Encounter [5/5 Jasen/Lynesse, C]

[Lady Lynesse St. Claire]

Lynesse walked along with her sisters slightly ahead of her, and their usual chaperone trailing them. It annoyed her, that, but she knew it was a must since it was considered improper for an unmarried woman to go about on her own. Actually, were married women able to do so? It completely slipped her mind and she mentally reminded herself to check with someone about it. Walking so that she was both with and apart from the younger pair of her sisters, she looked around at the wares. Ribbons, once something that used to excite her to be in the pursuit of but no longer. It was strange, the changes in her way of thinking that she had not had before. Focusing her thoughts onto the masked ball that she would soon be attending, she aimlessly wandered in the direction of where she could see suitable masks being sold, knowing that the knight on watch would be keeping his eyes on her.

Golden hair falling in waves to her waist, she wondered what sort of scandal would be caused if she dared to wear it up. She would be in a mask, so technically no one would know that it was her. It would deter potential matches from bothering her. Dismissing the idea as she reminded herself that those occasions were one of the main reasons she was to attend in the first place, she continued perusing the vendors wares. There were many sorts of masks as well as jewelry for her to consider. Of course, she was considering the price as well though she was certain she might be able to sway her father if she happened to desire something more than what she had on her person could afford. That event was unlikely however since Lynesse rather liked understated jewelry.

[Lord Jasen de Winter]

The marketplace was a means of obtaining a mask to prepare for the masque, which was what Jasen found himself doing. At least he knew where to go and how to get back, for it would be quite an amusing sight for him to get lost while trying to put together a costume. Actually he didn’t have too much trouble with his formal clothes, but it turned out that he had no mask that would fit him, and of course, various odds and ends would need to be bought and exchanged as per the running of his own estate. As such it turned out that Jasen was combining two trips into one and now was scanning the vendors for something suitable. After all, it seemed like he would be in the middle of a royal event, and as such, formal was needed. Looking up in time to skirt far enough from a young woman who seemed to be just as intent on the masks as he was, Jasen allowed himself a brief smile. It was not every day that one ran into another noble, or he was caught just as unaware as any passerby would be. “My apologies, My Lady, it seems same vendor had caught our attentions,” he addressed the young woman calmly, bowing as befitted the young woman’s station, at least what he thought it was. The vendor in question had some suitably plain masks fit for both males and females, and he wondered if the young woman was with taste for simple décor. If so, then the masque would be not without familiar, though well-hidden faces, and the man wondered if he should be able to recognize them.

[Lady Lynesse St. Claire]

Lynesse blinked her blue eyes slightly in surprise as she had not noticed the man she remembered meeting at the decorating event Princess Emmaline had held. Giving the same courtesy to the older man, she bowed her head slightly in respectful greeting. "The apologies are mine, Your Grace, I was not paying attention to where I was going," she replied in turn. Unable to help a slight blush from causing her cheeks to go slightly go pink, she rather felt embarrassed. She had been so lost in thoughts that she had not noticed Lord Jasen de Winter. That was a feat in itself considering his looks but Lynesse was never the type to pay much attention to those. Personality was what drew her to speak with a person and she did not know much of this mans quite yet considering that they had only come across each other once or twice before. "No reason we both cannot peruse this fine mans wares, now is there?" She asked rhetorically as she continued running her gaze over the masks. Wondering if the man was always so calm about everything, she supposed she could only wait and see.

"While we are in each others company, perhaps a conversation could be had. If you do not mind, of course." She suggested, wondering how he would take to it. Glancing back at her knightly chaperone, she confirmed that he was in position that she was in his view along with the pair of sisters huddled together at one of the other vendors stands. Everyone accounted for, she turned her attention back to the handsome man that she was speaking with. Far as she knew, this man was renowned for his calm nature. It would be interesting to see how one with that reputation dealt with her if he managed to provoke her into temper or started a nice, lively debate. She had been lacking the fun of the latter for quite a while now.

[Lord Jasen de Winter]

Jasen briefly bowed his head in agreement with the young woman’s words, then remembered where it was that he saw her. It was only once or twice, but she did have a memorable appearance, like many of the Ladies of Noble Houses. It seemed like this time, Lady Lynesse St. Claire was among those needing a purchase before an event of import, like himself, and thus was seen strolling the marketplace. Unlike himself, it seemed like she was enjoying the presence of their peers. “Of course,“ he said instead of mentioning any of this aloud and keeping same tone that was his manner of speech. “Have you a topic in mind?”

