regency au } { of challenges and apologies

[arbalete]

Stiles: [is going to be grinning and talking to Isaac and Jeremy after. He may not have won, but he did well enough to make it to the last round and that counts a lot for him]

Allison: [and the girls will wander over to offer their congratulations] Still haven't beaten my record, have we?

Isaac: It's a matter of honor, m'lady. I don't wish to strip you of it so soon.

Allison: Why? Afraid I will only set a new one that will be even harder to conquer?

Isaac: You would have to find your way back into the tourney, m'lady, to be able to do that. And I find amusement that your record frustrates my fellow archers.

Allison: Still, that is no reason to give any less than your best. I prefer a challenge.

Isaac: Well, then how about this? Next tournament - perhaps a small wager on my score?

Allison: That would entirely depend on the stakes.

Isaac: If I win - you will accompany me to the Duke's mask this fall?

Allison: [glances over to Lydia as though she's considering the offer carefully, but if he needs the proper motivation to shoot his best, then who is she to deny him?] Fine. And should I win, you must compete in your next tournament .... in a dress, complete with corset.

Jeremy & Stiles: [bust out laughing]

Isaac: [puffs up a bit, glaring at them, and then back at Allison with a proud smirk] Deal. [he will not lose.]

Allison: [she's sure he won't] Very well. I look forward to seeing you perform.

Isaac: Oh, I will give you a performance you will not forget anytime soon. [smirks]

Jeremy: [snorts] Wow, that wasn't subtle at all.

Stiles: He doesn't do subtle.

Allison: We shall see about that. I am not easily impressed. [as he's probably figured out at this point]

Isaac: Which is what will make it a challenge.

Allison: Good.

Stiles: [sees Cora] If you will all excuse me a moment. [he bows to the ladies, and then goes to try and catch Cora before he leaves]

Cora: [which he does, turning as she sees him coming out of the corner of her eye. There's a slightly look of uncertainty, but she seems in better spirits than she was when he last saw her] Lord Stilinski.

Stiles: [licks his lips, offering her a small smile] Lady Cora. May I just have a moment of your time?

Cora: [she glances back to the rest of the group for a moment before nodding] Of course.

Stiles: I just wanted to give you my deepest apologies. [his hands twitched a bit in nervousness, but he clasped them together - a new habit he was trying to learn to not show that particular trait] I wronged you, and while I spoke out of fears from that day... you did not deserve those words. And I know that my actions broke our trust, and for that I'm truly sorry. I did not intend to hurt you like that.

Cora: [some of the tension releases when it's an apology, and she smiles softly before nodding] Thank you, for the apology. I know you didn't mean to hurt me, but it is good to hear you say it all the same.

Stiles: [there's a small smile in return] I had a lot of time to think, and to understand my actions and the pain I caused. I'm not proud of what I did.

Cora: You were upset and you were worried for me. [she nods] It's hardly unforgivable.

Stiles: I know there is still a lot for me to learn about you. [meaning werewolves, but they were in public] I have been working on learning more while your Lord brother has been training me. I just... I want to find a way to repair our friendship. I have missed your presence at the manor.

Cora: I have missed you as well. Being away has been good, I think, but I have missed my friends and family.

Stiles: [his smile grows a bit more] Well, you have not missed much. The Lord and Lady of the manor tend to be behind closed doors more often than not. It's been very calm.

Cora: That does not surprise me. We did leave them to their own devices for over a month. I am sure they developed a preference for each other's company over others.

Stiles: I have been told by others that my human level of hearing has been a blessing. [laughs]

Cora: [it takes her a moment to figure out what he means, and then she blushes, her head ducking to the side slightly] I'm sure.

Stiles: I'm sorry, that wasn't proper, was it.

Cora: [shakes her head] No, it's fine.

Stiles: I should probably wish you good day then before my mouth gets me in trouble again.

Cora: I have heard worse talk out of some of my brother’s own knights. You are fine.

Stiles: Then I will pass the blame onto them since they are the ones I have been in constant company with since my return to the manor.

Cora: Precisely. It is hardly your own fault you haven't had better company.

Stiles: Well, perhaps when you do return, you can provide me some company to help prevent me from turning into a complete degenerate?

Cora: It would be my pleasure.

Stiles: [smiles, mostly because she is giving him an opportunity to make things up to her and still willing to be his friend. It was more than he was expecting, and he nods] Then I will look forward to your return to the manor.

Cora: I believe it will be soon. My uncle was talking about returning to the manor for the fall, and Derek's wedding will be soon.

Stiles: That is good to know, about your lord Uncle. Has his marriage been treating him well?

Cora: Surprisingly well, actually. I haven't seen him in such good spirits in many years.

Stiles: That is good to hear. Perhaps it was a blessing in disguise then.

Cora: Indeed. And the Lady Kate was never the worst of the Argents. She simply enjoyed ... getting under Peter's skin.

Stiles: Perhaps he enjoys it more than he let on?

Cora: Perhaps. He's always been one to enjoy a good challenge.

Stiles: As long as he is happy though, that is what matters most. How have you been? [was he going to leave, yeah. oops? he missed talking to her]

Cora: Well. Mostly I have been catching up on my studies. Malia tends to keep me on my toes.

Stiles: And you also have Liam there too, don't you? Parrish mentioned that when I noticed his absence from the manor on my return.

Cora: Liam as well, though he is less likely to question my authority as his tutor.

Stiles: Still, it sounds like you have had your hands full.

Cora: I have, but it has been good. It's an easy way to fill the days without ladies to attend to and tournaments to attend.

Stiles: Sounds like a wonderful summer vacation.

Cora: It was. And yours?

Stiles: It was mostly spent trying to learn a bit about who I am and understanding things I need to change to be a better man. But I spent time with my father and stepmother, getting to know them more.

Cora: That's good. How has your family been?

Stiles: Good. Lady Jody is very nice. She keeps my father on his toes, and they are adorable together. My uncle is a busy man, but has been trying to show me the lands. My cousins are finally coming around, though my eldest cousin Victoria does not like me. I think she feels I have stolen her inheritance.

Cora: That is unfortunate. You are family after all.

Stiles: I think it will settle when she is married. My lord uncle says he has a match for her that will make her the wife of an heir in Germany, and it will make her happy to know she will not lose that position in her family.

Cora: That is good.

Stiles: Apparently they have been friends for most of their childhood, so it is not an unwanted match either. So she will be very happy, which is good.

Cora: Good. It is good when it is easy that way.

Isaac: Stiles! Come on, it's time for lunch.

Stiles: A minute! [looks back at Cora] I guess I should go. I hope to see you again before the end of the tournament, but otherwise I will see you when you return to the manor.

Cora: [she nods] It was nice seeing you again, Stiles.

Stiles: [and he will nod and head off with the boys]