Lord Santyev sits back taking a large, almost self-satisfied quaff from his goblet.
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...."
People at the next table flash some side eye Santyev rather than actually speaking up to shush him.
"Is she with child? Do you know if it is yours? Listen Zokon, noble men often find themselves targeted for such intrigues, especially when such strumpets see a path to wealth, and easy living in the lovelorn eyes of an inexperienced youth such as yourself. I blame your mother for not explaining these things to you."
Balzeros tries to sink as far into his chair as he can. Maybe their vision is based on movement...
The darkness turns to sudden light!
"An audience!" Peeps a halfling from atop a newly placed.
She bounds o the fore. From somewhere unseen you hear the sound of a much larger audience clapping and cheering. The hafling woman stops, bows appreciatively doffing her tricorn captain's hat, and then with a dramatic wave of her hand silences the unseen crowd.
"Lords and Ladies, my name is Esme. Esme Highspire, I and my fellows are tragedians of the Love, Blood, and Rhetoric School out of Pitax." She says with flourish and then after a moment's thought adds. "Though I suppose I can do you blood and love without the rhetoric, and I can do you blood and rhetoric without the love, and I can do you all three concurrent, or consecutive, but I can't do you love and rhetoric without the blood. Blood is compulsory—they're all blood, you see." She finishes in a manner somewhere betwixt fiendish and sagely.
"Tonight we present for you a play made popular in the wild and lawless south-"
"We have made a pact between all our group, who elected me leader as the best choice, with the Kyonin representative Alia as a co-leader and bride. Durgan Priest of Abadar will be of high standing as well."
He waits a few seconds for it to sink in.
"The new Duchy will have an alliance with Kyonin and the backing of the church of Abadar and I was hoping the backing of the Great House Medvyed through you. With that backing paying off when we are established."
Durgan looks at Zokon, annoyed at him for talking loudly at the theater, and then gives his attention to Esme.
No respect for the arts... maybe Illthir can have words with him.
Desperate for a distraction for the brewing kerfuffle nearby, Balzeros gives out a modest cheer and claps a little for the performers. He inches his seat every few minutes ever so slightly to the right.
Finally, this is getting interesting. I'll bide my time before mentioning any possible connection to glimmerhold. Could prove more harm than good. Fergus sips his wine, then, casually casts prestidigitation to chill the wine, causing the rim to frost, before taking another sip. He keeps his eyes open for any reaction to his minor spell.
The lights grow dim now upon the stage focusing down upon the three figures: Esme, a short woman with a red wig in a padded dress, and a tall, lean woman with pointy ear prosthetics, and white wig with a red highlight.
"We have made a pact between all our group-"
"What!?" says the elder Santyev looking around the table, confused, at all the (somewhat strange) people assembled there starting with Serena.
Lady looks Stroon aghast. Her dog doesn't look that happy either.
"-who elected me leader as the best choice, with the Kyonin representative Alia as a co-leader and bride. Durgan Priest of Abadar will be of high standing as well."
He waits a few seconds for it to sink in.
"So wait--you are not marrying them all then?"
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"Shhh! It's starting" shushes Lord Medvyed from the high table waving a big roasted turkey leg to make his point.
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Durgan watches the show and contemplates the special level of Hell reserved for those who talk in the theater.
"Just Alia, Later."
Zokon watches the show at the word of Lord Medvyed.
Esme!
Alia turns towards the stage and freezes up in her chair, staring at the halfling performer. She does not look left or right, and the white on her knuckles shows as the grips the armrests.
If they use the tear-away prop, I will kill her. During the show. People may even applaud. I could make it out of the city before they realize it's not part of the script. Then I'll just have to make it to the border and...
Serena holds up her hands defensively at the idea that Zokon would be wedded to her.
Illthir hums lalala in her mind and tries to look like she totally isn't eavesdropping on Zokons not-so-private conversation or keeping an eye on Alia to see if she were about to explode. Nope. Just enjoying the occasion! I hope we don't have to make a run for it - this is the best accommodations we've had in weeks!
If they use the tear-away prop, I will kill her. During the show. People may even applaud. I could make it out of the city before they realize it's not part of the script. Then I'll just have to make it to the border and...
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As the play plays out Lady Medvyed leaves, and takes her children with her.
Lord Medveyd protests, shouting "Come now, the boy's going to have to learn sometime!"
Ilvah's eyes grow wide.
Beneath the table, Lady Pavetta's hands range all about Zokon's thigh, while whispering about the action on stage, and which specific things Zokon should pay particular attention to.
Her brother, Imeckus's eyes never leave Zokon's side of the table.
Lady Stroon's dog, Jewel, takes the opportunity to grab some of the finger food off of the platter in front of Zokon.
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"Does not the white-haired elf woman remind you of someone, Al-Leah?"
At that moment the actors use the tear-away prop to tremendous effect.
"I was wrong. The person I was thinking of is not nearly as well gifted with bouncy upper chest flesh. It is quite impressive, do you not think? Why the buoyancy alone--"
Durgan overhears the commotion and shakes his head. Humans and their hang-ups. Why should a child not know these things?
