[Featured characters: Aila, Borus, Chris, Geddoe, Percival, Queen, Viki] Budehuc Castle: Courtyard Budehuc Castle would look absolutely gorgeous were it fifty years younger and better taken care of. All the same, the manor has a quaint appeal, built two stories tall out of brick and stone. Dozens of windows line the walls, and ivy grows liberally across the building as it pleases. The area around the entrance is paved with stone, well worn with time and use in a yard that is gruesomely overgrown at places. The walls which surround the castle itself were likely once functional, but now sit very low and worn, crumbling unevenly at the top. The small tavern that sits snug against the manor looks like it was added as a second thought. An obvious adjunct, it's built of white stone and wood, crammed in the long, narrow spot between the manor and the wall. The pathways themselves lead off towards the town to the south and the lake to the west. ===== Drab stone walls, so often covered only by ivy and the occasional bit of mold, look to have been hit by a veritable storm of life and color, bricks festooned with flowers, banners, ribbons, and more than a few ladders. Unused decorations lie temporarily forgotten upon the ground, swaying in the light breeze that sweeps from the west, and they dance as flowers might in a meadow, content to mingle and enjoy what freedom they are allowed, before they are claimed and pinned to unmoving rock or wood. Calls drift from one side of the courtyard to the next, and it is rare that they arrive unjumbled. As a result, there's no deficiency in confusion, and no more than a few decorators have anything greater than a hint of an idea what they're to be doing. But randomness is half the charm! Leaning precariously upon a ladder, Aila narrows her eyes and frowns at an unfortunately pink strand of ribbon. This was almost too garish to go through with! Alas, she had already volunteered to be of service (which is to say, Luce had finally grown weary of her inept sewing presence and had sent her off to be more productive), and there was no efficient way to suggest alternatives. It was too late for Karayan rugs and tapestries, after all, and even if it wasn't, she doubts anyone would understand her. Everything was just too loud, too hectic, too out of control. A-a-and...is her ladder tipping?! It is! She releases a fretful squeak and thrusts her weight towards the wall, narrowly averting a disaster. Who knew this endeavor could be so dangerous? She would have to speak to Thomas about the state of his castle's ladders as soon as she had completed her task. Borus emerges from the double doors that make the main entrance to the castle and squints at the annoyance known as sunlight. The prior night's spirits that have been helping this knight keep his sanity are causing some horrible morning demons. Glancing around under a hand that is futily blocking the sun, he sees the decorating has started. With a grunt, he remembers his orders to assist with whatever they need. Albeilt a bit resentful for being used as the servant in this endeavor, he will obey. His eyes spot that accident prone Karayan tipping on a ladder. Shaking his head, he walks over and stands next to it, for lack of anything better to do. Drinking? Mercenaries usually get drunk then pass out. He's never been that kind - too many secrets to keep and being drunk... well, makes for loose tongues. Why is he here? Something like he'd looked idle or something...? Maybe... but he's carrying a box of things. He sets down the crate to look at what Aila is doing... that looks... colorful... "......" The king of conversation - that's Geddoe for you. Percival has seen him more than once in the tavern, and he's always the same, quiet and unassuming, closed off. The knight hasn't made any attempt to get to know him for that reason. Best to let people alone, if they wish to remain that way. Perhaps it's too much assumption on his part. But he has no qualms about watching the man from his perch on a barrel by the rune shop; it's a nice, shady spot, and it has /already/ been decorated, thank the goddess. He's only here to keep an eye on the preparations, and make sure no one gets themselves killed. He does rise when Aila's ladder tips, but she manages to take care of it herself, and Borus's timely appearance saves him from having to move. Good, because he's still tired. And while he isn't suffering quite so badly as his friend, he had too much to drink the night before as well. Queen walks in just behind Geddoe, observing the decorations going up. It was