[D4 LM] The Third Break: Joust Main Event Observation

[Derrick]

"Well, they are all extremely skilled and I cannot know for certain until I face them... but I think I have something they may not. My Qitam. He may not be the strongest or fastest horse in Westeros, but we know each other better than some brothers I think. I was there for his birth, helped out in fact, and when we ride it is like we are one. So I think that will be my strongest advantage. Many of these knights have been jousting for many years though, and I cannot hope to compete with their talent or training I think. All I know is I will do my best and if that is enough then that is enough. It will be my first joust after all. So I also won't be disappointed if it the break does not go my way."

That seemed a lot of time to spend with a horse, Honestly it was far more then Derrick would wish for. Tgat waa likely from the perspective of someone that had mucked stalls though. "Well I still wish you luck. The competition here seems to be stiff as you said though. At the very least I think you'll find it a good learning experience."

[Kaelyn Dunn]

She sighs and shakes her head a little. "I have to return to Ironrath to let my father know of everything agreed upon here as soon as possible afterward... We might be making preparations to send my brother to help the Wydmans for a year and some other things..." She smiles. "I hope we can make time for it in the future, though... I'd very much like to see the Reach through your eyes."

Kaelyn beamed at the last part. "When you return, we'll make a plan of it then. And perhaps Essos is a possibility someday. I speak a little Valyrian and it would be nice to put it to use." She would have told Arwyn about the discussion of sending her own brother two the Wydmans but assumed it would be best if her Lord made those decisions. Besides, the thought was too raw and she may begin to cry. "So tell me about your brother. Do you two get along?"

[Davelyn Sand]

That seemed a lot of time to spend with a horse, Honestly it was far more then Derrick would wish for. Tgat waa likely from the perspective of someone that had mucked stalls though. "Well I still wish you luck. The competition here seems to be stiff as you said though. At the very least I think you'll find it a good learning experience."

Nodding in agreement, "That it will be. So, will you also be participating in the melee tomorrow?"

[Desmond Terrick]

"Good morning, Lord Desmond," Reynard said respectfully, keeping his voice low so as not to disturb Walder. "Yes, good morning, my lord," Roycelyn echoed, her voice warmer and more polite than usual. The knight took the lead: "How does the morning find you?"

"It's been a good morning so far, Ser Reynard, Miss Roycelyn. I hope you can both say the same." he offered a smile.

[Arwyn Forrester]

Kaelyn beamed at the last part. "When you return, we'll make a plan of it then. And perhaps Essos is a possibility someday. I speak a little Valyrian and it would be nice to put it to use." She would have told Arwyn about the discussion of sending her own brother two the Wydmans but assumed it would be best if her Lord made those decisions. Besides, the thought was too raw and she may begin to cry. "So tell me about your brother. Do you two get along?"

"You'll have to teach me. I don't know any," she replied with a bright smile. She's was genuinely excited by the idea. "Oh, yes... Marqus and I are only a year apart - he's older - so I spent a lot of time with him when we were younger. I used to want to outdo him at everything before our mother started teaching me how to be a proper lady."

[Derrick]

Nodding in agreement, "That it will be. So, will you also be participating in the melee tomorrow?"

"I'd planned to." He would as well, as long as there weren't any more unexpected fights. "Not sure how well I will do though. there seem to be quite a few fine fighters here after all."

"Will you participate, Ser? Or does the joust take precedence for you?"

[Kaelyn Dunn]

"You'll have to teach me. I don't know any," she replied with a bright smile. She's was genuinely excited by the idea. "Oh, yes... Marqus and I are only a year apart - he's older - so I spent a lot of time with him when we were younger. I used to want to outdo him at everything before our mother started teaching me how to be a proper lady."

"I would be honored to teach you what I know." Kaelyn said happily. "I'm far from fluent. I believe I could carry a simple conversation, but that's likely about all."

