In the Company of Havens [5/7, Morning. Valen, Gwilym]

[Myfanwy Haven]

Myfanwy Haven woke in her room at Duncan Montrose's estate where they were being hosted for the celebrations. These visits had a tendency to extend themselves beyond original plans, as there was always some damnable diplomatic tangle ready to sink claws into Gwilym and obviously he needed his sister with him. Consequently, it was her habit to bring her own small household with her wherever she went.

When she woke the morning of the ball, she groaned and shoved at the first piece of wolfhound she saw, which happened to be Arvel's arse pointed right at her face. Why oh why had she ever gotten in the habit of sleeping with dogs? He slid off the bed with a thump, pulling himself up from the floor and shaking out his wounded pride. Her page, a heavier sleeper now that she was with Efa, shifted over as best she could given that Arvel's brother Emlyn was on her other side.

There'd been a knock at her door. That's what had woken her.

Efa pushed the covers back and walked across the room to grab a grey tunic with pink embroidered edging and a pair of leggings to pull on. If someone already needed her she wouldn't have time to bind her breasts or armor up, but she could at least be decent. Arvel was already sniffing at the door, snuffling along the bottom at a familiar and an unfamiliar scent. Family member! New person! New person! Family member! Dog excitement!

"Arvel," she said, earning herself a hopeful backward glance from a dog whose head reached to her chest even when he was on all fours. "Sit." He thumped his backside against the stone. When she turned away he started to get up, but sat again when she checked him. "Stay." Heavy doggy sigh.

When she opened the door, she was barefoot and empty handed, though a quick glance inside the door showed a sword leaned against the wall very near to her right hand. A big thickly-furred grey dog head shoved a nose out the door before Efa hissed between her teeth. Arvel sat again. The knight looked from her brother's cupbearer to the man she'd brought. Seemed everyone had survived the night. Good, then.

"Come to get your weapons back?"

[Valen Alysworth]

Valen stood there, in his breeches and tunic - well, Gwylim's tunic - and rubbed at his face, squinting at the morning like as if it were trying to stab his eyes out. He looked....well, he looked rough, no two ways about it. The painted bruise had been washed off his face, but there were dark circles under his eyes, and his hair was neither it's usual ginger nor the inky black of the night before, but a vague sort of auburn. His arms had plenty of scratches and such, and his hair was an absolute disaster, all tangled and sticking up madly every whichaway. When he spoke, hi voice was thick with sleep and rough, almost hoarse.

"If y'please, Sira. Feel a bit naked without 'em." he muttered, patting his hips. It didn't feel right to be up and about without a knife, at least...

[Myfanwy Haven]

Myfanwy cocked her jaw to the side, regarding the disheveled mess of a man who had shown up at her door in her brother's tunic escorted by a little girl.

Commoners.

He looked different, though, even compared to how he'd looked without his cheeks stuffed. Commoner in disguise maybe. Well, who wouldn't be. Otherwise he might get knifed by cheating or going home with the wrong people. Good, then. Whoever he was, her brother hadn't been seen with anybody important. Even if this man were someone, he'd been in disguise or something.

"Wait," she said, in exactly the same tone she'd have used telling one of her dogs to stay.

She closed the door in his face.

There was movement from behind the door, and muffled voices. A dog whined, a rather pitiful noise for a dog that size. A couple of minutes later, the door opened again. Behind Myfanwy was a taller and finer-boned woman in her mid to late teens with her hair wrapped in a grey scarf. Her fingers were dug deep into the neck skin of a second wolfhound, holding him back, and she leveled an expression of restrained amusement at Gwilym's little peasant bedwarmer.

Efa herself was wearing boots and had bound herself down. She grabbed her sword from next to the door and donned the weapon before handing the stranger any of his. Arvel lunged forward through the open door to jab his big furry nose into Valen's stomach. He took a step backward and whined as though he really really wanted to jump but definitely didn't dare.

"Arvel, sit," she snapped. The dog's bottom hit the floor again. "You can pet him if you like, but you'll have to pet both if you do."

Him being watched by her dogs and her page and the little cupbearer, Efa turned her back on him and went to grab his weapons.