going to be quite the festive event - very encouraging and spirit-raising for the young ones at the castle. "Are those paper lanterns and coloured ribbons supposed to go up here, Geddoe?" Queen asks, taking a few steps ahead of him and looking around. She observes for a moment, spotting Borus, who first blinks in the sunlight, and then groggily heads over to the ladder. She glances over at Geddoe - that was clearly the knight they had bested, along with his infantry a while ago in Karaya. Viki stands by her mirror, leaning on her wand, half awake...half-asleep. But, that certainly wasn't anything new. Especially on a warm day like today...although since she was indoors, she could only assume it was a nice, sunny day. Wasn't it? She really shouldn't be so lazy. She yawns, rubs her eyes and stretches, hoping noone had noticed her drooling half-conscious state. And by the looks of the empty hall, noone had. Where was everyone today anyway? The castle had been bustling with excitement as of late, but Viki didn't know why as noone had told her. Or maybe she just didn't remember? She should ask someone....noone would mind if she left her station for a bit, would they? She walks towards the entrance and throws open the double doors, wincing. So bright~ And so many people! What was going on? "Good morning everyone...or is it afternoon?" And she gives everyone a dazzling smile as blinding as the sun~ What a horrendous color, pink is. Who brought it into popularity? Probably the ironheads. They're ruining the world, one poor fashion choice at a time! Only when Aila's eyes raise from the adornment does she notice Borus lurking by her ladder. /Lurking/. By /her/ ladder. She allows this thought to loop for a few minutes, her mind caught in a seemingly endless strand of processing and regurgitating, processing and regurgitating. Then, it clicks. Sending a triumphant glance down to the spiral of magenta ribbon, she twirls it in her fingers before releasing it to fall upon Borus' head, hopefully giving him a head of pink, silken hair. Catching sight of Geddoe, who has also apparently come to linger, she waves and smiles. The act of waving causes her to lose her balance, and a scramble ensues to regain it. Oh, that's it! She's had her fill of ladders. Slowly, surely, she climbs down and rejoices when her feet touch the solid, unmoving ground of the castle. What bliss! Queen's arrival brings another smile to her lips, and she begins to meander over to the female mercenary, her route lacking direction if only to avoid the various decorations and people scattered about. Once she reaches Queen, she sends a polite glance to Geddoe, then leans over to whisper in the older woman's ear. "Queen, I direly need your help." She withdraws to point at her hair, all bland and disorderly behind her head, hoping this action will explain her need entirely. Then, she whispers again, "You see, I want to look my best for the dance, but, um, my hair is...a wreck. Always. I can't even brush it." Naturally, she assumes that Queen will be able to assist her, since she always has such lovely hair. Besides, Queen is nice, and one of the less insane residents of these parts. Indeed it is so that Mr. Congenality himself is standing crossarmed by that ladder. That inane Grassie seems to have an eye for trouble, and he fears that if something did happen to her in his presence, it would be his head that would roll. His head...its killing him...damn wine...and the sun is being unbearably cruel to him today, by being so intensely bright. So there he stands, completely dazed, in agony, staring into space. He sees Percival sitting on a barrel...Lazy bastard...he doesn't even offer a wave if his friend isn't going to help with this nonsense. He doens't notice something flutter gently onto his blonde hair. He just stand there...and stares...at nothing...and wishing the headache would leave him, at the very least. Geddoe looks at the box then at Queen, "..... I'm fairly certain... the answer is yes." He looks up at the wall... then back at the box.... then at the ladder. He's not getting up on THAT thing.... Funding for Budehuc castle really needs to be increased. A slight smile crosses his craggy features... the sight of Borus with that pink... monstrosity on his head... he glances at Queen, then finds himself saying - more to himself... "I don't know if Wyatt would laugh or cry at the sight of that." Well, his friend may not be willing to acknowledge his presence, but Percival has no problem laughing at the sight of Borus draped in magenta ribbon. He offers a jaunty