regency au } { of engagement celebrations and assassination attempts

[impetere]

Stiles: [so the Hales will ride up in their precession, Stiles and Cora's carriage being first. Already the courtyard is decorated in preparation of their return, and Stiles sighs as he sees it] Well, we did say that my uncle could make this a large occasion to grant us the small wedding.

Cora: [is already dressed up and prepared to greet his uncle, making sure that she looked suitable before she left the inn. She can't help but swallow at the festivities before nodding] We did. Hopefully it will not be ... completely overwhelming.

Stiles: I hope not. But your family will be here tomorrow to join us after we have had time to settle and you get to meet my uncle and cousins and they can help buffer you. [he looked over to her, freshly shaven and in his more noble robes] Have I told you how beautiful you look today?

Cora: [she smiles softly, before nodding] Yes, but thank you again.

Stiles: Just stick with me, and I'll protect you from my uncle as long as you protect me from my cousins. [grins]

Cora: [she laughs] I think I can manage that.

Stiles: [once the carriage stops, Stiles gets out first and helps Cora out behind him. A man in a large coat comes out, all smiles as he walks to them. Stiles leans into Cora] That is my uncle.

Vitez: Nephew, welcome home. And this must be the beautiful woman who captured your heart.

Stiles: It is. Uncle, this is Lady Cora Hale. My lady, my uncle Lord Vitez Stilinski.

Cora: [nods and curtsies as courtly lady should] It is a pleasure, my lord.

Vitez: She is just as beautiful as you've described, nephew. Come, you both must be hungry after your travels. The cook left some pastries and juices out to tide you over until lunchtime.

Cora: [nods and takes Stiles' arm to follow their lead] You have a very beautiful home.

Vitez: Thank you, m'lady. There have been six generations of our family in these walls and all filled with laughter and joy. I have every faith you will continue that tradition.

Cora: [she nods slowly because the idea of starting a family is still intimidating but it will happen someday] I hope so.

Stiles: [just holds Cora's hand, because she knows he's not rushing her on that] Of course, uncle. And I'm sure Olivia, Maslani and Nora will be happy to help me in that.

Vitez: Oh, I'm sure they will, unless their husbands steal them away.
Emily Proulx (21:38:10): Cora: Are those your daughters?
Alison (21:43:13):
Vitez: Yes. Though Olivia is now Lady Olivia Bale. Her husband, Philip Bale, is the heir of Tulin. Maslina and Nora are yet to find their suitors as I promised them that they could have their say in who they marry.

Cora: [smiles softly] That is very generous of you, my lord. Not many would give their daughters the courtesy.

Vitez: Well, they will both tell you that it was their cousin's dedication to you that inspired them to ask me for that. After all, since his arrival and legitimization, all he could speak of was the Lady Cora.

Stiles: [oh look, that tapestry is SO interesting]

Cora: [she glances to him and smiles softly, before nodding] He is resilient, if nothing else.

Vitez: He is. [smiles at his soon to be niece] Though I can't blame him.

Cora: [her head tips to the side] I do not mean to offend, my lord, but you have just met me. How can you know for sure?

Vitez: [turns to look at her fully, stopping in the hallway] All my nephew talks about is you and your family when he is home. I feel I know you better than I do him.

Cora: [oh she did not mean to get his full attention like that, whoops. She glances away for a moment, before nodding] Then I hope I live up to my reputation.

Stiles: [clears his throat] So what have I missed over the winter, my dear uncle?

Vitez: [and that will draw his attention and he will start to go on about the holidays and other shenanigans]

Cora: [and she will just follow with them, nodding and commenting where appropriate]

Stiles: [as will he, and soon they will be in the lesser dining hall where the pastries are set with the juices, and a few servants waiting to serve them] This is very nice, Uncle.

Vitez: Well, sadly I won't be joining you. I have some affairs to put into place for the gala still. But please, help yourself and once you're done, the servants will show Lady Hale to the room she is staying in.

Cora: [she nods as she goes to sit] Thank you, Lord Stilinski.

Vitez: [nods] And Stiles, once you are settled, come find me in my study. We have things to discuss.

Stiles: Yes, Uncle.

Cora: [will wait for him to leave, before glancing to Stiles] Hopefully I didn't say something wrong.

Stiles: You didn't. He's just... [he goes to sit beside Cora, blushing a bit] I just may have had a very one track mind sometimes when I was here.

Cora: [her head ducks as well] I see. I won't keep you, if you need to speak with him. I have had you all winter, after all.

Stiles: What, and not get any pastries? I'm hungry. [smiles]

Cora: [she laughs] Fair enough.

Stiles: Don't worry, okay. Trust me, it's not my uncle you need to worry about. He's as dangerous as a teddy bear. [sighs] It's Olivia you need to be careful around.

Cora: [raises an eyebrow] Careful how?

Stiles: Just... Tulin isn't a rich township. Olivia was supposed to be the heir. And her husband, Philip, was hoping to take over the Duke. I know his family was not happy at my appearance.

