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Post by Maeve Fylan on Dec 1, 2015 23:09:03 GMT
Maeve had been moving toward Keld's soldier camp from her day at the farm with three of the oldest brothers and the brother who was only a year older than Maeve. All five of the Fylans moving where soldiers, the others where a mixture of farmers, a merchant and a black smith. Her blood ran thick with commoner blood though one of her brothers had the eyes of a Lady set on him; which the dowry would be a definite help to her family.
On their journey, a very busy messenger requested if one of the Fylans deliver a message to the Bayns she took it upon herself to accept it. Knowing the only two who would care to bring it to the Bayn at their camp where herself and the second youngest. She didn't have much of a heart to stare at the lords and ladies, let alone the Duchess' children. She barely knew anything about the kids, aside from how at least one had been at war with her in some distant fashion. But, she knew that losing mail of importance definitely sucked. Sympathetically that is.
Once they where there she set up the tent with her brothers, they didn't have much money to rent a room like some of the higher paid soldiers so a tent it was. It definitely sucked, since it was late fall, but four men sleeping around you tended to warm it up with ease. And Maeve herself had constructed the tent to be rather thick in material. Once up she moved to leave after at least making herself look presentable, by really just brushing her hair and putting on a newer tunic. It was obvious by the dark brown patterning of her tunic that she was a commoner. She also smelled like hay, not in the bad way but in the fact she was the one who sat on the hay cart on their way to the encampment. It annoyed her that she didn't have the air of a lady at all. But she kept that annoyance to herself.
Moving through the tents made her feel odd, walking past the guard that stood around the tent was a little too easy but she considered the fact that this particular son, Zephan had been given a lot of respect on the battle grounds. She knew he was well conditioned to defend himself. She had just told the guards she had a message and the guard who walked in just before she did cleared his throat and announced it to the gentleman. Maeve stepped foot into the tent and let her eyes scan around.
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Post by Zephan Bayn on Dec 1, 2015 23:49:23 GMT
Zephan was in the process of thinking. His mother was relying on him pretty heavily with the current war, or at least she made it seem as if she was. He was to be not only her ambassador with other nobles and royals, but her eyes and ears within the army. Not to mention the fact that she had formed the habit of asking his opinion. He was sure it was just her preparing him to do it all by himself, but it definitely put a lot on his plate. Which might create a lot of stress, but he was eager to take on the challenge. Especially because he didn't have somebody breathing down his neck telling him exactly how and when to do certain things. It was definitely a plus of rising through the Army's ranks. Which meant that he wasn't forced to sit at a desk and constantly pour over the same letters and maps. He was allowed to trust his memory and actually move while he thought, which he found more beneficial.
He was currently on the ground, shirtless and rather sweaty as he performed push-ups while gathering his thoughts. It had been about a week since he'd sent a letter off to his mother, and he was thinking through anything and everything that she might send back in response. He'd proposed a plan to the Queen about where to station their men, and he wanted to make sure that he had her approval. If she didn't agree, he would have to go back and have another conversation with Bo. Which wasn't a bad thing, he was just reluctant to go back and tell the Queen that he'd been stupid, and his plan wasn't actually going to work. Not that he wouldn't do it, but it would definitely injure his pride. Unfortunately, he lost his train of thought when his guard entered and announced the presence of a messenger. He sighed, pushing himself up into a kneeling position as he glanced up at the guard, and the person who accompanied him. He reached up to slide his hand across his face, wiping sweat from his forehead before he, finally, draws himself up onto his feet.
He glanced between his guard and the woman, before nodding to the man to let him know that he wasn't needed within the tent, "Thank you," he utters, waiting until the man had stepped outside before turning his complete attention to the messenger. He frowned slightly as he took in her appearance; she wasn't one of his mother's messengers. "I'm sorry, but I can't seem to recall if we've met or not. I'm Lieutenant Zephan Bayn," he finally says, extending his hand in greeting. He didn't realize that she was a soldier, which might be a little misogynistic of him, but he didn't generally assume that every commoner who came before him was a soldier. Especially if they were introduced as a messenger.
