You Can't Stay Quiet Can You? 4/23 :: Cadwallader, OPEN

[Cadwallader Prothero]

The first place almost anyone ever looked for Cadwallader Prothero was in the library. It seemed to be his beacon. It was oddly the place he felt most familiar in. He didn't know how many nights he had always stayed up reading until his candle had run out. He couldn't even count how many times he had fallen asleep on his desk and managed to get ink stains on his face and hands. He was dedicated enough to become a doctor but with his betrothal he had to learn how to be a lord. Well a lord consort. He wouldn't actually be ruling- his soon to be wife would do that.

Cadwallader was aware that his marriage would renew the ties between the Morgandy's and the Protheros but he didn't actually think he'd wed this soon. Yet arriving in the capital meant spending more time with his betrothed but he also had time to himself. That was why he sought out the library. Cadwallader loved nothing more than a good book and grasping one that was on the top shelf- one on medicines in Ahestere he managed to knock over a few more on the shelf, recoiling when they fell upon the floor. “Can't you be anymore graceful Cad?” He mumbled to himself as he bent down to pick them up. Who knew who he had disturbed in here. He hoped he hadn't bothered anyone but with a noise that loud someone was bound to notice.

[Solange Harcourt]

Solange had found herself enjoying the Capital, as it was an opportunity to spend time with both her husband where they fell in love, and also visit her family. Still, even Solange needed some alone time. The libraries at Castle Licorn were extensive, she knew that, and so given her first free moment, had stolen away to the browse the selection. She had finished all the books she had brought while they were out to sea. She had always been a fast reader, and being stuck on a boat meant plenty of time to read.

Solange had been there for a while, completely engrossed in a stack of books, flipping through each one to figure out what one she wanted to fully read. They were just too many, and it was hard to decide. Of course they would be visiting the Capital for a decent amount of time, but the pile she had would be impossible to finish in the amount of time. She had to narrow it down by a few or possibly a lot.

A noise startled her, and she looked up to see an unfamiliar man knocking books over. Solange recognized him as being from Lacharn, but that was the extent of her knowledge regarding the figure. Getting up, Solange walked over to the pile of the books on the ground, almost wincing to see them like that. “Do you need some help?” She asked him, sounding polite and friendly.

[Cadwallader Prothero]

Cadwallader almost jumped. He had expected to be alone in here, well close enough to alone. The library in Castle Licorn was probably the biggest in all of the kingdom. It was probably even bigger than the one in Llywarch but he liked reading and if he could steal away a few precious moments to himself he knew he'd enjoy it. Yet the voice startled him and he jumped. “I uh..certainly. I hope I didn't disturb you.” He indicated to the pile of books he had knocked over. “I was reaching for something too high it seems even for me. Perhaps I can get these back on the shelf before anyone notices the damages I have done.” He gave the woman a slight smile. He wasn't sure where she was from exactly.

[Solange Harcourt]

Solange winced when she saw Cadwallader jump, she didn’t like scaring people. “No, you didn’t, do not worry,” she responded immediately, eager to let him know that he was fine and not to worry. She was not the type to get uptight about accidents, unlike most of her Fleurant family members. Without waiting for a motion from him, she bent over and began to help collect the books.

“Fortunately for you, I don’t think there is anyone else around,” Solange replied to him as she finished scooping up the last book. Once they were done, she straightened. “I’m Solange Fleurant, by the way. And you are?”

[Cadwallader Prothero]

It wasn't that he was startled...well he had been. Cadwallader hadn't been expecting anyone else in the library. He was too engrossed in books to actually realized he may have needed to socialize with people. He had always been a awkward boy. He was the youngest out of his siblings and really had never had too hard of expectations put on him. “That is good. The last thing I need is to actually ruin precious tomes in a place that isn't even my home.” He was started to get a little more relaxed now and finally as they managed to get the books back he still felt the sting of embarrassment. “Solange Fleurant? Yes from Ahestere?”

