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Put to the Test (28/12, Palace Hall of Games)
Topic Started: Jan 31 2011, 06:12 AM (366 Views)
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The Dauphine was restless.

The Hall of Games was a mere half full, its tables quieter than was their usual wont, the musicians playing away despite their audience being less than fully engaged. There was a tense air to the room, exhibited in the low stakes, fast hands, and nervous talk that pervaded everything, even those games more usually played in companionable silence, or with only cheers or jeers at the falls of the dice.

She turned as the door opened again, and her attention was not wasted, for the personage making an entry was one associated with all manner of fun. Perhaps this day would not be a waste after all.

"Felice! What brings you to the Palace?"
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Felice de Morbhan
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It was an unremarkable day, and one during which she too had succumbed to restlessness. That was the cause of this plan, although rather less benign than the Dauphine's wish for innocent entertainment. It was a week, yet, to Absalon's birthday, and the time until then had to be passed in one manner or another, after all. This seemed as good an opening move as any. Rumour there was aplenty, but no one had been bold enough to speak to her personally, on their own behalf. Perhaps just a tiny little push was needed.

As she strode into the Hall of Games, where she had been told that she would find the Dauphine, she looked in high spirits, posture straight, eyes gleaming as her head turned when she scanned the surroundings. It did not take her long to spot her cousin. Immediately, she headed in a straight line towards the Dauphine, smiling and waving, as though she hadn't already had Isabelle's attention since the moment she had entered the room.

"Isabelle! It gladdens my heart to see you in good health," she greeted her cousin cheerfully. She made sure pitch her voice so that they would be overheard by anyone who was interested. Which was at this point, she suspected, most of the people in the room. "Why I've come? Why, to be entertained, of course!" She gave the Dauphine her best conspiratorial smile. "So tell me. What plans for tonight?"
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It was indeed most of the room who paid attention to Felice, her entry, and her words - most of the room concealed their interest behind their games, but a sudden drop in the volume of conversation sent the Dauphine's eyes sharply about, trying to catch anyone staring.

Isabelle embraced her cousin, if a touch too quickly. "Why, tonight we have a master of games from Marsilikos, who should be entering at any minute." Her glance betrayed her, flickering to the door and narrowing as if frustrated, before returning to Felice.
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Felice de Morbhan
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If she had noticed that they were being subtly watched, nothing in her demeanour gave it away. For all the world, it seemed that she was having an ordinary chat with her cousin. The embrace she returned without hesitation, as though it was something they did every day.

"A master of games?" Her eye brows shot up. "I suppose it's too much to hope for, that he or she is a master of any games but board games?" she replied jestingly, winking. "It will be ever so much appreciated by the players here, I'm sure," se continued, making a gesture towards the room in general. "I'm afraid I was never much of a player myself, though. What about the evening?"
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"The evening? Our master of games is skilled in more than merely the table, and will be conducting kottabos as well." After which the celebrants were likely to be more than a little tipsy, and may well seek out their beds. If the Dauphine had noticed Felice's innuendo, she did not acknowledge it.

"There will be musicians, and dancing for those who wish; performers from Mont Nuit, and games. Will you be joining us tonight?"
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Felice de Morbhan
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Her mouth shaped into a quiet 'o' at the mention of kottabos. That was, at least, slightly more like it. If this master of games ever did show up.

"Well then! We shall see what a master of kottabos is capable of, then. And perhaps even the twist of your own wrist will be put to good use? That is, of course, if you are well enough," she added with a concerned expression.

Her gaze then swiftly swept around the room, as though she was considering something.

"Yes, I do believe I shall impose on your hospitality tonight, if I may. While we wait for the master of games, will you do me the honour of walking around the room with me, cousin?"
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"Of course. I'm so glad you'll join us." The Dauphine clapped her hands once and led the way, starting a leisurely circuit at the nearest table. Slowly the room thawed, voices murmuring, and in their overlapping tones two names prominent.

"I hope our entertainment is not too much disappointment, Felice - it may not be quite what you're used to." With a sideways grin, she stopped behind a pair of players staring sternly over their wooden soldiers, arrayed on a checkered battlefield. "But not all of us will be so... forthright in our entertainments."
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Felice de Morbhan
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She strolled, seemingly at ease at Isabelle's side, arms folded at her chest, hands grasping the elbows as her gaze wandered over the people they passed on the way. She tried as best as she could to catch what she could of what people were murmuring about them, but it was just loose words here and there, of course. No matter. Someone would tell her later what the general opinion was, of this particular covert stand off.

"We can't all be alike," she agreed cheerfully, deliberately foregoing to reassure her cousin that she wasn't going to be too disappointed. Her tone of voice, though, held no challenge, nor did her face. That was not her style. "Now. You must tell me all the latest gossip. Who's courting who? Let's leave the toy soldiers to the men. For they so desire to prove their worth to us." She winked at the Dauphine, laughter in her eyes as she grasped her cousin's arm, hooking it into hers, continuing the stroll.
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Isabelle fell easily into court gossip. Too easily, perhaps; she either did not notice or did not respond to Felice's velvet barbs. As she started on a round of the latest news of courtship at Court, and as they passed through the various tables holding unrestful gamers and their unsatisfied games, she seemed - for the moment - entirely proud of her little kingdom.

Many eyes watched them go. The night was not over, and the best entertainment, perhaps, had already arrived.
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