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Post by Maeve Fylan on Dec 2, 2015 0:08:51 GMT
Maeve hadn't read the mail, but that was probably from the superstitions her mother pumped into her family. To read someone's messages would be bad luck unless someone insisted you could. As he did a rep in front of her, she actually felt a warmth crawl up her back. A small pleased smile painted her lips. As the Guard walked back out with a hesitant shift of the eyes she took a bit of a step back as Zephan took steps towards her. Slowly becoming cautious about being in a tent with such a high ranked man.
She noticed his frown and she almost winced, that wasn't a reaction she was used to really. But nonetheless she moved the letter from hand to hand, and shook his. She took a moment to think of how to introduce herself. It was obvious that nobles and royals where so attached to their ranks and commoners weren't. "Maeve Fylan. You've never met me but I do come from Keld. I'm actually a soldier, your messenger passed the letter to me while some of my brothers and I were on our way here from our parents' farm." She cleared her throat and let her hand slip from his feeling a little awkward that she just took it and shook it without thinking of the possible shit she could get in for doing that as a commoner.
But in reality, she was beginning to think a mile a minute. As she glanced down at the note she had staggered at his.. shirtless torso, "Damn, thank you messenger gods." She actually said out loud, though in a hushed tone. Blinking a little when she actually acknowledged that she heard her statement with her ears. Welding her jaw closed and presented him the letter.
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Post by Zephan Bayn on Dec 2, 2015 1:33:09 GMT
He noted her discomfort, but he tried to ignore it. He wasn't doing anything that would cause her to be uncomfortable, so it wasn't really his problem. However, it did cause him to grow a bit self conscious, aware that he was standing before her sweaty and half naked. Not to mention the fact that he was the heir to a Grand Duchy AND a Lieutenant; he probably should be wearing a uniform of some sort or fancier clothes...or really, any type of shirt at all, and acting more formal. He felt a bit better when she shook his hand and introduces herself. However, he frowned when she mentioned that a messenger had just handed the letter off to her, concern etched across his face. Keld's messengers weren't generally so careless. However, he was quick to school his expression, allowing a friendly smile to cross his face.
"Well, thank you for making sure that the letter got to me," he says, "And it's nice to meet you," he tacks on, his smile becoming more genuine. He truly did like to meet new people, even if it was a little awkward for him. It made it easier that this woman was apparently a soldier. He always felt more comfortable with soldiers than civilians; he generally knew how they thought which made his role in conversations easier. He would reach out for the letter, only to pause as she glances at his chest and praises the Gods. He couldn't help but laugh, "I'm glad that I could do something for the Gods today," he smirks, reaching up to run his fingers through his hair, "I thought that I was doing that by helping with the war, but...being eye candy for a fellow soldier is another worthwhile task that I'm happy to complete," he teases. He would take the letter when she held it out to him, grabbing it and setting it aside so that he could read it once he was alone.
In the meantime, he would turn his attention back to the seemingly flustered girl in his tent. "So, you're a farmer from Keld?" he asks, only to pause for a moment before correcting himself, "I apologize, you're a soldier from Keld? And your parents are farmers?" he asks, gesturing for her to take a seat at his table. He enjoyed taking the time to get to know the people that he served with, and he figured that this was as good a time as any to take a break from what he'd been doing.
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Post by Maeve Fylan on Dec 2, 2015 2:29:15 GMT
Maeve blinked a little when she began to realize the awkward air that began to build up between them. She felt some sort of insecure air build up until she shook his hand. Though, she did take a few steps back. She blamed herself a little inwardly, but it was surprising for a man with such a high rank, and a man who was the heir to his mother's duchy to react so awkward to a commoner. She considered his concerned face after explaining the instance with his messenger. Once seeing him sporting a scowl a part of her soul wanted to tell him it was ok. But she knew that was his problem and something she was sure he'd fix after Maeve was out of his hair.
