The Vipers' Nest - A Baroque Court RP [Closed] - Announcement post #303

It is 1677, the Baroque Court in France is the pristine pinnacle of fashion, fortune and power... However recently cracks have begun to appear throughout our little world and the people we once trusted are now, plotting and planing things we can only wonder about... these truly are dark days In the Palace of Light and Air.



The Vipers' Nest welcomes one and all to its fourth instalment!

Previous versions:

The Baroque Court hosted by eternal_sunshine

The Vipers' Nest hosted by Shennanigans

The Vipers' Nest, Court of Lies and Deception hosted by Fayereview



As concepts and ideas evolve in time, so has this roleplay, shifting from its original premise into a more freeform style where characters' agendas are as diverse as they come, encompassing more than just the old goal of becoming the King's Advisor.

As such, this new re-incarnation of The Vipers' Nest proposes some changes to the format, aiming to make the game both more flexible and easier to understand.

So, what has changed?

-The struggle for the position of King's Advisor is no longer the core goal of the roleplay; but it isn't removed – the King still needs an advisor, and it remains an attractive possibility for any high-ranking noble who wishes to gain the monarch's ear and even more influence! The difference is, if someone is interested and eligible, they may try, through roleplay, to achieve it, by first PMing me with their idea for approval and then putting it in practice – please only do it if you intend to be active.

Which courtiers are eligible?

*Ducs and Duchesses

If a character becomes the Advisor but is inactive for more than a month real time, they will be demoted and can be replaced.

-Scandals are no longer decided or made known through a randomiser and may be uncovered by any Courtier through roleplay. However, no God-modding (see below) ! Give the other person a chance to defend themselves. Players are encouraged to discuss scenarios in PMs, and remember – nobody is invincible, bad things happen in life, so, the more scandalous your character's behaviour and/or past is, the higher the chance they will be exposed!

-Pre-existing scandals aren't compulsory, but encouraged, since they give your character depth and help with the purpose of this game. This may change if too many people refuse to create a scandal for their character.

A more in depth explanation lies below:



Severity:

Minor Scandals: These scandals have to do with flirtations, having relations with a commoner, duelling, and blackmail.

Major Scandals: These scandals have to do with infidelity, murder, treason and stealing from the King.

In the past, Baroness Venn was the one who dealt with scandals, both learning about them and making them known to others. Since the Court lacks a designated snoop, the problem needs a different solution while keeping it fair for both parties.

In a court as populated and diverse as the Palace of Light and Air, walls often have ears. As a consequence, if your character engages in some sort of illicit behaviour (talking about it, even if it is a past event, with another courtier counts), there is always the chance of being seen, or overheard. The more public the setting, the higher the chance. If a character witnesses such indiscretions, and plans on making it public, they must first approach the one(s) involved to give them the opportunity to try and protect their secret. This can range from a mutual agreement, to a bribe, blackmail, threat, and so on. The chances of success depend on how persuasive each Courtier is and the pre-existing relationship between the two (people who dislike you will be more difficult to convince, obviously). If the attempt fails and the scandal comes out, it is assumed the news will reach the King's ear; as such, your character loses a rank and their reputation attains a stain. But, despair not! There will be opportunities to redeem yourself later.

Keep in mind what's possible and what isn't when you attempt to uncover someone's scandals: barging into someone's private suite isn't realistic, witnessing a stolen kiss in an empty public salon is. (an example) Discretion goes a long way, and it may save your character a lot of misfortune if you are careful (at least, for a while until someone starts noticing frequent visits to your suite....)

Since the danger of god-modding is great, the final decision will be reviewed by me, unless the players confirm it was a mutual agreement, something which is very much encouraged to do. We're here to have fun, remember that.



A few select individuals with access to the King may offer him suggestions received from courtiers. These suggestions, sent formally by PM may or may not reach the King's ear depending on the decision of the Suggestion Maker (if he or she has an interest in forwarding your message, the chances of success are increased; equally, if your character is disliked by the Suggestion Maker, the note might never reach its destination...) and a randomizer. If your suggestion has made it through, the final outcome is also decided by a randomizer.

Possible suggestions: gaining a title, receiving a gift of money

Suggestion makers: Prince Octavien Lahance, Baron Larkin D'Marius and Elena Lahance (contact either Atropa, FurryPanda or Ghanima Atreides)



Duc & Duchesse – This is the highest level attainable in court. They have the most money, the best suites, and the most sordid past. Each character of this level starts with 80,000 livres, and may have a major scandal.

