Reminiscing with Good Company

[Triston deGrey]

The day had been a somber one, as expected.  There was the long and drawn out funeral service.  The family lineup where everyone gave their condolences to their queen, her boys and Aric.  The procession.  The burial.  The mercy meal banquet.  Finally, as the room began to clear up of all the council members, the extended relatives, the children and various others, the room grew quiet and more peaceful.  

Triston looked around the room.  Despite this evening being the end of a long and depressive day, he felt happy to see his entire family.  His brothers, his cousins.  They were all in the same room, and he wished he could freeze this moment in time.  He was sitting by himself currently, just watching everyone as they talked to one another.  

The banquet hall was dimly lit, and the ambient sound of music had dissipated as the musicians left, leaving the room with an eerie silence behind all the quiet chatter.  He wondered if everyone would slowly make their way out, or if they'd be interested in hanging out for a bit to at least have something good of this day unfold.  Family and Friend time.  

He grinned slightly, took a deep breath, and began to sing a quiet melody, perhaps in hope of gaining everyone's attention so they'd gather around in the small area where he was at with the couches and chairs.  Oftentimes, at least he and his brothers would do this together.  Sit and talk, sing and laugh together.  He had hopes that they could all come together tonight.  

[Helene Hewitt]

Helene didn't know what to make of today. Her king had passed, and she felt for her queen. She too was a widow. Knew the loss of a husband, however, she doubted her and her queen shared the same feelings over their losses. She knew all too well about a husband dying of poison, however to everyone but herself it looked like Stephen had died over an illness he just couldn't recover from, and to everyone else, it seemed like Helene had been devastated. On the contrary, she didn't lose a wink of sleep over Stephen Hewitt being gone.

She had attended like many of the other nobles. Showing their support. She'd gone with her father and sister. David Roquefort insisting that they show up as a united font to lend their support to their grieving queen. Helene had hated every second of it, but given they were in public her father behaved. She was able to distract him as well in requesting that Marinette come home to him. With the loss of King Edward, Helene had put on the front that it just reminded her of losing Stephen all over again and that Marinette was still needed.

Her plan worked, for now. During the party her father had been his "charming" self, praising his daughters. She had caught wind of him mentioning that Helene would need to marry again soon if she wished to keep her lands, and it put her in a sour mood for the rest of the party, though she kept it to herself. Their father had left partway through the party to deal with some business and had bid his daughter's farewell, in which Helene was happy about, and she could actually enjoy the festivities. So much so, she had decided to stay until the very end. She was glad she had done so, as the voice that began to sing definitely caught her attention. It was a pleasant, beautiful voice even if she didn't know the man who it belonged too. He at least was nice to listen to, and she found herself walking closer.

The mood of the banquet hall with everyone leaving gave her a cozy feeling despite the fact they were all there to grieve their lost king. She supposed it was best to find joy even in the dark of times, and the man singing must have had similar thoughts. She leaned a hip against the back of a couch, crossing her arms over her chest and hummed softly along with him. Off to the side, and just quietly enjoying his song.

[Wesley deGrey]

Edward was a bastard.

Wait, he didn't say that out loud, did he? Wesley looked down into the contents of his glass to realize the whiskey was gone and was already seeking out another bottle to top himself off. Truth be told, he had loved his cousin. He loved all of his family dearly, but there was also a reason why the second youngest deGrey brother had quickly decided to pursue a career on the seas, with trade, with the endless possibility for adventure. It helped him avoid the times he couldn't handle drama that had been their dearly departed king.

Still, one would have to be blind to know how he had been, especially how he had treated his own wife. Those bright eyes flickered towards Eleesa in silent question, wondering if she was truly aching over Edward's death, or it was a front put up in front of company. The woman was always usually quiet, so he could not judge.

As many guests began to leave the banquet and he had a newly poured glass of that delicious amber liquid, his older brother's voice started to break through the hushed voices and dim them to further silence. He was grinning wide from behind the cup's rim as he took a sip, wandering his way over to sit next to Triston on the armrest of his chair. After another moment, he quietly joined in, "And all I've done...for want of wit..."

[Eleesa Demarais]

Today had been one of the hardest days she had ever had to endure. She was fortunate to have her ladies with her, as well as Cassandra and Alexandria beside her when they were able. Without them, she may have completely crumbled. It was not the overbearing loss of her husband that made her this devastated- no, it was the very fact that she wasn't mourning him. Or, perhaps, she was simply mourning the man he had once been all those years ago, for the first year of their marriage. But, in truth, Edward had been a bastard, and sometimes his widow wanted to scream it to the world.

