The Riverland Festival Gala, Part Deux [Open]

[Dreyfus]

Company: Too many people| Thoughts: This should be good| Mood: Intrigued, Buzzed

---

♅ It seemed that his words had their intended effect. Ms. Farraway seemed flustered at the revelation of his family's involvement in the fall of her own. What intrigued him was that she seemed shocked, which was a shock to him as well. He assumed she was aware of the reason their families never interacted.

Whatever the reason, he wouldn't pry on it as it was not his concern, but it seemed to him that he uncovered her eyes to something only she knew or the lack thereof. Watching her eyes, he followed them through the crowd to he saw a woman looking rather perplex, her gaze shifting to him and cutting him with her eyes. It appeared the connection was made and he could only assume it was her mother.

The man she was conversing with didnt seem familiar but he could tell they were important. The two were cutting through the crowd and he could only imagine what he had just unleashed on himself. Ordering something of the stronger variety, Dreyfus mentally prepared for the incurring wrath of a woman who no doubted hated him, but more importantly a mother who hated him.

Brenner's brother, Stefan if he wasn't mistaken, had joined them finally, along with the XO Eitan. He knew of the family, but not enough to where the two were friendly. Seeing him up close he was truly as youthful in looks as he had heard. He had to commend the young XO as he was the perfect example of what hard work looked like, despite not truly being a legitimate child.

At that moment, a new figure joined the group, Dreyfus noticing it was getting rather crowded now at the bar, but gave the young man room to join them. He seemed to be the soldier type, probably of the ground forces for the state. He didnt seem to be anything special, but Dreyfus learned never to judge others on outward appearances alone. He would allow the man to determine how the wolf would perceive him through how he conducted himself.

Dreyfus joined the group in their "Hail Zaichaer", silently of course as he was not one to show too much outwardly. As his drink came to him, he felt the caressing grasp on a hand. It was delicate and that indicated to him that it was a female. "How are you handling mingling with society folk nephew." Francesca's voice purred in his ear as she came into his view, a playful smile on her face. "I see a lioness is on the approach, so it's only fitting you have one of your own on your side." she purred, tipping her drink to him.

If there was one woman he wanted by his side it was her, Francesca was vicious, in both social and business circles and many people came to know that one way or the other. Dreyfus was curious how Jane's mother would contend with her.♅

---

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

[Stefan Dornkirk]

It seemed to be a convergence at the bar, but that was wont to happen between dances. He did not know the young, uniformed man so he merely took the offered drink and swallowed it, repeating the rallying call of his fellows.

Something in the way the young woman moved away reminded him of the way he himself stepped aside to avoid unpleasantness. Glancing between his companions he saw Monteliyet watching her with some level of intensity, not altogether friendly. The lady took a handkerchief offered subtly by a passing serving-man and Stefan frowned. The Reconciliator could be uncouth, it was true, and when he pushed at masculine company it was to be expected, but insulting or upsetting a woman without cause was crossing a line. He turned the full force of his height and displeasure on the offending man but then saw Monteliyet's eyes distracted elsewhere. Following their gaze, he saw an older woman who bore a resemblance to Miss Farraway making her way over with a determined expression.

Perhaps it hadn't been Dreyfus who upset her. Stefan knew well the pain of having his own mother insert herself into his conversations forcefully. It was not pity he felt, but rather, sympathy. Stepping over to Miss Farraway he said, quietly,

"Forgive me, might you care to take this next dance with me? If you are feeling unwell I could escort you onto a balcony or I know the exhibitions well if you'd only like to be out of the crowd." He stood a little back, not looming over her, giving her space to step away from him is he was misreading the situation. After a long moment of hesitation, he added,

"I sometimes need to step away when there are this many people in attendance. It can be... a lot." For that moment he was open, vulnerable, one-hand open but close to his side, the merest implication of an offer without being obvious enough that her leaving would be a public snub.

In truth he would likely enjoy a conversation with her, and then his mother couldn't harass him for not having danced.

[Eitan Angevin]

"Miss Jane," he acknowledged. "It has been some time. Agent."

Unsure whether she remembered him or was playing at not remembering him, he let it pass. It was a party, after all. He chuckled, though not at her expense, when the schnapps didn't go down as smoothly as she might have expected.

