Just A Quiet Picnic... Right?

[Lord Dominic Halton]

True to his word, Dominic set up a time and a place to share a quiet little picnic with the de Winter family. Setting it up wasn't difficult, as he discovered a quiet glade off the paths where the sun shone gently through the leaves and created an aura of serenity he felt his liege family needed lately. Blankets were spread with cushions for the purposes of comfortable lounging, the better to encourage them to relax. The food was kept simple and easily eaten with the fingers, but napkins were of course on hand. No need for lanterns as it was broad daylight, and thankfully there was a nice breeze to keep the heat at bay.

He stood in the glade, awaiting his guests with a quiet smile on his face. Though Dominic had been tempted to invite two others, he kept to his promise to Jasen, maintaining the picnic as a strictly Oakdale only guest list. It was a purely casual situation, a chance to let him catch up with Sebastian and Christopher, and to discuss matters of importance to the duchy with the entire family. The last time he'd been able to see them all was not under the best of circumstances. Hopefully, this would prove far more pleasant for all involved. 

Everything was ready. All he needed now was the de Winter family, trusting they'd be along, singly or in a cluster. 


Lord Jasen de Winter, Lady Katalin de Winter, Lord Sebastian de Winter

[Lord Jasen de Winter]

“And I expect the changes you made to your schedule would do you a world of good,” Jasen was saying, as he was…well, not practically dragging one of his brothers out into the open, but close to it. At the very least, he was walking next to Christopher, who was wearing a scowl deep enough to frighten a vast majority of curious courtiers out of their way, so the path to the picnic indicated by Lord Halton earlier in the day was more or less clear.

The topic of conversation between the de Winter siblings had been the picnic in question, and the need for all four of them to get out of their respective holes more often. Amused to no end to see that the second one displeased his brother more than the first, since Chris was actually here this time, Jasen lightly clapped a hand on his brother’s shoulder, earning a slight smile in answer, particularly since they turned into a path leading to the glade in question, rather on the empty side where it concerned other people. “Admit it, you enjoy the Court despite whatever you’re saying,” he teased, as they approached the spot.

“There’s our friend now. Good day, my lord, and thank you. I trust you remember my brother Christopher?” The teasing shifted toward both men now there, as he placed the crate he carried with him to join the spread he could see waiting for them. It would be a good rest, indeed, or so he hoped.


Sir Christopher de Winter

[Sir Christopher de Winter]

The snort that met his older brother’s words while they walked was eloquent enough to express exactly what Christopher thought of his supposed enjoyment of the life at Court. Of course, it had clear advantages over the disadvantages in that it put him closer to his siblings, but aside from that, he’d find a hard time in finding pleasures among the glitter. In fact, the very thought that he would have to do so was half the reason for the scowl.

“I don’t know, Jasen. It’s enjoyable only on some occasions, as you well know. Frankly, I’d rather leave the socializing to you and those more suitable for it, but then, I don’t have to do much talking if all I’m doing is looking out for trouble.” The softly spoken teasing would’ve been missed by anyone not his sibling or close friend, for Chris had no trouble maintaining the scowl. The very sight of most of courtiers made him want to do so, and gossip mongers of the Court were one of the sorts of people he couldn’t stand. Right now, though, they seemed to get the message and scatter, which left the young knight exceptionally pleased with himself.

The small smile hadn’t emerged until they were well away from general paths and onto the one that led to the glade their picnic was to take place in. A quiet bow directed toward Lord Halton as appropriate, and a slight expression of amusement changed the scowling one from earlier, making him look more his age. “Brother, unless he has recently taken leave of his senses without your knowledge, I expect he remembers each of us. Good day, my lord.” A curious look was given toward the crate his brother added to the existing spread, but for now he remained quiet, waiting for the two of their siblings to show up. Things’ll be clear with time, after all.


Lord Dominic Halton

[Lady Katalin de Winter]

True to her word, Katalin made arrangements to join her brothers and Dominic on the quiet, private picnic. In a way, it was a relief to be free for a few hours, entrusting the King's well-being to one of his waiting gentlemen where she did not have to fret over the merest change of expression or sigh that was heaved. Aware that His Majesty had some few appointments scheduled, including with Lord St. Claire, she was all too pleased to escape that confrontation for the preferably pleasure of her family's company and an old friend.

Coming down the path that was indicated, she hoped she didn't get lost. Jasen's directions were... written in typical Jasen style, citing obscure landmarks and trusting his sister's sense of direction was up to the challenge. Amused by that, Katalin did her best to wind down the general path, then located through sheer luck the more obscure path that led to where the gentlemen were waiting. As she drew closer, she heard familiar voices, lightening her step as she emerged into the glade to join them. Would Sebastian be there?

