(1865-11-03) Catching Up
Catching Up
Summary: Alina and Adelaide catch each other up; mostly.
Date: 1865-11-03
Related: Related Logs (If there aren't any, use None. Don't this entry leave blank. If there is a log, use full URLs, like http://eternalcrusade.wikidot.com/logtitle)
NPCs: {$npc}
Players:
Alina  Adelaide  

Aequor - Alasce - Highwater Castle - Study
Room description
IC date of RP

Adelaide arrives in a flourish, wrapped up in what ever is the latest trend in the capital, after all, if you're going to go out of town for a while, might as well take full advantage. Packages are loaded into her rooms but one comes with her down to the study to meet Alina. "Wine," She chirps merrily to the servant, "And then shoo."

Alina looks up from where she had been lounging on one of the couches, taking a rest. She had not been sleeping well, and as such had been taking to getting somewhat overtired.

Adelaide's bouncy entrance only garners a half-raising of her head, then she settles back down again. "Actually, wine, water, and something to eat. And then shoo." She seems contented to soak up the warmth from the fireplace and just laze, though she is awake and fairly alert.

"I'm glad your traveling was uneventful," she notes as the requested items are brought.

Adelaide sets the box aside to wait until the servants have done their bit and takes up a seat near Alina, glancing over her with a faint frown, noting the wear around her eyes. She leans back into her seat after a moment and nods, "It was almost boring even. The capital is… or was quiet until the whole sandal about the princess' cancelled engagement came to the fore and then it was all gossip all the time. How have you been?"

"Tired," Alina admits. "Busy, since the end of the tournament. I'm glad we only host these damn things once in a year. Father's had me do a fair amount of the work from afterwards, to get me accustomed to it."

Adelaide nods, "I was thinking of you while I was travelling back but…" She pauses to allow the servants to lay out the food and beverages, and then watches until they leave before she turns her attention back onto Alina. "I imagine it has indeed been busy. I may be able to help you feel rested, or at least more awake when you are."

Alina shrugs. "It'll pass in a few more days— it's almost done, all this… post-celebratory cleanup, so to call it. One send there's not a wedding anytime soon, it would be just as brutal as for paperwork and coin."

Adelaide nods faintly, "Are you not going to the al'Callenta wedding or do you mean no weddings here… in the family?"

"Here. I'll be heading up to the al'Callenta one," Alina shrugs. "But save me from the paperwork of having one here. I swear, I had to scrub my hands for an hour to get all the inkstains out."

Adelaide's brow lifts, "Does that mean you're not going to wed his dour brother any time soon? I suppose that then is a relief for you and your southern companion or have things changed there while I've been gone?"

"No, the betrothal plans for myself and Sir Gabriel continue apace," Alina sighs, annoyance clear. "I just hope that even if the contract is signed, I have some time at least before having to host another miserable gala here. Father was talking of a tourney if Gabriel and I do wed, and I almost threw something at him." She pauses. "I think he was joking, but you can never be entirely sure with him."

Adelaide smirks a little, really not imagining the Duke "joking" about anything. "I was thinking on the way back that I should start helping you dress soon, in the mornings if you like. I've brought you back a corset or three that are made to… keep everything tidy. But if you want to avoid the maids noticing I will stop by your rooms in the morning to help you myself."

Alina nods slightly. "I haven't noticed any… changes in that," she points out, "but I am sure it will start soon enough."

Adelaide nods slightly, "I brought some things to help your stomach as well. Just tell me what you need when you need it." She reaches over, her fingers brushing over Alina's hair lightly, "Do you want Gabriel or do you still hold out hope for Tristan?"

Alina snorts. "My wants are not a consideration, Addie." She stares up at the ceiling. "What I want is to already be wed to Tristan and be done with this whole business. What I want—" she cuts herself off. "What I want may not happen," she says with a heavy sigh. "But I've always known that I'll likely marry someone I can barely tolerate. It's how things work."

Adelaide grimaces a little and nods, "Such is the way is it not?" She frowns a little and leans her back. "Do you think it will be alright… when the baby becomes a thing you can not hide any longer? Or is the plan to mask it, put off the marriage until it's born, and have it in secret?"

