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Re: Name one hero who was happy. [Brenner]
Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2022 1:28 pm
by Ursula Fletcher
“The idea I might select something so scandalous, Commander!” Ursula frowned, but her expression wasn’t terribly serious. “The Fletcher House has, and will always be, patriots. Zaichaer will always have us.”
Her words were lighthearted, as best she could make them. The possibility of war was thick in the air. And, with the recent coup, and the very public shaming of once-prominent families - well, to be anything less than absolutely loyal, even in jest, was something Ursula refused to risk.
“...of course, the thought of a donation to the Pfenning Theater did inspire my suggestion,” she said, “Hardly damaging to your career. Although, it might motivate my mother to lecture you, again, on the various offenses she’s endured at the hands of their new director.” Ursula smiled, her expression teasing. “It is, currently, one of her favorite topics.”
A good sport, she decided, considering Brenner as he considered her. His expression was strikingly severe like he was all edge. He was, of course, quite handsome, but there was something sharp to him.
“How kind of you, to discard an advantage!” Ursula said, “Not terribly strategic, but I would have you know it's appreciated all the same.”
She laughed, like a breath of summer wind, “I would deny it if we were in public, but, yes, I enjoy the odd wager, every now and then. I might describe it as a fondness for games, so long as there is some skill involved rather than relying entirely on chance. A point for you, Commander Dornkirk.”
And now, it was her turn. “I assumed, initially, that you rode,” she starts, eyeing Brenner. “But, no. How could you be, when you’ve flown. I imagine a horse pales in comparison to any airship.”
She hummed, thinking. “You hunt. Perhaps not as much as you might wish to but enough that you would consider it a hobby.”
Re: Name one hero who was happy. [Brenner]
Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2022 3:08 pm
by Brenner Dornkirk
“That is a political storm I believe I could weather…” Brenner said of a donation to the Pfenning. It wasn’t controversial in the way he’d meant and it was a popular venue, even if he shared Olivia’s distaste for some of their recent trends in staging. It had even been suggested by one of the top dogs at the Golden Peacock that he take a more active role in the culture of his homeland. Perhaps it might be worth pursuing a position on their board.
“Alack!” Brenner chuckled, “Sometimes it is meet that chivalry take precedence over strategy.” He offered a flourishing bow- a jovial, exaggerated display of the courtly manners that led him to yield up his advantage.
“Ahh, that was an easy one.” Brenner wrinkled his nose. “I’m of a class and station where hunting is a given and the Dornkirk hunting lodge is well known amongst the smart set.” He noted with a wink to the admiral, who had doubtless been hosted there for some event or other. “Perhaps you’ll be good enough to inspect those grounds as well…” He mused.
“We are thus matched. But, if we are going to take the path of least resistance, you are a genteel young woman and so I will play the odds and guess that you fancy dancing.” He pursed his lips and tilted his head. It might have been wishful thinking on his part. Not just because it was one of those pastimes that would be expected of a woman in their society, but also because it was a particular fancy of his own. He was surprisingly adept at the more modern trends, but of course he was familiar with the more traditional courtly dances. Zaichaer was, after all, known for the elegance of the waltz.
Re: Name one hero who was happy. [Brenner]
Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2022 4:16 pm
by Ursula Fletcher
“And they say chivalry is dead.”
She laughed as he bowed and offered to him a curtsy, matching Brenner’s own exaggerations as best she could.
“It was rather unfair of me, wasn’t it,” she admitted, “There, another truth I’d deny to another: I can be competitive,” she smirked, wryly.
The hunting lodge was fairly known, at least by the men in her family. The Admiral had visited a few times, on state business, of course. The River Corps did try to keep friendly relations with the various manufacturers in the city. And, once, her eldest brother - much to the dismay of the others - accompanied the Admiral on a trip.
It was, apparently, quite the country home.
“Another point in your favor,” she nodded, “Dancing is such fun, or so I say. I was trained in the waltz, of course, and the more traditional forms,” she demonstrated a box step, adding a twirl at the end for flourish.
“But - and you mustn’t tell mother because I am quite sure she would scold me,” she softened her voice to a whisper, “I have endeavored to learn some of the more contemporary dances. It’s all rather energetic. I am not quite sure how one manages in a proper gown.”
She’d heard rumors of dance houses, of the less reputable sort, where men went without suit jackets and women wore dresses that hardly passed the knee.
“But it is such a delight, I think. I shall hope to have mastered one or two of the modern dances by the end of the season.”
She noted a few sprouting tulips along the wayside. Early, she thought, for this time of year.
“You’d mentioned Opera, and the Pfenning Theater, but I might try and guess -,” she paused, savoring her guess for a moment. “The symphony. And your favorite composer is…Lawrence Wagner.” Lawrence Wagner was one of her favorite composers. A bit old guard, but she enjoyed the way he focused on string instruments, how very sweetly his music sang. She hoped Brenner had a preferred composer of his own, even if it wasn't Wagner.
Re: Name one hero who was happy. [Brenner]
Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2022 5:49 pm
by Brenner Dornkirk
"All's fair in love, war and parlour games, as far as I'm concerned." Brenner quipped, turning his gaze from the girl to the grounds as they continued their leisurely stroll.
