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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
no subject
Date: 2017-06-21 11:55 am (UTC)She lifts one of her hands from her wine glass to offer Jim a hand to shake. "My name is Liselotte Durant. I'm Viatorus' mother."
no subject
Date: 2017-06-21 03:04 pm (UTC)Jim's handshake belies a man in the military, or at least one structured like it. It's an automatic reflexive motion he makes, though when he's finished he does raise her hand up and offer the smallest of kisses to the back of her hand before letting it go.
"Do you prefer your surname or your first ma'am? I'm James Kirk. It's a pleasure to meet you. Please. Call me Jim." His smile is given easily and exuberantly before he fetches his glass again. "This is my first time in France, I have to admit. Or...uhm. This time period, actually."
no subject
Date: 2017-06-22 10:02 am (UTC)"It's a pleasure to meet you, Jim. Lieselotte is fine." Once names exchanged, she delicately clasps her wine glass again and raises her brow, pleasantly surprised by Jim's admission. "It is? What an honour for us to be the first to host you here. On such a good day, as well."
She tips her head at him, curious. "May I ask what it is you do in your world? And what time period you are from?"
no subject
Date: 2017-06-22 11:44 am (UTC)His smile is proud, but also more than a little embarrassed. And for a very good reason.
"I must confess, my people don't know magic such as this. I've learned a lot about Nirnish magic in the last year, but I haven't the faintest about how it actually works." He gives a self conscious chuckle before taking a sip from his glass.
"It's so different from what I'm used to."
no subject
Date: 2017-06-22 08:28 pm (UTC)There's a hint of amusement over Jim's uncertainty, but her smile is kind. "Most of the people here do magic, it's true. But not all of them are scholarly Durants, and our family is eternally curious. It will not be as difficult for you to hold a conversation as you think, I promise."
Lieselotte moves to stand beside him rather than in front of him, so they can better observe the crowd together. "We have businessmen and artists, researchers and politicians. If you like I will introduce you to some of them and then you'll see there's no need to feel uncomfortable."
no subject
Date: 2017-06-22 10:45 pm (UTC)Jim wonders briefly if such things are considered proper in this time and place. Best to be on the safe side, and stay discreet.
"He is very important to me." That's probably a safeish description of them. His eyes scan for the mage across the crowds but cannot catch sight of him for now.
"Researchers...? Of magical rites? Old gods?" Jim tilts his head to the side. "You're very kind Lieselotte. I appreciate the offer. Whom do you think I will somehow not bore to tears if I were to hold conversation with them?" There's a bit of a mischievous light to his eyes, but Jim is on his best behavior tonight. He has to try to stay out of trouble.
no subject
Date: 2017-06-23 11:54 am (UTC)She hums slightly and joins him in scanning the crowd. "Mr Cousteau studies the weather, he doesn't practice magic at all, but settle in for a long conversation if you talk with him. Mr Dewan might interest you more. His family is a magical one, but he is very focused on his land and the people he is in charge of, and he gets along with people who understand what that's like. Mr Lloyd is of the Cwn Annwn, he might have some interesting tales for you. My brother Klaus is always interested in the adventures of others… and Oraskis isn't here, but he gets along with everyone."
no subject
Date: 2017-06-24 04:06 pm (UTC)"You've quite the family, I must say." His attention quickly returns to Lieselotte and with it the warm smile he'd had on until being unable to locate his partner. "And what does Mr. Oraskis do?" It hasn't failed his notice that he was the only one whose duties had been glossed over.
no subject
Date: 2017-06-24 05:35 pm (UTC)"It's Oraskis Durant, but there are so many Mr. And Mrs. Durants in this room it's best just to call him Oraskis," she explains with a smile. "He's the official Durant Seer. He foresees the future and has visions of the past. He's a good man. Clairvoyance is not an easy burden, but he bears it with grace. He's very interested in people, and in traveling. If you share some of your stories with him I know he'd enjoy them immensely."
no subject
Date: 2017-06-24 05:55 pm (UTC)"I'd be delighted to add more stories to his repertoire." Jim finds he doesn't have to force his smile, nor the way he easily follows the graceful woman's lead through the crowd and past a myriad of faces Jim can't hope to remember for all of them.
The Durant family Seer doesn't look nearly as severe or official as Jim would have suspected and the captain makes sure to extend a hand when he's introduced.
"A pleasure to meet you, sir." He regards Viatorus' mother with a grateful smile before she can make her leave. "And thank you very much for your kind hospitality."
no subject
Date: 2017-06-24 08:46 pm (UTC)"You're more than welcome, Jim," she tells the captain before playfully warning Oraskis, "Behave yourself around our guest."
Oraskis chuckles and raises a hand. "No promises."
With that Lieselotte leaves them to go and find more lost or forlorn looking guests.
"You're one of Viatrous' guests then," Oraskis says, squinting at Jim. "How are you faring in our little world within a world?"
no subject
Date: 2017-06-24 11:30 pm (UTC)His gaze once again scans the crowds, though this time it's more to study the fact behind Oraskis' wording. There are so many people here of so many different nationalities and skills. It really is a world all unto it's own.
