[h2]Tyaethe (and the entire royal box)[/h2] 

The vampire fought off a wince as her hand was nearly crushed, Gertrude changing her mind and backing off once it became apparent that, no, there was no supernatural resilience in play: she really could do a lot of damage, even with her strength. Not that Tyaethe had any time right now to think what sort of message the maid was trying to send, or even free her hand.

“Of course we're friends!”

“Haizea is [i]everyone's[/i] friend,”0 the older paladin noted, "She's also the primary reason I'm here – but since I am, I'll also be serving as another guard."

She [i]was[/i] a crown knight herself; it only made sense.

“I'm sure Aimada won't mind if I take part a [i]little[/i],” and the pink-haired hundi was already pouting. Oddly, at this Tyaethe cocked her head as if listening for something before shaking it.

“You'd collapse after a single round.”

“Meaaaaan.”

“Oh, you won't play…?” That was Maletha, the child looking distinctly disappointed.

“Er, not this time…” Was there a good way to say ‘I'm too old for that?’

“But you can tell stories, right?” Elisandre asked, bright and shiny.

Well, that she hoped that [i]Gertrude[/i] could manage that sort of thing… she might be better at sanitising the entire mess with the Moonlit Queen and the Midnight Hunt than Tyaethe would.

Enrich, however, remained silent, stepping over to one of the chairs and sitting down, already excusing himself from the conversation.

[@Octo]