A respectful, professional knock sounds at the door to Lucas' chambers.

"And that is probably my interruption," Lilly says with a shrug. She waits patiently for Lucas to answer. It is his suite after all.

"Indeed," says Lucas.
             He rises in one easy movement from the low pouffe and saunters to the door, opening it to reveal the spick and span page (who sees a slightly flared nostril by way of acknowledgement) and Robin, who gets a fully raised eyebrow.
            "Welcome to my humble abode, Cousin Robin," he says urbanely.  "An unprecedented honour, I do believe.  I had no idea that setting up as a single man would lead to my rooms becoming quite such a magnet to my female ... Well.  Doubtless this visit is not due to a desire to share a convivial glass with me, but to your desire to find Lilly - am I correct?
            "Do come in - or shall I send Lilly out to you?"
            The corridor of the suite behind Lucas might seem to him sadly denuded of his objets trouvee, but to Robin it probably seems excessively over-furnished for a simple walkway.

Lucas!  Robin blinks in surprise.  Oh, well that explains a lot -- smells and drapery and such.  As Lucas starts in on his lots of words approach to introductions, Robin's eyes take in what's behind him.  Huhn!  The Ranger's never been a big fan of walls in the first place, but still... to do *that* to them.  No wonder they're hiding behind all that stuff - embarrassment.
            "Hi, Lucas."  Robin gets out from behind the bemused smile.  "Uhhh," she looks down at herself.  Gone is the crisp clean Ranger of the funeral.  There's definitely dried mud on Robin's boots, at least two visible grass stains on her pants, the itinerant pine needle or three in her hair, and a cute little smudge under her chin.  "If you're sure I won't muss or break anything, I guess... I can come in?  It'd be up to Lilly to decide about glasses - convivial or otherwise."

"Absolutely," says Lucas.  He nods a dismissal to the page, and then stands back to allow Robin to enter.

Robin flashes a thank-you smile to the working lad and steps through the door with delicate steps belied by her rough appearance.  It's obvious that she's employing moving through the underbrush skills to navigate Lucas' art maze.

The flicker of firelight shows from the room where Lilly sits - and the fact that the door is half ajar is probably another giveaway.  Lucas, ever the gentleman, follows Robin into the room.
            If the corridor was crowded, this room positively screams that it's a den of sybaritic pleasures.

Yikes!  'Breathe, breathe,' Robin thinks to herself.  'Pleeeeze, Lucas, let at least *some* of those hanging... things have windows behind them.'
            She smiles a little tightly to Lilly as she feels around for a flow of air from someplace other than the flue.

Lilly rises to her feet as Robin enters. As usual, she is armed. Her eyes lock on Robin's and she offers a nod. Her manner seems business-like but that too was common for Lilly.

"Your ride, I believe," he says to Lilly.  "Would either of you care for a drink before you depart?"

In response, Lilly holds up her glass and then drinks down the contents. "I think I have now had more then I need," she says. "But please Robin, if you would like something, well don't let some rule of etiquette keep you from it. Our conversation can wait a few moments."
            In fact Lilly would almost welcome a slight delay. It would give her time to put her thoughts together.

Robin looks back and forth between Lucas and Lilly.  Ride?  Depart?  Etiquette?  Conversation?  Ooookkkkaayyy.
            With a wry smile, Robin edges toward the hearth, carefully maneuvering her sword and scabbard away from the... things.  "I guess I can be social.  What are you guys drinking?"  Since she truly doubts that Lucas would tolerate any of her type of alcohol to share the same cabinet with his.

"Ah," said Lucas.  "We were indulging in a little ... hmmm.  Perhaps not.  I think I might be able to mix something that would be to your taste, cousin."

"Oh, okay."  Green eyes watch as Lucas sets to work.  A quick smile darts across her lips at the... simplication of his dialogue since his earlier greeting.  But she has to admit that it's working.

He moves over to a wooden cabinet (carved and embossed with more flourishes that any piece of wood deserves to have tortured out of it) and opens it to reveal what might seem to be an obscene number of bottles of alcohol.  He pauses, considering, and then abstracts two - pouring a generous measure of both of them into a single glass.  This he pads across to Robin with, and offers it with a slight bow.

Weeeellll, obviously Lucas knows how much to put in a glass for Robin.  Her smile grows a little more as she accepts the glass.  "Thank you, Lucas."
            Warmth shows in her eyes.  The Ranger *knows* it's his talent and way, but still she appreciates the actual grace as opposed to the flouncing.

