|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sun Oct 03, 2004 3:53 pm
Serefina inclined her head slightly in acknowlegment of the man, wondering if he was going to stand in the doorway all day or show them in. It was extremely rude to keep guests waiting on the door. The red head did note however the fine oriental cheongsam, the colors didin't exactly appeal to her but it was impressive nontheless.
'Fina simply waited behind her brother hoping for them to be invited in before insult was given before the meeting had even started. One would think servants and retainers would be better trained on the proper proceeders for things like this. But it would not be the west who would make the mistakes but this eastern genteman.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Oct 03, 2004 4:06 pm
He could almost feel the anxious nature of the young noble behind Anastazi. This was, of course, no time for idle banter and chit-chat. Still, there was a slightly menacing tone to her- her brash nature was evident, even from where he was standing. The one thing she needed to learn was patience... but it was not his place to say anything. He simpy nodded to her and responded with:
"Indeed. Unfortunately, Lord Hikaru is not here at the moment- he has some matters to attend to. In any case, please forgive me- it seems that I'm in someone's way. Please, follow me, if you will."
Not like he needed to say the name of who that someone was. He would have to make a formal introduction later, seeing as the young woman was in such a fuss and a hurry. But she would have to learn restraint and dicipline- having a passionate nature was good and well, but she needed to focus that energy into something more stable. He reminded himself of that for later as he walked inside, motioning for the two nobles to follow.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2004 8:13 pm
(( Considering people seem to have made some assumptions as to the structure of the place... ))
"Right, right..." Richard mumbled to himself, pushing his helmet back a bit on his brow with a gauntletted hand. Someone was rattling the gate, even though the spotter on the wall hadn't notified him of any carriages approaching, at least he had thought... though now that he looked up from the small wooden table he occupied, Lee was waving his hands frantically in the air and pointing towards the gate.
"Oh... s**t..." the westerner muttered, pushing off from his seat with a start and fumbling to snatch the gate keys from the table. They'd have his head for this if he had kept one of the nobles waiting at the gate... and that wasn't a figure of speech.
Bringing a hand self-conciously up to his neck as he passed the edge of the stone wall surrounding the stately building, Richard raised the key in hand and looked out, expecting to see a stately noble waiting upon him, but instead finding...
"...you scared the HELL out of me!" Richard cried, slipping the key into the gate latch and pulling it open an arm's length. He cast a quick glance towards the woman in red beside the cook, though recognized, despite the rich color of her garb, she was not one of the attendees tonight.
"Hurry up and get your little a** inside, you should have been here an hour ago!" the guard snapped, quietly and viciously towards the cook as he hurried the man inside, trying his best to get the kitchen help out of sight and out of mind, while he catered to the needs of this woman in red.
He adjusted his helmet quickly and bowed his head, swinging the gate a little wider open and reaching his hand towards Rose as he began to speak, "I'm sorry for the delay, milady, now, if I could just see your invi-"
He cut short as Lee's soft calls reached his ears, his head turning to the side quickly to see what was up, only to find that a carriage was bearing down upon the gate from the streets outside, most likely one of the nobles by the looks of things, and a very bad person to keep you waiting while you play doorman.
"They'll check your invitation at the door, milady," Richard added hastily as he put both hands to the gate and pulled it fully open before rushing across and doing the same with the other side, opening the way just in time for Anastazi and Serefina's carriage to roll through unobstructed.
(( That takes care of the people waiting outside... or at least outside the gate. ))
============================
The sharp click of horse's hooves struck repeatedly against the cobbled roads of Laburnum, echoing through the streets and reverberating back; each new pound of the hooves down onto the stones sent forth another sound, and each sound that was made echoed back, until every sound seemed as if it were adrift at sea durring maelstrom of thunderous hoofbeats.
