[ P ] put on your sunday clothes

King Adamh's decree had set Rionnach abuzz with talk; some good and some bad. The news still seemed to ring in Baelfire's ears as he headed to Perth on a mission, his mind only on one thing... or wolf, rather. Maybe he should be concerned about the timing of this banquet and the strain it might put upon the Kingdom's resources, he couldn't find himself caring in the slightest. All he could think was that they all needed this celebration. It could be a chance to mend fences and come closer as a community. He knew he might be called optimistic, or even downright foolish, by some, but he didn't care. It was worth a try and he was determined to have fun. So he would attempt to do just that and honestly, he couldn't wait to ask Sorcha to come with him.

He knew she and her family were not the biggest fans of the crown (to say in the least) but surely they could put all that aside and have a good night at the ball. He swallowed, a bit nervously. This could all be the start of a perfect storm, but he had high hopes that he was just overthinking. He didn't think Sorcha would cause a scene at the ball... no his new girlfriend had far more class than that.

The very title caused a giddy feeling to churn in his gut and he forgot all about his misgivings. Regardless of anything, they had each other and that was what was important. This wasn't just a chance for the citizens to come together, but a chance for he and Sorcha to get closer. It would be fun, and maybe even a little romantic if things went according to plan. He shook his head as he made his way to the Kinnaird home— then he called out to Sorcha before sitting down on her door step and waiting for her to come out. He wasn't left waiting for long, as usual, but once he saw her slip out the door he was almost at a loss for words. He cleared his throat and swiftly stood, bowing his head to her in greeting. He only had one thing to ask of her: Afternoon, fair maiden... I have a proposition you might be interested in. he paused and smiled cheekily at her. Would you accompany me to the winter banquet...? Hopefully she wouldn't reject him, but he'd not be surprised if she did.

SORCHA KINNAIRD

Winter was a busy month for the Kinnairds. Her mothers tavern often had guests, often those not as well off who needed a place to stay to ride out the worst of the season. It meant there were often new faces around, and new hunting partners for Sorcha; wolves looking to earn their keep and show thanks for Iona’s generosity. She had just returned from a hunt where they had successfully taken down an old, skinny doe and was helping to butcher the carcass for storage when a familiar voice called to her from the entrance to the thicket. With a grin, she excused herself to greet the man waiting on their doorstep.

AFTERNOON, FAIR MAIDEN… Baelfire began when she stepped out, earning a bright laugh from the small woman. I HAVE A PROPOSITION YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN. WOULD YOU ACCOMPANY ME TO THE WINTER BANQUET...?

Her eyes widened in surprise and she blurted, “You actually want to go?” From the day the news of the Winter Ball had reached Perth, the city had been full of strong words for King Adamh, and where their hard earned resources were going. A feast in winter? When some families barely had enough to get by? Her mother had been furious at the notion, and Sorcha had been putting extra effort in her work to ensure those needing food and a warm bed would have it through the bitter Highland winter.

But Baelfire had been stationed down south for the most part - she hadn’t seen him since that day in Inverness. He likely had only been hearing positive things about the ball from his coworkers. Her first instinct was to say no, that it was a celebration of the wealthy and nothing more, no matter what pretty words Adamh used to attract those further north.

But that said, she had also heard whisperings of a Voxi protest occurring at the ball itself, an accumulation of all that had been occurring thus far. If it was to come to fruition, this was certainly a perfect way in…

She couldn’t do that to Baelfire. He was a soldier now, and the humiliation of having your Voxi Highlander girlfriend arrested would tarnish his career before it began. Voice wanted peace, not a riot.

She scrunched her nose and sighed, conflicted. “Do you really think it’s a good idea?”

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The look on her face was both surprising and not. His smile faltered ever so slightly and he nodded. ”I do, I thought it would be fun. Things have been so...” well, she knew how things had been. Maybe he was just an optimistic fool, but he thought this could be a good opportunity if everyone could get along. That was probably foolish of him to think possible; he could at least admit to that. He shuffled his paws, wondering if she might turn him down altogether. He’d understand if she did but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t be a bit disappointed.

As she asked him if he thought it was a good idea he merely shrugged, almost like a child being chastised. ”I have made some new friends, I thought you might like to meet them and I thought— well, I don’t know. I thought it could be fun. But if you don’t want to go, we can just stay in.” he said. He would never force her to go anywhere or do anything she didn’t want to do, so whether they went to the ball or stayed home didn’t matter. He still had his idea about what could make for a memorable evening.

SORCHA KINNAIRD

”I do, I thought it would be fun. Things have been so...” He trailed off, but Sorcha could substitute many words in the empty space. The post war tension had waned ever so slightly, but it continued to linger in the air like mist. ”I have made some new friends, I thought you might like to meet them and I thought— well, I don’t know. I thought it could be fun. But if you don’t want to go, we can just stay in.”

He was right, it could be fun. It could be like the Bonfire, where political ideologies were set aside, if just for one night.

