Brun took note of Sirs Osenain and Tor.  It would be bold indeed to make any public declaration of his misgivings, but perhaps he could find a way to...  Wait a moment...  Brun's eye tracked back again to Gwydion.  He was not sure he has seen Gwydion quite so...out of sorts...  That was very concerning indeed.  He made a mental note to check in after...

Then the hair on the back of Brun's neck raised a bit and he felt that someone else was watching him...  There.  Mother.  No, Baroness Yodil Kotta of no more family relation to him.  She'd made that clear enough. He returned her venom with a polite, formal bow of the head.  Like he would give to anyone of her station who caught his eye.

OOC: I'll take the Compel! I'd like to roll Intrigue.  Since she isn't currently doing anything we'll try for Create Advantage: You Have No Power Over Me

Intrigue Total: +1

07:53, Today: Brun rolled -2 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of -1, -1, 1, -1.  Create Advantage - Intrigue +3.
______________________________________________
After the briefing, Brun began to make his way to Gwydion, but found himself waylaid my royal decree before he could make it.  He straightened respectfully as Arthur explained and did his best to hide his surprise at being named a Lance Commander.  The Battle of Callisto was an emergency... Was everything an emergency now?. He was truly almost grateful at the ceremonial delay.

Brun answered, "I am honored, your majesty.  My Lady is being fitted with new plating and her armaments are being finalized.  With the assistance of your armourers, she could be ready for battle in three days.". Three long, sleepless days.  But what's three more on top of all the others?  Brun would always sacrifice for Euryleia.  That sacrifice was probably starting to wear at the edges of him though...
This message was last edited by the player at 12:54, Mon 24 July 2023.

Gwydion did not have to look very hard for Meara, as she was slowly nibbling on what looked to be a formerly large plate of cookies that now held possibly half of what it did before.  Most alarming was the type of cookie.  It was no mere chocolate chip, but snickerdoodles - Meara's ultimate moping cookie.  Freshly baked, as well.  Clearly, something was on her mind, but what was it?  And just outside the door to her quarters, too, meaning she was possibly avoiding Freyr.

Despite her best efforts, it was not fuzzy, adorable rodents running in wheels and through tubes, nor was it the greatest of comfort animals to observe, the capybara.  Nay, it was the upcoming battle and Freyr's absence afterwards (there was no way Freyr was leaving when they needed everyone they could get for this upcoming plan).

When she noticed him approach, she looked up and gave him a stare that basically said, 'I would like a hug and a mug of hot chocolate, with whipped cream and some sprinkles.'

Meara's datapad chimed a priority alert. Her patrol assignment.

Checking the notice, Meara saw that most of the Valkyries had been assigned to sectors near Venus. This included Freyr even though she wasn't a native of the planet. Meara, however, had been assigned to a near-Earth sector.

She had been wrong. Instead of the crisis delaying Freyr's departure, it had accelerated it.

Gwydion's datapad chimed as well. He too had received an assignment--in operations. Garrison Duty. He'd effectively been grounded.

"Meara," shouted a small excited voice. Mimi came bouncing down the corridor ahead of her mother. The little girl brandished an inflated pink balloon in the rough shape of a sword, complete with crossguard. Mimi stopped next to Gwydion "'Scuse me, can you hold my sword, Mr. Lady Iliza's Sweetheart?" Once she had both hands free, she reached up to give Meara a hug.

"Miriam! That's His Royal Highness Prince Gwydion! Begging your pardons, Prince, Princess" Mrs. Sylvie Moss said as she curtsied to Gwydion and Meara in turn, an apologetic look on her face. "We don't mean to be a bother. I managed to scrape together the ingredients for a nice filling casserole and thought, maybe her royal highness and Lady Freyr might enjoy some. You're welcome too, of course, Prince Gwydion." Mimi's mom always made delicious food, even with the restrictions of the current rationing. The inviting smell reached Meara. Snickerdoodles? What Snickerdoodles?

"Oh," said a disappointed voice from somewhere behind Mimi's mom. "I didn't realize she already had company. I'll just come back later." Irina, dressed in her technicians uniform, tried to sneak away from the crowd unnoticed.