salute, still seated comfortably on his shady barrel, and grins across the courtyard. It's all in good fun really - he has to share a room with Borus, so it would be no good to tease him /too/ badly. No, just a little. He deserves it, after that night at the tavern. This supervision business is terribly boring, in any case. He sweeps his gaze over the courtyard, and, finding nothing amiss, goes back to his contemplation of Geddoe - until Viki's voice catches his attention. He leans forward to peer up at the manor. Please, not another hapless person to watch. Queen eyes Borus as he slumps past, knowing better than to reply to Geddoe's comments to himself. She glances at the creaky ladder, and looks at Geddoe. "I guess you can knock yourself out," she says, intentionally inserting the pun. "Maybe you can get one of the Zexens to help you out," she adds. When Aila approaches her, she listens carefully to the teenager's request, and then studies Aila carefully. Hair? What did she REALLY know about managing hair? She knew how to manage her own, yes... and the simplest method was just to keep it short. Who would know better? Maybe.... Augustine? The thought of Augustine giving Aila fashion tips gives Queen the mental shivers. "I'll have to see what kind of styling agents I can get for you," she replies quietly, with a subtle glance at Percival. She appraises the girl, putting a hand to her chin. "But I should be able to manage something." She pats Aila on the shoulder. "You'll have to see me before the dance, preferably in the morning," she says. "I'm going to have to procure some things from Sebastian if I'm going to do this. It's been a while since I've had to do this... the mercenary life doesn't really allow for a lot of styling." Viki walks futher out into the courtyard, letting the doors close behind her. Glacing around the area, she tries to remember what had brought her here. Shouldn't she be at her mirror? Maybe she was hungry? She lightly rubs her stomach with her free hand. No, that wasn't it..... Well, it wouldn't do to be walking around aimlessly, she should go back ...but wait. She blinks as her ears pick up snippets of Queen and Aila's conversation. Dance...hair........brush? She walks over to the two females with a friendly smile on her face. Viki could help with hair! "I have a brush! But, should you be brushing your hair while you dance?" She frowns with concern for her Karayan friend (sorta) . "That would be dangerous!" Dangerous? Viki's not one to talk. Aila would be safer with a brush than Viki could ever, ever hope to be when within even fifty feet of her wand. In fact, Aila would probably even be safer with a chainsaw, but since those don't exist it's really a moot point. "Well..." begins Aila, contemplating what in the world she's trying to say while she talks, "I don't want the brush for the dance. Or...do I want to dance with the brush? What did I want with the brush again?" She blinks a few times in rapid succession, pauses, then blinks a bit more. Lovely. Now Viki's absentmindedness is contagious, and Aila has contracted the disease. A look of worry creases her face, and her gaze darts around feverishly before she excuses herself. "There's pink. A lot of pink. I'm going to dispose of it." That said, she scurries off to remove any pink decoration that catches her eye and, after that, hopefully toss it all in a pile to be burned. Does that mean Aila is taking the thing away from Borus's hair? It might be too good to hope for. He studies the latter... he's supposed to go up on that thing? Maybe if he's not in armour.... He's not exactly that light-boned... he glances at Percival. ".... He'd be better suited... I think." That can't be Geddoe looking his way, can it? Seeing that Aila has made her exit, Percival can reasonably guess the mercenary's line of thought, and... no, definitely not. He's already doing his job, thank you /very/ much. There have been two arguments already that he has had the pleasure of breaking up, and there will probably be more - let's not add decorating to that list of miserable occurances for today. He gives the man a long, wary look, as if to convey this thought. And then he catches sight of a child tangled in yellow streamers by the stairs, and hurries over to free the poor boy. He /is/ doing /something/, as you can see. He just happens to have an easy shift, is all. That would be due to luck ... or rather, Borus's ineberation of the night before. He probably doesn't even remember it, does he? Ahem. Queen watches Aila scurry off at the sight of Viki, and understandably