Marquis & Marquise – Wealthy and powerful as they may be, they are still a step away from the pinnacle of influence at the Court. Each character of this level starts with 70,000 livres, and may have a major scandal

Comte & Comtesse – The middle level of power in the court. They’re not the smallest fish in the pond, but they sure don’t rule the roost. Each character of this level starts with 60,000 livres, and may have a major or minor scandal.

Baron & Baronesse- The lowest level of nobles in court. They are just beginning their journey up the ladder. Each character of this level starts with 40,000 livres, and may have a minor scandal.

Untitled Characters – These characters have no title and are referred to simply as Mr. and Mrs. They may very well think themselves wealthy and important, but they’re nothing compared to the nobles with titles. Each character of this level starts with 20,000 livres. They may have a minor scandal.


How are titles gained?

-If your character has distinguished himself or herself through gameplay, or has gained the appreciation of someone closely connected to the Royal Family, they may be awarded money, or a title depending on the importance of their gesture.

(Active, dedicated members will have their chances increased)

-There is also the possibility for characters to use rather more insidious means to advance, such as blackmail, particularly if they are aware of a scandal pertaining to a character who might be able to provide them with one...

- Money makes the world go around. It costs 40,000 to gain the title of Baron/Baronesse from an untitled state, 60,000 livres to buy your way up one title from Baron/Baronesse to Comte/Comtesse 70,000 to ascend from Comte/Comtesse to Marquis/Marquise and 80,000 from Marquis/Marquise to Duc/Duchesse.

Additionally, you may request an amount of money by visiting the Court Accountant (randomiser), in RP formally asking for the money. The request will be denied or approved formally by PM. If your request is approved you may recieve the amount you ask for or half the amount, depending , once again, on a randomiser. You can only ask for money four times, and each request is limited to a maximum of 20,000 livres. You must have two rounds between each visit to the accountant. The money is measured in the baroque French currency – livres.

The court accountant is Monsieur Tobias Benedetti

How are titles lost?

-A minor scandal made public knowledge (and thus reaching the King's ear) equals a loss of rank
-A major scandal uncovered equals the loss of two ranks (unless your character happens to be a Baron or Baronesse, in which case they loose both a rank and half their money. Untitled characters aren't likely to be involved in major scandals, but should one arise, they might face bankruptcy)



Each roleplay day is split into three; Morning, Afternoon, and Evening. These will be operating on a 7, 7, 6, basis. Which basically means each morning and afternoon equal a week in real life; evening is one day shorter. This will allow ample time to roleplay each storyline.




-All characters must be at least 16 years of age.

-All RPs must have a minimum of 8 lines, excluding those quoted from another post. You are encouraged to build conversations via PM then post them in the thread if need be.

-Do your best to stay in the feel of the times. Remember, this is before electricity, running water, and automobiles.

-Be respectful towards eachother; God-modding and powerplaying will not be tolerated

-Keep things PG13; that is no explicit sexual and violent situations

-If you plan to be inactive for more than a week real time, let us know so that your RP partners may move their character(s), and if you wish to retire, please take the time to provide an exit for your character.

-Have fun!




Though the palace of light and air is indeed grand, there are only fourteen suites available. So if you no longer wish to participate, please have the courtesy to remove your character from the RP to allow others to join. Do not be surprised if your character is removed if you have been inactive for a month’s time.

When you submit an application please include the following:

Name:
Title:
Age:
Bio:
Picture: (Does not have to be a sim)

After you submit your application, you have the option to PM me your character’s given scandal. This is the scandal they begin the game with.


------------------------------------------------------------------------



--+Ducs and Duchesses+--

Christine du Fontaine, Duchesse D'Avignon



--+Marquis and Marquises+--

Joséphine de la Vallière, Marquise de Mont-de-Marsan

César de la Vallière, Marquis de Mont-de-Marsan

Marquise Marie-Elisabeth de Valois


--+Comtes and Comtesses+--

Comtesse Isabella Devine



--+Barons and Baronesses+--

Baroness Adele Rousseau

Baronesse Amelie Christinne de la Rougemont Chateau


--*Untitled Characters+--

Jérémie Tison -Page/Manservant


--+Other Nobles that do not currently fit anywhere else+--

Lady Brigitte de Royan

Information

Maps pertaining to the Palace of Light and Air and its surroundings:








(names will be added to the suites as applications are re-posted)



-History-


A young boy, is born into a world of power, he proves to be a quiet man and during his young days is already pressured, after all he is to grow up to be king.

