A Little Chat Between Growing Friends

[Lord Sebastian de Winter]

Sebastian could sense that Nikolai was troubled throughout the entire dinner, but he did good job at hiding it. The discussions went smoothly. Well, for the most part, at least. Sebastian still had some difficulty speaking with Nikolai's frankly beautiful sisters, but he held his own. He didn't speak too quickly nor did he fumble in overly embarrassing manners. The advice of Lady Silver had been most helpful there.

The scholar was hoping for the opportunity to speak with Nikolai about some ideas he had for the grand ballroom, but ... he didn't bring it up. No. It was clear that he had something else on mind, but he didn't know how to bring it up. Thus, Sebastian made a request of his siblings. Would they be terribly offended if he took Nik aside for some brandy and a private conversation after the meal? To his relief, they were fine with the idea.

Thus, Sebastian bid Nikolai to join him in one of the side rooms. A decanter of brandy could be found there as well as a small of wrapped tobacco for smoking. Sebastian had never had it before, but he was curious. Tucking the portfolio under his arm, he picked one up and sniffed at it curiously. Hmm. It smelled nice, for certain. Turning partially, he nodded toward the decanter, "Would you care for some brandy, Your- ... Nikolai?"

Prince Nikolai Fyodorov

[Prince Nikolai Fyodorov]

Being somewhere much less formal than the castle was a great relief and Nikolai enjoyed the dinner with the de Winters. The food was delicious and he had no difficulty eating and holding a conversation with them. Learning more about the nobles of Demeria was helpful, considering that there was to be an intended alliance between the two countries.

He tried his best not to think of the dinner in terms of alliances, because that would just make him more nervous. Sebastian seemed a bit antsy around Nikolai's sisters, for which Nik could not blame him. The women were somewhat intimidating in their own ways. His heart went out to the man and therefore was all too glad to speak with him privately.

He watched Sebastian with the brandy and smiled as the man offered him some. "Yes please, kind Sebastian," he replied and found two glasses to set in front of the bottle. "I am quite glad to see you again."

[Lord Sebastian de Winter]

"Excellent," Sebastian went on to pour the two glasses with a decent amount of brandy and he offered a glass to Nikolai. He picked up his own and lightly tapped it to his glass. "Cheers." After he took a sip, he set the portfolio down for the time being and opted to settle down before the fire with the tobacco in hand. "It was a lovely dinner. Your sisters are kind and stately women. I hope I did not seem the fool in front of them." Sebastian was admittedly poor with women.

He also took to studying Nikolai with curiosity. "And how have you been? Really?"

[Prince Nikolai Fyodorov]

Nikolai raised his glass to Sebastian for them to toast one another and took a sip. The brandy was quite to his liking, so he had another three sips. Strong alcohol reminded him of home and he needed that at the moment. "The dinner was delightful and I enjoyed meeting your siblings. Additionally, you handled yourself quite well and not foolish at all." Meeting siblings of friends could be quite uncomfortable, especially pretty women (Nikolai had seen the glances some men sent his sisters' ways).

He had another sip of brandy before answering the question. Finding the right words to describe his situation, in any language, was difficult. "Tense," he admitted. "I want my trip to Demeria to be as effective as possible and I have succeeded in certain areas more than others. I am quite pleased that to be taking so many of your songs back to my country."

[Lord Sebastian de Winter]

It had been quite some time since Sebastian had had brandy. When he took a sip, it took all he had not to cough at it. Fortunately, a few more sips made the burn go down easier. Hmm. It was actually rather good! He could come to like this! "Oh, thank you. I'm glad to hear it," he cleared his throat once again. "I do sometime struggle with them, I will admit. I know I am a man capable of carrying on a conversation, but if it's a woman that is not a relative ... I can struggle."

Sebastian frowned. "I'm glad to hear of the music, but do you mind if I ask what has you tense? Surely you are not being made to feel unwelcome?"

[Prince Nikolai Fyodorov]

The strength of the alcohol was a decent distraction and he focused on the aftertaste in order to determine what sort of brandy it was. Oaky flavor, hint of cherry -- it was impossible to tell. Although he was sorry to hear that Sebastian struggled with carrying on conversations with other women, it relieved him to know that he was not the only man his age who had difficulty talking to the opposite sex. "I agree," he stated. "They are all different and knowing what sort of manner would please them is difficult."

"Not at all," Nikolai said at once in the hope to still any doubts in Sebastian's mind. "It is a matter of first impressions and the pressure of being a representative of my country. If Sarkozsians wish to visit Demeria, I want them to be accepted without hesitation. I know part of that is based on my and my siblings' behavior."

[Lord Sebastian de Winter]

"I would argue that you have made a favorable first impression upon many within the Court of Demeria," Sebastian said slowly while imbibing a little more brandy. There was a pensive expression on his face. "However, the fact that you bring up first impressions tells me that you are concerned you have made poor ones to certain individuals." Really, Sebastian needed more information to fully understand what was going on with his growing friend. Had someone been giving him a difficult time? He could think of a few in Court that would do just that.

