AmberCourtThreadMerielWilliamComingOutPartyAmber Court Thread Meriel William Coming Out PartySB: Meriel William Court Thread Coming Out Party With Meriel now clad thanks to the auspices of Alice and Judith, and with the previewing thanks to the use of Meriel's mirror magic, Meriel and William can make their way in a stately descent in preparation for a grand arrival. The servants and the Castle as a whole is busy, as it often is in the midst of an event such as Court. This does not necessarily mean that they are slowed down, although Meriel gets more than a few looks from curious, interested and at least one frankly staring servant. A few glance from Meriel to William, seem to come to a conclusion, and give a respectful smile and nod to William. Finally, the pair can make their way into the corridor that leads up to the anteroom. A few nobles pass by a pair of guards in livery, entering into the room. Beyond them, even from here, the large forms of Prince Gerard and Prince Pollux are easily visible and distinct through the sea of faces and people. Slowly, though, as William and Meriel reach the threshold, a few nobles and emissaries, at first, turn to see the new arrivals. In the room, William and Meriel can see that Gerard has moved toward Martin, who stands next to his construct, Pollux is talking with a noble of House Karm, Florimel's daughter Asteria has finished a conversation with a dark haired man and roams her eyes about. And of course other nobles and emissaries from throughout the Golden Circle. The pair have a moment to choose someone to engage with, before the choice is made for them. "A quick choice is yours," William murmurs quietly to Meriel. "Any here with whom you wish to speak more than another? Or shall we hover and lie in wait here like a pair of moray eels, curious to see who approaches us? If you have no desires in this, and leave the decision to me, we shall speak with my sister." "Well," says Meriel, "there's Martin too. I knew him back in Rebma, you see ... " She pauses, eying Asteria thoughtfully. It does seem to her that a Daughter of Flora might have a fairly shrewd idea of the provenance of the dress Meriel is wearing ... and that it at least likely to add to poison spine remarks. She turns and directs her most winning smile at William. "I have always liked Moray eels," she says. "Such wise creatures." He smiles back at her. "Then let us see what tidbits float our way," he replies, "And we shall by mysterious and cool to them. How shall I introduce you, to maximize their confusion? Merely as Meriel? Perhaps, 'You know Meriel, of course,' with a small smile and a knowing lift of the eyebrow?" Soon situated in a prime spot in the anteroom for tidbits to float their way, Meriel and William have a few moments to continue to observe the room before getting on the hook. William's sister gives a glance in the direction of her brother, but she takes a leisurely course, perhaps not yet recognizing Meriel's dress at this range. Instead, Meriel and William's watchful and cool observation brings them the attention of one of the nobles of Amber, Lord Brutus Chandris. William will remember that he fought with distinction and skill during the Patternfall War and in fact was present at the conclusion at the standoff at the Abyss. He also has an unusual habit of outliving his wives--because of his longevity rather than any suspected foul play. The man with greying hair and possibly one of the most powerful non-Royals in Amber strides over with confidence and a smile. (casting call: Harvey Keitel) "Charmed, madam." he says, bowing his head to Meriel first, giving a long look to her, in that dress. He doesn't wait for a response, but then turns to William. Meriel simply inclines her head and glances at William. "Prince William, a pleasure to see you again as always. Won't you introduce me to your most charming Rebman companion? I had no idea that the tastes of his Majesty were expected to be a fashion to be emulated." William smiles leisurely and nods a greeting. "You'll find, Brutus, that there's nothing about this one that is an emulation of anyone. She is unique unto herself." He bows slightly to Meriel. "May I present to you, my lady, the most noble and puissant Lord Brutus Chandris. A friend of mine, and a man I would be honoured to fight beside. Lord Brutus, this is Meriel, about whom I may say nothing else at the moment." "Lord Brutis," murmurs Meriel gazing at him through her lashes. "What a delightful name. So ... of the earth, isn't it? And you would be honoured to fight beside Lord William too, no doubt? Especially after such an encomium." Lord Chandris rubs a finger on the space between his lower lip and his chin. "I never have had the honor of fighting with Prince William, save in the most abstract sense, during the war, you see. The reputation of Prince William as a blade won't be discounted." he thumps his chest with the hand rubbing his chin. "by the likes of me. It would be a personal honor to fight beside him on any field against any foe. The more dangerous the foe, the better!" William nods his head in smiling agreement. Meriel's eyes open wider and her eye lashes flutter a little. "How exciting!" she