Pushy Parents and Playing Pretend

[Teagan Bruce]

This was a nightmare. 

Her parents had thrown a dinner party, then somehow managed to leave her alone in the dining room with the man they wanted her to talk to. Everyone else had been shooed out into another room for drinks and cards. They'd made it clear, in no uncertain terms, that if she wanted to continue having her freedom to roam the island as she pleased while the queen was away, then she'd better play nice. And play nice she would, if only to shut them up. There were more important things to do, in her mind, if they wanted to get the orchard properly up and running. But of course, nobody wanted to listen to a young noble woman about matters of business. She almost wished that Aralore had a bit more of a social scene to distract her from the mismanagement that was going on under her brother's hand. At least then she'd be able to better ignore it. 

But that wasn't the concern tonight. No, tonight's agenda was, at the very least, to make friends with Pearce Lockheed. She knew her mother was angling for a marriage arrangement, but she'd have to make a good impression on him before something like that could even be broached. So she'd worn a deep, wine colored dress, pinned her curls back with little pearl ornaments, and set out to be charming. She thought dinner had gone alright, although she hadn't had much chance to speak to Pearce directly. He seemed a little shy, actually, which reminded her of her dear sweet Claire. That was good--maybe she'd be able to start out on a positive note if she focused on that connection.

She approached the bay window where he'd been left waiting with an apologetic smile. Servants were in and out--likely for the sake of not leaving the two 'alone' in technicality--to clear the table, but otherwise the dining room was quiet. 

"You'll have to forgive my parents, they think they're being clever," she began, leaning against the outer edge of the window so she could turn to look at him. "Although, I doubt they're the first ones to try and make a connection." She didn't quite laugh, but the sound crept along the edges of her voice. "I hope you enjoyed dinner, at least. They'd been arguing about whether to serve duck or fish for a week."

[Pearce Lockheed]

Dinner parties were rather usual fair in Aralore. Nothing extravagant what with the move but they were still common. Honestly it was about time he host his own. He had been planning to wait for the queen ti return but the season was drawing long and it might be a good thing to take people's minds off the state of the world, if only for a moment.

Nonetheless, he enjoyed the social call and the small collection of other guests. Ian and Jaina were finicky but meticulous hosts, especially when they wanted something. Being that most of the guests were land owners (of the farming sort) he didn't immediately think much of the reason that the rest had been pulled aside so quickly without him. He owned land but what he did use wasn't for agriculture.

Pearce didn't mind the space to breath for a moment. He could join them for cards and cigars and brandy in a moment.

At least, he had thought as much until the young woman approached him. Teagan Bruce. They had chatted over dinner, she seemed far too energetic to be only a lady in waiting but the Bruce's didn't seem keen on her being involved in business. They hadn't said that, of course, but he was a pretty good read of people. The set up after dinner though...that he had misread. The notes about her parents being clever and making a connection were enough for him to begin to understand why she was wearing such a dress and the pearls. He didn't notice her suggestive leaning at all because he wasn't looking.

The nobleman blushed slightly. Still...maybe they just wanted his partnership in some business venture. He didn't immediately jump to romance. Marriahe was a business venture in some ways. "Your parents are lovely hosts," he said with a smile, looking over at her. "The duck was wonderful."

"I am surprised you d-didn't travel with the Queen. Did you have a good winter? How fairs the family orchard?" Not that the topic of the orchard hadn't come up over dinner but he was asking her and not her parents.

[Teagan Bruce]

Teagan smiled at his compliment, although she managed not to laugh. Yes, they were great hosts, when they put their minds to it--and that was typically when it involved making connections and improving their technically lesser noble family. They wanted to be the cream of the crop. It was all about money and relationships and titles to them, which hardly seemed sensible after spending any time at all around Queen Alexandria, but that was beside the point. She was much more concerned with their crops being the cream of the crop if they wanted to have a livelihood, and that drove them up the wall. She'd tried to explain to them that her father wouldn't live forever and that Gavin had crabapples for brains, but they refused to listen. It was why she didn't talk to them if she could avoid it.

His other questions were interesting, though, taking her smile from sardonic to genuine.

