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votivescholarsWelcome to the world of the Durants...
Guests from the Nexus are met by an Isidor who is still dressed for business when she PINpoints them directly to the venue. She is on a mission and pleasantries are swiftly exchanged so that she can give instructions and explain how the day is going to go. The first thing to hit them is that it's hot, and bright. They are now in France, Isidor tells them, her narrative changes appropriately as she leads them from the small stone building, through immaculate gardens and towards a sprawling palace which she insists is small for what it is. This is the home of Gnonyma Durant, her grandmother. A 17th Century French palace once owned by royalty but was gifted to her family as thanks for 'a service' which Isidor says was so private that even the mage's journal doesn't detail what it was.
The air is dry and still, which makes the cool shade of indoors a pleasant relief. Like the ornate facade, the interior of the building is lined with intricate mouldings; decorated with impressive portraits; painted in bright, colourful shades; and filled with flowers and draping fabric. There is plenty of space, a fact emphasised by tiled floors that amplify each step and word. It looks as though almost every room is being used, from the way all the doors are held open for the steady flow of traffic. They are, however, let through the building and out another door. It's the quickest way to where seats sit lined up to face a gazebo decorated with ribbons and flowers that stands in front of a pond that might as well be a lake. Some people might notice the air above them ripple slightly, which certainly has nothing to do with the perfectly ornate poles at each corner of the seating area.
There are already plenty of people milling about. Servants stride from one place to another, expertly staying out of the way of the guests. There are some men and women who are dressed well for the occasion, but like the servants they stay out of the way and scan the area repeatedly, making no attempts to engage with the guests - security, judging by their earpieces. Members of the Durant family are easy to spot. They move in groups or pairs, often getting headed off by people looking to talk to them. A large majority of them also sport sashes of either red or purple with gold trim and ornate pins that vary from person to person. This, Isidor explains, is how you spot a patron and an accomplished scholar, based on the red or purple respectively. Viatorus is not yet an accomplished scholar, which is why they have no sashes. Members of Runa's family are equally easy to spot for those that know her. They would be the large group of tall, golden haired men and women with the distinctive Swedish accents happily talking to anyone and everyone.
After guiding them to their seats she tells them that the ceremony will be another twenty minutes and takes her leave to go and sort out the other numerous things on her endless list. Nobody bothers them while they wait. Everyone is too busy spotting old friends or making their way to their seats. It's a good time to enjoy the scenery. There is a small collection of musicians with harps, violins and flutes to one side. Even the breeze is smelling sweet with the perfume of the bouquets.
Within fifteen minutes Viatorus appears in a tailored suit of light grey and deep purple. He is closely followed by an older, stocky looking man in a black suit and purple tie, and sporting a red and black sash that is even more ornate than any others. Whatever the man is saying to him Viatorus barely gets more of a wave of recognition in to his friends before he's being guided to the gazebo and kept there. Shortly after he's joined by a young man and two women with tanned skin and black hair dressed in simple, but high quality clothes of purple, draping fabric. They look as serious as the man beside Viatorus. That is about the time Isidor reappears in more appropriate attire. She in turn heralds the appearance of a woman who shares her features, dressed in elegant gold and black, who is accompanied by a man whose black suit and purple tie are considerably more simple than his purple sash. Its intricacy matches that of the red one worn by the man standing next to Viatorus. The mood seems to shift at the appearance of these last two guests, becoming quieter, expectant. The Durants gather together, and Viatorus' fidgeting increases tenfold as they exchange words. The men with the sashes and the woman in gold take their seats, many of the guests follow suit.
The ceremony begins...
The young man in purple walks with his staff to stand at the head of the aisle and asks that everyone takes their seats. Exactly twenty minutes after the Nexus guests were shown their seats, the ceremony begins. The young man introduces himself as the high priest of Despoina and welcomes them to the union of the two families Durant and Nyström. As it is a ceremony to mark the union of two families with two sets of tradition and two sets of gods to honour, this will be a merging of these two cultures. It will be a handfasting ceremony of the Old Ways, he explains. This means that the couple will be as man and wife for a year and a day, and after that time they must choose if they wish to marry or separate. The guests now better informed, the priest stands back under the gazebo where a nervous Viatorus and patient Isidor stand waiting. On cue, the musicians start playing unfamiliar, but pleasant music to introduce the arrival of Ingirun dressed in white and accompanied by a rounded, red cheeked man, and followed by a woman who must certainly be one of her sisters. Once she was beside Viatorus, Ingirun's father sat down and the ceremony began.
