Helen's coming out party - Part 3/3

[Caprice <caprice@leading.net>]

Blondel bows deftly to Helen and takes a step or two towards Mintor instead,
nearly tripping on his own feet in the process when the herald  speaks.

Cristobal quietly finishes his drink, watching as the Atreides commotion slowly
dies down, taking note of the actions of the pages and servants more so then
those of the nobleborn.

"Ah," Praxton stage-whispers. "That's my cue. Your pardon, please." He takes
his leave to stand at the front of the head table, facing the crowd.

Helen halts gracefully, turning her attention to the herald.

Mintor cups Blondel's head drawing him close to the na-Duke's side and out of
traffic.

Thomas looks around the room

Iason smoothly turns to face the herald.

Boris gives the herald his attention, eyeing Alethia with a chuckle.

Alethia sits quietly in her seat adjusting the stays of her bodice, she deftly
refastens them, she attempts to look subdued, but fails utterly.

Nestor turns his attention to the herald, licking his lips slightly.

The Herald bows the gathered attention to the Duke and backs away into
obscurity.

Praxton clears his throat loudly. He smiles at the guests, clasping his hands
in front of him at chest level. "Milords and ladies", he says, in his
speaker's voice. "If I may have a moment, please?"

Steffan takes a puff of his cigar as he looks turns his attention to the herald.

Thomas fixes his attention of Praxton

Praxton says to the guests, "My House and I are right honored and greatly
pleased by your presence here this evening, on this most... special occasion,
my daughter Helen's societal debut. On behalf of myself, the Lady Alethia and
Lady Helen, and our staff and retainers, we thank you for your company and
friendship."

Praxton turns his head slightly, to gaze at Helen. A look of simple pride
suffuses his features. "I have no words to express the joy I take from my
daughter, and the pride that all parents know", he pauses, "or should." He
winks at his quip.

Boris applauds happily.

Mintor grins a bit.

Thomas Nods knowingly

Helen blushes prettily, and gives her father a warm smile.

Blondel looks up to the looming na-Duke for reassurance, while lifting his
small hands to make happy applause.

Iason quietly applauds.

The Duke sticks a hand theatrically into his pocket, "Seeing as how you've
doubled our House wealth with your gifts this evening..." A pause for effect.
"I'd thought I'd do my best to at least match your generous gifts."

Mintor turns his grin to Blondel and nods approvingly.

Boris says, "Match? You're not going to give us our names carved on a grain of
pundi rice, are you?"

Expectant silence replaces the crowd noise.

Thomas raises an eyebrow

Praxton holds in front of him a small velvet box, extended squarely towards
Helen. "For you, my darling daughter, on this most memorable day."

Mintor grins unabashedly at his brother and niece.

Helen approaches her father, taking the box with a small curtsey.

"Open it", Praxton prods gently.

Boris says, "Yes, open it!"

Silent tension now, palpable.

Alethia smiles watching the scene unfold from her seated position.

"That was your great-grandfather's wedding gift to your great-grandmother,"
Praxton says. "A peasant's gift, really, but lovely, I think.... a good match
for your eyes."

Helen laughs softly, opening the box... teasingly hiding it from anyone else's
sight before showing to the crowd her gift: a gorget of the fine black silk,
at the heart of it, an exquisitely carved coral.

Blondel mutters to Mintor, "... the... milord?"

Thomas says, "ah""

Mintor shakes his head to Blondel "No, little one. Not now."

Praxton stands there, smiling to his daughter. He takes her hands up in his and
kisses them both soundly.

Blondel nods solemnly, then breaks into a smile when his eyes turn back to the
young lady.

Praxton clears his throat anew. Slowly he says, "Well, seeing as we're all
here, and not quite drunk yet... and I do mean you, Boris!", he jokes, "I'll
throw another log in the fire."

Demosthenes walks in from West Wing through the Archway.

Demosthenes has arrived.

Helen smiles warmly at her father, then takes a step back to let her father
continue.

Demosthenes strides into the room, an arm draped over his shoulder. He bows to
everyone, and meanders over to meet the lady of the party.

Praxton turns his head to look at Alethia, inquiring with his glance.

You whisper, "I love you, father." to Praxton.

Alethia seems to have recovered well enough she stands slowly and makes her way
to Praxton's side she pauses long enough to give Helen a peck on the cheek.

