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 Posted: Sun Jan 17, 2016 6:20 pm
 A calm Saturday in Phonyland meant one thing and one thing only: Knighthood. It was, to be most frank, his favorite day of the week. In the early hours of the morning, Just Lance would don his tunic, his chainmail, and then rope Dragonfly into helping with his greaves and breast plate. It would not do, after all, for a knight of his stature to be seen not looking his best in his armor. The suit was his pride and joy, his second skin. What was a knight without his shows of fealty to his king? He was Just Lance, Knight of the North.
Same as it ever was, the show began with the showing of the knights. They paraded about the arena, bowing as appropriate to the lords and ladies in attendance as their heraldry was proclaimed. There were some ponies who liked the showmanship of simply parading around, but truly, that was not where the magic lay. It was in the jousts, the fights to first blood, that the artistry of their show hid.
None of it was faked. Rehearsed to death? Certainly. But staged? Absolutely not! Each clash of javelin was real, and the splintering of wood and the roar of the audience. It was that much sweeter, then, when victory fell into your hooves. Today was such a day with Just Lance- the first joust had been followed by a glorious battle, with which he had most nobly spared his opponent. Then the second, the third, and the final. A glorious clash of swords with parry, thrust, rolling by from the sword of his rival. A quick brush of the blade against his cheek, and what drama! How closely he'd danced with death, only to best his rival at the last moment.
And now, chest heaving from the exertion of the battle, Just Lance was allowed to name his Lady of the Tourney. Some of the other knights took the opportunity to flirt with the ladies, but... it was merely an accessory of the show. Not thinking this way or that, Lance took the golden rose laurels of the Tourney Lady, and tossed them to the audience. There were some screams, a shrill cry, but Lance's attentions were elsewhere- this was where the Dark Knight of the foreign kingdom crashed through the stands and challenged him for the Princess's hoof. It was a great battle, indeed- were he to lose, the bested knights would rise from their fall in his honor and defend the Princess as needed.
But not this time. After far too long of trading blows with the Dark Knight, the foul beast (rather a nice chap out of armor) was bested and banished from the kingdom. And so, Just Lance left victorious- a righteous show of skill for the day indeed.
Oddly, it was knowing that he had invited his new friend Umbra and had a show to put on in his own name that had spurred him to such a spectacular performance. Now he was trotting out of the arena with his helmet in tow, hunting for the dark unicorn amongst the crowd. At the very least, had he not been impressed, he might've been entertained by the show...
...If only Lance could find him!
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Posted: Mon Jan 18, 2016 2:52 pm
It wasn't like anything Umbra had ever attended before- he wasn't much one for crowd situations for one, though his opinion on that may have to change. He was rather gloriously anonymous in the crowd, everyone too busy and too excited to be put off by his unintentional standoffish expressions. It was surprisingly pleasant to watch the other phonies dressed up in costume, many of them much more honest with their personalities in the middle of make-pretend than they could be during their day-to-day lives. He quite enjoyed wading among the crowd before the show started, simply observing excited foals running around and young and old mares and stallions chatting excitedly over who they expected to win.
The show itself was something else- though it hardly felt fitting to call it a show. Even from his seat, he could see the weight of each blow, whether it missed or struck true. It drew him in just as it did with the rest of the crowd, leaning in and breath catching as the drama in the ring unfolded- the swell of pride as Just Lance stood triumphant.
For a moment he thought that the victorious stallion spotted him in the crowd- he was looking in his direction, but gray eyes passed unknowingly over him. It was a touch disappointing.
For about four seconds.
Umbra spent the entire Dark Knight fight in a state of complete amusement. After all, he'd been given a lovely accessory entirely by accident. The jealous stares knifing into his back could be completely ignored, far too pleased to care in the least that, perhaps, he looked slightly ridiculous.
"Good sir knight," his voice easily rang over the chattering din at the end of the fight, an even baritone in humorous contrast with the pretty, pretty laurel sitting jauntily lopsided on his head, untouched from where it had landed.
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Posted: Mon Jan 18, 2016 4:56 pm
There was a voice he recognized, if not the reason why, above the chatter of strangers. But then- right! Umbra had, indeed, shown up! Grinning harder than he had when he had bested the Dark Knight, Just Lance turned to greet his friend. The joy on his face was as plain as day when they made eye contact, and to his credit, Lance only faltered a moment when he noticed that Umbra was, in fact, the recipient of the Golden Laurels. Obvious behind even his skilled expression-hiding was the terrible blush that had overtaken him, turning the typically white unicorn a near shade of pink beneath his fur.
"W-well! I must say, you make a rather fine lady of the court," he laughed, crediting himself for only seeming partially flustered. Rather than be too humiliated, he instead offered Umbra a bow and offered out a hoof.
"There are some knights here," Lance began, gesturing with a look to the Knight of the South's actor, "Who might use the Laurels to, how shall I say... unduly court the nobler ladies susceptible to such advances." And hadn't Sir Gallant dabbled in the ladies in his time. Ugh.
"While I don't partake in such techniques... I must say, at the very least, the color suits you well."
...That wasn't too weird, was it? No! Just one fellow complimenting another, that was all. Regardless of what any of the passerby's thought. Lance's demeanor relaxed a bit, and he offered Umbra a tentatively hopeful smile.
"...Did you enjoy the show, at least?"
