675-06-02 - Tentative Goodbyes

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Tentative Goodbyes
Summary: Duke Alajos and Lady Avaline have a conversation while arriving at Equis after a long voyage to the Isles.
Who: Alajos Fennim and Avaline Brais
References: {{{Refs}}}
When: June 2nd, 675
Related Logs: Recent logs of the Isles voyage
Date of RP: 02/06/2014
Where: All the way from the harbor to the Castle Equitaine
Room Desc: Scene set in the log


The Nymph of Aliara had arrived by early morning, returned after over a month to the harbor of Equis. The travel had proved unremarkable, and was luckily enough not troubled by any pirates nor by any storms. The ship had been greeted by a delegation of Duke Herrik Lenouvi, providing the noble passengers with the invitation to stay for a few days at Castle Equitaine to rest and recover from the sea voyage, if they would be inclined to do so. Also the presence of the King was mentioned. He had come all the way from Beresgond to await the return of those sent to the Isles, as one particular daughter of his had been among them. And a certain niece.

Duke Alajos had rather rushed off back to Woriscant and his beloved forests once they were safely returned to the shores of Two Rivers, but even without cousin Ralph breathing down his neck, he was aware that it would be rather rude to ignore the invitation. Especially if the king was coming. One does not simply ignore his king. So he finds himself disembarking from the ship with a rather grumpy expression, following the ladies and their entourage to the castle.

While the Isles had been interesting to visit, many new and odd things to take in, with the odd events that had come about during their stay, to depart for home had brought some measure of relief for Avaline. Certainly, Two Rivers had suffered and had issues yet to overcome, but the Isles....Such thoughts had been pushed along as the shores of Home could be spotted as the harbour was gained. She had not kept company with the Duke since that little...encounter...in the garden. Least not directly, for there had least been a proper thank you of sorts given over some meal or another in passing, as he had seen to fulfilling that promise. A respectful nod is given to the Duke is seeing him depart, noting his expression there is a flicker of curiosity for a moment. "Your Grace, surely you are not so displeased about our return. I had thought to see you looking more cheerful now that we are returned. "

Alajos might have watched the lady Avaline from afar from time to time but he had indeed been dabbling with politics for a change. He's still lost in thought when he suddenly hears Avaline's voice beside him and gives her a look that with all good intentions can't pass muster as a smile. "Oh, I am glad we are here.. but we're still a day's ride from home.", he explains with a sigh, "I've been told the King has come here to receive us so it does not do to ignore him."

There is a slight incline of Avaline's head to acknowledge the distance he speaks of to his home,"It will be but a day or two more then, but the end is insight for you, is it not? We are here and no longer upon the Isles, not even the ship." There is a small turn of her hand, "I would have been surprised if he were not here. He surely wishes to see that Barbeta is well and to hear of her time. And to hear from you," Alajos was the Ambassador of the trip afterall,"how matters of business and politics transpired. "

"Yes, I know, he'll wish to see me. When I'm rested.", he says, an edge to his voice, that implies the king better not summon him until Alajos is bathed, fed and got ten hours of sleep. "I don't have much news for him anyway, cousin Ralph has been left behind to conclude the trade talks after all.", he explains and then, after a pause and perhaps surprisingly, manages an actual smile. "But you are right, Mylady. We've left the Isles behind and that alone is certainly reason to celebrate."

Pale blue eyes give a slight glance towards Alajos to hear that implication in his voice, knowing that the King will summon whoever whenever he see's fit and has time. It is a perk of being King. "Aye, perhaps. But that Lord Ralph is seeing to that will be news for him. And he shall also likely wish to hear of the reasons behind it as well." Some small reminder, perhaps. Avaline gives a faint smile herself,"It is reason enough to celebrate, and I do recall the few days before at the Castle Equitaine being pleasant enough. "

Alajos eyes her warily, as if wondering how she can always be so chirpy. He should ask for some of what she's smoking. But for now he just curls his lips into a weak smile that's more a grimace. "The king might not be pleased when he hears about my letter. But I'm sure that Ralph can smooth ruffled feathers and we did need to take a stand." Trying to change the subject, he suggests rather innocently. "I'm sure the king will wish to see you too."

