Chazbarry

When the Flames Die

As Jezin approached the now overly-drunk Payton, she took another long swig from her glass. Her head danced slightly, to a imagined spin, and she hiccuped slightly. When Jezin took his seat, Payton's glazed face was replaced by one of that of excitement, "Sir Jezin! You've decided to come back to me." She teased, slightly, "No worries, I know the duties of bodyguards are demanding, and oft leave those unlucky enough to not demand a bodyguard wanting for our own attention." She went on, her speech slightly slurred, but otherwise was doing a good job of keeping up with her words, and speech, "I'm a lot tougher than I let on, Sir Jezin. I might even be able to take you." She said, with a slight giggle as she precariously sipped once more from her glass.

When the Flames Die

Payton sat a table in the Great Hall, having changed out of her armor and switched into a more loose fitting git up. A beige tunic, accompanied by loose light brown pant, along with cloth sandals. She sipped from a wine glass, no one sitting near her as she had made it a clear point to sit away from everyone else. Her eyes stared straight ahead, glazed over in the clarity of pure thought. Things warped in her head as she thought about what had happened, and what this all meant. She took a long swig from the glass of wine, her cheeks already rosy red from drinking too much of the beverage. Although she was her fair share of tipsy, she was thinking somewhat clearly. A trait she always loved about herself. No matter what her state was, she was always able to think with a clear head. She had already set her own plans in motion. Kol sat outside the Palace, securing transit for Payton if the need arose. But if it was up to Payton, she would not leave the Palace, or Keilaudrin, until she accomplished her goals, and found out the meaning behind the storm that was happening.

When the Flames Die

Payton seemed to ignore Jezin for the moment, as out of the corner of her eye, she watched as Bard opened up her special little 'gift'. She had seen his face a hundred times. The face of the panicked acting calm. As her eyes focused back on Jezin, she began to open her mouth before a bolt of lightning broke the air, followed by a quick and bloody drop of a body into the stone floor. Payton froze in place, all fun and warmth drained from her face, replaced with instead iron indifference. It was the same face she made anytime adrenaline coursed through her body like a stream. In a moment, her hands were shaking, now gripping Jezin's chest, as if in subtle fear. Payton was not fearful, however, she was confused. Confusion was more scary to her than any amount of fear could bring.

When the Flames Die

"Are you trying to charm me, good sir knight?" Payton asked, in a mock serious voice. After a few moments, she allowed Jezin to take the led, once more, "Are you going to try to make me swoon like one of your Lyokian girls?" She added, laughing as she did. In a moment, the King entered the feasting area, without much fanfare. Payton's mood changed as she became more serious, but her face was still that of a fun-loving woman, "It's about time the King decided to attend his own event." She said, with a short, but audible chuckle.

When the Flames Die

As the two dance, Payton attempted to lead the duo herself, and overtake Jezin's lead, "My my, you're quite the gentleman, you know that?" Payton mocked swooned, as they danced, before laughing to show her entertainment with her joke, "Are you this nice to every girl you come across, or just the ones wearing armor?" Payton said, wth a slight smirk, as she still attempted to take the lead of the dance. As the pair kept up their dance, it was noticeable that Payton's armor didn't clang, or shake, almost at all, pointing to the quality and lightness of the metal she was wearing. It was also noticeable that she moved fairly smoothly, almost as good as a woman in court, but not quite there.

When the Flames Die

Payton listened intently to Jezin's answer, making sure to take a few mental notes about him, and remember the small facts she had been told about Lyok. Arcartus had traded with the Lyok, before, but as Lyok was no concern to the Intelligence section, she had not had the privilege to learn about the country. Payton smiled sweetly at Jezin's offer of a dance, and a extended hand. "I don't know how well you expect a girl in armor to dance, but I'd be happy to you take you up on your offer." Payton replied, with a slightly flirty smile, taking Jezin's hand in her's, and allowing the man to lead her to the dance floor. Payton had been offered to dance before, at some special occasions, but had turned them down before. In truth, she had never really danced before, and she didn't want to start now, but it would look rather different to turn down the offer, considering the persona she had worked up as being friendly.

When the Flames Die

Payton smiled at Jezin's question. "I just came to celebrate the coronation of the King." Payton said, taking her glance back from Kol, and turning it to Jezin. Payton could hear the musicians start up their songs, and hear the excited bustle of the crowd as they flocked to the dance floor in order to revel in the music. "I don't believe I've ever met anyone from Lyok." Payton said, interest covering the tone of her voice. "What's your country like? And why exactly did they send you and the princess on a diplomatic mission to Keilaudrin?" Payton asked, interest now laying on her voice. It was obvious she was interested in Jezin and Sophia's intentions.

When the Flames Die

Payton nodded to Jezin's response of his origins, and smiled at the question he posed to her, "No, not a solider." Payton responded as she placed a hand on her hip, and smirked, "I just prefer armor to a dress. People tend to take me more seriously." She responded, "So, you and your charge are from Lyok? You've come a long way, sir." She observed, as she changed her gaze to look over at Jezin's charge, who seemed enamored with the sweets on a table, completely out of this reality, and in her own small world where only her and her sweets existed, "I assume she's royalty?" Payton said, locking her eyes with Jezin's and smirking.

When the Flames Die

Payton's visage softened, slightly, as Jezin stayed with her, and asked her of her origins, "I was born here in Mullen. I've traveled all over the nation, however." She replied, as she, glanced over at Jezin's charge, along with two other people who seemed to be accompanying her, "And you?" She asked, her gaze slowly tracing it's way back to Jezin's, and locking eyes with him. Payton hadn't seen clothing like the ones Jezin and his charge wore. It seemed odd, and fairly exotic. Almost too exotic for Estovet. As the pair conversed, Payton caught something out of the corner of her eye. A man in armor that bore a pinkish tint. He was standing, still, on the edge of the party.

When the Flames Die

Payton could tell she was being addressed, and turned her head to gaze at the man who had called to her, apparently looking for a missing girl. Payton recognized the man from the earlier confrontation with the Order of the Thistle members. Luckily, she had made a point to keep an eye on people of interest in the party, as she had always done, and she considered the girl, along with Jezin, as somewhat interesting, if not important, individuals. Payton glanced subtly to where she had last seen the girl, through the throngs of people, and sure enough, she could make out glints of a red dress worn by a smaller person, "I'm Payton. Nice to meet you, Jezin." Payton said, with a blank expression, but her tone was slightly welcoming, "I believe your girl is that way." Payton said, pointing with a figure through the throngs of people, to the glint of the red dress, "Foreigners are easy to spot here." She added, with a smirk.