(2018-06-05) Let's Get This Party Started
Being your brother's keeper means helping him, not preventing his goals.
tomaso 
An
Summary:
Tomaso finds Gurian in the Loggia, they discuss plans and a party begins to form. At least plans for a party.
Related:
Offer Accepted
Misc Info:
The Zanetti at work, sort of.
gurian 

Half the arches of the loggia are covered, more towards the east. Though its afternoon, it was drawn in the morning to block out the morning sun. Gurian has retired up here from some of the business rooms below, taking a break from managing affairs to now have a drink on the upper balcony. There is a bottle of wine, some goblets. He has one and is standing. Not watching neighbors so much as gazing off towards the south. There, aside from the numerous ships with many varied colors of banners and pinions, is also the the Zanetti shipyard. The recently returned lumber is being put to good work as several hulls have gone up recently. Like ants in the dirt, the men down there can be seen adding more. One is not yet ready for a deck while the other has started following a central mast being put in place. On schedule it would seem. And from the look of Gurian, his head turned south and downward, his gaze seems to be somewhere else all together. Not paying much mind to the work other than being in the habit of taking drinks up here to reflect most likely.

*

The first sign that Gurian isn't alone is a sudden waft of scent, some sort of leather and sandalwood affair made specifically to evoke an innate sense of rugged manliness but generally failing on all counts. The second sign is a cheerful, "Oho! Glass of wine? Don't mind if I do! Hullo," with the 'hullo' added as a sort of afterthought as Tomaso is already finding himself a goblet to help himself. "They're doing all right down there, aren't they? We're going to have more ships than we know what to do with."

*

A mumble of something gruff, Gurian comes out of that wool gathering moment. A turn to see who is here. "Ah, Tomaso," recognition dawns to the moment. "The ships? Yes, before long we shall. But they are all destined somewhere. The first was an order by a merchant family of Borzia, the send to Avicorse. I am thinking we send word to Avicorse their ship is on delay, and to the di Fanzia family as well. One shall be destined to Sabastino here." He relays his thoughts, turning. "We've been silent of late, but the time for Zanetti is drawing nearer. You'll be available to join us to attend this masquarade?" Nonchalant in manner, not so much demand to come, but curiousity to see if he might join them or not.

*

Tomaso reaches to run a hand through the hair at the back of his neck, squinting a little out into the afternoon sun. "Ah, see, now it's a funny thing… who's going to be there? I mean, I know that you're supposed to be anonymous and everything, but really, who can't tell through a flimsy mask? I'm all for a good party, you know I'm all up for a good party, but… well, you know."

*

"I suspect this Prince in asylum will be the most prominent figure there." He shrugs though, "And the rest, the usuals yes. Should be easy to pick and prod to find out who is who. What's more important is there will be an announcement, Signora Arabella di Sabastino and I are to be wed." As if every day news, like business more than anything else. "Its on us to then host an engagement party. On a strict timeline, with trouble in Vinchia brewing. I think this will move us up among the great houses of Matora." He turns to look more directly at Tomasa, "I am seeing if you are ready for this. More will look at our house as these events unfold."

*

"Arabella di Sabastino?" Tomaso latches on, turning away from the view to instead view his half brother. "About… yay tall, dark hair, stunning eyes? Oh, bravo, old man! Bravo, excellent choice. I bet she's a g— I mean, I'm sure she'll bring great honour and yada yada yada." He clear his throat, trying his best to look serious for at least half a second before his natural tendency to grin surfaces. "That IS a party I'd be glad to host. No masks, just a lot of fit, eligible ladies, all trying to to outdo each other and a lot of low cut gowns. Yes please!"

*

Watching, listenning. Gurian lifts a slight brow, and the thrust of the comment is changed, honor is brought in. The Conte nods to his younger brother, "Not bad for an old man. The stars align for this, I merely used them to my advantage." He might not be grinning, but there is a smug set to the corner of his lips that could hint at a smile for Gurian at least. "See, taht is serious. Perhaps too serious, when you're that interested, it speaks to me of asking you to help with preparations. Or, at least what it takes to set such a tone to attract the guests you're after." Taking a drink from his goblet then, pointing towrds some for his brother to help himself if he hasn't got that far yet, "Its an engagement affair, our party. But, our sister Emmeline is returned from the East. Its something of a welcome home as well. We'll gather the first porcini of the year, enjoy the mushrooms with some late spring squash. But, perhaps you've some younger male friends among the other houses to invite as well?"

*

Tomaso gladly helps himself to a top up, having somehow managed to gulp down at least half of his wine already - an impressive feat when he barely stops talking for half a moment at a time. "Gurian, I was BORN to attract guests. I'll round up the boys and give a wink or two to the ladies and tell them it's some sort of clandestine party nobody's to know about. It'll be all around the city in no time at all. No better way to spread word than to tell them it's some sort of secret." A brief pause to enjoy more of the wine, before he wipes his lip with the back of one elegantly clad cuff. "Head out into the nice, secluded forest with the ladies for an afternoon, then home for drinks and dancing? I'm in. When did you have in mind?"

