Thoringel
Junior Member
Scarlet Pimpernel
They seek him here, they seek him there
Posts: 83
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Post by Thoringel on Nov 5, 2004 18:31:34 GMT -5
They had spent some time settling in, getting used to the place, studying the lay of the land.
Toringel and Alathea make frequent excursions to the estates of their neighbours, leaving calling cards and greeting the other nobles of the city. At the same time they begin to lay plans for the party. Now, all is in readiness.
The Estate ballroom has been gilded, and beautifully decorated. A string quartet plays music on the stage set up in one corner.
A buffet has been set out along one wall. The table groans with meat, vegetables, cheeses and other more exotic foodstufs. Another table has beer and wine available, although some footmen are hired to serve drinks.
The traps in this room, and in the corridor leading to it, have been deactivated specially. Guests are requested to stick to the marked corridors, and not go through any closed entrances.
Thoringel and Alathea greet all the arrivals by name, and encourage them to circulate.
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Post by Validus Ur Vashina on Nov 6, 2004 14:45:34 GMT -5
Many attend, considering this is a common practice for newcomers. Only one newcomer didn't open his home to the public, and no one was curious enough to bother the Vestran about it.
In the usual fashionably late way that shows his time is more important than anyone else's here, the Vestran in question walks in as well. Validus walks through the people and speaks with them from time to time. He never touches the food unless there is something particularly exotic. He does, however, partake of the wine.
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Thoringel
Junior Member
Scarlet Pimpernel
They seek him here, they seek him there
Posts: 83
|
Post by Thoringel on Nov 6, 2004 17:16:06 GMT -5
There is not much that appeals to the exotic tastes, but there has been some effort made and there is a small table with unusual delicacies - rarely-seen fruits, small-animal meats, quail on toast and so on.
Validus can see a small quantity of Elirian firefruit on the table. Unusual in that poor preparation resulted in badly burned tongues, but with the proper marination they were exquisite. Or so he had heard.
Several people seem to be nervous, either at Validus or their location, and certainly at the presence of armed guards.
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Post by Validus Ur Vashina on Nov 6, 2004 17:59:15 GMT -5
Validus doesn't seem very concerned about the guards. He seems more amused by their presence than anything else, really. His attitude was very friendly, most of the time, but there are times where he very clearly states without words that some of these people are not worth his time or effort, and to kindly shove off before they decide to take a walk down one of the trapped hallways.
He stops for a moment at the fruit stand and examines the firefruit. They didn't have these in Draxa, and he had yet to encounter one before. He takes one and eats it very slowly, savoring each completely controlled bite.
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Thoringel
Junior Member
Scarlet Pimpernel
They seek him here, they seek him there
Posts: 83
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Post by Thoringel on Nov 6, 2004 18:29:30 GMT -5
Thoringel and Alathea start to circulate among their guests not long after Validus's arrival. They spend some time talking to some of the major players in town, unobtrusively steering the conversation towards the new church, in such a way as to have someone else in the group be the first to mention the church.
They mentally note the reactions - who is favourable and who is not - for later comparison. They take care not to say anything that would commit them to one side or the other.
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Post by Validus Ur Vashina on Nov 6, 2004 18:36:25 GMT -5
Validus watches the lord of the house from where he sits, one leg crossed over the other. He is still eating the first of the Firefruits and wonders if he will have a turn at the conversation wheel with this Thoringel.
He turned his magic filled eyes on any who came too close to Validus. They quickly move away from him, or think twice about talking to him. If any approached him, it would be obvious they had the intent to speak with him, as he had his own little clearing in the party. He took another small bite from the fruit and tasted it to its fullest.
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Post by Rumerin on Nov 6, 2004 18:38:38 GMT -5
*When the party has been going maybe an hour or so, a tall man arrives. While he is tall, he doesn't seem to be an imposing figure. He is just sort of there in the background, much like a servant. Only his good clothes, in fact, show him not to be one. His hair is a bit messy, his face seems to be rather uncaring, his grey eyes reflecting everything in the room with the same emotionlessness. He is quiet and seems almost reserved as he moves to a table and takes a glass of wine.*
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Thoringel
Junior Member
Scarlet Pimpernel
They seek him here, they seek him there
Posts: 83
|
Post by Thoringel on Nov 6, 2004 18:39:41 GMT -5
Thoringel moves through the crowd easily, stopping to speak to this person or that if accosted, but moving steadily towards Validus.
He does not stare, or make his intention obvious to most, but he steadily nears the place where Validus sits.
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Post by Validus Ur Vashina on Nov 6, 2004 18:45:20 GMT -5
It was always interesting to see those with true power enter the stage. So few ever recognize it, too. Really, it was quite lovely to see this creature who simply wasn't with the crowd.
He smiled slightly and turned his gaze back to Thoringel, watching him as he eats.
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Thoringel
Junior Member
Scarlet Pimpernel
They seek him here, they seek him there
Posts: 83
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Post by Thoringel on Nov 6, 2004 18:51:11 GMT -5
Thoringel stops by Validus, and nods his head politely.
"I hope the firefruit is prepared to your liking?"
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Post by Validus Ur Vashina on Nov 6, 2004 18:55:27 GMT -5
Validus smiles and takes another two minutes to finish off the fruit before he replies. There is not a drop of juice on his lips, and he doesn't bother to stand.
Yes, it has.
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Thoringel
Junior Member
Scarlet Pimpernel
They seek him here, they seek him there
Posts: 83
|
Post by Thoringel on Nov 6, 2004 18:57:10 GMT -5
*When the party has been going maybe an hour or so, a tall man arrives. While he is tall, he doesn't seem to be an imposing figure. He is just sort of there in the background, much like a servant. Only his good clothes, in fact, show him not to be one. His hair is a bit messy, his face seems to be rather uncaring, his grey eyes reflecting everything in the room with the same emotionlessness. He is quiet and seems almost reserved as he moves to a table and takes a glass of wine.* Alathea moves up to the distinguished man's side.
"Good day sir. May I get you something to eat?"
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Thoringel
Junior Member
Scarlet Pimpernel
They seek him here, they seek him there
Posts: 83
|
Post by Thoringel on Nov 6, 2004 18:58:48 GMT -5
Validus smiles and takes another two minutes to finish off the fruit before he replies. There is not a drop of juice on his lips, and he doesn't bother to stand.Yes, it has. "Excellent. I hope your House is prospering." (From the tone of voice, this is quite clearly a statement and not an inquiry into the status of the house.)
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Post by Rumerin on Nov 6, 2004 19:02:35 GMT -5
*He smiles.*
Surely, you are not a servant, milady. No, thank you.
*He looks around the room, rather thoughtfully.*
My, you have managed to gather an interesting crowd of people here. Most distinguished. I'm afraid I hardly fit between these great lords and ladies.
*Smiling apologetically.*
I am very sorry, I did not introduce myself. My name is Rumerin. I live in one of the smaller mansions near the gate to the Bazaar. I received your invitation and thought I'd come, though I did have my doubts you would want to see so lowly a merchant.
*He bows.*
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Post by Validus Ur Vashina on Nov 6, 2004 19:05:04 GMT -5
Validus smiles, the magic in his eyes swirling in an almost hypnotic pattern. There is no assault on any mind when he speaks... the pattern is just somehow soothing, as is his voice.
You wouldn't mind calling a servant to get me another one of those lovely fruits, would you?
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