder still, he cut off his babbling in an attempt to save what little dignity he had left, reaching out to take the coat. His sisters voice however, gave him pause. Of course, he had forgotten about the other concerns the Duke brought.

"Dahlia? Sister, I-" But too late, she was already gone, escaping this farce and the Duke and Duchess. For a moment he floundered, looking to the waiting coat and his sisters retreating back. But there stood the Duke and Duchess, with Lady Valia still screeching... He squared his shoulders, and took the coat. "Charming. Right. The way this evening's been going, I'd say that's a wise move." He smiled. "I owe you."

With a glance back to Trevian and a fruitless attempt to straighten his mask, he pushed through the crowd of helpful men, his best and most guileless smile on his face. "Come now, gentlemen, we can't leave her like this!" He carefully wrapped the coat around Valia, talking all the while. "I can't apologise enough for the mishap, my lady, it must feel absolutely dreadful. But don't worry!" His smile brightened, silently wondering when he'd become this good an actor. "We'll have you taken care of. Are you hurt at all?"

Trevian chuckled at poor Oscar's expression and clapped his brother on the shoulder encouragingly.  "Go on.  I'll look after Dahlia."

And also find Janette...

As Oscar approached Valia with the coat, Trevian turned back to his sister...only to find her gone.  Fantastic.  Well, at least Dahlia was bound to be in less trouble than Janette...

He caught sight of the back of Riley and Edward's heads, then, and he grinned broadly as a candle flickered on in his head.  Or, maybe, he could find someone else to cheer up Dahlia...

Weaving through the crowd and abandoning Oscar to his fate (which he assumed, already, to be a mixed bag), he caught up fairly easily with his friend and nephew.  "Riley!"  His hands came down on the boy's shoulders lightly to stop him.  "Two questions for you before you escape.  First, have you seen your aunt Janette recently?  Second..."  He glanced at Edward, then lowered his voice to a conspiratorial whisper.  "Do you think you could introduce Edward to your mother?  It would do her some good to make a new friend, especially one as kind and sympathetic as Edward."

Riley rolled his eyes at Trevian's suggestion and gave an exasperated sigh. All the adults were so slow tonight! "Really, Uncle Trevian? I never would have thought of that!" At ten, he was just discovering the uses of sarcasm. "But she's probably angry, so I think it's better to leave her alone for now." Though she never lost her temper in front of them per se, Riley at least knew which triggers caused his mother to suddenly leave rooms. And more than once he'd heard the sounds of shattering glass and pottery from her studio. No, now would not be the right time to introduce her to Edward. "She doesn't make a very good impression when she's angry."

Riley's bright eyes widened a bit and a smile snuck onto his face at the thought of Trevian being tasked with tracking down Unpredictable Aunt Janette. Or maybe she was predictable...-ly unpredictable. "No, I try to avoid Janette. She's trouble."

Riley turned back to Edward now, a little impatient. "Can we go now? I want to get out of here before Lady Valia realizes I poured that water on her..."

Trevian answered the young man with a laugh.  "Right.  I keep forgetting you're pretty much grown up now."  All the kids were!  "I guess I don't need to remind you to get in some trouble yourself tonight, then."  With a grin, he straightened and extended a hand again to Edward.

"Edward, we'll catch up later.  Right now, I have to go try to find my younger sister before she costs us our title and lands."

And with that, Trevian had faded back into the crowd.

-----

Exit to Waltz of the Sugar Plum Candies (http://www.spiritsoftheearth.net/smf/index.php?topic=15643.new#new)

Her dress her dress! Her most magnificent dress! The hours it had taken to GET into that dress! The weeks it TOOK her to perfect that dress! And now look at her! LOOK AT IT!!!

She was a spectacle! And also marooned as she soon felt her legs becoming nothing more than jelly, as she paused a moment after her shrieking and went still. Her beating heart was moving so rapid and fast within her chest, her mind, barely able to take in all the whispers gushing around her, ad the guests.. all becoming as blotted figures, seeming as far away as the chandeliers. And soon, she felt her body began to shake.

Lady Valia was now a whimpering fool, shaking from rage, shaking from anger, and shaking, consequently from the illness being drawn upon from her booze- (well THAT, and embarrassment). She couldn't help herself, this was a party, meant to be one of the grandest of all, and here she sat, in a rigid, frilly chair, beside a disheveled, (and albeit a bit handsome) lion, and the entire nobility of Connlaoth!

