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*===========================< In Character Time >===========================*
Time of day: Evening
Date on Aether: Monday, April 25, 3906.
Year on Earth: 1506 A.D.
Phase of the Moon: Full
Season: Spring
Weather: Breeze
Temperature: Comfortable
*==========================================================================*
Inner Courtyard - Living Quarters - Palladium - Haven
A colonnade surrounds the perimeter of the inner courtyard, whose
paved paths lead to various domiciles, each built in the traditional Empyreal
style. Tiled roofs, arches, columns, and even balconies are common
features on all the homes, and the decor is light and airy--much like those
who dwell within. There are no staircases, although there are some residencies
that extend to a second floor, for the occupants have no need of stairs when
they can simply glide through the air. Almost everything is built of pale marble
in shades of white, cream, or rose, and climbing vines of flowers mirror their
hues when the season is right. A circular fountain graces the middle of the
courtyard, and residents can often be found seated at its edge, whiling away
a few hours.
Obvious exits:
Xerise comes to a graceful landing in the courtyard, some distance
away from any other people that are out for an evening stroll.
No thorns, no crowds, Julius nods plainly to the servant in front of him
and she scurries away. He looks up as the arrival lands and he nods
politely. "Ave, Domina." he says in that quiet timbre of his...
Iris pushes open the bronze gate of the Tritonis quarters, and arrives
in the courtyard.
Iris has arrived.
Iris climbs the stairs leading up to House Ares, pushing open the bound
bronze doors to step inside.
Iris has left.
Atalanta pushes open the bronze gate of the Tritonis quarters, and
arrives in the courtyard.
Atalanta has arrived.
Atalanta pads out after Iris, who apparently came through like a -shot-,
and blinks after her, not that she knows which way the girl ran. It was a
mistake to let Ata drink before this mission, for a mission it is. She has a
note and she needs Julius' attention. She's been told that she must be nice.
Right. So, once that she's identified that she is, in fact, in the presence of
Julius Jove, Atalanta goes to stand by him. And loom. Politely, of course.
Xerise inclines her head politely to Julius, and says - her words soft - "Ave,
Dominus Jove. A pleasant evening, is it not?"
Julius's thoughts turn to the level of her tone and ponders briefly for a moment
if it is simply her own impulse or that terrible habit of others ot match his tone
in order to be sypathetic. But a brief thought it is as the vulture-like visiage of
Atalanta looms nearby. Congenially, he gives the same polite nod and greeting
of the raspy, "Ave, Domina," to her as well, before again addressing Xerise.
"Indeed, I rather enjoy the weather."
Atalanta sighs a bit to herself as she finally realizes Xerise's presence. Now
she's gonna have to put up with the old bat til she can give this note to Julius,
that she understands about billet-doux. So, tucking her hands behind her back,
by consequence the note, she attempts her best polite smile, which scares most
children, and replies, "Ave, Dominus." Then to Xerise, "Domina."
Xerise's voice retains a soft, almost hesistant quality - although that more for the
notice of Atalanta's arrival than anything else: gratitude for the woman's initial
help always tempered by the seeming inability to hold more than a three-word
conversation with her. Still, there is no reason to raise one's voice when not
needed, and therefore... "Very pleasant, yes." The scholar (old bat???) turns
and inclines her head to Atalanta. "Domina Atalanta. Always a pleasure." Old bat.
Hmph. Back to Julius, "I believe that the Domina has something she wishes to
speak to you regarding. If you'll excuse me.." And she begins to walk away from
the other two. So much for the fine art of conversation.
Hrm. That was odd, but Julius shows no confusion or curiousity as the woman
walks away, giving a polite nod as the other woman walks away as if this happens
daily, "Of course, Vale." Turning his attention to the rather stern-looking blonde next
to him, his expression is still neutral. "Can I... help you, Domina?" he asks in a
hoarse tone.
Atalanta opens her mouth to protest. She didn't say that! It could have been for
you, Xerise. As it happens it's not, but it could have been! She's supposed to be
nice here, nevermind that she had a tad more than she probably should have before
hand. Whatever, didn't want to talk to her -anyway-. She closes her mouth and
regards Julius for a moment, before presenting a note. "My friend would like --
she wanted me to see that you got this personally." She hands over the parchment,
forgetting that their plan on not mentioning Atalanta by name was just shot to hell by
Xerise and her emerging from the Tritonis household.
Xerise is good with wrecking plans like that - although, truly, she didn't voice any
'bat-like' things - having no ability at all whatsoever to read minds. But she's training
to be a proper spinster, and therefore must have taken offense to some random
expression on Atalanta's face. Or, more truthfully, just wanted to give the other woman
privacy to give her note - because she's actually lurking a short distance away, studying
the fountain idly.
Julius arches one eyebrow, taking the note with a calloused hand and now we get an
expression. "A friend?" he asks, a bit too polite to just open the note up here and now...
Yes, I have friends! Shut up and read the damn note, will you? She just nods and prompts,
"I'm doing a favor for that friend, she would like me to wait for a reply." Atalanta gazes at
Julius expectantly. Don't make me lose my temper after I promised Iris I would be nice.
Just- don't.
Something in that note says that courtesy might be set aside for a moment and he
should... *achem* READ THE NOTE. Julius nods and opens up the letter to read what
has been reading...
Xerise settles on the edge of the fountain, and looks over at the two for the briefest of
moments before returning her attention to the water. She does that a lot. Stare at water,
that is. Must be fascinating stuff.
