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Post by Storyteller on Feb 25, 2021 14:19:04 GMT
This cena is not, of course, being held in your townhouse, but rather in your fathers' villa. In all your life, you have never seen your paterfamilias and your other fathers anything like so nervous or excited.
Your mother herself, Octavia Rigela, is there, arrayed in her best, and with her hair twined with silk and flowers. Your paterfamilias is pacing a bit, and his steward arrives with a message.
Your paterfamilias darts over to you. "Galadrin's holy balls!" he exclaims, clapping your forearms. "Son, this is Nistaran's own blessing on our family! Not only is young Nevius Akar Judal going to be here, and his paterfamilias, the Pontifex Maximus, but so, too, is his grandfather, the Chief Augur! Oh gods! Abrexa, have mercy! Do we have enough wine?" He rushes off to talk to his steward, chattering anxiously about dormice as he goes.
Leaving you to speak with the entertainment you have hired. Anak-Sa'ir and his troupe have not arrived, but Caoimhghin and several other Cygnets are there.
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Post by Diocles on Feb 25, 2021 14:21:18 GMT
I bow low to Danal. "Lord Danal, congratulations on your induction into the Equestrian Order. I heard the newsreader cry the decree of the Senate."
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Post by Sir Roland Desprez on Feb 25, 2021 14:35:20 GMT
"Thank you, yes it is a great honor" I say with a tone that indicates otherwise. I put on a smile "But thank you friend for being here and for being a very important part of this evening. I am truly, truly grateful. My number of friends are diminishing and it is good to count you among them." I look directly into Caoimhghin's eyes. "I can count you among my friends, can't I?" [not menacing or insecure, just an honest question]
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Post by Diocles on Feb 25, 2021 21:42:34 GMT
This direct question catches me off guard, but I try to appear unruffled.
[APP+SUBT (normalcy/deceptive specialties) 8,6,9,3,8,1,10,6 + 2 five successes]
"Yes, of course, Lord Danal." I smile easily. I am confused, though. The newsreader... ah! Perhaps it's envy? Danal receives honor and praise, so he's making enemies? These are the passing thoughts that flit through my mind.
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Post by Sir Roland Desprez on Feb 25, 2021 22:40:50 GMT
"Thank you my Caoimhgin" I sigh as if releasing anxiety. "Is your troupe ready?"
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Post by Diocles on Feb 25, 2021 22:58:32 GMT
"The musicians and dancers are assembled. The one-act play will come after the meal." Which is, I've come to realize, a long, drawn-out affair for Skenje nobles.
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Post by Sir Roland Desprez on Feb 25, 2021 23:25:22 GMT
"Very good, thank you Caoimhgin. If you need anything, Jax will be able to help. I will be otherwise occupied. Istvan's later?"
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Post by Diocles on Feb 25, 2021 23:27:42 GMT
I shrug. "I've kind of outgrown Istvan's. The party for me is now at Desolation Row. Why don't you swing by? Many times our courtyard parties pour out into the street."
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Post by Sir Roland Desprez on Feb 25, 2021 23:28:45 GMT
"Thank you for the invitation. I think I'll have need of such an environment after tonight." I smile and begin to attend to my social duties.
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Post by Storyteller on Feb 26, 2021 0:12:19 GMT
It is not long after this that the Akar themselves arrive.
Their horses are met by your fathers, and your paterfamilias bows low as he helps the Chief Augur off his horse.
You know perfectly well, having once read it in passing, that the Chief Augur is 65 years old, and his son, the Pontifex Maximus, is 45. They are the most remarkably well-preserved men of their age you've ever seen. Then you see young Nevius Akar Judal. You know that he is eighteen, but he looks younger. It would seem that Akar males look young for a long while.
Young Nevius has honey-colored hair, fair skin, and piercing eyes of cobalt blue. As he looks at you, you feel sudden sense of nakedness, as though he is seeing into your soul.
(Send me a discord of your emotional state at that moment...)
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Post by Storyteller on Feb 26, 2021 2:36:24 GMT
You realize, Danal, that Nevius Akar Judal's eyes have speared you. You have hidden nothing from him, and he smiles.
"Greetings, Sir Danal," he says, and his voice is even and measured. He gives away nothing.
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Post by Sir Roland Desprez on Feb 26, 2021 2:47:24 GMT
Cha + Etiquette: 10, 8, 6, 6, 5
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Post by Storyteller on Feb 26, 2021 2:51:27 GMT
You know that, despite his youth, Judal is already a priest. Most priests of Nistaran are the Path of Judgement, so you suspect that he is, as well. That would make his title "Magister", and he would be addressed as "Magister Judal."
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Post by Sir Roland Desprez on Feb 26, 2021 12:43:45 GMT
"Magister Judal" I bow low "it is an honor to meet you. Welcome to my father's villa." I smile at him.
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Post by Storyteller on Feb 26, 2021 12:46:05 GMT
"I have heard, Sir Danal, that you have hired in honor of this cena some of the finest entertainers in the city. Would you not stroll through the gardens and tell me of them before our fathers summon us to dine?"
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