---

"Three days? See that it's done," the King ordered, though he looked apologetic. "I am sorry to ask so much of you, Sir Brun, but our need is dire."

Gwydion had glanced at the assignment notice on the way, and it only worsened his mood. His face still showed that fire in him as he approached Meara, the cross between anger and fear that added an unusual stiffness to his motions. Clearly he also needed a hug and sprinkly cocoa, but the expression dropped in place of confusion at the sound of the tiny voice. The prince accepted the young lady's sword with a slight tint of red hitting his cheeks at his new name.

"A- um, yes, my small lady. Of course." Meara's friend Mimi! It had been some time since he'd seen her, after the Callisto incident. His eyebrows went up in surprise at Mrs. Sylvie's offer of casserole. Once the confusion wore off, Gwydion managed a smile again, tinged with sadness, and gave a small bow. "It would be my honor and my pleasure, madam. I hear your daughter was a fine hero in our darkest moment, protecting my dear cousin, and to share a meal with her and her family would certainly do me a world of good." And then came another voice. Gwydion looked to Irina and moved to her.

"Lady Irina, please don't go. I'm sure we would be happy for your company as well. It's been a difficult day, and I think we could all use the company of our friends, don't you think?"
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 23:39, Mon 24 July 2023.

Meara was about to collapse into complete despair upon seeing Freyr was leaving even earlier, but then the most wonderful things happened.

First, she heard Mimi.  Then, she smelled freshly baked, homemade, commoner casserole (made with things that are nutritious and taste good instead of what's most expensive!).  Then she saw Mimi, as well as Mimi's entourage.

Mimi was immediately scooped up into a hug and spun around as Meara laughed.  "Mimi!  It's so good to see you again!" she exclaimed before settling Mimi in to be carried, ensuring they could both look at one another's faces as well as out at everyone.  To Mimi's mother, she said, "Yes, please do not mind our stations.  Freyr is currently getting the last of her things together before she is sent back to Venus to train commoners as knights - can you believe it?  It is about time we gave the people the means to protect what they care about as well."  Classified?  What's that?

"It is going toooooooooo- bwuh," she said, intending to explain more before she made eye contact with Irina.  If she thought she was cute before, well.

"Irinapleasecomeinsidewithuswemightnothaveenoughchairsyoucansitonmylap."

Is that a tiny blush on Meara's face as she looks at Irina?  It most certainly is.

Meara also though she didn't say the quiet part out loud.  But with Mimi and everyone else, it is quite likely Irina did not hear it.

Regardless of whether or not anyone did hear it, the princess quickly entered the code to enter her quarters and walked inside with a surprisingly high class gait.  An outsider might think her lessons with Freyr were finally starting to stick, but no, the gay panic had put her into acting purely on ingrained manners, hence instead of shouting 'FREYR, FOOD!' she said in a much more regal tone, "Freyr, we have guests.  Prince Gwydion, Lady Irina, as well as Mimi and her mother, Sylvie.  Miss Moss brought a casserole."

Gwydion's face on hearing that Freyr was being reassigned was the loudest silent "WHAT?!" ever exclaimed. And then went back to confusion at Meara's reaction to Irina. Well clearly he couldn't let Irina just run off all sad after something like that. Whatever that was...

"Understood, sire," offered Brun with another deferential bow of the head, "It will be done."  He waited until he was properly dismissed from the king's presence then began to make his way clear of the Council chamber.  He drew a small dataslate from a pocket as he walked.  First he snapped off inquiries to Avram and the armoury team, requesting updates on the final fabrications of the armor pieces.  He informed them of their new deadline; also asking them to advise on any ways to speed up the process.  Another message was sent off to the Armsmasters for the new missile system and a need to push up the time table.  Yes, again.  By the King's order.  He didn't want to throw that around lightly, but Arthur did say to see that it was done...

Needs must, once more.  As always.

