[center][h1][color=lightblue]Galahad Caradoc[/color] and [color=#b3ccff]Esben Mathiassen Cadon[/color][/h1]

Prior to dinner...[/center]
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Shortly after their meeting with Halvor, after Esben, Rudolf, and Éliane had rejoined their fellow Kirins to give them the news—Esben found himself standing around with little to do as the others were shown to their temporary accommodations, settling their things within. Familiar as he already was with the manor, he merely needed to be told which room would be his, and would place his limited things within before dinner. The others might need more time to move their things, change their dress, and the like...

Perhaps unsurprisingly, it was Galahad, near the start of the hall and already shorn of his armour, that was the first to come back out, his arming doublet and other padded wear replaced with normal clothes. He still smelled a bit of oil, but short of a full bath to remove the last of it that would be unavoidable. [color=#b3ccff]”How strange,”[/color] he mused once the dragoon was certainly within earshot. [color=#b3ccff]”I'd started to get used to the sound of metal grinding when you walked past. I won't miss it, but still—funny what a few days can do.”[/color]

For a multitude of reasons it would be better by far to have his armour mended, but Esben wouldn't deny that the noise while Galahad still fought to keep moving in it was a personal annoyance. [color=#b3ccff]”Did they already tell you where the bathhouse is, or would you like a guide?”[/color]

[color=lightblue]”It sounds like you're asking me to accompany you to the bathhouse.”[/color] Galahad chuckled as he glanced pointedly at Esben. He paused and sniffed himself, frowning. [color=lightblue]“ Though perhaps you raise a point. Lead on then.”[/color]

[color=#b3ccff]”Mmm, maybe all Edreni [i]are[/i] prone to such flights of fancy,”[/color] Esben fired back. [color=#b3ccff]”It seems Rudolf isn’t so unique, after all.”[/color] He turned on his heel, beckoning Galahad along. [color=#b3ccff]”How are your ribs? After how that beast tried to roll over on you I’d be surprised if any [i]weren’t[/i] broken.”[/color]

[color=lightblue]”Well, they certainly [I]feel[/I] broken.”[/color] Galahad admitted as he followed along. [color=lightblue]”But luckily I'm still walking. And nothing is shifting around, so I suppose that means major bruising and some fractures then.”[/color]

Galahad shrugged and immediately regretted it. Esben grimaced sympathetically, despite his own chest being fine. [color=lightblue]”Nothing regular applications of white magic won't fix.”[/color] He said. [color=lightblue]”Though I'm beginning to notice a pattern. I think I broke something after the Leviathan fight too, and then back against the Siren pseudolon I think I tore my leg- though that may have been more of my own doing.”[/color]

Galahad laughed mirthlessly as they walked down the hall, remembering the frankly terrible trip. [color=lightblue]”Neve certainly gave me an earful about that.”[/color]

[color=lightblue]”Maybe I ought to rethink my choice in occupation.”[/color] He sighed.

Esben shrugged in turn. [color=#b3ccff]”I wonder but that most of us may entertain the thought once we're done with this,”[/color] he mused. [color=#b3ccff]”But I suppose that's only normal itself—look at Kayliss, Cadmon, maybe. Or Halvor, for that matter.”[/color] Each of whom had given of themselves in their own adventures and transitioned to something else once the pressing need was past. Of course, Esben couldn't help but notice that each was dragged back into things when the next crisis arose.

[color=#b3ccff]”I suppose the responsibilities are inescapable if you keep any sort of authority, though,”[/color] he muttered to himself. Son of a baron speaking to the son of a duke, of course they'd both remain tied to it somehow. [color=#b3ccff]”Neve, though, giving [i]you[/i] a talking to? Galahad, you may be a [i]gentleman,[/i] but she seemed such a gentle girl. You must have really earned it while I was drowning with Eve.”[/color]

[color=lightblue]”I’ve noticed that medical professionals tend not to like it when you go out of your way to get yourself hurt.”[/color] Galahad sighed, [color=lightblue]”I suppose you didn’t know her long enough to notice, but she’s the scolding type.”[/color] He shrugged, [color=lightblue]”Or at least, I think she is. I realize that at this point, I’ve known the rest of you longer than I have her. But she [i]was[/i] one of the original Kirins- there were nine of us. Now its just, Izayoi, Eliane and I. Not that that makes us any different.”[/color] he added, [color=lightblue]”Perhaps it’s just the veteran in me that gets a bit melancholy when the new faces outnumber the old. A few steps forward, and a few steps back, so the saying goes.”[/color]

Galahad chuckled [color=lightblue]”I make it sound like they’re all dead.[/color]

[color=#b3ccff]”Perhaps she only scolded [i]you,”[/i][/color] Esben supplied, hoping to take Galahad's mind off of contemplating those the team had lost up till then. [color=#b3ccff]”Come to think of it, your ears [i]were[/i] rather red the last time I saw you two chatting on the ship. Are you sure it was just scolding?”[/color]

[color=lightblue]”What? What are you talking about?”[/color] Galahad shot back a bit too quickly, [color=lightblue]”I don’t know what you’re implying, but whatever it is, you’re surely wrong.”[/color] Galahad replied with a short huff, [color=lightblue]”She’s a comrade in arms, for however short her time with us was. She fought and bled alongside us. She’s a dear friend. Nothing more.”[/color]

Esben turned to stare at Galahad. He held his silence for a moment, just long enough to make it clear exactly how little he believed the dragoon's claim, before looking ahead once more. [color=#b3ccff]”This must be what Izayoi felt like,”[/color] he muttered cryptically. Whether Galahad had noticed her frustration with Esben, he couldn't even guess—he still wasn’t certain whether or not the others were just politely pretending they hadn’t seen it all.