"I can relate to pursuing some activities that would be considered un-ladylike. My brother and I hunt together - it's rather obligatory when you have a gyrfalcon. I also know my way around a bow. Mind you, my shooting is worse than my Valyrian. I don't claim to be a marksman by any stretch of the imagination. Did you manage to hold on to any of yours and Marqus' talent rivalries?"

[Davelyn Sand]

"I'd planned to." He would as well, as long as there weren't any more unexpected fights. "Not sure how well I will do though. there seem to be quite a few fine fighters here after all."

"Will you participate, Ser? Or does the joust take precedence for you?"

"The joust would take precedence if my challenge is accepted. If not, then I'll participate in the melee," he says with a nod. "Even if I am jousting I'll be there to watch. It should be interesting. There are some very good fighters gathered here. And I bet you'll do better than you think," Davelyn says supportively.

[Derrick]

"Perhaps." He thought he could take many of the men here, at least in a one on one, they all seemed to rely heavily on their armor after all. The melee was a bit different though. "I'll just have to wait and see."

"What of yourself though? Do you think you have good odds in the Melee?"

[Arwyn Forrester]

"I would be honored to teach you what I know." Kaelyn said happily. "I'm far from fluent. I believe I could carry a simple conversation, but that's likely about all."

"I can relate to pursuing some activities that would be considered un-ladylike. My brother and I hunt together - it's rather obligatory when you have a gyrfalcon. I also know my way around a bow. Mind you, my shooting is worse than my Valyrian. I don't claim to be a marksman by any stretch of the imagination. Did you manage to hold on to any of yours and Marqus' talent rivalries?"

"Well, going by yesterday's competition, I'm apparently still a decent hand at tactics," she replies with a soft laugh. "I'm not sure anyone knew what to do with that."

"You have a brother? I don't think I've had a chance to meet him."

[Davelyn Sand]

"Perhaps." He thought he could take many of the men here, at least in a one on one, they all seemed to rely heavily on their armor after all. The melee was a bit different though. "I'll just have to wait and see."

"What of yourself though? Do you think you have good odds in the Melee?"

"My specialty is with the spear, which doesn't lend itself as well to close quarters fighting like that. Too easy to get it caught on something or hit someone unintended. I don't think I'd do bad, but there are weapons that are far more suited," he replies, knowing his own shortcomings and not afraid to admit them. "I'd honestly be doing it for the thrill and the opportunity to test myself, not expecting to win."

[Kaelyn Dunn]

"Well, going by yesterday's competition, I'm apparently still a decent hand at tactics," she replies with a soft laugh. "I'm not sure anyone knew what to do with that."

"You have a brother? I don't think I've had a chance to meet him."

Oh, she walked right into that one. But Kaelyn was nothing but the picture of pride. "Yes. My little brother, Tomas Flowers." She begrudgingly mentioned his last name so that he wouldn't have to explain he was a bastard when Arwyn met him. "He's 5 years my junior. I'm quite proud to be his sister. He's one of the best hunters I've seen. He has a way with the hounds. One year I gave him a puppy for his nameday. It was love at first bark." she laughed. "He's one of the strongest people I know." She knew Arwyn and Marqus would soon see Tomas' greyscale scars, and she wanted at least one of them to know what he meant to her. She never assumed prejudice, but she did always fear it for her brother's sake. "If I had a single wish here and now, I would wish he and his future family all the happiness the Gods can grant him."

Kaelyn realized she was veering off into teary-eyed territory. She would have mentioned the possibility of him going to the Vale, but she felt that was for Lord Kevan to tell. She did promise not to give away family details after all, even to the would-be Lady of the Burrow.

"Sorry, I get rambling about him is all." she tried to play it off, however unconvincingly.

