An Evening Between Nobility

Lavinia glanced at the men, but otherwise paid them no mind as she accepted Perry's arm. Perry had neatly trapped them in an impossible situation. She could only hope the fear of disobeying their boss outweighed their fear of losing him the business deal by following orders, and that Perry carried out his threat. "We should go," Lavinia said. "I can explain more about the exhibition on the way. I think you may find it illuminating."

"Very well," Perry responded politely, giving Nick and Rick a hard look before exiting the restaurant and heading down the street. He made sure he was far enough away from them before he even began to consider his next move.

Nick and Rick shared a glance at the retreating Lord. Nick: "Not much else for it is there?" Rick: "Sad to say there isnt" Nick: "Whelp, fortys forty, shall we go tell the ol' man what happend?" Rick: "He'll be pissed you know." Nick: "He'll be fine." Rick: "Im more worried about us." Nick: "We're preserving his dealings, arent we? He'd rather that." Rick: "As you say old bean, youre going to be the one to tell him though." Nick starts wandering towards Lord Fairfaxes ship, Rick as always at his side. Nick: "Shoot you for it." Rick: "... Best of three?" Nick: "You always win that." Rick: "Ill sweeten it then, the whole forty goes to the winner." Nick: "... Done."

Lavinia walked beside him, content, though slightly disappointed that the men did not follow. "You are worried," she said after a few minutes of walking.

"There is quite a bit to be worried about," Perry replied, keeping his back straight and his shoulders squared as he used his umbrella to shield the two from the small trickle of water. "I still can't help but find Toryc suspicious, even more so when he is sending his henchmen out to follow me. We have Naughtsha in the middle of a revolution, the possibility of... certain factions existing, the criminal Fairchild still on the loose and quite a bit of uncertainty toward my family's future. I believe I have every reason to be worried."

Lavinia nodded. "That is certainly the case."

The young lord turned his head to look at Lavinia as he walked down down the street. His expression was a troubled one, a concerned yet calculating one as he considered his next course of action carefully. Their previous conversation had left him weary and quite frankly concerned about just what Lavinia had gotten herself involved in. Such views on magic seemed quite unethical to his mind and more disruptive than helpful in the long run. However, Lavinia was a companion, someone from his past he had fond memories of. He was beginning to run short of such people.

Finally, Lord Fairlax cleared his throat and ventured, "I don't believe I will have many more chances at privacy on this island, so I should wish to discuss a sensitive subject with you in this small time frame we have. I've..." There was a pause. Perry's pride was far too strong for him to mention that this was his mother's idea. "...Come to the decision that I am in need of a wife in the future. While you seem quite busy at the moment, I should like to attempt courting you again when you have finished your business here. My apologies for being blunt and going against the usual conversions in this area."

Lavinia blinked and looked over to her companion. While the idea was not unexpected, the fact that Perry had gotten up the nerve to ask almost certainly was. She smiled at him, trying to put him more at ease. "I have always considered you a very dear friend, Perry, and have no objections. Neither does my father, I am sure. You need not apologize." She patted his arm. "I find a bit of straightforward speech refreshing."

Perry glanced away from the smile, his nerves and uncertainty returning on the subject. "Then I ask you to contact me on my mirror once you have finished your research. I imagine it will take some time and will allow for sufficient time to pass between an engagement and my father's passing. I look forward to seeing the fair tomorrow," He said.

He also couldn't help but mentally note that he was going to have to call Viscount Morenne and ask for his permission as well. He couldn't help but think that it was going to be a bit of an odd conversation, considering it would be his first conversation with the man as a Count and not just a family friend. He didn't quite know if there would be anger over such a quick transition in title or sorrow at the passing or if the conversation would be like any other.

"Of course, though I imagine it would take some time, Perry. Perhaps you could ask father if you could accompany me. Provided you are not too busy attending other matters. I understand that you have various affairs you must get in order..."

"I believe it would be quite rude not to attend Lord Syme's funeral. However, once that is complete I believe I can spare a few months to travel with you," Perry replied, trying to keep his professional appearance despite the grim subject of his words.

Lavinia looked down. "I do not think I will be able to make it..." She clutched her hands together. She had to continue her mission... and she was not sure she wished to go... Being there might remind her of what had happened.

"Understandable. I still hold a duty to go myself though, if not because he was a friend then because I owed him a debt or his help with Mr. Fairchild. A pity I will never be able to return that debt," Perry replied, keeping a formal tone despite some grim undertones. He kept his arm held out to continue to escort Lavinia back to her ship.