This is a thread where Aris and I will be roleplaying two of our character families. They're both too large to just throw into Gen Con, and they sort of half know each other, we're just going to let them play in here. Feel free to read it though.

*sets the stage as a wide open field with some small hills covered in trees*

*dumps a bucket of Scalestride in the corner*

Yestin and Garan: *look at each other and take off up a tree immediately*

Trevelian: *is about twelve years younger than he is in the book* *cradles Talidor in one arm and hold hands with Lyneth in the other*

Lyneth: *whispers* Where are we?

Trevelian: We're in the outdoors just like at home, Lyn. Why don't you go play with Iola?

Iola: *frantically tries to follow Yestin and Garan up the tree*

Sulwyn: *picks up pine cones at the bottom*

Braith: Iola! Don't go up that tree in your nice dress! *storms over to the tree as well as a twelve-year-old is capable of storming*

Lyneth: *shakes her head nervously and leans against Trevelian's leg*

Aderyn: *appears at the other side of the field and drags all of the Annors in* Look, it's my family!

Tesmir: Whoa. *Spies the twins* Hey! There's something I can do! *Runs over to join them at the tree* Hello!

Tilmere: *Offers hand to Trevelian* Hello.

Rousen: There are a lot.

Orrun: There are a lot of us, too.

Hakor: Yeah, but they outnumber us. And they have girls.

Jek: What's so scary about girls?

Hakor, Rousen, & Orrun:

Jek: What? *Kneels down by Lyneth* Hello.

Rune: Tesmir, be careful! There are ladies underneath you and I won't pity you if their brothers hurt you!

Kedmir: *Chuckles as he watches Braith*

Aderyn: *takes Talidor from Trevelian so he has a free hand* *aside to Kedmir* Told you. *grins*

Trevelian: *shakes Tilmere's hand* Hello. Trevelian Scalestride. *to Aderyn* Friends of yours?

Aderyn: Yes. *points around and tries to remember everyone's names* That's Tilmere, Kedmir, Orrun, Rousen, Rune, Hakor, Jek, and Tesmir. *to the Annors* And respectively, Trevelian, Yestin and Garan, Braith... , Iola, Lyneth, Sulwyn, *nods to the baby in her arms* and Talidor.

Yestin: Oi, Garan! Cover our retreat!

Garan: *throws pinecones at Tesmir as he climbs*

Sulwyn: *watches her brother and throws pinecones too*

Braith: Sulwyn, don't be rude! *to Tesmir* Sorry about them, sir. *curtsies*

Lyneth: *tries to melt into Trevelian's leg when spoken to*

Kedmir: *Chuckles* I see what you mean. A regular princess.

Tilmere: *Smiles* Tilmere Annor. *Smiles at Talidor and offers him his finger*

Tesmir: *Gets one right in the eye just as he looks up* Hey now! *Grins deviously and climbs faster.* *Almost slips on a pinecone thrown by Sulwyn.* *Kicks pinecone back down.* *Offers Braith a salute as he climbs* No fears, my lady! I am well-accustomed to the ways of rebellion and mischief! Ask Tilmere. He can give you plenty of examples.

Jek: It's okay. I don't bite. *Tries to turn his head so his scar won't show* Do you like flowers?

Talidor: *through all of his distraction, he manages to get a hold of Tilmere's finger*

Aderyn:

Braith: *gives Tesmir an exaggerated eye roll*

Garan: Iola, quick! Break off that branch above you!

Lyneth: *arches he shoulders forward shyly*

Trevelian: *picks her up* Say hello, Lyneth.

Lyneth: *shakes her head and distracts herself with running her fingers over Trevelian's scar*

Tilmere: *Smiles and wiggles his finger*

Kedmir: *Smiles* Tilmere would do that with Tesmir sometimes when Tesmir was a baby. Scared the wits out of him, but still.

Tesmir: Whoa, hey! Don't break anything! *Tries to shuffle out from under any branches Iola is above*

Jek: *Smiles and stands, turning his hand palm up (still keeping his scar as much out of view as he can* *A green vine twists around his hand and wrist, and a star gazer lily blooms in his palm* For the lady.

Orrun: *Has begun trying to climb up the tree too*

Hakor: *Gets down on his hands and knees, growling* You have awakened the beast of the tree!

Rune: Don't scare them!

Rousen: *Watches, laughing*

Aderyn: Out of whom, Tesmir, or Tilmere?

Talidor: *is all smiles*

Iola: *breaks off the branches above her head so there isn't any way to follow the twins* Ha! *starts climbing back down*

Garan:

Sulwyn: *glares at Hakor and shouts* You're not a gargoyle, silly! -_-

Braith: *gives up and decides to see what the older ones are doing*

Lyneth: *puts her hands under her chin and shies away*

Trevelian: *leans forward until Lyneth's hand is touching the flower*

Lyneth: *slowly takes it*

Trevelian: Do you have a thank you?

