{ CLOSED } An Unexpected Engagement

[aceso]

WHO: Christine, Church, a rival suitor, Korrin, Araceli, Sam, and Jim
WHAT: Christine's mother plays matchmaker and the groom has come to collect his bride-to-be. And to rid her of her current beau.
WHEN: mid-Justinian
WHERE: Kirkwall
NOTES: No tag order. Just throw yourselves in as often as you want!

It's an hour before supper when an impeccably dressed man enters the Inquisition's holdings along the docks. Guillaume Thiebaut walks stiffly but with purpose, carrying a long, thin briefcase with him like a man on a mission. He stops the first person he sees to ask where one might find the man called Leonard Church. This random person doesn't know, and points the visitor along to someone else. Eventually someone has actually heard of Church, and directs Guillaume towards the Gallows. The man pales, adjusts his tasteful coral colored jacket, and offers to pay for someone to fetch the man from the island. He sets his briefcase down at his feet and waits, staring out towards the imposing group of towers, and sets his hands on his hips, turning out his foot like a true Orlesian gentleman.

But waiting is boring and his foot taps impatiently. His gaze turns shrewd as he looks about him at the members of the Inquisition. Perhaps a little more information on this man he's about to face is needed.

"I do beg your pardon. Would you happen to know a man named Leonard Church?" The first rule of battle? Know thy enemy.

Comments

[aceso]

Oh. Guillaume wasn't expecting Sam to go there. All right, then. He clears his throat delicately.

"There doesn't need to be a fight. But I realize things may come to that." And he's come prepared with his dueling swords and -- what's even more important -- a desire to duel in the first place.

[foxsays]

As if called by some instinct deep in her bones, deep in her soul, deep in the very core of her being comes a face Guillame has spoken with at some earlier moment and a face Church has known very well indeed. The duel calls Araceli Bonaventura like moth to a flame, a fire in her belly, a light in her eyes, standing as tall as a girl all of 5'2" can.

"Gentlemen," she interrupts with the balance of sharpness and politeness that implies they are right now very far from neither, "I think we are letting our tempers get the better of us right now, there are rules of engagement, etiquettes that must be followed."

Placing herself closer to Church because hey this is where her allegiance is, fuck you and fuck the interfering mothers of Thedas they can line up and come fight Araceli their damn selves, she sets a placating hand on her friend's arm. The other on her own rapiers, the smile for Guillame's benefit. "I believe that these would more than suffice, they have served me faithfully in battle and in duels throughout my life."

sips rum

[foxsays]

Korrin, unlike everyone else present, will remember the time Araceli had two men named Malcolm duel in Rivain at the end of a mission because she said that they had to decide who would be the one to hold the name. Or that was the truth she gave it when she just wanted to see a duel to first blood when she was thirsty for such a thing after so long without, because Thedas is a place of blood and violence and passion but a strange way of letting them out and settling differences.

"Finally," she breathes when she appears back at Korrin's side though it's no guarantee that she'll actually stay there for long. Her hip flask is offered out to Korrin because this is a duel, you need a drink in you. "This is where almost all of Thedas goes wrong, no one gets things out properly."

[foxsays]

Ah, the advantages of being a rifter pledged to the Inquisition first before all other things: Araceli can be either or both depending on whatever the situation might call for whilst always being very much neither. "You will forgive me if I do not take you to him immediately without knowing your name; this is the Inquisition, this is where we are all working. Unfortunately we must put our personal matters to the bottom of the pile, more often than not when duty calls, as is only right when there is so much to be done to ensure peace is restored and darkness vanquished."

Pretty words and a pretty lie since personal matters tend to crop up all the time but no, sir, she isn't going to just fall for that, try again please as she continues to smile so apologetically but well, bureaucracy, you know?

As far as personal matters and Araceli go? Oh dear Guillaime, the worst sort of person has found you. Dallying with fiancées (and wives and girlfriends) earned her something of a reputation back home at least as much as being a thief when it came to sneaking in and out of bedroom windows, this is clearly your lucky day.

[el_tybs]

There didn't need to be a fight, but the man was expecting it could to that. Hm.

"And what did Church do exactly?" It doesn't surprise him that Church possibly landed himself in trouble, less so considering the delicate, ah, constitutions that certain Orlesians had. Even so he wasn't aware that Church had been to Orlais or had contact with many from there recently.

[gatheringstorm]

Duels are always better with refreshments. Taking a swig, she smirks while hand it back, her eyes never leaving the pair. "What's there to 'get out' this time? Who's the asshole that Church punched?"

Not that it truly matters, they know she'll be cheering Church on anyway.

[aceso]

Oh, she's good, and Guillaume eats it all up. He's just a small town boy who's been glued to his father's side when visiting the fancy Orlesian cities: Val Chevin, Val Royeaux, all the Vals. He's never been taken for a ride or swindled. And the fact he's so arrogant means he doesn't consider it a possibility, even in the middle of Kirkwall of all places. Her request is entirely reasonable, and though he's heard varying accounts of the Inquisition, after the aid they provided at the Winter Palace, he's inclined to think they're a force for good.

