A Marriage Prospect, Tea Room, 5/5 [Fallon/Ara-Lynn, and anybody else within earshot]

[Ara-Lynn Mar-Stellar]

"There you are!" Leeya-Jean said, grabbing Ara-Lynn by the arm. By the Mother! Why did she have to see everything?! Ara-Lynn had left her table to attend the powder room, but some how, her mother had seen her and intercepted.

"Come with me," her mother said, pulling Ara-Lynn back into the main portion of the parlor, winding her way around the tables. Ara-Lynn smiled, even though she was annoyed to the bone at this. Damn, her mother was planning on introducing her to somebody who had a son to wed.

"Lady Severne," Leeya-Jean spoke as she approached the table. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Leeya-Jean Mar-Stellar, of House Mar-stellar," she said, curtseying to the younger lady. Ara-Lynn cringed. What was her mother thinking?! House Severne?! Damn it! Wasn't Kaedon a part of House Severne?! She'd never be able to marry into that house, knowing what she'd done!

"My dear lady, I hear your eldest brother is still unmarried? I'd like for you to meet my daughter, Ara-Lynn," Leeya-Jean said, practically throwing Ara-Lynn forward by the arm. Flushed red with embarrassment and shame, Ara-Lynn curtseyed politely, unable to lift her eyes to look at Kaedon's sister.

[Fallon Sterlyn]

Fallon, slightly surprised by this sudden attack, rose from her seated position at the table and curtsied in return, out of respect.

"Ah, Lady Leeya-Jean, it is lovely to meet you. And Ara-Lynn, hello," she said softly, assuming the role thrust upon her as hostess of her table. "Yes, my older brother Theodoric remains unmarried." Much thanks to my own efforts, Fallon thought to herself, visualizing the many eligible women she had sent packing in the past.

"Please, sit, join me in enjoying this fine tea. I can't say I've had the pleasure to talk much with either of you. Are you enjoying the weeks festivities, Ara-Lynn?" Fallon locked eyes upon the young woman, observing her. It wasn't difficult to make small talk for Fallon; she was adept at creating conversation out of thin air. It was clear what this woman's mother wanted, and so Fallon attempted to make it the least awkward as possible for all of them.

[Ara-Lynn Mar-Stellar]

"Why yes, thank you," Ara-Lynn meekly replied, feeling embarrassed beyond belief. Leeya-Jean immediately pulled an empty chair and sat down, pulling Ara-Lynn down with her, even though the chair was still pushed all the way to the table and poor Ara-Lynn had to pull it out before she could have possibly set her rear on it.

"Of course, it's lovely! Our king has spared no expense in this week of tournament and what not," Leeya-Jean started, her over-bearing nature quickly becoming obvious. It was nearly impossible for Ara-Lynn to get a word in edgewise, since she sat quietly, hands in her lap, and eyes slightly downcast.

"I'm so glad we came! It's been one of the best times I've had in years. You know, since the last time we were down, we were so busy with the wedding of our daughter, you know how weddings go! Gods! There's no time to even breathe!" Leeya-Jean continued, only stopping slightly so she could take a breath.

"So, tell me about House Severne. I don't believe I've had any pleasure to visit with any of Severne's family this week at all. It must get cold up there, so far north? And what of your brother? Can you tell Ara-Lynn a bit about him? He's such a nice-looking fellow," Leeya-Jean commented. By the Mother! Ara-Lynn was so embarrassed, still unable to even raise her eyes as her mother continued in her non-stop chattering.

[Fallon Sterlyn]

Fallon could only sit back and stare at this woman. Words were flying out of her mouth at an incredible rate; Fallon could do nothing but sit back and listen. She tried to absorb what Leeya-Jean was saying, but before Fallon could get a word in about one subject, the woman was on to another. When Leeya-Jean finally stopped talking, even Fallon felt exhausted.

"Well," Fallon finally said, pausing for a moment, trying to regain control of the conversation, "I have two older brothers, actually. Theodoric, and Kaedon. Kaedon is betrothed to marry Nazraiel Nemea, as I am sure you know. And Theodoric is married to governing Alska, and caring for our people. He is... a very wonderful man." Fallon wasn't sure what Leeya-Jean was looking for. It was like she was asking Fallon to marry Ara-Lynn.

