The Jousts! (9/19, All Day, Open to All, read ooc note)

[Victor Castell]

[ooc note: This event goes on all day. We'll start with the final eight. I'd like the match rpers to rp all eight matches of round one at the same time to make this go faster. Spectators can rp watching whichever match they chose, or more than one. Just have fun with it.]


The jousts had gone all for most of the day and Victor had watched this time instead of participate. As the Lord of the bride he felt his presence in the lists would be too much, although Matthias had decided to ride. He glanced along the stands again as they waited for the next match to begin. Darryn Etny was to joust against Sir Cassius Rinaldo of House Rivers. Only sixteen were left, including his cousin Lexington. Victor hoped his cousin would pull out a win for the pride of House Castell.

He glanced at the occupants of his box. Celeste and Evelyn had joined him, along with his steward and a few guards. The rest - Donovan, Larson, and Lexington - were busy participating or practicing for their own events. The archery preliminaries were that afternoon as well, with the top ten archers winning a spot in the finals tomorrow morning. And Loralynn had vanished off to the Letalis box to visit with Regina.

Along the bleachers a box had been set up for each of the provinces houses, with canopies to shield the high lords and ladies from the heat of the sun. The rest of the bleachers were filled with pages and squires and banner lord and their servants, all who'd come to watch the knights as they pounded down the tilt. There was even standing room for the commoners who'd slipped away from their daily lives to indulge in the rare opportunity for the holiday of the King's visit and their Province Lord's wedding.

[Darryn Etny]

Darryn had ridden well in the morning jousts, well enough to finally approach Rhiannon Severne to ask her favor. He tugged on the reins of his horse and guided him at a slow trot to where the Severne's box sat along the bleachers. He shouldn't have been nervous, but he was. He'd heard nothing back from House Severne to indicate they'd accepted his offer, nor had he heard any words of denial either. Perhaps he needed to approach her himself, something he'd been avoiding. Asking for her hand had felt strange, and now as he looked up at her, he realized asking for her favor would feel odd as well.

Still, he was determined to try. If she denied him, then perhaps he'd have his answer.

"Lady Rhiannon," he called out to get her attention. "You look ever so beautiful today. Before I ride I would ask for your favor for this match."

[Loralynn Drake]

Loralynn had opted for the Letalis box for two reasons. The first was that she was truly delighted that Regina had finally joined them again. She'd been sad when Rosalie had informed her that the Letalis twin had gone back home. Half the women at court were irritating, like the Ashpool sisters and the Sterlyn girls, and the banner ladies like Amelie Mallory who thought too highly of themselves. Regina, on the other hand, was deserving of Loralynn's attentions.

"I'm so glad you're back," she gushed, turning to Regina during the lull between matches. "I know I've probably said that a dozen times already, but you have no idea how true it is. These Ashpool girls are just.." she mimicked a shudder with her shoulders. "They have no manners and no understanding of how to be a proper lady. I cannot wait to get out of here and head back home. I do hope you plan to attend the King's wedding this winter though. Victor had assured us we'll be traveling again for that one. I swear at this rate we'll never relax. I should come visit Joqua and take a vacation." And stay as far away from Gabriel Drake as possible.

[Regina Ambrosios]

Regina greeted Loralynn with a warm smile. If she left the court again she would have to make sure to make arrangements to stay in touch with this one- there was a sad shortage of interesting conversation to be had lately.

She laughed but made a sympathetic face as her friend described the ladies of Ashpool. "They really are that bad? I was hoping it was just first impressions, or perhaps I was in a bad mood. But yes, I'll be at the king's wedding. But I confess I am not looking forward to winter. I'll probably flee back to the south as soon as I can afterward- you should come along! I would love for you to stay with us at the palace. I'll throw you a proper island ball, even. And best of all it will be warm."

She glanced at the crowd around them. "I feel I've been gone for years- it seems as if I've missed entire lifetimes worth of gossip. And I'm terribly disappointed not to hear some dreadful rumor about my own disappearance. Couldn't anyone at least have whispered I was dying of some foreign plague?"