He somehow managed to carry on like this without running into anyone or walls.  In the case of the "anyones", likely they were being kind and getting out of the way.  After the initial messaging, he queried the system for locations on Gwydion and Meara.  Of course, Brun /wanted/ to return to the Armoury and Euryleia, but something had changed for that pair.  As he was a fellow Hero of Callisto, he felt a certain responsibility to make sure they were well.  Brun would never say it, but it was also often easier to help other people with their problems rather than facing your own.

He couldn't take long of course, so much to do.  And his Lady to return to.  The query seemed to indicate Meara's quarters as the likeliest place to catch them.  Brun arranged a secure message exchange directly to Euryleia's system as he walked and worked...

-->Council ended.  New threat.  Will explain as soon as possible.  The King requests that your outfitting be completed in three days.  Your blades are needed, once more.  I am returning, but need to check in on Prince Gwydion and Dame Meara.  How are the armourers treating you?

Mimi giggled delightfully as Meara spun her around. She regarded Meara with pure adoration. Then she took a snickerdoodle from the plate. Thankfully her mom didn't scold her because she was distracted by Lady Iliza's sweetheart. He was nice. And he looked funny with a pink sword.

"Bless, you sir! Such kind words from a honeyed tongue," Mrs. Moss said to Gwydion. "If'n you ever have a mind to give lessons to us common folk, Mr. Moss will be the first in line. I'll see to that."

"Oh," Irina said again, suddenly surprised and a little embarrassed by all the attention. "I didn't intend to...I was just..." Irina protested feebly, but her retreat was carefully pincered off by Mrs. Moss (and her large dish) with military precision. Sylvie Moss wasn't a soldier, but feeding people that needed feeding was her battlefield. Now hemmed in and uncomfortable with the attention, Irina relented and shuffled inside along with the rest.

---

The response was immediate.

-->Understood.  We will soon fight together again. Send my regards to your friends. Enjoy yourself.

Appended to the message was a pict of Euryleia's current status. Her feet had been armored.

By the time Brun looked up he had arrived at Meara's door.

---

Freyr appeared and surveyed the line of guests. She had hoped to speak with Meara. But she put on her host's air nonetheless.

"Welcome," she said, taking note of Meara's precise manners. What was this?

Meanwhile, Meara counted chairs. Six. She compared that total to those present. Mimi, Mimi's Mom, Freyr, Gwydion, Irina, Herself. Noooooooooooooooo!

A soft bee-doo came from the door. The view screen showed Brun outside. Yes!

Somehow, Mrs. Moss had already found a place for the casserole and was beginning to set the table.
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:40, Tue 25 July 2023.

Brun couldn't help the smile that the immediate response brought.  Social instincts almost forced him to debate the point of calling Dame Meara and Prince Gwydion friends...   But, Euryleia knew him.  Of course she did.  Hopefully, the association did no harm to their reputations.  Society can be fickle.

-->Your new dancing shoes look lovely.  Your company would bring greater enjoyment...   I will be swift.

Brun realized he felt relief.  Euryleia's AI had always been robust and could offer much in security and assistance.  But now, the Lady herself seemed to be aware....  He had someone he could truly rely on to see to her best interests

He smiled happily again as he keyed the door chime.  Momentarily forgetting the serious reasons for his visit, the new devastating Emergent threat, and....something else....

More after the door opens!

Meara continued to fall back on polite, noble manners, especially as a hostess without a senechal or servants to perform most of the setup.  She carried Mimi towards the head of the table and placed her in a seat of honor reserved for the most important guest before giving her a gentle pat on the head with a genuine, yet reserved, smile, before ensuring the seats were open for others to take their places as they wished.  She retrieved plates and fine mother-of-pearl flatware (just in case the casserole had eggs and would tarnish silverware!), then set them down with a dutiful efficiency.  It was nearly perfect to the nanometer.

She never did lose that blush.

However, before everyone could finish taking their seats, the door buzzed and showed Brun was at the door, and she was going to go let him in when Freyr made Meara sit down at the head of the table before going to open the door for Brun.

"Sir Brun, what a pleasant surprise!  Mrs. Moss just brought us a lovely meal.  Would you like to join us?

