Joseph
** Mikhail Durkhan-Maith
Ostrava, Astoria**

From where he stood, he knew they probably hadn't noticed him in the doorway. He could only barely see the Lady Capell from where he stood, and Lord Capell was out of eyeshot. Millie, however, even from the back - looked as if she was on top of the world. Her posture was the same one of confidence he had seen as she guided them expertly through the halls of the theatre before. A showman, ready to present. 

When she gave her flourish, Mikhail stepped into the home. His hands were clasped behind his back, hand over wrist as he gave a smile. "Good evening, Lord and Lady Capell." He said as introduction, since their daughter had already made it evident who he was. "I've just come to offer my gratitude to you for allowing the Lady Capell to be my guide for the evening." He glanced to Millie, offering her a pleasant smile as he released his wrist and reached for hers, his palm facing up so she may rest her hand in his. 

"Ostrava has been on my list of places to visit for quite some time, I'm thankful for a competent tour from someone so impassioned about her city and people." He returned his gaze to the Lord and Lady Capell, expectant.
Karen
**Milena Capell**
**Ostrava, Astoria**

Millie's parents were dumbfounded as she took his hand in hers. They weren't expecting the future ruler of Astoria to be in their entryway. Had he really asked their daughter to be his guide without their knowing? "Oh... Uh... Of course your royal highness!" Millie's mother stammered. "That's our daughter, so very passionate about her... People. I am so glad that you found Ostrava to be quite enjoyable. Is there anything you want? We can serve tea, or perhaps offer you roast pheasant." Her parents' demeanor had certainly flipped on a dime. Whatever happened to their anger?

Millie offered a knowing smile to Mikhail, then turned back to her parents. "Mother, Father? Is this not exciting? It is not often that someone of such high esteem graces Ostrava with their presence, to ask for me directly as a guide, and for them to complement our humble city and it's wonderful people so highly? Certainly you must be proud?" Millie's penchant for acting had been honed by her acquaintances at Evzen theatre. To anyone who was not in the know, it was a very convincing display. Her demeanor exuded confidence, though it was most assuredly helped by the prince at her side. 

"Proud...? Oh yes! Of course! We are very proud and very humbled that you graced us with your presence, Prince Durkhan."
Joseph
**Mikhail Durkhan-Maith
Ostrava, Astoria**

"Tea would be lovely, thank you." Mikhail agreed to the invitation, and let Millie speak her piece. It was obvious to him she was trying to get a point across to her parents in the _nicest_ way possible, and he had to bite back a chuckle at her pointed words. His hand squeezed Millies, and he returned his silver gaze to the Lady Capell. 

"Thank you, for your kind words, however if it's no issue, may we retire to a parlor or sitting room? I do believe Lady Millie has given me the run around of Ostrava to assure I'm well acquainted with all the bakeries and art houses your city has to offer." He was teasing of course, but he didn't care much for standing in the hallway any longer. If they moved, it gave them an opportunity to find some comfort and the Lord and Lady might stop stammering and staring at him if they were in 'host' mode.
Karen
**Milena Capell**
**Ostrava, Astoria**

Her parents took a second to compose themselves before continuing. "Yes of course, your highness, right this way" They lead him and Millie through the decorated halls of Capell Manor to the sitting room. There was a red theme running through the room, with the cushioned chairs and couches a deep red velvet, and the walls a maroon color. Millie's blue and silver dress contrasted sharply with it. "Please, sit." They continued standing until the Prince sat down, their arms clasped in front of them.
Joseph
**Mikhail Durkhan-Maith
Ostrava, Astoria**

Upon the confirmation and the instruction to follow them, Mikhail looked to Millie, and released her hand. It appeared her plan to get herself out of trouble had worked, and he gave a small gesture with his chin that she should lead between him and her parents. 

