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[img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/220927/23fb834f443fddf069b302a80ffae13a.png[/img]
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[color=1E90FF][b]Time[/b]: Late Morning[/color]
[color=1E90FF][b]Interactions[/b]: [@Tae] Kalliope; [@princess] Calbert[/color]
[color=1E90FF][b]Mentions[/b]: [/color]
[color=1E90FF][b]Attire[/b]: [hider]
[url=https://i.postimg.cc/8z5xjhFf/b73aac48-9c15-4c53-9289-37731ac8aace.png](Placeholder until I get a better reference image)[/url]
Roughspun, blue trousers
A shoulder belt and waist belt carrying his equipment
Two swords and two pistols, one on either side
A woven, conical hat wide enough to shade his entire face[/hider][/color]
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The appearance of the Count came as a surprise, but a welcome one. If nothing else, it served as a much needed distraction for Sjan-dehk from his troublesome thoughts. Although if he had to be honest, it wasn’t the Count himself that drew his attention as much as it was his herald. Or perhaps that other man was just an attendant? Either way, Sjan-dehk found the manner in which he introduced the Count to be as puzzling as it was intriguing. Any Viserjantan Count who had themselves introduced in such a manner would have been swiftly chastised for being presumptuous and acting beyond their rank. Sjan-dehk had been present for enough such scoldings – unwilling of a participant as he had been – to know that such a mistake would be at best, an embarrassment, and at worst, an insult to someone of a higher rank. 

Sjan-dehk stowed this observation away. The old books and journals that had brought him to these shores did mention that Caesonia had a different method of ranking their nobles. Unfortunately, Sjan-dehk hadn’t paid enough attention to them to find out if anyone had actually written down how the ranks worked. A visit to the [i]Sudah[/i] and the Royal Tutor later seemed to be in order, and he groaned inwardly as the prospect of a lecture from the wizened, old man. 

The Count approached Kalliope after his greetings. Immaculate in his dress and bearings, his words were spoken with the airs of a learned man, or at least someone who absorbed books like a dried sponge. It felt like a refreshing breath after the whole debacle with Layla. The tension emanating from his brief exchange with Kalliope thus came as yet another puzzle. There was nothing in their words, but Sjan-dehk could feel it in her tone, and see it from the shallow smile on the Count’s face. Clearly, there was something here that he was missing.

He caught Kalliope’s gaze just as the Count addressed him. Sjan-dehk’s brows arched, and his lips curled into a grin, as he heard the familiar greeting. [color=1E90FF][i]“Fair weather to you,”[/i][/color] he gave the typical Jafin response, but quickly added, [color=1E90FF][i]“No need for that. It is too…Important? No, formal. Only used for important things. For this, can just say normal greetings. Also, it is old. Not used by most people. Only by bigger nobles.”[/i][/color] It had been a long time since Viserjantans visited this part of the world in any significant numbers, so it made sense for the Count to use an archaic greeting. All the same, however, it greatly tickled and amused Sjan-dehk.

[color=1E90FF][i]“I am Wasun Sjan-dehk, fourth Lesser Marquis of Jafi.”[/i][/color] Sjan-dehk introduced himself quickly with a bow of his head as he took the offered invitation. [color=1E90FF][i]“No need for anything now, but thank you. We rest on our ships and we buy what we need. But if we need help, then I will…Remember you.”[/i][/color] The Count stepped away to speak with the rest, leaving Sjan-dehk to examine the small slip of paper in his hand. With everything that had happened, he had almost forgotten about the masquerade were it not for this little reminder. A sinking feeling plunged into his gut as he wondered if he should still attend. 

Kalliope’s warning about the Count was only half-heard by him, and he responded with a simple nod. The Count seemed like a decent person, and Sjan-dehk was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, but he would still treat him like any other noble of a higher rank: carefully, cautiously, and with only the necessary norms and respects. 

[color=1E90FF]“He seems nice enough, but thank you,”[/color] he said with a slow nod. Far more important to him at the moment than the possible intrigues a Count might be up to, was the question of the masquerade. Despite himself, Sjan-dehk couldn’t help but wonder if he was the right person to accompany Kalliope. Surely, given their relationship, Cassius would be a better choice? Or maybe Sjan-dehk was reading far too much into things, and this was, as she had said the other day, her doing him a favour. The more he thought about it, the more that seemed likely, and really, it wasn’t him to pull out of an agreement just because of a bit of discomfort. A word given had to be a word kept, as his father liked to say. 

And so, Sjan-dehk gave her a smile and held up the invitation. [color=1E90FF]“It’d be rude not to show up after getting an invite from the Count himself, I think.”[/color] There was a touch of playfulness lacing his words. [color=1E90FF]“I’m still willing to accompany you, if you’re still willing to have me. I have to ask, though, how are we meeting? At the estate itself or elsewhere?”[/color]