[D4 LA] A Gem Among Roses

[Ser Harben Varner]

Harben shifted his weight nervously from foot to foot. This is stupid, I have nothing to be nervous about, he chided himself. Drifting towards one of the many flowering vines growing in the gardens, the young knight seemed to study a bloom intently, as if there were some secret deep within that he could divine.

[Mariessa Tremaine]

Clad in sky-blue and silver, which seemed to fit today's weather, Mariessa soon arrived for their 'date'. Well... it was just a pleasant walk through the gardens, right? And with the stone-faced septa there too, most likely.

"Ser Harben," she said brightly as she pushed away the thoughts of what had happened last night, and stopped to curtsy as she approached him. "It's good to see you again."

[Ser Harben Varner]

Harben had been trying to decide if picking a flower to present to Mariessa was the lamest thing he could do, when her appearance settled the matter. He'd towelled off after the wrestling match, though his blonde hair was still damp. He'd changed as well, a light surcoat of white silk trimmed with ermine draped over his dark plum tunic. Only the front was belted, the back falling from his shoulders and catching air as he moved.

"Lady Mariessa," he bowed deeply, "you look stunning."

[Septa Gwyn]

Nearby, like a garden statue, was the Cold Septa, hands folded primly before her.

[Mariessa Tremaine]

"Thank you," another curtsy as she smiled shyly. "And you... you look as handsome as ever."

Her fingers nervously caught onto her auburn locks. "I was surprised to see you in the contest earlier today." And her thoughts were decidedly less on how he had performed, and more on more physical aspects she had seen during that competition.

[Ser Harben Varner]

"I thought I should at least attempt something in my house's name. Of course, I had to pick the one event I'd embarrass myself in," he half shrugged, and began to stroll, slowly, along the the path towards the rear of the Keep.

[Mariessa Tremaine]

Following his lead, Mari kept the pleasant pace beside him. She giggled softly. "Well... few men can handle uncle Kevith in raw strength. He's the strongest man in Riverrest and probably all of Tremaine-lands, after all."

She admired the flowers they walked past. "But, I rather liked seeing you compete. I mean... it looked like it was a fun challenge."

[Ser Harben Varner]

"That I do not doubt," Harben answered with a soft, defeated laugh. But he smiled at Mariessa, recalling her tomboyish ways when they were younger, "it is fun," he admitted. "It's not just about strength, you need to know hold to execute and escape the holds. It takes practice." He glanced back at the Septa, who was trailing behind, not quite out of earshot, and offered Mariessa his arm, "m'lady?"

[Mariessa Tremaine]

Taking his offered arm, she was more than happy to ignore the stone-faced septa as she let him guide her through the gardens, even if she remembered many of the paths and trails herself. "It would have been very improper for a lady to participate in such competition," Mari said, though her expression had a hint of playfulness. Not to mention that most noble men would consider it very indecent manhandling of a woman too. "Not that that ever stopped Kevith from trying to teach us a thing or two. Always with the best of intentions, of course."

"But I remember as children we didn't worry so much about that when we were playing."

[Ser Harben Varner]

Harben chuckled, "I remember when you could best me at wrestling, you were such a whip of a thing, no one could pin you down." His expression grew solemn, "I suppose that's still true."