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Corrine discussed her reason for mourning and Richard was quick to respond in a manner he found befitting. Why was there a point in mourning a traitor betrothed or not was unknown to the prince. Sometimes he really disliked the political game behind royalty. One would think the need to be respectful to a person died when they were announced to be a traitor after they were dead. Was it not equally disrespectful to the deceased's country if one were to continue mourning a traitor? As she mentioned not being able to say it better herself the prince shrugged. "Politics can be annoying and confusing all at the same time. It's why I prefer to not bring them into everything I do." Another shrug followed his statement.

The arch-duchess broke off to smell a flower as they had a little bit of small talk. Discussing his family was not something he would normally do with a new acquaintance so for the moment he said nothing on his thoughts of his deceased family nor on why he was in the solarium the day of the old avarician regime's downfall. The woman snapped a bloom off the flowers before beginning to come towards him. Turning to look at the woman he watched with guarded amusement as she drew closer. She placed the bloom on his shoulder before circling him dragging it across his shoulders as she did. Gaze looking towards the ceiling in amusement as Corrine was behind him he let it fall back to her as she came back around.

The arch-duchess mentioned him liking flowers in the right context and he stared at her politely with little emotion save for mild amusement marring his features. A small nod signaled his agreement with the bit about being happy to share the meeting with the woman for the time being. The woman lingered to close to him for a few moments and Richard raised an eyebrow. Watching her move over to a bench and then sit down the prince gave a small smile. If she thought he would not return the small amount of playful and suggestive flirting she had been using on him not moments before then she was mistaken. If that is the way they were playing it now then the prince was more than happy to give as good as he got if not better. He was of hubris after all. He had a certain reputation to uphold.

Sitting next to her as the woman's question was asked the prince considered his answer for a few moments in a thoughtful way. Glancing to his companion for the moment he smiled to her for a few moments before leaning in as if to kiss her on the lips. Stopping mere inches from her lips so the proximity between the two of them was no more than a few inches with each gazing into the other's eyes the man placed his left hand over her hand gently not grasping it yet holding it there all the same. "I would say I always preferred more gentlemanly pursuits my dear lady," Richard said in naught, but a whisper. Bringing his right hand up he touched her cheek gently with the tips of his fingers. "You have a few loose strands... Allow me." Trailing off he let his hand glide to the loose hairs and then moved to tuck them behind her ear. His fingertips tracing her cheek the entire time.

With the strands moved behind her ear Richard let his hand linger on her face for a few minutes still keeping the close proximity before suddenly drawing back and standing up in a single movement. Using his left hand to grasp the hand it was over he pulled her to her feet as well and against him. Grasping her left hand in his right and moving his left to her waist he stepped back expecting her to follow. "So tell me dear lady, what interests to you like to pursue?" Question posed he stepped to the side again expecting her to follow. Dancing with oneself could make you look a tad crazy after all. Spinning the woman in place Richard finished it off by leaning her backwards so she was nearly vertical with the floor his form hovering above her own as the prince lowered his face towards hers, again leaving no more than a few inches between their faces. "Are you enjoying yourself?" The question was posed in a way as if Richard already knew the answer.

A Knight of Justice, joining in more pleasant company...

Alistair was welcomed warmly by the two women in the room. The sight of the General made him somewhat calmer in the presence of these two ladies, introduced as one of his best knights. His face almost turned as red as his eyes as he attempted to take the compliment.

"General you flatter me beyond my station. I am merely a simple knight, nothing more." he replied, trying to remain humble in the eyes of nobility, "Princess, Baroness, it is an an honor and a privilege to meet both of you. My father has oft spoken highly of Prudence and it's people." Millicent gestured for him to sit beside her, and he took the cup he was offered. He normally did not drink, but given the company he was with he would indulge for a bit.

