A matter of representation (Ariadne)

[torin]

The Mercenary turned bodyguard & champion to the Grand Duchess had been performing his duties as bodyguard for some weeks now but there had yet to be a chance or reason for him to display his talents as a Champion. If he was to win the hearts of the people of Nevarra and be immortalized by fame and glory it would be as a Champion, not as a bodyguard.

An opportunity has arisen however. Now he made swift step towards Grand Duchess Ariadne Pentaghast. Clad in his Dwarven craft armour now featuring a shining cloak of perfect white with gold trimmings. There was something regal about it, suitable for a bodyguard to the Grand Duchess. She was in the gardens, he tended to know where she was. Was the sort of information he kept up to date on. For obvious reasons.

"My lady!" he announced once quite close, serving to make his presence known to her. Although he wore no helm and found the sun pleasant on his head, he felt like he was being cooked in the rest of his armour. It was very hot today.

[ari]

It was such a lovely day, the sun was warm and Ariadne had decided to walk in the gardens. The foliage was lush and the air was sweet with the scent of flowers and soft grass. There was a little fountain near where the duchess was walking so her ears were being filled with the gentle sounds of trickling water. A smile crossed her lips and made her eyes look like molten silver laced with lyrium veins. They were such a lovely shade, constantly looking either bluer or more silver.

The sound of someone approaching made her turn her head, it sounded like someone in armor. Her smile grew larger as her eyes settled upon her Champion. "My lady!" She nodded appreciatively at his cloak, it was a charming addition. ”My dear champion, you must be dying of heat in all that armor. Come let us sit in the shade.”

She took his hand in one of her own, using the other to pull her pale green dress up enough off the ground to make walking easier. Ariadne walked over to a bench that was cleverly placed under a large willow tree, that made it rather secluded and serene. She sat down, settling her skirts around her and released Torin’s hand figuring that if he wanted to sit he would do so.

[torin]

"As you would my lady." If pressed Torin would deny any claim of discomfort, as hot as it was it was part of the package deal. He had handled being hot in his armour before and the white cloak helped to hold off the heat on his back. But he was not pressed, the Grand Duchess wished for them to sit in the shade and that would bring him more comfort indeed.

She took his arm and walked through the gardens until they were at a bench, he joined her. "I assume you have heard of the Grand Tourney that approaches? I have seen my name for the main event so I might honour your name with victory." While he certainly was entering to bring honour to his beautiful young employer, the large sum of gold offered as a reward helped entice him too.....and the almost assured fame and glory.

[ari]

Ariadne hid her happiness as Torin sat by her side. She shifted her slight frame slightly, so that she could look at him properly as they spoke. "I assume you have heard of the Grand Tourney that approaches? I have seen my name for the main event so I might honour your name with victory." To this Ariadne quirked a brow as she thought his words over, this was rather exciting. ”My you have been busy. I would be very pleased if you won, and brought victory to our names. Along with the reward offered I would be willing to give you a second reward for doing such a wondrous thing in my name.”

Ariadne leaned back slightly, her hand reaching up to brush her mahogany curls away from her shoulders. It was obvious that she had spent some time in the sun for there was more red in it than there had been when she had first met her Champion. ”Torin if I asked you a question and told you I wanted the honest truth would you give it? No matter what the truth was?” Ariadne knew that what she asked was dangerous. She could very well have him killed if she didn’t like his answer, but she had something to ask and wanted to know if it would be the real truth that she would receive.

[torin]

The Grand Duchess was constantly speaking with a slight hint of seductive tease towards Torin. At times he didn't know if it was just her way towards all people or if she less a Lady then traditional standards would expect of one in her station. If it was her way towards other people the Mercenary turned Champion had not noticed her directing such things towards other people.

"Of course Grand Duchess, it would be most concerning if your bodyguard could not speak to you truthfully." It wouldn't speak very well for either of them too. Torin had often worked with people who didn't want to hear when they were wrong but none of them offered Torin permanent and interesting work. If he could give honest thought to voice it would create a much better working relationship.

[ari]

"Of course Grand Duchess, it would be most concerning if your bodyguard could not speak to you truthfully." Well she had gotten the answer she had wanted but now it was time to see where it would go. She was nervous and it showed. Normally she was a very confident woman, but right now she felt like a little girl with a childhood crush. She rustled her skirts gently, a nervous habit that usually calmed her nerves but today it seemed like it wasn’t about to work.

”If I asked you to….well if I asked you to kiss me would you?” She didn’t wait for his answer before she continued. She had to get this out before she changed her mind. ”And if I did ask, would you do it because I asked or because you wanted to?” Ariadne kept her eyes on the man before her wondering if she could figure out what he was going to say before he said it. Already she felt like a fool, how could she have been so stupid. Her alabaster cheeks flushed crimson, though she kept her eyes steady refusing to look as stupid as she felt.