(7:10:57 PM) Tim: There's a knight.  A big knight.  Six and nearly a half feet of brawny, broad-shouldered, red-headed, clear-faced knight in dark-blue armor and a Sirrolanti tabard, with a tower shield and a spear leaning against the table as he finally gets the chance to relax and read for a bit.  Looking one way, looking the other, he finally digs the little, tattered book of fairytales out, lays it on the...
(7:10:58 PM) Tim: ...table, and smooths the pages before turning to his favorite story.  Nobody can know about this, a hotblooded young man like him has better things to do than read, right?
(7:11:16 PM) Tim: *table in the kitchen
(7:15:52 PM) Tim: He actually has a surprisingly athletic build, a lot of knights just focus on being as meaty as they can, but he makes a point of running every day in his armor, to stay fit and muscular.  It's better for you~
(7:24:46 PM) SeianVerian: Another day, another... Well, just another day. For Seiri, at least. It wasn't as if a young noble girl like herself had anything to do. No, doing things was for the -commoners-. ...Instead, she was bored. Studying got old eventually, and, well, there was only so much to be done to amuse oneself.
(7:24:46 PM) SeianVerian:  She was too old for children's games after all, and the only others around right now were servants anyway. Hardly worth spending much time with. Still, she supposed she had earned a break... Perhaps a light snack would do. So, the young girl went in the direction of the kitchens. Surely there would be a cook that would make her something.
(7:24:46 PM) SeianVerian: ...Except, there weren't. No one seemed to be around. Was there some event that she had not been informed of? The staff were supposed to be prepared to serve at all times! Seiri found herself being required to actually enter the kitchen herself to search... The only person she saw hardly looked like he should be in the kitchen. Why would one of the knights be here?
(7:24:46 PM) SeianVerian: No matter, he no doubt held allegiance to her father, so he could serve well. Seiri opened her mouth, about to demand that he find her something to eat... But then she stopped. Was he reading? The man hardly looked to be of noble birth... "You!" she demanded. "What are you doing with that book? Who taught you to read?" Straight to the point.
(7:30:49 PM) Felson: "Milady!" The entire table goes over on its back with a crash, spilling spear, shield, and helmet onto the ground.  As the lattermost of these militant items rolls across the floor nearly to her boot, his face turns nearly as red as his hair, and he dives to hurriedly snatch up the precious, albeit tattered, book and hastily shove it back into the little pack he carries things in while in...
(7:30:51 PM) Felson: ...armor.  He pulls himself to his feet, nearly dragging the table onto its size in the process, and snaps off a crisp salute well above her head level, "I...it...I mean...my mother, she...she worked at the church, as a girl, and they taught her, miss-er, ma'am!"
(7:31:04 PM) Felson: Up close, he only looks a bit older than her, if that.
(7:37:26 PM) Felson: He fumbles the book, and ends up holding it behind his back.
(7:43:33 PM) Seiri: ...This is just sad. Really, really sad. Seiri shakes her head and sighs. Truly her father's knights could not be in such a condition as this, could they? She crosses her arms as she waits for him to stand up again, and eventually speaks when there's a  pause that isn't in the middle of a word.
(7:43:33 PM) Seiri: "Cease your stuttering. It's beneath you. Regardless, that is quite sufficient explanation. Of course, you do know that you shall have to set the table back, yes?" She notices his arms are behind his back. "Do you think me so low as to steal your belongings? Come now. Though, to fear that must mean it is important to you... Is there a story behind that book?"
(7:43:33 PM) Seiri: True, the life's story of a commoner might not normally be worthy of her ears... Still, it was intriguing. And he was a knight, at least, so he was a bit above the rabble. Able to read, no less!
(7:49:11 PM) Felson: He picks up the table one-handed, flips it over, and sets it back down, dropping the book onto it, "Well, it's mine.  I'm sorry, milady, it was a gift...my family thought I'd want something to read on guard duty." His blush is rapidly fading, tilting his head a bit to the side frankly as he looks at her, taking her in.  He'd never really noticed her before.  Seen her, sure, but that was...
(7:49:12 PM) Felson: ...different, from a distance or through the slit of his visor.  Amazing what you can miss in those things, "I'm afraid it's probably too boring for a girl like you, right?" He smiles brightly, working a boot beneath the haft of his spear, and kicking it up into his hand.
