Chapt. 1 ♔ the age of chivalry is never past, so long as there is a wrong left unredressed on earth.

[wynn]

♬ Troy - James Horner

WHO || Wynn, characters newly joining the Knights, current Knights attending the ceremony
WHAT || February Squiring Ceremony
WHERE || Knights Headquarters, the Great Hall
WHEN || February 1st, 2012, 6:00PM
HOW || Actionspam

The impressively large Great Hall of the castle could easily pass as a royal throne room, with its length and the red carpet leading up to a set of steps. However, there is no throne set at the top of them, and the Hall is wide enough to accommodate hundreds of Knights, in theory. Today no theories are needed: it seems that almost every Knight in the London area has decided to attend the squiring. Perhaps it's the rumors floating around that some of these arrivals have caused something of a stir even with Wynn himself, but whatever the reason, the Knights stand in ranks on either side of the wide stretch of red, each wearing the traditional set of ceremonial armor in their possession.

The new squires were fitted to their armor after meeting with Wynn, and it's traditional for each to appear for the first time before the Knighthood wearing it. Each new member is assured that only a very small number of the Knights make use of their armor for other circumstances, but it does create an intimidating sense of unity as they stand shoulder to shoulder in rank and file to receive their newest pledges.

The squires are ushered in together, with a flair of orchestral music that fills the hall with as much pomp as possible. It's a lot like that last scene in A New Hope. Yeah, you thought I was going to get through an entire post being all serious, didn't you.

At the top of the steps, Wynn waits, wearing a sword on his belt that canny eyes† might recognize as familiar.

It's one hell of a long walk past all those staring, curious eyes. Luckily, it's a long musical number.

For additional dice rolling fun (optional):

† Roll or randomize a d20. Those who roll a 15 or above can spot the sword for being the exact same sword that was suspended in the statue above the Round Table, when they met with Wynn in the Prologue.
† Roll a d20 dexterity check. If your character rolls a 2 or 3, at some point during their walk they're bound to stumble. A critical fail will lead to an epic faceplant ... or worse.

Comments

[everyredcent]

[Of course he does, he only comes to these things to offer his helpful commentary, after all. Christos eyes them all with a great deal of judgment.]

Wonder who'll get stuck with this lot.

[He doesn't really make any effort to keep his voice down from his place in line, and so the Knights around them all get to hear everything too]

We'll probably lose half of them by April.

[socialgraces]

[Francesca doesn't turn to look at him when she responds, and she has the decency to keep her voice low.] At least they have your vote of confidence. [She keeps her sarcasm obvious, but not heavy. She does actually enjoy his commentary. Or maybe it's just become so expected she can't imagine these things without it.]

[everyredcent]

I wonder which of them it was that Wynn found so... fascinating. [This is said in a lower tone, a murmur, almost. Christos is really only here because of the rumors that Wynn's meeting with some of these knights caused him to contact the Dragon's Hoard and lock himself up with Lis'sa and Gar, talking for hours.]

[socialgraces]

[That comment causes Francesca to actually turn to look at Christos. She hasn't heard any rumors of this. She opens her mouth slightly, as if to ask him to elaborate, but then her good sense kicks in and she realizes this is neither the time nor place. She'll ask him later.

Instead, she decides steal his interest back ;) She turns back to face the squires, and makes her comment as nonchalant as she can manage.] One of them is squired to me.

[everyredcent]

[She really does know how to play him like a fiddle. It's kind of sad. He tenses, not that she can see it. Thank god. And immediately starts scanning them all again with renewed attention to detail.]

You hadn't mentioned getting a squire.

[socialgraces]

[Francesca expertly keeps her focus and her face steadfast.] Wynn only asked me a few days ago. I haven't met him yet. The squire, that is. And I don't really know exactly why Wynn asked me to take him on... [She shrugs] but I didn't really have a good reason to turn it down. [She doesn't offer up her squire's identity right away, leaving him guessing for a few silent moments.]

[everyredcent]

[His eyes flash across them all once more, narrowing in on the three guys. His lip turns down into a deeply set disapproving frown.]

Just see that it doesn't get in the way of your missions. [That's his discreet and jerky way of reminding you that now you have someone who's going to be stalking you everywhere. 8| ]

[socialgraces]

[She turns her head again and gives him an 'are you serious...?' look.] Don't worry. I won't. [She's slightly irritated now and her tone is short.

Her gaze settles on Ethan then and for only a fraction of a second she wishes she could think of something really insulting to say to Christos. But then it passes and she caves, like she always does.

She lets out an audible sigh.] I didn't mean to not tell you, you know. [And she really wishes she didn't feel the need to justify her every move with him.] It just hadn't come up yet. It's Ethan Mavery, by the way. My squire. [She glances at him out of the corner of her eye to see if he's still even listening to her.]

Apparently he's a former Royal Air Force Captain or something, so I'm sure he can at least handle his own.

[everyredcent]

[Oh, he's listening, but he's not looking at her. His gaze has honed in on El Capitan over there and he says disdainfully:]

He looks like he has elf blood. [His argument trumps yours forever. ELVES CANNOT HANDLE THEIR OWN.]

[socialgraces]

[She surprised by his remark, even though she really shouldn't be. She hadn't even taken the time to notice any racial features about Ethan besides his obvious human ones. But leave it to Christos to recognize something so minor on first observation.] Perhaps. [She wasn't going to even give him a chance to defend his prejudices.]

You managed fine with me as your squire. And if you were able to survive all your missions while having to haul me along with you, I'm sure I can manage fine with a trained solider by my side should peril arise. [And she's not really to thinking before she says all this, which is something rare for her. She just wanted to say something nice, and nostalgic, to smooth it all over. So if he takes it wrong, that's what she gets... and really it's what she should expect by now.

She turns to give him a small, reassuring smile.]

[everyredcent]

[He does not look reassured, but then again he looks thrown off balance by her pointing out his own capabilities, because it's hard to be a jerk when she's ... praising him 8| So he just says:] Yes. Well.

[And then finds nothing to add to that.]

[socialgraces]

[She feels almost satisfied now: even neutral ground is better than being trapped in an inadvertent hostile situation. Her smile grows bigger.

She lowers her voice to a confidential tone.] And if he's the so-called 'fascinating' one, I'll be sure to wring him for every detail for you.

[everyredcent]

[That seems to mellow his annoyance, and he almost smirks back]

I should hope so.

[socialgraces]

[And then Ethan notices her attention, waggling his fingers and winking in her direction. /facepalm

She looks away from him, rolling her eyes, and hoping Christos didn't notice. She sighs and mumbles:] I highly doubt it's him, though.

[everyredcent]

[He noticed. He noticed so hard. And snorts at his behavior.]

I can't imagine why.

[socialgraces]

[She just shakes her head.] Well, if anything, I'm always happy to bring you a little comic relief. [And she turns her head just a fraction towards Christos, enough to give him a little smile.]

[everyredcent]

[He's still got his eyes on the guy, but he still seems to notice the smile and there's not any hostility in his words.] Never a dull moment.