[log] i'm married to the sea but don't tell her i called her that

[errantknights]

Sunday afternoon finds Martel ... working, as surprises probably no one. Idle hands and the devil's work, after all. He's in the library, at least, rather than shut away in his warded work rooms or the tower study. It makes him considerably easier to find, if preoccupied when you get to him

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[newmythology]

Candice is in attendance, seated, with a book over her lap--jeans, tank top (one that shows the snake curling over one arm and wrist, and the heavier tattoos on her back), boots. It's warm enough in the castle with Martel's improved heating system that she doesn't have to bother with a jacket indoors.

[_whydoyoucry_]

Joseph is usually anything but prompt; everything in his life is something that can wait for him to get a complete hold on it. This, however, is a castle containing something(someone) new and interesting and Joseph is self-aware enough to know that if he doesn't make the visit now he'll soon forget it.

He's wearing his very best -- which is exactly like what he wears everyday minus the rainbow of inkstains that usually decorate the cuffs of his sleeves and in his jacket pocket is a jar of jam.

Thus prepared he knocks.

[castlevaldis]

It's not despite the icon Ewar on the other side of the door, but two Arums of indeterminate 'youth', one of whom turns to slide open the slot in the door to get a look at whoever's doing the knocking.

"Yes?"

Arums: not the most formal. One of them is idly hoping he's not selling anything.

[_whydoyoucry_]

The man on the other side of the door is, quite possibly, the worst salesman ever. Mostly because no one would ever buy something from a man who has the habit of blunt topic changing and dribbling ink all over your carpet.

"The Lord is expecting me." An awkward quirking of lips to signify that he said that just for the amusement of it. Religious humor, go figure. "My name is Joseph."

[castlevaldis]

Joseph - Joseph - yes, they are expecting a Joseph. The slot shuts again and the door opens.

"Sergeant Ewar'll get you to Lord Martel," one of them says, briefly - Joseph will be led not far to be passed off to...Ewar, effectively Martel's anything-he-needs-me-to-be-doing-right-this-moment. Ewar's not much older than the guardsmen were, and has the good-natured but long-suffering look of someone who works closely with a nobleman. (One he respects, even likes - but damn, Martel, you're a headache.)

"You'll be Kartell. They're in the library - this way."

[_whydoyoucry_]

Oh, well, a guided tour is always acceptable; it leaves him able to crane his head about and take in the scenery without running into a wall. Joseph gives his hands a once-over and a careful swipe with the cloth before they head off. "Thank you."

One might ponder if a library is where you want to take Joseph at any given time but as long as you keep him away from the shelves there shouldn't be any real trouble keeping his attention for diverting.

[castlevaldis]

It's only Ewar's place to reason why when Martel is being an idiot - not that he'd dream of putting it that way. (Blatantly. Out loud.)

He knocks briefly to give them warning and ushers Joseph into the library, through to where Martel and Candice are already with their books and their occasional ability to sit more than a foot apart and not touch each other for an entire five minutes.

"Joseph Kartell," he says, briefly.

[newmythology]

Candice sets her book down, smiling at the new arrival.

"Hello," she says, rising from her chair.

[_whydoyoucry_]

"Madame." Joseph effects a sort of half-bow; it looks more like a very polite nod then anything else.

And then he gets a look at her and manages to not have his facial expression stutter into surprise only because Cecily and her modesty mixed with a penchant for wearing corsets has pretty much allowed him to go through life merely bemused by the fashion choices of women. "The ink work on your tattoo is wonderful."

[errantknights]

"Thank you, Ewar," Martel says, to the Arum's nod as he leaves, and he offers Joseph a good-natured sort of smile in greeting. "Joseph, hello - this is my wife, Candice. And her tattoos. Candice, Joseph."

He thinks Joseph may have been one of the things he forgot to mention.

[newmythology]

Yes, indeed, Martel, though Candice is capable of rolling with it--he's very polite! "Thank you! I've had it for years--I think I need the coloring touched up. Ah--"

And here she spares a mild look Martel's way before returning her attention to Joseph. "How'd you two meet?"

[_whydoyoucry_]

Joseph effects another sketchy half-bow in Martel's direction and pats his coat pocket, reassuring himself that the jam is still there.

"In what's left of my kitchen." What? What? That's God's honest truth! Since the Nexus ate it. A bit of ink almost makes it to the floor before he catches it, quickly running the cloth along his fingers and smiling. "May I recommend a different ink? There are some rather ancient recipes that hold their color to this day that might be more convenient given your location."

Here, let Joseph attempt to smooth things over. "Martel was nice enough to extend an invitation to meet you, the obvious light of his life."

[errantknights]

Martel remains rather pleased with himself for inviting Joseph in the first place - though he gives Candice a studiously benign look in response to her mild one. "Just so - we had a very interesting conversation in the nexus," he clarifies partially, "before you returned home."

[newmythology]

"I'd love to hear your recommendations, actually." She's basically always, always up for learning new things, any day of the week. Candice laughs a little at that description.

"Is that what he called it? I see. Well, welcome to our home, Joseph--it's still under construction, as you've probably noticed, but Martel will probably never be done modifying it."

[_whydoyoucry_]

"There is always something to improve upon in the matter of protection and comfort." This is said rather ruefully as Joseph pushes up his sleeves in illustration of his complete understanding. The swirling ink designs dragging up his arms leak thick ink as if they were still wet.

"I brought jam this time; next time I'll bring a sample of inks for your perusal, ma'am. If that's alright with you, Martel?"

[errantknights]

Martel makes a broad gesture of acquiescence. "By all means. Jam - yes, right, you'll want to see the chapel-"

One could be forgiven for wondering how the fuck he made those two things connect. It makes a lot more sense if you were there for their previous encounter.