"Good afternoon, Lord Halton," Katalin paused to curtsey politely to their host, then went to tug Christopher down to press a light kiss to his cheek. "I'm glad to see you, brother dear, and you as well, Jasen." Once Chris accepted his gesture of affection, Katalin drifted to deliver the same to Jasen as she looked around. "Is Sebastian not coming?" She missed her youngest brother terribly, but knew he preferred his work and his studies in Triadon to any court function.


Lord Dominic Halton, Lord Jasen de Winter, Lord Sebastian de Winter, Sir Christopher de Winter

[Lord Sebastian de Winter]

Sebastian really didn't want to be at the festival. Indeed, he would much rather be at his studies. Perhaps it was due to the fact that he really didn't feel comfortable interacting with large groups of people. The Spring Masque had been challenging enough for him. Yet, Jasen had prodded him into going, demanding that he take a break from his studies. The world of academia wasn't going anywhere and his project was on hold until the masons could get all of the materials needed, anyway! Thus, Sebastian agreed to go.

When he arrived at the festival, he agreed to set up in Jasen's pavilion. However, when the time came for the lunch, he lost track of his brother. Instead, all he had to work with were some oddly vague directions. Sebastian was not a ranger! He was not an outdoorsman! He was an engineer! An architect! So, understandably, he was lost for some time! His only saving grace was hearing familiar voices.

The scholar came bursting out of the brush with a gasp. "Oh, thank the Triad." He blinked at them.

Lord Dominic Halton, Lady Katalin de Winter, Lord Jasen de Winter, Sir Christopher de Winter

[Lord Dominic Halton]

What a quintet they made - the duke, the baron, the knight, the physician and the engineer, all at Court and wishing they were somewhere else when plenty of others would give their left eyetooth to be at Court. The irony was strong in this moment, bringing a smothered smile to bear as he turned to greet his guests. A hand was extended to grasp Christopher's, the other reaching up to grip his shoulder. "Seeing as I haven't gone senile or taken total leave of my senses, I think I remember this stranger. How have you been, Sir Christopher?" Since they were going to be formal, Dominic would play along for now, a fleeting grin sent in his liege's direction that softened at the lady's arrival.

He sketched a gentle bow in her direction, his smile as gentle as his tone. "My Lady Katalin, I'm pleased to see you could join us as well." At her question, he nodded, answering, "Lord Sebastian was invited, but I don't know if he answered in the affirmative." A look traveled to Jasen as if to seek confirmation one way or another, but before Jasen could reply, a crashing in the underbrush snared his attention, bringing dark brow to lift as the scholar himself all but tumbled into the glade. "Speak of the devil. Are you alright?" Sebastian looked a little worse for the wear, concern lighting the baron's eyes as he inspected Sebastian for any signs of injury. The crate hadn't escaped his notice, but with the arrivals of Katalin and Sebastian, Dominic had understandably pushed it to the back of his mind.


Lord Jasen de Winter,Sir Christopher de Winter, Lady Katalin de Winter, Lord Sebastian de Winter

[Lord Jasen de Winter]

Amused by the arrivals and comments, Jasen glanced toward Dominic with slightly raised eyebrow, accepting Katalin’s kiss on the cheek in his turn and sneaking in a hug for good measure at her arrival. “I’m glad you could make it, sister-love.” The answer to the questions concerning Sebastian crashed through the underbrush before he could say anything else, however, and the man fought the urge to avoid laughing at his poor sibling, as Dominic questioned the latter about his well-being. An outdoorsman, Sebastian was not, as was indicated by his arrival that could be heard well before he appeared on the clearing.

“From now on, I believe I shall entrust the writing of directions to you, Chris,” he snickered, unable to maintain his composure at the first words out of Sebastian’s mouth. Thank the Triad, indeed, and the Triad, they were not. “Do stop blinking at us, Brother, we’re not the Triad you’re thinking about.” Coming closer to his younger sibling to inspect him for damage himself, as well as brushing any stray leaves and branches from Sebastian, Jasen quirked an eyebrow toward Katalin and Christopher. “He’s fine. Just a bit shocked to have actually found us.” While the last thing he wanted to be was at Court, which was obviously an opinion shared by all gathered here, at least from what he knew, their presence made it this much more bearable – and in some cases, most amusing, as Sebastian’s appearance had proved.

