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[h2][color=00aeef][i][b]Baronfjørd "Blackberry" Chedgusah[/b][/i][/color][/h2][i][b][color=00aeef]Dragon Born, Monk (Astral self), Level 05[/color][/b][/i]
[color=00aeef][i][b]HP:[/b][/i][/color] 40 / 40    [color=00aeef][i][b]Armor Class:[/b][/i][/color] 16  [color=00aeef][i][b]Conditions:[/b][/i][/color] N/A
[color=00aeef][i][b]Location:[/b][/i][/color] Rose River Vineyard (Coach House -> Tasting Room)
[color=00aeef][i][b]Action:[/b][/i][/color] Insight (12)
[color=00aeef][i][b]Bonus Action:[/b][/i][/color] Recounting Epic Battle
[color=00aeef][i][b]Reaction:[/b][/i][/color] N/A
[color=00aeef][i][b]Ki:[/b][/i][/color] 5/5


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[right][img]https://i.imgur.com/j0Vz324.png[/img][/right]
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While the others were spending their own time getting ready BlackBerry took the opportunity to dash out but didn't say where he was going. Even upon his return he would simply say, [color=00aeef]"Just running a quick errand that I should have done before. I should not wish to spoil the mystery of my Plus One this evening"[/color] With an innocent smile and a wink. Thankfully he had returned with more than enough time for Kosara and Victoria to make suggestions for his outfit for the evening.

[color=00aeef]"A 'Toga'? Yes, that will do quite nicely. I only hope to look even half as marvellous as the rest of you. My, we shall indeed make a fine addition to the party this evening. Gracious me, Lady Kathryn. Where have you been hiding that dress? I ask in the upmost compliment of course but I must say that until now I had yet to see you not a suit of armour or something of the like."[/color]

Despite Victorias initial misgivings of his general appearance, which he agreed on while trying not to feel insulted, BlackBerry was open to most of Kosara or Victorias suggestions on outfits but he did insist on wearing the more warm and colourful fabrics they found amongst the offerings. Once he had dressed, BlackBerry spent some time admiring himself in front of a polished silver tray, turning this way and that to get a good look at himself as the waves of orange and reds, cinched by a simply belt at the waist, swayed around him. The wooden fish still happily tied around his horn clapped appreciatively at the sight. After making sure his swords were safely stored under the bed and putting on his faithful scarf, BlackBerry was ready for the evening.

While he and the others were being escorted by Cecily towards the Manor House BlackBerry kept spinning on his heel to look behind them, keeping an eye out for someone but continued to keep pace with the others.

[color=00aeef]"Oh! Before I forget; Lady Kathryn and I were wondering if anyone has ideas for games or competitions even? No doubt you may have heard along the grape vine, or Madame L'Rose, Lizbeth may have informed you that we have been doing a bit of training. In fact our latest session, Lady Lathryn here was the victor..."[/color] And so BlackBerry took the time of the walk to inform the others of his and Lady Kathryns friendly fight.

[hider="Epic Battle"]
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[h2][color=00aeef][i][b]Baronfjørd "Blackberry" Chedgusah[/b][/i][/color][/h2][i][b][color=00aeef]Dragon Born, Monk (Astral self), Level 05[/color][/b][/i]
[color=00aeef][i][b]HP:[/b][/i][/color] 40 -> 4  / 40    [color=00aeef][i][b]Armor Class:[/b][/i][/color] 16  [color=00aeef][i][b]Conditions:[/b][/i][/color] N/A
[color=00aeef][i][b]Location:[/b][/i][/color] Gazebo Patio
[color=00aeef][i][b]Action:[/b][/i][/color] N/A
[color=00aeef][i][b]Bonus Action:[/b][/i][/color] N/A
[color=00aeef][i][b]Reaction:[/b][/i][/color] N/A
[color=00aeef][i][b]Ki:[/b][/i][/color] 5/5


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[right][img]https://i.imgur.com/j0Vz324.png[/img][/right]
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[h2][color=598527][i][b]Kathryn Pyke[/b][/i][/color][/h2][i][b][color=598527]Human, Fighter (Rune Knight), Level 05[/color][/b][/i]
[color=598527][i][b]HP:[/b][/i][/color] 49 / 49	[color=598527][i][b]Armor Class:[/b][/i][/color] 19	[color=598527][i][b]Conditions:[/b][/i][/color] N/A
[color=598527][i][b]Location:[/b][/i][/color] Gazebo Patio
[color=598527][i][b]Action:[/b][/i][/color] N/A
[color=598527][i][b]Bonus Action:[/b][/i][/color] N/A
[color=598527][i][b]Reaction:[/b][/i][/color] N/A 
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[right][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/7884b36a-e3f0-48fb-9689-1a8fd4af7f5a.png[/img][/right]
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Kathryn figured it was far overdue for a rematch against Blackberry. As previously she had wanted a good sparing partner, and figured she wouldn't go too hard on her friend not wanting to discourage him. However, she had underestimated his monkish abilities, and she found herself stunned and overwhelmed despite a solid opening start. That would not happen again. When the dragonborn monk had agreed to the sparing again, Kathryn was ecstatic! "[color=598527]Awesome![/color]" She sang sung like a little kid just told she was going to the toy store. Arriving at their old battleground Kathryn didn't make nearly as much of a show with her sword this time. Instead prepping her armor, and holding her hand out dramatically for her hammer, and soon her shield from Lizbeth. Letting the young bean be her practicing squire. "[color=598527]Thank you![/color]" Kathryn said giddy, unable to hide her excitement. Then soon turned to Blackberry. Though she was wearing a helmet Kathryn's overjoyed posture more than gave away how excited she was. "[color=598527]Are you ready?[/color]" Kathryn asked in the calmest inquisitive tone she could muster. 

