Author Topic: Distractions (Read 16188 times)

Kysis · « **on:** December 26, 2006, 10:30:42 AM »

There was something calming about the courtyard, whether it be the soft grasses and long hours of peace or the distance it gained the young man from his manor was anyone\'s guess. Kysis himself did not rightly know. Sapphire eyes watched the fountain without a word, body still as it stood much like the statue within that spray of water. The forms were delicate in carving, but not to be admired by him. Kysis had always enjoyed a sword far more than art, this instance no different than the rest. Solitude was what he openly sought, though it might not have been what he truly wanted.

A long sigh escaped lightly pink lips, two luscious lines parted only that moment for the frustrated air to escape. Gaze trailing to his boots, Kysis shifted a moment before looking about his surroundings. His trips into the courtyard\'s maze had been becoming more and more frequent, Kysis somewhere close to where he guessed the center might be. Someday he would plot out and map the shrubs, but not today, or any time soon. There were other things of importance, matters that could not easily be ingored.

Alia was sick again.

Kysis sank onto the nearest bench, a trembling hand running back through his hair. His sister had been taken to the temple, to the herb mart, to mysterious people who claimed they could cure any ailment by shaking a chicken\'s foot. Sources to run to were fleeting now, dwindling one by one each day. Kysis knew it was not his problem, not his fault but... He shook his head, standing again. His legs quickly took to pacing, long strides carrying him back and forth through the minute clearing. Anything to get Alia off his mind, the poor suffering girl. Kysis might have even gone to the temple to pray for peace of mind.

But then questions would be brought up, long drawn out conversations about the family, Alia brought up eventually. If anyone knew House Liari, it was because of the little invalid girl that had been born in to it, not the natural swordsman brother, not the wealthy and cunning parents. Kysis wanted to cut at something, run off to his private chambers and practice more with his sword. He had already done that for two hours earlier though, muscles a bit sore from the near excruciating workout. Many said Kysis pushed himself too hard. He felt that he did not push himself hard enough.

It was about time to be coming out, though, as much as Kysis hated it. His father might send guards out looking for him, definitely not the way Kysis wanted his day to go. Gloved hand trailing across the greenery, Kysis walked slowly, mentally mapping out the path before him. If ever Kysis needed to escape someone, he knew to come within the maze of bushes, the young man knowing that place nearly better than he knew his own home. It was sad, but that was what happened with the amount of time Kysis spent in there.

Perhaps he had not been so close to the center. Kysis spotted the exit quickly. Either his navigation had gotten better, or he had not gone as far in; it was still an unwelcome sight. Home: it was not a place he wanted to return to, so he hovered at the entry point of the maze, arms crossed as he surveyed the grounds. If only someone would just appear to delay his return home, he would be in their debt forever.

Existentially Odd · « **Reply #1 on:** December 27, 2006, 02:24:37 AM »

Captain Wilson tucked the papers she\'d been examining beneath her arm as she made her way back to the Guardhouse. Her stride was certain, her gaze roving as she left the palace grounds and entered the courtyard area. She\'d been in tactical discussions with the king all morning and was intent on following through with their agreed course of preparation for the approaching cold season. The fewer the deaths, the better the morale of the keep; it was in both their interests to take a preventative hand to the principality and their brainstorming session had proved fruitful, in her opinion.

As she approached the maze entrance, she noticed a gentleman glowering over his folded arms at... nothing in particular. Curious at his manner and stance with no-one else about, she made her way to him, long legs closing the distance easily. Because she\'d been in closed talks, she wasn\'t wearing her armour - just her uniform and black cloak emblazoned with the King\'s insignia, the heavy cowl resting on her broad shoulders - and her red hair was pulled back into its usual tidy bun at the back of her head. She smiled as she stopped before the man, allowing the expression to fill her large green eyes and hopefully put him at ease (it was natural for people to feel nervous when she approached). "Everything alright then, sir?" she enquired politely, head tilted slightly to the left as she surveyed the slightly shorter man shrewdly.

Kysis · « **Reply #2 on:** December 27, 2006, 03:06:05 AM »

"Fine."

Kysis had always been short with his answers, no matter who was the one talking. It could have been the king himself and the young man would not have given more information than needed. A tactic his father had taught him, and a very useful one at that. A person could get themselves out of any sort of obligation by keeping a shroud of secrecy about their person, and Kysis would give an attempt at it; the way had worked for his thus far.

Where did he recognize her from? Kysis had been cooped up in the manor so much that people who were distinct often faded to obscurity for him. After a moment of thought, though, Kysis riddled it out. The insignia, uniform like dress: yes, definitely the captain of the guards. Kysis decided that perhaps a more friendly (though no more giving) approach would be the safest he could possibly manage, seeing as a bit of business might be on the line. His father was a arms merchant, after all.

"Good-day to you, M\'Lady."

Existentially Odd · « **Reply #3 on:** December 28, 2006, 01:18:58 AM »

"And to you, Master...?" Wilson bade cheerfully, allowing the greeting to hang between them, unfinished. She didn\'t recognise the man at all, though in his closed-off posture there was a familiarity on display - a confidence to glower in a bad temper at a place borne only from intimate knowledge of that place. Visitors to the courtyard would hardly stand in the entrance to the maze, glaring at the fountain like it bewildered them - they\'d save such an expression for the notoriously difficult hedge puzzle (and surely not turn their back on it, seeing as it was the main tourist feature of the keep).

She believed, therefore, that whoever this gentleman was, he was a resident, but she couldn\'t place his face or even position in society (apart from detecting a quality cut of cloth across his shoulders that hinted at some money).