The curious glances toward the case noted, he continued, “it’s a gift of Rose wine from Lord Marbury, along with his apologies to be unable to join us at the moment.” He didn’t blame the man in the slightest, considering the problem that was the Court. “I thought it’d be a good addition.” The missive itself was received a couple of days ago, making it an amusing coincidence to appear here, at least to him. And most useful for their picnic, or such was the thought.


Sir Christopher de Winter, Lady Katalin de Winter, Lord Sebastian de Winter, Lord Dominic Halton

[Sir Christopher de Winter]

A quelling look was given toward his older brother for making him revert to formalities, as following the other’s lead was perhaps one of the worse habits Christopher still had. The greeting was automatic, especially since Jasen had blindsided him by coming to their destination sooner than he expected. Perhaps they’ve been closer than he expected to the festival’s grounds, or perhaps his brother’s directions were as vague as they always had been.

Nonetheless, the greeting of Lord Halton’s was returned with a firm grasp of the man’s hand offered in greeting and a similar clasp of the other’s shoulder. “Thanks to my lord of a brother, it should be better, though I rather preferred to keep busy on the background rather than in the open,” he commented with a small smile of amusement. “Yourself?” Pleasantries done, Chris stepped back, just in time to allow his sister to tug him down for a greeting of her own, as she entered the glade somewhat later than he expected. “I’ve missed you too, Katie.” A dinner with his siblings wasn’t something he’d say no to, even if it placed him squarely in the middle of a place he did not like to be in the most.

His older brother’s amusement at the arrival of the last member of their group let a small smile keep on Christopher’s face, though he remained quiet for now, his own scan showing that Jasen seemed to be correct and a roll of his eyes toward Jasen and his tendency to be vague when giving directions to others, especially, it looked like, their siblings. As was his custom for the moment, he reverted to quiet, keeping an eye on his three siblings and the grounds, though a curious look at Jasen’s comment on the crate’s contents was given. Truly so? While understandable, he found it slightly curious that it was coincidence – if any at all.

[Lady Katalin de Winter]

Releasing her brothers from her random shower of affection, Katalin turned then to Sebastian, going wordlessly to him to enfold him in a hug that she desperately needed. Her youngest brother was closest to her in age and mentality; she respected and loved the older two, but Sebastian held a special place in her heart. Words couldn't express how glad she was to see him, but she did not smother him either.

Stepping back, she nodded to Dominic. "I hope your family is well, my lord? If you should write to your sisters and your lady mother, please give them my best, and hopes that we will see them soon." It was a subtle hint that she wouldn't mind seeing Dori soon! The two were not remotely alike, yet they'd scrounged up a friendship.

Glancing back to Jasen and Christopher, Katalin asked the question her brother had not. "A gift from Lord Marbury? That old curmudgeon? I wonder if he's gone soft in the head... but it isn't like him not to answer your summons, Jasen. Still, it was nice of him. What kind of wine is it? I imagine we could all use a glass." She certainly could!

[Lord Sebastian de Winter]

At Jasen's remark, Sebastian gave him a look to indicate that he did not find it terribly amusing. In fact, Sebastian was tempted to stick his tongue out at the man. However, since he considered himself a gentleman, he refrained That and Katalin was already making her silent approach. It had been a few weeks since the two of them had last seen each other. A warm smile was given as he brushed off the last of the leaves from his form. The hug was returned as it was given. "Hey, Katie." He said quietly.

Once the embrace ended, he joined her in approaching the rest of the group. "Lord Halton," he gave the man a nod, "Brothers. Christopher, it's agreeable to see you again. How fares the Order?" The crate was then eyed curiously. Wine? Hm. He'd likely hesitate to have any for the time being. Sebastian never did like how it muddled with his senses, though he did enjoy how it opened his mind to new ideas. Like with most things, Sebastian was back and forth about it.

Lord Jasen de Winter, Sir Christopher de Winter, Lord Dominic Halton, Lady Katalin de Winter

[Lord Dominic Halton]

He stood at somewhat of a remove, not wanting to intrude on the family's reunion but watched with a smile lurking on his face. Dominic considered each of the quartet as a friend, glad to give them a much needed opportunity simply to be together without pressures to maintain face or perform before others. A nudge to Jasen with a tip of his head indicated he'd take care of broaching the cask and pouring the wine. There was no rush, but with enough interest expressed, Dominic felt motivated to play the congenial host.

