Spare a Room? {DragonSong}

[Celegwen]

The tension in the room was practically palpable, but Lily's presence definitely lightened it a bit.

"Wonderful," Declan said, flashing her a smile and glancing ever so briefly at her elder brother. Thera simply glared at the ambassador, keeping her mouth shut. He stood up, strolling over to the girl. "Mind yourself, my lady," he said quietly, brushing her cheek with his finger. "If your mother sees you like this she might get worried."

"This is nauseating," Thera mumbled, watching the ambassador bound up the stairs, two at a time, to change his pants into something not soaked with mud and saddle marks.

[DragonSong]

Lily shivered lightly under Declan's touch and had to resist the urge to lean into it. "Perhaps you have a point," she murmured with a small, playful grin. She turned to follow Declan back up the stairs, thought at a more sedate pace. No need to look like she was rushing.

"I couldn't agree more," Jorris said with a sigh as he rose to his feet and stretched. He shot Thera a rather wry smile and offered his arm with a polite bow. "I'm sure you don't require one, lady mordecai, but would you like an escort to the dining room?"

[Celegwen]

Thera looked Jorris up and down, accustomed to being on guard when it came to other people. He had proven himself to be harmless enough, so she shrugged lightly. "Oh, what the hell?" She said. "Shall we?" She said, taking his arm politely.

Declan looked around the room. It was pretty evident that he was the one who was staying in there. His papers were still strewn about, so he quickly tidied the area. Though he didn't mind the mess, the anxiety of someone seeing what he was up to or worse - messing it up somehow - was too much for him.

Slipping into more formal clothing, as he normally wore, the elf glanced into the mirror. Only the bottom two buttons of his shirt were fastened, so his chest was visible. This wasn't anything special: he rarely had his chest covered, unless he was attending a formal meeting or something like it. He put on different pants and clean boots, then walked out to join the others in the dining hall.

His pace jerked to a halt outside of Lily's room. The ambassador glanced around to make sure no one was there, then bit his lip and knocked once quietly on the door.

[DragonSong]

Jorris chuckled lightly as he took her arm to escort her to the dining hall, making polite conversation.

Lily hesitated in front of her vanity, wondering if she should attempt to do something with her hair. She'd stripped her habit and put on a slip, intending to put on a walking gown before she got distracted. The slip fluttered around her ankles as she turned anxiously in place, trying to shove her mass of curls back out of her face.

Damnit. If she didn't figure something out, her hair would be a dead giveaway. It was usually unruly, but riding always gave it a special kind of "body"- her mother would be furious.

The knock at the door grabbed her attention. Assuming it was her mother's maid, she called, "Be right there," as she darted forward to swing it open, letting her hair tumble down free around her shoulders.

Yet again, she found herself face-to-chest with Declan, and why didn't he ever close his shirt. She snapped her eyes up, cheeks pink and lips slightly parted in a soft "Oh!" of surprise.

[Celegwen]

The elf smirked, his eyes unwittingly falling to Lily's barely clothed body. "If you go to breakfast in that, I believe jaws besides just my own would be dropped."

He released a breathy chuckle. Taking another glance down the halls, he pinched her chin gently and winked. "You should braid your hair," he said quietly. "It's beautiful."

Declan gave her another slight smirked, then turned to continue to the dining hall to avoid being seen by anyone. He walked into the hall to see Thera and Jorris making polite small talk. "Ah, you're back," Thera said, a slight hint of sarcasm beneath her tone.

[DragonSong]

Lily's blush deepened, and she couldn't seem to find her voice before he was slipping away, headed toward the stairs.

Quickly, she collected herself and dressed for breakfast. She hesitated a moment, then twined her hair into a long, loose braid before rushing to the dining hall.

Jorris and Thera were already there, and she seemed a few minutes behind Declan. "Where are Mother and Father? And the twins?" she asked as she slipped into the room.

"On their way, I'm sure," her brother replied with a shrug.

[Celegwen]

Declan took notice that Lily had actually braided her hair. It was more of a passing remark from him, but he found it interesting that she listened to and acted on the suggestion. Though he wasn't sure what he would do with that information, he stored it in the back of his mind.

