Distracted Discussion [4/6 Emma/Fiona, C ]

[Princess Emmaline Carlisle]

Thanks to her father's deliberate omission, Emmaline struggled to recover from the shock of forthcoming marriage to a perfect stranger. True, she had been raised to expect such a thing - she was a princess and a prime prospect for a marriage of alliance - the reality of it was far different. The Prince had been cordial, even pleasant, but she hadn't yet come to terms with the matter. Deeming a little shopping therapy best, she sent for her maid and one of the knights assigned to trailing her for the sake of her safety to accompany her. It wouldn't do to draw the wrong sort of attention, no matter how tempting it was.

Almost as an afterthought but done because she desperately needed someone who would understand her feelings, Emma sent a note inviting her great-aunt to join her in the expedition down to the marketplace. There were some very fundamental differences in their positions, but Fiona was in an arranged marriage to a man who wasn't her first choice. Perhaps she could help Emma reconcile herself to what seemed to be inevitable.

Waiting for her in the courtyard in the carriage with the knight mounted and ready, the young princess smoothed her skirts and tried not to sigh as she glanced out. The new court session had begun and just because the Prince was here didn't mean she shouldn't enjoy it, she told herself firmly. It might very well be her last in Demeria.

[Lady Fiona Lancaster]

Fiona could only partially understand what Emmaline was going through. While Fiona was also placed into an arranged marriage, she did not go all that far away from home, either. Emma, on the other hand, was leaving Demeria altogether. As much as she hated it, she had to agree with Sedrick that it was a smart match and move. The King's execution of said idea was quite flawed, but that was in the past. What's done is done. That didn't mean she wasn't going to enjoy what time she had left with her grandniece, however.

The groom offered his hand to help Fiona inside the carriage, letting out a gusty breath as she did so. "Hello, my darling. Thank you for the invitation, I think a little trip out of the castle is just what we need. This place, as much as I love it, can feel very confining, no?" Her eyes studied the young woman's face across from her. In sympathy, she reached out, taking her hand into her own. "How are you doing, Emma?"

[Princess Emmaline Carlisle]

Glad to see Fiona finally arrive, she smiled weakly at her and shifted her feet out of the way to let her great-aunt seat herself in the carriage. The cheerful tone helped lift her spirits a little finally, all too inclined to agree that right now, the walls of the castle were something they'd never been for her before - a prison. Her fingers gripped Fiona's almost like a lifeline, her eyes lowering. "I... I feel like I'm walking in some sort of nightmare, Aunt. And I cannot wake up. I know I was prepared for this all of my life, but the reality of it is nothing I know how to handle."

Giving her fingers a light squeeze and then sliding hers free, Emma sighed and lifted her eyes to meet Fiona's. "Does it get any easier? I know you did not leave Demeria, yet there had to be some shock to your system when you learned of your own marriage. How did you cope?"

[Lady Fiona Lancaster]

"Your father did a very poor job in handling how you were to be informed," she quipped dryly, "If you had time to adjust, it would be one thing, but ..." she let out a breath, and then gave a reassuring smile. She was going to be fine, Fiona thought. "It required a period of adjustment, I will admit. AT first, I was afraid. What sort of man was Martin? There was the face was saw in Court, but what was he really like? Fortunately, I had plenty of opportunity to find out before the marriage and I intend the same for you with His Highness, the prince."

She paused for a moment, "It got easier once I knew more about him. Martin was not the best of men, but he treated me cordially. It was the best I could hope for, really."

[Princess Emmaline Carlisle]

Fair treatment was the best she could hope for? Reality was bearing down on her with greater weight as Emma understood that in this, her aunt was unfortunately correct. The accidents of their births made them pawns on the great chessboard of State, to be used and moved and sacrificed for the protection of the King or Queen. Hardly an inspiring thought, but one she told herself to grow used to as soon as possible. This was to be her life, and if she was fortunate, the Prince of Sarkoszy would treat her with respect and dignity. Anything else would be a blessing.

"Thank you," Emma finally managed to say. "I'm sure I'll come to terms with this much better with the opportunity to get to know the Prince and determine what sort of man he is. As you say, so long as I am treated cordially, that is what matters." Deciding a change of subject was in order, she looked out the window. "The flowers are blooming rather lushly this year, don't you think?"

[Lady Fiona Lancaster]

Fion had a feeling that her words were not going to be very comforting, but she couldn't spare Emma from the reality of the situation, either. It just wasn't right to do so. A sympathetic smile was sent her way nonetheless. "Fear not, my dear, it is still a good while away before we even have to think about you leaving." Thus, she encouraged her to think about other things.... and Emma's words sparked an idea.

"Emma," she began slowly, looking at her niece speculatively. "We should plan a social event, perhaps a ball based on the theme of Spring. Perhaps a masquerade with dresses and masks to match said theme?" Her blonde brows rose curiously.

