Marian Varmont

hiya, favorite sis!! marian is literally ~the most important person in albrecht's whole world and, frankly, i don't think he makes any bones abt that or like tries to pretend its any other way like???? she's my sister and i got her back no matter what! also sorry other siblings try being cool like marian <3 (no, he loves them, too, in his way they just...aren't marian) i mean, i don't think he's ~mean abt it he's just...v matter-of-fact that's his person <3 and i do think he is v dad-shaped for her kids and VERY firmly against the calainons!!!!!! bc i think he does tend to take her part in pr much everything yknow?

i ~do think he takes family matters and solemont goals v srsly and is v duty-oriented and such. frankly probs a lil ~over srs a lot ljksdafkjds not to the degree of, say, rian or anything like ~that, but he ~does find it kinda tough to relax much i fear laksdjfjdsf i do think he tends to funnel his ambitions towards meeting familial goals and, while i see him having a struggle w his faith in his arc (tho i think he may start out a true believer? im still kinda feeling that bit out a touch) so idk if he believes arthur's like ~the prophecied hero king of the sun~ or anything like that, i do think he sees arthur's ascendency as the best thing for realizing all the goals he holds to be so importnt

MARIAN'S PREGNANCIES as we know, Marian ended up back at house solemont when she was pregnant w/ her kids (idr if we said it was all three of them??? but that feels right??) so I imagine Albrecht would have been around for that! AND that would've been such a comfort to marian, tbh-- i doubt she was necessarily leaning on him for much in the way she does now-- HE was only 12 when Arthur was born!-- but still just having that comfort of someone who understands you and you trust, no matter the age! i do think as time passed and marian DID have those miscarriages, she probably confided in Albrecht her suspicions about being poisoned by @forgottenamira and, if at that point Arthur and Sebastian had been having their mysterious bouts of illnesses as well, about her suspicions they were being poisoned, too! i don't think she would've expected Albrecht to actually DO anything about it, but she still told him! tbh i think marian was the most happy when she was at house solemont with her kids-- she wasn't crazy enough to think that could actually be a long term thing and ofc the older arthur and sebastian got, the less idyllic things would've been for them esp given their positions and the fact they are sons so! but i think she looks back so fondly on when they were v young and albrecht being a teenager atp was probably a cool uncle for them! but those are def some of her happiest memories <3 THAT also brings up the whole... marian vision, is arthur blessed by the sun?! thing up too! (i nearly forgot!) what do you think Albrecht makes of all that? I imagine bc he would've been fairly young when this happened, Marian wouldn't have necessarily spoken to him about it (in my head she either went to her mother or father planning to confess abt the affair, got as fair as the sun moment in the chapel and someone cut her off like 'OBVIOUSLY HE WAS BLESSED BY THE GODS AND YOU ARE CARRYING SOME SORT OF SAVIOR!' or smth like that!) but being that albrect has been in the OVN and see the pro-arthur propaganda machine at work.... is he believing it? or is he just supporting arthur no matter what bc he's marian's boy? RODERICK'S CONQUESTS I'm just going on assumptions here that none of Marian's brothers who were of age to fight in roderick's wars were probably sitting around at home twiddling their thumbs during conquests! meaning i'm guessing albrecht was out there fighting? i have thoughts abt what marian would've WANTED him to do but before i go into all of that i wanted to see what your ideas were about what he'd been up to during roderick's various wars?!

i also know asp we'd (or i'd!) thrown around the idea that Albrecht was the one who went with Marian when she travelled to see Arthur at Kil-Kennar! That def doesn't have to be the case if it doesn't line up with your ideas (tbh maybe it could've been lucian if he was travelling as a merchant or smth!) but i do think she would've wanted it to be albrecht if he wasn't busy, haha

ASTAIRA + MALCONAIRE i feel like its basically established that marian has been wanting her family back at court but roderick hasn't been in to that idea until recently... but ofc that hasn't stopped her from communicating with them. I doubt Marian would have written much about her plans for trying to make Albrecht the new Lord of Malconaire in case someone (Amira) intercepted her letters BUT I do think this idea has been rattling around in her brain for awhile! tbh its a real blow to her plans that @forgottenciara is half Calleary and not half Malconaire bc in an ideal world for Marian, Albrecht gets Malconaire AND marries Ciara, suring up all of that for #teamArthur... and while I think Marian also would've LOVED to devise a way to get Hanthom away from Godfrey, she knows that's not going to be easy BUT they now have the largest county in Astaira! that's not nothing! but dangit, Ciara, you picked Roderick's wrong brother in law!

option two was just have albrecht enter the scene as a savior of malconaire and, duh, eithne would totes marry him instead!-- which would give some credibility to all the astairan faithful that he was approved by the OG family of those lands! great! plus it would get rid of valentina, who is the worse!! but i do not think marian is going to be as eager for a Malconaire/Solemont match as her father might be bc i do think she will see it as giving validity to pregnancy rumors-- if albrecht (or any solemont) married eithne, then that's just one of arthur's uncles doing his duty and carrying for arthur's child when he himself cannot! no thank you! so i guess MAYBE brigit would be ok but tbh i think marian is so over ALL the malconaire sisters (tho does she even know brigit exists!?) she really doesn't want any of them in her family...

... and speaking of astairan families with lots of daughters... do you think marian would have ANY idea of Albrecht's feelings for Aisling? so far, marian likes Lorcan the best out of any of the houses she's visited BUT also... lorcan isn't doing much for the fam. and if alaric locks down eabha... then lorcan is kinda already on their side? (at least in marian's mind!... she's not aware cormac is potentially going to blow everything up claiming he's engaged to cassandra ashdoiahfosafds)

so as you know, i usually start my lore posts on either of my rulers, but since this is a fashion post, this one's posting to my queen of fashion's blog ;DDDD anyway, i wanted to chat w you guys abt ur thoughts re: astairan fashions in general? i mostly talk abt rosie and her court fashions here, since her bio says she's a trendsetter etc and ive never really talked a ton abt that, so over a year in, i thought it might finally be time hahaha but yeah! i know, kate, you have a lot of thoughts abt aria's gowns and such, as well? and, lizzy, you've talked a bit abt brigit's style being kinda counter-culture, too? and in decorating, at least, we've talked abt more simplicity and nature being drawn into astairan aesthetics, etc, vs varmont, so i feel like that may also apply to their sartorial selections? idk! id love to hear more abt all ur thoughts on all of this!

ok, so as you all know i v much enjoy thinking abt lfr fashion bc!! tis fun heehee since rosie is a bit of a trendsetter, i also like to think abt like...what're maybe some of, like, the ~established style norms~ and how does she break them, if she's setting trends, etc, so!! anyway, from here's imma chat mostly abt rosie's (and eilia's but as a mirror to rosie's) fashions!

i feel like our baseline is obv general medieval/fantasy aesthetic of course and, since historically speaking, queens (whether ruling or consort) were the ppl to set the fashion tone at court and, thereby, throughout the kingdom, i thought id start w @forgotteneilionora 's fashion sense/style and work from there? tbh idk if eilia really ~is setting any trends, but i thought she could at least work as a type of standard, just to get this duscussion kinda going?

obv there're lotsa styles and style cues and honestly i feel like every county probs has its own stylitstic personality and obv each ~person has theirs and so on and so forth (for example, eabha wears a lot of v sort of greco-roman kinda styles which...idk if that's just ~her or if its a calleary thing or maybe a ~their og water nation~ style thing, or some other option entirely) but yeah!

so!! eilia's style is...ngl v deffffff big time a riff on like...~medieval fashion~ in a v indistinct kinda sense ngl hahaha if princess buttercup from the princess bride or lady morgana from merlin or princess isabella from braveheart would wear it...eilionora probably would, too! i think of her as v traditionalist in her dress, but also v elegant and understated as well: she def kinda plays it safe, i think, but she dresses well and is always thinking of her public image through the lens of being a symbol of astaira and therefore wanting to be v respectable etc in the way she presents herself

id say that eilia's biggest contributions to astairan fashion have probs been twofold (with a bonus trait thanks to roderick but i'll get into that in a bit): first, she is super understated in her dress and i feel like, rather than crowns or coronets, she generally opts for a simple ferronieres (aka a sort of...chain or loop that goes over the forebead, often bearing a [ jewel ] or [ jewels ] and, historically speaking, admittedly much more of a renaissance staple than a medieival one but...here we are) as well as a v standard [ medieval silhouette ] of form-fitting bodice with boatneck and flowing skirts below the waist (usually including a long chain or belt at the waist/hips as well), and sleeves that flow outward dramatically from the elbow like [ this ] to various lengths. (the bonus thing she's contributed to astairan fashion is, i think, actually sort of accidental bc i think its just a political statement: and that's a rise in popularity of wearing blue and/or stars as frankly a political statement just bc those're her colors etc and she happened to be queen when roderick took over, so its sort of a symbol now of a free astaira, and since this is all ulatimately a preamble to my thoughts on rosie's dressing standards, i def think rosie does this, too.) another thing eilia does a lot of is sort of...paying a lot of attention to textures: i feel she wears a lot of silk, a lot of velvet, and a lot of diaphonous fabrics as well. you'll def catch her w various transparent veils and such too!

