Rowaini Musketeers: One For All and All For One

[Rystil Arden]

(OOC: When you guys don't roll, I always just roll for you, as I did here. So no need to worry unless you like rolling it yourself)

*When Aric looks like he's about to interrupt partway through, Belinda quietly moves him over with a whispered "Your sister is looking for you--go." and then blocks his way from entering back into the group as she continues to listen to Jacen's tale.*

*Meanwhile, Marie listens raptly and wide-eyed, hanging on Jacen's every word. At the end, she gives him a quiet one-person applause, and Belinda and then Valmont join in.*

"Wow, so it was the witch all along? No kidding! Could you have guessed it, Belinda?"

"Nope, I thought it was going to be a creepy Vine Monster."

"Have you fought any witches before, Jacen? What would you do if there was a Vine Creeper or a giant octopus?"

 

[unleashed]

"Ah, maybe that's all men's problem. Arcidas the philosopher once wrote that a woman makes up her mind about a man within the first minute. I wouldn't be so uncharitable, but I think I could say more about you from what I've seen so far of the way you act than you have of me..." she trails off, probably too polite to offer her opinions and observations without being asked.

“Perhaps that’s so, but then who truly knows the mind of any man or woman beyond themself. As for saying more of me, perhaps you could as I’ve been attepting to get to know everyone, so please continue, as I would be interested to hear your thoughts. Who knows, they may even give me a little more insight into you, Adrienne,” Gabriel replies with a grin.

"It's a local festival. It celebrates the coming of the hero Tourmaland."

"Indeed. Tourmaland was the son of Lunesiel, Angel of the Moon. He was also the legendary progenitor of the Dulirand family. There are several legends surrounding Tourmaland's great deeds and his love for the 'Lady of Flowers', a woman of inestimable beauty. For instance, it's also said that as long as the line remains pure, our family will have an atavism once every two hundred years or so where a daughter is born with overwhel,ing beauty, worthy of being a princess or a queen."

“Ah, thank you for indulging my curiosity, Cecile, Sabine. I have of course heard of Tourmaland, and some of the legends surrounding his great deeds, but I wasn’t aware of his connection to the Dulirand family. I guess I wasn’t paying as much attention as I should have been, when I was learning my noble lineages,” Gabriel chuckles. “Though I’m sure your family has a better recollection of his deeds and of his love for the ‘Lady of Flowers’ than those told in the tales, seeing as it is part of your family history, Sabine.”

 

[Rystil Arden]

“Perhaps that’s so, but then who truly knows the mind of any man or woman beyond themself. As for saying more of me, perhaps you could as I’ve been attepting to get to know everyone, so please continue, as I would be interested to hear your thoughts. Who knows, they may even give me a little more insight into you, Adrienne,” Gabriel replies with a grin.

"Well, this is my analysis, so you needn't take offense, though it will tell me more if you do. And of course, some of this might be wrong. I think you have an overestimated sense of self, which leads to overconfidence. Many women like that, though, especially the more fluffy-headed, so you're probably fairly popular with them. Still, that means that you take anything negative as no more than a minor setback, quick to return to a confident grin. You like to jump in head-first because of this, which leads to quick wooings and pick-up lines, illicit trysts, and not very many long-term relationships. Women and fights are like a gamble for you, and you may also be a gambler. Depending on your luck, your overconfidence may be a boon or your ruin, though I'd guess that your general lack of tells except the exaggerated ones you want people to see would mean that you tend to win more often than not in a game where bluffing and mind games are important and not just dumb luck. And speaking of the lack of tells, they make me think that you may be hiding something from everyone. You may even be trying to hide whatever it is from yourself."

“Ah, thank you for indulging my curiosity, Cecile, Sabine. I have of course heard of Tourmaland, and some of the legends surrounding his great deeds, but I wasn’t aware of his connection to the Dulirand family. I guess I wasn’t paying as much attention as I should have been, when I was learning my noble lineages,” Gabriel chuckles. “Though I’m sure your family has a better recollection of his deeds and of his love for the ‘Lady of Flowers’ than those told in the tales, seeing as it is part of your family history, Sabine.”

"Yes indeed. And the priests among us are the keepers of every piece of esoterica in existence about Tourmaland. I don't think there are very many people in Rowain that know more about Tourmaland than Tommy. I know a bit too myself too. The Lunar Festival is usually a lot of fun. Young noblemen ask out the ladies, as it is also a celebration of the love of Tourmaland and the Lady of Flowers. There's a special flower that blooms in the moonlight, the Midnight Jacinth. Usually the youngest Dulirand daughter of age will present the Midnight Jacinth to her beau during a special part of the Festival. It's a bit like a Masque or a Mystery Play."

