IC Inbox

[toujoursdroit]

Incoming messages and correspondence for Romain, Duke of Coucy

Comments

crystal.

[elegiaque]

Hello, bon-papa; I've hired a groom of sorts for your horse and mine, I will need money to pay her weekly. I offered twice the Inquisition's rate; I think that fair, and if she isn't worth it, I'll give her back to the Inquisition and they can waste their money on her instead.

Thank you!

( - the sound of a blown kiss.

so there are some things she doesn't balk at demanding of him, like. money. )

crystal

[toujoursdroit]

Given how fond you are of your horse, I trust you will be thorough in making sure she is earning her keep.

[He heard that 'of sorts,' Gwen.]

Shall I pay the woman directly, or do you have reason to prefer the money come from your hand?

[elegiaque]

I can manage one groom, I'm sure. And she's -

( uncouth? somewhat foul mouthed? not at all recommended by anyone? seemed like a good idea at the time? )

- unaccustomed to dealing with gentlemen of your stature.

[toujoursdroit]

Ah.

[So much in such a little sound.]

As you like, then. At twice the Inquisition's rate, you should be getting twice the value, you know.

crystal.

[ipseite]

Your grace; I hear that you've rejoined us. I believe I have yet a tome or two of yours that I might return.

[toujoursdroit]

Madame, it is a pleasure to hear from you. I am not especially impatient to retrieve them, but if you have finished, I will take them at your convenience.

I do not mind hosting you, if you wish, though I apologize in advance for the amount of foot traffic at present.

[ipseite]

I have found myself with an unusual excess of free time for the immediate future, ( almost dryly, ) and so I would be most delighted to join you.

What brings you back to Kirkwall, my lord?

[toujoursdroit]

Family matters, principally, though the Inquisition has been busy enough in the interim to pique a man's curiosity.

[In other words, he's not only nosy where his family is concerned, he's just more likely to get involved then.]

My country's domestic matters have settled to a low simmer, for the moment. It suggests the Inquisition has more pressing concerns, and I'd as soon hear about them before being blindsided. Despite what some of my countrymen believe, there is life outside Orlais' borders.

vaguely backdatedish

[elegiaque]

( give the girl credit: she goes to do this in person, smartly outfitted in her grandfather's own de coucy colours, an unsubtle signal of affectionate deference that definitely means she wants something. she's demurey polite about behaving as a guest in a house she was briefly mistress of, but expects on the strength of his fondness to be shown into his study to interrupt him rather than being obliged to wait-

so she greets him by leaning over his shoulder at his desk. )

Hello, bon-papa.

[toujoursdroit]

[It's a liberty, but it's hers to take. He doesn't miss the way she's framed herself -- deference, family -- but he's more inclined to be proud than put off. (Four children and three grandchildren, and it's the one he's not even related to who seems to have his knack for manipulation.)]

Good day, ma chérie. To what do I owe the pleasure?

[She wants something, but he'll let her frame it as she likes.]

[elegiaque]

( gwenaëlle presses a quick kiss to his cheek before circling around to swing up and sit on the edge of the desk, dangling her feet like a girl half her age— )

You know how everyone always wanted me to have a proper political marriage.

( that had been annegret's own favourite drum to bang; marry her, and marry her well. )

[toujoursdroit]

...I do.

[He also knows enough about her current situation to have immediate concerns about where this might be going.]

I had a variety of letters on the subject throughout your childhood, but I expect their content is not exactly pertinent to what you're getting at as such.

a not-at-all-mysterious-because-he's-a-duke-and-unsigned-envelopes-might-have-anthrax invitation

[matchymatchy]

[ When Romain wakes, he'll find that he's received a written invitation to meet with a charming young acquaintance of his granddaughter, in need of grandfatherly advice.

Romain doesn't have to accept the invitation, but I've already been told he's being bullied into it, so there. It's beautifully calligraphed, and thanks him most graciously for his indulgence in this small favour. Of course it's done for the good of the Inquisition, and not Ottoline — she's just so honoured to be able to facilitate an introduction.

After meeting at the manse, he’s to attend a very fancy card-game-slash-brunch at the Hightown equivalent of a very fancy board game cafe. The clientele are mostly wealthy merchants, both human and dwarven, with a few lesser members of the southern nobility.

OOC Note: Kitty is played by Hope. Feel free to play out a thread, handwave things, or ignore it entirely, but check with each other first! And probably check with Libby, since I didn’t beyond the broad strokes. ❤]

crystal.

[hornswoggle]

[ how do you...address a duke...when asking for a favor? ]

Do you have a moment?

[toujoursdroit]

[If one can't be polite, one can be direct.]

I suppose I can find one. Whom do I have the pleasure of addressing?

[His tone is not especially indicative that it's a pleasure, but it's not hostile either. Maybe he's just Orlesian that way.]

[hornswoggle]

John Silver. The Quartmaster of the Walrus.

[ does not sound impressive comparatively, but john's pressing on. ]

We spoke briefly during the matter of the Archon, if you recall. Your granddaughter suggested I seek you out for some assistance with a project I've undertaken.

crystal, in the soon after.

[rowancrowned]

I will be going through her papers, but I expect I know what I will find.

Is there anything of her mother's [ annegret, he means. ] that I ought to keep my eye out for?

[toujoursdroit]

I honestly am not sure. Jewelry would be the likeliest, I suppose. Things for her hair. But I'm not sure what she kept. Possibly nothing.

I won't contest anything of hers in particular you wish to keep. But if I may request leave to review anything else prior to it being given away or otherwise disposed of.

[rowancrowned]

Anything I am unsure of, I will bring to you.

I am sentimental. [ frankly. ] but no hoarder. In a few months' time, there may be things in need of review.

I assume you have some manner of plan brewing.

apropos of n o t h i n g

[rowancrowned]

Bonsoir, monsieur le Duc.

We have not spoken in some time. I would amend that.

[toujoursdroit]

I trust your position keeps you occupied. I have been reasonably busy myself, but I am happy to make a bit of time.

["Happy" is possibly relative, but it's also fair that he wouldn't offer if he didn't want to. (At least not without pressure from the provost's wife.)]

Would a meal be convenient? Or would you prefer something more businesslike.

[rowancrowned]

It would be. There is no reason for us to lay aside civility.

[elegiaque]

Thranduil is moving back to the Gallows, and I'm going to stay with Lexie for a while.

Can you arrange some of my things to be sent over to her apartments before I get back from Orzammar?

[toujoursdroit]

Of course. I'll have it handled.

Do you expect him to leave quietly, or should I prepare to have him forcefully removed if necessary?

[elegiaque]

( just because she isn't proud of the temptation doesn't mean it isn't there. or that she feels terribly about it, either. )

I don't expect him to make a fuss.