The liquid within is a rich warm brown, like polished wood in firelight - and yet, if she holds it up to the light, it somehow seems to contain green lights, like sunlight in the deep forest.  The smell is of ginger, richly spicy.  When Robin takes a sip (if she does), the first impression is of liquid fire in her mouth.  But that fades and becomes wonderfully warming - a richness that seems to melt its way slowly down her throat and fills her with a delicious warmth.
            Of course, Robin might have had a whisky mac before.

Robin does take time to play with the colors a little.  At a sniff, her expression changes from slightly wary to bemused delight.  The first sip sends the girl's eyes off wandering.  The second drink has no relation to a sip and is happily indulged in.  "Ooo, Lucas!  Harvest Dance.  Thank you."  She laughs, eyes sparkling.  And toasts his talent at matching drink to drinker.

Lucas inclines his head with a faint, acknowledging smile.

She smiles over to Lilly.  "What'd he give you?"  The twinkle of gentle mischeviousness has replaced much of the animal trapped in the boudoir look in her face.

The seriousness leaves Lilly's features for a moment and there is a playful spark in her eye, "Ah the first was called Bride's Tears. The second... Well that one was never named. But it was quite lovely. Better then the first, I must say." She offers nod of thanks to Lucas.

Lilly allows a few moment for drinks to be consumed before addressing their host once more, "Lucas you have been most gracious this evening, thank you. But you seemed dressed for an evening out and I do not wish to keep you any longer." Her attention turns to Robin, "Perhaps you would like to take a walk in one of the gardens? I could use a bit of fresh air."

Lucas waits politely, making no move to detain his guests (nor any sign that might hurry their departure either).  He is, of course, the perfect host.

Robin pauses from where she was wiping her mouth on the back of her hand.  A chuckle ripples through her.
            "Gardens would be fine."  Yep, yep.  Time to get Robin outdoors again, she thinks with a ironic smile.
            "Lucas?  Thank you."  The Ranger holds out her glass to him, a little awkwardly, unsure of what to do with the thing.  "Uh, maybe some time we could... you know... talk or something... I guess?"
            Oh, yeah.  *That* was smooth.

"I shall be delighted," says Lucas, with perfect gravity and a small bow, "to talk ... or something ... at some future time."
            He takes Robin's empty glass and moves to escort both ladies from his rooms, holding open the door and closing it after their departure.

Lilly pauses for a moment of the way out, seems as if she has something to add, and then promptly retreats back to formality. Not now, she decides. It will wait.

Lilly begins to lead the way down the hall. After several feet she pauses, "We don't have to go to the gardens. We can go to my rooms or the library or really just about anywhere you would like."
            Without knowing how Robin is going to react to the coming conversation, Lilly wants for  her to be comfortable. No point in having her on edge before they begin.

One blonde brow raises and Robin smiles ironically.
            "Track is chosen, Lilly.  No point in trying to guess the deadfalls ahead of time.  The trail is too unpredictable."  Then she chuckles and relents.  "Besides, the Garden really *is* best."  She finishes with a rueful shrug and looks around.  Yep, lost again.
            Robin swings her arms back and forth a few times with a 'there it is' smile as she waits for Lilly to lead them out of this place.

Lilly nods and leads on. She waits until they are outside to begin speaking.
            "The Knights of the Order of the Ruby have discussed bestowing the title of Knight commander of someone new. We have now lost two of our original members and feel we should have more than just the four of us.  A majority of us spoke it over, we would like you to join our ranks. We think you could act as a bridge between the Knighthood and the Rangers. We are in no way asking you to give up your position among them." It may take her a little while to begin speaking, but once she starts, there is no wasting of words.

