675-04-16 - His Morose Grace
| His Morose Grace | |||||||
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| Summary: Duke Alajos, a commoner named Marcus and Lady Avaline engage in a discussion about correct addresses, shouting below deck from the evening before, and the question of proper conduct. | |||||||
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There is a ship sailing upon the open water, many a sailor moves about doing their thing. Several are bare chested for this is their domain and who cares if there are sensitive womenfolk on board? The weather is fair and the wind steady, making it fair enough day at sea. A good day to be on deck, and is seems perhaps some of the Ladies might just be taking a walk there even.
Slider (Marcus) is outside on the deck of the ship. He is wearing a light breeze shirt and pants that are cut just above his calf muscle. With no shoes on, he is actually helping out on the deck, smiling and laughing with some of the sailors. This man is all smiles, even seems to really enjoy the sea voyage.
Alajos has not been seen, but people may have heard raised voices from the duke's cabin the evening before. Very raised voices. The morning and the fair weather with calm seas finally draws Alajos out on deck, the young duke looking morose as ever. He holds on to a thick rope to steady himself on the swaying deck and observes what's going on. Shirtless sailors, dainty ladies. Hmm.
Having walked much of the deck several times over, Avaline has been content to settle at the rail. Taking in the view over the endless ocean, the shirtless sailors not seeming to tempt her gaze, not like the others who whispers and giggle away behind their hands. The young Lady does have a handmaiden near, who unfortunately seems to be looking a bit green.
Marcus has been moving along the ship, taking to them and helping them out as best he can and allowed. Coming upon a lady looking rather green he smiles to her. "Best way to avoid is to look far, it makes it easier and a bit of water." he says knowingly. Then he looks to Avaline. "Malady you seem better than your handmaiden, been at sea before?" Then he sees Alajos and grins"Duke, welcome to the deck, you feeling better?"
Alajos inclines his head to Marcus when the man greets him, but doesn't bother with a verbal response. He also nods a greeting towards Avaline, should she look his way, even adding a stiff "Mylady" to her - but his energy doesn't stretch to an actual smile. Then he slowly makes his way to the railing, where he stands, clutching the wooden rail, inhaling the sea breeze with closed eyes.
Marcus looks towards the Duke and shakes his head. "It will take you a bit of time to get your sealegs young Duke. Though once you do, your going to love the open sea." then steps alittle closer. "I suggest looking far and a bit of water."
The maid nods her head to the cheery sailor sort. "Best way would be to be avoidin' this ship altogether, mutters the woman. Avaline shots a glance to the maid," We suffer as we must, you know that. Chin up, look at the horizon." Which only causes another mutter from the maid, whom Avaline ignores this time in order ot offer a polite enough smile to Marcus. "Not truly, but it has not seemed to bother me like some of the others." Even if she had not noticed him before, with the man being addressed, she is forced to acknowledge Alajos. Offering a slight curtsy, polite smile along with the simple, "Your Grace."
"I will never love the open sea.", Alajos states firmly, "It is all a rather dismal affair, no matter how much my dear sister praises the flying fish and the seagulls. They're just noisy birds and have nothing of the majesty of the eagles roaming the air above the forests of Woriscant." At least he turns slightly when he overhears the exchange between Avaline and her maid and gives the young woman a rather long stare.
Marcus looks towards Alajos and smiles. "Never say never Duke, life changes things, even points of views, your still young and in time see more than you have before" then looks towards Avaline when she nods to him and Alajos looks to her, there is a smile then. "The sea is gentle , respect her and she will live you. Though be weary, she like all mothers tend to anger if not respected. I will pray to our safe journey."
Young? He's middle aged, easily! Avaline does look again to Marcus, noting in a conversational fashion, "The correct address is 'Your Grace' if you are not going to place his name after the 'Duke', ' her eyes flickering towards the older noble with his staring before back to Marcus,"however, given his unmannered way of sulking about like a spoilt child who is surely the only one who has experienced suffering in this world, I should doubt him to mind at all. He would probably even prefer that you call him by his name." Happy to talk about the Duke as if he's not quite there, since he is rudely staring at her. Turning her gaze back to the sea, "I have heard it was more that she could be wild and unpredictable all the same."
