RP:A Social Affair

From HollowWiki

Part of the Phoenix Rising Arc


Synopsis: The newly arisen heads of Rynvale’s Noble houses attend a state dinner where the affairs of the city are discussed in a more social setting.

Characters: Arien, Rhocielle, Nirrarien, Ayameko, Durian.

Location: Rynvale; The Royal Townhouse Grand Dining Room

A fantastic custom built dining table stretches almost the full length of this chamber, there must be room for sixty people to gather round and a smaller table next to it has space for twenty or so more. The smaller table is most likely for the governor and wealthy guests as well as family, as it has much grander looking cushioned chairs with a small canopy over the top. The tables are both marble topped with some sort of brilliantly shining metal forming the legs, this beautiful design must have surely cost a fortune. Hanging above the tables are a number of chandeliers that will be lit for evening banquets.



In the Governor's Bedchamber, before Dinner..

Rhocielle dreaded formal attire. It was stifling, as far as the dusky skinned High Elf was concerned. Claweless fingers fluidly slipped buttons through fabric loops while a long sigh escaped his lips. At least there was some benefit to such social callings of the court. Arien would always look ravishingly beautiful. Hair balm was taken from one of the various glass containers that were lined along a mirrored wall. Like father like son, both Shyr and his father hated wearing the otherwise pleasantly fragrant ointment. Previously wild manes would be instantly tamed. His silver eyes scanned over his reflection, suddenly interrupted by the sight of his wife near the corner of the mirror's view. He smiled as she readied herself as well.

Arien was watching her husband in the mirror, and there was a softness to her expression that she had not had cause to wear in recent weeks. Was it possible for a male to be beautiful? Her emerald gaze met and held his silvery eyes in the reflection. It was so rarely that they were able to attend the affairs of state together. The elf was clasping the bodice of her gown to the soft swell of her breasts, quiet words of direction being offered to the Halfling handmaid who was lacing her back closed. Her fiery hair was already piled into an artfully disarrayed tumble of curls atop her crown, and the jeweled dip of the circlet that encircled her forehead drew attention to eyes that seemed startlingly green in picking up the colors of the silk gown that would cling to her frame. Her lips curved in a teasing smile. “ It will not be so very bad Rho, I have worked with most of the Lords and Ladies for some time, and they have been nothing but respectful of you..” In public anyway. “And there are some newly appointed to lead their Houses that have not yet had the time to be tainted by the opinions of court..” The dress was smoothed onto her frame and the servant stepped away. Arien nodded her thanks and dismissal before closing the distance between her mate and herself. Her palms settled on his broad shoulders as she stood behind him, holding his gaze in the mirror. “You are the equal of any Lord.. You are -my- Lord..” And for her sake..he would be honored.

Rhocielle smirked faintly, canting his head in a rather awkward angle that allowed their heads to connect briefly. "It is not the meeting, but the clothing that bothers me... Too confining." For him, anyways. Even in the mirror, she might catch sight of him doing his best to roam her figure, as well as already undressing the clinging emerald garment that covered her. The elven wolf was not at all subtle about his attentions to her, prompting an ever more wry grin to his face. Slowly, there was a playful light growing once more between them. He teased her in the same tone she had used, "Thank you, princess." He turned slowly, allowing hands previously on his shoulders to find home behind his neck as he leaned forward slightly for an offered kiss. His hands behaved, stilling at her hips though they would have been more than enthusiastic of undoing the intricate lacing at the back of her dress. Their breaths mingled for a moment afterward, then he sighed and stepped away. An arm was offered for escorting her. "Shall we?" he asked reluctantly, a free hand motioning towards the door.

~Downstairs, in the dining room~

Ayameko had recieved an invitation to come and dine with the Noble houses, so she took care to dress in one of her finest dresses... mostly at the insistence of her tutor. She had been reminded consistently of how she was representing the entire house, how she would have to dress to show its honor and dignity and she'd tuned him out and simply went to the dressing room to dress. Now, she was standing in the Grand Dining room, a tad bit nervous and her hair swept up in an updo. Forget me nots were woven into her hairdo. She gazed up at the chandelier and the beautiful design of the room... it was most definitely grand and well displayed the wealth of the first House. She looked down at the bejewled gown and wondered if perhaps she shouldn't have let herself be talked into this... she much preferred the simpler elegant designs than such showy ones as these. She wondered if dinner was simply to be that, just dinner, or if there was an agenda or if this was simply another chance for the houses to show a more united front. Idly one hand played with her veil, while her thoughtful eyes peered out over the edge of it.