She looked for another subject she might distract the beautiful girl with. Beauty... "Say, this may be an odd request as we only just met. Please feel free to say no, I don't wish to put upon you." She reached and delicately rubbed a bit of Arwyn's dress fabric between her two fingers and her thumb. "I am wearing my best Tyrell colors today to show support for our fallen Liege Lord, but it occurred to me that I brought nothing black. If Lord Parcival Tyrell sees me in something other than black, he may feel I'm being disrespectful to his Father. I don't suppose I could come to your tent tomorrow first thing and borrow something black?" She blinked and looked away. "That is assuming you have another. I don't mean to presume."

[Arwyn Forrester]

Oh, she walked right into that one. But Kaelyn was nothing but the picture of pride. "Yes. My little brother, Tomas Flowers." She begrudgingly mentioned his last name so that he wouldn't have to explain he was a bastard when Arwyn met him. "He's 5 years my junior. I'm quite proud to be his sister. He's one of the best hunters I've seen. He has a way with the hounds. One year I gave him a puppy for his nameday. It was love at first bark." she laughed. "He's one of the strongest people I know." She knew Arwyn and Marqus would soon see Tomas' greyscale scars, and she wanted at least one of them to know what he meant to her. She never assumed prejudice, but she did always fear it for her brother's sake. "If I had a single wish here and now, I would wish he and his future family all the happiness the Gods can grant him."

Kaelyn realized she was veering off into teary-eyed territory. She would have mentioned the possibility of him going to the Vale, but she felt that was for Lord Kevan to tell. She did promise not to give away family details after all, even to the would-be Lady of the Burrow.

"Sorry, I get rambling about him is all." she tried to play it off, however unconvincingly.

She looked for another subject she might distract the beautiful girl with. Beauty... "Say, this may be an odd request as we only just met. Please feel free to say no, I don't wish to put upon you." She reached and delicately rubbed a bit of Arwyn's dress fabric between her two fingers and her thumb. "I am wearing my best Tyrell colors today to show support for our fallen Liege Lord, but it occurred to me that I brought nothing black. If Lord Parcival Tyrell sees me in something other than black, he may feel I'm being disrespectful to his Father. I don't suppose I could come to your tent tomorrow first thing and borrow something black?" She blinked and looked away. "That is assuming you have another. I don't mean to presume."

Arwyn's own best friend was a Snow, as was her little cousin. She could understand her nervousness about him being a Flowers, but little did she know, she had little to worry about from the woman before her. "He should meet my cousin, Gwen. She's like a little sister to me, very energetic, and she loves animals, as well. They'd probably get on like a house on fire." Well, assuming they weren't at that age where they both decided the opposite gender was gross.

She blinks at the request, but smiles, nodding. "Of course. I'm rather busy this evening..." She very decided did not blush. "... but if you want to come by tomorrow morning, you're welcome to go through my wardrobe to your heart's content." A stray thought passed through her mind, wondering if she and Marqus might get along... Maybe that was a bad idea.

[Kaelyn Dunn]

"I'm sure we would both love to meet Gwen. All animal lovers will find something in common with one another." Kaelyn couldn't help the grateful smile that blossomed on her features for more reason than one. Arwyn had not shied away from meeting a Flowers. Lord Kevan had clearly chosen a Lady of grace, beauty, and intellect. "I am most grateful. You are saving me from what might have been a terrible shame or scar on my family. I certainly owe you a favor. If you need something I can help with, now or in the future, please ask."

She looked over the Lady next to her once more. Kaelyn has been well-schooled in matters of all things beauty. She touch Arwyn's raven hair. "This is not the favor I speak of, but perhaps after going through your dresses you would allow me to put your hair in a Southron style of the Reach? Your Nothern styles are gorgeous, but seeing you wearing something a certain Lord might recognize could be a wonderful surprise." Kaelyn dipped her head ever so slightly with a tinge of conspiracy in her smile.

[Ser Reynard]

"It's been a good morning so far, Ser Reynard, Miss Roycelyn. I hope you can both say the same." he offered a smile.

