Letting it Out [ 4/21, Daven and Marisa, C]

[Lady Marisa de Vere]

It was a suitable torment and imposed restraint for a man prone to bold action. Aware of his dislike for the prim, proper and cool Princess, Marisa couldn't resist tweaking his nose ever so slightly. Restraining her desire to laugh at the situation - it was unkind, indeed - she looked away in an effort to control herself. Clearing her throat, she listened as he spoke rather approvingly of the Princess, then replied regarding his own daughter. "I see. A pity, I had hoped to gain a better acquaintance with her, but of course, hunting is not for everyone, I know. Perhaps when we return to Triadon, you and your daughters might consent to join my uncle and me for dinner some evening?" If that didn't make the man squirm, nothing would. She wouldn't actually do that to him.

But he didn't know that, did he?

[Lord Daven St. Claire]

Marisa could enjoy all the tweaking and tormenting she wished, but she was going to pay for it spades when he finally did claim her for himself. Even though she was a quick learner of manipulation, she had yet to truly experience full strength of his tenacity and prowess. However, that was going to be reserved for much later.What an enjoyable demonstration that was going to be. However, he tamped down the fire from his eyes before it became too obvious.

Especially when she mentioned his daughters. Ugh. Damn her. Damn her for being so clever and enticing. How could he possibly refuse? If he did so, she would wonder why she was not fit to be displayed before his daughters. This also meant he was not going to hear the end of it from said daughters, either. It took all Daven had not to squirm in his saddle. "Yes, perhaps that could be arranged. My daughters do love a good social occasion." The smile was not reaching his eyes, but he wasn't glaring at her either. The gaze in his eyes was one of respect at a round well played, but there was something else burning within.

[Lady Marisa de Vere]

That claim was in the long, distant future, which left plenty of time and opportunity for tweaking, tormenting and teasing. She intended to enjoy it, having little faith or belief that he truly intended to claim her in any serious form or fashion. Her uncle would surely intervene before they came dangerously close to anything bordering on... permanent. The thought brought a soft smile to her lips, all the more so for watching his face. Daven St. Claire could be possessed of implacable features, but that time was not now. She'd hit a tender spot on him, using his daughters.

Taking a measure of pity on him, Marisa smiled. "I'm glad to hear it. I was thinking of inviting a number of gentlemen - eligible, of course," she added, aware that he was likely hoping to find suitable matches for those daughters, "to attend to keep them company. With your approval, naturally." Marisa had a fairly good idea of who might suit the younger St. Claire daughters, though she needed to assess Julia's stance on Prince Riordan. If the girl had her designs on being queen, she wanted to know.

[Lord Daven St. Claire]

Oh, the claim was not going to be so distant as she would have liked. However, to the Dragon of St. Claire the claim was not quite the same as marriage. Marriage was another matter altogether. But to claim her as a man should claim a woman in the rites of mating, that was what was fueling the fires of the dragon. Was she aware of it? Only time would tell, that much was for certain.

"Are you?" Daven questioned, his eyebrow arching, and he had to wonder why she would be interested in finding suitable husbands for his daughters. What was in it for her? "I cannot question your taste or selection, since you are aware of the importance in such arrangements. It is not a light matter, marrying into my family." Though they were his daughters, and they would take the name of their husbands, he still considered it to be marrying into his family. It was a matter of pride. Marisa would surely understand. "Though, I'm just as certain you know how thorough I will be in... meeting with these candidates." That was a nice way of putting it.

[Lady Marisa de Vere]

That was the nature of the game, determining what the claim would be as much as when it would be. Marisa was aware his intentions were not necessarily of the honorable persuasion, which made the game all the more enticing and dangerous, though she suspected Fiona would call a halt to it soon enough. Chances were it would be long before that claim could be made, if she knew her patroness. The talk with Fiona could happen as soon as tonight, but the rest would prove to be at the lady's discretion.

"Of course I am," Marisa replied blandly. "I may be young, Your Grace, but I understand the purpose of bringing young ladies to Court, being such myself. Finding eligible, solid matches is only one item on your agenda, I am sure, but it is there nonetheless. Is it so amiss of me to offer my assistance to you and my knowledge of those gentlemen who are eligible on a number of levels to meet your discriminating standards?" On the surface, her offer sounded genuine, even generous, but all the Court knew just how meddling the St. Claire daughters could be. She wanted no obstacles if indeed she set her sights on Daven St. Claire.

[Lord Daven St. Claire]

Princess Fiona was in need of a good romp if it was going to keep her out of meddling with Daven's affairs. The woman was far too nosy for her own good, making it one of the few opinions that he openly shared with His Majesty the King. The Iron Princess. Pah. She needed to be put away, and live a quiet life so as to not be a headache for others. There was also the additional point that nothing would ever stand in Daven St. Claire's way, especially when he had sights set on something or someone he truly wanted.

Daven St. Claire may have been strongly attracted to Marisa in many ways, he was still no fool. She was a de Vere, and he knew that family's name deserved to be included in the definition of the word scheming. There was some ulterior motive to her offer, but Daven had not yet puzzled it out. Nonetheless, he did smile. She had his curiosity and interest. ""No, I don't imagine it would be amiss, my Lady. If anything, I look forward to seeing you learn and understanding my standards. They are quite high, in all things."