Once Upon a Moonlit Lake

[Lady Serah Lancaster]

"Come on, Emma. Let's go!"

Serah looked into the pavilion that served as quarters for the Princess and her ladies, chaperoned as usual by her mother. She had thus far managed to elude Fiona's hawklike gaze and intended to continue doing so. Intending to hasten her cousin along before her mother thought to do so, she dressed hurriedly in a gown of pale blue, leaving her wealth of pale gold hair loose down her back. It was a look that suited her delicate features and fragile colouring. She could not precisely tell Emma she wished to see if Frederick was attending the feast, but then she understood her cousin's reticence as well.

Sympathy bloomed in the blue eyes as she went to smooth down Emma's skirts and fasten the golden clasp in her rich, dark hair. Hands rested gently on her cousin's shoulders, meeting Emma's eyes in their shared reflection. "It will be fine. Trust me on this. And if I must, I'll spirit you away and we'll sail the world together." Serah meant it solely to make Emma smile, but truly if her cousin was so unhappy, she knew just the partner in crime to solicit...

Princess Emmaline Carlisle

[Sir Darton de Lac]

Darton took his place as guard to the King tonight. Riordan had plenty of knights to stand watch over him and keep him safe, but the two agreed that Darton would be better at the King's side tonight. He doubted anything too amiss would occur yet a pair of keenly sharp eyes could observe much, especially considering the parade of courtiers the King sought to entertain during the feast. A nod greeted the Lady Katalin along with a polite, small smile; he did not know the young lady well but was glad to see she'd accepted the King's insistence that she attend the feast.

A hand rested on the hilt of his sword, other various blades secreted amongst his person as the barge lurched off the shore and into the water to assume its place on the lake. The heady scent of foods teased his nose, making him wonder if the King's opponent intended a fresh dose to be administered in the offerings. Darton would soon find out; the servants were under strict orders that nothing be served to Sedrick except what Katalin and the knight approved.

He only hoped no one viewed this as an opportunity to dispatch the Royal Physician as well.

[Lord Richard Peveril]

Watching from across the way, Lord Peveril was enjoying a glass of particularly fine wine of the Rose brand. His plans were in motion tonight, aided and abetted by several of the palace servants more susceptible to bribery and strong-arming. The intended target tonight was neither the King nor the Royal Physician; both were far too public and obvious targets for a feast. No, his poison would take aim at a very specific Duke this evening.

He had yet to glimpse the gentleman, however... where was the good Lord de Winter this evening?

[Prince Riordan Carlisle]

While he knew it was only prudent to do so, Riordan was not going to let the evening be spoiled just because had to maintain a watchful look over everything. After all, it was a beautiful evening and there was pleasant company to be had. Selena had wisely decided to attend the feast on a different barge. Riordan would have naturally enjoyed her company, but he knew the value of keeping appearances. He also couldn't neglect the other members of Court.

That left him to ponder speculatively: which barge should he board?

[Lady Samantha Rose]

The Parade had not been particularly painful. Very few courtiers sought her out, but her son wisely pointed out that was because no one really recognized her. She hadn't been to Court for years. He likened to a Rose family reunion in which several of the children had sprouted into blossoming young adults. Samantha teased him, wondering if she had really changed all that much. Tomas smartly kept any further observations to himself, though he was pleased to see that her mother's teasing wit had not changed.

Dressed in a gown of deep rose pink gown that complemented both her complexion and the red gold color of her hair. Samantha's hair was the jewel of her family, and some her family were dismayed that it had not passed on to her children. However, she keenly pointed out that red hair always managed to pop up again somewhere down the line. Samantha herself had been the first redhead in a few generations.

She had arrived a few moments earlier, but kept her distance from the Crown Prince. She was spying the various barges, telling herself firmly to interact with at least one other Duke or Duchess. ... Then again, she wasn't quite ready for Carissa, either. So a Duke would do... but not St. Claire. Esteban would be exasperated with her. That left Lord de Winter, Jardinier and Lancaster. The latter was spotted, but she hesitated.

[Lady Marisa de Vere]

Marisa was debating attending, standing on the shore as she watched the barges like lighted jewels against a dark velvet surface. They were a lovely, festive sight, but she disliked being off-balance despite her protests of interest in sailing when Daven brought her to Twinport for a visit. The barges, though sturdy, were still boats. They still rocked, took on water, could capsize or sink. Aware that such negative thoughts were somewhat ridiculous, she nonetheless hesitated.