"I will see how long I can keep it a secret," Alina replies quietly. "But after that? We've always recognized our bastards, and even if Tristan should not, I will. He or she will serve the house and rise as far as their abilities will allow them. It is our way. I am not ashamed of it.." she trails off, unsure how to explain. "Not by any means. We're not Arkanins, after all. I am simply concerned that with everything else that has happened, and the tenuous peace between the nations, the timing on this is… poor."

Adelaide mmms, "Or fortunate. Perhaps your child can be the bridge that the Cassomirs burnt down." She winks lightly and leans over to pour them both some generous glasses of wine.

"It is possible. Or, a target for those who wish such a bridge to remain unbuilt." Alina shrugs. "So, I would much rather keep his… or her.. existence from the world until I am better prepared."

Adelaide nods, "It would be better if Gabriel would call him or her his. But I suppose that's a stretch isn't it? Well we will see what we can do to keep it quiet as long as possible."

Alina laughs dryly. "That would require him bedding me, and soon enough that he could reasonably think that is so. No, I doubt it. I will be shocked if the man will bed me after we wed short of marching into our bed, fulfilling the barest requirement of our marriage, and then stalking back out again to disappear into some field of battle or tournament." Her tone is bitter. "And that is if I am lucky, I think. The al'Callenta have little love for us, and he is a particularly stuffy one, however handsome he is."

Adelaide laughs softly, "Alina. I don't care if he's an al'Callenta. He's a man. And you're beautiful. He longs for you already I have no doubt and if you gave him the opportunity you could arrange it… if only he wasn't occupied with all this fighting. There is no man north or south you couldn't have if you put your mind to it."

"Admittedly," says Alina, her eyes closing and her expression going grim, "I've… well, not fully with intent, of course, but have given him more than one opportunity. A kiss or two, and then he shuts down. It is like he wears armor made of honor and propriety and properness." She shakes her head.

"No, if I showed up bare in his bed, he'd wrap a blanket around me and…" she imitates Gabriel's voice, albeit poorly, "'woman, what are you doing?! I will have to protect you from cold now, stupid al'Sylenthar are too foolish to go to bed without being wrapped in fur!'" And she makes a face.

Adelaide's brow lifts, "I should very much like to wager he wouldn't. Really I have never met a man who would kick you out of bed. Though it amuses me I admit to imagine you may be married to the only one who could… I'm sorry Alina truly but you must see the irony in that?"

Alina pouts. "I offered at the masque. He practically ran away from me. I think that man could hold his ground against a hundred screaming, vicious White Hall Raiders, without flinching." She swallows. "But bedding me? No, that he must turn tail and flee like a whipped cur."

Adelaide's lips make a little oh, "Do you think it's possible he's never…. ever?" It seems an alien idea to Addie to even entertain. "I have never known a lord of any standing to be virginal."

"One, I hope not," Alina looks stricken. "I wouldn't know how to… show him… or…"

Adelaide clasps her hands together, "Well that would make it all the more ironic wouldn't it? But you have a notion of how it works now, surely you must. If not I will draw a picture or something for him." She winks. "As a wedding present."

Alina shakes her head. "Nonono. I'm sure he's… bedded… someone before. One, he can't be so stuffy as that." But the sudden unsureness to her tone makes it clear she's wondering.

"Perhaps I'll have to… ah…" she considers. "Take things slowly."

Adelaide isn't over sure herself. She watches Alina for a long time having an idea but it's unspoken. She nods a bit to herself, plotting wedding related mischief for the future. Then she puts that thought to the side. "Has Corvin returned?"

"Yes, just the other day. His trip to Four Corners was both short and productive." Alina doesn't volunteer further information. "He will be here with me and Father for the foreseeable, helping me in doing what needs to be done. I had neglected so much, after all. I'm just hoping that I can take a day or three to design something new for Lord Michael's wedding."

Adelaide smiles a little, "I was concerned for him when I hadn't heard anything in a while. Marcus had sent a letter to me while I was in Lyioness, he's wounded he says. I sent him a handful of supplies which I hope will keep him whole."

Alina shrugs. "He's a Wraith. I know Conner and Small Pie may give one the impression that they all run their mouths nigh-constantly, but truthfully, they got the name because they are the silent sort." She makes a face at Adelaide, but it's at least somewhat playful. "Corvin tends to be very focused while on business; and if he writes at all, it's to Father."

