Not going to comment on the sexual tension elsewhere, but there's none of that going on here, to be sure. | 8.7 evening during the feast | closed to Gabriel, Victor

[Gabriel Drake]

He had not danced again. Not since that very interesting number with Loralynn Castell. His eyes did venture over in her direction one time too many, but she was either genuinely not paying attention or doing a very good job of pretending not to be. It didn't matter to him. Let her know he was looking. Maybe if he could get her head any bigger, she would float. He had to admit, though, he found her temper somewhat endearing. In fact, it had been nothing she had done that had him in such a foul mood now. It was something she had said. Particularly one thing that she had said. She was already promised to somebody. Just Gabriel's luck. He finally sees somebody he'd consider making Lady Drake and she's already engaged... Well, he would see what could be done about that.

Standing up, he grabbed his goblet of wine and circled to the other side of the table to watch the dancing. He had lost sight of his sisters somewhere, but he trusted both of them enough to behave themselves well. His brother he never worried about. Even if he was doing something he shouldn't be, Gabriel found it difficult to remain angry with him. Taking a sip of wine, he scanned the faces of the room, looking up at the dais where Matthias and Lord Castell had been. Only neither of them were there. He must have missed when they got up...

[Victor Castell]

Victor had finished speaking with Matthias. He made small talk with Fletcher Leiham, then when on to chat with Jaxon Tresson, feeling out the man who's loyalty lay with Jarvis. When done, he continued around the room, noticing Gabriel Drake. The man was also a lord of Jarvis', one that Victor knew little about. But he hadn't been blind when Drake had approached Loralynn and swept her away. His cousin's expression said it all, and Victor had fought not to laugh at her expense. Perhaps a little punishment for pushing him into the wedding with Jean Tristan. He did not like being responsible for carrying out his father's promises. Loralynn should well have known that when she'd made arrangements with Norton. That and did she really believe she deserved the promises kept? She'd done her duty to be sure, but she was still a Castell, and nothing absolved them of continuing to serve the family.

He crossed the room and found himself approaching Lord Drake from behind. "Lord Drake, a pleasure to meet you. I don't believe we've had the chance to speak. I couldn't help but notice you taking my cousin on a spin around the dance floor. I hope she held her tongue. It can be quite fiery at times." He held out a hand, offering to shake with Drake.

[Gabriel Drake]

Gabriel turned his head, surprised to find that the same lord he'd been trying to spot had approached him. So much for not being worth the Castell time, as Loralynn had so eloquently put it. He smiled politely. After all, Castell was a province lord. Arrogant Drake might be, he was not oblivious of his place in the world and did show respect when respect was due. Victor Castell was no exception to these very strict rules he'd been raised to abide by. "Lord Castell, the pleasure is all mine," he said. "No. I have not yet had the good fortune of speaking with you, but no harm done. I realize that you are an extremely busy man. I am honored as it is that you have found time for me. I must say that I am looking forward to this union between your lady sister and Lord Ashpool. She is a fine young woman. She will make an exceptional Lady Ashpool. Of that I have no doubt."

He looked back at Loralynn and managed a chuckle. "She is an incredible dancer," he said, trying to find some high points of her personality to praise for his benefit. "She has assuredly inherited her lord cousin's commanding presence. Though, yes. Fiery is an apt word to use in her case. I beg your pardon, of course, but one really does need to be on their toes when conversing with such a strong-willed lady. She tells me of her own engagement. He is indeed a lucky man to be marrying into such an honorable family. I pray that one day I lucky enough to marry into such a prestigious house."

[Victor Castell]

"Busy of course," Victor agreed with the nod of his head, "But my sister is soon to be Lady Ashpool, and I believe it improves her standing and my own to meet the men who follow her husband. I want her to succeed, but until Lord Jarvis introduces her to you formally, it would not be good taste for her to come meet you herself. But it doesn't hurt if I come ahead of her does it?" He grinned, as though he were a simple and open man with no reason for hiding his thoughts. "My sister is well bred and lovely. She has ever intention of standing by Lord Jarvis with all her support, to help him become the greatest Lord Ashpool the realm has ever seen. She has such a good heart and she's already taken by him. I couldn't agree with you more; they will make a fine pair. I look forward to their union."

The man was full of gushing complements, but Victor would not turn them aside. If Gabriel Drake thought highly of him, then Victor would milk that for all it was worth, particularly if this banner of Jarvis spoke fondly of his family when in council with Ashpool. Victor was not a man without friends, and whether close or distant, those who could gain his trust over time found it well to their advantage. The Winters had learned that well enough over the years.

He fought to hid the scowl at the mention of Loralynn's marriage. Not that Jean Tristan was a bad match; Victor could not fault his aunt's logic. Everything about their union could be construable as positive: a Castell in Quiva raising sons to be loyal to their liege, a voice to speak for pro-Castell agenda, a way to ensure that Jean Tristan's snakes of uncles did not inherit the lands. Yet he'd felt his hand forced, an insult to be sure, and he could not get over the slant on his pride.

"Yes, she too is well bred. The Castell ladies work hard to be the best. Her wedding will be fine as well, although less attended of course than Evelyn's. Her betrothed is on the trip with the king, so if you wish to spin her again, be my guest."