breathes. "And how very brave!" Her look conveys frank, guileless admiration. Chandris nods his head to Meriel and then continues. "But I am not so interesting a subject as a woman of mystery, whom the puissant and blade-worthy Prince William is so reluctant to say little of." He gestures with the hand again, cupping his hand so that the four fingers touch the thumb. This he makes a few short, staccato gestures as he speaks. "You, Meriel, are a far more interesting topic." William remains silent, watching their conversation with an amused smile. "Perhaps that it because I am mysterious," she says helpfully. "If I were to announce my full lineage and how I come to be here, in Amber, with Prince William, you would find the whole a little dull. So I should preserve the mystery for as long as possible, don't you think? Unless, of course, the King chooses otherwise." "Surely, this session of Court is not solely for the announcement of your parentage, though." Chandris points out. "Although for the King to choose to potentially announce it, your lineage must almost certainly be royal, unless..." A thunderstruck look come across his face. "Are you two to be betrothed under seal of the King this day?!" Brutus Chandris exclaims, loudly. William blinks. "You take me by surprise yet again, Brutus," he says. "Always you can say something I did not expect to hear from you." He winks at Meriel. Brutus gives a grazing nod of the head to both William and Meriel. His smile is wide as he resumes looking more levelly at William. Meriel gives a reprehensible giggle. "And I didn't say the King would announce my lineage," she adds helpfully. "But I think it's for him to decide whether I should, if you see what I mean." She glances around to see if anyone else has overheard his words. The commotion from Chandris' exclamation has slowly started to work its way outward from their chat. The stunningness of Meriel's outfit, and the royal presence of William amongst the trio only accentuates this. No one has yet tried to interrupt Chandris monopolization of William and Meriel, yet. However, the budding interest, whispers, and side conversations clearly suggest that the rumor waterwheel has begun to spin. "Indeed." Brutus says, turning and smiling to Meriel. "I do see, milady, what you mean." His eyes look with a peripheral vision. He leans forward toward William and Meriel and lowers his voice this time. "And if I have broken your secret prematurely, I sincerely apologize." "Or is that." he adds softly "congratulations?" William leans in close and speaks just above a whisper, "You understand how delicate negotiations can be, my friend," he says. "Say nothing, lest you upset things." He nods significantly, casting a look around at the courtiers who fill the room. Meriel regards Brutus with limpid innocence. "I shall withdraw, for the nonce." Brutus says. "and with closed lips. Although I think the assembled worthies here may not be as discreet as I." And Brutus gives a bow to William and Meriel both, and quickly finds himself speaking with one of the dignitaries who are now buzzing around William and Meriel. "Close as clams," she says helpfully. "Always the best way to be." She too looks around the room, with frank interest. "You know," she says conversationally, "people look so much pinker this side of the water. Except, of course, those who aren't." Indeed, there is a variety to the palette of people. While many people are indeed pink, and male, there are a fair number of women, and skin tones range from pink to the olive skinned diplomat that William knows as Krispos Videssos of Antioch, all the way to Kahil Khamme, the sooty-black-skinned emissary from the non Golden Circle shadow of Dahnash. His short black haired head topped with a small cap in green and gold color, he stares at Meriel frankly. "It has been some little time since I was in Rebma, or any other undersea realm," William admits. "As you travel more widely you will find interest, I have no doubt, in the change of hue of flesh under the light of different suns and moons. It is an endless source of delight." Given their position, as they regard the swirl of people interested in them in particular, William and Meriel get a brief open look at the front of the room, and the short corridor that leads into it. William's knowledge and familiarity allows him to spot Princess Fiona and her daughter, Shannon, speaking with two other people near the entrance to the room, about to enter. One of them Meriel will recognize, too, as Deirdre, and the other dark haired woman, cloaked in purple, neither of them recognize. Something white and purple-scaled rides on her shoulder. "This is a day for new faces, it seems," William murmurs quietly to Meriel. She turns and looks up at him, and in her face there is an open enjoyment and interest that is strikingly different from the court masks so many of the people in the room have (presumably) assumed. "For you too?" she asks quietly. "For me, almost everyone is new. At least, as three dimensional beings. But I do know Princess Deirdre. And Martin, of course. I mean Prince Martin. What's the creature that woman over there has on her shoulder? Is one allowed