War for the Crown Gameplay Part 2

"Why would I concern myself with what others say when I am above them?" Bartelby asks with a return smile, starting the next dance. "This is my home, and they all exist on my lands at my pleasure, after all."

"Quite true," Sarina agrees. "And in your home, what pleases you is what matters. I'm happy my company pleases you, milord," Sarina says with a flirtatious smirk.

"As am I," Bartelby smirks back arrogantly. "So, on matters arcane, what schools of magic have you focused your studies on?"

"I've always found myself drawn to the school of enchantment," Sarina says. "Though, of course, I've made sure to keep a broad base of knowledge of as many of the other schools as I can too."

"Of course, enchantment, always a useful school for the sorts of situations a noble might find themselves in. Very practical," Bartelby nods thoughtfully. "My own skills are primarily in evocation and transmutation, to channel spells through my blade and empower my body further."

"Certainly makes sense, those are two of the most useful schools for a martially inclined mage," Sarina says. "Do you have a favorite spell in particular?

"Vampiric Touch is certainly one of my most powerful spells," Bartelby replies. "To both harm a foe and empower myself is particularly valuable. Of course, not every circumstance justifies its use."

"Mhm. Still, quite a useful ability to have," Sarina says. "Are there a few circumstances in which you do wish its use was more widely justifiable?" Sarina asks, with a subtle glance towards the latecomer to the party.

"No, though there are circumstances that I wish I had more... indirect forms of magic at my disposal," Bartelby replies with a small shake of his head.

"And what might you do, if you had those more indirect forms of magic?" Sarina asks.

"Encourage others to... behave more appropriately," the Count replies, glancing at both his aunt and cousin.

"Family can certainly be difficult to manage," Sarina agrees. "I certainly wouldn't be here if I was getting along swimmingly with mine."

"Oh, that is unfortunate. My uncle considers Senator Karthis an ally at court. What is your relationship to the Senator?" Count Lotheed inquires, tilting his head to the side.

"My great uncle," Sarina explains. "Really, it's more my father I found troublesome. I had greater aspirations than his plans for me,"

"Don't we all?" Bartelby replies with a low chuckle. "Fathers will always be disappointed, regardless of how talented one might be."

At the song's end, Bartelby releases Sarina and gives her a polite nod. "If you'll excuse me, Dame Karthis, there is something I must take care of," he says, before striding across the dance floor to where Duchess Lotheed and Corey are. "Mr. Crawford, excuse my aunt, she is aging and frail and must return to her chambers," he explains, his tone firm and cold. The two Lotheeds have a brief whispered exchange that ends with them glaring at one another, but Duchess Lotheed does follow the Count as he pulls her away and out of the ballroom.

Adelaide hums thoughtfully before going to join the others. ”Be careful around Duchess Lotheed if you can help it,” she mentions quietly. ”She’s extremely sharp and politically savvy. The rumor is that’s actually why her husband married her, he’s the true magical prodigy of the family. I’m trying to see what I can learn of her now, but she’s kept her information closely guarded.”

Corey shrugs. "Ah thought she was real nice," he says. "She seemed awful smart, but Ah don't think she means any harm. And she and the Count don't seem ta like each other much. Ah bet she'd make a strong ally."

”If we can ally with her, certainly, and I would like to have her as an ally,” Adelaide answers, considering. ”I don’t want to say she’s insincere, but simply to exercise caution around her. It’s difficult to be certain what her real goals are when one is so adept at maneuvering.”

With Bartleby occupied, Sarina continues to spend her time on the dance floor. Seeing Baron Okerra unoccupied, she makes her way over to introduce herself. "Dame Sarina Karthis, pleased to make your acquaintance." she says with a curtsy.

"Baron Nicolaus Okerra, and likewise," Okerra replies with a deep, respectful nod. "You're one of the Betony heirs, correct?"

"Yes, I am," Sarina says with a nod. "It was a long journey here, but we made it just in time to attend the Jubilee."

"I'm glad you could all make it. I've been very impressed by your companions thus far, you seem to be quite the talented group," Okerra replies, smiling.

"Thank you," Sarina says with a smile. "I hope I don't fail to impress you as well,"

"I doubt you will," Okerra laughs a little. "Would you care for a dance?" he asks, offering his hand.

"I would, thank you," Sarina says, taking Okerra's hand with a smile. As the two start to dance, Sarina asks. "May I ask how you've been since the Exaltation Gala? That event was quite the shock, I had never seen such a scene before," Sarina says with a bit of a shudder.