Zarad/Script

Week 1

If observed at Welcome Feast

The third prince of Corval is infamous for his womanizing ways, so don't take it to heart when noting your particular perusal, Prince Zarad gives you a flirtatious look. Despite knowing better, you can feel his dark, big, beguiling eyes pulling you in. The candlelight dances across his honey skin and makes his chestnut hair look like it's streaked with gold. His tall, toned frame is covered from top to bottom in fancy silks and jewels, but the way he moves makes it clear he views them as annoyances, not baubles to be shown off. He has a natural cat-like grace, that can't help but make you feel a little nervous.

A Court Lady: You never got to know the third prince very well. If one can truly say the know anyone well in the Corval Court. You didn't move in the same circles. You were firmly ensconced with the respectable ladies of court and their favorites. Like the foreign princess and the Emperor's favorite niece. Prince Zarad only attended events with much...less respectable guest. You knew the rumors about him of course. That he flirted with all and gave his heart to none. That he was hopeless and unambitious, only here to play. You never gave them much credence. In Corval, to have as uniform a reputation as the Prince meant you went around carefully cultivating it. And if he could do that, he was much more than he seemed.

Other MCs: You don't know much about the mysterious prince of Corval. Merely the rumors about his flirtatious and superfluous nature. Still, like most things from Corval, it's best to assume he is more than he seems.

Conversation

	A Court Lady Conversation
A Court Lady	You can feel Prince Zarad's dark eyes on you, filled with contained energy. By the time you have reached his side, you aren't quite sure anymore that it was your idea to talk to him. You are half convinced he somehow just willed you there by looking at you.
Zarad	Ah, MC. We get to speak at last. Pity, it took so long for our fates to overlap. I do regret the time lost that I could have spent with such a pretty and interesting young lady. The Prince looks at you through long, dark lashes, sending a heavy smolder your way. You quirk an eyebrow, knowing by his rather detailed reputation not to take such flirting seriously. You sweep into a deep curtsy.
A Court Lady:	Your highness, I'm very pleased to see you in such good health and spirits.
Zarad	*He laughs at your carefully blank courtesy. The prince smiles at you winningly. I am perfectly convinced, MC, that there's positively nothing interesting that we will be able to learn about each other if we just sit here talking. Not in public, in any case.
Other MCs	Other MCs: You can feel Prince Zarad's dark eyes on you, filled with contained energy. By the time you have reached his side, you aren't quite sure anymore that it was your idea to talk to him. You are half convinced he somehow just willed you there by looking at you. Prince Zarad takes your hand into his and bows over it deeply, looking up at you through lidded eyes with a carefully restrained smolder.
Zarad	MC, I was hoping you would come talk to me. I'm positively delighted to meet such a gorgeous and interesting young woman. I hope we will find many opportunities to spend time together. He winks at you 'Preferably without an audience.' Your hand finally released, you curtsy.
Other MCs	A pleasure to meet you, your highness.

Zarad: Polite conversation would be a perfectly wasteful way to spend our limited time together this evening, and I do my very best not to waste the time with lovely ladies that could be spent in much more interesting ways.

In complete defiance of all social convention and the well-behaved polite chatter of your fellow delegates, the prince sweeps into another showy bow, holding out his hand to you.

Zarad: Shall we dance, my lady?