He sighs a bit. Abadar's clergy certainly could recognize the potential of the 'pleasures of the flesh' to be distracting and cause a lot of trouble, but then again they could also be legitimate enterprises in various forms - were the employment contracts to be fair and not coerced. In the case of the performers here, he did not think there was any coercion involved... they all seemed to be quite enthusiastic in their performance.
Durgan is far more interested in assessing the potential for such legitimate enterprises than he is in thinking about the fact that one of the characters on stage represents Alia. He is aware of this, but considers that whatever detriment this show has on her prospects pales in comparison to the fact that Zokon introduced her not merely as an Elf but as 'the Kyonin representative and co-leader.' That's not going to go over well. I had thought Alia would officially be Zokon's consort. The difference will matter to these Brevoy nobility.
He applauds the performers, takes a deep breath, and waits for the chaos.
As the Lord Medvyed shouts in protest, Fergus respectfully holds up his glass and nods in agreement.
Best not to speak out though.
As the player concludes.
Hmm... Curious, I'll have to ask what adventure, exactly, lead to this play, and the representation. That sounds like a fine story to share over wine. Still I wish we could just have an open discussion. As this subterfuge was never my strong point. Much easier to clean the mess once the crap has actually hit the fan and all. Both physically and metaphorically.
Zokon puts his hands over his areas to protect them from Lady Stroon trying to cause the least ruckus and restrict her. He then blows on the dog to dissuade it from stealing food.
This sufficiently distracts him from paying alot of attention to the play and hopefully lessens Alia's embarrassment.
Meh, let the children stay. There is nothing wrong with the body.
Serena enjoys the remainder of the play quietly.
Alia attempts to meld into her Chair.
Ignoring Lady Stroon, Ereven, and any others whispers, her eyes are swapping rapidly between Esme and the actress meant to portray her.
Until such time as the Prop is used, at which point Alia closes her eyes and breathes in deeply.
'I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain. I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is....'
After a while, she opens her eyes and forces a smile on her face, continuing to watch the play.
Oh my, look at the size of these. They are as likely to smother a child to death as they are to feed it. At least I can plausibly claim Esme took massive creative liberties with that role...even if someone makes the connection...
This is a nightmare. Surely I'm dreaming. Zokon's getting a little extra under the table, Alia is hyperventilating, Durgan is brooding, an- his thoughts are frozen in time when the most beautiful woman he has ever seen reveals true self. Even his best efforts keep his jaw slack for a solid fifteen seconds. This... This is Heaven!
He pries himself from the recesses of his chair and is now perched on the edge, angling for a better view.
________
Hmm... Illthir can't help but notice that the older wizard brother, unlike most men, eyeing something other then the play/their significant other. Hmmmmmm...
On the bright side Ilvah looked more animate then ever. Or possibly on the way to another mental trauma. Maybe not the 'bright side' then?
The skald herself did her best to pay attention to as much as possible, drinking up the interpersonal interactions around her like a sponge. Who knew; one day it might even be useful!
Wasn't quite sure how anyone were supposed to enjoy their meal, but eh. The half elf politely poked at the food and even managed to get a few bits into her mouth.
The play ends with a metaphorical bang (ahem), and the lights finally come up to grand castle hall standard.
"Well! ahem."
After conferring with his steward, and Lord Stroon, Lord Medvyed rises slowly from his table and exits the hall, followed closely by Imeckus.
The steward comes to Zokon, and invites him and his father back into a sitting room to have a private talk with his lordship.
"But you cannot leave me now my love." protests Pavetta while clinging to Zokon's arm. "After all a husband should have no secrets from his wife. It will be good practice for all of our days (and nights!) to come."
"Excuse me my dear." says Santyev to Serena, "I shall be but a moment."
Santyev moves to join the Lord of Stoneclimb, as the nobles at the other tables murmur among themselves.
squeals the halfling player loud enough to draw attention. She bounds toward the elf. "You'll have to tell me what you think of the show! After all I owe all of this to you and your friends! As you can see we've made a few big changes for comedic effect, but I'm sure you agree we've stayed true to the spirit of the thing."
"Where's Scarlet?" she adds after a moment.
If the players have a hat out, Durgan will contribute five silvers.
"That was quite the entertainment," he says to one of the others (not Esme, who is otherwise occupied). "May your ventures prosper."
He digs into the food.
If the players have a hat out....
Zokon is gently prying Pavetta's hands off himself "Lord Medvyed has commanded my presence, I must go now, it will be very important talks that affect our future."
Zokon gets up and walks to the indicated place giving his friends a loong look as he goes.
Balzeros picks at some of his food. "So, uh, what did you think of.. that?" he leads, speaking to the recently abandoned Lady Pavetta. If she allows it, he offers a bite to her lapdog.
quite the play Miss, uh Esme? I believe? You'll have to enlighten me the circumstances that lead to such a play, and the revelation at the end.
He asks with a slight chuckle.
