|
Post by Admin on Apr 18, 2011 21:31:40 GMT -6
|
|
Illyon
Denizen
Marquis Incubus
Posts: 91
|
Post by Illyon on Apr 18, 2011 21:32:20 GMT -6
The Devil marquis leans in the doorway of the balcony, watching the parading nobility in the front lawn of the newly appointed Lady Trakand's lawn. His reception could have been worse, he muses, though it will become the talk of the nobility. He has always known that the Devilcat Succubus disliked him, but he hadn't known how deeply that dislike ran until today. It is an interesting piece of information to know, however damaging it may be. Yet, it can be a two-edged sword. Her intense dislike of him will work against her, insofar as her popularity among the nobility is concerned. Yes, it is a very interesting piece of information to know.
He sips his bloodwine, his tail curling around one leg. The other nobility in the room mingle and talk quietly amongst themselves, most of it about Lady Trakand, but some of it inconsequential gossip. Still, he keeps his ear on the talk just in case something should arise he could use later.
|
|
|
Post by Valentine on Apr 18, 2011 21:38:19 GMT -6
Abmassador Le'Noir nods and murmurs at the prattling of the noble Ladies in front of her, all of them are speaking of the same thing. Fashion, and how lovely and fashionable Lady Trakand is. She's not jealous of the lovely, nearly fragile devilcat, but she's much more interested in the Lady's marked interest in two particular males.... even if one appears to be hate. After a few more moments of monotony she excuses herself, moving away to refill her glass. Her gaze catches on the Marquis for a moment, and her thoughts turn meditative.
There's a puzzle, deVerrin is arguably the most powerful male Leccubi in court, but he hardly exercises it... though there are always rumors. She refills her glass and then steps out one of the open archways into the side garden, slipping behind a tree, just enjoying the quiet away from the buzz and heat of the prattle.
|
|
Illyon
Denizen
Marquis Incubus
Posts: 91
|
Post by Illyon on Apr 18, 2011 21:40:40 GMT -6
Illyon notices Valentine's getaway, his interest piqued. He moves to follow, setting his glass down on the platter of a passing servant. Of course, the marquis can do very little without attention, and is forced to stop half a dozen times to make commentary. Lady Trakand's impeccable fashion, the appropriateness of her appointment, who her lovers might be, and, of course, should a Devilcat really be turned into such a powerful thing. Illyon gives his opinion, mindful of those that stand against Ciel and those who just might admire the Regent in his decision for turning the Queen's pet into a lady of the court.
He glides outside, taking his time as he does so. It wouldn't do to seem too interested, not at this point. He strolls along the same path as Valentine, until he finds her tree. Not bothering to try and look at her, he speaks to her.
"And has this strange, new beast finally tired of the inane prattle of the court?" he asks, letting a sardonic smile etch across his features. "Or does something else drive you away, Ambassador?"
|
|
|
Post by Valentine on Apr 18, 2011 21:41:15 GMT -6
Valentine looks up as Illyon comes closer to her and savors a brief moment of annoyance, quickly hidden in sipping her bloodwine. She doesn't even try to smile at the Marquis, just looks thoughtfully out over the garden at the night sky.
"It has been a long night... and a singularly unproductive one as far as I am concerned. Lady Trakand will either succeed or fail. I don't feel the need to speculate." The words come out clipped, dismissive.
|
|
Illyon
Denizen
Marquis Incubus
Posts: 91
|
Post by Illyon on Apr 18, 2011 21:41:51 GMT -6
"I have not come to speculate on Lady Trakand's career, if that is what concerns you," he replies. "There is enough talk of Lady Trakand, and I do not wish to add to it tonight." He leans against the tree, angled away from Valentine. "I find myself very unpopular at the moment, and have no desire to add to the drama of her debut."
|
|
|
Post by Valentine on Apr 18, 2011 21:42:26 GMT -6
"She is young and in dire need of training. We were all young once." She murmurs the last, running a finger around the rim of her wineglass, leaving a soft high note ringing in the night air.
"As much as we might be loathe to admit it." The succubus chuckles softly. "So then what brings you to shelter here, your Excellency? Surely not the pleasure of my company."
|
|
Illyon
Denizen
Marquis Incubus
Posts: 91
|
Post by Illyon on Apr 18, 2011 21:44:10 GMT -6
"Perhaps it is the pleasure of your company I seek?" he replies, chuckling. "After all, is it not true that five minutes speaking with a Leccubi is worth twenty in any other's company? And with such a master of the etiquette, how can I resist pitting myself against you?"
|
|
|
Post by Valentine on Apr 18, 2011 21:44:45 GMT -6
Valentine leans against the tree, turning her head so that she's speaking in his direction. "My dear Marquis, you flatter me. But one mans riches are worthless to another, most of what you deem masterful is simply eloquent words spoken with thought, valuable only to those who have wit." She stretches, arching her back and then settling back against the tree again with a sigh.
|
|
Illyon
Denizen
Marquis Incubus
Posts: 91
|
Post by Illyon on Apr 18, 2011 21:45:10 GMT -6
"Mastery is not in the words, no matter how eloquent, but in the meanings beneath them," he replies. "It is not eloquence of speech. If I sought only that, I would seek conversation with our Lord Chancellor, or perhaps even the Duchess De'Velt."