so, w rosie, i think she did a couple things: i think the first thing she popularized, when she first arrived at eilia's court as one of her ladies, was an off-the-shoulder cut, taking eilia's standard cut, but rather than using the standard boat neck, she just...lopped it off altogether like [ this ] bc i do think one of her big focuses when imagining gowns fcomes from thinking in terms of dramatic silhouettes

because of this, i do also think fairly early on she got into sort of...building out dresses w underlayers and with draping and with folding and all sorts of things to produce certain effects, like you'll see on her [ samain/birthday dress ] (and yes this dress was absolutely a splurge -- w the cloth-of-bronze/copper vibes, i imagine it to have been one of @forgottencassandra 's old dresses that rosie took apart and put back together the way she imagined it, since cassandra will often give her some of her old clothes, etc!)

the next trends i think she started actually came from her being inventive about reusing clothes, but making it up in a I MEANT TO DO THAT kinda way so 1) lots of embroidery!!!! i think she did this initially to patch up holes as malconaire became poor and rosie became its seamstress (thanks, valentina!), etc, like imagine if [ these were patches ] how effective that'd be in hiding it as decoration!

an innovation that came even later, from taking one of her mother's old dresses, updating it, and adding literal curtains to form a full skirt (bc again she's imagining dramatic silhouettes), is juxtaposing fabrics like [ this ], taking two toally different textiles that're complementary in one way or another, but also completely different, to make both pop, another kinda riff on eilia's textural choices!

and, 2) more recently, still, lotsa panelling, for when ur reduced to mere scraps and you gotta make a whole dress work outta that! like [ this ].

3) literal actual regional natural motifs!! their jewles are gone...so rosie's bringing back flower crowns and such in a bigggg way! laskdjfkljsdf

i def feel like she partially gets away w this stuff bc 1) she just carries it well and v confidently etc, and 2) she'd already been established as a fashionplate before valentina made them poor but yeah! lkajsdflkjsdkjf

im sure there's other stuff she's done etc but yeah! just some ideas i thought id toss out there!

also she does def wear all kinds of colors, but mostly you'll find her in green and malconaire colors <3

so i definitely have the strongest idea about what Aria's styling choices are but i might end up deviating off on a tangent about anyone else at some point.

so like eilia, aria's dress is very simplistic! she def tends to lean towards less 'finer' fabrics in the traditional sense-- i def think she's wearing linen a lot in the warmer months and, obviously, wool in colder months (honestly probably layering wool OVER linen cause our girl does not want a huge closet of clothing, much to Cassandra's horror!) i think in contrast to eilia, aria is rocking that square neckline often and more of a fitted sleeve (but still with that v drop waist that's so distinctly medieval. honestly this is v much what i imagine her wearing in her day to day!

while i think she's sticking with these simplistic silhouettes and fabrics, she's elevated things with a lot of embroidery! i think anything aria has done to her clothing in terms of embroidery adornment is not very elaborate but its the craftsmanship of it that she really cherishes! so lots of tone on tone embroidery (thinking about ~texture~ just like eilia!) and pulling the motifs from either astairan stories or traditional designs.

weirdly was just thinking about this the other day but i think her most elaborate 'daily' clothing item(s) are actually her outerwear in the form of cloaks! its definitely not a unique staple of her wardrobe by any means cause everyone is def rocking one, but i think our girl loves a good cloak with a hood! those are definitely rocking more noticeable embroidery for sure

for more formal events, she definitely takes her fashion cues from Eilia! her clothing for formal events is probably going to be silk or velvet (depending on the season) and i could see her have a couple basic gowns she has re-trimmed over and over again for different events. i could see her rocking some sort of fine belt or waist chain (possibly inherited from her mother?) often with those gowns. AND i think i posted this once upon a time that she had some sort of bejeweled hair clips/combs/ shaped like stars that she'll wear. (i feel like she's tried to wear ferronieres like eilia, maybe when their dad was still alive, but having that on her forehead drove her NUTS XD) in the same vein of things bugging her, i still see her having a more fitted sleeve-- i dunno what i'm imagining her just being SO annoyed by a long sleeve, haha

OH and it probably goes w/o being said but most of her clothing are shades of blue! i think she does incorporate gray as well, especially in her day to day wear, but lots of blue! i DO think she's incorporated some red into her attire now as part of the "plan", most likely in the form of simple robes or something she'd be able to throw on over something she already owned.

i'm guessing at this point any fine jewelry the staffords may have had is now in possession of the most illustrious emperor, but i do think she and eilia have hopefully held on to those ~personal~ jewelry items we'd talked about them having?? (i've been operating under the thought one was a ring and one was a pendant but i can't remember what we talked about haha!) i do think even before that happened, aria would opt to wear little to no fine jewelry unless forced. IF she had anything else, i'm guessing it might have been jewelry she inherited from their mother??

also just imagining whatever cassandra helped her design to wear for Guin's ball was just SO FAR opposite anything she'd ever worn before she felt super weird and uncomfortable the whole party (even before Roderick started in on his nonsense!)

if you answered yes to any of the above, ur probably on the right track, but really there is one and, only one question you have to answer when looking at amira's clothing: does it giveoff lowkey 'if i go up against her ill probably lose' vibes bc in the end, that's amira's signature look. literally every single item amira ever puts on is strictly calculated to project strength and power. ofc, there are many different vestments of power that amira puts on, often mixing and matching, and that's kinda what we'll be exploring here!

ok so some of the power amira is wielding, all calculated to intimidate: emperor's birde, emperor's mother (take that, arthur and guin!), calainon's heiress, high priestess, keeper of the eternal flame (tho lbr its really godfrey who does anything w that ngl), and witch to name a few. some emblems of these things:

colors: red (amira: i was wearing it first arthur back off), black, gold, orange, silver, purple

precious stones: lapis lazuli, diamonds, rubies, emeralds, pearls

sigils: dragon/serpent (in kolchean myth they're interchangable bc they are in greek myth), moon, eclipse, torch, tower, phoenix, raven

materials: samite, linen, bronze, copper, brass, silver, gold

scents: pepper, spikenard, cinnamon, aloeswood, ambergris, musk, frankincense, myrrh, balsam, indigo, dyers’ herbs, lapis lazuli, fustic, storax, pine, ivy, bay leaves, myrtle, rosemary

so you will see the above themes showing up time and again in her wardrobe!! some other things meant to project power you'll see is a lot of v structured/rigid clothing to give off strength as well as fabrics to enlarge her silhouette one way or another so as to appear more visually intimidating, veils and lace and draped fabric and dark colors to give off mystery and uncertainty, lots of metalwork to project toughness, lots of jewelry to show off wealth

while amira wears many colors, particularly those above, black, red, and silver are without a doubt her go-to's, these being the primary colors of house calainon. she is also more likely to don a raven, moon, or dragon image than that of a phoenix, as she wishes to showcase that, while she may wield her husband's power, she is powerful in and of herself and her own family without him, though she will happily clad herself in roderick's smbolism when the occasion best suits, as well

a frequent favorite way of amira's to dress is more or less as follows: with a fairly form fitting gown in the ancient kolchean style, covered over by a rich and often rather boxy or else flowing and diaphonous cloak or surcoat of some sort in the more modern kolchean style, blending both identities of ancient high priestess and modern queen, alike

amira also often clads herself in somewhat militaristic looks, donning ornamental armor, studded with jewels, or even a gown with structured shoulders (shoulder pads) topped with epaulettes, chains, or a jeweled dagger. these are always meant to appear entirely decorative, but they absolutely also function in a crisis

in terms of head-dress, amira often wears precious metals (and sometimes stones) in her dark hair or smth to elevate the eye and make her appear even taller and, in this, generally accompanies the look with a veil of some sort, usually black or black-based

in summary, amira's goal is never to look good, per se, just to look powerful (which usually does look pr damn good lbr ;D)

ok so we know from her bio that caoimhe is more into ~varmont fashions, seeing @forgottencassandra and @forgottenguinevere as fashion icons (which they are <3) and so i wondered 1) what their individual style cues kinda are, (like ik we've discussed it a bit before but like are they any particular silhouettes for example that they might prefer, any images they try to evoke...that kinda thing ig?), but 2) i also wanted to sort of wildly speculate abt imperial/ovn-ian fashions in general vs astairan fashions bc i ~imagine we'd be seeing smth of a hybrid in caoimhe and yeah!!

also, note, im not really planning to get into men's fashion here -- this one's for the ladies <3 laksdjfjkdsf

ok, so like obv cassandra and guin have their own ~indidivual style, but just speaking now like ~broadly abt like...npcs of the court atp kinda vibes hahaha i did have some ideas i wanted to run by you all!

so we talked above abt how astairan fashion leans more real world-1200s-1300s (eilia, rosie), and 1000s-1600s (aria, but w simple silhouettes). so basically think v free-flowing silhouettes -- maybe a slow-slung loose belt at the hips...the sort of style princess isabella wears in braveheart, or a pre-raphaelite painting, that classic loose medieval vibe

we've established that the typical varmont way of dress is far more extravagent. i was thinking maybe they lean a bit more ~renaisance~ and esp ~italian renaissance~ in their silhouette and looks? perhaps preferring a more sort of stiff, triangular fitted bodice (potentially compelete w early stays), a sort of rolled top of the skirting, and a full. skirt (potentially including a farthingale). this would also tie in w their more ~stiff and ~rigid culture as opposed to the more loose and flowy look and vibes of the astairans. it also fits w roderick's known preference for cloth-of-gold and cloth-of-silver. tc. brocades feel right...potentially they even sport those heavy sleeves of the 1500s? regardless of that i do feel like ovn culture is extremly ~showy, w hella jewels and metal incoporated.