Lyneth: *shakes her head and stares at the flower*

Kedmir: *Laughs* Tesmir. I think, though, Tesmir is exacting revenge by being what he is today.

Tilmere: *Smiles* How is he?

Tesmir: *Nearly slips* Ha nothing, princess! There's still the other half of the tree! Orrun, you head for the boys, I'll take the princess! They have left her behind!

Orrun: *Huffing* Why don't you grab the boys and I grab the princess? You're further up and it would only slow us down if I had to scramble around you.

Tesmir: ... Good point. We'll use your plan.

Hakor: I'm no gargoyle! I am a beast of the forest! You have interrupted my nap! *Roars and looks at Braith* And you, little girl! Do not run away from me, for you are as much guilty as your sister!

Rune: Don't frighten them, Hakor. o.o

Jek: *Smiles and unwraps the vines from his wrist and pulls the bottom half of it from the rest* It's okay. Little children take a while to get used to me.

Kedmir: You're boring, that's why. Tesmir is the expert.

Aderyn: *plays with Talidor's platinum blonde hair* He's almost taking steps and he's a regular old chatterbox, though we don't understand any of it yet. It won't be long before he's tearing around with the rest of them.

Yestin: Heads up, Gare. *sends another wave of pine cones down at Tesmir*

Garan: *takes the time to wrap his arms tightly around the tree before breaking off the branches on the other side* *manages to climb up to a crook in the tree where he can stop* *breaks off small branches of mine and lets them float or drop down on Tesmir* Fifteen birds in a tall fir tree, their feathers were burned in the fiery breeze *Yestin chimes in* Such funny little birds, they had no wings, oh what will we do with the funny little things?

Iola: *uses one of the short branches she broke off as a sword and pokes it at Orrun's ribs* I think not.

Sulwyn: You're not a beast! You're an apple!

Braith: Trevelian, you have to introduce me.

Trevelian: Oh yes, of course. May I present my second sister, Braith Scalestride.

Braith: *curtsies to older siblings and pointedly ignores the rambunctious nonsense in the trees*

Lyneth: *lays her head on Trevelian's shoulder*

Trevelian: She's just her momma's little shadow. *kisses Lyneth's head* You may have more luck with Sulwyn if she's finished scolding your brother.

Aderyn: *passes Talidor over to Braith* Here, look after him while I show Kedmir the aerie.

Tilmere: I'm sure. He looks born for mischief and action, eh? *Tickles Talidor*

Tesmir: *Flinches and waits out the barrage* Oi! Stop it! *Shimmies around the tree to avoid the other projectiles and zig-zags up the tree* You can't climb forever! *Cocks head slightly* What a peculiar song. What is it about? Besides burnt birds?

Orrun: *Yelps and grabs the stick* *Smiles* Gotcha!

Hakor: *Draws himself up* Not a beast? Since when can an apple not be one? I am the beast of the trees! You have made me fall from my spire, you little imps! I shall roll you down! *Drops down and rolls toward Sulwyn*

Jek: *Bows to Braith* It is an honor, miss. *Holds his palm up, and another flower blossoms in his palm* *He plucks it and presents it to Braith*

Tilmere: Careful Jek...

Jek: *Glances at him* I'm fine. A few plucked flowers won't kill me. *Smiles at Lyneth* Your momma's shadow, yes? I've been told that Tilmere used to follow our mother about. He wasn't sure what to make of Rune, who had just been born.

Kedmir: *Smiles* What aerie?

Talidor: *laughs hysterically*

Yestin: Shall we climb forever?

Garan: Oak, right behind you.

Yestin: *gets himself onto Garan's shoulders, locks his legs and leans back*

Garan: *wraps his legs around the trunk of the pine and leans back until Yestin has grabbed hold of the oak tree*

Yestin: *releases Garan and pulls himself up into the oak*

Garan: *climbs higher up the pine*

Iola: Not so fast. *lets go of the stick and jumps out of the tree, then drops herself on Hakor*

Braith: *accepts flower* Oh, what a charming blossom! *sits down with Talidor on the ground* Excuse my casual posture, but it's much easier to watch my brother this way. *looks a bit annoyed at Aderyn*

Aderyn: *points into the field* Just there. That will be where Eryo is. *heads out toward it*

Tilmere: *To Braith* Casual is alright sometimes.

Tesmir: *Gapes, awed* That's... That's not even fair. Orrun! The oak tree!

Orrun: I thought I was trying to grab the princess?

Tesmir: Not anymore! Catch the rogues!

Jek: *Smiles* *More flowering vines sprout and slither into a cluster* They hold up rather well in wreaths, I've found.

