Time for themselves

[Lord Alejo Cataluña]

Some time away from tension of Demerian court seemed in order, and Alejo had taken leave with his family back to their ship – at least, for a day or so. He heard rumors there might be a move of the court again and wondered what the Lord Alejandro’s thoughts on the topic had been. Certain his wife won’t mind to take a look at the other Duchies aside from capital city and Carlisle, Alejo changed his course to the deck, thinking he would likely find both his wife, children, and four kits they had on the sunnier side of the ship. The weather supported his claim, as well, a nice enough day for everyone and their foxes to spend it above deck, providing them all with much needed sun and a way to see if there were any strangers arriving to port, an amusement enough for his family to keep them occupied.

“Well, hello, there,” he chuckled, as one of the foxes found it prudent to tangle between his legs as he made his way through the ship. “Did you grow bored with the hide and seek already?” It seemed like a favorite game of the foxes, and they usually could be found in the oddest places, though it looked like they knew better than to go off ship. It didn’t seem like foxes were considered as pets by the local lords, and thus, a good enough precaution to keep them on board – as they seemed to prefer staying there, as well. Of course, the fox didn’t answer, but he didn’t exactly expect it to. Foxes didn’t talk, humans, on the other hand, did, and where there was one fox, the humans he was looking for weren’t far behind.


Lady Catalina Luña

[Lady Catalina Luña]

The retreat from the Demerian court had seemed to be a good idea. It would allow them time to reflect as well as to decide their next step without being influenced by the dark cloud that hung over most of the Demerians. There was also the fact that they were all far more comfortable on their ship than in a pavilion. If the court did move to another location, she supposed they would follow along if they were not otherwise occupied. They were here for more than just court, after all.

The day was glorious which found Catalina napping on one of the trunks on deck with a broken part of sail wrapped around her like a blanket. She was a small enough woman to comfortably do so and it was a common enough sight on the ship considering it was the one place that was perfectly safe for her to do so on due to the number of 'guards' that helped the ships captain keep her safe. Her gaurd of the moment was one of the crew members that was fixing up one of the broken nets that they used to procure fish.

The children had been playing with the fox kits but now seemed to find other more interesting places to be on the ship as they ran past their father with an absentminded, "Papa, foxes don't talk," said in unision his way as they passed him by.

Lord Alejo Cataluña

[Lord Alejo Cataluña]

Quirking an eyebrow in amusement at the goings on around him, Alejo ruffled his son’s hair, as the boy was the closest to race past him. “No, they don’t, but they certainly are expressive enough,” he chuckled, before giving them a look. “Stay on the ship and watch your step,” he shouted to their backs, pretty certain it was an effort wasted. Curious kits, whether human or animal, usually didn’t hear any commentaries, though the shouting seemed to rouse Catalina from her nap.

“Sorry, love. We’ll try for more quiet next time we know where exactly you’re napping,” he apologized, sitting down next to the trunk and eyeing the sail and his wife, who seemed to be mending the thing earlier. It was one of the more familiar sights on the ship, as well, so he wasn’t too surprised when the same black fox he’d seen around for a time curled up in the shade the trunk had to offer while her siblings decided to follow the children.


Lady Catalina Luña

[Lady Catalina Luña]

Peaceful nap disturbed by the sounds of her husband shouting, Catalina slowly woke from her nap and blinked at her husband as he sat down next to her trunk. Rubbing the sleep out of her eyes, Catalina pushed the sail she had been working on aside and shifted into her husbands lap. "What are you hollering about now?" She asked, slightly grumpy due to being woken up before she was ready.

"When are we headed off next?" She asked as she settled herself comfortably on his lap and rested her head on his shoulder as she waited to so what was next on their rough agenda. As it was, they were just going with the flow and somewhat enjoying their time in a new country. She was also making several observations on the differences between home and Demeria. Moving her head off of Alejos shoulder, Catalina spontaneously kissed the tip of his nose before using his probably surprise from that action to give him a deep, passionate kiss that had Alejos crewman giving a low wolf whistle before snickering and moving off to give the married pair their privacy. It wasn't an unusual happening and Catalina was used to it by now. Remembering how she used to be embarrassed and hurt by such reactions in their first years together, Catalina felt a quiet amusement at how much she had adapted to this way of life.

"I love you, My Lord," she teased as she rested her head on his shoulder once more.

Lord Alejo Cataluña

[Lord Alejo Cataluña]

Stifling laughter at the typical Catalina reaction to whenever she was disturbed from a nap, Alejo snuck a kiss to the tip of his wife’s nose, as she settled herself more comfortably on his lap, and wrapped his arms around her to keep her secure. “For the children to mind their steps,” he said mildly, knowing that it was probably a needed, if unheeded, reminder. “They need it on occasion, both kids and foxes.” And the second were more apt to remember it than the first, as well, not that he mentioned it.

