A light on the lady

[Prince Tristan Carlisle]

The fair, and fairly elusive, Lady Selena was unknowingly causing a mild headache for Tris, who’d taken it seriously trying to pick some blackmail from her on his brother. He meant, getting to know the lady, of course. Not that Riordan’ll ever learn the real reason behind this little attempt at a meeting that for now seemed to go awry. He could’ve easily sent a servant with the query to the lady’s whereabouts and free time, but it utterly slipped his mind, not to mention he simply enjoyed walking, which was precisely what he ended up doing throughout the festival grounds in his quest. He hadn’t made any plans in particular as of yet, but was hoping to come up with something on the spot, as he was good at doing, in order for them to pass their conversation – or perhaps the lady herself would have some idea.

First, however, he’d have to be able to find her in order to speak with her, and that was proving the most difficult point of the day. She wasn’t at the pavilion, of that he was certain, as he hadn’t seen her there. She also wasn’t, for a change, with his brother, which was why Tris went looking for her in the first place. He loved his brother, really, but in this case the distraction was not going to be appreciated. Stopping next to the archery range for a brief pause, Tris blushed faintly at the thought of type of distraction that conversation was going to be. Perhaps, his brother’s absence was for the best this time around. Eyes scanning the grounds and coming up with zero again, for really, there was no reason for the lady to be here, he turned to go someplace else. Perhaps there’d be better luck where he hadn’t been yet, like, let’s say, the kitchens? There really was only one way to find out.


Lady Selena Lancaster

[Lady Selena Lancaster]

Selena was not intentionally remaining elusive. Had she known that Prince Tristan wished to speak with her, she would have rendered herself available with a measure of promptness, yet ignorance was hardly her excuse for it. Demands on her time and attention, social obligations and responsibilities, as well as her family, kept her on the move and inadvertently beyond the Prince's capacity to solicit her for a few words. She was no archer and did not pretend to be, giving her no cause to visit the makeshift ranged, but the camp-kitchens were a very real possibility, especially as Theo was not feeling well.

Unaware of the Prince on approach, she spoke quietly with one of the cooks to request a soothing broth be concocted for her brother, feeling a trifle indisposed. Selena was an attentive, patient nurse to her elder brother, aware that he enjoyed the attention from her while he could ensnare it. She was glad to give it, knowing that all too soon, she would no longer be able to do so. The time together was welcomed, despite the unpleasant circumstances and her brother's obvious misery. Trusting the cooks' skills to render one of a number of remedies, she was there... but would Tristan arrive in time to detain her for his purposes?


Prince Tristan Carlisle

[Prince Tristan Carlisle]

It seemed like the search was nearing an end, especially once he approached the campground’s kitchens. For now resisting the urge to nab something and go like he usually did, Tris gave a pause and a thoughtful look to the inside. It did seem like his guess was correct, but he paused to allow Lady Selena to finish her conversation before approaching. It seemed like it was not a good idea to keep her long for the moment, but perhaps a walk back wherever it was she was planning to go next?

“Lady Selena, good day,” the approach taken once he came close enough to get noticed without shouting, Tris bowed toward the young woman as was appropriate, curiously considering both her appearance and the purpose of her being in the camp’s kitchens. “Could I have a moment of your time?” He was unlikely to be too in the way if he remained to the side of general activity, so it was what he did now. Thankfully, due to the size of the camp’s kitchen, it was fairly easy to do.


Lady Selena Lancaster

[Lady Selena Lancaster]

Satisfied that the cook would comply with her request, Selena thanked the man and turned to retreat from the tent that served as a makeshift kitchen. She was briefly taken aback to encounter Prince Tristan, but recovered her wits swiftly, curtseying politely to him with a cordial smile as he requested her time. "Good day, Your Highness." Curiosity lighted her eyes, wondering what he might request of her but agreeable all the same. "Of course. But shall we get out of these good people's way?" The tent was bustling with the work of feeding the Court several times a day, bringing Selena to gently guide them out out of the tent into the cooler air.

Standing to one side, out of the path of servants briskly moving to and fro, she turned an attentive face to him. "How may I serve you, Your Highness?"


