Royal Wedding

Iakovos finally makes his way to the ceremony, and although in his best, his clothes, a knee length red chlamys and a white chiton with the Order's purple cross stitch upon the chest, emanate the same weariness that crosses his face. Iakovos spies both food and Makedonios, and decides to speak to Makedonios first.

"Grandmaster, it is good to see you. Forgive me for being tardy, I have had another...jarring experience earlier. How are things proceeding, and were is the lovely bride and her groom? I'd like give her my congratulations and best wishes.

Iakovos's tone of voice makes it very clear, perhaps to much, about his opinions on the matter.

Ioannis shoots Savvas a wide grin but as he looks over to where his new wife is entertaining their guests his features turn more serious.

She is a headstrong woman to be sure. But one must endure minor sufferings sometimes.

He grins at Savvas again.

And you yourself. Any sufferings that you are having to endure?

Vartholomaios ambles back to the Orders' table with a tray laden with food and drinks.

Fellow brothers, nice to see you here! The food is most excellent, I warmly suggest you to get some while it lasts.

He offers the Grand Master a glass of orange juice from his tray.

I seem to have gathered some extra supplies for myself, please have this one! I would have brought some more but I didn't know you had arrived. But now, I have some food to attend to.

Bart dives into the food like he hadn't seen a decent meal in years. After a while he eases up somewhat and starts to pay marginal attention to the conversations around him.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by deguerra

And you yourself. Any sufferings that you are having to endure?

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Savvas shrugs.

Apart from the occasional hangover after a night of, eh, increasing morale of the troops and eh, enhancing my, hmmm... conversational skills with women, not much really.

I came back from the Belgrade region for your wedding, since I hold both you and the Princess in high esteem. I guess this says much about the amount of action I get over there. Apart from patrolling the area and guarding the frontier, nothing really happens. It's been too many years since my last serious battle. I'm usually a man of peace, who enjoys the pleasures of the flesh, but my sword arm starts itching, especially in the face of those damnable Catholics with their fanatic nutjob of a pope...

Savvas came closer to Ioannis and whispered, glaring at Makedonios.

Talking about religeous nutjobs, it seems that our good friend the Grandmaster should consume stronger beverages then tea and orange juice. He doesn't look quite happy today. I tried to make him laugh, but my little joke made him even more unhappy. The guy should really lighten up a bit more. Drinking wine won't send his eternal soul to hell...

Savvas shakes his head in disapproval.

Makedonios had just started sipping his tea after Nathanail left to procure food when Iakvos arrived. He smiled at his Sergeant.

Ah Iakovos! Glad you could make it. Don't worry about being tardy. I have a feeling this party will last for quite a while. The Princess is around here somewhere attending to guests and I think I saw Ioannis head out to the balcony.

Just then, Bart arrived with a large amount of food and drink. Makedonios smiles jovially.

Bart, we were worried you got lost.

Makedonios happily accepts the orange juice.

And thank you. It's not easy to get many kinds of fruits where we are.

Realizing orange juice and tea probably wouldn't go well together, he sets the tea down and gulps the refreshing OJ.

With a soft gesture of her hand, Anna declines the offered wine.

"I'd rather not."

Her features becomes inscrutable as she studies Efstathios.

"So this is the newest addition to House Asteri then. We should ensure we are off to a good start then, since you will be seeing much more of me from here on end."

A faint smile appears on her thin lips.

"A toast?"

Noticing the now near full hall but no sign of the Basileus, Apionnas makes he way out onto the balcony for some air.

A toast to our beatiful princess and her noble husband! May you two live long and prosperous life.

Efstathios raises his glass of wine and drinks it to the bottom.

But now could you excuse me because I think I saw an old friend.

Efstathios bows to Anna and nods to Kosmas and hurries to the place where he thinks he saw his friend.

Iakovos thanks Makedonios and begins weaving his way through the crowd to find the Princess. he spots her with Kosmas and Efstathios.

"Princess, it is good to see you after so long. How have you been..oh, and my heartfelt congratulations to you."

Anna smiles as Iakovos approaches.

"I have been well enough, it is good to see you as well."

Motioning to Kosmas.

"Are you acquainted with my good friend Kosmas Mavrozomis?"

Iakovos offers his hand to Kosmas.

"No, I don't believe we have met before, but I have heard much."

Kosmas shakes Iavkovos' hand

"I have heard much of you, as well. You are the one spearheading the effort to build a university in Antioch, are you not?"

Iakovos smiles and nods at Kosmas

"Yes, and things seem to be going exceptionally well. The Princess's patronage has helped greatly in the speed of it's construction, but if not for the zealousness of the workers, we wouldn't even have as much done as we do now. I do hope the Princess will take the offer of being Dean for the first term.

Iakovos smiles, raising a glass, that he had picked up on the way over, to Anna before sipping from it. Iakovos turns to Kosmas and continues.

"I've heard you stepped down from leading House Asteri, may I ask how you've kept yourself busy for so long?"

Kosmas finishes off the rest of his glass and sets it down.

