A Question of Honor {Stefan}{PH}

[Dreyfus]

♅ 40th of Searing, Year 121, A.o.S ♅
Company: Other Suitors| Thoughts: Another Dull Party| Mood: Unenthused

---

♅ Dreyfus was never one for large gatherings, let alone parties, it was just not his thing. Being the heir to his family name, he knew he had obligations he had to uphold, and going to courting parties was among them. The Trudeaux family, a family that made their fame in the jewelry & fashion industry of Zaichaer were throwing a soiree for their eldest daughter, Saphira Tredeaux, in hopes of finding a suitable match for her as she was known to be quite strong-willed and many men seemed to be intimidated by her.

Leaning against the edge of the balcony, he had the perfect view, able to see the comings and goings of Zaichaer's most promising eligible bachelors from all over the city. A calm yet intrigued spark played on Dreyfus' face, his crystal blue eyes darting from person to person, drinking in any hand gestures and body language, to the facial expressions of those he could manage to see. It was fun watching the interactions of such well-established men, all vying for the opportunity to impress the Tredeauxs and earn the favor of Lady Saphira.

Speaking of the woman of the hour, Saphira was descending a staircase, the woman exuding power in her graceful steps, and fierce confidence that only accented her beauty. She was adorned in a beautiful sapphire blue gown, a radiant golden sun ornament acting as an accent piece in the back. She was truly something to behold, and Dreyfus found himself intrigued by her, to say the least. As he looked on he could see a familiar face among the crowd.

He had seen the Dornkirks enough to know when one was present, you couldn't really miss that hair color, it was distinct. He was finding his relationship with them was turbulent at best, but something he was willing to work on as it would behoove him to forge his own alliances and contacts. In any case, he would make an effort to keep things cordial if he happen to run into the elder Dornkirk during the party.

A whistle came into my ears as Duran approached, dressed as wonderfully as he could displaying his family's colors and sigil. Dreyfus turned to face him and he seemed to have a concerned look on his face. "Something the matter Dreyfus?" he posed, looking down at the sea of people below. The blonde shook his head to advert from the question. "Are you at least enjoying the festivities tonight? I mean our honored guest is quite the beauty, she looks like she knows how to have fun that's for sure." he asked, coming to stand beside the reconciliator as he placed a hand on his shoulder.

"For the most part, but I'm not entirely good at parties like these, they just don't excite me to be rather honest." he mused, turning his gaze back to the sea of people. "Dont worry I'm sure it will liven up before the night is over." he answered in the most optimistic way as he had always done. A waitress came up to them, drinks in hand as she offered them to us

Taking them we clang them together as he motioned Dreyfus to follow him down into the ocean of suitors. There we joined the crowd of notable young men and could see that Saphira had taken center stage as the lights had dimmed a bit except for the one she was standing under, illuminating her form as her gown glittered in almost otherworldly radiance.

"Good evening and thank you to everyone who has come out to attend. I, as some of you may know, am Saphira Joselina Tredeaux, eldest daughter of the Tredeaux family and current CEO of the Jewelry company in our name. I am also a good friend of many of you fine gentlemen here tonight and am honored to be the one to address you all tonight.

Tonight we celebrate another night of memories, in both the arenas of business and pleasure. I am grateful to be in the presence of Zaichaer's finest, exemplars of what men of our great nation should be and what future generations should aspire to be, more so I am grateful to be able to get to know each and every one of you, as the night is indeed young, and the fun has only just begun.

As such tonight is just as much for you all, as it is for me. Take the festivities of tonight and all that's in store as my token of appreciation for the hard work you all have come and given to our great nation. Hail Zaichaer!"

Everyone in attendance saluted her hail with one of their own, Dreyfus finding her ability to speak and grab the attention of others impressive. ♅

---

"Common Speech"
"Silandris Speech"
"Self-Thoughts"

[Stefan Dornkirk]

Stefan was not pleased to be spending his evening at what was known on the streets as a 'courting party', but, he realized as he handed over his invitation and stepped into the swirl of bodies and music, he was getting used to it.