Cora: [she nods] So she will be looking for reasons to discredit you.

Stiles: Which my being at Hale manor makes it harder for her to, but makes her take advantage of her time when I am here.

Cora: I will keep an eye out for her then.

Stiles: Good. [and time for them to eat]

Cora: [yay eating. and then Stiles will show her to her room]

Stiles: [yup, which will be in his wing] You're free to explore as you wish. I'll go meet with my uncle now though so hopefully we will be done and I can give you the tour after lunch.

Cora: [she nods] I'm sure I can keep myself occupied until then.

Stiles: [leans in to kiss her gently] I will see you at lunch then.

Cora: [kisses him back with a small smile] See you then.

Olivia: [however, lunch will come and when the servant guides Cora to the dining hall, Stiles isn't there, but instead there is Olivia. She is sitting on a bench sipping wine, and goes to stand as Cora enters] You must be Lady Hale.

Cora: [turns at the sound of her name and nods] I am. But Cora, please - otherwise my sister and I will be very confused when she gets here.

Olivia: [smiles] Of course, Lady Cora. I am Olivia. It is a pleasure to finally meet you.

Cora: [if she recognizes the name, it doesn't show, a polite smile crossing her features] The pleasure is mine.

Olivia: My father sends his apologies, but he and my cousin will be indisposed for a while. He asked for me to show you around.

Cora: [her eyebrows go up at that because Stiles said he would show her around, but she doesn't want to be rude] That would be lovely. Thank you.

Olivia: I would introduce you to my husband, but he went out hunting this morning with some of the other men. But my little sisters should be here soon.

Maslina: [and she is next, laughing with her baby sister, Nora. When she sees that there is company, however, she is back in instant proper girl mode] Oh, hello.

Nora: [and the youngest is still learning her manners, and stop and quickly fusses with the mess of her hair] I didn't know we had company yet.

Cora: [glances over to the two of them with a small smile] I am Cora Hale. I arrived with Stiles this morning.

Nora: You're her! [and she's 12. she's going to run over and hug Cora, which of course makes Olivia's lip purse]

Maslina: Nora.... you're supposed to bow. Not hug.

Cora: [laughs softly before shaking her head as she returns the hug] No, it's fine. My cousin is only a little older than her and she's the same way.

Nora: Stiles talks about you all the time. You're very pretty.

Maslina: [comes over and fixes Nora's hair. She is obviously her sister's keeper] We should sit down and eat.

Cora: [smiles softly before nodding] Thank you. You're very pretty too. [she then glances over to the other two girls] I must admit, I did not anticipate to already be so well known.

Olivia: Well, Stiles can be very simple minded when it comes to most things.

Cora: [her brow furrows] I wouldn't consider him simple at all.

Olivia: Oh, I'm sure you wouldn't. After all, from what we have heard of your family, you are not very extravagant yourselves. Much more home bodied than most.

Cora: [eyebrow raise because I'm sorry, was that shots fired?] I would be careful, Lady Olivia, to not mistake modesty with simplicity. One does not need money or extravagance for a clever mind.

Maslina & Nora: [nope, eating food and watching this like a tennis match]

Olivia: Perhaps. [and she will just sip her wine]

Cora: As to our home-bodied tendencies, our parents instilled in us the value of family above all before their passing. We enjoy our time together, but we have done a great deal of travel in the warmer seasons. It has merely become limited as of late due to our expanding family. It is hard to travel with young ones who need a great deal of care.

Olivia: I'm sure that is also helps making sure that those young children are taught proper court etiquette. I've heard some children in Norway just are hard to rear because of the harsh condition and they develop many bad habits, like gambling and theft.

Cora: Unfortunately, one cannot help bad habits picked up in the Southern countries, no matter how strenuously you may try to break them. When a child comes into our care after a certain age there is only so much we can teach them without them being willing to change themselves.

Olivia: Oh yes, we have learned that a lot. Uncle has had many frustrations with teaching my cousin because of bad habits from his time before.

Cora: Is that so?

Olivia: Oh yes. He is more infatuated with you and his books than he is with learning to care for the manor.

Cora: [her head tips to the side curiously] You assume that all of his time spent in Norway is what? Following after me like a lost puppy? Most of his time at manor is spent with the men of my family learning these exact traits you seek. And personally, I've always found that learned man is a wise lord.

Olivia: No, but the only reason he was sent to your family to learn and not a better lord was because of your courtship contract.

Cora: [the words "courtship contract" stick out to her, and she opts to focus on defending her family instead] I'm sorry, I wasn't aware that you were acquainted with my lord uncle or my brother.

Olivia: Oh, my husband has spent many years at tourney, and we are frequent guests at the Duke of Norway's home. He is very familiar with your brother and his reputation.

Cora: I see, but you have never met my uncle, Peter Hale, who is held in the Duke's highest esteem and was responsible for my family's holdings for many years - the person that Stiles has been doing a large portion of his lordship studies with over the course of the winter. [passive aggressively polite courtiers' smile] Also, I didn't realize my brother's reputation as a knight was being called into question.

