|
|
Post by brimstone81 on May 13, 2007 22:28:26 GMT -5
(pardon my insinuations that the court when hunting and embroidering and the such.)
It was a lazy day for the Court. The Lady's women were working on something like embroidery or tapestry work, and the men had just gotten in from a hunt with Merrek. His Lord had suggested earlier that sevenday that Nebarcus should bring his wife to court. It was a comment made in passing, but you don't just go against your lord like that. So Nebarcus sent for his wife, Aeria. She was so intoxicatingly sweet and innocent. She didn't really seem to know how the world worked and it bored him. He didn't like to explain things, that's why he wasn't a teacher.
Nebarcus had recently changed from his hunting attire to something more loungy and courtly. Not that any of his clothes were uncourtly. He was always dressed finely, as a member of the court should be. He was a nobleman, afterall, he must represent. He leaned against a wall with two other male courtiers, and not far away from the Lord of Fort. Any time there would be a messenger coming in to tell them that Aeria was here.
|
|
|
|
Post by FireThorne on May 13, 2007 22:52:16 GMT -5
Aeria was seated in the coach as it drew ever closer to Fort Hold, her hands constantly smoothing her white dress. She was nervous about arriving at the large hold, and she was especially nervous about meeting the Lord and Lady. The girl had never been to the main hold before, though she did not doubt that she would be an acceptable addition, she did wonder if they would like her. Though she had dressed carefully for the occasion as well, she was sure the court ladies would have much finer things. And Nebarcus, of course, was always so meticulous about his appearance.
The lady wore her long black hair down, and it framed her tiny figure prettily. Her dress, though not the most elaborate, was elegant in it’s simplicity, though she was never one to show too much cleavage or wear a ridiculous amount of ruffles. A single silver pendant was about her neck, and of course her ring adorned her finger. As they came to a stop, Aeria took a deep breath and ran a hand through her hair nervously. The door opened, and she laid her delicate hand in the doorman’s, stepping lightly into the courtyard...
~~~~
The messenger arrived in the great hall, standing straight as he announced the arrival of the lady, Nebarcus’ wife. He then bowed.
|
|
|
|
Post by thedreamerlady on May 13, 2007 23:05:08 GMT -5
Sulia slipped her arm through Nebarcus' arm and gave him a perfectly acceptable smile. Her dress was red, and her hair fell down in a tumbled appearance that had taken hours to create.
"I've heard your wife is coming up from the country." She said with a wink. "I'm looking forward to meeting my favorite courtiers wife." Then, with easy grace, she released her lover's arm, and sauntered away.
Her husband, after all, was only a little bit away, and it never hurt to spend time with him. When Sulia arrived by Merreck's side, she didn't link arms with him, but simply stood near him- she was now in the public eye, and she wasn't going to look needy. Her back was straight and tall, and she smiled sweetly at Merreck.
"Enjoying yourself?"
|
|
|
|
Post by kayla on May 13, 2007 23:13:39 GMT -5
Merrek frowned slightly as he watched his wife, though he hid it behind taking a sip of his wine. He had not missed that she had linked arms with his nephew.
When she came to him and made no move towards any physical contact he would raise an eyebrow, though his expression returned to normal after a moment. He was probably seeing more than was there and would smile at her as she asked him if he was enjoying himself.
"More so now that you are here, 'Lia." His arm would slide around her waist. Perhaps a touch possessively. He would lean down slightly to give her a small kiss, perfectly acceptable between a Lord and his Lady, a kiss of affection rather than promise - since those kinds were very much inappropriate in public.
"I do trust that you will take Aeria under your wing."
|
|
|
|
Post by brimstone81 on May 13, 2007 23:32:36 GMT -5
Nebarcus nodded in a very friendly way, and did not really acknowledge her arm linked with his, friends could do that, right? Well they were rather close friends in the last turn or so, though they had talked ever since Sulia arrived at Fort. She left to stand with her husband, very professional like.
Nebarcus looked for the door, Aeria had arrived. She was beautiful, but she was no Sulia. They had very few things in common, and well, he didn't know. Aeria pleased him, as a wife, though, well they were very different. Sulia could never be his wife, and he accepted that. In that area, Aeria was perfect for him. Already she supplied a son, who would remain in her parents' care. He moved foreward to her and put his arm out, smiling softly, he said so only she could hear, "It's alright,"
Nebarcus took her to where Sulia and Merrek stood, "My Lord and Lady, may I present Aeria, my wife, and heiress of Welmatz Hold." He bowed then, hoping his wife would know enough to curtsy.
|
|
|
|
Post by thedreamerlady on May 13, 2007 23:38:18 GMT -5
Sulia snuggled into his embrace, probably a little more than was socially acceptable, but she didn't mind. Making a little scandal with her husband was not only fun, but kept the rumors off of her.