so. The girl's good intentions always seemed to result in disaster, making Queen wonder what would happen if Viki actually willed despair and hope upon someone. "We'll talk about it later," Queen adds before Aila disappears. She glances up at the sorceress, giving her only the slightest of nods, before turning back to Geddoe. "Well, if you really prefer, I could climb the ladder," she comments. She glances back at Percival, who seems content to sit on his lazy butt. "The lazy Zexen's not going to budge," she says, rolling her eyes. "Men." She picks up the box and then heads toward the ladder, picking it up and shifting it over to start putting up the lanterns. "Oh! I'll see you later Aila!" Viki waves at the retreating girl, briefly wondering if something was wrong. Maybe the girl had found her brush after all and didn't need hers? Oh well. She quickly moves out of the way as Queen starts picking up the boxes. Boxes that looked quite heavy. "Are you sure you don't need help?" Viki immediately starts walking over to Queen, having every intention of relieving the woman of the load she was carrying. Of course, Viki being Viki....manages to trip over some mysterious invisible stone or -something- on the ground. Her arms go flailing and she falls...directly into Queen. "Oof!" "Please," Geddoe replies. He'd do it, if he trusted the ladder... He'll hold it in place.... He'd rather not have Queen do what Aila was doing. "I"ll support the ladder." He'll be useful... just he'd rather not kill himself in the process. He does glance oddly at Viki a few times... and if Queen needs any catching from Viki... well he'll catch... but he's certain Queen can handle herself. The child is sent running on his merry way, and Percival straightens just in time to see Viki and Queen topple over. He winces, and reluctantly makes his way over to them, halting a few steps from Geddoe to offer his hand - it doesn't matter which of them takes it. It's just the knightly thing to do, or so the stories say. "Are you okay?" His voice is a bit tired, though his face no longer shows signs of his campaign... and luckily not last night's indulgence in the tavern. Chris would kill him if she knew he had been drinking so much before going on duty. And that is a knight for you, ladies! The stories paint them up to be charming, chivalrous, and all other types of perfect, but in reality, they drink themselves under the table just as often as any mercenary, and pinch just as many barmaids. Not that Percy does the last; he has no inclination to anger a woman after growing up with that gaggle of squealing girls in Iksay. Goddess no. He'd rather die in glorious battle, thanks. Queen is only carrying a box of paper lanterns, and they were not heavy by any means. Fortunately, the box of tools was still by Geddoe's feet - if she had been carrying those, then maybe someone would have managed to get seriously injured. As it is, she feels Viki stumble into her, and Queen nearly falls over but her instincts take over and she swings her leg back and plants it firmly, preventing herself from losing her balance completely. The box shifts in her hands and at least four lanterns fall out of it, bouncing on the ground. She stops for a moment, evaluating her position, realising that she's no longer at risk. Queen gives a forlorn look toward Viki, who has pretty much rolled off of her and ended up on the ground... on top of some finely crushed wood and paper. "Why, thank you for inquiring, Sir Percival," Queen says wryly, casting him a cool glare. "Perhaps you can help our friend up off of the floor here." What just happened? She had been walking one second and the next.....on her back and staring up at the sky. And something hurt. And...other things were poking her in the back. Viki lies there, her hands still stubbornly holding unto her wand. She blinks a few times, then rolls her head to the side..coming face to face with a pair of shoes. Queen's most likely. A little embarassed --but not nearly as much as she should be--, she pulls herself into a sitting position, a hand immediately going to her right ankle. The painful throbbing was there. In that ankle. Which meant she most likely -sprained- it. She throws a helpless look to Queen. And to Geddoe. And Percival. " ...Umm, a little help, please?" Geddoe just stares silently for a bit... he looks to Percival. If he wants to play knight, he can play it with Viki. Geddoe reaches down to pick up one of the lanterns that haven't been crused, "I trust you're fine, Queen?" Percival is tempted to roll his eyes, but no use in