When Alethia arrives at his side, Praxton works an arm behind her waist, and
holds her close. He turns to the gathering. "It is my great pleasure to
announce," Praxton nearly-shouts, "That the Lady Alethia and I are having a
baby."

Iohannes has left.

Thomas drops is jaw to his feet

Thomas then sucks it back up

Mintor's eyes pop wide, his grin wider.

Cristobal smiles, nodding his head, "Ahhh.. so I guess it's not fatal afterall."

Nestor rocks back slightly on his feet in uncharacteristic surprise as he hears
the news.

Blondel hoorays and starts a spontaneous little dance of joy.

Steffan whispers to Thomas.

Iason nods a little, breaking into applause.

Demosthenes's eyes widen, in surprise. And then he breaks out into a broad
grin. "Congratulations, my lord! Congratulations!"

Praxton turns his head to peck Alethia on the cheek.

Demosthenes applauds louder than everyone else.

Thomas says, "THRE CHEERS"

Helen is smiling, just this contented little smile, and applauds with the
others.

Boris bellows, "There's still ammunition in the Duke's artillery, eh? Eh?" He
laughs wildly. "Another Atreides in the galaxy, what a sad day for us all."

Mintor moves to the couple, beaming. He hugs Alethia and pounds his brother on
the back.

Alethia chuckles and looks up at Praxton with an openly adoring look, its one
of those rare occasions that there can be little doubt that this woman loves
this man. There is no politically aspirations here, it is simple devotion.

Nestor bows his head slightly to chuckle at his Baron's remark, then allows
himself a few claps along with the crowd.

Cheers erupt from the crowd.

Steffan smiles broadly and lifts his goblet slightly, "Contratulations my Lord,
m'Lady..."

Mintor picks up Blondel and spins him around in glee.

Blondel worms out of Mintor's grip to put the heart-shaped, blunt and
cushioned, arrow to his bow, aims closely and fires it in a cloud of golden
dust at Alethia. It wobbles through air and hits her gently on the shoulder.

Biting back what look to be tears, the Duke accepts the congratulations and
cheers, as animated and merry as would befit a much younger, much  more
carefree man.

Nestor mutters to Boris, "If I... the... guard... taking my..."

Thomas grabs a glass of champagne

Steffan whispers to Thomas.

Boris mutters to Nestor, "... his eye..."

Nestor bows once deeply to Boris and makes his way to the near-forefront of the
crowd and gives the Atreides entourage a collective bow before making his way
toward the exit.

Nestor walks to the north and passes through the Archway.

Nestor has left.

Mintor helps Helen tie the gorget around her neck. He gives her a hug and
whispers to her.

Mintor whispers, "Now you will get a chance to be a sister."

You whisper, "And I couldn't ask for a better present." to Mintor.

Alethia nods to Steffan and takes a deep breath stands very close to Praxton.

Handshakes and backthumping done with, the Duke motions for the orchestra to
continue.

The orchestra launches into a rowdy polka, contributing its part to the spirit
of celebration.

Blondel shyly approaches the mighty Duke and his lady Concubine. After licking
his lips he fumbles with the miniature baliset hanging on his back, swinging
it forth to pluck a short, merry tune on it as a salute for the couple. The
melody is, however, drowned by the orchestra.

Iason says something into his communicator.

Helen collects a glass from a passing servant, sipping at her wine delicately.

Thomas moves toward Lady Helen

Mintor has disconnected.

Demosthenes glances briefly at Thomas, and then turns back to the Lady Helen.
"Have you tried the canapes, my lady? Of course you have. A silly question."

Thomas smiles broadly "Congratulation my lady on your impending ...siblinghood.
It must truly be a happy night for you.

Iason turns to Helen. "Do you wish to redeem that offer for a dance, my Lady,
as soon as the music changes?"

Praxton nods briefly to Alethia and kisses her gently on the forehead. "Good
night, dearest. Rest well."

Demosthenes slowly turns to the man. "Yes," he proclaims, "Congratulations are
certainly in order. Have you tried the punch? It's made from an old recipe of
my grandmother's."

Helen smiles at Demosthenes, "Truth to tell, I have not hand the chance
tonight..." She nods warmly to Thomas, "Thank you," then smiles at Iason, "I
would be delighted to dance."

Cristobal stands to his feet, steching a bit.

Thomas takes a glass of punch, takes a sip and grins widely" This punch is
excellent.

Boris has reconnected.

