Sailing Lessons [5/9, Selena and Riordan, C ]

[Prince Riordan Carlisle]

Riordan was determined to learn. It couldn't have been that complicated. After all, humans have been sailing on the seas for at least the past century, and if they could conquer the seas, then surely, he could conquer a lake. Never mind that there were people who had devoted their whole lives to learning the skills behind sailing, and that there was always an element of luck. It seemed simple to Riordan. You had to tug on a few ropes, turn the rudder, and the wind would fill the sail. Right?

No.

Having passed off the opportunity to receive instruction from the man in charge of the small sailing boats, he was determined to figure it out himself. Riordan had been unfortunately stubborn that way. The most he had figured out was how to untie the ship from the dock, but he wasn't quite ready to do that. At the moment, he was tugging at the rigging and trying to figure out the sails were supposed to work. There was plenty of wind, so why wasn't it working? A grunt of frustration escaped him. He had to learn how to sail! He had to learn so he could impress the Lady Selena when he asked her to go sailing with him.

At least, that's what he hoped.

[Lady Selena Lancaster]

Sailing was not the easy task it appeared, even on a lake with a surface smooth as glass. There were too many items to which one was required to pay attention, else faced keeling, sheeting, or worse, capsizing. Selena had endured the indignity of those while learning; they'd been painful object lessons to remind her that sailing required all of her focus from the rudder to the lines to the weather. Winds could change in an instant. A storm could blow up in a matter of minutes. The rudder could tangle in reeds and halt the boat's progress if it ventured too near the shallows. A thousand and one little things, but once they added up, could spell disaster.

A beautiful spring day sent Selena to the lakeside, wanting the solace of a small boat and the wind sending her gliding across the surface after a few days amidst the ladies of the court. Princess Emma's ball was soon, and the preparations were going well, but she was not accustomed to being surrounded by so many people day in and day out. Desirous of a little solitude, she went to speak with the lake's harbormaster, only to blink in surprise when he pointed to the figure in the boat she typically utilized. The Prince, he informed her, was attempting to learn the art of sailing. Maybe she should lend him a hand before he knocked himself silly with the boom?

Selena, torn between disappointment and amusement, lent her agreement as she watched Riordan tangle the lines hopelessly, the sail going slack and sliding towards the deck. She shook her head, chuckling softly to herself as she made her way down the dock purposefully. Prince Charming, it seemed, needed a rescue.

"Would you like some help, Your Highness?"

[Prince Riordan Carlisle]

Of all the individuals to approach him at that moment, why did it have to be her? Then again, if he really thought about how cruel the Triad could be, then perhaps she was the only one that could approach him. Granted, at that point, his mother would likely smack him for speaking ill of Them. Thus, when her voice sounded behind him, he didn't immediately turn about. Instead, he closed his eyes and silently cursed his luck. ... Or should he really even do that? Riordan really was a helpless man sometimes.

"My lady," he responded, turning around and acting as if the tangled mess behind him was perfectly normal, "My goodness. It is a perfectly splendid day for a sail is it not? I've often heard it can be a wonderful experience in the right conditions and I was hoping to experience such a thing." He turned about to try the lines one more time, before letting out, "... If I can figure out what I am doing, anyway. Maybe I should swallow my pride in this instance," he glanced over his shoulder at her.

[Lady Selena Lancaster]

Her smile was serene as she surveyed the mess he'd made of the lines and sails, her eyes taking it in calmly. Selena had to give Riordan credit for the attempt, albeit one made in ignorance. He'd made a proper mess of things, but nothing that couldn't be fixed with a little patience and inhuman self-control to keep her laughter at bay. "It is indeed a fine day for a sail, once we untangle the lines and set the sail to rights. It should not take long if you will permit me to assist you."

It seemed he wanted to learn and thought he could do so through experience rather than through instruction. Fortunately for him, Selena intended to teach him while they undid the chaos within the small boat. The little craft was an ideal vessel for a beginning sailor with its limited lines and single triangular sail. "That is, if your pride will permit me to offer some... suggestions on how to accomplish order for sailing?"