Two large, black horses pulled an elaborate carriage through the gates, almost at a hurried pace, though it was very understandable, the passengers within were a bit more than fashionably late. The horses themselves were adorned with black and silver harnesses, the coach adorned with carvings on every face and guilded handles upon the doors. An eastern coachman sat at the front, and a man in a red garment leaned against the back with his arms folded over his chest.
"Aniki," Kenji said, turning his head to the side and glancing through the small window in the back of the carriage to the passenger inside, "...itatte..."
As the carriage rolled to a stop, Kenji's left hand slipped onto a rail by the corner of the carriage, holding fast upon it as his weight shifted off of the short platform he stood upon at the back of the coach and out over the street below; his left foot pivoted on the edge of the platform and his body swung out, hanging halfway over the street as they coach slowly came to rest.
Without another word the eastern man dropped onto the walk beside the small circle of street within the confines of the courtyard, bringing both hands up to the sides of his neck and pulling sharply at the fabric of his obscenely red garments, tightening them against his shoulders and removing a few of the wrinkles that had appeared durring their hasty journey from the palace on the eastern shore. Smoothing softly over the embroidered black symbols on each breast of the eastern garment that declared him as a servant of the Kaikou family, Kenji reached up to the side of the carriage and opened the door, before stepping aside with his hands balled into fists beside him.
Despite his life, his training, and his consistant presence beside the young prince, Kenji was not fond of standing around pointlessly.
"I must appologize..." a young man's voice called from inside of the carriage, even as that boy emerged, gracefully and dressed for the occasion; his ornately adorned haorihakama garments seeming very regal in appearance compared to even the other nobles; the fabric was a mesh of blue and white silk, embroidered with silver thread all across it in varoius deisigns, so that he almost seemed to shine in the light of the early moon. Beneath a trim veil of fine, black hair, the boy wore a golden circlet about his head, just above the brow, which contrasted sharply with the young Kaikou's cool, grey eyes, "...for arriving so late. We had business at the palace to attend to, and..."
He paused, not wanting to speak with his back turned as he climbed down the two rungs of the small ladder which hung beside the carriage, setting himself down upon the streetside and turning back quickly to the two nobles that had arrived before him.
"My imouto, little Seyumi, seems to have taken ill," he said with a smile, as he approached the two, though locking his gaze upon Lao for much longer than a passing glance would have allowed, "so I was just a bit preoccupied with concern. I assure you, if she were to have been well, you would have loved to meet her."
The young eastern man bowed to both Anastazi and Serefina before smiling again and speaking towards the elder, "I am Hikaru Kaikou, and I am deeply sorry for any inconvenience my delay has caused."
(( Whoa... I think I'm done. whee ))
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2004 8:35 pm
(( over anxiosness made me do it ))
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2004 8:53 am
It always amused Kadoria how bards and minstrels were ignored until it came time to entertain. People always underestimated them. She shrugged it aside however as she walked past the guard right behind the arbitor. Her long legs moving her quickly to the side at the sound of the carriage. She glanced at the richly trimmed ornate conveyance but moved more towards the servants doors than the nobles ahead.
She had her invitation, so was not worried. Well not until Kadoria saw the second carriage arrive. She only had a moment but she remembered well the face of the 'princeling' who had 'saved' his sister from the horse earlier. It was about his only redeeming feature as she saw it. His love for his sister, and as such she didn't begrudge the shoving to the ground, he had after all only thought her a street urchin, not that a bard would have earned much more in his empassioned rescue. Too bad several people were already assisting her.
Hmph... Kadoria mentally sighed and moved on, her hand moving to open the bag and retrieve her invitation to hand to the guard. Her jade green eyes glancing over the building, feeling a sense of loss at the sight of this place. This would prove an interesting night for the bard indeed....
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2004 11:00 am
That gaze... yes, it was time for his leave. He bowed respecfully to Hikaru and the nobles, and went on his way. It seemed that he was not welcome after all, and he knew when a point was coming his way. He walked towards the gates once again, leaving Hikaru to his business.
