Daisies and Ravens

[Lord Nathaniel Easton]

The mantle of responsibility looked to be settling on his shoulders as he was summoned to Triadon by way of the Summer Festival to begin replacing his father. It was the elderly Lord Easton's intent not only to leave his title to his eldest son but to also install him on the King's Council as the newest Master of Trade. Nathan had been exposed to much of his father's trade negotiations and contacts, granting him a rare knowledge that he would not need to be trained into to be the ideal replacement.

As he walked through the camp, intending to solicit his father's attention and otherwise notify him of his arrival, Nathan allowed himself a leisurely pace, looking around at those who attending the Festival. He swiftly noticed that each pavilion flew a crested flag, impressing him with the sheer amount of Demerian noble houses and foreign guests attending. His hands clasped firmly behind his back, his spine straight, he was careful in how he set his feet; one never knew what would run across one's path when pavilions shielded oncoming traffic, so to speak, and it also gave Nathan a much needed chance to adjust to the pressure of so many people around him. While he was not especially shy, he was reserved by nature, preferring his books and scrolls to the whirl of socialization that typified Court. Still, as  the future Lord of Eastleigh, he could not afford to make a hermit of himself, especially as their liege lady was present.

That reminded him that a call was due to be paid on the Lady Rose, distracting him for a few precious minutes and leaving him vulnerable to the whims and caprices of Fate. Who or what would come across him might prove to be purest chance...


Lady Cecelia St. Claire

[Lady Cecelia St. Claire]

As the youngest, Cecelia was free of the responsibility that her older siblings faced. Not a social creature, by any means, the festival found Cecelia St. Claire to have nurtured herself a little haven of sorts around her familys pavilion. There were several people attending the events which neatly caused a St. Claire daughter to hide herself away. She was not being completely hidden as she sometimes ran across people and from one of these people, she had borrowed a book. As she left the individuals pavilion, she could not help but start to read even as she walked. There were usually none in her path since people tended to attend events or keep to their own so it was quite by surprise that Cecelia found herself bumping into and bouncing off of the chest of an unknown man with a surprised 'oof'.

Flushing a bright pink and thankful that she had managed not to fall to the ground, Cecelia bowed in apology. "My apologies, My Lord, I was not paying attention to my surroundings," she apologized in a voice so soft it was doubtful that he would hear her at all. This was her first time speaking to a man on her own so she had no real clue what to do. And where had her book fallen to?

Lord Nathaniel Easton

[Lord Nathaniel Easton]

He wasn't precisely paying rapt attention to where he walked either, recovering his wits swiftly after the unexpected collision to reach out and steady the other. His eyes fell on the form, seeing a spill of golden hair, bright blue eyes and a book. Once he was sure that she was steady, he eased back so as not to crowd the lady and to be polite. Nathan saw the lips move, but the voice was so soft he could barely hear her, leaning a little closer to catch the words. The blush indicated embarrassment, making the words a likely apology.

He smiled gently, wondering who she was and if she was merely shy. Certainly she was quite young; if he was any judge, likely at least five years his junior. Bowing politely to her, her clothing indicated she was one of the court and a noblewoman. "I beg your pardon as well, my lady. I hope you are not injured?" Carefully, Nathan looked her over, then noted the book with interest. A step to the side brought him to it, retrieving the fallen tome and dusting it off before inspecting for damage. And of course, stealing a look at the title. "Ah, an excellent book. I hope you are enjoying it?"

Books, he knew, could break the ice even of the most shy, and he wanted to be polite.


Lady Cecelia St. Claire

[Lady Cecelia St. Claire]

Cecelia took another moment to mentally examine herself and came to the conclusion that she had no injuries. "No, no injured though my ego seems to be bruised," slipped out before she could stop it. At least she was audible this time, that was progress. Ceces eyes noticeably lit up as he dusted off her book, her hands eagerly taking it back from him. "Oh yes, it tells all about the traditions and customs of the country of Linten. They have an entirely different religious outlook than Demeria," she blurted out before stopping to breathe. It wasn't that she especially found Linten or religion interesting, it was the new knowledge of ideas she had never considered before.

Lord Nathaniel Easton