Tea For Too Many

Lilly has a morning appointment to meet Vialle and some of the other ladies who are helping to arrange the coronation festivities for morning tea. Does she arrive early, late, or exactly on time? What does she wear? (Does she even have any idea what's she's getting herself into?)

Lilly can get a page to guide her to where the ladies are meeting for tea, which is on the lawn in the outer ward. [Write yourself an entrance and we'll go from there.]

Lilly arose early despite the late evening discussing war. Perhaps she was a little odd but she had truly enjoyed that part of the evening. Her father had given her further insight and many significant thoughts to stow away for later use. Best of all his own conclusions did not stray too far from her own giving her a bit of a confidence boost.

That confidence boost was going to be needed this morning. It was a rare day when her morning stretches did not cleanse her mind. Usually the calmed and soothed her soul allowing her to bask in the fluid motion of her body. It was then, when her mind held no ill thought, no unwanted feeling, that she felt at peace. Today peace could not be found. Try as she might, she simply could not rid her brain of Queen Vialle.

Finally giving up, she set about readying herself for the ordeal. She briefly wished she had some of her clothing from back home. When she packed it was for an entirely different type of war. All she had that was even somewhat appropriate were the few dresses her father had picked out as possibilities for last night's dinner. All were of the same basic style and cut. That was just going to have to do.

By the time she had finished dressing, Lilly looked the part of a lady. The dark blue dress she wore was accented with silver threads. The cut was very similar to the dress she wore the night before with a high neck and buttons down the front. Her hair was twisted up into a loose bun and secured with silver combs. Last night's slippers adorned her feet. They would have to do for now as it was either those or her combat boots. Somehow she doubted the boots would be appropriate. The look was definitely her own and beautiful in it's own way even if it was quite different that Amber standards.

As a finishing touch, Lilly slung her sword belt around her waist. She really didn't care wether it was appropriate or not. The King had asked her to look after Vialle. That was exactly what she was doing. One did not ask a Knight to do something like that and not expect them to be prepared for anything.

[GMs]
[Q from description: Is Lilly wearing her own blade, or the blade that Reid gave her?]

[Lilly]
[The original sword. That's the one she wears at her side. The plan is to wear the Katana on her back...]

Looking in the mirror, Lilly breathed deeply once again trying in vane to clear her mind. Her left hand moved as if it was smoothing down unruly hair. The effort was unjustified however. Like usual nothing was out of place and everything looked meticulous. Fingers brushed the cold hilt of the sword, restoring her sense of purpose. With a nod to her reflection Lilly turned on her heel and glided out of the room.

Finding a page to lead her to the awaiting queen was simple enough. Somehow she managed to arrive at exactly the moment she was expected. She entered the room with head held high. The sword at her side seemed to add confidence to her posture. Spotting the Queen, she moved swiftly towards her.

(No... Lilly probably has no real idea what she's in for but her imagination.... well let's just say she's expecting this to be far worse then the battle fields of war.)

[Aside: they're on the lawn, in sort of a garden party set up. Somebody has moved some (light) furniture out here.]

Vialle has several women seated with her, none of whom Lilly recognizes. Flora has not arrived yet. One of the women is young, blonde, and wistful-looking; she's dressed plainly but in clothing of excellent materials and tailoring. Next to her is a woman who resembles the younger woman, but has darker hair, done up in sort of a ropy style; she's dressed more elaborately, but very conservatively. The third woman is also older and dark-haired, but she seems more stylish. (Lilly's guesses at fashion are based on what her foster-mother taught her.)

Distinctly out of the way of the ladies there is a little girl, old enough to toddle and get into trouble but not old enough to stay out of it, and a baskety sort of thing that might be the right size to hold a small baby. There are two women with the child(ren) that are probably nurses of some sort. There are also guards in the general vicinity who are keeping an eye on the proceedings, but none close enough to listen either the women's conversation or the toddler's antics with her dolly.

The younger woman leans over and whispers something to Vialle, who already seems to have homed in on Lilly's approach. She is smiling at Lilly and seems happy to not-see her. When Lilly is close enough to speak in normal tones, Vialle says, "Good morning, Lilly. I trust you slept well?"

"Wonderfully your majesty, thank you." Lilly responds while standing at the Queens' side. She then calls on the garden party manners her foster mother tried so hard to instill in her. From somewhere she manages to summon a genuine smile then speaks once more, "You have chosen a lovely morning for an outdoor tea. I am pleased to have been invited."

"I'm glad you could attend." Something catches Vialle's attention and she cocks her her head towards the entrance from which Lilly emerged a few moments before.

