37: The re-animated feast sounds cooler

[Ebiris]

[14:03] <@Ebiris> With the Feast of the Gluttonous Wolf ended, the various attendees rise up and start to filter through into the neighbouring lounge. It's a large oval shaped room with a domed ceiling adorned with intricate heraldic frescoes, while the walls are adorned with numerous paintings of various types and styles. Several plush chairs and sofas are positioned around the walls, while the centre of the room is covered in a massive traditional Verras rug, the looping designs across it almost hypnotic to the eye. From other doors servants begin to enter, carrying trays of alcoholic beverages and wafers coated in honey and cream for guests to snack on if they wish to fill up between meals.
[14:05] * @Henrietta picks up a local drink for herself on her way to Lavinia. She really should pay her respects more than just with a simple greeting, after all.
[14:05] * @Lucie chooses a sofa at random somewhere in the center of the room and quickly occupies it. And some wine would do nicely right now, thanks.
[14:07] <@Rudy> Rudy has already had plenty of wine during the first feast, so a delicious snack is more his taste for now. It would be best to avoid speaking to the eyesore of a gossip or the reputably sharp-tounged eldest noble, but there is certainly someone he wanted to talk to! "Ambassador Witchwillow, correct?" he asks, approaching the dwarf with a canny grin. "How has Salerno been treating you to date?"
[14:08] * @Glenn grabs a bit of both things offered by the servants as he also finds a spot to sit, not really seeking anybody out for the moment, and content to just relax and let the food settle.
[14:12] <@Ebiris> Most of the drinks on offer are red or white wines, but there's a few more potent liquors if one knows what to look for. Rudy finds the wafers to be quite plain, while the honey is indescribably sweet, thankfully moderated somewhat by the cream slathering it. As guests begin to mingle, Lavinia is seen along with Derik Islaran talking to Herastus Knowlern, the latter waxing nostalgic about the pair's respective deceased parents. Meanwhile the dwarven ambassador smiles at Rudy, "Mr Giacomo. It's nice to see you haven't forgotten your roots," she looks over his outfit, "Just a little behind the times, though. High starched collars or stiff scarves are all the rage back home right now." Glenn and Lucie find themselves undisturbed as they sit down, at least for the moment... Lucie can notice Emil Draktus eyeing her now and then as he studies the artwork, no one going to volunteer company for him either.
[14:15] * @Henrietta is not deterred from her approach. She can always tell if she's not wanted by Lavinia's reaction, and besides, this would be a good chance to introduce herself to a viscount and an earl.
[14:15] <@Rudy> "Well, that only tells me I picked the best time to depart," replies Rudy. "Perhaps I'll return once the salon-goers develop some sense!"
[14:16] <@Lucie> Well, if he has something to say to Lucie, best get it over with early. Of course, she just sat down, and it would look silly to get up again so quickly! So she takes a moment to finish a glass before standing and making her way over to the Shadowshore representative. "You have the look of a man with something on his mind," Lucie observes.
[14:17] <@Ebiris> Lavinia doesn't seem to mind, smiling at the redhead. "Ah, Henrietta. I trust you enjoyed the first course? Please, let me introduce you to Viscount Knowlern and Earl Islaran." The older man with the slicked back hair gives Henrietta a somewhat unsettling smile, but the awkward looking younger noble speaks first.
[14:17] <@Ebiris> "Yes, we've met before, lady Ul Copt. I must say you seem to be doing very well for yourself," he speaks up in his somewhat reedy voice, giving a watery smile of his own.
[14:19] <@Ebiris> "I don't know," the dwarven woman's eyes sparkle mirthfully and she shrugs. "It might make its way over here. Fashion has a way of migrating... but I've ignored your question, which people always say politicians do too much. Salerno has been treating me very well indeed. The people here are clever and forward thinking, not mired in past petty grudges."
[14:20] <@Henrietta> "Why thank you, My Lord," Henrietta responds, her own smile much like Lavinia's, pleasant and self-assured. "The first course was quite entertaining, I have to say. The food was delicious as well, of course."
[14:21] <@Ebiris> "You know, I don't often come to events like these," Draktus gives Lucie an amused glance, turning away from a portrait of a walrus-mustached old noble. "But how could I ignore the demise of such a suddenly successful gang of criminals? Imagine my surprise to find one of the Cobra's Fangs attending as well," he speaks softly, voice not carrying far.
[14:23] <@Rudy> "All primed and ready to make new ones, I fear," notes Rudy, with his eyes briefly straying to Rochelle before returning. "Ah, forget I said that. I certainly have no complaints on the whole; I expected it would take me years and years to have this sort of good fortune!"
[14:23] <@Ebiris> "You're looking bored, young man, and that just won't do at any good social event," a shrill voice interrupts Glenn's solitude. Looking up he can see a fine-featured woman with an excess of makeup, her silver hair adorned with a headpiece that looks like an erupting volcano given wings. In her hand she holds a glass of something his sensitive nose can tell is pretty potent. "And it looked like you were having so much fun baiting that young Kellani girl, too," she giggles demurely - or tries to, it gets interrupted with a snort.
[14:24] <@Lucie> "Surprised? You shouldn't be, really. So little regard for those minding the rest of Shadowshore?"