Lady Sylana had claimed a headache when he'd decided the stairs, dressed to the tee in an outfit, if not new (he wasn't a social dandy who needed a new suit for every ball), at least in a new combination of vest and coat. He was initially worried for his mother, but then realized it was more than likely she was feigning discomfort to avoid greater discomfort. His mother was a social woman but there was little to be gained from showing up to a party that was neither by her, nor for her, nor a particularly important event. Stefan was significantly unlikely to form any sort of an attachment with the woman who was being put on display for the most charming bidder and both mother and son were quite aware of the fact. Still, he must attend. It was his duty, if not to claim the evening's prize, at least to be seen as still on the market by other daughters who might be interested.

The Tredeaux's might be interested in an alliance with the Dornkirks, even if the Dornkirks were not, and it would not due to imply any insult. So, here was Stefan, dressed well, hair perfectly in place, gloves wrapping hands that no longer shook in crowds but that had to make an effort not to clench each time a group of be-gowned ladies approached to greet him. He did not look at his pocket watch, did not object when it was implied he should take this girl or that onto the dance floor, waited the exact appropriate amount of time after arriving to greet the hostess, bowing and kissing her hand in a manner that he would have been surprised to know the women, both young and old of his social standing found charming in its quiet intensity.

He did not ask Saphira to dance, leaving the woman to those partners who were serious in their pursuit of her hand, did not notice the tiny frown that creased her lips as he stepped away without a backward glance imagining her entirely indifferent. Finding his thoughts souring and the air feeling close he made his way to the balcony, hoping to hide and breathe the fresh air for a few moments before having to return to his duty. Once out of sight of the glittering main room he took a drink from a passing server and let himself have the time it took to drink it, even allowing a glance at his watch, before squaring his shoulders and reentering the part for the opening speech.

He saluted along with the rest, accidentally jostling a man standing to his right as the crowd moved to go back to the dancing as the first strains of music hit the air.

"I beg your pardon," He said automatically, turning to find a face more familiar than he'd been expecting. Blinking he said,

"Oh, Mr. Monteliyet." It was perhaps not the most gracious thing to say but the meeting was unexpected, though when he thought about it he wasn't sure why he hadn't expected to see Dreyfus there. Stefan wasn't sure where they stood with each other. There had been uncomfortable confrontations between them, professional disdain, and a set of moments oddly lacking the normal animosity when they'd run into each other by chance at the gym. Now here they were, each man doing his duty with seemingly no family or attendants around.

Well, that friend of Dreyfus' seemed to be hovering nearby, Stefan saw, perhaps he was about to be ganged up on. Steeling himself for it he put on his most dutiful smile and waited.

[Dreyfus]

---

♅ Feeling the thud of another body knock into him caused the mage to wince, more so as he didn't want to spill his drink on the floor or on someone else. Looking to the source his eyes widened a bit as it was someone he didn't expect to run into. Then again why wouldn't he be here, the two of them were the heir apparent to their respective families. A smile formed on his face as he looked Stefan over, a rather nice clean-up of the man.

"Its no problem at all Stefan. It's rather crowded in here." He looked to the other with curious eyes as he sipped his drink. Duran looked between both men before introducing himself. "I'm Duran, I believe we were both at the same party during Glade the 8th. The way you rallied the officers to action reminded me of the drill instructors at the academy."

The words of his friend made Dreyfus chuckle, watching the grown man swoon over the elder Dornkirk, Dreyfus finding the other's fascination in Stefan. "Care to give us a moment alone Duran. I have some things I wish to discuss with sir Dornkirk." With a nod, though he wasn't sure what they could possibly discuss, Duran bowed and found some other face he was familiar with to harass.

Looking back to Stefan he smiled a bit, then his facial expression returned to the usual stoic fashion that was always fixed on it. "Forgive him, he can be very enthusiastic around chivalrous individuals." he began, motioning for the other to follow him. Moving through the crowd Dreyfus came to find a pillar to rest against.

