Book 2, Act I: Songbird
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- Level 12
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Re: Book 2, Act I: Songbird
Mercutio would need to ask someone about this "Night Swan", the name sounds intriguing, almost bawdy, but not quite so, more like the sort of courtesans some nobles might pay exorbitant sums for their discretion.
- Bohemond
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Re: Book 2, Act I: Songbird
With the crisis averted, Bala finds a moment to talk to Emilia. "For future reference, I would suggest trying to bond with Baroness Voinum over horsemanship. She seems to enjoy that more than aristocratic gossip."
- ManWithDoor
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Re: Book 2, Act I: Songbird
Feast of the Victor
This being the evening of the first night, the ballroom is laid out for feasting, the formal dining room being too small to accommodate 40 guests. The meat for the feast is first paraded live before the hungry guests by servants dressed as sheep.
During your seating, Titus Lotheed-Casava loudly chastises your assigned jester, Purple Finch, for obviously not providing you all a room with washing facilities or clean clothes. He is wearing freshly cleaned clothes after the jousting, along with a hint of expensive cologne.
This being the evening of the first night, the ballroom is laid out for feasting, the formal dining room being too small to accommodate 40 guests. The meat for the feast is first paraded live before the hungry guests by servants dressed as sheep.
Rule Number 12: "A soft answer turneth away wrath. Once wrath is looking the other way, shoot it in the head."
- RorytheRomulan
- Level 12
- Posts: 1841
- Location: US
Re: Book 2, Act I: Songbird
Emilia gulps down her disquiet and looks straight ahead until the costumed servants are gone. The nobility get their own share of silly ideas, but this is downright ghoulish.
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In response to the barb aimed at Finch, Emilia says, "Shaming a fool for being a fool, Titus? What an odd way to stomach your loss. Like returning after a fruitless hunt in the woods to kick a dog in the kennels."
(If he brings up her own loss, she is quick to find value in the silver cup again, just to parry Titus - who won nothing.)
After that, she takes Bala's suggestion and decides to reapproach Baroness Voinum to discuss the wins and losses of the joust, and to fish for tips on how to adjust her own posture on horseback.
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In response to the barb aimed at Finch, Emilia says, "Shaming a fool for being a fool, Titus? What an odd way to stomach your loss. Like returning after a fruitless hunt in the woods to kick a dog in the kennels."
(If he brings up her own loss, she is quick to find value in the silver cup again, just to parry Titus - who won nothing.)
After that, she takes Bala's suggestion and decides to reapproach Baroness Voinum to discuss the wins and losses of the joust, and to fish for tips on how to adjust her own posture on horseback.
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- Level 12
- Posts: 1939
Re: Book 2, Act I: Songbird
Mercutio's interest in the Night Swan was mostly based on the fantasy -likely fantasy- that it's a young and comely lady, mysterious and alluring. Which even he reasons is unlikely to be true, so he shrugs it off.
There were other things he needed to know, like which personages he needed to know, about and/or in person. What weaknesses Bartleby might have worth exploring...although he could hardly ask directly about it, he needed to ask open questions and then guide the answers into conversation, that worked better once the wine had flowed for a while and he needed to avoid letting the drink go to his head, a skill he was fairly proficient in, chasing skirts had thought him several useful things.
Although all this work did create a craving for fun, the opportunities for asking a serving girl, often it was a matter of having to try several, about the temperature in their quarters, it must be cold at night, yes? Usually those opportunities came towards the end of the eve.
There were other things he needed to know, like which personages he needed to know, about and/or in person. What weaknesses Bartleby might have worth exploring...although he could hardly ask directly about it, he needed to ask open questions and then guide the answers into conversation, that worked better once the wine had flowed for a while and he needed to avoid letting the drink go to his head, a skill he was fairly proficient in, chasing skirts had thought him several useful things.
Although all this work did create a craving for fun, the opportunities for asking a serving girl, often it was a matter of having to try several, about the temperature in their quarters, it must be cold at night, yes? Usually those opportunities came towards the end of the eve.
