[A] Mowbray Estate - Party for the Prestigious

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[Character of the Month]

Character of the Month
Prince Caspian

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Played by Cara

"Cara has managed to...create a character that is both mythical and life-like. Impulsive, moody, and yet kind and good-hearted, Caspian is just beginning to show the makings of a true leader."
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[Delia Sarafine Mowbray]

Delia couldn't believe her mother, but there it was; all the social rooms in the house had been decorated and prepared for a night of dining and dancing in the honor of the reunion of the families Mowbray and de la Braose. All of her parents' "close friends and colleges" were invited. More like bribed into coming. She was sure more than half of them would avoid her just because she had previously humiliated them in some fashion. Still, it was a social event and her mother loved social events. Hah! Delia wasn't fooled. She'd lay odds that the whole point behind the evening was to try to marry her off, yet again, and this time to her own best friends. Not if she had a say in the matter. If her mother had her way, she wouldn't.

She'd been forced to buy a new dress, custom made and tailor fit to her form. Perhaps a little too well and perhaps showing off a little more than Delia was comfortable with, but it was supposedly the latest fashion. It was lovely regardless- a very light blue, nearly white silk trimmed with deeper, darker blues that laced the bodice and delicately decorated the full skirt. Her tailor was truly gifted. A single pearl surrounded by tiny sapphires hung from her throat. Another new addition to her already too full wardrobe. If only she'd hidden her letters to Sephen better, she wouldn't have had to bother with any of this. At least not until she was ready.

Down in the kitchen was where she was to be found just before guests were due to start arriving, checking on how the meal was progressing. She was half hoping that something would stain her new gown and she'd have an excuse not to be present when Killian and Sephen arrived. Then again, she had not yet seen Killian. She wondered how much he had changed in fifteen years. There was a screech from upstairs that was more than likely her mother's cry of outrage at not being able to find her. Dorsa scurried into the room and just looked at Delia, eyes wide with fear. She couldn't seem to get the words out that her mother was looking for her.

"Drink something and breathe, Dorsa. I'm on my way up." With was swish of her skirts, she made her way up to the main room as the sound of horses thundered beyond the door. She hoped at the very least that Lord Clausus was not there. The last thing she wanted to do was fend off his persistence, her mother's, and have to do it all in front of Seph and Lian.

[Lord Sephen De La Braose]

   To be honest, Sephen was reluctant to attend this celebration thrown more or less in his and Killian's honor; it just seemed so unnecessary, and he was considering declining. But, to not attend an event that you were the guest of honor for would be unspeakably rude when it wasn't in the event of an emergency, and considering his and the Mowbray's families' history, he really couldn't find it in himself to invent some kind of situation to get him out of going. Though, for the sake of feeling a bit less guilty for the trouble the Mowbray family was no doubt going through to hold such an event, sitting downstairs waiting to be packed up was a young plum blossom seedling, the delicate pink blossoms just beginning to open with the onset of spring. The seedling's roots had been packed with care into into a bundle with some of the fertile soil from Sephen's own apple orchards, wrapped in linen and placed in a clay pot so the groundskeeper that planted it might have an easier time of it later. Certainly not grandiose by any stretch of the imagination, but he would be hard-pressed to find anyone who couldn't appreciate the beauty of a plum blossom tree in full bloom.

   Killian hadn't yet arrived, which left Sephen to his own devices getting ready... and, of course, the Lady Rosalba making herself presentable as well. He sighed thinking about it as he got dressed, though he was considerably more relaxed now after having indulged in a long, warm bath (as if he would ever make one of his rare appearances to an event without one!). Sephen really didn't have the time for such things as parties like many of the other nobles did, and even then he was hardly fond of them; it wasn't helping his frame of mind either that the king himself was none-too-subtly trying to marry him off to his niece. Perhaps the only thing he was particularly looking forward to this evening was having Delia (whom Killian had not yet met and probably would not know who she was after all this time) take his brother's decidedly flirtatious ego down a few pegs.

   Downstairs, he heard the door being thrown open and lightly hitting the wall; Killian, no doubt. Sure enough, a pair of footsteps trotted up the stairs, not bothering to knock as a familiar face poked through the doorway to greet him cheerfully. Of course Killian would be looking forward to a get-together where there would, no doubt, be a plethora of ladies for him to mingle with. His brother was, of course, looking as handsome as ever clad in brown and slate.

   "Ready, Sir Scowls-a-lot?" His younger brother asked merrily, grinning at the raised eyebrow he received in reply. "I'll take that to mean no; I suspect the Lord and Lady Mowbray wouldn't take well to the guest of honor showing up in his underclothes."

   Killian had always had more a mind for fashion than he, and sure enough he was already rooting through Sephen's clothing deciding to take matters into his own hands without waiting for a response; of course, that might also have to do with the fact that Killian was very much the social butterfly his older brother was not, and as such was well-versed in dressing for the occasion. Much to his surprise, he pulled out an ensemble of white and red; his brother grinned cheekily at him, laughing as he caught the doublet thrown at his head.