"WHAaaaawkt?!?"  The sound Robin makes is somewhere between a squawk and a word and echoes off the Castle walls before becoming quickly muffled by the nighttime foliage of the Gardens.  Startled, the girl ruffles and mantles fiercely.  She steps back from Lilly, a half crouch in her posture, hands loose and ready.  Her blonde head cocks and she stares at the knight from one eye, whites showing.
            But as soon as it's there, it's gone, and Robin's eyes are dancing over the night sky and dark vegetation.  Her hands flutter, expressions dance across her face and she begins to pace and wheel.  The whole time speaking to herself in a melange of muttering, hisses and whistles.
            Slowing, she turns to face Lilly.  Who speaks in one sharp thrust.  Whereas her own style is definitely more barrage oriented.
            "Are you NUTS?!?  You want to replace two not-so-stable, not-so-in-the-King's-favor Commanders with yet *another*!? And while it's nice that you're 'not asking me to give up my position among' the Rangers, it's really rather irrelevant 'cause I'll always, *always* be a Ranger FIRST.  Everything else comes second.  That what you want in a Knight Commander?  And, by the way, why aren't you promoting one of your own knights to commander? I haven't *done* anything - I thought the Ruby was a reward-for-service based order.  Or is it just kiddie table at the Family dinner time?  Because if it is, there's *plenty* of other kiddies who actually *deserve* something like this - Folly, Jerod, Vere, Solange, etc.  *Those* guys are heroes.  My specialty is doing... nothing.  Or rather not doing things.... whatever."  Robin waves that off.
            "Sweet Deep Green, wha... did Jove put you up to this?"  Green eyes search around the garden, as though suspicious that her brother is lurking out there somewhere.  Even though she knows she would've known if he was.
            When her eyes come back to Lilly, Robin takes a deep breath, fluffs herself down a little.  And smiles.  "Okay, your turn."

As Robin spoke, Lilly patiently waited. Now that her turn has come, she takes a few seconds before responding.
            "To answer your last question first... No, he did not. He did agree with our assessment, however. You are the daughter of a royal. You are as worthy of honor and praise as any of us, probably more then some. The others you have mentioned have been given a knighthood of their own. I see theirs as a diplomatic order and ours as a martial order. We thought you would be a good fit because you passionately defend the things you care about. Nothing more, and nothing less.
            "The decision to accept this honor is completely yours. We had hoped to have a commander who could oversee the needs of Arden and her people but if you do not feel up to the challenge, I understand." Lilly's voice is soft and calm. In sharp contrast to Robin, she shows very little emotion as she speaks.

"Too easy, Lilly."  Robin replies with a grin, "'Sides I didn't say no.  I just said we got some serious shit to think about first."

Lilly allows herself a very genuine smile.

"K, so..." Robin ticks her points off on her fingers.  "The Orders *are* kiddie tables.  Can't say I like it, but I ain't going to argue.  Too much.  For right now.  As long as the other kiddie's get their feast too."
                For a moment, Robin's face lights up.  A fervent hope goes through her that she'll be around to see Vere and Solange knighted.  Oh, and Ossian too!  Then she's back on track.  "And I sure as hell can't say I'm any kind of diplomat.
            "And if you're shopping for passion, I certainly peer Aisling and Daeon for that, but...." a soft whistle, "you guys better line up the pine boxes if you keep on that tack.  I *still* don't think the King's going to go for it."  She finishes in a mutter.
            "Arden, though, that's still a stickler, Lilly.  I don't oversee Arden.  The Warden does.  If you get me, you just get me.  Native guide at best.  Rangers don't take orders or overseein' from Knights.  Not even from me.  Make sense?"

"Makes perfect sense. You are speaking to the daughter of Benedict. I may be respected by his troops, but I am certainly not about to try to give them orders. On the other hand, they will at least talk me."

Robin does a little shoulder dance shrug.  Not quite but close enough.  These guys obviously do need someone to 'splain Rangerin' to them.

Lilly shrugs, "I am not worried about the King. Not really. We plan on asking forgiveness, not permission. And if he really hates it, he can dissolve the order. The we are all free of it's duties." Lilly is smiling again as she finishes. Now that she has walked the pattern, the idea of being free from duty is somewhat appealing. Of course she does not believe that will ever truly happen but a girl can still dream.

A low whistle of surprise escapes the Ranger.
            "K.  I gotta know.  That for me?  Or for the precedent?"

"We have been given a very free hand. Random has offered absolutely no direction. He knighted us and then retreated," Lilly replies. "Of course, I do not view that as a problem. Not in any way. He is a busy man after all. And I would be worried if he went around knighting people he did not trust."
            Lilly turns her full attention to Robin, meeting her gaze. "I suppose we are testing that trust a bit. But I would not do such a thing unless I believed I was right. I truly believe you are an asset. I truly believe you deserve this honor as much, if not more than, I do. And I can think of no one else I would prefer to see accept it." Her words are very sincere.

