The Grand Update-February
Doron and Marielena-The Long Distance dance begins
Seven Kingdoms
The imperial family returns home. He goes about his business taking care of his kingdoms but he finds that his thoughts return back to Valhalla and a certain person. He has wonderful memories but also conflicting feelings about the courtship, especially the fact that he may harm Marielena by separating her from her close family. He is please that all of the parents get along- Galina and Robert liked him well enough and of course they got on with his mother, who knew them from the past. How would she fair having to live out in his kingdom, having to adopt his people as her own? In the past, she returned home when her deeds were done. She demurred when he tried to assuage her by telling her of the sorts of duties she could undertake as the Empress. She did not merely have to produce heirs and look pretty. He really did see her as an asset to his cabinet. An ambassador or advisor at least. He saw her as being as his mother was to his father.
The Emperor took to his bed in the mid of the day and asked for any matters to be delivered to his chambers but that he would not attend the court. He climbed into bed and put the covers over his head. He reminisced. He recalled the last time he took to his room. It has snowed and he thought of her and how he wished she was there next to him. The wish was granted not too long ago as Valhalla was greated with a healthy snowfall.
His brother Chris visited him and teased him greatly for being lovesick. His sister Sora visited and brought words of comfort. She echoed Chris' observation that it seemed that the court was pushing Mirabelle to press her suit since he did enjoy her company. His mother visited last and as usual, her counsel was sound. She also said that she knew that he would never make a reckless decision that would jeopardize himself or his people.
Quesnel
Marielena was saddened by the departure of the Emperor but she glowed with her memories. She had been flirted with in the past but this is a different experience for her. As she went on with her work, she thought of him and began writing letters. Pasha teased her by saying that she has now turned into their sister Eugenie. He expected that now they would hear of nothing but her "Dorosha."
Caledonia
Mary is still under house arrest by Richmond as is her Cousine Jane. She was able to get a note out of her prison to her mother who resides in but she sits in a state of not knowing if she is successful.
Hampden
Edward continues to write to Jane but is unaware of the situation. He has received no response from her and he grows anxious as each moment passes that he hears nothing from her.
Galina as Old Mother Hubbard
Quesnel
Marielena writes to Doron again.
Galina confides her concerns over her children to Marielena's father, Robert., Lord Wentworth.
She is concerned that Pasha is seeking companionship because he does not want to leave her alone. While she is happy that Marielena is happy with her blooming relationship, she is concerned that it will not go anywhere mostly because it cannot given the different lives that Marielena and the Emperor lead. She always misses her son Foma who now calls himself Thomas and seems to reject his mother's side of the family. She has not heard anything about him lately but what she had heard was not pleasing to her. She feels that his father has not guided him as he should have and that any word from her will cause another fight. Tatiana seems to be doing well with her studies and her friendship with the Emperor's younger brother who is also an astronomer. She senses though that Tatiana and Gallio, the youngest feel conflicted in their relationship with their parents. Gallio is Gallio. He is the younger version of his uncle Vladimir with girls to and fro and quite the little rake. Eugenie is a large worry because of the rift she opened up with her father. She is pushing ahead with her Infare though she is not ready and is insisting on excluding her father from everything. She is also causing the family to take sides. Galina wants to end the strife but is not sure how to do it. Robert just listened and assured her that she would find the best course of action.
Tara
Beathan visits Isabella Donaugh and tells her about the plans for their life together while they view the latest comet to enter the orbit. He tells her that he has purchased a flat in Alexandria. It is near the area where the astronomers all go out to view the stars. He described the school that she could go to there for astronomy. She asks if they would be able to return to Tara to visit the family and the Druids. He assures her that they would. The next day, Beathan arrives at the Donaugh home. He is recieved by the parents and he asks for Isabella's hand. Her father is not pleased. He knows of the Westons and of the Pepperells and he does not want the association. Beathan points out that as scandalous as members of his family may seem, the Lordship need only to recall his own son Edward and her Ladyship's family and remember that those in glass houses should not throw stones. The Pepperell bluntness only incensed him and Lady Emily intervened as peacemaker.
Isabella listened in the other room in silence. She was summoned by her mother who put the question to her. Isabella stated that at Beathan's side was where she wanted to be. Lord Donaugh stated that if she went through with it, they could expect no help from him. They stated that they understood. He would not host the Infare, which shocked Emily and Isabella but a little. Both said they understood. Lady Emily asked for sometime alone with Lord Donaugh. Beathan took his leave and said that he would return the next day for the answer. Isabella went upstairs.
Once alone, Lady Emily recalled to him the story of her own elder sister who knew her mind and chose someone that their father did not approve of because he saw the gentleman as a social climber. He was proven wrong by the fact that Caroline and the gentleman to this moment remain happily together and are not living in misery but living quite well. One son is a member of the Council along with the father. If anything, as young Weston-Pepperell gently pointed out, they should have been pleased that the man she freely calls "brother" did not leave after the awful scandal that took place with their younger sister.