"Oh, naturally. I wouldn't dream of leaving our nephew's wife stranded amongst our ladies." She giggled. "They'd eat her alive." And while that would be mildly entertaining, it wouldn't be good enough to justify it. Anyway, it wouldn't reflect well on her.
"Besides, I'm sick of all my ladies," Sulia added with a theatrical sigh. "The gossip they tell is so dreadfully dull." A pout shown on her lips. "And they have no interest in anything gossip and sewing. It's boring!" A yawn was given to show exactly how boring it was, and then Sulia paused to watch Court for a few minutes.
"I had Iraini remake my dress." She added suddenly, speaking of her maid who was skilled with clothes, especially when it came to remaking them. "Do you like it?
She was awaiting his reply when Nebarcus and his wife, Aeria came to present themselves. Sulia looked over her lover's wife with interest. The girl was tiny- both herself and Nebarcus were five feet, ten inches, but this girl looked like she barely cleared five feet. Smiling graciously, Sulia waited for the girl to curtsy, after which, she would embrace her new 'neice', to show herself pleased with the girl.
Then they could go about introducing her- possibly the most fun part of her week so far. New people were such fun!
|
|
|
|
Post by kayla on May 14, 2007 13:10:29 GMT -5
Merrek would never understand the visciousness that some women demonstrated towards other women. "Good. She is family, and I do not believe she is used to life at court, much less here at Fort."
He did chuckle at her demonstration of how bored she was with her ladies. "My poor jewel. Is there anything I can provide for you and your ladies that would lessen your boredom? Perhaps I could speak to Harper Hall about having someone sent over to play and sing for you more often?"
When she showed off her remade dress he grinned, "You look lovely in it, Sulia." He'd lean down the tiny amount required to put his mouth at her ear and whisper to her, "Though I believe it would look much better on the floor of our bedroom."
His expression, as he straightened, showed no sign of what he had just whispered to his wife. Instead he showed only the slightly warm smile aimed at Aeria as his nephew brought her over to formally introduce her.
|
|
|
|
Post by FireThorne on May 14, 2007 15:02:45 GMT -5
Aeria walked quietly through the halls of Fort, her deep brown eyes wide as she took in the elaborate tapestries and the massive expanse of the ceilings, tall and wide and echoing. There was nothing like this back at Welmatz, and the pure grandeur of what was before her made the girl even more nervous. Though her mother had raised her with manners befitting a lady, she was sure the court ladies here would be far more regal than she. The heiress took a deep breath softly, following the messenger before her with her soft, butterfly steps. She was so slight she hardly made a sound. Coming to stand before grand doors, the lady waited, her hands folded before her and her posture straight.
When she was announced, Aeria stepped forward softly, nervous but retaining her composed posture. It would reflect poorly upon Nebarcus and herself if she were to look any less poised. Of course, she could not keep the wonder off her face or out of her eyes as she took in Fort’s great hall, far more colossal and grand than anything Welmatz had to boast. So many finely dressed ladies and lords stood about, and before her, no doubt the Lord and Lady of Fort. The Heiress could not believe the beauty of the lady Sulia. Then, her brown eyes swept about, searching for her husband, but he was already stepping toward her. As usual, the courtier was dressed well and handsomely, and Aeria wondered if she was dressed well enough to appear before such a grand court.
Taking her husband’s arm gratefully, the girl smiled gently in reply to his words, taking comfort in his presence. Though they had never been as close as she would have liked, he was a good husband—or she at least thought in her young innocence. Her arm through his, the lady walked forward with him, finding that she had missed him while he was at court and she at Welmatz. Of course, she had taken it that he was needed here, and she at home, and she had been rather surprised to hear his summons to court the few sevendays ago. As they stopped before the Lord and his Lady, Aeria took her dress in her right hand, dipping into a curtsy as her husband bowed. “My Lord and Lady.” She said in her soft voice, noting that the Lady Sulia had a lovely smile. She was struck with an awe of the beautiful woman, and hoped they could become friends. Of course, that was probably asking too much for a minor holder’s daughter, even if the Lord was her husband’s uncle.