THE NOTE
Written in not-very-steady, but definately perfect style is a short missive:
Dominus Julius Jove:
Each time we have met, there have been awkward circumstances. I would like to
invite you to a picnic in the park with myself and my friend.
Iris
Atalanta rocks on her feet a bit impatiently. She's supposed to note every detail,
so she can report to Iris later, so she tries to keep an eye on him and his reaction
as well as Xerise. You know, just in case the woman gets nosey. Ata might have
to take her down.
Xerise is rather nosy in her own right. Thank you, father, for your schnoz. But at
least the rest of her is nice and soft - Ata'll be easily able to turn her into a nice
scholar-pancake as soon as she figures out that even though Xerise isn't /looking/,
she's listening. But she's fairly subtle about it, at least.
Julius' eyebrow knit above his nose as he reads the words set down. And rereads
just in case. He looks up, bright blue eyes clear as he asks a bit wanly, the look of
someone in a social situation he has no chance of understanding. "My... reply?"
Atalanta stares for a moment. Oh great Tritonis. You've gotta be kidding, right?
Between Iris, Julius, and Ata, Ata's the only one who has a -clue- as to how to invite
someone out, and thence to reply. She prompts, perhaps with a touch of condescension,
though not as much were she not doing her utmost to be on best behavior, "Your reply.
Would you like to attend?" She adds, "We can contact you later on the details?"
Xerise wouldn't be any help there, either - that is, if she was actually in this little grouping
as opposed to the rumor-gathering onlooker catagory. She reaches out a finger, tapping it
gently against the water and watching the ripples head outward.
Julius blinks, then nods. "I... will attend." he says, having no real idea of what he's getting
himself into... let alone what a 'picnic' is. Something about this woman in front of him says
he really shouldn't say no....
Yer damn -skippy-. Break Iris' heart and yer dead meat. Atalanta pauses, damn, she
doesn't know if she said that out loud or not, so she favors Julius with something that is
rumored to exist, but in truth is merely rarely seen, a genuine smile, bright and warm.
Of course, it's gone in a flash when she realizes that this is, in fact, the one winged wonder.
In any case, Iris will be pleased. She actually vocalizes the words, "Thank you. I will pass
the message back along. I'm sure we'll be contacting you with a day and time." Was that-
gasp- cheerful?
Julius says, "Pants will suffer for giving me that nickname I swear... ;|"
Xerise furrows her brows ever so slightly. Picnic? Isn't that one of those things with
bugs? Nasty things, bugs. They get in the scrolls and eat them, and drop in your hair
without warning...Outwardly, she's watching fading ripples in the fountain, perched there
as if she's nothing better to do. Perhaps she doesn't.
Atalanta ers. "Actually, I didn't know that was your nickname. I, er, made that
up independently."
Julius nods in a thoughtful fashion, the rare gift of Atalanta's smile (not that'd he'd know..
there is just something rather angry about this woman...) making this whole scheme so
eerie... family must be consulted, indeed. He looks back to the note, just in case he missed
something. "Of course... thank you." he says quietly.
Eerie!? Her? Well, how dare you! There are family members that never see that smile!
And you- you-- bloody mutant. Wait- investigation? Oh no, you don't want to investigate
Ata, nonono. (Unless it's Selene. Selene likes her. She'll vouch for me. Just not the Empyror,
that's all she asks.) You see, the invitation was from Iris. She's just the messenger. Don't
mind her. And you, Xerise, mind your own business! Don't think I don't see you eavesdropping
over there. She nods and says, "We'll contact you, then. Vale, Dominus." Then to Xerise,
"Domina." See, she hasn't forgotten. Then she retreats to the comfort and safety of the
family home.
Xerise glances up from the fountain as if slightly startled. "Oh, you're leaving?" Thank the
Gods. Er. I mean... "Vale, Domina. Do enjoy the evening." And yes. That actually was
sincere. She's weird that way.
Julius is left alone (sort of) with the Note. His eyes can't seem to leave it, as if looking at
it hard enough might explain something he's just missing. He looks up only to give a polite
nod, and a "Vale, Domina Tritonis... thank you." before going back to his puzzlement.
Xerise looks over at the slightly befuddled looking Julius for a long moment, then finally
speaks. "Not bad news, I hope? You seem a bit...puzzled, Dominus."
Julius looks up from his note to give the Domina a rather worried expression. "Oh, no...
but..." he pauses, placing curled fingers to his chin thoughtfully, brow furrowed before he
lowers his ahnd and asks in a rather lost sounding manner. "Would you know of what a ...
'picnic' is?"
Xerise pulls on her lip thoughtfully. "I've run across mentions of picnics in records -
apparently it is an outdoor activity wherein you eat, and perhaps play games. And there are
bugs, as well. And I would assume social conversation - although likely not with the bugs.
They probably just want some of the food."
Well. That didn't help. "Oh." Julius says softly, still not looking any better. His attention
goes back to the note, still looking it over for a moment before folding it neatly back up.
Julius had nearly put the thought out of his mind until you answered. Tipping his head up,
he gives another rather befuddled look, "This would be a ... smaller gathering, I guess..."
he says, maybe to you, maybe to himself... sadly unaware of what words could catch on
gossip's ears...
Xerise ahs, quite quietly - and then a small smile appears on her face. "Well, then, Dominus,
for what its worth, I do hope you have an enjoyable time." Luckily, Xerise is still clueless as
to the other party - for likely it is only one - that would be involved.
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