#//EVEN IF SAIN FEELS A LIL GUILTY ABOUT THIS I THOROUGHLY ENJOYED IT!!!!

[enarmor]

"Oh, welcome, my new friend!" Sigurd spread his arms as he approached Sain – he'd seen the man about the monastery, a fellow Knight of Seiros, and he seemed a charming companion to have, all eager smiles and ready flattery. He knew in passing that the young man was friends with many that Sigurd had come to like, and even respect, and was glad to see that Sain had taken them up on their invitation to the party.

"Please, if you've goods that need to be chilled," Sigurd nodded at the items in the man's hands, "You can find stations in the kitchen setup for them. What an opportunity for us to become close, isn't it? I understand you share a passing relationship with my sister, Ethlyn? She is helping me host the event, surely she would like to see you as well."

Reaching to shake the man's hand firmly, Sigurd grabbed the goodie bag he and Ethlyn had prepared. The bag is of a plush sapphire velvet with braided gold drawstrings. If he were tempted to peek inside, he would find the festive goodies of the typical Chalphy holiday season: roasted nuts coated in a caramelized warming spice mixture, a hand-pulled twisted peppermint stick, decadent candied orange peel, and a holiday cracker to be pulled later with little knick-knacks within.

"You mustn't hesitate to call upon me, whatever your needs! Please, enjoy!"

"Ah, so you remembered me!" Sain retorts, clapping his hands together before mimicking Sigurd's spread and pulling him into a hug. "It must have been fate that brought us together. We're knightly brothers, you and I."

He breaks and holds Sigurd by the arms when the crusader notices the baskets of food hanging from his shoulders. Sain can't help but be marveled by his keen eye. He really does have the makings of a true event host. It's like every little twinkle in his heart that he felt from meeting him has erupted into a column of light.

Sigurd really is the ideal knight.

Something catches him off guard, though. "Mm? Lady Ethlyn? O-Oh, so you're related... I guess that would explain things..." Bashfulness creeps up on him. He can't choke down the blush growing in his neck and cheeks. Just how much had Ethlyn already told him? Does Sigurd see Sain as a failure? As a scoundrel? Has he been hiding his knowledge of their meeting this entire time--waiting for the minute the Lance would slip up around a lady?

He swallows hard. Nothing seems out of the ordinary yet, but his guard is raised. "You two have the same eyes! Ahah, maybe there's more to your lovely family than I've yet to see."

Throwing out compliments like arrows from a brave bow ought to tide over any unsavory feelings he'd have for Sain. Or so he hopes. The night has yet to begin, and already he can feel himself stepping on the wrong foot. For a brief moment, he wonders if his fate with House Chalphy is sealed. Not once does it cross his mind that he had done Ethlyn a great service at the ball.

The swarm of thoughts are broken apart, however, by the gift Sigurd thrusts into Sain's hands. The flirt tugs at the hem a little, trying to take a peek inside. He believes it impolite to open these kinds of things up until the party is over, so the string remains intact, but he thinks he can spot a few treats floating around.

Setting it in his breast pocket, he gives his friend a nod of acknowledgement. "Of course, Sir Sigurd. Just for tonight, I'll allow you to be my guiding star."