[OPEN] We shall have a magnificent garden party, and Athos is not invited.

[airshipswank]

Who: [OPEN] Everyone!
Where: The Gardens
When: Monday, October 15th
Rating: PG? PG-13? Let's assume that most heads and clothes stay on.
Summary: This year's days of warm and sunny afternoons are numbered, Wonderland's fair weather all but gone. This may be one of the last opportunities to celebrate outdoors, socialise under the blue sky, enjoy the fresh air and get people's relationships hopelessly confused while we're at it.

The Story:

A certain English duke is bored and has finally expanded his knowledge of future festivities sufficiently to do something interesting about it.

Come Monday morning each and every resident (except for the one living in 7.13) will find that a small invitation has been slipped under their door. The elaborate writing on it was made by hand, the borders of the paper lovingly adorned with a small drawing of vines. Its message is simple:

THE GARDENS
TWO O'CLOCK

[ OOC: It's a surprise garden party on the last day of the Do you think people ever get the wrong idea about us? event, brought to you by The Bored Duke Of Buckingham (TM). You didn't miss any pre-party plotting (IC or OOC) and everyone is invited. Enjoy! ]

Comments

[airshipswank]

[ Exactly. After all, a man such as Buckingham would hardly have any toxins hidden in his rings for emergency and/or surprise poisonings. ♥ ]

Generosity loses its value when... there is no limit to what one can give.

[ He smiles at the formality all the same and raises his glass. ]

À votre santé!

[thestormcomes]

[Oh, Buckingham's narration. You sure know how to reassure.]

Such a hard life you lead, owning the wealth of a nation.

[Athos dons a slightly sarcastic smile, raising his eyebrows and his cup.]

Et à la vôtre.

[May it diminish with your reputation.]

[airshipswank]

[ It goes without saying that both this narration and Buckingham only have everyone's best interest at heart at all times and that neither of them would need to hold back a devious grin as the men's glasses clink together. ]

England did not fund this particular gathering.

[ Buckingham takes a slow drink. ]

I daresay here even you would have the means for a lavish feast, if... you so desired.

[ And one more small sip before he lowers the cup and lets the wine in it swirl. ]

Perhaps a memory of the old days, Monsieur le comte?

[thestormcomes]

[Mid-sip, Athos tries not to choke on his wine as Buckingham reminds him that he knows more than he really ought to.

The narration believes that this allusion to counthood is payback for an unwitting use of puns.]

People call it "the past" for a reason,

[he replies simply, recalling the years spent learning the art of the nobility, the time wasted lording over those he had no right to call peasants. The aristocracy is not a gift from God. It's a clever way of saying "I got here before you did, so piss off."]

[airshipswank]

[ The narration will not dignify such baseless accusations with a comment. And Buckingham will smile and look into the depths of his cup. ]

People dwell on the past, whether... they ought to or not.

[ Otherwise Monsieur le comte's lips might be attached to a new woman rather than bottle after bottle, non? Not that Buckingham would have it any other way... ]

[thestormcomes]

[Monsieur le comte's lips are attached to one mistress and one mistress alone, and it happens to be Lady Dionysus, no matter what sort of rumors you may hear through the grapevine about him boning a grey-skinned person with horns.]

If I didn't know better, I'd say that was directed at me.

[Smooth.]

[airshipswank]

[ Oh, you just wait until Buckingham gets his hands on those rumours. ]

It would... hardly matter, either way.

[ Though for now he merely shrugs mildly. ]

Stay your course or change everything. It will all be gone once we leave this place.

[ Not a thought that greatly concerns Buckingham. Life is meant to be lived in the moment and the moments that have already passed need not be meticulously preserved. ]

[thestormcomes]

[Good luck with that rumor-hunting thing. Please, do let Athos know how it goes.]

A benefit, I suppose, for those of us with a conscience.

[Because everyone is aware of the fact that Buckingham was born of brimstone.]

[airshipswank]

[ Oh, he will. He will. ]

I had no idea you carried such regrets.

[ Recent regrets, that is. ]

[thestormcomes]

You could fill a book with the things you don't know about me.

[...and...someone has, actually, but it was altered a bit, the writer took creative license.]

[airshipswank]

[ Yes, yes, yes, but here? Come crumpet, now you're just being overdramatic. (Not that it isn't worth a chuckle either way. ]

If we are kept here much longer I might just start writing.

[ And despite taking another drink of wine one might just think Buckingham sounds a little more sober when he adds: ]

It... will be one year soon, after all.

[thestormcomes]

[Overdramatic? Coming from the man who has to build an airship just to make an entrance?]

One year too many.

[Another drink. And perhaps a dry change of subject.]

How was your beloved king before you arrived here? Still burning innocent women as witches and rewriting the Good Book?

[airshipswank]

[ It was a very modest airship. Shush. ]

Is there... such a thing as an innocent woman?

[ That said with one finger tapping against his cup, wondering if the change of subject is a change towards a particular point or merely bait. ]

[thestormcomes]

[What a rude question.]

Not according to your Church.

[Fucking Protestants. Athos isn't about to give his own opinion because it happens to be a poor one, and he's certain that somewhere out there, there is an innocent woman.

But he won't kill himself looking for her just to prove a point.]

[airshipswank]

[ What an interesting answer. ]

Barely a day gone and your friend has already made you so... eager to discuss religion. Why is that? Not a twinge of conscience, I hope!

[thestormcomes]

You haven't answered my question,

[Athos points out. Funny how the duke always manages to try and turn things around, away from himself.]

[airshipswank]

Nor you mine.

[ Neither of them. Not in any way that matters. According to his church. Tsk. Honestly. ]

Besides, have you truly asked anything to which you... don't presume to have an answer already?

[thestormcomes]

I asked first,

[Athos reminds him, certainly not beneath opting for the childish who-said game.]

But original sin would purpose that no one is innocent.

[Does that answer your question?]

[airshipswank]

[ No, but it answers yours rather nicely. ]

Then King James is well and has not harmed an innocent once in his entire lifetime.

[thestormcomes]

[Original sin is one of the first doctrines of Buckingham's church.

Athos frowns, his good humor lost, and sets his cup down.]

Thank you for the wine.

[airshipswank]

[ So it is and so it has served the duke ever so well in vexing the musketeer. ]

Did it taste sour in the end?

[ Ah, so very sorry about that~ ]

[thestormcomes]

I don't think it matters.

[Which is why he's smoothing his doublet, preparing to leave.]

[airshipswank]

Suppose you won't stay and try a different vintage?

[ Really, what kind of host wouldn't at least offer? ]

[thestormcomes]

I'd rather not take my chances.

[The next one might actually be poisoned. Besides, Buckingham's words just don't sit well with him, and the casual familiarity only serves to remind Athos that he's fraternizing with an enemy.]

Good evening.

[airshipswank]

And goodnight,

[ Buckingham adds with his cup raised one last time as he watches Athos take his leave. ]