After ensuring her boys had been tucked into bed, Eleesa was curious enough to wander back towards the banquet hall after many of the guests had departed. She let out a heavy sigh of relief, thankful they had gone. Thankful she didn't have to deal with any more pity or sympathy from people who most likely really didn't care. The queen wasn't sure she could handle it. She had to move on.

As she quietly slipped back in, gaze searching those still here for either Avalynn or Anemone, Eleesa paused in soft awe when everything seemed to go quiet, and Triston quietly sang. It was almost impossible to hear from all the way across the room, even when Wesley joined in. So, she moved across the floor gracefully, finding a spot near the adjacent wall to lean against...and simply listened.

[Aric Demarais]

It had been an emotionally confusing day, that was certain. In all honesty, Aric was just glad that it was over with. There was much more to worry about in the upcoming days, but for now, perhaps they could enjoy the rest of the night without having to wear a mask for the populace. Maybe they could take the next hour or so to simple breathe.

He felt, even more than usual, that he was grateful Alexandria had accompanied him all the way to Tresteria. The prince was quite aware of how hard it was for various reasons, but she also realized just how hard all of this was for him as well. It was horribly conflicting, and Aric knew that Eleesa's train of thought ran parallel with his own. Maybe, in the end, they simply mourned the man he had once been...before it all went downhill. That was the man Aric had loved.

Currently seated on one of the couches, with drink in hand and his wife next to him, he finally breathed out a sigh of relief as the room emptied, seemingly leaving his family and just a few people who were intrigued enough to stay. His head was resting back against the couch, eyes focused upon the intricately painted ceiling of the banquet room...when the sound of Triston beside him made him look over, watching as Wesley joined in.

A low chuckle, he was reaching for Alexandria's hand, smiling at her as if urging her to join in. Maybe she didn't know this one...but he certainly did, and was only a little slow to add his voice to his cousin's.

[Anemone Sellar]

The queen may not have spotted Anemone, but Anemone had been watching the door since the moment that she had left it with her sons. She had followed directions to remain in the hall while the queen put her children to bed, but every moment she wasn't tending the queen was a moment that Anemone spent thinking about her own problem.

She couldn't help it--she started turning it over and over in her mind. When would people begin to notice? Had anyone else seen the signs she had? What would become of her, an unwed young woman carrying the bastard of a dead king? Should she tell someone? Or bear the burden alone? Should she simply run away, to spare the queen the betrayal and grief? She clutched her cup of tea more tightly and pressed her lips into a thin line, trying to redirect herself to happier thoughts.

Thankfully, a male voice rose up just then, not too far away, and broke her from her reverie. Ah, leave it to the DeGrey brothers to bring levity to a long day. She smiled gently as she listened. She waited until after Westley joined the song to add her own mezzo-soprano voice to the mix, and moved towards the queen as she sang.

"So fill to me the parting glass..."

By the end of the line, she had come to stand beside Eleesa, and smiled at her as she sang.

[Marinette Roquefort]

Marinette had lingered on the edges of the gathering all day, following behind her sister and father like a silent shadow. She knew little of the king save his reputation for being a charming scoundrel--much like her father--so her mourning had been purely a formality. Still, her constant expression of distress at least allowed her to blend with the crowd for once. Just being in the same room as her father all day had been enough to ramp up her tensions to levels strong enough to leave her hands trembling whenever he looked her way.

Thankfully he had vanished, and a glass of red wine was slowly taking the edge off her anxiety. Even so, when her sister moved closer to the singing man, she hurried after her, unwilling to be left alone in the room of near-strangers, even if it meant that she had to approach the more intimate gathering in that portion of the room. She felt a bit as though they were intruding, but from the smiles on the faces of the men singing, she guessed that they did not mind the attention. She too recognized the song, and she swayed gently in time to the melody, though she didn't dare to sing along. No, her singing voice was best reserved for moments where she couldn't deafen anyone whose opinion she valued.

[Avalynn O'Shea]

What a depressing day. Avalynn was never fond of any type of funeral (who would be?), but a funeral for a king--lasted the entirety of the day. She was exhausted and felt she had all this pent up energy that she needed to let out. A day spent in mourning and sorrow (though she couldn't stand the king), not with how he treated her queen, and the other ladies around in court.

She had remained quiet the entire day, only speaking when she was needed to, or if someone asked her something. And with someone as talkative as Avalynn. She was simply dying on the inside.

The room was filtering out and Avalynn found herself chatting away with anyone who was willing to allow her to talk their ear off. But then they left her and she was alone again, in the quietness of the room. Until the handsome older deGrey brother began to sing. She smirked and made her way over towards the others as they gathered around together, and she stood beside her queen, offering her a warm smile. "Your majesty? How are you holding up? Can I get you anything?"