ive been going back and forth abt color palettes. part of me feels like maybe astairans are more colorful in their dress, symbolizing their freeness and boldness. HOWEVER, there's also the heavy showiness of the ovn-ians to consider, and i can see that exhibiting itself in garish colors and over-use of what would've been hella expensive dyes (having ~any saturated colors -- but esp black -- was a huuuuge power move back in the day!) just having a colorful wardrobe irl was obscene conspiculous consumption, really...purple, and red were other hella expensive colors (hence our association w them and royalty even today), in which case maybe astairans ~do tend to prefer more muted and understated color palettes? pastels and natural tones? which would also symbolize their realness and connection to nature? idk...what do you guys think? or bright colors belong to the astairans and dark ones to the ovn? idk...

anyway, deep, slashed (and occasionally bejeweled) sleeves feel like they could def be a thing and/or the occasionally lowkey ~puffed sleeve:

intricate and complex hair styles also feel right -- in the italian renaissance it was not uncommon to actually sew both your hair (and hair you'd purchased and made into wigs and such as well into ur own hair) w jewels and ribbons and and complex braids and all sorts of things of the kind:

(yes simonetta vespucci is featured in all those pics...moving on...unlike my man botticelli amirite *slaps knee* lajksdflkjsdf)

now, i have mentioned that i think diaphonous veils and ferroniere are v astairan elements and those ~do show up here and i ~do think of that in my mind as cross-cultural conversation beginning to take place, if we go in this direction, but anyway!!

going back to color -- lke, idk abt you guys but i really associate the itanlian renaissance w brillaint color, and like my thought is that...maybe that's coming out of the two years that the court has spent in astaira? more of that cross-cultural conversation??? maybe dark, deep-saturated to the point of being v dark colors were a thing in the ovn, and like pastels and lighter tones were a thing in astaira, and we're getting more vibrant colors outta the meeting? tho that being said we've talked before abt stafford blue being a deep, v saturated color so...idk maybe ~colorlfulness ~is an astairan trait? idk...

also feel like some v northern european vibes coulda been holmeland ovn vibes? l ike, before the astairans started to rub off on them a bit, perhaps?

note the jewels, the v saturated and often dark-hued colors, the cloth-of-gold, and v structured bodice w the vast skirting (whether sort of tented or sewed into those ~ruffles -- idr the term atm but you feel me), just absolutely ~luxurious use of a fabric which was itself such a precious commodity -- more conspicuous consumption vibes, etc. (note: some of the three pics here ~are mid-1500s not mid 1400s but still)

but also let's not fail to note...the wonderful world of over-the-top headgear <3

aint nobody doing it like this! so these ladies dresses are all that famous burgundian style which was hella hot in the colder climes at the time (burgundy was one of theeeeee high fashion places at the time) and you do see a bit of that in italian renaissance but idk gotta say that feels ~more astairan to me where done in that more understated fashion...im focusing on the headdresses in this pic!

here, tho, is an example of the burgundian dress that feels more ovn-ian to ~me, anyway?? brocades and cloth-of-gold embroidery? more structured, less free?

anyway back to headresses!

there were varieties of hennins, varieties of turbans, escoffions, snoods (<3), padded rolls, caps, veils, chaperons, and all sorts of other things that feel extravagant and fun!

also ive talked a bit abt the dresses being v structured. here's beatrice d'este, duchess of milan, writing to her sister abt a dress, and if this don't feel varmont..."If you have not yet ordered the execution of this design, I am thinking of having his [Niccolò da Correggio's] invention carried out in massive gold, on a camora [a type of dress which consisted of a fitted bodice and full skirt worn over a chemise ] of purple velvet, to wear on the day of Madonna Bianca’s wedding…"

"Beatrice’s taste was, as Baldassare Castiglione complained, “loud and showy.” Her wardrobe was remarkable not only for its richness, but also for its size. In 1493, an inventory showed that she had accumulated eighty-four garments in the two years since her wedding (Herald 38)."

this is spanish, mostly, but i feel like farthingales (early hoop skits -- not usually visible over the clothing but i did grab some where you could see a bit some of the ornamentation they'd sometimes do bc it visually emphasizes what im talking abt but the last pic shows how it generally woulda looked -- catherine of aragon brought them to england so if you think of that classic tudor skirt that's the general look) may have been brought to the ovn by athaulf's first wife, maybe, giving a v full-bodied skirt:

which in my mind pairs well w the v rigid sort of thinking, controlled, structured, vibes of the ovn? i feel like a v full-bodied and conspicuous consumption thing too applies here...idkbut even wo them...

v thick, v mantled, v over-and-under skirted vibes may apply? just like...so much fabric and dye but also v rigid shapes la;kdsjfljdsf

anyway, obv we don't need to pursue ~any of these for our npcs general look or anything but yeah!! just some ideas i thought id toss out, if anyone has any thoughts on these? idk?? <3333 plus, like, obv all of this is then read through a fantasy!filter etc but obv the pics i got are irl...so yknow...all this w a pinch of salt etc but yeah! just some potential inspo to throw ur way!

again, obv big exceptions to all of these bc every character (npc or no!) has their own individual style, obv even within this places have their own regional styles (i just knoW harburrow and islaun have their own v unique sartorial trends, vibes, and styles of their own, for example!) and those styles will obv also def be intermingling the more the cultures interact etc etc, and obv our playable characters have no need to keep themselves to ~any of these, etc! im just talking wildly broad terms here so we can know when our characters are making ~statements or ~challengings trends or even ~starting their own...that sort of thing! i just felt like it might be fun to have a jumping-off point that way yknow? also its fun picturing the court in general <3

OKAY so i know i went into a ton of detail specifically abt aria but to just address some of the things kate mentioned abt astairan fashion first (AND these are just my thoughts ofc!)

SO at least w/ my characters i'd kind of been imagining the astairans being a bit more muted in the clothing color palettes. i def went into a ton of detail up there re: aria (and we know the staffords specifically are more reserved in many ways and i feel like that comes out in their clothing) and for the malconaires i'd always imagined lots of earth tones-- tbh fiona legit doesn't care what she's wearing and probably runs around in a pair of trousers Finn grew out of or smth just to make cormac cry! BUT i do love, too, the idea of them using color in their wardrobe to express their freeness and openness in opposition to the OVN ways!

i know at least for Aria i'd def thought a lot of her clothing was embroidered (and for her it was much more same tones so it wasn't TOO flashy!) but i wonder if some of the colorful astairan fashion comes from embroidery? like i def think @forgottenroisin 's heraldry dress was a STATEMENT but that idea of having a gown hand embroidered with something both elaborate (but not to the varmont level) could maybe be a tradition in their more formal attire? or things one might wear to a celebration and less in the day to day-- just imagining one of the astairan festivals where people have brought out their color clothes that are decorated and really let you know about the person in a way their more day to day utilitarian clothing doesn't! tbh it kind of feels like the OVN-ians might think that is garish and ridiculous despite the fact THEY are overly decorated in a completely different way ;)

MOVING ON to the OVN-ians! i'm kinda going to base this mostly around marian. i feel like as one of roderick's queens (and probably the most palatable to the OVN court) she is maybe one (the?) sort of fashion 'leader' of the court?

at the risk of just repeating everything kate already said-- i LOVE the idea of OVN fashions being v renaissance (and spec italian!) inspired. marian in my head has always been in v structured and elaborate garments! i def think she leans into the overly decorated and ornate fabrics-- specifically in GOLD! which i do think started w/ her own family & their sun connect but now even moreso bc that's what roderick likes! other colors, too-- idk if @forgottenroderick would have sole ownership of the color purple but marian would wear that if she could! also red (again probably a color that started w/ her fam) bc of arthur's colors and also some green for @forgottensebastian ! (probably less not bc she doesn't want to be confused for a malconaire! -facepalm-)

i do think she goes big and bold and elaborate for formal gatherings but i had sort of envisioned her day to day actually leaning a bit more towards the burgundian style of dress-- specifically that v-neck style i feel like is v iconic when you think abt burgundian style? this is definitely NOT elaborate enough for marian but kind of the style i was envisioning...

some like this but MORE decoration MORE gold MORE elaborate, MORE saturated-- just more, more, more! even if its just for being around the castle!

in terms of headwear, i'm going back to burgundy and the hennin style for marian! idk where any of this is coming from but i could see her having have worn the cone-style when she was younger?? i do think now she leans more towards the escoffion style (and i actually like the style pictured above??) same with her dress, everything is VERY elaborately decorated! BUT i also could see marian rocking some of the italian renaissance style with braids and hair decoration, too!

i'm also v interested in hearing what lizzy things about @forgottencassandra 's wardrobe bc i DO think marian probably has tried to dress cassandra in her own imagine for awhile! but if cass is getting into these astairan fashions... uh oh!!

so, real talk, i doubt these two have had much, if any, meaningful interaction, bc caoimhe has no filter and her family knows this and probs tries to steer her clear of varmonts in general lasjdfjklsdf

im imagining marian staring down caoimhe as a potential daughter in law and then reconsidering Aoife bc at least that one is quiet! ;) (jkjk she would never bc valentina is. the. WORSE!)

