675-09-19 - Shaking the House of Cards

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Shaking the House of Cards
Summary: Queen Abegayle sits down with Imma and Vandrik to discuss terms of their House
Who: Abegayle Onimus Imma Grunhaid and Vandrik Yldon
References:
When: 675-09-19
Related Logs: (to be added)
Date of RP: 2014-09-19
Where: Entrance Hall and Sitting Room - Castle of the White Dove
Room Desc: The huge black metal doors of the Castle of the White Dove are inscribed with the patterns of lily flowers open into a huge and bright hall. The interior already shows the design that is to be expected throughout the castle: walls of strange white stones, blood red curtains with golden threads, a few paintings on the walls, and strange furs on the marble floors. All the furniture is made from light-colored wood.

Piled with a wealth of the finest pillows are two huge couches and two armchairs around a small table for people to sit upon while they wait. The golden blooms of canary creeper vines cascade from the balcony of the second floor above, while other plants are set around the room in pots, extending the garden outside within the castle. There are two passages that lead off the entrance, one to the left and another to the right. There is also a pair of stairs as well, arching to the left and right and leading towards the same balcony upon the second floor. The dark stairs are covered with carpets made out of furs, while the balusters are decorated in the same way as the balcony, covered with flowering vines of canary creeper.


The storm still rages on outside the castle, and things of this and that nature have had Abegayle busy. Still, there has been word given to her that a meeting is wished between Imma and Vandrik - and finally the Queen has been able to make time to meet with them. Abegayle is in the Entrance Hall, staring out at the rain that pours from the skies, fretting inwardly about what has brought such a storm over her lands. Other conversations mull about in her mind, but she stands ready to take on other tasks that have fallen on her plate. The rumors about the castle that surround Abegayle are those that she was in her room for a significant period of time, and then suddenly emerged one day seeming fresh and ready to go. Other rumors say she was with child, while even more say she faked the entire thing -or- that she lost the baby. Either way, the Queen looks vibrant with life, and on this day is wearing a black gown trimmed in scarlet, the waist of the dress gently forming a small bell-like shape before barely brushing the ground.

When finally word comes that the queen is able to meet with the two, Imma prepares herself in her finest gowns of blue before heading from the room where she's been staying to pass by that where Vandrik's been after being unable to return to his ship. With her handmaiden in tow behind, the pair would soon arrive together to the entrance hall where the page had said the queen would see them. Spying the queen at the window, Imma clears her throat delicately, then goes into a deep curtsey, her head bowed, "Your Majesty.." The position is maintained until Abegayle speaks and invites her to rise, doing so with a hint of grace. "May I please introduce you to Sir Vandrik Yldon of Beresgond in Two Rivers, the knight whom won the tourney here within the Isles." And her hand.

Dressed once more in his full regalia as a Knight of Brais, Vandrik looks quite gallant in the shining, polished steel armor. The red and black cape that is attached under his shoulder pauldrons hangs just past his waist. Vandrik accompanies Imma through the castle on his arm, as usual. however, the pair is abnormally quiet as they walk, Vandrik's jaw set in a determined fashion. It's not everyday he meets a queen! And first impressions are of the utmost importance. After Imma introduces him, Vandrik drops down on one knee, lowering his head. "At your service, your Majesty," he says quietly, remaining knelt.

Abegayle turns when she hears Imma, watching the woman courtsey while her knight kneels and she lowers her head a moment before raising it up once more. "You both may rise." She says this and then regards Imma's words a moment while looking over Vandrik for a moment. A single brow raises when she's done with some sort of whatever assessment it is she is giving him and then nods. "I see. Welcome to my kingdom. I hope we have been treating you to the best of our ability. I do apologize that you've both been cooped up due to this weather." Adding that in before turning towards the window once more. "Also, my very belated congratulations on winning the tournament. So, are we settling in well enough? Have you spoken to anyone else here concerning the conditions of this marriage?"

Imma rises back to her feet, waiting till Vandrik joins her before speaking up to answer the questions put forth, "I believe we are like most, hoping for the end to the storms.." A glance towards the knight is given before she turns back to the queen, "We did wish to discuss the conditions with you, if you would allow?" Nervous? Perhaps a little, though she seems to wear a determined expression upon her face as she awaits the queen's agreement.

"Thank toy, your majesty," Vandrik responds to her congratulations. He also looks a little tense when Imma states her desire to speak about the conditions of their marriage. He does add, "But no, your majesty, we have not discussed the arrangement with anyone who was not present when the initial terms were disclosed."

