When his male cousins arrive at Red Mill, Martin is waiting for them in a private room with a large round table, set up with cards, chips, and dice. There's a sideboard with canapes of various sorts, many of which are seafood-oriented. The cousins who have been here before also know they can order food as well. Another cabinet on the far wall will, the locals know, open to reveal a well-stocked bar and a humidor. Martin prefers what he thinks of as mildly psychoactive cigars from Heerat, but those of you who have tried them think they have more kick than Martin seems to. (Since there's not a man-jack among the Ambersiders that Martin can't drink under the table, this isn't a surprise.)
Regulars also know that there will be a number of charming and lovely ladies, including Martin's mistress Violet and Lucas' mistress Silken, who will wander in and out during the evening. While Violet and Silken are taken, the others are amenable to offering companionship and a chamber for the night.
While Martin picks up the tab for the evening, he generally lets his cousins pay for their own companionship. Prices at Red Mill are exorbitant by Amber standards, but members of the royal family are all filthy rich. Besides, they just send the bill to your secretary, who may be you, who pays it out of your allowance.
Jerod will have already been there, as indicated and enjoyed a very good meal with his friend before the arrival of the guests. Assuming the opportunity presents itself, he is there as the "executive host", the one who does most of the "meet and greet" work (details like where the booze is, who the ladies are, etc, etc) letting Martin sit and relax and greet at his leisure.
Merlin arrives after dinner, but before everyone else, on Martin's Trump. He accepts wine, but no hard liquor. Martin has already warned the ladies off him, so there's no attempt at flirting with him.
Occasionally he glances at Violet, who is taking care of Martin, but nobody reads that look as jealousy. The sensitive might feel he's trying to figure out what the heck the attraction is.
Jerod makes a note to himself to greet Merlin and talks to him for a few minutes as time permits. He is not interested in prying details out of him, but is merely curious as to what Merlin is like (any friend of his friend is someone that Jerod wants to know about). For the moment the conversation would remain at the level of chit-chat before Jerod moves off as another guest appears.
Jerod does not smoke, a personal preference on his part it would seem, though he does not prevent anyone else from smoking and seems to have a pretty good grasp of what constitutes a good smoke (cigar, cigarette or pipe). He does have a glass of something dark, scottish, and very smooth, from a bottle set to one side that is not part of the regular bar stock. Whether it is available for public consumption is up for debate.
As for the ladies, Jerod knows most of them by name and is comfortable around them though it is clear after a short time that while he is friendly, he is also uninterested.
Vere, as is usual for him at any social event, arrives precisely at the time indicated on the invitation. This usually means he is one of the first to arrive, which allows him to select the seat with the best acoustics and view of the rest of the room.
Vere is, as always, respectful and polite to the ladies.
Marius is punctual, and dapper, and will greet anyone who so makes that same arrangement before going inside.
Once inside he'll first greet Martin. "Thank you for the invitation," he says, making it sound more amused than like a kindergartener being told to thank his host. He'll compliment without flattery the accommodations, and express his appreciation.
Martin greets him with a friendly clasp. "Marius. Good to see you're up and looking so well. I'm glad you could make it."
After a little chit-chat, then, he'll scope out the room and choose a place that isn't too friendly, but doesn't leave him out of the action. He nods at those who are here before him, and will settle himself down with an eye towards the ladies. He's definitely looking, but he's also definitely not solicitating offers.
The seating is all at the main table, which is round. There's enough room between seats that a lady could perch on the arm of a gentleman's chair comfortably.
Reid shows up on time, well dressed, and without fanfare or cause for alarm. Those who see him around the castle regularly are likely to be surprised by the lack of paint spattering his clothes... he's actually made an effort to clean up for the occasion. It's not entirely clear if that was his own idea, or the influence of his new secretary.
As far as he's concerned, one seat is no better than another, so he'll take whatever is available after pouring himself a glass of ice water -- no alcohol tonight. He's here to play poker, and he's going to keep his wits about him, sober in more than one sense of the word.
Brennan shows up in that packet of time that can be properly be called "punctual" without being obsessive about it. He's dressed in Royal-Casual attire, in his colors.
He does not partake of the psychocosmetics, except for a glass of whisky which he consumes just fast enough to keep his mouth wet, and well under the rate of metabolism. Brennan is going to guess that the etiquette of the day requires an absence of conjuration tricks, and so he tactfully refrains even from filling his glass with them.