As for the other question, he hummed in pleasure before answering, Catalina’s kiss belaying anything he might’ve said. Returning the kiss first, then giving the crewman’s back a look that probably told other curious eyes to find someplace else to be, Alejo kissed his wife again. “I love you, too, my lady,” he teased her back before thinking through to her questions. “I’ve men keeping a discreet eye on our wayward pirates, and I’m sure our lords interested in solving this problem once and for all are doing the same,” he told her, making a note to approach one of said lords who seemed to be leading the whole operation.

“If we want to know more, we’ll have to follow the Court for a while, but I suspect we’ll turn around to one of the Duchies more threatened by them than the Court. We’ll have to be ready for abrupt change of plans.” This simply meant to pack for both occasions, which may prove cumbersome, but probably was a good idea. “I believe we’ll know soon enough where the Court goes,” he concluded, wondering if a separate route was going to be wiser than the one following the rest of the nobles, a hand lightly running through Catalina's hair as he spoke. It seemed like there was still time for them to participate in the rest of festival’s entertainment, however, so they could relax for now.


Lady Catalina Luña

[Lady Catalina Luña]

"No laughing at me," Catalina intoned sleepily as she noticed him stifling laughter. Wrinkling her nose as he snuck a kiss to the tip of it, Catalina settled more comfortably in his arms, her favorite place to be. "Uh huh, good luck having them listen. They are our children, after all, and we were not exactly good at listening, were we?" She teased. Their path to practically forcing her father to allow them to be betrothed had been one such major instance. She had decided she wanted to marry this damn sea captain and she had did everything in her power to make it happen though it had been Alejos serenades that had driven her father over the edge.

Giggling at the look cast the crewmans way, a sign that her husband rather wanted a bit of alone time with her, Catalina returned his kiss as he kissed her once more. Listening intently as Alejo informed her that he had men keeping on eye on the pirates that they currently were tracking, Catalina wondered where they would be up to next. "Ah, that's fine. This court is interesting, not at all boring yet they are so.. proper and restricted in public. You have noticed that you and I seem to be the only ones daring to kiss one another as a husband and wife, haven't you?" There were other married pairs scattered about, such as the Jardiniers, but she had yet to see any being openly affectionate with the other. She was too used to being openly affectionate with Alejo, most likely because they spent a majority of time on their ship than in courts of the land.

"We shall pack for both scenarios then so that we can be ready to move at a moments notice," she informed him, making mental note to have some men assigned that duty to help lessen her burden, before humming in pleasure as he ran a hand through her hair. "I love it when you do that."

Lord Alejo Cataluña

[Lord Alejo Cataluña]

“Sorry, love, hard not to do, though god knows I’ve seen this reaction from you numerous times.” A light, gentle tap on her wrinkled nose just ensured it wrinkling more, and was followed by outright laughing as she commented on their own unwillingness to listen to good sense. “Still doesn’t hurt to try, perhaps something will stay in their heads and they’ll take more care,” he teased back, knowing perfectly well that their children were just that, their children, and both much of the same temperament as he and Catalina when they were younger. As such, the wish for luck was much appreciated and said luck very much needed.

Her observation was as accurate as ever, and indeed he noticed the very same thing when not distracted by observing their surroundings. “Perhaps they’re different in private or small circles, as it seems to be staying such here,” he suggested, though he could agree with the curiosity of Demerian court. “They certainly have a variety of interesting personalities.” If he believed the account of Lord Frederick of Treniata, this Court was far from a boring one. “Certainly a change from dueling every other day because a noble or other was mortally offended by this move or that on your end, is it not?”

As for packing, he could well handle it for both of them, but delegating was far more useful when one was busy with other matters, or distracted, which he suspected both of them would be soon enough. “That can wait, or we can delegate, to see it done while we’re doing something else. Perhaps a picnic we could join to share with our fellow foreigners, and if they wish to join, Demerians?”

Bringing up the idea that had been discussed between him and the Treniatan Duke, Alejo followed it up with the comment. “Lord von Arles of Treniata seemed to be amenable to it when it came up in our conversation couple days’ back, and I see no reason why not to follow up on this one. It shall give us some insight into our other neighbors.” Not Arton, since lack of their presence was obvious for the moment, but everyone else was present and accounted for, and Alejo intended to play well on that idea, if it ever happened.


Lady Catalina Luña

[Lady Catalina Luña]

"Which reaction?" She asked curiously before wrinkling her nose even more as he tapped it. Laughing along with him as he did so, Catalina wondered if their attempts would settle into their childrens heads. Well, they would see in due time, she supposed. For now, she was enjoying a moment alone with her beloved sea captain. "Mmm, we'll see as our visit goes on, I suppose," she said before snickering at the question asked. "Yes, or a duel for a ladys hand whether or not she desires to give it," she commented wryly, remembering one such incident during their engagement period. Of course, Alejo had won that one, no problem.

