Kay grinned shyly back at her, and left both knife-sheaths where they were. But she patted them once more (through her skirts) for reassurance. Da had taught her well. Any chap trying to get more than she wanted to give, was going to find himself with a rather nasty unexpected surprise. But she would at least TRY to have some fun --- so as not to dissapoint Gwenn, Dolo and Melissa.
Melissa did a final turn herself, pleased with the results she saw in the mirror. She bowed mockingly to Dolo. "After you, Vai Domna" she said with a wide grin.
"I'm as ready as I think I'll ever be", Kay declared, pretending to more bravery than she really felt. "Now where's our fine brother, who's likely run out of patience by now ?"
Melissa laughed, picturing the poor lad twiddling his thumbs, bored out of his skull. "Well, I imagine he's got sisters at home, so he's well familiar with how long it takes us to get ready...But if not, well then, it's time he learned!" she winked at Kay with a chuckle.
Meanwhile, in the other room....Gwenn had examined everything in the room that he could without touching anything. Having nothing else to do, he began to practice the dances that he knew, walking though a pavanne first, then a brasle, and then he began doing the opening moves to a sword-dance.
Dolo entered quietly, and muffled a giggle when she saw what Gwenn was doing. She watched in silence for a few moments, then regretfully interrupted him. It was a shame, really- mountainfolk were all exceptionally graceful when dancing, and he was no exception. "Gwenn, we're ready if you are", she said.
Gwenn had reached a point in the dance where his back was turned to the door. He jumped when Dolo spoke, and had a sheepish look on his face when he turned around. "Ah...yes, I'm ready. I was just wasting time."
And off they went to the carriage waiting outside. Kay made certain to slide in beside Dolo, leaving Gwenn to share the other seat with Melissa. It was far better to be beside that unsettling blue stone than to have it right in her face all the way there.
The party exited the townhouse and took the carriage that Dolo had ordered earlier up to the Castle. Gwenn was amazed. He'd never been in a carriage before--they weren't much use in the mountains. Amd so he sat through the ride with a stoic look on his face. Gwenn wouldn't have guessed that the ride was so bumpy from watching others ride in carriages. Afterwards, he wasn't sure he wanted to ride one again, although he saw where it would be useful if you didn't want to get your clothes dirty, or couldn't walk/ride the necessary distance.