Olivia: Well, your brother did have a child out of wedlock. That does tend to leave a stain on the family name, him being the male heir and all. [she leans forward] And the fact his wife's lady in waiting is also not pure of body does not help. There are whispers that she was brought in to be his mistress to help sate his appetite when his lady wife is unable to.

Cora: [and wow Cora looks appalled - not because of what was said about Patience, because that she expected, but on behalf of Caroline] My brother took in a child who was to be left with no better options. I would consider that generous, rather than scandalous, and as to anyone who casts judgement on Lady Caroline without knowing her side of things, I personally would not consider them worth learning from in the first place. Her situation is not her fault, and anyone who impugns her honor should feel shame for blaming the innocent. Our place is not to judge. It is to forgive. [she shoots to her feet, pushing away from the table] Also let it be said that while I may not the lady of this manor yet, nor will I be for some time, my memory is long, my lady. And should Lady Caroline, or any member of my family, feel anything less than the open, warm hospitality of a gracious host, they may come to find themselves regretting it later. [and there's a huff before she steps away] Excuse me. I believe I may be in need of some air.

Olivia: Of course. [and nope, she got exactly what she wanted in seeing where her buttons were, and that grin behind her wine glass shows it]

Cora: [was so not made for court life. And she's just going to find the nearest door and go to sit out in the gardens]

Stiles: [and about an hour later he is going to wander out to find her] Cora?

Cora: [glances over at the sound of her name and gives him a small smile] I'm sorry. I lost my temper.

Stiles: Yes, Maslina told me it was quite a lunch you had. [he goes to sit beside her, holding out a sandwich] You left without eating.

Cora: [glances down at it, before shaking her head] I'm not hungry.

Stiles: If you're sure. [and he will go to eat it because he IS hungry. He will just let the silence hang though]

Cora: [she closes her eyes and shakes her head] I hate being in court. And that is the reason why.

Stiles: [he nods] Well, I hate to say that it will become part of the job marrying me. We will be the Duke and Duchess of this region.

Cora: I know. I just ... how dare she throw stones, without having even met Caroline?

Stiles: [he reached over to take her hand] I think Olivia was just trying to press buttons to see what you would react to, Cora. She does it all the time.

Cora: That doesn't make it right!

Stiles: I didn't say it was.

Cora: [she shakes her head] I'm sorry. I can't just sit there and let her speak ill of Caroline or my brother, let alone in the same context.

Stiles: No, you shouldn't.

Cora: [she nods] And if needed, I will apologize to your uncle, but I will not apologize to her. Not unless she apologizes to Caroline first.

Stiles: I don't think you need to apologize to anyone, least alone Olivia. She needs someone to put her in her place. Which you did.

Cora: [she sighs] I hope you're right. Otherwise, I loathe to think what Elena will do in my place if she hears that Olivia was speaking ill of Caroline. She is actually good at being at court.

Stiles: [he sighs, because he's sure that Derek at this point has told Elena about the things the men at tourney say about Caroline as well as himself when they think he isn't listening] Sometimes I've learned that it's better to just walk away. Gossip is a beast of it's own that cannot be tamed.

Cora: [yes, but Elena can handle it in general, you simply shouldn't give her an actual target to destroy] I wish it were that simple. Sometimes all this world seems to be is who is leveraged over someone else.

Stiles: Why do you think I like your family so much?

Cora: [smiles softly] I'm sorry that I will probably not be very good at your world.

Stiles: I'll tell you a secret... that's one of the things I like about you.

Cora: [she laughs] But it might not be something your uncle favors.

Stiles: He'll live. You keep reminding me not to let myself become one of them.

Cora: [she nods slowly, looking at her lap for a moment, before tipping her head to the side] Stiles, after I agreed to marry you was there some kind of courtship contract?

Stiles: [there's a tiny hitch of his breath, a lowering of his eyes and she knows it's his guilt look. And he promised he wouldn't lie...] Not after. It was before. A long time ago, actually.

Cora: [her eyes widen for a moment] What do you mean?

Stiles: [rubs the back of his neck] It was an agreement between our uncles on my behalf. But this was just after Laura was married.

Cora: [her brow furrows] What was the contract?

Stiles: It was to ask Peter not to enter you into a marriage contract, and instead to allow me to see if I could.... [he holds out his hands] I wasn't sure if you wanted to marry, or even allow me to love you. But I didn't want to lose you because of expectations of society. The contract was for me to stay at the Hale Manor and learn from your brother, but also to allow me to be able to try and woo you in my own manner. One which I failed exceedingly at back then.

Cora: [she glances down at her hands again, processing that information, of deals made behind her back that she had been unaware of. In some ways she can understand why - she would have resisted if she knew, she is too stubborn not to - but at the same time, she can't help but feel the sting of not being trusted] I see.