Durian walked into the hall slowly. It was unexpected to be asked to the Lady's residence for dinner. He understood the need to discuss the issues facing them, but that didn't make him feel any less unsure of himself. He hadn't been head of the Sixth House that long, and none of the instruction he'd been given had really prepared him for the duties of overseeing a House. He looked around the room, it was nice, certainly, but he felt a bit out of place in a room so large. He was used to smaller, elegant rooms of fiery colors. As his eyes moved he caught sight of the veiled figure. He smiled slightly and walked over to her and bowed. "Good evening, Lady," his voice was low and measured. "I'm glad to see you again so soon. Do you know why our Lady and Lord have called us here this night?"

Arien entered the dining room on her husband’s arm, and as usual, in moments like these, the governor looked the princess that she had been born. Ivory pale skin served as template for the lush, forest green silk that clung to slender curves, and fiery tresses were piled atop her crown, jeweled pins catching and refracting the light of the chandeliers. Diamonds winked in her ears and at her throat, the signet ring of the First House on one graceful hand where it rested upon Rho’s duskier own. “ Must we have a purpose for every meeting Durian?..” the governor teased gently as she approached the smaller of the two tables that would host the leaders of the Houses and their escorts. “Perhaps I have decided that we spend too many hours in work..” The elf made sure to fall back, setting herself in line with her mate. “You have not met my husband..Ambassador Sombhra. Rho.. this is Durian, leader of the House Ilkan..” It was the governor’s business to know who they all were..even if they were newly arisen to their roles. “It is my intent that we..get to know each other better, if that might serve as a purpose..”

Rhocielle drew in a breath of composure at the last moment before entering the dining room. While he had grown accustomed to the various other nobles since the days following the island's liberation, the ones that were invited tonight were for the most part unfamiliar. Another night of first impressions, he mused to himself. At the governor's side, her husband wore garments of simple elegance. Were any of the other nobles present, they may have merely chalked it up to the male's lack of noble upbringing. A Houseless High Elf risen in status simply by marriage, of course he would not know how to dress himself so lavishly as the rest of the Royal Court. To his hidden relief, those present were also not so extravagantly dressed. He felt out of place as it was, among Arien's people without having to put on additional, and very unnecessary, airs of nobility. "Lord Durian," he stated with subtle and respectful dip of his head, his gaze then drifting to Ayameko, though introductions had yet to be made in regards to her, "M'Lady. We are honored by your presence."

Nirrarien :: Though a herald had interrupted to briefly announce the arrival of an unanticipatedly large party from House Falirae, there was little forewarning that could be given to lessen the impact of the arrival of Nirrarien, and the throng of escorts and fellows that had followed him. Striding firmly into the dining hall at the head of a pyramid-shaped gaggle of followers, as if a prophet were leading his people to a promised land, the lavishly dressed male's attention breaks off from the horde of apprentices, astronomers and minor nobility (which spreads quickly amidst the rest of the House escorts, notably thickening their number into a chattering crowd), to instead turn focus on meeting and greeting his fellow nobles. Extravagant boots of finest brown leather, decorated with crimson swirls, speed up his steps to a short jog in his haste to recover from late entry. Robes of glowing runesilk settle about his person as he steps and bends to whisper, briefly, in Arien's sharp ear, emerging from the exchange with a bright smile for all, and a hearty bang of the tail of the whitewood staff at his side to the room's floor. "It is good to be amidst you on matters light at heart!" Nirrarien greets the other House Heads joyfully, grasping the hands of Durian and Rhocielle in quick, enthusiastic shake, and bowing graciously low before the Lady Ayameko 'fore taking a stand behind the seat that he would claim as his own. "Please, forgive my lateness. Falirae has been haunted with party-lovers since my Grandfather's day... And the fossils that remain seem to have passed those merits onto the newcomers." The High Magistra cracks thin lips into a wide grin as both hands spark and glow spontaneously aflame, and from within the controlled flame appears a large wine bottle, chilling before ones very gaze as the fires that bore its form dispersed into thin tufts of smoke. "An apology for tardyness... I had tried in vain for many hours to deter the processions, alas..." Arien is given an apologetic look, the smile wavering from the Magistra's face, "I do hope it is not too invasive... They shall be cast by force if you fear disruption into celebrations beyond what had been intended..."

Nirrarien whispered to Arien, "Now shall Illaren be schooled in the social gathering. Take careful note. Few of these people can truly be relied on as friend."

