[center][h1][sub][color=darkred][b][u]G O R O U[/u][/b][/color][/sub][/h1]
[h3][i][b]Greymont Castle[/b][/i][/h3][hr][/center]

The young lady greeted him cheerily, but seemed somewhat flustered. She apologetically admitted that she hadn't even known the garment's name, but seemed interested in learning more. Her smile and curtsy were controlled and deliberate...and after a moment she offered him her hand. Beneath the mask Gorou's eyes darted to one side. He could already feel the slight tension in the air, as Lady Rhea narrowed her eyes at him. There was no killing intent there, but Gorou could understand her suspicion. And given the way this Jauna lass had been looking at the Prince...

[@Mistiel]"I am sorry, Miss Jauna." he said quietly. He bowed deeper, actually bending at the waist somewhat, but he made a point of not taking or kissing the offered hand. "I am not of noble birth, and would not wish the gesture to besmirch your reputation." It might be considered rude to refuse, especially when the offer came from grace rather than being required by a formal event, but the dishonor would fall solely to him--rather than "how scandalous, for her to offer him her hand!" it was instead "how dare a commoner refuse the courtesy offered to him!"--and Gorou had no problem with that. At the same time, it would hopefully keep him out of whatever was brewing between these two ladies of the court and their Prince.

As he stood straight once more--though now he wondered if he had been too forward from the start, and should have stayed silent--he continued from earlier.

"As to the kimono, it is of no concern. You wear it well, and I'm sure the fashions of the court are hard enough to keep up with without the burden of history." He gestured to his own robes. "Not many outside the old clans still wear these garments, or use swords like mine. I was merely curious."

His gaze fell upon her sword; its dimensions were usable, but not custom fit to Jauna's own hands. A noble lady carrying a blade was a thing of itself, but why one that seemed secondhand? Had she simply bought it from a merchant, rather than directly from the smith? Despite feeling that he might be overstepping himself, forcing conversation like this when he would rather sit and observe, he asked another question.

"Again, if I may ask, Miss Jauna," he began, "your sword is of excellent craftsmanship. Whence did you come upon it?"