Stiles: When we fought and I left... I asked for the contract to be broken. I didn't want to hurt you further. But our uncles wouldn't let me. I think... I think they were trying to teach me a lesson. That if I really wanted to win your heart, I needed to learn it and how to take care of it. It was more than just loving you. I had to know what that really meant.

Cora: And did you?

Stiles: I would hope so. Those letters were me trying to learn. But I think I'll always be learning. I never want to stop learning how to love you. How to make you happy.

Cora: [deep breath] Why did no one tell me?

Stiles: Your sister felt it would be better for you not to know. If I couldn't do it... it would disappear without anything happening. There was no real purpose to it but to keep Peter from accepting a marriage contract - after you broke up with Lord Whittemore, you had quite a few offers on the table and it was a way to give you space from that. And I think they didn't want you to feel pressured. I know I didn't.

Cora: That I understand, but we have been engaged for months now.

Stiles: The last day of the courtship contract was the day of the Duke's ball where you met Sir Fox.

Cora: [she nods] I see.

Stiles: [he turned to face her] I'm sorry we never told you. I just wanted a chance to see if you could learn to love me.

Cora: [looks up to meet his eyes and she nods] No, I understand.

Stiles: I understand if you're upset with me...

Cora: I'm not ... I don't know.

Stiles: I can leave you with your thoughts, if you want.

Cora: [she sighs] I think I am going to return to my room. But I will see you later?

Stiles: Of course. I still owe you a tour. [he looks at her, the sad puppy eyes he's begun to master]

Cora: [she smiles softly before nodding] Yes. Tomorrow, maybe?

Stiles: Tomorrow then. If you need me though, just ask and I will be there.

Cora: [she nods] I will.

Stiles: [and he will leave her to head back to her room, sucking on his lip a moment and then storming off to lay into his cousin for the first of many times this trip, he fears]

Cora: [she will feel better after she talks about it with Erica when she arrives but right now it's just a lot to process]

Stiles: [and of course it's not going to get any better. I mean, Maslina is waiting to form her own opinion, Nora is happy to meet people and OMG MALIA WE HAVE TO GO PLAY and Olivia will look at them all like they are bugs needing to be squashed]

Elena: [that's cool, Elena is pretty good at squashing bugs herself. It's the Katherine in her]

Stiles: [and Philip is not much better. Pretty much Jackson 2.0]

Cora: [ugh Jackson. do we want to jump to the gala or is there more pre-stuff we need to do?]

Stiles: [nope, we can skip to the gala. It's loud, bright, and lots of people coming over to meet the couple - and the Hales in general - and SO MANY PRESENTS]

Mercy: [SO MANY. And among those people are the Duke and Duchess of Concord, who are seated towards the end of the long tables. The Duke of Concord is MUCH older than his very young wife, but that's not all that uncommon back then]

Derek: [and at some point he's on the dance floor, Patience on his feet and they are dancing]

Mercy: [is making the rounds when she sees them and stops, her heart tightening in her chest for a moment. She knew she made the right decision when she left her daughter with the Hales, but she never wanted to give her away in the first place. She mostly hangs back, watching them for a moment, before it becomes too much and she turns away and steps past the two of them to the balcony]

Derek: [and it's the wiff of her scent as she passes that catches his attention. He looks, and he recognizes it and there is a moment of debate before he goes to pick his daughter up and walk her over to Elena] Can you watch her a moment? I saw an old friend I wanted to check on.

Elena: [looks up from her conversation with Caroline and nods as she takes Patience from him] Of course.

Derek: [he will lean in and kiss her cheek, and then head off to the balcony silently]

Mercy: [is not a werewolf so she does not hear him coming, and she's keeping her eyes on the horizon trying to keep her composure]

Derek: [and he will come closer, his hands behind his back] Hello, Mercy.

Mercy: [she startles, spinning at the sound of her name and she glances away, swiping at the corners of her eyes] Sir Hale. You startled me.

Derek: I'm sorry, that was not my intention. [he took another step closer] It's nice to see you again.

Mercy: [she swallows before nodding] You as well. It ... has been a long time.

Derek: [he thinks for a moment, and then smiling a bit] Almost four years now.

Mercy: [she nods] Though it makes sense, I haven't been to tournament since I was married.

Derek: Yes, the Duchess of Concord now. I should have addressed you more properly.

Mercy: [she shakes her head] It's fine. It still doesn't feel like mine most of the time.

Derek: How have you been?

Mercy: Well. It has been a lot to adjust to, but it has been good. My duties as a duchess keep me busy.

Derek: I'm sure Concord is very lucky to have you there.

Mercy: [she glances away for a moment before nodding] My husband has been very generous. He seems to enjoy my company.

Derek: [looks back to the room, and then goes to lean against the balcony] You know... you could have told me.

Mercy: [looks away] And what would you have done? Married me to save me the shame? [her tone indicates that she does not believe that to be an option]

Derek: I would have, but not to protect you from shame. I would have to have raised a family. [looks back over where Elena and the babies are] I’ve actually come to love it.

