Ride by the lake

[Lord Jasen de Winter]

It having been some days since he had taken a leisure break, and this fine day was among such. Deciding to take advantage of the weather, Jasen had taken one of the horses that needed an exercise out for a ride and directed his mount toward the lake. It was quite the distance to cover, so there was time both to think things over and enjoy the day itself, which was a rarity. Having been by this place earlier in his life, Jasen knew the surroundings fairly well, despite the changes brought on by time, and as such took care where he guided his horse, not letting him stretch his legs yet. There was time and place for the race, and this terrain was more of a challenge than a racing track, though he had to admit he liked such.

In part, it allowed him to turn over the events since he arrived to Triadon, like the faces he met and the places he had visited, even if those places were rather of the same kind. Still, a few meetings stood out in his mind as important ones, and the masquerade events had been downright alarming. In turn the last ones led to several more, including his sister’s suggestion. So far, though, the suggestion was not in play, and while he hoped it would remain unneeded, there was still a lot to think about concerning such. The ride would be good to clear his head, after all, so far it be from him not to take it.


Lady Lynesse St. Claire

[Lady Lynesse St. Claire]

The day was clear, and her hours free so Lynesse had decided on a ride. She had some troubles on her mind and felt a ride would help her with those. Lynesse found her mind swirling with Twinports problems as well as the events that had happened since the masque. Of course, a guard was on hand since she was without an escort though he kept a discreet distance so that she would not feel stifled. The terrain was not the smoothest but she was confident in her skill as a rider.

Mind wandering this way and that, she soon found herself by the lake. Oblivious to the presence of anyone besides the guard trailing after her, Lynesse dismounted and ran her hand down the mares hair. Confident that there was no one around to scold her, Lynesse slipped off her footwear and dipped a toe into the water, finding it cool to the touch. Deciding to bring her sisters over for a swim here, she perched herself on a nearby rock, curled her legs up under her and admired the general calm of the lake. Finding herself thinking of mermaids and sirens, she gazed into the water and imagined them to be there. "I wonder if I would make an adequate mermaid," she wondered aloud, brushing a hand through her wavy, blonde hair as she looked out at the water. Humming to herself, the young lady once again drifted into her world of make believe and fantasy. No one around to judge her for it, after all.

[Lord Jasen de Winter]

Not particularly caring about the destination, Jasen was still amused to find himself helping his mount pick the way by the shore, the pebbles on the beach not being a good business to walk on whether for human or for a horse. Adding to his amusement was a certain lady busy with daydreaming rather than seeing about her. “I believe you could make an attempt at being a mermaid if you were capable of and enjoyed swimming now and then,” he informed the young woman, hoping he did not startle her too badly. The daydreaming was a good activity to engage into from time to time, but it just wasn’t the place if there was none around aside from their guard.

Recognizing the man as the same one who had accompanied the lady to the marketplace before the masque, Jasen dipped his head in greeting to him, deciding not to approach but thankful there was little in terms of weapons that could be considered threatening to Lady Lynesse and she couldn’t take care of them herself. Waiting to see what would happen if the lady in question reacted in any form, he dismounted and allowed his horse to have some time to find the grass spots higher by the shore. They were likely going to be here some time if the other times they interacted were any indicator. “How have you been, My Lady?” Aside from daydreaming about being a mermaid, which was quite amusing, he was certain they were were other things the lady did to distract herself between the past two meetings of theirs, much like himself.

[Lady Lynesse St. Claire]

Blinking in startled surprise, Lynesse quickly stood up and slipped her footwear back on. Wasn't considered close to scandalous for a man to see ones bare feet? For the life of her, she couldn't remember. "I do enjoy doing so every now and then," she said with a slight smile, wondering if he was finding her silly or foolish. "You must be finding me very silly," she mused as she moved off of her perch and back to the solid ground. Well, it would be too bad if he did because daydreaming seemed to be an unbreakable habit for her. Walking along the pebbly shore a bit, she smiled at her unexpected companion and wondered what it was he thought of her.

