regency au } { of champions and regrets

[braveandstupid]

Tyler: Well met, Sir Derek. I've heard a lot about you and thought for sure I had no chance.

Derek: Well, Sir Tyler, the echos of your lady's screams disrupted my senses and made it hard to focus.

Tyler: [looks over his shoulder and laughs] She is not my lady, Sir Derek. Just a friend of my family who I grew up with.

Elena: [grins as she makes her way over] I prefer to think I'm simply lucky. My brother won his bout as well, so all that is left is the joust.

Derek: Well, you should get there quickly, my lady. Let me guess, the one in the joust is one of your ladies in male clothing? [teasing]

Elena: I wouldn't let Sir Donovan hear you say that if you want him to lose. He hasn't lost a match yet and that would only make him fight harder.

Derek: He's going against Sir Parrish? I have yet to see him lose either. It shall be a good joust then.

Elena: I will. I'm looking forward to it. [nudges Tyler with an elbow] Are you not going to introduce us?

Tyler: Of course, Sir Derek Hale, this is Lady Elena Gilbert.

Elena: [nods as she extends her hand] A pleasure, Sir Hale.

Derek: The pleasure is mine, Lady Gilbert. [kisses her knuckles]

Elena: Will you be competing in the joust?

Derek: No, my lady. My knights and I are not fond of events where our legs are not on the ground.

Elena: I see. You will be watching, I assume?

Derek: Yes. We stake our bets on Sir Parrish. My apologies to your Sir Donovan, but we have a friendship with the other knight.

Elena: Not at all. A little competition makes things interesting.

Derek: That it does. [grins] Sir Tyler, m'lady, I should be off. If I do not see you in the stands, perhaps at the feast afterward?

Elena: [nods with a smile] We will see you then. [And with that, she will wait for Tyler to put his equipment away and head over to meet Jeremy in the stands to watch Matt.]

Tyler: [smirks, watching Derek leave] You should be careful of that one, m'lady. I've heard stories of him.

Elena: [her eyebrows go up] The same stories you hear of most knights?

Tyler: Not the same. Sir Derek is not one of the women, and with Lord Peter in the household and Lady Laura as the eldest - he is not in the line of succession for the family. He and his knights are free to do what they please, with no real sense of responsibility. There's no marriage waiting for him, someone to be true to.

Elena: Don't worry about me. If I can handle the Salvatore brothers, I can handle him.

Tyler: Oh, I am well aware of how you can take care of yourself. Just don't let him rile you. You enjoy arguments sometimes too much.

Elena: [she laughs] I will do my best.

Tyler: [picks up his gear] Shall we?

Elena: [nods and takes his arm] We shall.

Parrish: [is putting on his helmet, focusing on the joust and trying not to show off. But that grim determination is a far cry from the amused smirks he normally work]

Liam: [holding the reigns of the horse, patting him to calm him.]

Derek: [sliding in next to his older sister and taking her hand]

Laura: [glances over, squeezing his hand as she does] I heard you lost.

Derek: Well, you put two wolves into a cage, eventually one has to win. [shrugs]

Laura: I suppose it has to happen every once in a while.

Derek: I will just have to find someone to help lick my wounds and make me feel better tonight. [smirks]

Laura: [there's a mild look at that] Be careful. You're developing a reputation.

Derek: If the reputation keeps me out of a marriage, I'll gladly take it.

Laura: [sighs dramatically. why do you make things difficult for her, Derek?] And what happens when you meet someone you actually want to marry?

Derek: Then she will be able to see past a reputation and want to know who I actually am behind it.

Laura: I'm sure.

Derek: But I don't want a wife, Laura. You and Cora are going to pop out more pups than I will be able to keep track of. I'm happy, and that's all that matters.

Laura: And if you keep being reckless you are going to wind up with pups that you will have to account for.

Derek: I always make sure I don't pick the girl in heat, Laura. I'm not an idiot.

Laura: [eyeroll at that phrasing] It doesn't always work that way.

Derek: It has so far.

Laura: Well, don't assume you will continue to get lucky.

Derek: Mm, hmm. Can we just watch the joust and not have you sit here and judge my life choices?

Laura: [sighs and she sits back to watch, her face still a perfect mask of big sister judgement] Fine.

