A Reunion of Old Friends [3/5, Spencer x Fiona ]

[Lord Spencer Lancaster]

The Spring season at Court was about to begin, returning the Lancaster family to Triadon and their accustomed place in the city. Upon completing a meeting with the King, Spencer's thoughts naturally traveled to Fiona, aware that she was in residence and an active force within Court. A note was sent, inviting her to join him for a stroll through the gardens, newly restored to bloom, to discuss the current state of affairs. He had it in his head to request she take Selena in hand as well; with Felice gone, Selena had no real feminine influence. A place in Fiona's household would put his daughter right where he wanted her - close to the Crown Prince.

Dressed in a plain doublet and hose, he wore low boots that were worn and comfortable much to the chagrin of his daughter. A faint smile threatened, recalling Selena's distress over her father's contradictory appearance, but he soon sobered. Spencer Lancaster was not a man concerned with fashion or the thoughts of others regarding his appearance. He was more concerned with comfort and accomplishing his goals, or so he'd informed his daughter crisply. She reminded him in some ways of Felice, her face resemblant of her mother's gentle beauty.

Clasping his hands behind his back, he strode to and fro on the path as he waited to see if Fiona would join him. To himself alone he admitted he'd missed her greatly. Fiona had been a life long friend and confidante. Spencer silently conceded he needed that again. Plans needed to be made, but to see them come to pass, he needed her help.

Spencer only hoped he could persuade Fiona to his way of thinking about the future of Demeria.

[Lady Fiona Lancaster]

Business or pleasure. Business or pleasure. That was the statement that was teetering in her head, back and forth, back and forth. With Spencer Lancaster, one could never really tell which one it was going to be. Oh, who was she kidding? She knew Spencer better than that. More often than not, it was usually about business, even if it was just a stroll in the gardens. Nonetheless, Fiona had always managed to make their encounters a pleasant mixture of both. She was convinced that Spencer needed a little fun in his life. All work and no play could make for a very dull scholar.

In truth, Fiona very much appreciated Spencer for who he was. Serious he may be, he had a quick wit and warm heart. She was perfectly at ease being the more outwardly gregarious of the two. It was a complement, in a way. A complement she very much valued. Thus, she did take some care for her appearance. While it was 'just Spencer,' that was no real excuse not to at least look pretty, if not elegant. For his sake, though, she went with one of her more simple, but still lovely and flattering gowns. The colors were deep red with a trim of gold. It matched her hair and personality well. The hair was allowed to flow down past her shoulder in shining golden waves.

"Greetings to you, my Lord," she stated formally, but with a familiar warmth in her voice. Green eyes scanned over him. He hadn't changed all that much: simple clothing, but the way he carried himself more than made for it. That and he was still quite handsome. "I do hope I have not kept you waiting overly long." As she approached, a hand was extended to him.

[Lord Spencer Lancaster]

Halting at the sound of familiar, mellifluent tones, Spencer turned to see Fiona approaching, one of his rare, warm smiles given to her as he reached for her hand. Bowing appropriately to a member of the Royal Family, he brushed a chaste, respectful kiss to her knuckles and gave the fingers a light grip before releasing her. He straightened, tugging his doublet down out of habit. "I would wait an eternity to be graced with your company, Your Highness." The formal greeting accomplished, he offered his arm courteously.

"You look lovely as always, if I may say so. Red suits you greatly." His compliment came easily, all the more for its sincerity. "I hope you have been well?" Spencer wasn't going to just plunge right into the business without observing the necessary courtesies. Fiona was a lady he respected, she deserved no less.

[Lady Fiona Lancaster]

Such a courtly answer, indeed. While Fiona often preferred a far more direct manner of flirtation, there was something to be said about the art of chivalry. She even had the grace to blush very faintly at the statement, knowing deep in the back of her mind that he truly meant what he said. The blush was tamped away by a pleasant smile. The arm was taken gladly.

"Oh, why, thank you." A hand spread out the skirt to let the fabric catch in the sun. "I am doing well, thank you. I must say, it's truly a pleasure to have you back at Court. How are you? Are your children doing well?" Pleasantries they may have been, but for them, they were genuine in nature.

[Lord Spencer Lancaster]

Chivalry was a game to be played out, an art to be preserved and protected. Spencer knew others considered it old-fashioned, out dated and out of mode; he preferred it as a method of ensuring he was unfailingly polite and correct, expecting the same behavior from his sons. He kept Fiona's hand light on his arm, careful not to walk too close or let his gaze linger on her too long. The gardens had plenty of watchful eyes that belonged to wagging tongues. Neither of them needed a fresh round of rumors to kill.