Prince Tristan Carlisle

[Prince Tristan Carlisle]

Now that Lady Selena was found, Tris could see that he had, in fact, interrupted what looked like a set of instructions that could be of some importance. Yet, the curious look given his way was what decided him. “A wish to get to know you a little better than I do, My Lady.” An equally attentive expression turned to face the young woman, as he noted that she recovered from slightly surprised reaction she seemed to have earlier quite fast. “That is if it wouldn’t take you away from anything of importance that you intend to do right now.”

The sentence was phrased as a question, as he paused to consider their environment. A proper visit to this place sometime after this conversation was going to be warranted, however, so he made a mental note to do so.


Lady Selena Lancaster

[Lady Selena Lancaster]

Selena was mildly surprised that the Prince deliberately sought her out, putting the impulse down to a well-placed suggestion on Riordan's part that Tristan do so prior to the announcement of their betrothal. She had not purposely sought him out, not wishing to impose on his time, but as he was offering, accepted with a gentle nod. "You will not be taking me away from anything. I merely sought the cooks to request they prepare a broth for my brother, who is not feeling well. A mild malaise, thankfully, nothing serious."

The discussion could prove either awkward or enlightening for both, though she would endeavor to make it comfortable for them. "If you have a wish to sit somewhere, or perhaps take a walk while we talk?" The choice was left to him as the higher ranked, yet she was amenable to either aspect. A quiet smile accompanied her words as she added, "Though it is nearly time for the noon meal. I believe there are some tables which we can occupy if you are hungry?" If Tristan's appetite was anything like Marlon's, then the Prince was likely famished and the meal could prove a comfortable icebreaker for them.


Prince Tristan Carlisle

[Prince Tristan Carlisle]

Awkward was the word for it, and Tris considered the suggestion for a few moments before deciding to save them both the embarrassment of grumbling stomachs later in the day. “A meal, if you’ll join me,” he grinned, spying one of the tables they could use for such pastime. “Truth be told, I hadn’t noticed the time until you mentioned it.” For a moment he wondered whether asking for dispersal of formalities was appropriate, before deciding to wait for it until later.

“It’s good to hear it’s nothing serious for your brother. I know I’d be worried if it was one of my siblings.” His expression turned sympathetic as he waited to see how they’d go about the suggestion taken. While he could indeed just point out how to go about it, this time he would defer to Lady Selena, all things considered.


Lady Selena Lancaster

[Lady Selena Lancaster]

As she'd anticipated, the Prince opted for the meal, sending them both in the direction of one of the trestle tables intended for just that purpose. Amused, Selena settled on one of the chairs, smoothing her skirts as she laughed softly. "You might not have noticed the time, but I imagine your stomach would have told you what time it was. My younger brother is better than a time-candle or a water-clock for determining when it's time to eat." Sixteen year old young men were bottomless pits of unending hunger, as far as Selena was concerned.

"No, just a passing summer cold, I believe," she reassured him. "If it was serious, Theo wouldn't be raising such a fuss." She knew her brother well, enough that her worries were mild. "I do have some worry, of course, but as I am tending my brother as well, I'm confident a few days will have him back to his usual charming self." Waiting for him to be seated, Selena gestured to catch the attention of one of the cooks so they could pose their request for a meal. "How are you doing, Your Highness? I mean, really doing with all that is going on."

Prince Tristan Carlisle

[Prince Tristan Carlisle]

Tris laughed along with her, equally amused and embarrassed. “I also thought that it’s best dealt with before that would be announced nice and loudly, and with my luck, in a far more public place,” he confirmed, waiting until Lady Selena seated herself before doing the same.

Nodding in some sympathy for the young woman’s brother – summer colds weren’t anything good, Tris considered the question turned to him. “I believe I’m dealing as well as I can, my lady. I won’t say everything’s fine, since that would be lying, but for now it is as it is.” And he would just have to deal with it how he could, but he won’t be telling everything to a young woman who was practically a stranger yet. Granted, he had acted in larger part thanks to Riordan’s suggestion, as Lady Selena probably suspected, but it was also for his own benefit, as it distracted him from the Sarkoszy mess in the first place.