Abegayle nods and then shifts to turn towards the two once more. "Perhaps it would be wise to sit down while discussing these matters. I shall also have some refreshments brought for us." Saying this much, Abegayle's gaze drifts and she snaps down the nearest servant. "Wine and edibles please. We shall take them in the sitting room." The servant would nod and move off before Abegayle gestures away from them. "Please. Follow me." Leading the way towards said seating room. "We can discuss any concerns you have..."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Imma is quick to say when the queen agrees to further conversation. With orders given to the servant, the young lady touches Vandrik's arm as it's offered to her, the two to follow Abegayle into the nearby sitting room. She will bid her time in bringing up the concerns until given leave to do so by the queen. Sitting only after the queen, Imma's hands brush her skirts into place, soothing then with a light touch. IT's to be said the handmaiden follows, unless dismissed by the queen, taking up a position out of the way.

Vandrik remains mostly quiet as they move to the other room. He of course waits for both women to be seated before he takes a stand to the side of Imma's seat. Of course, since Van is wearing ceremonial armor, sitting down would be more laborious than just standing there. He simply edits quietly until called on to speak again.

"Now then..." Abegayle starts as they make it into this side room, and she sits upon one of the more plush chairs there. Perhaps this one is by the fireplace, and those less plush (but still quite comfy!) chairs is where Imma can seat herself. The servant comes back with wine for all three of them and a platter of different things to nibble upon, cold meats and cheese with crackers and other bread sorts. "What is it you wish to discuss as far as the terms?" Getting straight to the point, because she is not one to dally with her subjects for long periods of time, taking up her wine to sip from.

Once again, there is a quiet word of thanks when the servant returns with wine and foodstuff, taking both though not immediately eating. When it seems the queen is prepared to get right down to the order of business, Imma looks to Abegayle, "After the tourney, we were informed by the Royal High Oni, that there was to be a change in the order of things with Sir Vandrik being the head of our new House. I understand that due to certain circumstances in dealing with Two Rivers, you rescinded that order. I..." She glances to Vandrik, then back to the queen, "We both wondered if you would give him a chance, and not judge him by the actions of those others. "

Ah. Wine. That will help calm Vandrik's nerves. He quickly drinks a glass, sharing Imma's glance and then moving to refill his glass. however, just as he's reaching for the wine, her realizes how that may look and changes his mind, instead standing fast by Imma's side. After Imma voices their desire, Vandrik adds on again. "I only ask for the opportunity to show your majesty the merit of your original idea. If your majesty feels at any time that I am unfit to lead, I would advise by the terms in the contact and step down as instructed," Vandrik says.

Abegayle takes a moment to regard Imma and then Vandrik when the request is made. There is also a tilt of her head given as she seems to consider the words from the both of them. "Many things happened, some regretably so, when Two Rivers was here along with the Golden Lion, for delegations of peace and unity..." She begins, lifting her glass to take another sip. "I am glad, that even with all that happened occurring, Two Rivers has agreed to still allow you here to marry and claim your prize. Also, there are works in the process to further this extension for peace and unity by my sending another over to there for a marriage." She explains all of this before standing, making sure Imma knows with a gesture of hand that it is alright for her to remain seated. "I do not like going back on my word... and my word in the beginning was that you, Sir Vandrik of Two Rivers, would be able to run your household... and so...this I will grant you..." Turning towards him then. "However, my conditions are hereby this. You will learn all you can about our people, our patrons, and our way of life from your soon to be wife. You will abide by how we rule, run, and worship, and this is how you will lead your house and the people you house over. If, at any time, I hear word - and trust me - I will hear word... that you have failed such a task at any time. You will be stripped of your leadership, and it will be given to Imma and you will then be below her. This is a trial, and if it works, perhaps it will be a sign as to where the Isles is heading." She tilts her head upwards then, giving a sort of half smirk. "Do we have an understanding?"

Imma nods as Vandrik speaks, turning to face the queen as Abegayle considers their words. When she speaks, the young lady remains quiet, perhaps a tad surprised to hear the queen once more decide to allow him to once more lead the House. Unlike before, she is not upset by such circumstances, but nods with another glance aside to the knight, allowing him to first speak tothe queen upon the new conditions.

That ... frankly astonishes the young knight, his mouth dropping open for several seconds at the Queen's words. Vandrik blinks several times and then looks down at Imma. He finally realized he is gawking and sure his mouth quickly. He turns to the queen and kneels again, since bowing in armor is far more difficult. "I shall do as you say, your Majesty," he says. "I swear it on my honor."

Abegayle nods, sipping her wine once more. "Good. We shall see where this leads us then..." Saying as much before looking between the two. "Is there anything else wished to discuss or are there now going to be wedding bells in the future - provided this storm lets up?"

Imma shakes her head, "No, your Majesty. Beyond us setting a date for the wedding... " Assuming whenever the storms let up! "That is what we wished to discuss with you.." She's surprised it went so well, and quickly! "And wishing to know of anything else you would have of us."

Vandrik is still largely in shock over the ease at which the Queen's mind was changed. he shakes his head quickly, unable to think of anything else he could possibly ask for at the moment.

"There is nothing more right now, but if I shall need either of you, I will send word." Abegayle would speak lastly before excusing herself for the evening. The two are welcomed to stay in the sitting room, enjoying their refreshments as the scene fades.