[Valen Alysworth]

"Ouf." he hadn't expected full-on doggie nose to the gut, but took it with excellent humour. He stumbled back a step before catching himself, falling into a lower posture. He didn't wait before introducing himself to the dogs, digging his fingers into the fur behind their ears for good firm scritches, and laughing as Arvel lapped at his jaw. He braced himself, only just barely avoiding being bowled over by enthusiastic dogs, and in no time had made friends. Valen didn't at all mind being silly and rambunctious, where children or dogs were concerned.


"Does your brother really have so many enemies?"

[Myfanwy Haven]

When Rhosyn let Emlyn go to join his brother Arvel in making new friends with this strange human who smelled like Gwilym, Efa ceased worrying about the man. They were friendly and they would keep him busy and probably end up sitting on his face or something, but if he frightened Morgan or seemed anything but friendly... well, they were called wolfhounds for a reason. They could handle one peasant.

"My duty's my duty." Efa turned back around with his weapons under one arm. "You still refusing to give a name, stranger?"

[Valen Alysworth]

"Why, is it important?" he asked, with a face full of nothing but guileless cheek. "I might call you Rosaleen, Sira, or Gwynhyfar - both lovely names for lovely ladies, but they wouldn't be you." He had his hands full, wrestling playfully with Emlyn and, truth be told, rather close to being knocked over.

"Or I could call you Bright-Blade, Shield-Maiden, Fearsome Foe...not names at all, but a good sight more accurate, I think."

[Myfanwy Haven]

Efa looked down at the man as he played with her dogs, quite probably the only opportunity the shorter knight would get to do so. "My brother likes games," she said simply.

That was a yes, then. He was still refusing to give a name.

"He is easily amused."

She hoped it would go without saying that she was not.

[Valen Alysworth]

He gave a sigh. Some people just didn't know a thing about fun!

...then again, he suspected the world hadn't much given her a chance. It had been hard, these last ten years, with games and laughter in short supply.

Looking up at her, Valen just gave a tiny smile. "Any name I gave you would be meaningless, Sira - that's what I meant. Doesn't tell you a thing about me, does it? About my sire or my home, perhaps...but not a thing about the sort of man I am." he asked. "So call me 'Gryllen', until you can call me 'Cethin'.

Would she catch meaning of the two words? It was an old language, true....but perhaps.
Call me 'stranger' until you can call me 'friend'.

[Myfanwy Haven]

What the hell was he talking about, that his name wouldn't tell her anything? It damn well would. Lineage would tell her where he'd come from, who had spoken to him as a child, whose moods had shaped his, and whose values had been the laws of the house where he was reared. Those things told her a great deal.

"And when do you think that will happen?" she asked, holding out the hilt of his smallsword to him. Arvel turned his narrow shaggy head to nose at the hilt, smelling it for whatever delectable doggy secrets it had to offer. "Ts." The dog pulled back, giving her a baleful look. Swords were not for hounds. This was very sad.

[Valen Alysworth]

He stood, the motion smooth and graceful now that he was a bit more awake. Reaching out, he took his sword from her, belting it around his waist once more.

There. That felt better. Felt dressed, now - even if half the clothes weren't his own.

"When you're ready, I 'magine." he told her, eyes frank and steady. "I suspect that's when I prove myself to you, bwrw cesair."

[Myfanwy Haven]

Efa gave the stranger--for he was still most definitely Stranger--a skeptical look. He was full of fine assurances and pet names, wasn't he? Was this what her brother liked?

What particularly unsettled her was the clear implication that she'd be seeing him again. Hardly seemed appropriate, and briefly she pondered whether it might be more expedient to simply crack him over the skull now and dump him somewhere. That, though, would be extremely inhospitable. She also had no indication that he was prepared for a fight with her, which made the prospect of accosting him more than a little dishonorable on top of all the other problems.

It was a nice thought, though. She might revisit it later.

Efa's page, Rhosyn, looked between them with a nearly-repressed smile. She put her hands on her hips and when it was clear Efa wasn't answering, she said, "That's awfully familiar talk for a man who won't give his name to his hosts."

To that the knight added an understated shrug, barely more than a tilt of her head and lift of her eyebrows. It was not an assessment she could argue with, though she cared less than Rhosyn was pretending to. He'd do what he'd do, but if Rhosyn wanted to needle him then far be it for Efa to deny the opportunity.