He studied a little of the families in all the provinces. He didn't know all the banners but the Fleurants were hard to miss. They stood out from the dark haired Ahesteri like a sore thumb. They had the blood of the original people from there. “I'm Cadwallader Prothero, but I think I'd be more inclinded to introduce myself as Cadwallader the uncoordinated.” He answered sheepishly. “I do thank you. Although I may ask...were you in here for a bit of light reading too?” Truly he was just avoiding his betrothed....and everyone else. Cad just didn't want to admit that.

[Solange Harcourt]

Cadwallader seemed utterly adorable, and Solange couldn’t help, but show some of her amusement on her features. She found him cute, though it was more in a motherly way than actively wanting to seduce him. Which, she definitely didn’t. When he recognized her from hailing from Ahestere, she nodded, and then caught herself. It was very rare for Solange to not her introduce herself as a Harcourt, and for a brief moment she felt ashamed and guilty. “Though, I am married now, so my name is actually Solange Harcourt. I… am shocked I just did that,” Solange added, hoping to make light of her own blunder to make him feel better.

It was nice to meet a Prothero, a family, which Solange did not have too much experience with. She would have loved to talk to Lady Rhiannon Prothero, though she was not going to bring up the province lover to Cadwallader. It seemed rude, and perhaps scheming. “I’m sure you are not always uncoordinated, and it’s a pleasure to meet you. Yes, I was in fact here for some reading… I am an avid reader myself. Were you looking for something in particular?”

[Cadwallader Prothero]

He was always strange with women. Cadwallader was used to his sisters and nieces and the like, cousins too but around strange women, they were his doom. He didn't like to think he'd become a bumbling idiot around them but he did. He always was. He smiled at her however. “Oh it is quite alright. It is perhaps just a habit isn't it? I know when I marry it will be hard to introduce myself as Cadwallader Morgandy.” He answered in turn. “We always remember our birth ties no matter how long we have had one name or another.” Old habits were hard to break after all.

Finishing picking up the books he felt a little relieved. “Well its a bad habit. I always seem to lose myself around pretty women.” Oh gods, now she was going to think he was flirting with her! He turned red just then. “I'm sorry I am just..still startled. And oh I love to read as well! I was studying medicine actually...before I was betrothed. I enjoy reading on primal methods of medicine or even those of other provinces. It is interesting to see other practices for the different provinces. What do you like reading? For some reason I don't take you as the type of woman that enjoys the tales of knights and romances like my nieces do.”

[Solange Harcourt]

It was an interesting revelation to Solange that Cadwallader would be marrying into a family from Lacharn. She knew they were like that, but had never had had much experience with Lacharn, never visiting and rarely having spoken to anyone. She wondered what it felt like for him… To be surrounded by provinces where men would never take someone else’s name. He probably thought their ways were odd, as they did his. Still, she had the way some of the men had spoken about Rhiannon and Balthasar Prothero… Acting as if they were a joke. “You are right, we do always remember our birth ties…” Solange would always be there for House Fleurant if necessary.

Solange merely smiled at his words, never missing a beat or seemed flustered. Cadwallader was adorable, but she looked at him like more a son, and she was certainly not going to leave Alexander. Though he didn’t seem to be flirting with her, given how red his face turned after speaking. “Do not worry,” Solange said, hoping to help set him at ease.

“What do I like to read?” Solange repeated the question, considering. “I will read almost anything… I like to read non-fiction, though I do enjoy a good story from time to time. I am often gifted books by my family, and I will always read them, even if their tastes are not always so… in sync.”

[Cadwallader Prothero]

He was relieved Solange was understanding. Already he could feel himself relaxing- a good sign. “Well it is a part of who we are isn't it? I will always be a Prothero as you will always be a Fleurant. I suppose the only difference is that perhaps I am in your place while most men wouldn't normally be.” He was not sure about other provinces and their views on marriage and inheritance. His province had always seemed the wiser of it in his opinion.

“You still are a beautiful woman. I always seem to make a fool of myself around women. I'm not much better with my betrothed either. I think she already may think me some fool.” He added shyly. “Books are some of the greatest treasures. It has been so long since I have read a story. Perhaps I should again it seems I am always knee deep in books. Do you have any children Lady Solange?” She looked old enough to have them. “I think that is what I fear most about marriage...children and perhaps that they won't like to read as much as I.”