[14:26] <@Ebiris> "It's well earned from what I hear," Derik nods approvingly at Henrietta. "Those Lotus Dragons had a hand in my father's murder, so for avenging him you have my sincere thanks. If you ever need anything I can give, please let me know?"
[14:27] * @Glenn blinks and stares at the woman, trying to place her name. "Oh, I'm not bored at all, I rather like watching people," Glenn finally answers as politely as he can, ignoring the remark about baiting Kellani. "Besides, sitting down and just watching always seems to bring about someone interested in getting to know the quiet guy, so I'm never alone for long."
[14:28] <@Ebiris> "You did well getting in good with Lady Vanderboren," Miszen gives Rudy an approving pat on his lower back, grabbing a glass of wine with her other hand. "Shame about her parents, but she'll go far, that one. Still, I'm sure she's had you doing more than just hunting gangs of rogues, am I right?"
[14:29] <@Ebiris> "That's it," Draktus looks sidelong at Lucie, "Your little gang is pretty famously inwards looking. But it sounds like fighting the Lotus Dragons might've caused the snake to lose a few scales..."
[14:29] <@Henrietta> "You are too kind," Henrietta demurs, even as she files that thought away. "They had to be stopped, and I regret that it took as long as it did for that to happen."
[14:30] <@Ebiris> "Quiet men are so dull," the woman proclaims shrilly. "People come to these events to hear exciting tales and share the news, not to sit quietly like naughty children!"
[14:30] <@Rudy> "Some odd jobs here and there. Lady Vanderboren is an admirable woman," replies Rudy. "I do agree with you! After all, I consider it my job to make it happen." He gives a sidelong glance towards the loud woman accompanying Glenn. "Oh, if only she knew just how naughty..."
[14:32] <@Lucie> "Oh, the snake's as hungry as ever, have no doubts on that." She smiles. If there's a manufactured quality to it, she doesn't really mind this time. "It took some convincing to to prompt action, I admit, but they're always ready enough to answer threats in kind."
[14:33] * @Glenn smiles a bit amusedly at that. "Ah, I happen to be the type to like hearing tales."
[14:33] <@Ebiris> "It's a surprise they popped up in my district," Viscount Knowlern speaks up to Henrietta, his voice having an oddly relaxed tone at odds with the intensity of the pace of his words. "You expect those things in Shadowshore or Azure, gangs and fighting, murdering and torturing, but not in Sunset! My constituents worked hard on getting the quiet life there, but I don't mind a little excitement now and then."
[14:35] <@Ebiris> "Well, since you're interested in young Lady Kellani?" the woman sits down next to Glenn, taking a swig of her fortified wine that's a little deeper than most present company would allow. "I've heard a thing or two about that. Don't you think it's odd that both Rowyn Kellani and Vanthus Vanderboren vanished around the same time?"
[14:36] <@Ebiris> "Naughty?" Miszen sidles up to Rudy, nudging him in the ribs. "Don't tell me you're thinking impure thoughts about your employer, Mr Giacomo? She's far above your station!" Her voice lowers even more, "Though some of these Salerno nobles are quite liberated, I hear..."
[14:39] <@Rudy> "Oh, m'lady isn't amongst them. I believe the prize goes to the first son about there," replies Rudy, sighing for a moment. "Besides, I'm affronted, honestly. Impure thoughts, me? Ambassador, I'll have you know that I'm as honest and upstanding as the next Anowian expatriate!"
[14:39] <@Ebiris> "Hmmm... perhaps they'll be even more rash without your moderating influence, Miss Dolan?" Draktus rubs his chin thoughtfully. "I'm sure their loss is Lady Vanderboren's gain."
[14:40] <@Henrietta> "I suppose it was a matter of luck on their part, Viscount," Henrietta responds, taking a sip of her red wine. "Pure luck, that was, that they chanced upon the honorable Baron Kellani's property just as he was having it renovated. We had the pleasure of evicting those squatters, however, and I doubt that this excitement would recur in the near future."
[14:41] <@Ebiris> "Haha," the Anowian ambassador laughs, "Sir Meravanchi is a young rake, isn't he? But he does know how to flatter a lady... But I digress. As an expatriate, you should really stop by the embassy some time. We always have time for our fellow Anowians - and it's our duty to look out for each other far from the motherland, isn't it?"
[14:43] <@Glenn> "I'd heard the rumors, sounds like the latest was that they'd eloped together," Glenn says in reply as he sips from his cup. "Why do you ask of them by the way? Did you know the both of them well? Or just curious?"
[14:43] <@Lucie> "I'm sure Hermann will be as stubborn as ever with or without me. Though of course, if they asked for my assistance again, should the demand arise, well, I could hardly forget my old friends in their time of need. What surprises me about all this is that the lord of Shadowshore took no action against this band of assassins infringing on his territory. Waiting for the right time to strike, I
[14:43] <@Lucie> imagine?"
[14:44] <@Ebiris> "Good for that, although a little excitement now and then is good for the soul," the Viscount nods energetically, a lull falling over the conversation afterwards.
[14:45] <@Rudy> "Oh? Would you know first-hand? If not, then I fear he has no class," replies Rudy, grinning. "I will be sure to take you up on that offer, Ambassador. I do hope we can have a long conversation, preferably one not interrupted by a developing diplomatic situation."
[14:45] <@Ebiris> "Oh, so you've heard as well?" Glenn's companion emits another piggish giggle. "Those two families are old rivals, so they must not have been able to do anything in the open. It's like something out of a play! Though it must be mortifying for the Baron and Baroness..."
