And so the Dance Begins ( 4/6, OPEN )

[Prince Riordan Carlisle]

The opening night of Court had gone surprisingly smoothly. No noble lord had drank too heavily nor did they cause a scandal with a lady, nor were there any harsh words stated. In essence, everyone was on their absolute best behavior. A variety of reasons probably existed, but the primary one was mostly likely involved setting forth a good impression, getting a feel for the others and figuring out just who the newcomers to Court were.

Riordan had been present in fine attire, and did not interact very much with the general populace. Instead, he watched. The arrival of the Sarkoszy Prince had been one of particular interest to him, since that who was going to take away his dear baby sister. The man seemed presentable enough, but an actual meeting between the two men was definitely in order. After all, as a brother, he had to issue all the proper warnings and the like.

The Prince of Demeria also spent a fair amount of time looking at the ladies of the court, but not in the manner in which he typically did. Or, at least, he tried not do so! Several caught his eye. The Lady Marisa was looking rather gorgeous, but secretive. The Lady Selena lovely in her simple elegance, and the Lady Julia looking every part a St. Claire. That was the woman tradition dictated should be his wife. A meeting with her was likely in order.

The first night had been the opening act. Now it was time to start the dance. On the second day, various members of the nobility were coming and going. For entertaining, a bard or fool came through the Great Hall from time to time. The fool was a new one, recently hired on by his father. Despite the fact that Sedrick was losing his mind, the fool was rather entertaining with just the right amount of clever humor for the intelligent members mixed with the bawdy for the ... not so clever.

Riordan was determined be on his best behavior as he scanned the nobles, looking for his first conversation partner..

[Lord Spencer Lancaster]

Spencer attended court this evening, not so much as a participant but an observer. His daughter was interested in mingling with some of the younger members and beginning to make contacts of her own, and it would give her a chance to gain the attention of the Prince. He spared little expense in acquiring a suitable wardrobe for her, preferring to keep to his accustomed simple but rich attire of doublet, hose and low boots. Taking up a position, he had a feeling the Iron Princess would drift in his direction eventually, but for now, he was content to watch in silence.

Any young man who lingered too long or displayed unseemly warmth towards his daughter would find himself the recipient of a hawklike gaze from the Duke as he leaned against one of the columns in the throne room with his arms resolutely crossed over his chest. He was not so concerned with Theodore; the boy could look after himself, but he'd also reminded him to keep a watchful eye on Selena, currently talking with one of the beldames.

It promised to be a long evening...

[Deleted]

On duty this evening to watch over the Prince, the knight Darton kept a respectful distance from Riordan but close enough if anything was needed or a threat was posed. The previous evening's court had been expectedly uneventful; tonight was when the machinations began and the jockeying for attention, position and favor commenced. Already he could see a line of toadying sycophants angling to reach the Prince, bringing a sly twinkle to his eye as he stepped up to murmur into Riordan's ear, "Mind you don't get caught in the mire, my liege. It's about to get swampy in here."

That said, he caught sight of the Lady Selena Lancaster, openly perusing her but not so long as to draw her parent's attention. She was surprisingly beautiful, dark as Lady Julia was fair. And of course, Lady Marisa. Darton wasn't afraid to let his eyes slide over her in her red gown, cut low enough to draw appreciative gazes. And no hovering guardian in sight, unless one counted the Princess. He smiled to himself as he nudged the Prince and nodded pointedly in the direction of the lovely ladies. It was time to see the Prince at his smoothest.

[Lady Marisa de Vere]

Marisa chose her attire deliberately. She craved the attention, but more, she enjoyed sending tiny ripples of shock through the court and stirring up the pool of gossip. If her name was not on the lips of most, she was not doing her job. The best part was those who insisted on bringing the news to her; it was not that she wanted to hear about herself, but rather the other delicious tidbits of information that came along with the salacious repetition of whispers.

Moving through the court, she caught the Prince's eye and sank into a low curtsey to him, dark lashes sweeping over eyes of blue that sparkled with mischief. The knight's appreciation for her neckline wasn't missed, a flirtatious look sent in his direction before she swanned off to circulate and attract her own coterie of admirers. Court was in session, and she was in the mood to break some hearts. Not the Prince's, of course, but there were plenty of other victims. She only had to decide which ones to lure in.

Time to play.