[Valen Alysworth]

"Yes."he agreed, easily, with a smile. Valen knew he didn't stand on form nearly as much as some people expected - far less than his Lady Mother would have liked. It was just his way - and as far as he was concerned, the best way. He didn't mind being needled for it; it was his choice to speak to all in such a way when he could get away with it, for good or will.

He grinned then, and waggled his finger at Rhosyn. "See, that wasn't the deal. I have none to give - ask your Lord, when he deigns to grace us." he teased.

If he'd known Efa's thought, he would have given her assurance: he'd most definitely be seeing more of these two. He knew it somehow, sure as he knew the world spun in a void.

[Myfanwy Haven]

"Whatever my brother called you," Efa answered, "I will be in no position to echo it. I don't think I'm interested in the proofs of character you have to offer." She held out his knife. "If my Lord is pleased with you, that is about the end of my interest."

Rhosyn clicked her tongue in recognition of that little barb and snapped her fingers at the dogs, pointing at the floor next to her. Reluctantly they heaved themselves up and trudged over to nose at her hand, at which she promptly grabbed the scruffs of their necks again. The idea that the teenager could possibly be restraining two dogs whose heads came up nearly to her chest was a little foolish, but the point was to remind them who was in charge.

In that, her position was a little less strong than Efa's.

When all of Valen's weaponry had been returned, Rhosyn put collars attached to chain leashes on the dogs and went one way while Efa, Valen, and Morgan went another. She was headed outside with the dogs while they were headed to the dining room where Efa hoped Gwilym would distract his houseguest from her so that she could eat in peace.

[Gwilym Haven]

Gwilym was eating all the noodles. There were none left. If there was a noodle, it appeared to be in Gwilym's bowl, which was made of yew with intricate little carvings on the outside, in the shape of vines and flowers. It's artwork was of little concern to Gwilym, whose sole concern in this moment seemed to be devouring the noodles within.

When his sister and guest entered, Gwilym looked up with a single noodle hanging out the side of his mouth. He looked at them for moment, then resumed eating the unfortunate souls that were his noodles. He raised a hand lightly to them as a greeting. His mouth was too busy with other things to speak.

[Valen Alysworth]

Valen gave his host an easy smile and a little wave, and plopped himself down at one of the seats. He wasn't worried about the lack of noodles - in a Lordly house, there was sure to be an abundance of variety, so he started looking about for other options, and unclipped his cup from his belt. His air was quite casual - and yes, quite familiar, as well. He seemed at perfect ease in this house, with all the wealth and privilege surrounding him - a bit more at ease than one might expect of your average criminal.

[Myfanwy Haven]

Efa pulled out a chair and reached for a hunk of bread and a wedge of cheese. Montrose had good servants, but Efa didn't see a whole lot of need to tax them on her account. It was their duty to serve, but it was hers to be gracious about it.

Valen's easy demeanor didn't escape her, but a man of his easy entitlement might have done the same before the king himself. Probably a good thing he wouldn't be likely to have opportunity. It would be a shame to see that cockiness beaten out of him.

Myfanwy, now, she would have only beaten him until he gave her a name. The rest of his behavior could remain unreformed.

"As you can see," she told her brother, "My dogs didn't eat him. You're welcome."

[Gwilym Haven]

"I'm supposed to thank you for not killing our guests now? I think that might grow rather tiresome." He shrugged. He looked back down at his bowl. To Valen, he said, "You don't have to linger. I'm sure you're a busy man."

[Gilys Haven]

It was at that moment, Gilys came stepping in... or rather, prancing in. Always so delighted to be out anywhere really and couldn't have done much better than the Montrose Estate. He'd more than made himself comfortable. The evidence of that being that he was dressed in little more than his braies, matching pair of thin white gloves and, of course, one of his extravagant lounging robes. This one was a baby blue adorned with white peacock feathers down the trim. There was a wide smile on his face and it looked like he was about to say his good mornings to the family when he suddenly caught sight of Valen there with them all and immediately pulled the front of his robe closed in a rather amusingly prudish display.

