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"And someone I'm sure you have been waiting to see, your childhood betrothed Lady Pavetta Stroon."
A small human woman in an ostentatious golden dress with a headdress and train rushes forward into Zokon's arms. "Oh Zokon! it has been so long since last we embraced!"
"YAP YAP YAP YAP YAP!" A tiny dog with a jeweled collar rushes up and barks and growls at Zokon in a way that might sound vicious to a mouse.
Lady Stroon disengages herself from Zokon to gather up the dog into her arms.
"And of course you remember Jewel though this is Jewel Number Three. The one I had when last we met having expired sometime ago."
"GRRRRR." The little dog continues to growl at Zokon.
"Oh! and my older brother, Imeckus. Where is Imeckus" The short Pavetta bobs about looking for her brother.
Imeckus appears from behind (nearly within) the assembled party as if by magic. He is bigger and older than his sister by what looks like two decades. And while he is dressed in finery the accoutrements of the arcane arts dangle from his belt and bejewel his fingers.
At his sudden appearance, the tiny dog quavers once, and quiets settling deeper into her mistress's embrace.
"A pleasure." he says in an even resonate tone quite at odds with his sister.
Lord Santyev takes his son, Zokon aside and says "Now that you have reached your majority, it is time for you to be wed. I have asked for Lord Medvyed's blessing, and he has given it. The ceremony will happen tonight. Do not waste energy thanking me my son, save your energy for you honeymoon sport this night after the festivities."
{Blushes and looks coyly sidelong at Zokon}
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"A SURPRISE WEDDING! Is it not the romantic, Al-Leah?" Erevenywg says while jumping up and down, and clapping to Alia. "I AM SO HAPPY FOR YOU TWO! YOU MAKE SUCH A BEAUTIFUL COUPLE!" she shouts and waves to Zokon and Pavetta.
Fergus chortles to himself. He was fairly experience in arranged marriages, after all, they were not something reserved for nobility in his homeland.
This has went about as bad as one could expect so far. Of course, it makes sense he would attempt to strongarm him like this. Feelings will be hurt tonight.
ditzy runs up to sit along Fergus's shoulder and ruffles up its fur while squeaking back at the annoying dog.
Durgan raises an eyebrow.
Did Zokon know about this and neglect to mention it? Probably not.
He looks at Alia, hoping she is keeping cool. If she seems on the verge of showing any sort of reaction, he will try to distract her with a short discourse on the architecture of Stoneclimb.
Durgan racks his brain for any recollection of Imeckus Stroon.
He also tries to recall the extent to which childhood betrothals among Brevoyan nobility are considered legally binding, and if they are, the ways out of such arrangements (most likely a payment of some kind, though perhaps something more unusual).
Balzeros unabashedly drops his jaw. Ho-ly shit. And here I was worrying about me messing things up. Lord Zokon is in quite a bind, but this all feels a bit suspect.
Not sure what to make of these incredibly awkward developments, he keeps his guard up as discreetly as he can. If Lord Zokon is truthful about his current fiance, we will have trouble. If not, HE will have trouble.
Oh no! Illthir holds her mask though - this was nothing really. None were even throwing tomatoes! Not yet at least ... She looked around the room just in case there were any sharp and dangerous objects the hopeful bride could fall into. Or something? Maybe they could have a trial by combat for Zokons hand?
Zokon is a little struck dumb and looks between Pavetta and Alia a few times.
He tries to go over in his head what he knows about these people so he can devise an effective strategy
"Good to see you Pavetta, you've grown into a beautiful woman,
Bythe strong and silent as always and Imeckus a wizard wow. I mean you look good. It seems I must have a conversation with you father, as concerns the new lands and my groups arrangements for it's leadership."
Serena paused. This was difficult, though not entirely unexpected. Arranged marriages for political favor were not unknown to her. It will be interesting to see how this plays out.
Oh, hi, Pavetta, I'm Zokons current betrothed.
Alia tenses up, but keeps smiling.
Oh Zokon Dear, won't you introduce us properly.
Managing a glance towards Durgan, whose eyes seem to watch for any reaction from her, Alia decides to remain silent.
This. One of the reasons we are doing this. So Zokon does not become a plaything of the Brevoyan courts. We did talk about the possibility his father could do something like this. This is his battleground. Stay calm and don't make this harder for him.
Your cat - Vega - would eat that dog. Most likely about one quarter of it before even killing it.
On second thought, you could probably manage the same with her. If you were into that thing. I mean, it's not cannibalism if it's not an elf. Just saying.
An honest smile returns to Alias face, despite the situation, as some amusing thoughts enter her mind.
"Do you suppose that I may be chosen as a bridesmaid?" Erevenywg asks of those around her. "What is the aphorism? 'Always bride. Never a bridesmaid.'"
"Good to see you Pavetta, you've grown into a beautiful woman, Bythe strong and silent as always and Imeckus a wizard wow. I mean you look good. It seems I must have a conversation with you father, as concerns the new lands and my groups arrangements for it's leadership."
"'Group'?" Lord Santyev says looking surprised. "What do you mean, son?"
Before Zokon can answer. Bythe bends his ear to remind him that the hall's proceedings are indeed proceeding.
Zokon's father turns back to Zokon. "We shall speak of it later for now though we must attend our Lord Medvyed. There is space for your companions at our table. And this lovely one may sit at my side."
"What is your name, lovely one?" He says to Serena.
A gong sounds three times and the assembly move with purpose to take their seats.
Lord Santyev leads Serena and the party to a long table near the center of a horseshoe arrangement of similar benches flanking the high table.
Pavetta grabs Zokon's arm with her free on and asks him to recount his heroic exploits in the Stolen Land against the vicious bandits.