[14:47] <@Ebiris> "Infringing on my territory?" Draktus raises an eyebrow. "Miss Dolan, if any lout with a Lotus Dragon tattoo set one foot in Shadowshore I'd know about it. Just like I knew about Lady Vanderboren's new band making several forays in there recently. No, the Lotus Dragons were well smart enough to keep their noses far out of Shadowshore."
[14:47] <@Henrietta> "I hope I am not being too presumptious in asking, My Lord" Henrietta speaks into that lull, "but I have heard much about your pursuits into the arcane. Would you, perhaps, be able to spare a few words of advice to an aspiring scholar?"
[14:48] <@Ebiris> "Yes, too many ears around here," the dwarven woman nods, sipping her drink. "But at the very least it's a nice chance to let your hair down and relax."
[14:49] * @Lucie shrugs. "Well, if you insist, though I don't know how to reconcile that with the fact the Dragons were trying to coerce an...employee...of the Cobras into their service. But if you say such a thing couldn't have happened, well, I suppose it couldn't have."
[14:51] <@Ebiris> "Oh?" Herastus fixes his sunken-eyed yet creepily intense stare on Henrietta, "Always have time to help the younger generation along! So, advice?" he strokes his thin mustache a moment, "Always listen to your parents. They're older than you, and have been around the block," he lists off. "Also, make sure to always wear clean underwear. It's just hygienic, but it would be dreadfully embarrassing if you didn't and were in an accident." Beside him the two younger nobles look noticably distressed.
[14:52] <@Glenn> "Perhaps for the Baron, given his daughter was his heir, though I don't know the man and can't truly speak for him. Lady Vanderboren is a very kind person though, I'm sure if her brother has eloped with Lady Kellani as the rumors say, she'd just be happy for them both," Glenn replies, still wondering who the woman is, but finding it a little awkward to just come out and ask for her identity without sounding rude.
[14:52] <@Rudy> Situation averted, it would seem, and Rudy thanks his luck for not needing to do his duty for Lavinia this instant. "Some find it relaxing, but I'm sure others find themselves in an tense spot," he notes.
[14:53] <@Ebiris> "Interesting, isn't it?" Draktus agrees with Lucie, turning his back on her and wandering off to get a drink.
[14:54] <@Ebiris> "You must know young Lady Vanderboren well to make that judgement," the woman next to Glenn notes leadingly.
[14:55] <@Henrietta> "Oh, I always made sure to listen to Mother and Father," Henrietta asserts, pretending not to notice their distress. "They've taught me much of what I know, as matter of fact. Unfortunately, I can hardly ask them now how they would approach studying the world around us."
[14:55] <@Ebiris> "These events can be fraught with perils," the ambassador agrees. "I mean, look at how similar Lady Vanderboren and Lady Arabani's dresses are. If they were both the same colour I dare say someone would have been leaving early in tears."
[14:57] <@Rudy> "Duchess Lidu does so despise improper protocol," replies Rudy, with a nod.
[14:57] <@Lucie> It takes more than leaving with a cryptic remark to impress Lucie, so there's hardly any reason to continue that conversation. Lucie scans the room idly, looking for an interesting conversation to dive into or some unattended figure to start one with.
[14:57] <@Ebiris> "Even if you can't ask, just search your memory," the Viscount advises Henrietta, making a jabbing motion with his free hand at her, though thankfully not connecting. "You'll find some convenient flashback filled with words of wisdom, even if you just have to make it up."
[14:58] <@Glenn> "Well, about as well as one can after being in their employ for a while," Glenn says with a shrug. "I don't exactly chat with her much. I just like to observe, as I mentioned before. I'm more used to dancing around chemicals and potions than people, so it's easier to be something of a bystander."
[14:59] <@Henrietta> "I do believe I'm feeling one right now, just on the edge of my perception," Henrietta says brightly. "Thank you ever so much for your advice, Viscount!"
[14:59] <@Ebiris> Lucie can see her companions engaged in their various conversations. Rochelle is seen standing awkwardly near Henry and Charlotte who are both chatting amiably, while the two oldest guests are likewise talking off removed from everyone else. And look, there's Avner swooping in towards Rochelle!
[15:00] <@Ebiris> "Ahh, a scholar," Glenn's companion sighs, tossing back her drink. "I believe I need to refresh my glass..."
[15:00] * @Lucie snatches a drink and a good position to spectate on the ensuing scene!
[15:01] <@Ebiris> "Think nothing of it," Herastus grins at Henrietta, "Lots of youngsters these days don't have enough time for the older generation. Does this old traditionalist's heart good to see some of you still know what's what, though."
[15:03] * @Henrietta answers his grin with a polite smile of her own, before excusing herself. Baron Kilraven was said to not spend much time at such gatherings, and if she wants to have a chance to exchange a few words with him, now would be her time.
[15:03] <@Ebiris> Lucie can see Avner offering Rochelle a drink that she only grudgingly takes, before he starts chatting her up... and talking about how close he was to her sister. The younger woman seems more and more unimpressed by the minute, although it sounds like Avner and Rowyn were all but destined true lovers who were constantly thwarted by circumstance.
[15:04] * @Glenn smiles and nods quietly at her words, assuming she wished to move on to the next source of gossip, as he sips a bit more of his own still half-full cup.
