[Soothing Waters] Soothing Water, Vibrant Conversation (Open

[John Griffin]

So the girl was in the city for work. That she had been in Syliras for a season probably meant either she had been looking for work for some time now, or she had been in and out of a job, or jobs. Not that either were particularly bad, at least in regards to judging someone." John smiled, "You assume correctly once more. I am a knight in the Order here." His smile turned into a sly grin, "I'm one of the walking metal cans you've no doubt seen. Possibly even one of the ones you have seen." His jest was meant for conversations sake, and was by no means his actual opinion of the Knights.

She had started to float to the surface when she brushed the other nearby man. Promptly apologizing, the girl verily invited him into the conversation. Perhaps John could make two friends here. As a squire he did not have that much interaction with the regular populous, and such friends were greatly desired by the young man.

"Please," he echoed. "Join us!" Gesturing to Tyuru, this time being careful to do so towards her face and shoulder area, John said, "This is Tyuru, I'm John. What is your name?"

[Blackthawne]

Blackthawne jumped quite alot when he felt what was undeniably a foot brushing against the side of his leg. Somehow, he managed to keep his face from turning the same color as his hair, and reminded himself that although it was a naked woman who's foot brushed against him... It was a bathhouse, and it was accidental.

"My name is Blackthawne... Strange, I know. Pleasure to meet you both."

He smiled after the introduction at them both, politely inclining his head to each of them. Then he turned to Tyuru and smiled, this one seeming a bit more natural. Blackthawne always found it easier talking to women than men... His mind always thinking they were going to wind up competing with him for no reason whatsoever...

"I'm sure you'll get used to the water.... The mass nudity of the bathhouse still manages to embarass me, though."

Grinning a little, he gestured over to a couple that seemed to be doing....well, we all understand what they are doing, over the opposite side of the pool. Then, his gaze travelled to John.

"I heard you say you were a Knight of the Order? How did you come to be a Knight, if y'don't mind me asking?"

[John Griffin]

John listened politely as Blackthawne introduced himself, indeed having thought that the man's name was strange. After a few moments the newcomer asked him about the knighthood. Always happy to inform others about the Order, he smiled.

"Yes I am, and I don't mind you asking at all. I was born into it pretty much. Not to say that knighthood is hereditary, it's not. Just that my father, and his father, and his father were all knights, so it was only natural that I be raised thee same. We call it hereditary, but others can join as well. One need not be born into a family of knights."

Cocking his head inquisitively, he asked, "Did you have an interest in the Order?"

[Tyuru]

“Blackthawne,” Tyuru repeated, memorizing it. “That is a strange name, but strange in an interesting way rather than a ‘let’s burn him at the stake’ way. Where are you from?” Once again Tyuru stared, fascinated, at Blackthawne’s eyes. Her gaze slid to his shoulders and chest, before she caught herself, blinking, and looked at the wall opposite her, studying the stone.

She sunk back into the water so as not to obscure John’s view of Blackthawne. Absently she wrung out her hair again. How did it manage to remain so very curly even when wet? It was infuriating. How she wished she had sleek and straight hair. The road kill atop her head was unsightly. She sank lower into the water, grabbing a couple of locks and rubbing at them, repeating this with different parts of her hair until most of the grime washed off. Then she wrung it out again, getting rid of the excess moisture. She tugged her fingers through the tangled mess until the knots were gone and each damp ringlet was separate. At least it wasn’t greasy and matted any more.

“I find it interesting that’s you’re a knight, Sir John. I thought knights were insufferable and strict, but you seem to be neither. I suppose my views have changed. The Order must be a wonderful place to seek employment. How long does it take to become a knight?” Tyuru leaned back against the pool in a more comfortable position, letting just the bottommost curls float atop the water after she took so much trouble trying to get it dry. The water swirled delightfully around her shoulders, and she let out a sigh of contentment. Her question to John may have sounded like she wanted to become a knight, but she knew she wasn’t cut out for it. She wished she was, but she would bring the whole standard for knights down if she tried to join and she knew it.

[Blackthawne]

Blackthawne lost track of the conversation after Tyuru moved aside to wash her hair. He realised how long it'd been since he'd merely been in the presence of a woman. It took him several moments before he shook his head violently, probably spraying the pair with water, before he turned to answer John.

"It is my wish to become a Knight.... I have often travelled in the company of Knights as they travel to complete their quests. My parents were merchants, you see."

He ran his hands backwards through his hair, brushing the spiked mop back to sit slightly messily on his head. Tyuru's response to his name caught him off guard, and he let out a genuine laugh. Although he was very laid back, Blackthawne hadn't had the opportunity to laugh for a long time. It felt good, for him.

"Ah...where was I born....."

He sat and pondered for a moment before grinning, and shrugging lightly.

"I have no idea. I was born in transit between here and some settlement or another. I lived my life on the roads, so I don't really have a birthplace, or a home. I usually camp in whatever forest or woodland I can find."

He smiled, strangely enough. Blackthawne was much more suited to the outdoors than the heavy population of a city. He knew being a Knight would mean the city was his home but, it didn't bother him.... His uncle had knew something lay waiting for him here, and Blackthawne knew in his heart that this was it... He wanted to become a Knight.

"Are you also considering attempting to become a Knight, Tyuru?"

[Tyuru]

Tyuru stole glances at the men on either side of her. It was nice to talk to somebody once in a while. Both of them were very handsome. Her mind ran a scenario: both racing for swords to fight to the death over her hand in marriage. Her own imagination brought a smile to her lips. Gods, Tyuru, even your mind is eccentric. These poor gentlemen, forced to endure your company. Undoubtedly your vanity will smother them before long.