[Gabriel Drake]

He had to laugh at the thought of spinning her again. "I do not believe your lady cousin would at all be amenable to the idea of another spin," he said. "I am under the impression she would not be pleased with her dance partner unless he happened to be her betrothed." Well, she did have a good reason to be put off by Gabriel. He had, after all, just yanked her from her seat. But, he had done that for a reason. That reason being he knew it would amuse him, and it had. Loralynn had not disappointed him one bit. But now came the tricky part. This was the lord of her house. Victor was not there for his amusement, and he most certainly would be trickier to work with, but it could be done. The first thing to do was to get a clear indication of the strength of this betrothal. However, one thing was even more important than that: Self-promotion.

"I am pleased that Lady Evelyn feels as she does. I do believe that with her by his side, Lord Ashpool will certainly do us all proud. It would be a pleasure for me to see, anyway. I have come to regard those in House Ashpool as my family. We have all been close from a young age." It was mostly true. While he had been closer to Marilynn and Matthias, he still had gotten on quite well with Jarvis. He had to. He was Province Lord after all, and with the way the Drakes cared about politics...

[Victor Castell]

"My cousin can grumble all she wishes," Victor laughed, "If I tell her to spin with you and keep her mouth shut, then I expect her to do just that. Castell women can be prideful and willful, but like any well-bred woman, she knows her place." He frowned at the thought of Jean Tristan, at the way Blanche had pushed him into that union. "Yes, well, her betrothed is currently attending the King in my place, while we prepare for the Evelyn's union." He glanced at Drake, trying to get a sense of the man who stood before him. Enemy or Ally? That was the question. Would he aid in building the control Victor wanted from House Ashpool, or hinder his progress at having them as strong allies behind his back.

"I look forward to having House Ashpool as family as well, although truth be told, the ladies are rather... outspoken at times." The politest way he could think of to say rude and ill-mannered. "They have come across as unaccepting of newcomers in their house. I do hope they will welcome Evelyn into their home. She's looking forward to having sisters."

[Gabriel Drake]

She could grumble all she wished, and gods did she!? But that was in itself amusing to Gabriel. Willful, of course, but strong and commanding -- That was definitely a woman he could come to respect. And if all else failed, at least he'd have fun matching wits with her. Now, to find a way to get her out of her betrothal to this mysterious man who was currently with the king. He didn't have a lot of time to figure it out... but he would. Gabriel always got what he set out to get.

"Well, perhaps later I shall consider spinning her again," he said with a smile. "All things considered, she really is a marvelous dancer."

He turned half way to regard his comment. "Their parents were quite lax in how they raised their daughters, I admit. Lady Severne is not so... outspoken, as you so put it. I believe her sisters could all take a page from her book in how to conduct themselves properly. Unfortunately, prideful and willful, it would seem that many are not willing to accept their place." Was there anything wrong with that? Yes... based on how he was raised. Fact of the matter was, the Drake women were all proper though independent. They found ways to express themselves without forsaking convention.

"Have they?" he asked with a tight-lipped frown. "I shall be sure to speak with Lord Ashpool about that. Regardless of their sentiments towards Lady Evelyn, she is to be the Province Lord's wife and should therefore be given the proper respect. I'm certain I shall be able to illuminate the seriousness of this matter to him."

[Victor Castell]

This was definitely a man Victor could grow to respect. “They have been nothing short of disrespectful. My sister would not lie to me nor exaggerate, but the words did not have to come from her. My Aunt also attended tea with the Ashpool sisters and had nothing nice to say about the way they spoke to Evelyn. They made clear their thoughts on her wedding Jarvis. I can’t say I’m disappointed that half of them will soon have moved out of Vadra, but it’s a shame the younger two aren’t the ones to go. I have never seen such displays of unproper behavior as those two have shown.” Victor mentioned the fact that the tea had been poisoned, and the words Horatia had bluntly spoken to him. “If she were not Lord Ashpool’s sister, I should think to show her respect myself.”

He nodded at Drake’s suggestion, “You are a respected voice in Lord Ashpool’s ears, I should think. Your words will carry weight. I’d appreciate your aid in this matter.” He reached over to shake Gabriel’s hand again. “I am glad we have met Lord Drake. If there is anything I can do for you in return, don’t hesistate to ask.”

[Gabriel Drake]

He frowned. "I was never much acquainted with the younger two," he confessed. Aurelia had never really been compatible with his personality, Horatia just far too young and far too... off putting in a lot of ways. Smart she was, but perhaps too smart for her own good. "They have gotten away with too much, it would seem. Yes, I do think I'll be having a discussion in due time with Lord Ashpool to discuss the future of those two. I would hate for your lady sister to feel so unwelcome. Especially when the banners and the lord himself are more than happy to see this arrangement."

He smiled inwardly, but kept his face unreadable. "I will aid the best I can, my lord. And I appreciate that." He would definitely have to ask... Just not now. Now wasn't the right time.

[Victor Castell]

“Appreciated,” Victor smiled, lifting his glass slightly for the other Lord. It never hurt to make friends in the right places, and some men were indeed trustworthy. Whether Lord Drake would prove out to one of them or not only time would tell, but for now, Victor would keep him as a ally for now. “It was a pleasure meeting you, Lord Drake I do hope we can speak again soon, or perhaps go on a hunt.”

He reached out to shake the other man’s hand and then headed off into the crowd.