Just a Little Bit of Fun (4/5)

[Prince Riordan Carlisle]

Court was set to begin that evening with the official presentation of the foreign delegates as well as any nobles that wanted to make a particular kind of splash. Riordan was having mixed feelings about the whole thing, to be honest. Oh, certainly, he could handle his duties and schmooze with the best of them. The biggest concern was whether or not he could actually control himself. Plenty of beautiful women were going to be flitting about the place. ... Maybe he needed to rid himself of certain impulses before attending.

Thus, he was burning off some energy by taking a healthy stroll through the gardens. Ladies loved gardens, he had realized, especially for all the beauty they contained. With spring officially in full swing, the flowers seemed almost happy in their blooms. It was certainly infectious. Not even Riordan could dwell on the dismal aspects of his life.

As he moved further, he happened to spot a lady with a wealth of dark hair. However, he couldn't tell from the distance just who it was. The Lady Marisa? Maybe it was her. No. Didn't look quite right. He would have to investigate! Riordan drew closer, tugging at his light colored tunic as he did so. A smile began to tug at his lips, but didn't say anything just yet... what was the woman doing?

[Lady Selena Lancaster]

Aware that her father intended her to make that splash tonight, Selena allowed herself to be attired, coiffed and otherwise primped to his satisfaction. The sole point of contention between them was her stubborn refusal to don the jewels that were once her mother's; she preferred to adorn herself in flowers, the fresher the better. Finally, he conceded the point, agreeing the novelty of it might create a bigger stir than the sparkle of jewels when she pointed out that nearly every other lady, young or old, would drape herself in her finest jewels. The point was to stand out, not blend in.

He reserved the right of final approval, sending her out to the gardens to select the blossoms and what else she felt she needed to complete her costume for this evening. Attired in pale golden yellow, she had a feeling she could find some appropriately matching flowers and soft greens to festoon her gown and hair. Delighted to enjoy the last of the twilight hour in the castle gardens, Selena was not initially aware that she was no longer alone as she bent from selecting a few starflowers, catching movement in the corner of her eye. She turned swiftly, startled to see the Crown Prince watching her with a smile.

She blushed and hastily curtseyed to him. "Your Highness. Forgive me, I did not realise you were there. Good evening."

[Prince Riordan Carlisle]

Ah, it was most definitely not Lady Marisa. This woman was taller, had a more full figure and looked very very different than she. There was a certain elegance in the woman's face that had to be admired, though. She was, indeed, very finely attired and the dressed flattered her figure certainly. However, unlike most ladies in the Court, she did not seem to be wearing much jewelry. That was certainly interesting. "Oh, that's right," he replied with an easy smile, "I didn't exactly announce my arrival."

Now it was time to test himself. Could he actually do this? "If I may be so forward, but is it not traditional for a woman to receive flowers from a man, especially if he finds her to be admirable?" With that, he carefully picked up a star flower similar to what she was looking for and offered it.

[Lady Selena Lancaster]

The only jewels her father had been able to press upon her were a pair of dainty pearl drop earrings. Selena enjoyed the way they swung from her lobes as she straightened, hands resting on the bell of her skirt as it flared from her hips, dark eyes resting calmly on the Prince. "You did not, Your Highness, but neither did I. An omission on both our parts that I will too happily forgive if you are willing to do the same?" She was not exerting herself in the slightest to be charming or flirtatious, only speaking normally. Still, she added a soft smile, one that set her eyes to sparkling with the native humour kept under wraps.

When the flower was offered to her, Selena considered it a courtly gesture and a kindness, inclining her head as she reached to accept it. "Thank you, Your Highness. It is gracious of you to say so." They hardly knew each other; she doubted he found her particularly admirable, but half of chivalry these days was charm. Taking the flower, she gently trimmed the stem to slide it into the curve of glossy, dark braid where it glowed pale as the star for which it was named. "If I may be forward in turn, what brings you to the gardens at this hour?"

[Prince Riordan Carlisle]

While she may not have had a charming or flirtatious tone in her voice, there was a look in her eye. It was a look that Riordan definitely recognized; this was a woman that had a sense of humor but was waiting for it to be truly exploited. Riordan could work with this. Maybe it would refreshing to flirt with humor than unctuous compliments, even if Selena was actually a rather lovely woman.

