#G1: Maximian

[incarnalsims]

In the current stillness of the castle- aside from the occasional baby crying and person stirring- Officer Maximian does his best not to contribute to such interruptions.

Stationed vaguely outside of Lord Falkon's room, he lets his guard go just as vaguely slack, knowing the only opponent he'd have to face at the current junction is… an undergrown nobleman.

Certainly a departure.

He's still prepared as ever to react when there's a sudden noise from across the hall, taking a few assured steps forward, hand naturally coming to rest on his sword's hilt.

And, just as quickly, he finds a young woman at the end of his gaze.

Red hair loose upon her shoulders, face clear of paints or powders, gown exchanged for something far less delicate, and a thick knit vest concealing the upper half of that substitution.

The officer straightens his posture. "Princess- er, Your Royal Highness…" He glances to the doors around him, before returning his attention to the princess, lowering his volume so hopefully only she can hear it. "If you intend to sneak out, I'm afraid I can't let you do that…"

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[incarnalsims]

Meanwhile… Despite the discomfort of being shadowed by the officer paces behind, walking around the perimeter of the castle is less suffocating than Falkon thought it would be. At least the princess- well, Sighni, he needs to get more used to calling her that- seems as uncomfortable as he is.

They're more than a few minutes in when Sighni finally breaks their mutual silence. "Do you like my hair like this?"

He looks to that style, made extremely distracting by the color alone. He's not sure what he thinks of it, but responds anyways. "Yeah, it looks nice."

"Hm," she notes, starting to yank at the flowers in it. "I don't. It hurts."

Falkon can just about feel himself blink, forced by his brow. "Oh. Well, I mean, I didn't-"

"They made me dress like this when we stopped in the city," she continues, as if he didn't even speak. "When it makes nothing different. And hurts."

Falkon is still uncertain, and lets himself say the first thing that comes to mind. "Your Greek is really good." He nearly mutters the next half. "It makes me feel like I wasted my time with Danish..."

She does notice that. "Oh. Thank you." She pauses. "But I like that you… try? It's nice to hear my language as the first words here. So… tak." A glance in his direction. "That's 'thank you' again."

"I know that," Falkon says, maybe slightly irritated. "Det var så lidt. I was taught that one."

She doesn't even seem to attempt to hide her sudden, slight smile. "Your pronouncing is bad again."

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[incarnalsims]

Sighni's gaze lingers in his direction. "Is it… soon? Yes, I think so." She pauses. "I'm sorry, I don't understand what you're saying."

"It's just-" Falkon shrugs, mostly to himself. "I thought you'd want more time to 'settle in.' I can't even promise that Eirene won't be busy tomorrow…"

"Settle…" Sighni quietly repeats, quickly deciding to respond only to the part that makes any sense to her. "I won't like if your cousin is busy, but it can't be such a big problem. We can go to a different place."

"Right…" Falkon isn't even certain why he's so hesitant now. "...tomorrow it is, then."

Sighni offers a nod. "Thank you."

He's still not entirely sure what part she's thanking him for, but he politely nods in return.

As the silence between the two returns once again, within only a minute or two the officer trailing the pair finally speaks himself.

"Not to intrude, milord," Maximian begins. "But, if it'd suit you and Her Royal Highness, I think returning inside soon ought to be considered."

It can't POSSIBLY have been that long already, Falkon thinks, though Sighni beats him to the reply.

"Thank you-" she almost hushes the next word, unsure if it's quite right, "-officer, I think that would be best…"

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[incarnalsims]

Sighni stays tense, visibly flustered as she reaches for a response. "I- n-no, not 'sneak', I-" Her eyes dart from door to stairway to door. "You… You haven't seen any of the staff from Denmark, yes?"

Maximian raises an eyebrow. "I believe your guards are still here, but otherwise, no, I can't say I have." He pauses in an attempt to read her. "...It is awfully early for anyone to be around."

"I know," Sighni responds, beginning to compose herself. "That's why… I… Ah, early…"

Maximian stays quiet as Sighni attempts to complete her thought, stammering through a few attempts before she looks to the ground, sighs, and simply asserts, "They will NOT dress my hair again."

Not his place to judge the quirks of a noble, Maximian supposes. And, truly, it's not his fault if the princess' choice goes over poorly. He shrugs. "Very well. Though I'd still appreciate knowing your, ah, plan here. Because if something were to happen to you under my watch…"

Sighni nods, for longer than a simple acknowledgement should take. "I know. I was only going to… sit. And meet everyone as they wake…"

Maximian avoids another shrug with a nod of his own. "So be it."

A strange glint of realization on the princess' face. "And now YOU can tell the staff that I am not going to sit for them."

His brow furrows. "I can certainly try, but I don't speak-"

"Thank you," Sighni interrupts, briskly walking past Maximian to rhythmically pad down the stairs.

The officer simply drops his grip from his sword's hilt, and returns to his "patrol," having contended with enough strange young men and women to know when an issue isn't worth arguing…

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[incarnalsims]

Meanwhile… If Falkon knew that his tutor had finally arrived at the castle, he might not persist in feeling this nervous. Imperative word being might- he's still fairly certain nothing could make him more confident in the current happenings.

