675-05-01 - Sketches of Nature and Duty
| Sketches of Nature and Duty | |||||||
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| Summary: Ralph and Avaline engage in a pleasant conversation about the current situation with the Isles, art, nature, matches, opportunities, Duke Alajos and insects; soon joined by Oskar and Livessa. | |||||||
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Not having any true official duties as her cousin might and surely the Duke did, Avaline was free to explore a little more and have that general leisure time. Or as she was right now, indulge within one of her hobbies. For the young blonde haired woman was settled upon one of the benches with a sketch pad in her lap, charcoal in her left. Some of the local trees seemed to be the object of her interest at the time, different from those back home, even if most locals likely give much thought to them all. It is is a position that has her back to that fountain of a rather nude woman. Scandalous! There is a handmaid and guard who linger not to far from her.
From the direction of the Guest House arrives another hailing from the Two Rivers. Ralph seems to be deep in his thoughts, his attire the sombre black doublet above a clean white shirt, and a pair of dark breeches. It is not yet past noon, so the wineskin is absent. The Fennim catches sight of Avaline, and for a moment it seems he would turn and go from whence he came, maybe to fetch his niece. But then Avaline may already have glimpsed him, so he clears his throat after a moment of hesitation, and approaches the Lady of House Brais. "Lady Avaline," he greets with a low grumble, that manages to sound friendly somehow. "A nice garden, indeed." Trying to start off the conversation by mentioning the obvious.
The young woman does wear a gown within the red and black of her House, perhaps not the most flattering of colors for her pale complection. Not a thing she seems to be much concerned about either in truth. Her eyes pull up from the sketch pad to hear the greeting, a light smile and bow of her head is offered to him,"Lord Ralph, good day to you." Avaline gives a slight look to the gardens,"They are a nice, I find the different trees a little fascinating. " The fountain not so much, but she is not so rude to voice that opinion, she will simply ignore the structure. "How have you been finding our time here, m'lord?"
"It seems the Isles take great care in making us feel comfortable," Ralph remarks, a faint smile lightening his features, as he lets his gaze drift over those trees, until they come to linger upon that fountain, and the depiction of Onimoria, the first queen. Studying those perfect forms for a moment, before he notices Avaline turns her back towards it, and suspecting the reason, and he will lower his gaze with a light smirk. "The stay has been quite exciting so far," the Fennim replies to Avaline's question. "The Queen is still absent, and the day after the knight's tourney I have accompanied the winner, Sir Vandrik Yldon, to the Queen's Council. To collect his prize." The latter part added a bit thoughtfully, as his hands join behind his back.
"Aye, they have taken great care in seeing to our comforts as well as to the other visitors, they have been fine hosts." The fountain is certainly a fine depiction of the first Queen....it just seems an improper thing to Avaline's Two Rivers upbringing. "The continued absence of the Queen, I have found odd, I admit. I would have thought she to have found at least a few moments of time to meet with least the appointed Ambassadors of those whom she had extended invitation to." There is a curious interest on that topic,"I would think Sir Vandrik is quite pleased with the prize and honor he gained by his show of skill. He brought honor to us all in that tournament. "
"I agree, it is strange, she has not showed herself so far," Ralph replies in regards to the Queen. "I will have to see the High Oni about that, I fear. Along with my cousin, Duke Alajos." The Fennim shoots her a glance. "As for Sir Vandrik...", he lowers his gaze thoughtfully. "It seems he will still have a battle to fight. After he is married to the Lady Imma Grunhaid he will be lost to us, once and for all. A subject of the Queen, an Islander. He showed great skill, though, I agree. From a certain point of view it was quite a smart move of the Islanders to offer such a prize, as it would gain them one of our best warriors."
"I would imagine you and Duke Alajos have many meetings and matters to see to while here," Avaline not seeming to react in any particular fashion at mention of the Duke. "With so many gathered from other nations, it does present a fine opportunity to treat with them as well as the Isles." An eyebrow raises just a touch,"A subject of the Queen, certainly. But does he truly become completely lost to us, or do we not gain a friend who might offer guidance and advise even if he may no longer be able to give his arm to service as he had?"
"Our negotiations concentrate for now on the Isles," Ralph clarifies, shifting his weight a little. "Estoria already is an ally, and a neighbour, too. Admittedly, our bonds have been stronger in the past. But we need to address the problem at hand." Avaline's remark has him raise a brow, and he smiles. "I see you are not at all lost in the game of politics, my lady. He is of the Two Rivers, and always will be. They can't take his past away from him. Yet in times as these, we will need more than that." He clears his throat. "More bonds are needed, such as marriages and agreements of trade and military help."
