675-07-16 - Tourney Arrangements
| Tourney Arrangements | |||||||
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| Summary: The upcoming festivities are discussed, and Alajos makes a surprising announcement. | |||||||
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Alajos has been rather reclusive for some days. Offering a vague excuse of having to visit his bannermen, he disappeared on a journey for some days though nobody is really sure where he went and when he will come back. But finally he does return and has been haunting the Keep like a rather grumpy ghost without speaking much to anyone. Nor has he spent much time with his betrothed, leaving the lovely Avaline to female relatives. The late afternoon finds him alone in the garden, sitting on a bench that offers a good view over the forests into a deep valley beyond.
From the direction of the kitchens comes another Fennim. And unlikely as it may seem, he does have a slightly brooding look to him as well. Ralph's steps are slow, his gaze turned inwards, in his hand an apple he had snatched in the kitchen. Lingering in his thoughts, until his dark gaze brushes the Duke. His cousin. And he straightens and approaches. "Your Grace," her greets formally in that dark baritone, and a faint smile curls his lips. "I haven't had the oppportunity to catch up with you since your return. How was your journey?"
Not only his female relatives, but that highly attentive cousin of his who surely made use of the Duke's absence to try to get to know Avaline better. How Avaline felt about any of it was really, anyones guess. She was not one who seemed to speak freely on such things, though by all rights had been making effort to get to know the area about the Keep, the Duke's family...the household...people. But some escape was needed for it all that day, Avaline having taken to a small corner of the gardens for a bit of a walk and some painting in the morning and early afternoon. A thing wrapped up it would seem as Avaline is walking back to the path, a paint brush yet idly being turned in her hand as her maid and guard handle carrying the rest. In spying to two Fennim, Avaline's steps slow....avoiding them is really out of the question. A simple smile is put on as she approaches, offering a curtsey...to Alajos first,"Your Grace," and then Ralph,"My Lord, good day to you both."
"Cousin.", Alajos returns the greeting with a little nod. The question is answered with a shrug. "It went alright. I brought down a nice stag - my own contributions to the festivities, I suppose.", he says without quite mustering a smile. Then he sees Avaline approaching and looks actually uncomfortable. But then life-long breeding kicks in and he gets to his feet to offer her a bow. "Mylady, a pleasure to see you. Have you had a good day?"
A brief glance is shot at both, before Ralph inclines his head, after the appropriate bow of greeting has been offered to Avaline. "My lady. The day has been fine so far. And of course, it is always a pleasure to have some female grace lighten these slightly sombre gardens,..." A bit of a smile there, as if his words were some sort of odd jest. Then his dark eyes come to linger on Alajos and he smiles even more. "Sounds like you had a bit of enjoyment. That's good to hear."
After all, encountering someone who is even more depressed can only cheer Ralhp Fennim up, it seems. He pauses, pondering for a moment before he brings the next question forth. "About the tourney... have you any ideas or suggestions for the festivities and the competitions?"
"Aye, it has been a good day, Your Grace," Avaline perhaps not always quite up to using something more....familiar. "I am glad to hear that your hunt met with such success. " There is a gentle smile to Ralph,"I do what I can, my Lord." Though truly it can be difficult to counter the gloomyness that is Alajos.
Alajos heaves a little sigh when Ralph asks about the festivities. But when he hears Avaline speak, the look towards her is actually rather hopefully. "Have you been.... occupying yourself with the preparations, Mylady?", he asks. It seems he's done speaking, but after a pause he adds a little crankily: "Well, I was away!"
Again Ralph looks towards the lady, a brief smile flickering over his features. "As far as I can see you're doing remarkably well.", he remarks, before his look comes to rest on his cousin. "Certainly, you were away. I have already had some talks with the steward." As if he had already anticipated that all these tedious arrangements would be for him to handle. "My question is, the kind of competition, Your Grace. A tilt? Swordplay?", and then after a pause he adds: "A bit of archery? The common folk would love to see a tilt though, I am sure."