"Its been some time since our last encounter, I do hope your body isn't too sore from our little scuffle. I must admit, Im not surprised to see you here." his eyes scanned thr room as he spoke, never really looking at Stefan as it was a habit to always keep one's surroundings in check. His eyes continued to scan the room. ♅

---

"Common Speech"
"Silandris Speech"
"Self-Thoughts"

[Stefan Dornkirk]

Trying to be polite, particularly while he was there alone seemed like the best idea. Additionally, Stefan wasn't sure where he stood with the odd, tall man. He'd been given a 'favor' as an apology after the unusual afternoon they'd shared at the Windworks and he still wasn't sure if that was a normal thing almost the old noble families that he had simply never encountered growing up or if it was something specific to the Monteliyet, or even to only Dreyfus.

"Mmm, Indeed. Quite the turn out for a Debut. I wonder if there will be so many at Anton Michaelis' debut later in the season." He thought not and figured the disbelief would be implied. "Never seem to be so many at a young man's coming out as a young woman's. I suppose young men are expected to go out and find their brides, where young potential brides are to be pursued."

His own coming out had been... and ordeal. He tried to remember if he had attended Dreyfus' own party but couldn't recall. He'd been to so many and none of them had really stood out to him except his own, Brenner's, and that of Delia Angevin.

Blinking, a bit taken aback by being addressed by the new man he gave a curt nod. "I only did as any officer not distracted by defending the lives of the party-goers would have." Mentioning that he'd attended to Academy did not occur to him, almost all young gentlemen did. Thankfully Dreyfus dismissed the man before Stefan had to attempt to make more polite conversation with a stranger. The expression of mild confusion intensified when Dreyfus described him as 'chivalrous and implied it was the cause of the unwanted attention. When the tall blond motioned for him to follow he hesitated at first but as it was his intention to move away from the center of activity anyway he allowed himself to be led.

The choice of location, with their backs to a pillar, was a good choice for him as well. Their equally unexpected second meeting was now being referenced and he shook his head once,

"I am quite well, thank you. I did not think we did enough damage to each other to warrant." Glancing sideways at Dreyfus once he had placed his own back also against the pillar he ventured, "I hope your pride was equally undamaged."

It wasn't unkind, a gentle sort of teasing not often seen between men of their station.

[Dreyfus]

---

♅ He chuckled at the suggested bruised ego, waving a hand as if to dismiss the claim. "It would take more than you to bruise my ego, Stefan. Though Brenner has been doing his best to jab at it." he teased back, finally allowing his eyes to fall on the other male. From what he gathered the two of them were close, as siblings should, but his sources believed there was more to it.

Not wanting idle rumor to cloud his perception of the man, Dreyfus paid it no mind when he was told of it. It was just something that came up when his sources reported back to him, as he had his father's contacts gather what information they could about both men after Dreyfus had encountered them. Allowing that thought to fade from his mind he focused on the party, now having a better vantage point to see each and every person as they moved.

It was a habit, and old one but one he couldn't let go of given his conditioning. "Tell me, Stefan, what do you see when you look out among the people gathered here?" he asked, though it was a question he didn't really need an answer for, as he continued onward. "I'll tell you what I see." his eyes were sharp, like a predator.

"A battlefield sits before us, each one of those men vying for power and prestige, plotting and scheming in order to secure ties between their family and our gracious hosts. Though they don't truly have a chance. The Tredeaux are very selective in who they associate with, and none of these men come from stock worth mixing blood with." his words came out as cold as ice from the harshest of Frost, but they were true words. His eyes settled on Stefan.

"Are the Dornkirk's up to machinations tonight, or are you simply here to enjoy the festivities?" his eyes were filled with a certain level of curiosity to them a seductive allure if you will. ♅

---

"Common Speech"
"Silandris Speech"
"Self-Thoughts"

[Stefan Dornkirk]

The suggestion that Brenner took jabs at Dreyfus common knowledge. The two had instantly disliked each other, though Stefan had never taken the time to ask his brother how their first meeting had come about.