Mercy: [she glances to him and tips her head to the side] You love it with her, Derek. You can't say for certain that it would have been the same with me. [she shakes her head] Besides, by the time I found out you were already gone and my parents were already negotiating my hand elsewhere.

Derek: [and looks over at her] And you can't say that we wouldn't have. I just wish Patience could come to know her mother one day. She deserves that.

Mercy: [her eyes move back to her daughter, and she shakes her head] Not truly. If my husband knew we were speaking right now ... [she takes a deep breath] ... it is a delicate balance. He doesn't know you have her.

Derek: My wife is smarter than anyone gives her credit for. I'm sure she knows what I'm doing. [and why]

Mercy: My husband is not as charitable. [but her eyes are still on the little girl, because she does desperately want to see her]

Derek: [smiles] She is a smart little one. Very much a devil with the face of an angel.

Mercy: [without skipping a beat] I will assume that to be your influence.

Derek: Oh, of course. She's going to give me many heart attacks once she's of age.

Mercy: Fate having it's revenge, I'm sure.

Derek: That is what my uncle says children are put on this planet to do.

Mercy: Perhaps it is. [she blinks over to the rest of the ballroom, searching for her husband and when she spots him, his back turned to the rest of the room, she swallows] Do you think ... there is somewhere private where I could see her?

Derek: [nods] Of course. Meet me in the gardens in ten minutes?

Mercy: [she nods because she can do that, but before he goes] Don't ... don't tell her who I am. Even if she won't truly remember, I do not wish to confuse her. She already has a mother.

Derek: I won't. But one day... she will know. I'm not going to lie to her and she will hear things while at tourney. Perhaps you can write something I can keep for her so that way you can tell her how you feel.

Mercy: [her face fades for a moment] Maybe. But not tonight.

Derek: No. When you're ready. [he pushes off to step away] I'll see you in the gardens.

Mercy: [she nods, waiting for him to exit the ballroom before she moves to the other end of the balcony and excuses herself with her husband, heading down to the gardens to meet Derek]

Derek: [and he goes back to Elena and Patience] Hey sweetheart, do you want to come to the gardens to pick some flowers for mommy?

Patience: [looks up with a bright grin] Yes!

Derek: Alright, let's go. [he gives Elena a look that tells her he will explain later, and then takes his little girl's hand and walks with her to the gardens]


Patience: [jogs along after her father, doing her best to keep up and not trip over her fancy dress] She likes the red ones.

Derek: Do you know their names?

Patience: [she pauses before shaking her head] I like the yellow ones but Mommy says that red means love.

Derek: [smiles] I think those are roses you're talking about.

Patience: Yes. [obviously] They have sharp things on the side.

Derek: Thorns.

Patience: Torns?

Derek: [smiles] close enough. You know, there was a princess called Briar Rose. She was the one who became Sleeping Beauty.

Patience: I don't like that story.

Derek: Why don't you like it?

Patience: The princess doesn't do anything. I like Cinderella better.

Derek: You know, there is one about a young maiden and a beast that takes place in Germany. That's not far from here.

Patience: Is it a nice beast?

Derek: He's very sad. He was a human who was turned into a beast because he didn't let an old woman into his castle during a cold winter night, and she was a fairy and she turned him into a beast to teach him not to be selfish.

Patience: [wrinkles her nose] I don't know if I like this story.

Derek: But the princess teaches him to be nice, and when he starts to be nice to her because he wants to, the spell starts to break.

Patience: Oh. [she frowns as she considers because this is Very Important, before shaking her head] Fairies should only use magic for nice things.

Derek: They should, but most don't. You should always be careful of fairies.

Patience: [SIGH, why must you ruin her fun] Alright.

Derek: I think there were some roses over here. [and he will take Patience down where he smells them]

Mercy: [where he will find Mercy, sitting on one of the benches and staring up at the stars]

Derek: [smiles, holding Patience's hand as they get closer, looking at the roses until he sees her] Oh look. [he kneels down to his daughter] That's the Duchess of Concord. She and I are friends. Do you want to meet her?

Patience: [glances to him before looking back to Mercy and nodding] Yes.

Derek: Do you want to bring her a flower too?

Patience: Do you know what her favorite color is?

Derek: I think it's yellow.

Patience: [she brightens] Like me!

Derek: Yeah. So why don't you go pick one out?

Patience: [nods and goes to find one, careful as she pulls on them to avoid the thorns]

Derek: [and once she has it, he will walk her over] Hello, Duchess. This is my daughter, Patience.

Mercy: [glances down to her with a wide smile] Hello, Patience. It's nice to meet you.

Patience: [holds up the rose] I brought you a flower.

Mercy: [her smile widens more as she takes it] Thank you. Yellow roses are my favorite.

Derek: [just smiles] We were talking about the fairy tale about the beauty and the beast while we were walking in the gardens, weren't we?

Patience: [she nods] There was a mean fairy in it.

Mercy: [she nods] In my experience, most fairies tend to be mean.

Patience: Not the one in Cinderella!

Mercy: [she laughs] You're right. That one is a nice fairy.