Millicent then remarked that he was "fascinating", to which Alistair shook his head, "Madam, I am far from interesting. I merely obey the orders of my superiors. General Kirios is far more an interesting man than I. Whilst he is battling for the glory of our kingdom, parts of the time I am residing within castle walls protecting the heirs of our nobles. It is both thankless, and somewhat boring I am afraid." he added with a chuckle. His dark red eyes took a moment to analyse the beauty of the two women in his company. He did not desire to linger too long upon the women, lest he insult his honor or their own. Or worse, their husbands. He did not wish to cause a problem between kingdoms that were his fault.

However, to deny their beauty would have been just as insane.

"I have just arrived upon the grounds, here to make sure our future heirs are kept in line." he then stated, "It is such an experience to be among such higher nobility like yourself Princess." he took in the moment in front of him. He was dining with the Princess of Prudence. Not a noble of Prudence. The Princess of Patience. If this was to be expected during his entire time here, he could only imagine what kind of conflicts would occur among the people that lived here.

He decided not to elaborate upon his origins, not wishing to put them off by his demonic nature. Given his last encounter, demons were not exactly a nicely touched upon subject. So he kept his family life out of the conversation until it was asked upon. He may be a demon, but he was still a Greystone. He was still human, despite his inhuman eyes, his heart beat the blood of a man.

A man that was dining with a general, a baroness, and a Princess. Things here were only going to get more interesting by the minute.

OOC: Any problems, let me know

Ashlynn continued to listen to the story the plants had to tell and it saddened her, that so much damage occurred to the nature in this realm. She also was wary of the assassins they told her about. Had they gotten to the line that she so graciously protected for so many years?

Her focus on the flowers were disrupted by a voice, with no beat, tempo or pitch to it. It sent a slight chill down her spine as she turned to look at him. The look of concern that she just recently held vanished completely. "No no, it's okay, I was simply enjoying the beauty of nature. Not to mention, the rain feels nice. It reminds me of home." the hybrid Fae said with a chipper smile. "But, what is a... 'nobildonna'?" Ashlynn asked confusedly. The maid in waiting wasn't familiar with the phrase. Ashlynn observed the man, he noticed that the rain wasn't hitting him, but rather landing just shy of him and rolling off of some invisible barrier. At first Ashlynn was confused, why would someone not want to be enveloped by the embrace of the rain, only to remember, that everyone was not her, and she didn't see the world as others did.

"May I ask of your assistance? she asked the housecarl, to her, he looked like nobility. But that could easily have been because of the nobility of Humility, and how humbly they presented themselves. Ashlynn curtsied and put her fingers to her throat and cleared it. "I am Ashlynn Fairwind of Honesty. I am the maid in waiting to the heir of Honesty and would like to kindly ask if we could come to a mutual friendship, as I am, as far as I can tell, the only citizen of Honesty in this realm. I was separated from my Heir upon arrival.

Ashlynn waited patiently for the Housecarl's response. Ashlynn, not one to show negative emotions, let her only sign show. She fidgeted and played with the silver heart shaped locket that hung from her neck.

"I will never tell a lie, that I can swear by, but if what I say isn't what you seek, then into my words you'll have to peek."

- Ashlynn Fairwind

(OOC: )

Ӄingdom: Avarice
Ɍank: Heiress
Ƚocation: Courtyard - Gazebo
Ⱦhoughts: A war is not won by doing what is right... To win, one must simply do what is necessary....

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Dominique gave the assassin a terse expression, seemingly offended by the notion that she couldn’t ascertain her own toys as she so desired. “As if I could not find my own, Marshal.”

And in less time, no doubt.

She knew that he was teasing; Just as she did in return. But to any passerby the conversation would seem almost threatening. The future Queen of Avarice wasn’t the most warm or welcoming person…There was something about her that seemed very lifeless—All the while being filled with the ability to create. Girls in their younger years would have played with dolls that held a greater range of expression.

The Grand Duchess felt her servant receive her touch; Treating it reverently like the gift that it was. Nothing could be said about her quiet admission…That this world was crushing her—Squeezing her bones until they cracked like thunder.