"Oh, I've been spending a lot of time traveling of late, to Belgrade to meet the man that rescued one of my House's settlements, and to Constantinople. Mostly, though I spend my time looking for manuscripts to add to my library, from time to timetrying my hand at copying one or two."

OOC:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Just been informed that since this wedding is frozen in 1101, Kosmas' has not taken place yet. Congrats will have to wait a bit, I suppose. :D

Heading over to where the princess is going from one guest to the next, Methodios bows low when he reaches her.

Your Highness, please receive my most heartfelt congratulations on this day...

Sir Kalameteros is a most fortunate man to have you by his side for the rest of his life...

Here's to you and your new husband lifting his cup To a happy and fulfilled life !!!

Her polite smile seems to grow as Methodios pronounces his toast.

"That is most kind of you Senator Tagaris. I have heard quite a bit of you of late; tell me, how goes your campaign in the Balkans?"

Seeing the warm smile on the princess's lips, Methodios smiles back, though a brief sadness passes in his eyes.

My pleasure, your Highness...

As for my campaign, it is quite calm at the moment... Our Megas doesn't hold me in his heart to say the least, so I have no means to go to the rescue of Zagreb... I feel I've let these people down... The Hungarians have not been able to protect them...

But enough of this sad news... Today is a day for rejoicing... Could I hope to invite you for a dance, your Highness ?

She held back a soft chuckle.

"My, how very forward of you. I fear you ask the wrong person, only my husband may grant you that request."

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

OOC: I'd love to congratulate the bride, but I can't walk away from the groom just like that. That would be rude... Not that he's much fun, it's been two days since he has said anything on his own party. I'm just imagining myself how Savvas is standing there for 2 days, next to a silent guy, both gaining dust on the balcony :laugh4:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

:laugh4: The groom apologies profoundly, he has been busy.

Savvas, have you met my new wife yet? Come, I will introduce you.

I still haven't congratulated the bride!

Savvas follows Ioannis

Methodios smiles a mischievous smile at Anna.

Forward... Yes, you're not the first to say I push a bit too far, your Highness...

I will ask your husband for his permission, then.

By your leave...

Methodios bows then goes to find Ioannis, turning back once towards Anna.

Ioannis leads Savvas over to his wife and gives her a brief smile.

Anna, this is Comes Savvas ek Militou. I suggest you watch your tongue around him, he is quite capable with language.

Giving a cheeky grin to Savvas he continues.

Savvas, my lovely wife, Anna.

Anna gives a knowing smile to both men and addresses her husband.

"Dear husband, Savvas and I are already acquainted."

Then she turns to Savvas.

"It is a pleasure to be in your presence once more. I do hope you are enjoying yourself?"

Savvas makes a perky bow for Anna, smiling at her.

"Mylady, my congratulations on this beautiful day."

Savvas slaps himself on the forehead.

"Oh, I completely forgot! I have a present for each of you. Mylady, one of the mercenaries in my army, is a former arabic horse merchant. I took him with me on the market at Constantinople were one of his former colleagues sells the finest horses and guess what? Tomorrow morning, an arabic mare will be delivered for you at the Palace."

Savvas takes a parchment out of his sleeve.

"This document contains information about the bloodlines of the horse."

Savvas turns to Ioannis.

"And for you, my friend, I have something that, just like marriage, gets only better with age. 8 barrels of my finest wine. I've asked my servants to deliver it at your estate."

Savvas overlooked the wedding party.

"I'm hoping your father arrives soon mylady, so that we can start with music and dance."

Savvas turns back to Ioannis.

"I hope the groom wouldn't mind me dancing with the bride later on this evening? Unless the groom prefers me to dance with him?" Savvas said, slapping Ioannis on the shoulder in a jovial manner.

I thank you kindly for the wine, it is much appreciated.

I think the Basileos may not grace us with his presence this night, Savvas. So drink and be merry now, before it is too late.

Ioannis grins at Savvas

As for the dance, you know I would never refuse an offer from you. But in any case, you have my permission to dance with my wife, on condition that you tell her about my "suffering".

Savvas, Ioannis, it is good to see you. The ceremony is off to a good start, and the drink and food is delicious, it reminds me of my mothers cooking.

"It's highly unfortunate that our esteemed Basileus can't be present tonight."

Savvas turned towards Anna.

"I sincerely hope he's doing well, mylady. Didn't he...?"

Savvas stopped at the interruption by Iakovos.

"Ah, dear Iakovos. Your mother must be a real cooking princess. The ascetic lifestyle of the Order must be difficult for you..."

Savvas' suddenly face lightened up when he heard the musicians setting in the hasapiko and he immediately offered his arm to Anna.

"Dear Iakovos, dear Ioannis, can you please excuse me? Duty calls... Mylady, can I escort you to the group of dancers?"

Anna takes the offered arm and gives a radiant smile to Savvas.

"Since you ask so nicely and have my husband's leave..."

Savvas returned the smile and escorted Anna towards the dancers.

"It's good to see you smile, princess!"

Having approached the dancers, Savvas grabbed Anna's hand and the hand of another dancer in the circle, jumped up and shouted: "And hop we go!" and joined the fast version of the hasapiko, constantly singing and with an expression of pure joy on his face.