"It does burn a bit."

What he knew of the Monteliyets was drawn mostly from his grandmother's encyclopedic knowledge of the who's who of Zaichaeri society. While he himself was a Watcher of Purity in the Order of Reconciliation, his training had been more of a one-on-one affair with various instructors, and so he didn't know many of his peers within the Order. The plan had always been for him to be a bridge between the Order and the Corps, and he hoped he was fulfilling that duty to the expectations of his superiors.

"Ah, Arnnett," he said, grinning at his old comrade-in-arms. "Glad to see the Cult couldn't keep you down for long." It had taken down a fair few other soldiers of Zaichaer that day, but they had paid for it. "Welcome to the party. These are the Brothers Dornkirk; Stefan, who runs the Windworks. Brenner, Commander of the Searing Victory. Lady Camilla Jane Osgrove Farraway—I think she prefers even new friends call her Jane. A student at the Institute. Agent Dreyfus Monteliyet of the Order of Reconciliation, and his sister—sorry." He flashed a rakish smile at the woman. "His aunt, Francesca Monteliyet. Assembled notables, this is Myles Arnnett, an officer in the Defense Corps and, I can attest, one of Zaichaer's heroes."

Having done his part, he took a sip of his drink and fell quiet to allow the newly introduced to mingle, though it seemed as though Stefan might get a dance out of Jane. He would have made a joke about his sister's broken heart, but there were too many people present who might take it the wrong way and he didn't want to start needless rumors.

[Brenner Dornkirk]

Brenner's eyes turned from Eitan to Jane, listening politely as she made dainty excuses for the snarky remarks he'd been exchanging with Dreyfus. He chuckled, appreciatively. She was a diplomatic creature, he noted. It was a pity she seemed to be an object of ridicule. A woman deft enough to navigate the present company seemed like an asset to any family. As Jane continued her exchange with Agent Montilyet, Brenner took note of an approaching guest- Squinting as he wracked his brain as to why the fellow looked familiar.

Arnnett, Eitan had said to Brenner's good fortune. He knew the name well enough, but not this particular member of the dynasty. He'd fair idolised the eldest Arnnett brother as an ambitious teen, but of this one he couldn't so much as conjure his given name... Myles, Eitan solved the problem, unwittingly dutiful at the task of refreshing Brenner's memory.

"Ah, I remember you, old boy!" He smiled to the handsome youth, "Join us for a drink?" Without waiting, Brenner gestured to the bartender who hadn't even bothered to shelve the Gelerian schnapps with how popular it had become in the past few minutes.

When Brenner turned back to check on Jane, he found that her place before Dreyfus had been usurped by a strange woman. He furrowed his brow and scanned the area, finding that Jane hadn't gotten far and that Stefan was attending her. The way he leaned down seemed almost conspiratorial, and so Brenner elected not to interrupt- turning his attention, instead, back to Eitan and Myles. His eyes travelled down the brief journey of Myles Arnnett from head to toe and back. He ran his tongue over his top teeth and took a savouring sip of schnapps.

"So, what branch of the corps are you with?" He inquired when he next locked eyes with Arnnett.

[Jane Farraway]

Searing 15th, 121. Hall of Inventors, Zaichaer

The familiar tone of Eitan’s address had at last cleared the ambiguity regarding his memory of her. She flushed slightly in shame, seeing .

“It has--yes. A commander now, I see.” she responded faintly.

The Gelerian Schnapps had made for a difficult toast, but the tears it drew would make for a good excuse for any that remained from her prior shock. She was sure she had hidden her displeasure well, but Eitan seemed to have noticed. His sympathies, at the very least, helped to ease a fraction of the discomfort she felt in his presence.

“Oh yes!”, Jane said with laughing cough, “Thought I’d give it a try, but I think that will be my first and last shot for the evening.” With that she daintily placed the glass back on the bar and dabbed her mouth with the handkerchief she had recently been given.

