CH. 15 - Winter Ball

[GravityEmblem]

"I would gladly do so," Lillian responds.

[Daos]

Ladonna
"Not to worry, I'm happy to help," Voltera says, jotting more down.  "In the meantime, just...do what you can to try and keep things from spinning too out of control.  Anything you can tell me about her?  Has her disappearance had any impact on the timeline or anyone else in it?"

Lillian
Winter nods approvingly.  "Excellent, I'm glad to hear that.  Welcome back to the fold.  I look forward to seeing you next Rockday in the temple."

[HorizonsDream]

Ladonna tells her everything that she remembers about her sister, such as her name, age, what she looked like, her personality, and how she was in the middle of getting ready to get married before all of this went down. "But now I'm set to be married to the man that she was going to be marry," she adds at the end. "I'm...not exactly sure what I want give him up though. I'm not exactly thrilled about getting married, but Relken isn't so bad."

[Daos]

Voltera jots all of this down furiously on her parchment.  "Who were you supposed to marry in the previous timeline?" she asks.

[HorizonsDream]

"My parents left me alone when it came to marriage," Ladonna says. "They focused solely on my sister."

[GravityEmblem]

Lillian bows again, before leaving the circle of silence and trying to spot Miss Foxmore. For some reason, she had never got around to actually gaining her insight in bard-ship.

[Daos]

Ladonna
Voltera raises an eyebrow at the oddity of that statement, but doesn't say anything.  She jots down a few more notes, then puts her clipboard away.  "Well, thank you for your time.  I'll get back to you when I have something more, and I'll see what your friend Liala has to say."

Lillian
Lillian finds Miranda Foxmore surrounded by a small group of courtiers, as she's telling them a story of some kind.  "...and then he said, 'I know, that's why the 'k' is silent!'"  The courtiers erupt into polite laughter and applause.  Miranda is dressed in a low cut green gown and has her red hair up, but with a pair of curls hanging lose, framing either side of her face.

"Ahh, Miss Lillian," Foxmore says, noticing her in the back.  "It's good to see you.  Everyone, you remember Miss Lillian, winner of the music contest back in the harvest festival?"  There's some murmurs of approval among the courtiers.  "How is your music career going?  I haven't heard anything about you since then," Foxmore says, turning back to Lillian.

[GravityEmblem]

"Not quite as well as I would have liked," Lillian admits. "I got caught up in helping Ser Ladonna with her land, and I fear I couldn't find the time. I presume you heard how disastrously that went?"

[Daos]

"We have," Foxmore admits.  "Word tends to get around fast in these parts."

[GravityEmblem]

Lillian laughs. "Oh, I don't doubt it. The next thing you know, some servant will know more about the trip then the people who actually went!" she jokes.

[Daos]

"Yes, although I'm afraid it's not just the servants prone to gossip," Miranda says.  "But it's good to see you here and about.  Looking for a good match?  I don't think there are many elves here today, but I might be able to introduce you to some later on, if you wish."

[HorizonsDream]

Ladonna takes her leave of Sadduce Sern, and searches out the Calabrian representative.

[GravityEmblem]

"Oh, I have little interest in marriage or romance," Lillian says. "But I wouldn't mind meeting other Elves."

[Daos]

Ladonna
Oddly enough, Ladonna has not seen any sign of the Calabrian dignitary, despite the fact she was certain he would stand out.  As she thinks about where else to look, her thoughts are interrupted by Mannan, once again signaling on his horn.  "May I present, Barone Gerardo Amodeo of Pharabutto!"  A number of people, including Ladonna, turn and look to see a handsome half-elven man step in, dressed in blue and purple silks, and adorned with enough jewelry to make a dragon blush.  He has long, dark hair and a partial beard.  A wave of whispers moves through the crowd at the sight of a foreigner, and a half-breed one at that, showing up at the winter ball of a fairly small and insignificant county.  Why was he here?  What did he want?

Lillian
Lillian's statement spurs some mutterings and whispers from the courtiers, whom sound a bit scandalized.  "No interest in marriage?  Is the baron really so lax?" asks one.  "I can see why the count is eager to send his son to Buho, if that's the case," says another.  "What does romance have to do with marriage?" asks another.  "Now that you mention it, I think I heard she preferred Octhanus," says another.

Foxmore clears her throat and says, "Now, now, I'm sure what Miss Lillian meant to say was that she has no interest in finding a match tonight, because her liege lord already has one set up for her.  Even a bard can sometimes misspeak." 

Before Lillian can speak, she is interrupted by Mannan, once again signaling on his horn. "May I present, Barone Gerardo Amodeo of Pharabutto!" A number of people, including Lillian, turn and look to see a handsome half-elven man step in, dressed in blue and purple silks, and adorned with enough jewelry to make a dragon blush. He has long, dark hair and a partial beard. A wave of whispers moves through the crowd at the sight of a foreigner, and a half-breed one at that, showing up at the winter ball of a fairly small and insignificant county. Why was he here? What did he want?

[HorizonsDream]

Ladonna clears her throat upon seeing the Calabrian man. Very rarely did she mention anyone's looks to anyone, but she was a little strike by his appearance. Once she has composed herself, she makes her way towards the man. "Good morning, BaronBarone Gerardo Amodeo," she says with a bow of her head. "I am Ser Ladonna Marche. It is a pleasure to meet you."