Derek: [eyerolling as he leans back next to her]

Elena: [and Elena and Tyler move in a few rows below them, joining Jeremy to watch Matt joust]

Parrish: [and dice rolls are on his side, and he will defeat Matt five lances to two]

Elena: [alas alack. She will be disappointed for Matt, but at least they both ran well]

Parrish: [and he will dismount and go to let Matt congratulate him, and then will go and join Tyler and Jeremy as they come to accept their awards from the Duke of Paris who ran the tourney]

Elena: [and Elena will be waiting on the side, cheering for her brother and friend as the awards are given out]

Parrish: [walking over with Tyler and Jeremy] M'lady Gilbert, it's an honor. Your brother and Sir Tyler both speak highly of you.

Elena: And you as well, Sir Parrish. You rode very well today.

Parrish: Thank you, m'lady. I've become fond of the sport. It gives me something to focus on.

Elena: I have heard you are undefeated.

Parrish: I have been lucky, m'lady. Sir Donovan was a tough competitor. It could have gone either way.

Elena: Then perhaps next time Sir Donovan will be the one to best you.

Parrish: He can try, m'lady, but I don't promise that he will succeed. He has to be the one to do that on his own strength.

Elena: I suppose we will just have to wait and see.

Parrish: So, will you be escorting one of these gentlemen to the feast tonight?

Elena: My brother, Sir Lockwood and Sir Donovon will all be sitting at my table, though I cannot say I have one specific escort.

Parrish: I only have my young squire with me at this tourney, but I would love to escort you if you would have me? [since he can't have the one woman here he did want, and while he normally sat with Derek and his knights, he knew he would not be tonight]

Elena: [glances up as Matt makes his way closer] So long as Sir Donovan is not offended if I choose to escort the man who bested him.

Matt: Well, as long as I'm not escorted by one of these two jokers, I think I will be fine with it.

Elena: [laughs, before glancing back to Parrish] Do you have any suggestions, Sir Parrish?

Parrish: [looking up in the stands] Well, there is the Lady Cora and her lady in waiting, Erica. I would be careful of the Lady Laura though... I heard she bites.

Elena: Sounds like she'd be a better match for Tyler. [not that she can tell that the Hales are wolves, but, well, biting. To Matt:] Perhaps you should take Tyler and Jeremy over and see if you can win their attention.

Parrish: Oh, and there is also the lady Kira, but I think she is already spoken for with one of Sir Derek's knights so I would keep your hands off her as well.

Tyler: I think we can handle a few ladies, Sir Parrish, but we thank you for your concern. [and the threesome will make their way over to where the Hales are coming out of the stands] M'Ladies, a word if you have a moment.

Derek: [eyebrow raised just a bit]

Laura: [looks surprised as well, but will turn all the same] Is there something we can help you with, Sir Lockwood?

Tyler: Yes, m'lady. As much as Sir Derek would like to boost at his appeal, I do not believe that he would be able to escort all of you properly to the banquet. Sir Parrish felt that you all would enjoy our company instead.

Derek: [so linefacing. In sport is one thing. These are his sisters]

Laura: Mmmm. [she looks amused before glancing back to Derek and almost laughing at the sullen look on his face] While I can't deny you would be better company, I am not sure I should let my brother run wild this evening. Though you are free to ask my sister and her ladies if they are interested.

Derek: [and now he's giving her a scoff as the boys laugh. Thanks, Laura]

Tyler: I understand, my lady. [he'll look over at Cora and her ladies] M'ladies?

Laura: [it is her purpose in life]

Cora: [glances over to Kira and Erica before shrugging] Lady Kira has already agreed to escort Sir McCall, but Lady Erica and I would be happy to join you.

Kira: Though Sir Donovan is welcome to join us at our table, given that he will not be sitting at the champions table, I assume.

Tyler: [bows to Cora as Jeremy bows to Erica] It will be an honor.

Matt: I haven't met Sir Scott yet, so it would be a pleasure. Thank you.

Kira: [nods as she raises and extends her hand to him] Then let us go find him.

Cora: [And the ladies will get up and go to join them]

Derek: [and he will watch them go off, and then look at Laura] Really?

Laura: [gives him a look in return] Which part?

Derek: [takes her arm to head back to their tents] Not letting me run wild this evening?

Laura: [follows his lead] As if you won't anyway.

Derek: Yes, but to say it in front of other knights.

Laura: And what would you have preferred I say to divert their attentions?

Derek: You could have gone with young Sir Jeremy. Highlight of his life, I bet. Boy barely fits in his armor.

Laura: All the more reason he should attend with Erica - she is spoken for but Boyd isn't here. Minimal expectations. All he has to do is be charming, without the pressure of escorting the head of the Hale household.