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Posted: Mon Jan 18, 2016 6:24 pm
"I make," the stallion tossed his mane, lighter blue falling down his neck and laurel threatening to spill off of his head after going from 'jaunty' to 'precarious', "The prettiest of princesses." He declared firmly, at his normal speaking volume, and with zero care for the ring of mares who were trying ever-so-hard to pretend like they weren't hovering around, waiting to speak with the champion of the tourney. If they wanted to talk to Lance, they should just approach, regardless of any oversized phonies making casual conversation with him decked out in excellent headgear.
"The show was fantastic, thank you for inviting me to it." Normally would not have been something he'd think of attending- and while not quite in the realm of his interests, he felt that it easily could be. The simple casual pageantry of the costume and food available was enjoyable, just a harmless mass game of make-pretend.
Besides, it was always a treat to watch Lance slowly go pink under his fur. The younger stallion was far too easy to rile up in casual conversation. He took the offered hoof, miming a curtsy the best he could while being both quadrupedal and lacking any sort of skirt. Really wasn't a half-bad attempt at it, either.
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Posted: Mon Jan 18, 2016 8:27 pm
"I'm so glad you enjoyed it," Lance breathed a sigh of relief, smiling genuinely at the compliment. "Truly, it was a bit of a close call there- I don't know if you saw, but Knight of the East nicked me pretty fairly across the cheek." It could've been a worse blow, certainly, but it was terribly embarrassing. A knight of his caliber! How bad it could've been with one more misstep!
He couldn't help an earnest laugh at Umbra's curtsey, pleased that his friend was playing along so well. Perhaps he wasn't one for renaissance and chivalry, but he certainly played the part without condescending to it. It was a wonderful feeling! Sharing his interests with Umbra just as he'd partaken in the other stallion's work.
"Typically the cast goes for a meal afterwards, but I'd feel terrible leaving you! Are you feeling up to a meal?" He asked, only to pause a moment later.
"...And please, don't feel obligated to keep wearing it! You won't hurt my feelings at all."
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Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2016 11:21 am
In his age Umbra had learned how to play along with other's games. Renaissance faires may not be his cup of tea, but he could join in and stick his nonexistent pinky out and play along. Lance had taken the time to invite him, Umbra wasn't about to squander that olive branch of friendship on the foolishness of protecting something completely imaginary like pride.
"I'll bite you if you try to take my laurel," he threatened teasingly, head tipped down in a serious manner, "It's mine and you can't have it." The laurel briefly lit up with magic, righting itself more properly on his head. No one would threaten his princess status.
He is the prettiest princess.
"However, I would love to join you for a meal. I wouldn't dream of turning down the champion and defender of the realm." He didn't have much of eyelashes, but he was going to bat them anyways.
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Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2016 1:39 pm
"I wasn't going to take it!" Lance shrieked with laughter, face going even redder despite the smile on his face. "I was trying to be polite, pardon me! I won't make that mistake again when it comes to your laurels." With any other phony, it may have been said rudely, but not Lance. Truly, he was as amused and entertained as could be. Umbra had been the perfect friend to invite to the show.
"I'm glad to find someone so grateful," he returned the teasing, puffing his chest outward. "I danced with death today, you know. The Dark Knight is quite the contender, and who knows what would've happened to this kingdom under his foul hoof!" In reality, the Dark Knight was one of the kindest phonies Just Lance had ever known. He was one talented fighter, and truly, Lance feared going against the skill of his sword every time they crossed. Far too often Lance had left the arena battered and bruised, in need of TLC, after his go at the fellow. Nonetheless, he always enjoyed a shared meal with the chap and hearing about his foals at home.
"I didn't become a champion of the king for the glory, but 'tis nice to be appreciated every so often," Lance managed to say about half of the sentence before he broke into a telling grin.
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Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2016 4:18 pm
When he laughed it was ringing and deep, Umbra entirely amused by the continued private show between the two of them, even if Lance did break character just a little. Umbra was certainly the sturdiest princess of the faire the tournament had ever had. Probably the tallest, to stand slightly higher than the champion himself. The gold rosey laurel was, at least, on magnificent display above everyone else's heads this way.
"Yes, it was quite the show. Your bravery knows no bounds. However, my hunger has plenty of them. Where's this feast, then? Do I have to dress up? Mind you, I'd look awful in a maiden fair's dress." He'd seen plenty of them on sale, though, at some of the tents ringing the tournament. "I just haven't the shoulders for it. I could pull off a nice tunic, I think." Maybe next time he'd come in full costume, just to see Lance's reaction.
Hm, or try the fighting bit.
Perhaps it would be something interesting to pursue later.
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Posted: Wed Jan 20, 2016 5:59 pm
"No, no costumes!" Lance laughed heartily once more, thoroughly entertained and delighted. "We're all so tired from being in our armor and chainmail the whole day that we can't be bothered to wear it through dinner. It's bad enough keeping your neck up during a show, let alone when you're trying to eat." In reality, Lance could probably lift more weight with his neck alone in comparison to his magic.
"Really, though, with your complexion, I'm certain I know the perfect gown for you. It would match your laurel and everything, as well as bring out your eyes." Still, if he wasn't feeling the dress (which would be entirely too silly), at the very least he could be roped into a tunic. And wasn't that a fun idea? Getting Umbra more and more into this world. It was wonderful having his siblings, of course, but someone else was a welcome breath of fresh hair.
"But for now... shall we away? I'm starving, quite honestly."
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