[15:05] * @Lucie waits for Rochelle's irritation to build up to the inevitable verbal lashing.
[15:07] <@Ebiris> After a moment the woman sitting with Glenn gets up, muttering about insufferable boors before she goes to acquire another drink for herself and graviate over towards the two elder nobles present at the same time as Henrietta approaches Duchess Lidu and Baron Kilraven, the two enjoying a spirited debate about the merits of focusing on trade with Jovar, or expanding more aggressively into Cimmeria.
[15:07] <@Rudy> As the conversation with the Ambassador wanes, Rudy bids her good evening and heads to seek out Charlotte Arabani and Henry Lorchester.
[15:09] <@Henrietta> "My Lady Duchess, General," Henrietta greets the two politely as soon as she is certain one of them notices her approach, curtseying before them. Her half-finished glass of wine had been deposited with a servant before hand; she can just get a fresh one later.
[15:10] <@Ebiris> As Rudy approaches that pair, Rochelle seems to be graviating closer to them herself while Avner reassures her that in a few years she'll be every bit the head-turner her sister is.
[15:11] <@Rudy> "Lavinia tells me you're one for the arena!" remarks Rudy, sizing Henry up. "We don't have anything like it back home- is it true that people fight to the last breath, or is that but an exaggeration?"
[15:11] <@Ebiris> "Ah, you would be Lady Ul'Copt?" Duchess Lidu smiles at Henrietta in a matronly fashion. "I must say I was surprised to learn that a member of Jovarese nobility was in our fair city, and even working under an Isernian noble to boot. Though your family name isn't one I've heard before..."
[15:13] <@Ebiris> "Oh, no," Henry smiles happily as Rudy brings up a subject clearly dear to his heart. "Dying in the Arena is very bad - unless it's an animal that dies. Sometimes accidents happen, but nobody wants that - losing a gladiator is a loss for the whole Arena, and everyone who loves to watch."
[15:13] <@Ebiris> "Of course no one cares about animals," Charlotte adds in a tone of long suffering apathy.
[15:15] <@Rudy> "It does seem rather unfair. If they want to have men fight against beasts, I could loan them Myra," muses Rudy. "After all, she won't die, even if you kill her. And I'll bet the audience has seen nothing like her before!"
[15:15] * @Henrietta cannot help but blush slightly at that greeting. Perhaps she really is getting a flashback to the past, after all. "I'm merely trying to see the world on my own, as my father before me," she responds, "and I'm learning quite a bit from following Lady Vanderboren." She never really gave thought to spreading the fame of her family name, though maybe she'll be able to do something about
[15:15] * @Henrietta that all by herself!
[15:16] <@Ebiris> "That could be good," Henry smiles at Rudy, "Battles with summoned monsters are always very exciting, but over too fast to really enjoy. The best fights are the ones that drag on forever, seeing the warriors give every last ounce of strength to prevail by sheer superhuman endurance!"
[15:17] <@Ebiris> "Endurance is an admirable quality," Rochelle launches herself into the discussion and away from Avner. "But persistence can be unwelcome."
[15:17] * @Lucie insinuates herself into Rudy's conversation, seeing nothing more pressing at the moment. "But would *Myra* know not to kill anyone, Rudy?"
[15:18] <@Rudy> "She'll do as I say. They fight with swords and axes, don't they? Live steel? Her teeth and claws are on the same level," replies Rudy. "I don't think she's mean-spirited, just.. you know, hungry."
[15:18] <@Ebiris> "It's a good approach," the General nods approvingly to Henrietta, "I've had many noble sons join my army knowing nothing of the real world. But forging them into proper soldiers and gentleman is ample reward for putting up with them in the beginning."
[15:19] <@Ebiris> "Swords, shields, spears, nets... all sorts," Henry nods to Rudy. "But unarmed is best, that's when you see the truest expression of a gladiator's spirit!"
[15:20] <@Lucie> "I don't suppose anyone ever uses magic in the arena, then?" Lucie wonders.
[15:20] <@Henrietta> "Pardon me for asking, but is it only the sons?" Henrietta inquires. "Do any daughters wish to join the army, perhaps? I must admit I don't even know if they can, of course...."
[15:21] <@Ebiris> "Hmph. They can, but any woman who wants to join the army already has some steel to her. Some of the best soldiers I've known were women," the General smiles.
[15:23] <@Ebiris> "Some gladiators use a bit of magic, mostly just to enhance their physical prowess, though," Charlotte ventures, which brings a thoughtful look to Avner.
[15:23] * @Lucie follows the glance, smirks despite herself.
[15:23] <@Rudy> "There's not much back and forth in that sort of fight, is there? It's all over in one go," remarks Rudy.
[15:24] <@Ebiris> "A good spell will put someone down a lot faster than any kind of punching or stabbing," Rochelle agrees with every appearance of satisfaction.
[15:24] <@Henrietta> "Are there any requirements for such?" Henrietta wonders, finding herself somewhat curious. "The committment is clear enough on its own, I suppose."
[15:25] <@Lucie> "How much is there in the way of rules, really? I must admit I've never followed the subject before." To Rochelle: "Oh yes. Is this something you've experience with?"