Lady Selena Lancaster

[Lady Selena Lancaster]

Seated now across from him, there was some measure of awkwardness that Selena was more than ready to put aside. "Please, call me Selena. I would very much like to become friends with you, if you are willing." As her betrothal to his brother was due to be announced shortly, it was only right and fitting that they get to know each other. Selena was quietly pleased that he'd sought her out, sparing her the need to seek him out.

She listened quietly as he spoke of the situation. "That is certainly one way of putting it, especially knowing you are in a very difficult and delicate position. It must be very challenging, trying to maintain a balance." Selena meant each word sincerely, sympathetic to his plight. Love and duty seldom went hand in hand; if anything, they were often in contradition to each other. "I was hoping I might prevail upon you to introduce me to Princess Katya. It may be that I can... lend a hand in this, if you are willing?"

Prince Tristan Carlisle

[Prince Tristan Carlisle]

Admitting to relief that the other was ready and willing to put formalities aside, Tris allowed himself to relax. “Then I’d like it if you called me Tris, as it seems like I will be able to call you a sister soon enough.” A pleased grin slipped up on his face, before he focused on the matter at hand. The suggestion was a welcome one, and allowed him to introduce the topic he was thinking about sooner or later.

“I’ll see what I can do to arrange such an introduction. I’m not certain to how often she’ll be available, considering she tends to be busy herself, but I could give it a try.” It would also allow him a moment to suggest that Katya join Lady…Selena’s household if the two will be able to get along. A rueful grin coming up, he realized that calling the young woman by her first name would be a bit of a challenge, but the one he could certainly overcome if he put some thought to it.

The sympathy given was appreciated, especially since he could see she was sincere about it, and Tris gave a slight incline of his head. “It seems I will have to step carefully in the next few weeks or so, but given my tendency to say things at exactly the wrong time, I’m not certain how I’ll fare.” The unease was fairly easy to express, at least to him, but he’d wait to see how it would be taken. Perhaps, indeed, he could make a friend here, which would be appreciated.


Lady Selena Lancaster

[Lady Selena Lancaster]

She relaxed in turn, glad that her invitation to dismiss formality was well-received, the pleased grin on his face adding to her increasing comfort in his presence. The opinion of Prince Tristan as regarded her betrothal to his brother was of importance to Selena. "Tris it shall be, though I am curious, if you'll allow it? Are you... all right with knowing I will be marrying your brother in time?" She did not quite ask for his blessing on the matter, though she welcomed it if offered.

"Of course," she replied in mention to Katya's schedule. "I am sure she is, but I also..." Selena frowned a little, glancing around before she lowered her voice. "I believe your Princess could use a friend who has some influence in the Court, if you'll pardon my frank speaking. I'd like to become that friend if she is willing, and you are amenable." The quiet look that traveled to Tris was sincere, if he opted to examine her features and eyes. "Riordan has mentioned that it is likely she will be requested to remain in Demeria. If she and I are able to become friends, it is my hope that I can make her extended stay more... comfortable, you might say."

A brief smile smoothed out her features at his rueful admission. "You will fare well enough, I believe. You're already making strides by recognizing that you've spoken very bluntly at times. And if you ever need to speak with someone who isn't in your family, you have only to ask. I would like for us to become friends as well, as I've said."

Prince Tristan Carlisle

[Prince Tristan Carlisle]

Snorting in amusement at the response and the questions that followed, Tris lightly shook his head, nodding his thanks as their meal was delivered to their table, but waiting to speak until they were on their own again. “If I wasn’t, I wouldn’t be accepting your offer to switch to first name basis, Selena. I admit it was surprising to see my brother actually getting himself sorted out at first, but I think you will be good for him from what I’ve seen of the two of you.” Surprising was putting it mildly, too, considering his initial avoidance of Riordan and his ways, but he had to admit he liked this change in his brother, especially so recently.