Stefan himself had been mildly indifferent to the other man, except in those moments when he'd seen him trading insults through gritted smiles with the younger Dornkirk. It was right that he should be protective of his brother.

The meeting at the Windworks had been the first time he'd ever thought about Dreyfus after no longer being in the same room with him. The high-handed, arrogant threats the man had thrown out had been without purpose. Stefan had lost his temper and said things that would have been better left without, but it appeared they both reacted poorly to threads directed at their families.

Bring his thoughts back to the conversation at hand he did not answer the question posed, recognizing it for rhetoric.

Though he did not say it, what he saw was pageantry, a show of power from each person in attendance, with little real power. Even the highly noble families, did not have the sort of power they once had. Seeming aware of this fact their machinations, as Dreyfus called them, seemed more frantic by the year. Yet, for all of it, they did not understand that the world was changed.

Without really thinking about it he answered with surprising honesty to the real question,

"In truth, I'm hardly here at all. A ghost of an idea, paying homage to the ghost of a society, that just doesn't know it's dying."

Blinking as he heard the words coming from himself he straightened up from where he'd been leaning on the pillar.

"My family received an invitation, and I am the logical choice to arrive, the one who it was intended for. So I am here, to keep the peace, the status quo. I will not be vying for the displayed finery, woman nor family. If they were to approach my family with a realistic offer of marriage, we would consider it."

Stefan would not enjoy being married to the debutant flitting from one dance partner to the next, but he was unlikely to be happier with any specific woman than another.

"And you, Monteliyet? Are you waiting for the flurry of the unworthy to finish before making your own bid, or are you about other business this evening?"

[Dreyfus]

---

♅ Dreyfus was more than surprised by the response given by the elder Dornkirk. Not something he was expecting from him, but was one he would gladly accept. Taking a sip of his drink, Dreyfus listened as he straightened up his answer. When asked about his own plans, he smiled. "Indeed I came because I am the only one who was obligated to respond to the invitation." that however was not the case, but for now it would be what the Dornkirk would know.

As they watched the woman of the hour make her rounds something else caught his eye, more so someone else. Dreyfus spotted a man cutting through the ocean of bodies like a shark after blood in the water. Perking up he set his drink on a nearby tray and fixed his attire as the man who was coming finally came into view. The look on his face was seething, and Dreyfus found himself smirking at the young man.

"Is there a problem Sir Bismuth?" he posed, a concerned look crossing Dreyfus' face as watched the eldest Bismuth's jaw tighten. Thats rich, coming from you mongrel. Do you know my little brother is going to have to walk with a cane for the rest of his life? Thanks to you he's crippled now, he can never serve in the military now because of you.

"I'm sorry to hear that, but he was inciting a riot during a diplomatic visit, one could say he was performing an act of treason. I was within my right as a reconciliatior in defending the foreign delegation." he rebutted, a stoic look on his face as he was unfazed by the man's words. You were defending foreign bastards! You dare call yourself a Zaichaer citizen, you are nothing but a cursed freak! You should have died with your mother the day you were born!

The stoic face broke, as a glare fixed itself on the features of Dreyfus as he got face to face to the elder Bismuth. "Be careful what you say next, I would hate for you to end up like your little brother" His mother was always a sore topic for him, and even at his age he was still not use to dealing with that subject. The tension between them was mounting, and Bismuth was close to throwing the first punch.

That's when Saphira took control of the situation, sauntering her way between the two men. "Now now, gentlemen, if there is a dispute to be settled, then we shall do it in a way I see fit, it is my party after all." she purred, motioning for two attendants to approach. In the hand of one of the attendants were two roses, one as red as blood, and the other as white as snow. The other attendant held two swords in his.

"The rules are rather simple, the first to destroy the rose of their opponent wins. Granted this isn't what I had in mind for entertainment, but I am interested to see how you both with fair. Do make sure to give me a show you two......oh and try not to spill too much blood, we still have to dance on these floors tonight." she purred with a whimsical smile on her face as she affixed a rose to both Dreyfus and Bismuth.