creating a conflict himself, eh? He has kept to his duty, and that's what matters. As Queen seems to be able to take care of herself, he kneels down beside the mage, tilting his head a little to catch her eyes. With the way she'd been acting he expected a child, but she doesn't look it at all up close. "I can help you, miss... if you don't mind?" Something else he learned the hard way - don't assume /anything/. For all he knows, she wants Geddoe to sweep her off her feet instead... though he would be happy to do it himself. Chris was planning to spend the day upstairs, cleaning up the dust and dirt that accumulated in her room. She earlier ran her finger down one of the shelves and let's just say, if she recieved a potch for ever handful of dust found she could fill a room with it. Sadly, her interest in cleaning up her room wasn't something she could count on to stay. Chris found herself downstairs, forcing herself through the door to the courtyard she for one wasn't expecting it to be brightly decorated with eager chattering from the nearby inhabitants. Or maybe eager is an exaggeration. It was a great surprize though, Chris didn't put much thought in Budehuc's events and celebrations so what everyone was doing confused her and she didn't understand why the courtyard was being decorated for that matter. She looked around acknowledging who was in the midst. Queen moves her foot daintily away from Viki. "Yes, I'm fine, Geddoe," she replies coarsely, frowning at the clumsy girl. "Looks like some of Mel's lanterns aren't though." But her acerbic tone fades when Viki sits up and nurses her ankle. "Sprained?" She puts her box down and kneels beside Viki, looking at her foot. "Stay still. Don't try to move on it." She inspects it visually for a moment before running a hand over it, pushing gently in various places. "Does that hurt? That? How about that?" Viki blinks at the gallant knight, not really hearing his words, her mouth gaping open in awe. Perhaps his handsome face and form has rendered her speechless? Or it could be the dazzling smile, or even the sparkle in his eyes? Nope, it was definitely the hair. Viki had never seen hair like that before! Not that she would remember if she had, but...what did he use to make it stand up that way? She unconscious lifts a hand to pat her own flat, -normal- head of hair. "....Your hair...I really like it! How do you---Ow!" She tears her eyes away from Percival to look at Queen now. Queen, who was poking her injured ankle. More than once. "Yes it hurts! And now! And now too!" This is a strange one. Percival smiles faintly, amused, though his expression grows concerned when she starts voicing her complaints to Queen's examination. "Miss Jeane has kindly supplied the means for first aid," he offers, more to Queen than Viki. That one seems to have some presence of mind, even if she is snide about it. But who is he to complain? Good wit is hard to find. He settles for a touch of sarcasm. "I can carry her over and take care of it there... if you deem her well enough to move." Queen glances up at Geddoe with a grave expression. "Injured... I think we should call the doctor." She rises. "She's probably not good enough to move on her own, but if you can pick her up without disturbing her leg, sir knight..." She darts her eyes toward the manor, and then says, "You can probably deaden the pain with a Water Rune as well. But I think I'm going to get the doctor anyway." She gives a look at the box, and then says, "I guess I'll see to it that someone gets the lanterns up?" before heading toward the tavern door entrance to Budehuc Castle. Oh good, Percival is here. Chris thought to herself as she went over to say hello. At this time, Queen departed and went into the tavern. Chris gave a skeptical look before continuing. And what a surprize it was to see Viki on the floor...not. Chris examined the surroundings to confirm whether or not anyone else was on the floor injured. It /was/ very mean to conclude right away that it was Viki's fault that she was injured but with all that has happened - how else could Chris react? At least no one else seemed to be in distress. Giving some concern to Viki, Chris made her way over and said "Viki, did something happen? Are you hurt?" "Oh I don't need a doctor!" Viki calls after Queen, but...a moment to late. Really, there was no need, Viki was perfectly fine! She waves the two men away, assuring both of them she was fine and the ankle would get better in a bit. She would know...after all, this -has- happened a few times before. And...Lady Chris! Viki brightens