Then is a small dip of her head to Alajos at his hopeful bit of a question,"Aye, I have been. I have spent some time with the Steward regarding arrangement for the feast and entertainment. " Whom approached whom might be uncertain, but the future Duchess seems to have given some input in appropriate areas. "Everyone does seem to enjoy getting to see a tilt, and it has been awhile since the knights have gotten to show their skills off."
"I thought we had already settled for a tilt?", Alajos wonders, looking even more cranky now, "I always said I wished to have a tourney and ride in the lists myself. I have actually been training for it with Lord Dunne while I was away. Archery is always fun to watch as well... swordplay not so much. Perhaps something for the women?", he asks, looking at Avaline. Realizing that he has no clue if she can wield a bow. Though if she could, she'd probably fired an arrow into his pompous ass by now.
The older Fennim shoots Avaline an approving glance when he hears about her having had talks with the steward as well. But maybe this not as much news for him as it might be for the Duke. Speaking of which, Ralph will incline his head to Alajos' words. "Aye, I have already assumed as much and arranged for the tourney field to be prepared.", Ralph concedes with a sly wink. "But I am of course glad..." And there his voice trails off. "Wait. You are going to ride in the tourney...?" Dark eyes focus on the young Duke and he shakes his head, astonished obviously. "Do you think that wise, Your Grace?"
There is a flicker of a surprised look that goes Alajos' before Avaline is able to hide it, when he speaks of riding in the tilt himself. More so how he'd even been training for it. Perhaps good that she'd seriously considered that cousin of his who was feeling about at his prospects of receiving her favour, should he get around to actually asking for it. "Some women might wish to show of archery skills," if she has any of her own they are not spoken about, though she is a Brias. They are likely lacking. "Though we are often content to settle with showing off our dancing skills at the feast, once the men have given such valiant displays upon the field."
Alajos bristles at Ralph's question. "Why would it not be wise to show my prowess and valour in the lists at this feast, cousin?", he asks, "Of course I will." He hrmphs at Avaline's words, then shrugs, "Eh, we have all day, do we not? We can have an archery contest for the ladies first and one of the men later? Then the tilt, and finally an evening of song and dance and making merry."
"Archery,..." Now that is a topic that has Ralph's demeanour light up indeed. "Mayhaps I could show off my old rusty skills as well." As for the dancing, his enthusiasm will dim a little, the smile will remain though. "So true, Lady Avaline. And... after the tourney, the ladies will be certain to win that final contest in any case, when the men are bruised and battered from the tilt..." He frowns at Alajos. "Which is why I am opposed to your decision, cousin. You could sustain severe injuries, or even worse! There are many perils in the list, so naturally they are no place for a duke to be!"
There is a light smile to Ralph,"Is it not our job to add the entertainers of the feast to give the men some small diversion from all the bruises they have gained in entertaining us with their skill?" Avaline seeming to not react in any particular way at being hrmphed at by her betrothed. Likely not the first, nor the last time, it'll occur. Of Alajos' own participation, it is something Avaline refrains from commenting upon. Wisely so.
"And look like a right unmanly wuss who is too afraid of a few bruises to compete?", Alajos huffs and leaps to his feet again as if he's about to be done with this conversation. "I will ride in the lists and that's that.", he says firmly, glaring at Ralph as if daring to contradict him. Then, almost as an afterthought, he turns to Avaline: "And of course I'll be carrying your favour into the battle, Mylady."
A soft chuckle at Avaline's remark, before the Duke cousin replies: "I have often seen dancing as a toruney of another sort. Where gazes are fixed on each other and I try not to embarrass myself, by forgetting the steps. Either way, there can be no argument about who is the more graceful in this arena." And there he inclines his head with a smile. Until his cousin speaks, and indeed, a glare is shot Alajos way, meeting that of the younger man. But after a moment that gaze is lowered and Ralph seemingly gives in. "It is a folly, cousin. But I see there is little use of attempting to talk some sense into you. Then I hope you are well prepared..."