"Ah! I am relieved to hear it." He arched an eyebrow and glanced at her sidelong, "I'll consider you a ruthless cozener if you use this for one of your answers, but I too am quite fond of dancing." The First Minister confessed, rather gleefully.
"And now I wonder whether you've had someone checking up on me, because as it happens I am also a bit of an early adopter when it comes to the latest dance crazes. As I said, I've not been out in society much since Searing, but back at the Riverland Festival I cut quite a rug with the foxtrot when the band got boisterous." He grinned effusively at the memory.
This seemed to bode well, thus far. In his mind, friendship was a pivotal part of courtship. He couldn't imagine binding himself and his fortune to one of the many shallow bores who populated the scene. It wasn't the most important element, which was probably loyalty and trustworthiness, but from a more personal standpoint it seemed idea to have someone with wit and similar enough interests to keep things engaging.
"Ha! Well done. Another point for you there, though you were right the first time. I prefer opera to the symphony. It engages more of the senses and I enjoy the craft of storytelling- And Wagner is such a master on that front with his focus on epic themes to stir the heart of any who are drawn to adventure." He nodded, "Truly one of the masters. And you?" He paused his gait and turned his entire body to face her, looking her up and down before nodding.
"Fashion, I'd say. I'll grant it's the rare Zaichaeri who isn't a bit focused on the latest styles, but your look seems as carefully cultivated as your garden's."
Re: Name one hero who was happy. [Brenner]
Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2022 7:31 pm
by Ursula Fletcher
“Oh, if only I had such foresight,” Ursula said, “- but, that might make this game too easy. While I am not above a cheap guess, now and then, I do appreciate a challenge. It makes victory all the sweeter, don’t you agree?”
They were halfway to the garden’s end by now. Various sprouts could be seen here and there, as Glade settled along the lands that made up Fletcher Manor.
The trees would be fruiting any day now.
“Did you?” She smiled, imagining Brenner as he was, uniform and all, flouncing along to the tunes of the Riverland Festival. “I was unfortunately stuck with my parents and some family friends - the Astors, if you’re familiar. There was very little dancing for me, then.”
Another failed pairing, one that had especially upset her father. Crane Astor was an up-and-coming star in the Zaichaeir Air Defense Corps - and, from an older family, much like her own. Sadly, his breeding and prospects did little to remedy the issue that was his face.
“Wagner is actually my favorite,” she answered, “I adore his symphonies.”
She nodded, smirking at the complement deftly played into his guess. He was clever. Good.
“Another point to you. That’s three now, isn’t it?” She had half a mind to lose the game - but that would’ve taken the fun out of it. “This is a bit of a gamble. It could go either way -,” she paused for effect, glancing a look at Brenner.
“You…enjoy collecting model ships? You know, those ones they somehow trap in wine bottles.”
Re: Name one hero who was happy. [Brenner]
Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2022 8:43 pm
by Brenner Dornkirk
"That I do!" He replied with a jaunty chuckle.
"Of course I know the Astors." Brenner replied through clenched teeth. They were amongst that set of the Old Guard who could never be satisfied to accept new families into their version of society. There was a time when they had been openly rude to Brenner's father, though once his wealth and stature in contemporary society exceeded their own, they restrained their acrimony to the province whispers. It was rare these days that anyone spoke ill of Melchior Dornkirk full-throatedly.
"But yes, I danced the night away. It was a lark of a time!" He smiled faintly at the memory. His dancing partner at the time had been Jane Farraway. He had visited her a few times thereafter, but by the time he returned from his expedition it seemed her interest waned along with his health. The latter recovered though he'd yet to hear from her, so he supposed the former remained dim.
"Ah, I think I may have caught you out with that one." He clapped his hands once. "I wouldn't count model ship collecting as a hobby per se, but I will grant you half a point because we have quite a few around the manor. That being, of course, due to my father being an aeronautical magnate. We have design models of all our prototypes on display in one of the sitting rooms. But you took a chance, and so shall I. Hmm..." He paused to consider, finding he really didn't care whether he won or lost at this point.
"Do you... enjoy feeding little animals? Birds or hedgehogs or whatever adorable little thing scurries out of the brush?"
Re: Name one hero who was happy. [Brenner]
Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2022 9:27 pm
by Ursula Fletcher
Ah, yes. She’d forgotten - society. The Astors and a few select families were notoriously exclusive (cloistered, she might call them). True, the Fletchers had been among them, were still, but they weren’t openly dismissive of new money.
After all, her mother’s family’s wealth was only a generation older than the Dornkirk’s.
There were rumors, recently, about some sort of list - a reaction to the very public shaming of a few very old families. One of Mrs. Astor’s sycophants had whipped up the idea, a directory of two-hundred names that were considered, by Mrs. Astor, to be the foundation of Zaichaeri society.
“Truly you are generous, Commander Dornkirk,” Ursula batted her eyelashes - playfully - at Brenner, “A whole half a point? You might risk giving me the wrong impression.” She managed to keep her reaction as it was, wide-eyes and a silly pout before it broke from her laughter.
She was enjoying herself. What a surprise, she thought.
