Please note our staff works day jobs and reside in GMT -5 time zone. If we are not available for questions, please do not hesitate to email us at: thevictorsspoils@gmail.com.
Post by Lady Katalin de Winter on Jan 11, 2014 19:13:01 GMT -5
If he inquired, she would tell him the truth. Katalin felt she paled in comparison to their late mother's dark beauty and the blonde loveliness that seemed prevalent in the Court these days. She had no strongly colored features, but possessed bland brown hair, medium blue eyes, a roses and cream complexion. Ordinary, thus she preferred to drew little attention to herself, knowing she was nothing magnificent. "Good, it's a deal." Knowing if they did it together, they would be more inclined to do it at all, she smiled at him.
Letting him digest her advice, she met his eyes calmly. Katalin had little to no emotional investment in the matter, allowing her advice to be more logical and reasonable. She was a physician; practicality was her watch word indeed. However, she visibly stared at him when he mentioned the Duchess of Shalefort, recovering quickly. "Why wouldn't she want you? You are extremely talented, Sebastian, your ideas should be recognized and put into action. Who better than a duchess to do so?"
Ah well, so he didn't feel the same. She was not especially surprised, considering how often he'd spent hours sketching houses and other machines. "Then you've found your true calling, and I won't try to talk you out of it."
Post by Lord Sebastian de Winter on Jan 12, 2014 17:35:16 GMT -5
The stare was not missed and he looked at her curiously. "What is on your mind, sister? Tell me." And he would badger her until she did, too! Yet, he did take the time to answer her questions. "Why wouldn't she? I don't know. I'm sure there are other capable people that can do the same task. But, you are right. A duchess would be a good influence on the court. There is Jasen, of course, but people would wonder about his inherit bias toward me. Which is, of course, understandable."
He smiled at her, "I have, haven't I? Don't worry. I am not going to let it consume me to the point where I forget to live, but it is difficult for me to stop thinking. I've had to take to drinking chamomile to help me sleep at night since my mind simply refuses to stop running, even when I trying to take a break from all of it." The shoulders hunched upward for a moment. "I'm the odd one, I suppose."
Post by Lady Katalin de Winter on Jan 15, 2014 7:03:34 GMT -5
The humility of the de Winter family was equal parts heartening and extremely frustrating. Katalin was aware of her own hypocrisy where the matter was concerned; she did not consider herself especially lovely, skilled or talented, yet protested her brothers' merits and virtues to the sky. She sighed softly at his reaction, then forebore to explain quietly, "Because you are very good at what you design, Sebastian. I've heard some of your notions called genius and brilliant. And more than that, consider this." It was a dangerous stance, putting such thoughts in his head, yet it was time to open his eyes to the reality of the moment. "She is unmarried, and needs an heir. You are unwed as well, and present an attractive challenge. Lady de Vere may be considering a more... personal aspect to this."
Letting it go at that, Katalin smiled back at her brother, relieved to know that he intended to continue coming up for air as needed. It was sage advice she herself should adopt, though she blinked at his declaration of seeking aids to sleep. "No more odd than the rest of us, but if you grow weary of the chamomile, I can give you some valerian to quiet your mind. It needs time to rest as much as your body. You know that." Perhaps that was the true curse of the de Winter family - they were far too diligent for their own good.
Post by Lord Sebastian de Winter on Jan 16, 2014 20:37:47 GMT -5
Sebastian was prepared to be quietly dismissive of her praise and observation. Yes, his designs were good, but they were hardly worthy of praise at such a high level. It wasn't until that she mentioned a personal aspect that she managed to get his complete attention. The man blinked in a bewildered manner. "Personal aspect?" Whatever could she mean? But, then he started to put it together. "Wait a moment, are you suggesting that she would be interested in me as a husband?"
As for the sleep aid, he nodded thoughtfully, "You know... I may take you up on that, dear sister. I do not wish to become too dependent, but if it will help quiet my mind, I am for it. I feel that it would help me. I have also considered looking into meditation. If I allow my mind to be quieted for a time every day, I feel that it would help me in the long run."