He\'d said everything was fine but he hadn\'t relaxed into the answer, there was a tension in his shoulders she could read because of her numerous years of combat training. He had excellently-maintained and balanced posture, too - which she noticed when her gaze swept over him from head to foot. Instinctively, she also glanced at his hands, to see if they were scarred from sparring but with his arms folded, she couldn\'t properly tell if he was wearing gloves, let alone if he was a fighter, as she suspected.

Whoever he was, he was an intriguing package.

Kysis · « **Reply #4 on:** December 28, 2006, 04:44:27 AM »

Kysis could feel, and see those eyes combing over him. The woman was harder to shake than he had thought, hands falling lightly to his sides. He knew his sword could now be seen, as well as the thick and worn cloves that covered his rather scarred up hands. Kysis knew what his father would be saying-- or rather screaming-- was to socialize. The Liari family was still relatively new to Oberon Castle, and needed to set roots in. Who better to help with that?

"Sorry, I have been rude. My name is Kysis Dinaris, of House Liari, the new weapons merchants? You might have dealt with my father, Marcos?"

The most charming smile he could muster was put on his face, even if it still had a dark edge about it. Kysis always had more than one thing on his mind, which tainted all his dealings. It was just the way he was though, how he had always been. It also kept Kysis alert, too. Fine details hardly escaped him, especially the papers the guardwoman was holding. Official documents? Kysis would bet on it, not that he was too interested.

At last moment he remembered a bow, doing on that bent him to fourty-five degrees. It was the type of bow one did to a person they were unsure of the exact rank of, or how they would react. This woman was amoung both, despite what he had heard of her.

Existentially Odd · « **Reply #5 on:** December 28, 2006, 11:42:43 AM »

With an easy laugh of greeting, she waited for the merchant to straighten and look her in the eye, wishing to overcome unnecessary formality with a handshake. She held her own navy gloved right hand out towards him, smiling broadly.

"Pleased to meet you, Master Dinaris," she bade, quirking an eyebrow to question that she\'d mimicked the pronounciation of his name correctly. "I\'m Captain Wilson and you\'re correct, the guards have had some dealings with your father - much to the castle blacksmith\'s chagrin," she chuckled, recalling how the superior quality of the Liari steel had piqued Freddy\'s interest and they\'d discussed allowing the supply of dirks to the guards, for a start. Although it was barely a shadow on the amount of weapons the guards were supplied with, it was a prestigious contract and should lead to more deals. Everything was still in process as far as she knew - her most trusted Lieutenant had been the main negotiator but she believed the dirks were being created and were set to arrive some time in the new moon, anyway.

The one thing that bothered her about this meeting, however, was the fact that she\'d not heard of a fully-grown son and member of the company before now. That was unusual in these parts, where most fathers thrust their sons into the thick of business dealings as soon as the first hair sprouted on their chin and declared them a man, in an effort to present a strong and continuing image to their affairs. There was also the fact that the deal with Marcos had happened a few moons back, yet she hadn\'t seen this fair-haired gentleman anywhere about the castle proper in all that time.

She didn\'t know everyone, of course, but a man with such a strong physical presence (and noteable colouring) would surely have caught her eye before now? "Are you involved in the business?" she asked frankly, frowning vaguely through her friendly grin. She was confused and genuinely interested in his answer.

Kysis · « **Reply #6 on:** December 28, 2006, 01:56:23 PM »

"If testing every piece of forged steel counts, then yes, I am involved."

There was part of Kysis that was relieved by the fact that the Captain did not know him. Then again, there was another part that wanted to go question his father about why he\'d hide his swordsman son yet parade about the sickly daughter. Such was life, Kysis extended his hand for a firm shake. He was used to the formalities of his old home, this whole region very strange to him. In fact, Kysis felt awfully out of place, enough--- nearly enough-- to crop of his long platinum hair. Well, not that much.

What would an unknown son of a weapons merchant, an invading one at that, say to someone who no doubt supported the pre-existing smiths? Kysis was still pondering over that, conversation hardly his strong point. If there was a blade involved, or discussion of arms, then Kysis would be at home. This was neither. Which of course brought up another point: Kysis had not been invited to any function that Alia and Marcos had gone to. The young warrior suddenly felt very self-conscious and uncomfortable, but managed to mask it well.

That question had made this all painfully awkward, though.

Existentially Odd · « **Reply #7 on:** December 28, 2006, 11:06:50 PM »

Wilson noted some emotion flicker behind her companion\'s eyes after their shake had been executed and her hand was once more at her waist, thumb hooked through her belt (her other hand was curled up to protect the papers still tucked beneath her arm). She couldn\'t identify what emotion it was specifically, just that it was negative. Kysis was resentful of being only a manual part of the business, restricted to being the muscle, rather than accepted for his brains, perhaps? She couldn\'t know more than he told - and that wasn\'t much, at this stage - but didn\'t mind having a guess to herself.

"Ahh, handy with a blade, are you?" she mused lightheartedly, taking in the span of his shoulders with her roving gaze. It was possible that the young man meant testing the steel in a more calculated manner - such as with flame or mallet - but it seemed more accurate to assume he would wield a sword in a sparring match, with his posture and composed stance.

Kysis · « **Reply #8 on:** December 28, 2006, 11:18:19 PM »

"Yes. Very."

This was as far as Kysis had gotten in conversation with anyone at Oberon Castle since the Liari family moved there, a miracle in and of itself. Alia would have laughed at Kysis and most likely jumped in to get a conversation going. His sister had always been the one at social events, Kysis either hidden back in his rooms or out in the city, away from the gathered nobles. Of course, one look and anyone would know his relation to the family. Coloring did not lie.

