Be our guest (Day 3 LE)

[Talieas Corbray]

With some honey mead from his personal supply set up on the table just outside his tent, having made an effort to have some awnings set up to shield people from the weather, Tal took a seat and waited. He was in a good mood after a rather active and busy day. It had highs and lows, but now he was expectant and trying to hide his excitement. While Warryn's loss had put a dampener on things he hoped the woman he'd invited would be able to cheer the young lord up. If nothing else it might mean he had something to be amused with, at least in regards to his other friend and what he knew of the man.

Smiling with mischief he waited for them all to arrive.

[Warryn Wydman]

Warryn arrived, putting up a decent front, but Tal might recognize his friend's real mood. Today's loss was a good fight, but still a loss. And the ransom stung. Oh look, a bee pun.

"Well well well, if it is not the warrior himself come to grace us." He greeted Tal. "No lasting injuries from today?"

[Ser Ywain Kestrel]

Ywain came in shortly after. He wore a heavy black and blue-grey checked cloak to keep himself warm as the cold night blew in. "Feels a bit like home doesn't it? Just the touch of a chill," he gave a grin that said he was still in the glow from the morning's skirmish.

[Kaliya Redding]

There is an air about Kaliya as she approaches in her storm-blue gown. The fabric of the 'outer' dress is heavier than the sweeping gowns of the previous days, helping ward off some of the cold that she finds to be nearly unbearable. Vines bearing serrated leaves and bunches of grapes have been embroidered around the window that exposes her generous cleavage. The front of the skirt is cut to reveal softer, sheer layers of inner skirts.

The day had been... well, it had been what it was, giving the woman a certain gravitas in her bearing. Her hot, Dornish breath billowed on the air as she approached, offering a curtsy to the assembled Valemen.

[Ser Ywain Kestrel]

Ywain reflexively gave a bow in return... and found himself momentarily staring. He hadn't quite been expecting such a display. "Good evening Kaliya," he said as he snapped out of it, "I trust you are well?"

[Warryn Wydman]

Warryn bowed to the Dornish woman. "Well met Lady Redding, once again." Was his only response for now, letting his friends do the talking.

[Talieas Corbray]

"You're gracing me Lord Warryn." He quipped back, hopping off his chair and greeting Warryn with a firm handshake. While it was cold out Tal had been smart enough to have a brazier set beside the awning, just out of reach of any risk of lighting it, where it could provide some degree of warmth to those within. "I'm well. None of them dared strike me... or Ywain actually." A grin forms as he decides it was surely because of their aura of skill and purpose.

He greets Ywain much the same, with another good handshake, as his friend arrives. "A little. Take heart though." He indicates the brazier and the heat wafting in while looking pleased.

Upon Kaliya's entrance he moves to greet her with a deep bow and a flourish, his smile delighted. "It is a pleasure to see you again. You look absolutely enchanting this evening. Thank you for accepting my invitation." If she allowed he would bend down a little to gently take her hand and to turn it over, planting a kiss on the top of her palm - practically her wrist - instead of the back of her hand.

[Kaliya Redding]

Kaliya did allow it. She cast her eye over the Valemen: Warryn, seeming subdued since their meeting earlier; Ywain, whom she suspected she could fluster with a well placed word; and Talieas, whose irrepressible mirth told her he had something planned.

As the pretty face of the Redding winery, she had entertained small groups before, and she felt her mask settling into place, "you arre too kind," she purred, "thank you forr inviting me."

[Talieas Corbray]

"Please, be welcome and make yourself comfortable." Stepping back he swept his arm to the side to indicate the stool scattered about, the table and handful of chairs as well as a few cushions evenly divided between two good-sized rugs. "Who would like some mead?" He asks the group, crossing over to the table to pick up the bottle and display it. It was one of his own.

[Kaliya Redding]

Grateful for the warmth of the brazier, Kaliya looked about, taking in her surroundings. She supposed that the Valemen weren't bothered by the chill, but her Dornish blood wanted to freeze in her veins, she would have rather been inside on a night like this. "Mead would be lovely, thank you."

[Ser Ywain Kestrel]

"Mead would be welcome," he said taking a seat and collecting himself. You are a knight of the Vale dammit! Stop being thrown off by such little things. Well, maybe not so little... "That the one you got when we were travelling down here?"

[Warryn Wydman]

"Aye, some mead would suit is fine Tal." He smirked, but stayed in the background, letting his friends take the lead here. He did smile at Ywain, seeing the confident warrior trying to act normal was always fun.

