Stay Refreshed [D1 A]

[Kaliya Redding]

"Oh?" Kaliya feigned a lack of understanding, her smile merrily giving the game away, "have you had any of these interresting charrges?"

[Davelyn Sand]

"I escorted a visiting maester that was in the Stormlands for some type of research. The research he was working on... was incredibly boring. But he had been a performer in his previous life and did not give up his practice when he put on his chains. He told stories and played the lute quite well. A lot of the stories he told were stories of battles, and while he didn't say as much, I think they were of battles he survived. He certainly had the posture of a warrior."

[Kaliya Redding]

His story was met by a genuine grin, fascination sparkled in her eyes, "how wonderrful," she purred.

[Davelyn Sand]

"I certainly thought so. But was most interesting? I had the sense he had fought in those battles, but no sense for which side. His descriptions of groups was often embellished or made up, and it was common enough in his tellings that he may have been a former outlaw. Trying to figure out the life he had come from was a bit of a game for me, and I sensed it was a game he'd played with others before."

[Kaliya Redding]

"Outlaw, soldierr of fortune, mummerr, maesterr?" on the last she adopted a dubious tone. "A strrange carreerr prrogrression."

[Davelyn Sand]

"I could understand him wanting to leave behind whatever life he had before. He had scars from old wounds that made it difficult for him to move. But he never shared his whole story so, the imagination has to do."

[Kaliya Redding]

She pressed her lips together, his words bringing solemness to her expression, but she did not volunteer her thoughts.

[Davelyn Sand]

"Lady Redding," he says softly, his hand still there on her knee. "I prefer seeing your beautiful smile. I don't know what upsets you about that but we can find something else to talk about. What about hobbies? Do you have anything you enjoy just as a small escape from everyday monotony?"

[Kaliya Redding]

She favoured him with a gentle smile, though sadness touches her eyes. He is too honest and kind, and he is going to get eaten alive. Perhaps by a dragon, or perhaps by a viper.

"Upsets? no. Beforre I met my late husband, he was wounded terribly. I told you Lorrd Rredding was an accountant, but it was not by choice." And though she is leaving out a thousand details, it is clear that she knows first hand the effect of a career ending injury can have on a soldier.

[Davelyn Sand]

"Ah, I see," he says with a nod. "Yes, I suppose it was always around me so I had never considered it. The knight that trained me in, Sir Thaudrey, was actually a northerner that lived in Dorne. He lost an eye and his arm at the elbow in service to the Targaryens during the rebellion. Though in return for his service he was granted the gift of being able to live out the rest of his days as the house guard for a Targaryen home in Sunspear. He'll never be the warrior he was, but he does at least get to live comfortably in Dorne. Something we can both be jealous of him over." His smile turns wistfully reminiscent as he things of his mentor.

[Kaliya Redding]

His mention of envy over the knight in Dorne makes her chuckle, and she offers a new piece of the puzzle, "the yearr beforre we werre married, Lorrd Rredding was purrsuing bandits on Dunn lands. They caught the thieves, though it verry nearry cost him his leg. So the man who would be my husband became an accountant."

[Davelyn Sand]

"Fighting bandits can be a dangerous business," he says, nodding to that. "Later on you'll see some of the results of the efforts I've put in. Fortunately I've not had anything go too poorly, and I'm always practicing and preparing, to reduce that chance."

[Kaliya Redding]

Kaliya smiled slyly, "that sounds like a prromise," she teased.

[Davelyn Sand]

"My word is my bond Lady Kaliya," he says with a confident smile. "I'd not go back on it."

[Kaliya Redding]

Kaliya sighed. Their cups had been empty for some time, and the sun had crossed its zenith, slanting warm light from the west. It would do her no good to tarry the entire afternoon away here, no matter how handsome the company. Besides, it will do him good to go hungry for a bit before the feast. These things were better with an appetite.

[Davelyn Sand]

She said nothing for that long moment, and seemed to take stock of their surroundings with small glances. He's seen people looking for a retreat before, though usually in a fight. It was not that hard to guess that she was interested in continuing the rest of her day. "I was about to go get some sparring practice in after lunch. I hate to do this, but I think I must beg your forgiveness for taking my leave." His smile is warm. "But I look forward to later."

[Kaliya Redding]

Amused by his chivalry, "please, no forrgiveness is rrequirred. I was the one who so rrudely interrpted yourr lunch. You have been most accomodating, you have honorred me." Seems her showing at the sharing of bread and salt wasn't a fluke, as she thanked the knight with grace.

[Davelyn Sand]

Finally Separating his intertwined legs from hers, but not before giving a slight squeeze, he stood and bowed to her. "It has been an absolute pleasure Lady Kaliya."

He took her hand and gave it a small kiss. "Until later."

[Kaliya Redding]

Bowing before the seated noblewoman afforded Davelyn another unimpeded glance at the invitingly low cut of her neckline. Kaliya got to her feet, the full skirts moving gracefully as she bobbed a tiny curtsy, displaying her gown to full effect, in case perhaps he had forgotten. "Until tonight."

[Davelyn Sand]

The small curtsy and all the movement that comes with it in a dress like that, are not lost on Davelyn. He appreciates it but doesn't stare like a lech. Staring like that was better done in more appropriate surroundings. With their parting words Davelyn makes his

/exit