"Good morning, Your Majesty," Paige says from the arch to the courtyard.

[GMs]
[There is some additional walkage here; the lawn is big.]

She steps onto the lawn, the green of the grass echoed in the floral pattern of her bodice. The cut and style of the dress are rather similar to the smiling dark haired woman that she greets next with a kiss on the cheek. "Aunt Felicity, so good to see you."

Felicity rises and gives Paige a social hug. "So good to see you, Paige," she says.

Speaking to the younger woman, she says, "Dear Solace, Hope looks lovely this morning," obviously speaking of the capering child.

Solace beams.

Lastly she nods to Solace's mother, "Lady Vesper, good morning."

"Good morning, Lady Paige," that worthy replies. There is no warmth in her tone.

"Lilly, another time into the fray, eh?" Paige offers with a smile. "Have you met everyone?" Paige looks to Vialle before presuming to make the introductions.

Vialle says, "Lilly has just joined us. Will you make the introductions, Paige?"

"This is Lady St. Just, Lucas's wife," she says indicating the youngest of the women and then the children, "and the next generation of Royalty, Hope and Phillipe."

Solace looks up at Lilly for a moment and then smiles, tentatively. She seems shy rather than disdainful.

Lilly returns the smile with one of her own. She could sympathize with shyness.

"And this is Lady Vesper, their grandmother."

Lady Vesper nods regally at Lilly.

Again the gesture is returned. Lilly also notes Paige's choice of words. Perhaps this tea would be interesting after all.

"Lilly, this is Lady Hardwind, one the ladies about town, and a dear friend of Solange's."

Lady Hardwind (aka Aunt Felicity) gives Lilly a gracious, welcoming smile.

All of this smiling was beginning to feel unnatural to Lilly. Still she managed to give a polite nod of the head and thankful look in return.

Paige thinks for a moment before putting the right title to her cousin, "Ladies, may I introduce Dame Lilly, Order of the Ruby?"

"That is correct." Lilly says to her cousin as she turns to catch her eye. One last smile seems to have been left in the reserve for Paige. There is the hint of a pleading look on her face. One that clearly says to her cousin _Please help me get through this_. What Paige doesn't realize is how rare it is for Lilly to even admit that help is needed, never mind go looking for it. But last night Paige proved to be a mistress of social encounters to Lilly and one always went to the experts when charting new ground.

Paige's return smile of reassurance is small, but noticable. _Put yourself in my hands cousin. Trust me._

"It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance," Lady Hardwind says to Lilly. "Come sit by me, dear, and we'll have you up to speed in a few minutes." She is sitting on a narrow couch designed for two, and pats the cushion next to her.

There are also two chairs. Sitting down with the blade is going to be a bit tricky, as they all have arms of some sort.

"Thank you, Lady Hardwind. That would be most appreciated." In a fluid movement, Lilly manages to undo the belt, lie the sword on the ground beneath the couch (inner shudder) and gracefully seat herself beside the woman. The sword might not be quite at her side but it was nearby. If something completely unexpected happened she could have it in hand in mere seconds. That was enough to keep her comfortable. Lilly truly hated going anywhere without a blade.

Paige takes a seat in the chair nearest Hope and Phillipe, smiling at Hope's play and sing-song melody. A thoughtful look crosses her eyes quickly and quietly before she turns back, "Are we expecting anyone else?"

"I believe Princess Florimel will be joining us later," says Vialle.

Even the least sensitive among you have no trouble telling that the prospect makes Solace very nervous.

Vialle attempts to soothe Solace by having her pour. As Solace prepares the cups for each of the ladies, Vialle explains her plans for the coronation and the festivities.

What she would like is to have the coronation on the morning of the day of the Dedication of the Fleet. Given the number of oaths that will have to be taken (nearly 30 among family members alone) it will be a long ceremony, but Vialle believes it can be managed before the dedication. From the coronation, Random will proceed to the harbor, where he will dedicate the fleet. There will be a coronation ball, a masque, that evening after the dedication.

It will be a long and tiring day, but Vialle thinks it can be pulled off. (She has obviously been thinking about this all week.)

"Do you think the tailors and seamstresses can handle the requests that we'll be forcing on them in very little time?" Paige asks of the assembled ladies. "It'll be unsightly to be seen in such as was worn to the last masque held at the Castle, no?"

She sips quietly at her tea, smiling at Lilly as she waits for Harmony and Felicity's answers. "Although I'm sure that since word was first received earlier in the week some have already secured the best for themselves."