"Goo- H- ha!" Forcing a laugh to hide the slight embarrassment. "I was unaware we had company." With his free hand, pointing around the floor. "Should I go change?" Then seemingly answering his own question with a nod of the head. "I think I should go change."

[Valen Alysworth]

"That I am, but it'd be rude not to break my fast, at least." Valen grinned. He wasn't going to wear out his welcome, of course...but why hurry out? He liked these two, and as expected, the Montrose household provided an excellent table.

"Besides, with a chance to get to know both of you, in the light of da...aayyy...?" he looked up, as Gilys made his way in, and blinked. The pure drama and pageantry of the fellow was quite striking! He allowed himself a second to enjoy the entertainment, and then gave Gilys a friendly wave.

"As you like, man!" he laughed, making a welcoming gesture. "Don't put yourself out on my account - it's all the same to me." and it wasn't empty talk. Valen was the type who preferred not to stand on ceremony.

[Gilys Haven]

Gilys appeared stuck in his own whirlwind of ridiculous, just barely waiting for Valen to finish his reply, seemingly having already made up his mind on the matter. "I think I'm going to go change." At least he was consistent in his sentence structure although his voice noticeably raised an octave or two. Spinning on his heels and promptly marching straight out the room and back to his, Gilys was gone as quickly as he'd arrived.

[Valen Alysworth]

Blink, blink.

Valen turned to the others, still a bit stunned at the coming and going of the living drama whirlwind.

"Who is that? Kin to you, I imagine."

[Gwilym Haven]

"That would be our uncle." Gwilym said and shrugged. "Sometimes it's best to ignore him. Very pompous." He tapped softly on the table with his knuckle, then returned to his previous line of thought.

"Stay as long as you want, I just...don't want to trouble you." He smiled. "I'm not one known for making trouble. Only of the Havens can be that." He looked over at his sister.

[Myfanwy Haven]

Gilys blew into the room, realized that he was insufficiently garish and showy, and fled again before eyes could rest a moment longer on his merely flamboyant attire. Efa supposed everyone had some kind of reputation to safeguard. Whatever she thought of her uncle's, clearly it meant something to him.

"It's true," Efa replied. "Someday perhaps I'll be a docile homebody like my big brother. Maybe I'll take up spinning."

She picked up the piece of bread she'd chosen and tore a chunk out of it with her teeth.

[Valen Alysworth]

"If you'd been the sort to sit quietly and enjoy a peaceful evening, I'd have never ended up here." he told Gwylim, with a grin. He ate with relish, not shy about enjoying himself. A look at Efa, then.

"And if you were the docile, wilting type...I'd not be so glad to have stayed."

[Myfanwy Haven]

Was he flirting with her still? Did he want to bed the entire family, then?

Efa didn't much like the sound of that. Even if she'd been in the habit of picking up strange playmates, she would not have chosen to share one with her brother.

"You're an ambitious one," she told him frankly. "Tired of the low-hanging fruit already?"

[Valen Alysworth]

"Each taste has its virtues and delights, Sira." he answered, honestly. As if to demonstrate, he picked out to quite different fruits from the table, adding both to his plate. "One needn't grow bored with one to have a taste for the other. Indeed, variety adds pleasure to life, don't you find?"

He quirked an eyebrow, giving her a lazy-morning smile.

[Gilys Haven]

Gilys made his return, fully dressed for the day which meant dressing as loudly as his personality dictated, in bright colors but most especially those of House Haven, pink! Stopping in the entrance way to puff his chest before a short sigh of relief and wide smile, "That's better."

[Valen Alysworth]

Upon another look at the man, Valen decided that he was delighted to meet this fellow, who proved able to provide endless amusement with no effort at all.

He gave a lazy wave, but scooted over a bit, inviting the bloke to sit next to him.

"You're Lord Haven's cousin, then." By way of introduction.

[Gilys Haven]

And never one to turn down an invitation, Gilys took Valen up on the silent gesture and sat, while correcting the man's false assumption, "Uncle actually." Smiling wide before continuing with the introduction. "Gilys Haven."

[Valen Alysworth]

"Well met, Gilys Haven." an easy smile, reaching a big for bread to slather with fresh butter. "Are you enjoying the island, so far? Have you gotten to see much of it?"