Rune: *Teasingly* You make wreaths?

Jek: *Shrugs* Flowers on vines aren't much use to me, except when fighting, sometimes. I get bored.

Hakor: *Yelps in alarm when Iola lands on him* *Gasps and wheezes* I've been hit!

Kedmir: *Smiles and follows Aderyn* Who is Eryo?

Garan: Yestin, was that fair?

Yestin: Quite fair.

(Yestin means "just", so that's a play on words they're having)

Braith: *looks at the wreath* *catches Talidor trying to crawl away and intercepts him* Very well crafted.

Sulwyn: *watches her sister tackle Hakor* Ha! You apple!

Aderyn: My kettling eagle. *approaches the aerie*

( Clever boys)

Tesmir: *Snarls and tries to gauge how far he'd have to jump to the oak as he climbs to reach the remaining twin in the tree*

Orrun: *Has begun scaling the oak*

Jek: *Smiles at Talidor's failed escape* Oh, it's not a wreath yet. Just they can be. Usually they just lay there in clumps until I pick them or something to remove them. Our house was full of them when I was just learning. We boys smelled lovely in those days.

Hakor: *Still wheezing* I shall... get you... Graahh. *Grabs at Iola* I shall eat the fairy who has fallen upon me!

Rousen: Hakor!

Kedmir: Ah. *Follows closely* I should have remembered.

Garan: I wouldn't try it. It's not as easy as we make it look.

Yestin: Yes it is.

Garan: Never mind, it's very easy. *jumps and grabs an oak limb that sways violently as he holds it*

Braith: If I may ask, where do the leaves come from?

Iola: *shoves both of her hands over Hakor's mouth*

Aderyn: *takes a pair of leather gloves off of the outside wall and slips them on up to her shoulders before buckling them across to each other* *steps into the small stone hut and comes out with a large bald eagle wearing a hood over its eyes*

Tesmir: Ha! I've done worse. *Guages the jump, then leaps for a branch* *The branch snaps and he falls, but catches himself on a lower branch* Ow. >.< See? *Shakily pulls him self up* Easy.

Jek: Magic. *Lets another vine of flowers sprout vertically, standing upright as the flowers bloom.* It's easier to make them when there is dirt or something, though.

Hakor: *Muffled protests and he scrabbles at Iola's hands*

Rousen: Get him, girls!

Kedmir: *Smiles admiringly at the eagle* He's a beautiful creature. Will he let me touch him?

Tilmere: *To Trevelian* You must have your hands full with all of your siblings. Every one of them seems very active.

Yestin: *winces a bit when Tesmir's first branch breaks* Perhaps we ought to turn ourselves in. Remember what happened the last time we killed one of our dear sister's friends?

Garan: *shudders then grins* Don't remind me...

Braith: There is always the soil beneath the grass.

Sulwyn: *jumps on Hakor too*

Aderyn: *grins hugely at Eryo* Gently, but confidently. He doesn't like nervous hands.

Trevelian: Aye, we're a lively lot. We have our father and mother and grandmother at home for most of the supervision, but out here there are enough of us to keep an eye on each other. Braith never lets her sisters get too fussy or destructive, and Aderyn handles Garan marvelously well when he needs it, so we never get too far out of hand.

Tesmir: *Grunts and starts climbing* Wait, you did what?

Jek: *Nods* Sometimes it's fun to just let them grow when there isn't soil. It entrances the little ones.

Hakor: *Muffled yelp* *Tries to roll or wriggle free*

Kedmir: *Hesitates, then gently strokes Eryo* How long have you had him?

Tilmere: *Chuckles and nods* It takes team effort. I know the feeling. *Nods to the tree where Tesmir struggles to climb up* He's the worst of them.

Rune: *Has begun playing with Talidor*

Garan: *laughs* *drops from his branch and rolls when his feet hit the ground to avoid the shock*

Yestin: *goes hand over hand along a branch until it is thin enough that it bends and sets him on the ground* Well we have to keep an eye on her.

Braith: Would you show me in the soil?

Iola: Now surrender, you!

Aderyn: Six years. *takes his hood off*

Eryo: *looks around and cocks his head at Kedmir briefly before launching into the sky*

Aderyn: *ducks out of the way of Eryo's wings* It was my first time I was trapping my own bird. Father helped me set everything up properly, but he let me do the rest. *smiles fondly at the bird circling above*

Trevelian: *sees Garan jump out of the tree* And he's fallen in with the worst. *shakes his head and smiles* They look after their sisters though. Hopefully Tal stays out of trouble when he is old enough to find it. *sets Lyneth down so she can go look at Jek's flowers*

Lyneth: *hides behind his leg and watches*

Talidor *giggles incessantly and speaks made up words at Rune*

Tesmir: Wha... come on. *Drops from branch to branch, cutting cuts and bruises*

Orrun: Tesmir stop! I'm right und- *Tesmir crashes into him and they both fall to the ground.*

Rousen: Well done, brothers. Well done.

