Last Leg|Grandisle, Firegem Isles

[Darastrix]

It had been a blessedly peaceful few months since Crawford had left Khelek in the spring. Being an ambassador in Sensatia had been far less taxing than being Lucifer's adviser and seer. For the first time in a long time, he could answer inquiries without having to think about every possible angle, without having to worry about what sort of impact a decision might have on Khelek or Naruta's future. The touch of anxiety at each question, followed by a profound sense of relief that it was a minor matter, proved more than anything that this time away from the Crystalands was long overdue. And it had been a good way of easing out of his daily routine. He didn't think he would have handled it well if he'd gone straight from Khelek to a ship set for Firegem.

His time at sea had been relatively uneventful to the point that even he'd been bored a fair bit of the time. Landfall had been a welcome change, despite having to adjust to walking on solid ground again. Crawford had already visited Celentia, which was enough like the Beastlands to not really be of much interest, and he imagined Second Hope would have been more appealing had he been about ten years younger.

Now he was on Grandisle, and from the looks of things, it was a good thing he'd always tended toward frugality. He wouldn't have to watch his spending quite as closely as he would have otherwise.

I probably ought to visit the Grand Court while I'm here. He might actually form an acquaintance worth having, even if most of the people here were Soahcian. And the thought of being a novelty for a while had a certain appeal. Before things had gone so wrong for him in Morilanta, he'd enjoyed participating in society. And with nobody here to know who he was unless he told them, this seemed to be as close to being able to really relax as he could get.

Maybe he could even.... No. Not that, not here. Crawford sighed and paused to take in a particularly nice view of the water. Strange people and a strange land. I'm so uncertain of my judgment in that area now even among my own people. I don't think I would even trust myself if I thought I'd found a soulmate.

[Kender Bard]

Grandisle was abuzz, which was the general state of things. While most of the lords and ladies of any note were cloistered in a building (or the palace) somewhere, there were many, many servants who went about their business and a good number of bastard children who didn't favor high enough in their parents' eyes to warrant being kept around much in court or familial events. Not that it bothered any of them at all, really. They had grown to form their own society, as it were, and the outdoors was their court.

At any rate, they were nigh indistinguishable from their parents in any regard, be it manner or dress. A couple of young men in fine dress of the style typical in the Firegem Islands were walking along together, chattering excitedly. "I think we might be seeing dear old Nashia's daughter amongst us soon. She's outdone herself in disgrace. She'll be kicked out of the house for a fortnight for sure! And won't that be a treat for everyone, aye?"

The other man was about to reply when he caught sight of Crawford. He held up a finger to his companion and then beckoned. "Greetings!" he called out. "You're a new face around here. What House are you from?"

[Darastrix]

"No House," Crawford replied as he approached. None that they would recognize, at any rate. Besides, noble though he was, it seemed a little strange to call what he had a House when he was the only member. "I hail from the Khelek Crystalands, on Naruta."

[Kender Bard]

Both men glanced at each other and grinned widely, ecstatic.

The speaker stepped closer and gave a great flourishing bow. "Then may I be honored to be the first to welcome you to Grandisle? You've come a long way indeed. And you're incredibly fortuitous to have bumped into the pair of us. We are the Diamond brothers; my brother Neven here and myself Gatsby. I'm not sure how much of our fair islands you northerners have heard about; would you like a tour? Or do you already have a destination in mind?"

[Darastrix]

((OOC: Oh man, I HATED The Great Gatsby.))

"I had thought to pay the Court a visit," Crawford said, giving the men a suspicious glance. They seemed friendly enough, but were they perhaps a little too eager? Or was that just the norm?

Wealth, nobility, and Soahcians, he thought. What a combination.

[Kender Bard]

Gatsby's grin grew wider. "Why, I'd be delighted to direct you to court! The first audience of the day is over, but Delilah is likely still presiding over the court. Come, my friend, and prepare to be dazzled." He turned and eagerly strode off through the grand and opulent houses of Grandisle. There seemed to be a pattern, with the homes starting out large and wealthy looking but a sense of newness to them. The homes became more aged and prestigious as they drew closer to the palace, which was quite a sight indeed. Several of the oldest homes seemed to be directly attached, making for one great, sprawling complex. The palace proper, however, was three stories tall and with even taller towers stationed at each corner of the building.

"You should see the place at night," Gatsby remarked, slowing as he drew closer to the palace. They could see now the gardens that covered the whole of the grounds around the palace with looping, circuitous footpaths tracing patterns through the flowers and trees. There was no one way to the palace's front doors and Gatsby seemed disincline to trod on the garden to get there any faster. "And fair warning; you will be questioned quite a bit. Those who did not accompany the queen in her trip around Naruta are desperately curious on what we missed."

[Darastrix]

"I am well-acquainted with a Soahcian priestess of the Curious path at home," Crawford responded, as he admired the architecture. "I'm somewhat used to being assaulted with questions."