When Marian had picked this specific corner of the Citadel grounds to set up her rose garden, it had been due to the specific amount of sunlight the area received throughout the day. The small green house had been constructed in time for her to begin cultivating her plants within the first year of their occupation of Astaira, meaning this was the first year she'd had a proper garden to tend to throughout the warmer months.

Though spring was when many people had thoughts of flower blooms, in the autumn many of her flowers were still filling the garden with color. This late afternoon found Marian pruning a few of the bushes for the upcoming cold that was said to be descending on them in the upcoming weeks. Her gardening was a solitary activity-- besides the guards that patrolled the grounds, Marian insisted she be left alone. At times Cassandra had been known to accompany her, though she never had the patience to stay by her mother's side for long.

The sounds of hooves on stone caused Marian to glance up, seeing a rider approaching the nearby stables. The proximity to the stables was something she had realized after the fact, was quite convenient in seeing the comings and goings at the Citadel without appearing too obvious.

It was Edmund who was returning this afternoon and Marian could only assume it was from a common destination for all the imperial princes: Malconaire. Marian returned her gardening tools to the small greenhouse along with her gardening smock, before she made her way to the path that lead towards the Citadel itself.

"Edmund," Marian greeted her step son with a small incline of her head as she came upon him, not by accident, on the path. She knew he was clever enough to realize this was most likely not a coincidence, but Marian did not particularly care about that fact.

"I will be glad to have company walking back up to the castle," Marian informed him with a kind smile. Despite him being grown now, Marian did often imagine Edmund as the little boy with a mop of curly hair and dark eyes who could have hardly known much affection with Amira for a mother. It pained her, in a way, that he would have to fail for Arthur to ultimately become who he was destined to be-- their father's heir.

There had always been a part of Edmund that had longed for the kind of motherly affection he had seen Marian bestow so freely upon her children" something that had never existed between himself and Amira. Once, he had mistaken such tenderness for weakness. Now he understood it as a strength of its own, and one he privately envied. Today, that absence weighed on him more heavily than usual.

However kindly Marian had treated him in the past, he knew better than to trust her. He would never confide in her what had transpired between himself and Roisin Malconaire: how whatever fragile understanding they had once shared now seemed fractured beyond repair. Coupled with the conversation he had endured with Amira that morning, cataloguing his many supposed shortcomings, Edmund felt hollowed out by it all. Worthless, if he were honest. And beneath that, anger simmered: hot, restless, and carefully leashed.

He would not allow Marian to see it. But neither did he miss the opportunity to remind himself (if only briefly) of his own superiority. After a beat, he shifted the subject with deliberate casualness. “Have you happened to see Arthur?” he asked, as though the thought had only just occurred to him. “Or Sebastian? I’ve managed to miss them entirely since morning, which is either a minor miracle or a sign they’re up to something.” His tone was light, even amused, and he let out a soft laugh, though he knew very well that neither of his half-brothers had been half so occupied as he had been today.

Marian let her lips turn up only slightly at Edmund's question. She wondered-- did he truly not know where his half brothers were, or perhaps he did know, afterall. Marian had noted Arthur's trips to Malconaire had grown less frequent in these past weeks so she assumed Sebastian's had as well.

"I was under the impression that you were all off somewhere riding together! I am afraid I have not seen them in the past few hours, no... Though you know Arthur. If anything, I'd perhaps start up at the training grounds should you wish to find him. I heard mention of him using some of his tournament winnings to purchase additional... what did he call them... training dummies, I believe? So I can only assume he has some sort of plan in place for which those would be..." Marian waved her hand as if to convey these sorts of things were much beyond her understanding. "...useful. I find it best to not ask too many questions."

Sebastian was the trickier of the pair, though Marian rarely had any concerned with what her younger son was getting up to during the day. He had, she mused, seemed a bit out of sorts recently however which was something to note. Sebastian, though, had a way of being more thoughtful and contemplative of events so Marian would not be surprised if he was simply turning over some bit of news or plan he'd heard about in his head.

"Perhaps Sebastian is with his brother. Or he has been spending a good deal of time with his sister lately. But that is, unfortunately, all I know..."

Marian beamed at Edmund's mention of her garden, wondering how he compared it in his mind to Amira's hothouse of dastardly plants she kept hidden away in her tower.

"You are quite kind to take note. I will confess, I am quite pleased with how well it has turned out. One never knows in a new climate just how well or poorly the plants will do but roses..." she paused, looking back to her garden. "... They are a hardy plant. If they are not tended to properly, they will grown wild and the blooms will be few. But with the right bit of attention... they will be glorious."

"I have recently had a letter from my brother that he and my father are coming to visit with the promise of bringing me cuttings from my mother's garden back home. I shall soon have my own bit of the house of the sun right here..."

Marian was eager for her father and brother to join her in Astaira finally. While Arthur and Sebastian were a great comfort and security to her, the fact that Amira's brothers were always with her while Marian's were not often vexed Roderick's third queen.

The hanging had been this morning.

If Roderick had not demanded the presence of his three sons, Sebastian would not have gone. He did not agree with their actions: he never agreed with problems being met with violence. But his father had wronged their Queen and they had been angry. Perhaps they deserved punishment, but they did not deserve to die.

Sebastian had said none of this to his father. He felt that it would be pointless to do so: Roderick seemed to meet any resistance with anger. He feared it would do more harm than good, but he could not shake the feeling that he had let all of those men go to their deaths and he had done nothing.

He was exhausted when he returned home. He was tired of all of this death; weary with the very thought of it. He had hoped that, after two years, the climate in Astaira would have settled and they would be finished with these public executions for treason, but the people here were restless. They would not give in so easily.

Sebastian had thoughts of retiring to his own chambers, but when he returned he found his mother still awake, seated by the fire. She looked so peaceful sitting there, that he longed to join her -- wondering if the memories of the day would temporarily lift from his mind.

He knew he would not escape them when he was alone.

"It is very late, mother," He said. Had it been any other night, he might have told her she ought to get some rest. But tonight, he simply asked, "Might I sit with you for awhile?"

“Oh of course, my darling,” she replied, standing and beckoning him into the room. “For as long as you would wish; I would never say no to a moment with you. Come, come,” she took his hand, squeezing it and gesturing to the chair closest to the fire. “You have had long day. Are you hungry? I can have the guards to go down to the kitchen and have them prepare you something.”

Marian had been troubled by her husband's insistence that all his sons attend the executions at Lorcan that day, but she knew better than to protest. She supposed that it was important for them to understand these events, for her eldest son to see what must be done when he would become the Emperor of the empire. Still the spectacle of it all... the thought of it made her uneasy.

“Cassandra plans to visit Malconaire?” Marian asked quickly, her brow furrowing slightly. She recalled the discussion she’d had with her husband a week past about what their sons might be doing in their own visits to the Malconaire estate. “You or Arthur are to accompany her, I hope? After all that has happened I should not like her out without one of you with her… The guards…” Marian gestured her hand dismissively. “I just know I never need worry if you or your brother are with your sister.”

“Sebastian, dearest…” Marian paused. She could not ask outright for him to confirm or deny his father’s suspicions about his and Arthur’s activities at Malconaire. “What… what is it that draws you and your siblings to Malconaire so often? Your father’s description of the place is that it seems to be quite… quite rustic, barely maintained… and Lady Malconaire, herself…well…”

Marian knew Lady Malconaire had invited her children, along with Guin and Edmund, to dine with the family multiple times and, always, included Roderick and his queens in the invitations. Marian did not allow such trivial missives such as dining with a minor noble family to cross her husbands desk but she knew of them. She could not imagine willingly spending time in the company of Valentina Malconaire, not matter how charming her step daughters.

He turned his gaze to Marian then, earnest and careful. “I know it is not a grand place. Their tastes are simpler, yes, but that is part of its virtue. There is a great deal of sky at Malconaire, and trees, and silence when one wants it. Cassandra has spent her whole life behind gold and stone, taught what the world should look like rather than allowed to see it as it is. There, she walks, she listens, and she laughs more freely. I think it has widened her view of things in a way no tutor ever could.”

After a pause, he added, “And Roisin Malconaire has been very good to her. A true friend, not one chosen for her by rank or advantage, but one who sees her as she is. And one who does not look at my sister and wonder what she can gain from their friendship. That is not nothing, mother. Friendships like that are rare for those in our position, and rarer still for someone as open-hearted as Cassandra. I would not dismiss that lightly.”

Sebastian leaned back, eyes flicking briefly to the shadows at the edge of the room. “When we are there, it is as though the rest of the world falls away. The noise of court, the expectations, the… weight of it all.” He smiled faintly. “There is peace in it. A kind of quiet that settles into you before you realize you have been missing it.” He did not say that it was one of the few places where he, Arthur, and Cassandra could breathe as themselves rather than as symbols. He did not need to.