Tesmir: Shut up, Rousen. *Shoves Orrun off and sprints after the twins*

Jek: Sure. *Pulls apart the grass until there's a bare spot of dirt. A green vine coils out, and a single flower blooms.*

Hakor: *Muffled* Never! *Tickles the girls*

Kedmir: *Smiles and ducks* You catch your birds?

Tilmere: *Laughs* I doubt he can get much worse. Maybe they will outmaneuver him. *Looks at Talidor* I wouldn't hold out much hope with brothers like. Garan and Yestin.

Jek: *Smiles at Lyneth* I don't bite.

Rune: *Nods seriously at Talidor* I had no idea.

Yestin and Garan: *barely try to stifle laughter when Tesmir lands on Orrun* *offer applause to accompany Rousen's words*

Garan: Well, you lack finesse...

Yestin: ...and maybe a bit of sense...

Garan: ...but you could have done worse.

Yestin: *offers to shake Tesmir's hand* Yestin-

Garan: -and Garan.

Yestin: Scalestride.

Braith: *watches the flowers* They're lovely.

Lyneth: *comes up and stands behind Braith*

Iola: *squirms but tries to stay on top of Hakor*

Sulwyn: *is overcome*

Aderyn: Of course. There's no better way to tame them.

Trevelian: All too true... With any luck they'll have the sense to catch him before he gets into too much trouble by the time he's old enough.

Lyneth: *ducks behind Braith when Jek talks to her*

Braith: *whispers* Don't be rude, say hello.

Lyneth: *shakes her head*

Talidor:

Tesmir: Oh, har har. *Accepts handshake, then pulls Yestin to him and brings him to the ground* Ha!

Jek: *Smiles* They are. I wish they would have been something a bit more... masculine, but they have saved lives a few times. *To Lyneth* Don't be afraid. *Lays down on his back and looks at her, his scar hidden mostly from view* See? Not nearly so scary now.

Hakor: *Muffled 'threats' and continues tickling mercilessly*

Kedmir: Why not take the eggs? You wouldn't have to deal with wild birds then, would you?

Tilmere: They might just find a new partner in crime. But older brothers do tend to know how much is too much.

Rousen: You do?

Tilmere: Yes, I do. Unlike you, sometimes.

Rune: Indeed, but personally I would have approached the matter differently.

Yestin: *looks at Tesmir, appearing somewhat taken aback* Your world has strange greeting customs.

Braith: How did they save lives?

Lyneth: *still hides*

Iola: *finally breaks and falls over on top of Hakor*

Aderyn: Then we would have to find a way to get to the eggs, keep them warm, and feed the chicks. And then we wouldn't be able to release the birds if we wanted to because they wouldn't know any other life.

Trevelian: *nods and watches Talidor with a smile*

Talidor: *comically raises an eyebrow at Rune*

Tesmir: It's not a greeting. It's play. It would be weird if people just pulled each other to the ground as a greeting. People would be falling all over the city.

Jek: They're strong, the vines, when they need to be. Tesmir almost fell off of a tall building. The vines grew and caught him. They've also helped separate a brother in a fist fight. Usually the magic is startling enough to scare away the other fighter, but I try not to use it very much around strangers I'm not sure of.

Hakor: Ha! *Grabs up both girls* You are mine now! *Runs away with them, one over each shoulder*

Tesmir: Run, Hakor! I've got one of them down!

Kedmir: *Nods* That's true... How long did it take to train Eryo?

Rune: *Chuckles* I am very serious. You have no idea how hard it is.

Rousen: What are you talking about? I have never seen you like this.

Rune: Because you have never seen me around babies.

Rousen: I have too. When Tesmir was a baby. You NEVER talked to him like you understood.

Rune: That's because he was an annoying brat most of the time, and I was younger.

Yestin: How does your world get anything done in a day?

Braith: Those are very good uses for it. *watches the rowdy goings-on by the trees* I wish I had magic...

Garan: *watches Hakor* Alright, that's enough hello for now.

Yestin: *looks up* *bucks Tesmir off of himself and flips him around so that he is on top of Tesmir* Brother, if you don't mind.

Garan: *puts his arm firmly across Tesmir's chest*

Yestin: Much obliged. *jumps up and sprints after Hakor, closing the distance quickly*

Aderyn: *shades her eyes to watch Eryo* Not very long. Only a few months. It wouldn't usually take as long as it did, but Father wanted to make sure I was ready since he was my first bird to be trained.

Talidor: *nods vigorously, laughs, and goes back to telling his story*

Trevelian: *grins at all of the activity*

Tesmir: Ah, my world gets a lot of things done. I, however, get very little done. Unless it's trouble. That's about as much as I can get done.