Gods! If she could curl up somewhere she would! But even as tears were threatening in those hot pink eyes of hers, the only things streaming down her face was a few blobs of the cream puff's frosting making it's way down her cheek. But then oh- she felt something warm wrap around her and blinked. Just when she appeared about ready to tear either herself (or some poor sap apart) she craned her head up and oh!

Bubbles of lights from the chandelier glistened from his man, as if he were somehow shining with the saintly light from Angsar himself! And as she gawked at him, she took notice to his strong chin, his kissable lips, and those beautiful green eyes. It didn't help that the mane of his hair was just incredibly sexy, especially as it was in disarray and partially flecked with some of the cheese puff frosting that had come off of her own hair, onto his.

Blinking, she hadn't a chance to find her voice yet as he croaked...

"I..."
But she didn't have to speak when the Grand Duke showed up, wife on his arm. Dressed as a stag and doe, the pair appeared an imposing, but regal sight as their shadows covered the pair before them. And the Grand Duke looked from the lion down to the pink mess on the chair.
And he found it was only proper he be the first one to speak.

"On behalf of the Grand Duchess herself, I ask that all the lords and ladies surrounding this scene please disperse. The lady is now in care of the Grand Duke."
But as he dismissed the gawking crowd still hesitantly lurking around, he gestured towards the lion.

"You there, Lord Treyburn?" he knew it was at least one of them. Damn him for being able to commit most of the guests and their costumes to memory, or, at least he tried. "If you would please help the lady into the other room... we can treat her much better in privacy."
Giving another sharp glance to the crowd to warn them to stay back, the Grand Duke kept his wife upon his arm and turned away, heading off towards a more private room...
At least there, they could get Valia cleaned up and more.. presentable. But really.. it was obvious the young girl was making a fool of herself. Anyone could see that she was drunk! But on behalf of his wife, he'd coddle the wretch thing, even though her younger sister grated on his nerves....



And it was so... Lord Edward had nearly missed what was being spoken as he gaped at the scene before him as Lady Valia was being carried off. Blinking, he turned to Trevian.
"Seems this will be quite a party."
Then he glanced down to Riley and smiled softly.
"How about, for now, you and I check out the Star gazing tower? I heard the view up there is incredible." PLus it would be nice to get some fresh air after this!

It was a very good thing that Oscar hadn't the talent to read minds, for what was going through Lady Valia's mind would probably sent him running in the opposite direction. As it was, he barely noticed the doe-eyed stare she was giving him, too concerned about the shadow that settled over the pair of them. Oscar's mouth went dry.

"I-" Well, technically he was a Lord Treyburn, but truly the title belonged to his brother. It didn't seem to be a good idea to correct the Grand Duke of ones country though, and with his stomach in knots Oscar nodded, standing up straight and dropping into a bow. A little cake dropped from his shoulder and splatted to the ground between them, and he fought the urge to wince. Wonderful. And here he'd hoped he'd be free of this. "Yes, Your Grace. At once."

But one must do what one must do, and Oscar hopped to it as commanded. Returning his attention to Valia's chair, he enjoyed a brief panic for how to go about this. Charming, Trevian had said. Treat them well. With that in mind - and not a clue as to Valia's reaction to him - he offered a hand. "If you would allow me to help you stand, milady?"

"Alright," Riley agreed hastily. Valia was awake now and he wanted out of there!

Exit to the Stargazing Tower (http://www.spiritsoftheearth.net/smf/index.php?topic=15627.msg157929;topicseen#msg157929)

((Shortest post ever!!!))

Star struck by the handsome lion rescuer, for the longest time, Valia's pink eyes only remained on him and her head rigidly nodded in acceptance, though when she stood , her pink heels slipped a bit on some cream puff excess on the floor and with a gasp, she fell forward, falling lightly against his chest. And oh! Did the lion smell divine! But she was too embarrassed (again) to care as her face went red and her body, stiffened. What a night this was turning out to be! She could just cry!


And while Valia was fumbling her way with the poor lion, Edward nodded and turned away, guiding Riley with him to the stargazing tower (http://www.spiritsoftheearth.net/smf/index.php?topic=15627.msg157929#msg157929).