Aunt Felicity says, "I'm sure everyone will be looking for costumes nobody has ever seen before. Some of them may be pulling things out of the back of their closets. But very few people know that the coronation ball will be a masque, so most people don't know to look for costumes instead of their finest finery."

Throughout the conversation Lilly has been sipping at her tea and playing the part of a Lady with keen accuracy. There was something about the competitiveness of securing the finest clothing that struck her as humorous though she made the best of efforts not to let show. In the interest of fairness, she found herself speaking up, "When will it be announced that the Coronation Ball will be a Masque?"

"Officially," Vialle says, "it will be announced on the invitations. Unofficially, I'm trusting the ladies the spread the word now that we've confirmed what we're doing."

Felicity nods. "I'm hosting a little dinner party this evening, and since nobody wants to talk about anything but the coronation, I'm sure it will come up."

Lady Vesper also nods her agreement. "I'm planning on having a tea for a number of ladies tomorrow myself, and I will be happy to serve Her Majesty by spreading the news."

Vialle smiles and says, "I'm sure you'll be a great help in that regard, Lady Vesper." The latter worthy beams and sits up slightly straighter, not catching the undertone of the comment.

Paige sips quietly at her tea, hiding a small smile. Apparently the throne was already lending itself to sharpening the cat's claws.

At this moment Ossian comes walking over the lawn. He is smiling, and seems to be in a good mood.

As Hope is on his way to the ladies he will crouch to greet her.

"Good morning, little lady."

Hope looks up at him and says "Hello, Ossian!"

Ossian then turns to the elder ladies (elder than Hope, that is)

"Good morning, my queen. Good morning ladies." Ossian bows cheerfully.

There is a murmured chorus of "good mornings" in which Paige and Lilly can join or not.

Lilly's soft spoken tone is lost for the moment among the others. While her voice was lost, her welcoming nod was not. Nor was the fact she met Ossian's eyes as she offered it.

Ossian returns the nod, smiling more naturally (even if it is a subtle effect).

"Good morning, cousin," Paige offers with a smile. "I believe you know everyone, yes?"

"You are right as usual." Ossian smiles back.

"Please," says Vialle, "be seated."

"As we were saying, I'm sure that the proper words in some of the clubs about town could even have the menfolk talking. Their focus might be the politics behind the moment, but we all know that behind every good man, is a good woman, yes?" Paige smiles for Ossian, letting him know that she considers him the exception that proves the rule.

Good woman. Yes. Dutiful wives that maintained the household, managed the social calender, and worried about tailors. For not the first time Lilly made a mental note to avoid marriage for as long as possible. After all good was not enough for her. She intended to be great. And greatness did not come at the heels of a husband. That thought made the forced smile for Paige's words look almost genuine.

"Excitement most certainly needs to be summoned up in the men as well. Otherwise they might come to see this grand event as little more then an annoying social call." Lilly adds. It is almost as if she was speaking from experience.

"Some of us men, myself included, would be excited enough, I think. Did I hear you talking about a masquerade just when I came?"

"Yes," says Aunt Felicity. "It will be the talk of the city for years."

Ossian pours himself a cup of tea. "But I think you are right, Lilly. We need something for the not so excited men also. A tournament of some kind?"

There is a definite sparkle in Lilly's eye. A tournament was just the thing Lilly was getting at herself. In some ways though it worked far better to have Ossian propose it.

"Do you think we could arrange it on such short notice?" asks Vialle.

"I don't..." Ossians voice trails off, leaving his mouth open for just a moment as he sees:

It's at this point that another woman enters the ward. All of those present recognize Princess Flora in a lovely, conservative, yet stylish dress of green. She walks over to join the tea party, and stops short.

Aunt Felicity looks at Vialle, and Vialle is very still, with her head slightly cocked, as if she is listening to something on the wind. Solace shrinks back in her chair. And Lady Vesper looks like a cat poised to hiss and scratch.

Flora does not look pleased either.

The answer Lilly was about to offer the queen halts abruptly in her throat. A very large part of Lilly readies itself to reach for the sword. Realizing this she takes a deep breath to serve as a reminder that tea parties seldom come to that. Still the tension in the air is very recognizable to the girl for exactly what it was, social warfare.

Paige rises to meet her aunt. "Good morning, Aunt Flora, you look lovely" she says extending a hand. "That's a gorgeous shade and I'd tell you how much it flatters you, but I'm sure you've already heard it in more elegant words than I might offer."

"Why, thank you, Paige," says Flora, and there's a certain controlled anger in her voice.

Ossian rises from his chair as well, and takes a careful step away from it.