Watching her apply the flowers to her hair, he had to step back a moment to take in the complete picture that she made for herself. How very interesting. Selena seemed to be taking a unique approach to getting noticed, and he had to admit, that it was working. "What better way to enjoy the beauty of the garden than to take it with you. Well though out, my Lady." And then came her forward question, "Well, if you must know," he leaned in, "Before we get into the crush of people in court, I figured I'd get some fresh air and smell something sweet while I could." Mirth now started shining in his own eyes.

[Lady Selena Lancaster]

He seemed surprised, she noted, as he stepped back to examine her effort with the flower. Perhaps her plan of subtle difference had some merit, as suggested to her father. Selena certainly knew that the Crown Prince was headed in the direction of jaded, if not already indifferent to the frequent, ostentatious displays of wealth that comprised a majority of the Demerian Court. The flowers garnered a compliment, one that brightened her smile as she bowed her head in acknowledgment of her choice. "Well said, Your Highness. I have always enjoyed the gardens at twilight. It is a love affair between night and day, I once heard."

Feeling him move closer before the brush of warm air accompanied his words, Selena allowed herself to laugh softly. "A crush is a good way of putting it. And perhaps it isn't so much the sweetness you seek as a cleaner, singular scent in lieu of overwhelming your senses with a myriad of perfumes, some of which clash horribly?" It seemed like most ladies at court drenched themselves in scent, as if they were flowers trying to draw bees. Instead, Selena wondered why more weren't repelled by the wave of fragrance that preceded certain people. "

[Prince Riordan Carlisle]

"It is not uncommon that I leave court with something of a powerful headache," he confessed with a sigh. "And even worse, whomever is wearing the most offensive perfume will forever be associated with it. I have noticed that whenever I encounter a certain scent, it can provoke powerful memories." He smiled gently then, "Such as my mother's preferred soap." But there was no need to get too particularly sappy in the moment.

"I like your approach, my Lady. You present yourself... as yourself. You do not seem to feel the need to hide many flaws by excessive scents or distracting baubles. You are very refreshing, and honestly, unlike any woman I have met." Riordan was surprised at himself; he genuinely found Selena to be interesting. She wasn't just like any other woman one would find in Court.

[Lady Selena Lancaster]

"Who doesn't?" Selena shuddered with the mere thought of tonight's wash of conflicting scents and sounds. For anyone with the least sensitivity, a session of Court could be almost painful. "Despite that, there is much to enjoy of the court gatherings, thankfully." On that point, she was not sure whom she reassured more, the Crown Prince or herself. She knew her duty, as did he, but the execution of such required some effort. She let the comment of the late queen pass; she barely remembered the lady, being too young for formal court when the Queen died.

A surprised look flickered across her face with the unexpected compliment, her eyes wide for a moment. "I see no reason to compete with others, Your Highness, or to pretend to be someone I am not. That in itself is a weakness, something no one associated with the Court can truly afford. But am I truly so different to you?" She looked back at him curiously. There were a few others she'd noticed who were unapologetically themselves, including his sister and great-aunt.

[Prince Riordan Carlisle]

"Oh, yes. I have been told that a traveling troupe of performers from Linten is set to arrive in the next few days. Their entertainment is proving to be most promising," he went on with a smile, and then paused. Why were they standing and talking? There was much to the castle gardens, after all. Thus, he offered his arm to her. "I have heard they love dancing with fire," he leaned in with something of an excited grin.

The latter comments were thought on, he smiled for a moment. "I don't know. That depends, my Lady. You are clearly a lovely lady in your own right, and you are very confident in who you are. Does your family accept you for who you are? Support you?" It was clear in his voice that such was the not the case for him, though he wasn't about to voice it.

[Lady Selena Lancaster]

It was a risk, accepting his invitation to walk. Selena felt she'd made sufficient impression on the Crown Prince, however, that he would not behave inappropriately with her. Reaching to take his arm, she fell into step beside him and nodded to his words of the Lintonese players coming. It promised to be one of the numerous highlights of the Court season, and she was very much looking forward to it. She did so enjoy mummers and jongleurs; it had been too long since she had last enjoyed such entertainments. "I'd like to see that. Dancing with fire sounds like more than dangerous excitement; it sounds a test of skill and courage to me."