Once done both men took the swords that were provided, the crowd of guests gave them a wide birth in order to prevent innocent collateral. "May the best man win!" she called out, Bismuth not wasting any time and charging Dreyfus. With a green light given, the young man wasted no time, rushing Dreyfus with his sword. He came with a flurry of swings and slashes, forcing the reconciliator to go on the defensive. "Fuck, I don't have any time for this" he hissed to himself, doing his best to keep up with the aggressive Bismuth as he attempted to cut off more than just the rose from his lapel.

To be honest, it was a poor tit for tat as neither male were well versed with a blade, something Dreyfus wasn't proud of but was willing to work on. He figured this was the best time for practice, even if unwanted. The two men clashed blade against blade, Dreyfus' glaring eyes burning into Bismuth, but the other man had this sickening smile on his face all the while. Dreyfus could truly care less about the whole situation but he refused to allow this man to humiliate him in front of unknown people.

The steel of their blades collided and sang together as the two men parried each other blow for blow. Where Bismuth went high Dreyfus ducked and blocked and returned a strike back at the foolish Bismuth. He came to slash at my sword hand and I responded parry him, then going to stab at his rose. So far it was a stalemate, the two were dancing around each other, each taking swipes and jabs at the roses pinned on each other.

At this point, it was getting boring, and Dreyfus needed to put an end to this. He decided to return a harsh comment of his own to account for what Bismuth said about his mother. "It's really a shame if only your son could see his father defending the family honor. How is your half Druskai son btw?" a wave of gasps echoed across the ballroom, and shock filled Bismuth's eyes as he could see the gossip beginning to swirl within the party guest.

The next thing he would feel would be the wind as Dreyfus passed him by, the petals of his rose fell to the ground. "I do believe that we have a winner." Saphira chimed, the shock of her words finally reaching Bismuth. His face soon filled with rage as he looked to Dreyfus, who was removing the rose from his attire. Enraged Bismuth came at him one more time. How dare you!? How dare you use my son like that?! he said coming to slash Dreyfus at the neck from behind. Turning, Dreyfus used kinetics to push the sword away as it came swinging towards him, and with the sword in his own hand took Bismuth's sword hand from him.

The man fell to the floor as he cupped his bloody wrist, screaming in pain as blood sprayed on the floor. Looking to Bismuth Dreyfus gave the man a scowl so fierce it could kill. "Your brother has a limp walk, and now you are one-handed. You and your brother both bring this on yourselves." he spat, walking past the wailing Bismuth. Looking at Saphira he gave her a quaint nod before taking his leave.

"Send the bill for the floor to me later." he spoke, walking past the masses as he was over the soiree. Before he left he gave Stefan a polite nod as he made his exit from the estate. Saphira held an amused smirk on her features as she watched the wolf leave. ♅

---

"Common Speech"
"Silandris Speech"
"Self-Thoughts"

[Finn]

Review

Experience: 8 xp, but not for magic.

Lore:

Dreyfus

Blades{Longswords}: Fighting in a Duel
Blades{Longswords}: Defending Against Someone's Attacks
Blades{Longswords}: Slicing Off Someone's Hand
Blades{Longswords}: Practice Makes Perfect
Etiquette: Finding a Familiar Face in a Party

Stefan

Unarmed Combat:
Sizing Up Another Man
Noticing Opponent Allies

Politics:
Recognizing Social Expectation
Living Up to Duty
Covering for an Ally
Waiting for Your Moment
Friendly Overtures
Saying One Thing While Meaning Another

Injuries: N/A

Loot: N/A

Note: I would definitely like to see some social and/or legal repercussions for Dreyfus maiming the two adult sons of a noble house. I'm not sure what the dueling rules are in Zaichaer, but historically, that would incur bad blood from the house in question and askance from other noble houses. Keep swingin' that big sword around, baby.