A Meeting of Mice

[Prince Tristan Carlisle]

Sneaking around the castle’s numerous passages was quickly becoming a norm for Tris, who liked to be in the know of the goings on around the castle. Today was no different, as he had a few spare minutes and was enjoying them getting dust all over himself and gathering the latest whispers to be passed on to his brother should there be need to know for them. Of course he wondered whether the Sarkoszy Princess was doing much the same thing, but there was no reason for her to enjoy the more dusty parts of the castle when it had others to offer. Still, curiosity was a bane to many a young noble’s existence, and he wondered whether he wasn’t mistaken in his assumption.

Deciding that he’d see about it when the inevitable run in happened, Tris glanced around the dark corridor and stopped at a convenient keyhole, curiously observing a variety of nobles around the place before moving along. So far there was nothing suspicious about it, but he filed away the place’s location just in case he ever needed to return to it and stopped there, absently dusting off his clothes and listening in where he could do so. The walls did have ears, and their titles varied from Princes to Lords, and who knew who else. After all, the castle was large enough for everyone to gather without the other party even suspecting the other’s presence. Perhaps today was going to turn interesting, after all.



Lady Rosalie St. Claire, Lady Vivianne Trevelyan, Princess Katya Fyodorov

[Lady Vivianne Trevelyan]

The concealed passages were getting downright crowded these days, Vivianne couldn't help but notice. Not only was she taking Lady Rosalie on a tour of them, but she'd taken note of larger footsteps that didn't belong either to Thomas - he was too busy being guardlike - or to Lord Rupert (too busy being official). So to whom they belonged, she intended to find out! These passages weren't just for anyone, they were for officially unofficial purposes!

Deciding to sequester herself in one of the deep, dark corners, dressed in grey (black was too obvious, not to mention expensive), Vivianne kept a close watch on the corridor to see what new mouse was scurrying about. She did not have to wait long, pressing herself back at the sound of footsteps. Dark eyes narrowed as her patience was rewarded with the sight of... She blinked, then openly stared. What in the name of the Triad was he doing here?

Frowning, she stepped out of her corner, crossed her arms tightly over her chest and raised a brow before speaking in a low, dry tone. "Looking for something, Your Highness?"

[Lady Rosalie St. Claire]

Rosalie was learning to sneak. Well, she didn’t do it on purpose this time around, though of course there had been that tour that the Lady Vivienne was taking her on, so she assumed one could consider this little excursion as part of that tour – on unofficial purposes of course. Who would’ve thought that a passage in the castle’s rooms that belonged to her family would open up after she accidentally knocked over an unused candle holder! Of course Rose couldn’t resist the sneaking in and resulting trip that had taken her all the way throughout the corridor was nothing but curiosity in itself. She hadn’t been this far down a secret passage yet, so there was plenty of amusement to be had all over the place.

Such as right now. Pausing at the sound of footsteps, followed by voices, Rose tipped her head to the side, absently twirling a blond lock of her hair in her fingers and smoothed the non-descript gown of grey, which was still entirely too noticeable for her status of a Lady, but helped her enough to make her nondescript, along with the grey shawl on her head to cover up her bright blond locks. Curious despite herself, the young woman slipped down the passage, hugging the wall until she was sure it was safe to approach. Lady Vivienne’s voice, however, announced the presence of the youngest royal to her, so she figured it was safe to join the rather unexpected gathering. “Your Highness, Lady Vivienne, what an unexpected pleasure,” she said brightly, but quietly, coming to join the blond Prince and the Lady Treveylan out … not on the open, since they were in a supposedly secret passage. This was getting curiouser and curiouser, if she said so herself.

[Princess Katya Fyodorov]

Ever since her arrival, Katya had often been exploring these passages. Really, they weren't as hidden as people liked to think if a foreign princess was able to find them with such ease. Her walk today held a double purpose, she knew the Prince frequented the passages and hoped to run into him. As was her usual, she was dressed as modestly as her station allowed.