As for the ladies, it's unlikely that any of them have anything he's really interested in. He is polite and cordial to them.
You know, sometimes I just don't read well. I had not realized Martin was present. Let the idle pre-game chit-chat include Brennan greeting Martin and thanking him for the invitation. If it wants to be played out:
"Martin," he says quietly, "Thank you for the invitation. It's appreciated." Which, given family history, it is.
"My pleasure," says Martin, giving him the same sort of friendly clasp that he gives other cousins by way of greeting. "I'm glad you could make it."
As far as Brennan can tell, Martin's attitude and demeanor towards him is no different than it is towards his other unknown cousins (e.g., Marius). He obviously reacts differently to the Ambersiders and Merlin, but he knows all of them.
If Martin's holding a grudge or putting a brave face on the matter, it bodes well for his odds of bluffing his cousins during the game.
Conner arrives a little late, still in his court clothes but he's shucked the formal jacket somwhere. He helps himself to a large glass of brandy and also doesn't smoke. Conner sits in whatever chair is left at the time. He flirts and smiles at the ladies but it is clear that he merely practices his flattery.
Jovian's arrival at the Red Mill is neither prompt nor quite yet fashionably late, and is heralded by animated conversation - rumors of a dragon passing over the neighborhood. He arrives on foot just behind the news that Canareth landed in a public park a few blocks away. His hair is no more ruffled than it always is, and his face is still flushed from a high, brisk wind. He is still in mourning clothes, a severe black suit of military cut with wine-red facings and cravat.
For all that, his mood is ebullient. Martin he greets heartily, with thanks for his hospitality.
Martin returns the greeting in the same friendly manner he has used with all his other cousins.
The rest of [Jovian's] greetings are warm if brief, perhaps a moment longer and a touch more subdued with Brennan, Marius and Jerod. He introduces himself to Reid, Conner and Lucas, if no one else thinks to do the honors.
Introductions are casual and handled around the table as people arrive. With so many newcomers, it's difficult to do it any other way.
The wingleader assembles himself a nontrivial quantity of munchies and soemthing decently potable to wash them down with; his is about average for a family appetite. The cigars he eyes with a dubious interest, tentatively taking in their scent. "Not regular tobacco?" he asks mock-suspiciously, sounding like he'd be disappointed to learn it was.
Violet brings him one to sniff. No, that's definitely not tobacco.
Ossian arrives a few minutes late, dressed in a simple white shirt and black trousers (not blue, as he usually wears) He is cheerful and banters with the staff on the way in.
After getting himself a glass of white wine (The Ambersiders know that Ossian very seldom drink much.), he pauses to look at the room for about two seconds before choosing his seat.
Ossina will flirt with the ladies, but nothing more than that.
[Most boring party ever! None of the men are interested in any of the women. Where the heck is Lucas? Bring in Lucas to get the thing rolling!]
Oh, Marius is _extremely_ interested, only he doesn't want to be rough on the staff. After all, we said he doesn't play for money, but he does play for keeps. [grin]
Or maybe we're just no fun without _our_ girls. [snicker]
(Heck, all the "guy parties" _I've_ gone to have had girls the topic of conversation 90% of the time.)
He remarks at the idle current of talk, and speaks to the room in general, although it is aimed a little at Reid and Brennan for lack of a specific audience. "So, our most esteemed cousin Jerod," he indicates with his glass, "replied to my query on tonight's delights with, `The rest will take care of itself.' We are too sober with the day's events. Let us take care of that, shall we?"
Marius will take Jerod's instruction and get himself a drink. He'll offer to get anyone else one while he's up there. "But honestly, if you like something special, I'm not your man." He grins.
(I wish there was a way to cross things out in text. I was starting to say, "On the ships, we like it hard and dry," and then I had to totally cross it out. But it should still be in there as a striked-out thought.)
He will put a friendly arm around the nearest woman unclaimed by conversation. "Tell me, my sweet, what makes your dreams worthwhile?" He will engage her in flirtatious repartee for a while, ending with his taking another drink.
The lovely lady, whose name is Amethyst, is witty and charming, and enjoys flirting with Marius, but does not pout when he is finished.
It's about the time that Marius sits down with his drink that Lucas saunters in, fashionably late as always. Silken holds out a well-appointed chair for him and fetches his favorite drink as he greets his host.