((Let the adoration of Sulia begin! ^-^))
|
|
|
|
Post by brimstone81 on May 14, 2007 16:07:37 GMT -5
Nebarcus noted his uncle's smile and Sulia's warm embrace of Aeria. And then Nebarcus nodded, knowing that now Aeria was introduced, they could go back to mingle with the rest of the court. He bowed to his uncle and Sulia again and stepped back a few paces as to not turn his back on him, which would be a blastphemous move, and took Aeria to a more secluded corner where they could talk and he could tell her more about court.
Once past Merrek and Sulia, Nebarcus looked at his wife once more. She had really grown since they had gotten married three turns ago. She was just a girl of 16, though pretty close to 17, and he had been uninterested. But now she has recently turned 19, and he could not help but notice her more grown up looks. As a married couple, they would of course share apartments, and perhaps it wouldn't be so bad as he first had thought. "You are looking lovely, Aeria, but of course I should get you some new clothes. Some very fine things, you shall soon feel like a lady yourself. You'll be with Lady Sulia and her women, I've arranged you that much. Beats being a maid or cook" He smiled to her.
"Lady Sulia will introduce you to her court. I am betting we will be in the same quarters, unless the Lady requires you some where else. Does that please you, good wife?" He asked, interested in what she had to say. He hadn't seen her that often in the last few turns, and he wondered again what she was like, if she had changed at all. Most likely she would change the most after being here for a while.
|
|
|
|
Post by FireThorne on May 16, 2007 22:24:04 GMT -5
Aeria was surprised when the Lady hugged her, for she had not expected such a greeting from so beautiful and powerful a woman. She was nothing but the daughter of a minor holder, and she respected Sulia for her kindness. The girl smiled timidly at her ‘aunt’.
Following her husband as he led her away from the Lord and Lady, careful to imitate him so she would not offend anyone, Aeria was grateful to the courtier for giving them a moment alone. She felt very self-conscious and out of place among the grand court, and so stayed very close to his side, taking some comfort in his presence. When he complimented her appearance, the lady blushed lightly, a pink flush across her cheeks. “Oh! Thank you, dear husband, but I am sure I am not worthy of such a compliment.” Such demure words were usually the feigned naivety of flirty court women, but with this young heiress, she was truly innocent and modest enough to believe it. She did not see herself pretty enough for such words, though she wanted to always look her best. “Though you, my love, look very handsome.” It was a blind adoration, really, but what else could one expect from such a young, naïve lady? Her husband was striking and kind, and she loved him.
When the courtier told her he would buy her finer clothes, Aeria looked up at him, eyes wide. “I did not wear anything inappropriate, did I?” She asked, worried about how she would affect his reputation. She always had been a sweetheart, and so was concerned about how she reflected upon Nebarcus. Though, it was very kind of him to want to buy her nicer things. “Thank you, husband. You are very good to me.”
“Of course, dear husband, it suits me very well.” She replied when he told her what he had arranged for her, smiling at him. The girl felt a bit better in the secluded corner alone with him, and was starting to feel slightly more at ease. Although, at the mention of sharing apartments with him, she blushed a little, still very innocent despite they had already been through that exercise…several times. It had been a while, though. She wondered if she pleased him. “I will be happy with whatever position you would like me in. I hope I will be an acceptable addition to the court.” Aeria’s deep brown eyes roamed over the expansive hall once more, with beautiful women and finely dressed lords, and her small, delicate hand moved to the courtier’s arm, seeking comfort. “I have…never been to such a large hold before, Nebarcus.” The lady said softly, a bit overwhelmed. The heiress would have liked to feel his arms around her, a rock in the storm. “Tell me, what must I know? I do not want my inexperience to reflect poorly upon you, dear husband.”
|
|
|
|
Post by thedreamerlady on May 17, 2007 0:16:17 GMT -5
Sulia waited until Aeria and Nebarcus left before responding to her husband's scandalous request(response?), turning lightly on her feet to look at him.
"I'm sure it will." She said, a winking spontaneously. Be that idea a good one, or a bad one, she doubted it would come true. Spring was a busy time for Fort Hold, and it was a rare night that Merreck got back early enough to have any time for her. Deciding to make the most of it, she snuggled in closer to her Lord, and watched the swirl of court life with interest. Lenni had a new suitor, one who was all frills and bows, but Sulia knew he'd already lost to another man- a Holder from Crom. The Marriage contract hadn't been agreed to yet, and so Lenni was trying to drive up her worth by flirting with those who'd pay well. Eyes glittering with interest, Sulia smiled. Today was going to be a good day, despite all her moans otherwise.