Derek: Uh huh. [and the only reason he's escorting you is because he told Parrish he would. Not that Laura knows that]

Laura: [sighs softly as she glances his way] It's more important they spend time with Cora than me. She's the one who needs to worry about her prospects at the moment - not that she does, but she should.

Derek: You could always do something crazy and let her marry for love.

Laura: And who's to say she won't fall in love with one of them?

Derek: [rubs his nose] Of course. But if she knows she's allowed to look for love without consequence, I think we know there is already a suitor within the household that would make her very happy.

Laura: [closes her eyes as she steps away from him nodding in agreement] And there are a great many reasons why I can't let her marry a stable boy, Derek. None of them particularly kind, but they are what they are.

Derek: You know, he wasn't always a stable boy. He doesn't even know his own origins beyond that the Whittemores took him as payment on back taxes. He could be more than we think.

Laura: And if he is then I will consider it, but as it stands now, I can't. In fact, the only one of us who actually stands a chance of marrying for love is you and you won't at all. [and her tone doesn't hide how incredibly unfair she thinks that is, as much as she may want to]

Derek: How about this - I'll make you a deal. If I find myself in a place where I will admit I am in love, I will allow you to contract me away before I change my mind on the matter. In return... you will at least let yourself get some honest flirting and enjoy some attention from the other knights and not hide behind yours.

Laura: [she rolls her eyes at that] That isn't what I want. [not that she ever allows herself to admit what she wants, but she can at least say when there's something she doesn't]

Derek: You don't have to talk to the same knight each tourney if you fear a bond. You don't have to talk to them the same day. Just let yourself enjoy a bit of life before you lose it, Laura. That's all I ask.

Laura: [that isn't the problem. The problem is there is only one knight she wants to talk to and talking to the rest of them wouldn't be the same] I would rather not have anything to miss.

Derek: [frustrated growl, and thankfully they are back at the tent and he waits until they are at least inside] When you are going to let yourself live, Laura? We both know you won't have a real life with the Argents. Are you so determined to punish yourself for the war between our families?

Laura: [she laughs softly before turning to face him, eyes wet but she's trying to keep herself together] Do you really think I want this? I have been engaged to him since I was four years old, Derek. Real life or not it is the one I've been given. I won't risk my family, I can't. And you are not one to talk when you never have to deal with the consequences of this "real life" you think you have.

Derek: Do you think I want to go off and have a good life while both my sisters are forced into lives neither want? You really think I should be that selfish? I would rather us go back to war than see you off and marrying that pompous ass you will call husband.

Laura: And that is why I am the alpha and you are not. Because I will not see people die over this marriage. If it is my happiness weighed against your lives than the decision is easy.

Derek: [yeah, he will back down because that was the alpha tone] If I was the alpha, you wouldn't be in that contract. I would.

Laura: To who? To Kate? [she raises her eyebrows before shaking her head] No. Because that's not the way it works. You weren't even born yet when it was done, and daughters are easier to use as leverage than sons.

Derek: If I ever do have a child, I swear I will not use them in this way.

Laura: [sighs as she drops down on the cot, before moving her fingers up to brush against her eyes] Then I hope you live in a better world than this one.

Derek: The world is only better when we make it so.

Laura: [it will be his choice. they will be his children. He stands far better a chance than she does, at any rate]

Derek: [he kneels down, taking her hands] If you aren't going to be happy, Laura, how can any of us truly be?

Laura: [squeezes his hands back] How do you know I'm not going to be happy?

Derek: Because if he was going to make you happy, he would have even written a letter to you. Some kind of indication he wants to be with you beyond you being a spoils of war.

Laura: That's not it. Daniel was six, Derek. I doubt he knows what to do with me any more than I know what to do with him. The only person who sees me as a spoil of war is his father.

Derek: It still doesn't excuse his lack of trying to know you.

Laura: I will be fine. [squeezes his hands again] Happiness can come with time.

Derek: [scowls, but his shoulders slump in defeat]

Laura: [she sighs as she leans forward, pulling him into her a little more] It did for our mother. There's no saying it won't be the same for me.

Derek: Only if Daniel comes here and away from his father's influence.

Laura: [raises her eyebrows before nodding, because it's not false, but she wants to try and give Daniel some credit of being his own man] We'll see.

Derek: [sighs] You know, seeing I didn't win, we don't have to attend the feast. We can just find our own dinner.

Laura: No, we should go. [she's emotionally exhausted, that much is true, but they need to still keep up appearances] Besides, we should keep an eye on our sister - not let her get into too much trouble. [she's heard things about Tyler Lockwood.]

