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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on Jul 2, 2018 11:46:57 GMT -5
[Okay so I have a few replies to do in different places and then I'll get here]
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on Jul 5, 2018 11:18:34 GMT -5
[Wow I honestly thought I'd already replied I'm so sorry I'm losing track of all of my rps. I will definitely reply here today, if not next]
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on Jul 5, 2018 11:38:12 GMT -5
This seemed to be a trick question to the young male. How was he to respond to her questions without making himself look worse? He wanted to be a smooth talker but he also wanted to be genuine and the man wasn't entirely sure how to balance the two.
"Lady Jocelyn, your beautiful appearance is enhanced by your sharp wit, and it is this which makes you so captivating," Oswyn replied "If you were ugly I would still fight for you, without question."
He hoped that would suffice. She was beautiful, of course, but there were beautiful ladies everywhere. There was just something about Jocelyn that captured him. Made him want to fight for her.
But then there was another conversational minefield to dodge.
"Noone should be so arrogant as to assume a win, particularly when one is up against a cheater," he said pointedly "And so I make no promises on that account."
He approached when she beckoned him forward, listening to her advice with a smile. She seemed to have an incredible grasp on the strategy of jousting. He was impressed, and also most intrigued.
"Thank you, my lady. And, of course, thanks to you, Your Highness. Lady Jocelyn, I shall heed your advice well in the fight. And knowing that you are watching shall make me stronger. "
But now he could hear announcements and a sudden cacophony of sound. It was time for him to begin his fight, and so he backed away a little.
"I must take my position now. Good day, Your Highness, and good day, Lady Jocelyn."
A dip of his head and he was away, moving off to prepare himself for the jousting match that was about to begin.
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Post by liz on Jul 7, 2018 0:06:56 GMT -5
Jocelyn hid an amused smile until his back was turned and she shook her head as Mary giggled and teased softly, “Good luck, Sir Dreamy.” Her laughter grew as Jocelyn huffed in annoyance. “Princess, I was mearly making the match fair. Anyone would have.”
“Never you. You don’t give those knights a second glance yet you encouraged the man.”
“He doesn’t carry himself like a knight. His eyes were very kind, not like the others.”
As Mary laughed and Jocelyn tried to hide her intrest in the young knight as Neville of Wessex steadied his horse. Jocelyn found herself sitting on the edge of her seat, squeezing one of Mary’s hands as she watched nervously. She wanted Devereux to win desperately yet tried to appear as indifferent as she had with previous matches. As the flags were lifted to signal for the men to ride, Jocelyn held her breath. Eager to see the man win as well, Mary whispered, “1 point for a hit that does not break the tip of the lance. 2 points for a hit that breaks the tip of the lance. 3 points for a hit that shatters the tip of the lance into several or multiple fragments and an automatic win if he is knocked off his horse. The victor will then win that horse as well.”
As the two men grew closer, Jocelyn smiled as Devereux heeded her advice and gasped before jumping up with the crowd as Neville flew backwards off of his horse. Shouting with the other cheers, Jocelyn and Mary hugged excitedly before turning to watch Devereux.
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on Jul 7, 2018 2:32:51 GMT -5
(Replies today x I love that roleplay profile btw)
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on Jul 8, 2018 11:56:35 GMT -5
Oswyn took his position opposite Sir Neville, and could think of nothing other than the words of Jocelyn. It was as if they were still ringing in his ears.
Thankfully, he was able to focus as the match started and he set off at a gallop towards the knight, lowering his lance and leaning forward so he could be more streamlined. He heeded Jocelyn's advice, rolling his left shoulder back in the moments before impact. He would not have been able to judge when to move his shoulder if he had tried to protect his eyes in the same way most of his opponents did. It was a risky game he played, but it did give him an advantage.
Surely enough, Neville's lance glanced off Oswyn, who was able to knock his opponent off his horse. He'd won! After this victory, he climbed off his horse to talk to Neville, even offering him a hand to help him stand if he so needed it.
"Keep your horse," Oswyn said with a shrug "I have no need of it."
Not to mention that he didn't really have anywhere to keep horses in the same way the knights did. He didn't have castles or anything like that.
