Plotting Strategy

[Princess Anastasia Fyodorov]

Now that the archery tournament had come and gone, it was time to sit the family down and talk bluntly on the morass that faced them with the defection of their oldest brother. Anastasia went to some efforts to lay out a meal for her siblings, keeping wine, vodka and cider on hand for whatever their tastes might be. The discussion promised to be lengthy, and they might as well be comfortable while talking. The servants were sent away, they could tend themselves well enough, though she thanked them gently for their loyalty and help. 

Waiting for her siblings to arrive in their own good time, lamps were lighted against the descent of night, and she'd set a small cone of incense to burn in order to ward off insects. Rather than one of her more fashionable gowns, Anya opted for one of her loose-fitting Sarkozsian gowns, her hair left loose and coiling as she fought against pacing. 

It would be nice, she decided, to be united and standing on common ground together. Anya was immeasurably glad that Demetri had come, but she'd gotten the impression somehow that their father was on the way as well, and that she dreaded beyond measure. One way or another, they'd figure out a way for this to work. She hoped. 


Prince Demetri Fyodorov, Princess Katya Fyodorov

[Prince Demetri Fyodorov]

Given their current circumstance, of which Demetri had been a first-hand witness at the archery tournament, the gathering of all three siblings in one place was long overdue. Of course this being a possible target, he ensured their guards were all in place and well rested, instructing those men to change the guard to relieve those who were on watch too long, and only then joined his sister in their pavilion. Dressed more for comfort than any sort of formality, Demetri waited until the servants retired, directing a nod of thanks toward them, then glanced toward his sister as they waited for Katya to join the two of them.

“You can pace if you wish, though a carpet will have to be replaced, knowing your tendency to do so when you worry, Anya,” he noted in amusement, noting how the eldest sister was trying not to do so. His sisters were usually among the easiest people for him to read, and the tournament’s atmosphere had been rather on the tense side, given the reactions of the nobles to the presence of the three siblings, so he wasn’t at all surprised that at least Anya was still wound up. Katya’s temperament would have to be accessed when she arrived, but the recent events hadn’t made it easy at all on any of them, despite Demetri’s managing to remain calm throughout the event itself. They still had an event of their own to host if the program had not changed, and he hoped they would have a chance to discuss it as well as any alliances that may come to play. Those were now more important than ever, and he wondered whether his sisters would have suggestions to those points. Once their younger sister had joined them, they would be able to tell for certain which sources they owned for now and which they’d be able to bring to negotiations, for those were approaching quickly enough.

[Princess Katya Fyodorov]

Katya knew that such a discussion would be occurring sooner or later. As was her usual, Katya was dressed modestly and for comfort. The archery tournament had been interesting, which she supposed would be one of the ways to put it. She had managed to have a bit of fun, however though that could have been due to a certain young princes presence. A person would have had to been blind to not have noticed the stolen glances between the young prince and princess. At the very least, the occurrences would be lessened after the day they had spent together just the day before.

She was also looking forward to sharing a meal with her siblings. Nikolais actions had left the youngest Fyodorov disillusioned, disappointed and hurt. Katya needed her remaining siblings now more than ever. The chance to discuss everything that had come to pass was also welcome. Surely, the three of them could come up with a viable plan of action? Both Princesses had already proven themselves able of handling what was thrown their way even if they broke down in their times of privacy. Entering the pavilion, Katya had to smile at the similar, modest way that they were all dressed.

Her heart constricted at the sight of her siblings. If what they hoped for came to pass, the times she would see them would be lessened considerably. All the more reason for her to spend every moment that she could with them. Katya was as calm as could be, most likely a result of how she had spent the previous day. "Good evening, Anya, Demetri," she greeted as she settled herself comfortably on one of the seats.

Princess Anastasia Fyodorov Prince Demetri Fyodorov

[Princess Anastasia Fyodorov]

She had to stop, a small smile tugging at her lips to hear Demetri's words. He knew her too well sometimes, aware that her pacing was directly in proportion to her worry. "I don't mean to pace, but I feel so restless lately. I wish there were a safer way of purging it without drawing commentary." Anya knew the Fyodorovs were living under a metaphorical microscope these days, thanks to her older brother's idiocy. To put a single foot out of line, make any but the most correct remarks or behave in any way that raised a brow was likely to wind them further in the depths. Aware that she was likely the most concerned of all of them did not help, Anya knew there was no point in upsetting her brother or sister. They would each react and respond in their own ways.