From the opposite end of the 'battlefield' BlackBerry twisted and stretched out his limbs both to ready himself for the on coming battle an to put on a little pre-fight show for their gathering audience. Once again word of the pairs little training battle had swiftly ran across the vineyard which BlackBerry was starting to suspect was in no small part to Young Lizbeth, who was bouncing with almost as much excitement for the battle as Lady Kathryn!

He had been quite surprised by but eager to accept Lady Kathryn's offer of another fight. He was still riding high on his sweet victory from the last one and more than happy to give the night another taste of his power. BlackBerry grinned with malicious excitement. It was a fun game between the pair of them now to see who could knock the other down first and had both agreed to not go as lightly as last time.

[color=00aeef]"One moment."[/color] He tilted and turned his neck until it gave a satisfying 'pop', and then with a sigh settled into his usual boxing stance. [color=00aeef]"Ready."[/color]

The second Blackberry gave any indication that he was ready Kathryn was on him. The word hadn't even fully left BlackBerry's mouth before the Knight Lady Kathryn, powerful as she was terrifying, was upon him. So terrifying in fact that the last syllable of the word 'ready' ran back home, shut the door, closed the curtains, and hid under the bed with no intention of ever being seen again. This resulted in everyone around the sparing partners was BlackBerry saying, [color=00aeef]"Read-eep!"[/color]. Closing the distance between them in less than 2 seconds, and within that time doubling in height as her hammer swung back, and shot forward like it was shot from a slingshot slamming Blackberry in the chest. But Kathryn wasn't going to physically punish her friend. Not yet. First, she was determined to knock him flat on his ass. And once he was flat on his back, Kathryn unleashed a flurry of blows that could have been seen as cruel and unusual punishment. Looking back, maaaaybe she got a little carried away. Or had way too much fun clobbering the shite out of the poor monk. 

BlackBerry had tried to move, to dodge out the way like in the last fight when he had been knocked down but this time was different; Lady Kathryn had gained the upper hand in speed, and as tried to then twist and spin himself upright the hammer came down on his side. Hard. He was knocked back down onto the ground with the air forced from his lungs. The now painfully familiar feeling of a particular rib snapping shot through every thought. This was not like last time. The hammer came down again, and again, and again. BlackBerry gave into instinct and curled in on himself while covered his side as best his could to cover the rib and stop it from acting like a nail for Lady Kathryn's hammer.

[color=00aeef]"Yield."[/color] The wheeze finally crawled from his throat. [color=00aeef]"Yield. I yield."[/color]

And like that, it was over. Kathryn was still breathing heavy as the strain to close such distance so fast and unleash such righteous fury on the poor monk had not come cheap. In that moment she had exerted herself to a rather harsh degree. So much movement in her new heavy armor proved taxing, yet worth it. She was fully prepared for BB to counter, and being caught up in the moment she didn't really register that BB had been unable to counter her, and she found herself beating on a man flat on his back over and over again. She was ready to land yet another blow when she finally registered the work Yield. Apparently he had said it twice... maybe three times now... she couldn't be sure. "[color=598527]Oh my gods are you okay![/color]" She called out realizing she had begun to beat him like one may beat a spider to death when surprised. Only with far less arson. Grabbing his hand and bracing his foot with her own she began to pull him up. With her shield tossed to the side and her hammer stored she was more than unburdened enough to help her friend up. Then, he made the mistake of speaking up. 

[color=00aeef]"Actually I changed my mind."[/color] BlackBerry winked away a tear and despite everything gave a little grin. [color=00aeef]"I can take one more hit, but anymore and I may lay an egg."[/color] Kathryn froze. Though her face was still hidden behind her helm, she found herself holding BB up by his solo arm, foot brace by her own, and her free hand resting on the head of her hammer. For a long tense moment Kathryn held BB partially suspended in the air. Then she relaxed with a very audible laugh. "[color=598527]Oh you're joking! Okay that makes much more sense.[/color]" Then she pulled him up the rest of the way so he could stand on his own two feet. "[color=598527]Sorry again about the egg thing. Kinda got... It's hard to explain.[/color]" She'd be lying if she said she wasn't curious on how dragon born eggs worked. But beating a man senseless and then asking him how his kind laid eggs seemed kind of rude. 