Still…She couldn’t let anyone see her weakness for long—And she pulled away to dance through the gazebo as if nothing but the wind and rain held her attention. That is, until the first demon darkened the horizon. “Newcomer or not…Common sense should prevail. You are in a castle full of royalty from all the Kingdoms…If you were able to confuse my sovereignty with that of a commoner so easily—A quick death would be a gift.”

“With intuition like that…You’ll not survive a fortnight.”

Fandral interrupted their petty bandying of words, and she paused at the notion that her assassin would kill the demon with a smile. Her head tilted in silent contemplation whilst the beast passed through…Though not before issuing a final statement to her guard. A lingering smile darted across rose colored lips as she glanced at Fandral out of the corner of her eye…Waiting for his response. It was his duty to provide the first line of defense for his Princess…And it seemed that a threat had just been levied against them.

Them. Not he. To threaten the vessel of the Grand Duchess was to threaten the Grand Duchess herself.

The ignorant demon-wretch was mostly forgotten the moment his stench dissipated. The appearance of Alphonse caused her to readjust her stance—Imperious as ever. He greeted her in her native tongue and she waved her hand in the air, moving the conversation along. She didn’t like to get too comfortable…Too complacent here. Despite the fact that the God King was a direct blood relation… She still believed there to be a snake around every corner.

Listening quietly to the Duke’s response to her question about his demonic state she fell into a rather liquid form of motion, walking from one end of the gazebo to the other. It was small enough that it took no more than a few paces…But large enough that she needed to slip around Fandral to get there. “Do you cherish and honor your father, Alphonse?”

The question might have seemed odd….Unless one truly understood her abhorrence for those with demonic blood and afflictions. It had been those types of people that had brought the great Kingdom of Avarice to its knees in the first place. She’d go on a holy war if necessary…It would not happen again. “I hear that...Often with unique and black spell work—The craft is written in to the casters life force…If he hasn’t passed on in my absence from court…Perhaps it is his time.”

It was wise of Alphonse not to repeat the words of his demonic counterpart. It could only cause bodily harm. To him, of course. Her eyes narrowed when he countered her words, her snobbish retort automatic—If insincere. If was all part of the act that was required of her. “Of course that is what I desire. I wouldn’t have spoken as such otherwise.”

She fell silent when he spoke of the Humilitian siblings…Interesting. Her expression deepened for a moment…Almost as if the thought displeased her—Before her countenance smoothed to that of a china doll. “That Alphonse…That is good news indeed.”

“The quicker I can accomplish the tasks my father has laid out for me…The quicker we can return home. Assassins on the loose or not…I have one of the most deadly in my direct service. I hold no fear…Especially not from some untrained-bloodthirsty lycanthrope.”

The proclamation was made with all of the credence of a little Queen, her slim shoulders squared and taut. Her slippered feet kept her in a constant pacing motion whilst she mentally deliberated on the conversation she would soon have with the Heir of Humility. Cornflower blue eyes seemed to brighten as she recalled Fandral’s adventures with the Lady Naedira… “You will both accompany me on this venture. I would like to see how they react to you Fandral…Considering the meeting you held with the pious princess.”

“They probably still think that you were responsible for setting the blaze to the abbey to frighten the little lamb out of her wits.”, Dominique postulated with a teasing smile that lightened the shadows of her face. It was an odd happening, as if an artist had suddenly corrected a painting.

She paused in mid motion when Alphonse asked if she would prefer a ward against the rain—And though a little late, she nodded her head to the gesture. “If you feel it necessary Duke…It has grown…Cold.”

The gooseflesh on her limbs would attest to that…But she refused to acknowledge it and run back into the fleece she’d created. She couldn’t look weak…Not when the other demon could be somewhere out of her senses. Lurking… For what else did demons do in their free time, unable to kill or maim—But lurk. “It is a shame that the King of Humility was cast out with the others…”

“I would have liked to meet him. For a human…Father claims him formidable.”, she trailed off innocently enough, before casting her men a cheshire smile. It was that of a pleased little girl that would soon have everything her little heart desired. “His son will have to do.”