They were guided to a parlor, full of colors that reminded him of North Shore, and he took a seat when offered one. "So tell me, Lord and Lady Capell, why were you two not in attendance tonight at the Evzen Theatre? When I asked for the Lady Capell to join me, my understanding was that the Lord and Lady would have already been invited and in attendance." He gave a soft smile.
Karen
**Milena Capell**
**Ostrava, Astoria**

Millie smirked as she sat down. It was a very good, very pointed question. She was going to enjoy seeing them try to figure out their response to a question Mikhail knew the answer to. Their elitism was finally being called out in a deviously subtle manner. Her parents seemed rather taken aback at the question. "Oh... Uh.. Your highness. We were not in attendance of the play because..." Her mother shifted uncomfortably. They certainly could not tell him it was because they saw anyone under Knightsblood as inferior, although Mikhail already knew that from Millie. Her father jumped in. "...Because we have never really been playgoers, your highness, they've simply never appealed to us."

Millie had to hold herself back from giggling. That simply had to be the worst excuse and lie she had ever heard.
Joseph
**Mikhail Durkhan-Maith
Ostrava, Astoria**

The answer was... Strange, and Mikhail felt his brow almost twitch into a frown before he corrected himself. "Ah, I see." He said simply, straightening a bit in his seat. "My late father never much cared for the arts either. He didn't interact much with those outside of the court, it's probably why they turned on him." He mused aloud, then cleared his throat. "My apologies, not a story for a night as lovely as this has been." Mikhail looked to Millie.

"Your daughter has offered a room for the night, since there seems to have been a mix up in my arrangements for the evening. Perhaps tomorrow, the Lord and Lady Capell might be interested in joining us on our outing." He caught her fathers eye. "I'm told there's a special market being hosted tomorrow, I'd love to be in attendance."
Karen
**Milena Capell**
**Ostrava, Astoria**

"..Turned on... Him?" One could almost see Milena's parent's blood run cold at what on the surface appeared to be a passing remark from the prince. It was clear he didn't buy their answer. Their attention was then immediately focused onto the fact that their daughter had so graciously offered him a place to stay. "Yes, of course. It was only right for her to offer our home to you. Better for the prince to stay in luxury rather than in a comm- ah... Any *Uncomfortable* Arrangements."

Millie couldn't help it anymore. She audibly groaned at their last remark. This brought the attention of her parents off of the prince and onto her. "Milena Capell! That is no acceptable way to conduct yourself in the presence of the prince!" Her mother scolded. She then turned to Mikhail once again. "You must forgive my daughter. She appears to have lost her manners" 

"Sorry, mother." *'Oh, and lying to him about your disdain for your... No. His people is any more acceptable?'* Millie thought to herself, and crossed her arms. 

"As for the market we would be ahh.. *Delighted* To join you tomorrow"
Joseph
**Mikhail Durkhan-Maith
Ostrava Astoria**

He didn't care much for the snap,and also refrained from commenting on it. "I think her manners are fine." He said simply, and brought his gaze to the Lady Capell. "Would it be a trouble to get the tea you offered? I'm sure we could all use some refreshments." He then looked to the Lord Capell, trying to size him up. From what he could tell, the Lady was the one who ran the household. 

"Thank you for your hospitality, but I think it might be best if Lady Milena and I take that refreshment in.." He tried to remember if there was a garden, and looked to Millie for help. "A veranda? A garden perhaps? Somewhere we may speak alone. I have a few more questions about the show from this evening, and would hate to bore you both with my commentary since plays aren't to your liking, My Lord."
Karen
**Milena Capell**
**Ostrava, Astoria**

"Oh... Yes of course, your highness." Lord Capell responded. He then clapped his hands and a blonde haired servant entered the sitting room and cordially bowed. "Yes my lord?" 

"Please fetch Prince Durkhan and my daughter some tea, and show them to the garden courtyard." Lord Durkhan instructed the servant. 

"It will be done. Please come with me." Millie got up when Mikhail did as well, and offered her hand to him as they followed the servant through the halls to the interior courtyard. "The tea will be along in a minute." The servant said before entering back into the Manor. The courtyard was very different from the rest of the manor, with bright flowers lining the cobblepathways, a small stream running through the middle of it. It was a very serene atmosphere. "What was it you wanted to talk about, Mikhail? I assume it's not about the play" Millie asked
Joseph
**Mikhail Durkhan-Maith
Ostrava, Astoria**

He wasn't going to take her hand, but she offered it, and he could hear his mother scolding him for not doing so in the back of his mind. So his hand lifted, finding it's place beneath hers as they were guided from the room. The rest of the manor was decorated in much of the same way as the parlor, and when they stepped outside into the night he took a long breath. 