[Prince Riordan Carlisle]

It was, indeed, the finest mess she had ever seen! There would not be a finer one for her admire, or ... tut at, anyway. The woman, bless her soul, was opting not to laugh at him, even though he knew she desperately wanted to. Admittedly, he would have laughed at himself if his pride would allow him to do so. He had been so determined to figure how to sail, and thus impress her, that he lost sight of what he was doing. Then again, he was fooling himself if he thought he knew what he was doing to begin with!

"I suppose I can allow it this once," he smiled at her, and then added, "Then again, for you, I believe I can allow for several instances of setting aside my pride. I think that's a generous offer.... or, at least, I hope it is." He finally chuckled quietly, and offered his hand to her, so that he might properly assist her onto the boat.

[Lady Selena Lancaster]

There were other, better methods by which to impress her on his capabilities, if he was so inclined. Sailing did not have to be that method, though Selena was both surprised and touched that he exerted himself to learn something that she enjoyed. That is, if he did so for her sake and not some other, far less involved reason, which was far more likely.

At his words, she could no longer hold back her laugh, a low, rich sound escaping. "That is exceedingly generous of you, Your Highness. An honour I am uncertain I deserve but I won't refuse either." Placing her hand in his, Selena allowed him to aid her in stepping into the small craft and avoid the hopeless snarl of rope that occupied most of the deck. "So," said briskly, "shall we unravel the mysteries of the lines together?"

[Prince Riordan Carlisle]

Riordan decided that he rather liked her laugh and wanted to hear it again. Actually, there was a great deal to like about Selena: her smile, her personality, her eyes, and ... by the Triad, was he starting to think all too seriously about a woman he had just met? He was a Prince! He was a man! He was not some boy developing a crush. That simply didn't happen to men his age! Or did it?

"I think it will be quite a mystery to me, but not so much for you.... then again, they do all look the same and I am no longer certain which line should go where." A quiet laugh escaped him, "And so, I must place my life and my direction in your capable hands, my lady. A great responsibility, leading a Prince about." The last statement was a joke, for he didn't feel like a Prince right now. Rather, he felt more like Riordan.

[Lady Selena Lancaster]

Of course it did. Where did he think the tales came from of true love and happily ever after? Foolish, foolish prince of a man. Fortunately, Selena was not viewing this in light of a tale, rather she viewed him simply as a man blessed at birth with an exalted rank. He still ate, slept, laughed, fumed, and dreamed like any other being. Besides, this wasn't a tale, she wasn't a beautiful peasant or under a curse, and he had nothing to fret over.

A hand lightly patted his shoulder in an amused gesture of reassurance. "They all looked alike to me at first, and I tangled them as badly as you did my first time out alone. I forgot everything I learned for a few minutes, panicked and worried I'd sink. But you start with one line at a time," Selena bent down to start working one free, a smile teasing the corners of her mouth, "and get yourself out of the mess. I imagine that philosophy applies to Princes as well as sailing, no?" Laughing quietly, she shook her head. "No, no one leads you, Prince Riordan, no matter what you say. You're neither meek enough nor submissive."

[Prince Riordan Carlisle]

No, she was not a beautiful peasant, but she was nonetheless a beautiful woman. One could argue that they were cursed with nobility, but that was a debate best left for philosophy and semantics. Riordan had no interest such things. For now, he simply wanted to enjoy her company and take heed to her very important instruction. Why? She'd find out sooner rather than later.

The point about lines and the parallels to being a Prince of Demeria amused him, even if it were true. "I was about to say, I think some of the messes of a Prince have been cleaned up a good deal more quickly, but then again... when you are caught in strong winds and a storm, you have have to react just as quickly anyway. What keeps your head on straight? Does all of your training come flashing into your mind or do you just start acting without needing to dwell?" The comment about not being led made him smile more widely, "Fair enough. Then perhaps I should say that you can guide and assist me, rather than lead?"

