#ofcxterina

[williamoflancaster]

@ofcxterina;;

Networking was one of the most important things for a man like William to do at this celebration, right up there with making sure that no one from his country managed to get into a tiff with anyone and William was following along with that plan to the best of his ability. Things like that proved that despite the year spent as Edward's Lord Steward, William still had the mindset of a military man, seeking out advantages and attempting to protect his home instead of only making sure that it was kept running.

The woman seated next to him was, unfortunately, unknown to William and the unfortunate thing about this was William felt certain he should know her. While William didn't want to think he'd suffered too many drinks so soon in the night, it was vexing to him the feeling of certainty that he knew the woman and yet couldn't remember her name. It didn't seem like it would be a well received move to admit he had no idea who she was, not if she was important and someone that he should know, which meant he needed to start looking for clues.

"I'm grateful that the weather here isn't too dissimilar to that at home." He started, the weather the blandest and safest topic he could think about and hopefully something that could lead to her confessing a location for home, if nothing else. "It can be shocking when you travel and find that it feels as though you've abandoned summer for winter or the reverse, don't you think?"

[devidaure]

location : the french quarters, palacio da ajuda timestamp : early morning, just after breaking fast status : closed to @ofcxterina​

The woman had once come to France with ambition and plentiful opportunities — she had once been hailed as a woman who’d one day perhaps see the country from a Queen’s position on behalf of her family’s bank. Lucrezia, indeed, had not known her then. She had not even heard of her, and had spent her days with her Monarchs underneath Portual’s rule. In these very halls, she had spent her days loitering with promise of a future of excitement. And now? Excitement lingered; but in different halls. She had known Caterina for a short time after Alexandrina had been crowned Queen of France, but not much had followed. Lucrezia was a lady-in-waiting, and Caterina had returned to Italy. Her name, Medici, was enough to cause a stir — but Lucrezia had never been the kind of person to judge based on a name or title; in fact, she admired Caterina’s persistence to even arrive in Portugal with the risk of running into her estranged husband. Meeting Caterina in the halls of another palacio, she offered a slight exchange of curtsy and welcomed her with a small, polite smile. “My lady, it is a pleasure to meet you again. Though this time under the heavens of Portugal. Isn’t it a grand place? Hotter than France, mind you,” Extending her arm for her to take, Lucrezia lay in wait. Caterina would be a good name to have on standby, if all else failed.

[basturkish]

@isabelofyork​, @ofcxterina​ */  𝒄𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒆𝒓

         the sultan was not one to pay lip service to one undeserving –– and the queen of england certainly deserved every inch of homage iskender granted her in the company of the vizier. isabel neville was lively, articulate and evidently well versed in coquetry, able to recite the history and budding relationship between the empire from whence he hailed and the small, but vigorous isle she presided over as consort. his efforts to unify england and the ottoman were thus emboldened by the, admittedly, brief conversation he shared with king edward’s wife, as he felt a kindle of hope that she might return his sentiments as she offered him a chalice of wine. 

“i must decline, your grace, for though i have partaken in the past, my faith is renewed in the presence of so many venerable monarchs,” baştürk remarked ––– unaware that the disgraced princess of france was but a few paces away from them. “i have spent ample time in the presence of the esteemed empress apollonia’s advisers, many of whom are now suitably french, by dint of prince marius i assume. i am aware that the relationship between france and england has been, in the past, thorny. i wonder only if the recent conclave has inspired your husband to improve those relations, with philip now firmly upon the throne, and his uncle with his tail between his legs.”

[austrianblood]

closed for: @ofcxterina​

location: the iberian feast

the pageant was all well and good but after the journey from france she was distracted, worried about her children for travel was dangerous even in the best of circumstances. maxim and marie were safely sequestered in the nursery of the palácio da ajuda but once the worry had settled in all she could do was numb her fears with the free-flowing wine and pretty music whilst marius busied himself with his never-ending plots and schemes for success. floating through the celebration she only engaged in the most superficial of small talk as all knew she was an unimportant woman still, just an infamous mistress slowly climbing back from the depths. one man stared fiercely at the white scar right below her collarbone and for a moment she only stared back, wondering if he had heard the tales of her florentine misadventure. without a goodbye, she left the group, grabbing a pear from a table as she walked by, her irritation making her suddenly ravenous. 

teeth sunk into the sweet fruit as she pushed past luxurious tapestries, nearing the corridor that would mean an escape only to bump into another as she shouldered past the mouth of the hallway, the half-eaten pear dropping from her grasp. “forgive me, i was in a rush,” she mumbled, smoothing her skirts, glancing up to see a familiar and not all-together unexpected countenance, “oh- greetings caterina,” she looked grown-up, henrietta thought, and last they’d heard she’d taken up with a nobleman of some consequence and had a child. it was lorenzo who she hoped to avoid but when it came to marius’s wife, all emotions had dulled, washed away in the streets of florence. perhaps, she had been naive to hope the three could coexist but they were not the first people to be ruined by the heart’s desires. “i hope you are well.” and she truly meant it though it sounded silly said aloud. 

[lorenzodemedicl]

closed  for  //  @ofcxterina​

        THE SAFETY OF FAMILY WAS PARAMOUNT. once comfort was sought for his wife, lorenzo wasted little time in venturing out of the chambers assigned to the florentine party and sought the only other woman in his life who’s safety was a constant concern for him; his sister. time, distance and circumstance had all driven a wedge between lorenzo and caterina but that was not to say that she was not still held fondly within his heart, in fact his care for her had seemed to double. decisions had been made and mistakes occurres but there was a defensiveness within him that refused to burn out.

after seeking directions to where caterina was to reside, lorenzo made his way to the palace in which he might find and reunite with his dear sister. it was perhaps not the best time to arrive, with servants rushing here and there to settle in the nobility whilst similtaneously helping to prepare for the large gathering, but this could not wait for he had been deprived of his sister for far too long. catching the attention of the first rushing servant he could, he requested his presence be announced to caterina where ever she might be.

[glcsterdux]

how many friends does your character have?

He enjoys the company of many acquaintances, but few friends. An inherently private man, he has seen the cutthroat game of politics and statecraft play out before him enough times to know that true friends in the courts of the Eurasian monarchs are an even more precious commodity than gold. Such favorable sentiment is reserved only for those who he trusts implicitly; all others are seen in equal measure as bearing the potential of being either ally or foe. 

[mihrimahsultan]

what was the best thing in your character’s life?

In perhaps, the cheesiest way possible, the best thing to happen in Mihrimah’s life was her family. Born into the embrace of the harem, she was spoilt and lead to believe in herself, her beauty and her charm - eventually leaving her to not believe but know that her status as Sultana was only a stepping stone to greatness. She does not take the love she has for her siblings, her mother or her father for granted - but she has her suspicions that perhaps everything is just too good to be true. After all, if history is anything to go by, brothers turn on brothers when something as important as the throne comes into play.