[Cassandra Brynn Rivers]

"You look ridiculous," Olivia said, her eyebrows arched in that telling 'I'm furious' angle. She even had the crease in the center of her forehead. So rare for the usually laid-back woman. "They'll spot it right away. You look so small."

"Well I can't pad it," she grunted out. "It's far too dangerous that way. Besides... it's an advantage, is it not? My target is much bigger."

"You're going to get yourself killed. Don't forget who your lord is here."

"And don't forget who you serve," Cassandra warned.

"Did you get everything right?" Olivia asked, stepping forward to appraise her. "When Lord Castell discovers this, and he will, remember that I had nothing to do with this."

"You didn't."

Helm now in place and with no hope of anybody seeing any part of her that would give away her true identity, she rode out to where the match was being held. She'd given a convincing story to the Castells about how she was feeling ill and would not be able to attend the tournament herself, but to please give her favor to Sir Rinaldo. It was such a chore keeping up with the appearance, and should she happen to do well, it'd be a hard lie. She'd have to beat all of them back to the castle, get back into her sleeping clothes, and pretend to have spent the entire day expelling her insides into the nearest chamber pot.

[Rhiannon Severne]

Rhiannon paused. She didn't know yet, she still didn't know. It had been too soon, she had only found out the day before and here he was, asking for her favor.

She looked down at the floor of the Severne box, not knowing what to say. She still barely knew the boy, after all, nothing had changed that. "I - No decision has been made." She tried to say, only to him, it was frightening at this juncture to have the whole stadium looking at her. But their box was secure enough that no one else should hear her words except Darryn. Better not to tell the boy the she had the decision in her hands, at least then she could avoid scorn if it did not work out. Scorn or something worse.... "We are not betrothed..." She didn't want to say no outright, she intended to give him a shot just like she told Theo she would. But she didn't want him getting the wrong idea about this. She wasn't just going to fall into his arms because he said she was pretty. She was far to wizened for that now.

[Eli Ainsley]

Eli wiped his face clean of sweat with the back of his hand, still sitting atop his mount. His helmet was resting on his lap, and his horse was prancing in excitement from the day as Eli's gaze cast out over the arena. He had done well that day; exceptionally well. And it was hard not to take pride in that fact, as Eli loved to win. But more importantly, this was a change of pace for him, being off the island and enjoying participating in all these social events. Well, it was more for Province Lords to boast over the talent of their champions or bannermen, but still. When he heard of the joust, it was no question in Eli's mind that he would participate, representing House Letalis.

Glancing up into the stands, Eli scanned the crowd for the noble boxes. He had watched earlier as many a young man went forth to ask for the favor of the various noblewomen (and not often getting the reception they imagined.) Eli's thoughts were disrupted by the blowing of the horn, signal for the next round of jousts to assemble and wait in line.

Well, perhaps it was the appropriate thing to do. Eli didn't want to seem smug.

Eli put his horse into pace towards the Letalis box, clicking his tongue softly to signal her stop when they reached their destination. His helmet still removed, Eli placed one hand over his heart, glancing up into the seats. Lady Regina was present, seated next to a rather beautiful woman he wasn't sure he'd ever seen before. She was a dark beauty with an interesting smirk. Eli nodded his head in her direction, giving her a quick wink before returning his attention to Regina.

"Lady Regina," he spoke, his deep voice reverberating through their spectator box, jovial but respectful, "I have been sporting very well, today, and with the assurance of my skill at the joust, I would ask for your favor as I enter my next round. Any man would be honored by your blessing, but none more so than I."

[Hadwyn Curtenay]

Hadwyn was ridiculously pleased with himself today. He loved nothing more than a good competition, and here was two full days of it! He'd gone ahead and signed himself up for everything. Really, what did he have to lose? Well, a few competitions, but he certainly wasn't planning on doing that.