Meanwhile, Meara had already placed Mimi in a seat before Irina sat down, and now they were short a seat, so she actually had to figure out what to do.

Outwardly, she appeared very proper.  In her head, though, she was about to bluescreen.

Gwydion's smile grew as he spoke with Sylvie, and gave a gentle nod at the suggestion of giving lessons.

"I would love to fit such a thing into my schedule. It sounds like a good way to spend time with good people." As they were let in and seated, he smiled to his cousin and future sister-in-law at their adorable awkwardness. Gears started turning in his head while he took the least important seat: that of the foot of the table. The prince's station may have demanded he be seated higher up, but his heart insisted that he give everyone else that honor while he appreciated the company around him. It went a long way towards calming the anger he felt.

With Brun's appearance, his smile grew further. Then he counted the chairs. Then he grinned at Meara.

"It seems we're a seat short, cousin. Did you want to reshuffle us? Perhaps your initial suggestion for Lady Irina's place would be best." Were he a proper anime character, he'd have sprouted a mischievous cat face.

As the door opened, Brun looked up from his data slate with a bright, distracted smile.  Which is not an expression anyone had ever seen on him before.  Polite smiles, sure.  Court smiles.  But, not genuine happiness.  It suited him well.

The question caught him off guard, as he had been expecting to offer help to two compatriots...only to find them at a small dinner party.  The smile cracked a bit under the pressure of the surprise.  His glance darted from Freyr, to the table, then back again, "Oh...  I... Um..."

Then he caught the scent of the food.  When was the last time he ate?  If you couldn't remember, it's probably been too long.  Biology trumped manners in this case.

A smile returned, the usual polite smile, "I do believe I would...though it was not my original intent.  If you are sure I would not be an imposition?"  He had subtly, if possible, attempted to step in....indicating he was very very hopeful that he was not an imposition.

"Certainly no imposition, Sir Brun. Please, join us," Freyr led Brun in to join the other guests.

Mrs. Moss was just about to move Mimi so that all of the adults had a proper place to sit, but she caught the look of sudden panic in Meara's eyes. With a quick wink, she covered over her change of plans by tucking a bib around Mimi's neck. "Mind your manners, now," she said gently to the little girl.

"Yes, Momma," Mimi responded, already holding her flatware at the ready. Her balloon sword rested gently against the table beside her. Mrs. Moss normally didn't permit swords by the supper table, but today was a small exception.

Gwydion's suggestion rang out and Mrs. Moss looked to the pair. "It's not a half-bad suggestion, given the seats and all. Why you both could fit right in that seat if you scootch." Mrs. Moss suggested.

"Oh," Irina said for a third time in as many minutes. This visit wasn't going at all as she expected. "I really shouldn't...You see, I... Eeeiii!" The sudden yelp came as Mimi gently prodded Irina in the side with her balloon sword, startling her just enough to cause her to fall right into Meara's lap. She squirmed a bit, looked at Meara while biting her bottom lip nervously, and then turned away blushing furiously.

Mrs. Moss deftly reclaimed the sword from her daughter's hand even as the little girl offered it up with a cheeky smile. Worth it.

Without missing a step, Mrs. Moss went around the table serving each of the guests before finally seating herself. Everyone had a large portion, but Brun's was truly a heaping serving. "Suppose it was something the Baron put in the water," Mrs. Moss wondered quietly as she passed behind Freyr and Brun, leaving only them able to hear.

Freyr managed to pick up on the source of Meara's sudden change in behavior, not that it had been difficult. Meara had certainly mentioned finding fellow knights and nobility attractive often enough (and at most inappropriate times), though she had never turned her attention fully to the pursuit of it. Given her age and apparent interest, she was certainly due for a romantic awakening...

Yet, that this interest had come along at the same time as her own departure, and that departure on the heels of other woes, wasn't lost on Freyr. Young infatuations were tumultuous enough without the weight of trauma upon them. The additional layer of courtly matters was another issue. Meara's position made the proposition of romantic dalliances downright dangerous, if not handled properly. As the future Duchess of Chonaill, and niece of the Queen, her match would certainly be expected to further the cause of the realm. If that conflicted with Meara's own desires...