"Sea travel and I don't get along," she explained with a slight wince, "I would have liked to go, but I'll never set foot on another ship if I can help it. As for the winter, it's been alright. Boring, if I'm allowed to say so. I miss the Queen and other ladies. They're good friends, not just my source of employment." She sighed. "And the orchard is...in need of work, though my father doesn't like to see it that way." The memory of her argument with him made her roll her eyes in a somewhat unladylike fashion, but she'd never managed to break the habit. "We're going to need more hands than we can hire come summer."

[Pearce Lockheed]

While Pearce sometimes had refined tastes, he wasn't a harsh critic. Even before Alexandria had taken back Aralore and before he had become head of his family, the man had been a rather accepting one. It was easier that way, rsther than make a fuss. And he had eventually learned that people responded better to compliments, even slight ones, and positive critique than they did criticism. He wasn't trying to suck up to anyone just...be nice. People were easier to deal with the happier and more at ease they were.

As for family ties...even though the queen and her court didn't particularly care for a class system, by virtue of having a noble representative and by having a 'royal family', the government re-enforced it. And even if it had not, more money could get one much further. Better food and care, better education, better ease of living, more time to pursue other avenues rsther than worrying about. Wealth would always divide people regardless of 'noble birth.' Well, at least while Aralore remained capitalist. Pearce didn't care half so much about class as he did about capitalism.

It made sense that anyone would be interedted in secure a better means of living. In fact, Aralore's less strict ideals on class were what allowed him to feel comfortable being in a serious relationship with a commoner. There were...other things that made the relationship awkward. And he still wasn't that open about it.

So much for money and relationships.

He still didn't quite understand why Teagan specifically had approached him but he wasn't so concerned with reading into it. The least he could do was be a pleasant guest.

"A b-bad experience on the way here?" It must have been a lot if she was afraid even now. "There is p-plenty to explore and learn here, my lady. I am sure the Queen will be glad to be back." He was genuinely glad to hear Teagan call Alexandria a friend. The Quren didn't seem to habe very many connections and while 'friend' was quite familiar, it was better than nothing. Pearce himself wished he could be closer to the woman, if only because she seemed to need more people she could rely on. Her brother was a fine 'protector' but a queen who didn't interact with her people or trust them could hardly expect the same in return after too long. Still, the woman hadn't led them wrong yet and the noble would gladly sneak into Saelis again to help rescue if he had to. Though...ideally he didn't have to.

He glanced out the window at the grounds. "The bit you can see from the road looks lovely," he said suggestively, glancing over at her with an amused smile. He wasn't suggesting she was lying just...that her parents' front was a good one. One they were willing to put a lot of effort into to keep up appearances. It was...interesting to hear her openly disagree. At least she seemed to have a reasonable head on her shoulders. Denial wasn't exactly a positive trait.

"Is it a lack of funds or a lack of workers?" he asked curiously. "I have heard a lot of those in the agricultural business are st-struggling." Of course he woukd struggle on that word. He blushed slightly before he could help himself.

[Teagan Bruce]

"A bad experience," she echoed, then laughed, "Is putting it mildly. I legitimately thought I was going to die. It sounds dramatic, but I was that ill, and it was for such a long time on the journey it seemed I'd never be free of it." She shuddered as she remembered heaving until there was nothing left, then heaving some more. She'd been weak, nauseous, and disoriented for weeks, trapped in a darkened room that never stopped moving. It had been beyond miserable, and just thinking about it made her sick to her stomach. "I actually have nightmares about being there again."

Her eyebrows went up at his question--she hadn't meant to suggest that her family couldn't pay their workers. Quite the opposite, actually. "Oh, lack of workers, entirely. Those of us remaining are so concerned with our own land and survival, there are not many people who are free to work outside their own land. Father had mentioned bringing in workers from elsewhere, but that's quite a journey to take for simple orchard work. I think he's overestimating how effective that will be." She shrugged.

"The local farmers had a meeting not long ago, setting up a cooperative plan so that they can all work together to ensure that things go smoothly. I managed to drag Gavin--that's my eldest brother--and my father along to that, so technically we're part of it. My hope is that we can call on that when--" She stopped and made a face. "I suppose I should say if. If father's plan of importing workers falls through."