Seeing her sister enter, she smiled more warmly, pleased to see Katya looking collected and calm. "Good evening, Katling. I hope we have not taken you from plans you had for this evening?"


Prince Demetri Fyodorov, Princess Katya Fyodorov

[Prince Demetri Fyodorov]

“Perhaps there shall be one, which is a part of what we’re here to find,” Demetri said with a slight smile of amusement on his face, a light gesture for his sisters to take their places. “Putting feet out of proverbial lines is going to be difficult if we have no knowledge of what such lines are, and we will face commentary no matter what we do or how we go about doing it.”

A slight shake of his head to indicate that their problems were likely in another direction entirely was followed by a warm smile of greeting toward Katya, as he glanced between the sisters in curiosity. He wasn’t aware of anything that could keep the youngest of the siblings occupied, unless he took into account possible attempts at sneaking around. Having a suspicious thought that Katya might have found company for this favorite endeavor of hers, he merely quirked an eyebrow up at the thought, but desisted asking. Each had their own secrets to keep, after all.

“But let us share our meal as we discuss what we currently have. It had been a long while since we were able to do so.” And the absence and the misconduct of the eldest of their group left him sore and disappointed like nothing else. Perhaps that had taken a few options away from them, but perhaps it had given them a few openings in the present court.


Princess Anastasia Fyodorov, Princess Katya Fyodorov

[Princess Katya Fyodorov]

"No, my time was free," she assured her elder sister. There always seemed to be some bit thing going on that she attended both as a young member of the court and as the youngest representative of their country. Considering the circumstances, however, there had been a lull in such things on top of being made to feel quite unwelcome at the small gatherings. Katya couldn't help but quirk an eyebrow right back up at her elder brother. Wondering what the man was thinking, Katya decided that he would say if she was meant to know.

"What we currently have and how best to take advantage of our merits?" She asked as she prepared to start in on her meal. Katya was not at all sure where they intended to start with this discussion. All she knew at the moment was that they needed a plan that would benefit everyone and appease the Demerians. Right now, that seemed like an impossible thing but she was sure that their three minds would come up with something that would possibly work.

[Princess Anastasia Fyodorov]

Taking her seat to join her siblings, Anya felt her spirits lighten a little. What was done, was done, but this felt positive and right. She and Katya were no longer alone, and Demetri had a good head on his shoulders. Surely they would form a plan that would help restore Sarkozsy to a state of honor and respect between the three of them. "Aside from the obvious, Katya has conducted herself ideally," a warm smile of pride went to her sister, "and I have been my most sincerely regretful, apologizing promptly to the King and Crown Prince. I also had a meeting with Prince Riordan yesterday."

That had started out strained, but he'd given her reassurances that they would not be abandoned in their hour of need, however difficult the next months would prove to be. "Prince Riordan supports the continued negotations and intends to do what he can to influence the nay-sayers to give us a chance to prove we're not only intolerant of Nikolai's actions, but to show that the nation of Sarkozsy is honorable. I think," Anya spoke quietly, "the very least we need to do is make public apologies and accept the responsibility of Nikolai's actions. What he did was wrong, there can be no question of that. Much as we're innocent of his wrong-doing, I doubt most will see it that way. So I suggest we step up and show we are not going to try and excuse him. Some gifts might be in order?" She looked between her brother and sister, hoping they too had ideas. "What are your thoughts?"


Princess Katya Fyodorov, Prince Demetri Fyodorov

[Prince Demetri Fyodorov]

Thoughtfully listening to what both his sisters had to say, Demetri lightly tapped his finger on the tabletop, considering their options. “The only thing I’m sorry about is that we have no hint to Nikolai’s whereabouts so we could bring them in to own up for his actions himself, but indeed, a public apology should be among those on our list of things to do on our brother’s behalf. I’ll need to meet with Prince Riordan to see if a court session could be arranged for such, and whether Princess Emmaline would remain long enough to hear an apology in private – or will want to do so. I have some goods with me on the ship that may serve as appropriate gifts as part of reparations should such be indicated, but I’ll need your help in determining which ones those would be.”

Amused at his lack of ability to pick appropriate gifts, he stilled his fingers with visible effort. “What do you think would be an appropriate response toward Nik’s actions from us?” Curious to see what his sisters thought, Demetri silently and forcefully suppressed the desire to go to drastic measures concerning the matter, deciding that for now, the wisest course of action would be to leave them to their father when he arrived. For him, right now the time was best to keep reason in mind if he could, as that would be of more help for everyone concerned than any other, more rash course of action he may have picked.


Princess Katya Fyodorov, Princess Anastasia Fyodorov