GagsOrChatter

From IMiA

Juliana pads back over to Phillip. "No chatter? Where are the gags?"

Phillip simply smiles and shakes his head. "Shall we?" He offers Juliana his arm.

She takes it. "So what did I miss? What did I miss I should have caught?"

Phillip laughs. "So much for no chatter."

He talks as he walks. "O'Donovan and young Miss Devereux got along smashingly. I'm curious about her walk with Prince Bleys. And she is definitely friendly with Arryl. Arryl and Patrice got along quite well. That should be interesting. Karm is being courted by Royals and the nobility alike. They all want him to favor one of the Royals with his support. Many eyes were on his conversation with Patrice. Of course, the Royals played their various games. Princess Deirdre and Princess Florimel are as competetive with one another as ever. Prince Bleys worked the crowd. DeChastellan was as he ever is. Tand Devon and Opal De Coeur were quite affectionate with one another. There is a great deal of tension brewing between the Count and Countess Meridien. Genvieve Dumas is moody and withdrawn. Madeline is troubled by this. Garrett clearly has much on her mind. Oisenmouth's return was much remarked upon. Though the absences were equally interesting. Particularly the absence of Sir Reginald and Major Chantris."

"Well, I noticed all that, so I feel less idiotic now. I threw Miss Devereux to the sharks to see if she'd bite back. She did. She's quite intelligent and yet quick to offense and presumptions. She reminds me of me, only perhaps less spoiled and manipulative and smooth. I'm not too curious about what she and Bleys talked about on their walk - if I guess right, he tried to be charming and she was somewhat cynical about it, but ended up liking him despite herself. He will no doubt harass her at work, but in her line of work, that line of the royals may help her most, so that's where I tried to give her the opportunity." Juliana leans her head on Phillip's arm. She's not physically exhausted (I'm guessing, based on endurance) but her mental energy is wearing thin.

"I was trying to feel out Oisenmouth on whether he was staying in Amber for awhile. He insisted on avoiding answering me. Do you think Bleys asked him to come back?" she asks.

"I doubt it was that calculated, though it might have been," Phillip muses. "Oisenmouth has a gift for sensing trouble and being in the right place at the right time to deal with it. His return may be precisely what it appears to be. Though Prince Bleys will doubtless immediately use Oisenmouth to his advantage."

"Doubtless, but Oisenmouth uses Bleys too. He should be careful with that, but then, I have to doubt Bleys would ever really put himself at risk for Oisenmouth's sake. And honestly, I have no reason to believe Rod hasn't been completely manipulated the entire time, except that it seems like far too much work for a Prince to bother with over a Count. On the other hand, Oisenmouth has those certain qualities..." Juliana leans her head on Phillip's arm, thinking. "Perhaps... how many ships do you think that House has now, if you count all the cousins in shadow."

"I imagine that Prince Caine has given that matter a great deal of attention."

"More than a small navy, I bet. I wonder if one of the princes - Caine, most likely, I'd think - will make a manuever that forces him to draw more of them into Amber," Juliana muses. "I'm surprised Oisenmouth's parents aren't making more noise about him settling down a bit - or a least getting married. But perhaps they are, and perhaps that's why he's home."

This speculation sends her off on a whole new train of thought, and she's silent as they walk upstairs.

"Come to bed, love. You must be tired," Phillip says in a soft tone. "Rodrigo's parents are no longer with us you know. Rodrigo is the head of his house"

Juliana hesitates a moment before she sighs. "Yes. Of course. I... I must just be tired. There's no one to guide him then," she adds, worriedly. She looks up at Phillip, a little unfocused.

"Maybe he'll go back to business," she says quietly, knowing it's unlikely. She clearly does not like the idea of Rodrigo being on the opposing side from her, for some reason.

"Something for us to worry about another day, love. Your party was a success. Enjoy that victory and leave all other concerns for tomorrow."

Juliana turns and kisses her husband. "I love you. Did they teach you these skills back in your military days? I've never learned them, you know. But maybe you can make me forget?"

"I can endeavor to do so," he smiles.

-- Main.LizTrumitch - 09 Apr 2005