``I SIGNED UP FOR THIS GAME ; VAUGHN

[Alegra Silvertongue]

Her chambers? Well, she couldn't say she was surprised in the least. "Am I to be giving you a tour of the place, then?" she asked dryly. "Or is it simply my bedroom you're interested in?" Briefly, she wondered if he had a place to stay the night - or a plan to stay the night in any one place; for all she knew he could plan on traveling - and resolved not to ask unless he mentioned it. If she offered when he already had other arrangements, it would no doubt result only in extreme mockery, and knowing him, he could change his mind just to make him uncomfortable. Frankly, she didn't want him in her house in the first place, much less staying the night, but Alegra had a rare considerate side that was rarely shown because she was equally rarely introduced to a situation where it needed to be.

"Generous," she muttered suspiciously when he claimed he wouldn't force her. He wasn't just going to relieve her stress to be a nice guy, she knew that much; he had to be getting something out of it. When he iterated exactly what that was, Alegra's stomach felt like a frigid stone had dropped in it. "If you're going to do that," she said simply, "I will wake my mother up and introduce you now." She wasn't trying to provoke him, but neither would she allow anyone to threaten her family, much less follow through with it. She didn't know that he planned to harm them, of course, but that was not a chance she was willing to take.

[Vaughn Adeney]

::vaughn::

Vaughn continued to smirk as they remained on the subject of her bedroom. Had she meant that to be a rhetorical question? Either way, he just had to answer it. "Your bedroom would certainly be the mots, rewarding place in the entire castle." He obviously meant that in the most perverted way possible. "And a place worth spending the most time in." Again, flirtatious, but not exactly in a flattering way. As they had already established, she did not seem to care much for his compliments or suggestive remarks.

He chuckled at her sudden urge to introduce him to her family. There was not saying he would not return, but he doubted he would come all the way back to meet her family if he already met them today. It would not be as fun. "And how will you be introducing me?" He asked. She could not say that he was the man blackmailing her. He would not make good on his word to keep her promise a secret then. He would exploit it in the biggest and worst way he could possibly think of. "A mysterious friend that you encountered in the middle of the night? I do not think she will appreciate you bringing strangers like that home," he said, mockingly.

[Alegra Silvertongue]

\

He really did seem to get a kick out of making not-so-subtle sexual implications, and she could not for the life of her fathom why. Did he think she would eventually give in? She doubted it; he was smarter than that. It couldn't be because he enjoyed making her uncomfortable, because it didn't make her uncomfortable, and it was one of the few things she was not actually defensive about. Her "flirting" in return was short and, in her mind, hardly worth it, so it was hard to comprehend why he would press forward so. Perhaps he simply wanted to confuse her. "That is usually where I have the most fun with men," she admitted devilishly.

His question brought up a point she was not prepared for yet. How was she going to introduce him? Not as a friend of Drake, because that would only work on her mother and she would question him about it later. A friend? Hardly, she didn't think she could even act that well, and her mother was unlikely to accept a platonic friend. Perhaps a suitor? No, absolutely not; he would milk it for everything it was worth and even go farther with it. Her life would become a miserable downward spiral of chaos if she did that. But perhaps as a brother of a friend? And her mother could make whatever assumptions she wanted, but would be too flustered to confront either of them about it, so Alegra would not have to deal with her. "A brother of a friend," she announced.

[Vaughn Adeney]

::vaughn::

Her encouragement was delightfully amusing. "So why deprive yourself of that fun today. You have had a long and tiring night." After all, she was nearly killed by a group of bandits. "You certainly deserve some fun tonight." And he just so happened to be someone who was willing to help her with that. "I would be more than happy to assist you in that." He spoke those words in very much the same way he had offered to help her undress. The ironic thing was that he actually did end up assisting her with the removal of her armor. When he had first said it however, he had not expected to be in her company for that long. Of course this time, his suggestion was going a bit further than removing armor, so was therefore more unlikely. But still.