Ayameko looked up as Durian entered. She dipped her head with respect to the noble, he was either the sixth or seventh house. Careful recollection of the night before and she remembered meeting him as Lord Ilkan of the sixth house. Her eyes held the warmth of her smile that was hidden by her veil. At his question she was about to respond when Lady Arien and her husband entered. She remembered being debriefed about their Govenor's husband by her cousin... she also remembered giving him a split lip for the way he'd talked about 'that dirty lycan' as he'd phrased it. The Lady Arien looked stunning. She nodded her head at Lady Arien's words, thinking it was most definitely a good thing to do; perhaps if they all got to know each other better bonds would grow that would stave off any potential backstabbing. To Lord Rhocielle she smiled warmly as he addressed her and she returned his greeting. "It is a pleasure and honor to be here my Lord. I am Ayameko Glorindol of the Fourth House. I hope my cousin was not too troublesome to you while my family was reestablishing after the takeover and revival. I recently had to reeducate him on a few things and I trust that his temperament will improve." And then, cue the... lively procession and entrance of the Leader of the Second House. She blinked, her expression thankfully hidden beneath her long veil as her eyes remained emotionless. She lapsed into protocol mode as she returned his low gracious bow with a deep curtsy of her own. She wasn't quite sure what to say but habit did have her returning a greeting, "It is good to see you well Lord Falirae." She then looked over towards Durian then Arien and Rhocielle.


Arien had fallen quiet to permit whatever exchange of pleasantries might occur between Durian and her husband, choosing instead to incline her head graciously toward the young leader of the Fourth House. The girl showed promise, drinking in the protocols of court with each appearance. She felt instinctively that the veiled one might be trusted to sustain the interests of her House and the majority both. The governor was easily accessible then, when Nirra entered with his throng, and she lifted her brow in a slim, amused arc on his dropped murmur. “I suppose there must be those among us who live for celebration Falirae..or life would be infinitely more dull..” she said with a soft laugh. Taking his own cue, the governor lifted an arm in sweeping indication that all present should be seated. “Service will begin promptly..’ she said clearly, a signal to the hovering servants to begin the steady procession from the kitchens to the tables. “Please..everyone..be seated. Enjoy your evening!” And the elf would heed her own advice, taking the few steps that would lead her to her own seat, and attending her husband before she would lower herself into a seat. Nirra’s wine was attended with an amused nod. “If you will do the honors then Nirra..” Her glass was extended for a sample as eyes drifted across the table to Durian and Meko. “Ayameko..I took note of your interest in the fate of our shipping. Is it too much to hope that the Fourth house is prepared to once again assume the responsibilities of overseeing the development and maintenance of our naval infrastructure?” A curious glance slid Durian’s way. “And what of the Sixth House?.. Has Ilkan decided yet in what capacity it might aid in the city’s revival? There is yet much that needs to be done.”

Rhocielle hid his startled surprise well as his free hand was latched onto and shaken briskly. The male did his best to quickly adapt to the enthusiastic motion and shake back just as respectfully before it ceased. A darting glance was given to his wife, an unspoken question drifting from silver eyes to emerald. Was the Lord of Falirae always like this? His shadowed questioning look was cut off immediately after as his tipped ears heard the Lady Glorindol's words address him. He bowed his head again at hearing her name. At the mention of one of the more familiar nobles he knew, the male shook his head gratefully, "No, it was no trouble at all." At least publically. Whatever was said about the Lycan was always behind closed doors and without proof to subtle slights. There was no need to draw attention to it if the new House leader seemed to be far more amicable. Led to the dining room table, he allowed himself to follow Arien's silent cues to his assigned seat. It was not his first formal dinner amongst the House nobles, nor would it be the last. He listened on in silence. It was something... different, to hear of the responsibilities of the island allocated to the various Houses once more. A return of the old, and hopefully, for the best.

Nirrarien rises complacently from his chair, twisting the cork stopper from the sparkling bottle and bending forward to dispense a generous measure of the liquid into the Governess' glass. Whilst the trickle is being dispensed one would note that the perceived dark-green hue of the bottle's glass is actually crystal clear, and it is the wine itself which carries a deep emerald colour. "One of my great-grandfather's vintages," Falirae is clearly keen to trade the odd tidbit of family history here and there, "one of the last nine bottles, I believe. I remember the cellar being stacked with the stuff as a child..." Any who offer their glass will receive an equally generous share of the wine, Durian being the unfortunate last to get his glass' fill. "Ah, but I'm sure the House Ilkan and its wisest of Lords note the value in preserving the island’s young mage talent," Nirrarien's own glass lifts as he sits, and with it, a nod in Durian's direction, "a burden the teachers of House Falirae are beginning to struggle with... Perhaps you will entertain some thought on collaboration with us in seeing those who display promise elevate in power... For the good of the high-born? I have harbored dreams of an Arcane College on the island for some time, though never had the resources or support."