[color=#b3ccff]”Ah, but then you'd be comfortable saying as much were she here, [i]ja?”[/i][/color] Of course, where he expected some ribbing from the others, he was just as willing to give it. [color=#b3ccff]”Or perhaps we could see what Wulfric would think of that story when we head back north..?”[/color]

[color=lightblue]”Yes. She is my friend. Nothing more.”[/color] Galahad replied. [color=lightblue]“But if Wulf hears about this, I may start a physical altercation.”[/color] He grunted. 

[color=lightblue]”Besides, you're one to start. I see you literally dragging Eliane around with you all the time. The two of you are practically joined at the hip.”[/color]

Such a quick denial, and then trying to turn it around as soon as he felt a chance; Esben could respect Galahad's instincts, at least, even if he felt that the dragoon had already given away what he was poking at. [color=#b3ccff]”Do I drag her around? The last I can think where I required her was shortly after we were off Bikke's ship. Much of the rest has been circumstance or her doing.”[/color]

He scratched once at the back of his neck, where their samurai had yanked him up and started pulling him along a bit more than a week before. Hopefully she wasn’t about to appear behind the both of them. [color=#b3ccff]”Or Izayoi's, once, though I hardly believe either of us can be blamed for that.”[/color]

[color=lightblue]”Well, half the time I see you, it’s usually both of you. In fact, I expect her to round the corner right-”[/color] Galahad paused as they turned a corner and found it empty. [color=lightblue]”Ah, well.”[/color] Galahad shrugged, almost glad for the shift in subject. [color=lightblue]”Has she? Izayoi? As entertaining as the thought of a grown man being dragged around is, I’m more curious as to what you did to spur her ire.”[/color] He remarked as he idly rapped a knuckle on a wooden bannister.

[color=#b3ccff]”It's hardly the first time I've earned her displeasure,”[/color] Esben said, a half-smile growing on his face as he tried [i]not[/i] to laugh at Galahad's diversion. [color=#b3ccff]”And it's not like we're all very far from each other most of the time, anyhow. At least I'm sure [i]I've[/i] never lit up redder than Wulfric's hair while talking to Elly...Ah, cut through here, that way we won't have to step back outside.”[/color]

He paused as they walked down the hall, pushing open a door along the side and ushering Galahad into a small passageway beyond. [color=#b3ccff]”This is [i]technically[/i] for the servants to get back and forth for cleaning and storage, but we all use it when the weather is cold enough. And we won't have to worry about a samurai or anyone else catching up to us, either.”[/color] He pulled the door shut, turning back to Galahad.

[color=b3ccff]”Be honest with me, Galahad, more than surface level, and I'll do the same, [i]ja?[/i] Drana Asnaeu was terrible. Nothing went the way any of us would have preferred, including how it all pieced back together. I was enjoying getting to know Ciradyl and Eve, but we had to say farewell to both. Neve and Robin as well. Not to mention the betrayals, bad news, or the way I kept thinking I'd have to get into a shouting match with Elly over what course we should take regarding the Grovemasters overall.”[/color]

He cocked his head to the side, peering closely at Galahad's face. [color=#b3ccff]”Beyond the way it all impacted the [i]group[/i] of us—are you really satisfied with the way things sit between you now? Obviously she'll be busy picking up Isolde's slack, not to mention the other duties both of you have to deal with—but if you're just trying to distance yourself and guaranteeing the [i]least[/i] favorable result, I'm sure Izayoi will find the chance to call you a ridiculous buffoon as well.”[/color]

He smiled mischievously. [color=#b3ccff]”Her words, of course. Not mine.”[/color]
Galahad rolled his eyes. [color=lightblue]”I’m sure Izayoi will find a way to call me such regardless.”[/color] he sighed. [color=lightblue]”And besides, it is as you say. We both have plenty of duties to deal with. My fondness of someone matters little when we face invasion, death and the end of the world as we know it.”[/color] He sighed.

[color=lightblue]”Things are a mess, and they seem not to be getting better any time soon. If anything, I’m relieved that Drana Asnaeu will have someone capable, kind and competent at the helm. Whatever happens after, will have to be dealt with after. I’ve little time to distract myself with flights of fancy. Distractions cause mistakes, like the one I made with Miina’s arm. I can hardly afford any more.”[/color]

[color=#b3ccff]”I don't know that I would characterize it as a flight of fancy or a distraction, but I see your point,”[/color] Esben replied, avoiding commenting on Miina's arm. [color=#b3ccff]”So long as you're not completely writing it off. Good to keep something in mind for when we've finished, no? Another goal to make sure you want to see past the end of it all.”[/color]

He paused.

[color=#b3ccff]”Even if that [i]also[/i] seems like more of a problem for others on the team, of course. I'm not [i]that[/i] worried about where your head's at.”[/color] He resumed their short trek down the servants’ hall, pushing through the next door. [color=#b3ccff]”So, the private washrooms are down to the right, spare towels will be stored on the other end. Once you're done in there you can find the larger bath to relax—there's a sauna, too, but you have to go outside for that. Nothing should be hard to find.”[/color]

He turned back to Galahad. [color=#b3ccff]”Any questions for me, now? If not, you can ask me in the big bath instead.”[/color]

[color=lightblue]”Fear not, I’ll have plenty to ask,”[/color] Galahad sighed as he turned for one of the washrooms, [color=lightblue]”Though I wonder how many words I’ll be able to get in.”[/color]