The smell of rich, smoky cologne had caught Jane’s attention, starting off faint, enjoyable even, but it slowly grew to be so oppressive that it stung her nose and eyes. Blinking, she noticed a man, a soldier from his manner of dress, had covertly joined their group during the toast. He had a rugged, smarmy humor about him—confident, or at least pretending to be. Jane was well familiar with this sort, having had a weakness for one in the past, and coldly tightened her posture. It was then apparent that he was an associate of Eitan’s, who seemed to regard him with some esteem. Myles Arnnett. The family name was familiar but the man was not. She lamely eyed his insignia and recognized his rank, but it was a medal, the Cracked Cog, that caught her attention. It was not a medal lightly earned, lending some credence to his reputation.

Another seemed to have joined their group as well, slinking up to Dreyfus like a viper that was deadly to all but him. Eitan introduced her as Francesca Montilyet, the Reconciliator’s aunt. The Montilyets had a certain way about them, Jane noted. It made her uneasy to say the least.

Jane bit the inside of her lip as Eitan introduced her. It was more than knowledgeable, unnervingly so, including even the surname of her late father. She hesitated to call herself a “student”, having not attended the Institute for the better part of the season, but did not want to correct Eitan in front of the others. She demurely curtsied to Francesca, greeting her in a voice that was barely above a murmur. She was finally able to find her words when addressing Myles, finding him more approachable than woman at Dreyfus’s side.

“A pleasure to meet you, Corporal Arnnett. Might I compliment you on your cologne? It has a lovely profile.”, It was clear he was not one accustomed to wearing fragrances, but an effort had been made. Conspicuous attempts should always be addressed with positivity, even if they are not entirely successful.

As the group conversed, Carmen drew closer, slowed only by the elderly General's pace. Jane wracked her brain for possible distractions. She could fake a fainting spell. It was a dramatic option she wanted to avoid, but she had seen it serve other ladies adequately enough when faced with uncomfortable situations. She did not expect Stefan to approach her, offering his company with a subtle hand. Her heart jumped, but quickly settled. The expression on his face spoke more of pity than desire and she quickly discerned that he had noticed the unpleasant exchange between her and Dreyfus. The thought of a dance was almost dreamy, but she had received enough attention with Brenner. She could not imagine what gossip there would be if she danced with the Dornkirk heir as well. Besides, the opportunity to view the exhibitions with one of the greatest scientific minds of Zaichaer had so much more to offer.

“Yes—it—it can be rather overwhelming.”Jane smiled but did not take his hand. Instead, she stepped closer, hands clasped, “Were it not so I'd be honored to dance with you, Sir Dornkirk, but perhaps—well, I have been curious about the exhibits all evening, if that would be something you'd prefer?”

She cast a furtive glance at Brenner before accompanying Stefan. The exhibitions, for all their grandeur, were under-attended, but not so secluded that the intentions of viewing them with a gentleman might be misconstrued. Jane locked eyes with her mother as they walked opposite of each other. Lady Farraway looked annoyed then somewhat pleased as she observed her daughter's escort. Whatever gossip she had fed the General was now working against her as he seemed intent on speaking with the young men gathered at the bar. Jane breathed a deep sigh of relief, immensely grateful she would not be intercepted, at least for now.

[Myles Arnnett]

Remember Myles, you are an Arnnett, an Aristocrat, lower your head to none son, learn the games your people play, or you'll be a pawn in them. Just being at the party made Myles think about his father and his decadent lifestyle, along with the philosophies he'd tried to mold him with. Hiding his thoughts behind a swig of schnapps the soldier returned to reality as he was lauded by one of the men who'd led the rescue to save his would be charred corpse.

Still he nodded to each of those introduced to him in kind, the mention of the cult caused his jaw to clench briefly before he steeled himself annoyed his inability to stay placid as he'd planned. When Eitan referred to him as a hero Myles shook his slightly.

“Ive earned no such title yet, the hero's of that battle perished giving the rest of us a chance.”

He wanted to go on to say he'd avenge them all himself, but he was above such melodramatics, or at least hoped he was. Eyeing the alcohol flowing around himself he'd need to be mindful not to make an ass out himself somewhere his brothers could hear of it. “Thank you for the Introductions Sir Angevin.”