His tail curls around the tree, not reaching Valentine, but close to her.
|
|
|
Post by Valentine on Apr 18, 2011 21:45:28 GMT -6
Valentine laughs, shaking her head. "Our esteemed Lord Chancellor certainly does have a turn of phrase, but it does not make up for a formal education. The Duchess however is an utter delight to converse with..." Amusement colors her voice still
"Still, I cannot dispute your words, Excellency." Two of Valentines fingers trace the edge of the spaded end of Illyon's tail, sliding up and then back down.
|
|
Illyon
Denizen
Marquis Incubus
Posts: 91
|
Post by Illyon on Apr 18, 2011 21:46:28 GMT -6
The spade twitches under her touch, almost leaning into the gentle caress. Illyon gives no indication that he notices, but his tail moves slightly closer.
"How are my slaves working for you, Ambassador?" he asks, his voice soft but his tone unchanged. "Have you reached an arrangement that you all find agreeable?"
|
|
|
Post by Valentine on Apr 18, 2011 21:47:34 GMT -6
"Kikyo and Aubrey are excellent assistants. We have reached a mutually beneficial agreement and they handle most of my less than pressing business. It does seem that there is alway something pressing." Valentine laughs softly, relaxing more heavily against the tree, her eyes shading into a rosy gold.
|
|
Illyon
Denizen
Marquis Incubus
Posts: 91
|
Post by Illyon on Apr 18, 2011 21:48:17 GMT -6
"Both were trained from a young age to their tasks," he replies. The very tip of his spade brushes against the inside of her palm, along her fingers, in an almost too casual motion. "I'm glad that I could have been of assistance, Ambassador. I'm sure that as time goes on, you will find that they are irreplaceable pets and assistants. Such is the mark of good training."
|
|
|
Post by Valentine on Apr 18, 2011 21:48:47 GMT -6
There is a slightest faint hitch in the Ambassador's breathing as his tail moves. Valentine's fingers twitch her hand curling slightly, so that her thumb runs up the center of the spade, just barely touching before she relaxes her hand again.
"Your training must be excellent then, because I already find them quite invaluable." Valentine's voice is utterly normal, her usual heady purr, betraying nothing.
|
|
Illyon
Denizen
Marquis Incubus
Posts: 91
|
Post by Illyon on Apr 18, 2011 22:01:21 GMT -6
The Marquis smirks, his tail curling to match the fold in Valentine's hand, still not quite touching it.
"As much as I dislike touting my own skills, my training is without peer. No slave leaves my care that is not fully equipped to serve their new master in every aspect. I believe that is why you paid so much for them, Ambassador."
|
|
|
Post by Valentine on Apr 18, 2011 22:12:10 GMT -6
Her hand shifts just the smallest amount, the space between her fingertips and his tail nearly imperceptible but still present.
"The are worth every bit of expense, I assure you. And how is your business faring in this time of unease, your Excellency? I hope it is still vigorous."
|
|
Illyon
Denizen
Marquis Incubus
Posts: 91
|
Post by Illyon on Apr 18, 2011 22:17:30 GMT -6
"One thing that I have noticed," he begins, a small twitch running the length of his tail, "during times of unrest business - whether it be a minor apothecary shop or something as grandiose as mine - turns a profit. It is as though they with disposable incomes seek to assure themselves during times such as these with playthings." The Devil Incubus chuckles softly. "The harder the nobility fete one another, and the more frequently, the more the plebeian masses are discontent and begin seeking a way to make their voice known."
|
|
|
Post by Valentine on Apr 18, 2011 22:30:23 GMT -6
Valentine's breath catches again when the spade of his tail flicks against her fingertips, her fingers flex and this time the tips of her nails drag lightly over his skin.
"I suppose that is true enough... The occasions do seem to be never-ending. Perhaps it is all to the good. If it puts coin in the pockets of those who are murmuring, they may be more contented." She stretches her hand out, palm flat against the spade before slowly drawing it away, fingers trailing.
|
|
Illyon
Denizen
Marquis Incubus
Posts: 91
|
Post by Illyon on Apr 18, 2011 22:41:20 GMT -6
His tail twists almost snake-like, rubbing against the Ambassador's palm, before pulling away as well.
"Something of this nature would have done nothing but make the wealthy wealthier," he replies. "I am sure our Lord Regent would have spared no expense in honoring his newest representative to the public, and in doing so, would have ordered from the finest establishments. The catering, the food, the decorations, even the invitations themselves..." Illyon chuckles, his tail coiling around the tree like a choking vine. "But I trespass on the patience of my dear Ambassador... After all, did I not say I was not to speculate on this fine gathering? Yet here I am, sneaking such into what should be fine conversation... My apologies, Ambassador, for lapse in etiquette."
|
|