The tone of his voice dimmed her smile a little as the topic shifted to families and acceptance; she had ears to hear the subtle note of bitterness to his voice. "They do, for which I know I am fortunate beyond measure. My father is the sort of man who endeavours to match his plans for his children to their natural talents. I know that is rare, especially for those of an exalted station on whom high expectations are laid." She was somewhat sympathetic, but concealed it; she doubted he wanted her pity.

[Prince Riordan Carlisle]

"Oh, indeed, it is. It takes many years of training and considerable determination to safely do so. The concept is simple enough, I suppose, but its execution? To think," he leaned toward her just a little to share another secret with her, "I have to concentrate a great deal just to not step on any toes. Imagine me dancing with fire? No no." A quiet chuckle escaped him before shifting back to the other topic.

"Then you are truly blessed, my dear Lady Selena. I can see why your father would hold you in high regard, actually. I am, understandably, curious to just what your natural talents may be. Already, I know one of them; the ability to make tasteful and creative accoutrements." Again, he glanced at her hair to see how well the flowers contrasted with her dark hair.

[Lady Selena Lancaster]

Before she could think better of it, Selena's occasionally unruly tongue slipped its leash. "You may not dance with fire, Your Highness, but I believe you are fond of playing with it? It is a wonder you are not more than merely singed at times." If she paid heed to any gossip, she would have been dead certain the man should be criss-crossed with the scars of his burns, even the proverbial burns. As soon as she said it, she grimaced to herself and looked away before she blushed, gladly seizing on a change of topic.

"My natural talents, Your Highness, are best discovered over time and situation. To tell you all of them might overwhelm you, and surely we cannot have that, least of all before a session of the Court where your wits must be finely hones." Selena smiled, a gentle dip of a curtsey thanking him for his artful compliment. "Flowers suit me better than jewels, I believe." And made her a novelty when surrounded by walking advertisements for the city's jewelers.

[Prince Riordan Carlisle]

Selena was proving a surprise in more ways than one. Riordan's eyebrows rose noticeably at the comment regarding his playing with fire. The look away from him and the telltale blush told him that she was embarrassed by her words, but it was too late! They had been spoken, and words spoken in haste often had a ring of truth to them. Instead of being offended by them, he instead gave her a knowing smile, despite her attempt at changing the topic, "I have been singed, actually. Three times, more accurately." But he was going to give away the names of those who had wielded the flames.

"Oh, then that merely tempts me to keep a very close watch on you, indeed. I am looking forward to discovering your talents, for they promise to be both strong and intriguing, I am sure." The smile came easily to his features. "I agree. Though... don't be too surprised if you receive the gift of a gem here and there, my lady."

[Lady Selena Lancaster]

Selena was relieved to know he was not going to make an issue of her verbal faux pas, continuing to walk beside him, a small smile thanking him for his restraint on her behalf. The knowing smile was returned to him without asking the identities of those who'd scorched him. "Thrice? I would think a single scorching would be more than sufficient but then I have no liking for being burned, myself." Added in a light tone, she laughed, lifting a brow at his next words.

"Your Highness is too generous to suggest gifts for simply being myself." The thought unnerved her a little, but Selena also was left to ponder just how much of a novelty she was in Riordan's eyes. The Court was a hotbed of personalities both real and perceived, she knew. Was one who stood apart from that and wore no masks so intriguing to him? She couldn't fathom it, if only because she knew no other way to be.

[Prince Riordan Carlisle]

Riordan himself had to wonder just how aware Selena was of his shortcomings. He knew for a fact that rumors have gone racing through court, especially when it came to his indiscretion at the selection of various ladies. Most of the ladies that he pursued were either no real challenge intellectually or they were just as interested in carnal acts as he was. Frankly, Riordan thought there should be no shame in what was clearly a natural act, anyway. However, even if he was the Crown Prince, he knew couldn't rail against society in such a manner. "Oh, believe me, being burned is a very unpleasant sensation. Not even a proper licking of the wound will soothe the pain," he gave her a surprisingly reassuring smile in light of the dour subject.

"And modest, too. That is another rarity in this Court, Lady Selena, regardless of how you may feel about it. Besides," the smile grew, "Isn't that part of the reason bestow gifts upon ladies they find attractive? Is it not the virtue of them being what they are that gains their attention?" This was turning out to be a rather interesting and thoughtful conversation. Riordan liked it.