Difference between revisions of "AChapter 16"

Latest revision as of 18:49, 13 May 2013

In the past twenty four hours since the party came aboard the Pearled Amethyst things have been rather quiet. Safe and secure inside the VIP suite at the fore-ward end of the luxury liner the party have been outfitted with new and exquisite clothing to bring them in line with the expected dress code of those onboard. This has been achieved thanks to the on-board tailor and dress-maker who have worked miracle to outfit the party in clothing befitting such prestigious guests. The Stewards have been discreet and helpful, the quartet of Moogle's on call 24 hours a day in two shifts to see to the needs of such illustrious guests. There have however been an influx of invitations delivered since the sun rose that morning. Invitations from the various nobles on board who are all it seems intriqued by the sudden arrival of this noble travelling companion.

Lee's tried to keep his new clothes of a similar style to his usual, only... "nicer". Fancier, perhaps. And he's been making good use of room service, as well, on occasion, when hunger required it. He's also been doing his, erm, "job" as Silmeria's retainer, taking receipt of arriving invitations while doing his best to act like a pretentious butler or something; hell, he doesn't know how a retainer is supposed to act! It's one of the few things he *hasn't* ever been! Sifting through the most recent set, he whistles, "Who knew rich people partied s'much? May 'ave ta make me a proper entrance inta High Society once we're back 'ome, could party a few times a week I'd guess."

Azar is not happy at all. No armor means going naked, practically. No visible weapons is easier to bear for Azar. After much arguing, hassling and even crying, the Moogles are allowed into Azar's stateroom to work their miracles. After some hours, she steps out into the main area dressed in a deep red dress, one that puffs out at her knees, and gives her the appearance of gliding along. Her hair is done up more severely than usual, with several large hairpins holding her hair in place. She looks sideways at Lee. "I hate parties."

Silmeria is... puzzled. Clearly, she'd been expecting an airship journey much like any other, except perhaps more spacious. But, sadly, it was clearly not to be, and currently she's in the sitting room, paging through the sheaf of invitations, having left Azar to her own devices about the time that the hassling threatened to turn into hurled objects. Smoothing out the skirts of her silver-embroidered black-and-gray gown, she looks up, eyebrows rising. "I'm mostly just startled there's *room* enough to have all these functions, honestly. Also, Azar, you *do* look lovely, at least." Letting out a breath, she sets the invitations aside, rising from her chair and turning to the window. "...Well. I suppose we'll have to figure out what it is we intend to do, while we're here. I'll not be rude if I can help it, but, I'll admit I'm rather quite out of my depth here."

Ainsley seems to have embraced the excess as much as Lee has. She has somehow acquired a piece of fluffy cake, which she is chewing on as the group speaks. She is dressed in a Giruvegan outfit, with a beautiful flowing ribbon tied to her tail. It's all reds and yellow details, and it shows her tummy off some. "Well, Milady, it's largely your decision, isn't it? We should probably answer one of these invitations, if it seems like talking to them would be useful, though." And then she stuffs the rest of the cake piece in her mouth. Mmmmh.

One of the Moogle Stewards steps into the room carrying a silver tray, upon it is a pair of rolled invitations, "Sir..." he addresses Lee, "I have invitations here from His Grace, the Grand Duke Hamilton of Mosphoran and Her Imperial Highness Princess Carmelian, Grand Duchess of Tchita..." he says the names with awe, his small wings beating back and forth. "It... would seem her Ladyship has garnered the attentions of the highest... I am instructed to inform you that all those who have sent you invitations before are happy to step aside whilt you consider his Grace and her Highness...." he licks his lips clearly a bit nervou. "If..." he looks around, "If I can provide insight kuupopo, I will answer any quetions you may have my lady if you are unfamiliar with Archaedian nobility."