Especially considering that he can still practically feel Officer Maximian breathing down his neck, even from his long-maintained distance.

The persisting lull in conversation with Sighni isn't exactly helping, either; he tries not to glance at her too often, but each time he looks over, there's not much to glean. She did say that she just didn't want to sit any longer- he supposes there's times he wants to stretch his legs without any conversation. And, knowing that, maybe it was a mistake for him to even insist on coming along in the first place.

He takes a deep breath, as unobtrusive as possible, composing his thoughts. "While we're, uh, getting used to- all this, I realize that I might overstep in trying to help out. So, if you'd ever prefer to be left alone, I'm perfectly content with respecting that," Falkon starts. "Just ask."

He catches Sighni's brow furrow, giving way to a shrug as she responds. "I know. Asking to be alone is not so strange for me- people respecting it is different."

Falkon swallows. "I take it you're fine with me being here now, then? Since you haven't asked…"

"Yes," Sighni answers, not missing a beat. "I'm fine with it."

Despite her straightforwardness, he can't help but suspect it's a lie. Though, if she's no stranger to asking…

He only grants her a bit more distance, which seems to go unnoticed.

"But…" Sighni suddenly continues, forcing Falkon back to attention, "...only, while we're talking about asking for things, I do want to see more of this place." She bites her lip. "I want to know it, I think? If that…"

Falkon doesn't mean to interrupt her, but can't help but do so for his own sake. "You… want someone to show you around?"

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[incarnalsims]

"R… right," Falkon says, unsure of how to respond, beyond retracting his hand and nervously glancing behind him. He decides to step up the stairs. "Uh, this is…"

"Your family?" Sighni interrupts, completing his thought for him. She turns to his parents, offering a slight curtsy, but still looking to the floor. "Duke Basilios Iagaris, Duchess Procopia Iagarina. Nice to meet you. And thank you for…" She pauses, seems to lose her prepared edge, completes the thought with a few hasty nods. "...tjah, thank you."

Her gown bunches beneath her anxiously clenched hands as she offers a nod of greeting towards Maria and officer Maximian. "Hello to you, as well."

Procopia returns the greeting, with a more natural smile than she'd expected. "It's an honor to be able to welcome you to our home."

"And our family," Basilios adds warmly.

As Sighni nods, Maria steps forward. "I'm Maria Iagarina, wife of Falkon's older brother. So, your future sister-in-law, and-" There's an anxious exhilaration as she actually says it out loud, "-one day, God willing, your future duchess."

Falkon interrupts before the introduction can fully conclude. "He's inside the castle- my older brother, I mean. Officer Maximian over there is just our chaperone..." He passes a glare the officer's way, before continuing. "We should all head inside, there's food set up and everything."

Sighni's still twisting the fabric of her dress as she appears to think his statements over. "Oh, okay." She pauses, brow furrowing as she whispers to Falkon. "'Chaperone?' I… I don't know what that is..."

Swiftly realizing he doesn't exactly know the Danish word for 'chaperone', Falkon shakes his head with an unintended grimace. "He's like, uh… going to follow us? For… God reasons."

Sighni's expression doesn't shift, especially as Falkon starts stammering. Luckily, Maria just as quickly reclaims the conversation with a smile, glancing at the just-as-unsure duke and duchess. "Falkon's right, you should come in and meet his siblings. We've all got plenty of time to adjust to… everything else."

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[incarnalsims]

Later… Having to rely on a series of older maps, it had been decided that the Danish party would commute directly to a small city within the duchy before being guided to the castle after the small detour.

Given that the servants and other staff sent to prepare the princess for her wedding could not (or were not of status to) be temporarily housed in the nobility's own servants' quarters, they'd require accommodations in the city anyhow. Meaning that the princess would be arriving with just enough staff to get her acclimated to the castle, and no more.

"Motheeeer-"

"Just hold still for a moment, I don't even know how you managed to mess your hair up this quickly…"

Falkon doesn't dare actually push his mother's hand away, but he does self-consciously offer his own adjustments to the locks she displaced.

Basilios softly diverts his wife's attention. "It's alright, it's alright." He runs his hand across his own fading head with a smile. "Hair's hardly a selling point for long."

Procopia's hand is playfully harsh as she returns the contact, though Basilios can tell that the emotion's already catching up to her. To him, too.

Maria stands back, if not made to feel slightly awkward with her position mirroring officer Maximian's, but it's not as if she can conjure any advice at the moment. A desire to have stayed behind, perhaps, but that's hardly of use. She folds her hands, and waits with the others.

The creaking of the carriage forces all eyes forward.

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[incarnalsims]

The duke and duchess step outside soon enough, hiding their shared worry with pleasantries towards their daughter-in-law and the officer already waiting there.

"Did Loukas already tell you he's staying inside?"

"He did," Basilios replies.

"As is Ariadne," adds Procopia, less than enthused. "But I hardly find it worth the effort to argue today."

