First Impressions

[Jovianus Marcus]

The first day in Triadon had been rather interesting, but he wasn't certain how he felt. He felt a fool, honestly, for tipping his hand as early as he did. Perhaps he wasn't as good at subterfuge and obfuscation as he thought he was. The man was a Prince, not a spy! Yet, it was done and all he could do was move forward. Fortunately, he did manage to figure out which of the two ladies was most likely the princess. Emmaline had a dark beauty about  her, making him wonder if the other Carlisles were just as handsome or lovely. She also seemed cautious and suspicious. What had happened to her? Obviously, he was still severely lacking in information.

He also wondered what Lucius had gotten himself into. He did not show up for dinner the previous night. However, when Marcus did wake up in the middle of the night to relieve himself, he did happen to hear... sounds... coming from his room across the hall. Not even a day in Triadon and he had already found himself a woman. Marcus mused that it had to be some kind of record for him. At least Lucius was safe.

The following day, Marcus waited until late morning to get the man out of bed and down to breakfast. It was time to talk. "I heard you a nice time last night," he quipped dryly at his friend, settling down at a private table.

Corialaris Lucius

[Corialaris Lucius]

His day had been rather... busy, satisfyingly so. Seeing his newest companion off on her way, Lucius allowed himself to be dissuaded from escorting her back to where she intended to go, not that he'd truly caught where that was. An agreement made that she would join him again tomorrow evening if she wished left him alone for what remained of the night. Rising late, he bathed and dressed, his stomach reminding him that energy spent required food to replenish his stores.

Sitting down across from his friend, he smiled innocently. "I did, thank you. What's the matter, did you not have so good a time of things?" A quick study of his friend's face had the smile fading, replaced with obvious and plain concern. "What happened?" Something had not gone right, that much was clear, but now he needed to know what went wrong.

Jovianus Marcus

[Jovianus Marcus]

Marcus eyed his friend then and arched a brow. That was a short answer to his question. He supposed he was not quite ready to boast about his conquest just yet. A shake of his head followed. "My evening was fine, but yours seemed to be particularly active. I can only surmise that you are becoming rather engaged with the local populace. Then again, you've always been rather good at adapting to new situations." A smirk followed his statement.

The smile faded at the question. "Oh..." he picked at his food for a moment, "I simply learned that I am a damned fool and that I am out of my element. I slipped up in talking to a pair of noble ladies at the castle." He was still deeply embarrassed by his error. He really should not have made it. "They know I am tied with with the nobility." He sighed.

Corialaris Lucius

[Corialaris Lucius]

Lucius was more than prepared to boast about his energetic new playmate, but he had his priorities. They were here on business, not Lucius's pleasure. If Marcus had cause for concern, that needed to be dealt with first as the far more important matter. He shrugged at the quip, then smiled. "I'm more approachable in some ways than you are, my friend. There are times when it pays to look large and stupid."

Seeing the fresh fade, he grimaced "at Marcus's confession. "It happens, but who were these ladies? Are they likely going to cause us some difficulties?" While he didn't necessarily agree with the Emperor's plan to simply take the Princess, Lucius wasn't ruling it out either. "How easy was it for you to access the castle? And what was said? Tell me the entire conversation."

Jovianus Marcus

[Jovianus Marcus]

"Oh, please," he shook his head, "You are very good at looking the part, but I know you can't keep it up." But, they would talk about that later. Marcus was genuinely curious about his new playmate, but there were more serious matters that required their attention. A sigh escaped him before he sipped at his morning tea.

"All I got were given names of Rosalie and Emma. I know the Demerian Princess's name is Emmaline, but .." he paused and then relayed the entire conversation that he had with them. Marcus thought that he recovered smoothly enough, but the placid stare for Emmaline had not been promising. "Like I said, accessing the castle was the easy part, interestingly enough. Yet, I have a feeling that now that the Princess has seen me, it might be more difficult."