Lucas' presence seems to be the signal for the cards to come out. Martin lets Violet deal for him; the observant see that he has a mostly-healed on his right arm under his sleeve. The wound doesn't seem to hamper him seriously, but some of the arm movements associated with dealing might bother it.
Before the first hand, Martin lets Jerod explain the local rules.
Which Jerod does without fanfare.
[What kinds of players do we have here? Aggressive? Timid? Lucky? Card counters? Poker-faced? etc.]
Vere is a conservative player, with an inhuman ability to count cards and know the exact odds of every possible combination. He also has an uncanny ability to spot bluffs, and a very good sense for what everyone is holding. His poker face is damn good, as well.
Jerod, as always, is an aggressive player. After five years of playing with Martin and Lucas, he'll have been working on keeping his Court face in place when playing though. He enjoys the game but still considers it to be just that - a game, so he's not afraid to lose if it gains him some benefit.
Ossian is probably among the worst card players among the cousins. He is best described as unpredictable, often taking outrageous chances, sometimes walking into bluffs he probably should have detected. High waters might realise that winning isn't Ossian's primary goal. Of course, the game never becomes dull as long as Ossian is in.
Conner is definitely a card counter and his poker face is all smiles, smiles, smiles. People can read little nuances of emotion in his face but they rarely match the reality of the cards in his hands. He seems to enjoy trying to read everyone elses poker faces as much as anything. He tends to bid big, willing to lose for a while if it brings him the big payoff later.
Reid won't actively count cards, but he'll have a decent sense of when he's up or down, and play accordingly. He'll be fairly observant of both poker faces and any potential cheating, and will take great pleasure in calling a bluff, when it will get him a win, or trying to even the odds if he thinks someone is using slight of hand.
When its his turn to deal, he'll deal fair (unless evening odds as mentioned above, in which case he'll slip a good hand to whomever seems to be down the most), and if he thinks it will go over well, he'll show off a bit of his card mastery with complex shuffles, etc.
All his life, Jovian has been lucky at cards and dice. Strategic and sensible, certainly, but also lucky. And he is a cheerful gamer - not the wreath of false smiles that is Conner, but genuinely engaged and taking pleasure in the game itself. Never does the slightest trace of disappointment with a bad hand slip through the upbeat mood; winning and losing (which he plainly expects to do in about equal measure, and he does both gracefully, though he does intend to come out ahead) are secondary to the pleasure of the company.
Speaking of the company. He's definitely a flirt, and has no trouble making a lady feel attended upon without actually being distracted from the game. Cheerful repartee, a playful touch or kiss now and then...while he's not actively pursuing a night's <ahem> companionship, he will in all likelihood develop a favorite and the possibility is not to be ruled categorically out.
Several ladies vie for his attentions, since few of the other gentlemen are attentive. If he settles on a particular favorite, there is some playful pouting, and the favored lady settles on the arm of his chair.
He's not in a hurry to single anyone out...what the hell, if two ladies agree to share him he'll just complain sooo bitterly. ;-)
(But if one of them tends to a trimmer build...or a certain air of quiet strength that may or may not be a front...or, be still his heart, violet eyes....)
Jovian sees no violet eyes, nor the aura of quiet strength, but he does see ladies of every build and sort. If a particular form or frame meets his desires, he has but to beckon, and a lady who possesses it will join him.
Since none of the girls remind Jovian of the one he's trying to forget about, his natural tendencies come to the fore - a preference for trim grace, wit and a minimum of coquetry cultivated in life among riders. And, dangerously arcane family associations quite aside, he'll hardly ever turn away a redhead...still, maybe it's the psychoactives talking, but he has some trouble making up his mind, and will likely keep two or three ladies delighted at guessing for some while.
Well into the evening, his favorite is clear - a well-read, dry-humored lady with supple limbs, a trim figure and flame-red hair framing angular features who in another place and time he'd put on the sands for a queen egg in a heartbeat. How she came to the Mill is probably an interesting story, but he does not yet inquire. Her name is Tiercel.
[Jovian's] drinking will be moderate, he will order some more substantial food once he's made aware of the option (evidently he didn't stop for dinner before coming down, either), and he may even try a cigar if they don't smell too much like plain tobacco.