"Ambassador Maddox," Thera said quickly, "do you really think your dress is appropriate? We're guests, after all."

The elf narrowed his violet eyes at the mordecai woman and forced a grin with multiple meanings. "Yes, I do, Thera," he said curtly. "Thank you for your undying concern, but my attire here will not change from that which I don at the capital." The response shut Thera up for the time being, and she sighed, flashing a silent 'he's impossible' look to Jorris. Declan bowed his head to Lily, pulling a chair out from the table. "My lady," he said, gesturing to the chair politely.

[DragonSong]

Jorris returned the look with a small, rather dry nod of his head toward his sister. Believe me, I understand.

Either oblivious to or choosing to ignore her brother, Lily took the offered chair with a small smile and a nod. "Thank you, ambassador," she murmured politely.

She had barely settled herself when the twins came tumbling into the room, laughing and chasing each other around the table like children. Jorris sighed and dropped his head into his hands.

"I swear to God... Jess, Dorian! Behave yourselves!" he begged, lifting his head to glower at them.

"Oh, lighten up, Jory." Jessamine ruffled her brother's hair as she took a seat beside him, Dorian sliding into the open chair on her other side. He looped an arm around his sister's shoulder, whatever their little play-fight had been about obviously forgotten. "Mother and Father will be here soon enough to ruin everyone's fun. Right, Lily?"

The eldest Hartnet daughter choked on a glass of water. It was an innocuous comment, but she couldn't help being on edge. Jess hadn't seen them coming back from their ride, had she?

[Celegwen]

Declan noticed Lily's sudden tension, but he didn't actually do anything, as the audience had grown significantly with the twins' arrival. Instead, he gave an airy laugh and took a seat next to Thera.

"Come now, Jessamine," the elf said dismissively. "Your parents are lovely people. I'm sure they've provided you with all kinds of entertainment, yes?"

[DragonSong]

"Well, sometimes," the girl sighed, leaning dramatically against Dorian. "But we're always stuck out here, even though Lily's the one who-"

"Jessamine." Jorris's voice snapped out, eyes narrowed. "Mind your tongue."

Any boldness or spirit Lily might have held quickly melted away into guilt and embarrassment, and she resisted the urge to shrink back into her chair. Fortunately- or unfortunately, it was hard to tell- that was when the lord and lady of the manor arrived.

"Morning, dears!" Lady Hartnet beamed as she took her seat at the table. "Oh, ambassador, how nice of you to-"

Her voice choked off and her eyes widened slightly as she took in his clothing. Clearing her throat, she finished a little tersely, "Join us."

[Celegwen]

"Told you," Thera said with an arrogant smirk.

"Quiet," he said quickly to his guard. Declan stood and bowed respectfully to the lord and lady. "Lady Hartnet, your husband informed me that you've seen me at capitol events and gatherings, so surely my attire would be familiar to you?" Though posed as a question, the comment held a tone that indicated he was not about to change the way he dressed because it might make some uncomfortable.

Thera stood and bowed, as her boss had. "My lord, my lady," she said. "The ambassador dons the clothing he wore in Serendipity, feeling it is best to connect with his land while in our own. He doesn't understand that it's considered inappropriate here."

Though Declan could've easily been a bastard and disagreed, telling the truth that he simply didn't care, he decided to remain silent at that time and just let normal conversation begin.

[DragonSong]

"Oh no, I certainly meant no offense!" Lydia said quickly. "I was just...a little taken aback, I suppose."

"Well." Before the conversation could lull awkwardly, Carlton clapped his hands. "I'm starving. Let's eat, shall we?"

On cue, food was brought into the room, hearty eggs and sausages, with all manor of breads to choose from, as well as a wide assortment of fruits or jams.

"Is your carriage fixed, lord ambassador?" Dorian asked politely as the Hartnets began filling their plates.

[Celegwen]

"Not to my knowledge, Dorian," Declan said with a short nod. "Jackson departed this morning to make the repairs, so with luck, it should be fixed by midday."

Thera eagerly began eating, saying a quick thank you to Ansgar, as she was brought up to do. "I'm escorting the ambassador to Athervann Lake," Thera said. "There's a festival of...something or another going on, and he's yet to visit."