"Let's delegate it to the men. I want freedom to explore and observe more of this country," she suggested before tilting her head to the side as she considered the suggestion of a picnic given. "That would be splendid. With fine wine, as well," she commented with a wicked grin considering some of the uses the pair of them had with wine. "A fine idea, my love though probably best I have no hand in the food preparations. Think our cook is up to task of providing some of our finest Linten meals to delight their palettes?" She asked, personally finding their ships cook to be quite the talented one though she had no idea if the man would be able to handle the pressure of cooking for various foreign nobles versus starving, hard working men.

Lord Alejo Cataluña

[Lord Alejo Cataluña]

Amused at her reaction, entirely too predictable one at that, Alejo grinned and tapped Catalina’s nose again. “That reaction,” he teased lightly, before giving an amused snort. The duel in question had been won with fair ease and earned him a share of fussing from Catalina herself, though he managed to get away without wounds. At least, it didn’t seem like he’d be getting any duels here, which was a relief.

“Good, then that’s what we’ll do. It seems we’ll be able to travel, both with purpose and for leisure, and I’m of a mind to take it on our ship by rivers,” he commented, uncertain whether they should be joining any processions. While that would likely cause more rumors about them, he felt the safest on their own ship. “I feel we’re the safest on our own ship,” he added aloud for Catalina’s comfort. “As to additions to the cooks, I’ll have word with those at the festival’s kitchens to see if they’ll accept directions and recipes. The taste would be bound to be slightly different from what we’re used to, but it’ll save our cook the pressure and the need to adjust his tasting audience.” Waiting to see whether Catalina had anything to add to this idea, he lightly ran his hand through her hair, amused at how comfortable they were. True, they seemed more at home here than at Court, and on that they both would be in agreement.


Lady Catalina Luña

[Lady Catalina Luña]

Wrinkling her nose up as Alejo tapped it, Catalina had to laugh at his light teasing. Remembering more of that particular duel herself, she remembered what the aftermath between them had been with a sly grin. “Sounds like a good plan and it would be more of a comfort to have a ship along than those pavilions we’ve been staying in since the summer festival is nowhere near the castle or any other innkeep establishments. And we’ll have more privacy,” she stated with a nod. She rather liked her privacy especially considering what they often got up to in their times alone together. Nodding in agreement that they were safest on their own ship, Catalina thought on the cooks comment for a bit. “What if our darling cook takes it as an insult?” She asked as she slightly leaned into the hand being run through her hair. The last thing she wanted to deal with was a slighted cook but she supposed they would see how the man would feel about it.

Lord Alejo Cataluña

[Lord Alejo Cataluña]

Shaking his head lightly at his wife for her reasons to staying on the ship, Alejo hummed in agreement, deciding there’d be no concerts on his end of things – at least none that didn’t involve a chant, and he doubted the audience’d approve those. “Yes it would. Not to mention the children would be more comfortable and out of, well, most trouble that we can’t get them out of.” A telling eyebrow was raised as he recalled having to look for his son in the palace while they stayed there. It was a briefly chaotic moment that was thankfully solved soon enough.

“We should be able to follow the rivers, as there are several ports there, and Indigane, if I remember right, is one of the main ones. As to our cook, I intend to give him charge over the meal preparation if he won’t mind doing so. I think I’ll manage to avoid an insult to the man.” An amused grin was given at the thought. He already had several conversations of similar manner with the man, for the moment managing to talk him around, and was fairly certain he’d be able to do so this time as well.


Lady Catalina Luña

[Lady Catalina Luña]

Smirking at her husband as he lightly shook his head at her, she tangled her hands into his hair as he continued to speak. Nodding in agreement and kissing the raised eyebrow, she supposed they would do as they usually did. “Good, it will be an honor for him if he’s up to the task. A chance to show that sea cooks can cook just as well as any castle cook,” she stated before slipping off of Alejos lap to stand. Stretching her legs a bit, Catalina did a small twirl of a dance in front of her husband before giving him a sly grin. “Now that we’ve talked all our business, are you up for a bit of pleasure?” Leaving that question for him to answer if he would follow her along or not, Catalina moved towards the privacy of their bedcabin. It was up to him, he could choose to decline and stay where he was or he could come after her for what she had in mind for their private entertainment.

Lord Alejo Cataluña

[Lord Alejo Cataluña]

A nod of agreement was given in answer to her statement, and Alejo gave her an amused look in answer to her kissing his eyebrow. Kissing her forehead, he hummed slightly at it. “If he’ll take it, I’ll be happy to offer him direction and choice of dishes to create, I know he probably will enjoy a challenge,” he considered, filling the thought away for the talk with the cook when it happened. That it would was inevitable, especially as the time and place were more than likely picked out. A word to palace cooks also wouldn’t be amiss, however, to ensure Linten dishes were included into the list of courses and the man consulted.

Watching in amusement as Catalina stretched her legs while getting up and did a slight twirl, he snickered at the reply. “Of course. Further business can wait, can’t it?” Teasing her and lightly pulling her forward to kiss her on the lips, he followed after her. For the time being, at least, there were no pressing matters that he could think of, so he would not be against the type of entertainment his wife had in mind, if he was reading her right.


[End thread]