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Just realised this is the second time Griff's been shirtless in this thread. Those crazy kids.

Yes, there were worse things to wake up to - he knew this from experience. But that was neither here nor there. He wasn't that person anymore, or at least he wasn't mostly that person anymore, and that was near enough the same thing. He was quite sure - although his feelings were probably making him slightly biased - that Caitrin was the most beautiful of all the women he'd ever woken up next to. She was certainly the one that had taken the most work. "Well I would know..." He replied, his...prowess with the ladies was hardly a secret. It was something he prided himself on, and just because he happened to be here with Caitrin wasn't going to change the fact that women all over Albion were constantly throwing themselves at him. It was just something she was going to have to get used to, he supposed.

He hadn't been that aware before - his thoughts being otherwise engaged - but when she pulled the bed covers and ended up shifting slightly towards him, he realised just how warm she was, and how nice she smelt and just how perfect she was. This was Caitrin without the sarcasm and the need to prove to the world just how strong she was. And at the same time, this was him without the put-upon narcissism (almost) and the inadequacy, because he wasn't inadequate, not right now. He was Griff Aubert and she was Caitrin de Archer and this was just...happiness.

But it wasn't to last. It seemed Caitrin had a habit of always giving him an oppurtunity to revert back to his egotism, and he was unable to do anything but rise to the challenge - especially when that also involved the promise of more moments like this one. "Oh do you now? Well, I've never had any complaints before...speaking of which..." he paused, not quite sure how he should phrase his train of thought. There had to be a way to say what he wanted without enduring any physical pain afterwards. "How as...it. I mean obviously it was enjoyable, that goes without saying, but you know...first time and all..." There, that wasn't entirely insensitive...

That was a silly idea. Honestly, he'd taken Gwaine to be more intelligent than that. What good would be be to Griff if they were both in this state? No, Griff just wanted him drunk enough to cheer him up, not too drunk to stand up by himself. "It wouldn't. But you can hold your drink." Men like Gwaine usually could. "Then you'll be mostly drunk." Obviously. To Griff that was perfectly logical. He just wanted someone to be drunk with, being in this state alone was never socially acceptable.

He had a feeling, or maybe it was just wishful thinking, that Gwaine would be very good at cheering him up with fewer inhibitions. While his advice had given Griff something to think about, and he was grateful for the company, he just wanted some fun. He'd been in this sorry state for far too long and he didn't much care for it.

Hmm that was a good question. Griff didn't actually know how much he'd had to drink. All the taverns had blended into one in his memory. Too much, probably, or at least too much to anything more productive than continuing to drink. "I have no idea. Don't care, not important." He replied dismissively. His head was going to hate him in the morning, but he didn't care. He didn't care about much anymore.

I don't appear to have given you much to go on, so let us know if you want me to edit.

Hmm, Caitrin was annoyed. This was not unusual. It seemed to be her default position, either that or flirting with some random man, then again, he was no better. It was a wonder how they managed to not kill each other. Actually, it was a wonder how she'd managed not to kill him, his killing skills were rather wanting. The only good thing about Caitrin's current state of annoyance was Yassia's presence, and while she seemed pretty intent on the fact that she would make sure he knew just how annoyed she was as soon as Yassia was no longer there, it gave Griff some hope that maybe he could talk his way out of it, or, and this was his preferred method, be sober enough to flirt his way out of it.

Yassia didn't seem terribly pleased about his leaning on her. This was confusing. Who would want to be used in such a way, especially by Griff? In his drunken state it seemed perfectly normal that someone should jump at the chance to have him leaning on them. Before he could voice such confusion Caitrin had taken over and his weight was now on her. Looks like someone did appreciate such an oppurtunity after all. Normally he would have protested - it was hardly manly to have to lean on one's fiancé to remain upright - but being manly wasn't his primary concern at the moment. "I didn't drink that much!" He protested, only slurring his words slightly. He had drunk just enough, and besides, it was hardly anything compared to the amount Caitrin's uncle had managed to knock back.

He appeared to be moving towards the bed. Either he was far more intoxicated than he thought and had lost the ability to feel his own legs moving, or Caitrin was doing it. In his current state either was possible. He just left her to it, actually rather tired and aware of how inviting that bed looked, especially with Caitrin next to him, and then something caught his attention. What was that? "Mercia? What are you talking about?" He wasn't sure if this was new information or whether he had just forgotten about it, either way though, he was just confused again.

Nim, there's a slight god-mod here. Let me know if you want it edited.

