Re: Book 2, Act I: Songbird
Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2023 2:18 am
Baroness Legate Voinum appears to be a popular person to interact with. On her way to and from the Lists Dame Emilia makes passing conversation of her brother's experience in the Phalanx, but the drive-by diplomacy doesn't affect her much. She then returns to her jousting. The monk, however, notices an important reaction from the Baroness as she observes the Tournament. Bala's keen eyes note that while she generally applauds with the rest upon impressive hits, her attention is less upon the lances and much more on their horsemanship. Those who brute-force their way through the jousting earn a small sneer from her scarred lips, while those who finesse their mounts into skillful positioning advantages earn a gleam in her eye.
Mercutio goes the subtle route, traveling through the assembled dignitaries showing off his charm and magic tricks. He makes sure he is always within Bartelby's forward vision when performing his magic, then moving on to the next target. He leaves a trail of smiles and pleased murmurs, and the titular Heir feels the gaze of the Count upon him.
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The next two rounds of the Tournament show off the skills of the contestants. While the County is some distance from the Capitol or any major city centers, Taldor has a rich tradition of notable cavaliers, and this contest shows that they keep up that reputation. No one can even so much as touch Baron Okerra despite his advancing age, and Emilia keeps her saddle each round herself.
The semi-finals have her facing off against a family cousin, Titus Lotheed-Casava. Lady Martella described him to you as little more than a bully. He is rough with his horse, pulling viciously at the reigns to force his mount into position. Emilia's indignation at this behavior distracts her as they gallop towards each other, negatively influencing her horsemanship. Both have terrible luck and their lances glance off the jousting shields, neither making a solid hit.
The audience laughs, rather mockingly, as both contestants line up again to reveal an actual winner. This time Emilia keeps her cool, lining up her horse excellently and making a solid hit on Titus' shield with her pass. It isn't solid enough to unseat him, but she still comes off as the clear winner.
The Finals have Dame Emilia facing off against her liege lord, Baron Okerra. The dark-skinned, salt-and-pepper bearded man rides out to the Lists, raising his lance proudly. The crowd applauds him loudly. Emilia similarly takes her position to lesser applause. She does note that while the Baron does not have a free hand to clap, he taps his shield against his breastplate to make what approving sounds he can.
The Baron's mount stutters the first couple steps while Emilia's horse immediately hits its stride. Perhaps a difference in weight or condition of the horse, but regardless luck seems to be on her side. Neither can see the facial expression of the other through their visors, but regardless both jousters competently set up their shots. The crowd is silent as the two finalists charge at each other with reckless speed.
Both lances firmly hit their targets dead-center of their shields, and both contestants are rocked in their saddles. Baron Okerra is a master of both the battlefield and the tourney, and firmly keeps his seat. Dame Emilia is not as fortunate, as her liege hits her at just the right angle that she is picked right out of her saddle to land with a painful thud in the dirt. The crowd cheers almost deafiningly at the dramatic end of the joust. The good Baron slows his horse to a stop, dismounts, and strides over the fallen Emilia, giving her a hand up. He lifts his visor to show off a large, proud smile.
This being just a County event, the gifting of prizes is unsurprisingly direct. The Count gifts Emilia with a silver chalice emblazoned with the Lotheed family's rampant owl heraldry. Baron Okerra is gifted with a silver ferret, along with a hyacinth bouquet to give to a "spiritual companion" who inspired them in the trials. He winks at the Dame next to him when told to gift the hyacinths to such a person, but then moves to the stands to give it to his 10-year-old daughter, Selli. She beams with undisguised pride at her father.
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Prior to dinner, Count Bartelby summons the guests back to the palace gardens for a short musical performance, accompanied by drinks and a short speech about the palace’s history and the meaning of the Tanager Jubilee. The harpers play at the bottom of the veranda stairs, and Bartelby waits for the perfect time to deliver his speech from the top of the stairs.
The next two rounds of the Tournament show off the skills of the contestants. While the County is some distance from the Capitol or any major city centers, Taldor has a rich tradition of notable cavaliers, and this contest shows that they keep up that reputation. No one can even so much as touch Baron Okerra despite his advancing age, and Emilia keeps her saddle each round herself.
The semi-finals have her facing off against a family cousin, Titus Lotheed-Casava. Lady Martella described him to you as little more than a bully. He is rough with his horse, pulling viciously at the reigns to force his mount into position. Emilia's indignation at this behavior distracts her as they gallop towards each other, negatively influencing her horsemanship. Both have terrible luck and their lances glance off the jousting shields, neither making a solid hit.
The audience laughs, rather mockingly, as both contestants line up again to reveal an actual winner. This time Emilia keeps her cool, lining up her horse excellently and making a solid hit on Titus' shield with her pass. It isn't solid enough to unseat him, but she still comes off as the clear winner.
The Baron's mount stutters the first couple steps while Emilia's horse immediately hits its stride. Perhaps a difference in weight or condition of the horse, but regardless luck seems to be on her side. Neither can see the facial expression of the other through their visors, but regardless both jousters competently set up their shots. The crowd is silent as the two finalists charge at each other with reckless speed.
This being just a County event, the gifting of prizes is unsurprisingly direct. The Count gifts Emilia with a silver chalice emblazoned with the Lotheed family's rampant owl heraldry. Baron Okerra is gifted with a silver ferret, along with a hyacinth bouquet to give to a "spiritual companion" who inspired them in the trials. He winks at the Dame next to him when told to gift the hyacinths to such a person, but then moves to the stands to give it to his 10-year-old daughter, Selli. She beams with undisguised pride at her father.
Prior to dinner, Count Bartelby summons the guests back to the palace gardens for a short musical performance, accompanied by drinks and a short speech about the palace’s history and the meaning of the Tanager Jubilee. The harpers play at the bottom of the veranda stairs, and Bartelby waits for the perfect time to deliver his speech from the top of the stairs.