Dangers in Delay [D1 Mid-Afternoon]

[Kevan Dunn]

Continuing his small campaign of exposition to the public to cover for his father's delay, smiling Kevan paraded along the streets, his chin up, his hands entwined behind his back and his flickering eyes taking in the sights of Ashford.

[Kaelyn Dunn]

While her brother made off with his hound to hunt, Kaelyn decided to roam the grounds. If her Father was here as planned, she wouldn't have to worry about making introductions for herself. But her Father wasn't here and she'd just have to find the courage to make due on her own.

Dahlia chattered at her as she noticed a man walking in her direction. She held her breath and ran her fingers over the gyrflacon's feathers. She was out of practice talking to people, much less a one-on-one encounter with a gentleman. She subconsciously fixed her hair and wet her lips, even as her eyes remained downcast. She decided: If he spoke to her, she would do her best. If not, she'd continue onward.

[Kevan Dunn]

With his attention already on the people rather than on the clouds or the castle skyline, Kevan could not possibly miss her. And having not missed her, he could not possibly ignore her appeal. She seemed vaguely familiar on top of that, though the tendency of his mind to give her descriptive names rather than search for the real one prevented swift recollection. Still, he decided to play casual. Navigating toward her, he called upon a wandering smile.

"Are you happy the spring's coming, my lady?"

[Kaelyn Dunn]

Taking a deep breath to steady her nerves, she curtsied and dipped her head. "Indeed I am, my Lord." She felt comfortable using the title as his demeanor and dress exuded a familiar nobility. "In fact, I prefer it to summer a bit. The cold still clings, but the flowers begin to bloom." She took a moment before looking him in the eye, failing at keeping a slight blush at bay. "Are you enjoying the sights and sounds at Ashford?"

[Kevan Dunn]

"Increasingly so. One can hardly have an adventure without leaving their homes for a while." His smile wandered as he made himself look away from her, allegedly to find blooming flowers or something. But his gaze swiftly returned to admire her hair. "I must say I prefer spring as well. I like the scent and the taste of the spring air. But then, I think we are cousins, aren't we? Perhaps similar likings are not just random."

[Kaelyn Dunn]

Recognition crossed her face. He had looked slightly familiar but she couldn't place him before now. It had been a few years since she'd seen him; and it seemed those years were kind to him. "Lord Kevan. I apologize for not recognizing you. You are looking quite well."

[Kevan Dunn]

"I accept this compliment and so consider myself excused to say that you've blossomed beautifully, dear cousin." He arched his brow slightly at that, and looked over her head before letting his gaze descend back onto her, as if she was a part of a larger picture he was regarding. The length of her hair allowed him to trace down at the rim of her silhouette that asymmetrically included a gyrfalcon. "Does your father allow you to hunt?"

[Kaelyn Dunn]

Kaleyn straightened her posture at the compliment, unable to stop the blush in her cheeks. She really should have practiced speaking more than she had. Until now, her interests had focused mainly on books and her animals. She was more than at ease with her immediate family, and well versed in polite conversation in groups and parties. However, that hardly prepared her for addressing the heir to House Dunn on her own. Usually she was introduced or accompanied by her Septa before she passed. However, her family and gyrfalcon were luckily familiar territory.

She smiled, beginning a slow pace with the handsome Lord Kevan. "I appreciate you saying so, my Lord. It's my duty to serve House Dunn and my future husband well. I try my best to do my part." She would not mention the hours she'd spent in the mirror obsessing over her looks each day. A Lady must appear to be beautiful with little effort, and must be surprised and humble when it is spoken of. Still, it was nice to hear from the young heir that he approved.

"Actually, yes, Lord Loras allows me to hunt provided I am accompanied by my half-brother Tomas and a proper chaperone and instructor. Tomas has a deft hand with the hounds while Dahlia here focuses on the smaller game." She lifted the bird resting on the corseted leather bindings on her forearm. "The gears were designed by one of House Dunn's leather workers. They are supposed to be fashionable yet functional. I'm afraid I suffered one too many ruined sleeves for Septa Ydris’s temper.”

“I was tempted to join my brother who is on a hunt right now, but I decided I’d like to know the grounds a bit better before the festivities truly begin.”

Suddenly she realized she’s been prattling; speaking of her falcon and brother always seemed to curse her with a loose tongue. She shook her head and cast her eyes downward. “Forgive me, I’ve been prattling on about myself. Tell me, do you and Lord Thaddeus enjoy the hunt?”