Ayameko smiled as she listened to the talks. She gave some thought after Arien's suggestion before replying, "I would gladly do my best to support such a navy if required or at least commission someone to work under House Glorindol to protect our trade ships. It hurts our merchants and therefore ourselves if they cannot trade. Not to mention that I can't see why such things are going on. I don't understand why Cenril ships are attacking Rynvale's... though I understand the current government is up at arms there. Underworld influences, and I do not mean drow, are at war apparently, from what I've managed to gather."

Durian nodded his thanks to Nirrarien. "True, Lord Falirae. Though my family has only a few truly gifted young elves, we few that are do have merit." He nodded again. "I would be more than happy to speak with you about such an arrangement. I fear that if our House Mages are to master anything but Fire, we will need to find outside help." He sipped the wine. "And I understand why there is so little left. This is quite excellent." He turned to Arien and Ayameko. "Actually, my Lady," he said to Arien. "Lady Glorindol has raised the very thing I was going mention myself." He took another sip of wine. "My family might be aligned with Fire, but I would offer our resources to the Navy. If my Lady would consent to such a commission, I would gladly set to the task."

Arien raised her glass to her lips. “Mhmm..” it was a softly incoherent sound. “Well, It would seem a misappropriation of resources to have two Houses set upon the same task, no? Granted, we do have the matter of military as opposed to trade interests in shipping to consider.” The servants arrived with a first course of soups and appetizers, and conversation ceased a moment until they dispersed from the table. The governor continued. “Perhaps, if we divided our shipping interests into trade and defense? Each house might develop their responsibilities as they saw fit.” She glanced toward Ayameko, “My Lady Gloridol, perhaps your House might see to the matter of the production of our shipping and trade therewith? The Shipyards have been producing far below the capacity of which they are capable for too long now. We need a master shipwright hired and taking orders for both civilian and military craft..” Her eyes found Durian again. “And you should know, we have set about rebuilding our fleet, the armada grows but without an admiral the captains patrol at will.. the navy needs organization to be certain. Might this arrangement satisfy?”

Rhocielle sipped quietly at his glass, setting down his wine as he lent his voice to the discussion. "An Arcane college would also need addressing. With Cenril still under martial law and mob rule, it is dangerous for fledgling mages to travel in search of Masters, or those of the Mage's Guild or Arcane University to bother coming here without proper incentive to risk life and time. We would do well to expand on the current library and observatory with additional rooms for those practicing magic. The lumberyard and docks are close enough that raw building materials would be a trivial thing."

Nirrarien :: "Quite right, Ambassador," Nirrarien answers to Rhocielle's concerns, laying down his wine glass to instead reach for a silver spoon, "a little extra space is all that is needed, and a handful of individuals skilled enough to teach others. Circulating between House Falirae, the library, observatory and any space House Ilkan is willing to give would certainly satisfy the need for expansion of arcane learning." He pauses here to taste the soup, and as expected finds it very pleasant to taste. "Mmm... Ah, and compliment is gratefully received, Lord Durian. It is a shame to see its volume dwindle. You are disciplinarys of fire, say you?" A blonde brow lifts in interest, "I am a pyromancer myself."

Ayameko said, "I think the school would be a good idea. I myself was wondering how to juggle my lessons, as I am a student hopeful under consideration of Lord Luthentius to further my elemental training as I've not done much with them. But I find your proposal most agreeable Lady Arien and Lord Rhocielle. It has my support, fully and the fourth house will do all that it can to help trade and we will of course work with the fifth house in building and the third and sixth houses that our trade routes on land and through sea are kept safe."

Durian said I'll happily offer what room I can in the House compound. I am not a Pyromancer exactly. My family has a certain...aptitude with fire. I have actually neglected much of my studies in that area. I have been trying to tame that impulsive tendency by studying Air and Earth. I have no doubt that I would learn a great deal from you, Lord Falirae. And I will begin organizing naval forces at once, my Lady."


Arien smiled. “Then it seems that we are agreed..and I look forward to hearing a report on your progress.” She lifted her glass in a salute to the table. “But see..we have fallen into discussion of work again. Tonight is for celebration. Eat..drink..be merry my Lords and Ladies.. There will always be tomorrow for labor..” And leading by example, the governor ensured that they did just that.