Something Old Something New
Michael James Watson
Home for the festival with a few friends. The festival is the First Quarterly, held 2 weeks before New Years. Its a 3 day event rather then the big 5 day event during the summer. But like all events the set up takes longer then the tear down so the 5 days before the Quarterlies and 9 days before the Annual are practically part of the event itself. Tents are set up nearly anyplace that isn't scheduled for activities. Every hotel, boarding house, Gentry townhouse, local park, or dog park within a short walk to Bright Edge is filled with campers. Alex is going home and bringing her Elite Karieeena with her. It will be her first Festival as Royalty. The 4 0f the 5 rangers in attendance all have a history of participation in the CCC festivals so they were happy to volunteer. For Calsal its his first time attending a CCC festival but the chance to challenge in the bow is hard to pass up. Hannah seems the most excited of the group. For her its the first Festival since her Overall victory the summer before. She knows to expect some notoriety bit mostly, she has a small billet and while it might be crowded for her and 5 rangers, its a point of pride for her to be able to offer. Secretly she hopes Alex will find space for at least 2 of the rangers. Her billet will more easily host 3 of them. Upon entering the grounds its moments before a deputy chatelaine comes to greet Alexandra and her party.
Amber Bronkhorst
Alex holds up her hand in greeting. "Greetings and goodday." A warm smile on her face. (Going to assume she knows the Chatelain) Alex looks back and looks at the rangers. Thinking about the space available she picks Calsal and 2 other rangers that Hannah likes most. Turning to the Chatelaine she says friendly. "Accommodations are already in order i believe, Myself, Sir Karieeena and the two rangers there can stay with me." Turning to Hannah she smiles and gives a wink. "Hannah could you accommodate space for the rest? " Leaving it for Hannah the pleasure to invite them. Going back to the deputy Chatelaine Alex smiles again. "Dare i assume all is as usual, where the horses go and where to sign up?" She asks in a hopeful tone of voice.
Michael James Watson
The DepChat says, "Your accomodations are the same as usual, Lady Alexandra though your status is a bit altered. We were not expecting you. Dame Fres will be delighted. Since the lodgings for royal guests are taken this Festival I would suggest seeking out your family home instead of pushing for royal apartments. With all due respect. Miss Hale, you billet is ready of course. It will be tight for 3 but bed can be brought." One of the rangers laughs, "No need. Hannah, lead on." Hannah nods. "Alex, see you later this evening? My billet is by North Gate so I'll be taking the boys to Green Franks's Place. Unless you have something else in mind?"
Amber Bronkhorst
Alex laughs "Oh yes my status has changed but i had not thought of taking up a royal guest lodging. I have plenty of space in my room. Not to worry. And a festival like this it is bound to be a bit more thight." Alex nods to Hannah "Yes we'll see you this evening you go and show them around. We'll go to the family home. And i'll go see if i can find my mother. " Looking to.the Deputy Chatelaine Alex quickly asks. "By any chance you know where she is?"
Michael James Watson
"Dame Fres is up in East tower with the event staff. You know the way. I have duties, Lady Alex.. "She chuckles, "Lady Alex.. Have you gotten used to them calling you that?" (insert casual comment) Taking Karieeen, Calsall, and the spare ranger to the Dame Fres's family keep it feels strange to be home. The ranger and Calsall will share a guest room but she notices two of the guest room are filled but she doesn't recognize anything. Luggage, not armor bags. After quickly freshening up from the road, even changing clothes, she, Karieeen and Calsall head to the East Tower. After entering she sees the place busy in preparations for the events. Mostly food and drink prep but lots of other things like sewing and leather works and braiding. After some directions she comes to the easternmost of the top floor conference rooms. There she finds her mother in deep conversation with a small group of people around a collection of low tables. Among them she sees Prince Gerard, sitting next to him is Alroxedra's companion Lady Elayne. Next to here is a woman she knows from the trumps as Yalla Ganth. As Alex stops she notices coming from the direction of the restrooms is Prince Bleys talking animatedly with his brother Prince Brand.
