[The five other young people look vaguely annoyed to have Nozomi and McGillis butt in. But then they see they're two other pretty young people so actually it's fine maybe.
the elder van Zieks child is only pleased, though. He smiles wide, his magnetic charisma that's allowing him to command the attention of this group immediately apparent.]
Of course, of course! I'm very glad to meet you![He bows.] Klint van Zieks. [and gestures to the child clinging to his leg at the sight of new people.] and this is my younger brother, Barok. Make sure you greet our guests, Barok.
[Barok peers up at them, and then manages;]
Thank you both for coming to our party...
[The two ladies of the group coo at him. They stand nearest to Nozomi, and thus one asks her;]
[ McGillis returns the bow to Klint, equally smooth. And then another bow to little Barok, who is (McGillis has to silently agree with the ladies) really a little darling. ]
McGillis Fareed. The pleasure is entirely mine. Will the two of you also be joining us for the hunt later?
[ Barok is pretty clearly too young for it, but McGillis knows there is nothing that delights children more than being considered as adults. ]
[Barok does seem to be slightly emboldened by their kind and gentle tones. He shakes his head.]
I'm nine this year! I'm learning how to ride, but I'm still not very good.
[One of the young men on the other side of Klint scoffs.] A hunt is no place for a child. It's barely a place for a woman, if you ask me.
[Klint frowns at this, but it's the second man who stands between the speaker and McGillis who speaks up, looking at McGillis and Nozomi apologetically as he places a hand on the other's shoulder.]
Please, pay no mind to my cousin Vergil. He has a bad habit of speaking before he thinks. [He holds out a hand to McGillis] Gregory Westenra. My cousin here is Vergil Lawson.
[ Ah. Now it feels like a real high society party indeed. McGillis gives Gregory's hand a firm shake. ]
A pleasure to meet the both of you as well. I'm sure we'll be spending more time in each other's company in the present season.
[ Then he turns to Vergil, his smile taking on a bit of a sharp edge. ]
I hope you enjoy surprises. In growing up, my fiercest rival in hunting was the Lady Issue. I hope your your sake that the ladies in today's company can broaden your perspective as she did for me.
[Vergil hmphs, but doesn't protest, especially after getting a firm look from Klint. The last young man, standing next to Klint, shakes his head with a laugh.]
Vergil and Gregory are a bit too eager to make themselves stand out. Not that I can blame them, having to compete with a shining star like our dear Klint. [He says as he plants a hand on Klint's shoulder, who looks appropriately sheepish.]
You flatter me far too much for being my senior, Marcus! Besides, I think McGillis here could give me a run for my money just to look at him. What did they feed you, my good man?
[Meanwhile, in polite corner, Barok nods.]
Mmhm. I know. But I'm going to keep practicing hard so one day I can be a proper gentleman and prosecutor like my father and Klint!
[The ladys coo over this, but the second one also sighs.]
Not only is Klint the perfect man, but if I married him, I could have such a cute little brother in law as well!
I look forward to it! Though really, the ones who'll impress you is our dogs. They're excellent at what they do. Even a werewolf wouldn't scare them if such a thing were to become real!
[Francis laughs. It's clear from the way he and Klint bounce off eachother that they're good friends despite Klint looking to be closer in age to Vergil and Gregory. Speaking of, Gregory asks;]
What are you studying, McGillis? Or have you already finished university?
[Meanwhile;]
I don't suppose you have your eye on anyone, Nozomi? Here or otherwise. Ah, I'm Bernice Waverly, by the way.
[She offers a curtsy and so does the other woman.] Rebecca Harker!
[ ... hm. Time to find out if he's about to say something that is totally off for the setting they have been brought to, but it feels better to be 'honest' than to claim expertise over something he doesn't actually know. ]
I am finished with my education by now. I work for the military - once the summer is over, I'll be stationed away from home again.
[Well, to answer Nozomi's question, seemingly, Rebecca looks over at McGillis, pulling out a fan to fan herself with.]
Oh! A military man? I hope we'll see plenty of you this summer, at least then.
[Gregory seems crestfallen by this. Young people drama...... Klint is unfazed by it, though. He's confident and thus doesn't need to worry, but not in a way that feels prideful or smug.]
How honorable of you. An even greater service to our great empire than Francis and I even aspire to as future members of the bar. You must be quite adept with a rifle, then. Will you be aiming for the grand prize on the hunt?
There's supposed to be a particularly large and impressive buck! Plenty of other game to be had, but that's the real prize. Maybe if Gregory fells it, Rebecca will pay him some mind instead of McGillis.
Francis!! [Gregory protests, flushing. Meanwhile, Bernice looks back to Nozomi;]
Are you going to participate, Nozomi? You strike me like a New Woman type the same as Mina and Maggie.
[ A buck is not a monster, so McGillis has decided he doesn't care for this line of conversation anymore. Let him just smile placidly and not put so much effort into being polite for a minute...
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the elder van Zieks child is only pleased, though. He smiles wide, his magnetic charisma that's allowing him to command the attention of this group immediately apparent.]
Of course, of course! I'm very glad to meet you![He bows.] Klint van Zieks. [and gestures to the child clinging to his leg at the sight of new people.] and this is my younger brother, Barok. Make sure you greet our guests, Barok.