He imagined that Edmund must feel that way, too, although he never said.

Of course, the Malconaire girls, themselves, played a large part in this, too. They had charmed the Varmonts: and not with their beauty nor wit (though they all possessed those qualities, too), but with their kindness and, above all, their genuine natures. He suspected that all of his siblings even respected Brigit for her's, even when it wasn't exactly complimentary.

Malconaire was like a breath of fresh air.

His expression tightened, just a little, when Marian mentioned Lady Malconaire. “I will not pretend everything there is perfect,” he said plainly. “And I will not defend Lady Valentina. I find her company unbearable. Whatever her charms, they do not outweigh the sharpness of her tongue nor the way she conducts herself within her own household.” He stopped there deliberately (he would not elaborate on that to his mother), but the disapproval in his tone was unmistakable.

“That is why,” he continued, more firmly now, “I think you should still invite Lady Eithne and Lady Aoife to tea and only them. If there is ever a moment when decorum might be bent without harm, it is here. Spare yourself an afternoon of false pleasantries, and spare those young women the strain of it as well.” He met his mother’s eyes, steady and sincere.

"Cassandra has been kept safe, Sebastian," Marian said sternly. "It is one thing for you and Arthur to go traipsing about the countryside whenever you please but she is a young woman-- vulnerable. She would not know how to fend for herself should something happen. But..." Marian paused, the warmth returning to her face, her frown disappearing. "I see nothing wrong with these visits as long as Arthur-- and you-- are with her."

Marian knew Arthur would let no harm ever come to his sister but he also knew her eldest son was. prone to being distracted by a pretty face from time to time. Sebastian would be responsible should one of those Malconaire ladies took Arthur's attention.

"Perhaps it reminds you of your grandfather's estate?" Marian asked, trying to make sense of it. "Is that why you care for it so? I wasn't so sure Cassandra remembered being there-- she was so young when we first relocated but perhaps she does. You remember it, don't you dear? How I wish to see it once again. I keep thinking-- I do wish we could all go back but I know your Father wouldn't wish to see you and Arthur be away for so long-- but I have been thinking perhaps Cassandra and I might make the trip back, just for a few weeks to see my mother and brothers... and sisters."

Marian let out a bit of a chuckle when Sebastian spoke so deliberately about Lady Valentina. "Goodness, perhaps I have been thinking too highly of Lady Malconaire? Have you-- what have you observed her doing that makes you speak so? You so often find the good in people, darling... it worries me there are some terrible things happening at that house!"

Marian stared at her son as he spoke of inviting the two Malconarie girls to tea. There was different tone to his voice, a different way he held himself in that moment. Was it just now, or had something changed in her son without Marian realizing?

"For you and you sister... of course I will," she paused, her voice softening.

"Ah... Lady Éabha," Marian called out across the tent where the ladies were to retire during interludes in the tournament. Marian shooed away her ladies with a wave of her hand, approaching the young woman with a kind smile.

"It seems as if we both have much to celebrate with this afternoon's events," Marian spoke as she reached the young woman's side. The tournament event that day was the horseback melee and, having both advanced from the final round, Alaric and Arthur would be competing in the final round against one another.

It had not escaped Marian's notice that the ribbon tied around her brother-in-law's arm was a distinct shade of blue associated with House Calleary and, in fact, the image of it quite pleased her. Alaric had told Marian in the days following the riots about his thoughts on courting the Lady Éabha and while Marian was not particularly keen on having Lord Calleary around more than he already seemed to be, she was optimistic that, perhaps, Alaric had finally found a woman to take as a bride.

"While, as his mother, I shall of course be hoping for my son to triumph in the final round, I will not be too cross to see the Duke's victory..." Marian paused, taking in the young woman standing before her. She was quite pretty, seemed self assured, was dressed well (it seemed as if her brother's fashion sense was entirely his own) and, in Marian's mind, looked as if she could easily step into the role of a Duchess.

"With all the unpleasantness that has passed, I have not been able to extend an invitation to you to come to tea, with me, at the palace," Marian continued after a few moments silence. "Perhaps you might have time in the next weeks... once the tournament is through?"

"And... Lady Éabha," Marian added as a quick afterthought. "... I should like to stress that invitation is extended to you, and you alone..."

As the queen shooed her ladies away in favor of the erstwhile Lady Calleary, Éabha turned towards her with a warm smile, dark eyes brightening as she tilted her head. Like both her dearest friends, Éabha had been schooled in diplomacy at her father's knee. She had long ago learned the art of an open face which was not open; a welcoming air which was, in fact, unwelcome.

Astaira had surrendered. It fell now to its lords and ladies to get on with it -- and find a way for their people to flourish within this new rule -- to welcome that which was unwelcome. And Éabha was optimistic that, perhaps, Marian Varmont might someday prove an invaluable ally...

Making a low curtsey, Éabha laughed warmly. "I believe that is so," she replied. "But, it being so, I do hope Your Royal Majesty will not be too cross with me for admitting that, greatly as I admire His Imperial Highness the Prince...there is someone else I do very much hope to see triumph today."

She paused. "But I must beg Your Majesty's indulgence -- we Astairans are not much used to these martial games. Is there much danger?"

She'd heard tales from across the seas of men crippled for life, or even killed, in such games. It struck her as a rather large risk to propel one's heirs into such violence. But, then, she supposed, perhaps that would suit everyone well enough: it would propel their sister to the seat of power. Still, she was unsure how common such injury and death really could be.

Éabha was careful to conceal her true feelings as Marian referred to the unpleasantness that had passed. While the sadness she allowed to show was genuine, it was for the lives lost rather than for an disquiet Roderick might have felt in his metal chair. She, herself, had secretly helped spirit souls out of the Citadel onto whatever path they chose for fear of reprisals, and while she had not known any of those hanged particularly well, their tragic fate had been one she'd been obliged personally to witness. Silently, plastering a sympathetic smile onto her face, she entwined her fingers behind her back, picking unconsciously at her nails. Catching herself moments later, she let her hands fall away and shook her head.

"Your Majesty, I pray you do not trouble yourself on that account. I assure you, I myself have been rather occupied, alongside all the inhabitants of Lorcan, with similar troubles." Rian had, for some time, locked down the place, after all, when many of the prisoners had escaped.

"Let us make a new start of it, and put that all behind us. I should be delighted to take tea with you at Your Majesty's earliest convenience." Her smile was broad as it was genuine. "I feel we have much to discuss! And," she added, her glance tending towards the empty fields before returning to Marian's with a somewhat mischievous glimmer. "I think soon shall have even more to say, irregardless of which of our champions claims victory."

Marian's invitation took Éabha by surprise. Not only to be singled out before all the ladies here present by the queen, but also to be invited privately to take tea with her, well, that certainly suggested something. Glancing towards Marian's curious ladies, who artfully played at not appearing to watch while assiduously listening to all, Éabha smiled blandly at them. Even if Alaric never made her an offer, there would be talk now, and if Alaric -- who struck her as a deeply private person -- was prepared to brooke that, well...

Despite herself, Éabha bit back a grin at Marian's tactful reminder that the event was to include only themselves. It did not escape her -- though it did somewhat embarrass her, given that he was now the head of her House -- that Marian was likely referring to Cormac...but that each of the siblings Marian had likely had occasion to meet brought their own unique form of chaos to any interaction did not escape Éabha, either. She had the sudden desire to introduce her to Aine, as if to say Look! We are not all without self-control! But decided she best control herself and not bring anyone she was not instructed to.

Éabha's smile was a touch rueful, though not entirely losing its tone of amusement. "I believe my brothers shall comfort themselves in the knowledge that ladies' secrets are best kept to themselves," she assured the queen. "And my sisters in the knowledge that there is a very great deal to be done at Lorcan from which we cannot all at once be spared." She did not wish Marian to worry that her meaning had not been understood.

Marian nodded as the young woman asked of the dangers of the tournament. She had been told that this was not something typical of Astaira.

"It is all a bit disconcerting, isn't it? I do suppose there is an element of danger when fighting is involved but you needn't worry-- the weapons have all been blunted and are thoroughly examined by His Imperial Majesty's guards before the competitors enter the grounds," Marian explained.

"There are, of course, versions of this tournament where the participants use actual weapons," Marian continued. "But this was to be a friendly competition, no blood spilled. Were the jousts not thrilling?" Marian inquired. "I do find those particularly thrilling."

Not to mention, her own husband had been the victor that day.

"I am happy you are so amenable, Lady Éabha," Marian's smile was wam and genuine at the young woman's response. "Of course we shall all be occupied by this tournament for the upcoming days but I shall send my messenger to Lorcan in the upcoming week so that we might set a date, yes? And you can assure your siblings-- all of them-- that we will have them to supper. I have not had the pleasure yet of meeting your youngest sister-- Lord Calleary tells me she is often unwell when you come to dine with us."

Marian watched the Lady Éabha as she took in the women who circled about the pair, pretending not to listen to their conversation. Though Astairan court life was said to be quite different the Varmont way, Marian felt as though this Astairan lady would be able to handle herself quite nicely. She knew that there were many women who had hoped to possibly catch Alaric's eye-- Lady Éabha would not have many allies at first. But she would have Marian as an ally, which was all the young lady would really need.