Seeing Zokon's situation Bythe seems to smile, but for a moment only as he sees Alia in passing his expression turns to perplexed recognition. The look passes quickly and he shrugs it away.
The elder Stroon curtly excuses himself and walks to a seat at the apex table. He takes a seat near the end and from that perch proceeds to stare at Zokon and his sister like a mountain hawk.
Zokon looks to Alia and points to the seat opposite him
He then goes to his assigned seating and again motions across from. Then he seats himself and begins telling his tale to Pavetta. Trying to minimise his contact with her, not snuggling in and removing his hands to demonstrate manoeuvres, to frustrate her attentions.
Durgan takes a seat opposite Serena, and not too far from Lord Santyev and Zokon.
He sits down quietly and will bless his own food when it arrives.
Like a deer in headlights, Balzeros is paralyzed with fear and indecision. He starts for the seat Zokon points to, before catching himself and stepping back. Hesitating again, he puts himself to the furthest end of the horseshoe. I can do the least amount of harm here!
________
Serena accepts the attentions of the lord, answering with a curtsey, "Serena Mistcastle, my lord. I would be honored to sit beside you."
Fergus will sit next to Durgan. Deciding that it was best to be near enough to hear easily, but far enough away to not overstep his perceived place.
He will lean closer to Durgan while he is praying so, what are you thinking? Fergus asks as he politely prepares his eating utensils and waits until their host has eaten.
"I'm not sure what to think," says Durgan quietly. "Let's see what happens."
There are so many ways this can go wrong.
When Alia sits Zokon makes sure to be paying close attention to her, his eyes stray from the Lady Pavetta to Alia at various times.
"My friends if you have any difficulties navigating this dinner, come to me, we shall work together to make this a success." he says to his companions looking at them as he speaks
Illthir channels what manners she has and then takes a seat by the party, stealing the last chair. She glances over at Stroon and ponders if he intends to fireball Zokon for being too friendly with his sister - or the other way around.
A group of hounds rush into the hall from deeper within the castle. Like big inquisitive dogs everywhere they fan out and sniff around at all the new scents. The rest of the hall's occupants rise to their feet. Lady Stroon holds Jewel protectively away from the hound's noses.
Behind the hounds comes a squat broad man in northern noble finery escorted by an entourage of courtiers, and children. It is Lord Medvyed. He warmly welcomes the other nobles as he passes into the hall, and heads straight for the party's table.
"Ah there you are Tengar, is the secret son you have been hiding from me!?" The house lord inspects Zokon.
"Well, well. You've gotten taller but have yet to fill out. Don't worry married life will do that to you. Isn't that right, my dear." he says turning back to Lady Medvyed who smiles back.
"HA HA!" Laughs the lord holding his belly. "Well then, let's set this thing upon the path shall we? First a bit of entertainment, then a wedding followed by the banquet! Seats Seats!"
Medvyed waves people to their seats, and then takes his own grand chair.
Illthir channels what manners she has and then takes a seat by the party, stealing the last chair. She glances over at Stroon and ponders if he intends to fireball Zokon for being too friendly with his sister - or the other way around.
Alia frantically searches her mind for options. This was not her battlefield. She looks at Zokons father, that woman, and Zokon, staring at him helplessly.
The lights dim as servants along the walls drop shades over the wall sconces. The center of the room grows darker still to the point most human eyes can not see to the far opposite tables.
The audience lower their voices, and expectation becomes a physical presence within the grand hall.
When Zokon had announced that he would be the party's guiding light for tact and diplomacy at this little soiree, Durgan had mixed feelings.
Well, I am happy he that he has been listening. Picking up tidbits of social graces. Even if he doesn't have the greatest polish yet, he has learned "Fake it 'til you make it" which will take him far. Confidence is almost as good as competence in this sort of setting. But is he ready for this? Is he yet at the skill of a Numalar or a Posh?
And then he sees something in that dark that triggers a memory... someone he heard about. Hmmm... nothing to do but to see how this turns out.
With the distraction happening Zokon takes the opportunity to have words with his father.
He leans over to make sure he is heard "Father, I have an arranged marriage already, to the Elven representative of Kyonin, making the lands strong but with majority Brevoyan leadership with myself and the church of Abadar under Durgan having most of the power."
Hmm? Some gears start turning in Illthir's head. Oh no. She remembers the poster. Oh no no. She winces a little. Surely they wouldn't, not in a place like this? But also: So hmm he likes that sort of things? Maybe my bar-songs could earn a gold or two here ...
In a hushed whisper she shares her worries. Not sure what could be done about it - but maybe it'd allow some mental fortification? "Uhm. What's the odds this is the play we saw that poster for ..?"
As Durgan is just two seats down from Illthir, he leans forwards, points back towards the middle of the semi-circle, and whispers, "Esme."
He never met Esme personally but would have heard of her from Posh, most likely.
Things just got waaaay more uncomfortable. I can feel the tension, by the Green! Is this a normal thing for these nobles? Is a Troll going to burst out or something? Balzeros grips the arms of his chairs as tightly as he can. "What, uh, what's going on?" he whispers to Alia. "Everyone is really awkward right now and I don't know what to do."
Serena is so focused on keeping Lord Santyev occupied that she barely notices the darkness.
Alia is...oblivious to what is talked about, or what happens in her back.
Just as she wants to ask Durgan to repeat himself, not quite sure if he said something of interest, Balzeros starts talking with her:"Honestly, no idea. I am sailing through this as blind as you are - everybody seems calm enough despite the tension. The lord mentioned Entertainment, but that could mean anything..."
Following her words, she turns to Ilvah for a moment to make sure the girl was indeed remaining calm.