Corialaris Lucius

[Corialaris Lucius]

Lucius went for ale rather than tea; it was far more strengthening after his exertions of the night before, and ordered a large breakfast. Nodding his thanks as the mug was delivered, he smirked over the rim at his friend. "You've learned that appearances can be deceiving, my friend. Not everyone looks past the surface to the reality."

Sobering to match the discussion, he listened with raised brow. "I doubt it's a coincidence. I've heard that the Princess is often referred to as Emma, and that she's in the city. So chances are you met her. How you managed that, I don't know, but in that aspect, you're correct. I don't think she'll be half so willing to let you access the castle. Did she tell you anything we can use? Where's the rest of the Court?"

Jovianus Marcus

[Jovianus Marcus]

Lucius was starting early this morning, but ... Marcus was not going to judge him. After what he heard last night, it sounded as though he would need it! "Mm, well, apparently someone did last night." He gave his friend a teasing smile as he once again sipped at his tea. The breakfast he ordered was smaller in comparison. Food was not much on his mind right now.

"Not especially. She seemed very reserved and cautious, as though she's not prepared to trust anyone. I have to wonder if something had happened recently. I think we should put our ears to the ground and get a feel for things. At the moment, most of the Court is to the north of here, along the lake shore. There's a Summer Festival on. They'll soon be going to Twinport like our host told us. I'm not certain if the princess plans on going."

Corialaris Lucius

[Corialaris Lucius]

The smile was blandly returned over the mug as his food was delivered. A wink thanked the serving girl, pleased to see the platter was heaped high. Lucius had a voracious appetite this morning and needed to replenish. Marcus had barely heard the half of it, but he was not the sort of man to kiss and tell, or do anything intimate and tell too many details. Studying his friend's face, he made an effort to settle down and focus on the concerns at hand, knowing that look too well. Marcus was nothing if not troubled.

Listening as he tackled the mound of food, he chewed thoughtfully and nodded. "I've heard some whispers of an incident, thanks to the gossipy chambermaids here. I'll see if the lady can fill me in with some details, but I'll be subtle about it. Regardless, we may consider following the court to this Twinport. If she is cautious, I don't think it's a good idea to proceed as initially planned." Using his napkin, Lucius paused to take stock of Marcus's reaction to his words.

Jovianus Marcus

[Jovianus Marcus]

"Mm," he toned thoughtfully as he picked at his food. "I also wish that I could just speak with her for a few minutes. One on one. I was trying to make a point to her but I am not certain if it go through to her. As soon as our home came up, a certain wall came over her face. I think we're going to encounter that a great deal while we are here. But then, I don't think I have a right to complain. After all, we are responsible for our own reputation, are we not?" The smile was a decidedly bland one.

He wondered at something, "And just who is this lady you're speaking of?" There seemed to be some amusement in his eyes.

Corialaris Lucius

[Corialaris Lucius]

Pulling a face at the bald statement of fact regarding the Imperial reputation in the eyes of other lands, Lucius shook his head and reached for his mug. "I fear that is far too true, and the efforts made by your predecessors to try and reclaim these lands probably hasn't helped much. We're seen as the great enemy for a reason, and that's going to hinder your efforts mightily." He understood damned well why they wanted the lands back, but how much of their dwindling resources had already been wasted on trying to take it back, only to be repelled? It was a point he hadn't yet brought up to Marcus, but only because he doubted it was necessary.

The slow smile crept back across his face at the inquiry. "Lady Natalie. A noblewoman of the realm, and one I suspect may have some place in the castle, maybe proximity to your princess. A very bold and unique woman. Fascinating. I'm not sure who captured whom in this." Lucius was accustomed to doing the chasing, but in thinking about it, Natalie had done her fair share of bringing their encounter about.