[Barok peers up at them, and then manages;]
Thank you both for coming to our party...
[The two ladies of the group coo at him. They stand nearest to Nozomi, and thus one asks her;]
Isn't he such a little darling?
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McGillis Fareed. The pleasure is entirely mine. Will the two of you also be joining us for the hunt later?
[ Barok is pretty clearly too young for it, but McGillis knows there is nothing that delights children more than being considered as adults. ]
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To the ladies, ]
Yes, he is.
[ Nozomi smiles down at Barok.]
How old are you now, Barok?
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I'm nine this year! I'm learning how to ride, but I'm still not very good.
[One of the young men on the other side of Klint scoffs.]
A hunt is no place for a child. It's barely a place for a woman, if you ask me.
[Klint frowns at this, but it's the second man who stands between the speaker and McGillis who speaks up, looking at McGillis and Nozomi apologetically as he places a hand on the other's shoulder.]
Please, pay no mind to my cousin Vergil. He has a bad habit of speaking before he thinks. [He holds out a hand to McGillis] Gregory Westenra. My cousin here is Vergil Lawson.
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A pleasure to meet the both of you as well. I'm sure we'll be spending more time in each other's company in the present season.
[ Then he turns to Vergil, his smile taking on a bit of a sharp edge. ]
I hope you enjoy surprises. In growing up, my fiercest rival in hunting was the Lady Issue. I hope your your sake that the ladies in today's company can broaden your perspective as she did for me.
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She keeps her expression sweet and placid, keeping her attention on Barok.]
That's alright. It takes a lot of practice before you get really good at something.
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Vergil and Gregory are a bit too eager to make themselves stand out. Not that I can blame them, having to compete with a shining star like our dear Klint.
[He says as he plants a hand on Klint's shoulder, who looks appropriately sheepish.]
You flatter me far too much for being my senior, Marcus! Besides, I think McGillis here could give me a run for my money just to look at him. What did they feed you, my good man?
[Meanwhile, in polite corner, Barok nods.]
Mmhm. I know. But I'm going to keep practicing hard so one day I can be a proper gentleman and prosecutor like my father and Klint!
[The ladys coo over this, but the second one also sighs.]
Not only is Klint the perfect man, but if I married him, I could have such a cute little brother in law as well!
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Height is just luck of the draw - I'd rather you make yourself a picture of my actual abilities later today.
We might not find Lord Barton's werewolf, but surely some deer also make for good competition.
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I'm sure if you work hard, you'll get there. Just remember what you want to do.
[ Werewolf? ]
He certainly does have charm.
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[Francis laughs. It's clear from the way he and Klint bounce off eachother that they're good friends despite Klint looking to be closer in age to Vergil and Gregory. Speaking of, Gregory asks;]
What are you studying, McGillis? Or have you already finished university?
[Meanwhile;]
I don't suppose you have your eye on anyone, Nozomi? Here or otherwise. Ah, I'm Bernice Waverly, by the way.
[She offers a curtsy and so does the other woman.]
Rebecca Harker!
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I am finished with my education by now. I work for the military - once the summer is over, I'll be stationed away from home again.
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[She mirrors the curtsy]
A pleasure to meet you both. Anybody besides Klint catching your eyes?
[... Huh. She doesn't think she's ever done this sort of girl talk.]
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Oh! A military man? I hope we'll see plenty of you this summer, at least then.
[Gregory seems crestfallen by this. Young people drama...... Klint is unfazed by it, though. He's confident and thus doesn't need to worry, but not in a way that feels prideful or smug.]
How honorable of you. An even greater service to our great empire than Francis and I even aspire to as future members of the bar. You must be quite adept with a rifle, then. Will you be aiming for the grand prize on the hunt?
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Mhm, I will take the hunt as it comes. I only arrived back home last weekend, I have not had the time to gather my full strength again.
What would the most stately game in the area be, then?
[ Said man who has fired a historical rifle maybe once in his life, if at all... ]
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She turns her attention to the talk of the hunt for the moment. ]
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Francis!!
[Gregory protests, flushing. Meanwhile, Bernice looks back to Nozomi;]
Are you going to participate, Nozomi? You strike me like a New Woman type the same as Mina and Maggie.
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Your turn, Nozomi! ]
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[ Not quite sure what "New Woman" is supposed to mean, but going right along with it. ]
Is there anything I should be aware of out there?
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You need to keep your head on a swivel! It's easy to mistake the sight of another person for an animal, so caution is best found in abundance.
No that's why you aren't coming along, Vergil.
I think the best thing to keep in mind is to trust the senses of the hunting dogs, personally.
Very true! And to some extent, that of your horse as well! Though they're a mite more exciteable than the dogs.
[They sure have lots of advice it seems.]
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You'll do fine, Nozomi. We've learned not to underestimate animal instinct, haven't we?
[ ANIMAL WEEK WAS SUCH A PAIN. ]
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[Being a deer was mostly freezing up, which is hardly an advantage.
...
She has no idea how to ride a horse. Trial by fire, she supposes.]
I'll be sure to be careful out there. I'd hate to hurt anyone.