Bloom & Grow [Ursula]

[Brenner Dornkirk]

"Fair enough..." In point of fact, Tobias Zorothy had been the subject of the girls' tiff and, though he disciplined them like children, he never troubled himself to learn their names. Nobody spilt Brenner Dornkirk's booze and stepped away from the incident unscathed.

Speaking of which, Brenner was not altogether sure he would step away from Ursula's latest game unscathed. He knew that he was flailing, not because he wasn't in earnest, but because he felt as though he was under scrutiny. It was one thing to offer a compliment in passing and entirely another to be asked a pointed question that seemed to demand they be delivered in haste.

When all was said and done, he seemed to have made it through without entirely humiliating himself and that he considered a win. Dabbing at his brow with his sleeve, he considered how he might best employ his first turn. He did not altogether understand the rules of the game as yet, so it seemed best that he follow Ursula's suit.

"I, too, choose a tell..." He decided, though he needed another moment to ponder what might be useful to know. It would be entirely too dull to just reflect her own question back on her, and he was more interested in her present impressions of him than her past ones. There was one element of her past after which he'd wondered, but he wasn't sure this was the time to broach it. He knew she had a history with Myles Arnnett and he was interested to know whether it had ever been romantic in nature... Pursing his lips, he decided against that line of questioning. At least for the nonce. It might make him appear jealous. He would select something a bit more practical to their current predicament.

"What are your reservations about this courtship? ...if there are any..."

[Ursula Fletcher]

“Hm. Any reservations….”

Myles, of course. And whatever was between him and Brenner. She worried that Brenner preferred her family’s name to her. She wondered if he’d heard the rumors about Stefan, when his wedding had been announced. Like weeds, she remembered hearing, those Dornkirks. Strangling the flowers of Zaichaeri.

Ursula, as independent as she claimed she was, enjoyed a privilege few held. Her family hadn’t once been cast to the shadows, not in their history. She’d grown up delighting in every advantage her name might offer.

But the Dornkirk name wouldn’t offer those same advantages.

A change, her mother warned, and working for the respect she’d always expected would be difficult. She’d still be a Fletcher, of course, but there were those who’d see her as less for not choosing a more appropriate family.

Her father said it wasn’t anything to worry about - the Fletchers always made the right decision. The Dornkirk boys were on the up and up. The war, if it ever came, was already won.

“You seem a bit shy,” Ursula said, keeping her real concerns hidden, “I only notice it because my eldest brother is the same way. His uniform, it’s a sort of shield for him. He understands its rules and expectations,” she thought of her father, and the Admiral, who were technically the same person but so very different. Brenner, she believed, was very different from Commander Dornkirk.

“I heard your speech on the 8th. It was very impressive,” she turned to look back at the garden. It was a beautiful place. It didn’t seem like the man she’d heard on the 8th would enjoy this sort of place. “And, you are - here and then, well-spoken. Intelligent.”

An officer was bound to the uniform. But sometimes men kept being the officer without the uniform.

“I am so proud that my family is so dedicated to service. And I am so honored that you have made time for me, when your professional duties must keep you so very busy,” she smiled, turning her head to Brenner.

“But I wonder if I have spent time with Commander Dornkirk and only Commander Dornkirk. I wonder, even though we have only begun courting, if I’ve learned anything about Brenner Dornkirk at all?”

And, for once, there was no smile on her face. Her eyes looked at his, searching, because more than anything - she wondered if he understood what she was asking. He’d changed the game. And she’d forgotten that she was supposed to the one deciding.

[Brenner Dornkirk]

As soon as the question had crossed his lips, he was nervous for the answer. It wasn't the most innocuous of queries, as the entire future of whatever relationship they might have hinged upon its answer. In that way it was, he realised belatedly, a bolder question than hers had been. Past impressions were just that: Past, but present reservations were another matter entirely. Her initial reply rather took him aback, and he blinked in surprise.

"Shy?" He tipped his head back and laughed loudly enough that a few startled birds burst skyward from branches in the tree that shaded their bench. "I'm sorry, I can't remember the last time anyone called me shy..." He was chided quite often for his verbosity, but he took that ribbing with a grain of salt as his gift of elocution had been the very thing that led to his rise to the second highest office in all the land at a mere thirty years old. He settled back down as she elaborated, listening intently as he was quite curious about her reasoning. His smile faded.

"I... don't know that there's much of a distinction, honestly. I hope I've not been overly imperious, but... Well, there are forms to be obeyed. We've only known one another, what?" He paused to recall the date. "Since the seventh... And this is the twelfth." He cracked a smile, "We've seen a lot of each other in that time, but that's not even a week. I think it's natural that a bit of formality-" He amended, "...a bit of decorum yet be observed. And I will say that, for me, I've let my hair down quite a bit for someone with whom I've had so brief a concourse. In my new position it is... precarious to grow close to someone. Caution needs must be exercised." He cracked a smile,

"But I suspect you'll have me throwing it to the wind by week two, if you keep this up."