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on Jul 8, 2018 11:57:11 GMT -5
[Gosh that was short I'm sorry]
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Post by liz on Jul 8, 2018 21:30:35 GMT -5
“That was bloody brilliant, mate.” Neville exclaimed with wide excited eyes as he took the man’s hand and stood up. “It was truly an honor, you must come to my party tonight.” Looking around, he leaned in and whispered, “I like to watch jousting much more than to do it. I’m a true fan, I love the sport but my father pushes me to play and the ladies love an athlete. My brother, Lord Nicholas, is a much better jouster than I, I’m sure you’ll meet him soon enough.” Shaking the man’s hand he said, “I can see why Lady Jocelyn was intrigued by you, you carry yourself like a knight of old; you follow the old laws written by Arthur. But I’d be careful around her, she has many admirers including Nicholas.” Pointing to said brother who was now sitting next to Jocelyn and Mary, Neville shook his hand again and said, “I wish you the best of luck in this tourney and hope you join us in the festivities tonight.”
Watching the two men shake hands, Jocelyn smiled and was about to speak to Mary when a herald walked into their box and cleared his throat. “My Majesty,” bowing, he turned to Jocelyn and smiled. “My Lady. May I present, Lord Nicholas of Edinburgh.” A proud looking man approached the two women and bowed before grinning at them, his blue eyes focused on the lady in waiting. “Talk of your beauty does little to share the real appearance of you ladies. I had heard you two were viewing the jousts today and I couldn’t stop and introduce myself. Princess Mary, I believe we met once a few years ago in Spain, you were more radiant than the jewels I had won that day. And Lady Jocelyn, I heard you were sharper than any sword or joust here and I promised myself I’d never let myself pass up the opportunity to meet a woman such as yourself. I had hoped you two might bless us with your presence tonight, my brother Neville is hosting a party to celebrate another successful day on the fields.”
“Lord Nicholas, I fear your brother has lost. Not very successful in my opinion.” Jocelyn pointed out, her eyes falling onto Lord Devereux with a sense of pride. He had won and impressed her greatly.
“But my lady, he has now gained the attention of Duchess Abbey.” Nicholas pointed out and sure enough Neville was now taking to a giggling Duchess Abbey.
“A fair point. But what about you, my lord? You have not won today, you appear as though you came only to invite us to your dinner party tonight.”
“It will be a success if you accept.”
“We accept!” Mary exclaimed, smiling widely. “We would happily attend your party tonight, my lord. And what colors shall you be wearing so we may match?”
“My Princess, you honor me greatly. I shall be wearing yellow and black to honor my family’s name.”
“Then we shall do the same.”
Bowing, Nicholas winked at Jocelyn and left their box swiftly with a smirk on his face. As soon as he did so, Jocelyn looked around the field and frowned when she realized she had lost sight of her knight. “He retired to his tent to cool off. Perhaps you should join him, Joss.”
“If you insist, Princess.” Jocelyn replied teasingly though her cheeks burned. As another joust began, the girl slipped out of the royal box and headed towards the field covered in tents. Spotting his horse first, Jocelyn picked up her pace before stopping in front of his tent. What are you doing, Joss? You’re a lady! Glancing around, she gasped when she saw a few of Lord Devereux’s herolds and stewards walking towards his tent and rushed in, shouting in surprise when she collided with a firm, warm chest. “My Lord! Forgive me.” Stepping back, her eyes grew wide and she turned away to hide her blushing face. “I came to ask if you were attending Lord Neville of Wessex’s party tonight. And if so, what you’ll be wearing.”
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Post by liz on Jul 9, 2018 4:03:40 GMT -5
{{ it’s okay! I wrote a lot more but most of it is just fluff }}
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on Jul 9, 2018 4:14:55 GMT -5
(Cool! Replies when I got home)
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on Jul 10, 2018 9:14:02 GMT -5
And I didn’t reply. Sorry! I will reply tonight, definitely)
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on Jul 10, 2018 13:45:33 GMT -5
Thank you, Sir Neville" Oswyn replied as he helped the other man to his feet "You were an excellent opponent. I would be most honoured to attend the festivities this evening."