The servant who had guided them would be back shortly, and Mikhail released her hand, pushing both of his through his half-blonde hair before tilting his head. His neck popped with the motion, sending a small 'crack' sound against the bricks as he looked over the garden. It was nothing like the one in Zahrada, but it was definitely on brand for Astoria's season defying gardens. 

"I just wanted an excuse to get out of there." He admitted with a sheepish smile, his eyes darting from the path to her. The exterior of the home had torches to keep them lit, but it looked like the further they would go into the garden the more they would have to rely on the moonlight to guide them.
Karen
**Milena Capell**
**Ostrava, Astoria**

Milena sighed glumly. "That's fair. My parents aren't exactly a joy to be around" She had immediately dropped the noble speech pattern for the one that was more natural to her. She walked to a bench just outside the torchlight and sat down. Millie then laid her chin in her hands, staring at a particularly nice arrangement of roses. "This garden? The flowers are all me. If my parents had their way, it would be nothing but boring hedges. I love my flowers. They're the bit of rebellion I don't get in trouble for. This is my Ostrava when I can't get away" She admitted to the prince.
Joseph
**Mikhail Durkhan-Maith
Ostrava, Astoria**

She seemed upset he didn't have something secretive to tell her, and he watched as she moved to the bench, propping her head in her hands to overlook the flowers. He followed her gaze, remaining standing. "It's lovely, I could see why you'd like to build a place for yourself here. Have you ever seen the ones in Zahrada?" He asked, moving to the arrangement of roses. He reached out for one, and his lip twitched as a thorn caught his thumb. He pressed a finger into the pad of his thumb, watching the droplet well up to determine if it was worth tending to. It didn't seem like it, and he raised it to his lips before shaking his hand to get rid of the sting. 

"There is something about the soil in Astoria that makes the gardens that grow here so fertile. Could be magic, but it really makes the day to day a little less mundane, don't you think?"
Karen
**Milena Capell**
**Ostrava, Astoria**

Millie smiled as he talked about her flowers and the wonder that is Astoria's capital. "Personally, I've never been to Zahrada, though the stories I've heard certainly do make it sound magical. I'd love to visit one day." She said whimsically. "Perhaps a bit of magic could be what people need nowadays. Maybe not even real magic, though that would be awesome. But perhaps just taking the time to admire a sunset, or a lovely red rose, just slowing down for a bit you know? Enjoying the little moments that make life so magical. I wish my parents understood that. You could very plainly see them earlier. They aren't not play people. They enjoy certain aspects of theatre. Their problem is that they aren't people people. They refuse to go into Ostrava simply because the people there are shi- no. I refuse to call them that. The people there aren't in the same blood caste as my parents therefore they have less worth, to them at least. That's why they try to make me a perfect noble, so that I don't imitate anyone that doesn't have a stick up their ass." She looked to him and gave him a soft smile. "No offense to you or your mother. I'm referring to... Well you know who. Nobility who think and act like my parents."
Joseph
`
**Mikhail Durkhan-Maith
Ostrava, Astoria**

He let her talk, and when the servant from before returned with a silver platter loaded with two cups, a kettle, a small saucer of sugar and two spoons. He laid it down on the small table on the veranda, and Mikhail thanked him before dismissing him. "It doesn't offend me. I've seen so many courts run so many different ways. Ours is probably absurd to the Taemar nobility, and it's probably drastically different than the Witherland court." He started, pouring a cup of steeping tea into one of the teacups. 

It's herbal scent caught the wind, and added to the smell of rose and earth and night that had felt so much like home to him since he was brought back. He found himself laying in the gardens beneath the obelisk in the patch of poppies to watching the stars a lot more than he had ever imagined. There weren't any stars in tombs.

"There's real magic in Astoria, it's not hard to find if you know what you're looking for." He started, then paused. "Sugar?" He asked, looking over his shoulder to her.