[15:26] <@Ebiris> "You looking to join up?" Baron Kilraven gives Henrietta an appraising look. "Won't deny it, you look like you have what it takes. Of course you'd have to swear by the Crown... we're friendly with your Empire, but it's still an obvious conflict, isn't it?"
[15:27] <@Henrietta> "Considering my future options, to be precise," Henrietta admits. "I am very grateful to Lady Vanderboren for this opportunity, and I wish nothing more than to serve her to the best of my ability. But a time may come when she is no longer in need of my services, and I've grown to like this land."
[15:28] <@Ebiris> "I've seen some magic here and there," Rochelle demurs to Lucie, though she seems to be holding her cards close to her chest there.
[15:28] <@Ebiris> "Two men enter, one man leaves!" Henry booms and laughs uproariously. "I'm only joking! You should come by and watch sometime, I could help you follow everything."
[15:29] * Joins: Kozzz (~kokokoko@ip68-99-109-25.hr.hr.cox.net)
[15:29] <@Lucie> "Well, perhaps sometime. I do live here, I suppose I owe it to myself to see what the fuss is about sometime."
[15:29] <@Ebiris> "Remarkable," Duchess Lidu's eyebrows climb up her weathered brow as she regards Henrietta. "If only more of your fellows thought the same way, our trade missions would go so much more smoothly."
[15:29] * Quits: @Kozzzzzz (~kokokoko@ip70-177-192-99.hr.hr.cox.net) (Ping timeout)
[15:31] <@Rudy> "Why not make a date of it? We could all go," remarks Rudy. "It'd be nice to watch some fights that are about competition instead of, well, the other things fights are about."
[15:31] * @Henrietta gives the Duchess an embarrassed look. "I suppose I am slightly different from most of my peers."
[15:33] <@Ebiris> "Their loss is surely our gain," the Duchess opines as a servant emerges to ring a bell.
[15:33] <@Ebiris> "The Worshipful Hog is now prepared, if the guests would care to return to the dining table," he announces.
[15:33] * @Lucie nods to Rudy's offer before turning back to the dining room.
[15:34] * @Henrietta brightens up at the Duchess's words, and as the announcement is made of the feast's resumption, waits on her and on the General to start making their way back before following.
[15:34] <@Rudy> The table beckons, and Rudy takes a seat virtually at random, dispensing with any thought of strategic positioning.
[15:35] * @Lucie does much the same--she'd wait to see where others sat if she knew who she wanted to talk to, but one may as well circulate for now.
[15:36] <@Glenn> "Worshipful Hog?" Glenn mutters to himself as he shakes his head, standing again and moving back towards the dining table as he simply picks a spot at the middle of the table to sit in.
[15:38] <@Ebiris> Bac in the banquet hall, the long and wide table is now dominated by an enormous roasted dire boar. Surrounding it are bowls of broth, platters with other roasted meats and crusty white bread slathered in butter. The size of the boar prevents much talking across the table except near the ends. As it happens the group ends up towards the end near Lavinia, Viscount Knowlern, Baron Kilraven, and Ambassador Witchwillow. "I wonder how many servants it took to carry this beast in!" the Anowian representative quips as one of those same servants holds her seat out for her.
[15:39] <@Lucie> "And how many to slay it," Lucie adds.
[15:39] <@Rudy> "I'd like to see the oven they cooked it in!"
[15:40] <@Glenn> "Agreed," Glenn comments, he was about to say something similar as Rudy.
[15:40] <@Henrietta> "You don't think it was over an open flame?" Henrietta asks Rudy in surprise.
[15:40] <@Ebiris> "It was trapped, actually," Lavinia informs you all as she takes her seat, servants starting to pour white wines for everyone. "And Henrietta is correct, the servants would have had to cut it up many times to fit in multiple ovens."
[15:41] <@Lucie> "One can only hope the table will support its weight. Shall we begin eating to lower the chances of it collapsing onto our knees?"
[15:42] <@Rudy> "The scale is undeniable," remarks Rudy. "I can't imagine how long it must've taken to cook, and to do so evenly, as well... naturally, that is what we're here for!"
[15:42] <@Ebiris> "I was at a party once where they tried that," Herastus grins. "Looked like it had been killed and reanimated then killed again for good measure by the time they were done with it! Old Count Arabani never lived it down!"
[15:42] <@Henrietta> Her mother warned her about mixing up her wines, but Henrietta decides to risk it just the once.
[15:43] <@Ebiris> Large carving knives and two-pronged skewers are available for anyone who fancies carving off some themselves, while servants flutter around ready to do the same for any who require it.
[15:43] <@Rudy> There's nothing more manly that carving off huge slabs of meat from a fearsome beast, even if it's already dead.
[15:43] * @Lucie moves to serve herself, then instead asks a servant to do it for her. Just because she can.
[15:44] * @Henrietta relies on a servant for her part, summoning one with a gesture and a smile. Having to use magic to clean up her dress, especially after talking to the Viscount just then, would be terribly embarrassing.
[15:44] <@Ebiris> Lavinia elects to have a servant do it for her, but the Viscount and the Ambassador show no hesitation in going at the roasted beast with gusto. The outer flesh is crispy and coated with herbs and spices, but the meat underneath is giving and succulently soft.
[15:44] <@Rudy> "Well, that is it. I will never eat again."
[15:45] <@Ebiris> "It's important to pace yourselves at these things," Miszen tells Rudy. "Try just a little bit from each course. Only an inexperienced banquet-goer gorges himself."
