[Closed] [The Importance of Being Earnest]

[judgemewhole]

WHO: James Norrington and Adelaide LeBlanc
WHAT: Civil Words On Counrtin
WHEN: Afternoon of the 6th
WHERE: At Norrington's outside office.
NOTES: You can be well assured that they are going to be So Polite To One Another.

It was such a beautiful day.

Honestly, it was. Norrington was busy working on writing up what seemed like a master thesis on blood magic and the dangerous signs to look for, but all he could really focus on was the gleam of that winter sky, far above his head. It was cold, to be certain, but he had fires near him and a cup of coffee at his side.

He leaned back, breathing in deeply, thinking that absolutely nothing could ruin his excellent mood. He had a purpose, he had his people, he had found new and old friends and he had found ... Pel. The day was delightful, after he finished this paragraph he would free himself and go ride Dauntless.

It was going to be a good day.

Comments

[fleurdesel]

She had some time between her appointments for this- in all honesty she did not expect it to be a long conversation. She would express her concerns, Knight-Commander Norrington would tell her in the most civil of terms to mind her own business and to let him get on with his day, she would passive aggressively accept said offer, and then return to lunch with Vivienne.

Often her conversations with Templars followed some sort of reasonable pattern. The more reasonable the templar, the more steady the pattern. Knight-Commander Norrington, for all that he was reasonable-

Tended to deviate by being overbearingly civil.

If it weren't such a credit to his character she'd find it irritating.

But thus began act one: Enter the Lady LeBlanc, head high, staff in hand as she wove her way to Norrington's office. "Knight-Commander, might I have a word? It will not be long."

In truth she did not expect to need to sit for this.

[judgemewhole]

Norrington was leaning back in his chair, breathing deeply, when he heard someone approach. He dropped his gaze to the woman before him - and offered her a polite smile, "Lady LeBlanc, a pleasure to see you."

He nodded towards the chair in front of his make-shift desk. "Please, sit. Tell me what is it that brings you to me?" A sudden bright look, "Are there puppies, finally?"

[fleurdesel]

"Not just yet. You shall be among the first to know when I am sent word." Perhaps she should sit. It would only be civil and she was...attempting to be civil. Adelaide gathered her skirts in one hand and sat, resting her staff against her shoulder. "Professional concerns that I am certain you will understand, better than I might have thought this morning."

Other than the faintest touch of reservation in her eyes and voice, Adelaide was quite blank, though politely so. "Pel came to me this morning and spoke of your new association with one another."

Pel, not councilor Ashara. Much as this was a professional concern- Pel was someone she has come to see as a friend.

[judgemewhole]

"Thank you, Lady LeBlanc. I appreciate it." Oh, did he ever want a puppy. He was pleased as she sat, wondering if he ought to ask Gilette or Burns to go fetch them tea. It was what the other woman drank, yes? Her phrasing however, caught his attention and he sat up straighter. Prepared for a report of some Templar acting abominably, grimly ready to carry out his duty to --

-- himself. Ah. Hrm.

Well, the woman had used Pel's name as just Pel's name, so it was clear she was one of Pel's friends. Therefore, Norrington, while polite, was not going to go for formal titles here.

"You mean to say - she's told you that I am courting her for her hand." He wanted that clarified, out-loud. Where everyone could hear.

[fleurdesel]

"She did at that." The certainty with which Pel spoke took much of the chill from the air; the fact that she was fond, the fact that he had thought to be careful? To be mindful? Earned him a shred of respect. Not much, but a shred.

"Properly, even, as she told it. With a chaperon and all. I will confess to some surprise at the mindfulness of your suggestion, the delicacy of the situation is one which which we are all terribly aware. Perhaps I should not have been." Surprised, that was.

[judgemewhole]

He looked pleased at that - that she was telling her friends, and her family. His templars were next on the list but he wanted Pel to have the chance to break the news to all of her relations first.

"Well, naturally. I would not want her reputation at any point considered sullied. She's a woman of supreme merit, and morality." He sits up a little more, "I will not have anyone questioning her honor. The only influence she has over me is ... well. The fact that some day, I hope she'll agree to marry me."

[fleurdesel]

"..." A courtship she'd expected. Even fondness- which she now could see they both had for one another but-


Thoughts of courting to the point of an engagement, to marriage had her incredulity show in full. "...Is it not a bit soon to be considering an engagement? I- how well do you know one another?"

What had she missed?