Watching the Duke as he dismounted, she supposed he at least found her interesting enough to converse with. Considering his question for a moment, she let off a small sigh. "Truth be told, things could be better but I am well, I had been thinking of you though," she confessed with a small smile. Lynesse was quite glad for the chance to speak with the Duke once more and hoped that he would enjoy her company. "How has Your Grace been?" She asked, the lilt of her voice making her reference to him sound like a fond endearment. Given that she was quite smitten with him, it probably was.

[Lord Jasen de Winter]

Watching the Lady St. Claire blink and appear to scramble for her shoes was slightly amusing. “Indeed, then nothing really stops you from taking a swim in the lake for a few minutes of daydreaming. I hear it can be quite relaxing,” Jasen mused, not particularly certain what to make of the young woman but finding her habit the cause for the guard that was about. She would get on wel with his sister, though there was no shyness in Lady Lynesse where his sister could be considered so. Still, that thought was neither here nor there. “Though perhaps the sport takes one’s mind from one’s environment, else I would have noticed the spot being occupied,” he continued, coming to walk next to the young woman.

As to her other point, there were a few minutes that she had occupied his mind, though he wondered whether the lady would like hearing such. “It had been surprisingly busy period so far,” he answered her in answer to the question. “I imagine you’ve either seen or heard about the King’s collapse at the masque? I had been looking after my siblings and attending to a few other things among those times.” Siblings were never far from Jasen’s mind, nor, he knew, were her own from Lynesse’s, so he did not think the lady would be too upset about the limited time. “My sister Katalin is under some pressure at this time and needs all the help myself and my brothers can provide for her. Yet I do apologise for neglecting an opportunity for meetings, My Lady. Perhaps you would consider an open invitation of further meetings?” He allowed the question to remain open, though this rather unexpected meeting could already be counted as such. Still, he found himself enjoying the company of the young woman, so perhaps there was a note to be made of the plan that still was to be put in action, but had to be put on hold due to recent events. Time would tell whether one such would be available, he supposed.

[Lady Lynesse St. Claire]

"Oh, only hear? Why not experience?" She teased, before wondering if it would be too improper to suggest a swim. When both had access to proper attire, that was. "Indeed, it can be a welcome escape when reality is bleak," she stated, a tad more serious than previously. Lynesse listened as the Duke continued to speak. "Yes, before my elder sister ushered myself and my sisters to safety," she stated, wondering if he knew anything. "We are also dealing with things in the duchy though I trust Julia is having it taken care of. I have mostly been busy with making sure my sisters are taken care of and not getting into too much trouble," she informed him.

"That is quite understandable, My Lord," she assured with a smile, "I would do the same were it my own sister in her position." Idly wondering if she would ever have the chance to meet with Katalin, she certainly hoped so. Lynesse glanced at him as he asked if she would consider further meetings. Not bothering to hide the pleased smile that bloomed on her lips, she couldn't resist blushing the slightest bit. "I would most certainly enjoy further meetings with you," she stated as she continued her walk along.

[Lord Jasen de Winter]

Jasen had to give an amused look toward the young lady as she suggested they experience it. “Perhaps when we have the proper swimming attire,” he suggested, spreading his hands to show how unprepared for swimming at least he was, though he had a sneaking suspicion that the lady won’t mind swimming in what she was currently wearing. She had been rather close to the edge of the lake, as it was, so if she leaned a bit further, she would’ve ended up rather wet. Raising a mental eyebrow at the direction in which his thoughts had taken, he turned his attention back to Lady Lynesse. At least it seemed that she understood his worries, though he reminded himself that she was one of the four siblings herself and thus would probably understand better than someone without.

Walking along with the young woman for the moment, Jasen thoughtfully inclined his head in agreement with her. “Perhaps when both of us have free time we can follow up with a walk in castle garden or general sightseeing,” he commented, wondering if the young woman had a chance for a simple look around. “I have to admit that I did not quite have a chance to do so myself properly.” He was rather surprised to find himself as busy as he had gotten, considering that this visit was supposed to be about entirely different things. Shrugging the thought off with an amused smile, he considered several things that were coming up, though he was uncertain when and where. Time would tell, it looked like, but Jasen thought he might have liked continuing to interact with the young woman.