[Lady Fiona Lancaster]

Already, it seemed her protege was testing the waters to see just who would sniff after her. Marisa was likely going to prove more bold than Fiona ever was, but Fiona actually trusted Marisa's judgment. The young woman had worked so hard under her tutelage that she was definitely allowed some freedom to play. However, that didn't mean the Iron Princess wasn't going to keep a very close eye on her. A woman that beautiful sometimes got into trouble that was not of her own personal making.

Arrayed in a more conservative, but still lovely gown of deep green trimmed with gold, Fiona was drifting through the crowd in a far more casual manner. An incline of the head was granted to some and a smile of greeting rewarded to others. It took plenty of work to get into Fiona's good grace to earn such a thing from her. Spencer was spotted, giving him a small smile of greeting. The Lady Selena was also observed, but Fiona kept her distance for the time being.

Surely, the St. Claires would be arriving soon, and just what was her nephew of a Prince doing? Already, she saw that Marisa had her approach of him, but what would Riordan do in answer? Only time would tell.

[Lady Selena Lancaster]

Selena made her appearance that evening as promised to her father, pale gold flowers glowing against her dark hair to match her gown as she moved sedately amongst those gathered for court. Already she noticed her father's looming presence, a soft smile greeting him as she went to make her curtsey to him. A cool nod of her head acknowledged Princess Fiona as she passed but she did not stop to chat with the lady after their delightful interlude on the lake.

Coming to a halt beside her parent, she surveyed the gathered throng critically, an amused brow lifting at the young lady in red, her daring gown drawing all sort of attention, both negative and positive. There could only be one possible name attached to her. Lady Marisa de Vere. Her father had made deprecating mention of the Princess's protégée, niece of the infamous Master of Intelligence. They would either be friends or rivals, she was not yet sure.

For now, she bided her time and waited for her opportunity, talking quietly with some of the older matrons of the Court. They, she knew, were the best sources of information and gossip. Make friends of them, gain their approval, and a young woman could consider herself well launched in the Court. Just as her father would want.

[Prince Riordan Carlisle]

It was impossible to miss Lady Marisa de Vere. The gown was beautiful against her smooth skin, and the cut was just right amount of adequate admiration. It was impossible for Riordan not to notice the neckline. There was a flare with him, but he swiftly tamped it down. He had worked too hard over the past month to keep his vice in check. That was when he felt Darton's encouraging nudge. The knight did have a point. Riordan couldn't avoid the ladies forever.

Moving through the crowd of the court, he made his approach of the ladies that Marisa had found herself among. "I think it is safe to say that the gardens do not contain the only beauty within the castle," his eyes moved over to Marisa with a smile. "I have a game in mind, my Lady, would you be keen on playing it? The rules are ever so simple."

[Lady Marisa de Vere]

Dismissing the current swain in favor of the Crown Prince, Marisa curtseyed again and presented a lovely smile to him, her blue eyes deceptively wide. "Why, Your Highness, there is a garden of beautiful flowers before you and you do not need even to till the ground. Mind the weeds, however. Some of them can be especially pernicious," she quipped with a sly look at Sir Darton. The knight was on her list of people to keep a very close eye on. As close as he was to the Prince, Marisa had the feeling he neither liked, nor trusted her. Perhaps with good cause, but she did not linger on that thought.

"A game, Your Highness? I do so enjoy games," she all but purred at him. "What are the rules and how is it played? If I am to be an adequate participant, I need a thorough education."

[Prince Riordan Carlisle]

Riordan glanced over his shoulder at his knight and friend, amused as he did so. It wasn't so hard to believe that Darton would find Marisa attractive, but he also recognized the look in his eye. He may have found Marisa attractive, but there was a cautionary look, too. Riordan knew better. Marisa was a creature of the court, however beautiful she may be.

"It's a game of words," he said with an amused smile, leaning in toward her slightly as he said it."And it's rather simple, I am afraid, but I know you may be creative enough to make it very enjoyable for the both of us. I begin the game with a statement that is fortunate, and you counter with a statement is unfortunate." Marisa seemed the type to enjoy a game of keep away, so it may be something she would be keen on. "For example, I could say... fortunately, I met the most beautiful woman in court today, but unfortunately..." he nodded to her, then.