Catching voices, recognizing the voice of Tristan, she felt a pang of jealousy and curiosity at the sound of a woman's voice. That was, until she heard the dry tone it was spoken in. Not very popular with womenfolk, was he? Approaching quietly, she gave a curious smile to the pair of females before quirking an amused eyebrow at the prince and hoping the place was dim enough to hide a blush."Popular one, aren't you, Tris?" She quietly teased, using the nickname he had insisted she address him with, without thought to what the others would think. "Promised a tour to all the ladies?" She asked in the same quiet, gentle and teasing tone. "Greetings, I am Katya," she said in introduction, wondering of the girls would catch on to who she was on their own.

[Prince Tristan Carlisle]

Whether it was bad or no, Tris was getting used to being caught in the tunnels. It was a nice change of pace from how quiet things usually were, and he’d been exploring these since childhood. Still, this was getting a bit too much, especially as the group grew up to three more, ladies all. Recognizing them by their voices, the teen leaned against the wall, eyeing the dark place where he could see the ladies’ outlines. Lady Vivienne Treveylan, the owner of the dry voice, was addressed first, though the tone of his reply was most amused by his circumstances. And this time, it was easier to keep his voice low, but audible enough for the ladies to hear his response.

“Perhaps, Lady Vivienne, perhaps I have not lost anything but just found something. I’m sure each of us has their own reasons for being in these tunnels, though not necessarily a tour. Lady Rosalie, how do you do? Discovered an accidental, lucky find?” The St.Clair’s third child was easily identifiable, despite her attempt to hide her golden locks. The final arrival he was least surprised by, and that voice drew a smile out of him at the girl’s teasing tone. “Well, hello, Katya. I’ve been wondering when you’d drop by. Enjoying the scenery?” Pausing there, he snickered at the comment about his popularity and gave a mild shrug, leaving that one without commentary. At least this time, there was more than enough chaperones around, so it shouldn’t be too much of surprise to find him and this little group al occupied by sneaking. After all, it seemed like that was what they did best.

[Lady Vivianne Trevelyan]

What was it with these people? Didn't they know these passages were not a highway for their use? Huffing out an annoyed breath, she eyed the three intently. "Do I need to remind all of you that if you're caught back here, it will mean trouble of an ilk you don't want to deal with? No offense to our royal guest here, but showing her these passages could be constituted as treason, Your Royal Highness," she reminded Tristan brusquely. Katya was a foreign national - didn't he stop to think that though an alliance was in progress, it didn't necessarily mean that they were supposed to reveal every bloody little secret? "And you," she pointed at Rosalie, "are not supposed to be in these passages without me. These tunnels aren't meant for social gatherings!"

A small foot tapped with impatient irritation as she prepared to herd them all out. Maybe it was time to speak with Lord Rupert about securing some of the doors and rendering access to the passages more challenging. Good grief, what was next? Hide and seek games? A soiree?

[Lady Rosalie St. Claire]

Rose was still in a mildly giddy mood from having found a passage all on her own, so she gave a nod of agreement to Prince Tristan’s words. However could she help it if there was no Lady Vivienne in sight, the passage started in her family’s rooms, no less, which she wasn’t going to tell anyone, by the way, and she had time to spare and was too curious for her own good? She also didn’t really recall the other lady saying anything of the sort at their initial meeting, or perhaps she forgot? Whether was the reason, Rosalie managed to incline her head in greeting to the newest arrival, noting the girl’s name, and gave her apparent mentor a curious look.

“Lady Vivienne, I don’t believe I remember there being such a term in our agreement, nor is it easy to find you when needed – how was I supposed to know of the fact?” An innocent expression, all too easily showing on her face as she went with her natural ability of being expressive, the young woman spread her hands. “And I highly doubt any of us can control the other’s movements, much less tell them what to do and not to do. There’re simply not enough hours in the day for such purpose, nor did we plan on this little meeting. At least, it wasn’t on my part.” Giving a questioning look to the black-haired girl, who seemed to be a couple of years younger than her and about the same age as the Prince, Rose tucked a couple of wayward strands deeper into the shawl. Who knew who else could decide on joining this little meeting of mice, and she couldn’t quite be that visible.