Emily spoke to Lord Donaugh for a long time. He finally relented, claiming that he adored Isabella and wanted the best for her, especially since she was very shy and quiet. Lord Donaugh himself delivered the good news to Isabella who waited in an anxious silence. She knew that it was her mother that they had to reach and once she was an ally, then she would manage their father because he at least acknowledged that when it came to the children, especially the girls, she was his superior in this area. She was pleased that it all worked.
Beathan could not wait and came later that night. Isabella told him the news. She told him that her father would allow them to have the Infare there.
Beathan returned the next day and was received by Isabella's parents. The other siblings crowded around the door to listen since the news had gotten to them. Lord Donaugh gave his blessing and reminded Beathan of the treasure that he was receiving. The Infare is to be small as they desired it and take place in one Sennight also as they desired it. Beathan was now expected to take dinner with them regularly. After spending the day with the Donaughs. Beathan went home and wrote to his family. His brother Quillan returned home from his sojourn in Viviana's village and upon hearing the news, congratulated his brother. He also began to imagine the adventures the three of them would have together after they were settled in Alexandria.
Quesnel
Charles Robertson stopped by and caught Robert and Galina in an almost intimate moment. He accused Galina of being a bad mother and being responsible for turning his children against him, especially Eugenie. Robert leapt to her defense and to his daughter's defense since Charles attacked her character also. Galina sent Robert out to meet Marielena. Galina then set him Charles straight on the role he played in the awful relations that he had with his own children. She conceded that Eugenie was moving too fast with her Infare and was doing it to spite her father. She said that she would speak to her about it. She also told him to stop pressuring the other children. She also counseled him to look at their son Thomas with open eyes and begin with sorting him out first. She also reminded him of his own youth and what he did that angered his father and how he mended the relationship by learning maturity. While there was a little back and forth, Charles conceded to Galina's position and left to pay call to his aunt.
Eugenie returned home and Galina took her aside. She saw that Eugenie was upset. Eugenie told her that Julian had spoken to her earlier. They had a fight. He wanted to wait. He wanted her to mend the relationship with her father. He also felt that she was rushing into this. Galina listened to all of it, then told her that she agreed much to Eugenie's dismay. They went back and forth but she at least got her to see that waiting a bit might be better.
Pasha came home not long after his sister. Galina related everything to him. She also told him that he must let her sort out their father and the other children. She wanted him to build his own family. She hinted at grandchildren. Pasha assured his mother that he would not worry about her and the others so much.
Seven Kingdoms
More of The Emperor's siblings come to visit-Shasta, Alan and Tycho. All three now know of their brother's new adventure and are quick to advise him. Shasta recommends that he send Marielena a beautiful necklace in the style the West Kingdom. Shasta is one of the The Emperor's favorite little sisters. She is full of energy and seees things quite clearly. Their mother contemplates having the younger siblings remove to the Seven Kingdoms on a more permanent basis.
More family drama with the Gurdinan clan
Quesnel
Charles Robertson came back to spend time with his children. He has tea with Pasha, Tatiana and Gallio. They have a nice conversation, the children just catching him up on their lives. Pasha tells about an interesting case that he has and Charles tries to remain interested in what Tatiana discovered this week while stargazing. Eugenie enters the room obviously upset. She accused her father of getting to Julian and convincing him to delay the Infare. Claire Carteret, her grandmother, got involved. She admonished Eugenie for the terrible things she said to Charles. Eugenie tried to protest but Pasha and Marielena stepped in. Marielena walked her away and tried to calm her. Charles went after Galina again for her "bad job of parenting." Claire stepped in and went after Charles, reminding him that it was Galina, her daughter that forgave him his errors and that worked hard to foster a relationship between he and his children and that but for the fact that she loved her daughter he would not be in the house. Charles became angrier and Pasha tried to calm the situation which almost got physical between Charles and Dmitri, who really never liked him. Vasily, Claire's husband stepped forward and put a stop to it all. He sent Gallio and Tatiana to their rooms. He advised Pasha to take Charles out for a walk as Pasha has recommended.
Nothing to tell, though it seems that there could be more stories with more arcs and actions. Perhaps it could be that we spend different weeks with different families or locales. I am really liking the Beathan and Isabella thing, which, due to the Hanover connections, can incorporate the gang in Edenton and the gang in Balmorwyn. Not to mention, the connections to Vivianna's people and the ladies from Greenwalls.
So, that it how we are going to proceed for a bit, by focusing on specific stories and locales biweekly.
posted by Augusta @ 9:57 PM
0 comments