[Prince Nikolai Fyodorov]

"Thank you," said Nikolai, exhaling a small breath and letting the crinkle in his brow slowly disappear. He swirled the rest of the brandy in his glass gently as he tried to find the right words to say. He hated to unload his burdens on Sebastian, a citizen of Demeria, but he could not say this to Sergei, who had no problem with women, and telling his sisters would make him feel guilty. He needed to be successful in all ventures to this foreign country.

He downed the rest of the drink and set the glass on the table. "I have been the utmost gentleman with Princess Emmaline," he started, "but we have little in common besides her playing the lute. Or if we have anything else, I have no idea how to discover it. What does she want from me?" Now this had dissolved into a rant.

[Lord Sebastian de Winter]

Sebastian went silent as Nikolai began to explain, leaning back in his seat as he did so. Brandy was turning out to be a good choice for the conversation. He took another sip and set the glass aside. "Fortunately, you have at least one thing in common. I've seen marriages of state in which the two have absolutely nothing in common." He nodded thoughtfully, but didn't supply any further statement for the time being.

"What would you want from such a relationship?" It seemed an important question to Sebastian!

[Prince Nikolai Fyodorov]

Speaking released a part of his frustration, just knowing that someone listened to him. He was afraid that Sebastian would speak of this to anyone. "Please tell no one," he pleaded. This whole situation was embarrassing, although he had given Sebastian a great deal of his trust. One thing in common was better than nothing, he supposed, although he had difficulty remaining positive.

He asked a good question, one that Nikolai was unable to answer at the moment. His gaze fell down to his hands and he sighed. He racked his mind for a few seconds and then finally met Sebastian's eyes with his own again. "Comfortable silence. When she smiles, I am the only one who matters. I do not have to worry with her in my company."

[Lord Sebastian de Winter]

"Don't worry. No word of this conversation will go beyond these walls, you have my word on that," he nodded solemnly. He wouldn't even tell Katalin about the conversation. Sebastian knew that she would understand. After all, she was a physician who understood the value of privacy. He fell silent, listening to his response.

"Good," he nodded slowly, pleased that Nikolai had some notion of what he wanted out of the relationship between the two of them. "Do you think you can help her understand that?" They would get to the Princess and her desires in just a moment. For now, he was focusing on Nikolai.

[Prince Nikolai Fyodorov]

"Thank you." He knew that privacy was not to be any issue, although he appreciated the security of Sebastian giving his word. Someone's word was their bond and he expected Sebastian to almost stake his life on his word. That was the only way Nikolai could be certain he'd keep his promise. He merely conveyed this with a serious gaze and a nod at the other man.

If only the situation could be that simple. "I am not certain how I would do so without being impertinent." Nikolai frowned. "We are still in the process of becoming acquainted with each other." He would hate to be too forward and besides, she had had less time with which to adjust to the information. "I went in with high hopes, but conversing with her is…" He tensed his fingers, not wanting to say the word difficult. He wanted Sebastian to fill in the gap.

[Lord Sebastian de Winter]

"What exactly were you expecting, if you don't my asking?" Sebastian then suddenly smiled into his glass, but it was a mirthless smile. "Actually, I believe I am going to ask permission that we can be frank with each other. If I ever ask a question you don't want to answer, I'll accept that as a matter of course, but understand that I will begin to ask probing questions to get to the heart of the matter." In that instance, he sounded a bit like a scholar and realized it. An apologetic smile followed.

"Perhaps if we explore what you were expecting, we can find out why you are having difficulty conversing with her."

[Prince Nikolai Fyodorov]

"I do not know," Nikolai answered in frustration. "If we are to be frank with one another, then I reserve the right to ask you probing questions in return." He thought about his previous encounters with the Princess and returned lacking. "We have been courteous and friendly enough with one another. No problem in that respect. What other encounters should I have with her before our impending marriage?" If he and Emmaline were to have a merely polite marriage, he supposed that was fine. He would do his duty and that was that.

He supposed he needed to speak of the unfortunate incident. "There is, however, a snag -- I was drunk and approached her chambers late at night. I kissed her and she slapped me." He frowned and stared at his hands in embarrassment. "I wanted my first kiss to be under better circumstances."

[Lord Sebastian de Winter]

"Of course," he spread his hands with a smile. "We can be completely open with each other. I find speaking with someone completely outside of the situation to be quite helpful. There are no incentives for other side for the listener. I gain or lose nothing from the discussion." Granted, the Carlisles were his liege lords, but ... that was frankly a minor detail in this discussion. It was highly unlikely the Carlisles would ever learn of the discussion.

"Hmm. Interesting," Sebastian nodded his head thoughtfully. "While I realize you were drunk, why did you do that? Were you acting on some sort of primal need or was it something more?" While he understood Nikolai was embarrassed, Sebastian was still working to get the core of the matter.