Entrance from Triple Chocolate Cake (http://www.spiritsoftheearth.net/smf/index.php?topic=15606.msg157450#msg157450)

Since he'd failed at finding any respite in the study, Avery wandered resignedly back into the party. Thankfully his shirt had dried from the incident with Jillian Treyburn, but that meant he still didn't have a drink in hand. More importantly, though he hadn't really been looking for a lady's attention, had he really lost one to Davishire? Ah well, it just wasn't going to be Avery's night.

Maybe that thought had been a little too prescient. For as he passed the threshold into dessert room, here came Lord and Lady Brisby, having been ushered away from the scene with Lady Valia by the Grand Duke. He was a famously overbearing bore and she a dreadful gossip. But, on the bright side, as they approached Avery noticed that Lord Brisby appeared to be carrying a whole bottle of something with him.

"Avery, my boy!" the older man boomed. "Is that an empty glass in your hand?"

Avery's glass was filled and 'manly' small talk about how things were going on the war front and Lord Brisby nattering on about his 'good old days' in the army. Just when that was finally winding down and Avery thought he might be able to make a break for it, Lady Brisby jumped in.

"Enough military talk, please! How is the poor Duchess, she couldn't make it? ..Again?"

"Yes, well," Avery responded politely but noncommittally, "she hasn't been well lately."

"It must all be so embarrassing for her! I mean, her daughter! And now all this news of uprisings and breakouts! And I even heard there are bands of mage guerilla fighters and they claim they have..."

She carried on, but Avery tuned her out, taking a long sip of his drink instead and making the occasional obligatory "oh, of course," "mm," or "yes, it's terrible." All the while looking furtively around for an out.

It seemed there was quite a lot of people near the dessert table when Lord Davishire stepped in. Still brooding over today's events, he was hoping to at least steal himself a cream puff, or one of the chocolates, but he was, surprised to find there were none- cream puffs that is. He noted, though, idly, from the corner of his eyes as the Grand Duke and company heading for another room (http://www.spiritsoftheearth.net/smf/index.php?topic=15628.msg157946#msg157946), and with it, he sighed. He didn't think too highly of the Grand Duke either and well, to hell with him and politics. He had been there when so many were vying for the throne. Calent's ideals were... different, but the way he rallied men and kept curdling his hatred towards mages was so uncivil. Mage camps? Really? God, what an awful thing to create! And to think he lived in such a time!

So yes.. Today had become an interesting day indeed, especially considering he had one too many run ins with the Treyburns. He did, however, feel a bit guilty for the last girl, and even the bubbly, book loving one before. But Lady Gray, who he saw was torn over the army and it's stupidities.... Could he blame her? He tried not to get involved with that himself. His family always claimed he was too well off anyways but truthfully, war was not his style. Despite being a man of his stature and physique, he actually spent more time in Uthlyn than anywhere else particularly the library.

But something drew his mind from the Treyburn girls as he lifted his head to over hear Lady Brisby's comments about Avery's sistercousin. He knew enough about her poor predicament- let alone the fact her own parents sent her to a mage camp! If he were to just let his inner most thoughts go, he'd knock out her parents teeth. It was a cruel fate, and to see Lord Carwick caught within their social entrapment, he figured he would at least help the poor chap out by stepping in.

His presence alone caused the two Brisby's to stare as Davishire stared coolly, albiet, a bit moodily along with them.

"Lord Carwick, what do you think of cream puffs?"
There, he said it. Something to break up this despicable conversation, and he only gave Avery a bit of a sharper stare, hoping he'd at least humor him. "I think they might be bringing over a fresh tray to the table."

And if Avery thought it was bad enough to deal with that sort of topic- the Brisby's wouldn't even dare poke at the Callister's. Lady Brisby snapped out her fan and stuck it straight up in the air.
"Cedric," she said, turning to her husband. "I think we ought to check out the veranda." And giving Davishire but one snooty look,t he two walked away. Davishire only stared after them, like a wolf giving off a warning glare-
but only as cooly as a man in a wolf costume could.