(Short... but why wouldn't it be? I said I'd stay out.)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2004 11:33 am
Rose had went to tie up her horse, an excuse she told herslf for time to think up why she didn't have a invitation. She never liked lying but she knew when to lie when it proved useful, besides sometimes the truth hurts more than a lie. When she heard the carraige she turned to see who it was, by elaborates design she figured it was the other noble and by the rush of the horses he was late. This was great this was her chance to speak with both the nobles and try to be let in. She could not force them and trying so would create more problems than stop. She took in a deep breathe and prepared herself for what she was about to do.
She walked quickly toward the nobles hands away from her body and palms facing upward. She didn't want to cause the body guard to attack her just because she only wanted to catch up to them before they went inside. This was no time for screwups, she had to be clam and focus if she wanted this evening to end positivly. She slowed down her pace and came to a stop where she was preety sure she could be heard with out getting to close with no introduction. Before she could even decide what language to use, she spoke in what was consider common a langaue all people spoke in labrumn "Good eveneing gentelmen, please excuse my interruption. My name is Rosemary Acillia Nocturia and I am the head of the Silver Arbiters." She bowed to both men and Serifina and hoping so far the nobles weren't aggrivated with her for interrupting them, angry nobles never thought straight. "I hope that you may have heard of us and would please take a moment of your time to consider having an arbitrator at your meeting. If that is to mutch to ask, then I would beseech you to atleast have me there to record the happenings of the meeting between east and west for historical purposes." She spoke with confidence and and kept her calm about her, she had layed her head on the block and now it was time to see what would happen.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2004 12:48 pm
Serefina watched the young man in the oriental clothing descend from the carriage and smiled softly, the pleasure at the sight of him and his bodyguard one of observant amusement. He was handsome enough she supposed but it was the guard who caught her attention most. The shogun's son looked much like a dandy, who probably couldn't catch his own dinner if it was more than 6 inches in front of him.
However he did seem concerned with his sister which was a point in his favor, in fact it impressed her, other than Stazi she hadn't seen much of that in the nobles. He was polite to a fault, unlike his underlings he at least knew how to make sure to keep from giving insult. Her blue eyes kept shifting to Kenji, liking the simple statment his presence made to that of the overblown appearance of Hikaru.
Serefina shifted her legs slightly preparing to curtsy once Stazi introduced them. Anything to keep moving, she hated standing around doing nothing. It looked however like she would be jsut standing around when Rose came up to and interrupted them. She was a bit shocked at her behavior but then again, she supposed she could understand. Staring just a bit wide eyed at Rose, she couldn't help it as she listened to Rose. The woman understood she wouldn't likely be considered unbiased if they knew she had met 'Fina, the western ambassador's sister before the meeting.
She demurred her eyes, and brushed at her spotless bright red bodice, dancing on the small detailed oriental design with the pads of her fingers for a bit of comfort. Her loyalty to Stazi warred with her instinct that someone should be there to at last record the meeting. One hand moved down to slide along the richly embordiered skirt of her gown. She was perfectly at ease with the richly dressed men and in her own elaborate gown but would still much rather be on 'Noir' hunting, hawking or just being free. She glanced up at the countance of the young fairly handsome noble who appeared to be her own age and felt a bit of pity for him. He looked much too boyish to even enjoy true freedom. She wondered what he would say to the arbitor.
Then she got distracted by looking over at Kenji again. Stazi would have her head if he knew she was giving him more than a moment's glance. She still hadn't proven to be more worth off the marriage market than on it. Finding a underling, no matter how noble the house would get the marriage contract going again. She pushed aside the thought and focused again on the Arbitor and the response to her, still uncertain if she should let Stazi know she knew her or not.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2004 2:36 pm
Slifer walked in through the gate, smiling to himself, he broke into a run, it was a perfectly good excuse, he was late. He ran fast and at pace until he reached the servents door. Stopping he smiled and walked in, he was immediatly hit with a wall of steam. People talking in Eastern were yelling and moving about. Suddenly someone grabbed the vegetables from him and pushed him forward, speaking in a fast tone.