"They are very well, thank you. Marlon has entered University; Theodore and Selena are here with me. I was hoping to introduce Selena to you soon, if you approve?" The request made, Spencer added a significant look he trusted Fiona to understand. Selena needed the cachet of being associated with the Princess Royal. "What of young Lord Gerald and Lady Serah?"

[Lady Fiona Lancaster]

It didn't take much to start rumors lately, it seemed. Her darling grandnephew was a source of several rumors himself. The rumors were going to need more than mere quashing, but relentless stomping to get them cleared out of Court. Fiona loved the young man and had good faith in him, but there were times... her thoughts turned back to Spencer, realizing how at ease she felt in walking beside him. The thought gave her comfort. She was happy he was here. "Serah and Gerald are doing well. Serah is truly starting to blossom. She will do well in Court. Gerald, too, though I think the politics are chafing at him."

"Oh, has he? Congratulations to him. I know he'll do well. He shares his father's gift and love for intelligence." At the mention of Selena, she saw his look and nodded thoughtfully. The look said it all. Fiona certainly had time for another lady in her retinue, and had high hopes for the young lady; she was, after all, a daughter of Spencer. "I would love to. Shall I extend an invitation to tea for the lot of you?"

[Lord Spencer Lancaster]

"It is always thus when a young man begins to take his place," Spencer agreed calmly, recalling his own days at Gerald's age and the weight of his future bowing him down. "I will talk with him, if you like, and see if I can't help him adjust." In the absence of the boy's own father, it was the least he could do in helping his nephew along to his rightful place. Gerald was a bright, solid young man with a good future ahead of him.

He smiled, thinking of Marlon. At least one of his children inherited his love of learning and engineering; Spencer expected Marlon would reach Master status within five years. "I expect he will bring new honor to the name of Lancaster." The subject shifted to his daughter, relieving him to see Fiona followed his line of thinking. "An invitation to tea would be welcome. Selena is a good girl, a lovely young woman, but she is not... adequately prepared to put herself forward where she needs to be. I have high hopes of her future both in terms of marriage and her potential role in the Kingdom, you see." Whether Fiona reached his conclusion, he waited to see.

[Lady Fiona Lancaster]

"He has great potential, and I am not just saying that because he's my son," she smiled at him, "Even though I will admit my pride does get the better of me," the statement was made mostly in self-deprecatory humor. She sobered somewhat, "I think what he needs is a path. Something that he can follow with a passion and use his skills to the fullest. He believes that I don't know what it's like to be in his position." Rather than be hurt by the statement, she seemed amused. "Oh, to be ignorant and somehow wise at the same time, no?" Such was the folly of youth.

Now at the talk of Selena, one of her brows arched. It was very clear that Spencer was building up to something. "A role in the Kingdom, hmm?" A smile toyed at the corners of her mouth, admiring how he so artfully crafted the statement. Spencer had a good way with words. It was a pity he could not be the Chancellor of the kingdom. "Given that you are asking me to polish her, I imagine your sights for her are set high. May I ask just how high?"

[Lord Spencer Lancaster]

He chuckled, amused by the renewal of proof that young men and women inevitably viewed their elders as lacking in understanding and sympathy. Theodore had been the same for a while, thankfully growing out of it swiftly. Selena had never fallen into that trap, but he expected it from Marlon soon. To hear Gerald made the typical mistake only relieved him. The boy was normal in every way. "I'll talk with him, see if I can't help him find that path. If he believe he's found it himself, he is likely to be more eager to follow it." Spencer had some thoughts on which way to nudge his nephew already, based on what he'd noticed of Gerald's skills and strengths.

Rounding a corner to see a spread of daffodils blooming like dancing spots of sunshine, he nodded to direct her attention for a brief appreciation of the picture they painted. It was a welcome sign of Spring after a cold, unyielding winter. Few would expect the starkly somber Duke of Indigane to notice something as commonplace as flowers, yet Spencer took the time to see the world and appreciate it. "As high as I can get her, to be blunt. Traditions are a fine thing," his eyes swiveled back to meet hers piercingly, "but it's time some of those traditions changed. Don't you agree?"