Vaughn was going to have fun making up a story to go along with his character of who she was going to introduce him as. "A potential suitor," he added just for pure amusement. "A friend's brother, who also just so happens to be a potential suitor for the dear Lady Alegra. How can your mother deny someone who has captured the interest of her precious young daughter." Really, he was just going to play this up as best he could. Throw out compliments, act all charming to win over her mother. It was so much better than something as simple and boring as a friend's brother.

[Alegra Silvertongue]

"Very long and very tiring," she corrected pointedly, no doubt referring to the same thing he had been. Such a thing was hardly a normal occurrence for her. "Therefore, I think it in my best interest to not make it even longer and more fatigue-inducing. I'll have to rebuild my strength tonight, of course." Finally, they pulled up to the stables, and she quickly dismounted, beginning to remove Iron's tack before she'd even checked to see if he was getting off or not. The poor horse had been in the wretched equipment far too long by now, and she felt horribly guilty for it; she'd have to bring him apples and vegetables and sugar in the morning to make up for it, and a nice rub-down at that.

"A potential suitor," she echoed, exasperated. That could either make things much more fun or much less so. On the one hand, it would be much more fun to refuse his advances if that was what he was pretending to be... But on the other, she would have to deal with her mother in that case; her mother who wanted, more than anything else, to marry Alegra off. All he had to do was play the right cards to have her eating out of his hand, and then she would be subject to an unbearable onslaught of reprimand from her only living parent in response. Well, it would have to do. "Very well, then."

[Vaughn Adeney]

::vaughn::

"It would certainly not exhaust you any more." He said, chuckling. "Depending how hard you intend on working," he added, entertaining the idea. He dismounted from the horse once they got into the stables. It was a decent size stables, which did not surprise him. Considering the size of the estate, it was only to be expected that everything else was above mediocre. "No argument. No defense. Just, very well."

She seemed to be alright with the idea. Or she just felt that arguing would get her no where. Either way, he was looking forward to playing up the role, and act far more politely than he had with her. Or maybe not. He would first have to see what her mother was like. "So when will your brother return?" He wondered how soon it would be. Whether it would be worth waiting around the estate for. After all, Vaughn had no where else to be. He had no other obligations.

[Alegra Silvertongue]

Alegra was not ignorant to the implications behind his words, nor to the fact that they were somewhat true. At the very least, the virtue of her ears was not intact, and she know all about how intercourse generally went - with the women being submissive. It was expected, enforced even. Knowing that, it would probably be a better idea not to respond, she decided. However, she was not the kind of girl that simply went along with "better" ideas, and the opening was simply too much to resist. "I work hard at everything I do," she assured him with an air of obliviousness as she finished removing the saddle and saddle-pad, hanging them up in their designated areas.

"Follow me," she commanded curtly, and began walking out of the stables before considering his question. She wasn't entirely sure of the answer, herself. "Most likely not until morning." The information, however, was not entirely clear. He'd claimed that he'd return in the morning, but knowing Drake, it could be another day or so before he actually did, or even hours earlier. Part of her hoped he would already be home, and she could tell him all about how horribly terribly this man was and he could keep their mother from liking him too much. Not that she'd really tell him, she supposed with a sigh. But it was nice to dream about.

[Vaughn Adeney]

::vaughn::

Vaughn followed her out of the stables, looking at the estate more carefully than ever now. He wondered if the guards would find anything unusual about this. Oh how he hoped they did. Vaughn would only provoke them, though never make the first physical attack. It would just be amusing to have even more defiance tonight. Then again, what if he were to get on everyones good side, so that he would be welcome any time, and take advantage of that. Yes. That may be more fun. It was time to put on his polite face now, as they neared.

"In that case, perhaps I will stay a bit longer. So that I can meet the whole family. Unless you would prefer me to come back at a more convenient time." Maybe he would surprise her one day. He would of course have to maintain enough of a distance so that her mother did not try to push forward any wedding of any sort, since it was all a farce to begin with.