[15:46] * @Henrietta can barely hold her amusement in at seeing Rudy scolded like a little child at the dinner table, and occupies herself with placing a napkin over her lap.
[15:46] * @Lucie makes a concerted effort to cease gorging herself! Still, it's hard to resist when one's not used to having this quality and quantity of food available.
[15:47] <@Ebiris> The food is rich and incredibly delicious, so it is indeed a struggle not to let it go to waste.
[15:48] <@Rudy> "It may be necessary to use the techniques of ancient times..."
[15:48] * @Lucie cleans a plate in short order, refraining from taking more with an act of will! "What's that, Rudy?"
[15:49] <@Henrietta> Likewise interested, Henrietta has a servant refill her wine glass as she turns towards Rudy.
[15:49] <@Ebiris> The noble attendees likewise place the spotlight upon Rudy!
[15:53] <@Rudy> Rudy seems momentarily caught off-guard by the sudden attention. "Well, surely you've all read the histories? Feasts that lasted days! Grandeur so excessive that it is unimaginable! How did they put it all away? I will demonstrate over the course of the night!" With that, he seizes upon another large slab of meat!
[15:55] <@Ebiris> "I always imagined they were exagarrated and people did much as they do now," Lavinia admits, delicately cutting up her strip of boar meat and eating tiny bites.
[15:55] <@Lucie> "Is the rest of our evening to be all of us watching you eat to test your grand boasts, then?" Lucie wonders. "How long will he last?"
[15:55] <@Henrietta> Smiling, Henrietta cuts a small piece of the one on her plate, pacing herself. Glenn had some sort of drink that helped with a hangover, so maybe he could do something for Rudy after the feast, too?
[15:55] <@Ebiris> "Well there is a trick to it," Viscount Knowlern admits with a knowing grin, "But tasting the same food twice isn't as fun as it sounds."
[15:56] <@Rudy> "Viscount, you are knowledgable about magic, correct?" asks Rudy, sighing. "Don't you know that the first rule is to never explain?"
[15:57] <@Henrietta> "As matter of fact, it is very important to explain magic," Henrietta objects. "Why, how else would people learn?"
[15:57] <@Rudy> "I don't know, Henri! How indeed?" asks Rudy, pointedly.
[15:58] <@Henrietta> "By having things explained to them, of course," Henrietta tells Rudy patiently. "Most people actually study magic instead of having it come in a black box."
[15:59] <@Lucie> "I wonder how much of it really can be explained," Lucie says doubtfully. "The practice, obviously, that's clear by demonstration. Where it comes from, why it works, not so much."
[15:59] <@Glenn> "Trial and error and lots of explosions comes into the learning process as well, even with a teacher. Without a teacher, it just results in more of those," Glenn comments as he finishes swallowing a mouthful.
[16:00] <@Henrietta> "If it has not been explained so far, why, that is only an incentive to try harder!" Henrietta tells Lucie excitedly. "If we strive to know and to understand, then one day, perhaps, we'll truly learn all those secrets!"
[16:00] <@Ebiris> "My daughter tells me I should stop explaining things," Herastus admits with a wry smile. "But where would all this wisdom go if I didn't share it?" he taps the side of his head. "What she needs to do is stop inviting home friends with nervous dispositions."
[16:01] <@Henrietta> "Oh?" Henrietta asks, always ready for more of the Viscount's wisdom. "And what is it that you share with your daughter's friends, if I might ask, My Lord?"
[16:01] <@Rudy> "I'm a firm believer that there are things we are better off not knowing," remarks Rudy. "Or telling."
[16:02] <@Lucie> "Oh, don't be squeamish, Rudy."
[16:06] <@Ebiris> "Useful things. Things like advice on business, relationships, property, health and safety... You'd think a successful businessman like me would be worth listening to, right? Of course little Sammy listened - would've adopted him right into the family if he hadn't died in that tragic fishing accident," the sunken-faced noble's expression turns glum and he stabs the boar with a bit too much venom.
[16:07] * @Rudy folds his arms at looks at Lucie.
[16:07] <@Rudy> *and
[16:07] <@Ebiris> "But we've had too much tragedy of late," Lavinia quickly interjects into the lull, "Let us speak of happier things. Henrietta, why don't you tell us of your homeland? Most people know so little of the real Jovar past the open ports."
[16:08] <@Lucie> "Well," Lucie says delicately, "perhaps she's just at that age where a young person thinks she knows everything. I'm sure she'll come round in time."
[16:08] * @Lucie avoids looking at Rudy.
[16:12] <@Henrietta> "Certainly!" Henrietta agrees, startled out of her realization by Lavinia's words. "I'm certain that everyone knows its full name -- the Dragon Empire of Jovar, but perhaps, not many realize just what that means. Here, I have seen dragons in use by the army, working alongside the soldiers or hunting on their reserves. Back in Jovar, however, the dragons are that much more! I cannot say whether
[16:12] <@Henrietta> they are naturally more intelligent than the dragons here or if it is a matter of different upbringing, but they certainly are far more involved in the daily life. Indeed, if you are to see them in the military, it is because the dragon in question has enlisted of his or her own accord and will, and quite a few of them go into a different branch of civil service."
