Penelope returned his grin with a smile and nodded her head. "I can't wait to see them." She said with a soft chuckle at his eagerness. His excitement rubbed off on her, making her feel rather eager to finish the mission and return back to Crow after. Though the outer villages wouldn't be the home she was used to, she was hopeful of finding her place there alongside Crow. She glanced down at him as he leaned back against her. "Alright." She mused with a nod. The knight paused as she considered where to begin about the inner kingdom, the place she knew as home. "I guess I haven't really spoken much about what my life is like aside from my job, huh?" Penelope mumbled with some amusement at the realization.
"Well, I'm more familiar with the towns closest to the castle on the north side but I've been to a few towns on the west and south sides as well. They're all basically the same. Different place but same culture. Families tend to pretty big in size and usually they all live on what's called the family manor. It's usually a large plot of land with an estate where the family members all live. Grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, children. It's huge so it can usually fit everyone. Though it's not unheard of for people to move out to get their own space of land. Plus when marriage happens, women tend to leave their family homes to join their husband's or the couple gets a separate home.
"My hometown is Bellmare. It's the town right beyond the castle walls so it makes it easy to travel to and from. The Vermillions are a pretty wealthy family, the head of my family is a baron. Every family has a head of the family. He's the one who runs the estate and basically oversees family business. For my family, it's my father's younger brother. It would have been my father since he was the first born but well, after what happened with my mother and being banished from the family for a short time, he was just lucky that my uncle still cared about him and Layth enough to let us back in. He just focuses his anger about the past on me since it's easier than him getting angry at someone he cares about." Penelope paused before giving a sigh as she thought about her uncle. "Family for us is a bit complicated... Nobles are powerful but their status, be it socially or economically, is fragile so sometimes people get scared about losing what they have and it can cause them to turn on the people they care about if it means preserving the life they know."
The knight gave a small shrug. "I know that sounds a bit... harsh but it's really not that bad. It's not too hard to make a decent name for yourself so long as you know how to act properly. Nearly all nobles are born into their status so it's rare for situations like that to happen anyway. My father happened to step out of line and didn't intend to back down." Penelope smiled a little to herself as she looked down at Crow and added in half-hearted amusement, "Guess I'm a chip off the old block." Though, she hoped she'd have far better luck with her decision than her father had.
"Anyways, life in the inner towns can be pretty enjoyable too. I know that might be hard for you to believe," She teased. "but it's true. People there tend to celebrate a lot, there's always parties or balls held for various things going on. Weddings, births, successes, sometimes they just throw something together to show off their wealth. Though there's also a bit of politics and business moves made at these, it's still pretty enjoyable. Good food, some drinking, even some games. Oh! And dancing. I'm not sure what that's like in the outer villages but the dancing for nobles is usually slow and elegant.. I haven't really participated in it since well, I never learned but those that can dance properly nearly look like they're floating.
"But what I did learn is how to joust." She grinned proudly. "Along with parties, knight families also hold tournaments during free time. It's a chance to show off your skills, whether they lie in archery, swordsmanship or jousting. It's fun to compete and test your skills. It often helps with getting recognition as a skilled fighter too." As she spoke more about her life, Penelope felt a small hint of sorrow at the thought of leaving it all behind. It wasn't perfect but it was still what she knew and even enjoyed. However what made her feel more sad was the thought that she'd never be able to share her world with Crow. Though, even if by some miracle he was able to be a noble alongside her, Penelope had her doubts that he even would be able to enjoy the life that she had.
Trying not to focus on the negative feelings that erupted from her speaking about her soon to be old life, Penelope focused her gaze back on Crow, her grin fading into a small smile. "I know it's probably not a place you'd find very enjoyable, especially with how some of the people act, but I do like the inner kingdom despite it's issues. It's lively and elegant."
