regency au } { of clashes and blown covers

[anendlesswar]

Dina: [is already done with this particular tournament but her father told her she had to stay since Ben won, so she's letting Suzanne drag her around and talk to people, but she's mostly balancing a wine glass in one hand and daring anyone to try and talk to her with the other. And it doesn't help that Whittemore and his crew of assholes is already making comments about her family]

Jason: [and he happens to see her and slides behind her with a bottle of wine he "borrowed" so that he could refill her wine glass] I'm sure I could find a way to spill wine on the lot of them, if you wish.

Dina: [her eyebrows rise a bit at that, glancing up at him and squinting for a moment to see if she recognizes him. she definitely doesn't recognize his scent, though it's ... familiar] I wouldn't. Their temper tantrums are more annoying than their lackluster insults.

Jason: [every time she has seen him, he's been in a different role, which makes it easy for him to blend into the background. He finished the refill and looked at the group of men, then snorted] Their sense of fashion is also lackluster. Did no one tell them that the Queen outlawed that color combination because of the offense to her eye?

Dina: That would require them believing that a woman has an opinion worth acknowledging.

Jason: And that, my Lady, shows the limitations of their education, and why their opinion is also not worth acknowledging.

Dina: I strive not to, but sometimes they don't leave me a choice.

Jason: What is it about them that keeps your attention then?

Dina: Their unrelenting need to disparage my family to my face.

Jason: Hmm. [he listened to them a moment, then turning to look at the people next to them] You may want to pay attention to the couple next to them. Do you see the admonishment on their faces?

Dina: [turns and looks and nods] Yes, their scandalized looks that Jackson Whittemore's sons take after their father is quite the boon. That's quite effective in bringing about change. [that's rather dry, and she's just going to step away so she can be somewhere else and not hear it]

Jason: No, those looks are showing disbelief in their words. The men can speak, but those who hear don't listen. Therefore, they are the ones who look like the asses in this, and not your Lord Father, even if fear that it will impede on his reputation.

Dina: [there's a bit of a bitter laugh] And yet none of them defend him. None of them say a word against them. They continue to humor the Whittemores "peculiarities" and never make them suffer for those words. But I am expected to simply suffer in silence because that is the role of a lady of the court and we are supposed to be pretty things desired to be seen not heard. Whether or not they believe them is not the issue. The issue is that no one sees it necessary to stop them.

Jason: Neither does your father. Have you asked him why?

Dina: [there probably has been a reason in the times he's admonished her, but they haven't been good enough, and more to the point] He shouldn't have to. If they were his friends, they would speak up for him.

Jason: Or, that your lord father has a good reputation that he doesn't need his friends to come to his defense, because the truth is already known, and it only shows bad upon the Whittemores.

Dina: [yeah, well, she's her mother's daughter, so] It's not good enough.

Jason: And yet you don't want me to spill wine upon them. [small smirk]

Dina: As I said. The temper tantrums are worse, and they'll only take it out on those undeserving later.

Jason: [nods] It seems you are at an impasse then. You cannot have what you want, and yet to get it will bring hurt upon others.

Dina: Isn't that true of everyone?

Jason: No, at least not those who are willing to take a bit of risk. But it takes a lot of courage to act outside societal expectations, for fear of becoming a pariah in society.

Dina: Society is overrated.

Suzanne: [who has finally noticed who Dina is talking to and makes her way over] But necessary, unfortunately. [is basically here to save her packmate from making an idiot of herself in front of actually important people because she knows Dina doesn't bother to learn these things, but Suzanne does - she is also her mother's daughter] Unless you want to just throw the world into total anarchy, death and destruction.

Jason: But total anarchy can be so fun sometimes. [bows slightly to Suzanne]

Suzanne: Perhaps, but I'm sure eventually the bloodshed would get old. [she curtseys in return] It's good to see you, my Lord. I didn't realize you would be attending this small little tournament. You usually seem so busy.

Jason: [well damn, one of his identities has been made. He will straighten up a bit, his posture less servant and more lordly] I do like to take in some leisure time on occasion. When the mood suits me.

Suzanne: [BLAME THOSE SHARP FORBES GENES Caroline Forbes didn't raise no social fools] Well, I'm pleased that you were able to come.

Dina: [her head tips to the side, before glancing back to Suzanne]

Suzanne: Lord Walters, may I present my friend, Lady Claudia Stilinski. Lady Stilinski, this is Lord Jason Walters, Duke of Concord.

Dina: Oh. [So that's Patience's brother.]

Jason: [he already knew that, but he will nod his head] It is a pleasure, my Lady.

Dina: Likewise. [though the way she says it, it doesn't sound entirely sincere, but it's more because she's distracted and parsing the rest of him]

Jason: Well, as much as I would like to stay, I do need to speak with someone. Perhaps I will see you ladies tonight at the feast?