Avaline nods to the clarification,"As I would assume, but surely, if time allows it behooves us to strengthen current friendships and perhaps build new ones. As talk need not be formal, for do not some negotiations begin upon a dance floor or over a drink?" A small smile comes and Avaline gives a small incline of her head to the compliment. "Sometimes, we must appreciate what small thing we can get, even if more is needed. It is a step, the first link within a building chain." A simple nod of her head comes, noting plainly enough,"Quite true, more bonds are needed. I admit, I had assumed that was part of why my uncle saw fit to include me amongst those to come here."
"Do you mind...?" Inquired with a polite smile, before Ralph sits down beside Avaline, with a low sigh. He takes in the view before him, before his dark eyes flit to what Avaline has been working on. "You are right, again. I am impressed. About how easy negotiations can be started, that is." Her other remark though has him shift his gaze from the trees and flowers to her face. "How would you feel to live far from home, my lady? In a completely foreign culture such as this? Would you be /happy/ to give up your home?", he inquires curiously.
Ralph and Avaline sit on a bench, their backs turned to the fountain, while she is drawing a sketch of the wonders of nature unfolding before their eyes.
A quick shake of her head comes at the inquiry, her hand motioning as well to the bench,"Of course not, please do have a seat. Forgive my manners for not offering." Avaline perhaps assuming he had meant to continue on after a polite exchange. The sketch is a fair likeness of some of the palms, a near fruit tree. Not a master, but she had some promise of skill. The questions do bring a frown of thought to her expression. "I do not know in truth, I would manage it, especcially if it would help form the bonds that are needed. If it was what uncle needed of me. But happy? I am not certain I am even certain what exactly happiness is any more, Lord Ralph. It is easier to think simply of duty now."
"Ah, I see." Ralph smiles faintly, his gaze lingering on the sketch for a moment, as he ponders something. "The men..." he continues after a moment, "The men of the Isles have little say, actually. They are needed to help produce heirs, little more. And thusly, marrying a man of the Isles would not provide you with a position, nor with advancement. They do not inherit, so all they have is their name. No power, no wealth..." Now how to get there, in a way not too alarming. "Whereas... marrying a man of position at home would provide you with power and a position. Probably.", Ralph muses, as if he were thinking aloud. A quick glance shot towards Avaline, for her reaction.
There is a mild counter from Avaline,"Would not those of the Isles think similarly about the women of Two Rivers and their purpose?" It is not a thing that she seems put out about, merely an observation of the differing views. It does seem Avaline has genuinely not given much thought to power and position from the expression that comes, she might seem to grasp politics, but reaching for power...not quite a consideration. "That is a fair point, Lord Ralph. However, whom I marry and what it might bring me is not for me to decide. It is my uncle's choice to make, though I would hope whomever it ends to be it would least be someone who is not to...unkindly towards me." She seems to not have high expectations or strange fantasies about love and handsome princes.
Oskar walks into the gardens from the opposite direction. From the point of view of the couple, he's quietly sneaking up behind them. Except he's not really being sneaky at all. He's just following a mayfly and observing it from a distance and sketching the flight patterns of the little animal, and being very discreet about it. He's not the type of secretly sneaking up to people, because that would violate two of his core beliefes. Belief one being that, unless there's a good reason to do so, you do not walk in a direction where there are more people than where you are now. And belief two being that, unless there's a good reason to do so, you don't really care about other people's feelings enough to be careful to avoid disturbing them.
<FS3> Ralph rolls Perception: Success.
"You seem a very sensible woman, Lady Avaline.", Ralph replies with a smile, after listening to the Brais lady's words. His dark eyes flicker a little, but that will remain all he has to say on the matter - at this point. Especially, as they are so suddenly joined by another. Those leisurely strolling steps in the grass have the Fennim turn his head, and his brows jump upwards in something like surprise first, that soon turns into a mixture of respect and curiosity. Ralph rises, thereby alerting Avaline to Oskar's arrival, and greets the Lenouvi with a polite incline of his head. "Lord Oskar. What brings you here on this beutiful late morning."
The sketchpad in Avaline's lap has larger gone unattended to with Ralph joining her upon the bench. There is a small smile that graces her lips at Ralph's words,"I try to be, m'Lord. As my mother taught me to be." Perhaps a brief flicker of saddness in her eyes, but it is gone in a moment. Her gaze is following Ralph as he looks away and is soon rising as well. Pale blue eyes drifting to the new comer with some mild interest, perhaps more with the sketch book he seems to have.
<FS3> Avaline rolls Sketching: Success.
