New to Giralda, I see. Well, it takes all sorts around here. Take that shifty-eyed weasel by the fire.
Oh, he acts looks like a simple merchant, peddling meager wares, but watch what you say around him. The Empire’s got ears everywhere...
See those two there? They seem all chummy now, but that’s only because Var is trying to convince Jarek to desert the navy in Thisbē and join
those lawless bastards who sail from the Spice Isles. I’m sure that one will kill the other before the week is out, once they’ve got what they want from each other.
Then there’s always the usual mercs; bastards who’d happily kill their own mothers for a coin. Oh, they say those twins from Brelan aren’t so bad,
but a merc is a merc, and money is all they see.
At least there're no damned elves here tonight. One got uppity last month when I insisted the
bastard slept in the stables. A damn generous offer for a half-breed, if you ask me!
Mind yourself if you head into the Wilds. It’s full of things that
would happily eat you and shit you out without a second thought. Even the people who hunt those things are more beast than civil.
Anyway stranger,
what'll it be: a room, or a drink?
SKYE
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Such haste? But, I haven't properly begun to mock you yet!
King of Thisbē
No Magic
76 posts
Post by Isto Rivenn on Dec 3, 2021 20:10:01 GMT -6
E
liza’s sarcastic reply (or perhaps it was as seriously meant as Isto’s greeting) was refreshing. The king’s mouth quirked slightly and a singular chuckle sounded in his throat in the form of a soft ‘hmph’.
As the small group walked back into the palace and situated themselves around the long breakfasting table, Isto wondered what she meant by her retort apart from showcasing a little wit. Could this whole ordeal be made malleable to his own agenda? The idea that there may yet be some hope cooled his temper by several degrees.
Contrary to tradition, Isto was the last to be seated. He took his place at the head of the table, long fingers wrapped around a teacup he did not sip from and sank into his high-backed chair. The king stared at the duchess, studying her; trying to size her up or find an advantage to his personal cause of (indefinitely) delaying a marriage.
After several moments of Isto not saying anything, Idrial took it upon herself to mediate a little. “Duchess– perhaps you could tell us about your family and landholdings?”
Post by Eliza Dubois on Feb 4, 2022 11:12:52 GMT -6
Eliza focused on Idrial as the question was put forth and smiled a bit. She was thankful for something to talk about even if it was boring to her. Well...maybe not completely boring, Idrial had asked about her landholdings, and Eliza could answer that in various ways. Since the King didn't seem all that interested in her...perhaps she could have a bit of fun with it. "Oh well, I am an only child, and my mother passed not long ago." Okay, so that part wasn't fun and made her feel a bit sad, but she plowed past it. "My lands are mostly farm related really, we grow various crops during the year. I personally have been starting to get a stable more established and hope to breed horses that would be sturdy enough to help the farmers, but also be fine in everyday use." Eliza sighed "It's hard to actually get my hands on any horse though, my being a lady rather discourages sellers from pulling through on deals." Looking to her tea she grew a little thoughtful "More recently I've had one of the older farmers take care of it, so now we have at least two horses, though they are both male. I believe one was gelded too, despite us being told it was a stud." She sighed "Just everyday things really, it's probably boring for a King to listen to."
Such haste? But, I haven't properly begun to mock you yet!
King of Thisbē
No Magic
76 posts
Post by Isto Rivenn on Feb 10, 2022 18:46:16 GMT -6
A
t the mention of the recent death of Eliza’s mother, Idrial cooed sympathetic condolences and Isto’s narrowed gaze softened a little. The topic was short-lived, however, and soon they were learning about the duchess’s personal equine project.
The king raised his brow in a vaguely curious manner. “Are your coins not as gold as the next?” he asked, surprised that she had any trouble buying anything considering her high status. Isto would have expected that most men, regardless of profession, might be interested in being on their duchess’s good side. He supposed Triston must have even more deeply ingrained misogyny than was outwardly apparent. How droll it would be to see how they would survive being ruled solely by a queen when Josefin ascended the throne in the near future. “Don’t answer that.”
Although he was still determined to be an ass, Isto did take a moment to commend her for working hard at something other than the usual aristocratic frippery and social politics. “Everyday to you and liverymen, perhaps,” the king pointed out, “Unusual for a duchess.”
Isto paused, considering what she had just shared in another way. He narrowed his gaze at Eliza again - this time trying to figure something out instead of just generally scowling. “I don’t understand you. What are you doing here?”