*

Gurian taps his goblet with a ringed hand. Not to make noise, just to feel the metal contact metal. "Yes, this is good. Inform the men and women," the eligible sort, "That is it as you say, some invite only affair. It'll surely attract more interest this way. I was hoping within the week. Time to set a few orders in affair here and retire to our estates for a few days of hunting and then this party." A slow nod, he lifts his goblet again, not drinking near as much as Tomaso does. "I should have come to you first with this. I've set the ball in motion and it has been tumbling since. We just need to stay ahead of the other houses here. What do you need to make this happen?"

*

"Money," Tomaso immediately responds. It's an automatic reaction. Of course he'll need money. Or, you know, if he doesn't end up needing it to plan the party as such, there are always card tables that'll gladly relieve him of it. And a younger brother's allowance doesn't always stretch as far as a younger brother with a taste for expensive clothes can always hope. "Then we'll need seven or eight dozen bottles of wine, some of those little… cakey… things, you know the ones with the almonds?" He gestures with one hand and a goblet to try to indicate what he means without spilling any wine. "Probably some sort of… I don't know. Bunting. Something to hang up to make the place look festive, your man will know what's best there, I'm sure. We can't look cheap, now, can we?"

*

A slight straign of muscle at his jaw, it was there, Gurian expected it. Maybe not as quickly though. "Of course," he agrees to the need for money, and it will be given from their counting room in the house. "Yes, those cake things. I like the almonds, do they have some with hazelnut?" Curious himself, watching as his brother does the gestures, expressive as he talks, while not spilling the wine itself. "We can still have red wine, despite it being summer? White is too sweet for my taste. We could add a couple dozen reds?" His mind is counting it out by the tun of wine now, as if to assure they will have enough. "No, we do not want to look cheap. We'll have to decorate in both Zanetti and Sabastino colors as well. You can see to the estate, you know more of the intimate spaces on the grounds?" Half statement, suspicion, some questioning, but more the statement. "Attractive to these individuals to make the use of their time and remember this affair we are to host?" He gets into the planning, but is still differing to his brother's opinion for such a social event. He knows its not his forte.

*

Tomaso nods amiably. "Oh, yes yes, the Sabastino colours… remind me?" he subtly urges, flicking a hopeful smile. "I'll make sure we've got plenty of nice intimate spots, though. No problem at all!"

*

Having nearly turned back to stewing, or looking out the southern open wall of the loggia, Gurian pauses to look towards Tomaso. "Red and silver, I imagine red supplemented with some lighter color will suffice." He says, maybe preferring the red and blue over secondary colors of the houses. Then there is that slight moment of nearly a grin again, something showing at the corners of his mouth. "Good, I can see you are motivated. If you find good individuals with House Farro or Arbore, let me know. I do mean to work closely with them at some point, keep the strong Sacario families together?"

*

"If by 'good' you mean..?" Tomaso gestures crudely in front of his chest with both hands, albeit one still holding his wine.

*

Half a grumble from Gurian, that could be made to mask a low chortle. "Could be, if you wish that." Suggestive of not quite what he was going for, "Perhaps at some point, yes, an alliance of sorts. But a trusted contact between our houses. That we begin similar talks towards strengthening relations." He starts to turn southward again, but pauses, "And you will be kept in mind to help with this, so if that is your view of good, then now is a good time to find which house has the best .. options, that you may desire."

*

Tomaso hurriedly backpedals, shaking his head. "Oh, no, no, I wouldn't want to steal your thunder, and it's only fitting that we find somebody suitable for Emmeline first, don't you worry about me any. I'll muddle along for now, don't you fret. But… well, don't go making any alliances without… well, due consideration of the, uh, options." He nods firmly, then knocks back the last of his goblet of wine.

*

A slight lift of chin, to slowly nod his head, Gurian listens to his brother. "Certainly. No rush though. One of these at a time. Only benefitting us. I shall keep the options in mind. We would do well to do the same for Emmeline. She was present when I met with Conte Enzo di Zanetti, I think she is neither in a rush as well." Gurian seems stern once more, or at least stoic of features. A necessity of life is all, for their house at least. "With Farro and Arbore, I only mean to find out their thoughts on this matter with Vinchia, and their thoughts on which Ventura they will support among the Council. So that we too vote with our fellows."

*

Tomaso wrinkles his nose. "Well, politics isn't entirely my style, but I can certainly ask. If it comes up when we're out, I'll ask," he clarifies. "I'll head out and see if I can get the word on the street, then. One, a non-invite to your engagement party and mushroom hunt, and two, how are the Farro and Arbores leaning. I'm on it!"

*

"At least let them know we are open to talks," nods Gurian to Tomaso. "I can handle the politics, you present a friendly face." Finishing his goblet, he walks to set it down near the bottle that was opened for now, "Thank you brother, I can trust you." Its said, even with some trepidation, as if he knows he might not know what to expect in return, but he trusts the intentions of his brother in the matter at least. Gurian leaves it there, to allow his brother to proceed as he wishes. "I'm glad you caught me here. I'll leave you to it Tomaso, in your way."

*

"Anything for you, you know that," Tomaso breezes, flashing a wide, distracting grin, as he snaffles up the remains of the bottle of wine to tuck under one arm and disappear with.

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