Kysis could already imaging getting scolded for his cold demeanor towards a possible customer, though, mind working to find something to talk about. Perhaps a change of subject? Further south, ability with a blade was everything, Kysis looked up to in their old abode. Now... Kysis might as well have been a bastard child the way Marcos treated him.

"The current meetings are going well, yes?"

There, a concern for the city; that should catch at least some interest in another subject. If the Captain was who she really said she was (of that Kysis had no doubt), she would most likely be very comfortable with such a topic, chat turning away from the way Kysis was stashed away to a more... pleasant arena. Kysis was still falling short conversation wise, if ever he did speak to someone, but it was better than his usual nod in passing, which was all most people ever got.

Existentially Odd · « **Reply #9 on:** December 28, 2006, 11:38:08 PM »

She couldn\'t help but raise her eyebrows at his abrupt confirmation that he was very good with a blade - he was either insanely arrogant to be bragging thus to the Captain of the Guard, or he genuinely was very good. Either way, she was interested in finding out.

"Well, perhaps we should spar some time?" she invited easily, coppery eyes sparkling. "I\'m always looking for new recruits that will enhance the castle\'s reputation, if you\'re bored with your family concerns - or partners that will challenge me." She couldn\'t help but grin at her own form of arrogance, her rank at least supporting her claims to a great degree. His were, as yet unsubstantiated.

"Which meetings do you mean, by the way? My discussions with the king or your father\'s negotiations with my Lieutenant?" She\'d seen him look at her official papers; it was possible he was acting on that keen observation when asking his question, rather than simply building on the stepping stones of their conversation about his family business supplying the guards with weapons. She was of the mindset to be sure of her ground before she proceeded in any situation, and so she asked for clarification.

Kysis · « **Reply #10 on:** December 29, 2006, 01:28:03 AM »

"Your meeting with the king. Oberon will remain safe?"

Kysis decided to ignore the proposition of a sparring match for now. Both parents would have his hide for that, and though in his early twenties, he was still very much under their control. So, he would play nice. Perhaps she would get to see his sword skills at a demonstraton of the new swords his father had designed. Then they could talk about sparring again.

Business was not his thing, but staying alert was. He kept his eyes moving constantly. Kysis was long since done observing the Captian, gaze crossing about the gardens now, taking note of everyone within those grounds. He had half a mind just to disappear back into the shrub maze for a while again, but then again... he was still talking to someone, and that would be rather rude. Oh, and his father was probably red and yelling by now, not that Marcos actually cared. As long as Alia was safe, he\'d not be too flustered.

Also ignored was the mention of the guard. Kysis had wanted to, but was immediately denied. Even if Marcos tried keeping him away to the business, Kysis was set to take over in a few years, so joining the guards would doom the family and business all at once. Well, take over as a secondary to Alia, that was. What a frail little girl could do with arms, Kysis had no idea, but that was the plan Marcos mixed up.

Existentially Odd · « **Reply #11 on:** December 30, 2006, 01:36:31 AM »

Hrmm, so he was quite observant after all - and not just of the surrounds he was constantly scanning. His alertness was a pleasure for her to watch - she had many recruits to whom the concept of a restless and roving eye was still a foreign thing, even after their training had entered the latter stages. The fact that a merchant\'s son would do instinctively what explicit lessons on the tactic had failed to teach hired kingdom guards wasn\'t anything to brag about from her perspective, but it honoured Kysis very well.

She chuckled, not so poorly trained that she felt the need to shift the tell-tale papers from beneath her arm but certainly aware of their presence once more. "Oh yes, the castle will be safe and the new moon shouldn\'t find us wanting in any area, I daresay," she grinned, wondering if he had somewhere else to be - with all the looking he was doing - or whether he was merely scouting the lay of the land. She decided that a sly reference wouldn\'t damage discussions irrevocably. "Rest assured - as you continue on with your business this day - that all is well with King and country. Oh and please, don\'t let me keep you if you are in a hurry," she invited pleasantly, allowing him an escape from their conversation (if he chose to take it) in case his position near the maze was more than just coincidence.

Kysis · « **Reply #12 on:** December 30, 2006, 02:40:41 AM »

"A hurry? Hardly. I wish to delay my return home in any and all ways possible."

It was true, Kysis had intended returning home when he navigated his way out of he maze, but that did not mean he wanted to go. Far from it. Though not the socialite Marcos wished him, Kysis would try extending this conversation as long as the good Captain would allow. Unless of course she was the one in a hurry and just trying to put it lightly, which was always a possibility. How many would go for a long stroll with such papers under their arm? Not many that Kysis knew of.

"But if you wish to deliver your documents, I shall keep you no longer."

He actually smiled, a real one for once, not that grim type he had been known for before. Kysis knew that he had at least left an impression, if nothing else. It was one of the first rules of the mercantile business. If the seller is not memorable, no one will buy. Kysis was sure he understood that now, but only a little time and space would tell, if they even ran in to each other again. It was a big region, after all.

Existentially Odd · « **Reply #13 on:** December 30, 2006, 01:12:15 PM »

"Mmm," she hummed non-committally, unprepared to describe her haste or lack thereof with a relative stranger - bearing a sword at his hip in the castle proper, no less. She knew that she wouldn\'t be able to brief her lieutenants on the meeting she\'d just had for another couple of hours and a stack of paperwork would be her only companion until then, so it could be said that she, too, wished to delay her return to the guardhouse... just not in any and every way possible.

An intriguing turn of phrase indeed... and if he loves swords so much and is adept with them, surely there is some form of amusement to be had at home, though... there is the way his mouth tightens whenever he speaks of the business - yet he\'s well trained enough not to let any other tells of discomfort come across. A very restrained man, though that smile looked real enough. What is your story, Master Dinaris?