Suzanne: That would be lovely, yes. Please, enjoy the festivities. [and she will take Dina's arm and off they will go]

Jason: [and he will watch them go, and then he will go and find young Lord Whittemore and whisper in his ear the very ugly and painful things he will do to the man if he continues mocking the Stilinski name, and that if he hears even a whisper of continued antagonism, there will be repercussions]

Dina: [and not that he knows this, but she will hear this across the room, because werewolves, and will ... note that. For later.]

Jason: [good. Because he has a lot of respect for Lord Stilinski and the life he has lived.]

Dina: [and she will continue to wander through the party and eventually find her way outside, to sit on one of the benches and get some fresh air]

Ben: [and he is going to come find his sister, a big grin on his face because torneys are fun!] Diiiiiiiiina! Where are you? [and he had too much wine.]

Dina: [sighs and glances back at him] You drink too much.

Ben: Psssh, no I don't. [and he trips over his own feet, stumbling down the stairs until he is sitting on the bench across from her somehow] I meant to do that.

Dina: [shakes her head] Where's Hope?

Ben: She is spending time with our cousins discussing something about dresses and shoes.

Dina: And you got bored so you decided to come bother me instead?

Ben: I needed you to remind me again why I can't stab young Lord Whittemore. I really want to stab him.

Dina: Because you'd probably get arrested, and his father would only take that as further insult from our family.

Ben: Their family is a bag of dicks. [and he laughs at himself because he said dick]

Dina: [sighs as she tips her head back, closing her eyes] I won't disagree with you there.

Ben: So what have you been doing today? [smiles because there's a rumor about a certain Lord chatting her up]

Dina: Nothing. The usual. [she is so not talking about this with you big brother. because as far as she's concerned, there's nothing to talk about.]

Ben: Mmmhmm. Well, I do wish to know, since I'm supposed to watch over you per Father.

Dina: [rolls her eyes] Since when am I the one who's needed watching over?

Ben: Since lords have started to writing father with requests for their sons to court you.

Dina: Oh God.

Ben: I'm supposed to help protect your virtue. I told Father that you'd stab someone before they could try and kiss you improperly, but he said it was my duty.

Dina: Who knew our father was so old fashioned?

Ben: Well, Uncle Peter did teach him to be a Lord.

Dina: Mmmm. Well, my virtue is still intact, so you have no need to worry.

Ben: I know. So does Father. But he doesn't trust some of the men my age.

Dina: Then he should trust me to forcibly wrench their arms from their sockets if they try.

Ben: I think he does. He says you remind him much of Mother when they were our age. But he knows sometimes things can happen.

Dina: Yes, well, nothing has happened, so if you'd like to go back to dancing with Hope, you need not worry.

Ben: [he will tilt his head, getting that insightful look their father has at times] Why are you upset?

Dina: I'm not upset. [true the Whittemores were upsetting her earlier, for the usual reasons, but Jason doing what he did had lifted that a bit]

Ben: You're being snippier with me that usual.

Dina: I'm just tired. It's been a long night.

Ben: Do you want me to escort you back to the tent before I go find Hope again?

Dina: No, I can walk myself. Go have fun with her.

Ben: Alright. [and he will lean down to kiss his sister's cheek] Sleep well.

Dina: [a small smile] Thank you. [and she will get up to take the long way back to her room]

Jason: [and he will totally see her as he's been doing some dealings in the shadows, and silently follow her back to make sure she gets there safely]

Dina: [which she will. Though the long way means she lingers along the lakeside for a moment, just taking in the view]

Jason: [and he will hide, making sure he is downwind because he knows of the Hale's "secret" because of course he does]

Dina: [your sister told you that in confidence, Jason not so you could use it to cheat with her cousin. Nonetheless, being downwind doesn't hide the sound of his heartbeat, but since he's not bothering her she won't let it, just if ignore for now as she stares at the water.]

Jason: [he's protective, ok? She is family, after all.]

Dina: [and when he doesn't seem to leave and doesn't come any closer either ...] It's quite impolite to lurk you know.

Jason: [there is a soft, nearly silent chuckle, but he doesn't reveal himself.]

Dina: [well fine. stalker.] Am I going to regret telling my brother to leave me alone for the evening?

Jason: [he rolls his eyes, and then steps out of the shadows] If your brother was with you, I wouldn't have followed for I would have known you were safe.

Dina: [turns to face him raising an eyebrow] And what makes you think that I need either of your protection?

Jason: Because I have found that anyone, man or women, who are overconfident in their skills are the ones who find themselves regretting their choice to be alone. Precautions are what make you less of a target, not saying you can't handle the danger when it comes your way.

