Dubhaine Family/Ciarghuala/Roleplays/1019/January

1st January

Summer Evening -- Poryatu

Alessio de Medici

True to her word, the Empress Andrea sailed to Shinnen aboard the Medici ship, His Imperial Majesty's Chimaera. It was a beautiful vessel, with intricately carved patterns, golden fixtures and most notably of all, a large chimaera bust at the front of it. She stepped aboard with a small unit of imperial guards, perhaps a dozen. She walked surrounded by them until a much familiar sight appeared, her dear friend Irina and her husband, Staedtler. Andrea was pushing what was almost like a wheelbarrow, inside a month old baby girl and a baby boy, perhaps a year or two. Of course, they were not touching the wood, rather it had a very comfortable and coushiny look to it all.

"It is wonderful to see you both again," she said. "Look at this wonderful contraption, it is a converted wheelbarrow. I feel as if the best of servants know my own needs better than me. How have you been, both of you? Nervous?" a smile came to her face, and she scratched at her neck. She was wearing her hair braided around her head with a small diadem sat upon it. For her outfit, a blue velvet houppelande lined with fur, flared sleeves, a collar and it was belted beneath the bust.

3rd January

Autumn Evening -- Poryatown

Luarin Bowker

Luarin was still recovering from the wounds of the last battle when she received the message that Irina was in labor. She bathed and changed into a comfortable dress, not knowing how long it would take. Irina was a strong but stubborn woman. Anything could happen.

"Prepare the blue room for Irina," she ordered the servants. Take hot water, lots of clean cloths and candles, lots of candles. Irina will be hungry so prepare a basket with fruit, bread and leave plenty of fresh water. Perhaps a bottle of wine too. I´ll need some."

Finishing to get ready, Luarin went to meet the couple and soon found himself in front of Empress Andrea.

"Greetings, Empress. It is good to be able to count on your help," she said bowing her head at the same time.

Turning to Irina, Luarin open her arms to hold the girl.

"My darling. It's time yet?"

Staedtler la Stylo

The clouds were breaking above Shinnen, and sunshine poured on through the cracks. The Euschean waves caught the light in blinding flashes, forcing Staedtler to look away and into his hands.

He turned back to garden, stunned by the burnt spots of colour on his eyes, and tried to find his wife's silhouette upon the palace grasses. Dazed and disorientated, he focussed his sight upon a figure approaching along the path. Jewelry and gems were shining up and down their form, as if a fragment of the sun-shot waters wrestled itself loose and came to torment the dazzled king further. However, the figure was also guiding a wheelbarrow before them, so liklihood was that they were closer to a gardener. A particuarly well-dressed, fashionable gardener with an imperial gait.

"It is wonderful to see you both again," she said. "Look at this wonderful contraption, it is a converted wheelbarrow. I feel as if the best of servants know my own needs better than me. How have you been, both of you? Nervous?"

"Empress Andrea," Staedtler blustered, forcing his senses back to him. "Oh my goodness, no. We were beginning to feel worried that you'd arrive in time - perhaps a little shaken, for sure - but nervous?"

Staedtler twisted on his heels towards the palace lawn. There, he saw Irina on a lounger, laid out beneath a standing parasol. She was carelessly fanning herself with a serving tray, like a hummingbird effortlessly blurring its wings. At her side stood a red-faced serving girl, clutching in her arms the fruit the tray had spilled and the paper fan it had replaced.

Staedtler returned to Andrea with a fearful smile.

"I think, out of the two of us, my wife is coping rather well. I, however, feel like i'm falling apart from the inside-out." Staedtler stepped aside and beckoned Andrea forth. "But come, let's reintroduce you two."

From behind Irina, Staedtler spotted Luarin, visibly giddy with excitement as she approached. The soon-to-be great-grandmother spied Andrea and her wheelbarrow first.

"Greetings, Empress. It is good to be able to count on your help," she said bowing her head at the same time.

Turning to Irina, Luarin open her arms to hold the girl.

"My darling. It's time yet?"

Irina shook herself lucid and dropped the tray onto the serving girl's foot. She strained herself forward and warmly embraced Luarin, mouthing an apology to the girl over her relative's shoulder.

"Heh, not likely," Irina shrugged with laughter, patting her belly with both hands. "We're all ready to go whenever he's ready, really, but I think he's gone and got himself scared."

Staedtler sat next to Irina's feet on the lounger, resting a hand on her hip. He saw that her face was drenched in sweat, and she was holding her bump as if it could escape and fly free at any moment Aside from that, she was a flawless portrayal of motherhood, and held not a fear in the world. That was his job.

"Have you eaten anything yet, love?" Staedtler asked.

"No. Don't intend to."

"Well, fair enough. Not like we're trying to bulk you up for winter."

Irina playfully knuckled Staedtler's hand. "Rude. No, i've got my reasons."

"Mhm. Which are?"

"Strictly feminine issues, love. Trust me."

"Of course." Staedtler mocked, throwing back his chin in theatre. "And as the very epitomy of masculinity, I couldn't possibly conprehend feminine matters, even if I tried."

"You sir," Irina said, locking eyes with her husband. "Are making quite the fool of yourself. Keep it up - it's why I married you in the first place." She faced Andrea and threw her arms wide. "And Empress Andrea, how could I possibly ignore you? Come here, give me a hug! Oh, you look so beautiful." She leaned herself forward to embrace her friend and first lady of the empire.