[Princess Emmaline Carlisle]

She was running a little late. Her great-aunt would surely find that tardiness disgraceful, but Emmaline was in no great hurry to encounter the Prince of Sarkoszy. According to her father, the young man was intended to be her future husband, taking her far away from Demeria and across the sea to the often cold and snow-choked lands to the north. For as much as she studied to prepare herself for such a life, she hadn't known it was to be her life.

Dressing not in a pale color tonight but choosing a soft amethyst hue, stones set in gold circling her throat and in her hair, she made her way into the Court gallery to take stock of who was there and what was being discussed. If she was lucky, Emma wouldn't have to contend with their foreign guests, though already there were diverse entertainments and events being planned for them. Squaring her shoulders, her head held high, she swept through the throng without pausing to find her seat on the dais. She wasn't ready to start chattering away yet.

[Lady Marisa de Vere]

Aware that a number of eyes were on them, including plenty of disapproving ones, Marisa notched her chin a little higher and met the knight's stare with a bland look of her own. She had no true designs on the Crown Prince, but she was not about to refuse an opportunity to add to her appeal with royal favor. Flickering her gaze back to Riordan, she listened to his description of the 'game' with unconcealed amusement. It promised to be terribly fun, if only for tonight. "Unfortunately," she slanted her look in the direction of a certain golden haired lady, "she wouldn't give you the time of day, much less any opportunity to speak with her, hm?"

[Prince Riordan Carlisle]

Riordan followed Marisa's gaze, and recognized the woman to whom she was referring. That had certainly been true. Lady Julia was a gorgeous woman, but was she developing the reputation of an Ice Queen? Riordan had only barely met her, and knew it was dangerous to make such assumptions. Nonetheless, however, he couldn't help but wonder... "But fortunately, I met another instead, one who seems most receptive to my company." Riordan looked into her eyes, his smile growing.

[Lady Julia St. Claire]

Ice queen? In some regards, it was an appropriate appellation for the eldest St. Claire daughter. Julia had all of her sire's hauteur and chilly aloofness when she wished to display it, and tonight was one of those nights. Already patently aware that she was the subject of gossip, inexorably linked with the Prince by virtue of some asinine old tradition, she refused to fuel the fire with the least bit of information, assurance or denial. Wearing a gown of pale green, the cool blonde extended a cordial nod to the Iron Princess but did not otherwise pause to speak with her. The same was given to Lord Lancaster as she swept past, intending to join her father in supervising her sisters.

Lynesse, Rosalie and Cecilia looked lovely this evening, thanks in no small part to her own efforts. She'd downplayed her own appearance to put the attention on them, the better to find them alliances and spouses that strengthened their father's position and by extension, her own. The Prince could choose one of them if he opted to pursue the tradition, but Julia herself was off-limits. Spotting the way he flirted with the deVere girl just made her shake her head. Nice to see that the reputation given to the Crown Prince was well deserved. Moving away, she spotted her father and headed in his direction.

[Lady Marisa de Vere]

"I'm delighted to hear that, Your Highness," she quipped, turning her gaze away from Lady Julia as blue eyes gleamed. The young lady knew she was being discussed, and manifestly did not care. Marisa found that amusing, though she was not looking to make an enemy of Julia St. Claire. At least, not yet. "A foreign gentleman has arrived, but unfortunately..." Leading him into the next phase, she was not surprised when the knight made his way towards Princess Emmaline. She looked a little pale this evening, poor dear.

[Lord Daven St. Claire]

"You see, my lord, I have already spoken with Lord Easton, but he has been brushing off my concerns as though they are nothing. I believe he is lying to me. He has been eyeing that delta ever since he had assumed the seat from his father," The lord of Trevelyan pressed, not letting Daven escape.

"What do you expect me to do about it? Tell him to stop eyeing your land? You control the entire coastline there, so it's no wonder that Easton would want a piece of it. The most he can do is bluster. Ignore him." It was clear to anyone that knew Daven St. Claire that the Dragon was beginning to lose patience. His stance was rigid and his face was tight.

"But he has offended me in thinking that he can make such demands of me," the Lord stated, immediately turning red with frustration and indignation.

"You disgust me, sir," Daven suddenly snarled at him. "I have listened to you whine for the better part of the hour. You either tell Lord Easton to drop the matter, or you just ignore him. You don't want me to make a public display of your inability to take it like a man!"