[Talieas Corbray]

Talieas gave a nod to Ywain's query. "Well observed my friend. You're right." He worked on the bottle to get it undone and then to pour a good measure for all in attendance. Kaliya's was handed to her first, for she was a lady, but then Warryn and finally Ywain each received a cup. He picked up his own last. Alas, there was only a little mead left in the bottle after that so he set it down.

"Let us toast and sit down and be comfortable. Perhaps to good health, the late Lord Tyrell and the hope of no more tragedies in the days ahead eh?" Lifting his cup and waggling it a little his gaze swept over his friends and Kaliya to see if they approved or wished to add anything. From his expression it seemed he really wouldn't mind if they did.

[Kaliya Redding]

"Good health, good deeds, and good memorries," Kaliya offered, her glass raised.

[Talieas Corbray]

A fine addendum. He touched his cup to hers and smiled, waiting for his comrades.

[Ser Ywain Kestrel]

"Cheers!" he raised his cup cheerfully, "To good memories, deeds and health!"

[Warryn Wydman]

"Aye aye!" Exclaimed Warryn, and drank. He smiled at his friends... it's been a while since they just enjoyed themselves like this. "Also good company."

[Kaliya Redding]

Kaliya winked at the mention of good company and drank deeply from the mead, the sweetness washing over her tongue, carrying its hints of spice. I really do not drrink enough mead, she thought, the sweet honey provided an interesting counterpoint to the strong red wines she was accustomed to.

Looking to Tal, she raised an eyebrow, he seemed to have something planned, and she doubted that it was merely a toast to good fortune. Of course, if he didn't, she had a few ideas up her sleeve.

[Talieas Corbray]

In truth it was a mix of nudging things and then letting Kaliya influence the result as much as she was comfortable. After a good quaff he took a seat on one of two chairs closest to the warmth of the brazier. There were others people could pull over of course.

"So, I had in mind since inviting you all an opportunity to unwind. For that I'd like to suggest a game - if you're each up to the challenge?" That hint of mischief had returned; a sparkle in his eyes.

[Kaliya Redding]

Kaliya took the other seat by the brazier and smiled, "always and everr," she answered.

[Ser Ywain Kestrel]

Ywain sipped his mead and gave Tal a curious look. "Heh, building it up a little aren't you? Very well, I'm in for this game," he said moving around closer, "You rarely make things like this boring." He grinned at his friend.

[Talieas Corbray]

Without even knowing the game? Brave to a fault! Grinning, pleased, he glanced to Warryn and Ywain. At Ywain's reply he nodded with satisfaction. Now there was just Warryn. "I take it you will not decline this challenge our fine Lady guest so boldly accepts Lord Warryn?"

[Warryn Wydman]

Warryn smiled. "You know me Tal. Let's give this a try, see what you cooked up." He drank some more mead.

[Talieas Corbray]

Clapping his hands and rubbing them together, having set his cup down beside his foot, Tal leaned forward. "Very well Lords and Lady. This fine evening with the rain having moved on we will have a game. A game of daring deeds, rousing revelations and shifting loyalties. I call it challenge, candour or covenant! Let me explain."

Picking up his cup again he swishes it about as his gaze sweeps over all three guests. He is well into his stride now. "One player will ask another challenge, candour or covenant. The first two you may pick freely, the third only once. If you pick challenge then the first player may give you a task - one you cannot refuse!" He lifts his free hand and waggles a finger, grinning. "Nothing illegal or what not, but a dare or a bit of fun are most viable. The second, candour, is to speak honestly. The first player asks the second a question and they must answer it truthfully. Again, no politics or anything, but you can be as inquisitive as you like." There was a brief eyebrow waggle that said it all. "And finally there is covenant - if you do not trust that player or wish to tease someone in particular you can pledge a covenant between yourselves. The first player may then select any other in place of the second and have them choose challenge or candour only. Of course that chosen player may well wish to get some playful revenge on one or both convenant pledgers, but that has to come later. Again, each of us can only do this once - anything more would risk being unfair eh?"

Chuckling he leans back, having a quick sip of mead and then sweeping his hand to continue the explanation. "To decide who has to choose we will spin the bottle of mead. The last person chosen by it may then ask them to pick challenge, candour or covenant. Oh! There is one last rule - you cannot pick the same option twice in a row. If you take a challenge then next time you must answer candour. So, does everyone understand?" The bottle, with only a little left, is held up and Tal makes a motion of everyone moving their cups closer for a top up.

[Kaliya Redding]

A simple game. Kaliya felt herself settling into the familiar place inside herself, shutting the door. The smiling hostess was ever ready to take over. "It is strraightforrwarrd enough, Tal, let us begin."