[Lord Daven St. Claire]

It appeared to be a day for rides all around. Daven had also needed the opportunity to get away from the castle and its stifling environment. Marisa was busy doing something or another and Julia was still returning from Twinport. He also had absolutely no interest in interacting with any of this vassals, even though he knew he had to speak with Trevelyan sooner or later. That man was acting more and more strange as time went on. Daven had half a wonder if the man was not going to keel over from his overly anxious nature.

Astride his large stallion, Daven went away from the castle and down toward the lake. The ride was going smoothly enough and he intended to ride for several miles. To go around the entirety of the lake would take far too long as tempting as it clearly was. Eventually, he spotted some a pair of horses and their owners up ahead. His eyes narrowed. It was hard to make out who they were. The stallion was urged to move closer.

It didn't take too long for him to recognize Lynesse and ... Lord de Winter. The approach was completed but the expression on his face was unreadable. Didn't he even need to say anything?

Lord Jasen de Winter, Lady Lynesse St. Claire

[Lady Lynesse St. Claire]

Lynesse gave an amused look at the man and wondered if he thought she meant at that very moment. "Well of course, I didn't mean now," she said with a light laugh of amusement. Lynesse wouldn't have minded a swim as she was but that would be far too improper in her opinion. Lynesse felt a thrill of happiness when Jasen suggested other times they could be in each others company. "A walk in the gardens would be divine as I do enjoy them but haven't had the chance to see the entirety of it," she stated with a warm smile his way. Raising an eyebrow as he admitted he had not had much of a chance to have a simple look around, she gave another smile his way. "Oh? It would be my pleasure to help you rectify that, the gardens are a lovely place to start," she said.

Distracted as she was with her conversation with the duke, she had missed the approach of her father.
Blinking slightly at the recognizable stallion and figure riding it, Lynesse gave a welcoming, warm smile despite the unreadable expression. "Hello father, lovely day isn't it?" She chirped happily, idly wondering if her father was attempting to look formidable to the Duke walking by her side. Well, this had turned interesting and she wondered how her duke would fare.

[Lord Jasen de Winter]

Returning the amused look of the young lady with one of his own, Jasen folded his hands behind his back, keeping the walking pace to the one of leisure. At the very least he didn’t have anywhere to be in a hurry, and he didn’t think that Lady St. Claire was in such, either, else she would’ve been already going off somewhere. “Name your time and place, My Lady, I shall try to make it,” he responded, slightly curious as to her suggestion of the gardens. “Perhaps we could even encourage our respective siblings and perhaps your father to join us for such an excursion.”

Speaking of the man himself, Lady Lynesse’s greeting granted him a light pause in his step before he turned his head and lightly bowed toward the Duke St. Claire, as pertained to one of his rank. “Hello, Your Grace, how does your day?” Deciding he’d let the man to speak first, he raised an eyebrow in mild expression of amusement, for it was indeed looking like the nobles were starting to get drawn to the waters, as a cool breeze from the lake made the weather better than the climate just out of its bounds. Perhaps it was no wonder then that the St. Claire Duke was also drawn to the lake, for it tended to be enjoyable place to spend a few moments in. Then again, he supposed they would see.

[Lord Daven St. Claire]

"Daughter," he answered blandly and then fixed his gaze upon Jasen, "My Lord de Winter. I did not expect to see the two of you by the lake today. I thought I had seen her go off on her own," which he had a small issue with, but that could be resolved. The Duchy of Twinport had more than its fair share of knights and assigning one to Lynesse would not prove difficult in the slightest. "I suppose it was a fine ride for everyone involved."

Fortunately for all involved, there were no signs of impropriety taking place. Lynesse's makeup was not smeared or otherwise blemished, and Lord de Winter was not standing like a man with a guilty conscience. Thus, daven relaxed minutely and gave a curt nod. "To answer your question, it goes well for now."