"Ah, only because we are given over to practicing our steps upon the dance floor as you men take to practicing yours upon the practice field, my Lord. But I do agree, it can be a tourney all of its own." Avaline does a slight step back as Alajos gets huffy and takes to leaping to his feet, some thought drifting to her initial assessment of him being nothing but an overgrown spoilt child. Her pale blue blink just a touch when he turns to her. She straightens just a little,"Of course, Your Grace. It would not due for any other to carry it with you competing. However, if you have any hope to win a kiss should you win whilst carrying it, you should consider asking for it properly. I will otherwise, of course, see that it is delivered to you in time for the tournament." Where is that bow again?
"I am in possession of perfect sense, cousin.", Alajos informs Ralph rather coolly, but then Avaline derails his nice little tantrum with a strange remark, that first has him blink and then blush. "Ah.. yes... uh, of course, Mylady.", he fumbles and clears his throat, "Another time perhaps. Soon. We shall take dinner together soon, I expect?", he wonders.
A light bow is offered to Avaline, if not from Alajos, then from Ralph, as he hears her words. "Again, my lady, I am impressed and look forward to see your demonstration of grace and skill at the feast." A warm smile accompanies his words as he straightens again. "Certainly, cousin," is offered in a slightly colder tone to Alajos next, "at least that is what I hope..." His words trail off there, dark eyes drifting towards the keep, and thoughts that remain unspoken cross his mind.
"I only hope I shall not disappoint, my Lord," counters Avaline as she gives a dip of a curtsy in return to Ralph. A slight raise of an eyebrow occurs to Alajos' response, it perhaps not being as she might have expected. Just what was expected, who know. But Avaline does bow her head,"If it is your wish, Your Grace, then aye, we will dine together soon."
Alajos claps his hands together and looks between them both. "Well, it seems everything is sorted then, about the festivities?", he asks hopefully and offers Avaline what almost amounts to a genuine smile. "I am sure you can handle the organization just fine, can't you, Mylady? Cousin Ralph will be happy to provide whatever you need"
Ralph's head turns and he offers Avaline a smile, less light but with a slightly brooding tinge. It is a smile though, with a warm flicker in those dark brown eyes. A nod is offered to Alajos. "Aye, we are settled." After all he will have to see to everything himself, once again, as his soft sigh suggests. Oh, together with Avaline of course. "If you need any assistance or have questions, Lady Avaline, I will be at your service, of course."
"I shall endeavour to do my best, Your Grace," Avaline giving a faint bow of her head to Alajos. Even if she knows it is not yet her place to do so, being but the Duke's betrothed and yet a guest in the castle. But there is something in her expression when she offers a smile to Ralph, that suggests she knows there is little use in pointing out such to the Duke. He may be soooooo much older then she, but in the end, it seems she'll have to be the adult in it all. "Aye, of course, Lord Ralph, I would be greatful for your assistance. Perhaps we might discuss the details with the Steward after the evening, or on the 'morrow, if it suits better for you?"
Alajos looks rather pleased that he's dumped all the work at other people's feet and offers them a bow. "I shall withdraw then and see you later at dinner time.", he says, looking at Avaline like this invitation is exclusively meant for her. Then he turns on his heels to disappear
"Certainly, my lady," Ralph replies. "If I may suggest, the morrow might be better suited for such a talk." His gaze drifts from Avaline to Alajos, and he catches that bow. Finally. "Enjoy your time of leisure, Your Grace." Not commenting on the remark about dinner as that glance the duke shoots Avaline does not escape his notice. So it will be him, a glass and a bottle of a fine vintage this eve. A prospect to look forward to.
Avaline bows her head with a slight turn of a curtsy towards Alajos,"As you wish, Your Grace, I will see you are dinner." Certain to have word with her maid on several points later. But for now she offers Ralph a quiet smile,"On the morrow then, my lord, we can talk of it." Giving him a gentle curtsy as well, before the trio dispurses onwards.