[Pearce Lockheed]

The nobleman was surprised that Miss Bruce opened herself up so immediately. It wasn't proper conversation to go around revealing grief and pain of that sort. Call the man a traditionalist when it came to propriety. But even then, he couldn't possibly be anything except understanding. And a little uncomfortable at just the notion of being ill. Thankfully, Pearce didn't get sea sick. He still shivered a little at the disgusting nature of it before he could pull himself under control. "It sounds unpleasant. And not d-dramatic. I am glad to see you fully recovered," he offered carefully. His boyfriend had nightmares of his own past terrible experiences. It wasn't something the noble took lightly. "I am s-sure you'll overcome that one day," he said, tone supportive. He didn't know her well enough to say morre.

Her shock at the question of money seemed genuine and he immediately felt he had overstepped in suggesting as much himself. Pearce seemed more embarrassed about it than she was though he didn't interrupt her, only nodded. Always good to know not everyone is putting on a face. He certainly hadn't meant that.

"Well...I don't employ any farmerhands...but I can certainly spare my own workers." Food was more important than building materials for the moment. As long as he could assure his people they would be getting paid and retain their benefits from his employ, many would be happy to do more work or move to temporary positions. It was an offer he could make for the season at least. It tanked his own production and income but for certain goods it was a gamble he was hoping would be worth it. He could afford it. "I'm happy to suggest it to any families that need aid. Any c-construction work would be more efficient of course as they would need training to work a field or orchard or the like." Which would go a lot faster than shipping people. It would be more expensive to promise enough pay and homes for foreign families.

He had heard of the farmers meeting. Pearce highly doubted they were the only ones struggling but it was good to hear them organizing.

"Has a request for aid b-been sent to the crown?" Whether the Queen was here or not, she needed to be informed and Orin should be able to help.

[Teagan Bruce]

She hadn't meant to embarrass Pearce; she just had a tendency to tell people what she really thought about things, so long as it wasn't going to start any major fights. She preferred honesty, in general, and she found that people either appreciated that about her or hated it with a passion. She hoped that Pearce would appreciate it. He hadn't run away screaming, yet, so they were doing well if you asked her. Plus, he was actually answering her sensibly, which was a welcome relief from her ongoing arguments with Gavin.

"That's very generous..." Teagan pursed her lips as she considered, unaware that she'd crossed her arms and was now drumming her fingers rhythmically on her elbow. Somehow she thought better in motion, and this was no time to pace. "It'd be easier than shipping people in, and less expensive, too... I bet we could make it worth their while...but then, wouldn't that hurt your businesses? It doesn't do us any good to help the orchard and harm the whole rest of the island to do it." She looked at Pearce with concern. She appreciated his willingness to help, but she truly didn't want to drag him down while he tried to help others.

"Is there some way we could compensate you? Honestly, the simplest method would be in fruit, but then you'd be likely to have berries coming out your ears." She grinned. "Unless you like raspberry preserves?"

[Pearce Lockheed]

It was generous. But it wasn't a suggestion he would make if he couldn't afford it. Well, okay, he could be a little over eager at times and perhaps it was a bit like showing off but he could, in fact, afford it. But that wasn't exactly what Teagan was asking. Would it hurt his business and anyone else if he didn't ensure there was enough supply in his market. Well, it might make some stone and ores a little more expensive in the future because he did control a large amount if the domestic product. And while she couldn't know, he did intend to still pay any of those in his employ a small amount.

"There's a...b-balancing point somewhere. The island can't function if it can't feed itself." He didn't aim to upset that balance, but if the crown wouldn't support its people, then the people would have to. "I can afford to help find it. T-trust me." He imagined that was why her family saw him as a viable option.

Honestly...the man wondered of maybe he should go into banking. It seemed like the island needed more financial security and a better way to make investments. It was a thought for the future until she mentioned compensation. He was at least glad her teasing suggestion was about raspberries and not...forbidden fruit.

"Ah, no. Not particularly," he managed with an awkward smile. "I don't exactly have a use for bartering." Not when he could afford to buy anything he wanted. Her family farm for example, though he was too nervous and too polite to even make that joke. As much as gratitude was worthwhile, Pearce was also a business man. Gratitude didn't alwaus go very far. And most people around here abhorred charity or feeling indebted.