((OOC: Olive is actually Avery's second-cousin, not sister. XD))


Oh, thank goodness! Avery had been rapidly losing patience with the old woman, but he knew that the last useful thing he could do was snap at old Lady Brisby about it. Whatever their position would have been if their daughter hadn't been in the mix, Avery knew that the Duke and Duchess of Wulfbauer believed that their unwavering support for Calent and, ironically, even the camps was their best way of protecting Constance now that she was out of their hands. Avery wasn't sure about this strategy, but he toed the line none the less. So he was visibly relieved when Davishire showed up and saved him from this test of his resolve on the issue.

"Ugh, thank you," Avery said and meant it, staring after the retreating couple like a mouse who'd been hypnotized by a snake making an unexpected recovery. "I was rather at risk of losing my patience with her. I never cease to be amazed by people's delight in the misfortune of others. Their only child is sent off to the north, not a word from her or about her since and that was years ago, you think that'd be enough to excuse at least the mother from a ball or two. But you'd be amazed. That's probably the fifth time I've had this conversation tonight. I swear they're all secretly hoping to hear that poor Constance has died in an uprising or is running around with escaped bands of mages orchestrating dreadful attacks, or I don't know what nonsense."

Not to mention how amazed he was at how freely they felt talking to him about it! They might not be close relations, but Avery had been the heir apparent and taken under the Duke's wing from an early age, so had spent quite a bit of time with Constance until she'd gone to the university. Hell, he was meant to marry her! That was all off now, obviously, but did any of these chattering gossips give a second thought to how he might feel about it all? What would they have done to poor Duchess Caroline, had she come? Avery shuddered to think.

Avery shook his head in the direction of the now long gone couple and took a sip of his drink. "Anyway, that's what I was trying to avoid in the library." If Avery held any grudge against Davishire for his cold treatment there, he didn't show it. But having said that made Avery look a bit sheepishly (and with an undeniable hint of amusement, but not more than would be polite!)... or maybe a bit slyly at Davishire. "Sorry about that, by the way. I hope I didn't cause too much of a disruption to anything?"

This might sound slightly tawdry, but Avery just meant any possible courting... obviously!

OOC: Oops! All fixed 8D

---------

Davishire visibly stiffened at the thank you, but nodded his head in acknowledgement just the same. He hadn't a reputation to come to another's rescue. Must be the alcohol (though to be fair, he barely even had two drinks!) Staring down at his cup, the same one he had earlier, he contemplated filling it up to top it off, but then thought better of it. He never was a fan of getting drunk. Perhaps, on occasion when he was in the study, mulling over a good historical read, or when he was out in the yard, target shooting with his extensive collection of rifles and flint lock pistols. Few could boast to own as many as he, and he was proud of such a thing. Outside of his library, gun collecting was his second favored hobby.

But now was not the time to be thinking of guns, or things of the like; for it seemed this ball was working as anything but an anti-reminder on the war. And as he mulled that over, he growled a little and turned from his companion to observe the crowd. He digested what Avery said, but his own thoughts were the same on it about his cousin's family as he nodded.

"The war has turned them all to wolves."
And then realizing what he was dressed as, he grew soured a bit- not meaning to draw attention to that! and it irked him, especially since one damn wolf ear on his costume would not stay up. Pushing up the wilted wolf ear with a large finger, he found himself tensing and nearly breaking his glass at Avery's assumption back at the library.

"I can assure you, there was nothing to assume." Though even as he said it, it made him frown. "Jillian Treyburn and I were just... discussing history." And he glanced away, trying to ignore the fact his cheeks were burning. Bother! Why did that wording make him so flustered?

[Hmm, since Oscar and Valia are exiting stage left, I'll just finish up here.]

"Easy does it, milady!" Oscar tried to keep his laughter light, though with Lady Valia falling all over him thanks to the messy floor, it was certainly easier said than done. Carefully, he helped her upright again, taking her arm as best he could. "Let's not keep his Grace waiting, shall we?"

He led her away to the door through which the Duke and Duchess had left, the pair of them bedraggled and sore. This time, Oscar made sure they took their steps very carefully.

- - - - - - - - - -

Exit to 'A 'Sundae' Afternoon' (http://www.spiritsoftheearth.net/smf/index.php?topic=15628.msg157946#msg157946)

"Ah yes, Jillian Treyburn!" Avery said to hide the grin on his face at Davishire's obvious discomfort. "I never can quite keep track of that lot. How many of them are there? Eight? Nine?"