Glancing at the young woman, Fallon reached across the table and lightly placed her hand over Ara-Lynn's, squeezing it momentarily before withdrawing. Maybe it would be easier dealing with the daughter, rather than the mother. Fallon smiled, hoping to coax Ara-Lynn out of her silence. "But please, Ara-Lynn, why don't you tell me about yourself. We haven't had the chance to get acquainted."

[Ara-Lynn Mar-Stellar]

"Thank yo--," Ara-Lynn started before she was immediately cut off by Leeya-Jean.

"Well, as you can see, my daughter is beautiful," the older woman said, pinching Ara-Lynn's cheek a bit too hard. Ara-Lynn's eyes reflected a look of fear, as if she were a damsel in distress and needed a savior to walk through the doors and whisk her away.

"And she doesn't talk much, which is what men like, you know, to be seen not heard. Of course, she's not dumb and will be glad to provide an opinion if ever asked, but rare is it that men ask for our opinions, isn't that right, Ara-Lynn?" Leeya-Jean asked, her tone almost threatening.

"Mothe--," poor Ara-Lynn started again, but was unable to get even the full word in before Leeya-Jean cut her off once more.

"She is the perfect hostess and loves to entertain!" Leeya-Jean continued. "And I see her sitting at your brother's side as a model wife. The girl doesn't mind lending a helping hand and you should see her at our festivals! She has no problems talking to any person that may arrive, and Ara-Lynn feeds the stray cats of the town," Leeya-Jean stated. Ara-Lynn's ice-blue eyes widened and looked over to her mother, knowing the last paragraph had been a blatant lie.

"Don't you think she's just lovely!?" Leeya-Jean went on her rampage again, speaking of Ara-Lynn as if she wasn't even there. "And you know, she has manners, doesn't speak out of turn, but can be an intelligent conversation piece if the need calls for it," the older woman continued. Ara-Lynn closed her eyes for a moment, issuing a silent prayer to the Mother to spare her any more of this embarrassment. When she opened them again, she gave Fallon a pitiful glance, as if to say 'please excuse my mother,' but no words actually left her mouth as Leeya-Jean continued about Ara-Lynn's perfection.

"I know she can keep a tidy household and she's a wonder with the servants. But doesn't she just look splendid? She'd make an absolutely lovely wife for your dear brother!" Ara-Lynn silently picked up her cup of tea and just stared into it as she sipped, heat of embarrassment rose to her cheeks.

[Fallon Sterlyn]

Fallon could do nothing to withstand this woman's rampage of words. She sat silently, her chin resting slightly upon one palm, a very unbecoming pose for a noble woman. The look on her face, which spoke of being enthralled by Leeya-Jean's tirade, was for all the wrong reasons; Fallon was now just trying to understand where, in the midst of her elongated speech, the woman was breathing. It had to be impossible.

When Leeya-Jean finally stopped, it took Fallon a moment to realize no one was speaking. "Oh. Yes. I'm sure she'd make a lovely wife. Indeed."

"But while I'd love to be an advocate for every eligible woman, Theodoric won't take a word of my advice," Fallon spritely lied through her teeth, the beaming smile gracing her lips a desperate plea to get out of this uncomfortable situation. "I say what I can but the man is so bull-headed! But please, you should go and talk to him - your words will do much more than mine!"

And with that, Fallon rose from the table. "I'm so sorry, ladies, but I really must use the powder room. But it was lovely to meet both of you, and Ara-Lynn, I hope we get the chance to chat like this more often." She gave the younger woman a wink in recognition of her joke, and with a slight curtsy, gracefully departed.

[Ara-Lynn Mar-Stellar]

Ara-Lynn smiled, finally Fallon had had enough of her mother's annoying flapping lips. She dipped her head as Fallon rose and left the table.

"By the Mother!" Leeya-Jean said, slapping her daughter's hand a bit rough. "Did you hear that?! We actually have a chance with the Lord Severne! I'll have to go chat with him so he can meet you and finally realize what a gem you are!" Lady Mar-Stellar continued. Ara-Lynn couldn't help but roll her eyes.

"I'm glad," Ara-Lynn replied to her mother, but of course, there was no excitement in her voice.