When he thanked her, it was only seconds before she flat out made a fool of herself. But she was gifted a laugh and some smart comments back. The man knew his way around words. She had to give him that. Stuttering a "You're welcome" in response to his thanks, she would work her own laugh out. Running a hand behind her head nervously, and shifting her eyes away from him after he took the letter from her other hand. "Well.. Thank you as well for.. Demonstrating your help with the war effort. I am particularly surrounded by men often but their bodies don't tend to.. Attract me." She was trying to not be awkward and kid with him at the same time as being awkward and kidding with him.
Once the interaction was said, she moved to turn away and dismiss herself but he asked her a question and she looked up at him with a smooth motion. He motioned to the seat as he corrected himself on her status. She tilted her head at the offer and then moved to take a seat. "Yes. Well. I guess in both statements you are correct. I still farm when I am not fighting..." She moved to sit with her legs together and upright. Moving a hand to push her hair behind her ear gently. "My parents are farmers, and so are some of my brothers still. We're notorious for having a big family.. I have ten older brothers. Four of them are soldiers as well." She tilted her head again and looked up at him, not making complete eye contact of course. But this was the habit she was taught. Maeve was not used to being.. Awkward and not so bold.
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Post by Zephan Bayn on Dec 2, 2015 2:53:02 GMT
Zephan took a seat opposite her, and listened intently as she spoke of her status and her large family. He was the eldest of five children, but he was only really close to Ronan (his younger brother had been born two years after him, and followed him into the army). The youngest two siblings, born when he was ten, were twins and seemed to live in a world all their own. They were the only Bayn children with blonde hair and blue eyes, the only two who found being at court natural. And then there was Kyleigh born six years his junior; they might have been close, had he spent more time at home rather than with the army. She was a miniature version of their mother, though, and he loved her just as much as he loved the rest of his family. He wondered what it would have been like had he not been the oldest, though he couldn't imagine that he would have turned out much differently. "What's it like? To be the youngest out of so many siblings?" he asks, genuinely curious. He imagined that it would have been a little hard for her to find her own voice, with ten older brothers, but he didn't want to make any assumptions.
He didn't just wonder about her position in her family though; he was curious about her family's life style. He had experience being a foot soldier, and then various ranks higher than that. But, he had also experienced the life of a noble with a very high social status. However, he had never really been a commoner; he'd never hunted, or farmed his own food. It was something new to him, and he had the desire to learn about it. He'd considered taking a year or so to live with a farmer or a blacksmith, to gain a better understanding of their lives, but he wasn't sure if he would ever have the time to actually do that. He almost felt as if he should have done it when he was younger; he knew that his mother was close to retiring, and once she did he wasn't going to be able to just go off and do those kinds of things. "And farming? What's it like?" he asks, his tone just as curious as it had been previously, "I mean...I know what it's like to be a soldier," he says, grinning, "But, I'm obviously not a farmer," he says, shrugging. He didn't feel badly about it, nor was he really awkward over the fact that his family was of a high social standing; it was just a fact of life.
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Post by Maeve Fylan on Dec 2, 2015 4:00:40 GMT
She knew of his family, though she had no clue exactly what each of them did. He had obviously been the oldest, thus being the heir. Most people kept it in mind when the heir was the second youngest. But she definitely knew he wasn't younger than any other. When he seemed so intent on listening to her she stopped tilting her head and smiled genuinely in response to him. Ah so, he was the sort to listen. "Ah.." She thought about herself and hummed. Looking at her hands for a moment. "I am unsure what it is like to be a younger sister of other women. But brothers, it's quite the show. I guess my favourite past time is watching them. My mother has this way with them. She knows how to react individually with her kids, so I guess as the youngest I have tried to mimic this. It's like having a small village in my house. The one thing that does suck is.. I am really bad at talking to other women." Maeve was actually in her comfort zone, aside from the major differences in rank. "A lot of women tend to be catty from my experience with some of my sister in laws and their friends. I am used to the rough tumble and wrestling.. Not.. that I don't like being pampered." She never admitted that to anyone.