Freyr didn't even want to consider that at the moment. One step at a time. Get through dinner first and then she and the young princess would have much to discuss.

Once she was seated again, Mrs. Moss encouraged everyone to begin, "Go on, then. Everyone enjoy. There's plenty. And if you clean your plate, there's a nice sponge cake for dessert."

Irina dropped her fork, loudly, at the word sponge and couldn't bring herself to look down the table.

Brun followed Freyr to the table.  He did his best to look mildly embarrassed for showing up uninvited, rather than show the ravenous hunger he truly felt at his core.  Even so, his keen social senses picked up the seating maneuvers and he sat quickly to preclude any other arrangement.

His eyes went a bit wide at the serving, his hand moved towards the available tableware while tidal forces of societal norms tried to force him to not be the first one eating....  Mrs. Moss's comment brought a grin despite his internal war.  His eye flicked to Mear-ina, then questioningly to Gwydion and Freyr.  The look also managed to convey: Ah, young love, amirite?. This worldly implication of foolish young love does come from a young man who, by all account, seemed to have some sort of adoring "relationship" with his Armour.  So, take that with a grain of salt.

Mrs. Moss' urging seemed to satisfy Brun's internal conflict.  He waited no longer and attacked his dinner like a wolf.  A polite wolf.  Who knew how to use a napkin.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:34, Thu 27 July 2023.

404: Meara Not Found

This is what was happening to the princess now that she had an incredibly hot young woman on her lap.  While others smiled and winked to one another, and in some cases started eating, Meara bluescreened hard.  Of course, she still had her ingrained reflexes that liked to act before she could think (and in this case, when she couldn't think at all), which caused her to catch Irina with both arms and hold Irina on her lap.

It looked like an affectionate hug, and probably felt like one, too.

If a puff of steam could erupt from Meara's head, it would.

In fact, she was so full of gay panic that it was not until Irina dropped her fork that Meara's brain kicked in at all.  Her first thought?

Excellent support, Mimi!  While Irina couldn't see it, Meara gave Mimi a thumbs up.  She then forced herself to look at Irina and said, "Y-you look nice scent soft."

Nailed it.

This was a far better time than Gwydion had anticipated having today, and his smile gradually lost the turbulent emotions behind it. It took him a moment to realize just why Brun was so eager to get the food into him, but then remembered that hardly anyone had seen the man recently due to all the work being done on various projects, including repairing the Armour he'd dedicated himself to. Brun had likely forgotten all about food, or at least been taking only enough time to snack on protein bars and just enough calories to keep moving.

Across the table, things were clearly going swimmingly for Meara and Irina. The little guest was clearly excellent backup. When the group was given permission by Mrs. Moss to tuck in, Gwydion happily did so, with more restraint than the clearly-hungry Brun. It wasn't until some moments after Irina dropped her fork that the prince's look to her went from quizzical to shocked, nearly choking on his mouthful of food in surprise and turning slightly red himself.

Had she been...spying on him and her sister? He wouldn't be able to bring it up here with the guests present, but now he had a whole other problem on his mind. This one might have been more alarming than the war council's problems.

Aaaaand then that concern was obliterated by his having to stifle a full on giggle at Meara's dinner conversation. He tried to help by taking some of the spotlight away from the pair.

"The meal is wonderful, madam, thank you so much. Sir Brun, how is the restoration of your Armour coming along? I imagine it must be thrilling to have the Forge of Avaluna at your fingertips. Tales of your time on the Edge have gotten me nothing less than giddy to see what you can produce now, after crafting such a wonderful machine with naught but scraps and your own two hands. Your duel with my cousin in the finest Armour Venus itself could produce was truly awe inspiring. I still watch it every few days to get the blood pumping."

Brun, in his time amongst the pirates, had learned to eat when food was available.  Because it wouldn't always be.  He also learned to do it quickly, lest someone stronger take it from you.  His hunger seemed to have kicked on these old habits.  One arm seemed to move almost protectively around the plate as he ate.  He was still managing to do it cleanly and relatively politely, just with a bit too much edge...