Amber Bronkhorst
Alex shrugs a bit tk the Deputy Chatelaine. "Eh not so much used to, i hope as long as i am home i'm just Alex again. Though the nicknames can stay away." She says with a wink. She probably has left the rangers there to explore or.given them directions to Hannah to go have fun during the prepday. To Karieeena she left the choice to join her or not, but having been an elite herself she knows the answer and assumes Karieeena will be following her. Seeing her mother in deep conversation she figures to just let her know she is there and wait or head back. But when she does a double take seeing all the Royals Alex starts to frown a bit an eyebrow raises spock-like wondering what is going on. Figuring this is not for her to know yet she wants to move away. Turning to Karieeena she says in a hushed tone. "Mom's busy lets wait somewhere else." Then seeing Bleys and her father she does the awkward. "Hey, " and a wave. If they notice her.
Michael James Watson
Bleys laughs"Well, frak a duck..saves me a trump call." Fres sees Alex and runs over and grabs her in a big hug. "You've here! " A number of event planners around the table look on quietly. Fres whispers, "Allycat, will you be my maid of honor? At the festival's opening ceremony, the king is going to take care of some family business for Brand and I"
Amber Bronkhorst
She watned to respond to Bleys but then being in a big hug with her mom she wraps her arms around her as well in response. Looking up at her mother she frowns, then seeing her mother being happy she smiles again and nods. in a hushed tone "Of course mom, i'd be honored. " During the hug she looks back at Brand and then back to her mom. This start of the day she had not expected.
Michael James Watson
The revelry takes on a new pitch as Alex arrives. Soon after Calsall sends a messenger and Hannah arrives with rangers in tow. She seems confused but upon hearing the news is happy for Fres but keeps catching Alex's eye with a be wildered look. Alex notes that Brand keeps his distance Fres introduces Yalla as a CCC councilwoman. As she is talking she puts an arm around Yalla and Hannah's shoulder and asks them both to stand up for her at the wedding. Making the 5th and 6th ladies. Yalla agrees but is very confused. Hannah agrees and asks some what awkwardly who the other groomsman are? Brand suddenly appears, putting his arm around Hannah's shoulder. "Well, Bleys is my best man, which is funny as heck. Then Gerard, after him my Elite Farooq. Then Sergeant Roger, and a couple of my half brothers you are going to love getting to know."
Amber Bronkhorst
Alex might just look as confused as Yalla and Hannah. Looking between Fres and Brand and then the other people gathered. Trying to put her usually present smile back on her face but perhaps her face still reveals some of the confusion, she carefully asks. "So, when did you two decide you wanted to get married?" She keeps her eyes on both her parents as this was just so very sudden and odd. Didn't her mother stated clearly she really disliked Brand. "Happy though i got here in time, like Bleys says saves a trump call. " With that she also looks at Bleys and Gerard present, seeing what their reaction to this is. "Does alot still need to happen?" She asks in general to hopefully remove a bit of the awkwardness of the three uncomfortable Yalla Hannah and Alex.