Keeping half an eye on the young woman, he noted that she seemed to check on a group of people around and briefly recognized them as her family and a possible guard. Of course he was aware that young unmarried ladies were not allowed to go off on their own as a rule. Eyes drawn toward the darker hued masks, Jasen quietly conferred with the vendor for permission to try them on, then picked up a dark silver, almost grey one, an ear out for his companion’s choice. He was curious to see what the lady was going to pick, for the choice here was almost as large as the fancy gilt masks he could see at the other vendors’, but far less grand or cumbersome. They were just the type he preferred in his costume.

[Lady Lynesse St. Claire]

Lynesses lips curved up into a smile as he agreed to conversation. As was her usual at times, she spoke without thinking her words through first. "Marriage. Why must it be my duty as a woman to marry a man I don't feel for?" She asked, asking one of the questions that had constantly been burning on her mind. All of her standards, they were likely to all fall away for a man she felt something for. So far, that had not happened so the standards stayed as they were. Lynesse knew that she might soon have to give up that notion but she would not do so until she absolutely had to. "Married off into a life of misery with someone who's eyes travel to another woman he's in love with, while mine do the same, if anyone should ever be so unlucky as to have me fall in love with them. For duty. I wish everyone could have love like my parents did," she said, wondering what his thoughts on it were. At the very least, she had a nice little rant session.

Wrinkling her nose slightly at a batch of overly embellished masks, she turned her eyes away from those ones and let her eyes wander down to the simpler ones. Picking up an embellishment free sea green mask that she knew she had a dress for, she tried it on and thought it was a good fit. Supposing the man might make for good opinion, she turned to face him, still wearing the mask. "Would my appearance please any Lord?" She asked with a hint of playful snark in her tone.

[Lord Jasen de Winter]

Jasen managed to keep an outward calm, though he had to admit he was slightly caught off guard by the young woman’s choice of topic to discuss. Copying her actions to buy time, he considered the dark silver mask before carefully replacing it where he took it from and picking a light blue with silver trim. This one seemed to be more on what he had in mind, not to mention the changing of the masks allowed him to collect his thoughts on the matter. “As you are no doubt aware, most of noble blood join their children for political reasons rather than emotional ones,” he said neutrally, still as calm as before. Finding this mask slightly too big, he scanned the neat rows again, taking care to maintain the neatness to avoid upsetting the vendor. “Rare few families, yours and mine among their number, enjoy the familial closeness and warmth of companionship between the parents.”

Left unsaid was that he, while needing to find a wife suitable for running a Hall of his location, would also prefer his parents’ fortunate arrangement than someone he would need to suffer. Picking a darker-hued mask in gold, he turned toward the young woman, considering her beauty of the moment from the point of view of an interested man. “I believe it would,” he said thoughtfully, looking at her through the mask. “As well as your mind, if the Lord is looking for a partnership.” Wondering if perhaps he did not say too much, Jasen carefully turned the gold mask around in his hands, comparing it to the others on display. So far, he liked this one, but there were other choices, much like those before the young woman he was talking to.

[Lady Lynesse St. Claire]

Listening to him speak, she nodded her head slightly in understanding. "I guess I can't decide my own fate, no matter how I wish I could do so. I might as well buy myself a bridle instead of a mask if I am to be passed off like a horse to the highest bidder," she stated in a cold, angry tone since she was actually rather sad about it all. It was her custom to channel any sadness into cold anger. It was partly how she was known for her temper, after all. "I am starting to think that no man will ever be able to handle me and I don't think I could love a man who is unable to do so," she said with a slight shrug of her shoulders as she considered other masks.

Picking a simple looking black mask that had a single jewel for its ornament, she turned it around in her hands. Finding it a perfect fit as she tried it on, she considered her choices. As she compared the masks that were currently under her consideration, she gave him a thoughtful look as her mind turned over what he had said. "You think my mind would also be something that pleases? If this is so, I must thank you for giving me the best compliment I have ever received. I do so value my mind over my beauty but let that be our little secret, hm?" She stated, wondering if she wasn't flirting a little. If she was, it was not intentional but she would not mind if he took it as such. As for his other statement..."Are you the type of man that seeks equality with their match?" She asked curiously, considering it was rare to meet a man with thoughts like that. Or so it seemed anyway.

[Lord Jasen de Winter]

Jasen quirked his eyebrow up, noting the young woman’s anger. Ah, the infamous temper of this St. Claire lady was making itself known due to the situation she considered as hopeless, but perhaps there was time for her to consider things yet. “Be not too hasty in your assumptions,” he murmured, not raising his voice an inch or changing his demeanor. Patience required for calming an upset young one was something that was there ever since he started looking after his siblings while their parents were elsewhere, and then through the darker times. “Perhaps you are yet to meet, and perhaps, the choice would be as much yours as your guardians’.” It was not too reassuring, he did not think.

