Swordplay
An impromtu gathering in the Feldane Fencing Salon turns to saucy talk of swords and a bit of the old sibling roughhousing in the Parlor. Figurines are kicked! Lamps are threatened! Ladies go off in huffs! And, although Errol is begged to...bare steel, the subject of discussion remains sheathed. For the nonce...
Our story begins in the Feldane Fencing Salon, where Addison has just finished a lesson with a house instructor. Peabody, Taleyn, Dulcinea and Errol are all present:
Addison bows a bit and says, "Good Evening to all. I am a little underdressed for guests."
Dulcinea says, "Oh I'm not company. I'm almost family, no?"
Addison says, "You are going to be my sister, eventually. What ho, family? Other than a bit of swordplay."
Taleyn brightly says, "Of course you are! Dulcy, would you like to come with me to the parlour? We can have tea."
Dulcinea says, "Well," lifting her hat off of her head, "I was hoping to see Errol's new sword."
Peabody slips out for a few minutes.
"I do keep it quite well tucked away," Errol replies, turning a small smile to Dulcinea.
"Oh yes! The sword!" Addison says. "The sword on the crate! Yes! Do show it around, Errol."
Taleyn says, "Oh my! I want to see it, too!"
Dulcinea folds her hands before her, in general pleased. In fact, the shadowy dimple shows at the corner of her mouth. "Yes, we've heard so much about it. And I think you have a special gift from Brand too, don't you Addy?"
Taleyn gasps. "Oh, please! Bring it to the parlour, too!
"It is a bit large to be kept in hand at all times," Errol admits, "So I shall have to harness it up, and all. I shall return." And with that, he slips out after Peabody.
Dulcinea says, "A bit too large?"
Addison crosses his arms and makes a hmmph sound. "I bet it is not impressive at all. All hat and no cattle."
Taleyn looks puzzled. "Are we still talking about swords?"
Dulcinea says, "Swords have hats?"
Addison says, "This sword may have a hat. Shall we repair to the parlor?"
Dulcinea says, "Yes."
--[ Parlor ]-----------------------------------------[ Feldane Townhouse ]----
Peabody is waiting in the parlor, having already prepared drinks, and a light snack.
Taleyn floats onto a chair and lights, looking very incongruous in her uniform when her mannerisms suggest she ought to have voluminous skirts.
Addison strolls in, still in his fencing uniform and all sweaty. It is a sweaty Addison! Never before seen in House Feldane! All with whipping hair and sweaty locks and showing off that he is, actually, really, honestly related to Errol by blood.
Dulcinea walks in with the others, feeling at home enough with everyone to sit, even wihtout being asked. Her posture is straight and her features are full of interest. "This was for helping Prince Random rescue Brand, no?"
Peabody hands Addison a lighter drink than normal, as heavy drink after exertion is Not Recommended, and a plate with a selection of cured meats and fine cheeses.
Peabody delivers more typical snacks and drinks to the other assembled Quality.
Errol arrives fashionably late, if only by moments, and strikes a pose just inside the door. One boot forward, slender form angled toward it, arms akimbo - he is nearly in motion with his stillness. The cape has been foregone in place of a leather strap across his chest that supports the blade at his back - for over his left shoulder peers a hilt and guard covered in elaborate carvings of snakes, chased with gold and silver, and encrusted with emeralds and rubies; the scabbard point hangs down past the bend of his knee.
Addison takes one look at Errol standing in the doorway posing in that sexy, sexy way of his with the wavy hair and sword and strap and whatnot and starts laughing and laughing, mouth full of nice cured meats and fine cheese.
Taleyn is nibbling on the nibblements with gusto, when she sees the new blade. "Oh-- oh my!"
It is a far cry from the days of Errol is a Prat that we find Dulcinea sitting neatly and Feasting her Eyes on Errol, and all his accoutrements, visible and imagined.
Addison takes a look at Taleyn, and a look at Dulcinea, and almost falls out of his chair.
"It's enchanted," Errol explains, as he swaggers toward a chair to stand behind. A weapon that enormous does not allow one to sit easily.
Peabody says, "Most impressive, sir."
Dulcinea puts a hand to her chest and says, "I never imagined it would be that big."
Addison decides now is the time for the sneak attack. He whips back his hair and gets out of his chair and goes for the flying Errol tackle.
"Sir!" Peabody calls out, "The furniture!"
Taleyn is halfway out of her chair before she even knows what is going on.