While the crowd dissipated one field worker had called out "Boo!! I've seen better staged chicken fights than this!" 

Kathryn simply gave the man a wave, wishing him his best day despite the carnage unleashed. Kathryn had simply gotten lucky with getting the first hit in, and had made a few very great followup hits. Ending the battle before retaliation could take place. With that, Kathryn turned to Lizbeth and smiled as she took her helm off. "[color=598527]That my dear, is how you win a fight.[/color]"
[/hider]

As they all drew to the House he caught sight of someone standing under the canopy trying to hide from the wind and chill. [color=00aeef]"Jon! There you are my good man. I had worried you would not be able to make it."[/color]

The man, Jon, wandered to the group from under the canopy's safety. He was dressed in his  nicest clothes which being a working man even of high station, amounted to a well looked after simple jacket with a woollen jumper underneath. "And miss the Wine Tasting? Not for the world. Glad to see you walking still after the other day.  You could have given me more time to get ready though." He removed the smoking pipe from his mouth and gave a polite nod to the others, and then to Madame L'Rose and Lzbeth. "Afternoon all. Madame, Miss."

The tour started and continued through the cellar. BlackBerry was simply amazed at the sheer size of it all and how much it contained! The cellars of the Monastery had nothing on this place despite the building standing atop them being a few times bigger than L'Roses home. BlackBerry would be the first to admit the details, let alone the basics, of commerce that Cecily cheerfully explained to them all and he politely nodded to. From what he could deduce from it all it seemed the Lizbeth would remain quite comfortable once she came of age. However, something in Cecily's story coupled with the knowledge of the letter rang a warning bell, and BlackBerry wondered if Cecily's little pause suggested she wondered the same thing.

[color=00aeef]"Hello there!"[/color] BlackBerry playfully called into the darkness and then made a show of putting a hand to his ear waiting for the echo. [color=00aeef]"Gracious me. This may take some time if we are to taste all of this"[/color]

Brought into the main tasting room he was impressed at the show of it all and the number of people gathered filling the room with a comfortable warmth and noise of people chatting amicably to each other. The food and drink laying on the table of course caught most of his attention and there was a momentary fight within himself, but he managed to withhold himself until such time that Cecily began the festivities proper. But until then, there were people to meet, and to re-meet as well! BlackBerry gave a quick wave to the Mosswaters as Cecily moved them along to a very respectable older man leaning heavily on his walking stick; Monsieur Laurent.

After making her own introduction to Monsieur Laurent Victoria then headed off to talk to an older looking woman with an apparent permanent scowl. He followed Victorias example and held out his hand to Monsieur Laurent.

[color=00aeef]"Pleasure to meet you Monsieur Laurent, and to put a face to the name."[/color] Even as he spoke to the man BlackBerry's eyes were drawn over the mans shoulder to the large lock upon the door. It seemed so out of place surrounded by the elegant and tasteful decoration. The old rumour of someone being someone they shouldnt popped into his mind, was that lock the persons quarry? [color=00aeef]"I do trust you have had no further issues with the, ah how did you put it Madame L'Rose? Insect Problem. If you do please just send word and we shall be over to lend a hand like that."[/color] He snapped his fingers for emphasis.

He then stepped back to let Lady Kathryn and Kosara to make their own introductions. The pair did make a handsome couple.

But as introductions were made BlackBerry couldn't help but focuss on the locked door. [color=00aeef]"Well I must say, Madame L'Rose. I was aware you wines were well sort after but I did not realise you had to take such drastic actions for it."[/color] The thought popped out before he could stop it,  but he saw no issue with it anyway and let it pass with a chuckle.  He then turned to Madame L'Rose expecting a similar response.

Instead he was met but a subtle change in the air. If he hadn't been looking at her he would have missed the subtle change in the polite smile on her face; the sudden strain at the edges of the polite smile, a crinkle between on her brow, and slight widening of the eyes. She was nervous about something.

BlackBerry, feeling his own heat of nervous embarrassment at apparently stepping on a particular subject, quickly brushed the matter under the rug with another chuckle and a quick turn back to Monsieur Laurent. But he then caught sight of Lizbeth and caught her gaze snapping away from him to anywhere else she could see. She was nervous as well.

What had he said?

Jon meanwhile suddenly seemed to find his unlit pipe very interesting, making a show of trying to refill it despite being inside. Monsieur Laurant as well seemed a bit off. In fact out of everyone here, BlackBerrys eyes ever dancing roved across everyone gathered, it seemed only the party and Victoria's Plus One who hadn't reacted oddly to the comment. However, the old woman seemed just as focused on everyone else as BlackBerry was.