{ 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

/faaaalcon paaaunch! into the thread

[el_tybs]

The day has been rough and long, and all Sam wants to do is go to his room and relax. Course as he heads towards the Gallows it is very hard to not notice the postured figure in pink standing before the entrance. Even from a distance it is easy to tell that the man was Orlesian, who obviously seemed to be looking for something.

Great.

Just a bit curious but not wanting to get caught up in whatever this was, Sam gives the man a bit of a wide berth, being as nonchalant as he could be. It all but works until he hears 'I do beg your pardon' and instinctively looks-

Aaaand he just made eye contact. Sam sighs lightly and turns to face whatever ridiculousness was to follow. Course he was not expecting Church's name to follow that.

"Aaauuummm... yes?"

[aceso]

Guillaume looks rather pleased to hear this, though he wishes the man wasn't so... simple about it.

"And what sort of man is he? Is he much of a warrior? Is he very... big?" Not that being a big, lumbering fool will do Church much good here. Dueling is all about finesse and being quick. Guillaume just wants to know, and he's sure that Madame Delacroix likes to exaggerate things. Surely he can best Church in a gentleman's duel.

[motherfucking_ghost]

Someone eventually has to go and get him. They're none too quick about it, or maybe it's Church who's none to quick about jumping at some random dude's say-so, but...if they're not Inquisition, then someone knowing his name makes him wary.

The short boat ride over is short and boaty, and Church, sword hanging by his side because motherfucking forces gotta force, bitch, catches sight of the stupidest looking man he has ever seen.

"Lemmie guess--" he starts with a finger point to the outfit, tone as flippant as anything, "lightish-red?"

[aceso]

Christine's mother described a scruffy, brutish sort of man, and this one seems to fit the bill. Still, it's hard to be sure this is, in fact, the man he is looking for. A little caught off guard, Guillaume brushes his hands down his jacket front.

"Well, I believe the tone veers more towards a coral myself. Perhaps salmon. But I supposed if you wish to be blasé about it, lightish-red works." Forgive him; his father is a textile merchant and Guillaume grew up around fabrics. And also grew up among fellow Orlesian assholes.

[motherfucking_ghost]

Church does not make a habit of explaining his own in-jokes, and he's not gonna start now with this guy, so he lets the color debate slide and crosses his arms. "So what do you want?"

[el_tybs]

Sorry, not sorry that there wasn't more to his presentation.

Was he... big? Very big? Sam raises a brow and gives the man a simple, but noticeable once over. "Well I don't know him like that." He honestly doubts this fellow meant it in terms of hidden weapons, but he couldn't help himself in just going with it.

Or maybe Church had a way with Orlesians.

[aceso]

Ah, so this is Church. Guillaume straightens his spine in the hopes of making himself look a little taller, since he is -- regrettably -- the shorter of the two. Taking a moment to clear his throat, he then says in his most formal tone: "I am here to request you break off all attachments to Mademoiselle Delacroix, as her mother and I have arranged that she is now my betrothed." Church gets one polite request before Guillaume starts pulling off his glove. He's actually hoping the man refuses, because he's itching for a duel. So many end up tied in negotiations and apologies and never get to the actual swords part.

[aceso]

Ugh, this man is Fereldan isn't he? Guillaume cannot expect much from them in the way of brains.

Guillaume bristles a little at Sam's answer, a little color coming to his cheeks. "Height. I am speaking of his height. And if he is strong on the battlefield."

Honestly, no wonder it was easy for Orlais to occupy Ferelden for years, if this is what they spend their time thinking about.

[motherfucking_ghost]

His eyebrows creep up and up...and up. This guy's serious right now? "Her mom picked you? Yeah, that's nice and all, but it's a real damn shame you came all this way for nothing. Bye now."

[aceso]

"Yes, she picked me." As he speaks, he starts removing one glove. "It is not easy to find an Orlesian from a well-to-do family willing to marry a mage, but I have been assured she is intelligent and of an even temperament." Because no one wants a wife who will fly off the handle and light the curtains on fire.

"Since you have refused to back down, I am calling you out, ser." And with that, Guillaume flicks his wrist and slaps his glove against Church's cheek. "I challenge you to a duel for the hand of Christine."

[motherfucking_ghost]

That sure is a flare of fucking anger. It isn't that Chadwick McDouche or whatever the fuck his name is is wrong--of course she's intelligent and of an even temperament, but it's just the brazen way of saying it as if he's been told about a strong ox with good genes or something. And you bet he's gonna say something.

Right up until he's slapped with a glove.

It's a surprise and a sting that makes him jerk his head almost like getting punched. What the fuck. What the fuck. People actually do that?! Slap with gloves?!

He stares for a hot second, flabbergasted.

And then aims a right hook to his jaw.

[aceso]

Perhaps Guillaume should have expected a man such as Church to do something outside the boundaries of good taste, but punching him? It's so unexpected that he doesn't have any time to react beyond a flinch right before the fist connects and Guillaume's whole body jerks in response. His balance is thrown off and he stumbles to his right, just managing to stay upright, but doubling over in pain, his hand coming up to his jaw. Maker's breath, is it broken? Can a punch break a jaw?

This is not how he envisioned things going, and when he straightens himself, he's really trying hard not to cry.

"You can't do that!" he protests hotly, face turning red. Does Church not realize there are rules to this sort of thing? "I had heard the Inquisition was a noble group, bringing peace and order to a world gone mad." His voices raises, waiting everyone around to hear this. "But did you know you have a brute amidst your ranks? A man who will not even follow the protocol of a duel like a gentleman?" The hand not massaging his jaw balls into a fist at his side. He really wants to hit Church back, but he will not lower himself to such uncivilized tactics.

