Play@YSDC

Jean Luc, having loosened up is on his third glass of wine but also closely monitoring the alcohol consumption of those present. He finishes a story directed at Leonardo in a slightly louder tone- "So I said, you've had that the whole time? What else have you got in there?!" Laughing at his own story.

Leonardo also demonstrated his skill at raising one eyebrow without lifting the other, but he did not laugh at the joke. Maybe the corner of his lip twitched.

Jacques:

Jacques laughs again. "I have no doubt Buttons would agree. In fact, one of the stable boys mentioned your beautiful horse to me this morning. She has turned heads, it seems."

After some further small talk about horses and desirable lineage, Jacques glances at the rest of the table again. In conspiratorial tones again, he says, "These Spanish Dons have very long names, do they not? I'm sure the reasons for it are important to them but I would get sick of telling people my name were it that long."

Replying to Elizabeth, Broom grins.

“Gives you an excuse to talk to the guy I guess.”

Her gaze turns from the smitten Spaniard and the creepy priest to the other guests.

“Have you met any of the others?”

“I haven’t. But I see the Chevalier is making up for it.” Elizabeth looks down the table, past the chuckling Jean Luc and smouldering Gui, to the far end where Jaques is in a deep conversation with a sultry noblewoman.
“She, er, has quite the décolletage ; would you say that’s the Spanish or Italian influence on her gown?”

"It does seem a mouthful," agreed Bianca.

Jacques, you may roll Insight.

Jacques:

1d%H75%

OOC:   Success.

Jacques glances at Elizabeth then Diego, and raises an eyebrow in surprise. He continues quietly, "Is the Spanish gentleman looking for a more 'practical' arrangement, I wonder? There is nothing wrong with such arrangements of course. I assume then that the lady from Narnia - wherever that is - must bring with her a far greater dowry than I had supposed."

"Well, best of luck to them. I am told that such practical marriages, driven as much by finances as anything spiritual or poetic, can work just as well as any other. For myself, I fear I am driven by more romantic notions. But few among us are so secure we can make decisions based purely on romance, poetry and the like."

"Narnia is probably somewhere in Scotland," replied Bianca. "I can tell by her speech. She has come a long way to be here. She's pretty enough, I suppose, but I don't know what she has that I don't."

Jacques could tell that Diego was definitely attracted to Elizabeth, and that he seemed terrified of Father Ignacio. No wonder, if he knew who the man was. The Spanish Inquisition was known to strike fear into the hearts of men.

“She’s quite the glamourpuss isn’t she?” Brook muses, peering down the table.

“I guess we should make more of an effort to mingle.”

She turns and smiles in greeting at the diner opposite.

"Mme Bianca, your beauty is a thing of legend, even as far as the Greek island of Rhodes where I have been quartered. Without wishing to be ungenerous to the other ladies, let me assure you that all men notice when you enter a room."

Jacques continues in a very quiet tone. "Miss Elizabeth is - ah - not showered with such natural gifts and abilities. Which led to my assuming that property transfer may have been part of the attraction in that case. For which I judge no one. All of which was probably very unchivalrous of me to even discuss."

"And it seems I may be wrong in any event, as he appears inexplicably attracted to the lady. Spanish tastes may differ."

"But Narnia is in Scotland? At least I know where Scotland is. There are fierce Scotsmen among the Knights Hospitaller in fact."

"I wonder why he fears the good father here?" Jacques casts a glance at Father Ignacio.

The servants came by with several platters of roast pork, and two of roast beef, placing them on the table and serving them to those who want them.

Seated across from Brook was a teenage girl with blonde hair, who smiled back. "Bonjour, Mademoiselle," she said to her. "I am Lady Amelie. It is a pleasure to meet you."

"Thank you, Sir Jacques," said Bianca with a smile. "It is not a surprise that anyone fears the Inquisitor. What man has nothing to hide? Excepting yourself, of course."

You may assume that you can converse with anyone seated at the table. While it is long, you can make yourself heard if you wish. Likewise, you can assume that you can hear everyone else speaking, and that everyone else can hear you, unless you specifically whisper. Ladies often use their fans to cover their mouths while whispering so that nobody knows they are speaking at all.

Jacques:

Jacques grins and murmurs back to Bianca, "I'm just as scared of him."

Looking across to Father Ignacio, in a more conversational tone Jacques asks, "How has your morning been, Father? Are you taking the opportunity to revive your spirits?"

Gui tucked into the pork with limited enthusiasm. Normally he would have enjoyed such opportunities to converse but the earlier accusations of thievery made him wonder if everyone was secretly looking at him, even if Jean Luc had vouched for him. And now the fair Bianca was deep in conversation with the cul de cheval - he wondered if he was being set up for another fall…

"Ah, yes," said Father Ignacio. "I paid a visit to the shrine by the lake just after court ended to pray and pay my respects. Have you seen it?"

It was Jean Luc who vouched for Gui, not Don Diego.

Jacques:

"Why I paused there myself, on my morning ride, and took the opportunity of a few minutes' quiet contemplation and prayer. A most beautiful spot."

"Indeed, it is," said Father Ignacio, "and a most humble place too. Magnificent cathedrals can be beautiful, too, but there is something to be said for its simplicity."

Brook smiles back at Lady Amelie.

“Hi, I’m Brook. These are my friends Elizabeth and Story. Are you a guest of the Duc or do you live here?”

Elizabeth smiles at Diego,
“ Señor, from what part of Spain do you hail from? Are you here for business? I’m sorry I haven’t yet met the Senorina Bianca nor Father Ignacio; are you travelling with them?”

Whoops, my fault; the table had stretched in my imagination and I didn’t think we could talk to everyone.