Brun only paused to note the strange reactions to the notion of dessert.  Dropping cutlery, nearly choking, and losing the capability of coherent speech.  How good must this sponge cake be??  He was quite happy he would be finding out.  This was turning into the very best day in a long while; despite the imposing threat of the Emergent Dragon form.  He glanced between Gwydion and Meara again.  He had come here, he thought, to offer...something...  Care?  Kindness? Support?  They seemed so...  But here they were surrounded by fine company and fine food.  Spirits obviously lifting better than he would've been able to manage.  Good.  They quite deserved it and were lucky to have such to mend the spirit.

Gwydion's questioning commentary brought Brun's attention back sharply.  He managed to apply the brakes to his feed, making keen use of a napkin, and only answered when he was sure the path was clear, "Ah, yes, well..."  His smile brightened and spoke volumes without need for words, "My Lady has awoken.  I brought her neurocore and main systems online earlier today.  Everything looks better than expected..."  He paused and looked to Irina, a more grateful look now, "Just as you said, dear lady.  You said her neurocore was intact and you were so very right.  She /is/ remarkably resilient."  He took another quick bite or two, then turned back to Gwydion, "Her new frame was finished as well, with improvements thanks to the forges here.  We are down to external armor plating and weapon systems integrations.  A few more improvements there, of course.  I am very hopeful we can achieve the King's deadline of three days."  Brun paused again, looking almost regretfully down at his plate, nearly cleared.  Talking about deadlines while sitting at a dinner party was not the best look...  No matter how much of a surprise the gathering had been for him.

Best get back on track.  Brun cast looks to Gwydion and Meara again, "In truth, I do have...quite a bit to be doing... But, I wanted to check in on you both.  After the council..."

Gwydion smiled wider at Brun's revelations, though he clearly didn't understand just how literally the Knight meant by "awoken". "That's fantastic news, my friend! With your skills and our resources, I'm confident that you're about to become the strongest Knight Avaluna has ever seen." His enthusiasm was curbed at the mention of the council, and he peered down at his plate of food with a much softer smile and a nod.

"Yes. These days it seems difficulties are queued up and waiting, doesn't it? I discovered that current threat is quite personal to me moments before the council was gathered." That's where the smile fell entirely, and he stabbed a forkful of food he wasn't even prepared to eat. "That's probably why I've been assigned ground duty where this beast is involved. You've seen how I get when I let my emotions determine my tactics. I suppose even my uncle thinks I would only serve to put lives in danger, like I did at Callisto..."

"Why thank you, your highness. It's my pleasure." Mrs. Moss acknowledged Gwydion.

Mimi dug into her own dinner with nearly as much gusto as Brun.

"Forgive me," Irina asked clearly too distracted by her own embarrassment to have focused on Meara's words. "I'm afraid I didn't hear you at all."

Freyr swooped in before Meara had a chance to respond,  "She was wondering how your shift went today. We've noticed how rapidly new construction seems to be taking place."

"Oh," Irina looked grateful for the topic to distract her. "Well, Prince Gwydion could tell you more about over all progress, but..." As she spoke she seemed to settle in a comfortable position against Meara, who still had an arm wrapped around her waist.

Freyr nodded politely as she listened. She had bought Meara time to regroup. She hoped that the young woman would use it to good effect.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:48, Thu 27 July 2023.

Unfortunately for Freyr, Sylvie, Irina, Mimi, and Meara, the princess had never been a strategist, and she was far too nervous to try and 'go in for the kill'.  Besides, if she followed her instincts and tried to pin Irina on the table and kiss her, she'd ruin the meal!  It looked delicious!

... It smelled delicious.

With Irina regaining her composure and settling in more comfortably, Meara worked on doing the same, grateful at the moment that she had trained herself to be mostly ambidextrous what with Irina occupying her right hand.  And arm.  And leg.  And her neck was right there.

Calm down, Meara.  Calm down.  Do not think about her lovely neck, do not think about the amazing view of her booba you have right now, and definitely do not think about her moaning your name, she thought to herself, somehow succeeding despite actively doing the contrary to make it happen, Just think about what Auntie Val and Freyr would do.  Okay, Auntie Val.  Freyr apparently runs off to get laid.  I'm proud of her.