Tilmere: Indeed. -_-

Jek: *Smiles* Aye. When I first learned I had magic, I couldn't control it. Being a seventh child, my magic is a little different than the usual magic. It terrified me that I would hurt someone. But I learned to control it. Control is key with magic, inherited or dark magic. *Looks at Braith* You do? What would you like best about it?

Tesmir: *Yelps in alarm and struggles when he's pinned down* Hakor run! Leave the princesses!

Hakor: What? *Sees Yestin* Whoa!

Orrun: *Rushes across Hakor's path and scoops up Sulwyn* You go that way I'll go this way.

Tesmir: *Smirks at Garan* I come in numbers.

Rousen: I'm sorely tempted to side with the Scalestrides right now...

Kedmir: *Nods* You have a talent for birds. How long have you had him?

Rune: *Nods* Really? Truly, little master, you are very clever.

Tilmere: *To Trevelian* Besides keeping your siblings in line, what do you enjoy doing with your free time?

Braith: I would use it to keep my siblings from getting into trouble.

Lyneth: *whispers* I'm seven...

Yestin: *has almost caught up to Hakor when Orrun intercepts him* *turns sharply and grabs Orrun, knocking his legs out from under him but keeping hold of his shoulders so he doesn't fall forward and hurt Sulwyn* On my back, Wyn!

Sulwyn: *clambers easily onto Yestin's back* Yah!

Yestin: *takes off after Hakor again*

Garan: My brother doesn't need to. *watches Hakor to see if he comes around close enough to be intercepted*

Aderyn: I love my creatures. Six years. *walks back toward the others while Eryo hunts*

Talidor: *laughs again and crawls over the sit in Rune's lap*

Trevelian: I enjoy the quiet of the outdoors. Fishing, a ambling ride through the forest or swamp, a song in the evening. I share many interests with my sister, but she prefers to see them done quickly and actively where I favor a more steady pace.

Jek: *Smiles* They get into trouble often? *Looks at Lyneth* Are you? That's a lovely age. I remember when I was seven. Hakor and I would explore everywhere. Tesmir would tag along in our escapades. Do you like exploring?

Tesmir: *Tries to twist free* Run faster Hakor!

Hakor: I'm trying! *Runs for the trees*

Tesmir: What are you doing?!

Kedmir: Six years? Impressive. *Looks up at the sky for a minute before following Aderyn* *Sees the play* What... what happened here?

Tesmir: Kidnapping princesses! Go help Hakor! *Looks at Aderyn*. Don't trust her! She might be on their side!

Rune: *Smiles and tickles Talidor* Are you indeed? I think you stand a better chance, honestly.

Tilmere: Aderyn, you mean? *Smiles* The outdoors is nice for quiet. I know Jek likes to wander off there when the house gets too noisy.

Braith: *looks annoyed* All the time. *about Lyneth* I think she meant that she is the seventh, but she is also seven.

Lyneth: *shakes her head* *points to Jek's scar* What happened?

Yestin: *closes on Hakor*

Garan: *jumps up and comes at Hakor from the front now that he's circled around*

Iola: *grins* Now you've done it...

Aderyn: Our brothers seem to be happening. *looks at the scene* My guess would be that Yestin and Garan did something to Tesmir who tried to exact revenge through Hakor who is now about to be-

Yestin: *connects with Hakor, knocking him into Garan, who catches him and reclaims Iola*

Garan: Victory!

Talidor: *squirms and giggles infectiously*

Trevelian: *smiles* And I would guess it often does... What about yourself? How do you prefer to pass the time?

Jek: *Laughs* Ah, but that's what siblings are for, no? *Looks at Lyneth* Are you now? I haven't met other seventh children before. How do you do? *Smile falters just a fraction before coming right back* My scar? I got in a fight, protecting my twin from the same fight. The other man cut me. I don't think Hakor's forgiven me yet for intervening.

Tesmir: Run, you idiot! Go the other way! *Leaps to his feet*

Hakor: *Yelps when he's caught* No, I've lost the princess!

Tesmir: *Lunges for Yestin*

Rune: *Chuckles* I'm sure you are very good at it. Babies typically are with that sort of thing.

Tilmere: *Smiles* It does, sometimes... I enjoy reading, mostly. Politics is my favorite subject.

Lyneth: Trevelian has a scar... He got it in a accident. He doesn't like it.

Garan: *grabs Tesmir's shirt collar before he can get to Yestin* Easy there.