Paige turns back, almost leading Aunt Flora into the fold, which strikes her almost funny. It's not often that the spider returns home to find the fly already in the parlor, or another spider preying on them there.

"We were just discussing the coronation masque and Ossian's suggestion of perhaps a tournament to occupy and interest the menfolk. I'm sure you can offer some insight," she says. "You know everyone, of course?"

Paige gestures, "Please take my seat, Aunt."

"You're very kind," says Flora, and proceeds to do so.

"Solace, be a dear and do pour out?" Paige asks.

"Of course, Paige," says Solace, trying very hard not to sound as if she's losing her voice with sheer terror of her mother-in-law. "Your Highness, would you like sugar or milk?"

"One lump, please, Solace, dear," says Flora. She is not trying to not be intimidating.

Solace pours the tea and uses the tongs to drop a single cube of sugar into the cup before handing it to her mother-in-law.

Lady Vesper takes a sip of tea while observing this exchange. Her pinkie finger is gracefully raised from the handle of the teacup.

She then claps to summon one of the hovering pages. "Bring us another chair if you will?"

"Yes, milady," the boy says and runs off.

Ossian silently offers Paige his chair with a small gesture.

For the second time in as many days Lilly is taken by social graces of her cousin Paige. She seemed more then capable of handling this situation or at the least she was up to the task of trying. For now sitting back and watching seemed the wisest course of action. With a welcoming smile and nod to her aunt, Lilly settled back and took another sip of tea.

Vialle, having taken a moment to recover while Paige deftly prevented the blowup, decides to take the bull by the horns, as it were. "Sister," she says to Flora, "I know you are acquainted with our nieces and nephew, and with Solace, of course, but have you met Lady Hardwind and Lady Vesper?"

"We are acquainted, yes," says Flora. Even the warmth of intimate address can't quite thaw the chill in Flora's voice. She makes an effort, however, to smile at Aunt Felicity.

Felicity, deciding discretion is the better part of valor, murmurs, "Your Highness," and takes a sip of tea.

Lady Vesper says, "My daughter pours a very lovely tea, does she not, Your Highness?"

It is a good thing Flora is the manners maven of which all others are but shadow, or she would be committing a very unmannerly homicide on Lady Vesper about now.

Again Lilly finds herself thanking the powers that be that her life has not been reduced to pouring a lovely tea. After all, where was the skill in that? And yet Lilly knew the importance of etiquette, Jade had gone over and over it many times. So rather then roll her eyes she manages to pull a thought from the far reaches of her mind.

"The brew is delightful, not in the least bit bitter. Are the leaves imported?" Lilly asks in a most innocent voice.

Solace looks gratefully at Lilly.

"Amber's always been a net importer, Lilly. It's why the loss of the trade routes hurt so deeply since the Sundering," Paige offers.

"The coronation's connection to the blessing of the fleet should bring good auspices, we hope," she continues. "Does that day have the time for such as a tourney? I'd think we'll be rushed enough. Perhaps a day or two before, with invitations to the masque for the victors?"

Sure the return to the topic was obviously overlooking the elephant in the parlor, but Paige wasn't going to be the one to step in... well what elephants left behind.

"That way we will get a several-day-celebration. Sounds good." Ossian says, furrowing his brow.

"It will be difficult to get a tournament card together that quickly," says Aunt Felicity.

Vialle says to Lilly, "My only concern is that it might seem insensitive to expect your men to play at war when they have so recently been in a real one. Yet to deny them a chance at the tournament honors would seem unfair. Nor would I wish to promote any rivalries between those who fought in the war and those who remained in Amber."

"Aunt Flora?" Paige asks accepting Ossian's chair graciously. "You traveled with the forces. Do you have any impression of their state of mind? Would such a thing be well received, in your estimation?"

Flora starts to answer but ...

"Perhaps there is another idea." Lilly interrupts softly as she stares into the middle distance briefly. "One that could serve to unify, to make heroes of those who are deserving. In the coming days, my fellow Knights and I have planned on adding to our Order. That could easily be done in ceremony. Handled properly it could serve our purposes. Of course I would need to discuss that further with the other members of the Order of the Ruby."

A bit of wicked look crosses Lilly's eyes for just a moment letting a hint of her inner passion shine forth. "Or I could always accept challengers. That usually keeps people amused for some time." Of course she is mostly joking. Generally people only stay amused for the first two or three challengers....

Ossian nods, but stays quiet.

"How long will it take your fellow members of the Order to decide on some candidates?" Vialle asks.