"Ah yes... Lady Malconaire's... fête," Marian continued to smile though she knew there had to be a hollowness to it. In truth she had no interest in further socializing with any of Malconaire clan, though the Lady Dowager herself was at the top of the list.

"I believe all of the Imperial family shall be attendance, yes," Marian answered. "I have not had the pleasure of visiting Malconaire myself yet so I am... intrigued to finally see this place I have heard so much about... Have you spent much time there, Lady Éabha?"

Hearing Marian description of the blunted blades, Éabha nodded. "That is a comforting thought," she owned. Astaira, she thought, had had more than enough blood of late. "I do not know that I would have the stomach for such an event using real weapons. It sounds harrowing." She paused, considered that perhaps she ought not to have said so much. " But perhaps that is only my inexperience of these things showing itself."

Éabha smiled at Marian's enthusiasm. "Oh, most thrilling," she admitted. "And such congratulations to His Imperial Majesty! The Emperor seemed much pleased with his triumph." She paused. She'd been about to speak of him sharing his triumph with his wife, when she remembered that it had not been Marian's -- or even Amira's -- favor that he had worn. It had been Eilia's. Éabha cleared her throat. She found a safer comment to make. "I suppose it must be difficult to watch your husband and your son compete? Or does it make the victory sweeter, for either way, one whom you love will taste it?"

Smiling brightly, Éabha inclined her head. "I shall look forward to it," she replied. And then the queen began to speak of meeting Fiona. Éabha's smile dinted somewhat. "Oh, yes, I...My sister's...condition, any given evening, you see, it can be a rather chancy thing." Far from being unwell, Fiona was a vision of strenght and good health, but she was hardly, Éabha would imagine, what Marian mght most wish for in her brother-in-law's own sister-in-law. Her condition had more to do with how willing she might prove to sit still for multiple hours put together than being confined to quarters, but Éabha saw no reason to strip Fiona of her excuse to escape such affairs. Wishing to steer the conversation away from her more excitable relations, she said quickly: "Has Your Majesty yet met my other sister? Lady Lorcan?"

Marian's smile, this time, lacked some warmth and, despite herself, Éabha glanced down to conceal her bemusement, attributing her disdain to the mention of Valentina, herself. Éabha could not but sympathize with that.

Hearing the queen ask of Malconaire, Éabha nodded. "I must confess I have had that pleasure. I grew up at Hanthom, as Your Majesty may know, and so we were quite close neighbors. When the whether was fine they would come to us to swim in the ocean, and when it was not," she laughed. "We would go to them to scurry through the woods. Malconaire is..." she glanced down. This was a tricky topic. "I'm sure Your Majesty is aware there was...action there during the war. I fear the place has not yet entirely recovered. But it remains ever the garden it always was." She paused. Another tricky subject, given her hopes of Alaric. But she preferred such things learned from her own lips than any other source, particularly as she imagined Valentina was inclined to meddle, given her hopes for Sonya and Alaric. Better they hear of it now. "I was also betrothed to Lord Cassimir, briefly, before the war, though that is long and amicably over, now. But it did lend itself to the cause of being there, for a time."

"Was it not such a surprise that His Imperial Majesty joined in the competition? I do find myself a tad nervous when so many that are dear to me competing-- I should be quite distressed if any of them were to be injured! But I do find myself comforted knowing that they are seasoned warriors, all," she paused, leaned closer to Éabha as if sharing an important secret.

"I am quite convinced my eldest boy would have taken the entire jousting tournament had his father not entered himself, but as I told Arthur, there is no dishonor is losing to the One God's own champion."

Marian frowned at Éabha's mention of her sister's connection. "Has your sister often been unwell? Perhaps if it is a recurring condition, it might do her well to see our court physician. I am sure we could arrange that for you, being family to the Emperor."

Marian put much faith in the court's doctor, given that he had often healed her sons from the mysterious illness that had plagued them in their youths.

"I have not had the opportunity to meet Lady Locan no... however, I am most eager to see Lorcan," Marian informed Éabha with a smile. "I hear it is most grand. My husband has promised he will take me on a tour of some of the lords' houses about this area. It feels as if we have been cooped up here in the Citadel since we first arrived. My childhood home was in the countryside so I am not used to being so... confined. Tell me, Lady Éabha, I know you grew up at the seaside-- do you find that is where you would like to ultimately settle one day? Or perhaps you prefer the countryside? Oh, I do believe you would you would love my family's estate-- it hosts a vineyard, you know. Perhaps you might see it one day. I know the Duke has enjoyed a few visits there himself when our travels take us back home."

Marian had absolutely no reason to be so sure Éabha would have any interest in visiting the House of the Sun, but in her mind it was one of the loveliest places in the entire empire-- who wouldn't wish to see it?

hello, favorite child!!!!!! well done becoming queen and making all those babies for ur house (also for the varmonts ig) -- now its time to clinch ur victory!!!!! make papa proud, become empress and make ur son the unequivocable future emperor!!!!!!!!! also don't forget to teach him his manners like saying 'yes sir' to granddad no matter how high up the ladder he climbs <33333333 ;laksdjflkjsdjfjksdf

i'm gonna try to hit all the random thoughts i've had about these two but i'm sure I'm going to miss something....

starting waaay back pre-marian's marriage-- we've kinda discussed the idea that she was basically always destined to marry well and, it seems, ideally marry into the varmont clan! i do think marian at that time was still a little starry eyed about everything and was kind of in her cassandra-era imagining the romance of it all and less of the "you're staring down your future!" that i think hit pretty quickly after she married roderick. that being said, i was sort of assuming she could have that world view bc that's kind of what aurelian wanted at that time?? or do you think he would've clued her in more to his plans???

so jumping ahead to everything w/ Bar and her pregnancy... part of me wonders if Marian didn't try to confess her infidelity to her father when she was telling him about her 'vision' in the temple?? I could see where she got all the information out about praying in the temple and the sun blessing her or w/e and her just about to tell her dad about Bar when Aurelian stops her? or do you think he would let her confess? I think since marian has been doing her best to pretend that NEVER happened that she either did not confess to her father OR he stopped her? so idk maybe he has an inkling arthur's parentage might be suspect BUT its better not to really know??

SO okay all over the place-- jumping ahead a bit i guess to this ~sun cult that's sort of formed around this supposed vision marian had-- do we think that is something wildly known? or something that is more kind of happening behind the scenes so if/when marian & co go back to the OVN its a FUN SURPRISE that there's that many people supporting Arthur? or even if they don't go back to the OVN, there's a least a surprise group ready to join #TeamArthur

another thought-- do you think there's a specific ~reason that Aurelian has finally made his appearance in Astaira? idk if maybe roderick finally relented to her requests for some of her family joining her and that's why Aurelian and Albrecht showed up? (I do think for Lucian it was partially a coincidence, tho maybe he was his family's boat ride there?) I know marian is happy to have her family about now and her goal is for at least Albrecht to stay but yeah!!

ok so there's a part one which is just normal everyday what their interactions might be, and then an optional part two regarding ~arthur's parentage~ but first let's talk normal stuff

ok so alek is probs a thorn in marian's side. he's the head of roderick's church so roderick thinks he's pr rad, and he's a conman so he knows how to keep on roderick's good side pr well, so he's got a lot of influence at court. however, he's also besties w godfrey, which frankly doesn't ~guarantee alek's universal support for team edmund bc frankly alek's always looking out for number 1 and that's just smth his bff gotta deal w so sometimes, if it suits him, he ~will come out in support of team arthur or team guin or...nobody at all, given what best suits his own agenda, etc. however, he def does lean pr heavily team edmund for the most part

however, w marian's sister, helena, wanting to be a ~nun so badly, alek probs sees a good bit of her too and lbr probs manipulates that situation too so like!! plus, the whole ~cult of the sun~ thing probs doesn't help his own power too much so he's probs pr eager to bring that heel, by hook or by crook, as they say, and yeah!! just...probs some turbulance here, i would guess? that being said, alek is VERY eager to always appear friendly w all of roderick's brides and children...and is also def eager to take marian's confession any time dlskjfaksdjf ;DD (and promptly blackmail her if anything juicy comes out, but you couldn't trace it back to ~him ;D)

ARTHUR'S PARENTAGE

soooooooo, ik we've been talking abt like -- if we ~do wanna expose the whole affair situation how would we even go abt that? and, like ~if we like, alek here could potentially be a catalyst in the whole @forgottenbartholomew + marian = arthur situation, bc bar is one guy who DOES. NOT. TRUST. alek and, according to both their bios, is investigating him bc of it. as a result, alek is retaliating by doing likewise bc he believes that ~no one~ has a squeaky clean past as part of his worldview so he's dead certain if he just looks in the right place he can find ~smth to blackmail him with!! as we know...there ~is smth asdlkjfalskjdfj alek ~also happens to be in cohoots w godfrey, who would obv have a v vested interest in discrediting marian and all her kids but esp her sons and yeahhhh

now, in terms of the ~how, alek is verrrrrrrry used to acquiring secrets and he knows to do things like track down and question the wet nurses, the midwives, the various servants, look into spending records and wereabouts, daily habits and activities and where those rupture, all that kinda thing. and i do think, since we said that arthur is maybe ~supposedly premature or whatever, he could basically dig up that way that uhhhhh things ~aren'ts adding up like i feel like arthur was a v healthy kid (pre poisonings anyway alkjsdfljkdsjf) and if anything bigger than average and like yeah idk!!