The young Edouard befriends an intelligent young man with a great eye for detail and understanding of social politics. The King encounters Duc d'Lorraine.

Within the Palace of light and air a fitting young woman is found for Edouard to court.

Love blossoms *thanks to the aid of Duc d'Lorraine* and The King marries.

Princess Adalita is born, the future Queen of the Kingdom.

The Duc d'Lorraine leaves the court to return to his family estate.

The Duc de Mollier becomes increasingly popular and becomes the King's advisor.

A widow arrives in the court, under the name of Madame Mercy Flight, her past is widely known and her reputation begins to build.

A friendship of sorts is struck up between the first Queen and the court gossip.

The first Queen passes away and the Duchess of Champagne, Juliet de Margoles brings her daughter the court.

The young Isabella de Margoles becomes the second Queen.

Duc d’Mollier is found dead, the court is in chaos and a new advisor must be located.

The Princess begins to show her true colours by spending her time in the company of young men.

A Duc by the name of Silvius attracts the attention of several female courtiers including the Princess.

The Queen forms a friendship with a courtier named Octavien who is giving her harpsichord lessons.

*Both relationships progress.*

The Queen seems to strike up a friendship with the court gossip Mme Flight.

The Princess Adalita announces her engagement to Silvius.

*The Princess falls pregnant.*

*Mme Flight blackmails her way into a title, Silvius out of an engagement and gains the Queen’s favour.*

The Princess engagement is now to Octavien Lahance. *The Queen's lover.*

The Princess and Octavien are married.

Adalita falls Ill.

Baroness Flight, reverts to her Maiden name, Venn.

The Queen plays the doting step mother.

Princess Adalita dies.

The Queen’s Mother Juliet de Margoles arrives to attend the funeral.

After the funeral the Queen collapses and Juliet demands her return to the family home.

Juliet desires for a relative to come to the palace to represent the Queen. The Voice-in-Court, Baron Larkin D'Marius.

Prince Octavien receives news of his engagement to the Spanish lady Elena Sánchez de Suárez y Torre from an unsympatheticDuc D'Lorraine.

Baroness Venn makes the decision to leave the Court and join her sister in England.

*Marquess Berini is assasinated at the hands of Duc D'Lorraine

Prince Octavien Lahance and Elena Sánchez are married

Baron Larkin d'Marius, Isabella's Voice-in-Court returns to his family estate which had fallen into disarray at the hands of a corrupt steward

* events that you know but your character might not know

Proeminent Characters:

The King Edouard Auguste Louis Rotherham IV

Age: 42



King Edouard is a private man who spends most of his time in his Salon, or in his private suite. He leant heavily upon his wife and his friend Duc d'Lorraine for advice after the loss of his beloved Duc of Mollier. With Isabella also temporarily indisposed, the Voice-in-Court had taken her place.


Dimitri-Josèphe, Duc d'Lorraine
Age: 48



The King's old friend, Dimitri, is quite opposite of the King in nearly every way imaginable, fortunately this means you can indeed talk to him, and perhaps sway him, even gain his appreciation.

Larkin d'Marius, Baron de Aurvilies

Age:34

An ambassador to a far flung place and the much younger brother of the Duc d'Margoles, hand picked by Juliet de Margoles to be her Daughter's Voice-in-Court.

Prince Octavien Lahance

Age: 21



Octavien came to this court as an untitled man. Thanks to his luck in happening across the Queen when she was in need he found himself in her favor, eventually moving up the ranks to the title of a Comte, then Prince through his marriage to Princess Adalita. Now that she has passed away he has found himself inopportunely married again, to a woman not of his choice.

Princess Elena Lahance

Age:26



Spanish by birth, Elena has maneuvered herself into a marriage to France's Prince Octavien, thanks to her father's acquaintance with King Edouard and her own limitless ambition.


Proeminent courtiers no longer available:

Princess Adalita

The King’s only heir, she was a rebellious young lady until her untimely demise.

