A Comming of Age

This is the next chapter in the life of Namo Larkin. If you want to read of his earlier life you can find it here. This is a bit different as the privious was told as how Namo remembered it this chain is how it happend.
The time is December 31, 1697. The place is the Grand Hall at the Louvre.
The party is by invitation and if you can post then you have an invitation.

The Louvre was once the Home of King Louis XIV but he has since moved his family to the Palace of Versailles. For the past few years the Louvre has undergone some renivation and is the display case for some of the Royal accustions. It is also the home for several Artist and Preformers. Tonights festivities has been aranged to bring together a group of some of the new up and comming people. The guests comprise of not only French but also Italians, Spanish, and some of the group that accompanied James II of Scottland after being removed of his thrown by his sister.

In James II honor the performers are playing the Bonny Banks O'Loch Lomond. Listen. As you enter the Hall Phillip the doorman will anounce your arivial. ((for those not playing themselfs its a way to let us know who you are want to be.))

And so it begins.

Phillip says. "Welcome Ladies and Gentlemen to the Louvre. We are planning on a feast in a bit along with Dancing until the new year and beyond. For now grab a glass and mingle. As soon as all the guests have arived we will contine."

((Expect the party to go on for around a week))

"Here Namo are the invitations to the Ball." My father said as he handed me th tickets. "It is a good time for you to be seen with your future wife Amber Dupree. There will be some excellent contacts at the party. I will ask that you not do anything that could ambarrass me." He continued.

"Don't worry Father. I am bringing Manny with me to keep me out of trouble." I said. I saw my father roll his eyes again as he always seemed to do about any assurance I ever give him.

"Very well at the very least enjoy yourself. We are headed Home after this. Your wedding is planed for next month and there is so much that needs to be done yet." he said.

Manny and I headed out to the carrage and went to pick up Amber. As we pulled up to the appartments where Amber lived I spotted her just leaving the building. She was accompaned by another female. "Bonjour Namo, Manny. This is Rossland Dupree. She is my cousin visting me and I figured Manny wouldn't mind some company." She said as she looked at Manny. "I would be honored." Manny said as he offered Rossland his arm.

We arived at the Louvre and after a short meeting with Phillip we were ready to enter.

Phillip says "Guests may I present Namo Francis Lakin of Marseille. The other members of his party is his fiancee Amber Dupree of Marseille, Emanual Fernadez Sallazar Renard of Barcillona, and Rossland Dupree. I am told Emanual would prefer if you call him Manny and Rossland would like to be called Rose."

We made our way to the other side of the room as I scanned the area to see who I knew there. My Father was in the NE corner surrounded by some older men most I didn't recognize along with Vice Admiral Jon-Luc de La Salle who seemed to have the groups attention. Off in the NW corner was a youger group of musicians who I rcognized as some of Ambers school friends.

"Excuse me Namo I see Ann with her date she wanted me to meet." Amber said as she headed out toward the group in the NW corner. "Excuse me Laddie, I want to give you my best wishes on your upcomming entry into slavery." I heard from behind me along with a firm slap to my back. I turned to see an older man who had approched us. As I looked him over I was taken back not only with his bright reddish full beard but that he seemed to be dressed in some sort of skirt. "Only kidding on the slavery part you understand or will soon enough. My name is Conner McGreggor" he said as he reached out and gave me a forcefull hand shack. "Ah to be young again and have your whole life ahead of you. It does bring back very fond memories for me." he said looking more like he was looking at the ceiling than at me, or perhaps in another point in time. "Well good to meet you as well, Sir," I said to him. "I would guess by your attire you must be from Scottland?" I inquired of him. "Aye I am so you've heard of our cause then and tell me where do you stand on it might I ask?" he said.

Before I was able to answer him Amber came back with one of her friends and said "Well Namo introduce me to your new friend."
"Conner McGreggor I would like you to meet my Fiancee Amber Dupree. Amber meet Conner McGreggor of Scottland.".
"It is so good to meet you Sir." Amber said as she held out her hand. "I assure you the pleasure is all mine." Conner said as he gently bent and kissed the back of Ambers hand. "So tell me Mr. McGreegor have you every had the oppertunity to listen to a bag pipe?" Amber asked. "Aye I have not only had the occasion but I was once a member of the Scottish Regiment with the duties of playing one. There is nothin that stirs the soul as much as the sound of one bouncing of the Highland hills." Again with the same out of time look on his face. "I have played a Musette de Cour once, Not unlike your bagpipe perhaps a bit more made for indoor use, Would you like to hear one?" Amber said.

"Aye I would like to hear one." Conner answered. Amber cureled her arm under McGreggor's and proceded to lead him toward her friends. "I think Jon-Luc might even have on old Great Highland Bagpipe in his collection. Perhaps you might play a few notes from it to give us a feel of what it was like for you." I heard her ask as they headed away. "I don't know if I still have the wind for it Lassie but a few notes might be possible."