In this round, he was going up against Lord Tresson, who he hadn't met before. He certainly looked capable, but who knew? Everyone in this final round had dispatched with many a knight and Lord on their way up. Hadwyn was confident in his skill, at least in this event.

The only problem was, he had to ask for someone's favor. Now, despite the fact that he was looking, he hadn't managed to catch anyone's eye in court as of yet. Sure, he knew some of the girls from the island, but... well, not well enough, and why not just ask his sister? It'd be easier.

So he went dramatically over to where House Leiham was placed in the bleachers. His sister was covered completely by a parasol, but she smiled when she saw him approach.

"Lady Leiham, may I have the honor of carrying your favor in this next round?"

Lorrella leaned over to him and said quietly, clearly teasing as she did so. "What, dear brother, no ladies have caught your eye?"

"They were all overshadowed by your beauty. And your belly, growing larger by the day. Shouldn't your dear husband be off practicing so that I can kick his arse in archery later on?"

"Oh we shall see about that, won't we? But," she cleared her throat, speaking a little louder so that the rest of the crowd would be able to hear if they so wished, "you are granted my favor! For now, at least."

[Evangeline Drake]

Although the Drakes had their own seating, Evangeline chose to sit with the Ashpool girls in their section for the tournament. Gabriel was either practicing or preparing to participate, and her older sister was off doing who knew what. At least, this way, she would have some company. Wedged between Aurelia and the wall, Evangeline rested her elbows on the edge of the stands in front of her, letting her long arms dangle off the ledge. For a moment, the young woman turned her face upwards, relishing the warmth of the sun of this particularly warm day, feeling its rays soak into her skin.

Glancing over at Aurelia, Evangeline hoped that the girl would be in a better mood today. Never really close with anyone, except perhaps Gabriel on their good days, Evangeline nevertheless spent a great deal of time in the Ashpool household, not just of late. So inevitably she struck up flimsy friendships with the numerous women who called the castle in Vadra home, and although none of them stood out as particularly fascinating people, Evangeline felt most akin with Aurelia, whom, although a little more brash than Evangeline, was pleasant and not annoying company. At least the two had shared a few laughs in their days... and more than one mischievous situation, here and there. Aurelia, out of all the sisters, was definitely the most fun.

Still, Aurelia had been in a rather bad mood for the past few days, and it wasn't hard to tell. Evangeline didn't bother to ask; that wasn't their type of relationship, and besides, if Aurelia wanted to tell her, she would. So instead, Evangeline returned her gaze to the arena and the various participants scattered about, keeping an eye out for a friend or two she had missed catching up with upon arrival.

[Loralynn Drake]

"They are worse than I could ever state! They have filthy mouths and no manners. They argued with Evelyn at the tea she hosted, intending to be clear she was not welcome in their home, when she is soon to be the lady of the House. The Severnes were never so uncouth. In fact, Fallon was so welcoming I became her sister!" Her voice betrayed a sense of shock that the Ashpool's could be so horrendous, but clearly she'd expected it. "The only one worth talking to is Sommara, although I can't speak for their cousins, as they weren't on the tour. Sommara at least acts polite. I think she might be shy a few brains, but at least she speaks sweetly. The rest I advise you to avoid."

The conversation flowed so easily with Regina! Loralynn smiled at the thought of a southern summer, until the realization of her future struck her. "My lord cousin has been so kind to offer my hand to Lord Gabriel Drake. Note the thrill in my voice. That man has even far fewer manners. I am beginning to believe the entire province of Sanka is nothing but uncultured swine."

She could have gone on, but just then a man didn't know rode up to speak to Regina.

[Darryn Etny]

Darryn could only smile. "My lady, I requested your hand yesterday. Today I'm only asking for a token of good luck. I would ride far better in this match if you would but grant me this small favor." So Theodoric had told Rhiannon at least of his request. He wasn't sure how the province lord would go about deciding an answer. Darryn knew he'd come early, but his brother was depending on him to succeed. He could only imagine how many more fights Toryn and Yaryn had had over the fate of Rosalind.

