The Tourney at Ashford

As confidently as he could manage Talieas makes himself known to the guards and that he was here to speak with Cassana Algood. He'd made an effort to dress up, switching practical clothing for the tiltyard to his noble best. He wore a green tunic with onyx studs and a fine red cape. When the guards asked for him to surrender his weapons he did so before waiting for the woman who would hopefully be sharing some wisdom with him.

I hope nothing else cropped up so that she's busy. That would be my luck. He mused, busying himself with looking around and brushing down his clothes.

Cassana presented herself in royal clothing or her own. She flashed him a smile and then gave him a proper curtsy. "I am glad that you were able to arrive without much issue. I trust you day has been well?"

"Very!" Tal enthused, returning her curtsy with a long dip of his head. "Lord Warryn was victorious today in an impressive joust and is now one of the champions. The young Ashford heir also fought well. A good showing."

Smiling he focused his attention on Cassana. "And yourself Lady Cassana?"

"If my memory serves me well, he was the only one to dethrone a champion. And when do I get to witness your joust, Ser?" Cassana asked with a mischievous smirk.

The woman gave a slight nod. "Yes. I enjoyed myself today with the festivities, even if there were complications."

"Aye, that he was. You can't unseat a Wydman eh?" He walks in and has a quick look about as he chats. "As for me, well, whenever the steward decides to listen to my challenge I suppose. It's a bit frustrating haha."

Glancing back to her there is a hint of concern as she mentions complications. "Oh? Anything I can help with m'lady?"

"The family has a knack for jousting, if my memory serves me well." Lady Cassana let out a soft sigh. "I will have to hope they see my request through as well."

The noblewoman shook her head. "Not at the moment. There was a bit of a scuffle earlier but I was able to defuse the situation somewhat. Many others were present, actually."

"A good knack. It was a good show too eh."

Nodding at her words he crossed his arms and grins. "Sooner or later I expect they will. First all the big Lords and truly famous knights will get their turns."

At mention of the scuffle he looks up and then back to her, grin departing swiftly. "I, ah, think I recall. Yeah." He scratches his cheek while looking like the cat caught with the milk. "Some sneaky little girl kicked me in the shin while I was shaking out a ruffian. A real mess all that. Good of you to talk some sense into those who would, er, listen."

"I would believe that they would want to save 'the best for last,'" she mused. She gave a soft shrug.

Cassana smirked. "Oh, so you decided to get your hands dirty instead of speaking to them. That is the first mistake you made in learning how to be a proper man," she teased with wry grin.

He chuckles and shakes his head. "Bah, it's a mistake to try talking to someone without manners in my experience. Just gives them a chance for the first strike." Tal looks to her expectantly to see if she could fault that logic.

Cassana muffled a giggle behind her fingertips. "Ah, I see. Perhaps it is because you are a knight and I am a fair lady. They would not try such a tactic against me."

Her giggle has him smiling again and giving a bow. "They dare not even imagine it m'lady. You are indeed most fair." He sets his arms behind his back in a casual stance as he gives her his full attention. "I am your student."

"Well, Ser, it quite depends on what you are aiming to achieve in conversation. Surely you want your way but you must be precise based on the circumstances. You may desire a certain image of yourself as well."

"I... think I follow. Erm. Right." He was processing her points. "A positive image would be a good starting point yes?"

"A positive image can mean different things among different people. For example, you may want to be perceived as an honorable knight but some may see the concept of knighthood to be folly."

"There are some like that, but I'm unlikely to ever be able to persuade such types to be allies eh? I am what I am after all." Nonetheless he looked open to her teaching. "Where did your lessons begin m'lady?"

"I suppose that much is true," she replied with a warm smile. She then perked her brow. "You mean when did I learn to converse with others? I could state that it is a natural trait of noblewomen but I would say it has been necessary for much of my life. I have had to maintain good relationships with my liege lords."

"Any tips or tricks?" He looked about to see if she'd invite him to sit somewhere or if they were going to remain standing. It was a little awkward. Maybe a test?

"I suppose my first hint is to think before you speak. You do not necessarily have to be silent. You simply need time to calculate your next words, the words that actually matter." She gave him a warm smile. "Flowery speech."

"Aye, I think I can manage that." Sometimes. He paused and looked away as he caught himself looking too long at her pretty smile. "So, ah, think before talking. Right. I'll try to do that more. Any good, er, delaying tactics?"

"Using more words than necessary. Sometimes it may cause trouble, particularly if one is known for being impatient, but in casual conversation I imagine most people do not notice. You could also speak about mundane matters for some time before tackling the more important ones."

"Like the weather and riding and food and drink?" Such things weren't too difficult for him to put together. He did, however, memorise her advice on not using more words than necessary when speaking to important folk.

"Those topics work." She pretended to hold out a sword and swung it around a bit. "I suppose you could see it as holding your strike, waiting, taking aim."

That's a good comparison. "Oh aye, that analogy helps m'lady." His smile returned, bright as ever. "Did you watch the practice yard a lot when you were younger?"

Cassana blinked and then ran a hand through her hair. She bit her lip, as if remembering old times, and then glanced back at him. "Oh yes, certainly. The practice yard is where the knights were and I have always admired them."

Cute expression. Having enjoyed the moment he nods and smiles once more at her reply. In fact he looked a little proud. "I was the same."