"Hunh," Robin blows a little nonplussed breath out, her bangs fluffing off her forehead briefly.  Green eyes gaze at Lilly for a while.  Lilly the complete stranger.  Who just said *that.*
                Then her eyes wander a bit.  Brennan.  A smirk tugs one corner of her mouth.  That could be fun.  Jovian.  A rueful snort escapes her at the memory of their tacticizing in Danu.  Well, he knows what he's getting into anyway.  Marius.  The twitchy stranger she barely knows... Her brows raise as she nods to herself gently.  It ain't a bad crew.  But...
            "I'm not around much, Lilly.  And I already got an assignment out in Shadow."

There is a slight shrug. "We all have things to do other than sitting around a castle sparring and playing chess. No one expects that of any of us. We are defenders. Sometimes that work carries us far. Sometimes is does not. No one would expect you to abandon your duties.
            "I do not need a decision right now. Think about it if you wish. Talk to Brennan or Jovian. They both know I was planning on speaking with you. Just know that I would not be here if I did not believe this was a good idea. I like Brennan and Jove very much. But I make my own decisions."

"Weeeellll, here's hopin' you don't live to regret this one."  Robin says with a wry grin as she holds out her hand.
            "So what now?"  The Ranger asks bemusedly.

"Now we decide when," Lilly answers with a smile. "Brennan thought it might be best to have a quick knighting as soon as possible." She pauses a moment to let the smile become something more of a grin. "For your sake of course. He seemed to think you might not want to remain at the castle any longer then necessary. But really, it's up to you. It does not have to be anything fancy."

Robin chuckles as she scratches behind one ear a little self-consciously.  Yeah, okay.  She hasn't been exactly subtle about her feelings for the heap.
            "I'm not much of one for ceremonies, Lilly.  So as short, sweet, private and fast as possible is about all the input I have."  Her nose scrunches.  "What kind of guest list meets minimum reqs?"

"Perhaps Brennan to do the actual knighting, since this was his idea."  Lilly says with a grin. "Jovian and I can serve as witnesses. Beyond that..." she shrugs.
            "Perhaps we can arrange something just before lunch tomorrow and then we can fill you in on all of the top secret afterwards. We can't afford to go around teaching the handshake to people before they are knighted." Lilly manages to sound serious but more then likely she is joking.
            She thinks about it for a moment longer, "Or we can wait. Let you get used to the idea. There really is no rush. And besides, if we act quickly, people may think you are simply a replacement for Daeon. I want them to see that you were chosen not for your lineage, but for your own merit. Waiting might be a better option." Lilly shrugs.  Either way is clearly fine as far as she is concerned.

Robin smiles to Lilly.  Boy, can she appreciate that kind of back and forth.  Though she infinitely prefers to just make the decision - even if it's the wrong one - to all that thinking.  But even as the Ranger is denigrating thinking to herself, a thought occurs.
            "Hmmmm.  Vere didn't mention anything to me about another Order or being knighted.  I suspect that *he* doesn't know about yet...  Think Brennan and Jovian would be alright with waiting until Vere gets his first?  That could cut down on the unseemly haste thing."

"I think they will have to be fine with it if that is your decision."  Lilly knows Robin can fight her own battles but that does not mean she will not come to the Ranger's defense on this issue. "I shall inform them of your conditions. When the time is right, we will hold the ceremony. In the meantime, you can consider yourself an unofficial Knight Commander." Lilly extends a hand towards Robin as she finishes speaking.

"*That* I can do." Robin smiles as she takes Lilly's hand.
            After a moment, those green eyes wander a bit before coming back to Lilly.  "Anything else?" Robin asks with raised eyebrows.  Yep, closure is not her strength either, but the girl doesn't think that plain-spoken Lilly is going to mind too much.

"I don't think so," Lilly replies sounding quite pleased to be free of this task. Now all she had to do was inform the others of the outcome.  Perhaps a quick note. That would be the easiest way.
            "I will leave you to enjoy the remainder of your day." Lilly takes her leave and immediately heads back to her quarters.

"You too."  Robin nods.  The Ranger watches Lilly head back into the Castle with a sympathetic smile.  Yep, looks like they both aren't big on the talkin' parts.  Luckily Jovian and Brennan can talk enough for *anyone.*  With a wry chuckle, Robin heads off into the garden to find tonight's sleeping spot.