Post by Eliza Dubois on Feb 10, 2022 18:57:41 GMT -6
Eliza frowned as Isto pointed out that her coin should work as well as anyone's. Yet...she had been told her offers had been turned down. Maybe...just maybe, it was the advisor who did not want her to spend the gold? Perhaps she could find out. Later. Isto spoke more, offering her more of a conversation than she had guessed he would, ending with a question about why she was here. "Don't...get me?" What was there to get? "I came because I got word you were looking for someone to marry. I am of age, and could bear your heirs, and...well, there is not much else to do with my future." She did have her horses, sure...but how long would that last? If she lost her standing as a Duchess, she would certainly not have the money to continue on that path. "Truth be told, my mother's-er my advisors highly encouraged me to come here."
Such haste? But, I haven't properly begun to mock you yet!
King of Thisbē
No Magic
76 posts
Post by Isto Rivenn on Mar 25, 2022 16:37:29 GMT -6
W
ith each word of the duchess’s answer, Isto’s face changed; twisting into variations of annoyance, disbelief, moral outrage, and horror. He was physically taken back when she declared her future had little else to recommend it. Whatever fury he had been trying to stoke was swiftly doused by the bleakness of that notion.
“Duchess,” her title was punctuated with an exasperated scoff, “Do not confuse your aspirations to breed mares with transforming yourself into a broodmare. You are a woman of legitimate title and independent wealth. That is a rare, enviable, and coveted position in any realm the wide world over. One where you need not marry at all unless you truly wish it. You should not throw away your freedom, the governance of your body, your financial control… your life for a lack of creativity.”
The king paused once again, pensive of the strange avenue this conversation had taken. Of all the ways he had imagined this breakfast meeting derailing, doling out genuinely well-meaning life advice had not been one of them.
He sighed and grumbled something along the lines of, “Advisors, indeed! I’ll see them all hanged…”
“Witch!” Idrial flinched at being addressed thus in the duchess’s company. A little belatedly, she gave an obedient nod, and attentively awaited the king’s command. “Take note: the duchess is mad as a sack of frogs.”
Post by Eliza Dubois on Mar 25, 2022 17:18:54 GMT -6
Eliza listened, and of all things that she thought she would feel, anger was the last. Yet, it was certainly fury that she felt rise up and take hold of her tongue. "You think it's easy being a woman? No man takes me seriously! I am laughed at or ignored on a constant basis, and I certainly have no freedom!" Freedom! If only she truly had such a thing like that. "Also, I wouldn't mind having children, but if you don't want any, perhaps you should actually say so? You are king, do you not hold more power than I, a mere duchess?" She heard a small gasp, likely from her handmaiden, and ignored it. When he called her mad, she stood, clenching her hands into fists and wishing she had a dagger on her.
... Perhaps it was best that she did not have one this time. "Mad! I am the one who is mad, for wanting some...companionship? Some warmth in my life when all I have is a cold lonely home with only servants to keep me company?" She paused and sent an apologetic look to her handmaiden "Sorry, you are all wonderful people truly, but it is not the same as having a family..." She sighed and moved tugging on her skirts in annoyance when they proved to be caught. "Mad..." She scoffed "You are the one that is mad for not stopping your own advisors or whomever from giving out word that you wish to be married if you don't!" Placing her hands on her hips she leveled him with her best glare. "Also, since you are so set against this, I may as well let you know that I will not have money for long. I will lose my standing, my title...everything! There! Now you have a real excuse to turn me away!"
Such haste? But, I haven't properly begun to mock you yet!
King of Thisbē
No Magic
76 posts
Post by Isto Rivenn on May 17, 2022 20:15:37 GMT -6
S
he was yelling at him. Good. Very good. Isto did not mask the look of utter smug pleasure he felt upon getting a rise out of Eliza. While he had not expected anything he had just said to be what set her off, the king was more than a little relieved that it had.
“No, your grace, you mistake me,” he said with a calm and even tone, “As a man of two mothers, six sisters, and unending nieces, I have a better understanding than many of my sex what difficulties women endure - of any rank - perhaps, I imagine, especially in a place as… unchanged as Triston. Even a duchess. And yet, if there were any possible way that you and I could trade places, it would require no second thought from me to do so. If you feel deprived of any freedom when you are entirely your own master, with the highest title outside of royalty, it is because you. have. failed. to use the tools, advantages, and privileges you possess.”