"F-future business deals would be a start." Admittedly, that was vague, but he wasn't sure how much to say to Teagan. She had sense about her but he would rather discuss business with the man who owned the orchard. Even hypothetical business. "Is it just rasberries or do you make wine too?" He asked curiously. Not much for bartering or not, he wouldn't say no to fine fruit and drinks.

[Teagan Bruce]

Teagan's eyebrows rose slightly at his assurances, but she didn't want to argue. It was a good opportunity and she wasn't about to trash it by telling him that he'd better be sure he was thinking with his wallet and not his ego.

Future business deals, hm? She’d certainly put in a good word for the usual kind, but she wondered if he realized he’d also hinted a bit at the kind of deal her parents had already hoped to make with him. Or was he even aware of that? He certainly hadn’t taken the conversation in that direction, when she’d made it an easy one. Although, perhaps getting a feel for where the family business stood was his way of seeing if it was a good match. If that was the case, then perhaps she should have made it clear that the family themselves was in a good place–or at least they would be unless this year's harvests went completely to rot.

“Let’s see…” Teagan began, looking upwards as she listed off things thoughtfully, “We grow raspberries, strawberries, and apples, so we also make hard cider as well as non-alcoholic, cider vinegar, preserves, pies, dried strawberries, apple butter, apple sauce, candy apples… all kinds of things.” She pursed her lips. “I don’t know that we’ve ever done raspberry wines, but that actually sounds lovely. I’ll have to ask Father if he’s tried.”

[Pearce Lockheed]

The man didn't often think about his wallet because he didn't have to. Was that arrogant? Certainly. Egotistical? Pearce wasn't sure he had one of those himself. His family name did, he supposed. He wasn't about to expound upon the matter and was glad she didn't question him.

The more he spoke to Teagan, the less sure of why he had been set up to speak to her. Had she made it easy? He wasn't exactly looking for flirting or any openings, but he wasn't about to advertise that. He had appearances to keep up. Largely in his own family, but still. Appearances. She seemed to know enough of her family business to make small talk but clearly not to move forward. Which sent him back to the whole marriage thing and made him nervous.

"Quite the list of luxuries," he noted. "Do you have a favorite? I myself am quite at-tached to sweets. Apples especially." He refrained from listing them. There were entirely too many 'Ps' to potentially stumble over when talking about apples. "I am not sure I have either," he chuckled. "If you make any, be sure to let me taste it."

[Teagan Bruce]

Teagan beamed. “Apple just about anything is always a favorite of mine. You’d think I’d get sick of them after growing up around nothing but apples, but I never do. A good apple, one that’s crisp and bright…It’s one of god’s greatest gifts, if you ask me.” She winked. “And not just because it’s in the bible stories, either.”

She knew that particular story well–mainly because it did feature an apple, although she rather liked that Eve was the first one to brave the tree of forbidden knowledge. She knew that was meant to be a sin, not a virtue, but she liked it. Bravery, not being too frightened to take a risk, was a trait that one needed if they wanted to get anywhere. No reward came without risk.

She was getting distracted, though. Pearce Lockheed. Raspberry wine. Stay on track, Teagan! No use waxing philosophical about courage and sin.

“I most certainly will share, if we can make it happen! If anything, perhaps I can get some raspberry apple cider going… that might be good too.” She smiled. “I appreciate you letting me ramble about all this. It’s not often that my thoughts are actually heard, around here.”

[Pearce Lockheed]

He nodded as Teagan spoke, a faint smile on his face. He had not grown up on an orchard and could not imagine having that much unbridled access to one of his favorite foods. He probably would be fat. Come to think of it, how did she manage to be so slender? Oh, right. The farming working bit. Even for women. Pearce really couldn't imagine that part of living on an orchard.

"Right," he said softly, a bit nervously at the wink and mention of bible stories. The noble had gone to church as a child and been raised with religion but he had always hated the narrowmindedness and hypocrasy. Once his mother died, his father stopped forcing anything. Needlesd to say Pearce had stopped paying attention long before that. He had read the book once entirely. And once was too many times.

How his father could profess to being religious and do what he did was beyond Pearce. Trying to understand was both pointless and painful.

"That sounds splendid," he agreed to bpth ventures. He didn't drink very much but he had a feeling he might make an except for such exquisite sounding things.