Oskar grunts instinctively upon people initiating human contact. "Lady Avaline. Lord Fennim." And then, dismissing Ralph's question with a simple, "Insects.", his attention is abruptly captured by Avaline's sketch with interest. "Nice to see someone who actually takes painting at least somewhat seriously. The overall structure of the trees bears a reasonable resemblance to the real thing, and you seem to have at least looked at those leaves before drawing them. Which is more than what can be said of most people your age." To those who know Oskar, that's actually a big compliment. Probably the nicest thing he's said in the last period.
"Ah." His lips curve into a slightly amused smile when Ralph inclines his head. "Insects. I understand." He will remain standing where he is, observing the exchange between Avaline and Oskar with curiosity, before he agrees. "Aye, Lady Avaline seems to have a wonderful eye for detail indeed."
Avaline bows her head to Oskar,"Lord Oskar," the polite greeting offered. Her eyes blink a touch at the comments that come about her work, eyes dropping to her sketchpad a moment. "Thank you, m'Lord. I admit, I am not certain how one could draw them without looking to them. It seems an impossibility to me." A small shrug of her shoulders, obviously there were some areas she had much to learn about. Nodding her head to Oskar as he opts to leave them be and continue on after the mayfly. Lightly commenting to Ralph,"I admit, I am better with paints. But sometimes it is not prudent to try and bring them along. But to sketch of a thing and try to paint later."
"I have never been skilled in that area," Ralph admits with a faint grin, smiling at Avaline. "I lack the patience and the skill, I fear." His gaze shifts to Oskar who has fallen silent, perhaps because a particularly rare specimen of a butterfly passes them at this very moment. "As I do lack knowledge about these tiny little critters, Lord Oskar." He sighs. "No,... my area are foreign relations, and my cousin the Duke Alajos seems to value my opinion in many matters..."
Livessa has her own Sketchpad as she walks into the gardens, it seems to be the place for painting. In her offhand are carried her supplies and she moves to set up in a corner of the gardens. She did not notice the other Lords and Ladies until she set the easel up and she smiles then. "Good morning to you all."
It is the place for painting, trees and peoples, flowers and birds, so many options for an artist, even a nude sculpture! Avaline nods her head slightly,"It would seem wise for him to value your knowledge and experience. Though even if you have not the patience for sketching or painting, I would think you do have a measure of patience in trying to impart such knowledge to Duke Alajos." Turning her attention towards the newly arrived Lady and offering a small bow of her head,"Good morning, m'Lady."
Ralph looks up at the greeting and he inclines his head with hardly concealed surprise. "Why, another artist to be found in this garden? You make me feel an odd intruder indeed, as I have little to add in that regard. You must be... the sister of Sir Baldwin? I am not sure we have been properly introduced yet. Lord Ralph Fennim." He offers a polite bow in Livessa's direction. His attention then returns to Avaline, and he smiles at her praise, although her remark about patience and needing it when dealing with Alajos does make that smile fade a little. As if she had managed to get closer to the truth than he will openly admit. "You mistake him, my lady. He is actually quite eager to learn, but it is a great task, given he was more or less thrown into his current position a few months ago."
"Lady Avaline Brais," is offered up politely by the young woman as the matter of introductions is brought round. An endless affair sometimes it seems. "And truly, Lord Ralph, you add by providing company and someone to appreciate our efforts." Avaline does look slightly surprised to hear the word eager actually used to describe...anything concerning Alajos. "Many have been tossed into situations and positions they did not foresee in the past years. Even if the one that has come to him is certainly no small matter. It is good to hear that he is eager to learn." A simple agreement, as what ever opinion or feelings had about the Duke are simply kept to herself.
The flicker of a smile appears again on Ralph's face, as he hears Avaline's reply. "You have not found yourself being tossed into a situation like that, have you. I would be curious, how you would deal with... more responsibility suddenly resting on your shoulders." Ralph remarks, his dark gaze lightening up for a second. "Although, if I judge you correctly I suspect you would manage just fine." An enigmatic smile as he looks in her direction. No, he will not go further into it.
Avaline gives an affirmative nod,"I have not. " An eyebrow raising just a little when he speaks of being curious of how she would handle a situation like that herself. Inclining her heard at the compliment that follows it up,"I am honored that you would suspect such a thing, and would only hope that it would be so. I would do my best and hope it to be enough."
That raised eyebrow is noted. Ralph smiles, acknowledging the superb wit of his verbal sparring partner with a nod. Still standing, as he did not resume his seat from before, he will offer the Brais lady a bow. "I know it would," he says. "Alas, I need to leave you now, Lady Avaline, to check on my cousin. Have a good day. Lord Oskar. Lady Livessa." And with that said he turns, leaving the garden in the direction of the guest house.
Avaline offers a bow of her head in return, from that seated position,"It has been a pleasure, a good day to you as well, Lord Ralph." A few moments spent watching him depart, the conversation had been curious, before her eyes fall back to her sketchpad.