"Guillaume Thiebaut is my name, my lady. And I thought my timing might see him done with his duties for the day." It's not quite dinnertime yet, and he hopes to have Church stand down to him and meet with Christine in time to take her back to the upper class inn in Hightown for supper.

[aceso]

"It is a matter of delicacy," he says, narrowing his eyes at Sam. Clearly Guillaume thinks he can get information and not have to provide any in return. Though Church hasn't been to Orlais recently, the trip he made to Madame Delacroix's had been memorable, and when Christine admitted in a letter that she was seeing Church, her mother had decided right then and there that her daughter needed rescued from her own feelings. Besides, Christine had also written of her hatred of Kirkwall and how unhappy she was. Her mother has wanted her back by her side, and marrying her off is a good way to do it. Then she can move in with them!

"Any information you can give me on the man would be appreciated."

[aceso]

Church, no. Guillaume has gone completely pale as he realizes Church isn't going to follow the proper protocols and will just stab him before he can even get his own sword out of its case. Luckily the Antivan/Rivaini/whatever she is turns up to talk the madman down, and Guillaume releases a breath, taking a handkerchief out of his pocket to dab at the perspiration across his forehead.

"Yes, I would agree to use your own, if that will satisfy this brute?" He glares at Church, suddenly back to being confident since a tiny woman just saved his stuck up ass.

[motherfucking_ghost]

Fine, if that'll make matters better, he'll put his sword back. And keep glaring daggers at Fancy Frenchie. "Araceli, maybe you could help me sort out the details of what Jackassicus Maximus wants to satisfy his stupid bloodlust. ...First question being, do I get to call him names the whole time?"

[foxsays]

Taking a deep breath in through her nose, Araceli smiles at Guillaume then drops it completely as she turns enough to hide her face from him, trying to be a buffer between him and Church. Because this is what tiny girls do when they know how duels work apparently.

"Church," she chides without any heat, "calma, calma. Where I hail from it is allowed, I would even go so far as to say encouraged to call out the other party as one sees fit. A challenge must be issued correctly however, terms agreed to - a glove, has a glove been fetched? I can fetch one."

A gauntlet, she'll fetch a gauntlet for this Orlesian prick's smug face to see if that moustache can be smacked clean off it.

[aceso]

For the time being, Guillaume is willing to let Araceli deal with the unreasonable man. To think: they don't have proper duels wherever Church comes from! They all must live in chaos, brawling in the streets. While the others talk, Guillaume removes his jacket, looking for a place to lay it and wrinkling his nose when all he sees are barrels and crates on the docks. Perhaps he could hire someone to hold his jacket for him. He glances around, spots a Qunari watching him, and pales. Everyone else appears to be too busy, and he's not asking an ox to hold it. So with a resigned sigh, he carefully lays the coral colored jacket on a closed barrel top as gingerly as he can. He touches the pocket to make sure the letter from Christine's mother is still safely tucked away there. It explains all and hopefully will aid in bringing Christine around should she prove to be stubborn and not agree to the terms of the duel that he will obviously win. Then he turns back to see if Church is going to behave properly.

[foxsays]

"No punching," Araceli replies as she pockets the flask again and takes Korrin's other arm to wrap it around her waist so she's settled comfortable against her side the way she likes. "A duel is never over a thing that can be settled with a punch, honestly sirena, this is something about honour. Passion."

This is something that gets Araceli's own blood racing from the way she's talking, glancing up at Korrin and if she touched her cheeks, she'd feel the flush on them.

"His name is Guillaume Thiebaut at any rate, Orlesian." Araceli stumbles a little over the name as ever, her accent and Orlesian still not getting along.

[foxsays]

If he were a lady, Araceli would offer her arm to him but even a man she thinks she might take in a fight isn't afforded such unless they're of ill-health, injured, or very advanced age. It's the principle of the thing. Instead she gives a little gesture that he might fall in step with her as she begins to walk.

"Are you a contact of his then?" She asks, leading the way to where they might possibly find Church or at least somewhere a little less likely to draw a crowd; the Gallows is hell for gossip, and Araceli is accustomed to counting the eyes that will take note of new faces, the mouths that will begin to circulate the gossip. "A personal matter at the end of the day so it cannot be business as part of our divisions or projects unless it is one of those things we wish to keep off the books and out of the records to spare someone blushes or to smooth all things over better than having it out where everyone can see. Not everything needs witnesses, no?" She's speaking of right now. Perhaps. Maybe. They're just a stranger and a polite young lady offering to help after all, that's all this is he doesn't know that she's a tiny shark in reality.

[gatheringstorm]

"I don't think Church heard the 'no punching' rule before, but I won't complain. The look on that other guy was priceless." Korrin smirks while holding her kadan, less certain of or interested in honor than some entertainment. And the way Araceli's eyes sparkle certainly have her attention.

She wrinkles her nose, not at Araceli's pronunciation but between the man's nationality and bearing she's already unimpressed. "Some Orlesian fop? All that it takes to offend one of those is breathe in their direction. At least in Orlais; seeing it in Kirkwall is pretty odd." Any disagreements in the City of Chains are settled in a myriad of ways that have nothing to do with finesse or honor. "Why does Church give a shit, though? He's not the dueling type."