Glancing over to see the King's barge take to the water, she perused those faces already present, finding a certain few noticeably missing. Daven, for one. Her uncle, for another. Fiona, Princess Emmaline and some of her entourage. Carissa. Interesting. Her gaze then fell on Lord Peveril. He appeared to be searching for someone as well, but whom? Perhaps she would watch the comings and goings for a time, and see what unfolded. The night carried a definite feel of eventfulness about it.

[Lady Fiona Lancaster]

Fiona was, indeed, going to roust Emma out of her pavilion if she didn't appear soon. She completely understood the young woman's reticence, but she could not hide away out of the public eye forever. She was one of the Princess's of Demeria and the people rather liked her. She was lovely, gentle and kind. She made a note to take Emmaline with her on the next bout of charity works. Fiona had always been involved in such, but they weren't as well received as her elder sisters' efforts. For understandable reasons, the populace had a hard time believing her charitable nature; Fiona was hardly a pleasant woman to be around.

The woman decided to wear something a bit more stark than normal since it struck her mood. Black was the theme for the night, but she greatly softened by lining and adorning it with gold fabric. It was certainly a regal look and it matched her hair.

She was standing just a few feet away from the King's barge as she watched out for her niece. Eventually, however, she was distracted began to look elsewhere. The woman's hawkish gaze rested on Spencer for a few moments before noticing Lady Selena with a slight smile. Lady Marisa was here, she knew, but waiting for the perfect moment. However, what surprised her was the appearance of Lady Rose. Now what was shegoing to do?

[Lady Katalin de Winter]

Hesitant but obedient to the commands of the King, Katalin donned a gown and joined him on his barge as a guest. She was mostly quiet, taking everything in and watching the other guests with interest as she accepted a glass of hippocras to sip. The sweetened, spiced wine soothed her jangled nerves, allowing her to relax, a look exchanged with Sir Darton. The two had a tacit agreement that no morsel of food or drink would pass the King's lips that had not been tested by them first, though she felt certain their silent opponent would not work against the King tonight.

For now, she sampled a number of delicacies both sweet and savory, nodding that they were safe for the King's enjoyment. A flash of black and gold caught her eye, confirming the arrival of the Princess Fiona, but none of the foreign guests had joined them yet. Interesting... and perhaps portentious.

[Princess Anastasia Fyodorov]

They were running distressingly late and Anya's patience with herself was quickly on the wane. Trying not to snap at her poor, harried maid, she thanked the young woman with a gentle tone and shooed her off. Her hair would just have to be a simple affair tonight, rather than some elaborate confection worthy of the greatest court in the land. Hoping that her siblings were ready as well, she stood and smoothed her gown, a rich blue tonight that matched her eyes. Satisfied that she wouldn't shame her family or her homeland, Anastasia stepped out of the pavilion and looked around to see if Katya or Nikolai were waiting. They were to join Princess Emma this evening on her barge. To keep her waiting would be the height of rude.

"Niky? Katya? Are you ready?" And where was Sergei?

Prince Nikolai Fyodorov, Princess Katya Fyodorov, @sergei

[Princess Katya Fyodorov]

Katya had just finished checking her own appearance and was certain that she looked fine enough to please her siblings and held a secret hope that it would please someone elses eyes as well. Katyas gown was of one of the main colors of their homeland, a color she personally thought looked quite good on her. This would be the first time that she would officially be seeing Nikolai and Princess Emma in each others company while they were in hers. Truth be told, she was not sure how to feel. She had finally become aware of where her heart lay and realized that Nikolais success would mean her personal unhappiness. It did not seem fair but she supposed life never was. The most important thing was the good of their kingdom, wasn't it? Reminding herself of that thought, Katya finished her preparations and joined Anya. "Yes, I am ready," she said with a bright smile that did not quite reach her eyes as it usually did.

[Princess Emmaline Carlisle]

Emma wasn't looking to hide away from her own people, allowing her cousin to hurry her along. It was Natalie's fault, after all, that she was running late. The woman kept changing her mind about what gown and accoutrements that Emma should wear to look her dazzling best and steal breath away or some such. Finally, finally suitably garbed in a gown of antique gold trimmed in blue, she took Serah's words in with a small smile, her hand reaching up to rest on her cousin's. "Very tempting, but it isn't the answer, love. Besides, there are other things that will keep me busy and amused. Like watching you play with your Grand Duke."

Rising, she threaded an arm through Serah's and reached for Natalie's with a firm, decided nod. "Let's go break hearts, ladies, and make the men fall in the water from tripping on their tongues." It sounded good, at least, the trio emerging to greet her black and gold gowned aunt. Emma called to her with a bright smile. "Good evening, Aunt. You look beautiful. Forgive our tardiness... are our guests arrived yet?" Since she didn't see the trio of Sarkozsy royals, she couldn't be sure.

