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It became clear very quickly that Riley was someone with an aversion to touch, and Jason made a mental note not to touch her save he put her through further distress. He could tell though that Yuki was only trying to help, though sadly he was actually making things worse.

"I-i'm sure you'll make a fine knight, given enough time." Jason said once she had calmed down. "B-both of you will. Even if you become frightened with a new experience...i-it's only natural to be afraid of the unknown. B-but even if you falter, you can always try again." He smiled, before appearing concerned, furrowing his brow. "I..think it was a while before I could handle it...I can't remember" He scratched his head, annoyed at himself.

Yuki then brought up the previous conversation about the knights. "I wish I knew more about them then I do. For now the only thing I know is that the gold knight holds the knights code about all else, and can be very prideful." He sighed. "I hope that doesn't make him pompous...actually I'm a little worried, I don't want to become a egotistical person." He then had to resist the urge to duck as Riley reached for the wine again. Thankfully Yuki stopped her. "E-er, perhaps would could find some fruit juice or water to mix with the wine...It may make it more palatable." Sadly he doubted there would be any fruit juice around. It was a rare luxury as far as he was aware.

"I'm quite sure there are many quirks to m-myself that I have forgotten, though I hold the same hopes as Yuki does." He replied. "I would hate to be as offensive as...him." He motioned to Morgan.

Both Yuki, and Jason, seemed hesitant to let her drink again. This made her chuckle, and it was a low, husky sound that never left her throat. She toyed with the lip of the goblet, but never actually took a sip.

"I'm confident your quirks are only of the highest calibur, Yuki." She assured him, confident even if her words still held that quiet restraint. "You've already proven your kindness. I'm sure it only gets better from there."

But as for Jason's assurance, Riley did not look as convinced. Her eyebrow rose as she considered his words, and took them as they were meant to be, a comfort. Yet, something about their surroundings warned her that time was not a luxury they would be afforded - if she needed time to become a fine knight, then she would not succeed.

"Neither of you have an offensive bone in your body." She was quick to change the subject, with a tender smile that lent truth to her words. "I have only met you today and already I am sure of it. So, here." She rose her glass, holding it up for them both. "To our quirks. May they serve us well, in the fights to come."

: Even as she tried to leave the words caught her attention. She turned in a fury, blue cloak cracking with the motion as she turned to face the Great Knight purple eyes narrowed under her hood face twisted in a quiet snarl, she didn't remember where this anger came from, she didn't realize how hard the knights words cut into her like a hot knife, much as they had when her father in the past once spoke.

"And when this is said and done if the kingdom lives I hope it lives with your body torn asunder by the darkness." Her hand tightened around her weapon as Morgan spoke of right to be at the table. "We gave up our very selves just now to swear loyalty in this fight. What did you give up? Is this what it means to be a red Knight? To treat everyone below you? Maybe the king isn't here because he can't stand to see one of his highest knights making such a disgrace of himself before the youth."

She didn't feel the need to hear his response. She turned away storming out the hall. The little shark of blue moving like a knife in water towards the courtyard. She'd find her solace else where sword in hand away from the disgrace of s great knight.



Sammy exit

Xanther restrained himself from laughing as he saw Morgan place pebble-size pieces of bread on Mordred's head. Such precision. He wondered how many pieces could be stacked, and when Mordred accepted his drink and his it under his cloak, the red eyed couldn't help but chuckle a bit. He took another cup and drank from it. It was his third one. And looked at a blond lass ( Shiloh ) who threw a little outburst. She was right though, those who think highly of themselves had the habit to attempt to over power others, knowing they are not able to do anything about it.

"What say you, good sir?"

"Me?" Xanther looked at the man next to him ( Ian ) and put some thought into it.

"I couldn't agree more with you." He took a sip and smiled at her. "Don't let their stubbornness get to you kind lady. It will only spoil your mood."

Every muscle in her body tensed when she heard the voice in the seat where Sammy once was, bent in closer than he needed to be. She turned her head, still frozen, and eyed him warily as the wine in her goblet shook. He'd said or done nothing to warrant her hesitance, except for joining in her toast uninvited. That was no crime, she reminded herself, as she put the goblet down - unused.

This would be the time when she should have introduced herself and made more friends. Instead, she swallowed hard and slunk back into her chair in response to how close he was. In the silence, she realized he reminded her of someone, but she couldn't quite place who until it came to her in a sudden, remarkable epiphany.

He shared a few physical characteristics with the woman she'd seen in her reflection. He even had dreadlocks. He might even remember what they were for! It was almost enough to start a conversation with him! - Until she noticed that grin.

And that was that.

She gave him a slow, polite nod of greeting, but did not return his smile for fear of encouraging him. She chanted, in her mind, over and over. Everyone deserves a chance. But it wasn't working very well. If he wanted to hear about her quirks, he was in for a superb disappointment.

[ Verusha enter ]

He'd started feeling rather peckish... and figured a peek into the banquet hall couldn't hurt. Besides... might give him a chance to scope out some more eye candy. Having managed a few sneak peeks of his fellow comrades in arms, he was pretty pleased at what he'd seen.Though it'd only been in passing, he wasn't one to complain of a nice view of well defined musculature.

Sauntering into the place, he found himself a tad disappointed at the... spread, that was offered for them. But he couldn't be too much, given the severe situation they were in. Heck, he was just glad enough to have something to put in his belly. Eyeing his shallow options, those stark white eyes turned to the ale that seemed in great supply. Now that was interesting... a brow crooked curiously, stepping over to take a peek at the barrels set out on display, reaching for a mug from its mixmatched brethren, and filled himself up. Drawing the drink to his nose to scent, a content enough expression remained on his face, as he sampled the drink of choice.

Yuki nodded slowly to Jason's words. "Defense is important too, if you find you're not as comfortable wielding a weapon." He really wanted to clarify that trying again was likely only an option in training... Because once they were amongst the shadowlings and Horsemen it was going to be life or death.

But he was smart enough not to say that. This was supposed to be happy, supportive conversation. They'd deal with the scary stuff later, whether they were ready for it or not.

"Hopefully that one was a bad example," Yuki said in regards to Morgan with a bit of a wince. "I can't imagine all of them being like that."

"If it's all the same, I'd rather just have the water or juice alone." Yuki said with a chuckle gesturing between the wine glasses and waving his hand. "I'm certain there's no saving that; we'd just be wasting something nice to probably make the wine taste worse."

He couldn't help but smile widely at Riley's words. "I hope that's right. I wouldn't try to give myself too much credit, just in case." He couldn't take credit for what he couldn't remember. But, it felt right to think that he had been a Good Person.

It was wonderful to see Riley smiling with more ease, and Yuki was eager to join in on her toast. He lifted his ale in gesture with her, before taking a swig and setting it back down again.

And they had another in their company, and it almost startled him if only for the fact that the man had plopped himself down just next to his anxious new friend.

Yuki offered a smile to Aymet, as it was the polite thing to do, but it did not touch his eyes because it was considerably forced. "I see the drink is treating you well, Sir..." Yuki tried to approach in good humor, his eyes darting to Riley as if to check that she was going to be alright.