As the man leaned in and spoke to him, Oswyn couldn't help but smile. He followed Neville's pointing finger to see Nicholas sitting next to Jocelyn and Princess Mary.
"Thank you again for your compliments. And your advice - but I don't believe that should stop me. When it comes to Lady Jocelyn's admirers, I am certain the best man will win."
He knew Nicholas was Neville's brother, but that didn't mean Oswyn wouldn't be clear. Nicholas could do what he liked, but that wouldn't stop Oswyn from pursuing Lady Jocelyn if she happened to be interested in him. He had no intention of trying to force her affections, but he certainly wouldn't let Nicholas' interest intimidate him. Jocelyn seemed to like him. Oswyn definitely wanted to find out what was going on there, if he had the opportunity.
He watched as Lord Neville headed off to talk to a certain Duchess Abbey, and decided that this would be the best opportunity for him to head off to his tent, take a moment for himself if he could. He didn't really want any attention. He'd much rather cool off for a while.
So a few moments later he was in his tent, having taken his armour off. He would be feeling back to his normal self in no time now, given some time to catch his breath and relax a little bit. He was hot and tired and generally just needed a break from everything that was happening. Armour was heavy and hot, after all, and the exercise didn't tend to help the situation too much.
He had only just taken his armour off and was wearing his surcoat, which had no sleeves and revealed the linen shirt he wore underneath. And as Lady Jocelyn entered his tent and walked directly into his chest, the man was relieved that he had put his surcoat back on only moments before; he was wearing only linen undergarments and stockings underneath.
He caught her blush and had to hide one of his own. She was beautiful, firstly, and she'd walked right into him. Secondly, he was embarrassed for her. Thirdly, he was so pleased that she'd blushed because it suggested she was attracted to him. Sure, he'd caught her attention earlier, but that didn't necessarily mean anything. But this was a sign that there was something there. Which was good for Oswyn.
The only problem was, if they fell in love, what would he do? Would he keep it a secret from her that he was really just a peasant? Their relationship could never truly go anywhere; he couldn't keep up his deception forever and he was just a poor squire while she was a rich noble, a lady-in-waiting no less. She would find out eventually. And what would he do when she found out? Or more importantly, what would Jocelyn do when she found out?"
"You're forgiven," Oswyn replied with a smile "And please, call me Richard."
It still felt strange giving his fake name; he felt an intense urge to say Oswyn instead of Richard every time. But it was okay, thankfully he hadn't slipped up in that situation. He couldn't have anyone finding out, let alone anyone as close to the royal family as Lady Jocelyn.
"Yes, I will be at the party. And I shall be wearing red and white this evening," the young male responded "Why do you ask? Do you intend to match my clothing? If so, I am honoured"
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Post by liz on Jul 10, 2018 14:35:32 GMT -5
“Richard.” Jocelyn smiled as she spoke his name and nodded when he told her his colors. “As a matter of fact, I do. It seems only fair you know someone at this party, after all, none of the other knights have heard of you until now. Lord Eddard is particularly curious about you, you fight unlike any other jouster. Rather than protect your eyes, you look directly at your target. You’re fearless yet you don’t act so towards me. Most of these knights are prideful brutes and yet you seem keenly aware of your place.” Looking at him with slight amusement, Jocelyn added, “I intend to learn why. Maybe not now, maybe not tonight, but before this tournament is over, my good sir, I will learn what makes you different than those blubbering pigs.” Her eyes quickly widened and she profusely apologized for her unlady like words. “Forgive me, I often forget myself when I speak of knights. Most of them are more fake than the dragons at the fair. You’re not. You have a sense of realness that is rare to find these days.”
Thankfully, she had been graced with a humble royal family; Mary loved the children in the surrounding villages and the two would often visit and read to them and Edward had a sense of adventure that made him compassionate towards all. Both hated titles, Edward more than Mary, for while commoners were denied many things, royals were strongly advised against. Both were seen as untouchables, though one was more negative than the other. It was refreshing to meet someone new who seemed to share her ideology. She had grown up in the castle as the daughter of a royal tutors and had thus grown up with the highest education along with the most royal of friends.