Martin encourages him to have one. Lucas is the only other cousin indulging himself (apparently), and Martin thinks it's not really a poker game unless it's smokier than it is.
He will, then. He disdains tobacco, but has been known to indulge in mild psychoactives (particularly cannabinoid analogues).
This particular variety being unfamiliar, he'll approach it with some measure of moderation as well.
Moderation is wise. These things have a nice kick to them. Jovian will have no trouble appearing staid and sober for the morning's ceremonies, but he's going to be happier for a while in the meantime.
Good. This is good. Jovian will make a note of any brand or maker's mark associated with these, so he can find out about getting them in the future. He does not indulge in such things with regularity, but he's been known to on appropriate occasions - or appropriate aftermaths of occasions, as may be.
If Jovian asks, someone will undoubtedly tell him that this is Martin's private stock, imported from the trade city of Heerat.
He'll nod that into the file for future reference, he will...
Martin is not showing any signs of moderating his intake, which suggests either significant ability to recover by morning, or not caring whether he's stoned at the ceremony. Or both.
Given Random's reputation, smart money's on both....
Jerod is keeping an eye on Martin's intake. His friend is notorious for having an endurance nearly that of his father, but even the most powerful can get brought down by drugs. He won't stop him of course, but he does keep in mind several "wake up" remedies that he learned from his father...just in case they're needed.
Marius does not have himself dealt in, at least immediately. He seems more interested in the intercard- playing banter, and will encourage any friendly rivalries, as long as they remain friendly. He'll even remind people of past debts to each other in that, "You could do that, but remember what Master Reid did in the third round?" sort of amusement.
Mostly he's listening to see what he can know of people, but if the game gets more serious as it goes on, he'll throw in a round or two. He plays much like Ossian; trusting more to luck, and never chickening out. One can certainly read his face to what his cards look like, at least at first.
If anyone should say, up the stakes as in throwing in a matter of secrets rather than coins, Marius is far more interested in his play.
As the night continues, he'll lead Amethyst on a bit further. It's the drink, no doubt. The one he's been nursing for, um, hours?
[Either that or someone's been refilling it for him while he wasn't looking.]
Amethyst is amenable to closer company. She'll sit on the arm of Marius' chair and, if he likes, silently advise him on his play, even.
Brennan couldn't fail to count cards if he tried. It'd be like asking a literate man not to read a billboard in plain sight of him. It's automatic and subconscious.
He's interested in winning-- because if you're not, why play?-- but not at all to the point of antagonism or bad sportsmanship. He starts the evening, as will many he suspects, playing to probe the styles of the others, then becomes more bold and aggressive, and when he's aggressive, he's tough to predict. Just as he counts cards subconsciously, he also tracks the winnings and losings the same way. He doesn't mind a losing streak if he can make up for it in the long run. Preferably with one or two large pots.
His finely tuned bullshit detector along with all the rest makes it dangerous to bluff him. Possible, but dangerous.
For the record, the NPCs play as follow: Lucas: Master card sharp. Too fashionable to cheat. Not afraid to lose, but clearly expects to win. Considers himself a bluff detector, and backs it up. Makes cutting remarks to winning and losing players in equal quantity, but the Ambersiders seem to be used to it.
Merlin: Like Marius, a hesitant player, but he gets in when the stakes are low and folds when they get too rich. More interested in how the game is played than in actually playing it himself; occasionally leaves the players feeling like he's an anthropologist watching some kind of primitive male bonding ritual.
Martin: Lucky, much the way his father is described as being, and good enough at the game to take advantage of it. Best poker face in the group and hard to read even for the BS detectors here; he sends Violet away when the stakes get high. If not cheerful the way Jovian is, certainly upbeat enough for the position of host.
And, having drawn cards for the evening's course of play ...
Brennan finds the local rules are a little different from the ones he's used to, and it occasionally trips him up. He's moderately down on the evening.
Conner is playing well. Many of his smiles are genuine. He is moderately up on the evening.
Jerod's aggression also seems to be paying off. He's more into the game than usual, and seems to have a sixth sense for which cards are coming off the deck. Moderately up.
Jovian is up on the evening; an abundance of good cards come his way.
Lucas is badly down on the evening and ready to change to hazard, the dice game he prefers, as soon as he can convince the others to try it. [Suck draw of the evening.]
