Albert easily found an empty seat to take - unfortunately, there seemed to be not many people to talk to, where he sat. Only some merchants gossiping. * * * Heralds nod respectfully to Richard. "Of course my lord." He turns to the ballroom. "Lord Richard von Stryker!" The herald announces. "Now, that is another man I'm glad to have in my service!" The baron smiles. "A commander, a warrior - not an all interested in the damn politics." As Richard enters the herald turns to the next person. He winces hearing her request, but nods. "Lady Viola Allaire!" herald's voice boomed after a moment. The baron's face twisted. "Another witch. Allaire is a family of magicians - and they take pride in that. How a soft house like theirs still exists is beyond me." the baron shook his head.
Allaire family logic: The baron wasn't going to be impressed by the standard antics and seemed pretty well aware of their standard competence. Maybe one of the others should have did this instead...but Viola still had the traits of her parents. Her mothers intuition on how to get along with people and her father's determination to get people to like him. Sure, after the 34th failed attempt the nuns finally got sick of him and the church finally decided to send him off on a suicide mission just to put him somewhere he can't be a nuisance but, he made an honest effort. "I'm actually weaker than I look...." Vapid sounds, pausing, out of focus gaze..."accidental" step forward to show off the more revealing parts of her clothes while acting like she's too lost in her thoughts to pay attention. She took a quick gaze to access the baron's family just like her mother had taught her, before directing her attention back to the Baron, and making a quick glance to her lieutenant. "Gregoire is really good at keeping me safe though. I thought it would be a reward for him to be able to see you in person and just so he remembers that there is always way tougher people out there. That's okay, right?" She widened her eyes the best she could to go for that mix of doe eyed and oblivious.
Albert let the merchants gossip, thinking it would be impolite to listen in on their conversation. The young knight instead roamed his gaze around the ballroom, wondering if he recognised someone or spotted someone interesting. He paid special attention to the lovely ladies in attendance.
As his eyes roam over the ballroom, he finds that the present ladies, one entering just about now, one leaving the ballroom following the servant and one talking with the priestess. * * * "Ah, lord von Stryker! A pleasure to host you." The baron smiled, then he turns to Viola Allaire and his smile dies. "What is this? All that Allaires can send is a clown for their baron!" The baron's slowly turns red with rage. "Easy, my husband." the baroness puts her hand on baron's, calming him. "It is for your daughter, that they stand today, not for you." "Yes... you are right." the baron nods and turns to Allaire. "Entertain my daughter then. Forgive my outburst - I will take leave to calm myself." With that, the baron leaves.
Albert watched the room for a long moment, taking note of the jester-looking woman coming in, the auburn-haired lady that had addressed the baron just before him and a raven-haired woman talking to the priestess. Seeing that they all seemed occupied, Albert stood from his seat and went to the balcony for some fresh air.
Doesn't like me? What the hell? Are people even allowed to do that? Mom can smooth things over, at least. Can't she? She always can. What did she say to do if...this isn't a thing that's supposed to happen! It was a possibility. In theory. And in theory alone. Kneeling down low in a bow to the baroness, she tried not think of it too much and utilize her charm to recover from a bad impression. "Ah,..I'm sorry. I did a really bad thing. Um...baroness Castex...ah, this is embarrassing. " Her pouting was genuine. The Allaire would find a way to be the center of attention but more often than not, they usually meant to have people like them. She quick turned to face Nicolette and take a deep bow while still remaining low and do the same to Nadine. "Ah..I'm sorry. It is an honor to meet you all though...I'm just gonna go hide in a corner so I don't put my foot in my mouth..." While her eyes looked for a means to escape, she remained low since even she was aware not to excuse herself without the baroness's approval.
Nadine looked after her father left, then at Allaire. Slowly she shook her head and got up. "Forgive me, I have a place to be. I will take my leave." She said as she got up. "Nadine!" The baroness said sharply. "This is my sister's day - I would hate to steal her spot. Have fun." She said as she walked past Allaire. "Good luck little lady." She said quietly. The baroness slowly massaged her temples, looking annoyed. "Forgive my husband and daughter. They seem not to enjoy the festivities as much as I thought they would. If you want-" whatever she wanted to say, she was beaten by her daughter. "Oh, no. Please stay. Take a seat. I would love to hear more about you." Nicolette asked cheerfully.