Queen Isabella Rotherham

Age: 23



King Edouard's second wife, she is often called the most powerful woman of the kingdom. It is a title that she enjoys living up to immensely. Whilst still living she is currently residing in the family home with her parents and her older brother, due to poor health.

Re-Application : Marie-Elisabeth, Comtesse de Valois

Name: Marie-Elisabeth Valois

Title: Previously Comtesse de Valois, now Marquise

Age:20

Bio: Married at 13 and widowed at 17, Marie-Elisabeth widely says she only gained two good things from her arranged marriage. Her massive inheritance from her husband, and their 6 year old son Charles. Named for her late husband, he is being educated and cared for by the best tutors money can buy. As the widow of the Comte de Valois she might not have inherited his estate but, as the mother of his only son (his first wife had 2 daughters), she holds it until he comes of age. Her two stepdaughters are named Sophie (14) and Helene (16).

Being forced into her marriage at such a young age, she believes she never got to experience life. Being saddled with a husband who was literally 4 times her age was something Marie-Elisabeth has always resented. While she admittedly cared for her husband, who doted on her and granted her every whim, she was in no way in love with him. She has come to court to make something of her life and hopefully have some fun while she’s there. What exactly that fun is remains to be seen. She does have an impressive talent at card playing though, and those who venture to play with her often find their purses much lighter after the game.

Marie-Elisabeth always has a look about her that suggests she’s plotting something, and has a tendency to be bitter about her marriage and those who think it should define her life. She always keeps her own best interests and those of her young son close to her heart. She has a small locket with a portrait of him in it that she wears at all times, only taking it off when she goes to bed. She has a particular weakness for beautiful clothes. She also has a strong sense of pride, and won't tolerate people who don't know their place in the world or presume to be above it.

In terms of the "look" I've often said Marie-Elisabeth has on her face, I refer you to this gorgeous picture that has it dead on: Link

Also, as to the locket she wears, I imagine it being similar to this one link, with a fancy string of pearls (think Anne Boleyn's B) and a V for Valois instead on an M on the actual locket.

Pictures:



Marie-Elisabeth



With her son

Re-application: Comtesse Isabella Devine and Duchesse Christine Du Fontaine

Name: Isabella Devine

Title: Baroness when she arrived, now Comtesse

Age: 19

Bio: Her father's masterpiece, Isabella is the only legitimate daughter of the formidable Baron Ashton Devine. While the Devine bloodline is among the most powerful and 'pure' in all of Europe, Ashton cares little for social divides and consequently, Isabella cares little for anything but her own advancement in society.

Once minor royalty in Europe, Ashton's recent ancestors saw their titles stripped down due to extensive scandals. However, the family has recovered remarkably since, drawing upon the strengths of age old bloodties, the strongest of these being to the Italian House of Savoy. While Ashton has his minor indiscretions, he is armed which frightening business acumen, which his daughter uses for purposes extending beyond business. Beautiful and charming, she is chameleon like at times, but smooth enough not to get caught.

Her father's long business trips saw the young Isabella sent to the acclaimed Abbey Huntingdon to be educated before her entrance into society. However, Isabella took this opportunity to extend her education beyond simple poetry and novels and was soon packaged off as one of Queen Catherine's many ladies in waiting due to her rebellion and anarchy at the abbey. Returning to her native homeland after her absence, she is determined to make her place in the court.

Picture:



********--------------------------------------------------------------------------********

Name: Christine Du Fontaine
Title: Duchesse D'Avingnon
Age: 20
Bio:

Christine is rather reserved, quiet and observant. Christine was brought up by a strict mother who cared little about anything other than money and society. From a young age, due to her lack of siblings, she was trained to be the best that she could be at anything - at any cost. However, while she grew more shrewd, sharp and diplomatic, she became cold and snobbish.
With the recent, tragic loss of her parents, she has become solely responsible for her fortune and therefore seeks to strengthen her position by becoming the King's advisor, knowing that she would be more than excellent at it.

Though impeccably ladylike, she is intimidating, authoritative and ambitious to a frightening degree.