so we know that Alek already has ONE strike against him being that he's NOT from the OVN... strike two is being friends with Godfrey ;) I do sort of feel like this 'holy man' just showed up one day and marian was probably like 'wtf' and immediately wanted her kids FAR away from him... but of course she has to toe that line with Roderick of course!

i definitely think she HATES if there is any sort of relationship between Alek and her sister. Marian already has had enough of (both) her sisters so if one is giving any sort of credit to this shady guy... UGH. I'm guessing maybe the idea is that aurelian is also not a huge fan of Alek??

im also laughing at the idea that maybe a back and forth they often go back and forth with is Alek offering for Marian to come to confession and she "politely" declines. XD

OKAY so Arthur's parentage!!! tbh I am all for that coming out if/when you are! obvs it'll be a huge blow to a bunch of characters but also i def LOVE the idea of the shake up! so i agree that marian & bar probably did a fairly good job of covering their tracks about this (not me typing that and not remembering if this was from this comment or bar's -face palm-)

i was wondering-- i can't remember if we ever talked abt this-- but do you think amira might have had any inkling about arthur's birth being a little suspect? she has so much going on she might not have actually mentioned smth like that to alek but just a random thought?

i do think there has to be someone out there who might have some info that was enough for alek to start wanting to look further into things. honestly maybe even just a doctor who said something abt arthur being a healthy baby despite being born early or w/e in references to arthur's recent illnesses or smth??

i also was throwing around the idea (which i'm going to mention on @forgottenbartholomew 's site!) that marian is going to become a bit desperate about losing allies for Arthur's team (esp with eoin going over to team guin, in theory!) she might be going to bar asp and maybe talking about the sun prophecy or maybe just trying to talk him in to supporting arthur's claim-- so idk if that's something alek might overhear?? all tbh of course but another just random thought!

"Hmm..." Marian hummed as she watched the Astairan peasant's arrow hit its target with perfect precision. She clapped politely, as she should, as the Astairan boy exited the grounds as the victory of that round... and Edmund exited as the loser.

"Dear Amira," Marian turned to the other queen, sitting near Marian herself in the Imperial family's elevated dais, allowing them the best view of the tournament grounds. "Is poor Edmund unwell? I had been told archery would be his best competition."

Marian paused, but did not smile. She did not wish to appear to be gloating.

"But it seems not..." Marian concluded. Her eyes drifted back towards the grounds where she could see Sebastian slip out of his tent, bow in hand. She was already desperately proud of her youngest son for entering as many of the tournament events, knowing well it was not something he enjoyed nearly as much as his elder brother, but Marian found herself hoping Sebastian would manage to outlast his Astairan opponent, even for a single round.

Marian turned back to Amira, bland smile on her face. "At least the boy will be on his father's team for the finale melee-- one hopes he manages to prove himself there. I am sure Arthur would be more than happy to offer Edmund some tips for success..."

Marian pointedly did not look towards her eldest son who had been occupied by the younger Stafford since they'd taken their seats, explaining the event in thorough detail to the young woman he'd been equally as attentive to the night before. Best not alert Amira to that if possible.

The Queen's lips smiled placidly. The look did not reach her eyes. Her hands came together softly, softly, sea-dark eyes following the unworthy victor before scanning to find her defeated son. A hand crept to her belly. Her second son, she vowed, would do better.

Amira leaned towards her servant. "Find out the Astairan boy's name. I would congratulate him, myself, when he and His Imperial Highness the Prince Edmund are ready. I wish to see them together."

She watched as the servant skittered off before the sound of Marian's triumphant tone reached her ears. She stiffened, bracing for what was to come. Amira did not blush, her hands only tensing around the arm of her throne. No other sign of her distress showed. Amira's smile deepened, as false as its previous echo. Though no similar caricature haunted Marian's face, it did not occur to Amira that she might be doing anything other than gloating. A hand clenched at Amira's side, hidden amongst the folds of her skirts. For a moment, she was lost for a sufficient retort, her own hot anger too close to the surface for cool witticisms. Her veiled glare would have to suffice. But no, she could not be silent. She said the first hurtful thing that came to her mind.

"Perhaps it is fortunate," she replied a moment later, voice jovial as if this all were a silly joke between dear friends. "That my son cares more to follow his father's directives than to glorify himself. I've never had any cause for concern that Edmund might ever behead a witch when told to burn her."

This was treacherous ground, she knew. The rumors of herself, the truth of her grandmother, her own little brother's actions during the same timeframe -- none of these best set her up to speak of witches. In truth, she did not know what Edmund would have done if confronted with the same choice Arthur had gotten, but fortunately he had not been. Perhaps Roderick did not feel confident of Edmund's response, either. She decided quickly to redirect her words.

"But my Edmund has such wonderful male role models, you know. Dear Arthur's failings may stem from the fact that he never had such opportunity for role models of unadulterated success," she continued, glancing craftily towards the golden queen. "It is good for him, I think, that our husband has chosen to ensure that he, himself, and his own uncle and brother are the primary men in his life, now. I now believe that it is perhaps my good fortune in having only two brothers. You have taught me that, dear sister," she said, taking her hand and squeezing it. "Fewer opportunities to humiliate our husband.

"How is your sixth brother faring? Young men go through such trying times. Perhaps he has...outgrown his former foolishness, by now? It has lasted him such a long time...I begin to fear it is a personality trait rather than mere boyishness. But that cannot be, sister, can it?"

Turning to face the lists, again, Amira mused that all her hopes would have to be for her brothers, today. Edmund had embarrassed her, and he would hear of it. But Marian would never see it in her. Amira would smile and smile, and that, she told herself, would be an end to it. Marian would never see her flinch.

Amira's gaze followed Marian's own, tracing Sebastian's form as he flowed from the tent. Eyes narrowing, she noticed a figure in a dress behind the falling flap. Oh, yes, she thought with self-satisfaction, she'd have her revenge. She'd find out who that girl was, and she'd see to it that so did the rest of the world. Memorably.

Laughing softly, Amira arched a single brow. "Why, dear sister, how kind you are, but I think we shall see at Malconaire, soon enough, that my boy has little need of such counsel. I understand it still bears the marks of his last mêlée."

She hadn't meant to tell Marian so early, truly she had not, but triumph was at hand, to be grasped from the jaws of defeat, and Amira could not resist. The queen pulled herself up, allowing one hand to rest upon her belly.

"Why, darling sister, it is kind of you to note. You are not wrong, but I require no attendant, and my brothers are yet in the field. It is not the sun, you see. It is the phoenix."

She paused, delicately claimed a slice of apple from her plate. She had proven ravenous for apples during her last pregnancy, and their husband had sworn that it was a sign that she carried a son. He had been proven right, after all, and Amira smiled demurely, now, knowing that in a moment's time, Marian would make the connection. "You see, my dear, I am with child."

The jabs continued and Marian willed her face to remain unmoved. Arthur, at the very least, had done well at his Kil-Kennar conquest before the unfortunate business with the witch there. Her brother? He was just a fool.

"He is well, if my mother is to be believed," Marian said simply. "Kind of you to ask, dear Amira. He has taken over managing some of the operations with the wine making on my father's estate. Production has increased, says my mother."

Marian turned her head towards Amira to ask her what nonsense she was going on about regarding phoenixes when the woman spoke.

I am with child.

The words struck Marian like a slap and she was overcome in that moment with the memories of her own pregnancies-- not the ones, however, of the children who surrounded her now. She only remembered the ones that failed and why they failed.

"It is her!" Marian had shouted, having dragged herself from her sick bed only a day following what would be her final miscarriage to find her husband and make him see, make him understand. She stood now in her nightgown and robe, a finger pointing accusingly at Amira.

"She is the cause of this, husband, she is poisoning our children, murdering them before they can be born. She is the cause of our boys' illnesses... you must believe me, husband, please!"

Roderick had the attendants take her away, back to her rooms. The court had been told her was mad with grief after losing yet another baby. He had not come to see her for many days after.

"Congratulations," Marian's voice was flat. If Sebastian was not still to shoot, Marian thought she might excuse herself entirely from the events.

Marian forced a smile as the mother-- to be frank, the Queen couldn't remember her exact title-- prattled on about all of her daughter's exceedingly wonderful attributes. Marian nodded but she knew this act-- it had happened dozens of times before. Marian was the mother of two young, handsome, sons who were very publicly unattached at an age when it was customary for them to find a wife.

"You are right to be very proud," Marian informed the lady when the woman finally paused for a breath. "She clearly is a testament to a wonderful mother. You must excuse me," Marian concluded, removing herself from the inane conversation to find better elsewhere.

This was not to be.

Lady Malconaire was headed directly towards Marian amongst the gather of ladies who had sought shade during a small break in the tournament events. Marian had done her best to avoid Lady Malconaire, especially after it was clear that she had hoped to form some sort of attachment between one of her own and any of her husband's offspring.