Jovianus Marcus

[Jovianus Marcus]

Marcus sighed, briefly losing hope about the situation. No. No, it was too early to start losing hope. There was a solution to the problem, they were just not yet seeing it. One element Marcus had to factor in was that it was going to take time. Wounds given over the course of centuries were not just going to be forgiven and forgotten. If he put himself in Emmaline's shoes, he could see absolutely no reason she should trust him. He wondered if the only way she was going to see otherwise is if he forced her to see it. "Hmm," he toned finally. "I want to proceed, but I will have to do so carefully. I don't want to end up thrown in their dungeons, after all."

At the mention that the woman did her share of chasing, his eyebrows rose visibly. "My goodness. I don't think you've ever with a woman quite like her, then. Usually, they are far more reserved. Perhaps that is not the case of the women here." Then again, some of the Artonese women were quite, ah, open about their desires. "It's sounds like you rather enjoy her company."

Corialaris Lucius

[Corialaris Lucius]

Leaning back in his chair once more, he drained the mug and gestured to the passing server for a refill. His breakfast was nearly half demolished, but he was still far from sated in terms of appetite. Considering what Marcus said as the server whisked the mug away and returned it full to the brim, Lucius waited until the man was on his way once more before he spoke. "There is another way. Instead of trying to be subtle, be bold. Be open about yourself and embrace the idea of being the rogue Artonese noble hoping to restore relations. Prove to those who doubt you that you're not to be cast in a mould not of your choosing by behaving with the utmost honor, nobility and courtesy. I know you can do that," he smirked dryly. "You've made me nearly wretch often enough watching you."

He quaffed more ale and continued to pick at his breakfast, a smile tugging at his mouth with Marcus's reaction to Natalie. "I'm inclined to agree, I've never met anyone quite like her, but I don't think she fits any type that we've encountered before either. I do enjoy her company. She's quick witted, clever, open, earthy, and," Lucius added quietly, "perhaps the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. You'd appreciate her... if I hadn't seen her first."


Jovianus Marcus

[Jovianus Marcus]

The idea made his dark eyebrows raise. It was certainly something that had been tickling at the back of his head, but he did not dare contemplate it. After all, to do such a thing would be tantamount to suicide? Then again, the two women had not exactly screamed for the guards when he let it slip he was truly from Arton. Obviously, he would have to keep his royal connections strictly secret for now. He did not find the prospect of being a hostage desirable. "Hm," he toned and looked down at his food for a lengthy moment. "very well. I'll do it. Bring a feedbag with you so have something to hold your wretch." He brought it on himself!

Marcus studied the man across from him with avid interest and a vaguely amused smile. "Well, you certainly do sound taken by her." He raised his hands, "Perhaps, I would, but I have learned to appreciate and respect male territory, so to speak. Still, I would like to see this woman that has such a hold on you."

Corialaris Lucius

[Corialaris Lucius]

"My stomach is cast iron," Lucius retorted slyly, taking another bite of his meal. It was spicier than the usual Arton fare, but he appreciated a little heat to everything from his women to his food. "Besides, there is another option as well. You possess a fair amount of stealth. Go sneak in and talk to the woman, if you are so sure she is the Princess. Woo her to your cause." It was probably not the option Marcus would want to hear, but Lucius was resolved to lay all options on the table for him to consider.

Distracted by the thought of Natalie, he reached for his mug, sipping for a few minutes. "Perhaps you will. I do intend to enjoy her company again, and will make a point to introduce her to you."

Jovianus Marcus

[Jovianus Marcus]

Marcus stared at him after he posed his suggestion. Was he mad? What if he were caught? All Emma would have to do scream for the guards and his life would be forfeit. "I- .. hm," he had to think about it for a moment. Isolating her from others to whom she had to show a face was a fairly good suggestion. But how was he going to accomplish it? "It's a good concept, but how would it be executed without her screaming for the guards? She's rather suspicious of me.

"And please do. Enjoy yourself, my friend. You certainly deserve it and I look forward to meeting her myself. I'm glad Demeria, at least, has good women." He couldn't help but chuckle.

Corialaris Lucius