Marius does well when he plays, but (unless PCs say otherwise) is not getting paid in his preferred coin.
Martin is moderately ahead on the evening.
Merlin is somewhat down on the evening, but because he has limited his stakes, he's not as far down as Lucas.
Ossian keeps the game wild. Very wild. The Ambersiders think he's having more of an effect on the cards than usual.
Reid's sense of the cards that have been played is particularly keen, and he is up on the evening.
Vere is about even on the evening. His betting strategy is perfect, but occasionally something interesting like Ossian happens to a hand and that's hard to overcome.
Brennan contents himself with being the conduit for Lucas' money to the rest of the group, at least initially. He is a bit annoyed, but mostly at himself for failing to see the effects of small rules changes on the larger play. He will not notably change his play style, except to think about the damn rules once in a while. (Unless that was basically it.)
Nobody detects any cheating.
During the game, as it becomes apparent as to the relative level of each player's skills, talents, and relative luck, Jerod looks over at Martin once, arching an eyebrow for just a moment. It would seem to be in reference to something private, totally unrelated to the game.
Then he goes back to the game.
Jovian will be game to sit out a few hands and give [hazard] a try. He won't risk significantly more than about half his winnings, at least until and unless he gets comfortable with the game, but along the way to learning it he'll enjoy the time and lose with equanimity.
[OOC: He's not only the Good Soldier and the Good Son, he's also the Good Sport. He'll have to get good and laid just to keep from getting a reputation as a Boy Scout.... ;-D]
[Brennan]
And what are the topics of conversation for the evening? Or is this
one of those events and groups where all talk not related to the cards
is verboten?
It's not that serious, or the ladies would have left. If there's a topic Brennan wants to bring up, introduce it.
Taking a stab at topics likely to be acceptable for the presence of mixed company, Brennan will chat about the upcoming Masque for a while (and this will probably let the ladies join the conversation, too, so Brennan doesn't look like a total snob), how the City has taken to the return of the Army, and suchlike.
"The return of the Rebmans has me pondering a last minute change of costume." Conner comments when the Masque is brought up.
Jovian shares an amused, questioning look with the lady perched at his seat before arching a brow at Conner, encouraging him to complete the thought.
"Well I was planning to come as a Triton." Conner grins. "Which will most likely irk the Rebmans. Can't decide if that makes it more fun or more trouble than its worth."
Reid's mood sours a bit at the mention of Tritons, but makes no comment.
One corner of Vere's mouth quirks slightly. "One confesses to a purely academic interest in how the Lady Valeria would react to such a costume," he murmurs.
Brennan snorts. "If one didn't have one's costume already worked out, one might wear a Triton costume onesself just for kicks."
A dry voice issues from Jovian, whose attention still seems never to waver from cards and cigar: "One almost might be inclined to round up a wing of comrades to go as a gang of Tritons. But Brennan," and here he looks up, utterly deadpan, "as I understand, Tritons don't kick."
Brennan gives a wry look at the notion of a wing of Tritons, but lets it pass.
Conner chuckles. "They do however tail slap." Conner rubs his chest in mock pain. "I swear I can still feel that one."
The continuing Triton talk has put Reid more and more on edge. At this point he gets up and pours himself a stiff drink, his first of the evening.
"I would ask why Tritons trouble you so." Conner comments. "But I doubt you'll tell me."
"It's..... complicated. Let's just say that my father was instrumental in quashing the first attacks of Tritons against Rebma a very long time ago. That victory earned him the support of the Rebman politicos, and that support may have been a factor in his death. So it's not so much that I dislike Tritons, as that by my father's actions against them, his life may have ended earlier than it would have otherwise." Reid replies with a slightly forced stoicism.
Brennan raises an eyebrow (and in this game, probably loses it) and shoots Reid an interested look. If he's still troubled by it, it's not an issue worth pushing, though.
"There's an old saying back in Rebma that you may have forgotten, Conner," Martin says. "'Don't twist the Triton's tail.' Reid, while you're up, would you pour me another?"
"Of course, cousin." Reid obliges.
Jerod, who has been monitoring the conversation while playing, looks briefly over at Martin, then to Reid collecting his drink. He does not say anything however.