Yestin: *leans over, chuckling through heavy breathing*

Sulwyn: *slides off his back and tackles Tesmir's leg*

Iola: *also tackles Tesmir*

Garan: *lets Tesmir go*

Yestin: *flops on his back next to Hakor, panting heavily* *offers Hakor his hand* Yestin Scalestride, not a bad run. *grins*

Aderyn: *shakes her head at her brothers*

Talidor: *goes on chattering in a way that sounds a bit like a song*

Trevelian: Indeed? I know very little on the subject myself...

Jek: *Nods* Scars aren't fun, usually. I hope you never get one. Although you do get to embellish the story from time to time.

Tesmir: *Is grabbed* Lemme go! *Yelps and falls over, attacked by the girls* No! My one weakness! *Tries to dramatically crawl is his way to freedom*

Hakor: *Grins back and shakes his hand* Hakor Annor. Not bad to you too. Your climbing skills are impressive, and getting from tree to the next.

Kedmir: *Laughs* It's good Tesmir's found friends as mischievous as he is. *Looks at Aderyn* Did you ever like to find trouble when you were their age?

Rune: *Nods* You have a strong voice, young master. No doubt everyone in all the land will be unable to resist your enticing voice.

Tilmere: *Nods* Our father took a very great interest in politics, so we had several books on the topic I could peruse.

Lyneth: I think his scar is nice...

Yestin: It comes with the territory. *points at Garan* He starts it.

Garan: Because I'm so good at it. *watches Tesmir getting attacked by girls* Shall I call them off and we can call a truce?

Aderyn: Three years ago? I still didn't have to. It follows them wherever, I just have to shadow them to get my share.

Talidor: *nods and keeps talking to himself*

Trevelian: *tries to think of questions he can ask about the politics of a foreign world* What about it interests you?

Jek: What about it makes it nice?

Hakor: *Laughs* Surely you have your share of starting the mischief too?

Tesmir: *Has given up and tried curling into the fetal position* Yes please. o.o

Kedmir: *Smiles* I'll bet. Does Braith enjoy a bit of fun and mischief sometimes?

Rune: *Listens attentively, interjecting with a comment every now and then*

Tilmere: Hmm, the area of royalty and that system intrigues me. Especially with Yovak's reign.

Rousen: *Flicks a grass blade at Braith* Tell me, besides keeping unruly siblings in line, what do you enjoy doing?

Lyneth: *looks a bit shy and doesn't answer*

Braith: He's had it for as long as she can remember. It's just a part of who he is, to us.

Yestin: *shakes his head in mock seriousness* Nooo. I can't put my little brother out of a job. Finesse and embellishment are more my area.

Garan: Alright, ladies, you've got your man. Give him a chance to breathe.

*Iola and Sulwyn clamber off of Tesmir*

Aderyn: *laughs* Not in the least. She values propriety too much for that.

Talidor: *points at the sky and say something with a joyous shriek*

Trevelian: Oh, you have a king then? How does that work?

Braith: I like dancing and stories.

Jek: *Nods* That makes sense. If it's alright to ask, how did he get it?

Hakor: So you're the brains of your two-man team?

Tesmir: *Lies out flat* I am never underestimating princesses again.

Kedmir: None at all? Not even when she was younger? Surely she enjoyed a good run in the garden?

Rune: *Looks up sharply* What do you see?

Tilmere: An emperor, currently. He was king for a few years. He was Piensor's king, then he took over Luninne and Ainran and rules all three countries. He keeps a tight hand, and the people suffer, yet he says he means no bad intentions.

Rousen: Really? What kinds of dances and stories?

Braith: He and father were working with one of the eguiterma and she got spooked and caught a claw on his face.

Yestin: We both are. I'm just the style-*gets hit by Garan* You know it's true!

Garan: *rolls his eyes and laughs* *to Tesmir* They were just trying to say hello like they do in your world.

Aderyn: No, she preferred learning things from Mother and Grandmother to exploring the outdoors.

Talidor: *points at a bird as it circles down*

Aderyn: Oh, he's back already.

Eryo: *comes lower and lands on Aderyn's arm with a large trout*

Aderyn: *takes the trout and hands it to Kedmir with a curtsy* To the kind gentleman. *gives Eryo a bit of food and puts his hood back on*

Trevelian: *nods gravely* It sounds similar to what I have heard of the lands surrounding Kradestia...

Braith: All of the ones the bards have in the city. They're very good at music and yarn spinning.

Jek: Oh. I'm sorry.

Hakor: *Nods, laughing* Jek was that way too, long ago. He would provide the details.*

Tesmir: *Snorts* That's not how we say hello. That's just how I say hello, sometimes.

Kedmir: *Smiles*

Rune: Impressive bird. *Looks at Talidor* Is he yours?

Kedmir: *Takes the fish and bows low* It is an honor, fair maiden. Perhaps you would join me in cooking such a marvelous specimen. It might calm the rabble by the trees.

Tilmere: What is happening there?