"And which is the order of knighthood in question?" asks Aunt Felicity.

Lilly is thoughtful for a moment deciding that the questions are best answered opposite of how they were asked. "One of the King's first acts was to grant the title of Knight General of the Order of the Ruby to myself and my relations who served Amber during the war. We have been given the task of awarding knighthood to those we feel are worthy.

Aunt Felicity nods, to show that she follows the conversation, but does not interrupt.

"The decision making process is currently being hampered by the few members of the Order who have yet to arrive in Amber. Also I have not heard anything of the condition of Sir Marius. I can not give any sort of accurate guess as to how long it will take us to come to the necessary agreements once we are together but time restraints are often useful in that regard."

Vialle interjects, "Random said this morning that Sir Marius was up and about, but I have not spoken to him myself."

"A number of people knighted will surely lead to a festive mood. But do we want them to celebrate their own elevation, or the crowning of the king?" Ossian asks.

"Without the King there would be no new knighthood. Therefore they, in my opinion, are one in the same. It is all a matter of perspective." Lilly replies.

[Ossian]
"I agree that it is a matter of perspective. However the knights and their friends are likely to view the knighting form another angle than you and me, dear cousin."

There is a glint in Lilly's eye, "They will view it exactly as I tell them to cousin." Her voice rings with confidence and in that brief moment she leaves little doubt of the veracity of the statement. She is most definitely a child of Benedict.

"Then you must have the most wonderful power over men's thoughts." Ossian answers. Is he serious? Hard to tell.

This comment earned Ossian a vaguely disappointed look. Lilly had hoped for more from her cousins. She hated having to continually prove herself especially to those of her own blood.

"Yes, Cousin," Paige addresses Ossian. "It's called loyalty and respect, and the way my Father spoke of Dame Lilly, I don't doubt it for a moment."

The sourness in Lilly's mouth left behind from Ossian's remarks quickly diminished. At least one of her cousins seemed to understand the relationship between a commander and her troops.

[Paige]
"And to be honest, most of the populace won't be celebrating the King, either. Dock workers will be celebrating a day off, or the blessing of the fleet. City wives will be dancing over the return of their husbands not the return of our Uncle to the Castle."

She looks to Lilly with a smile, "Knights, those chosen by our lovely Knight-General and friends? They might be the ones who truly do honor the King."

Lilly bows her head slightly in the red heads direction. For the briefest of moments her eyes reflect not only thanks but a feeling of kinship. It was nice to be understood for a change.

Ossian is obviously prepared to reply when:

"What I want," says Vialle firmly, "is for everyone to associate that feeling of happiness and goodwill with Random. But we must remember that we do not command the people's hearts; we merely lead them."

Flora says approvingly, "Your Majesty is very wise. I believe a ceremony of knighting is an excellent idea, and perhaps a ceremony of elevation for those who have served best in Amber during the Regency. Paige, Ossian, I'm sure you and the others will have some recommendations for such honors."

The daughter of Benedict again seeks out the gaze of the daughter of Bleys. The look is all Paige needs to be assured that Lilly was more then willing to work with her to see these ceremonies, or perhaps ceremony, through in an appropriate way.

"Let's go with the knighting then", Ossian says.

Vialle agrees. "Yes, both the knighting and the elevation, to show that both those who went forth and those who remained gave good service to Amber.

"I'll need a short list of candidates for the special elevation; we'll want to make it roughly equal in number to the number of new knights," Vialle muses. "Paige, can you and Lilly work together on this part of the ceremony? How we will need to stage it will depend on the numbers involved."

"Of course, Your Majesty," Paige accepts, smiling for Lilly. "I'll solicit suggestions from the others while Lilly speaks with her fellow Knight-Commanders and we'll return a list as quickly as possible."

Lilly's like of verbal response in this case most certainly denotes agreement. She had been planning on meeting with Brennan, Aisling and any of the others who were available soon anyway. This just gave her a wonderful excuse to do so.

Flora nods. "There will be some timing issues as well. Do we have an idea of rough numbers, Lilly?"

Paige looks interested, too. Assuming that the number of knights would be larger means that it determines the upper limit of "suggestions" Paige looks for from the Family.

"Unfortunately we were to meet later today to discuss that. The events of our journey home kept us from being together long enough for serious talk. As a sheer guess..." There is a thoughtful pause as Lilly considers the number of men who fought. "Perhaps fifty?" (OOC: If that number seems way off it is once again most likely the fault of the player. Suggestions or corrections?)

