675-11-12 - Uncle and Niece
Uncle and Niece | |||||||
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Summary: Ralph and Sirelle have a few words before he heads for another mission to the Isles. | |||||||
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Sirelle sits on the edge of a chair, the deep green cloth of her dress falling over her legs like a waterfall frozen in the woods. There is a somewhat started piece of needlework resting on one thigh, the strand of thread taut as she holds a needle in the other hand. Her eyes though aren't on the craft, instead looking at the tapestries. When she would hear the footfalls of another, her eyes break their stare and settle towards her uncle.
His steps are muffled as he crosses the carpet with the Fennim colours, still, Ralph would not have expected to attract Sirelle's attention that swiftly. Maybe he even did not expect to find her here in the first place. Still, a smile forms on his features when her gaze meets that of his dark brooding eyes, and the Fennim lord says: "I hope I do not disturb you, Sirelle." His eyes shift from his niece's face to the piece of needlework in her lap. "As I see you are busy...?" The remark is less of a statement, more of a question.
Sirelle has the question posed and she's reminded about the needlework which she gives a glance down at before handing it over to Nadya her handmaiden. Standing up, she dips a small curtsy in respect to her uncle before she takes a few graceful steps to him. "Only busy in places in my mind, uncle. I've been -trying- to be better at this handicraft but honestly....I'd rather listen to the beautiful sound of the taut string when I pluck it..." and she looks at him slyly "...after letting loose an arrow from the bow."
The reply elicits a dry but no less heartfelt chuckle in the Fennim lord. Ralph shakes his head as he smiles towards his niece. "I was wondering about that, aye," he admits. "So you were wondering about going outside in the practice yard and try your skills with the bow? Or has anything else been on your mind, Sirelle?"
Sirelle brings her hands together as she clasps them by her waist, standing before Ralph. At his chuckle, her lips twitch to a smile at the corner of the mouth before smoothing away. "A lady out in the cool autumn evening ought to be smothered in layers so she's like a precious bauble wrapped in cotton linen. Makes it difficult to get the right angle for practice. But...why not a walk through the crisp air at the very least? It might bring my spirits up to hear your voice talk about things beyond me."
"Why not?", Ralph smiles at the suggestion of a walk, although her remark about ladies in a cool autumn evening has him gesture for a servant. "Get our cloaks. Because..." he pauses as he glances towards Sirelle, "even a lord such as me hates to shiver in the cold. As for things beyond you, I doubt there are such in the first place. If you mean politics, I can certainly oblige. If you prefer the that dry topic at all."
Sirelle waits for the servants to bring the cloaks, allowing it to set and be fastened about her slender shoulders before she steps to her uncle's side to follow and will only move once he begins. "What was it that I read...politics is war with words, the blood spilled with ink from the quill and rolls of parchments with seals like armies all lined up. I'd much rather be direct in correcting the problem, it saves time doesn't it?" Looking a glance to Ralph she asks politely, "I'd like to talk about what you would want, I defer to you uncle."
"War with words," Ralph echoes thoughfully, his brows furrowing, before the expression leaves his features as they are warmed once again with a smile. "To solve matters through diplomacy to /avoid/ bloodshed seems to be such a desireable goal, does it not? Speaking of diplomacy, the King has sent for me, and I have to leave on the morrow, for Athereyne. It seems I am once again to ssail for the Isles, dear niece, this time in the company of two princesses." The cloaks are brought, and once his own dark brown has been fastened with a pin showing the coat of arms of House Fennim, the leaping deer. Lord Ralph will lead the way, down the stairs and out onto the courtyard, pausing on the doorstep to take a deep inhale of the fresh air. He will grab a torch, as it is already dark outside, for them to light the way on their little walk.
Sirelle listens to Ralph, and as she is looking side-on to him, her gentle face is moved to a frown. But she is silent while they walk through the corridors of the keep and once outside she takes a deep breath in, letting it slowly out as the whips of warm breath touch the cool air forming ethereal mist. "Leaving?" she says quietly, the single word rising in crescendo sharply with concern.
"It is another mission," Ralph explains, his voice rumbling over the deserted courtyard. "The King needs me to accompany Princess Luanda to the Isles. Betrothal business," he rolls his eyes ever so slightly. "And we need some new bonds to the Islanders. You've been to the Isles yourself, Sirelle. I am sure you admire their differing society that turn our own rules upside down in some regards. Alas, I cannot take you with me this time. I will be back in a few weeks, I hope." His words are offered with a smile.
"Betrothal business." says Sirelle, repeating the words and letting them die with silence. As they walk further slowly through the courtyard, "If the King is sending you, he's sending the very best of us. Just..." and she looks towards the great fortified gate and watchtower that looms, "...please return." <Newbie | Public> Nathan has disconnected.
"Of course," Ralph replies with a smile. "And I would be very grateful if you could spend some time with the children. They /adore/ you, Sirelle. And I am certain Geryon would be happy if you showed him some of your archery tricks." He falls silent for a moment, as he leads the way over to the practice yard. "The king honours me indeed, that he entrusts this mission to me.", the Fennim remarks after a moment. "And I will not leave you to be on your own. There is cousin Alajos, and Duchess Avaline... I wonder, have you two had the chance to speak as of yet? She is a remarkable woman, and one that may have a good influence on our Duke."
"I won't let Geryon, Marvin or little Estelle be alone. I make it a point to involve myself in their lives. Besides, if I'm enjoying them then I'm not up to other mischief am I." says Sirelle with a rue grin before it fades. "I don't believe I am on His Grace's thoughts, if in his thoughts at all. But perhaps I might try to see princess Barbeta in the future, if of course I have leave to do so. If you give me your word you'll return, I'll give you mine."
"Oh?" Both brows jump upwards when Sirelle speaks about her wish to visit Princess Barbeta. "You are interested in the Ningo, the barbarians of the North then? From what I've seen and heard, they have an interesting culture. If you like, we could travel to the construction site of the trade hub at the border, when I get back. Together." Another warm smile appears on the usually so brooding features of the Fennim.
Sirelle says "I enjoy her highness, and if she must be in the barbaric northern wilderness then perhaps I might bring a bit of happiness if I visited a short while. If we were to go to the trade hub at the border, you and I together? I think I might like that." With a look towards the wall and the forests rising beyond to the night, "Although if we both were to go, I'd not want to be gone too long as the little ones would be distressed. Alright, when you return we'll organize later on to visit the trade hub." She smiles finally, warmly, "I'll like that." GAME: Save complete.
"There is still mother," Ralph replies, referring to Lady Raina, Sirelle's grandmother. "But I can see you are in need for a change of scenery. I am sure such a visit can be arranged, when I return. Alas, it is getting late, and I fear I have to withdraw to get some sleep, before I head to Equis tomorrow. The ship is already being prepared." His dark gaze flits back to the keep, when his feet carry hi back to the courtyard, near the double doors that lead inside.
Sirelle gives a sole nod to Ralph. "Until I hear your voice again, it'll be a colder winter. Good bye, dear uncle. Do your best, for all of us." in departing to him.