Rousen: Ah. Rune enjoys bards, too. He joined them one night, too, for fun. He snuck up to them and joined in. Scared nearly all of them, but they let him stay because he knew the words.

Braith: I told him all of the girls would think he looks dashing with it, but he still doesn't like it...

Yestin: *grins and sits up* ...And now our sister has given a man a fish...

Garan: Maybe it's another knight's custom...

Talidor: *shakes his head*

Aderyn: *grins and laughs* Just give me a moment to return Eryo home. *heads back toward to aerie, giving Eryo more food*

Trevelian: The city is rather distant from us, but from what I have heard, the "leadership" is getting somewhat volatile and looking to expand its influences... We don't yet know if or how it will affect trade in Etana...

Braith: What sorts of songs do they sing?

Jek: *Laughs* Tesmir has told me something similar too. But we just need to embellish and twist the stories a little bit to make them heroic.

Tesmir: *Looks at Kedmir and Aderyn* A knight's custom? Aderyn is a knight?

Rune: No? Is it... *Looks around* Your sister's?

(Gah, I can imagine Talidor shaking his head. But it'd be a baby's shake, so it's not entirely controlled and kind of jerky. But smiling and adorableness! )

Tilmere: *Nods* I hope things become settled. Are you interested in trade?

Rousen: I think it depends. They enjoy light, happy songs to which people can dance to. But I think they favor the ballads. Late at night, with a fire crackling in the town square and people gathered around, they sing stories.

Braith: But you were helping your brother. That's heroic.

Yestin: Oh yes. A seera of the local order. She wouldn't be kept from it.

Garan: *nudges Yestin* But it doesn't look like that fish has anything to do with it...

Talidor: *nods*

(Yep, he's more so nodding his whole body)

Trevelian: We have farm land, but much of our income is through moving iron ore, which means we keep a percentage for our own use and trade. If Kradestia expands too far, it would be somewhat crippling to our city's industry...

Braith: I like those too.

Jek: *Shrugs* He wouldn't think so. He was angry with me for trying to help. He seemed at a disadvantage at the time.

Tesmir: A seera? *Lifts an eyebrow and looks at Kedmir, then at the twins* You think there's something more?

Rune: Ah. She's a skilled woman. I'm sure she takes care of you well, doesn't she?

Tilmere: I'm sure. Can you do anything to prevent it, or coax them to expand in a direction that would not harm your business?

Rousen: They are fun. It makes learning more enjoyable.

Braith: *nods* Sometimes it's hard to help your siblings out.

Yestin: *nods* If I were knighted I would be Sir Yestin the Bold and Unconquerable, but since she's a girl, she's Seera Aderyn.

Garan: *looks around to see that Sulwyn and Iola have wondered out of earshot* Well, we haven't seen her threaten him with the sword yet... That's already better than we get from her... What do you know about it?

Talidor: *gets a sneaky looks on his face and shakes his head*

Aderyn: *puts Eryo back into the aerie, takes he gloves off and goes to catch up with Kedmir*

Trevelian: It's hard to say. They already have influence to the south, and there isn't much to be had to their north or east. Their people aren't renown for accounting for the interests of others either... Still, our father gleans what information he can from the city, and it could merely require a change in trade route down the river. It is too early to predict how it will turn out.

Braith: Do you have a favorite?

Jek: *Nods* It is. You see them getting into trouble you doubt they can win... Especially when slightly intoxicated.

Tesmir: *Laughs* Bold and Unconquerable? What happens when you are conquered? Or if Garan isn't there to watch your back? *Looks at Kedmir and Aderyn* So girls can be knights? That's weird. *Glances at Kedmir before turning back to the twins* I don't know... As far as I've seen, Kedmir has only spoken to Aderyn, and she to him. They went off together for a while, too. *Smirks* He's sweet on her. But he's not showing it, at least not to everyone.

Rune: *Laughs* Are you hatching a plan, young master? Have your brothers been influencing you?

Kedmir: *Smiles when Aderyn returns* Our brothers haven't been moving. I suspect plotting is in action.

Tilmere: Perhaps he can strike a trade agreement with them? That way it keeps your father's business from faltering, and it made keep them appeased and calm, so no fighting would break out?

Rousen: A favorite song? I like the ones where they tell of Allare's creation. The three world combining into one, and they become one world, three countries. They make it sound almost impossible. But it happened.

Braith: *nods*

Yestin: Well, I won't be conquered. That's why they would call me unconquerable... Yes, it was some years before our time that there was some threat or another further east. The men went off to war but there were troubles at home so the women organized an order or some such business. Aderyn can tell it better than I. *looks to his brother* What was that fellow's name who last tried to win our dear sister's affections, Gare?

Garan: *tears at the grass idly* Delling...