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Ӄingdom: Justice
Ɍank: General
Ƚocation: Dining Hall
Ⱦhoughts: Ah, the company of women

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The General kept his charming smirk as he made the Baroness of Prudence laugh at his words. "I thank you," he said with a polite nod, keeping his smirk. "Perhaps not all men concern themselves with their appearance, but no doubt all lament the loss of their physical ability at such an old age." Now there was an avenue in which Kirios was still every bit as spry as a man of twenty years, perhaps even more so given his skill in the fields of battle. Like in all things, Kirios had the utmost confidence in his abilities in battle, whether through his magic, with a sword, or with his fists. The General very much believed in his own abilities, and the idea that there were few others that could match him in a duel or any such combat scenario. With his prowess and his strength, there were very few opponents, if any, who were left standing when he was in battle.

The two women made the point that perhaps long life and extended youth came at its own expenses, and perhaps they were correct in that point, but Kirios personally did not have anyone to mourn at the moment aside from his soldiers. In all his life, he never stopped to make any true connections with people, no true loves, no lasting friendships, and no real family to bring him a sense of loss were he to live for so long. He had never looked back on the family he'd left so long ago, and his life never gave him the opportunity to form any true attachments. While there were certainly many women in his life, none had ever been more than a fleeting romantic encounter. Were he to extend his life through his magic, he would have no one to mourn, at least not right now. "Perhaps the both of you are correct," he conceded with an apologetic smile, soon returning to his typical charismatic smirk. "But one can still pine for the superficial advantages of youth." It was his attempt to inject a bit more humor to the conversation at hand.

He listened carefully as the other two women told their tales of their time here at the castle. Millie had not been here that long, perhaps about as long as the General had been himself. As Maelona commented that it must be nice to reunite with old friends from her kingdom, Millicent went into greater detail, stating that it had been long since she saw many in her social circle since the death of her husband. While it was sad that one's husband was dead, the woman did not appear to have very much lament in her tone. Perhaps this husband was from a marriage that she did not agree upon? He'd met many such women before, as those were the ones that tended to gravitate toward handsome strong men like Kirios the most; those who could not be pleased by their husbands sought comfort elsewhere in secret. If that was the case, he would not feel guilty about going after the young woman. "Aye," he said simply with a nod as Maelona offered her condolences, though his was not as genuine as his voice suggested. He briefly flashed a look at the Baroness of Prudence sitting directly in front of him that seemed to suggest that he would be willing to offer himself as company if she so needed it, though it was a look that would be easy to miss unless one was looking for it.

"If there are any out to get you, milady, be sure to remember that you have a friend in Justice's most respected and feared General," he said with his typically charming smile, ending the sentence with a light laugh. Perhaps it was an arrogant statement, but now was no time for modesty. He was a damn fine warrior, every bit as he was skilled in his particular brand of sorcery, and he knew it. There was no reason at all to deny his reputation; lies of omission on the other hand, particularly in regards to his previous lovers, were perfectly fine with the womanizing General. Maelona called him a true hero then, for wishing peace amongst the castle's denizens. He bowed his head in acknowledgement, smiling warmly. "Once again you honor and flatter me, milady. 'Tis why I fight, so that my kingdom does not have to suffer at the hands of those who would violate her. So too must it be here, or I dishonor the land I represent."

He smiled as the knight responded to him. "Do not believe him, miladies," he said with a hearty laugh in his tone. "He is anything but simple. This man has pulled my fat out of the fire more times than I can remember, and pushed me into it at least twice as many times." He jested, but he truly did have faith in Alistair's abilities in battle, and would trust him to have his back in the thick of battle any time. The two women seemed to welcome him well enough. Alistair went on to state that Kirios was a much more interesting man than he, which brought a wry smirk to the General's lips. "Well you're damn right about me being far more interesting than you," he said, once again with a hearty laugh. It was how his soldiers and himself joked, openly insulting each other while not truly meaning a word of it, as a pair of brothers might do. "I jest, of course," he added, turning once again to the two female royals. "But I do have many stories I can tell if you would both be so interested in hearing."