Declan smiled, tilting his head briefly with a chuckle. "My work doesn't allow for much time away from Reajh, so this is a treat indeed. Have you and your children been, Lord Hartnet?"

[DragonSong]

"Oh, many years ago," Carlton chucked. "Actually I'm not sure the twins have ever been, they may not have been born at the time, and Jorris and Lily were certainly too young to remember."

Lydia sighed with a soft, wistful smile of reminiscence. "Oh I do wish they'd have a chance to see it. A staple of our youth, wasn't it, Carlton darling?"

[Celegwen]

Thera shrugged. "Not really my interest, but I follow him, so I guess we're going." She took another bite and subtly rolled her eyes.

The elf quickly made eye contact with Jorris, reminding him of their discussion about Lily earlier that morning, then he locked eyes with Lily, reminding her of the deal they made on their ride. Declan smiled at the lord and lady. "You live so close to it, I'm shocked you haven't made the trip annual!" He chuckled lightly. "I believe a festival of arts such as that one should be experienced as much as possible." Though he made it sound like he was musing aloud, Declan spoke in a direct path. "I'm meeting a friend of mine there. Perhaps, you've met her before? Lady Helena and Lord Niklaus Waldur?"

[DragonSong]

"Oh yes, we've met!" Lydia enthused. "Unfortunately we really only see them at major functions. A pity, considering they really don't live all that far away."

"We should go," Jorris said abruptly, smiling at his parents. They both blinked at him. "I understand the two of you have your duties here, but I could take Lily and the twins. We'd send our regards to your friends, perhaps even invite them to stay the manor in the future."

"I-" Lady Hartnet looked to her eldest daughter, worrying at her lip. "I'm not sure..."

Lily tried not to seem too eager, though she could feel Declan's eyes on her like a firebrand. "Mother, really. I'd have plenty of chaperones, it's not as though anything could happen to me."

[Celegwen]

The mordecai woman almost choked on her food, but she hid it well. Her head whipped around, and she gave Declan an icy stare, knowing that he was behind the idea. He gently kicked her leg, warning her not to say anything.

"What a splendid idea!" Declan said, smiling at the eldest children. If he hadn't had years of training to lie, his probably would've burst out laughing. It had nothing to do with the idea being unrealistic, but that he and the Hartnet children got it to play out so naturally.

"I-" Thera started, receiving a quick stare from the ambassador. The ginger woman turned to Lady Hartnet. "I'd be there the entire time to look after them."

Declan smirked with a nod. "As will I. Not to mention, Lady Helena and Lord Niklaus run an orphanage, as I'm sure you're aware. She's wonderful when it comes to watching children. Jessamine and Dorian could experience a new side of the world, and Lily and Jorris will renew a different kind of culture that lies dormant." He sighed confidently with a smile. "What do you say, my lord, my lady?"

[DragonSong]

"Well..." Carlton hedged a moment, looking at his wife. There were a few seconds of silent debate, then he let out a rather weary breath and nodded slowly. "That would be...acceptable. Under a few conditions, of course."

"Oh, thank you!" Jessamine suddenly jumped from her seat and raced around the table to throw her arms around her parents, beaming. "Finally, we get to get out of here!"

[Celegwen]

Declan didn't hide his amusement at Jessamine's delight. They really didn't get out much because of their parents restrictions on Lily, so going to a festival for a few days must've been incredibly exciting for multiple reasons.

Thera clenched her jaw, beyond frustrated that she now had to babysit so many people. Declan's neglect to mention his invitation pissed her off even more.

"Of course," the ambassador said, making sure to stay on track. "What are your conditions, Lord Hartnet?"

[DragonSong]

"Five days," the lord of the manor said after a moment spent disentangling himself from his youngest daughter's exuberance. "I want my children back in five days. That should be plenty enough time to enjoy the festival and return safely."

Jess pouted, but Dorian and Jorris were nodding, both doing a better job of keeping their enthusiasm contained. For her part, Lily was trying to focus on her plate and not let the delighted smile curving her lips draw too much attention.

"And yes, Jorris, I think extending an invitation to Lady Helena and Lord Niklaus would be appropriate. I'll come up with a list of people you should extend out greetings to."