Isto stood and leaned over the table with his hands bracing him. “As to the matter of marriage and children: are you really so ignorant as to what is expected of kings and queens to believe what. I. want. has any relevance?” The king was not entirely sure why he felt compelled to defend himself to her. Perhaps it was simply that he finally had a fresh audience to vent his frustrations to, even if they did not have the power (or interest) to alleviate them. “You are merely the latest suitress in a decades-long endeavor to uphold tradition. I will grant that they were clever finding you because at least you have some manner of spine attached to that womb of yours, but a pretty face with a backbone is not enough to swindle me out of what I hold dear in my life.”
At the admission of Eliza’s projected losses, the king’s entire demeanor changed. He straightened from his brooding stance at the table and his face seemed to light up. “Oh, my dear girl! Money? Money!” Isto’s dressing gown fanned out as he did a happy little twirl. “You should have said so from the start!” He laughed and clasped his hands together. “How many marks to save your duchy? How many horses? Name your price!”
Post by Eliza Dubois on May 17, 2022 21:52:53 GMT -6
Eliza's anger didn't dim per se, but she certainly got more rein on it as the King spoke. He was more than ready to point out her lack of knowledge which she had already admitted to. The fact that it was her fault... The words hurt like a physical thing and she clutched at her skirts. She would not cry, not in front of this...this man, and besides she barely cried at all anymore.
Because she knew it was true. It was her fault. She never took being a duchess seriously. She had always been riding horses or learning to fight or...traveling. Eliza had never had the head for numbers...but even she had seen how the finances had changed slowly from the norm to just about nothing at all.
His offer of wealth had her thoughts nearly derailing and her anger snuffing out in shock. He...was offering to pay off her debts? She knew it was only to make her leave...so he wouldn't have to marry her. And it was that more than anything that had her realizing something. She didn't truly want to be a duchess. The money would likely be wasted on her, though she did feel bad for her servants.
So she smiled "You know what? Screw it!" She moved and ripped her damn skirts, taking a part of the fabric to tie her hair up. It was likely messy with the way it curled at times, but she truly didn't care right now. "I never wanted to be a duchess anyways, and you're right that makes the downfall of my small unimportant homestead my own fault." She put her hands on her hips and grinned.
"Known me for less than two seconds and saw right through me, oh your so smart, yes indeed!" She did spare a glance at her handmaiden though who simply looked resigned. "If you're serious about the money though, give it to my servants so that they may find homes and not starve. For they shouldn't suffer on my account." She turned "I did bring a dagger with me right?" Her handmaiden nodded and she grinned again, unaware that tears were flowing down her face.
"Great! Fantastic! I will take to the wilds where I belong then" she turned again, facing the King again "Now we're all happy! Happy, happy, happy! You don't have to get married, I don't have to be a duchess, and your kingdom can crumble to ruin because you're a big old asshole!!!" Giving a maniac grin she ignored her servant's gasp again. "Shame though, you're a good looker, and I bet if you weren't so irritatingly stubborn we'd get along!"
Was that a pot calling a kettle black? Perhaps. "Ah I shall need to fetch my sweet Mary as well, poor things been alone the whole time." Her cat must be a bit confused...or the feline could not care at all. One could never tell with cats. Sighing she messed with her skirts more, rearranging and tying them oddly so that she could walk more freely but would also be a passing amount of decent, then looked at Isto with a completely neutral look. "Anything else before I depart? Perhaps more scathing words? A quick barb to remind me how I failed my poor mother? Some comment perhaps on how on if I'm homeless, I have no chance of having kids at all?" She sighed almost dramatically "Or do you want to complain more about woe is you, you have to get married? You have no freedom being king despite that you control who works for you and have a mass amounts of land and money."
Eliza huffed then crossed her arms then gave a real sigh. She was tired, she was upset, and though he deserved her ire, she felt she was perhaps taking it a bit too far. Then an idea entered her head and she met the King's gaze. "You do realize they just want an heir right? That can be anyone you say it is. It's actually a right of royalty. Or you could continue to wallow in self-pity until you die of spite and they'd find someone themselves." Eliza shrugged "Either way the person who sits on the throne doesn't matter all that much in the long run. Kingdoms change, laws change, dynasties rise and fall."
Such haste? But, I haven't properly begun to mock you yet!
King of Thisbē
No Magic
76 posts
Post by Isto Rivenn on Jul 3, 2022 22:11:24 GMT -6
A
s Eliza began the next tirade, he began to wonder if he had broken her. Isto was taken aback a bit at the acute effect he seemed to have had on the duchess. He felt somewhat uncomfortable and maybe even a little guilty. However, neither feeling was not enough to still his tongue from interjecting quippy cliches and retorts at nearly every opportunity…
"You know what? Screw it!"