The suggestion to the thought was taken to mind as something to bring up, though Tris felt himself going red at the wording. “I believe it will be of help, though whether there will be an extended stay or not is something to be decided,” he hedged, uncertain of whether the negotiations would even be continued, much less Katya would stay around. While he would’ve liked it for things to turn out that way, Tris wasn’t fooling himself into it actually happening. “In fact should things turn out well and the alliance secured, I was hoping you’d be able to get along well enough for the Princess to join your household for a time – should that not be an imposition to you, of course.”

The low tones taken were mirrored and he was appreciative of the quiet comment. The subject of the Sarkoszy-Demeria negotiations’ failure, at least for the moment, was bandied around often enough without fresh news being fed to the gossip because the pair of them spoke too loudly. As for the offer of friendship extending to him, he inclined his head in agreement. “I’ll be pleased if we succeed in becoming friends, as well.” Riordan’d likely appreciate it, as well, and Tris himself felt slightly easier to have another he could call a friend. Friends were fairly few for now thanks to his own existing habits, but he was certain Selena could be one of them.


Lady Selena Lancaster

[Lady Selena Lancaster]

A slight smile bloomed with the suggestion that she might indeed prove good for the Crown Prince. "Your brother is at heart a good man, Tristan, he just needed some incentive to begin that sorting, and I believe he also needed someone who saw past his title to that man." Selena did not speak the obvious, that she saw him, but she added gently, "I believe he will be good for me too, reminding me that life does not always have to be serious and solemn." Their talk of Misrule Day came to mind, bringing a merry twinkle to her eyes.

The sudden influx of redness to his cheeks made her study his face. It was easy to forget that the younger Prince was a handful of years her junior, that he did not necessarily have a plethora of experience in the world of the Court despite being raised in it. "Of course, but I think we are allowed to think of contingency plans." She paused when he suggested Katya join her household, a thought that had not occurred to Selena yet there was a definite wisdom to such a notion. "Even if the alliance is not secured so swiftly, I'd welcome Princess Katya as a companion into my household. Eventually, her family must return home, and there can be no raised brows between you." As she would be Crown Princess, future Queen, taking the young woman under her wing would give Katya some much needed protection. "All the more reason for us to meet soon, then."

Selena had no intention of fueling fires with fresh gossip, but neither was she looking to avoid the topic either. That lent it more importance, but his acceptance brought a bright smile. She harbored no delusion that the friendship would be instant or come swiftly, but to know both of them were willing to work for it was a blessing. "So tell me, my friend... what do you think of the news that the joust is being moved?" A safe enough topic, and she was curious to know if he intended to compete.


Prince Tristan Carlisle

[Prince Tristan Carlisle]

Amused and mischievous expression lit up Tristan’s face as he considered the words. “Oh, that’s not just Riordan who’s good for making those reminders,” he murmured, recalling his own pitfalls and habit of pulling his siblings away from several too somber a moment. “It’s fun when I can manage so as well, but not often that it does happen.” Sometimes those moments turned into more or less confusion, which wasn’t at all what he wished for, but sometimes his attempts worked well enough.

Consideration of contingency plans wasn’t something that entered his mind, and he was thankful that someone chose to remind him of them. He could use a reminder from time to time and to start thinking for himself, as well, which would drastically improve his position, or so he hoped. “Indeed so, and I shall take a look into a possible meeting. Shall I let you know when and where once I have a chance to do so?” A question was posed, for he knew both of them were rarely in the same place at the same time, and thus there could well be difficulties at coordinating. Perhaps it would be easier given time.

Ah, fresh gossip. The Court was full of it daily, and Tris had trouble filtering out truth from fiction, though it seemed like the news of the joust was true. “A fine venture, considering this location’s been the sight of trouble and a place now that nobles seem to wish to escape.” A wave of his hand indicated some pavilions being taken down, while others took their places, though it couldn't be seen clearly from where they sat. “We could do with a change of scene, though I admit its location is surprising. I do not doubt the St. Claire deserves the honor, but it makes me wonder what’s the Duke’s purpose for suggesting Twinport. Have you any ideas?” The change of topic hadn’t escaped his notice and he went in direction of conversation, as it was.


Lady Selena Lancaster