[Lady Fiona Lancaster]

Spotting the daffodils, she smiled. They were a favorite flower, but she couldn't pinpoint why. She wasn't all that fond of yellow, nor was it the prettiest flower in all of the world. Perhaps it was because it was often one of the first flowers of the new season. It being sturdy and prolific didn't hurt, either. Fi approached the flowers, reaching out to gently stroke her fingers over the petals. Spencer's voice drew her back to the conversation.

Turning, she met his eyes easily and listened carefully. "That entirely depends on many things, Spencer. Can those that hold onto tradition be convinced to change their ways, especially those that benefit most from them?" She didn't say that it was the Carlisles that stood to benefit, however. "And how just how strong is she to fight against tradition and get what she wants?"

[Lord Spencer Lancaster]

He followed her, watching as she caressed the flower. In some ways, the daffodil reminded him of Fiona with its hardy nature belied by its fragile-seeming appearance. The lady before him looked like a strong breath of air could send her flying, but there was steel in her spine. Fiona Carlisle Lancaster did not retreat from anyone or anything, something about her that Spencer greatly respected.

"Those who don't allow for the occasional exception find themselves held back by it. What worked for Sedrick clearly won't work for Riordan." In the questionable privacy of the garden, he spoke quietly but boldly. "Between you and I, we can persuade him to see past tradition towards a different option, especially as it contradicts the King's own expectations." Spencer had eyes and ears, aware that where the King was concerned, the Prince was determined to do the opposite. "The St. Claire girls are lovely and fine, but they're all the same. Selena is prepared to display herself as an attractive, desirable alternative. I have faith in her."

[Lady Fiona Lancaster]

Fiona gazed long and hard at Spencer, clearly thinking about the proposal he was making. Finally, she gave a small nod. "Very well. Let me meet with her and see what I think. I do not question your judgment,-" She almost stated his name on a familiar basis, but caught herself just in time, "my Lord, but what you are proposing is going to change a great deal. I have to see this for myself before I agree to it." She had a feeling that he would understand her stance on the matter, but she also didn't want to assume.

[Lord Spencer Lancaster]

Accepting her cautionary comment, Spencer bowed his head. "I understand and agree. But change must come, Your Highness, whether we will it or not. Without change, Demeria will stagnate. I do not believe either of us cares to see that." He held her gaze, careful not to let anything linger in his eyes that might lead to a misunderstanding. Friends they were, friends they would remain. Anything more might prove dangerous for both.

Resuming their stroll through the greening foliage of the garden, he was silent for a few minutes. Fiona had given him due notice that her cooperation was not won yet. Deciding a change of topic was in order, he asked lightly, "I understand you welcomed the Treniatans this morning. What are your initial impressions of them?"

[Lady Fiona Lancaster]

Gazes of intent could be just as dangerous as action itself. Thus, Fiona didn't allow herself to gaze at him for overly long. Doing so made her think thoughts she shouldn't. She was relieved, however, when he clearly felt the same way and resumed their walk. The change of topic was also a welcome one. ... Until, that is, he brought up the Treniatans.

Fiona immediately stiffened at the mention of the delegation, and it took everything she had not to scowl. Idiot, idiot, idiot boy! Instead, she put on a winning smile and glanced up at him. The voice was also entirely too sweet. "Oh, it went fine in the end, I suppose. They are hard to read, though. The Treniatans are well aware of their position of being the middle man between us and the Artonese and they may be getting wary of such an arrangement. The negotiations will require a delicate touch."

[Lord Spencer Lancaster]

The overly sweet tone made him want to wince, all too aware of what it concealed. The Prince had not been there to welcome the delegation - the entire city was abuzz with that fact. One more strike against Riordan in the Iron Princess's mind, if Spencer knew Fiona at all. Maybe he'd need to seek the Crown Prince out as well for a brief discussion. Words coming from another man, one not kin to him by blood, could carry a better impact.

Feeling her stiffen, he gently patted her hand, an old soothing gesture carried over from their youth and a subtle reminder not to give herself away. He could see a strolling pair of aging nobles, their gaze sharpening like a pair of hawks on the wing at the sight of the two. "They are, but they also know they stand to gain considerable wealth if such an agreement can be made. I could wish this came at a better time, though, old Lord Severn is ready to be put out to pasture. Demeria could use a younger, sharper mind as Master of Trade."

Spencer was vaguely amused at himself, and the conversation. To anyone listening, the topic was all over the place, varying like the wind, but to the two engaged in it, they were swiftly laying plans for the future.