"Ok, you are on waiting duty" and he pushed him toward what appeared to be a changing room. Slifer looked with a grimace, his head rushed with thoughts. As he was pushed in he rested there for a moment, then some garments were thrown at his head "Get changed and come to me when you are done, i will give you your first plate of ordurves (sp?)". Slifer slumped against the wall when the chef had gone. He couldn't wear a hat, people would see the cat ears.
Thinking for a few moments he suddenly had his answer. He began to comb his hair frantically over his ears, and pushing his ears backwards the has of black hair hid the two flattened ears. His tail he wrapped around his waist so it would be concealed, and placed the clothing on. Walking outside the short eastern chef pushed a plate into his hands and pointed him toward the door "Go and walk around with the plate, look good, or else" he said motioning to the door. As if Slifer cared if he was fired, he didn't even work here
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2004 8:57 pm
A nameless, faceless guard stood nearby all of the happenings of the little troupe, eyeing all the nobles and affiliated beings with mild interest. One advantage of being a city guard is that you get to see a lot of things, but... it was also a disadvantage; nothing surprised him anymore. He didn't even give the pretty young noblewoman a second glance as she strode up beside the nobleman, just throwing the typical salute then standing back to attention.
Two plain, pale blue eyes stared straight ahead as he rigidly stood his post, the long halbered in his right hand crossing with that of the guard on the other side of the door, forming a barrier into the embassy. If anybody wanted to be given entrance, they'd have to go through Klit. Well... actually... they'd just have to give him a little slip of paper saying they were allowed in.
The young elf male did his best to not shift about or look uncomfortable under his heavy orange and white checkered tunic and chainmail, not allowing his eyes to squint from the glaring sun. Klit was a man of duty, and he conducted himself as such... damnit.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Oct 07, 2004 7:32 pm
Anastazi inclined his head respectfully to Hikaru. "Quite alright. It is a mishap that falls upon all of us at one time or another. I do hope your sister recovers quickly."
Before he could say more, the Arbiter spoke her piece. Anastazi listened without showing more irritation than a meer twitch of his temple (a true feat for one who liked to do things directly and with as few people involved as possible). When she had finished, he glanced at Hikaru and cleared his throat.
"Ahem...Miss Nocturia...perhaps you could explain to me why exactly another record of this meeting is necessary? I do not recall anything being said of the Silver Arbiters having an agent present, but I may have been misinformed."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2004 4:10 pm
Rose was used to question like these and they were always never easy to answer. It was hard to explain to some people that there were still self-righeouts people in the world and although there havent been many they still made there mark in Gaia from time to time. But she couldn't say that she'd be seen as an idealist someone not with the reality of the world and then they would proably laugh and tell her to be off on to other fanatasies.
Rose spoke once more with confidence. hoping to get through to atleast one of the nobles. "Lord Anastazi, I could give you many a reason as to why a second recorder would be an asset, espicially a recorder from the Silver Arbiters, but I can tell you are a man that hates to, if you pardon the expression 'beat around the bush'. I can give you no satisfactory reason for a need of a second recorder but just because there is no need doesn't mean it would be worthless. Men who only work with what they need attain only what they need never what they want, is a proverb i beleive to have heard once. As to your other question, I come here of my own accord, you were not misinformed." Rose felt she could say no more to Anastazi and hoped that would be enough.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2004 9:40 pm
(( *The Josh hands over the NPC magical orb to Max and Mr. Ozura if they want to play things out a bit, though he reserves the right to take control of the kitchen staff at any time.* ))
========================
"Miss Rosemary," Hikaru said, turning to address the Arbiter, while still keeping his composure intact, "forgive me if I'm a bit forward in saying this, but I can't help but think to be quite the same as your rather loud attire, but... I do not recall ever requesting the presence of an Arbiter at this dinner... And, seeing as how we had no idea you would be taking it upon yourself to attend, I don't believe the servants have prepared an extra place at the table..."
