[center][img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/383674146426454019/665651481101467679/NicomedeHeader.png[/img][/center]
[center]Mentions/Interactions: [@Heartfillia] [@Sync] [@ghastlyInc] [@HereComesTheSnow][/center]

[color=aa0808][i]Some of these people have never worked a ball in their life.[/i][/color]

It was enough to make a man despair. They weren't all supposed to be bodyguards, no, that wasn't [i]quite[/i] their function but still. Not distressing the charge unduly, especially when that charge was the [i]princess[/i], should have been a clear prerequisite. This Sir Gerard was handling things with much more subtlety. But there was no shutting that box again now, so the question was how to handle it. Both the Knight-Captain and the Princess could both issue instructions, of course, but a proper planner was always thinking ahead anyway. In lieu of orders and even in conjunction one should always have a plan. 

Nicomede didn't have all of his armor with him. It was a formal occasion, and what remained of his full set wasn't formal enough. But the spada da lato was as much a court sword as a proper weapon, and it was belted at his side accordingly. His off hand slipped casually to its hilt, palm resting lightly upon it. Not a move that anyone would pay much mind to, it bore no aggression or intent. Simply a shift of readiness. The other still held his glass and he took a sip, smiling in Gerard's direction.

[color=aa0808]"Then you've already learned the most important lesson in high society, Sir. When to stop drinking."[/color] He smiled and tilted his head slightly to invite the other knight closer, the motion disguised by another sip. He pitched his voice lower to ensure it wouldn't travel and redirected his attention. [color=aa0808]"Sir Rowan, we have neither the authority to usher the princess out nor would it be wise. We must also [i]keep our voices down.[/i] It is for the Knight-Captain to inform her majesty of any problems, not for us to gossip about them aloud. We will not cause a scene. But we should be alert and stick loosely together."

"If Sir Gerard would fill us in about what he knows...?"[/color]