Alexandria lined Justice up to the tilting line for the 17th time. She had come 1/4 of an inch closer every other time she had tilted tonight. She was proud of this, and instead of just clipping the corner of the quintain’s shield she managed to hit just a few centimeters away from the red circle painted on it.

She would stay here all night if she had to ((as long as her horse did not tire, she would not push him to hard because she loved him dearly, but he still had lots of energy left)), but she would be the first first-year-page to not get pounded in the back by the heavy practice dummy. She had been practicing for 3 nights in a row now, and had only been at the palace for a week and a half. Once she could hit the quintain 2/3 of the time she decided she would get a weighted lance. She refused to be second best and she new this was one of her greatest flaws (her competitiveness).

Her arms had slowly started to grow numb and she now shivered for the sun had started to go down and she was drenched in sweat.

Livia had really only meant to watch for just a little bit, like she always did. Watching the pages and squires spar and tilt was her favorite hobby, right after reading, of course.

But now, the sun had gone down and Livia was without her shawl. She was shaking. "Ugh," she muttered, "Everyone's going to be angry when I come bursting in half an hour late." But she was glued right where she was.

Livia turned her attention to the area where tilting was being practiced. She saw a page, or at least, she thought it was a page, practicing. "I hope he...or she...can do it," she said to nobody in particular.

Alexandria once again lined herself up. She told Justice to charge for the 18th time, she felt the horse's muscles bunch and release, bunch and release. She lifted her lance, steadying it, steadying it. This time when she hit the quintain she hit it almost center. She beamed at Justice and promised him lots of extra treats. Alexandria couldn't contain her joy she let out a long gleeful shout and got ready to try it again.

"Good job!" Livia yelled over to the page, despite herself. She felt as proud as if she were the training master, or something like that.

Also, Livia admired the horse that was being ridden. It was such a beauty! She made a mental note in her head to check and see what the horse's name was and to whom it belonged next time she was in the stables.

As the page lined up for another try, Livia watched in silence. This was far better than gathering herbs or healing broken legs.

Alexander made 3 more runs at the quintain with the same result, hitting her target head on. Then she stopped when she realized she was being cheered. She walked Justice over towards the filmier face. She had seen the young lady around the palace and immediately recognized the palace servant uniform, although she did not know the young ladies name.

Alexander was drenched in sweat. She juggled her lance around, careful not to hit Justice, as she removed her riding gloves to wipe the sweat from her eye’s. Then when she was in front of the young lady who had been cheering her on moments before she asked “So do you think I’ll impress my dear Lord Genlith when we practice tomorrow."

"I certainly think you will, ma'am," Livia said respectfully. "Forgive me if I was distracting you."

Livia shifted her position. She did not talk face-to-face with a noble very often. Unless you counted Lasser...and she didn't. "And by the way, madam, I think your horse is beautiful. What's his - her - its name?"

"You where very encouraging, so there is no need for me to forgive you. Justice is his name. If you do not mind my asking what is your name?" Alexandria said in her most friendly voice.

"I'm Livia Heart, madam," Livia replied. "I spend most of my time at the infirmary. Do you 'fall down' much?" It was a rather rhetorical question, but Livia almost always asked it.

"I do believe you are one of the Rosewood pages, are you not?"

"Oh no, if you know my brother PLEASE don't hold it against me." Alexandria replied jokingly. “I am Alexandria.” Alexandria then slowly got down from Justice, feeling sore and bruised everywhere. Then she thought about what Livia had just called her and laughed “Please don’t call me madam for I am not old and we seem to be standing on leaved ground, as equals.” Then in a hurtful dramatic tone she said “And as for falling down, alas I have not gotten the chance to, you have no clue how heart broken it makes me feel.” She then pretended to sniffle a little and could not help but smile openly.

Nobody wants to be called madam, Livia thought. "No, I won't hold it against you," she grinned.

"It is true, I think I'm older than you!"

Justice started to ruffle Livia's hair lightly in greeting. Then Alexandria dug around in her pockets for a few moments before she found the last sugar cub she had gotten for Justice and feed it to him. "I am 10 almost 11 years old." Alexandria said cheerfully. "Why do you work in the infirmary so often, do you poses the gift? I have always been fascinated with it but I don't poses it myself" She said interestedly.