Errol is only just behind the overstuffed Chair of Leaning when he spies his springing sibling. Dove grey gloves find fine upholstery and hoist the seat upward as an impromptu shield. The four wooden legs are hardly menacing.
Addison makes a fine attempt to climb over the hoisted seat to get at the Sword of Golden Studliness! And perhaps he fails, and perhaps some nice little figurines are kicked over in the process, but dammit, he must get to the sword before Errol out-studs him!
Dulcinea cries out to Taleyn, "What's going on?" She may never have seen brothers rough-housing over a sword of Studliness.
Peabody, for his part, moves with alacrity to prevent any figurines or, god forbid, Aunts from hitting the ground. "Sirs!" he protests, feebly.
Errol grunts out, stumbling backward a step, "Good gods, Addy. Get off of me!" This despite the fact that it is only the inverted chair his brother is upon. But, jaw set forward and defiance flashing in his brown eyes, he begins to shake the chair.
Taleyn looks horrified. She stands frozen, working out whether to intervene or just plain leave.
Addison clings to the chair for dear life! "Not without that damned sword!" Addison yells. "I must deprive you of your sword before the entire universe unravels! It is a matter of life or death!" He makes a lunge for the sword. Another figurine totters.
Dulcinea asks again, "Taleyn. What's going on? Why is Addy trying to seize Errol's enchanted sword?"
Peabody snatches the figurine, and then, perhaps in violation of propriety, Addison's collar. "Sir." Firmly.
Taleyn looks across at Dulcy, putting a stunning amount of communication into the look. It is a Look which conveys a loathing for the entire species of Young Males. "Let's go to the breakfast nook, Dulcy."
Addison makes one last sad grab at his brother, and is sad the tackle did not, in fact, work. So he kind of dangles there, instead. "Peabody, the sword confers upon Lord Errol too much Excellentness for one man to handle!"
Peabody says, "Sir. You and your brother are neglecting your guest."
Taleyn Glares.
Peabody says this as if he were accusing the Brothers Feldane of mass kitten murder.
Errol, not accustomed to holding fine furnishings and brothers all at once, begins to perspire. Along the brow, at first.
Dulcinea, who now understands, lifts her chin in the direction of Addy and Errol. Displeased.
Addison attempts to look embarrassed, and abashed, and like he is going to be good, and just when you least expect it, he attempts to squirm away to lay hands on that sword again! And perhaps muss Errol's particularly good hair. It is particularly good.
Taleyn huffs. "Well, Really!" She extends a hand to Dulcy. "Lady Chantris, will you do me the honor of joining me in the breakfast room?"
Dulcinea puts her hand in Taleyn's and walks out of the parlor.
Errol twists the chair suddenly to one side, real Corinthian leather listing starboard.
Addison is officially flung off the chair and lands with a rather nasty crash in to the couch and then in to a table with even more delicate figurines and a lamp. He rolls off to the floor where he lies there and says, "Okay, you win, Errol. But I will get you."
Peabody debates, briefly, between saving Addison and saving the lamp. Addison will heal. Peabody saves the lamp.
Errol thumps the chair back to the carpet and glances to the sprawl of his brother, breathing with some effort, but not yet panting. "Get me? What have I ever done to you, Addison?" The words are more quiet than angry.
Addison stares up at the ceiling. "Well, nothing, really. Seemed like a dramatic villain line for a dramatic moment, having been defeated in mortal combat but left alive to scramble off and plot my next death trap and all."
Errol takes the few swaggerless steps required to close on Addison and offers a dove grey glove for leverage. "It worked! You had me quite concerned."
Addison reaches up and grabs Errol's hand. "Sorry 'bout that. Seemed like a good time for a little death from above."
Errol smiles, small and unbalanced. "No worries. You kept me on my toes, there. I appreciate that." With a tug, he helps Addison to his feet.
Addison stands and says, "The girls went to the breakfast room, Errol."
"They simply do not understand brothers," Errol replies, with a faint lift to his chin. "I suppose I must console Dulcinea."
Peabody says, "It may be advisable, sir."
Addison says, completely apologetically and honestly, "Sorry."
Errol shakes his head and lifts a dismissive glove. "It is who we are. Shall we coat it with a bit of paint, only to have it chip away into future disappointment?" A pause. "Well. You know what I mean."
Errol says, hopefully, "Wish me luck," as he moves toward the door.
Peabody says, "Best of luck, sir."
Addison says, "Best of luck, Errol!"
--[ Breakfast Room(#1337RJ0) ]-----------------------[ Feldane Townhouse ]----
Dulcinea says, "I've never seen Addy like that. Of course, I've only known him a few months. And it isn't Errol's style to want to brawl like that. He's more," she lifts her shoulders, "He's more elegant."