He gazed up at her waiting. If she denied him, those around her would know; the others sharing the Severne box. His Lord Theodoric Severne and his lady wife, along with the soon to be queen, Fallon Severne. His would be the embarrassment, but he supposed to ask was worth the risk. At least Rhiannon could see that he was willing to try.

[Aurelia Whitstone]

Aurelia was only here because she had to be. Matthias was riding in the jousts, and had done well enough to make the top sixteen. She loathed the thought of watching him go again and again, yet if he lost he might return to their box and she'd have to sit beside him. If he won, he did it for Evelyn Castell. Aurelia couldn't help but glance over to the Castell box, daggers flashing in her eyes as she looked upon the newest object of Matthias' affection. She still couldn't understand the change in him. He'd gone from professing his love to proposing to Evelyn. Aurelia had decided that night was only for his amusement, the fire in his eyes the results of acting like none she'd ever seen.

She pulled her eyes back to her own box. Evangeline was sitting on one side of her, Lyneth to the other. "Boys and their toys," she muttered, waving at hand toward the lanes. She'd been too angry to carry on much of a conversation, even with two women who's presence was actually enjoyable. "Really, are you two enjoying these matches at all? I'd rather sneak away and fine a bottle of wine and a basket of bread, then watch another lance splinter across another knight's chest." Unless... maybe Matthias would be unhorsed? Oh, how she'd love to see that!

[Stevon Tresson]

Find a woman and ask for her favor!

Jaxon had been clear on his orders. But Stevon hardly knew anyone in the crowds and he doubted his brother would be happy if Stevon ignored the command. Traditionally knights waited until after the round robins to ask for favors, once they'd secured their seeding in the final sixteen bracket. Stevon had been dreading the moment. He'd half given thought to losing enough matches not to score enough points to place in the top sixteen. But his knightly pride was too strong and in the end, he'd unhorsed many opponents even at his young age.


He looked out over the crowds that rose on both sides of the tilt. There were boxes for the high lords and bleachers filled with people he didn't know. As his eyes scanned over the blur of faces, one thought came to mind. He could ask Rowan! She'd been nice to him a few days before, and surely asking her would satisfy Jaxon. He urged his horse forward toward her, pulling up just beneath their box. "Lady Rowan," Stevon called out, lifting his helm so she could see her face. "This is my first tournament, and I.. I hoped. Well, I thought you might grant me your favor."

[Lyneth Ashpool]

Lyneth frowned. It was getting terribly boring. All day jousting, then tomorrow, nearly the day filled with the sword competitions and the archery finals. If only she could afford to sneak away, but no, they were the hosts here, it wouldn't be proper. And then, worst of all, the wedding the day after that - ugh. What a spectacle that would be. She still could not believe with the tragedy that had occurred, they still had to be stuck with Evelyn Castell. She saw Aurelia glance over at the Castell box, and it pained her.

"I wonder what must go on in men's brains that they are entertained by such things," Lyneth pondered in response. Surely not a lot. She fanned herself with the fan she had brought, it was certainly warm that day. "At least outdoors we can be somewhat cooler. Without the canopy I surely would have fainted already." She looked out towards the bleachers. How terrible it must be down there.

[Rex]

Rex merely rolled his eyes, watching Eli ask for Regina's favor. By the gods, he had to bite his tongue to keep from outright laughing. Eli was close to home and he knew Regina wouldn't deny him the favor. He was, after all, a trusted and devoted knight of House Letalis and a good man, as far as Rex was concerned. And not very many men fell into that category.

"Lord Castell did what?" Rex asked, leaning back to see past Regina, who sat between himself and Loralynn. Drake? The man from the feast that one night? Rex near about laughed again. By the gods, it was so very entertaining!