   "These are our 'friends', Seph. Leave all the professional black garb at home for once." Killian teased, making for the door to give him some privacy to change, "Get dressed and we'll get going."

   It seemed almost surreal, showing up to the all-too-familiar Mowbray estate just as the sky was beginning to glow yellow with the setting sun; Killian helped the Lady Rosalba out of the carriage (having ruled out simply riding over on horseback, as Sephen lacked a sidesaddle for Lilla to use) with Sephen and one of the footmen in tow with the plum blossom seedling. It was all very strange; Killian was, of course, right at home with the other nobles and barely stuck out save for among the ladyfolk. Sephen, on the other hand, had earned himself a reputation for his scarcity, and could feel the eyes on his person at the apparently unexpected visit. Already he was beginning to wonder why he was really here.


((....wow. That got... long. XD))

[Delia Sarafine Mowbray]

Delia stopped in the hall to check her reflection. Nary a hair out of place from the elegant twist she'd pinned it up into. She'd considered, for the sake of nostalgia, to wear it down but couldn't bring herself to do it. It just wasn't proper. Delia didn't exactly follow the book on 'proper,' but when it came to her appearance, she tried. Satisfied, she continued to the door into the main social room. It was here that dancing would take place or sitting and talking or other such frivolities before dinner was served. The smells of said meal wafted up from the kitchen, following her her down the hall and mingling with her perfume of choice for the evening. Lilies and vanilla mixed with roast beef. How tantalizing. Her own fault, she supposed. Still. Anything to make her mother's life a little bit harder. If she tried any matchmaking tonight, Delia swore she'd make a scene.

Entering the room, she had to quell a sudden shock of surprise. Many of the guests had already arrived, filling the room far more than she would have thought. Her stomach turned when she noted that Lord Clausus had indeed decided to make an appearance. She almost turned heel and headed out when she realized he was searching the room for something. Or someone. Or her. The only thing that kept her from bolting was the obligation she felt towards Killian and Sephen. Oh dear, Killian. She wouldn't even recognize him! Clausus pushed back his golden hair, his clothes displaying nothing but the utmost finest and latest in high fashion. She wanted to retch. A sense of panic filled her when she realized he'd spotted her. Like a fox fleeing the hounds, she took off, weaving her way through the crowd with expert care and grace, murmuring polite greetings as she navigated as far away from Lord Clausus as she could manage. The man simply did not know how to leave well enough alone!

She took up residence behind the Duchess Anna Farbolt. The same age as Delia herself, she was a mountain of a woman with a large hooked nose, dark brown hair, and girth that threatened to burst through her corset. Her husband, the Duke Roberto, was a stark contrast to his wife. A tall and wiry man with a bushy mustache and ten years her senior, many marveled at how deeply in love the couple seemed to be. Anna herself provided somewhat of a hideaway for Delia, effectively blocking her from Clausus' view. Now, she just had to wait for him to give up the hunt.

Both her parents were dutifully standing by the door to receive their guests. Her heart nearly stopped when Sephen walked in. The last thing she wanted was for him to have to witness this obscene cat and mouse game she was playing with Lord Clausus, but she also refused his attentions. What had she expected? It was unavoidable, she supposed. She would have to put the man in his place regardless. There were two other people with her friend, but the only one she paid attention to was the one on his arm. Was that Lilla? She blinked. Why on earth was Sephen escorting Lilla to this event? Why was he escorting anyone? Wouldn't he have told her the other day if he were courting someone, specifically someone she knew? Delia swallowed and frowned at herself. It really was no business of hers who Sephen did and did not court or escort. But still. One would think he'd mention it. Not wanting to be seen standing idly by while the Duchess and others around her conversed and carried on, Delia turned about to find herself face to face with a pot of flowers. With a moment's hesitation, at best, she reached up and busied herself by making a show of rearranging them. Sighing, she plucked one away and fixed it into her hair, a lovely blue flower she couldn't recall the name of.

--Across the room...

"Oh my! Is this really Sephen and Killian de la Braose?!" Lady Moira Mowbray crooned as the boys stepped through. "Oh! And Lilla! It's always lovely to see you, dear. I trust your uncle, the King, is well?" She was absolutely beaming and her husband stood dutifully next to her, quiet and smiling as always. He wasn't good at social events- it was better for him to be quiet. She moved to hug both boys as if they were her own sons. And who knew? A little prodding and one of them could be. Sephen seemed an unlikely candidate since he seemed to be escorting the King's niece, but then, Killian was closer to Delia's age. "Well, I'm sure you're eager to see Delia- let me see now..."

With a careful eye, she scanned the crowd of friends who'd come to celebrate this reunion. A formal speech would be given at dinner, of course. Her daughter should have found her way up from the kitchen by now- and heaven help her if the tiniest stain garnered that gown! "Aha! There she is." She pointed over by an assortment of flowers. "Just there by Duchess Farbolt. Lovely, isn't she? I certainly wish I could find a man to tame her." Subtle hints. That was the ticket.