"Perhaps you\'ll do me the honour of accompanying me back to the guardhouse?" she offered diplomatically, thinking that a compromise was in order - for they both sounded eager to get rid of the other, even though it wasn\'t actually the case. She swivelled lightly on the balls of her feet, heavy boots making a slight crunching sound on the crisp ground as she indicated the direction in which she was about to walk. "You could tell me how long you\'ve been here in Oberon and what you think of it, compared to your last place of residence, as we walk," she invited with a sly smile. She was always interested in hearing how well \'her\' city did in comparison to outlying principalities - though she\'d be devastated if he had nothing but criticism to offer.

Kysis · « **Reply #14 on:** December 30, 2006, 02:53:42 PM »

Kysis was completely caught off guard, eyes blinking a few times as if in want to dispell some illusion, eyebrows furrowing ever so slightly. His mouth opened just slightly as if to say something but shut immediately. There would have to be more thought before he spoke, a calculated response for the woman who was quite mentally spry. Well, this promised a good distraction, so he hurried to follow, long strides carrying him with a quick, well balanced grace.

"I would be honored, Captain.... and as for Oberon, I have never felt safer in my life. I might just grow rusty here."

That was said with the slightest of laughs. Kysis kept his voice measured, sure, uncertain as to whether or not she was playing close attention. From what Kysis knew of guards from his old home, they were all suspicious of everyone, not letting a detail slip. He was expecting the same from her, even if the guards he had passed failed to live up to it. Kysis hardly blamed her, but rather years of lax times, perhaps? There might be a chance to find out.

"Do guards always let strangers on the castle grounds with a sword in plain view, or was it just today?"

Though the question was hardly meant to offend, merely an honest inquiry, the words themselves were rather abrasive. Kysis had been surprised, seeing the guard look at his sword, look at him, smile and wave. Very odd, but then again, the people at Oberon seemed a rather friendly lot, the few he had been exposed to. Kysis had grown accustomed to never leaving the interior of the old manor without a weapon on and displayed. This place was.... frightfully different, to say the least.

Existentially Odd · « **Reply #15 on:** December 31, 2006, 12:36:50 AM »

She chuckled appreciatively at his comment about growing rusty in Oberon\'s confines, though she was given to wondering whether it had a double edge when he asked if security was always so casual. Perhaps he meant he\'d not be challenged here and insted grow rusty from lack of opposition; she could only hope that she was being paranoid and this hypothesis was incorrect, for it was an unpleasant comment indeed, if that was its true meaning.

"Oh, no," she argued vehemently, "it\'s rare that you would travel anywhere in the keep with a sword on for long. You would certainly not have got anywhere near the palace grounds armed, the Palace Guards wouldn\'t have permitted it without sighting a permit to do so. I think you\'ll find that paperwork was completed on your behalf when your father began negotiations with my lieutenant. Your family deals in weapons, it stands to reason that you\'d carry them within the castle walls and I assume he applied for and received the permit already. Don\'t take my not recognising you to heart, nor as an indication of the guards\' state of affairs," she grinned, looking over at him with a twinkle in her eye. "I\'m generally not told who is permitted to carry a weapon for a reason."

She wondered if he would ask what that reason was, if he would fall into the obvious trap of believing her ignorant to new occurrences because she was at the most elite level and chose not to lead by example. It was far from the truth, of course (and the reasoning behind her ignorance was very simple) but she chose not to volunteer this information, wondering if he would merely take her at her word and check with his father when he arrived home, or whether he\'d demonstrate the curiosity she was hoping to pique, and ask.

She could have been wrong, of course, and she was aware of that fact, but she thought it extremely unlikely that Freddy wouldn\'t have processed a new arms merchant and his business partners the moment they made themselves known to the guards. Especially with the man soliciting business on their grounds. It was a gamble she was willing to take, regardless.

"I\'m surprised your father didn\'t tell you," she murmured, her grin shifting to a more tactical half smile as she added the little jibe for good measure. It was her way of testing just how prickly his skin could get, even while she appeared to merely be stating the obvious.

Kysis · « **Reply #16 on:** December 31, 2006, 01:11:58 AM »

"I\'m not." The comment was dry, the first real hint of the disdain he harbored for his own family. Yes, the permet seemed the most likely answer to that, but why his father would refuse to tell him? Kysis could have been arrested, not knowing the laws of this place, customs, anything. Perhaps he could go to a tavern one night and interrogate a few people on such matters? Later, definitely, as he was currently occupied... Wait. Kysis cast a quick glance to her face, backtracking mentally on her words.

"And why wouldn\'t you be told?"

Curiosity was just killing him. Why would the head of the guard not be informed? Was it not important, monitorable information? Kysis was puzzeled but managed to keep his cool tone, the same with his face. Many thought him caloused or dispassionate; Kysis called it control. Associations with the mercantile business made a lot of faking neccisary, a happy face put on even for the most hated customers. Coin was coin. Marcos had drilled Kysis in to that since birth, but the young man\'s motives were far from coin now. He honestly wanted to know.

Existentially Odd · « **Reply #17 on:** December 31, 2006, 07:50:15 PM »

The captain raised her eyebrows at the tone of his voice when he explained that he wasn\'t surprised why his father had kept this detail from him. It led her to the conclusion that the two men had some differences in opinion about each other and the business - Marcos might therefore have not told Kysis about the permit as some form of test, wondering whether his son would get into trouble or ask him before strapping on a sword... who knew?

Lam could only hypothesise that there was some sort of competition afoot and that they were two strong-willed men that enjoyed the challenge of it. It wouldn\'t be the first time the guards had been used as a foil to settle a familial dispute, that was for sure - she knew better than to wade any further into those waters.