Derek: But she's a fairy godmother. Fairy godmothers are good fairies.

Patience: Are they the only good fairies?

Mercy: [she nods] I'm afraid so. Otherwise, they can be very tricky.

Derek: You never know when a fairy is really a witch.

Patience: And witches are bad.

Mercy: [pauses] Not all witches. Just the ones in fairy tales.

Derek: [he goes to sit next to Mercy, holding out his hands for Patience to climb into his lap] Maybe the Duchess knows a good story?

Patience: [takes the invitation and scrambles into her father's lap, before looking over at the Duchess expectantly once she's settled]

Mercy: [blinks for a moment, thinking, before she nods] I think I might know one. [and she'll begin to tell her the story of "The Well at the World's End" watching as the little girl listens with rapt attention and by the end of it, worn out from the excitement of the day, has fallen asleep against Derek's shoulder]

Derek: [holds her close, stroking her hair a bit] I may have to tell that one to her again when she wakes up and doesn't remember the end.

Mercy: [she nods] Some English fairy tales are meant to put children to sleep, rather than teach them a lesson.

Derek: Putting her to sleep has yet to be a problem, but that's what happens when you live in the north. The cold helps.

Mercy: It is highly possible that the English simply have very stubborn children.

Derek: Perhaps so. I should probably find someplace more comfortable for her to rest than my shoulder.

Mercy: [she nods, beginning to stand, the flower still in her hand] And I should return to my husband.

Derek: [nods] It really was nice to see you again, Mercy.

Mercy: [she nods, starting to walk back to the ballroom, before turning to face her again] Thank you. For loving her and not treating her like a burden. [not that she thought he would, but the gratitude is there all the same]

Derek: She's the most precious gift anyone has ever given me. [he nuzzled his daughter a moment] Thank you for sending her to me.

Mercy: [she nods, her eyes blurring with tears she can't shed, at least not yet, before swallowing] Good night, Sir Hale.

Derek: Goodnight. [and he will return to check on Elena and Miranda]

Elena: [Miranda didn't get to go to the party, because she slept through most of it, and is currently still asleep in the room that Derek and Elena had been given, with two cribs added for the girls. Elena is standing over her daughter, watching her sleep, but she looks up when her husband comes in, seeing Patience with a small smile] I'm surprised she lasted as long as she did.

Derek: She just wanted to take everything in. Hopefully she will be out until the morning.

Elena: [nods] Let me get her nightgown. If she sleeps in that dress, she won't be.

Derek: True. [and he will go and lay Patience down on their bed, gently taking off her shoes and helping get her undressed]

Elena: [and she will retrieve the nightgown and help him get her into it, before taking the fancier clothes and going to put them away]

Derek: [and he sits on the bed a moment, thinking] You saw the woman I was talking to on the balcony?

Elena: [she glances back to him and nods] The Duchess of Concord.

Derek: [nods] Who is also Patience's birth mother.

Elena: [her head lifts for a moment, because she hadn't made that connection, but after a moment it makes sense. They have the same eyes] Oh.

Derek: She hasn't seen Patience since she left her at the manor.

Elena: [she nods] So that was why you took her to the garden.

Derek: Yes. Patience won't remember it, I'm sure, but it will give her something to hold onto.

Elena: [nods, before moving to sit on the bed next to him] Did it go well?

Derek: Yes, I think so. I did tell her that if she wanted to write a letter to her, explaining her side, I would keep it for her until the day I have to tell her the truth.

Elena: [nods] It's hard to tell how she will take it until it happens. The letter may help, but she also may not want to read it.

Derek: True, but if it's not there, then Patience will have nothing to explain that side of the story. [sighs and leans forward, resting his chin on his hands] I don't look forward to that day.

Elena: [reaches over, resting her hand against his back] It will be hard for her, yes, but I don't think it will do as much damage as you think.

Derek: [leans into his wife] I hope not. But she will learn about who I was before she came into my life. I just hope she can forgive me.

Elena: [smiles softly] She will learn that her father is human. Every little girl needs to eventually.

Derek: [looks over at her and smiles back] At least she will always know that you are her mother.

Elena: [nods as she leans in to kiss him] Always.

Derek: [kisses her back, keeping her close] I love you, Elena

Elena: I love you too. [shifts to lean into him a bit] Shall we return to the festivities, or do you think it's time to retire for the evening?

Derek: I should probably go back. At least until my sister retires.

Elena: [she nods before starting to get to her feet] Then I will go with you. Melissa can keep an eye on the girls.

Derek: [takes her hand, and they can go back and maybe do some dancing of their own]

Elena: [yep, lots of dancing. Parrish and Laura are also doing lots of dancing, and I'm going to guess they know she's pregnant at this point since it's been a couple months?]

Parrish: [yeah, totally knows. Totally happy]

Cora: [and that leaves the guests of honor, unless we want to do something with Olivia and Caroline?]