The Malconaire family was a puzzle to Marian, the name coming up often in their household. Her own children and Amira's were known to travel to the county often but all Marian knew of it was that their roads were in terrible disrepair and had nearly injured her dear husband when he was travelling through the lands.

There was also the rather unfortunate rumor-- which, thankfully, seemed to be contained to their own family-- that Arthur had taken the eldest daughter to bed and she now carried his child. Marian knew, emphatically, that this was false. Arthur was fond of pretty faces, yes, but he would never leave a lady in such a state.

"Lady Malconaire," Marian greeted as the woman met her. Marian's eyes travelled to the lady's hat, the woman already quite tall herself without a towering fixture upon her head. "How are you enjoying the tournament? I thought our sons put on a fine showing, did they not? Unfortunately, one must always claim victory in games such as these."

There had been a time when Valentina had admired the woman before her -- golden, glamorous, all-but assured in her status as empress and her ultimate ascendancy as the emperor's mother...The sun, itself, was Marian's family emblem for a reason, and it could not be denied. Now, Valentina knew better: her eldest son was faithless, her second was a monster, and her daughter a half-wit. No, she'd had the wool pulled over her eyes. It was Edmund. It had always been Edmund. How had she not seen it till now?

Drawing herself to her full height at the sound of Marian's words, she fought a supercilious glare and just managing, instead, a queasy smile. The insult was veiled, and she responded in kind. It was obvious to her, after all, that Cassimir had let the selfish prince win.

"It is any good citizen's patriotic duty," she began, arching a brow. "To assure the further glory of the Empire by whatever means he might." She paused, turning her gaze towards the lists where Cassimir had fallen, doubtless felled by the malice of Eithne's favor, coiling venomous upon him. Not even armor could defend him from such eager spite.

Still, Marian Varmont pitied the Lady Malconaire. To lose one's husband as she did, fighting a fool's war against forces stronger (despite being Edmund's) than any Astaira could muster.

"We thank you, both, for your sacrifice to my husband's great empire," Marian finally replied, though she felt ridiculous saying such. She kept a warm smile on her face as Valentina spoke of her daughter, though she herself had been concerned about who the man was herself. Anyone who would wear such foolish attire could never be a respectable husband for her daughter.

"Ahh... not such as of yet, Lady Malconaire. You must remember what it was to be a young girl like my sweet Cassandra," Marian paused, taking a small sip from the glass in her hand. "To see a handsome face and hear charming words. She is a romantic at heart and her father and I permit these innocents fancies from time to time. Though, it had reached my ears that there will soon be a wedding at your own home, yes? Has this engagement between your son and... step daughter...," Marian raised her eyebrows slightly as she said the word. "... long been an understanding between them?"

If it had been, this would all but confirm her suspicions that the eldest Malconaire sister had not but ill intentions towards her son. Though, she supposed, a quick engagement could also confirm the lady might be carrying Arthur's child-- though Marian still refused to believe Arthur would ever put a lady in such a position.

"But of course..." she began, perhaps a touch too eager. She stopped. Smiled, saccharine sweet. Began again, more measuredly. "Oh, they have their playful...banters -- boys, you know -- but the truth is there is no one my son better loves than His Imperial Highness the Prince Arthur, saving of course the duty of love due, always, to His Imperial Majesty the Emperor," she added, tittering. "I do believe dear Cassimir would do just about anything for the Imperial Prince, in truth..."

Her glance sprang to Eithne, standing just a touch too close to Cassimir. Her expression soured considerably for a moment before, quickly, she threw a brilliant smile upon her face. Valentina would brook no humiliation. She could easily turn this story. But which direction would prove most beneficial? A favor done, perhaps? She must consider...

Valentina fluttered her hands a moment, her veil all atwitter with her motions, her smile a touch too large as she laughed, a touch too forced. "Ah, such sweet days. You must forgive me, Your Majesty -- this is what one gets for listening to rumors." She chuckled a touch, looking up at Marian through her eyelashes. There was, in fact, no such rumor as she was about to tell, but she wished to see Marian's reaction notwithstanding.

"I had heard, you see," she added, smiling in a conciliatory way, as if she were sorry to mention this, but simply wished to explain what she meant. "That His Majesty the Emperor was hoping to find some local, loyal Astairan lord for Her Highness to better mend...and perceived ills. But of course, it was all merely hearsay." She hoped, very much, that the idea might please the Queen...but if it did not, that would be valuable information, as well.

Gaze flashing to the Queen's, Valentina forced a smile, laughed. The Queen's disgust at the marriage prospect did not escape Valentina's notice. In that, at least, they were agreed. This could not reflect ill upon Cassimir.

"Oh, Your Royal Majesty is so kind to take notice of our little affairs. It..." she glanced away, arched a brow. "I confess, it took me quite by surprise. I had quite thought my Eithne's regard lay...another way..." She glanced towards Arthur, licked her lips. Looked quickly away, again. "And, I confess, I'd never so much as heard of any but sisterly affection Cassimir had for her, or she for him, but it seems..." She allowed the strained nature of her smile to show. "It seems the nature of their regard took them each quite by surprise, and they mean to wed as quickly as possible."

She arched her brows, spread her hands, half a question, half an unspoken judgment, and hoped the message was clear enough. A favor done. Loyalty proven. The first fall Cassimir had, evidently, taken for the sake of Arthur's honor.

Her laugh was decidedly nervous. "Children these days...One never knows, does one?"

Valentina's face brightened, allowing some relief to show through her rather strained look, at the change of topic. "Oh," she laughed. "Yes, but a...small thing. A humble gathering to thank Your Majesties' kindness in these wonderful entertainments, and to fete the noble victors. Her laughter fluttered, again, at the pointed final word. "Your Majesty may be aware, but...I, myself, did not grow up in Astaira. I confess, I was a touch...distressed to hear of my future husband's living arrangements, myself, but..."

In truth, Malconaire had been, and remained, a disappointment to her. It was no mean country existence she had craved, but a glittering retinue in some cosmopolitan place, but she wished, too, to allay any fears, should Malconaire someday prove Cassandra's future residence.

Marian assumed that would not be the case.

Marian laughed at Valentina suggesting Roderick was looking for an Astairan lord for Cassandra to wed, shaking her head as if the women were sharing a joke with one another.

"Goodness, Lady Malconaire, where on earth did you hear such a ridiculous thing? While your lords, here-- those, of course, who bent the knee to my husband-- are honorable men, they are certainly not fit to marry an Imperial Princess! No, no, my sweet daughter will have a husband from our homeland. My father and mother, I'm sure, have a number of options they will suggest when it comes time for Cassandra's engagement."

Marian's eyes followed Valentina as she glanced to Arthur after speaking of Eithne's affections. Had it been the lady's scheming that resulted in this ridiculous rumor of Arthur fathering a child with a noble lady? Had she thought to elevate her family through an illegitimate child? She thought the other woman silly but now she wondered if, perhaps she was delusional!

"It is an unorthodox pairing, it is true but the heart wants what it wants I suppose! And the rest of your daughters, I'm sure, will make fine matches. Your daughter-- the youngest one, forgive me I have forgotten her name-- my Cassandra says she is quite the delight. That red hair is quite striking-- not like your other children, is she?"

Marian had heard often that the Lady Malconarie was from a foreign land-- and had been from a family of royal blood.

"Ahh... Yes, I had heard that you and your children hailed originally from Alytar, Lady Malconaire. Cassandra and I spent a good deal of time while my husband was fighting in both Affaraon and Astaira. A good amount of venison dishes, if I remember correctly. Cassandra detested it by the time we left. And the castle we were lodged in..." Marian paused for a moment. "Quite... drafty."

These two could be fun, too! Especially with succession still a big question mark and Odile holding onto the bombshell of being Roderick's niece (and maybe even his sister????) I can imagine that throws a huge wrench in Marian's plans.

I could see her meeting with Marian and suggesting that her family's trade connections could be beneficial to both the Varmonts and the Solemonts and if she would just suggest marrying Emile to Cassandra, or herself to Sebastian... She wouldn't even dare suggest Arthur what with his certain rise to the throne of emperor....!

I could also see her maybe mentioning that she could help solidify a claim to the throne in other ways -- meaning via the fact that she is their cousin through Roderick so even more Varmont blood on the throne, which everyone loves, right?

so i think in regards to talking about their families working together in trade, i feel like marian would be like 'I am a Queen, i don't know anything about trading!' and point her in the direction of her father or @forgottenlucian instead! like it totally makes sense but she also is like '... that is not my concern!'

so even tho roderick's her husband, marian considers @forgottenarthur the 'head' of her branch of the Varmont family and will take a LOT of her cues from him regarding this and since it seems like arthur is coming down hard on house fell, marian will be as well! tbh i don't think she'd ever really consider odile as a potential wife for @forgottensebastian -- she's seven years his senior and, considering how long varmont engagements seem to last, odile isn't getting any younger, meaning less time for babies!! and even if sebastian isn't the heir, he needs his own brood to help continue to protect the line of #teamarthur on the throne!! marian also has a v specific idea of the kind of lady sebastian needs to wed as, in marian's great plan, sebastian will be the hand to the king and his wife will help arthur's wife lead the court-- idk how much of odile's past is public knowledge but a woman who grew up in a work house and living on the streets would not have the correct upbringing in marian's mind!