What of Ladies and Knights? [Elaine]

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It was a lot easier being a man, to be honest. Brianna didn't get double and strange looks from everyone, and she certainly was never asked if she was okay whenever she decided to practice a skill of hers. What, a woman couldn't wake up early in the morning to make sure she didn't become rusty with the sword? Did something have to be wrong when one saw a girl out slashing the air with this huge steel weapon? Certainly not! Sure, when Brianna got upset or angry, she would go blow off some steam, either by hitting the next person who annoyed her, or by punching a few things in the Easton Center, usually a bag of some sort. But practicing her swordfighting? As if it was out of ordinary for a knight of Camelot. Well. A squire.

Fine, so there were a couple things on her mind that she needed to think through, but they were just thoughts. Nothing that wouldn't eventually fix itself. Okay, maybe her Humperdinck situation wouldn't, because...well...have you met the guy? From what everyone had told her, Prince Humperdinck was a royal ass, impossible to talk to, and plain arrogant. Brianna would not disagree with all of that at all. But despite what she heard, he had treated her as an equal (I know, hard to believe), and though he was prideful, she quickly shot that down before he could even think about uttering a word. Oh, and they also happen to be...dating, somewhat. Seeing each other, is more like what is happening. Was that weird? A prince and a knight? Not like it would go anywhere, really. He was engaged to Princess Buttercup.

...yeah, that's pretty all she had on her mind. That, and the fact that she was literally dying to become a knight. She didn't know how long that would take. Arthur was helping her out, made sure she promised she would continue on as a woman, no more lies and deceit, and she agreed to those terms. She wanted it so much, Brianna almost forgot who she wanted to become a knight in the first place. Challenge Burton to a trial by combat. And in the process, kill him. It was far fancier than just murdering him in his bed. That was the cowardly way of doing it. But alas, her primary goal has become to earn glory, something she desperately needed to seek. She shamed her family once, she wouldn't make that mistake twice.

Brianna was so engrossed in what she was doing that she failed to notice somebody had stepped onto the field for a while. When she paused to catch her breath, she saw the girl in the distance, part watching, part doing something else. She was dressed in such a fashion and acted in such a way, that Brianna was half-tempted to bow and say, 'My lady.' Instead, she decided to be civil, walked over, and gave the girl a smile. "Looks like I'm not the only crazy one that'll wake up this early, huh?" Her chainmail suddenly felt heavy as Brianna slid her sword back in the sheath, and she pulled off her gauntlets. She hadn't been in full armor (minus the helmet) for quite a while, and now everything was suddenly weighing her down. ...she must have lost weight. Lovely.

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It was early, but Elaine had always been an early riser. She loved the smell of the early morning dew on the grass, and the way the early rising sun lit the flowers as it shone through the trees. Leaving the dormitory quietly so as not to wake her room-mates, she had slipped out of the dormitory building and out towards the fields, raising her face to the sun and smiling as she felt the warmth on her face. It was going to be a beautiful day, perfect for sitting in the fields and threading flowers together, lacing them into her hair and enjoying the sights and sounds of nature.

Reaching the field, she walked across towards the middle, holding her long skirts up slightly so they didn't get too damp from the morning dew on the grass. Putting down the basket she had brought out with her, she took out a blanket and spread it on the grass, before sitting down and starting to pick some of the daisies that were growing all around her, threading them together to make a chain.

It didn't take long for her to notice movement further across the field, and looking up, she paused in her daisy chain making, watching the figure moving a way away. She almost felt her heart skip a beat as she realised what she was watching, and she smoothed her skirts and her hair, a smile on her face as she watched. A knight! There was a knight across the field, practising his sword work. The first knight Elaine had seen since she arrived, and although she was a fair way away, she was sure he was incredibly handsome. He looked so strong, and she felt her breath catch in her throat as he swung his sword.

She felt her stomach begin to knot as the knight noticed her, stopped in his practice and began walking towards her. Elaine wasn't sure what to do, should she stand, remain seated, or leave... she was unsure of the etiquette between knights and ladies in this new land of Trenale. At home she would have a chaperone, she would never be alone with a man, even the most honourable of knights. The only men she had ever been alone with were her father and brothers, but that was so different - Elaine could feel herself beginning to become flustered. She stood, smoothing her skirts and tucking a daisy into one of the plaits that looped around her head, and smiled sweetly at the oncoming knight.

Her jaw dropped as the knight spoke, and Elaine could barely find any words. This was no knight - it was a girl! She had never seen a girl dressed in such a fashion, it was just... Elaine couldn't even find the words. It was so inelegant, so against everything she had ever been taught my her mother! And it must be so uncomfortable! She had barely noticed the other girl had spoken to her, she just stared until she realised how rude she was being.

"I'm sorry, I... why are you dressed like a man?!"