Alethia kisses Praxton briefly and smiles, "Good night." She makes her way
through the Salon biding the guests good night, she comes to Iason and Helen,
"A moment if you please Ambassador?" She says to Iason

Boris has partially disconnected.

Iason nods once, as he bows to Alethia.

Demosthenes nods to Thomas. "I'm sorry," he says, "I don't believe we've met."
He extends his left hand, since a glass of wine is held in his right. "Sirra
Demosthenes Aleusis, presently Minister Without Portfolio. You are?"

Rinaldo walks in from West Wing through the Archway.

Rinaldo has arrived.

Thomas says, "My Lady, Have you been enjoying your evening thus far?"

Helen smiles warmly at Alethia, stepping aside for a private word with her
mother.

Boris polishes off another tankard and lets out an appreciative belch. "I'm
off, eh? Good evening, your Grace, my lady Helen, Earl Merx."

Iason bows deeply to Boris as he passes.

"Good eve, old friend," Praxton replies warmly. "And thanks for crashing the
party."

Boris smirks. "And all the little Atreides, of course."

Thomas says, "My apologies, Lady Helen have you enjoyed your evening thus far?"

Alethia puts her hand in Helen's, "I am so very proud of you tonight. Enjoy the
rest of your evening." She kisses Helen on the cheek.

Blondel performs a quick little jig in response to the great Baron's kind words.

Boris says, "My pleasure, old hawk!"

Helen curtsies to Boris as he leaves.

Boris walks to the north and passes through the Archway.

Boris has left.

Helen embraces her mother warmly. "Thank you, Mother."

Helen nods to Thomas, her attention, however, is on her mother.

Steffan puffs on his cigar and then remarks to Demosthenes,"ah...he is one of
our new diplomats, Thomas Steiner....he still needs a bit of training..."

You mutter to Alethia, "Now go lay down and rest. I am so happy for you and
father. And for myself."

Thomas bows to Lady Altheia "Good night Lady, Congratulations on your
pregnency. If there is ever anything I can be of assisstance with please just
ask.

Cristobal gets up from the table to find a drink and perhaps some company.

Thomas says, "Minister Demosthenes forgive my inattention, Allow me to
introduce my self, Thomas Steiner diplomat for House Ginaz, pleasure to meet
you."

Alethia puts Helen's hand in Iason, "Now Ambassador Merx, please escort my
daughter to the dance floor." She smiles.

Alethia nods to Thomas, "Thank you sir." She makes her way out of the Salon and
to the hall beyond.

Alethia walks to the north and passes through the Archway.

Alethia has left.

Iason dips once more into a bow at Alethia's retreating back, taking the Lady's
parting 'order' with aplomb.

Thomas says, "Minister Demosthenes, How ah, have you been enjoying the evening?"

Demosthenes nods to Thomas, "I'm excellent. Excellent." He shakes Thomas's hand
quite firmly. "Steiner, eh? The... Counts? of Tharkad?"

Rinaldo happens to be standing near the drink nearest the Corrino man. "And how
is your evening, m'Lord?" (corrected)

Blondel yawns big from all the attention. He walks, perhaps a bit stumblingly,
over towards lady Helen whom he's waiting on and looks up at her with big,
sleepy eyes.

Thomas says, "The same, you know of my family then. I am supprise tat the name
of a house minor has travled so far from Marcinko"

Thomas winks and laughs

Demosthenes nods in reply. "Oh yes," he says earnestly, "I've heard quite a lot
about the Steiners. A good old family."

Helen moves with Iason onto the dance floor as a waltz starts up.

Iason takes Helen's other hand, sweeping her into the music with a graceful,
easy motion.

Cristobal takes a drink, looking down his nose to Rinaldo, "Uhm.. Excuse me?"

Thomas takes another sip of his punch "This really is good, you must give me
the recipe.

Demosthenes smiles a little, setting down his glass and putting his hands
behind his back. "Sadly, it's a family secret. Passed down from generation to
generation."

Helen smiles at Iason, gliding into the measures of the dance, her skirts
swirling gracefully about her.

Thomas says, "Then the generations have been exceedingly lucky. It is truly
devi"

Rinaldo chooses to take the man's hautiness for lack of hearing, and repeats
himself, slightly louder, "How is your evening, good sir?"

Thomas says, "divine"

Thomas looks at Rinaldo

Iason guides Helen around the floor, his posture perfect as he dances with
Helen. His feet are sure in their steps, his grace complimenting Helen's own.