Adelaide nods and sips her wine, "Of course." She looks around. "Well if we have some quiet here for a while I have a few things I'm working on that could use some further testing." She looks over to Alina again. "Does the smell of the bleach turn your stomach? Or is dark hair the winter fashion?"

Alina sighs. "Too much trouble right now." She wrinkles her nose. "And it sets my scalp ablaze. I thought someone had slipped some sort of contact poison into the last batch I used, but no…"

"Beauty may be pain, but I like to minimize mine." Besides, with everything else going on, she really hadn't thought to redye her hair away from the natural darkness.

Adelaide eyes Alina, who has never shied away from the needs of her vanity before. "I see. Well is there anything I can help you with while I am here? Between now and the wedding it appears my time is wholly my own. Thank the One for the reprieve from tournaments."

"I know." Alina agrees. "Bloody things are a nuisance. Sure, the ability to see people is nice, but really, all the traveling is tiring."

Adelaide nods, her hand lifting to pull some of the pins out of her hair, letting it fall down. "Alina?"

"Mm?" The younger girl lifts a brow, half-turning on the couch to actually look over at Adelaide.

Adelaide looks over her friend with that look, the gears turning as she weighs her thoughts. Finally she takes a drink from her glass, "I went to Lyioness to speak to my father about…. his thoughts on pursuing a match with your brother." She watches the now brunette thoughtfully.

Alina gives her a serious look. "I'm aware." The undertone there, of course, is that her siblings keep nothing from her. It's a rather mutual arrangement, of course. "How did he respond?"

Adelaide shrugs one shoulder, "Have you ever known my father to share his true thoughts? He will think on it. I suppose one day he will let me know or he will not." Her nose wrinkles. "And I am expressly forbidden from joining the military efforts in the north. Apparently war is too terrible a thing for a delicate flower such as myself."

"Considering how they've been misusing the Wraiths," Alina notes with a grimace, "I cannot argue against your father's thoughts. Like as not, they would thrust a helm on your head and a sword in your hand and send you to the front lines." She scowls. "No wonder they lose scouts, apparently they send them all out in the company of men in plate, and fully barded horses." She sighs, rubbing her temples.

Adelaide grimaces, "No wonder Marcus was adamant I do not go north then." She pauses. "I am sorry, I should have told you my plans before I left but you seemed rather embroiled in your own marriage woes."

Alina shrugs. "You'd be an asset to the family," she says. "Though…" she notes, "I don't see Father pushing for Corvin's legitimization with how much of a tumult court is at the moment." She shakes her head, sighing. "The broken betrothal has further reaching consequences than most realize. Until the newest wound is healed? It is just not wise to push the royals for any sort of boon."

Adelaide nods, "Of course." But then that wasn't happening when she first set out to speak to her father about it. "I didn't imagine it was a matter that would be moved on immediately."

"I know. I am simply noting the current difficulties." Alina settles back into her original position. "I have some ideas for Marcus, though I suspect he'll dislike them. Well, I won't be the only one miserable in a marriage, it seems," and though she's joking, there is a bit of a bitter undertone to it.

Adelaide mmms, "If you had wanted to escape Gabriel I was going to suggest introducing him to the younger sister. She seems nice enough, if young."

"And less suited to marrying an al'Sylenthar than Gabriel," Alina points out. "The soft little girl would likely run straight home to her father and weep and wail the moment she catches wind of the Business aspects of things." She lifts a brow. "And that would go poorly for everyone. Marcus cannot wed out any more than I can. That path was barred for him when he chose the path of the Wraith."

Adelaide nods, "Well I'm sure you will find someone suitable for him. Though it would be kinder if he could at least be happy in his choice." She leans an elbow on the arm of her chair, her chin coming to rest on her hand. "Someone aught to be."

Alina shrugs. "Politics and happiness rarely go together. We may be a bit more… picky… in our choices; but in the end, it is all to continue the line."

Adelaide grimaces, "Indeed. Well I should go see to my things being unpacked." She pushes herself to her feet. "If you need anything you know where I am Alina."

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