[16:20] <@Ebiris> Everyone is enthralled with Henrietta's tales of daily life in her exotic homeland, and the banquet continues into the evening, though a few faces disappear as the night wears on through two more decadent courses, the Leviathan's Lament of fatty whalemeat and roasted fish interspersed with crab meat and seaweed dressings, followed by the Fat of the Land, a vast caravan of fruits and breads, olives, huge stuffed peppers, figs, dates, and honeycombs. Everyone more than has their appetites sated, and those who indulged overmuch are more likely to be bloated and insensible through the heady combination of rich food, potent ingredients, and huge quantities of alcohol. Lavinia lingers behind to see of every guest as the attendees say their farewells and depart for their waiting carriages home...
[16:21] <@Lucie> What about those without carriages? Well, surely Rudy's feeling generous enough to share his.
[16:22] * @Henrietta is tempted to hire a carriage at this point, but if the rain has stopped for the evening, she can certainly make the effort and walk back home.
[16:22] <@Ebiris> While it's hard to hear in the banquet hall or lounge, asking any servant will readily confirm that the storm continues to rage with furious intensity outside.
[16:23] <@Henrietta> A carriage it is. Inquiring with a servant about that may well produce results!
[16:23] <@Lucie> "Rudy," Lucie says, just a bit slurred as she hangs off his arm. "Since we're such great friends anf live down the street from another you'll give me a lift home, won't you?"
[16:24] <@Rudy> "Huh? Oh sure, sure! I even got a guy who's job it is to take me places. God, do you realise how rich we are right now?" replies Rudy, starting on his way to the door. "It's like... you throw money at people... and they *do* things for you..."
[16:25] <@Ebiris> "You'd have to hire a private coach, m'lady," one of the maids currently cleaning the table informs Henrietta. "Not many likely to be out tonight unless they've been pre-booked, though. Glad I'm working in here where it's warm and dry, myself!"
[16:25] <@Lucie> "Isn't it great? I should get my own servants since I can now..."
[16:26] <@Rudy> "I wanna hire my dad. As a butler. He can shine my shoes, too," replies Rudy, trying not to giggle. "I think we're drunk."
[16:26] <@Ebiris> "Do you need help getting home, Henrietta?" Lavinia approaches the redhead upon overhearing. "If you need it, you could share my carriage, your home isn't far off my route."
[16:27] <@Glenn> "I would appreciate a carriage ride as well if there's space, Rudy," Glenn asks. "Oh! If we stop at my place first, I have some hangover cures I forgot to hand out at your party. Which is just as well cause I think we could use them after tonight a lot more..."
[16:27] <@Henrietta> "Oh, I'm sure," Henrietta responds, sighing slightly. "I-- yes!" She smiles brightly at Lavinia as she approaches to make her offer. "Thank you ever so much! It was so close and I thought a walk would be lovely, but now I find myself in such a predicament...."
[16:27] <@Lucie> "We are drunk. And I got a warm belly full of food. It's a nice feeling. Mm...hire your dad, huh? Maybe I should hire my mom to be my maid she needs something to do probably...only my maid should be young and well not my mom..."
[16:28] <@Lucie> "It's okay Glenn, I'm alright being drunk a while longer still..."
[16:28] <@Ebiris> "In this weather?" Lavinia gives Henrietta a dubious look. Nonetheless in short order everyone departs in their various carriages for home, protected against the elements albeit enjoying a somewhat bumpy ride.
[16:28] <@Rudy> "I dunno.. how big's a carriage?" asks Rudy, starting to head to his own. "Lucie can just sleep at my place, it's all big and stuff, but carraiges are.. small..."
[16:29] <@Henrietta> "A miscalculation," Henrietta laments sadly.
[16:29] <@Lucie> "Nah, I can find my place, it's just down the street...right?" With great effort, Lucie recalls her address. "Right."
[16:30] <@Rudy> "No way! You gotta keep me company! I have like a hundred beds!"
[16:32] <@Lucie> "That's a lot. Do you switch every night? Well, as long as we don't have to share one. I'm not so drunk I'd sleep with someone's not a woman." Lucie fumbles her way into the carriage.
[16:35] <@Rudy> "See? See? There are things you don't want to tell people! Tomorrow you're gonna be all 'oh, shit!'"
[16:35] <@Henrietta> "I wonder if the Viscount simply did not like me," Henrietta says out of the blue, not finding a good way to start a conversation. "I don't think I did anything in particular to offend him, did I?"
[16:36] * @Lucie plops into a seat and leans heavily against the interior. "Ehhh, 'd find out eventually anyway."
[16:37] <@Ebiris> "No, you didn't, as far as I saw," Lavinia responds to Henrietta. "However, he was rather more eccentric than I had expected. I do wonder if that explains his tendency to seclusion..."
[16:37] <@Rudy> "Just so you know, I'm not gonna carry you if you fall asleep." Rudy slips into the middle, leaving just enough space for one more.
[16:38] <@Lucie> "Better keep me talking then. All that food's dragging me down. Never ate so mucn in my life."
[16:39] <@Rudy> "Do we need to be total heroes to eat like that again?"
[16:39] <@Henrietta> "It did not seem feigned after a while," Henrietta agrees. "Well, I feel better, in that case. I don't believe we made a bad impression on your friends and peers. I only regret that I couldn't really say more than a few words during the banquet itself. Did you, well, enjoy it?"
[16:39] <@Lucie> "I think so. Unless you throw another party, Rudy. Throw another party, Rudy."