Finally settling in properly herself, Meara takes her first bite of the casserole and her eyes go wide.  She's had high class food all her life, but she'd almost always enjoyed the commoner's faire more.  Even with that, though...

"Sho gooob..."

She had a look of bliss on her face as she swallowed and turned her gaze to Irina, her eyes, to those thinking in a certain way, almost looked like bedroom eyes.  If this was an anime or manga, she'd probably have hearts in her eyes and sparkles around her face.  Really, though, she was just basking in a super delicious meal.

Brun straightened a bit, an almost impolite amount of pride at Gwydion's heaping of praise, "Well...  I don't know about strongest...". He glanced at Meara again, remembering his loss to the Valkyrie that Gwydion kindly reminded of.  Not that he could forget.  Some small part wonders how the match might go now...  No.  Other concerns now that competitions.  Besides it was very difficult to feel competitive against the Meara he saw at the other end of the table today.   Back to Gwydion, "I hope all my designs do her abilities justice...  We must all be at our very best in these times."

The mention of Gwydion being placed on ground duty seemed very surprising to Brun.  As well as the prince seeming to take it so hard, "You...saved lives at Callisto...  More than I thought possible.  But you did it.".  The gaunt (but getting better now) knight shook his head, "I would never be so bold as to gainsay King Arthur, but...  Keeping you and Dyrnwyn grounded seems...a terrible waste..." He paused, trying to gauge how much that was going to sink in before continuing, "But, I am sure he has very good reasons.  For my part, I will be glad to know you are waiting in reserve to come to my rescue.  Again." A friendly offer of a silver lining, with a dashing smile to ease it along.

Thoughts on Create Advantage for Gwydion?  Brun's trying to boost him, remind him of purpose and skill.  Find a silver lining, etc.  If it doesn't feel earned or needed, please ignore.

Chivalry Total - +4: The Lady's (and Brun's) Favor

13:50, Today: Brun rolled 1 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of 0, 1, -1, 1.  Create Advantage: Chivalry +3.

Gwydion nodded as Brun spoke, his smile turning sad at the mention of his deeds at Callisto Station.

"Oh Brun, you've never needed me to rescue you. All the same, I'm proud to stand by your side. Uncle John... er, his majesty, that is. I suspect he is more worried for my safety than anything else. Though..." The prince turned to regard the rest of the table, pulling his smile up further, "a lovely dinner with such polite company is probably not the place to discuss such concerns. Lady Aegisdottir, I understand you'll be in charge of training up and comic Valkyries, is that so? It's quite the task, but I know of no one in the system better qualified. But, pardon my asking, does that mean you'll be leaving the direct service of my dear cousin? Even during my earliest childhood memories, I can't remember a time you two have ever been apart. Is that going to be alright?"

"Yes, your Highness. You are correct upon both counts. I will be leaving to return to Chonaill to begin my task. That does mean that I will no longer serve as handmaiden to Princess Meara." There was something about saying the words aloud that made the situation all too real. Freyr and Meara had known that would be the case since the Queen had given the order. They had been making preparations for that order to be a reality, but Freyr had never actually spoken it aloud in such definite terms until now.

She looked to Meara, trying to control the emotions welling up inside her. "Yes," she said. "Everything will be alright."

"You can count on me to keep Meara close by, Freyr. This posting won't last forever, and when you come back we will have a celebration. Of course, with Lady Iliza and I spending so much time together, I'll need an extra pair of eyes to keep my cousin out of trouble, a task I'm hoping I can entrust to Lady Irina." Gwydion, while not nearly as subtle a wingman as Mimi, was just as supportive. His smile went from sad to self-satisfied as he turned it from Freyr to Meara and Irina.

"Oh," Irina looked at Prince Gwydion for the first time since the beginning of the meal. "I'm happy to keep her company when I can. Between that and her duties, she should hardly find time for trouble."

"I believed that once, too," Freyr said fondly.