He then had to give a brief laugh at the young woman’s thanks. “I heard that ladies of St. Claire are quick-minded and able to handle their own,” he answered neutrally, slightly bowing his head to acknowledge the young woman’s wish. “The rumors prove themselves true.” As for her other question, it was one of the points, indeed, that he was looking for. “It would be of my benefit,” he said, then picked a plain black mask with no decorations whatsoever. “For the lady of the Hall is as much in charge as the lord, or at least ‘tis what I saw with my own parents.” Holding the plain velvet mask up to his face, he turned to the young woman, finding that the mask fit. “Perhaps in a minute where nothing is clear, there might be one to fit,” he mused, wondering if the appearances would be discarded along with titles at the masque.

[Lady Lynesse St. Claire]

Lynesse listened to his calm, quiet voice and wondered if he was always that way. "Perhaps...," she trailed off before smiling up at him. "Are you always so calm?" She asked, thinking that it would be interesting to see what might cause that to go away. Then again, considering his position in his family, it was a beneficial trait and she supposed she should commend him on it. Still, it would be entertaining to see that shaken up a little even if it were to be a simple change in his tone of voice.

Smiling slightly at his brief laugh, she slightly curtsied in acknowledgement of the rumor being proven true. "Thank you, once again, Your Grace," she replied softly, truly feeling flattered despite thinking that doing so had not been his intention. Listening to the rest of what he had to say, she nodded in agreement. "Yes, I have seen the same with my own parents. They worked as a team, that's what I wish for myself," she murmured. Looking up at him as the man turned to her, with a plain velvet mask upon his face, she found herself making inadvertent eye contact. To say that her heart went aflutter would be an understatement. "Perhaps in less than a minute," she replied, still rather dazed due to the new sort of feelings running through her. Shaking off the daze as soon as she realized she was in one, it appeared that the young St. Claire unexpectedly found herself smitten with the oldest De Winter.

[Lord Jasen de Winter]

Wondering if it was a rhetorical question on the young woman’s side, Jasen quirked his lips up in a brief smile. “Have you met my siblings, My Lady? I have to be, to ensure there is someone sane in that family,” he said, an amused tone coloring his voice for a minute. While his family was far from chaos and he loved his siblings, sometimes they could make their surroundings utterly fascinating for strangers who witnessed their interactions. They were all so different, and each had their own to add to the group, which made it hard for him to treat them equally sometimes. Lost in thoughts of his family, as it tended to happen from time to time, the man shifted his eyes toward the younger woman, considering her for a brief full minute at her statement. “My apologies again, My Lady, my siblings are never far from my thoughts,” he said with a slight smile, wondering what it was that was making her blush. Perhaps it was not something that the young woman wished to hear, but it was truth to the matter.

Blinking a little at the unexpected eye contact with the young woman, Jasen considered her response, wondering what had her dazed. “Perhaps even so,” he mused, wondering whether he should consider things further. So far, the second eldest St. Claire proved a delightful company, and perhaps he should take an effort at spending time with her, as well as the others. Amused at direction his thoughts had taken, he considered counsel from his siblings, if they chanced to ran into the lady. “I hope you would consider granting me the pleasure of your company once more, My Lady, or prolonging this encounter,” he offered, turning to pay for his purchase. The simple one he was holding was the best fit, after all, as far as he was concerned, and the man recognized it as such, having considered the rest of the masks and finding them lacking. Perhaps it was picky on his part, but Jasen was not the one for gilt, cumbersome affairs when those could get in the way of movement and enjoyment of things. Shifting his attention back to the Lady St. Claire, he wondered at the possibilities. He’d see what those would be, however, as he kept up the encounter, for he was a cautious man and desisted to rush into affairs, particularly those that could be of benefit to his family and home.

[Lady Lynesse St. Claire]

Lynesse smiled slightly at his question. "I have not had the pleasure of socializing with a de Winter. At least, not until now," she said with warmth in her tone. He was obviously fond of his siblings, if the amused tone of his voice was any indicator. Watching him thoughtfully as he seemed to be lost in thought, she turned back to the masks and let him be, considering she now had a fair few of her own. "As it should be, Your Grace, mine never far from my own either," she said, eyes flicking towards the younger pair of St. Claires.

Lynesse felt a flutter of happiness go through her at his offer, wondering if it wasn't reflecting in her eyes. "It would be an honor if you find my company pleasing, Your Grace," she replied. "Surely, the two can be done? I still have need to go and purchase decor for my hair as well as my sisters, if you would like to join me. If not, we might as well say our farewells here and set a time for another meet, for I do not see you wearing pearls in your hair," she teased slightly, as she tended to do when feeling at ease with a person. Paying for her own purchase, a simple but shimmery mask that was the color of cream, Lynesse managed to haggle the price down to something more reasonable. Waiting to see what the Duke of Oakdale had to say to her suggestion, she wondered which he would choose. She rather did not want to say farewell so soon though she was aware that they both had other things to attend to.