As far as Avery was concerned, the pause between 'just' and 'discussing' was all the answer he needed! He thought about not pushing the point on account of what a wet blanket Davisher always was. But then the thought occurred to him that maybe the man just didn't get enough friendly teasing. Well, what the hell. It wouldn't kill Avery either if the night got a little light-hearted.

So he took a sip of his drink and casually people watched. "It must have been a rather exciting chapter of history." Avery cleared his throat, repressing a smirk.

At the repeating of her name, Davishire could have jumped. Especially the way the man mentioned it. Glaring sharply over at Avery, he kept his wine glass close and wondered what the man's game was- and was that... a grin? Balderdash! If his feathers weren't ruffled enough! He tried to shake it off as he looked away, glowering as the man went on about the Treyburns.
"Yes... they have quite alot, I assure you." Though he knew enough of the particulars, he'd rather not go into any sort of detail.. He could only imagine- what if the Callister's family had been so big!? The horror! And he found himself needing to take a drink to erase that sort of idea!

Of course, that was precisely when Avery decided to mention their 'history' lesson, and Davishire suddenly choked on his drink.

Avery had to make a physical effort not to roll his eyes at Davishire's glare. He didn't for the life of him understand why Davishire was always so tightly wound and he wondered vaguely if he'd ever seen the man at ease... or having fun. Well, Avery was still rather appreciative of his deliverance from Lord and Lady Brisby, so not only did he not roll his eyes, but he decided he was going to make stuffy old Davishire have a fun night... whether he liked it or not!

Anyway, it'd provide him a shield from all the prowling gossips. But more importantly, it was the gallant thing to do!

Maybe choking wasn't the best way to start the endeavor. But then again, maybe it was. Avery clapped Davishire heartily on the back to clear the wine from throat. "Must have hit pretty close to the mark to get her all riled up like that!"

Without invitation, Avery removed Davishire's wine glass and pulled at face at it. "Here's your problem for one. Stay here and recover, I'll be right back." Clapping Davishire on the shoulder (lightly) Avery made a quick jog to the drinks table and back. He didn't want to give Davishire the chance to escape, and he didn't want to get ensnared again! He returned with two tumblers of amber scotch. "There you are," he handed one to Davishire then held up his own. "Cheers, Lord Callister."

Luckily for Avery, it took Lord Davishire that long to recover. And when the scotch was presented to him, he stared at it skeptically, before accepting.
"And just what are we 'cheering', Lord Carwick?" he inquired, raising his glass, though not as high as Avery had.

"Lighten up, Davishire, it's just a figure of speech." This might be harder than Avery bargained for. But he only paused for a beat before continuing, "But if you have to be so literal... Here's to Connlaoth and her noble and fascinating history."

Avery couldn't keep a smirk off of his face there, but he masked it by taking the obligatory drink.

Even the soured Lord Davishire had to grin, raising his drink up higher.
"Yes... her interesting history..." and he knocked back some of the scotch, feeling he burn, and feeling a bit better. Then, with a pinky tapping to the empty glass, he mulled it over.
"So... what do you know about Lady Treyburn...? Are you two... acquaintances?"
Naturally, he meant the Treyburn who fancied books. "She seems to enjoy her history..."
And he wondered, before, how he had never come to meet her? Then again, there were quite a lot of Treyburns... and as he reflected back tot he library...
He still felt stiff with guilt.

Avery raised an eyebrow in mild amusement at Davishire's already-empty glass. He'd poured just over two fingers and hadn't expected it to disappear quite so fast. Well, well! It looked like they were headed in the right direction, though. Was that even some form of a smile on Davishire's face? For a moment Avery considered refilling the man's glass right away, but decided it might be more polite (and wise) to wait until they were both dry.

"Hm," he mused, taking another sip, "not that one, no. Our little collision was our first meeting. I know Braxton and Trevian and I suppose I knew they had a slew of unwed sisters," he added that for Davishire's benefit! "And I was good friends with Karol Gray, so I suppose I'm a little acquainted with Lady Gray. But I have to admit I haven't had so many opportunities for social engagements in recent years. Only got pulled away from my company to come here because the Duke and Duchess Carwick couldn't attend and thought it important I go in their stead."

Avery looked sidelong at Davishire. He certainly believed that the man didn't quite have the social charm to ingratiate himself with the Treyburn clan.

"I don't understand, though, why you're asking me about her when you had her alone in that cozy study!"