Oh, well, this was nice and awkward, or at least it would have been if Griff wasn't drunk and therefore invincible and beyond the powers of awkwardness. What he wasn't, however, drunk or otherwise, was beyond the powers of gravity, and had to steady himself against the wall, obviouslty the best way to do this was using his forearm. For a second or two he had absolutely no idea who the brunette was, or how she knew his name and was only able to to stare at her with furrowed eyebrows and a slightly open mouth. And then his brain decided to pay attention and his look of confusion turned into one of recognition. "Yass!" Everything made sense once more. "Cait's not-"

"Now sir, you appear to be in my room. Now tell me, how many other women were you intending to flirt with tonight?"

He stopped mid-sentence, pressing his lips together and turning his head slowly. Maybe she was here after all. This was brilliant. He just stared at the woman, trying to figure out if there was something he could say that would make the less dangerous. "I wasn't flirting..." He replied, trying to laugh it off, "I was saying hello..." Griff pushed himself from the wall, quite impressed that he was managing to stand up by himself, although he was swaying slightly. "Is there," he began, raising a hand, "Any way to get out of this? Before you answer," he tried using that hand to gesture towards Yassia, but ended up losing his balance and stumbling forward. Luckily for Griff, but perhaps unluckily for Yassia she was the first thing he found to steady himself on, or rather her shoulder was. "We are in the company of a friend..." Hopefully that would save him, for now at least.

This was would be one of the few times that Griff actually told the truth, with no hint of exaggeration. Corneous would never have allowed a son of his to grow up without knowledge in swordplay, something Griff had never much cared for, but had endured anyway and ended up not being too bad at it. Of course had he known that one day he would stuck in a room with his wife hiding from...whatever those things were supposed to be, then he probably would have put in a lot more effort. He was at least competent, and that was the main thing. "I know how to use one...just haven't for a while." He knew the basic principles of using such a weapon, and was now regretting not having had any practice since...actually he couldn't remember. Well, if all else fails he would just wave it around and hope for the best.

He stayed where he was on the floor, just watching as Caitrin walked over towards the door. To him, it didn't seem like there was a lot of difference between staying where they were or trying to get back to their room. Whatever it was that was out there, he highly doubted they would be stopped by a wooden door. At some point they were going to have to face it, it didn't matter to Griff where that was. "If you think we should." He replied with a shrug, still sat on the floor. There was no point standing up unless they were going to go back to their bedroom. "We're in danger wherever we are."

It was quite probable that Griff Aubert had had too much to drink. Evidence to suggest such a theory included, but was not limited to, the fact that he was having to rely on an almost stranger to help him back to his chamber. He’d only met this Tristan fellow a few minutes ago. The man had been looking miserable and refused any wine, so naturally Griff had had to go and introduce himself. Or at least attempt to. It hadn’t gone exactly to plan, and just resulted in Griff colliding with a wall. Almost instantly, Tristan had declared Griff too drunk to continue being in the Great Hall and told him he was being taken back to his chamber. Easier said than done, as neither of the two men was sure where that was.

It was all Caitrin’s fault for leaving really. She knew where they wanted to be, she was probably there now. Enjoying the warmth and comfort of the room, and generally being in a better state than Griff was. In his opinion, that was just selfishness.

“Hang on! I think this is it!” Griff declared, rather triumphantly, pointing at a closed door.

Tristan looked at him sceptically. “Are you sure?”

“Yes, I’m sure. I’m never wrong.” He was rather offended that he was being questioned.

“Hmm. Well alright. If you’re sure.”

“I am.” He pushed himself forward, no longer relying on the young knight to remain standing, but ended up leaning against the wall.

Tristan still wasn’t convinced, but he didn’t particularly feel like spending the rest of his evening with the man so just shrugged and said, “I’ll leave you to it then.” before making his way back downstairs.

Griff stood in the corridor for a few seconds, momentarily having forgotten just what he was about to do. Ah yes. Sleep. Sleep was good. It was something he was quite looking forward to. Maybe Caitrin was asleep, that would be annoying. He’d probably fall over and wake her up and then she’d be annoyed. It was such a hard life he led. Oh well. There was nothing he could do about that at the moment. He just wanted his bed. On opening the door he practically threw himself into his room, only instead of seeing a rather lovely redhead he found himself staring at a possibly lovely brunette. Maybe this wasn’t his room after all. That was embarrassing. “Oh. Hello.” If he’d turned his head a mere ninety degrees or so, he would have seen Caitrin. Only he didn’t, so he just remained confused. He mentally shrugged, deciding he might as well go with it. He grinned at the woman. It had been a long time since he’d had an opening line – not that anything was going to come of it mind, he was a happily engaged man, but a little flirtation was good for the soul. And besides, Caitrin wasn’t there. "I appear to be in your room..."