She chuckled as he asked the question she\'d anticipated, admiring his ability to keep any passion from his expression or voice. She knew she wouldn\'t like to play cards against him, if he was able to say one thing but have his body display nothing but disinterest, and she studied him for a few quiet moments before responding.

"Well, apart from the fact that I don\'t have the time to manage every detail of the castle\'s functioning and that it is an agreed task of my second in command, Lieutenent Frederickson, he likes to test me. To test himself, really. If I sight someone openly armed and walking about the castle he prefers that I not have a knowledge base of permits to fall back on and randomly ask for permit status - fines can be given out if arms are borne and I see them being misused - but what it really means is that I return to him, describe the person that I spoke to and he recites their name to me. He prides himself on knowing exactly who has a permit, what weapon it\'s for and exactly when it was paid for, you see. And he likes to see how accurate my descriptions are. It sounds silly, but it\'s a game we enjoy - me checking up on him and the thoroughness of his work, him seeing how quickly he can match a name to a permit and weapon, based on my details. His way of challenging us, you see."

Her nose wrinkled as she looked at her companion, grinning but wondering if he would think the arrangement childish, or her pandering to the whim of her second in command weak. She didn\'t care, really - there was no way she could be bothered knowing the ins and outs of who had weapons permits when Freddy prided himself on it. She\'d always been highly amused at him wanting her to catch him out (even while she understood the need for it. They both believed cockiness was a danger and an easily-indulged sin when one reached the upper echelons of management and agreed it was a minor method of double-checking themselves) and she\'d done her damndest to oblige.

"I made the assumption that you would have already been questioned to have got to the maze - so today, you bested me," she conceded happily, allowing her words to sink in to see what sort of winner the young merchant at her side was. She predicted he wasn\'t the type to gloat, but she\'d been wrong before. Either way, she couldn\'t deny the fact that her mind had been on negotiations with the king, rather than the blonde man with a sword strapped to his waist, this day, and she wasn\'t the type to lie or attempt to bluff her way out of letting preoccupation get the better of her.

Kysis · « **Reply #18 on:** December 31, 2006, 11:49:56 PM »

"Reminds me of a game Alia and I used to play. Whenever we would see a customer of father, whoever could rattle off the name and order first would..." The voice trailed off, the smile that had accompanied those words vanishing. His gaze went to the cobbles for a moment before he looked back up ahead, towards their destination. Though he went back to his usual aloof outer shell, he mentally beratted himself for that slip. It was in his belief that those who knew of personal ties could have potential leverage against.

No matter. If she caught his momentary slip, he doubted she would try using it against him. Or at least, that was what Kysis hoped. The Captain seemed more the honest type, no hostilities. Odd for a head of a guard house, but Kysis just blamed his ineptitude with this places culture for that. Perhaps a harsh, warlord type official was not needed to keep peace.... or perchance the warlord type official back home was to blame for all the violence. Either way, Kysis was glad he could leave his sword and home and not have to worry as much. The weapon made him more at ease, yes, but so did not knowledge of not actually needing it.

"Bested you? Hardly. I was an idiot for not inquiring of the laws before leaving my home. I could have been arrested and not even known the cause for it." There was the slightest tinge of anger in the last part, though it showed quite clearly through azure eyes. Marcos would have no doubt left him in his cell, too, laughing his fat little head off. Kysis would have a word when him upon arriving at the manor, then no doubt spend the night studying up about everything. Oberon was definitely not his home territory, but he planned on learing enough about it that one may think it is.

Existentially Odd · « **Reply #19 on:** January 01, 2007, 10:16:45 AM »

She laughed heartily, throwing her head back with the amusement of what he said and patting him congenially on the shoulder (the professional part of her expecting his training to show with the touch and keen to observe that) a couple of times.

"We\'ll agree that we are as complacent as each other on this day, then," she chuckled, not wishing to dwell on or quibble over who was the least prepared - of all things! Her hand lowered from his shoulder and continued to swing gently by her side. They were about halfway to the Guardhouse by now and he\'d mentioned another name that she wished to become familiar with.

She assumed the person named (a female?) was related and probably a sibling from the way he\'d said father - like it was a term shared between the two of them - but wanted confirmation of that, if he was willing to give it. From the way his reminiscence had been cut short (or seemed to have been, to her ears), she doubted that he would be, so she kept her question succinct, allowing him an easy way out if he wished to dodge it (and that would tell her that she probably needed to know more, in her experience). "Alia?" she enquired lightly.

Kysis · « **Reply #20 on:** January 01, 2007, 02:41:31 PM »

Kysis tensed as the hand came on his shoulder, recoiling just slightly. He did not want to seem rude, but the touch was also unwarranted. In fact, unwelcome. The young man had always had a rather large personal bubble, as his void exterior might have suggested time and time again. He rarely got close to people emotionally or physically despite any previous attempts by others. It just was not a thing for Kysis.

Did the people of Oberon always shove their noses where they did not belong? Well, Captians of a guard unit should, as it was their job, but still. Had Kysis really presented himself as threat enough to be snooped in to (sword aside)? Sighing, Kysis ran a hand back through his hair, a nervous habit he had always had. Whenever he felt self-conscious or uncomfortable, there was a hand smoothing back his hair, letting it fall in to a new chaotic yet somehow collected arrangement.

"My sister."

That was the only answer he planned on giving, too. She was sickly, frail. Back home, she had been considered a disgrace to the Liari family, a sign of a weakening bloodline. Here, she was a draw for sympathy and more business. Sickening, to say the least, but Kysis did not complain of this to his family, to anyone else even. They would think him heartless, being angry at his ill sister as he was. Perhaps he was a bit too cold, but Alia was a bother so much of the time...

