[center][img]http://i.imgur.com/Sb88uN7.jpg[/img]
[color=22b2b2][h2]HAYTHAM[/h2][/color]
[@gowi][@Polaris North][/center]

Potentially... remediable.

Haytham's enthusiasm quickly drained as the awkward boy seemed to freeze, and as seconds of silence grew to nearly a minute, Haytham chuckled nervously to fill the silence. His success earlier had been answered with a devastating failure of socialization, and it was already beginning to look like this year would be a repeat of the last: being practically shunned by his peers. With a scratch to the back of his head, he turned to the more talkative one of the two, who had also fallen suspiciously silent. Perhaps it was an engagement to withdraw from, for now.

"[color=22b2b2]Heh, sorry if I'm interrupting something important here, I'll leave you two to finish, eh? Do try to enjoy yourselves here, it [i]is[/i] your new home for awhile. I'm sure we'll bump into each other again.[/color]"

As he walked away Haytham tried to shake the encounter from his mind. Could have been anything from bad timing, to indigestion that caused the failure, no use worrying over it before he knew for sure. If there was anything at all to worry about it would be the news that Swift brought him. He caught sight of her then, across the room, finishing her duties as fast as she always had, and with a small shake of her head she destroyed any chance he had of a peaceful night. With a sigh he began walking towards her, almost passing by Anareliea without a word.

Anareliea. Haytham had found her to be one of the most difficult people in the entire Conclave to interact with. The reason he could remain so casual with most people was simple: He was more or less a King in anything but name at that moment. There were many heirs that attended the Conclave, some to kingdoms of their own, but Haytham had encountered almost nobody that was [i]above[/i] him in rank, even if he had met several who officially [i]equaled[/i] him. Anareliea was a different story. Being [i]Imperial[/i] put her above even Haytham, and she [i]expected[/i] that difference to be acknowledge. It made interaction hard, to say the least.

Still, she didn't shun him like most of his peers seemed to, and he always tried to strike up a conversation, even if they usually ended in disaster. Gaea only knew how that temperament would serve her if she did actually manage to inherit the throne. Initially he had intended to avoid the Imperial Princess at the current gathering, but he supposed it would be even more rude to pass her without a word. They hadn't really spoken since the death of Theodoric, and she was currently relatively indisposed. Even his usual demeanor wouldn't embarrass her too much at that moment. He didn't know if she and her father were especially close, but...

"[color=22b2b2]Hey, I know we're not really close, but your father... Well, I mean, I know the feeling, yeah? I'm sure you've heard a million condolences from a million different people, but... I wish Gaea had given you two more time together. Anyway, I just wanted to say good luck, I'll bug you more when you're not so much on display.[/color]"

He would've added a bit about being available to talk about it with her, but he felt he was already overstepping his bounds as it were. Surely she was tired of the entire subject anyway, he knew that he had been in only a few weeks time. Besides, they both had the weight of rulership weighing on them- even if only potentially in Anareliea's case- and that took up more energy than could be spared for mourning. 

Making his retreat with a bow towards the Princess, Haytham finally made his way over to Swift and the two began heading towards the doors, arguing in hushed whispers:

"[color=lightslategray]So, did you find a wife yet my lord? Drooling perhaps over the prospect Imperial power with her Highness? [i]That[/i] would certainly turn some heads back home considering your parents' neutrality.[/color]"

"[color=22b2b2]I get it Swift, children children children, save House Avion, yada yada. Look, isn't discussing the situation back home a [i]little[/i] more important right now?[/color]"

"[color=lightslategray]But my lord, your heir is a [i]vital[/i] situation back home.[/color]"

The older woman teased him so until they were finally out of the ballroom, and earshot, though the two continued to speak quietly.

"[color=lightslategray]Baron Theodesus refuses to back down from his demands, and his allies have also stopped paying taxes in protest. The royal treasury depends on those cities, my Lord, and the barons continue to grow more bold.[/color]"

"[color=22b2b2]Have they threatened to raise arms?[/color]"

"[color=lightslategray]No, they know as well as we do that they can't hope to match the Crown in rebellion. However, if we allow this to continue without a show of force...[/color]"

Marvelous. Haytham loved a fight but hated bloodshed, in particular among his own people. Still, it had been [i]him[/i] that demanded to still have a hand in the affairs of his state while at the Conclave, and his regent was only complying with his wishes. Haytham, above anything, hated stress, and the first real test of his judgement was threatening to introduce an unhealthy dose of it into his life. 

Perhaps sensing his apprehension, the woman added:

"[color=lightslategray]Any misstep can be blamed on Ser Auric, he would happily take the hit to his reputation for you.[/color]"

Haytham merely grunted in reply as he tried to get a bearing on his thoughts. Do or don't, worrying was useless. He would have to make a decision and deal with the consequences as they arose, inaction was a far worse choice in comparison. What had started as a fun day was quickly turning sour.

Then again, such was life at the Conclave.