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Brianna had thought it was a bit strange that the girl was acting much like Chel was when she was planning on flirting with...her. But then again, when was the last time she wore her armor? She was surprised it still fit her. But no, this girl was acting like...different from Chel. But a lot more like something Bree had seen before. Here in Trenale, nobody would give a lowly squire so much of a smile, because hell, if they didn't bow to princes, then squires were nothing.

She has to be from Camelot.

It was the only explanation coming to Brianna's mind at the moment. That, and she couldn't help but be ever so amused at how surprised the girl was that Brianna was in fact a girl. It was still possible to mistake her for a male, mostly because no girl would wear a knight's armor, and also because her hair still was not long enough to feminine-ish yet. Indeed, Brianna was not used to getting such a reaction from anyone. Heck, even Arthur himself hadn't seemed so shocked to see a woman in disguise as a man.

Brianna settled upon being flattered by the fact that she had completely deceived this girl, at least for a little while. Her voice would forever be as it was, unmanly and not deep enough. As she burst into a fit of giggles at the girl's words, Brianna bowed her head slightly. As Arthur said that chivalry was deeply embedded into his character, so it was in Brianna's, and school or no school, a lady of Camelot was going to receive Brianna's bow. "Technically, women could wear armor as well, but I suppose you could say I am dressed like a man," Brianna replied, still smiling in amusement. "I aspire to one day become a knight."

As strange as that probably sounded coming from a woman, it was completely and honestly true. "My name is Brianna. I'm still getting used to introducing myself by that name, actually," she said, but needed her suspicions clarified. "I apologize, but...you don't happen to be from Camelot, do you? I couldn't help but notice you portray the characteristics of a fine lady."

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(OOC: So so sorry for the delayed reply!!)

Well that certified that this girl was crazy, as far as Elaine was concerned. In what world could women wear armour? And why? Women didn't fight, women didn't compete in tournaments, and women most certainly did not go to war. Elaine wondered why people were humouring this poor, deluded girl. She made a mental note to speak to Levaine, he would surely know how to tactfully let this girl down and put her on the right track - and once she was there Elaine was more than happy to show her how to dress demurely and elegantly, as young ladies should. For now, she supposed she should humour the girl, after all, if she actually was crazy, Elaine didn't want to do anything that might aggravate the situation. And she didn't want to be the one to break it to the girl that women could not become knights.

So she smothered the urge to correct the girl, and made a conscious effort to rearrange her features so as not to appear rude, and to humour the girl. She smiled, nodding. "A knight? How... unfeminine of you..." Elaine spoke in the sweetest voice she could manage, oblivious to the fact that her comment could be considered rather insulting. After all, Elaine figured that being unfeminine was probably something this girl would be pleased to be, with her manly attire and wishes.

Elaine nodded as she was asked her origin, and smiled, pleased to be recognised for her homeland and eager to talk about the beautiful part of Camelot she had left behind. She blushed and bowed her head slightly, pleased to have her hard work to become a lady recognised. "Yes, I am Elaine of Astolat." She curtseyed. "My father is Lord of Astolat - a small and modest holding near to the borders of Camelot." She tilted her head slightly, looking curiously at Brianna. "And you, my la... erm..." She paused, blushing in embarrassment. "I apologise, but I do not know how to address you... I have never met a lady who dresses like a man, with aspirations of knighthood. It is a little beyond my experience." She looked around with a small sigh. "Like so many things here."

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Brianna observed the young woman's expressions and the way she was reacting to everything Brianna had said. It was true, that nobody had ever heard of a woman attempting to become a knight. That went against every law of womanhood and possibly a knight's code. After all, the girls in Camelot were raised to become ladies, and to know how to act with men when they came along. They often had families, husbands and children. But to Brianna, this did not matter. She was not looking for a husband, and she certainly did not wish to have children.

But was this beyond the point? Nobody could force her into a family, into marrying. Not if she was going to achieve her goal and become a knight. That was the only thing she could see in her future since she was ten years old. Perhaps it made no sense, but it was Brianna's only love.

Letting out a snicker, Brianna nodded her head at the girl. "Perhaps. But I don't see why not. Not every woman must become a lady, for such a duty does not suit every female in the kingdom," Brianna said, pointing out a few things, in case there were a few doubts in this person's mind. There was not one in Brianna's mind, but what could she do? Arthur had said that some would oppose her knighthood. And she was okay with that. There was nothing to be done about it.

In return to Elaine's curtsey, Brianna bowed her head in the lady's direction. Brianna might be a woman as well, but knightly chivalry was going to forever be embedded within her now. "Lady Elaine," Brianna acknowledged with the bow, and smiled at her when she stumbled a bit with her words. "I assure you, I need not be addresses in any way. I was often called Squire Brian, hence the name I took in disguise as a boy. But I am perfectly all right with being called Brianna. If you must address me in some way, however, Lady Brianna is fine."

These were small details Brianna just never cared too much about. But apparently, they really were important after all. "It takes some getting used to, Lady Elaine, but you will learn these things quite quickly." She smiled. "And besides, now you have met a lady who dresses like a man, wishing to be a knight."