Dina: Not all precautions are obvious ones. I'm not overconfident, I'm confident in my preparedness.

Jason: That's not how I see it.

Dina: You have known me for all of one evening, my lord, perhaps you shouldn't be so quick to assume what I am and am not capable of.

Jason: I am usually a good judge of character. [there is a playful smirk, and he will shift a bit. She will notice he is putting himself into an easy but ready pose, as if he was going to be in a fight]

Dina: [yeah, she notices. she's spent too much of her life around knights not to] I think you've misjudged this one. [and she's going to ... walk away, because as much as she'd like to crush his ego, she has a feeling there are more satisfying ways]

Jason: Have I now? Or are you more bark than bite? [smirks, but the dog reference is not intentional. Sorry Dina]

Dina: [that stops her, because that totally got under her skin, and he's so amused and smug that she wants to just punch him in the face and break his stupid perfect nose to prove him right, but after a deep breath, her fists relax, and she turns to face him again] Do you know why dogs bark? A warning. One that if you choose to ignore, you would likely be made to regret it.

Jason: They also bark in joy to see someone, and when they are trying to get attention.

Dina: Fine. Then that's why they snarl.

Jason: So are you snarling at me now, Lady Stilinski?

Dina: I'm certainly not being friendly.

Jason: Then come and show me what you want to do. You do not have to be proper with me. [he will make a come at me motion with his hand, his smirk never failing]

Dina: [her eyes roll up] I have nothing to prove to you.

Jason: Of course you don't. But if you don't want me to worry about you walking the streets alone, I'd like to see these skills in action.

Dina: I don't care about your worry for me. You are a man I spent one evening talking to at a party. I can say with a fair amount of confidence that I don't care about your opinion of me one way or another. You're the one who doesn't want to actually take me at my word.

Jason: I'm also the one who doesn't wish to see you come to harm. [he stands up straight, and there is a knowing in his eye. Something that hints that he has seen a lot more - done a lot more - than anyone his age should have. He knows the kinds of harm that can fall on even the most skilled knight with one misstep. He's brought it down on a few] You are my sister's family, and this is not Hale manor, Lady Claudia. But if you are certain that you can handle the things waiting in the shadows, then I will take my leave. I just wish you could see this isn't a statement against your pride, but a genuine concern for the safety of someone my sister loves.

Dina: And see, that is the problem. Not that you want to protect someone dear to someone you care about, some would even consider that honorable, but the fact that you simply assume that I know nothing of the pitfalls of the world. I am not some naïve girl who knows nothing. If you claim to not want to insult my pride, then perhaps you should trust me to ask for help should I need it versus presuming straight away that I am making an ill-informed choice.

Jason: Then I apologize if that is how you feel I have made it seem. I don't see you as naive, however have you ever been attacked? Had a man force himself on you? Or have you only been told what it is like?

Dina: [her eyes look away for a moment, and it's an expression that's hard to read because it's not a yes, but it's also not a no.] I think you'd be hard-pressed to find a lady at court who hasn't been.

Jason: You will find that it is not only the ladies it happens to. [his heartbeat is steady, and his chin lifts just a bit] And in those moments, all of the training in the world doesn't matter when your fear takes grip of your heart.

Dina: [she looks at him for a moment, and her eyes soften] I'm sure it does. [she doesn't want to discredit what he may have felt or went through but she also knows that Hales are never alone, even if they seem to be]

Jason: [nods] That is the reason why I am concerned about your safety alone on these streets, my lady. And I do apologize if it came across as anything else. I just do not wish for anyone to have to learn that way, especially someone my sister cares about. It is better to believe that you can and never have to test it, than to put yourself in a place where it can happen, and learn too late how strong fear can disable you.

Dina: [... well now you have to go making her feel like an asshole, thanks Jason. Not that it's his fault, but she can't really come off a semi-confession like that and continue to be stubborn, so ...] Would you like to walk me to my tent?

Jason: [and there is a small smile as he closes the distance between them] Only if you insist. [it's an olive branch, a way for them to break the awkwardness and find that even ground between them again]

Dina: [she huffs before turning and starting to walk] It's not that far from here. But don't assume this is me conceding anything.

Jason: Of course, my lady. [and he will follow behind, giving her space between them so it is obvious he is there as escort, not as a suitor]

Dina: [and she will just lead the way quietly, her eyes still taking in the scenery until they reach the front of the tent she's sharing with whichever of her cousins that came, and some girls from Mystic Falls.]

Jason: [and when they are there, he will just bow] Have a good evening then, Lady Stilinski. [and he will turn to go, because she is home safe and that's all he wanted to ensure.]

Dina: Good night, Lord Walters.

Jason: [and he will head out, disappearing into the shadows that are his home]

Dina: [and she will retreat back into the tent to go to sleep]