While there'd been a twinkle of familiarity about the Dornkirks as they where introduced it wasn't until Brenner spoke the Myles lips parted in a thin grin. The way the man spoke was unmistakable when paired with the way he carried himself. Even though they'd been years apart in schooling the man's reputation had preceded him within the blue blooded community of up and coming socialites. Even Myles was not immune to the occasional rumor and hyperbole. “Brenner you ol' charmer” Myles took the proffered glass unable to turn down such a gracious offer. He could feel his accent shifting to the aristocratic tone he'd been raised with but usually stowed while among his men and the rabble. “Always wherever the good times are,” Recycling his elders brothers lines once upon a time to mock him had in a turnabout way prepared him for dialogues like these, or at least the blueblood hoped. To answer the man's question Myles finished the schnapps and saluted neatly. “Defense corps, specializing in recon and border security.” The salute and line came from answering that question far too many times as he'd introduced himself to his new superiors after his promotion to corporal.

Addressed this time by the strongest source of feminine charm around him Myles again thrice cursed his Lieutenant for his prank. “Thank you, it was a gift from a friend.” He lied. Bowing in turn to her curtsy Myles noted her tense at the approach of a woman of similar make, tho he noted this one was shaped from ice and lacked the pleasant softness of temperament and form her offspring displayed. The elder warhawk she accompanied wore the dress of soldier's Myles thought relics of an older Zaicharian era.

Saluting smartly to the man on reflex Myles smiled as the man returned the gesture, a twinkle sparking in his eye at the recognition of his worth. Allowing the general his moment to talk He looked to the man and the elder Farraway another one of his brothers lines preparing to escape his lips. “It's been to long Miss Farraway, I think I was this tall when I last saw you.” Gesturing to about the height of his waist he smiled. “Seems you've found yourself an ageless damsel general.” Hoping the compliment landed Myles pondered what he was even doing here. It came naturally enough yet this schmoozing still felt slimy in his mouth.

Myles washed that feeling down with another schnapps and thought on it no more this eve.

[Dreyfus]

Company: Everyone| Thoughts: When will this be over| Mood: Indifferent

---

♅ "Whatever you said to the Farraway girl got her mother riled up, I hope you didn't ignite a war between our families" Francesca purred, looking at the encroaching parent and her guest. Dreyfus wasn't worried about the elder Farraway, as her and her guest were of little concern to him. He was more so preoccupied with the others.

There were many faces he had seen around before, but never had the pleasure of working with any of them. There were introductions, Eitan being the one to do them. Dreyfus nodded when he was introduced to the soldier, looking him over more intently now that he was within the group entirely. It seemed he knew some of the others, but knew he would eventually see him more if he was within the military.

The more he looked over the man, the more he said the name over in his head, he began to recall a report from a group that was ambushed by cultish mages. This was one of the survivors of that incident, "Myles was it?" he began, looking over the man more intently as he approached him. "You were a survivor of the incident correct?"

He got a closer look and was now intrigued, not so much about him but more so about the experience he had with these mages. If this cult was still out there then it meant danger for the mages of this city, and he couldn't have that. If could bring them down, eradicate such a dangerous element, he would be able to be at peace. He couldn't allow the fragile peace the mages of Zaichaer had already to be broken.

"Whenever you have time I'd like to talk to you about them, my family specializes in hunting dangerous mages. As a mage, I don't like this rogue element being on the loose. I will be more than willing to aid you in your quest to bring them to justice." he encouraged, placing a card in his with his contact information on it.♅

---

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

[Stefan Dornkirk]

The suggested alternative activity to dancing brought a slight but genuine smile to Stefan's face and he took Miss Farroway's arm readily, leading her to where the exhibition proper started.

He began to point out the little ships, the machines that created the artificial weather environment, speaking at first only very generally about how it was done, but as Jane showed not only real interest but a working knowledge of some of the systems he began to open up. Even Brenner rarely showed informed interest in his work and he found himself enjoying the company, forgetting to be stiffly formal and conversing as he might have with a colleague at the Windworks or a fellow scholar at the University. Glancing sideways as the plumply pretty woman asked a question that showed a grasp of his subject beyond the commons he realized that a scholar was exactly what she was.

Slipping in and out between the pillars and displayed experiments he spoke of barometric pressure and wind currents, how both affected the chance of an airship staying aloft and how he hoped to someday be able to use the weather creation machines to better predict such things. When Jane excitedly began to compare his ideas to her studies of birds and other biological flyers he tilted his head, fascinated in turn by her ideas.