Were all higher ranking men this quizzical?
Upon the question of farming she knitted her eyebrows together for a moment. How do you describe farming to someone who, of course has seen blood and battle and experienced killing and soldiering.. But never really experienced farming. "It's bloody and muddy but much different from being a Soldier.. Lieutenant." She moved to let her legs part a little. Which wasn't very lady like but it looked better on her, less stiff. More Maeve. "As a soldier we have things like food and mead.. Given to us. Farming is not at all like that. There is no time for partying besides during tough winters and even then we have to muck out stalls and make sure our animals are safe and well fed. Which in its own is a task.. As most of the time the commoners do not have the money. And if we are to trade our goods.. Animals are a need. So it's quite the task to keep everything in your life in sync. I pity the farmers who are single, and need a wife and children or at least some sort of apprentice for help."
Maeve felt odd. Like an animal, in comparison to the man across from her. She clasped her hands together for a moment. "It's a hard life. I don't know how I would be a Lady if I were ever given that sort of marriage. I am sure I'd drive my husband crazy." She was thinking of a question for him. "How is it to be an heir to a Grand Duchy?"
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Post by Zephan Bayn on Dec 3, 2015 3:27:10 GMT
Zephan sat back in his chair, watching her as he listened to her speak. He was intrigued by her answer, wondering what she meant about it being "quite the show", though she answered most of his questions when she spoke about her mother. He laughed when she said that she was bad at talking to other women, amusement sparkling in his eyes, "Women are just like any other person, Maeve. I've been told that they have feelings too," he jokes, though he would sober when she went on to explain exactly why she was uncomfortable around other women. It made sense. He wasn't comfortable around very many people either, but if he had to pick a group of people that he was least comfortable around, it would have to be other noblemen. He just didn't understand them. Sure, he was noble himself, but he hadn't been raised as an heir; he'd been raised as a soldier. So, it made sense why Maeve wasn't comfortable around other women; she hadn't been raised to be prim and proper; she'd been raised to survive a life around ten rough and rowdy boys. Upon hearing what she said about being pampered, he would smile and nod, "Everybody likes to be pampered once in awhile, I understand the feeling," he assures her, not wanting her to feel as if she was the only one to experience that feeling.
When she answered his question about farming, he would nod slightly, "I figured that it was a hard life. I'm sure it's very fulfilling though, not having to rely on other people for things like food," he says, reaching up to brush his fingers through his hair. He cracked a smile when she mentioned that if she married a man of a higher status that she would drive him crazy, "It's alright. I'm sure that no matter who I marry, I'll drive her crazy," he laughs, thinking of his own faults. Whoever he married would be expecting a prim and proper Duke, who knew how to handle any and every social situation, and who frowned upon getting his hands dirty. It was quite laughable...whoever he married was in for a real surprise.
Upon hearing her question he would grin, "It's...well. If my mother was any other person it would be a rather difficult position. She lets me be who I want to be, and she didn't raise me to be the heir. She wanted all of us to have a fighting chance, she didn't think it was fair to name me heir just because I'm a man and I was born first. She chose me because...I fought to make a name for myself in the army, and I won trust and loyalty from the men that served beneath me. She thinks I've earned it and that I show promise. So...it's a good life. Stressful at times, but fulfilling. I feel like if I end up doing half as well as my mother has then I will have done something good with my life. And that's...a good feeling," he says, nodding. Truthfully, he had nothing bad to say about being the heir to his mother's estate, and he wasn't the type of person to feel badly about his station in life just because he was speaking to somebody who might have it worse off.
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