"They're well, thank you, Lady Katalin. Ben would like to come to Triadon, and I've offered up one of the twins to His Grace as a steward or a secretary," he smiled. "Dorie will be along eventually too." Taking the crate, he shifted it so it could be opened and the bottle removed. Goblets stood ready to be filled, each receiving a generous amount of the wine that sparkled like rubies as it flowed from the bottle. Rather than try to juggle five, he poured two, offering them first to Jasen by way of being the highest ranked, and then to Katalin, as a proper gentleman should.

Lord Jasen de Winter, Lady Katalin de Winter, Sir Christopher de Winter, Lord Sebastian de Winter

[Lord Jasen de Winter]

Raising both his hands into the air at the quelling look from Chris and resulting formalities, Jasen could at least admit when he was being caught. “Please. I’ll be hearing those titles whenever there’s a formal function around, as will all of you should you deign to join me.” He fully intended to drag at least Christopher along, and a look given his younger brother while Katalin exchanged greetings with Sebastian and Dominic assured the man of as much. Hoping that would dissolve the formality, though he was tempted to play along with Chris and Dominic for a while longer, Jasen glanced toward his sister, an answer to her question ready.

“Says so here in his letter that came along with the missive,” he nodded toward the paper in question that was lying in the crate, though he did wonder whether the man wasn’t facing some problems lately. “I do wonder if he’d gotten too old for travel, and we all know the heir’s too young to take over,” he pointed out, wondering at the way things were going in Marbury. Old curmudgeon indeed, and while he was glad for the man’s occasional presence and his running the Earldom, Jasen had to admit it was oftentimes a trying experience.

Amused at the nudge given by Dominic, he allowed the man to play host, accepting his glass of wine but not drinking from it yet. “Odd indeed. Perhaps we should make some changes there when we’ve time and a suitable candidate?” The ruby-colored liquid was given a thoughtful consideration as he brought the subject for his siblings’ and the present vassal’s consideration. Something needed to be done about that place lest it fell apart while he wasn’t looking, and bringing it up now felt right, as well.

[Sir Christopher de Winter]

“The Order fares as it always does, Sebastian. How do your projects?” Aware that his brother had several going on at once, Christopher was curious as to their progress and mostly amused than anything else by the tones taken. Ever the scholar, it seemed like it reflected on their youngest sibling’s language, as well, though he found himself in slight quandary at the openings. Watching everyone’s reaction to the crate, Chris considered it himself in mild curiosity, before picking the note lying there. To call it a letter would’ve been generous, as a few sentences placed on paper like they had been would be taking less than a third of the sheet it was written on.

“Perhaps it would be a good idea,” he returned in reply to Jasen’s question, making a note not to forget about it. “If he’s that old, a new man in place might be of use rather than hindrance. Though if that one’s loyalties anywhere but us and the Crown, it’ll be the latter rather than the former.” Leaving that comment as all he was going to say for the moment, Chris studied the sentences themselves, leaving himself open enough should either of his siblings wish to read it, as well, but curiously taking in the words and the paper they’ve been written on. Nothing seemed off yet, however, which placed his suspicions to side for the time being.


Lady Katalin de Winter, Lord Sebastian de Winter, Lord Dominic Halton

[Lady Katalin de Winter]

Katalin smiled at Dominic as she accepted her glass and sipped, finding it surprisingly sweet. A glance was given to the glass's contents, but the Rose wines were diverse in their vintages. Some were bound to be sweeter than others. "It is a rather good wine, so perhaps he's trying to sweeten you up, Jasen, from the sour disappointment of his absence?" She was doing her best to keep the tone light and the atmosphere pleasant, her eyes merry as they met Christopher's. "But yes, I am sure his age is proving an issue for him. Last I heard, the heir was a boy of twelve or so?" Looking to Jasen for confirmation, she sipped again. "Is his lady sufficient to serve as a regent, or would you need to appoint someone else?" Deeming the question a valid one, Katalin was trying to pose counters.


Lord Jasen de Winter, Sir Christopher de Winter, Lord Sebastian de Winter, Lord Dominic Halton

[Lord Sebastian de Winter]

A hand went up to decline any wine that may have been offered. He was not interested in such for the time being. A small smile curved his lips in thanks, however. Sebastian did what he could to recall the Marbury man, but it had been so long since he lost saw him that the memory was rather foggy. A shake of his head followed. "Oh, they go just fine, Christopher. Thank you. When we have time, I'll give you a more complete update. I would not want to bore people." Normally, Sebastian would have launched into a lengthy explanation, but he was feeling rather quiet and reserved today.

Katalin asked a good question, looking curiously to his siblings for the answer.

Lord Dominic Halton