Picture:

Joséphine de la Vallière, Marquise de Mont-de-Marsan

Joséphine de la Vallière, Marquise de Mont-de-Marsan

Name: Joséphine de la Vallière

Title: Marquise de Mont-de-Marsan

Age: 22

Bio: When Joséphine of Vortigern, aged sixteen, was told she was going to become the Marquise de Mont-de-Marsan, her fanciful mind projected the beginning of a fairytale marriage with all it entailed. Having witnessed it happen to her elder sister, Joséphine dreaded being married off to a man many years her senior, or otherwise brutish and violent for as long as she could remember.

César was not like that. Young, handsome, intelligent and endearing, he appeared to be the husband any woman desired, and Joséphine was smitten with him almost from the beginning.

Loosing her innocence came at a terrible price however: settled comfortably in the plush luxury of the Mont-de-Marsan estate, Josephine witnessed, year after year, her husband's infidelity, chipping away at the idealized view of life she had fashioned for herself. At first, she bottled her jealousy, hopeful that César's affairs were only fleeting, temporary, but as time went by, she was forced to accept a rather different reality. Joséphine did it proudly, turning a blind eye whenever her husband did not share her bed at night or was seen whispering in another woman's ear words unknown, despite the ache it caused her, often wondering whether César believed she did not know or, just as she pretended not to, so did he. From the moment of her birth, she had been bred into a lady, and a lady did not become angry. A lady did not question her husband's behaviour.

Joséphine tried, and often succeeded.

Sometimes however, she did not. Unknown to most outsiders, a scorching flame burned beneath the Marquise's calm, quiet exterior. A fiery passion that rebelled against her conditioning, which tempted her mind with beguiling whispers. That hidden fire would surface when it grew too hot to contain, often in surprising ways. Transforming from a girl into a woman and later a mother, Joséphine grew more and more aware of her power over a man's mind, of the effect a stolen glance and a fleeting touch could produce, inwardly horrified at her wantonness whenever such thoughts percolated. And just a little exhilarated.

César, too, baffled her. Despite the attention he lavished on his mistresses, he was not cold towards Joséphine, or their two daughters, Adèle and Angélique. On the contrary, he remained the charming young man she had married, alternating between the attentive husband and loving father and the ladies' man; however she would often get the feeling she was a step below his mistresses as far as his interest was concerned. This stirred Joséphine's fiery core, causing her to undergo endless private debates as she struggled to understand what it was that she lacked that he felt the need to look for in other women. She continued to educate herself despite her mother-in-law's disapproval, driven by a personal desire to enrich her knowledge and awareness of what went on around her, growing ever more skilled at reading others' mannerisms, including César's, who enjoyed challenging her and being challenged, a game of wit and subtle provocation that had as many chances of ending in a night of passion as it did in a cold “good night”.

In society's eyes, Joséphine is the perfect image of a dutiful wife with a pleasant singing voice, the angelic-looking Marquise de Mont-de-Marsan. However, if one lingered in her presence longer, they might discover that underneath that demure façade lurked a keen mind and a woman who was as sweet natured as she was ambitious, capable of unexpected astuteness.

Thanks to her husband's friendship with Prince Octavien Lahance, Joséphine now had the opportunity to be introduced into the court life surrounding the Palace of Light and Air, a world that dazzled and intrigued her at the same time, for it appeared to house a couple of strong, influential women like she aspired to become. To be taken seriously by men and respected for more than just her title is one of Joséphine's ambitions, and she often finds herself regretting having been born a woman.

Picture:

Elena Lahance (née Sánchez de Suárez y Torre)

Elena Lahance (née Sánchez de Suárez y Torre)


Name: Elena Lahance

Title: Princess (through her marriage to Prince Octavien Lahance)

Age: 26

Bio: There are powerful, influential men among the aristocracy of Europe, and there are men such as Duque (duke) Carlos Sánchez de Suárez y Torre, who throughout his long life has manoeuvred himself into an exalted position, a "Grande of Spain", the very pinnacle of wealth and political and social power, second only to the royal family.

However, while Duque Carlos rules his vast lands, estates and fortunes, Elena rules Duque Carlos. A formidable man indeed, he has one clear weakness: his only daughter whom he loves above all. Ever since her childhood days, Elena has been unusually apt at influencing those around her into doing her will, her father most of all, while managing to keep herself untied to any proof of mischief, either through bribery, blackmail and some even whisper, murder. When the Duque's wife died after a life of fragile health, Elena was seventeen and without siblings. Despite strong suggestions and advice, Duque Carlos refused to re-marry, and those who knew the family came to suspect Elena had a hand in her father's decision, aware of the great influence she maintained over him.