Post by Lady Katalin de Winter on Jan 18, 2014 8:46:08 GMT -5
Katalin found it alternately amusing and frustrating how oblivious her brothers could be towards their attractiveness for the opposite gender. Even Jasen was unwontedly modest when it came to his looks, intelligence and appeal to the fairer sex, Christopher even worse, but Sebastian maintained the same wild animal shyness around women he'd had since the onset of puberty. Her mouth twitched against the desire to laugh as she simply nodded in confirmation of his question. That was precisely what she suggested.
Leaving him to think on that, she smiled and reached to touch his cheek gently. What Katalin would do without Sebastian, she didn't know, but their mother had once spoken truth when she said no free soul could bear to be confined for long. She had to let Sebastian go and make her own way into the world, find her place. "It would give your mind time to refresh and restore itself. Who knows what genius would come out of you then?" Her words were spoken in gentle tease, yet the blue eyes were in earnest. Katalin truly believed that genius would come from this brother one way or another.
Post by Lord Sebastian de Winter on Jan 18, 2014 12:03:17 GMT -5
Sebastian gave his sister a disbelieving look, "No," he shook his head. "Not me. Surely, there are far better choices out there for her." Though, Katalin had made excellent points all around. He was the brother of a duke and he was looking to make a name for himself in the University. Sebastian, though he rarely attended, had good standing in the Court. Any man that Carissa married would have to give up his name and all children would have hers. He realized he wasn't opposed to such an arrangement because they'd be his children regardless of the name attached to them. "But ... if it is true, what do I do?" He had no idea how to properly interact with women!
He smiled at her gentle touch. It was always comforting and reassuring. "Very well, I promise I will look into it." He paused for a moment, "And I know you'll appreciate a break from your own line of work. You are finding everything to your satisfaction in Triadon, I hope? I remember you arriving with great trepidation."
Post by Lady Katalin de Winter on Jan 18, 2014 13:27:43 GMT -5
Bridling a little at his instantaneous deflection, Katalin scowled darkly at her brother. "Why not you? You are highly intelligent, creative, forward-thinking, well connected, Sebastian. I do not know that there are better choices than you out there for Lady de Vere. You understand the rigors of life on the border of Arton, you are handsome and healthy. What is not to appreciate about you?" She continued to frown at him, then shrugged. "Spend time in her company. Talk with her on your ideas. She looks past the dust in your hair and you did not seem to have too much trouble in speaking with her. See if you could stomach a lifetime with her."
A nod agreed with him, though no smile returned to her features. "For the most part, though I feel haunted by Mother at every turn of a corner. I am not half the physician she was, and memories of her are everywhere. It is... difficult, but I am trying to embrace it."
Post by Lord Sebastian de Winter on Jan 18, 2014 13:44:48 GMT -5
It didn't take a genius to realize that Katalin was irritated, and he knew exactly where it was coming from. He got just as irritated with her when she espoused her value in a negative context. Thus, to assuage the irritation, Sebastian put his arm about his sister and kissed her temple. "I'm being overly humble again, aren't I? It's one of my more annoying traits. By the Triad, I think it's a de Winter trait."
He paused for a moment, "No, you will not be the Physician she was. You are going to be the Physician you are. Mother had her strengths and you have yours. What I do think, however, is that you can easily match her spirit and determination. That is the mark of a good physician and you have that in spades, my dear sister."
Post by Lady Katalin de Winter on Jan 31, 2014 10:42:37 GMT -5
Her ire softened by his affection, she lowered her eyes and laughed quietly, "Yes, you are, and it annoys me as much as mine does you. Didn't we make a pact to try and stop being so self-effacing? Jasen does it as well, but I'm not so sure about Christopher." Their second brother defied a great deal of deWinter moulding, and it would not surprise Katalin in the least to learn that Christopher held his fair share of confidence where the others held only humility.
His words regarding their mother and her own position were wise, much to her chagrin, yet she knew she needed to hear them. How she hated when he was correct, which was far too often for her own comfort. "Yes, I suppose that I do. I only wish I could isolate that fourth ingredient. The King is as comfortable as I can make him under the circumstances, but it bothers me that I have not yet discovered the answer to begin effecting a proper cure."