Kingdom: Wrath
Rank: Prince
Location: gardens, a bit hidden away
Mood: Just feeling dumb. Please stop asking me to talk. I don't talk no good.


I don't believe in fate or destiny.
I believe in various degrees of hatred, paranoia, and abandonment.
However much of that gets heaped upon you doesn't matter -
it's only a matter of how much you can take and what it does to you.
--Henry Rollins

Stefan wasn’t quite sure what to do right now. The princess had admitted to being at fault, by asking his forgiveness. He didn’t know her very well at all, but he’d expected some insult shot his way instead, such as being told he was being lazy, or too jumpy, really anything but that. As he looked more closely at her, surprised that her apology had been sincere (or at least, cleverly managed so that it seemed so), he took note of how else she appeared. It wasn’t the way most men might notice the princess’ hair, only that it was rather unkempt to how he’d last seen her. And why would she have taken off her shoes?

He didn’t think she was trying to sneak up on him, having appeared more sorry than upset he’d been woken. So then was she trying to be quiet moving away from something? Was something chasing her, or was she avoiding someone? She just said the rain didn’t bother her, which probably meant the mud too, which was all over her tiny feet. But she just didn’t look... like a princess should. Surely it must bother her. He then remembered his teachings, which said that often ladies that were well-taught would not think to ask for things, and it was a gentleman’s duty to fulfill their every need, even before they might think of it. A difficult matter, but he knew he wouldn’t like to be cold and wet if he didn’t have to be. If he did because a situation required it, well that was something else. But here this tree was, and there was plenty of room for them both to stand beneath its branches.

“Please Princess Madelyne, I... I insist.” It felt strange to be talking like his brother, but following in those footsteps likely meant he wouldn’t make too many faux pas. His own reasoning took care of the rest. “You’ll get sick,” came the almost childish warning. He didn’t move his arms, but he moved his head and shoulders indicating she should move to the spot he’d been sitting at, where the majority of the rain and breeze was blocked.

She then asked how he was, and he wasn’t sure how to answer. As she could not admit the full truth, neither could he, though that was more because he was worried about her personal opinion of him than the rules of polite conversation. But again, wasn’t he, as the man, supposed to pave the way for her? Damnable gender rules of etiquette. “Adjusting as much as possible. It... it is not the best of circumstances.”

He didn’t know how else to say little in more words, but she gave him a way, what with her following questions. “I came after... I mean, I wasn’t here before the night of the fire.” He mentally smacked himself for stumbling over himself. She might likely be laughing to herself about him. “It is difficult, sleeping amongst foes as well as friends.” Another pause, as he tried to plan out his sentence well. Even Paul helped a little, though the inner voice was bothered by Madelyne just because she existed. “My personal items as well are unavailable to me for the time being.” He had sounded as educated as any of his peers, but broke the illusion by adding another childish remark, though it was slightly under his breath. “I miss my things.”

The blond hadn’t been able to stop himself, as he did truly miss his clockworks. They helped keep him grounded, feeling less hateful of being drawn to “foolish” nature, as his mother put it. He rubbed at one arm lightly, a nervous fidget of his own, as he kept his gaze down. It came to him that she might think him a bit stupid and touched, considering he’d initially met her after running from noises in the woods and then smacking his head into a branch. But it was hard not to be curious about her disheveled state, though because her clothes were fine, nothing triggered in his mind. “Are you.... not fond of your shoes?” There really wasn’t any other clever way he could think to ask that, other than the foolish question that popped out of his mouth before he could be sure it was the right thing to ask.

Ɉϕɧɳ Ӎiҫɧɑϵɭ Gɍϵϵɳϵ

Kingdom: Fortitude

Rank: Prince

Location: Courtyard, then Hallways with no one?

White walls surround us
As we sleep among the dead

(())

John blinked slightly at the response he received. So the demon(Alistair) was not knight of the noble looking woman(Dominique)? He furrowed his eyebrows a bit at that as he noticed the demon exchanging some words with the noble looking woman and the other person(Fandral). By the way the air seemed tense; John could only assume the words being said were not extremely pleasant. Once the demon started to walk away, the angel started to realize he would simply have to approach the group. He mentally shrugged at that fact as he started to move towards the three. However, the closer he got to them, the more an odd feeling started to creep up inside of his chest. He shook his head in an attempt to get rid of the feeling. Though, nothing seemed to help as he moved closer.