Talidor: *points to Yestin and Garan and goes on talking*

Aderyn: *look toward the twins and catch them watching her* ... It would seem so... Yestin runs himself out before they regroup to scheme again. Though without the resources of home and the swamp, it will be interesting to see what they can put together.

(*wonders what Kedmir will do with the fish*)

Trevelian: Perhaps. Only time will tell.

Braith: Your world used to be three?

Jek: *Smiles* I'm sorry, I shouldn't be so gloomy. It's a bad habit.

Tesmir: Interesting. *Smiles* What happened to him? Delling? *Looks at Kedmir and Aderyn* Whatever he's doing, he's boring. Of course we haven't truly found love before, so maybe I don't know what it looks like...

Rune: *Looks at the twins* Ah, are they your teachers? Determined to turn you into an imp of mischief, eh?

Kedmir: *Chuckles* Who knows? With Tesmir, the possibilities with all three are endless. *Glances at the fish* Shall we cook a light lunch? Or maybe play a prank on them before they can strike?

Tilmere: *Nods* I hope it gets settled favorably. *Glances at Tesmir* I can't tell whether to be pleased that Tesmir has found playmates as mischievious as he, or to be worried.

Rousen: *Nods* Yes. Piensor - which is where I live - Ainran, and Luminne. They used to be three worlds, beginning at different times. But then they were combined to create Allare, and they became countries. It was years and years ago, though. Everyone back then panicked a lot.

Braith: Oh, it's alright. Sometimes there are just gloomy things to talk about.

Yestin: Oh, he was a self-important sort. Gave her endless flattery, but never paid anyone else much mind. *grins* So she got sick of it and challenged him to a duel.

Garan: And instead of having Trevelian fight for her like she always threatened to do with us, she asked Father.

Yestin: So, all things considered, this could turn out to be very interesting.

Talidor: *nods seriously*

Aderyn: I favor lunch. With their heads together, I'm not sure I would like to be on the receiving end of retaliation.

Trevelian: Knowing my brothers, it is still hard to say whether he is their ally or could still be a victim.

Braith: I would think so... I don't think that happens very often.

Jek: Yes, but I wouldn't want to depress a lady with stories of that sort.

Tesmir: Doesn't sound like a man for any woman. *Looks at Trevelian, then the twins.* Your father is a good swordsman? *Looks at Kedmir* I won't feel sorry for Ked if he's like Delling. I doubt he is, but I've never seen him smitten by a girl before. I've only seen one of us that way before.

Rune: *Smiles* I see. I'll bet you've already gotten yourself into trouble, haven't you? It's best to start young with those things, you know.

Kedmir: *Laughs* Good point. *Looks around and points out a dirt patch* Would there be suitable? Jek can probably use magic to get a fire going if we find flint and steel lacking.

Tilmere: They seem to be getting on alright now. But Tesmir isn't one for being wary, so he will most likely be an easy target.

Orrun: *Bends over Hakor* Were the princesses too much for you?

Hakor: Shut up. -_- I'm dead. Dead men don't talk.

Rousen: Not really, I don't think. But when Allare was created, it introduced each countries to a variety of new foods, and even races.

Braith: What other sorts of stories do you know?

Yestin: That was just our thinking, so after he lost the duel, we found his place of residence and some dead fish inside it. Oh, yes, father is very good, but it was more the principle of the matter, you see. Trevelian could have bested him just as easily, but to have a lady send her father, the tamer of swamp monsters, after you sends a very different message.

Garan: But your brother seems a decent fellow, so we'll have to save our hornet's nests for when Braith has suitors.

Talidor: *laughs and tries to stand up*

Aderyn: That should do. I'll just ask Trevelian for his flint.

Trevelian: Well, if he doesn't mind a bit of a prank at his expense... They usually know how to temper themselves.

Aderyn: *comes up next to Trevelian* May I borrow your flint?

Trevelian: Of course. *takes his flint out of his pocket and tosses it to Aderyn* *gives he a sidelong glance*

Aderyn: *catches it and returns the look with a bit of a smile* Thank you.

Braith: I've heard of there being other sorts of people in Lor-Amar. Is the same true of Allare then?

Jek: *Sits back thoughtfully* Stories... What kind would you prefer? With seven brothers, we can generate quite a lot.

Tesmir: You put dead fish in his house? *Eyes go wider* Hornets?!

Rune: *Takes his hands and helps him stand* Very tall, young master.

Tilmere: *Smiles* I'm sure he can take it. *Glances at Aderyn and Kedmir* Sometimes I wonder where he gets it. The others were never so active. The twins maybe, but Tesmir is a whole new level of trouble.

Kedmir: *Has gone to the pit and arranged wood/sticks*

Rousen: *Nods* Oh yes. There are fairies, dragons, giants. A winged creature that looks human, but they feed on fear.