Had he been drinking his scotch, he would have choked on that, too. He felt his throat go stiff, and his eyes, a bit wide, and suddenly he felt the collar on his suit nearly strangle him. Reaching a hand up to loosen it- (damn, undoing one button would have to do..) and let his neck get some air as he sighed.

"Yes, well, it seems I am unwanted by that family. Her brother and sister chased me out." And he went to take a drink- but it was already gone.

Oh boy, maybe the Lord Davishire did need another drink. Avery could feel the man's discomfort from here! Well, his demeanor was already improving after one drink, so he took the empty glass from Davishire and refilled it (with three fingers this time). "Easier on that one, though, huh?"

Avery couldn't say that he was shocked by the news that Davishire had been chased out by the girl's family. "Well, whether you were discussing history or not, it does look a bit untoward, alone with an unwed young woman away from the glaring view of the ball." Avery considered the situation, unconsciously swirling his drink slightly. "Alright, well, there's a whole pack of them. So which Treyburns haven't you clashed with? We'll go from there."

Davishire sighed before giving a more soured frowned.
"I'm not worried with whom I had not run into, Lord Carwick. But I do believe the lot of them to hate me. Jillian- erm, well, Lady Jillian is the only one of consequence to me." And he went stiff, looked at his drink, then away.

"I still owe her an apology as I'm embarrassed to admit my reactions and actions unto her were less than gentlemanly. Mind you, this was, in other words, in the discussion of books and their... condition." To that, he took a short sip and looked uncomfortably away after he cleared his throat.

"Though I dare say I ruined it with that one. She was... rather interesting to say the least. It's.. hard for me to actually interact with women at times. Most.." he said, crinkling his nose. "Annoy me like the squawking of hens." He looked down at his glass and took- yes.. another sip. "Jillian, er.. Lady Treyburn, that is, seemed to at least have some sort of head on her shoulders."

"I think you'll find that most women have heads on their shoulders, Davishire," Avery remarked dryly. He opted not to add, Not all women are Callister women. "At least as often as men do, anyway."

But Avery frowned at Davishire's reasoning. Avery didn't consider himself the most natural socialite, but Davishire clearly just didn't understand how things worked. "Look, though, listen to what you've said so far. You were having your, ah, fascinating history discussion, right?" Avery wasn't going to ask - yet - just how 'ungentlemanly' the other man had been. With anyone else, Avery would have thought all this book talk was euphemism, but Avery was starting to take Davishire at face value. "And then what did you say happened? You were 'chase off by her family?' Correct? Do you want to talk to her again? Without anyone running you off? How do you think that's going to work if 'the lot of them hate you?'" Avery greatly doubted the entire Treyburn clan actually gave Davishire that much thought, but he'd humor the man for now.

He smiled and took another drink "And you never know. It might be to your advantage one day to make some inroads with them."

"So," he repeated, "which Treyburns haven't you clashed with?"

Davishire sighed, wanting nothing more than to knock back the rest of his drink.

"There's so many of them, I forget their names." That made him wrinkle his nose. "But it doesn't matter if the family head already disapproves. Braxton Treyburn found me beside Miss Jillian and  she was in tears. When I explained, the youngest, the young Lady Cherie, I believe, had seen me out. I don't think there was any debating of their feelings towards me." And he lightly touched his jaw, thinking about the punch.

"I didn't mean to cause a scene, but I had gotten ahead of myself and more than upset over some wine spilled on the text books." He sighed and looked down at his glass. "I also misconstrued what the young girl was trying to do. Jillian, she.... for some reason or another, was researching something to show me." And he grew quiet as he looked at his glass.

Yes, he supposed he should put an end to thinking about her- but that very idea agitated him, and he took another stiff drink. The scotch, by now, was nearly gone, and he, burning a bit for it, his cheeks, lightly red.

Sighing, he turned to Avery. "I am sorry, Lord Carwick. I do not wish to vent. It seems, as I've found in my travels this evening, a lot of guests are most unhappy. You said you are familiar with Lady Gray? I spoke with her on the veranda. Funny thing is, she was speaking to me about her distaste for this war." Shaking his head, he tapped another finger to his glass, pursing his lips in thought.
"Come to think of it, I.. was rather rude to her too." And he blushed, ashamedly, looking down at his glass. "I fear this night does not bode well." At least for him and any of these Lady Treyburns. Or.. even the Lords.