Post by Lord Sebastian de Winter on Jan 31, 2014 18:44:08 GMT -5
"Ah, but it is hard to do." Sebastian had been about to say that it was easier to say words than follow through with actions, but that was not always the case. Like most things, there were exceptions to the rule. Humans and their interactions were fascinating things. Even as an engineer, he could not escape their complexities as the structures he was designing and building were for them. Thus, he could only smile. "We're funny little creatures, aren't we?"
Again, he pressed a kiss to her temple, "You are doing the best you can and that is all you can truly do. I am looking for what I can, too, but it is proving rather elusive. I have yet heard back from the Master, but apparently, he is high in the hills in Peveril lands at the man's request. Apparently, the lord has found some curious plants that he touts have never been seen before. Our curiosity is insatiable."
Post by Lady Katalin de Winter on Feb 1, 2014 19:36:58 GMT -5
"The funniest, but sometimes we're the nicest, the kindest, the most interesting... and the most awful." Katalin agreed with her brother's assessment of people in general, amused by him and their perceptions of things. It was typically shared between the two youngest de Winters. "Still, we're worth the time and effort to get to know us in the end, don't you think?" She nudged him playfully, then laughed softly.
The kiss was welcome, bringing a solemnity to her face, but she froze at the mention of Peveril. "Isn't that... Richard Peveril?"
Post by Lord Sebastian de Winter on Feb 2, 2014 12:51:28 GMT -5
"I certainly hope so!" He chuckled in the face of her question. "I certainly hope so, because I am like a stuffy old tome at times. You have to slog through the pretext to get to the really interesting parts." A teasing wink was sent her way, assuring her that he was merely poking light fun at himself. At least Sebastian could never been accused of taking himself too seriously.
"Hmm? Lord Richard Peveril? Yes, I believe he is the Lord of those lands." He eyed her then and frowned, "What is wrong?"
Post by Lady Katalin de Winter on Feb 13, 2014 7:39:20 GMT -5
Katalin hugged his arm, laughing softly. It was too much a de Winter trait to speak of themselves disparagingly, and Sebastian could indeed be a master of that, though she knew she herself was no better. "Ah, but like a stuffy old tome, you are immensely valuable for what you contain and what you are able to contribute. And it is worth slogging through, as you say," she teased her brother, "because the interesting parts are so terribly interesting. Is it so surprising that others who aren't our family are willing to invest that time too?" Self-deprecatory they might be, but neither did the de Winter siblings take themselves excessively seriously, thank goodness.
As they spoke of the border lord, she sobered. Peveril's lands were on the border with Arton, raising questions in her mind. "His lands are right next to Arton, Sebastian. And there is always something about him that has had me on edge. I don't feel he can be trusted."
Post by Lord Sebastian de Winter on Feb 13, 2014 9:48:41 GMT -5
"Oh, alright. I'll let you win this round," he conceded to defeat to her greater prose and reasoning. Still, it was a bit surprising to think that a woman might be interested in him. Certainly, he had been interested in his fair share of women. Beautiful women could be seen a plenty in a city as large as Triadon. He most certainly remembered his first meeting with Princesses Anya and Katya. The poor scholar was nigh speechless with them. Carissa was just as lovely, especially with her pale skin, but something about her put him at ease. ... What was it, though? He'd have to puzzle it over.
Sebastian's frown deepened. "Are you suspecting him of treason? Of being the poisoner?" It was a serious charge and he wanted to be certain that he understood her.
Post by Lady Katalin de Winter on Feb 19, 2014 7:02:15 GMT -5
Katalin did not necessarily view it as a fight or a contest, but she was quietly relieved when Sebastian conceded her point. It was perhaps hypocritical of her to protest her own virtues while lauding those of her brothers, yet it was classic de Winter behavior. Modesty became those of her House, trained into them from the earliest of ages. Glad to see that his interest had been piqued, she glanced over to surprise a thoughtful expression on his face. "What did you think of the Duchess? I have had little chance to speak with her myself, but she seems rather intriguing..."
The mention of the Peveril lord made a shiver go through her, thinking on the man's too smooth manner, the way he seemed to be everywhere and involved in everything. "I don't know. I lack any real proof, but there is something about him that sets me on edge. I can't necessarily explain it, yet for a man who holds no especial rank or post, he is involved in so much... and that makes me suspicious. Not to mention that he is far too facile."