He tried very hard to not think about Grandisle's queen, or, more precisely, the queen's name. He'd traveled halfway around the world to end up in the one place where the most prominent person shared the name of his former lover. Lucky him.

[Kender Bard]

"Well, that's good," Gatsby noted and didn't speak much more until they had finally reached the actual palace. Inside was... flashy. There was a lot of polished wood, which spoke of tremendous wealth. Tapestries, paintings, statues; the place was bedecked with art of all kind until it was just short of being too much. Gatsby strolled over a red rug that seemed to go on forever and led directly towards the carved double doors that opened up into a great ballroom. Possibly the biggest ever created. Dozens of glass chandeliers hung from the ceilings, reflecting the daylight from the floor-to-ceiling glass windows into dazzling displays of light and prismatic rainbow.

The place was very crowded in people of all ages, ranging from young men and ladies barely out of their childhood and beginning the first tentative steps of their future on Grandisle to bent over greybeards and elderly ladies. The place was a roar of conversation. From their current vantage, it was almost impossible to see to the front of the room.

"Want to mingle on your own or shall I introduce you to some people of note?"

[Darastrix]

Crawford took in the mass of humanity and decided that this just might be overwhelming even for him. He'd never seen a Court so large, let alone attended one. And it would likely be easier to move in society with someone who was a member showing him around a bit. He could branch off on his own later.

"An introduction would be appreciated," he said to Gatsby, nodding his head. "I'd heard the Court here was large, but this exceeds even my expectations."

[Kender Bard]

"Well it hasn't been long after first audience, and just about everyone shows up for that one because it's the most important one," Gatsby explained as he moved forward. He then bent his attention to hunting through the crowd.

His brother picked up where Gatsby left off in a softer voice. "Things actually get accomplished in the first audience because most folks are too sleepy to do much but listen. It's also when the balls of the night are announced so people can plan all day for where to go and what to do."

Gatsby paused long enough to murmur a hasty greeting to several people as well as drop, "Ah, I cannot talk now I'm afraid. I'm showing my Narutan friend around, you see."

Soon enough they had a veritable human train going as people trailed after them to watch Brad curiously.

Finally, Gatsby stopped in front of a middle aged, balding man. "Ah! Father! There you are. I want to introduce you to a new acquaintence of mine."

The older man looked at Brad in interest. "You're not from around here," he noted quickly.

"Narutan," Gatsby announced grandly.

"My!" Gatsby's father exclaimed and held out a hand. "A pleasure to meet you, sir. I am Lord Launce of House Gwilim."

[Darastrix]

Crawford took Launce's hand in a firm grip to shake. Well, now that he was being introduced in the Court itself, he couldn't well pretend to be nobody. Besides, if he happened to really need his rank, it might not be believed if he'd just called himself by name alone. "Likewise," he replied. "I am Lord Crawford, regent to King Kazimir of Khelek."

[Kender Bard]

"Regent to a king?" Launce repeated, his eyebrows nearly shooting up to his hairline. "Goodness madness, I'm honored that you thought to stop and talk to me. Someone of your rank; why aren't you making a straight line for the queen or at least Lord Ragnar?"

Gatsby's mouth was now slightly agape at this revelation. Then he grinned as if Crawford had turned and bestowed upon him a fistful of diamonds. He turned and hastily lost himself in the crowd of courtiers to spread the news and bask in reflected prestige.

[Darastrix]

Crawford arched a brow. "I don't think there's a straight line to be had in here," he said. "Besides, I'm not here in any official capacity; I'm taking a sabbatical. Gatsby and Neven showed me to the Court and I took Gatsby up on his offer to make some introductions. This is far larger than any Court I've attended in the past."

[Kender Bard]

"Gatsby appears to have disappeared, not that I can blame him," Launce noted. "No doubt his brother is hot on his heels. Well, then, that leaves you in my responsibility for the moment. Unlike my son, I won't just steer you around the room to the people I want to impress. Allow me to give you a very brief education in Grandisle nobility and let you decide what your wishes are. There are eleven primary houses at this time and all other nobility, like myself, is either derived off of them as a branch family or too minor, small, and lacking in funds to be of notice."

"These Houses are Tamati, Gwilim, Melanthios, Exhard, Simeon, Christianus, Sophronios, Ryker, Pompeius, Creighton, and of course the royal house of Valerianus. You will likely find yourself invited to attend some social function of each and every one of them. And all of them has a number of motives between and amongst each other. So no matter whom you decide to grace with your presence, you will please a few Houses and annoy a few, so don't worry yourself too much trying to figure it out. It takes a native to understand the web of politics around here. Of course you can't go wrong with Simeon or Valerianus because nobody can afford to be petty with them. I don't claim to be learned in all of the Houses beyond their names and a few personalities, but I can of course offer my opinion on any that you might be curious about."

[Darastrix]

"I can understand nobody wanting to be petty with the royal House, of course," Crawford said after taking a moment to get the other names straight in his mind, "but what is it about House Simeon that commands the same respect?"