The Tourney at Ashford

Strolling through the market tents, and hearing the singing from the not too far off drinking tent, Davelyn seems to be a little lost in thought. In his hand he holds a few pieces of honeycomb that he is taking small bites off of, apparently having a sweet tooth this particular evening.

She saw the Dornishman at the market as she concluded her purchase. She smiled as he approached the stall she was at.

"Hello, Ser Davelyn. Are you looking for anything special this evening?"

Looking towards the sound of the voice calling his name, he sees the young Dunn Lady. "Lady Kaelyn, it's a pleasure." He offers her a bow, but then holds up the honeycomb that he was carrying and smiles at her. "I've already found what I was looking for. Just wanted something sweet to end the day with."

He did not intend that to come out as a flirtation. He had actually just been suffering from a desire to have something sugary. Nor did he even realize it might be taken that way. His smile was simply friendly.

Kaelyn beamed and curtsied. She was a bit too naive to understand it could have been a flirtatious comment but Davelyn seemed genuinely happy to see her. That usually meant she'd done well with her manners in previous interactions.

"Honeycomb? I admit, I have a tough time keeping my sweet tooth reined in. At the moment I'm buying some "sweets" for my horse. I enjoy spoiling my animals."

She tucked a strand of loose hair behind her ear. "Where are you headed? Would you care for some company?" It may have been forward of her to ask, but Kaelyn was slowly learning that being direct in some cases wasn't the worst thing.

And Davelyn was a direct person as well. So he responded well to such. "Of course I'd be glad for company," he says with a nod. He held out a piece of honeycomb for her. "I'm not heading anywhere in particular. Was just wandering the tents here to see the sights, hear the sounds, and smell the scents. I hadn't gotten the chance to do so yesterday."

"So what kind of treats did you get for your friend? And what is their name?"

She a piece took the proffered honeycomb, looking as though she were sneaking something wicked. "I can't resist. Thank you." The sugary treat seemed to melt in her mouth.

"Her name is Tyana. She's a good eater, but there are these particular oats that are a clear favorite. I'm trying to apologize for not having enough time to ride with her this morning. I had to get ready for the sport this morning. What did you think of them? The jousts, I mean."

"You are quite welcome. And I would very much like to meet Tyana sometime, and I'm sure my Qitam would as well," he says, referring to his own steed.

"The matches were quite fun to watch. But I think Warryn Wydman and Androw Ashfords was the most exciting. Ser Ashford was quite adamant. I hope he is feeling better after the injuries he sustained, but he showed great perseverance. Not enough to overcome Ser Wydman though," he says with a smile. It had been a good showing on the part of both... but seeing how their horses had moved he also felt quite confident that he could defeat either.

"And what did you think of the matches?"

"I was happy for Lord Wydman. He'd been kind yesterday, so as much as I cheer for those from the Reach, I found myself pulling for him." She smiled. "To be fully honest, though, I worry for all of you knights and squires and lords. Maybe it's simply because I'm a girl but I can't imagine having someone try to hurt me and then go drinking with them." She laughed a bit, letting Davelyn know she wasn't meaning to pass judgement.

"Your concern is well received and appreciated Lady Kaelyn. Not everyone is as pleasant about these things as others, though they all follow the rules. Rivalries and divisions for years can create animosity in even the most innocent of interactions. But I have faith that there will be no fallout even from such in these jousts. The participants are men of honor," he says with confidence.

"I should hate to think that something done to entertain others would cause such hostilities. So far I have not met any that I think would hold such a grudge. But that is coming from a long standing knowledge and interaction of one whole day." She tried to joke. "You guess will be far superior, I think. How many tournaments like this have you been to?"

He gets that she is making a joke by talking down about her own knowledge. And that's generally how he makes jokes as well. If a bastard can't laugh at himself, he's going to spend the rest of his life not laughing after all. So her joke gets a pleased chuckle from him.

"I have been to two minor tournaments before this, as a spectator. This is the first where I aim to compete. So I promise you I'm no expert on tournaments. But I have seen men hold grudges over smaller things than competitions. An upsetting defeat can live in a family's memory for a long time," he says to her, before taking another bite of honeycomb.

"Well, you can count on me to cheer for you when you compete, especially now that I know it will be your first!" she encouraged. "Oh! Here!"

Kaelyn untied one of the ribbons in her hair. She was destined for sleep quite soon and didn't think a single ribbon being out of place would make much of a difference at this point. "Lady Kaliya said something about gentlemen competing being given ribbons for luck." She reached gently for Ser Davelyn's hand and gingerly tied it around his wrist. "There. Your first bit of luck!" Remembering herself, she lowered her head and blushed. "That is, if you don't mind my gifting it to you. And not that you need luck... I was just told this was something kind to do for competitors..."

Suddenly remembering how shy you actually are in the middle of a conversation is truly the wrong time to do so.