"But it won't matter. Perhaps I shall retire early, before the dancing. They do start those things far too late, anyway."

"Oh no you won't. You're not a lost cause yet."

Even as Avery said it, he wasn't entirely sure that he believed it! Lord Davishire's predicament was, he had to admit, slightly worse than Avery had imagined. He even winced a little when Davishire got to the part about Cherie Treyburn punching him. And the bit about making Jillian cry wasn't much better. It was probably worse. Especially the bit about Braxton walking in on Davishire with his crying little sister. Avery tried not to think too hard on how forgiving he'd feel if the same happened with Bryony. And all of this because of the condition of some books? Avery was going to have to talk to him about his priorities at some point...

And Angsar's beard, Dahlia too?

"Well, the wars tend to leave people unhappy. Especially the widows, so I wouldn't take that too personally," Avery said encouragingly, trying to pull something positive out of the night's account. Okay, maybe not positive, but at least not negative... well, not negative against Davishire... Avery sighed. This was not going to be easy.

"I realize this won't help tonight, but in the future you might remember the old axiom that 'prevention is the best medicine' and not bring a girl to tears over spilled wine and dusty old books. But it's a bit too late for that now." Avery took a thoughtful sip of the scotch, musing over the issue. "I suppose since you certainly are staying until the dancing, if you can manage to grab her for a dance, then there's really nothing anyone can do until the dance is over. Not without causing a scene. Then you get enough time to explain yourself... or at least to apologize."

Avery thought for a moment, and then shrugged. "Well, worst case scenario: if you can't make amends tonight, you could always make a gift to her of one of your own history books."

Lord Davishire Callister raised a sharp brow at Avery's comment, and would have commented, but simply shook his head. Even as the man tried to justify what had happened, and even suggest he try to make this up with a dance, he waned to flat out tell him no!
But part of him contemplated it, and it had been a while since he had ever cared to dance...
"A dance and apology? Surely you would not see me being so cruel to that girl."
It was hard to tell by the tone of Davishire's voice if that was a joke or not. But then at the last statement, he fumbled over the right way to react so all he found himself doing was staring at Avery.

This time Avery did roll his eyes and gave staged and exasperated sigh. "Are you always so difficult, Davishire?"

Then he continued , patiently explaining, "Well, it sounds like you've already been cruel to the girl. So forgive me if I'm overlooking some unknown social more, but I fail to see the particular harm in a dance. It gives you a chance to talk to her and apologize, which it's sounding more and more like you need to do, for a set amount of time during an established social convention. No one – I don't think – is going to pull you out of a dance to start a fight. Plus it gives her the chance to accept or not accept your apology without being under the direct gaze of her family. Then if she does accept," Avery gave a little shrug, "you can go from there."

Avery watched Davishire for a moment to gage his reaction. "Of course," he said lightly, "this is all advice from one bachelor to another, so take it with a grain of salt if you like." He took a sip of his drink and gave Davishire a look of polite curiosity. "Unless you'd rather leave the offense unrectified and leave the ball without a single word of apology to a young lady you brought to tears?"

OOC: Some mild language warning! *wags finger at Davishire's soured mood!*
--------

"I.." Lord Davishire began before sighing over his drink. He lowered the scotch and stared down at Avery. "I hate to say it, Lord Carwick. But you have a point and I-" And then, over hearing the announcement being made by the Grand Duke's visor the dancing was to begin, he felt himself sweat as he glanced over in that direction and muttered, "Angsar's balls..."
This was going to be a long night.

"Yes, I know,"Avery answered smugly, "but I'm glad to hear you've finally come around." Avery looked over at Davishire, debating whether or not to tease the man a bit more. The decision was 'yes.' "I know you civilian men can be a bit soft from time to time, but there are far worse things than dancing with a young lady!"

Then it was as if the Grand Duke himself was on Avery's side as the ballroom music began to play. Avery beamed and clapped Davishire on the back. "There we go! Perfect timing! Now let's get you into the ballroom before you've had a chance to change your mind..."

With that, despite the difference in their statures, Avery grabbed the cuff of Davishire's shirt, steering him towards the ballroom.

And they both exit to the ballroom! (http://www.spiritsoftheearth.net/smf/index.php?topic=15643.0)