[Cesar Ayala]

The day was sweltering, but for a citizen of the south the heat was nothing unaccustomed. Cesar felt no more discomfort than he would have back home in Chrysa. He was thoroughly enjoying himself and had more than a faint hope he might actually emerge the victor at the end of the day. The first of his tilts had seen him easily unseating his opponents and he was readying himself now for another, this time against some knight of House Lennox, Sir Taywin Bard. A man unknown to him, beyond the image seen through Cesar’s visor as he assessed the knight just now bringing his steed into the lane. Cesar gripped his lance, making a minute adjustment to its angle and assuring himself it was secured in its cradle.

Concentrating on his approach, Cesar did not at this moment spare a thought for his wife and son who were even now in all probability leaning forward in their seats in the Castell box. Earlier, he had deposited a very unhappy Felix into Mags’s lap, smiling at his son’s protests. Felix would much have preferred to stay with Cesar all day, and the squires and grooms who were attending to his two chargers and endless amounts of equipment. Mags might have enjoyed it better as well. She hadn’t seemed exactly thrilled that Cesar had brought the boy with him to Vadra. But his own father had started requiring Cesar to attend court functions at an even earlier age. It was high time his heir began learning how to behave properly amongst his peers. The chance to see a tournament had the child in a slightly hyper state – his enthusiasm, even his stubbornness, had made Cesar laugh. His place, though, was in their liege’s box , representing House Ayala along with his mother, as Cesar was representing it on the field of honor.

The flag was dropped and Cesar’s horse moved forward at the slightest of urging from his legs. The warm blooded charger was lighter, faster than some of the cold bloods the other competitors were riding. It was not so much a conscious choice of speed over strength, but more an outcome of the heat of Chrysa. The lighter horse fared better in the semi-arid environment. The chestnut stallion leapt forward and knew its job well. Carrying Cesar at increasing speed towards Sir Bard, its instincts for where he wanted it to place him, along with subtle cues from is legs, guiding it. Cesar tightened his grip on the lance and prepared for the coming impact.

With a resounding crash that reverberated through the lists, they met, the tip of Cesar’s lance connecting dead on with the armor over Sir Bard’s chest. The knight’s lance was not as well placed, striking Cesar in the area between the chest and shoulder and sliding off onto his left arm. The adrenalin pumping through his body was enough for the inevitable pain from the hit to be held at bay for the moment and Cesar maintained his forward momentum, holding his lance true. Sir Bard went flying, his arms at an almost ridiculous angle to his body, looking like some huge, awkward silver bird. A great thud announced his introduction to the iron hard ground beneath them. As he continued to move past where his opponent he landed, the knight fell out of Cesar’s restricted line of vision. His horse of its own accord began to slow and by the time they had reached approximately the spot where Sir Bard had started his charge, it ambled to a stop. Cesar let the lance rest easily in its cradle, picked up the reins, turned his horse and removed his helmet. His wife’s brightly colored scarf fluttered from its crest as it sat in his lap. He lokked to the Castell box and lifted a hand in salute, smiling to see Felix hopping up and down and apparently yelling his head off.

[Magdalena Ayala]

What a boring afternoon, Magdalena thought. She hated nothing more than these tournaments, it seemed endless. And tomorrow, she'd have to do the same thing. At least they got asked by the Castells to sit in their box, with the canopy. After spending most of the tournament trying to calm Felix down (she was glad to see her son again, but really, it would have suited her far better if he had stayed in the room today - this was no place for a child), she finally laid back, closed her eyes, sighed and left Teoda to the task. Thank goodness she and Teoda had always gotten along. She understood. Magdalena supposed Cesar was similar as a child.

Teoda was on the end, Felix was in between them, and the Castells were all to Magdalena's other side. Maybe now she could actually get some adult conversation in. Ugh. Oh, wait, Cesar had won. Felix was yelling his head off. Magdalena got up and clapped, cheering herself. At least if Cesar won, it might not be a totally worthless afternoon. She sat back down, as the next group lined up, now, finally, ready for conversation.

[Regina Ambrosios]

She shook her head in mute disapproval as Loralynn railed against the Ashpools. "Well then I suppose that means I shouldn't expect an invitation to tea anytime soon. Island scum and all that- if they're going to hate Evelyn Castell... heavens." Though she laughed softly at the mention of Sommara. She had a distant memory of the girl- they'd met in passing a couple times and she shared Loralynn's view.