Taking in his lack of clothes, she smiled awkwardly and said, “Perhaps I should leave you now, you surely must be tired and I am keeping you from relaxing. Sometimes I forget who I am and that I make people feel as though they must be reverent towards me. I can assure you that is not the case, I’d much prefer a normal conversation than the silly babble spoken to me by princes and kings.” Fiddling with her hands, she frowned at her nervousness and asked, “Or perhaps you’d like to take a walk through the surrounding festivities? Princess Mary has already returned to the castle and I haven’t had a chance to explore the vendors. The crown takes these events seriously meaning they go all out for entertainment and imported goods. There hasn’t been a joust here since I was a little girl so as you can imagine, I fully intend to enjoy myself. I could use the company and since you are from France you might need a guide through England and a protector from the English; they don’t take to kindly to your kind.”
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on Jul 10, 2018 15:27:15 GMT -5
"You flatter me, Lady Jocelyn," Oswyn smiled "I pray you, do not think me greater than I am. I just do what I feel is right. And you bring out the realness in me. You intrigue me, most certainly. I've never met a woman quite like you ever before, you're so very different. In a refreshing way."
But as she spoke about wanting to find out what made him so different from the other knights by the end of the tournament, he felt his heart begin to thud in his chest. If she found out the truth about who he was he wasn't sure exactly what would happen but he was fairly certain that there was nothing good that could come out of it. He sincerely hoped that she wasn't too serious about her little investigation.
At the mention of giving him a tour because he didn't know England, it reminded him just how Jocelyn saw him. He was supposed to be French. Someone in a foreign land, struggling to fit in amongst a people who hated him. But what she didn't know was that he knew that country in a way even she didn't know. Sure, the royal family could be as altruistic as they liked, but neither she nor the prince or princess would ever be able to truly know what life was like for peasants. He knew what England was truly like, not the rich festivities here.
"No, there is no need for you to go. I am only without armour, I am more than prepared to go out and take a walk with you. I would enjoy it very much, it would be lovely. I haven't been able to spend much time with you so far and I would enjoy to be with you a while longer." the young male replied to her
He hoped to be able to get to know Jocelyn a little more. She was so different from the ladies and duchesses that were currently gathering at this jousting tournament. The women that knights would interact with on a daily basis. She drew Oswyn in further with every word she spoke to him. She was smart, witty, caring. Everything he had hoped she could possibly be. And he was desperate to spend some more time with her.
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Post by liz on Jul 12, 2018 3:15:36 GMT -5
Smiling wide in excitement, Jocelyn motioned with her head to follow him and chirped, “Then let us go!” Exiting his tents, she bowed her head to his squires who watched in surprise as the Lady walked past them. Keeping a safe distance away from the knight, yet close enough to her own liking, she clasped her hands together as she excitedly began to describe the festival. “The joust this year ends of Princess Mary’s birthday so the festival is in honor of the Princess. There are vendors selling clothes for a queen, although cheap enough for any maid or bar wench to own and a station to make garland crowns that can make any girl princess for a day. There is also a ring for young boy’s to slay dragons like Saint George of England. I remember when I was little I snuck off and did it, I fear I was often mistaken for a boy as my hair grew slowly as a child. Sadly, I did not have what it took to slay the dragon and my mother never let me leave her sight again. There are many new performances this year many food vendors. But personally, my favorite is the market square. Everything you can imagine from all ends of the world all crammed into a single city square. There are dancers and singers and all sorts of imported goods. And, this time next week there will be a parade of knights seeing as it will be the quarter finals. My father used to sit me up on the gallows so I could get a fair view of the jousters, this was far before my parents taught the prince and princess. Back then, they were to teach Dukes and Duchesses instead.”
