[color=goldenrod][i][h2][center]Gerard Segremors[/center][/h2][/i][/color]

[@Eisenhorn][@VitaVitaAR]

[color=goldenrod]"Heh."[/color] a light release of air and tension both, one brief and low note beneath the high ringing bells that filled the hall as the forward knight cracked a debonair smile and simply [i]appreciated[/i] the peals of laughter coming his way, as one did a joyous song. He'd held his gaze steadily through the period of silence, as confident as any man in his situation could reasonably be that he'd not crucially misstepped and condemned them all— but even so, the myriad threats of the unknown were countless when dealing with capricious, unreadable figures of planes beyond, like the overwhelmed beauty he knelt before. She had played her cards close to her chest

In truth, rankling at being the butt end of a joke hadn't even occurred to him the way it would have in years past— The man he was today, three of his peers for better or worse following behind him, simply clued into the difference between "humor" and "mockery". Perhaps Cyrus had trained his intuition and poise more thoroughly than he'd realized.

Or maybe he was simply relieved he had not spoken an ill portent and overstepped.

He inclined his head graciously when she apologized, offering in reply a small shrug of the shoulders, eliciting a small clink of metal beneath the shifting wolf pel set above. [color=goldenrod]"Better an amusing friend than a serious enemy, no? I am simply glad you look upon our concerns with largesse— the gift of laughter is far more of a privilege to hear than scorn."[/color]

He let the wry edge fade after that. More accurately, it slipped away of its own accord, as he beheld his new ally in all her splendor, leaning forward with crossed legs, a game smirk, and her full intrigue. The last thing he wanted to do was overdo it, like many men he'd seen in life when a crucial victory came their way and bolstered their zeal too much. To wit, he was already spitballing. Fate and fae both were far too fickle to push one's luck when he knew so little of what he was doing.

[color=goldenrod]"I'm gladdened to hear our request is to your taste, then. Thus far, that moniker she uses was he only real lead we had— we cannot say for sure whether his madness was truly her fault, but I'm personally more inclined to believe so now that we've heard you speak upon the matter. Already, that much is a great help—"[/color]

His words were earnest, exact, and chosen for even measure. Graciously spoken as any he'd ever managed, in all likelihood—

And coming up next was ground no less demanding of a careful tread. The last place he wanted to go at all, but beneath that daring smile he sensed it relevant. The more he could know of the situation, the better.

[color=goldenrod]"—And we're humbled to have your backing as we meddle in her realm, however we may reach it. I have no authority granted to me to speak on behalf of the Order like this, but it would be uncouth of me to assume your generosity [i]infinite[/i]— is it spoiling your sister's affairs that would be your reward? Or is there a request you may have of us, in turn?"

[i]We may as well knock that out before we've made her do too much, if she'll play ball.[/i][/color]