[judgemewhole]

"Oh, yes, of course it's far too soon to be talking about such things." James stated simply, his hands folded on his desk, "But if anyone asks what my intentions are - I want to make my intentions clear. If Pel wishes to reject them at any point, then that is acceptable."

His heart will be broken, but it is acceptable. "We are a long way off from a formal declaration, naturally, when we still are learning about one another -- but so many people will say I am courting her simply to take advantage of her. Or that she is taking advantage of me ... and some other dupes in her play for Dalish power."

All of this, said with a completely straight face. "I find it better to state my objectives. Leaves everyone with very little doubt."

[fleurdesel]

"...must you be so damnably practical?" She couldn't be anything but accepting of this the way he was handling it and found herself- despite her reservations- pleased for them. Amused by his matter of fact assessment of the situation and how he intended to work with and around it. "You are making it terribly difficult to judge you for this, I hope you know that. I was prepared for a brief argument and to be told to mind my own business."

And here he was, stating his intentions, backing them up with sensible action and genuine care for Pel. How could she not approve when he was so terribly aware of all her concerns, held them himself, and worked to countermand the rumor mill?

[judgemewhole]

"I have been told this is one of my greatest failings." One corner of his mouth twisted, "And had you been more blunt, my Lady LeBlanc, you would have found me terse enough. But you call Pel friend, and thus, I will respect you as I would respect her."

He sighed, looking around, "They say there is no grace without suffering - I believe it to be so. Pel and I have just started down the road of difficulties -- I pray this will make us stronger."

[fleurdesel]

"Something else I am not overly accustomed to." In the Spire she'd been...minded. Tolerated. Endured. Not Respected. It is a definite change of pace. "But...something I find myself pleasantly surprised to have."

Practical, sensible, doesn't treat her like she is about to be possessed. No wonder Pel found him tolerable. "Provided you are both aware, as much you are, of how this might look, of what might be said, and continue to take steps to avoid offering more ammunition where none need be? I am satisfied."

[judgemewhole]

"Well, that is sadly a path that goes both ways." He could not remember many mages that respected him - Lydia, Sam, a handful at the Ostwick Circle. He gave her a thoughtful look, "Another thing that must change."

Seriously what sort of education had Templars been getting in other Circles, would be James's thought if he ever found out how mages thought Templars believed possession happened. He was going to apparently have many, many teaching opportunities. "People will talk, and people will whisper. I only care what Pel thinks of me. If these people are brave enough to share their opinions with their friends?"

That smile is sharp - so sharp it could cut through the frozen ice in his green eyes. "I certainly hope they shall be brave enough to share them with me in the same fashion."

[fleurdesel]

"...Please do not do anything that would reflect poorly on the Inquisition. Words are words. Allegations are allegations. Reacting will give people the impression there is some truth to their slander regardless of how honorably you conduct yourselves." She shrugs. "Orlesians are...passive aggressive at best when it comes to gossip. Pay it no mind and it will vanish."

[judgemewhole]

"Just as long as they do not openly insult Pel? I don't care a whit." He lifted his shoulders in a shrug, "I am as political as I need to be, Lady LeBlanc. I don't relish it, I don't enjoy it. But I know Pel and I have rules to observe and people to think of. As long as they do not press, then I shall let everything slide."

Anything else would need to be dealt with, swiftly. And ... intelligently.

[fleurdesel]

"That is all that I ask. Until the Inquisition is better established and has more support we must all step lightly." It is an unfortunate detail of their position; but so long as they are mindful? There is nothing more that needs be said.

"I won't keep you any longer."

[judgemewhole]

Norrington nodded, about to return to his writing, before he paused and called after her, "Lady LeBlanc ... thank you. For looking out for Pel. I know you do it because she is your friend and associate, for political reasons and all, but ... Thank You."

[fleurdesel]

"Consider this your obligatory warning that if you hurt her- I will not heal whatever injury she chooses to inflict upon you." Pel could handle herself well enough given cause- and Adelaide wasn't permitted to do harm. But she could walk past an injury on occasion. Not often, but.

Besides- the warning was just that- obligatory. It wouldn't come to pass.

[judgemewhole]

"...That is fair. She will most definitely do something horrific to me if I do something bad." He cleared his throat, his eyebrows lifting up. "However I will be sure to keep to the safe side."

[fleurdesel]

"I am certain you shall. Have a good evening, Knight-Commander." She offered him as much of a bow as she would any templar (not much of one, a bare dip of the head) before she turned and left.