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Damien didn't say much when the bearded man made an effort to speak to himself and the others . "Why thank you, but i have already nursed a drink, that was enough for me." trying his best to sound polite about it. it was not much given from how Noemi was acting by the braggarts opinions on their very presence in the hall. It was easy to dislike Sir Morgan, effortless. he wasn't holding it again the blonde woman, creating space both for her and the young lass that didn't need the type of atmosphere that was already present. "Next time when I run into Noemi and yourself, maybe we should share ideas on battle tactics, perhaps?" waving the duo off and settling back on the oaf that caused the problem in the first place.

Stern faced he was, but the tone was to be even and cool. "unchecked emotions lead to disaster" was the lesson that he held to heart. "Food and nourishment offered to comrades set out on a common goal, Sir Morgan." he reminded quickly with a stare at the ones who were practically drooling over the Crimson knight. Members of his code, from what he could only surmise. "While we were literally sworn in on this day, we have yet to start or been given the chance to quest. Furthermore, we are told to honor the code above all else, even the amount of trophies we gather."

Wow. Poke hadn't realized that, even among the noble knights there could be complete and utter assholes. And as much as she had sworn to the knights code to be kind and compassionate and all that, it was kind of hard when Morgan was being a complete douche in her opinion.

"The only b***h that I see here is you I'm afraid" She fired a retort back while others slammed their glasses down what she considered a excellent show of bravado. "Considering you're so pathetic that you only thing you can do is insult others".

How the hell a guy like him was a knight was beyond her.

She didn't register that a hand was touching her until it was too late. She coughed, and sputtered, and tried to murmur out shaky apologies to the knight she'd just splattered, but eventually her eyes began to widen when it dawned on her. Something felt so wrong about feeling the touch of a hand on her back. Her skin rose in goosebumps, and she straightened up turning her head to look at his arm like it was a ghost.

Her lips parted, and her mouth began to move, opening and closing a few times before it finally shut.

She shook her head.

She was not okay.

But at least she wasn't choking anymore! And her embarrassment for Jason was all but forgotten.. so there were silver linings to be considered. Still, by the way her chest began to heave with quickening breaths, it was clear that something was very, very wrong. Her eyes flickered to meet Yuki's, widening in a silent plea.

By the grace of God, Yuki looked back to Riley the moment she jolted and realized from the terrified look that he got that he shouldn't have made that physical contact. As soon as the woman stared at his offending arm like he might murder her with it, the touch was gone. Yuki eased his arm back to his own personal space like a person trying to withdraw their limb from a frightened animal, without making too sudden a movement and risking attack.

His own eyes grew wide when Riley seemed panicked and he wasn't sure what to do. "S-sorry-- I was-- I thought you were choking." Thank goodness he hadn't actually given her any thumps on the back, in afterthought.

At least Jason did not look angry at her, but that did little to ease the embarrassment she would have felt - if she could feel anything - anything but that hand on her -

He eased away from her and her harsh breathing stopped. Now, she met both of their eyes, and read their expressions of worry. She had done that. They were kind, caring individuals, and all they wanted to do was help.

Something about that resonated with her, deeply. Despite how frightened she'd been of touch, she regretted her reactions. Both of them deserved a little more trust than that.

"That was uncalled for." She admitted, her hand reaching out as if to pat Yuki's arm, but pulling away before it actually touched him. One step at a time. "I think, I'm just not used to anything. Will I continue to react this way with each new experience? I feel confident the answer is yes, but, but I hope I'll be with knights like yourself. You're both very understanding. And kind. Very kind."

Her expression registered true peace, for the first time since anyone had sat near her. She sighed out in relief, and put the goblet of wine down. "But one thing is certain - wine is not for me." It was her first attempt at humor - possibly ever - and it was tame, and lacking. But the crack of a smile on her face told a story of how proud she was of it.

[arcadia exit]

Eventually, Cady looked up from the platter, relatively sated and sadly out of potato product.

She waddled out of the room, significantly girthier and now truly ready to be a knight. Or Night, whatever.

At first he was about to agree that what he'd done was uncalled for, because he shouldn't be touching people he didn't know, but his mouth shut when he realized that Riley was scolding herself instead of him. Yuki glanced toward the woman's hand that reached out, actually relieved and comforted by the gesture even if it was not brought to fruition.

With her explanation and what he could only take as complimentary words, his soft smile returned and he eased out a breath that he hadn't realized he'd been holding.

"It's alright; I hope you can forgive me for frightening you." It seemed she would, or had, but he sincerely hoped that she knew he felt regret for it nonetheless.

Riley's attempt at humor, soft as it was, did get a chuckle from him. "Yeah, it's certainly an acquired taste..." So was the ale. So was some of the food.

Crisis adverted, Yuki visibly relaxed the tension in his shoulders and looked back toward Jason. He'd said something just before, and in the sputtering of wine he had managed to forget if he was supposed to offer some response to it.

He knew it had something to do with the arrogant knight that had graced them with his words of enlightenment, so he could only assume that speaking of those Great Knights was the appropriate course of conversation.

"I imagine that each of these Knights has their own... Quirks..." For lack of a kinder word. "Some more ruthless than others."