Steffan has disconnected.

Demosthenes nods sagely, "I fear, the only way to obtain the recipe is to swear
yourself into the House of Atreides..." He glances over to Rinaldo as well,
"What? What's that you say? Speak up, man! I'm a bit deaf in my right ear,
ever since that night the Ginaz embassy was bombed!"

Cristobal smiles, not used to being addressed so casually, taking cue from the
diplomat he raises his voice to a louder level as well, "OH! I'M GREAT! YOU
SHOULD TRY THESE CAKE THINGS." He holds out a plate with a small pastry upon
it, "WONDERFUL!"

Thomas looks back at Demosthenes, "This is certainly an intersting party. I
should think that it would by a long time before it's like is  repeated

Thomas nods in apreciation for the recognition

Demosthenes chuckles in reply, "Well, you obviously haven't been to the
Harkonnen bash." There's a polite, if drawn-out pause. "

Blondel moves backwards and clutches the Baliset in his arms to shield him from
angry voices.

Thomas says, "ha, indeed"

Demosthenes says, "Interesting people, the Harkonnens. Throw the  most...
interesting parties."

Thomas says, "I'll bet"

Rinaldo takes one of the cakes after a slight hesitation, artfully conceiling a
wince at the complete ass of a Corrino before him by the age-old ruse of
coughing heavily into his hand.

Helen's moves are the epitome of grace, gliding about the dance floor with
Iason. Her every step, every gesture, given over to the music, to the
elegance of the waltz.

Demosthenes nods, glancing out across the floor at Iason Merx. He leans over to
Thomas, replying with a slightly more audible stage-whisper: "Did you know
the Earl of Pantoxa was granted a pair of highly-talented slave-girls by the
Harkonnens?"

Cristobal nods his head, enthusiastically, "YES!", he takes a bite of one
himself, "FABULOUS!"

Rinaldo glances at Demo, and bows his greeting to that man as well. Raising his
voice incrimentally, and slipping a bit further to the man's left, he says,
"Ah, what a shame.... The ear I mean..." What he does not say seems  to
conveigh more than what he actually speaks....

Thomas inclines his head to Demosthenes "I wasn't e of that at all. What did he
'do' with them

Iason dedicates himself completely to the art that is being crafted, elegant
movements and careful steps shaping the dance. He moves in step with Helen,
almost as if by telepathy, twirling her across the dance floor.

Thomas entranced by the dance

Demosthenes smiles to Thomas. He whispers something to the man.

Thomas finishes his punch,"I'll just have to do that

Thomas says, "If you will excuse me Minister I m afraid that I have pressing
business at the embassy."

Demosthenes beams at Thomas, "I'm sure. Of course."

Helen's floor length skirts swirl about her in a rustle of silk as she moves
with the music, their movements perfectly matched, as if of one mind, down to
the last moment of the dance which brings them back to the exact same place
which they began the dance, in the exact same positions.

Blondel swivels his head in search for some secure corner to slink away into.
He hops over to the vicinity of the tall Duke, but doesn't dare coming too
close.

Rinaldo walks to the north and passes through the Archway.

Rinaldo has left.

Thomas moves over to Praxton, "My lord Duke the Paarty was a smashing success,
my congratulations on the party, your spledid news, and the qulity of your
retainers. It has been a wonderfull evening

Praxton thanks Thomas. He says, "I'll pass your regards onward, sir. Thank you
for attending."

Iason takes a step or two back to offer a VERY deep bow to Helen.

Helen returns Iason's bow with a deep curtsey, her eyes sparkling.

Praxton moves over to take Helen's hand as she and

Thomas moves to Lady Helen "Congratulations again my Laady, you were completely
charming, I hope we shall see each other again very soon

Iason raises a brow as he glances up at Helen again, from his bow. "You dance
well, my Lady, yet it is late."

Cristobal walks to the north and passes through the Archway.

Cristobal has left.

Helen nods to Thomas, "Thank you, sir."

Thomas walks to the north and passes through the Archway.

Thomas has left.

Helen smiles at Iason, "Indeed, it is..." She lets Iason lead her off of the
floor, to her father.

Praxton moves over to take Helen's hand as she and Iason return to the party.
"My Lords and ladies, I wish to thank you yet again for coming this evening.
And while many a party has gone on till dawn, it grows late, and we should
retiring."

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