“That’s the spirit!”
The sound of fabric ripping and the violent way in which she tore at her skirts made him (and everyone else in the room) flinch. It was a relief to all that she apparently had only needed a scrap to tie up her hair.
"I never wanted to be a duchess anyways, and you're right that makes the downfall of my small unimportant homestead my own fault."
“Don’t be so hard on yourself, we all make mistakes,” the king added with a tone of magnanimity, then resumed his place at the table.
"Known me for less than two seconds and saw right through me, oh you’re so smart, yes indeed!"
Isto shrugged. “What can I say, it’s a gift.”
"If you're serious about the money though, give it to my servants so that they may find homes and not starve. For they shouldn't suffer on my account."
“Perfectly serious,” the king answered without hesitation, his hand hovering over the platter of fresh fruits. “Send me your books. You have my word that I will see every servant, tenant, farmer, drunkard, horse, dog, cat, sheep, and cow in your dukedom are taken care of.” Then, deadpanning, he added: “But the goats are on their own.”
"I did bring a dagger with me right?"
Isto rose his brows at that. Briefly suspending him from the childish game he played while he considered whether she intended to be a danger to herself.
"Great! Fantastic! I will take to the wilds where I belong then!"
“I’m told Yemmermeck is lovely this time of year,” he supplied, resuming the one-sided banter.
"Now we're all happy! Happy, happy, happy!–”
“–Well, I wouldn’t go that far–” Isto half mumbled over her, finally selecting an orange.
“–You don't have to get married, I don't have to be a duchess, and your kingdom can crumble to ruin because you're a big old asshole!!!"
“Oh, Duchess DuBois, how you flatter me! I can assure you, though, that Thisbē has withstood a rich history of many-a-bigger and older assholes than I in her time.”
"Shame though, you're a good looker, and I bet if you weren't so irritatingly stubborn we'd get along!"
“Your grace, I can assure you I was a vexatiously obstinate creature long before anyone thought me a pretty thing to look upon,” he informed her casually while sawing into the orange, “and will continue to be long after I am departed from this world.”
"Anything else before I depart? Perhaps more scathing words? A quick barb to remind me how I failed my poor mother? Some comment perhaps on how on if I'm homeless, I have no chance of having kids at all?"
The king was silent at Eliza’s provoking and stared at her quite seriously. He was still utterly puzzled at how she perceived her situation. Isto had always been a resourceful and creative problem-solver, though, and (without knowing very much about her circumstances) had several ideas for how she might at the very least live a life several rungs above the destitution Eliza seemed sure she was destined for. Perhaps at a less caustic interaction, if there could be one after this, he would advise her with compassion and minimal bedevilment.
"Or do you want to complain more about woe is you, you have to get married? You have no freedom being king despite that you control who works for you and have mass amounts of land and money."
Isto sighed wearily and pressed his mouth into the palm of his hand. There was so much she did not know; so much she did not understand. About him. About Thisbē. And she was not the only one. Part of him wished he could elucidate Eliza so she might better understand how very little any of this was at all personal. Churlish as he had been, Isto did not take pleasure in hurting people nor had that been his intention. And yet, neither would he apologize. Sometimes the ends justified the means.
"You do realize they just want an heir right? That can be anyone you say it is. It's actually a right of royalty. Or you could continue to wallow in self-pity until you die of spite and they'd find someone themselves." Eliza shrugged. "Either way the person who sits on the throne doesn't matter all that much in the long run. Kingdoms change, laws change, dynasties rise and fall."
“That is something we can agree on: in the grand scheme of the gods, I am unimportant and the house of Rivenn will one day fall. Why, then, should such an inevitability be disallowed to end with me if I desire it?” He snorted contemptuously and shook his head a little. “I’ll tell you: as it turns out, people living in the here and now give several damns about things being stable for as long as possible.” Isto slammed a fist on the table. “Cowards!”
At that, Idrial found her voice and was quick to rise. “Enough! Please, Ist–” She paused, catching herself when she almost addressed him informally in front of the others. Then, more composedly, she said, “Your majesty, please. Enough of this talk for now… I will see them to their rooms presently.”
Isto waved a dismissive hand and nodded with a little eye roll. Despite his show of annoyance, the king was pleased with her timing. He was tired and needed to be solitary a while lest he lash out at absolutely everyone that crossed his path that day.
The king moved out from the table to offer the duchess a wide theatrical bow. “Welcome to Pyramus, your grace.” Then, when he lifted his head, he gave her a wide orange-peel grin.