But news of Loralynn's hand being offered quite outranked the gossip about the Ashpools. "Lord... who?" Loralynn's words regarding her intended brought to mind dreadful pictures of her own late husband, but before she could ask more she caught sight of Eli Ainsley riding toward the Letalis box and had a moment of confusion that stopped a further reply to Loralynn. Did the knight want to talk to Rex about some point of rules?

She caught Eli's wink at Loralynn, and grinned wickedly at her friend before turning a warm smile to Eli, which stayed in place as he made his request, although her thoughts were racing. Drat it, she hadn't expected to be asked for a favor, and she hadn't even thought to tuck a spare kerchief anywhere, and it was too warm to wear gloves. And of course, it was one of the Ainsleys offering, so there was no way she could refuse without feeling guilty for weeks... Improvising, she untied her lower left sleeve which was richly embroidered in the Letalis colors, and stood to offer it to the knight.

"Sir Eli, your prowess and chivalry have as always been above reproach," she said in ceremonial but affectionate tones as she held out the sleeve, "and I would be most honored if one so gracious would wear my favor this day. You are the greatest knight in my brother's province, and I pray your deserving skill may yet be celebrated by all the realm."

It was fun, wasn't it? Pretty speeches and gestures. Rex was going to torture her with this for weeks, but she couldn't help enjoying it.

[Rhiannon Severne]

She looked down at him. He seemed to understand, and it would be horribly embarrassing for him if she were to refuse. She felt the eyes of Theo, Marilynn and Fallon on her, and him.

"Well, I suppose if you understand that..." She handed him the kerchief that it was customary for women to bring to these events, even though she wasn't expecting anyone to ask for her favor. It wasn't like she had anyone else to root for, right?

[Jaxon Tresson]

It was the fourth joust of the backet, between himself and Hadwyn Curtenay. His foe was nearly half his age, but Jaxon had the experience. He'd been dominating the lists that afternoon with ease, given his twenty years of participating in tournaments. Hadwyn did not scare him, although he'd watched a few of the man's matches. The youth was clearly skilled, but Jaxon was sure he could find a weakness.

His squire handed him his lance and he adjusted it for proper balance. His horse was already impatient to run, and Jaxon was eager as well. At the signal he pushed his horse hard, the stallion pounding down the lists. He lowered his lance and aimed for the chest, going for a safe target for the first pass. Hadwyn appeared to be using a similar strategy, but Jaxon's lance hit the target square on, while Hadwyn's missed over his right shoulder. His lance splintered into a thousand satisfying pieces. He might be old, but he was more than ready to take on this youth.

He dropped the remains of the lance and waited for his squire to hand him another, as he turned his horse around to face his opponent for the next pass.

[Hadwyn Curtenay]

It was a five pass match, so in this case, slow and steady would win it. One point was not that much to overcome. So he bunkered down, taking a similar strategy as the first for the second. Except this time, he planned on hitting. And yes, he did, and Jaxon missed over his shoulder.

Good. All tied up, the match starts anew. This time, he'd aim for the shoulder again - the sort of hit that either gets a point, or, if he's lucky, unhorses Lord Tresson. He could always miss entirely, but he was feeling better about his prospects now. He wasn't going to make the same mistake twice. He hit on this one, but Jaxon stayed true on his horse. Oh well, there was always the next round.

[Darryn Etny]

Darryn reached for the handkerchief and tucked it inside of his armor. "My Lady, I will win this match for you with honor for House Severne." He flashed her one last smile and then turned his horse back to his end of the tilt. Lord Andrew Darsling was on the other end, accepting his lance from his squire, and Darryn quickly did the same.