Lee chuckles at Azar's statement, nodding, "Yeah, well, as much as ya hate 'em, I'm sure you'll survive well enough." He then nods his head towards Silmeria at the reassurances she gives as well, "You listen t'her, she's a pretty good judge I've found." H looks up as the steward enters and presents the newest invitations, cocking his head slightly at the moogle's apparent reverence for the names as he falls into the role of "retainer" again and steps over to receive them, with a polite "Thank you, good man," before bringing the invitations to Silmeria for her direct consideration, handing them over with a small bow, and a murmured "M'lady..."

Azar peers ar Ainsley, "Heeey, where did you get the cake?" She nods to Lee, "I know, I know, I've just hated these formal things since I was a child." The woman blushes lightly at Silmeria's compliment, and looks at the stack of invitations. "Did you want some help deciding which ones to accept?" When the moogle herald arrives, she goes silent at the mention of those names, her complexion paler than normal. She looks to Silmeria, "It would almost be an international incident if you refused. And none aboard would dare offer an invitation to you, M'lady, after such a refusal." Azar looks down at her dress, smoothing parts of it out, "I shouldn't have chosen red."

"...THat would actually be very lovely of you," Silmeria says to the Moogle, sparing a glance over her shoulder at Azar's reaction. "...Because it seems from the both of you, that we have suddenly wandered into very murky waters indeed... Tell me, then... As quickly as news travels about this ship, apparently... *why* are they inviting me for the same moment, then?" And then Ainsley nearly chokes on the cake as she finishes off the bite, and stares at the Moogle with wide eyes. She rubs at her cheek, and starts making worrisome noises. "That's..." The comment that Azar makes in turn makes Ainsley look down at her own clothing, which is mostly red. She steps over to Lee and clings to his arm tightly.

The young moogle shuffles a bit and blushe, "Well M'Lady... kupo, I would guess it is because you are an unknown ma'am.... the Grand Duke... he is very much in favour of increased trade with the south... he sees the whisperings of war as an.... issue that should be laid to rest so as not to disrupt the markets." he tugs at the collar of his jacket and kupos and peeks at the others then looks back at Silmeria. "The Princess, well she is a member of the Imperial Family who are all in favour of expansion kupo-po. Whichever invitation my lady responds too will be seen as a tacit endorsment by the Temples kupo-po for their favoured cause... to refuse both however kupo-po will likely alienate both which would be unpleasent I think kupo-po....."

Lee keeps quiet, at least at first, giving Ainsley a smile as she clings to his arm, trying to soothe the scholar by resting that arm around her shoulders as he listens. At the description of the Duke's apparent views, though, he arches an eyebrow slightly, "War's an "issue"? Rather creative way o'sayin' it..." He looks to Silmeria, "Sounds like politics in high gear t'me, Si- er, M'Lady; makin' ya choose which, an' attachin' meanin' t'tha choice wi'out consideration fer y'reasons." He grins a little, "A shame y'couldn't throw 'em a loop an' do both at once. Bet that'd catch 'em off guard. Either that, or connive a way t'bring 'em both t'you instead, wishful thinkin' though that might be."

Azar nods at what Lee says, and looks to Silmeria. "If you let it be known that the Temples had not yet decided upon a path, and were willing to be wooed, we might be able to delay long enough to give M'lady more time to decide the proper course. You could meet them both, have a polite dinner and then explain that you do not wish to cause offence, and that you'd like to meet them separately to talk privately about the Temple's concerns." She looks over at Ainsley, "I regret red because it stands out, I did not wish to stand out in an audience with either Her Highness or His Grace,"

Silmeria pales briefly at the idea that anything so simple as accepting or refusing an invitation could have such far-reaching consequences, but shock soon gives way to annoyance, and the blond purses her lips, nodding slowly as Lee and Azar weigh in. There's a long moment of careful though, and she looks back up at the Moogle, putting on her best smile and tilting her head. "Tell me... Is there a ballroom on this lovely vessel, big enough to fit everyone so kind as to request our presence?"

Ainsley leans on Lee's side, staring over at the Moogle with wide eyes. His words cause her tail to coil around Lee's leg. She starts to relax a bit, but them Silmeria suggests the ballroom, and she turns her gaze to look at Silmeria, eyes wide with what may be surprise and a bit of terror. She almost looks like she's going to faint.