With his hand he lightly gestured towards the doors of the building as he spoke, "And, I know, of course, that asking a fine woman such as yourself to abstain from dinner simply due to a mistake on my part of planning for more guests than were invited, I would feel quite ill at ease..."
"So," he added, bowing his head respectfully to the crimson-clad woman, "if you would be so kind as to do me the favor of not feeling so uncomfortable throughout dinner, I would be so inclined as to return the favor by having a record of this 'meeting between east and west', as you called it, sent to your people."
Straightening up, the Kaikou boy turned his attention back to Anastazi and his younger sibling, and bowed once more to them, raising his hand welcomingly even as he righted himself and starting forwards towards the front entrance to the building, he smiled and said to the two nobles, "If you are ready, why don't we proceed inside?"
Kenji had no idea what Hikaru had just said to the woman in red, though he was sure, by the way he had said it, that it was something silky-smooth and pleasantly condecending...
The coachman pulled away from where he had parked shortly in front of the entrance, and Kenji stepped away from the curb, his hands still hanging at his sides, balled into fists as he stood there silently, watching as everything transpired, but not able to understand a word of it. When Hikaru made to move, Kenji followed after, taking a few steps as Hikaru did and walking towards the entrance to the building, as well, though never passing the nobles, and always staying at the back of the group.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2004 9:44 pm
Slifer nodded as the head chef began talking in fast japanese, cursing at Slifer, telling him to hurry up and pick the plate up. Slifer scowled at him and picking the plate up walked out into the main hall. He stood in a dark shadowy corner, waiting, watching. His plate held on his shoulder slightly he looked around. People seemed to be busy, doing things. He needed to get out of here, and get ready for what he was supposed to do. He looked around the room and walked to the centre, and dropped his plate.
Making it look like an accident all the people in the room crowded around and tried to fix things up, and pick up the food to dispose of it. Slifer meanwhile double backed, and ran up a flight of stairs. Unseen he looked around the corners, checking for guards. Memorizing where they went everytime they changed corridors. The time he would have to get into a room. Quickly he ran, making it into an empty room whilst the guards changed corridors.
Looking around the room he quickly began to edit his uniform, ripping some cloth off of the curtains he began to tie it round his katana, then tie that to his real clothes. He wore a small beret over his cat ears, as so he could eavesdrop and let his tail wrap around his waist. He then walked out, checking for guards as he went. Upon arriving back downstairs he saw some people had abandoned their plates to clean up his mess. Picking a plate up he walked around the room, just as the others were doing.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Oct 09, 2004 9:02 am
Serefina's cornflower blue eyes widened slightly before she covered her look of shock with a demure lowering of her golden lashes.The young son of the Shogun had handled that beautifully. Now if Rose would only take the hint and leave, to be honest Hikaru had been quite generous with her for spoiling a party of nobles. Perhaps there was some grit to the boy after all, polished and refined, but grit nontheless. She'd love to see how he would do hunting.
Pushing that thought from her mind, she waited till both her brother and the young Kaikou boy had moved past her, then began walking behind then, tho in front of Kenji, her skirts swaying softly as she unobtrusively glanced about the rooms they passed. It was elaborate as expected but nothing terribly of interest. She found her gaze instead on the ornate robes of Hikaru.
She would have to see about the embordiers learning how to do something so fine. The glimmer of gold on her own deep red bodice was a feat of work but she could barely tell the lines of thread on his blue and white silk. Serefina didn't like the colors but it was still beautiful work. Two very different temperments perhaps. Maybe if he showed some spunk, he might indeed prove interesting even if it appeared they were opposites.
((will write a Kadoria post later))
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
