The Lannister House in King's Landing

[Flex]

Aurane nodded at his mother, not really caring about the Royces. When they arrived his attention was peaked just a little by the guards and bearded Valemen but his mind was forever on Doreah.

[Deleted]

Ser Malcolm stood, with his wife Amya at his side, waiting patiently for their hosts to come greet them. He had dressed for the occasion, wearing a long sleeved shirt with a velvet black heavy west with bronze linings over it, and matching boots and breeches. He smiled toward his wife, hoping that she would return his smile, knowing fully well that she hadn't really forgiven him for arranging to have Robert sent to Winterfell in three years time.

He bowed his head as he was greeted by the lady of the house.

"The pleasure is all ours, my lady Lannister. This is my wife, Amya." he said, introducing the short and slender woman next to him.

[Ser Harlan Stone]

A pleasure?
Dressed simply in black, Harlan grinned beneath his beard. That was a new one for him coming from a high lady. As was usual at these events, he just wanted to sit in the back and go unnoticed. These high born wouldn't want to talk to him, but he might get a conversation started up with one of their retainers...

[Horas]

Lord Royce makes the proper introductions and pleasantries. "Donnel is a bit young for formal dinner parties yet," Bayard smiles in response, "But he is coming along well, as are my other two of course. On behalf of House Royce, let me thank you for your generous invitation."

[Tynian Lannister]

Gerion stood next to his wife, resplendent in his finest clothes, the embroided golden thread stitched out the lion on his tunic breast ensuring it was the cost of the wages of a common man for a year, without taking into account the large rubies encrusted on the rings & chain he also wore. All this effort was wasted on a blind man he knew, but the other Royces would take note of his wealth and power, he was sure. Best to set them in their place early on with such matters he knew. 

He smiled broadly (again, noting it's wasted appeal on the slightless man in front of him) and said "It is a pleasure to welcome you and your kin to our home, Lord Royce. I confess my wife has been keen on entertaining since we got here but there's always so much to catch up on, is there not? Affairs of state do not allow the luxury of such gatherings often" he continued, insincerely throwing his wife an indulgent smile. "I do not think I have had the pleasure of meeting your family before" he shakes their hands, even the baseborn member of their party. While he didn't particularly like bastards, they served their uses as well as other men when put to a task suiting their station in life.

"Please, by all means enter and make yourselves comfortable" he clapped loudly twice and servants appeared from inside, waiting to offer drinks and refreshments as desired. The finery of their clothing spoke volumes of the importance placed on this meeting by the Lannister party.

[Deleted]

Ser Malcolm wasn't at all impressed by the Lannisters efforts to try and show off their wealth, to him it all was redundant and made them seem petty, but their was a smile ever present on his face as he drank from their wine and ate of their food. He placed a hand on his wife's that was seated next to him, but she pushed it away abruptly, and turned to talk to the person seated to her left. He sighed inwardly before turning to look at Aurane.

"So what did you think of the tourney, Aurane? Was it all your fantasies come true?"

[Horas]

"Aurane seems a fine young man," Bayard says, settling in, "Though I have not had the pleasure of meeting Tynian. Is he present?"

[Ser Harlan Stone]

Harlan rarely if ever sat at the lords table, even back in the Vale. Bayard meant well usually by trying to have him sit with the rest of the family, but Harlan usually preferred to sit with the lower born. It wasn't his place, and he felt very out of place. He shifted on his chair uneasily. The food was excellent, and he ate carefully, keeping his eyes down. He knew it was a supposed honor, but it still sat wrong with him.

[Tynian Lannister]

"I'm here Ser" a quiet voice piped up. Tynian was so small in frame and stature that he seemed far too big for the clothes he wore and was positively dwarfed by the large, soft-backed leather chair he sat upon. He suddenly wore a panicked expression as Gerion's face darkened for a moment and he realised what he'd said. "Lord!" he blurted out. "I mean, my Lord Royce!" He looked down to his hands, face flushed in what could have been embarrassment or fear.

"Indeed he is!" Gerion said loudly, with a broad smile. "He's not the equal of his brother at that age of course, but perhaps the Eyrie could teach him to be a warrior of great renown" he sounded very disbelieving when he said this, but threw a smile at Lord Bayard which suggested he was beyond caring anymore. "At least, he may already be as good a lance!" he said, roaring with laughter as he reached for a drink.

[Horas]

"I am pleased to meet you, young Ser," Lord Royce says to the boy.

To Gerion, Bayard spreads his hands as if to indicate it makes no matter to him, but he thought it poor taste to insult the prowess of two of the men his host had invited to dinner. "Tournaments are well and good, of course, but in the Vale we focus more on winning wars than winning sport. Our master-at-arms at the Eyrie, Ser Rolf, is renowned throughout the Vale with sword and axe and even his bare hands."

[Tynian Lannister]

Gerion leaned back, smiling at the lack of a rise from Bayard over his men's showing. "Oh indeed, Lord Royce. I care very little for the joust myself. As you say, boys play at games, men play at war" he smirked a little at the losing Royce competitors but said no more as he took a sip of wine and waited to see their mettle.

"Oh, I'm not a Ser yet Lord Royce" Tynian replied politely, wondering why he didn't realise. "But neither is my brother" he said as if he was a major secret he was letting slip. "Papa...er, I mean my lord father" he coloured crimson again, matching his small but intricate doublet, "Has said that he will be knighted upon our return home as he didn't want that ponce to do it" he said as he remembered the exact words his father had used. Luckily for him, Gerion hadn't heard.

[Ser Harlan Stone]

Harlan nearly had the wine come snorting out of his nose at the boys remarks. He quickly covered up his laughter with coughing fit. However, while he rearranged his tableware, he puts the salad fork where the dinner fork should go!

[Horas]

Bayard smiles. It is not genuine, but such things are difficult to tell with him. If the eyes were the window to the soul, as the poets said, then Lord Royce's windows had been boarded up long ago. "Your hospitality is wonderful, my Lord and Lady, but if I may cut to the business of the night? A number of the great houses have expressed interest in fostering their children at the Eyrie, and I believe adding Tynian to that list would benefit both of our houses."

[Deleted]

Ser Malcolm clenched his hand beneath the table, trying his best not to let the insulting words get to him. He had taken their food and drink and he was in their homes, so there was nothing he can do than sit there, lest he wanted to embarrass himself and his brother.

"I have never been a jouster, my lord, but someone of higher standing had to represent the Vale, as it was a joust in celebration of the marriage."

[Tynian Lannister]

Gerion looked back across at the Lord of the Vale, sizing him up. As much as he viewed Tynian as a lost cause, he didn't want him to grow up to shame them even more. He automatically discounted his wife's opinion as of little worth so he tried to judge the man himself, from the little he knew of him. As much as he enjoyed aggravating the Royce knights, they were generally acclaimed warriors; the Vale being one of the few places in Westeros in near constant conflict between the savage mountain clans and the men of the Eyrie.

Quite frankly he mused, at worst, Tynian would die up there either falling to his death from their ridiculous castle in the sky or from some other mishap common to boys his age. No great loss. At best he may return as a Lannister of the Rock, with connections and knowledge his family could use later on. It was worth the risk he felt. He smiled broadly. "I agree, Lord Royce. It would do the lad good to mix with boys his age and standing". Normally, he'd view every other house as poor comparison, but Tynian was such a snivelling coward that he might fit right in. Even a pathetic lion appears fierce to sheep, he reflected. "Let us drink to this, and hope that this is the beginning of a friendship between our two great houses!" he raised his glass, withholding a sigh as he waited for that odd-looking servant to advise Bayard he had done so.