Supremely ambitious and ruthlessly determined to never bow to a master, Elena had always dreaded the day one of her relatives would step in and claim her fortunes, and begin making decisions concerning her fate. This was the reason she has been avoiding marriage for as long as she possibly could, dripping honey into the Duque's ear year after year until he no longer questioned her motives for risking spinsterhood or worse. While she inhabited her father's estate, Elena ruled supreme, and it was not a position she would easily relinquish.

However, as the years progressed and Duque Carlos advanced in old age, it became searingly clear to Elena that her existence would be threatened the moment he passed away, leaving his title and fortune within reach of one of his younger brothers, or some other relation who would try to claim it. It only meant that she needed to secure her position before that came to happen, in the only way available to her: marriage, but not to just anybody. Nothing short of royalty would do, unfortunately the King of Spain was married and his sons much too young; Elena then turned her attention to foreign countries instead, aware she had quite a few years on most unmarried ladies and the clock was ticking. It was fortunate indeed that Duque Carlos had a lifelong ally in King Edouard of France; from his letters she learned that Prince Octavien Lahance was a widower and the matter of marriage had been brought up....

Not much later, Elena embarked on a permanent trip to France, as the Prince's soon-to-be wife, which she very recently has become.

Plots within plots...such is Elena's motto.

Picture:

Re-application - Octavien Lahance

Re-application - César de la Vallière, Marquis de Mont-de-Marsan

Larkin d'Marius, Baron de Aurvilies, Re-App

Marie-Elisabeth & César - Riding (Horses you dirty minded people)

((ooc: Lahance stud farms? As in, more than one Lahance stud? *snickers along with Robyn*

Oh yeah I added the accountant system again. I figured it's a helper for everyone, as it'll not be that easy to earn money in game.

Also, yay! New thread! Welcome back everyone! I'm still adding things and getting all details in order, I slightly updated the scandals section. ))


Octavien, Joséphine and Bella - the Palace Entrance Hall

Faith.

Joséphine felt it drain out of her along with that choking icy feeling in her gut, a fragile flower torn irreverently out of the ground with just a simple gesture. All of her hopes of a new beginning for hers and César's marriage, nurtured for weeks and weeks since the first whisper of a prolonged visit to the Royal Court reached her ear were reduced to ash within the blink of an eye. Nothing had changed. Instead it had only been transferred: a different home, different women...same sordid game.

Joséphine struggled to keep a scarlet flush from spreading all over her face, but a rising heat in her cheeks belied the blank, expressionless mask which currently had her dainty features frozen in place. All too suddenly, the crowds pressed in against her like a living, moving, smothering blanket of lace, silk and brocade, causing the young Marquise to wish herself somewhere else, far far away, where she did not have to face them and most of all Octavien, who knew her secret. Well, considering the rate César was going at, it would hardly remain a secret for long.

Joséphine was robbed of that, too: at least, whilst she lived at the Mont-de-Marsan family estate, she could separate her life from that of César's mistresses, creating a false, though comforting cocoon around herself where she could retreat and pretend his absences all had perfectly innocent explanations. Even if deep down she knew better, it made everything easier to bear.

Now however, it was impossible: they lived under the same roof, albeit a large one, and as it had been proven already, confrontation was unavoidable. Not only she had seen them go off into the sunset chatting merrily as though neither had a care in the world, but she would no doubt encounter the Comtesse again, either in one of the salons or the dining room, forced to look her in the eye and keep playing the game of pleasantries. But that was hardly the most difficult part: no, she would have to slip into bed that night and feel César's arms around her, his lips and his breath on her skin, possibly even listen to a made up story of why he had been absent all day. Joséphine did not know if she would be able to control herself.

Looking down at the torn and tattered fabric of her lavender gown, the Marquise was invaded by a deep, bitter feeling of disappointment: they had concocted that daring plan together, imagination running wild helped along nicely by alcohol, a plan which had seemed supremely ingenious and clever then. However it had been Joséphine alone who had to face the difficult part of putting it into practice the following morning, risking not only her reputation but possibly her well-being and – a hand instinctively sought her still flat abdomen – the life of a possible unborn child. And all the while, César had selfishly taken advantage of the situation and slunk away to woo Marie-Elisabeth de Valois, not even caring to know whether anything good had come out of it, or even if his own wife had emerged unscathed.