[Ursula Fletcher]

Brenner was right, she supposed.

They’d only known each other for a few days. He was the First Minister of the State of Zaichaer. And, he assumed the position in the midst of a coup. Zaichaer and Kalzasi seemed determined to face the other in war. It would be folly for him to trust blindly. And, she thought, she might be better to practice with the same reserve.

“Decorum is always welcome,” she smiled, softly, the edge of her gone. Ursula Helene Fletcher was bound by etiquette. She was bound by name. She was bound by expectation. This wasn’t something she decided to herself, but was the way of things. She’d been born into Decorum’s waiting hands.

Brenner, she suspected, had found Decorum on his own and wrapped himself up as the Commander, as easily as anything

“You would give up all caution by week two, Commander Dornkirk?” She asked, doing her best to collect her wits from her thoughts, reminding herself that she - despite the slight rebuff - was enjoying herself. That Brenner Dornkirk was what would make her parents happy. That Brenner Dornkirk was a hero and she was all the luckier to be here. “And to think I thought you shy.”

She smirked, looking back to the garden. There were, she reminded herself, much worse men than Brenner Dornkirk.

“My turn, I think,” she said, after a moment or two. “Tell: Do you prefer dogs or cats?”

[Brenner Dornkirk]

"It certainly has its place in our society." Brenner conceded, though not stridently nor sternly. His brows rose at her reframing of his statement.

"Oh, I am a better politician than that, Miss Fletcher. I'm sure I didn't say I'd give up 'all' caution, but..." He shrugged one shoulder, "It would be an unfortunate courtship that didn't allow for a splash of vulnerability at some point, wouldn't you say? It may not be wise to trust blindly, but not to trust at all? Why... That's hardly a life." Sure, he had his secrets and there were some he intended to take to his grave, but in a spouse he sought foremost a friend. A seamless addition to his close knit family. A confidante, keen to work toward the same, or at least parallel, goals.

"Mm." He grunted at her next question. "I would say cats for two major reasons. One- They are independent. With a job like mine, it would be difficult to be present as often as a dog would require and I hardly want a pet that is raised by servants. Imagine owning a dog that loves the staff more than its master! Unseemly. And two- Cats earn their keep. In the interest of... expressing vulnerability, I will tell you I am afflicted with a dreadful phobia of rats. As felines are the natural nemesis to those wretched creatures, I consider them downright heroic." He pursed his lips as he considered his next move in this game of freeform social chess.

"Tell:" And he grinned impishly in advance of the asking,

"What have you told your friends about me?" A bit of a gambit to assume she'd spoken of him at all, but in point of fact, he did assume that. In his mind, she'd tipped her hand a bit by trying to shuck the oyster from its shell after so short a time as their current courtship.

[Ursula Fletcher]

Ursula wasn’t sure she cared much for either dogs or cats. Her mother had a small poodle growing up that barked unending. It was a horrible little thing and when it died, the world was brighter. She supposed having one for herself might soften her outlook, but as it was, she only knew horses.

And, in her opinion, they were vastly better than dogs or cats or any other such creature.

Her smile returned when he asked about her friends. “Not much more than what I’ve said here,” she shrugged, “I’ve mentioned that you seem very much a gentleman. You are kind and good-humored. If it suits you too know, many are very curious about you, Commander Dorkirk,” she said, although it was more a curiosity as to how Ursula might try to ruin this match. Her friends knew her as someone who spited the idea of marriage - and it was much to their surprise when she hadn’t scared off the First Minister. And, how shocked they were when she’d told them she might not ruin it at all.

“My dear friend Mr. Arnnett was especially curious,” she said, turning back to the garden. She wouldn’t look at him - she might not be able to hide her searching gaze. It’d be better to listen to any curiosity Brenner might show in his voice than his face. A subtler play. “He usually isn’t so interested in my suitors. But, I suppose, you did impress quite a few people at my mother’s soiree.”

She’d wanted to know how his family thought of her, especially the mother who was a notorious shut-in. But she couldn’t ask, not so soon after she’d fumbled her previous question.

“Tell:,” she said, and this was a more curious question than anything done with much thought to the game. “Why haven’t you yet visited the Gelerian Imperium?”

She knew he spoke the language. And that his mother hailed from the Imperium. She found it strange he hadn’t gone, not ever. Although, she supposed, she’d only really ever visited because her mother loved it so. Still, he did seem enamored enough with Imperial culture that he should have gone once or twice.

[Brenner Dornkirk]

Brenner knitted his brow, noting that she didn’t really have any particular response to his answer regarding his animal preferences. He wondered whether he’d answered incorrectly. It could be a very divisive issue, he knew, though his preferences were not particularly rigid. He liked dogs as well, he just felt like they seemed more labour intensive than he was prepared to invest.

“Myles?” Even without looking directly at him, Ursula would note that Brenner’s posture straightened- even if she didn’t see exactly how his expression lit up.