When Blackthawne brushed back his hair Tyuru thought it made him look rather rugged in a manly way and the girl was delighted that he had laughed. As much as she loved herself, Tyuru enjoyed seeing others happy. She tended to think it was caused by her presence alone. Once again. Vanity. Also, you can't ogle them both. That's very unladylike. But you're not much of a lady. They can't very well fight for you honor, you've got none to begin with!

"That sounds like a very exciting life. Did you have to fight any dangerous battles or save innocent damsels? Is that why you want to be a knight?" Fairytales still intrigued Tyuru. She loved a good story.

"I don't think I'm cut out to be a Lady Knight. I'm not nearly noble enough." She tried for a laugh but her face fell and she sunk lower into the water, hunching her shoulders ever so slightly. Without her even realising it, her body language had turned defensive. If she couldn't defend herself from one man, how could she defend a whole city of people from maybe hundreds of men? It would be an insult to what the Order stood for if she tried to join.

[John Griffin]

John nodded when Blackthawne said he wished to become a knight. "A noble intention. The Order can certainly use all the willing men," he winked at Tyuru," and women it can get."

John let out a chuckle when Tyuru revealed her initial impression of the Syliran Knights. "I'm glad I'm not insufferable," he said with a smirk. "It depends," John answered. "It took me almost nine years. Three as a page and five as a squire. Then another three seasons on my quest for knighthood." He raised a hand to emphasize his next point. "But that's only because I'm hereditary. Adults need not spend any time as a page, and their squirehood can last anywhere from a day to several years. It all depends on the person, and how fast they can learn."

John listened quietly to the other two, his eyes moving to whomever was speaking. Finally he said, "I think you do yourself a discredit, Tyuru. No longer is nobility tied to blood or force of arms. Now it is back to the essence of the word, having virtue and attempting to do right. Why I have at this very moment a candidate for squirehood who has done horrible, horrible things. But he has seen the error of his ways, and seeks to absolve himself of the blood on his hands. Choosing the right way over the easy way, that is nobility, and anybody is capable of it." He looked Tyuru square in the eyes. "Even you."

[Tyuru]

Tyuru fell quiet, twirling a lock of hair absently between her fingers in a familiar, calming motion. She was grateful to John as he looked her steadily in the eyes. For what, exactly, she didn't quite know. She looked away, unsure what he'd seen in her eyes. "I suppose..." she said softly, staring at the distorted image of her feet. "I..."

She trailed off, forgetting what she wanted to say. She hated feeling uncertain like this. She preferred feeling sure of herself constantly, and whenever she forgot to block them out, memories of her previous uncertainties and weaknesses tended to flood her consciousness. It was discomfiting to lose her confidence, especially in front of two men she'd just met.

"And what kind of training do you go through?" Tyuru finally said, managing to look up at John again.

"I hope you do become a knight," she said to Blackthawne. His absolute certainty inspired her. Certainty was something of a rare delicacy to Tyuru. "You'll have to invite me to the knighting ceremony, of course," she managed to joke, a small smile warming her slightly.

[Blackthawne]

"I will become a Knight. As lame as it sounds, I know in my heart since I arrived that it is what I wish to become, so I will do everything in my power to do it."

He smiled. This was a complete different smile to earlier, still genuine but... This held something more. Something like a view to his very soul that he knew what he said was right. It was easy to believe this man when he set his mind to something.. He would give everything he had, or die trying (in a manner of speaking).

"And I believe a Knight is not what most people see it as. A noble air is present on some but... I believe a Knight is anyone who wishes to do good for the people and the world around them, I have met many who at first glance seemed like they couldn't possibly be what others perceived as a Knight but, their actions when I travelled with them opened my eyes alot. I saw one Knight, a frail man, not alot about him that stood out... a Horse was spooked by something or other, and he caught its reins and struggled for nigh on half an hour with it until it calmed. We all offered aid but, he refused.... To him, that was his goal and it helped us all, it was one of our strongest horses. To me, that simple ideal he held of doing his utmost to show his worth is what I see as a Knight."

Nodding to himself as he talked, and when he finished, Blackthawne noticed he had launched into another rant, and turned a slight shade of pink, before running his hands through his hair and groaning to himself.

"Sorry... I get too talkative sometimes. I was trying to say I believe anyone who wishes to do good has all the potential they need already. And instead of inviting you to my Knighting ceremony Tyuru, and I don't mean to sound too forward, but I believe you should stand by my side instead!"

He smiled at her, anothere of his genuine, pleasant smiles, as John did he also tried to catch her eyes when he did it. The crimson flecks of color mixed in with the brown seemed to shine slightly... His eyes were strange, the flecks could seem either aggressive or happy.

"I believe you could do it... I don't know you well at all really but, I have a feeling. And John, in the future I believe you will see me as a Knight standing alongside you. I'd go as far as to give you my word."

[Tyuru]

"It doesn't sound lame at all," Tyuru said quietly and watched Blackthawne as he spoke. She could see the absolute certainty he had, it practically radiated from his smile. She couldn't help but feel better around these two.

"You don't have to apologise for being passionate about something," said Tyuru. "I mean, I go on all day about..." she trailed off. Oh come on, you don't need to say anything about that. It's not important. She moved a little higher out of the water, baring a little more flesh, hoping it would distract the two men from her unfinished sentence.

"You are certainly forward!" she smiled, and she felt grateful to Blackthawne as well. He has beautiful eyes. Where did those red flecks come from? How exotic. "Both of you seem to be sure I could be a knight. Who am I to disappoint two handsome men? Maybe I should try." It was difficult not to flirt, especially since both men made her feel worth something. That didn't happen to Tyuru often.