(7:52:41 PM) Felson: He slings it over his shoulders, wrapping his arms up around it, casually.
(8:01:00 PM) Seiri: Seiri blinks at the ease with which the young man flips the table. So that's why he's a knight. Of course, her father would never have recruited a useless buffoon. Still, it was odd, in that none of the other knights she'd seen were nearly so young. Or so... Well, were he a royal knight rather than one of House Telveris, she might almost have thought him nobility. Nothing like those fops that thought to be her suitors either...
(8:01:00 PM) Seiri: But no, such thoughts were quite inappropriate. He was above the rabble, and worthy of notice, but little more. She focused back on what he was saying. "I see. So long as you do not shirk your duties, I see no problem with such a thing." Even if he had not asked for permission, she was giving it.
(8:01:00 PM) Seiri: "Perhaps not. Even the least of scribes is more than a peasant. Any book is worth looking at... Still, since you already know some of it, perhaps you could tell me a bit?"
(8:09:24 PM) Felson: He shrugged, "It's a sin to bore a woman, but...well...they're just fairy tales.  I like them." He coughs, looking a bit embarassed, "They're what made me want to become a knight in the first place.  Working on a farm all day, you start to think it would be glorious to slay monsters and wield magic swords, or rescue a beautiful princess." He smiles crookedly, picking up his shield and...
(8:09:26 PM) Felson: ...stepping over to her, leaning down to retrieve his helmet as well, taking the chance to smile at her as he sets it in the crook of his arm, "Rest assured, I'll guard you with my life and soul." He bows, "And...well, if you think they'd be interesting, I don't mind sharing them with you."
(8:16:48 PM) Seiri: "Hm... Well, so long as fantasies do not impede reality, I suppose there's little shame in that. Clearly you are still accomplished enough to have earned your knighthood... I'm actually rather surprised I hadn't heard tale of how that took place already." She actually returns the smile, slightly, though involuntarily. The man is hardly unpleasant to be around...
(8:16:48 PM) Seiri: "Well, I should hope there would be no enemies that  I would require guarding from. Still, it is good to know you are prepared. ...As for the tales, I find myself rather intrigued. If you find them so inspiring, it can hardly cause harm to understand them."
(8:24:05 PM) Felson: "Well, when I went to join up, I still had my clothes on from the farm.  I didn't really have anything clean, so I just wore what I'd been wearing when I heard they were looking for soldiers.  I'd been cleaning out the pigsty, so I looked a mess, and the recruiter made fun of me for it, and asked what I could possibly do to be useful...so I told him I could lift a pig over my head, and throw...
(8:24:06 PM) Felson: ...it the distance from his station to the pond nearby.  He was laughing at me until I threw him in."
(8:24:35 PM) Felson: "Everything after that was training and learning how to fight properly."
(8:25:26 PM) Felson: He finds himself still smiling.  For a noble girl, she's really...not bad either.  Certainly pretty, although the word doesn't do a girl like her justice.  Lovely, maybe?  Yeah, lovely.
(8:26:09 PM) Felson: *until I picked him up and threw him in."
(8:29:47 PM) Seiri: "That's a... Fascinating little story." Except not. Seiri doesn't actually look or sound impressed, she's just kind of going through the motions. ...Well, no, she actually is sort of impressed at his strength. It's more the thought of cleaning out the pigsty, and the rest, that draws out the urge to treat the man like a peasant.
(8:29:47 PM) Seiri: ...Then again, he did get through the knights' training, and to lack faith in the knights is to lack faith in her father... With that in mind, her attitude rises sharply again, and though her smile had faltered, it comes back. "I'm sure one of your strength, with all the training of a knight, shall be a great boon to us if those skills ever become needed." The compliment actually is rather genuine, and rather more heartfelt than the words would suggest.
(8:29:47 PM) Seiri: "Now, about those stories..."
(8:32:59 PM) Seiri: *and rather more heartfelt than the words would suggest.