[Alegra Silvertongue]

This was getting better and better as the night wore on, Alegra thought wearily. At this rate, perhaps she'd be missing a limb by morning! He wanted to stick around to meet Drake? Well, that could certainly be arranged... But then again, his latter offer was equally tempting. She could have him come back in a few days once she'd gotten the story straight in her head, right? "Wrong," her mind answered for her. He wasn't likely to return when she wanted him to; he'd come back whenever he felt like coming back, and there was a large possibility that he would do so after finding out when she wouldn't be there. The last thing Alegra wanted was him at her house and around her loved ones without her there to act as a buffer.

"Staying would be suitable," she said with a sigh. Or rather, it was the more suitable of the two; if she had her wish, he'd be across the sea by then and never return. Unfortunately, Alegra didn't believe in wishes. She led him around to the front of the estate, and when the guards straightened up and took several steps forward, she lifted a hand to them, her pale skin clear even in the dark. "At ease," she said, her voice shockingly kind compared to all of the other emotions that had run through it. "It's only me, and I've brought a guest." She gestured to him as they grew closer, and the guards nodded once, not seeming at all surprised that their lady had appeared at such a late hour; they were all very nicely acquainted by now.

[Vaughn Adeney]

::vaughn::

If Vaughn grew bored, he would leave. He had just wanted her to say that it would be better for him to stay. He still had control over the situation. Some may consider this as a burden. He saw it as very useful leverage. As they walked by the guards, he stopped when she did, and briefly introduced him as a guest. He smiled at them. "Gentleman," he acknowledged, slightly nodding his head towards them. As unusually kind as he tone had been, his was equally kind and polite. They would both have to act differently. He would have to be on her best behavior where as she would have to be civil towards him, even if she cared nothing for him.

"Beautiful home you have here," he said grinning as they walked down the halls. "As your guest, I assume you are a good hostess. One who will provide me with a nice hot meal, a warm bath, and fresh clothing?" He was really just playing up the role. Enjoying the fact that he was here, in her estate. And all because he had simply caught her at a bad time.

[Alegra Silvertongue]

Alegra was trying very hard not to be miffed at the guards' easy acceptance of him for two reasons; one being that she wished they would see through his facade and understand just how wretched he really was, and two being that she herself had spent months earning the trust and acceptance of each one as they were hired. None of them were so eager to accept that the young woman of the household would steal away or return in the midst of the night, or go riding like any boy would, or use their training grounds out back to spar. Of course, by now that was all old news, and they got along fabulously; but it still annoyed her that they give note to an outsider after less than a minute when it had taken them so long to do the same for their mistress.

At his "assumption" once they were indoors, Alegra snorted. "I think not," she said dryly. "The servants will tend to you, I have no desire to do so." Alegra waited on no one, man or woman, and he would not be the first. Even her friends were attended to by the servants. "Shall I show you around before I wake my mother?"

[Vaughn Adeney]

::vaughn::

"You mean you will not be tending to me?" He asked in an overly sarcastic voice that pretended to be shocked by her rejection. In actuality, he was not shocked in the least bit. He ensured his voice was not too loud. Instead, it was a low deep voice for he did not want others to hear. There may be servants lurking around in the hallway, though most seemed to be asleep at this late hour. He walked alongside her, slightly lowering his head to the side so that his words would be spoken near her ear. He kept walking and looking forward while he continued to talk. "You of all people know how difficult it is to remove armor on ones own." He had made that rather clear when he had just watched her struggle a bit before she was forced to ask for his aid.

His next words were spoken in an even lower and therefore, deeper voice. "I helped you remove your armor. I expected the same in return; for you to return that favor I granted you." He knew that he had gotten far more amusement from it, than she would get from helping him undress from his armor. Still. Whether it was a painful process for her or not, he would at least present the idea.