"Well...if it's really okay...." It would be rude to refuse the offer from the baroness's daughter and Viola didn't really want to make things more awkward than they had to be. Rising slowly, she moved to get closer to Nicolette still not completely overall the idea that she could get rejected, but it didn't stay for long. She wasn't a gloomy person by nature. Taking a seat by the table, she reasoned that she could always find a reason to excuse herself later if something went wrong. It took a few moments for her to adjust her outfit to not be jutting out, since while attention grabbing, was in no way practical for much. Still, there wasn't too much trouble to sit properly though Viola seemed to shrink just a little. Suddenly being put on the spot by more powerful nobles than herself...she wasn't sure if she liked this kind of attention, but did her best to get in good cheer. "Thank you...-" She took a quick turn to the baroness. "And the festivities are very nice." (O.O.C. I'm not really sure how much I can add here)
There was scarce a moment for an introduction to Viola before the ballroom doors opened and the herald announced him. "Lord Richard von Stryker!" As Richard approached the head table and the hosts of this night's festivities, his eyes scanned the room. Aside from various other nobles gathered he noted Marshal Vaillancourt, a man with whom Richard had a difficult history. A few years ago Richard and his father and been summoned to help the baron settle a peasant rebellion. The baron's forces were under the command of Marshal Vaillancourt. While the von Strykers had performed their duty, they had attempted to do so with a minimum of force. Richard had found the Marshal's enforcement to be... distasteful. Recently, after the death of Richard's father, the two men met again at the most recent tourney; while Richard had exacted some vengeance, defeating Vaillancourt in a sword duel, both men had lost the jousting competition to Albert de Lautreamont. Due to the friction both men regarded the other with icy stares. Halfway to where the baron and his family sat, Richard heard from behind "Lady Viola Allaire!" The jovial expression on the baron's face dropped immediately as the young Allaire woman bounded up beside Richard. The young von Stryker's own face remained impassive, save for a raised eyebrow, as he regarded the young witch. While he certainly wanted this evening to be over with quickly so he could return to camp, he wasn't so foolish as to ignore civil protocol and decorum. Still, it took the focus off of him and for that he was somewhat glad. The two nobles reached the baron's table together, and after a brief exchange both the Lord of the manor and his eldest daughter excused themselves. Richard himself had little time to utter a word when the lady of the manor Baroness Noémi Castex sighed in frustration. Richard swallowed subtly as he regarded the woman. Despite her being his mother's age she was still, much like his own mother, stunningly beautiful. All throughout his formative years she had been something of a fantasy woman to him, and time had been very kind to her. Richard felt stirrings in his breeches as he used every ounce of willpower to keep his eyes from lingering on her cleavage; instead he forced his gaze to meet her eyes. With sincerity and a hint of a warm smile he bowed graciously, "My Lady, this is an exquisite feast, on behalf of my family I thank you for your consideration, affection, and invitation. We are greatly honored and humbled to be in your family's grace. If I may, forgive me for saying... the land is rife with stories of your beauty, but I find your taste and eye to be of equal measure. You are truly one of the realms greatest treasures." Richard then turned towards Nicolette, and though he made sure his face gave nothing away he was struck by her. The last he had seen her was years ago when she (and he) had been barely more than children. And the energetic young woman in front of him was a sight to behold. With a brighter smile, von Stryker said, "And to you Lady Nicolette Castex, in this celebration of you we all clearly see you are your mother's daughter." With that he pulled a singular rose from his doublet and presented her with it.
"You are a real charmer to that old woman, Lord Richard von Stryker!" The baroness Noémi Castex laughed a pleasant laugh. "It's been years since our last meeting." Nicolette smiled. "You grew up to be quite a handsome man." her cheeks pinked a little. The baroness looked at her daughter smirking a little. "Nicolette, it's your evening, so I am going to leave you as a host, while I take young lord for a tour. I am not as young as I used to be, so I need a short break to take some fresh air." The baroness got up. "Would you accompany me, lord von Stryker?"
Nadine returns to the table, with Albert, and takes her seat. She invites Albert to take a seat next to her, then turns to her sister and lady Viola. "So, how is the party so far?" She asks.
Albert followed Nadine into the ballroom and accepted her invitation to sit at the Baron’s table. He sat down beside Nadine and smiled at Nicolette and Viola. He noticed that the Baroness was not at the table anymore, ‘Oh, where did the Baroness go?’
Now that she was alone again Reana took another look around the room, but found no one of particular interest to her, save for the Marshall, with whom she did not want to speak unless absolutely necessary. With nothing better to do she took one more look at the baron's table, right on time to see the baroness leave. Then, moments later, Nadine returned together with a young man who sat down next to her. His name was Albert, I think. Looks like he and Nadine are getting along. With nothing better to do and not wanting to risk spying on the baroness Reana just walked around for a bit. She ended up getting closer to the baron's table, but not close enough to be noticed by any of the people there.