“Well… he and I bonded on a very intense mission not too long ago. He served ably under my command in great service to the State. If not for Arnnett’s contributions, we might have lost men and I almost certainly wouldn’t have been appointed First Minister…” He trailed off. That was about the extent of what he could tell her without breaching classified State secrets.

“Ah… well I’ve had plans to several times. All when I was younger. The family planned to take the trip during school breaks, but something would always come up last minute… A new contract for a ship design that Father would have to tend to, or a fire in the factories… looking back I wonder whether they weren’t contrived excuses. Our father has never left Zaichaer and I don’t think he was keen for us to, either… at least not when it wasn’t an assignment that promised glory and renown. I’m better travelled as an adult, but all of those journeys have been in service to the State. Obviously, Zaichaer doesn’t make a habit of sending warships into the Imperium, and so… other priorities have just always taken precedence. I imagine I’ll get there someday…”

[Ursula Fletcher]

She felt it, as Brenner adjusted his posture. She heard the curiosity that colored his voice. So, she thought, something was there, at least from Brenner’s side of things.

“I’m glad,” Ursula said, “I value Mr. Arnnett’s friendship greatly,” she looked at Brenner and she wondered if he ever realized what he was feeling. It sounded, from his earlier response, like he didn't differentiate much between Commander Dornkirk and Brenner Dornkirk.

“He spoke highly of you. I - ,” she hesitated, thinking. There were ways to approach this sort of thing, gently. “- and it sounds as if you appreciate his service to the state. I have planned to meet him for drinks on the 14th if you’d like to join.” She wondered, briefly, if it might be too soon to test them against each other. Perhaps, she thought, she might be better off asking Myles directly.

“It would be important to me that you come to know Mr. Arnnett as a friend, as well.”

Too late, she supposed. The invitation was there, and it was up to Brenner to accept it or decline. It was true, at least, that she would expect any suitor of hers to be, at least, friendly with Myles. Perhaps not as friendly as Brenner might imagine them to be, but cordial at the very least.

“I hope you are able to visit soon,” she said, “Glade is especially beautiful. The Imperium makes for a wonderful tour - although, I might suggest trying to visit when you aren’t working,” she offers his a playful wink, smirking, “But I imagine that the First Minister of the State of Zaichaer would have, eventually, a diplomatic mission to the Imperium. The Gelerian Imperium is friends of Zaichaer, aren’t they?”

[Brenner Dornkirk]

Brenner was passing pleased to hear of Myles' fond regard. It was mutual, of course. He'd liked Arnnett from the moment he'd laid eyes on him. There was just something about him...

"Well... I consider him a friend already, but would not shirk an opportunity to deepen that bond." He felt a blush creeping up his neck, as he added: "Brothers in arms, and all that. I accept your invitation."

In truth, he'd been disappointed that they hadn't seen much of each other after the expedition, but it was mostly his own fault. The ailment that deteriorated his form had made him quite tired as well, so between the embarrassment and the exhaustion he hadn't got out much last season. And then, of course, there was the meeting with their allies and the Kalzasi trip...

Speaking of their allies,

"Indeed!" He smiled, "Her Esteemed Excellency made formidable strides with our relations with the Imperium during her time as First Minister. And I very much hope they will contribute to our war efforts to help turn the tide against Kalzasi. That is not to say that I do not believe we can win on our own, but I believe the victory will be far faster and more comprehensive if they should see fit to involve themselves in the affairs of Karnor." He paused, only belatedly remembering they were mid-game.

"Uhh... Tell." Why break the trend now? He still wasn't even sure how the alternative would work. "What is something in the Imperium that is absolutely not to be missed when I finally get round to visiting?" Not the most personal of questions, perhaps, but at least it would keep the game aligned with the flow of the conversation.

[Ursula Fletcher]

She knew he wasn’t blushing for her. She watched as Brenner became more rose than edelweiß. She wondered if he knew. He couldn’t, she thought, because what Brenner felt was something she doubted Commander Dornkirk could feel.

And, as Ursula was thinking about Brenner and Myles and Myles and Brenner, she ignored her own feelings. A root of something green settled inside her. Ursula paid it no mind.

Ursula might try to kill it before it reached her heart. There were some things she couldn’t bear to understand.

“I’m sure he’ll be pleased to hear of your attendance,” she said, “And I am pleased to discover you are already friends.” And she was, she decided, ignoring the growing weed inside her. She couldn’t afford to be anything other than pleased. Not yet, not now.

“I suppose you aren’t interested in dress shops or the jewelers we visit,” Ursula smiled, teasingly, “There is a restaurant I love, Der leckere Ort, that does a - what is it, a schnitzel? Delicious. And there are of course the museums. They have such splendid art. And, of course, the palace. I’ve only ever been to the occasional ball, and nothing so intimate as a dinner with the emperor, but it is a beautiful piece of architecture.”