At that moment, the Marquise came closer than ever before to questioning César's love for her, and her own for him.

Joséphine was rescued from the deep dark pit she was spiralling towards by the unexpected arrival of Baroness Devine. At first she did not notice her among the many other faces, but she soon made her presence known with a light-hearted comment aimed no doubt at their dishevelled appearance, something Joséphine had almost forgotten about. Soon however the somewhat bemused joy twinkling in Bella's eyes was replaced by a look of growing concern as she discovered their injuries were in fact, very real.

“My goodness, are you both alright?” Bella whispered in her worry, “Has anyone seen to your injuries?" before adding decidedly: "We must see to these right away."

Joséphine inspected her arms as though seeing the scratches for the first time, several thin, superficial gashes that glared raw pink against her pale skin. They no longer truly pained her, but they remained remotely irritant. It occurred to Joséphine that most ladies worked up a fuss over a pricked finger, and that she was probably expected to have them treated, but in her present state of mind, the Marquise felt very unwilling to force even more restraint upon herself.

“Good evening, Baroness” she greeted with a thin, mirthless smile. No point in being rude as well to the poor woman, already anticipating an awkward moment when they would have to explain just why they looked as though they had crawled through a thorny bush. “Oh these? No need to worry yourself over them, they are barely skin deep. I have already suggested to Octavien that he had his cut tended, but I'm afraid the gentleman in him prevailed and he insisted on keeping me company a while longer.”

Bella, Octavien and Joséphine - The Palace

Name: (Miss) Padme Castilla

Title: Untitled

Age: 24

Bio:

Padme grew up a servant, in a household similar to this one. She observed the ways of the cunning, and believed she would be one of them some day. Though she was young, her observant ways can be useful.

Her parents died when she was young from a sickness, but she was taken in time to an Abbey where she was later adopted and put to work (much like Cinderella without the adoption part). When she was 18, Padme "bought" her freedom (she was able to bribe the head of household, a baron, from the money she recieved from her parents inheritance) and quickly moved into a household like the one she grew up in, as a free woman.

A close friend, who knew an influential Baron, eventually (after much nagging and pestering for several years) put in a good word about Padme with another noble, and word eventually got around that she had potential as an advisor.

Octavien w/ Joséphine and Bella

César & Marie-Elisabeth - riding

Padme and Larkin in the Gardens

Marie-Elisabeth & César - Riding Horses

César & Marie-Elisabeth

Marie-Elisabeth & César - Horseback Riding

Joséphine, Bella and Octavien - The Palace entrance hall


It was to be expected that sooner or later, the state of Octavien and Joséphine's garments, not to mention their injuries would begin to attract some attention from nearby courtiers, and more and more stares and whispering surrounded them like the buzzing of a swarm of agitated insects. Adding to that Joséphine's state of bitter disappointment and underlying anger after having seen her darkest suspicions realized, Octavien's horror at being caught between his loyalty towards his close male friend and his wife he may or may not have had undisclosed feelings for and an utterly oblivious Baroness Devine who knew nothing of it and only insisted on seeing that Joséphine's wounds received treatment, and one could hardly imagine a more tangled and cumbersome situation.

In a possible attempt to smooth things over, if only marginally, Octavien too devoted his attention to a more careful examination of Joséphine's scratches, expressing his agreement with Bella's advice.

Deep inside, well beyond the turmoil currently raging supreme, the Marquise was aware they had a good point and cleaning those scratches was a matter of caution, yet when she finally gave in, it was for a different reason: what she wanted was relief from all those inquisitive stares currently directed at this oddest of trios.

“All right, all right”, Joséphine said a little impatiently, regaining the usual smooth flow of her speech almost immediately after that, “I was about to retire, but I have changed my mind and wish to stop by my daughters' suite instead. There are bandages, water and antiseptic there, a small caution when travelling with children. You may join me if you wish, and Bess our housemaid who is quite the expert at tending cuts and the like can look after our injuries”, she said, briefly glancing at Octavien, “I would prefer to avoid the fuss of summoning a physician. If you aren't opposed to a brief wait and two young children, you are welcome to join us, Baroness.”

((ooc: sorry, it's kinda bleh, and I hope the ending works.))

César & Marie-Elisabeth - riding