Lady Vesper says, "When your husband vetts the list of worthies who remained, Your Majesty, I am sure we may rely on you to see that only the very best people are elevated, and that Amber's traditions are upheld, now that the laxity of the Regency is over."

Paige's look takes on much the same expression that Flora was wearing, but it disappears quickly as Paige looks to her now empty tea cup setting it gently on the saucer in her lap.

"The laxity of the Regency, Lady Vesper?" Paige asks. "Perhaps you could elaborate for Her Highness and the Knight-Commander, as they did not have to endure the Regency as we did."

"Yes Lady Vesper. I would be most interested in an elaboration." And there is a genuine look of interest in Lilly's eye. After all it was always good to compare perspectives in order to arrive at the truth. The fact that Lady Vesper had somehow managed to make Lilly's skin crawl with her statement did not enter into her curiosity at all. Or at least not so much that Lilly would be forced to admit it.

Ossian leans back in his chair, looking interested, and maybe a bit smug.

Lady Vesper addresses herself primarily to Flora, but she occasionally looks at Lilly as well, including the junior lady in her comments. "You understand, of course, that when times are hard, many standards that we hold to in better days fall by the wayside. The social standards of the Regency were such a thing. I understand that Her Majesty was in no position to prevent many of the things that happened then, but now she is the Queen, and may use her position to right many of the things that were done improperly."

Paige's gaze stays primarily on her tea cup, so that the others don't notice that her slight smile doesn't reach her eyes.

[Lady Vesper]
"Through the Regency, there was almost no one to uphold standards of modesty and ladylike behavior other than Her Majesty. She alone stood against such indecencies by other women such as pub crawling, or even frequenting clubs where men go with their courtesans. And it was not she who sanctioned the social appearance of that infamous woman Darling, who bore a child out of wedlock."

A slight movement of Paige's eyes to Vesper under lowered brows, she looks as if to speak, but hesitates and...

Lady Vesper continues: "Bad enough that women should take positions belonging to men in the building trades and among the rangers; but at least with our dear menfolk home at last, ladies who were forced to work in the public sphere can retire to the hearth and gentler pursuits. Those other things, though, were barely tolerable then, and we are all relying on Her Majesty to stamp them out and replace them with the better customs we remember from before the war, when ladies were ladies, and Other Women were not admitted to their company."

Lilly blinks. Then she blinks again. She was not quite certain she had heard what she thought she heard. Even Jade occasionally pined for more respect for women. Getting it was the trick. The women of Amber had begun to. They had tasted the life she enjoyed. To take that away from them now seemed cruel.

Part of her was afraid to speak. She knew she was going to say something she might later regret. Yet the words came forth before she could stop them. "I am afraid Lady Vesper that I may have poisoned the minds of returning troops. You see I proved to many of them that women can be their equals, their betters in some cases. Some of them have become quite accustomed to taking orders from me. Your wish might not be so easily granted."

Ossians eyes falls on Lilly, an intense, researching gaze. He seems to appreciate something in her. /There is steel there. What more?/

Vialle seems to be about to say something, but Paige starts to speak and Vialle falls silent.

"It's shouldn't concern Lady Vesper, Lilly. Your men aren't their women, and their women aren't the ladies of Lady Vesper's social circles. And in truth, much of the complaint she raises isn't aimed toward the advances that women have made in the City, but at the lifestyles of our Royal cousins," Paige says. "In particular myself."

Solace tries to shrink into the corner of the couch she's sitting on with her mother. Her expression suggests that if she could just vanish into the cushions, she would. Aunt Felicity looks at her kindly, as if to encourage her, then glances worriedly at Paige, then at Flora.

[Paige]
She explains to Lilly in a friendly manner, "To call this in plain language, I fear Lady Vesper feels that we ladies of the Castle have been given too much free reign in our pursuits and support of the Crown. It seems she hopes that Her Majesty and Her Highness will check the headlong progress of what was once termed 'The Ladies' Revolt'. Obviously, I disagree. I cannot understand, nor believe that a woman is only as valuable as the man she marries or the heirs that she gives him."

A frown appears on Lady Vesper's face.

"As to why she believes Her Majesty would wish to "stamp out" such changes, I cannot suggest. Queen Vialle comes from a culture where women command the respect of the populace and many important roles are attended by women, roles that her in Amber would traditionally be the domain of the menfolk. Her Majesty was strong enough to not be defined by her husband during the Regency, it suprises me that she would allow herself to be so after her ascension to the throne."

There's a moment of hushed silence into which none of those present dare to drop any words. Lady Vesper seems to be drawing in a breath to respond when Flora breaks the silence, saying drily, "Well, there's no doubt of your parentage, Paige. Bleys always had the same alarming tendency to think it was all about him when he was young, too."