[aceso]

Guillaume falls in step beside her, tucking his hands together behind his back and adopting the air of a bored Orlesian on a leisurely stroll. Her manners have a way of putting him at ease and it's quite easy to let down his guard.

"No, no. Nothing that should affect your Inquisition in any way." Well, in a small way. He's here to collect the Inquisition's top red lyrium researcher and a damn good healer to be his wife. But really, he's sure she can be spared. From what Madame Delacroix said, Christine loathes Kirkwall. He's saving her, really.

"But it truly is a matter that cannot be delayed. I will need to return home soon." His lip curls as he passes a net of flopping fish, freshly caught. The sooner he leaves Kirkwall, the better.

[motherfucking_ghost]

"Sure. A glove. I mean, look, I could just go back into the settlement. And ignore him. Because, what is he going to do, march on in? I could probably have him barred from even looking this direction."

But Araceli lives for duels. And she's apparently going to see this through.

And then she fetches a gauntlet. "...I really get to smack him right back with a glove, right?" He says with a shake of the gauntlet and a spreading look of chaotic glee on his face. "As per the dueling rules and all."

Guillaumo del Fucko might want to duck, or he can face being smacked across the face, with none too little force, with a gauntlet. His choice, cuz Church is going to swing.

[foxsays]

"There's a lot at stake with a duel," Araceli's snippy when she says it in a way she usually wouldn't be with Korrin but she has her reasons today. "Church's reputation whether he cares about it or not is at stake, his honour again whether he cares about it or not. Both things are tied to the Inquisition because this man will talk about it because that's what happens after a duel." How much Christine cares...well, that remains to be seen.

(Araceli would hope she does. For Church's sake. For what it means. Because if not she's going to have to go challenge Christine and it'll all spiral into something ridiculous.)

Sighing, Araceli uses her position to shove an elbow into Korrin's side where it won't hurt because she's not a terrible person. "I had Malcom the Seeker and your friend Mal duel for my pleasure and the right to a name, I've had to fight duels and wear the scars today for walking in the wrong part of my home in the eyes of some, for casting my eyes too long in the wrong place, at the wrong person. That's not getting into duels over ladies or actual offenses. Church will care because I have intervened. Because I am his friend who knows these things of course. Because this is a matter of passion and he has much and more of it."

[foxsays]

Why is it that there's always a certain breed of young men who are apparently the same sort of young men no matter how many miles you or they travel from home? The same could be said of a lot of different folk but Guillaume reminds Araceli of boys met in the wealthier districts of home, on her way to or from casing a joint, or when mingling at fancy parties. Just as easily spooked sometimes as they're put at ease. A light touch, light as handling something very delicate that she would removing something priceless from a noble's house.

"This is not my Inquisition, this Inquisition is for all you understand. There are a great many things that might be made better in Thedas through the works done here with so many people from so many different walks of life brought together as they are. No one else in Thedas is looking for ways to seal rifts, to stop Corypheus, to put a stop to red lyrium. We do this not for ourselves alone but for the good of Thedas." This isn't the act, the passion with which Araceli says these words she's said in one way or another many times since she's come to Kirkwall but that doesn't make them any less true.

"You have come a very long way for a single man, a man from, what is it they call it - from beyond the rifts?" As if she doesn't know. A glance at her own left hand will confirm she comes from just the same place.

[universal_charm]

Hey Korrin, want a viewing partner? Or anyone want a viewing partner? Because Kirk's here for this as well. He would probably be attracted to any fight involving someone who had been in the muck and some stuck up noble anyways, but it was Church and fellow Rifters came to support each other.

"Right, so, what did I miss?"

If only he had some popcorn.

[el_tybs]

"Ah, well I'm afraid that information is classified to Inquisition agents only. So wish I could help, but I'm sure you understand... matters of delicacy. You have a very nice day, sir."

With a smile, a small bow of the head, Sam turns and continues on his way. He so wishes that he could just stand there and watch his reaction - probably seething - but he did have better things to do. Better things then random Orlesians trying to pick a fight.

[el_tybs]

Make that two viewing partners. Honestly the only reason Sam walks up is that he had been looking for Kirk, but as soon as he actually saw what was going on he completely forgot what he was going to say and instead found himself staring.

"Well it looks like that asshole I saw before found Church... aaand they're fighting." Big surprise. "Fighting about-?"

[universal_charm]

"Wait, so you know the guy Church just punched?" Kirk asked Sam, briefly touching his shoulder to Samouel's in a greeting as he continued to eye the pair.

[el_tybs]

Sam grunts lightly in return in way of greeting but still very much preoccupied with the events in front of them. "Know him as much to know he's Orlesian, an asshole, and that he wanted to know where Church was." So, no, he didn't know him.

[universal_charm]

"I wonder if Church cheated him out of something, or insulted the kind of frill he was wearing that day," Kirk mused, crossing his arms over his chest and really, really wishing he had something to snack on.