From behind the sound of an older woman's voice raising in what might have been the calling of the name Camilla he glanced deeper into the more technical and less flashy parts of the science fair and then back at his companion of the hour,

"Miss Farroway, I have suddenly gotten the urge to observe that collection of ancient Galerien texts on the nature of musculature structure in Kaslzasian flying rodents, would you care to join me?"

The pair made their way, with suppressed smiles into the less popular areas where Stefan continued, for several hours, to be surprised and frankly delighted by the bright, eager mind of an intelligent woman. By the time he realized he really must be getting back to the party they had already made plans to meet, at the University, at a later date, to go over notes on recent biological discoveries, and tentative plans to attempt some experimentation of their own.

It was, all in all, the best Gala Stefan had ever attended.

[Eitan Angevin]

When Brenner's hearing proved selective, he wondered how much schnapps his friend had imbibed before he had wandered over with Stefan. And Stefan had wandered off with Brenner's ladyfriend. Not wanting to dull his wits, he nursed the dregs of his drink and rather paid attention to the others. One of the reasons he had been brought into the Order and brought into it young was his strange position in society, and now he exercised those skills they had taught him to a purpose.

Corporal Arnnett was diffident or perhaps just modest about his accomplishments. Eitan, at least, viewed survival as an accomplishment. Francesca ignored him entirely, which was fine. He didn't need nor want to be the center of attention, but he couldn't tell if she was being purposefully rude or it was part of the strange, nefarious vibe she and her nephew seemed to be playing up for the party. It was rather like a theater play around here. Monteliyet seemed to want to dredge up old history as if the various Corps and the Order hadn't investigated and routed that branch of the Cult of Mending. Perhaps he was just out of the loop, but he supposed wanting to investigate never hurt. He knew Vigilant Richter had little respect for Monteliyet's mentor, but Eitan himself didn't see the point of carrying her own prejudices over into his own interpersonal dealings. If Arnnett wanted to speak to Monteliyet about the traumatic battle and the medical evacuation executed by his own former ship, then so be it.

It wouldn't hurt to have more people seeking out the aberrant cult as they did seem to be like the mythical hydra, who grew two new heads for each one they severed. No simple serpent that one.

Well, now he would just keep his eyes and ears open, make sure to check in on his sister when she made her appearance, and look forward to the afterparty.

[Brenner Dornkirk]

Perhaps a slight blush accompanied the smile that answered Myles' designation of Brenner Dornkirk as an 'ol' charmer'. But perhaps it was just the schnapps he'd imbibed that reddened his pale cheeks as he lowered his eyes.

"I do try to keep things amusing." Brenner conceded with a snigger, as he lifted his icy blue gaze to meet Myles'. Brenner's own manner of speech was clipped and posh to the Nth degree. Elocution had been exceedingly important to his upbringing, as it had been something their father had come to later in life. The Dornkirk Patriarch's own accent still bore hints of his meagre background, but he would not abide that in his offspring. Their mother bore the pronounced Gelerian accent of one whose first language was Kathalan, which made he come off more exotic. There were times when Brenner wondered whether she played it up to add to her mystique, but her accent rarely coloured his own when he spoke Common. Brenner was rarely not conscious of how he spoke, but there were rare occasions where he was distressed enough to lose himself and in those instances he might have let more of Gel'grandal slip into his speech patterns.

A thought crossed Brenner's mind as he regarded the handsome youth before him.

"Corporal Arnnett, I wonder whether we might get to know one another. I may have some work in the coming months for a man like yourself, and I should like to get to know you a bit better to see whether you might not be a good fit for the project..."

He trailed off, and sipped at his drink. The evening would proceed for another several hours with drinks and repartee both flowing freely until the one outpaced the other. When the moment presented itself, Brenner would approach Eitan and Stefan in private. There was news to be shared that promised to alter the fate of Zaichaer and change Ransera as they knew it. But by and by, it was time for this social expedition to draw to its close to grant Brenner leave to address matters pertaining to the proper expedition that had just been approved by the Office of the First Minister.

The End