[el_tybs]

"Sure you are," Sam says with a smirk, crossing his arms as he enjoys the way the man almost matches the color of his suit. He's going to let the comment of 'battlefield of love' drop though considering he had better things to do.

"He's 'bout as tall as me, and he seems to hold his own just fine on the battlefield. Why are you looking for him?"

[aceso]

How insufferable! Is this what Guillaume is forced to put up with in Kirkwall? He heard it was a shithole -- all the more reason to rescue Christine from it, per her mother's wishes -- but this is a bit much.

"I have a matter of importance to discuss with him." It's not like he's going to admit that Church is currently dallying with his fiancée.

[el_tybs]

Hey, he wasn't the one going around asking how big people were. If he couldn't handle this much, Sam is curious as to why the man would be looking for Church of all people - don't get him wrong, Church was a decent guy and has done right by Christine or better be but he was still weird at times.

"Importance?" This has Sam raising a brow, considering why he needed to know height and battlefield experience. "Looking for a bodyguard?"

[aceso]

He scoffs at that, because that couldn't be any more removed from the real reason.

"Not at all." Though really, Guillaume isn't as clever as he thinks he is. If he's asking about a man's prowess in battle and isn't thinking of hiring him, there's not much else he could want but to fight him.

[motherfucking_ghost]

Can a punch break a--wow, has this guy ever been in a fight before? His fists go loosely up, ready for a comeback, but the guy just...goes red and starts a scene.

"Hey, you're the one that hit me first! A guy's got a right to defend himself, doesn't he?"

Wait, but he wants a duel. Like...a guns drawn at dawn kind of duel? Swords? Swords drawn at dawn? That's so stupidly quaint. "What the fuck makes you think I know anything about the protocols of dueling?" He opens one hand, letting the eerie glow of the anchor shard be seen. "I'm not exactly from around here."

Smart idea in the middle of a public gathering starting to form at the docks? Absolutely not. But if it'll help get this guy off his back, then whatever. He doesn't make it a secret.

[aceso]

"I hit you with my glove, not my fist! That is how one starts a duel!" Now this whole thing has gone the completely wrong way. Guillaume has taken fencing lessons. He knows how to duel. He doesn't know how to brawl like a common street thug.

His eyes go to the glowing green hand and he feels sick. Those people who came through the rift: demons, some call them, or they at least consort with them. He can't allow Christine around such an individual.

"I am going to fight you for the hand of Christine. You'll be lucky if I leave you alive at the end of it!" A bold claim, but he's a bit of a performer. Plus confidence is key, because a guy with a demony glowing hand just punched him. Guillaume is trying not to wet himself right now. Act brave and bravery will follow.

[motherfucking_ghost]

"Her hand is not up for grabs, and if you really want to give it a shot, then grow a pair and ask her yourself. Or you can run on home to Mama Delacroix and tell her to stop being such a bitch about her daughter's life." His fists raise again. "She's not fucking cattle to be bartered or traded or sold or won, listing off her qualities like you're describing a pedigree dog. Fine. We can duel right here and now. Nut up or shut up."

Peanut Gallery over here

[gatheringstorm]

Korrin's passing through on the way to her new home, her mind elsewhere...at least until Church is spotted. She almost waves in greeting, but the punch he lands on the noble effectively derails that plan. Curious and not about to hide it, she crosses her arms and lingers against a nearby wall. Free entertainment isn't something she's about to shirk.

[aceso]

The shock at hearing Madame Delacroix called a bitch is written all over Guillaume's face. He sputters, completely caught off guard for the second time since this conversation started. Well! He will be sure to relate this tidbit of information to Christine when he sees her, after he's rightfully won her.

"Fine! I will fight for Christine's love and her mother's honor. I have brought dueling swords, since I am sure you don't have a proper one." No, the sword hanging from his belt doesn't count. Dueling swords are beautiful weapons meant for a man who can wield them with finesse.

[foxsays]

Given her whole new job pretty much involves still trying to get some sort of Inquisition navy in shape, Araceli spies him at the docks. But since she isn't expecting a man that matches his description and has other people on the agenda, she glances at him from the corner of her eye before she gets to work.

Lux follows at a click of her tongue because this is what a trained fox is trained to do.

But business doesn't always take very long when it's getting someone to sign a damned ledger finally because she's got enough authority to just sort things out herself instead of being just the go-between and it's back to the Gallows and--

"Señor? Araceli Bonaventura, at your service," a slight bow, for the sake of politeness and now because she really does have a reputation to care about when introducing herself to strangers. "May I ask why you are seeking out Leonard Church?"

[aceso]

Guillaume arches an eyebrow as he takes in the sight of the woman. While he considers himself a cultured man of the world as a successful merchant's son, the truth is he isn't as well traveled as he could be, and he doesn't know if this one is Antivan or Rivaini. He doesn't have enough experience to know the accent, and he really hates not knowing. Giving a bow in return, he replies, "I have an important personal matter to discuss with him. It is imperative that things be settled immediately."

He doesn't want it spread around that his fiancée is dallying with this Church person. People might get the wrong idea about Christine and think her a woman of ill repute, when in reality, she's just not yet aware she's engaged to him. Minor details. It's fine for parents to handle these matters for their children.

[el_tybs]

Not at all, huh? "So you're looking for a fight." Not many reasons someone starts asking about how good you are in a fight. Still, even if that was the case... why? It's clear that the man doesn't know Church in person, and he doesn't think Church has gotten into trouble with any groups. He thinks at least...

[motherfucking_ghost]

"You want me to cut you? Is that what'll make you go away? Cuz I've got a sword right here." Whoops, yes he does, he'll unsheathe it, too. "I don't need a fancy sword. It'll probably give you an advantage anyway, and where's the fun in that?" Church no.