The Goodbrooks smile easily in response. Reynard's smile fades a little quickly. His next words are a little quieter, meant not to carry in the crowd: "I'm anxious to secure a place in the lists, to represent my family and House Terrick with honor." One hand curls into a fist, but he relaxes it before continuing. "I think I do not have the patience that I thought I do," he says, smiling but gritting his teeth a bit.

[Desmond Terrick]

"I'd like to see you out there. I'd be happy to help, if I can." he offered.

[Kevan Dunn]

Kevan was astounded by what he was eavesdropping! At the tempo the friendship between Kaelyn an Arwyn was escalating they would be best friends and mutual confidantes in a day or two. Still, something about it made his nape, temples and hands catch some perspiration. He imagined what could have been had he been more lustful and less honest recently, and he thanked the Gods to have provided him with strength to do the right thing when there was still time for it.

In addition to that, there were some interesting thoughts spilling out of the ladies' conversation. He had totally missed the undertones of their mutual attraction, not accounting for those kinds of preferences for either of them. But Kaelyn and Marqus? Hmmm. He didn't know how politically expedient the double knot would be but he certainly felt less bad about Marqus as Kaelyn's husband than of many other men. Still, there was no telling if things would click, and he had it firmly in his mind that he would not allow his cousin go into unloving, unworthy hands or simply those she wouldn't favour, despite her readiness to forsake her personal happiness for the sake of family. Or perhaps because of it, as when doubt in devotion to the Dunns was out of equation Kevan's deep empathy began.

There was also the disturbing thought of his own resilience to Kaelyn's charms. Whether yesterday's resolution was the new standard or just a lucky cause of him being at his near-best? He had promised Arwyn to be faithful to her, and he was genuinely afraid that his wild side could betray him. He had to be stronger than that, but Kaelyn's sweet, exuberant voice beaming with positive emotions was not making it any easier. He closed his eyes to recall his moments with Arwyn to educate himself of the necessity to be the gallant knight his heart's chosen deserved.

[Ser Reynard]

"I'd like to see you out there. I'd be happy to help, if I can." he offered.

"You are most kind, Lord Desmond. If you would speak with Lord Ashford's steward, Plummer, in support of my bid to participate--BUT would be most honored and appreciative, my lord." Reynard squeezes his other hand into a fist, shaking it gently but with evident enthusiasm. He briefly looks to the sky--a prayer to the Seven?--but then is all smiles. Reynard seems so energized that he can't stay seated and takes a short walk around the stands.

While he's releasing some of his pent up energy, Roycelyn slide s closer to Desmond. While smiling for the benefit of anyone watching from the crowd, she says: "Your support means a great deal to my brother and I." In a gentle voice, she asks, "Have you made a claim like this for someone before?"

[Arwyn Forrester]

"I'm sure we would both love to meet Gwen. All animal lovers will find something in common with one another." Kaelyn couldn't help the grateful smile that blossomed on her features for more reason than one. Arwyn had not shied away from meeting a Flowers. Lord Kevan had clearly chosen a Lady of grace, beauty, and intellect. "I am most grateful. You are saving me from what might have been a terrible shame or scar on my family. I certainly owe you a favor. If you need something I can help with, now or in the future, please ask."

She looked over the Lady next to her once more. Kaelyn has been well-schooled in matters of all things beauty. She touch Arwyn's raven hair. "This is not the favor I speak of, but perhaps after going through your dresses you would allow me to put your hair in a Southron style of the Reach? Your Nothern styles are gorgeous, but seeing you wearing something a certain Lord might recognize could be a wonderful surprise." Kaelyn dipped her head ever so slightly with a tinge of conspiracy in her smile.

At the thanks, she smiles, shaking her head. "It's no trouble." That wouldn't mean she wouldn't accept the favor if she had to later, but it was nice to just be able to offer something to a new friend. She actually giggles at the thought. Her own hand touched Kaelyn's dark hair lightly. "Do you think you could do that with my hair...? It's so much trouble to keep neat without doing anything elaborate with it, as wavy as it is..." She looked over to her. "... Would you allow me to try a dress on of yours at some time, as well? Admittedly, not for any specific purpose, but I am curious how I'll where the colors when the time comes..."