choice	requirements	effect	conversation
Accept	50 Courage	+Romance +Respect	N: Social judgment be damned, why not? You put your hand in his and willing allow him to pull you into a waltz. The prince grins at you with approval. Z: I like your moxie. And your perfume. In that order. N: Moxie or not, you can't help but notice that dancing in the middle of the room that everyone else is simply talking in is drawing a lot of attention. But that's okay. You are brave enough to handle it. You think.
Charmingly demur	30 Charm	+Romance	N: You smile brightly MC: That's a very tempting offer, your highness, but I would prefer my first impression at the summit to be for the quality of my conversation, not for the quality of my dancing. We can't all be either flawless or brave enough not to care if we aren't. Z: You are being too modest, MC. You have already made your first impression and it wasn't with your conversation or your dancing. In any case, someone like you will appear to your best while in movement. N: He smiles dangerously at you, and before you know it, he's pulled you into a waltz, even despite your protests. As you feared, the ridiculousness of waltzing in the middle of the room is drawing curious and, in some cases, judgmental stares your way. You try to pull away, definitely displeased that the prince ignored your wishes and forced you into this dance, but he simply pulls you closer, smiling intently at you.
Explain why its a bad idea	30 Eloquence	+Respect	N: You smile conspiratorially. MC: While I can certainly appreciate the sentiment, surely you must agree, your highness, that there are better ways to make a fist impression than by drawing everyone's attention by dancing in the middle of the room before dinner. It would make us memorable, but not in the way I think we would prefer. N: The prince smiles at you innocently as he draws near. Z: Nonsense. Surely you must agree that in a room with so many people, important people no less, being memorable is far more important than being proper. N: Then, before you can protest further, he has drawn you into a waltz. As you feared, the ridiculousness of waltzing in the middle of the room is drawing curious and, in some cases, judgmental stares your way. You try to pull away, definitely displeased that the prince ignored your wishes and forced you into this dance, but he simply pulls you closer, smiling intently at you.
Refuse Politely	NIL	NIL	MC: While I appreciate the honor, your highness, I'm afraid I have to refuse. At least until such a time as the time and place is more appropriate for dancing. N: The Prince grins rebelliously at you. Z: And while I appreciate your courtesy and your refusal, I'm not going to abide by it. N: With that said, he pulls you into his arms and drags you unwilling into a waltz. As you feared, the ridiculousness of waltzing in the middle of the room is drawing curious and, in some cases, judgmental stares your way. You try to pull away, definitely displeased that the prince ignored your wishes and forced you into this dance, but he simply pulls you closer, smiling intently at you.
Refuse with horror	NIL	+Rivalry	MC: Your highness! How could you even think to do something so irregular? Everyone will be staring at us for sure! N: He quirks an eyebrow at you Z: MC, you can hardly hope to succeed in your aims at the summit if you are made so uncomfortable by a little attention. N: Then he smiles devilishly at you and, despite your vehement protests, pulls you into a waltz. As you feared, the ridiculousness of waltzing in the middle of the room is drawing curious and, in some cases, judgmental stares your way. You try to pull away, definitely displeased that the prince ignored your wishes and forced you into this dance, but he simply pulls you closer, smiling intently at you.

Since you are now uncomfortably close you can hear the breath against your ear as he whispers outrageous compliments and flirts with you shamelessly, all the while leading the waltz so masterfully that even if you weren't a good dancer, he would make the pair of you look graceful.

How do you respond?

choice	requirements	effect	conversation
Flirt back	NIL	+Romance	N: If one fights fire with fire, then it is only suitable that one fight flirtation with flirtations. You do your best to flirt as charismatically as he is. His eyes crinkle and sparkle with amusement as the pair of you quickly set about to see who can flirt more outrageously. Your best bet is you end up about tied.
In the same flirtatious tone, return his compliments with friendly insults	NIL	+Romance +Respect + 5 Insight	N: You smile charmingly at him, and in a light, almost seductive tone proceeds to match outrageous compliments with outrageous insults. He compliments the color of your eyes, you compliment his ability to lie with a straight face, he compliments your dancing, you mention your wish you had worn iron shoes. Not in the least offended, Prince Zarad grins at you, clearly surprised and pleased by this turn of events. And you handily proved you were no pushover, earning some respect.
Pull away	NIL	+Romance +Respect	N: You physically recoil from his words, pulling yourself as far away from him as is possible while dancing in his grip. Well, this is far and away from the most proper thing to do considering the circumstances, you get the feeling is not a reaction the prince approves of. His eyes narrow briefly and his grip on your back stiffens. He smiles wolfish at you and promises that he has no intention of biting.
Stomp on his toes several times while dancing (on purpose)	NIL	+Respect	N: You paste on a big fake smile and 'accidentally' take every opportunity to stomp on his toes. The more outrageous the flirtatious compliment, the more weight you put into your feet. He seems amused although he winces once or twice. You might not have particularly endeared yourself to the prince, but you get the feeling that you've gained some of his respect.

The music stops, having reached the end of the current song and so the prince ends your dance with a great flourish, bowing over your hand and giving it a light kiss.

Zarad: Thank you for the delightful dance, MC. I very much look forward to getting to know you better in the coming weeks.

How do you respond?

choice	requirements	effect	conversation
Giggle and blush	NIL		N: You respond to his gesture with blushes and giggles. He winks and releases your hand slowly and straightens. The prince certainly lived up to his reputation as a flirt, but you get the feeling there is more to him than how he behaves. It might be intriguing if it wasn't so dangerous.
Raise one eyebrow and wipe your hand on your dress	NIL	++romance	N: You wipe your hand judiciously on the fabric of your dress, taking no paints to disguise what you are doing. Prince Zarad laughs, his eyes sparkling with appreciation at your small rebellion.
Smile and agree politely	NIL		N: You smile and say everything that is proper and polite. The prince winks, releasing your hand and straightening.
Wink and sashay away	NIL	+romance	N: Detaching your hand you give a quick wink as your goodbye and then walk away head held high and attitude in every step.

The prince certainly lived up to his reputation as a flirt, but you get the feeling there is more to him than how he behaves. It might be intriguing if it wasn't so dangerous.

• See Zarad's Stargazing Invitation

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