The priest talked of uniting the two families, naming the virtues of both, as he got the bride-and-groom-to-be to hold hands which he bound in ribbons. He then took them through their vows before invoking the gods and goddesses to bless the union. The mixture of Greek and Norse deities made for a complicated blessing that might have been compared to seeking the approval of two powerful families. With wishes given, the priest unwrapped their hands and had the betrothed drink from the same cup. All in all it was a short ceremony as ceremonies go. A few more blessings were given and then the couple were prompted to kiss to seal the pact, which a bright red Viatorus did, very timidly. Luckily that only made Runa beam more brightly than she already was.
Dinner was in a large hall with close family at the head of the room and everyone else seated at round tables. Every position was carefully chosen, of course. The inevitable speeches came from the father of the bride (who rambled joyously about how happy he was to see his daughter with such a fine young man) and the mother of the groom (who gently, warmly, welcomed Runa into the family and spoke of how proud she and his father were). Drinks were plentiful, as were the courses. There were six in total with a selection of each: Appetisers, soup, fish, the main course, dessert, and a palate cleanser. No one will be going hungry tonight, that's a certainty.
After dinner it's Isidor who stands to say a few last words. She thanks everyone for coming and instructs them to enjoy the evening and all the festivities which "will go on at least until dawn". With that, guests are bid to go and enjoy the entertainment filling the palace.
And now for the party...
There isn't a single place that isn't being used for the party. The gardens have pleasant music playing in them, chairs and tables laid out with cushions and blankets for people to lounge in. One of the largest halls is set out for dancers and their spectators to enjoy live musicians that will play ballroom music for the first part of the evening and be replaced by a band that plays modern music for the second. There is a small room of bookshelves and leather armchairs where men congregate to sip whiskey. Rooms with couches and chairs have people moving in and out of them joining and starting conversations. The priest tends to three statues of goddesses that stand at the end of one room. Here he collects gifts and offerings for the couple's happy future. A man with a perfect smile enthralls a crowd with stories that are only exciting because of the way he tells them. A demure woman facilitates a conversation between straight backed men with chiseled features and shorter tanned men who look equally as disciplined. Servants are found throughout, bringing drinks and snacks to anyone who asks or so much as looks as if they're considering either.
((Feel free to backtag, threadhop, start threads, look for more NPCs, whatever you like! If you're unsure of something, looking for more details, or want to plot then you know the drill - Send a message my way and we'll chat!
Note about gifts: It will say on your character's invitation that gifts are optional and it is suggested that a gift to the gods/goddesses would be more than suitable instead.))
The Nyströms | Hephaestia | The Archon, Liselotte & Stathis | The Priest | Oraskis - The Seer
Lieselotte or Stathis | Poenia & Sagyne | Harrowheart & Anna | Adia | Felix & Jim | Evening Event | Isidor | Klaus
Guests from the Nexus are met by an Isidor who is still dressed for business when she PINpoints them directly to the venue. She is on a mission and pleasantries are swiftly exchanged so that she can give instructions and explain how the day is going to go. The first thing to hit them is that it's hot, and bright. They are now in France, Isidor tells them, her narrative changes appropriately as she leads them from the small stone building, through immaculate gardens and towards a sprawling palace which she insists is small for what it is. This is the home of Gnonyma Durant, her grandmother. A 17th Century French palace once owned by royalty but was gifted to her family as thanks for 'a service' which Isidor says was so private that even the mage's journal doesn't detail what it was.
The air is dry and still, which makes the cool shade of indoors a pleasant relief. Like the ornate facade, the interior of the building is lined with intricate mouldings; decorated with impressive portraits; painted in bright, colourful shades; and filled with flowers and draping fabric. There is plenty of space, a fact emphasised by tiled floors that amplify each step and word. It looks as though almost every room is being used, from the way all the doors are held open for the steady flow of traffic. They are, however, let through the building and out another door. It's the quickest way to where seats sit lined up to face a gazebo decorated with ribbons and flowers that stands in front of a pond that might as well be a lake. Some people might notice the air above them ripple slightly, which certainly has nothing to do with the perfectly ornate poles at each corner of the seating area.
