Distractions

[Kysis]

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]

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]

"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]

"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]

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]

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]

"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]

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]

"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]

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]

"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]

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]

"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]

"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]

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.