A Breeze on the Water

[Regulus Grey]

"A woman who words quite fail to be able to describe."

Gently resting one hand on hers, he smiles.

"I don't like seeing my friends upset Ms Melody. As such I will try to help them where I can."

He winks at her, one eye flashing amber.

[Christine Daye]

A nod, for what else more is there to say? He cannot solve her problems for her, alas. Nor can he take her madness, if she could ever even bear to be parted from it. For without it, where was her music?

She smiles again, a bit stronger this time.

"...you should read more poetry, Mr Raven, if you fail to find the words to describe your Lady... let the great romantics of the age grant you the facility with words you need..."

Another thought strikes.

"...do you come to the Quintessence for the Valentine's party? ... and if so... will you read poetry in your Lady's honour?"

[Regulus Grey]

"I fear poetry was always sadly lacking on my reading lists. Rather too many scientific texts and not enough culture. You may be right...perhaps the words of a poet can bring across some semblance of Lady Esme's grace and beauty."

He pauses, humming for a moment.

"I do indeed intend to attend Valmont's party, I have no doubt the Toreodor shall not welcome me...but then I have never cared for them. Reading poetry in Lady Esme's honour...there is a thought I have not had. Perhaps I shall Ms Melody...perhaps I shall."

He scratches his chin, then meets her eyes.

"Will you be gracing our ears with your music and voice Ms Melody? Your performance is always one of the things I look forward to most in any gathering of our kind."

[Christine Daye]

"You are very kind... but I am not intending on performing as such... though I will read a pair of my own compositions in verse... and oh! I am so nervous about that, I must confess! My words have been... very private... 'til recently... "

She chews on her lower lip with nerves.

"...it is easier... when one is just a channel for another's genius... I fear my paltry efforts will be found wanting... but well and so... we shall see..."

Another smile at his humming. She seems to be relaxing a little.

"...me being me... I am sure that I will sing at some point... but if I do not... I give you my permission to request a song of me... if you so desire..."

[Regulus Grey]

Regulus raises an eyebrow

"I shall look forward greatly to hearing your own pieces Ms Melody. I am sure they shall be truly inspiring. For after channeling others work, you no doubt have a great amount of experience of tone and emphasis to draw on."

He inclines his head deeply, lips almost but not quite brushing her hand.

"Why thank you, I shall consider that one of the two highlights of my night Ms Melody."

He hums the first few lines to 'The Kingsword', glancing up at the star speckled night sky.

[Christine Daye]

"...hmmm... if you will study the poets... for words of love... then you must, must must read Bryon...

"She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that’s best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes;
Thus mellowed to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies....

"...and Shakespearean sonnets... and Shelley... oh... and I know he is not so fashionable... But Mr Edgar Allen Poe... he has a darkness that speaks to me...

" Ah, broken is the golden bowl! the spirit flown forever!
Let the bell toll!- a saintly soul floats on the Stygian river;
And, Guy de Vere, hast thou no tear?- weep now or nevermore!
See! on yon drear and rigid bier low lies thy love, Lenore!
Come! let the burial rite be read- the funeral song be sung!-
An anthem for the queenliest dead that ever died so young-
A dirge for her the doubly dead in that she died so young...."

She pauses for a moment.

"...ah... perhaps not... for words of love... still... there are many great minds from whom to learn... who have felt most keenly... the agony and the ecstasy of love... how will my words compare...?"

A shrug.

"...it matters not..."

She stiffens as his lips draw close to her green gloved hand, as if to draw it away, but when he doesn't connect, she carries on as if nothing has happened.

"...one of the two highlights? What is the other? Or do you intend to campaign for King...?"

She smiles, teasing gently.

[Regulus Grey]

A chuckle escapes him

“Beautiful words Ms Melody. Byron you say? I shall have to ensure I buy in the appropriate books. Hmm, I’ll have to send Edmund out shopping during the day.”

Tilting his head back, Regulus takes in the broadness of the night sky, his eyes flashing amber.

“Ha, I have no paticuler intention to participate in such a rigged game. I would be willing to bet that it shall be Audley and Beuclair. No doubt already decided in the Toreodor’s halls.”

Lowering his head, Regulus looks over to Christine again.

“The other highlight will be, I hope, the return of Lady Esme to Bath. I have not seen her for days, which is far too long a time in my own mind.”

He pauses

“Do you intend to participate in the game of King and Queen?”

[Christine Daye]

"...or Miss Audley and Mr Verity... though wouldn't it be amusing if it were others... who would cause the most upset, do you think? hmmm... Lady Leverson.... and Mr Jackdaw...? Mr Dukes... and... oh, practically anyone... or perhaps we should have Maestra as King... and a male as Queen...? How transgressive!"

She giggles.

"Will I play? Will I spend my evening in false flattery and politics for the sake of a crown of foil and sequins? Will I bow and scrape and provide boons, simply for a fleeting moment of ironic adoration?"

She shrugs.

"I really have no idea...

"...you speak most highly of Lady Esme... but yet cannot describe her... my dear Mr Raven, that simply will not do! Tell me about her... or tell me other news of you... of the outside world... for I have been lingering long over the writings of madmen..."

[Regulus Grey]

“I confess I would be most amused if Elder Jackdaw and Lady Leverson were made King and Queen, the looks on rheir faces would be a joy to watch.”

He chuckles

“It doesn’t sound very appealing when put like that. Which is also why I intend not to play their games. I imagine Audley will throw a temper tantrum if she is not selected, so that should be fun to watch.”

Regulus gently squeezes Christine’s hand.

“Lady Esme...she is incredibly intelligent. A veritable goldmine of knowledge reaching back far into the past..she is as beautiful as the stars at night. She is cunning...kind...inventive and very witty. She has been very good to me.”

He grins, shrugging slightly.

“If I could show you how I see her in my mind, perhaps I could give you an understanding, but words are inadequate to the task.”

“Ahh, I fear I am not the one to ask for news of the outside world...at least in the present. I have spent much of my time locked inside with my books or with Lady Esme. Did the Neonates meet again? I fear if they did I decided no invitation.”

[Christine Daye]

"...ah... but then... the adulation of one's peers... the acknowledgement of the elders.... such things are the currency of our kind, are they not...? And for some a false, temporary crown... well... a sign of things to come... this game is a testing place... a sandbox for the skills that the young must learn if they are to prosper...?"

Another giggle.

"...perhaps I shall find myself smitten with desire for a tinfoil crown after all... would you help me win it?"

She flutters her eyelashes at him, not serious in the slightest.

"...or will you play politics and woo our Prince... flatter her for her position... in the hopes of advancement?"

Then, in all seriousness.

"...your Lady Esme sounds quite the paragon. I am happy for you.

"...and no, the neonates have not met again... we have been terribly insular, I fear... perhaps after the party I shall host a soirée... or perhaps I shall be too busy... Maybe Mrs Jackdaw will host again... though after her Christmas party..."

She pulls a face.