[Helene Hewitt]

Helene glanced over at her sister once she stood beside her, and reached out, wrapping an arm around her waist and rested her head against hers. Giving her a comforting squeeze before she looked at her and grinned. More people had begun to join in, and Helene's eyes went to the man that sat next to the first one singing. She could hear a woman begin to join as well.

She reached over and took Marinette's wine glass from her, taking a gulp of it for some liquid courage and handed it back to her sister. "To hell with it." She whispered under breath, throwing a coy smile at Marinette.

She wasn't one that liked to sing to an audience, but since there were others she supposed this was fine. "Goodnight and joy be to you all" She added in her voice and began to sway with Marinette. "So fill to me the parting glass! And drink a health whate'er befalls.." A smile broke out on Helene's face as her voice joined in with the chorus of others. It was a bittersweet moment, but from the look of those gathering they needed it. She couldn't think of a better way to end a funeral and party than a good song.

[William deGrey]

It was late, and of course, his daughter had refused to go to bed. Not while all her uncles were here and the rest of her family. Olivia had played with the young princes most of the day, attempting to cheer them up, but currently had her head on William's shoulder as he held her, completely passed out. The ambassador held the girl in his arms, walking slowly and swaying ever so gently near his brothers while he hummed along. His late wife had had the lovelier voice...Will didn't want to chance waking Olivia up with his own.

A wide smile spread across his face though, watching as Wesley then Aric joined in. He also heard some of the women accompanying them as well, spying Lady Hewitt swaying along with her sister from the corner of his eye. Soon, his daughter's governess was tiptoeing closer so that he could hand Olivia off to her. William mouthed a thank you to the woman before seeking out a drink.

[Alexandria Eveleigh- Demarais]

Alexandria was exhausted, but she would remain by her husband's side until he'd grow tired of her. There was no doubt that Aric's wife loved him, or that she was unhappy from their arranged marriage. It had been an interesting day, and she had not said much because it was not her home. It was not her family. She never had good experiences with the Tresterian king. But the Araloran queen had remained polite and pleasant, speaking to those who introduced themselves to her or spoke with her. For the most part, she had stayed beside Aric, consoling him when he needed it, and holding his hand for most of the day, it seemed.

And now, Aric was reaching for her hand again, as they sat there on the couch together and Triston began to sing. Her lips pulled into a small grin as she looked at her husband with a knowing look. Yes, Aric was good with his serenading skills. He had done so several times to her, and now she was beginning to realize where that was coming from. Was his whole family a group of singers? She did not know this song, however, so it was hard for her to join in when Aric silently urged her to. But she wore a grin, perhaps let out a soft laugh. She would wait a moment, listening to the tune of the song before she would at least hum along.

She squeezed Aric's hand before grasping it in both of her hands and she rested her head on his shoulder, her bright sapphire-colored eyes dancing around the room glancing at everyone present.

[Lucian deGrey]

Lucian was the quiet type, but the honorable type too. He was a knight in the Tresterian army and youngest brother of the deGreys. When was the last time they had all gathered like this? And how unfortunate that it had to be because of a funeral.

The room was emptying out and when Lucian thought the night was over and everyone would begin to retire, he heard his brother, Triston, begin to sing, and everyone sort of gravitated towards him. Typical. He grinned and laughed before he, too, gravitated towards his brother and stood beside Anemone, nodding to her in a silent greeting. Arms folded over his chest as he stood, glancing around at the others before he, too, began to sing along with them in the song.

[Triston deGrey]

Triston grinned as everyone in the room joined him in the seating area of the room. It was cozy. The fire was crackling in the fireplace and the company was even warmer. Especially as everyone began to sing along with him. He laughed slightly through his sung out words, but he continued on, glancing over at Aric and his new wife. He remembered Aric was always quite a decent singer and was happy to see him join in. Last he had seen Aric, he was a miserable grump, and rightfully so. The poor man had lost both his wife and newborn daughter in the same day. He could not believe that Edward had actually forced him into an arranged marriage with the Araloran queen. But, it seemed to have worked out in Aric's favor. It was nice to see him happy, despite their day being about Edward's death, he could sense it. The way the woman looked at him. The way he looked at her.

His eyes wandered over to Eleesa then. She was beautiful as ever, despite the sadness in her eyes. And he felt horrible for what she was going through--what she had gone through, and he only wished that things had worked out between them. When he found out about Edward's abuse and infidelity, he grew angry and bitter towards the king. But still, he was loyal to his country. And Eleesa probably felt nothing for him anyway.