There are already plenty of people milling about. Servants stride from one place to another, expertly staying out of the way of the guests. There are some men and women who are dressed well for the occasion, but like the servants they stay out of the way and scan the area repeatedly, making no attempts to engage with the guests - security, judging by their earpieces. Members of the Durant family are easy to spot. They move in groups or pairs, often getting headed off by people looking to talk to them. A large majority of them also sport sashes of either red or purple with gold trim and ornate pins that vary from person to person. This, Isidor explains, is how you spot a patron and an accomplished scholar, based on the red or purple respectively. Viatorus is not yet an accomplished scholar, which is why they have no sashes. Members of Runa's family are equally easy to spot for those that know her. They would be the large group of tall, golden haired men and women with the distinctive Swedish accents happily talking to anyone and everyone.
After guiding them to their seats she tells them that the ceremony will be another twenty minutes and takes her leave to go and sort out the other numerous things on her endless list. Nobody bothers them while they wait. Everyone is too busy spotting old friends or making their way to their seats. It's a good time to enjoy the scenery. There is a small collection of musicians with harps, violins and flutes to one side. Even the breeze is smelling sweet with the perfume of the bouquets.
Within fifteen minutes Viatorus appears in a tailored suit of light grey and deep purple. He is closely followed by an older, stocky looking man in a black suit and purple tie, and sporting a red and black sash that is even more ornate than any others. Whatever the man is saying to him Viatorus barely gets more of a wave of recognition in to his friends before he's being guided to the gazebo and kept there. Shortly after he's joined by a young man and two women with tanned skin and black hair dressed in simple, but high quality clothes of purple, draping fabric. They look as serious as the man beside Viatorus. That is about the time Isidor reappears in more appropriate attire. She in turn heralds the appearance of a woman who shares her features, dressed in elegant gold and black, who is accompanied by a man whose black suit and purple tie are considerably more simple than his purple sash. Its intricacy matches that of the red one worn by the man standing next to Viatorus. The mood seems to shift at the appearance of these last two guests, becoming quieter, expectant. The Durants gather together, and Viatorus' fidgeting increases tenfold as they exchange words. The men with the sashes and the woman in gold take their seats, many of the guests follow suit.
The ceremony begins...
The young man in purple walks with his staff to stand at the head of the aisle and asks that everyone takes their seats. Exactly twenty minutes after the Nexus guests were shown their seats, the ceremony begins. The young man introduces himself as the high priest of Despoina and welcomes them to the union of the two families Durant and Nyström. As it is a ceremony to mark the union of two families with two sets of tradition and two sets of gods to honour, this will be a merging of these two cultures. It will be a handfasting ceremony of the Old Ways, he explains. This means that the couple will be as man and wife for a year and a day, and after that time they must choose if they wish to marry or separate. The guests now better informed, the priest stands back under the gazebo where a nervous Viatorus and patient Isidor stand waiting. On cue, the musicians start playing unfamiliar, but pleasant music to introduce the arrival of Ingirun dressed in white and accompanied by a rounded, red cheeked man, and followed by a woman who must certainly be one of her sisters. Once she was beside Viatorus, Ingirun's father sat down and the ceremony began.
The priest talked of uniting the two families, naming the virtues of both, as he got the bride-and-groom-to-be to hold hands which he bound in ribbons. He then took them through their vows before invoking the gods and goddesses to bless the union. The mixture of Greek and Norse deities made for a complicated blessing that might have been compared to seeking the approval of two powerful families. With wishes given, the priest unwrapped their hands and had the betrothed drink from the same cup. All in all it was a short ceremony as ceremonies go. A few more blessings were given and then the couple were prompted to kiss to seal the pact, which a bright red Viatorus did, very timidly. Luckily that only made Runa beam more brightly than she already was.
Dinner was in a large hall with close family at the head of the room and everyone else seated at round tables. Every position was carefully chosen, of course. The inevitable speeches came from the father of the bride (who rambled joyously about how happy he was to see his daughter with such a fine young man) and the mother of the groom (who gently, warmly, welcomed Runa into the family and spoke of how proud she and his father were). Drinks were plentiful, as were the courses. There were six in total with a selection of each: Appetisers, soup, fish, the main course, dessert, and a palate cleanser. No one will be going hungry tonight, that's a certainty.
After dinner it's Isidor who stands to say a few last words. She thanks everyone for coming and instructs them to enjoy the evening and all the festivities which "will go on at least until dawn". With that, guests are bid to go and enjoy the entertainment filling the palace.
And now for the party...