[Kevan Dunn]

"Father had enjoyed it more before the injury sapped his strengths, at least this is what he says. I do like a good hunt, though more for the thrill of the chase than for the kill." He smiled softly, his curious gaze moving along her leather arm bounds. "Prattling is not a way I'd put it, dear cousin. More like being able to take initiative in the conversation and make it enjoyable. I'd gladly have more of that if you have me for a walk." He produced one of his hands from behind his back to gesture down the road while tilting his head to add a question mark, a small smirk governing his lips.

[Kaelyn Dunn]

“It would be my privilege to walk with you.” She was sure the smile was reaching her eyes. A man, her Lord, not condemning what she considered to be her run-away tongue. It was a good feeling.

“I must admit I often let the animals loose,” Kaelyn confided. “I appreciate the work our huntsmen do, but I sometimes feel… Cruel? Perhaps the death just unnecessary? The joy I find is in the time it takes to hunt.”

The young woman suddenly recalled the morning’s events. “My Lord, I hope you didn’t find it too presumptuous of me when I mentioned our House in my toast to Prince Baelor today. Ladies are supposed to be proficient hostesses, but honestly, I think I’m just not used to speaking to royalty,” her voice lilting into a near laugh, hoping it might soften his thoughts on the matter.

[Kevan Dunn]

He nodded in understanding, still a bit distracted by the brightness of her smile.

"I think of all the reasons a creature can die it doesn't have to be me if it's just for sport. Besides, game is considerably less appealing on a wall as a trophy than on the loose in a forest." He ground his lips at one another in thought. "I guess I am trying to say there is beauty to vitality and freedom."

He caught her gaze before continuing, perhaps to discern her mind on this or the next thing, or just to enjoy it.

"Well, for once I was shut off, so I can only blame myself and seek the knife that wounded my pride in my own pocket. Politics is complicated though, especially without father present yet. The way I see it, with the voices of Maester Oswell and Lady Redding going for Prince Maekar, a Dunn voice for Prince Baelor puts us at no bad side of hidden conflicts we don't understand or are a part of. So you might have done just the right thing, dear cousin."

Her laugh was less pertinent to his thoughts on the matter and more to his thoughts on her but it got his full attention and appreciation expressed in a broader smile.

[Kaelyn Dunn]

Kaelyn beamed under the praise of the handsome, young Lord. She hadn't been thinking much on the politics in the moment, but it had been sudden after all. "I am glad I did not make trouble for our House. My father was originally supposed to accompany my brother and I but took ill on the road and turned back. I've been trying to do my best to meet others and make positive impressions on my own. I admit, it hasn't been easy on me. I tend to shy away from attention without first being introduced. In fact, I was relieved when you spoke to me first."

She blushed at that admission and quickly tried to move on from it. "If there is anything I can do for you or our House while we're here, please let me know. It's my duty to serve in any way I can." She was unaware of the double entrendre; her Septa had done a fine job of keeping her innocent, perhaps to the point of determent.

[Kevan Dunn]

"Perhaps it's when we get out of out parents' shadows is when we truly can grow up." Kevan mused in correspondence to those of his thoughts that were more related to what she said than to how beautiful she was. Unfortunately for the young Dunn man, his hormones had his mind tuned to double entendres as he got the unintended message and had to cope with scenarios it unleashed in his mind, especially after the blush. "I bet there is much you can do, cousin. Some of your qualities are already hard to miss... At the very least we should consult on family matters less incidentally from now on." His gaze preyed a little on her browline before sighing and moving toward the town for the time being.

[Kaelyn Dunn]

"I would like that very much, Lord Kevan. I have a great deal to learn about the intricacies of running a household, and the political side of our House's welfare."

Kaelyn had done a great deal of reading on these topics, but they certainly seemed different when speaking to someone, to people, with the influence to make change.

"So I hear you are to compete tomorrow? I've never been to a Tourney before, so I'm very interested in the whole spectacle."

[Kevan Dunn]

"I'll joust with the squires." Kevan admitted without too much begrudging. "Not the most prestigious, but I'll make do. I think it's important to take opportunities like that to put us in a good light. Our future still depends very much on the goodwill of other lords of the Reach."

[Kaelyn Dunn]

"A joust is a joust, my Lord. The danger is the same." Kaelyn reached under the leather on her shoulder, producing a pink ribbon entwined with a grey one. "I met Lady Kaliya today at the market. I had been looking for something else, but she mentioned ribbons being given to competitors for luck." Kaelyn gently pressed the ribbon into Kevan's hand, withdrawing quickly. She smiled. "To remind you we're behind you."

[Kevan Dunn]

The warmth of her touch was passively reciprocated and he took a deeper breath as he gripped the ribbon. "I will not lose with the support of a beautiful woman. I certainly shouldn't." He chuckled, looking at her more directly. "I am grateful, my lady, for your consideration. Now there's no way around you being in my thoughts as an inspiration tomorrow."