[Princess Emmaline Carlisle]

She blinked at her great-aunt, thoroughly distracted from the misery that loomed large over her mind of late. A masque promised to be a grand opportunity for fun, mischief and if nothing else, Emma secretly confessed to herself it could be one of her few chances to play at romance before duty intervened and the marriage of state became more than talk. And with a theme, the ladies of the Court would be all too delighted to take part. "When you say a theme of Spring, Aunt, do you mean things like birds, trees and flowers? Or anything associated with the season?" The more clear she was, the better an event they could plan.

[Lady Fiona Lancaster]

"What do you think?" She asked honestly, "I think we could go with both, really, though it may help to focus on a specific set of things, such as birds, trees and flowers. Or should we allow our guests to be creative with their interpretations of Spring time?" While Fiona tended to be one to take projects full on by the horns, she wanted to share this with Emma. The woman had a creative and crafty mind, after all, and Fiona did so enjoy watching it action.

[Princess Emmaline Carlisle]

As the carriage rumbled through the streets of Triadon, Emma gazed out at the passing landscape, wondering what answers or inspirations it held for her. The return of bright color, flowers and life to the capitol was entirely welcome after several months of drab and dreary winter; it was almost a rebirth in a way. Looking back to Fiona, she smiled. "I think we should allow the guests to be creative. If nothing else, Aunt, it promises to be... entertaining, don't you think?" There were certainly some very... broad interpretations of Spring that could be pursued by the brave and the bold alike!

"What would you choose to dress as?" The question was a fair one, Emma felt!

[Lady Fiona Lancaster]

With a thoughtful nod, she smiled, "I agree. I think it will be an opportunity for people to showcase their talents," or the talents of their servants and ladies, but that went without saying. Despite the rough start the two of them had, Fiona was nonetheless impressed with how Selena presented herself. She fought against a sigh. She was probably going to have to apologize to her for her overly forward behavior. If Spencer had high designs for his daughter, being cold and distant wasn't going to accomplish anything. Damn that man.

Tearing her gaze from the window back to her, she brought herself back to the conversation and smiled in thought. A wicked laugh suddenly escaped her, and a teasing grin flashed easily, "A queen bee, perhaps?"

[Princess Emmaline Carlisle]

Hearing the sigh, Emma turned to Fiona with obvious concern. Such an expulsion of breath wasn't like her aunt, and now she was concerned. "Is something wrong, Aunt? Something more than the usual family strife, that is." She couldn't stop the wry smile that bloomed in an effort to tease the words from Fiona, only to hear her comment and laugh outright.

"I could see that. A queen bee, with a busy hive of devoted worker bees to follow you?"

[Lady Fiona Lancaster]

The idea of her being a queen bee with a plethora of worker bees to follow her amused her greatly, and she chuckled to show this. "That is a rather enticing thought. Perhaps I should look into it."

"Oh," she shook her head slowly, "I'm fine, Emma, I promise. I am just thinking on my actions the last few days. I fear there may have been too much iron in them," a smile formed for her niece's sake, then. "I had my first meeting with the Lady Selena Lancaster. I was too heavy handed in my approach, and overcompensated for control of the conversation. In short, my own pride got in the way."

[Princess Emmaline Carlisle]

"You should. It's a very clever idea, Aunt." Emma was rather pleased with it herself, all too amused by the mental pictures the idea evoked. There was a great deal of the Queen about Fiona, enough that a tiny, troubled thought wormed its way into her mind. Surely not, though. That was just not Fiona's way... was it?

Deciding to put it out of her mind, she tuned in to the concern expressed by her aunt, unable to keep the surprise from crossing her features. Fiona, admitting a flaw, much less regretting them? She blinked, struggling to recover before asking hesitantly, "Perhaps you are being too hard on yourself? Lady Selena does not seem to me the sort who is easy to approach." Then again, that could be said of St. Claires too.

[Lady Fiona Lancaster]

The thought of being Queen of Demeria had crossed her mind more than once, especially with the growing madness of Sedrick and waste that was Riordan. Neither of them were particularly fit to be her liege, but ... no. She had been refraining herself, if only for Emma's sake. That and she had to wonder if Spencer would ever support such a move. "Thank you, my dear," she said with a winning smile. "I think I'll have a great deal of fun designing the costume."

In thinking of Selena, the smile turned mirthless, "That is what is interesting about her. She is very approachable, but she is not quite like the other ladies of the court. She comes across as having few ambitions, but I know she does. She's very good at keeping them hidden from view, which is a difficult quality to master." Spencer had chosen well, Fiona had concluded.

[Princess Emmaline Carlisle]

"You sound almost as if you admire her." With Fiona, she saw little reason to dance around subjects or play at subtlety. Emma was trying to learn what she could, though she didn't like the smile her aunt wore; it made her nervous, considerably so. It was not one given in humor or approval, but maybe wariness? Either way, Emma felt a cold chill pass through her. Fiona was not the sort of enemy wisely made.

"I will have to cultivate her acquaintance. But when you say you know she has ambitions, do you know what they might be?" If anyone could see through people, it was Fiona, and she found herself intrigued by the discussion of Selena Lancaster.