Pearce offered a half grimace, half understanding smile. "I know that feeling all too well. By all means, ramble," he said, tone much easier and a but teasing. But he did mean it. Teagan seemed to be a very sweet girl who cared much for her family despite the limitations she seemed to carry. He decided it warranted imposing a bit deeper of a question. "What does a smart young woman such as yourself p-plan to do with her life? Start your own orchard?"

[Teagan Bruce]

Teagan grinned and pulled out one of the dining chairs so she could sit-- leaning on the wall was fine, but since they were getting into things and getting along well, she thought it would be a bit more comfortable.

She laughed softly when he said that he knew the feeling all too well. "Ouch, my condolences." she joked lightly.

His question about what she wanted to do long term, though, made her wince. She gave him a sheepish smile that quickly turned to a grimace as she sighed and leaned back into her chair.

"See, I wish I had an answer for that," she laughed softly as she sat back up and ran a hand through her curls to push them out of her face. "Perhaps I would like an orchard of my own, if only so that I could run it the way that I want to, and actually see how it goes, have the work and the product be mine. But somehow...well, I don't think that's where I'll end up. More likely than not, I'll wind up married off to some nice gentleman and chasing his children around his great big house. I know that's where my parents would like to see me." She shrugged.

"Still, that seems like I'd go crazy. I'd like to have something to do, a chance to make something of myself. That's partly how I wound up as one of the Queen's ladies." She grinned again. "For now, I'm just trying to do that well. I love Queen Alexandria more than anything, and it's really an honor to work with her. She's tough as steel, our queen, even if she might not look it. She's taught me a lot."

[Pearce Lockheed]

The Marquis watched her make herself comfortable and didn't seem to think anything of sitting himself or commenting on it. It was her home. And while he did catch the social cue, he was still a tad too nervous to process how to handle it.

"Ah, ap-p-pologies, I didn't..." came his all too quick words of apology at her wince. Clearly he had touched upon something sensitive. And while he was no stranger to sensitivity around familial expectations, he had not expected to receive such a visceral reaction... And then she was explaining and he bit off his words awkwardly. As much as his attentive listening had started out a little rough, Pearce was more than attentive and politely quiet as she delved into the matter. He had asked because he was interested in her answer, after all, whatever it ended up being. Pearce blushed ever so faintly at the notion of 'nice gentleman' and 'chasing children.' But probably not for the reason she might think.

Aralore was much more flexible now than it had been in the past. But there were still quite a number of traditionalists and controlling families. "I know the feeling. My f-father was...quite the t-traditionalist. But I am not," he supplied gently. It was not his intent to interrupt her story, but to let her know he had once shared her lack of hope for a self determined future. "I am glad you find working in her service enjoyable."

A half formed thought occurred to him then. "Perhaps, there is something I can say to your father? 'Nice gentleman' around here p-prefer women who know how to handle themselves and a business." Pearce didn't quite hear how that might sound.

[Teagan Bruce]

Teagan sat up quickly, looking at the Marquis with wide eyes. "Really? You'd do that?"

She'd long since forgotten her half-hearted attempt at flirtation. Pearce Lockheed was interesting, definitely, but not in that manner, at the moment. He was probably lucky he was talking to Teagan--she was vaguely aware that her brother or sister would have read that remark quite differently. And, in fact, if he attempted that conversation with her father, he'd likely hear something rather different as well. But then… if it got Teagan exactly what she wanted, did it really matter if her father got his hopes up a little?

Teagan tilted her head slightly to the side and crossed her arms over her chest as she considered the Marquis a bit more carefully. He was handsome, definitely, but not at all what she'd expected based on his wealth and reputation--that is to say, he was actually quite likable. She'd rather found that people who had a lot of money generally tended to be aware of the fact and could lord it over people a little. Pearce seemed to see it as a tool, rather than a pedestal to put himself on.

"Well, whether you do or not, I'm glad to hear you think so. For all my father's going on about getting me settled, he hasn't introduced me directly to many of the potential options, so I haven't the faintest idea what they're expecting. Goodness knows Father's ideas on the subject are… What did you call it? Traditionalist?" She snickered softly. "More polite than the words I might have chosen."