There isn't a single place that isn't being used for the party. The gardens have pleasant music playing in them, chairs and tables laid out with cushions and blankets for people to lounge in. One of the largest halls is set out for dancers and their spectators to enjoy live musicians that will play ballroom music for the first part of the evening and be replaced by a band that plays modern music for the second. There is a small room of bookshelves and leather armchairs where men congregate to sip whiskey. Rooms with couches and chairs have people moving in and out of them joining and starting conversations. The priest tends to three statues of goddesses that stand at the end of one room. Here he collects gifts and offerings for the couple's happy future. A man with a perfect smile enthralls a crowd with stories that are only exciting because of the way he tells them. A demure woman facilitates a conversation between straight backed men with chiseled features and shorter tanned men who look equally as disciplined. Servants are found throughout, bringing drinks and snacks to anyone who asks or so much as looks as if they're considering either.
((Feel free to backtag, threadhop, start threads, look for more NPCs, whatever you like! If you're unsure of something, looking for more details, or want to plot then you know the drill - Send a message my way and we'll chat!
Note about gifts: It will say on your character's invitation that gifts are optional and it is suggested that a gift to the gods/goddesses would be more than suitable instead.))
✣ · ✣ · ✣ · ✣
The Nyströms | Hephaestia | The Archon, Liselotte & Stathis | The Priest | Oraskis - The Seer
Lieselotte or Stathis | Poenia & Sagyne | Harrowheart & Anna | Adia | Felix & Jim | Evening Event | Isidor | Klaus
You read my mind :9
Date: 2017-08-08 11:16 pm (UTC)Felix is right. The meeting went very well indeed.
However, it doesn't stop Jim from stepping to the side once he's led Felix out toward the gardens and tugging at Felix to pull him out of sight as well. Jim's close now--close enough that he could be trying to make a move on the conjurer. Not with the look on his face though.
"What the fuck was that about?" He's keeping his voice down, but it's clear he's ruffled about something.
X3
Date: 2017-08-09 06:00 pm (UTC)"We... made an impression on the Archon? So now, I think, he understands that we're useful allies. And loyal to each other, at that." He smiles hopefully at Jim. "I've been determined to make that point since we arrived."
And not incidentally, determined to show off to the captain in the process.
no subject
Date: 2017-08-09 06:25 pm (UTC)Jim you sound more like a petulant little brother than anything when you hiss like that in a whisper that's loud enough to be heard as casual conversation anyway. At least he's making an attempt to be quiet.
"You were using the bedroom voice, talking in innuendo, and feeling all over me to take me to a diplomatic talk?!"
Jim doesn't think he needs to elaborate on why that may have kind of been a dick move.
no subject
Date: 2017-08-09 08:34 pm (UTC)"Um... sorry." He makes himself meet Jim's eyes again, his apology somewhat undercut by the fact Jim can read the amusement bubbling just beneath his sheepishness. "I suppose I got caught up in the game and, ah. Didn't think about it..."
He coughs. "In hindsight, I think you kept your composure marvelously." See, Jim? Compliments on your heroic stoicism. Forgive him?
no subject
Date: 2017-08-09 08:59 pm (UTC)Probably not, judging by the petulant mutter his voice has taken on or the way he won't meet Felix's gaze while he takes a moment to
poutsulk.It's not funny. The introduction would have gone a hell of a lot worse if Jim had caught on to where they were headed any later than he did.
"Now I'm not sure if I want to show you the cool thing I found."
no subject
Date: 2017-08-09 10:33 pm (UTC)"No fair," he pleads, taking another leaf from Jim's book. "I didn't even know I was teasing you." He leans closer, eyes on Jim's, voice dropping again. "I'll make it up to you. That's a promise, too."
no subject
Date: 2017-08-09 10:44 pm (UTC)"Bullshit you were practically molesting me before you drug me off." Working him up had been the entire point. Getting him to agree to anything. But that lowered voice is working at his self control. Needling him.
He did want to show Felix that secluded lake. Maybe now he'll toss the conjurer into it instead of whisper sweet nothings into his ear at the shoreline.
"I managed to wrangle a VIP locale to this party that no one else has knowledge of."
no subject
Date: 2017-08-10 07:29 pm (UTC)"Consider me intrigued, captain. Can I ask what this hidden locale is or are you going to keep it a surprise?"
no subject
Date: 2017-08-10 07:42 pm (UTC)"Come on. It shouldn't be too far from here." And rather than go inside, Jim will make his way through the humid air of the gardens. Oraskis was right in his assessment of the heat and humidity of this place though one of the garden paths does seem to be winding downhill away from the estate.