- ManWithDoor
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Re: Book 2, Act I: Songbird
Emilia tosses back a barb at Titus, comparing his actions to kicking a dog in the kennels after a fruitless hunt. A useless and cruel action, blaming others for their failure. A number of the nobles roll their eyes at the petty fighting, while others look on with approval at Emilia standing up to the bully.
Having seen Emilia give back as good as she got has warmed Baroness Voinum to the Dame. She is disciplined and proud, and has no patience for the petty games of the Court. If similar had happened in the Phalanx, she would have thrown down the gauntlet and proved herself bodily upon the strutting peacock. Nobody under her command would have dared such puffery. She is thus finally willing to truly sit down and bond with Emilia, finding common ground. She is still a stiff and rough person, but less actively unfriendly.
Mercutio hits the rumor-mill, hitting up a cute serving girl who is delighted to be paid attention to by the Betony Heir. As all peasants do, she sees more than the nobility assume they do, or if they do see, the nobles assume they don't have the brains to understand. She shares some dirt on one of the Barons that are abusing their power, and because the Night Swan is on everyone's mind, some juicy paranormal tales on the source of who or what it truly is.
Rule Number 12: "A soft answer turneth away wrath. Once wrath is looking the other way, shoot it in the head."
- ManWithDoor
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Re: Book 2, Act I: Songbird
Great Halfling Dog Charioteers
After the feast, servants clear away the tables and chairs and - to the fanfare of trumpets - six halflings dressed as Taldan heroes of lore enter, riding in gaudily painted miniature chariots each pulled by dogs. Servants rush to lay out a race course as the drivers perform japes and buffoonery for the wildly laughing aristocrats.
The rules for the chariot race are very simple: the halflings race about the ballroom three times, dodging a series of obstacles on the way, while the guests look on and cheer their champions. To spice things up, each guest is given colored powder to hurl at racers in an attempt to blind them.
After the feast, servants clear away the tables and chairs and - to the fanfare of trumpets - six halflings dressed as Taldan heroes of lore enter, riding in gaudily painted miniature chariots each pulled by dogs. Servants rush to lay out a race course as the drivers perform japes and buffoonery for the wildly laughing aristocrats.
The rules for the chariot race are very simple: the halflings race about the ballroom three times, dodging a series of obstacles on the way, while the guests look on and cheer their champions. To spice things up, each guest is given colored powder to hurl at racers in an attempt to blind them.
Rule Number 12: "A soft answer turneth away wrath. Once wrath is looking the other way, shoot it in the head."
- RorytheRomulan
- Level 12
- Posts: 1841
- Location: US
Re: Book 2, Act I: Songbird
Emilia ignores the chariot race and picks up where she and Voinum left off. She expresses disappointment that the Jubilee features no contest of arms on foot, as she would have relished a second try at knocking said peacock on his arse. From there, she branches off to fringe topics.
- Bohemond
- Level 12
- Posts: 1384
- User Class: Scout
Re: Book 2, Act I: Songbird
Bala makes his way towards Earl Yander Merkondus, the visiting merchant. Given that most of the nobility seems to focus on their own kind, and Emilia seems a better match to bend the ear of Lady Voinum, the monk figures the merchant may be less concerned with titles.
"Greetings, Earl Merkondus," the Vudrani says with a polite bow. "I am known as Bala of Jalmeray. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. Are you here for the festivities, or is this a happy coincidence of conducting business?" The monk tries to engage in some light banter about traveling to feel out the Earl.
"Greetings, Earl Merkondus," the Vudrani says with a polite bow. "I am known as Bala of Jalmeray. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. Are you here for the festivities, or is this a happy coincidence of conducting business?" The monk tries to engage in some light banter about traveling to feel out the Earl.
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- Level 12
- Posts: 1939
Re: Book 2, Act I: Songbird
Mercutio cannot help himself but gladly partake in the fun, throwing powder at the drivers. In the more quiet moments, when not contemplating how to get a serving girl into his bed for the night, he does seek to have his curiosity about the host sated.