Francis Kirke Posted January 16, 2018 Author Share Posted January 16, 2018 There was something about any type of challenge that simply got Francis to perform. Unless it was a cravat-tying challenge - he knew his limits. "Alphabetically? By importance?" he asked rhetorically, putting forth his best bow, as if to facetiously illustrate that all the lessons had paid off. If Buckingham thought he was going to flatter him fawningly in this little drama, Francis had other ideas. "Well, I cannot start with your generosity with the precarious state of mittenry, so perhaps I shall start with those we have both been thankfully bequeathed...we are damned handsome, and we must make certain everyone sees it with our stunning dress - although for me, that part is not entirely of free will," he said, with a laugh. "And your grace is the most utterly apropos honorific to ever be endlessly spoken a hundred times a day to you. There are none with better beauty of movement or finer calves..." He paused to see if his silly soliloquy was going to be encouraged. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackguard Posted January 17, 2018 Share Posted January 17, 2018 Of course it was going to be encouraged! Anything different would be a disappointment surely. "You don't have to do it alphabetically. You may want to do it reverse alphabetically," the Duke played along. "That way you can get through Z and Y relatively quickly before being bogged down with all the Vs, U, Ts and all the many S adjectives." He pulled out his pocket watch and examined it. "Maybe I should just have you go through ten letters in the alphabet. That is likely to take us through lunch and well into the afternoon I should think." A corner of his mouth curved upward in challenge. "Yet, in all humility, I think I should limit you to only three good adjectives about me per letter or we will be here all day. I suppose it is your choice to start with handsome, an apt one to be sure. I'm glad you have not under-appreciated the value of a well turned calf. And, since you chose to start with H, I suppose that my humility is well timed, no?" His challenging smile was widening. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Francis Kirke Posted January 18, 2018 Author Share Posted January 18, 2018 "Just what I missed most from my time at Trinity, oral recitations for hours!" Francis faux cheered. Not one to stand down, Francis took a breath and mentally pulled together the mystical energies of his wit. A good measure of truth, satire, drama, hyperbole, and sarcasm should meld together nicely, for all such things were things the duke was made of. "H is a most fitting letter for Your Grace. For what good would handsome do with honour? Nothing beyond fucking I should think. Honest, for I have seen you tell far more then enough people precisely your impression of them. Heroic, for none could say you have not fought battles from a tender age nor shirked any duel from what they say. And it is a heroic task to deal with the sheer number of Villiers ladies you deal with, Sir!" He took a breath, blue eyes looking to the side for a moment. Was he slowing down on H yet? Not quite. "Hospitable, for here I am!" He laughed at that. "Humorous is not good enough, for few at court could not call the Duke of Buckingham hilarious. At least, when he wishes to be. "Heralded...seriously, in all senses of the term, probably multiple times a day." He bit his lip in amusement. "High, in bearing, not imbibement. Which brings me to hypnotic, with much the same qualifications as high." He rounded out with something a bit soberer, "Healthy, thankfully, for I am so very hopeless I will need much of your hortatory attentions. And though you may naysay it, there are some hallowed ideals of family, and you are quite heartfelt." He smiled and gave a nod, "Quite an example to follow, and that is simply H-es." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackguard Posted January 18, 2018 Share Posted January 18, 2018 "There are few things as valuable as oratory," the Duke instructed. "It will be good experience." Buckingham very much enjoyed the younger man's rendition of H. It spoke well of his wit, which was the most valuable asset in ascending socially. "Finally," the older man declared, "someone who begins to understand me." There was laughter suppressed. He was enjoying the flattery as much as he was enjoying challenging Francis. "Is that it then?" Francis has sneaked in several more H references in his sentences. He had been waiting to see if the young man would even attempt a go at humility. "It is clear you need no Hand. Your praise is High. Your laudatory remarks were that of a Humanitarian. I swear by all that is Holy that your words were Heartwarming. It was a Herculean task that I laid upon you certainly. It gives me Hope for your future that you are so High-minded." He paused there because he could not help but smile. Would there be further battle over H, would another letter make its debut, or would things take another turn? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Francis Kirke Posted January 19, 2018 Author Share Posted January 19, 2018 "That is what nephews are for, Sir. To flatter and to understand their mercurial uncles when no one else does!" As to the rest of their little challenge. "I think "I" might be too inspiring, but I shall give it a go." He paused. It was always starting which was most difficult. Once he had a direction to sail, it was only in staying the course, which was easy. "The more important ideals are not things such as intrepid or intriguing, but are those which fall just short of immortal. Of international and illustrious importance for your indubitable influence in innumerable areas of court intimacy and the intimates of state. I could only hope to aspire to such inspirational intensity on things both intellectual and immediate. "Failing it being blessedly innate only with inexhaustible industriousness can I strive to the same levels of intelligence and illumination as Your Grace." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackguard Posted January 22, 2018 Share Posted January 22, 2018 "You are off to a fine start then," Buckingham complimented. Francis promised to be a witty courtier, so the Duke was unconcerned that the lad would embarrass him somehow. "Do you have a dictionary in your pocket?" the older man asked with a laugh. He was not really expecting an answer. It was just that his nephew had risen to the challenge by taking their game to the next level. "I resemble those adjectives that you employ so well. And is not my independence not inevitable, and to the King inexplicable? It is indisputable, if not inescapable, that we Villiers are wit incarnate, as we are inexhaustible in our individualism. Iconic in reputation and inscrutable in our thoughts, we are indecipherable in our scheming." He paused to signal that he would not reach for more examples that began with the letter I unless further challenged. "Was there anything else?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Francis Kirke Posted January 22, 2018 Author Share Posted January 22, 2018 "Ha!" He barked, as the Duke asked if he had a dictionary in his pocket. "No, Your Grace, I should think you could guess! Surely, our shared - though separate - Italian adventures mean that you've been subjected to their games of words where you must come up with such and such right after the person before you, and you go drunkenly around the table until there is a victor; where said victor gains the attentions of the witty, desirable courtesan?" he added in a conspiratorial voice, "The Venetians conceded that it was from the French salons the rage began, but the Italians do nothing cleanly. Anyway, letter games not uncommon." He had business partners to impress. Italians were not impressed unless you could be a showman of good company and prove the desirability of your cock. Italians were far from the prudity of England or other Protestant nations. "Indispensable," he added with a chuckle. "Shall I continue, or have I amused you enough to have pulled you through the morning? I am not expected in the Queen's Presence Chamber until the late afternoon, so until then I am at your service." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackguard Posted January 26, 2018 Share Posted January 26, 2018 "Am I to assume that you habitually gained the attention of the courtesan?" Buckingham inquired with a chuckle. "It is only natural for a Villiers." "Very well, we cannot go on for infinity," he admitted. "I need to use the chamber pot anyway." Taking to his feet, he looked in the direction of his chambers. "You had best be on your way anyway. You have a coach full of gifts to collect no doubt." He gave a wry smile while lingering to see what Francis might add. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Francis Kirke Posted February 2, 2018 Author Share Posted February 2, 2018 "Mmm, yes. Oft enough. Though one was my favorite prize. Bianca." He smiled as he thought of it and then sighed. It was almost romantic. "I think we would have fun together in Italy, Sir. A pity, almost, that you are so indispensable here." He snickered when the duke rose and said he needed to use the chamberpot anyway. "I am quite certain it was very essential for me to know that. I am very pleased for your regularity," he quipped with a lift of a blond brow. "Actually, I do. It is quite fortuitous, then, that you are so little acquainted with your Masters of Accounts." He winked audaciously and offered a bow of parting. In truth, he had never purchased anything in such a way, but it was amusing nevertheless. He was quite sure Buckingham knew what Francis did and did not do in more ways than Francis could imagine, Masters of Accounts aside! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackguard Posted February 11, 2018 Share Posted February 11, 2018 "Bianca is a worthy name," the Duke acknowledged. There were too many women named Maria in the Italian States for Buckingham's liking. He preferred those with more interesting names. "Perhaps, after our trip to Malta, we might visit Venice together?" Such a trip was likely little more than fancy. As Francis made light of the reason for the Duke's retreat, the older man lifted his chin before replying. "Do not underestimate the value of regularity." It was offered in the jovial manner in which they had been bantering. "I shall become better acquainted with him, you shall see," the Duke called after his nephew's retreating back. ~fin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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