Derek: You sure? I could go on my own if you'd rather... rest. [and continue to avoid Parrish]

Laura: [she shakes her head] The lord wanted to speak with me about something. I'll be fine. [stands and helps him up, before pulling him into a hug. Not for anything she'll actually verbalize but she's in need of it at the moment]

Derek: [and he just holds her tight, resting his chin on her shoulder and keeping her close]

Laura: [leans into him for the moment, closing her eyes, before pulling back and taking a deep breath] I should wash up for dinner. Just give me a few moments.

Derek: Of course. Shall we dress to match? [he needs to change out of his padded clothes anyway]

Laura: [She considers before nodding with a smile] Might as well.

Derek: [grins, and he will go off, returning in a few minutes in a more formal shirt that matches hers]

Laura: [and she washes her face and hands, adding fresh flowers to her hair that weren't damaged by the heat and heads back out again to take his arm] Ready?

Derek: [straightens his belt] As always. [and off the go as the Lord is holding a feast!]

Laura: [woot! where they will meet up with Cora and Erica and the Mystic Falls boys and Elena will drag Parrish to do a lot of dancing]

Derek: [and he will get Laura out on the dance floor and oops, there is a point where they need to switch partners halfway through the dance and WOULDN'T YOU KNOW Parrish and Elena were right there and now Parrish is dancing with Laura and Derek has Elena]

Elena: [startles slightly at the sudden change in partner and her dancing quality has declined in proportion to the amount of wine she's had so she may step on his feet a little as they step into the transition. Whoops!] Sir Hale!

Derek: Lady Gilbert, what a surprise. How are you faring this evening? [bright grin]

Elena: I was doing very well. Sir Parrish is a lovely dance partner. [aka give him back. :|]

Derek: Oh, I know he is. And eventually the dance will circle back to them again, so you are stuck with me until then. I will try not to disappoint you.

Elena: Well, I'll have you know I have very high expectations.

Derek: And I will point out that I am more than the reputation that proceeds me.

Elena: Then I invite you to prove it. [eyebrow raise of a challenge]

Derek: [his eyebrow goes up and he smirks as well] And does the lady have a suggestion on which way I can prove it?

Elena: We are dancing, are we not?

Derek: That we are. [and he's been learning court dancing since he was old enough for Laura to dance with, and he had his natural werewolf grace that made him flow easily with the music.]

Elena: [meanwhile Elena is human and slightly drunk, so while she is an incredibly graceful dancer sober, she's mostly along for the ride with Derek at this point]

Derek: [but he will make her look good in her goofy drunken dancing] So tell me about yourself, m'lady. This is the first time I have seen you at Tourney.

Elena: I think we have run in separate circuits before now. I am from Mystic Falls.

Derek: You are a far way from home, my lady! Is that not in the colonies?

Elena: [laughs] Not quite as far away as that. But it is in the country.

Derek: Ah. Now is your family the lords of manor, or is your brother a knight of the manor?

Elena: My family is one of the founding families of the city. However my parents recently passed away, so currently my brother and I are wards of Lord Lockwood and his family.

Derek: [his eyes soften a bit] I'm sorry to hear that, m'lady.

Elena: [she nods as they go into a turn, managing to school her face to keep away the sadness by the time she turns around again] They were good people. It was very unfortunate to have lost them.

Derek: If they were able to raise you and your brother into the people I've met, I'm sure they were very good people.

Elena: [she smiles softly at that, trying to resume the teasing rapport they had earlier and not get mired in sad things] Don't speak so soon. You don't know me very well yet.

Derek: Well, how would one go about getting to know you better then? [and yes, there was a tease in that about all ways]

Elena: Using your words is an excellent start. [basically her way at cutting anything seductive off at the pass. If you want that you are going to have to seriously work for it. Sorry, Derek]

Derek: I happen to be very good with words, m'lady. I'm actually very well read, and can speak more than one tongue.

Elena: Really? And what have you read?

Derek: [of the books a common person would know, and not what he borrows from Peter and Deaton's library] I'm fond mostly of Homer, but I've been reading these little works of a new author named Marlowe?

Elena: I'm familiar with him.

Derek: I've got a few Chaucer sitting on my desk waiting for me when I return, but it's hard to play the scholar when I enjoy the life outside of court.

Elena: [snorts, rather unladylike at the mention of Chaucer, because she's read them, even if she shouldn't have] So you are a fan of poets and playwrights?

Derek: I do enjoy Shakespeare.