"Of course I remember the saying, Martin." Conner replies. "Wouldn't be considering a change otherwise. Don't give a toss if the Rebmans get upset, or if unwanted attention falls on me because of it. Disrupting the King's coronation for essentially a bad joke does." Conner half drains his glass. "I've got a plan B all ready. Guess we'll see what I decide on the day." He grins.
Vere regards Conner for a moment, then glances over at Ossian. "As I recall," he says, "Prince Gerard mentioned that Prince Caine hates Tritons. I do not recall that he ever explained why."
Martin takes his drink from Reid. "I don't think he's old enough to remember Reid's father, so his grudge must date from a later time. It's not clear to me from the records when Amber and Rebma stopped being as close as they once were, and most of the people I'd want to ask aren't with us any longer."
It's at about that point that everyone becomes aware of a brouhaha in the hall. The door opens and everyone hears one of the doormen say, "Your Highness, you can't do that! If you'll just wait in the reception room--"
A female figure brushes past, clad in the loose, gauzy fabrics that Rebman women seem to prefer when above the waterline. Those who attended the court session the previous day recognize Duchess Valeria. She is all smiles, an I-know-what-I'm-doing for her brother, a cold-edged one for Conner, and a particularly charming one for the host.
Vere rises as the Duchess enters, and stands quietly observing.
For amusement's sake, Marius probably rises in exactly the same manner and timing.
Ossian also rises when Valeria enters. His amusement shows clearly on his face.
Lucas also rises, giving Valeria an appreciative look-over, although not so much of one that Jerod has an excuse to call him out.
Merlin came to his feet with the other gentlemen, and, like Vere, is silently observing the whole business.
"Prince Jerod, Prince Martin," says the doorman, "I tried to tell her that I'd have a message sent, but she insisted."
"Quite all right," Martin replies, waving him off. He takes Valeria's hand and bows over it. As he straightens, he says, "Someone fetch the lady a drink."
Jovian rises, carefully setting down his cards but keeping his cigar in hand - he is a gentleman, but can be forgiven for some mild irritation at the intrusion. He looks questions all around, but between Martin's acknowledgment and recognizing the girl as a Rebman, he relaxes into a half-amused waiting posture.
If Tiercel moves to leave, he'll touch her wrist lightly and meet her eye with a highly Julianic eyebrow, a look that says 'this should be entertaining.'
Tiercel and several of the other ladies are looking to Martin and Jerod, and to a certain extent Lucas, for guidance. All three of them seem to be taking the intrusion in stride, so there is no rush to leave.
Brennan rises after due consideration, and shoots Jovian an "I'll fill you in later," glance. All things considered, this ought to be fascinating.
"Reid..." Jerod says, rising while calling over to him. "A Teardrop." (an Amber drink suitable to Valeria's tastes). Jerod knows that Martin's bar, while very well stocked, will not contain precisely what Valeria would like from home - the Teardrop will be very close however. He does not move to prevent his sister from entering, but he does approach closer while watching both Martin and Valeria carefully - he has seen her message and is curious as to what she is up to. He lets one of the other gentlemen in the room fetch the chair.
Again, Reid comes through with the drink, decently mixed, but perhaps a tad sweeter than would normally be served by a professional.
Valeria's barracuda smile is met with one of a shark and [Conner] himself rises to fetch the lady a chair. "To what do we owe the honor Lady?" He inquires.
"I haven't had the pleasure of meeting my kinsman Prince Martin yet," Valeria says.
"The pleasure is, of course, mine," says Martin.
Lucas smirks.
Martin continues, "Duchess Valeria, I presume." It's not a question.
Valeria nods, and says, "I had hoped to meet you yesterday, cousin, but I was advised that you were unavailable. And of course, you will be somewhat preoccupied tomorrow."
"And how could you figure out who I was tomorrow night to dance with me if you didn't meet me first?" Martin asks rhetorically, taking Valeria's arm and leading her over to the chair Conner has thoughtfully provided. "Now you'll have the chance to ask the flower of Amber's chivalry to pencil you in in advance. Jerod, I believe you know everyone; why don't you make the introductions?"
Lucas smirks again.
Jerod makes the introductions succintly, careful to be very precise in each person's name, pronunciation and any relevant titles that might be appropriate, though he does not bother identifying people by their parents (he know Rebman intelligence would have briefed Valeria already on what they had, so she'll know names at the very least).
