My First Tourney, Oh My! (D1, EA)

[Mariessa Tremaine]

"Mm," Mari nodded. "Jynessa. Well, to be honest, I'd say she took more of mother's lessons to heart than I did... at least, to me, she always seems to be everything a lady to be. Clever, pretty, good manners and all."

Guess I caused more headaches for mother...

"Sorry... I'm rambling a little now, no?" she chuckled, realising that her straightforwardness might be odd. "I suppose I should have asked what you might have wanted to know about my family?"

[Leovall Marten]

Leovall smiles softly, his mood mysteriously improved. She sounds like my own sister.

"It's fine. A little rambling never hurt anyone." He points out, lifting his hand. "Thank you for sharing. A question in turn is fair I hope?"

[Mariessa Tremaine]

"Oh, thank you," she chuckled softly, brushing away some of her hair as she considered what to ask.

Well, might as well ask something more interesting. At least interesting to her. "You seemed interested in 'outdoors exploration' earlier, as you said... so you have an interest in hunting?"

[Leovall Marten]

"I enjoy tagging along to them." Leovall answers easily enough. "My cousins are each more skilled at it than I however. Well, apart from perhaps facing down a boar with a spear. That part is exciting." He chuckles suddenly. "Terrifying, but exciting."

[Mariessa Tremaine]

Mari's eyes widened with surprise and some admiration. "You've faced down a boar with a spear before?!"

[Leovall Marten]

"A boar spear..." He says, like that made it less impressive. Rubbing his neck he grins slightly. A bit abashed maybe? "Didn't really have much choice. If they charge a horse they're likely to kill it. When the servants shouted a warning I had to dismount to protect Josey."

[Mariessa Tremaine]

"Josey?" she was still a little awestruck, thinking he might've protected a poor servant or squire. "Wow. That's really brave!"

[Leovall Marten]

"My riding horse. And, um, thanks." Brushing his nose he looks away, smiling just a bit. "The key thing is bracing the spear. The boar does the work... they are pretty dumb brutes when you anger them."

[Mariessa Tremaine]

"I can imagine," she giggled softly.

"I've never hunted boar before. Father always said it was too dangerous for me... Mostly it's small game, but I did once hunt a stag. They can be quite swift and strong too, but not as ferocious as boars, I've been told."

[Leovall Marten]

"They're smarter and more nimble. They prefer to flee and live than to fight. Boars are very territorial. While a stag can defend itself and will do so when cornered a boat will charge when it feels hunted, or if it gets injured. They hate having anyone invade their land." Leovall wondered which was better. Lords were like boars, weren't they? "I prefer martens myself. Smarter than both. Our house is named after them." He comments fondly, glancing back to her over his shoulder. "I brought one with me. He's not with me now as he's nocturnal. I'll introduce you during the tournament, um, if you like?"