But who was he to even consider bickering over it? At least he had been born healthy and strong of body, unlike poor little Alia. Kysis still wanted to know exactly why Marcos had been parading her about like a princess when no mention came of the previous favorite offspring.

Existentially Odd · « **Reply #21 on:** January 01, 2007, 06:34:00 PM »

Wilson found it intriguing that her companion\'s first instinct was to draw away from her when she made contact with him; usually that was a female\'s - or a non-fighter\'s - reaction. Men tended to either tense up and make fists to respond in kind, or grin at her like she\'d just made a romantic overture towards them. Either way, on the rare occasion she made surprise contact with people, they usually didn\'t close off so instantly. She regretted having done it, now, and had a simple response for his answer about the name Alia.

"Ah," she murmured, feeling slightly troubled that she\'d offended the fair-haired gentleman but having no way to make it up to him beyond not pressing him further for information he hadn\'t wanted to give in the first place. He seemed a complicated person, though perhaps it was the situation around him that made him thus. He was certainly very defensive and...

ah, but you\'re very offensive. Go easier on him and stop interrogating him, rather than making conversation. He\'s given you no reason to believe he\'s anything but a particularly quiet citizen who\'s interested in minding his own business. What a novel concept that would be for you to try sometime.

Resisting the urge to ask again how long he\'d been in Oberon and why his family had relocated here, Lam pushed towards a more neutral topic to discuss. "So what\'s your weapon of preference, Master Dinaris?" she asked, insisting on using the appropriate title and his family name until he permitted her the use of his first name.

Kysis · « **Reply #22 on:** January 01, 2007, 11:21:52 PM »

Well, wasn\'t this just a lovely stroll? Kysis would be glad when they reached the guard house, which allowed him to get out of more questions by two different means. He could either make a statement that suggested he was merely escourting a "fair lady" to her duties then head off quickly, or get distracted by other people, which was the more likely of them. However humoring the prior choice was, he hardly wanted to insult the Captain. Marcos would kill him for that one.

Kysis stopped walking for a moment, head tilted just slightly as an eyebrow was cocked at the Captain. That was awfully random, to say the least, but it was a welcome turn of conversation, one that he welcomed even. Relaxing a little, he caught back up with her, having already calculated his answer, "A longsword, ridged blade, holds for one or two handed is what I have here, but exotics and oddities are the most fun to play with..."

He thought for a moment, wondering if he should bring up the next part. Well, the Captain might appreciate it, or at least some of the other guards would, and he was quite sure that if he told her, someone else would hear about it, "In fact, last I checked Marcos was arranging for a display, if you will, demonstrating a few of the new pieces being produced. I do not even know which weapons are to be shown off..."

There was that smile again. Kysis was in his element, and wanted to give more information, but stopped himself. After all the air of mystery about him, he would not chat on like a gossiping noble woman, a favorite subject or no. There was still an interest in speaking, though, Kysis forgetting for the moment that rude intrusion.

Existentially Odd · « **Reply #23 on:** January 02, 2007, 02:14:20 PM »

She returned his smile enthusiastically, looking surprised. "A demonstration, you say? I look forward to that! When do you suppose it will be? I favour the mace and a simple shield, personally, but have an equal fondness for dual-wielding shortswords," she admitted, eyes turning a little greener (rather than the colour of her hair) in her mirrored enthusiasm for the topic.

"I tend to only use longswords when I compete in tournaments and though I\'m capable with a claymore, I prefer to have my two hands separate, not on the one hilt," she chuckled, knowing he wouldn\'t agree since he was wearing a possible two-handed sword and was therefore comfortable with the stance, but happy to share her feelings. "Have you ever attended a contest? Participated in Oberon\'s Tournament of the Corn?"

Kysis · « **Reply #24 on:** January 02, 2007, 02:21:32 PM »

"The demonstration should be in the coming week, I believe, not too far away. There is a new style of flail Marcos wishes me to test for that. It is really quite intriguing." Ah, finally, a familiar subject, something he felt completely and totally at home in. Kysis was beginning to worry that any mention of weapons even made people gasp or faint, but that seemed not the case. Marcos was not as stupid as he had at first seemed...

"Tournaments... a few, none here at Oberon, though. Perhaps soon?"

Kysis was rarely allowed to compete in public displays for cheers like that, though the few times he had, business had spiked up considerably. People came in with custom requests, filling up a whole year\'s worth of commissions in a single month. Kysis got a thrill from it, too, able to use his skills without seriously injuring another person in the process. In fact, he and his childhood friend still had an open bet, which was in its third year. The day Kysis actually got hit in battle, he owed Jax a hundred silver.

"I have not been here long enough to scout out such opportunities. It would be nice to, though."

Existentially Odd · « **Reply #25 on:** January 02, 2007, 02:38:17 PM »

"Ah," Wilson mused, nodding as he mentioned a new type of flail \'Marcos\' wanted him to test but unable to comment on it because she had no intimate knowledge of its measure. She did find it odd that her companion continued to refer to his father as Marcos and began to doubt that she\'d heard correctly - or wonder if he was even speaking about one person. He\'d definitely said he was in business with his father but... why would a son address his elder so? Perhaps it was just something unusual to her but the custom of wherever he came from. He\'d stated something about the House of Liari but given Dinaris as his family name too, so there were obviously many differences at work between his place of origin and hers.

She rather wished she knew where that was but didn\'t dare broach that subject now that he was speaking so easily with her. It was obvious that weapons were the way to draw him out and she didn\'t wish to see him retreat into his moody shelter of silence again.