One must be as one is expected to be, at least when one is not having a moment and being a sharp tongued harpy. Avaline just gives a slight nod,"He may be more understanding then you think, even if he might have desired a...smoother approach. But then, their actions of detaining us as they did was not called for and I cannot imagine to hear of such would please him. That you did not sit idly by will mean something, do not discount it so easily." She gives a slight roll of her shoulders in something of an offhanded shrug,"Aye, in time. It will be pleasing to see him, and he shall likely be glad to see I am well. But I would think he will be content to see such during some shared meal."

The grimace turns into a genuine smile, albeit a faint one, when Alajos hears her words of support. "We shall see...", he says vaguely, just to be saying something. Then he dithers and fidgets, as if he might want to say more but doesn't know how to go about it. "Yes, a shared meal... tonight... everyone, I suppose.", he finally stutters. "Are you looking forward to going home, Mylady?"

Even if she had not been raised to be anything...specific....Avaline did have some advantage of having grown up amongst those of the royal House, it allowed one to see....things. Even if not all grasped such lessons. "I do not imagine it will be quite a feast as before, though I imagine the Duke Lenouvi will have a decent banquet for those who have stayed on. Once we are rested from the voyage. " A slight look going his way when he seems to fidget a bit and those words seem to stutter along. But she says nothing to call attention to it, or question it, simply nodding to his question,"Aye, I am, Your Grace. It will be some comfort to return home for me, just as the thought seems to bring to you of returning to your own home. "

"Yes, I look forward to seeing my home again.", Alajos replies, a little dreamily even. But he seems to be fidgeting more, as if wanting to ask a question, he can't quite get across his lips. And there's still some stretch of road ahead towards the castle, so he can't just run off. Sigh. "I hope you will not be bored at home, after the excitement of the voyage.", he finally comments.

There is another sideways glance from Avaline as the Duke continues to act so....oddly. Least for him. "You will have chance to be there soon, for as you said, it is but a days ride. And surely a spot of rest before taking that ride is not much to consider." Her blonde hair shifts some with the shake of her head,"I do think it would be some time before I would become bored, I am sure the excitement of the voyage shall manage to keep me content for awhile." A smile flickers as she adds,"If it does not, I do imagine, I can simply pretend I being held captive in my rooms by some whim."

"Alright.", Alajos comments. Acting oddly? Him? Neverrrr! He goes back to looking glum for a while as they are closing in on the Castle Equitaine. But he's still fidgety and restless and before the moment to part has come, he slows down a bit. Nope, not looking at her, when he finally does ask: "Do you think you might miss me, Lady Avaline? Just a little bit perhaps?"

Perhaps acting oddly is simply what is actually normal for Alajos, least when he isn't being a moody little thing. Avaline does not push or try for idle chatter as they walk, allowing the silence to linger. She knew he cared not for the pretense of such, and one needed to know when to be silent as much as when to provide such idle conversation. There is perhaps the occasional glance when he does continue to fidget. The question that does come just as they would part catches her quite obviously by surprise, forestalling what words of parting might have been about to come. She stares a t him a moment before those pale eyes finally blink and an answer comes,"I suppose....I might miss you a little bit, perhaps, Duke Alajos. I have gotten used to seeing you in my days." There is a hesitation before she asks,"Why do you ask, Your Grace?"

She just has to ask, hasn't she, after he just drummed up all the courage to ask his question. His cheeks colour some, but he only shrugs. "Just so. Curious.", he claims, though there's still a slowly fading spark of delight at her declaration that she would indeed miss him. If only a little bit. It takes another few lengthy moments, before he at least adds: "I might miss you a little, too, Lady Avaline. You are pleasant company." ...for a female.

Of course, she had to ask! Looking perhaps a touch curious as well as a little surprised yet by the fact he did ask such a question, and that there is that slight hint of color to his cheeks. Avaline gives a simple nod in acceptence of the answer, not pressing for anything further. Something he is probabaly thankful for. Avaline blinks a touch at what he adds, surprised that he says so, perhaps more so that some part of her is pleased at this news. "Thank you, Duke Alajos. I am glad you have not found my company displeasing." There is a turn of a smile,"Though I should perhaps not keep you any longer and allow you to see to some rest now that we are back to land."

"Yes, indeed, Mylady.", Alajos replies and offers a bow. "Rest well..." Then he quickly hurries away to find some castellan or some such to point his way to his chambers and a hot bath. Whew.

"And you, Your Grace," Avaline turning the bow with a proper curtsy due his rank before she seeks to find her chambers as well. Even if perhaps not in quite the same hurried fashion.