[Lady Selena Lancaster]

Selena worked lines free, setting them into neat, tidy order to better instruct him as he preferred. Her gaze slid to the side, studying him as they talked. To her way of thinking, he was changing before her eyes, turning from the source of prurient gossip into a man who could possibly become a good, if not great, King. She was intrigued to glimpse the aspects of the Prince that were unquestionably Riordan, rather than the Prince or a Carlisle. Why he did this for her benefit, she was not sure but saw no reason to offer objection to it. If nothing else, she was increasingly comfortable around him for it.

"Not all of the messes you're compelled to clean up manifest physically. If anything, Your Highness," she replied dryly, "I suspect it's the intangible messes that are far more unpleasant and irritating than a few tangled ropes. Training can only do so much; instinct does come into play whether in sailing or politics, if you think about it." The conversation was going all over the place, though she managed to keep up. Mostly.

[Prince Riordan Carlisle]

The mention of intangible messes made the smile falter somewhat, making him look down toward the ropes she had so neatly arranged. "Sometimes you know the right thing to do, by instinct, but there is a great deal that makes you hesitate regardless." He confessed quietly, "That in and of itself is one of those intangible messes you just mentioned."

Looking for a brief distraction from the briefly dark detour his brain had taken, he reached for a rope at the same time as she did, their fingers brushing against each other. The act made him smile, feeling a bit silly for his mistake, but glad it happened at the same time. "This rope," he looked at its path and then looked up toward the sail for a moment, "This is what we use to control the boom, yes?"

[Lady Selena Lancaster]

The conversation was one of the strangest she'd had in a long time, her head turning to look at him. "What makes you hesitate? It shouldn't be a fear of making a mistake, because mistakes are inevitable. We all make them. If we let the fear of making them stop us from what needs to be done, well.." Selena shrugged lightly, "it does not bode well for what could come."

She tried not to jolt when his fingers brushed hers, taking a moment to clear her mind when he posed his question. It was just what she needed to put her mind back on the topic of sailing, rather than the man himself. "No, this one raises and lowers the sail. This one," Selena selected the correct line, "controls the boom."

[Prince Riordan Carlisle]

It wasn't strange only for her, but ... at the same time, Riordan didn't think the conversation strange at all. It was simply the natural flow of words as they came out. Though, it might have been strange for her simply because he was not acting down to his reputation. Now that particular confusion, he would completely understand. "You're right," he said quietly, and realized what he would need to do. At some point, his father would need to be removed from power. However, he didn't want to think about that, anymore.

"Ah, so I see," he nodded in thanks, "And these are mooring lines, that much is obvious. The rigging here is for the sail, as well." He smiled, pleased that he had learned something, "There is something I'd like your help in, though. I'd like to go out there," he nodded toward the lake, "Go out there, and be free from worry for a short time. Every time I try to have a pleasant day or conversation, my mind goes to dark places. I need sunlight in my life."

[Lady Selena Lancaster]

Glad to be off the more somber topic, Selena nodded to his swift grasp of the respective lines. "Just so. The best way for you to continue learning is to see how the lines are used, so of course I will take you out. We mustn't risk you being stranded at the centre of the lake, after all." It was delivered as a gentle tease then, her smile softening to try and nudge his mind from that dark place. Her eyes reflected a kind of understanding, however. "I fear we are facing some challenging times, Your Highness. You especially, when difficult, even painful decisions must be made and you are the only one who can make them."

She intended to suggest her father offer some counsel to the Prince upon their return, but for now she nodded towards the mooring lines. "Why don't you untie and cast us off? Once we leave the dock, we'll have no more serious talk. If we can't keep off the subject of troubles, then we'll stay silent and just enjoy the day. Does that sound fair?"

[Prince Riordan Carlisle]

"Well, that would make any future leadership on my part rather difficult to achieve, I'll admit," he laughed then, "Though, I suppose I could be loud enough and shout my orders across the way. Possibly use wild gestures. Entertainers use dancing to tell stories, don't they?" Another chuckle escaped him, and then his face softened at her understanding. "And it is my hope that I don't have make those difficult decisions alone."

"That sounds perfectly fair." With that, he turned to untie the lines and gave the boat just the shove it needed. "Actually, that does make me curious about something," he looked at her, his eyes full of curiosity, "Am I allowed to know what you'll be going as during the Masque, or will I have to figure it out for myself?"