His eyes lingered on her for a moment too long as he continued singing the song, but he was quick to divert them when his other brothers joined in. Wesley was horrible, and ruining things, so he gently shoved him off the arm of his chair, laughing through his sung out words again. He never faltered in his singing, though.

When the song ended, Triston couldn't wipe the grin from his lips as he glanced around the others who had come to join him. "I figured we could all use a little lightness after today, no? Anyone else have another song?" He laughed, hoping they'd all stick around and enjoy the evening together.

[Wesley deGrey]

More and more voices seemed to be joining in, people drifting closer towards his older brother. Oh, it was typical, wasn't it? Triston was a fairly modest man...but he had to know he was like the damn flame to all the moths. How was that even fair?

It certainly wasn't a deGrey trait, or if it was, it was a trait that he hadn't inherited. Apparently.

Somehow, in the midst of the song, half the whiskey had disappeared from his glass. It hadn't been very clear to Wesley, of course, but Triston was noticing how it was impeding on his impeccable singing voice (ahem) and his older brother was shoving him right off the arm of that chair. "Oi!" he exclaimed in a panic. Fortunately, he wasn't impaired enough to miss planting his feet on the ground in order to keep himself upright; laughing as he spotted Lucian near Eleesa and those very pretty girls of hers. In fact, there were even more that had wandered closer; one of them openly singing along to this beautiful but sad tune.

Well, hello. Brazenly winking at Helene and her sister, he drifted a couple of steps towards his brother, looping an arm across his shoulders as the song ended. "How about a song, Luci? Hmm?" He really wasn't that far along in drink. In all honesty, he was just happy to be among family even during such a dark time. "How about one that's not so...depressing?" he spoke up, announcing to the rest of the room.

Before anyone could suggest it or think better of it and simply walk away, he started to belt out the next song. One that was much more suited for his seafaring shanty voice, "'O come tell me Luc deGrey, tell me why you hurry so? Hush ma bouchal, hush and listen. And his cheeks were all aglow." This was, lovingly, belted in his brother's ear; the name in the song changed to Lucian's which had a goofy grin painting itself across Wes' face.

Swiftly taking another sip of his drink, he began to drift away, stomping his foot to create a beat since they didn't have any musicians. Alright, so maybe he had a bit more to drink than he thought, but it wasn't as though he wasn't this outgoing and brazen to begin with. "I bear orders from the Capt'n, get you ready quick and soon. For the pikes must be together by the rising of the moon!" Someone either had to join in or stop him...

[Eleesa Demarais]

Perhaps this was what she needed, what they all needed. Would it be wrong to try and smile, even a little bit? Would it be frowned upon if she tried to enjoy herself now that Edward was officially gone and buried? All she wanted to do was move on from this nightmare, but knew that, as his widow, she couldn't simply do it...even if she was ready to. Their marriage hadn't truly been one, but such was the burden to being the wife of a king, she assumed.

Hearing that sweet, lilting voice nearby, Eleesa turned her head to see Anemone stepping up beside her. She immediately smiled warmly, taking the girl's hand as she sung along with the deGreys. Soon enough, a few more voices filtered in but Eleesa remained quiet in her spot against the wall.

At Avalynn's question, her eyes narrowed just a little in that secretive way, as if she wanted to smile more but couldn't. "I'm doing better than I look, I assure you..." Her ladies would at least understand that. For most grieving widows, it would have been the complete opposite, but here was Eleesa, having to pretend she was in more pain than she truly was. It was a different kind of pain, for things other than the man's passing.

It would seem, though, that their queen hadn't heard Avalynn's second question because she was suddenly distracted by something. In fact, it was a pair of brown eyes that caught her attention, stilling her heart and thoughts immediately. The moment may have only lingered for a few seconds, but time had temporarily slowed for her. And in that brief time, her mind was sent back to the past, to how she had once thought there was something between her and Triston. How she had wondered and hoped he would ask her father for her hand. Instead, Eleesa was wed to Edward, and she wasn't allowed to think of Lord deGrey in that way again. She wasn't allowed much after that, while her husband indulged himself in whatever he wished.

That was so long ago. Perhaps she had been too young and naive, and misunderstood Triston's intentions. Regardless, she found a corner of her mouth begin to curl up into just a hint of a smile. Barely there but genuine before she realized what was happening.

Her other hand reached to gently brush against Ava's shoulder like she was a lifeline she needed, suddenly realizing she hadn't acknowledged her completely, "Wine would be lovely, thank you." Blue eyes blinked and looked between both young women. "And please, make sure you help yourselves."