Dangerous Damsels Deconstructing the Duke's Dynasty

The duke shakes his head, his expression grim.

"My eldest daughter, Arianna, was attacked in her quarters."

 

"I am sorry to hear that, Duke Norwin." Reana says sincerely, her surprise at the news not showing on her face. "I'm sorry to insist, but I want to hear the whole story, not just that little piece of it."

 

The Jharl shakes his head. "The whole story remains unknown, we all seem to be jumping in at the middle of things, but Lady Antorha could give you a better account of what we DO know than I..." He explains, fingering his Molenjer Medallion.

 

“Of course no one can tell me something they don't know – I understand that, I am not asking for the impossible here. Hearing what is known so far should be enough.” Reana says to the Jharl and then turns her questioning gaze towards Lady Antorha, waiting to hear what the noblewoman has to say.

 

"By chance i bumped into Sir Vincent. After a scream from the dukes daughter we burst into her quarters finding three attackers clad in black clothes. We killed them, a medic was brought to the quarters and the rest is history." Allia quickly repeats the happenings of last evening. "I also ruined one of my most hated dresses. Fucking long skirts." She gazes over to the Jharl, "Are you not going to peep at my legs today? This skirt is even shorter than the ruined one." She taunts.

 

Reana raises an eyebrow after hearing Lady Antorha's summary of the events from last night. "That's it? After what you said last night I expected something far worse than a failed attack on one of the Duke's daughters. Though it is certainly a good thing that something worse did not happen, of course, and that it was just something that is sadly considered more or less normal in the lives of us nobles." She decides not to insist for more details at this time. "Note to self: In the future ignore anything Lady Antorha says until it can be verified by a second source." Reana 'accidentally' says the last part loud enough for the lady to hear and then turns her attention to the Duke. "Again, I am sorry to hear that such a thing happened, and during such a joyous occasion, no less. I hope everything is alright with Lady Arianna and the rest of your family."

Next Reana turns her attention to Lady Eona. "Sorry to keep you waiting. I have nothing more I wish to ask or say at this time."

(OOC: I decided not to waste time with a roll to see if Allia is telling the truth. I hope I don't regret it...)

 

The Jharl blushes at Allia's jibe, but says nothing.

 

Allia grits her teeth and walks over. "Are you insulting my honour, little girl?" She pushes the words out and pulls out a few centimetres of her rapier. The grey steel shimmer dangerously, not as dangerous as Allia's eyes though. "Same shit as yesterday! Either believe me or fuck off."

 

Irène listens to the entire exchange coldly – her attention on the duke and his companions. Finally, she breaks the quarrel.
“Enough children, stop wasting my time.” She then turns to the old man “I haven't heard your name, sir, and considering that everyone introduced themselves, it's only a good manners that you did as well...”

Especially since you didn't yesterday - if my theory is correct.

 

"Trust is something you earn. You've done nothing to earn mine - quite the opposite, in fact." Reana whispers so that only Allia can hear her, then, after hearing Irène's words, focuses her attention on the elder gentleman instead.

 

Allia's eyes open wide in anger. "What the fuck are you talking about?" She doesn't care about the old fart. This is a matter much more important to her. "Not only did i allow you to 'bring' me to the duke when you insisted I also just answered your fucking question because I AM NOW ALLOWED TO. Not my fucking fault i don't know more. Are you such a snake that even THAT doesn't show you that my interest lie with the realm first?!" She doesn't speak in silence, her wrathfilled voice calmly reverbrating through the room. She draws her rapier completely. "Be very careful what you answer to that or we might have to solve this the stabby way."

 

You did not see Sir Vincent cross the room, but the very moment your rapier leaves it's sheath, his hand is around your sword-arm's wrist, his fingers like bands of iron.
"My Lady, now is not the time. Put your blade away, or you will answer to me." He says, his voice very calm.

 

Reana completely ignores Allia's little outburst, having no interest in continuing the conversation at this time.

 

Allia growls but nods. (I trust Vincent let's go at this point) aftwards she sheathes her sword again. "I wouldn't have stabbed her HERE!" she clarifies and looks back at Reana. "You still owe me an answer though. If you can't give one I am not willing to work with you. If you don't think i am all-knowing that is one thing, if you believe i am actively misleading you, then you are frankly retarded." She looks around the room. "I deserve that much, or will the lords and ladies disagree with me on that too?"

 

Sir Vincent nods and moves back a few steps.

The old man chuckles and rises to his feet. His height is impressive, nearly matching sir Vincent's.
"Look at this one Eona! Quite the firebrand!" His eyes twinkle with mischief. "I think you should answer her, lady Taerin. She doesn't seem the patient type."

 

Reana rolls her eyes before turning towards Allia and answering. “What you told me last night at the party implied something more severe than a mere failed assassination attempt. I do believe it was not your intention to mislead me and to make me worry unnecessarily. Regardless, that is what you did, and you might do it again, completely unintentionally. Which is frankly a lot worse than outright lying to me, for it is much harder to notice. That's why from now on I will always have some doubts about your words – at least until such a precaution proves unnecessary. Just to be on the safe side, I hope you understand.” She pauses briefly.

When Reana resumes talking her voice is a bit louder, making sure that everyone present can hear her, and her tone is a lot more serious. “As for working together you – I am beginning to wonder about that myself. I cannot work with people that don't trust me – at best I will end up isolated and on my own; at worst I will end up with a dagger in the back. Neither is a particularly exciting proposition. Perhaps it will be best if one of us does not participate in whatever is about to begin. As for which one... Well, it seems to me that everyone else here is in some way connected to the assassination attempt from last night – at the very least no one else needed to be told about it. I am the only exception, so I think it will be best if I don't participate and leave it to the four of you...”

(OOC: Written before seeing the latest post so no mention of the old man, but I don't feel like rewriting it.)

 

The duke smiles warmly, but when he speaks, his voice is cold.
"Lady Taerin, do you think me a fool?"

 

Reana looks at the Duke, visibly confused. "I am afraid I do not understand what you mean, my Duke."

(OOC: In this particular case Reana is not the only one confused.)

 

"A mere assassination attempt...right..." Allia steps away, shaking her head. "The gall of somebody trying to kill the daughter, the eldest at that...mere...." She wants to say more but the duke finally speaks up and even she, or maybe especially she, will stay away from interrupting her superior.

 

Reana hears Allia's words, but right now her attention is on the Duke, so she just makes a mental note to maybe ask about it later.