[Desmond Terrick]

"You are most kind, Lord Desmond. If you would speak with Lord Ashford's steward, Plummer, in support of my bid to participate--BUT would be most honored and appreciative, my lord." Reynard squeezes his other hand into a fist, shaking it gently but with evident enthusiasm. He briefly looks to the sky--a prayer to the Seven?--but then is all smiles. Reynard seems so energized that he can't stay seated and takes a short walk around the stands.

While he's releasing some of his pent up energy, Roycelyn slide s closer to Desmond. While smiling for the benefit of anyone watching from the crowd, she says: "Your support means a great deal to my brother and I." In a gentle voice, she asks, "Have you made a claim like this for someone before?"

"I have not, but I'll be happy to speak to the steward." he smiled. "As heir, I would support anyone loyal to house Terrick. Who will you challenge, Ser Reynard?"

[Ser Reynard]

Reynard's exuberance settled as he drew close to Desmond again. "I shall see which champions remain when I have my go and be as strategic as I can. Father taught me that a knight does no one any favors by committing to a battle he can't possibly win." The knight looked serene now as he looked forward to an opportunity, cool and confident.

[Derrick]

"My specialty is with the spear, which doesn't lend itself as well to close quarters fighting like that. Too easy to get it caught on something or hit someone unintended. I don't think I'd do bad, but there are weapons that are far more suited," he replies, knowing his own shortcomings and not afraid to admit them. "I'd honestly be doing it for the thrill and the opportunity to test myself, not expecting to win."

"It should help you with the joust though." It had quite a bit to do with spear work after all. "Our reasons for participating are similar, I want to test myself as well. See how far I go, winning is secondary in my mind."

"As for specialties, mine is the sword. I'm hoping it serves me well tomorrow."

[Kaelyn Dunn]

At the thanks, she smiles, shaking her head. "It's no trouble." That wouldn't mean she wouldn't accept the favor if she had to later, but it was nice to just be able to offer something to a new friend. She actually giggles at the thought. Her own hand touched Kaelyn's dark hair lightly. "Do you think you could do that with my hair...? It's so much trouble to keep neat without doing anything elaborate with it, as wavy as it is..." She looked over to her. "... Would you allow me to try a dress on of yours at some time, as well? Admittedly, not for any specific purpose, but I am curious how I'll where the colors when the time comes..."

"You hair is lovely. The curls can allow it to braid well. The girl who used to do my hair had such waves and I insisted she teach me what she was doing, so I experimented on her. It took my Septa a long while to figure out why it took forever for me to come down for lessons." she smiled openly at the memory of being found out.

"Of course you can come look through my things." She leaned in close to not be overheard. "You'll find my Father spent a small fortune on dresses that would help me land a husband." She pulled back, and put a hand on Arwyn's arm, "Virtuous, of course, I don't mean they're improper. But I think you and I are similarly complected so anything I can wear, you can wear. If you find one you like, you're most welcome to borrow it. We'll make a time of it. I would suggest tomorrow but I don't know what will be expected of me and when it will be expected. Forgive me on that count?"

[Desmond Terrick]

Reynard's exuberance settled as he drew close to Desmond again. "I shall see which champions remain when I have my go and be as strategic as I can. Father taught me that a knight does no one any favors by committing to a battle he can't possibly win." The knight looked serene now as he looked forward to an opportunity, cool and confident.

He nodded. "I will speak for you, then, while you consider who to challenge."

[Davelyn Sand]

"It should help you with the joust though." It had quite a bit to do with spear work after all. "Our reasons for participating are similar, I want to test myself as well. See how far I go, winning is secondary in my mind."

"As for specialties, mine is the sword. I'm hoping it serves me well tomorrow."

"I'm sure it will. Do you use a sword and shield or a two hander?" he asks, curious.