I scanned the room once more to see if there were anyone else I might know or meet.

It was getting closer to midnight when the anouncement was made.

Philip states "Mesdames et Messieurs, with great pleasure tonight we will be entertained by Amber Dupree playing a couple of pieces from Bach."

Bach, Prelude (BWV 927) and Bach, Applicatio (BWV 994)

As the first piece was being played I saw Victoria comming my way. "Come Namo care to dance to your Fiancee's performance." she said not really waiting for a response. The next thing I knew we were joining the other couples already dancing to the music.

As the second piece was ending Victoria said "Oh here comes my escort. You know Emile deMontfort?" A sudden chill went down my spine, my heart began to race as a thousand thoughts went through my mind. The only thing that seemed to be the loudest was something Ralph once said. "The advantage of suprise fades with time." I quickly turned and swung at Emile striking him on the side of his face. My fist acked from the strike and as I was about to take another swing someone caught my arm. "What are you doing my friend." It was manny who had first grabbed me, But then I felt someone grip my left arm pulling me his direction. "This is not the way to settle a dissagreement son. " It was my father "This is no way to act in public have you not learned anything I have tried to teach you. Apoligize to Mr. deMontfort imediatly." He continued as he also shook me a couple of times for added effect. It was just then that Amber caught my sight. She was standing by the Harpsicord looking this way. I saw her turn and run toward the balcony. My father shook me once more pulling me back to the current situation. I stepped back freeing myself from his grasp and said "There is one thing I have leared from you father. Something I am certain you have yet to understand. So here it is ""You are not the center of the universe."

I headed out toward the balcony. As I stepped into the cool night air I could make out Amber standing by the railling looking out at the city. She turned as I closed the doors behind me and I could tell by looking at her she was crying. I looked for something to secure the door but saw Manny and my father on the other side with his hands in the air. "Just give him a moment and we will get this straightend out." I could hear my father say. I went up to Amber and felt her move away a bit when I tried to touch her shoulder. "Your upset I can tell and I am certain I am to blame for it." I told her. She turned and smiled at me and said, "It's not what you think my love. I am upset because of the feeling I got when I saw you dancing with Victoria." I thought for a moment and said "It was just a dance, there was nothing else to it." She smiled again as she said "I know but we can't always control what our hearts feel." I took her into my arms and kissed her and suddenly nothing else mattered in the world, only us. I could hear the fireworks going off and the church bells rinning at that moment.

As we finished I said, "I know our fathers made the arrangement but I can think of no other woman I would want to spend my life with." I continued as I knelt on the cold stone floor, "Say yes and I promise you will be the only woman I will every dance with again."
"Yes" she said as she guided my head back to hers and we kissed once more. It was then I heard from insidem "5 4 3 2 1 ...." a roar came from inside as fireworks and church bells rang around us this time it was real. "Namo it is a new year a new begining, there is one other thing I want you to do." Amber said. I looked at her without saying anything as she continued. "What ever it is between you and Emile can't continue. End it for me."

I headed back inside and saw Emile standing next to Admiral da La Salle. "Emile a word with you please." I said as I approached. "What I did earlier was wrong and I apoligize to you and these guests for it. I know that my not be enough to satisfy your honor but it is just about all I can do." I then streach out my hand and say "I offer you my assurance that what every has happended in the past is forgoten. The slate between us can start here clean. I will even say that in a matter of justice I will not stop you from striking me once similar in manner as I did to you earler tonight, or a simple handshake as well." I then stood and waited my hand outstreached as I closed my eyes and braced for the blow I felt was comming........

I slowly open my eyes and look at Emile. I feel a sudden release of tension in my body as I see what looks like a smile on his face. "You don't know how much I am relieved you didn't strike back." I wispered back to him. Still with a firm grip of Emile's hand I state in a loud voice, "You all know I am to be wed in 6 weeks. While there is limited room in the cathedral for the ceremony the reception is being held in the Town Spuare of Marselle and all are invited.

I turn to Emile and say "Of course if you wish to come I will make certain there is room in the Cathedral." as I let go of his hand "Now if you will excuse me its getting late." I said as I left the party with Amber, Manny, and Rose. I did notice the Admiral say something to Emile but I couldn't make out what it was. Shortly after that I did hear my Father say. "Excuse me Admiral before you leave might I have a word with you in Private."

((The next chain will be the Wedding. I would like to see other members who wish to participate to do so. Keep in mind the date is February 15th 1698 with reguards to your charactor. If you're charactors age is in the low 20's then perhaps it is your parents or relative that is attending. It is an oppertunity to enhance your background a bit. Perhaps there will be some unwanted guests that showup this time.))