Olivia: [nope, she won't start anything personally herself tonight. She's got too many manners. Though of course what the other women gossip, well that isn't her fault now, is it? She is just going to dance and enjoy the time with her husband until dinner is served and they go to their little table for family to have the sit down meal while the guests eat from passing trays and a buffet.]

Stiles: [and thank god, food.]

Cora: [mmmm food. And she is likely thoroughly over socialized at this point, but at least eating gives her an excuse not to talk quite as much]

Stiles: I'm glad for the break. I think my feet are about to fall off. [pulls the chair out for her to sit]

Cora: [she nods in agreement, sitting down and smoothing her hands over her skirts] I am as well.

Stiles: [and that roast herbed pheasant looks and smalls amazing as it is brought to them.] Uncle really has spared no expense.

Cora: [she nods, her mouth watering in response] This has all been quite generous.

Stiles: [looks over to her, smiling] Well, in my opinion, you're well worth it.

Cora: [there's a soft look at that because not here, but she appreciates it all the same]

Stiles: Let's dig in before this gets cold. [and yay pheasant]

Cora: [mmmm food. and she's just going to eat happily because it is delicious]

Stiles: [and he will as well until there's just a tiny clearing of his throat. A moment later a small cough and he's going to reach for his wine]

Cora: [glances over to him and frowns] Stiles?

Stiles: I'm fine. [coughs] Just eating too fast, I think. [but he's getting a bit red in the face, sweating]

Cora: [yeah, that doesn't look good, and she's getting to her feet again, searching for Deaton in the crowd as one hand moves to Stiles' back]

Stiles: [yeah, it's getting worse and he goes to reach up and loosen his tie, coughing more now. The guests start to notice and the room is still as he starts to choke, his throat closing up on him]

Cora: [yeah, nope not good] Deaton! [which am I going to play him or you?]

Deaton: [I got him. He's rushing over, as is Stiles' uncle to examine him, laying Stiles down on his back]

Cora: [will just stand and hover as they examine him to try and find out what's wrong]

Deaton: [trying to shift Stiles to a better breathing position] Is Stiles allergic to anything?

Vitez: Only a few rare spices from the region, but I made sure the cook did not include them in anything tonight.

Deaton: I would check with your staff, because he is having a reaction. We need to get him to his room.

Cora: Can I go with him?

Deaton: Are you sure?

Vitez: [going to pick Stiles up, and lets Deaton adjust how Stiles' neck is so that he can breathe]

Cora: [she glances between Deaton and Stiles and his uncle, before glancing down at her hands] He was there for me when I was not well this winter. If allowed I would like to do the same. [but her tone also indicates that if his uncle does not approve, she won't make a scene about it]

Vitez: It is fine. I will tell your uncle. [not that Peter isn't already watching carefully in the crowd]

Deaton: [and off the go to Stiles' room] Cora, please get his washcloth and wet it. We can try and cool his fever down as I see what is causing the reaction. Lord Stilinski, please remove his shirt.

Cora: [nods and does as she's told, taking the washcloth and wetting it, before bringing that and a basin full of water back from the washroom]

Deaton: [and he will be elevating Stiles' feet and covering him with a blanket] You should find out what happened, m'lord. The faster I know what is causing this reaction, the faster I can heal it.

Vitez: [nods, and he goes to leave]

Cora: [waits until his uncle is out of earshot before she turns to Deaton] Is there anything I can do for him? [with her wolfiness and all that]

Deaton: [nods] If he is in pain, taking some of it will help him relax and keep him breathing. [he knows she knows not to take too much] Other than that, just talk to him. He's still awake - just how aware if up for debate.

Cora: [nods, moving to sit on the bed next to Stiles and taking his hand gently, trying to get a feel for if he's in pain or not, but even if he's not, she'll keep his hand in hers firmly]

Stiles: [there is pain, but mostly fear. He's scared and helpless and he can barely breathe and his hand just grips her tightly because he's scared he's not going to make it and he can't even tell her that he loves her one more time. His heart pounds, and it is not helping him calm down at all as tears start to creep out from the corners of his eyes]

Cora: [she pulls whatever of the pain she can, but she can pick up on his fear and she hushes him softly, her free hand coming up to brush the tears from his eyes] Everything will be fine. I promise.

Stiles: [his eyes drift to her and the fear is in them, and he's struggling to breathe]

Deaton: [looks to the door, and then reaches into his bad] Stiles, I do not believe your uncle is going to give me an answer in time. Will you allow me to use something a little less orthodox on you?

Stiles: [he looks from Deaton to Cora. He can't say anything, so he just squeezes her hand for her to make the call]

Cora: [looks to him and then back to Deaton and it's lucky for Stiles that she trusts Deaton with her life and she nods] Do it.

Deaton: [and he is going to reach into his bag and pull out a little vial and uncorks it] This is from a creature called a kanima. It's venom that will cause you to become completely paralyzed for a length of time. It will relax all your muscles, which will include your throat that is stiffening. It should ease a lot of the pain, ad give me time to find the right drug to treat the allergen.