to bring companion animals to court, or only where there's a symbiotic link?" "Looks to be a lizard." William answered. "Whether mystical or a simple pet, I know not. There are no official rules on such of which I know," he continued, watching the woman and her animal companion. "Like many things, it depends upon one's rank. A member of the family could no doubt bring in an entire menagerie, and so long as none of them bit the Queen or piddled on the King, no one would call them upon it. A courtier..." he smiled, "Now that would be an interesting. A way for them to try to show their importance and superiority. I suspect that those who could get away with such a thing are too wise to attempt it." "Nick is part familiar, and part companion to her, William" comes a voice behind William. To Meriel and William, seemingly out of nowhere, has come a short, redhaired man that Meriel has been warned not to try and scry, and thus for that reason alone is familiar. William does not need the fact that the man is levitating six inches above the ground to recognize Fiona's son, Lorius. "I would normally tell you more about Nick, and his mistress, but I think that would spoil her debut here in Amber." Lorius says. "In the same manner that you wouldn't want yours to be spoiled by someone else blabbing about you." he says to Meriel. "Prince Lorius, son of Royal Princess Fiona." he says with a grin. "And should I introduce Meriel in return, Lorius?" William asks with an answering grin. "Or have you already ferreted out everything about her?" "Oh I do hope he hasn't!" Meriel chimes in. "It would be *so* disappointing if someone knew *everything * about me!" She sinks into a deep curtsey, setting her gown shimmering and her skirts rustling, a silken sound that seems to surprise and then please her. She peeps up at Lorius through long lashes. "I hope it's also a little unlikely - because then, surely, you would have swam to my rescue years ago." Lorius opens his mouth, somewhat surprised. He blinks for a moment's uncertainly, and then grins and bows to Meriel. "Well, let's see if I can deduce who you are, Meriel Williamsfriend. I think that Brutus is wrong, you are certainly not William's bride to be. You would have long since been vetted by Aunt Florimel." "Meriel...Meriel." Lorius raises a crooked finger underneath his bottom lip. "Rebman. The mirror dress and your accent gives that away. You mention rescue. That part..bugs me. So William rescued you, or you perhaps rescued yourself..." "Family. A more definitive test would take time, but I am going to make the supposition that you are Family, Meriel. One that Moire has been keeping under ice for a long time, perhaps. And with the troubles there, you managed to swim free. The question is, which branch of the family you belong to." Lorius grins at William and Meriel. "How close am I?" William grins back, but leaves it to Meriel to answer. "You mean you would only swim to rescue me if I was related?" Meriel sounds outraged. William chuckles quietly. "No, no." Lorius says in a defensive tone. The air beneath him seems to tremble a bit. "I was only trying to divine who..." At this point, two large doors at the far end of the room of the gathering of people open from the inside. "Princes, Princesses and all attendees of Court. This session is now declared open. You may enter." comes the amplified voice that Aura recognizes. It is the voice of the Chamberlain, Lord Henden. "Who you were." Lorius finished. "Now, though, I'm being even more caddish than I normally am, so I will see you both inside." Lorius raises a hand to his head and pinches his thumb against his little finger. "Be seeing you, both." And Lorius floats away, giving the pair space to themselves. William offers his arm to Meriel. "Your next decision," he murmurs. "Where do you wish to stand once we afe in the throne room?" Meriel's hand flutters slightly as it rests on his arm, as though shaken by a sudden current. "Somewhere where we may observe until the right comes," she says, a little tightly. "The Rebman contingent ... they may know of me. I ... I am not safe yet." "Yes you are," William answers quietly. "If worst comes to worst, and they demand you back, and the king is somehow prevented from defending you, escape and make your way to the docks. I will delay pursuit. Two ships are prepared to sail on the morning tide, under my command, the Narcissus and Peryton. Seek their captains, and tell them that you are under my protection." He pats her hand where it rests on his arm. "But that is merely a precaution against an eventuality that will not come. King Random will not allow it." Meriel turns slightly and looks up at him searchingly for a moment, as though weighing something. Finally she gives a little sigh, as though releasing a breath she hadn't been aware she was holding, and nods her head slightly. "Thank you," she says quietly, and the hand resting on his arm stills, as though his words have calmed her. Her chin lifts again, and she looks towards the throne room. "Not too close to the Rebmans, and not too far from the King," she says. [And you now many enter the main court thread at your own recognizance...] Backlinks |