Michael James Watson
BRand moves over and slips his arm around Alex and Fres, says to Alex's question, "When did we decide to get married? Well, for me it was during Dybele's funeral. Oberon had a 3 month old Florimel in his arms. With all his powers he couldn't save his queen. I decided then to study the mysteries of the universe and to marry the woman who took my cherry. It took her a little longer to say yes to my proposal. " Fres says, "Want to see something funny dear? I got a little pre-wedding gift from the King." Brand starts to object then disappears. Bleys starts howling with laughter. "Well, now that the new is broken he needed to get back anyway. After his curfew. "
Amber Bronkhorst
Alex looks at her father with a spock like raised eyebrow as he tells his story. "Well as i understood she had all the reason to take some time to think about it. " Wanting to ask what the pre wedding gift is but then realising her mother just showed it by having Brand disappear, Alex does perhaps not laugh as hard as Bleys but an amused chuckle does escape her. "So after the newly wed stage when fights happen you have an easy stop on it. How considering of the King." She then looks more intently at her mother. "Can i borrow you for a moment mom? We need to discuss if you want a bachelorette party or not and such. Since i'm your maid of honor. "
Michael James Watson
SHe nods and pulls Alex off toward the side, hearing Bleys say, "Well, miss Hale, how have you been enjoying the woods?" Fres says, "This is rather sudden, i know. Brand and I have been confidants since he was a child, obviously. There were centuries where I hated him. Not just the years when he was trying to remake the universe in his own image. Ask his siblings. Hes always been a 50/50 kind of guy. Few people actually hated him fully. Caine is the only sibling of his i know that truly detests him and he has never been shy saying so. There is some strong evidence that he, Bleys, and Fiona were manipulated by Chaos in a long game of their that eventually caused them to start the Black Road war. He won't have full freedom for centuries one way or the other but Fiona and Bleys are already pardoned. They had a full piece of the build up to the war, even past knifing Martin. ...'
Amber Bronkhorst
Alex smiles at Hannah and gives her a quick nod. Following her mother off to the side. Hearing her mother she frowns. "Yeah it is sudden, but if you are certain and think this will make you happy and is what you want i will support you no matter what. But it is just so.... sudden and unexpected. When last we talked you clearly stated you didn't want anything to do with him. And now you are going to marry him? What changed? Did he? " A soft sigh. "I know the past, i know Bleys and Fiona are pardoned and in time dad will to. Even with his... sudden mood swings. " Alex takes her mothers hands in hers and looks her in the eye. "Are you sure? No matter what, i love you and support your decisions. I just want you to be happy."
Michael James Watson
"Happy is a tricky thing. In a lot of ways I've always been happy, since Deirdre brought me to Amber. And in a lot of ways I'll always be sad since Deirdre brought me to Amber. Ive had centuries here where i avoided Brand like the plague. Then he would find me, make me laugh, and we'd find ourself in some hidden nook. Its a force of nature that some people we just can't stay away from. Anyway, we agreed to a 3 year in Amber term marriage. Since he can't leave the city we will spend it all here, very publically."
Amber Bronkhorst
Alex nods "Very well then, for at least three years you two will be together.. but at least you have an express ticket to send him to the doghouse." Alex says with a wink. "Then there rests another important question, you want a bachelorette party? If so i need to get things planned out. " A thought reaches Alex and her face goes dead serious "Please please, tell me if there is going to be another child between the two of you. I don't mind, but i would like more notice then a few days. " She then goes in for a hug with her mother. When close to her she speaks soft "THe King told me to ask you something, but that can wait till later. If he brings it up i'll tell him you and i will discuss it. But it is no conversation for here."
Michael James Watson
"A? Bachelorette party? 20 or so drunken women of our social classes wandeing around the city o Amber? What could go wrong? Might as well book a private hall at Thin Whip's place. No, it would have to be tomarrow since the ceremony is the day after. " "As for a sibling, we are not planning one. Brand shapeshifts and i kniw the herbs to prevent it. No matter what they say, few Amberites are born by accident. As for the King's question, now is as good a time as any. I'm feeling fairly honest at the moment.
Amber Bronkhorst
Alex scowls a bit with the uttering of Thin Whips. "Well i am more then willing to go through enormous lenghts to give you a party tomorrow night, even Thin Whip's if that has your fancy, but i am sure we can find something more suitable for women of our... well basically anything really." She says with a slight grin still absolutely not enjoying the thought of having to talk with Jurt again. Alex looks around her for a moment and then shrugs if her mother is alright with it then why wouldn't she. "Alright, i had a talk with the King, and he told me to ask you to tell me something, About your or our progeny? where you come from? You never told me much about it, but Random figured it was important for me to know. So... what is the big secret around that? What is this construct he mentioned?"