Cora: [frowns, concerned] And it won't accelerate his reaction?

Deaton: It shouldn't. I would rather he continue to be able to breathe on his own, which he will lose in the next few minutes if we don't relax these muscles.

Cora: [she nods, before looking back to Stiles] I will stay with you until it wears off. I'll protect you. [she can't protect him from his own body, but she can if there's another external threat out there] It won't last long.

Stiles: [and he just barely nods. Deaton doses him, and almost immediately Stiles' entire body relaxes, including his hand in Cora's hand. A moment later, it's easy to hear Stiles is breathing better and that is making him start to calm a bit]

Cora: [exhales slowly, before curling her fingers more tightly around his and bringing the back of his hand to her lips]

Vitez: [and he will return a few minutes later] The cook examined the pheasant. It's horseradish. None of the game had it, but chef said that some of the herb in a liquid was spread under the skin.

Deaton: Well, if it was in liquid form, it's probably already absorbed into his bloodstream. [he goes into his bag and pulls out a needle and a vial] Stiles, I'm going to inject some medicine into your thigh. It will bring down the swelling. Cora, let's get him something cooler to wrap around his throat. Stiles, lay very still. [and shot time is a go]

Cora: [nods and she goes to do just that, getting a fresh washcloth and dousing it in water from the basin before putting the cloth against his throat]

Deaton: He should be fine, but I will stay for a while and observe him. He's going to need to rest for at least a day. You should probably get back to your guests and assure them that he is going to be fine.

Vitez: And you are sure...?

Deaton: He will be just fine, I promise. A sore throat for a few days, but nothing he can't work through. I would suggest you find who did this, though. An attempt on his life like this...

Vitez: I am aware. Thank you, Doctor Deaton.

Cora: [glances back to Vitez] Is it still alright if I stay?

Vitez: While it would normally not be proper, your uncle knows where you are, and he is fine with it. He says for you to send for him if you need anything.

Cora: [she nods] Thank you.

Vitez: [and he will take Stiles free hand and lean down, kissing his forehead] Your parents are outside as well. I'm going to send them in for a moment, but you rest. I will see your guests are entertained while you rest.

Stiles: [hoarsely] Thank you.

Cora: [just keeps his hand in hers firmly, even if he can't squeeze her hand in return]

Vitez: [and he will exit, and a minute later, John will hold the door open for Jody and they will come see their son]

Cora: [glances back to them with a small smile] He's doing better. Deaton gave him something to help him relax, as well as to stop the reaction.

Sheriff: When I find out who did this... [angry pacing] I will string them up...

Jody: [places a hand on his shoulder gently when it's close enough] It might have simply been a mistake, John.

Cora: [glances to Deaton like "should we tell them?"]

Deaton: [small shake of his head.] I am going to see if I can get some tea made to help soothe his throat. I will be back.

Sheriff: That mistake almost killed him!

Jody: [goes to steer him into the empty seat Deaton is leaving behind as she does] And I'm sure whichever staff member is responsible is feeling incredibly guilty right now. But a mistake is a mistake and we are supposed to forgive. Stiles will be fine.

Stiles: [shifts his eyes to look at his dad] She's... she's right.

Sheriff: [takes a long breath] I still don't like this.

Cora: [shakes her head gently] None of us do. But he will be okay.

Sheriff: [nods, and he's going to just reach over and stroke Stiles' forehead a moment, and Stiles closes his eyes at the touch] Don't scare me like that again, son.

Cora: [and Jody will just watch them quietly, letting them have their moment]

Stiles: [and eventually Deaton returns with the tea, instructing Cora to give it to him when it cools a bit, code for when the venom wears off, and then will show the parents away because Stiles needs to rest]

Cora: [nods and will just sit there with him, tracing shapes against the back of his hand]

Stiles: [and eventually his fingers will weakly clasp hers, and he will smile] That's better.

Cora: [she smiles at that, and gives his hand a small squeeze] The venom must be wearing off.

Stiles: And medicine... working as well.

Cora: [nods, brushing a hand against the side of his face] Good. You'll be on your feet again in no time.

Stiles: I'm sorry... [cough] to scare you.

Cora: Shhh. [her voice drops to a whisper, fingers brushing against his cheek] You will be fine. This isn't your fault.

Stiles: I know. But this.... it was supposed to be... nice.

Cora: It was nice - until it wasn't.

Stiles: I promise... not to mess up our wedding...

Cora: I will hold you to that. But for now, you should rest.

Stiles: Stay with me?

Cora: [she nods] Of course. I have nowhere else to be.

Stiles: [and he will kiss her hand and hold it close as he drifts off to sleep]

Cora: [and she will sit here with him for the rest of the night]

Stiles: [not their first night together that he would want, but he'll take it]

Cora: [technically their first night together was when she got clawed up by Kali]

Stiles: [true. they need a nice night together]

Cora: [we could skip to their wedding night - IDK if we have to do anything between now and then]

Stiles: [we can do that. Liam is a long way off, and I don't have anything planned]