Ossians gaze changes to Flora. He really seems to enjoy the situation. /Flora is so skilled. How she turns everything around?/

Flora continues, in a slightly quieter voice, "What happened in the Regency happened in the Regency, and now it is over. The Queen now leads society, and we will follow her lead, as we did for His Majesty's mother in her day and in Queen Rilga's before that. And if she wishes Amber's ladies to follow a more traditional path, rather than to impose newfangled or foreign ways on them, that is a wise decision. Nor does it mean that she values women and their counsel less than that of men; she may merely choose to exert her influence in a way that suits her, and suits Amber's traditions."

Vialle has cocked her head slightly to listen to Flora, and she nods at Flora's words. "Your Highness," she says, a little slowly, "is very wise."

"And there's another thing, Paige," Flora continues, "You assume that what you want is just what everyone else wants. That's simply not the case. Solace, dear?"

"Yes, Your Highness," says Solace, in the tone that a little girl might use to say "Don't eat me" to the Big Bad Wolf.

"Now that you're one of the family, dear, you mustn't be so formal," Flora says, more kindly. Lady Vesper smiles, a bit triumphantly, but Flora looks smug enough that Ossian and Paige think she must still have some cards up her sleeve for dealing with the other woman. Flora continues: "Who handles all the business of your household, Solace? Matters of money, and politics, and such?"

Solace looks a bit wide-eyed, and says, "Why, Lucas does, of course."

"Do you want to handle the household finances?" Flora prods.

"Oh, no, Your High- madam, I have no head for figures. If I handled more than my pin money, I'd lose every penny of it." Solace flushes slightly.

"I suppose some people," said Flora, "would say you're not much use because of that. But I'm sure you do many useful things for Lucas. Tell me about them," Flora coaxes.

"Well," says Solace, "I take care of the children, which keeps me busy, and I answer all our social obligations, and I remember things about our friends, and I make sure Lucas' clothes are clean and pressed, and that our chambers are a pleasant place for him to spend time, and, and we talk about things, and ..." she trails off, a little lost.

Flora lets Solace ramble, and as she winds down, says, "And I'm sure Lucas finds all those things very useful, dear. Most men do." She turns to Aunt Felicity and says, "Lady Hardwind" with enough warmth that it doesn't sound like a slap after her kindness to Solace.

"Your Highness," Aunt Felicity murmurs.

"How would you answer the questions I just posed to Solace?"

Aunt Felicity has to think for a moment before deciding how to answer. She says, "Honestly, between us girls--and dear Ossian, of course--I'm afraid dear Fleet has no more head for figures than Solace says she has. Which is, I'm sure, less than she really does. But I'm perfectly content to leave politics to him."

[Ossians thoughts.]
_More people should see this. This might be where the women issue is decided. By six women and me around a pot of tea. What an irony._

Ossian suppresses a chuckle by coughing.

Flora looks pleased at this response. "And we all know that Lady Vesper, whether or not she has a head for figures, prefers to spend her time at court advancing her social position rather than dabbling in politics." Those last few words sound more like "catching a social disease" in tone. "So we have three ladies who are quite happy with the way the world is currently arranged, and you want to 'revolt' and force them to rearrange their lives because the way the world is doesn't suit you, Paige? As if the way other women choose to live simply isn't good enough? Tsk."

Paige who's been listening attentively, doesn't look too chastized by Flora's tsking. She seems to consider responding, but...

Flora turns to Lilly then, and smiles. "Don't worry, Lilly. There will always be a place for lady knights. And they'll be respected, too, especially if they're half as worthy on the field as you've already proven to be. But I'm sure you wouldn't force every man to go to war; no more should we force every woman to do so."

If Lilly believes her Aunt has either missed or is ignoring the point she is trying very hard not to show it. She might not have to give up her job, but she still could not live the life she wished. Not entirely anyway.

Vialle says, "I, at least, am grateful for your skill at arms, Lilly. But I agree with my husband's sister: I won't force everyone to change the way they live, even if it would be more comfortable for me if they did so. I know that Random respects me and values my counsel, even if other people don't. And that's enough for me."

"I don't think Paige wants to _force_ women from the hearths into business, politics and such. But my impression is that some women like their new position, and do a very good job there. We shouldn't force them back either." Ossian says.

The words come from Ossian's mouth before Lilly can frame them in her mind. That was the point exactly. It wasn't about forcing woman into the kitchens, it was about choice. Of course these debates could go on for centuries. Both sides could and would have points of equal validation. For now there was some joy to be had to be here in Amber during such an interesting time.