The horn was sounded and he pounded forward, moving his lance into place, but both man managed to dodge the blows and neither scored a hit. Darryn wheeled around and wasted no time turning to head down the lists again. They would go five times and he wanted more than to unhorse this man for Rhiannon. He lowered his lance and aimed straight for the head and missed for a second time. Andrew's lance glanced off his shoulder but did not break, and both men still had no points. Three rounds to go, plenty of time to slam his lance into the man chest. There was little time to wait, and he urged his horse immediately forward again.

[Rowan Shadowmere]

Rowan had been sitting in the Ashpool box with her cousins and the Drake girls, drifting off into daydreaming. She was seated next to Lyneth, which was a decent enough space between her and Aurelia, and Rowan glanced up into the overpopulated Ashpool reserved seating. She had never realized there were so many of them. Just an entire group reflecting the sun's rays with their overabundance of golden hair.

Stevon's voice calling out to her snapped Rowan out of her reverie, and for a moment she was confused as to why he was in front of her, calling her name. After their lovely stroll the other afternoon, Rowan had been a little bit sure she'd never see him again: obviously something about her presence terrified him. But here he was, on the jousting field, looking rather handsome and.... asking for her favor?

It took all Rowan's might not to laugh, a slight blush rising instantly to warm her face. She knew the knights asked for favors, had seen it happen many times before, to her friends and cousins. She'd even been asked once before herself, at another tournament, but by Matthias, of course, extending his brotherly love. But now a real knight, a man who was actually not her older brother or relative, was before her, asking for her favor. Rowan blushed just a little bit more.

"Well, I... yes, Stevon, it would be my honor to grant you my favor as you enter this joust," she finally spoke, feeling her cousin's eyes upon her back, probably giggling at Rowan's gushing behavior. Reaching out, Rowan handed Stevon a small kerchief with the Ashpool dragon embroidered upon it, the only piece of stitching she created herself that wasn't entirely a disaster.

Her eyes were bright as she smiled at Stevon. "Don't lose it," she said, grinning from ear to ear.

[Rex]

Rex couldn't help but snicker as he watched his sister grant Eli a ... sleeve?! Seriously? Part of her sleeve? Since when did Regina come unprepared?

"Dear twin," Rex started, looking over her clothes before making an obvious effort to stop snickers. "Pirates sail the seas with but one earring in their ear. Is it customary for noblewomen to walk the land with but one sleeve on their arms?"

[Sommara Ashpool]

Sommara had been sitting up above her sisters and cousins. The sun's heat seemed to trickle beneath the canopy and she fanned herself. Damn it, there was a drop of sweat that just rolled down her perfectly rounded breast, disappearing into her cleavage. Eh, that's what she got for having her dresses modified to reveal just a bit more.

In all truth, Sommara was bored and began wishing she'd have brought something to embroider to pass the time. Jousting was so lame, and violent. She had absolutely no interest to watch two idiots try to beat each other off their horses. Sommara calling another human being an "idiot"...? That was scary.

Oooo, a knight caught her eye as he approached, coming towards Rowan, and asking for her favor. Sommara giggled and after Rowan had given her hankie, Sommara leaned in to whisper to her cousin. "Rowan! Hehehehhehe, he was cute!" she nearly squealed in her whisper.

[Lex Castell Rivers]

Lexington was in his element today. Jousting was something he loved, and something he was good at; Lars was good with the sword, Victor was excellent at inspiring and leading, and Don was a pro at being a soldier, and Lex jousted. He'd done well today, too, and was quite pleased with himself. Hell, he even had a shot to win this thing! His excitement was like that of a small boy who'd been given a puppy. He couldn't wait until his next tilt.

Sitting in the lists, he looked across to see his next target and nearly choked. His brother, who always was by his side when he was jousting, looked up questioningly. "I'll explain in a second...I have to go visit our sister, first." Turning his horse, he went to the Letalis box, eyes only on his sister.

"My dear sister, would you be so kind as to grant me your favor in this match? I promise I shall do my best to please you with my victory." He hoped she had been at least been paying a little attention to know who he was jousting next. Sure, she'd give his favor anyhow, but it'd be that much better if she knew he was up to tilt against Jean Tristan next. And oh, the pain that man would find himself in once Lex was done with him.