Serena watches the play to its finish and contributes five silvers likewise. The long look from Zokon is not lost on her, but she cannot think of any way to excuse herself without seeming suspicious.
"May your negotiations be fruitful," says Durgan to Zokon as the man goes to discuss politics with his father and his Lord.
Balzeros picks at some of his food. "So, uh, what did you think of.. that?" he leads, speaking to the recently abandoned Lady Pavetta. If she allows it, he offers a bite to her lapdog.
{Suspicious sniffing, followed by a bite a little further up the proffered treat than human fingers allow}
quite the play Miss, uh Esme? I believe? You'll have to enlighten me the circumstances that lead to such a play, and the revelation at the end.
He asks with a slight chuckle.
"Yes, Esme, Esme Highspire, thespian, wit, and jongleur, extraordinaire." Esme sweeps her hat off her head offering the opening to Fergus like a church donation platter, and takes a long, low bow. "Oh, I can not claim credit for the play's revival--I am, but a simple player--that's all to our mutual friend, Alia, here. Had I known she was here I would have invited her to join, in and reprise her role of the angry, flat-chested, older sister."
Zokon is gently prying Pavetta's hands off himself "Lord Medvyed has commanded my presence, I must go now, it will be very important talks that affect our future."
Zokon gets up and walks to the indicated place giving his friends a loong look as he goes.
Zokon is escorted into a deathly quiet (in comparison to the stone flagged great hall), carpeted sitting room with wood paneling and large warm fireplace. The walls are studded with hunting trophies the dark eyes of which seem to follow, and pass mute judgement upon those inside the room.
Lord Medveyd, Imeckus Stroon, and Zokon's father are already there, and once Zokon enters the servant closes the door behind him.
"What's all this about you having an elf trollop?" demands Zokon's father of his son.
Lord Medvyed strains to keep his expression neutral at his courtier's lack of irony.
For his part, Imeckus's face might have been graven of stone.
Serena watches the play to its finish and contributes five silvers likewise. The long look from Zokon is not lost on her, but she cannot think of any way to excuse herself without seeming suspicious.
"Are you one of my half-brother's, elf "friends" as well? He seems to have collected a harem of you like in the play." says the man who looks like an older version of Zokon. He casts a glance around the table from Serena to Erevenywg, Alia, and Illthir and back again. "Poor Pavetta seems sorely outnumbered in this fight."
From across the grand hall the party notices leaning against a pillar openly observing them, while idly strumming a stringed instrument of some sort.
Illthir frowns as the most interesting eavesdrop subjects slink away. Darn it! But oh other creatures seems to have crawled out from the shadows. The skald did her best to not let her impression of Zokon's bother ahem brother show. With a quick glance across the room, checking out what sort of instrument the Lyre was playing, Illthir made a note to bother him later. For now though!
"Jealous?" Illthir raised her glass at the old ranger and winked. "But no, the adventure life isn't quite as wild as the tales. That'd put me out of a job. I'm Illthir Winlow, skald and chronicler; pleasure to meet you."
"Oh!" Balzeros yelps a little as the dog nips his fingers. He laughs uncomfortably. You'd think it'd be trained better. Worse than some of the wild animals I've fed. Yeesh.
"What was your favorite part of the play?" he asks, awkwardly pushing the conversation along while keeping an eye out for his favorite actress.
"Trollop? You've seen her, she is no mere courtly trollop to foist upon someone for political gain. She is a representative of the Elves of Kyonin and represents their interests as Duchess in the soon to be Duchy of New Avalon." he pauses for a second to let that sink in.
"You forget I was not slated to be leader of this group. I managed to work my way to the position by making a deal with Durgan and Alia to leverage my connections to you and take the seat of Duke. You will gain an important ally and political power in the new realm by supporting us." Zokon waits for a response
Serena's eyes narrow dangerously. "I am no man's plaything. Zokon is a friend, nothing more. You would do wise to 'ware your tone."
"Esme.", Alia pauses, noting the presence of Naughleck before continuing to speak: "What a surprise to see you all the way out here. What a remarkable timing you have. I would definitely like to talk to you after this social event - at lenght." Remembering the halflings question, Alia's features soften a bit: "Scarlet decided not to renew her contract - I had...made her brothers aquaintance, and it did not go so well. She did not want to have to choose between us - I understand her, but she is sorely missed."
When Esme suggests to Fergus that she would have liked Alia to play the role, Alia blushes:"I am not certain that would have been a socially acceptable concept. I am here so that Zokon can get his fathers blessing for our soon-to-be marriage. I think I should get to know my future in-laws a bit better before using a tear-away top in front of them."
Suddenly self-conscious, she places a hand on her chest:"Besides, I am not certain I could fill this role after your changes. I don't quite have the...the...why am I even justifying myself."
The melons, my lady? Fergus attempts to finish the sentence for her with a small grin and a friendly chuckle. But, I do think its going better than we could have excepted. Not great, particularly considering the situation. But, well, to put it eloquently, so far no one has threatened anyone's lives. He pauses for a few seconds. At least, not openly.