Royal Wedding

[Ibn-Khaldun]

Efstathios walks in to the room. Without the formal wedding invitation he felt like a little bit unwanted here. But then again, it must be some postal service mistake. He hoped.

[Privateerkev]

Makedonios resisted the urge to assault Savvas when he slapped him on the shoulders. As much fun as it might be, jamming his cane into one of Savvas's orifices would probably be frowned upon tonight. Exercising self control, Makedonios calmly turned and sipped his tea.

Greetings... Comes. Makedonios put stress on the title to make clear that they were of a different rank.

That was very kind of you but I must refrain. I'm sure you can manage both drinks yourself. And I see you have noticed my cane. My illness has left me needing it to balance myself. So, I ask that you please refrain from slapping me hard on the shoulders.

Turning to leave, Makedonios turns his head after taking another sip of his tea.

I'm going to get back to the party. I would tell you to enjoy your evening but it looks like you already got started on that front.

With a nod, Makedonios leaves the jovial Savvas and goes back to the main hall. He leans against a wall, sips his tea, and scans the room.

[_Tristan_]

Seeing Makedonios coming back into the room, Methodios joins him.

Makedonios, good seeing you here... How's your health ? Getting better I hope...

What a lovely bride, isn't it ? But what do you make of her husband ? Strange alliance, if you ask me... Though I can see the political implications...

I always thought the Princess would stand up to her father on this matter, whatever her professed will to obey...

Kalameteros is in for a hell of a ride, I guess... His world has just been turned upside down without him knowing it yet...

[Privateerkev]

Makedonios smiled and nodded at Methodios. Very much aware that the walls have ears, he is careful about what he discusses in here.

Methodios, congratulations on your victory at Belgrade. News of it reached all the way over to Antioch.

As to my health, I wonder when this wretched illness will end. Who ever heard of 20 year pnuemonia?

As to the new couple, I think the Emperor made a very... calculating gamble. We'll see if it pays off in the long run...

Makedonios sips more tea.

[Rowan]

Vartholomaios Ksiros enters the banquet dressed in the white and purple of the Order. He stops briefly at the doorway, making a curt bow towards the happy couple, then looks around searching for familiar faces. Spotting Makedonios and Methodios he proceeds to join their company.

Grand Master, Sir Methodios. How nice to see some familiar faces, these social gathering are really not my cup of tea. Congratulations, Sir Methodios, for your brilliant victory in the north-west. It almost matches the one made by our host Kalameteros in conquering the heart of the princess, eh?

Seeing the strained expressions of the older men Vartholomaios realizes he has made some kind of a social gaffe and retreats quickly towards the food tables.

[Privateerkev]

Makedonios smiles as he sees the first Order member finally arrive at the party. He politely excuses himself from Methodios's company and reminds Bart that he has kept a table vacant for Order members. He then signals a servant for another cup of tea and goes and sits at the table to rest.

[TheFlax]

Anna politely excuses herself from the two men in conversation and makes her way to the table of the Order. For an instant she flashes him a radiant smile, before returning to a more serious expression.

"Grandmaster Makedonios, it is a pleasure to see you here. I had feared your health would not have permitted you a trip to the capital. I am glad to see I was wrong."

[Privateerkev]

Upon the arrival of the Princess, the Grandmaster uses his cane to help him stand up. After standing up straight, he gives a deep bow, while putting the cane in front of himself for stability. After bowing, he stands back up and holds onto the top of the cane with both hands to steady himself.

Your Highness, it is an honor to come and celebrate this happy occasion with you and your husband.

Makedonios pauses for a moment to pull his silk napkin out of his breast pocket and cough into it.

I beg your pardon but my illness forces me to pause periodically to cough. But enough about that. How are you this fine evening?

With that, he smiles but the Princess, and only the Princess, will notice a twinkle in his eyes.

[TheFlax]

"Woefully unprepared." She chuckled lightly. "As you say, it is a fine day, but made finer still by all who have attended." She glances at Methodios Tagaris briefly and she then continues in mock awe. "Even the most esteemed hero of the Balkan has seen this occasion worthy of his illustrious presence."

Her playful smile indicated she was not serious.

[Privateerkev]

Makedonios chuckles.

You unprepared? I find that hard to believe. You've been preparing for this your whole life.

Turning over to gesture towards Methodios.

As for "the hero of the Balkans", he certainly has made a name for himself. I think the Megas will have kittens when he sees that he is here. Should provide for an... eventful evening...

He smiles and sips his tea.

[TheFlax]

Anna returns his smile.

" "Eventful" might be an understatement in that case. I do hope you will be able to appreciate this event, even in your state. Sadly, I cannot tarry in one place too long at this moment."

She leaves the table without making an effort to correct the ambiguity in her choice of words.

[Privateerkev]

Makedonios gives the Princess a nod before returning to his seat. The evening was certainly shaping up to be interesting indeed.

[flyd]

An Officer of the Office of the Megas Logothetes enters. His hair and clothes are neat enough, but his eyes show unmistakable signs of acute weariness. He finds Ioannis Kalameteros

Antypatos Ioannis Kalameteros, I bear a personal message from the Megas Logothetes, Markianos Ampelas. He apologizes, as most profoundly as it can be done, that he is unable to attend your wedding. Things are very busy, as always. He wishes you and your bride all the happiness that a marriage such as this can provide, and more so than even that. <He pauses. He is unsure if that last part made any sense. So tired.> He was hoping that he would get the chance to meet you in person, but that day is yet to come, hopefully at the walls of a certain Anatolian city. Send his regards to your wife as well.