[16:39] * @Glenn joins in, stumbling a little as he enters, almost knocking his head into Rudy, but grabs hold and gets as comfortable as he can in the crowded vehicle. "Thanks for the ride, again."
[16:39] <@Rudy> "I can't. I need more money."
[16:40] <@Lucie> "Guess we need to kill more assassins."
[16:40] <@Rudy> "Oh, yeah, I feel super bad about that Rochelle girl. She deserved better, you know? You know, I always wished I had a sister."
[16:41] <@Lucie> "And then you got Myra."
[16:41] <@Rudy> "Fuck... fuck! It all makes sense!"
[16:41] <@Lucie> "See, careful what you wish for."
[16:42] <@Ebiris> "It went well," Lavinia smiles slightly. "I was a little worried something untoward would happen with young Lady Kellani, but everything was peaceful in the end. For the first event I've hosted as a baroness, I'd call it a success. If it helps you, though, Henrietta?" she pauses a moment, "I got the feeling Viscount Knowlern was deliberately teasing you a little. It may have been a way to, ah... test your patience? He seemed to approve, at any rate."
[16:43] <@Rudy> "I guess. Right now, I wish to... I dunno. What're you gonna do from now on?"
[16:44] <@Henrietta> "I did think it might have been something like that," Henrietta muses, shrugging lightly. "Unfortunately, I couldn't read him at all, so I didn't know how to respond. I just had to fall back on my father's words and press on, I suppose? As for the young Lady Kellani... I suppose it was clear she did not like us, but after a bit of... banter, I guess, I realized just how petty it all was. Better
[16:44] <@Henrietta> late than never, I suppose?"
[16:45] <@Lucie> "Read a lot I guess. Wait, you mean just tonight, or later? Read a lot for later. Figure things out."
[16:45] <@Rudy> "I mean the future. I'm thinking of lots of stuff, but I just don't know what to pick."
[16:45] <@Lucie> "Oh yeah? Like what."
[16:45] * Kozzz is now known as Kotono
[16:45] * ChanServ sets mode: +oa Kotono Kotono
[16:47] <@Rudy> "Well, you know, I always wanted to run my own business," replies Rudy. "But that's difficult with all the running around Lavinia will make me do. And of course, there's Lavinia, she's... she's one fine woman, you know? But, but, there's also all that horrible, horrible shit going on out there. Like we saw before and everywhere, and someone should do something about it. And you know, I did think
[16:47] <@Rudy> those.. collective girls had a couple good points." Rudy clutches his head.
[16:48] <@Lucie> "Hey, we're making a good living doing things about horrible shit. We just need to keep doing it."
[16:48] <@Rudy> "But we're not! We're just showing up afterwards when all the horrible shit has happened!"
[16:49] <@Lucie> "Well okay we need to get better to find these people and hit them before they do anything. That's what we'll work on."
[16:49] <@Rudy> "I got, like, an idea..."
[16:50] <@Lucie> "Yeah?"
[16:50] <@Rudy> "I mean, all this shit, it's all about nations, right? They all wanna... get better stuff to stab people with. Like an army of Myras or an army of Glenns."
[16:51] <@Lucie> "So what? Going to stop that somehow?"
[16:51] * @Lucie shudders. "Amry of Myras and Glenns, eating all before them..."
[16:51] <@Rudy> "I dunno. The hard part is finding it. It's not like they, you know, tell everyone what they're doing! But, but." Rudy lowers his voice and leans into Lucie's ear. "You know that Anowia has the best spies in the world?"
[16:52] <@Lucie> "If I knew that they wouldn't be the best."
[16:53] <@Rudy> Rudy laughs. "Doesn't matter. But if anyone cares about these big secret weapon things, it's the country backing them. And Anowia spies on everyone, sooooo! It's not like that's actually a secret, right?"
[16:53] <@Rudy> "I mean, I know, and I'm just some guy!"
[16:53] <@Lucie> "Okay, so. Is this what you talked to the ambassador about?"
[16:54] <@Rudy> "Nah, we just talked about stuff and I think she was flirting with me..."
[16:56] <@Lucie> "Oh yeah? Why didn't you go home with her? Too short?"
[16:56] <@Rudy> "She was cute! It's just... you know, you don't do that sort of thing at a fancy dinner. Everyone would talk..."
[16:57] <@Lucie> "Well, then you set up a date for later."
[16:57] <@Rudy> "Yeah, I did."
[16:57] <@Lucie> "There you go, forward thinking. We need to use that kind of foresight in work, that's what we need to do."
[16:58] * @Glenn snorts. "How many people did you make friends with there, Rudy?"
[16:59] <@Rudy> "I'm friends with everyone, even people I haven't met yet."
[16:59] <@Lucie> "What if they're people you haven't met just want to stab you?"
[17:00] <@Rudy> "They're friends after they see Myra..."
[17:01] * @Glenn snorts again. "Sure they are," he says, giggling a bit drunkenly as the image of Myra and some faceless mooks dancing in a bar and singing drunkenly pops into his head.
[17:01] <@Lucie> "I guess that's a plan. What happens when you go to sleep? Myra's gone when you sleep."
[17:02] <@Rudy> "But do they know she's gone?"
[17:04] <@Lucie> "I guess not. You outsmarted them already and you haven't met yet. Good work."