[OOM] Eiattu - Palace

[fighting_mad]

Princess Isplourrdacartha Estillo is in a Mood.

She has been pressed into wearing a dress. This is bad enough in and of itself, but the green gown has a train that she keeps nearly tripping on, and also involved are: makeup, earrings, high-heeled shoes, and some sort of weird styling substance in her short hair. She looks beautiful; she feels a fool.

Train gathered up in one hand, she stalks through the palace, two members of her Guard following at a safe distance. She hardly notices the startled palace staff and assorted courtiers that she passes as she makes her way down several levels, toward the Great Hall. She was already annoyed enough to have to take time out of a very busy schedule for a formal supper with assorted nobles and high muckety-mucks, and this evening seems to be intent on raising her blood pressure by the second.

She veers from her path; throws open a set of old-fashioned wooden doors and steps out onto the small balcony, into the heavy Eiattu night air. She whirls back and barks, "Come out here and I'll vape you!" at her bodyguards.

She doesn't have a blaster--can't fit even a holdout anywhere under this kriffing clingy thing-- but they don't know that. The man and woman glance at each other, then hurriedly close the balcony doors to wait in the corridor inside.

Plourr leans on the railing, looking at the bright lights of Eiattu's bustling capital city through the low-hanging leaves of a courant tree, and she grits her teeth.

Comments

[eiattu_pride]

The lady pauses for breath, directs a hasty curtsey at Plourr, and then does her best to whisper and shout at the same time.

"Count Pernon! Your father..."

[sw-npc.livejournal.com]

The click of boot heels on polished marble. "Is not amused."

Standing in the corridor as people bustle around them (staring), Grand Duke Gror Pernon nods dismissively to the woman. "Lady Tandy." She takes the hint and gets the hell out of dodge.

[eiattu_pride]

Rial coughs discreetly.

"Your Grace."

[fighting_mad]

Plourr inclines her head calmly to her great-uncle. "Your Grace."

[sw-npc.livejournal.com]

A distracted nod in return to Plourr, but his attention is on Rial. "What, might I ask, is the meaning of this?"

[eiattu_pride]

There's a calm smile.

"I am escorting the Princess to dinner."

[sw-npc.livejournal.com]

"You know perfectly well that that is not what I mean."

[fighting_mad]

"Then maybe, Grand Duke Pernon, you had best specify what you do mean," Plourr says evenly, face telegraphing curiosity as to what ever he could be talking about.

[eiattu_pride]

Rial's expression mirrors hers.

"I was unaware I was doing anything out of the ordinary."

[sw-npc.livejournal.com]

She is corrupting his son. He used to be normal.

"You have paint," he hisses, "on your face."

[eiattu_pride]

"I'm sorry?"

And face says 'maybe you'd better go lie down'.

[fighting_mad]

Plourr glances at Rial, then back at the grand duke. "Are you feeling well, Your Grace?"

[sw-npc.livejournal.com]

"I am feeling fine, young lady."

Back to Rial, voice dropped low: "Are you trying to embarrass me? Because you're doing a damn fine job of it!"

[eiattu_pride]

Rial adopts a look of concern.

"Father, perhaps you should sit down."

[fighting_mad]

At his side, Plourr is just as, if not even more so, earnestly concerned. "I could escort you to your seat; you really don't look well."

[sw-npc.livejournal.com]

"Stop it!" he hisses at both of them.

[eiattu_pride]

"Your Grace, I really think we should get you somewhere quiet. I mean, painted moustaches?"

Under his breath, "Clearly hallucinating."

[fighting_mad]

Plourr makes a sad twirling motion at her temple with one finger.

[sw-npc.livejournal.com]

His face sets. "I am not amused," he repeats, and he stalks into the Great Hall.

[eiattu_pride]

"Well, pity for him."

Rial shrugs.

[fighting_mad]

"Exactly. I," she says, "am quite amused." She tips her head to the entrance. "Shall we?"

[eiattu_pride]

He smiles.

"Of course. Where are we sitting?"

[fighting_mad]

"You've never been to one of these?" she asks, arm in his as they walk into the cavernous Great Hall, with a proportionally-sized table at the center. Most of the seats are already filled.

[eiattu_pride]

"A couple. I was little and stupid."

Shrugs.

[fighting_mad]

"And now you're big and stupid?" she asks with an impish smile, walking to the table as the people sitting at it rise to their feet.

"You're across the table from me," she murmurs, and then smiles as she takes her chair beside the head of the table, waving the rest of them to their seats. And nodding to Rial's parents, who are sitting at the head. The Duke does not look particularly pleased, but he nods in return.

No one sits at the foot of the table, the place traditionally for her parents.