"Between you and me, a bit like a fish out of water. I'm entirely Mundane, no magical aptitude whatsoever. But I thoroughly enjoy learning about it, so this is honestly quit ea fulfilling outing. Besides, being able to be here for Viatorus is reason enough to step out of my comfort zone for an evening, I would think."
no subject
Date: 2017-06-25 12:17 pm (UTC)Jim's admission gets a chuckle. "You're not the only one here without any magic, don't worry." He shuffles closer to whisper conspiratorially. "And at least you aren't here to try your hand at leeching off the mages here." He chuckles again and sips at his drink. "Why don't you tell me about yourself? There are enough Durants talking about themselves in this place."
no subject
Date: 2017-06-25 02:15 pm (UTC)"What would I do with it even if I could?" His eyebrows go up at the whisper, a genuine chuckle escaping him that brings a much warmer smile to his face. Oraskis is quite the talker, and seems to know how to stroke egos of all shapes and sizes. Jim has been quite happy to stand aside and defer to Felix, but he'd be lying if the inquiry didn't make him stand just a bit straighter.
"I spend most of my time in space these days. My crew is on a five year deep space mission charting out the unmapped sectors of our galaxy. Spending my off hours in the Nexus has been a nice breath of air that hasn't been recycled at least several thousand times."
no subject
Date: 2017-06-26 01:16 pm (UTC)He jumps out of his daydream and turns to Jim with wide, excited eyes. "Did you meet any people? Aliens?"
no subject
Date: 2017-06-26 04:10 pm (UTC)Though the excited look makes Jim grin outright, unable to contain his amusement at the question. He nods in reply quickly before he moves to explain.
"Well, yes. But we work and live alongside many non-human species in my time. Earth is under a centralized government and is part of a United Federation of Planets. Because of that, many of my crew are non-human Federation species. My first officer is half Vulcan. Starfleet, the scientific and peacekeeping organization I work for, is primarily staffed by humans, but part of that comes from its headquarters being based out of Earth. Many other stations will be more representative of whichever nearest planet exists to the Star Base."
Oraskis's enthusiasm makes Jim's smile wide. He's glad that even in this time people hold interest in the places beyond Earth.
"Though, by and large they don't look the way ancie--er, your contemporary idea of an aliens do."
no subject
Date: 2017-06-27 10:27 am (UTC)"Vulcan? Like the Roman god. What do they look like? What do they sound like? What does their writing look like? How do their songs sound? Do they believe in gods? Or magic? Do they have seers? Or are they all scientific like you?"
no subject
Date: 2017-06-27 12:20 pm (UTC)Jim wishes he'd brought his PADD along so he could show Oraskis a holo of his crew. He's sure the man would enjoy spotting the fifty some odd different species he works alongside.
"They sound....blunt. Blunt and to the point is a good description. Their native language is very difficult for humans to pronounce but my communications officer is fluent and has been giving me lessons."
Though the captain pauses at the mention of gods, unsure how to proceed there. He knows well enough that belief in a higher power is very important to many different cultures, not in the least those of Earth's past (and to some extent the present, though they are not considered a majority anymore).
"I must confess, I don't know about their history with religion. They are some of the most scientifically brilliant minds in the galaxy, though their music would prove to me that they are no less creative for it."
no subject
Date: 2017-06-27 09:54 pm (UTC)"And this is only one race of so many? Remarkable... Do you have a favourite race? A least favourite? Is that rude to ask? It might be, I suppose..."
no subject
Date: 2017-07-02 09:23 pm (UTC)That being said, the captain doesn't seem offended by the question in the least. Thoughtful, if anything. It's not one he's ever given a whole lot of pause to consider before.
"I don't know that I have a favorite, but I've had some awful luck with Romulans, so we'll go with that as my least. They're like...the asshole version of Vulcans. Well, not all of them but seriously just don't deal with them it's just better to be safe than sorry."
no subject
Date: 2017-07-03 09:24 am (UTC)"Are there dangerous races?" he asks then. "Or is everyone at peace?"
no subject
Date: 2017-07-10 03:31 pm (UTC)"Most of the races can be dangerous. Though at the moment neither the Romulans or the Klingon Empire are a part of the Federation, and interaction with either species is dangerous in more than one way. Personal safety, and potentially causing a war."
The captain is going to need another drink. Luckily, staff is never too far away for such needs. He can get some more social lubricant in his system while he contemplates how to phrase things.
"There is peace now, but it's tenuous. Several attempts have been made to ignite a new war, as recently as only a few years ago."
no subject
Date: 2017-07-14 06:29 pm (UTC)He goes quiet and then smiles at Jim, lifting his glass. "But it makes these happy times all the more important. A toast! To peace." His smile widens and his eyes twinkle. "And a little bit of silliness."
no subject
Date: 2017-07-15 12:53 am (UTC)His look has softened and Jim raises a glass at the toast Oraskis offers.
"I hope his family is as proud as his friends are. To peace. And to the newly joined couple." Excuse both of those eyebrows creeping up at the twinkle in your eye Oraskis.
"And what sort of silliness are we speaking of? A potion in the drinks? Should I be worried, sir?" He's teasing, but the captain's smile has brightened considerably to something easy and natural.
no subject
Date: 2017-07-16 07:10 pm (UTC)He sips his drink thoughtfully and then smiles around him. "It is such a beautifully warm day, and there is such an invitingly cool lake nearby." Oraskis winks and points a finger at Jim. "Always something to remember."
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