Roleplay between Hendrick Madigan and Sevastian Guile, immediately preceding the wedding of Jonsu and Sevastian, and right after the execution of Jeffrey Norrel. An attempt to liven things up and develop some interesting character traits due to... Well, you'll see.
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Arriving at the Broken Spirits House on the northwestern corner of Ash and Vine, Sevastian looks energized for the night ahead. His dark hair and grey eyes gleam in the meager light of his favoured drinking hole. The chatter ceases as the Arbiter walks in without his usual retinue of hangers-on, and even without his Captain. A few hands wave from a nearby table, but otherwise most try to cover up the fact that they recognized the man. With his dark cloak open, showing the fine cut of his clothing and the ruby hilted blade at his hip, he saunters to the bar and orders a bottle of sweet white wine and an order of braised beef shank.
Noticing an old man in the corner whom he did not recognize, Sevastian motions for the grey-hair to join him. The old man shakes his head and motions instead for Sevastian to come to him. Feeling as if the old man could not possibly pose a threat to him, he gets up to join him at his table.
"M'lord, I have a gift to you from your brother in Thalmarkin. Lord Grand Wizard Jaeger sends his congratulations for your recent acquisition of the Crown and your coming marriage. Be cautious with these Your Grace, they are potent and you could have a stranger reaction than you did when a child being taught of them. Forget not that they have the power of the arcane within them." having said this, he hands over a large leather bag that smells of truffles and mushrooms. The old man then bows and shuffles away, leaving Sevastian with a strange sense of anxiety and even more excitement.
Promptly, his food and beverage arrive, and he begins the arduous chore of stomaching real food.
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Hendrick Madigan dismounted before the Broken Spirits House and sighed. Days from now, he would be marching through that intolerable Desert with an army that seemed meager compared to the Novans. At least his new title was some solace, though the peasantry got a strange look about them when they hailed "Lord Battlemaster!".
He carefully avoided the mud of the common street, fastidiously lifting his cape and guarding a wrapped parcel in his hands. The former Preda was dressed for the revelry, in a doublet of black and gold, brand new gold hoops in Summer Islands style in his earlobes, and a long vermillion cape, embroidered with the Madigan stag. As he pushed through the door, his hand rested on his sword. When one when carousing with Sevastian Guile, they seldom knew what to expect.
As he entered, an older man hurriedly scuttled out of the Broken Spirits, nearly knocking over the slight Lord of Mattan Dews. By the time Hendrick turned to reproach the man, he was gone.
Perturbed, Hendrick made his demand for gin from a passing bar wench and made his way over to the Lord Arbiter, setting the package on the table before him.
"My congratulations on your eminent nuptials, my Lord. I hope you won't mind if I join you. I have brought a gift as a token of my regard - " Hendrick glanced at the strange smelling pouch " - Though I see I have been beaten to it by another".
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"Aha! Just the man I wanted to see! Do sit down good Hendrick." Sevastian says as he kicks a chair out from under the table.
"Yes indeed, you were beaten to it. My brother on that blasted rock Beluaterra sent me something to alleviate the stress of these trying times." gently patting the stuffed bag, releasing more of it's pungent odor.
Quickly finishing what had previously seemed a much larger meal, he turns to the Lord Battlemaster and looks inquiringly at the parcel on the table. "And what praytell is that oddly shaped thing?"
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The emaciated youth watched in awe as the massive amounts of roast meat vanished before his eyes and accepted the gin from the barmaid with an unsettled demenor.
Hendrick cleared his throat with an air of obvious pride and excessive showmanship.
"Oh, this? Why it is nothing, my lord. I had been thinking the other day on what to present you with on this fine day, when it occurred to me: What does his lordship mention more than anything? A hat!"
Hendrick took a liberal quaff of his juniper scented poison and, with the pauses and drama of an actor on stag, gestured to the parcel, carefully playing off his audience.
"But no mere hat would do, not for Sevastian Guile! So I had contracted the finest hatters in the realm, the most mercury-addled professionals, to craft the most dandy, most handsome hat in all the land of Dwilight, nay - the world!".
With a flourish, Hendrick undid the wrapping and revealed a hat to best all hats. Made of black felt that seemed finer than any velvet, with a band of blood red, complimenting a lining of red silk of the highest quality. Hendrick slowly lifted the hat, the almost razor-fine brim resting delicately in his hands.
"My Lord Arbiter, I present to you, The Hat".
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"By Castus' bleeding paddle man! Now that is a hat! So handsome, so fine, so... Perfectly delightful! Wherever did you find a capable... Never mind that now." he says while gingerly taking the offered cranial garb and placing it on his head. A good fit when set at a somewhat jaunty angle, The Hat matches perfectly with Sevastian's colours.
"My deep gratitude Lord Battlemaster! I must find something equally ideal when it comes time for your official wedding! Tell that wandering Lady Alice to hurry up so you can get on with it." he says, gently running his fingers along the brim with a seeming purr of satisfaction.
Hefting the bag from the old man onto the table and leaning in close, Sevastian whispers so none can hear but Hendrick, "In this bag lies magic. When one eats these, a spiritual journey is ensured. I've only done them by myself before and always to spectacular effects. Fortunately or not, depending on perspective, House Guile has a natural sorcerous talent that is in all males of the line. With these," he says patting the bag gently, "that talent can go rather...independent of control, for lack of a better term. If you would brave the journey, I would share the experience with you. Fair warning, it changes you inside your head. Having used these is the one time I saw Castus himself... It was..... Lifechanging."
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A red rose in Hendrick's cheeks from the compliment and the mention of his bride to be as his grin widened.
"I am honored that The Hat merits your approval my lord. I had hoped you would find it suitable. I can only imagine what gift you will find for a wedding such as mine...Ah the perils of marrying a priestess...".
Hendrick's eyes focused on the bag as Sevastian spoke, his long fingers drumming on the tabletop, the gin settling in his blood.
"I consider myself a man never to shy away from unique experiences, my lord. It would be a rare privilege to wander along some unknown path with you. I can only wonder at what strange sights we will see, with minds such as we have. In the Summer Isles we have something similar but never so..." Hendrick took a careful sniff of the pouch, "Potent as this".
The Battlemaster drained his liquor and squared his shoulders.
"I am ready when you are, my lord".
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Grabbing the bottle of wine and waving at the serving girl for another, Sevastian grabs up his bag, Hat atop his head and moves towards the door. Waiting for the young girl to deliver his bottle for later, he whistles a short melody that had gotten stuck in his head some days earlier on the road back from Girich, "The Savior of the North". When the girl arrives, Sevastian promptly nods and begins moving out towards the horses.
"I believe it best we head to the palace for this. No need to expose others to what may follow." mounting up, he turns towards his recently acquired abode and sets off... The Hat staying perfectly atop his head.
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