The Moogle inclines his head, "There are two My Lady... the main Ballroom or the one attached to your suite." he points to a set of doors, "Down the hall and down one level... It has a separate entrance a well so that people need not come through your apartments to reach it." Lee slowly pets the feathers atop Ainsley's head as she first starts to relax, then tenses again, eyes moving from one speaker to th next through the conversation, "Our very own ball room? Fancy that..." He looks to Silmeria, "Well, if what y'choose is gonna make a statement, then may's well take control o'tha conversation, yeah? You got an idea?"

Azar nods and rubs her chin. "If I may make one point before you set things in motion. His Grace and Her Highness are roughly the same social level. If you invite everyone... that might be an even stickier situation. None of the lower nobles will want to refuse, and the two will likely not refuse either, since that may give the other an advantage. The result is a whole bunch of people in an awkward situation."

"I am aware of that, Azar," Silmeria says, beaming in the redhead's direction, "and yes, Lee, I think I do have an idea. But, one that adds a third consideration to this mess of politics we've suddenly found ourselves in, and if it makes everybody awkward? Well. No sense in us being the only ones, mh? My dear, dear Moogle," she says, turning back to the servant, "I know it's frustratingly short notice, but... Could I speak to the man in charge of the major to-dos the ship throws? I think I would like to see about hosting a charity function in the main ballroom."

That makes a sort of horrified squeak come from Ainsley, and she places both hands on her face. "All of those rich people," she murmurs, "I don't know anything about fancy parties." And now we see something that actually scares her. "I'll end up overeating from all of the stress!" She keeps her voice down, but it's clear she does not approve of this idea in the slightest. "Though... I guess this is a good comprimise for all of the invitations." She lets out a heavy sigh.

The Moogle steward bobs a bow, "At once M'Lady, I shall summon the Toast Master to your side." he bows and backs out and then turns and lets himself out and pads off quickly leaving the party of four alone to discuss their ideas.

Lee grins a bit as Silmeria makes her request of the steward, keeping quiet until he's left, "Charity ball... Fine idea, that. Philanthropy seems a big passtime fer tha movers 'n shakers, an' it obligates 'em ta show up if they wanna keep face an' not loose points fer snubbin' a good cause." He smiles down at Ainsley, chuckling softly, "Ah, you'll do fine, Ainsley... Fancy parties aren't hard, really. I usually jus' pretend that everyone present isn't really worthy t'be in m'pressence, but that I need ta be polite t'em anyway, an' that seems ta get me through relatively well." He gives Ainsley's shoulders a squeeze with his arm, "Jestin' aside, jus' keep near me, or Silmeria or Azar fer that matter, an' we'll get y'through it, eh?"

Azar nods to Silmeria, "That is an .. interesting solution, M'lady. Is there anything you wish us to do before the event?" The redhead steps over to Ainsley, and gently squeezes her shoulder, "Lee is right, we'll get you through it. If it helps, I used to imagine everyone had their faces painted up like carnival clowns, it kept me smiling the whole time. Just be sure not to laugh at anyone, unless they've told a joke."

"Nothing comes to mind at the moment," Silmeria murmurs as the Moogle turns to leave, then sinks back into her chair with a long, deep sigh. "Well. This just got a good deal more complicated, didn't it? But it'll be quite all right, Ainsley... I'm certain that among the nobility on this ship are plenty of scholars. If you make a friend or two of them, I'm certain it'll end in a bit of knowledge being shared all around, hm?" Blowing a lock of hair away from her face, she looks up to the ceiling. "...Now. How to word these invitations..."

Ainsley gets comfort from everyone, which gets her to calm down significantly. She nods at Silmeria's words, in particular, and begins to smile. "Maybe I can find someone else who likes to study flowers as a hobby," she muses, "Although..." She pauses. "If I run into scholars, they might know who I am already." She tilts her head. "Maybe. Depends on where they're from, I suppose."

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