[Regina Ambrosios]

Regina laughed as she turned to Rex. He wasn't the only Letalis with bravado, and Regina knew the swiftest way to ridicule was to act as if you deserved it. Besides she had an answer at the ready: "It should be custom, for it is to honor a knight whose worth is dearer than that of a handkerchief. As a knight risks his life, so a lady should for his sake at the very least risk her fashion, and not some trinket easily forgotten, lest her champion should likewise prove as fleeting."

She grinned, and pitched her voice lower, so only Rex and perhaps Loralynn would hear. "Anyway, you should hope it catches on, my twin. Just think: if enough champions ask a lady for her favor she might soon be down to her chemise? You'd be a sight more fond of tourneys."

[Eli Ainsley]

Eli laughed at Regina's quick quips to silence Rex's taunts, enjoying the jeering banter between brother and sister. Of course he knew she would accept; while it would be rude not to, Eli had been watching over the safety of both heirs to the Letalis seat for so long he could barely remember, only being a few years older than the pair. While he was but a knight and they the children of the Province Lord, Eli shared a unique friendship with the two, less strict than that of lord and servant.

"My Lord, I am honored the Lady Regina wishes to bestow upon me the favor of her sleeve. I suppose she hopes I do not aim to continuing this winning streak, or else within the next few rounds she'll be hard pressed to find something else to unlace for me." Eli laughed, enjoying the bawdy humor that came with the Letalis family. They were quite an interesting group, he knew, but having basically grown up within their household made Eli appreciate the quirks of the Letalis family perhaps more than others.

"My Lady," Eli once more regarded Regina, holding her discarded sleeve up to his lips briefly as if were a treasured prize, before moving to tuck it into the breastplate of his armor, "you bless me with your favor. May many a knight see Letalis colors and be envious of my good luck charm."

With a grin, Eli donned his helmet once more and nudged his horse into pace towards the awaiting joust lines.

[Evangeline Drake]

Evangeline smiled at Aurelia and Lyneth's griping over the tournament. She herself actually rather enjoyed these sporting events; they were a change of pace, and Evangeline liked the chance of it all, the potential of greatness. You never knew who was going to win or lose.

"I think it's fun," she commented, absently watching the men assemble and saddle up their horses, various attendants running about. "Besides, look at all the eligible, attractive young men we are surrounded by, who are just dying to be bashed with wooden sticks, and face possible maiming by swords, all for our amusement. It's rather romantic in an awfully sadistic way, don't you think?"

Evangeline smiled to herself. The ladies she was chatting with were the last people she'd expect to be concerned about making matches and giving out favors. Well, she wasn't that type either. In that sense, it was perfect.

"Besides, don't you hope some dashing young knight will seek your favor, Aurelia?" Evangeline smirked, knowing her friend would be slightly enraged by such a suggestion.

[Rex]

Rex merely reclined back, glancing from Regina, to Eli and back to Regina again before rolling his eyes. They were both so full of shit that it was laughable, so that's what he did.

"Even if that were the case, dear twin," Rex started, making no attempts to hide his comments or lower his voice. "I think I'd still prefer to give a whore a couple of coppers to strip, rather than risk being beat to hell by a knight with his stick. Well, the peepshow I guess would always be free." He couldn’t help the chuckle that escaped his lips.

Nodding to Eli, Rex watched as the knight left to prepare himself for his upcoming joust. "And if Eli isn't careful, then he might find himself with a codpiece in his hand; I'd be damned if I allow my twin to be stripped down to her chemise for whoever comes asking for the sake of propriety and manners," Rex finished, before glancing back over to Loralynn.

"So, Loralynn, what's this I hear about you and Drake?" he wondered, trying not to laugh about it. By the gods, it was funny! He'd been betrothed to Princess Aurora, and Loralynn found herself with that drab Drake from the feast? Rex definitely came out on top with this deal.