Beyond that, once his sister is seated, he takes his seat once again to wait and watch, curious as to where the encounter is going. As for Lucas, Jerod's not to concerned about smirking and lewdness - he'd be quite amazed if Lucas didn't act like that.
Marius gives Valeria his most charming smile and a pleasant nod as he's introduced. In fact, he murmurs, "My pleasure," in a way that should make his current flirt jealous.
Amethyst is cool and collected, but Valeria smiles at Marius flirtatiously.
Vere inclines his head when he is introduced and murmurs a respectful, "Your Grace."
Conner gives her the diplomat's smile. "We've met." He says dryly to Jerod.
Jerod chuckles just a little. There is nothing nasty about it.
Brennan responds with the optimized civility reserved for dealing with people who have crashed a private party-- the softspoken manners of form that will forever more allow Brennan to remind her that he thinks she is being a boor, without his needing to say it here and now.
He is waiting for her to say something interesting.
For the record, everything in Marius' posture, smile, hint of tongue, suggests Valeria's welcome.
On the other hand, there might be more of a hint here that she's swimming into a nest of sharks interested in finding if she's got teeth or if she's meat.
Jovian is torn between Brennan's cool approach and Marius' 'oh goody, another tart for the party' attitude. In the end he settles on a detached amusement that clearly suggests whatever fuss she wants to raise will be the butt of many jokes in the weeks to come.
Valeria, the gentlemen suspect, thinks she's a shark and you're all tender minnows. Some of you, she might even be interested in eating.
Which amuses the bronze rider even more. He catches Tiercel's eye with a very brief aside in which he licks not his lips, but his teeth....
She might break her teeth, though. One way or another. It would be impossibly bad form for Brennan to actually suggest this, however, so of course he doesn't.
Marius is hoping, quite obviously, that he's tender and juicy looking. He is, unfortunately, neglecting Amethyst for this. [Did you have a casting in mind for her, or may I elaborate?]
[No, play through.]
Amethyst is willing to back off without prejudice. She, like the other courtesans, reacts with aplomb, but they're all curious about what the Rebman lady wants from the gentlemen.
The sole exception is Violet, who seems not so much jealous of Martin's attention as protective of him from the threat of the newcomer.
Other than the fuss caused by her appearance, Valeria doesn't seem to be intent on making a fuss. However, she is clearly used to obedience from men, and Martin's apparent deference to her wishes is something she takes in stride.
"No wonder mother was so welcome there," Marius would think if Marius dared.
If Martin's not screwing with her, he's not the Prince of Amber Brennan suspects him to be. This ought to be interesting.
Whether Martin is really deferring to her wishes, playing along because it amuses him, or working some game plan of his own is impossible for the other players to casually discern.
[Jovian] nevertheless uses the most polite and respectful mode of address when introduced - which only makes the undercurrent of amusing more cutting, of course.
Ossian will go for the hand-kissing ritual if allowed. "I am surprised. But I must say it is a pleasant surprise." he says.
"Oh," says Valeria, "the pleasure is mine."
"I hope we can share." Ossian say with a smile.
Valeria gives him a return smile that implies it's quite possible.
She has, Ossian feels, an aesthetic appreciation of the gentlemen at the table not unlike that of the gentlemen for the courtesans.
Ossian is worried by this, but it doesn't show.
Lucas' manners are superficially perfect in responding to the introduction, but he's definitely enjoying the eyeful of Valeria that her gauzy dress affords him.
Merlin takes a sidewise glance at Martin when he is introduced to the lady. His manners are perfect, but the most sensitive among the group suspect that Merlin appreciates neither the introduction nor the lady.
If Jerod has neglected to introduce the courtesans, Martin remedies the omission as Valeria is seated. He also offers her a cigar, which she declines, and a handful of his own poker chips, which she does not.
Does she decline the courtesans, too?
Martin doesn't make an explicit offer of those. He did make the comment about the dance cards (normally carried by ladies by Amber etiquette) which suggests a possible alternative, though.
A brief primer on the rules, with which other gentlemen are free to assist, later, Valeria is ready to join the game. Martin instructs the next dealer (Jerod) to deal her in.
Martin gets a perfectly expressionless glance [from Brennan] at that one.
[How do the gentlemen play now that the lady is at the table?]
There is no noticeable alteration in either Vere's playing or his behaviour to his cousins or the ladies of the Red Mill.