Lady Natalie Kendall, Lady Serah Lancaster, Lady Fiona Lancaster

[Lord Jasen de Winter]

The Duke in question was just making his way to the shore, noting an array of nobles debating the wisdom of joining the barges. Whether it was uncertainty on water or other things, Jasen was unable to speculate. Still, it was going to be an eventful evening, if one chose his companions based on thought and alliances alone. It was also the night for acquaintances. Scanning the group as he approached, Jasen cast a look toward his sister, though he hoped Katalin was safe where she was, and for the time being bowed as was custom toward the Lady Rosewine as he approached. The lady herself was a sight that was barely familiar, but that only made things easier to correct, for there was time and place for those already well known. “Your Grace, good evening. I hope you would allow me your company for some time and perhaps join one of the barges with me?” Looking at the woman directly, though he noted that Duke Lancaster already was present, along with Lord Stratford, Jasen had to grin at the barge they occupied. Hopefully they would not mind two more to their party already present.


Lady Samantha Rose, Lord Micah Stratford, Lord Spencer Lancaster

[Lady Rosalie St. Claire]

Mildly confused at the hesitation of Julia’s at her question, but ultimately securing the permission to do so, Rose gave an inviting wave over to Lady Selena, hoping that the other young woman wouldn’t mind joining her and her sister while they had room for everyone to fit. It would prove a most fun evening, or at least she hoped so. Giggling brightly at the question, she shifted her eyes to Julia. “I met her in Meirin. I think she’s a bit like you, Julia, and you two might get along. Of what little acquaintance I have, she seems like a gentle and a very convincing lady, though I do hope I’ll be able to get to know her better. Would you be able to get along well?” She would hope so, for she rather wanted to get to know the black-haired young woman better, and this was one of the perfect opportunities to do so. Perhaps they would be able to, as well, especially since it seemed like the others on Lady Selena’s current barge seemed to be occupied with conversation of their own – or so it seemed from this distance. At the very least, a conversation could be shared over a meal such as this one with fair ease, or so she hoped.


Lady Selena Lancaster, Lady Julia St. Claire

[Lady Mariana Jardinier]

At request of her father’s, Mariana joined him and his Physician in his barge for the time being, looking around with mild curiosity. Some nobles present she recognized, others at times were new faces, though she suspected that would soon be corrected. For the time being she curtsied as was proper to acknowledge her father, at the moment looking the King he was, and sent a warm smile toward those present already. It was going to take some time to get used to being at Court again, and acknowledged by her courtly status, but the woman was of belief that she would need to be present more than before, at least while she was around the place.

Smiling toward another face upon the barge, whom she suspected was one of Royal Guards, Mariana took a seat as she was invited to do, eyes scanning the three and for the time being quiet as she enjoyed the sight of the lanterns. A mild distraction in form of worry to whereabouts of her husband and children, the woman cast a look around the waters, smoothing her gown as she settled, and for the moment, enjoying the colorful gathering. Of course, time was going to tell how smoothly this would go, though Mariana rather wished that she would be able to pass unnoticed. However, that was unlikely to happen, so instead she held herself as befitted someone of her status and usual demeanor, not letting anything she was thinking about to show on her face for the time being. There were worries a plenty, but for the moment, she was going to allow herself to enjoy the feast, and wave to those she recognized with a smile full of warmth. Familiar faces, after all, made everything easier and more relaxing, and perhaps one of them would join in, depending on which was invited. That, in itself, was going to be a curiosity.


King Sedrick Carlisle, Lady Fiona Lancaster, Lady Katalin de Winter, Sir Darton de Lac

[Lady Natalie Kendall]

Adjustments had to be made! Fortunately for Emma, Natalie was going to go so far as to get hands-on and make the men really wag their tongues. Even Natalie toned down her usual style so that more attention would be passed on to Emma rather than herself. Though, she did hope there would be a certain gentleman in attendance tonight. Natalie was wearing a gown that was best suited for admiration up close.

Natalie decided on a gown of mute red with a gold trim. It was cut to her figure, but it did not display its lushness as was her usual wont. Once Emma was finished, she allowed her to emerge from the pavilion. She did the same, casting a curious and assessing look over Serah. She had lovely skin that should be properly displayed, but that was a discussion for another time. A nod and smile of greeting was given as she joined the ladies for the walk to the barges.

Upon arriving, she gave a polite acknowledgment in the form a curtsy before looking curiously toward the barges. Ah! There he was. A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.

Lord Aristide de Lac