Having successfully performed the function of a fancy, talking letter, the Officer leaves.

[Cecil XIX]

Armatos arrives at the wedding, quickly taking some food and a seat at te Order's table.

[Privateerkev]

Still amused that the Megas had basically snubbed the whole royal family, Makedonios smiled when he saw Armatos walk in.

Brother Armatos! I'm glad you could make it. Bart is around somewhere gathering food. He must be gathering enough for three meals.

[Ibn-Khaldun]

If there is something good about these big social gatherings then it is the food, Efstathios said to himself while taking another peace of pork.

He turned around and saw the officer saying something to Ioannis. What was it about he did not know but seeing that Makedonios smiled while listening the officer Efstathios was sure that it must of been something about the wedding. But this was not his business. He turned and looked around what food to take next.

[Zim]

Kosmas walks up to the banquet table as well, pouring himself another glass of wine. Noticing Efstathios, he nods towards him and smiles.

"It is good to see a familiar face. I was beginning to worry that aside from the groom himself, all of the other Asteri members here would remain lost to me in the crowd. I trust you are enjoying the festivites?"

[Ibn-Khaldun]

Efstathios nods to Kosmas.

So far this have been a very enjoyable event. But to be quite honest I try to avoid parties like these because there are just too much .. people!
Efstathios sighs.

He pours himself a glass of wine too and continues..

Let's just say that I once I have eaten as much as I can I go home and rest and then travel south to Smyrna. There is a war ahead of us and I can not just party in these circumstances.

[TheFlax]

As Efsthatios utters his last sentences, Anna drifts near the two men and gives then a polite smile.

"So there will be a war? Well, there isn't much you can do this evening save enjoying yourself as much as possible, who knows what lies ahead?"

[Zim]

Kosmas bows to Anna.

"You are quite wise, Princess. Matters of war can be dealt with later, for now we deal with a much more pleasant event."

Kosmas suddenly starts, realizing he has forgotten something. "Forgive my lack of manners. This," He smiles warmly and motions towards Efstathios, "Is Efstatios Laskaris, the newest member of House Asteri. Efstathios, I am sure you know Anna Komnenos."

[deguerra]

Taking some time away from talking to Caesar Ioannis seated next to him, Ioannis Kalameteros listens politely to the messenger from Markianos Ampelas with an expressionless face and nods at the man slightly when he is finished. Taking advantage of the silence around him, he moves out to the balcony to find Savvas ek Militou.

Thank you for coming Savvas. I do hope you are enjoying yourself. In fact, I believe I still owe you that drink I promised you during the last Senate session. Or was it the one before? In any case, would you care to join me for it now?

[Askthepizzaguy]

Efstratios Monomachos is nowhere to be seen... at the wedding, in the Senate, or at the hippodrome.

As the recently appointed ruler of one of the houses of the Roman Empire, he was expected to attend... where could he be?

[BananaBob]

Nathanail ek Korinthou enters dressed in a fancy red tunic with dark hose. On his breast is the Orders insignia: a shield with a purple cross. He sees his fellows gathered with Makedonios and gravitates over.

[Privateerkev]

Makedonios takes a pause from conferring with Armatos about Order business to greet Nathanial with a warm smile.

Sergeant! Please get some food and join us. If you happen to see Bart at the food table, be sure to let him know that the table of food isn't going anywhere and he can sit down to eat.

[BananaBob]

Nathanail gives a delighted laugh
Of course grandmaster! I must say, after years in the levant I am overjoyed to be back, for the time being.
You look in better much physical condition, Makedonios.

[Privateerkev]

Makedonios sighs at the thought of his decades long illness but maintains his smile.

I am feeling a bit better. I'm not over it by any stretch of the imagination but I believe the resting in Antioch has done some good.

He then sips some tea.

[BananaBob]

Nathanail gives Makedonios a sideways glance, picking up on some form of unease eminating from the man. Not sure if it was his comments or something else, he gives a nod and moves to the food table, giving Makdonios some space.

[Privateerkev]

Makedonios notices Nathanail tense up and quickly says something before the man leaves to get food.

Oh no, it isn't you. I guess I'm just tired of being sick all the time. Go get some food and we can talk some more.

With that, Makedonios gives the Sergeant a comforting smile and proceeds to sip more mint tea.

[Ibn-Khaldun]

Efstathios bows to Anna and smiles.

Yes I know who she is. I have seen her many times in the city.

Suddenly realized something..

Where are my manners! My congratulations!
And about that war.. Perhaps you two are right. Let's leave it to the future and celebrate tonight.

He smiles and offers a glass of wine to Anna.

[Andres]

Savvas turns to Ioannis and smiles.

Ah, my dear Ioannis. Allow me to congratulate you wholeheartedly.

I would never refuse a drink from you.

Savvas gives Ioannis a friendly slap on the shoulder and takes a goblet of wine. He sips a bit wine and then looks at Ioannis wedding and engagement rings.

Ah my friend, nice engagement ring and a very nice wedding ring. I hope you'll like the third one as well: the sufferring...

Savvas grinned.