[Alegra Silvertongue]

"There are servants who know very well how to assist you in the removing of armor," she informed him. It was true; Drake had an entire set of them, mostly male of course, that knew perfectly how to go about doing it, and then there was the one female that Alegra had had help her before... Not that the female would be anywhere near him, she promised herself. The poor girl wouldn't stand a chance in hell against this man, no matter what personality he adopted in her presence; she would either be flattered to the point of throwing herself at him, or unable to stop him from throwing himself at her. Alegra simply couldn't allow it, not with so young a girl and such a cad of a guest.

"The favor will be returned," she assured him, "in the form of one of the boys. Once you're ready, I'll send them in to help you." She could only hope he had the decency to treat the servants kindly. Their mother was not exactly affectionate with them but was far from unkind, and Alegra and Drake tried to be as gentle as possible. They were paid well, had nice living situations, were never whipped as punishment; it was a family thing. At least to their knowledge, no generation of Silvertongues had treated them with cruelty, and for Alegra, it went even deeper. After all, they were people, too, and it was no more their fault that they were born into servitude than it was hers she'd been born into nobility. They'd done nothing to deserve harsh treatment, and so she refused to reward them with such. "Was that a yes or a no to the tour? You failed to respond."

[Vaughn Adeney]

::vaughn::

Male servants? No. That would not do it. Vaughn wanted to have more fun than that tonight. He was trying to win over most in the castle, even the servants, and it was easier for him to be charismatic with the women than the men. "Are you not a servant to my will?" He said chuckled, reminding her that he had something against her that should make her more, agreeable to his suggestions and demands, though he had not yet technically demanded anything other than payment. "Do you not have any female servants who could assist with that. I would feel far more comfortable with a woman aiding me than a man. Women do have, much more of a softer touch."

He was after all a man. And when given the choice, any knight would prefer a woman to aid them. Of course, Vaughn could not be placed in the category as 'any knight'. He could not be classified as one for there were far too many differences between him and a typical knight. "A tour would be wonderful. Shall we do it before or after you send one of your beautiful, hand maidens to assist me?" This time, he was not asking for a female servant; he was expecting one. "Or if you would prefer to assist me, I am willing to accept that offer instead."

[Alegra Silvertongue]

Though she understood exactly what he was referring to, she still daringly announced, "I am servant to no will but my own." There were things he could use against her to persuade her to do as he asked, but in the end, the decision would be hers, and it would be based on what best suited her will and life, not his. She would nothing for him out of sheer kindness, and was beginning to wonder at how she had been so considerate as to wonder where he would be staying the night. Of course he would decide to stay on his own - silly, foolish her for thinking otherwise. He was much more than stepping on her nerves by this point; he seemed to be slicing them apart with his blade, and she was having so difficult a time not fighting back.

"There are no female servants in the house available to assist you." He could not be allowed anywhere near the only one with any experience, though even then, the girl was still not terribly capable; she fumbled a lot, and Alegra was certain his armor would be even more complex, if not simply larger, than her own. "I'll show you around beforehand, then introduce you to Mother, and then I'll send a servant in to help with the removal." She didn't bother commenting on his last statement. Of course she would not be offering herself up; she was far from stupid.

[Vaughn Adeney]

::vaughn::

He had not expected her to say any less than what she had. She had proven to be anything but submissive. And she had made it clear that her virtue was something she valued far more than anything else. And fortunately, there were some things that even Vaughn did not feel the necessity to do. "None at all? If only I believed you." He did not. Every estate had at least one, especially with a noblewoman in the house. She surely had a personal maidservant, one who assisted her with things that the male servants could not. "I would very much like to meet her." It was not a question or suggestion. It was something he wanted and if she would not tell him, he would use his own time to explore the castle and look for her. Why? Because it was yet another challenge.

"On second thought, why not let your mother sleep through the night." It would be morning in a few hours. "I will remain here, in your finest guest room, and dine with her and yourself tomorrow morning. I would hate to inconvenience her in the middle of the night." He was going to make a good impression, and it would only be more difficult to if her mother was half asleep. "In the meantime, give me a detailed tour of your lovely home."