Here the light is dim and the breeze carrying a relieving coolness to it before the winding path opens up after their walk to the edge of a cool and crystal clear lake. Jim glances over his shoulder to Felix once it's come into view and cracks a hint of a smile.
"What can I say? I'm a sucker for good views."
no subject
Date: 2017-08-10 11:03 pm (UTC)It's all very charming, but there's something undeniably refreshing about stepping out onto the bank of a simple lake. It's probably as sculpted as everything else, but still there's something pure about it. Felix sighs and lifts his face to the breeze coming off the water.
"Trust a ship's captain to find his way to the water," he teases, as if the smile he returns to Jim isn't soft and appreciative. His hand brushes Jim's in passing as he steps in front. He stands on the bank quite unwarily, admiring the view across the water. It looks like there's something hidden in the trees on the far side - if this were Cyrodiil Felix would take it for a wayshrine, but maybe it's another ornamental feature.
"And trust an explorer to find the best spots to sneak away to..."
no subject
Date: 2017-08-10 11:26 pm (UTC)"It's warm enough out here and I was told the lake was refreshingly cool. Wanted to go check it out, take a break from all the people."
Though a devious thought is creeping to the front of Jim's mind as Felix leans forward and peers out across the water to the far shore. It's probably not a good idea. Felix wouldn't be decent to chat up those important people he's been dealing with all afternoon and evening anymore.
But he remembers words full of promise and manipulation. Bold hands and suggestive talk and you know? Payback sounds pretty sweet. Juvenile, but sweet. Besides, as the resident man with pockets, Jim knows Felix's PINpoint isn't on him because Jim's carrying it for him.
He can't just pick Felix up and chuck him in the water. Of the two of them Jim is slightly smaller and the suit a bit restrictive in his range of motion. So Jim bolts forward instead, shoving Felix into the water with as much momentum as he can manage without a running start.
Never has the sound of a splash been so satisfying. He may need to remove his shoes and tuck the phones into them for safe keeping though. If he knows Felix there's bound to be some kind of payback, even if this is payback already.
no subject
Date: 2017-08-11 07:04 pm (UTC)He's glaring at Jim, aiming to grab the captain and pull him back in bodily. It's hard to look intimidating when you're drenched and also slipping backwards on the muddy bank. "That was not fair."
no subject
Date: 2017-08-11 07:17 pm (UTC)Though he will step out of his shoes while he's bent over laughing like the trouble making little brother he is. He has to get a hold of himself before he laughs too hard to breathe and there you go PINpoint phones, safely tucked out of the way while he takes half a step back on the bank.
"Yeah well, neither was giving me a raging hardon before introducing me to the most important man of the land. I'd say we--hehe. We're about even now."
no subject
Date: 2017-08-11 08:02 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-08-11 08:37 pm (UTC)"Ah shit--!"
Sorry Felix, there is simply too much loose fabric to grab hold of to keep Jim from pulling you right back into the water face first this time. Jim coughs when he comes up, still somehow laughing around what feels like a lungful of water up his nose.
"Y-you." He can't even get a sentence out of his mouth properly. "You're such a...a dick! I'm going t..to get you back you know. For....for this."
no subject
Date: 2017-08-11 09:38 pm (UTC)"How di-" Wait, no, coughing first. He was trying to sound serious and intense but that's a lost cause. "How did you think this'd end?" He coughs out more water and then splashes Jim for emphasis.
"'Sides... now you can't drag me into anything 'til we're both dry." That was definitely his cunning plan the whole time. Yes.
Speaking of getting dry, though, he's heading for the bank again. The sooner he strips out of his sodden finery the better. Thank Mara the day is warm as a Cyrodillic spring.
no subject
Date: 2017-08-11 09:54 pm (UTC)Cough.
So much for that plan. Jim gets his footing and steps out of the water too, still laughing occasionally and coughing every so often.
"But I know my track record with things going wrong, so I was prepared for worse."
no subject
Date: 2017-08-12 11:21 am (UTC)"I'm starting to think you just wanted me to yourself." He huffs, but there's no staying annoyed really. Not when he's peeking back at Jim's laughter.
no subject
Date: 2017-08-12 12:31 pm (UTC)Jim points a finger at Felix as he brushes past the conjurer to make sure his shoes and their phones are still safe and not sitting underneath Felix's dripping robes. He's soaked to the bone with clothes already catching and clinging uncomfortably but his own suit is entirely too fitted to slip off like Felix had done with his robes.
He'll have to live with it as is and drip dry like a man.
"When do I not want that?" It's practically Jim's default setting.