Well. That had been easy, but then Griff was just that good. He shouldn't be so surprised. His following her up the stairs was perhaps a little too eager, but he managed to slow himself down to a more reasonable speed. He didn't want Caitrin thinking that she was the one in control here, that simply wouldn't do.

When they eventually reached the top of the stairs and what was presumably her room - or rather what he really, really hoped was her room - he matched her grin. It was obvious they were both thinking the same thing now; there was no point in attempting any subtlety. And yet Griff found himself attempting it all the same. He walked into the room as casually and nonchalantly as he could. This was not the first time he had been in a young woman's room. In his arrogance and probably naivety - or was it hopefullness? - he assumed this was a new experience for Caitrin. He should, of course, know better, and yet strangely he didn't. But at present his mind was rather preoccupied.

He closed the door, leaning against it with his foot against the wood and his arms casually folded across his chest. For a moment he just watched her, a small smile on his lips. It soon turned into a smirk however, and he tilted his head, looking at her with a curious expression. "Well well, Lady Caitrin. It's hardly appropriate to be in your room with a young man and no chaperone. Some men might take advantage of the situation..."

Griff wasn't entirely sure what reaction he was supposed to have following Caitrin's words. He wasn't the one trying to be modest. If anything, her words just fuelled his ego even more - which was obviously not that easy a task. He had no problem whatsoever with her remembering him without a shirt on, he had no problem with her seeing it again either, although he would request another look at her legs. It would only be fair. "Is that supposed to worry me?" He tilted his head, eyebrows raised and giving her a questioning look. "I take it as a compliment."

"I shall look forward to it."

And now his mind had gone completely blank. Surprisingly enough for an embarrassingly long time he was only capable of staring at Caitrin with a rather wide-eyed look. It was a huge relief, therefore, when he finally managed to control himself and after clearing his throat managed a rather squeaky. "I'm sure you will." He cleared his throat again. This was not good. He was supposed to be being charming and alluring, not high-pitched and embarrassing. "I mean, I know you will." Well, that was well handled.


Griff wasn't sure if that comment was aimed at him or not. It seemed like she was just speaking aloud, in which case he didn't want to embarrass himself by replying, only to be told she wasn't actually talking to him. That was annoying. He had no problem with people talking to themselves, he did it often enough, but it was just rude and confusing when people did it when he was in the room. Instead he walked over to the desk, leaning against to the side of Caitrin with his arms folded across his chest. He was watching her hand as she wrote, before deciding it was none of his business so he should probably stop reading it.

He instead averted his gaze forwards, taking in his surroundings. This was certainly new territory for him - he'd never been invited into a woman's house before, wait, no, he had, but that was under very different circumstances. This, however, was a new experience, and, if he was honest, slightly unnerving. He wasn't sure how he should be behaving, and it didn't help that he could feel Rouland. It seemed like his presence was standing over his shoulder; very distracting when he was going to attempt to seduce Caitrin. "So," he began, drumming his fingers against the desk, "Am I going to get the grand tour?"

To him, Caitrin’s question was a rather foolish one. Did he think they should stay in their current position and continue with her lying on top of him? Yes, yes he did. It might not be the greatest idea in terms of survival, but right now his libido was more important. Caitrin should know this. He quickly nodded, as though Caitrin would just leave if he didn’t answer in time. There was actually a rather slim chance of her doing that; she’d never just leave, well, unless they happened to be in a situation where their lives were endangered. Oh look.

Regretfully, he had to listen to his survival instinct – joy-killer that it was – and remind himself that now probably wasn’t the time. Well, it wasn’t even probably not the time. As not-the-times went, this was a fairly prominent one. That was annoying. Now he had to break the news to Caitrin. It wasn’t going to be easy. “I think, if we want to survive – and this is something we really ought to consider, I don’t mind either way, making that clear now – we should move from this position.”

At Caitrin’s next words he managed to resist the temptation to make some euphemistic comment or other, which he thought was quite impressive and deserved some recognition. Instead he decided to at least try and take the situations seriously. After all, they were still in quite a lot of danger and really, now was not the time to be inappropriate. He would just have to save all his comments until after they hadn’t died. That would be a struggle, but it was probably better than death.

Now that she was no longer lying on top of him he found himself being able to focus on the situation properly. She was right. They needed to arm themselves, which was rather handy considering where they were. Then again, that had been the point of them going there. He wasn’t exactly sure what to arm himself with, of course he’d had training in swordplay and archery as a child, but he wouldn’t include them on a list of his skills. Normally he just ran away or said whatever popped into his head and hoped it worked. “Right...so what exactly are we arming ourselves with?”