His smile fades down to a minimum thing, still clearly pleased but now definitely embarrassed. He couldn't bring himself to try and refuse as that would be rude, and the fact that it had been prompted because of Kaliya... that actually made his heart skip a beat. It was as though Kaliya were giving her token indirectly. It was an extremely confusing moment for him emotionally and that was clear as he stood there dumbfounded for many seconds.

It wasn't the thought that he was given a token by a lady... but instead that he was picturing Kaliya doing something similar for him. The image of him approaching her in the stands before his first official joust ever, receiving her token, it seemed quite romantic. But he also felt a little frightened that if he were to do so it would frighten her more.

As that five seconds passed that felt like five hours to him, it was clear that he was pleased but there were some complexities waging war in his head. This type of thing he might have potentially read more into if she hadn't mentioned Kaliya's name and sent his mind tumbling. He does seem very appreciative as a friend might though. His smile brightens once more, "I thank you for your well wishes Lady Dunn. They are inspiring."

"I'm glad. I'm sure you'll get more before you compete! You're very kind. I'm sure lots of people will wish you well!" She was glad her impulsive gesture wasn't offensive. She hadn't meant to make it sound as though he couldn't get by without luck and girlish ribbons.

"There is one in particular that I wouldn't mind receiving the favor of," he says with the slightest of blushes.

Kaelyn pouted, thinking back a bit, not even registering that Davelyn mentioned wanting only one, specific, favor. Perhaps then she would have realized its significance. As it was, her mind was racing now.

"You mentioned that sometimes grudges can be held over competitions. Do you think things like jousts and tourneys help give an outlet to those feelings, or do they just stir them up? I'm trying to think back through all that I've read and I don't recall ever seeing, 'And war broke out because Aegon unseated Rhaenyr.' Do you think that means a tourney can actually help vent frustrations that would otherwise lead to war?"

She laughed at that last bit. Bookish Kaelyn was making herself known, probably for the first time at the event. She was socially naive, but that didn't mean un-knowledgeable. And the only way to learn things that she hadn't found in the written word was to ask others who possessed more knowledge than she.

"I think it mostly acts as an outlet. A place to prove one's worth over another. I don't think it would ever truly be the source of war. But I think enough paths crossed at the lists could potentially contribute to soured feelings and opinions, allowing some other actual transgression to incite. But the tourneys themselves probably not," he replies with a smile. "So I don't suspect you'll see anything of that sort here."

"I certainly hope you're right. I'm not well dressed for war," she stated with all the seriousness she could muster.

"You said you were sworn to the Kellington's, yes? Or am I recalling wrongly?

"You are not, milady. But as a woman of Dornish blood there are likely a few female warrior ancestors that came before you," he says with a playful smile. "I'd not underestimate you."

"And yes, I am sworn in Lord Kellington's service. Are you interested in knowing more of the house?"

"Yes, actually I am quite interested. I've not met most of the people here. If I may be so direct, please tell me, does your Lord treat you well?"

If Kaelyn was to be a Lady, she was going to be one that cared for her people. She'd seen the way people treated her brother. She would not be like them even if her husband were.

"He does treat me well Lady Kaelyn. He has pride in his position and you can see that in his eyes when his men show him the respect he deserves from them," he replies with a nod. "He has many pursuits that he follows to enrich his understanding of the world as well. Though the thought of marriage has only become tolerable to him, he is also looking for a Lady Kellington."

"I'm glad to hear it. One should take pride in what they have and who they protect." This was certainly uncharted territory to Kaelyn. She'd always assumed that her Father would simply tell her who she was to marry. She did not wish to come across vain or forceful. "It is also seems wise that he took his time before looking to settle down with a wife. Surely some rush into it before they are ready and later regret it."

"Well, I think that he is hoping more than anything, to meet someone that he can be happy to have as a friend. And someone who, by their pairing, would be able to have both houses benefit each other," he says with a smile. "I do not know what your family's hopes are for yourself. But I think it could not hurt to have yourself sit down with Lord Cedric to discuss politics, and potentially more. He is much more aware of such things than I am."

"I would, of course, be honored to be so much as considered, and would be more than willing to meet with him." She bowed her head. "I know most girls hope to marry for love. I suppose I hope for it, but it's not something I expect. You could say that I'm looking for 'like', as opposed to 'love'."

She knew she had a seriousness to her tone that she did not often use. Ladies were meant to be gentle, and it was a luckily her organic disposition.

"I would be loyal, faithful, and support my husband's interests. I can't claim to know much about politics. I have always known that I would be a part of helping my family. Do you think I would please him? I am only 16, and he must have many women interested that are far more worldly and beautiful."

"I doubt there are any women interested that could be more lovely than yourself Lady Kaelyn," he says with a smile. "But as for if you would be pleasing to him. I think what he hopes for is someone to understand him and appreciate a friendship with him more than anything. He wants to be happy, but I think that the idea of marriage itself makes that difficult for him. But I would be glad to arrange for you to meet with him."