[Lord Jasen de Winter]

Slightly tipping his head in acknowledgement of her words, Jasen gave an amused look, wondering at how it was that two of the families heard of each other by rumor but not by faces. “Perhaps then, that ought to be corrected, if so can be done,” he wondered, mentally thinking on when and where such a possibility could take place. Of course, there was always the masque, but it would be difficult to find a de Winter, or a St. Claire, for that matter, if one had no clue what they were wearing, despite the two of them knowing each other’s masks. After all, masks could be swapped, and everything was like a game until those masks came down, so the man was not going to put much thought on that ball. Still, if they could arrange something, it would be quite a possibility. “At your leisure and at that of my siblings, of course, My Lady,” he added, wondering what the young woman would make of his suggestion. While he was considering a possibility, he was used to rely on his siblings for advice, and thus, the suggestion of a meeting. “If there would be no objection from your guard or your sisters, it would be my honor to accompany you further, for I do not find the need for extra jewelry aside from what I already wear,” he said in amusement, trying and failing to imagine himself, or one of his brothers, with decorations in their hair like a fair lady of the court. To say that the image was entertaining was putting it mildly.

[Lady Lynesse St. Claire]

Lynesse thought on all the points that she could bring up to explain why such a meeting would be of benefit. "Yes, the connections of friendships, should we succeed in establishing one would be of benefit to both our families," she said, despite thinking that the meeting would be a simple excuse to see him again beyond this day. "I do, however, think it only fair that my father and sister Julia, at the very least, be included in this meeting?" She returned on him. After all, if she was being made to meet his family then it was only fair he meet hers. Besides, her father and Julia would have to approve any man she considered. If they did not approve ... casting a sad look at the ground at the thought, she quickly concealed it with a smile. She was getting slightly ahead of herself there, she thought, considering the man did not seem to be showing any interest in the direction hers lay. It could not be helped for she had always been a sensitive soul

Lynesse felt that odd, fluttering feeling again as he mentioned accompanying her further. She had been dearly hoping that he would. The girl was not one to lie, and she would not do so to her own self. She could feel that she was clearly taken with this man. "Your company would be much appreciated," she stated, glancing towards said guard and sisters. The guard merely nodded to show he had no objections while her sisters seemed to be distracted by something or other. Continuing to walk along, the image of the Duke wearing an unwed maidens headband caused her to giggle which she stopped immediately, considering that was rather improper. "My apologies, Your Grace, I was simply imagining you in an unwed maidens headband," she said without thinking. It was one of her flaws and it seemed to have the need to manifest itself now.

[Lord Jasen de Winter]

Listening as she agreed to possibility, Jasen dipped his head in agreement. “Of course, My Lady, any of your relatives that wish to join the meeting would be welcome to do so,” he said wondering if there wasn’t something to be said for family gatherings. And these would be two families, if he could manage to convince his siblings of necessity of it. Quirking an eyebrow at the rows of lots they were in, the man studied their contents, absently debating which was of interest. Laughing himself at the young woman’s reply, he shook his head, trying and failing to imagine himself with that particular ornament that she described. “Quite all right, My Lady, the image is rather funny,” he admitted, amused despite himself. “I am certain one of my brothers will find much to jest about it should he hear of it.” He then shook his head and lightly bowed toward her to pick direction in which they would be going. “After you, My Lady.” As the one he was escorting, after all, Lady Lynesse had the pick of which way they would go, and he would keep an eye on the vendors. Perhaps there would be something of interest for him, as well.

[Lady Lynesse St. Claire]

Making mental note to seek out her father and make her request, she wondered what he would think of it. Keeping a discreet, watchful eye on the younger St. Claires as they made their purchase, she smiled at the fact that she had managed to pull a laugh from the level headed Duke. "I will be sure to inform him of it, should his jesting pull more laughs from you," she stated, before considering which direction to go in. He did have a nice laugh and the air of one who rarely did so unless he was with his family. "Thank you, Your Grace," she replied courteously before heading in the direction of a vendor selling things meant for unwed maidens hair. There were other sorts of things about and Lynesse made note to peer at them later. As the vendor presented more elaborate hair pieces and decor, she considered them for a brief second before asking for something more understated. Lynesse was not vain but she was aware of her beauty. Too much gilt could distract people from appreciating the natural view, so to speak. "Less is more, don't you think?" She asked as she considered some pearls.