Elena: What is your favorite play?

Derek: It depends on my mood. Sometimes Hamlet, sometimes Taming of the Shrew. And Midsummers is always a wonderful play to see performed.

Elena: I used to be more of a fan of the tragedies, but lately I've found myself drawn to the comedies. I've needed his ... unique, bawdy sense of humor.

Derek: I will admit that when the tourney is in London, I try and slip out to the Globe to see if they have a production going.

Elena: I am sad to admit that I have never been. I have only read the reprints of his plays.

Derek: Well, you will have to have Sir Lockwood's knights bring you to London then, and it will be honor to escort you to one, m'lady.

Elena: I will hold you to that.

Derek: [smiles and sees Parrish and Laura rounding about] We are about to change partners back. Would you care to dance again later, m'lady?

Elena: I can't say I would mind. I'll try not to step on your feet this time.

Derek: I have thick boots. I barely felt it. [grins and spins her, and slides back into his sister's spinning arms] Hello again.

Laura: [does not look amused, Derek. Not at all.] Having fun with Lady Gilbert, I see.

Derek: That I was. [grinning] How was Lord Parrish?

Laura: Fine. [and she will leave it at that because it's better than saying it was awkward and almost cold]

Derek: I did not know what couple we would switch with anymore than you, Laura, don't give me that look.

Laura: [doesn't quite meet his eyes as the song comes to a close. she steps back, applauding the band with the rest of the room, before moving towards one of the balconies.] I need some fresh air.

Derek: Do you want one of my knights to accompany you so you aren't disturbed?

Laura: [shakes her head] I'm just going to go for a walk. I'll be fine.

Derek: As you wish.

Laura: [she nods, giving him a small smile] Don't get Lady Gilbert into too much trouble. [and with that she is going to turn and head towards the door to the gardens, where she will probably sit on one of the benches to give herself some space.]

Parrish: [and when Derek goes to dance with Lady Gilbert again, he sneaks off to find where Laura went to. When he finds her, he moves within in line of sight] You know, I didn't like that much either.

Laura: [she glances up at him and she tries to school her features, but she's never really been as good at it as her siblings] I am sorry.

Parrish: [he crossed her arms] I spent months trying to forget your face, Lady Laura. Months from tourney to tourney telling myself that I was better off far from you. And yet the moment I see you, all I want to do is be in your favor again, m'lady.

Laura: [she watches him for a moment, before dropping her eyes to her hands] You never weren't.

Parrish: You make it impossible to be with you, Laura. Anything I do risks making you care for me, but that is a risk you take with friends as well as lovers.

Laura: It isn't your friendship I fear. [it is the latter. the lovers. the wanting that she had already felt the inklings of before he left her lands] I did not mean for you to leave, I simply wanted to make the line clear.

Parrish: It is a line I can't promise you I don't know how not to cross. I am not educated in the ways of love like others. I'm making this up as I go along.

Laura: [her eyes fall to her hands again, fingers twining in her lap] And it's not a line where I can promise that I wouldn't let you.

Parrish: I do not want to hurt you, m'lady. That has never been my intention, and on my honor I won't put you in a position that risks that.

Laura: I know. I didn't think you would.

Parrish: And that is why I left.

Laura: I know.

Parrish: So we are at an impasse.

Laura: An unfortunate one.

Parrish: So what are we to do?

Laura: [there's a part of her that wants nothing more to be reckless. To take her brother's advice and have life, have him but at the end of the day she knows that trying to do that would only make things harder. It would ruin him, ruin her, break the contract with the Argents and bring war on all of them. In the end, the only thing they can do is move on. She watches him for a moment, before getting to her feet and making her way closer, one hand coming up to brush against his cheek gently] I'm afraid all we can do is keep going as we are.

Parrish: So cold shoulders and barely speaking. If that is what you wish, m'lady.

Laura: I think we might be able to manage a ... courtly politeness as time goes on. Don't you? [her hand doesn't move, however, her thumb brushing gently against his cheekbone]

Parrish: I was not taught court manners as you were.

Laura: It is simple, really. You smile at everyone, no matter how you feel about them. A simple bow or curtsy, with meaningless conversation, and you pretend, as best you can that it doesn't hurt as much as it does.

Parrish: So will you always hurt when you see me, m'lady?

Laura: I'm afraid there probably isn't a way around that.