[Alegra Silvertongue]

Alegra sighed, trying extremely hard to be patient with him - which wasn't going so well, considering that he was probably annoying her on purpose and patience had never been one of her strong suits. "We do have female servants," she explained slowly, as if speaking to a small child (and, in her mind, that was precisely what he was acting like). "However, none can assist you in the removal of your armor. The male servants do that." She was rapidly feeling more and more tired; more mentally than physically, really. He was an exhausting person to try to deal with, and if she had her guess, he probably did it entirely on purpose. Sadistic bastard.

Though she was quite certain that he was only allowing her mother to remain asleep to gain something by it, Alegra couldn't help but be just a touch grateful - if she roused her mother in the midst of the night, she'd have an absolute fit, which would increase tenfold when the presence of a young knight was announced. His next statement served to both prove her point and diminish her previous fears that he would instead choose to "stop by" at a random time to introduce himself. "Very well," she agreed, already thinking about which bedroom would best suit him. Their "finest" room was actually toned in lavenders and rose pinks, and she briefly considered awarding it to him (after all, that was what he'd asked for, right?) before changing her mind. He'd destroy the room or make her life more difficult for it. The blue room was nearly as nice, the only difference being that the ceiling had been paved two years prior as to the lavender room's one. "Follow me," she said, and began leading him up the marble center stairwell.

[Vaughn Adeney]

::vaughn::

Well, that was rather disappointing. "Come now. Where is your sense of fun. It may do well to be acquainted with all the servants in the estate." He would certainly find it more fun if it happened to be a woman, but he could not roam around the estate in search of one. "No matter. I am sure I will meet her some time within the next few days." Yes. Days. Vaughn had said that he was going to stay a few days. In reality, he was not yet certain how long he would be here for. He would just take it as it came.

He followed her, trying to make sure he remembered how to get in and out just in case he would need to be sneaky. "How many chambers do you have in here?" Just in case he would not be able to get a full tour, he wanted to have a vague idea of just how big this place truly was. Outside appearances could be deceiving, though thus far, it proved to be rather enormous and well built.

[Alegra Silvertongue]

"I'm sure you'll acquaint yourself with them," she said dryly. He'd probably spend the next morning making polite chat with every servant he came by. All of the estate would decide before breakfast was through that he was a truly perfect knight and that their own Lady Alegra was so very lucky to be able to spend time with him, and oh, wouldn't it be nice if they married? Her stomach churned at the thought. "However, you'll do so by the normal means," or so she rather desperately hoped, "as they can't help undress you. You may choose among the male servants, however, to decide which one you'd like assistance from."

His declaration that he would meet "her" was overshadowed by his use of the word days. Alegra nearly staggered. Days?! More than one?! She would have to bear his insufferable presence, his no-doubt constant blackmail and mockery, for days now? "Wonderful," she groaned aloud. Well, perhaps he'd make himself useful, or at least amusing. At his question about how many chambers they had, she shook her head. "I don't know," she admitted honestly. "Mother probably would. I've never paid much attention. I have my own room, and that's enough." The size of the estate wasn't worth paying much mind to, in her eyes. She lived there and it more than suited her; that was more than what she needed, the details were reserved for nobility who liked to brag about it.

[Vaughn Adeney]

::vaughn::

Normal? Vaughn chuckled. "I realize you have not known me for long, but since you have first met me, when have you known me to do anything through normal means." Was allowing a group of bandits to attack a woman, normal? Was blackmailing her for sheer pleasure, normal? Vaughn did not believe it was. Not from what he had seen of the world this far. "I will have no preference among the male servants. Send whichever you believe to be the most, efficient." He wondered if she would. Or if she would do the exact opposite. Either way, he would have to display patience and charm, no matter how incompetent they were.

"I would have thought you would be more excited to hear my decision over staying for an extended amount of time," he said, in a mock disappointed voice. He knew of course she would not be, but had to point out her evident sarcasm at hearing the news. "I suppose you would not know the history of your own estate either." He was indeed curious, even if he was indifferent.