Taleyn nods vigorously. "Exactly! Addy was like... like a rabid rodent in the parlour!"
Errol lingers in the doorway - an afterthought of shoulder against frame and boots crossed at the ankles. The sword still looms large to one side, but the swordsman seems smaller somehow.
Taleyn glares at Errol in the way that only a Hurt Younger Sister can. "What in the world was that all about? Is your blade cursed?"
Dulcinea says, "Yes, a rabid rodent. Perhaps he's frustrated by something." She stands near one of the chairs, her hand on the chair back. But she can't miss Errol in the doorway. Her green eyes shift toward him. "We wondered if it was ensorceled?"
"It is enchanted, aye," Errol concedes, his eyes making the sum of his motions - first between the young ladies, then to the cross of his boots. "But not so strongly, I think. We are brothers," he explains, as if this fact holds the key to something.
Taleyn sighs. "Best not to ask, then?"
Dulcinea says, "I don't understand," folding her hands before her, attempting to meet Errol's eyes.
Errol detaches from the doorway to step further into the room, the shift of the broadsword like a metronome counting the rhythm of his steps. "Ladies are much more civilized," he notes, his deep brown eyes shifting between them, but lingering on Dulcinea's. "You discuss and dissect with words. We," and he thumps a balled fist to the strap at his chest. "We resolve disputes quickly and viscerally. But they are resolved."
Taleyn shakes her head. "Sometimes I think I will never understand anyone, anywhere," she mutters.
Dulcinea says, "That may be true, Errol. But come and let us see your new blade now." To Taleyn, "I think I am beyond understand anyone, or anything anymore." A touch of sad in the tone of her voice.
Errol's attention shifts to Taleyn at that. "Tally. You are the most sympathetic person I know." And his tone eschews flattery. "If those are your feelings, rest assured that we are most likely unbalanced." And his regretful glance passes, then, to Dulcinea as well.
Taleyn says, "Oh, Errol! I think you and Addy are perfectly lovely... I've,,, just had a long day. In fact, perhaps I ought to retire and leave you two in peace for a bit." She bows first to Dulcy, then to Errol.
Dulcinea inclines her head graciously to Taleyn. "Good night." Before looking back at Errol. She is considering.
Errol sketches a bow. "Sweet sister. Sweet dreams." His smile is ample, and directed at Taleyn.
Taleyn smiles to them both, but her face otherwise carries the look which, in another world, would suggest she is about to lie on a bed in a dark room listening to sad music on her iPod. "Good night."
Dulcinea watches Taleyn leave also, then turns her full attention on Errol. "Was it just brotherly jealousy?" She wants to know.
"I know not," Errol admits. "He said as much, but it is how we are, my lady." His attention shifts to her in increments, but is quite attentive when it reaches its capacity. "We are men. We battle. We win and revel; we lose and sulk. As fine and graceful as you are, you will not change what is cast in design," he offers, with a cant of his head.
Dulcinea considers Errol carefully. She's all formal, stiff, and straight, like she always gets when she's being Ladylike, like she was trained to be. However, she's thinking. And her conclusion is, "I don't understand. Cyrus isn't like that with Lorenzo, but then their age difference is very great."
"He might have found my blade intimidating," Errol reasons. "Perhaps it is too large, too savage, and he felt slighted." A faint lift of his shoulders. "I know not. But it *is* a thing of beauty, I am forced to admit. I can gaze upon it for hours, wondering what it might slay."
Errol's earthen brown eyes seek hers.
Dulcinea meets Errol's eyes, and her expression totally softens. "I can see it pleases you, anyway." She steps forward, "Why not withdraw it so I can have a better look? I don't know much about swords, but don't use use a more lightweight blade?"
"I have been trained as a duellist - to use quick strokes and my surroundings to my advantage," Errol replies, as he casts a glance toward the vases, then the archway they frame. "So a more lightweight blade is useful for a rapid spar. But I also know the secrets of heavier steel; it is not everyone who deserves all that metal."
Errol offers a crooked elbow. "But shall we? You see, its enchantments are more obvious in the dark..."
Dulcinea follows Errol's gaze. Her own green eyes widen considerably. She reaches for her grey hat, and puts a hand on
Errol's elbow. "Yes, I'm looking forward to seeing its enchantments. It must be an advantage to have such a blade."
Exeunt, only to be interrupted by Eulalie, the indefatigable chaperone