Jerod's method of play does not change. If he has any problem with his sister being here, he does not show it. The Ambersiders would note that Jerod is not likely to get put out in public by something like this - he'd take it up privately if he didn't like it.
Ossian will try to make Jerod lose some money. Hopefully he can trick Jerod into overcommitting.
Jerod has one comment on that...
good luck...:) (unless Ossian intends on cheating)
Jerod sees through Ossian's efforts and bets carefully despite his best efforts to induce Jerod to do otherwise.
Ossian just shakes his head, humming to himself. He _needs_ to improve his poker face.
Jovian masks his surprise very well indeed. To his considerable run of luck for the evening, he adds a carefully refined aggression; before, he was playing purely for fun and just happening to win, but now he's actually interested in winning.
Interacting throughout the game, his manners are impeccable. The undercurrent of amusement remains. And he is much more alert to the possibility of cheating. (Especially if Valeria wants to play for anything besides money.)
Conner's style of play does not change at all but it does seem that he is enjoying himself more with the added spice of Valeria's presence.
Brennan does not play substantially differently. Other than not screwing up the rules, dammit, this time. One hastens to point out, however, that while Brennan has 1 new variable to contend with, Valeria has N-1. Brennan doesn't need to settle back and probe the rest, he already knows something of how they play.
If this should result in a transfer of coin away from Valeria, so be it. If this should result in a transfer from her to Brennan, even better.
Reid is moderately up. He intends to stay up.
Lucas, like Jovian, has become somewhat more aggressive. Martin, like Conner, seems to be enjoying the added spice of her presence. Merlin is disturbed and folds early more often.
Valeria seems to have a natural gift for both counting cards and betting appropriately and is doing quite well for herself. The losses (or lessened gains) seem fairly evenly distributed rather than coming from one individual in particular.
[Card draw: Striking the Dragon's Tail, reversed (Recognizing the Larger Problem)]
She comments to Martin, "It appears I will be able to repay your loan with interest."
Martin says only, "I'd expect no less from my grandmother's granddaughter."
After measuring the others' reactions, Marius steps in on a round or two and plays, well, flirtatiously with everyone. His intentions are strongly readable to, "Might as well have a good time, because tomorrow we may die..." or some such nobility. He'll encourage everyone to get in the spirit of the "party," even teasing Jerod slightly. In the meantime, he'll ask Valeria her opinion on the most shallow of subjects. It'll work out to the question of, "Now, are all Tritons male? I've been hearing the name bandied about, and I realized I may have been thinking of something else. Titans, perhaps." He keeps a wicked grin.
Jerod does not appear to mind being teased, at least at the moment. In fact, he appears more to be amused at the reaction of various individuals at the arrival of a woman who can suddenly generate such wide, varied (and perhaps even insecure) behaviours amongst a few of them, as opposed to the "safe, pliable, unthreatening" courtesans. (Martin does not appear to be included in the list of men affected by the woman).
However, he does not let his amusement interfere with his enjoyment of the game. Though Marius might have forgotten that a resumption of the Triton discussion in front of Reid would not be the swiftest of ideas - Jerod has not.
One thing that Jerod does do now however is monitor intermittently the behaviour of the courtesans, and see how much they are picking up on with all this.
Valeria says: "The ones in service to the royal family of Rebma are all male. I don't know that I've ever seen a female Triton, or at least none that I've seen have ever been identified as female to me. On the other hand, it may be that no one can tell whether a Triton is male or female besides another Triton. Fortunately that's not so among humans."
[Marius is Ossian's hero.] When Ossian's hands are not busy with the cards, he is toying with a piece of paper.
Valeria observes his efforts. She doesn't appear to be familiar with origami, so it's interesting to her, but not so interesting that she's losing track of the cards.
After a minute or so, Ossian has folded a tiny mermaid, which he places on the table in fromnt of him.
Valeria smiles at Ossian, and he senses that he has risen a smidgen in her interest and estimation.
Martin observes the byplay with interest. Astute observers think he's watching Reid's, Jerod's, and Conner's reactions as well as those of the participants in the conversation.
<chuckle>...then Jerod is confirmed in his belief that allowing her into the game was but a distraction - tossing a pebble into the pond to watch the ripples and how they flow around the rocks (and how the rocks react).
Aside from listening keenly, Conner shows no reaction to the topic of conversation.
Last modified: 3 April 2003