At first Alajos' look is full of approval when Avaline corrects the man's address for him, which he has so far politely overlooked. But then the woman makes the bad mistake to continue speaking and his cheeks flush dark red. "I very much appreciate good manners, Mylady, which includes the proper form of addressing a person of noble birth as well as a certain amount of polish and manners that would forbid those of true well-breeding to speak nonsense of people who are within their presence!"
Marcus looks back at Avaline and bored his head in respect. "My apologies Malady, I am not accustomed to be in the presence of such Nobility. If I was a educated man, I would surely have known. Though the Duke...I mean Your Grace here seems to be very caring man. He cares so much that he did not put me on chains. For my follies."
"Nonsense, Your Grace? It is not nonsense to speak the truth one can see. I will concede the bluntness of the observation. " Avaline drawing her gaze back to the older man,"But it is true, you have been nothing but a skulk child this entire trip. You scrowl and frown at every little thing, and as if everyone already did not know how unhappy you were to be here, you made certain of it last night with all the shouting in your quarters, Your Grace. " Pale blue eyes look over him before she adds,"Then again maybe someone else finally tried to tell you just how unpolished you've been behaving and acting. Cause truly you best get yourself together before we get to the Isles, else you are not going to gain us a thing and perhaps cost us everything." What faith her uncle might have in the Duke, Avaline certainly did not have.
Avaline offers a incline of her head to Marcus, "There is no need to apologise, I just thought you might wish to know. For he is not the only Duke in the lands, and some are quite particular. " Looking back towards Alajos, "I have yet to see him anything but morose. Caring, I find difficult to believe. It may be your follies were not as bad as you thought them."
"He poached a boar that belonged to me, for all the deer in the forests of Woriscant belong to the Duke.", Alajos explains Marcus' misdemeanor, though apparently it really doesn't trouble him much. "However, I know that people have gone hungry and I would not deny them a meal to fill their bellies. It is a lesser crime than being a sharp-tongued harpy who who has obviously never learned that it is not a woman's place to speak up in genteel company." His eyes harden a little as he looks at Avaline again. "If the noise from our quarters disturbed you, Mylady, I shall apologize and beg your pardon, but otherwise I would appreciate you keeping your pretty little nose out of other people's business...!" His voice is rising as he gets heated again until he almost shouts. "You have NO IDEA what was going on!"
Marcus listens to both people,.his eyes on the young lady and he bows to her again." Thank you Malady fir caring for someone as lowly as myself." Then he listens to Alajos and blinks, there is a sternness to them eyes now. "Your Grace, I do not want to tell you to listen to Malady here, you must adhere to advice. The Isles are run by the women and respect is shown to them even if they are of lower station. So, how you spoke to Malady here and now, would be hard looked at in the Isles. Oh and I believe you should respect women at all times. Now if you excuse me, I'll be around for more education." with that he walks away.
Avaline looks over Alajos at the mention of genteel company, her look changing little as the Duke's look hardens and his temper starts to show up. Perhaps it only helps to prove her point. Inclining her head respectfully enough to him at the apology,"I would happy to do so, Your Grace, for I do not care what was going on nor about your business, however, you did ensure everyone knew something was going on, even if they know not what it was." Flickering her eyes towards some of the sailors who have stopped to look towards them with the Duke raising his voice, just like now.
Pale blue eyes look to Marcus, some touch of curiosity as he speaks of the Isles, not even a touch of smuggness shows up even. "I do believe I have had enough air for now, your company has been...delightful as always, Your Grace," Avaline giving that proper turn of a curtsy to the bellowing bull of a Duke before she turns with an incline of her head to Marcus,"It was a pleasure, mister. You have been quite insightful." Before she slips to depart and head back below deck, once more simply leaving Alajos with little options for response.
Alajos glares at Marcus. "I may have shown you kindness once, my man, but I would ask you to know your boundaries in speaking to your betters.", he says stiffly, "I did not ask for your counsel. Nor for yours.", he adds to Avaline, though when the lady declares her intention to leave, he bows deeply, perhaps exaggeratedly so, even though she may not see anymore "My Lady." Looking more morose than ever, he stalks off to the poop deck, where he can be alone with his thoughts.