The angel realized that upon being able to see their faces clearly, that the feeling seemed to be one of familiarity. Though, where had he seen the other person(Fandral) and the noble looking woman(Dominique) before? Names vaguely went across his mind. But, it was the intense spike of rage that suddenly made him take a step back. As someone from Fortitude, he couldn’t let his emotions take control of him. However, John usually knew why he felt a particular emotion. This time though, John suddenly found himself with his eyes blinking and looking about as if a bit startled. He took a few calming breaths to gain his composure back. The moment he tried to speak telepathically though, the unexplainable fire inside of his chest reared its head. Almost as if whatever they had done had greatly offended him. Funny how he couldn’t remember what that even was.

As John tried to figure out what was wrong with him, he thought he heard a familiar name coming from the noble looking woman’s lips. Where had he heard that name before? Had it heard from the servants of the castle or from other inhabitants? He was quite sure he had never met either of them before. Though, the more he thought about that name, the more John realized the name sounded like the name of the assassin who helped take out Dorian and Lucian. If that was the same person, the angel knew it would be best to leave. For there was no way he was going to let emotions cause a possible conflict between Fortitude and Avarice, since he was sure he heard the assassin was from Avarice.

Fortitude didn’t need more enemies than allies, especially when they were actually starting to win their war against Wrath. Thus, until John could remember what caused the boiling blood inside of him, he needed to leave before they noticed he was there. He walked away from the courtyard and made sure to block out anything they had to say. For if they were talking about something sensitive and that male was an assassin? It didn’t take much to put two and two together. As he got back underneath the hard ceiling of the castle, John looked over himself and realized he look like a soaked rat. Had long had he been standing out there? He frowned slightly as he started more into the castle, only able to blame himself for his present state of appearance.

He walked through the hallways of the castle. As he did so, he shook his hair to try and stop the water dripping from his hair. Also, he rung his shirt a little and shook his legs. However, John started to realize that his task would be simpler if he just put on a new pair of clothes. Unfortunately though, John looked around the area he was in, and noticed nothing familiar. He figured that his attention had been too focused on drying himself off. Though, John also knew that his luck could have run out and the castle had shifted without his knowledge. Thus, with a metaphorical swallow of his pride, he closed his eyes and focused on trying to send a message that could hopefully be picked up by anyone. “Hello? Anyone there?”

We can chase the dark together
As the sky returns to grey

Temper your enjoyments with prudence, lest there be written on your heart that fearful word "satiety."




A Prudent Baroness was not successful unless she could engage in polite small talk with anyone, no matter how boring her fellow conversationists may be. While the table was consumed with the stuff, Millie had to admit that she could not have wished for better company at the moment. Their conversation took a small detour, however, when the General spoke of the fear of lost youth, both the Baroness and Maelona in agreement that there were far worse things to lose in the long run. Kirios joked of a man's fear of losing his physicality, a remark that the Baroness was sure to be true. At least he didn't appear challenged in that department. Those were thoughts best reserved for private. She smiled at him as he admitted that the women were perhaps correct in their assessment, though there was nothing wrong with seeking the "superficial advantages of youth." It made her laugh sweetly again.

She found the princess to be refreshingly soft-spoken, yet enlightening in her own way, despite her recurring complaints of their host and his realm. They had merit, she was sure, but Millicent would never so openly express her distaste for their sanctuary - not when their host was a god. Who knew what he could hear, and when. They toasted, however, to new friends, and the Baroness smiled at her new companions.