 

[unleashed]

OOC: Nice retelling of Gabriel’s personality and backstory, a pity I didn’t have something like that to work with myself.

"Well, this is my analysis, so you needn't take offense, though it will tell me more if you do. And of course, some of this might be wrong. I think you have an overestimated sense of self, which leads to overconfidence. Many women like that, though, especially the more fluffy-headed, so you're probably fairly popular with them. Still, that means that you take anything negative as no more than a minor setback, quick to return to a confident grin. You like to jump in head-first because of this, which leads to quick wooings and pick-up lines, illicit trysts, and not very many long-term relationships. Women and fights are like a gamble for you, and you may also be a gambler. Depending on your luck, your overconfidence may be a boon or your ruin, though I'd guess that your general lack of tells except the exaggerated ones you want people to see would mean that you tend to win more often than not in a game where bluffing and mind games are important and not just dumb luck. And speaking of the lack of tells, they make me think that you may be hiding something from everyone. You may even be trying to hide whatever it is from yourself."

“Bravo, Adrienne, I might just have to change that keen mind up to brilliant,” Gabriel chuckles, adding with a wink, “Of course, I’m not saying how much of what you’ve said is correct, though a few questions in the right places would certainly confirm some of it for you. The real question though is, is that the real me or just an image I wish to present to the world.”

"Yes indeed. And the priests among us are the keepers of every piece of esoterica in existence about Tourmaland. I don't think there are very many people in Rowain that know more about Tourmaland than Tommy. I know a bit too myself too. The Lunar Festival is usually a lot of fun. Young noblemen ask out the ladies, as it is also a celebration of the love of Tourmaland and the Lady of Flowers. There's a special flower that blooms in the moonlight, the Midnight Jacinth. Usually the youngest Dulirand daughter of age will present the Midnight Jacinth to her beau during a special part of the Festival. It's a bit like a Masque or a Mystery Play."

“A pity our fellow musketeer, Brice, could not accompany us on our mission here, as he would have been most interested in hearing all Tommy had to say, I’m sure,” Gabriel muses. “Though, I would be interested in a brief lesson myself, if we could find the time Sabine. As for the Lunar Festival, it certainly does sound like a lot of fun, when did you say it was again?”

*Feeling he’s been somewhat inattentive to the other two ladies, he also has a few words with each of them.*

“My pardon Cecile, for neglecting you so, but my wordplay with Adrienne has been more than a little distracting. I meant what I said before though, that I would be honoured to dance with you once the dancing begins, if will you permit me the honour of a dance later?”

“Ah, Felicity, forgive me for not paying you more attention verbally, though I hope my eyes have conveyed my appreciation of your audacious style. I do hope you’ll do me the honour of a dance or two later, perhaps then we might have a chance to get better acquainted,” he says with a cheeky grin, gazing deep into her hazel eyes which so closely match his own.

 

[Rystil Arden]

"So speaking of the Lunar Festival, what do you think, Felicity? You're going with me, right?"

"Well, I'm thinking on it. I'll let you know Army."

"What, if not me, then who else?" he raises an eyebrow.

"A girl has to have her confidences, Army dear. Don't worry, I'll let you know soon. I know how men always want it now and can never understand how the waiting makes the pleasure all the greater...sometimes I agree with them."

“Bravo, Adrienne, I might just have to change that keen mind up to brilliant,” Gabriel chuckles, adding with a wink, “Of course, I’m not saying how much of what you’ve said is correct, though a few questions in the right places would certainly confirm some of it for you. The real question though is, is that the real me or just an image I wish to present to the world.”

"As I mentioned, I think it's a mask, but when we wear a mask for long enough, it becomes a large part of us as well. It is only the most cold and uncaring of us who can truly divorce themselves completely from what they pretend to be."

“A pity our fellow musketeer, Brice, could not accompany us on our mission here, as he would have been most interested in hearing all Tommy had to say, I’m sure,” Gabriel muses. “Though, I would be interested in a brief lesson myself, if we could find the time Sabine. As for the Lunar Festival, it certainly does sound like a lot of fun, when did you say it was again?”

"The Festival is going to be in a month, Gabriel."

“My pardon Cecile, for neglecting you so, but my wordplay with Adrienne has been more than a little distracting. I meant what I said before though, that I would be honoured to dance with you once the dancing begins, if will you permit me the honour of a dance later?”

"I guess so."