Parrish: Then if we must always hurt, let us at least have one thing that makes this pain worth owning. [and he is going to lean in without warning to try and steal a kiss from her]

Laura: [she isn't expecting it, which makes it easy to take, and she freezes. She's never been kissed before, certainly not like this, and for a moment she allows herself to get swept up in it, eyes closing as she melts into him]

Parrish: [if they are going to not speak to each other for the rest of their lives, at least they can have this one kiss. He pulled her closer to him, his hands gently around her waist]

Laura: [she moves easily as she's pulled in, getting caught up in his scent and the feel of him, trying not to notice the way her heart raced against his chest or it made her ache for something more than what she was being given]

Parrish: [he kissed her until he needed to breathe, and then only pulling away a hair] If we are to be damned never to speak again... at least we will have this in our memories to look back upon.

Laura: [her eyes stay closed as she takes another step back, her hand coming up to her lips to rest there for a moment, before she finally looks back up at him again, then looks away. She takes a deep breath before turning away] I think I have had enough of the party for one evening. If you see my sister, tell her I returned to my tent? [it may not be what he wants to hear but the only other thing she can say will continue to push the limits she had set for herself]

Parrish: As you wish, m'lady. [he bows his head]

Laura: [and with that she'll go back to her tent and try not to focus too much on how it made her feel]

Parrish: [and he will go back to the feast, passing along the message to Cora and then going to apologize to Elena but that he must depart for the evening and asks Derek if he can see the Lady back to her tents, which he agrees]

Elena: [is definitely drunk at this point. Too much wine for Lady Elena. She pauses when she sees Parrish leaving and frowns at Derek] Is my escort abandoning me?

Derek: I think so, but not for anything you have done, m'lady. I have a feeling there was more to that retreat than you or I understand. Come, I will take you to your tent.

Elena: [takes a deep breath and nods] Thank you, Sir Hale.

Derek: It is my honor, Lady Gilbert. [he held out his arm to her]

Elena: [takes his arm, swaying slightly as she does]

Derek: [watches her] If you need me to carry you to your bed, m'lady, you need just ask. [teasing, not actually meaning it]

Elena: [a mild look] There is no need to carry me. I have just had a little too much wine.

Derek: It was just a joke, m'lady. [and he will keep pace with her, letting her guide their path]

Elena: [they don't have far to go, the tent Elena is sharing with her brother lying not far from the edge of the party, but she will still tip her head back to the sky all the same] It is a beautiful night.

Derek: [taking a deep breath of the fresh air, he looked up as well] That it is, m'lady. There is not a cloud in sight to block the view of the heavens.

Elena: [she sighs softly] We have nights like this in Mystic Falls sometimes. You can sit on top of the falls and the stars reflect in the water.

Derek: That sounds beautiful. [thinks] Would you like to find a place to sit and watch them until your brother returns?

Elena: [takes a deep breath as she considers before nodding] Sure. That sounds nice.

Derek: [guides her to a fountain near the entrance of the church] Come, sit m'lady. The view here is spectacular.

Elena: [nods as she sits, keeping her eyes up towards the sky as she does]

Derek: My uncle has charts in his study, lining up the stars to be able to trace shapes among them.

Elena: Really? [she glances back to him] What kind of shapes?

Derek: [he leaned back, looking for one and pointing] Do you see that line of stars there?

Elena: [turns and follows the line of his arm] Yes.

Derek: That is the belt of Orion. The stars around that form the body of the solider.

Elena: Orion like the hunter?

Derek: That would be him.

Elena: What else is there?

Derek: There are eighty eight in total. Orion's bow aims at Taurus' leg, who trots under Perseus while Ares stands by. [he pointed out each in turn, speaking a rhyme his father had taught him as a child]

Elena: [listens intently, her eyes tracing the line of them so that she tries and remembers them herself]

Derek: [he leans closer, continuing the rhyme as he points out Gemini and the other ones around Orion and working out]

Elena: [And she will lean into him as she does, partly from the intoxication, and also from the hour]

Derek: [and he will look at her, giving her a small smile] M'lady, I think you are ready for bed. The stars will always be there.

Elena: Hmmm? [she lifts her head and looks up at him before rubbing her eyes] Mmmm. Alright.

Derek: [there's a small smile, and he stands up to help her as well] Thank you for a wonderful evening, M'lady. I will be sure to tell Sir Parrish that he missed a beautiful end to the evening.

Elena: [nods in agreement as she stands] You were a more than acceptable stand-in.

Derek: Sleep well, m'lady. And I hope I will see you again come London.

Elena: You as well. [and with that, she will head back into her tent to go to sleep]

Derek: [and he will head back to his own tent, not looking for anything more]