Turning to her time at the castle so far, Maelona commented at her fortune to spend time with old friends, to which Millie could only give a truthful answer, mentioning her husband's death in the process. She was used to the looks of pity people gave her when they mentioned it. At first, it had been difficult to conform to Prudent custom and mourn the loss of a husband who treated her so poorly, but over the years she had become a master at the game of mourning. It helped that she focused on what his death gave her, as opposed to what it took away - she would have traded his life her his estate earlier, if she'd known how much better at it she was than he. Still, she smiled gratefully as the Princess expressed her condolences, Kirios agreeing. If only Maelona knew how much better things had turned because of his demise. From the General's tone, she sensed he perhaps guessed as much. His glance was not missed, their blue eyes meeting with a pointed glance.

"You are both very kind. I strive to run my estate fairly and efficiently to honor his memory in the two years since his death. It was a tragedy, but the world continues despite my grief." Millie offered her own condolences, of a sort, when Maelona recounted the trials they had endured in her time here. There were a number of things the poor girl had been forced to endure it seemed - of course Millicent would make her part of her daily prayers. The Princess was going to need strength to endure the road ahead. Kirios also offered his strength to her, a charming smile accompanying his offer. She offered nothing but an understanding nod as the Princess was glad not everyone was operating on a selfish agenda, extending well wishes and heartfelt considerations in the wake of making new friends. And it sounded as if she had been bestowed with additional graces in the light of her brothers returning.

Millicent smiled amiably as Alistair joined them, noting the red in his cheeks as Kirios offered a proud introduction of his fellow knight. The newest addition of their group was gracious in accepting the compliment, turning to express his honor at making their acquaintance and praising her homeland. Kirios gave a hearty laugh, and cautioned the women not to believe the knight's proclamation that he was a "simple knight." She smiled brightly, looking between the two knights with amusement and laughing when the General jested at his fellow knight's expense.

"I'd expect nothing less from a knight in your command, General," she responded with a joking tone, motioning for the newcomer to sit. Alistair took his seat at her side, her blue eyes cast towards him with a pleasant laugh. He seemed harmless enough. Maelona assured him that there was no need to feel so flattered to be in his present, the Baroness' blue eyes turning to her with an amused expression. It was cute, seeing a royal trying to get those below her station to treat her as an equal. One day, Millie hoped she would realize the truth - she was never going to be equal to anyone other than royalty. To ask anything else of those below her station would be dangerous, and futile. It was not the natural order of things.

"Your father sounds like a wise and noble man, Sir knight," she spoke, before commenting on her pleasure from dining with knights of any realm because of the stories they told. Again, his answer dripped with modesty, though she did not know him well enough to tell if it were true or false. In passing, he stated that his role within the kingdom was protection more than glorious war, the raven-haired Baroness drinking deeply from her cup as he spoke. There was little shame in protecting the nobles and their heirs - while the royal family was undoubtedly the head of the kingdom, it was their nobles that kept the rest of the body flowing. Kept the head supplied with a kingdom's lifeblood of crops, protection, arms and the like.

"Well, I despair to hear the nobility of Justice called boring. Courtiers should be entertaining and lively. I assure you, if you were ever employed at my estate in Prudence there would never be a dull moment." It was one of the things she cherished most about her own station - the ability to host lavish parties and show her friends and others of the same station her hospitality. Perhaps her love of it stemmed from her exceeding talents in that area - many things could be said of Millicent Borleas, but that she was a poor hostess was never among them.

Kirios was far from modest in his reply to his battle brother, albeit amusing, and Millie felt as if she were seeing the knights in their natural state when they were together. The General assured them that he did, indeed, have interesting tales to tell if the women were interested, another smile tugging at the corners of her lips as she cast her gaze in his direction once more. She felt Alistair's eyes upon her, though they went unreturned for the time being, as the topic of conversation turned to their time in the castle once more. Alistair was new to the castle as well, here to ensure the safety of the heirs of Justice. He flattered them with his excitement to be in their company, the Baroness unable to contain her grin. Even if he were lying through his teeth, she instantly found herself liking him for observing the courtesies owed by his class. That and he was doing a marvelous job of feeding her ego. It never hurt to be in Millie's good graces - she was known to be kind to her friends.

(( OOC: If I missed anything, please let me know. ))