“Ah, Felicity, forgive me for not paying you more attention verbally, though I hope my eyes have conveyed my appreciation of your audacious style. I do hope you’ll do me the honour of a dance or two later, perhaps then we might have a chance to get better acquainted,” he says with a cheeky grin, gazing deep into her hazel eyes which so closely match his own.

"Heh. Adrienne can talk about brooding and nursing one wine all night, but life is too short and beauty even briefer. I'll be happy to give you a dance, if you don't already have ruby lips and smooth curves pawing all over you by then from elsewhere," Felicity laughs, a sort of breathy hybrid chuckle/giggle.

 

[Shayuri]

*Meanwhile, Marie listens raptly and wide-eyed, hanging on Jacen's every word. At the end, she gives him a quiet one-person applause, and Belinda and then Valmont join in.*

"Wow, so it was the witch all along? No kidding! Could you have guessed it, Belinda?"

"Nope, I thought it was going to be a creepy Vine Monster."

"Have you fought any witches before, Jacen? What would you do if there was a Vine Creeper or a giant octopus?"

Jacen beams happily at the applause, and gives a bow with a sweep of his hat. At the mention of witches, he sobers a bit and shakes his head.

"I haven't fought a witch...I haven't had to yet. But I've learned to be careful of them. Dealing with a witch, even one who isn't necessarily bad...well, it has dangers. Anyway! The moral of the story...as much as a true story HAS a moral...I think it's that a hero, a real hero...uses the weapon up here," he taps his temple, "before using the one down here." He puts his hand on the hilt of his sabre and rattles it.

"So if I found myself in that kind of situation, I'd try to remember Sir Windemere, and find the truth of things before deciding my course of action. But when it was time to act, I hope I'd be as swift and decisive as he was...and cut down the enemies of the land, people, and king with bold strokes!"

He pauses then, realizing he's perhaps over-answered. Flushing a bit, Jacen focuses on Marie again. "Anyway, I don't mean to monopolize the conversation..."

 

[Rystil Arden]

Jacen beams happily at the applause, and gives a bow with a sweep of his hat. At the mention of witches, he sobers a bit and shakes his head.

"I haven't fought a witch...I haven't had to yet. But I've learned to be careful of them. Dealing with a witch, even one who isn't necessarily bad...well, it has dangers. Anyway! The moral of the story...as much as a true story HAS a moral...I think it's that a hero, a real hero...uses the weapon up here," he taps his temple, "before using the one down here." He puts his hand on the hilt of his sabre and rattles it.

"So if I found myself in that kind of situation, I'd try to remember Sir Windemere, and find the truth of things before deciding my course of action. But when it was time to act, I hope I'd be as swift and decisive as he was...and cut down the enemies of the land, people, and king with bold strokes!"

He pauses then, realizing he's perhaps over-answered. Flushing a bit, Jacen focuses on Marie again. "Anyway, I don't mean to monopolize the conversation..."

"Oh not at all," Marie replies politely, "Your story was wonderful."

"Yes, we all were happy to hear it."

"Oh, could you show us some swordplay later? I love watching a swordsman dance. It makes my heart palpate!"

 

[Shayuri]

"Well sure," Jacen agrees, again beaming.

"I'd be happy to! I could even show you how to do some basic forms if you'd like. It's great exercise, and a lot of fun. Not to mention, if you were ever set upon by some highwayman or something...imagine his surprise!" He grins.

 

[Rystil Arden]

"Well sure," Jacen agrees, again beaming.

"I'd be happy to! I could even show you how to do some basic forms if you'd like. It's great exercise, and a lot of fun. Not to mention, if you were ever set upon by some highwayman or something...imagine his surprise!" He grins.

"Oh!" Marie's face lights up for an instant, but then she frowns, "But...Father says it is improper for a young lady to fight with swords. I...can't."

"I won't tell if you don't," Belinda laughs.

"I...Father has been very kind to me, to all of us. I don't think it would be right to disobey him in this..."

 

[Shayuri]

For a moment Jacen looks crestfallen, then looks around and lowers his voice.

"You know...I have a sister too. When my father was teaching me to fence, she used to watch, and finally one day she wanted to try too. And she really was pretty good. You don't need a lot of strength in your arms to be a decent fencer...I don't know why everyone thinks women shouldn't know how to defend themselves. I think it's great, personally."

He thinks for a second then adds, "What if we don't use swords? I mean, he can hardly object to his daughter playing with...say...wooden rods, about three foot long, can he?"

Jacen grins again. "Besides, you can't tell me you -never- bend the rules a bit."