"You\'ll have to wait \'til next tournament season, now," she told him disappointedly, knowing it would be a long wait before the sun heated the crops ready for harvest, since the snow was ready to fall any day. "Eight or nine moons away, it is - when the heat of the land makes you wonder at your own sanity for donning plate armour beneath a relentless sun, all to win a name for yourself and perhaps a little coin," she chuckled good-naturedly, having spent many summers thus.

She had already begun to debate her own participation in the next tournament, though she was loathe to admit it. She wasn\'t as young as she was when she\'d begun her quest for glory and adulation (not to mention the captaincy) and her seasons of competition were surely numbered. The fact that she still held the champion\'s sash in a few events ought to be a good enough reason for her to bow out gracefully, with her pride intact, rather than with numerous losses tallied against her, due to old age. She\'d wait and see how she felt closer to the time, of course but... her potential for failure was always there, at the back of her mind. She didn\'t want to lose face.

Kysis · « **Reply #26 on:** January 02, 2007, 10:17:20 PM »

"There are no winter feastivals of the sort?" Kysis cast another glance over at her, one eyebrow slightly arched, a touch of confusion in his voice. He could still remember having to move through the thick snow on the fields, how much all the layers to keep away the cold slowed everyone down. It was an interesting time, really, took more tactics than just a normal hack and slash situation. Then again, it was not sport fencing. Oh no, it was quite different, "No matter. I shall wait."

The young man was now quite curious to see the guard house. It was no longer the want for escape but rather a want to see what type of people served the Captian. She was definitely keen, and no doubt had other skills to work hand in hand with that hawkish observation. Oberon might have been far more peaceful, but it was for a reason, no doubt, not just a difference in diet that made people agreeable. If something as simple as that worked, home would not have been so chaotic.

But where would the fun have been in that?

"Is the Guard House a pleasant place? The guards around here all seem happy, glad to do their duties." Kysis paused for a moment, gathering his thoughts. They were all centered on the destination at this instant, curiosity almost killing him. This place was completely different and new, a good excuse to skip out of the familial afternoon food taking and lectures. Not that he minded the food, it was just odd, and this was a good opportunity.

Existentially Odd · « **Reply #27 on:** January 03, 2007, 11:55:01 AM »

"Winter festivals?" she repeated, cocking her head as she looked at him and thought about such a proposal. All Lists would soon be covered by thick snow and prove near impossible to negotiate in such harsh conditions. She couldn\'t imagine them being of any use, if a tournament - probably just a local, Oberon one - were to be announced but... there were alternatives she could imagine being acceptable substitutes for the traditional Lists... if there was enough enthusiasm for such a challenge. It might be worth a discussion with her lieutenants, anyway.

Her errant ponderings of icy tournaments were cut short when he asked about the guardhouse. She smiled, fond memories of her internship long ago surfacing, possibly shining in her eyes. "Oh, yes. The Guardhouse is a wonderful place. The accommodations are simple and the hours of training are gruelling, but the facilities are impeccable and the pay is a good foundation for young recruits. Everyone is reminded frequently that there is no limit to what any guard can achieve, as long as they\'re willing to put in the effort. I\'m evidence of that in as far as it\'s not a common thing to find a woman in control of a bunch of guards - traditionally, all men," she laughed, easy with the knowledge that she was an exception, not a rule.

She didn\'t wish to put too fine a point on the fact that she\'d worked her ass off to get to where she was and though she\'d had a fair bit of political help via Lord Dagger\'s influence, she had eventually been judged on her own merit and skills with weapons and with people, to have stayed at the top for as long as she had. She also didn\'t feel it necessary to mention that she hadn\'t lived in the city\'s provided accommodations for years because of Lord Dagger again; it was hardly appropriate to explain that she\'d begun living alone to make it easier for her ex-lover to visit her discreetly.

Kysis · « **Reply #28 on:** January 03, 2007, 02:46:01 PM »

If Kysis ever explained the dynamics of the winter festivals to the Captian, it would be another day. He had a feeling that their paths might cross again, no doubt at that demonstration. In fact, he would be surprised if she did not show up with a few of her closer comrades from the guards. Kysis was sure she had friends there, otherwise she would not have held the position as long as rumor told. Connections, aliances, allegiances: they all played quite the part in the politics which must have been envolved.

Kysis had no interest in talking politics, though. He was very sharp tongued when it came to the subject, saying exactly what he meant as he meant it, leaving no room for misinterpretation. That was not always a good thing, though. Kysis refused to tactfully dodge around certain more prejudicial questions. If they asked, they would get an answer, like it or not. Another of many reasons why Kysis was generally locked away from people.

"It sounds nice there." Truth, as Kysis told most of the time... at least when it did not concern his emotions. Those were to be privy to him, himself, and well, his own head, none other. It was the reason Kysis was not married by this time, despite the desperate attempts his mother made to find a woman for him. Sickening, really, but Kysis just ignored it, as always. If he wanted someone to share his toils with, he would have already gone looking, "How often are new guards trained?"

So many technical questions, about the working of things. Kysis knew he would never be able to join such an association, at least not with his parents\' approval, but he could wish, he could dream. He\'d had many splattered and shattered already, so why not add another to the ever growing list?

Existentially Odd · « **Reply #29 on:** January 04, 2007, 11:57:54 PM »

"We accept recruits at the end of each season, allowing three moons for basic training to take place. Not everyone passes this stage, our final tests are quite rigourous - especially since some still have to learn basic reading, writing and counting if they\'ve come in from the farms. Once the rank of Initiate is achieved though, guards have the option of further training to become Weapons or Skilled guards - that process is at least a full cycle for Weapons and two cycles for Skilled - but it\'s all optional and depends entirely on how far the trainee wishes to progress through our ranks," she explained, with a small shrug.