"The baroness got a little tired of the party and decided to take some fresh air." Nicolette said then looked. "Daddy!" She shouted happily turning to baron walking up to them. "Nicolette! How's the party going!?" The baron asked as he moved to sit back in his seat. "It's boring dad. Viola here is but the only interesting person that kept me company so far." "I have to agree with Nicolette." Nadine commented. "It's boring. I went to have some sparing session with Albert - far more entertaining!" Nadine smiled. "He actually beat me in the first round, but I quickly overcame him in the second." She turned to Albert. "I am looking forward to the third match! I will be sure to beat you!" the woman laughed.
‘I’m curious who will win the next match as well, I won’t make it easy for you,’ Albert said to Nadine with a chuckle and glint in his eye. He then turned to the Baron, ‘Your daughter is an excellent warrior, my liege, you must be very proud of her.’ Talking to Nicolette, ‘Is there anything I could do to brighten your birthday party, Lady Nicolette?’
"Oh..hi." Viola took a look at the crowd starting to approach. She had to squirm slightly. House specialty or not, she didn't really want people to find everything out of her mouth stupid and it was probably better to just stay more quiet for once. Just now, it was starting to dawn on her how little she blended with this kind of crowd. Shifting into a smile of her own, she took a look around to find a way to put attention on other people and turned to stare at the warrior boy whose name was apparently Albert. Or Alan. Didn't matter. "Ah, you could actually take the baroness daughter on? I kind of wish I could've watched that then."
Albert turned to the woman in a jester’s costume sitting by Nicolette’s side, ‘Uhm, you are Lady Viola from the Allaire family, correct? Pleased to meet you, I’m Albert de Lautreamont, a minor vassal to our Baron.’ He nodded, a bit proud of the attention he was suddenly getting, ‘Yes, and I’d like to say I am a better warrior, but truth be told, I was lucky the first round. The second duel showed that Lady Nicole has more experience and better technique.’ He chuckled, ‘Maybe we will have a more public duel some time. Of course, you’d be invited to watch.’ ‘I’ve heard your family has a tradition of being excellent entertainers, watching you perform would be fascinating, I suspect, Lady Viola,’ Albert smiled at Viola.
"It's nice to meet you, sir Albert. I would really want to see that. " She genuinely meant it. She hadn't had much time to interact with too many people yet and was relatively happy to meet a warrior who hadn't introduced his gauntlet to the back of her head. Taking a quick glance to Nicolette, her mood that was typically in good cheer had returned. "And it's true-we work really hard at keeping things not boring. That's how we show support by making sure everyone will have fun and by making lot's of friends." The general wide eyed naivety of her viewpoint was made evident from the tones of her voice and sincerely friendly expression as she took another look at Nicolette. "We were just making some light conversation. Lady Nicolette is really nice. We were just talking about skin treatment but...I don't think warriors really care about stuff like that...why don't you tell me about yourself?" She planned on making at least a few friends here. Generally the best way to do that was to get people on subjects they liked. Opting to stay seated, she did her best to suppress the anxious growling building in her stomach, not having had a real chance to eat, and listen to what Albert might say.
Albert was enjoying talking to the bubbly lady, and since they were of the same standing in the Baron’s court, he didn’t have to worry about protocol so much. He nodded, ‘That is a noble goal, I hope you can make many new friends tonight.’ ‘Skin treatment?’ Albert raised an eyebrow, ‘Hah, true that is not my expertise, but judging from both you, it seems to be working splendidly.’ Despite his normally shy nature, Albert seemed to enjoy at least some attention—as long as it is positive attention, that is—and smiled at Viola’s question, ‘You want to know about me? Uhm, where to start... you might’ve heard of my father, Pierre de Lautreamont, he was a great soldier and knight. The war stories he would tell at home were really wild, half ot it embellished I’m sure.’ Albert laughed, ‘He was also very fond of the joust, I lost count of how many tourneys he won. I suppose it’s fate that he died doing something he loved.’ Albert chuckled, ‘But you wanted to know of me not my father... let’s see... I became a knight like him. Well, maybe not quite like him, I inherited the title, he earned it on the battlefield.’ Albert averted his eyes, not very proud to have been handed an honour his father had to work hard for, ‘I do enjoy reading and fishing a lot. Boar hunting too, that’s quite a thrill. I’m learning to play piano but the harder pieces still elude me.’ He smiled at Viola, ‘But I’m taking too much time for myself, this is Nicolette’s day after all.’