(8:37:27 PM) Felson: "Well, I'm not proud of getting that angry, but for knighthood...it's worth it." He shrugs, "But...you're being too generous to me, asking me about my life, when I've been so rude and forgotten my manners." He sets his spear down, and dips into a crisp bow, "Sir Felson, in service to House Telveris, at your service."
(8:37:52 PM) Felson: "...Obviously." He winks.
(8:43:43 PM) Seiri: Seiri simply nods in acknowledgement. "I am Seiri Telveris, daughter of Duke Garyn Telveris." No doubt he knew that already, but there was little point in remarking on that. "You may stand."
(8:48:35 PM) Felson: "Thank you, milady."  He does so, "Seiri?  It's a musical name, I like it." He takes the book off the table, dusting it off, "Well, I could tell you about the stories, if you want.  Or you could borrow it, if it isn't too plain for you  'The Firebird' is my favorite."
(8:52:31 PM) Seiri: "My parents have impeccable taste. Of course my name would be no less than musical~" She's way too proud about such a small thing, even if it's not directly herself she's proud of. "As for the stories... If it indeed is no trouble to you, I believe I shall borrow it. That way, if Mother comes to check on me, I'll at least still be reading a book..."
(8:52:31 PM) Seiri: She claps her hands to her mouth. Had she actually let that slip? No no, she must not let herself be seen as slacking. "Er, I, that is..." She can't seem to make up a proper excuse for that tiny little slip. As it is, her compusure is very rapidly being lost
(8:56:59 PM) Felson: He raises his eyebrows, unable to help smiling at her pride, "Ah.  So...you being here is a secret, then?" The smile turns into a grin, "Alright.  I won't tell anyone, milady...you have my word as a knight."
(9:00:13 PM) Seiri: "W-well, um... Yes." Seiri admits sheepishly. "I had merely intended to get a light snack before returning to my studies, but sometimes I do need a break. I don't know how the writing gets so small..." Oddly, she's almost a bit more at ease than normal now.
(9:04:39 PM) Felson: There's something wrong, horribly wrong, about her being so cute.  Of course, that's inappropriate, but...he smiles, "It's fine to take a break and rest, you won't do anything just tiring yourself out.  You don't have to be embarrassed about it.  Although you'll probably deny it, and that's fine too." He put the book into her smaller hands.
(9:05:03 PM) Felson: "It must be stressful."
(9:33:46 PM) Seiri: "I... Oh, I can't even hope to deny it. Mother simply wants me to be used to incredibly strict schedules, saying that I won't have nearly so much time free as I do now when I grow up." She still actually was embarrassed about it, and her cheeks were flushed red. "I just do want to live up to her expectations. And of course, as heiress to this House, I must act as an example to the people..."
(9:33:46 PM) Seiri: ...She realizes now that she's revealed far too much. She shouldn't be getting so familiar with a servant, even a knight. "A-ah, anyway, if you'll excuse me, I think I'll return to my studies now..." She reaches for the book, and lays her hand on it. "Ah... Where are your quarters, so I might return the book when I have finished with it?"
(9:36:07 PM) Felson: "East wing of the castle, in the knights' quarters.  Third door down, it's the one with a dented handle.  By the way...you have a nice smile, especially when you blush.  You should show it more often."
(9:38:54 PM) Felson: "And...if you want to get away again...do you ever sneak out onto the castle roof?  There's a little closed-off turret up there, I don't think anybody knows about it, and it's been blocked off for years.  I take food up there sometimes to watch the sunset.  You can get out through one of the library windows, and walk along a pretty safe section of roofing, I think, but I'd take the third...
(9:38:55 PM) Felson: ...floor western corridor, the one nobody uses.  The stairwell door on the end is locked, but I pulled the hinges out, so you can just pull it open and put it back when you're done." He smiled at her, giving her the book.
(9:39:56 PM) Felson: "Next time you want to take a break."
(9:41:28 PM) Seiri: Seiri didn't have the heart to reprimand Felson for speaking with such familiarity, and giving her the compliments. ...Nor for the advice on how to get away. "U-um... Thank you. I'll remember that." She takes the book, still blushing. "W-well, good day." She turns to leave, having entirely forgotten her hunger.
(9:43:42 PM) Felson: "I'll be seeing you then, milady...Seiri." He picks up his spear and shield, to depart the kitchen via the other door.