Her smile was nowhere near as broad when explaining what was, essentially, her business, because she was entirely serious about it. Many found the minimum three year training period for a high ranking position in the guards to be highly daunting (and few even considered what a Palace guard position might entail), but she maintained it devoutly as a necessary course of action. She\'d been through the process personally (slightly faster, yes, but only slightly) and had still found herself learning on the job on the other side, so there was no way she\'d consider lessening the training process.

Oberon\'s guards weren\'t everywhere in massive numbers simply because the corps was discerning and diligent in their training. Wilson would never be the first Captain to be seen to lower standards for the sake of filling the city with a few more uniformed bodies; too many reputations were at stake in that sense.

Kysis · « **Reply #30 on:** January 05, 2007, 01:38:30 PM »

"I\'m impressed." And it was the only time he would admit it, too. Perhaps the guards of this place were not so bad. Perchance he should give the people a shot before closing off completely.... but it was a fleeting thought at best. Wandering the castle region had showed Kysis a few things, mostly that no matter where one went, there would still be citizens of the vile sort. Thieves, liars, cheaters; they came with civilization, one never showing up without the other in stow.

Still, Kysis would give some of them a chance. He would not still be walking with the Captain if he had given up completely, would not have "sacrificed" so much of his time to conversation (not that home was preferrable). This was very informative, though, and with ever tidbit of information he learned about the guards, the more comfortable he felt travelling about without a sword strapped securely in the bauldric at his waist. Yes, that lack of weight beating about their would seem strange at first but... Kysis was still unsure.

As he was unsure of whether he would be welcome to even go near the guard house. He was a sword for hire, for the most part, though he was under the employ of Marcos now. Might change, if anyone wanted a highly trained personal guard, but Kysis was sure such a thing would be frowned upon here in Oberon. The Liari Family had already invaded upon another weapons franchise here in Oberon. Could he even dare to continue functioning as he did at home? Kreos seemed so far away now, yet Kysis did not feel quite ready to give up that way of life yet.

Another matter he did was unsure of was as to what to say next, so he fell back in to his comfortable space of silence.

Existentially Odd · « **Reply #31 on:** January 06, 2007, 01:05:54 AM »

She, on the other hand, laughed comfortably at his declaration. She hadn\'t explained their strict training regime in order to impress, just to clarify - but it was a nice feeling that resulted from hearing him speak thus. She was immensely proud of her setup and compliments in any form always reassured her that her choices were sound (rather than being the radical opinions of a woman - something people were less keen to accept).

"Well... okay! I\'m pleased you\'re interested; if you want a tour of the barracks any time, it can be arranged - especially if you\'re as good with a blade as you say you are," she hinted, giving a sly, sideways look as the Guardhouse finally came into view. "I\'m interested in presenting new challenges to my recruits as much as to myself."

Kysis · « **Reply #32 on:** January 06, 2007, 02:22:41 AM »

"I may take you up on that offer at some later point in time." Kysis forced on a smile, eyes already scanning across the building that they finally came to. Seemed like an age-worth of time, but still, it would be worth it, Kysis reassured himself. He wanted to memorize all that he could of the place, just so he knew what to expect when he did head back in this direction. The young man was sure he would, "But it is late, and I would not wish to disrupt the guards of their daily duties."

He was not trying to side-step any sort of challenge; far from it. Kysis just knew that he had duties elsewhere and if he started, he would get seriously distracted for a long amount of time. Yes, Kysis would enjoy it emensely, but he also wanted to have a home to go back to at the end of the day. Any manner of excuse could be brought to use, but... Kysis would rather not chance it. He would say hello perhaps, state that he did intend to return, but unless something very striking and irresitable came up, he would not be extending his time there.

Sad, but neccisary. Kysis was starting to wonder if Marcos had sent anyone out to find him yet. Hopefully not.

Existentially Odd · « **Reply #33 on:** January 06, 2007, 05:56:56 PM »

She came to a stop and turned smartly to face him, offering a business-like smile and inclining her head deferentially, hands clasped behind her back momentarily. "Alright; I shall bid you farewell, then," she murmured, extending her hand to be shaken once more. "Thank you for the accompaniment and the conversation. Hopefully we\'ll meet again at that demonstration sometime soon."

Although her wish was genuine, she wasn\'t overwhelmed with desire to meet this closed-off man again for no good reason. Conversing with someone who didn\'t seem keen to volunteer information was difficult - especially when she was on duty and most interactions were curt for the sake of efficiency. She wasn\'t so closed-minded that she didn\'t allow that Kysis might be a more open person in a purely social circumstance (at a banquet or a weapons demonstration, for instance) and she was somewhat curious as to whether he could be drawn out when she had the time to put that sort of effort in, but she was resigned to merely wondering, at this point.

Kysis · « **Reply #34 on:** January 06, 2007, 11:14:22 PM »

Kysis shook the hand calmly, nodding slightly. It seemed the Captain was no so adverse to the parting, so he did not feel half as bad as he might of... He did not feel bad in the least, in all actuallity, glad of the way the day was ending. The socializing quota had been met for his usual month, but just perhaps he might start going out a bit more often in a friendly way. Yes, the maze was considered out, but hardly friendly. That was an escape.

Deciding he should, Kysis opted to bow before his departure, a graceful motion tht seemed a tad odd for the swordsman type, but a motion he had been made to learn. If the Captain was more like the general lady, a handshake would not have done. However, for the sake of not dying from angering her, Kysis held back the usual gentlemanly gesture. Yes, he would rather not be dismembered this day, "And I thank you for the distraction, Captain. I assure, it has been most pleasant."

Flashing what he had been told was a charming smile, he headed off, back to the drab duties and angry family at the manor.