Or it could be a disaster. Just as plenty of Rionnach’s citizens were looking forward to the ball, there were those who would use it to further their agendas through whatever means necessary. A masked banquet on castle grounds was the perfect setting for a riot. It was not the preferred means of protest of the Voxi - though she knew there would be protests within the castle grounds. But she couldn’t speak for anyone else.

“I would like to meet your friends.” She started slowly. That much was true; she was a social soul at heart and getting to meet new faces was often the highlight of Sorcha’s day. It was why Iona had roped her into helping at the markets at the earliest opportunity, and why she was so good at her job now. Meeting his gaze, she could see just how much this meant to Baelfire. It would put him in good standing for his career - that was obvious. And a Highlander showing solidarity with the crown by attending, as much as it caused her lips to curl, might just help her own cause if they were to play the long game. They were no use to Voice behind bars, and the more wolves who heard her message, the better. Careful whisperings were her teachings, and that was certainly possible at a banquet.

Another sigh. “Maybe it could be fun. I’d have to think about it.”

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“I would like to meet your friends,” she began. He smiled at this, knowing that at least she was trying to put her reservations aside. He moved closer and brushed his muzzle against hers. ”I appreciate that...” he said. ”Maybe it could be fun. I’d have to think about it.” she said with a sigh. Baelfire’s tail wagged begins him and he kissed her cheek. ”It could be tons of fun, we can even get dressed up. It’s a masquerade after all. There’ll be food and drink and I could even practice my dancing for you,” he said. He lifted his muzzle and brushed it across her brow as if he were brushing hair from her face.

He had so many more things he wanted to say but he didn’t know how. It wasn’t like he was afraid of how she would react, he just... he just wanted things to be perfect. ”I would also like to take you with me to the King’s Garden, if you’d like to see that. I hear it’s beautiful.” There was no shortage of things for them to do to take their mind off things and perhaps it would be good for her to see that maybe things aren’t as bad as they seemed. He had a gift for her but he’d like to give it to her there, if he could. Imagining her among all the flowers almost took his breath away. He pulled back and looked down at her, his single green eye shining happily. ”Come on... it’ll be fun, I promise.” he urged her gently.

SORCHA KINNAIRD

”I APPRECIATE THAT...” She leaned into his touch, offering a smile despite her reservations.

”IT COULD BE TONS OF FUN, WE CAN EVEN GET DRESSED UP. IT’S A MASQUERADE AFTER ALL. THERE’LL BE FOOD AND DRINK AND I COULD EVEN PRACTICE MY DANCING FOR YOU,”

It certainly sounded like it would be fun. No doubt the King had pulled out all the stops, spared no expense, all in the means of bringing them all together. She almost wanted to be impressed at the effort, if not for the fact it also felt like a smack in the face to those who could not afford a fancy meal in the middle of winter. There were better ways Adamh could be spending his time and resources, surely Baelfire knew that?

”I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO TAKE YOU WITH ME TO THE KING’S GARDEN, IF YOU’D LIKE TO SEE THAT. I HEAR IT’S BEAUTIFUL.”

Baelfire continued, and when Sorcha met his gaze she could see the excitement behind green eyes. She knew this was important to him, it was clear in his expression. ”COME ON... IT’LL BE FUN, I PROMISE.”

She gave a small huff. “Okay. For you.” She gave a small, dry laugh. “Maybe the King will have a donation drive - now that would be a nice surprise.”

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Baelfire's tail wagged behind him as she agreed to go; he was hoping for a fun and romantic evening with her. His ears flicked and he nodded. "Maybe! Though he wasn't sure the King would be interested in that seeing as this was supposed to be a celebration, not a charity event. But of course, he'd not say that aloud. He honestly just wanted to have a bit of fun, not worry about the plights of those less fortunate; winter was miserable enough.

He turned to look out towards the woods and then glanced over his shoulder at her curiously. "Are you busy or would you like to take a walk with me?" he asked. If they were going to this thing they'd have to plan attire and arrival times... he wondered just how long it would last and if he'd be able to get her alone for a moment. His eye twinkled with a dozen plans he had in his head and he hoped he could find the perfect one for that night. he just wanted things to be perfect.


exit w/sorcha via going on a nice walk? <3

SORCHA KINNAIRD

MAYBE! He responded enthusiastically, and although Sorcha had not been serious in the suggestion - it was just a party. A smile tugged at her maw

He glanced out at the wood before turning back to her. "ARE YOU BUSY OR WOULD YOU LIKE TO TAKE A WALK WITH ME?" She gave a small hum, stepping down beside him. “I’m free, for a little while anyway.” She gave him an affectionate nudge with her shoulder, inviting him to lead the way. “You’ll need to fill me in on what to expect.” She was no stranger to parties, but Sorcha had a feeling that this would be a much fancier affair than what she was used to. Highlander celebrations were loud and the steady flow of alcohol meant that Sorcha had seen a fair few fights between guests, though they would often end in laughter. She had a feeling that was not how things would go at the banquet.

The thought of having to “dignify” herself for the mainlanders tempted a curl upon her maw, but seeing Baelfire happy would be worth it.

exit Sorcha. end thread.

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