up visibly upon seeing the female knight and waves to her exuberantly. Forgetting her current position and even forgetting the reason -for- her current position, Viki immediately jumps up to greet her -dear- friend. Which is a very bad idea. Her ankle, protesting the sudden weight, gives out and with a "Ouch!", Viki falls face first into a very...hard...chest. And as she goes on, she instinctly grabs on to the next nearest thing. Which would be the very scary-looking man in the eyepatch.... Geddoe could be mean and sidestep... but that might be a bit too cold...? And a bad idea apparently since it looks like it might be not just Viki... Please say it's just Viki - he could keep himself and her upright but not if Percival lost his balance. e_e; Luckily for Geddoe, Percival has not lost his balance. He staggers back a step at the unexpected impact, but manages to reach out and catch Viki in his arms before she can bowl the other man completely over. They're both lucky he isn't encumbered by his armor today. "Whoa! Careful, miss." He pulls one of Viki's arms up around his neck and lifts her off the ground as if she weighs nothing. She almost feels too thin under that bulky dress - no wonder she managed to hurt herself so easily. "I think it's time we do something about that ankle of yours." He offers Viki a smile, and then looks to Geddoe and Chris. "If one of you could help, I'd appreciate it. Someone will have to hold her when we wrap it." And the rest can be taken care of with a water rune, hopefully. The doctor is probably busy enough with the troops... he doesn't need to be pulled out here for a simple sprain. Chris stared back and forth between what was in front of her. She bit her lip and decided to stay silent as Percival carried the injured Viki in his arms. They both looked VERY close Chris added as an afterthought. It was good that you could talk in your mind and not let anyone else know what your thinking. "Viki sprained her ankle?" Chris asked to not look suspiciously quiet. It was quite obvious she had but it seemed rash to jump to conclusions. "I'll go and get some bandages." "Oh Lady Chris, I'm okay!" Viki says, face still smarting from her fall....and she immediately squeezes her eyes shut as Percival lifts her off the ground and dangerously close to his pointy hair. She almost lost an eye! Like that poor man with the eyepatch! She opens them up again a second later and silently notes that she's in a rather...close proximity with the knight. Any other young maiden being in such close contact with a dashing man would blush or faint, but Viki, being Viki, merely blinks at him in confusion. His hair looked even strangey up close. Her position was quite awkward too, seeing as her wand was still securely in hand. "Can you please hold this?" She turns her head towards Geddoe, practically tossing her wand at him. He seemed trustworthy enough. Erm... Okay.... "Certainly..." He accepts the wand slowly. He has NO idea what to do with the wand... Well, he has a vague idea... of what to do with it. Well it will be safer with him... right? Since he doesn't know how to summon a river of syrup or other strange things. "Wait, milady...!" Percival sighs, his call a bit too late. And his gaze lingers after her too, though as soon as he realizes it he snaps back to the task at hand and makes his way toward the rune shop. He assumes Geddoe will follow, wand in hand, and spares a moment to smile at Viki. "Don't worry about a thing, miss. Everything will be taken care of." This isn't the first injury of the day - no, just an hour ago, an idiot boy had tried to climb over the rooftops to interfere with the decorations, and ended up with a broken arm; then there was the woman who had managed to tangle string around her fingers so tightly he'd had to use his sword to cut it loose (and what an ordeal /that/ was), and... well, let's just say that despite appearances, Percival had not been idle this morning. And of the surly group of decorators he'd been forced to associate with today, Viki at least had a pleasant demeanor... even if she did seem a bit dreamy. No matter! He seats her carefully on the barrel he'd been sitting on earlier and, once he's sure Viki is steady, he kneels down to examine the injury for himself. It's swelling, but not too badly. A little work with his rune should do the trick, and if she can be persuaded to stay off her feet for a day, she should be fine - just in time for the dance. And speaking of the dance... and Chris... that's something he should be considering. If Borus hasn't beat him to it.