Turning to look at him as they walked through the tents, Jocelyn teased gently, “And what of you, Richard? Were you born into a long prestigeous line of French dragon slayers? Have you saved your fair share of pretty damsels in distress?” Hesitantly taking his arm, Jocelyn added, “I’m only curious because I must be absolutely certain I should match with you tonight. After all, Lord Nicholas left a war to be in these silly games. He’s been boasting all day of how he leads men into battle and yet here he is, fretting over what colors I am to be wearing tonight.” Laughing, she quickly clarified, “I’m making fun of the man, he is daft enough to find pride in cowardice. He runs from real battles to become a silly little boy with a silly little stick to impress silly little girls with flowers. And to make matters worse, he believes I fancy him. Another reason I have, for the most part, never cared for knights. No offense to you, of course, but they’re almost always pigheaded brutes who are too ignorant or prideful to be themselves. They hide behind titles they did not earn and look down on those who have no title to their name.”
Stopping their brisk walk, Jocelyn looked up at him and whispered as if sharing a brilliant secret. “Do you know how nobles became nobles, Richard? They took it. They were brave enough to risk their lives with knives at their necks and for that, their children like cowardly lives, never living exciting lives for their ancestors have done it for them. I myself am no different, my parents worked tirelessly so that I would live a better life and even then it all depended on luck. It’s a funny world we live in, what are the odds of us being nobles while a single misjudgement or decision from the past could have made us pig farmers or squires instead.”
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on Jul 12, 2018 10:41:02 GMT -5
I’ll get a reply up here when I can get on a computer)
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on Jul 14, 2018 13:06:42 GMT -5
Oswyn followed the girl out of the tent, listening to her talk about the festival so excitedly. Her passion was infectious, the young man found, and he smiled. He had to pretend this was all new information, of course, though he knew everything there was to know about the jousting. He’d attended the matches for as long as he could remember, even before he had become a page at age 7 and then a squire at 14. In fact, that was why he chose to become as squire and not to follow some other trade. He’d always been caught up in the world of knights, the art in it and honour and chivalry that it was founded upon. Though of course, more than a few knights disregarded the moral code they were supposed to be held to. But still, he’d wanted to be as close to it as he could feasibly get. Of course, there was no rule against peasants becoming squires, and it did happen occasionally, but all knights had previously been squires and those squires who were peasants would never be able to afford the expenses of knighthood. So he would likely remain a squire (or, more specifically, an ‘arma patrina’, which meant he would be able to carry a lance into battle but wouldn’t be a knight) for the rest of his life. Unless he magically found himself with enough money and proved himself in battle. Faking it seemed easier.
As she spoke about fighting as a child, Oswyn remembered that he himself had tried the same thing once. He’d defeated his dragon, as it were, but he had known it meant nothing if one didn’t have the means to do whatever he wanted to do as nobles did. It was frustrating; a peasant could never be much more than just that.
But then came Jocelyn’s question, and Oswyn had to consider his answer for a moment. “Well,” he said “there is not much to tell about my family. We are a very old French noble family. And I cannot exactly say I have performed any amazing feats, but I like to think I have served my country well in battle. But I suspect you wanted something a little more personal when you asked about my family. My father died when I was maybe six or seven. Ever since I’ve felt responsible for my mother and my younger siblings.”
But what he didn’t tell Jocelyn for obvious reasons were that his real responsibilities to his mother, his younger brother and his younger sister were much more than just emotional. They were financial as well, forcing him to take a job as young as possible so he could support them. He’d never really been successful at it, but the money he was earning from this was going a long way to helping them. But he only gave them small cuts of his winnings at a time so as not to make them suspicious as to what was happening; they’d only worry for him. To account for the increase in income he’d claimed he had gotten a second job.
“If it helps,” Oswyn shrugged “I agree with your observations about knights. But they do fight battles during wartime. These men are soldiers off-duty. I do agree about the corawdice, pride and looking down on others, though.”
When she leaned in to whisper, Oswyn leaned in to listen. And her words reminded him of his ultimate place.
“Hm, yes, squires indeed,” the young male responded with s smile
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Post by liz on Jun 4, 2019 10:17:27 GMT -5
I am SO sorry I never responded! Life got super hectic and I completely forgot about this site until a few days ago.. Are you still up for doing this? If not, I completely understand but you are such a joy to write with, I’d love to do something whether it be this or another plot }}
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