"A harper?" That was an interesting idea- but Harpers were known for being nosy folks, and that wasn't what Sulia wanted, as it might end up as a problem. "Maybe. But I think Aeria will work just as well." She smiled up at Merreck, and sighed. "I suppose you have work to attend too?"
|
|
|
|
Post by kayla on May 17, 2007 13:19:31 GMT -5
Merrek smiled warmly to his wife as she responded to what he had earlier whispered. When she snuggled into him, he would gladly hold her in his arms. Sometimes he envied the leisure of their courtiers, though to be quite honest he often resented their ridiculous pettiness. However, the reputation of Fort demanded that he not force them to become productive members of the Hold. At least the hunt that morning had been successful, so the men had contributed some.
"Ah, but soon Aeria will have settled in and no longer be 'new'. Besides, you already said that your ladies would eat her alive. I'd rather not have our neice subject to such harsh treatment if possible. I'll make a point to see if a few apprentices or journeymen can be spared. The Hall should agree since, at the very least, it would be an oppurtunity for them to practice before an audience."
At her sigh and question, he would gently hold her closer. "I do have some work I need to accomplish before dinner. I want to look over the runners and inspect some grain that arrived this morning. However, I believe that I should be done by dinner. Do make sure that Aeria gets settled in well and introduced. I have a few more minutes before I need to go, though." He just liked the feeling of his wife in his arms and was not eager to leave her quite yet.
|
|
|
|
Post by thedreamerlady on May 19, 2007 17:48:49 GMT -5
"Ah, she'll be new for a few months yet, and by then I'll have found a new diversion." Sulia protested with smirk. Deciding to give up on the idea of a Harper or two in her court, she smiled up at Merreck.
"But then again, maybe the Harpers will be my new diversion." A giggle fell out of her lips, and she smiled. Half the fun of court was thinking up lines that would seem clever enough, and using them.
"I'll get her introduced. And I'll see about getting her something more- in today's style." She pouted lightly. "You should trust that I'd do that without being reminded. It's my duty!"
Snuggling in tighter, the woman watched her court swirl around them, and was glad that they were above them. The court was not a pleasant place to be, even when you were above most of the petty things everyone did. To exist as one of them no longer appealed to her as it once had. Being the ruling lady was much better. Even if she would probably end up eating dinner alone.
"I'll expect to see you there." It was hard keeping her smile as cheerful, when she was sure she'd end up spending the night alone. Perhaps today was a good day to go out on a "ride" and spend some time with one of her loves.
|
|
|
|
Post by kayla on May 19, 2007 19:18:30 GMT -5
Merrek laughed warmly, "I do trust you, my lovely jewel." He gently spun her around so she was facing him. "And I know that you will preform you duties quite swimmingly."
"Well, let me see what I can do about the Harper Hall. I think it would be good for you and your ladies. Don't quite give up on it yet." He would give her the world if he could.
Gently, Merrek tilted Sulia's chin up and kissed her. "I need to be off to work now. Though, I will see you at dinner." He smiled to her, "And afterwards we can see how this dress will look on the floor." He kissed her again, before reluctantly letting go of her and heading out to the stables.
|
|
|
|
Post by brimstone81 on Jun 19, 2007 20:45:30 GMT -5
When Aeria had mentioned not being dressed finely enough, Nebarcus looked confused and flustered for a few moments. He looked her up and down. It was clear that she was from the country, but that was acceptable for now. She looked fine. "What? Oh-" Finally getting at what she had been refferring to. "Oh - You look fine, I just meant that you'll want to wear higher fashion while you're here. You want to fit in, right?"
Of course she did. He had no doubt that she was still eager to please. If he were just a simple craftsman or even minor holder, he would be so happy with her and her nature. But as it was, he had tasted the fruits of court and could not get enough. It was always different and full of love poems and flirtations and temptations. There was so much color and excitment, it was hard for him to settle down, especially with a naive woman like Aeria after he had met so many worldly women like Sulia.
Nebarcus expected he and his wife would be spending a lot of time with eachother, so it he should try to be civil, if not almost loverly. She didn't deserve his cold shoulder, even if she was a silly child yet- at least compared to a woman like Sulia. Nebarcus himself did not realize that there were other lovers than him for Sulia, for if he had, he might be a little annoyed and certainly more competitive.
The courtier wanted to keep appearances up that he adored his wife so with out hesitation, he took her hand in his and stroked it softly before kissing it once, twice, three times. "My lovely Aeria, I long for us to be husband and wife again. Would that please you?"
|
|