“Do you believe me a fairytale princess, Commander?” She asked, “If only I could sing and see a bird or rat scurry about and sew me a dress of moonlight - but alas, I cannot,” she paused, turning around to look at Brenner. "I, sadly, do not care to feed little animals that scurry about."
“But what would they say if it came out that the First Minister of the State of Zaichaer was kind enough to spare me half a point when I needed it most. And I couldn't be bothered to do him the same kindness - that I, instead, selfishly hoarded all the points all to myself? It would be a scandal. My reputation would never recover.”
She smiled, turning back around to face the garden. “So - in an effort to protect the reputation of myself, and of my family, it is with the greatest honor that I bestow upon you, Brenner Dornkirk, half a point.”
“I suppose that leaves us with a tie, doesn’t it?”
Re: Name one hero who was happy. [Brenner]
Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2022 10:03 pm
by Brenner Dornkirk
"I know, I know..." The First Minister chortled at Ursula's playful chiding at his half point offering. "I know I said my brother was the one with the penchant for philanthropy, but I too can be charitable." He winked, "It's just good politics, really." He grinned, blushing a bit at how she received his most recent guess.
"Well, if you were a fairytale princess, Miss Fletcher, I do hope you'd keep better company than rats! Ghastly creatures." He pretended to shiver at the very notion. In point of fact, the stalwart Air Commander did have a terrible phobia of the rodents. It hadn't been so long ago that he'd had to face it head on when he came into the presence of a particularly unfortunate Rathari who had been born into that particular genus. It was a harrowing experience, but he'd come out of it without having taken or wrought any harm. It was just a week or so of nightmares.
"Ha, ha!" He lifted his hands to applaud Ursula's magnanimity and the game in general. "Well played, Miss Fletcher. Good game all round." He imagined if they got to know one another better, they would eventually discard their best behaviour and play in a more competitive spirit. For the nonce it seemed neither was keen to let the other lose and that, if anything, spoke well of the exchange. It suggested mutual interest and not just the sort that could be imposed by the wills of overbearing parents.
There would likely be complications if the courtship were to persist. He hadn't been altogether chaste in his thirty years, nor even in the last few weeks, but he wasn't bound to anyone and his recent tryst certainly wasn't with anyone marriageable.
"And what diversions will you be according me next?"
Re: Name one hero who was happy. [Brenner]
Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2022 11:03 pm
by Ursula Fletcher
“Mhm,” she hummed, “Good politics. I suppose it is.”
She smiled at his blush and pretended like she smiled at the wink. He was terribly darling.
“Ah, of course! What might be the preferred animal? Horse? Swan? Dog?” She asked, continuing to stroll along the garden path. Horses, of course, but she would be interested in hearing what he thought better suited a princess. She smiled - what a silly conversation.
And how silly, that she should be enjoying it as much as she was.
“And to you as well, Commander Dornkirk - splendid showing, if I say so.”
Ursula wondered if there was anyone she might know that knew the Dornkirks. It would be best to discover something uncouth sooner rather than later. Her mother might already have sent someone to research them. She hadn’t grown up with them, not like many of the other suitors she’d seen, which made Brenner more intriguing than most - a danger, of sorts.
Her parents would be delighted she was considering him seriously. Or, as seriously as she could, having only just met him.
There were rumors aplenty surrounding him and the recent coup. Good and bad alike. He was certainly a risk if pursued. There were safer options.
And yet.
“Ah - a pre-lunch refresher,” Ursula said, watching with a careful eye as a footman balanced a pair of champagne glasses towards them. “You do, I presume, drink? I imagine it’s some sparkling wine that my mother had imported. She has good taste, generally about these sorts of things.”
Re: Name one hero who was happy. [Brenner]
Posted: Fri Mar 04, 2022 4:02 pm
by Brenner Dornkirk
"Anything but rats, really!" Brenner laughed boyishly, "I'd sooner you were a friend to snakes and spiders." He was well aware that many found insects and arachnids more unnerving to find in their homes, what with their many limbs and strange chitin frames- There was something almost alien about them. But Brenner found something particularly distressing about ones home being invaded by another mammal. For him it was actually the commonalities that yielded the discomfort, rather than the differences.
"I assure you, Miss Fletcher, it was as effortless as it appeared." He adopted a playfully haughty grin and dipped into another exaggerated bow.
"Ha!" Brenner couldn't help but chuckle at the question about whether or not he imbibed. "Had you guessed alcohol rather than model ship collecting, you'd have won the game outright." He shook his head, "That is to say, yes. I do drink and a bit of bubbly sounds like just the thing for such a lovely day." Moreover his day was not done. There was more work to execute after this little rendezvous, so a little flute of champagne wouldn't be enough to offset those ambitions. Being as new as was to his position in addition to the novelty of the entire regime, there were seemingly endless tasks at hand. He still had to familiarise himself with his new position and prepare his offices and his new staff to carry out their duties with optimal efficiency, even as he was learning on the job. In truth, it had been difficult to get away, but Brenner was still a military man and would make extra effort when it came to obliging the requests of an admiral- Even if he currently held more sway in the eyes of the State at present.