Gwenna began to walk past the practice yards to head inside the palace when she caught glimpse of the rider, tilting. Drawing her full gaze away from the parchments in her hands, she turned and walked over to the fence surrounding the yards. With a sigh, she pulled herself up and onto the top rail, resting herself gracefully on it.

She watched the first few runs and heard a light voice cheer out from the opposite side. Peering over the distance, she saw the young woman and directed her attention back to the one tilting.

When the rider moved over to talk to the spectator, Gwenna remained where she was and regained her focus on the parchments. Her face growing from light at the sight of someone bettering themselves to sour at the news she read.

OOC- I am moving forward a little in time after my talk with Livia. ( I will be rping with both of you)

IC- After Alexandria finished talking with Livia she started walking Justice back to the palace stable's so she could groom her when she spotted another onlooker. She smiled politely and waved as she walked her patient horse over. Alexandria couldn't help it she loved to talk, and it was on the way to the stables. She walked up and bowed slightly "Hello, tis it not a wonderful night out to sharpen one's battle skills? So what do you think, could I use some more practice?"

Gwenna smiled and nodded, folding the parchment.

"It's a good night, certainly." She slid slowly off the fence and stretched. "I can't say I'm an expert at tilting. I think you were doing just fine. If you're on the way to the stables, I'll walk with you."

She placed the parchment in a purse at her belt and waited for the girl to exit the practice yard.

"Well, I'm 13," Livia said cheerfully. "And I work in the infirmary because I enjoy it and I was trying to find out if I had the Gift. Now I know I do." She smiled, remembering with embarassment the incident in which she had discovered that she did.

Gwynn shifted in her tilting saddle, reaching down to pat FireDancer on the neck. The mare's sleek fur felt like silk under the page's fingers. This would be the first time Gwynn had ridden FireDancer in Tilting Practice, and her stomach tightened in nervousness.

But on the other hand, Gwynn told herself, I've ridden so many horses, I'm pretty used to a change. But still, no hurt to be over-cautious. The 13 year old girl headed towards the line where other trainees gathered, feeling the smooth muscles of the chestnut mare under her seat.

FireDancer snorted, tossing her head as she took in the other horses with wide amber eyes. "Easy," Gwynn murmered, stroking the horse with steady hands.

Gwynn looked around, her hands clasped tightly over FireDancer's reins, and spotted Alexandria. Although Alexandria was only a first year page, Gwynn counted her as a friend.

Trotting FireDancer towards Alexandria, Gwynn brought a hand up in greeting to her and the girl beside her.

OOC- Okay, since everyone is departing from the tilting arena, Gwynn is waving to them, good-bye. Gwynn's going to practice a little, by herself a bit. Sorry, but I didn't realize you were leaving until after I had written this post.

Alexandria now longed for a shower, but really didn’t want to end her friendly conversation so she said with some regret “I hope I haven’t kept you from your work Livia, it was nice talking with you, but I think I will retire for the night.”

..............................

Alexandria smiled at Gwenna and headed towards the stables glad for the company when she heard Gwynn hail her. She turned her head and waved to her as Gwynn trotted over, a slight breeze chilled her skin, the sun had all but fully sunken from the late night sky.

OOC- Gwynn already practiced Tilting, because it's already sunset and all, so she'll be on her way to the stables. :D

Gwynn smiled at Alexandria, patting FireDancer as the chestnut mare snorted and pranced aside seeing the newcomer.

"It's okay, girl," the page consoled her mount, slowing her as she reached Alexandria's side. "Hello, Alexandria," Gwynn greeted.

She reached into her pocket and produced a carrot. Bending down over her tilting saddle, Gwynn stretched her palm open, and FireDancer lipped up the tid-bit.

"Hello Gwynn. On your way to the stables?" Alexandria asked the obvious question.

Then she turned to Gwenna "This is my friend Gwynn, she is a third year page. I didn't catch your name, sorry?"