"If I gave the impression that I neither respect nor value your council Your Majesty, I humbly ask your forgiveness. I reacted to what I saw as attacks upon my own lifestyle, such as the apartments I maintain at the Prince. My apologies to you for the unpleasantness of my response, and to Lady Vesper for reading too much into her words," Paige offers.

Ossian face goes from smug to a "What the heck?" expression, that ends with him giving Paige an irritated glare.

"I've offered my opinions before on such matters and they're for Their Majesties to decide, Ossian," she concedes. "Today's focus is a celebration to bring the people together, not to create a rift. I'll be happy to begin tallying such a list for the Queen, and welcome any suggestions that any of you ladies might have. My time concerned with other Council business like shipping and such may have allowed me to overlook a good number of candidates."

Ossian turns towards Lilly, to see her reaction.

With a sip of tea Lilly seems to be comfortable with returning to the Kingdom business at hand. She doubted she had heard the last of the rights debate but now truly did not seem the time or place. Woman like Lady Vesper required a special touch. Though Lilly might not be able to out socialize her, there was no doubt she could out smart her. And somehow she could sense that there might be a time when that particular skill might prove to be very useful. So for now she contented herself with learning more about these women, all of these women and Ossian too for that matter, and what made them tick.

Vialle says graciously, "It's all right, Paige. There's so much to do right now that everyone is overstressed and a little excitable. I'm sure Lady Vesper feels just the same way."

That worthy responds by smiling at Paige, a little tight-lipped, and saying, "Of course, Lady Sommers," in a way that fools absolutely no one at the table.

At this point Ossian gives up. He sighs, his expression turns bland, and his gaze wanders until it finds Hope. He studies her for some time, finding more amusement there than in the suddenly peaceful discussion.

Vialle continues, steamrollering right over that potential point for further argument, "I would appreciate any suggestions you might have for candidates. Of course, Random will be making the final decisions about whom he wishes to honor; I am sure he will want to solicit opinions from Prince Gerard, and from Jerod and Conner and Lucas, and the other members of the Council."

It's at about this point that a page arrives with the chair for Ossian. As he accepts his new seat, he catches Flora's gaze. Her blue eyes sparkle with not-so-hidden amusement, as if she is speaking a language only she and he share.

Ossian was about to say something, but looses it. He beams. Finally someone who sees the world in the right way? Ossian returns the gaze smiling a skewed smile.

"Folly will have a lot of suggestions, I think. We need some candidates among the workers if this is going to be a celebration for the whole city. She knows them better than most."

Paige smiles under the handkerchief she produced a moment before. Without that the roll of her eyes might be taken for frustration instead of laughter.

The fact that the Queen had withheld Folly's name did not go without Lilly's notice. From what she had seen last night, her initial impression of the woman had been quite positive. Though it was possible Vialle had merely forgotten her, something in her cousins demeanor seemed to dictate otherwise. How she would react to Ossian's comment was now something of interest.

"I will be certain to ask for her opinion myself," Vialle says.

Lilly rolls that statement around in her head for a few seconds and then decides it would be wise to research the relationship between Vialle and Folly. For the moment she kept herself from jumping to any conclusions.

Lady Vesper's expression is cold; she takes a sip of her tea, with her pinky elevated just so.

Flora looks at Ossian again and smiles, as if he has said something particularly clever.

Ossian smiles back, and looks immensely pleased, almost blissful.

With a thoughtful look toward her frolicing cousin of but a few years, Paige smiles and sets her cup upon the table. _If we're done, I've places to be._

One corner of her red lips creeps a bit higher when she finally notices how lovely Lilly looks today.

The rest of the tea passes uneventfully, and the group breaks up without further ado.

When Solace gets up to gather her children, Vialle accompanies her and speaks quietly to her as they walk over to the nanny. The observant and sensitive notice that whatever Vialle says to Solace seems to comfort her after what can only be described as a trying morning.

Curious. Was this the side of the Queen she was supposed to see? The one who radiated peace and kindness? A gentle woman who offered quiet council and soft spoken wisdom? And was this who Vialle truly was?

That image seemed incongruous with the woman who seemed to forget Folly and Solange earlier. Especially if what Paige had eluded to was true. If Vialle had come from a society where women held the power she surely would not have been so quick to simply write off the opinions of Lilly's female cousins. This task Random had given her had taken a slight turn this morning. While it might make things a bit more difficult, it would also make them far more interesting.