Maria nods, though her mind is already racing. So it'll just be her, the duke and duchess, her brother-in-law, and an officer. An eclectic welcoming party if ever she's heard of one. She forces a smile, tries not to sound too sarcastic. "Well, let's hope it doesn't make the welcome any less warm, right?"

Luckily, she doesn't need to wait for an answer as Falkon arrives, looking tired but not entirely downtrodden as he comes through the door.

However, it takes him a few moments to fully absorb what company he's been left with, and with more than a passing glimmer of confusion, his eyes come to rest on Officer Maximian.

His eyes widen. "What is he doing here?"

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[incarnalsims]

Stepping outside, Maria takes a moment to enjoy the quiet and the breeze. Granted, she's had no shortage of enjoying such scenery lately, but it doesn't detract from the moment.

Catching her attention is the sudden arrival of an officer- vaguely familiar, especially as she quickly struggles for a name.

Might as well risk embarrassment. She offers a smile. "Greetings, Officer… Maximian?"

A slight smile marks his harsh face as he offers a bow. "Blessed be, milady. I apologize if my punctuality leaves something to be desired. Though I'm, frankly, honored just to be known by you, even if my current impression isn't ideal..."

Maria laughs, mostly an exhale. "Considering we're the only two out here so far, I'd say there's no issue to be had. Not to mention, having seen you so often at the stables, I already know your work ethic is sound," she begins, before swiftly pivoting. "I presume you're to be the… chaperone?"

Officer Maximian nods. "Bodyguard, chaperone, whatever is asked of me, I suppose." He pauses. "Which is to say, yes, I'm the chaperone."

"Oh, what an ordeal that will be," Maria responds jokingly. "l bet you're dreading it."

"If I may speak out of line?" Maximian asks, receiving a nod of approval in response. "Ushering around two eighteen year olds sounds like a special kind of hell to me."

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[incarnalsims]

"Ughhhh…"

Officer Maximian leans over the boy. "You're lucky you've got a pass, or else you'd be hurting far worse for a performance like this."

Falkon squints against the sun as he tries to parse what the officer just said, expecting more of a scolding. "H… huh?"

"Hello, cousin," Eirene leans over to greet him. "Glad I'm not interrupting anything."

Falkon rushes to rise at her presence, though he's quickly reminded of the soreness he laid down to take solace from. "What the- why are you here?"

"You said your training was through by roughly this time. And, last I checked, you were put under my tutelage, ergo… Let us depart."

Hoping his eagerness to get away from Loukas' guidance wasn't a lapse in judgment, Falkon sighs and nods. "Very well, but I'd like to be permitted a moment of rest first…"

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[incarnalsims]

Alexis grins. "Ah, see, feeling like yourself already."

Stergios smiles too, looking somewhat relieved, though his expression shifts as Alexis continues to run his mouth, dramatically draping his arms around his friend. "Woe is Falkon, to be blessed with a beautiful foreign princess-” he mockingly raises his voice, turning it high and pitchy, “-THROWING herself at him…"

Falkon and Stergios both jump to react, a mixed cacophony of "Hey!" and "Shut it!" which only prompts Alexis to laugh and keep going.

"Eh, no, you're right, you're right." He lets a moment's silence pass. "She could be ugly!"

The two boys let Alexis revel in his own joke long enough to calm himself, before Stergios speaks up. "I bet you wouldn't be too thrilled to be stuck without a choice."

Alexis shrugs. "I'll give you that one. My parents say I'm free to act as I please, provided I never bring home a bastard."

"And thoroughly repent for even thinking about that," Falkon replies, finding himself almost legitimately appalled by the thought.

"Fine, that too."

"As if you've got girls throwing themselves at you? Malaka," Stergios scoffs, prompting a laugh from Falkon. Even Alexis finds the insult amusing, and lets himself follow suit, until all three are interrupted by a sudden, gruff bark.

"Hey, you three."

The boys look to the voice, seeing Officer Maximian. Falkon knows that he's only two years older than Loukas, but the harsh edge that battle has given the promoted soldier is more than enough to reinforce Falkon’s wariness of the entire pursuit.

Maximian gestures towards the boys, giving him little opportunity to dwell on the thought. "No more slacking. Get sparring."

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[incarnalsims]

"Good day to you as well, milord," Maximian replies.

Basilios takes the lead. "As per the request of the Danish court, officer Maximian here has volunteered to take on the role of chaperone until you and your betrothed are wed."

The officer nods respectfully, though Falkon protests. "Absolutely not. I finally don't have to train under this…" He accidentally makes eye contact, and his voice wavers, "...officer anymore, and now I'm stuck with him eavesdropping on me? And for what, so I don't 'try anything' with the girl they want me to marry?"

"Falkon," Procopia scolds.

"If I may," Maximian interjects, "I have no intention of eavesdropping, and I would have taken on this responsibility for any member of the court, not just my former pupils. Nor have I ever meant to embarrass you, Lord Falkon; I simply enforced your obligations."

Even as Falkon scowls, Maria quickly moves to respond. "No hard feelings then, right? So we can all just…" The company is still odd. "...Move on, and try to get along."

It's Basilios who picks up the cue with a smile. "Sounds like a plan to me."

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